I Just Wanted To Live but I Somehow Became Better Than the Protagonist

She gripped a knife, using it to steady herself as she rose. “In terms of speed and strength, we can’t match it. We can only rely on numbers and teamwork.”

“But how do we do that? It seems like ordinary attacks have no effect on it,” Hua Ningyan observed, recalling how Xia Shiqi’s strike had passed right through.

“After all, it’s in a ‘gaseous’ state…” Wu Xue pondered. “But since it can hit me, that means it’s not in that state when it attacks.”

“You mean, when it can hurt us, we can hurt it back?”

“Exactly.” Wu Xue noticed Xia Shiqi’s increasingly erratic dodging, clearly struggling to keep pace with the malevolent entity’s onslaught. She turned to Hua Ningyan. “You take the hits; I’ll seize the chance to strike.”

“I won’t do it! Why can’t you take the hits while I attack?”

“What else can you do besides acting cute in front of the young master? How are you going to attack?”

Hua Ningyan was momentarily at a loss for words, only able to mumble, “I’m not acting cute…”

“Whatever. I have plenty of combat experience, trust me.”

“Ugh!” At that moment, Xia Shijia was struck by the pseudo-Qiongqi’s attack, sent flying like a ragged wolf, rolling several times before struggling to rise.

“If this doesn’t work, I’ll bite you.” Xia Shijia had always treated Hua Ningyan well, caring for her like a mother, and Hua Ningyan certainly didn’t want to watch her get beaten. So, she dashed to the side of the pseudo-Qiongqi, her voice lacking any threat, instead sounding soft and sticky as she shouted, “Evil spirit! If you have the guts, come over here!”

The pseudo-Qiongqi’s eyes glimmered with a haunting purple light, fixating on Hua Ningyan. It was truly excited, reveling in the thrill of prey running to it for punishment.

Its form was that of a massive tiger with wings, towering especially over Hua Ningyan, who curled up, preparing to take the beating. But before the attack could land, the rising Xia Shijia rushed over to block it.

Watching Xia Shijia get knocked away before her, a surge of anger welled up within Hua Ningyan.

—

84 Battle Against the Evil Spirit

Long before the pseudo-Qiongqi made its move, Wu Xue had already rushed in with her blade drawn. As Xia Shijia was sent flying, she aimed her knife at the pseudo-Qiongqi’s paw.

However, it was a pity that Wu Xue’s attack missed entirely. Instead, due to her excessive force, she struck the ground, sending sparks flying, and leaving her body exposed in a moment of rigidity. The pseudo-Qiongqi retaliated with a swift strike, sending her flying to the ground with a heavy thud.

Outside the formation, Ye Yong shook his head slightly. Wu Xue’s intentions were commendable, but the enemy was not a mere foundation-building shadow; it was a golden core-level evil energy entity. The ebb and flow of its power occurred in an instant. For a physical attack to be effective, a sneak attack was futile; it required a direct confrontation. Yet, given Wu Xue’s current strength, she clearly couldn’t manage that. Regardless, it was a valiant attempt. Ye Yong’s shake of the head was not one of disappointment in Wu Xue’s actions, but rather a lament for her plan’s failure.

Hua Ningyan stood frozen, her pupils trembling as she gazed at the pseudo-Qiongqi raising its massive paw. The anger within her could no longer be contained, as if something deep inside her surged forth alongside her fury.

“Bang!” The pseudo-Qiongqi’s paw came crashing down toward Hua Ningyan, but suddenly, a burst of white flames erupted, blocking the attack.

The white flames clearly inflicted some degree of damage on the pseudo-Qiongqi, which immediately recoiled, maintaining its distance while warily watching the flames slowly dissipate, revealing Hua Ningyan once more.

From any angle, she appeared to be a weak little white fox, yet a silver light flickered in her eyes, gradually fading. In that fleeting moment, her aura had grown formidable, and the white flames made the pseudo-Qiongqi acutely aware that a portion of its malevolent energy had been dispelled.

“Could it be that the immortal’s aura has awakened its fox spirit?” Ye Yong had never expected such a scene to unfold. In the novel, Huajingyan had used fire as well, but according to the description, it was a dark purple, demonic fox fire. The color of the flames just now didn’t match, and Ye Yong couldn’t sense any demonic energy, so he could only assume it was a spiritual fire inherent to its fox spirit.

A sudden change occurred, and Pseudo-Qi Qi stopped teasing its prey, its eyes fixed intently on Huajingyan. If that white flame appeared again, even without the Buddha’s light, it would still be weakened.

“What did you just do?” Wu Xue’s clothes were covered in dust, but she hadn’t suffered any injuries, only aching from being slapped and thrown around. She walked over to Huajingyan’s side, holding her knife at the ready, wary of Pseudo-Qi Qi.

Xia Shijia also shook off her body and walked over.

“I don’t know… the flames just suddenly appeared.” As the fox involved, Huajingyan was completely bewildered, wondering what had happened.

“It doesn’t matter, that flame is useful against evil spirits. It’s already intimidated by you, so use that flame to wrap yourself up and charge forward, see if you can burn it to ashes.”

“But I don’t know how I did it either.”

“Quick, think back, the evil spirit won’t give you time. As soon as it gets the chance, it’ll definitely use its full strength to attack you first. Although Young Master’s defensive artifact can reduce the damage, if you can’t withstand its full-force attack, you’re done for.”

“Ugh…” Hearing this, Huajingyan was terrified, but with no other choice, she steeled herself and tried to summon that white flame again.

“We’ll give you time, try to distract its attention as much as possible.” Wu Xue glanced at Xia Shijia, and Xia Shijia looked back at her, although they didn’t share a language, they understood each other’s intentions in this moment.

However, Pseudo-Qi Qi was no wooden stake, possessing a certain combat instinct, able to adapt its fighting style according to the situation.

It suddenly split its massive tiger body into several clusters of black smoke, dispersing in different directions, launching an evil energy attack.

Wu Xue and Xia Shijia had originally planned to take the initiative and attract its attention, but now they could only passively stay by Huajingyan’s side and endure the attack.

The artifact prevented the evil energy from invading their bodies, but being hit still hurt.

“Are you done yet!?”

“I really don’t know what to do!” Huajingyan was on the verge of tears.

“Damn it…” Wu Xue felt extremely frustrated, couldn’t warriors find a way to launch an attack that could harm evil spirits? Relying on others and being unable to take control, was that really okay?

The more she thought, the more unwilling she was. Compared to relying on others (except for Young Master), Wu Xue would rather rely on herself!

Her gaze flashed, with a hint of the white tiger beast soul roaring in her eyes. Wu Xue’s aura was completely different from usual, if she was usually a flustered little animal, then now she was a ruthless hunter.

With an explosive speed, Wu Xue leaped high into the air, her treasured sword radiating visible waves of energy, a cold light slashing through the air, and one of the “black smoke” clusters rapidly dissipated, transforming into an energy flow heading towards Pseudo-Qi Qi’s source.

85 As Long as the Parties Involved Feel No Embarrassment