The path to survival must be earnestly fought for by oneself

Bai Xuanling's killing intent surged, and her cultivation was climbing steadily, not far from completely tearing open the seal.

The current scene was also one of utter chaos.

These Heavenly Demons, besides being formidable fighters themselves, each possessed strange techniques.

Through some unknown method, Xu Linglong spat a mouthful of blood, and Chu Xingchen, who had been acting as a troublesome meddler, immediately turned into a dull-witted fool.

If not for a couple of tugs, Chu Xingchen would have probably thrown himself into Xu Linglong's arms right then and there.

Huang Miao was completely tied down by Bai Bo, even falling at a disadvantage.

After all, when it came to endurance, Bai Bo's Heavenly Demon body ultimately held the advantage.

Exploiting this, Bai Bo's fighting style was almost purely offensive, with little to no defense, nearly ignoring all of Huang Miao's attacks.

His strategy focused entirely on trading injury for injury, even if Bai Bo himself suffered more severe wounds.

By some means, Bai Bo managed to twist and tear apart this reinforced space, simultaneously partitioning it...

He even utilized the grand formation Chu Xingchen had set up, further strengthening the divided spaces.

Even if Huang Miao wanted to rush to their aid, she could only watch helplessly.

Chi Guo and Zhong Su also each wielded power akin to laws. The sect elders, despite outnumbering them and being at the early and mid Soul Transformation stages, were suppressed, the situation almost completely one-sided.

Zhong Su's form nearly transformed into lightning, while Chi Guo resembled a flame demon.

Bai Xuanling had read many ancient texts but had never heard of demons possessing such law-like abilities.

She surmised that over the past thousand years, these demons must have collected many of the scattered fragments of the Heavenly Dao's laws and learned to utilize them.

No wonder, even with the Xuanqing Heavenly Sect investigating so overtly, these demons were unwilling to give up their continued research.

Bai Xuanling swung her sword, repelling Xu Linglong who had teleported in to deliver a terrifying strike.

Xu Linglong gazed calmly at Bai Xuanling, and at Chu Xingchen standing motionless by her side, his eyes fixed on her.

"Feeling the pressure?" Xu Linglong lightly tossed the Origin Dagger in her hand.

Under the moonlight, the Origin Dagger emitted a faint, cold glow.

The next moment, the light vanished.

The cold gleam of Bai Xuanling's spirit sword flashed brightly, blocking the Origin Dagger that had teleported to her left side.

The clash of two Soul Transformation stage spiritual powers sent terrifying residual shockwaves rolling through the newly severed space.

"Look at your own eyes, they're already completely bloodshot."

Xu Linglong continued speaking, her form closing in. The Origin Dagger teleported back into her hand, and she swung it directly at Bai Xuanling.

Crimson energy surged from the dagger, fierce and swirling.

Bai Xuanling remained silent. Hearing the hint-seeking words from Chu Xingchen behind her, she pressed her spirit sword towards Xu Linglong once more.

Boom!

Two torrents of energy clashed wildly.

Xu Linglong watched calmly as Bai Xuanling's originally pure white spiritual power gradually became tainted with crimson killing intent.

"Keep fighting like this, and you'll be the first to lose your mind."

The spiritual power around Xu Linglong grew increasingly ferocious, almost filling the entirety of the torn space.

A mix of crimson and black dyed the sky.

Xu Linglong's tone was gentle:

"The current Chu Xingchen is pure dead weight. He's even forgotten why he came here. How can he possibly help you?"

"If I could cut him once, I can definitely cut him a second time."

"I only want his life. You know you can't protect him. After all, in a little while, it might not even be me who kills him."

"Why not step aside? Let me be the villain. That way, you'll know exactly who to seek revenge against."

"You wouldn't want Chu Xingchen's disciples, or your own dear apprentice, to see with their own eyes and hear with their own ears that it was your sword that killed Chu Xingchen, would you?"

"Even if they understand it was a necessity, could they truly let go of that resentment? Could your own heart ever find peace?"

Xu Linglong's purple eyes bore intently into Bai Xuanling's crimson ones, her tone dripping with temptation.

Bai Xuanling felt as if a red haze clouded her vision, roars and cries of resentment echoing incessantly within her divine sense.

The closer she approached her cultivation limit, the harder it became for Bai Xuanling to remain calm.

Hearing Xu Linglong's words, a smile appeared on Bai Xuanling's face:

"Even if I have to kill him myself, I won't let you kill him."

"My hands aren't too clean to add his life to the tally. At worst, I'll apologize to him within my divine sea, even if he can't hear it in reality."

It wasn't truly a desperate situation yet.

What Bai Xuanling was counting on wasn't the current fool-like Chu Xingchen, but the arrangements Chu Xingchen had made beforehand.

After all, there were reserve Soul Transformation stage cultivators rushing to reinforce them.

Chu Xingchen's multi-layered contingency plans were still useful.

Just hold on a little longer...

As for whatever hints Chu Xingchen was talking about.

Bai Xuanling had no mental capacity left to give Chu Xingchen prompts. Half the thoughts in her mind were already—just kill them all.

Xu Linglong's figure flickered, swiftly circling Chu Xingchen to deliver killing blows.

Bai Xuanling also quickly entered a phase of pure defense.

Besides fearing Xu Linglong might find an opening to instantly kill the nearly defenseless Chu Xingchen, it also helped Bai Xuanling maintain some clarity.

Naturally, Chu Xingchen couldn't just stand there doing nothing.

Bai Xuanling had to frequently use her spiritual power to yank Chu Xingchen's body out of harm's way.

But Chu Xingchen seemed to interpret every movement as a hint.

"Left? Is this a maze formation, telling me to go left?"

"Why am I being pulled back? Did I guess wrong?"

"Why all the circling? Practicing Tai Chi?"

"My divine sense is under such pressure. Is this some additional technique?"

Amidst the brief but fierce exchanges, Bai Xuanling not only had to guard against Xu Linglong but also listen to Chu Xingchen's struggling mutterings.

Bai Xuanling couldn't contact Chu Xingchen through voice transmission or shouts either.

She could only ignore Chu Xingchen's constant speculation.

Bai Xuanling also didn't know what state Chu Xingchen was currently in.

Seeing the killing intent in Bai Xuanling's eyes grow denser, Xu Linglong chuckled softly:

"Pure defense... that's not your style. Let me guess, the reason you're holding on like this, are you waiting for your reinforcements?"

"You think only you people make multiple preparations? I've never underestimated Chu Xingchen or you."

"I've made arrangements to spend two days killing Chu Xingchen. During that time, your people won't be able to set foot in the Xuanwu Kingdom."

"For that, I've prepared quite a few minions for you all to kill."

"How long has it been now? The night is long. Can you last?"

Xu Linglong's tone was gentle, but the movements of her hands grew increasingly swift.

Terrifying energy wildly shredded the surroundings, the full might of Soul Transformation stage techniques on full display.

The wounds on Chu Xingchen's body gradually multiplied.

Even Bai Xuanling, in her efforts to protect him, had taken two hits.

Bai Xuanling's expression remained calm.

She looked at Xu Linglong's utterly confident demeanor.

Four Heavenly Demons had already come.

If reinforcements hadn't arrived after all this time, Xu Linglong's words were likely true.

Two days was obviously an exaggeration. If the situation turned dire, the Xuanqing Heavenly Sect and Tianyan Sect would undoubtedly mobilize their full forces, even bringing along Soul Transformation stage cultivators from other immortal sects.

They wouldn't just stand by and watch.

However...

One night was probably possible.

Bai Xuanling let out a soft sigh, glancing at the still high-hanging bright moon.

Could she...

hold on like this until morning?

Chu Xingchen!

You better fight for your own path to survival!

A fierce grin spread across Bai Xuanling's face as she released her long sword.

Crimson killing intent spread outwards.