Chapter 369
Dozens of sword lights crisscrossed in the air, as the people of Hengyun Sword City wielded the Bai Liu Sword Formation to fend off the ferocious creatures attacking from all directions.
The sword formation appeared unshakeable.
In reality, nearly every swordsman was injured.
"This is definitely not a place of inheritance."
Bai Jinghong's chest oozed blood, and his complexion turned pale.
"Xiao Bai, you should take a moment to rest in the formation. You're poisoned," Cao Mu said in a low voice.
Suddenly, his eyes narrowed as a dark shadow approached from above. He leaped into the air like a sprouting seedling, crashing into it with force.
It was a four-winged bat, cunningly dodging the sword light before retreating back into the shadows to lurk.
"Watch out above!" Cao Mu shouted.
The group immediately grew serious.
These tomb-guarding beasts were chaotic and disorganized; individually, they weren't particularly strong, but their methods were bizarre and they were incredibly sly.
The three heroes of Hengyun exchanged glances and took a deep breath.
Once they entered, they had inexplicably lost track of the elder and then encountered these tomb-guarding beasts.
Their original plan was to hold their ground until the elder returned, but it seemed that was no longer feasible.
Before the elder arrived, they would likely be worn down to nothing.
"We must kill that bat king."
"Only Xiao Bai can hurt it."
"We need to wait for the right opportunity."
This was the combined sword technique they had learned from Ying Bing while in Sword City, and the three of them silently adjusted their breathing, channeling their sword techniques.
Suddenly, Cao Mu, with his keen ears, spoke up.
The moment he did, Bai Jinghong was enveloped by a torrent of sword energy, soaring into the sky and quickly closing in on the dark shadow above.
The massive humanoid bat king seemed to sense something, emitting a sound wave that could make one’s head throb, and then attempted to retreat into the darkness.
But Bai Jinghong was faster, following closely on his sword.
Then, flashes of sword light erupted from the darkness, accompanied by the flapping of wings and increasingly desperate death cries.
It lasted for several dozen seconds.
Bang—
Two severed bodies fell heavily to the ground.
The tide of black shadows finally scattered like headless flies, fleeing in all directions.
"Xiao Bai!"
"Senior brother!"
Bai Jinghong's face had turned completely green, his breath weak to the point he nearly stumbled to the ground upon landing.
"I'm fine. Just give me some time; the poison isn't too serious," he reassured them.
The group finally breathed a sigh of relief; at least the immediate crisis had been averted.
Once the elders arrived, everything would be resolved.
"Don't let your guard down," Wu Chushu said, handing Bai Jinghong an antidote pill.
"Who knows what else might come?"
Thud—
Before he could finish, a tremor echoed from ahead, causing the stones on the ground to bounce.
It sounded like footsteps, but far too heavy.
Cao Mu's expression changed dramatically, sweat dripping from his forehead.
"Something's coming our way."
"Those earlier ones weren't just an appetizer, were they?" Wu Chushu muttered, slapping himself on the mouth.
"!!"
The group's faces turned pale, and they instinctively quieted their breathing.
Wu Shixiong, could you please keep your mouth shut!
You really hit the nail on the head!
A bold swordsman threw a light source forward, dispelling the darkness ahead.
Finally, the massive shadow's outline became clearer.
This shadow was several times larger than the previous tomb-guarding beasts, resembling the black year beast not only in size but also in kind.
This was also a black year beast, and its eyes seemed to carry a hint of human-like mockery as it gazed at the group.
The earlier disaster beasts had been released by it.
Among the group, only Bai Jinghong could harm it, and now he was nearly out of combat capability.
"Damn it, let's fight it head-on."
"It's just a peak fourth realm; we can go down together if we have to!"
Wu Chushu tore his shirt, binding his sword to his hand.
Cao Mu shot him a silent glance.
If they survived this time, he would have to find a chance to silence Wu Chushu.
Whoosh—
A foul wind swept over them; the black year beast had no intention of toying with its prey; it simply wanted to swallow them whole.
The swordsmen were ready to fight to the death.
In the silent underground palace, a familiar voice suddenly rang out:
"Everyone, get out of the way!"
That familiar voice made them instinctively obey.
In the next moment, a chill emanated from the darkness behind them, followed by a dazzling and icy sword light bursting forth.
Jinghong Zhaoying darted through the void, her sword moving faster than the eye could follow.
Swish—
The sword light pierced the chest of the black year beast.
Ice crystals spread from the wound, as if it would freeze solid in an instant.
The black year beast stared in shock at the cold young girl wielding the sword, and it surprisingly spoke:
"You’re not dead?"
It suddenly became enraged, ignoring the people of Hengyun Sword City and charging straight at the girl.
Just then.
Several true words fell from the void, causing its body to freeze for a moment.
A figure followed closely behind the girl, raising a hammer in hand, with surging infernal flames expanding, crashing down with immense force.
Bang!
A dull thud echoed as it was smashed to the ground.
However, that figure showed no intention of letting the black year beast catch its breath, diving down.
Bang bang bang—
Each strike shook the underground palace.
"Damn it."
Wu Chushu swallowed hard.
"It’s them."
Cao Mu finally relaxed.
Bai Jinghong felt a wave of relief as well.
Gradually, the sound of hammering ceased; the year beast was likely reduced to a pulp.
"Truly worthy of a god."
"Huh?"
"Uh, truly worthy of Li Jiansian!"
Wu Chushu glanced at the blood-stained hammer, his eyes twitching as he reluctantly corrected himself.
"Thank you, Li Jiansian, for saving our lives."
The swordsmen, now disregarding their pride, praised Xiao Li for his exceptional swordsmanship, showering him with compliments.
"What a coincidence, we actually ran into each other in the underground palace."
"Well, it’s not exactly a coincidence."
Li Mo had deliberately taken a detour, not following the optimal path of the chess game.
At that moment, the system chimed in with notifications:
[Congratulations, host, for successfully investing in 'Wu Chushu,' preventing his demise.]
[You have a pending investment reward to claim.]
[Congratulations, host, for successfully investing in 'Bai Jinghong,' preventing her demise.]
[You have a pending investment reward to claim.]
Fortunately, they had been saved, and there was still a bit of compensation.
---
Chapter 406: The Second Mural
The underground palace finally fell silent.
The swordsmen looked at the hammer in Li Jiansian's hand, then at the 'pulp' not far away, their taut nerves finally relaxed a little.
This damned sense of security.
"Did you kill that humanoid bat?"
Li Mo scrutinized the swordsmen for a moment, noticing that most of them were merely disheveled and pale.
Only Bai Jinghong looked completely green, blood seeping from his chest, appearing quite miserable.
"Just a slight exertion~~"
Bai Jinghong stood up, slightly raising his chin, not wanting to lose the demeanor of a suave swordsman, but before he could finish his act, the poison hit him, and he bent over, spewing rainbows.
He even brought up his bile.
After finishing, he straightened up, tears and snot on his face, clearly unable to stand straight, yet still managed to say nonchalantly, "Just a slight exertion."
Li Mo: "..."
Only his mouth was tough; that shouldn't be a big deal, as long as the rest of him was fine.
He took out antidote pills and healing medicine from the system space, distributing them to the swordsmen.
"First take the Seven-Pattern Detoxification Pill, then apply and ingest the Hundred Flowers Essence Ointment."
Cao Mu put away the pills Li Mo gave him; his injuries and poisoning weren't severe, so he decided to save some for later.
What a generous lifesaving pill, just pouring out like beans from a bamboo tube.
"What about the elders?"
"This underground palace has a maze; we got separated from the elders."
Wu Chushu held the medicine bottle, glancing at Li Mo and Ying Bing, feeling a mix of emotions.
By the time they met again, he would be fourth on the Long Dragon List.
They were in such a dire situation, while he looked as if he had just taken a leisurely stroll.
The gap between people can sometimes be greater than that between a person and a dog.
"Once again, showing off in front of others..."
"What are you mumbling about, Lao Wu?" Li Mo asked, puzzled.
"Thanks for your pills!!"
"Just say thank you; why shout so loudly?"
Li Mo rubbed his ears.
"Li brother, what are these?"
"Tomb-guarding beasts, nourished and grown from the spiritual and yin energy of the underground."
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