"The actions of your Sword Ancestor today are utterly despicable. Do you not fear our Martial Ancestor seeking retribution later?" Chu Lingjun demanded coldly.
"So what?" Zhang Tianpeng chuckled. "Do you really think our Sword Ancestor fears your Martial Ancestor?
"If you are willing to submit to our Sword Ancestor and serve us from now on, perhaps we might spare your lives.
"Not only that, but our Sword Ancestor is willing to provide resources for your cultivation, helping you achieve greater heights sooner."
"Bullshit!" Chu Lingjun snapped. "Even if I die here today, I will never submit to your Sword Ancestor. For your sect to commit such underhanded acts is a disgrace to its reputation. If word of this got out, you’d become a laughingstock."
"He’s right," Long Chen added. "Given the shady dealings your Sword Ancestor is involved in, if I survive today, I’ll make sure to spread the word. I’ll let everyone see the Sword Ancestor’s true face."
Zhang Tianpeng’s expression darkened at their fierce rebuke. "Stubborn fools. Since you insist, I’ll use a Secret Technique to obtain all your secret techniques, and then I’ll send you on your way!"
"You want our secret techniques?" Long Chen scoffed. "In your dreams!"
With that, Long Chen looked at Chu Lingjun. Sensing his gaze, Chu Lingjun understood his intent instantly. The next second, the two of them jumped straight off the cliff.
Seeing them leap, Zhang Tianpeng cursed under his breath and jumped after them, intending to drag them back. But Long Chen and Chu Lingjun had already accepted death. They used the last of their Battle qi to launch a final attack at Zhang Tianpeng.
He immediately threw a palm strike to neutralize their attack. However, the action only served to accelerate their fall. Looking down into the bottomless chasm, Zhang Tianpeng didn’t dare follow any further. He drove his Sharp Sword into the cliff face and hoisted himself back to the top.
At that moment, an injured Zhang Ming arrived. Seeing no one there, he asked, puzzled, "Where are they? Don’t tell me you didn’t catch them."
"Dammit, they jumped," Zhang Tianpeng said, his face grim. "It’s a pity I couldn’t get those excellent secret techniques from them."
"What if they got lucky and survived?" Zhang Ming voiced his concern.
Zhang Tianpeng waved his hand dismissively. "Survive a fall from here? Have you looked at what’s down there?"
At this, Zhang Ming walked to the cliff’s edge and peered down, his eyes flashing with astonishment. "Demon Fall Ridge?"
"Exactly," Zhang Tianpeng said. "This Demon Fall Ridge is an extremely treacherous place—the forbidden zone of Huanggu Mountain!
"Even if the fall itself didn’t kill them, they are severely injured. Down in Demon Fall Ridge, their only fate is death!"
Hearing this, Zhang Ming nodded slightly and sneered, "It seems Heaven itself wants them dead. Though our losses were heavy, today’s mission is finally accomplished."
Long Chen and Chu Lingjun plunged downwards. Fortunately, they didn’t hit the ground but landed in a lake. It was a true stroke of luck amidst their misfortune. Their impact sent a great splash erupting from the clear water, which was instantly tainted red. Even with the water breaking their fall, the impact from such a height caused massive damage to their internal organs.
Both Long Chen and Chu Lingjun slipped into unconsciousness, their bodies left floating on the lake’s surface.
Bubbles began to rise from the depths, stirred by the blood staining the water. Drawn by the scent, the fierce crocodiles in the lake began to swim slowly toward Long Chen and Chu Lingjun’s floating bodies.