Chapter 84: Overbearing

Everyone looked up, and with just a single glance, they found themselves unable to ever forget what they saw. Those of lower cultivation felt their bodies shudder as the pair of violet eyes pierced through their souls, leaving them unable to gather even a thread of spiritual energy. Even those proficient in spiritual arts felt a tremor in their hearts and ceased their actions, for beyond the intimidation of those violet eyes, a breathtaking young maiden had appeared before them.

“Well, what a beautiful girl,” even the wise Master Zhuge, famed for his intellect, could not help but exclaim in admiration.

Yet the little witch had no mood for appreciation. From afar, she saw Senior Brother Jiuling trapped amidst a crowd of cultivators, his situation perilous. Though she had seldom interacted with him in the Cloud Heaven Sect, as fellow disciples, how could Nalani Xin’er stand by while her senior brother was beset by a band of rogues? Anxious and heedless of her bare feet, she dashed forward, much to the delight of those cultivators she stepped over—some of whom had not washed their hair in days, still savoring the lingering fragrance of her feet.

In midair, the little witch’s fingers danced, sending forth Violet Condensation Needles that whistled through the air. The spiritual energy contained within her Violet Condensation Art struck down a swath of the attackers surrounding Jiuling like a sudden downpour. Even Beggar Chicken was caught off guard and took a hit, jumping about in rage. He had nearly subdued Jiuling, but out of nowhere appeared someone so formidable that his frustration mounted. Turning back, Beggar Chicken’s eyes flashed—what a lovely maiden! Yet the little witch’s methods were far more terrifying than her beauty.

Master Zhuge, recovering from his initial astonishment, narrowed his eyes and studied Nalani Xin’er, thinking to himself, “This girl can’t be more than seventeen or eighteen, yet she’s so powerful. Even the prodigious Second Young Master Guihai Yidao didn’t possess such skill at her age.” He did not know that Nalani Xin’er had been tutored since childhood by Grandmaster Yun Jin, the head of Cloud Heaven Sect, and had received the true transmission of spiritual arts from Master Yun Zui, the most profound among the sect’s Six Sons. Her cultivation had already reached the pinnacle of the spiritual realm—how could this motley crew of cultivators hope to contend with her?

Lord Jia Er frowned, but soon relaxed, saying with a hint of regret, “Zhuge, looks like I’ll have to be ruthless and destroy this flower. Such a pity for such a beauty. If only I could teach her some lessons in bed, she would surely be a rare delight in this world.” He snickered as he spoke.

Master Zhuge thought, “Jia Er still has his wits about him, knowing what matters most.” He nodded at Jia Er, who in turn signaled his lieutenants. Instantly, dozens of cultivators formed an orderly spiritual formation, their weapons clattering. At Jia Er’s command, the group let out a unified shout, and the spiritual energy around them surged and expanded, towering like a tidal wave.

The little witch, feeling triumphant, suddenly became alert, for the immense spiritual energy was overwhelming. Nalani Xin’er’s violet eyes flashed twice, and a fierce wind swept the skies. Hundreds of spiritual spears formed in the air, flying toward her and Jiuling with a force far greater than what she herself could muster.

Nalani Xin’er shouted, “Senior Brother Jiuling, use the Transforming Array above my head—quick!”

Not far away, Mo Bai was about to act, but seeing Nalani Xin’er’s movements, he smiled faintly, filled with satisfaction.

With a thunderous boom, the Hundred Spear Formation crashed toward Nalani Xin’er like cannonballs. With a loud bang, she met the spears head-on, her Transforming Array holding its own against the barrage.

Lord Jia Er frowned and waved his hand, barking, “Damn it, what are you waiting for? Don’t hold back! When this is over, you’ll all get twenty days’ leave to recover your spiritual energy!”

The cultivators dared not reserve any strength, and the Hundred Spear Formation roared to life, waves of spiritual spears shooting ceaselessly toward Nalani Xin’er.

The little witch’s gaze was resolute and fearless. She continually channeled her Violet Eyes and the Transforming Array in tandem. The explosions echoed again and again—by the seventh assault, the little witch was finally forced back a few steps, shaken but stubborn, not shedding a single drop of blood.

Lord Jia Er’s eyes bulged; his men, exhausted from manipulating the formation, drooped in defeat, for controlling such an array demanded tremendous spiritual power.

Master Zhuge’s throat went dry; he never imagined that the famed Ten Thousand Spear Formation, said to be the deadliest in Guihai City, could be blocked by a single person. In truth, Zhuge only knew its surface; the formation required more than a thousand cultivators working in concert, with several core members managing the timing and rest periods, aided by vast spiritual conduits to maintain its relentless power. It was the greatest barrier used by the elder Guihai Xin to fend off the full assault of the Yihua Sect—how could outsiders know its mysteries?

As the Hundred Spear Formation dissolved, Nalani Xin’er’s chest heaved, her fullness more alluring than ever. The little witch panted, clearly shaken by the array’s force. Just as she caught her breath, she sensed a phantom passing by. Before she could react, a scream rang out—a figure was flung dozens of yards away, blood spraying through the air.

The little witch turned, her violet eyes instantly recognizing the one who had been hurled away. Shocked, she looked at those beside her, and someone said, “Jiuling, you’re courting death!” The voice was filled with finality and disdain—it was none other than Mo Bai!

Not only the little witch, but even Master Zhuge’s group was stunned by this sudden turn. Judging by the scene, the beautiful maiden was clearly of the same sect as Jiuling, while Mo Bai was always by her side. Yet how could he suddenly strike Jiuling so fiercely?

It was utterly baffling, but Master Zhuge was not like ordinary men. He whispered to Lord Jia Er, “My lord, this is no longer under our control. Let’s leave quickly.”

Lord Jia Er hesitated, wanting to watch the drama unfold. After all, Mo Bai had just sent Jiuling flying with a single strike—if Jiuling died, he could claim the credit. He looked at Master Zhuge in confusion.

Master Zhuge asked, his voice tremulous, “My lord, wasn’t the little witch formidable just now?”

Lord Jia Er nodded, “To withstand the Hundred Spear Formation alone, I could never manage such a feat.”

Master Zhuge scoffed inwardly—at such a time, he was still boasting—but said aloud, “My lord, the little witch is so formidable, and we saw her entrance. But look at this man,” he discreetly pointed to Mo Bai, “Did you see how he appeared?”

Lord Jia Er suddenly understood the danger. Mo Bai had easily sent the little witch’s senior brother flying—if he turned on them, the thought alone made his neck tingle with fear. He gave Master Zhuge a covert thumbs-up, and the two silently slipped away.

In the arena, the little witch clung fearfully to Mo Bai’s arm, dazed. “Brother Mo, what’s wrong?” For the first time, she saw Mo Bai’s terrifying expression and dared not ask why.

Mo Bai spoke fiercely, “Ask him,” pointing at Jiuling. Jiuling struggled to his feet, but as he moved, Mo Bai’s finger twitched and an invisible spiritual energy bound him, drawing him helplessly toward Mo Bai. With a flick of his wrist, Mo Bai withdrew the technique of the Divine Horse Prince, and Jiuling collapsed to his knees.

Jiuling’s face was pale; he tried to rise, but his knees were wracked with pain. He gritted his teeth, saying, “Hero Mo Bai, why—why are you doing this?”

Mo Bai stared at Jiuling. “Don’t you know what you were just about to do?”

Jiuling’s gaze flickered but quickly calmed, though his heart raced wildly. He tried to use spiritual energy to suppress his pounding heart, but nothing could steady it. “Hero Mo Bai, I truly do not know.”

Mo Bai slowly raised his hand. “I ought to kill you!”