Blood Tiger lowered his body slightly and made as if to draw his saber. His entire form seemed to turn illusory; time appeared to freeze, then suddenly accelerated.
The instant the saber light left its sheath, it seemed to slice the movement into three segments—opening stance, interruption, final strike—like a fragmented painting rewinding and then surging forward, strange beyond words.
Ziwei's drifting figure was nailed in place by that abnormal saber-drawing momentum.
Before she could recover her senses, Blood Tiger had already swept behind her like a ghost and delivered a heavy blow.
Ziwei reacted instinctively and raised her Sword Embryo to block, only to find the incoming force light as a feather at first, giving her spiritual power the ominous sensation of striking empty air, before it transformed into a colossal force capable of toppling mountains and overturning seas.
She let out a muffled groan and was sent flying several yards. When she landed, blood seeped from her crimson lips, color flooded her face, and her internal breath had already been injured.
Blood Tiger's assault did not cease. With a wave of his hand, blade after blade of wind tore through the air and bore down on Ziwei. Though her movements were agile, she could not evade them all.
At the critical moment, Sun Miao flashed before her. Eighteen True Essence Body-Protecting Beads rose at his command, purple light flowing around them as they circled his body like stars and blocked every wind blade.
At the same time, Qi Ling descended from the sky, True Phoenix Flame drifting down like feathers. Blazing fire scattered in all directions, as though it would burn away every evil.
Yet Blood Tiger suddenly twisted and changed direction, turning around with lightning speed. The long saber in his hand slashed out another eight fierce