Investment Returns: Starting with funding the enemy, that's my master's wife.

Li Chang'an swallowed hard, deciding not to attempt to break through to the "Universal True Body" here for the time being. Instead, he focused his attention on Su Muxue, who was also contemplating after her strength increased.

"Master's wife is overthinking it. Once Elder Ning has made up her mind, she will not change it. Her feelings for the Cangyun Sect surpass those for anyone else."

Su Moxue's thoughts were pulled back by Li Chang'an's voice. Her eyebrows furrowed, and her fingertips lightly brushed over Li Chang'an's shoulders and neck before slowly withdrawing and placing them next to her alluring lips.

"Chang'an, you are indeed a good sect leader, but I'm afraid your Cangyun Sect's ice-cold beauty won't be able to withstand Lei Wu's offensive for long."

Immediately, Su Muxue pointed in the direction of Qinglan Sect and chuckled.

"As for Liu Yishui, the sect leader of the Qinglan Sect, let Master's wife handle that!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chang'an nodded slightly and clasped his hands in greeting to Su Muxue.

"Then please be careful, Master's wife."

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Chang'an turned and left quickly. Watching Li Chang'an's departing figure, Su Muxue licked her lips, seemingly developing an interest in him.

"I heard that he was just jilted by the Qinglan Sect, and they even returned the betrothal gifts that the Qinglan Sect had intended to give him..."

"Such a pure-hearted cultivator is rare; he must be delicious."

After thinking it over, Su Muxue's sinister aura rose and she sped towards the direction of Qinglan Sect until she encountered Liu Yishui, who had been waiting for her for a long time.

Liu Yishui held a spirit stone ball filled with light, and a beam of light shot straight at Su Muxue.

Su Muxue's reaction was also astonishing; she transformed into a gust of yin wind to dodge the attack.

However, the light and shadow did not stop after passing through the yin wind. In a short while, it arrived at the place where Ning Hanruo and Lei Wu were fighting.

Upon seeing the light and shadow, Lei Wu knew that Liu Yishui had already encountered Su Moxue. He raised the corner of his mouth and looked at Ning Hanruo, whose skirt was torn and whose mouth was bleeding, with a contemptuous gaze.

"Ning Hanruo, I'm not playing with you anymore."

Immediately, Lei Wu's muscle mass doubled, as if he had used some forbidden technique.

Seeing this, Ning Hanruo dared not be careless. She retreated and unleashed another sword move, this time gathering spiritual energy, towards Lei Wu.

"hateful!"

Lei Wu, however, was not afraid at all, and let out a loud shout!

""The Aragami's Heaven Refining Palm"!"

A giant hand appeared from the sky, gathering spiritual energy and rapidly descending towards Ning Hanruo.

Looking at his final strike, Lei Wu couldn't help but feel smug.

"I have no mercy for women, but if you're willing to serve me, I might consider keeping you alive!"

"You bastard!"

Ning Hanruo stared intently in Lei Wu's direction, her eyes resolute, like a female warrior born for battle.

Knowing she could not withstand the giant hand falling from the sky, she rushed towards Lei Wu without hesitation.

"There's still a gap in cultivation levels. This attack will definitely deplete my spiritual power."

"We have no choice but to fight in close combat!"

Lei Wu snorted coldly, assumed a Muay Thai stance, and said coldly.

"absurd!"

He then thrust his elbow towards Ning Hanruo's third-tier top-grade spiritual sword.

If an ordinary Golden Core Peak cultivator were to take Ning Hanruo's sword head-on, their body would probably be pierced through.

But Ning Hanruo knew in her heart that Lei Wu must have his reasons for doing this.

The more Ning Hanruo thought about it, the tighter she gripped her longsword, determined to severely injure this burly fellow with a single blow.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned.

Just as Ning Hanruo's longsword was about to pierce Lei Wu, a sharp pain shot through her wrist.

The longsword seemed to have only caused Lei Wu minor superficial injuries. Ignoring the pain in her wrist, Ning Hanru clenched her teeth and increased the force.

Her approach was completely ineffective and even drew ridicule from Lei Wu.

"I, this great master, cultivate both body and magic! How dare you, with your ant-like body, presume to shake this great Buddha!"

As soon as the words fell, Lei Wu's muscles swelled again, and his blood and qi surged, sending Ning Hanruo flying.

The powerful force caused Ning Hanruo's right arm to break.

Seeing Ning Hanruo being swung away, Lei Wu raised his arm and pressed his palm down, and the large hand in the sky quickly smashed down on Ning Hanruo, who had not yet landed.

"Anyone who trespasses on the Qinglan Sect will face certain death!"

Lei Wu closed his eyes and quietly began the countdown for Ning Hanruo.

Ning Hanruo's messy long hair flew in mid-air, her black dress was now tattered, and her bare legs were covered in wounds from her recent battle with Lei Wu.

"Is it over?"

She turned her head to look behind her and sighed.

"Li Chang'an, you'd better run away. If you're this cowardly, the Cangyun Sect might still have a sliver of its incense."

At that moment, Li Chang'an below had just left five early-stage Golden Core cultivators who all self-destructed their Golden Cores to attack Lei Wu.

"We swear to protect Elder Ning with our lives!"

Upon seeing this, Lei Wu was initially startled, secretly calculating the power of the self-destruction of the five early-stage Golden Core cultivators.

"The Cangyun Sect does have some acts of loyalty and righteousness, but unfortunately, you've followed the wrong people!"

Hearing Lei Wu's words, the five assassins remained unmoved; their eyes were filled only with the determination to protect Ning Hanruo at all costs.

Lei Wu's eyes narrowed instantly, his blood and qi surged, and he briefly burned his own essence.

"Do you really think this will stop Uncle Ben from killing Ning Hanruo? How ridiculous."

Lei Wu dared not let Ning Hanruo off so easily. Otherwise, if she had the ability to fight back and even self-destruct her golden core to fight him to the death, the price he would have to pay would be even greater.

Moreover, Lei Wu had just witnessed Li Chang'an's strength. If Li Chang'an were to suddenly return and self-destruct his Golden Core again, Lei Wu believed he might actually be doomed.

Even so, the self-destruction of five early-stage Golden Core cultivators should not be underestimated; their power could directly cripple a late-stage Golden Core cultivator.

Before the five people could reach him, Lei Wu quickly pressed down the giant palm in the air.

Five loud bangs—

Several cracks appeared on Lei Wu's skin, and blood seeped from his chest and upper arms.

Although it wasn't a serious injury, it was enough for him to recuperate for a month.

Lei Wu didn't care about these injuries at all. He just smiled and laughed as he looked at the giant hand that had smashed into the ground.

"After this battle, I will gladly accept the Cangyun Sect's resources."

Pooh--

But Lei Wu's laughter didn't last long before a mocking voice was heard.

"You filthy barbarian, you dare call yourself 'this master'? This sect leader will annihilate you right now!"

The sound came from behind a tree not far away. Lei Wu looked closely and saw a person with black hair that was blown by the strong wind and dust caused by the giant palm. He was wearing the Cangyun Sect's clothing and stood there.

This person was none other than Li Chang'an, the sect leader of the Cangyun Sect.

The person he was holding in his arms was Ning Hanruo, who had just been pulled back from the brink of death.

Seeing Ning Hanruo's flushed cheeks and wide, peach-blossom-like eyes, Li Chang'an comforted her.

"Elder Ning has been frightened."

"Leave the rest to me!"

Ning Hanruo had just been rescued by Li Chang'an from a life-or-death crisis, and upon hearing Li Chang'an's concern, tears began to glisten in her eyes.

But this feeling of escaping death left Ning Hanruo at a loss, lying in Li Chang'an's arms for a moment.