"Qiqi!" Flame couldn’t help but call out softly, suddenly feeling a rush of urgency in his heart, causing him to cough up blood again, which he forced down with great effort.

"My Blood-drinking Sword doesn’t have eyes." Gu Qingheng frowned at Flame. Although he knew Flame was injured, since Flame hadn’t collapsed, he couldn’t be sure of the severity, so he dared not be careless.

"Gu Qingheng, you’re despicable." Song San glared at Gu Qingheng, his face filled with anger and frustration. He had been bitten by something earlier, and now half of his body had lost sensation.

The snake, Gold, had already returned to Gu Qingheng’s wrist. The snake lord spared you, otherwise, you’d be dead and unable to complain.

"Compared to you, there’s still a gap." Gu Qingheng sneered and looked up at Flame. "Step aside, or he’ll have to die. I don’t think you want to see him die, right? After all, if you want to achieve great things, the Zhao Family’s bloodline is a perfect excuse."

Song San was unable to resist, so he could only glare at Gu Qingheng with hatred. He had underestimated this man. He hadn’t won against him openly and fairly; without that damned little snake, how could he have lost? Now he’s become a hostage in Gu Qingheng’s hands!

Unfortunately, this is a battlefield—there are no ’ifs’! 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Flame was silent for a moment, then suddenly waved his hand: "Let them go."

Gu Qingheng smiled and dragged Song San away.

Flame’s hand, hanging at his side, clenched then relaxed, and as they left, his body swayed slightly, falling against a sect member. Of course, he wasn’t dead; it was just that this time the injury was severe, and recovery would probably take a while.

"Do you think you can make it out of these woods?" Song San felt dizzy but tried hard to stay conscious.

"That’s our concern." Gu Qingheng smiled, "And you should be worried about yourself. Gold’s venom is rare and much more potent than any you’ve concocted. Otherwise, you, who grew up in Miaojiang eating venomous substances like snacks, wouldn’t be affected, right? Also, don’t try to use Inner Strength to expel the poison; that’ll just speed up its onset."

Song San suddenly fell silent. Indeed, he grew up consuming all kinds of toxins from Miaojiang—the likes of arsenic were snacks to him. Yet, just a bite from that little snake poisoned him; it only proved the snake’s venom was too potent.

"Rest assured, I won’t kill you." Gu Qingheng saw that Song San had become much more obedient, and he chuckled. "As soon as we get out, I’ll let you go. Of course, whether you can make it back, that’s up to fate."

Song San showed a hint of surprise; he wouldn’t kill him? Is this possible?

Gu Qingheng didn’t say anything further. Naturally, he wouldn’t kill Song San, because the Flame Sect still existed. Until they were completely eradicated, killing Song San was useless—after all, a Zhao Family bloodline could easily be fabricated. It was better to keep him around; at least they’d recognize him in future encounters, making it easier to deal with.

The three of them dared not stop for a moment, heading out continuously. However, they were surrounded by the primeval forest, and carrying the immobilized Song San meant their speed couldn’t pick up. Moreover, they had consumed a lot of physical energy during the fight earlier, with Zhang Tiankuo even injured. So, after half a day of trekking, they had to stop to rest.