Chapter 13: Life and Death Duel

"Have you finished refining the Dharma Treasure I gave you?" Zhao Yang turned to look at her.

"Of course!"

Yesterday, she'd been tricked by Luo Yao and had to sell the sword the sect had issued her; though she didn't care much for it, she still felt bitter inside.

So, after returning, she complained.

Zhao Yang gave her a Superior Mortal Artifact to appease her; with that Superior Mortal Artifact, even against Qi Refining Fifth or Sixth Layer cultivators, she wouldn't be at a disadvantage.

Especially against a mere Qi Refining First Layer—no, now Qi Refining Second Layer—Luo Yao.

Then, somehow, Zhao Yang whispered something to Zhao Lili, and Zhao Lili instantly calmed down.

"Shut up," Zhao Lili snapped, clearly knowing she couldn't outargue Luo Yao. "You just blather. Let's see how bold you are when it comes to actual strength."

"Do you think backing down now will help?" Zhao Lili suddenly showed a flash of intelligence, threatening, "If you dare step onto the arena, watch your back—oh, and by the way, that bitch beside you might just get haunted on some dark night."

Hearing her lackey's words, Zhao Lili's eyes lit up. "Good idea. That's a smart plan."

"Besides, the quest is won by whoever's capable. If you're weaker, don't blame others."

The slap landed hard on the face, leaving a palm-shaped mark, followed immediately by a scream.

"If you kneel down and beg for mercy now, Sister Zhao might show mercy and not beat you to crying for your mama and papa!"

Over these past three years, she'd lived on the edge of life and death daily; Luo Yao's body had long since grown a killing aura.

Only then did Zhao Lili snap back to her senses, face grim, as she pulled out her Defense Weapon.

Life and Death Duel: one lives, one dies.

"I truly don't know where you got the nerve to challenge me to a Life and Death Duel?"

"What? Scared?" Zhao Lili sneered as Luo Yao stayed silent. "You were so arrogant before—why are you silent now?"

"Puff!"

"Just begging for mercy is too lenient," another lackey said. "Make her hand over all her valuable items, then swear to become Sister Zhao's maid and serve her."

"Slap!"

"Tsk tsk tsk—so easily provoked? This match's gonna be boring."

An Outer Sect Elder will serve as referee, ensuring relative fairness in the arena's outcome.

Though Zhao Lili had always had the upper hand before, now that she possessed two Superior Mortal Artifacts, the outcome was completely different.

Thus Fang Qingyan glared at them fiercely: You'll see—Xiao Yao will shock you all.

"Is that so?"

"I'll kill you."

To her, Fang Qingyan was like an older sister; now that she was threatened, how could Luo Yao ignore it?

But soon, Luo Yao realized the sect forbade internal fighting; as long as they didn't leave the sect, even if Zhao Yang was strong, he wouldn't dare act inside the sect.

"Who are you talking about!" Zhao Lili instantly panicked.

"You're asking for death!"

Fang Qingyan had initially thought they were talking about Zhao Lili, but to her surprise, they were talking about Luo Yao—clearly, in front of Zhao Lili's protector, none of them dared speak ill of Zhao Lili.

Originally, Luo Yao, noticing something was wrong, wouldn't stand idly by while Fang Qingyan was humiliated, so she struck first.

This was her hesitation: seeing how close Zhao Yang and Zhao Lili were, if Zhao Lili died, Zhao Yang would never let her go—and possibly not Fang Qingyan either.

Luo Yao narrowed her eyes at Zhao Yang beside her; just now, when Fang Qingyan couldn't dodge, it was his doing—and now, Zhao Lili's sudden shift to a Life and Death Duel was clearly his handiwork.

Zhao Lili walked toward Luo Yao, face full of mockery.

"You don't actually think breaking into Qi Refining Second Layer makes you invincible, do you? Hahaha!"

"So you broke through—what of it? Still a useless waste!"

Zhao Lili flew into a rage and lunged to slap Fang Qingyan.

But Luo Yao remained expressionless. "I don't know why you have so much to say—could it be your Qi Refining Fourth Layer cultivation is actually three layers of nonsense?"

Outside the arena, Zhao Yang, ignoring the rules, spoke out to interfere.

The onlookers had already heard Zhao Yang gave Zhao Lili a Superior Mortal Artifact sword; now she had a Superior Mortal Artifact Defense Weapon too—clearly, Zhao Yang valued Zhao Lili deeply.

Other onlookers said nothing, but wondered: what exactly was the relationship between Zhao Lili and Zhao Yang that made him defend her so fiercely—even breaking the rules?

"Hmph, I'm just worried someone might accidentally die, and then someone else will bully the weak."

Zhao Lili laughed loudly, and the crowd below couldn't help but chuckle.

…………

She looked at Luo Yao. "If you've got guts, sign the Life and Death Agreement. Whoever refuses to sign is a coward—and a bitch."

Zhao Lili had little combat experience, so she didn't strike first—instead, she pulled out a Defense Magical Treasure.

For Zhao Lili, accustomed to luxury and comfort, facing Luo Yao's nearly tangible killing aura instantly turned her face pale with fear.

Zhao Lili, furious, snarled and clawed at the air, her face twisted with rage.

As soon as Luo Yao finished speaking, her expression turned grim, and a killing aura radiated from her.

"You… you've gone too far!"

Just now, Zhao Lili had been frozen in shock; if Zhao Yang hadn't interfered, Xiao Yao could've struck then—but that perfect chance was ruined by Zhao Yang.

Some Inner Sect Disciples, and others unafraid of trouble, couldn't help but laugh.

I'm only Qi Refining Fifth Layer—no matter how strong, I can't beat Zhao Yang, who's Qi Refining Tenth Layer.

Others dared not curse, but Fang Qingyan did—she didn't care about offending Zhao Yang.

"Hmph!"

Luo Yao narrowed her eyes. Good. You threatened me. You're dead.

"Bitch, how dare you hit me?"

"So shameless."

On the contrary, Luo Yao didn't care. She wanted to defeat Zhao Lili openly, in front of everyone, so that all of them would know that she, Luo Yao, was no longer the good-for-nothing she used to be.

Fang Qingyan said angrily, "Little Yao just finished the mission before you did, and you've held a grudge over such a trivial matter for over two years? How narrow-minded is that?"

This time it was Fang Qingyan's turn to burst out laughing. The others wanted to laugh too, but were afraid of offending Inner Sect's Zhao Yang, yet holding it in was unbearable.

It seemed the scales of victory had already tipped completely in Zhao Lili's favor.

Fang Qingyan clenched her fists, glaring furiously at the others.

On the field, Zhao Lili and Luo Yao each stood on one side, facing each other from afar, neither making the first move.

Zhao Yang beside her, however, held her back. "No fighting below the stage. Take it up on the stage!"

Zhao Lili covered her face, never having imagined she would be slapped in front of so many people. The humiliation made her feel as if her lungs were about to explode with rage.

Yet Luo Yao paid her no attention, turned around and walked up onto the arena, then spoke from above.

"Come up and meet your death!"

"Another Superior Mortal Artifact?"

Defeating Luo Yao in front of everyone would be far too cheap. Making her serve as her maid, so she could bully her at will — that would definitely be more fun than killing her.

The onlookers began pointing and whispering: "Exactly, no self-awareness at all, daring to fight someone to the death — she's simply asking to die."

Fang Qingyan naturally wouldn't just stand there and take a beating, but she discovered she was being pinned down by another overwhelming aura, unable to move, and could only watch helplessly as Zhao Lili charged over.

Zhao Lili's lackeys jumped out — after all, Zhao Lili's backer had shown up in person, so naturally they had to put on a good show.

"Calm down."

Saying so, Luo Yao glanced at Zhao Yang — clearly referring to him.

"Exactly."

"Ah~ I'm furious, I'll kill you!"

After all, just take this Superior Mortal Artifact Defense Magical Treasure for example — even if Luo Yao exhausted all the Spirit Power of Qi Refining Layer 2, she probably couldn't break through Zhao Lili's defense.

But is that really the case?

PS: Happy Qixi Festival, wishing all lovers may finally be joined together··*. Also, taking this chance to make a wish — hope that by next Qixi, I'll be out of singlehood (˙▽˙)

(End of this chapter)