Rumbling footsteps behind him sent gravel flying.
Li Tianjue could already sense the sharp killing intent, forcing him to stop and turn. A flash of spiritual light erupted, shooting towards the giant warrior like a meteor.
Blood splashed as the giant warrior's leg exploded with a bloody hole, its movements slowing for a moment.
Another giant beside it roared, seemingly enraged by Li Tianjue's attack. It let out unintelligible sounds, then resumed its frenzied assault on Shui Qingyue.
Shui Qingyue waved her delicate hand, and ice shards pierced the giant warrior's feet. Frost spread like a clinging curse, quickly enveloping its body in a shroud of white gauze.
However, this attack only slightly slowed the giant warrior, causing its spear to deviate slightly from its intended target.
Growing more furious, it drew a colossal axe from its back and swung it at Shui Qingyue once more.
Shui Qingyue retreated rapidly. Just as a long spear flew from the distance and she was about to unleash a powerful move, a sudden thought struck her. Feigning panic, she shouted towards Li Tianjue, "Ah—Brother Li, save me!"
Li Tianjue turned, just in time to see Shui Qingyue accidentally grazed on the shoulder by a spear. He had no choice but to rush to her rescue.
Shui Qingyue clutched the minor wound on her shoulder, deliberately forcing out some blood. Her delicate face turned pale as she said, "It hurts so much! Brother Li, I'm injured. These giants are so powerful..."
"Quick, get out of the way, Saintess!"
Without a second thought, Li Tianjue grabbed Shui Qingyue, his form like a phantom, and instantly they darted out of the giants' encirclement.
It was the first time Shui Qingyue had held Li Tianjue's hand. Her heart pounded, and a blush crept onto her face.
She wished she could throw herself into Li Tianjue's arms and have him carry her as they fled, but she dared not be so reckless. She could only tightly grip Li Tianjue's hand, feeling the warmth and security radiating from his palm, her face a mask of shy embarrassment.
"Saintess, you escape first, I'll hold them off!"
But Li Tianjue, oblivious to Shui Qingyue's shy glances, used a subtle technique to send her flying a considerable distance. He then turned to face the pursuing giants, drawing his Frosty White Feather Sword.
Shui Qingyue felt a pang of disappointment. His hand… she hadn't held it long enough!
"No, Brother Li, these giants are too strong. We should retreat for now! I've already notified Elder Sun. Once they arrive, we can deal with these giants together," she called out in a sweet voice, wanting to linger by Li Tianjue's side for a while longer. Finding the Golden Horn had momentarily become less urgent.
Li Tianjue had no time for Shui Qingyue's pleas. He raised his sword, about to strike.
"Senior Brother!"
Just then, a pleasant voice echoed from the distance.
Li Tianjue quickly turned his head and saw a familiar figure, as if descending from the heavens, riding a giant black dog. Her long hair flowed in the wind, her skirt fluttered, and she was rapidly approaching him.
"Su Luo!" he exclaimed involuntarily.
He had finally found her. She was alright!
Seeing the three giants ahead and more than ten behind, Su Luo waved to Li Tianjue and shouted, "These giants can't be simply killed. They were disturbed after being sealed. Senior Brother, hurry over here! We'll leave first, and I'll tell you more later."
The Dragon Dog zipped past Shui Qingyue's head and reached Li Tianjue, urging, "Quick, get on!"
Li Tianjue naturally trusted Su Luo. He quickly mounted the Dragon Dog. Shui Qingyue, however, cried out in desperation, "Brother Li, save me… what about me!"
Su Luo glanced at her, a smirk playing on her lips. "Apologies, Saintess. This is a divine beast from my Qingxutian. Outsiders cannot ride on it. You'll have to run behind the Dragon Dog."
With that, she hugged the Dragon Dog's neck and ascended into the sky with Li Tianjue.
Shui Qingyue was almost driven to fury. She watched them fly further and further away, while the three giant warriors swung their axes at her. She had no choice but to turn and flee as well, "Brother Li, wait for me…"
Boom, boom, boom!
Gusts of wind howled behind her, accompanied by the sounds of attacks and explosions. Shui Qingyue dodged desperately, cursing inwardly.
Damn Su Luo!
Not only did she show up and disrupt things, but she also humiliated her like this. When the elders arrived, she wouldn't let this brat off!
The Dragon Dog flew like lightning, directly ascending to the towering structures, galloping swiftly across the massive dome. Shui Qingyue also desperately used all her strength, chasing after them like the wind. After running for a long time, the sounds of pursuit behind her finally quieted down.
"Miss Su, you've finally returned!"
Shang Xie Shaoqing and Du Wei stepped forward, their faces filled with concern. "Brother Li, are you alright?"
Li Tianjue dismounted from the Dragon Dog, nodding. "I'm fine. Thank you, Senior Dragon Dog, for the rescue."
Su Luo patted the Dragon Dog's head. "Da Hei, thank you!"
Li Tianjue glanced at her. Since when was she so familiar with the Dragon Dog?
What had he missed these past few days?
Su Luo scanned the surroundings and led everyone into a huge room.
The room contained everything, but it was covered in a layer of dust.
It seemed no one had been here for a very long time. The enormous tables and chairs towered over their heights, and the cabinets were like walls. Everything in the room, even a teacup, was larger than a bathtub, leaving them marveling.
Su Luo looked out from the window, confirming that no giants were pursuing them, before asking Li Tianjue, "I saw Senior Brother and the others in the Giant King's Court just now. I was surprised. By the way, are you accompanying Saintess Qingyue here to find something?"
Before Li Tianjue could speak, Shui Qingyue vigilantly glared at Su Luo, saying displeasantly, "Why should I tell you? Su Luo, you just abandoned me to my fate, almost getting me killed by the giants. Now you want to know such a secret… Humph, Brother Li, you can't tell her either!"
Shang Xie Shaoqing swiftly opened his fan, fanning himself with a look of disdain. "Shui Qingyue, you are as unreasonable as ever. If Miss Su hadn't saved you just now, you would have been surrounded and attacked by the giant warriors. This young master advises you to apologize to Miss Su quickly, otherwise…"
"Shang Xie Shaoqing, how dare you call me spoiled?" Shui Qingyue's eyes widened.
As expected, she felt annoyed as soon as she saw this detestable man.
Although he was the young master of the Longevity Hall, handsome and talented, and had once been hers… she hated Shang Xie Shaoqing the most.
"It's not the first time we've met. Everyone knows your character…"
Shang Xie Shaoqing appraised Shui Qingyue with a dismissive tone. "Only those blind fools are deceived by your status and appearance. Shui Qingyue, this young master has seen through you long ago. You are nowhere near as good as Miss Su!"
"Shang Xie Shaoqing, shut up…"
"What, you want to fight? This young master isn't afraid of you…"
Li Tianjue's voice was deep as he interrupted their bickering. "Enough! What time is it, and you're still arguing!"
Su Luo was also somewhat surprised. She hadn't expected Shang Xie Shaoqing to know Shui Qingyue, and that they would start arguing as soon as they met. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. She was beginning to admire Shang Xie Shaoqing.
Su Luo couldn't be bothered with Shui Qingyue's attitude. It was clear the woman was here for the treasures of the Giant King's Court.
But Shui Qingyue's possessive attitude towards Li Tianjue annoyed her.
This was her Senior Brother!
Su Luo beckoned Li Tianjue with a playful gesture. "Senior Brother, come here. I have something to tell you."
Li Tianjue, suspecting nothing, walked over. Su Luo playfully tugged at the hair by his temples. "Lower your head, you're too tall. Senior Brother, I want to tell you the secret of these stone statues. Actually, it's like this…"
She deliberately wrapped her arms around Li Tianjue's neck and leaned close to his ear, speaking in a whisper. Shui Qingyue watched, filled with anger and jealousy.