530: Lu Xueqi (VII)

The night was as dark as ink, and the mountain forest was filled with the damp scent of earth and vegetation.

Inside the cave, a bonfire flickered, illuminating three faces, each with a different yet equally grave expression.

Su Han guarded the cave entrance, his spiritual sense spreading out like an invisible spiderweb, capturing the most subtle sounds and energy fluctuations.

Lu Xueqi sat with her eyes closed, adjusting her breathing. Her pale face appeared somewhat fragile in the firelight, but the faint blue glow subtly circulating around her indicated that she was strenuously resisting the lingering insidious poison within her body.

Bi Yao seemingly casually played with the eerie heartbreak flower, yet her gaze occasionally swept towards the cave entrance and the meditating Lu Xueqi, carrying a hint of imperceptible vigilance and concern.

The brief tranquility felt more like the oppressive calm before a storm.

Suddenly, Su Han’s eyes snapped open, a sharp glint flashing through them.

He whispered, “They’re here!”

Almost simultaneously with his words, the warning Restriction set up by Bi Yao at the cave entrance emitted an almost imperceptible “pop,” like a bursting bubble, instantly engulfed by a more powerful, chilling Aura.

“Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!”

Several dark figures darted out from the forest like specters, silently landing in the open space in front of the cave.

There were five of them, dressed similarly to the previous Shadow Assassins, all in black close-fitting attire, their faces hidden in the shadows of their hoods, but their Aura was more solidified and sharp.

Especially the Shadow Fiend Leader, who, though not tall, exuded a chilling coldness that made one’s heart palpitate, as if he were a block of ice that had not melted for ten thousand years.

The lower half of his face was revealed, his lips as thin as a blade, completely devoid of color.

“Those who can kill my Shadow Assassins indeed possess some skill.”

The Shadow Fiend Leader’s voice was hoarse and cold, his gaze like a venomous snake locking onto Su Han at the cave entrance. “Unfortunately, this is as far as you go.

Hand over the ‘key,’ and perhaps your corpses can remain intact.”

Su Han slowly stood up and stepped out of the cave, the qingming sword already in his hand, its blade flowing with clear light, dispelling some of the surrounding coldness.

He knew full well that the “key” the other party spoke of must be related to the strange ritual he and Lu Xueqi were investigating and the huge conspiracy that might be involved.

At this moment, there was no other path; only a battle remained.

“How dare a hidden coward speak so arrogantly.”

Su Han sneered, the Taiji Profound Clarity Dao circulating throughout his body, emitting a shimmering clear light, his Aura rising steadily.

He knew he had to finish the fight quickly; Lu Xueqi’s injuries were not yet healed, and he absolutely could not let her participate in an intense battle again.

“Stubborn fools.”

The Shadow Fiend Leader snorted coldly, not making a Move himself, but merely waving his hand.

The four Shadow Assassins behind him moved instantly!

Their movements were as swift as lightning, their coordination seamless. Two formed a group, flanking Su Han from the left and right.

Before they even reached him, several dark lights broke through the air, carrying a pungent, fishy odor, clearly poisoned hidden weapons.

Su Han’s eyes narrowed, and the qingming sword drew an arc. The Taiji Profound Clarity Dao’s Origin Qi burst forth, forming a rotating wall of Qi in front of him.

With a series of crisp clangs, the poison needles and flying darts were all blocked and deflected by the Qi wall. But at the same time, the Shadow Assassins from both sides had already closed in!

One on the left wielded a pair of water-splitting daggers, his Moves insidious and tricky, specifically targeting the lower body;

The other brandished a chain dart, like a venomous snake emerging from its lair, coiling and striking at Su Han’s sword-holding wrist.

On the right, two men attacked: one with a powerful and expansive saber technique, pressing hard from the front, while the other moved erratically, holding a short blade, waiting for an opportunity to ambush.

Individually, these four might not have been as strong as the previous Shadow Assassins, but working together, their offensive was like mercury pouring down, continuous and endless, instantly engulfing Su Han in a whirlwind of blades and swords.

Su Han remained calm in the face of danger. The Taiji Profound Clarity Dao was best at overcoming hardness with softness, and using an opponent’s strength against them.

He moved with profound steps, his body shifting and turning within a small space, the qingming sword parrying, deflecting, blocking, or redirecting, neutralizing the opponent’s fierce attacks one by one.

The sword light was clear and flowing like water, always avoiding fatal attacks at the last possible moment, and wherever the sword’s edge reached, it forced the opponents to defend.

However, the four attackers’ offensive was extremely tenacious, and the chain dart and short blade ambushers were incredibly annoying, constantly disrupting Su Han’s rhythm and preventing him from concentrating his power to heavily wound any one of them.

Even more troublesome was the Shadow Fiend Leader, who remained standing with his hands behind his back.

His cold gaze was almost tangible, exerting immense psychological pressure on Su Han, like a venomous snake poised to deliver a fatal strike at any moment.

Inside the cave, Bi Yao had already risen and stood in front of Lu Xueqi, the heartbreak flower suspended in her palm, emitting a faint glow.

She watched the perilous battle outside the cave, her delicate brows tightly furrowed.

She could tell that Su Han’s cultivation was profound and his swordsmanship exquisite, but under the siege of four opponents, prolonged defense would inevitably lead to a loss.

“Hey, ice girl, can you still Move?”

Bi Yao asked in a low voice without turning her head.

Lu Xueqi slowly opened her beautiful eyes. Although her face was still pale, her gaze had regained some of its cold clarity and determination.

She tried to mobilize her True Qi, feeling sharp pangs deep within her Meridians—a sign that the residual poison had not been cleared—but it was not entirely impossible for her to act.

“I can still fight.”

She spoke concisely, and the tianya divine sword emitted a faint hum, as if responding to its owner’s Battle Intent.

“Hmph, don’t push yourself if you’re barely managing.”

Bi Yao pouted, but her eyes sharpened. “That Shadow Fiend Leader is not easy to deal with. Let’s get rid of these four small fries first!”

Before her words finished, Bi Yao had already made her Move!

Her figure drifted out of the cave like a specter, the heartbreak flower glowing brightly, and countless pink streams of light shot out like a sudden storm towards the two Shadow Assassins wielding the chain dart and short blade.

This attack was not directly lethal but carried a powerful force to confuse the mind. The two Shadow Assassins’ movements instantly stalled, and a momentary look of confusion appeared in their eyes.

“Now!” Bi Yao cried out. (End of Chapter)