Chapter 116: Igniting the Soul
Seeing that escape from the demonic energy’s assault was impossible, Xia Jiuxuan suddenly shoved Duanmu Wan upward.
“Run quickly! Once you break through the natural barrier of the canyon, it won’t dare to follow!”
Xia Jiuxuan shouted to the flying Duanmu Wan, then plunged downward with fierce determination.
“Xia Jiuxuan!” Duanmu Wan’s voice trembled with tears as she watched his figure swallowed by the demonic energy.
Yet the force Xia Jiuxuan had imparted to her was overwhelming, and her body uncontrollably soared higher.
Xia Jiuxuan plunged into the swirling demonic energy, a dark crimson aura blossoming around him.
At the same time, he spread his palm, summoning a flicker of ethereal flame within.
“Rage!”
From the roiling demonic mass came the terrified shrieks of a humanoid demon tribe.
Demonkind were naturally terrified of Xia Jiuxuan’s killing intent!
But this demon was extraordinarily powerful, having already ignited its demonic soul; its fear did nothing to halt its furious charge.
The demonic energy surged, sealing off this small space—escape was impossible. There was only one choice: battle.
Boom!
The demon shot forward, its body ablaze with potent demonic power.
One claw swiped forward!
Even the surrounding space rippled under its strike.
“Vermin, you’re courting death!”
Xia Jiuxuan’s eyes chilled like ice. Behind him appeared a spectral figure clad in blood-red armor, radiating overwhelming murderous intent.
“Kill!”
The ethereal flame in Xia Jiuxuan’s hand transformed into a blade of slaughter, streaking forward.
At this moment, a towering wave of blood-red sword intent erupted within the swirling demonic energy.
The crimson tide clashed fiercely with the charging demon.
Its anguished shrieks shook the entire canyon, causing massive boulders to tumble on either side.
At the canyon’s far end, mutated creatures lurking on the cliff walls roared wildly in terror.
Especially a giant python residing in the rock crevices—it writhed in fright, its massive body fracturing the earth above the canyon.
“Rage!”
The demon was engulfed in the blood-tide sword intent, struggling only briefly before being cleaved apart, turning to ash and smoke.
“Pfft!”
Xia Jiuxuan coughed up a mouthful of vital blood. Cracks had already formed in his soul; he felt on the verge of exploding.
“Ahhh!”
Clutching his head, even though he had only ignited a millionth of his soul’s power, the pain was unbearable.
Fortunately, his body’s strength and meridians had been greatly enhanced; otherwise, he would have perished long ago.
With the demon’s death, the demonic energy dissipated, but in the air hovered a dark crimson diamond-shaped crystal.
Enduring excruciating pain, Xia Jiuxuan unexpectedly noticed the crystal.
“Could this be a soul crystal?”
Suppressing the agony, he sank several dozen feet and secured the crystal within his spatial storage device.
Unfortunately, he had no strength left to ascend; his body uncontrollably began to fall.
“Xia Jiuxuan!”
At that moment, a beautiful figure clad in white dashed over and tightly embraced him.
It was, of course, Duanmu Wan.
Seeing Xia Jiuxuan’s pale face and unconscious form, Duanmu Wan was filled with heartache; tears streamed down her cheeks.
Though that rascal often took advantage of her without admitting it, in the direst moment, he had risked his life to save her first.
This gratitude was deeply engraved in her heart.
“You scoundrel, you can’t die, sob…”
Duanmu Wan wept as she stomped against the cliff wall, carrying Xia Jiuxuan upward.
After what felt like an eternity, she was utterly exhausted—but she could not give up, dared not give up!
Holding Xia Jiuxuan, she climbed inch by painstaking inch.
At last, a burst of light appeared—they emerged at the cliff’s edge.
Duanmu Wan gently laid Xia Jiuxuan down and collapsed beside him, silently grateful that no mutated beasts prowled this side of the canyon; otherwise, she never could have climbed up carrying him.
“Xia Jiuxuan, wake up…”
After a brief rest, she rose and hastily administered a healing pill into his mouth.
Xia Jiuxuan’s face was ashen, his body cold, his breathing seemingly ceased.
“Sobbing…”
Duanmu Wan cried helplessly.
How she wished for a divine savior to descend and revive Xia Jiuxuan this very moment!
“Senior Brother Xia, you must not die, sob…”
With all her might, Duanmu Wan refined the spiritual crystal, channeling its energy into Xia Jiuxuan.
She did not know if it would work, but she did not care—she only wanted him to live!
...
Outside the secret realm.
The great sects still waited around the perimeter, watching every move of the young men on the giant sky screen.
“Look! Xia Jiuxuan is still alive!”
When Duanmu Wan climbed out of the canyon with Xia Jiuxuan, the eighteen sects immediately spotted him.
“That brat fell into the abyss and still didn’t die!”
Li Hengyang, the Grand Elder of the Qingfeng Sect, ground his teeth angrily.
“Hmph, that bastard seems gravely injured, and the girl looks exhausted too. Quickly notify the geniuses from the mortal nations inside the secret realm—tell them Xia Jiuxuan’s location!” Bai Wen, Grand Elder of the Yuhua Sect, also spoke with murderous intent.
Both rose simultaneously, emanating powerful auras, bowing respectfully to the eighteen sect leaders.
“Honored sect leaders, please issue the order immediately!”
“All right. Elders, don’t be rash. We will communicate with the other sects at once.”
One sect leader immediately used a secret jade to transmit a message, discussing the matter with other great sects.
“Dragon Jade Sect Leader, is it really worth sacrificing two half-step divine artifacts just to kill a mere child?”
“Our sect will release the order to slaughter, but don’t forget your promise—a supreme profound technique of the mysterious rank!”
“That Xia Jiuxuan is truly detestable, disrespecting our secluded sect. He deserves to be killed!”
On this side, the Dragon Jade Sect Leader replied, “Rest assured, no matter which sect’s representative kills Xia Jiuxuan, the supreme mysterious-rank technique promised by the Qingfeng Grand Elder will be delivered without fail.”
“Good! We will issue the order!”
Immediately after, the great sects broadcasted messages through their magical cultivators, informing everyone inside the secret realm of Xia Jiuxuan’s whereabouts.
After so many days of cultivation, the geniuses from the mortal nations had rapidly advanced their strength and realms; some youths, blessed with precious treasures, had even recovered to the second or third mortal rank!
Once the information spread, over a hundred figures swiftly flew toward the crimson mountain.
Li Hengyang and Bai Wen glared hatefully at Xia Jiuxuan’s image on the giant screen, gritting their teeth.
“Let’s see how you escape this time!”
...
Inside the secret realm.
Duanmu Wan continued desperately treating Xia Jiuxuan.
Alas, no matter how hard she tried, he showed no signs of waking.
Having exhausted all options, she collapsed onto his chest, choking back sobs.
“Xia Jiuxuan, you heartless one, after touching and looking over me, you have to take responsibility. I won’t allow you to die, sob…”
She whispered.
Suddenly, three figures shot through the sky, standing above Duanmu Wan and Xia Jiuxuan.
Duanmu Wan’s heart pounded violently.
She was utterly spent from saving Xia Jiuxuan, lacking even the strength to wield her sword.
Steeling herself, she wiped away her tears and spoke coldly, “Gentlemen, I have some spiritual herbs and medicines to offer you. If I have offended, I hope you will forgive me.”
She immediately took out three hundred spirit herbs from her spatial storage and displayed them.
“A few herbs and you expect us to leave? How naive!”
“Wow, this woman is truly beautiful!”
“Heavens, such an unparalleled beauty in the world—today is our lucky day!”
“Haha, the sect ordered us to kill Xia Jiuxuan and his two companions—this woman must be one of them!”
“Yes, she should be Duanmu Wan! Killing her is inevitable, but before that… heh heh, such a peerless beauty cannot be wasted.”
The three men leered shamelessly, openly ogling Duanmu Wan’s proud chest.