Every failed attack that Lory made to harm Zi Quan Mei only made Zi Quan Mei even more excited, still, Lory and Tian Meng Ji didn't give up as they kept trying to bring down Zi Quan Mei despite their failed attempts until Girsha suddenly said telepathically [Lory if it hard on the outside it's usually soft in the inside, right?]
Lory tilted her head, she wasn't sure what Girsha means, [You mean like a prickly pear?]
[Yeah, do you think it's the same with her?] Girsha meaningfully said.
Zi Quan Mei flew into the sky then her body floated in the air and emitted a sound wave towards Lory Lory and Tian Meng Ji, immediately both of them jumped in the opposite direction but the impact sent them flying to the ground.
"Lo-Ri are you okay?" Tian Meng Ji shouted anxiously.
Lory pushed herself up with his hands and quickly stood up even though she felt a pain in her chest and arms, Lory knew she must have new bruises by now.
"I'm Fine!" Lory shouted at Tian Meng Ji.
Tian Meng Ji saw Lory standing without evident injuries on her body Tian Meng Ji immediately felt relieved.
At first, Tian meng Ji help Lory because he feels guilty to Zhao Li Xin since he knew how much his disciple loves his wife Tian Meng Ji decide to help Lory whatever he can but after he fought with Lory he realize the girl is no joke, her every movement was calculated she's not rushed and focus.
Tian Meng Ji has seen many cultivators all of his life but he has never seen a young cultivator man or woman who is very experienced in face-to-face battle like Lory.
Needless to say, she must have experienced many battles in her life to get this far, that fact was admirable but at the same time heartbreaking.
Meanwhile, Lory wrecks her brain then suddenly her eyes widely open then she grins cheekily [I think I have an idea!]
[Oh, what would you do?] Girsha ask.
[What I do best...pissed someone off!] Lory chuckles then she soar to the sky, Lory lifts her hands to the sky, and suddenly from above hundreds of icicles rain down at Zi Quan Mei although it didn't kill her however it was enough to anger her.
Just like adding oil into the flame Lory taunt her "Is that all you got?" Lory laugh in mockery then cast another icicle, from the sky "I thought you are strong? Guess I'm wrong, huh!" Lory mocks her incessantly.
As expected Zi Quan Mei became furious, her face blackened then she let out a loud roar and shouted in a low gruff voice, "DAM* YOU, I WILL KILL YOU - I WILL KILL YOU!" she scream in madness.
Lory got excited when the opening she had waiting for finally came, in one quick move Lory throw something right into Zi Quan Mei's mouth since her jaw was absurdly wide she accidentally swallow whatever Lory has thrown at her.
[What's that, a bomb?] Girsha failed to see what Lory throw at Zi Quan Mei.
[Remember the fire monkey blood at the ancient forest?] Lory casually said.
[Yeah..] Girsha vaguely remembers.
[It's much worst than that] Lory turn around and flew in a hurry, she then swiftly got Tian Meng Ji close Lory then spread her wings to cover them both at the same time Zi Quan Mei gurgled while scratching her stomach frantically and a second later 'BOOOM!'
The sound of the explosion startled everyone the gust of wind swept the three and buildings nearby.
Zhao Li Xin obviously hears the explosion his mind right away runs to Lory, Zhao Li Xin without second thought left Wei Zu Tian and flew towards the sound of explosions at high speed, however smoke and debris blocked his vision but his keen senses could sense someone is nearby.
Zhao Li Xin released his Qi in haste and the smokes and debris were blown away before gradually dissipating later Zhao Li Xin saw a pair of giant white wings slowly open up and there he found Lory slowly raised from the ground albeit a bit dirty and disheveled she was unharmed.
Zhao Li Xin's movement paused all kinds of feeling rushed through his mind, worry, relief, and joy everything mixed into one before he knew his body already dash toward Lory, at the same time Lory saw Zhao Li Xin coming, immediately her smile bloomed like a budding flower. Lory ran to him as fast as she can then jumped into his arms they had only been apart for a few days but it felt like a long time, only now did she realize how much she missed him.
"I miss you!" Lory wrapped her hands around his neck.
Zhao Li Xin felt the same way thus he hugged her tightly. When he felt her in his arms all the anxiety, loneliness, and fear that clouded his mind for days finally disappeared without a trace. Zhao Li Xin buried his face in Lory's neck while slowly inhaling the sweet scent emanating from her just like a fish returning to the water, he's finally able to breathe again.
"My wife, my princess….my love" Zhao Li Xin softly whisper in her ears.
Lory's face was red like a ripe tomato as she pulled herself from his embrace, their gazes locked at each other. Lory didn't know since when it became painful when she was apart from him, everyone thought it was Zhao Li Xin who clung to her but actually she was also unable to be away from him the only difference between him and her is that Lory was more tactful about showing her feelings while Zhao Li Xin was blunter even so her feelings were no lighter than Zhao Li Xin's.
"EHM!" Tian meng Ji forcefully breaks the pink atmosphere hence this sweetness is too much for the old bachelor like him.
"Master?" Zhao Li Xin has only noticed Tian Meng Ji's presence.
Tian Meng Ji's lips twitched obviously Zhao Li Xin only realize his existence right now 'My disciple still cold as ever' he laments to himself.
"Old master help me!" Lory quickly said while tugging Zhao Li Xin's arms.
"Oh…." How could Zhao Li Xin didn't know that Lory try to speak for Tian Meng Ji, actually Zhao Li Xin didn't hate Tian meng Ji he just feels disappointed however after Tian Meng Ji help Lory his heart inevitably soften "Thank you, Master" he sincerely said.
Tian Meng Ji who only heard Zhao Li Xin thank him once in his life which happened after he taught Zhao Li Xin cultivation inevitably become flustered and his entire face turned extremely red. Zhao Li Xin not only thanked him, but he also said it gentle way, how could the old man's didn't feel happy.
However, the old man still needs to maintain his dignity in front of his disciple so he replies nonchalantly "Ehm,…it's nothing" Tian Meng Ji tried to hide the embarrassment, as a result, his face looks weird.
Lory suppressed a smile, she pretend to look elsewhere so Tian Meng Ji didn't know she was laughing at him Lory was also relieved that Zhao Li Xin and Tian Meng Ji seemed to be mending their relationship.
But then Lory's attention was drawn to a soft moan that faintly heard from afar, Lory couldn't believe it, could Zi Quan Mei still be alive?! Lory's expression became tense. Zhao Li Xin and Tian Meng Ji also heard it, they quickly became alert, Zhao Li Xin pulled Lory closer in a protective manner while Tian Meng Ji clenched his spear tightly.
[Lory, I could feel Zi Quan Mei's life force dwindle…..she's dying] Girsha emerge from Lory's chest and flew to where Zi Quan Mei was while Lory and the others follow the bird.
When she found Zi Quan Mei, her breath hitched, Zi Quan Mei's body had been crushed and there was nothing left from the chest to the bottom except the flesh that had been blackened from the explosion and the blood that didn't stop pouring out.
Zi Quan Mei gasped for air as if she was trying to save every last breath she took to keep her life alive. Zi Quan Mei glared at Lory with a look of disbelief and hatred, after everything that she was sacrificed eventually all in vain, there was nothing left of her even she even had to die with a gruesome appearance.
"W..w..why, I...Ju...just want to...be strong, am I…wrong?" Zi Quan Mei sounds distraught and angry she does not regret the decision she makes in the past she is just unwilling to accept after what she has done she still ends up as a failure.
Without fear Lory knelt beside the dying Zi Quan Mei, her once beautiful face changed to such an extent that it was impossible to recognize her again, Lory felt regret and pity for this woman who fell for Lao Min Na's deceit then with a solemn expression Lory said to her "It's because you don't' own the power, the power own you'