Outskirts of Luoyang, Sui Dynasty.
"Nun Shi, it's been over a month. Why are you still following me around?"
"Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were already rescued, right?"
"You didn't get the Longevity Art either. Happy now?"
Wan Wan's tone was full of annoyance. She wished she could strike down this eternal rival right then and there.
But to her surprise, as her own cultivation improved, this nun's cultivation also grew accordingly.
"Senior Sister Wan Wan, I just want to hear one thing from your mouth."
"But you keep dodging the question. I have no choice but to keep following you."
Shi Feixuan remained calm and polite, her intent clear and unwavering.
"Hmph, it's because your mortal heart has stirred. If you want to find him, go look for him yourself. Why follow me?"
"Give up. I won't tell you anything."
Wan Wan snorted, clearly contemptuous.
"So you do know!"
"In that case, forgive me for being rude."
Shi Feixuan's eyes lit up, and her presence shifted completely.
"Extreme Heart Zen Sword: Moonlight Reflects on a Thousand Rivers!"
She swung her sacred sword, and in an instant, countless sword lights spread out around her like a web of blades.
"Extreme Heart Zen Sword? Hmph, you think you're the only one he taught?"
"I'm no weakling!"
"Moth Void Evil Fire: Devouring Flames of Desolation!"
With a sharp cry, Wan Wan unleashed a surge of terrifying demonic energy.
Her aura became utterly overwhelming.
A fiery moth-shaped apparition manifested, radiating an unimaginably intense heat as it charged toward Shi Feixuan.
"Such massive demonic energy. Aren't you afraid of going mad from the backlash?"
"As long as the heart is vast enough, what can ever restrain it?"
"He once told me that the Extreme Heart Zen Sword and Moth Void Evil Fire were born to be enemies."
"You and I are destined to clash. Let's end our grudges here and now."
As soon as the words left her lips, both women launched their devastating attacks.
A shockwave of apocalyptic scale erupted, blasting out in all directions.
Pffft!
Pffft!
Shi Feixuan and Wan Wan were both sent flying, coughing up blood as they landed.
"Origin of One, End in Zen: Sword Feather Soars the Sky!"
"Moth Void Evil Fire: Ninefold Demonic Refinement, Godslaying Strike!"
Both had clearly been pushed to their limits.
They unleashed their most powerful techniques.
The battlefield was immediately filled with a web of razor-sharp sword energy, chilling and lethal.
Simultaneously, waves of demonic fire surged high enough to burn the very heavens.
The two forces collide violently.
The ground quaked, mountains shook.
The terrifying aftermath of the battle extended all the way to Luoyang City, dozens of miles away.
It alarmed countless people, who immediately rushed toward the battlefield.
"This is bad. We've stirred too much attention. Nun Shi, you don't want others to reap the rewards, do you?"
"This place is no longer safe. Retreat!"
Wan Wan ignored Shi Feixuan and, despite her injuries, quickly fled the scene.
Shi Feixuan hesitated for a moment, then followed again.
Her mind seemed set. Until she got the answers she wanted from Wan Wan, she would not give up.
==========
Han Dynasty.
World Association Headquarters.
Xiong Ba looked up at the sky, where the rankings floated, the gleam of ambition growing stronger in his eyes.
"Wen Chouchou, have you found any news about the Clay Bodhisattva?"
"Reporting to the Chief, the Clay Bodhisattva was spotted in the Leshan region about a month ago. I've already sent men to locate him."
"We'll have him in your presence very soon."
A man with an ambiguous appearance spoke respectfully.
"Hahaha, good. You've done well!"
"When the Clay Bodhisattva arrives, I'll reward you generously."
"By the way, is You Ruo still making trouble?"
Pleased by the news, Xiong Ba showed a rare smile.
'The dragon roars in the sky, and upon meeting the storm, it becomes a true dragon.'
That described the first half of his life perfectly.
Now, most of the martial world under the Han Dynasty had fallen into his hands.
Only the Peerless City remained as his rival.
It wouldn't be long before that final obstacle was removed.
Then, the second half of his legacy could truly begin.
At the same time, his suspicion of Feng and Yun had grown deeper.
Were it not for their current usefulness, he might have gotten rid of them already.
"Reporting, Chief, Lady You Ruo seems to have left the lakeside pavilion."
"She injured some of our disciples and appears to be attempting to leave the World Association!"
Wen Chouchou had hesitated before finally reporting this news.
"What about Qin Shuang? Didn't I order him to monitor her closely?"
"Chief, Master Qin Shuang is currently engaged in a fierce battle with Lady You Ruo and may not be able to stop her."
"I've already sent Master Feng and Master Yun to intervene."
"Hahaha, no wonder she is my daughter. Even my top three disciples can't handle her."
"Come on, let's go take a look!"
"Qin Shuang, you're no match for me. Get out of my way. I'm leaving this damn cage!"
"I don't want to stay here a single day longer."
"If I remain here, I'm going to lose my mind."
"Move. From now on, whoever blocks me, I'll kill them!"
Not far from the main gate of the World Association,
A spirited and graceful woman with a fierce look shouted at a handsome young man.
They were Qin Shuang, Xiong Ba's senior disciple, and the eldest daughter You Ruo.
"My lady, the Chief has ordered you to stay in the lakeside pavilion!"
"Fool! Qin Shuang, you're asking for death!"
"Heh, even though your strength is impressive, you still can't defeat me. But neither can you stop me."
As You Ruo and Qin Shuang were caught in a stalemate,
Several more figures approached.
Bu Jingyun, Nie Feng, and Duan Lang had arrived.
"Senior Brother, Lady You Ruo, wait, don't fight just yet."
"Let's talk this out calmly. No need to hurt each other."
"Nie Feng, step aside. If you don't, I'll beat you up too."
"Brother Feng, Lady You Ruo must not leave the World Association. Don't try to persuade her."
"Qin Shuang, you're looking for death!"
Hearing that Qin Shuang still intended to lock her back in the lakeside pavilion, You Ruo's fury exploded.
She charged at him, murderous intent blazing.
A terrifying wave of energy surged forth.
Her powerful strength was fully revealed.
"Heaven Frost Fist!"
A barrage of icy fist shadows surrounded You Ruo, blocking her path.
You Ruo's patience had run out. The killing intent in her heart surged wildly again.
Just as she was about to unleash her deadliest move,
Suddenly,
The golden ranking in the sky changed once more.
[Hidden Dragon Ranking – Rank 15]
[Qin Shuang]
[Identity: Heaven Frost Hall Master of World Association, Chief Xiong Ba's First Disciple]
[Cultivation: Great Perfection Grandmaster Realm]
[Technique: Heaven Frost Fist]
[Reward: Earth-Grade Top-Tier Pill – Ice Soul Pill. Enhances ice-element physique and has miraculous effects for cultivating ice-based techniques]