Chapter 123: Controlling the Acupoints

Shangguan Qing carried a distinct scent of blood, his movements as spectral as a phantom. Before the words "whether or not it matters is no longer important" had even faded from the air, he had already reached Mo Bai’s side. He struck out with a single hand, his palm as sharp as a blade and brimming with boundless killing intent.

Mo Bai frowned. Although he knew that Shangguan Qing’s sudden maneuver would inevitably lead to a major shift in the situation, he had not expected this Young Master Qing to press in so aggressively, engaging him in hand-to-hand combat using spirit-body techniques.

Shangguan Qing’s speed was blinding, yet Mo Bai was by no means slower. In an instant, the two exchanged dozens of blows. However, while Shangguan Qing remained fierce and bloodthirsty, Mo Bai suddenly retreated, mocking himself: "My hands aren't tough enough; I suppose I should think of another way." Before Shangguan Qing could lunge again, Mo Bai instead surged forward to meet him.

Young Master Qing let out a strange cry: "You are courting death!" He waved a single hand, and the bloody aura returned. Suddenly, however, he felt his arm tremble; his own hand seemed to slip out of his control.

Mo Bai, on the opposite side, was also stunned. Since learning the technique of "Spirit-Point Sealing" from the Nun of the Brush Cave, he had never once failed. He had not expected that this strike would only cause Shangguan Qing to pause momentarily. It seemed this man’s demonic arts were indeed formidable. Realizing this, Mo Bai immediately intensified his sealing technique; such force would have been fatal to an ordinary spirit practitioner.

Mo Bai transformed into a blur of blue shadow, circling Young Master Qing incessantly. With a sharp tearing sound, Mo Bai spun away, though his left arm had been struck by Qing’s blood-stained hand, leaving a gash about an inch long from which blood trickled. Mo Bai sighed: "Alas, it seems I still have much to cultivate."

Er Wen beamed with delight, shouting: "The Young Master has won! We are the strongest!"

Beside him, Da Wu, who had initially been just as excited, suddenly turned pale with terror. He muttered frantically: "Second brother, hurry and go save the Young Master!"

Er Wen blinked, asking: "Have you lost your mind? Don't you see that Mo Bai is the one who is wounded?"

Da Wu could no longer restrain himself; he flew forward, shouting in mid-air: "The Young Master can no longer move! All the spiritual points in his body have been sealed! You idiot, come quickly!"

Suddenly, a surge of black spiritual energy erupted in the air. Da Wu, having rushed in rashly and alone, was no match for the terrifying strike of Master Yunfa. He was instantly repelled several paces. By the time he tried to recover, it was already too late. Master Yunfa had reached Shangguan Qing and raised his black hand, prepared to strike down at the young man's skull, saying: "Little Mo, you are soft-hearted, but I cannot allow such a master of the Demonic Sect to remain in this world. Do not blame me for being ruthless."

With a dull thud, Xu Dawu closed his eyes, thinking that if Young Master Qing died, he would have no path of survival left. Suddenly, he heard a crisp, feminine shout from the air: "Xu brothers, don't just stand there! Take Young Master Qing and go!"

As Xu Dawu looked up, he saw Shangguan Qing’s body flying toward him. He reached out and caught him, then cast a hurried glance at the person fighting Master Yunfa. "Miss Yu, be careful! We are leaving first!" he shouted. He signaled to Er Wen, and the two quickly fled, protecting the immobile Young Master Qing.

Master Yunfa was filled with rage. He had not expected such a person to appear at this critical moment—a young woman with alluring, fox-like eyes that could charm a man to death, yet possessing a face of pure innocence. Just as he was about to pursue them, a blue shadow flashed in front of him, blocking his path. It was Mo Bai.

Mo Bai had just been locked in combat with Shangguan Qing, using the signature skill of the Nun of the Brush Cave to seal his spiritual points and prevent him from acting out. He had not intended to kill him, but he had not expected Master Yunfa to strike from behind, nor had he anticipated the arrival of this young woman who had saved Shangguan Qing—a person whose words suggested an intimate relationship with him.

"Master, it is best to be merciful when one can. Let us end this for today," Mo Bai said calmly.

"Little Mo, people of the Demonic Sect must not be spared," Master Yunfa said, clearly agitated.

Mo Bai shook his head: "Master, those in the Demonic Sect are human as well. Since they have already withdrawn from Linglong, there is no need to hunt them to the end."

After a long moment, Master Yunfa sighed: "Very well, very well. I am but a candle in the wind; why should I dwell on so much? Little Mo, you are right. Let it end here today. As for the Guihai family, what was meant to be broken has already been broken." He turned to the woman and said: "Little girl, you should thank this boy, otherwise..." He snorted coldly, shook his black robes, and departed.

Mo Bai smiled softly: "I did not expect to see Miss Yinxin so soon."

Yu Yinxin giggled, maintaining her characteristic style: "You can just call me Yu'er. That is what everyone calls me."

"Including that 'Qing-gege' of yours from earlier?" Mo Bai asked with a smile.

"Hehe, your ears are quite sharp. That’s right, Qing-gege, and not 'Qing-gege' (lover)," Yu Yinxin emphasized. She shook her hand and pulled a porcelain bottle from a jade treasure pouch, tossing it to Mo Bai. "This is the best medicine for treating the Blood-Sucking Nine-Demon Arts of Qing-gege. Apply it."

Without thinking, Mo Bai popped open the bottle. It was colorless and odorless. He gently sprinkled the medicine onto his arm, and a sudden, sharp pain flared. He frowned and cried out: "That hurts!"

"Hehe, so you are afraid of pain, too?" Yu Yinxin chuckled.

"I am human, too. Why wouldn't I be afraid of pain?" Mo Bai replied with a wry smile.

"You fear pain, but are you not afraid that this medicine is fake? That instead of healing your wound, it might worsen it? Since you know that I am friends with the Shangguan Qing who just fought you to the death, you shouldn't have used my medicine so easily," Yu Yinxin said, her tone teasing.

"Is that so?" Mo Bai did not answer, instead tucking the small bottle into his robes. He sighed: "Alas, those with jade treasure pouches are truly lucky."

"That is mine," Yu Yinxin said, sounding somewhat anxious.

"Wrong. It is mine now," Mo Bai said shamelessly. They were, of course, referring to the small bottle.

"Why?" Yu Yinxin asked, confused. "You don't seem like the type to covet small gains."

Mo Bai laughed loudly: "If this medicine were to cost me my life just now, wouldn't it be fitting for it to accompany me to my grave?"

"Hehe, fine. If you like it, keep it. I, however, am leaving. Breaking your peculiar sealing technique will likely take this young lady half a day of effort," Yu Yinxin said with a hint of frustration.

"Alas, I am afraid I cannot help you with that, but I do truly like this bottle," Mo Bai laughed.

"Hehe." Those were the last two words Yu Yinxin left behind.

Mo Bai watched her disappearing silhouette and sighed: "Is the Demonic Sect truly about to re-emerge in Linglong?"

Inside the Guihai Hall, Guihai Xin’s expression was grave. The series of events had nearly shattered his once-unwavering heart. Guihai Yidao knelt before him, his face filled with defeat. He had never dreamed he would be defeated, and by someone of his own age. He had always been arrogant, believing that among his generation, no one could be his match. Only today did he realize that there are heavens beyond heavens and people beyond people. If not for his sudden enlightenment at the last moment, he would surely have died under Xiao Xue’s Frost Needle.

"Wuluo has been abducted," Guihai Xin asked in a heavy voice.

"I am incompetent," Guihai Yidao replied, head bowed.

"Is there any news of your eldest brother?" Guihai Xin asked again.

"I fear the worst. I sent hundreds of men to search for him, but they only found his severed arm hanging before the gates of the Guihai Pavilion," Guihai Yidao said, his heart aching.

With a gasp, a mouthful of blood sprayed from Guihai Xin's mouth. At that moment, the head steward, Li Tong, ran in from outside in a panic and collapsed to the floor. Trembling, he said: "Master, Master, it is terrible! The Myriad Gun Armory has collapsed!"

Guihai Xin looked on with dazed eyes: "I already know. Has Mo Bai been captured?"

Li Tong said with fear: "He... he... he defeated that Young Master and chased him away."

Guihai Xin slumped into his large chair, unable to muster any more energy. The experts he had invited were all gone; the Four-Fingered Zither Demon had left in a huff, the Golden Lamp was severely wounded, and Jun Burang had sent word that he was taking his third senior brother back to the Fallen Leaf Sect to recover.

Yidao’s will had crumbled, Rong An’s fate was unknown, and even his final hope, the supreme Young Master Qing of Moyu Ridge, had been driven off by Mo Bai. What right did he have left to compete in the Spirit Rise Tournament? If his challenge letter were accepted by Daoist Gu Meng in a few days and she arrived in person, how would he respond? At this moment, Guihai Xin seemed to have aged significantly. He no longer resembled the spirited old hero in the purple-red robe who had first ascended the stage; he was now nothing more than a fading old man.

Guihai Yidao slowly raised his head, heart aching as he looked at his father—the man he had always viewed as a pillar of heaven—now so withered. "Father, Father, are you alright?"

Guihai Xin looked at his son and said slowly: "Dao’er, tell me, was our Guihai City wrong? Was the Spirit Rise Tournament wrong?"

Guihai Yidao shook his head blankly. The five great spirit sects were not easily challenged; they all possessed profound foundations. Even a century-old city like Guihai, built on three generations of blood and sacrifice, could not compare to them.

"My son, have you ever thought of a way out?" Guihai Xin asked.

"A way out?" Guihai Yidao clearly did not understand his father’s meaning.