Chapter Sixty-Seven: Joining Forces

Poisonous Thousand Hands watched as the two reached an agreement, his heart still hesitant. He retreated toward Hu Xihe and whispered, "I can't see through this young man's cultivation. He might be a tough one. Later, you and I should attack from both sides simultaneously."

Hu Xihe's face darkened. He cupped his beads and stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Poisonous Thousand Hands, saying, "Agreed. I only hope this time, Senior Brother, you’ll truly act in concert with me."

"Of course," Poisonous Thousand Hands replied, though inwardly he thought, Still brooding over that trivial matter from before. When we act, I can't guarantee he won't hold back. I must be wary of him as well.

Meanwhile, Yin said to Xue Chanzi and Cen Zhiren, "Today, we must take one of the two. Otherwise, there's no need for us to return to the sect."

To privately defy the sect leader's orders meant either success or martyrdom. Xue Chanzi and Cen Zhiren exchanged glances, both bowing their heads and murmuring their assent. At this point, they couldn't leave the ship; all they could do was walk this path to the bitter end. They were not Yin Wei, merely seekers of protection for the sect. Their absence wouldn't matter much.

At the same time, Zeng Sanyuan arrived with his men, cutting off Su He’s retreat. The three sides formed a triangle, locked in opposition. Yet the Crime Hunters accompanying Hu Xihe and Poisonous Thousand Hands stood aside, arms folded, watching the drama unfold.

Su He gave Huai Yin a look, signaling him to seize the opportune moment later. Turning to Flower in the Shadows, he asked, "How does the Grand Palace Master intend to cooperate?"

Flower in the Shadows sized up Zeng Sanyuan and his group, then said, "You hold off them, and I’ll kill the pursuers for you. Then you and I can join forces against the stronger enemies. How about it?"

"Excellent."

No sooner had the words left his lips than Hu Xihe and Poisonous Thousand Hands struck first. Though once fellow disciples, their coordination was seamless. Hu Xihe’s venom beads transformed into a silver spear, which he thrust upward, its shaft twisting like a dragon, the tip crackling with dazzling electricity, circling straight toward Su He.

Poisonous Thousand Hands followed, flinging locusts as if rain, then crossed his palms, the wind from his strike echoing like clashing blades, pressing directly at Su He.

Knowing their formidable power, Su He dared not be careless. He intercepted the silver spear with his sword and pressed it down fiercely. Hu Xihe’s eyes narrowed, his tiger palm gripping the spear’s end and skillfully flicking upward, the shining spear tip seeking Su He's throat.

"I bear you no enmity, nor do I covet the Imperial Stone. Why must you stand up for others?"

"I'm not standing up for others. It's you who wish to block our path. If not, why not let us leave?" Su He leaned back, quietly retreating several feet, narrowly avoiding the spear to his throat.

He pivoted, toes barely touching the ground, and spun, his sword tracing a circle to meet the rain of locusts. The sound of metal rang out endlessly.

He raised a palm, pressing it against the sword's hilt.

Suddenly, Min Shu radiated ten thousand rays of light, colliding with Poisonous Thousand Hands' palm force, sending a shockwave that shattered the surroundings, destroying trees all around.

Both were thrown back by the impact, unable to steady themselves.

Yin saw an opportunity and ordered Xue Chanzi and Cen Zhiren to attack Su He, while he secretly targeted Flower in the Shadows.

Zeng Sanyuan and his men, though unfamiliar with Su He's past, knew the reputation of Blossom Terrace. Facing Flower in the Shadows, those who rushed ahead quickly pulled back, pushing Zeng Sanyuan to the front.

"What now? Not attacking? If you don't, I will." Flower in the Shadows fluttered her lashes, pinched her green tresses, and in a sudden strike pierced Yin's wrist bone. "Trying to sneak attack? Has the Soul Gate's Yin Wei fallen so low?"

Yin glared furiously, slicing off the green tress, gathering energy to form a red light, and thrusting it at Flower in the Shadows.

Where the red light passed, the ground was barren as if scorched.

Flower in the Shadows flicked her tresses, which instantly wrapped around Zeng Sanyuan. Quick-thinking, he pulled a nearby person as a shield, then feigned regret, rushing forward as if to save them. His routine was so fluid that others believed he truly meant to rescue.

It all happened in an instant. The unfortunate person he pushed forward had no time to cry out before being bound by green tresses and sent straight to the underworld.

A tremendous explosion forced them to stop. Zeng Sanyuan failed to retreat in time and was showered with fragments, his face drenched.

He stood frozen, as if half his soul was lost. The others hadn't expected their companion to die so wretchedly.

Only when Flower in the Shadows raised her ink sword to kill Zeng Sanyuan did several finally react, each unleashing powerful moves to block her, seizing the chance to save him.

When her attack failed, Flower in the Shadows countered Yin, fighting as she moved closer to Zeng Sanyuan’s men, who, upon looking up, were nearly scared out of their wits.

They hurriedly grabbed Zeng Sanyuan and fled as if their lives depended on it. Flower in the Shadows smiled with satisfaction, saying, "Now, it’s just you and me. What reward do you think I should give?"

Yin’s heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained calm. "How about exchanging your head for a favor?"

"Hahaha, fine! If you have the skill, take it." Flower in the Shadows laughed, her gaze suddenly sharp and cold. "If you can't, I'll take your miserable life instead."

"Impudent!" Humiliated, Yin's rage burst forth, and his attacks became relentless.

His fury poured out, locking Flower in the Shadows in a short-lived struggle. He was unfazed by magical attacks, accepting both strong and weak blows head-on.

Fighting this way, Flower in the Shadows was clearly at a disadvantage.

But having escaped the Eternal Punishment Platform, Flower in the Shadows was no easy opponent. In a flash, she adjusted her tactics, attacking fiercely with martial skill and defending with magic.

With this reversal, the tide swiftly changed.

Yin cursed her tenacity and urgently summoned Xue Chanzi for help, but Xue Chanzi was entangled with Su He and unable to break free, leaving Cen Zhiren the chance to assist.

The two forced Flower in the Shadows into a corner. Just as victory seemed within reach, Hu Xihe suddenly leapt out, finishing Cen Zhiren in one thrust. "The prey I set my eyes on—how dare you touch it?"

"Hu Xihe?" Yin attacked his abdomen with both palms, seeking vengeance for Cen Zhiren.

Hu Xihe blocked with his silver spear, advanced, and struck Yin's chest three times. Even as a soul body, Yin was sent flying, crashing through several trees before stopping.

Yin lay on the ground, his soul body beginning to dissipate. Seeing this, Xue Chanzi threw caution aside, seized Yin, and escaped.

Thus, only Poisonous Thousand Hands and Hu Xihe remained, along with many onlookers who had no intention of intervening. They waited for both sides to exhaust themselves, hoping to profit in the end.

Meanwhile, they kept Huai Yin closely guarded.

Huai Yin, carrying the Fragmented Jade Man on his back, tried several times to escape but was blocked each time. Unable to flee, he could only wait anxiously.

Su He and Poisonous Thousand Hands exchanged over a hundred moves, each sighing at the other's tenacity.

Seeing his locusts failing, Poisonous Thousand Hands abandoned them and attacked solely with his toxic palms.

His hands, soaked in poison for years, not only echoed with the sound of blades but concealed deadly toxins.

The sound could disturb the mind; the poison could kill.

"Die, or hand over the Imperial Stone."

"Forgive me, but I cannot." Su He held his sword, palm pressed to its tip, pushing sideways to block the fierce strike. "If we fight to the death, it only benefits others. Even if I perish, I’ll drag you down with me. And even if you survive, how will you escape the wolves and tigers behind you? Why not retreat and let each other go?"

"Dream on." Poisonous Thousand Hands darted left, dodging Min Shu’s sword light, then dropped to the ground, attacking Su He's feet with lightning speed.

Su He, upside-down, used his sword as a pivot, scattering countless sword petals. The sword light radiated from a single point, sweeping in all directions.

Poisonous Thousand Hands, rather than retreating, moved closer, clamping the sword tip between his palms, channeling pure energy to infuse the blade with his strange poison. "Boy, I’ll risk your body being torn apart. Will you dare accept?"

"You—" Su He was shocked, trying to withdraw the sword, but Poisonous Thousand Hands held it fast, as if forged from iron.

He watched as the eerie phosphorescence crept from the blade toward the hilt. In a flash, Min Shu slipped from his grip, Su He gathered energy in both palms, and struck the sword hilt.

Suddenly, the sword sang like a dragon, bursting forth and slicing off Poisonous Thousand Hands' left ear.

"Ah..." Poisonous Thousand Hands clutched his bleeding ear, crying out in pain.

Su He immediately recalled Min Shu and pressed the attack, forcing Poisonous Thousand Hands back.

Never had Poisonous Thousand Hands imagined suffering such a loss. Before he could recover, Su He wounded him several more times.

With one sweep of his sword, he stabbed between Poisonous Thousand Hands’ ribs, twisting until the bone snapped and blood spurted.

In desperation, Poisonous Thousand Hands summoned his locusts to fend off Su He's advance, stumbling several steps before steadying himself.

He pressed a pressure point to staunch the bleeding.

With both palms, he conjured a Nine-Eared, Eight-Linked Locust Blade, its surface shimmering, the locusts seemingly ready to leap out.

He spat blood and growled, "Well done, boy. I misjudged you."

Su He tightened his grip. "Thank you for showing mercy."

"Take this move—Blood Locust Swallows the Sun." With a flick, a bloody cloud blotted out the sky.

Huai Yin quickly drew his Silver Wolf to shield himself and the Fragmented Jade Man, while others unleashed their techniques to fend off the blood locusts.

Yet the blood cloud’s power was not so easily blocked.

With three thunderous blasts, three people exploded from the blood cloud, and several others were wounded.

Hu Xihe wielded his spear, his sleeve dispersing the blood cloud’s force. He sneered, "Had you used your true skill earlier, Senior Brother, we wouldn't have suffered this pointless disaster."

"Enough talk—go get them!" Poisonous Thousand Hands shouted.

"Fine, I'm coming," Hu Xihe replied lazily, turning and slashing at Flower in the Shadows.

She failed to dodge, blocking with her sword, which bent under the spear’s force and embedded in her shoulder.

"Wretched woman, your life’s tough, eh? Last time you survived my poison, now you live again! All I've done is chase after you, never accomplishing a thing. Let’s see how you escape today!"

"If my life weren’t tough, what would you be sniffing at my heels for?" Flower in the Shadows, pale-faced, still stood her ground against Poisonous Thousand Hands.

"You insult me?"

"Who knew you had some self-awareness?"

"Courting death!"

With that, Poisonous Thousand Hands pressed down hard, the ink sword sinking into her shoulder.

The spear tip flicked toward Flower in the Shadows’ slender neck.

She dropped into a split, tilting her face to dodge the spear, then struck the sword hilt, flipping the ink sword free.

She reversed her grip, pressing the blade against her back, just managing to block the spear, then rolled to her feet. A strand of green tress lashed out, wrapping around the silver spear, locking the two in a stalemate.

Seeing this, Hu Xihe pushed the spear forward, aiming for her neck.

Flower in the Shadows sensed danger, pushed the spear away with her jade palm, twisted her waist, and stabbed him in the abdomen.

After landing her blow, she was kicked by Poisonous Thousand Hands.

Blood spurted from her mouth, and she escaped into the forest, vanishing in a few leaps.

Her voice echoed, "Today’s enmity, I shall repay another day!"

Huai Yin watched anxiously, knowing this woman harbored ill intent. She escaped with ease, leaving Su He alone against the others, surely pushing him to his death.

Su He, seeing the dire situation, knew trouble was brewing. Though he escaped the wolves, ferocious tigers still stalked him.

He soared into the air, shouting, "Bamboo shadows stretch, mists and waves vanish!"

Instantly, sword rain poured from the sky, bamboo shadows surged, branches swayed, sweeping over everyone.

The sword energy was fierce and relentless, forcing Poisonous Thousand Hands, Hu Xihe, and others to defend themselves.

Seizing the moment while they were occupied, Su He darted to Huai Yin's side, grabbed his shoulder and lifted him up.

"Go!"

By the time the others regained their senses, the two had vanished.

Poisonous Thousand Hands rushed forward, wielding the Nine-Eared, Eight-Linked Locust Blade, furiously hacking at the dense forest.

"After them!"

In a blink, the two disappeared, as did everyone else.