A song of sorrow that rends the heart, be it god or ghost!
Lin Zitong sat cross-legged on the east side of the Myriad Laws Sect Altar, with Old Man Zou’s worn guqin resting on her lap.
Her fingers danced across the strings, the guqin’s music so potent it visibly distorted the space, creating ripples that surged towards Han San!
A fierce wind seemed to sweep from the east, making it difficult for Han San to stand amidst the music. His hat had been blown away, his long hair whipped wildly behind him, and even opening his eyes was an arduous task!
No one could have anticipated that Lin Zitong would bring surprise after surprise.
Known as a female rogue cultivator, she had broken into the top sixteen, and faced Han San without a trace of fear.
After revealing her identity, she had, as a disciple of the Lüshan Sect, summoned Hei Chuan Lu and the Five Ghosts to her aid, once again gaining the upper hand against Han San!
And now, even when facing the Sun Traveler God who had possessed him, Lin Zitong could still produce her guqin and, with her supreme skill, make the Sun Traveler God himself wary!
Too strong!
This woman was too strong!
Yan Shouyi was also quite pleased: “The brat’s guqin skills have indeed improved. While not as seasoned as Uncle Zou’s, she’s developed her own style!”
This piece, "Liver and Guts Torn Asunder," was surely from Old Man Zou’s repertoire, but if Zou had played it, it would have been filled with utter despair.
Lin Zitong, however, played it not with the crushing sorrow of torn hearts, but with the defiant spirit of pressing forward despite it!
Listening to the music, Wang Jiwang was reminded of his deceased father, his eyes involuntarily reddening. Wang Zhilai, sensing his brother’s distress, quietly hugged his waist.
“Damn it!!”
Han San was enraged. The interference of the guqin contorted his features. The soul of the Sun Traveler God was gradually separating from Han San, and the onlookers could see a dark shadow behind him!
It seemed "Liver and Guts Torn Asunder" was indeed effective, a piece specifically designed to affect souls and spirits.
With a gritted jaw, enduring immense pain, Han San began to advance towards Lin Zitong.
Lin Zitong did not dodge. In fact, she had no choice but to press on. If she stopped and retreated now, Han San would undoubtedly find an opportunity to defeat her.
Her only recourse was to brace herself and increase her playing speed, hoping to expel the Sun Traveler God from Han San’s body!
Thus, Lin Zitong quickened her pace, intensified her force, and made the music even more impassioned!
“Ah!!!!”
Han San let out a sudden, pained roar towards the heavens, even flinging the Sun Traveler God’s soul out of his body. The Sun Traveler God also cried out!
The Sun Traveler God refused to be defeated by a mere mortal girl!
He struggled to re-enter Han San’s body, drew his money sword, and lunged forward a few steps, finally reaching Lin Zitong!
“You mere mortal, this commander shall take your life now!!!”
Lin Zitong’s eyes narrowed. With a sweep of her hands across the strings, the resulting ripples formed sharp blades that struck Han San first!
Han San was sent flying backward, several sword wounds appearing on his body!
And the Sun Traveler God within him was also driven out by this sudden attack!
Han San had not summoned the true Sun Traveler God, only a residual soul. Therefore, after the Sun Traveler God left Han San’s body, his soul rapidly vanished, though his unyielding and indignant roars still echoed across the Myriad Laws Sect Altar.
Lin Zitong had driven away the Sun Traveler God!
Only then did the crowd take a deep breath. Some had flushed faces, realizing they had forgotten to breathe out of sheer tension.
Deprived of the Sun Traveler God’s support, Han San became like a silkworm whose threads had been stripped away – weak and powerless. His muscles seemed to have withered, and his height even appeared to have shrunk by a few centimeters.
The Old Celestial Master sighed:
“That Han San boy, wanting to secure a good ranking in his final Luo Tian Grand Ceremony is understandable. But resorting to spirit possession was too reckless. Fortunately, his foundation is unharmed; a few months of rest and recovery should suffice.”
Despite these words, Han San, defeated by Lin Zitong, was likely devastated.
His eyes unfocused, he stared at the sky, lost in thought.
“In this match, Lin Zitong of the Lüshan Sect wins!” the Second Elder announced.
Lin Zitong silently dismissed her guqin and the Red God Umbrella, pulled out the spear stuck in the ground, and prepared to exit the stage.
At that moment, Han San struggled to sit up and called out, “Wait!”
Lin Zitong paused, curious to hear what Han San would say after his defeat.
Han San weakly stated, “I concede defeat to you with all my heart. From this day forward, I am willing to debase myself and become your husband, raising your children…”
Lin Zitong: “……”
The crowd: “……”
The Maoshan Sect disciples: “This is embarrassing…”
Han San, Han San, your narcissism knows no bounds. Even now, you think Lin Zitong fancies you?
And what’s with that tone of reluctant consent?!
Some of Lin Zitong’s devoted fans were already contemplating going on stage to beat Han San up again.
Lin Zitong, after a moment of speechless disbelief, gently shook her head and said, “No need to trouble yourself. To be frank, I am already married.”
Han San staggered as if struck by lightning, spitting out a mouthful of blood: “You – you you you! Just because you couldn’t have me, you casually found a man to marry?!”
*Swish!*
Lin Zitong’s spear grazed past Han San, embedding itself firmly in the ground behind him. The shaft vibrated slightly, almost touching Han San’s earlobe.
“Speak more nonsense, and I’ll kill you,” Lin Zitong said coldly.
Han San shivered, no longer daring to spout any more foolishness.
Seeing Han San’s state, the crowd felt no sympathy for Lin Zitong. On the contrary, they applauded, believing that the shameless scoundrel deserved a good lesson!
But… Lin Zitong was already married?!
The crowd found this hard to accept. Their goddess had just appeared and announced she was married, shattering everyone’s dreams!
“I… I have only one last question,” Han San said timidly, “Who is that man?”
This was also the question everyone else desperately wanted to ask.
Mentioning that man, the frost on Lin Zitong’s face melted away, replaced by a spring breeze smile: “My husband is here, present at the scene.”
Everyone quickly looked around, searching for a man worthy of Lin Zitong.
“You don’t need to look.”
Yan Shouyi strode onto the Myriad Laws Sect Altar, his gaze meeting Lin Zitong’s, his eyes full of tenderness.
Before he could even steady himself, he was pulled down by the audience: “Alright, alright, don’t hog all the glory. We admit you have some skill, but you’re still too far from being worthy of Lin Zitong. Get down quickly!”
Yan Shouyi, forcibly dragged off the Myriad Laws Sect Altar, was bewildered and quickly explained, “I really am her husband!”
“Yes, yes, we believe you. Lin Zitong is everyone’s dream girl.” It seemed no one believed Yan Shouyi.
Helpless, Yan Shouyi could only send a pleading glance towards Lin Zitong. Seeing Yan Shouyi unable to explain himself, Lin Zitong couldn’t help but let out a giggle.
This smile was so beautiful it could make fish leap from water, geese fall from the sky, moons hide, and flowers bow their heads. A single glance back could bring forth a hundred enchantments!
The onlookers were so mesmerized that they forgot to pull Yan Shouyi down again.
Seizing the opportunity, Yan Shouyi broke free and rushed back onto the Myriad Laws Sect Altar, embracing Lin Zitong.
Lin Zitong also, without pretense, snuggled into Yan Shouyi’s arms.
They clung to each other tightly.
“It’s truly like a reunion after a long separation!” Lü Jing laughed. “Look how these two have suffered!”
Seeing their goddess willingly embrace him, the crowd finally believed that Lin Zitong’s husband was indeed that inheritor of the Lu Ban craft, Yan Shouyi!
Damn it!
This kid got to show off, this kid stole the goddess, how can all the good things in the world fall into his lap!
Han San roared the sentiment of all the male disciples: “Yan Shouyi! The enmity of stealing my wife is irreconcilable!!”
Yan Shouyi glanced back at Han San, smiled at him, and then, holding Lin Zitong, kissed her passionately several times.
*Pfft!*
Han San, enraged, vomited blood and fainted on the spot.
Killing the heart, killing the heart indeed!
Ignoring the surrounding noise, Yan Shouyi quietly asked Lin Zitong, “Why did you hide your identity?”
“No other reason, I just wanted to give you a surprise,” Lin Zitong chuckled mischievously.
“Did you suffer during our separation?”
“With Sect Leader Lü Jing and the others present, they arranged for my food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. I was quite at ease.”
“Did anyone give you trouble on the way? Tell me, and I’ll deal with them for you later.”
“You worry too much. This trip was exceptionally smooth. I can inherit the position of sect leader upon our return.”
The two spoke in hushed tones. Watching their loving reunion, those who had harbored thoughts of poaching Lin Zitong gave up hope.
For some reason, looking at Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong now, they seemed somewhat well-matched, and the onlookers even felt reluctant to disturb their reunion.
However, the Myriad Laws Sect Altar was where the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony matches were held, and Yan Shouyi and Lin Zitong couldn’t monopolize it for too long.
So, the Second Elder of Longhu Mountain coughed a few times to remind them:
“Yan Shouyi, if you need to reminisce, you can wait. The next match is about to begin.”
Yan Shouyi smiled slightly, squeezed Lin Zitong’s cheek, and said, “You go wait with Xiao Long and the others first. I’ll join you in a moment.”
“Mm.”
Lin Zitong nodded obediently and descended the Myriad Laws Sect Altar, reuniting with Xiao Long and the others, to everyone’s great joy.
Han San was also carried off by the Maoshan Sect disciples.
This match, for the top sixteen to advance to the top eight, had only one final bout remaining: Yan Shouyi versus Wang He of the Suishan Sect, the last participant.
Therefore, Yan Shouyi didn’t need to leave the stage; only Wang He had to ascend.
Shortly thereafter, Wang He of the Suishan Sect walked onto the stage.
He was a young man who appeared rather gloomy, with sallow skin and sunken cheeks, giving an impression of malnutrition.
However, Yan Shouyi sensed that Wang He possessed hidden strength and cautioned himself not to underestimate him when the fight began.
Meanwhile, Zhang Shanli quietly approached the Old Celestial Master.
“Have you investigated the corpse brought back by Luo Ning?” the Old Celestial Master asked casually.
Zhang Shanli replied in a low voice, “It’s been confirmed. The corpse belongs to a disciple sent by the Suishan Sect to participate in the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony.”
The Old Celestial Master seemed unsurprised: “What was his name?”
“Wang He.”
Zhang Sishui, standing behind them, couldn’t help but freeze.
If the corpse was Suishan Sect’s Wang He, then who was the person currently on the stage?
Zhang Shanli expressed concern, “Old Celestial Master, should we send someone to apprehend the Wang He on stage?”
“No need. It won’t be too late to arrest him after the match,” the Old Celestial Master said with a smile. “It’s a good opportunity to test Yan Shouyi’s limits.”
Zhang Shanli nodded and went to make arrangements.
Zhang Sishui couldn’t help but ask, “Celestial Master, do you know the true identity of the Wang He on stage?”
“Yes, I do!” the Old Celestial Master replied. “He is Wang Qihe, the Sect Leader of the Heshan Sect.”
“Is his hidden participation in the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony a prelude to acting against our Longhu Mountain?”
The Old Celestial Master smiled slightly, “No need to worry. Wang Qihe’s participation in the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony has only one objective – to kill Yan Shouyi!”