The demon sect’s Entangling Silk Palm?
Ding Li quickly glanced at her right shoulder and indeed saw a tear in her clothing, with black mist swirling from the skin underneath.
Damn it, it must have been from when she helped Xiao Wenjing defeat the person behind them.
If she had known, she should have stayed aside and let Xiao Wenjing handle it himself.
He’s a male second lead how could he not handle this powerful but ultimately expendable opponent?
Even if he was hit, the strike would serve a plot purpose later, providing a way to cure him and close the loop on the poisoning.
This! This is the magic of plot logic. This! Is a male second lead’s buff ensuring he doesn’t die at a critical moment!
Now it’s too late, Ding Li thought one shouldn’t be too righteous.
Still, she didn’t want to leave just yet.
She felt the system wouldn’t kill her so quickly, nor would it let her die so plainly. If she went down now, it wouldn’t just be embarrassing for her—it would be a shame on the system as well.
Ding Li said, “It’s fine. Don’t worry, I really feel okay.”
Xiao Wenjing said, “The Entangling Silk Palm will take effect within three days. Without the antidote, you will surely die. You must leave.”
Ding Li replied, “If you put it that way… fine. You go first; I’ll leave later after resting a bit.”
Xiao Wenjing gave her a look as if she were an idiot.
Ding Li looked innocent. She couldn’t exactly tell him she suspected the male second lead buff might actually exist.
She thought for a moment, “Do you think it’s wise to send me away now? What if something happens while waiting for rescue? What if something happens on the way back? What if no one comes at all?”
“I’ll die if I die, but how would you explain it to Senior Sister? The Senior Sister had you bring us to the trial to avoid mishaps. If my life is in someone else’s hands, that’s risky. It’s better if you take me yourself. Then, if I die, you could bury me and tell Senior Sister I simply went missing cleaning yourself of responsibility…”
“Shut your mouth.” Xiao Wenjing interrupted coldly.
Ding Li shrugged, “I’m just giving an example. I know you’re not that kind of person, right? But how would you explain it to Senior Sister?”
Mentioning Chu Zilan clearly made Xiao Wenjing lose composure. He said nothing, instead pulling a small vial from his pack and pouring out a pill, handing it to Ding Li: “Take this.”
Ding Li took it and swallowed it.
At this point, she had no concern Xiao Wenjing would harm her. With Chu Zilan present, even he wouldn’t dare.
Sighing, Ding Li touched the bracelet in her inner pocket, murmuring, “It would’ve been better not to reveal him so quickly.”
Xiao Wenjing looked at her.
Ding Li sighed again, “I wish Senior Sister really were here.”
Though she couldn’t tell her about her transmigration mission, at least someone truly had her back.
She sighed once more, “I miss Senior Sister a little.”
Though they had killed one demon clan member, it didn’t count for points what a fierce display, yet their scores were still at the bottom.
As they walked, Ding Li said, “We still haven’t left the miasma. Don’t you think something’s off?”
Xiao Wenjing asked, “What do you mean?”
No matter the plot or obstacles, strength can overcome everything!
Time waits for no one. Hearing fireworks in the air, Ding Li said, “No need to overthink. Just do it.”
She raised her sword, focusing her energy into the blade. The edge glimmered briefly.
Without hesitation, she swung horizontally, cutting through the miasma.
The nearby trees snapped in response, and the miasma around them dissipated.
Ding Li didn’t move further, just watched.
Soon, the trees regrouped, filling the cleared space again.
Ding Li shrugged, “You know, my cultivation only allows me this one strike.”
Xiao Wenjing said nothing, stepping forward and gathering a silver light in his hand.
Suddenly, the sword above the hand split into countless sharp edges, sweeping in all directions.
In an instant, trees around them snapped, the miasma dissipated, and a chorus of piercing screams rang out male, female, overlapping sharp enough to pierce the eardrums.
Ding Li stood beside Xiao Wenjing, arms crossed, relaxed.
Xiao Wenjing’s sword cut again, infused with energy, slicing through the miasma with incredible speed.
Trees cracked, and the sharp screams became anguished roars.
Ding Li raised an eyebrow, “This miasma demon isn’t much.”
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew through, too fast to react to.
Xiao Wenjing held a black jade flute. Swiftly, he raised it to his lips.
The wind, carrying miasma, struck the flute’s sound like hitting a transparent wall, halting its force and only slightly lifting the miasma in front of Ding Li.
The forest was being destroyed, and the thick miasma condensed into a massive shadow, descending upon them.
Instantly.
“Stand behind me!” Xiao Wenjing shouted.
Ding Li instinctively moved behind him, avoiding danger.
Xiao Wenjing’s sword was still unsheathed. He spread his right hand and shouted, “Soul Sever!”
In the next moment, the Soul Sever sword appeared.
He infused it with energy, making it hum. His gaze was cold as he gripped the hilt with both hands.
He swung, cleaving the shadow in two.
The roars ceased, and the miasma dissipated rapidly.
At that moment, a massive firework exploded, followed by cheers from the ground.
Ding Li clicked her tongue.
Behold the sheer martial prowess of the male second lead, Xiao Wenjing.
No, that firework was more than a firework it was his domineering aura!
Xiao Wenjing asked, “How long will you hide behind me?”
Ding Li realized her hands were still clutching his sleeves, peeking out from behind him.
Startled, she let go and patted his sleeve: “Don’t be mad, don’t be mad.”
Xiao Wenjing said nothing, sheathing his sword.
Finally, they exited the miasma forest. The view cleared.
Ding Li saw Lin Ziyuan in the distance along with Xiao Wenjing’s three junior disciples. She ran toward Lin Ziyuan, “Hey! Long time no see! Fancy seeing you in the trial too!”
But just as she neared him, her vision went black, and she collapsed.
Damn it! The Entangling Silk Palm’s poison does it have to act so fast? Likely another scar.
When Ding Li awoke again, she saw Lin Ziyuan’s anxious face up close.
Startled, she weakly said, “…What are you doing? Taking a close-up?”
Lin Ziyuan, seeing her awake, immediately called out, “Xiao Wenjing! Ding Li’s awake!”
Ding Li saw Xiao Wenjing and his three junior disciples. He stepped forward and crouched.
Ding Li turned her head and closed her eyes before he reached her.
Xiao Wenjing: “…”
He had raised his hand to check her wound but paused, then lowered it and stood up again. “There’s still time. Everyone rest a bit before moving on.”
Hearing footsteps fade, Ding Li slowly opened her eyes.
Lin Ziyuan was still crouched, watching her.
Ding Li gritted her teeth, “Since when did you get so close to him?”
Lin Ziyuan looked confused, “Who?”
Ding Li ignored him she knew it was because the cannon-fodder male lead revered the male second lead like a god.
In her current state, it was already a blessing that Xiao Wenjing didn’t send her away with the signal flare while she was unconscious.
For the rest of the trial, he would never let her stay with his team. Whether to save her life or protect the team’s progress, he would find a way to send her away.
The only option now was to take Lin Ziyuan with her, surviving together until the final round and hoping for an opening.
Ding Li made up her mind, took several pills from her pack, and swallowed one of each.