As Qin Lian's unsettling laughter echoed through the skies, Jiang Qing'e and Li Luo flew backwards explosively without hesitation. Neither of them were anywhere near Qin Lian's level, and by the look of things, they would have to group up with the rest to even have a chance at resisting. Furthermore Li Luo knew that Qin Lian wanted to kill him. That crazy bitch had already attempted to murder him even when she was fully lucid. Now that she had been corrupted and her negative emotions were running rampant, her killing intent had increased by a tremendous amount. The two pushed themselves as far as possible, creating a sonic boom in their wake.
"Do you think you can escape?" Qin Lian's vortex-like eyes were focused on the duo, and she gave a deep smile. With a flick of a finger, the void shattered and two black flaming chains that gave off terrifying energy undulations chased after the two.
Bang!
As the chains zipped forth with unstoppable momentum, the void shattered.
With the aid of the Duke's Worldspace Domain, Qin Lian's every attack had become even more fear-inducing.
Jiang Qing'e gritted her teeth as she glanced at the black flame chains. Without hesitation, she stopped to block them, activating her strongest Duke Art. "Radiant Divineflame Heavenly Ring!" A gigantic halo of light rushed into the sky, directly colliding against the two chains.
Boom!
Alas, her all-out attack seemed incredibly fragile in comparison to the chains. The black flaming chains were like two black dragons. The moment they crashed into the halo of light, they instantly smashed it into tiny motes of light.
However, Li Luo didn't plan to let Jiang Qing'e handle this opponent all by herself. He began to circulate the Six-tailed Heavenly Wolf's strength, and the wolf itself let out an ear-rending howl. All of the strength it had was summoned as it understood precisely how dangerous the situation was. If Li Luo was killed by Qin Lian, it would fall victim as well. The man and wolf came together to supplement each other, to deliver their strongest blow yet.
"Three Dragons’ Kingslayer Arrow!"
Just as the two black flaming chains demolished the halo of light, an arrow of light that resembled a shooting star pierced through the void accompanied by a draconic roar. When it struck the chains, it dissipated into motes of light, but the chains were temporarily held back. That said, his attempt was basically meaningless. The void around them continued to break apart as one chain after another pierced through, whistling as they zipped forward.
In the face of absolute suppression, even a Destiny-grade Duke Art was meaningless. Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e’s hearts sank as they stared at the increasing number of black flame chains. It seemed like they were truly in a situation where all hope was lost.
It was much more dire than Shen Jinxiao's ambush all those years ago.
At that point in time, Jiang Qing'e had sacrificially ignited her Heart of Light in order to fend him off. However, Qin Lian was multiple times stronger, so what could they do?
Jiang Qing'e tightened her grip on her sword and a look of determination surfaced in her eyes.
However, the other hand was tightly being held by Li Luo.
She turned her head and was startled to see Li Luo's radiant smile. "Don't even think of staying back alone. I don't want the same thing to happen again. If we can't hide, then we'll just share the same fate as a pair of mandarin ducks. That would be a beautiful ending."
Jiang Qing'e fell silent, and her slim fingers firmly hooked around Li Luo's fingers. "It's only unfortunate that I couldn't live up to Master and Mistress' wish to protect you."
Li Luo attentively looked at her. "Jiang Qing'e, you've already done a perfect job. Furthermore, as I've said a long time ago, protecting me is not your responsibility. We are engaged to each other and you are not my protector. Conversely, protecting you is my responsibility. I’ve spent all these years striving to be able to do that. Alas, you're a little too outstanding and I've constantly lagged behind. Thus, I should be the one apologizing to you for being unable to protect you."
Jiang Qing'e was taken aback by those words as she looked into Li Luo's eyes. This was the first time in many years that Li Luo had addressed her directly, and those words were filled with his manly passion. A warm current flowed through the depths of her heart after she received those sweet feelings. Her usually white, jade-like face revealed a hint of redness.
"Don't you think that's a little hypocritical? How can I take it for granted that you'd protect me whilst I hold no responsibility towards you?" Jiang Qing'e continued.
Li Luo grinned. "Ah, in our family, the one that has to be watched over is actually House Luolan's young mistress. Don't you know who sits at the top of the hierarchy? Haven't you been taking pointers? If Father and Mother heard my words, they would definitely be disgusted and say something along the lines of, ‘you brat, how did you only just figure out what's going on?’"
Jiang Qing'e smiled and softly said, "How could I possibly be that important?"
While the two were talking to each other, Qin Lian's grating voice suddenly rang out. "What a wonderful pair of love-struck sweethearts!" When she saw the two tightly holding hands, the vortexes in her eyes started to spin with even greater intensity.
"Ha... since the two of you are so addled by love, then I won't let you get what you want. I'll use the most vile emotions to erode your minds and throw all your feelings away before dying in the other party's hands. Isn't this the most torturous way to die?"
Qin Lian's harsh words caused everyone's expressions to change.
Bang!
It was at this point that the black flame chains that were surrounding Li Luo and Jiang Qing'e started to fuse together. In just a few moments, the chains transformed into a one-hundred-feet-wide onyx cauldron. The couple had been trapped inside it. Atop the onyx cauldron was a terrifying black flame, and numerous struggling figures could be seen within it, attempting to escape. Unfortunately, all of the figures were incinerated by the flames, letting out shrill cries.
All of their negative emotions were set alight, transforming into black fumes that surged into the cauldron.
Jiang Qing'e and Li Luo's expressions changed. They both held some degree of resistance against corruption, but the onyx cauldron's flames continuously burned their resonant power away. As their resonant power gradually withered up, their ability to hold out against the corruption weakened.
It had to be said that this Qin Lian was indeed incredibly venomous and despicable. She viciously smacked outwards with her palm, and the cauldron fell like a meteorite, striking the ground with a large boom. A huge pit was created, and the cauldron was embedded deeply. A mocking smile then appeared on her ghastly face.
"I'm very curious about which of the lovestruck ducks will emerge alive."