The air above them was thick with swirling smoke, and the heat grew increasingly intense.
Watching the fight before him, Zhan Chi grew anxious. They had taken a path up the back of the mountain to get here, but by then, the fire had already nearly encircled its entire circumference.
It had taken them nearly two hours to get here from the mountain's rear flank. If they delayed any longer, the flames would connect. Once that happened, no one, no matter how skilled, would be able to get off the mountain.
"Zhan Chi, what are you standing there for? Get Pangtuan down the mountain, now!" Gu Shuo shouted over his shoulder.
At his words, Zhan Chi turned to see Ye Qianning had finished tending to her wound. He bent down and scooped her into his arms, letting her lean against his shoulder as he supported her with one arm.
With his other hand, he grabbed the back of Sang Zhi's clothes and hoisted him up.
"You take Sang Zhi down the mountain. I'll stay here," Ye Qianning said softly.
