Chapter 39: A Reunion in the Mists of Fate

“Clang!”

A sharp sound pierced the darkness!

With a face cold as frost, Lu Xueqi stood before Zhang Xiaofan, resolutely drawing her sword.

The Celestial Azure unsheathed!

A blue light instantly burst forth, its pure and radiant beam illuminating this dark world. In an instant, all the spectral glows of the wraiths dimmed in the presence of this blue radiance. Yet, these wraiths seemed undaunted and continued to surge from all directions.

Lu Xueqi let out a sharp command, a flicker of pain crossing her pale face, but it was quickly replaced by an even more resolute expression. Under her control, the Celestial Azure Sword radiated an intense blue light, its brilliance piercing through the darkness as it swept across the oncoming wraiths.

At the moment the blue light met the wraiths, there was a sizzling sound, almost like oil popping in a pan. The first wave of wraiths dissipated into nothingness, their souls vanishing.

This eerie sound echoed in the vast, dark expanse, sending shivers down the spine. Despite the Celestial Azure’s immense power, it could not deter the remaining wraiths. As Lu Xueqi struck, several wraiths darted towards the unconscious Zhang Xiaofan, lying on the ground.

Seeing this, Lu Xueqi swiftly turned and with a swift sweep of the Celestial Azure, she dispersed the wraiths. However, the number of wraiths was overwhelming, and Lu Xueqi, already injured, found herself drenched in sweat and breathing heavily after only a few rounds. The ghostly faces danced around her, cackling and clawing, and the blue light of the Celestial Azure began to wane. Clenching her teeth, she felt her legs give way, and she collapsed beside Zhang Xiaofan.

The wraiths’ triumphant howls mingled with their ghostly wails, and the white, spectral light grew more intense. Lu Xueqi turned to look at Zhang Xiaofan. Though he was unconscious, his face bore an expression of pain. What sad thoughts troubled him?

Lu Xueqi whispered softly, “I never thought I would die with you today.”

She straightened herself, her face devoid of any color, yet she refused to give up. With her right hand, she formed the Orchid Hand Seal, and the Celestial Azure hovered in mid-air for a moment before plunging into the ground with a “clang” in front of her. A circle of blue light emerged, encompassing both Lu Xueqi and Zhang Xiaofan.

The wraiths, seeing the tempting human bodies, surged forward, but the light barrier suddenly expanded, enveloping them in a dome of blue radiance. The wraiths battered against the barrier, each impact causing Lu Xueqi to shudder, her face paling further, and the Celestial Azure’s light dimming. The protective barrier, once towering over two people, was now reduced to barely one person’s height.

Lu Xueqi, her face as white as paper, watched as the wraiths’ twisted faces sneered and their mouths opened wide, as if she were trapped in an icy abyss.

Just then, she heard a mumbled word from the unconscious Zhang Xiaofan.

Lu Xueqi turned abruptly, unable to describe the joy that filled her heart. Fighting alone, hearing a companion’s voice gave her a newfound sense of hope.

Before she could see Zhang Xiaofan clearly, a sudden change occurred. The ground beneath them, once solid, now split open silently, and Zhang Xiaofan fell into the chasm.

Lu Xueqi froze, gazing into the abyss. It was pitch black, and in the depths, a pair of monstrous, blood-red eyes glowed menacingly.

Without hesitation, the light barrier dissipated, and Lu Xueqi, wielding the Celestial Azure, leapt into the darkness.

The wraiths, following suit, swarmed into the chasm, their shrill cries echoing through the void.

A dull thud resounded within the cavern, followed by a sharp, agonized roar.

“Ahh—”

The cry was pained, reminiscent of a wild boar’s rage. A massive figure leapt out of the chasm, followed by countless wraiths, swirling in the air.

Lu Xueqi, supported by Zhang Xiaofan, emerged from the chasm, a stream of blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Her left side was stained red, evidence of her injuries.

Zhang Xiaofan, leaning on Lu Xueqi, opened his eyes, and the Firewood Stick lit up, though faintly, emitting a dark azure glow.

In this dark world, the young couple supported each other, relying on one another.

Lu Xueqi, looking at the angry, yet hesitant wraiths, felt a strange joy. Although they were still in danger, having someone by her side was comforting.

Their gaze shifted to the massive shadow ahead, illuminated by the wraiths’ white light. They caught a strong, putrid stench and saw the beast’s form.

It was a gigantic creature, standing at two men’s height, with a pig’s head and a dog’s body. Its long, sharp fangs gleamed, and its dark, reddish-brown fur stood on end. Its eyes, glowing blood-red in the darkness, resembled the demonic eyes of Elder Red Demon of the Cult of the Magi.

The beast lay panting heavily, its left forepaw torn open, likely from Lu Xueqi’s attack. It glared at the humans, its eyes filled with seething hatred.

The wraiths circled overhead, but did not attack the beast, indicating an unspoken truce between them.

Lu Xueqi, feeling weary and pained, wanted to collapse and sleep, but she pushed through, whispering to Zhang Xiaofan, “There are too many wraiths and beasts here. We must retreat.”

Zhang Xiaofan nodded, and they moved back, but the wraiths and the beast followed, wary of the Firewood Stick and unwilling to give up.

Exhausted and injured, the two were barely holding on, but the imminent danger spurred them to continue.

This unknown abyss, known as the Dead Spirit Abyss, was a vast, seemingly endless pit. As they retreated, they found themselves on open ground, far from any cliff edges.

They had no time to ponder this, as the wraiths and the beast continued to pursue them. Zhang Xiaofan suddenly felt a sharp pain in his back, having bumped into a hard object.

They had been cautious of the beast, retreating carefully, but this unexpected collision startled Zhang Xiaofan. He turned to find a large tree, its trunk so thick that three people would struggle to encircle it.

Zhang Xiaofan relaxed, telling Lu Xueqi, “It’s just a tree…”

Before he could finish, a rope-like object tightened around his neck, lifting him off the ground.

Lu Xueqi, shocked, screamed, “Tree demon!”

The tree, which had seemed lifeless, now moved its branches like arms, one of which gripped Zhang Xiaofan. In the darkness, the tree demon’s movements were sinister, like a creature from the netherworld.

Zhang Xiaofan, choking, watched as the tree demon cackled, dragging him towards its gaping maw. The foul stench filled the air, and Zhang Xiaofcan, in a desperate struggle, thrust the Firewood Stick into the tree’s maw.

The Firewood Stick, especially the round gem at its tip, glowed with a faint blue light. The stick, once dull, now cut through the tree’s hardened bark like a divine weapon. The tree’s movements ceased, and it began to wither, its branches and leaves falling like autumn rain. With a final, agonizing scream, the tree collapsed, turning to ash.

Zhang Xiaofan, landing on the ground, felt a warm, rejuvenating energy flow from the Firewood Stick, healing his wounds. The Firewood Stick, now aglow, seemed to pulse with satisfaction, especially the blood-red lines on its surface, which shone ominously.

As Zhang Xiaofan recovered, he heard Lu Xueqi’s cry of pain. Turning, he saw her overwhelmed by the wraiths and the pig-headed beast. She was flung back, her clothes stained red, and Zhang Xiaofan, without a second thought, charged towards her.

The Firewood Stick, glowing with a dark azure light, led the way, scattering the wraiths. Zhang Xiaofan, catching up to Lu Xueqi, faced the beast, which lunged at him, undeterred by the stick.

Desperate to save Lu Xueqi, Zhang Xiaofan channeled his master’s teachings, hurling the Firewood Stick at the beast. The beast, swiping at the stick, was stunned as it pierced through its hand and chest, creating a hole. The beast, with a final, agonizing roar, collapsed, its lifeblood spilling onto the ground.

Zhang Xiaofan, catching Lu Xueqi, found her cold and unconscious. The Firewood Stick, now shining brightly, returned to his hand.

Feeling revitalized, Zhang Xiaofan examined Lu Xueqi’s wounds. Her left shoulder was black, poisoned. He was frantic, but the wraiths, now distant, provided a temporary reprieve. He focused on tending to Lu Xueqi.

Unknown to Zhang Xiaofan, the Firewood Stick’s power, derived from the Bloodthirsty Pearl, had caused the wraiths to flee. Eight hundred years ago, the ruthless Blackheart Elder, founder of the Blood Sect, had crafted the Bloodthirsty Pearl, which had caused countless deaths. The wraiths, once victims of the pearl, now feared its resurrection.

Zhang Xiaofan, bandaging Lu Xueqi, sighed. The darkness, once again, settled into a deathly silence.

Suddenly, a soft, harmonious footstep sounded in the darkness. Zhang Xiaofan, startled, stood up, gripping the Firewood Stick. In the distance, a light appeared, and a woman in a water-green dress emerged, her delicate features and ethereal beauty making her appear otherworldly.

Zhang Xiaofan, recognizing her as the girl he had met in the Shanyuan Restaurant in Heyang City, was speechless.