Chapter 7: Now It’s Really On

Upon hearing the sound, Yun Yi walked over. The moment the sword entered her line of sight, it began to tremble as if summoned!

She grasped the Demon-Subduing Sword with her right hand, gently running her left fingers along the blade. A careless touch nicked her fingertip, and two drops of blood were silently absorbed by the sword. Then, the blade slipped from her hand, suspended in the air before her. A mark was imprinted on her wrist, and the sword didn’t vanish—it grew smaller and smaller until it slipped into her wrist!

Yun Yi stared at the tiny sword tattoo-like mark on her wrist, and seemed to understand something. This sword had acknowledged her as its master!

“Yiyi, what kind of heaven-defying luck do you have? That sword actually chose you!” Qu Wanwan was genuinely happy for her.

Yun Yi replied, “I don’t know what happened either… It just felt like it belonged to me!”

“You didn’t feel any coldness invading your body or unstable energy when you approached it?” Qu Wanwan asked curiously.

“Nope. No discomfort at all,” Yun Yi responded.

Qu Wanwan’s inner thoughts: Could this be a relic left to Yun Yi by her mother? Damn! This secret realm was where the ancient divine maiden underwent her tribulation… That must mean Yun Yi’s mother is that ancient divine maiden! But then why is her sword here? Did something happen to her? Ugh! These novels never fill the plot holes! What trash! Cherish life—stay away from trashy novels! Damn!

“Does this sword have a name?” Qu Wanwan asked again.

“Uh… it’s just called Demon-Subduing. Should we give it a new name?” Yun Yi looked a bit awkward.

“Great idea! How about… ‘Snatchy’? Sounds cheeky and powerful!” Qu Wanwan’s naming instincts kicked in.

“Uhh… that actually sounds worse than Demon-Subduing…”

“Okay, then let’s call it ‘Debt-Stealer’—stealing people’s money so they owe me! Brilliant! Yiyi, let’s name it Debt-Stealer!”

“Ah… fine, I guess.” Yun Yi reluctantly agreed.

“Yay! I love this name—Debt-Stealer Sword! Debt-Stealer!” The girl jumped for joy.

[Ding! Side mission triggered: Found an artifact for Yun Yi. Reward: 10 mission points.]

“You’ve gotta be kidding me! Last time I got 50, and now only 10? Seriously?”

[Because the host barely did anything to find it. I did say only main missions have high points!]

Qu Wanwan was speechless.

About the time it takes to burn an incense stick later, they picked a few more spirit stones and spirit beads. Interestingly, Qu Wanwan found matching earrings for her portable music player. Once she wore them—what do you know, they were another music player! A matching pair!

These must’ve been left behind by another transmigrator. There’s no way that was just a coincidence!

Seeing that they had only taken a sword and some “accessories,” the snow monkey leader felt it wasn’t enough. Feeling a bit guilty, it returned to its dwelling and gave them a pill from its collection. It didn’t know what the pill did, just that it had a strong fragrance—definitely something valuable.

Qu Wanwan accepted it gratefully. After all, they’d helped fight and even gifted talismans.

[You’ve seriously hit the jackpot! That’s a Spirit-Consolidating Pill. As long as the soul isn’t scattered, it can restore the primordial spirit and bring one back to life. Even just sniffing it strengthens the soul and boosts cultivation!] Encyclopedia Mode: Activated.

“Thank you, little monkey. Time for us to go!” Qu Wanwan patted the snow monkey leader’s fuzzy head.

The snow monkeys watched them leave…

Thanks to Qu Wanwan’s support role, they still ranked first in number and tier of slain beasts. But it wasn’t enough. She wanted revenge.

That Taotie beast that almost killed them wasn’t dead yet. But now, they had the Debt-Stealer Sword and the Spirit-Consolidating Pill. It’s on! If things went south, they’d just rip the teleportation talisman and flee!

There was less than a day left before the competition ended. If they were going to settle the score, it had to be now!

Following the markings Yun Yi had left before, they reached the area near the avalanche-prone mountains.

But… the Taotie’s presence was gone. It must have escaped. With its power, it couldn’t be trapped by a mere avalanche for long.

As if recalling something, Yun Yi sliced her fingertip. The bright red blood dotted the snow like tiny blooming red plum blossoms.

She quickly sealed the wound, sprinkled something over the “plum blossoms,” and dragged Qu Wanwan to hide behind a nearby hill.

“My blood has healing properties—it can heal even the gravest wounds! Taotie has a keen nose. It’ll definitely come.”

“No wonder… so back then, when I was on the brink of death, it was your blood…” Qu Wanwan looked at Yun Yi’s lovely apricot eyes.

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Chapter 7: Now It’s Really On (Part 2)

“Mhm.” Yun Yi responded briefly, then added, “But the Taotie is a fierce enemy. I can’t let it heal with my blood, so I added a little something extra…” She gave a smile, though it was rather sinister.

“Cough, cough… didn’t know my Yiyi baby could be so ruthless!” Qu Wanwan gave an awkward cough.

“If I weren’t ruthless, we’d both be dead!” Her gaze was firm.

“Still, I’m not entirely reassured. Just in case, let me add a little something too!” Qu Wanwan said.

About the time it takes to burn an incense stick later, the Taotie really did come, drawn by the scent. It eagerly devoured the “plum blossoms.”

At first, it looked pleased, but soon after, it spat out a mouthful of black blood! Clearly, Yun Yi’s “extra touch” was working!

“It’s time!” Yun Yi declared. “Let’s kill it!”

The two of them launched an assault on the Taotie. Poisoned and frozen by Qu Wanwan’s ice spell, Yun Yi summoned the Debt-Stealer Sword and aimed straight for its heart.

Even poisoned and immobilized, the ancient beast wasn’t going down easy. With desperate effort, it broke free from the restraints. A cornered beast will always fight back—especially an ancient one like the Taotie!

It twisted its body, caught the sword with a fist, and flung it upward with one hand while striking it with the other!

Seeing Yun Yi about to be hit, Qu Wanwan immediately formed a spirit energy shield to protect her!

Although the Taotie caught the sword, it hurt its hand—not severely, but enough. Realizing the sword was no ordinary weapon, it turned to flee!

Sensing its escape, Qu Wanwan quickly chanted a binding incantation, activating a trapping array once more.

“Hurry! I can’t hold this for long!” she gritted her teeth, urging Yun Yi.

Yun Yi didn’t hesitate, lunging forward for another strike. The Taotie rolled to evade. Seeing its agility, Yun Yi’s mind raced—What should I do? Wanwan can’t hold it much longer. It’s all up to me now!

She attacked while thinking, but gradually, Yun Yi took some minor hits and was bleeding. The Taotie sniffed the air and suddenly spoke, “It’s your blood… how marvelous. Neither of you will leave alive today!”

If it drank her blood now, it’d heal—making it even harder to kill!

A cunning beast, it feinted at Yun Yi but launched a real attack at Qu Wanwan instead. In a panic, Yun Yi threw herself in front of Qu Wanwan to shield her!

“Yun Yi—!” Qu Wanwan panicked.

“System! The female lead’s about to die! And I’m probably next! Is this mission going to fail?!”

[No. She’s the female lead. You just focus on your part. Sit back and watch.] came the emotionless reply.

“Oh, thank god. Scared me to death…” Qu Wanwan sighed in relief.

As the system predicted, Yun Yi collapsed unconscious after taking the hit—but in the very next moment, her eyes snapped open, now glowing red!

She spread her hand, and the Debt-Stealer flew back into her grasp. Soaring into the air, she chanted a sword incantation. The single divine sword multiplied—ten, then a hundred, then thousands!

Each sword was divine—if one was powerful, a thousand were unstoppable!

The swords flew at the Taotie in waves. At first, it held its own, but soon it was overwhelmed. Yun Yi seized the moment and stabbed it through the heart!

With that, the Taotie fell. Yun Yi, drained of all strength, fainted—a brilliant counterattack!

Qu Wanwan carried Yun Yi back to the snow monkeys’ dwelling, fed her some nourishing elixirs, and used healing arts to mend her injuries.

Time quickly passed, and the three-day competition period ended. They tore their talismans and were transported back to the Dawn Dew Hall.

Yun Yi noticed everyone looking at her strangely. “Is there something on my face?” she asked, puzzled.

“They’re just jealous. You totally took first place—you killed the Taotie! Who else could win?” Qu Wanwan grinned.

“Quiet down, everyone, time to announce the results…” said the lead Immortal.

“We’ve calculated based on the grade and number of beasts slain. First place in the third round: Yun Yi. Second place: Mei Lan. Third: Kagura. Fourth: Bu Luo. Fifth: Qu Wanwan…”

With Yun Yi confirmed as the winner, Qu Wanwan was thrilled. “Time to go claim those 500 spirit points I bet. What a haul! I’m rich today!”