Jiang Ye sprinted towards Lin Ze like a madman, rushing to check his injuries.
"Lin Ze!" His injuries were severe, pierced through by spiritual energy, leaving a glaringly obvious bloody gash on his abdomen, from which blood was now pouring incessantly.
Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!!! Jiang Ye's body trembled. Gazing at the dying Lin Ze, he bit his lower lip so hard it broke.
Zhong Zi's nerves were taut. He exchanged a look with Dong Ling beside him and nodded.
It was estimated that the Demon Lord had already sensed Long Yu's presence. As long as they could hold on until the Demon Lord arrived, they would have hope of surviving.
Bai Ran's gaze was icy. Gritting her teeth and clenching her fists, she lowered her voice, "Bai Hu."
A colossal figure appeared and moved swiftly towards the injured Lin Ze, to heal him.
Long Yu's eyes widened slightly. Staring at the massive white figure, a hint of surprise flickered across his face, "Another ancient divine beast..."
He shifted his gaze back to Bai Ran, fixing his eyes on her, and asked, "Bai Ran..."
"You couldn't possibly be the woman I'm looking for, could you—?"
The Vermilion Bird trembled, its guard raised to the highest level. Even if it meant death, it had to protect its master's safety.
Bai Ran's lips parted slightly. As Long Yu's attention was drawn away, two figures instantly appeared behind him.
"Bang—!"
Crimson blood flowed down his shoulder. Long Yu's eyes shot open, and his body swayed.
Just as everyone expected Long Yu to erupt in rage, he suddenly burst into laughter.
His laughter echoed in everyone's ears, sounding particularly chilling and spine-tingling in their current predicament.
"Indeed, you are a bit troublesome, having hidden two of the Ghost Clan among you."
"However, this confirms it... you are Bai Ran..."
His nonchalant words struck Bai Ran, sending waves of intense unease through her. In his eyes, she saw an unyielding arrogance and excitement.
"Hurry, go!" Zhong Zi and the other immediately blocked Long Yu, shouting towards the Vermilion Bird.
The Vermilion Bird didn't hesitate, carrying Bai Ran and speeding away. Faster! Faster!
"A disembodied soul condensed into a physical form?" Long Yu's face darkened as he looked at Zhong Zi and Dong Ling blocking his path.
"This is a matter for the Divine Realm. There's no need for the fallen Ghost Clan to interfere."
Zhong Zi retorted unceremoniously, "Talking too much can lead to a very miserable death."
Xiao Zi gazed at the sky, her eyes filled with deep worry. While Zhong Zi and Dong Ling working together could indeed hold Long Yu back, their prolonged resistance would eventually lead to defeat.
If only the Demon Lord were here, they could win... Damn it... Where is that guy!
The Vermilion Bird carried Bai Ran, flying at full speed. Anywhere was fine! As long as they could get far away from Long Yu!
But just as the Vermilion Bird and Bai Ran were about to leave the skies above the demon tribe, a colossal golden figure suddenly appeared. A woman's light laughter echoed in Bai Ran's ears.
"Running away? Did you ever imagine you'd reach such a day?"
A golden, colossal Jinwu instantly blocked the Vermilion Bird. Standing atop the Jinwu was Ze Lan, the Divine Maiden of Yaochi Palace, who hadn't appeared in a long time.
The injury on her arm had long since healed, and her aura was even more potent than before.
Although she had failed several times, the Divine Emperor not only did not blame her but had even dispatched her to assist Long Yu.
"With me, the Divine Maiden, here, do you think you can escape?" Ze Lan's face was etched with deep mockery and disdain.
The Vermilion Bird abruptly stopped, its heart pounding so wildly it felt like it would leap out of its chest. She had actually come too!
"This is bad! Long Yu didn't come alone!"
Seizing the moment of distraction, Long Yu attacked fiercely, sending Zhong Zi plummeting from the sky.
Without Zhong Zi's assistance and coordination, Dong Ling, fighting alone, quickly fell into a disadvantage.
Long Yu twisted his wrist, his face extremely grim, "Who told you to follow?"
Ze Lan bowed obediently, appearing very docile, "Lord Divine Emperor ordered Ze Lan..."
"Bang—"
Before she could finish her sentence, a spiritual energy attack laced with infinite killing intent whizzed past her cheek.
Long Yu attacked Ze Lan?!!
Everyone watched the rapidly changing situation, finding it hard to believe.
Warm blood slowly trickled down. The burning pain on her face forced Ze Lan to regain her senses.
Long Yu attacked her! Was he mad!?
Before Ze Lan could speak, Long Yu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and spoke first.
"Get lost."
Jing Feng lowered his eyes, his heart aching. The previous Demon Lord had always been a proud person, with an unyielding spirit, unable to tolerate anyone challenging his strength.
Now, with Ze Lan following Long Yu, even if it was the Divine Emperor's command to assist him, it was an insult to Long Yu's dignity.
The Vermilion Bird seized the moment of confrontation between the two and used all its spiritual energy to accelerate its escape.
Ze Lan was startled. They couldn't let them escape!
However, Ze Lan was slower to react than Long Yu, who was far away. Bai Ran was the target this time. No matter how many side detours occurred, he would never let her go!
He immediately took to the air, moving with ghostly speed, leaving only afterimages in the sky.
"Little ghost!" Xiao Zi could no longer hold back. Even if it meant death, she would not let Long Yu take her away!
"Bang—"
But before Xiao Zi could get close, she was blocked by an ice dragon that appeared out of nowhere.
Ze Lan looked at him and let out a triumphant laugh, "This time, you won't get away!"
Even if he had a conflict with Long Yu, what of it? That woman would still be caught!
"Hahaha! Tell me, when the Demon Lord arrives and learns of the situation, will he be so heartbroken that he faints?"
"Hahahaha—"
Xiao Zi was enraged. The veins on her forehead bulged. The disguise pill could no longer suppress it and instantly failed.
Her raven-black hair instantly turned silver-white. Xiao Zi charged forward, launching a barrage of attacks at Ze Lan.
Ze Lan's strength was inferior to Xiao Zi's to begin with, let alone a furious Xiao Zi.
Within three rounds, Ze Lan was repeatedly forced back, her delicate features bruised and swollen.
But... Ze Lan laughed maniacally, "As long as I can hold you back for a moment, it's enough!"
"Hahahaha—"
Xiao Zi looked in Bai Ran's direction, her pupils constricting, "Little ghost—!!!"
At this moment, the Vermilion Bird had lost all its spiritual energy, reverting to its small, chicken-like form. Wounded all over, it was falling straight from the sky.
And Bai Ran, her neck clutched by Long Yu, was lifted into the air by the man.
"Little Pig!!!" Jiang Ye sprinted, catching the Vermilion Bird just before it hit the ground.
Looking at the weak Vermilion Bird in his arms, Jiang Ye's eyes cracked, and they were filled with bloodshot crimson.
"Bai Ran, I finally understand why the Divine Emperor fears you so much."
Long Yu's voice, tinged with a smile, rang out. Bai Ran, her neck choked, felt a suffocating sensation, her face turning red.
He had previously thought the prophecy of the destined daughter was false, but now it seemed necessary to eliminate her.