Another slash came down. With a clang, sparks flew everywhere. Lan Yudie, who should have been forced back by that strike, did not retreat. At some point, she had reversed her grip on a short blade, and it was that blade that blocked Lu Ye's attack.
Lu Ye hurriedly withdrew his saber and slashed again.
Lan Yudie snorted coldly. "Your opening is far too large!"
Her little fist shot out in a punch. Though Lu Ye saw it coming, he still could not guard against it. In his haste, a Defense Spirit Pattern appeared before his abdomen.
With a boom, Spiritual Power burst forth. The punch sent Lu Ye flying back seven or eight zhang. His stomach churned, and he could barely catch his breath.
Lan Yudie was astonished. "What was that?"
She had felt something shatter beneath her punch, but amid the fierce battle, she had not seen it clearly.
Before she could think further, Lu Ye, who had only just steadied himself, charged at her like a gale. Her vision was instantly filled with a blinding expanse of saber light.
Lan Yudie twisted aside to evade, her aura beginning to turn strange and ever-changing. She was even faster than before.
The constant clanging of steel rang out as the long saber and short blade collided, composing an unbroken nocturnal melody.
"Roar!" Amber suddenly pounced from behind Lan Yudie. It was as though the woman had eyes on the back of her head—she easily dodged, then kicked out, sending the powerfully built Amber tumbling through the air.
Yet while airborne, Amber whipped his long tail around like a long lash and struck at Lan Yudie. The blow caught her completely off guard. Gritting her teeth, she cried in a low voice, "What a fierce beast!"
She hastily retreated.
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