The Price of Deceit

Yet, glancing at the ethereal light screen displaying the rules above the arena, the inscription below still read only “Ding-Domain Tenth,” with no mention of cultivation level. ‘So that was it…’ Lin Mo realized in an instant. ‘Was it the same for her?’

Yan Lingyun’s offensive strategy abruptly shifted once more.

Abandoning the pursuit of pure close-quarters combat, she instead retreated, simultaneously flicking both her sleeves upwards.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Shimmering, almost imperceptible silver streaks pierced through the air with lightning speed!

At the same moment, she flung her left hand, causing a dusty, grey pouch to burst mid-air, releasing a vast cloud of thick, foul-smelling greyish-white powder that instantly spread, quickly shrouding nearly half the arena.

The powder obscured all vision!

Immediately afterwards, she chanted an incantation, and a palm-sized black banner flew from her bosom, expanding as it met the wind. It hovered in mid-air, emitting strange fluctuations that caused one’s heart to tremble and spiritual energy to stagnate.

Poison sand! Blinding mist powder! And a sinister artifact capable of disrupting an opponent’s mind and spiritual energy!

This was hardly a friendly spar between fellow disciples; it was clearly a ruthless, all-out assassination attempt!

The crowd below erupted in an uproar.

Even many disciples who had previously held prejudices against Lin Mo now knitted their brows in disapproval.

“This is outrageous!” Ji Xue abruptly rose, her voice sharp with fury.

“Host!” Liu Ruyan’s face flushed crimson with anger.

However, the old woman who hosted the Bing-Domain merely cast an impassive glance, stating calmly, “Magical artifacts and hidden weapons are also permitted within the rules, provided they do not cause death or permanent disability. The martial arena is a place for real combat; all external forces are considered valid means.”

Ji Xue froze, gritting her teeth.

‘Even if there were no poison sand or blinding mist powder in this world capable of obscuring vision and disrupting the mind and spiritual energy, even if there were, you, Lin Wan’er, wouldn’t be worthy!’

‘How could you, Lin Wan’er, possibly win?’

‘I know you’ve possessed astonishing talent since childhood, but the fluctuations of that banner are like invisible thorns piercing the mind, causing your spiritual energy control to plummet and your thoughts to be plagued by threads of irritation.’

‘Moreover, several poison needles, fine as ox hair, will pierce through the powder, shooting forth with a sinister hum from cunning angles, utterly unavoidable!’

‘Even if you, Lin Wan’er, like me, are concealing your true Foundation Establishment cultivation, you will still be unable to dodge them!’

Yan Lingyun sneered inwardly. ‘After this barrage, your defeat, Lin Wan’er, and your fall into the Ding-Domain, seemed utterly inescapable!’

‘I’ve won! My days of soaring to prominence have finally arrived!’

‘Using you, this peerless genius, as a stepping stone to enter the Qiu family, is simply perfect!’

‘Lin Wan’er, die!’

From Yan Lingyun’s hand, poison needles shot forth, aimed directly at Lin Wan’er’s vital points!

Amidst the swirling powder, without the skill of discerning position by sound, it was impossible to pinpoint the enemy’s location, let alone the fact that she had long since consumed a “Heart-Calming Pill,” which not only rendered her unaffected but also allowed her to move freely!

‘From the very beginning, Lin Mo’s position hadn’t shifted! Presumably, this girl is still indignant about being targeted, isn’t she?’

‘She probably has no idea what kind of predicament she’s about to face, does she?’

‘Then, let me tell you—’

“Lin Wan’er! You—” Yan Lingyun’s right hand launched a silver needle, and she roared, “Get out!”

As her words fell, the poison needles pierced through the mist before them.

Victory, however, did not arrive as expected.

All the hidden weapons passed through the smoke, yet there was no sound of protective qi shattering, nor the squelch of flesh being punctured.

Yan Lingyun’s mind instantly froze. ‘She couldn’t comprehend… where was Lin Wan’er?’

‘She hadn’t moved at all, she—’

‘Could it be… she flew?’

‘Impossible!’

‘Her skill in discerning positions by sound was already masterful! If she had flown or jumped, how could she possibly not have heard the rustle of her clothes or the jingle of her accessories?’

‘How could she not have heard the sound of her slicing through the air?!’

Refusing to believe it, Yan Lingyun shot forth more poison needles!

Yet, still, no sound echoed back!

‘Was she seeing a ghost?!’

‘No sound! Impossible!’

The white smoke, originally intended to confuse her enemy, was now obstructing her instead!

The moment of advantage she had seized instantly transformed into a disadvantage; the hunter who should have been concealed in the smoke had become the prey trapped within it.

Unable to see, unable to hear, the fear in Yan Lingyun’s heart grew like a rampant poisonous vine!

Lin Mo’s figure seemed ubiquitous, transforming into countless illusions within the boundless haze.

In the next instant, he might strike from any corner!

‘You think you can use my smoke screen to counter me? Delusional!’

Yan Lingyun’s gaze sharpened, her magical artifact already summoned, causing a sudden whirlwind to howl. Alas, her artifact was of a low grade, only capable of stirring the air and raising a bit of dust.

But, to disperse this small patch of mist, it was enough!

‘Lin Wan’er! You won’t succeed!’

However, as the smoke dissipated, something even more unacceptable to Yan Lingyun appeared before her eyes.

“How… how… is this possible…?”

Lin Mo stood rooted to the spot, completely motionless.

Moreover, all the poison needles she had shot earlier were now completely frozen in mid-air!

Fine blue threads, one by one, drifted to the ground.

They couldn’t even get close to Lin Mo!

“How is this possible… how could anyone defend against these hidden weapons under these circumstances?! You, you cheated! You, you, you, you definitely cheated!”

Her vision was obscured by the white smoke, and the troublesome banner not only disturbed her mind but also her hearing, as if indistinct murmurs endlessly echoed in her ears with sharp, piercing sounds.

Under such conditions, how could anyone remain perfectly still and defend against so many hidden weapons?

“Host! Lin Wan’er cheated! It’s impossible to defend against that without cheating! She must have eaten some—”

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

The sound of something tearing through the air suddenly rang out!

The poison needles that had been frozen in mid-air now shot directly towards Yan Lingyun!

Several needles struck her protective qi shield!

They produced a grating sound!

However, her protective qi could not block them all; one poison needle still pierced her defense, savagely embedding itself in the outer side of her left arm! A searing pain and numbing sensation instantly spread.

But the moment the poison needle entered her flesh, Yan Lingyun moved!

“Stop pretending! Attacking me while I’m speaking? How despicable! Don’t think all I can do is throw hidden weapons!”

Yan Lingyun immediately charged towards Lin Mo!

Thump! Thump!

Several almost inaudible muffled thuds exploded within her body, as if something deep within her flesh was being forcibly torn and incinerated! Yan Lingyun’s face, already contorted with agony, instantly swelled to an eerie purple, her eyes bloodshot, threatening to burst.

The dark spiritual energy that had been dim, weak, and even suppressed by the Profound Yin chilling qi, now erupted from every pore like sparks igniting fuel! This power was savage, chaotic, filled with self-destructive despair and madness!

The cost was immense, but the effect was instantaneous!

Though her right arm remained limp, the agonizing, bone-chilling pain of the freezing was forcibly suppressed by this surge of wild power!

The paralysis caused by the poison corroding her left arm’s wound was also temporarily ignored!

Even more terrifying, the spiritual energy in her lower back, severely injured by Lin Mo’s kick and ravaged by the chilling qi, was momentarily forced open by this violently erupting new strength!

A continuous flow surged, replenishing her, defying the expected depletion!

A warmth emanated from her lower back, spreading through her limbs and bones, dispelling the chilling qi, and nourishing her damaged meridians and acupoints.

Even her left arm, ravaged by poison and throbbing with intense pain, found effective relief!

This was—

This power carried a potent vitality, like melting streams in early spring, nourishing parched, cracked earth, brimming with vibrant life and hope!

This power could not only accelerate her recovery but also make her stronger!

‘Lin Mo!’

‘What in the world is going on?!’

‘How could he possess such pure power, brimming with such vitality?!’

‘Could it be that Lin Mo was not only a traitor to the Lin family but also harbored a secret Lin family art?’

‘This was truly unheard of, unseen before!’

A powerful greed began to fester in Yan Lingyun’s heart!

‘If she could obtain this power, she would undoubtedly break through her limitations and reach the pinnacle of a new era!’

Her physical strength suddenly erupted! Her speed and power surged to an unbelievable degree!

She let out a beast-like roar, utterly unlike a human sound, and her body, which had been sent flying backwards, twisted violently in a manner that defied physical laws!

“Lin! Wan! ‘er!”

Boom!

Her feet slammed down, shattering the tough arena flagstones inch by inch! With her as the epicenter, a ferocious wave of power and dust erupted, forcefully sweeping away the lingering haze and the disruptive fluctuations of the troublesome banner!

Her sole remaining intact left fist clenched, enveloped in dark spiritual energy so dense it seemed corporeal. With a fierce howl that tore through the air, she abandoned all defense, seeking only to unleash all the power gained from burning her potential, in the final instant before the secret art wore off, upon Lin Mo, who was now within arm’s reach!

This punch was simple and brutal, yet it contained the desperate resolve to perish together!

Its speed and power were astonishing, reaching Lin Mo in an instant!

The very force of the punch made Lin Mo’s loose strands of hair whip backward!

Lin Mo, however, stood his ground, adopting a stance.

‘Heh! Don’t tell me you think, just because you’re also Foundation Establishment, you can take this punch of mine?’

‘Then you truly underestimate me! This single punch is enough to claim your life!’

‘Block it head-on? Not even a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator could withstand this punch of mine!’

‘Die! Today, I’ll make you pay the price for your arrogance!’

A fierce light gleamed in Yan Lingyun’s eyes!

Lin Mo’s outstretched arm did not meet the blow head-on; instead, it gently guided the fist, brimming with wild spiritual energy, like a willow branch.

‘A mantis trying to stop a chariot? You think a mere flesh-and-blood body can block—’

Yan Lingyun’s sneer abruptly froze!

Her immense power, capable of splitting mountains and shattering rocks, vanished as if a clay ox had plunged into the sea!

Lin Mo’s hand merely brushed against it and slid away; far from shattering, it descended rapidly along her fist and forearm like a nimble serpent or a slippery loach! The trajectory of her power was instantly diverted!

Even more terrifying, the power within her, boiling out of control from the burning secret art, was now completely ignited by that gentle brush! Her punch, like a wild horse unbridled, bolted out of control in the direction Lin Mo guided—

Boom!

Her left fist, imbued with her life’s cultivation, slammed viciously into the wound on her right shoulder, which was already twitching with agony!

“Aaaahhhhhh—!!!!”

A shriek ten times more agonizing than when her arm was crippled erupted! Flesh and blood flew from her right shoulder wound!

Blood splattered!

Yan Lingyun was sent flying backwards like a tattered sack, as if struck by a giant hammer. Mid-air, she violently spat out a mouthful of clotted blood mixed with ice shards, crashing heavily onto the edge of the arena! Her entire body’s meridians felt like they had fallen into an ice cave, her spiritual energy completely frozen, and she utterly lost all combat ability.

However, blue threads instantly coiled around her ankles, forcefully dragging Yan Lingyun back to the ground.

Countless threads invaded her wounds.

The chilling threads now transformed into the best balm for her injuries, as if her charred wounds were being soothed.

Yan Lingyun, drenched in cold sweat, finally found a moment to breathe.

‘Could it be… could it be… this person is pitying me?’

‘Hmph, not letting me fly out is your gravest mistake! Just wait and pay the price for your hypocrisy!’

The malice in Yan Lingyun’s heart was hidden beneath her pale face and gasping breaths.

“Many thanks, Personal Disciple Lin. Could you lend me a hand? I know I’m no match for you, I… I won’t attack you again.”

But, what followed was—

A piercing scream that tore through the sky!

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

The blue threads were no longer just soothing her wounds; they were twisting!

Silence! Absolute silence enveloped the martial training ground! Only Yan Lingyun’s screams echoed within it.

“You’ve finished your barking. Now it’s my turn to ask. You, ‘Ding-Domain Tenth,’ who sent you to target me?”

Yan Lingyun wanted to resist, to utter threats!

But the threads twisted within her wounds, and the searing pain was simply beyond what willpower could resist.

Even with all of Yan Lingyun’s ruthlessness, she had never encountered such torture!

To say it was worse than death was an understatement of her suffering!

It felt as if something beneath her flesh was being torn apart, piece by small piece!

“I, I’ll tell you! It… it’s—”

But before Yan Lingyun could finish her sentence, a blinding white light instantly enveloped her, and she vanished from the arena!

Only the Host of the Ice Domain remained, immediately leaping onto the stage!

“Lin Wan’er! How dare you torture a fellow disciple? Do you truly believe you are above the law, even fabricating these clumsy excuses to torment a fellow disciple?!”

With that, her imposing aura fully manifested!

The esteemed Host of the Ice Domain actually intended to use her cultivation to suppress Lin Mo into silence!

A terrifying pressure instantly descended!

Yet—

“A joke!”

From the azure sky, a deafening jade-like voice, like an endless chime, echoed with overwhelming power!

“Zheng—!”

A sword of ice crystal, wreathed in chilling frost, pierced through the restriction covering the Hall of Clarity, like a bolt of heavenly lightning!

The restriction, astonishingly, crumbled inch by inch like rotten earth, and the tempestuous spiritual energy transformed into a colossal mountain-like pressure that slammed down upon the Host of the Ice Domain!

Mu Qingli’s figure descended, shattering the heavenly light, her plain white immortal dress fluttering wildly without wind!

The biting sword qi froze the entire martial training ground!

She lightly tapped the sword hilt with her toe, looking down at the Host like an ant, each word erupting with killing intent like a gale from the nine heavens: “What a truly impartial Host! You feigned ignorance, put on a show of not knowing about the Soul Needle, and watched indifferently as Yan Lingyun repeatedly used treacherous moves to kill my disciple! But the moment my disciple meted out punishment—”

Her fingertip blazed with cold light, pointing directly at the bloodied spot between the Host’s eyebrows, “—you impatiently leapt out to make a spectacle of yourself again?!”

Mu Qingli’s questions, sharp as ice shards, cut into the Host before her, whose legs trembled uncontrollably under the immense pressure. “Such a clumsy attempt to cover up—what do you intend to do?”

But even so, even though the Host was terrified, dripping with cold sweat, and her teeth chattered, she still stubbornly retorted, for she knew who stood behind her.

Since Mu Qingli had arrived, could that esteemed person be far behind?

“Sect Master! How can you violate—”

But before she could finish, she spat out a mouthful of blood!

“I asked you to answer, not to question me!”

Mu Qingli’s voice, like shattering jade beads and ice, carried the crushing pressure of a Nascent Soul cultivator, causing ripples in space!

“Do you all truly believe that because I’ve always been low-key, I, Mu Qingli, remain in this position merely out of Qing You’s pity!”

As her words fell, everything froze!

The very fabric of space and time in the entire martial training ground seemed to be locked at absolute zero!

Profound ice erupted from beneath her jade feet, spreading out to freeze thousands of feet in the blink of an eye, yet with divine precision!

Only the Host of the Ice Domain remained frozen within the profound ice, like an ice sculpture!

The disciples and other hosts in the arena remained untouched, not even a corner of their clothes dusted with frost!

“Hiss—!”

The sound of gasps, utterly silent, was swallowed by the subtle crackle of growing ice crystals.

“Wan’er,”

Mu Qingli’s jade feet crunched on frost, and countless ice crystals in the sky coalesced into a staircase.

Profound Yin qi erupted, and a massive frost king’s throne rose from the void!

She swept her wide sleeves as she settled onto the ice throne, pulling Lin Mo into her embrace, letting him rest his head against her soft chest.

“Today—whatever you wish to ask, whatever you wish to do, is entirely up to you! Your master will back you up. I’ll see who still dares to play dirty tricks against my disciple?!”

A lion’s roar shook the cosmos, “This master wants to see which filthy wretch still dares to use despicable methods against my disciple!?”

A sense of security, unprecedented and overwhelming, instantly flooded Lin Mo’s heart.

A bittersweet sensation welled up in his eyes, lingering.

But it wasn’t bitterness, pain, or sorrow; it was… happiness.

If… his master wasn’t sniffing his scent quite so vigorously, Lin Mo might have been even happier.