Not having expected this many white-robed combat bodies to appear, Yao Ying blinks her eyes.
"Hm?"
Turning around, Yao Ying sees Qing Yue, along with Zhui Yun—leading their respective groups over.
Turning around as well, Tian Cheng, who has a recognition inhibiting mask on her face, asks—
"Shouldn't all the Sinners be headed over to the tree, instead of here?"
Towards this question, Zhui Yun replies—
"It's called sharing the burden with others."
"I see."
Answering as such, Tian Cheng takes out the Dawn Buster.
Similarly, Yao Ying draws Xu Zuo.
"So, it's you!"
Recognizing the sword that Yao Ying had drawn, Qing Yue's eyes flared with rage.
Summoning her Relic, Zhui Yun mutters—
"Chì Xiāng."
Immediately, Zhui Yun's white hair darkens and grows in length, while her red eyes gain a darker tinge—making it ruby red, the same as Qing Yue's.
As blue flames engulf Zhui Yun's body, her height grows to two meters, while her forearms darken.
Upon the flame's dissipation, her clothes are replaced by a set of scarlet robes with a baggy pair of pants.
Simultaneously, the sword held in Zhui Yun's hand grows to two meters—gaining a width that is as wide as a person's body.
"…?"
Seeing how Zhui Yun's current appearance is akin to her own Weapon Spirit True Body, Qing Yue enters a state of daze.
Momentarily, a vague piece of memory begins to appear in Qing Yue's head, but before it could form fully—
"…"
"…!"
Yao Ying approaches with Xu Zuo in hand—forcing Qing Yue to redirect her attention back to reality.
*Klang!* fending off Yao Ying's attack, Qing Yue also assumes her Weapon Spirit True Body state—causing her appearance to resemble Zhui Yun's, but with white robes instead of scarlet.
"…?"
Glancing at Qing Yue's current appearance with a subtle frown, Zhui Yun dismisses the matter, and focuses on Tian Cheng, who had pulled the trigger of her weapon.
*Boom!!!* as Zhui Yun blocks off the energy blast with her greatsword—
"Surround her!"
"Don't let her escape!"
The NPI agents and Moon Guards took a step forward; however—
"Hold them off."
Tian Cheng summons more combat bodies to even the odds.
...…
*Klang! Klang! Klang!* sword and iron fists clash, as Yao Ying and Qing Yue distance themselves from the others.
Having raised her cultivation base to the mid-stage of the Core Formation realm, along with being able to access it freely now, Yao Ying combat strength has risen sharply—forcing Qing Yue to take on a more defensive approach in their exchange.
(Dammit!)
Missing her strike, frustration manifests in Qing Yue's heart, whereas Yao Ying takes this opportunity to slash with the Yin energy-shrouded Xu Zuo.
*Klang!* unable to cut through Qing Yue's abdomen, Yao Ying clicks her tongue.
Even with a full-powered slash, Yao Ying is still only able to dig her blade an inch into Qing Yue's flesh, which is far from enough.
"…!"
Realizing that she is unable to retrieve Xu Zuo—due to Qing Yue having tensioned the muscles around where the blade had dug into, Yao Ying widens her eyes, as her opponent's fist comes in from the side.
*Boom!!!*
"Uh…!"
Despite having put up a shroud of spirit Qi—to defend herself with, this attack from Qing Yue had still nearly caused Yao Ying to lose her consciousness.
"Die!"
Winding her fist back, Qing Yue prepares to launch another strike, but before she can throw it—
"…?!"
A black hand of Yin energy manifests—to hold back Qing Yue's fist by its wrist.
Taking this opportunity, Yao Ying kicks at Qing Yue's abdomen—to put some distance between the opponent and herself.
As soon as Yao Ying separates herself from Qing Yue, the black hand of Yin energy dissipates.
(Still not enough.)
Although Yao Ying has managed to successfully manifest a supposed Hand of the Beast Lord, it's still far from perfect.
...…
*Boom! Boom! Boom!* evading or blocking the incoming blasts, Zhui Yun closes in on Tian Cheng, and cleaves at the latter with her sword.
Leaping backwards, Tian Cheng manages to evade the attack, and—
*Kakaka!* as the Dawn Buster splits itself apart—to form a colossal sword of black energy, Tian Cheng swings it towards Zhui Yun from the side!
*Boom!!!* receiving this strike with her weapon—that is pressed against her shoulders, the ground beneath Zhui Yun's bare feet shatters.
"…"
Narrowing her eyes, sparks of electricity emanate from Tian Cheng's body, as she swings her weapon—
*Boom!!! Boom!!! Boom!!! Boom!!!* a second, a third, a fourth, a fifth—
"Ack!"
*Boom!!!!!* with each strike being heavier than the last, Zhui Yun eventually loses her stance, and is flung to the side.
As Zhui Yun pushes herself off the ground, Tian Cheng mutters—
"Hmm, judging by your current appearance, you seem to be a member of the Chi Yun Continent's Celestial Demon Tribe."
"Celestial Demon Tribe? Chi Yun Continent? Aaargh!"
Muttering these words, a painful headache manifests, and threatens to split Zhui Yun's skull in half.
"…"
Glancing at Zhui Yun, who is howling in pain, Tian Cheng turns around in time to see the other combat bodies emerging from the treasury building.
Since the place has already been plundered clean, the barrier that is above the palace's sky has vanished.
With that said, Tian Cheng no longer sees any more reason to remain here, as she shouts—
"Little girl, we're leaving!"
*Klang!!!* brushing back her opponent's fist, Yao Ying pushes her left hand out—to throw a handprint of spirit Qi and Yin energy at Qing Yue.
"Uh!"
*Boom!!!* blown back by the handprint, which detonated on impact, Qing Yue hits the ground, and rolls to a stop.
"Again…?"
As her Weapon Spirit True Body state dissipates, Qing Yue glares at Yao Ying—with a light of bitterness in her ruby red eyes.
"…"
Staring back at Qing Yue—who looks to be on the verge of tears, Yao Ying can't help but frown. Looking at the former, Yao Ying feels as if she is looking at a mirror reflection of herself, as she thought—
(Did the me from before resemble her current state? And… Am I still like that?)
Shaking her head, Yao Ying chases after Tian Cheng.
Rather quickly, the combat bodies—which were occupied with the NPI agents and Moon Guards, disengaged their enemies, and ran after them.