Leaf Gray guessed this was related to his recent increase in strength. The stronger his power, the greater the potency of the spirit patterns he could activate. Ultimately, the spirit patterns existed based on his spiritual power as their foundation.

Furthermore, the longsword in his hand barely qualified as a spiritual tool, unlike the ordinary iron sword he had before. The same spirit pattern applied to a spiritual tool versus an ordinary iron sword would have different levels of power.

One Fire Snake Talisman, one slashing attack enhanced with Sharpness, allowed Leaf Gray, with his Spirit Creek Second Layer cultivation, to slay a Third Layer body cultivator.

His figure barely paused as he passed the fallen body cultivator and charged directly before the brightly dressed young master.

The young master was clearly terrified, primarily because the series of events happened too quickly. One moment he was thinking about studying the spirit trapped by the Mysterious Spirit Bell, then after Shixiong Rivera threw a punch, a snow-white tiger leaped out, followed closely by a fierce cultivator charging forth.

Before he could even understand the situation, the body cultivator blocking in front of him was clutching his throat and falling...

At the critical moment of life and death, the young master instinctively pushed the woman in his arms, shoving her towards Leaf Gray's blade while she was completely unprepared.

The woman's expression was one of panic and confusion. Watching the bright flash of the blade sweep before her eyes, she only had time to activate her protective spiritual power before her vision began to tilt, and she quickly lost consciousness.

Taking advantage of the brief time bought by the woman, the young master frantically pulled a spirit talisman from his storage pouch, directly channeled spiritual power into it, and threw it out.

Leaf Gray's ferocity had truly frightened him. He rarely engaged in direct combat; usually, when killing people, his two Shixiong would capture them first or beat them half to death before letting him finish the job. He had never experienced such a dangerous and intense scene before.

He even momentarily forgot to recall his Mysterious Spirit Bell for protection.

In contrast, Leaf Gray remained extremely calm and focused from start to finish. With a cultivation of only the Spirit Creek Second Layer, he fiercely fought with the momentum of a Ninth Layer cultivator!

This temperament was related to a person's past experiences. A young master raised in luxury since childhood naturally couldn't compare to a mine slave surviving in the cracks.

In an instant, a ribbon-like slashing attack appeared before Leaf Gray. He wasn't surprised by this.

If that stout man had a Golden Body Talisman for protection, this so-called young master definitely had one too.

His spiritual power surged and roared within him, his two minor circulatory systems operating at their limits. Leaf Gray's eyes brimmed with spiritual power, allowing him to see the precise point where the slash would land.

A triangular object, flowing with complex and intricate patterns, resembling a shield, appeared over Leaf Gray's chest – the Guarding Spirit Pattern.

Almost the moment this spirit pattern formed, the talisman's slash arrived. Leaf Gray felt a tremendous force smash into his chest, immediately feeling tightness in his chest and shortness of breath.

He didn't know the full extent of this slash's effect on him; there was no time to check now. He had already closed in on the young master. Under the other's panicked gaze, he thrust out his blade.

The protective spiritual power hastily activated by the young master was like paper, easily pierced by the longsword. The sharp blade passed through his shoulder blade, splattering blood.

A scream erupted. Leaf Gray withdrew the blade, turned his body, moved behind the young master, and held the sword horizontally against his neck!

The young master's scream cut off abruptly. Feeling the cold touch at his neck, his whole body stiffened, frozen in place.

From the moment the big tiger exposed their position until now, only about five breaths had passed. Leaf Gray broke through the stout body cultivator's defense, killed the Second Layer woman, and captured the young master. During this, he activated three Sharpness Spirit Patterns and one Guarding pattern.

Throughout the entire process, he didn't even have time to think. Drawing the sword, killing – it was done seamlessly, as fast as a rabbit leaping or a ray gliding.

"Awoo!" The big tiger's low roar sounded as its burly figure was sent flying, crashing against a nearby rock wall and sliding down. It was simply no match for the Fourth Layer cultivator, completely falling into a disadvantageous position in just a short moment.

However, the victor felt no joy. Turning his head to look at the chaotic scene, his eyes were full of disbelief...

Shidi Gagnon lay on the ground clutching his throat, eyes wide, body convulsing continuously. Although not dead immediately, such injuries were already beyond saving.

Shimei Darcy's headless corpse lay slumped to the side, blood spurting from her neck with a hissing sound. Her charming head rolled nearby, her face still frozen in an expression of terror and fear.

The young master's shoulder blade bled profusely, a longsword held against his neck. Behind the young master, a figure was partially hidden, only one eye visible, staring at him like a lone wolf – fierce and resolute!

What happened!

Shixiong Rivera's scalp went numb. He had only exchanged blows with the snow-white tiger for a moment, so how had his three fellow disciples ended up with two dead, one injured, and one captured?

And who was this who had come?

The knocked-down big tiger got up and walked over step by step, but didn't rashly attack Shixiong Rivera again, as it sensed it was no match. Moreover, now that Leaf Gray had captured one of them, it didn't need to be so urgent anymore.

"Let her go!" Leaf Gray stared at Shixiong Rivera and shouted lowly.

"Who are you?" Shixiong Rivera asked through gritted teeth, running through the notable opponents in his mind, none of whom matched Leaf Gray.

Leaf Gray pulled the longsword back slightly, then viciously stabbed it into the young master's thigh. A scream erupted; the young master almost knelt, only kept upright by Leaf Gray holding him.

Pulling the sword out, blood spurted. Leaf Gray once again placed the sword against the young master's neck, looked at Shixiong Rivera, and repeated his previous words: "Let her go!"

"You..." Shixiong Rivera's eyes nearly burst with rage. He had underestimated Leaf Gray's decisiveness and ferocity. His single unnecessary question had cost the young master another stab. The opponent's meaning was clear: dare to waste words again, and it will be another stab! The next stab could be anywhere.

With the young master held captive, despite his Fourth Layer cultivation, he dared not act rashly, feeling utterly stifled.

Ensuring the young master's safety was paramount now; otherwise, he couldn't answer for it. His face dark, he spoke: "This Mysterious Spirit Bell is a spiritual object bestowed by a senior from our sect. Once triggered, it cannot be easily released. It requires some time!"

Swoosh...

A blade flash appeared, and an arm flew off accordingly. The young master, held captive before Leaf Gray, was stunned for a moment, then his body trembled violently. He screamed loudly but dared not make any move, because the sharp weapon at his neck could slit his throat at any moment.

He roared, "Daniel Rivera, are you trying to get me killed? I curse your entire family, all your ancestors!"

"Let her go!" Leaf Gray's voice was low, clearly having lost patience.

"Release her, release her!" The young master's face was streaked with snot and tears. The pain was driving him mad. That he hadn't fainted was only because he was, after all, a Third Layer cultivator. He shakily raised his remaining arm, formed a hand seal, and the Mysterious Spirit Bell inverted on the ground immediately flew up. The large bell spun rapidly, shrinking in size, and flew back into the young master's hand.

Leaf Gray was taken aback, only then realizing that the spiritual tool was controlled by the young master...

The trapped Evie broke free and immediately rushed towards the big tiger, plunging into its body and disappearing.

Although Shixiong Rivera had thoughts of trying something, he didn't dare make any rash moves. He looked at Leaf Gray hiding behind the young master and slowly said, "Release the young master, and today's matter ends here. I can swear a Providentia oath."

"Fine!" Leaf Gray agreed, then pushed the young master forward from behind.

The young master stumbled forward a few steps. Before he could feel the joy of escaping death, a hot spring gushed from his neck.

"How dare you!" Shixiong Rivera roared furiously.