Someone was dead. It was the first person she had
As her killing intent subsided, Jian Xiaolou's body loosened, losing its rigidity like a collapsed pile of mud. Exhausted, she slumped to the ground, her limbs trembling as she rubbed her sore wrists. When her emotions finally settled, she glanced at Yuan Feiyu's corps
Moments later, she found herself turning her head mechanically back
Beads of cold sweat began to form on her forehead.
God, I actually killed someone...
Isn't it abnormal to stay with death so calmly without any fear or fear?
Could it be that she was born a murderer at heart, so God wanted to curse her?
No, no, no, it must have been the cultivation world where everyone was getting lunch boxes that led her astray...
With a bitter grimace, Jian Xiaolou pulled herself up. The immediate crisis wasn't over. The barrier Yuan Feiyu had set was weakening with his death, and Yu Xinrong and Gao Zhan were still waiting below the
She genuinely wanted to kill Yu Xinrong, but she wasn't delusional enough to think she could pull it off right now. Revenge could wait ten years, but not dying now was the top priority.
Jian Xiaolou stood inside the weakening barrier, racking her brain. The moment she left the protected area, Yu Xinrong would sense her presence. She rummaged through her storage pouch, turning it upside down, but couldn't even find an invisibility talisman.
What to do?
Meanwhile, Yu Xinrong and Gao Zhan were clueless about what had transpired inside the cave. A half-hour had passed, and Yu Xinrong was growing impatient. Yet, despite her ruthless nature, she was still a woman and couldn't bring herself to barge in and hurry Yuan Feiyu. She was, however, quite curious—Yuan Feiyu had looked utterly spent, but he was apparently capable.
Come to think of it, she herself hadn't tasted the pleasures of a man for a long while…
Gao Zhan glanced at her, disgusted as he noticed a blush spreading across her face. Yu Xinrong wasn't a celestial beauty—she was reasonably attractive, but her dark heart made her repulsive to the core.
"Go check on him," Yu Xinrong ordered.
"Why don't you?" Gao Zhan shot back.
Yu Xinrong frowned but didn't press him further, thinking how annoying his fake righteousness was.
Dusk was falling, and shadows thickened in the canyon. Massive, sword-like stones jutted skyward, and distant beastly roars echoed, making one's scalp tingle with unease.
When Yuan Feiyu still hadn't emerged, and a faint whiff of blood reached them, both of them exchanged wary glances. Leaping across several stones, they landed outside the cave, only to be confronted by a shocking sight.
Jian Xiaolou stood stiffly within the cave, her hair disheveled, her face pale, hands clasped behind her back. Blood had soaked her green dress, staining it crimson, though her chest wound had already healed, leaving dark scabs.
At her feet lay Yuan Feiyu's lifeless body.
"You... you killed Yuan Feiyu?" they stammered in disbelief.
How was this possible?
Yu Xinrong couldn't believe her eyes. She knew how powerful that attack had been.
"Who else but me?" Jian Xiaolou forced a calm facade, though her legs were trembling. She took a breath, steadying herself, and suddenly, a playful grin appeared. With a flick of her wrists, she hurled two red spheres, each the size of a fist, at the two.
"Take this!"
Panicked, they instinctively struck out, but the spheres exploded mid-air with no real force, showering them with a sticky, crimson liquid.
Blood.
Jian Xiaolou crushed a thousand-mile teleportation talisman and bolted. "Yu Shijie, you wanted my heart's blood, didn't you? You should've just asked nicely! I'd give you a few bowls for a decent price—why the need to kill me?"
Yu Xinrong was livid and about to chase after her when Gao Zhan shouted, "Wait! Something's wrong!"
A soft cry echoed. "Squeak, squeak."
No need to turn around; Yu Xinrong felt a crushing force descend like a mountain.
Damn it!
Jian Xiaolou hadn't lied. It really was her heart's blood, and it had attracted a third-rank demon beast!
Gao Zhan was losing his mind. How could she still be alive and kicking after losing so much blood?
Yet, seeing her cunningly lead the danger away, he felt a surge of relief. If only time could reverse, he would've stayed out of this. His resolve wavered; any more of this, and his Dao heart might really shatter.
No time to think—run!
Before the fox demon locked onto them, Yu Xinrong and Gao Zhan sped off, using every skill at their disposal.
Only then did Jian Xiaolou realize her physical resilience. Her recovery rate was exceptional, more dog-like than human. At least she wouldn't die so easily. Maybe she couldn't be a strong offensive cultivator, but she could at least serve as a solid tank.
But her blood loss made her dizzy, vision doubling as she stumbled along a mountain path. She had no idea where the fox demon was chasing.
Just then, a shadow appeared. "Caw!"
A black figure materialized, and she stopped in her tracks, both surprised and relieved. "Xiao Hei, you came?"
"Who hurt you like this?" a voice demanded.
Zhantian Xiang approached swiftly, his pupils narrowing at the sight of Jian Xiaolou, who looked like a ghost from a bloodbath.
Jian Xiaolou felt a bit safer. With him here, she wasn't afraid of Yu Xinrong. "We can talk later! There's a fox demon nearby. We need to leave!"
He fed her a pill and scooped her up. "Leave? In your state, how?"
She blinked. Being princess-carried by a woman felt… strange.
"A third-rank demon beast? Here in Mount Qiu Long?" He scanned the surroundings with his divine sense but found nothing. "Was it the demon that hurt you? Why do you have sword wounds?"
"Yu Xinrong from the inner sect..." Jian Xiaolou briefly recounted the events, omitting her secret about killing restrictions. Some truths were better left buried. "Good thing I trained my body since childhood, or I'd be dead. Big Legs, be careful if you come here alone."
Zhantian Xiang silently prayed for Yu Xinrong and Gao Zhan's safety.
Suddenly, Xiao Hei cawed again, circling around them.
Zhantian Xiang frowned. "We're in trouble. It has found us."
It felt like being doused with icy water. Jian Xiaolou gritted her teeth. "Put me down."
"What for?" he asked.
"Run that way," she pointed east. "It's after me."
Zhantian Xiang complied, lowering her gently.
Jian Xiaolou's heart sank, but she was still grateful. "Go. Don't look back. I've never tried outrunning a third-rank demon, but I'll manage. See you at the cave."
"Fine, stop nagging."
Only then did he notice his blood-stained clothes, his disgust clear.
Jian Xiaolou nearly fainted. Even now, his cleanliness obsession persisted.
A fierce wind picked up, trees bowing under the pressure. The fox demon was close.
With her sword shattered, Jian Xiaolou summoned earth shields, but the beast's aura shattered them. She dashed off.
Zhantian Xiang didn't retreat. He drew a long, ornate silver spear, a white dragon motif glimmering on the shaft. In a flash, his true male form emerged, unleashing his suppressed peak Foundation Establishment power. Light rippled from the spear, surrounding him in layers of protection. His spirit armor shimmered, soul crystals embedded in the battle gear.
Energy roared around him as he attacked.
The fox demon, poised to chase Jian Xiaolou, was forced back by the spear's power. Enraged, it turned on Zhantian Xiang.
Jian Xiaolou, feeling the waves of energy from afar, realized he'd drawn the demon's attention. Had he… always been this powerful?
She cursed, realizing he had even disguised his gender.