Chapter 414

Chapter 414: Ye Qian

Deep within the boundless mountains enveloped in mist and clouds, two trails of light streaked across the sky, one in pursuit of the other. Vast spiritual energy surged, stirring up majestic pressure.

The leading trail halted atop a solitary peak, coalescing into the figure of a woman clad in a light blue dress. Ethereal light radiated from her form as her skirt fluttered in the breeze, imbued with the grace of an immortal.

Her jet-black, lustrous hair cascaded like a waterfall, shimmering with a moonlit luster, evoking an aura of serene mystery.

Her uniquely exquisite face was flushed crimson. Eyes as brilliant as sapphires blazed with overwhelming fury as she glared back at the trailing light.

"Hahaha, Ye Qian, I finally seized my chance."

The trailing emerald light descended unhurriedly onto the ground nearby. Emerging from it was a tall man with sharp, fox-like features and a sinister pallor. A single white fox tail swayed behind him.

This was a magical beast. A glimmer of light danced within his bewitching peach blossom eyes as he gazed confidently at his quarry, utterly assured of his victory.

Ye Qian’s expression turned icy. Her right hand flicked, summoning a pale sapphire sword which she thrust towards him with explosive force.

Dazzling sword light erupted, emanating formidable sword intent. Wherever it passed, it radiated a heart-seizing might.

A streak of sword light sliced through the air, aimed straight for the man’s heart.

Yet the man stood motionless. A triumphant smirk played on his lips. "Ye Qian, escape is impossible today. You’re afflicted by lustful poison, and now I’ve ambushed you with Tianhu Love Poison. A mere moment longer, and you’ll become a willing slave under my command."

"I hear the women of your Biquan True Sect cherish their purity most dearly, each possessing immense power within. Once I’ve absorbed your vital essence, breaking through to the Golden Core stage will be within my grasp."

As the sword light surged towards him, a flash crossed the man’s eyes. Two striking beams of green light shot forth from his pupils, colliding violently with the sword light and instantly shattering the attack.

Ye Qian’s body trembled. Under the toxin’s influence, her strength was drastically diminished.

This expedition beyond the sect had been smooth sailing; she hadn’t anticipated an ambush from this fox demon upon her return.

The attacker possessed Nine-Tailed Fox lineage and struck with stealth. Caught utterly unprepared, she failed to dodge, thus succumbing to the poison.

Seeing his arrogant smirk now, she bit down fiercely on her crimson lips until they stained lightly with blood. Her voice cut with frigid fury as she castigated him, "Hu Xuan! I should never have let you flee that day. Today, I would rather end my own life right here than let you succeed!"

"Mark my words! When my sect arrives, the Jin Yun Domain will hold no refuge for you!"

Before her words fully faded, she raised her sword once more, whipping up a storm of sword light that slashed towards her enemy.

Hu Xuan dodged with a swift sidestep, barely avoiding the assault.

"Your downfall was your arrogance," he jeered. "I won’t grant you the chance to kill yourself. Besides, you aren’t truly eager to die, are you?"

"Set your mind at ease. After I’ve drained your vital energy, I shall leave your corpse whole."

"By the time your precious Biquan True Sect tracks this deed to Hu Xuan, I will have long departed the Jin Yun Domain. Then, the vast skies shall be mine to roam freely—your sect masters won’t lay a finger on me."

He made no move to counterattack. Her frantic channeling of spiritual energy only hastened the poison’s spread, seeping deeper into her very organs.

Soon, she’d fall helplessly into his grasp without him lifting another finger.

He had schemed painstakingly for this moment, targeting her specifically.

Within the entire Jin Yun Domain, the women of the Biquan True Sect were the most ideal prey for essence absorption.

Their cultivation techniques yielded power not only for themselves but immense benefit for others as well.

Seizing the essence within her would surely propel him to the Golden Core stage.

Rumble—

The sword light swept past, cleaving through the surrounding trees. The ensuing explosion shook the earth.

Ye Qian faltered, her hand instinctively clutching her wildly pounding heart. A wave of dizziness washed over her, clouding her vision and muddling her thoughts.

The toxin’s influence was deepening rapidly. Her small hand tightened as she stared fiercely at the azure sword, a look of grim determination flashing across her face.

Suddenly, she raised her sword, channeling every ounce of her spiritual energy into its blade. A swirling vortex materialized midair, erupting with thunderous peals.

Her every tactic had already been deployed under this relentless pursuit.

Now, the only recourse left was that forbidden technique.

Using this art would bring severe backlash—a drop in her cultivation, even damage to her foundational core.

Yet even that was preferable to the alternative: defilement, the loss of her vital energy, and a wretched death in this nameless forest.

It was bitterly ironic; the sect compound lay not far off, yet calling for aid was impossible.

All she could hope was that the shockwave from this strike might alert her fellow disciples and bring swift reinforcements.

Sensing the power emanating from the sword, Hu Xuan’s gaze sharpened. "Impressive, Ye Qian!" he barked. "To possess command over such a forbidden art!"

He hadn’t anticipated she’d still seek a final, desperate struggle.

Still, he felt no fear.

Under the debilitating effect of his Fox Poison, her strength couldn’t exceed half its potential.

Any wariness he’d felt earlier had long since evaporated; now, her struggle was like a leaf trying to stop a storm—utterly futile.

Nonetheless, caution prevailed; he held back just enough to prevent her from genuinely self-destructing.

Watched her gather her energy for the sword technique, he lunged forward without hesitation. A sword materialized in his hand, and with a single sweep, he unleashed a terrifying blast, aiming to disrupt her focus.

His speed was blinding, the nine tails behind him flaring with a harsh, piercing light.

He closed the distance in an instant and thrust his blade violently.

Ye Qian watched her unfinished technique falter. With no choice, she forcefully released its fragmented power.

Boom!

An immense wave of sword intent erupted from her sword tip, crashing tumultuously against Hu Xuan’s own blade.

Yet Hu Xuan simply abandoned his sword! His fox tails shimmered behind him, a haze of pinkish light blossoming forth. With a subtle command, he sent a cloud of mist streaking sideways towards Ye Qian.

She hadn’t imagined he could remain this cautious even now.

Frantically, she channeled her protective spiritual light, scrambling to defend.

But the mist simply streamed through her shimmering barrier, seeping directly into her body.

Already weakened by successive injuries, Ye Qian could offer no further resistance.

As the mist invaded her system, her feverish skin seemed to sear. A shock jolted through her, vision dissolving into chaos. A spray of scarlet burst from her lips, staining her pale blue robes with blossoming crimson.

She stumbled backward. The technique she’d painstakingly gathered dissolved entirely.

"You can’t run!" Hu Xuan roared, reaching out his right hand to seize her.

He was a blur, swift as crackling lightning.

Trapped, Ye Qian raised her sword towards her own throat—a final defiance.

But his palm lashed out again, knocking the blade away before she could act. He was upon her instantly.

"I told you," he snarled, triumph twisting his ugly features. "You won’t die."

Despair flooded Ye Qian’s face.

Whoosh!

At that precise instant, a massive sword light cleaved the clouds, descending from the heavens with an earth-shattering roar.

A surging tide of infinite sword intent crashed downward, aimed squarely at Hu Xuan.