In the depths of the vast and ancient mountain range, within a dense forest that stretched for hundreds of feet, two figures were moving rapidly through the shadows, their bodies agile as lightning. They were none other than Xiao Yan and Gu Xun'er.
Both appeared battered and weary. Gu Xun'er was still composed, but Xiao Yan looked pale and bloodstained, his aura unsteady — the clear signs of a man who had just endured a fierce battle.
"Brother Xiao Yan, can you still hold on?" Gu Xun'er asked softly, her brows furrowed with concern as she glanced sideways at him.
Xiao Yan swallowed a few pills and, as color slowly returned to his face, he let out a long breath, forcing a bitter smile. "Those old bastards are relentless. Xun'er, I've truly dragged you into this… and also Qingyang."
Gu Xun'er's lips pressed into silence. Gu Qingyang had always been close to her, talented and of high status within the Gu Clan. But at times like these… someone had to make sacrifices.
After a moment, she said quietly, "We have to leave this place first. Hun Yu won't give up. If we don't escape now, Qingyang's sacrifice will be meaningless."
"Understood." Xiao Yan's face hardened.
The two suddenly increased their speed, streaking through the forest like twin shadows. Their movements were graceful and precise, leaving no trace behind — not even a hint of Dou Qi ripples for pursuers to detect.
The Ancient Wasteland Mountains were vast beyond measure. What were the odds of running into another group of interceptors so soon—
"Ha ha! Xiao Yan, you can't escape! Hand over the Bodhisattva Seed, and this old man might just let you live!"
An aged, mocking voice cut through the air. Three black-robed figures streaked in from the distance, their faces hidden beneath hoods, their auras carefully concealed.
Xiao Yan's expression turned grim. Again? He had just fended off two enemies, and now three more appeared. When would this end?
"Brother Xiao Yan, be careful," Gu Xun'er warned, stepping protectively in front of him. "These three are all at the Peak Dou Zun level, and that one leading them… his strength surpasses mine."
Her gaze sharpened, and golden flames flickered faintly within her eyes.
Three Peak Dou Zuns — even the difference of one rank meant nothing when Xiao Yan couldn't handle any of them.
Her beautiful face turned icy cold. "Three seniors," she said evenly, "you should know my identity — and what the force behind me represents. If you leave now, I can let this go. But if not…"
The chilling aura radiating from her body was enough to freeze the air itself. Her tone was calm, but every word carried a cutting edge.
"Heh heh, of course we know who you are," one of the black-robed men sneered. "If not for that, we'd have already taken you back with us. First do this… then do that… and then, heh heh—"
"Third, shut your mouth!" the leader barked harshly, cutting him off.
Gu Xun'er's face turned frostier still. For someone of her status to be spoken to with such filth — it was unforgivable.
"Shameless scum."
Xiao Yan's fists clenched tightly, his expression dark. But before such overwhelming strength, his indignation was powerless.
'Damn it… why am I still so weak?!' he cursed inwardly. His strength had always lagged just a step behind his enemies — enough that every battle turned into a desperate struggle.
The leader of the black-robed trio sighed lightly. "So, you refuse to hand over the Bodhisattva Seed. Truly unfortunate… we didn't wish to go this far. I'll deal with this young lady. The two of you—capture Xiao Yan and find that Seed. He's Medicine Sovereign's disciple — don't bother holding back."
"Yes!"
The three moved at once. The leader's figure blurred as he lunged toward Gu Xun'er, his Dou Qi surging with restrained ferocity — calm yet oppressive, like a mountain collapsing silently.
"Brother Xiao Yan, run!" Gu Xun'er called sharply. "I can handle this. Don't let them catch you!"
Her voice had barely fallen when she leapt forward, graceful yet fierce, meeting the attack head-on.
The black-robed leader was already half a step into the Half Saint realm, but Gu Xun'er was no ordinary woman either — the proud daughter of the Gu Clan, blessed with divine blood, raised to battle the heavens themselves.
Their movements were fast as lightning. Each strike carried immense power, yet their techniques were so refined that neither allowed the energy to explode outward.
Both had the same unspoken intent — to keep the battle contained. She didn't want to attract more enemies; he didn't want to draw more competitors. Thus began a silent yet deadly duel beneath the canopy.
The man's killing intent was faint — replaced by a different, more vile desire. His eyes lingered greedily on Gu Xun'er's figure. "Such beauty," he hissed. "It's a pity your identity keeps us from taking you away. Otherwise, we'd teach you what true bliss feels like. You'd never want to leave."
Gu Xun'er's golden eyes flared with anger, her strikes turning vicious and sharp enough to kill. But beneath her fury, worry gnawed at her heart. Even if she held one at bay, Xiao Yan still faced two Peak Dou Zuns.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan was in dire straits.
He knew perfectly well that staying would only hold Gu Xun'er back. A 7-Star Dou Zun was nothing before such opponents. Staying meant death for them both.
Without hesitation, Xiao Yan turned and fled, activating his movement technique to the limit. His body became a streak of light, flashing through the trees.
But speed alone couldn't save him.
The two remaining black-robed men exchanged a glance — and shot after him. They were even faster. Within moments, they closed the hundred-zhang gap, their combined aura locking onto him.
The air trembled. Space cracked open as two withered claws reached out, sealing off his escape from above and below.
If those claws landed, Xiao Yan would be crippled — if not killed outright.
Experience from countless brushes with death kicked in. He twisted his body midair at an impossible angle, slipping through the narrowing gap like a slick mudfish. The claws struck only empty space.
"Jie jie… not bad," one of them rasped. "I heard that dead master of yours has returned — even reached Half Saint. In that case, I'll settle our old grudge with his disciple instead."
Xiao Yan's heart sank. 'So they were Teacher's old enemies… announcing his name would only make things worse.'
He sighed inwardly. What should have been a blessing — obtaining the Bodhisattva Seed — had instead brought nothing but disaster.
Now, with two Peak Dou Zuns closing in from both sides, their killing intent locking firmly on him, his options were running out.
"Wait!" Xiao Yan suddenly shouted.
The two paused, their interest piqued. "What now?" one asked mockingly. "Trying to beg for mercy? Too late!"
Xiao Yan's eyes flickered as he forced a faint smile. "The Bodhisattva Seed — I can hand it over. But there are three of you… who should I give it to? Besides," he added meaningfully, "with that other one still around, do you really think the Seed will end up in your hands?"
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Members on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.