Jiang Huai moved.
Like an arrow released from a bowstring, he leapt down from the city wall without hesitation, wielding only his sword, boldly charging into the inky-black tide of Heavenly Demons.
Zhu Siyao’s heart clenched sharply.
Before her eyes surged an endless wave of terrifying demon shadows, while ears were filled with a bone-chilling howl.
And yet, that figure was already deeply engulfed alone within the chaos.
“Jiang Huai!”
She barely hesitated. Gritting her silver teeth, the crimson Spiritual Armor covering her body suddenly burst forth with dazzling radiance, fiery flames swirling and rising like feathered robes.
The next moment, she followed without pause, resolutely leaping down from the high wall.
With a fierce shout, she charged fiercely toward Jiang Huai’s direction.
At the center of the battlefield, Jiang Huai had completely transformed into a swirling storm of black and white.
Though his cultivation was only Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage, the might he displayed now sent shockwaves through the minds of all who perceived it.
Faced with savage Heavenly Demons equivalent to the Golden Core Stage, he did not retreat in the slightest.
Instead, he slaughtered them in a one-sided massacre.
Yin-Yang Spiritual Power blazed bright as the sun, dark as the night, and wherever he passed, the Heavenly Demons, as if encountering their natural enemy, emitted fearful shrieks and instinctively tried to evade the power that made their very essence tremble.
Between flashes of sword light, black mist shattered, demon bodies dissolved.
With every step, ten fell; not a single Heavenly Demon could halt him for even a moment.
Zhu Siyao dashed to his side, unleashing a leg sweep that rained fiery embers, precisely incinerating the lower-level demons attempting to flank Jiang Huai.
Back-to-back, their fiery blaze and black-and-white Daoic aura intertwined brilliantly.
“Focus on killing the enemies. I’ll clear out the trash around you.” Zhu Siyao glanced around, fists clenched tightly, imposing and commanding.
The two formed a tacit understanding. Jiang Huai wielded the sword to strike, while Zhu Siyao guarded his flanks and rear.
“Good.” Jiang Huai finally relaxed completely, eyes alight with excitement as he focused on dispatching the approaching Outworld Heavenly Demons.
Fiery heat turned to profound Yin, profound Yin back to blazing heat. Between the intersection of Yin and Yang, the two of them tore open a void zone amid the black tide with sheer force.
All the cultivators witnessing this scene were speechless, waves of shock rising in their hearts.
Was this man really unable to cultivate? How could someone so young possess such battle power?
Was he really the weak, secluded man they thought him to be?
No one could discern that Jiang Zhun was only a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
“With him here, it eases so much pressure,” murmured an Elder.
Tang Zhaoxue slashed down a Nascent Soul Demon before stealing a glance. Her cold, beautiful eyes filled instantly with disbelief and shock.
Watching that figure cutting through the demon tide invincibly, a strange mixture of absurdity and pride quietly rose in her heart.
Well done. Truly worthy of being the man I plan to take into my inner chamber.
A whole day of fierce battle finally drew to a temporary pause.
Zhu Siyao dragged her nearly depleted, exhausted body back into the city wall’s Formation.
Her legs suddenly gave out, unable to support her any longer, and she collapsed straight into Jiang Huai’s arms.
With Spiritual Power drained, her legs felt as heavy as if filled with lead.
“I’m exhausted… why does it feel like they just won’t stop coming?” Zhu Siyao murmured, nestling close to Jiang Huai.
Now, such intimate closeness with Jiang Huai had become a normal thing.
Just like this—resting in his embrace.
Jiang Zhun slowly sat down holding Zhu Siyao tightly in his arms.
He was in much better shape than she was; his Yin-Yang Spiritual Power pulsed ceaselessly, still holding some reserve.
“Eat this.” Jiang Huai took a Yang-essence Pill from his ring and fed it into Zhu Siyao’s mouth.
Zhu Siyao obediently swallowed, leaning into him as she began to regulate her breathing.
“Are Qin Qingyue and the others almost here?”
“If they don’t arrive soon, you’re not allowed to stay here anymore,” she whispered softly.
Jiang Huai’s hand pressed gently on his lower abdomen, sensing the growing pull clearly. He nodded.
“Soon…”
“Hold on a bit longer… just a little longer…”
Before his words finished—
Boom!!!
A streak of light smashed down from the horizon like a falling star, striking the city wall with a heavy impact, scattering stones everywhere.
As the dust settled, a figure appeared—it was Tang Zhaoxue.
Blood-soaked and covered in wounds from head to toe.
Tang Zhaoxue leaned on her sword, struggling to support herself, her eyes dim and filled with hopeless despair.
Suddenly, she looked up, locking her gaze tightly on Jiang Huai, almost shouting hoarsely, “Run! Run now!”
Her beautiful eyes cracked at the corners; blood mixed with dust streaked down, staining half her face crimson.
“That wasn’t a Nascent Soul Demon. Something… something I can’t even see through its realm has appeared. I can’t hold it back…”
Tang Zhaoxue had never encountered such a powerful enemy, one whose realm was utterly incomprehensible to her.
Jiang Huai’s expression darkened abruptly. He immediately stepped forward, pressing the best pill into her mouth.
“You come with me! If it really is a Merging Stage Heavenly Demon, staying here means certain death!”
Clearly, that demon had to be Merging Stage. If it were Great Ascension, Tang Zhaoxue would have no chance of survival.
“The civilians have already retreated, we…”
Tang Zhaoxue cut him off sharply, breath uneven, every word drawing pain from her wounds.
“They haven’t retreated beyond Jade Maiden Pass! I can’t leave!”
Her bloodied hand grabbed Jiang Huai’s wrist fiercely, squeezing so hard her knuckles turned white. Yet her voice was resolute.
“But you must go! You have to leave here!”
“You’re a man, and a hope. You have to live on…”
“This place isn’t worth you staying.”
Jiang Huai stared blankly at her pale face, flowing Yin and Yang energies into her body, trying to stabilize the rapidly fading life force.
Her other trembling hand brushed his cheek, suddenly pulling forth a tragic and shattered smile.
“You’ve accompanied me this far. I’m already very happy.”
“In our story, a woman who sacrifices her life to protect the man she loves—that’s what counts as a legend.”
“I’ve already protected too many.”
“I hope the last person I protect… is you.”
With that, she pushed Jiang Huai away with great force.
The next moment, a mighty surge of Spiritual Power erupted from her body like a volcanic explosion.
“Don’t, don’t do this.” Jiang Huai hurriedly said.
He could clearly feel her life flickering out like a candle burning down.
Her long black hair whipped wildly as if caught in a storm, radiating brilliance that exceeded limits. Her aura burst through barriers in an instant, reaching a tragic, fierce peak.
“Jiang Huai, I won’t return your Immortal Sword.”
“Let your Great Ascension-stage wife guard this world well. Please.”
With those words, she resolutely turned, transforming into a decisive streak of light that once again charged skyward, her sword pointing directly at the demon whose aura surged like a roaring tide.
That Heavenly Demon’s gaze had been fixed unblinkingly on Jiang Huai all along, greedy and cold.
It twisted its mouth, revealing an extremely sinister smile:
“I’ve found you, Little Lord.”
Its figure moved, ready to disregard everything and strike straight for Jiang Huai.
“Stop!” Tang Zhaoxue’s Spiritual Power surged like crossed rivers, using her body as a shield, stubbornly blocking between the Heavenly Demon and Jiang Huai, letting out a bloodied, desperate cry.
“Get lost!” The demon roared in fury, never having expected such a tenacious opponent from this crumbling husk.
With that, the demon struck a palm toward Tang Zhaoxue, carrying an overwhelming pressure of rage.
Tang Zhaoxue’s eyes narrowed, unflinching as she raised her sword and charged forward.