An unprecedented exhilaration, like a tidal wave, swept through her entire being all at once.
Ning Xi stood upon the flying sword, the howling night wind scraping against the girl's tender cheeks, causing slight pain. Yet these faint threads of agony swiftly transformed into a bone-deep excitement.
So what if she was just an outer sect disciple?
So what if her Qi Sea remained unopened?
Right now, it was Ning Xi flying through the sky!
The narrow flying sword accelerated rapidly. Above her stretched the boundless, profound night sky, while beneath her feet lay the myriad flourishing lights of the Xian Sect. Ning Xi slowly spread her arms, allowing the fierce wind to whip up her coarse brown hemp robe.
The corners of her mouth lifted higher and higher until, finally, laughter spilled uncontrollably from her throat.
At the foot of the eastern mountain, before the Mountain Protection Formation.
The youth half-kneeling on the ground paused slightly, as if sensing something, and gazed into the distance. Countless stars reflected in his deep, tranquil black eyes.
Yinglong had lost a scale, its dragon blood boiling hot, dripping like molten rain.
The youth was bathed in blood, purple demon blood mingling indistinguishably with his own crimson human blood. Yet he paid it no mind, only gazing calmly and intently toward the mountain peaks.
"Pei Bu Chen, what does breaking one of my scales accomplish?" Yinglong's bronze-colored dragon pupils shone with malicious satisfaction. "You were struck in the heart by my tail—no one in this world can survive such an injury!"
Pei Bu Chen pulled the dragon scale embedded in his chest out with a backhand motion, as if devoid of pain. "Again."
Yinglong writhed within the demon clouds, evading a sharp sword aura, and cackled scornfully. "Since you've already lost your sword intent earlier, why cling to life so desperately now?"
"Someone is coming for me," Pei Bu Chen said, shaking his head gently with a faint smile before swinging his sword down once more. "So, I suddenly don't want to die anymore."
Unable to retract her sword properly, Ning Xi couldn't stop her momentum upon landing. She crashed headlong into a brawl between demon creatures, tumbling into a sprawled heap.
The two parties, previously fighting with bloodshot eyes, hadn't expected this sudden intruder. Their blades, claws, and beaks all halted simultaneously.
"…Um, sorry to interrupt."
Ning Xi dusted off her backside, sheepishly picked up her longsword, and turned to flee.
"Don't mind me, please… please continue."
The two golden-winged bird demons exchanged glances, then simultaneously brandished their sword-like long feathers, thrusting viciously toward Ning Xi.
Before Ning Xi could dodge, a moon-white robe flashed. The young cultivator who had been fighting the golden-winged demons leaped forward, spinning with his sword to deflect the flying sharp feathers.
"This place is dangerous, junior sister! Run quickly!"
In Baiyujing, there were those who bullied the weak for amusement, but also disciples who emulated Da Shi Xiong's example of equal compassion, mutual aid, and friendship.
Ning Xi had no time to thank him, turning instead to rush toward where she had previously spotted Pei Bu Chen.
Seeing her direction, the cultivator behind her grew furious, shouting through the gaps in his struggle: "I told you to escape, not charge into the heart of the battlefield!"
As he said, the closer she got to the Mountain Protection Formation, the denser the demonic aura became—a dark purple like thick fog obscuring the moon. Ning Xi could only navigate by the occasional golden glow of the formation piercing through the demonic mist.
Shadowy figures loomed in the fog—all demonic creatures. Occasionally, a cultivator who had just slain a demon would spot Ning Xi, widening their peach-blossom eyes in surprise: "Where did this pretty little sister come from—"
"Wrong!" He abruptly shook his head, changing his expression as he sternly scolded, "No medicine delivery is needed here. Outer sect disciples, leave quickly!"
Ning Xi knew the other had mistaken her for a medical cultivator from Baiyao Garden here to treat the wounded. She didn't bother explaining, simply asking, "Do you know where Da Shi Xiong is?"
"Tch, why do all the pretty female cultivators care about that Pei Bu Chen… He's fine. But little sister, you haven't even reached Qi Refining stage yet. Blades and swords have no eyes here – it'd be such a pity if that pretty face of yours got injured somewhere. You should leave quickly."
Ning Xi completely ignored the latter part of his words, only hearing what she wanted to hear: "Da Shi Xiong is alright? That's wonderful!"
She turned to leave again, but the cultivator stopped her. After looking her over a few times, he seemed to realize something and asked curiously, "You're not from Baiyao Garden. Then why are you here?"
Ning Xi was stumped by the question.
She wanted to come save Da Shi Xiong… but her cultivation was so low, she had only just learned to Ride the Sword – what could she possibly use to save Da Shi Xiong?
In the sky above, dark dragon scale lights flickered constantly, with dragon roars rumbling like thunder. The cultivator said something else, but it was drowned out by the dragon cries. He had to push Ning Xi's shoulder heavily with his sword hilt and question her loudly again.
Ning Xi listened carefully for a long time before barely making out half a sentence: "…are you a spy sent by the demons?!"
"I'm not, I just want to save—"
But the cultivator had lost his initial playful expression and refused to let her advance any further.
Just then, another cultivator covered in blood and grime came rushing over: "Yan Ye had one of his scales severed by Da Shi Xiong and has gone berserk! Da Shi Xiong was struck in the chest by the dragon's tail!"
A buzzing filled Ning Xi's mind.
"Move with the heart, rise with the wind, Ride the Sword!"
"What are you doing! Riding a sword on the battlefield – are you trying to get yourself killed!"
The cultivator watched helplessly as the previously timid junior sister seemed to transform into a different person, riding her sword like a flash of light as she plunged headlong toward the source of the dragon roars without looking back.
Frustrated but unable to follow Ning Xi's suicidal charge into the heart of the battlefield, he could only gather a few disciples to turn back and rescue Pei Bu Chen.
Ning Xi didn't hear the cultivator's shouts at all. This was her first time Riding the Sword, and no one had told her about the relevant taboos, nor did she know that everyone avoided Riding the Sword on the battlefield because it made one an easy target for all demons.
Halfway through her flight, a foul wind assaulted her from behind.
Between life and death, she maneuvered her flying sword into a sharp turn. In the moment they passed each other, she clearly saw what was before her, her eyes widening in shock.
Yan Ye the Yinglong, who should have been contained by the Mountain Protection Formation, had somehow appeared behind her.
The massive Yinglong cackled, speaking in human tongue: "This old man has been fighting that brat for so long, I'm starving. You little nun are quite pretty – you must be delicious to eat too."
Ning Xi's flying sword abruptly halted.
Demonic pressure like a mountain pressed down on her. Though Ning Xi could control her emotions, her body was already beyond control as she half-knelt on the ground.
Her teeth chattered in fear, but Ning Xi still forced herself to speak: "What happened to my Da Shi Xiong Pei… Pei Bu Chen!"
Seeing that she didn't flee, Yan Ye became amused.
Since she was already in his grasp, there was no harm in toying with her before her death.
"That brat? I ate him."
As if to corroborate his words, Yan Ye lazily opened his massive jaws, showing Ning Xi a shred of moon-white brocade robe stuck between his teeth.
Without a second thought, Ning Xi thrust her sword into Yan Ye's gums.
The Yinglong never expected such ruthless ferocity from this frail-looking girl. Dragon blood instantly gushed forth as he shrieked in agony.
Seizing the moment when his jaws gaped wide in pain, Ning Xi closed her eyes and slid directly into the giant dragon's esophagus.
Darkness, stench, dampness, constriction.
Discomfort clung to her like maggots in bones, enveloping her entire being without respite.
She slid down the dark red tube as if plummeting toward hell.
It felt both endless and instantaneous when—splash—she landed in a foul-smelling, massive pool.
Ning Xi held her breath, and before she could use her self-taught doggy paddle, someone grabbed her by the collar and lifted her up.
Even in this sweltering, putrid hellscape, Pei Bu Chen remained immaculate.
Standing on a spell-conjured floating boat, his chest bore only scattered bloodstains. His jade crown was still perfectly tied, but his usually calm willow-leaf eyes were wide with shock: "Junior Sister Ning?!"
Ning Xi let out a bewildered "Ah?"
Pei Bu Chen's breath hitched. The veins on his hand bulged as his grip on her collar remained unyielding.
Thus suspended mid-air, Ning Xi's pale face flushed from the choking pressure before Pei Bu Chen finally set her down on the floating boat.
His tone was grave: "I gave explicit orders that disciples below Qi Refining stage are forbidden from entering the Eastern Foothills. Why are you here, Junior Sister Ning?"
Ning Xi fell silent, at a loss for words. After a long pause, she attempted a clumsy subject change: "…You know my surname is Ning, Da Shi Xiong?"
Pei Bu Chen visibly choked on her erratic train of thought. Releasing her collar, he pressed his fingers to his forehead with a bitter chuckle—as if simultaneously exasperated and amused.
Knowing she was in the wrong, Ning Xi promptly knelt upright, staring vacantly into space with downcast eyes.
After a long silence, Pei Bu Chen sighed deeply above her head: "After we met this afternoon, I sent for your records from the Administration Hall."
So he knew her name and knew she was merely an outer sect disciple who hadn't even entered Qi Refining.
Ning Xi nodded.
Pei Bu Chen asked: "You came here alone?"
Ning Xi: "Mm."
Pei Bu Chen: "Unharmed?"
Ning Xi: "Mm… got lucky."
Pei Bu Chen drew a sharp breath, clearly displeased: "Fate is elusive and abstract, but blades and demons kill in very concrete ways.
Luck… tsk. You shouldn't stake your safety on such unreliable things."
This was a gentle reprimand for her recklessness. Ning Xi awkwardly picked at her fingers and nodded in acknowledgment.
Pei Bu Chen sighed again, casting a cleansing spell on her. Where the spell couldn't reach, he knelt and produced a plain handkerchief from his sleeve to dry her hair.
This was the second time she'd been this close to Da Shi Xiong—close enough to notice details she'd never seen before.
Pei Bu Chen's hair was truly jet-black, with long, fragmented bangs that obscured most of his gentle willow-leaf eyes when he lowered his head in profile.
Against the backdrop of hair as dark as raven feathers, his entire being appeared even more snow-like and pale—his complexion, earlobes, neck, and wrists all gleaming with a dazzling whiteness. Even in the filthy, dim confines of the dragon's stomach, he resembled a moving bright moon in the depths of hell.
Pei Bu Chen carefully wiped away the last trace of moisture from her hair before lifting his gaze to meet hers. "Are you truly unharmed, shimei?"
His repeated questioning made her feel as if he saw her as a helpless child.
Ning Xi's cheeks warmed slightly, and she quickly shook her head. "I'm fine. But what about you, shixiong? I heard Yan Ye struck your chest with his severed tail…"
Pei Bu Chen studied her for a long moment before replying gently, "Was it because of this news that you rushed to the eastern foothills and jumped into the dragon's stomach?"
"Yes."
He fell silent again, and after a considerable pause, spoke softly, "That was very dangerous. Please don't do such things in the future."
Though he said this, Ning Xi sensed no displeasure in his demeanor.
"But I came to rescue Da Shi Xiong…"
Pei Bu Chen wore that familiar "what am I to do with you" smile. "Not even to save me."
After a moment's thought, he added gently, "Nor to save anyone else. Shimei should care more for yourself."
Ning Xi bit her lip stubbornly, her gaze fixed intently on him.
Under her unwavering stare, Pei Bu Chen sighed helplessly and explained, "Since childhood, I've practiced a mental cultivation technique that includes a protective golden bell defense. When the tail struck, it only caused minor superficial injuries."
Mental cultivation technique?
A thought occurred to Ning Xi, and she blurted out, "If shixiong were to break half his heart, would that technique become unusable?"
Pei Bu Chen frowned slightly. "Yes, this art circulates through the heart meridian. If the heart is incomplete, it naturally becomes void."
The frown soon faded, and after a pause, he continued with a light laugh, "But why mention breaking half a heart out of nowhere? Shimei, you're truly peculiar. Could it be you're hoping I get injured?"
Ning Xi immediately straightened her expression, shaking her head vigorously like a rattle-drum. "I fear you might get hurt."
Pei Bu Chen smiled warmly. "Thank you for your concern, shimei, but I'm not that fragile.Ning Xi pursed her lips, recalling his image from her previous life—huddled beneath a withered tree in the pouring rain, clutching a Spirit Tablet, covered in mud. In her heart, she thought: That's not true at all. She knew better—Da Shi Xiong was incredibly fragile.