Yun Ruoyan and Li Mo descended within a hidden valley. The moment they landed, they noticed something amiss. The swordsmen all turned toward the two of them and surrounded them in a circle.

Haha, it looks like we didnt even have to do anything to catch you! Pi Yan turned around and stared at Yun Ruoyan and Li Mo as an eagle stared at its prey.

Ruoyan, what are you doing here?! Madam Hong widened her eyes as she took in Yun Ruoyans petite form.

Theyre here to save you, of course! Pi Batian pulled Madam Hong to his side. But not only have they failed to save you, theyre even going to die for their foolhardy attempt.

Li Mo, bring Ruoyan away! Ignore meI plan on dying with my sisters, and Im not worth your lives! she called out, prompting Pi Batian to pinch her throat shut.

Madam Hong, Li Mo and I are risking our lives to save you. If you still wont allow yourself to be saved, youll be spurning our efforts! For you, Feng Yichengs been taking down city after city, and his bodys riddled with wounds. A Feis been listlessly hoping for your safe return. Are you going to torture those whose hearts are with you in your attempt to die?

What? Feng Yichengs injured? Madam Hong asked hoarsely, Pi Batians grip turning her face red.

Would I lie? Yun Ruoyans face turned a little angry. He behaved so recklessly just for you, but youre unwilling to take the chance that he gave his blood to obtain!

Yun Ruoyans words drew tears to Madam Hongs eyes. Yun Ruoyan sighed, hoping that her words would spark the desire to live deep within Madam Hongs soul. She had told a lie: although Feng Yicheng did personally lead his troops to attack the Pi towns, with his current status, he naturally wouldnt be charging at the very front. Given that Feng Bo was by his side, he might have received a few small injuries, but it surely wasnt as bad as she described.

You must be misunderstanding your plight, Pi Batian jumped in coldly. Since youre all here now, your lives aremineto control. Subdue them!

Pi Yan also commanded, If you catch them both, all of you will be rewarded with a sage-grade spirit crystal and ten thousand regular spirit crystals!

With the command, the dozens of swordsmen all turned to Li Mo and Yun Ruoyan with covetous glances.

As Moer flew toward the town of Yan, it encountered Zhuo Yifeng. After Zhuo Yifeng read the message from Li Mo that was tied to Moers claw, he put the message back and hurriedly changed direction. At his fastest speed, he arrived at a series of misty valleys within half an hour. Although it was the middle of the day and the sun was shining brightly, the mist in the peaks and valleys showed no signs of dissipating.

Demonic spirit, can you sense where any cultivators are? Zhuo Yifeng asked.

Of course, but Ill have to make use of your eyes, it replied.

Zhuo Yifeng closed his eyes. The next time he opened them, his clear, bright beastkin eyes had been replaced by two pitch-black pupils. He glanced at the valleys below him, and his sight penetrated the white fog to find a certain spot filled with the clashes of fireballs and icicles.

Ive found it! Zhuo Yifeng hurriedly flew to the scene of the battle.

With his gleaming sword in his hand, and with the Scarlet Eye in hers, Li Mo and Yun Ruoyan defended against the horde of swordsmen back-to-back. Rather than swarming them as a wave, the swordsmen had divided into several parties, some with short-ranged skirmishers who engaged the duo, and others who targeted them from afar with their spiritual techniques.

Both of them immediately shielded themselves with their spiritual membrane. Li Mos cultivation was higher than those of the gathered swordsmen, so his membrane was sufficient to block all the attacks launched at him. However, Yun Ruoyans cultivation was weaker than average, and Li Mo had to expend additional effort to protect her as well.

Father, help is surely arriving for them. Wed better make this quick, Pi Batian said.

Pi Yan nodded, then flew into the air. As he reached out and clawed at the air before him, a dozen mud-yellow balls formed in his palm, which he sent whizzing toward Yun Ruoyan and Li Mo.

Sensing the danger, Yun Ruoyan hurriedly blocked the attack with her Scarlet Eye. These mud-yellow balls were concentrated essences of earth, which Pi Yan had condensed with a third-rank sword saints cultivation. The attack wasnt to be underestimated; by the time Yun Ruoyan had blocked half the spheres, her palms were cracked and bleeding from their force. The other spheres landed on her and Li Mos bodies.

The spheres that hit Li Mo caused a great disturbance in his spiritual membrane, but were ultimately blocked. On the other hand, those that hit Yun Ruoyan shattered her membrane. One had hit her directly on the head, causing her to yelp in pain as blood flowed from the wound.

Yaner!

Dont worry about me, Yun Ruoyan replied. Even as she spoke, the wound on her forehead was already healing. Tiny black scales covered up the wound, stemming the bleeding. Then, the scales turned into ordinary skin, and the injury on Yun Ruoyans head vanished completely, as though she had never been hit.

Yun Ruoyan was the focal point of everyones attention, and her self-recovery was witnessed by one and all. Pi Yan and Pi Batian knew that her bloodline had activated, and, when they thought back to the silver dragon elders words, their eyes gleamed with greed. If they were able to catch Yun Ruoyan, they would be able to trade her in for high-grade holy water, sufficient to revive them from death itself. Who wouldnt want an additional life?

When Li Mo met their greedy eyes, he instantly understood what they were thinking. No matter who dared try to hurt his beloved Yun Ruoyan, he would kill them all! And even if he werent able to kill them, he would make them pay! He shot out an array of icicles, forcing the gathered Pi swordsmen back, then launched his blade at Pi Yan with his full strength.

Pi Yan didnt dodge the attack. When the blow struck his body, his spiritual membrane immediately blocked the blow. Surprisingly, however, Li Mos attack was actually able to cause his membrane to tremble severely.

When Li Mo shot out another blade, Pi Yan didnt dare take his attacks lightly any longer. He conjured a wall of earth in front of him, blocking the blow.

Hes already a peak second-rank sword saint!Pi Yan thought.If I dont catch him now, when he becomes a third-rank sword saint, Ill be no match for him!

Whatre you waiting for? Continue the attacks! Pi Batian commanded from the side.

Li Mo and Yun Ruoyan bore the avalanche of attacks aimed at them with gritted teeth. Li Mo extended the membrane surrounding his body to encapsulate her, but it would weaken the overall strength of the membrane. The attacks that rained down on them caused it to fluctuate violently, as though it would dissipate at any moment.

Pi Batian, seeing his opportunity, shouted, Everyone, launch an attack in unison! Smash their spiritual membrane to smithereens!

Following his command, the Pi swordsmen all charged up for a massive attack. Li Mo and Yun Ruoyan had no intention of being sitting ducks, but they were soon overwhelmed by the Pis numerical advantage.

The moment Li Mos spiritual membrane broke, both Pi Batian and Pi Yan burst out in smiles.

It looks like we wont need to activate the trap we set up for them, Pi Yan commented idly.

Weve really overestimated them, havent we, Father? Pi Batian murmured. Catch the two of them, and make sure theyre alive!

Ill reward two sage-grade spirit crystals and twenty thousand regular spirit crystals to whomever can catch them first! Pi Yan shouted.

The swordsmen swarmed toward Yun Ruoyan and Li Mo.

Li Mo, Yun Ruoyan murmured, her voice surprisingly calm.

Dont worry, Yaner. With me around, no one will be able to harm you.

Yun Ruoyan was just about to reply that she wasnt afraid when a blinding white glow began to emanate from Li Mos body. She couldnt help but turn toward him, only to have him whisper, Yaner, shut your eyes so I dont blind you.

What a strong light! What technique is this?

Rather than a technique, it looks like a powerful spiritual artifact.

What sort of artifact could produce such a blinding glow?

The Pi swordsmen all shielded their eyes from the glow, as did Yun Ruoyan, but she suddenly forced herself to open her eyes and look toward Li Mo. Through the blinding glare, she saw Li Mos metamorphosis, his ink-black hair and dark robes both turning a dazzling silver...