Chapter 24: The Hei Clan's Pursuit
The inn buzzed with morning activity, but a sense of tension lingered. Hei Long, a 7th Layer Qi Transformation elder, dispatched a 4th Layer Qi Transformation elder, Hei Wu, to capture Liu Yue and Liu Yang.
Lin Xuan sensed the threat. "Junior Sister, Liu Yang, stay alert," he called. He activated Abyssal Lotus Step, intercepting Hei Wu on the street. Hei Wu's mace swung, but Lin Xuan dodged with Celestial Glide. Crimson Lance Burst pierced Hei Wu's shoulder. The elder retaliated, but Lin Xuan's Vein Fortress Body absorbed the blow. A disciple lunged, but Liu Yue's Icy Skin froze the air. Liu Yang's blood sword wounded the disciple.
Hei Wu roared, unleashing a qi storm. Lin Xuan's Abyssal Lotus Step wove through the chaos. He struck with Starlit Void Fist, shattering the elder's guard. Crimson Lance Burst followed, forcing Hei Wu to stumble. Liu Yue's icy qi encased his feet, and Liu Yang's blood sword slashed his side. Lin Xuan devoured the residual qi with Energy Devour, pushing him toward the 3rd Layer Qi Transformation. Hei Wu escaped, vowing revenge.
That night, Lin Xuan refined a space ring with red lightning, fusing a Lightning-Scaled Snake's core. Liu Yue's ring sparked, a red lightning thread connecting them, deepening their bond.