五月丁香五月丁香激情

Yu Qingyu sneered, "Lian Huo was personally nurtured by me. I know his talent and nature. Most importantly, he’s followed me for years and understands the rules. He would never ask such questions."

Her voice grew cold. "You must be from Yunshan Hall. The Thousand Threads Heaven’s Fate truly lives up to its reputation."

Before Zhang Xuan could respond, Yu Qingyu launched an attack. Her hand darted out in a swift chop, but it was a feint. As Zhang Xuan sidestepped slightly, she seized the opportunity to snatch the Mo Dao from his grasp.

With a flick of her wrist, the blade swept out in a river of light, enveloping Zhang Xuan entirely.

Though her strike was sharp, Zhang Xuan quickly realized it wasn’t meant to kill him. He raised his eyebrows but didn’t counterattack, instead observing her closely.

The blade light rippled around him like a flowing curtain, leaving not even a scratch.

"Strange…"

Yu Qingyu’s blade stopped mid-swing as she scrutinized the burly figure before her. The man seemed unaffected, exactly as before.

"My strike should have severed the Thousand Threads Heaven’s Fate. If you were under its control, you’d have snapped out of it by now. How can there be no change?"

"Control?" Zhang Xuan chuckled. "Lady Yu worries too much. How could I be under anyone’s control?"

Yu Qingyu frowned. "The hall master once warned me about Feng Zhaoting’s Thousand Threads Heaven’s Fate. It uses soul threads to control others’ spirits. Anyone weaker than him would be manipulated, their actions no longer their own. You seemed suspicious, so I thought you might’ve fallen under his influence."

She adjusted her hair and fixed Zhang Xuan with a cold gaze. "But whether controlled or not, anyone more talented than me cannot be allowed to live."

"Talented people must die? What logic is that?" Zhang Xuan’s tone was laced with disbelief.

Yu Qingyu snorted. "If you surpass me, the hall master will favor you more, granting you greater rewards of Heaven’s Fate Energy. Since its supply is limited, your gain would be my loss. If you’re weaker, you shouldn’t flaunt your talent."

Her words barely settled when she raised the Mo Dao again. This time, her strike aimed directly at Zhang Xuan’s throat—a killing move with no hesitation.

Seeing her ruthless determination, Zhang Xuan sighed. "I was hoping to spare your life…"

He had initially planned to investigate No Need Hall discreetly. But now, it was clear there was no need for subtlety. Yu Qingyu’s ruthless nature justified her death many times over.

With two fingers, Zhang Xuan lightly pinched the oncoming blade.

Clang!

The dazzling Mo Dao dimmed instantly, its ferocity snuffed out like a snake caught by the neck. No matter how Yu Qingyu twisted and pulled, the blade wouldn’t budge.

Her face turned pale.

"You… How are you so strong? You’re not Lian Huo. You’re not controlled by the Thousand Threads Heaven’s Fate either. You’re in disguise!"

She finally grasped the truth. Only someone of immense power could suppress her so easily.

"You’ve realized too late," Zhang Xuan said calmly.

With a flick of his fingers, Yu Qingyu was hurled backward, slamming into the wall. Blood dripped from her mouth as she coughed violently.

Fear filled her eyes as she gasped, "Please… don’t kill me! I’ll do anything you want."

Her clothes slipped off her shoulders, revealing her undergarments. Her shapely figure was exposed, her smooth skin gleaming like jade. She leaned seductively toward Zhang Xuan, her voice soft and alluring.

Zhang Xuan chuckled. "Aren’t you worried about Elder Ling’s jealousy?"

"Jealous? What right does he have to be jealous?" Yu Qingyu sneered. "He married me, yet we’ve never consummated. He even offered me as a bargaining chip for support in his bid for vice hall master. Since he never treated me as a wife, why should I remain loyal?"

"Fair point." Zhang Xuan nodded, suppressing a laugh. It’d be more surprising if Ling Buyang had touched you.

Yu Qingyu’s gaze turned sultry. "Come on then… I’ll do anything you want."

"Anything?" Zhang Xuan’s eyes gleamed with mock excitement.

The oppressive force pinning her down vanished. He beckoned, and the Mo Dao flew back into her hand.

"If you’re so capable, show me everything you’ve learned about the Mo Dao."

"???" Yu Qingyu froze in disbelief.

She had meant anything in a different context. Clearly, Zhang Xuan wasn’t interested in her advances. Not wanting to provoke him further, she reluctantly began demonstrating her blade techniques.

Swish!

Wearing only light clothing, her movements displayed an unexpected elegance. As she swung the Mo Dao, Heaven’s Fate Energy gathered around the blade, illuminating the room faintly.

Zhang Xuan watched intently, noting that her techniques were more refined than earlier.

The blade not only inflicted physical and soul damage but also seemed capable of piercing destiny itself, instilling a sense of fatalism.

"So, this is the power of Heaven’s Fate…"

Zhang Xuan understood.

Like martial arts, but fundamentally different. Heaven’s Fate techniques manipulated the underlying threads of destiny, influencing both the practitioner and their foes.

Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted.

Four blade lights surged toward him from the shadows, targeting his vital points. Simultaneously, the Heaven’s Fate Energy in the room roared to life, intensifying the oppressive atmosphere.

Zhang Xuan felt his thoughts twist, a fatalistic whisper taking hold: Why resist? Dying here doesn’t seem so bad…

The insidious influence of Heaven’s Fate was far more dangerous than he anticipated.

"Impressive."

Yu Qingyu smirked. "Did you think I was just a pretty face? I’ve been preparing for this moment since the hall master killed Feng Yizhou. You’ll die here, just as planned!"

The four figures controlling the blade lights were No Need Hall’s top enforcers, each at the Sixth Level of the Source Pool Realm, Organs Easing. Even a Dharma Aspect Realm expert would struggle against such an ambush.

"Die!"

Yu Qingyu’s Mo Dao surged forward, wrapped in hundreds of streams of Heaven’s Fate Energy. Victory seemed certain.

But just as she anticipated the kill, Zhang Xuan’s eyes lit up with excitement. In an instant, the room’s Heaven’s Fate Energy vanished as if devoured.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

The four blade lights shattered, their wielders collapsing mid-air, vomiting blood as they hit the ground. They lay twitching, lifeless.

"How…?"

Yu Qingyu’s pupils contracted in terror.

Despite her carefully laid plans, Zhang Xuan had effortlessly absorbed the Heaven’s Fate Energy, destroyed her enforcers, and shattered her defense.

"Are you… Feng Zhaoting?" she stammered, clinging to the only explanation that made sense.

Zhang Xuan smirked. "Guess again."

With a casual punch, Yu Qingyu was sent flying once more. Blood gushed from her mouth as she slammed into the wall, pinned by an invisible force.

"Help! Someone—"

Her scream was cut short as Zhang Xuan’s hand closed around her throat, lifting her effortlessly.

"I didn’t want to kill you," Zhang Xuan murmured.

"But since you insist…"

Yu Qingyu chuckled darkly, her tone unhinged. "Kill me if you want. It won’t matter. I was always just another pawn."

Author\'s Note