Huff—
Ji Changfeng exhaled softly, his breaths uneven.
Two consecutive full-power strikes had nearly drained his spiritual energy, leaving his body on the verge of exhaustion.
At that moment, he felt a soft, delicate figure press against him.
"Senior Brother Ji, are you alright?" Lu Xueqi's cool voice carried a trace of concern.
She moved to his side, her hand gently supporting his arm, her slender frame offering him a place to rest.
"I'm fine," Ji Changfeng said, shaking his head lightly.
It was merely a matter of depleted spiritual energy, leaving him physically spent but otherwise unharmed.
Seeing this, Lu Xueqi let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Qi Hao, standing nearby, also relaxed, but his expression soon clouded with worry as he gazed into the distance, where Zhang Xiaofan's figure had long vanished.
"Junior Brother Ji, what about Junior Brother Zhang…?"
"He'll be fine," Ji Changfeng reassured with a wave of his hand.
He hadn't anticipated the Black Water Serpent's sudden counterattack. Truly worthy of an ancient beast.
Huff—
Ji Changfeng exhaled again, leaning into Lu Xueqi's embrace. His gaze drifted downward.
Below, the Black Water Serpent reared its massive body, its pale golden eyes glaring at them with unmistakable ferocity.
It was helpless.
It couldn't fly.
Otherwise, it wouldn't be at such a disadvantage.
Hiss—
The serpent let out a resentful hiss.
With a final, unwilling glance at Ji Changfeng and the others, it turned and slithered back into the depths of the Heartless Sea, vanishing from sight.
"Yao'er!" You Ji's voice trembled with urgency.
She didn't dare descend immediately, wary of the serpent's potential ambush from some hidden corner.
The group lingered in the air for nearly half an hour, ensuring the serpent was truly gone before cautiously descending to the surface of the Heartless Sea.
Whoosh—
The moment they landed, You Ji fixed Ji Changfeng with an icy stare.
Lu Xueqi and Qi Hao instinctively summoned their treasures, eyeing her warily.
"Hmph," You Ji snorted, her voice cool but tinged with an unreadable emotion. "Since you saved Yao'er just now, I'll spare your life this time."
Ji Changfeng gave a faint smile.
Spare my life?
Really?
Does she truly think I'm powerless right now?
Though his spiritual energy was low, dealing with You Ji would still be well within his capabilities.
Besides, he should be the one saying that. During their earlier clash, hadn't he held back time and again?
Ji Changfeng's gaze turned teasing as he looked at You Ji.
"Hmph!" You Ji caught the mockery in his expression and let out another indignant snort, feeling her pride take a hit.
She knew he had gone easy on her.
But what could she do?
Admit defeat?
Absolutely not.
A flicker of embarrassed anger flashed in her cold eyes. She shot Ji Changfeng a fierce glare, as if to say, I'm letting you off this time! Then, she turned and strode away, heading in the direction where Bi Yao had vanished.
"Let's go," Ji Changfeng said calmly. "We need to find Xiaofan."
"Alright," Lu Xueqi and Qi Hao nodded.
If all went as expected, Zhang Xiaofan had likely ended up in the Blood-Dripping Cave.
The question was… could they find it?
The Depths of the Heartless Sea, Blood-Dripping Cave
Zhang Xiaofan stirred groggily from unconsciousness. As he opened his eyes, he found himself enveloped in darkness.
"You're awake?" a calm voice echoed nearby.
"Who's there?!" Zhang Xiaofan snapped to attention, the voice striking him as oddly familiar.
As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he spotted a figure in the corner.
Clad in green, she sat with her arms wrapped around her knees, staring blankly ahead as if lost in a trance.
"It's you?" Zhang Xiaofan cautiously groped around, relaxing slightly when his hand found the familiar weight of his fire stick.
Bi Yao didn't glance at him.
Her gaze remained fixed on the sealed cave entrance, her mind seemingly haunted by some painful memory.
She said nothing for a long while.
Then, unbidden, the image of the white-robed figure who had risked everything to save her flashed through her mind.
"Hey, what's your name?" Bi Yao asked, turning to Zhang Xiaofan.
In truth, she wasn't interested in his name. She wanted to know more about the Qingyun disciple named Ji Changfeng, but for now, Zhang Xiaofan was her only source of information.
Zhang Xiaofan remained guarded, ignoring her question as he scanned their surroundings.
Bi Yao understood his wariness and said calmly, "Give it up. This cave is completely sealed. We can't get out."
Zhang Xiaofan opened his mouth to protest but stopped when he saw the cave entrance, indeed blocked solid.
He slumped to the ground in silence.
Yet, he wasn't afraid.
Seventh Senior Brother will come for me.
"You don't seem scared," Bi Yao observed.
Zhang Xiaofan shook his head. "Seventh Senior Brother will save me."
"Heh," Bi Yao scoffed. A sealed cave like this? Who could possibly rescue them?
She considered mocking him but stopped as the image of that white-robed figure resurfaced in her mind.
Maybe… he really will come.
Bi Yao fell silent for a moment before asking, "Is your Seventh Senior Brother named Ji Changfeng?"
"How do you know?" Zhang Xiaofan asked, surprised.
Bi Yao ignored his question and pressed on. "Which branch of Qingyun Sect are you from?"
"None of your business," Zhang Xiaofan retorted, clamming up.
But her next words gave him pause.
"Why wouldn't it be my business? He saved me from the Black Water Serpent. Can't I at least learn something about my savior?"
Bi Yao's tone was bold and unapologetic.
"Oh…" Zhang Xiaofan hesitated before answering, "Seventh Senior Brother and I are from Dazhu Peak."
"Dazhu Peak?" Bi Yao murmured thoughtfully.
"And?"
"And what?"
"What kind of person is Ji Changfeng?"
"Seventh Senior Brother is a great person. He's helped me a lot—taught me cultivation, guided me in how to conduct myself, and told me…"
Their voices echoed softly in the Blood-Dripping Cave.
One spoke slowly, the other listened intently.
Every word they exchanged revolved around three words: Ji Changfeng.
The conversation lulled.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Bi Yao asked softly.
She turned to find Zhang Xiaofan fast asleep.
"Heh, such a carefree heart," she muttered, shaking her head.
"You don't really believe Ji Changfeng can save you, do you?"
Bi Yao leaned against the cave wall, quietly awaiting death.
Yes, she believed her fate was sealed.
Who could save her now?
Her gaze drifted aimlessly to the cave entrance.
Whoosh—
Suddenly, she noticed the massive boulder at the entrance tremble slightly.
Someone's outside?!
A spark of hope ignited in Bi Yao's eyes. She shot to her feet, staring intently at the entrance.
Boom!
The cave collapsed.
A faint ray of light pierced the darkness.
Bi Yao paid no mind to the light, for her eyes were fixed on something else—
A white-robed figure.
___
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