We Came Too Late
Shang Chenzong's face was deathly pale. He coughed, and another mouthful of blood spilled from the corner of his lips. Forcing a faint smile, he said, "Senior Brother... don't waste your spiritual power... It's no use. I... I can't absorb any more..."
"No, don't talk. Hang on! There has to be a way to save you!" he shouted, not even realizing that his voice had grown choked with emotion.
Shang Chenzong gave a weak smile. He knew his condition better than anyone. After taking a blow from one of the Devil Race, he'd been struck by this sword as well. For someone who already had hidden injuries, the damage was fatal. "Senior Brother... don't waste your strength... I know I... I don't have much time left... These beasts of the Devil Race... they're not all dead yet... From now on... it's up to you..."
He was seized by another violent bout of coughing. Before Hong Liuyun could say another word, Shang Chenzong drew his final breath.
Xi Jing and the others watched from afar. The enemy blocked their way, leaving them no chance to say goodbye. They could only watch as their brother left them forever.
Their grief only hardened their resolve. They roared as they summoned nearly every last drop of spiritual power, all of them fighting as if they were willing to trade their lives for their enemies'.
Xi Jing drew a deep breath, his heart bitter with grief. He knew that if no reinforcements came, every one of them would die here—not just Shang Chenzong. That included the most outstanding young man of this generation of the Phoenix Clan.
The thought weighed on him so heavily that he could hardly breathe. All he could do was pin his last hope on his younger