When Wang Meng saw Zi Xing also step forward to block him, his eyes filled with scorn. However, having learned his lesson from Ye Qingchen, he quickly cast aside any contempt. He did not dare underestimate Zi Xing, a powerful expert at the Peak of the Martial King Realm.

"Brother Wang Meng, don’t kill him."

Just as Wang Meng was about to make his move, Wang Teng’s voice came from behind him. After swallowing the Spirit Pill Wang Meng had given him, Wang Teng’s voice was still weak, but he managed to push himself to his feet.

Wang Teng had watched Wang Meng effortlessly crush Ye Qingchen, and the sight was indescribably thrilling. But when he saw Wang Meng about to attack Zi Xing, he quickly spoke up to stop him.

He knew his brother’s temperament all too well.

In his own eyes, Zi Xing was a devastating beauty, someone to be protected from the slightest harm. But in Wang Meng’s eyes, she was nothing more than a pretty skeleton. Even if he were to butcher Zi Xing, Wang Meng wouldn’t feel a thing.

So, upon hearing Wang Teng’s plea, Wang Meng couldn’t help but frown. Still, he halted his attack and looked worriedly at Wang Teng as he approached.

"Brother, are your injuries serious?"

Wang Teng shook his head, speaking as he walked. "I’m still a bit weak. Using that Secret Technique burned too much of my life force. When we get back, I’ll probably need to recuperate for several days."

Hearing that Wang Teng had burned his life force, Wang Meng flew into a rage. He pointed at Ye Qingchen and Zi Xing, roaring, "It’s all your fault, you despicable pair! I will make you pay with your lives to atone for what you’ve done today!"

As Wang Meng was about to strike again, Wang Teng reached his side and grabbed his hand.

Wang Meng frowned. "Brother, don’t worry. If I kill them, the worst the academy can do is punish me with seclusion. It’s no big deal."

Wang Teng was speechless. He wasn’t worried about this oaf; he was worried about him destroying such a precious flower! To have a rare beauty like Zi Xing killed by this hothead without him even getting to savor her... wouldn’t that be a terrible waste?

But he still needed Wang Meng for now, so Wang Teng explained, "Brother Wang Meng, this was all Ye Qingchen’s doing. It would be a pity for this beauty to die alongside him."

Although Wang Meng was indifferent to women, he wasn’t so foolish as to be clueless about the affairs between men and women. Hearing Wang Teng’s words, he understood that his younger brother had taken a fancy to the young woman before them.

Still, Wang Meng couldn’t figure it out. It was just a woman. What was there to care about?

Whether he understood or not, Wang Meng couldn’t go against Wang Teng’s wishes. He could only nod. "Fine! Then I’ll only kill the man! I’ll capture the woman and hand her over for you to deal with!"

Elated, Wang Teng turned to Zi Xing with a cold smirk. "Zi Xing, you see the situation now. As long as you surrender without a fight and agree to be my woman, to spend a night of passion with me, I can have my brother spare your life. If you insist on being obstinate, don’t blame me for using force. A melon forced from the vine may not be sweet, but it still quenches thirst. Wouldn’t you agree?"

Zi Xing’s face went pale with rage at Wang Teng’s vulgar words, but she knew the truth. Even Ye Qingchen was no match for Wang Meng, so she stood no chance at all.

Thinking of this, Zi Xing spoke with grim resolve. "It is only death. Even if I die, I will not let you have your way!"

Wang Teng roared with laughter. "Zi Xing, you’re at the Peak of the Martial King Realm, just one step away from the Martial Emperor Realm. Do you really think you have any chance of killing yourself in front of a mid-stage Martial Emperor Realm expert?"

After he finished speaking, he shot a look at Wang Meng, who understood the signal. He extended a finger and pointed at the space around Zi Xing.

Before Zi Xing could react, an invisible tide of nature’s spiritual energy bound her body in an instant. Now, not only could she not mobilize her Spiritual Energy to self-destruct, but she couldn’t even control her own body. She was now completely at their mercy.

Wang Teng let out a wild laugh. "How about it, Zi Xing? Do you understand now that you have no choice? I’ll ask you one last time: do you agree or not?"

Wang Teng could have taken her by force right then and there, but a night of pleasure gained through coercion was ultimately flavorless. To have a goddess like Zi Xing kneel before him, willingly serving him... that sense of accomplishment would be incomparable. That was why he continued to apply pressure, to force her to submit.

After all, in his eyes, Zi Xing was already a fish on the chopping block, ready to be carved up. Faced with life and death, he didn’t believe she would still care so much about her chastity.

But not everyone in this world feared death as much as Wang Teng.

Though her body was restrained, Zi Xing still seethed with righteous indignation. "Lecher! Forget about it! I would rather die than let you have your way!"

Rejected again, Wang Teng’s anger was replaced by a cruel smile. "Fine, fine, fine! Since you refuse the path to life I’m offering, don’t be surprised when I take you by force right here and now, then pass you along to my junior brothers. I’m sure they would be thrilled to spend a night with the Beauty of the Central Region!"

Zi Xing’s face turned deathly pale. She didn’t doubt for a second that Wang Teng was capable of such a monstrous act.

As desperation flooded her heart, her gaze involuntarily fell on Ye Qingchen beside her.

But she immediately gave a bitter smile. Ye Qingchen was hovering on the brink of death; how could he possibly help her escape this predicament?

To her astonishment, however, Ye Qingchen, who had been unconscious, slowly began to stand. Zi Xing had clearly assessed his injuries just moments before. A normal person, even with all sorts of Spirit Pills, would have been bedridden for at least a month. Yet, after only a short while, Ye Qingchen had actually stood up.

In truth, Ye Qingchen was relying on sheer willpower to force his body upright. Agonizing pain wracked his entire being, making every slight movement feel like being sliced by a thousand cuts.

Nevertheless, he persisted, planting himself in front of Zi Xing. His voice was weak, but his words were clear. "Wang Teng, if you have a problem, take it up with me. Have you no shame, tormenting a woman?"

Wang Teng burst out laughing. Though he was surprised that Ye Qingchen could still stand, he could also see that he was on his last breath and posed no threat at all.

Pointing at Ye Qingchen, Wang Teng declared arrogantly, "Whether I have shame or not is none of your business. Since you love playing the knight in shining armor so much, today I’ll take this little vixen right here in front of you!"