30: Han Qing's life hangs by a thread

"Senior Brother..."

"Wait for me..."

The longsword pierced through the air as the figure in black sped toward the direction of the Bitter Marsh.

Her mind was filled only with Qin Tian, completely forgetting that she was currently inside the Fallen Dragon Grotto!

Flying so blatantly, Han Qing was a perfect target in the eyes of those Yao Beasts.

As expected.

Within ten breaths, a cluster of withered vines shot into the sky, stabbing directly toward the space between Han Qing's brows!

Han Qing was startled. She pushed off with her feet, and the longsword beneath her suddenly changed direction, her body tilting at an unimaginable angle.

It was a close call!

The withered vines brushed right past Han Qing's eyes, mere inches away!

Strands of fine hair fell... Had Han Qing's reaction been even a moment slower, it wouldn't have been her hair that was sliced off, but her entire head!

Around Han Qing, the Ancient Moon Sword Embryo swirled, helping her stabilize her form.

In the next moment, Sword Qi soared into the sky.

The black longsword slashed straight down, cleaving the withered vines in two!

However, before Han Qing could catch her breath...

Dozens more withered vines rushed in from all directions!

"Pests."

Han Qing spoke coldly with lowered brows, anger flashing in her eyes.

This damned Yao Beast actually dared to stop her from finding her Senior Brother!

She had to hack it into a hundred and eight thousand pieces!

Boom!

The sword embryo hummed, seemingly sensing Han Qing's will.

A vast ancient moon rose into the sky, its bright moonlight instantly flooding the entire heavens!

At the same time.

A hundred miles away from Han Qing, Xiao Chen's eyes lit up.

"Found you."

A wisp of red soul breath drifted in his palm.

That was the Yao Beast Divine Soul he had devoured using the Soul Devouring Art.

With it, he could completely control the Yao Beast's original body.

Roar!

A sky-shaking screech rang out.

Jian Qi, who was scouting nearby, quickly arrived at Xiao Chen's side.

"Junior Brother, it's a Yao Beast. Be careful!"

Xiao Chen put on a wary expression. "Senior Brother, there seems to be a Cultivator's aura in that direction. Let's go take a look."

Jian Qi nodded solemnly. "Alright. Junior Brother, stay behind me. Do not force an attack."

"I understand, Senior Brother."

The two set off one after the other. A smirk curled on Xiao Chen's lips as he continuously manipulated the Yao Beast's soul breath, leading Jian Qi toward Han Qing's location.

Before long.

A look of excitement suddenly appeared on Jian Qi's face.

He felt that incredibly familiar aura he had been longing for day and night!

There was absolutely no mistake; it was Han Qing!

Truly, fate brings those destined together even from a thousand miles away!

Even in the Fallen Dragon Grotto, he was able to meet her so quickly!

"Junior Sister Han!"

Jian Qi was overjoyed and prepared to fly forward on his sword.

"Senior Brother, wait."

Xiao Chen spoke up to stop him. "Senior Brother, Senior Sister Han is currently fighting a Yao Beast and still has things under control."

"Appearing now might not necessarily make Senior Sister Han open her heart to you."

"You must know, adding flowers to a bouquet is far inferior to providing help in a time of need."

"Just wait until Senior Sister Han falls into a life-and-death crisis. Then, you can step in, play the hero saving the beauty, and take her slender waist in your arms."

"At that time, how could Senior Sister Han suppress her feelings? Everything will naturally fall into place!"

Jian Qi paused.

"Junior Brother, are you serious?"

Xiao Chen smiled confidently. "Senior Brother, I wouldn't dare claim expertise in other areas, but when it comes to understanding women, I believe I have some skill. Just wait quietly."

Hearing this, Jian Qi's grip on his sword loosened slightly. He looked up at the beautiful figure in the sky and murmured:

"Junior Sister Han, just wait a little longer. We'll be together soon..."

Beside him, a sharp cross-shaped glint flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes.

Behind his back, his hands formed a seal, and several more Yao Beast soul breaths of different colors emerged.

The next moment.

Continuous roars and screeches rang out simultaneously!

Out of nowhere, seven Yao Beasts with terrifying auras suddenly rushed toward Han Qing to kill her.

The weakest among them was at the Peak of the Dao Entry Realm!

Han Qing's expression changed abruptly.

One against eight!

Every single Yao Beast's aura was stronger than hers!

There was... no chance of victory... Qin Tian's words echoed in Han Qing's ears.

「Third Junior Sister, although you are talented, your personality is a bit stubborn, which can easily lead to trouble. So you must remember what I say: if you ever encounter an enemy you can't beat, you must run away immediately...」

Run!

To Han Qing, Qin Tian's words were like the words of a Saint.

The sword hummed through the air.

Han Qing turned around and sped away.

"Thinking of running?"

"It won't be that easy!"

Xiao Chen sneered, controlling the seven Yao Beasts to attack Han Qing with all their might, regardless of the cost.

Han Qing never expected these Yao Beasts to risk their lives simultaneously and coordinate so skillfully, as if someone were controlling them!

As attacks filled the sky, Han Qing bit the tip of her tongue, burning her essence blood as she held her longsword in front of her.

In just an instant, she was completely submerged by the attacks... "Junior Sister Han!"

Jian Qi could no longer hold back and soared into the sky.

Boom!

The aftershocks in the air dissipated, and Han Qing was blasted directly to the ground, falling unconscious.

"Arghhh!"

"You dare hurt my Junior Sister Han? You're looking for death!"

Jian Qi recklessly charged at the Yao Beasts.

However, the one controlling the Yao Beasts was Xiao Chen; how could Jian Qi possibly gain the upper hand?

A hundred breaths later, with a loud crash, Jian Qi was heavily knocked down, his entire body embedded in the ground, his face covered in blood.

"Junior... Junior Brother Xiao..."

"Quickly take Junior Sister Han and go... Go now...!"

He shouted with all his remaining strength.

An uncontrollable smirk curved on Xiao Chen's lips.

"Don't worry, you won't die. You will only become my, Xiao Chen's, most loyal Puppets!"

He was just about to reveal himself.

Just then, a white shadow suddenly flashed nearby, rushing toward Han Qing's location at an incredible speed.

In the blink of an eye, the critically injured and dying Han Qing disappeared... leaving only a pale feather in her place... "This is... Yu Qianxun. She's actually here too."

Xiao Chen's brows furrowed, but they soon relaxed.

"It's fine that she's here. Saves me the trouble of searching for them one by one."

"Catch up to them!"

As his voice fell, the seven great Yao Beasts moved in unison, chasing after the direction where the white shadow had vanished.

Xiao Chen chuckled and walked leisurely to Jian Qi.

"Junior... Brother Xiao..."

"Quickly... Junior... Sister Han..."

"Senior Brother, you really are a complete fool for love." Xiao Chen sneered, his eyes filled with contempt.

Jian Qi was stunned.

"Junior Brother... you..."

"What about me? Are you surprised that I'm different from before?"

"Hehe."

"You'll find out soon enough..."

Squelch!

A tough hand directly pierced through Jian Qi's chest.

Scalding blood erupted from the wound!

Jian Qi's pupils contracted sharply as he looked at the soaring fountain of blood in disbelief!

Xiao Chen actually wanted to kill him?!

He suspected he was hallucinating from his injuries... but the pain of his heart being pierced constantly reminded him that it was all real!

"Wh... Why...?"

"I... have no... grudge against you..."

A weak, trembling, and intermittent voice rang out, filled with intense disbelief.

Xiao Chen smiled slightly. "Indeed, there is no grudge between us."

"But, who says there must be a grudge to kill someone?"

"I, Xiao Chen, will kill whenever I want. No one can stop me!"

Hearing this, Jian Qi's body trembled uncontrollably.

Whether out of anger or pain, or perhaps both... "You... you aren't worthy... of entering the Immortal Sect..."

"Immortal Sect?"

"Humph!"

Xiao Chen said disdainfully, "It's nothing more than a stepping stone for me, Xiao Chen."

"You... You...!"

Jian Qi's breathing was rapid, his chest heaving violently, his aura weakened to the extreme.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. This look of waiting for death is truly pitiful and pathetic."

"But don't worry, I won't let you die. You will become a sharp sword in my hand...!"

As he spoke, Xiao Chen's hand suddenly made a grasping motion.

Jian Qi's heart stopped.

Then, a wisp of Divine Soul floated out of his body and landed in Xiao Chen's hand.

"Got it!"

"The number one Genius of Ancient Sword Peak, and apparently a direct descendant of Jian Wuhen."

"This is an extremely precious chess piece!"

"Hahahaha!"

Meanwhile, Yu Qianxun was sprinting with the dying Han Qing on her back.

"Senior Sister Han, hold on! You absolutely cannot die!"

"Sound... trans... mission..."

"Senior... Brother..."

Han Qing spoke intermittently in an incredibly weak voice.

"Do you want to send a sound transmission to Senior Brother Qin?"

"But I don't have his sound transmission imprint."

"Besides, your sound transmission jade has already been destroyed..."

Yu Qianxun was a bit anxious.

"Bit... ter... Marsh..."

"Bitter Marsh? Which way is the Bitter Marsh?"

"Senior Sister Han?"

"Senior Sister Han?"

"Senior Sister Han?"

After three calls, Han Qing gave no further response.

Yu Qianxun bit her teeth. "Forget it, I'll just pick a direction!"

"Senior Brother Qin and I are a match made in heaven!"

"A marriage destined from a thousand miles away is tied by a single thread. In the mysterious workings of fate, we will surely meet!"

...