"Master!"
The ginseng seedling's large eyes were filled with urgency. "We can't hold on much longer. We need to think of a plan!"
Feng Ninghe, wielding her long sword, weaved swiftly through the human puppets, her bright face set with determination.
She knew too well that with so many human puppets, she couldn't handle them alone.
But she had no choice.
She had to persevere!
Feng Ninghe's gaze deepened, her clear, sharp voice like steel. "Little Miao Miao, if anything happens to me, you run. The human puppets won't harm plants; they can't sense your presence."
The ginseng seedling bit its lip, whimpering. "Master, I won't let anything happen to you! I am a ginseng seedling, the most nourishing medicine in the world!"
These simple words warmed her heart inexplicably.
Feng Ninghe's eyes curved into a smile. "Then let's fight to the death. If we can just hold on until help arrives, we'll be saved..."
"Heh heh heh..."
The human puppets twisted their massive limbs, lunging fiercely at her!
Her sword speed was fast, but nowhere near the speed of the human puppets.
Dense swarms of human puppets were rapidly closing in on her position.
Feng Ninghe gritted her teeth, a flame flickering in her pupils. She raised her palm and cried out, "Blood Phoenix!"
A colossal phoenix erupted from her palm, spewing a torrent of intense phoenix fire at the human puppets!
Phoenix fire could incinerate all things in the world. Any human puppet touched by it would be utterly consumed.
Yet, these human puppets, seemingly unaware of their doom, flew into the flames like moths, relentlessly attacking the phoenix fire.
The phoenix fire formed a circle, tightly enclosing Feng Ninghe, while keeping the human puppets at bay.
She sat down cross-legged, continuously controlling the phoenix fire.
The ginseng seedling's body visibly shrank, but it still persisted.
The light of the Blood Phoenix grew dimmer.
They couldn't hold on much longer.
"Pfft!"
A spurt of bright red blood erupted from her mouth.
Feng Ninghe wiped the blood from the corner of her lips, her gaze involuntarily narrowing as she looked into the distance. "No one has arrived yet. It seems even they can't break through."
She believed that once Feng Xing and the others received the news, they would come to her aid immediately.
Their absence could only mean one thing: they were likely being held back by the human puppets.
Feng Ninghe's gaze drifted down to the magnolia bracelet on her wrist.
Si Jianye had been in the Dragon Domain longer than her. She wondered how he was doing.
She remembered what Si Jianye had said.
If she encountered a crisis, all she had to do was inject a trace of spiritual energy into the magnolia bracelet, and Si Jianye would appear.
However, this was the Dragon Domain. She wasn't sure if Si Jianye's words would hold true here.
After a moment of hesitation, she still injected spiritual energy into the magnolia bracelet.
The magnolia bracelet emitted a faint glow, as if summoning something.
In a short while, the bracelet's light vanished, returning to its usual appearance.
She instinctively turned to look around.
There were no other figures in sight, only human puppets.
It seemed the magnolia bracelet had failed, perhaps only functioning on the Xuanzhou Continent.
The Blood Phoenix's form grew increasingly faint, and the flames it spewed became smaller and smaller.
She couldn't hold on much longer...
The ginseng seedling looked around anxiously, its voice filled with urgency. "Master, why hasn't anyone arrived after so long? If this continues, we won't last!"
The ginseng seedling had noticeably shrunk in size.
A hint of bitterness appeared on Feng Ninghe's cheeks. She gently stroked the ginseng seedling. "I believe they are on their way to help us. Let's hold on a little longer..."
She took out a handful of pills and stuffed them into her mouth.
However, the pills had only a minimal effect.
Exhausted, Feng Ninghe drew her Crescent Moon Bow and shot at the human puppets.
Several arrows flew out with speed.
At that moment, she collapsed onto the ground, utterly drained of strength.
She still managed to turn her head to look at the ginseng seedling beside her. "Little Miao Miao, don't mind me. Just run. If something truly happens to me, tell them not to come to my rescue."
The sheer number of human puppets here was astounding, truly the heart of their territory.
If she were to perish, others shouldn't risk their lives to save her.
"Master! What are you talking about? You won't perish!"
The ginseng seedling hurriedly retorted, tears uncontrollably streaming down its face.
Its body had shrunk considerably, appearing almost withered, and even the tears it shed were few.
Feng Ninghe offered a weak smile and lay on the ground, slowly closing her eyes.
The Blood Phoenix continued to burn her vital essence.
Once it was depleted, the surrounding human puppets would immediately swarm and tear her apart!
Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind swept through.
A familiar, pleasant scent was carried on the wind, reaching her nostrils.
"This scent..."
As if realizing something, she abruptly opened her eyes.
She saw a tall, upright figure standing before her.
The sunlight shone brightly on the man's face, illuminating his chiseled features.
The man leaned down and embraced her, his well-defined hand gently caressing her tender cheek.
"Ninghe, I am late."
A hint of guilt crossed the handsome man's face, his narrow eyes filled with self-reproach.
Si Jianye's appearance finally eased Feng Ninghe's heart. She retracted the Blood Phoenix.
She believed that with Si Jianye by her side, she would be safe.
This man, who could endure seven days and seven nights in the human puppet-infested abyss, could surely protect her and bring her away safely.
The ginseng seedling also returned to her dantian at this moment.
Feng Ninghe looked directly at the face before her and gently shook her head. "As long as you are here, it is not too late."
The man lowered his gaze and, without hesitation, kissed her lips fiercely.
The man's lips were incredibly soft, like a tender pastry, sweet and delicious.
The kiss was exceptionally gentle.
She responded to the man's actions, kissing his warm lips.
A subtle stream of spiritual energy flowed into her body through the kiss.
In a moment, Feng Ninghe sensed something and quickly reached out to pat his shoulder, exclaiming, "Human... human puppets!"
She hadn't forgotten their current predicament.
Human puppets surrounded them; this was no time for complacency.
Si Jianye, however, ignored her resistance, still immersed in the kiss.
Only when he had kissed his fill did he release Feng Ninghe.
Spiritual energy had been transferred into Feng Ninghe's body, giving her the strength to stand.
She instinctively turned to look around.
The surrounding human puppets, for some unknown reason, all knelt and bowed. Their massive, grotesque faces were filled with reverence, showing no signs of aggression.
"This..."
The scene before her stunned Feng Ninghe.
She stared blankly at everything around her.