Chapter 10: Caught in the Crossfire: The Wine Cellar’s Demise

Shen Zhaoqing had only one thought now: escape.

If she didn’t run, her life would be forfeit!

Seizing the opportunity while the two formidable figures battled with earth-shattering intensity, Shen Zhaoqing made an immediate decision.

The spiritual energy within her circulated at an unprecedented speed. The Drunken Stealth Art, a cultivation technique she typically treated as her “designated driver” for escaping after drinking, unleashed an unparalleled potential under the immense pressure of life and death.

Perhaps it was due to her recent diligent cultivation of the Pure Heart Spirit Guiding Art, but as Shen Zhaoqing activated her technique once more, she discovered the spiritual energy within her body felt lighter and significantly easier to control than before.

With a soft ‘pop’.

Shen Zhaoqing herself transformed, much like a bottle of champagne vigorously shaken and then abruptly opened, instantly dissolving into a dense, white mist, faintly redolent with the aroma of wine.

This swirling mist possessed no offensive capabilities whatsoever; even its spiritual energy fluctuations were incredibly faint.

Clinging closely to the roof tiles, and utilizing the cover of the energy storm, it resembled a slippery loach, silently attempting to slink down the mountain.

‘Time to bolt!’

‘You two can take your time fighting. Better yet, fight for three days and three nights, until true fury ignites and the world crumbles! I’m not sticking around for this!’

In that brief instant, she had even meticulously planned her escape route: slip down the mountain, find the most secluded mortal town, purchase a hundred jars of fine wine, dig a cellar to hide them, and then ‘turtle’ herself away until the end of time (and wine)!

However, just as the wine mist she had become was about to glide off the eaves, poised to rush towards freedom—

An invisible demonic sense, like a maggot burrowing into bone, wrapped itself around her with terrifying precision.

****

Ling Shuangjue, locked in fierce confrontation with Gu Chang’an’s pervasive sword frost, didn’t even turn her head.

Amidst the clash of boundless demonic flames and sword qi, she simply and nonchalantly flicked her sleeve in the direction Shen Zhaoqing was attempting to flee.

An irresistible, gentle force emanated.

The wine mist, which was Shen Zhaoqing, was instantly enveloped. Her body was scooped up by an invisible, colossal hand, spinning uncontrollably, and with a whoosh, she was flung backward at ten times the speed of her escape!

“Thump!”

“Ouch.”

As the mist dispersed, Shen Zhaoqing reformed her shape, landing squarely on her backside on the hard roof tiles, the impact leaving her seeing stars.

Before she could even react, an arm encircled her. It carried a scorching warmth yet possessed an undeniable strength, lifting her from the cold tiles and pulling her into an embrace that smelled faintly of blood and roses.

Her back pressed tightly against a warm, powerful body.

With one hand, Ling Shuangjue maintained the demonic flame domain confronting Gu Chang’an. With her other hand, she effortlessly drew Shen Zhaoqing fully into her embrace, her chin resting lightly in the hollow of Shen Zhaoqing’s shoulder.

Warm breath, accompanied by a low, playful voice, caressed Shen Zhaoqing’s sensitive earlobe, sending shivers down her spine.

“See?” Ling Shuangjue whispered in her ear, a hint of seductive amusement in her voice. “Why run wild?”

“Only by my side are you truly safe.”

“I was wrong,” Shen Zhaoqing conceded decisively.

Below, Gu Chang’an, having witnessed this scene firsthand, felt a blazing inferno ignite in her eyes almost instantly.

It was the towering rage of seeing one’s most treasured possession snatched and wantonly toyed with right before her eyes!

“Release her!” More water mist spread, then transformed into sharp swords mid-air, hurtling towards the edge of the barrier. The demonic flame domain, uncharacteristically, developed a faint crack.

“You! Seek! Death!”

Gu Chang’an’s furious, deliberate shouts seemed to be squeezed through gritted teeth, each word carrying a chill that could freeze the soul.

The frosty white world of sword qi surrounding Gu Chang’an abruptly contracted inward at that very moment.

All the sword qi surged madly towards the Frostbright Sword in her hand!

“Ooommm—!!!”

The Frostbright Sword emitted a distressed wail, overwhelmed by the power. An unprecedented, dazzling white light erupted from its blade, reaching an extreme brilliance!

The Supreme Emotionless Sword Art’s ultimate killing blow—

The Emotionless Slash, Frost Across Ten Thousand Li!

The target of this single sword strike was none other than Ling Shuangjue!

As for whether Shen Zhaoqing might be accidentally harmed?

In Gu Chang’an’s mind, perhaps there was only one thought: ‘Even if she’s injured, it’s infinitely better than falling into the hands of this demon! I will personally heal her, and then, I will lock her by my side forever, never allowing anyone else to covet her again!’

Sensing the world-ending sword intent, a flicker of solemnity finally crossed Ling Shuangjue’s crimson eyes.

“Excellent!”

She sneered, tightening the arm wrapped around Shen Zhaoqing’s waist. Her other hand reached for the Abyssal Slaughter Sword, the world-destroying demonic weapon that had always hovered by her side, emanating boundless malevolent qi. It finally moved!

A beam of crimson light shot skyward!

Wielding the demonic weapon, Ling Shuangjue met the white sword light, which seemed capable of cleaving the firmament, without dodging, and fearlessly struck out!

There were no elaborate techniques, no intricate variations.

Only the purest power, the ultimate destruction!

“Booooom—!!!”

Space itself seemed to freeze at that moment.

There was no sound, no light.

Or rather, the sound was so extreme it deafened ear drums instantly; the light was so intense it blinded retinas in a flash.

Immediately afterward, an utterly savage energy storm erupted, sweeping outward in all directions from the point of collision.

“Crack… snap-crackle…”

The first victim was the innocent Frostbright Retreat beneath their feet.

The exquisite and elegant building, constructed from premium azure jade and century-old spirit wood, proved as fragile as paper before this energy storm.

The roof tiles disintegrated into dust in an instant.

The supporting beams splintered inch by inch.

The sturdy walls collapsed with a thunderous roar.

In mere moments.

The entire Frostbright Retreat—along with the flowers and plants in its courtyard, and even the precious wine jars Shen Zhaoqing had secretly hidden under her bed, in corners, and even on the roof beams—

All were leveled to the ground by the terrifying aftershocks of the energy!

Transformed into swirling dust and debris!

Shen Zhaoqing, held tightly in Ling Shuangjue’s embrace, avoided the direct impact. Yet, the terrifying shockwaves made her feel as though she had been tossed into a high-speed washing machine, leaving her disoriented and spinning uncontrollably.

The storm gradually subsided.

Shen Zhaoqing finally recovered from the intense dizziness.

She forced her eyes open.

The energy shield had protected her completely, not a single strand of hair was harmed. She hung suspended in mid-air, the shield itself layered with countless defensive talismans, shimmering in alternating red and blue.

But Shen Zhaoqing paid no mind to any of that.

What she saw was a desolate ruin, and in the sky, two stunning figures still fiercely locked in an uncompromising standoff.

In her mind, however, only one thought remained.

‘My wine…’

‘My wine cellar—!!!’