In the span of a single breath, the Ren Mian Niao had already reached the core of the chain formation.
Qilin summoned all the courage he had ever possessed, forcing himself to look directly at the terrifying creature he feared most. His hands trembled violently as he raised the Dun Di wooden hairpin.
This artifact could only be used three times—this would be the last.
Qilin planned to teleport onto the Ren Mian Niao’s head and strike at the crest of feathers atop its fox-like face. That was its inverse scale, its weakest point. Beneath the thin layer of feathers lay its exposed carotid artery.
A single precise cut would be enough to draw blood, marking the Ren Mian Niao and guiding the Golden Crow Demon-Slaying Formation to its target.
However, if Qilin succeeded, there would be almost no time to escape the formation’s deadly activation. He would most likely perish alongside the Ren Mian Niao.
His entire body was trembling, his eyes bloodshot, but he gritted his teeth and chanted the incantation to activate Dun Di.
At that very instant—
Wang Cang Hai reached out and snatched the wooden hairpin from Qilin’s grip.
Using Dun Di’s power, he teleported onto the Ren Mian Niao’s neck just as it soared through the air at high speed.
Wang Cang Hai lost his balance immediately. Stumbling, he landed awkwardly, legs astride the Ren Mian Niao’s neck—practically straddling the creature.
Already in a frenzied state, the Ren Mian Niao roared in fury, violently whipping its head and neck in an attempt to throw him off.
Qilin had no time to process why Wan Bao had suddenly taken his artifact—all he could do was react instinctively.
He shouted, “Pull out its crest feathers!”
Wang Cang Hai gritted his teeth and obeyed.
Using all his strength, he grabbed the Ren Mian Niao’s crest feathers and yanked.
The feathers burned hot, searing his palms instantly. A sharp pain tore through his hands, but he endured it, pulling harder with every ounce of strength he had.
Sensing its weak spot was under attack, the Ren Mian Niao let out a furious, ear-splitting screech. It opened its sharp beak—
And spewed forth a blast of crimson fire.
The flames shot straight toward Qilin’s position.
Wang Cang Hai cried out, “Qilin!”
With one final surge of strength, he ripped the crest feather free.
In an instant, blood gushed from the fox-faced creature’s head, pouring down in rivulets.
At that exact moment—
The Golden Crow Demon-Slaying Formation activated.
A blinding white light erupted before Wang Cang Hai’s eyes, accompanied by a deafening explosion.
Then—darkness.
The Dream
It felt like an eternity before Wang Cang Hai woke up.
He found himself in a pitch-black tunnel, just like the ones in his nightmares. His body felt heavy, exhausted, but he forced himself to move forward, step by step.
But this time—something was different.
Unlike past nightmares, his body gradually felt lighter the further he walked. His footsteps became quicker, no longer burdened by unseen weight.
And then—
A light appeared ahead.
An exit.
A sight he had never seen before in his dreams.
At the tunnel’s end, a figure stood waiting for him.
Smiling warmly, eyes filled with light, the person said, “Zhi Nu, what took you so long? I’ve been waiting for you for a very, very long time.”
Wang Cang Hai rushed forward, embracing him tightly.
Tears welled up, spilling down his face. “Little Immortal… I finally found you. I tried everything—no matter what I did, I just couldn’t find you.”
The Little Immortal in the dream had the same face as Qilin.
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