Chapter 52: This Time, I Won

Seeing no objections from the others, Li Daoxuan instantly summoned a broad, heavy sword in his hand.

“Zhou Qing, these people all have at least a Golden Core cultivation base—your task is to protect Lu Yaoyao and, amid the chaos, quickly take Shi Zhen away from here.”

“I’ll handle the Nascent Soul cultivator myself; once I’m free, I’ll come to assist you all. Remember, this is an order!”

Seeing Zhou Qing and Lu Yaoyao still wanted to speak, Li Daoxuan’s voice turned stern.

BOOM!

The next instant, the black-robed figures in the air launched their attack.

Li Daoxuan surged upward at the same moment.

“Little Four, get out now!” Yan Xiaohu tossed out these words before rushing after the eight True Disciples.

BOOM BOOM BOOM!

The two sides collided instantly, sending out terrifying shockwaves that rippled outward, explosions erupting one after another.

Zhou Qing gritted his teeth, shoved the old hen into Lu Yaoyao’s arms, then heaved the severely wounded Shi Zhen onto his back.

“Go!”

Zhou Qing shouted at the dazed Lu Yaoyao.

Lu Yaoyao clenched her fists tightly, furious at her inability to help her senior brothers, yet she knew this wasn’t the time for hesitation—she immediately followed Zhou Qing as they retreated.

“Don’t let them escape!” Seeing someone carrying Shi Zhen flee, Xue Yi, who was fighting Li Daoxuan, shouted urgently.

Two Golden Core cultivators immediately moved to pursue.

“Filthy creatures of the dark, your opponent is your Tiger Brother!”

Seeing this, Yan Xiaohu—who was already battling three Golden Core cultivators—leapt forward to block them.

Zhou Qing gritted his teeth and seized the chance to flee.

“I can’t send a message—it won’t respond to my Master’s token!” Lu Yaoyao cried anxiously.

Zhou Qing suddenly grabbed Lu Yaoyao around the waist.

“What’s the point of sending a message? Look how far we are from Taiqingmen! Lu Shimei, forgive me!”

Zhou Qing gripped Shi Zhen on his back with one hand, held Lu Yaoyao with the other, silver arcs flashing beneath his feet as he vanished into the forest.

The old hen wriggled free from her arms, and facing the rushing wind, it clucked excitedly.

Feeling the scenery blur past at breakneck speed, Lu Yaoyao stared at Zhou Qing in surprise.

“So fast!”

Especially now, seeing Zhou Qing’s serious profile up close, radiating a distinct masculine aura.

“Remember that half-collapsed cave? This technique drains me terribly—I can’t sustain it long. Once we reach safety ahead, take the old hen and Shi Zhen and hide there immediately!”

Zhou Qing said hurriedly.

He had now successfully broken through to the late Foundation Establishment realm; his cultivation of the Green Wood Spirit Shield, Silver Dragon Hand, and Silver Dragon Step had all reached perfection.

Combined with the combat boost from his Heavenly Foundation Establishment, even if he couldn’t kill a Golden Core cultivator, he could at least hold one off.

After all, the one buying him time to escape was his Third Senior Brother!

He could never abandon him there.

At this moment, Lu Yaoyao immediately shook her head.

“No, I’ve also successfully established my Foundation—I have at least some fighting power. If you go, I go; if you stay, I stay!”

Lu Yaoyao’s tone was firm, outright rejecting Zhou Qing’s plan.

“Lu Shimei, this isn’t the time to be stubborn—especially since Shi Zhen urgently needs treatment…”

“Watch out!”

Before Zhou Qing could finish, Lu Yaoyao suddenly broke free, formed a hand seal, and pointed—her flying sword instantly shot backward with a shrill whistle.

CRASH! A massive flame collided with the flying sword, unleashing a deafening explosion.

The powerful shockwave spread outward, causing Zhou Qing to stagger; the unconscious Shi Zhen on his back spat out a mouthful of blood.

Lu Yaoyao also groaned, a trickle of blood running from her lip.

Zhou Qing immediately stopped, stepping in front of her—only then did he notice a black-robed figure had somehow caught up.

“It’s you!” Seeing Zhou Qing’s face, the black-robed man looked surprised, then grinned, his eyes filled with cruelty.

Zhou Qing panted heavily, squinting—he recognized the voice.

The next second, he realized.

“So it really was you!”

Zhou Qing remembered—he was Yin Xiao, the man who had maliciously outbid him at the stall and smeared tracking spirit-eel fluid onto Cui Yingying’s jade pendant.

Seeing Zhou Qing recognized him, Yin Xiao stopped pretending, pulling off his mask.

After all, he was a perfected Golden Core, on the verge of pseudo-Nascent Soul—these two were mere Foundation Establishment cultivators, easily crushed under his fingers.

“Go, hurry!” Zhou Qing’s face was grim, the three words barely squeezed through his clenched teeth.

Beside him, Lu Yaoyao’s face was pale—she could feel his overwhelming power, and as she stared at Zhou Qing’s back, she shook her head frantically.

“No, I won’t go. This time, I won’t let you leave me behind again,” Lu Yaoyao said, her eyes red.

Zhou Qing didn’t understand what she meant, but facing a perfected Golden Core, if he pushed his Silver Dragon Step to its limit, he might still have a chance to escape.

But with Lu Yaoyao beside him, how could he possibly flee?

“You two—go! I’ll hold him off!”

At that moment, Shi Zhen, who had been lying on Zhou Qing’s back, stirred her eyelids weakly and spoke.

Her body slumped, struggling to get down—Zhou Qing gently shifted her onto Lu Yaoyao’s back, then pulled the old hen from his chest and handed it to her too.

“Remember the place I just told you about? Go there and send a message to the Sect Master. If he learns of this, he’ll arrive within half a day—we’ll have a chance to survive!”

Zhou Qing gripped her shoulders tightly.

Lu Yaoyao burst into tears, shaking her head violently.

“Why are you so stubborn? Don’t forget—your Senior Brother and the others are still ahead! I’ll hold him off. If you insist on staying, we’ll all die. You know what crisis Taiqingmen is facing right now!”

Zhou Qing said again.

Meanwhile, in the air, Yin Xiao clapped slowly: “How touching—no wonder you’re the peeping tom. Even now, you’re still gallant enough to protect the ladies. Too bad—you’re far too confident in yourself.”

“Listen, go!” Zhou Qing squeezed Lu Yaoyao’s shoulder hard, then turned sharply—a long sword materialized in his hand.

Lu Yaoyao sobbed, staring at the old hen in her arms and the frail Shi Zhen on her back—she gritted her teeth and turned to flee.

“Leave the girls behind!”

Seeing the two women escape, Yin Xiao moved to pursue—but freed from distraction, Zhou Qing’s feet flashed, appearing instantly before him.

“You chased Cui Yingying for so long—didn’t even hold her hand, right? Too bad it fell to me—I saw everything. Her figure was absolutely perfect. Tell me, isn’t this technically me putting a green hat on you?”

Zhou Qing clicked his tongue, his words dripping with mockery.

True to form, Yin Xiao flew into rage, his eyes brimming with killing intent as he locked onto Zhou Qing, teeth grinding.

“Fine, very fine. Remember this smug look of yours—I’ll make you beg for death soon!”

With that, Yin Xiao’s figure surged toward Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing’s feet moved—vanishing from his spot, leaving Yin Xiao’s hand grasping empty air.

“Interesting step technique. It’s mine now!” Yin Xiao’s face darkened, his black robe radiating waves of malevolent energy as he attacked again.

Zhou Qing’s heart trembled—he knew that even at his peak, he couldn’t possibly match a perfected Golden Core in prolonged combat.

But he had to buy Lu Yaoyao and Shi Zhen time to escape.

At this moment, he drew a deep breath—his spiritual power surged like a raging river. Facing Yin Xiao’s assault, his body shot forward like lightning, his right hand sweeping forward—a brilliant silver light erupted.

A colossal silver dragon let out a piercing shriek, hurtling toward its target…

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(End of Chapter)