390: Chapter 390 Prioritizing the Overall Situation

Seeing that Xiao Yangliu was about to unleash lightning again, Leng Bingyan pushed her movement technique to the limit.

Her movements fluctuated in height and speed, flashing continuously as she created over a dozen afterimages on the arena!

This move, "Lunar Phase," was from the Flying Cloud Chasing Moon Sword, a technique Ding Cuihua had conceived after observing the waxing and waning of the moon.

However, Ding Cuihua felt this move was a bit flashy but impractical, as it overemphasized confusing the senses at the expense of direct lethality.

Yet, at this moment, Leng Bingyan just wanted to dodge the second bolt of lightning; she believed that Xiao Yangliu could not use this move indefinitely.

An attack of such powerful True Qi must consume a great deal of energy.

Xiao Yangliu indeed could not maintain it for long. Seeing that Leng Bingyan's true form was hard to track, she had no choice but to rely on her senses and release the lightning first.

After a loud explosion, everyone held their breath, staring intently at Leng Bingyan's position.

To their surprise, a figure like a cold, sharp blade piercing through the mist slashed out a swift sword beam, landing right at Xiao Yangliu's throat!

The dust settled.

Looking at the Cold Moon Sword pressed against her throat and the slightly disheveled female sword practitioner, Xiao Yangliu shed a tear of frustration.

"I lost."

Her cultivation was only enough to release two lightning bolts; she was now unable to continue the fight.

After a long while, the scene erupted in cheers.

Everyone had not only seen a Daoist talisman similar to the Purple Mansion Thunder Curse but also witnessed Leng Bingyan break the deadlock with exquisite swordsmanship.

"That was close… I thought Junior Sister Leng was done for," Yin Zhong sighed in relief.

"Master, what martial art is that? Why could it also emit lightning?" Gu Jianxin asked.

Bai Jingfei frowned in thought and looked toward the Sword Saint, Guan Canghai.

"Master, could that be the rumored 'Lesser Thunder Light Curse'?"

Guan Canghai nodded, "It must be that. Because the Purple Mansion Thunder Curse is too difficult to cultivate, the Old Celestial Master created a simplified thunder technique over a hundred years ago."

"It's just that very few people have seen it; even I am witnessing it in person for the first time."

Lin Xiao and the women were quite calm; they had great confidence in Leng Bingyan's strength and were not surprised at all.

On the Daoist viewing platform, Taoist Xinyizi looked helpless.

"This child, she is too impatient; she shouldn't have brought out both talismans."

"Hehe, cultivating the 'Lesser Thunder Light Curse' causes a drastic change in temperament due to the forced reversal of meridians. At such a young age, how could she fully control it?"

"Besides, it is only lightning formed from True Qi—it is mortal lightning, not true heavenly lightning."

"Even if both lightning bolts had landed on the swordswoman Leng, it might not have been enough to defeat her."

"Taoist Xinyizi, if you are willing to bet, you must be willing to lose. Just accept it," Old Celestial Master Xiao Dan concluded.

Taoist Xinyizi had quite a temper and snorted, "Master, what do you mean by that? Did I say I wouldn't accept it?"

"Your Highness, just say it. Who do you want me to marry? Even if it's a pig from the Daoist sect, I'll marry it!"

Lin Xiao thought to himself, 'You aren't the young lady from Gao Village, why would I marry you off to a pig?'

"I intend to betroth you to Daoist Fangfengzi. You two should choose a date to get married!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Taoist Xinyizi's entire face turned crimson.

Fangfengzi, however, looked as if he had been struck by lightning, his face filled with horror, "Your Highness, what are you doing!? This poor Daoist does not take a wife!"

Lin Xiao smiled, "I don't care about that. In any case, if you don't marry her, I will tie you up and drag you into the bridal chamber!"

"I will obey Your Highness's orders, I will marry!"

Taoist Xinyizi realized what was happening, revealed a trace of gratitude toward Lin Xiao in her eyes, and gave Fangfengzi, who was on the other side, a playful smile that said, "You're done for."

Fangfengzi looked ashen, feeling as if his wings for flying had been broken.

Xiao Qingxuan and the other women, watching their interaction, suddenly understood something.

"Husband, how did you know that Taoist Xinyizi's true beloved was Daoist Fangfengzi?"

"I always thought Taoist Xinyizi liked Daoist Cang Zhu. Before, when Princess Xinglan was rumored to be the Daoist's illegitimate daughter, didn't Taoist Xinyizi get jealous?" Su Wansha asked, looking gossipy.

Lin Xiao chuckled, "Do you all remember when Daoist Fangfengzi first returned and mentioned he was short on money?"

The women recalled it and nodded one after another.

"He said he had no money and asked Daoist Cang Zhu to help him ask for it from his Junior Sister."

"The wealthiest person in the Daoist sect is naturally the head manager, Taoist Xinyizi, who is in charge of medicine."

"So the question arises, is owing the sect several thousand taels a matter of just a day or two?"

"Clearly, Taoist Xinyizi has helped Fangfengzi many times, and she never took the initiative to collect the debt from him."

"Given Taoist Xinyizi's temperament, do you think she would just let it slide if it were an ordinary fellow disciple who owed so much money just to play with a glider?"

The women suddenly realized; when put that way, there really was a "hidden story"!

Taoist Xinyizi's face showed a trace of bashfulness; she hadn't expected that her secret help in fulfilling Fangfengzi's dream would be discovered and exposed by the Prince of Zhenbei.

Fangfengzi lowered his head, too embarrassed to face anyone.

"Husband, you are truly insightful and perceptive; I admire you," Xiao Qingxuan sighed with emotion.

Lin Xiao thought to himself that, in reality, his perception was just stronger. Just now, when Taoist Xinyizi mentioned "getting married," he had caught the strange look in Fangfengzi's eyes.

To put it bluntly, Taoist Xinyizi was "forcing a marriage" to see if Fangfengzi would bravely step forward.

Unfortunately, Fangfengzi was just stubborn; he probably felt he wasn't worthy of Taoist Xinyizi, or perhaps he was just obsessed with flying, so he didn't dare to accept.

The level of drama between these two could fill a book—"He runs, she chases, he can't escape even with wings."

Lin Xiao felt that rather than dragging this out, a male-female pairing might make the work easier!

Having inexplicably become a matchmaker, Lin Xiao did not forget his main business.

There was still half an hour of rest time before the final match.

Although Leng Bingyan intended to meditate and rest in the Sword Forest camp, Lin Xiao still had Mu Wanying send her a yellow grade medicinal pill to restore her strength.

Before the battle began, the Sword Emperor Wuming suddenly walked down from the viewing platform, bringing Child Ghost with him as he walked toward Lin Xiao's side.

"Your Highness, I didn't expect the final battle at the peak to be between my disciple and a female member of your household."

Wuming smiled, "I hope that in the end, regardless of the outcome, it will not damage the harmony between Blade Mountain and the Zhenbei Princes Mansion."

Lin Xiao sneered inwardly; this old turtle was here to preemptively strike again!

"To be honest, I don't have a good impression of Blade Mountain. After all, the ancestors of the rebel Prince Bai included Blade Mountain elders."

Lin Xiao gave him no face at all, saying with a stern expression, "And this disciple of yours has no virtue; he should be taught a good lesson!"

"Today, taking advantage of this opportunity, letting him suffer a bit on this stage might not be a bad thing!"

The smile on Wuming's face froze. He had only come to go through the motions, but he hadn't expected Lin Xiao to completely ignore the standard procedures and skip even the most basic pleasantries.

However, he could tell that Lin Xiao indeed did not know that he was Ji Wujiu's biological brother.

His younger brother was likely killed by Lin Xiao. This grudge had to be avenged, but for the moment, he could not reveal his identity.

After all, the big picture was what mattered!

Upon this thought, the Sword Emperor showed a look of shame, "Your Highness is right to lecture me. It is my failure in teaching, and this child has had a rough life since he was young, so I have been a bit too indulgent with him."

"Just because he has a rough life, he goes around harming others? What kind of bullshit logic is that? You, a dignified Great Grandmaster, teach your disciple like this!?"

Lin Xiao had no intention of letting him off; since he had delivered himself to his doorstep, he wouldn't let him get away!