Martial Peak - Rise Of The Human Emperor-Chapter 56-Chained Retreat

As Yang Kai carried Xia Ning Chang away to safety, the Yin Qi chains finally descended upon the Blood Group experts.

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There were eight chains in total. Because of Wen Fei Chen's obsessive fixation on Xia Ning Chang, three of them surged directly toward him. The remaining five locked onto the Separation and Reunion Boundary and Qi Transforming Stage cultivators of the Blood Group.

Those caught in the path of the chains braced for death—but just as the chains made contact, they vanished, phasing silently into their bodies.

Wen Fei Chen's expression twisted as his True Element Boundary cultivation was abruptly suppressed. He groaned and spewed a mouthful of blood.

The other three Blood Group experts—two at the Separation and Reunion Boundary and one at the Qi Transforming Stage—also turned ghostly pale and vomited blood under the overwhelming backlash.

One remaining disciple, weaker than the others, collapsed to the ground, dead before he could even scream.

"What is happening?!" Long Hui bellowed, stunned by the turn of events. Just moments ago, he had been fantasizing about taking Xia Ning Chang for himself—now, one man was dead, five others crippled, and even his strongest ally, Wen Fei Chen, was staggering.

The duck had flown from his mouth just as he was about to feast.

"Please calm down, Young Master Long," Wen Fei Chen wheezed, fighting to suppress the icy energy wreaking havoc in his body. "She must have laid some groundwork before our arrival. Borrowing the valley's Yin Qi, she triggered a powerful technique. I... underestimated her."

"Trash. A whole group of you, defeated by just two people!" Long Hui cursed, stamping his foot furiously.

Wen Fei Chen's eyes flashed with restrained fury, but he swallowed his pride. "Though we suffered a loss, she's likely spent. Her World Qi must be nearly depleted. If we catch them now, they'll be pigs on a chopping block."

Long Hui's eyes gleamed with malice. "Then what are you waiting for? After them!"

Turning to the Storm House disciples, Wen Fei Chen barked, "Here's your chance to survive. Bring that girl back to me, and I, Wen Fei Chen, will guarantee your safe return from this valley!"

Does Nu Lang have the guts to defy Wen Fei Chen's orders? As miserable as the Blood Group looked, they still held more power than Storm House could resist. But Nu Lang hesitated.

"May I confirm with Senior Wen," Nu Lang asked cautiously, "does that female truly no longer have the strength to retaliate?"

"Absolutely!" Wen Fei Chen replied with unnatural patience. "Go pursue her. Even you could catch her with your bare hands. Bring her back to Young Master Long, and you'll be rewarded handsomely."

"Very well," Nu Lang said, his eyes flashing with hatred and suppressed madness. To reach this moment, he and the Storm House disciples had endured countless battles. Many had perished, including all those at the Tempered Body Stage. He couldn't vent his anger at Wen Fei Chen, so he channeled it instead toward Yang Kai and Xia Ning Chang.

After all, Xia Ning Chang was said to be completely depleted of World Qi, and Yang Kai? Just a nobody.

Without further delay, the Storm House disciples disappeared into the dense Yin Qi of the mountain valley.

Wen Fei Chen turned toward his own battered Blood Group disciples. "You go too. We cannot let that woman escape. She must have a powerful backer. If word of what happened here spreads, we'll all be in deep trouble."

"Yes, sir." Weak as they were, the Blood Group members knew their only chance for survival was to follow orders.

Now, only Long Hui and Wen Fei Chen remained.

Long Hui's tense face softened slightly. "Lord Wen, what exactly happened?"

Wen Fei Chen gave a bitter smile. "I'm not sure what technique that woman used, but my strength has been locked by three layers of Qi. Chains formed in my body, sealing both my cultivation and World Qi."

"She had that kind of technique?" Long Hui's eyes widened.

Wen Fei Chen nodded grimly. "Yes, and those disciples of mine are affected too. They can only muster thirty percent of their usual strength."

"Then what should we do?" Long Hui asked, clearly restless.

"No need to panic," Wen Fei Chen said, shaking his head. "I wasn't lying to the Storm House brats—Xia Ning Chang's technique must have cost her everything. Maintaining that heaven-grade artifact for so long, combined with activating this seal, means her dantian is likely dry. She's finished. If they find her, she's yours."

Long Hui exhaled in relief. His impression of Wen Fei Chen had only improved during their time together. He offered sincerely, "I'll make sure my grandfather hears of everything Lord Wen has done for us."

Wen Fei Chen smiled, satisfied. "Thank you, Young Master Long. After all, we're practically family. Now, I must ask you to guard me while I attempt to break this Yin Qi seal."

"Of course."

Neither of them mentioned Yang Kai. In their minds, Xia Ning Chang was the true threat. As long as she was captured, they had already won.

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At this moment, Yang Kai had brought Xia Ning Chang to the edge of the mountain valley and found a crack in the rock face—only a few feet high and deep—just big enough for the two of them to squeeze into. Placing Xia Ning Chang gently inside, Yang Kai stepped out and quickly camouflaged the entrance with loose brush to conceal it from view.

He returned inside and held her close—so close it felt as if their bodies had melted into one.

"Don't speak. Someone's pursuing," Yang Kai whispered, holding her tightly.

Xia Ning Chang's pale face nodded faintly. She focused on keeping her breathing soft and her presence still.

Moments later, Nu Lang and his group hurried past their hiding place. The footsteps faded into the distance. Though only feet apart, the thick Yin Qi blanketing the valley allowed Yang Kai and Xia Ning Chang to remain undetected.

As silence returned, Xia Ning Chang suddenly couldn't hold back anymore. Blood spilled from her lips, staining the silk of her mask dark red.

"Are you alright?" Yang Kai asked urgently.

"Help me... take the compounding drug," she said weakly. Her body slumped, no longer able to move even a finger.

"Where is it?"

"In my bosom."

Yang Kai froze.

But there was no time to hesitate. Steeling himself, he reached into her clothing. In the next moment, his hand brushed against something soft, and he looked up—only to meet Xia Ning Chang's wide, stunned eyes.

Her pale cheeks flushed crimson, her body trembled under his touch. It was like lightning arcing through her, numbing her senses and leaving her dazed.

"Please hold on," Yang Kai told himself inwardly, clenching his jaw. "This isn't the time to get distracted."

His hand continued its search. Inside her robes, he found nothing but smooth skin and warmth—her inner clothing minimal at best. His fingers brushed over her curves, feeling the gentle rise and fall of her chest, and for a fleeting moment, the air between them grew hot with unspoken emotion.

She trembled every time he moved, her breathing now as fast as his. Their closeness had ignited a flame neither could ignore.

Xia Ning Chang's eyes glimmered with a mixture of embarrassment, anger, and an innocent affection that made her seem more radiant than ever. Finally, she whispered, "It's on the other side."

"Oh..." Yang Kai blinked, realizing he'd been searching the wrong place all along.

Silently cursing the situation, he reached into the other side and, after fumbling deeper, found several small bottles nestled there.

"Which one?" he asked, trying to hide his own breathlessness.

"The middle one," she said softly, watching him with an unreadable gaze.

He pulled it out, poured some of the powder into her mouth, and helped her sit up slightly. She swallowed with difficulty.

Xia Ning Chang possessed a special physique—the Sacred Spirit Medicine Body—making her uniquely suited to absorb medicinal compounds without side effects. It was a rare and precious constitution.

As the medicine took effect, she sat cross-legged, slowly entering a meditative state.

Yang Kai watched her silently.

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After about half an hour, Xia Ning Chang gradually recovered. As she opened her eyes, a soft blush covered her cheeks. Her gaze drifted to Yang Kai, filled with a mix of emotions—gratitude, embarrassment, and something unspoken.

Thinking back to what had just happened, her face grew even hotter. She knew it had been a necessary act under dire circumstances, but she still wished she could dig a hole and disappear into it.

Feeling her gaze, Yang Kai, who had been keeping watch at the entrance, turned around. Seeing her awake and seated upright, he gave a faint smile.

"Are you alright?" he asked gently.

Xia Ning Chang's eyes flickered with panic, and she quickly averted her gaze before responding, "Although there's no danger to my life, I won't be able to fight—at least not for now."

"That's alright," Yang Kai said with a small sigh, the tension in his heart finally easing.

Xia Ning Chang didn't dare let her thoughts linger on the incident any longer. To distract herself, she asked, "What about you? You were injured too."

Yang Kai brushed off the concern lightly. "I'm fine."

But his words didn't convince her. Though she didn't press further, her heart stirred with doubt. He took a hit from a True Element Boundary cultivator... how can he still be standing?

She glanced at him again, a flicker of awe appearing in her eyes. Just who is he?

But then, she gently shook her head and smiled faintly. If he wanted to share, he would. Everyone has secrets... and he didn't have to save me. He could've run and left me behind. But he didn't.

She didn't need to know everything. Not now. What mattered most was that Yang Kai had risked his life for her. That was enough for her heart to trust him.