"Your Highness!!!"
A heart-rending cry exploded across the distant sky, like thunder rolling through the heavens.
Everyone looked toward the sound and saw a dazzling golden streak racing toward them at astonishing speed. Its light was blinding and brilliant, trailing a long tail of flame through the morning glow like a meteor plunging toward the earth.
The black-clad woman stopped abruptly. Then she sprang forward.
The enormous Clear Sky Hammer in her hands rose high. Its head traced a heavy arc through the air, whistling as it came crashing down toward Xue Qinghe, who lay on the ground!
"Stop!"
Zhao Linchuan roared, his voice exploding like thunder!
In that instant, his speed surged to its limit, and he appeared before Xue Qinghe almost as if by Teleportation!
"CLANG!!!"
A fierce clash of metal rang out, making the crowd's eardrums throb and their heads buzz.
Zhao Linchuan gripped a gleaming silver-white spear in both hands. Pale golden patterns flowed across its shaft as he held it fast against the descending Clear Sky Hammer.
Sparks burst where hammer and spear met. A visible wave of air spread from the impact, sending dust billowing across the ground.
"Hmph!"
The black-clad woman stepped back. Her eyes narrowed slightly behind the black veil as she sized up the young man who had suddenly appeared.
Her voice was hoarse and low, tinged with surprise.
"I never thought Heaven Dou City would have hidden talents like you—a true expert."
She glanced at the figure on the ground, who looked "at death's door," and gave a cold laugh.
"Too bad you came too late."
"His organs are shattered, and his heart meridians are severed. Unless the Angel God herself appears, no one can save Xue Qinghe now!"
With that, she made no attempt to linger. Her figure turned