Lightning crackled through the oppressive darkness, illuminating the azure skies with a malevolent glint. The air pulsed with an unmistakable wrath, a force capable of pure destruction and annihilation.
At the edge of the Azure Peak, where the majestic mountain met the lush embrace of the Verdant Grove forest, two figures engaged in a ferocious battle amidst the shadows. Their movements were swift and precise, dripping with lethal intent as they traversed the earth with an unstoppable momentum.
Cheng Xiao stood his ground, his breath ragged and sweat streaming down his face, a deep frown etched upon his features. "No openings! They've blocked every path!" he thought, frustration welling within him as he clenched his fists.
His opponent seemed unperturbed, almost delighted by the intensity of the fight. It was a man clad in black, a master of the assassin's art, his daggers, unpredictable and swift provided enough danger to his life, but that was not enough as an extremely skilled archer hid behind the thick trees, patiently awaiting Cheng's slightest misstep to deliver a fatal blow.
Cheng's mind entered a realm of unwavering focus, desperately seeking a solution to this perilous predicament. However, his thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the sound of a projectile slicing through the air.
Instinctively, Cheng tilted his body with the lightest of movements, narrowly evading the dagger with minimal effort. Swiftly, he unleashed a fist infused with immense strength and profound inner Qi.
They exchanged hundreds of strikes in mere moments.
A fist against a dagger, it was an incredibly dreadful fight.
Unexpectedly Cheng raised his leg and with great momentum aimed it at the arm of the assassin. The man in black cloth reacted quickly, forcefully altering the dagger's trajectory toward Cheng's leg. But this outcome had been foreseen by Cheng. Despite the intimidating appearance of his kick, it harbored no power—a mere taunt designed to provoke the archer.
In that moment, an arrow materialized behind Cheng's head, its speed surpassing anything he had witnessed before. Anticipating the assault, Cheng's kick lost all potency as he hastily leaped to the side. The man in black's eyes widened in horror, struggling to react much less evade the arrow hurtling toward him at a terrifying velocity.
"IMPUDENT!" the man shouted, summoning all his strength to dodge the incoming projectile. A sickening "crunch" reverberated through the surroundings, accompanied by a splatter of blood. An agonized scream followed, as the black-clad man clutched his shattered ribs, his heart narrowly spared by a few millimeters.
However, as the man in black sighed in relief, a roar infused with cruelty and wrath resounded behind him. "DIE FOR ME!" Cheng bellowed, his hands pulsating as black veins snaked across his skin. His nails grew grotesquely becoming thicker and taller, exuding a sinister aura as he thrust them toward the assassin's head.
A thunderous "BOOOM" shattered the air, flesh, bones, and brain matter mingling in a gruesome display. Cheng's face contorted and twisted, his trembling lips unable to contain the mixture of revulsion and triumph. Removing a piece of brain matter from his face, he couldn't bear to linger any longer, swiftly disappearing into the darkness, making his way towards the safety of the Turquoise Peak.
Cheng used the archer's impatience to his advantage, at that time changing the trajectory of his kick was extremely difficult and hard to pull off, that's why the archer decided to strike at that moment creating an opportunity for him.
As he moved through the shadows, the other assassin seemed to temporarily halt their pursuit. Doubts clouded Cheng's thoughts. "Did he give up just like that? A peak Qi condensation assassin and a master archer..." He sighed, a wave of relief washing over him. He had been extremely fortunate this time, for a Qi condensation cultivator posed a formidable challenge to a peak martial artist like him, who primarily relied on inner Qi rather than spiritual energies.
The assassin's critical mistake had been underestimating him. Despite being a mortal, Cheng was among the strongest, if not the strongest, martial artists. His sinister techniques and wealth of battle experience allowed him to escape unscathed.
"Is this connected to Yan Xin or that guy?" Cheng pondered, his worried gaze piercing through the darkness. Reflecting on the situation, he realized that the sect was forbidden to outsiders, and anyone who trespassed would face immediate execution. The fact that these assassins had targeted him revealed a deeper mystery.
"Maybe someone from the sect helped them, man this is so annoying "
This place had become an ideal place for their assassination.
This was directly related to the fact that there was no abominations that lurked in the ancient forest.
Reaching the edge of the forest, Cheng's eyes caught a glimmer of light. He had finally escaped that wretched forest, but his relief was short-lived. In an instant, a crimson-tipped arrow locked onto his heart, unleashed with unprecedented speed. "No!" he exclaimed, his face draining of color as he frantically reacted. Though faster than the assassin he had just dispatched, his movements were not enough to completely evade the arrow's destructive trajectory.
The arrow struck his shoulder, threatening to tear it from its socket. Cheng was violently thrown several feet away, the impact expelling the air from his lungs. He screamed in agony, but he didn't allow himself to succumb. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself up and continued to run, desperate to put as much distance as possible between him and the deadly archer.
The pain radiated through his body, reminded him of the danger that still pursued him. He ran until he was completely out of the archer's range, panting heavily as he assessed his injuries. The wounds were severe, but he knew he had survived against all odds.
After resting for what seemed like an eternity, he noticed that his condition was rapidly deteriorating. He was in fact poisoned and his flesh was turning into a sinister shade of black. A horrifying sight that filled him with dread.
With a desperate resolve, he knew there was only one person who could save him in this desolate place—Yan Xia. She was after all his master and she was a peak foundation expert maybe even stronger. Without hesitation, he set off towards her estate, each step becoming an arduous task, his surroundings fading into a hazy blur.
"Yan Xia, please be there."Cheg Xiao though in worry.
His determination pushed him forward, the name "Yan Xia" echoing in his mind like a mantra of hope. Fatigue threatened to overwhelm him, but he knew that survival depended on reaching her estate in time. With every ounce of strength left, he pushed his body to the limit, running as if his life depended on it.
"Just a little farther... I must make it!"
Time blurred as he sprinted relentlessly, his breath ragged and his muscles burning with exertion. Finally, he reached the place, his heart pounding with a mix of relief and trepidation. Summoning his last reserves, he knocked on the door, succumbing to his exhaustion and losing consciousness instantly.
"Who's there?" a soft voice echoed
Like a spectral presence, Yan Xia emerged from the shadows, her movements graceful and deliberate. Her long, obsidian tresses cascaded down her back, and her eyes, deep pools of mystery, revealed nothing of her inner thoughts. She approached Cheg Xiao's lifeless body, a serene silence enveloping her.
Without a word, she lifted his head with a delicate touch, her hands emanating an otherworldly aura. Her countenance remained inscrutable as she examined his poisoned shoulder, her fingers barely grazing the corrupted flesh. A glimmer of concern flickered in her eyes, Followed by shock.
"The deathbell poison !!"
She hurriedly pulled a small pouch from her robe . Its contents shimmered with an ethereal light, she opened it and revealed a small pill. instantly shoving it in his mouth.
As the pill coursed through his veins, a subtle transformation began to take hold. The poison receded . She lifted Cheng Xiao, and placed him on the bed.
"Rest now. You are safe." She muttered, her eyes revealed complicated emotions of guilt and regret. and said "I'm sorry I pulled you into this"