"So fast!"

At this moment, Zhou Ruoran and Taozi were shocked to hear the other party's words!

Taozi never expected that the master and others would marry off Ranran to Hao Chun today, it was just too quick! There was no time to prepare at all. This was something she just happened to learn about today, but they were already planning for Ranran to marry Hao Chun. It seemed her information came too late.

For a moment, Taozi was extremely anxious, nervously twisting the hem of her garment. It was clear the master was determined, but what about Ranran? Was she really to become a sacrificial lamb for the sect?

At this moment, Zhou Ruoran couldn't believe her master wanted her to marry Hao Chun today. How was this possible? Her heart belonged to only Ding Fan, so how could she marry the other party? She absolutely could not agree to this. But Zhou Ruoran also knew that even if she disagreed, it wouldn't make a difference.

However, Zhou Ruoran couldn't care about all that now. No matter what, she absolutely could not agree to this.

"I will not agree! Leave!"

Zhou Ruoran said coldly and resolutely.

After she spoke, Taozi stood next to Zhou Ruoran with determined eyes, her beautiful face slightly raised, angrily glaring at the others. She had resolved to stand by Ranran no matter what!

"Do you want to refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit? Let me tell you! You have to agree to this whether you want to or not; you have no choice! I advise you to accept reality!"

Zhou Xiaochun spoke maliciously and fiercely. As she spoke, True Qi fluctuations began to rise from her body. Her mind was set, having convinced the master sect leader, so no matter what, she would see this vile woman delivered to Hao Chun's bed today. Ever since Zhou Ruoran had arrived at the sect, Zhou Xiaochun had hated her.

If not for her arrival, she would still be a favorite by the sect leader's side, and the master sect leader would devote more energy to guiding her cultivation. But ever since Zhou Ruoran appeared, she had completely lost the master's favor and significant influence within the sect.

It was all thanks to that person.

That's why Zhou Xiaochun schemed tirelessly to arrange meetings between Hao Chun and Zhou Ruoran, offering Hao Chun every opportunity. Hao Chun did not disappoint and became deeply infatuated with her. Now, half her plan was complete.

As long as Zhou Ruoran married him today, she'd be out of the sect and with Hao Chun. As for Hao Chun, Zhou Xiaochun knew him very well. Although he looked like a refined and well-groomed young man, he was actually a lecher who loved to flirt!

Hao Chun had been with hundreds, if not a thousand, women by now. Zhou Xiaochun was eager to see if Zhou Ruoran could maintain her pride and aloofness after being with Hao Chun. Surely by then, she'd be a mess with disheveled hair! Haha...

Thinking of this made Zhou Xiaochun feel immensely gratified and proud! This is what happens when you challenge me!

At this moment, Zhou Ruoran, hearing their words, realized they would not give up, so she accidentally released her own True Qi fluctuations. If they insisted on forcing her, she would fight back!

But just then, Taozi resolutely stood in front of Zhou Ruoran and looked furiously at Zhou Xiaochun. Her longsword was already unsheathed as she icily said:

"If you want to force Ranran, you'll have to go through me first!"

Seeing Taozi's actions, Zhou Ruoran felt a warmth rise in her heart. She never imagined Taozi would still risk everything for her. Taozi knew that Senior Sister Zhou Xiaochun's cultivation was at the Nascent Soul Mid Stage, while her own was only at the Late Nascent Soul Stage.

Even with her Nascent Soul Early Stage cultivation, she couldn't compete with the opponent, and Taozi certainly couldn't either. Yet she still decisively charged ahead, spreading her arms wide to shield herself, even engaging the enemy with weapons.

Zhou Ruoran was deeply moved.

"Haha! Since you want to die! I'll oblige you!"

At that moment, Zhou Xiaochun's expression turned vicious, drawing her longsword as she spoke menacingly.

"Ranran, there's a place in the artificial hill on the south side of the room. The mechanism is on a small rock on the far left. Run!"

Taozi shouted to Zhou Ruoran as she brandished her longsword, launching an attack towards the opponent. In her heart, Taozi had made up her mind. She was determined to protect Ranran against the sect even if it meant her death, anything was better than seeing Ranran fall into Hao Chun's hands.

At that moment, Taozi's sword had already struck in front of Zhou Xiaochun. Seeing the attack, Zhou Xiaochun felt a wave of contempt, calmly lifting her own longsword. It appeared gentle, but she deftly dispelled Taozi's fierce onslaught.

This is the gap between Nascent Soul Mid Stage and Late Nascent Soul Stage, which is clearly an insurmountable chasm for ordinary cultivators.

Immediately, Zhou Xiaochun swung the longsword in his hand, spinning his body to dodge Taozi's longsword, while suddenly taking a step forward, directing his longsword towards the defensive gap in Taozi's position. This strike demonstrated the strength of a cultivator at the Nascent Soul Mid Stage.

At this moment, Taozi's eyes showed some panic, clearly realizing that with just one move, he was already facing life and death. Defeating the opponent was evidently impossible. However, Taozi knew that even if he couldn't defeat the opponent, he must do his utmost to delay them, giving Zhou Ruoran enough time to escape.

Facing this strike, Taozi knew there was no way to avoid it. A look of determination flashed in his eyes, and he slightly moved his body, trying to protect his vital spots while presenting his arm to the opponent. He knew that this strike of the opponent was unavoidable.

Taozi prepared himself for bleeding, and his longsword swiftly cycled, preparing for the next attack on the opponent.

Just as Taozi was about to endure the opponent's strike, suddenly there came a crisp sound of metal collision.

Ding!

Zhou Ruoran's longsword had already been drawn, blocking the sword that was about to strike Taozi, deflecting the attack.

Taozi was startled, realizing that Ranran had intervened. He felt both grateful for Ranran's sword and slightly scolded Ranran for being so foolish not to escape. However, words of reproach for Zhou Ruoran were at the tip of his tongue. But seeing Ranran's face filled with a deep smile of affection,

Taozi could only swallow the words back down. Helpless, he returned a smile and said:

"Let's defeat the opponent together!"

"Alright!"

Zhou Ruoran's eyes were filled with gratitude as she glanced at Taozi, and then she joyously replied. Meanwhile, Zhou Ruoran's longsword was already striking towards Zhou Xiaochun. Taozi's longsword quickly followed Ranran's longsword, also aiming at Zhou Xiaochun. At this moment, Zhou Ruoran was responsible for the frontal attack, while Taozi was clearly looking for the right moments to strike, attacking like a venomous snake when the opponent's defense was at its weakest.

Clearly, Zhou Ruoran and Taozi understood that they were already in a situation where there was no room for maneuver; either the opponent died, or they did. Of course, Zhou Ruoran knew that given the opponent's powerful strength, they should focus on finding ways to escape rather than tangling with them.

After all, the opponent was the senior sister of the sect, with considerable influence and authority in the sect. The consequences of remaining deadlocked with the opponent were very unfavorable for them.

However, Zhou Ruoran and Taozi somehow gained the upper hand for a moment, as the opponent could only defend and did not have the strength to counterattack.

The two female disciples nearby saw this scene and felt no concern for the senior sister. Instead, they were filled with disdain for Zhou Ruoran and Taozi, knowing that the senior sister was at the Nascent Soul Mid Stage and hardly anyone in the sect could challenge her.

Even though Zhou Ruoran was the sect leader's most prized disciple, the time she entered the sect was obviously far less than the senior sister's. It was clearly impossible for her to defeat the senior sister, and as for Taozi at the Late Nascent Soul Stage, he was even more insignificant in front of the senior sister.

Though the senior sister was momentarily passive, the two female disciples firmly believed in Zhou Xiaochun. After all, Zhou Xiaochun's cultivation stage was indisputable, and ordinary cultivators couldn't handle it. Not to mention, the best cultivation stage the opponent had was just Nascent Soul Early Stage. Even if the opponent were at Nascent Soul Mid Stage, they wouldn't be a match for the senior sister, who had reached the peak of Nascent Soul Mid Stage. Despite being called the senior sister in the sect, her power could rival some of the elders in the sect.

Sure enough, after a brief moment, Zhou Xiaochun began to counterattack. Although Zhou Ruoran's longsword struck out towards the opponent, each time it was cleverly deflected by Zhou Xiaochun, who also managed to fend off Taozi's attacks, essentially ignoring Taozi's attempts.

Clearly, no matter how Taozi attacked, he couldn't even reach Zhou Xiaochun's side—not even touching his clothing hem. Meanwhile, Zhou Xiaochun's face showed disdainful coldness as he continued to swing his longsword and clash with both opponents, contemptuously saying:

"Since you refuse to follow the sect's orders, I will cleanse the gates on behalf of Master. Prepare to die!"

Zhou Xiaochun shouted violently, and then his speed increased tenfold in an instant. In the blink of an eye, Zhou Xiaochun, who was still clashing with Zhou Ruoran, had already arrived behind Taozi. Taozi clearly sensed the danger behind him immediately.

But it was evidently too late. Defense was already too late.

Bang!

A muffled sound followed as Zhou Xiaochun's palm viciously slammed into Taozi's back, causing him to spit blood instantly. His body weakened and he collapsed directly to the ground.

"Taozi!"

Seeing this scene, Zhou Ruoran felt immense pain. Clearly, Zhou Xiaochun's palm was no ordinary one, and Taozi's situation was very dangerous. Zhou Ruoran felt deep sorrow for Taozi, glaring furiously at Zhou Xiaochun!