Daoist Xuanming watched Lin Qingyue's squad's clownish attempts to test him, the "elderly" regret on his face growing even more pronounced.
His hand, stroking his beard, paused slightly as he brought the conversation back on track.
"Young Lin, I see your aura is calm and your Mental Energy is exceptionally refined. Why not try the 'Zither' trial?"
His voice was as warm and smooth as jade, carrying a persuasive magic.
"That ancient zither tests one's state of mind and divine soul. Perhaps your pure heart can resonate with the Exalted Celestial's Path of Rhythm."
These words were both flattery and a final death warrant.
Oh boy, he's finally showing his hand.
This death-sentence tone is practically writing "go die" on his face.
Lin Qingyue complained wildly in her mind, but her face bloomed with a nearly perfect, ladylike smile, carrying three parts overwhelmed surprise and seven parts humble respect for her elder.
"The Daoist praises me too much."
She bowed slightly, her posture impeccable, and complied with grace.
"Then this junior will obey. I shall present a humble performance."
With that, she turned and walked toward the massive, mountain-like ancient zither in the center of the courtyard.
Her pink high ponytail traced an elegant arc in the air.
A completely unguarded, utterly perfect back was thus left for the five of Xuanming's group behind her.
Her steps were neither hurried nor slow, her posture elegant and dignified, truly resembling a devout artist about to challenge the divine music with a sincere heart.
In the deepest depths of Xuanming's eyes, greed and mockery flickered and intertwined, yet the smile on his face remained warm as he began his final "guidance."
"This is the 'Heart-Querying Zither.' Young Lin, remember, playing the zither requires resonance with the divine soul..."
"Forget all external things, forget yourself..."
"Pour your purest will, your most authentic desire, into it without reservation..."
His voice vibrated in the air, attempting to pry open a gap in Lin Qingyue's mental defenses.
"...Only then can you evoke the celestial music and see the true chapter."
Uh-huh, I get it. Just empty my mind and scrub my soul clean so it's easier for you guys to make your move, right?
Your professional skills are lacking. No innovation at all. Can we fast-forward to the action part? I'm in a hurry.
Lin Qingyue walked to the ancient zither, her figure elegantly bending slightly as she performed a standard ancient salute.
Her slender fingers formed a posture as if about to touch the zither strings.
This movement clearly exposed the vital point between her shoulder blades to "Xuanming's" line of sight.
A flaw so massive it was foolish.
Come on, I've given you the opportunity.
Three, two, one...
The moment had arrived.
Just as Lin Qingyue's fingertips were about to touch the zither strings—
Killing intent erupted!
The immortal and cultured facades of Xuanming's group shattered!
Black Qi, thick as oil, gushed madly from their seven orifices!
A non-human shriek pierced their eardrums, not acting on hearing, but directly scraping the soul!
Five figures vanished from their spots, transforming into five lethal shadows!
The black Qi condensed into soul-corroding pitch-black poisonous spikes at their fingertips, sealing off all retreats, and silently struck at the backs and temples of the four!
This was a long-plotted, certain-kill hunt!
However, they were not pouncing on lambs.
But a hunter who had already bared her fangs, waiting impatiently!
A thousandth of a second before the attack landed, Lin Qingyue suddenly spun around!
In those pink eyes, there was no astonishment, only mockery that saw through everything and a bone-chilling killing intent!
"Done acting?"
"Now that you're done acting, it's time to collect your lunch boxes."
Before her voice fell, [ Beloved ] in her hand spun around. The staff's tail pressed against her palm, transforming into a great spear. She swung it in a full circle, carving out an unreasonably forceful full-moon arc!
No magical brilliance.
Only pure, absolute physical impact, as if to explode the very air!
Voom—!
The air was torn apart, producing a sharp, explosive crack!
In "Xuanming's" retinas, all that remained was a fiercely enlarging staff shadow!
He never expected that a delicate Priest would use such an overbearing spear technique!
In his haste, he abandoned the assassination, crossing his ghostly claws to protect his front!
Clang!
The ear-piercing sound of impact shattered the courtyard's tranquility!
The staff struck "Xuanming's" blocking arms squarely.
The latter, as if hit by a heavy cannon, was sent flying by an irresistible force, smashing viciously through the jade floor in the distance!
Boom—!
Stone fragments flew as dust billowed everywhere!
Meanwhile, the other four attacks were already upon them.
"Do you think I'm a training dummy? Scum!"
Lin Xiyue, who had been sitting on the ground rubbing her wrist, completely shed her simple-minded appearance, revealing her killing intent!
She generated power from her core and shot up like a spring, her movements as fluid as floating clouds and flowing water!
On the [ Blackstone's Protection ] shield in her left hand, the Holy Light flashed explosively!
"Golden Parry!"
Buzz!
A golden Rune Magic Circle lit up on the shield's surface. Lin Xiyue flicked her wrist, and the shield's edge carved out an exquisite arc of light, precisely striking two dark shadow poisonous spikes!
Clang! Clang!
With two crisp sounds, the poisonous spikes, which could have pierced steel plates, were knocked away by a subtle force, changing direction to reflect back at the other two "Daoists" at an even faster speed!
Squelch! Squelch!
Two nauseating piercing sounds rang out as the poisonous spikes tore through the Daoists' bodies. Instead of blood, a foul-smelling, pitch-black viscous liquid oozed from the wounds.
On the other side.
Su Wan didn't even turn her head, her deep blue Mage robes fluttering without a breeze.
Snap!
A crisp snap of her fingers.
A massive Ice Wall, shimmering with a frigid, piercing light, erupted from the ground, perfectly shielding Xia Lian and herself!
Puff! Puff!
The remaining two poisonous spikes slammed into the Ice Wall, producing a sizzling, corrosive sound as black smoke billowed, yet they couldn't penetrate a single inch!
Meanwhile, Xia Lian, who was supposed to be protected, had already faded into the shadow of the giant brush.
The next second.
She appeared like a ghost behind one of the "Daoists," as if she had grown out of his very shadow.
The [ Fangs of Shadow Strike ] dual blades in her hands, wreathed in the frigid light of death, silently plunged into his completely defenseless back!
Squish!
The feeling of the blade entering flesh was completely wrong!
There was no resistance from bone or muscle; instead, it felt like stabbing into a bag of expired jelly!
No blood flowed from the wound, only black mucus gurgling out. The "Daoist" didn't even let out a scream, merely turning his head stiffly, his split face filled with venomous hatred.
The trap was instantly torn to shreds, and the astonishment and fury in the five "Daoists'" eyes were rapidly replaced by twisted arrogance and overwhelming malice.
"Heh... just a few more cautious bugs."
Xuanming, who had been sent flying, had his disguised face peel off like melting wax, revealing the inhuman, pitch-black visage underneath.
He no longer maintained a human form.
The other four "Daoists" who had failed their ambush also let out unwilling shrieks.
Their bodies rapidly dissolved in the shrieks, turning into five streams of thick, unmixable black smoke.
The black smoke soared into the sky, gathering, swirling, twisting, and compressing in the air above the courtyard...
Finally, amidst a series of scalp-crawling bone-dislocating sounds, it coalesced into a brand new, ominous and terrifying form.
It was a pitch-black monster nearly three meters tall, composed of pure black smoke and resentment.
It had no facial features, only a blurry humanoid outline, yet its entire body emitted a nauseating stench and a contempt that viewed all things as dust.
An icy, arrogant will that regarded all living beings as ants swept across the entire field.
[ Spirit of Pride (Elite) ]
A mockery composed of five overlapping voices rang directly in the minds of Lin Qingyue and her three companions, dripping with condescending sarcasm.
"Mere mortals, daring to presume the Heavenly Will... Truly a laughable display of self-conceit!"