"Hmph, courting death!" Xiao Chen's light flared as he prepared to leap across the ravine, only for a massive bird with wings sprouting from its back to suddenly swoop out from the shadows.
The creature, over ten feet tall, relied solely on brute strength rather than any spiritual intelligence. With a casual wave of his hand, Xiao Chen sent a sword energy slash flying, striking the bird and sending it plummeting to the ravine below. He spared its life, letting it flee with a terrified screech.
"What's this? How did that beast even get up here?" Xiao Chen's gaze sharpened. Infusing spiritual energy into his eyes, he caught sight of a hidden cave mouth obscured beneath dense vines.
"This place is well-concealed—ideal for hiding." Lifting his light, Xiao Chen approached the cave, parted the vines, and stepped inside with Li Xiaoyi in his arms.
He retrieved several talismans from his storage bag and infused them with energy before throwing them against the walls. The inscriptions glowed faintly as they spread across the cave's surface, dimming after a moment. Xiao Chen nodded in satisfaction. "This will suppress spiritual fluctuations and buy some time."
The cave extended about thirty feet deep, with a height of nearly ten feet. The entrance was damp and mossy, but deeper in, the air was dry. A stone platform covered in clean straw hinted at the previous occupant—the large bird from earlier.
Xiao Chen gently placed Li Xiaoyi on the straw. Her face was flushed, her body writhing slightly as she let out faint groans. Her delicate jawline appeared softer, her long hair cascading to her waist after her jade headband slipped loose. Every movement exuded an alluring charm.
Xiao Chen felt his mouth go dry, his pulse quickening as he averted his gaze in a panic. Forcing out a bitter laugh, he struggled to calm himself. Once steady, he swallowed a few recovery pills and sat cross-legged, channeling his spiritual energy.
Yet as he began refining the medicinal power, a formidable aura rapidly closed in. Xiao Chen's eyes snapped open, his expression turning grim.
Above the forest, Xuan Zhen's face darkened as his powerful late-Foundation Establishment spiritual sense swept through the area. Moments earlier, he'd lost track of Xiao Chen and Li Xiaoyi's traces.
"Damn it! That brat couldn't have gotten far carrying that little witch. They must be hiding here!" His sharp gaze scoured the ground, but he found nothing.
"Brat, I know you're nearby! When I find you, I'll grind your bones, extract your soul, and condemn you to eternal torment!" Xuan Zhen's furious voice boomed like thunder, startling beasts into fleeing in all directions.
In the cave, Xiao Chen allowed himself a small sigh of relief. Xuan Zhen hadn't discovered their location yet. Still, the venom in his tone made one thing clear: there would be no reconciliation. Xiao Chen's hope of outlasting the old man's patience evaporated.
"Old bastard, if you push me too far, let's see who kills whom!" Xiao Chen's eyes gleamed with murderous intent—only for his thoughts to scatter as something warm and soft pressed against his back.
Li Xiaoyi had unknowingly approached, her face flushed crimson, her breath hot and heavy against his neck. She clung to him tightly, her petite frame trembling.
With the disguise spell worn off, her true form was breathtaking. Her delicate shoulders and exposed collarbones were enticing, her thin scholar's robe in tatters. Beneath it, a moon-white silk undergarment faintly glimmered.
Xiao Chen's mind wavered as a primal heat surged within him. He tried to suppress it, but Li Xiaoyi's delicate murmurs and soft caresses made his self-control crumble.
"Give me… give me…" Her voice, laced with desperation, pulled him deeper into the haze of desire.
Before long, Xiao Chen's hand moved involuntarily to her chest, his restraint snapping entirely. He pulled her into his arms, kissing her deeply. A sweet, intoxicating warmth coursed through him as his hands roamed freely.
But just as his thoughts clouded completely, Xiao Chen abruptly froze.
He looked into her misty eyes, where a flicker of struggle and shame lingered. That sliver of clarity doused the flames of his desire.
"What am I doing?" He murmured, horrified. "She came to me because she trusted me. How could I betray that trust? If I continue, I'm no better than a beast!"
Gritting his teeth, he gently laid her down and retrieved a clean robe from his storage bag, carefully draping it over her. Breathing deeply, he pulled out a jade bottle, breaking its seal to release a wave of potent medicinal fragrance.
"Li Daoist, forgive me for any offense earlier. This pill is one I came across by chance. It can help clear the mind and ward off external influences. It should be of some use to you," Xiao Chen said, guilt weighing on his voice.
He assisted her in swallowing the Shama Pill, a rare ancient remedy he'd obtained during his adventures. Though invaluable, Xiao Chen didn't hesitate to use it.
As the medicine took effect, clarity returned to Li Xiaoyi's eyes. She glanced at Xiao Chen with a mix of emotions before closing her eyes to meditate and refine the pill's energy.
Xiao Chen awkwardly turned away, sitting cross-legged at a distance to focus on his own recovery.
Hours later, Xiao Chen opened his eyes, his expression tense. He could feel Xuan Zhen's overwhelming aura creeping closer. Across the cave, Li Xiaoyi had also awakened, their gazes meeting briefly before they both turned away, the air heavy with unspoken words.
Xiao Chen stood, his spiritual energy and consciousness mostly recovered. "He's closing in, inch by inch. The barriers I set up won't hold. I'll draw him away."
"Where are you going?" Li Xiaoyi's voice, clear and melodic, stopped him. She blushed the moment she spoke.
"I'll lure him out," Xiao Chen replied steadily. "Stay here and rest. If I don't return in three days, leave immediately." Without waiting for her response, he strode out of the cave.
Li Xiaoyi opened her mouth to speak but hesitated, her gaze lingering on his retreating figure with a mix of concern and gratitude.
Xuan Zhen hovered just above the forest canopy, his spiritual sense sweeping methodically. Four hours had passed since he lost the trail, and frustration gnawed at him.
"Could that brat have some treasure concealing their aura? Did they already escape beyond my reach?" His face twisted at the thought. If he failed, the Wanmo Sect's vengeance would be inescapable.
"Damn brat! If not for you meddling, I would've captured the little witch by now. My revenge would be complete, my lifespan extended, and my Foundation perfected!" Xuan Zhen's eyes blazed with hatred.
Suddenly, his spiritual sense caught a faint trace of movement. His face lit up with malice. "Got you, brat. This time, you're dead!"
Xuan Zhen streaked toward the source like a meteor.
Meanwhile, Xiao Chen had deliberately exposed a sliver of his aura while heading in the opposite direction from the cave. Amplifying his signal, he took off at full speed.
As expected, Xuan Zhen's presence flared in pursuit.
"He's faster than before!" Xiao Chen's heart sank. "What's driving him so hard?"
With no time to dwell, he slapped seven or eight Wind Talisman Seals onto his legs. His light streaked faster, yet the gap between them closed steadily.
Xuan Zhen was relentless, his late-Foundation Establishment speed unmatched, bearing down on Xiao Chen like an unstoppable storm.