Chapter 323: Figures Intertwined, Friend or Foe
The culprit behind the eight clans’ decline?
Mao Ruoyu was startled, looking at the young girl with confusion and lingering fear.
But why was this girl appearing outside the secret realm now that it was acting strangely?
Just then, Fu Qingning chuckled softly:
“It’s been so long since anyone called me that, it’s quite nostalgic to hear it now.”
“If you like it, I can call you that a few more times.”
“How did you learn this information?” Fu Qingning looked at her with interest: “You look unfamiliar, not like someone who has lived since those days.”
“You can guess all you want about my identity.”
Youluo’s gaze was cold, and she said indifferently: “But I didn’t expect you, the incompetent Shaoqing Emperor, to have done such a thing, clinging to life in the secret realm for four thousand years.”
“There are many unexpected things in this world.” Fu Qingning smiled and scanned the two women’s faces: “I originally thought that phoenix had a change of heart, but now it seems, it’s more like you all came here together and happened to encounter the opening of our eight clans’ secret realm… In that case, you’re truly unlucky.”
Mao Ruoyu’s heart was filled with unease, and she asked in a deep voice: “Where are the two people who were by the pond?!”
“That scholar and the phoenix?”
Fu Qingning’s lips curved into a smile, and she said sweetly: “They’re dead, of course.”
Boom!
A black light suddenly slammed down, shattering the spot where the young girl had been standing, sending out streaks of crimson light like intertwining lightning.
“Oh~”
But Fu Qingning, as if having anticipated it, dodged gracefully, lightly tapping the ground as she retreated, chuckling: “There’s another impatient little girl here.”
“Hu—”
Cheng Yishi, shrouded in black gauze, her eyes crimson, pulled her battle-axe from the crack in the ground with a serious expression.
Mao Ruoyu quickly shouted: “Yishi! Be careful, this person is very strange!”
“I understand, I haven’t lost my composure.”
Cheng Yishi quickly responded, tightening her grip on the axe handle, a hint of regret in her heart.
She had originally planned to conceal her aura and ambush the girl, not expecting to kill her with a single blow, but at least to injure her. But the girl’s reaction had been even faster.
“Three women, it seems you all came with that scholar.”
Fu Qingning landed lightly on a boulder, looking down at them, and teased: “That scholar is quite lucky with women… No, or rather, a strong person naturally attracts other outstanding individuals?”
She looked at Cheng Yishi closely, tapping her lip thoughtfully: “Such an aura, not something an ordinary woman possesses.”
“Did you escape from the secret realm just to say these trivial things?”
Youluo slowly closed her folding fan and smiled coldly: “If you’re trying to defeat us one by one, your plan has failed.”
Lin Tianlu couldn’t possibly be in danger.
And with her here to protect them, these two girls wouldn’t be harmed. If they cooperated well, they might even be able to capture this girl— But Fu Qingning suddenly chuckled.
“Although your cultivation is extraordinary, you’re too arrogant. Just because I’m chatting with you casually, do you really think I can’t do anything to you?”
As she spoke, she suddenly raised her hand and pointed.
As Youluo and the others watched in shock, four figures suddenly emerged from behind Fu Qingning, each exuding an incredibly powerful aura of Yin energy!
This fierce power made even Mao Ruoyu and Cheng Yishi gasp, their eyes widening.
“This… this isn’t the Crimson Demon Realm—”
To possess such a terrifying aura, these people were undoubtedly…
“These are your opponents.”
Fu Qingning spread her hands and chuckled: “I want to see how long you can last.”
Boom!
The stone mountain beneath their feet cracked, and several figures charged towards them.
Cheng Yishi’s expression changed drastically, and she quickly raised her axe to block, but the powerful palm strike sent her flying.
Mao Ruoyu’s pupils constricted, and she was about to form hand seals, but her wrist was grabbed, and she was thrown aside with a cry of surprise.
“Tsk!”
Youluo’s expression turned serious, but she quickly withdrew her gaze and took a step forward.
Fu Qingning smiled meaningfully: “Aren’t you going to save them? With their cultivation, they might be killed in a matter of moments.”
“They are stronger than you think.”
Youluo’s eyes narrowed as she slowly approached Fu Qingning: “As long as I crush you, all these dangers will naturally disappear.”
“That makes sense, so I—”
Pfft!
A head suddenly flew into the air.
Youluo’s figure appeared behind Fu Qingning like a phantom, decapitating her with a single strike, her gaze cold and indifferent as she wiped a bit of blood from her folding fan.
“You were trying to distract me with your words, and you… what were you trying to say?”
Thump.
Looking at Fu Qingning’s head falling to the ground, the casual and playful smile still lingering on her face, Youluo’s expression remained unchanged as she was about to destroy the body completely.
“Hmm?”
But a sudden warning sign arose in her heart, and she dodged sideways, a silver light grazing her cheek.
“You… are stronger than I thought, your methods quite strange.”
The headless corpse was still standing, its finger pointing, and dozens of blades and sword lights appeared around them.
And the severed head floated into the air, grinning: “Savage Realm cultivation, extraordinary talent, you’re qualified to be my next puppet.”
Puppet… ?
Youluo’s heart stirred, and she quietly formed hand seals, a chilling ripple spreading silently.
Then, a sinister and strange smile appeared on her face:
“Let me see how many secrets you’re hiding!”
…
Whoosh—
A gentle breeze blew through the sea of clouds, until a deep male voice broke the silence.
“—I must decline your invitation, Miss.”
Lin Tianlu refused calmly: “You’re not showing your true face, how can I trust you? Not to mention your actions since escaping from the secret realm are hardly trustworthy.”
“I see.”
A look of regret appeared on Fu Qingning’s face, and she sighed: “If I had known such an extraordinarily talented man was here, I should have kept up the act and gained your sympathy and favor first. Now, to have to kill such a talented person… I truly can’t bear to do it.”
Suddenly, her eyes widened, and she shouted, a powerful aura, like a raging torrent, erupting from her seemingly petite body, making the world around them tremble violently!
A storm surged, the iron chains shook, and a chilling glint appeared on her previously innocent and lovely face. She laughed and pointed: “Then I’ll make you submit first!”
Hum——!!
Lin Tianlu’s pupils constricted. A bright light suddenly erupted between them, and a sword-shaped beam of light shot out, instantly severing the iron chains connecting the peaks, splitting the clouds and mist, and crashing into a mountaintop, creating an earth-shattering explosion.
“…”
Lightly tapping the void with her toes, several flying swords formed a staircase, supporting Fu Qingning’s falling figure.
She waved her sleeve and flew towards the almost completely destroyed mountain peak with a smile: “Scholar, that attack shouldn’t have killed you. If you’re still alive, beg for mercy, and I might spare you.”
Dust and smoke filled the air, debris falling, but there was no response from the crater.
Fu Qingning raised an eyebrow and murmured: “Could it be that I was too ruthless just now?”
“Miss, let’s go down and talk.”
“Hmm?!”
Feeling a large hand firmly pressing on her shoulder, Fu Qingning was stunned. Before she could react, her vision spun, countless colorful afterimages flashing before her eyes, her body seemingly floating in the air.
“Ugh…”
After a moment of dizziness, Fu Qingning quickly struggled and retreated, looking back in surprise to see Lin Tianlu standing behind her.
And their surroundings—
A wild and desolate forest, filled with mist, a deep valley between towering mountains.
“Truly… unbelievable.”
Fu Qingning rubbed her shoulder, a surprised look on her face: “Even I didn’t see how you dodged that sword strike and appeared beside me just now.”
Lin Tianlu smoothed his slightly torn clothes and said in a deep voice: “Although you possess a terrifying baleful aura, Miss, your technique is a surprisingly straightforward and decisive sword technique.”
That move had truly caught him off guard.
“Our eight clans have a Sword Sect that specializes in killing. It’s only natural for me to use their supreme techniques.”
Fu Qingning blinked her eyes, her smile widening: “Now, would you like to see the secret techniques of the other seven clans?”
Lin Tianlu’s expression turned even more serious, and he remained silent.
—This was strange.
This woman’s cultivation was truly extraordinary, even surpassing the Savage Realm.
But since emerging from the secret realm, she had been saying irrelevant things and making unnecessary movements.
Instead of revealing some grand ambition or shocking secret, she seemed to be…
…simply playing around.
Could it be that she still had a childlike mentality and just wanted to tease and play with others?
Lin Tianlu dismissed this possibility, his gaze deepening.
If she was truly so naive and foolish, how could she have survived in the secret realm for four thousand years, until today?
“Why are you suddenly silent?”
Fu Qingning tilted her head like a playful young girl, resting her chin on her hand, and asked, puzzled: “Could it be that you’ve changed your mind and are considering my suggestion?”
Saying this, a bright smile appeared on her face:
“That would be wonderful. Your abilities are becoming more and more to my liking. If I were to kill you—”
“—You’re not Fu Qingning.”
“…”
The words on Fu Qingning’s lips abruptly stopped.
She slowly stopped smiling, her expression turning indifferent: “Why would you say that?”
“Just a hunch.”
Lin Tianlu’s expression turned serious, and he said in a deep voice: “Your words and actions are too strange, full of inconsistencies. I can’t trust you.”
“Heh, such a baseless guess.”
The sweet and innocent look on Fu Qingning’s face vanished, and she sneered: “However, you did happen to guess one thing correctly.”
“You, truly…”
“It’s a pity that knowing this won’t help you.”
She casually brushed her hair back, a bloody glint appearing in her eyes, her smile becoming even more sinister and twisted: “Fine! I originally wanted to continue pretending to be Fu Qingning and play with you, but now that you’ve seen through my disguise…
I’ll make you regret this!”
Lin Tianlu focused his mind and became wary.
But just then, a figure suddenly fell from the mountain peak, crashing heavily into the ground beside Fu Qingning, sending dust and debris flying.
“This is…”
As the dust settled, Lin Tianlu’s eyes widened slightly.
In the crater, Chi Lingyuan was struggling to get up from the rubble, covered in wounds, coughing up blood.
How was this possible?
Lin Tianlu was stunned.
He knew Chi Lingyuan’s cultivation and martial arts skills very well. Even if those controlled Savage Realm puppets attacked her together, they shouldn’t have been able to injure her so easily.
But why—
The next moment, Lin Tianlu understood.
Several figures landed around them, each with a face identical to Fu Qingning’s. Then, with a wave of Fu Qingning’s sleeve, these “Fu Qingnings” quickly transformed back to their original forms and disappeared into the void.
Were these… the Savage Realm corpse puppets from before?
“Four thousand years have passed, and you’re still full of flaws.”
Fu Qingning glanced sideways, looking down at the battered Chi Lingyuan with a mocking sneer: “Just a few small tricks are enough to break your composure and leave you in such a pitiful state.
Why don’t you just close your eyes and die peacefully?”
Clang!
Dozens of sword shadows suddenly fell, tearing the crater apart.
But Chi Lingyuan, who had been kneeling in the crater, had already disappeared.
“Such unpredictable movements, still so graceful and stunning.”
Fu Qingning smiled coldly, looking back at the two figures who had reappeared not far away. Lin Tianlu had rescued Chi Lingyuan, who had almost died.
“Even after seeing it three times, I still can’t understand it, truly unbelievable!”
“…”
However, this praise didn’t receive any response.
Fu Qingning frowned slightly, seeing Lin Tianlu kneeling beside Chi Lingyuan as if he hadn’t heard her.
“Miss Chi.”
Lin Tianlu tore off a piece of his sleeve, bandaged the wound on her chest and abdomen, and whispered with concern: “I’m sorry, I didn’t come to your rescue in time.”
“It’s me… who caused you trouble…”
Chi Lingyuan sat on the ground, her red hair disheveled, and smiled weakly.
But she quickly grabbed his hand tightly and said in a deep voice: “Be careful of this woman’s methods, these strange techniques… They couldn’t possibly belong to the Fu Qingning from before… Those puppets can use the secret techniques of the eight clans, which proves that the person controlling them has already mastered all the martial arts and secret techniques of the eight clans… cough!”
Seeing her coughing up blood, Lin Tianlu’s expression turned serious, and he placed his palm on her back, gently channeling his spiritual energy into her body.
“D-Don’t waste your energy saving me…”
Chi Lingyuan’s face flushed slightly, and she quickly reached out to stop him: “Protect… yourself!”
“It’s fine.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth: “Since we’ve figured out that this woman isn’t your old friend, there’s no need for me to hold back anymore. I’ll take care of this trouble quickly. You just rest here and don’t worry or be upset, don’t give them any openings.”
As Chi Lingyuan stared at him blankly, he rubbed her head:
“If I truly let loose, even hundreds or thousands of such villains wouldn’t be a match for you, Miss Chi.”
“S-Sir…”
Chi Lingyuan blushed, murmuring shyly: “There’s no need to flatter me so much. Although I lost, I’m not completely without confidence.”
“You just had such a pitiful and heartbroken expression, Miss, it was hard for me to ignore.”
Lin Tianlu patted her shoulder and whispered gently: “If you’re still feeling unwell, just close your eyes and cover your ears, leave everything to me.
You’re most charming when you’re cheerful and straightforward, Miss Chi, this sorrowful and bitter look doesn’t suit you.”
Chi Lingyuan’s cheeks became even redder, her eyelashes trembling slightly, her golden eyes shimmering as she lowered her gaze, a complex smile appearing on her lips: “You’re so kind and considerate, sir, be careful not to be deceived by bad women.”
“Even if I were deceived by you, Miss Chi, it wouldn’t be a loss. And your loyalty and righteousness are truly admirable.”
Lin Tianlu took off his outer robe and draped it over her shoulders, whispering: “Yue’er, protect Miss Chi.”
“Mm.”
The figure of the spirit fox quickly emerged from his sleeve and leaped onto Chi Lingyuan’s head.
“—You’re truly audacious.”
A slightly cold chuckle echoed softly.
Lin Tianlu stood up and looked back to see Fu Qingning standing there with her arms crossed, a mocking expression on her face: “Still flirting with each other in front of me? Why don’t you say a few more parting words, perhaps it can be some comfort after you two are separated, forever.”
“Words are useless.”
Lin Tianlu exhaled and raised his right hand, assuming a fighting stance, his gaze calm and unwavering: “Let’s settle this with our fists.”
“Alright!”
Fu Qingning spread her arms and grinned: “Let me see what other abilities you have hidden, if you’re not up to par, I’ll tear this phoenix apart— Pfft!!”
A straight punch silently landed on her face, her delicate features contorting under the force, her eyes bulging, as she was sent flying by the profound power contained within the punch.
Her figure crashed into a mountaintop hundreds of feet away like a meteor, sending rocks and dust flying, the mountain trembling, countless cracks and crevices appearing, even the ground beneath their feet shaking continuously.
“Pfft… cough, cough!”
She struggled to get up from the rubble, but suddenly felt a powerful suction force enveloping her body. Her face filled with shock, she was forcibly dragged out of the crater, and a foot, like a battle-axe, slammed into her abdomen.
“Ugh!”
Fu Qingning’s arms and legs stretched out as she was kicked, her body bending in two, her eyes wide, suppressing a scream, her fingers pointing at the man before her.
Countless sword shadows materialized, a dense and oppressive sword energy and intent enveloping him, a seemingly flawless and deadly technique, a sword formation from which there was no escape!
In an instant, Lin Tianlu, who was still in mid-air, was pierced and torn apart by countless sword shadows.
“How—”
But Fu Qingning’s pupils constricted as she saw his fragmented figure dissipate like smoke, suddenly disappearing.
Thump!!
A powerful impact struck the back of her head, and Fu Qingning was slammed headfirst into the ground, spiderweb-like cracks spreading for more than ten feet.
“—Cough, cough!”
She struggled to stand up from the pit, her face covered in dirt and dust, and looked up.
Lin Tianlu looked down at her with a calm and indifferent gaze: “How many more tricks do you have, Miss? Use them while you still have the chance, you won’t have many more opportunities.”
“Y-You—!”
Fu Qingning covered her face, her eyes bloodshot, her previous composure shattered by pure violence, replaced by fury.
But Lin Tianlu’s eyes gradually narrowed.
Because he saw cracks appearing on the woman’s neck, and as they spread, pieces of her flesh and skin fell off like broken porcelain.
Revealing a writhing mass of black sludge within!
