WWWASTJWTCAT?

16

Chapter 16

Xu Nian made up her mind: seize the artifact and flee without delay.

As Qi Shaochen’s hand was about to touch the artifact, he suddenly saw a green snake shadow rushing towards him like a bolt of lightning. Having been through numerous battles, he immediately realized that this creature was after the artifact.

His body reacted faster than his brain; knowing he might not be quick enough to snatch the artifact before the creature, he swiftly kicked the item, sending it flying far away, showing no signs of his severe injuries.

Xu Nian, thwarted in her initial attempt, hastily retreated, fearful of exposing any weakness and instantly became more vigilant.

She descended from the tree, shifting her view to ground level, and for the first time got a clear look at Qi Shaochen’s face. He had a gentle and refined appearance, his white robe giving him the air of an elegant young master. His looks belied the ruthlessness of his actions.

Without time to think, Xu Nian quickly changed direction following the trajectory of the flying artifact. She wanted a swift resolution, but her lack of combat experience with humans became evident. In her haste, she left her back unguarded.

Seizing the opportunity, Qi Shaochen channeled his spiritual energy into his sword, unleashing a fierce sword energy that swiftly struck towards the green snake.

Xu Nian felt an eerie chill on her back and instinctively dodged. The formidable sword energy narrowly missed her, blasting her sideways. The path she had been on was now cleaved into a deep trench, with the fallen leaves in the forest scattering in all directions, demonstrating lethal power comparable to an explosion.

Witnessing the terrifying power of the sword energy, Xu Nian was filled with dread. Had she not evaded, she would have been gravely wounded, if not killed. Although her demon beast body was tough, it couldn’t withstand such a fierce attack.

Hiding in the tree earlier, she had thought these techniques flashy but harmless. Only now did she realize their terrifying power.

Suddenly, she felt a searing pain in her tail. Looking back, she saw that most of the scales at the base of her tail were sheared off by the sword energy, leaving a gaping, bloody wound.

Xu Nian gasped in pain. Turning, she saw Qi Shaochen smiling as he approached with his sword. The mere graze of his sword energy had caused such horror; a direct hit would surely be fatal.

She looked at the artifact, still far off in the distance. Trying to get closer would probably trigger another sword attack. Given the short distance, Qi Shaochen could easily anticipate and block her moves, possibly inflicting more than just a minor injury.

What to do? Should she flee?

No, she couldn’t escape.

Running would expose her back, making her vulnerable to his sword energy. If she couldn’t dodge in time, she would be seriously injured or worse. She couldn’t gamble her life on the hope that he wouldn’t attack her, or that his sword energy wouldn’t reach her.

In a fleeting moment, several thoughts raced through Xu Nian’s mind.

If she couldn’t flee, then she must fight!

Her determination solidified, and her round eyes grew more resolute.

Qi Shaochen saw the green snake pause, then resume its dash towards the artifact. He sneered at the snake’s apparent ignorance of its own mortality. “Truly a creature oblivious to death,” he mocked.

Qi Shaochen, ever vigilant, positioned his sword to intercept the inevitable path towards the divine artifact. If the green snake dared to proceed, it would surely be sliced in half by his sword energy, a certain death.