Chapter 20: Team Up in Close Combat

Chen Zhao only realized later, silently cursing himself.

Now, the enemy has one Qi Refining Eighth Layer, and two Qi Refining Fifth Layer.

Su Wanyao is Qi Refining Sixth Layer, Xin Tong is Qi Refining Seventh Layer, and both have been poisoned by Yin Poison, their strength greatly diminished.

And Xin Tong's Defense Array can only hold for half a stick of incense.

How do we fight?

Chen Zhao turned back toward the cave entrance.

It was sealed tight, seemingly by spellcraft—he lacked the cultivation to break it.

"We must find a way to make Su Xin smash open the cave entrance and flee while we can."

Chen Zhao's mind raced.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Liu Chen's fingers twitch, a few ashes drifting from his palm.

It's an Anti-Poison Talisman!

This kid has a backup plan too!

Liu Chen slowly woke, met Chen Zhao's gaze, and immediately devised his own escape strategy.

While the two women fought the Robber Cultivators, he flung three golden paper Talismans toward the cave mouth!

First-grade Mid-grade, Gold Blade Talisman!

Chen Zhao was startled—he had planned to strike opportunistically.

But Liu Chen acted so fast—if they couldn't break the cave door, and the Robber Cultivators surrounded them, it would mean certain death.

Liu Chen knew the stakes too; he unleashed his strongest Talisman.

Boom!

The boulders cracked, the cave entrance fissured slightly, letting in a sliver of sunlight.

There's hope!

Before the Robber Cultivators could react, their leader "Chao Tian Dao" snatched up his broadsword and slashed a blinding white arc through the dimness, aimed straight at Liu Chen's throat.

In that split second.

Chen Zhao leapt up, hurling a Thunder Arc Talisman at "Chao Tian Dao's" side.

The blinding blade-light hesitated for an instant; as the lightning faded, a Fireball Talisman flew in.

It struck "Chao Tian Dao" square in the face!

Even so, the Qi Refining Fifth Layer blade-matter sliced through the protective shield and grazed Liu Chen's chest.

He staggered back several zhang, vomiting blood.

Chen Zhao flew over and shoved a Healing Pill into his mouth.

In this dire moment, they couldn't afford to lose any fighting strength.

But when the dust cleared, another slash of blade-light came—"Chao Tian Dao" clutched a Golden Light Shield, showing little damage!

His father, "Ba Mian Jin Gang," knew this technique; he'd learned a bit of it too.

Aside from Formation Masters, Rune Masters are strongest in combat—never let them get within Talisman-throwing range!

He'd seen the power of the Gold Blade Talisman; naturally, he targeted Liu Chen first.

Liu Chen pinched a First-grade Low-grade Earth Shield Talisman, raising his Purple Blue Long Sword to block.

As a novice, he'd abandoned his blade for a sword—his technique was far too crude.

Blade-light rained like a curtain; in the flash of sparks, blood sprayed across his body.

The two fought at close quarters.

Chen Zhao dared not intervene rashly.

But his Mental Power was exceptional; after careful observation, he spotted a crack in "Chao Tian Dao's" Golden Light Shield—three cun before the nose!

Though only as long as a finger joint, it was enough to turn the tide!

"Liu Chen, left five, retreat five, step to Dui position, turn to Li Palace!"

Chen Zhao roared, forming the Wind Blade Technique and striking straight at the crack.

Without hesitation, Liu Chen leapt five steps left-back, pivoted his toe, and vanished behind "Chao Tian Dao."

Clang!

The Wind Blade struck the Golden Light Shield, ringing like metal on metal—the crack widened instantly to ten cun.

"Damn it, when did it crack?!"

"Chao Tian Dao" frantically channeled his Qi, trying to seal the gap.

Unbeknownst to him, Chen Zhao flicked his fingers—Qingfeng Blade slid perfectly into the fissure.

"Chao Tian Dao" poured all his power forward, unaware of the cold behind him.

Plop!

Guarding front, he couldn't guard back.

The Purple Blue Long Sword pierced through his chest.

Zhao Dehai, who had been joining the assault on Su Xin, heard the sound and turned sharply.

He saw "Chao Tian Dao's" head severed by the Qingfeng Blade.

"Studied poorly, Qi is muddled—killed by a Qi Refining Fourth Layer? Deserved."

Zhao Dehai sneered, his face twisted with malice:

"Good. You two vermin are left to me!"

He'd held a long grudge against them; seeing them try to flee, he charged straight in.

Seeing this, Chen Zhao shouted to the two women:

"Don't get bogged down—combine forces and break open the cave door!"

With Zhao Dehai gone, Su Wanyao and Xin Tong felt slightly less pressure.

Hearing these words.

Xin Tong poured all her strength into the Defense Array, taking the withered old woman's blow head-on—the blue barrier cracked inch by inch.

Seizing this opening, Su Wanyao spun and unleashed a full-power Fireball Technique toward the cave entrance.

Boom!

The already cracked entrance collapsed halfway.

The four of them fled clumsily out of the cave.

Chen Zhao saw Zhao Dehai and the others closing in rapidly and shouted to Xin Tong:

"The enemy is too strong—you take Su Wanyao, and we split up!"

The enemy's target is Su Wanyao; him and Liu Chen staying behind would only be a burden. Only by returning to the sect for aid could they find a glimmer of hope.

He gave each of the three a few Qi-Replenishing Pills, then sprinted toward the sect with Liu Chen.

But Zhao Dehai gave them no chance to absorb the pills' power—a Wind Blade cut them off mid-run.

The two women hadn't gotten far and were immediately caught by the withered old woman.

"Two of you, when you refused to give me the pills, did you ever imagine this day?"

Zhao Dehai sneered.

"Kill you, and I'll get one Huanglong Pill—enough to advance to Outer Disciple, and I'll seize your techniques too. Such a sweet deal—don't refuse this time."

He darted forward, closing in on Liu Chen, leaving no room for him to throw Talismans.

His Wuqing Treasure Sword unsheathed, radiating the aura of a mid-grade Dharma Treasure.

It was acquired from a former cultivator's Cave Abode—his most prized possession.

Zhao Dehai wielded the sword straight at Liu Chen, yet still had enough focus to summon Wind Blade Techniques, forcing Chen Zhao into constant retreat.

Liu Chen raised his sword to block.

A clear clang rang out—the Purple Blue Long Sword cracked with a chip, its spiritual light dimming as if forcibly drained away!

His connection to the sword Dharma Treasure also faltered!

In that moment of stunned hesitation.

His abdomen warmed—he was slashed open by the Wuqing Treasure Sword, revealing his internal organs, with faint black mist lingering around the wound.

The blade was coated in poison!

A flash of ruthlessness crossed his eyes; ignoring distance, he grabbed a Gold Blade Talisman and hurled it straight at Zhao Dehai's face.

The sound of shattering ironstone deafened the air—both men were flung backward.

Zhao Dehai spat a mouthful of old blood; Liu Chen collapsed into unconsciousness.

Chen Zhao caught Liu Chen, shoved several Healing Pills into his mouth—but no sign of awakening.

Not far away, Su Wanyao also succumbed to the poison and fainted; only Xin Tong remained, barely holding the Defense Array.

"Time is running out—we must flee before the old woman takes her prize."

Chen Zhao's mind raced like lightning.

But Zhao Dehai blocked his path—how could he escape?

"All the remaining Poison Pills I've smeared on my blade—no amount of Healing Pills will help."

Zhao Dehai sneered, wiping blood from his lips.

He formed a hand seal—three Fireballs shot straight at Chen Zhao.

A flash of golden light barely deflected the fireballs; Chen Zhao used the moment to leap backward, pinching a Lightness Talisman and already dozens of zhang away.

"Golden Light Shield? How do you know that?"

Zhao Dehai gasped and immediately gave chase.

But just then—

Sudden change erupted.

In his spiritual sense, Chen Zhao—who had been clearly visible—suddenly grew hazy.

Zhao Dehai squinted hard.

He couldn't even make out Chen Zhao's facial features!

Only now did he finally understand—he gritted his teeth:

"Spirit-Avoiding Pill! So you had it all along!"