"Huh? Are you going to fight with that rusty dagger now since you don't have a better weapon!" The First Elder jeered, his voice dripping with disdain. His eyes gleamed with mockery as he looked at Liang Wei's humble weapon. To him, it seemed like the rusty dagger would shatter upon the first clash with a normal sword.
Liang Wei met the First Elder's mocking gaze with unwavering determination. He tightened his grip on the hilt of the dagger and replied, his voice laced with quiet confidence, "We'll see if you're still able to talk after this."
With a surge of energy, Liang Wei launched into action. The rusty dagger became an extension of his arm as he unleashed a series of swift and precise strikes. Each movement was infused with a specialized technique, honed through years of training. The Su Family elders were taken aback by Liang Wei's proficiency and the potency of his attacks.
As Liang Wei's dagger clashed with their weapons, a strange sensation washed over the elders. It felt as if something was being drained from them, an invisible force devouring their vitality with every deflection. Their once vibrant energy waned, replaced by a growing sense of weakness and dread.
Realization dawned upon the Fourth Elder, his eyes widening with alarm. He swiftly conveyed a message to the other three elders, warning them of the danger. However, it was too late. The insidious effects of Liang Wei's dagger had already taken their toll. More than half of their life essence had been consumed, leaving them vulnerable and desperate for a solution.
With a cunning plan in mind, the Fourth Elder subtly signaled to his comrades. He knew they needed to buy time, to distract Liang Wei long enough for him to send a message requesting reinforcements. The other three elders understood the unspoken command and shifted their tactics accordingly.
The battle continued, the Su Family elders engaging Liang Wei with renewed determination. Their strikes became more calculated, aimed at buying precious seconds rather than inflicting damage. They parried and dodged, skillfully evading Liang Wei's lethal attacks while trying to stall for the Fourth Elder's signal.
Meanwhile, the Fourth Elder swiftly formulated his plan. He tapped into his internal energy, focusing his thoughts on reaching out to their allies for assistance. Using a secret technique, he sent a telepathic message, detailing their dire situation and requesting immediate aid.
Liang Wei, despite his fierce onslaught, sensed a change in his opponents' approach. Their defenses grew stronger, their movements synchronized. He realized they were trying to delay him, to keep him occupied until their reinforcements arrived.
However, Liang Wei was undeterred. The power of the dagger fueled his determination, and he pressed on with relentless resolve. His strikes were unyielding, his movements a lethal dance of precision and agility. He knew that he had to incapacitate the elders before help could arrive.
The warehouse reverberated with the clash of weapons, the sound of strained breaths, and the occasional grunts of exertion. The battle reached a crescendo, each side giving their all in a desperate bid for victory.
Minutes stretched into what felt like an eternity as Liang Wei fought against the remaining strength of the Su Family elders. The weight of exhaustion settled upon them all, yet none were willing to yield. They fought on, their hearts filled with a mixture of determination and dread.
Outside the warehouse, the Fourth Elder's telepathic message had reached its intended recipients. Assistance was on its way, a glimmer of hope for the embattled elders. The Fourth Elder silently prayed for their arrival, knowing that their combined strength might be the only chance they had against Liang Wei's relentless onslaught.
The battle raged on, Liang Wei's frustration mounting as he confronted the cunning tricks and relentless combination attacks of the Su Family elders. Their coordinated assault made it nearly impossible for him to close the distance and drain their remaining life force. While he possessed the power to defeat them individually, time was of the essence, as reinforcements were likely on their way. He needed to act swiftly to secure his victory.
With a deep breath, he channeled his Qi into the rusty dagger, its weathered surface cracking as ancient runes began to radiate with a vibrant purple hue. The air surrounding him filled with a swirling miasma of the same color, drawing the attention of the four elders, especially the First Elder who had earlier mocked Liang Wei's choice of weapon. A glimmer of unease flashed in their eyes as they realized the extraordinary power contained within the seemingly ordinary dagger.
As the purple miasma gradually enveloped the warehouse, the atmosphere crackled with anticipation. Liang Wei's gaze flickered with an otherworldly light as he focused his energy and looked at First Elder.
His breath took on an otherworldly quality, and a sense of anticipation filled the air. With a sudden burst of speed, he vanished from his original position, leaving the First Elder vulnerable and exposed.
The First Elder, sensing his imminent danger, braced himself for the impending attack, while the other three elders stood shoulder to shoulder, scanning the surroundings for any sign of Liang Wei's presence.
"What? Where did he go?" the Second Elder exclaimed, scanning the area in confusion.
Before the elders could react, a gasp of horror escaped their lips as they witnessed the unthinkable. The First Elder's head separated from his body, sailing through the air in a silent arc. Time seemed to stand still as the headless corpse collapsed to the ground, lifeless and defeated.
The sight struck fear into the hearts of the remaining three elders. Only moments ago, they had been searching for Liang Wei, yet now they witnessed the gruesome spectacle of the First Elder's head flying without a sound or a trace of movement. The body of the fallen elder lay lifeless on the ground, while Liang Wei stood nearby, the purple miasma receding from his presence. His gaze, now piercing and frigid, locked onto the Fourth Elder, sending a chill down his spine.
"What... what sorcery is this? How did he strike with such precision?"
"It was as if he disappeared and reappeared in an instant."
"This power... it defies comprehension. We have gravely underestimated him."
The remaining elders exchanged wary glances, a mixture of fear and determination etched on their faces. They now realized that their opponent possessed a level of power beyond their initial assessment. The tables had turned, and their confidence wavered.
The fourth elder observed the wavering resolve in his comrades' eyes and knew he had to rally them. With conviction in his voice, he reassured them, "We mustn't falter. Even in the face of this newfound ability, we must find a way to counter him. Stay on guard! Let us regroup and formulate a strategy. We cannot let him overpower us."
His words had the desired effect, rekindling the fighting spirit within the remaining elders. They understood that their survival depended on buying time. The third elder took the initiative, lunging forward to engage Liang Wei. He knew that if they allowed Liang Wei to strike first, they would be vulnerable to his devastating attacks.
As the third elder's attack approached Liang Wei, the swift and agile Liang Wei swiftly parried the blow with his dagger. The impact sent tremors through the elder's sword, cracks forming along its once sturdy blade. Seizing the opportunity, Liang Wei retaliated, aiming to sever the arm that held the now weakened weapon. However, his acute senses alerted him to an incoming assault from the second elder. Reacting swiftly, Liang Wei evaded the attack by gracefully stepping backward, narrowly avoiding the strike.
Liang Wei sensed that the fourth elder posed the greatest threat, and he made it his priority to neutralize him. Locking eyes with the fourth elder, Liang Wei vanished from his position once again, leaving the elder in a state of panic. Aware that merely standing and fighting would not save him, the fourth elder began circling and moving in erratic patterns, hoping to elude Liang Wei's silent and deadly approach.
However, to the elders' horror, another head flew through the air, severed from its body. It belonged to the third elder, the intended target. The fourth elder's heart sank as he realized he had been deceived. Liang Wei had played a cunning trick, using the fourth elder's evasion to his advantage, diverting his attention to the defenseless third elder. The smug expression on Liang Wei's face as he stood near the fallen body of the third elder sent shivers down the fourth elder's spine.
[A/N: I apologize for the delay in updating this novel. I am currently busy preparing for the WPC contest novel, which has taken up a lot of my time. I understand that some readers have experienced repeated chapters, but I have been informed that the bug causing this issue has been fixed. You shouldn't encounter any repeated chapters going forward. Thank you for your un
derstanding and support. Your patience is greatly appreciated.]
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