Volume Two: Travels in the Qi Kingdom Chapter 152: Come On, Then

“This young lady, my name is Yi Tuoshi. It is truly remarkable that with your cultivation at the Ninth Stage of the Primordial Pill, you can defeat a First Stage Return Ruins Realm cultivator. You are a prodigy indeed. I’m eager to learn a couple of your techniques,” Yi Tuoshi said politely. He was well-dressed, decent-looking, and carried himself with some flair.

Mu Wanqing stood coldly without a word, not even glancing his way.

Seeing this, Yi Tuoshi did not get angry but remained courteous. “May I ask what you wish to wager, young lady?”

Yi Tuoshi was quite pleased with himself, confident that conquering this icy beauty was only a matter of time.

“Five Spirit Crystals,” Mu Wanqing answered calmly. She had just won five Spirit Crystals and could use them for the bet.

“Excellent! Then I shall wager five Spirit Crystals with you,” Yi Tuoshi agreed without hesitation. He was experienced dealing with female cultivators and knew better than to rush.

Zhang Heng smiled faintly. Though Yi Tuoshi’s words were flattering, his eyes betrayed him—his gaze was fixed on Mu Wanqing.

This simply wouldn’t do.

This youth had only learned superficial skills and lacked composure. With such cultivation, facing Mu Wanqing would surely end badly for him.

At last, the duel resumed.

This time, Mu Wanqing dispensed with any tactics of feigning weakness. From the start, she unleashed a chilling aura that blanketed the arena, attacking Yi Tuoshi with overwhelming force.

She had two reasons for this.

First, she had already used the weakness act once; there was no need to repeat it.

Second, she truly despised this Yi Tuoshi. Unlike her previous opponent, who, though despicable, dared to reveal his true feelings, this man put on a grotesque act that made her sick.

Seeing Mu Wanqing’s furious onslaught, Yi Tuoshi’s expression changed drastically. He struggled to defend while teasing, “Young lady, no need to get so worked up. Take it slow.”

Mu Wanqing ignored him, drawing more spiritual energy, her sword brimming with icy cold, pressing relentlessly.

Suddenly, Mu Wanqing slashed horizontally with her sword. Yi Tuoshi barely managed to retreat with all his might, but her speed was too great. He could not fully evade. His chest was torn by the sword’s aura, cutting through his clothes and skin, leaving a bloody gash.

Yi Tuoshi flew into a rage, dropping all pretenses. “You little witch, you’ve angered me. When I catch you, I’ll make sure you pay dearly, hehe.”

Then, a long sword appeared before him. Gripping it firmly, Yi Tuoshi no longer dodged but charged directly at Mu Wanqing. Their swords clashed incessantly, sword auras raging wildly.

Yi Tuoshi had been in the Return Ruins Realm for years and fought many times in the arena. He was unafraid of a Ninth Stage Primordial Pill cultivator. Yet the longer they fought, the more alarmed he became. Mu Wanqing’s spiritual energy seemed endless, inexhaustible. Her attacks grew ever more vicious.

Before long, he struggled to keep pace, his body riddled with wounds.

“Stop! Stop!” Yi Tuoshi suddenly retreated rapidly, shouting, “You little witch, if I don’t show you some real power, you think I’m easy prey?”

Without warning, he grasped the blade with his hand and slashed hard. Blood spurted onto his sword.

Zhang Heng chuckled. What a foolish kid—if he can’t win, there’s no need to harm himself.

Suddenly, Yi Tuoshi’s sword blazed with a bloody light, exuding a sinister aura, aimed straight at Mu Wanqing.

He laughed triumphantly. “Little witch, taste my ultimate move!”

Mu Wanqing sensed the danger. She lightly held her sword across her chest and surged spiritual energy into it.

She swung her sword toward Yi Tuoshi, the blade radiating earth-shattering cold as it flew at high speed.

Yi Tuoshi met the strike head-on. Their sword energies collided fiercely in midair.

After the clash, a tremendous energy wave swept over them. Mu Wanqing blocked with her sword but was pushed to the edge of the arena, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.

Yi Tuoshi fared worse. The sword energy pierced through his body. On the surface, he seemed unharmed, but inside his body was thoroughly ravaged.

Soon, he collapsed to his knees, unable to rise.

Officials at the arena dragged him off the platform and stripped five Spirit Crystals from his person, handing them to Mu Wanqing.

“Qing Mu, you have won two consecutive matches. Would you like to continue?” an arena official inquired. According to the rules, anyone who steps up must either lose their fighting ability or fight at least two matches. Mu Wanqing had already won two; she could choose to leave.

Mu Wanqing had yet to respond when the crowd erupted into loud chatter.

“Little sister, just play a little longer.”

“Don’t rush off! We haven’t had our fill yet,” some cultivators said honestly.

Though Mu Wanqing’s strikes were ruthless, watching her fight was a pleasure. The audience did not want it to end so soon.

“You little witch, if you have the guts, fight another round—let me teach you a lesson,” shouted a Second Stage Return Ruins cultivator.

Now that Mu Wanqing had fought twice, Second Stage Return Ruins fighters could challenge her. Many were excited.

Mu Wanqing hesitated. Though slightly wounded, her fighting spirit remained, and she considered continuing.

“Miss Mu, please come down,” Zhang Heng softly smiled from below.

Within this arena, Mu Wanqing was subject to many restrictions. She could not use many of her techniques. Defeating two Return Ruins Realm opponents was already impressive. The fighters here were seasoned veterans who lived on the edge of life and death; their skills far surpassed hers. Continuing might only bring her harm.

“Big sister Mu, come back!” Qi Sisi shouted urgently. She had been to this arena many times and understood the stakes.

Before Mu Wanqing could react, others grew displeased.

“Stinky brat, mind your own business!”

“Shut your filthy mouth!”

“Boy, if you have the guts, come up and fight me for three hundred rounds. If not, stop babbling down here.”

They had not had enough of the show and resented anyone telling little Qing Mu to stop, so they turned their ire on Zhang Heng.

Zhang Heng felt uncomfortable. Both he and Qi Sisi tried to persuade Mu Wanqing to step down, but they were only met with insults—never directed at Qi Sisi. Was this the infamous double standard?

Seeing Zhang Heng and Qi Sisi urging her, Mu Wanqing nodded and gracefully descended, returning to their side.

Her departure dampened the crowd’s mood.

Most glared angrily at Zhang Heng, eyes burning as if they wanted to devour him.

Zhang Heng ignored them, gently pulling out a handkerchief to wipe the blood from Mu Wanqing’s mouth. Then, turning, he pointed to a Second Stage Return Ruins cultivator and smiled, “So you want to fight me, huh?”

The cultivator was taken aback; he had only spoken on impulse but nodded anyway.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Heng said, “Then come on!” Without waiting for a reply, he dashed onto the platform. He remembered this cultivator had shouted the loudest earlier, demanding to fight him. Being a good person, Zhang Heng felt obliged to grant him the chance.

The man did not expect Zhang Heng to be serious but was not afraid. Both were at the same Second Stage Return Ruins level, and he was confident he could defeat this newcomer.

Soon, they stood face to face on the dueling platform, eyes locked in silent challenge.