The burning of Essence Blood showed instantaneous results.

The poison suppressing Kalina’s circulation was forcefully pushed back. The dizziness rapidly faded. Her muscles became stronger. Her reactions became faster.

Even the white blade around her fingers shone more brightly than before. A terrifying pressure exploded outward.

Aksai, who had just emerged from the poisonous fog to launch another attack, immediately narrowed his eyes. Nuri’s warning instantly echoed inside his consciousness.

[Danger level rising rapidly.]

[Unknown secret technique detected.]

[Target’s physical capabilities have increased dramatically.]

[Poison suppression temporarily restored.]

Aksai immediately retreated without hesitation.

Kalina slowly raised her head.

Her breathing had stabilized once more.

However, the crimson glow burning beneath her skin clearly showed that this power had not come without a price. She knew exactly what she had sacrificed.

Burning Essence Blood would permanently reduce part of her cultivation foundation. Her cultivation realm would regress slightly after the technique ended. Her future breakthroughs would become much more difficult for several years.

It was a painful price.

But compared to dying inside this poisonous prison or surviving only to become easy prey for her rivals, this sacrifice was more than worth it.

She looked toward the white fog where Aksai had disappeared once again.

This time, the killing intent inside her eyes became colder than ever.

Kalina’s figure shot through the poisonous mist like a streak of white light.

Her speed had risen drastically.

The burning Essence Blood had strengthened every part of her body. Her movements were faster. Her reactions had become sharper. Even the poisonous fog that had slowed her moments ago now seemed to affect her much less.

She stopped where Aksai had disappeared only a few breaths earlier. The white blade covering her two fingers gave off a faint glow.

Her eyes narrowed.

"Alright. Come out."

Silence answered her.

Only the white poison fog drifted around her. The countless vines creaked softly as they swayed under the influence of the poisonous currents.

Kalina’s lips curled.

"So that’s your plan?"

She smiled coldly.

"Good."

"I’ll drag you out myself."

Boom!

Her figure burst forward again.

She no longer waited for Aksai to attack.

Instead, she took the initiative.

She dashed from one side of the barrier to another, leaving behind white afterimages. Every few moments, the blade on her fingers slashed through the mist, slicing apart thick clusters of vines that stood in her path.

The poison fog scattered. Then gathered again. It was as though the barrier itself was breathing.

Kalina remained confident. The secret technique had greatly strengthened her.

As long as Aksai appeared within several metres, he would surely die.

...

Far away.

Hidden behind several layers of poisonous mist, Aksai quietly watched Kalina.

His breathing remained slow despite the countless wounds covering his body.

Blood continued dripping from his sleeves. His Guardian’s Qi had long since dimmed.

Yet his eyes remained calm.

"Nuri."

Her voice echoed directly inside his mind.

[Estimated enhancement: Body functions increased by approximately forty-three percent. ]

[Estimated duration: Limited.]

[Unknown backlash probability: Extremely high.]

’Another secret technique? How many does she have?’

Aksai nodded inwardly as he thought.

This bewitching beauty had finally revealed another trump card. He had expected something like this. After all, someone from an imperial faction would never lack desperate measures.

Which was exactly why he had no intention of fighting her now.

His previous attacks had already achieved their purpose. The poison had entered her body. The barrier still stood. The Venom Dominion continued to spread.

Now all he had to do was wait.

Aksai quietly stepped backward. His movements were almost soundless. The Spirit Veil Pill continued hiding his presence. The thick poison mist hid his body. The countless vines created endless blind spots.

Every few breaths, he simply changed direction. Never staying in one place. Never leaving behind enough clues.

...

Kalina frowned.

She had already searched three different sections of the barrier.

Nothing.

She could not even sense him.

The poison had become even denser than before. Her vision barely extended several meters ahead.

Everything beyond that distance became nothing more than a blurry white curtain.

Her Spirit Sense fared no better. It felt as though countless tiny threads wrapped around it from every direction. Every attempt to spread it outward met heavy resistance.

"Damn it..."

She slowed down.

The poison continued entering her body.

Although the burning Essence Blood temporarily suppressed its effects, it did not eliminate them. The poison simply waited beneath the surface. Like a patient beast. Ready to pounce the moment her secret technique ended.

Kalina clenched her teeth.

"Come out! Come out! Come out!"

Her voice echoed throughout the barrier.

No answer.

Only silence.

She suddenly rushed toward another direction.

Yet by the time she arrived, there was still nobody there.

...

A few dozen meters away, Aksai quietly watched her leave. Then calmly walked toward another section of the barrier. Even though he was a bit scared by Kalina’s instincts just now that had almost revealed his position, he didn’t panic.

His footsteps never disturbed the vines. The poisonous fog swallowed his figure once more. He almost looked like a ghost wandering inside his own domain.

...

Minutes passed.

Kalina became increasingly restless.

Everywhere she went, she always arrived a moment too late.

Sometimes she thought she saw movement and would rush over. Sometimes she heard vines rustling and would attack immediately.

But she only managed to hit empty air.

It was as though Aksai knew exactly where she intended to go before she herself decided.

In reality, he did.

Nuri continuously analyzed Kalina’s movements.

Her breathing, footsteps and more. Even the smallest hesitation became valuable data.

Each prediction became slightly more accurate than the last, which allowed Aksai to quietly remain one step ahead.

...

Kalina finally stopped.

Her breathing had become heavier.

Her eyes swept across the endless white fog.

Then...

She laughed.

It was a cold laugh.

"So."

"The great thief of the Dadangar Subcontinent has become a frightened rat?"

Her voice carried clearly throughout the barrier.

"I thought you wanted my life."

"What happened?"

"Afraid now?"

Silence.

She continued.

"I finally understand. You were never a true Lord. You simply relied on cheap tricks. The moment I gained the upper hand, you started hiding."

"Come out... you fuck*ing rat. Come out if you dare."

After that, she hurled even more provocations, personal insults, and curse words. It made Aksai wonder who would win in a battle of insults between Kalina and the Purple River Lord.

However, despite the number of random wandering thoughts, Aksai didn’t react.

He was long accustomed to listening to the Purple River Lord’s endless trash talk. Even though it had never been directed at him, it had still helped him develop a thick skin.

Plus, he had no interest in proving anything. Honor could not kill enemies. Pride could not save lives. Mockery certainly could not reverse the effects of poison.

If hiding increased his chances of winning, then hiding was the correct choice.

Simple.

He quietly turned around, changed direction once again, and disappeared deeper into the poisonous fog.

As a result, only the poisonous mist answered Kalina’s blatant abuse of "free speech."

...

...

Kalina’s smile gradually disappeared. Her fingers tightened. The veins near her temple began twitching.

Every passing breath consumed more of her secret technique. Every passing breath brought her closer to its backlash.

Yet Aksai refused to appear.

She possessed overwhelming power. Yet she had nobody to unleash it upon. She felt like a mighty sword swung into empty air.

Each strike exhausted her. Each moment favored Aksai. Eventually, the white glow around Kalina’s body gradually weakened.

’This can’t go on. I... I need to do something.’

Kalina thought of something and steeled herself. In the next moment, the crimson veins beneath her skin slowly returned to their normal color. Her breathing became heavier.

One breath.

Two breaths.

Then—

The burning Essence Blood finally reached its limit. Her body shuddered violently. The terrifying power supporting her instantly vanished as though someone had cut a string.

"Aaaaah..."

Kalina’s eyes widened. The backlash arrived all at once. It felt as though every muscle inside her body had suddenly lost its strength.

Her Spirit Essence veins throbbed painfully. The blood flowing through them became sluggish. An overwhelming weakness spread from the depths of her body.

She could no longer maintain her flight. Her feet stumbled. She almost crashed onto the ground before barely managing to land.

Her knees trembled. Even lifting her arm became difficult.

"Fuc*k..."

Her breathing became ragged. The poison she had forcefully suppressed moments ago erupted once again.

Her vision blurred. The white poisonous mist looked even thicker than before.

The dizziness returned with greater intensity. At the same time, the white blade surrounding her two fingers began flickering.

The once brilliant weapon lost its stability. Its edges constantly dissolved before reforming. Even maintaining its shape had become difficult.

Kalina looked at it with frustration.

’Damn it. My Sharp Flash talisman...’

Her reserves had almost dried up.

The Sharp Slash Talisman required continuous Spirit Essence to maintain its manifestation.

Without sufficient energy, Its existence itself became unstable. Besides, its duration had almost reached its limit anyway. Her current condition merely hastened the inevitable.

Tiny cracks spread across the ethereal blade.

Its light dimmed.