She quickly turned over and saw a giant beast with a shoulder height of more than three feet walking slowly out of the trees. It was a Windcloud Leopard, with a silver-gray body, eyes like lightning, and a faint wind-attributed demonic aura surrounding it.
"Windcloud Leopard of the Black Tortoise Realm"
Xie Qingxuan's heart tightened, and his face instantly turned pale.
With her current strength, she has almost no chance of winning against a monster of this level.
The second wind blade struck, and Xie Qingxuan rolled on the spot, narrowly avoiding it.
The wind blade struck the tree trunk behind her, causing the thick tree to snap.
"Can't escape back to the cave"
She gritted her teeth and forced herself to calm down.
"Gu Sheng is still in there recovering from his injuries. If you can lure it over."
Thinking of this, Xie Qingxuan endured the severe pain in his back and stood up.
She must deal with this beast here, or be dealt with by it.
Windcloud Leopard seemed to see her fear, letting out a low growl from her throat and approaching slowly.
With every step it takes, the surrounding air is slightly distorted, showing its exquisite control over the wind-attributed demonic energy.
"Roar!"
Windcloud Leopard suddenly opened his mouth, and three wind blades struck Xie Qingxuan in a row.
Xie Qingxuan hurriedly dodged, but was still brushed by one of them on the shoulder, and his flesh and blood were instantly blurred.
The severe pain made her eyes darken and she could hardly stand still.
"Too weak"
she thought desperately.
"I have too little actual combat experience. I have no power to fight back against monsters of this level."
Windcloud Leopard didn't give her a chance to breathe, and several more wind blades flew towards her.
Xie Qingxuan rolled on the ground in embarrassment to avoid it, but one of them still scratched her thigh, and blood immediately soaked her trouser legs.
"No. Keep doing this."
Xie Qingxuan leaned against a boulder, breathing heavily.
Her clothes were soaked with blood, and her vision began to blur due to blood loss.
Windcloud Leopard didn't seem to be in a hurry to kill her, but was slowly approaching like a cat playing with a mouse, enjoying the fear of its prey.
Xie Qingxuan suddenly remembered the way Gu Sheng looked when he faced those Heavenly Martial Realm and Zong realm experts. Even though he knew he was defeated, he never backed down.
That young man can always burst out with amazing strength in desperate situations.
"Now, it's my turn to protect him."
Xie Qingxuan murmured to himself, with determination in his eyes.
She trembled and pulled out a short sword from her waist. It was a self-defense tool given to her by Gu Sheng, although it was almost like a toy to the Black Tortoise Realm monster.
"Fight it."
She forced herself to stand up straight.
"Even if you die, you can't even lose the courage to fight."
"Boom"
Another wind blade flew past Xie Qingxuan's cheek, leaving a blood mark on her fair skin.
She staggered back a few steps, her back pressed against the cold rock wall, and her chest heaved violently.
"This can't go on like this."
Xie Qingxuan bit his lip and clenched the corners of his clothes tightly with his fingers.
In the distance, the huge Windcloud Leopard was staring at her eagerly, with a cruel light in its golden vertical pupils.
She suddenly remembered what her father said before leaving.
"Qing Xuan, the road to cultivation is dangerous, dad can't protect you forever."
She didn't take it seriously at the time. With Brother Gu by her side, what was there to be afraid of? But now
"Roar"
Windcloud Leopard's roar brought her back to reality.
This Black Tortoise Realm monster has been chasing her for half an hour. The energy in her body is almost exhausted, but Gu Sheng is still recovering in the cave and has no time to care about it.
Xie Qingxuan, with determination in his eyes.
"This time, I can only rely on myself."
Windcloud Leopard seems to have noticed the change in the prey. He no longer spits wind blades, but lowers his body and approaches her silently.
Xie Qingxuan forced himself to calm down and recalled Gu Sheng's appearance during the battle.
"The mental power is right, open up the mental power first!"
She closed her eyes and concentrated all the remaining energy between her eyebrows.
In an instant, the scene within ten feet spread out in her mind like ripples. Rocks, vegetation, and even the dust floating in the air were all clearly visible.
"Fifty feet. No, closer!"
Xie Qingxuan opened her eyes suddenly, Windcloud Leopard had lurked behind the boulder on her left, less than five feet away!
She quickly took out a silver-white dagger from the storage ring.
This is the Earth-grade magical artifact "Cold Star" given to her by her father. The sword is engraved with complex runes and shines coldly in the sunlight.
"Dad said that although Cold Star is short, it can break gold and crack stones."
Xie Qingxuan held the dagger behind his back, held his breath, and his body was like a taut bowstring.
Windcloud Leopard finally couldn't hold it any longer and jumped out from behind the boulder like lightning! Xie Qingxuan only saw a gray shadow flashing past, and instinctively dodged to the right, but was still half a step slower.
"Pfft."
Severe pain came from her left shoulder, and Windcloud Leopard's fangs penetrated deeply into her flesh.
Xie Qingxuan's vision went dark, and she almost fainted. She bit the tip of her tongue, the smell of blood spread in her mouth, and the pain kept her awake.
"Now!"
Xie Qingxuan endured the severe pain, and the dagger Cold Star in his right hand spit out a message like a poisonous snake, accurately piercing Windcloud Leopard's left eye!
"Ouch"
The demonic beast let out a shrill howl and frantically shook its head in an attempt to break free.
Xie Qingxuan grabbed its fur tightly and poured all his energy into the dagger.
"Explode!"
As she screamed, the runes on Cold Star's dagger suddenly lit up, and violent infuriating energy exploded in Windcloud Leopard's skull!
"Boom!"
Windcloud Leopard's head exploded like a watermelon, and red and white things splashed all over Xie Qingxuan.
The huge beast corpse fell down with a crash, pressing her underneath.
"Uh"
Xie Qingxuan struggled to crawl out from under the corpse. The wound on his left shoulder was shocking, and half of his clothes were dyed red with blood.
She trembled and pulled out the broken tooth embedded in her shoulder, her back soaked with cold sweat.
But there was an unprecedented light in her eyes.
"I I did it"
Looking at Windcloud Leopard's body, Xie Qingxuan suddenly smiled, with a bit of relief and pride in his smile.
She is no longer the dragster who only hides behind Brother Gu.
"The elixir that Brother Gu needs"
She remembered the purpose of her trip, stood up with strength, and started searching nearby.
Half an hour later, Xie Qingxuan dragged Windcloud Leopard's body and staggered toward the cave with several "Profound Ice Grass" plants glowing with blue light in his arms.
Every step she took, there was heartbreaking pain from the wound on her left shoulder, but she gritted her teeth and persisted.
"If you can't fall down, at least the medicine must be delivered."
In the cave, Gu Sheng sat cross-legged, surrounded by nine golden air currents.
Nine Dragon Qiankun Art is operating at a critical moment. It is only one step away from penetrating the critical point of Dantian and activating the first Grotto-Heaven.
Suddenly, he frowned and smelled the strong smell of blood.
"Someone is approaching!"
Gu Sheng forcibly interrupted his practice, a cold light suddenly appeared in his eyes.
He moved quietly to the shadow of the cave entrance, with a long sword as black as ink in his hand.
"Brother Gu"
A weak female voice came, and Gu Sheng's pupils shrank, only to see Xie Qingxuan lying at the entrance of the cave covered in blood, and the spiritual grass she was holding tightly in her arms was soaked in blood.
What shocked him even more was that there was a vine wrapped around her waist, and a headless Windcloud Leopard body was tied to the other end!
"Xie Qingxuan!"
Gu Sheng stepped forward and supported the shaky girl.
Xie Qingxuan squeezed out a smile on his pale face.
"Elixir. I found it."
Before he finished speaking, he fainted.
Gu Sheng Checked her injuries. The penetrating injury on her left shoulder was shocking, and her face was as pale as paper due to excessive blood loss.
But what concerned him more was that Windcloud Leopard's corpse, this Black Tortoise Realm monster, was actually killed by Xie Qingxuan?
"This girl"
Gu Sheng felt strange fluctuations in his heart.
He originally thought that Xie Qingxuan was just a pampered lady from an aristocratic family, but he didn't expect...
"This time, it's my turn to protect you, Brother Gu."
Xie Qingxuan, who was in a coma, muttered unconsciously.
Gu Sheng's movements froze. He looked down at the scarred girl in his arms with a complicated look in his eyes.
"Idiot."
He cursed in a low voice, but his tone was not as cold as before.
"Who wants your protection?"
Having said that, he carefully carried Xie Qingxuan into the cave and gently placed it on the dry grass bed.
Then he took out the alchemy furnace he carried with him and began to refine the healing elixir.
"Profound Ice Grass, Blood Lingzhi Mushroom plus the demon core of Windcloud Leopard."
Gu Sheng handled the medicinal materials skillfully, moving a little faster than usual.
"This girl knows how to pick. They are all good healing materials."
The alchemy furnace soon made a beeping sound, and the rich aroma of medicine filled the entire cave.
Gu Sheng was controlling the heat while looking at the unconscious Xie Qingxuan from time to time.
Xie Qingxuan Eyelashes trembled slightly and she slowly opened her eyes.
His vision blurred for a moment before it gradually became clear. What came into view was the rugged rock wall. The light of the bonfire danced on the rock wall, casting swaying shadows.
"Are you awake?"
A low voice came from not far away. Xie Qingxuan turned his head with difficulty and saw Gu Sheng sitting by the fire, roasting a piece of animal meat.
Under the firelight, his chiseled profile looked particularly deep.
"Where am I?"
Xie Qingxuan's voice was hoarse, and his throat hurt as if it had been burned by fire.
"The entrance to the cave."
Gu Sheng continued to flip the barbecue without raising his head.
"You're lucky. If you fainted a little later, you might really be dead."
Memories came flooding back, and Xie Qingxuan recalled the scene of him running wildly in the dense forest with Gu Sheng on his back.
The roar of Windcloud Leopard still seemed to be echoing in her ears. Her last memory was seeing this cave, and then
"You carried me for thirty miles."
Gu Sheng suddenly spoke, interrupting her memories.
"The venom of Windcloud Leopard has invaded your meridians. I used its demon elixir and the medicinal materials you brought back to refine a Minor Restoration Pill, which temporarily suppressed the poison."
Xie Qingxuan tried to move her body, but a sharp pain immediately spread from her limbs, making her take a breath.
"Don't move."
Gu Sheng finally turned his head and looked directly at her with his obsidian eyes.
"The poison has not been completely eliminated, and you are now weaker than ordinary people."
Xie Qingxuan noticed that the wound on Gu Sheng's chest had scabbed over. Although his face was still pale, his breathing was much calmer than before.
She opened her mouth to ask something, but her stomach suddenly made a loud "gurgling" sound.
Gu Sheng The corners of his mouth twitched imperceptibly, and he handed over the roasted animal meat.
"Eat."
Xie Qingxuan's cheeks felt hot, he took the barbecue and took a small bite.
The meat was rough and had a faint fishy smell, but her hunger prevented her from caring about it.
"Windcloud Leopard's meat contains poison and impurities."
Gu Sheng explained.
"You feel weak now, partly because of the residual toxicity."
Xie Qingxuan chewed slowly, then suddenly raised his head and looked directly into Gu Sheng's eyes.
"Why don't you leave me?"
Gu Sheng's hand holding the fire paused.
"With your strength, if you leave me behind, you can escape by yourself."
Xie Qingxuan The voice is getting lower and lower.
"I'm just a burden"
The fire made a crackling sound, and the cave fell silent for a moment.
After a long time, Gu Sheng finally spoke.
"Then why don't you run?"
Xie Qingxuan was stunned, the barbecue in his hand stopped in mid-air.
"I"
She bit her lower lip and mustered up her courage.
"I'm afraid. I'm afraid those monsters will catch up and get you hurt."
Gu Sheng's gaze became profound, and Xie Qingxuan felt his heartbeat suddenly speed up.
"So you risk your life to protect me?"
Gu Sheng's voice contained no emotion.
Xie Qingxuan lowered his head, his long hair falling down to cover his hot cheeks.
"I I just."
"Thank you."
These two simple words made Xie Qingxuan look up suddenly, only to see that Gu Sheng had turned around and continued to roast another piece of animal meat.
In the firelight, his back looked particularly tall and straight.
For the next two days, the two rested in the cave.
Xie Qingxuan's toxicity gradually subsided, while Gu Sheng's injuries recovered at an alarming speed.
In the early morning of the third day, Xie Qingxuan was awakened by a strong wave of spiritual power.
She opened her eyes and saw Gu Sheng sitting cross-legged at the entrance of the cave, surrounded by a whirlpool of light blue spiritual power.
"Earth Martial Realm fifth layer"
Xie Qingxuan murmured to herself, surprise and joy that she was unaware of flashed in her eyes.
The spiritual power gradually subsided, Gu Sheng opened his eyes, and the light flashed in his eyes.
He stood up and moved his muscles, and the joints throughout his body made crisp sounds.
"Congratulations to Mr. Gu for your improvement in cultivation."
Xie Qingxuan said softly.
Gu Sheng nodded and walked to her.
"My injury has healed. Let's leave here today."
Xie Qingxuan's eyes lit up.
"Return to Great Desolation City?"
"No."
Gu Sheng's answer was crisp and clear.
"I will continue to practice and will not go back until I break through the Heavenly Martial Realm."
Xie Qingxuan The light in her eyes dimmed, she lowered her head and twisted her clothes unconsciously with her fingers.
Gu Sheng took out a simple token from his arms and handed it to her.
"After returning to Great Desolation City, if you encounter something that cannot be solved, go to the Linlang Pavilion and show this."
Xie Qingxuan did not reach out to pick it up, but raised his head and looked at Gu Sheng with complicated eyes.
"Won't you go back with me?"
Gu Sheng frowned slightly.
"I have my own path to follow."
"But."
Xie Qingxuan bit his lip and said suddenly.
"I may have a way to help you recover faster or even make a breakthrough."
Gu Sheng raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Xie Qingxuan, the voice is as light as a mosquito.
"When I was young, a hidden master once said that my special constitution and bloodline have a special power, especially Yin-Essence Power."
Before she finished speaking, her face was as red as a ripe apple, and her voice became quieter and quieter, until she was almost inaudible.
The air in the cave seemed to be frozen.
Xie Qingxuan didn't dare to look up, he could only hear his own violent heartbeat.
"No need."
Gu Sheng's voice is still calm.