"As expected, the Palace Master of the Demon Palace is punctual." A rough, deep male voice entered his ears. Shen Qianmo glanced at the newcomer, the leader of the White Tiger Gang.
The White Tiger Gang and the Red Eagle Cult are similar, both being considered medium-sized sects—not too big, not too small—and they have a close relationship with the Red Eagle Cult.
Along with the White Tiger Gang leader were sixteen or seventeen other sect leaders and gang leaders. Although their martial arts skills were not as superb as Shen Qianmo's, they were not to be underestimated.
Shen Qianmo's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. She hadn't expected so many people to come. It was quite a challenge for her to deal with sixteen or seventeen sect leaders and gang chiefs all by herself.
"What, is the Demon Palace Master not satisfied with our lineup?" A soft, sinister voice rang out from behind the crowd. Upon hearing the voice, the sect leaders and gang leaders immediately made way for Tang Yun, who was dressed in a dark red robe and walked towards them with a sinister and ruthless smile.
A knowing glint flashed in Shen Qianmo's eyes. Her gaze darkened slightly, and the smile on her lips grew increasingly ruthless and bloodthirsty. She gripped the sword at her waist tightly. Everyone knew that the Demon Palace Master was skilled with the White Silk and that the Demon Palace's supreme technique was the Three Thousand Black Silk. But they did not know that Shen Qianmo's true genius lay in her swordsmanship. The Demon Palace's secret manual, the Heavenly Sword Technique, was a peerless sword technique that no one had ever mastered before. Yet, Shen Qianmo had mastered it.
But she never actually used this sword technique in front of the world. Because there was no need. There were very few people in this world who could withstand her white silk ribbon, so why bother using sword techniques?
But this time, she brought her sword. She had long anticipated that this wouldn't be as simple as a provocation from a minor sect. Without powerful backing, how dare these small sects challenge the Demon Palace?!
Standing up for the Red Eagle Cult?! What a joke! Do you think Shen Qianmo is some naive young girl? In the martial world, it's a matter of life or death; there's no reason to sacrifice oneself for someone else's life! Since they dared to issue a challenge this time, they must have a powerful backer—the Tang Cult!
"It is an honor for Mo Chi that the young master of the Tang Clan has come to greet me personally." Shen Qianmo's eyes remained unchanged, and a smile that was even more ruthless and alluring than Tang Yun's was curled at the corner of her mouth.
Tang Yun saw Shen Qianmo's calm and composed smile, and a hint of seriousness flashed in his eyes. The Demon Palace Master truly lived up to her reputation; how could she remain so calm at a time like this?!
Shen Qianmo sneered inwardly. Hmph! Since she dared to come, she wouldn't be afraid of them! So what if they were sixteen or seventeen scoundrels plus Tang Yun?! While she couldn't boast of wiping them out, dealing with them wouldn't be difficult. Besides, in a group attacking from all sides, how many were truly putting in their best effort and fighting desperately?! Everyone was thinking of self-preservation; they probably wouldn't even be able to unleash half their full power!
"I quite admire the Palace Master. If the Demon Palace can support the Tang Clan, I will forgive and forget!" Tang Yun was in no hurry to make a move, but instead smiled coldly, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.
Shen Qianmo's eyes grew even colder. With her exceptional hearing, she naturally heard the sounds of fighting outside the Qifeng Forest. It must be a confrontation between people from sixteen or seventeen sects, the Tang Clan, and the Demon Palace members she had brought.
It seems Tang Yun intends to kill her in one strike this time. Unfortunately, while his plan is good, his ability is probably insufficient!
A smile crept across his face as he coldly glanced at the so-called sect leaders and gang leaders, a disdainful smirk playing on his lips. "Unfortunately, I don't even consider the young master of the Tang Clan a threat!"
How arrogant! How condescending! Tang Yun turned pale with anger upon hearing Shen Qianmo's words. The leaders of the smaller sects were even more shocked and terrified.
Shen Qianmo glanced at them coldly. Her attack was lightning-fast, heading straight for Tang Yun. She had brought skilled fighters from the Demon Palace, but their numbers were few. With so many smaller sects and the Tang Clan attacking, it was uncertain whether they could handle it.
Tang Yun saw Shen Qianmo's sword coming straight at him and immediately dodged the point of the sword, a look of horror flashing in his eyes.
That sword strike just now carried an aura that swept across the heavens and earth. Even someone of his cultivation level had no choice but to dodge; otherwise, if he had faced it head-on, he would likely have been severely injured, if not killed. He only knew that the Demon Palace Master's martial arts were unparalleled, but he had no idea that he was so powerful! Fortunately, he had a backup plan; otherwise, he would have truly come here to die!
I never imagined the Demon Palace Master's swordsmanship would be so extraordinary! It seems I cannot afford to be careless. Having put in so much effort, if I still cannot kill the Demon Palace Master, it may be too late. Tonight, I must kill the Demon Palace Master; otherwise, my position as the leader of the martial arts alliance may be in jeopardy!
Thinking this to himself, he sneered inwardly. So what if the Demon Palace Master's martial arts are superb?! Even if he's unparalleled in the world, he won't survive until today. Tang Yun suddenly looked at Shen Qianmo and a strange smile appeared on his face.
Seeing Tang Yun's enigmatic smile, Shen Qianmo immediately sensed something was amiss. That smile was one of absolute confidence. Logically, Tang Yun wouldn't display such a smile at this moment; something must be wrong. Her brows furrowed slightly, and Shen Qianmo's eyes deepened.
Tang Yun merely smiled ruthlessly and secretly sprinkled a powder from his sleeve. That was the Breathless Powder that triggered the Breathless Poison. As it spread through the air, Shen Qianmo naturally had no choice but to inhale it, completely unnoticed.
When Shen Qianmo saw the smile on Tang Yun's face, a sense of solemnity flashed through her heart. She turned her sword and stopped chasing Tang Yun. Instead, she swept her sword across the ground with tremendous internal force and momentum. Immediately, the sect leaders of three sects died under her sword. They had no chance to fight back. With just one sword, they died without knowing why.
Outside the Qifeng Forest, corpses littered the ground. The Demon Palace members brought by Shen Qianmo were locked in a chaotic battle with the Tang Clan and other smaller sects.
Although the people of the Demon Palace were all highly skilled, they were still outnumbered and in a sorry state. Inside the Strange Peak Forest, the situation was even more critical. Shen Qianmo unleashed a sword strike, and immediately felt her internal energy become unstable.
These are signs of poisoning. But how could that be?! She didn't sense any signs of poisoning before she made her move!
"How is it? Are you satisfied with this Silent Poison, Palace Master?!" Tang Yun saw that Shen Qianmo's face had turned pale and her sword moves had slowed down. He couldn't help but smile sinisterly, and his soft, effeminate voice slowly rang out.
"Despicable." Shen Qianmo glanced coldly at Tang Yun. So it was the Tang Clan's most potent poison, the Breathless Poison. No wonder even she was affected, and hadn't even noticed. No wonder Tang Yun had that confident, smug smile! He had already prepared a backup plan; how despicable!
Chapter Two: The Mysterious Man in Black?
To be poisoned by the Breathless Poison, one needs the Breathless Powder to activate it. Moreover, without using internal energy, there will be no abnormalities, but once internal energy is used, the poison will take effect. This poison is very domineering. As the poison takes effect, internal energy will be lost little by little. Unless someone with higher martial arts skills can suppress the poison with internal energy, when the internal energy is completely depleted, that is when the person dies.
A cruel yet poignant smile curled at the corners of her lips. Had she never imagined that a moment of carelessness would lead to her death in this strange forest?! No, she didn't want to die! If she died, what would happen to Jingyan?! She understood the pain of always being alone; if she died, what would happen to Jingyan?!
A ruthless glint flashed in her eyes. If she couldn't survive, she wouldn't let these people leave alive either. None of the people here now would live!
The white sleeves of Shen Qianmo's robes fluttered slowly with the tip of her sword. The smiles on the faces of the sect leaders of the minor sects who had heard that Shen Qianmo had been poisoned had not yet faded when their eyes were replaced by terror.
The white-clad man before them was frighteningly pale, with a stunningly beautiful smile playing on his lips, making it almost impossible to tell his gender. However, what shocked them was not his unparalleled beauty, but the intense killing intent and inner strength slowly emanating from him.
They were already completely overwhelmed just by raising their swords. If that sword were to strike them, how could they possibly survive?! Even Tang Yun's face showed solemnity and disbelief. This sword technique... it was the Heavenly Sovereign Sword Technique! He never expected that the Demon Palace Master had actually mastered this peerless sword technique!
Tang Yun reacted the fastest and was the most skilled. He immediately pushed the two sect leaders beside him toward Shen Qianmo and retreated rapidly. At the same moment, Shen Qianmo's sword strike was unstoppable. With one slash, all the surrounding trees were uprooted. The two sect leaders that Tang Yun had pushed in front of Shen Qianmo had no time to react before they were turned into a pool of blood.
All the sect leaders and gang leaders were caught in this earth-shattering, awe-inspiring sword strike, with virtually no chance to retaliate. In a single, devastating blow, they all perished. The only survivor, Tang Yun, suffered severe internal injuries, coughing up blood before falling unconscious.
Shen Qianmo's sword strike undoubtedly accelerated the poison's effects. The smile on her lips turned desolate, her eyes dimmed little by little, and her white figure slowly collapsed.
"Mo'er!" A heart-wrenching, anxious voice reached my ears.
Shen Qianmo's eyes were glazed over. Was she dreaming?! How could she hear Situ Jingyan's voice? Feeling herself being embraced by a familiar arms, Shen Qianmo slowly closed her eyes. Her remaining consciousness made her tightly clutch the person's robes, and she cried out two words in pain and despair, "Jingyan."
The black-clad man holding Shen Qianmo trembled slightly. His eyes, originally as black as obsidian, were now crimson. As the black-clad man's eyes turned crimson, the entire Qifeng Forest seemed to be swept up by a terrible storm. Centered on the man, the trees that had been completely destroyed by Shen Qianmo's sword were once again swept up.
The man's rage nearly destroyed the entire Qifeng Forest. His crimson eyes were fixed on the woman in his arms, his heartache palpable. Those sect leaders should be thankful they died from Shen Qianmo's attack; otherwise, what awaited them now would be a living hell, worse than death!
"Cough." Shen Qianmo let out a soft groan, feeling as if all the strength had been drained from her body, leaving her without even the strength to lift her eyes. But she knew clearly that she was still alive, not dead.
"You're awake." A hoarse, low voice said.
Shen Qianmo struggled to open her eyes, and what she saw was a man dressed in black, his tall figure appearing strong and powerful in the moonlight. His face was covered by a bronze mask, making it impossible to see his features.
Was it this man who saved her?! But she clearly heard Situ Jingyan's voice. Could it all be an illusion?! Yes. Jingyan should still be in Tianmo Capital, how could he know she was in trouble? Even if he did know, he wouldn't be able to get here in time.
Furthermore, this man in black exuded a cold and hard aura, completely unlike the warmth Jingyan had given her. But who was this man in black?! The fact that he could save her proved that his martial arts were superior to hers; was there really someone in this world with such skill?!