Their last gasp for freedom was cut short. As they rushed to the crumbling entrance, the crimson mist rose like a sea wave, engulfing the entire hall. People were caught in mid-air like flies in a net.
In a swirling blood-colored maelstrom, they were being whirled around and were being tossed as if they were lifeless.
"Lookout!"
Yu Lingyu screamed as it plummeted from the high crimson sky to the ground.
ground? It was not ground. Slippery and sticky, they stood in a mass of pulsating flesh. Thick veins stretched up like tree trunks were almost everywhere and blood was raining down from the sky.
"Huh?" It was no ordinary rain. Drops of blood spread over their skin and burn them. "Now, find a cover. quick" Yu Lingyu shouted, pulling Hong Li toward him.
But he didn't need to say that.
Above their heads was a semi-permeable barrier that was glowing with rainbow colors, stopping the rain of blood.
"Rainbow barrier????" Hong Li whispered.
"I can't hold on too long." Shen Ming groaned uncomfortably as he fell to his knees. "Find a cover or we're all going to die." He said, awkwardly focusing all his energy on the barrier.
This is not the time to be surprised. Lingyu knew it, but he couldn't help but be surprised. Can Shen Ming control the rainbow barrier??
But the accompanying erratic, flickering light painted their faces in sickly colors.
"We are in his inner domain." A disciple of Juyao said.
"Master Wen! Do something. Don't you know about this animal?"
Lingyu bit the corner of his lip. I really don't know anything. He only knew what Hong Li had told him. Yet he still forgot that Xul'goth was bloodthirsty.
"Little worms!" A sharp yet cold voice echoed. In the blood-colored sky above them, Xul'goth's terrible taunt rose. His form was constantly changing, and the only thing Yu Lingyu could tell was that he was a pulsing mass of flesh composed of bones and muscles.
"Damn it!"
In the blood-colored light, the blood dripping from the razor-sharp huge fangs was the cause of the ever-present blood rain. His laughter was the most horrible sound Lingyu heard so far.
What stood before him was no ordinary demon. He is a demon king!
"Oh," spoke the great gaping mouth in the sky above. "I see an uninvited guest. Lord Xin!" The voice was full of anger and sarcasm.
"Have you forgotten me?"
"Ah-Yu, look, there's a cave." Hong Li said, struggling to stand upright in the throbbing flesh. But Lingyu's attention was completely on Xul'goth.
How does he know Xin?
"Lingyu!" Hong Li growled, pulling on his collar.
"I see. But before we get there, Shen Ming's barrier will break." He said, pointing his head to the ground. What can he DO? What should he do?
"Hong Li, do you believe me?"
"What a silly question, yes I do!"
Lingyu smiled slowly. "Then run with them to the cave as fast as you can. I will divert this animal's attention." Lingyu said as he placed Murong Meng's sword in Hong Li's hand. "Trust me, Li Er."
It was obvious that Hong Li wanted to resist. But she shook her head and took the sword he offered in her hands. Although she was no longer in the Wen Sect, she had been the Sixth Inner Disciple of the Jun Peak.
"Follow me, hold the barrier." Abandoning Lingyu, she ran screaming to the others.
"Now, you," Lingyu said coldly as he saw that the group had moved away from him considerably. "Xul'goth or someone, let's get this over with quickly," Lingyu said as he polished the spiritual energy that was raging throughout his body. He drew a sword from among the small, fine sparks of electricity in the air. Long and thin, hard as diamond, and sharp as glass.
"Let me give you a taste of Tianxing."
He quickly slashed the sword through the air and the spiritual wave that came out of it traveled towards the blurred figure in the sky above, raising a huge clash sound. One of the fangs broke, and the rain of blood seemed to slow down.
"Lord Xin, you are not wielding the Moonblade today," Xul'goth said coldly amid thunderous laughter.
Lingyu frowned.
Indeed, how does this monster know Xin?
"Stop that damn rain of yours and fight face-to-face!" Lingyu shouted, launching another attack. He had not the slightest idea how to get out of this domain. This is Xul'goth's inner domain, everything he wants will happen here, just as he wants. As a last resort, Lingyu only had his Fiery Wind domain left.
But controlling such a divine skill from Yu Lingyu's mortal body would only bring him death.
His apprentices were closer to the cave. And Shen Ming's barrier was slowly fading away.
"Whatever." Emptying his thoughts, Yu Lingyu summoned a storm.
Xul'goth's rain of blood was being diverted. As the storm grew stronger, Lingyu, on the other hand, became weaker.
But to this, there was no response from Xul'goth. It seemed that the loud roaring earth in the high sky was silent.
"Huh?" There were many holes in his clothes from the rain of blood, but his body was unharmed. After all, he was the son of the sun, the best physician in the heavens, the Sun God!
"Why did he go quiet all of a sudden?" Lingyu launched several more attacks, but there was no response. "Dead already? It can't be."
After waiting for another moment, he slowly walked towards the cave without any response.
This is not normal! The monster was definitely on to something. He even knew Moonblade, how the hell could this blood parasite know Xin?
"Are you alright?" As soon as he stepped into the cave, Hong Li burst out. Lingyu nodded slowly. "It didn't happen as much as I thought. He's quiet." He muttered, unable to tell whether his words were comfort or frustration.
"How are they?" Yu Lingyu asked, looking at those lying on the cold stone floor of the cave. A few ordinary people fared much better than the disciples of the Wen sect.
"That's Meng Shixiong's sword," Xu Jin said softly as she leaned against a cave wall. "Did he really send you?"
All of them had their eyes fixed on Lingyu like curious puppies.
Should he tell the truth? It will be more awkward and annoying. So, he chose to continue posing as Wen Jian.
"Two of yours are not here." Yu Lingyu asked, expecting an answer. Just knowing if San Jie and Luo Cheng are safe is enough.
"They kept San Xiong in a separate place, and Luo Xiong went looking for him." Duan Xia, who was covering her head with a cloth, muttered awkwardly. Every word she spoke was shaky.
"Are you alright?" Lingyu asked, getting closer to her.
"Your sect is responsible for all of this." Yu Yi said, slowly building up her strength. "Thank you for saving us. But it's all because of you." She said without even trying to stop the tears from rolling down her dusty cheeks. "Why do things like this?"
"Sorry," Hong Li said in a contrite tone.
"It's not your fault." Yu Lingyu said, patting her shoulder gently.
"No, it's my fault," she cried, falling to the ground. "All— I—I—I'm sorry! Please," she sobbed, bowing her forehead to the ground.
"Our brothers will not come back even if you ask for forgiveness," A disciple of Juyao said.
At the same time, Shen Ming collapsed lifelessly onto Li Wei's shoulder.
"Shen Xiong, are you alright?"
"Shen Ming???"
"Let me see," Yu Lingyu said frantically, rushing over to him. Shen Ming was seriously injured. Even in such a state, he was still pretending to be strong. The rainbow veil quickly depletes spiritual energy. But Shen Ming never let anyone to notice it. Almost every bone in his body was broken and he had lost a lot of blood.
As Shen Ming leaned against his body, Yu Lingyu gently touched his forehead. The soft azure spiritual energy that erupted from his fingers quickly entered Shen Ming. Yu Lingyu bit his lip. His spiritual energy was being consumed rapidly. Shen Ming's injuries were just as severe. As color slowly returned to his face, he shook and opened his eyes. There was no strength to stand up, and Shen Ming didn't need to stand up either. He was curled up against something warm. Clenching the hand on his chest, he wrapped his arms around it. Curled up on top of Yu Lingyu, he looked like a baby being cuddled by its mother.
A slight smile formed on Lingyu's face. Although outwardly belligerent, Shen Ming was actually sensitive. Using that much spiritual energy was not a waste. At least he was fine now.
"Ahem. Wen gongzi," Xu Jin said hesitantly.
She had never seen such a wonderful doctor before. If he could bring Shen Ming back to his former state, couldn't Duan Xia be treated as well?
"Please see Xia-er. I'm sorry for scolding you earlier."
Lingyu already knew that something was wrong with Duan Xia. She never removed the bloody cloth from her head. "Let me see." Leaning Shen Ming against the wall, Yu Lingyu moved closer to Duan Xia.
"Don't come near me, I- I'm fine." she moaned.
She didn't want an outsider to recognize her weakness. But Yu Lingyu did not listen to her. Kneeling beside her, he removed the cloth from her head against her reluctance.
His eyes widened. A long, bleeding wound on her face, barely missing her eye. Warm blood ran down his fingers as he placed his hand on her cheek.
He wanted to cry. After all, he was still useless. He once went to save all and lost all.
It was happening again. He really is a useless fool.
After treating Duan Xia, he also treated all the others who had severe injuries. His face was pale, and his lips were trembling. He walked shakily and fell on the wall without balance.
"Ah-Yu."
He extended his right hand and announced that he was fine.
"Are you really from the Lotus Sect?" Yu Yi asked. Yu Lingyu gave her no other answer as he smiled awkwardly.
"This is the blind point of that ugly beast's domain." Yu Yi said. No less could be expected from a top disciple in Juyao. She had already noticed that point.
"If we stay here, he can't attack us, even though this is his domain. However, being stuck here is just delaying death. Do you know a weakness of this animal?"
Her last words are to Hong Li.
Lying on the ground, Hong Li shook her head weakly. "I don't know much about him. But- but there's one thing. Xul'goth was born from a red lotus spirit. If we use a white lotus spirit, maybe- maybe there's a chance."
"Huh?"
"Red lotus and white lotus, like yin and yang. The red lotus represents Yin energy. So, if we use a white lotus spirit against Xul'goth, maybe we can stop him."
"How can one search for a White Lotus Spirit within this domain? There is no way it can be done." Yu Yi said disappointedly. "If Da Shixiong was there."
"Exactly. Where is Wu Shixiong and Yu Shixiong? Didn't they enter the domain with us?" Duan Xia asked.
Shen Ming smiled. "I don't know about Wu Shixiong, but I know where Yu Shixiong is." He woke up from his sleep and said sitting up straight. Yu Lingyu's eyes beside him were relieved. 'You're awake.' He seemed to say.
"Where? Where is Yu Shixiong? How do you know?"
"A bunch of idiots." He insulted Mo Dong's question. "You can't even recognize your shixiong's voice, but the plan is to catch the devil."
"Huh?"
"Am I wrong, Wen gongzi?" he asked looking at the pale young man beside him.
"Ah, this is not what I wanted." Muttering bitterly, he collapsed onto Shen Ming's shoulder.
Everyone seemed stunned for a moment.
"We-Wen Gongzi, Yu Shixiong??" Xu Jin appeared as a pale ghost.
"Wen Jian is the clownish poet?" Yu Yi also looked shocked.
"What the hell?"
"Yeah, if he's not Yu Shixiong, why is he trying so hard to make others better? As far as I know, only Yu Shixiong is stupid enough to help others without thinking about himself." Shen Ming said, leaning Yu Lingyu's head on his shoulder. He became suspicious when he met Wen Jian in the underground hall. Why is his voice so familiar?
It was confirmed to Shen Ming when he was treated in the cave. This person was indeed Yu Lingyu.
But this Yu Lingyu was very different from who he had once known.
His spiritual energy is high. Combat ability is also high. But why does he pretend to be a know-nothing fool?
At first, he felt ashamed. He is the one who said that the clownish poet is an ugly loser. But Yu Lingyu was completely on the other side of what he said.
"Wait a minute, why is he wearing a mask? He-he looks like an angel." Another Juyao girl said blushing.
"Wen Jian is Yu Shixiong, that means, did I scold Yu Shixiong?" Xu Jin, whose eyes were wide, looked desperate. "Oh, no. damn it" She screamed, hiding her face between her legs.
"And you, are you someone we know too?" Someone asked Hong Li. "Exactly, she called him Ah-Yu. Like people who knew each other well. How could I not recognize Yu Shixiong even with such a clear name?" Xu Jin's last words were to herself.
If San Jie said those words, Shen Ming would surely use them as an insult against him.
"I used to be a disciple of Jun Peak." Hong Li said slowly.
All were once again frozen.
"Lingyu and I have been best friends since childhood. However, I left the sect two years ago."
"Wait wait, are you that Hong Li? Hong Meng Li? Jun Peak's sixth inner disciple?" Yu Yi asked straightening up. Hong Li smiled slowly. "So, you are Hong Shijie, but – but what are you doing in the Lotus Sect?"
"Well, that really bothers me too." A voice came from the entrance of the cave as a cold wind blew. Three tall figures stood at the entrance.
"Da Shixiong!"