Chapter 1158: Acting Recklessly

"How can you not have it? You've been my rival for so many years; is there anything about you I don't know?" Yun Jianyue was anxious, assuming the other woman was reluctant to give her the medicine. "Surely you're not going to be petty with me at a time like this?"

Yan Xuehen didn't know how to explain, so she just said with a cold face, "I don't have it, plain and simple. Why so many questions?"

Yun Jianyue gritted her teeth in frustration. "Fine, don't give it to me, but you can take it yourself, can't you? Just get rid of this disgusting monster first!"

After all, both were Grandmasters with astonishing cultivation. Even though they were severely wounded by the monster's surprise attack, they still used all their trump cards, inflicting damage on the creature.

However, after some time, the Scaled Death Worm slowly raised its body, clearly having recovered and ready to launch a new wave of attacks.

But the two women were completely exhausted, their strength depleted, with no ability left to resist.

So Yun Jianyue had conceded, believing that even if she ended up in Yan Xuehen's hands, it would be far better than being devoured by the disgusting worm.

To her surprise, Yan Xuehen hesitated, showing no sign of movement.

Yun Jianyue was stunned. "You don't *really* have any left, do you?"

Yan Xuehen retorted angrily, "I told you several times already—I never had any left!"

Her mood wasn't good at the moment. She thought to herself that she had given the life-saving medicine to Zu An, and now he was probably long gone with another woman, living a carefree and happy life.

How could he possibly know the extent of her sacrifice for him?

The moment that thought arose, she was startled. She immediately composed herself, thinking, "I save whoever I want to save. Why would I want him to know?"

Seeing her face turn red and then pale, Yun Jianyue wondered, "I've never heard of you getting injured all these years, and with your cultivation, it's unlikely you'd need this medicine... Could it be for some young lover?"

Yan Xuehen, as if her thoughts had been exposed, hastily denied it. "No, I'm not. I don't. Don't talk nonsense!"

Initially, Yun Jianyue was just joking. After all, in her mind, her old rival was an ice queen, utterly incapable of feeling love or affection. But seeing such a strong reaction from Yan Xuehen, her anxious, uncertain expression so similar to her own lovesick disciple, Yun Jianyue immediately realized: Did this woman truly have a lover?

"Tell me quickly, what extraordinary man in this world could possibly conquer the heart of our ice queen? I never thought I'd get such interesting news before dying; it won't be lonely in death after all." Yun Jianyue knew they were both doomed and accepted their fate calmly. Her only curiosity was the identity of Yan Xuehen's man.

"Nonsense, there's no such extraordinary man!" As Yan Xuehen spoke, Zu An's image flashed through her mind, making her feel both shy and annoyed. That scoundrel, she thought, what kind of enchantment did he cast on her to make her like this!

The Scaled Death Worm in the distance was somewhat wary of the two women, as their recent counterattack had caused it significant damage.

Seeing them chatting and laughing, it became momentarily confused, worried that they were faking their weakness to lure it into an attack.

So it hesitated, not daring to advance.

However, it also recalled that its previous attack should have severely wounded both of them, so after a while, it couldn't hold back anymore.

If it didn't attack directly, it could send its subordinates to test them.

It let out a series of strange, rapid calls. Then, the ground and walls around them began to bulge, and soon, numerous smaller death worms burst forth from the earth.

The giant mother worm emitted a series of cries towards them, seemingly issuing commands. Then, it tilted its body towards Yun Jianyue and Yan Xuehen, and the smaller worms burrowed into the ground, heading straight for the two women.

Though called 'smaller' worms, that was only in comparison to the mother worm; each was between ten and twenty meters long, and their sharp mouthparts were capable of tearing a person to shreds.

Both women's expressions changed drastically. They tried to summon their respective magic artifacts but found their injuries too severe to activate them.

A collective sigh escaped them. They, who were usually so proud, revered by all, and magnificent, were now facing such an inglorious death.

Just then, two death worms burst from the ground, their mouthparts snapping shut instantly. The two women barely managed to gather their last vestiges of cultivation to jump and evade the fatal strike.

But immediately after, several more worms burst from the walls and ceiling. The women had no remaining strength to dodge and could only fall, despairingly awaiting death.

However, the expected searing pain never came. Instead, they felt surges of sharp sword energy.

They saw the attacking death worms severed, their bodies twitching, and green fluid continuously oozing from the severed parts.

The two women were startled. They looked at each other, each initially thinking the other had some hidden strength left, but seeing the shock on each other's faces, they knew they were mistaken.

At that moment, the two monster worms that had burst from the ground earlier shot up towards them, aiming to bite them.

The women tried to dodge, but they, who could normally move in an instant with a mere thought, now lacked even the strength to twitch a finger.

Gazing at the monster's rings of hideous teeth and the reeking smell from its mouth, even these two women, who normally viewed life and death with indifference, couldn't help but blanch.

However, they weren't bitten by the two worms. Instead, they fell into a warm, strong embrace. Looking up, they saw a resolute and handsome face.

"It's you!"

Both women exclaimed in unison. Although their words were the same, their feelings were vastly different.

Yun Jianyue was overcome with surprise and joy. She had thought he was dead not long ago, and now not only was he alive, but he had also saved her. There was nothing but pure happiness in her heart.

Yan Xuehen's feelings were far more complex. Her initial reaction was also surprise and joy, but she quickly realized she was being held by him.

For so many years, let alone being embraced, her body had never even been touched by a man's finger.

Amidst her shame and indignation, she also felt guilty, worried that Yun Jianyue would notice something. She quickly said, "Let me go!"

Yun Jianyue, who was beside them, rolled her eyes. "At a time like this, you're still so particular? A hug won't make you pregnant."

Evidently, she thought Yan Xuehen was merely too aloof and proud to be held by a man.

At this moment, the Scaled Death Worm in the distance saw its offspring being slaughtered and let out an angry roar.

Furthermore, after confirming that the two powerful human women had completely lost their combat ability, it charged forward like a hurricane.

Its speed surpassed Zu An's imagination. Now holding two incapacitated women, even if he summoned a strong gust of wind, he couldn't escape the death worm's pursuit.

Yun Jianyue and Yan Xuehen, with their superior eyesight, clearly saw this. "Don't worry about us!"

If he tried to save both of them, he wouldn't save anyone and would only sacrifice his own life.

It would be better to abandon them; while the monster ate them, he might still be able to escape.

To their surprise, Zu An had no intention of letting go. He quickly said, "We're five li away!"

No sooner had he spoken than the three vanished from their spot, and the charging Scaled Death Worm bit at empty air.

It chomped around, feeling no flesh for a long time, and suspiciously looked around. But where were they?

Meanwhile, on the other side, the three opened their eyes to find themselves in a pool of water.

Zu An was fine; his cultivation had reached a level where his breathing created a self-sustaining cycle within his body.

Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue, however, were in a terrible state. Normally, they would have no problem in water, but now, severely injured and caught off guard by the sudden appearance in the water, they choked almost instantly, their beautiful faces turning bright red.

The two women were now practically like drowning commoners, instinctively clutching onto the nearest lifeline—Zu An.

Seeing the normally aloof Ice Mountain Sect Leader and the mighty, domineering Demonic Sect Mistress both looking so vulnerable, their luscious red lips seemed to possess an unusual allure.

Zu An subconsciously leaned in, a scene from an old TV show flashing through his mind: when the male and female protagonists fell into water, didn't they always perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation?