Bang!
With a muffled thud, the smug smile on Ji Yunzhao's face instantly froze.
A surge of agonizing pain radiated from his chest, crashing into his mind and spreading through every limb and bone.
This inexplicable, intense pain twisted his expression. He grimaced, gasping for breath several times before finally managing to catch it.
Then, Yuan Shu gave him a heavy push.
Ji Yunzhao staggered backward and fell onto the bluestone pavement with a heavy thud, unable to get up for quite a while.
For a moment, a deathly silence fell over the scene.
Ji Yunzhao was so overwhelmed by the pain that he lost his breath and could not make a sound.
Standing to the side, Yun Sheng was completely shocked by the scene before him.
If he remembered correctly, although Ji Yunzhao's talent was not as great as Shu Linyuan's, he was still at the late stage of Foundation Establishment.
How could he be so easily knocked down by a single palm strike from Yuan Shu?
Was he hallucinating?
Equally in disbelief was Ji Yunzhao, who had just caught his breath.
Clutching his still-aching chest, he looked up at Yuan Shu with a face full of absolute shock.
Wasn't Yuan Shu only at the fifth level of Qi Refining?
Yet the force that had just struck his chest had completely pierced through his protective spiritual aura.
What kind of monstrous power was this?
He was a dignified late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, a whole major realm above Yuan Shu!
No, impossible!
Yuan Shu must have caught him off guard and sneak-attacked him!
Coming back to his senses, Ji Yunzhao scrambled up from the ground, cursing. Gritting his teeth in fury, he roared.
Yuan Shu, you are courting death!
With those words, he moved, throwing a direct punch at her.
Yuan Shu twitched her hand that hung by her side.
Although her previous strike had been clean and precise, targeting Ji Yunzhao's acupoints to great effect, the gap in their cultivation levels was undeniable, so it still fell a bit short.
Otherwise, that palm strike alone would have crippled him!
However, since Ji Yunzhao dared to come knocking on her door, she naturally wouldn't let him off so easily!
Just as Yuan Shu pinched a Bone-Attaching Nail from her Divine Tree Space, she caught a glimpse of a white figure from the corner of her eye.
In an instant, Yuan Shu's expression shifted, and she swiftly put away the nail at her fingertips.
At the same time, the furious and resentful Ji Yunzhao's fist arrived right in front of her face.
Bang!
With a muffled thud, Yuan Shu put on a terrified expression as the punch viciously struck her chest, sending her flying backward on the spot!
Her drifting figure looked like a ragdoll drained of all strength and vitality, drawing a parabola in the air.
Just as she was about to hit the ground...
A white figure dashed through the courtyard gate, catching Yuan Shu by the waist just in time. Spinning twice in the air, he landed gently.
Junior Sister Yuan!
Shen Qi never expected that he was merely coming to remind Yuan Shu not to forget copying the sect rules, yet before even entering the gate, he would witness such a scene!
Yuan Shu was sent flying by a punch.
If he hadn't been quick enough to catch her, she would have crashed heavily into the ground!
Even so, Yuan Shu's condition looked terrible.
Her facial features were scrunched up, her body curled into a ball and trembling uncontrollably, as if she were enduring agonizing physical torture.
Her originally beautiful and moving face was now completely devoid of color, as pale as lingering winter snow.
Hearing his voice, her long eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she struggled to open her eyes.
Seeing him, Yuan Shu's eyes lit up a little, as if she had found her savior. Her brow slowly relaxed, and her bloodless lips parted tremblingly.
F-First Senior Brother, you, you're here. Does that mean I won't die? First Senior Brother, save me, it hurts so much...
Shen Qi's heart tightened slightly.
He had seen Yuan Shu acting like a rogue and throwing tantrums.
He had also seen her sitting on the edge of the bed with her legs crossed, looking up at him with innocent obedience.
But he had never seen her with such a deathly pale face, crying out in pain so pitifully.
Those usually bright and clear eyes now reflected his image, looking like a frightened fawn as she shrank tightly into his embrace in fear.
Shen Qi's expression instantly darkened.
Ji Yunzhao, what are you doing!
Ji Yunzhao was also dumbfounded.
In his mind, since Yuan Shu could knock him down with one palm strike just a moment ago, she could definitely take his punch!
But to his surprise, when he threw his fist, Yuan Shu didn't even try to dodge. She met his fist head-on and was sent flying.
No, it's not like that! First Senior Brother, she was really fierce just now, she sent me flying with one palm strike!
Ji Yunzhao was anxious to explain.
But as soon as he spoke, Yuan Shu, who was in Shen Qi's arms, turned even paler from fright. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she burrowed deeper into Shen Qi's embrace in terror.
First Senior Brother, Fifth Senior Brother wants to kill me...
Ji Yunzhao glared at Yuan Shu in disbelief. How could a person change their face so quickly?
Just a moment ago, this woman had a cold and arrogant look, her methods decisive and ruthless, sending him flying with a single strike.
Now she was cowering in First Senior Brother's arms, looking as if she had been bullied mercilessly by him?
Yuan Shu! It was clearly you who sent me flying just now, you, you, get up right now...
Flustered and exasperated, Ji Yunzhao stepped forward, wanting to pull Yuan Shu out of Shen Qi's arms.
However, before he could even touch Yuan Shu, a cold-faced Shen Qi raised his hand and struck him back with a palm!
Ji Yunzhao's expression changed, and he staggered a few steps before steadying himself.
Shen Qi's palm strike landed in the exact same spot where Yuan Shu had hit him earlier.
The pain made him grimace.
Shen Qi sneered and spoke.
Ji Yunzhao, are you saying that Yuan Shu, a fifth-level Qi Refining cultivator, can send you, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, flying with one palm strike?
Are you stupid, or do you think I am? Who would believe your nonsense?
First Senior Brother, I'm not lying. This Yuan Shu is really bizarre, she really sent me flying with one palm strike! She...
As Ji Yunzhao spoke, he clutched his aching chest and was about to step forward to confront Yuan Shu.
The fear on Yuan Shu's face intensified. By reflex, she turned and threw herself into Shen Qi's arms, wrapping her hands tightly around his neck.
First Senior Brother, Fifth Senior Brother is trying to kill me, you saw it with your own eyes, boohoo.
Even now, right in front of you, he still wants to lay a hand on me. First Senior Brother, save me...
A faint scent of pear blossoms drifted into his nose, mixed with the girl's natural fragrance, causing Shen Qi, who had never been in such close contact with a woman, to look unnatural for a split second.
But seeing Yuan Shu so frightened, his heart softened, and he simply reached out and gently patted her arm.
He comforted her, Don't be afraid. With me here, I will uphold justice for you.
Tell me first, what exactly happened?
Yuan Shu sobbed twice before emerging from Shen Qi's embrace, biting her lip as if hesitating over something.
Watching this scene from the side, Ji Yunzhao's expression changed, and he hurriedly spoke up, It's nothing, First Senior Brother, I was just playing around with Seventh Junior Sister.
Seventh Junior Sister, I just used a bit too much force earlier. Hurry up and tell First Senior Brother that we were just playing!
As Ji Yunzhao finished, his tone grew significantly heavier, his eyes glaring fixedly at Yuan Shu.
If First Senior Brother found out that he was demanding spirit stone supplies from Yuan Shu, he would be in massive trouble!
Yuan Shu cringed in fear, seemingly terrified that Shen Qi wouldn't notice the underlying issue. Biting her lip with tears welling in her eyes, she looked up at Shen Qi cautiously and asked.
First Senior Brother, can I tell the truth?
