Bloodbath at the Mountain Gate: A Life-or-Death Ordeal
Liuyun Town was already far from the Qingyun Sect's mountain gate, but Xie Yunzhi knew that Elder Xuanshi's appearance meant the sect's net of pursuit was rapidly tightening. He carried Mo Xiaoyu, pushing his speed to the limit, daring not to stop for a moment, and sped towards the southeast direction where he sensed the location of the Sealing Spirit Tablet fragment.
However, the influence of the Qingyun Sect, as one of the leaders of the righteous path, far exceeded their expectations. Just two days later, as they attempted to cross a treacherous mountain range known as "Black Wind Ridge," danger struck again.
Black Wind Ridge, with its complex terrain and pervasive miasma, was an ideal place to hide from pursuers. However, Xie Yunzhi keenly sensed an unusual, chilling aura permeating the surrounding air. The mountain wind, instead of carrying the fragrance of grass and trees, brought the faint sounds of clashing weapons and deliberately suppressed breathing as it blew through the gaps in the forest.
"There's an ambush." He stopped abruptly, shielding Mo Xiaoyu behind him. The Zhan Yuan Sword instantly appeared in his hand, its blade trembling slightly and emitting a low, warning sound.
Almost as soon as he finished speaking, dozens of figures appeared like ghosts in the surrounding mountains and forests! These people were dressed in different clothes, including rogue cultivators, disciples of small sects, and even a few cultivators wearing the robes of the Qingyun Sect's Enforcement Hall! Their eyes were either greedy, cold, or filled with a sense of justice to "eliminate demons and protect the righteous path," like a pack of wolves eyeing their prey, surrounding the two of them.
The leader was none other than Junior Brother Wang, whom they had met in Liuyun Town before. He wore a smug grin on his face: "Xie Yunzhi! Let's see where you can run this time! Fellow Daoists, the Sect Master has ordered that whoever captures and kills this fiend will be richly rewarded!"
A great reward will surely bring forth brave men. Someone shouted "Kill!" and dozens of magical lights and spells rained down on the two in the center like a sudden downpour! Sword light, fireballs, ice spikes, poison mist... intertwined to form a net of death.
"Hide behind me!" Xie Yunzhi shouted, and the Zhan Yuan Sword burst out with dazzling golden light, a highly condensed ring of sword energy sweeping out from him!
"boom--!"
The sword energy collided violently with the attacks from all directions, creating a deafening explosion! The violent energy shockwave lowered the ground by three feet, and the closest rogue cultivators screamed as they were torn apart by the sword energy, their blood raining down.
Xie Yunzhi swayed slightly, his face paling slightly. Although he had obtained the Dragon Essence inheritance and his cultivation had greatly improved, it was still a short time and he had not yet fully mastered it. At the same time, he was facing the siege of dozens of cultivators with considerable strength, and he also had to spare some attention to protect Mo Xiaoyu, which put him under immense pressure.
Mo Xiaoyu watched with trepidation. She knew her cultivation was weak, and forcing herself to attack would only be a burden. She gritted her teeth and activated the Soul-Stabilizing Pearl with all her might. A cool and gentle aura spread out, not only stabilizing her own mind but also calming Xie Yunzhi's restless spiritual power and sea of consciousness, which had been agitated by the intense battle.
Xie Yunzhi felt this support and his spirits lifted. His swordplay changed again, no longer solely defensive, but turning defense into offense! The Zhan Yuan Sword seemed to come alive in his hands, its sword techniques ancient and grand, yet incomparably sharp, each strike carrying the will to tear everything apart and a trace of the might of a true dragon.
Where the sword flashed, magical artifacts shattered, and spells vanished! He was like a tiger among sheep, invincible, with cultivators falling one after another screaming in agony. Blood stained the hillside red, and severed limbs and remains were scattered everywhere, a scene resembling a hellish carnage.
However, there were simply too many attackers, including several skilled Golden Core cultivators. Realizing Xie Yunzhi was protecting Mo Xiaoyu, they deliberately sent several of them to unleash insidious spells specifically targeting Mo Xiaoyu!
A ghostly green flame silently circled around to the side, heading straight for Mo Xiaoyu's back! A poisoned needle, hidden within the sword light, shot towards her throat!
"Watch out!" Xie Yunzhi's pupils shrank suddenly. He wanted to go back to help, but he was held back by two Golden Core cultivators.
Just when it seemed that Mo Xiaoyu was about to perish, a strange change occurred at the critical moment!
"Sizzle! Sizzle!"
Two sharp whooshing sounds rang out. A throwing knife precisely shattered the ghost fire, while a jade pendant blocked the poison needle. The jade pendant instantly turned black and shattered with a "crack".
Two figures burst out from the dense forest to the side, blocking Mo Xiaoyu's path. One of them quickly conjured a shield-like magical artifact to protect the three of them, while the other, wielding two hooks, warily watched their surroundings.
These two were none other than the Li brothers who had received guidance from Xie Yunzhi at the Qingyun Sect's martial arts arena! They were merely outer disciples with low cultivation levels, yet their faces were resolute and their eyes were determined.
"Senior Brother Li! Senior Brother Zhang! You..." Mo Xiaoyu recognized them, both surprised and anxious.
"Junior Sister Mo, hurry and go with Senior Brother Xie!" Senior Brother Li, holding the shield, roared without turning his head, "We can't hold them off for long!"
"Traitors and accomplices! Kill them all!" Upon seeing this, Junior Brother Wang shouted the order, and more attacks were directed at the Li brothers.
Xie Yunzhi's eyes instantly reddened upon seeing this scene. He roared, his dragon essence surging wildly within him, and the Zhan Yuan Sword erupted with unprecedented light. With a single strike, he forced back the entangled Golden Core cultivators, and his figure flashed like lightning as he rushed towards Mo Xiaoyu's location.
"Stop him!" Several cultivators charged forward fearlessly.
"Get out of my way!" Xie Yunzhi was like a madman, his sword flashing and flesh flying everywhere as he fought his way through a bloody path!
Just then, a late-stage Golden Core cultivator from the Qingyun Sect's Enforcement Hall, who had been observing coldly, suddenly made his move! He had been gathering his strength for a long time, and a crimson flying sword transformed into a dazzling rainbow, carrying a scorching heat that could burn the eight wastelands. It was not aimed at Xie Yunzhi, but directly at Senior Brother Li, who was struggling to support his shield! If this sword struck, Senior Brother Li would surely die, and Mo Xiaoyu behind him would also be doomed!
That sword strike was too fast! Too ruthless!
Xie Yunzhi's eyes were bloodshot with rage. He was still several feet away, and it was too late to come to his rescue!
Without any hesitation, he suddenly pushed his movement technique to its limit, even enduring a palm strike from the side and spitting out a mouthful of blood. Yet, as if by teleportation, he appeared in front of Mo Xiaoyu and Senior Brother Li!
"Pfft—!"
The crimson flying sword, carrying terrifying power, pierced his back fiercely! The sword tip emerged from his chest, bringing with it a spray of scalding blood that splattered all over Mo Xiaoyu's face!
Time seemed to stand still at that moment.
Mo Xiaoyu stared wide-eyed at the blood-stained sword tip protruding from Xie Yunzhi's chest, so close to her, her mind blank. Warm blood splattered on her face, carrying a sweet, metallic scent, yet it made her feel as if she had fallen into an ice cave.
"No—!!!" she screamed in agony.
Xie Yunzhi's body trembled violently, and he spat out another mouthful of blood, his face instantly turning ashen. But he remained standing, refusing to fall, and with a backhand strike, he sent the crimson flying sword flying!
The late-stage Golden Core cultivator suffered a backlash, letting out a muffled groan and staggering back several steps, his eyes filled with horror. He had endured such a severe injury, yet he could still counterattack?!
"Senior brother!" The Li brothers' eyes were bloodshot as they tried to step forward.
"Go...take her away!" Xie Yunzhi used his last bit of strength to push Mo Xiaoyu toward the Li brothers. At the same time, he slapped his chest, and the Dream Jade shone brightly. A chaotic spacetime fluctuation suddenly spread out from him!
This was a spacetime turbulence he created by forcibly activating the Dream Jade. It was extremely dangerous, but it was also the only way to prevent the enemy from breaking through!
The surrounding space began to distort, and the scenery became blurred. The pursuing cultivators were hindered by this chaotic force and found it difficult to get close for a while.
"Let's go!" Xie Yunzhi turned around and roared at Mo Xiaoyu and the Li brothers, who were standing there dumbfounded. His eyes were full of determination and an undeniable urgency.
Tears streamed down Mo Xiaoyu's face as she was forcibly dragged by the Li brothers, staggering towards the edge of the turbulent current. Looking back one last time, she saw Xie Yunzhi leaning on his sword, standing alone in the center of the distorted spacetime turbulence. His back was as straight as a pine tree, but he was covered in blood, like a broken god who still refused to fall.
The next moment, the spacetime turbulence erupted completely, engulfing their figures.
On Black Wind Ridge, only a scene of carnage remained, along with an overwhelming stench of blood. The surviving pursuers watched the gradually calming chaos with lingering fear, none daring to advance further.
Xie Yunzhi's fate is unknown.
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