第39章 "血染红谷" (Blood-Stained Valley)

**Chapter 39: The Counterattack**

White Xiaopu's eyes blazed with fury as he stared at the traitors before him. "You fools!" he thundered, his voice echoing through the valley. "You've been playing me all along, haven't you?"

The group of young cultivators, their faces devoid of emotion, did not respond. They simply continued to gaze at White Xiaopu with a cold, calculating intensity.

Without hesitation, White Xiaopu summoned a burst of energy, unleashing a torrent of attacks against the traitors. The air was filled with the sound of crackling energy and the stench of ozone as the two sides clashed in a flurry of fists and feet.

The traitors, however, were no pushover. They had been trained by the enemy, and their skills were formidable. They counterattacked with precision and strength, sending White Xiaopu stumbling backward.

As the battle raged on, White Xiaopu's rage gave way to a calculating determination. He knew he couldn't hold out for much longer against such overwhelming odds, but he refused to give up.

Suddenly, a voice pierced the chaos, echoing through the valley. "White Xiaopu, stop! This isn't the way!"

White Xiaopu's head snapped toward the sound, his eyes locking onto a figure emerging from the trees. It was Mu Qing, her face set in a fierce determination, her eyes blazing with a fierce inner light.

"Mu Qing, why are you here?" White Xiaopu shouted, his energy faltering for a moment.

"I came to stop you!" Mu Qing replied, her voice clear and firm. "You're not thinking clearly, White Xiaopu. You're going to get yourself killed!"

White Xiaopu's face twisted in anger, but Mu Qing's words struck a chord deep within him. He knew she was right. He was letting his emotions get the better of him.

With a sudden burst of clarity, White Xiaopu halted his attack, his energy dissipating as he gazed at Mu Qing. "What do you want me to do?" he asked, his voice husky with emotion.

Mu Qing's eyes never wavered. "Let's get out of here, White Xiaopu. We need to regroup and come up with a new plan. We can't take on them alone."

White Xiaopu nodded, his face still red with rage, but his eyes already beginning to clear. Together, the two of them turned to face the traitors, their eyes locked in a fierce determination.

But as they began to move, a sudden burst of energy exploded from the traitors, sending White Xiaopu flying across the valley. Mu Qing rushed to his side, her eyes blazing with rage.

"No...you can't do this," she whispered, her voice trembling with fury.

But it was too late. White Xiaopu's eyes snapped open, his gaze locking onto Mu Qing's in a fierce warning.

And then, everything went black.

To be continued...