Under Nie Wangqing’s urging, the carriage sped forward and soon crossed out of Huanan’s territory.
Once beyond Huanan’s borders, Nie Wangqing saw no immediate threats—but remained vigilant, steering the carriage steadily onward.
Past Huanan lay a dense forest, followed by barren grassland, then another stretch of woods.
At this pace, barring unforeseen trouble, they’d reach a rest-stop city in two days.
Inside the carriage, Tian You gently consoled Hua Zhaoxue, whose emotions still churned uneasily.
“Sister Zhaoxue… are you alright?”
“Mm…” Hua Zhaoxue offered Tian You a slightly weary smile. “I believe in them… especially Ling’er. Among the children, she’s the most sensible. I’m sure she’ll take good care of them.”
Her voice softened, eyes dipping with a trace of unreadable emotion. “And Brother Nie was right… if things truly are that dangerous, the children would only face greater peril staying with us.”
“I’m sorry, Tian You… it was my fault for losing control earlier. If only I had—"
Before she could finish, a slender finger gently pressed against her lips.
“No need to apologize,” Tian You murmured. “Your actions were because of me… *I* should be thanking *you*, Sister Zhaoxue.”
Hua Zhaoxue froze. She lowered her gaze, small hands trembling slightly. A blush crept from her cheeks down her pristine neck.
Tian You’s violet eyes softened as she watched Hua Zhaoxue—head bowed, face flushed with shy joy, a faint smile lingering at her lips. Sensing her turmoil had eased, Tian You smiled gently and turned her gaze toward the window.
Hua Zhaoxue lifted her eyes to Tian You’s flawless profile, heart fluttering between shyness and warmth—just as she opened her mouth to speak, her expression snapped rigid.
A brilliant crimson light erupted from her body. In one motion, she swept Tian You into her arms and shot out the carriage window. Clear of the vehicle, she shouted to Nie Wangqing: “Brother Nie! Off the horse—*now*!”
Though not a Faithweaver, Nie Wangqing’s combat instincts were sharp. The moment Hua Zhaoxue launched herself out, he slapped the horse’s flank, used the rebound to leap clear. The horse let out a pained whinny. Without Qi Energy to steady himself, inertia sent him stumbling back several steps—disheveled, but alive.
Hua Zhaoxue had no time to check on him. Her slender frame trembled, breath ragged, eyes wide with fear. She drew several deep breaths, steadying her shaking limbs. Leaning slightly forward, she called out firmly: “Venerable senior—pray reveal yourself. What brings you here?”
Nie Wangqing held his breath, right hand instinctively gripping the hilt of the heavy sword on his back. Cold sweat beaded his brow as his fearful eyes scanned the silent woods.
Even Tian You’s calm wavered slightly beneath the tension.
No sooner had Hua Zhaoxue spoken than a sharp, overwhelming Battle Prayer energy flooded the forest. Birds and beasts nesting in the trees scattered in panic.
Hua Zhaoxue and Nie Wangqing paled.
*Qi Energy taking form*—a sixth-level Qi Spirit Faithweaver. And judging by its nature… a Battle Orator. The most lethal type in direct combat.
“Oh? Not entirely useless.” A sharp female voice cut through the air.
Hua Zhaoxue’s vision blurred for a heartbeat. Then—directly ahead—a yellow-clad woman materialized. Her face crisscrossed with fine scars, utterly terrifying. In her right hand: a horse-cutting saber humming with sinister aura. In her left: a handsome young man—none other than Li Bai, heir of the Li household.
Li Bai’s gaze locked onto Hua Zhaoxue, raw lust undisguised—as if she were already his prey.
Hua Zhaoxue’s heart hammered. Swallowing her fear, she bowed respectfully. “Venerable senior, one of your stature must be widely renowned. I cannot recall ever offending you. If you have demands… please state them plainly.”
Her eyes flicked subtly toward Nie Wangqing. *Li Bai’s presence explains everything.* Escape head-on was impossible. Even normally, a Dance Weaver’s combat strength lagged behind a Battle Seer’s—and the cultivation gap here was vast.
*Teeth clenched.* She might not survive… but Tian You *would*.
At all costs.
Yet the scarred woman ignored her entirely. Her greedy eyes were fixed—*only* on Tian You behind her.
*She was never after me.*
Realization struck like lightning. Crimson light flared from Hua Zhaoxue’s body. No time to commune with elements—she poured every ounce of Qi Energy into two condensed crimson orbs and hurled them at the ground beneath the stunned woman.
**BOOM!**
Dust and debris exploded upward, swallowing the figure in a choking cloud.
“*Run!*”
Hua Zhaoxue snatched Tian You and bolted toward the forest. Nie Wangqing instantly veered the opposite way—a deliberate diversion.
“Think you can flee? *Pathetic.*”
Hong Yimei set the still-frenzied Li Bai down, lips curling in contempt. In a blink, she vanished—then reappeared before the sprinting Nie Wangqing. Before he could react, her saber hand stayed low; her other palm slammed flat against his chest.
*Diiing—*
An icy aura flooded his body. An ordinary man—no Qi Energy to resist. His hand twitched toward his sword… then consciousness shattered under searing pain. In his final fading sight, his wide eyes held only worry… for Hua Zhaoxue.
