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Li Fenyun paled as he felt his chest being pierced. It went without saying this was the first time he'd experienced something like this, so he couldn't help but feel a cold chill in his gut—because his heart could no longer beat.
He even had to admit it was rather interesting—the sensation of his strength slowly fading away. Who knew? Maybe he could create a technique based on the feeling he was experiencing right now. But the situation didn't allow him the luxury of such thoughts.
He smiled faintly at Cultivator Zhang, whose face loomed before him.
Li Fenyun's mind raced. Since he had done this so that they would owe him a favor, he might as well do it properly.
He suddenly kicked backward, striking Qing Huomei behind him and sending her flying toward the youths fleeing the domain!
Rage flashed across Cultivator Zhang's face at the sight. "Damn vermin!"
Cultivator Zhang clenched his fist, unleashing a shockwave that obliterated Li Fenyun's internal organs! He tightened his other fist, ready to crush his skull with a single blow!
Fussh!
The Young Master appeared suddenly, attacking with his spear that left a trail of water in its wake. Cultivator Zhang had no choice but to step back, momentarily forgetting about Li Fenyun—who was more dead than alive at this point anyway.
The Young Master's spear glowed with an intense, heavy blue—like the depths of the ocean!
Even Cultivator Zhang had to take the Young Master's spear strike seriously.
They exchanged blows at high speed, with the Young Master clearly at a disadvantage. Yet somehow, he always managed to strike the weak points in Cultivator Zhang's attacks, barely withstand off the demonic cultivator's ferocious assaults.
Li Fenyun took advantage of the clash between these two titans and dragged himself along the ground. He looked up, feeling somewhat wretched.
He still had a long life ahead of him—with thousands of luxuries yet to enjoy. And yet, he'd thrown it all away just to put the Qing clan in debt to his Li family…
He couldn't help but search for the reason he'd done all this—though he knew it was practically impossible amid the panicked crowd fleeing in terror.
But a miracle seemed to happen in his final moments.
'My Bing'er...!'
Tears streamed from his eyes as he hallucinated his daughter running toward him. Though she'd always been willful and spoiled, she was his daughter—his reason for living. In a way, he felt relief.
Just a few hours earlier, he'd considered locking her away until she matured—but his heart ached at the thought of her missing out on her youth. But things were different now.
'Haha… With this, even if she does something foolish, the Qing clan won't harm her. They might even protect her—as long as she doesn't act like a complete idiot...'
The light faded from Li Fenyun's eyes as relief washed over his body…
'Huh? Why does this hallucination feel so real...?'
Li Fenyun's fading consciousness—barely sustained by the formidable soul of a cultivator—was filled with shock as he saw his daughter, Li Bing, and another young woman rushing toward his dying body!
Li Fenyun gathered his last ounce of strength and glared at his daughter, trying to speak—but failed. "Ah ah ah L-?!"
His body was in far too poor a state.
Li Bing looked at her father with tear-filled eyes, completely ignoring his protesting gaze. She simply disregarded him, bent down, and began dragging his body away despite his frantic protests.
Qing Xuanling—who'd only come because Li Bing had stopped her from returning earlier and now felt indebted—watched the scene with complex emotions.
She'd initially tried to stop Li Bing from going back, but Li Bing's desperate pleas to save her father had eventually softened her heart. Qing Xuanling had no parents herself, so she had no right to judge whether Li Bing's choice was right or wrong.
'Still… she shouldn't have come back...'
Qing Xuanling sighed in exasperation and pulled some pills from her storage pouch. She didn't want to use her storage ring in front of others. She placed the pills directly into Li Fenyun's mouth.
"It's impossible to save you now, but this pill forcibly restores bodily functions. With this, you should be able to speak."
Warm energy surged from Li Fenyun's stomach, coursing through his body and reconnecting his vocal cords—shattered by Cultivator Zhang's corpse Qi. He shouted as soon as he could.
"Ungrateful brat! Why the hell did you come back?!" Li Fenyun yelled, his eyes bloodshot. "Go! Leave this old body behind! I didn't give my life just for my only daughter to die too! Please… just go! Live, behave better, cause no trouble, and live a long, happy life…"
Li Fenyun's shouts gradually turned into pleas.
Li Bing's body trembled.
"I-I'll behave better! I'll stop being a-arrogant and listen!" She bit her lip until it bled. "But! You have to be there! What good is living if you won't be there?! Who will walk me down the aisle when I marry?! So old man—hold on and survive! Do it for me! Just grant me this one last selfish wish!"
Li Fenyun smiled bitterly. "Child, you heard Young Xuanling yourself. There's no saving me. So just leave me and go…"
But Li Bing was stubborn. "Companion Xuanling is younger than me! Maybe she doesn't know a way to save you—but others might! Even if not, we can go to the family treasury and find a celestial treasure to heal you!"
Qing Xuanling couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy and stepped forward to help.
"What a beautiful scene we have here?"
A chill ran down Qing Xuanling's spine. She spun around immediately and stared solemnly—and with a hint of fear—at the man who'd suddenly appeared. He was tall and extremely thin.
What stood out most were his unnaturally long arms and his deathly pale face, which never stopped smiling.
After a moment, Qing Xuanling recognized him. 'He's one of the companions of the cultivator who injured Elder Huomei!'
Li Bing's body trembled violently. Her face turned sheet-white—but she clutched her father's body tighter and quickened her pace. Li Fenyun's face filled with complex emotions as he felt his daughter's trembling steps.
He'd never expected the willful girl—who'd never faced hardship in her life—to go this far for him…
The lanky cultivator watched the scene with perverse interest and took a step forward—but someone blocked his path. He regarded her curiously. "Do you wish to die first?"
Qing Xuanling smiled ironically at the question—which held no malice, only genuine curiosity, as if he truly believed she'd stepped in his way just to die faster…
She took a deep breath and gripped Memory tightly. Her chest felt heavy—but she didn't retreat. Not just because Li Bing and her father were behind her. Rather, because hundreds of people were fleeing behind her.
Qing Xuanling hadn't realized it before—but after seeing Li Bing and her father, she remembered that among those escaping were parents, children, siblings… all kinds of people precious to those outside the domain.
In contrast…
'I have no family. My masters I've known less than three months. My closest friend is quite sociable—so even if I'm gone, he won't be too affected. Besides, this madman won't let us leave whether I fight or flee. And…'
A wild smile spread across her face. 'I can finally find out what happens to Xuan Dan if I die! Not to mention—I get to fight a Foundation Establishment cultivator to the death! I'm really seizing a great opportunity!'
The lanky cultivator felt slightly annoyed by Qing Xuanling's smile. A mischievous, sinister gleam appeared in his eyes.
"You're quite interesting, girl. Though I don't usually do this—what's your name? I'm Kuga." Kuga smiled. "Remember it. That's the name of the one who will kill you and your entire clan."
Qing Xuanling smiled faintly at the provocation. "I'd love to see you try—but I probably won't live long enough to witness it. So I'll settle for you knowing that I, Qing Xuanling, prophesy your death will come at the hands of my Qing clan!"
Kuga's eyes gleamed dangerously. "At least you have some self-awareness. Though I won't die by your clan's hand, you certainly won't witness my death—not when yours is just around the corner!"
The air around Kuga rippled as he manifested his aura, using it like an invisible projectile!
Qing Xuanling could only stare in disbelief as sharp pain suddenly erupted in her stomach. Dozens of invisible strikes slammed into her body afterward! Sweat poured down her face as she tried to predict where the attacks would come from—but it was impossible!
It wasn't Qi, nor spiritual energy—it was simply Kuga's extremely precise control over his own aura!
'It's really true—a Foundation Establishment cultivator can kill with just their aura!'
Qing Xuanling smiled bitterly—but didn't panic. Though she hadn't found a way to defend herself, she'd already found a solution. She stepped forward, advancing!
Dozens of strikes hit her body instantly—but she didn't flinch and kept moving forward! She'd always done the same when facing the aura of a far stronger cultivator… *advance!*
Though the aura could now be classified as attacks, she refused to be intimidated. She gripped Memory tightly—her Sword Qi blazing intensely, resonating powerfully with her battle intent.
Memory trembled in her hand, matching her heartbeat. Unbeknownst to her, she'd once again entered the Sword-and-Man Connection state!
Though this didn't increase her strength, Qing Xuanling's mind cleared—dispelling all doubt. Now, her mind and sword were focused solely on how to cut down the enemy before her!
Kuga's eyes widened slightly at Qing Xuanling resisting his aura—but he quickly smiled and grabbed a whip hanging from his waist. He said nothing, but his sadistic eyes clearly revealed why he'd chosen such a weapon.
Without hesitation, he attacked—his whip creating a piercing whistle!
All Qing Xuanling felt was sharp pain in her leg before a cutting whistle made her eardrums vibrate. She looked down—and her face went blank. The whip coiled around her leg like a snake.
"Shit…!"
Qing Xuanling's body was yanked upward violently—then slammed hard into the ground!
Baam!
Her internal organs shook as her vision blurred. Qing Xuanling had no doubt she'd be dead if she weren't a body cultivator!
Even Kuga seemed slightly surprised again—but that only widened his smile, as if he'd found a new toy. He whipped Qing Xuanling up and down, slamming her against the floor repeatedly.
A metallic taste rose in Qing Xuanling's throat—but she forced it down and slashed her sword at the whip! She hadn't done it before only because she had felt disoriented—but she wouldn't let them treat her like a piñata anymore!
The whip proved surprisingly resilient at first—but was quickly severed by Qing Xuanling's Sword Qi. Once freed, she flipped in midair and landed, immediately using her movement technique to appear before Kuga.
"Let's see how tough your body really is!"
Qing Xuanling roared as she slashed downward at Kuga's head.
Clang!
"Brat, you really don't know the difference between heaven and earth," Kuga shook his head, catching Memory between two fingers. "No matter how hard you try—you can't hurt me."
A kick sent Qing Xuanling flying backward, making her roll across the ground several times. Kuga appeared above her instantly, beginning to rain down brutal blows!
Red droplets began splattering the ground around them.
Kuga's strikes were merciless—not strong enough to knock her unconscious, but powerful enough to inflict excruciating pain. His skill and the smile on his face as he listened to Qing Xuanling's pained groans made it clear he was a true expert in the art of delivering beatings.
"Tell me," Kuga's voice—strangely high-pitched—It was like the whisper of a demon in Qing Xuanling's ears, "do you regret defying me now?"
But she felt no fear. Instead, she smiled. Though her bruised and swollen face looked ugly, her eyes remained bright and clear—so piercingly sharp they deeply irritated Kuga.
"Why would I regret it? I got what I wanted. You wasted so much time on me that the others managed to escape. I lost to you—but I'd say I won the war."
Kuga's face first showed bewilderment, but soon twisted into a mix of laughter and sarcasm. "Brat, did you really think I lack the ability to kill those people while playing with you?!"
A terrible premonition surged within Qing Xuanling.
"Arrogant brat!" Kuga laughed sadistically. "I let them escape because it doesn't matter where they run—we've already taken the city! Least than a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators have already gone to attack your clan, while the Mo clan has already lost three elders, and the Ink Sword Sect are our dogs!"
"We'll seize the city by force soon enough—so no matter how far they flee, they can't escape our grasp! Girl, the outcome of this assault was predetermined from the start. The only reason you resisted for so long and even escaped the domain was thanks to the Bloodmist Envoy's intervention!"
Qing Xuanling's mind went blank for a moment. The information was simply too shocking. A dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators! The number was overwhelmingly large!
Even if the clan had all its elders present and activated their defensive formation, survival wasn't guaranteed—not to mention that right now, three elders and the Young Master weren't even there!
Qing Xuanling's eyes cycled through emotions—from sorrow to despair—making Kuga's expression flush with excitement. He'd finally broken the girl before him.
But in his exhilaration, he missed the vicious glint that flashed through Qing Xuanling's abyss-dark eyes.
She gritted her teeth, feeling her grip on Memory—which hadn't loosened even through the beating—and channeled as much Sword Qi as she could, slashing toward Kuga's neck!
"...Girl, are you truly retarded or something? Didn't I tell you you can't hurt me?" Kuga blocked the sword with his forearm, staring at Qing Xuanling in disbelief.
"I don't give a damn what you say! I decide whether I can hurt you or not!" Qing Xuanling's eyes were ruthless.
She'd already concluded she wouldn't survive this, so she made an instant decision. She began burning her vital energy—trading her life to at least make the human vermin before her bleed!
She unconsciously opened her mouth, shouting louder than ever:
"May the Qing clan's heaven endure for eternity!"
A strange calm washed over her as she shouted those words. She finally understood why everyone cried out this phrase when facing danger—it was oddly soothing...
Though Qing Xuanling's thoughts drifted, her sword didn't. Memory blazed with an immense amount of Sword Qi—far beyond her normal capacity—and stabbed toward Kuga's neck!
Even Kuga's eyes widened at the sudden attack!
Though not fatal, Qing Xuanling's sword would certainly wound him. But that enraged him immensely. Since when could an ant at the fourth layer of Qi Refinement harm a respected Foundation Establishment cultivator?!
Kuga took Qing Xuanling's strike head-on. Memory sank an inch into his neck, causing dark-red blood to splash onto the girl's bruised face. She wore a fierce smile.
"Damn ant!" Kuga's eyes turned bloodshot as shadows faintly coiled around his fist, which descended forcefully toward Qing Xuanling's face. "Your insolence ends here!"
Qing Xuanling's heart trembled as she felt a deadly aura rapidly approach her head. She realized immediately: 'Ah… I'm really going to die... I just hope Xuan Dan doesn't vanish.'
She closed her eyes, accepting her death. Even if she couldn't revive through Xuan Dan, she felt no regret. She'd followed her heart—protecting others as they'd protected her. Though she felt slight remorse for not fulfilling her promise to live to Qing Zhu and the others, she believed she'd done well enough.
At least she hadn't shamed the clan.
Yet the expected pain never came. Instead, a comfortable, warm energy enveloped Qing Xuanling as a brave, bold voice reached her ears:
"Since when did you gain the right to take the lives of my Qing clan's geniuses?"
A beautiful and bold-looking woman suddenly appeared next to Kuga and Qing Xuanling, easily stopping Kuga's punch and sending him flying with a blow of her own.
Kuga was sent flying—his eyes, normally serene and full of amusement, filled with panic as he stared in terror at Qing Meipon. He felt that something bad was about to happen to him!
Indeed, a sacred-looking wheel of fire appeared behind Qing Meipon. Seven of the symbols on the wheel glowed simultaneously. The wheel of fire instantly changed shape, transforming into a brilliant red Buddha!
The Buddha's eyes shone brightly as hundreds of arms appeared behind it, launching violent palm attacks that converged into a single blow several dozen meters in diameter! Kuga didn't even have time to react before his body was completely incinerated on the spot!
Qing Xuanling watched the sudden turn of events with disbelief—but quickly smiled as she accepted the reality. Relieved, she said, "I guess I won't have to die after all. You're something else, Grandma Meipon. With you here, the clan shouldn't face any trouble..."
Her voice trailed off. Her face froze as she sat up and stared blankly at Qing Meipon's body—which was slowly dissolving into spirals of fire dispersing into the air...
Qing Meipon didn't seem surprised at all. She even scolded Qing Xuanling with a stern gaze. "Brat, why the hell did you stay to fight this idiot and even burn your vital energy?! Are you stupid or something?! I know you could've escaped if you hadn't stayed to fight!"
Qing Xuanling spoke with a trembling voice. "I thought we'd all die if no one stopped him, so I'd rather die on my own terms... But that's not important! What the hell is happening to your body?!"
"Well, it's dissipating. That's what happens when you burn even your soul for power." Qing Meipon waved her hand dismissively, as if it were trivial. "I suggest you don't try it—it's quite painful. So I hope you don't get addicted to burning your life or body for power!"
"Oh, and by the way—I have to say you were amazing earlier. Though reckless, staying behind to fight undoubtedly saved several clan members' lives. Though I really hope you don't do it again..."
Qing Xuanling frowned fiercely as she felt Qing Meipon's hand on her head. "Don't talk like you're saying goodbye! Isn't there anything we can do to save you—or at least let you live a few more years?!"
Panic crept into her voice as tears fell without her noticing.
A tender smile appeared on Qing Meipon's face—now that of a young woman.
"Xuanling, I feel at peace leaving this world with someone like you remaining in the clan. The fearless way you shouted our clan's battle cry is what allowed me to regain consciousness and act. At that moment I was unconscious due to an evil Qi, your scream was like a purifying light, dispelling the confusion in my head."
"But you know, what I want from you isn't for you to sacrifice yourself for the clan's heavens." Qing Meipon's gaze softened with affection. "What I hope for you is to become the rainbow that colors our clan's sky. Weren't you given the title 'Rainbow Swordswoman'? Then honor it—and paint our heaven with color."
"In truth, I knew it from the moment I first saw you months ago—that warmth inside you seemed like a drop of color in this gray, dark world. Today, you proved it. So continue walking the path you're on. Perhaps with a bit more prudence—but keep moving forward. Walk until your brilliance covers the entire sky..."
Qing Xuanling's consciousness began fading as Qing Meipon's scarlet fire enveloped her, wrapping her body in a warmth she'd never known. Her bruised face healed rapidly, revealing the tears streaming down her cheeks.
She tried to speak—but the words caught in her throat as she felt her body rapidly pulled away from Qing Meipon.
The last thing she saw was Qing Meipon smiling warmly before transforming into a furious blaze that shot toward the cultivator fighting the Young Master.
Darkness swallowed her consciousness after that.