His robes were not made of ordinary fabric; they were a magical artifact providing defense. Yet, "Mu Nanxue" had so easily damaged them with a single movement.
If her kick had truly landed on his abdomen… the thought made Lu Ziyin's expression shift.
He finally realized that the "Mu Nanxue" before him could no longer be treated with the same dismissive attitude.
He spun the fan in his hand, a flash of green light, and a long flute of white jade inlaid with gold spun at his fingertips, held at his lips.
He looked at "Mu Nanxue," only to see her seemingly unsatisfied with her body's flexibility, still silently and casually stretching her shoulders and neck. But the moment he heard the "click-clack" of her joints, his eyelids twitched uncontrollably.
She seemed to care not at all what he intended to do.
Was she that confident?
That disdainful?
Just a short while ago, it was Lu Ziyin who had been toying with people in such a manner, but now the roles were reversed.
Strange, peculiar.
Which of this "Mu Nanxue" and the previous Mu Nanxue was the real her?
*Hoo hoo~*
The flute's melody, mournful and winding, drifted from Lu Ziyin's lips like fine mist across the arena. But it was not a beautiful "aria;" it was more like a submerged current, ready to deliver a fatal blow at any moment.
"Wood Spirit Manipulation?" "Mu Nanxue" said faintly.
Hearing her immediately identify his technique, Lu Ziyin began to strategize.
Her knowledge was not shallow; she had even discerned their sect's secret technique at a glance. Had he truly underestimated her before? Had she been playing the pig to eat the tiger all along?
*Hoo hoo~*
The prelude shifted, the flute's melody instantly gaining momentum, soaring high like a lover's lament, as if carrying endless grievances and affections. At that moment, the floor beneath "Mu Nanxue" stirred, and numerous supple, arm-thick vines rapidly emerged from the ground. They ensnared her, and before she could break free, a large bud formed within the vines, swallowing her whole into its floral maw.
Seeing her engulfed, Lu Ziyin finally ceased his "Wood Spirit Manipulation."
"Alas, what a pity for such a beautiful woman I've just met," he sighed with feigned regret.
But there were countless beauties in the world; one less or one more made no difference.
*Screech—*
A sound of something tearing, or ripping, reached Lu Ziyin's ears. His body stiffened, and he quickly turned his gaze.
He saw a hand, not fair-skinned but with slender fingers, reaching out from the bud.
The tightly shut jaws of the bud were forcibly torn open, revealing a gap. Following the palm, then an entire arm…
And then, the person who had been swallowed tore the arm-thick vines into pieces like wild grass, scattering them on the ground. She ripped the man-eating flower in half from its mouth, letting the pieces fall to the ground with a *thud*. She stood before him again, completely unharmed—
*Thump, thump, thump, thump…* Lu Ziyin's heart pounded like a drum, the frantic rhythm so loud he could hear it himself.
This was not the surprise of seeing a beauty alive; it was pure shock.
Meeting her calm, dark eyes, had her gaze been this captivatingly terrifying before?
His Adam's apple bobbed.
It was over.
The truth proved his present premonition entirely accurate.
What followed was a one-sided, overwhelming barrage of punches and kicks.
He was cruelly beaten and lay sprawled on the ground, and she was merciless, striking not anywhere else but directly at his handsome face.
All his resistance was anticipated by her. His pride in the "Floating Water Cloud Dance" movement technique was no match for her, followed by a heartless suppression as unyielding as cold iron.
He felt that if he didn't surrender soon, he would be disfigured by this woman who had suddenly become immeasurably more powerful. Lu Ziyin was conflicted and couldn't understand.
Her cultivation was clearly only at the late Foundation Establishment stage, yet she had suddenly become as if her senses were all unblocked, as if divinely aided, tormenting him without any ability to fight back.
But Lu Ziyin, a man of little principle, was essentially adaptable and resilient. Knowing he had encountered a tough opponent, he could only concede in bitter resentment. Yet, he never expected that "Mu Nanxue," who was stepping on him, would speak first: "I concede."
Lu Ziyin, with tear-reddened eyes and a swollen face, looked up at her in astonishment.
Why?
She had already won.
"Mu Nanxue," no, it should be Gu Junshi, did not intend for her to win the match. After all, whether in the original plot or now, the gap in strength between her and Lu Ziyin was evident.
Her only goal was to let Mu Nanxue vent her anger on Lu Ziyin, who had greatly wronged her in this plot, and to control the imminent surge of demonic energy. Indeed, after severely thrashing him, Mu Nanxue's anger subsided. Once her state of mind calmed, there would be no danger of demonic energy leakage.
After Gu Junshi, controlling "Mu Nanxue," declared the surrender, she was instantly teleported away from the arena.
Lu Ziyin, in a daze, had just managed to get up when he was also teleported to another arena to continue his next match.
—
Disciples eliminated in the "minor competition" were moved out of the arena and transported to the training grounds of the Void Sect. There, Void Sect disciples would receive them. If their injuries were severe, they would receive treatment. If they died without recovery, their sect elders would be notified to retrieve them.
However, Mu Nanxue was taken away directly by Gu Junshi.
When Mu Nanxue could finally regain control of her body, she saw the person standing before her. Her heart was filled with shock and bewilderment.
This person wore a mysterious black cloak, tall and slender. Her appearance was unclear, but based on her build, she should be a woman.
When she was being controlled, Mu Nanxue had consciousness but could not control her body. She had witnessed everything, knew how the person who had replaced her had avenged her and sated her anger, and had now returned her body to her.
Now, seeing the person behind the scenes, her heated emotions gradually subsided. She looked at her with suspicion and apprehension, unsure if this person was friend or foe.
At this moment, she heard the other party say, "Mu Nanxue, a demon-human hybrid."
Upon having her identity revealed in a single sentence, Mu Nanxue's expression changed drastically. She immediately summoned her natal weapon, a long saber, and readied herself.
"Who are you?"
She was now aware of the danger of her demon race identity being exposed.
Gu Junshi paused for a moment, then removed the hood of her hat and looked at her. Mu Nanxue stared blankly into her eyes.
She saw the other party's pair of violet eyes.
This was a symbol of the demon race.
"You—"
Gu Junshi nodded, her conscience clear.
If she wanted to deceive someone, there were no flaws from the surface perspective.
Unexpectedly, after her initial shock, Mu Nanxue took a deep, unsteady breath and then stomped her foot, roaring, "That damned old man, I never thought he'd have an illegitimate daughter wandering outside?!"
An illegitimate daughter?
Gu Junshi raised an eyebrow slightly, the turn of events somewhat unexpected. She had merely intended to claim the title of demon to establish a foundation of trust with her, how could she also come with an "illegitimate daughter" as a bonus?