Ao Hui's expression darkened as he came to his senses. Things were different now. He was far stronger than he'd been when he first met Zhou Qingran, and he no longer needed to fear that sword!
That was what he told himself, but he still didn't go near Zhou Qingran.
He was wary!
He'd only crossed paths with that sword and hadn't had a chance to figure out its grade. He couldn't gauge its true strength.
But wariness wasn't fear.
Even if that sword's grade was terrifyingly high, it had no room to act here. This was the battlefield of the Immortal Emperor War, not a place for a wild brawl with an overpowered weapon.
It had only struck him before because he'd entered Zhou Qingran's body and disturbed her. As long as he didn't provoke the sword, nothing would happen. It wouldn't attack him on its own.
After all, so many eyes were watching.
If that sword dared to strike first, it would be breaking the rules!
Ao Hui's expression returned to normal. He looked away from Zhou Qingran and fixed his gaze on Xia Qiuer. "Did you let me capture you on purpose?"
Xia Qiuer nodded. "You were on your guard against me. The only way to carry out my plan was to make you lower your defenses. Letting you capture me was the best way to do that."
"Keeping me under your nose would put you at ease—and make you all the more reckless."
Her words made Ao Hui's gaze grow darker and darker. "You think you can threaten me as you are now? Or do you think that because you cultivate the Mortal Dao, I wouldn't dare kill you?"
Xia Qiuer met Ao Hui's gaze calmly. "One person's strength has its limits. But I'm not alone."