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Tian Ling'er," Zhang Xiaofan said firmly, "don't worry about me. If things get dangerous, I'll protect you."
"But Xiaofan," Tian Ling'er's eyes were full of worry as she glanced at the enormous, murderous Water Qilin ahead, "why don't you run and find my father first? I'll be fine!"
"It's fine." Zhang Xiaofan placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder with his left hand, while his right gripped the Fire Stick tightly.
He was already angry. This was the Water Qilin...an ancient mythical beast and the guardian of Qingyun Sect.....yet it had suddenly targeted him with killing intent for no reason at all.
Even a clay figure has a temper. Zhang Xiaofan decided that if this beast attacked him, he would fight back without hesitation.
He had recently reached the first level of the Shangqing Realm, and his cultivation combined both Buddhist and Daoist methods.
His magic power was far stronger than most at his level.
With the Fire Stick in his hand....a deadly treasure....he had enough confidence to face it.
Even if he couldn't win, he was determined to at least take some scales off its hide.
---
A Fierce Ally Appears
"Chii....chii!"
A small black blur shot toward them....Xiao Hui! The little monkey leapt onto Zhang Xiaofan's shoulder in a few quick bounds, baring his fangs and hissing angrily at the Water Qilin.
Zhang Xiaofan glanced at his companion and felt a surge of warmth.
Even against such a terrifying enemy, Xiao Hui didn't back down for a second.
This courage touched Zhang Xiaofan deeply.
Originally, Zhang Xiaofan had planned that if he ever got his hands on the Heavenly Emperor's Dark Stone from the Emperor's treasury, he would use it for himself.
But now, seeing Xiao Hui's loyalty, he decided he would give it to the monkey instead.
He could entrust his life to Xiao Hui....unlike certain fellow disciples such as Qi Hao, who were far less reliable.
The First Clash
"Roar!"
The Water Qilin suddenly lunged forward. It had sensed the ominous, evil aura of the Fire Stick and struck out with one massive claw.
The air howled from the force of the blow.
Zhang Xiaofan instantly circulated his Tai Chi Xuanqing Dao to its limit.
The Fire Stick glowed blood-red, and a protective shield of the same color formed in front of him.
Boom!
The shield held for a brief moment… then shattered under the Qilin's power.
Even with millennia of cultivation, the Water Qilin was not to be underestimated.
But that moment of protection was enough.....Zhang Xiaofan grabbed Tian Ling'er and leapt back toward the edge of the Rainbow Bridge.
An All-Out Attack
The Water Qilin roared again. Its body shone with green light as killing intent surged like a tidal wave. With a blur, it rushed straight at them.
"Evil beast!"
Zhang Xiaofan's eyes flashed. He poured all his magic power into the Fire Stick, then bit his tongue, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the weapon.
The Fire Stick greedily absorbed the blood, its glow deepening into a sinister crimson. The air thickened with murderous intent.
In that instant, Zhang Xiaofan's eyes turned red. He leapt into the air, staring at the charging Water Qilin.
"The heavens uphold righteousness, and righteousness endures forever! I do not seek to kill immortals.....only to slay gods and demons!"
With a roar, he swung the Fire Stick down.
A huge blood-red dragon burst forth from the weapon, coiling and twisting toward the Qilin.
Boom!
Blood dragon and mythical beast collided with earth-shaking force.
Zhang Xiaofan was hurled backwards, coughing blood in mid-air.
The Water Qilin, struck head-on, smashed into the Rainbow Bridge.
Crash!
The bridge shattered, sending the beast plunging into the pond below. Water exploded upward in towering waves.
Retreat and Rage
Tian Ling'er caught the falling Zhang Xiaofan, eyes wide with fear.
"Run!" Zhang Xiaofan shouted. Without hesitation, she hoisted him up and sprinted away.
Behind them, the Water Qilin burst from the water again, a deep, meter-long gash running across its face. Blood dripped steadily into the pond.
It roared to the heavens in fury, tail lashing the water into chaos, then began sniffing the air—searching for the human who had dared injure it.
An Unexpected Arrival
Just as it prepared to give chase, a figure appeared in mid-air, blocking its path.
The newcomer stood tall, one hand behind his back, the other extended forward. A soft cyan light glowed in his palm.
Bang!
The Water Qilin slammed into the barrier.....but the man didn't even flinch.
"Spirit Master," Taoist Master Daoxuan said calmly, his eyes steady on the beast.
The Water Qilin glared at him, its green aura flaring as it prepared to attack again. Its pride was wounded...never in a thousand years had it been injured, especially not on the face.
That shame burned hotter than the pain.
Today, it would destroy the demon who had humiliated it.
But no matter how many times it charged, Daoxuan. ..at the supreme Taiqing Realm.....held it back effortlessly.
The Elders Gather
"Senior Brother!"
Tian Buyi flew in from the distance, shock flickering in his eyes as he saw the raging Water Qilin and the deep wound on its face.
Moments later, Master Cangsong, Master Shuiyue, and the other sect leaders arrived, hovering in mid-air.
They all stared at the gash running across the beast's face.
Even among them, only Tian Buyi and Cangsong might hope to face the Water Qilin directly.
Its ancient bloodline, thick armor-like scales, and peak Shangqing cultivation made it stronger than almost any human cultivator.
Cangsong turned to Daoxuan.
"Senior Brother, was it you who injured the Spirit Master?"
Daoxuan shook his head.
"I was cultivating when I heard the Spirit Master's roar. I hurried here and found it already injured and enraged."
Cangsong frowned.
"With its strength, even I would struggle to harm it. Could some powerful demon have infiltrated Qingyun Mountain?"
---
The Provocation
Just then, Tian Ling'er arrived with Zhang Xiaofan—now in a fresh set of clothes. Hands clasped behind his back, he walked calmly with a faint swagger.
When he spotted the Water Qilin, he gave a slow, deliberate wave.
The beast's eyes locked on him instantly.
Roar!
Murderous intent exploded from its body as it lunged toward Zhang Xiaofan.
In that moment, everyone watching felt the same thought strike them at once....
...Could it be… that the one who injured the Spirit Master… was Zhang Xiaofan?