"What on earth is happening?"
Watching the half-saint energy body that had been maniacally fleeing from her, Xun'er, who had been prepared to fight to the death, was filled with confusion.
"Just moments ago, before I activated my clan mark, he was fierce and threatening, ready to devour me. But as soon as I revealed my clan mark, he became so terrified. Could it be because..."
Xun'er gently touched the rainbow-colored clan mark on her forehead, and a realization began to dawn in her eyes.
In this Heavenly Tomb, only Gu Fei, like her, possessed the ancient clan's rainbow-colored mark. It seemed that what the enemy feared was the presence of Gu Fei, who also bore the same mark. That's why the energy body reacted with such terror upon seeing her mark.
"It seems that Brother Gu Fei unknowingly saved me once again..."
As she thought about this, a sweet and happy smile curved at the corners of Xun'er's mouth.
However, after this encounter with the half-saint energy body, she began to calm down. She realized that if she ventured deeper into the tomb, she might encounter even stronger energy bodies, possibly even those at the Dou Saint level.
Thus, she decided to turn back first and practice her skills against the nine-star Dou Venerate energy bodies.
---
Three days later, Xun'er arrived at a strange area filled with oddly-shaped rocks and sensed the waves of battle. Among the chaotic energies, she felt a familiar presence.
"It seems like Brother Qing Yang and the others are in trouble!"
Following the source of the battle, Xun'er's figure swiftly moved towards it.
---
At the top of a black mountain stood a figure wielding a ghost-head broadsword. This person was dressed in a dark red robe, his expression cold, with several knife scars on his face, exuding an aura of terrifying savagery.
"Not all living beings are strong after all!"
"Haha, it's been so many years since I've tasted the flesh and blood of the living..."
The crimson figure's blood-red eyes stared hungrily at the four people below- Gu Qing Yang, Gu Yao, Huo Zhi, and Huo Xuan- filled with bloodlust.
"Everyone, be careful!"
Gu Qing Yang gazed at the one who called himself the Blood Blade Saint, his eyes filled with apprehension. They had underestimated the difference between a Dou Venerate and a half-saint. Even with the four of them working together, they were struggling against a half-saint energy body.
"Overturning Land Seal!"
A brilliant energy light seal quickly formed in Gu Qing Yang's hand, then shot towards the Blood Blade Saint.
"Such a trivial technique!"
Seeing the approaching energy light seal, the Blood Blade Saint sneered, slashing twice through the air with his ghost-head broadsword. Two massive blade beams tore through the space, shattering the energy light seal and sending the residual blade energy hurtling towards Gu Qing Yang. He barely managed to evade it at the last moment.
"This guy is too fast. We can't fight separately. We need to join forces!"
Huo Zhi, whose strength was on par with Gu Qing Yang, suggested, urging the others to unite their powers against the enemy.
"Blood Blade Chaotic Wind Slash!"
Facing the combined assault of Gu Qing Yang and the others, the Blood Blade Saint launched a fierce counterattack. His feet stomped on the ground, and his body spun rapidly like a blood-red tornado, tearing the surrounding space into black holes...
"Boom! Boom!"
Ruthless blade energy shot out from the tornado like lightning, sending Gu Qing Yang and the others flying, their bodies crashing heavily into the surrounding rocks, which turned to powder under the force.
"Damn it, this guy is too strong- probably an advanced-level half-saint!"
Suppressing the blood rising in his throat, Gu Qing Yang spoke in a hoarse voice.
"We have to run!"
"But if we run, he'll pick us off one by one!"
Huo Zhi suggested a desperate fight to the death.
"Haha, you four must be geniuses outside to have made it this far. Devouring geniuses must be quite a treat!"
The Blood Blade Saint smiled bloodthirstily.
"Hmm? Another one?"
Suddenly, the Blood Blade Saint looked up at a certain spot in the sky behind them, his eyes even more excited.
"It's Xun'er... Xun'er, leave quickly! This is beyond you!"
Gu Qing Yang also sensed her presence and immediately urged her to retreat, not wanting her to risk herself for them.
But Xun'er couldn't just stand by while her clan members were in danger. More hands meant more strength.
"Xun'er, you shouldn't have come!"
Gu Yao also urged Xun'er to leave. Her insistence on coming despite the danger stirred up the old feelings he once had for her.
"Enough talking! Today, none of you will escape from my grasp!"
The Blood Blade Saint laughed loudly, raising his blood-stained ghost-head broadsword again.
"You're not a true Dou Saint yet!"
Xun'er retorted, releasing her Dou Qi, surrounded by golden flames. At the same time, the rainbow-colored mark on her forehead activated again, boosting her power.
"What is this?"
As Xun'er revealed her rainbow-colored mark, the Blood Blade Saint's raised blade suddenly froze. His hand holding the sword visibly trembled.
"That star of death- is he nearby?"
"Ah..."
Just like the half-saint energy body Xun'er encountered before, the Blood Blade Saint let out a terrified scream and quickly turned to flee.
"Strange, why did he suddenly run away?"
Huo Zhi's beautiful eyes were filled with surprise.
The others were equally puzzled. They could sense that the Blood Blade Saint seemed to have seen something terrifying. However, they didn't believe that it was Xun'er who had scared him off.
"Alright, it's over. That guy must have gone crazy from fear!"
Xun'er turned around, gently stroking the rainbow-colored mark on her forehead, smiling lightly as she spoke to the others.
"Wow, Miss Xun'er really deserves her reputation as someone with divine blood from the ancient clan. She didn't even have to fight, and she scared off a half-saint!"
Huo Xuan stood up, flattering Xun'er. After all, her appearance had just saved them all.
Hearing this, Xun'er couldn't help but show a proud smile, even glancing deliberately at Huo Zhi.
"Thank you so much, Miss Xun'er!"
Huo Zhi, who had clashed with Xun'er in the past, knew that she was showing off. But considering the life-saving grace, her gratitude was sincere.
"Xun'er, didn't you keep up with Brother Gu Fei?" Gu Qing Yang asked again.
"No, Brother Gu Fei should have reached the deeper parts of the third layer, where most of the energy bodies are very strong. I couldn't keep up."
"I hope Gu Fei stays safe!"
"We can only stay on the outskirts. If we encounter another powerful energy body like the one before, we won't always be this lucky!"
Gu Qing Yang glanced at the rainbow-colored mark on Xun'er's forehead, seemingly guessing something, and his words emphasized the word "lucky".