Li stepped forward, placing herself in front of Xia Fan.
"I'll hold it off as long as I can."
In that instant, he understood what she meant.
Against Formless Reality and Illusion, an Immortal Art that balanced offense and defense, Li would have a hard time threatening the Evil Spirit. With that Sunflame Saber added to the equation, she barely even had the ability to resist. Buying time, so to speak, really meant trading her life for his chance to escape.
If she could hold it off for a dozen seconds or so, he might be able to cast another spell and punch through the barrier behind them.
But Li would never be able to come back.
Before an enemy with such a vast disparity in strength, she could not afford to hold anything back.
"Then you should know as well..." Xia Fan drew a deep breath and stepped out of the Fox Demon's protected area. "I won't leave you here alone."
"..." Li looked at him silently, then unexpectedly smiled. "Fine. Then we'll fight together."
This time, Xia Fan was the one taken aback. "I thought you'd try to talk me out of it a little more."
"Because I also know that I can't persuade you." Li turned back toward the Evil Spirit, baring her fangs. "Since that's the case, there's no need to waste energy on pointless things, is there?"
"That's right." Xia Fan calmly took out the Sound Transmission Device and called Chi's side. "Hello, can you hear me? Have the troops withdraw from the Sunrise Mountain area, as quickly as possible."
"Now?" Chi sounded rather surprised. "What's happening at the temple? And the Evil Spirit?"
"The Evil Spirit is still here. Li and I will cover the rear."
"Wait... What do you mean, cover the rear?"