"Huff... huff..."
Jiang Chen took two ragged breaths, wiped the blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, and swept his gaze over the three Sacred Pillar Douluos before him.
Sea Illusion Douluo held a silver rapier, waiting for an opening like a venomous snake.
Sea Spear Douluo gripped a silver-white spear, blue light swirling around its tip.
Sea Dragon Douluo had already broken free of the Nine Heavens Dragon Soul and condensed a long blue blade of seawater in his hands, his gaze grave as he stared at Jiang Chen.
Even with their soul power suppressed to rank seventy-five, the three Titled Douluos remained formidable thanks to their Titled Douluo-level combat instincts.
Just then, something suddenly changed on the other side of the battlefield.
Zhu Zhuqing flew backward out of the melee, flipped twice in midair, and landed on one knee. Her left hand clutched her right shoulder, a trickle of blood seeping between her fingers.
"Zhuqing!"
Ning Rongrong cried out. The light of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda shifted, and a streak of emerald light was about to shoot forth.
But Ye Lingling was faster.
A pale blue light silently settled on Zhu Zhuqing's right shoulder. A gentle halo spread over the wound, which began healing at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Ye Lingling stood at the rear, her hands slightly raised. The phantom of the nine heart begonia slowly revolved behind her, a cool sheen flowing between its petals.
Zhu Zhuqing drew a deep breath. Her shoulder had stopped bleeding. She slowly stood, rolled her shoulder, and nodded to Ye Lingling.
"Thanks."
"Mm."
Ye Lingling answered softly.
Just then, Jiang Chen looked past the three Sacred Pillar Douluos at Zhu Zhuqing's bloodstained shoulder, his pupils contracting almost imperceptibly.
In that instant, the amusement vanished