The silence lasted only an instant before some disciple of the Demonic Sect let out the first scream.
"Run!"
The All-Beings Demon Gate's forces scattered at once, terrified of being even a fraction too slow.
The four sects' allied forces reacted swiftly, moving to intercept and kill the fleeing disciples. The remaining Drug Men were soon wiped out as well.
Scarlet Tiger and Nightingale turned to flee at almost exactly the same moment.
Nightingale curled all ten fingers. A dozen pink ribbons shot from her sleeves in unison, slithering like living snakes toward Yun Qingyue's wrists and ankles. Then she opened her mouth, and a piercing shriek rang out.
Two of the true astral realm fighters surrounding her froze on the spot, their vision going black. Seizing her chance, Nightingale tried to slip through the gap between the three.
"Witch, is that all you've got?"
Yun Qingyue gave a sharp cry and drew her azure sword. Her relentless sword strokes sliced the ribbons into pieces, cutting off Nightingale's retreat.
Her cry also snapped the two dazed true astral realm fighters back to their senses, and they lunged at Nightingale again.
With nowhere left to retreat, Nightingale counterattacked instead. Pink astral qi surged around her as she tried to take Yun Qingyue down with her.
But Yun Qingyue seemed to have anticipated this. Her water-blue astral qi condensed into several sword gleams that spread into a net. Before her sword arrived, its momentum had already closed in, enveloping Nightingale from every direction.
The other two true astral realm fighters unleashed their ultimate moves as well, saber light and spear shadows sweeping straight through.
Several exchanges later, a sword flashed.
A deep line of blood appeared across Nightingale's neck, leaving only a strip of flesh attached. She had nearly been beheaded.
She