At this moment, Jin Ping’er’s face was a picture of utter exhaustion, as if she had just emerged from a fierce battle, drained and weary. Yet, despite her state, she still managed to flash a heart-stopping smile at the disciples of the righteous path, appearing even more pitiable in the darkness.
“Of course, it’s me. This noble son of the Incense Valley, have I so deeply captivated your thoughts after only a few encounters?”
Li Xun’s face flushed red, and he took a step back, angrily retorting, “I have no such attachment to you, you wicked sorceress. You once harmed my fellow disciple, Yan Hong, and now I demand blood for her!”
With those words, Li Xun waved his hand, and with a lightning-quick movement, he dashed towards Jin Ping’er. Zeng Shushu frowned behind him, hesitating on the verge of speaking. Meanwhile, the other Incense Valley disciples, after a moment of hesitation, shouted and charged forward, forming an impressive front.
Jin Ping’er snorted, her eyes flashing with derision. Given the many enemies rushing towards her and her current state of exhaustion, she knew better than to engage them head-on. Her soft and alluring face suddenly hardened with determination, and with a light cry, a purple glow appeared at the edge of her right hand, radiating a chilling aura.
Li Xun, having fought Jin Ping’er several times before, was well aware of the demoness’s prowess. He immediately tensed and readied himself. He also noticed the sound of rushing wind behind him, indicating that several of his juniors were joining the fray. Shocked, he quickly called for them to stop. The disciples paused, but in that moment of chaos, a burst of purple light suddenly flared from Jin Ping’er, like a surging wave of flame. Li Xun roared, stepping forward to shield the others, and brandished his celestial sword to deflect the attack.
However, after blocking what seemed like a powerful spell, Li Xun furrowed his brow. The anticipated force had dissipated like a sheet of paper, and the seemingly formidable magic evaporated instantly. Behind the purple light, Jin Ping’er’s figure had mysteriously vanished into the darkness once more.
Li Xun’s face turned ashen, and he gritted his teeth, growling, “That cunning witch! We’ve fallen for her trick again. Let’s chase her down!”
He led the charge, and the Incense Valley disciples followed, with Zeng Shushu half-opening his mouth to speak, then shaking his head in resignation, and sighing. He looked around cautiously and followed them slowly.
Li Xun was filled with intense hatred for Jin Ping’er and pursued her relentlessly. In truth, with Jin Ping’er’s skills, evading Li Xun under normal circumstances would not be difficult. However, at this moment, she found herself in an ancient, single-path cave where there was no place to hide, and she had recently engaged in a fierce magical duel with the mysterious woman, the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox, Xiao Bai. Although she had escaped unharmed while Xiao Bai was distracted by Gui Li, she had expended a significant amount of her magical power battling Xiao Bai’s peculiar spells.
Xiao Bai, the venerable ancestor of the fox spirits, had likely cultivated for over a thousand years, making her one of the most powerful and skillful beings in the world. Jin Ping’er, though clever, had been outmatched by Xiao Bai, and now, in her weakened state, she encountered Li Xun and his comrades.
Li Xun pursued her without pause, and the Incense Valley, being one of the three major righteous sects, had disciples whose cultivation was nothing to sneeze at. Despite Jin Ping’er’s best efforts to evade or outmaneuver him, she could not shake off Li Xun. As time wore on, she began to feel her chest tighten, and her breathing became uneven.
Her heart raced with anxiety. Since entering this ancient Demon-Sealing Cave, strange events had occurred one after another. First, she encountered the mysterious Xiao Bai, and then Gui Li disappeared along with the mysterious woman. Not long ago, the roaring and scorching heat waves from deep within the cave suggested a fierce magical duel was taking place. However, Jin Ping’er, despite her ponderings, did not wish to venture further, for she was not as reckless as Gui Li. Though the Ghost King Sect was important to her, she was not willing to risk her life for it.
As she continued to flee, Jin Ping’er found herself deeper and deeper in the Demon-Sealing Cave. This ancient cavern was terrifyingly deep, its true depth indiscernible from the outside. Though the cave didn’t seem to slope drastically downward, it was unclear where it led.
In the darkness, the sharp wind sounded like blades, and the howling winds eventually ceased, but Li Xun’s voice remained, ever-persistent.
Just then, in the dark ahead, a vague figure flickered into view. Jin Ping’er, with her keen eyesight, recognized it as the woman who had caused her such trouble—Xiao Bai.
Standing silently in the darkness, Xiao Bai seemed to sense something and emitted a soft white light, turning slowly.
“You again!” Xiao Bai frowned, addressing Jin Ping’er coolly.
Blocked by Xiao Bai, Jin Ping’er had no choice but to stop. She had already experienced Xiao Bai’s formidable powers and dared not act rashly. Trapped between pursuers and blockers, Jin Ping’er’s face turned pale.
Xiao Bai’s expression seemed burdened, and she glanced at Jin Ping’er, clearly unwilling to let her pass. Just as she was about to speak, she paused, turned, and laughed coldly, “How strange, quite a crowd we have here today!”
As she spoke, Li Xun’s figure emerged from the darkness, accompanied by a rush of wind. Upon seeing the additional beautiful stranger, Li Xun became cautious, pausing instead of attacking Jin Ping’er. His attention was drawn to the newcomer.
Xiao Bai gave Li Xun a cold look, apparently recognizing him. More figures emerged from the darkness, the other Incense Valley disciples arriving. Though they were not as skilled or fast as Li Xun, their numbers were considerable.
Xiao Bai’s gaze swept over the Incense Valley disciples and their attire, and she sneered, “Incense Valley folk?”
Jin Ping’er couldn’t help but glance at Xiao Bai, sensing her disdain for the Incense Valley, which secretly pleased her. Li Xun, uncertain of Xiao Bai’s intentions, said, “I am Li Xun, a disciple of Master Yun Yilan of the Incense Valley. May I ask, lady, who are you? We mean no disrespect, but this woman,” he pointed at Jin Ping’er, “is a notorious demoness of the Cult, and we must eliminate her. If you have no other business, please step aside. We would be grateful.”
Xiao Bai snorted, not moving but instead taking a few steps forward, saying, “I have business of my own, so I cannot leave.”
Li Xun’s face darkened, and some of the Incense Valley disciples shouted in anger.
Li Xun said sternly, “Lady, if you protect this demoness, you will be the enemy of the Incense Valley and the entire righteous path. Do you understand?”
Xiao Bai laughed, caressing her hair with her snowy-white hand, and sneered, “The enemy of the Incense Valley and the righteous path? Ignorant pup, I played with these things thousands of years ago.”
The Incense Valley disciples erupted in uproar, and Li Xun’s face contorted with anger. However, his composure held, and he asked, “Who are you, madam, with such a bold mouth?”
Xiao Bai, however, did not answer but instead appeared lost in thought. After a moment, she chuckled, saying, “Auntie… It’s been so long since I talked like this. Even I’m surprised by my own words. Have I really grown old?”
Her face gradually lost its smile, and she stared blankly, as if deep in thought.
Jin Ping’er, at a loss, wondered what this strange woman was thinking. Li Xun, though patient, was nearly exploding with anger, shouting, “If you don’t step aside, don’t blame us for what comes next.”
Xiao Bai lifted her gaze, fixing it on Li Xun, and said, “That little girl.”
Jin Ping’er, initially confused, realized Xiao Bai was addressing her, and asked, “Are you talking to me?”
Xiao Bai snorted, “If not you, then who?” She gently waved her hand, stepping between Li Xun and Jin Ping’er, and said, “Go, I’ll hold them off.”
Li Xun and his companions’ faces darkened, while Jin Ping’er was overjoyed and almost disbelieving. She thanked Xiao Bai hastily and fled into the darkness. Li Xun, determined not to let the killer escape, was about to give chase when a white light barrier rose, blocking the way. Soon, Jin Ping’er was gone.
Li Xun ground his teeth, turning to Xiao Bai and asking, “Who are you, and why are you helping that demoness?”
Xiao Bai smiled, enjoying Li Xun’s anger, and said, “Do you think it’s any of your business? I helped her because I don’t like the Incense Valley.”
Li Xun and the disciples were stunned. Li Xun, unable to contain his frustration, asked, “Have we met before, or have we wronged you in some way?”
Xiao Bai shook her head, her eyes sparkling, and said, “No, we haven’t, and you haven’t wronged me. But I just don’t like the Incense Valley. What can you do about it?”
The disciples, enraged, lunged forward, and Li Xun did not stop them. The insult and provocation were too much to bear.
In the darkness, several figures leaped toward the white barrier, but Xiao Bai’s smile remained, her eyes filled with mockery.
As the shadows blurred, the sound of wind cut through the air, and Lu Xueqi flew through the ancient, dark cave, heading toward the unknown. Despite her uncertainty, a fervent emotion burned in her heart, like the fiercest fire.
She sped forward, leaving everything else behind. Behind her, the shadowy figures had long disappeared. At one point, she sensed a hidden presence in the darkness, but the feeling vanished as quickly as it came, and the figure seemed to retreat.
Far behind, in the whistling wind, there might have been a faint sigh, but Lu Xueqi did not know.
She felt no need to dwell on it.
How many things, or people, are worth risking everything for?
If there are none, perhaps that is a tragedy.
But if there are, then risk it all!
The Celestial Sword Tiang Ya in her hand glowed brighter, like the surge of a mighty tide, flashing fiercely.
The blue figure flew farther and closer simultaneously, the wind still blowing.
The path ahead remained dark, yet someone would surely be at the end.
She raced, the green light ahead slowly brightening. Lu Xueqi finally saw the first light in the darkness, like a lonely spirit hovering in the gloom.
She stopped, the sword’s light dimming, like a shy and frightened maiden. The darkness slowly enveloped her, hiding her from view.
She stared at the green light, wondering what awaited her behind it.
Disappointment, or him?
If it were him, what then?
She hesitated, the fervor in her heart still burning, but with a hint of sorrow.
She stared for a long time, then took a step back.
Was it fear, or retreat?
Is there someone in her life she cannot face?
No, or does she dare not?
A choking sensation crept in, the darkness jeering, and who was ahead? Fate never smiled kindly, and who could so easily conquer themselves? She had never feared life or death, or the passage of time, but who could fully face their deepest heart?
Silence reigned in the darkness.
She seemed ready to retreat again.
What pain lay behind the unseen face?
Suddenly, a wave of heat appeared, and behind the green light, a thunderous roar echoed.
Red flames, like a sinister murderer, raged and roared, terrifying all. The ground and walls shook, more violently as they approached. The scene deep within the flames was unimaginable.
The light reflected in her eyes, shining brightly.
It was as if her eyes themselves were burning!
A soft blue light flashed again, bursting from the darkness, and a beautiful figure stood firm against the wind, her hair flowing.
“Boom!”
The roar and tremors made the entire cave shake, and stones fell like rain. But the figure had vanished.
She raced, through the apocalyptic scene, through the falling stones, toward the brightest part of the flames!
No one knew what awaited, but who cared?
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage