At the same time, the four men groaned as they struggled to regain their footing.

  The young lady, too, faltered. Her energy was spent. Slowly, her form began to flicker as well as her sword, her eyes dimming as the strain of her technique took its toll. With one last gasp, she dropped to the ground, her sword slipping from her grasp.

  Then Xu Hanyu thought, What am I doing here? She might die. We can’t just leave her!

  “Sis—she needs help now…!”

  Xu Lian hesitated for a moment, clearly looking guilty. If she leaves the girl in that state, surely she will get caught by those men. But if they help her, they might also get in trouble since they could delay going back to the residence. Plus, they do not know the reason for them to chase that lady.

  But then, with a weary sigh, she made her decision.

  “Fine. But only this once.”

  …

  “Quick! The young lady is unconscious! We must take her!” One of the men shouted as they began to move toward her.

  Just as one of them reached for the injured lady, his hand inches from her body—

  “!!!”

  A sudden, suffocating pressure filled the air, and the man froze as he felt something was weird. The world seemed to slow, and in the blink of an eye, a new figure appeared above them. Unfamiliar lady moved with fluid grace, her hands raising to summon a deadly projection of energy—a sharp blade of force that streaked toward them.

  “Argh!”

  The man was hurled backward, crashing with others. Dust exploded around them as they were sent tumbling to the ground. Groaning as they struggled to rise and their movements were a bit sluggish.

  “Hanyu’er, quick!” Xu Lian urged as she landed beside the unconscious lady, shielding her.

  Xu Hanyu moved to lift her with Xu Lian’s help and carefully placed her on his back.

  "She’s safe now," Xu Lian whispered softly.

  With a firm command, she instructed, “Let’s go!” and they set off, moving swiftly.

  At the same time, one of the men roughly roared after them, “Who are you?! Do you think you can just run away!?”

  But the siblings were already gone, their steps fading into the wilderness as they carried the injured lady. The sounds of pursuit quickly followed.

  “After them!” another barked up.

  …

  Xu Lian and Xu Hanyu dashed through the wilderness, the young lady's unconscious form slung over their backs. Her eyes briefly opened, but all she sensed was the rough jolt of their movement.

  “Sis, do you think she’ll be okay?” Xu Hanyu asked.

  And Xu Lian, who was following him behind, could see the blood on the lady’s cloak, saying, “I’m not sure… but the injuries look pretty serious.”

  “Why don’t we take her back to the clan for help—?”

  “Absolutely not—!”

  “But—” Xu Hanyu started, but Xu Lian cut him off.

  “If we take her back, the elders will find out we’ve been out. We don’t even know who she is. If she brings trouble, it could be disastrous for the clan! So it’s better we find her a safe place to stay,” said Xu Lian urgently.

  Xu Hanyu was left speechless as he heard his sister’s reason. He knew she was right and it was the safest option.

  “I understand…! But then, are we still far from the bottom of the mountain?”

  “Yes… I don’t think we’ll get there in time.”

  “What should we do now?”

  Suddenly, Xu Lian’s instincts kicked in as she sensed the men approaching. She knew that there’s no time to pause while running. With a quick thought of an idea, she noticed the cloak of the lady tugging into her back once again. And a plan came to her. Without saying anything, she pulled it off swiftly and put it on herself while still running on the path.

  Meanwhile, Xu Hanyu who had noticed this was confused and asked, “What are you doing?”

  “I’ll wear it. If they see me, they’ll think I’m the young lady who had just left the two of us—!”

  “No, that’s too dangerous!” Xu Hanyu protested.

  “We don’t have a choice. If you want to save her, you have to take her down to the mountain immediately! I’ll lead them away, so we’ll meet at the foot.”

  He was hesitating as he felt a concern but it was true that there was no other way.

  “Alright. Just… be careful, Sis.”

  “Don’t worry about me. Go straight, and protect her—!”

  With those last words, she quickly ran back quickly preparing to do what she was planning. And Xu Hanyu didn’t even bother looking back and sprinted as fast as he could. Then he thought, I have to get there quickly before they see me!

  …

  “The young lady is over there!” one of the men barked, quickly went after her as soon as they spotted her.

  With the hood of her cloak pulled low, Xu Lian sprinted through the forest, her breath coming in ragged gasps as her pursuers took the bait. The sound of pounding footsteps grew louder, but something felt off.

  “Where’s the other one?” she wondered, glancing back slightly to see only three men in hot pursuit.

  “Stop her! Quickly!”

  The atmosphere shifted as she sensed the man’s energy behind her, a higher realm’s presence encasing her. The leader summoned golden blades and launched them towards her. Yet, Xu Lian evaded it with remarkable agility, leaping from branch to branch as the deadly projectiles whistled past.

  With a brief stop, the leader muttered, “how did she become 1-star Da Sheng again?” But, even with the doubt in his mind, he continued to chase after her together with his two men.

  Meanwhile Xu Lian was still running from the men, thinking: We’re only three stars apart, but I can’t beat that level yet. Plus, I don’t think I can fight the three of them directly. But as long as I can lead them away quickly!

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  With another blade hurtled toward her…

  Dodge—!

  Yet they relentlessly continued their assault on her.

  Then panic starts to crept in.

  She landed hard and scanned for escape, only to have her heart sink at a Dead End—a sheer rock wall barred her path.

  This is...

  Before she could react, one of the men’s voices rang out from behind her landing all together.

  “You’re nowhere to go, young lady…”

  The three men moved closer, edging her with every direction that she could possibly escape. Their eyes were burning with a fierce intent to capture her. Their weapons shimmered as they moved in a deadly rhythm. Xu Lian’s fingers twitched, and in a split second, the two men lunged, blades cutting through the air. But she had already slipped away.

  Thump!

  With that, her boot slammed into the forehead of the man who’d been waiting in the open, “Argh!” sending him crashing backward.

  In that moment, the other two hesitated, pausing for just a heartbeat, before converging with blinding speed. Meanwhile, Xu Lian also shivered but her eyes stayed focused. But the world around her began to twist and warp as they circled her causing her not to feel confused.

  The first man attacked, but she dodged, the blade narrowly missing her. The second man lunged, but Xu Lian leaped, her feet gliding past him as her kick sent him staggering back.

  With no other choice, she twirled, a bright pearl formed in her hand inside with a unique cover of traced pattern, as well as her eyes reflecting the ocean.

  As the men circled at lightning speed, one faltered as realization crossed his face.

  “What technique is this–?!” One gasped as he noticed Xu Lian’s presence was quite threatening like what they felt fighting the lady a while ago.

  Then he thought. I remember the young lady was not Da Sheng, plus if she were a Da Sheng, that would have been the forbidden technique she used earlier…!

  At the same time, the leader on the side faltered as his confusion turned to unease. “Something is wrong—!” Then Xu Lian thrust forward, the glowing pearl in her hand.

  “Arghh!”

  A shockwave exploded outward, slamming both men into the ground with the force of a landslide. The ground shook beneath them as they crashed, their weapons flying from their hands.

  Meanwhile, she stood tall in the spot, forgetting her cloak slipping off to reveal her face.

  Suddenly, a burst of light erupted overhead—a signal flare, like fireworks in the sky.

  The men froze with their eyes wide.

  “A signal? That’s our man’s signal!”

  “This is bad…” Xu Lian said quietly while looking at the sky with the light that had erupted.

  They turned back to Xu Lian, and they realized that they were being fooled.

  “This isn’t her! Stop her!”

  …

  The young master gasped for breath, his legs beginning to burn with each step. Despite the girl's weight, he still pushed himself harder by gritting his teeth. His body strength, thanks to his daily training, proved capable of carrying her, but he could feel his stamina slipping with each passing moment.

  "Kid! Stop right there!" The man from behind roared. He glanced back a little—almost too close!

  This is bad! I didn’t know one of them had caught me, I can't let them catch me!

  He veered off the main path, desperately seeking a way to get away from the pursuit. But no matter how fast he ran, the man stayed right on his tail, perfectly mirroring every twist and turn.

  With a flick of his wrist, the pursuer launched a warm looking blade at Xu Hanyu that zipped by like lightning. The next blade came even faster, forcing him to dodge again. Each move felt like it could be his last.

  Xu Hanyu almost stumbled and cursed under his breath as he found himself in an eerie, fog-filled area he’s not familiar with. The area felt strange with an unnatural discomfort in the atmosphere, and the ground beneath him seemed to shift as if it were alive.

  At the same time, the pursuer sensed that something was off in the wilderness, yet he remained on pursuing the boy. Suddenly, a soft growl reached his ears, causing him to halt and scan his surroundings rapidly.

  “What was that?” he whispered quietly.

  The man chasing him stopped, squinting as he looked for the sound. Then, something huge jumped out of the darkness, “Rrraaaahhh!”

  “What the hell—” its claws grabbing one of the men and pulling him away with a scary scream. At the same time, the two other men had just arrived, and they watched in horror as their other follower was torn from view.

  Xu Hanyu also halted and turned his head back. What was that?

  Just in time, he saw the remaining two pursuers on the spot.

  "What the heck, what was that–?!" one of the new arrivals hissed, eyes wide with fear.

  “There’s no time to ask! Go get the boy!” the leader snapped.

  Xu Hanyu’s chest tightened. He had to keep running!

  With no time to haste, the two men chased after him, one emitting a heavy aura due to his realm—the man in the 3-star Da Sheng which is the leader. Each step towards felt heavier with them closing in.

  But his hope faded, Xu Hanyu skidded to a stop. Ahead was a cliff, sealing his escape.

  A dead end!

  "You have no escape, young man. If I were you, I'd give up the girl," the leader taunted.

  Shit! My back is getting hurt. I have no choice—! Xu Hanyu thought.

  With that, he gritted his teeth once more. "Not a chance!" Then tightened his grip on the girl as he jumped off the cliff with her .

  As the wind rushed around them, Xu Hanyu adjusted her position in his arms.

  Meanwhile, at the top of the cliff.

  "NO–!" The leader rushed to the edge, rage on his face. Looking into the thick fog below him. "They fell… curse it!" Flicking his arms in frustration.

  The other man hesitated. "What do we do now? Look for them?"

  With a deep breath, closing his eyes as he squinted at the swirling void

  "No need," the leader replied. He stood up and turned to the follower. "This cliff seems very deep. They’re likely dead by now. Go back to the Sect to tell the Elder, we have to report this."

  …

  With just her bare hands, Xu Lian battled to get to Xu Hanyu while confronting the other man who had been told to stop her. The air trembled from their quick blows, but she was growing tired due to the long battle they had. Blood dripped from her lip as she wondered how long they had been fighting.

  Suddenly, voices called from above, commanding her opponent. “Return to the Sect!” Without hesitation, he leaped away, leaving her in confusion.

  "A Sect?" she whispered, wiping the blood away.

  "That explains their strength... but why chase a lady?"

  Then she urgently said, "It's dark... I need to find Hanyu'er–!"

  …

  "Hanyu'er! Are you there?!" Her cry boomed throughout the hills, but no response came. But, as the minutes passed, her heart plummeted with each empty stride.

  She finally came to a stop, fists clenched. I should not have brought him here... I lost him. If I do not find Hanyu'er, I will be unable to forgive myself—! She thought.

  I don't have any choice. I must return and inform the elders.

  That was her final decision. She promptly cleaned herself up and returned back to the clan.

  …

  As darkness falls, the elders notice the absence of Xu Hanyu and Xu Lian. Everyone in the hall panicked, looking around for the two. Especially the three elders, who stood in profound silence, their expressions characterized by upset and dread as they dealt with the absence of the two.

  Meanwhile, Elder Xu Bai, unable to contain his agitation any longer, snapped.

  "Have you found Xu Hanyu and Xu Lian yet?!"

  One clan member, bowing low, spoke nervously. "Elder Xu Bai, we searched with all our might... but... w-we could not find them."

  Elder Xu Bai let out a sharp scoff. His voice thundered, his rage scarcely restrained. "Then do another search! There are no excuses! I need them found now!"

  He took a long breath, attempting to calm himself, but he couldn't help it.

  In contrast, Elder Xu Ting maintained his composure despite a tinge of worry in his eyes. He reassured Elder Xu Jia by putting his hand on his shoulder. "Elder Xu Bai," he went on coolly, "Try not to snap. We must think clearly if we are to locate them.

  "How can I remain calm? Xu Hanyu was entrusted to us, and now he has disappeared. How are we going to confront Lord Xu when he arrives? You know how protective Xu Dan is of Xu Hanyu, and even we can't protest—!"