CHAPTER 70

Unattainable Desires

"Snap!" Su Yan's gaze sharpened, and it felt as if something had snapped in her mind. If not for her tight grip on Changhong and the small white-robed disciples blocking her way, she would have long since charged onto the stage and thrown that audacious woman off!

'Meng Qianyao, you're really something!'

'Little Seven, you're really something too!'

Lost in confusion, Tong Tong only felt an inexplicable chill. The sensation in her palms was so real, yet the face so close was blurred and indistinct, making it impossible for her to tell whether this was reality or a dream.

'D@mn! Even if Senior Brother really had pectoral muscles, they wouldn't be as full as 34C, right? Could it be that Senior Brother is actually...'

Startled by her own hazy thoughts, Tong Tong's mind cleared for a moment. Her vision brightened, and she saw a stunningly beautiful face, beautiful indeed, but it was definitely not Su Yan's.

'That scared me to death... So it's not Senior Brother after all... Huh, something seems off?'

Tong Tong's drooping eyelids snapped open in alarm as she stared at the person before her, delicate lashes slightly lowered, eyes shimmering with a watery gleam, yet brimming with such murderous intent that it made her gasp involuntarily, Meng, Meng, Meng, Meng Qianyao?

Realizing their awkward position, with her own hand still resting shamelessly on the other's chest... No wonder something felt off, she had touched the wrong person? Wait, she hadn't initiated the touch, this was all a misunderstanding!

But it seemed Qianyao didn't see it that way... Oh no, this grudge was going to be huge!

Girls in this era seemed to place great importance on chastity... Would she demand I marry her to take responsibility?

Or... would she offer herself to me?

The thought sent shivers down her spine. Fighting the exhaustion in her limbs, Tong Tong twisted her waist and pushed Meng Qianyao off her, yet, with the last of her strength, she maintained control over Biling, refusing to let it slip from her grasp.

Meng Qianyao paid no mind to the blade still pressed against her neck. Her only concern was the icy gaze from the crowd, heartbroken, pained, yet unable to deceive herself: the burning intensity in those eyes, the barely concealed anxiety, had never been meant for her.

With a sigh, she carelessly tossed aside her Spirit Flame Fan and lay sprawled on the ground, abandoning all pretense of resistance.

'What was the point of winning anyway? Ha... haha...'

She laughed, yet it sounded like weeping.

"Yaoyao!" the disciples of Nichang cried out in concern.

Luqiu Fuyi waved a hand, though the worry in her eyes deepened: Matters of the heart were the most painful of all!

As the spectators buzzed over the sudden reversal, the arbiter, catching Ye Zhiqiu's meaningful glance, quickly announced, "This match goes to Tong Tong of Chonghua Sect!"

Aside from a few cheers from those who had bet correctly, the other sects fell into an uneasy silence. Even Chonghua itself showed no excessive celebration.

Unaware of what had transpired, Tong Tong lay limp on the ground until a familiar, handsome face suddenly appeared before her. Focusing her gaze, her racing heart instantly settled: "It's you... Yan, Senior Brother Yan."

The abrupt change in address made Su Yan frown slightly. Without a word, she scooped her up into her arms and carried her steadily off the stage.

Biting her lower lip, Tong Tong rested contentedly against Su Yan's warm chest, a strange emotion swirling within her. She wanted to say something but chose silence instead. Her still-dazed mind finally gave in, and she drifted into a hazy sleep.

Su Yan sighed softly in resignation, a faint smile curling at the corner of her lips. "Silly girl... I'll settle this with you later."

From beginning to end, she never once glanced at Meng Qianyao lying on the ground.

Staring blankly at her elegant, retreating figure, Meng Qianyao smiled faintly, a smile that struck onlookers as profoundly sorrowful. Her shimmering eyes held a trace of self-mockery, the rest filled with utter despair.

Watching Su Yan carry Tong Tong away in haste, yet too stingy to spare her a single glance, Meng Qianyao covered her face with one hand. Tears streamed through her fingers as she slowly began to laugh, a laugh tinged with profound grief, growing increasingly desolate. "Ha... haha... I lost... I lost..."

"Yaoyao..." The disciples of Nichang hurriedly helped her down from the stage. After checking her over, they found no physical injuries, but her expression clearly showed she had fallen into a trance of despair.

'Winning hearts is the ultimate strategy! This seventh disciple of Qiuye truly understands this principle! She is not to be underestimated!'

The disciples of Bingyan Island fixed their needle-like gazes on Su Yan and the unconscious Tong Tong in his arms, their minds filled with malicious speculation.

'Benefactor Tong possesses such profound magical power that she can defeat her enemies without leaving a single visible wound! Amitabha... Impressive! Truly impressive!'

The young monks of Tianyin Temple, led by Daxi, chanted a Buddhist mantra, their admiration for Tong Tong rising to new heights.

'Who knows what sorcery this witch has used this time? It's so bizarre! One can never be too careful when facing her!'

The young master of Qianyu Sect, her eyes filled with wariness, earnestly instructed her maid, Xue'er.

'Another maiden has fallen... Hmm, my disciple has quite the charm. This point is very much like her master. My sin, my sin.'

Ye Zhiqiu took a light sip of her clear tea, thinking with a smile.

"Hold it right there!" A sinister male voice, like a venomous snake hissing, suddenly pressed forward, blocking Su Yan's path. "Our match is about to begin. Where do you think you're going, Brother Su? Don't tell me you're trying to flee!"

"Get lost." Su Yan shot him a disdainful glance and made to continue walking.

"Surnamed Su, are you afraid?" Jia Siwen took another step forward, firmly blocking Su Yan's way. He looked at her provocatively, idly playing with his already unsheathed blade. He let the sharp edge cut his fingertip, greedily sucking the bl0od that welled up, a sinister gleam in his eyes.

'Don't even think about escaping. I will definitely k!ll you!'

Instead of getting angry, Su Yan smiled, a mocking curve lifting the corner of her lips. She fixed him with a stare, a murderous aura gathering between her brows. After a moment, she suddenly raised an eyebrow and said softly, "Jiya."

"Roar!" A flash of vermilion, and Jiya shook his fur, standing alertly by Su Yan's side. His large golden eyes swept contemptuously over the gloomy Jia Siwen before turning to nuzzle his master's arm affectionately.

Can we make a deal? Let me stay out a bit longer next time? It's so stuffy inside the spirit beast pouch...

Su Yan placed Tong Tong on Jiya's back with utmost gentleness. Her slender hand brushed aside the hair that had fallen over Tong Tong's forehead. Her gaze lingered for a moment on Tong Tong's unconsciously slightly pouted lips. Her eyes darkened, but she only gently touched them with her fingertip. "Protect her."

Ignoring Jiya's reluctant eye-rolling and obvious disdain, Su Yan took one last look at Tong Tong's peaceful, unaware sleeping face. With a flick of her robe, she strode ahead toward the martial platform.

A sinister gaze lingered on Tong Tong. Meeting Jiya's fierce glare, Jia Siwen gave a wicked smile and quickly followed Su Yan, leaping onto the martial platform.

"Placing bets! Bets are open! Place your bets now!" The spectators below, seeing the two step onto the platform one after the other, immediately erupted in excitement.

Those who usually pretended to be righteous and dignified were now audaciously setting up betting pools openly, gathering crowds to gamble, instead of hiding in corners to do it secretly. It was surprising that Ye Zhiqiu didn't fly into a rage and expel them from the venue, but instead tacitly allowed their behavior.

These people running the betting pools are probably planted by that woman, taking the chance to make a huge profit... She wouldn't do anything without benefit!

Zhu Ligang thought indignantly, but still couldn't help summoning a disciple and whispering in his ear, "Go, place five hundred top-grade spirit stones on that pretty boy winning!"

The disciple with the green feather endured the urge to rub his ears, which were nearly deafened by the sect master's booming voice, and cautiously asked, "This disciple is foolish, please enlighten me, Sect Master..."

Who is that pretty boy? Didn't you see there were two pretty boys? Their faces are so much fairer than yours! If you don't explain clearly, how am I supposed to know? I'm not a worm in your stomach!

Also, Sect Master, how long has it been since you last brushed your teeth?

"Idiot! Of course, it's Su Yan!" Zhu Ligang impatiently slapped the disciple, sending him stumbling backward. The disciple hastily bowed and scurried away.

How could a disciple trained by that woman Ye Zhiqiu possibly lose?

Though he harbored an inexplicable dislike for Sect Leader Ye, Zhu, the sect master, had unwavering faith in her abilities. Perhaps this was the peculiar, tangled psychology of a middle-aged man...

Stealing a glance at his sternly seated, beautiful sect leader, Qin Ziqi cautiously approached the bookmaker, clutching two Qiankun bags. Lowering his voice, he said, "Here are one hundred and fifty top-grade spirit stones, betting on Su Yan's victory. And another twenty top-grade spirit stones, also on Su Yan."

The first senior brother was famously handsome, wealthy, and talented, that was one thing. But why could the junior sister suddenly produce so many top-grade spirit stones? Comparing oneself to others is enough to make one despair, comparing goods to goods is enough to make one discard them! It's too damaging to one's self-esteem...

Clutching the one hundred and fifty top-grade spirit stones Tong Tong had entrusted to him earlier, Qin Ziqi pretended not to notice the bookmaker's puzzled look, silently weeping inside.

As the betting frenzy grew more intense below the stage, the two on the platform had already begun their clash of auras.

Having signed the life-and-death contract, and without waiting for the arbiter's formalities, Jia Siwen had already drawn his beloved Xuelang Hou [Snow Wolf Howl]. The gleaming tip of his blade pointed menacingly at Su Yan as he laughed arrogantly, "This day next year will be your death anniversary! If you have any last words, speak them now!"

Su Yan sneered coldly, flicking her sword, Changhong, into a sharp, dazzling arc. Her gaze toward her opponent was icy and detached, as if looking at a corpse. "Hah."

'Arrogant.'

Before the laughter faded, his opponent lunged forward.

"Report!" A disciple in fur short-sleeves, disregarding the bl0odstains on his face, stumbled into the inner hall, even neglecting the precious feather plume he usually cherished. "Reporting to the Elder, a large group of demon sect disciples have surrounded us! They've already slaughtered all the outer disciples!"

"Re... report..." A young disciple in a yellow Daoist robe struggled to release his last talisman but was struck down from behind by a black-clad figure, his life extinguished before he could send out the warning.

"Senior Sister Qiu... the demon sect has invaded!" Several female disciples in white gauze dresses hurriedly activated a formation, calling out to the woman within for help.

"Amitabha... deploy the formation!" The abbot of Tianyin Temple continued to roll his prayer beads unhurriedly, but the unease in his heart loomed like dark clouds, heavy and suffocating.

While the martial arts competition at Chonghua Sect was in full swing, the vanguard of the demon sect had seized the opportunity to infiltrate, quietly invading the major sects whose defenses were left vulnerable.

Yet, none of those focused on the match had anticipated that a disaster was slowly sweeping across the entire cultivation world...

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