Join hands to break through the encirclement
Xie Yunzhi held Mo Xiaoyu's hand, and the two exchanged a glance. Without saying a word, they understood each other's feelings. The Zhan Yuan sword in his hand seemed to sense its master's soaring fighting spirit, emitting a deep hum, and the moonlight flowing over the blade became even more solid.
"Stay close to me," Xie Yunzhi whispered, his voice steady and reassuring.
Mo Xiaoyu nodded, her other hand quietly gripping a short blade that had appeared in her hand at some point—she had taken it from the storage ring Xie Yunzhi had given her. Though not a divine weapon, it still gleamed with a chilling light. She was no longer a weakling who needed complete protection; she wanted to become a comrade-in-arms who could stand shoulder to shoulder with him.
The two moved swiftly, like two arrows released from a bow, rushing towards the top of the abyss. Their speed far exceeded Mo Xiaoyu's imagination. She only felt the surrounding scenery rushing past, and the biting wind whipping against her face, but it was strangely blocked by an invisible shield of energy—it was Xie Yunzhi's spiritual power that quietly protected her.
However, just as they were about to break out of the dense fog of the abyss, a sudden change occurred!
"Buzz—!"
A muffled, deafening roar shook the entire space at the abyss's entrance, causing it to ripple violently as if a pebble had been thrown into the water. Crimson runes materialized out of thin air, weaving together into a massive net that completely sealed off the exit. The runes shimmered with an ominous light, emanating a cold, viscous aura that seemed capable of devouring all life.
"Blood Fiend Spirit-Locking Array!" Xie Yunzhi's pupils constricted, instantly recognizing this infamous array. This array was extremely insidious; it not only trapped enemies but also continuously eroded the spiritual power and life force of those within, until they were completely exhausted. Su Qingqing had indeed prepared a backup plan, and her first move was a deadly trap!
The moment the formation was created, Mo Xiaoyu felt an invisible pressure surging from all directions. The flow of spiritual energy within her body immediately became sluggish, and even breathing became difficult. Even more terrifying, wisps of chilling, bloodthirsty energy, like a bone-deep infection, tried to penetrate her meridians.
"Concentrate, circulate the basic mental technique, and protect your heart meridian!" Xie Yunzhi's voice rang in her ears just in time. At the same time, a gentle yet powerful spiritual energy entered her body through their clasped hands, instantly dispelling the invading chill and helping her regain her footing.
Mo Xiaoyu did as instructed and was surprised to find that the spiritual energy Xie Yunzhi transmitted did not repel her own spiritual energy at all. Instead, they blended together, forming an even stronger force that jointly resisted the erosion of the formation. This is... complementary spiritual energy? The words of the Ancestral Dragon flashed through her mind.
Xie Yunzhi's expression was cold and his gaze was like lightning as he quickly swept over the entire Blood Fiend Locking Spirit Array. The array's runes flowed endlessly, seemingly without any flaws, but in his eyes, now that he had obtained the Ancestral Dragon's inheritance and his perspective was vastly different from before, this array was full of the Su clan's unique, hasty, and craftsman-like mentality.
“This formation has seven cores, corresponding to the Big Dipper, but the Su Yan lineage has never been good at astrology, so there must be one place where the spiritual energy is not flowing smoothly!” His mind raced, and knowledge about the mysteries of formations flashed through his mind. Suddenly, his gaze locked onto a spot in the northwest corner of the formation that seemed no different from the others, but where the blood-red runes were slightly stagnant.
"That's it! Little fish, help me!"
He released Mo Xiaoyu's hand, gripped the Zhan Yuan Sword tightly with both hands, and poured the immense spiritual power within him, fused with the Dragon Essence, into it without reservation. The Zhan Yuan Sword erupted with unprecedented brilliance, its blade trembled, and emitted a high-pitched, clear dragon's roar!
"cut!"
With a sharp shout, Xie Yunzhi moved with his sword, becoming one with it, transforming into a golden sword rainbow that tore through the sky, piercing straight into the northwest corner of the formation!
This sword strike was swift, accurate, and ruthless! It contained his newly acquired power and carried with it a resolute will to shatter all illusions and break all shackles!
The moment he set off, Mo Xiaoyu had a sudden inspiration and poured all the spiritual power in her body, along with the cool aura emanating from the Soul-Stabilizing Pearl, into the spiritual power that Xie Yunzhi had previously transferred to her. This instantly strengthened the power, making it a solid support that followed closely behind Jian Hong!
"boom--!!!"
The sword rainbow and the crimson runes collided violently! A deafening roar erupted. The violent energy shockwave spread outwards, shattering the rocks at the edge of the abyss.
That seemingly weak point, under such a concentrated and powerful impact, let out a mournful cry of being unable to bear the burden, and the blood-red runes shattered inch by inch, scattering like broken glass!
Once the core was broken, the entire Blood Fiend Spirit Locking Array shook violently. The other runes flickered rapidly, their light fading and then collapsing completely amidst a series of explosions!
The thick fog dissipated, revealing the astonished faces of Su Qingqing and the others behind them.
They clearly hadn't expected that the deadly formation, painstakingly set up by several elders, would be so cleanly and decisively broken by the opponent! In particular, the powerful aura emanating from Xie Yunzhi, so different from before, and the awe-inspiring dragon might emanating from the Zhan Yuan Sword, made them tremble with fear.
"Impossible! How could you..." Su Qingqing exclaimed in disbelief, her beautiful eyes filled with disbelief.
Xie Yunzhi stood with his sword in hand, his robes fluttering in the surging spiritual energy. He didn't look at Su Qingqing, but instead coldly swept his gaze over the several Su clan elders behind her. The oppressive aura contained in his gaze made these old men who had cultivated for many years feel a chill run down their spines.
"Out of respect for Senior Zulong, I will spare your lives today." Xie Yunzhi's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, carrying an unquestionable authority. "Get out of my way."
"Xie Yunzhi! You stole the sect's most precious treasure and colluded with evil spirits. You deserve to die! And you still dare to spout such arrogant words!" A hot-tempered elder shouted sternly, trying to intimidate people with his voice.
Xie Yunzhi's lips curled into a cold smile, a mocking expression that belonged to Yunxi and showed his understanding of the world: "Treasure? Demon? Elder Su, you know in your hearts who is turning black into white and who is disregarding the common people for their own selfish desires."
He said no more, pointing his sword, Zhan Yuan, forward with a chilling glint in its tip: "I will only say this once: those who stand in my way shall die."
A powerful killing intent, mixed with dragon might, swept out, pressing down on the hearts of the Su clan members as if it were a tangible force. The elders' expressions changed repeatedly. They could sense that Xie Yunzhi before them was not bluffing; he truly had the ability and determination to capture them all!
Su Qingqing bit her lower lip so hard it almost bled. Looking at Xie Yunzhi and Mo Xiaoyu standing side-by-side, at the unspoken understanding between them, her jealousy and resentment burned like poisonous fire. But she knew even more clearly that a direct confrontation at this moment would be futile.
"Let's go!" she spat out through gritted teeth, her words filled with resentment and bitterness.
"Miss!" An elder tried to dissuade her.
"Go!" Su Qingqing almost screamed, turned around abruptly, and transformed into a streak of white light, disappearing first. Seeing this, the other elders could only glare resentfully at Xie Yunzhi before following suit.
In the blink of an eye, only Xie Yunzhi and Mo Xiaoyu remained at the entrance to the abyss.
With the formidable enemy gone, Mo Xiaoyu's tense nerves finally relaxed slightly, and she immediately felt a wave of exhaustion, her body swaying slightly.
Xie Yunzhi reached out and supported her in time, his brows furrowing slightly: "Are you alright?"
"It's nothing, just that my spiritual energy was a bit depleted." Mo Xiaoyu shook her head, looking at his face, so close to hers and filled with concern, a warm feeling welled up in her heart, and the tension from the fierce battle dissipated considerably. She paused, then couldn't help but ask, "Where...where do we go now?"
Xie Yunzhi raised his eyes and looked towards the direction of Qingyun Sect. His gaze seemed to pierce through layers of mountains, reaching the palaces and pavilions floating above the sea of clouds. His eyes were complex, showing a moment of lingering affection, but more so a resolute detachment.
"The Qingyun Sect is no longer a place for us." He withdrew his gaze, his tone calm yet firm. "We need to find the first fragment of the Spirit Sealing Stele."
He opened his palms, palms facing upwards, and a faint, starlight-like sensation emanated from his body, pointing southeast.
"Based on our senses, the nearest fragment should be in that direction. We must hurry."
Mo Xiaoyu followed his gaze and saw endless mountains shrouded in clouds and mist, with no end in sight. Leaving their familiar sect and stepping into unknown dangers, what awaited them was a wanted list spread throughout the land, powerful and mysterious demons, and the heavy responsibility of saving the world.
She took a deep breath, placed her hand back in his palm, and gripped it tightly.
"Okay, let's go."
Without hesitation, without backing down. Having chosen him, having chosen this path, then let us walk on without looking back.
Xie Yunzhi felt the warmth and strength emanating from her palm, and his cold heart seemed to be warmed. He gripped her hand tightly, holding his sword in front of him with his other hand.
Without lingering, the two transformed into two streaks of light, sweeping across the towering mountains and heading southeast, towards the unknown yet inevitable fate they had to face.
Behind him, the outline of the Qingyun Sect gradually blurred in the clouds and mist, eventually disappearing completely. There once stood the familiar morning bells and evening drums, the martial arts training ground where he had diligently practiced, the teachers he had respected, and the fellow disciples he had vowed to protect… Now, all of this had become a past that could never be returned to. The mountain wind swept past his ears, bringing with it the scent of distant lands, and also a chilling sense of farewell.
Mo Xiaoyu couldn't help but turn back, taking one last look at the ethereal, receding figure, a faint pang of sorrow rising in her heart. That was where she had once cautiously gazed up at him, a place filled with countless humble joys and heartaches. Now, gone, it had left not even a trace.
Xie Yunzhi noticed her subtle movement and tightened his grip on her hand slightly, but said nothing. Some farewells need no words.
Just as their figures were about to completely disappear among the mountains, atop the highest Lingxiao Hall of the Qingyun Sect, a blurry figure stood with hands behind his back, gazing into the distance in the direction they had departed, letting out a barely audible sigh. Further away in the shadows, several pairs of eyes, flashing with an eerie red light, were also using water mirrors and similar spells to firmly lock onto their tracks, and ominous whispers filled the air.
The road ahead is far from smooth. The clash between light and darkness has only just begun. Can this newly forged bond hold onto each other and this world amidst the impending storm?
The mountain wind grew stronger, carrying the chill of late autumn, swirling up a few withered leaves, sending them twirling and falling into an unknown abyss.
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