As that strand of spiritual sense swept past, Zhang Xiaohua grew alert and turned his attention outside the hall. When the sword light flared, he pretended to be distracted and turned his face toward the entrance.
"Oh no!" Zhang Xiaohua feigned panic. Forgetting all etiquette, he lunged forward and darted deeper into Mocu Palace.
Although Zhang Xiaohua had not released his spiritual sense and had no time to see who was ambushing him, he figured that once he caught Abbess Jingyi's attention, no one would dare run wild inside Mocu Palace.
But things went against his expectations. His quick advance took him out of the sword light's path, yet the attacker refused to let him go when he dodged. She pursued him relentlessly, a fierce streak of light still following at his heels.
"Cult Master, save me!" Zhang Xiaohua cried out and was about to use Misty Steps when Abbess Jingyi pushed off with her feet and glided through the air. In a few strides, she reached his side, extended her hand, and caught the sword light pursuing him between two pale fingers. "Elder Jinggang, what... are you doing?" she asked coldly.
Hiding behind Abbess Jingyi, Zhang Xiaohua turned and saw Jinggang floating down. Though Abbess Jinggang wore a veil, its rise and fall made her fury plain... Oh no, could... something have come to light? His heart lurched.
Still, he no longer felt the trepidation he had experienced upon first arriving at Yi Xiang Peak. He glanced at her and deliberately made his voice tremble. "A-Abbess Jinggang? How... how has this humble disciple offended you? To think... you would attack me from behind!"
Indeed, what Abbess Jinggang had just done was precisely the sort of attack from behind that people of the martial world despised!
"Elder Jinggang, do you