The cold aura was like an invisible swamp, instantly swallowing the space near the gate. The air seemed to solidify; even the clamor appeared cut off. That silver-masked figure standing in the gate's shadow reflected a ghostly glow in the dim light, like a death god's gaze.
The Silver-Faced Envoy! He had actually personally waited at the city gate, lying in ambush like a hunter!
Xiao Qi and Liu Yun's feet slammed to a halt, their hearts gripped by an icy hand. Ahead, a powerful enemy blocked the way. Behind, rogue cultivators attracted by the bounty, like hyenas, were gradually closing in. Though they dared not get too close, deterred by the Silver-Faced Envoy's aura, their greedy gazes still firmly locked onto them, forming an encirclement.
No retreat, only battle!
It seems you've decided to stay here. The Silver-Faced Envoy's voice came through the mask, carrying a cold, metallic friction texture. No emotion could be discerned, only pure killing intent.
He slowly raised one hand. Within his palm, a cluster of twisting, rolling black energy began to coalesce, emanating an aura of corrosion and death. The surrounding temperature plummeted.
Xiao Qi's eyes were grave to the extreme. This Silver-Faced Envoy's aura was even stronger than what he had sensed at the auction—a true expert at the Golden Core mid-stage! In direct confrontation, they had almost no chance of victory.
Senior Sister, Xiao Qi took a deep breath, transmitting urgently to Liu Yun, we cannot fight head-on! I'll delay him. Find a chance to break through. We'll meet outside the city!
Absolutely not! Liu Yun. Autumn Water Sword was half-drawn, its cold sword intent soaring, as she unflinchingly faced the cold pressure: We fight together or retreat together!
She knew Xiao Qi was trying to protect her, but there was absolutely no way she would flee alone!
Xiao Qi's heart was anxious, yet he understood Liu Yun's temperament. He said no more, eyes sharp. Spiritual energy within his body erupted like a volcano! Foundation Establishment late-stage cultivation was fully unleashed. Crimson Flame Sword let out an. Scorching sword aura breathed unstably, pushing back the cold aura around them. Meanwhile, a trace of imperceptible purifying power fused into the sword aura, giving it a sacred and authoritative character.
Stubborn. The Silver-Faced Envoy coldly harrumphed, seemingly disdainful of Xiao Qi's resistance. The black energy in his palm suddenly swelled, transforming into a monstrous black python. Opening its fanged maw with a piercing shriek, it lunged toward Xiao Qi and Liu Yun! Wherever it passed, even the air let out sizzling sounds of corrosion.
Slice!
Xiao Qi roared, not retreating but advancing. Crimson Flame Sword transformed into a crimson rainbow tearing the night curtain, boldly facing the black python! Sword aura and demonic energy collided violently, producing an deafening boom. A violent energy shockwave swept outward from both figures, even lifting and shattering the blue stone tiles on the ground!
Xiao Qi groaned, his body trembling, sliding back several zhang. His sword-holding arm was slightly numb, and a fishy sweetness rose in his throat. A casual strike from a Golden Core cultivator was actually so terrifying!
Meanwhile, the moment Xiao Qi struck, Liu Yun also moved! She ignored the black python, her form ghost-like as she laterally shifted. Autumn Water Sword drew a cold arc, stabbing straight for the Silver-Faced Envoy's unguarded flank! The sword tip's cold light condensed, speed at its extreme!
Petty tricks. Without even looking, the Silver-Faced Envoy casually waved his other hand. A solid black shield instantly materialized.
Ding!
Liu Yun's sword tip stabbed the black shield, producing a crisp impact sound. It could not advance an inch. Instead, a counter-shock force sent her qi and blood churning. She stumbled back several steps.
The gap was too vast!
Just as the two were forced back by the Silver-Faced Envoy's single strike, their old power exhausted and new power yet to form, the surrounding watching rogue cultivators saw their chance. Greedy howls erupted, like sharks scenting blood. From all directions, they swarmed! Blade light, sword shadows, talisman spells, like rain, poured down upon Xiao Qi and Liu Yun!
Seek death!
Xiao Qi's killing intent exploded. He suddenly spun around, no longer caring about the Silver-Faced Envoy who had been temporarily repelled and was about to strike again. Crimson Flame Sword swept outward!
Burning Heaven and Scalding Sea!
A blazing sword wave erupted centered on him, like a volcano erupting! The blazing crimson flames carried purifying power! The several Qi Refining rogue cultivators at the front did not even have time to scream before being devoured by the sword wave, turned to ash! Several early Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators were also burned badly, retreating with miserable cries.
The two stood back-to-back—one dominant in fire, fierce and violent; the other dominant in water, cold and sharp. Fire and water did not normally harmonize, but at this life-or-death moment, their sword intents achieved a wondrous balance and complementarity, forming a brief but unbreakable defensive circle, deflecting and shattering attacks from all directions!
For a time, battle cries, weapon clashes, and screams rose and fell in succession. The city gate turned chaotic. Xiao Qi and Liu Yun were like bedrock, unmoved in the raging tide of attacks. More and more bodies littered the ground beneath their feet.
The Silver-Faced Envoy did not immediately strike again, only watching coldly. His eyes beneath the mask regarded them like watching cornered beasts. He was waiting—for them to exhaust themselves, or for a flaw to appear.
Xiao Qi knew they could not fight a prolonged battle and must break through quickly! While swinging his sword to parry, he scanned the city gate with his spiritual sense. Because of the previous energy shock and chaos, the gate guards had already fled somewhere. This was the moment!
Senior Sister! Follow me!
He forcefully poured massive spiritual energy into Crimson Flame Sword. The sword blazed with unprecedented brilliance. A massive, condensed crimson sword aura, substantial like reality, hacked down like the cleaving of heaven and earth toward the densest cluster of rogue cultivators blocking the path!
BOOM—!
The ground was cleaved with a deep trench. Violent sword qi and flames cleared a large area ahead. A dozen or so rogue cultivators were either dead or wounded!
Go!
Xiao Qi grabbed Liu Yun's hand. Like arrows leaving the bow, both shot toward the gate passage through this brief opening!
Think you can leave? Stay here!
The Silver-Faced Envoy finally moved! His figure blurred, appearing in front of the gate passage as if teleporting. One palm struck out. The black energy in his palm condensed into a massive skull, bringing a mournful ghost's wail, descending upon them like a covering net! This palm carried his true Golden Core power, far exceeding anything before!
No escape!
Xiao Qi's eyes. Just as he was about to desperately activate the Taiyi Formless Sword Talisman for a last-ditch fight, Liu Yun fiercely shoved him aside. She stepped forward herself. Autumn Water Sword blazed with unprecedented azure brilliance. Her entire being seemed merged with the sword, transforming into a resolute blue meteor, fearlessly crashing into that massive black skull!
Ice Heart One Sword!
This was a sword that condensed all her essence, qi, and spirit. It was the ultimate expression of her protective resolve!
Azure sword light violently collided with the black skull!
PFFT—!
Liu Yun spat blood. The azure sword light instantly dimmed. Like a severed kite, she was sent flying backward. Her aura immediately withered. She was clearly seriously wounded!
Senior Sister! Xiao Qi's eyes as he caught Liu Yun.
But Liu Yun's desperate strike was not without effect. The black skull was obstructed by the azure sword light, noticeably sluggish, its power greatly reduced.
This was the moment!
Xiao Qi had no time to check Liu Yun's injuries. Holding her, he activated Wandering Dragon Nine Turns to its extreme, transforming into a blurred afterimage. Dangerously, he slipped through the gap beneath the weakened black skull and burst through the gate passage!
Chase!
The Silver-Faced Envoy roared in anger, pursuing tightly. The remaining rogue cultivators also snapped awake, howling as they chased out of the city gate.
However, outside the city was vast night and rolling mountains. Xiao Qi, holding Liu Yun, pushed speed to the limit. After several flashes, they vanished into the dark forest, losing all trace.
The Silver-Faced Envoy stood outside the city gate, his spiritual sense sweeping over the surrounding wilderness like a tide. He only sensed chaotic energy fluctuations and gradually distant weak traces. The night and complex terrain formed the best cover.
His face beneath the mask was horribly gloomy. A cooked duck had actually escaped!
Transmit the order! his icy voice rang out. 'Qing Mu' and his accomplice have fled wounded, heading northeast! Mobilize all informants. Notify outposts along the route. Full pursuit! I want them alive or dead!
Yes! Several respectful responses came from the darkness.
A more brutal hunt officially began in this vast night. Xiao Qi and Liu Yun, wounded and exhausted, embarked on a road of exile toward the Eastern Sea.