After sprinting a hundred paces, Ji Changkong leaped nimbly onto the back of the horse. He placed a hand on Bai Qingya's shoulder, and seeing she offered no strong resistance, he sharply flicked the whip forward, urging them onward. (Read the full novel at Shiliu Literature Network)

Chit-chit-chit! Chit-chit-chit!

Ghastly laughter, like the wail of ghosts and howling of wolves, echoed through the night sky. A tall, slender figure, soaring like a great bird through the darkness, rapidly closed the distance on Ji Changkong.

His expression changed instantly. Ji Changkong knew the pursuer behind him must be one of the Western Regions' Bloodthirsty Demon or the Lust Demon.

Having witnessed the battle between Bai Canghai and the Bloodthirsty Demon back at Qingyan Mountain, Ji Changkong knew the Bloodthirsty Demon's cultivation level was likely comparable to Bai Canghai's—perhaps a peak master of the Seven Stars Heaven realm. The Lust Demon accompanying him would surely be a master of the same caliber. No matter which one was chasing them, neither was someone he could handle.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Whip after whip landed on the horse. Under Ji Changkong's relentless lashing, the magnificent steed bolted forward desperately, running for its life.

However, a Celestial Master in the Seven Stars Heaven realm could already break through the air and fly. The speed of the approaching figure far surpassed the horse's frantic gallop. No matter how hard Ji Changkong spurred it on, he couldn't shake off the pursuer.

The distance between them was shrinking rapidly.

"Mmm... mmph..."

Just then, Bai Qingya murmured softly. Under the violent jolting, it seemed she was truly about to wake up.

Fearing she might struggle again and knock him off the horse, Ji Changkong dared not hesitate. He suddenly wrapped his arms tightly around Bai Qingya from behind.

The forceful embrace elicited a reaction from Bai Qingya. She struggled violently on the horse, and the eyes facing Ji Changkong gradually cleared.

"Villain! Release me!" Bai Qingya cried out sharply.

"Don't move! You're too strong! If this continues, we'll both be finished!"

Ji Changkong first barked a warning, then quickly explained, "Your father ordered me to take you to Tianshui City. We are being pursued by the Lust Demon. The horse can't outrun him anyway. If you cause trouble, it matters little to me, but you will definitely fall into the hands of that Lust Demon! The Lust Demon! Just hearing the name tells you the nature of this person. You don't want that, do you?"

Bai Qingya shuddered, then suddenly grew still.

Moving her fair neck, she first glanced back at the Lust Demon who was emitting strange laughs behind them. Only then did she look at Ji Changkong, her slender, bright eyes full of suspicion, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed. "Who are you? Why would my father entrust me to you?"

"A few months ago, many fierce figures gathered at Qingyan Mountain to seize the precious treasure carried by the Southern Yi Celestial Master. I was on the mountain, and someone tried to kill me. Coincidentally, your father was fighting the Bloodthirsty Demon at the summit, and he saved my life. Earlier, when your father was fleeing with you, he ran into me and handed you over, asking me to take you to Tianshui City while he stayed behind to intercept the Bloodthirsty Demon and the Lust Demon..."

Time was short, so Ji Changkong recounted the entire sequence of events as quickly as possible.

Bai Qingya stared intently into Ji Changkong's eyes, seemingly trying to verify if he was lying. After he finished, she remained half-convinced, but her attitude had clearly softened somewhat. "Since the Lust Demon is pursuing us, the Bloodthirsty Demon alone couldn't possibly hurt my father! The Lust Demon pursuing me must intend to capture me to force my father's compliance! Can this horse go any faster?" By the end of her question, Bai Qingya was clearly growing anxious.

Because in the short time they spoke, the Lust Demon's figure had become clearly visible. His tall silhouette glided through the night sky, his bizarre laughter continuous—enough to make one's scalp tingle.

With a bitter smile, Ji Changkong said, "The horse can only run, but he can fly! Plus, his speed is terrifying. We will be caught sooner or later! I wish the horse could go faster too, but look—the poor creature is already foaming at the mouth!"

Bai Qingya's face, clear as snow-white jade, was etched with worry. She kept looking back at the rapidly approaching Lust Demon, desperately trying to think of a solution. Her delicate features grew increasingly panicked.

"Little lass, you cannot escape! Chit-chit! When I catch you, I’ll play with you right in front of your father. He’ll be thrilled! Chit-chit!" The Lust Demon roared with laughter, his aged face brimming with lust and excitement.

His words struck the already distraught Bai Qingya, turning her face as pale as paper. She shrieked, "Villain! I would rather die than let you succeed!"

"That is not up to you!"

The Lust Demon cackled strangely, suddenly raising his hand in mid-air. Above the nine heavens, it seemed that the two stars, Dubhe and Merak, among the Big Dipper, suddenly brightened.

The next moment, two beams of starlight shot forth from the Lust Demon's left index and middle fingers, carving two bright arcs across the night sky as they shot rapidly towards Ji Changkong and Bai Qingya.

"Not good!"

Bai Qingya cried out in alarm, struggling free from Ji Changkong's embrace, preparing to desperately fight back.

However, whether due to previous grave injuries or sheer terror, when Bai Qingya forced herself to move, her body suddenly convulsed. Not only did she fail to unleash any Yuan Power, but she violently spat out another mouthful of blood. Her delicate body went limp, and she collapsed directly onto Ji Changkong.

It's over!

Ji Changkong sighed inwardly, thinking that he had barely left the Ji family, hadn't even seen the wonders of the outside world, and was now about to lose his life so soon.

At that precise moment!

A surging wave of Yuan Power suddenly emanated from his chest. In an instant, the beautiful jade pendant given to him by Tuoba Lie shone with brilliant light, forming a protective shield as thin as a cicada's wing, enveloping both him and Bai Qingya.

Bai Qingya, who had already fallen into despair, felt the terrifying fluctuation of Yuan Power contained within the jade pendant on his chest, as she was held tightly against him. Her eyes widened with shock. She turned to look at Ji Changkong and exclaimed breathlessly, "What is this?"

Boom!

Before Ji Changkong could answer, the two beams of starlight shot out by the Lust Demon slammed into the light shield covering him.

Crack-crack-crack-crack!

The horse beneath them bore the brunt first. All four legs instantly burst, and it collapsed onto the ground. Blood poured from its body like beads of water, and it died immediately.

Whoosh!

The terrifying force struck the light shield. Ji Changkong felt as if his back had been smashed by a ten-thousand-pound sledgehammer. Propelled by this immense power, he shot forward like lightning, carrying Bai Qingya with him. The fierce wind roared past his ears, but he felt stinging pain all over his body!

Splash!

They both fell into the water. The surging current swiftly carried them downstream. In the murky water, Ji Changkong couldn't see, but he felt his body suddenly lift into the air, then be violently thrown down again, before being swept along by the turbulent flow.

The water was ferocious, seeming to crash over several waterfalls as it rushed forward ceaselessly. Ji Changkong held Bai Qingya tightly, completely disoriented by the turbulence, unsure if the Lust Demon was still in pursuit.

Thud!

His back slammed violently against a massive rock. An agonizing, bone-chilling pain spread throughout his body. Ji Changkong's head throbbed violently, and he immediately lost consciousness.

...

"Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!"

Bai Qingya's voice reached his ears, and Ji Changkong slowly regained consciousness. He felt an overwhelming ache in every muscle, unsure how many times his body had intimately contacted the obstructing stones along the way.

Before his eyes, Bai Qingya stood on a protruding giant rock, her long hair hanging wetly over her shoulders, her clothes soaked and clinging to her elegant, beautiful figure. Her waist was slender, her curves exquisite, and her bosom, encased in wet fabric, appeared exceptionally large and full. She was slapping his chest with a pale face.

Ptooey!

He coughed up a mouthful of turbid river water and slowly sat up. He looked warily around the surroundings. "Where are we? Did the Lust Demon follow us?"

Ahead was a curtain of cascading water. Beside them were scattered rocks of varying sizes. Behind them was a small stone cave just large enough for three or four people. He and Bai Qingya were currently standing on the largest rock in front of the cave entrance.

"This is a natural cave behind the waterfall. I don't know if the Lust Demon chased us. When I woke up, we were in front of the waterfall. After dragging you here, I managed to wake you," Bai Qingya said, her delicate eyebrows deeply furrowed, letting out a soft sigh. "I wonder if my father managed to escape the clutches of those two demons?"

"Since the Lust Demon chased after us, your father must be fine. What you said, that a single Bloodthirsty Demon is no match for your father, is true," Ji Changkong comforted Bai Qingya. Then, realizing something, he reached inside his robes and pulled out the beautiful jade pendant given by Tuoba Lie.

The once flawless jade still held a subtle flow of strange power, but unfortunately, several cracks now marred its surface.