Jade Dust Master's Strength

After leaving the valley, Bai Qingxue, Baiwei, and the others didn't dare pause for even a moment, racing westward at top speed.

Baiwei was experienced and chose mostly desolate paths with complex terrain, chaotic spiritual energy, and conditions favorable for concealing their trail.

"Qingxue, how are your injuries?" Baiwei asked with concern while flying, simultaneously keeping a wary eye on what lay behind them.

"I've taken pills; they're stabilized for now." Bai Qingxue's complexion was still pale, but her gaze was resolute. "It's just that my spiritual energy is recovering slowly. That Yuxia's purple lightning power was troublesome, and the cold poison still flares up occasionally."

Baiwei nodded, her expression grave: "That Yuxia surely sent a message to her husband Jade Dust Master before she died. I've heard of this Jade Dust Master—he's considered outstanding among the younger generation of the Purple Sky Jade Family, with cultivation at early Golden Core stage. Moreover, he doted heavily on his Dao companion Yuxia. If he catches up to us, we stand no chance."

A young Bai family disciple beside them couldn't help but say: "Aunt Wei, if the five of us form the Minor Five Elements Sword Formation, can we really not hold off one early Golden Core cultivator?"

Baiwei shook her head: "Foundation Establishment and Golden Core are worlds apart. A Golden Core cultivator's spiritual energy is condensed to near-solid form, and they can preliminarily command the elemental energy of heaven and earth. This isn't something that can be compensated for simply through numbers or sword formations. Our sword formation might hold him off briefly, but we'd certainly lose in a prolonged fight—not to mention we need to protect the injured Qingxue." She paused. "Our only option now is to shake off pursuit as quickly as possible and find an absolutely hidden location for Qingxue to heal first. Once Qingxue's injuries recover, with her talent and heritage, she might have the strength to fight. At worst, escaping would be more certain."

Another female cultivator said worriedly: "But if Jade Dust Master could arrive so quickly, he must have tracking methods. We left in such a hurry—though we tried to erase our trail, we inevitably left traces of our aura."

Baiwei mused: "Let's press forward first. I remember there's a place called 'Black Wind Swamp' about three hundred li ahead. It's filled with poisonous miasma, chaotic spiritual energy, and natural magnetic disturbances that interfere with spiritual sense and tracking spells. If we go deep into the swamp and use the terrain to our advantage, we might be able to shake him off."

Hearing this, everyone's spirits lifted, and they accelerated toward Black Wind Swamp.

However, they had still underestimated Jade Dust Master's determination and speed in pursuit, as well as the potential this Golden Core cultivator had unleashed from the grief of losing his wife.

Barely a shichen after they left the valley, a heart-stopping pressure and violent killing intent came from the horizon behind them!

"Not good! He's caught up! So fast!" Baiwei's expression changed drastically. Looking back, she saw a cyan streak of light cutting across the sky like a meteor, closing in at a speed visible to the naked eye. That surging killing intent had almost solidified into something tangible, making everyone's blood run cold.

"Split up!" Baiwei made an immediate decision. "Qingxue, take Little Snow and head deep into the swamp! Find a place to hide! The four of us will scatter and lead him away!"

"No!" Bai Qingxue immediately objected. "He's coming for me. If you scatter, he'll just pick you off one by one!"

"Do as I say!" Baiwei said sternly, though her eyes held both determination and affection. "You are the future hope of the Bai family—you absolutely cannot be lost! We'll hold him off as long as we can! Go now!"

Without waiting for Bai Qingxue to say more, Baiwei gave her a gentle push, sending her and Little Snow toward the dense mountain forest below with a soft force. At the same time, she commanded: "Form the array! Engage the enemy!"

Though the other three Bai family disciples wore expressions of tragic resolve, not one of them retreated. They quickly gathered with Baiwei, sword light rising again as the Minor Five Elements Sword Formation instantly took shape, blocking the direction from which Jade Dust Master was approaching.

Bai Qingxue steadied herself in the air and looked back. She saw Baiwei and the other three standing in the sky, their sword formation's radiance appearing so fragile against the rapidly approaching cyan light—yet so resolute. A glimmer of tears flashed in her eyes. Biting her lip hard, she knew this was no time for hesitation. She turned, transformed into a white rainbow, and without looking back, plunged toward Black Wind Swamp below with Little Snow.

"Bai family vermin! Die!" Jade Dust Master's furious roar exploded like thunder. The cyan light arrived in an instant, revealing his twisted, ferocious face. He immediately spotted Bai Qingxue fleeing below and grew even more enraged, raising his hand to launch a massive cyan lightning spear that tore through the air, shooting straight at Bai Qingxue's back!

"Not while I'm here!" Baiwei cried out. The sword formation blazed brilliantly as five streams of sword light merged into a white sword curtain, forcibly blocking the lightning spear's path!

"BOOM—!"

The lightning spear and sword curtain collided violently, exploding into blinding light and a thunderous roar. The sword curtain shook violently, its radiance dimming. Baiwei and the other three all grunted in unison, blood seeping from the corners of their mouths, but they had managed to block the strike.

"Ants trying to shake a tree!" Jade Dust Master grew even more enraged when his attack was blocked. Without slowing, he charged directly at the sword formation, hands waving continuously as bolt after bolt of cyan lightning, each more powerful than the last, rained down!

Baiwei and her three companions struggled to maintain the sword formation, barely holding on as dangers mounted at every turn.

Every collision sent their blood and qi churning, damaging their internal organs. Yet the four of them held firm, their gazes resolute, desperately guarding the defensive line to buy Bai Qingxue even one more breath of time.

– Marinien