9
A massive beast descended with a thunderous crash and spread its wings, enclosing Little Bird and Doumen Kai like an impregnable iron tower. Yet Ghost King's blade did not stop. Countless slashes struck its metallic wings and fur, sending sparks flying as piercing screeches rang through the forest. Dense blade marks rapidly covered its body. Even the strongest defenses began to buckle beneath that inhuman violence.
"Seventh Blade: Ghostly Deception. Eighth Blade: Wailing Ghosts and Howling Gods."
Before his words had faded, a torrential rain of blade shadows locked onto Moyana. Fast as she was, her footwork faltered under that overwhelming power. At such close range, every inch brought greater danger. Ghost King's icy blade became countless threads of death, stabbing specifically at her joints and vital points.
Slash, slash-!
Blood burst into the air.
Deep, crisscrossing wounds instantly covered her once-fair skin, exposing bone. Crimson blood gushed out like a spring, turning her into a gruesome figure drenched in blood. Moyana's pupils contracted sharply, her eyes filled with terror and despair. The power of the Crying God Eight Blades far exceeded anything she understood. She had no move that could parry it, no strength that could stop it. She toppled sideways, her warm blood pooling on the ground, her life hanging by a thread.
"Moyana!"
Xun Uchiha and Fayan Luo lunged forward like madmen, their eyes blazing with anguish.
Yet the only answer was the spine-chilling laughter echoing around them. "Hahahaha!" The shrill, sinister sound threaded through the dense forest like a death warrant from the depths of hell.
"Mission complete. Retreat. Report back to Heavenly King!" Ghost King stood on a branch, his voice as cold as ice.
"Leaving? Not a chance." Xun Uchiha gritted his teeth and flung out a hand. "Time Reversal!"
Space warped, and