CHAPTER 69

Decisive Move

Having lost the patience for negotiation, Tong Tong decided to stick to a straightforward and aggressive approach. Holding Biling in her right hand, she tapped her toes lightly and swiftly darted forward, unleashing three consecutive slashes aimed directly at Meng Qianyao's head.

Though these three strikes appeared chaotic, they effectively sealed off all possible escape routes, high, middle, and low, for her opponent. It was undeniably ruthless, revealing that her concern for Su Yan had completely stripped away any lingering tenderness, finally unleashing the sharpness of a true sword cultivator.

This move was from the Evil-Warding Sword Manual, one she had practiced until it became relatively proficient, and this was the first time she had displayed it in front of a crowd. During her previous confrontation with Zhu Yingyi, she had been too busy dodging and fleeing to use the exquisite sword techniques she had newly learned.

Now, provoked by Meng Qianyao, her long-dormant and deeply buried competitive spirit finally surfaced, compelling her to show no mercy from the very first move. At last, the duel began to take on a more serious form.

Knowledgeable spectators in the audience lit up with excitement, unable to hold back their applause and cheers.

Among the crowd, Ye Zhiqiu paused the teacup in her hand, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes as she watched Tong Tong brandish Biling. Her beautiful gaze deepened, and the elegant, radiant smile at the corner of her lips grew increasingly inscrutable.

'Hah, so it's the Evil-Warding Sword Art, is it?'

Below the stage, Su Yan's delicate brows lifted slightly, a flicker of curiosity passing through her eyes: Where did this silly girl learn such sword techniques? There's actually some skill to it...

Meng Qianyao's expression turned serious as she immediately recognized that Tong Tong's moves held hidden intricacies. Not daring to underestimate her opponent, she silently recited an incantation. The folding fan in her hand suddenly expanded, growing larger with the wind, transforming in the blink of an eye into a shield several meters wide. It stood firmly before Meng Qianyao, blocking all of Tong Tong's attacks, only the clashing sounds of "ding-ding-dang-dang" could be heard, accompanied by a shower of sparks, indicating the ferocity of the strikes and the unyielding strength of Meng Qianyao's defense. This unexpected exchange ended in a draw.

"Miss Meng's elegance remains as captivating as ever!"

"Whoa! Who would've thought this Tong Xiaoqi [Little Seven's Tong] from Chonghua actually has some skill!"

"So that's how it is, she was hiding her abilities all along! As expected of a renowned sect, always thinking ahead..."

Surprisingly, the praises for Tong Tong from the audience even outnumbered those for Meng Qianyao, something no one had anticipated.

'Hide my abilities, my foot! Don't think I can't tell you're mocking my earlier performance, you jerk...'

Even in the midst of the fight, Tong Tong found a moment to glare at the person who had spoken.

Meng Qianyao paid no mind to the fickle spectators who had initially been full of confidence in her but were now adopting a wait-and-see attitude. She smiled faintly, her gaze shifting with unparalleled grace, yet Tong Tong, locked in combat with her, detected a sharp edge hidden within that gentle smile.

Sure enough, Meng Qianyao spread her fingers slightly and lightly brushed them across the surface of the fan, triggering a sudden transformation, the beauty depicted on the fan narrowed her eyes, as if two cold glints flashed past, and her crimson lips parted. Instead of a soft hum, a fiery serpent spewed forth from her mouth, lunging straight for Tong Tong's face!

This thing even has a fire-breathing function? How high-tech!

Tong Tong's eyes widened, her mouth forming a perfect "O."

This attack, though seemingly complex, unfolded in the blink of an eye. In less than a breath, the ferocious, menacing fiery serpent was already inches away from Tong Tong's face.

Before her eyes, flames blazed brilliantly, heating her cheeks and stinging her eyes with a burning pain. She even felt her eyelashes scorch, as if curling up from the intense heat.

I always complained my lashes weren't curly enough, but now they're naturally curled, aren't they?... No need to thank you for this great favor, I'll repay this grudge, or I'm no lady!

In the blink of an eye, Tong Tong twisted her waist sharply. Relying on her recent rigorous training and the resilient physique refined through marrow cleansing during her Golden Core formation, she bent her body backward a full 180 degrees, narrowly dodging the lightning-fast fiery serpent. The force of the movement was so intense that she could almost hear the crisp sound of her bones cracking, and the pain instantly drained the color from her face.

But before she could catch her breath, Meng Qianyao, undeterred by her failed first strike, launched a second attack. The fan blade, its fiery serpent temporarily extinguished, spun swiftly and sliced down with its sharp edge, transforming into an unstoppable cleaver descending with deadly force. If this strike succeeded, it would likely split Tong Tong cleanly in two!

'Whoa, girl, aren't you being a bit too brutal?!'

Tong Tong stared in terror at the whistling blade overhead, her face pale as she gasped sharply. Yet her body reacted faster than her mind could process, to the astonishment of the onlookers, she flung aside her Biling Sword and, with palms pressed together, caught the fan blade hurtling toward her face, executing the famously renowned move: "Catching a Blade Barehanded"!

'What is this fool doing?!'

Hidden within the wide sleeves of her robe, Su Yan clenched her fist tightly. Her lips pressed into a cold line, and a flicker of displeasure crossed her eyes. The sudden chill emanating from her made everyone nearby instinctively take a few steps back, creating an immediate vacuum around her.

From the spectators' perspective, the scene unfolded as follows: Meng Qianyao gripped the fan handle with both hands, her entire body pressing Tong Tong firmly to the ground under the force of gravity. Tong Tong lay flat against the hard obsidian floor, palms tightly clasped together, firmly gripping the blade as thin as a cicada's wing, halting the threat just inches from the tip of her nose.

This life-and-death struggle took on an unspoken hint of ambiguity due to the peculiar expressions of the two involved parties. Tong Tong, pinned and under pressure, wore a grave expression, sweat beading on her forehead, yet a mischievous curve tugged at the corner of her mouth. Meng Qianyao, who held the upper hand, blushed with a rosy glow, her eyes misty, wearing the delicate, aggrieved look of someone wronged, it was impossible not to let imaginations run wild.

"You... you scoundrel!" Meng Qianyao gritted her teeth lightly, glaring fiercely at Tong Tong beneath her, who struggled to hold the blade. She couldn't help but exert more force, wishing she could end Tong Tong's life right then and there.

"Hey, hey! Fairy Meng, show some mercy!" Feeling the increased pressure from the blade, Tong Tong's face paled in fright, and the teasing smile vanished from her lips.

"Absolutely not... ah!" A flush flashed across Meng Qianyao's face, her eyes seeming to brim with moisture, while her rosy lips were bitten pale. "You... stop moving... mmm..."

Tong Tong blinked, avoiding a drop of sweat sliding down her forehead, and smiled innocently at Meng Qianyao. "Fairy Meng, that's not fair... If you don't show mercy with your hands, how can I 'show mercy with my knees'?"

Originally, while Tong Tong was being restrained with her hands pressed against the fan and seemingly unable to resist, this very position also afforded her a certain advantage. It allowed her to seize the initiative to turn the tables at a critical moment, all she needed was a face as thick as a city wall to succeed. With a light press of her knee, she menacingly aimed at the most delicate and tender spot of Meng Qianyao's inner thigh, issuing a silent warning.

No matter how high a cultivator's cultivation, there are always vulnerable points they cannot fully defend. For female cultivators, who regard their primordial yin as their life, this posture was even more embarrassing than having their vital points seized, something too shameful to speak of.

Apart from the two on the stage, only a few with exceptional insight could discern the subtlety of the situation. Thus, Tong Tong, who appeared to be at a disadvantage, fearlessly pressed her knee forward again, wearing a gentle and innocent smile that, in Meng Qianyao's eyes, was utterly despicable.

"Aren't you afraid I'll really k!ll you?" Meng Qianyao suppressed the strange sensation in her body and threatened with a cold expression.

Initially, she had only intended to teach this "rival in love" a lesson, but now she genuinely felt a flicker of k!lling intent. While the Nichang Valley had always maintained a peaceful approach, it did not mean they would tolerate humiliation, and its female disciples had never suffered such an outrageous insult before!

"Afraid? Of course I'm afraid! My heart is pounding so hard it feels like it's about to leap out!" Tong Tong saw the k!lling intent in her eyes and felt a chill run down her spine, thinking to herself: 'Oops, it seems I've gone a bit too far this time!'

'Well, it's my first time teasing someone, so I lack experience. I'll do better next time...' she comforted herself.

Then, before Meng Qianyao could act, she spoke seriously, "Hold on, Fairy Meng! Do you really intend to commit murd3r in front of everyone? If you k!ll me, my senior brother won't let you off!"

Meng Qianyao's eyes flickered as she subtly glanced in Su Yan's direction. He was watching expressionlessly, but the coldness in his gaze was so intense it seemed to condense into icy shards aimed at her.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she unconsciously loosened her grip slightly.

Seeing that her persuasion was effective, Tong Tong continued, "Besides, you can't k!ll me anyway... Don't believe me? Look!" Tong Tong smiled and gestured with her chin toward Meng Qianyao's back, appearing utterly confident.

Meng Qianyao couldn't help but feel suspicious. Though she suspected it might be a trick to distract her and lower her guard, her confidence and curiosity compelled her to turn her head.

At that moment, she felt a chill against her neck, a gleaming emerald sword was now pressed against it!

How careless!

Only then did Meng Qianyao realize: the girl she was facing was a genuine Chonghua Sword Cultivator!

Sword control was a fundamental skill for every Chonghua disciple, but only those with sufficient cultivation could wield their lifebound spiritual sword, merging their mind and spirit with it to achieve seamless control and defeat their enemies.

Clearly, she had forgotten that this girl, who always hid behind Su Yan and was adept at causing mischief and stirring trouble, was already a Golden Core cultivator, how could she not be capable of something as basic as sword control?

It was only because Tong Tong had always fought with her sword in hand and acted naive and inexperienced that Meng Qianyao had let her guard down.

Now, not only had she been humiliated and forced to swallow her pride, but the outcome of the battle had also become uncertain!

What a clever move!

However, she wasn't someone to be trifled with either... Did they think only Chonghua had secret techniques?

Don't forget, the Nichang Valley was renowned for its dual mastery of medicine and poison.

Meng Qianyao suppressed the moisture in her eyes and smiled subtly at Tong Tong beneath her. "Blades and swords are merciless, Miss Tong. You must be careful."

Tong Tong couldn't understand why the other party remained so composed: with a sword pressed against her neck, how could she still smile?

'Could it be that I look too gentle, and she's certain I won't harm her? Girl, you should know, I'm no longer the kind-hearted person who spares the fairer s3x!'

Tong Tong sighed softly and was about to speak when her vision blurred, as if all her strength had been drained. Her hand, which had been gripping the fan, weakened, and the fan slipped from her grasp!

In just a moment, the situation had reversed. Though the Biling Sword still pressed against Meng Qianyao's neck, the cold, gleaming fan blade now rested against her slender throat, as if it would mercilessly slice through the blue veins at any moment.

'How dare you!'

Su Yan's gaze turned icy, and Changhong was already in her hand. She thought to herself: 'If this reckless woman dares to harm her even slightly, I won't care about the competition rules.'

"This is one of the Illusion Powders of my Nichang Valley, called 'Drunken Dream.' It's colorless and odorless, yet it can render even a Nascent Soul expert powerless, lost in delusions and unable to break free." Meng Qianyao lowered her gaze, staring into Tong Tong's somewhat unfocused eyes as she spoke calmly.

Suddenly, she felt a chill on her back. Turning her head, she met Su Yan's icy gaze, and her heart ached, nearly bringing tears to her eyes: 'I see... So you care for her this much... How laughable, my own foolish devotion...'

As she wallowed in self-pity, a sharp pain shot through her chest, followed by a tingling sensation that made her hand tremble, almost causing her to accidentally cut Tong Tong's delicate neck, for Tong Tong had extended both hands, cupping her breasts from left and right, kneading them as if they were toys!

'Wh-wh-what is happening?'

Meng Qianyao froze, utterly unable to react, yet unable to ignore the strange mix of numbness and pain in her chest. An involuntary low moan escaped her lips: "Ah,"

But then she heard the seemingly oblivious person beneath her murmur in confusion, "Hmm, Senior Brother... it's really... so soft... Could it really be...?"

'You've brought this upon yourself.'

This phrase flashed through Meng Qianyao's mind. Her eyes reddened instantly, but she found herself unable to cry.

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