116: Chapter 116 He's Back

Mo Zixing was not frightened.

He simply stepped to the side, dodging several roots that were stabbing toward him.

Looking closely, one could see.

The slit in the lotus seed was not a pupil at all, but merely naturally formed blood-colored patterns.

Yet even if it wasn't a real eye, the wood marrow lotus's attacks were still terrifyingly precise.

It was as if it could sense Mo Zixing's movements.

Countless black roots constantly lashed out at him from all directions.

"Interesting."

Spiritual power flowed continuously beneath Mo Zixing's feet as he activated Thousand Machine Shadows to weave through the gaps between the roots.

Several Flying Swords hovered around him, blocking the attacks he couldn't avoid.

He remembered Liu Qingyan saying that when harvesting the wood marrow lotus, a continuous supply of vitality must be maintained.

Once the supply of vitality was interrupted, its medicinal efficacy as Materials would be greatly diminished.

The corpses of the Qingyun Sect Disciples on the ground were still rapidly melting.

It wouldn't be long before they were completely absorbed.

He had to finish this quickly.

Mo Zixing waved his hand, and a Flying Sword shot toward the wood marrow lotus.

Sure enough, the wood marrow lotus sensed it.

Over a dozen thick roots lashed out simultaneously, knocking the Flying Sword away with a sharp crack.

This thing's reactions are quite fast.

Mo Zixing curled his lip and sent out another Flying Sword.

This time, he intentionally aimed slightly off-target.

The wood marrow lotus's attention was momentarily drawn to that Flying Sword.

But perhaps because it felt that the direction of this Flying Sword clearly posed no threat...

...it ultimately only lashed out tentatively with a few roots before giving up.

That Flying Sword indeed did not hit it.

Instead, it struck straight into the nearby stone statue.

Good.

With this, everything was ready.

"Hey, everyone, eyes on me."

Mo Zixing clapped his hands.

He drew all the roots toward him once more, then leaped up from the ground.

Over a dozen Flying Swords suddenly appeared around him, poised to shoot toward the center of the wood marrow lotus.

The wood marrow lotus fell for the trap.

All the roots rose at once, blocking the large cluster of Flying Swords coming through the air.

"Go!"

Mo Zixing swung his hand forcefully.

The Flying Swords in the air did not continue forward; instead, they dissipated directly.

Meanwhile, the Flying Sword that he had previously misaimed and stuck into the stone statue suddenly pulled itself out.

It transformed into a beam of sword light.

Before the roots could retract...

...it slashed through the calyx where the wood marrow lotus was connected to the stone statue.

A feint.

It never failed against things that were somewhat intelligent but not very smart.

*Crack.*

A crisp snapping sound rang out.

The lotus seed fell from the bud.

And having lost its seed, the wood marrow lotus lost all its vitality in an instant.

The black roots that had been writhing frantically withered and rotted at a visible rate.

The massive flower also quickly shriveled and shrank.

Finally, it turned into a clump of wrinkled black residue and fell to the ground.

Mo Zixing reached out and snatched it.

He caught the lotus seed in his hand.

Just holding it, he could feel the incredibly vast vitality contained within.

"Hmph, it really is just a plant; it fell for the trick with just a little deception."

Mo Zixing smiled with satisfaction and carefully put the lotus seed away.

He didn't linger.

Turning around, he left through the west side door.

He hadn't forgotten.

Sect Master Kang Qiao had previously ordered several Disciples to go out on patrol and inspection.

He wondered if Liu Qingyan and the others had hidden well.

He walked all the way through the empty corridor.

Soon, he arrived near the side door.

Before he could even push the door open...

...he heard the sounds of fighting and Liu Qingyan's scolding from outside.

Mo Zixing's heart tightened.

He shoved the door open and rushed out.

On the open ground outside the side door, several corpses already lay scattered.

Liu Qingyan was leaning against a large rock, her left arm slashed open, blood dripping onto the ground from her sleeve.

Her forehead was covered in cold sweat.

Defending against the deathbed counterattack of that Crystallization Middle Stage Disciple earlier had already exhausted most of her spiritual power.

Every time she shot another Spiritual Power Needle...

...it required immense effort.

Meanwhile, Sect Master Bai Ruotong was leaning against a nearby rock, bent over and panting in short breaths.

Her small face was pale, and she could barely stand.

She looked to be in terrible condition.

Liu Qingyan gritted her teeth and shot out a few more Spiritual Power Needles to force back the Disciples who were rushing her.

Her free left hand instinctively reached for the Storage Pouch at her waist, wanting to take out a Recovery Medicinal Pill.

But as soon as her arm moved, a piercing pain shot through her.

The Medicinal Pill bottle fell to the ground and rolled quite a distance away.

Seeing this, the two Disciples exchanged a look and seized the opportunity, lunging forward while swinging their swords.

Just then.

Two beams of sword light streaked through the air.

*Puchi.*

*Puchi.*

The Flying Swords sliced across the waists of the two men.

Cutting them directly into two pieces.

Blood sprayed out.

The two Disciples' bodies were split into four pieces.

There was absolutely no chance of survival.

He was back.

Liu Qingyan suddenly looked up, staring toward the doorway.

Mo Zixing's figure flashed.

He was already by her side.

He reached out to support her swaying body.

"Are you all right?"

He reached out, took out a Healing Pill, and without a word, pressed it into Liu Qingyan's lips.

The Medicinal Pill entered her mouth.

The medicinal power transformed into a gentle warm current, alleviating the emptiness of spiritual power within her.

"Didn't I tell you and the others to hide well, Revered Master? Why did a fight break out anyway?"

Mo Zixing briefly bandaged the wound on her hand and asked with a frown.

"It was already dangerous for you to face Sect Master Kang Qiao alone. I also wanted to be of some use... at least, I couldn't let these people go back and hinder you."

Liu Qingyan leaned into his embrace and gave a weak smile:

"I just didn't expect that among these people, there was one Crystallization Middle Stage and two Crystallization Early Stage."

"Even with a sneak attack, this was all I could manage. In the end, I still had to rely on you."

"It's all right, you've already done very well."

Mo Zixing ruffled her hair and comforted her.

He turned to look at Sect Master Bai Ruotong, who was leaning against the rock and panting, and took her cold little hand.

A stream of pure spiritual power was slowly transferred over.

Sect Master Bai Ruotong's body trembled slightly, and she looked up at Mo Zixing.

Her eyes were filled with complex emotions.

"Sect Master, what happened to you as well?"

Mo Zixing asked.

"She saw that the situation wasn't good and forcibly channeled spiritual power, wanting to help with her Cultivation Technique."

Liu Qingyan explained softly:

"Unfortunately, that Medicinal Pill can only maintain her most basic vitality; it simply cannot support the consumption of techniques."

"But the commotion she caused also helped me pin down the most difficult Crystallization Middle Stage Disciple, giving me the chance to kill him."

"Hmph, I am the Sect Master of the Mingyu Sect after all. How could I do nothing and hide behind others?"

Sect Master Bai Ruotong turned her head away and spoke stubbornly, yet she didn't pull back her hand from Mo Zixing's grasp:

"This little bit is nothing."

"Yes, yes, our Little Sect Master is the best."

Mo Zixing smiled and patted her small head.

This time, Sect Master Bai Ruotong didn't immediately swat his hand away as usual, but only muttered softly:

"As long as you know."

Liu Qingyan coughed lightly to interrupt him and asked:

"Zixing, how is the situation inside?"

"It's all taken care of."

Mo Zixing stood up straight again and said:

"I've already obtained the wood marrow lotus."

He glanced at the Little Sect Master beside him, a smile appearing on his face:

"And of course, Sect Master Kang Qiao has also been dealt with by me."

"Sect Master Kang Qiao... dealt with?"

Hearing this, Sect Master Bai Ruotong suddenly looked up, her eyes wide, her face filled with disbelief:

"Are you telling the truth?"