Xiao Chong eyes instantly sharpened, glinting like cold stars.
He spoke in a low voice, "Zi Yan, step back."
Though his words were soft, they carried an undeniable firmness.
Hearing this, a flicker of surprise passed through Zi Yan eyes, but she quickly understood the resolve in Xiao Chong gaze.
Without a word, she shifted slightly and retreated to a safer distance.
Xiao Chong took a deep breath, and the fighting spirit within him surged like raging waves, instantly enveloping his entire body. His fists clenched tightly, and it seemed as though every inch of his skin contained the power to destroy the heavens and the earth.
The dark creatures seemed to sense the threat, emitting even more piercing screeches as they stirred, attempting to encircle him.
"Insignificant evil creatures, how dare you act so recklessly!" Xiao Chong growled, his fighting spirit erupting like a tornado. In an instant, fierce winds howled, and the space around them trembled.
Each of his strikes was precise and powerful, causing the dark creatures to burst apart one by one, dissipating into wisps of black smoke.
The battle ended even more quickly than expected. Xiao Chong figure remained upright, but his breathing had already steadied.
He walked slowly toward Zi Yan, pulling out a small jade bottle from his robe. He gave it a gentle shake, and a few pills, glowing with a warm light, rolled into his palm.
"Zi Yan, these are specially made Recovery Pills. Taking them should help you recover."
Zi Yan accepted the pills, her gratitude evident.
"Brother Xiao Chong, I'm always troubling you…"
Before she could finish, Xiao Chong gently interrupted.
"Between us, there's no need for thanks."
His gaze was warm, as if it could melt even the coldest ice.
After Zi Yan took the pills, her complexion gradually regained its color, and the injuries and fatigue within her body noticeably eased. She stood up, her eyes firm, and said to Xiao Chong
"Now, it's my turn. There must be a more powerful force behind these dark creatures."
Just as Xiao Chong finished speaking, a strange wind sound approached from the distance, and an ominous aura seemed to permeate the air.
"It seems we don't need to go looking for it—it's come to us," Xiao Chong said calmly, though a fighting spirit gleamed in his eyes.
"Those who come with ill intentions are never good," Zi Yan tightened her grip on her sword, her gaze sharp.
"Let's see just who or what we're dealing with."
Suddenly, a massive eyeless worm burst out of the ground. Seeing its grotesque form, Zi Yan felt a wave of nausea.
Xiao Chong figure blurred as he instantly positioned himself in front of Zi Yan, drawing the sword from his waist. The blade pointed directly at the menacing eyeless worm. The sword's light was as cold as the moon, radiating a chilling aura.
He spoke in a deep voice, "Zi Yan, step back."
Zi Yan obeyed, retreating a few steps, but her eyes showed no fear. She kept a close watch on the worm's movements, her sword ready to strike at any moment.
The worm massive body writhed, producing low, unsettling roars that sent dust flying into the air. Suddenly, it opened its gaping maw, filled with sharp teeth, and a foul stench assaulted them, as if it intended to devour them both.
"Die you beast!" Xiao Chong roared, his figure transforming into a blur. The sword light wove a dense net, aiming directly for the worm's vital spot.
As the sword flashed, the air was sliced with a hissing sound, demonstrating the immense power of this strike.
The worm seemed to sense the threat, its skin hardening instantly, taking on a metallic sheen that easily deflected Xiao Chong's initial attack.
Its swift reaction was enough to send shivers down one spine.
"This guy has thick skin and tough flesh," Xiao Chong steadied himself, frowning slightly as he turned to Zi Yan.
"We need to come up with a plan; we can't just brute force our way through."
Upon hearing this, a hint of cunning flashed across Zi Yan brow. "I have an idea."
Xiao Chong nodded.
"Let's hear it."
"Watch me!" Zi Yan leaped gracefully, dodging another lunge from the worm. At the same time, she pointed her sword diagonally toward the sky, softly chanting an incantation.
In an instant, a dazzling light gathered at the tip of her sword, resembling a miniature sun. The light radiated a purifying energy.
As the energy continued to accumulate, the light suddenly exploded, transforming into countless arrows of light that rained down upon the worm like a storm.
Under the assault of the light arrows, the worm writhed in agony. Its skin began to show signs of corrosion, and its fangs emitted furious, pained hisses.
"Now's our chance!" Seeing this, Xiao Chong shifted his stance, his sword techniques becoming even more fierce.
Each strike landed precisely on the areas of the worm that had been eroded by the light, as if paving the way for Zi Yan's attack.
The battle was intense and thrilling. The two of them worked in perfect harmony—one striking unexpectedly, while the other delivered the fatal blow at the critical moment.
Despite the worm massive size, it gradually became overwhelmed under their seamless coordination.
Finally, after a fierce combined attack, the worm's enormous body collapsed with a thunderous crash, shaking the ground.
Xiao Chong and Zi Yan thought the worm was dead, but to their surprise, its head suddenly detached from its body. It opened its gaping maw, lunging toward the two of them with the intent to devour.
"Watch out!" Zi Yan, sharp-eyed, was the first to notice the worm sudden, bizarre move. She yanked Xiao Chong aside, and the two narrowly avoided the massive, all-consuming mouth.
"This thing isn't dead yet!" Xiao Chong's expression turned grave, his sword gleaming coldly in the sunlight. He knew the real fight had only just begun.
Though the worm head had separated from its body, its eyes still glowed with a bloodthirsty desire, as if unwilling to accept defeat at the hands of mere humans.
Every twist of its body stirred up a gust of wind, sending sand and stones flying, making the surrounding air feel heavy.
"We need to finish this quickly. This monster vitality is astonishingly tenacious," Zi Yan said, drawing a short blade from her back, her gaze resolute. The two stood back-to-back, forming a defensive stance as they cautiously observed the worm's every subtle movement.
"You distract it, and I'll find an opening to deliver the killing blow," Xiao Chong quickly devised a plan, his tone decisive and unwavering.
Zi Yan nodded, her figure darting like a purple lightning bolt to the side of the worm. She shouted.
"Come on, big guy! Let's see if your teeth are sharper or my blade is faster!"
The worm seemed enraged. Its massive head turned sharply toward Zi Yan, and it opened its mouth, spewing a foul, stinking breath directly at her. Zi Yan nimbly dodged, casting a trusting glance in Xiao Chong direction.
Just as the worm attention was fully diverted, Xiao Chong took a deep breath. His internal energy surged, and his body transformed into a streak of light, charging from an unexpected angle toward the worm's vulnerable exposed neck—the key to its demise.
"Go!"
With a low shout, the long sword seemed to transform into a dragon roar, carrying the force of a thunderous strike as it plunged fiercely into the worm neck. Blood gushed out like a spring, staining the surrounding sand red.
The worm let out a deafening wail, its entire head drooping weakly before finally crashing heavily to the ground, stirring up a cloud of dust.
"Well done, Brother Xiao Chong!" Zi Yan gasped for breath, a bead of sweat trickling down her forehead, yet her face was radiant with the joy of victory.