Divine King of Honour Chapter 1842: Mu Yuqing’s Actions

"Such potent force."

Xu Nian found himself propelled backward a significant distance, a full thirty zhang, before his footing was re-established. The jarring impact, however, left a distinct numbness lingering in his arm.

"Be cautious. That Netherworld Beast is of Divine-level; its physical form has been tempered by Divine Power, making it incredibly formidable and immensely strong," Mu Yuqing stated gracefully as she landed beside Xu Nian, her gaze fixed on him.

Xu Nian's expression grew serious.

This was his inaugural direct experience with the sheer might of a Divine-level Demon Beast.

Mercifully, the creature was unable to utilize its own cultivation. Had it done so, that single strike would have inflicted severe injury, if not outright death upon him.

"This Netherworld Beast possesses terrifying speed, and its movements are unpredictable. We are unable to employ our cultivation, which prevents us from accurately tracking its position. Engaging in a protracted conflict would be imprudent," Mu Yuqing advised.

Xu Nian gave a curt nod.

The black panther's speed and brute strength were both extraordinary, and contending with it within the intricate confines of the forest presented a considerable challenge.

For the present, their only viable option was to evade it.

Consequently, Xu Nian and Mu Yuqing retreated further into the dense Asura forest.

Naturally, even as they withdrew, an unwavering vigilance regarding their surroundings was maintained.

After all, the phantom-like black panther could launch an ambush at any given moment.

Indeed, barely three hundred meters into their retreat, a dark silhouette materialized abruptly before Xu Nian, its claws extended, slashing at him with ferocious intensity.

As the claws struck, they fractured into nine overlapping phantoms, each appearing indistinguishable from the last in its solidity.

Xu Nian, greatly alarmed, immediately invoked the Extreme Point Stacking Principle. Employing a triple stack, his Sword Radiance achieved a fearsome sharpness.

"Buzz!"

Yet, as Xu Nian's Sword Radiance impacted six of the spectral claws, his formidable blade sliced through nothing but empty air.

"Not good!"

Xu Nian instantly perceived the peril and swiftly manifested dragon scales across his body's surface.

This action was prompted by the conspicuous nature of his Supreme Dragon Robe.

Both the black panther and Mu Yuqing commanded Xu Nian's cautious attention.

"Clang!"

The beast's claws connected with Xu Nian's newly formed dragon scales.

Four deep gouges marred the dragon scales, penetrating to the point of exposing Xu Nian's crimson blood.

"Human?"

A note of surprise and bewilderment echoed from the black panther amidst the surrounding darkness.

Mu Yuqing, too, displayed a flicker of surprise. She had not anticipated Xu Nian to be of human origin.

Human blood, unlike the blood of Netherworld Practitioners, might appear similar, but it fundamentally lacked a certain peculiar scent.

Thus, they were immediately able to ascertain that Xu Nian was indeed a member of the Human Clan.

Gazing at the fresh scar now gracing his chest, Xu Nian's eyes reflected a solemn gravity.

The sheer power wielded by this black panther was overwhelming.

The keenness of its claws surpassed Xu Nian's most extreme estimations.

His current dragon scales, already comparable in resilience to a Low Grade Divine Artifact, had proven insufficient to completely withstand the panther's claws, a stark testament to their formidable sharpness.

"You truly hail from the Human Clan?" Mu Yuqing inquired, her gaze fixed on Xu Nian with undisguised astonishment.

"Yes, I am from the Human Clan," Xu Nian confirmed, seeing little value in further concealment at this juncture.

While uncertainty lingered regarding whether Mu Yuqing might turn against him due to this revelation, he recognized he possessed no alternative course of action at present.

"I see," a look of dawning comprehension flickered across Mu Yuqing's features.

A faint sense of bewilderment registered on Xu Nian's face.

"Allow me to handle this. You are no match for it; you should depart immediately," Mu Yuqing declared.

Xu Nian was momentarily taken aback.

He pondered the reason behind Mu Yuqing's sudden inclination to protect him.

Could it solely be attributed to his being a fellow member of the Human Clan?

"Hurry now, do not be concerned. While I may not be able to vanquish it, it cannot truly harm me either. Once I have driven it away, I shall seek you out," Mu Yuqing elaborated.

"Very well, I shall await you further ahead then," Xu Nian responded.

He acknowledged his own inadequacy against the black panther.

Mu Yuqing, herself a cultivator of Divine-level prowess, should possess the capability to manage the situation.

Thus, without a moment's hesitation, Xu Nian ventured deeper into the Asura forest.

As Xu Nian continued his onward journey, the black panther, seemingly disinclined to relinquish its pursuit of him as prey, instantly transformed into a blur of motion, a swift afterimage in pursuit.

However, Mu Yuqing appeared to have foreseen this maneuver. Her previously serene eyes suddenly blazed with an intense sharpness.

In the following instant, she executed a sword slash towards the direction where the dark afterimage was accelerating.

This single, decisive strike cast an aura of desolate silence over the surroundings.

The black afterimage found its forward momentum instantaneously arrested.

It recognized that any further movement would result in its swift demise.

What a terrifying woman!

"Roar!"

The black panther unleashed a furious, guttural howl.

Then, with renewed aggression, it charged directly at Mu Yuqing.

Mu Yuqing firmly grasped her Divine Sword, her gaze hardening with intense focus.

The subsequent moment witnessed the commencement of a fierce engagement between human and beast.

The black panther's offensive velocity was remarkably, shockingly swift.

Its form flickered, transforming into a series of afterimages in a bid to fool Mu Yuqing.

Mu Yuqing's swordsmanship, however, was equally astounding, continuously employing the Wood Attribute Devouring Principle to counter the formidable black panther.

For a tense period, the victor remained undecided.

Even without overt cultivation, such intense duels between Divine-level experts were truly awe-inspiring and terrifying.

Had Xu Nian been present, he would have instantly recognized his complete inability to intervene in such a battle.

Xu Nian journeyed onward until he reached a tranquil, secluded area.

His scouting confirmed that the black panther had not pursued him.

From the distance behind him, persistent sounds of combat echoed, indicating that Mu Yuqing was successfully engaging the black panther.

Nonetheless, Xu Nian found himself perplexed.

He questioned why Mu Yuqing would willingly choose to confront and delay the black panther.

Logically, this was his inaugural encounter with Mu Yuqing.

Furthermore, based on the earlier statement from that young man, Mu Yuqing was reputed to be an exceptionally detached individual.

She typically showed little concern for the lives of others.

There had to be an undisclosed reason behind this situation.

Approximately two hours later, the clamor of the battle finally subsided.

Xu Nian directed his gaze toward the direction of the dense forest.

The outcome of the confrontation remained uncertain to him.

Despite not understanding Mu Yuqing's true motives, Xu Nian harbored a hope for her victory.

A few moments later, a solitary figure gradually emerged from the heart of the woods.

Upon seeing this individual, Xu Nian let out a subtle sigh of relief.

However, his brow furrowed as he observed the numerous wounds adorning Mu Yuqing's body.

It was evident that Mu Yuqing had sustained severe injuries.

Her physique bore no less than five distinct claw marks.

Among these, the wounds on her back and chest were particularly deep, with the one on her back nearly exposing the bone.

Given that cultivation was sealed in this location, she was unable to utilize it for healing.

Consequently, Mu Yuqing’s injuries would not mend swiftly.

Yet, these wounds themselves were not fatal.

What truly contributed to Mu Yuqing's extreme weakness stemmed from another, more insidious cause.

"Are you poisoned?" Xu Nian inquired, a note of surprise in his voice.

Mu Yuqing's lips were a pale hue, her breathing shallow and unsteady, clear indications of poisoning.

However, a poison potent enough to endanger a Divine-level expert could hardly be considered common.

"Yes, that black panther is exceptionally treacherous. It ultimately employed Ghost Vine venom on its claws," Mu Yuqing stated.

As soon as she finished speaking, she abruptly collapsed.

Startled by her sudden fall, Xu Nian moved quickly to support her.

"Wake up!" Xu Nian attempted to rouse her consciousness.

His efforts, however, proved futile.

The toxic agent within Mu Yuqing's body appeared to have commenced its assault on her very soul origin.