Chapter 61: The Traitor's Flight
The outskirts of Dawnriver unfolded into a rugged wilderness, the air thick with the earthy scent of pine and the faint, metallic tang of blood from recent skirmishes, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows over the uneven terrain. The distant rumble of war echoed as Lin Xuan tracked Prime Minister Zhao Heng, his crimson eyes narrowed with predatory focus, the power of his 9th Layer Qi Transformation a steady force. The Celestial Unity Crest on his back pulsed faintly, a quiet guide as he moved with Abyssal Lotus Step, his form gliding like a phantom through the underbrush. "You can't run forever," he murmured, his voice a low growl, his qi trace leading him to a clash with Zhao's Xun Clan guards.
The guards, a trio at the 5th Layer Qi Transformation, emerged from the trees, their qi blades humming with dark energy as they lunged. Lin Xuan countered with a precise qi burst, sending one sprawling with a cry, blood seeping from a gash on his shoulder. "Stand down—or fall," he said, his tone icy, the skirmish brief but intense. Liu Yue, her 6th Layer Qi Transformation qi flowing with Icy Skin mist, and Liu Yang, his 3rd Layer Qi Gathering qi steady, secured escape routes, her snowflake mark glowing as she froze a path, his blood-forged glaive flashing to block a retreat. "No one leaves, Senior Sister," Liu Yang grunted, his young face set with focus.
In the Ji Clan halls, Ji Yunjing, now at the early 4th Layer Profound Heavenly Realm, issued a kingdom-wide warrant, his silk robes rustling as he paced, his voice firm. "Zhao Heng is a fugitive—find him!" he declared, the air thickening with the clink of armor as guards dispersed. Bai Ningxue, her 8th Layer Qi Transformation aura a serene presence, purified Zhao's residual qi with her Thousand Lotus Seal Art, her seals shimmering as she uncovered deeper Ironfang ties. "He's been feeding them intel—Wudu's involved too," she said, her, her hands steady as she worked.
Lin Xuan rejoined the team, his breath heavy but his resolve firm. "He's wounded—we'll catch him soon," he said to Liu Yue, his tone thoughtful. Liu Yue nodded, her breath steady but her eyes alert. "We'll be ready, Senior Brother—let's plan the counteroffensive," she replied, her hand brushing his arm. The outskirts buzzed with the rustle of leaves and the murmur of pursuit, the traitor's flight a spark igniting their next move, the warfront looming ever closer.