Chapter 19: Xia Qingwu Arrives
Wang Xiangyi and Wang Li maintained their vigilant watch over the Jade Bamboo Forest, their senses heightened as they awaited any sign of movement from the hidden cultivators.
As the hours stretched into a day, tension hung thick in the air, each passing moment amplifying their apprehension. Then, like a beacon of hope, Xia Qingwu’s arrival above the forest brought a glimmer of relief.
“Look, it’s Qingwu!” Wang Xiangyi exclaimed, her voice tinged with relief as she pointed towards Xia Qingwu’s figure.
Wang Li nodded in agreement, his gaze fixed on Xia Qingwu’s graceful form as she soared through the sky. “Seems like she is right on time,” he remarked, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
As they watched Xia Qingwu’s approach, they noticed that none of the hidden cultivators in the forest made a move to attack her. “Looks like she’s not their target,” Wang Li observed, his brow furrowing in thought.
Wang Xiangyi nodded in agreement, her expression thoughtful. “Then it must be Madam Xia Bingling who betrayed us,” she concluded, a note of bitterness creeping into her voice.
Wang Li’s jaw clenched in frustration, his mind racing with the implications of their discovery. “We can’t let her get away with this,” he declared, determination burning in his eyes.
Just as they were about to discuss their next move, a sudden realization dawned on them—they had overlooked one crucial detail.
“Wait, Qingwu’s sending us a message,” Wang Li exclaimed, his eyes widening in realization as he spotted the communication talisman speeding towards them.
Before they could react, the talisman soared towards their hiding spot in the nearby evergreen pine forest. Xia Qingwu must have sensed their presence and was now heading towards them.
However, unbeknownst to Xia Qingwu, her approach was drawing danger closer to Wang Li and Wang Xiangyi. The thirteen hidden experts had been trailing her closely, recognizing her destination and intent to meet with the two fugitives.
Wang Li’s heart sank as he watched Xia Qingwu’s Flying Sword draw nearer. “We need to act fast,” he urged, a sense of urgency creeping into his voice. “Those cultivators are following her. If they catch up, it won’t end well for any of us.”
Wang Xiangyi nodded, her expression determined. “We need to escape as quickly as we can,” she suggested.
Wang Li and Wang Xiangyi swiftly emerged from their hiding spot as Xia Qingwu’s Flying Sword approached. With a sense of urgency, they met her in the evergreen pine forest, wasting no time in relaying the imminent threat.
“Qingwu, we need to move quickly,” Wang Li urged, his tone urgent as he approached her. “Thirteen cultivators are on their way here to attack us.”
Xia Qingwu’s eyes widened in alarm as Wang Li briefed her about the imminent threat. “Thirteen cultivators? Are you serious?” she exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Wang Xiangyi nodded gravely. “Yes, they’re closing in on us fast. We need to get out of here before they catch up,” she affirmed, her tone urgent.
Xia Qingwu bit her lip, her mind racing with possibilities. “I have some escape talismans,” she offered, her voice determined. “They can create hidden tunnels underground, allowing us to travel hundreds of miles away in an instant.”
Wang Li’s expression brightened at the news. “That could work,” he remarked, a sense of relief washing over him. “Let’s use them to put some distance between us and those cultivators.”
With a nod of agreement, Xia Qingwu handed escape talismans to Wang Li and Wang Xiangyi, their hands brushing briefly as they exchanged the items. “Let’s go,” she urged, her voice resolute.
The trio wasted no time activating the talismans, channeling the power of the Earth Element to create a hidden tunnel beneath their feet. As the earth shifted and trembled around them, they descended into the depths of the tunnel, their hearts pounding with anticipation.
However, their relief was short-lived as they soon realized that their pursuers were not far behind. Despite their efforts to conceal the tunnel, the thirteen cultivators possessed a treasure that could detect illusions, allowing them to track their movements with ease.
Wang Li cursed under his breath as he glanced back when he sensed that his minor illusion array had been broken. “They’ve found us,” he muttered, his voice tense with urgency.
Wang Xiangyi’s jaw tightened with determination as she urged them to keep moving forward. “We can’t let them catch up,” she insisted, her eyes flashing with resolve.
As they pressed onward through the tunnel, Xia Qingwu couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease gnawing at her. “Who are these cultivators?” she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and concern. “And why are they after you?”
Wang Li and Wang Xiangyi exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them. They couldn’t bring themselves to reveal the truth to Xia Qingwu—that her own mother might be behind the attack. Instead, they opted for evasion, promising to explain later when the danger had passed.
“We’ll tell you everything once we’re safe,” Wang Xiangyi assured her, her voice tinged with regret at withholding the truth. “For now, let’s focus on getting out of here.”
Xia Qingwu nodded, though her curiosity still burned within her. She understood that now wasn’t the time for explanations, but she couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air.
As Wang Li, Wang Xiangyi, and Xia Qingwu emerged from the hidden tunnel, relief washed over them momentarily. However, their respite was short-lived as they hastily erected a barrier to thwart their pursuers’ advance.
Wang Xiangyi took charge of setting up the barrier, her expertise as a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator lending her the necessary strength and skill. With practiced movements, she wove the energy of her cultivation into a protective shield, sealing off the tunnel behind them.
However, their relief was short-lived as the two Nascent Soul Realm experts among their pursuers proved to be a formidable force to reckon with. Their cultivation far surpassed that of Wang Xiangyi, and they wasted no time in unleashing their martial techniques to break through the barrier.
As the barrier shattered under the onslaught of their adversaries, fear gripped Wang Li, Wang Xiangyi, and Xia Qingwu. The sudden appearance of the powerful Nascent Soul Realm experts sent shivers down their spines, filling them with dread.
“Who are these guys?!” Xia Qingwu exclaimed, her voice trembling with fear as she took in the imposing figures before them.
Wang Li clenched his fists, his mind racing as he assessed their situation. “We’re in serious trouble,” he muttered, his gaze flicking between their pursuers and his companions.
Wang Xiangyi’s heart raced with adrenaline as she prepared to defend herself and her companions against the formidable foes. Despite the odds stacked against them, she remained determined to protect those she cared about at all costs.
With a menacing aura, the two Nascent Soul Realm experts closed in on Wang Li, Wang Xiangyi, and Xia Qingwu, their intent clear. It was clear that their adversaries would stop at nothing to capture or eliminate them.
As the two Nascent Soul Realm cultivators closed in, Wang Xiangyi steeled herself for the impending confrontation. With a determined glint in her eyes, she stepped forward, ready to face the formidable adversaries head-on.
“Xiangyi, be careful!” Wang Li called out, his voice filled with concern as he watched her prepare to engage the enemy.
“Don’t worry about me, Li. Just focus on finding a way out of this mess!” Xiangyi replied with a reassuring smile, her voice laced with determination.
With a swift movement, one of the Nascent Soul Realm experts launched an attack towards Wang Xiangyi, his movements fluid and precise. Reacting instinctively, she dodged the blow with lightning-fast reflexes, her training kicking in as she prepared to retaliate.
Meanwhile, the other Nascent Soul Realm expert circled around, positioning himself to launch a coordinated assault with his companion. Wang Xiangyi remained calm under pressure, her focus unwavering as she assessed the situation and prepared to face both opponents simultaneously.
“We have to help her somehow,” Xia Qingwu said, her voice filled with urgency as she turned to Wang Li.
“I know, but how?” Wang Li replied, his brows furrowed in deep thought as he scanned their surroundings for any possible solution.
Suddenly, an idea struck Wang Li, his eyes lighting up with newfound determination. “I have an idea, but we’ll need to act fast,” he said, turning to Xia Qingwu with a sense of urgency.
“What is it?” Xia Qingwu asked, her curiosity piqued by Wang Li’s sudden revelation.
“We’ll create a diversion to distract the second Nascent Soul Realm expert,” Wang Li explained, his mind already racing with plans. “While he’s focused on us, Xiangyi can concentrate on defeating the first expert.”
Xia Qingwu nodded in understanding, her gaze steady as she prepared to follow Wang Li’s lead. “Let’s do it,” she said, her voice resolute as she steeled herself for the upcoming challenge.
With their plan in place, Wang Li and Xia Qingwu sprang into action, drawing the attention of the second Nascent Soul Realm expert away from Wang Xiangyi.
As they engaged the powerful cultivator in combat, Wang Xiangyi seized the opportunity to redouble her efforts against the first expert, her determination unwavering as she fought with all her might.
The battlefield erupted into chaos as the three adversaries clashed with ferocious intensity, each side determined to emerge victorious. With skill and determination, Wang Xiangyi fought valiantly against her opponent, her movements fluid and precise as she sought to gain the upper hand in the battle.
Meanwhile, Wang Li and Xia Qingwu struggled to hold their own against the second Nascent Soul Realm expert, their combined efforts barely enough to keep him at bay. Despite the odds stacked against them, they refused to back down, their resolve unwavering as they fought to support Wang Xiangyi in her time of need.
