Bai Xuanling's killing intent surged, her cultivation climbing steadily. She was not far from completely tearing open her seal.
The current situation was utter chaos.
These Celestial Demons were formidable fighters in their own right, and each possessed bizarre abilities.
Xu Linglong had used some unknown technique—after spitting out a mouthful of blood, Chu Xingchen, who had been causing trouble as a shit-stirrer, instantly became dazed.
If Bai Xuanling had not grabbed him a couple of times, Chu Xingchen would likely have thrown himself into Xu Linglong's arms on the spot.
Huang Miao had been thoroughly tied down by Bai Bo, and was even at a disadvantage.
After all, when it came to endurance in battle, Bai Bo's Celestial Demon body still held the advantage.
Taking advantage of this, Bai Bo fought with a nearly pure offense, no defense approach—ignoring almost all of Huang Miao's attacks.
The strategy was simple: trade wound for wound, even if Bai Bo took heavier damage.
Bai Bo had used some unknown method to twist and extract the strengthened space around them, simultaneously partitioning it…
The grand formation Chu Xingchen had set up was also exploited by Bai Bo—the partitioned space had been reinforced as well.
Even if Huang Miao wanted to rush over to help, she could only watch.
Zhong Su and Chi Guo each wielded rule-based abilities. The early and mid-stage Tribulation Transcendence elders from both sects, despite fighting with superior numbers, were being suppressed. The battle was nearly one-sided.
Zhong Su's body had almost transformed into lightning, while Chi Guo was like a fire demon.
Bai Xuanling had read many ancient texts, yet had never heard of demons possessing such rule-like abilities.
It seemed that over the past millennium, these demons had collected quite a few scattered Principles from the Heavenly Dao and learned to utilize them.
No wonder the Xuanqing Heavenly Sect had been so openly investigating—these demons simply could not bear to give up their research.
Bai Xuanling's sword forced back Xu Linglong, who had dashed forward and slashed with terrifying power.
Xu Linglong regarded Bai Xuanling with calm eyes—and also looked at Chu Xingchen, who stood motionless at Bai Xuanling's side, staring straight at her.
"The pressure must be immense, hmm?" Xu Linglong lightly tossed the Origin short dagger in her hand.
The Origin short dagger gleamed with a cold, ghostly light under the moonlight.
The next instant, the glow vanished.
Bai Xuanling's spirit sword flashed cold on her left side, intercepting the Origin short dagger that had pierced through the air.
Two streams of Tribulation Transcendence spiritual power clashed. Terrifying aftershocks swept through the freshly severed space.
"Just look at your eyes. They're already crimson red."
Xu Linglong continued speaking as she closed in. The Origin dagger reappeared in her hand and she swung it straight at Bai Xuanling.
Scarlet energy poured from the dagger, fierce and unrestrained.
Bai Xuanling said nothing. Hearing Chu Xingchen's words about needing hints from behind her, she pressed her spirit sword against Xu Linglong once more.
Boom!
Two streams of energy clashed wildly.
Xu Linglong's calm gaze watched as Bai Xuanling's originally pure-white spiritual power was gradually stained crimson by killing intent.
"Keep fighting like this, and you'll be the first to lose your mind."
Xu Linglong's spiritual power grew more savage, nearly filling the entire severed space.
A wash of crimson and black dyed the dawn sky.
Xu Linglong spoke softly: "The current Chu Xingchen is nothing but dead weight. He's forgotten even why he came here. How could he possibly help you?"
"I cut him once, and I can certainly cut him a second time."
"I only want his life. You know you can't protect him. After all, in a little while, it might not even be me who kills him."
"Why not step aside? Let me be the villain. That way, you'll know exactly who to seek revenge on."
"You wouldn't want Chu Xingchen's disciples—and your own dear disciple—to witness and hear with their own eyes and ears that it was you who cut Chu Xingchen down with a single sword, would you?"
"Even if they knew it was unavoidable, could they truly let go of the grudge? Could your own heart find peace?"
Xu Linglong's purple eyes fixed unblinkingly on Bai Xuanling's crimson eyes, her tone utterly bewitching.
Bai Xuanling felt a layer of red mist obscuring her vision. Within her sea of consciousness, roars of fury and defiance echoed without cease.
The closer she pushed to her cultivation's limit, the harder it became for Bai Xuanling to remain calm.
Listening to Xu Linglong's words, a smile appeared on Bai Xuanling's face: "Even if I killed him with my own hands, I would never let you kill him."
"I don't owe this kid his life. At worst, I'll apologize to him in my sea of consciousness—even if the real him can't hear it anymore."
It had not truly reached a dead end yet.
Bai Xuanling was not counting on the current Chu Xingchen, who was like a fool. She was counting on the arrangements Chu Xingchen had made beforehand.
After all, reserve Tribulation Transcendence cultivators were on their way.
Chu Xingchen's multiple insurance policies were still useful.
She just needed to hold on a little longer…
As for whatever hints Chu Xingchen had mentioned—
Bai Xuanling had no mental bandwidth left to give him hints. Half of her thoughts had already been consumed by a single idea—kill them all.
Xu Linglong darted through the air, rapidly circling Chu Xingchen to strike killing blows.
Bai Xuanling quickly shifted to a purely defensive stance.
Not only was she afraid Xu Linglong might find an opening to one-shot the nearly defenseless Chu Xingchen, but a defensive posture also helped her maintain clarity.
Naturally, Chu Xingchen could not just stand there doing nothing.
Bai Xuanling had to periodically use her spiritual power to yank Chu Xingchen's body out of harm's way.
But Chu Xingchen seemed to treat every one of these movements as a hint.
"Move left? Is this a maze formation? Should I go left?"
"Why did you pull me back? Did I guess wrong?"
"Why are we going in circles? Playing tai chi?"
"My divine sense is under so much pressure—is that some additional technique?"
In the brief, fierce exchanges, Bai Xuanling had to guard against Xu Linglong while also enduring Chu Xingchen's struggling commentary.
Bai Xuanling had no way to contact Chu Xingchen through transmission or shouting.
She could only ignore his constant speculation.
Bai Xuanling did not know what exactly was happening with Chu Xingchen now.
Xu Linglong noticed the killing intent in Bai Xuanling's eyes growing heavier and laughed softly: "Pure defense and no offense… that's not your style. I'd guess the reason you're holding on like this is because you're waiting for your people to arrive?"
"You think you're the only ones who prepare contingencies? I've never once underestimated Chu Xingchen or you."
"I've already made preparations. I plan to spend two days killing Chu Xingchen. During that time, none of your people will set foot in the Xuanwu Kingdom again."
"For that, I prepared quite a few dependents for you to slaughter."
"How long has it been so far? The night is long. Can you hold out?"
Xu Linglong's voice was soft, but her hands moved faster and faster.
Terrifying energy tore apart everything around them. The full might of Tribulation Transcendence cultivation was on display.
The wounds on Chu Xingchen's body gradually multiplied.
Even Bai Xuanling took two hits in order to shield him.
Bai Xuanling's expression remained calm.
She looked at Xu Linglong's confident expression.
Four Celestial Demons had come.
After all this time, reinforcements still had not arrived. Xu Linglong's words were probably true.
Two days was obviously a bluff—once the situation turned dire, the Xuanqing Heavenly Sect and Tianyan Sect would absolutely mobilize everything, possibly bringing Tribulation Transcendence cultivators from other immortal sects as well.
They would not just stand by and do nothing.
But still…
One night was quite possible.
Bai Xuanling exhaled softly and glanced up at the bright moon still hanging high.
Could she…
Hold on like this until morning?
Chu Xingchen!
The path to survival—you must fight for it yourself!
A fierce grin spread across Bai Xuanling's face. Her long sword left her hand.
Scarlet killing intent spread outward.
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