One of the old men seemed to be saying something to Jingwei, but she ignored him, her eyes filled with a resolve that defied death.
The scene shifted. Several old men joined forces to conjure an enormous flying sword gleaming with cold light. With the force to destroy heaven and earth, it shot straight at Jingwei!
The scene froze at a heart-stopping instant.
An enormous sword cleaved down from the sky, its blade gleaming coldly, aimed straight at the top of Jingwei's head. She was utterly exhausted and could no longer dodge.
Her clothes were disheveled, her body covered in wounds, blue-green blood dripping from them.
Just as the enormous sword was about to pierce her, the man stepped in front of her.
He blocked the sword with his body. It pierced his chest and emerged from his back. Blood gushed out, splashing onto Jingwei's blue-green feathers.
Jingwei's pupils contracted sharply. She let out a heart-wrenching cry and caught the man as he fell from the sky. Holding him in her arms, she knelt on the ground. Blood poured from his chest, staining her blue-green feathered dress red.
The man looked at her, his lips moving as he tried to say something, but blood poured from his mouth and drowned out his voice. He slowly raised his hand, solemnly placing the Jade Plaque he still held into hers. Then he tried to touch her face, but his hand fell before it reached her.
Jingwei held him, tears streaming down her face. Her tears were crimson, like blood, dripping onto his face and sliding down his cheeks.
Around them, the people of the sect closed in. Their swords pointed at Jingwei, and their exotic beasts bared their teeth, watching her hungrily. The old man leading them stood at the front, his