“A-Zhao?!” “A-Shuo!!”
The two called out almost simultaneously. Bai Shuo, eyes filled with excitement, moved toward Chong Zhao, but he instinctively stepped back.
Bai Shuo froze, standing in place.
“A-Zhao…”
“You’ve already reached the Middle Upper Lord level,” Chong Zhao avoided her gaze, his brow furrowing deeply. “Why are you here?”
After a year apart, Bai Shuo had imagined countless ways they might meet again. But she never expected that, upon seeing her, the first thing Chong Zhao would ask would be such a question.
Her heart clenched, but before she could respond, Chong Zhao’s eyes shifted to the Bodhi tree heart floating in mid-air. He looked back at her, his voice tense. “You came here to get the Bodhi tree heart for the Hao Yue Hall Master?”
Back on Fire Ice Island, Fan Yue had appeared suddenly, seeking the Bodhi tree heart. Chong Zhao had come to Abyssal Swamp under Tian Yu’s orders, with the command to eliminate anyone attempting to claim the object within the tree. Only now did he realize it was the Bodhi tree heart—and that the one seeking it was Bai Shuo.
Bai Shuo, ever perceptive, blurted out, “You’re here for the Bodhi tree heart too?”
Her brows furrowed as she continued, “No, it’s Cold Spring Palace that wants it.”
Could it be that Tian Yu already knew that the Great Demon’s true form was a Bodhi tree? Bai Shuo felt a surge of panic and instinctively positioned herself in front of the heart.
Seeing her almost reflexive action, Chong Zhao’s pupils contracted slightly, but his expression remained unreadable.
“This is not a place you should be. Leave now.”
Bai Shuo’s expression darkened. She wanted to say something but held back, merely shaking her head. “I’m taking this Bodhi tree heart with me today. If you’re going to stop me, A-Zhao, then you’ll have to fight me.”
“You—!” Chong Zhao’s face shifted, his gaze flaring with anger.
Without another word, Bai Shuo turned and walked toward the Bodhi tree heart, her back fully exposed to Chong Zhao.
With each step, cold sweat broke out on her back. But as her hand finally closed around the Bodhi tree heart, she felt a subtle relief, her eyes softening.
No matter whether Chong Zhao was an immortal or demon, righteous or sinister, he would never harm her.
Boom! A surge of demonic power struck, throwing Bai Shuo back, her spiritual energy halting in her chest. Above the Bodhi tree heart, a sinister curved demon blade hovered menacingly.
In disbelief, Bai Shuo turned to look back, meeting Chong Zhao’s emotionless gaze.
“Chong Zhao!” she shouted angrily.
“We each serve our masters, A-Shuo. Leave the Abyssal Swamp.”
“I said I’m taking this Bodhi tree heart with me.”
Without further words, Bai Shuo leaped, reaching for the tree heart once more. The demon blade quivered in mid-air, emitting a blinding light as it flew toward her. Bai Shuo’s pupils contracted.
Meanwhile, in the inner hall of Hao Yue Hall, Fan Yue suddenly opened his eyes.
In the swamp, the demon blade was stopped above Bai Shuo’s head by a pair of long, translucent green hands. Bai Shuo looked up to find herself gazing into a pair of clear, untainted eyes and a face as radiant as the moon.
Bai Shuo was stunned and, before she could react, the newcomer pulled her to her feet, shielding her.
“Who dares trespass in my Abyssal Swamp?” The newcomer’s cool voice rang out before Bai Shuo could speak. A young woman stood barefoot, dressed in white, her anklets adorned with tiny stars that shimmered quietly.
The young woman stared calmly at Chong Zhao, a slight frown forming.
“Since the three-headed fire dragon disappeared, Abyssal Swamp has been masterless for a thousand years. Who are you?” Chong Zhao asked indifferently.
“It’s not your place to question who I am.”
“If you won’t answer, then anyone who dares touch this heart… dies.” A flash of murderous intent crossed Chong Zhao’s eyes as he leaped, demon blade in hand, charging at the young woman.
The young woman snorted softly, her hand releasing countless stars that formed an array to meet Chong Zhao’s attack.
“Star power?”
Bai Shuo’s eyes widened in surprise. Since the fall of the goddess Yue Mi, star power had vanished from the world. Yet here was a young woman wielding star power—not with the divine force of a deity, but at the level of a Middle Upper Lord. Who was she?
“Pretending to be divine.” Chong Zhao was unfazed by the young woman’s power, his demon blade slicing through with unrelenting ferocity.
Chong Zhao’s domineering demon energy shattered the star array, and Bai Shuo’s expression changed as she jumped up to shield the young woman.
Seeing Bai Shuo join the fray, Chong Zhao’s face twisted in shock. But there was no time to withdraw his demonic energy. In response, the young woman shifted, pulling Bai Shuo back behind her and using her own body to block Chong Zhao’s attack.
The young woman’s face paled, but the demon blade pressed further down.
“Careful!” Bai Shuo cried out.
0 Comments