Chapter Seventy-Seven: The Pill of Restoration

The man in white, seeing that his opponent was no longer pressing him aggressively, secretly let out a sigh of relief. Though the one lurking in the shadows was indeed formidable, and he was not certain he could deal with him, it was best to avoid conflict if possible. However, if they dared to push him too far, he would not shrink from battle—for he was hardly a man to submit meekly to fate.

Yet, just as the man in white relaxed his guard ever so slightly, an overwhelming murderous intent suddenly surged toward him. A blade’s light, carrying an unmatched might, cleaved through the heavens like a falling moon, trailing indistinct afterimages as dazzling as the rising full moon itself. In an instant, it spanned the distant sky, slashing straight at the cold, white-clad figure.

“Despicable! Shameless! You dare ambush me?” the man in white shouted angrily. “Do you take me for someone so easily bullied? Try my Phantasmal Sword for yourself… Phantasmal Sword, First Form—Snow Flying a Thousand Miles!”

With that, he unleashed the secret technique of the Tianshan Sword Sect. A rain of sword lights crisscrossed the sky, hundreds of divine blades shooting forth like meteors toward the distant horizon.

The ten men besieging the man in white bore the brunt of the assault. They had no time to react before the spectral swords pierced their bodies. Agonizing screams rang out in succession as their figures fell from the clouds like meteors, rolling and crashing to the ground.

“Well, well, young one! So you’ve truly grasped the essence of the Phantasmal Sword. No wonder you dare be so arrogant!” From the edge of the sky, a black shadow shot forth with unparalleled speed, streaking toward the man in white like an arrow of darkness.

Wherever the shadow passed, demonic clouds billowed and black mist blotted out the heavens. The once-blue sky was swallowed by darkness, and everywhere the gaze reached was a vision of the world’s end.

Che Wuyou stared up at the spectacular scene, stunned and his heart pounding. It felt as though he had entered another world. Were there truly such powerful beings in existence? Who were they? Were they immortals? Where did they come from, and where were they headed?

Amidst the shouts and curses echoing from high above, a sense of unreality washed over Che Wuyou. Though he could not see any figures, he could clearly hear the angry rebukes resounding through the swirling currents of black and white in the sky.

Suddenly, a brilliant arc of white light shot through the air with a piercing screech, striking a nearby hillock at a speed that defied belief. The hillock crumbled instantly, as if it were but a block of tofu.

Dirt and stones flew in all directions, gusts of force buffeting Che Wuyou and nearly knocking him off his feet. The tiny pellets of dust stung his cheeks, filling him with terror. He dared not linger any longer. Leaping onto his warhorse, he spurred it on desperately, fleeing into the distance.

This place was far too dangerous. Even the aftermath of their battle could be fatal to him. The farther he stayed from such people, the better—otherwise, he might not even know how he died. Watching their clash was an eye-opening experience, but his own life was more important.

Che Wuyou had already galloped a great distance when he chanced to look back. He could still see the black and white currents twisting and clashing in the sky, their power terrifying beyond words. He wiped the cold sweat from his brow, not daring to pause for an instant. If he were to draw their attention, the consequences would be dire.

At that moment, a thunderous crash sounded behind him, making the very earth tremble. Che Wuyou’s face blanched in fear. It seemed the combatants had reached the critical moment of their duel. He pressed his horse onward, even more terrified, for he had witnessed their entire battle and overheard snatches of their conversation.

Given their abilities, discovering his presence would be child’s play. If, after settling their contest, they decided to kill him to silence a witness, he would be as insignificant as an ant to them, his life forfeit with a flick of their hands. The more Che Wuyou thought about it, the more he panicked. He could only hope they would fight a while longer, giving him time to find a safe place.

Yet before this thought had finished forming, the outcome of the battle was decided.

A shriveled voice burst into laughter, sending ripples through the black mist—a truly eerie sight. Clearly, he felt the victory was his. The man in white was now in tatters, his robes bloodstained, his appearance ragged and desperate. Under the black-clad man’s onslaught, he retreated step by step, unwittingly fleeing in Che Wuyou’s direction.

Che Wuyou looked up and felt a pang of bitterness. After all his running, the two combatants had ended up right above him again. “Damn it! Couldn’t you two have chosen a quieter place to fight? Is there something so special about the spot above my head?” he cursed inwardly, helpless at the cruel twist of fate.

Despite his frustration, Che Wuyou did not slow his horse for a moment. He raised his right hand, ready to urge his steed faster, when suddenly a streak of white light shot toward his face like a bolt of lightning. There was no time to dodge. In his heart, he cried out, “It’s over! My fears were right—they really are going to kill me to keep their secret!”

It is said that when a man faces death, his life flashes before his eyes. Che Wuyou instinctively closed his eyes, as if to review his life’s journey one last time. Short though it had been, it was full of experiences. Was there anything he truly regretted, now that death was upon him?

“Fool! Take the Supplementary Pill and run for your life! Why are you just standing there?” A furious voice exploded in his ear, making him jump. He opened his eyes to see a translucent, silver-white box floating before him—so beautiful that he swore he had never seen its equal.

Che Wuyou was entranced by the exquisite box and seized it at once. Only then did he recall the words of the man in white. “Take the Supplementary Pill and run?” What kind of pill was that? He had read the Herbal Compendium many times, yet had never heard of such a thing. But seeing how the two fought to the death over this pill, it was clearly no ordinary medicine.

“Run! My strength is spent. I can’t hold off this old demon much longer. Get out of here with the Supplementary Pill, or when he’s done with me, he’ll devour you alive!” the man in white urged, seeing Che Wuyou still rooted to the spot.

“You little wretch!” the shriveled voice raged. “Such a precious pill, and you’d rather toss it to a beggar than hand it to me? Infuriating! I’ll skin you alive for this! And you, little beggar, wait by the road with that pill. As soon as I’m done with this brat, I’ll come for you. If you dare run, I’ll skin you too!”

The man the white-clad one called “Old Demon” spoke with icy menace, making Che Wuyou’s blood run cold. But hearing this only made him bolt like a startled rabbit, riding for his life. With such threats hanging over him, how could he dare delay? He prayed the man in white could stall the demon a little longer; otherwise, how could he possibly outrun a flying fiend?

Yet he had not gone far when he heard the man in white laugh aloud. “May I ask, sir, are you Zhang Weida, the Great Demon under the Vajra Throne? The Demon Sect grows ever more audacious, daring even to covet the Supplementary Pill of the Tianshan Sword Sect.

“Still, since I am outmatched and the pill is lost, I have no complaints. If you, Master Zhang, will spare my life today, I shall not hinder you in pursuing the child or in claiming the pill. What say you to such terms?”

Hearing this as he fled, Che Wuyou’s hair stood on end. The Four Sword Sects, the backbone of the Immortal Alliance, always claimed the mantle of orthodoxy—but who would have thought the Tianshan Sword Sect would produce a villain like Bai Hansong? No wonder he had so “kindly” tossed him the Supplementary Pill; it was all a ploy to escape. But would Zhang the Demon agree?

“You cunning brat! With your lives in my grasp, what right have you to bargain with me?” Zhang replied coldly, refusing the offer.

“Is that so? Let’s see whether you chase me or the little beggar!” Bai Hansong laughed lightly, then sped off in the opposite direction from Che Wuyou. “Remember, the boy has the Supplementary Pill. Don’t try to ambush him, lest you damage the pill—then you’ll regret it! Ha ha ha!”

Zhang Weida had not expected such cunning. He glanced at Che Wuyou and thought, “Even if the beggar escapes with the pill, he won’t get far. In fact, it may be safer for him to carry it, as it won’t attract undue attention. But Bai Hansong—known, along with Bai Xuesong, as one of the Twin Heroes of Tianshan—is a master of escape. I cannot let him get away!”