Zhao Ruoxi glared fiercely at Song Zining and shouted, “Absurd! How could I possibly harm anyone?”
Yet being a young girl, raised in pampered luxury within the Zhao mansion, and later wielding the legendary Manjusaha, she had always been cherished and admired wherever she wandered; the slightest of her emotions was written openly upon her face. Even Wei Patian could see she was putting on a brave front, let alone others.”
Song Zining tugged on Qian Ye’s sleeve, saying nothing. Qian Ye did not budge. His friend tugged again even harder, enough to tear his clothes apart — at last, Qian Ye could no longer feign indifference. He coughed, and said, “Ruoxi, the danger here increases constantly; you really should leave sooner rather than later.”
Zhao Ruoxi’s eyes welled up instantly, seemingly ready to burst into tears. With a tremble in her voice she replied, “Are you casting me away as well ……”
Qian Ye felt immense conflict; steeling himself, he spoke on, “I am not casting you away. But within that Great Vortex it’s truly perilous — and with Manjusaha in your hand.”
Zhao Ruoxi lifted her bowed head and said, “In all of your hearts, that weapon must be more precious than I am. Tell me it is not so ……”
Qian Ye was deeply pained, “Of course not! The gun is but an inanimate object; while you are irreplaceable. Nothing in this world can hold greater importance.”
Her tone grew harsh as anger resurfaced again. “Who said a gun must be lifeless? Manjusaha has its spirit and emotions!”
Zhao always knew how to become impossible during these moments; Qian Ye thus ceased trying to debate verbally and instead, adopting an unexpectedly stern tenor that overpowered emotion, commanded strictly: “No! You must exit now — this instant!”
Surprised at his rare firmness, the distressed young lady impulsively looked left and right seeking an ally’s support; however, neither she nor Zhao Yuying and Wéi Pàitiān met each other directly – between the two elders, however fierce or lenient, priorities and danger recognition were clear-cut: neither young Zhao Ruoxi nor her legendary firearm may endure even moments’ peril inside this cursed vortex.
Ji Tianqing and Li Kuanglan had no particularly deep rapport with this young woman either, remaining passive and observant throughout; at witnessing such rare intensity displayed from Qian Ye’s stance, she seemed to have gained some revelation.
With support seemingly non-existent at such tense moment Zhao Ruoxi gave in to whim, lunged towards Qian Ye, and tightly gripped his arm in an act of protest—her full weight draped over him, determined in stubborn refusal. “No! No matter what, I refuse to go!”
Then Ji Tianqing inquired, “Lord Qiji, did you just now detect an omen through the Heaven’s Pattern?”
Song Zining hesitated slightly and with pointed finger towards Qian Ye retorted sharply “I won’t act the villain’s role once again in this drama—let the originator speak his truth.”
As eyes from every person focused, he finally spoke with grit, “Just now an indiscernibly ominous feeling washed abruptly over me—emanations stemmed from deep within the super dense gravity field beyond. That unknown threat has a specific connection linking to Ruoxi herself and likewise her Manjusharah.”
“Did anything trigger your foresight through when I had destroyed that beast-like creature, possessing six forearms?”
This question Ji finally answered, “Not only were it not alone in its presence—it quite probably numbers within an entire assembly.”
With firmness rarely displayed Qian Ye forcibly pried her cling hold away while delicately placing Zhao back steadily, eyes locking onto hers. In utmost seriousness he conveyed the gravity—：“Ruoxi and her weapon may have already caught some creature’s awareness through unknown channel; to remain here beyond present measure ensures certain mortal peril.”
With indignance flamed anew in her spirit she argued stubbornly: “How would having Manjusaha endanger anyone when I myself possess dominion?”
“That’s not how fate chooses simplicity. This place—the Grand Vortex. Truth be told—even if both Imperial domain and Everslumber regions might harbor great dangers—you must abandon delusional notions regarding absolute superiority.”
At Qian Ye’s blunt tone Zhao visibly wilted for a fleeting moment and still resisting stubborn retort spat back: “Nevertheless—I’m not departing!”
Silence was soon cut apart by Li Kuangran’s cold intrusion:
“This stubborn refusal from Lady Zhao won’t be harmless after all. If your insistence were truly to summon forth this malevolent force upon us—I’d predict certain fatality for every member within your surroundings. The foremost likely victim would be none other than Qian Ye. For he’s most probably the closest one sacrificing self in your defense.”
Instant fury surged Zhao face and eyes blazing toward Li’s cold remarks shouted: “You dare lecture me?!”
Remained Li’s calm unshifted: “Though your family carries weight, House Lee holds not the least fear. If someday vengeance remains on agenda, by all means—pursue accordingly!”
In reality Zhao’s disdain toward Lee household remained long-standing now furthered by confrontation itself; her fierce glare bristled dangerously as she warned: “Hmph—your so called ‘unmatched’ bravado—be certain to guard each breath wisely to elongate life!”
The Lee youth faint smirk reeled back evenly: “Those who kill through Manjusharah rarely evade traces of murder. My elder sister may boast modest talent within heavenly divination—yet ranks firmly against highest masters of this craft. Rest assured when my death does arise, she will identify responsible and take necessary action accordingly. Though we may hold negligible sway against either Great House Zhao or Princess Gaoyi, subduing Lady Zhao Fei within their ranks remains well within our capacity.”
At the veiled threats Zhao’s eyes glacially flared anew screaming wrathful retorts:
“You dare die so simply, then!!”
Finally enough had become unbearable for Qian Ye stepping between Zhao Li conflict lines physically shielding each hostile stare capable even of igniting in mid combat sparks! Amid inner throes, his migraine swelled uncontrollably.
Zhao Ruoxi—what exactly prompted stubborn refusal upon what should otherwise constitute trivial matter? Yet even in his proximity she bore undeniable lethal inclination; in those trembling grasp rested a mighty ancient force—enhanced multifold due to vortex proximity.
She could, if so decided, end life irreversibly—leaving no room for last moments’ redemption.
His most beloved kin stood one side—the female bound intricately within tender embrace another…
The last scenario he’d wish—was bloodbaths and death between cherished parties.
Even as words coaxed forming in mind for one final plea.
Song’s alarm pierced further breaking through with panic-stricken urgency:
“Tremendous transformation erupts anew! If we delay beyond present moment we’ll forfeit all remaining escape routes completely!”
Yet to universal amazement Zhao Ruoxi simply closed her eyes, resolutely declared defiance through voice:
“I’ve never wavered—leave if necessity dictates!”
Unexpectedly all present reacted in total befuddlement; Qian Ye facial expression further darkened, sensing imminent perils arrival—yet none willing or able ready preparation amidst her irrational tantrums. Left in wake’s aftermath perhaps irreversible calamity awaits unbroken camarades alongside the defiant youth herself.
“Ruoxi…” Qian Ye’s attempt mid-paused as she defiantly preempted and screamed:
“Let me remain foolish! Let my every word stand ilrationally!”
Mortified silence held his lips in place, unable mustering sharp words previously forming within his mind as her teared orbs trembled dangerously unshed droplets threatening to spill down cheeks like cascading crystalline torrents. A helpless sigh broke forth, the tension defused.
Song’s expression twitched slightly. Slight scheming flickered within his gaze as suddenly approached with decisive steps and with his decorated folding fan snapping open he whispered urgently beside her ear. At that secretive exchange Zhao’s visage transformed completely radiating unexpected spark of eagerness. “Is that truly real?.”
“Words of Seven Master never deviate falsehood—why else the title!”
Yet her skepticism returned swiftly retorting, “I’ve heard many claim every sweet-talk sentence you deliver dissolute into deceit.”
“Ridiculous!” Song denied quickly but with unmistakable crimson creeping beneath cheeks, “From where does such a claim originate?”
“Oh really,” she countered slyly with mention, “Didn’t Xu Yun’er from Xu Family in Lingdong Region once tell me…”
Song quickly intervened with hands waving wildly in midair. “Desist! Desist!! Trivial flirtation meant nothing—never comparable against present gravity! And those girls barely comparable against Your Royal Grace!!”
“You’re calling me aged?”
Stuck with no viable retorts, Song chose wisely retreating from that perilous dialogue altogether shifting directly back onto mission critical. Persuasively he urged:
“At any cost—trust me just this momentous once! Better that than entire company perish.”
Puzzling silence gripped Zhao before acquiescence at last followed by chilling tone:
“Fine, once shall suffice. But—should deceit ever surface between our pacts, prepare accordingly! Unlike those girls—I bear family lineage known precisely for relentless vendetta. Zhao’s blood runs long with memory of vengeance…”
Song rapidly nodded, barely suppressing visible sweat drops trailing. “Of course, no way could I dare to deceive a mighty heir of Zhao clan…”
He hastened conclusion urging escape:
“You’d better hurry! Should delays accumulate—unthinkable complications may descend.”
Promptly Ji Tianding facial tone shifted subtly too. Intuitive perception stirred awareness confirming unseen shifts approaching…
Zhao Ruoxi hesitated, finally asking concern:
“If departure be decided—what of others in our group?”
He swiftly assured:
“If Manjusharah disappears completely from vicinity—this mysterious threat would abandon our entire company. Currently your exit serves the only feasible means returning through stabilized portal—while others evade pursuing by alternate paths.”
“But what of the witch…”
“Not a matter requiring concern. This very zone serves source for incoming peril—her entrance here—if spotted by ‘IT’—high probability spells her shared fate of unavoidable annihilation,” Song Zining assured dismissively while continuing with hurried urgency pushing.
With final doubts dispelled she relinquished, turning once last lingering gaze at beloved soul. Her aura exploded in radiant swirl with flowers from mythological Rhé river encircling her being; her physicality slowly faded as though dissolving into blooming petals.
As Zhao disappeared, Zhao Yuying instantly noted uneasy tension on Wei Patian’s expression so snorted defiant retorts echoing Zhao lineage legacy:
“Forget Ruoxi’s nonsensical claims about females carrying vengeful spirits within our family. Not every person here fits such petty stereotypes—I embody openness and honesty above petty resentment; vendettas always avenged instantly at moment they emerge! Remorse is merely wasted energy upon already buried offenders!”
Wei’s expression immediately darkened.
At that moment Song urgently cut across declaring final course into action, urgency evident within rising collective awareness surrounding danger now palpably present.
Even the relatively duller Wei Pàitián detected tremors of dread now creeping into everyone’s spines—an agreement reached unanimously and instinctively: No time to lose! With immediate resolve, forsaking concerns for travel through the hazardous night, they commenced their desperate race toward what was simply known to ancient tales:
‘The Origin Realm’…
According to Song’s analytical projection this destination held gravitational pressure only slightly intensified beyond typical Evershade realms, while simultaneously harboring low density primal energies – rendering it almost lifeless desert zone to surviving beings dwelling within the higher gravity domain like monstrous beasts or quadrupled appendage tribal humans. Procrastination within such territory results severely degraded combat efficiency.
They could seek refuge inside an ancient fortified stronghold. The Empire, maintaining centuries’ long campaign into this vortex’s domain had meticulously established multiple strongholds despite relatively scarce number of human participants within these exploratory efforts—despite its limited numbers the strategic fortifications boasted formidable endurance potential.
Reaching the outpost essentially guaranteed security for their group, especially since historical records indicate no documented evidence confirming double and quadruple-limbed warriors breaching this restricted military zone within the vortex. Those previous captives were exclusively taken in deeper gravity fields prior entering such secured areas.
Even under worst conceivable scenarios where hostile encounters within such vortex proved inevitable or escape seems utterly improbable — there remained possibility retreating backwards into Empire’s returning passages through these very bastions. While normally sealed according to schedule — the transit back remained far less risky than standard entrance corridors. At minimum based within such fortified outposts they retain high survival probabilities despite overwhelming odds.
With collective mission established they set off as one swift entity in motion toward their objective—the destination: origin’s bastion.
Among fleeing members Qian Ye, blessed with unique ability allowing dimensional flickers, could outrun anything conceivable at lightning velocity—but instead held the unenviable responsibility ensuring the safest pace—always accommodating weakest links inside their flight party whose painfully sluggish speed naturally referred without exception—comrade Wei Patien still underdeveloped within his cultivation ranks. At a maximal sustained pace his body began failing him after no more than 60 consecutive moments.
With effortless determination Qian Ye firmly clasp his friend round waist with single hand while lifting companion slightly off ground and flew forward like fierce gale carrying their weight in desperate pursuit after rest of the comrades ahead—ensuring safe arrival.
With Wei given respite from continuous running strain finally caught second wind for casual conversation:
“Old mate…when did you learn the art of divination as such?? Somehow the sense of danger was detected directly via prophetic skill alone wasn’t possible? Honestly until very recent moments, I still perceived nothing unusual myself. I still fail completely understanding what you all seem convinced of!”
This discussion Qian Ye hesitated only briefly. The real trigger involved his sensing through the ‘Book of Shadows’ while Song divined omens. As soon as his inner perception linked into Black Scripture’s dark current—unlimited reach extended outward into boundless space with perception spreading like an underground ocean—though extremely indistinct.
Suddenly somewhere beyond he encountered this monstrous presence stirring gradually toward consciousness whose terrifying gaze fixated obsessively upon Ruoxi and thus upon Manjusaha. Qian Ya could perceive a massive dark sun slowly rising deep in the void, approaching their position steadily.
Ji Tianqing followed suit detecting this malevolent presence momentarily afterwards—Li Kuangran trailing shortly behind.
But the matter of ‘The Black Codex’ must necessarily become his exclusive burden; thus his explanations deflected any true knowledge attributing the others’ perceptions as mere prophetic warnings while his own sensing of the entity stemmed solely through some fluke sixth sense—thereafter glossed over as nonessential details without elaboration.
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