Demons and monsters wreak havoc: gain one new confidante every day.

Panting heavily, Hong Xiugu staggered to her feet in front of Shen You.

She has fallen down countless times and gotten up countless times.

Each attack from the third-rank martial artist before them required the martial artists to risk their lives to stop him.

And just when you manage to fend off one attack, another one is about to begin.

In a life-or-death situation, Hong Xiugu has broken through her own limitations and comprehended the "Azure Phoenix Force". Her family's "Azure Phoenix Whip" has finally reached perfection in the test of life and death.

This allowed her to withstand the attack of ten thousand poisons with all her might, but the price was that she would become more and more covered in wounds.

The deadly poison in her body was constantly eroding her physical and mental well-being, making each struggle even more painful.

Tian Yi'er, who was ahead, was in a slightly better position. Not long after the battle began, he had already completed his breakthrough and comprehended the "Cloud Crane Force" during the fight. He now possessed both the "Cloud Crane Force" and the "White Ape Force," having perfected two techniques. In addition, he also had the highly refined "Mysterious Jade Hand," which made his hands as hard as steel, and each strike he made was incredibly powerful.

Compared to Tian Yi'er, Hong Xiugu felt acutely that she was nothing at all. Apart from being the granddaughter of Hong Yaoshi, her own talent was utterly mediocre.

"So I was right... It would have been a waste for me to take that 'Spirit Gathering Pill,' I might as well have given it to Shen You..." Hong Xiugu felt a pang of bitterness in her heart as she thought of Shen You, "That wicked guy is our true hope!"

Half a month ago, Hong Xiugu took the initiative to challenge Shen You and lost. She realized that her cultivation was far inferior to Shen You's, so she begged and pleaded with Pharmacist Hong to get this "Spirit Gathering Pill".

The "Spirit Gathering Pill" is already a third-grade pill, and even one is quite valuable. Ordinary first-grade martial artists would definitely not be qualified to obtain it. Hong Xiugu only asked for one because of her status, hoping to use it to improve her cultivation and break through to the second grade.

But to her surprise, not long after she got the "Spirit Gathering Pill," she put it into Shen You's mouth.

"I'm such an idiot..."

Hong Xiugu couldn't help but curse herself in her heart again.

However, her gaze couldn't help but drift back to Shen You.

"You rascal, when are you going to break through...?"

A whooshing sound came from ahead, and Wan Du used the power of spider silk to control two heavy maces, which attacked this side again.

Tian Yi'er had wings of a crane growing on her back, her body enveloped in the phantom of a white ape, and her arms were as white as jade. However, her palms were filled with a dense, dark purple that was impossible to dissolve. She leaped up and blocked the attack.

He spat out blood and slammed it down, which greatly reduced the power of his double maces.

Hong Xiugu once again leaped up, her long whip burning with azure phoenix flames, and lashed it fiercely at her double maces. She paid the price of spitting out blood, but finally managed to block the double maces completely.

In this way, each time, they further ravaged their bodies, risking aggravated injuries to withstand the fierce attacks of countless poisons.

But how many times can such a life-risking approach actually succeed?

They were like a small raft on a raging storm, the fragile raft beneath them seemingly on the verge of collapsing at any moment.

Suddenly, Wan Du sneered, "Interesting. You're using the 'Mysterious Jade Hand'? This is a technique known as the 'Saintly Hand of Healing,' and you actually used it to concentrate all the poison in your palm?"

His gaze, however, fell on Tian Yi'er.

"You are truly talented. Give up the struggle and become my disciple! I happen to need a personal apprentice, and with your talent, your future will be limitless if you join my school!"

The last time he tried to recruit her, Wan Du's tone was casual and playful, but this time, his words revealed sincerity, clearly showing that he was genuinely moved by Tian Yi'er's talent.

Hong Xiugu's heart sank. No matter how loyal and devoted Tian Yi'er was to Shen You, could he really hold on to his principles when faced with Wan Du's sincere recruitment?

Tian Yi'er quickly provided an answer.

He struggled to his feet and slowly stood in front of Wan Du once more, assuming a fighting stance to face Wan Du.

"I will not... betray Brother Shen..."

He spoke softly, but his tone was surprisingly firm.

"In this world... only Brother Shen... treats me like one of his own... so... I will never be his enemy...!"

He was severely injured and had difficulty even speaking, but his will remained unwavering.

Even Hong Xiugu was moved by his actions. Shen You was truly fortunate to have met such a friend!

Wan Du's expression turned completely cold:

"Since you won't submit, then die!"

He seemed bored and gave a cold snort. Suddenly, thousands of black spider silk threads burst forth from his body, densely reaching into the air and flying down towards Tian Yi'er.

Hong Xiugu exclaimed in surprise. Tian Yier's body had just been illuminated with the light of apes and cranes when it was completely engulfed by the black spider silk.

Wan Du looked smug. This was his "Thousand Spider Hand" using the "Thousand Spider Great Force". How could a mere first-grade technique possibly withstand it?

That alone is enough to kill this kid!

As the spiderwebs and black light dissipated, Tian Yi'er stood there, covered in wounds, under Hong Xiugu's horrified gaze.

The next moment, his body swayed and he collapsed to the ground.

His eyes were closed, and only his chest was rising and falling slightly.

He was already on his deathbed.

"No……"

Hong Xiugu murmured, her face turning pale.

Even Tian Yi'er has fallen; how can they possibly withstand this third-rank expert?

Is it possible that she can't protect Shen You and can only die here with Shen You?

Despair welled up in Hong Xiugu's heart, her body trembled, and she almost slowly knelt down on the ground.

Just then, she suddenly saw Wan Du's gaze fall upon her, his eyes filled with extreme shock and fear.

Hong Xiugu was slightly startled, then suddenly realized something and abruptly turned around to look.

In an instant, hot, moist tears welled up in her eyes.

A free and unrestrained figure stood there, handsome and extraordinary, exuding a powerful yet ethereal aura, revealing an indescribable mystery.

It's Shen You!

He finally woke up!

Without a doubt, he has achieved a breakthrough.

He is now a third-grade expert!

As if a huge weight had finally been lifted from Hong Xiugu's heart, she felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her and slowly collapsed.

Shen You stepped forward and embraced Hong Xiugu.

She lowered her head and asked softly, "You protected me, and you fed me that pill?"

"Thank you, thank you so much..."

"It's all over now, no one can hurt us anymore... because I've woken up!"

Hong Xiugu leaned weakly against Shen You's chest, feeling the burning heat on his body and the strong beating of his heart in her chest.

An unprecedented sense of security arose in Hong Xiugu's heart.

She knew that once Shen You woke up, she would no longer have to worry.

All difficulties will be borne by this figure, and all powerful enemies will be defeated by his own hands.

"I finally...did it..."

Hong Xiugu thought happily, and slowly closed her eyes in Shen You's arms.

She fell into a deep sleep.

Shen You gazed down at Hong Xiugu's pretty but pale face for a moment, then gently placed her on the ground.

He stood up again, glanced at Tian Yi'er who was lying to the side, barely clinging to life, and finally turned his emotionless gaze to Wan Du.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Wan Du!"

Shen You leaped from the ground onto his toes, gripped his broadsword, pointed it at Wan Du with a sudden swift motion, and coldly said:

"It's time... to end all of this!"