On a frigid morning, Fang Qing and Gu Yuan walked along a woodland path toward Weiping City, chatting about trivial matters. Suddenly, a bird shot overhead in panic, as if fleeing unseen danger.Gu Yuan sensed something amiss. Fang Qing had already crouched, pressing her right hand to the ground, listening intently. Gu Yuan opened his mouth to speak, then saw her concentration and fell silent, waiting.Moments later Fang Qing stood and said coolly, “There is fighting behind us—loud enough that we cannot join.”“Then we should hurry away!” Gu Yuan urged.Fang Qing nodded and broke into a run; Gu Yuan followed close behind.……Several dozen li away, two figures hovered in midair. One was slight, with a sallow face, blood-red eyes, and long crimson hair falling over his white Daoist robe. Eerie, blood-tinted vortices swirled around his empty hands. The other was stalwart and resolute, clad in a black robe and bearing a gleaming long sword. He spoke with grave authority:“Xue Dao! You have no escape in the Western Desert. Surrender now, or I, Zhan Xiuran, will deal you a swift death!”With that he swung his sword, unleashing a razor-sharp wave of sword qi. Xue Dao met it with his blood vortex and absorbed it. Then he vanished in a crimson arc. Zhan Xiuran gave chase, transforming into a dark rainbow.After only minutes, Xue Dao’s pace slowed—his stamina flagged from days of relentless flight across countless regions, pursued without rest by Zhan Xiuran. Feeling his spiritual energy and strength wane, Xue Dao knew he would die beneath Zhan Xiuran’s blade unless he replenished himself. He turned toward the nearest humans within his perception: Fang Qing and Gu Yuan. He would drain their blood to restore his vigor—even with Zhan Xiuran at his heels, he had to risk it.……Sensing the murderous intent closing in, Fang Qing and Gu Yuan halted. They understood: they could not outrun Xue Dao’s speed. The pair faced each other wordlessly, sharing a single resolve—to survive together.In seconds, Xue Dao dove from the sky, hands outstretched, his nine-inch crimson claws gleaming with deadly promise. Zhan Xiuran, detecting the attack, formed a hand seal and launched a rapid light orb at Xue Dao while alerting the two below by transmitted voice: “His nails absorb blood essence—do not let him touch you!”The orb struck Xue Dao, momentarily dispelling his blood mist. He paid it no heed; the brief seal would break in two seconds, and Zhan Xiuran could not close the distance in that time. The seal only impeded Xue Dao’s assault on Fang Qing and Gu Yuan.Fang Qing, eyes fixed on Xue Dao, activated Wu Qian’s Blood Surge. A surge of pure blood energy flowed from the blade into her, invigorating her body and qi by nearly thirty percent. Poised, she prepared to cleave Xue Dao’s arm at just the right moment.Gu Yuan stood ten meters away, clutching a stone, ready to hurl it—he lacked Fang Qing’s martial prowess and merely hoped to aid.Xue Dao closed to within two meters and lashed out with his left hand at Fang Qing’s chest. Seizing the instant, Fang Qing swung Wu Qian in a heavy arc, striking his wrist. A metallic clang rang out; sparks flew and a white scar marked the blade’s path, but Xue Dao’s defense held. His left hand was stopped, but his right lunged for her heart, fangs of claw aimed at her vital spot.In that instant, Gu Yuan threw his stone. It struck Xue Dao’s right hand, interrupting the fatal grab. Xue Dao snarled and pressed on, but Fang Qing interposed Wu Qian at the last moment, narrowly blocking the blow.The impact threw Fang Qing backward dozens of meters across the ground. Though Zhan Xiuran’s seal had weakened Xue Dao’s blood qi, his cultivator’s physique remained formidable—and Xue Dao’s right-hand strike alone was enough to hurl her so far. Thanks to Wu Qian’s Soul’s Will passive, the blade held firm and did not shatter under the force.Fang Qing landed, hands tingling but breathing steadily. Tens of meters separated her from Xue Dao—enough to survive for now, especially with Zhan Xiuran on the way.Xue Dao eyed Fang Qing with newfound respect; despite assistance from Zhan Xiuran, only she had blocked both of his assaults without letting him draw any blood. Impressed, Xue Dao shifted his focus to Gu Yuan. Even a small draught of Gu Yuan’s blood would restore much of his strength.He darted toward Gu Yuan, claws outstretched for his heart. Feeling the murderous pressure, sweat beaded ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) on Gu Yuan’s brow. Lacking Fang Qing’s strength, his only hope was to avoid the attack. He twisted his body and, with all his might, dodged the strike!

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