Chapter 31

Hao Datong was increasingly alarmed as the fight went on.

Hao Datong had long been mentally prepared for the fact that he was no match for Li Mochou. However, the extent of the gap was still unacceptable to him.

It was only now that Hao Datong realized that the Seven Masters of Quanzhen had been away from the martial world for far too long.

Over these decades, the Seven Masters of Quanzhen had not ventured into the martial world, but instead remained on Mount Zhongnan, meditating and practicing Zen. Their fame grew, but their strength did not improve much.

Li Mochou, on the other hand, had always been fighting in the martial world, with fierce and ruthless moves. The martial arts of the Ancient Tomb Sect were naturally adept at countering those of the Quanzhen Sect.

Even though Li Mochou had not yet cultivated the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra, a serious Li Mochou was still beyond Hao Datong's ability to stop.

"The sword is just a piece of scrap metal, and the sword technique is nothing special," Li Mochou said sarcastically, pinching Hao Datong's long sword between her delicate fingers.

Hao Datong's face turned red, and he used all his strength, but the sword in his hand did not budge.

Li Mochou was not invulnerable, but compared to her, Hao Datong's strength was simply too weak.

Li Mochou advanced directly, and with a palm strike, she hit Hao Datong's chest as he glared with eyes wide open.

Hao Datong's sword flew out of his hand, and he spat out a mouthful of blood, crashing into a stone pillar, his fate uncertain.

Li Mochou did not feel the joy of victory; instead, she turned and threw a sword, a streak of light flashing and shooting toward a large tree in the main hall of Chongyang Palace.

The sound of metal clashing rang out, and Li Mochou turned around, her expression much more serious than before.

"Finally, someone who isn't completely useless has come out," Li Mochou said coldly, looking at the old Taoist standing on the treetop.

Qiu Chuji glanced at the unconscious Hao Datong and the scattered Quanzhen disciples, his lips twitching involuntarily. He then said, "Qiu Chuji of the Quanzhen Sect, I seek to learn from you, sir."

Qiu Chuji had always been the most powerful among the Seven Masters of Quanzhen.

Unfortunately, this strength was only relative to the other Seven Masters of Quanzhen.

Compared to Li Mochou, Qiu Chuji had no advantage.

"You've been here for some time. You didn't join Hao Datong to attack me, and now you think you can defeat me alone. I doubt that," Li Mochou said.

Qiu Chuji's eyes twitched. He hadn't acted earlier because he hadn't expected Hao Datong to be defeated so quickly and so thoroughly.

He had intended to observe Li Mochou's martial arts techniques to gain an advantage when he acted.

However, the battle between Li Mochou and Hao Datong ended too quickly, and Li Mochou's strength was overwhelming.

Qiu Chuji had too little information, and now he lacked the confidence to act against Li Mochou.

But he could not retreat, as this was the Quanzhen Sect's territory, and he was the sect's top expert. He had no choice but to fight.

"I am not skilled, but I will learn from you, sir. If I win, I hope you will give me the antidote," Qiu Chuji said.

"You have no chance of winning," Li Mochou said, leaping up and drawing a long sword. She struck at Qiu Chuji's vital points with a cold, sharp blade.

Qiu Chuji did not dare to be careless, and he swung his sword to block all of Li Mochou's attacks.

He did not seek to gain an advantage, but only to avoid making mistakes.

Zhao Hao watched from the shadows, his eyes flickering.

Li Mochou's拂尘 (duster) had been broken, and without a suitable weapon, she was not one who relied on the duster for combat. Using the duster as a weapon was more for convenience, not because her duster skills were particularly outstanding.

Now, with a long sword, Li Mochou's offensive power increased.

The Ancient Tomb Sect had many martial arts techniques, and Li Mochou had practiced all of them except the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra. After leaving the tomb, she had further encounters, and her martial arts had transcended the scope of the Ancient Tomb Sect, forming her own unique style.

She was not a swordsman, but the strength she displayed with the sword was not inferior to Qiu Chuji's.

However, Qiu Chuji's reputation as the first among the Seven Masters of Quanzhen was not just for show. Compared to Hao Datong, Qiu Chuji was indeed on a higher level.

Even against Li Mochou, Qiu Chuji did not fall behind.

Of course, he had no chance of winning either.

The two gradually fell into a stalemate, neither able to gain the upper hand.

However, this was the Quanzhen Sect's territory, and a prolonged battle would be disadvantageous for Li Mochou.

Li Mochou naturally knew this. Sensing that more Quanzhen disciples were rushing to the scene, she increased her strength, forcing Qiu Chuji back three steps. She then vanished into the night.

In the main hall of Chongyang, only Li Mochou's voice echoed: "If you want the antidote for the jade bee nectar and the ice魄 (soul) silver needle, send someone to apologize at the entrance of the living dead tomb."

Qiu Chuji could not catch up and could only watch as Li Mochou left.

When he came to his senses, he realized that Xiaolongnü and Sun Po had already disappeared, and Yang Guo was nowhere to be found.

Qiu Chuji sighed deeply; today's events were a complete failure.

"Master, I will go to the living dead tomb to seek the antidote," Zhen Zhibing said, stepping forward.

Qiu Chuji felt relieved and said, "Zheng Bing, you understand the bigger picture."

In Qiu Chuji's mind, he believed that Zhen Zhibing was determined to endure humiliation to obtain the antidote for his fellow disciples. He did not know that while this was part of Zhen Zhibing's motivation, the larger reason was to see that white-clad figure again.

Just to see her once, even to get closer to her, enduring some humiliation was nothing.

"Your willingness to help the Quanzhen Sect is commendable. However, this matter started because of Yang Guo, and the primary responsibility lies with Zhao Zhijing. It would be unfair for you to bear the burden alone. This time, you and Zhao Zhijing should go to the Ancient Tomb Sect to get the antidote," Qiu Chuji said.

"But Senior Brother Zhao is not in good condition," Zhen Zhibing said.

Qiu Chuji snorted and said, "Zhao Zhijing has a bad temper and insufficient cultivation. He has committed a grave error this time, and he will certainly lose his position as the top disciple. Mistakes must be punished, and he must take responsibility for the trouble he has caused. This is also an opportunity for you, Zhong Bing. If you can obtain the antidote from the Ancient Tomb Sect, the position of the top disciple in the Quanzhen Sect will surely be yours."

Qiu Chuji patted Zhen Zhibing's shoulder, full of expectations.

Zhen Zhibing was his top disciple, and the position of the top disciple was, in a sense, the next leader of the sect.

Qiu Chuji naturally preferred to see his own disciple become the leader.

However, Qiu Chuji did not know what consequences his arrangement would bring.

In the back mountain, Li Mochou looked at the silk scroll in Zhao Hao's hand and involuntarily shivered.

"Is this too harsh?" Li Mochou asked.

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