The scenery began to change, but Pei Ye had no mind to look at it. Only when he reached a broad stretch of level ground did he stop short.
He stared straight at the ground and saw what he had been dreading all along.
Blood.
A great deal of blood.
It was not red. It had that same clear, soft texture, flowing over the ground like liquefied jade. Countless tiny fish and shrimp circled it, seemingly drawn to it yet too awed to approach.
It had splashed over a large rock, then run down and pooled on the ground. All around were shocking patterns of spray and dragging.
The weapon had left its shape in the rock: a sharp, thick ridge that had pierced nearly a palm's length into the stone, leaving several pale scraps of clothing there.
Yong Ji had not lied.
He had indeed stabbed the woman with his spear.
And it had gone clean through her, pinning her to this great rock. Then he had lifted her and dragged her half a zhang, intending to slice her entire body open diagonally.
The stubborn struggle of life under grievous injury was a Cultivator's privilege. Without blood, they still had True Qi.
Pei Ye could hardly imagine how a body that needed to be wrapped tightly in a cloak and hold a hand warmer at the slightest chill could survive such a savage thrust.
This had happened three days ago.
Pei Ye swept his gaze around. The remains of Scale Demons covered the area. Some had died to a single blow, others to one another's tearing bites... the Mirage Realm's silence seemed to find its answer here.
"Yong Ji..." Pei Ye did not hear his own low murmur. He lowered his eyes to follow the trail of blood.
The