Chapter Forty-Six: Between Life and Death, a Single Thought

The sand and gravel battered Hong Jian's face so harshly she could barely keep her eyes open, but she knew the danger was far from over. A foundation cultivator’s signature martial skill consumed far less vital energy than a magic artifact, and since Jian Hui’s first strike failed, a second would inevitably follow. She possessed no precious item to save her life, not enough vital energy even to risk everything on “Moon Surge.” Without time to think, Hong Jian instinctively swept her hand back, unleashing the only spell she could muster: “All Waters Return to Source.”

“All Waters Return to Source” could, in combat, instantly absorb large amounts of water energy from an opponent’s martial skill. Though Hong Jian had cast this spell thousands of times in the misty valley, this was her first time using it against an enemy. In that split second between life and death, she felt a sudden stillness behind her, as if time itself froze with her hand movement—no cold, no pain, even the murderous intent pressing in seemed to halt.

Hong Jian turned to see Jian Hui’s face contorted in disbelief, as if he’d seen a ghost. She had no idea what transpired in that instant, but Jian Hui saw everything clearly. Years ago, Jian Hui had taken shortcuts in cultivation, not only forging a false pill with a side method to boost his realm but also choosing a martial skill after foundation that mimicked the sect master Ling Xuzi’s “Accumulated Essence Sutra.” The punch he threw, “Jade Dragon’s Roar,” simulated the effects of ice techniques to seven or eight parts perfection. Had his cultivation not collapsed later, no foundation cultivator in Dan Cliff Sect could have rivaled him.

Such a terrifying technique, bolstered by a magic artifact, should have made killing a girl at the sixth layer of Qi Condensation effortless. The missed first strike was already a surprise; he launched a second, only for Hong Jian—scrambling and desperate—to sweep her hand. The power he unleashed met a stronger attraction, shifting direction and vanishing into her palm before his eyes.

But that wasn’t all. What horrified Jian Hui even more was that after his spell vanished, the mysterious force didn’t stop. Like a hound catching a scent, it lunged at him, instantly siphoning away most of the protective water membrane formed by his artifact, “Mirror Shadow.”

Jian Hui recognized “All Waters Return to Source”—it was little more than a playful trick used by fellow disciples in idle moments. With his impatient nature, he never bothered to learn such fringe techniques, so it never occurred to him that his junior, Hong Jian, would not only recklessly study martial skills during Qi Condensation but choose such an odd signature technique. Moreover, Hong Jian had mastered and upgraded “All Waters Return to Source” in the mist valley, making her casting entirely unrecognizable to him.

The scene defied all logic. The two stared at each other, both shaken to their core. Hong Jian, having not witnessed the bizarre phenomenon herself, was less affected and thus recovered first.

Joy surged in her heart as she realized that, for some unknown reason, casting “All Waters Return to Source” had suddenly increased her vital energy dramatically. There was no time to wonder why—if she didn’t strike first, she might not get another chance. With this in mind, she quickly cast “All Waters Return to Source” again. The surge of vital energy finally made “Moon Surge” possible, and without hesitation, she summoned her artifact.

As the energy attached to “Mirror Shadow” was drained, Jian Hui instinctively replenished it. He hadn’t figured out what was happening, and Hong Jian was already moving again. The vital energy that powered “Mirror Shadow” was nearly consumed, the water membrane wavering, its inscriptions blurred.

Jian Hui thought, “This is bad.” He’d always been cautious in combat; after two such bizarre encounters, he decided to retreat and make sense of it. Before he could widen the distance, he saw Hong Jian’s “Moon Surge” fly from her hand, break apart in midair, and transform into a dozen white threads streaking toward his chest.

Disaster! Jian Hui was terrified, unable to comprehend how his opponent had so much vital energy. He knew “Moon Surge” well, and now his defensive artifact was failing even before being struck, unable to withstand the overwhelming force. If it landed, he would surely suffer broken bones and torn muscles.

He retreated without hesitation, hoping to avoid the sudden deadly attack in a split second. The abrupt withdrawal worked—he couldn’t evade “Moon Surge,” but managed to escape the range of “All Waters Return to Source.” “Mirror Shadow,” nourished anew by vital energy, began to recover rapidly. At the same time, “Moon Surge” struck, and “Mirror Shadow” held for a moment before shattering, the residual force slamming into Jian Hui’s chest and sending him tumbling backward.

Jian Hui rolled to the ground, climbed up, blood streaming from his lips. He shot Hong Jian a hateful glare, then turned and disappeared into the thicket below, silent and gone.

Hong Jian remained alert for a while, but seeing Jian Hui didn’t reappear, guessed she’d injured him badly enough to keep him away for now, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Though Jian Hui was caught off guard, Hong Jian hadn’t had it easy either. Her mind was utterly empty, unable to cast another spell. Had her body not been accustomed to the extreme discomfort of vital energy depletion, Jian Hui would have seen through her weakness with that final glance.

Hong Jian was still sprawled on the ground, so she didn’t rush to rise. She adjusted her posture, sitting quietly to recover her vital energy while scanning her surroundings and reflecting on the battle.

This was her first real fight, and it had been a life-and-death struggle against a foundation cultivator. Her heart hadn’t stopped pounding. If she gained anything, it was a deeper understanding of the power of “All Waters Return to Source.” The battle made her realize how crucial a signature spell was; no artifact could compensate for the weakness of excessive vital energy consumption.

She’d sent Jian Hui running, but would he return for revenge? From what she knew of him, he wouldn’t give up so easily. He would surely try again within the next two days, and with his ruthless cunning, might devise some trap for her.

Hong Jian’s brows gradually furrowed.

The corpse of the red serpent lay untouched, reeking nearby. Mud-spattered and solemn, the girl sat beside it as wind rustled the trees across the wild hills—a scene so strange that anyone who saw it would find it unsettling.

Then footsteps sounded, someone approaching. As the figure drew closer and saw the scene, the footsteps halted.