Mowen Jie, along with Huang Ling'er, Jiang Yurou, Xiao Yawen, Ding Yan, Tuobaying Yingying, Qin Xiaodie, and Cao Chunling, entered the secret room together and embarked on a long and arduous journey of closed-door cultivation.
They each immersed themselves fully in their own cultivation world, exploring the mysteries of higher levels of power without distraction. Time quietly passed, and the noise and disturbances outside seemed to be sealed off in this secret room.
On the first day, Mowen Jie sat cross-legged on a mat and adjusted his breathing, gradually turning the qi within his body. A faint glow began to appear around him, growing stronger as the qi flowed. Meanwhile, the other women performed various cultivating techniques - some closed their eyes in meditation while others moved their palms and expelled breath. For a moment, the secret room was filled with radiant light and surging energy.
On the second day, everyone had gradually adjusted to this intense state of cultivation. Mowen Jie had a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead, but he still bit his tongue and persevered, constantly challenging the bottleneck of his cultivation level. Huang Ling'er danced gracefully with long sleeves, her posture ethereal as if a fairy, as streams of spiritual energy were released from her hands and merged into the surrounding air.
By the third day, the energy fluctuations within the secret room had grown even more intense. Jiang Yurou let out a shout, and her entire aura suddenly burst forth. A powerful stream of air radiated outwards from her center, affecting everyone else who hastened their cultivation pace.
At this moment, Mowen Jie suddenly felt a sudden severe pain within his body, as if the true qi in his meridians was about to go out of control. However, he knew that at this moment he couldn't give up. He endured the pain and continued to guide the true qi back to its original path. Finally, after struggling through a difficult period, the chaotic true qi slowly calmed down and ran smoothly along the meridians.
As the last rays of the setting sun streamed through the window into the secret room, everyone suddenly realized that three days had already slipped by without their notice. Yet, at this moment, despite looking somewhat weary, their eyes exuded a sense of joy and anticipation - for through this period of seclusion and cultivation, their strength had significantly improved.
Mowen Jie stood up first, stretched his slightly stiff body, and said with a smile, "This period of seclusion was quite fruitful, but we still need to adapt quickly to this new strength." The others nodded in agreement.
As they were about to leave the secret room, the stone door suddenly shook violently and a shadow flashed through it. They cautiously took defensive postures. Suddenly, an old man in black robes appeared in front of them, his face twisted in a sinister laugh, "Do you think this secret room is safe? Today will be your last day."
Mowen Jie stepped forward and said coldly, "Who are you? Why did you suddenly attack?" The old man in black robes snorted coldly, "I am from the demon cult. You group of righteous individuals have grown too fast. We cannot tolerate your existence." After speaking, he launched an attack.
Mowen Jie and the others immediately counterattacked, and a fierce battle unfolded within the cramped space of the secret room. Mowen Jie unleashed the incredible power of his newly mastered skill. The girls, not wanting to be outdone, wove various spells into a dazzling array of lights and shadows. After a hard-fought battle, they finally managed to fight the old man in black robes to a stalemate with their combined efforts.
The old man in black robes looked at Mowen Jie and said, "Do you have helpers? Why should I not have any?" He finished speaking and turned to leave!
Mowen Jie looked at everyone, exuding grandeur and determination, "Through this battle, we have come to understand the significance of strength more deeply. In the future, we must double our efforts in cultivation." The group responded in unison and, with determination in their hearts, continued their cultivation.
Huang Ling'er and Jiang Yurou looked at Mowen Jie with worry, "Dear husband, it was only with our combined efforts that we managed to hold the old man in black to a draw. If he really brings in more help, we're worried about your safety." Mowen Jie looked at his worried faces and felt a warmth in his heart. He comforted them, "Ling'er, Yurou, you need not worry. I will not let you be harmed. The old man in black is formidable, but I have my own ace up my sleeve." With that said, Mowen Jie emitted a powerful aura from his body.
Huang Ling'er and Jiang Yurou felt the aura emanating from Mowen Jie, and their hearts calmed down somewhat. They knew that their husband was someone who was responsible and would protect them. However, they still couldn't shake off some worry, after all, the old man in black was no joke.
At that critical moment, a gust of wind swept through, kicking up a swirl of sand and dust. After the dust settled, a figure dressed in black robes appeared suddenly in front of the group as if out of thin air. The black robe billowed and rustled in the wind, as if it had merged with the darkness. What caught everyone's attention even more was that several ghostly figures were following him closely from behind, their silhouettes almost imperceptible under the shroud of the black robe. These figures were enveloped in darkness, obscuring their true appearances. However, one could sense their malicious intent from their aura.
Mowen Jie tightly fixed his gaze on the black-robed figure and his mysterious allies, feeling a weight in his heart. He knew that he had encountered a formidable enemy, and this battle would likely be incredibly difficult. However, facing such a grave situation, there was not a trace of fear in Mowen Jie's eyes. Instead, there was a touch of determination and decisiveness. He took a deep breath, straightened his posture slowly, clasped the weapon in his hands tightly, and stepped forward one step at a time without any sign of retreat. He was resolute in facing the imminent life-and-death battle.
Seeing Mowen Jie with wide-open eyes and surging, torrential energy, he charged fiercely at the old man in black robes, resembling a raging lion. However, the old man in black robes stood immovable as if on a mountain, facing Mowen Jie's fierce charge without showing the slightest signs of panic.
In a flash, the two had engaged in combat. There was a moment of intense interaction as fists and palm shadows crisscrossed, forceful energy spilling out, and the surrounding air seemed to be torn apart. However, though Mowen Jie's attacks were fierce, the old man in black could always skillfully dodge them and respond with heavy blows from time to time.
After several rounds, Mowen Jie began to fall into a disadvantage. At this moment, the old man in black seized the opportunity, and with a fierce punch, released an endless amount of power that was comparable to the movement of mountains and seas. It rushed towards Mowen Jie.
Mowen Jie couldn't dodge in time and heard a massive "thud" as he flew backward like a kite with a severed string. He flew for at least several dozen meters before crashing heavily onto the ground, raising a cloud of dust.
After landing, Mowen Jie lay there motionless, continuously spewing blood from his mouth, staining the ground beneath him a deep red. It was evident that he had sustained extremely serious internal injuries.
As they saw the sudden scene before them, Huang Ling'er, Jiang Yurou, and Xiao Aywen, along with Ding Yan, Tuo Ya Yingying, Qin Xiaodie, and Cao Chunling all immediately displayed expressions of great worry. As they were still in a state of slight shock, the attacks came down on them like a storm without mercy. They could hear a heavy thud as these women were consecutively hit hard and fell to the ground, raising a cloud of dust.
Seeing the scene before him, the old man in black robes couldn't help but laugh loudly, a sound that was deafening and made the entire valley tremble. He stared at Mowen Jie with his sinister eyes and spoke in a harsh tone, "Young man, if you're smart, hand over all your cultivation resources right now! If you do that, I might show mercy and consider sparing your life." With that said, he raised the corners of his mouth slightly to reveal a sinister yet triumphant smile.
However, Mowen Jie clenched his teeth tightly and glared at the old man in black with wide eyes, showing no sign of backing down.
Seeing Mowen Jie's resolute stance, the old man in black's face turned dark on the spot. He threatened, "Humph, you dare to defy death! If you refuse to hand over your cultivation resources, then be prepared for my merciless and cruel attacks. Not only will you meet a miserable end, but also these seven beautiful and tender beauties by your side will become my vessels for absorbing energy. Think carefully about it before you make a decision. Don't let your temporary stubbornness lead to both your own death and the destruction of these women's lives!" After speaking, he let out another ear-piercing laugh filled with arrogance and contempt.
Mowen Jie quietly observed Huang Ling'er, Jiang Yurou, and the others, a feeling of indescribable distress flooding his heart. Huang Ling'er's lively and nimble nature, Jiang Yurou's gentle and elegant demeanor, Xiao Aywen's cleverness and quick wit, Ding Yan's outgoing and generous personality, Tuo Ya Yingying's straightforward and outspoken character, Qin Xiaodie's playful adorableness, and Cao Chunling's kind-hearted innocence - the figure of each one was deeply etched in his mind.
He remembered the joyous times spent with them, those carefree days that seemed to still be before his eyes. Yet, at this moment, he felt an immense amount of pain and helplessness.
Mowen Jie took a deep breath, trying to calm down his emotions. He knew that he couldn't let his distress affect them. He had to be strong, for them and for himself.
He slowly turned around and remained silent, his back looking particularly lonely and forlorn under the afterglow of the setting sun.
The seven women—Huang Ling'er, Jiang Yurou, Xiao Aywen, Ding Yan, Tuo Ya Yingying, Qin Xiaodie, and Cao Chunling—now all stared ahead with determined expressions. Their eyes were resolute and filled with courage, as if they were prepared to face any hardships and dangers.
"Husband," Huang Ling'er was the first to speak, her voice clear and pleasant, yet filled with an indisputable determination. "We are willing to accompany you to death! Even if the path ahead is filled with thorns, even if the enemy is as powerful as despair, we will not retreat a step!"
Jiang Yurou quickly agreed, "That's right, husband! Even if it means we would rather die than bite our own tongues off, we will not allow that vile demon to have the chance to tarnish our pure bodies!"
Xiao Aywen nodded slightly in agreement, "You're right, sisters. We are the men' people while alive, and their ghosts when dead. Today, even if we exhaust the last bit of our strength, we will defend our dignity!"
Ding Yan's eyes shone with tears, but she shouted resolutely, "Never yield! Never compromise!"
Tuo Ya Yingying clenched her fists tightly and shouted in a tender voice, "If we truly reach the point of no return, we will demonstrate our determination with death!"
Qin Xiaodie took a deep breath and slowly said, "I wish to share life and death with you, my husband, and face hardships together!"
Cao Chunling added in the end, "Husband, you can rest assured that we will never bring shame upon you!"
For a moment, the seven women's vows echoed in the air, like a rousing battle anthem, moving people to tears.
