Chapter 3: The Heroine

Xiao Yue revealed a smile, handing the two swords in her hands to Cheng Ying beside her, and said to the two, "You both may rest for now"

Cheng Ying was in a state of urgency; the situation was critical, yet there was no solution in sight. Although Yelü Qi had taken the antidote, it was not complete. They had been fleeing without rest, hardly able to close their eyes, and there was no time to gather the necessary medicines, nor the leisure to concoct new ones. They could only rely on memory to purchase a few types of pills, mix them together, dissolve them in water, and pour the mixture into a bottle, barely managing to suppress the poison of the Ice Soul Silver Needle. As for whether the properties of those medicines were mutually antagonistic, there was no time to consider; death was inevitable, and they could only take a gamble.

Li Mochou was filled with indignation, yet under the eaves, one cannot help but bow their head. Reluctantly, she said: "On account of Huang Laoxie, I will spare them this once. If I see them again, it will not be so easy to deal with as today"

Yelü Qi cast a glance behind him; the martial skills of his companions were vastly inferior to those of Li Mochou. Only he himself could withstand a few moves. Without the aid of a formation, it seemed that today he was doomed to face disaster.

Cheng Ying tucked the jade flute into her sleeve, gently shook her head, and said apologetically: "Since parting with my master, I have not seen him even once. I have been quite concerned in my heart, but unfortunately, his whereabouts are unpredictable, making it difficult to meet."

Li Mochou and her disciple possessed remarkable lightness of foot, and in the blink of an eye, they had already covered half a mile, entering a small grove. The sound only then reached them, clear as if it were beside their ears. Li Mochou felt a surge of fear in her heart, which quickly transformed into anger. Gritting her snow-white teeth, she furiously waved her whisk, causing the surrounding grass and trees to scatter wildly. Two pine trees, each as thick as a bowl, were swept by the whisk and snapped in half. Only then did she stop, panting heavily, her face flushed, radiant as peach and plum blossoms.

Yelü Yan, seated in the front row on the right, turned his head to the left and asked Yelü Qi, who was in the middle: "Second brother, we have shaken off that demon Li Mochou, haven't we?"

Li Mochou rode a donkey with a bell, and from a distance, Lu Wushuang and her companions knew that Li Mochou was pursuing them. The martial skills of the group were far inferior to hers, and even if they all joined forces, it would still be difficult to gain the upper hand. Cheng Ying, who had some knowledge of the art of Qi Men Dun Jia, set up a simple formation with the assistance of the others. Li Mochou had previously broken through her formation and thought little of it, not realizing that at that time, it was Cheng Ying's first encounter in battle, and she had no experience. Now, she was no longer the inexperienced person she once was. Underestimating the situation, Li Mochou fell into the formation and found it difficult to escape for a while. With the assistance of the others, a simple formation was completed, and although Li Mochou had previously broken through it, she thought it was nothing to worry about. However, that time was Cheng Ying's first battle, and she had no experience. Now, she was no longer the inexperienced person she once was. Li Mochou, in her carelessness, fell into the formation and found it difficult to escape for a while.

The official road is wide enough to accommodate four horse-drawn carriages side by side. On both sides of the road, rice fields stretch endlessly. Occasionally, a gust of wind blows through, causing the rice waves to undulate, creating a rather spectacular scene

Xiao Yuesheng is usually calm and imposing, yet he occasionally reveals a hint of cynicism. The root of this lies in his immortality. Sun Ziming has become accustomed to his capricious nature, but he does not underestimate or take lightly his seemingly frivolous attitude. This is because he has witnessed firsthand how Xiao Yuesheng dealt with the original owner of Guanlan Villa. That notorious bandit appeared as helpless as a child before him, unable to hide anything, and honestly revealed the location of the treasure before committing suicide, all without Xiao Yuesheng even raising an eyebrow. His methods are shrewd, allowing him to smoothly take over Guanlan Villa. His seasoned and capable demeanor is strikingly at odds with his youthful appearance.

Xiao Yuesheng calculated the days, and the martial arts tournament at Dasheng Pass was about to begin. Thus, he set off towards Dasheng Pass with his grandson Ming.

After laughing for a while, he reined in his smile and pondered: This Li Mochou is in such a hurry, there must be something going on. What could it be? Perhaps she is pursuing her treasured Five Poisons Secret Manual.

Xiao Yuesheng smiled slightly and said, "Brother Yelv, there is no need for formality. I am Xiao Yuesheng. Your deep sense of brotherhood is truly admirable!"

Although the three young women possess martial skills, they are still young girls. Cheng Ying, having experienced the tragedy of her family's destruction, remains relatively composed. Wang Yanping, burdened with national grievances and family enmity, musters some strength. However, Yelv Yan, being a precious daughter with a father in a high position and a valiant brother, has grown up carefree and pampered. Faced with such a dire situation, she naturally feels despair and fear.

Li Mochou seized the long sword from her hand, taking the place of Hong Lingbo, and began to slash forward. Thus, the two took turns leading, their speed increasing rapidly, making the path much easier to traverse

Cheng Ying turned around and called out: "Let's hurry, we need to set up the Mysterious Formation ahead!"

Cheng Ying and the others, in their haste, only took some easily movable items. Upon seeing Li Mochou's fierce demeanor and realizing that the formation was about to collapse, they hurriedly made their escape.

Yelv Yan curled his lips, turned his head away, and said somewhat dejectedly: "No matter how diligently I practice my martial arts, I cannot surpass her, alas!"

Yelü Qi could no longer take action, and it would be difficult for them to escape, let alone set up any formations. A moment's hesitation changed the entire situation, and Cheng Ying felt deep regret.

He hired a scholar who named this estate "Guanlan Mountain Villa". He felt the name was quite good, truly befitting a scholar

Yelü Qi focused on riding, looking straight ahead without turning his head, and replied: "No, her pace is faster than ours, she will catch up soon!"

Li Mochou is not a fool; upon witnessing their actions, she immediately understood their intentions. With a wave of her left hand, she launched the Ice Soul Silver Needles towards Yelv Qi

Lu Wushuang and the others were still unaware that Li Mochou had already arrived ahead of them, and instead, they hurriedly made their way in this direction

At this moment, everyone gathered before him. Yelü Qi, full of vitality, approached Xiao Yuesheng and bowed respectfully, saying: "Thank you for your assistance, my brother! Please grant me your esteemed surname and name, so that I may remember them in my heart"

The house he purchased is quite large, surrounded by several courtyards, and can be considered a small villa. When he bought it, he noticed its location by the lakeside, with beautiful scenery, and believed it would surely appreciate in value in the future. With the insight of a seasoned businessman, he naturally acquired the entire property. Of course, his methods were somewhat unscrupulous, but fortunately, the original owner of this estate was a notorious bandit, so he felt no guilt.

Xiao Yuesheng spent two days here with his grandson Ming, and then continued on their journey, changing direction to head west

Xiao Yuansheng lifted the front curtain of the carriage, handed him the wine jar in his hand, and then sat down on the right side of the carriage, saying: "It is Li Mochou, and the other one might be her disciple. The young girl is indeed a beauty."

When Xiao Yuesheng met Li Mochou, Sun Ziming was already so drunk that he was oblivious to his surroundings. Although he now possessed extraordinary skills, he could not be considered a member of the martial arts world and naturally did not know the renowned name of the Crimson Serpent Fairy

Cheng Ying was somewhat puzzled and returned the greeting, saying: "My master has been well, but I am unaware of the relationship between you and my master—?" She observed that Xiao Yuesheng possessed extraordinary agility, leading her to believe that he must have a high level of skill and that he had some prior acquaintance with Huang Yaoshi.

She knew that Lu Wushuang and the others must have fled towards Xiangyang. Upon entering Xiangyang, there were Guo Jing and his wife, whom she greatly feared, so she could only give up. Therefore, she hurried along the way, aiming to reach ahead of them and intercept them.

At that moment, Yelü Yan saw the strange person who had suddenly appeared before him, and in the blink of an eye, he was in front of Er Ge, extending his hand to strike at Er Ge's forehead. Yelü Yan was greatly alarmed and couldn't help but let out a sharp scream, but was subsequently restrained by Cheng Ying, yet continued to struggle. Later, seeing that the stranger's hand remained pressed on Er Ge's head without moving, he realized that something was amiss and quieted down to observe.

Li Mochou reacted swiftly, twisting her waist and floating three feet away. With her left hand guarding her chest and her internal energy focused on the whisk, she observed cautiously, waiting to see who appeared in the arena. Upon recognizing the person, her expression changed dramatically, and her delicate brows furrowed. This person was none other than the enigmatic Xiao Yuesheng.

Li Mochou pondered back and forth, convinced that the secret manual was still in the possession of the Lu Wushuang sisters, and thus turned around to pursue Hong Lingbo.

Xiao Yue Sheng chuckled and said, "Then why doesn't Zi Ming dare to continue inquiring? Clearly, he is feeling guilty!"

Without waiting for Ziming to speak, he lightly patted his shoulder with his left hand and pretended to be serious, saying: "You need not be shy; as the saying goes, 'A woman should marry when she comes of age, and a man should marry when he reaches maturity.' Ziming has reached the appropriate age for marriage, and it is only natural for him to think about women. Why hide and cover up? It is truly ungracious!"

Li Mochou and Hong Lingbo traveled a distance in a horse-drawn carriage, feeling that the speed was too slow. If they continued like this, it would be difficult to catch up with Lu Wushuang, so they abandoned the carriage, left the official road, and sought a shortcut through the small paths.

Xiao Yuesheng took the wine jar, gazed at the gradually disappearing carriage, took a large gulp of wine, wiped his mouth, and turned to his grandson Sun Ziming with a smile, saying: "This Li Mochou, she is a great beauty. If you see her, you will surely be captivated, lost in a daze, not knowing east from west." After saying this, he gave Sun Ziming a mischievous smile. Sun Ziming's face turned red, feeling embarrassed to ask further. To continue questioning would make it seem as if he was merely seeking beauty.

Xiao Yuesheng waved his hand and smiled, saying: "I do not dare to claim the title of senior. I am Xiao Yuesheng. Our ages are similar, but I have long wished to meet with Island Master Huang. Unfortunately, his whereabouts are elusive, making it difficult to fulfill my wish. I wonder if the young lady has any way to help me achieve this desire"

Xiao Yuesheng smiled at Li Mochou, who was coldly ignoring him, and said: "Fairy Li, have you given any thought to my proposal? Do you agree or disagree?"

He let out a sigh and said, "Miss Cheng, you are not mistaken. I am afraid it is as you say. We must hurry; once we enter the territory of Xiangyang, she will have some reservations."

Yelü Yan waved the riding whip in anger and said, "This female demon clings to us like a ghost, chasing us like lost dogs. I must take revenge at the first opportunity!"

Sun Ziming was quite perceptive. Upon hearing Xiao Yuesheng exclaim in surprise, he hurriedly asked, "What is it, Young Master? Was there something wrong with the carriage just now?"

Xiao Yue Sheng chuckled and said: "Well, you are quite humble, Sun Zi Ming. Having mastered the second level of the mental technique, you are already capable of self-protection in the martial world. Achieving such progress in such a short time can be considered extraordinary talent"

Sun Ziming hurriedly waved his hand to deny it

A month later, with the assistance of Xiao Yuesheng, Sun Ziming successfully cultivated the fourth level of the mental technique. The Nine Yin True Qi originally consists of five levels of mental techniques; having reached the fourth level signifies a great achievement. The fifth level focuses on enhancing internal strength and simultaneously training the eyes to perceive details during combat, even allowing one to capture the enemy's spirit. However, the method of cultivation requires the energy of the sun at dawn, necessitating a period of accumulation, and cannot be achieved through rapid methods.

The Yiqi Pill is a medicinal elixir crafted by Xiao Yuesheng to enhance his power. It is extraordinary in its efficacy and invaluable in worth. One pill is taken during the initial practice, and another upon mastering the first level of the mental technique. Now that the second level of the mental technique has been achieved, he is advancing towards the third level.

Li Mochou's previous smile vanished, and with a cold expression, she asked icily: "What brings you here?"

Yelü Yanzheng was intently watching Xiao Yuesheng, fearing for his second brother's safety. Wanyan Ping also looked at them with curiosity, while Cheng Ying, concerned about Lu Wushuang, saw that Lu Wushuang was in a perilous situation. Without regard for anything else, she drew her jade flute and leaped forward. After a few jumps, she had already reached Lu Wushuang's side. Just as she was about to assist her, she suddenly noticed a flash of green beside her. The two long swords, which were crossing in a fierce clash between Lu Wushuang and Hong Lingbo, suddenly flew towards the green figure as if they had grown wings.

The Nine Yin True Qi is originally a rapid cultivation method, and with the assistance of the Qi Nourishing Pill, it naturally leads to astonishing progress. It is not surprising that Sunzi, with his exceptionally high innate talent, has achieved such advancement.

Li Mochou vented her feelings, gradually calming down. She tidied her clothes and hair, and said: "Ling Bo, let us go!"

The other three women hesitated slightly, casting worried glances at the scene. Ye Luyi was fiercely attacking Li Mochou, forcing her to retreat a few steps, caught off guard by his desperate fighting style. Hong Lingbo, with her hand resting on the hilt of her sword, was walking towards them.

Upon seeing Xiao Yuesheng step in front of Yelü Qi, Li Mochou immediately understood his intentions. Observing Yelü Yan's actions, she felt a sense of disdain in her heart and let out a cold laugh. Glancing at the still fiercely battling Lu Wushuang and Hong Lingbo, she raised her voice and said: "Lingbo, your heart is quite soft indeed"

Xiao Yuansheng's mind was clear, and everything around him was reflected in his heart. Seeing Li Mochou leave silently, he said: "Fairy Li, take care, no need to see you off"

Having spoken, disregarding the astonished Cheng Ying and the other two, the figure vanished and reappeared before Li Mochou

Xiao Yue let out a regretful sigh, turned her head, and said to the increasingly grim-faced Li Mochou: "This young lady Cheng Ying is a senior disciple from Peach Blossom Island in the East Sea; I believe Miss Li must have known her for quite some time!"

Cheng Ying nodded slightly, casting a worried glance at him. Although Yelü Qi possessed the highest martial arts skills among them, he still had no chance against Li Mochou and could only delay for a while. As everyone joined in, the outcome remained the same; they could only take the opportunity to set up a formation to trap Li Mochou, which offered a glimmer of hope. Otherwise, with Li Mochou's ruthless and merciless nature, none of them would survive.

Xiao Yuesheng sat in the car, lazily glancing at the galloping horse-drawn carriage. It is rare for a carriage to move at such speed; even the best carriages would be shaken apart. Moreover, the horses pulling the carriage have become dulled in temperament, almost no longer running, and the owners of the fine horses, accustomed to galloping, are reluctant to use them for pulling carriages. Thus, he felt somewhat astonished

At this time in early autumn, although it is snowing on Mount Hua, the Jiangnan region remains hot. As noon approaches, there are few pedestrians on the official road, and Sun Ziming is leisurely driving his horse-drawn cart.

Li Mochou released several ice-cold silver needles from her left hand, not to attack them, but to target the strong horses beneath them

At a bend in the road, they turned onto the official path. The two arrived at the official road, and Hong Lingbo inquired with passersby, learning that they were still ten miles away from Xiangyang. He then asked if a group of four women and one man had passed by on horseback, and upon finding out that the five had not yet arrived, he felt reassured. The master and disciple found a shaded spot under a tree to rest, conserving their energy to prepare for the confrontation with Lu Wushuang and her companions.

Li Mochou's smile became even more charming as she said softly, "This time, where can you three girls run to?!"

Sun Ziming replied respectfully, "I am clumsy and have just mastered the second level of the mental technique."

Xiao Yuesheng noticed that Li Mochou's expression was difficult to read, her brows furrowed, exuding a unique charm. A beauty is indeed a beauty; no matter the expression, it is always a sight to behold.

Behind her, Wan Yan Ping remarked: "Sister Ye Lyu is exceptionally intelligent; in the future, her martial arts will surely surpass that of Li Mo Chou!" Upon hearing this, Ye Lyu Yan's face lit up with joy. Although she knew it was unlikely, her spirits were nonetheless lifted.

Xiao Yuesheng has a clear understanding of worldly affairs and knows well that a strong fist represents a strong principle. He has a particular fondness for the tactic of using a carrot and a stick. Upon seeing Li Mochou relent, he does not push the matter further

Li Mochou? Sun Ziming returned the wine jar to him and asked in confusion: "Who is Li Mochou? What kind of person is she?"

Cheng Ying and the other two looked at him in astonishment, unsure how this seemingly ordinary man had arrived. It felt as if he had appeared out of thin air in the blink of an eye, an inexplicable mystery.

Xiao Yuesheng was impervious to the changing seasons, and Sun Ziming, having mastered the Nine Yin Divine Skill, was also unafraid of the heat or cold. Thus, neither of them was affected by the weather. However, under the blazing sun, one could feel a bit drowsy and lacking in spirit. Xiao Yuesheng sat in the carriage, sipping the recently purchased Huadiao wine, swaying his head. The carriage's cloth curtains were drawn down tightly, and Sun Ziming, somewhat puzzled, inquired about the reason. Xiao Yuesheng replied that he disliked dust. Although the road here was flat and wide, it was covered in mud and sand. As they traveled westward, the weather grew increasingly dry and hot, and it was inevitable that the carriage and horses would kick up clouds of dust.

The five riders were galloping along the wide official road when Yelü Qi, at the front, suddenly pulled on the reins. The swift horseman, still in motion, reared up, let out a long neigh, and came to a halt. The other four hurriedly reined in their horses as well. In the center of the road, standing gracefully before them, were two stunning beauties, namely Li Mochou and her disciple. Li Mochou was smiling, her face like a peach blossom, while Hong Lingbo remained expressionless, though a hint of sympathy appeared in her gaze as it swept over Lu Wushuang in the back row.

From an outward appearance, Xiao Yuesheng seems to be younger than Yelü Qi, and addressing Yelü Qi as "Brother Yelü" may seem somewhat presumptuous. Since his appearance, Xiao Yuesheng has displayed extraordinary martial skills, moving with ease and grace. Although his demeanor is friendly, an air of authority subtly emanates from him. Every gesture and movement is filled with dignity, making it difficult for others to underestimate him. Referring to Yelü Qi as "Brother Yelü" instead feels entirely natural.

Although Hong Lingbo knew that her master was in a bad mood and that she should not ask too many questions, her immense curiosity suddenly gave her the courage to inquire: "Why, Master?"

When Xiao Yuesheng returned to the villa, it was already seven days later. Sun Ziming was practicing martial arts in the training room. There were five or six servants in the villa. Upon seeing him return, the doorman hurriedly opened the door and shouted to inform the others. Thus ensued a flurry of activity, with tea being served, water delivered, and meals brought, leaving several servants so busy that their feet hardly touched the ground

Oh? With a casual glance, he seemed to have discovered something, his previous languid demeanor completely replaced by an expression of excitement.

Cheng Ying was in a state of great anxiety. After the destruction of Lu Family Village, she had only her cousin left in the world, and she could not afford to lose her again. Lu Wushuang had a slight limp in her left leg; dismounting from the horse, she walked very slowly. If she were to engage in a fight, she would undoubtedly be unable to escape unscathed. Cheng Ying was immediately filled with a sense of urgency and her mind was in turmoil. Wan Yan Ping and Ye Lu Yan looked to her for guidance, but seeing her remain still, they too lost their sense of direction.

Cheng Ying held the jade flute in her hand and glanced into the distance, where Lu Wushuang was locked in a fierce battle with Hong Lingbo. She then said to the other two, "Let us fight with all our might!" In this moment, words were of no use; they could only engage in a desperate struggle. The two women nodded in agreement. Although Wan Yan Ping appeared delicate and fragile, her expression was calm, and her fair, beautiful face revealed a determined demeanor. Ye Luying's face was pale, and her long sword trembled slightly in her hand, indicating her considerable tension.

Suddenly, a horse-drawn carriage rushed past from behind, swiftly overtaking Xiao Yuesheng's carriage, raising a cloud of dust that soared like a dragon of earth. Sun Ziming felt that the internal skills he had practiced were finally coming into play, and hurriedly closed his mouth and nose, holding his breath to avoid the dust.

Xiao Yue had parted ways with Yang Guo and arrived at the foot of Mount Hua, yet could not think of where to go for leisure. The Hero Conference would be held at Dasheng Pass, but there was still some time left, so there was no need to rush there.

Just as his internal energy was about to be exhausted, a sudden scream pierced the air. A surge of vast internal energy rushed in from the Baihui point, cascading down like a ten-thousand-foot waterfall, overwhelming and unstoppable. The previously dominant toxicity, in the face of this internal energy, became weak and insignificant, immediately being forced down to the bubbling spring at his feet, utterly powerless to resist. Once the toxicity was subdued, this vast internal energy transformed into a rich warmth, akin to the sunlight in winter, warming his internal organs and making him feel completely at ease, with all his pores opening wide in sheer comfort

The narrow path is seldom trodden by others, rugged and difficult to traverse, overgrown with thorns. Although the master and disciple possess remarkable lightness of foot, their journey remains exceedingly arduous. From time to time, thorns snag on their garments, and the Daoist robes, while traversing such a path, are difficult to protect. Not far into their journey, the robes have already been torn in several places, presenting a rather disheveled appearance. Fortunately, Hong Lingbo wields a long sword, leading the way, using the sword as a blade to forcefully hack at the trees and thorns obstructing their path. Despite the support of internal energy, prolonged exertion still depletes physical strength. Women are inherently weaker, and after merely two miles, Hong Lingbo is already drenched in fragrant sweat, panting heavily, unable to continue. The pace of the two is increasingly slow.

Li Mochou and her disciple broke the formation, while Lu Wushuang and the others had long since vanished without a trace. Both of them were covered in dust and grass, looking disheveled and unkempt, a stark contrast to their earlier composure and elegance. This made Li Mochou seethe with rage, wanting to grind her jade teeth in frustration. Having roamed the martial world, she rarely suffered such losses, and she relentlessly pursued Lu Wushuang and the others. Although Hong Lingbo felt some affection for her junior sister, he could not defy the master's orders and could only follow Li Mochou as they hurried along the road.

On the official road, five riders were arranged in two rows, riding side by side. At the front was a valiant young hero, his facial features sharply defined and distinct from those of the Central Plains people. To his left was a woman with a gaunt face, devoid of vitality, instilling a sense of fear in those who beheld her, yet her figure was slender, unmistakably indicating her femininity. To his right was a lively and delicate young girl, whose features bore a striking resemblance to the young hero in the center. The two individuals behind them were both beautiful young women; the one on the left had slightly dark skin and pursed lips, clearly exhibiting a stubborn personality, while the girl on the right had a slender figure, graceful and enchanting, exuding a pitiable and delicate charm that evoked sympathy. It was evident that they were all women. The five individuals were Yelü Qi, Cheng Ying, Yelü Yan, Lu Wushuang, and Wanyan Ping.

Hong Lingbo was taken aback and quickly launched two sword strikes. Lu Shuang immediately became flustered and struggled to defend herself. Hong Lingbo's innate talent was significantly higher than Lu Shuang's, and having trained for a longer period, his martial arts skills naturally surpassed hers. However, out of consideration for their camaraderie, he was reluctant to use his full strength. Now that his master had seen through him, he felt anxious and intensified his attacks. Lu Shuang, in comparison, was gradually unable to keep up. Hong Lingbo soon managed to land several strikes on her, but still remembering their past friendship, he withdrew his internal energy at the moment of contact, trying to minimize the impact. As a result, Lu Shuang sustained a few superficial cuts, but nothing serious, merely breaking the skin.

Hong Lingbo hurriedly agreed, then turned to take one last look before taking a deep breath and chasing after her master

Li Mochou was so fixated on the Five Poisons Secret Manual because it contained the antidote formulas for the Five Poisons Divine Palm and the Ice Soul Silver Needles. Cheng Ying, having been a disciple of Huang Yaoshi, had gained some genuine teachings in a short period of time. Along the way, she prepared the antidote according to the formulas, and each person carried a vial with them to guard against being struck by the Ice Soul Silver Needles

Li Mochou frowned deeply, this disciple bears no resemblance to herself, being soft-hearted and lenient, which truly brings shame to her own reputation

However, she is also a person of great renown in the martial arts world, so naturally, she could not lose face. With a cold snort, she said: "So what if she is a disciple of Peach Blossom Island? I am not afraid of her!"

Xiao Yue Sheng noticed that he seemed a bit shy and did not dare to speak, and smiled, saying: "Well, it seems that Zi Ming's heart is stirred with spring feelings!"

Although Yelü Qi's martial arts were far inferior to hers, his archery was exceptional. He exerted all his internal energy, shooting arrow after arrow in an unbroken succession, each one striking with unparalleled precision. This left her in a rather awkward position, and she felt a surge of anger. Gathering her internal energy into her whisk, she wildly swung it around, destroying all the stones and trees within the formation.

The five individuals waved their whips, quickening their pace as they galloped forward

Li Mochou saw that Yelv Qi had not fainted, further confirming that the Five Poisons Secret Manual was in Lu Wushuang's hands. The Ice Soul Silver Needle is highly toxic, causing immediate and severe effects upon contact with blood. After being struck by the needle, symptoms would manifest within a few breaths. Yelv Qi still had not collapsed, which must be due to the presence of an antidote.

Yelü Qi turned his head and smiled, saying: "We are outmatched in skill and can only flee. Once you have mastered your martial arts, you must pursue her like a lost dog to avenge today's grievance"

These are words of insecurity that only serve to highlight the underlying issues. Xiao Yuesheng smiled faintly and said, "Fairy Li is certainly not someone to be feared, but we must still give face to the Eastern Heretic. How about this: I will act as a mediator, and both parties shall withdraw, treating this matter as if it never happened. We cannot turn hostility into harmony, so let us pretend we are strangers. When we meet, we simply won't acknowledge each other. How does that sound?"

Li Mochou glanced at them, lightly flicked the whisk in her hand, smiled, revealing her pearly white teeth, and said: "You three little girls, your courage is commendable"

Li Mochou's expression changed suddenly, and Hong Lingbo felt a "thump" in her heart, her heartbeat quickening by half a beat. Li Mochou soon returned to her usual demeanor and coldly said: "Lingbo, no matter who he is, from now on, you must keep your distance whenever you see him. It would be best if you never encounter him at all"

Without waiting for both parties to respond, he swayed and vanished, appearing before Yelü Qi

Li Mochou shot her an impatient glare, snorted, and said: "If you encounter him, your life and death will no longer be in your own hands, so why ask why!"

Cheng Ying interrupted the conversation, saying: "Brother Yelv, Li Mochou must have taken the bell this time. With her speed, she should have caught up with us by now. The fact that there is still no sound makes me fear that she is not far from us!" Her voice was gentle and clear, pleasing to the ear.

He casually clasped his hands and said gently: "Fairy Li, we meet again! Your grace remains as splendid as ever, which is truly commendable"

Li Mochou was taken aback, secretly cursing herself for being foolish. The one who saved Cheng Ying back then was none other than the Eastern Heretic, Huang Yaoshi. Now, she was wearing a mask, and Huang Yaoshi was also masked; their relationship must be quite profound. How could she not have guessed that she would be Huang Laoxie’s disciple

With a series of three thuds, three horses fell one after another, and the three women jumped up in a flurry. Fortunately, their agility prevented them from being pinned beneath the horses.

Lu Wushuang's complexion was grim, and she remained silent. At this point, it was truly despairing

Things were unfolding just as he had guessed. On that day, after Yang Guo left, Lu Wushuang, Cheng Ying, the Yelü siblings, Wan Yan Ping, Guo Fu, and the Wu brothers also parted ways. Guo Fu and the Wu brothers returned to Xiangyang, hurrying to the Wulin Conference at Dasheng Pass, while the Yelü siblings and Wan Yan Ping accompanied Lu Wushuang and her cousins westward in search of Yang Guo

Indeed, commendable courage! A clear and languid voice followed, and immediately a figure flashed into view, appearing beside Li Mochou

Sun Ziming was also startled. Upon seeing Xiao Yuesheng return, he was overjoyed and hurriedly stepped forward to pay his respects. Xiao Yuesheng waved his hand and said, "Get up. How has your martial arts training been?"

Yelü Qi suffered from the torment of the Ice Soul Silver Needle, concentrating his mind and channeling his internal energy to suppress the poison of the needle, leaving him no time for external matters. However, the poison on the needle was exceedingly domineering. Fortunately, there was that bottle of what could not exactly be called an antidote to mitigate some of the toxicity; otherwise, he would have long since succumbed. Even with this remedy, the situation remained far from optimistic. His internal energy defenses were on the verge of collapse, and despair gradually filled Yelü Qi's heart. If this continued, once the poison invaded his internal organs, even a Great Luo Golden Immortal would be helpless.

Lu Wushuang felt a constant sense of guilt in her heart, believing that everyone was burdened by her. Throughout the journey, she remained silent and appeared to be weighed down by her thoughts, rendering the efforts of others to console her futile

Li Mochou smiled charmingly and said, "Good disciple, we meet again!"

Li Mochou observed the crowd's exuberance, feeling increasingly indignant. She cast them a cold glance, snorted softly, and turned to leave. Hong Lingbo hurriedly followed her, glancing back in haste. The man in the arena, who appeared ordinary at first, now seemed to radiate an extraordinary brilliance, compelling others to look up to him.

Sun Ziming was left in a state of both laughter and tears by what he said, so he simply turned his head and focused on driving the carriage, no longer paying him any attention. Xiao Yuesheng laughed heartily, unable to contain his joy

Cheng Ying saw that they were still oblivious to the danger, hesitating and indecisive. She raised her whip and struck her red horse sharply, shouting: "Hurry up, hurry up!"

He leaned close to Cheng Ying's ear and whispered: "Miss Cheng, I will hold them off for a while. You go ahead and set up the formation with them. I will lead her into the formation shortly."

Lu Wushuang suddenly turned her horse around, her expression sorrowful, and said: "Cousin, you all go ahead. I will hold back my senior sister."

One day I arrived in Hangzhou. Above there is heaven, and below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou. The scenery of Jiangnan is fully displayed in this place. By touring Suzhou and Hangzhou, one can roughly understand Jiangnan.

Hong Lingbo silently stuck out her tongue and ceased to speak, as the two walked on in silence

Yelü Qi turned to the crowd and said, "I will hold her back; you all go first!" After saying this, he drew his long sword, pushed himself off the horse with his left hand, and leaped into the air to stab at Li Mochou. The sword formed three blossoms of sword light, as if three swords were simultaneously thrusting forward. This was the technique "One Sword Transforms into Three Clear Ones," a formidable move from the Quanzhen swordplay, relying entirely on speed to deliver three strikes in an instant, each strike being real, as if three people were attacking with three swords.

Cheng Ying felt anxious as she surveyed her surroundings. The terrain here was flat and the visibility was broad, making it difficult to set up any formations. It seemed that this location had been carefully chosen by Li Mochou.

Everyone bowed in gratitude for his assistance, while Xiao Yue Sheng remained calm and composed, responding with ease. The skills honed in the marketplace in his previous life were merely a small test of his capabilities

Xiao Yuesheng also jumped down from the carriage, allowing his grandson Sun Ziming to drive the carriage to Dasheng Pass by himself. He needed to hurry a few steps to see what Li Mochou was really up to. At Dasheng Pass, he would naturally find him. Sun Ziming revered Xiao Yuesheng like a deity, so there was no doubt about it. Influenced by him, he leisurely drove the carriage towards Dasheng Pass.

In a flurry of movement, like a startled swan, apart from Li Mochou, the rest were all astonished by his agility, exchanging glances in shock, unable to contain their astonishment.

Li Mochou let out a charming laugh, her eyes darting, as she abandoned Yelv Qi and lunged towards Cheng Ying and the others

It is said that it is for the sake of Huang Laoxie, but in reality, it is because of Xiao Yuesheng. No matter how powerful Huang Laoxie is, as long as she kills a few people, naturally no one will know it was her doing. However, she does not want to show weakness to Xiao Yuesheng in her heart, hence this statement serves as a way for her to save face.

Yelü Qi's expression was grave as he nodded slightly and turned to look back. The official road behind him was flat and even, extending for hundreds of meters. At this moment, it was already noon, and there was not a single person in sight on the road.

Hong Lingbo had never seen the master so angry. Even when he learned that the junior apprentice had stolen the Five Poisons Secret Manual and betrayed the sect, the master merely smiled faintly. This time, however, he was evidently extremely furious, leaving Hong Lingbo puzzled as to why the master was so upset.

"Ling Bo! Hurry up!" Li Mochou scolded her, noticing that she kept looking back with dissatisfaction.

The ice-cold silver needles were as fine as cow hair, difficult to discern with the naked eye. Yelü Qi launched a fierce attack with all his might, leaving no effort spared. Although his momentum was overwhelming for a moment, he committed a grave error in martial arts. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a flash of silver and hurriedly tried to dodge to the side. Unfortunately, he was thrusting forward with all his strength at that moment, unable to retract in time. His arm went numb, as if bitten by a mosquito, and he inwardly exclaimed, "This is bad." With a lazy roll, he stood up and pulled out a porcelain vial from his bosom, opening his mouth to swallow the contents of the vial.

Sun Ziming stated with clarity: "It is not the cleverness of the petty person, but entirely due to the cultivation by the noble son. Without the beneficial elixir, the petty person would never achieve such progress"

Hong Lingbo responded with a slight hesitation and asked, "Master, who is that Xiao Yuesheng?"

Xiao Yuesheng turned around and cupped his hands in salute to the three women, addressing Cheng Ying: "Miss Cheng, is the Island Master Huang well?" He was extremely curious about the mask Cheng Ying was wearing; although her expression was withered, it was still very difficult to discern that it was a mask.

Li Mochou's donkey is a rare and precious steed, capable of traveling a thousand miles a day with remarkable speed. Otherwise, she would not have cherished it so much as to hang a bell on it. With this steed, she has several times caught up with Lu Wushuang and her companions, but due to the warning of the bell, they have all managed to escape. Helpless, she entrusted the donkey to a coachman's home and drove the coachman's carriage, racing along the way in pursuit of Lu Wushuang