Hundreds of miles away.
On the shaded side of a desolate island.
Few people ever came here; only the sea breeze and reefs kept each other company.
"Thud!"
A streak of blood-red light careened in from the horizon.
Like a bird with broken wings, it plummeted unsteadily and slammed into the beach.
The light dispersed, revealing Xu Xuan within.
In this life, even when pursued by two Purple Mansion cultivators, he had never been in such a sorry state.
Now his face was pale, his aura chaotic, and his chest heaved violently.
Every breath brought searing pain.
Crimson blood lingered at the corner of his mouth.
Forcibly activating the blood-burning escape technique had exacted an enormous price.
Not only had his vital essence been depleted, but his meridians felt as though they were burning in a raging fire, sending waves of tearing pain through him.
His sword intent was even more vicious than Daoist Xuanji's.
Xu Xuan recalled that thrust of Bai Ming's finger.
It had seemed a casual flick, yet boundless sword intent had swept toward him.
Had he not possessed so many means of preserving his life.
He would probably have been cut down outright, just like Zhao Qian.
Gritting his teeth, Xu Xuan sat up cross-legged.
He hurriedly took out several jade bottles, not bothering to distinguish between them.
He tipped all the pills for healing injuries, stabilizing his essence, and replenishing his blood and vitality into his mouth.
Once swallowed, the pills immediately dissolved into surging streams of warmth.
Xu Xuan hastily circulated the Blood River True Explanation, guiding their medicinal power through his damaged meridians to heal his injuries.
Time passed as he regulated his breathing.
Amid the sound of the tide, a trace of color finally returned to his face.
After a long while,