With a single sword strike, the pervasive spiritual pressure vanished.
Nine Dry Old Monster’s eyes widened, then his aged face flushed red. Once again, he found himself at a disadvantage.
After a brief silence, Nine Dry Old Monster looked up and slowly raised his right hand. With his left hand, he conjured a gust of wind that swept across his right hand, drawing a drop of blood from his fingertip. The blood, suspended in mid-air, writhed unnervingly.
"With my essence blood, I shall summon your spirit. Blood Fiend Annihilates the World!"
Nine Dry Old Monster's right hand moved rapidly through the air. The blood essence, floating in the sky, soared upwards and disappeared.
As everyone watched in confusion, it began to rain. Stranger still, the raindrops were blood red!
Where the drops touched the ground, trees and grass withered, emitting wisps of green smoke.
"Boy, enjoy the feast I’ve prepared for you! In less than fifteen minutes, you’ll be corroded into nothingness by my blood rain!" Nine Dry Old Monster cackled, already envisioning Li Xuan's terrified demise.
"Old man, be careful not to celebrate too early and choke to death with anger!" Li Xuan looked at Nine Dry Old Monster with a hint of speechlessness, but his heart grew heavy. This Nine Dry Old Monster was clearly confident, and this move would not be simple.
Thinking thus, Li Xuan immediately circulated his spiritual energy, forming a protective barrier around himself.
"Heh heh. Boy, I forgot to mention, my blood rain can corrode spiritual energy too. And the more spiritual energy you use, the faster the blood rain senses it, and the faster it corrodes. You are like a beacon in the dark night. Hahaha."
Seeing Li Xuan summon his spiritual energy to form a barrier, Nine Dry Old Monster showed no concern, instead erupting in excited laughter.
Indeed, as soon as Nine Dry Old Monster finished speaking, countless blood drops seemed to be drawn towards the barrier, pouncing upon it.
What!
Everyone was shocked, anxiously watching Li Xuan within the blood rain. Far away, Qin Wu Ming's eyes gleamed as he looked towards Hu Xue Man, who stood within the jade couch.
Damn it! I knew it wouldn't be easy. Li Xuan saw the outer layer of his barrier being corroded and continuously being eaten away. His expression turned cold. With a sigh, Li Xuan closed his eyes and let the blood rain fall upon the barrier.
"Heh heh. Boy, have you given up? Hahaha." Nine Dry Old Monster let out another burst of laughter upon seeing Li Xuan close his eyes.
You, have you given up?
Hu Xue Man's beautiful eyes showed unease and disappointment. Watching Li Xuan floating in the air, a single tear traced a path down her cheek.
Boom!
Finally, after less than five minutes, the barrier shattered. Countless blood drops surged towards Li Xuan. Yet, Li Xuan’s eyes remained closed.
It seemed he truly had given up.
"Young Master!" Hu Xue Man let tears stream down her face and shouted towards the sky. Then, she leaped from the jade couch and flew directly towards Li Xuan.
"Miss!"
Seeing the barrier shatter, Hu Xue Man flew towards Li Xuan alone. Hu Er and the others cried out in alarm. The anxiety on their faces was palpable.
Damn it! I haven't even had a taste, and he's going to die like this! What a pity. Qin Wu Ming watched Hu Xue Man fly towards Li Xuan with reckless abandon and thought with regret. His gaze towards Li Xuan grew even more hostile.
"Miss..."
Hu Er and his subordinates lowered their heads, unable to bear witnessing their young lady perish. Tears streamed down their faces. On the other hand, Qin Wu Ming's men showed signs of joy. As long as Nine Dry Old Monster eliminated Li Xuan, they could safely return.
"Nine Dry Old Monster, I'm very curious, can you withstand your own move?"
Just as some were filled with joy and others with sorrow, a deep voice suddenly echoed.
It was Li Xuan!
"Hmph, I don't engage in pointless arguments. Boy, be at peace on your journey." Nine Dry Old Monster snorted disdainfully.
However, he rapidly formed hand seals, clearly wary of any unexpected developments. The blood rain intensified, showering down upon Li Xuan.
"Divine Ability: Samsara!"
Li Xuan flicked his finger. A beam of spiritual light transformed into a net, shooting towards the sky. Instantly, the blood rain began to fall back towards Nine Dry Old Monster.
What!
Nine Dry Old Monster's aged face contorted in terror. How could he possibly withstand this blood rain?
"Young Master, are you alright?"
As Nine Dry Old Monster searched for an opportunity, Hu Xue Man arrived beside Li Xuan and asked timidly.
"Miss Hu, I am fine. Thank you for your concern. By the way, why were you flying towards me? If I couldn't break his move, wouldn't we both have died here?" Li Xuan turned around upon hearing the voice from behind him and smiled faintly.
"Young Master, if we are to die, we die together. You came to save us, and even if Xue Man dies with you, she would be willing!" Hu Xue Man looked at Li Xuan, who was gazing at her, and lowered her head. A blush bloomed on her cheeks.
"Uh, Miss Hu, you are too kind. Miss Hu, please return to the jade couch. It's safer there." Li Xuan was momentarily stunned by Hu Xue Man's reply and awkwardly tried to change the subject.
"Young Master, Xue Man speaks from the heart! If we were truly going to die, Xue Man would be content to die with you." Hu Xue Man seemed to have gathered her courage, lifting her head and looking directly at Li Xuan with her beautiful eyes.
Li Xuan was made awkward by Hu Xue Man's words, at a loss for what to say. They stood facing each other in silence.
A golden opportunity!
Sensing this, Nine Dry Old Monster knew his chance had arrived. He quickly channeled his spiritual energy, preparing to teleport away.
"Is it a little too late to leave now? Be obedient and stay put."
Sensing Nine Dry Old Monster's movement, Li Xuan suddenly turned, his voice cold. With a wave of his hand, a spatial force shot out, instantly sealing the space around Nine Dry Old Monster.
What! Nine Dry Old Monster's expression changed, his face turning ashen.
"You've actually mastered spatial power!"
Seeing that the latter did not deny it, Nine Dry Old Monster's expression flickered. He gritted his teeth and said tentatively, "If you let me go, I will let bygones be bygones. Furthermore, I will no longer interfere in matters here. How about it?"
"If I were now the captive, would you let me go?" Li Xuan glanced at Nine Dry Old Monster and said calmly.
"Boy, in life, always leave a sliver of room for future encounters!" Nine Dry Old Monster said, unwilling to give up.
"I'm sorry, I prefer the saying: if the grass is not uprooted, it will grow back with the spring breeze. And your words just now, I shall return them to you. You can now be at peace on your journey." Li Xuan shrugged, his left hand slowly raising.
"Boy, this day's humiliation, I will repay in the future! We shall meet again when the mountains are green and the rivers flow!"
Seeing Li Xuan's movement, Nine Dry Old Monster's face changed. Gritting his teeth, he spat out a mouthful of blood, and his body strangely vanished.
"Is this Blood Escape?"
Li Xuan was slightly surprised to see Nine Dry Old Monster disappear, unable to sense him in the space. But then he smiled.
Following that, Li Xuan slowly closed his eyes. A vast spiritual sense emanated from him, rapidly scanning the surroundings.
"Damn boy! You made me waste half my essence blood! Nine Dry Old Man swears, I will have my revenge in this lifetime!" In the void, Nine Dry Old Man said fiercely.
So, it was here!
Li Xuan opened his eyes and swept across the space he had just discovered. The void tore open, rushing towards Nine Dry Old Man.
"Ah!"
A scream echoed from the sky, followed by the slow sealing of the spatial rift, which returned to its original state.
"Miss, are you alright?" Hu Er also arrived and ran to Hu Xue Man's side.
"Brother Hu, I am fine. Fortunately, this young master came to our aid, otherwise..." Hu Xue Man said, her eyes turning towards Li Xuan again.
"Yes, yes, Young Master, we are truly indebted to you. I apologize for my previous behavior, I beg your forgiveness!" Hu Er also looked at Li Xuan gratefully, cupping his fists.
"It's nothing. Helping those in need when one encounters injustice is within one's power." Li Xuan smiled faintly and returned the salute to Hu Er.
"Young Master, may I know your name?" Hu Xue Man bit her silver teeth, her face flushed crimson.
"Me? My name is Li Xuan."