Escape

With their previous experience working together, the four of them displayed even greater synergy this time.

Li Xiaoyu's swordsmanship was steady and heavy; with a single strike, he could cleave a massive tentacle right down the middle.

Lu Xueqi's Tianya divine sword was cold and sharp, its blue light flashing like lightning as it precisely pierced the Great Black Leech's vital points.

Bi Yao's Heartbreak Flower transformed into a sky full of floral rain, carrying an exotic fragrance that constantly harassed the Great Black Leech's movements.

As for Zhang Xiaofan, he became the surprise force in this battle.

The Fire Poker in his hand surged with black energy, and every time it collided with a tentacle, it devoured a massive amount of the creature's demonic power, causing those tentacles to become sluggish and weak.

With the four of them joining forces, balancing offense and defense, they fought the Great Black Leech to a standstill.

The battle lasted for the duration of an incense stick.

All four of them had consumed a significant amount of spiritual energy.

"This won't work; it has too many tentacles!"

Li Xiaoyu glanced at the river, seeing even more tentacles surging toward them.

"We must find a way to finish it off in one blow!"

He shouted a low command to the three beside him.

Hearing this, the three nodded in mutual understanding.

"Follow my lead!"

Li Xiaoyu let out a loud shout, pouring the spiritual energy within him into the Autumn Water Sword without reservation.

He infused the Daoist techniques he had comprehended from the general outline of the Heavenly Tome into his own sword moves.

"Heaven and Earth are infinite, Heaven and Earth Borrowing Method!"

The Autumn Water Sword in his hand shone brilliantly, and an aura that seemed to encompass all things, as if it could command the power of heaven and earth, erupted from the blade.

"Divine Sword Thunder Control!"

Lu Xueqi also let out a sharp cry, the Tianya divine sword drawing upon the power of thunder as blue electric snakes danced wildly across the blade.

Zhang Xiaofan poured his fused internal power into the Fire Poker without holding back, and a black-red light shot into the sky.

"Heartbreak wondrous flower, Soul Severing at the End of the World!"

The Heartbreak Flower in Bi Yao's hand also erupted with brilliant white light, transforming into a massive, slowly rotating lotus.

At this moment, four distinct powers miraculously fused together!

Guided by Li Xiaoyu's sword intent, sharpened by Lu Xueqi's thunder, anchored by Zhang Xiaofan's power, and supplemented by Bi Yao's mystical arts.

A massive, multicolored pillar of energy containing the strongest power of all four of them roared into existence!

Within that pillar, it seemed to contain the chaotic power of the world's creation, carrying the majesty to both destroy and create everything.

"Go!"

Li Xiaoyu swung his sword.

That pillar of energy, fused from the strength of the four, struck the dark river below like a ray of creation light.

"BOOM—!"

A deafening sound shook the entire Abyss of the Dead.

The entire underground river was forcibly severed in two by this power!

The river water surged backward, creating towering waves.

The Great Black Leech in the river was completely annihilated in the face of this destructive force.

With one strike, the river was cleared!

Watching the earth-shattering scene before them, the four of them panted heavily, drained of strength.

Yet, their faces were filled with the joy and pride of success.

This sense of accomplishment from fighting side-by-side and breaking the deadlock together made everyone's blood boil.

"We did it!"

Zhang Xiaofan said excitedly.

Li Xiaoyu smiled and walked to the riverbank, looking at the path they had forcibly carved out.

"Let's go, it's time to leave."

The four hesitated no longer; they mounted their magic treasures, crossed the severed river, and flew toward the opening that radiated light.

The moment they rushed out of the cave, a long-lost, warm sunlight carrying the scent of grass and trees spilled over them.

They had finally escaped the dark Abyss of the Dead and returned to the surface.

The four breathed in the fresh air greedily, feeling the warmth of the sun, and felt as if they had returned from another lifetime.

However, after the brief joy came the sorrow of parting.

"Alright, it's time for us to go as well."

Bi Yao glanced at the sky in the distance and spoke to Zhang Xiaofan.

"Dummy, if there's a chance in the future, I'll come find you to play again."

She said this to Zhang Xiaofan with a grin, though her eyes held a hint of reluctance.

Immediately, Bi Yao turned her gaze toward Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi.

"Li Xiaoyu, Ice-Face, I owe you two a favor this time."

"But, the next time we meet, we might be enemies."

After she finished speaking, she did not linger, turning into a streak of green light as she flew toward the distance, quickly disappearing into the horizon.

Zhang Xiaofan watched her retreating figure, opening his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he said nothing.

He simply hid those feelings deep within his heart.

"Senior Brother Li, Senior Sister Lu, I should also return to Big Bamboo Peak to report to my master."

Zhang Xiaofan bowed to the two of them.

"Thank you both for looking after me during this trip to the Abyss of the Dead. I will never forget this kindness."

Li Xiaoyu patted his shoulder and said gently, "We are of the same sect, why the need for thanks? Once you return, cultivate diligently, and we shall meet again at Green Cloud Sect."

"Mm!"

Zhang Xiaofan nodded heavily.

Immediately, he mounted his Fire Poker and flew off in the direction of Green Cloud Mountain.

In the blink of an eye, only Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi remained in the spot.

A gentle breeze blew, fluttering their robes and hair.

The atmosphere became somewhat ambiguous.

"Let us go as well."

Li Xiaoyu looked at Lu Xueqi and said in a soft voice.

"Mm."

Lu Xueqi nodded lightly, a moving blush appearing on her face.

The two smiled at each other, mounted their flying swords, and flew side by side toward the distance.

Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi flew side by side on their swords, turning into two streaks of light—one cyan and one white—that cut through the vast sky.

Behind them lay the darkness and deathly silence of the Abyss of the Dead.

Before them lay the long-lost warmth of the mortal world and the sunlight.

Escaping from that desperate place had caused a change in both of their states of mind.

Especially after experiencing life and death together, the barrier between them had already melted away without them realizing it.

Although no words were spoken, a single glance or a smile was worth more than a thousand words.

The two flew for several days, and the spiritual energy within their bodies had basically recovered, but the exhaustion of their spirits could not be dispelled in a short time.

"There is a small town ahead; let us go down and rest for a while."

Li Xiaoyu looked at the town below with its curling wisps of smoke and spoke to Lu Xueqi beside him.

"Mm."

Lu Xueqi nodded lightly, her cold, clear cheeks appearing softer under the illumination of the sun.

The two lowered their sword lights and landed quietly in a small grove outside the town.

Putting away their flying swords, they walked side by side into the place called Little Pond Town, looking like an ordinary pair of wandering martial artists.

The streets were paved with bluestone, flanked by quaint houses and shops.

There were not many residents in the town, and the pace of life was slow and peaceful.

By the roadside, children laughed and played, while elders sat under the trees cooling off and playing chess—a scene of complete harmony.

Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi walked along the street, breathing in the atmosphere filled with the essence of life.