At this moment, Zhao Xiang exuded a palpable 'killing aura'. Mu Anxiao had not observed him closely before, but now, at first glance, she found him completely unfamiliar.
While she hadn't been very familiar with Zhao Xiang previously, the Zhao Xiang of the past at least seemed human. The present him, however, aside from possessing a human form, radiated the aura of a monster, and even more terrifying than those monsters.
In short, facing such a Zhao Xiang, she was terrified.
As Zhao Xiang looked towards Mu Anxiao, She Ning also had the intention to get up, but due to his injuries, he could only rise slowly.
Simultaneously, Zhao Xiang noticed the fear on Mu Anxiao's face. "What, afraid of me?" he said, already beginning to move towards her.
Mu Anxiao looked at Zhao Xiang with a calm expression, forcing herself to dispel all fear. "Who's afraid of you, Zhao Xiang," she said, pausing. "Do you still recognize me?" She thought if Zhao Xiang recognized her, everything would be easier.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Xiang stopped the moment Mu Anxiao uttered these words. "..." He frowned slightly, staring at Mu Anxiao's face as if pondering something.
Mu Anxiao, seeing a glimmer of hope, fixed her gaze on Zhao Xiang's face.
She Ning looked up at Zhao Xiang's wavering back, involuntarily pausing his movements. He wondered if Mu Anxiao had awakened his consciousness. She Ning's thought also flashed through Mu Anxiao's mind.
Then, just as Mu Anxiao was about to speak, the roars of monsters echoed again. Upon hearing them, Mu Anxiao's eyes widened. "No way." Judging by the sound, she could tell the monsters were still quite far away.
At this moment, Zhao Xiang's lips curved into a sinister smile. "More people seeking death," he said, his eyes once again glowing red. "However, I still want to finish you off."
"We are friends," Mu Anxiao shouted urgently, not wanting Zhao Xiang to stray further.
Hearing Mu Anxiao's words, Zhao Xiang halted his steps and closed his eyes briefly.
Mu Anxiao thought she saw hope again and tentatively asked, "You really don't know who I am?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiang raised his hand to his forehead. Then, with a pained expression, he looked at Mu Anxiao, narrowing his eyes. "You..." he said, when a sudden sharp pain assaulted his head, contorting his features into a savage grimace.
Mu Anxiao took a step forward.
Conversely, She Ning, looking at Zhao Xiang's back, suddenly recalled the scene of Zhao Xiang killing monsters and fighting to his last breath to defeat him. He shouted, "Mu Xiao, step back."
Startled by his voice, Mu Anxiao glanced towards She Ning with hope. "He's recovered."
She Ning stood up. "You step back," he said, glancing at Zhao Xiang's restless back.
Seeing this, Mu Anxiao sensed something was wrong. She quickly followed She Ning's gaze and looked back, only to find Zhao Xiang had returned to his battle-ready state. Looking at him, she understood he was about to start again. "Can't escape now," she muttered, obeying She Ning's command and stepping back.
Immediately, Zhao Xiang raised his blood-stained fist and charged towards Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao's gaze sharpened as she tried to devise a plan while preparing to face the onslaught.
She Ning stood in place, struggling, and frowned as he watched the seemingly indifferent Mu Anxiao. "What an idiot," he muttered, and then, dragging his injured leg, he quickly ran towards them.
Unexpectedly, just as She Ning was about to catch up to Zhao Xiang, Zhao Xiang suddenly turned and swung his arm towards She Ning. Beams of red light instantly shot towards him.
The next second, She Ning was sent flying by the red light.
Seeing this, Mu Anxiao rushed towards Zhao Xiang.
The dark night was enveloped in beams of light. The forest, illuminated and enlivened by the fierce battle between Zhao Xiang and Mu Anxiao, instantly became bright and bustling. The monsters, sensing the commotion, stopped their advance and, after a flurry of exchanges, retreated.
The cawing of crows and the rustling of leaves filled the air.
Mu Anxiao stood on a tree branch, glaring at Zhao Xiang, who was also on a branch opposite her. "Have you remembered who I am?" she said coldly, already preparing to knock him unconscious.
Zhao Xiang stood with his hands behind his back and let out a cold laugh. "I don't remember, but your life is mine now." With that, he swung his arm, just as he had done to She Ning, sending a beam of red light towards Mu Anxiao.
Zhao Xiang had not used this move at all during the fight, leading Mu Anxiao to believe it was his ultimate technique.
She thought that if she could just break through this move, he should regain his consciousness. Thus, with this hopeful thought, she quickly turned and leaped off the tall tree.
The next second, the red light split the tree in two.
Seeing this, Zhao Xiang jumped down from the tree and pursued Mu Anxiao.
She Ning sat cross-legged on the ground, using the time while Mu Anxiao and Zhao Xiang were fighting to heal himself.
After several more exchanges, Mu Anxiao floated in mid-air, looking at the toppling trees with a heavy heart. She extended her right hand, focusing on the approaching red light. 'I must catch it,' she thought, closing her eyes and placing her left hand behind her back, gathering spiritual energy onto her left hand.
Through their recent battle, Mu Anxiao realized that Zhao Xiang's fatal move was his demonic energy. In her opinion, immortals were always superior to demons, and so, with this reasoning, she believed that spiritual energy might be able to counter his ultimate technique.
Zhao Xiang, believing victory was assured, arrived opposite Mu Anxiao and sneered, "Die." Just as he was about to erupt in laughter, Mu Anxiao caught the red light with her right hand.
Seeing this, Zhao Xiang frowned.
Mu Anxiao opened her eyes and muttered, "Looks like it works." With that, she quickly brought out her left hand, now brimming with spiritual energy, and placed it on the back of her right hand. "I didn't expect you to be so feisty," she said, her gaze hardening as she began to contend with the red light.
Zhao Xiang grew tense.
Below, She Ning opened his eyes, looked up at Mu Anxiao confronting the red light, and muttered, "No, I have to help her." With that, he braced himself and shakily stood up.
Above, Mu Anxiao gathered all her spiritual energy into her hands, firmly believing her guess was correct. Now, she just needed to disperse it, and Zhao Xiang would return to normal.
She pushed with all her might, channeling her energy to push against the red light.
Zhao Xiang let out a cold snort. "You, trying to fight my demonic arts? Ridiculous," he scoffed, preparing to make a move.