Its target was clear.
....Yue Lan.
Ting!
The sound of rippling water rang out.
Shui Ruo, who had been silently on guard the entire time, instantly stepped in front of Yue Lan.
Her movements were fast and decisive.
Without hesitation, she lowered her stance and thrust her arm forward.
The arm guard on her forearm glinted as spiritual energy surged outward.
A blue wave of qi formed in front of her fist.
This was the signature technique of the Waterflow Sect.
Their cultivators didnât rely on brute force.
They moved like flowing water as their technique is focusing on absorbing, redirecting, and countering an enemyâs attack.
Soon, the blue wave before Shui Ruoâs arm began to rotate, ready to divert the incoming strike.
But the moment the black lance touched the wave...
Krrr!!!
Something was wrong.
Shui Ruoâs blue eyes widened.
"What ?!"
The instant the lance entered the blue wave, the pure water qi darkened.
Like ink spreading through clear water, black corruption rapidly devoured her technique from within.
The flowing wave that should have obeyed Shui Ruoâs control twisted violently, slipping from her grasp.
In the blink of an eye, her entire technique collapsed.
The blue qi dissolved into black fragments, scattering into the air.
It was as if her spiritual energy had been poisoned.
And the black lance... It didnât slow down at all.
It tore straight through the broken wave and continued flying forward directly toward Shui Ruo.
Shui Ruoâs pupils shrank.
Her defensive technique had been destroyed so suddenly that her body had no time to react.
The corrupted qi scattered into the air, leaving her completely exposed and the black lance was already right in front of her.
In that split second,
A hand shot out and grabbed the lance.
BANG!
The moment the black weapon was caught, a violent shockwave burst outward.
Li Fengâs feet slid across the wet stone floor as the force threw him back several steps.
The ground beneath his boots cracked as thin fractures spreading across the stone.
"Ugh !"
A low grunt escaped his throat.
The lance trembled violently in his grip, as if it were alive and struggling to break free.
Soon,
Thick black liquid began crawling up the weapon onto his hand.
Like ink spreading across paper.
Like a parasite searching for flesh to consume.
Shui Ruo and Yue Lan froze at the sight.
"Li Feng!" Yue Lan called out, worry in her voice.
The old manâs expression changed drastically.
"Boy, let go of it! Those are corruption !"
But Li Feng didnât release it.
Instead, his grip tightened.
The black liquid had already begun spreading across his palm, creeping toward his wrist.
The skin it touched darkened, as if the flesh itself were being infected.
Yet Li Feng only narrowed his eyes.
Inside his mind,
A red notification suddenly flashed.
[Warning: âââââââ Corruption Detected]
[Foreign energy attempting to invade the host!]
For a brief moment, a faint silvery light flickered beneath his skin and the creeping black liquid climbing his hand suddenly stopped.
[Ding!]
[Starforge Body has successfully expelled the corruption!]
Thenâ
It recoiled.
Like a parasite touching a burning iron, as the dark substance jerked violently backward.
Thin tendrils of black liquid twisted and writhed in the air before retreating from Li Fengâs arm.
The Apostle of the Deepest Tides finally turned its pyramid head toward him.
[...?]
For the first time.... Its attention shifted.
But just as the Apostle reached out with its massive hand, preparing another attackâ
Two shadows suddenly flashed past before it.
Whoosh!
Jian Ruyi and Liu Yanyue had already moved.
Their figures appeared beside the Apostle almost instantly.
Cold light flickered as both of their swords were drawn.
Jian Ruyiâs sword shone with a deadly light.
Several phantom blades revolved around her before fusing into the sword she raised, making it gleam with a sharp killing radiance.
Meanwhile, Liu Yanyueâs sword glowed faintly with moonlight as she slashed sideways.
Zing!
Zing!
Two brilliant arcs of sword light cut through the air simultaneously, one from the left, one from the right.
The strikes crossed perfectly in front of the Apostleâs chest, forming a sharp X-shaped slash.
SLASH!
The sword qi carved deep into the purple flesh.
For a split second, the entire chamber fell silent.
Thenâ
SPURT!
Dark liquid burst from the wound like thick oil.
The Apostle staggered half a step back as the cross-shaped cut spread across its chest.
Drip...
Drip...
Hiss...
Black fluid poured onto the stone floor, hissing faintly as if alive.
[...]
It slowly touched its chest and saw the black liquid spilling over its body.
For a brief moment, it simply stared at the dark fluid covering its hand before slowly turning its pyramid-shaped head toward the two women.
Jian Ruyi landed lightly a few steps away, sword still humming from the strike.
Beside her, Liu Yanyue flicked her sword, shaking off the black droplets clinging to the edge.
Both women stared at the monster with sharp, focused eyes.
"... It can be cut." Liu Yanyue said coldly.
Jian Ruyiâs gaze narrowed.
"Yes." she whispered.
Even though their powerful attack had only managed to wound it, at least it had done some damage.
They thought this monster, which possessed immortality, would be a difficult opponent... but anything that could be cut would eventually fall beneath their swords.
For a moment, both of them began to think the creature wasnât as invincible as the old man had claimed.
Then a voice pierced the tense air.
"NO!! Donât attack it!" the old man shouted.
"That thing devours spiritual qi!"
Jian Ruyi and Liu Yanyue froze at his word, and while processing his warning.
Before they could react further, the Apostle materialized silently in front of them, towering over the two women with an oppressive presence.
Just as they were about to dodgeâ
"..!?"
"...?"
They suddenly couldnât move for some reason.
A chill ran down their spines as they looked at the towering figure.
Somehow... it felt stronger than before.
The Apostle didnât hesitate.
A lance of dark liquid formed in its hand as it swung toward Jian Ruyi, aiming to impale her.
But Li Feng suddenly appeared beside the Apostle, fists raised and clenched.
"Oi... whose woman do you think youâre trying to kill?"
With a roar, he slammed his full power strike into the Apostleâs face.
"Falling Star Fist!!"
BOOM!!
The entire chamber erupted in a brilliant silvery light.