"They've arrived," Tian Wei announced, his voice laced with worry.
"Who? The Yangs and Zhaos?" Xuan Yi asked, mortified.
Xuan Yi had expected the Yangs to pursue them, but he didn't think they would catch up so quickly.
They had barely caught their breath, hardly had a moment of respite. The ground still seethed with the warmth of the battle, and the churning clouds had not even settled before trouble came knocking.
Xuan Yi knew he was no match for the forces on their way, so he could only rely on Tian Wei to escape. Surprisingly, he felt a growing attachment to him. They had faced life and death together, and in that sense, they could be considered friends.
He considered fleeing and fervently praying to whatever higher power existed, hoping the Yangs and Zhaos would spare him. After all, he had not offended either of them in any significant way.
He didn't possess Ten Thousand Sword Tempering Skill, nor had he done whatever it is that Qing Fu did. In all honesty, he was truly innocent. His only crime was having crossed paths with these two individuals.
He sighed visibly, and Tian Wei and Qing Fu seemed to understand his thoughts without a word being spoken.
Tian Wei didn't want to be heartless and disregard Xuan Yi's safety just to keep him by their side. It was evident that Xuan Yi had led an ordinary life, much like those ordinary villagers they had encountered.
If he had ever experienced a bad day, it paled in comparison to the life-and-death struggles they faced. Xuan Yi was shielded by some renowned clan and lacked nothing unless he chose to.
"You can leave. There's no need to unnecessarily tie your fate to ours," Tian Wei spoke quietly as he stood up. Qing Fu nodded in agreement.
"Besides, you don't possess the strength to truly make a difference here," Qing Fu added, sensing Xuan Yi's hesitation.
Xuan Yi sighed. Normally, he would have been shameless when it came to preserving his own life, and he wouldn't play the role of a futile hero if it meant his own demise.
However, it would be plain cowardice and wrong to abandon them at this point, especially after everything they had been through together. He hadn't stooped that low just yet.
Xuan Yi was the kind of person who repaid favors owed, and despite being the source of their current troubles, Tian Wei and Qing Fu had done their best to preserve his life.
Besides, he couldn't entirely blame them for the recent misfortunes; he had played a small part himself.
"I'm not leaving you. We've been through a lot together, and besides, I think I might be of some help. Maybe I can hold back that scum Zhao or something," Xuan Yi said.
"How far are they?" Xuan Yi asked.
"I cannot tell exactly, but they aren't far," Tian Wei replied. Despite his true strength remaining unknown, he was still limited. He had not cultivated the spiritual eye that allowed him to see thousands of miles away through chi.
He relied solely on brute force and physical strength to improve his mortal body.
"Then we should leave and run as fast as we can. We might be able to escape or find a hiding place if we leave the scarred plains and reach the undestroyed canyon edge or make our way to the Icy Crests.
From there, we can navigate through the villages and eventually reach the Wailing Mountains," Xuan Yi urged.
There was little hope of leaving the canyon unscathed, but it was their only choice. It was better than waiting to confront the Yangs head-on, especially since it was unclear if they had brought reinforcements.
The Icy Plains also presented another opportunity for Tian Wei. He could use the coldness there to further temper his body and sword, unleashing a far more formidable strength.
No one needed further persuasion. They all sprung to their feet, weary and torn but not defeated. If they managed to escape, they would seek their revenge.
They hastened their pace through the destroyed canyons, and in no time, they were catching up to the remnants of the labyrinthine terrain.
Tian Wei could have moved much faster, but his speed was tied to that of Xuan Yi and Qing Fu. They moved together, determined to survive and overcome the challenges that lay ahead.
They pressed on, crossing through the remaining portion of the canyon before the Yangs could catch up. It seemed that either the Yangs were not in a hurry, or they took pleasure in the chase, savoring their prey's attempts to escape.
Xuan Yi's home was located far away, and following the designated path would take several months to reach.
However, traversing through these canyons and mountains significantly shortened the distance, provided one possessed enough strength to endure the strain and overcome the obstacles.
After crossing charred the canyons and its remnant, they paused for a moment at the edge.
Before them lay a rugged terrain of icy shards and rocks.
The mist in this area appeared less scattered than in the canyons, giving the impression of diminished danger.
However, that would be far from the truth. Perhaps the pursuers they faced were more forgiving and the foe in front of them.
There was a reason why these canyons and ice terrains were deemed treacherous. The name treacherous was not bestowed upon them for its poetic appeal.
"Let's go," Xuan Yi said, not wishing to waste too much time.
"No. Stay," a very distant voice echoed.
The pursuing foe had finally arrived, and their presence sent a shiver down their spines. The terrifying voice pierced through the air, carrying the foreboding aura of death and complete destruction.
The voice was immediately followed by a gentle breeze that carried a hidden force, slamming against the trio in the fading daylight.
Xuan Yi and Qing Fu needed to exert considerable strength to maintain their footing against the powerful gust.
It was not Cheng Di, the person they had encountered earlier with the carriage and green bamboo leaf.
This was an entirely different individual, yet his terror surpassed that of Cheng Di's.