"Who exactly are you people, and why do you want to kill me?" Jiang Qiling clearly sensed the peculiar aura from Qiu Ye and Qiu Yuan, and asked.
"Little Senior Sister, youâre going to die anyway, so why ask so many questions? If you must blame someone, blame yourself for exposing your strength. If you hadnât revealed your power, even if you were a woman, we wouldnât necessarily have acted. After all, youâve treated us well over these years." Qiu Ye shook his head and sighed, gripping his longsword, and approached Jiang Qiling step by step.
It was apparent that he still had some reservations about Jiang Qiling, so he didnât strike immediately.
Hidden behind the Heavenly Luo Purple Heart Bell, Mu Hanyanâs heart was stirred. From Qiu Yeâs words, it seemed the reason he acted was partly because Jiang Qiling exposed her strength, but more importantly, because she was a woman.
Mu Hanyan suddenly remembered that in her previous life, Fen Qianji had moved against her just after she advanced to the Holy-grade, around the time she revealed her female identity to him.
Could this be the real issue?
"Why all the useless talk, just kill her already!" Qiu Yuan said impatiently. Clearly, he wasnât grateful for Jiang Qilingâs kindness, harboring resentment because she treated him like a servant.
"If you want her dead so much, why donât you do it yourself!" Qiu Ye replied to Qiu Yuan irritably.
Mu Hanyan guessed correctly, Jiang Qilingâs performance in the fight against Zhuang Xingfeng was too dazzling, shocking everyone around her with her true strength. Qiu Ye and Qiu Yuan, who had been by her side for a long time and were used to her domineering-airhead demeanor, were even more apprehensive.
"During the meridian clearing and marrow washing at the Illusion Dragon Hall, your strength is greatly diminished by the Heaven and Earth Rules. Whatâs there to fear?" Qiu Yuan sneered.
"If youâre not afraid, then go ahead, Iâll cover you," Qiu Ye simply stopped and said to Qiu Yuan.
"Hmph, fine, Iâll do it." Qiu Yuan said, drawing his longsword, but his steps were noticeably hesitant.
Although both had heard of the meridian clearing and marrow washing at the Illusion Dragon Hall, they hadnât experienced it themselves and were unsure how severe the strength suppression would be. Jiang Qilingâs previously stunning display in the Sword Dao exam was fresh in their minds, making them reluctant to let loose.
Their hesitation gave Jiang Qiling a bit of breathing room. With every passing minute, her adaptation to the Law grew deeper, and her strength slowly recovered.
But unfortunately, the distance was only a few meters. Even if they stalled and hesitated, it wasnât enough for Jiang Qiling to fully recover her strength.
Finally, Qiu Yuan approached to within less than a meter of Jiang Qiling.
At this moment, Jiang Qiling suddenly stood up.
"It seems you know quite a bit about the Illusion Dragon Hall, but unfortunately, you only know that the Heaven and Earth Rules limit my strength. You donât realize that with the Law Comprehension from years of cultivating various strange and mysterious arts, the limitation isnât as severe as you think. Even if I canât exert my full strength, itâs still enough to kill you." Jiang Qiling spoke coldly, fearlessly confident.
Mu Hanyan was slightly surprised. Until now, she had only recovered to the Second-level Sword Masterâs strength. She doubted she could handle Qiu Ye and Qiu Yuan if they teamed up. She had realized that these two were both Fourth Rank Sword Masters.
Jiang Qiling was so confident; had her strength recovered to above Fourth Rank Sword Master, maybe even Fifth Rank? Only then could she possibly contend with Qiu Ye and Qiu Yuan. But from her prior ability to break the Seal, Jiang Qilingâs understanding of the Heaven and Earth Rules didnât seem to reach that level.
Mu Hanyan was lost in thought, but she soon realized sheâd overthought it.
"Iâll do my best to hold them off, you find a chance to escape!" Jiang Qilingâs voice suddenly transmitted to her ears.
"What!" Mu Hanyan was slightly stunned.
If Qiu Ye and Qiu Yuan killed Jiang Qiling, they would definitely search the area carefully, and it would be hard for her to escape unscathed.
In her mind, even if Jiang Qiling wasnât dragging her down, she wouldnât help her escape. What was this cunning woman plotting?
"I probably wonât make it, but if you live, at least you can tell my father about todayâs events. Let him kill these two ruthless traitors for me, and even in the underworld, I want to see them shattered to pieces, without a resting place." Jiang Qiling continued with resentment.
Mu Hanyan understood at last. Although Jiang Qilingâs domineering and capricious nature was an act, her decisiveness and vindictiveness were real. She couldnât bear to die unjustly at the hands of Qiu Ye and Qiu Yuan, leaving her father unable to avenge her.
"If you canât escape, how can I?" Although Jiang Qilingâs assistance was self-serving, Mu Hanyan felt a warm stirring in her heart, and using the Gathering Qi Transmission, she replied calmly.
"With your cunning, wisdom, strength, and strange and mysterious arts, as long as I fight them off with my life, you should have a chance. Once the trial period ends and the Illusion Dragon Hall opens on its own, they wonât have another chance to act. Get ready, as soon as I make a move, you should run." Jiang Qiling quickly said.
"You really have faith in me." Mu Hanyan smiled faintly. Being praised by an enemy, it was a bit of a strange feeling for her.
Mu Hanyan was not prepared to run. With her current Sword Master First Rank strength, escape seemed unlikely. Rather than being hunted down one by one, it was better to join forces and fight.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend, and compared to her grudge with Jiang Qiling, her hatred and caution towards the temple were greater.
"Though I donât want to admit it, I must. Despite being the offspring of the Guardian of the Gods, and awakening bloodline abilities before sixteen, I am indeed not your equal. I probably wonât escape this, but I hope you wonât disappoint me. Become the strongest on the Continent. If he escapes, maybe someday you can help me get revenge." Jiang Qilingâs tone suddenly softened, with an inexplicable meaning and a touch of expectation.
Mu Hanyan looked out through the flowers, noticing a flicker of Divine Light.
This flower-loving fool, could it really be springtime? Mu Hanyan curled her lips, dismissing it as a mistake, definitely her own mistake.
"Go!" Jiang Qiling suddenly transmitted urgently, then lunged with her sword at Qiu Yuan.
Sword Master First Rank! Seeing the might of Jiang Qilingâs strike, Qiu Yuanâs previous apprehension eased, and he countered with a swift slash of his longsword.
"Clang," with a light sound, Jiang Qiling was struck and sent flying back with her sword.