Chong Zhao’s gaze lingered on her, unblinking. Her face showed nothing but worry, her demeanor entirely sincere.
A breeze stirred behind her, and Bai Shuo finally noticed that the entire forest was devoid of any other life—no sounds, no traces of energy. Dear heavens, she thought, I should’ve clung to that demon if I’d realized something was off! That monster may be vile, but at least he’s not as terrifying as this… this thing!
At that moment, Bai Shuo found herself wishing fervently for Fan Yue’s cold, unyielding face.
“So, these elixirs are more potent than that ginseng, wouldn’t you say?” In the oppressive silence, Chong Zhao pushed the pills she had given him back toward her mouth, his gaze intense.
Bai Shuo froze, her composure slipping. Staring at the pills trembling near her lips, she was at a loss, inwardly cursing her foolish excuse.
“I-I…?” she stammered, scrambling for another excuse.
“Bai Shuo, that day on the island, you promised me we would live and die together…” Chong Zhao’s voice drifted, his bloodied face inching closer to her neck. “Have you forgotten?”
His icy breath brushed against her throat, and the gentle expression she once knew twisted as if he were about to sink his teeth into her flesh. Bai Shuo shivered, her hand reaching slowly toward her sleeve.
But Chong Zhao seemed to anticipate her move, pressing down on her hand and drawing even closer. “Since I’m dying anyway, how about you join me… together?”
His face contorted in a grotesque snarl as he lunged for her neck.
“Ahh! Help, big demon! Help!” Bai Shuo’s breath caught as her whole body went cold, and finally, she cried out in desperation.
A flash of silver cut through the air, striking Chong Zhao and flinging him to the ground. Bai Shuo felt herself lifted, finding safety in a familiar cold embrace.
“Not as stupid as you look, realizing that I’m the only one who can save you now,” a frigid, mocking voice murmured in her ear. To Bai Shuo, it sounded like pure salvation.
She opened her eyes and, recognizing that handsome but aloof face, clung to him with a sob. “Oh thank goodness, you’re here!”
Fan Yue glanced down at Bai Shuo, now hugging him like an octopus, her face tear-streaked. His brow twitched in irritation.
I must be out of my mind, he thought, to even bother saving this woman.
“Get down,” he ordered.
“No!” she yelped instinctively, pointing accusingly at the approaching, sinister Chong Zhao. “He was trying to eat me!”
“If you keep yapping, I’ll gladly hand you over to him,” Fan Yue replied, his voice like shards of ice. Bai Shuo shivered and quickly remembered he was not one to cross, so she hastily climbed down, retreating a safe distance.
With one eyebrow raised, Fan Yue addressed Chong Zhao. “You carry both celestial and dark energies. Just what are you?”
Chong Zhao licked his lips, casting a covetous glance at Bai Shuo. “Master of the Hall of the Moon, if you don’t interfere, I’m willing to split her blood with you.”
Fan Yue’s gaze shifted to Bai Shuo, seemingly considering the offer. She stiffened, her survival instincts kicking in, and she shouted at Chong Zhao, “Hey! Demon! Stop trying to confuse him! Our Hall Master is as righteous as can be and would never stoop so low!” She turned and flashed a nervous smile at Fan Yue. “Your Excellency, I’m not even tasty.”
Fan Yue almost laughed at her antics, only stopping himself because of the situation. In all the realms, he’d never met anyone as fearfully resourceful as this girl.
“Be quiet and stay out of the way.” Fan Yue’s voice was cold as he fixed his gaze on Chong Zhao, now shrouded in ominous black mist. “If I wanted her, I wouldn’t need to make deals with the likes of you.”
“You!” Chong Zhao’s face darkened, his clothes turning black and his bloodied white robes morphing into a malevolent darkness. He summoned a black staff, and shadows filled the peach grove, transforming the once serene place into a nightmarish abyss.
Fan Yue observed the staff in Chong Zhao’s hand, narrowing his eyes in mild surprise. “No wonder I couldn’t sense your energy… So you’ve truly descended into depravity.”
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