Xiaobai’s Life Force was draining away, its life counting down to zero. It collapsed into a pool of its own blood, hot tears streaming from the corners of its eyes as it fought desperately to stay awake.
Its uniquely gifted Yin Yang Eyes could no longer muster even a sliver of light.
A House Guardian Dog must shed every last drop of blood for its master, even if it cannot protect them. It must die before they do.
WHIMPER...!
It whimpered out of frustration, shame, and self-blame, for it had failed to complete the task its master had given it.
Lying in the pool of blood, Xiaobai let out two choked whimpers, then fell completely silent.
How could a mere dog hope to stop a Fierce Beast Taotie? In truth, Xiaobai had already done incredibly well, awakening its bloodline’s potential to break through to Rank Two. But it was all for naught. Even if it had become a Rank Three Dog Demon, it would have made no difference.
"Xiaobai! Xiaobai, don’t die! Please, don’t die!"
When Tu Xiaoyue saw Xiaobai’s eyes fall shut as it lay motionless in the pool of blood, her heart seized. She bit her lip, unable to hold back any longer. Letting the tears flow freely, she covered her face and broke down sobbing.
The Xiaobai she remembered had been timid and cowardly, not even daring to put on a brave face. Even the mice in the house had completely ignored its existence.
Ever since Xiaobai had mutated, it had grown braver and braver. Today, to protect this family, it had loyally guarded its masters, never taking a single step back, faithful to the very end.
"Mom! Mom, Xiaobai’s dead! He’s dead!" Tu Xiaoyue was utterly heartbroken, her world falling to pieces.
Silent tears streamed down Wen Qiu’s face. ’We didn’t raise this dog in vain.’
Suddenly, forgetting her grief, Tu Xiaoyue tried to rush out, but Wen Qiu held her back in a death grip. They watched as the enormous monster raised a giant foot, preparing to stomp on Xiaobai’s body. The crimson eyes under the creature’s arms glinted with cruelty and bloodlust.
"No! Don’t hurt Xiaobai anymore!"
Tu Xiaoyue screamed frantically, "Mom, let me go! I’m going to fight that monster!"
"Yue’Er, you can’t die! Mom has already lost your brother; I can’t lose you too! If someone has to die, it will be me, before you!"
Wen Qiu’s face went pale, making her look ten years older in an instant. Her heart sank into the abyss.
The Taotie ignored the screams coming from the old house and brought its giant foot down with cruel intent.
It seemed determined to stomp the dog into a bloody pulp.
Faster than the eye could see, a silver-white wave of Sword Qi swept in from the distance. It bloomed with the magnificent light of an unfurling lotus, enveloping the Taotie’s giant foot.
ROAR!
The Taotie let out a piercing shriek. Its raised foot had been grotesquely shattered, disintegrating into chunks of flesh that scattered across the ground.
In the next instant, an elegant figure flickered into existence like a phantom. She materialized with the breathtaking beauty of a celestial Fairy, a truly soul-stirring sight.
Who else could this newcomer be but Luo Ziyun?
Luo Ziyun stood beside the pool of blood, her gaze falling upon the black dog. A flash of admiration crossed her eyes. ’What a fine dog, so devoted to its master. To face a Fierce Beast Taotie without fear and sacrifice itself... truly commendable.’
"ROAR... ROAR..."
The sudden attack had turned the Fierce Beast Taotie into a one-legged monster. Luo Ziyun had severed one of its legs clean off.
"Vile creature, die!"
Luo Ziyun glared at the Taotie, her eyes filled with disgust. With her Treasure Sword in hand, she gave her wrist a slight twist. The sword flickered like lightning, unleashing a storm of sword light infused with deadly killing intent.
The now one-legged Taotie’s twin eyes under its arms were flooded with sword light. It stood rooted to the spot, as if petrified, or perhaps mesmerized by the brilliant display.
The sword in Luo Ziyun’s hand stopped spinning. An instant later, the Taotie was torn asunder, green liquid SIZZLING as it gushed out.
It was instantly deader than dead.
The mother and daughter inside the house were left completely stunned by the scene. They stared in awe, as if they were looking at a goddess.
She was but a single woman, yet not only was she breathtakingly beautiful, but her actions were also enough to leave one dumbstruck.
Such a powerful monster had been slaughtered before her, completely powerless to resist.
It felt like a dream, simply unbelievable.
"Fairy, you’re incredible! You killed another monster! This little snake’s admiration for you flows like a mighty river..." If the Jade Little Snake had hands and feet, it would have been applauding wildly.
Luo Ziyun’s expression remained serene, as if she had done something utterly trivial, unfazed by praise or peril. Her beautiful eyes turned to the old house as she said coolly, "You people inside, come out. This is no place to linger. You’d best flee for your lives."
"Mom, we’re saved! Quick, let’s go!"
Tu Xiaoyue was the first to react, her voice filled with excitement. It was just as the saying goes: just when you think there’s no way out, a new path appears.
She never imagined a Fairy-like figure would descend from the heavens to save them.
’Heaven must be watching over us.’
Wen Qiu stared blankly through the window at Luo Ziyun. In all her years, she had never seen such a beautiful young woman. Even more shocking was that this woman was like a legendary Immortal, capable of slaying a massive monster with ease.
Tu Xiaoyue grabbed her mother and hurried toward the exit. But they had only taken a few steps when Wen Qiu hesitated, then said frantically, "Xiaoyue, you go on ahead. Mom needs to grab something."
"Mom, this is life or death! Are you still worried about material possessions? We don’t need any of it! We have to leave now! What if another monster comes?" Tu Xiaoyue insisted, trying to drag Wen Qiu toward the door.
Wen Qiu gritted her teeth, knocked her daughter’s hand away, and rushed toward the living room. "I can leave everything else behind, but not your brother’s spiritual tablet!"
Tu Xiaoyue froze. With a deep sigh, she had no choice but to follow her mother.
Outside, Luo Ziyun’s brow furrowed in slight displeasure. ’Who are these people? I told them to flee for their lives, and they’re still dawdling.’
Just then, a massive shadow leaped from a distance, landing directly on the roof of the two-story house. BOOM... The entire building began to shake violently, threatening to collapse at any moment.
"ROAR..."
Luo Ziyun’s kill had attracted the attention of the other Taotie clones in Bai Town. Now, they were charging over, seething with murderous intent.
ROAR... ROAR!
The ground shook violently as two more Taotie clones came roaring up, positioning themselves outside the main courtyard.
They formed a triangular pincer, surrounding Luo Ziyun. The incredibly violent aura of the Fierce Beasts radiated outward, causing the very air to tremble and ripple.
"We’re done for! We’re done for! Three giant monsters!" The Jade Little Snake on Luo Ziyun’s shoulder nearly wet itself in fear. The brutal aura of the Fierce Beasts pressed down like a mountain range, making it hard to breathe.
A faint smile played on Luo Ziyun’s lips. Her beautiful eyes twinkled like stars, carrying a chilling light. Showing not a trace of fear, she declared, "Excellent. Let them come. I’ll kill as many as they send."