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Xu Taiping nodded.
With a swift slash, he severed the spider silk suspending the man.
The Blood Demon Spider above, sensing danger, no longer lingered and scurried into the forest along the web.
"Master Taoist, we must not… let that Blood Demon Spider escape; it will… it will go and alert the other Blood Demon Spiders and the young master of Blood Spider Valley!"
Commander Cao, weak and breathless, struggled to warn Xu Taiping.
"There's no need to worry."
Xu Taiping nodded, then extended a hand, his thumb resting on his middle finger. As a flame sparked at his fingertip, he flicked it towards the fleeing spider.
"Boom!"
The fireball shot from Xu Taiping's fingertip, striking the Blood Demon Spider directly.
Upon impact, the fireball exploded, engulfing the spider and a small section of the forest in roaring flames, leaving nothing but ash.
Witnessing this, Commander Cao gulped in astonishment.
"Are you… could you possibly be a cultivator?" he asked the young man with a hint of fear in his voice.
Xu Taiping didn't answer but instead produced a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve and handed a vermilion pill to the guard:
"Take this Minor Rejuvenation Pill; it will restore your vitality and blood essence."
The guard, initially stunned, eagerly swallowed the pill. These elixirs, distributed to the inner disciples of Qingxuan Sect, were only for healing and restoring vitality, and were of little use to Xu Taiping now.
But to the guard, it was nothing short of Immortal Medicine.
The pill quickly replenished his weakened vitality, and his injuries visibly healed at an astonishing rate.
"Many thanks for the precious medicine, young Master Taoist!"
The guard thanked Xu Taiping with a mix of gratitude and fear.
"Are you the Sixth Princess's guard?"
Xu Taiping shook his head and inquired.
"Yes, my name is Cao Yan, but everyone calls me Commander Cao. I am the personal guard for Her Highness on this journey."
Commander Cao nodded vigorously.
"What's the situation inside Mandala Villa now?"
Xu Taiping passed a water flask to Commander Cao.
Before attempting a rescue, he needed to understand the situation inside.
"Thank you, Master Taoist."
After taking a few sips of water, Commander Cao quickly replied:
"Last evening, the forces of Blood Spider Valley surrounded Mandala Villa. The entire place is ensnared in spider silk, leaving no escape."
"The young master of Blood Spider Valley threatened the life of everyone inside to coerce the Sixth Princess into marrying him today."
"We refused, of course, but the Blood Demon Spiders of Blood Spider Valley are formidable, especially the one accompanying their young master, which devoured more than ten of our guards. The Princess, unable to bear the loss, ultimately agreed to his demands."
Commander Cao recounted the events with a look of shame.
"Why does the young master of Blood Spider Valley wish to marry the Sixth Princess at this time?"
Xu Taiping was puzzled.
"Because, when Her Highness was young, she took an Immortal Medicine given by an Immortal from the mountains. Many believe that marrying Her Highness and performing that vile act would allow one to steal her immortal energy, transforming mortal to Immortal, thus achieving eternal life."
Commander Cao stammered his explanation.
"There is no such medicine in this world, and even if there were, mortals could not consume it."
Fairy Lingyue's voice suddenly echoed in Xu Taiping's mind.
"This must be a rumor spread by your princess's enemies."
Xu Taiping suggested to Commander Cao.
Commander Cao, who had just taken a drink, wiped his mouth vigorously and nodded: "Exactly, someone wants to use these rumors to target Her Highness through the hands of the martial artists and the demonic path."
Xu Taiping nodded.
Although he still had many questions, now was not the time to ask them.
"Will you come with me, or wait here?"
He took back the water flask from Commander Cao and posed the question.
"Esteemed Immortal, Mandala Villa is now surrounded by Blood Demon Spiders and the forces of Blood Spider Valley, including a demonic king-level Blood Demon Spider. Even if you're not afraid of the people from Blood Spider Valley, facing that demonic king-level Blood Demon Spider and the other dozen or so ordinary ones is too much for one person. I suggest we go to Black Stone Town together to seek reinforcements, then plan the rescue."
Commander Cao mustered his courage to advise Xu Taiping.
"Then wait here."
Xu Taiping did not argue but handed the horse's reins to Commander Cao:
"Take care of my horse for me."
With that, he strode towards the valley, hand on the hilt of his Spring Tiger saber.
Commander Cao's advice was sensible, but following it would increase the risk of harm to the Sixth Princess. Xu Taiping's primary mission was to escort her, and he was willing to take risks rather than increase the chances of her coming to harm.
"Immortal, I… I will come with you!"
Seeing Xu Taiping's determination, Commander Cao knew persuasion was futile and followed with the horse.
Xu Taiping did not stop him, allowing him to follow.
"Ah, reinforcements?"
As they delved deeper into the valley, they encountered a troop from Blood Spider Valley, with two Blood Demon Spiders emerging from the woods.
"Master Taoist, I'll ride the horse and draw them away while you continue forward."
Commander Cao immediately mounted and drew his long saber, decisive in his actions after resolving to assist Xu Taiping.
"No need, just wait on the side."
Xu Taiping shook his head, leaning slightly forward with his hand on the Spring Tiger saber's hilt:
"I'll just use them to test my blade."