Chapter 45
If Gu Qian didn't act soon, Xiang Feifei would have all her Five Elements energy and life force drained by the life symbol, turning into a twisted human skin talisman.
They didn't have much time left either.
Gu Qian shadow-stepped behind Mei Liangyu.
Legalist School Judgment Arts: Death by a Thousand Cuts.
Explosive wind sounds rang in Mei Liangyu's ears as countless tiny wind blades desperately drilled into his skin, completely ignoring his Five Elements energy protection.
In this moment of obstruction, Gu Qian grabbed Xiang Feifei's hand to pull her back, but Mei Liangyu risked having his hands shredded by wind blades, binding Xiang Feifei with thunder snakes through the blood mist.
The explosive wind blades shredded the flesh of Mei Liangyu's palms, wounds so deep bone was visible, yet he showed no hesitation, absolutely refusing to give up this chance to break Shadow Swallow.
Thunder snakes and golden thunder struck Xiang Feifei simultaneously. Gu Qian swept Xiang Feifei up in his arms, protecting her immediately, but both were still sent flying by the golden thunder, crashing into the darkness.
Xiang Feifei spat blood, collapsing in Gu Qian's embrace, no longer able to maintain Shadow Swallow.
As the darkness receded and moonlight once again illuminated the sandy ground, Gu Qian's chest tightened, his rising movement pausing.
Taoist divine thunder was no ordinary Nine Schools Arts. It was Taoist School Heavenly Mechanism Arts. Taking one hit was enough to make him suffer, let alone Xiang Feifei.
Mei Liangyu knew more Nine Schools Arts than he had imagined.
Yu Sui shared the same view. Mei Liangyu seemed to truly know Nine Schools Arts from every school, not just Nine Schools Arts, but even Heavenly Mechanism Arts.
If it wasn't copying, it was truly hard to imagine.
But if it was copying, why hadn't he copied Xiang Feifei's Shadow Swallow just now?
Yu Sui felt somewhat regretful. In trying to confirm Gu Qian's Divine Mechanism Arts, she had forgotten about Mei Liangyu. But it wasn't over yet, the Demon Sealing barrier over there hadn't been used, so Gu Qian's group should still have moves left.
Gu Qian looked down to see Xiang Feifei in his arms covered in sweat, spitting blood and unconscious, her face pitifully pale, and couldn't help feeling anger rise from his heart.
Xiang Feifei was usually strong and lively, but now injured and showing her fragile side, she was even more heartbreaking.
From the corner of his eye, Gu Qian suddenly spotted a red scorpion hiding in the grass, his heart shaking slightly.
An Agricultural School transmission beast?
Who?
Cang Shu?
Could the earlier Wind-Listening Ruler accident have been caused by Agricultural School disciple Cang Shu interfering from behind the scenes?
Yu Sui sat in the carriage, supporting her chin with one hand as she looked outside. She smiled with narrowed eyes, thinking Gu Qian had finally discovered the transmission beast she'd left there.
Agricultural School transmission beasts could indeed interfere with Wind-Listening Ruler voice transmission. This was something Yu Sui had known when she first researched Wind-Listening Rulers.
When Gu Qian emphasized acting on the 15th, though Yu Sui had thought of Wind-Listening Ruler voice transmission, she couldn't be certain. She just had Wei Ren give her red scorpions as a precaution. She couldn't guarantee that while watching this battle, she wouldn't use her power to control Wind-Listening Rulers.
The power to control Wind-Listening Rulers had let Gu Qian's side know part of it. If there were any Wind-Listening Ruler-related anomalies, Gu Qian would definitely suspect her first.
Yu Sui had to find some cover for herself to avoid trouble.
"Being able to practice Shadow Swallow to this level is quite rare." Mei Liangyu walked toward Gu Qian and Xiang Feifei. "Such people aren't common in the Yin-Yang School, and wouldn't be hard to find."
Mei Liangyu wasn't in much better condition either. When struck by the frost-white python, his left shoulder clothing was already soaked with blood. When the frost shattered, his neck and face were also cut.
Where he used thunder snakes to bind Xiang Feifei without letting go, directly clashing with Gu Qian's Judgment Arts Death by a Thousand Cuts, both his hands were now bloody, blood constantly dripping, the mangled flesh revealing stark white bone.
When Yu Sui's gaze passed over Mei Liangyu's hands, she sighed inwardly. It looked painful just watching.
Even though Mei Liangyu was a Ghost Way School disciple and killing him required attacking his three souls, the pain from physical injuries was still real.
Yet Mei Liangyu showed no change in expression, as if he felt no pain, only his dark pupils carrying a hint of coldness as they swept over the people present.
Gu Qian withdrew his gaze from the red scorpion, using techniques to disguise his voice, making it indistinguishable between male and female: "You won't have a chance to look."
Though he said this, the appearance of the red scorpion made cold sweat break out on his back.
Could there be someone else nearby watching?
Huo Xiao behind them staggered to his feet, formed hand seals, and activated the Demon Sealing barrier. A white barrier unfolded, drawing a circle on the ground that trapped only Mei Liangyu within.
After Huo Xiao activated the barrier, he covered his shoulder again, frowning tightly.
He'd been struck by golden thunder without any defense, his injuries no less severe than Xiang Feifei's.
Though they had absolute advantage in Shadow Swallow, their opponent's reversal happened in just an instant.
"Demon Sealing barrier, Mechanism Arts School." Mei Liangyu stopped walking, looking up at the mysterious wood fixed at both ends, his smile playful. "It seems you don't know yet."
"Go die!" Wei Kun struggled to stand with the mountain wall's support, half his face covered in blood, both his and Mei Liangyu's. At this moment, the frost-white python coiled around the Demon Sealing barrier, raising its head high, looking down at Mei Liangyu below.
Wei Kun's killing intent surged like tidal waves, extremely furious. There was no time left, he didn't want to waste words with Mei Liangyu. The strength Mei Liangyu displayed filled him with terror, as if no matter what, they couldn't control him. No matter what desperate situation he fell into, he could always turn the tables.
Like being trapped in Shadow Swallow, like now being trapped in the Demon Sealing barrier.
This oppressive feeling instead filled him with despair, his fighting spirit instantly collapsing and draining away.
Wei Kun couldn't accept this. Driven by fear and killing intent, he wanted Mei Liangyu to die here!
Following its master's command, the frost-white python opened its mouth and hissed, diving at extreme speed to bite off Mei Liangyu's head. Gu Qian didn't relax his vigilance, once again wielding Judgment Arts: Death by a Thousand Cuts.
Mei Liangyu in the Demon Sealing barrier couldn't possibly use Heavenly Mechanism Arts!
He can't block it!
Everyone thought so.
But Yu Sui saw Mei Liangyu standing calmly in place without moving. Senior Brother's composure and the contempt in his eyes as he looked at the frost-white python made her feel this person wouldn't just let himself die like this.
A moment of battle-hungry emotion rose in Mei Liangyu's eyes, giving him an instant of wicked air.
Medical School Pupil Arts: Heart Through the Eyes.
The white python diving down with its body and mouth suddenly turned back the moment it met Mei Liangyu's gaze. Before Wei Kun could react, while his face was still full of ferocity and killing intent, it suddenly turned around and bit Wei Kun without hesitation.
What?!
Gu Qian and Huo Xiao looked up in disbelief. Wei Kun's face had just flashed with confusion when the rearing frost-white python had already bitten him to pieces and swallowed him.
Blood splattered, falling into the sandy ground and soaking in.
How is this possible? How does he still know Medical School pupil arts!
Gu Qian's eyes trembled as he looked at Mei Liangyu.
Mei Liangyu raised his hand to protect his throat, preventing the Death by a Thousand Cuts wind blades from slitting his throat. Soon the frost-white python angrily twisted and whipped its tail, crushing one of the mysterious wood pieces and breaking the Demon Sealing barrier.
As soon as the Demon Sealing barrier broke, Gu Qian made a decisive decision, immediately carrying Xiang Feifei and covering Huo Xiao's retreat. Tonight had been a lesson, underestimating Mei Liangyu.
The time limit on Saint Chang Gen's side was also up. Even if they cornered Mei Liangyu again, they might be interrupted by Saint Chang Gen.
If Gu Qian wanted to run, Mei Liangyu would pursue.
Three black figures gradually moved away through the forest, all moving very fast, as if using all their strength to power Wind-Riding Techniques.
Because Gu Qian was covering Huo Xiao's retreat, after handing Xiang Feifei to him, he fell to the rear. Just as Mei Liangyu caught up to him, he was forced back by Judgment Arts, the Death by a Thousand Cuts wind blades still pursuing him.
Blackbeard personally escorted Yu Sui back to the academy. The carriage left the bustling Outer City, passing under the stone jade archway and heading toward Taiyi Academy along the surrounding forest.
Yu Sui lifted the carriage curtain to look outside, her expression thoughtful. Going this way, they might encounter the retreating Gu Qian and others.
Gu Qian's group had already withdrawn from the shallow sea area, crossed through the forest, and arrived at dense woods near the main road.
The pursuing Mei Liangyu suddenly stopped, his speed slowing down.
He frowned slightly and clicked his tongue softly.
He'd used other schools' Nine Schools Arts too frequently, all high-level Nine Schools Arts or Heavenly Mechanism Arts. Now his Five Elements energy was in chaos, and just breathing made his nerves twitch.
He hadn't been able to kill Wei Kun before because the kid was too good at running. He might not necessarily win in a fight, but when it came to escaping, he had skills.
And Wei Kun had known early on that he couldn't beat Mei Liangyu one-on-one, so he never thought of fighting him. Every time he was discovered in the Outer City, he'd turn and run, desperately running toward the academy.
This time Wei Kun tried to join forces with Gu Qian and didn't run, instead being caught off guard by Mei Liangyu.
Today's target had been to kill Wei Kun anyway. The others weren't urgent.
Mei Liangyu stopped using Wind-Riding Techniques and walked slowly forward instead.
Gu Qian suddenly noticed the pursuer behind him slowing down. Thinking it was a trick, he observed for a moment before suddenly realizing: Five Elements energy chaos.
Even Mei Liangyu, with his Ghost Way School three souls and six spirits, couldn't block the pain brought by Five Elements energy chaos.
There's an opportunity!
Gu Qian pivoted decisively and turned back to fight again.
Mei Liangyu had already walked out of the dense forest into the moonlight. On the main road, an exquisite carriage approached from the distance at a speed matching Wind-Riding Techniques, quickly drawing near.
Yu Sui leaned by the carriage window and saw Mei Liangyu standing in the moonlight. She sat up and called out in surprise: "Senior Brother!"
This "Senior Brother" successfully stopped Gu Qian in his tracks. He hid in the shadows, looking toward the roadside in shock.
Blackbeard's carriage heard Yu Sui's shout and also saw Mei Liangyu in the forest beside the road, immediately stopping the carriage.
Mei Liangyu slowly blinked, the pain making his heart clench. His gaze fixed on Yu Sui as she hurriedly got out of the carriage. Seeing him, she gasped and covered her mouth in surprise, her moist almond eyes shimmering with rippling light, as if she'd been frightened.
"Senior Brother? How did you get hurt so badly?" Yu Sui was both anxious and confused, running over breathlessly. "Did you get into a fight with someone?"
Mei Liangyu had fine sweat on his forehead, but he still pretended to be unfazed, as if saying that though he'd become covered in blood, he didn't hurt at all. He casually asked Yu Sui: "What are you holding?"
Yu Sui looked down and realized she'd brought down the jewelry box she'd bought today. She said softly: "I came to the Outer City tonight to buy new jewelry and clothes. This is what I just bought."
Mei Liangyu thought how nice that some people fought life-and-death battles in the Outer City while others spent money like water in the Outer City.
Gu Qian looked at the two standing together, a breath stuck in his chest that he couldn't release either way.
"Senior Brother, get in the carriage quickly. I'll take you to the Medical School. I'm so afraid you'll die." Yu Sui looked at Mei Liangyu with worried eyes.
Mei Liangyu looked down at her shimmering eyes and suddenly felt that seeing this Junior Sister wasn't bad at all.
Hidden in the shadows, Gu Qian watched helplessly as Mei Liangyu was helped into the carriage by Yu Sui. To avoid delaying Mei Liangyu's treatment, Blackbeard even sped up.
The fury in Gu Qian's eyes nearly set the entire roadside forest ablaze. Why?
Why do I have to rush back using Wind-Riding Techniques while that Mei Liangyu gets to share a carriage ride back with Sui Sui!
This scheming man even dares to bewitch Sui Sui!