Vulkara’s breathing became heavier as she raised her short blade again toward the Foundation Establishment cultivator in front of her.

The thin man saw her trembling legs and laughed coldly. "What’s wrong, Vulkara? Didn’t you say you wanted to die with pride?"

He slowly stepped forward, his sword hanging casually at his side. "Then why do you look like you’re about to fall over?"

Vulkara clenched her teeth and forced herself to stand straighter. "Shut your damn mouth."

The thin man’s smile became even wider. "Still talking tough, huh?"

The next instant, his figure suddenly blurred, surprising Vulkara because he was far too fast.

Even though she had been staring at him the entire time, she still couldn’t follow his movement properly.

Before she could react, the thin man had already appeared in front of her and kicked her directly in the stomach.

BANG!

Vulkara’s body flew backward like a broken kite before crashing hard against a tree. "Ugh!"

Blood burst from her mouth as she fell to the ground, and when she tried to force herself back up, her body refused to listen.

The difference in realm was just too clear.

Against a Foundation Establishment cultivator, her stubbornness alone meant nothing.

The other three cultivators laughed loudly when they saw her miserable state.

"Look at her. Still acting proud even now."

"Wasn’t she very fierce earlier?"

"Come on, Vulkara. Stand up. Show us that pride of yours."

Vulkara’s eyes were bloodshot as she glared at them from the ground, hating them with everything she had.

She hated how powerless she was, and she hated how no matter how hard she struggled, these bastards could still crush her.

The thin man slowly walked toward her, his footsteps sounding like death in her ears.

Vulkara gripped her short blade again and tried to slash at his leg the moment he got close.

But the thin man only snorted and directly stepped on her wrist.

CRACK!

Vulkara’s face twisted in pain as the short blade fell from her hand. "AAAGH!"

The thin man looked down at her coldly. "Still trying to fight back? Honestly, I have to admire that stubbornness."

He pressed his foot harder on her wrist, making her body tremble. "But too bad. In this world, stubbornness without strength is just stupidity."

Vulkara gasped in pain, but her eyes still didn’t lower. "Kill me if you dare."

The thin man paused for a moment before suddenly smiling. "Kill you?"

He crouched down slightly and grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up at him. "Why would I kill you so quickly?"

Vulkara’s expression froze.

The look in his eyes made disgust crawl through her entire body, and the other cultivators also began to laugh in a way that made her stomach twist.

One of them crossed his arms and grinned. "Boss, are you really going to waste her like this?"

Another one chuckled. "Not bad. Before she dies, maybe she should learn how low she really is."

The thin man laughed softly. "Exactly."

Vulkara’s pupils trembled slightly, but she quickly forced herself to remain calm and silent, refusing to let these bastards see her break.

The thin man leaned closer and spoke with a cruel smile. "Didn’t you say you wanted to die with pride? Let’s see how long that pride lasts."

Vulkara’s body stiffened.

She had already prepared herself for death the moment she realized she couldn’t escape, but humiliation was different. It was something far worse than simply dying.

Her breathing became unstable, and her fingers clawed at the dirt desperately as she tried to drag herself backward. "Don’t touch me."

The thin man laughed. "Oh? Now you’re scared?"

Vulkara glared at him, her voice shaking slightly from rage and fear. "I said don’t touch me, you disgusting bastard."

The thin man’s smile disappeared for a moment before he directly slapped her across the face.

PAH!

Vulkara’s head turned to the side, and blood slipped from the corner of her lips.

He grabbed her hair and pulled her head back. "Still acting arrogant? You really don’t understand your situation, do you?"

Vulkara’s red eyes trembled, but she still spat at him, not caring how much he hurt her.

The thin man’s face darkened instantly.

The other three cultivators stopped laughing for a moment.

Then the thin man slowly wiped his cheek and smiled in a way that made the air colder. "Good. Very good."

He stood up and looked down at her like she was already dead. "Since you want to act like this, I’ll make sure you regret it before you die."

But just before his hand could touch her... a calm voice suddenly sounded from behind them.

"Ooh, what do I see here? Foundation Establishment cultivators bullying a Qi Refining cultivator?"

The thin man’s hand stopped in midair.

The other three cultivators instantly turned their heads, and even Vulkara, who was lying on the ground with blood on her lips, slowly widened her trembling eyes.

Not far away, a young man walked out from behind the trees with a lazy smile on his face.

His black hair moved slightly with the forest wind, and one of his hands rested casually on the sword at his waist.

It was Damian.

He looked at the scene in front of him, then clicked his tongue lightly.

"Four Foundation Establishment cultivators surrounding one injured girl. Damn, you guys really know how to make yourselves look pathetic."

The thin man frowned when he saw the newcomer.

For a brief moment, he became cautious, but after sensing Damian’s cultivation aura, his expression relaxed again.

He was only a Foundation Establishment cultivator and although he didn’t look weak, he was still alone.

The thin man slowly stood up and sneered. "Friend, this has nothing to do with you. You better scram before you get yourself killed." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Damian raised his eyebrow. "Ooh?"

He slowly looked left and right, then pointed at himself with a smile. "Are you talking to me?"

One of the other cultivators snorted coldly. "Who else would we be talking to? Don’t act stupid. Leave now, and maybe we’ll spare your life."

Damian’s smile became even wider. "Spare my life? Wow. That’s generous."

The thin man’s eyes narrowed slightly. "You think this is funny?"

Damian thought for a moment before nodding. "A little bit. I mean, four grown men beating up one girl, then acting like big shots the moment I appear... it’s kind of funny, isn’t it?"

The atmosphere instantly turned silent.

Vulkara looked at Damian in shock and confusion because she couldn’t understand what the hell this man was talking about.

"Is he stupid?"