TM CH28

Chapter 28 Rift Cave

Rong Qi held his breath, focusing intently, every sense on high alert.

Gu Yunxing had likely led him to a secluded corner, temporarily out of the freak’s sight. Yet the freak, its breathing heavy with anger, was very close. They could be discovered at any moment.

Suddenly, a blinding white light appeared on the horizon. In the next instant, countless bolts of lightning cracked open the sky, followed by a deafening roar in their ears.

Astonishing thunder shattered the heaven and earth, its sound like drums pounding across the plains.

Gu Yunxing extended his hand, sending a forceful strike toward the nearby dark river!

The Tianji Sect Master’s powerful strike instantly stirred up the dark river’s current, causing it to surge into the air and merged with the torrential rain, creating a thunderous roar as water splashed in all directions.

Almost at the same moment, the freak’s figure transformed into a ghostly shadow and darted towards the dark river.

Gu Yunxing lowered his voice, “Go!”

Rong Qi quickly got to his feet. Although he couldn’t see clearly, he understood that the noise had distracted the freak, drawing him away in the opposite direction. Gu Yunxing had clearly been waiting for the right moment to make their escape. Despite his limited vision, Rong Qi couldn’t afford to be a burden.

Gu Yunxing asked, “Do you still have the cilin?”

Rong Qi drew out a dagger and handed it over. “I didn’t lose it.”

Gu Yunxing grabbed it with one hand. “Hold on tight.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Rong Qi felt the hand that had been gripping his tighten quickly, then release. Before he could react, his waist was wrapped in a firm hold, and with a sudden burst of strength, he was pulled several steps forward, then launched into the air—

His body suddenly became weightless. Rong Qi didn’t have time to ask anything. One hand desperately clutched at the other’s collar. “Gu… Gu Yunxing!”

“Shh.” Gu Yunxing’s voice came from above. “I’ve got you.”

He raised the cilin in his hand and sliced it toward the stone wall.

The sharp blade scraped across the rock, emitting a high-pitched sound. In that same moment, their descent slowed drastically.

Rong Qi understood what had happened. He couldn’t afford to feel sorry for the cilin. He gritted his teeth and forced himself to stay silent.

The rocks were jagged and uneven. This steep rift valley hidden in the darkness was of unknown depth. By the time everything stopped, Rong Qi only felt a dull ache all over his body from the impact. He lay motionless on the spot, panting for a while.

The series of events that night had nearly drained his mental energy, but it was far from time to relax.

Rong Qi forced himself to snap out of the brief calm, propped himself up on his elbow, nudged the person beneath him, and whispered softly by their ear, “Gu Yunxing.”

The person did not respond.

He froze for a moment, then leaned in closer and reached out to touch the other’s body.

Gu Yunxing still did not respond, and Rong Qi wasn’t sure why.

“Gu Yunxing!” Rong Qi raised his voice, hurriedly feeling his way forward and pressing against the man’s chest. Once he heard the steady thump of a heartbeat, he let out a relieved breath.

Thankfully, he was just unconscious.

Rong Qi helped the man up, his palm feeling a sticky substance. A faint smell of blood filled the air, causing him to feel a slight unease for no reason. After a moment of hesitation, he grasped Gu Yunxing’s hand and searched for his pulse. It fluctuated, weak at times, but steady enough for Rong Qi to feel sure that the man wouldn’t die, at least not immediately.

The rain continued to pour, hitting his face and body relentlessly. The daylight around him dimmed, obscuring his vision.

There was no time to waste. They had to get out of there.

Rong Qi bent down, slinging Gu Yunxing’s arm over his shoulder, and heaved him up with great effort. One hand gripped Gu Yunxing, while the other felt along the stone wall as he moved forward in the dark. He wasn’t sure how long he walked, but eventually, the sound of rain started to fade. The torrential downpour that had once blinded him suddenly stopped.

Rong Qi extended his palm and found that no more raindrops were falling. But oddly, the sound of rain still echoed around him.

He guessed that he had likely wandered into a cave along the rift.

Rong Qi couldn’t help but curl his lips. After months of searching for a cave, it was this unexpected moment that had finally brought them to one.

But he only felt complete indifference, even finding it somewhat laughable.

The rift valley must have been well hidden. He had surveyed the island for several days without discovering it, and he didn’t know where it led. But going back was impossible, so he could only brace himself and continue forward.

In the darkness, only Rong Qi’s heavy footsteps echoed. Gu Yunxing remained slung over his back, showing no signs of waking.

They walked for more than half an hour. Rong Qi strained his ears to listen for any sounds. After a long while, he confirmed that the freak hadn’t caught up with them. Only then did he allow himself to wipe the sweat from his brow.

They were, for the moment, safe.

He set Gu Yunxing down against the stone wall and began feeling around for any injuries.

Both of their robes were soaked with rain. In the dark, nothing was visible, and all he could feel was the unconscious body beneath his hands. He unconsciously drew a little closer, and then smelled a strong scent of blood.

Rong Qi removed their wet clothes and helped Gu Yunxing sit up. He placed one hand on his back, channeling internal energy into him.

It was hard to tell how much time had passed, but soon he began to feel drained. After withdrawing his hand, he checked Gu Yunxing’s breath. He hadn’t died, but there was still no sign of him waking. So, Rong Qi slapped his face lightly, then grabbed his neck and threatened, “If you don’t wake up soon, this venerable one will leave you here!”

But Gu Yunxing did not wake.

Losing patience, Rong Qi released him, paced back and forth for a few steps, then squatted down again, lifting Gu Yunxing once more and resuming his efforts to revive him.

After a very long time, so long that Rong Qi had almost exhausted his internal energy, Gu Yunxing finally coughed a few times and slowly woke up from his coma.

“…Rong Qi?”

Rong Qi felt a weight lift from his heart, but he said through gritted teeth, “You finally woke up!”

Gu Yunxing asked, “Where are we?”

Rong Qi withdrew his hand and shook his head. “I don’t know. I can’t see anything.”

Gu Yunxing fell silent.

Rong Qi let him go and leaned against the cold, hard stone wall to rest for a moment. After a while, he asked, “Hey, are you badly injured?”

In the darkness, Gu Yunxing shifted slightly, settling beside him against the wall. “This humble Gu is ashamed. I have lost consciousness when my head struck the ground during our fall.”

After hearing this, Rong Qi frowned. “I felt nothing but blood on my hands earlier.”

Gu Yunxing: “Don’t worry. I won’t die just yet.”

Rong Qi fell silent for a moment. “That freak’s martial arts prowess is beyond measure. If we run into him again, we’re finished.”

The depletion of his internal energy left him feeling unwell. After saying this, he closed his eyes wearily, enduring the exhaustion.

Suddenly, he felt a warm touch on his face. He abruptly opened his eyes and realized it was Gu Yunxing touching his forehead. If it were any other time, Rong Qi would have definitely slapped that hand away, but he was too tired at the moment, so he only said, “I’m fine,” before closing his eyes again.

Above them, fractured starlight streamed down through the gaps in the cave, landing on Rong Qi’s body. It illuminated his pale face, casting a somewhat desolate look.

Gu Yunxing withdrew his hand and instead pressed his fingers to Rong Qi’s pulse. The pulse was faint and weak, a sign of exhausted internal energy. He frowned, and in the shattered starlight, he stared at the demon for a long while before letting out a long sigh.