Around the corner, the gentle smile on Cang Dongqing's face instantly vanished.
"Mu Zeting, that fool..." She sneered silently, tapping the talismans she had just obtained. "He probably still thinks I'm helping him."
If she were to buy these talismans herself or exchange sect points for them, it would have cost her considerable time and effort. Now, they were hers with just a few words—far more useful than Li Nanyi's empty verbal comforts.
"And..." A glint flashed in her eyes. "Through him, not only can I track Rong Yuying's movements, but I might even be able to gather information on the Five Elements Dao Sect."
She carefully tucked the talismans into her storage bag, the red bead bracelet on her wrist glowing with a strange light.
"Rong Yuying, oh Rong Yuying..." she murmured to herself. "I wonder what your expression would be if you knew what your fiancé was doing right now?"
At the thought, she couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.
She wasn't sure if she was laughing at Mu Zeting's stupidity or Rong Yuying's ambiguous attitude, but for her current self, the two of them maintaining this engagement was the best way to maximize her interests.
In the Hehuan Sect's spectator area, Rong Yuying watched the arena, lost in thought.
"Senior Sister." Yu'er hurried in. "We just received word that Mu Zeting and Cang Dongqing met in private."
Rong Yuying paused her hands. "Oh?"
Qinghe frowned. "Just how did Elder Mu teach Mu Zeting? How can he be so stupid, handing leverage over to us like that?"
"It doesn't matter." Rong Yuying waved her hand. "Mu Zeting can think whatever he likes." A chill flashed in her eyes. "As long as it doesn't interfere with our plans."
Su Zhunshu clung to Qinghe's arm. "Senior Sister, are we really going to side with the Five Elements Dao Sect against the other sects later?"
"Of course," Rong Yuying said firmly. "The strength the Five Elements Dao Sect has shown this time far exceeds our expectations." She looked out the window. "I thought having Feng Qingping would be enough, but now Jiang Yifan has brought his identity into the open... We definitely can't miss out on this."
"The Northern Territory Jiang family..." Yu'er murmured. "Senior Sister, did you discover this back at the Blackwater Marsh? No wonder you showed them goodwill so early."
Rong Yuying gave a light laugh. "That was only one reason." She looked at the others. "More importantly, I believe the Five Elements Dao Sect can defeat the Sword Heart Sect this time."
...
In the Sword Heart Sect's spectator area, Ling Xiao was listening to Cang Dongqing's report.
"Master," Cang Dongqing said respectfully, "Mu Zeting has taken the bait."
Ling Xiao nodded with satisfaction. "Well done." He paused. "Have you gathered any useful information?"
Cang Dongqing shook her head. "Not yet, but..." She pulled a stack of talismans from her sleeve. "Mu Zeting gave me these."
Ling Xiao glanced at them. "Mid-grade explosive flame talismans?" He sneered. "The Wuji Sect is certainly generous."
"I will continue to keep an eye on him," Cang Dongqing whispered. "Mu Zeting seems very dissatisfied with Rong Yuying's cooperation with the Five Elements Dao Sect..."
"Mhm." Ling Xiao narrowed his eyes. "Keep doing what you're doing. As for that Wen Qianhui..." A cold light flashed in his eyes.
Cang Dongqing immediately understood. "Understood, Master."
On the arena below, Pei Ji was facing off against Chu Chenzhou. Cang Dongqing stepped back half a pace, observing the match with interest.
At that moment, Chu Chenzhou formed a hand seal, and five streaks of light shot out from his sleeve.
"Golden bell shield! Fire-thunder pearl! Ice soul needle! Wind-blade flag! Earth spirit spike!"
Five magic tools exploded simultaneously. While a golden light curtain protected his body, the fire-thunder pearl and ice soul needle flew toward Pei Ji in a triangular formation. The wind-blade flag whipped up sharp blades of wind, and the earth spirit spike erupted from the ground.
Pei Ji's eyes flashed with surprise; he clearly hadn't expected his opponent to use disposable magic tools so extravagantly.
He unsheathed his long sword and shouted, "Break!"
His sharp sword qi swept out, shattering the incoming fire-thunder pearl and ice soul needle one by one. However, the aftershock of the explosion still forced him back three steps, and a corner of his robes was sliced off by a wind blade.
"Holy cow!" Duan Xianxing's eyes widened from below the stage. "This Chu Chenzhou is doing a great impression of Fourth Senior Brother!"
Li Nanzhu, holding Suisui, glanced at the red-haired youth from the Water Moon Sect who was jumping around the stage and facepalmed helplessly.
"Liu Qingyang must have egged him on." She couldn't help but laugh as she spoke. "Otherwise, there's no way Chu Chenzhou would throw five magic tools at once."
Even Feng Weilan gave a rare nod of agreement. "Even for a direct disciple of the Water Moon Sect, this is a bit too extravagant."
In the Sword Heart Sect seats, Le Changxi gripped his scabbard tightly. "Shameless! These are clearly sideways paths!"
Qu Chen's face was dark. "Since when did the Water Moon Sect start using this kind of fighting style?"
"He must have learned it from Jiang... from the Five Elements Dao Sect," Li Nanyi snorted, his voice full of disdain.
Cang Dongqing said softly, "He is a refinery master after all. Using this style... is actually quite reasonable."
On the arena, seeing his tactics working, Chu Chenzhou's eyes lit up with joy. His junior brother's suggestion was actually quite good!
Without hesitation, he threw out three more green jade seals. "Mountain-suppressing seals!"
The small seals grew in the wind, transforming into three small mountains that pressed down on Pei Ji.
Pei Ji's face was grim as his long sword slashed repeatedly! The small seals began to vibrate violently.
Chu Chenzhou was breaking into a sweat. He gritted his teeth and threw out another magic tool. "Suppress!"
A small bronze tripod expanded in the wind, working with the mountain-suppressing seals to pin Pei Ji down. Pei Ji was actually forced to one knee, plunging his long sword into the ground for support.
"Excellent!" In the Water Moon Sect seats, the elders struck the table in admiration. "Chenzhou's tactics are indeed effective!"
"He really did prepare well after watching Jiang Yifan's matches overnight!"
Liu Changhe glanced at his excited son, knowing Liu Qingyang must have been the one to encourage this. However...
He tapped his finger on the table, watching the suppressed Pei Ji on the arena.
Perhaps... this would be a brand-new path for refinery masters!
But they had ultimately underestimated the strength of this Sword Heart Sect direct disciple. Pei Ji suddenly let out a cold laugh. "Is this all you've got?"
Sword qi suddenly surged around him, and his robes fluttered despite the lack of wind. "Break!"
Boom!
The bronze tripod was sent flying by the sword qi, and even the three green jade seals developed fine cracks!
Chu Chenzhou realized things were going south and immediately recalled his magic tools. You had to be kidding—if these things were destroyed, he wouldn't have the resources to repair them anytime soon!
But in the gap created by recalling his tools, Pei Ji had already rushed in front of him.
Chu Chenzhou's expression changed drastically. He scrambled to pull out three more magic tools, but just as he raised his hand, a long sword was already pointed at his throat.
"Too late."
Chu Chenzhou gave a bitter smile. "I admit defeat."
"Chu Chenzhou of the Water Moon Sect admits defeat. Pei Ji of the Sword Heart Sect wins!" the referee announced loudly.
Chu Chenzhou walked down the arena and cupped his hands to Pei Ji. "Fellow Daoist Pei's strength is superb. I am truly impressed."
Pei Ji said coldly, "Next time, don't learn these crooked ways."
Chu Chenzhou didn't mind. "If it can make Fellow Daoist Pei so bedraggled, then these crooked ways were worth it."
Pei Ji snorted coldly and turned to leave.
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