Zhang Qiling caught the dagger flying straight toward his face, putting one arm out in front of Xie Nanyou to shield him, and stared with a cautious expression at the swaying branches in the distance.
Xie Nanyou looked at the faint glow coming from beneath the tree roots, took the hand that was blocking him, and walked toward the roots until he stopped two steps away. "Give me the dagger."
Xie Nanyou took the dagger Zhang Qiling handed him and watched as the tree trunk seemed to cower in fear behind the roots, then belatedly stepped in front of the roots to block the way. He slashed the palm of his other hand with the dagger, and instantly the sweet scent of his blood filled the enclosed space.
Chapter 31