Moment of Crisis

The Gang Wind couldn't last forever. This black shadow was no ordinary being either. Although it had been injured by the Gang Qi due to carelessness just now, it recovered and condensed the black energy around its body into a net. This black net contained golden threads, actually trapping the Gang Qi within.

Only then did the black shadow have the time to look at the person who had just injured it.

What met its eyes was a young girl's face full of shock, wearing patched old clothes. She looked no older than sixteen. Though she was quite pretty and delicate, she was clearly malnourished. And no matter how one looked at her, she seemed like an ordinary village girl. How could she possibly unleash such magnificent Gang Qi?

Could it be that she accidentally obtained some treasure, and the treasure is automatically protecting its owner?

The black shadow's mind raced. Greed instantly flashed in its eyes. Without further hesitation, while still manipulating the black net, it extended a withered, black energy-entwined sharp claw a good eighteen feet, reaching for Xiuniang again.

"Ying ying!"

"Ding!"

A beam of white light struck the sharp claw, causing it to pause and emitting a metallic clang.

It turned out that the white shadow, seeing the black shadow entangled, had spat out a beam of white light to block it, then swept past Xiuniang's side.

Seeing the white shadow pass, Xiuniang naturally reacted. She knew the amulet Gu Zhao had given her had activated. Feeling the warmth on her chest gradually cool down, she didn't dare to hesitate and turned to run.

But Xiuniang was just an ordinary young girl. The speed of the white shadow and the black energy just now was so fast she could barely see. How fast could she possibly be?

"Hehehehe!"

Sensing that the Gang Wind was like water without a source, and seeing Xiuniang turn to run, the black shadow surmised that the treasure on her could only unleash one strike. Without further delay, its entire form dissolved into a mass of black energy and lunged at Xiuniang again.

Xiuniang felt a chilling energy descend upon her once more.

"Give me... Huh?"

The next moment, another surge of Gang Qi imbued with Sun Moon Heavenly Light erupted from Xiuniang's body. It instantly locked onto the source of the chilling energy and transformed into a gust of Gang Wind, enveloping the black shadow.

"There's more?"

The black shadow shrieked. In a moment of desperation, it opened its mouth and spat out a ball of black smoke laced with golden light, shielding itself. Although it blocked the incredibly swift Gang Wind, the golden light within the black smoke was almost completely extinguished.

"My Golden Thread of Faith!"

The black shadow cried out in anguish, its gaze towards Xiuniang turning ferocious and bloodthirsty.

But the Heavenly Dipper Talisman had just been activated and was at its most potent. Moreover, it had been injured by the first wave of Gang Qi and still had to control the black net to block the remaining Gang Qi. It was simply unable to free its hands.

Xiuniang heard the black shadow's shriek behind her and felt the heat from the second Heavenly Dipper Talisman gradually cooling. Though her expression was panicked, her eyes remained determined. Gritting her teeth, she focused solely on running.

Seeing the black shadow entangled, the white shadow also understood Xiuniang's situation. Sensing the magnificent Gang Qi that seemed to recognize only a specific aura, it dared not act rashly, fearing it would bring trouble upon itself.

Under the magnificent Sun Moon Heavenly Light, it only felt its own insignificance. The demonic power within it recoiled. At this point, it didn't know if Xiuniang could continue to activate the Gang Qi, nor if it would be targeted. Thus, it didn't dare to get too close to Xiuniang, merely keeping a short distance away.

"Ying ying ying!"

The white shadow darted past Xiuniang, finding a suitable path to escape.

Xiuniang glanced sideways and finally saw the white shadow's true form – it was a fox, completely snow-white. However, it was also somewhat disheveled and had bloodstains, clearly having been injured by the black shadow just now.

One person and one fox fled through the forest, lost and without direction. Yet, Xiuniang subconsciously ignored the direction of the village and the small hill.

The village… she couldn't go there!

Gu Zhao… Grandpa said Young Master might be injured. I wonder if he's recovered yet…

I can escape on my own!

But just as Xiuniang felt she had run for a long time, no longer hearing the distant roars from behind, and no longer feeling the warmth on her chest, a mass of black smoke suddenly appeared before her eyes.

"Little wench, where do you think you're running?"

A sinister voice emerged. The black smoke gradually dispersed, revealing a man hovering in mid-air. He wore black fitted armor and had a pale face with completely black eyes, blocking Xiuniang's path.

Xiuniang slammed on the brakes, falling to the ground.

The white fox also stopped instantly, its fur bristling.

The man first glanced at the white fox, then cautiously looked at Xiuniang.

Those two waves of Gang Qi had not only injured him somewhat but had also significantly depleted his Mana. Even the Golden Thread of Faith bestowed by the Sect Master had been heavily damaged by the Gang Qi.

Therefore, the man's gaze towards Xiuniang was a mixture of vigilance and greed, but he dared not act rashly.

"That treasure can't harm me, nor can it protect you!" The man licked his lips, sticking out his tongue. "Hand over the treasure, and I'll spare your life. Otherwise, I'll rip out your soul and tear it to shreds, leaving you begging for life and death!"

Seeing the man stop and threaten her, Xiuniang had an inspiration and immediately said, "That treasure was bestowed upon me by my Young Master. What right do you have, a mere nobody, to covet my Young Master's possessions?"

The man indeed stopped, his eyes filled with uncertainty. After a moment of silence, he suddenly laughed. "Dressed like a village girl, where would you get a Young Master? You must have found some treasure in a hidden corner of the mountains and are trying to scare me into backing down with a false claim."

A glint flashed in the man's eyes. With a flick of his finger, a strand of black-gold thread materialized out of thin air, transforming into a beam of light that shot directly towards He Xiuniang's forehead.

"Ding!"

With a soft clang, the golden thread was blocked. Then, a beam of white light flew back into the white fox's mouth.

"Ying ying ying!" The white fox bared its teeth at the man.

The man's face darkened as he understood the white fox's intention.

He had used the Golden Thread of Faith, which he could sever at any time, to test the waters. The white fox could then intercept him. However, if he were to unleash his full power, it would easily trigger the Gang Qi's counterattack.

So, you have a way to deal with me, but will you be able to stop me with this method?

The man sneered, revealing a set of white teeth. He reached out with his hand, which transformed into a withered, sharp claw. It shot out ten feet in an instant and fiercely grasped towards the white fox.

"If I deal with you first, won't that solve everything?"

"Eeeek—"

The white fox let out a sharp cry and instantly hid behind Xiuniang.

The sharp claw paused for a moment, then changed direction, sweeping towards Xiuniang again. But the man's expression was solemn, ready to defend at any moment.

Although Xiuniang understood the white fox's plan, she was already despairing.

The white fox and the man didn't know it, but she was very clear that if she hadn't managed to give her grandfather the second Heavenly Dipper Talisman in time, she would have died by now.

But both Heavenly Dipper Talismans were used up. How could she possibly defend against this dark, sharp claw now?

Xiuniang closed her eyes, and the image of that noble yet unpretentious, kind, and gentle figure flashed in her mind once more.

Then, she seemed to hear his voice again.

"Lightning chases, heaven and earth are eyes. Eight directions of righteous Qi, electric light flashes!"