C511 I'll Help You
Woo Zhengyang felt a chill run down his spine. He didn't need to turn around to sense that the woman behind him was almost upon him. However, it seemed like something was holding her back, preventing her from making a direct move. She simply reached out, trying to grab Woo Zhengyang.
He had just managed to dodge her grasp, feeling nothing in particular. But Woo Zhengyang was certain that she wouldn't try to catch him without a reason, especially in this mysterious and unpredictable place known as the Hundred Flower World. The creator's intentions were bizarre and varied, so he didn't dare to take any chances.
At this point, Woo Zhengyang couldn't afford to hesitate any longer. He could retreat into the Ice Crystal Fire Hall. Yet, before doing so, he wanted to boldly test his earlier hypothesis. For some reason, he felt a connection to this Hundred Flower World, and the longer he stayed, the stronger that feeling grew.
He drew his sword, activated the Sword Manipulating Flight Technique, and swiftly stepped onto the blade, ready to retreat into the Ice Crystal Fire Hall at the first sign of trouble.
One breath passed...
Two breaths passed...
Woo Zhengyang flew with all his might, putting some distance between himself and the woman behind him. Nothing unusual happened!
"How is this possible?"
Du Yusheng, watching from the side, was wide-eyed with shock. He was so astonished at Woo Zhengyang's ability to fly using the sword without being obliterated that he forgot to shoot arrows to interfere.
Woo Zhengyang hadn't forgotten his gift. Realizing he wasn't bound by this world's rules, he embarked on his path of revenge, charging full force at Du Yusheng with his sword.
After entering the Inner Stage, Woo Zhengyang's speed increased significantly. Although Du Yusheng was in the mid-Inner Stage, he was on foot and couldn't match Woo Zhengyang's speed.
Even though Du Yusheng tried to interfere by shooting arrows, Woo Zhengyang, riding his flying sword, easily dodged them. After all, Du Yusheng's longbow was just a regular one, and as a disciple of the Martial Mansion, he wasn't much of a hunter, so his archery skills weren't particularly strong.
In the blink of an eye, only a few yards separated them.
Channeling his energy, the No Life Sword in Woo Zhengyang's hand unleashed a sword beam, blasting toward Du Yusheng. The Inner Stage, equivalent to the Shape Gathering Stage in energy cultivation, allowed the energy to form a protective aura, enabling the sword beam to strike from a distance. Even without the explosive power of true essence, it was more than enough for Du Yusheng to handle.
"You... you've reached the Inner Stage!"
Feeling the sword beam coming at him, Du Yusheng's expression changed. Initially, he had some confidence in evading Woo Zhengyang, thinking he was merely at the Peak of the Skin Stage. Even if Woo Zhengyang could catch up with him using the Sword Manipulating Flight Technique, Du Yusheng believed he wouldn't be a match for him, relying on the differences between the Inner Stage and the Skin Stage.
Now that both are at the Inner Stage, Woo Zhengyang can fly using his sword, which means Du Yusheng no longer holds the advantage.
As the sword light approached, Du Yusheng suddenly sped up, narrowly dodging Woo Zhengyang's attack. He then put away his bow and drew his long sword. He knew there was no point in pleading for mercy from Woo Zhengyang, so he prepared to fight with all his might.
However, Woo Zhengyang changed his mind. Glancing back at the women who were still chasing him from a distance, he increased his speed, flew ahead of Du Yusheng, and unleashed another burst of sword light.
Du Yusheng countered with his own sword light.
"Boom..."
The two sword lights collided, and Woo Zhengyang's shattered first. After all, he had just entered the Inner Stage, and his strength was still lacking compared to Du Yusheng. But Woo Zhengyang didn't mind. Dodging the residual energy, he launched another attack.
After several exchanges, Du Yusheng's speed was significantly affected, and the distance between him and the pursuing women was closing.
"Woo Zhengyang, you're using me as a test subject!" Du Yusheng realized Woo Zhengyang's intentions and was furious. In this world of strange techniques, no one wanted to be the guinea pig.
"You came to me, so don't blame me! Besides, you tried the same thing on me just now." With that, Woo Zhengyang unleashed another sword attack.
Just moments ago, Du Yusheng had used his bow and arrow against Woo Zhengyang. Although Zhengyang didn't have a bow, he wielded a sword aura. The two had switched positions.
After another clash, Du Yusheng and the woman behind him were now just a few yards apart. Woo Zhengyang, riding his flying sword, clearly saw a cold smile flash across the woman's face. Her unusually pale arm slowly lifted, reaching toward Yusheng's shoulder.
Watching the woman pursue Du Yusheng from his vantage point on the flying sword was initially a pleasant sight. Yet, for some reason, seeing her raised arm sent a chill through Zhengyang. Instinctively, he touched his left shoulder, recalling that she had touched him there before.
"I need to find out what on earth this is!"
Realizing he couldn't defeat Woo Zhengyang, Du Yusheng abruptly stopped and swung his sword at the woman behind him. She didn't dodge or evade; instead, she reached for the sword aura.
The sword aura, typically an intangible force, seemed to take on a physical form in her hand, like a ribbon. She effortlessly grasped it, and the aura gradually shrank and disappeared without a trace.
Based on what Jingxiang just said, Woo Zhengyang guessed that the sword energy was absorbed by the woman. Sure enough, after absorbing the energy, not only did she show no signs of injury, but her speed also increased.
"What on earth is this?" Du Yusheng shouted as he continued to run frantically.
"Let me help you!" Woo Zhengyang suddenly called out from ahead.
"Help me?"
"Yeah!" Woo Zhengyang nodded, swinging the No Life Sword to unleash a wave of energy.
This time, the energy wasn't aimed at Du Yusheng but at the woman behind him.
Seeing Woo Zhengyang actually helping him, Du Yusheng was initially stunned. Then, with eyes blazing, he roared angrily, "Woo Zhengyang, is this really helping me?"
It seemed like Woo Zhengyang was trying to help him against the woman. However, since she could absorb attacks, Woo Zhengyang's actions were actually boosting her speed, which was hardly helping him—instead, it was hastening his downfall.
"Isn't this helping you? Just be patient. I need to figure out how to deal with her!" Woo Zhengyang said, unleashing another wave of energy.
Just like before, the energy turned strangely sinister in front of the woman and was easily absorbed by her.
"This isn't working. Let me try again!"
After speaking, another flash of the sword burst forth.
"You..."
Du Yusheng gritted his teeth, unable to finish his sentence. The woman had picked up speed again, appearing right behind him. Her hand was now just inches from his shoulder...