The cave trembled as Nian Laoda's massive palms came crashing down like mountains. The force split the air, roaring like thunder.
Zhang Xiaofan stood at the edge of the Death Abyss. Behind him stretched nothing but a bottomless darkness, a pit so deep that no light could reach its depths.
Legends said it was filled with countless wandering spirits and Yin energy strong enough to freeze flesh and bone. Even immortals feared to tread near it.
In front of him, the four Dharma-figure cultivators were just about to break free of the sandstorm that had trapped them.
At the same time, Nian Laoda pressed his attack.
For a brief moment, Xiaofan's eyes flickered with thought.
This is the perfect opportunity. If I fall into the Abyss, I can go straight to the Bleeding Cave hidden at the bottom and retrieve the Heavenly Book.
Everyone else would avoid this cursed place, but for me...it might be the only chance.
His decision was made.
He looked down at the woman in his arms...Lu Xueqi.
Her eyes were calm yet firm, still holding her sword, Tianya, glowing faintly with spiritual light. Xiaofan's heart softened. He could not let her fall with him.
He gently patted her shoulder, and before she could react, his spiritual power surged, pushing her away like a gust of wind.
Her body was carried back into the air, safe from the blow that was coming.
Then, Xiaofan turned back. With both palms raised, he met Nian Laoda's strike head-on.
Boom!
The impact rang like a drum in the heavens. Xiaofan was blasted back several steps, the force shaking his bones.
Nian Laoda's face lit up with savage delight. "Good! Let's see you take this!" He lunged forward and drove his palm directly into Xiaofan's chest.
Bang!
The sound echoed like thunder.
The world spun. Xiaofan's body was hurled into the sky like a cannonball, then plummeted backward...straight into the black mouth of the Death Abyss.
"Hahaha!" Nian Laoda threw back his head in wild laughter. His voice echoed off the cave walls. "
The boy is finished! The Death Abyss swallows all....let the spirits gnaw his bones! Not even the gods can save him now!"
The Abyss was infamous. Its Yin energy alone was enough to rot away flesh in less than an hour.
Countless vengeful spirits haunted the depths, dragging intruders into eternal torment.
For anyone, falling inside was certain death.
For Xiaofan...struck by his palm and gravely wounded....it was even more hopeless.
Nian Laoda's laughter grew louder. He could already taste victory.
But as Zhang Xiaofan tumbled downwards, his lips curled in a faint sneer.
Laugh, you dog. Laugh while you can. When I find the Bleeding Cave and seize the Heavenly Book, I'll crawl out of this Abyss alive.
Then I'll come back to Liupo Mountain and make you pay. I'll show you why the flowers are red.
"Xiaofan!"
A cry, sharp as a sword, pierced through the cave.
Lu Xueqi's heart stopped as she saw his figure vanish into the darkness.
Her mind flashed with clarity: if not for saving her, he would never have been caught by Nian Laoda's palm.
And now, because of her, he was plunging into that cursed pit, grievously wounded.
Her chest ached. She couldn't....she wouldn't....let him die.
Without another thought, her figure blurred, afterimages trailing like streaks of light. In the blink of an eye she reached the Abyss's edge.
The darkness below roared like the maw of some ancient beast, a place of nightmares.
Yet she didn't hesitate.
She jumped.
The moment she crossed into the Death Abyss, the world changed.
All light vanished. The air grew thick, heavy with Yin energy so bitterly cold that it pierced straight to the bone.
Screams and howls whispered in the air....souls of the dead, wailing endlessly. Her skin prickled as if icy claws were trying to drag her down.
Still, she flew downward with all her strength, her sword Tianya glowing with a cold blue light to keep the spirits at bay.
"Xiaofan!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the darkness.
Below, she finally saw him...his figure tumbling helplessly, growing smaller with every heartbeat.
Gritting her teeth, she pushed her speed to the limit. Her slender hand stretched out....
And she caught him.
The moment her fingers wrapped around his, she pulled him into her embrace.
Spiritual power surged from her body, forming a shimmering barrier of blue light. The howling Yin energy slammed against it, but for now, they were safe.
"Xueqi…" Xiaofan looked at her, eyes wide. He hadn't expected her to follow him into this place of certain death. "You… you actually jumped down."
Her expression was cold, but her voice was steady. "You were forced into the Abyss because you saved me.
If I, Lu Xueqi, turn my back on you now, I would be worse than pigs and dogs."
"But—" Xiaofan tried to speak.
"Shut up!" Lu Xueqi snapped, her eyes flashing like cold stars. "Even if this Abyss is filled with swords and fire,
I will stay by your side. Don't waste your breath arguing."
Xiaofan opened his mouth, then shut it again. Inside, he sighed.
So fierce… I'd better keep quiet.
His lips twitched slightly, a bitter-sweet smile in his heart.
Lu Xueqi tightened her arms around him. "Junior Brother Xiaofan, don't worry. As long as I still draw breath, I won't let you die before me."
Xiaofan's face was pale, his chest aching from Nian Laoda's palm strike.
He leaned against her, letting his weight rest on her shoulder.
His voice came weakly: "Xueqi… I've been injured too badly. I can't move."
Her heart clenched. She held him even tighter, her slender frame trembling slightly under his weight. "Then rest. I will carry you."
With that, she began flying downward into the depths of the Abyss.
Meanwhile, back at the cavern's edge
"Xiaofan! Junior Sister Lu!"
Zeng Shushu's face drained of color as he watched his two closest companions vanish into the darkness. Rage and grief surged up in his chest.
"Monster!" he roared, glaring at Nian Laoda. "I will kill you to avenge them!"
Without hesitation, he raised his Xuan-Yuan Sword and charged.
But he was not alone.
From the shattered sandstorm, four figures emerged....Faxiang, Fashan, Li Xun, and Yan Hong.
They saw Qi Hao struggling on the ground, bloodied and barely able to stand, and Zeng Shushu already being pressed back by Nian Laoda's overwhelming strength.
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