Lu Man's face drained of color, disbelief etched across her features. She'd pegged the black-robed youth as the easiest target among them. But he's the most uncanny! That fleeting moment of soul-rending terror left her shaken, a helplessness she'd never felt in her cultivation journey. The Sky Serpent Mansion knew souls, yet she'd never heard of a soul seal. What's his realm? She eyed Xiao Bai with growing awe, initially thinking he'd used a rare artifact to best her. But that glance—its soul force rivaled Dou Zongs she'd encountered. Is he a Dou Zong? Medusa's deference to him cemented her suspicion.
"Lu Man, what're you doing? Move, or I'm bolting!" Bai Ya, battered and bloodied, bellowed via soul transmission. Fully focused on Medusa, he'd missed the earlier clash. Spotting Lu Man frozen beside Xiao Bai, urgency flashed in his eyes.
She stole a cautious glance at Xiao Bai, a bitter laugh echoing inwardly. Run? Run from what? If he were a Dou Zong, outpacing spatial manipulation was a fantasy. "Ah!" Bai Ya's pained cry rang out as Medusa's energy whip tore his flesh. His tattered eight wings beat, propelling him backward in a desperate escape. "Lu Man, play alone—I'm done!" he roared.
"Elder Hai, stop him!" Xiao Bai shouted.
Hai Bodong darted forward, blocking Bai Ya's path. His sleeves quivered, icy blue chill erupting in a howling vortex, ice blades swirling within. "Mysterious Ice Slaughter!" Bai Ya, unable to detour with Medusa closing in, glared fiercely. "Get lost!" He barreled through, his beastly frame shrugging off the attack, charging Hai Bodong.
"Damn!" Hai Bodong yelped, dodging the frenzied beast's collision. That'd kill me! Bai Ya, relieved, ignored his numbing pain, wings blurring as he shot a kilometer away.
"Xiao Bai, I…" Hai Bodong, unable to pursue, landed before him, sheepish and hesitant.
"No matter," Xiao Bai said calmly.
Medusa descended, her voice cool. "He lives by speed. If he's set on fleeing, catching him's near impossible."
Xiao Bai's gaze lingered on her, a faint smile spreading. "You worked hard," he said, nodding lightly.
Lu Man exhaled, relieved Xiao Bai didn't chase. Bai Ya's escape means he'll alert the mansion. They'll send powerhouses—maybe I'll be freed! If both were trapped, with their years-long missions, the mansion might not notice their absence for ages.
Xiao Bai, hands clasped behind him, stared where Bai Ya vanished, then turned to Lu Man. "He escaped. You seem pleased."
"Heh, whoever you are, I advise you to release me. The Sky Serpent Mansion isn't to be trifled with!" Lu Man's confidence surged, bolstered by Bai Ya's getaway.
"Is that so?" Xiao Bai said noncommittally, a cold, sultry voice cutting in.
"The Sky Serpent Mansion boasts many powerhouses. Best not kill her," Medusa said.
"Is Your Majesty… concerned for me?" Xiao Bai teased, his eyes twinkling at the figure beside him.
Medusa scoffed, not sparing him a glance. I'm only worried about my tribe.
A sudden scream pierced the distance, followed by furious shouts: "Who are you, ambushing me?" "Do you know I'm from the Sky Serpent Mansion? Don't you fear our wrath?"
"Bai Ya!" Lu Man gasped, recognizing his voice, her eyes snapping to Xiao Bai in disbelief. No wonder he's so calm—he had an ambush set! Furious and frantic, she cursed inwardly. A Dou Zong, two Dou Huangs, and an ambush against us? Shameless!
Medusa, too, shot Xiao Bai a surprised glance. He's got more cards up his sleeve—and strong ones, to make Bai Ya scream like that.
"Pfft, the Sky Serpent Mansion? Mighty, are they? You think you can match my backing?" The distant cries faded, replaced by a scornful voice.
Lu Man's uncertainty grew, staring at Xiao Bai. That voice didn't even flinch at the mansion. Who is this youth? Xiao Bai, amused, shook his head. Ling Ying's dropped the act since his social death. After revealing he was Xun'er's guard, though not mentioning the Ancient Clan, he'd shed his cryptic facade, speaking freely.
"Let's go see," Xiao Bai said, flying toward the sound with Qing Lin. The others hurried after.
In a desert clearing, where Bai Ya lay, barely alive, no other figures in sight. "It's over—no hope left," Lu Man lamented, despair sinking in.
Xiao Bai strode to Bai Ya's massive head, planting a soul seal array. Kicking the beast, he asked, "Can you still move?"
Bai Ya cracked an eye, ignoring him. Xiao Bai chuckled. "What're you doing?" Bai Ya tensed as Xiao Bai drew a gleaming dagger, gesturing at his horn.
"If you can't move, I'll harvest you. A sixth-tier beast—such a waste to leave here, right?" Xiao Bai said matter-of-factly, eyeing the horn. Its venom might help Xiao Yi Xian.
"No, no, I can move!" Bai Ya yelped, pain forgotten as he shakily raised his upper body.
Xiao Bai inwardly marveled. This beast's toughness is unreal—near death, yet standing. "Uh… can I walk? Can't fly," Bai Ya said, his triangular pupils oozing flattery, terrified Xiao Bai would butcher him.
When Xiao Bai sheathed the dagger, Bai Ya exhaled, relieved. Scared me to death!