In the backyard of Taiyin Palace, red maple trees were in full bloom. The heavy snow had knocked many of the red maple leaves down, creating a breathtaking scene of a mix of red and white.
At this moment, Qin Ming was practicing the Windstorm Sword Technique here. This sword technique was notoriously difficult for ordinary cultivators because it demanded high speed in movement. The 108 moves required positioning and pacing from different locations and directions.
Thanks to his hidden talent and the Turtle Breathing Spirit Technique, Qin Ming's agility was remarkable. Holding the Bloodfall Sword, his training with the Windstorm Sword Technique became twice as effective.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..." With a single sword strike, Qin Ming sent snow and maple leaves flying in all directions. In just half a day, he had mastered the technique to a minor level.
Qin Ming leaped from the ground, his body moving gracefully, and soared into the sky. At ten meters high, he stepped off a red maple tree and leaped again. The Bloodfall Sword in his hand swished through the air, executing all 108 moves, slicing the falling maple leaves into pieces.
Qin Ming felt immense satisfaction, growing more confident in facing strong enemies. Although he was at the fourth level of body tempering, if he were to face Liu Zonghuo, who was at the sixth level, he was certain he could kill him within ten moves!
Just as Qin Ming landed back on the ground, he sensed a pair of eyes watching him from the left. Turning around quickly, he saw the white weasel again. It seemed a little bigger than before, with a fluffy tail.
"Hey, little guy!" Qin Ming greeted it.
The weasel stood up on its four legs and blinked at him before spinning around and scampering off into the distant woods.
What kind of beast is this? Last time, it stayed in my room for half the night. This time, it seems less familiar.
Never mind. Qin Ming shook his head and returned to the courtyard.
Lingyin was kneeling by the stove, adding firewood. Her graceful figure was slightly bent, and the white leggings under her green brocade skirt accentuated her curves.
Qin Ming had the ability to move quietly with his hidden talent, and he silently approached her from behind, covering her eyes with his hands.
"Hey, Qin Ming, stop it. Be careful someone sees you!"
"Who could see? They're all out." Lingyin finally realized.
She smiled slightly, her pale face turning a little red. "Alright, stop fooling around. I'm heating water for you. Princess Chang said your injuries need a hot bath."
"I don't want a bath."
Lingyin turned around, her eyes wide with surprise. "What? You don't want a bath? I've been boiling water for ages."
Qin Ming suddenly moved closer and smiled gently at her. "Unless Sister Lingyin joins me."
Lingyin's face turned crimson immediately. She lowered her head, nervously twirling her braid in her hand. "That... that's not possible."
"Why not?"
"It's just not possible!"
"There's only us two in the palace."
"But the bathtub is so small, we won't fit."
"Then we can just get closer."
Lingyin: ... |ʘᗝʘ|
She made a small fist and lightly hit Qin Ming on the shoulder. "Stop joking, don't bully me."
After saying that, she turned and rushed into the room. Although she rejected him verbally, once inside, she approached the bathtub and looked at it, calculating whether the two of them could fit inside.
...
At East Buddha Mountain, the sky was dim, and snowflakes were falling in abundance. On the cliff face stood a towering temple, with a large Buddha statue in front. Its head had been chopped off. The only path up was scattered with the bones of the monks.
Princess Chang Yuexi arrived at the foot of East Buddha Mountain, accompanied by the Twelve Zodiac, and three thousand Demon-Subduing Guards. She descended from the sky.
A scout in black tight-fitting clothes ran over and kneeled before her. "Report! We've caught a traverser and found out the truth. There used to be a temple here, named Tiandao Temple, with over a thousand monks. When the traversers of Tiandao Sect came to East Buddha Mountain, they thought only they deserved the title of Tiandao. So, three hundred traversers killed all twelve hundred monks. The bones on the path are theirs."
Princess Chang's eyes flashed with fury, and her face became ice-cold, radiating an aura of killing intent.
She raised the Moonshadow Sword and addressed the Demon-Subduing Guards. "Black Tiger, Cute Rabbit, lead two hundred men each and break through the Bone Road."
"Understood!"
"Charming Sheep, Pheasant, and Celestial Dog, you lead two hundred men each and approach from the rear of East Buddha Mountain."
"Understood!"
"The rest will surround from the western cliffs. My order is simple—no flies are allowed to escape from the mountain!"
"Understood!"
Princess Chang raised both arms, her inner cold energy surged. She activated the Nine Yin Ice Technique: Frozen Earth!
In an instant, the snowflakes around her turned into a thin layer of ice, covering the Demon-Subduing Guards and the Twelve Zodiac. They were enveloped in mist, blending seamlessly with the surrounding snow.
Princess Chang coldly commanded, "Move out!"
Immediately, the officers led the Demon-Subduing Guards in all directions, their icy forms invisible even to the mountain sentries.
...
Three days ago, the Greedy Daoist and his disciple Li Ya had returned. They had been recovering from their injuries.
"That little brat, using a strange knife to wound me, every day the pain is unbearable, so itchy and painful!"
Disciple Li Ya stood in front of him, puzzled. "That guy seemed to have low cultivation, but he was the sneakiest one, daring to ambush our master!"
Greedy Daoist cursed, "That arrogant little brat, he must have already been burned to ashes by Liu Zonghuo."
"Yes, master! Liu Zonghuo is at the sixth level of body tempering. Qin Ming is only at the third level and injured. He must be dead."
At this moment, a female traverser in a white skirt and black stockings, wearing a modern bra, walked in.
"Greedy Daoist, we have a ball tonight, and everyone is waiting for you."
Greedy Daoist waved his hand dismissively. "You all enjoy yourselves. After the dance, come to bed and keep me company."
The woman smiled and replied, "After the dance, I'll be too tired to endure the Greedy Daoist's torment."
Greedy Daoist laughed heartily. "If you can't take it, just bring a few more of your sisters over."
"Alright, alright! Don't worry, Greedy Daoist."
The charming woman left.
Li Ya opened his fan and said, "What a wonderful night, master. I'm going to join them for some fun!"
"We, the Tiandao Sect, are destined beings. Enjoying life is the true path. Anyone who stands in our way must die."