Across the vast expanse of sky, a sudden rumbling sound, like thunder rolling, echoed forth. In an instant, a虹芒 (hong mang) streaked across the heavens at a speed so breathtaking that in the blink of an eye, it had already reached the farthest horizon. The deafening sonic boom reverberated loudly, causing countless experts along the way to lift their heads in astonished bewilderment.
Shorty after that虹芒 (hong mang) shot across the sky, boundless murderous intent suddenly surged, engulfing sky and earth. A black streak of light zipped past, emanating an aura so ferocious that many great cultivators could not help but shivver with fear. Even certain sects hesitated to pay further attention—any master of such supreme power would be capable of razing even the mightiest of sect headquarters in a single casual swipe. The likes of them simply did not have the strength to become spectators in such a ruthless chase.
“This fellow is indeed persistent,” the虹芒 (hong mang) blazed onward across the expanse, while its trailing aura—its master—gently paused with a furrowed brow, feeling the malicious aura behind him.
It came as no surprise then that this figure was Xiao Yan himself, escaping after battling heavily against Hun Sha. Unexpected too was the other’s insistence on giving chase without any hint of hesitation. Hun Sha showed not the slightest inclination to abandon the pursuing hunt.
“Mr. Xiao Yan,” in Xiao Yan’s company, Ya Tian labored against howling high-altitude winds, shouting urgently through clenched teeth. “We still have half a day’s flight to the Gu Clan lands, and Hun Sha is gaining!”
Xiao Yan faintly nodded, but with a furrow deeper across his brow. The Nine-Rank Royal Heaven Pill he had ingested radiated unimaginable potency; torrents of violent power already lacerated the recesses of his insides. Though Xiao Yi worked desperately to refine it, her struggle only managed limited progress, and without Xiao Yan’s body’s exceptional constitution he might already have detonated in an agonizing burst. Yet even with his unparalleled durability, holding on for much longer would prove unsustainable. If this energy damaged him even further, it would inevitably seal his doom beneath Hun Sha’s blades.
“One of you must go ahead.” A moment of contemplation led him to speak firmly, “The force within me grows treacherous—it burdens our pace. If you choose leave now, Hun Sha won’t linger hunting an irrelevant quarry.”
Ya Tian and Ya Ling however exclaimed simultaneously, “Count me with you!” Each knew well who followed whom into perilous danger, and silently wished the safer course to pass to the other instead.
“I do admire loyalty—but not right now,” Xiao Yan frowned amidst their impatience, watching as Yi Ling suddenly struck Ya Tian across the chest with a palm, launching her out of his domain with startling force—a gesture Xiao Yan allowed unobjected. In a swift flourish of his sleeve, Ya Tian was cast downward through open space as a soft instruction drifted after him into his ears: *”Go.”*
Restoring his posture through turbulent gusts, Ya Tian glanced after their dwindled forms, face red but silent as he turned and blazed off toward another quarter entirely.
“Seems you had a moment of decisiveness after all,” Xiao Yan smirked somewhat, as his arms securely enveloped Ya Ling by waist, enveloping her in an intense pink flame. Their speed then multiplied dramatically.
Pressed tightly against her, Ya Ling warmed with a shade on those features always glacial and proud. Shooting a glance toward his face—the features less remarkable than her brother’s—she couldn’t help but admire an allure she had so rare beheld throughout her icy solitude of heart until now.
During the crafting of the Nine-Rank Royal Heaven Pill amidst clan tensions and Hun clan assassination, Xiao Yan had demonstrated a masterful poise that blended composure with determination. Faced with threats of life or death, he transformed into an embodiment of sharpness and deadly conviction—leading the both away when any other would fall prey.
Though short had been their time in each other’s presence, legends of heroes still inspire even the most haughty goddess. In Ya Li’s embrace within Xiao Yan thus unfolded a rare tenderness not easily awakened even under frost and steel.
Xiao Yan, for whom none of this sentiment seemed to register, channeled the rest of what remained in subduing the chaotic energy ravagging ceaselessly within him—yet still maintaining speed against an impossible foe, another daunting task upon this already dire moment.
“Apart now, are we…” trailing them remotely, the gloomy face of Hun Sha twitched coldly as his eyes danced between both figures vanishing toward distant escape routes. Snarling to himself, Hun Sha kept his sights firm on his primary prize—his heart burning toward Xiao Yan who clutched the Tho San Soul Coffer. The rest escaping meant nothing—Xiao Yan however promised a path not only to power, but dominion eternal.
” Let’s see just how long you can keep up this run of yours!”
And so across five more harrowing sky-chased hours they soared—tearing through nearly half the continent. The spectacle alarmed many high-level masters yet none dare oppose as the sheer oppressive presence of Hun Sha chilled all who witnessed it to silent impotence beneath a shared dread. Yet as endurance wore thin between hunted and hunter alike, Xiao Yan now felt that even with unbreakable spirit, this shell of sinew resisted no longer the encroaching damage.
Torrents of raw crystalized energy congealed and hardened through meridian tunnels, forcing his resilient vessels into strained compression. Though Xiao Yi labored furiously, every shard of crystallization stripped only brought on further infinite resurgence. Under this expanding storm, his usually indomitable meridians started betraying faint sensations of rupture. This was horror the Royal Heaven Pill inflicted even upon legends made of legend themselves.
“Mr. Xiao Yan.” Watching Xiao Yan’s pale face pale further, Ya Ling—though not an overwhelming斗师 (Dou Qi practitioner), could still feel her companion’s waning mind energy. His thoughts, once commanding like a general, trembled like reeds.
“If the situation takes a worse turn—I’ll send you away now. I can’t guarantee more.” Xiao Yan summoned some strength to reply through the grit of physical disrepair. His body wore heavily on his soul. But Ya Ling bit her lip, and then extended her ivory white wrist towards him softly:
“I was blessed by strange inheritance—my blood may fortify your essence.”
Xiao Yan froze at those words—fixing a searching gaze on her elegantly delicate features. She looked serious—truthful.
“How peculiar—was it this trait that might gift her potential for Emperor Tier soul? That makes sense!” Thought passed swiftly, and the next moment he had latched a firm bite to her wrist. Teeth pierced thin skin—the crimson flowed steadily into his throat…
Then shock surged throughout—like icy fire coursing veins. As the life-essence rushed upon a drained reservoir, suddenly his core flickered alive, wrapped in subtle bloodlight—revelling in a warmth far greater than peak vitality had ever given before.
“Strangest indeed…” Blood flooded back into Xiao Yan’s hollow face. A gleam returned to his tired eyes as a primal draw surged inside—for her very soul called his nature to drink more of her sacred blood.
“I wonder—if my spirit consumed all her essence, could it evolve?” A thought flickered like madness and he quickly smothered it with contempt—even as her lips trembled slightly and pallor crept to her cheeks. Quickly pulling his head back and wiping the red traces left over—Xiao Yan muttered faintly apologetic:
“My gratitude.”
Ya Ling only shook her head. Her luscious gaze darting once more back with furrowed brow to where they flew:
“ His speed… he is coming even faster”
Xiao Yan immediately turned—scanning the distant darkened clouds and the thickening storm behind—an oppressive aura rising unnaturally. Clearly whatever patience Hun Sha possessed had thinned, and his techniques were turning ruthless.
“You hold tight,” His tone turned sharper. “The Gu territory is no longer far. Once we arrive, safety finds us!” Drawing a deep breath he hardened his will. With a mighty expansion of his wings his form shot off like lighting across the horizon.
“Brat—you’ll find no such escape under your pitiful Gu clan protection!” roared the enraged Hun Sha, eyes glower black from behind storm clouds.
He’d followed Xiao Yan’s every move—watched his speed diminish slightly only for it to climb beyond what seemed impossible after consuming that pill. Angrily, his hands changed seal. An endless deluge of black spiritual energy erupted forth and gathered into a pair of enormous shadowy bat wings towering hundreds of feet behind him. As if still feeling the pace lacking, Hun Sha bit his tongue sharply, and spat a large blob of core vital blood onto the wings. As the wings flapped with a sound like fabric ripping—his body became an arrow loosed from heaven itself—swift as the sound.
“Trouble!” At the second Hun Sha vanished completely from sight, Xiao Yan’s expression turned dire. He hugged Ya Ling closer and dove sharply downward—just an hairsbreadth before—
*Pffsssch!!* a piercing beam of bloody sword light erupted and passed precisely overhead!
“Xiao Yan you run no longer now I have snuffed all your tricks!”
Spacetime fluctuated as Hun Sha reappeared above—murderous gaze fixed with intent death upon his targets. A greatsword, glowing crimson, formed effortlessly in his grip and slashed forward, birthing a mile long wave of blood sword chi. It crashed toward them ready to split both heavens and Earth asunder like dry wood in a wildfire.
But amidst blood and blade, a final ray of salvation emerged. As the blood-surge grew unbearable, another aura—one vastly aged and wise—suddenly erupted. From the sky descended a wise figure—ancient, calm:
“You test too much arrogance, Hun Sha, when shedding blood so carelessly here upon the lands of my Gu Clan!” The deep, ancient voice rang across all airspace—an immediate declaration of intervention from the clan of old legends itself, poised upon the edge—preparing battle upon this most unwelcomed predator.
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