The moment the words fell!
The first to strike was the burly man with the greatsword on the rooftop. Despite his massive frame, his movements were swift as a dart. His cloak billowed with a tearing sound as he leapt, both hands gripping the sword, hacking down at Qingshui with a force that split the air itself.
The blade howled through the wind, its sheer pressure shattering tiles before the edge even reached.
Qingshui rolled backward, narrowly dodging the strike. She dove sideways, stomped hard on the rooftop, and sprang to the opposite eave.
"No testing? Straight for the kill, huh?"
She clicked her tongue, crossing her twin blades to block the next slash. Her arms shuddered beneath the crushing weight—like a mountain pressing down.
"Not bad. Strong."
She let the force flow through her, her feet rippling the air like water, dispersing most of the impact. Her figure floated lightly as she retreated to the far edge.
Borrowing the wave to deflect the force.
The greatsword man landed, leapt again, charging like thunder. But Qingshui only smiled faintly—her sleeve flicked, and a streak of watery light shot out.
"Brute. Go take a nap."
Inside the shrine, the old crone snorted. Her hands snapped up, releasing two black darts that cut through the air, intercepting the watery light.
"Almost forgot about you, granny. Two against one? Come on, I'm still just a poor little girl!"
Her words were mocking, but her body never stopped moving. Twisting mid-air, she locked blades against the greatsword, then kicked hard toward the man's ribs.
"Hmph!"
He dropped his grip, retreating swiftly. Qingshui hurled the sword toward the old crone, forcing her back as well.
"Why can't we just talk? I could pretend I saw nothing at all!"
She flipped down from the roof, lips curved, one foot stomping hard in a sweeping arc.
The earth thrummed. Suddenly, the air filled with the sensation of water.
[Water Yao Technique · Ripple Shock]
Qingshui sank her stance, channeling qi through every limb into her feet. In an instant, a ring of force pulsed outward like a crashing tide.
"Retreat!" the old crone barked.
The three men before the shrine leapt back in unison. Only the fat man of the Earth Yao faction remained unmoved, still channeling the land's veins.
The shockwave tore tiles and filled the night with flying dust. But it did not break the enemy's ritual.
Qingshui's eyes hardened. "Traitor! You still won't stop!?"
She dashed forward, blades flowing like water, qi surging beneath her feet to drive her charge.
"Don't even think about it!"
One of the cloaked figures beside the tall man hurled three jade slips. They whirled toward her—then suddenly accelerated, circling her body.
Qingshui's steps jolted to a halt. The surging momentum within her churned violently.
"What—?"
"Binding Array · Fixed Form." The man pressed his hand into a seal, pointing at her. "No need to understand. Knowing won't save you."
"The game is already decided."
The tall figure finally moved. He lifted a finger, and a violet spark flared at the tip.
"Shui Li… you were too careless."
It wasn't merely qi projection—it tugged at her very lifeblood. Already reeling from the strain, now pinned by the formation, Qingshui felt her qi and blood riot, vision blurring.
And the killing blow was still to come.
The greatsword came down like a falling mountain.
—Boom!
She raised her blades to block, but the strike hurled her across the shrine. The edge cut through her shoulder, leaving a raw, ghastly wound.
Before she could land, the tall man flashed before her, palm pressed against her back.
"Die." His voice was glacial. Qi surged violently in his hand.
—Bang!
Her clothes tore apart with the blast. Qingshui flew like a broken doll, smashing through beams, crashing into the forest beyond.
Dust and leaves scattered. The night wind wailed.
She hit the ground hard, rolled behind a tree, forcing herself upright. Pain ripped through chest and spine. Her ears rang. Her throat surged with blood—she spat it out in a scarlet spray.
"Damn it… downed in one go. And this outfit—I actually liked it… Hua's definitely gonna scold me again… just don't take away my snacks…"
She cursed under her breath, tugging her shredded clothes over the wound.
"Can't stay… they'll check the body."
She pressed her palms together, forcing qi into motion. Agony tore through her veins—another mouthful of blood burst out.
[Water Yao Secret Art · Mirage Tide]
Mist billowed. Shadows of herself leapt through the forest canopy—bleeding, staggering, breathing exactly as she did.
"Catch me if you can."
The illusions scattered. She slipped like a fish into the undergrowth, qi rippling beneath her feet.
"Fake!" voices barked behind her. "She's heading southeast! Surround her!"
Figures streaked after the phantoms, while Qingshui veered in the opposite direction, suppressing her breath, steps flowing like hidden waves.
"Just… hold on a bit longer. One more incense stick…"
Her body screamed, qi burned like fire, vision swam—but she ran, and ran, and ran.
Then—an explosion behind her. The illusions had been destroyed. They were on her trail again.
"Too fast… I need a way out—"
The sound of rushing water. A river!
She grinned through blood. "Knew I was smart… always need an escape route."
She plunged into the current. Her aura sank, body dissolving into the stream.
[Secret Art · Return to the Wave]
Her qi fused with the water. Her presence vanished. Only in still waters could this be used—becoming one with the river, invisible, untouchable.
"Half a moment more…"
Her silhouette blurred into a reflection, drifting downstream.
Back at the shrine, the cloaked men regrouped.
"Her aura's gone." The array-caster frowned.
"Water Yao secret art—Return to the Wave."
The Earth Yao brute stood tall, sneering. "Unless we boil the whole river, she can hide until she starves. She won't drown. Her life… is safe for now."
The tall leader stared into the darkness. "Tch. Pity. Inform the Water Yao Envoy—they've got a capable hand."
The night pressed heavy.
Downstream, Qingshui's body slowly re-formed by the bank, pale as paper, breath ragged. She spat another mouthful—blood laced with golden threads of torn qi.
"Pah…" She staggered upright.
"Gotta… get back. If I'm quick, maybe I'll make it for breakfast…"
She stumbled, forcing one step after another. Through fields, over a hill—until the familiar outline of Muyu Town appeared.
The sight made her laugh, almost childlike. She gathered what little strength remained, surged forward in a blur of mist—
—and crashed into the courtyard of the little house in Willow Alley.
"Eh? What was that?"
Inside, Bi Hua was just rising. She froze at the metallic scent flooding in.
The door slid open.
And there she was—the figure they knew, battered and bloodied, collapsing at Bi Hua's feet.
"You…"
Only one word escaped Bi Hua's lips before she froze.
"Qingshui Auntie!" Layne cried, rushing forward.
Qingshui's lashes trembled. She forced her eyes open, lips curling into a stubborn smile.
"Didn't mean to scare you guys… ah… but hey, I made it back for breakfast…"
Her body went limp, falling into Bi Hua's arms. Her pulse fluttered, weak as a whisper.
Bi Hua clutched her tightly. "It's all right. You're home."
She turned sharply. "Layne! The medicine box—now!"
"On it!" The boy dashed inside.
Dawn broke. Light spilled over the blood-stained courtyard.