The thousand-year snow lotus on the massive rock swayed gently in the wind, emitting a faint, delicate fragrance, as if mocking the trio's helplessness. Seeing this, Lin Yaoyao understood that the hope for a peaceful resolution was slim. She tightened her grip on the long sword in her hand, its lustrous white blade reflecting the Snow Leopard's fierce gaze, ready for battle. The chill at her fingertips sharpened her focus, and the spiritual power within her body began to surge, prepared to counter the Snow Leopard's attack at any moment.
Bai Li also stepped out from behind Lin Yaoyao, drawing her Dagger. Her small figure looked exceptionally frail before the towering Snow Leopard, yet her gaze was resolute and fixed on the beast without a trace of fear. Although the Dagger was not as dazzling as Lin Yaoyao's long sword, it still glinted coldly. Bai Li channeled her spiritual power into the Dagger, ready for the fight. She knew this battle was unavoidable; to help Lin Yaoyao obtain the thousand-year snow lotus, she had to give it her all. Shen Mo, meanwhile, infused her spiritual power into her long sword. The blade emitted a resonant hum, like a Dragon on the verge of awakening. The air around the sword began to ripple, flashing with cold light that illuminated Shen Mo's determined face. Her eyes blazed like torches, fixed intently on the Snow Leopard pack, ready to launch an attack at any moment. The atmosphere atop Snow Lotus Peak was tense and charged, a major battle ready to erupt.
The lead Snow Leopard let out a deafening roar, causing snow in the valley to rustle and fall. Its powerful hind legs kicked off the ground, and it lunged toward Lin Yaoyao like an arrow shot from a bow. A foul wind swept past, and its sharp fangs and claws reflected a cold, sinister light in the sun. Lin Yaoyao, already prepared, sidestepped nimbly, deftly evading the Snow Leopard's pounce. Simultaneously, she swung her long sword, sending a sharp Sword Qi slicing through the air straight toward the Snow Leopard's abdomen. The Snow Leopard reacted with incredible Speed, twisting its body mid-air and narrowly dodging Lin Yaoyao's attack. The Sword Qi grazed its fur, leaving a deep gash in the snow.
In the blink of an eye, seeing this, Shen Mo immediately joined the fray. Lightly tapping her toes, her figure moved like a swallow, weaving among the Snow Leopard pack. Her long sword danced in her hands, its gleam flashing as it clashed fiercely with the Snow Leopards' claws, producing sharp metallic clangs. Each collision sent flurries of snow sparkling like crystal in the sunlight. Bai Li stood a bit farther away. Her hands quickly formed seals, mobilizing the spiritual power within her. Egg-sized spheres of light took shape in her hands, emitting a dazzling white radiance, which she then hurled forcefully at the Snow Leopard pack. Although the Speed of the light spheres wasn't fast, they accurately struck the Snow Leopards. While they couldn't inflict substantial damage, they disrupted the beasts' attack rhythm and hindered their movements, creating opportunities for Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo to press their offense.
The lead Snow Leopard, wounded by Lin Yaoyao's Sword Qi, roared in fury and attacked again, moving faster and more agilely than before. Lin Yaoyao brandished her long sword, engaging the lead Snow Leopard in a fierce melee. Human and beast exchanged blows, sword light flashing, claw shadows flying, locked in intense combat. Shen Mo fended off the remaining Snow Leopards. Her movements were nimble, her swordplay exquisite, allowing her to maneuver freely among the pack. The long sword in her hand was like a spirit serpent, continuously striking at the Snow Leopards' vital points. Bai Li kept releasing light spheres to disrupt the Snow Leopards' attacks while also searching for an opening to deliver a fatal blow.
Amid the fierce battle, a Snow Leopard seized an opportunity, circling behind Lin Yaoyao and swiping a claw in a sneak attack aimed at her back. Lin Yaoyao was preoccupied with the lead Snow Leopard and, momentarily off-guard, couldn't dodge in time. The sharp claws tore through her sleeve, leaving a bloody gash on her arm. Blood instantly stained the fabric crimson. Seeing this, Bai Li grew frantic. Without a second thought, she rushed in front of Lin Yaoyao, using her petite frame to block the Snow Leopard's follow-up attack.
"Bai Li!" Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo exclaimed simultaneously, shocked that Bai Li would disregard her own safety to shield Lin Yaoyao.
The Snow Leopard's sharp claw struck Bai Li hard, sending her flying. She landed heavily on the snow, let out a muffled groan, and lost consciousness. Her small body lay motionless in the snow, her white robes stained red with blood—a stark, glaring contrast against the pure white ground.
"Bai Li!" Lin Yaoyao hurried to Bai Li's side, cradling her in her arms, anxiously calling her name. "Bai Li, wake up! Bai Li!" Her fingers trembled as she checked for Bai Li's breath. Feeling a faint respiration, she finally felt a slight relief.
Shen Mo also rushed over, her expression grave as she looked at the unconscious Bai Li. "Yaoyao, we should take Bai Li away from here first. It's too dangerous," she said. Turning to glance at the surrounding Snow Leopards watching them intently, her eyes held a hint of wariness. "These Snow Leopards won't let us go easily."
Lin Yaoyao's face was etched with anxiety. Seeing Bai Li unconscious, her heart felt as if pierced by a knife. She held Bai Li tightly, the silver blood soaking her own clothes—a shocking sight. With Shen Mo's urging and the Snow Leopards' low growls in her ears, she took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. "Shen Mo, you're right. We must leave here first." Gritting her teeth, suppressing the pain in her heart, Lin Yaoyao lifted Bai Li into her arms.
"I'll cover you!" Shen Mo declared. Swinging her long sword, she sent a sharp Sword Qi slashing toward the Snow Leopard pack, forcing back several that tried to approach and buying Lin Yaoyao time to escape. The Sword Qi whistled through the air, tracing a silver arc filled with a biting chill, repelling the advancing Snow Leopards. Sensing the formidable power contained within the Sword Qi, the Snow Leopards backed away, not daring to approach recklessly.