Chapter 90

Tan Ning had just alighted from the royal carriage when she learned from several noblewomen friends about the events that had occurred outside the Academy.

As she hurried to the Qingtian Terrace, she indeed saw, not far off, a group of conspicuously placed individuals on the second-floor platform, particularly in the southeastern direction.

“Mr. Ji Yu really knows how to stir the pot, doesn’t he?”

One of Tan Ning’s friends whispered next to her.

“He’s arranged the people from the Zhongli family and Jiufang family in the best spots, and then put that demon Mo Lin and the head of the Jimo family right in the center—though they’re guests from afar, isn’t this obviously an attempt to prevent conflict by placing them between the two families who are trying to win over Jimo Gui?”

In noble families, the seating arrangement was of utmost importance. After the Yinshan family began to show signs of weakness, the Academy had been struggling to decide which family should sit in the most prestigious position.

Now, the demon Mo Lin and Jiufang Gui were their own invited guests and potential allies. As long as they occupied the high seats, no one would openly express discontent.

The only one daring enough to express her dissatisfaction openly was Tan Ning.

She was not just unhappy; she was enraged.

While it was true that she had never liked seeing Liuyu succeed so easily, she hadn’t expected to also feel outraged when others trampled on Liuyu’s dignity.

Liuyu had abandoned her family and traveled thousands of miles to marry him. But he treated her like a discarded object, turning his attention to another woman, being exceptionally courteous to her, and shamelessly entering and exiting with her, making Liuyu a laughingstock of the entire Xiandu Yujing.

How dare he!

“You and this Jiufang Gui, what is your relationship?”

Tan Ning, suddenly appearing in his line of sight, stopped the view of the elegantly seated demon Mo Lin, whose wet, moss-like eyes slowly rose to look at her, saying nothing.

Several noble families around them began to glance at Tan Ning, gossiping among themselves.

Today, aside from Nangong Jing, even Yinshan Ze had not appeared, likely to avoid such an awkward situation.

And yet, this second miss didn’t know when to stop, failing to recognize the current status of the Yinshan family, and dared to question him face to face.

This demon lord didn’t seem like someone who would give face, and if he were angered, any harsh words spoken in public would only make it harder for the Yinshan family to hold their ground.

Tan Ning’s sudden confrontation had been an impulsive move.

Hearing the whispers around her, she finally came to her senses.

The Yinshan family was no longer the same, and the demon Mo Lin was not one of those noble families that cared about face.

If he were angered, what could she do if he openly disrespected the Yinshan family?

Standing there, Tan Ning truly felt her own powerlessness. Even if she wanted to defend her family, it seemed as if she would only be adding to their troubles.

“Ning Ning,” Jiufang Zhanghua spoke up at the right moment, offering Tan Ning a way out, “There are still seats available here. Please, sit here.”

Tan Ning slowly raised her gaze, her eyes carrying a hint of grievance and reliance.

Liuyu, seeing this, narrowed her eyes.

“—What is your relationship with Jiufang Gui to begin with?”

Tan Ning, who had prepared herself to swallow her frustration, froze in her tracks.

She turned and met Liuyu’s provocative and mocking gaze. Liuyu, having grown up alongside Tan Ning, knew exactly how to provoke her. Sure enough, Tan Ning’s anger flared up visibly.

“This must be Miss Jiufang, right?”

Tan Ning forced a dignified smile.

“I’ve heard that the residence south of Yuheng Bridge was purchased by the Lord of Jiuyou, and now it’s the place where Miss Jiufang and her subordinates are staying in Yujing?”

Liuyu leaned against Mo Lin’s direction, casually twirling her hair with her fingers, indifferent as she replied:

“So what? The Lord and I hit it off right away, and he gave me a residence. Is there a problem?”

Her casual mention of “hitting it off right away” left the surrounding noble families straining to listen, disappointed by the vague nature of Jiufang family’s relationship with the Jiuyou Lord.

Tan Ning was no longer concerned with that; her mind was consumed with anger.

Who would care about a gifted residence if it were truly a business alliance?

But these two!

This posture!

Was everyone around her blind? Even without overtly intimate gestures, the body language screamed something else—clear, unmistakable intimacy!

Before she could speak further, someone grabbed her wrist.

The young man, whose complexion was as fair as jade, spoke in a soft voice:

“Please, sit down, Ning Ning.”

Tan Ning shot him an angry look.

Liuyu, seeing this, smiled and said, “Zhanghua, do you think there’s something wrong here?”

Jiufang Zhanghua met Liuyu’s subtly teasing gaze, feeling there was something odd but couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was.

“…The Jiufang family also has several unused residences in Yujing. If Miss Jiufang finds the one near Yuheng Bridge not quiet enough, I can have someone make adjustments. You’ll be welcome anytime.”

Tan Ning stared in disbelief at Jiufang Zhanghua’s calm face.

How could he be so composed?

Even if he couldn’t openly vent his anger on Liuyu’s behalf because of their statuses, how could he be so accommodating to this Jiufang Gui?

Liuyu rested her chin on her hand and smiled lightly: “Thank you, Zhanghua. I’ll consider it.”

A feeling of suffocation built in Tan Ning’s chest as she slowly pulled her wrist from Jiufang Zhanghua’s grasp.

She straightened herself up, regaining her composure, and calmly walked past the surrounding eyes of those watching the scene. Looking up at the scholar in white slowly appearing on the Qingtian Terrace, she said:

“What’s a house compared to a residence? If Zhanghua truly meant well, at least it should be as grand as when my sister gave Mr. Ji Yu the Biyue Palace.”

Tan Ning smiled slightly as she turned her gaze toward the now solemn-looking demon Mo Lin.

“The Lord of Jiuyou may not know this, but if we talk about admiration, Mr. Ji Yu, the head of Lingyong Academy, holds a place in my sister’s heart that might even surpass Zhanghua’s, her childhood friend—”

“Back then, when Mr. Ji Yu wanted to build a palace outside Zhengyang Palace to accommodate common scholars, my sister didn’t hesitate to donate her entire little savings to Lingyong, saying it was a birthday gift for Mr. Ji Yu.”

Finally, Tan Ning didn’t forget to add, as she met Mo Lin’s gloomy gaze:

“No wonder, Mr. Ji Yu comes from a prestigious family, with generations of national masters. He is well-versed in both ancient and modern knowledge, with a mind as vast as five carriages full of books. Who wouldn’t like such a learned person? Would they prefer someone who is ignorant and uneducated?”

Originally leaning back, Liuyu involuntarily straightened up a little upon hearing this.

Mo Lin didn’t know much about Liuyu’s affairs at Lingyong Academy, but he was familiar with Ji Yu, even though he was far in the Nine Nether.

According to the information gathered by the Ghost Butterfly, Ji Yu and his Ji family were very special figures in the Immortal Capital, Jade Capital.

They had been the national masters of the Great Chao for generations, meant to serve the imperial family. However, since the decline of the imperial family at the end of the Qian Yuan era and the rise of noble families, the Ji family had been walking a fine line between the imperial family and the nobility.

No matter how the situation changed, they seemed to have no clear position. But unlike the opportunistic fence-sitters, the Ji family was not without strength and had managed to maintain a foothold in the chaotic world, largely due to the talents of Mr. Ji Yu.

It was Ji Yu who had participated in the event at the end of the Qian Yuan era when the sword split the gates of heaven and drove the demons from beyond the world.

Mo Lin’s gaze slowly shifted to the young girl beside him, who was nervously blinking her eyes.

However, he was more interested in the fact that his wife had given this Mr. Ji Yu a palace than in the event itself.

With a neutral tone, he said:

“Spending vast sums to win the favor of a scholar, it certainly sounds like someone is fond of him.”

Tan Ning, who was about to feel pleased with herself for defending Liuyu, suddenly heard a sarcastic laugh from behind.

“Which student at Lingyong Academy doesn’t admire Mr. Ji Yu? Yinshan Liuyu is just infatuated with his talents, there’s not much romantic feeling involved. I think she prefers powerful figures like the Lord of the Nine Nether.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Liuyu turned to glance at him.

Jiufang Shaogeng frowned in confusion.

What expression was that?

Fortunately, not long after, Mr. Ji Yu ascended the Qingyun Platform, and the entrance trials officially began. The crowd’s attention shifted slightly, focusing on the young people climbing onto the platform for their trials.

The Qingyun Platform had nineteen martial arts platforms, the largest one with a diameter of fifty feet and the highest one with a diameter of twenty feet. The platforms spiraled upward, and only the top scorer could reach the pinnacle of the Qingyun Platform.

The academy had four trials a year, and the martial arts trial was always held here.

However, today’s entrance trial was slightly more complicated because Lingyong Academy was divided into two courts.

The Zhengyang Court, where the children of noble families studied, did not screen applicants but only sorted them based on their family names.

The Bi Yue Court—where Liuyu had given a palace—was for commoners who didn’t even qualify as members of the noble families. According to the rules agreed upon by the noble families, even if a noble family recommended someone, only one person would be accepted each year.

Entering the Bi Yue Court wasn’t easy, but it didn’t bring much fame either.

True fame was earned in the trial where no distinction was made between noble or common birth, and a commoner who reached the pinnacle of the Qingyun Platform would become the first commoner to achieve such a feat in the history of Lingyong Academy.

That was likely the battle for fame that the Zhongli family wanted for their daughter, Yue Niang.

For the Zhongli family, whose talent was dwindling, there was no better way to gain prestige.

Liuyu glanced at the participants drawing lots on the Qingyun Platform.

Eleven-year-old Yue Niang was probably the youngest among them, mingling with teenagers who were around fifteen or sixteen, like a small ant.

Oh, but not everyone was around fifteen or sixteen.

Among them was Yan Wushu, dressed in the Zhengyang Court robes, who looked to be at least twenty-five or twenty-six, standing there looking rather out of place.

She quietly blocked out the surroundings and whispered to Mo Lin beside her:

“Your Ghost Butterfly hears everything. Have you ever heard which noble lady from the Ji family married Yan Wushu? If they defied the strict rule against marriages between nobles and commoners, he must have truly enchanted her.”

Mo Lin had indeed asked the Ghost Butterfly to inquire about this, but at that moment, he glanced at Liuyu and said:

“The Ghost Butterfly doesn’t know, but your Mr. Ji Yu should know, since he’s from their family.”

“…”

Liuyu tilted her head and smiled, resting her chin on her hand:

“Are you jealous? Are you really jealous? You’re jealous of this?”

Mo Lin kept his eyes forward and didn’t respond.

Liuyu, however, stretched out two fingers and tugged at his sleeve.

“Even if you look at me like that, I can’t afford to give you a palace now, but I can give you something else. Is there anything you want?”

Liuyu was being truthful. With the money burning at the Immortal Path Academy and food supply areas, she was broke.

The slight pull on his sleeve broke Mo Lin’s cold, aloof demeanor in an instant.

He turned his head and stared at her for a long while, watching her soft, smiling eyes.

Under the gaze of those tender eyes, what more could he ask for? What else was there to want?

Mo Lin shifted his gaze away and replied casually:

“Anything’s fine… I’m not some renowned scholar, I can’t accept anything too extravagant.”

Seeing him acting as if he were both furious and indifferent at the same time, Liuyu’s eyes were full of amusement.

If he showed the slightest sign of his feelings, she would probably have tied him up in knots by now.

Liuyu turned her attention back to the Qingyun Platform, but behind her, Jiufang Shaogeng was watching her every move, taking note of their ambiguous actions, even if he couldn’t hear their words.

Jiufang Zhanghua also cast a glance toward Liuyu’s direction.

From his angle, he could just see a faint red mark on the back of her neck under her collar, which stood out against her fair skin, looking like a bruise.

But Jiufang Zhanghua was not like Tan Ning; he knew exactly what it was.

The young man with eyes as cold as snow turned his gaze away indifferently.

As he returned to his senses, more people had already climbed up to the third level of the Qingyun Platform.

Liuyu swept her eyes across the battlefield on the platform.

“…Looks like Yue Niang and her brother are destined to face off.”

Yan Wushu, already a formidable fighter, had to be mindful of etiquette when dealing with the noble families, ensuring they didn’t lose too quickly and embarrass their family name. But he was ruthless with the commoners, dealing with them swiftly, and he was the first to reach the top of the Qingyun Platform.

At the Qingtian Platform, the loser must stop, and the winner climbs higher. Yan Wushu sat cross-legged on the platform, looking down at his younger sister, who shared the same mother with him.

Though today’s test was at Zhengyang Palace, and he would succeed in his promotion regardless of the outcome, seeing his eleven-year-old sister, Yue Niang, display such incredible talent in each battle, he couldn’t help but feel—

It was downright annoying.

She had only just entered the Fourth Realm, struggling to deal with those fifteen- or sixteen-year-old useless aristocrats and ordinary commoners with no foundation. How did she manage to catch the eye of the Zhongli family and get taken in as a disciple, secretly nurtured?

When he first heard this news, Yan Wushu almost thought it was a joke.

His sister, who should have been content just following her older brother’s lead with obedience, had somehow developed the same ambitions and cleverness as him. She had unexpectedly climbed from a small border town all the way to the immortal city of Yujing.

And now, she wanted to climb to the top, above him.

“…This Yue Niang, the genius that the Zhongli family accepted last year? She’s so young?”

Surrounding the Qingtian Platform, groups of people began discussing Yue Niang.

“What kind of artifact is she holding? From the way she channels Qi, she’s only just entered the Fourth Realm, but how is it that even Fifth Realm cultivators can’t defeat her?”

The artifact in Yue Niang’s hands was the Thunderbolt Crossbow that she had encountered before in the Shentu family’s residence, used by a man named Zhong Wuyong.

But now, the bow and crossbow in her hands were clearly more delicate and stronger, even the Zhongli family’s artifact refining department couldn’t produce such a weapon that used minimal effort for maximum force.

Some perceptive individuals made their conclusions:

“An ordinary commoner wouldn’t be lifted up by the Zhongli family without true ability. It’s highly likely that she modified the artifact herself. Perhaps the Zhongli family’s nearly extinct ‘Xian Gong Kai Wu’ has truly found a genius capable of fully inheriting it.”

Zhongli Kun, the head of the Zhongli family, and his brother Zhongli Yi, watched Yue Niang from below the platform. Hearing the discussions around them, they both felt a sense of pride.

After today, everyone would know that the Zhongli family no longer cared about one’s background. As long as someone had talent, they could join the Zhongli family, just like Yue Niang.

Likewise, people would also witness the power of “Xian Gong Kai Wu” and see that the Zhongli family’s secret techniques were just as formidable as the Jiufang family’s military arts or the Yinshan family’s Confucian sword techniques—today, Yue Niang would prove this with her victory.

Liuyu suddenly spoke:

“In just four months, I didn’t expect Yue Niang to have grown so fast. I almost regret sending her away.”

Zhongli Yi smiled:

“Miss Jiumo is just joking. Nothing is truly regrettable in this world. Miss Jiumo has already set her sights on the Shentu family. If she were to target Yue Niang, she’d be stretching herself too thin, and it would break her.”

The Shentu family controlled the artifact workshops.

Yue Niang had already received most of the inheritance from “Xian Gong Kai Wu.”

If both were in Ji Mo Gui’s hands, the Zhongli family would be forced into a deadly rivalry with the Ji Mo family.

The girl, however, seemed to not understand his implied meaning and smiled:

“I didn’t have a good life before, always hungry one moment and full the next. I’m someone who likes to eat when I can.”

Zhongli Yi gazed deeply at her.

He always felt there was something underhanded behind Ji Mo Gui’s actions.

That’s why he had always pressured and threatened Yue Niang, fearing that after she received the inheritance of “Xian Gong Kai Wu,” she might join another family.

As long as Yue Niang wasn’t foolish, she would be completely loyal to the Zhongli family.

Zhongli Yi looked at the Qingtian Platform.

It was just one more step.

The first step to securing the future glory of the Zhongli family was beneath this young girl’s feet.

As Yue Niang climbed step by step to the highest tier of the Qingtian Platform, she was already exhausted, gasping for breath.

…Who on earth built this platform?

It was so high, with such long stairs. If she wasn’t knocked down midway, she might die from exhaustion on these steps.

But the view was quite beautiful.

Yue Niang looked around. Even the surrounding viewing platforms were lower than her, and she couldn’t tell which one was Miss Liuyu or where her master and mistress were.

Since she had joined the Zhongli family, her jade tablet had been confiscated, and she couldn’t contact the outside world. She didn’t want Miss Liuyu to think that she had betrayed her, just like that annoying older brother of hers.

But before she could find anyone, a figure flashed before her. In the next moment, a Qi wave surged, and before she realized it, she was hanging at the edge of the Qingtian Platform—

Her feet were a hundred feet off the ground, like a deep abyss.

Mo Lin held back Liuyu, who had instinctively risen. Zhongli Yi, standing beside her, seemed even more anxious than Liuyu.

“The trial hasn’t even begun, and Yan Wushu is already attacking from behind!”

“Indeed, it’s a sneak attack.”

A figure dressed in white, with his clothes fluttering elegantly, approached from the distance. He looked like an immortal descending from the heavens. He met the angry gaze of Zhongli Yi and said softly:

“However, there’s no rule against sneak attacks. As soon as one steps onto the Qingtian Platform, they must be prepared for combat. This can only be considered as Yan Wushu not adhering to martial ethics, but it does not mean he loses the match. I hope the young master understands.”

Ji Yu’s gaze was calm and gentle, with the peacefulness brought on by the passage of time. He scanned Liuyu and Mo Lin before turning his attention to the Qingtian Platform.

“Don’t worry. That child doesn’t look like someone who will lose so easily.”

As he said, just as Yan Wushu was about to strike and kick Yue Niang off the platform, a lightning bolt shot out, striking the stone wall at the other end. That light and agile figure narrowly avoided Yan Wushu’s attack and directly circled behind him.

Yan Wushu’s pupils shrank. He quickly slid to the side to dodge the arrow formed from condensed Qi.

“Yue Niang.”

The young man rubbed the blood on his cheek with his fingers, his gaze dark and ominous. “To climb higher, you’re willing to harm even your own flesh and blood. You’re quite something.”

Yue Niang didn’t dare face Yan Wushu’s Sword Qi directly. She had to use the Qi hooks from the Thunderbolt Crossbow to swing around like a monkey.

…It was indeed a bit ridiculous, but at a time like this, if she cared about face, her brother would probably really cut her head off.

“You talk as if you’re any different!”

Yue Niang retorted:

“We’re equally bad! You’re no saint either!”

Yue Niang had always been self-aware since childhood. Other girls might be obedient and cute, but hers was all for show, because she knew adults preferred children like that.

But why was it that when her brother was crafty and shrewd, adults praised him as a person with great potential, someone who would surely achieve something in the future?

But when she showed any behavior that wasn’t charming, adults only thought she had too many schemes for her age and found her unlikable.

Another sword strike came, almost knocking Yue Niang off balance. She barely held onto the stone platform’s edge.

Liu Yu watched from below, feeling a mix of anxiety and worry.

She would rather fight herself than watch Yue Niang and Yan Wushu battle, each encounter seeming to bring them closer to the edge of death.

Mo Lin glanced at Liu Yu, then met Ji Yu’s gaze, which had been observing him for some time.

The white-clad scholar smiled:

“Lord, is there something you wish to say?”

Ji Yu’s dark green eyes studied him for a long time before he spoke:

“I just want to ask, shouldn’t there be a rule prohibiting the killing of opponents on the Qingyun platform?”

Ji Yu nodded lightly: “That is certainly the case.”

“Then is there a rule prohibiting observers from killing the contestants?”

Upon hearing this, everyone around, including Ji Yu, fell silent.

There was no rule against killing the spectators, but could one really kill without consequence?

Ji Yu answered gently: “There’s no such rule, but generally speaking, it’s best not to.”

Mo Lin seemed to only hear the first part of the sentence. His gaze returned to the Qingyun platform:

“If Yan Wushu truly wants to kill Yue Niang, I’ll kill him first, on behalf of Mr. Ji Yu.”

Ji Yu tilted his head slightly, holding a fan to his lips.

Why did it sound like he had to thank him?

Just as Ji Yu was about to politely refuse, a loud crash from the Qingyun platform drew everyone’s attention.

Avoidance wasn’t a long-term solution. Yue Niang, who had been hit by a sword strike, was sent tumbling to the ground. The sword wind sliced open her left arm, causing blood to spill like creeping vines.

“Admit defeat.”

Yan Wushu’s sword tip was pressed to Yue Niang’s head, his voice calm.

“Don’t make me kick you down.”

Yue Niang slowly pushed herself up, tears mixed with the dirt on her face.

“Brother, it hurts, my arm hurts so much.”

Yan Wushu smiled faintly, squatting down before her.

“If it hurts, admit defeat, and I’ll get you the best doctor.”

“Are you still angry that I exposed your past in front of Miss Lingzhou?”

Yue Niang looked at the Thunderous Xuan Crossbow that Yan Wushu had shattered with a single sword, crying as she sniffled.

“I heard Miss Lingzhou say that the lady you married, Miss Ji, was poisoned and disfigured. Her temper is very bad. She had two husbands, but neither lived for more than a year. Brother, I didn’t know I’d cause you so much harm. I’m sorry.”

Yan Wushu’s expression darkened, his eyes turning icy as killing intent filled the air.

“But now, the head of the Zhongli family is very fond of me. He says that as long as I’m important to the Zhongli family, if I cultivate well, wealth and power will be mine for the taking. Even the small aristocratic family that caused our mother’s death, with a single word from him, he can wipe them out. If you let me take first place, you won’t have to suffer anymore. Not just you, even Father and the whole Yan family will benefit. Brother, you’re so good at calculating, surely you can see this simple math, right?”

Yan Wushu’s fingers cracked with tension, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at Yue Niang, laughing in anger:

“Are you threatening me?”

“You’re my brother. How could I threaten you?”

Blood slid down Yue Niang’s arm, dripping alongside her tears onto the blood-soaked ground beneath them.

“I’m just repeating what you used to say to me.”

Yan Wushu’s pupils constricted in sudden realization, but it was already too late.

Taking advantage of her fake crying to delay, the blood that had been leaking from Yue Niang’s body had already moved like a living creature, forming a massive bloodline cage that instantly trapped Yan Wushu, who was trying to pull away from her!

“Yue Niang!”

Yan Wushu struggled in disbelief inside the blood net. What was this? When did Yue Niang learn this technique?

Only the people from the Zhongli family remained calm, smiling as they chanted the name of the technique at almost the same time as Yue Niang.

“Gold extracted from ore, like lead drawn into silver—Refining Heart · Ninth Style · Blood Binding.”

From “The Heavenly Tools Opening Volume,” Chapter Ten: Human Tools

Gold, silver, and iron ore are ultimately lifeless, but using humans as furnaces, refining their internal organs and bowels, creates the greatest tools of creation.

After so many years, the Zhongli family finally produced a second genius capable of refining the Fire Essence. Even though the Zhongli matriarch had suddenly passed away, the family no longer needed to worry about the loss of The Heavenly Tools Opening Volume.

Zhongli Yi looked at the young girl’s figure, as though he saw the future of the Zhongli family becoming the foremost aristocratic family.

Liu Yu listened intently, word for word.

This was it.

The core of The Heavenly Tools Opening Volume, the technique that had transformed Mo Lin into a puppet general in his past life.

As long as Yue Niang had stolen this most essential secret technique from the Zhongli family, the identities of the Ji Mo family and Ji Mo Gui no longer mattered. Even if she was exposed right away, Liu Yu no longer had any concerns.

She stood up, like the others, and looked at the girl standing at the peak of Qingyun Platform.

The aura surrounding Yue Niang had surpassed the fourth realm.

It was the thick, pure qi released by the Fire Essence she had refined, now fully integrated with her blood, effortlessly binding Yan Wushu into a blood-red cocoon with just her thoughts.

Her face as white as paper, Yue Niang wiped her face and staggered toward the enraged Yan Wushu.

“You’re right. We both share the same blood, the same ambition, and we’re both no good.”

“But brother, the path to climb up, I understand it clearer than you. Above commoners, there are humble families. Above humble families, there are wealthy families. These aristocratic families fight fiercely for the world, but the true emperor is just a puppet.”

“The road to the top has no end. There will only be one true ruler in the world.”

Yue Niang’s foot was placed on Yan Wushu’s head, with another layer of the Qingtian Platform below her.

It was very high, though not higher than her own position.

“So, I won’t climb up ruthlessly like you. I can also tolerate being stepped on by someone I recognize—after all, as long as that person isn’t you, I’m fine with it.”

The little girl smiled innocently and adorably before kicking Yan Wushu off the top of the Qingtian Platform.

Below the platform, Fang Fucang, who had his eyes covered and ears blocked throughout, poked Liuyu in front of him.

“How was it? Did Yue Niang lose her arms and legs?”

Liuyu took his hand away from his eyes and replied seriously:

“Don’t just go around slapping her, or I think it’ll be you who ends up losing your arms and legs.”

Fang Fucang: ?

A burst of qi struck the big drum on the Qingtian Platform, and Ji Yu called out loudly:

“End of the round, Ji Shi Yan Wushu versus Zhongli…”

“Wait a minute!”

On the platform, Yue Niang cleared her throat, placed her hands on her hips, and addressed the many noble families and common folk below the Qingtian Platform:

“Ji Shi Yan Wushu versus Jimo Shi Yan Yue Niang, Jimo Shi Yan Yue Niang wins!”

It was like a stone thrown into a lake, causing countless ripples.

Everyone from the Zhongli family abruptly stood up, shooting cold, murderous glares at the smiling Liuyu!

Jimo Gui actually dared to play tricks on them!

What kind of potion had she given to Yan Yue Niang? Whatever Jimo Shi could offer, the Zhongli family could double it! That foul girl had already passed the test for practitioners of the Legalist school, so why was she still so loyal to the Jimo family!?

No matter what.

The Zhongli family had lost the support of the Shentu family, and they absolutely couldn’t let Jimo Gui gain the “Xian Gong Kai Wu” again.

This Yan Yue Niang, and even Jimo Gui—absolutely could not leave the Lingyong Academy alive.