Suddenly, the more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed. The Yin Gui Sect wanted the Heavenly Demon Qin so badly; it was very possible they had made a move back then. "Hmph, I did intend to make a move back then, but unfortunately, before I could act, I missed the opportunity." Zhu Yuyan snorted coldly, her tone laced with displeasure. If she had obtained the Heavenly Demon Qin back then, she would have surely risen to the ranks of peerless experts and unified the Sacred Sect of the Song Kingdom. Alas, she had missed that chance, and over the years, she often regretted it. So this time, she absolutely could not miss it again.
The woman, Huang Xuemei, was now quite unsettled and suspicious. She naturally wouldn't easily believe Zhu Yuyan's words. But seeing her frank demeanor, it didn't seem like she had been involved in the events of that year. Thinking of Xiao Lin's matter, she suppressed those thoughts and asked calmly, "What else do you know?" "If you want to know, join my Yin Gui Sect, and you'll find out naturally." Zhu Yuyan said sharply. As she spoke, her hands showed no mercy, the razor-sharp thin blade slashing down fiercely. The chilling blade light clashed with the sound blade of the qin. "Boom!" The powerful forces neutralized each other inch by inch, neither yielding, causing ripples in the void. Huang Xuemei's face flushed again, a trace of blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Just as she was about to say something, a sinister demonic energy tore through the air, a palm imprint surging like a mountain. "Haha, Yin Hou, why rush? Let's take her down first." Geshu Tian, who had been knocked back after a hard clash with Huang Xuemei, laughed loudly as he struck fiercely at her, cutting off her words. Zhu Yuyan's gaze turned cold, and she snorted lightly without a word, but she intensified her attacks. Though tempted, no matter what, taking her down first and securing the Heavenly Demon Qin was the best choice.
With the two joining forces, the already injured Huang Xuemei grew even weaker, her aura fluctuating and diminishing. After a dozen breaths, she was sent flying again, spitting out a mouthful of blood, her aura dropping to a low point. But her eyes remained steadfast and icy. Like a fierce tiger, showing no trace of fear. Zhu Yuyan and the other continued their assault, determined to finish her off in one go. Suddenly, two sword qi tore through the air, each aimed at Zhu Yuyan and Geshu Tian. The two's expressions turned cold—someone had finally intervened! Furious, they dealt with the two sword qi. But following the sword qi were several more attacks. Palm imprints like mountains, elusive leg shadows, roaring fist imprints, and a meteor-like hidden weapon. The two had no choice but to retreat, glaring angrily at the six figures that appeared swiftly before them. "Hmph, is the Song Kingdom court and so-called righteous path also after the demonic treasure, the Heavenly Demon Qin?" Zhu Yuyan sneered. Facing her taunts, Zhu Xiawu declared with righteous indignation, "The Heavenly Demon Qin will never fall into the hands of evil like you." "Exactly, don't think you can use the Heavenly Demon Qin to wreak havoc on the martial world." Shen Xingnan said sternly. "Hypocrites! Today, I'll see how you stop me." Geshu Tian roared. He turned to Zhu Yuyan and said, "Yin Hou, how about we join forces to deal with these people first?" "Fine." Zhu Yuyan agreed without hesitation.
"Witch, tell me, where is my junior brother Han Xun? Did you kill my junior nephew Han Ping?" Sun Lutang demanded of Huang Xuemei. Huang Xuemei was seizing the moment to quietly regulate her breathing. At his words, a flash of killing intent passed through her eyes, and she said coldly, "They all deserved to die." "You dare kill my junior brother and nephew? Today, I'll make sure you die on the spot." Sun Lutang roared, his long sword slashing out. Huang Xuemei suppressed her injuries, showing no fear, her jade fingers plucking the strings, sending sound blades to meet the attack. "Boom!" The explosion rang out, immediately sparking a group battle. Worried that Sun Lutang might take down the already severely injured Huang Xuemei, Zhu Yuyan and Geshu Tian had no choice but to intervene. As they did, the five ruthless ones also joined the fray. Shen Xingnan and Yi Jifeng blocked Geshu Tian, while Zhu Xiawu and Zhui Ming blocked Zhu Yuyan, with Wu Qing providing support from behind. They didn't need to defeat Zhu Yuyan and Geshu Tian—that was too difficult. They only needed to hold them off until Sun Lutang captured Huang Xuemei. Indeed, as soon as the fight began, Shen Xingnan and Yi Jifeng managed well enough with Wu Qing's occasional help, keeping Geshu Tian at bay for now. Zhu Xiawu and Zhui Ming, even with most of Wu Qing's focus assisting them, were clearly at a disadvantage. But Zhu Yuyan couldn't break free from their entanglement anytime soon, her jade-like face turning grim.
On the other side, the severely injured Huang Xuemei, facing Sun Lutang, was visibly weakening. Yet she showed no sign of yielding, the Heavenly Demon Qin's music ringing out unceasingly as she clashed head-on, even suppressing Sun Lutang. But everyone knew she couldn't hold out much longer. "Boom!" An even more chaotic and terrifying explosion echoed under the sky. Various colors of light represented the clashes of formidable beings, stirring the spiritual energy of the land for nearly a hundred miles, as if the sky itself was obscured by them. The earth groaned, the void shrieked. Waves of oppressive pressure descended, forcing the martial artists from all around to retreat repeatedly. Many were both excited and awed, reluctant to step back unless necessary. Such a battle was rare in the entire world. To witness it firsthand was a blessing for them, so they naturally didn't want to retreat. As they watched, various excited discussions broke out.
"Wu Qing and Zhui Ming, two of the Divine Marquis Mansion's top constables, are here! I heard Wu Qing is the head of the Four Great Constables, resourceful and wise." "That's Yi Jifeng, the young master of the Famous Sword Villa. So young and already at the Grandmaster level. He's bound to become a top-tier expert, even a peerless one!" "Zhu Xiawu, the divine constable of the Six Fan School, is also here. I heard his strength is nearing the top-tier expert level, but Zhu Yuyan is too strong. They say she's among the strongest of the top-tier experts." "Shen Xingnan, the master of Flying Fish Manor, is also very strong. I'd say he's not far from the top-tier level." "Han Xun and Han Ping both died at Huang Xuemei's hands. The Dian Cang Sect will definitely be at odds with her to the death. The title of 'Demoness' is here to stay. This time, it's Sun Daxia stepping in. If the Dian Cang Sect's leader, Xie, had come personally, he'd surely have cut her down with his sword." ....... .......
Listening to the murmurs, Li Daoqiang's eyes flickered as he watched intently. This was getting more and more interesting. The righteous experts this time were truly few in number. Strictly speaking, there were only three. Shen Xingnan, Sun Lutang, and Yi Jifeng. Sun Lutang was likely here because of the Dian Cang Sect's involvement, while Yi Jifeng was probably traveling the martial world to make a name for himself. As for Shen Xingnan... Li Daoqiang glanced at him a few times and smiled. Another potential target for a transaction. And then there was Zhu Xiawu. Li Daoqiang's gaze shifted to the figure being suppressed by Zhu Yuyan, his interest piqued. If nothing unexpected happened, this was a big fish. He made a mental note. He was probably hiding his true strength. After watching for a few breaths, Li Daoqiang made a judgment. One was based on his knowledge of the man, and the other was the intuition from his War God talent. His eyes then fell on Huang Xuemei, a hint of admiration flashing through them. She was indeed stunningly beautiful, a peerless, ethereal beauty. A remarkably resilient woman, but perhaps a bit too rigid, clearly of an unbending nature. This time, she seemed to have come with the resolve to die, seeking revenge. Foolish, yet foolish in a way that evoked pity. Well, Li Daoqiang admitted, it was mainly because she was beautiful that she inspired such sympathy. But a woman like this wouldn't be easy to deceive. Frowning slightly, his gaze swept over the other experts one by one, quickly weighing the pros and cons in his mind, searching for a better option.
Just then, the battlefield shifted again. "Move." Zhu Yuyan suddenly commanded. Immediately, three figures rose from not far away, charging at Zhui Ming, Zhu Xiawu, and Wu Qing. The gathered experts' expressions changed slightly. Three Grandmaster-level experts! The Yin Gui Sect had truly come in full force this time! "Bian Fufu!" "That's Yin Gui Sect Elder Wen Caiting, and Elder Yun!" ....... The martial artists in the crowd exclaimed in surprise, their voices tinged with wariness and awe of the Yin Gui Sect. This was why the Yin Gui Sect was called a behemoth—not just because of Zhu Yuyan, a top-tier expert. But also because of its several Grandmaster-level experts, its deep foundations, and its intricate connections. Few were willing to go against them. Amid the gazes, Bian Fufu and the other two struck at Zhui Ming, Zhu Xiawu, and Wu Qing. The three had no choice but to defend themselves. With that, Zhu Yuyan broke through the blockade and headed straight for Huang Xuemei. "Get out of the way." With a cold, proud shout, her Heavenly Demon Twin Blades slashed first at Sun Lutang. Sun Lutang, already struggling against the Heavenly Demon Qin, was caught off guard by the swift strike. He barely managed to block it, only to be sent flying, his aura clearly unstable. Zhu Yuyan ignored him and slashed directly at Huang Xuemei. The expressions of the gathered experts darkened, especially Geshu Tian, who felt both frustrated and envious. He immediately shouted, "Why aren't you stepping aside? Do you really want Zhu Yuyan to get the Heavenly Demon Qin?" Shen Xingnan's eyes flickered with hesitation, while Yi Jifeng frowned but remained unfazed. Wu Qing and the others also showed a moment of hesitation.
Just then, Zhu Yuyan's blade sent Huang Xuemei flying, her aura plummeting further. Without pausing, she struck again, her eyes gleaming with excitement. The Heavenly Demon Qin is mine. Huang Xuemei's eyes remained icy as she coldly watched the incoming blade light, showing no emotion, only a faint trace of regret. Her jade fingers moved lightly, sending a weakened sound blade to block the attack. "Bang!" The sound blade shattered, and the blade light paused briefly before continuing toward Huang Xuemei. But in that brief pause, a palm imprint suddenly roared across hundreds of feet, just managing to block the blade light and shatter it. A figure flew over. "Li Daoqiang!" Zhu Yuyan's eyes widened, fury surging. She was so close to succeeding, and now Li Daoqiang had appeared again. How could she not be enraged? The other experts were also startled. Li Daoqiang of the Black Dragon Stronghold! Another top-tier expert! Many gazes turned to him. Wu Qing and the others temporarily steadied themselves, not rushing to change the situation. Huang Xuemei looked at him warily, seizing the chance to recover. The martial artists all around naturally erupted in another wave of exclamations and commotion. Murmurs of discussion arose.
"Li Daoqiang of the Black Dragon Stronghold is here too!" "More and more experts are gathering. I wonder who will end up with the Heavenly Demon Qin." "I heard Li Daoqiang loves money the most. Is he going to ask for payment this time too?" ....... Amid the countless murmurs and gazes, Li Daoqiang approached Huang Xuemei and Zhu Yuyan with a faint smile. "Li Daoqiang, are you going to fight me for the Heavenly Demon Qin?" Zhu Yuyan barely suppressed her anger, her voice cold, a deep wariness in her heart. Li Daoqiang looked at Zhu Yuyan and said with a light laugh, "Yin Hou, though we are friends, you can't stop me from making a move. Besides, back then, I offered to negotiate a deal with you, but you refused."
(Please vote, thank you for your support. Still no news about the short station recommendation today. No website recommendation next week. It's utterly hopeless.) .......