Chapter 104

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Chapter 104: Killing with a Sword

“Break for me!”

Ming He activated her Star Power, her lips pressed tight as she focused all her strength into a single point, her eyes gleaming with fierce determination.

As she spoke, blood seeped from the corners of her lips. In the next moment, the ropes snapped. Her body trembled slightly as she half-kneeled on the ground, her dark hair damp and disheveled, but she had finally freed herself from the Dark Restraints laid by the skeleton.

She had no time to tend to the small, penetrating wounds on her body. Instead, she pushed herself up and dashed into the ruined temple as fast as she could, kicking open the statue and leaping into the dark hole. Her toes touched the ground, and her body shot out like an arrow. Within moments, she reached the cave where Ji Wu Xu and Dream Sea had been bound.

In her line of sight, Ji Wu Xu stood out vividly in her fiery red attire, her proud, reckless face conveying arrogance even as a long sword of deep blue—the Blue Sea Sword—pierced her heart, blood slowly trickling down. Yet, it did not diminish her allure.

It was true that Ji Wu Xu was impossibly haughty and ruthless, with a deep and cunning nature. She certainly deserved the title of young leader of the Demon Race—powerful, proud, and cold-blooded, showing no mercy to either her enemies or herself.

Blood flowed from the wound in her chest, tracing down and dampening her ornate robes. However, since the robes were red and they were in darkness, it wasn’t immediately noticeable.

But with the Star Lock recognizing her as its master, Ming He could see as clearly as day in the darkness.

For her, it was enough to know that Ji Wu Xu was not dead; the concern over injury was trivial. With her mind at ease, she observed the Green Glow Skeleton grinning slowly in front of Ji Wu Xu, teasingly remarking, “Little skeleton, you’re quite crafty.”

As she spoke, she stepped toward the skeleton, pushing it gently. True to her guess, the skeleton retreated a few steps without any intention of resisting. It was indeed just as she had suspected—the skeleton was part of the Demon Race and a puppet.

“Aren’t you leaving? Why are you back again?” Ji Wu Xu raised her head slightly, her voice weak yet carrying an air of determination, the arrogance of the young leader of the Demon Race solidly intact, seemingly fearless.

Ming He couldn’t bear to see her so proud and confident, so she placed her hands on her hips, leaning against a nearby rock, looking relaxed and content. “Oh, just came back to see the excitement.”

“Ming He!” Ji Wu Xu exclaimed in frustration, straining her body and becoming paler in the face. “If you don’t act soon, I will really die. Is this how you call it returning to loneliness?”

“If you die now, it wouldn’t be considered my fault, would it? Don’t you have a Soul Lamp in the Hall of Eternal Life of the Demon Race?” Ming He’s smile remained shallow, showing no intention of moving from her spot.

“Since the Right Envoy of the Demon Race set up today’s trap, do you think the Soul Lamp would show who killed me if I die here?” Ji Wu Xu’s lips grew even paler as she held onto her breath, unwilling to back down.

“Tsk tsk.” Ming He sighed, slapping her palm down to break the ropes, watching as Dream Sea helped Ji Wu Xu up, her eyes slightly mocking. “Sometimes, the identity of the young leader of the Demon Race comes in handy.”

She turned to Dream Sea with a cold expression. “Help your young leader and follow me. Let’s leave this place first.”

After finishing her sentence, Ming He stepped forward, retracing her path back to the upper ruined temple, leading into the moonlit wilderness. The tree where the skeleton had bound her stood nearby, the black ropes still lying on the ground in silence.

“Can you treat sword wounds?” Ming He asked Dream Sea.

“No.” The girl in black lowered her head, her expression somewhat anxious. As a guardian of the Demon Race and Ji Wu Xu’s subordinate, her specialty was weaving illusions, and she had no other skills.

“Why is it that every subordinate chosen by the young leader is so unique?” Ming He was genuinely caught off guard.

In the cultivation world, numerous conflicts arose; fighting, risking lives, and getting injured were everyday occurrences. It was surprising to her that someone could not even treat a sword wound, even if Dream Sea wasn’t strictly speaking a human.

“Dream Sea is different from ordinary subordinates. She grew up in the vast ocean, pure-hearted and innocent. She only follows me due to the Demon Race’s laws and doesn’t need other abilities,” Ji Wu Xu said, her pale face glancing at Dream Sea, her expression softening slightly as she thought of something.

Ming He paused, silently crouching down. “Get ready,” she said, ripping open Ji Wu Xu’s robes over her chest with a sharp tug. Her expression showed a hint of disdain and discomfort.

“I’m ready.” Ji Wu Xu turned her gaze to the Crescent Moon above, her pale lips pressed tight, intentionally ignoring the cool breeze brushing against her skin.

She hadn’t expected to be looking at the same crescent moon with Ming He one day, especially at a moment when Ming He had just saved her and was treating her wound.

“Swish!”

The sound of the long sword being drawn resonated, and as Ming He pulled it out, blood splattered everywhere, dotting her blue clothes and face. She hurriedly wiped her face and sprinkled the wound medicine that Dream Sea handed her, followed by a simple bandage.

After completing everything, she draped the red outer robe she had torn from Ji Wu Xu over her, watching her lean against the tree, barely alive. After a long moment, she slowly asked, “Why were you here?”

Ming He noticed the instant Ji Wu Xu’s expression had tightened, her brows narrowing, and then her gaze fell on the dripping blood from the sword, her expression growing cold. The blood belonged to Ji Wu Xu, and the sword was her Blue Sea Sword that had just been taken by the little skeleton.

The skeleton had taken this sword to claim Ji Wu Xu’s life, and the intent was clearly to frame her. Otherwise, what would Ji Wu Xu’s life or death matter to her?

“If what you say is true, that the Right Envoy of the demon race set this trap, then it truly is a cunning and ruthless move,” Ming He lifted her gaze to the crescent moon hanging high in the sky, its cold light casting a chill that seemed to shun the warmth of the sun.

The former young leader of the demon race was Ji Wu Xu’s elder brother, who perished at the hands of her master, Qu Lingyun. Should the current young leader, Ji Wu Xu, also fall to Qu Lingyun’s disciple, not only would the alliance between the human and demon races be shattered, but it would also reignite a war, presenting a golden opportunity for the demon race and other factions.

“Are there spies from the demon race or other factions among your ranks?” Ming He’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. The Hall of Eternal Life housed Ji Wu Xu’s Soul Lamp; should Ji Wu Xu die, the visage of her killer would emerge, regardless of who it was, indicating the involvement of someone extraordinary.

“If the human race can harbor a vast Black Wind Alliance, what of the demon race?” Ji Wu Xu’s smile was tinged with self-mockery. “They likely yearn for my demise as the young leader, striving to undermine my strength, leaving me powerless to control the Hall of Eternal Life.”

As she spoke, a shadow of bitterness crossed her brow, a mark of the power struggle inherent to the position of the young leader of the demon race.

“In a way, I must thank your master. Had he not slain my elder brother, how could the mantle of young leader have fallen to me?”

Ji Wu Xu’s gaze was icy. She prided herself on her cunning, believing it matched that of any Young Master in the demon race. Yet, like Ming He, she found herself outmatched by superior adversaries at every turn.

“Rather than concerning myself with the identity of the spy, my focus lies with the Right Envoy of the demon race and that diminutive skeleton,” Ming He, unwilling to delve into matters concerning her master, crouched before Ji Wu Xu, her gaze piercing like that of a hawk. “Ji Wu Xu, we must exchange information, starting with you.”

This time, she omitted the title of young leader, signaling her stance. Ji Wu Xu was the young leader of the demon race, not the human race; her fate was of no concern to Ming He. Were it not for their intertwined destinies at this critical juncture, they would be locked in a deadly duel, not engaged in calm discourse.

“Provide me with a plausible reason for your presence here, or even if it leads to mutual destruction, I shall not concern myself with your survival.”

Ming He’s gaze darkened, her frustration with the Right Envoy’s machinations palpable. She had no choice but to save Ji Wu Xu, yet this did not equate to unconditional compliance.

“Very well.” Ji Wu Xu, after a moment of silence, recognized the futility of deception in the face of Ming He’s resolute gaze. She leaned against the tree, her lips pale, “I came in search of a sword.”

“Recently, I learned from the demon guards that the sword of our ancient demon emperor had surfaced nearby. It is a symbol of power within the demon race. Securing it would solidify my position as young leader and perhaps pave the way for further advancement.”

Ji Wu Xu’s gaze fell, her expression inscrutable. “I kept the news to myself and ventured here with Dream Sea, only to find myself ensnared in this wilderness, captured by the skeleton, until I encountered you.”

She looked up at Ming He. “That is the full extent of our presence here. Now, it is your turn.”

The sword of the ancient demon emperor?

Ming He’s eyes flickered with a mix of belief and doubt as she studied Ji Wu Xu before offering a seemingly indifferent smile. “I was merely passing through.”

“Truly, just passing through.” She smiled lightly, meeting Ji Wu Xu’s skeptical gaze. “A traitor from the human race within the Floating Cloud Sect must have orchestrated my encounter with the Blood God Wilderness and the Blood God Temple. That green little skeleton is not my first encounter.”

“Young Leader, I may choose not to believe you, but you have no right to question me.” A hint of pride surfaced in Ming He’s gaze. “After all, it is you who seeks my aid. Pride is permissible, but your approach should not be too haughty.”

“Enough, the exchange of information is concluded.” Ming He rose, her sharp eyes surveying the blood-red and dark intermingled wilderness, a hint of irritation in her gaze. “Besides that little skeleton, have you encountered any other beings here?”

Ji Wu Xu had previously implicated the Right Envoy of the demon race as the mastermind, who was at odds with the Left Envoy, Mu Xuan Ye, and there was also a newly enthroned young Demon Lord, complicating the relationships.

It seemed that even if the Right Envoy wished to stir trouble, they would not have much strength outside the demon race. So far, Ming He had only encountered the skeletal puppet, which mechanically followed its master’s commands.

“Of course, do you think the esteemed Right Envoy of the demon race would create but a single puppet?” Ji Wu Xu bit her lip, struggling to stand. “That insignificant green-eyed puppet could not capture me and Dream Sea. We faced a horde of puppets, swarming like a demon army; slaying them only turned them into demonic energy, which then reformed into puppets, an endless cycle—impossible to eradicate.”

“Dream Sea and I have scoured every inch of this wilderness, finding no escape. I believe the key lies with that horde of puppets,” Ji Wu Xu’s gaze was solemn as she looked at Ming He.

“Do you believe the Star Lock can purge the puppet army?” Ming He, noticing Ji Wu Xu’s intense gaze, furrowed her brows. Qin Chu Yi had once said the Star Lock was the convergence of all light in the world, naturally repelling evil and filth.

“Of course not.” Ji Wu Xu’s smile was genuine, though her demeanor soon turned grave. “The Star Lock might suffice, but you cannot; your cultivation of half a step into the Wind Master realm is insufficient.”

She met Ming He’s icy gaze with a deepening smile, a merciless yet good-humored mockery. “What I mean is, to escape this place, the Star Lock is essential, but you alone are not enough. Therefore, Dream Sea and I are indispensable.”

“Ming He, we must unite. Without you, I have no hope of survival, but if you do not save me, you will never escape this place alone.”

“If we cooperate and leave here, even if you break into the Wind Master realm, even if the Blood Oath no longer binds me, I can choose not to act against you.” Ji Wu Xu licked her bloodied lips, her expression captivating, infused with the pride and authority of a young leader.

“So, had I not encountered you here, had I broken through to the Wind Master realm, you would have attacked me without regard for the treaty between our races?” Ming He narrowed her eyes, a chill in her gaze.

“Yes.” Ji Wu Xu did not deny it; she met Ming He’s icy gaze with a raised lip, her expression unapologetically cold and fierce. “After all, I am the young leader of the demon race. You’ve already glimpsed the true nature of this world, haven’t you?”

She leaned against the tree, her lips pale and her face weak, beads of cold sweat trickling down her forehead, yet her eyes held a mockery, her posture cold as if standing high above in the nine heavens. “The more esteemed the identity, the more ruthless the means; some existences hold a dignity and authority that cannot be offended.”

If she didn’t act ruthlessly, how could she possibly hold her position? The struggles within the Demon Race were far fiercer than those among the human race, and she had nothing but herself to rely on.

“How do we join forces?” Ming He looked toward the distant flickering campfire, realizing that Ji Wu Xu’s words held truth. The Star Lock, while mysterious and powerful, was still beyond her full control.

The wilderness stretched endlessly before them, and with her cultivation at only half a step into the Wind Master realm, she was still too weak if she couldn’t perform Sword Flight.

“The puppet army in the Blood God Wilderness appears once every seven days, like locusts that destroy everything in their path. If we don’t enter the Blood God Temple, we won’t survive. However, once we take refuge in the Blood God Temple, we cannot exit until the puppet army vanishes, leaving us with no way to escape.

So this time, we cannot enter the Blood God Temple and must rely on our strength to resist the puppet army. Today just happens to be the seventh day; the puppet army should be coming soon.”

Ji Wu Xu tightened her grip on the blood-red long whip, her expression serious as she gazed sharply into the distance. “Look, they are coming.”

“I’m not blind,” Ming He also gripped her Blue Sea Sword, her gaze cold and focused on the massive dark horde ahead. The sound of the puppet army advancing shook the ground, and amidst the dark night, the cold moonlight cast down, revealing a sea of green eyes like hungry wolves, oblivious to which skeleton was the little skeleton she had pushed aside in the cave earlier.

“What do we do now?” Ming He turned to Ji Wu Xu, her eyes darkening. “Should we kill them? With so many, can the three of us really do it?”

“When they die, they transform into demonic energy, which reassembles as skeletons—a never-ending cycle of slaughter,” Ji Wu Xu stepped forward to stand beside Ming He. “You need to rely on yourself and the Star Lock to find their weaknesses and a way to leave here.”

“Dream Sea will use illusions to restrict the advance and power of the puppets. I will fight alongside you with the long whip and protect you,” Ji Wu Xu flicked her long whip, her eyes filled with murderous intent. “But Ming He, you must remember: if I die, the scheme set by the Right Envoy of the Demon Race will succeed.”

“Let’s cooperate then!” Ming He smirked. “I don’t want to bear the blame for killing the young leader of the Demon Race. I didn’t expect the young leader of the Demon Race to be so afraid of death.”

“Staying alive is the most important thing,” Ji Wu Xu replied, unbothered by Ming He’s subtle jab. “If I survive today, it’s them who should be afraid.” She never let herself be at a disadvantage and always repaid her debts.

“Then let’s begin, young leader.” Ming He looked at the grim green-eyed skeletons close at hand, her expression fierce. Making eye contact with Ji Wu Xu, she unleashed her Blue Sea Sword, striking out a graceful Yang Light Sword that scattered the night, the sword energy infused with Ninth Level Sword Intent sparkling in the air.

The instant the sword energy made contact with the green-eyed skeletons, it blazed forth like dry wood meeting a roaring flame, consuming all vitality in waves. The orderly puppets transformed instantly into a dark demonic energy, swirling across the wilderness, turning the land into a hellish realm.

It was unclear if it was the effect of Dream Sea’s illusions or her connection to the Star Lock, but Ming He felt as though her long sword swept through like a gentle breeze stirring the willow trees, bringing a sense of ease.

She glanced at Ji Wu Xu beside her; the woman in her red attire resembled a raging fire, her long whip sweeping through the green-eyed skeletons, kicking up clouds of dust, and it wasn’t long before even more demonic energy began to appear in the wilderness.

They had already killed many green-eyed skeletons, yet the puppet army still seemed endless, as if filling the entire wilderness.

Ming He leaped into the air, bringing down her sword with the might of heaven and earth, and as she looked into the distance, she saw the black fog that had just turned into demonic energy circling back around, condensing into another green puppet within moments, stepping forward to join the puppet army with a sluggish yet determined gait.

Moreover, the strength of the puppets formed from the black fog was notably enhanced, making them far tougher to handle than the initial ones. Their power escalated with each level.

Realizing this fact, Ming He felt a heavy weight in her heart. She had already infused her sword tip with Star Power, constantly observing the movements of the green-eyed skeleton puppets during the battle, but she had gained nothing.

They were expressionless and moved like perfect puppets. It turned out the Right Envoy of the Demon Race was a puppet master after all.

“Ji Wu Xu,” Ming He called softly, sensing her waning energy. She lightly tapped her feet to fly over, using her sword to block a green-eyed skeleton’s deadly claws while steadying Ji Wu Xu’s gaze. “Are you still alive?”

“I won’t die,” Ji Wu Xu gasped, her breath slightly uneven. The blood on her red attire had soaked it, clinging tightly to her as it clearly marked the injury she had sustained in battle, fresh blood seeping out anew. Her lips remained as pale as ever. “We underestimated the puppet army.”

“They weren’t this strong when they reformed into skeletons. The situation now is different from seven days ago in the wilderness; we might not be able to resist.”

“Let’s withdraw and avoid direct confrontation for now.” Ming He helped Ji Wu Xu to her feet, and in a matter of seconds, they jumped away to a safe distance. The puppet army was indeed powerful, but they moved slowly, so they fought while retreating, hoping to buy time to think of a plan.

“Ha, think you can escape? It’s too late.”

The reformed green-eyed skeleton seemed to understand human speech, its pitch-black mouth slowly opening, producing a dull and jarring sound, filled with ominous pauses, yet it grotesquely bore a smile on its face, giving off an eerie impression in the darkness.

Ming He felt a chill run down her spine in the face of that smile, as if her very soul trembled with fear. She forced herself to steady her mind; all she could think of was escape. She was absolutely no match for this talking green-eyed skeleton, which was on an entirely different level from the one that had previously taken her Blue Sea Sword.

However, the movements of the green-eyed skeleton were anything but slow and clumsy. Instead, they were surprisingly swift and agile, contrasting sharply with the usual puppets, reminiscent of the difference between her first encounter with the Tian Yan Tribe’s monsters in the Liu Yun Mountains—an imperceptible trace.

In a hurry, Ming He raised her sword to meet the green-eyed skeleton’s claws, and in an instant, her body staggered as she took a solid kick from the skeletal figure, sending both her and Ji Wu Xu flying out, blood spewing forth as its skeletal footsteps echoed like those on the path of the Shura.

“Pfft!”

She spat out blood, bracing herself with her hands to stand. Defiance and unwillingness surged in her gaze. The purpose of her journey was to find Qin Chu Yi in the Qin Clan in the Central Region. She hadn’t even seen her Senior Sister yet; how could she die like this?

She cannot die!

Ming He roared, her spiritual energy surging as she unleashed the Big Dipper Seven Star Sword Technique. Starting with the Unsheathing Style, she executed the sequence flawlessly, her movements a blur of starlight and murderous intent. With a swift, lightning-fast strike, she cleaved the approaching green-eyed skeleton in two, sending demonic energy swirling through the air.

“Too bad… I… won’t die.”

The green-eyed skeleton reformed before Ming He, its eerie smile widening as it thrust a claw through the jade pendant made of Spirit Gathering Stone, piercing her shoulder and leaving a bloody wound.

Had Ming He not reacted swiftly, activating her Shadow Steps to retreat in an instant, that claw might have torn out her heart instead.

“What kind of monster is this?” Ming He ignored the searing pain in her shoulder, her eyes darkening as the jade pendant shattered beneath the skeleton’s foot. The pendant, a gift from her mother, had been her shield against prying spiritual senses.

“I… am not… a monster.”

The green-eyed skeleton’s lips curled into a grotesque smile as it reformed its claw, aiming for Ming He’s heart. Its movements were slow, almost sluggish, yet it held her in place, sapping her strength to escape. Its expression was calm, as if its task were already complete.

“Whoosh!”

At the critical moment, a long whip cracked through the air, wrapping around Ming He’s waist and yanking her to safety. A figure cloaked in crimson stood before her—Ji Wu Xu.

Ming He’s gaze lingered on her. Ji Wu Xu’s aura had surged, her posture rigid and her expression stern. Her right fist, clenched tightly, dripped with blood and flickered with flames.

“A mere Shura puppet dares to act so arrogantly?” Ji Wu Xu’s voice was icy as she flicked her whip, its tip blazing with crimson fire. With a single, devastating strike, she reduced the green-eyed skeleton to ash, its demonic energy dissipating without a trace.

This time, the skeleton did not reform.

“Let’s go.” Ji Wu Xu turned to Ming He, her voice low but urgent. Blood seeped from her wounds, staining her clothes, and her face grew paler with each passing moment. After a few steps, she collapsed, caught swiftly by Ming He. “A forbidden technique?”

Ji Wu Xu’s momentary surge of power had come at a great cost, leaving her frail and vulnerable.

“We need to find Dream Sea. We must find shelter.” Ming He wasn’t certain if Dream Sea’s illusions could protect them, but continuing to fight would mean certain death.

“Alright.” Ming He hoisted Ji Wu Xu effortlessly, her movements swift and unhindered. The green-eyed skeletons were momentarily left behind, their pursuit too slow to catch up. Soon, they reached Dream Sea.

The girl in black stood pale and exhausted, her flute clutched in trembling hands. She shook her head apologetically at Ji Wu Xu, her spiritual energy depleted, leaving her powerless to aid them.

“Boom, boom, boom!”

The puppet army marched on, their steps shaking the earth, an unstoppable force sweeping forward. Ming He and Ji Wu Xu, drained of spiritual energy and burdened by injuries, had no strength left to fight. Escape seemed impossible.

Was she truly destined to die here?

Ming He’s eyes burned with defiance. The Four-direction Compass within her storage ring stirred, sensing her desperation, but after a moment of hesitation, it fell still.

Then, a deafening roar echoed across the heavens, louder than the thunderous footsteps of the puppet army.

Ming He’s gaze lifted, hope flickering in her eyes. At the edge of the wilderness, something began to rise, its silhouette faintly illuminated by the pale moonlight. It looked like… a tomb?

“The Tomb of the Divine Sword? Could the rumors be true?”

Ji Wu Xu murmured, a flicker of hope crossing her face. She glanced at the advancing puppet army and said, “Let’s go inside. It might protect us.”

She knew it was more than a possibility—it was their only chance. But she couldn’t let Ming He sense her certainty, so she kept her tone neutral.

“Alright.” Ming He didn’t hesitate. A strange warmth stirred within her, as if something were urging her forward. Trusting the instinct, she moved swiftly toward the tomb, her figure bending slightly as she stepped into its shadowy embrace.