Lingxu cultivators moved together to attack the escapees. Bai Xunli regretted not dying when she had the chance. Now it was too late. Tears streamed down her face as she closed her eyes and accepted her fate.
But to her surprise, her rescuer moved too. Through her blurry vision, she saw a black silhouette moving gracefully—flowing like a willow.
Deflecting. Parrying. Even managing to wound several of the weaker cultivators.
But Lingxu overwhelmed them in numbers. One of the cultivators began shouting instructions, and the rest responded by forming a sword formation.
They moved in perfect sync—attack after attack after attack—closing in tightly around the savior. The savior, dressed in black infiltration garb with a covered face, was quickly surrounded and left with no path to escape. Defeating them was only a matter of time.
During the formation's assault, Bai Xunli was pushed aside and forgotten.
Her hands scraped the floor, searching for something—anything—that might help her cornered rescuer, when a sudden gust of wind blasted past her. The force knocked her back instantly.
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Xuan Tian arrived at the scene at the same time Lingxu shouted, "Attack!"
He quickly assessed the situation. Another intruder? ICEB? No, Han Zhaofeng already ordered them to stay away from this. Then, who...?
Then his eyes landed on Bai Xunli. His eyes widened at her condition. The next second, those same eyes narrowed dangerously. He was about to make his move when he saw another intruder, also dressed in black with their face covered, moving to defend themselves.
Beautiful. That was the first thing that came into Xuan Tian's mind.
Look at how he moved. Slow, yet swift. Beautiful, yet deadly. But isn't this sword technique too feminine for a man? How can a man move so gracefully like that? Look at that curve—how can a man have a curvy body like that? What kind of... man... woman?! It's a she?!
Xuan Tian gaped at his own thought. But he had perfect eyesight. There was no way a man could move like that. Or have a body like that. Snap out of it, dirty old bastard!
Then he saw she was cornered. A little bit more, she would be dead or seriously injured. So he moved.
He went straight to where she was. He landed perfectly in front of her, just in time to deflect the incoming attacks. Then, he used his own sword technique to push back Lingxu. His techniques were the opposite of hers: efficient and deadly. No wasted moves or spirit energy.
Xuan Tian was never one for show. He always fought with precision and in the shortest time possible. But this time, he subconsciously wanted to 'show off' his own moves. He moved gracefully, yet masculine. No one would mistake him for a woman. If Jing Xue saw this, he would have keeled over from laughing too hard.
With Xuan Tian entering the fight, it was bound to end quickly. Cultivators were sprawled on the floor, injured, unable to continue fighting. Xuan Tian didn't kill anyone. He didn't see the necessity.
He stood tall where everyone else around him were on the floor. Xuan Tian looked around and sent his senses, Hmph, more cultivators coming. This time, their cultivations are stronger than this group.
He turned to look for her. And found nothing.
He looked at where Bai Xunli was supposed to be, and also found nothing.
She left me alone?! He was showing off for nothing. She wasn't even there to see it. Xuan Tian couldn't help but feel wronged. He scanned again and found that they were exiting the dungeon and straight to the incoming forces of Lingxu.
Xuan Tian sighed. Excellent. He inwardly rolled his eyes. And went after them.
Outside the prison building, a fight was going on. It was clear she was no match for the Lingxu cultivators. This second group's cultivation was higher than hers.
She was hit and staggering backward, when Xuan Tian emerged from the building and saved her again. This time, he didn't show off. He ended the fight in 3 breaths. He didn't want another wave of cultivators coming.
He grabbed Bai Xunli and her—and vanished.
Behind them, throngs of cultivators were arriving, shouting and cursing.
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Outside Eastern Palace, still inside the Imperial Palace complex, Xuan Tian reappeared and scanned the area. It was empty.
He quickly put Bai Xunli down and checked her pulse.
The other woman was standing beside him, panting and clutching her chest.
Xuan Tian saw this and whispered, "Are you okay?"
She nodded, but continue panting. Sheen of sweat can be seen on her forehead.
Xuan Tian realised she wasn't okay as she claimed. That last hit must've injured her.
"We can't stay here long. Captain Bai needs immediate medical attention. I have prepared safe house for her. Along with a doctor."
She nodded again and gave a thumbs up, but still panting.
Xuan Tian whispered again, "You're injured. You should follow me and see the doctor."
He added, "Don't worry, the doctor is female."
Footsteps and voices can be heard getting closer. Light from torches were also seen.
Xuan Tian quickly hoisted and settled unconscious Bai Xunli unto his back. He extended his left hand to the woman.
"We can move faster if I carry both of you. May I?"
He looked straight at her eyes.
Beautiful.
She hesitated a bit, then nodded.
Xuan Tian quickly wrapped his left hand around her waist, and – for second time that night – they vanished.
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In the forest to the east of Yuling City, where the vegetation was thick, there was a huge lake. The locals called it Spring Lake, because the water was as clear as water from a mountain spring. At one of the sides, stood a simple wooden house, blending with nature. As if the house was a part of the area.
This forest was called Siling Forest, Forest of Stillness. No one knew who named this forest, but it had been called Siling for as long as Han Zhaofeng remembered. When he was just starting to cultivate, he spent his time in Siling Forest to train. He used to live in the wooden house. And now he was using it as a safe house for Bai Xunli.
It was a perfect location. Locals were reluctant to enter Siling Forest, and it wasn't that far from the Capital.
The usually empty house was now full with people.
Han Zhaofeng, sitting on his wheelchair, was outside the door, waiting for Xuan Tian. Yan Zhen and Wu Zhenhai were waiting with him. Luo Heng was helping Lin Qian preparing the room and medicines, ready for Bai Xunli. Jing Xue was pacing, sniffing. He couldn't get enough breathing the air of the Human Realm.
Jing Xue was sniffing at nearby bush when he noticed the air shifted. He lifted his head toward the ripple.
At the porch, Han Zhaofeng also noticed it. Few breaths after Jing Xue.
Han Zhaofeng lit up, "They're here."