Pure and Holy, Deadly Crisis

The grueling training in Death Camp was still bearable for Qian Yuxi and the other two. They would only feel somewhat drained after it ended at night. But tonight was an exception—finishing early meant they could rest early.

This was the forest from their first training session. Every trainee carried a marker item. The instructors said it was to prepare them for future battles, when they would need to protect mission targets or seize treasures. Whoever grabbed the most won, and if the last person out had all their markers taken, the instructors would give them some special attention that night.

Qian Yuxi stood on a shadowed treetop, bowstring drawn as he searched for targets. Before long, five people entered his range.

"Brother Yuetian, Little Sister Tuoba, targets spotted."

"Received."

The treetops on either side rustled. Jin Yuetian charged out from the left first, letting out a low roar as he activated Martial Soul Possession. The leaves on the right stirred, and a pale white glow flew out, sinking into his body.

Golden Crocodile Scales!

Boom!

With one punch, the ground within thirty meters trembled. The five targets scattered after being caught off guard by Jin Yuetian's blow, and that was exactly Qian Yuxi's chance.

"Aurora, Split!"

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...

Five arrows brushed past the five people's necks. Qian Yuxi leaped down from the treetop and gave them a look. "Be sensible."

"Y-yes... Here, take them."

Having been wiped out in a single wave, the five-person team had no choice but to hand over their markers before they were allowed to leave.

After counting tonight's gains, Qian Yuxi's lips curled slightly. "That makes ten. Let's pull off one more big job, then turn in our report to the instructors."

"Your call, Captain." Jin Yuetian nodded, showing no objection.

Just after the Hour of the Pig, Qian Yuxi's little team had already completed seventeen targets. No one could possibly have more than them.

"Looks like we can rest half a shichen early tonight." Tuoba Yun stretched lazily, beaming with delight.

"Yeah, I can finally relax too..." Qian Yuxi smiled faintly and took out that bamboo flute, his eyes full of tenderness and love.

"Captain, what are you thinking about again?" Jin Yuetian asked in confusion.

Qian Yuxi froze for a moment, then shook his head with a faint smile. "Do you want to hear some music? Other than being a Soul Master, this is my only hobby."

"Huh? Really? Then hurry up and play, Captain." Tuoba Yun became interested as well. She had never seen Qian Yuxi acting so refined before.

Qian Yuxi nodded and looked south, softly replying, "Mm."

He then closed his eyes, raised the flute to his lips, and began to play gently. The melody was graceful and clear as spring water, seeming to cross through time and reach straight into the heart.

Her true face was elegant and beautiful, lying dormant in seclusion The Angel inherited the sacred realm, wielding her sword to uphold justice A palace coup, crisis, heavy cavalry, breaking through the lines Proud as you were, tasting defeat for the first time, turning to walk into wind and rain An absent childhood forged independence, strength, and beauty Rekindling resolve and effort, judging the aura of corruption Sacredness born from dark dawn, light and shadow giving rise to six wings The flaw in becoming a god concealed, an accidental meeting in haste A thousand armies thundered, attacking cities and claiming lands, crushing the universe beneath their feet Had pride not hesitated, how could you have narrowly lost to your destined foe? A fleeting chance in battle, a blood-stained fragment of feather All turned to ruins with Jialing Pass, while Rakshasa wept Ten Thousand Suns Soaring to Heaven shattered his godhood and fell, deserving pity Saving the suffering of all living beings, the Angel's faith endured The world treated her with pain, yet she answered it with gentleness Pure and holy, cold and beautiful, irresistible Kneeling in devotion, ever unwavering

(This is Xue'er's character song, "Pure and Holy," on Kugou.)

The music seemed to reveal all of Qian Yuxi's emotions—adoration, admiration, and pity...

Tuoba Yun's breathing gradually quickened. She had never heard anything so emotionally stirring before. The feelings contained within that song were simply too profound.

After Qian Yuxi finished playing, he gently stroked the flute's handle and lifted his eyes toward Tuoba Yun. His red lips parted slightly. "This is a piece I composed for someone. You are the first people to hear it."

Jin Yuetian and Tuoba Yun exchanged a glance. They had never seen their captain so deeply affectionate before. While playing just now, his expression had been so focused, so serious.

Clap, clap, clap...

Of course, this was the time for applause.

"Let's go back and report to the instructors." Qian Yuxi put away the bamboo flute and said with a light smile.

"Mm."

After the three left, a black figure appeared atop the tree where they had been. Eight spider legs extended outward, and the dark green in her pupils returned. Those eerie green eyes stared into the distance as though they could see through everything.

Ding!

Third Spirit Skill, Demon Spider Summon.

They had not taken the wrong route, but Qian Yuxi kept feeling that something was off. Not a single ten-year soul beast had appeared within his senses along the way. Instead, the scent lingering around his nose had become increasingly pungent.

"That is..." Qian Yuxi continued scanning the ground and finally noticed something unusual. It was a spider—not a soul beast, but a construct formed from Soul Power!

No matter how fast the three of them moved, they could always see shadows of spiders around them.

"Speed up, get out of here!" Qian Yuxi immediately loosed an arrow at one of the spiders, but it seemed to have anticipated his shot. Its speed suddenly increased, causing his arrow to miss.

"Captain, what happened?" Hearing the obvious panic in Qian Yuxi's voice, Jin Yuetian fled at full speed while still asking about the situation.

"Don't ask so much. Run!"

As Qian Yuxi spoke, Sacred Radiance Twin Wings unfolded behind him. His second soul ring flashed, splitting into seven arrows, yet only three spiders were killed.

"They're skill constructs!" No blood splattered after they were shot, confirming Qian Yuxi's suspicion.

A powerful Soul Master with a spider martial soul had targeted them, but he had not suspected Bibi Dong...

Aurora Domain!!

Golden light shone forth. Qian Yuxi called Jin Yuetian and Tuoba Yun into his domain as they continued fleeing. Yet that spiritual power seemed endless, and the three of them could not shake off the spiders no matter how fast they went.

"Captain, what do we do?" Jin Yuetian's expression changed as well. The distance between them and the Demon Spiders was steadily shrinking. They were getting closer and closer.

Qian Yuxi turned slightly, his pupils abruptly contracting. This time, he clearly saw a tall black silhouette speeding after them from the rear left treetop. Wherever she passed, Demon Spiders burst from the earth.

"Her target should be me..."

Qian Yuxi clenched his fists and said in a deep voice, "Yuetian, Yun Mei, go! I'll hold her back!"

"But, Captain..."

"That's an order!" Qian Yuxi shouted, his eyes fixed on the Black-Clad Woman chasing after them.

"...Yes, Captain. Hold on. We'll get the instructors to save you right away!"

Qian Yuxi sent the two away, then changed direction and waited where he stood.

Sure enough, when the Demon Spiders saw that he had stopped moving, they all halted as well, awaiting orders from the summoning Soul Master.

"Hehehe... Qian Daoliu's god-grandson. I didn't expect you to be so unafraid of death that you'd dare face me alone."

Bang, bang...

A web spread open in midair, draping itself between the trees. Eight spider legs moved slowly across it as Bibi Dong's figure emerged from the darkness, seven soul rings rising and falling around her.

"How did you escape?!" Qian Yuxi demanded.

Bibi Dong sneered. "A dead man doesn't need to know so much."

Spiritual power at least ten times greater than Qian Yuxi's spread outward. Bibi Dong's senses sealed off an area two hundred meters around them, but her gaze paused briefly beneath the tree where they stood.

Below them was a little girl holding a dark red short sword. Perhaps because of Bibi Dong's pressure, her legs trembled without stop. Even so, she did not retreat. Bibi Dong also caught the most obvious emotion within her—hatred.