Chapter 389: A Barrage of Attacks, Instant Defeat
A baby’s cries and screams echoed as if a strange and demonic sound was reverberating through her mind.
Bai Xin wielded her whip, her expression serious, blocking the strange and cold attacks coming from all directions, dodging the swift and piercing strikes that followed.
But before she could counterattack, her expression suddenly changed. Her left arm, which had been forming hand seals, twitched as if numb, and then, as if acting on its own, reached up and grabbed her own neck!
“Gah?!”
“Little girl, let’s see how long you can last!”
The ugly old woman stood in the distance, grinning sinisterly as she waved her withered hand.
“Don’t break your own neck now.”
“Ugh—”
Bai Xin’s face turned pale as she stumbled backward, her own hand choking her, until she crashed against the wall behind her, the impact creating cracks in the wall, the entire pavilion shaking as if about to collapse.
“Wh-What kind of technique is this—”
She quickly turned her eyes and was shocked to see strange patterns appearing on the back of her hand, glowing with a sinister, bloody light.
Could it be… a wound from their earlier exchange?
This wasn’t poison, but… a technique anchor point!
“Hehe!”
Just then, a sharp dagger suddenly emerged from the wall behind her.
A young boy with a fair and delicate face emerged from the shadows with a joyful smile, his arms spread as if to embrace her, then swiftly reversed, the dagger thrusting towards Bai Xin’s heart!
“—Get away from me!”
Bai Xin shouted, her eyes wide. A jade-like pattern flickered between her eyebrows as a powerful wave of energy erupted from her body, sending the boy flying backward, the strange patterns on the back of her hand also dissipating.
“Interesting!” The old woman ignored the fierce wind, the smile on her lips turning even more sinister and strange, and she swiped her hands.
Crimson formation patterns appeared on both sides, a heavy pressure descending. Bai Xin was about to dodge, but a powerful force suddenly pulled her legs, and the terrifying pressure made her groan, her body feeling as if it were being crushed, her soul trembling.
The floorboards beneath her feet shattered, and she was sent plummeting down from the sixth floor, crashing into the main hall of the White Jade Tower, dust and debris flying everywhere.
“Cough…”
Bai Xin quickly stood up and instinctively dodged sideways, a long shadowy blade suddenly slashing past her shoulder, shattering the floor again, tearing through the barrier, the force of the impact extending far beyond the tower.
The exploding force made her stumble backward, and she looked back in shock and uncertainty.
In the battle not far away, she saw an old man fighting fiercely against several demons and ghosts from the Biluo Manor. He seemed to have casually sent that blade towards her.
Her expression darkened slightly: “This battle… is truly chaotic—”
Clang!
A cold light flashed again.
Bai Xin quickly bent down, dodging the attack from behind, and then swiftly swept her long leg out, shattering the young boy who had leaped towards her.
But his figure dissipated like a bubble, turning into a puddle of black mud-like shadow and vanishing.
“Big Sister, let’s continue playing!”
Playful laughter echoed from the surrounding shadows, followed by a terrifying baleful energy that made Bai Xin’s expression turn serious, and she clicked her tongue softly.
This pair of demons, grandmother and grandson, were truly troublesome. One was skilled in manipulating bodies, the other in controlling shadows, their complementary abilities leaving no room for error. If she were caught off guard for even a moment, she would be overwhelmed by their relentless attacks!
“—Here they come!”
Bai Xin’s eyes narrowed sharply, her body tense as she leaped and dodged.
Then, more than ten figures clashed and collided within the dark pavilion, bursts of Yin energy erupting, the violent shockwaves shattering the tables, chairs, and screens into dust.
As the building trembled, dozens of figures leaped out from the collapsing walls, Bai Xin’s whip swirling like a dragon, deflecting the endless attacks, the whistling wind carrying ghostly flames, like a moonlit dragon dancing in the night sky, tearing and shattering the shadowy figures of the young boys.
“Hahaha! Big Sister is so strong!”
But the laughter didn’t stop, the shadowy figures of the boys constantly regenerating, as if endless, leaping forward and wielding their daggers, launching surprise attacks from the shadows.
And whenever Bai Xin tried to counterattack, the ugly old woman would secretly cast a spell, unleashing invisible blades that could cut through metal and stone.
“Damn it!”
Bai Xin shouted angrily, striking out with her palm and shattering the shadowy boy who had attacked from behind.
But just then, a faint, ghostly light flickered at the corner of her eye.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly looked back to see the old woman pointing at her with a sinister smile: “Soul-Shattering Curse Mark, your body is mine.”
—Hum!
A blood-red light flashed. Bai Xin only had time to repel two of the attacking shadowy boys before her pupils constricted, and she was sent flying by the blood-red light.
Like an unstoppable spear, the crimson light struck the whip she held before her chest, pushing her back and shattering the surrounding buildings, its momentum seemingly endless, carving a deep scar on the ground, dozens of feet long.
Crack!
With a loud explosion, her whip shattered, the blood-red light exploding. Bai Xin felt as if her arms had been broken, her vision spinning, as she was sent flying again, a sharp pain in her chest as if pierced by an invisible force, coughing up a mouthful of black blood.
“—You flew quite far.”
Several young boys emerged from the shadows, chuckling as they tossed their daggers: “After being hit by Grandmother’s secret technique, this Big Sister’s bones must be broken. Even with her demon-like cultivation, she won’t be able to resist for a while~”
“This woman is quite resilient, we have to continue pursuing her.”
The ugly old woman walked over leisurely and said calmly: “But she’s been hit by my body-control technique, she’s at our mercy now. If you like her body, grandson, just take what you want, she won’t die… yet.”
“Alright!” The young boy smiled innocently, clapping his hands excitedly: “I’ll crawl into that Big Sister’s belly and have her give birth to me! She’s so beautiful and powerful, she’ll surely give birth to a healthy and chubby baby!”
“Alright, alright, as long as you’re happy, my grandson.”
The ugly old woman grinned sinisterly, the pattern of her body-control technique appearing on her palm.
“Envoy Jin and the others should be enough to deal with the Biluo Manor, I’ll help you have some… fun.”
She glanced back at the White Jade Tower, where the battle was still raging, her gaze sharpening: “But we have to be prepared, in case that Biluo Manor mistress has any other tricks up her sleeve. Our own safety is paramount.”
…
“D-Damn it…”
The wind howled in her ears, her body weak and floating in the air.
Bai Xin coughed up more blood, her face pale, as she fell towards the ground.
In that momentary lapse of concentration, she didn’t even know how far she had been sent flying.
Now, she could only feel a throbbing pain all over her body, the wound on her chest especially excruciating, her Moon Shadow Breath struggling against the strange energy invading her body, barely slowing down its corrosive effects.
But—
“I can’t fight any longer.”
Bai Xin gritted her teeth, and as she fell, she discreetly formed hand seals, preparing to unleash her full power and fight to the death, to at least eliminate these two demons and fulfill her agreement with the Biluo Manor, before escaping from this place.
“Activating secret technique, seizing the power of the sun and moon— Hmm?!”
As she was about to activate her technique, her expression suddenly changed, and she looked sideways in the direction she was falling.
Someone!
And their aura was profound and unfathomable… could it be a Luo Xing Soultaker?!
As soon as this thought arose, a chilling sense of despair washed over her, her face turning even paler.
But her expression turned even more serious, and she changed her hand seals, preparing to unleash the full power of her Moon Shadow Secret Technique, to fight to the death with her Primordial Demon Form!
Against a Savage Realm great demon, she had no chance of survival, she could only fight with all her might!
“Ugh… pfft!”
But as she unleashed her Yin energy, it felt like a sinister energy entering her body, making her cough up a mouthful of blood, her mind momentarily hazy.
As she barely regained her senses, she stared blankly at the rapidly approaching ground.
—And the man who emerged from the mist surrounding the carriage almost simultaneously.
“Holy shit?!”
A strange phrase escaped the refined scholar’s lips as he instinctively reached out, catching the falling woman in his arms, gently dissipating the impact, a wave of energy rippling out from beneath his feet, sending dust and debris flying.
“…”
Bai Xin’s beautiful eyes widened, and she clutched her chest, her body shrinking, like a startled little animal.
Looking at the handsome face close at hand, she was momentarily speechless.
“Uh, I didn’t expect to meet you again here, Miss, it seems we’re quite fated.”
Lin Tianlu, holding her in a princess carry, forced a smile, his lips twitching slightly: “But your entrance, Miss Bai Xin… was truly… unique and creative.”
“Y-You, how…”
Bai Xin’s lips parted slightly, her voice a dazed murmur: “Why are you here in Qingfeng County… am I hallucinating?”
“I’m a living person, are you alright, Miss? Did you hit your head?”
Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but laugh: “And we were just on our way back to Lunar Valley for the New Year, we just happened to pass by here. However—”
His smile faded, his expression turning serious, and he asked with concern: “You seem to be seriously injured, Miss, did you encounter a powerful enemy?”
As he spoke, a surge of spiritual energy flowed from his hands, seeping into the young woman’s body.
Bai Xin, who had been about to speak, suddenly moaned softly, her body trembling slightly, as the blood-red light emanating from the wound on her chest gradually dissipated. As the spiritual energy circulated through her body, her wounds began to heal visibly.
“This…”
Bai Xin touched the wound on her chest, a lingering fear in her eyes.
She hadn’t expected the strange and sinister energy, which she had barely managed to suppress, to be dispelled so easily.
And her previously aching body now felt warm and comfortable, as if she were soaking in a hot spring, making her feel drowsy.
She wanted to forget everything and just curl up in his arms and sleep.
But as soon as this thought arose, she blushed and shook her head, pushing him away slightly: “Put me down! Who allowed you to hold me?!”
Lin Tianlu smiled wryly: “Why don’t you rest in the carriage for a while, Miss Bai?”
“There’s no need for your fake concern, I can walk.”
Bai Xin struggled slightly, then whispered almost inaudibly: “Thank you… for saving me again.”
“If you were more straightforward, Miss, you could make more friends.” Lin Tianlu chuckled, shaking his head, and carried her back to the carriage.
As the carriage curtain was lifted, Mao Ruoyu, hearing the commotion, peeked out. Seeing the young woman in his arms, she was stunned for a moment, then exclaimed in surprise: “Bai Xin?! Why are you suddenly… You’re injured?!”
Her expression changed drastically as she quickly reached out and helped Bai Xin sit down on the driver’s seat: “Who did this to you?!”
Hua Shuya and Cheng Yishi inside the carriage also looked surprised, approaching them.
“This…”
Bai Xin was momentarily speechless, not knowing how to explain.
“The wound looks so deep!” Mao Ruoyu didn’t press the matter further, just staring at the wound on Bai Xin’s chest with a frown. After a moment of thought, she quickly took out two porcelain bottles from their luggage, poured out two pills, handed one to Bai Xin, and crushed the other between her fingers, mixing it with Moon Shadow Breath and applying it to the wound.
“Mmm!” Bai Xin winced slightly, but she quickly endured the pain, opened her mouth, and swallowed the pill.
Seeing that the wound had been treated, Lin Tianlu asked curiously: “What happened just now, Miss? Why did you suddenly fall from the sky?”
“…I had a conflict with the Luo Xing.”
Bai Xin took a deep breath, trying to maintain her composure: “I was fighting against two demons and ghosts and was sent flying. I didn’t expect to encounter you all here.”
Her expression turning serious as if remembering something important, she said: “You should leave this place quickly and avoid trouble!”
“I didn’t expect… such a coincidence, for you to be rescued by these kind people, little girl.”
A cold and sinister chuckle echoed from the street in the distance.
Looking back, they vaguely saw a twisted and shadowy figure, limping towards them.
“It’s a pity that all of you, including this little girl, will die here.”
“So persistent!” Bai Xin clicked her tongue inwardly and tried to get down from the carriage to fight.
But as she stood up, Lin Tianlu gently pushed her back down.
The young woman was stunned: “You—”
“Your injuries haven’t fully healed yet, just stay here and rest.”
Lin Tianlu put on a serious expression: “Don’t move around carelessly and reopen your wounds, it would be pointless to suffer more pain. As for the current trouble, we’ll handle it, understand?”
Bai Xin was slightly stunned, her lips trembling, and she swallowed the words of protest she had been about to utter.
After a moment of silence, she nodded with a complex expression.
Glancing at the ghostly figure in the distance, she whispered reluctantly:
“That demon’s methods are very strange, and there’s another demon lurking nearby, working with her, it’s quite troublesome to deal with two opponents at once.”
“Thank you for the warning, Miss.”
Lin Tianlu smiled gently and patted her shoulder before turning and walking towards the front of the carriage.
“—Heh, have you finished saying your last words?”
As the mist dissipated, the ugly old woman emerged, a sinister smile on her face, twisting her bony fingers, and said cruelly: “Seeing you come forward, it seems you’re willing to die in place of that little girl?”
“You’re quite aggressive, old woman.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled: “Threatening to kill me as soon as we meet?”
The ugly old woman grinned and raised her right hand: “I have no interest in you, man, just obediently—”
Just then, her words abruptly stopped, her empty eye sockets widening slightly, a look of surprise and uncertainty appearing on her deathly pale face.
“No! You… who are you?”
This person wasn’t an ordinary scholar, this incredibly powerful Yang energy was unheard of!
“I—”
Lin Tianlu paused slightly and smiled mysteriously: “Just a scholar, here to experience your… killing techniques.”
“Are you the ‘Jade Concealer’ or one of the ‘Seven Sons of the Cang Palace’?”
The ugly old woman asked warily, her eyes filled with surprise: “No, they’re not this young. Could it be that… you’re the ‘Mystic Scholar,’ Lin Tianlu?!”
Lin Tianlu’s expression turned strange.
How had his strange title spread all the way here?
“So it’s truly you.” The ugly old woman’s expression turned incredibly serious, and she even took a few steps back, assuming a defensive stance.
“I have no grudge against you, your name is renowned, Mystic Scholar Lin Tianlu, could you… spare us?”
“Oh?”
Lin Tianlu raised an eyebrow slightly.
Such a quick surrender?
Seeing that he didn’t seem to be attacking, the ugly old woman quickly said in a deep voice: “There’s a demon rebellion in Qingfeng County, they’re planning a massacre. We only came here after receiving the envoy’s summons, to quell the unrest. We have no hostile intentions towards you, sir. If we had known you were here, Master Lin, we definitely wouldn’t—”
“There’s no need for such excuses.”
Lin Tianlu waved his sleeve dismissively and chuckled: “I’ve already seen your aggressive behavior earlier, your honeyed words now are meaningless. Moreover, you reek of blood and baleful energy!”
His eyes glowing with an emerald light, he could clearly see countless vengeful spirits swirling behind the old woman, their deaths gruesome and twisted, their bodies seemingly torn apart, a horrifying sight.
Such an evil being couldn’t be allowed to roam free.
The ugly old woman’s respectful and apprehensive expression gradually disappeared, and she raised her bony hands, her face grim: “It seems… a battle is unavoidable.”
“Naturally.” Lin Tianlu narrowed his eyes and smiled coldly: “You won’t escape from this place.”
Clang!!
A cold light flashed, the wind whistling, the residual force alone splitting the houses on both sides in two.
But the ugly old woman’s face was now filled with shock.
Because that streak of light, that blade, was firmly caught between the strange scholar’s fingers, unable to move!
“I thought it was some kind of thread, but it’s actually a transparent blade, half the length of a finger.” Lin Tianlu casually held the trembling blade between his fingers and chuckled: “Such a toy can’t harm anyone.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the blade in his hand shattered into dust.
“Pfft!”
The ugly old woman coughed, her face pale as she stumbled backward, her right index finger instantly disintegrating.
Even her ‘Heart-Splitting Blade,’ refined over half a lifetime of cultivation, had been so easily shattered, just how terrifying was this person’s cultivation?!
But despite her shock and terror, she forced herself to remain calm, falling to her knees dramatically, clutching her arm and wailing.
“How could this be, my secret technique actually…”
As she cried out, she transmitted a message secretly:
“Grandson, he’s off guard, attack now!”
Instantly, a shadow surged forth, emerging silently from an inconspicuous crack in the ground beside Lin Tianlu’s heel.
The ugly old woman’s face lit up with joy, and she quickly slammed her pre-prepared formation onto the ground, enveloping the area within dozens of feet!
Even if this Mystic Scholar, Lin Tianlu, was as powerful as rumored, he was still just a reckless fool, unaware of the dangers of battle!
This time, she would make him suffer!
But as she looked up, the ferocious grin on her face suddenly froze.
“—Little brat, playing with such dangerous weapons at such a young age.”
Lin Tianlu’s expression was indifferent as he grabbed the young boy’s head, lifting him into the air, and casually took the dagger from his hand.
“Confiscated.”
With a slight exertion of force, the blade twisted and crumbled into a ball of scrap metal, a sharp, screeching sound echoing.
