Chapter 9: The Escape

That scent is reminiscent of the fragrance of pine forests in the deep mountains after summer rain, and also of the aroma of leaves exposed to the scorching sun. It is very natural, very leisurely, and very comfortable

Shen Xiaobai's big eyes twinkled, and she immediately jumped up, shouting loudly: "I need to relieve myself!"

The true energy that he had diligently cultivated since childhood surged forth, and unexpectedly, a dim blue aura several inches long erupted from the palm of Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao gently stroked Shen Xiaobai's head. This clever and adorable little girl reminded him of a puppy he had raised a few years ago. That fluffy white puppy also liked to snuggle in his arms, its body slightly trembling, emitting a comfortable "hum" sound. Shen Xiaobai's body was just like that puppy's—small, delicate, warm, and seemingly boneless. Moreover, they both enjoyed nestling in Lin Xiao's embrace.

Lin Xiao felt an emptiness within him, as the heat flow brought by the Nine Dragons Vitality Pill had been completely consumed. He once again experienced the excruciating pain from the three wounds on his back. He grabbed Shen Xiaobai and staggered forward in a frantic run. Ling Batian, on the other hand, was propelled high into the air, reaching a height of over ten zhang. His body trembled slightly, and when he landed, he stumbled forward a few steps, nearly falling headfirst into the steaming corpse of a warhorse.

With a vigorous swing of the trident double-edged sword, Ling Batian said lightly: "I hope this kid's life is good enough! To forcibly draw ten times the vital energy? Heh heh, we would all perish in the process, this kid—"

Lin Xiao opened his mouth, breathing rapidly and heavily, a strong metallic scent of blood spraying from his lips, causing Shen Xiaobai to cough repeatedly. Shen Xiaobai was so anxious that her heart felt as if it would leap out of her stomach. Although she had only spent two or three short hours with Lin Xiao, she had already regarded him as her only piece of heaven.

The five scouts were taken aback, and the team leader of the scouts asked in surprise, "Doctor Lin, what is the meaning of this?"

With a long howl, Ling Batian soared to a height of five or six zhang, resembling a large eagle pouncing on its prey, emitting a series of sharp cries as he turned in mid-air and lunged towards Lin Xiao.

The sky was dimly lit, and a streak of fish-belly white appeared on the eastern horizon

"Fart! Innocent? In this world, where is there any innocence?" Ling Batian roared, "Do you look down on me as a bandit? I will make sure you become a bandit too! Damn it, by then I will have you marry a bandit woman and have a bunch of little brats, all of whom will become bandits!"

Lin Xiao decided that he would do whatever it takes to protect Shen Xiaobai. It was not only her life that he wanted to safeguard, but also other aspects. He was unwilling to let Shen Xiaobai grow up in a den of bandits, potentially becoming a scarred woman who could wield a knife and kill at will. He would absolutely not allow such a thing to happen, just as he could no longer bear to see the bloodied skin of his little white dog.

Lin Xiao stood up, took Shen Xiaobai's hand, and walked towards the edge of the camp

Lin Xiao turned back and shouted loudly: "Overlord, our paths do not align, and thus we cannot collaborate. My family background is honorable; how could I associate with you bandits?"

All the Overlord soldiers, like Ling Batian, have reached a critical moment in their cultivation. For about the duration of a tea break, they must transform the demonic killing aura refined tonight into a strand of 'True Blood Killing Qi' of the Blood Killing Demonic Path, integrating it with the Blood Killing True Qi already present in their bodies. This newly born Blood Killing True Qi must swiftly circulate through the three major circulatory systems: the Eight Extraordinary Meridians and the Twelve Regular Meridians, with a fierce momentum reminiscent of a battlefield where one has survived countless battles, rapidly rushing into their Dantian, so that it can merge with the existing Blood Killing True Qi, which has become as viscous as blood plasma. This newly born Blood Killing True Qi must swiftly circulate through the three major circulatory systems: the Eight Extraordinary Meridians and the Twelve Regular Meridians, with a fierce momentum reminiscent of a battlefield where one has survived countless battles, rapidly rushing into their Dantian, so that it can merge with the existing Blood Killing True Qi, which has become as viscous as blood plasma.

Black Blade Bandit! '' and * Picture * Book Shen Xiaobai firmly etched this name in his heart

Ling Batian sternly stopped him: "Old Five, hold on. Let him go if he wants to. This kid probably doesn't have anything of value on him anyway"

Lin Xiao placed the continuously screaming Shen Xiaobai in front of him, holding her small body with one arm while his right hand flipped over and struck out.

A muffled grunt came from behind them, as Ling Batian charged forward wielding a three-pronged double-edged knife, moving at nearly twice the speed of the warhorses ahead. In just a few leaps, he covered nearly a hundred zhang.

Ah—! Sensing the sharp and powerful presence of three auras behind him, Lin Xiao let out a loud shout, exerting the last bit of strength he could muster.

The warhorse ran too fast, and the three long swords that were originally meant to cleave Lin Xiao into four pieces ultimately only managed to strike him with a blast of sword energy, separating him by a distance of two feet. As the three domineering sword energies entered his body, Lin Xiao felt as if three transparent large holes had been opened in him, leaving his chest hollow and uncomfortable. Following that, he spat out a mouthful of blood, which splattered all over Shen Xiaobai's worried little face. As the three domineering sword energies entered his body, Lin Xiao felt as if three transparent large holes had been opened in him, leaving his chest hollow and uncomfortable. Following that, he spat out a mouthful of blood, which splattered all over Shen Xiaobai's worried little face

Five individuals form a group, five groups constitute a team, and five teams make up a battalion. The camp of the warriors was arranged into an exceptionally standard five-petal peach blossom formation. A small campfire flickered within the camp, with each group of five warriors encircling the tiny fire, adopting a peculiar posture with five hearts facing upward, quietly digesting the so-called 'demonic killing aura' accumulated from their recent slaughter.

Five blood-armored scouts were riding their warhorses at a slow pace. Lin Xiao pulled Shen Xiaobai's small hand and emerged from the bushes, just in time to block their path.

The warhorse, its entire body swollen with blood from the white powder, let out a wild roar towards the sky, and its eyes instantly turned blood red. Like a frenzied bull, the warhorse galloped forward, covering nearly twenty zhang in the blink of an eye

With tears streaming down her face, Shen Xiaobai coughed while stammering, "Brother Lin, wuwu—please don't scare me!"

The warhorse increased its speed by another third, and at this moment, its pace resembled not that of a warhorse, but rather that of the fastest leopard in the forest. The warhorse kicked up a cloud of dust as it surged ahead, gradually leaving behind the three Ba Wang soldiers who were also sprinting after it. The three Ba Wang soldiers exchanged glances, and simultaneously came to a halt. Those from the Blood Kill Demon Path never engage in actions they know to be impossible; they are accustomed to conserving every ounce of strength to prepare for the imminent outbreak of battle. The three Ba Wang soldiers exchanged glances, and simultaneously came to a halt. Those from the Blood Kill Demon Path never engage in actions they know to be impossible; they are accustomed to conserving every ounce of strength to prepare for the imminent outbreak of battle.

Slowly, slowly. Lin Xiao clearly sensed that Ling Batian's breathing was becoming increasingly prolonged, and the true energy within him was turning more and more obscure. He watched as the black and red mist surrounding him was gradually drawn into his body, no longer expelling even a trace of it.

A wisp of dark red energy coiled around the body of the Overlord Soldier, continuously exhaling and inhaling through their nostrils. The subtle sounds of breathing converged into a buzzing tide, echoing far and wide in the dawn air. In the distance, blood-armored knights galloped past; they were the scouts dispatched by the Overlord Soldier.

All things revive! Lin Xiao also shouted loudly, releasing a hazy blue energy from his palms. One palm after another, it appeared extremely slow, yet in reality, it was incredibly swift as it struck towards the sky. His palm strength coalesced in the air into half-blooming blue lotus flowers, nearly a hundred of them clustered together, rapidly advancing towards Ling Batian.

When the medicine basket was moved aside by Lin Xiao, and when the large knife of Xue Wu was pressed against her neck, Shen Xiaobai was so frightened that she nearly fainted. In that moment, Shen Xiaobai clearly understood what death meant. A cold despair enveloped her body and mind, with every pore exuding a chill. Her vision darkened repeatedly, and she wanted to faint, but that icy fear gripped her heart, leaving her without even the power to lose consciousness. A cold despair enveloped her body and mind, with every pore exuding a chill. Her vision darkened repeatedly, and she wanted to faint, but that icy fear gripped her heart, leaving her without even the power to lose consciousness.

Lin Xiao then slapped the horse's rear and shouted loudly: "Hurry up!"

For the Overlord Soldiers, this is an intolerable missed opportunity. However, after Lin Xiao spent half a day treating so many of their brothers, all the Overlord Soldiers had inadvertently developed a sense of gratitude towards him, and their wariness of Lin Xiao had significantly diminished. Therefore, several Overlord Soldiers glanced towards the direction of the grass but did not focus their thoughts on it at all

With a blank expression, Lin Xiao gently patted Shen Xiaobai's back, pulling out a pill emitting a faint fragrance from his sleeve and placing it in her mouth. This was the 'Anti-Miasma Pill' specially formulated by the Rejuvenation Hall to eliminate the miasma found in the wild, but it also proved highly effective against the bloody scent emanating from Ling Batian and his companions. Shen Xiaobai pursed her lips and swallowed a mouthful of the slightly sour medicinal liquid, instantly feeling a sense of clarity in her heart, no longer able to detect the nauseating smell of blood.

This is a very complex process, and even Ling Batian cannot afford to be distracted at this critical moment. Those from the Blood Killing Demon Path possess an obsessive fervor for the enhancement of power; they will not let any opportunity for strengthening their abilities slip by.

This powder was casually taken by Lin Xiao from the medicine store of the Shen family fortress an hour ago. For humans, this powder is a powerful sedative, while for four-legged livestock, it serves as the strongest stimulant. The harsh reality has forced Lin Xiao's mind to mature rapidly, and he has begun to learn how to utilize everything he knows.

Fang Wen was unaware of Ling Batian and the others' persistence; he only knew from experience that he probably had about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea to help Shen Xiaobai escape

The Blood Guards exchanged glances, and Blood Five seemed to suddenly realize as he said: "I see, Boss, you think he's doomed, so that's why you aren't pursuing him, right?"

Ling Batian shrugged his shoulders, remained silent, and turned to leave with large strides, shouldering the trident blade...

Shen Xiaobai screamed: "Brother Lin!"

Behind him, Ling Batian came rushing with a three-pronged double-edged knife in hand. His eyes flickered with rage as he shouted, "Lin, I have not treated you poorly! The bodies of everyone from the Rejuvenation Hall were collected by me! Damn it, I only asked you to stay on as a military doctor; have I wronged you in any way?"

With a snort, Lin Xiao turned back and said: "Bawang, you have buried me and the others from the Huichuntang; this kindness I, Lin Xiao, will surely repay in the future. However, today—"

Shen Xiaobai was momentarily stunned, then raised her head to look at Lin Xiao, gently nodding her head

With a disdainful snort, Ling Batian swung his long knife, and a wave of blade energy howled forth, striking down towards the cluster of lotus flowers

Without having time to explain anything to Shen Xiaobai, Lin Xiao struggled to take out a thumb-sized purple-gold pill from a hidden compartment in his belt and tremblingly tossed it into his mouth

Ah, are you feeling jealous, little girl?" Ling Batian laughed wildly, saying: "Good, it's good to be jealous! Hmm, being a bit younger is not a problem. Blood Eleven's sister marrying Lin is fine, and you, little girl, being a concubine is just right!

Shaking his head, Ling Batian squinted at the faint silhouette of Lin Xiao in the mountains and murmured, "Considering the lives of over a hundred brothers, since he has risked his life to leave, let him go. Hmph, hmph! I wonder what kind of sinister method he used to forcibly increase his cultivation by more than ten times? I actually suffered a bit of a loss!" I wonder what kind of sinister method he used to forcibly increase his cultivation by more than ten times? I actually suffered a bit of a loss!

Lin Xiao utilized the characteristic of the Everlasting Technique to observe the flow of true energy among Ling Batian and the others. Essentially, Lin Xiao understood that during the operation of any martial arts technique, there would be one or two critical life-and-death junctures. Particularly, when a certain level of Great Circulation was reached and the practitioner was about to conclude their energy work, it was the moment when a martial artist was most vulnerable and least alert. If he chose to act at that time, it was likely that Ling Batian and the others would provide Lin Xiao with sufficient time. Especially when a certain level of Great Circulation was reached and the practitioner was about to conclude their energy work, it was the moment when a martial artist was most vulnerable and least alert. If he chose to act at that time, it was likely that Ling Batian and the others would provide Lin Xiao with sufficient time.

The young girl's name is Shen Xiaobai, a collateral relative of the Shen family who has served five generations. Shen Xiaobai holds a low status in the Shen family fortress; her parents merely held minor positions, managing a section of the family’s garden and orchard. Due to her young age, nimble hands, and keen intelligence, Shen Xiaobai was sent to work in the medicine store. When the tyrant's soldiers breached the Shen family fortress, Shen Xiaobai's parents were called by the clan members to take up arms and resist the invaders, while the unattended Shen Xiaobai hid in the medicine store, her most familiar place.

With one hand, Lin Xiao grabbed the belt of the astonished Shen Xiaobai, lifted her up onto the tallest warhorse, and forcefully slapped the horse's rear.

The Eighteen Blood Guards also caught up, and upon seeing the somewhat disheveled Ling Batian, Blood Five could not help but let out a furious roar, preparing to chase into the forest.

She looked in terror at the tyrannical soldiers, their bodies entwined with fine black and red mist, unsure of the mysterious commotion they were causing. Especially at a distance of ten zhang, Ling Batian and his eighteen blood guards were surrounded by a swirling, blood-like black and red energy, the overwhelming stench of blood nearly making Shen Xiaobai vomit.

With a muffled sound, Lin Xiao's warhorse collapsed, its four hooves completely shattered. A vast and sharp intent of the blade surged from Lin Xiao's body into the horse's form. The warhorse let out a mournful neigh, and with a 'whoosh,' it was cleaved into several pieces by the invisible blade intent. Hot blood gushed out, splattering Lin Xiao and Shen Xiaobai all over their bodies and faces. Shen Xiaobai let out another horrified scream; this time, she saw the warm, writhing entrails of the horse and could no longer contain herself, spewing a mouthful of bile.

Then, she heard the well-mannered and handsome young man say something, and the large knife suddenly left her neck

Lin Xiao glanced at the tyrant soldier and said lightly: "Xiao Bai needs to relieve himself, are you going to follow him to take a look? Or do you want Xiao Bai to do it in front of you all here"

Two warm arms enveloped her body, dispelling the coldness and fear within her. She vaguely heard the boy murmuring, "If I can save a group of thieves, how can I not save a little girl?" In her dazed state, she saw two streams of tears on the boy's face, as well as his strange and incomprehensible gaze that she could not understand at all

Doctor Lin! Stay! The blade wind generated when the scout leader swung his knife has already alarmed the sentinels of the camp. Lin Xiao had just ridden less than twenty zhang when three sentinels, like agile leopards, leaped out from the grass, wielding six-foot-long knives that sliced through the air, striking heavily towards the non-lethal areas behind Lin Xiao.

The Overlord's Troops are a fierce, bloodthirsty, and ruthless band of outlaws. However, apart from their penchant for killing and plundering, they do not have much of a notorious reputation. At the very least, there have been no reports of the Overlord's Troops bullying women. The member of the Overlord's Troops who blocked Lin Xiao's path blinked, shook his head, and slowly stepped aside. "Doctor Lin, be careful; this area is not peaceful. The Black Blade Bandits' lair is not far from here." The member of the Overlord's Troops who blocked Lin Xiao's path blinked, shook his head, and slowly stepped aside. "Doctor Lin, be careful; this area is not peaceful. The Black Blade Bandits' lair is not far from here."

Five hundred zhang ahead, there is a forest that stretches directly into the distant mountains. As long as he can escape into that forest, the chances of fleeing will increase significantly. After escaping, he can find a way to take Shen Xiaobai to the capital, rather than continuing to stay with the Bawangzu, tending to the wounded of the Bawangzu and engaging in that treacherous activity.

As the elixir entered his stomach, it immediately transformed into streams of heat that surged throughout his body. An endless supply of energy rapidly flowed out from within his bones and flesh. Lin Xiao's eyes brightened, and the brilliance of his gaze startled Shen Xiaobai, who found herself unable to meet his eyes. She even felt a sharp pain in her eyeballs. Lin Xiao let out a long howl, feeling that his internal injuries had healed, and his internal strength had surged to more than ten times its usual level.

Lin Xiao gently rubbed Shen Xiaobai's ear

Bang, bang, bang, three sword energies struck the palm force unleashed by Lin Xiao, shattering the palm force. The three long swords were separated by two feet, and they slashed towards the back of Lin Xiao's heart from a distance.

In a warm embrace, there exists a reassuring strength. Although Lin Xiao appears delicate, Shen Xiaobai instinctively feels safe in his arms. Thus, she comfortably closes her eyes and drifts into a drowsy sleep, completely forgetting the tragic death of her parents and the destruction of the Shen family fortress.

One of the elite soldiers exclaimed, "What a remarkable young man! What impressive skills!" Lin Xiao's palm wind was exceedingly fierce, prompting the three seasoned elite soldiers, who were well-versed in slaughter, to instinctively unleash their full power and strike Lin Xiao with their strongest blow. Amidst the hissing sounds, three long swords emitted a blood-red glow extending three inches, revealing that all three elite soldiers possessed the formidable ability to unleash sword energy. It is no wonder they were qualified to ensure the safety of the entire camp while their comrades focused on their cultivation.

A warrior of the tyrant blocked Lin Xiao's path and said in a low voice: "Doctor Lin!"

The "Nine Dragons Life-Saving Pill" secretly formulated by the Huichun Hall is composed primarily of the venom from nine types of highly toxic long snakes. It can revive individuals suffering from multiple internal injuries, allowing even those who are on the brink of death to regain vitality and endure for another half an hour after taking this pill. The potency of the pill is immense, but its side effects are equally severe, inflicting a shocking degree of damage to one's vital energy. If it were not for the life-and-death situation at hand, Lin Xiao would never resort to taking this substance, which is also known as the "Nine Lives Pill" in the Huichun Hall.

Lin Xiao lowered his head, his eyelids drooping, yet all his attention was focused on Ling Batian, who was diligently practicing the "Blood Killing Demon Technique," along with the Eighteen Blood Guards. The Changqing Formula from the Rejuvenation Hall is not particularly lethal, but it is unparalleled in nourishing the body. Especially, the Changqing Formula has an extraordinarily miraculous effect in detecting the flow of true energy within a person's body and in treating internal injuries.

With a hint of admiration, Shen Xiaobai lifted her head and secretly glanced at Lin Xiao, who had his eyelids drooping like a wooden figure. Her small hands shrank slightly, then she stretched them out forcefully, wrapping them around Lin Xiao's waist. Lin Xiao's body was warm, and there was a kind of invigorating energy subtly emanating from him, which uplifted one's spirits. Shen Xiaobai was quite perceptive; she really liked the scent that lingered around Lin Xiao.

The tyrant soldier's kind reminder caused Lin Xiao's body to stiffen momentarily. He gently nodded, offering a faint smile to the tyrant soldier, and led Shen Xiaobai towards a small patch of grass at the edge of the camp. Shen Xiaobai keenly sensed the change in Lin Xiao's palm, and for a moment, it seemed she understood something: there must be some story between the Black Knife Bandit and Lin Xiao

After a night of slaughter, the overlord and his soldiers set up camp in a hollow in the mountains, thirty miles from Shenjiabao. This was also the first time in recent days that the overlord's troops had the opportunity to rest and recuperate.

The little white dog that Lin Xiao once adored infinitely ultimately met a tragic fate, as it was beaten to death by Lin Yao along with two servants, right in front of Lin Xiao, and its skin was stripped off!

"Drive fast, drive fast!" Lin Xiao shouted, "Good horse, escape from here, and I will treat you to braised pork and fine yellow wine!"

Such a loud outcry about such private matters made the young Shen Xiaobai's face flush with embarrassment and a hint of strange anger, causing her to forget her fear of the nearby tyrant soldiers. She looked left and right, only to find that apart from a few sentinels among the tyrant soldiers, no one was paying attention to her

However, it would take a considerable amount of time to cover a distance of five hundred zhang, and Lin Xiao prided himself on not possessing such formidable skills. Therefore, he pulled Shen Xiaobai into the thicket, without pausing for a moment, and emerged from the other side of the grass. The tall grass, reaching about the height of an adult's neck, concealed Lin Xiao and Shen Xiaobai's figures, and the sentinels of the camp did not notice their movements.

In the center of the camp, Lin Xiao gently held the trembling little girl, staring blankly at a small campfire in front of him

Shen Xiaobai understood only half of what was said, but she vaguely realized that Ling Batian was not speaking kindly. She couldn't help but clench her small fists and shouted loudly at Ling Batian: "You scoundrel, I will not let you go!"

Lin Xiao felt his facial muscles twitching. Is there really such a domineering person in the world

Now, Shen Xiaobai has awakened. It is only at this moment that she suddenly realizes that she and the boy with the warm embrace are in the camp of a group of ruthless bandits

"Xiao Bai!" Lin Xiao gently tapped Shen Xiao Bai's head and leaned close to her ear, whispering, "When I pinch your ear later, you just need to say loudly that you want to go to the restroom. After that, don't worry about anything else." The name 'Xiao Bai' also reminded Lin Xiao of his little dog. 'Xiao Bai, Xiao Bai,' he had called that little white dog countless times with immense joy.

"But today, you damn well have to go back!" Ling Batian had already chased to within five zhang of Lin Xiao, and he laughed sinisterly: "Xue Shiyi has a biological sister, standing at nine feet three inches tall, with a waist of six feet, and her backside is as large as that of a bull. She is the most suitable for bearing children. I will take charge of this; you will marry her! Tsk tsk, with your looks and her talent, you two are a perfect match!" He laughed sinisterly: "Xue Shiyi has a biological sister, standing at nine feet three inches tall, with a waist of six feet, and her backside is as large as that of a bull. She is the most suitable for bearing children. I will take charge of this; you will marry her! Tsk tsk, with your looks and her talent, you two are a perfect match!"

Lin Xiao raised his hand, and a small paper package was thrown towards the five scouts. The scout leader instinctively drew his long knife and sliced open the package, from which a large cloud of white powder erupted, covering the five scouts' heads and faces. With a series of thuds, the five scouts fell off their horses without a sound, landing awkwardly on the ground. Meanwhile, the five warhorses let out anxious whinnies, surprised to find that they seemed to be losing control of their senses, as if they had returned to the vast grasslands where their ancestors had roamed. They felt an impulse to stretch their legs and run freely.

Shen Xiaobai could not forget that nightmarish scene. She stood at the door of her home, watching helplessly as her parents, armed with knives and guns, along with a large group of relatives, surged across the street. Soon after, she was shattered into pieces by a flurry of flashing blades. Blood splattered everywhere, and she forgot how she managed to hide in the medicine store. In her panic, she knocked over some medicine baskets, ultimately hiding behind a large pile of them, praying that those fierce enemies would not discover her whereabouts.

A group of useless people! How could you let two children escape! Damn it, you've completely embarrassed me!