Chapter 36: Playing the Big Shot, Engaging in Guerrilla Warfare

In the night sky, the moon and stars neared the western horizon, their dazzling brilliance gradually fading as the crow of a rooster pierced the silence.

A young girl stood atop a flying sword, her high ponytail swaying in the breeze. Clad in silver armor that shimmered with a cold, ethereal light, she resembled a young general. With a flick of her fingers, she traced patterns into the void; runes erupted from her fingertips, flowing in an unending stream toward You Fengying.

You Fengying’s expression faltered. Her movements slowed just a fraction, and she was forced back several meters, her heels carving deep furrows into the earth.

"You can manifest runes without the aid of talismans?! What is your cultivation level?!"

You Fengying’s voice trembled. A flicker of panic crossed her otherwise calm eyes, and as she scrutinized Lingxi, blood began to seep from the corners of her eyes. Not even those in the middle or late stages of the Nascent Soul realm could possess such power. Only a god could cause her eyes to bleed!

Though she used sorcery to harvest spiritual energy to extend her life and escape the cycle of reincarnation, she remained mortal, unable to break through the constraints of her nature. Zhong Yi had inherited the legacy of the Earth Deity, yet he, too, had failed to shatter the shackles of his flesh to attain a divine body.

The moment they caught sight of the girl, their hearts shuddered; an overwhelming pressure bore down deep into their consciousness.

Lingxi tilted her head, a dark glint flashing in her eyes. Black mist coiled several meters high around her as she stepped off her sword and paced through the air.

"Can’t you tell my cultivation level? Ah, right—how could a mortal possibly fathom it?" Lingxi spoke unhurriedly, her fingers dancing amidst the runes in the air.

The golden runes vibrated at her touch, scattering sparks of gold that whipped up a gale, racing to assault You Fengying. You Fengying retreated in haste, her sword moving so fast it became a blur, weaving through the circle of runes. A string of golden characters flashed by, trailing a white streak of spiritual energy that grazed her neck, leaving a thin crimson line.

Though she appeared languid as she toyed with the runes, Lingxi was internally frantic. Sharp, stabbing pains radiated from her consciousness, and her body felt as if it were being churned in a meat grinder. Cold sweat poured down her back. The longer she persisted and the more powerful the spells she unleashed, the greater the toll on her own body. She would never resort to force if she could trick her way out.

"I advise you to get lost! Gods possess a heart of mercy; for the sake of your existence, I shall spare you!" Lingxi threatened with a beaming smile. Her small fangs, visible against her cherry-red lips, only made her look more mysterious and alluring.

A sword lunged straight toward her, then abruptly pivoted. With a flick of the wrist, the blade blossomed into a dance of steel, closing in on Lingxi’s throat.

"Those who can tell me to get lost are either stronger than me or worthy of my respect. A pretty face alone gives you no right to demand anything of me!" You Fengying sneered.

Lingxi’s body rippled like a snake. She arched her back, sliding beneath You Fengying’s arm with the speed of lightning. When the first strike failed, You Fengying threw her longsword, catching it in her other hand to target Lingxi’s opening. The blade glowed with intense spiritual light, stirring a chilling wind.

The disparity in their realms was absolute. Even using the divine power of Jiang Ziwen, she could not compensate for her own lack of cultivation. The gap between them was not merely a few minor tiers, but several entire major realms. Her opponent was at least a Nascent Soul cultivator; if she collided head-on, she would not only expose her true strength but likely forfeit her life.

"Are you truly intent on fighting?" Lingxi feigned arrogance.

"I initially only wanted to investigate, but now that I am certain you are merely in the Qi Condensation stage, I certainly won't leave any witnesses alive."

A realization dawned on Lingxi: she finally understood how the other woman had gauged her level. She shouldn't have been so stingy with her spiritual energy when riding the tailwind sword.

Zhong Yi’s eyes dimmed with disappointment. He gripped his iron sword tightly, swallowing the blood in his mouth. "It is fine. Thank you both for coming to my aid, but as a precaution, please help evacuate the villagers."

The white blade turned red, and the surrounding air grew scorching hot. Beads of blood welled up on the surface of the sword, dripping from the tip and splashing like tiny crimson flowers. Zhong Yi nodded to them in acknowledgment. His black boots left imprints in the mud as his blood-stained sword flew forth, its light illuminating the surroundings. The man moved like lightning, his gaze fixed resolutely ahead.

You Fengying raised an eyebrow. A blood-red hue flashed in her eyes, and her cold face twisted into a smile—a mirthless, skin-deep grin that made one shiver. "Fine! You asked for this!"

Her voice was decisive, devoid of any emotion, as if she were merely ridding the world of demons. Lingxi observed every micro-expression on her face, finding it all deeply unsettling. After losing contact with Luo Chen, she recalled the Human-Faced Rat, and a grim thought crossed her mind.

Before Lingxi could dwell on it, a massive body crashed down, kicking up a cloud of dust. A human-shaped crater, a full person deep, appeared in the earth.

Lingxi was in agony, but she forced herself to keep drawing runes, her pale face drained of all color. Under the dim moonlight, her silver armor clattered as she darted to and fro, occasionally pulling Baili Ze out of harm's way.

Baili Ze hesitated, but eventually, swayed by Lingxi, he joined her in a guerrilla skirmish, sneaking in a strike whenever possible. The blood-red glow in You Fengying’s eyes grew more pronounced, pooling in the whites of her eyes and refusing to fade.

"You are courting death!"

You Fengying’s lips curled, killing intent flashing in her eyes. Her blade erupted with spiritual light, and silver-white electrical arcs crackled and hissed, churning the air.

Lingxi gritted her teeth and flashed toward the crater. She didn't know if he was dead—but who cared? She jumped in to take cover. She wasn't afraid of the dead.

A mangled hand reached out, fingers digging into the sandy soil at the edge of the pit, mud caked under the nails. Golden light erupted from the crater’s rim, causing the scattered sand and withered leaves to float in mid-air. Zhong Yi pushed himself up with both hands, his long legs stepping out as his tattered clothes danced in the wind. He extended a finger and beckoned; the iron sword nearby flew into his hand with a metallic roar.

"Come! I will not let you advance a single step further!"

Golden light radiated from his body, a golden mark surfaced on his forehead, and his eyes shimmered with flowing gold. The disciples of the immortal sects had arrived; could reinforcements from the Immortal Gate be far behind?

He channeled the remaining divine power of the previous Earth Deity. Blood bubbled from his abdomen, but as he swung his iron sword, the floating leaves and sand trembled and then surged toward You Fengying with blinding speed.

"You have chosen to fall into depravity. Today, I do more than protect the common folk! I shall clean up the sect on behalf of my master!"

His crisp, bright voice rang out across the mountains, echoing layer upon layer until it filled the entire sky. White spiritual energy exploded from the blade, carving a deep chasm into the earth and creating a massive shockwave. The strike carried the weight of a thousand pounds, parting the air and stirring up a maelstrom of dust and smoke.

You Fengying’s body split in two, and her flesh burst open. From within the gore, thumb-sized eyes emerged, blinking and gazing greedily at everything around them.