From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 71 A Matter of Life and Death, A Perilous Situation

Kunlun, my last hope, my last gamble. There lay the array I had set up over many years, perhaps still holding a glimmer of hope. But the appearance of the Asura King shattered my plans completely.

A dense demonic aura surged forth like a tidal wave, as if a giant rift had opened in the sky, from which countless demonic soldiers and generals poured out, their battle cries shaking the heavens and the earth. I felt as if my breathing had become difficult, as if a huge rock was pressing on my chest, making it almost impossible to catch my breath.

"Yao'er!" Wen Chen's voice trembled slightly as he held me tightly, his eyes filled with worry and despair.

I know we're in a desperate situation.

But I can't give up! Even if there's only a sliver of hope, I'll fight with all my might to achieve it!

I braced myself, pushed Wen Chen away, and with the last of my strength, rushed toward the direction of the Asura King.

"Yao'er! No!" Wen Chen tried to stop me, but his injuries were too severe, and he was unable to move at all.

A resolute glint flashed in my eyes, and the sword, burning with the flames of life, shone brightly in my hand. I broke through the encirclement of demonic soldiers and thrust it towards the Asura King's weak point.

At first, I actually achieved some results. My sword was as fast as lightning, and several demon generals didn't even have time to react before they were cut down by my sword. I felt as if I had returned to the days when I first entered the world of cultivation, the fearless Xiao Yao.

However, this was just a flash in the pan.

The Asura King noticed me, and with a contemptuous smile, his eyes filled with disdain, he simply waved his hand, sending me flying.

I fell heavily to the ground, feeling as if every bone in my body was shattered. I struggled to get up, but found that I didn't have the strength to move a single finger.

"Overestimating yourself." The Asura King's voice was cold and cruel, like a judgment from hell.

I looked up at the approaching Asura King, my heart filled with despair. I knew that this time, I was truly going to die.

Wen Chen was calling my name hoarsely in the distance, his voice filled with pain and helplessness. I wanted to respond, but no sound came out.

My vision began to blur, and the sounds around me gradually faded away. I felt my soul slowly leaving my body and drifting into the air.

Just then, I saw Wen Chen struggle to his feet, the sword in his hand flashing with dazzling light, as he charged towards the direction of the Asura King.

"Yao'er, I'm coming to save you!"

He roared, his voice filled with desperation...

Wen Chen's figure grew increasingly blurry, as if veiled by a thick fog. I tried desperately to see him clearly, but I couldn't make out his features. His voice faded into the distance, leaving only a buzzing echo, like a mournful elegy. I felt like a drifting leaf, blown by the wind, unsure of where it would take me.

I saw the Asura King grinning maliciously as he walked towards me step by step. His towering figure, like a mountain, shrouded me in shadow. The aura of death grew stronger, like a cold hand gripping my throat. I could even feel the chill of death flowing through my veins.

I closed my eyes, awaiting the final judgment.

"Stop!" A majestic shout resounded throughout the heavens and earth, carrying a slight, almost imperceptible tremor.

That voice... it's the Jade Emperor!

I struggled to open my eyes and saw a flash of golden light in the sky, and the figure of the Jade Emperor appeared before the Asura King.

"Asura, you have crossed the line." The Jade Emperor's voice was cold and majestic, carrying an undeniable power.

The Asura King laughed loudly, his laughter filled with arrogance and disdain: "Old Jade Emperor, you've finally shown yourself! What, are you feeling sorry for your Heavenly Court's lackeys?" As he spoke, he stepped on my chest, the intense pain almost making me faint.

"Xiao Yao's courage in fighting the demons alone is commendable. The Heavenly Court is not a heartless place; let's leave it at that." Although the Jade Emperor's voice remained calm, I could detect a hint of wavering in it.

The Asura King sneered, "Give up? Who do you think you are? You think you can just give up like that? This woman ruined my plans, and today I will kill her!"

I felt the pressure from Asura King's feet increase even further, as if my ribs were about to break. I coughed up blood, and everything before my eyes turned blood red.

"Asura, do not remain obstinate!" The Jade Emperor's tone carried a hint of warning.

"Stubborn to the end? Hahaha! You old Jade Emperor, stop pretending! Today, no one can save her!" The Asura King laughed wildly and raised the demonic sword in his hand.

I closed my eyes in despair.

At that critical moment, I felt a warm power envelop me, a power that was both gentle and strong, filled with compassion and hope. This feeling… was from Guanyin Bodhisattva!

I heard a gentle voice whisper in my ear: "Child, hold on..."

At the same time, a golden light flashed, and Wen Chen's figure appeared in front of me. He stood in front of me, using his broken body to block the Asura King's fatal blow for me.

“Yao’er…” He looked at me, his eyes filled with love and reluctance.

"Wen Chen!" I cried out his name with all my might, tears blurring my vision.

King Asura was startled by this sudden turn of events. He looked at Wen Chen, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, which then turned into anger: "Overestimating yourself!" He raised his demonic blade once more...

The demonic blade descended with earth-shattering force, and I watched it fall helplessly, unable to dodge. In that moment, time seemed to stand still. Countless images flashed through my mind, from my transmigration to the world of cultivation, to my meeting and falling in love with Wen Chen, and now to this life-or-death situation. Everything flashed before my eyes like a revolving lantern.

I thought I was going to die, to disappear completely from this world.

However, the expected excruciating pain did not come. I felt myself enveloped by a gentle force, a force warm and compassionate, like a mother's embrace, making me feel incredibly safe. I struggled to open my eyes and saw Wen Chen's body still blocking my way. His face was as pale as paper, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, but he still stood there firmly, like a majestic mountain, sheltering me from the wind and rain.

The Asura King's demonic blade stopped just above Wen Chen's head, less than an inch away. A powerful force prevented the blade from falling; this force did not come from the Jade Emperor, nor from Wen Chen, but… from Guanyin Bodhisattva!

I saw the figure of Guanyin Bodhisattva appear in the sky. She clasped her hands together, chanting incantations, and a golden light emanated from her, enveloping me and Wen Chen. This golden light was full of compassion and hope, as if it could dispel all darkness and evil.

"Asura, turn back before it's too late." Guanyin Bodhisattva's voice was compassionate yet majestic, carrying an undeniable power.

The Asura King's face was grim as he looked at Guanyin Bodhisattva, his eyes filled with apprehension. He knew that Guanyin Bodhisattva's power was unfathomable, and he was no match for her.

"Hmph! Guanyin, mind your own business!" the Asura King said unwillingly.

"I am compassionate, how could I stand by and watch someone die?" Guanyin Bodhisattva said calmly.

"Save her? Can you save her? She's already a cripple!" King Asura pointed at me and said viciously.

Hearing Asura King's words, I felt a sharp pain in my heart. Yes, I am already a cripple. My inherited power is almost exhausted, and I can no longer fight.

Just then, I heard a familiar voice in my ear: "Jade Emperor, although Xiao Yao is a mortal who ascended to heaven, her courage is commendable. She fought bravely against the demon race for the peace of the Three Realms. With such righteousness, shouldn't the Heavenly Court lend a helping hand?"

It's Erlang Shen! He actually spoke up for me!

The Jade Emperor remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Erlang Shen's words are reasonable. Asura, if you remain obstinate, don't blame the Heavenly Court for being ruthless!"

Upon hearing the Jade Emperor's words, the Asura King's expression grew even more unpleasant. He glanced at Guanyin Bodhisattva, then at the Jade Emperor, and finally glared at me fiercely before turning and leaving.

"Yao'er..." Wen Chen called my name weakly.

I quickly supported him, tears streaming down my face. "Wen Chen, how are you?"

Wen Chen forced a smile and said, "I'm fine..."

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly fainted in my arms.

I held him tightly, my heart filled with fear and despair. I felt my world crumbling, my hope shattered…

"Wen Chen! Wake up! You can't be hurt! You promised me you'd ascend to heaven with me..." I cried out, my voice hoarse.

Suddenly, I felt a powerful force awakening within me. This force... was the power of inheritance!

However, this power was filled with an aura of violence and destruction, as if it wanted to devour me...

A sharp voice rang out in the air: "Haha, Xiao Yao, you're dead! Your inherited power has gone out of control! You're about to explode and die!"

It's the White Bone Demon! She's still here!

I looked up at her狰狞 face, my heart filled with anger and resentment...

"I...won't...give up..." I said through gritted teeth.

My body began to tremble violently, and a powerful force surged through my body...

The White Bone Demon's shrill laughter pierced my eardrums like needles. She hovered around me like a vulture that had caught the scent of blood. "Overestimating yourself! You think you can challenge the Asura King? What a pipe dream! Now look what you've done, you've lost more than you gained. The power of your inheritance has backfired, and you're about to be reduced to ashes!"

I bit my lower lip hard, almost tasting blood. The White Bone Demon's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over my head, shattering my fleeting hope. Indeed, my situation was worse than ever. Wen Chen was unconscious, the inherited power was out of control, and my body felt like it was about to explode; every inch of my skin was being torn apart by pain.

I looked down at Wen Chen in my arms. His face was frighteningly pale, and his breathing was weak, as if he might leave me at any moment. With my last bit of strength, I gently laid him on the ground, my trembling hand stroking his cold cheek.

"Wen Chen... I'm sorry... In the end... I still couldn't protect you..." My voice was hoarse, and I could hardly hear it myself.

The power within me grew increasingly violent; I felt like a container about to explode, ready to be shattered at any moment. I closed my eyes tightly, awaiting death.

"Hahaha! Xiao Yao, you've finally met your match! Die!" The White Bone Demon's maniacal laughter echoed through the sky, and I seemed to see her hideous face magnified before me.

In despair, I thought, "Is this how it's going to end for me? I haven't ascended yet, I haven't been able to spend my life with Wen Chen, I haven't..."

Just when I was about to give up, I felt a warm current surge from my dantian. This warm current was different from the violent power of inheritance; it was gentle and inclusive, like a gentle stream nourishing my body. It merged with the violent power of inheritance, and miraculously, they began to fuse!

The fusion of the two forces brought even more intense pain, and I couldn't help but let out a painful groan. I felt my body being torn apart and reassembled, as if I were experiencing a rebirth.

The White Bone Demon's laughter abruptly stopped. She seemed to have noticed the change in me, and her tone held a hint of surprise and uncertainty. "What's going on? This power is…"

I struggled to open my eyes; the world before me was blurry, but I could clearly feel the two forces within me slowly merging, forming an even more powerful force. This force created a protective barrier around my body, isolating me from the outside world.

I struggled to raise my hand, looking at my faintly glowing palm, a glimmer of hope rising within me. This…could it be…?