<Chapter 85> The Great Absolute Demon (4)
The sound of metal clashing echoed in all directions.
Sparks flew each time the swords met.
The swords, imbued with intent, left trails in the air.
The light that traced the sword paths resembled flowing water.
The footwork was also fast and varied.
Nangong's Canglong Step (ééžćĽ), which he practiced to incorporate the essence of swift and rapid swordsmanship, added power to his movements.
It was a footwork that resembled the flexible body of a dragon.
Nangong Bia held the frame of the Zewang Sword Form (ĺ¸çĺ形) and continued to wield her sword.
Although the inner energy in her dantian was gradually running out, there was no other way.
How many times had she swung her sword?
It couldn't have been more than a few minutes.
Yet, Nangong Bia already felt her body reaching its limit.
It felt as if she had been swinging her sword all day.
Her broken arm, which had been shattered by the shock, ached with every movement.
Her body, tense from the sudden real combat, moved like the wind.
âI canât... reach...!â
How great was the gap between her and her opponent?
The Blood Demon was not even using his weapon, just dodging.
She bit her lip to regain her composure.
Blood trickled down from how hard she bit.
As she continued to use her footwork, her inner energy grew weaker, and the power in her sword, which had been imbued with techniques, diminished.
The sword paths, which had once glowed brightly, were gradually losing their light.
Her exhausted body made her sword movements slower.
The Blood Demon saw this and swung his arm, pushing Nangong Bia away.
With a light strike, Nangong Bia was pushed and rolled on the ground.
âPretty girl, youâve never killed anyone before, have you?â
In response to the Blood Demonâs words, Nangong Bia managed to gasp for breath.
Looking at Nangong Bia, the Blood Demon thought:
Has she passed her coming-of-age? Her smooth skin suggests she might have, or might not have.
It didnât really matter.
Given her appearance and skill level, her face and body would surely be appealing.
He was just a bit curious.
A Thunder Dragon, was it? The young master of the Nangong family, they say.
To hear that the Nangong familyâs successor is not a Sword Dragon but a Thunder Dragon, how amusing.
The old man Tianzun, and the current head of the family.
The Nangong family has been struggling in this era, but seeing this girl changes my mind a bit.
The Zewang Sword Form, was it?
A technique of the Nangong family that exerts a presence and suppresses the surroundings.
The inner energy must be flowing out like a dam has burst.
Maintaining it must be a difficult task.
Yet, this girl maintained the form while moving so flexibly.
âIs this the level of late-stage experts these days?â
I thought they were just high-profile names, but seeing this, I have to change my mind.
If this continues, the Central Plains will be filled with monsters.
âBut thatâs beside the point.â
The Blood Demon approached Nangong Bia.
âIâve wasted too much time.â
I spent too much time trying not to hurt her face and upper body.
If I had just sliced her, it would have been easier, but her appearance is too precious to just kill.
With her skill level, she wonât age much and will remain beautiful for at least several decades.
âSo, I need to treat her carefully.â
I wanted to have a bit of fun, but Iâm worried about the girl who escaped earlier.
How much time is left before the news reaches Huashan?
Considering it will take about an hour for the news to reach here and for them to arrive.
âHmm, cleaning up the traces will be a bit troublesome.â
The Blood Demon said this while probing Nangong Biaâs neck to seal her acupoints.
âStay still for a moment, I have something to do.â
Even if she had the strength to run, itâs better to prevent it just in case.
The Blood Demon then approached the side where the barrier was located.
As he approached a certain distance, a transparent barrier blocked his path.
Seeing this, the Blood Demonâs lips curled up.
He could clearly feel the presence of a formation.
Seeing it up close, he felt it even more clearly.
This was set up by Plum Blossom Immortal.
According to Peizong, only Plum Blossom Immortal in Shanxi could set up a barrier of this level.
âTo go to such lengths and not leave a single observer... Whatâs the plan?â
Just in case, he used his inner energy to check the surroundings, but no one was detected by his senses.
If someone was beyond his sensing range, it was safe to assume no one was there.
I donât know why Huashan Sect is so unprepared, but itâs good for me.
If they have any sense of honor, that is.
âLetâs see if I can break it first.â
To see if thereâs any divine presence inside, Iâll have to break it open.
He gradually infused his inner energy into the tightly gripped broadsword.
The air around him changed as the sword aura (ĺć°) built up.
Nangong Bia watched this and involuntarily gasped.
The amount of inner energy was unbelievable.
Moreover, he could compress it to a single point.
Her voice wouldnât come out due to the acupoint being sealed.
If she had any inner energy left, she might have tried to break free, but it was impossible for her now.
She successfully sent Gu Linghua away, but there was no telling when help would arrive.
If this continued, it would be the end.
Even if Nangong Bia lacked proper knowledge, she could imagine the bad things that would happen if she were captured.
She didnât want to be taken.
Nangong Bia remembered the Blood Demonâs touch on her cheek when she was exhausted.
It was disgusting and dirty.
Just thinking about it made her whole body shiver.
His touch meant something to her.
Nangong Bia suddenly felt a sense of self-pity.
In this situation, the thought that came to mind was just this.
Not knowing what would happen to her, the thought that crossed her mind was of someoneâs face.
Nangong Bia tried to break free, but her body, drained of energy, made it impossible.
If she failed, her meridians might be damaged, but there was something more important.
Perhaps because of the thought that she might never see that person again, Nangong Bia couldnât stop.
Just as she was about to push harder, enduring the pain.
â...Donât try to force it.â
Nangong Bia stopped the effort at the sound of a voice in her ear.
Her body, which had been stiff, relaxed instantly at the touch on the back of her neck.
The acupoint wasnât fully unsealed, and Nangong Bia realized her voice wouldnât come out properly.
Because of this, she couldnât say a single word she wanted to say.
The boy looked at Nangong Bia and said:
âDonât make a sound. Even if I told you to run, you wouldnât listen, right? Just stay hidden.â
He then gently stroked her head, being careful not to damage it.
As if letting out a held breath, he said a small, breathy word.
The boy then immediately approached the Blood Demon.
Nangong Bia, startled by this, tried to stop him, but the boy had already turned into a burst of flames.
The Blood Demon, sensing a cold warning running down his spine, immediately released his inner energy and twisted his upper body.
He managed to dodge instinctively, but he couldnât fully avoid it, feeling a piercing pain in his abdomen.
He tried to protect his abdomen with inner energy, but the pressure kept pushing in, forcing him to retreat.
The shock of the impact pushed the Blood Demon backward.
The soles of his feet, trying to support him on the grass, made a rough sound.
The Blood Demon, barely stopping, spat out a bit of blood.
Even though he had belatedly protected his abdomen with inner energy, the area was trembling.
There was a smell of burning.
The Blood Demon looked at the attacker with a grim expression.
His lips, which were trembling like his abdomen, gradually curled up.
âLook at this brat...?â
The heat and smell of burning surrounded him.
The Blood Demon immediately recognized the attacker.
â...Our young master, who was planning to visit someday, has come in person?â
I was going to send some kids to find out his location, but here he is.
Surrounded by burning flames.
âAre you introducing yourself