A Costly Victory

"If this keeps up, we're all going to die here today!"

Qin Jue forcibly suppressed the surging qi and blood, planting his long sword on the ground to support his unsteady body.

The Void Clarity Sword Heart in his mind spun rapidly, allowing him to remain calm even at this life-or-death moment.

Meeting him head-on was no different from throwing an egg against a rock! As for running? Their opponent was several minor realms above them, and far faster. Turning to flee would mean exposing their backs completely to his attacks. They would only die faster!

Their only chance of survival was to break through the protective blood qi swirling around the Blood Melting Realm warrior!

"The Blood Melting Realm... isn't invincible!" Qin Jue fixed his gaze on Meng Kuang. The protective blood qi around him looked seamless, but in Qin Jue's eyes, it wasn't unbreakable.

"He's releasing his blood qi. It looks fierce, but the power is spread out, so there has to be a limit! As long as the three of us focus our strength on a single point and unleash a supreme strike that surpasses that limit in an instant, we can tear a hole through it!"

The idea was nearly insane.

It was a desperate gamble!

A gamble on whether the three of them could unleash potential beyond their limits in this desperate situation!

A gamble on whether that madman would give them the fleeting chance they needed!

At that thought, killing intent blazed in Qin Jue's eyes!

"Dare to fight to the death?"

Qin Jue didn't turn around. His voice was hoarse.

"Cough, cough..." Tang Xiaoman spat out a mouthful of blood and struggled to get up, but his strength failed him. "I'm not dead yet... That bastard's shell is way too hard..."

On the other side, Pei Qingyan leaned on his saber, his body swaying unsteadily, yet his eyes remained sharp!

"I can still swing it," he rasped.

"Good."

"Listen. We only get one chance."

"Tang Xiaoman, use your strongest move. No matter the cost, keep him occupied for three breaths! Just three!"

"Brother Pei, build up your strength! Strike with the strongest slash of your life. Hold nothing back! Wait for my signal!"

Tang Xiaoman froze at his words, then gave a bitter laugh.

"Three breaths? Heh... You really think highly of me... You're asking me to give up my life..."

He murmured under his breath, madness the only thing left in his eyes.

"...Fine! I'll... take that bet!!"

Pei Qingyan fell silent for a moment before rasping, "Three breaths... will be enough."

"Hm?"

Meng Kuang seemed to sense something. He stopped and eyed the three prey who had suddenly grown "quiet."

"What? Come to your senses? Ready to kneel and beg for mercy?"

At his words, Tang Xiaoman clenched his teeth and let out a hysterical roar!

"Keep dreaming! I'll... fight you to the death!!!"

Boom!!!

Blood-red mist, far more violent than before, burst from Tang Xiaoman's body!

Blood Boil, second layer—Life-Burning!

This was a forbidden art that truly burned one's life essence! Once used, it would leave the practitioner severely weakened, and could even shorten his lifespan!

Under the force of this power, Tang Xiaoman's already gravely wounded body miraculously sprang off the ground! His skin turned as red as iron in a forge, and his eyes were bloodshot.

"Don't you dare look down on me!!!"

He abandoned all thought of defense and drove off with both legs!

"Boom—!"

The ground split apart, sending rocks flying! Tang Xiaoman shot toward Meng Kuang like a blood-red cannonball, trailing a violent rush of air as he closed in instantly!

"Die... for me!!!"

Tang Xiaoman raised his right leg high like a battle-ax. Wreathed in the terrifying power he'd gained by burning his life, he brought it down in a kick that could split a mountain, aiming straight for Meng Kuang!

"You're asking for death!"

A flash of irritation crossed Meng Kuang's eyes. He hadn't expected this "ant" to be so troublesome, still struggling even with death at his doorstep.

"If you want to die, I'll grant your wish!"

Meng Kuang sneered. His qi and blood surged like a mighty river, pouring into his palm. The armored hand turned blood-red in an instant, and a blurred crimson palm print appeared in its center. With a wave of scorching air, he slammed it down!

Boom—!

Palm and leg collided. Tang Xiaoman felt a scorching, overbearing force of qi and blood surge brutally through his leg bone and into his body.

"Pfft!"

He spat out a mouthful of blood. The blow struck him like a heavy hammer, smashing him into the dirt.

But he gritted his teeth and clamped both hands around Meng Kuang's calf like iron pincers, then roared with every last bit of strength he had:

"Do... it!!!"

"Fool!" Meng Kuang roared in fury. He was about to stomp the ant's head to pieces when a chill made his heart lurch!

Now!

Pei Qingyan moved!

He gripped his saber with both hands and raised it over his head. At that moment, his essence, qi, and spirit fused completely, and he poured every ounce of his strength into the strike!

"Severing the Current... is more than severing a stream..."

Pei Qingyan's mind was utterly clear. For an instant, the line between life and death blurred.

A saber wielder was born by the saber and died by the saber!

This strike was everything Pei Qingyan was!

"With this broken body, I offer my saber!"

The faint frost on the blade suddenly crystallized into pale ice. A terrifying saber force, cold enough to freeze the marrow, erupted with a roar!

"Sever—The Current!!!"

With a furious shout, a pale blade arc cleaved through the sky. The air itself seemed to freeze wherever its edge passed!

"What?!"

Alarms blared in Meng Kuang's mind. This strike's power had actually made him feel threatened!

He couldn't spare a thought for Tang Xiaoman at his feet. With a roar, he sent the qi and blood in his body surging wildly and thrust out both palms, the force of his blood qi rising like a raging tide as he clapped them against the descending blade!

"Boom—!!!!!"

The blade crashed into his armored fists! Terrifying blood qi burst in every direction. Cracks spread across the long saber in Pei Qingyan's hands, and he was sent flying again.

But this time, Meng Kuang retreated!

The strike forced him back half a step, and deep cracks appeared across the armor on both his arms. A trickle of blood ran down his forearm.

"You... are all going to die!!!"

Meng Kuang was consumed with rage and was about to unleash a killing spree when he suddenly felt a chill at his back!

The scent of death!

Qin Jue!

At some point, he had appeared behind Meng Kuang's flank, his Cold Iron Sword soundless in his hand.

Cicada Wing, second form—Thousand Threads!!!

The sword-light was as fine as a thread, aiming straight for Meng Kuang's throat!

The strike was blindingly fast—and utterly ruthless!

Meng Kuang's pupils contracted. At this life-or-death instant, the instincts of a Blood Melting Realm expert gave him only one possible response—

He jerked his neck back and desperately twisted to the side!

"Shhk—!"

The blade sank into flesh!

Blood sprayed!

Meng Kuang let out a shrill scream and staggered back several steps, clutching his throat. A deep gash, nearly down to the bone, had been carved into the side of his neck, and blood poured from it!

The blade had missed by barely half an inch. A little farther, and it would have severed his carotid artery and taken his life!

"Ahhh! My neck!!"

Meng Kuang clutched his wound in terror. The massive blood loss made his head spin. He stared at the three men before him, all covered in blood and teetering on their feet, yet glaring at him with the ferocity of wolves. For the first time, a chill rose in his heart.

Those three... were lunatics!

They were only in the Jade Bone Realm, yet they had nearly killed a Blood Melting Realm expert like him!

Qin Jue's entire right arm throbbed with pain. He could barely keep hold of his sword, but he forced himself to stand and stared coldly at Meng Kuang, striking a pose as if ready to attack again.

He was gambling that Meng Kuang valued his life!

Meng Kuang glared at Qin Jue. The wound on his neck was too deep. If he didn't get treatment soon, he could bleed to death. Worse, this brat's Sword Qi was extremely strange, actually hindering the wound from healing.

If they kept fighting... even if he killed all three, he might lose his own life in the process.

They weren't worth it!

"Fine! Very well!"

Meng Kuang ground his teeth. "You three little bastards, I'll remember this! Next time we meet, I'll rip out your tendons, peel off your skin, and grind your bones to dust!!!"

With that, he didn't dare linger. He shot the three a venomous glare, then darted away, clutching his neck as he crashed through the nearby bushes and fled at top speed into the depths of the forest.

"Lord Meng! Lord Meng, take me with you!"

Seeing what happened, Liu Yun, who had been cowering behind them the whole time, was scared out of his wits. Even Venerable Meng, a Blood Melting Realm expert, had been driven off. If he stayed here, was there any chance he'd survive?

He let out a panicked cry, struggled to his feet, and staggered after Meng Kuang.

"Trying to run?"

A cold gleam flashed in Qin Jue's eyes.

There was nothing he could do about Meng Kuang getting away, but if they let the true culprit escape too, wouldn't all their injuries have been for nothing?

"Leave your life behind!"

Qin Jue forced out a final breath of strength and flung the Cold Iron Sword from his hand. It became a streak of light, stabbing straight toward Liu Yun's back!

"Pfft!"

The sword pierced through Liu Yun's chest and pinned him hard to the ground!

Liu Yun's body stiffened, shock and despair in his eyes. Then he slumped helplessly and breathed his last.

Only then did this brutal battle finally come to an end.

"Phew..."

When Qin Jue saw that Meng Kuang had truly left, the tension in his body finally eased. His legs gave way, and he collapsed onto the ground.

"Damn... That monster... was so tough..."

Not far away, Tang Xiaoman lay down too, sprawled in the rocks with his limbs spread wide. There wasn't an uninjured patch on his body, yet he still grinned foolishly. "But... we actually drove off a Blood Melting Realm expert... I can brag about this... for the rest of my life..."

Pei Qingyan leaned against the rock wall. He didn't speak, but his fingers trembled slightly, clearly betraying his inner turmoil.

"That strike... was powerful."

Pei Qingyan suddenly spoke. He looked at Qin Jue, his pale face earnest.

Qin Jue glanced at the nearby saber, its blade cracked, and nodded solemnly. "Your saber was powerful too."

"Brother Qin, don't... don't just sit there."

Tang Xiaoman struggled to raise a hand and pointed around. "While no one's here... hurry up! Shen Yutang was dressed like a peacock, so he's bound to be carrying plenty of valuables! And don't spare that bastard Liu Yun either!"

To martial artists, resources were life itself! They'd suffered terribly in this battle. Without any spoils, it would all have been for nothing.

"You..." Qin Jue shook his head helplessly, but Tang Xiaoman had a point. They shouldn't stay here.

He forced himself to his feet, enduring the agony all over his body.

He went to Shen Yutang's corpse and searched it. Sure enough, he found a heavy money pouch at his waist. When he opened it, it was full of Gold Notes in large denominations—at least twenty by his count.

"Tsk. No wonder he was in the medicinal herbs business. He was loaded." Qin Jue pocketed the money and stripped the valuables from the guards nearby as well.

After finishing with the guards, Qin Jue turned his gaze to Liu Yun's corpse.

As a collateral branch member of the Ning Family, this fellow was the real "fat sheep."

Besides a few Gold Notes, Qin Jue found an exquisite jade bottle in an inner pocket of Liu Yun's clothes.

He pulled out the stopper, and a rich medicinal fragrance immediately spread through the air.

"Vitality Blood Dew?!"

Tang Xiaoman had a keen nose. His eyes lit up at the scent. "I knew it! He practiced the Blood Burning Sword, a martial art that hurts the enemy by a thousand and himself by eight hundred. He must've been carrying medicine to restore his qi and blood! Looks like we're the ones who get to enjoy it now!"

"Just what we need to heal."

Qin Jue gently shook the jade bottle. The blood dew inside was a rich red, made from fifty-year-old spirit herbs, and of exceptional quality.

For the three of them, after they had just drained their qi and blood, it was a timely gift in their hour of need.

"We came out ahead... Way ahead!" Tang Xiaoman trembled with excitement.

"We shouldn't stay here. Let's find somewhere to treat our wounds."

Qin Jue put away the bottle, bundled up the spoils, and slung them over his shoulder. He went over and propped Tang Xiaoman up with one arm. On the other side, Pei Qingyan managed to stand, leaning on his saber.

The three of them supported one another as they staggered deeper into the Chaos Stone Forest, finding shelter in a hidden crevice in the rocks.

Inside the crevice, the three sat cross-legged, their heavy breaths rising and falling. As the medicine took effect, gentle warmth flowed through their limbs and bones, nourishing their nearly depleted bodies.

"Now that's better..."

Leaning against the stone wall, Tang Xiaoman grimaced as he treated his wounds, counting the Gold Notes they'd just divided up and grinning from ear to ear. "Vitality Blood Dew, plus this windfall... These injuries were worth it!"

Pei Qingyan lowered his head and wiped [Frost Scar], his expression complicated.

Qin Jue leaned against the outermost wall, silently circulating his cultivation method to refine the medicine and feeling his strength return, little by little. They'd only joined forces by chance, but these two were rather interesting.

"Let's properly introduce ourselves."

Tang Xiaoman suddenly stopped what he was doing. He dropped his usual flippant manner and gave Qin Jue a solemn fist-and-palm salute.

"Hunter King Hall, Bronze Hunter, Tang Xiaoman."

Pei Qingyan, sitting not far away, paused. He returned his damaged saber to its sheath and, though still wearing a cold expression, turned and nodded slightly to Qin Jue.

"Hunter King Hall Iron Token, Pei Qingyan."

It was a sign of recognition.

In the world of martial artists, only the strong were worthy of having their companions give their names.

At Qin Jue's words, he turned around and solemnly returned the salute with clasped fists to the two companions who had just crawled back from the gates of hell alongside him. His voice rang clear.

"Qingcang Academy, Qin Jue."

"Qin?" Tang Xiaoman's eyes shifted. "Brother, could you be from the Qin Family?"

He looked Qin Jue up and down. "That doesn't seem right. The Qin Family is considered a middle-ranking lineage in Skywind Martial City, with a solid foundation. Why do you look so..."

He paused, leaving the rest unsaid.

Qin Jue didn't mind. "Though my surname is Qin, I'm only a collateral relative of the Second Branch. My birth mother died early, and my stepmother runs the household. Naturally, the resources don't go to me."

Tang Xiaoman froze, suddenly at a loss for words. Silence settled over the crack in the rock, broken only by the three men's heavy breathing.

Pei Qingyan also silently glanced at Qin Jue. He said nothing, but there was a little more respect in his eyes.

"All right, we've exchanged names and gotten acquainted."

Tang Xiaoman couldn't keep up his solemn expression for even three breaths. He immediately reverted to his usual self, grinning. "Then we've been through life and death together, Qin Jue. If we run into another 'fat sheep' like that, remember to give each other a heads-up!"

Pei Qingyan's eye twitched. He said coldly, "If the 'fat sheep' you're talking about are all this tough, you'd better pray your life is as tough next time as it was today."

"Hey! How come you talk more venomously than a blade? Qin Jue, you be the judge!"

"If there's a Gold Note in it, I wouldn't be opposed."

"Hahahaha! See? Now that's a man after my own heart, Qin Jue!"

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