Chapter 84: Zhang Yunlu vs

"Truly unmasked—using the spiritual essence harvested to take over that youngster's body." Hu watched everything unfolding within the Secret Realm with cold eyes.

He never hid the nature of his power.

That means the old bastard knew he was being watched—and still didn't care.

It was as if he was deliberately mocking him.

"So his scheme truly concerns me." Now it was certain. Hu turned to Xu Xing. "Brother Dao, what do you suggest?"

He felt no anger or annoyance—such emotions were meaningless.

"Wait a little longer."

Xu Xing also watched the Secret Realm.

His intentions remain unclear; acting rashly might just please Him.

"Whoa—Uncle, this guy is so cheap!" came Chi Jiuyu's voice from beside them.

Xiao Fan began hunting Zhang Yunlu, and she naturally saw the vast army of Tongxuan Grass Monsters.

These Tongxuan Grass Monsters weren't cannon fodder—each was equivalent to a Level 9 Qi Condensation swordsman. She did a quick calculation.

If she were Level 9 Qi Condensation herself, maybe she could handle a couple hundred, perhaps even three or four hundred.

But once the number exceeded five hundred, even she, at Level 9 Qi Condensation, would struggle to cope.

And if the number surpassed a thousand…

What's the point of fighting? Just run! Qi Condensation cultivators can't even use Sword Flight.

Only if she were Foundation Establishment would it be somewhat fair—if both sides were Foundation Establishment, even ten thousand of these things, she'd slaughter them all! If she herself felt this way, how much worse for these weak Qi Condensation trial participants in the Secret Realm?

This is completely unfair! Other trial participants are still playing solo battle royale, and you're already doing interstellar empire-building?

Who could possibly beat you?

"I think his ability should be banned!"

"Not yet." Xu Xing shook his head slightly. "Though dangerous, this is also an opportunity for her."

"An opportunity?" Chi Jiuyu scratched his head, looking up. "But Xiao Yunlu has to turn around and fight first."

On the screen, Zhang Yunlu was fleeing desperately, having witnessed Xiao Ming being overwhelmed and killed—she didn't believe she'd fare any better if she were trapped like that.

"Xiao Fan" strolled leisurely, as if on a countryside outing, trailing her at a slow, unhurried pace.

Behind him came a vast, dust-churning army of Tongxuan Grass Monsters.

Scattered wandering Tongxuan Grass Monsters swept into the horde were instantly drained of their spiritual essence, their purple eyes turning multicolored.

Like a snowball rolling downhill, the force grew ever larger.

Some passing trial participants merely glanced from afar—and were startled by the dust wave, vast as an ocean and blotting out the sky, quickly veering away.

What did this man do to be chased by so many monsters?

Zhang Yunlu knew she couldn't keep running forever, so she deliberately chose rugged, treacherous terrain.

But the effect was negligible.

"Xiao Fan" remained as calm and unhurried as ever, walking as easily over the most difficult ground as if it were flat.

And the Tongxuan Grass Monsters could cling to near-vertical cliffs like lizards, making escape even harder.

After winding through twists and turns, she hadn't shaken off many pursuers—instead, she'd exhausted much of her own strength.

"No good!"

She couldn't keep running—being caught was only a matter of time.

She had to find a way to draw him into a combat space—that was her only chance! With resolve set, Zhang Yunlu hesitated no longer.

She bent low, braced her palms against the ground, spun, and charged straight at "Xiao Fan."

"Oh, finally stopping?"

"Xiao Fan" smiled faintly, halting instantly. Dozens of Tongxuan Grass Monsters surged out from both sides of him, attacking Zhang Yunlu with reckless abandon, slowing her advance.

Worried she might turn and flee again, he added: "Don't worry—I'm standing right here. If you can reach within range, you still have a chance."

Run, and I'll hunt you until you collapse.

Fight, and there's still a glimmer of hope.

Watching Zhang Yunlu push through the wall of Tongxuan Grass Monsters toward him, "Xiao Fan" smiled slightly.

The struggle of living beings—no matter how many times he saw it, he never grew tired. Especially this one—a human, a swordsman on the verge of "awakening truth," the very type he despised most.

…

…

Boom! Chi Jiuyu slammed his fist on the table and leapt to his feet.

"This guy is such a fucking asshole!"

Cheating's bad enough, but now you're putting on airs? He hated people who acted more pretentious than himself!

Amid the encircling horde of Tongxuan Grass Monsters, Zhang Yunlu's expression remained unchanged, her eyes swirling with purple energy—unmoved by "Xiao Fan's" words.

As she blocked attacks from all directions, she steadily closed the distance to "Xiao Fan."

Fifty meters, forty-five, forty, thirty-five…

Thirty meters! Now!

Boom—

Sword drawn, its cry echoed like thunder—the Sword Qi Thunder Sound, shaking spirits and terrifying souls. All nearby Tongxuan Grass Monsters froze; their spiritual essence stolen, they were affected even more severely.

Seizing the moment, Zhang Yunlu moved like a drifting dragon, swift as a startled swallow, crossing the final ten meters in an instant, standing before "Xiao Fan."

This was the "Startling Swallow Drifting Cloud Steps"—a reward she earned in the second trial round.

Instantly, all surroundings receded—but "Xiao Fan's" expression didn't change, still smiling.

【Combat Begins】

Golden characters appeared between the two of them.

Looking at the "Xiao Fan" just a short distance away, Zhang Yunlu felt not the slightest joy of success.

Because that sensation of extreme danger had not faded one bit—it had grown even stronger.

Though there was only one of him, he was more dangerous than all those Tongxuan Grass Monsters combined! Her instincts made her hold her breath, muscles taut.

"A swordsman on the verge of 'awakening principle' achieving this level of harvest was beyond my expectations."

Just as the "Xiao Fan" raised his hand and beckoned, Zhang Yunlu felt a searing heat on her palm.

Looking down, she saw a speck of red light ignite—a blood-red jade pendant on a red cord flew out of her storage ring and floated silently before her.

This was… the red jade necklace left to her by her parents!

"Then take this, and I'll spare your life. How about that?"

Hm? Zhang Yunlu frowned slightly.

"Are you mocking me?"

"Mocking? No, this is an opportunity I grant you—a chance to change your fate." The "Xiao Fan" smiled, "Did you see what I just did? If you swallow this drop of *clan blood, you too could…"

Hm? He still didn't speak the character.

For the first time, the smile vanished from his face, replaced by a shadow of gloom.

Why?

Why, even after replacing me, could he still not utter the character 'Cang'? Zhang Yunlu grew even more puzzled.

What exactly was this strange Xiao Fan trying to do? Why did he stop mid-sentence?

"Enough. Tell me your answer!"

Perhaps the events just now had angered him—he no longer explained, but asked directly.

"I refuse," Zhang Yunlu said plainly.

"Good."

Before the words were out, a cold blade had already pressed against her forehead, three inches away—in an instant, life and death hung by a thread. This was Zhang Yunlu's current predicament.

The sword came too fast, too fierce—she barely had time to tilt her head slightly.

Hiss! Pain flared at her brow; a few strands of black hair fell away.

After dodging the first strike, she stomped her foot and retreated swiftly—but the "Xiao Fan" remained calm, unhurried, his long sword clinging to her like a shadow.

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