Chapter 587: Unlucky Disciple
A warm breath disturbed the cool fog that hung in the air. Rapid footsteps swept through the underbrush, weaving between the massive trunks of ancient trees. A pink glow was beginning to appear on the eastern horizon but the forest was still dark and asleep.
Li Yuechan looked left and right as she ran, scanning the surroundings for signs of danger. She had managed to get only a few hours of rest during the evening but no sleep. Her enemies were all around and she couldn't let her guard down for a single moment.
She had been minding her own business yesterday when she had been ambushed by a group of people with rags covering their faces. She managed to break out because they had not expected the power of her ice arts but she had been on the run ever since.
She didn't know how many were chasing her now, probably more than the first group she encountered. She wasn't sure which sect they came from but she could probably guess. Whether they wanted to kill her or simply capture her, it didn't matter. She didn't want to sit around and find out.
Li Yuechan paused as she came upon a tall tree that looked easy to climb. She leaped up the trunk and arrived at the top. Her feet rested lightly on a flimsy branch as she peered at the rising sun and the endless forest that was as vast as the sea.
She didn't see any alerting talismans from her fellow sisters. She hadn't seen any yesterday either or the day before. It seemed like she had stumbled into the wrong area where there were only enemies and no allies. She clenched her fist as she worried about her bad luck. The only thing she could do was hope for the best and keep going forward.
She debated with herself for a moment before firing off a talisman of her own. A streak of dark red light went straight up into the air, sharply contrasting with the orange glow all around. She watched it explode with a wave of spiritual energy high in the air. It was a risk to send it but if anyone had stumbled into her vicinity, it was better to let them know sooner than later. The red alert meant that one of their own was in danger and needed immediate assistance. She hoped that her luck would turn around.
Without waiting for a response that might not come, she swiftly descended to the ground and continued running.
Only, her luck was truly not good and she ran straight into a group of people a short while later.
"There she is!"
"Li Yuechan of Ten Thousand Flower Valley!"
"Surround her!"
Chaotic shouts roused the sleeping forest as seven or eight people drew their swords and immediately came at her. Their faces were already obscured so they had most likely seen her talisman.
Li Yuechan's sword came out in a flash as she deflected three different swords in a row. Her body was thrown backward from the backlash of spiritual energy. She slammed into a nearby tree trunk with a hastily constructed layer of ice to shield her back.
There was a loud sound akin to glass shattering as thousands of icicles went in all directions, glittering under the morning light.
Mount Huang Sect's Seven Remembrance Sword... Li Yuechan recognized their sword art. So, it was them after all. Her master had suspected that the Four Greats would try something within the Forest of Swords. They had finally decided to act.
She swept her Ageless Ice Sword towards her enemies as the straight blade glowed white. In an instant, beams of ice shot out, carrying a deadly sharpness and icy aura.
Winter's Snow Dance, 2nd Stage, Arrows of Frost!
She swept her sword horizontally launching a barrage of arrows in a wide arc at all eight opponents. After that, she turned and ran without waiting to see the result.
"Ahh!"
Clang! Clang!
"Shit!"
Some managed to block with their swords while others were too slow and suffered for it. Some that suffered direct hits felt their limbs go numb or a cold like everlasting winter penetrate their bodies.
"That bitch! After her!"
"Go!"
The group sprinted after the lone fleeing figure. Out of the eight people, the leader was named Jin Wangjie, a senior disciple of the Mount Huang Sect. At the first lesser realm of Spiritual Growth, he was one of the strongest competitors within the forest. The sect master was also his uncle so nobody dared to question him.
If he stepped up to fight Li Yuechan head-on, he was sure to win but he chose to let his juniors tire her out first. He commanded the situation as he studied Li Yuechan's backside, specifically focusing on a pair of buttocks that shook up and down as she ran.
He licked his lips. Such a naughty lamb... she had evaded him for a full day and a half, leading his team across the forest in a wild chase. But she wouldn't be able to escape now.
"You, head right and link up with our people there." He said as he tapped a person in front of him.
"Yes, Senior Brother!"
"You, head left and tell the Xiao Jiu to meet us at the Golden Cliff."
"Yes!"
"Go, keep chasing!" Jin Wangjie pushed his remaining troops forward relentlessly.
He grinned as he imagined the things he would do to her. Uncle sect master had promised red spiritual crystal to whoever could kill a disciple of Ten Thousand Flower Valley. That prize was now within his grasp but it didn't mean he could have some fun first.
Today was only the ninth day within the Forest of Swords. There was plenty of time to savor such a flawless woman. He had his eyes on her ever since meeting them in the streets of Everblade City. She was the most beautiful one with a tall, slender figure and perfectly sized assets, not too lewd but enough to draw eyes toward the appropriate places.
He laughed as he slapped the heads of a few people who were falling behind. "Keep up! If you don't, I will give you a lashing!"
Li Yuechan had no time to imagine what exactly these people wanted to do to her. She was fleeing as fast as she could while protecting her back with layers of ice that shattered as quickly as she could create them. In addition to the 3rd State, Frozen Carapace, she had also activated the 4th Stage, Icy Marrow.
She suddenly sensed a wave of spiritual energy and danger coming from behind. She turned around to meet the lunging figure who carried a large sword and eyes filled with evil intent.
"Seven Remembrance Sword!" Jin Wangjie shouted.
His sword became like a ghost as he attacked with the form of the first remembrance.
Li Yuechan directly clashed with him, resulting in an explosion of spiritual energy which sent both of them backward. She was forced back twenty steps while her opponent suffered only ten. Their difference was clear but it wasn't enough for her to despair.
"Why are you chasing me?" She asked, her voice like an icy wind.
Jin Wangjie sneered, "Noisy. Give me your treasure sword and I might consider not hurting you."
"Despicable."
She didn't bother talking with him and leaped to one side. A flurry of attacks from the other enemies landed where she had just been. Icy wind blasted forth, followed by a salvo of frost arrows.
Pang!
Clang!
Another person from the Mount Huang Sect fell, clutching his sword arm. In a few breaths, his hand had turned blue and his sleeves were covered in frost.
She could have aimed for his head or throat but she had held back. Even though these people were so despicable, she did not go for the kill. This had always been her habit when it came to human opponents.
She was someone who strived to do the right thing. She had four younger sisters who looked up to her so she always had to watch how she spoke and acted until it became who she was. All these years, she led by example through virtue and morality.
These people had none of the qualities she cherished. They weren't even as good as dogs. But even so, she did not consider dealing a fatal attack. As she turned and continued fleeing, she briefly questioned her choice before putting it in the back of her mind.
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