Chapter Eighty-Five: Embrace

A swirling stream of spiritual energy continuously emanated from Mo Bai’s hand—the Grand Jade Conch Technique of the Yuntian Sect. Nalan Xin’er’s heart pounded wildly, yet for reasons she could not comprehend, she dared not utter a word. Gone was the reckless valor she had shown moments ago, when she had charged into the fray to risk life and limb for her fellow disciples.

A venomous glint flickered in Jiu Ling’s eyes. Though his hand appeared motionless, he had already discreetly readied a Dark Yin Blood-Piercing Needle. Mo Bai’s gaze swept coldly over him, and he sighed, “Even now, you persist in your schemes.” The Grand Jade Conch Technique whipped up a boundless wind and struck toward Jiu Ling.

Startled by Mo Bai’s thunderous shout and the overwhelming force of the technique, Jiu Ling’s heart quaked, and he forgot to release the needle. By the time he came to his senses, it was too late. He closed his eyes, bracing for death.

With a thunderous crash, a shockwave hurled Jiu Ling a good several dozen feet before he landed, battered but unscathed. Amazed, he stared ahead. Someone now stood where he had been, shielding him. This person’s shoulders trembled slightly with effort, yet he held his ground, unyielding. Around his feet, the spiritual energy had left a wide imprint upon the earth.

Mo Bai looked at Jiu Xi, who now stood before him, and slowly withdrew his hand. Only then did Jiu Xi, as if a great burden had been lifted, gasp heavily for breath. Straightening his back, he called out in a clear voice, “Great Hero Mo, why do you do this?”

Mo Bai shot Jiu Xi a fierce glare, then suddenly gathered the little witch into his arms. Speaking gently to Nalan Xin’er, he said, “Silly girl, your feet are all wounded. Why didn’t you use your spiritual energy to protect yourself?” It was as if Mo Bai saw no one but Nalan Xin’er, as though Jiu Xi did not exist at all.

Jiu Xi’s heart seethed with anger. He did not know why Mo Bai had tried to kill Jiu Ling, but Mo Bai’s disregard for him now stoked his fury. With a cold laugh, he retorted, “Great Hero Mo, don’t you think you’re going too far?” As he spoke, Jiu Xi flicked his hand and shot out a sharp blade of spiritual energy.

Mo Bai waved his hand lightly, and the blade shattered in mid-air. Jiu Xi’s expression darkened, but before he could act, Mo Bai had already soared skyward with Nalan Xin’er in his arms, vanishing from sight.

Jiu Xi’s face was grim and menacing as he stared after the vanished Mo Bai, a heavy oppression settling over his heart. “E-elder brother, thank you, thank you for saving me,” Jiu Ling stammered as he scrambled up from the ground and stumbled over to Jiu Xi, bedraggled.

Only then did Jiu Xi turn to look at Jiu Ling’s sorry state and scolded, “How did you end up like this? You’ve disgraced the Yuntian Sect. Didn’t I tell you that, since we’d already made our stance clear this morning, you shouldn’t act alone?” Jiu Xi’s strictness was well known in the Yuntian Sect; his sharp eyes left Jiu Ling unable even to lie.

Trembling, Jiu Ling replied, “It’s all my fault—I was bewitched for a moment. I truly thought it was Huang Wan’er of the Yihua Sect who summoned me here. I never imagined it was the enemy’s scheme.”

Jiu Xi glanced at him and unexpectedly burst out laughing. The usually severe elder brother’s smile left Jiu Ling startled, who stammered, “Elder brother, I—”

Jiu Xi merely waved his hand. “Enough. You’re young and spirited—such things are only natural. Luckily, I noticed your absence. Otherwise… Hmph. Come, let’s return.” He did not ask why Mo Bai had tried to kill Jiu Ling.

Jiu Ling breathed a sigh of relief, silently grateful that Jiu Xi had not pressed him on Mo Bai’s motives. Otherwise, he would have been doomed. He was secretly pleased, unaware of how deep Jiu Xi’s scheming truly ran. To reach the pinnacle of the Yuntian Sect, one needed the support of the Luo family of Heyang—not merely for their renown across Linglong Continent, but because Luo Qishui controlled the sect’s finances. For this reason, Jiu Xi would never allow harm to come to Jiu Ling.

Meanwhile, Nalan Xin’er, cradled in Mo Bai’s arms, had at some point wrapped her arms around his neck. She shyly raised her head to steal a glance at her Mo brother, then quickly buried her face in his chest, wishing that this moment might last forever. If time could halt, she would happily remain in his embrace for life.

The wind howled as Mo Bai finally descended after several leaps. Yet he still did not set the little witch down; instead, he gently chided, “Look at your feet—they’re all swollen and red.”

The little witch looked up at him, her large eyes shining. “Mo brother, I’m fine.” She seemed to have forgotten how her feet had ended up this way.

Holding her, Mo Bai walked toward the spring from which they had come. As he walked, he said, “You’re too naive, not knowing how treacherous the world can be. I truly cannot bear to let you go off alone anymore.”

The little witch’s spirits lifted at once. With a silvery laugh, she replied, “What’s there to fear, Mo brother? Didn’t I single-handedly defeat those arrogant spirit cultivators today? Xin’er fears no enemy! Wasn’t I impressive, Mo brother?”

Mo Bai blew a gentle breath across her nose, making her sneeze. With a helpless smile, he said, “Impressive indeed. With your cultivation, you’ll only become more formidable. I don’t fear those so-called enemies—I’m more worried about your fellow disciples!”

Only then did the little witch realize the gravity of things. Her breath quickened, and after a long struggle, she finally summoned the courage to ask, “Mo brother, why did you try to kill Senior Brother Jiu Ling?”

The memory of that moment brought a surge of murderous intent to Mo Bai’s eyes, causing the little witch in his arms to shiver involuntarily. Only then did Mo Bai realize he had let his energy spill out. Focusing his mind, he withdrew his killing aura and, finding a clean spot, gently set Nalan Xin’er down—though she stubbornly insisted on leaning against him.

With a stern look, Mo Bai finally made her perch on a large blue stone, feet dangling restlessly.

He spoke at last: “When you saved Jiu Ling earlier, you cowed the villains with your might. But when that great spear formation vanished, you thought the danger had passed—yet that was your most perilous moment.”

The little witch was stunned, but her clever mind soon grasped the meaning, though she was reluctant to accept it. Her delicate feet, however, were still.

Mo Bai said solemnly, “It was because Jiu Ling intended to kill you from behind.”

Though she had been prepared, the little witch’s mouth still rounded in astonishment.