The blue-green light stream struggled through the collapsing Demon Nest core, like a lone boat tossed in a storm. The terrifying pressure and devouring field brought by the Demon Lord's mad devouring of remnants, like invisible shackles, bound Xiao Qi and Mu Xue tightly, making their speed toward the external opening far lower than expected. More terrifyingly, the Demon Lord's cold gaze always followed them like a shadow, clearly not intending to let either of them leave.
Seeing there was still a considerable distance to the external opening, and the Demon Lord's aura had already recovered most of its power, even more savage than before, the devouring force growing stronger and stronger, Mu Xue was already severely injured, her speed affected, crystalline blood with ice constantly spilling from her lips.
Xiao Qi's mind raced at lightning speed, instantly understanding the situation. If both fled together, it was very likely neither would make it, both would be stopped by the fully awakened Demon Lord. Someone had to act as rearguard, block the Demon Lord, and create an escape opportunity for the other person!
And this person could only be him!
"Mu Xue!" Xiao Qi suddenly stopped, forcefully pushed Mu Xue toward the front, a gentle Green Lotus force wrapping around her, helping her accelerate, "Do not look back, rush out with everything you have! Rendezvous with Second Senior Brother and the others!"
Mu Xue was caught off guard, propelled forward dozens of zhang by this force. She turned her head sharply, her ice-blue eyes filled with shock and determination: "No! Xiao Qi! If we leave, we leave together!"
"Listen to me!" Xiao Qi's voice carried unprecedented sternness and unquestionable certainty, "The internal destruction mission is complete, our strategic objective has been achieved! You must get out alive and bring back the situation here! Go!"
He deeply glanced at Mu Xue, his gaze containing endless affection, entrustment, and farewell. Then, he resolutely turned around, no longer looking at her, facing alone that Demon Lord true form that had risen to its peak, like an incarnation of destruction!
The Green Lotus Origin burned within him at an unprecedented speed, the purifying halo swelled, making him look like a war god carved from cyan jade. He proactively severed the spiritual connection with Mu Xue, concentrating all power, all will, onto himself.
"Your opponent is me!"
Xiao Qi's voice was calm, yet carried a decisive solidity that rang true, clearly echoing in the collapsing space. He proactively released his aura, like the brightest lighthouse, instantly attracting all the Demon Lord's attention and killing intent!
The Demon Lord's devouring motion slightly paused, its black-hole-like eyes completely focusing on Xiao Qi, showing a flash of fury at being provoked by an ant, and a trace of mockery. It seemed to think that leaving this strongest one, to slowly crush to death, was more interesting than chasing after the fleeing one.
"Stupid sacrifice... Then let you, witness true despair!"
The Demon Lord abandoned continuing to devour remnants, its power, already restored and even surpassed, erupted thunderously! It no longer needed the exquisite law manipulation of the [Eternal Silence Singularity], but adopted the most direct, most barbaric method—condensing a sky-covering, completely composed of pure demonic energy and desolate laws, pitch-black giant palm, like swatting a fly, heading straight for Xiao Qi!
Before the giant palm even arrived, its terrifying pressure had completely pulverized the surrounding collapsed spatial structures! Where its palm wind passed, even the void seemed to wail and shatter!
Xiao Qi's pupils tightened, feeling unprecedented death threat! But he could not retreat, behind him was the direction Mu Xue was escaping, the passage he must defend!
"Green Lotus Sword Domain, Protect!"
He roared, shrinking the Green Lotus Sword Domain to its extreme, merely covering a mere ten zhang around himself. The purifying light within the domain condensed like substance, transforming into a budding green lotus flower, firmly guarding him within! This was his strongest defensive posture!
BOOM!!!
The pitch-black giant palm violently smashed onto the green lotus bud!
An indescribable thunderous roar shook the universe! The green lotus bud violently trembled, the purifying light on its surface flickering like a candle in the wind, countless fine cracks instantly covering the bud's surface! Xiao Qi felt like struck by lightning, suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, his figure like a meteor brutally smashed downward into the chaotic void below!
But he, had blocked it!
Despite being severely wounded, the Green Lotus Sword Domain on the verge of shattering, he had indeed, with his Nascent Soul early stage cultivation, withstood the Demon Lord's full-powered strike comparable to Nascent Soul late stage or even peak! For Mu Xue's escape, he had won the most precious moment!
Taking advantage of being struck flying, Xiao Qi forcefully twisted his direction, his gaze firmly fixed on the distant blue light stream rapidly receding, watching her narrowly pass through the external opening's raging energy turbulence and disappear outside the Demon Nest!
Success! Mu Xue... was safe!
An indescribable feeling of relief and release welled up in his heart, but was followed by heavier pressure and resolve.
Seeing its single strike failed to crush Xiao Qi to death, the Demon Lord's mockery deepened, but more than that was the fury of an ant surviving a single swipe. It raised its hand again, more terrifying dark energy condensing in its palm.
Xiao Qi wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, steadied himself, suspended in the shattered void, facing alone that massive, emitting endless malice, Demon Lord true form.
His mission was not finished yet. As rearguard, he not only had to buy time, but also find an opportunity, to deal this Demon Lord the heaviest blow!
Even if it meant paying everything.
Fighting the Demon Lord alone, survival in death's domain!