The Thousand-Zhang Blood-Shadow Giant remained standing in midair, both arms holding half of the enormous Mysterious Blood sword. Its broken blade angled downward, neither falling nor withdrawing.
The Five Hells blood baleful intent surged along the sword's edge like a vicious flood dragon with its neck chained, its neck bones creaking as it struggled, fangs half bared, only a hair's breadth from snapping its bonds and pouncing down.
Zhao Ningyi stood within the Fire Lotus, most of her white hair hanging loose over her shoulders, whipping in the bloody wind.
Her chest rose and fell several times. Her aura had weakened considerably from before.
Neither had gained anything from that head-on clash, but she knew she had suffered somewhat more than Blood Fiend, chiefly because Blood Fiend was fighting with his life on the line, striking to kill.
Besides, the Rebirth Furnace was ultimately that Old Devil's territory. The blood qi within replenished itself. Although he could barely activate any of the furnace's own power at present, that home advantage alone had already given him every benefit of the terrain.
She pressed her hand downward and formed several mudras. The mass of pure white flame drew back, and the tricolored lotus leaves closed one after another. With a few light clicks, they shrank back into a Fire Lotus roughly a zhang across, spinning beneath her feet.
The Fire Lingzhu flickered into view at the lotus's heart. Its luster had dimmed by nearly half. Though it still shone, it already seemed somewhat strained.
Zhao Ningyi did not speak immediately. First, she turned her head and glanced through the layers of blood mist at Qing Chen, who was protected by the blood mist behind her.
Just that one glance.
Qing Chen felt as though a basin of icy water had been poured