Chapter Forty: Xiao Yuer

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The battle raged on. Hearing the murmurs of the onlookers, Lu Ping maintained a calm facade, continuing to flick his fingers and send tongues of flame after the darting Xiao Wenzi. Yet inside, he was growing increasingly anxious.

It wasn’t just that most of his spiritual power had been depleted—there was also the matter of the Xiao family’s wealth and the beauty, Xiao Yu’er, both of which were nearly within his grasp. He couldn’t allow his abilities to be doubted; if the Xiao family were to back out of the marriage because his reputation proved hollow, all his careful scheming would be for nothing.

Lu Ping’s heart pounded with worry. Xiao Wenzi was faring no better; his demonic energy was nearly spent as well. Even after reaching the middle stage of the Third Heaven, he could only unleash the wing-blade’s razor edge a hundred times at most. And in the midst of combat, even if he wanted to use Demonic Spirit Dew to recover, his opponent would never grant him the chance.

“Miss, something’s happened—something terrible!”

Meanwhile, in the inner quarters of the Xiao residence, in the elegant chamber of Miss Xiao Yu’er, a young maid came running, shouting in alarm.

“What’s wrong, He’er? Why are you so flustered? What’s happened?” The middle-aged woman who’d finally talked the young lady into dressing up was combing her hair and, seeing the maid rush in with such agitation, couldn’t help but glare and question her.

“Madam Xia, here’s what happened: Master is fighting a mosquito demon right now. It’s intense—the fight hasn’t ended yet…” He’er, Xiao Yu’er’s personal maid, knew her mistress’s feelings. As she explained, she stole a quick, conspiratorial wink at Xiao Yu’er.

“Master is fighting a mosquito demon? Really? Let’s go see for ourselves!”

Xiao Yu’er could only wish for Lu Ping’s defeat, so she’d be spared from marrying him. Without a second thought, she sprang from the dressing table, tossed aside her bridal robes, and dashed out.

“Oh! Miss, don’t! You can’t run around today, come back!” The middle-aged woman reached for the red wedding gown, her face clouded with worry, but she was too late—Xiao Yu’er was already out the door, rushing down the stairs.

Another dull roar echoed; the wing-blade’s edge and the tongues of flame canceled each other out. Gasping, both Lu Ping and Xiao Wenzi paused, their reserves exhausted.

So when Xiao Wenzi spread his wings and soared up to the eaves, Lu Ping made no attempt to pursue. Instead, he hastily sat cross-legged, slapped the small pouch at his waist, and drew out two spirit stones, gripping them tightly to recover his strength.

Though the spirit stones were only of the lowest grade, using them here still made Lu Ping’s heart bleed. He swore to himself: once his power was back, he’d reduce that wretched mosquito to ashes.

“Old fool, die!”

From the rooftop, Xiao Wenzi downed a drop of Demonic Spirit Dew, instantly regaining his strength. With a cold glare at Lu Ping below, he swept his wings and shot down like a gray shadow.

Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle!

In such a short span, even with spirit stones, Lu Ping could recover very little power. As for pills, spirit elixirs, or spirit milk that could rapidly replenish cultivation, those were rare treasures, even in great sects—far beyond the reach of a penniless, wandering cultivator like him.

A chilling sound sliced through the air overhead. Lu Ping’s face turned grim as he sprang up, dodging while reaching for his pouch to retrieve some last-resort treasure.

But boosted by his demonic speed technique, Xiao Wenzi was too quick. Before Lu Ping could draw anything out, two wing-blades were already upon him.

Fortunately, his experience served him well; he managed to twist aside, avoiding a fatal blow to the head—one blade merely sheared off a few gray strands at his temple.

But you can’t always escape disaster. The second wing-blade struck his shoulder, spraying blood.

At the middle stage of the Third Heaven, the wing-blade’s power had grown considerably. When facing the chubby youth and others before, Xiao Wenzi had held back—only injuring them to earn system points by draining their blood. But for this pretentious charlatan, Lu Ping, there would be no such mercy. Xiao Wenzi attacked with all his might, eager to end him in a single strike.

With his strength depleted, Lu Ping’s scant spiritual power couldn’t even activate a shield. The blade bit deep into his flesh, drawing a muffled cry of pain.

“Damn you, die!”

Seeing Xiao Wenzi unrelenting, sending two more blades straight for his chest and throat, Lu Ping’s eyes flashed with rage and bitter regret as he dodged.

At the same time, he poured all the energy he had left into the talisman he’d just retrieved—crackling arcs of lightning and searing flames exploded forth.

The Thunderfire Talisman—Lu Ping’s most valuable possession—was meant as a last resort against high-level cultivators. Who would have thought he’d be forced to use it against a mere mosquito demon? His resentment was beyond words.

As the arcs of lightning and tongues of fire engulfed Xiao Wenzi, the gasps of astonishment from everyone present—including the just-arrived Xiao Yu’er and her maid—filled Lu Ping with barely concealed pride.

No matter what, he was the final victor. With the awe inspired by the Thunderfire Talisman, who would dare question his status as a celestial master? Xiao Yu’er would have no choice but to become his woman.

The thunderous flames roared through the air; silence fell. The few young men who had just questioned Master Lu were pale with fear, shrinking away lest they draw his wrath.

Xiao Yu’er, who’d harbored a faint hope, now found only disappointment in her beautiful eyes. As she turned to leave, Master Lu, still basking in triumph, suddenly let out a wretched scream.

It wasn’t his wound that caused it. As a cultivator, that injury alone couldn’t make him lose composure in front of others. What truly shocked him was that, as the thunder and fire dissipated, two more wing-blades came hurtling toward him.

Caught completely off guard, Lu Ping was struck in both the chest and throat—a cry of desperation tore from his lips.

That damn charlatan had made him burn another red heart to restore his life, but Xiao Wenzi would not let it go at that.

Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle!

The piercing sound of blades splitting air rang again and again, each slashing at Lu Ping’s vital points. With his throat and heart pierced, he finally collapsed backward, unwilling to accept his fate.

“Master is dead! That mosquito demon is so strong—too powerful! Run!”

No one had expected things to turn out this way. There was a moment of stunned silence, then someone bolted and the remaining guests scattered like startled birds.

“Miss, don’t look, we have to go!”

Soon, only the Xiao family members remained. Seeing that her mistress still stared, transfixed by Xiao Wenzi’s flight, He’er grabbed her and dragged her toward the courtyard gate.

Meanwhile, at the entrance to the hall where the wedding was to be held, Xiao Yu’er’s father, unable to accept the sudden death of his “celestial son-in-law,” sat paralyzed on the floor. Two servants quietly helped him out the back door.