Before the sword reached them, an invisible pressure descended from above, like a tiger plunging from the sky at Li Yichen and the others.
Ouyang Hai and Atamu immediately turned pale. Fine beads of sweat sprang up on their foreheads, and their pupils contracted sharply. Even their legs shook like leaves, threatening to give out at any moment.
Li Yichen frowned at the sight. Maintaining the Netherworld Passage, he gave a soft snort, sending an invisible ripple sweeping past Atamu.
Ouyang Hai and the others jolted, finally snapping out of their daze. They wiped away their cold sweat, feeling as though they had narrowly escaped death.
"Get behind me," Li Yichen said coldly, staring at the longsword thrusting toward him.
"Right." Ouyang Hai and Atamu hurried behind Li Yichen without daring to delay. Still shaken, they patted their chests. "Holy shit, I thought we were dead for sure."
Xia stepped forward, her blood-red eyes fixed on the descending sword. Her red hair floated up without a breeze, pitch-black ghostly energy gathered at her fingertips, and sharp claws sprang out.
Then she let out a low cry and crouched slightly. With a boom, a shock wave erupted beneath her feet, and she shot toward the sword like a cannonball.
With a clang, the claws on Xia's left hand collided with the longsword, sending sparks flying. At the same time, red light flashed in her eyes. She curled her right hand into a claw and struck at the newcomer's chest without hesitation.
"Hmph, a petty trick." Qin Ming snorted contemptuously. "You've only just entered the Ghost King realm. You're nowhere near good enough."
As he spoke, he extended his left hand and formed a seal, pressing his thumb against his ring finger. Then he thrust his palm out to meet Xia's claws.