The caravan came to an abrupt stop as the Tang Clan warriors blocked the path leading into Sichuan. The air was tense; even the horses snorted uneasily under the weight of invisible Qi pressure.
The coachman stepped down first, bowing politely yet nervously.
"May I ask, honored warriors, why the road is blocked?"
A Tang Clan member stepped forward, his tone cold and unwavering.
"Every caravan entering Sichuan from Chongqing must be inspected."
The caravan manager frowned and descended from the carriage.
"Oh? Isn't this the noble Tang Clan's territory? May I ask why our caravan needs to be checked?"
The Tang Clan warrior's brows furrowed in irritation.
"It's the order of the Sichuan Alliance. That's why!"
Before the tension could settle, a woman stepped forward from the caravan, her face hidden beneath a rain hat. Her tone was calm but cutting.
"Well, you are not the government, and we are not obliged to your inspection. Let us through."
The Tang Clan warrior's hand shot to his weapon.
"How dare you question us! And from your tone, it seems you're a martial artist!"
The woman sighed softly. "Ha… to think you'd draw your weapon over a simple conversation. How typical of the Tang Clan's nature."
As the words left her lips, she drew her sword — the metal sang as light glinted off its edge.
The Tang warriors moved as one, surrounding her. A rain of hidden weapons shot through the air — glinting needles, knives, and darts aimed at her vital points.
Her eyes flashed coldly. With a single motion, her sword glowed with silver Qi. She swung —
A single arc of light split the air, repelling every weapon.
The shockwave scattered dust and leaves as the hidden blades clattered uselessly to the ground.
The Tang captain stepped forward, shock rippling across his face.
"She… she can use Sword Qi!"
He raised his voice sharply. "Everyone, take positions! We're using the Tang Clan's Four Poison Formation!"
The warriors shattered their previous circle and repositioned themselves in a precise geometric pattern. Their Qi began to synchronize — each held a small vial, glowing with venomous colors. As they channeled their energy, colored smoke began to rise: green, crimson, violet, and black, drifting and coiling around them.
The captain shouted, "Attack!"
Their weapons gleamed again, this time wrapped in the poisonous mists. Each blow hissed through the air with deadly speed.
The woman's lips curved faintly beneath the shadow of her hat.
"To think you'd use poison… how amusing."
Her sword pulsed — brilliant Qi flared from her blade like lightning.
"Then let me be serious."
She swung.
A powerful shockwave erupted, slicing through the colored smoke and dispersing it like morning fog. The poisonous mist shattered, the formation broke, and the Tang Clan warriors were hurled backward, their bodies crashing to the ground with heavy thuds.
The captain struggled to stand, blood staining his lips.
"H-how can you destroy the Four Poison Formation so easily?"
The woman's voice remained calm and analytical.
"Well… it's an interesting formation. You see, if someone uses a martial technique to repel the hidden weapons, the poison corrodes that technique. That same Qi then becomes poison to the user. Each poison has specific properties that limit the target's movement and strength. It's clever — but it only works against Grandmaster-stage martial artists. At the Unrestrained Stage, one's Qi is vast enough to destroy the entire formation with a single wave."
The captain's eyes widened in disbelief.
"So… you're an Unrestrained Stage Master? Hah! But you're making an enemy of the Tang Clan!"
The woman's tone turned icy.
"I think the Tang Clan has grown arrogant. Someone needs to teach them a lesson."
A sudden voice cut through the air from above.
"So, you're the one who dares to teach the Tang Clan manners?"
She looked up sharply — a Qi-imbued dagger shot down from the sky like a streak of light.
She raised her sword and met it head-on —
Clang!
A shockwave burst outward. The impact forced her several steps back, her boots digging into the dirt as a figure descended gracefully from the air.
A woman in Tang Clan robes landed lightly, her presence elegant yet commanding. Her beauty was refined — cultured, deadly, and cold as silk steel.
The captain dropped to one knee.
"First Young Lady!"
Tang Xiuying's voice was calm but edged with quiet authority.
"Captain, what a sorry state you're in."
The captain bowed deeply. "I apologize, Young Lady. The opponent is… an Unrestrained Stage master."
Xiuying smiled faintly. "No need to apologize. You were facing someone like the Righteous Sword Heroine — it's understandable that you were defeated."
The captain froze in disbelief.
"R–Righteous Sword Heroine? The disciple of the Sword Queen?"
Xiuying's eyes glinted. "Captain, take your warriors and step back. I'll handle this."
The woman beneath the rain hat sighed softly.
"Well, I guess my identity is exposed."
She lifted her hand and removed the hat. The moonlight revealed her sharp eyes and radiant presence.
"It's been a while, Tang Xiuying."
Xiuying's lips curved slightly.
"Hmph. As arrogant as ever, Yu Meixian."
Yu Meixian smiled faintly.
"Last time we fought was at the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament."
Xiuying's gaze hardened. "Yes. At that time, I couldn't teach you a lesson. But this time, after you dared to disgrace the Tang Clan's name, I will teach you a painful one."
She spread her fingers — Qi rippled through her body.
"Tang Clan Hundred Needle Arts!"
A storm of silver needles burst forth, each glowing with deadly poison Qi. They whistled through the air toward Yu Meixian like a swarm of death.
Yu Meixian's eyes glowed with serene confidence.
"Ha… this time, too, you will fail."
Her sword hummed as a brilliant circle of light formed behind her.
"First Form of the Seven Ring Sword Technique — Ring of Swords!"
A hundred Qi blades manifested, swirling around her before launching forward in a roaring wave. The two attacks collided midair — an explosion of light and venom. The shockwave rattled the trees, the clash nullifying both forces.
But Yu Meixian's sword didn't rest — another Qi blade formed instantly, shooting toward Xiuying.
Xiuying smirked. "Quite a troublesome technique."
Her eyes sharpened.
"Tang Clan Secret Arts — Ten Absolute Daggers: Dagger of Illusion Poison!"
A dagger embedded into the ground, releasing a thick green incense that rolled across the battlefield. Instantly, the Qi swords began to misdirect — striking trees and rocks instead of their intended target.
Yu Meixian narrowed her eyes.
"Ha… Qi Disruptive Poison, huh?"
Xiuying smirked.
"Ten Absolute Daggers — Dagger of Corrosion!"
She hurled another blade, its aura blazing crimson.
Yu Meixian's expression turned serious.
"Third Form of Seven Ring Sword — Sword Ring of Strength!"
A second glowing ring appeared behind her, and the Qi around her sword shifted. The blade dimmed — its energy pulled inward. She swung, colliding with the crimson dagger. The shock shattered the dagger's Qi, and a splatter of crimson liquid hissed onto her blade.
She glanced at it and smirked.
"Qi Corrosion Poison, huh?"
With a flick of her wrist, she shook the sword, flinging the liquid away.
"Well, a nice attack indeed. The poison corrodes Qi, disrupting energy flow. Without Qi, no technique can block a Qi-infused strike. But… what if the Qi flows inside the sword itself?"
She dashed forward, her movement like a streak of light.
Xiuying's eyes sharpened.
"Ten Absolute Daggers — Twin Daggers of Yin-Yang Poison!"
Two daggers flashed through the air — one blazing with flame, the other radiating freezing cold.
Yu Meixian exhaled slowly.
"Fourth Form of Seven Ring Sword — Sword Ring of Clones!"
A new green ring flared behind her. Two emerald Qi swords emerged and transformed into her mirror images. They charged at the daggers — one engulfed by fire, the other frozen mid-strike.
The clash was blinding. Both clones dissipated — burned and shattered — but Yu Meixian had already moved. In a blur, she appeared before Tang Xiuying, her blade pressed lightly against her neck.
The two women stood still beneath the moonlight — breath mingling, eyes locked.
The air was sharp, heavy with tension.
The Righteous Sword Heroine smiled faintly.