### Chapter 81: Escape
The dagger in Chu's hand—fueled by his demonic energy—vibrated violently, as if ready to tear free. Black mist roiled around it, thick and suffocating.
"Ah——!" Chu shrieked, his voice ragged. The broken blade shot toward Lin Yi and Zhang Ziyan, leaving him crumpled on the ground, drained of life, unconscious.
Of the four demons, only Wei remained standing, his face ashen, sweat beading on his brow as he strained to resist the *Purple Demon Gourd*'s mist.
Zhang Ziyan's brows furrowed. She raised her sword—a top-grade artifact—and channeled her remaining spiritual energy. It was her last weapon; she'd used all others.
But the dagger, empowered by a Foundation Establishment demon's life force, would shatter her sword's detonation.
Lin Yi's face hardened. He bit his tongue, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the gourd, and unleashed a flurry of hand seals.
The gourd roared, spewing a tidal wave of black mist—stronger, more corrosive.
*Boom!*
Zhang Ziyan's sword exploded, clashing with the dagger. The blast sent Huo Bin, Zhan, and the revived Chu flying, blood spraying from their lips. Wei barely swallowed his own mouthful, his face paling further.
*Sizzle…*
The gourd's mist collided with the dagger's aura. A 妖异 (uncanny) black flame ignited, devouring both mists. In seconds, the gourd's power was spent.
*Puff!*
Lin Yi coughed up blood, his face sickly pale, weakened by the demonic backlash.
Yet the dagger still hurtled toward them, its power undimmed.
*Thud!*
Their defensive robes absorbed most of the impact. Zhang Ziyan spat blood, her injuries worsening as she took the brunt. Lin Yi fared better—his *Sao Bao* robe barely held, but the Black Water Lotus, a gift from a sect ancestor, suddenly flared, nullifying the remaining force. Cracks spiderwebbed across its surface, its light dimming.
Lin Yi's spiritual energy was 耗尽 (depleted)—less than a Second Level's worth. He couldn't summon the gourd again.
Wei smiled cruelly, forming seals to finish them.
Lin Yi grabbed the *Kuang Wang* sword, his gaze icy. "Another top-grade artifact. Want to test if I can detonate it?"
Wei froze. Could Lin Yi still muster the strength?
"Hurry, Wei!" Huo Bin snapped. "He's bluffing!"
"Try me," Lin Yi said flatly.
Wei hesitated. A single misstep would kill them all. With three allies already crippled, he couldn't risk it. Luo's plan was already in motion—losing two more fugitives mattered less than survival.
Lin Yi staggered, snatching the fallen dagger. "We're leaving." The blade was dangerous, but usable as a last resort.
Zhang Ziyan could barely stand, but she refused to close her eyes. *Not until he's safe.* She stole a glance at Lin Yi's ordinary face, now somehow 迷人 (charming) in its resolve.
"Let's go."
Lin Yi helped her back toward the pit, never taking his eyes off Wei. At the edge, he hurled two fire talismans—*whoosh!*—buying a moment.
Then he lifted Zhang Ziyan, shielding her body with his own, and jumped.
He activated his *Sao Bao* robe, summoning a faint cyan barrier, while the Black Water Lotus hovered above, its light dim but steady.
Wei swatted away the talismans, his face darkening. Letting two injured Qi Refinement cultivators escape? Losing the Yin Demon Lord's dagger?
*Humiliation.*
Hatred for Lin Yi burned hotter than ever.