Lin Yan stared at Xu Mu's transformation, hesitated only a heartbeat, then attacked again.
"Fancy tricks! Die!"
Boom!
Their weapons clashed once more. Their Qi collided fiercely, shattering the ground beneath their feet. Surrounding trees toppled as the earth split.
Lin Yan couldn't believe it—he'd used a forbidden pill to skyrocket his strength, and he still couldn't overpower Xu Mu?
Looking at the blood-red lines tracing Xu Mu's body, a flicker of fear crossed his heart.
[Fate Points −50]
"Damn it! I don't believe this!"
He launched another savage assault.
Xu Mu's heart was likewise consumed by rage; his mind held only one thought—kill Lin Yan. The red filaments streaming from his body made him move like a meteor.
They smashed into each other head-on. Every strike made air and earth quake.
As time passed, Lin Yan's offense began to falter.
Boom!
Even with his weapon up to guard, he was blasted away by Xu Mu.
Pfft!
Lin Yan spat blood.
[Fate Points −30]
Swish!
Xu Mu surged in to finish him, blade arcing for Lin Yan's neck—
Suddenly, a slanted tree beside them toppled, crashing down right between the two.
[Fate Points −50]
Boom!
Xu Mu flung out a phantom sword and shattered the tree on the spot, but Lin Yan used the moment to slip away.
Xu Mu said nothing and gave chase.
[Fate Points −10]
[Fate Points −20]
…
The pill's effects ebbed. Facing a blood-mad Xu Mu, Lin Yan couldn't cope. The backlash made his head swim; he had no room to counter.
"Go to hell! Die!"
Xu Mu cleaved Lin Yan's back; blood fountained and Lin Yan was sent flying again.
[Reminder! The nemesis's Fate Points have returned to normal levels.]
Seeing this, Xu Mu drew a deep breath and rushed in. "Lin Yan!"
Lin Yan still fought desperately, but he wasn't a match. Even after returning to normal levels, the Fate Points above his head kept dropping.
Trailing blood, Lin Yan suddenly realized he'd backed up to the bank of the thick fog. Without a word, he dove into it.
Xu Mu, black sword in hand, plunged in after him. He spread his sensing—but couldn't find Lin Yan. He immediately turned his body sideways and crab-walked through the mist; after emerging, he sensed again—still nothing.
"Damn!"
Xu Mu slashed a nearby boulder clean in two, then sprinted back toward the battlefield—and found Dai Xingluo lying in a pool of blood.
He sheathed his sword and grabbed her wrist—there was still a pulse. He quickly pulled out silver needles to staunch her bleeding, then lifted her and dashed into the forest.
Their fight had wrecked the area; people would definitely be drawn here. He needed a quiet place to treat her.
Far off, atop a tall tree, Qin Ju stood on a branch, one hand braced to the trunk. Gazing over the ravaged ground, the corners of his mouth tipped up.
…
Stoneflower helps heal injuries—but Dai Xingluo's wounds were too severe. Xu Mu needed to boost the efficacy; the only option was Blue Sunflower.
He'd gotten four Blue Sunflower in total, intending to use them all to refine Qi-Sea Pills.
But Dai Xingluo… left him conflicted.
He still couldn't understand why a vicious female side character would risk herself to save him.
He'd planned to keep his distance from her. After this… how could he, in good conscience?
Could a woman like this really be swayed by a few clever words?
If not, what would happen when she inevitably crossed paths with Ye Tong?
Xu Mu was torn.
Still, such questions were for later. He lived by a simple rule: treat others as they treat you.
Dai Xingluo hadn't helped much in the fight, but she did risk her life for him. How could Xu Mu just walk away?
He took out one Blue Sunflower and began refining over the fire. He was only a junior alchemist, but that didn't mean he couldn't make a high-grade pill. His goal was simple: stronger than eating Stone Blossom and Blue Sunflower raw—that would be enough.
Before long, a pill was finished. He fed it to Dai Xingluo and gave her a little water.
Time crept on. The sun edged over the horizon.
Dai Xingluo's eyes fluttered open. She glanced around, tense, and started to sit up—then noticed Xu Mu seated beside her.
"Awake?"
"I thought I was dead…" She drew a sharp breath—her cultivation had risen a great deal. A year ago she'd only stepped into early Gang Qi; now she was nearly at the peak of the early stage.
"Brother, what did you do to me?" she asked, stunned.
"I gave you a pill. Don't ask—your life's saved, that's what matters." Xu Mu doused the fire and glanced at her. "Serves you right, doesn't it? With those half-baked skills, you tried to butt into my fight?"
"I didn't think—when I saw him blast you away, I just wanted to help." She smiled. "Didn't expect a blessing in disguise—Brother's pill."
She tried to rise, but pain lanced through her and she lay back down.
"Don't move. You've cracked ribs. I can't fix that here—hospital." Xu Mu stepped in, lifted her in a princess carry.
Even Dai Xingluo flushed at that.
"Don't get the wrong idea. Broken ribs aren't suited to a piggyback."
He headed for the exit with her in his arms.
"Wait, I've got a backpack over there," she said, pointing.
"Troublesome," he muttered—yet he still detoured, slung her pack over his shoulder, and left with her.
Outside the ruin, Xu Mu drew a deep breath. The air out here felt good.
On the way down he sensed more people heading up the mountain. He paid them no mind.
He had no idea he just missed someone—cap pulled low, sunglasses on: none other than the live-in son-in-law Fang Chu.
…
After descending, Xu Mu checked his phone—tons of missed calls and messages: Xu Shou, Ye Tong, Ye Yu, and Meng Wanyue. Even Li Yun had called once—clearly Xu Shou, unable to reach him, had asked her.
Xu Mu didn't reply. Since Xu Ningbing had gotten out first, she'd surely informed them.
He rang the hospital and took Dai Xingluo in. After paying the fees, he called Xu Ningbing. She drove over at once; seeing him safe, she finally relaxed.
…
10:00 a.m.
A guest arrived at the Feng residence: Fan Shiyu. She had put back on the human-skin mask dotted with acne scars.