Chapter 8, the wind suddenly rises

She had just taken a sip when she saw Ji Ruocheng suddenly leap, causing all the more than ten wounds on his upper body to burst open, blood flowing profusely. At that moment, she was so frightened that her face turned pale, and she immediately averted her gaze, not daring to look at Ji Ruocheng's body again

Ji Ruocheng was taken aback again and said: "Do not speak carelessly! I need someone to protect me in order to cross the rope bridge. This morning, Daoist Yunfeng had matters to attend to, which is why Master Yuxuan sent Hanyan to escort me across the bridge."

What could Ji Ruocheng say to the incredibly stubborn Miss Zhang? He could only smile wryly and say, "If we are to compete, then let it be. I will definitely be at the Sword Casting Platform tonight. However, if I lose this time, can Miss Zhang let me off the hook?"

Suddenly, Ji Ruocheng's ears were filled with countless frenzied roars, and then, numerous fierce and ominous demons surged forth from his chest like a tidal wave, their numbers exceeding tens of thousands! These demons howled, rushing towards the wooden arrow like moths drawn to a flame. However, each pale gray shadow exploded into a cloud of gray flames upon colliding with the black and white energies entwined around the arrow, dissipating into nothingness. The subsequent demons, completely unaware of fear, pressed forward in a chaotic rush towards the wooden arrow!

Ji Ruocheng, lost in thought, could not help but gaze in the direction where Hanyan had departed

The Ziyang True Person gazed at the small blood cloud, silently calculating with his left hand, and then looked towards the direction of Dan Yuan Peak

Zhang Yinyin still did not dare to look over, only shouting: "I am not afraid to say it ten thousand times! If you think I will let you go, you are dreaming, you coward!"

The wooden arrow was originally of ordinary quality, but it was only through the mystical arrow techniques that it was able to unleash such power. At this moment, it was overwhelmed by the desperate charge of countless demonic creatures, exploding into a mass of black and white flames. However, the residual power of this Taiji flame was not to be underestimated. Ji Ruocheng's dozens of protective treasures lit up one by one, radiating various colors of brilliance, all shining upon this mass of Taiji flame. In the blink of an eye, the spiritual energy of the treasures was completely exhausted, causing them to explode one after another, adding dozens of wounds of varying sizes to Ji Ruocheng's body. Yet, the residual power of this Taiji flame was still formidable. Ji Ruocheng's protective treasures lit up once more, radiating various colors of brilliance, all shining upon this mass of Taiji flame. In the blink of an eye, the spiritual energy of the treasures was completely exhausted, causing them to explode one after another, adding dozens of wounds of varying sizes to Ji Ruocheng's body.

Ji Ruocheng was taken aback, never expecting that she would act without hesitation. Fortunately, she had also been taught the Great Five Elements Sword Technique by Master Jingxiao. At that moment, she slipped her foot just in time to evade Zhang Yinyin's sword strike, which was infused with immense force, and hurriedly shouted: "Stop, stop!"

Upon this thought, Ji Ruocheng immediately relaxed both hands, yet still firmly grasped the rope's end, not daring to let his guard down in the slightest. After a moment, Zhang Yinyin let out a soft moan, having regained her breath, but still had not awakened

Ji Ruocheng forced a smile and said helplessly, "Yes, yes! Miss Zhang has a keen insight and can predict matters with great accuracy. I just wonder what important matter Miss Zhang has summoned me for"

Ji Ruocheng was taken aback. He had thought that after he had helped Zhang Yinyin fend off the calamity of seven days of meditation, she would appreciate this gesture of friendship and would not dare to cause any more trouble. To his surprise, she actually wanted to duel!

Zhang Yinyin indeed refrained from attacking and merely stood gracefully in place, asking: "Are you willing to compete this time?"

For a moment, he remained in place, simply staring intently at the smoke.

Ji Ruocheng knew that the effect of the life-saving elixir would soon wear off, so he did not dare to say another word and immediately turned to hurry towards the Taishang Daode Palace. Just as he reached the side door of the palace, he finally could not hold on any longer and collapsed to the ground. As he was about to lose consciousness, he vaguely thought: "Who in the sect... wants to kill me?"

Ji Ruocheng turned back to take a look and immediately knew that there was absolutely no possibility of escaping this sword strike. The attacker was one with the sword, exuding an overwhelming aura, yet the green light surrounding them flickered uncertainly, clearly indicating a lack of profound skill.

As Jian Ruochen approached the end of the suspension bridge, Hanyan could no longer contain herself. She lightly bit her lower lip, and with a slight push of her toes on the bridge, a slender wave surged swiftly along the iron cable, catching up to Jian Ruochen in an instant. With a startled cry, Jian Ruochen finally plunged headfirst into the abyss

However, that Tai Chi flame was ultimately blocked. Yet, when the flame's tail swept across Ji Ruocheng's chest, it scorched a large patch of his flesh.

Seeing that Ji Ruocheng had already walked more than ten zhang on the suspension bridge, Hanyan finally stepped forward to walk onto the bridge. If he walked any further, a misstep could mean there would be no time for assistance.

Zhang Yinyin looked around, and at this moment, apart from the cold moon over Cangshan Mountain, there was no one in sight. She stood in a daze for a moment, then suddenly looked up to the sky and cried out loudly. After crying several times, she abruptly wiped away her tears and shouted: "Ji Ruocheng! If I do not avenge this grudge, I, Zhang Yinyin, vow not to be human!"

In those days, the Longmen Inn was not entirely a den of iniquity; when business was good, it was mostly a respectable establishment. However, a respectable inn inevitably encountered those who sought to dine and dash. The innkeeper had his own methods for dealing with such patrons: men would be stripped of their clothes and thrown out, while women would be beaten and then driven away. This approach proved quite effective, and from then on, few dared to eat and run at the Longmen Inn. At that time, Ji Ruocheng once asked why it was not the men who were beaten and the women who were made to run naked, as that would surely establish the inn's authority even more. The innkeeper merely laughed and said that such actions could lead to fatalities; as a small business owner, we are only in it for profit, not for lives. Ji Ruocheng immediately thought of many easy targets and naturally felt quite dismissive.

However, Ji Ruocheng's cultivation was significantly two levels lower than Zhang Yinyin's. She had to exert all her strength to wield the Sunflower Water Sword Technique, which is why when their wooden swords clashed, Ji Ruocheng's wooden sword immediately flew out of her hand

Saying this, she pointed at Ji Ruocheng and said: "The one I am looking for is this cowardly lecher!"

As expected, just as he turned to flee, a crisp voice rang out from the sword-forging platform: "Ji Ruocheng! Do you still wish to escape?" Before the voice had faded, a graceful figure leaped up from the sword-forging platform, emanating a faint azure radiance, like a long rainbow spanning the sky, darting towards Ji Ruocheng like lightning

Ji Ruocheng struggled to take out a small black jade box, scooped a bit of ointment, and began to apply it to the wounds on his body. This ointment seemed to possess a spirit; as soon as he applied it to the large wound on his chest, which was open from front to back, it immediately seeped into the flesh, producing countless tiny black bubbles, and in an instant, even the wound on his back was sealed up.

The sound was both clear and crisp, like a chime that awakened Ji Ruocheng. It seemed that only then did he realize he was still holding onto Hanyan's hand, and he hurriedly released it, stepping back two more paces. However, he still shot a fierce glance at Hanyan before turning towards the source of the sound

He could only watch helplessly as the wooden arrow flew to within three feet of his chest, and at that moment, his hand had not yet moved an inch

He let out a soft sigh, flicked his fingers, and the small stone flew far away, plunging into the bottomless abyss beyond Taichang Peak

When Ji Ruocheng first saw her fainting, he was still exerting force. At that moment, Zhang Yinyin appeared to him no different from the dying old wolf he had killed years ago. However, when he noticed Zhang Yinyin's lips gradually turning blue, Ji Ruocheng was suddenly alarmed and finally remembered that she was the daughter of the Real Person Jing Xiao. Could it be that he was truly about to kill her

Originally, Ji Ruocheng had just entered a little bit of true essence, and he thought that crossing this suspension bridge would result in at least seventy or eighty falls out of a hundred attempts. However, today, for some unknown reason, he walked unsteadily, flailing his arms and legs, resembling a duck, as if he might plunge headfirst into an endless abyss at any moment. Even Hanyan looked somewhat alarmed, yet as the end of the suspension bridge appeared ahead in the clouds, he surprisingly did not stumble even once.

Zhang Yinyin was taken aback, and after a moment, gritted her teeth and shouted: "You cowardly lecher, you deserve to be punished by all! You... you still won't put me down?!"

Hanyan noticed that the two had already steadied themselves, so she gently tried to pull her hand back. To her surprise, Ji Ruocheng held on quite tightly, and she was unable to withdraw her hand. She tried again, this time using a bit more force. Unexpectedly, Ji Ruocheng tightened his grip even more, and Hanyan still could not retrieve her hand.

She made several fierce vows in succession, and suddenly felt something unusual in her hand. When she raised it to take a look, she discovered that her sleeve was covered in blood! Her heart raced wildly, and she used her left hand to touch her face. By the light of the moon, she saw that her palm was indeed stained with blood!

Ji Ruocheng stood there, stunned like a wooden chicken, staring fixedly at Hanyan, unable to utter another word

It was not until Zhang Yinyin's clear and bright mockery reached my ears that the silence in the misty waves was broken. In an instant, the vast misty waves, the cold giant reefs, and the countless dead and dying fish vanished completely

The stone surface is marked by loose textures, adorned with a small drop of blood. The blood spreads along the stone's patterns, resembling a cloud of flames at this moment

However, if it is said that the two are not in cahoots, then why did Zhang Yinyin just now display such overwhelming killing intent and advance without hesitation? When did he establish such an irreconcilable enmity with Zhang Yinyin?

Zhang Yinyin immediately let out a piercing scream that echoed through the night sky

Ji Ruocheng suppressed his anger, picked up the blood-stained robe, and slowly put it on, saying: "Miss Zhang, our swords have been exhausted. If you dare to entangle with me again, do not blame me for being impolite!"

Ji Ruocheng's mind was in turmoil, seemingly tainted to some extent by the fierce and relentless resentment of the demonic beings.

With a faint smile, she said: "Since it is so, I will also see Brother Ji Ruocheng across the suspension bridge and take my leave here." Having said this, she did not wait for Ji Ruocheng's response and floated away like a wisp of smoke in the distance

Still enveloped in mist, she wore a plain long dress, unadorned with makeup or jewelry, her feet seemingly leaving trails of smoke as if she were walking on waves. Cradling several ancient texts in her arms, she approached Ji Ruocheng, offering a slight bow before softly inquiring, "Senior Brother Ruocheng, are you waiting for Daoist Yunfeng?"

Ji Ruocheng said with a cold smile: "If you continue to entangle yourself, and fall into my hands again, then this time the beating will still be light"

Little did he know that this time his threat had no effect on Zhang Yinyin; she smiled slightly, and with a swift motion of her wooden sword, it lunged towards Ji Ruocheng's throat like a flash of lightning and a clap of thunder

Ji Ruocheng watched her leave, shook his head, and sighed deeply, truly at a loss as to how to rid himself of this persistent trouble and enjoy a few days of peace. Considering the time, it would not be long before the young Daoist Mingxin would be released, and then he could only wonder what kind of entanglements would arise.

She resolutely withdrew her hand, slightly raised her head, and met Ji Ruocheng's gaze. Her delicate brows were tightly furrowed as she called out, "Ruocheng Shixiong..." Despite the stern admonition from Master Yu Xuan, there was already a trace of barely perceptible chill in Hanyan's tone.

Bang

Oh, is that so?" Ji Ruocheng continued without raising his head, saying, "Since you have already fallen into my hands, why hasn't the archer come to rescue you?"

Countless demons arrive in an instant, only to vanish in the blink of an eye; between life and death, it is merely a wisp of blue smoke

Ji Ruochen gritted his teeth, gripping the wound on his left arm; the new pain instead brought him back to his senses. He immediately turned around and hurriedly fled towards the Taishang Daode Palace

On this morning, Ji Ruocheng arrived early at the suspension bridge, looking refreshed, with the hidden worries between his brows already swept away. However, a quarter of the agreed time had passed, and Daoist Yunfeng had still not appeared.

She remains completely unaware

With a faint smile, he said: "My master, the Jade Xuan Zhenren, discussed the Dao with the Ziyang Zhenren for an entire night, and it is still ongoing. Daoist Yunfeng will accompany the two Zhenren, while I am about to return to the Taishang Daode Palace, so the Jade Xuan Zhenren has sent me to escort you across the suspension bridge."

Zhang Yinyin snorted and said, "Among the three hundred disciples of the Taichang Palace, there are at least one hundred, if not two hundred, who can help you cross the bridge. Just because Daoist Yunfeng has matters to attend to, does that mean the others have all perished? Do you need the disciples of the Dan Yuan Palace to assist? Moreover, crossing the bridge is just crossing the bridge; you have already crossed it, yet you are still holding hands at the bridgehead and refusing to let go! Do you think such a small lie can deceive me?"

Just ... ...

Ji Ruocheng was filled with a mix of shock and anger, truly at a loss as to why, despite repeatedly yielding, she still insisted on killing him. At this moment, life and death hung by a thread; Ji Ruocheng found himself unable to defend or evade. It was as if he had returned to the time when he faced a vicious wolf alone, and instead, he became calm. He swiftly drew the wooden sword from his back, his eyes narrowing slightly as he focused intently on Zhang Yinyin's advancing attack. When she charged in front of him, he finally executed the sword technique, employing the Liekong Sword taught by the Master of Yuxu. The wooden sword moved with the agility of a dragon, arriving before the attack, and with a single stroke, he struck against Zhang Yinyin's sword!

Until the figure of Han Yan disappeared into the distance, Ji Ruocheng remained frowning, fixated on her silhouette without respite. Zhang Yinyin waited for a long time, finally unable to contain herself, and coldly remarked from the side: "Ji Ruocheng, I never realized you had such great abilities. In just half a year since entering the Supreme Dao De Palace, you have actually managed to attract the most renowned figure of the Dan Yuan Palace, Han Yan. It seems she is not as distant as the rumors suggest! Now that she has left, what are you still looking at? If you want to see her, go to a place where no one is around..." At this point, although Zhang Yinyin was filled with anger, she ultimately could not bring herself to finish her words and had to stop midway.

After reflecting for a year, I have come to accept it

Ji Ruocheng let out a long howl, facing the sharp edge of Zhang Yinyin's wooden sword. Instead of retreating, he advanced, and in an instant, the thousand-year-old ironwood sword had pierced into his right chest, all the way to the hilt

Then I won't go either

At this moment, Ji Ruocheng has already realized that the restlessness in his consciousness is indeed the Disengagement Immortal Technique. If he suppresses it, everything around him remains normal, but when it stirs incessantly, a blood moon will rise in the night sky

Could it be that Ji Ruocheng suddenly thought, this girl who is shrouded in mist and waves all day long actually has a cold and hard heart

Zhang Yinyin suddenly smiled instead of getting angry, and with a light hum, the wooden sword was already drawn and in hand. With a smile, she said: "Then let us compete here!"

Ji Ruocheng stared blankly at the silent and cold giant reef, a sudden chill creeping into his heart, leaving him momentarily stunned. He suddenly realized that the giant reef was growing larger, and only then did he notice that he was being pushed by a massive wave, helplessly hurtling towards the colossal rock! Ji Ruocheng wanted to scream, but no sound would come out. He thought of escaping, but the immense force of the wave behind him was overwhelming; how could he possibly escape?

Zhang Yinyin coldly remarked: "Why is she not continuing? However, it is only right for you to defend her"

He first swallowed a pill to save his life, and when he looked down, he discovered that his blue robe had already been soaked through with blood, appearing shocking to the eye

With a graceful leap, she moved forward like a swallow skimming the water, flying diagonally downward. Her toes hooked onto the iron cable, and with a delicate reach of her slender hand, she had already grasped Ji Ruocheng's hand. Then, with a slight exertion, she lifted him into the air and gently landed at the head of the iron cable bridge

Ji Ruocheng was taken aback and hurriedly exclaimed: "If the disciple engages in private combat and the Daoist priest finds out, I will have to reflect on my actions for a total of forty-nine days!"

Ji Ruocheng remained calm and collected, quietly crushing a piece of jade talisman in his sleeve. In an instant, a surge of spiritual power enveloped his entire being. Almost simultaneously with the shattering of the jade talisman, a buzzing sound resembling a bowstring echoed in Ji Ruocheng's ears. The sound seemed to come from beside him, yet Ji Ruocheng raised his head to gaze at the sword forging platform.

She suddenly recalled the solemn admonition of Master Yu Xuan, her left hand quietly clenched into a fist. Unbeknownst to her, a nail had already pierced her palm, and a warm trickle of blood quietly seeped through her fingers, dripping onto the ground

Just now, for some unknown reason, as he gazed at Hanyan, he suddenly felt that the endless mist of water in her eyes spread out, instantly enveloping the entire world. At that moment, he could no longer distinguish whether it was the ripples of water emanating from Hanyan's eyes or if his own consciousness had been drawn into her gaze

Ji Ruocheng gritted his teeth against the intense pain in his body, tightly binding Zhang Yinyin's hands with a thin rope. He then removed his belt, searched for a suitable tree nearby, and hung her from it. After struggling to complete these actions, a gust of mountain wind blew by, causing Ji Ruocheng to shiver suddenly, and his vision went dark. He let out a muffled groan and slowly sat down on the ground, fumbling to take out a red pill from his bosom, crushing the wax seal, and swallowing it. He did not appear panicked, as he had experienced similar situations a few times in his childhood and knew it was merely a symptom of excessive blood loss.

He certainly could not tell Zhang Yinyin that on that day, he held onto Hanyan's hand without letting go and stared at her intently, all because he was frightened by the cold world hidden beneath her soft and hazy gaze, and was unable to extricate himself. However, he had already realized that Zhang Yinyin was actually unrelated to the archer; she was completely guileless and would not lie. As for her relentless advance, it was mostly due to her failure to master the Sunflower Water Sword Technique.

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly opened his mouth and could not help but spit out a mouthful of fresh blood. The two were very close, and nearly half of the blood splattered onto Zhang Yinyin. With no way to evade, Zhang Yinyin suddenly recalled the possibly massive wound on Ji Ruocheng's right chest, which seemed to be the result of her sword thrust just moments ago, causing her heart to tremble slightly and her anger to diminish a fraction.

Ji Ruocheng hurriedly returned a bow and said: "Indeed, without Daoist Yunfeng, I would not be able to cross the suspension bridge myself"

Zhang Yinyin coldly laughed and said: "Of course there is something! However, the one I am looking for is not you..."

In the blink of an eye, the bright moon has risen again. Ji Ruocheng quietly left the Taishang Daode Palace and turned onto the stone steps leading to the forging platform on the back mountain. He carried a green wooden sword slung diagonally across his back, made from the black fragrant wood that grew in the rain pool of the unnamed mountain, which was not much different from Zhang Yinyin's wooden sword. Additionally, his Daoist robe was bulging, filled with an unknown number of items.

Ji Ruocheng fell to the ground, looking up at the sky. Then, gritting his teeth, he leaped back to his feet. This jump aggravated the various wounds on his body, nearly causing him to faint from the pain. At this moment, Ji Ruocheng seemed to return to his childhood when he faced the ferocious wolves alone. He knew that he absolutely could not faint now; the assailant, having failed in their strike, would certainly not give up.

Ji Ruocheng raised an eyebrow and said, "Is that so? Try saying it again."

At this moment, a cold laugh suddenly echoed: "It is already quite late; why are you still so intimate with each other? Aren't you afraid that the passing Taoists will see this and gossip about it?"

Ji Ruocheng grasped Zhang Yinyin's wrist with his left hand, while his right hand struck the wooden sword. As he recited the Dissolution Technique, the wooden sword was instantly transformed into nothingness. However, the wood energy that erupted from the sword was surprisingly potent, not only reopening the already transparent wound on his chest slightly, but also completely overwhelming Ji Ruocheng's true essence. In an instant, it severely injured his meridians.

At this moment, Zhang Yinyin let out a moan, and it seemed she was about to awaken

In the previous two joint classes, although Ji Ruocheng and Hanyan sat close to each other, he was always in a state of extreme agitation, while Hanyan seemed to be shrouded in a faint mist all day long, making it difficult for him to clearly remember her appearance. Ji Ruocheng only recalled that in her every gesture, there were rippling waves that would wash over him, completely submerging him.

Zhang Yinyin let out a cry of pain, turning her head in disbelief to see Ji Ruocheng holding a wooden sword, coldly staring at her. This time, she watched as Ji Ruocheng raised the wooden sword, using it like a whip, and struck her sharply on the buttocks!

She was like a spring river shrouded in mist, and at this moment, her serene smile is akin to the moment when the clouds part and the sun rises

Ji Ruocheng turned his head in astonishment, as if he had only just noticed Zhang Yinyin at that moment, and said: "Miss Yinyin, Han Yan and I are not as you described; she... sigh!"

Ji Ruocheng was burdened, and as he walked along, the clinking sounds were unavoidable, disturbing the patrolling Taoist priests. However, these priests were aware that Ji Ruocheng could roam freely within the Taishang Daode Palace, so they did not intervene.

When Ji Ruocheng was still young and wandering in the desolate wilderness beyond the Great Wall, a chill would often rise within him. At such moments, he would know that deep within the vast sandstorm, a wild wolf or hyena had set its sights on him. It is uncertain whether this was an innate ability or a skill acquired through a life of hardship

Ji Ruocheng was well aware that Zhang Yinyin's identity was not to be taken lightly. This matter needed to be clarified, and although the archer had fallen silent, he might very well be hiding nearby. He could neither fight nor escape, and his only option was to use Zhang Yinyin as a hostage

Ji Ruocheng nonchalantly applied medicine to the open wound, while seemingly casually asking: "Miss Zhang, your archery skills are quite impressive!"

Ji Ruocheng's methods were mostly learned from the shopkeeper. At this moment, seeing Zhang Yinyin unwilling to submit, in order to teach her a severe lesson, he immediately summoned the supreme treasure of punishment.

Since Zhang Yinyin has unleashed the Sunflower Water Sword Technique, and it descends from the sky in such a manner, never to return, it is evident that she intends to take Ji Ruocheng's life. Given the might of this sword strike, Ji Ruocheng, even if not currently gravely injured, would be unable to withstand it head-on.

Ji Ruochen finally raised his head, glanced at Zhang Yinyin, and said淡淡地道: "What does this count for? Don't think that just because you are the daughter of the Real Person Jingxiao, others must accommodate you in everything. Since you want to kill me this time, I also have my means to deal with you; it’s possible that I might accidentally end up killing you. However, I truly do not understand why, according to reason, I have never offended you, and I have even helped you, yet you repeatedly seek trouble with me, and this time you insist on putting me to death?"

Three hundred zhang away, on the sword forging platform, a small black shadow was slowly flying towards him

At this moment, Zhang Yinyin was awakened by the cold wind at the peak. As she opened her eyes, she saw a man sitting in front of her, bare-chested, applying medicine to a wound. In the dim moonlight, his entire upper body was a gruesome sight, a horrifying mess of flesh and blood.

It seemed that blocking this arrow would be an easy task, yet Ji Ruocheng knew otherwise. He wanted to raise his hand to deflect it, to separate the wooden arrow in mid-air, but no matter how hard he tried, his hand could not rise to his chest. In reality, Ji Ruocheng's hand was indeed lifting, but the speed was so slow that it was nearly at a standstill.

Zhang Yinyin surprisingly did not erupt this time, merely saying: "Rest assured, it is only me."

Watching the swaying and disheveled figure on the suspension bridge, Han Yan stood there, a trace of desolation flashing through her hazy eyes. Over the past few years, it has been rare for the young disciples who first encountered her in the Palace of Morality to be so lost and out of sorts; in comparison, Ji Ruocheng's reaction at this moment is actually not that significant.

The Wanyao Stone on Ji Ruocheng's chest had lost its luster, cracked into more than a dozen pieces, and was slowly descending. It seems that this stone, named Wanyao Stone, truly lived up to its name, as it was unknown how many demonic creatures were locked within. However, at that very moment, as Ji Ruocheng witnessed the surge of demonic creatures and heard the roars like thunder, he suddenly realized what was contained within the cries of these creatures.

As soon as Yi Ji realized that his body could move, he immediately took two steps back, wanting to distance himself from Han Yan a little more

Ji Ruocheng felt that his left palm was both icy and slick, a sensation that was truly indescribable, akin to holding a clump of snow that was neither fully frozen nor completely melted. It was not until the two of them stood still at the head of the iron chain bridge that he regained his composure and looked up, just in time to meet the gaze of Hanyan, whose eyes shimmered with countless rippling waves.

Upon a glance, Ji Ruocheng was immediately taken aback and filled with rage. He never expected that the one charging down from the Sword Casting Platform was actually Zhang Yinyin! Moreover, she was exuding a murderous aura and was wielding the Sunflower Water Sword Qi!

Amid Zhang Yinyin's cries of pain, Ji Ruocheng wielded her wooden sword, striking her back, hips, and legs more than ten times before finally stopping. At this moment, Zhang Yinyin felt both shame and shock, becoming somewhat dazed, tears streaming down her face, yet she bit her lip tightly, refusing to cry out loud. Ji Ruocheng then asked her if she had submitted, to which she simply shook her head repeatedly.

Before long, the morning mist that enveloped the peak of Xixuan Mountain was finally dispelled by the rising sun

The archer clearly intended to take his life; this arrow was extraordinarily powerful. If it were not for Ji Ruocheng's abundance of magical artifacts, with his meager cultivation, even ten of him would have been shot dead by a single arrow

With smoke in hand, she kept her hands tucked in her sleeves, walking neither hurriedly nor slowly. Yet secretly, she was continuously wiping her right hand with a pure white silk handkerchief, pondering to herself: "So it turns out that all men in the world are the same! Master said that Ji Ruocheng is a fallen immortal, with hopes of soaring in this life... But now it seems, he... his appearance is no different from that of other lecherous men"

In this duel, Ji Ruocheng was determined to lose, and to lose convincingly, to prevent Miss Zhang from causing further trouble. However, just thinking about the day when Zhang Yinyin's wooden sword technique went out of control still fills him with dread. This young lady may not be very old, but her temper is rather fierce, and she lacks restraint in her actions. Therefore, for this meeting, Ji Ruocheng adorned himself with all the protective talismans, indestructible spells, and luminous cards bestowed by various masters over time, even wearing a mysterious Wan Yao stone around his neck, the purpose of which remains unclear.

Only after the Jade Xuan Zhenren completely vanished into the distant mist did the Purple Yang Zhenren turn and head towards the Taichang Palace. After taking a few steps, he suddenly paused, bent down to pick up a stone from the ground, and examined it carefully

He is very familiar with the chill in the wind, a sensation that has been etched into his very bones since childhood. The cold in the wind does not merely strike the skin of Ji Ruocheng, but rather blows directly into the depths of his heart

Ji Ruocheng did not think twice, leaping up and grabbing her by the throat, stifling her scream in her throat. Seeing Zhang Yinyin's gaze becoming hazy, on the verge of fainting, he finally released his grip and coldly said: "If you scream again, I will kill you"

At this moment, a tall girl stepped out of the faint morning mist, and it was Zhang Yinyin. Her face was frosty, with a sneer and cold smile at the corners of her mouth. She tightly gripped the wooden sword at her waist with her left hand, her slender fingers turning pale at the joints, as if she intended to break the hilt of the sword. However, the wooden sword she carried today was no ordinary item; it was made from a thousand-year-old ironwood sourced from the Cloud Mist Mountain in the Western Wilderness, harder than fine steel. Not to mention that Zhang Yinyin was merely a young girl just beginning her journey, even a cultivator with over a decade of true essence would find this wooden sword unmanageable.

At the summit of Taichang Peak, Ziyang Zhenren accompanied Yuxuan Zhenren, engaging in lively conversation and laughter as they walked to the edge of the suspension bridge. The two Zhenren had spent the night discussing profound topics, clearly having gained much from their discourse. Unlike his fellow Zhenren, Ziyang Zhenren displayed no airs of superiority; during this farewell, he was not accompanied by a single disciple or attendant to serve him.

At this moment, Ji Ruocheng's cultivation was still shallow; this injury was merely a flesh wound for a seasoned practitioner, but for him, it was a fatal blow. Fortunately, he had prepared thoroughly for this journey; in addition to numerous protective talismans, he also brought many life-saving elixirs. He took a deep breath and forcibly removed the inner robe beneath his long gown. This simple action caused him such pain that he nearly fainted several times.

But tonight he almost died at the hands of Zhang Yinyin; can merely scolding her for being reckless and immature make up for this?

On the summit of Mogan Peak, beside the Palace of Virtue, there will certainly be no wild wolves lurking. But what, then, lies hidden in the shadows?

With a hint of smoke, Zhang Yinyin appeared, revealing a slight expression of surprise. She asked, "Sister Yinyin, you are waiting here so early. Is there something on your mind?"

The chill in Ji Ruocheng's heart surged more intensely, almost freezing his internal organs. Suddenly, a slight movement stirred within him, and he abruptly raised his head to gaze at the night sky. To his astonishment, he discovered that the high-hanging bright moon had inexplicably transformed into a flowing and viscous dark red, resembling a droplet of blood. Ji Ruocheng was taken aback, blinking forcefully, and when he looked again, the moon had returned to its pure white, like jade.

At this moment, the sky was just beginning to brighten, and strands of morning light shone upon Hanyan, causing much of the misty water and waves around her to dissipate. In that instant, Ji Ruocheng was finally able to clearly see her features.

The Great Five Elements Sword Technique operates on the principles of mutual restraint and generation. Water is both extremely soft and extremely hard, ever-changing and unpredictable. It can carry all things, yet it can also overwhelm all things. The difficulty of mastering it far exceeds that of the Yi Wood Sword Qi, but its power is also significantly greater

Regardless of the circumstances, at this moment, Ji Ruocheng felt not only a sudden heartbeat for the woman with the water-colored stone heart but also a deep sense of fear. This was the first person to instill fear in him since he entered the Daoist sect.

Zhang Yinyin struck the wooden sword at his waist and shouted, "Last time, my wooden sword was of poor quality, which allowed you to launch a sneak attack! This time, my father has given me a new millennium ironwood sword, so let us compete again! Tonight, I will be waiting for you at the sword forging platform on the back mountain. Let me tell you, whether you come or not, you must come!"

Ji Ruocheng raised the wooden sword again and said, "Speak! Will you dare to entangle again in the future?"

As he continued along the mountain path, Ji Ruocheng suddenly felt that the night breeze had lessened, yet the chill in the wind had intensified. He shivered slightly, and his footsteps gradually slowed.

***

He suddenly plunged into the vast sea of mist and clouds, where he saw the countless waves concealed beneath. The boundless waves abruptly parted to reveal a massive, icy, and hard reef beneath the water! The giant rock had been eroded by the undercurrents for an unknown duration, yet its edges remained sharp and distinct. In the waves, fish of various sizes were swept along by the currents, helplessly colliding with the giant reef, and one by one, they flipped onto the surface, only to be pulled back underwater by the next wave.

Zhang Yinyin saw that his robe was soaked in fresh blood, and with a startled cry, she dared not look again. She quickly turned her face to the side, yet stubbornly said, "You cowardly lecher! Treating me this way, do you think I will let you go? That is out of the question!"

"What? When have I ever shot you?" Zhang Yinyin was completely bewildered

Ji Ruocheng, having seen the world, was meticulous in his thoughts. He initially believed that Zhang Yinyin intended to kill him; first, he shot at him without success, then flew in to attack with his sword, prompting Ji Ruocheng to retaliate with decisive measures. However, upon reflection, Ji Ruocheng began to sense something amiss. The archer on the platform possessed profound true essence, enabling him to wield ordinary wooden arrows with advanced archery techniques. This level of true essence cultivation was undoubtedly many times higher than that of Zhang Yinyin. Yet, if the archer was not Zhang Yinyin, then they did not appear to be in collusion. If he were to shoot another arrow, it would immediately claim Ji Ruocheng's life; how could they allow a third-rate assassin like Zhang Yinyin to take action?

Zhang Yinyin immediately panicked, running wildly across the mountains, wanting to find one or two springs to wash away the bloodstains on her face and check for any injuries.

Hearing Ji Ruocheng's cold voice, Zhang Yinyin, who feared neither heaven nor earth, was unexpectedly startled and shivered. Just as her fear began to arise, feelings of shame and anger surged within her, and she glared at Ji Ruocheng, exclaiming, "You dare!"

At this moment, only Zhang Yinyin remained beneath the sword-casting platform. She had been practicing the Dao since childhood, and as long as she had time, this minor constraint was not enough to hinder her. She then closed her eyes and recited the incantation, suddenly letting out a sharp shout, and the ropes in her hands were instantly severed.

Ji Ruocheng suddenly stopped in his tracks

"Brother Ruocheng, Brother Ruocheng?" Hanyan called out several times before Ji Ruocheng came back to his senses. Ji Ruocheng seemed to realize his own loss of composure, chuckled awkwardly a couple of times, and no longer dared to look at Hanyan. He turned and walked towards the suspension bridge, and in his flustered departure, it appeared as if the figure behind him was not a beautiful person standing amidst the misty waters, but rather a long-lost creditor from years past.

The two real beings conversed for a while by the suspension bridge. Finally, Master Yu Xuan performed a formal bow and took his leave, gradually ascending and flying towards Dan Yuan Palace.

What are you talking about? Who is the archer? Huh?! Only at this moment did Zhang Yinyin realize that something was wrong with her body. She tried to move, and a sharp pain shot through her wrist. It was then that she discovered she was hanging from a tree, her toes barely touching the ground. Enraged, she shouted, "Ji Ruocheng! You have such audacity to hang me from a tree?"

Zhang Yinyin's face was like cold frost as she gritted her teeth and uttered two words: "Duel!"

It was a featherless, pale yellow long arrow, entwined with black and white spiritual energy, silently flying towards Ji Ruocheng. To Ji Ruocheng, this featherless arrow appeared to be flying exceptionally slowly, even the trajectory of its flight was clearly visible. Moreover, the material of the wooden arrow was unremarkable; as it continued to advance, the cracks on the arrow shaft increased in number. It seemed that after piercing through Ji Ruocheng's chest, this arrow would shatter into a mass of wooden fibers. To Ji Ruocheng, this featherless arrow appeared to be flying exceptionally slowly, even the trajectory of its flight was clearly visible. Moreover, the material of the wooden arrow was unremarkable; as it continued to advance, the cracks on the arrow shaft increased in number. It seemed that after piercing through Ji Ruocheng's chest, this arrow would shatter into a mass of wooden fibers

Ji Ruochen shook his head and said: "I will not go, you are going to rely on your numbers to gain the upper hand!"

"Let's talk about it after the competition." Zhang Yinyin coldly uttered this phrase, then turned and left, quickly disappearing into the faint morning mist

Zhang Yinyin gritted her teeth and managed to utter, "You cowardly lecher..." when suddenly she let out a sharp scream, for she had just received another blow from a wooden sword on the outer side of her thigh

It is uncertain whether Ji Ruocheng is truly wise yet seemingly foolish, possessing extraordinary abilities, or if he is simply extraordinarily lucky.

He felt a slight sense of calm in his heart, glanced around, but his heart skipped a beat again! Ji Ruocheng looked up once more and saw that the blood-red moon still hung in the night sky!

"A cowardly lecher?" Upon hearing this, Ji Ruocheng felt a mix of amusement and exasperation.

With a grunt, he raised the wooden sword again, causing Zhang Yinyin to flinch in fear. However, this time the wooden sword did not strike her but returned to Ji Ruocheng's waist.

As Ji Ruocheng was pondering, he suddenly saw a faint mist rising from the morning haze enveloping the Taichang Palace, drifting towards him. He focused his gaze and realized that it was actually Hanyan, who was slowly approaching through the mist. He couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled; how could Hanyan from the Danyuan Palace appear in the Taichang Palace at such an early hour when the sky was just beginning to brighten?

That is resentment

At this moment, he gazed at the morning mist that still lingered in the air, the recent terror still echoing in his heart, and that chilling scene was truly difficult to associate with the haze.

Ji Ruocheng merely stared at her, his hand unconsciously tightening even more.

Her heart raced as she thought: "Ji Ruocheng! If you dare to mar my face, I will never let you off for the rest of my life! Bah, no, that's not right. Such a great humiliation should have warranted a lifetime of vengeance, no! In the next life, and the life after that, I will never let you off..."

Ji Ruocheng opened her mouth, and a mouthful of fresh blood gushed out like a spring, splattering Zhang Yinyin all over her face. She never expected such a result; just as she let out a sharp scream, Ji Ruocheng had already lunged at her, and in her hands, a thin black cord had appeared without her noticing. In the blink of an eye, it was wrapped around her neck, and then it was pulled tight with all its might

Her eyes immediately turned red, and large drops of tears began to swirl in her eye sockets, stammering: "You... you actually dare to hit me... hit me..."

Ji Ruochen felt a surge of spirit, secretly exclaiming his good fortune. Someone of such low cultivation yet surrounded by protective artifacts and life-saving elixirs is likely to be the only one in the entire Supreme Taoist Palace.

Although Zhang Yinyin's true essence is strong, she is after all a girl and still young. In a contest of physical strength in close combat, how could she possibly be a match for Ji Ruocheng? She was pinned to the ground by Ji Ruocheng, unable to move. As the thin cord around her neck tightened more and more, her kicks and pushes gradually lost their strength, and finally, her head tilted to the side as she fainted.