Zhou Botong, in his urgency, instinctively struck out, throwing a punch.
A fist imprint emerged, fierce yet tinged with an ethereal quality.
At that moment, the usually calm and indifferent gaze of Xiao Longnü flickered with a hint of seriousness.
With a tremor of her long silk ribbons, her dual swords combined once more, unleashing formidable power to disperse the remnants of the Golden Wheel King's force.
After a thunderous roar, the sword momentum slightly diminished, meeting the sudden incoming sword energy.
The sword energy first collided with the fist imprint, and upon contact, the fist imprint vanished without a trace.
Then, it clashed with the combined force of Xiao Longnü's dual swords.
"Boom!"
A violent explosion echoed, shattering the combined sword momentum and shredding the silk ribbons.
Xiao Longnü, like a willow in the wind, drifted backward weightlessly.
A hint of color appeared on her pale, almost translucent face.
A trace of blood trickled from the corner of her soft, perfect lips.
"Hahaha, Zhou Botong, you can't hold out any longer, yet you still dare to put on airs here."
A burst of laughter rang out, drawing the attention of the stunned onlookers.
The Golden Wheel King, who had been about to flee, stopped and watched warily from a distance.
In a breath, as they identified the newcomer, a cold glint arose.
"You despicable scoundrel, resorting to a sneak attack," Zhou Botong said, a hint of blackness appearing on his face, but he ignored it, pointing angrily at Nian Lian Dan.
"Hmph."
Nian Lian Dan stepped through the air, snorting coldly, a flicker of displeasure in his eyes.
Sneak-attacking a junior who had just broken through to the Grandmaster realm was beneath him, tarnishing his reputation.
But with that demon around, he had no choice.
He had to kill Xiao Longnü quickly.
The mere thought of that voice made his heart tremble. Without further delay, he turned his murderous intent toward Xiao Longnü.
Without a word, he charged at her with his heavy sword.
Xiao Longnü showed no surprise, producing two white silk ribbons that transformed into long swords as she calmly met his attack.
"Boom!"
The clash erupted even more fiercely, with sword energy streaking across the void.
"What a fine Nian Lian Dan, hailed as a master of the grasslands, yet bullying a young girl—how disgraceful."
"Not just bullying, but sneak-attacking like a coward—shame, shame, shame."
"Just wait until my senior brother arrives; he'll strike you dead with one palm."
Zhou Botong scratched his head in agitation, wanting to help, but the black aura on his face grew thicker, and he knew stepping in would only make things worse.
He could only watch helplessly, hoping his words might have some effect.
Suddenly, he frowned, sensing something off.
This Nian Lian Dan seemed desperate to kill Xiao Longnü!
Why would he be so intent on killing her?
The more he thought about it, the more wrong it felt, but he couldn't figure it out.
Not far away, the Golden Wheel King and his group watched quietly, no longer thinking of escape.
The Golden Wheel King glanced thoughtfully at Zhou Botong.
Zhou Botong was already spent; capturing him now would be a significant achievement.
But it might provoke Nian Lian Dan's displeasure.
He certainly wouldn't want to share this credit.
Hesitating, he wondered if he should seize the opportunity to act.
After a glance at Nian Lian Dan, who had already suppressed Xiao Longnü, he held back.
In the woods.
Watching Xiao Longnü, who was clearly losing ground under Nian Lian Dan's sword, Wan Wan's eyes showed a flicker of contemplation.
Nian Lian Dan was known for his lechery; encountering a beauty like Xiao Longnü, he would only try to seize and possess her.
Why would he immediately seek to kill her?
Frowning slightly, her lips twitched.
Could it be that bandit Li?
The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed. That man, though he didn't force women, would stop at nothing to pursue them.
With that, she felt certain.
It must be tied to that bandit Li.
For a moment, she felt utterly speechless.
How did such a peerless powerhouse come to exist in this world?
Shameless!
A stain, a disgrace among the mighty.
At the center of everyone's attention, the battle raged on.
"Boom!"
With Nian Lian Dan's undisguised killing intent, the clash grew fiercer.
Nian Lian Dan had gone all out, and so had Xiao Longnü.
Unsurprisingly, Xiao Longnü was firmly on the defensive.
In terms of raw power, even with her dual swords combined, she was far behind.
In speed and technique, Nian Lian Dan was no slower than her, perhaps even faster.
Coupled with the injury from the initial sneak attack and the exhaustion from fighting the Golden Wheel King, Xiao Longnü had almost no means to fight back.
After a dozen breaths, she was like willow fluff in the wind, swaying precariously, on the verge of being scattered.
More blood seeped from her lips, staining the white of her chest with a few crimson spots.
"Boom!"
Another collision shattered the silk ribbons, and Xiao Longnü could no longer hold on, her frail body falling from the air.
Her ethereal beauty grew even paler, tinged with a poignant grace that stirred pity.
Yet her expression showed no fear, only a hint of calm acceptance and release.
Dying like this would be fine.
But she wondered how Guo'er and Miss Guo were faring.
A faint trace of longing surfaced.
Facing the fierce sword energy bearing down on her, she seemed not to see it, ignoring it entirely.
Nian Lian Dan's eyes flashed with regret—such a peerless beauty was about to die.
But he dared not hesitate, bringing his heavy sword down with all his might.
Around them, even the Golden Wheel King and his group felt a pang of regret at the impending demise of such a beauty.
Suddenly.
No one reacted in time.
Beneath the sword energy, a figure embraced the fragile form.
No one knew how he appeared, as if he had been there all along.
His robust frame effortlessly held the willow-like delicate body, creating a beautiful tableau.
Nian Lian Dan's face changed first.
But the sword energy was already beyond control.
Before he could think further, the menacing sword energy seemed struck by an overwhelming force, dissipating instantly.
A golden palm materialized in the air and struck him.
"Pfft!"
Blood sprayed from his mouth as his body crashed to the ground like a boulder, causing a thunderous impact.
In his unseen eyes, fear and confusion swirled.
But no one was looking at him now; all eyes were fixed on the imposing figure.
"Li Daoqiang!"
A terrified whisper escaped someone's lips.
Instantly, someone wanted to flee but stopped dead in their tracks, not daring to move, their faces pale with fear.
In the woods.
Wan Wan curled her lips, muttering shameless and brazen.
Then, she stepped forward first.
The boss's heroic rescue was complete; they could approach now.
In the air.
Ignoring the countless stares, Li Daoqiang gazed tenderly at the woman in his arms, dreamlike and breathtaking, someone he wished to hold and cherish forever.
Breathing in her faint, pure fragrance, he spoke with rare gentleness: "Miss Long, we meet again."
Xiao Longnü's delicate, perfect face showed a hint of confusion. She studied Li Daoqiang for a moment, as if just remembering who he was.
(Not hiding it, folks—something major delayed me, but there's more today, though it'll be late. You can read it tomorrow.)