"Boy, spirit crystals are precious! In that vein, I'll dig them out to the last one—enough to push you to Spirit Refinement Realm, not just Void Formation!" the Cauldron Lord cackled, eager for the vein.
"Cauldron Lord, could it be a trap?"
"Fear not! Who in these ruins can match you? If he dares trick us, show him the price of deception!" The Cauldron Lord threatened.
"True. Let's follow and see." Lin Yu trailed Su Miaozhen quietly.
...
Following Liang Guanfeng, Su Miaozhen and Zhou Lingyun found the path increasingly desolate, demon qi thickening—but no demons attacked, as if they'd all hidden. Exchanging glances, the women stopped.
"Just beyond the ridge. Why stop?" Liang Guanfeng turned, still feigning honesty.
"We've decided to check the sect ruins instead. Keep the spirit crystals," Su Miaozhen said, sobered by misgivings.
"Agreed. Thank you for the rescue. Call on us if needed," Zhou Lingyun added.
Liang Guanfeng's smile vanished. "Very well, but I do need your help."
"With what?"
"The Evil God's rebirth requires your flesh. You offered help—now die!" His face contorted, red flames erupting as he swung his blade, a fire dragon roaring toward them.
"Demon cultivator...!" They drew swords, but their剑气 (sword qi) couldn't stop the dragon. Explosions sent them flying; Zhou Lingyun collapsed unconscious, while Su Miaozhen rose shakily, shielding her friend with a determined gaze.
Crack! Her silver mask split, revealing a face so beautiful that Liang Guanfeng hesitated, then leered: "Such beauty—waste to sacrifice. I'll enjoy you first."
"Planning to keep her for yourself?" a voice said behind Su Miaozhen.
Despair filled her eyes—another demon cultivator would seal their fate.
"Share, of course," Liang Guanfeng laughed, then frowned—he was alone here. "Who's there?"
Lin Yu stepped from the woods. His gaze lingered on Su Miaozhen's face—brows like distant mist, eyes like spring water, a bloody lip adding fragility to her martial grace.
"Do I know you?" Su Miaozhen wondered, sensing familiarity despite his hat.
Lin Yu turned to Liang Guanfeng. "Demon remnants sneaked into the ruins. Confess about the Evil God, and I'll spare you."
"Spare me?" Liang Guanfeng laughed. Lin Yu's weak spiritual aura—merely Third Grade—amused him. "I worried about angering the Sect Master by keeping this beauty. Your timing is perfect—you'll die painlessly."
"Your strength is too weak. Take Lingyun and go; I'll hold him off," Su Miaozhen urged, grateful but resolute. She hid a trump card for a desperate strike.
"With what? Your power pales before his."
"I have a treasure for a final blow—maybe take him down with me. Save Lingyun, and I'll die without regret." Her face set, she prepared to fight to the death.