68: Chapter 68 Fierce Wind and Thunder

Listening to the four of them talk one after another, Tao Yao was suddenly struck with horror. Her beautiful face twisted slightly as she shouted angrily:

"You actually conspired with outsiders to plot against me! I have never mistreated you!"

"You didn't mistreat us, but someone else offered a higher price. Besides, once you're dealt with, the Thousand Charms Pavilion will be ours. Who would care about your pittance then!"

There was not a hint of guilt on the mean-spirited female cultivator's face. Instead, she sneered triumphantly, her words bone-chillingly cold.

"Is this your reason for murdering me?"

Tao Yao's heart was filled with shock and rage, her face covered in frost. She hadn't expected to only see their true colors today.

"Isn't that enough? Tao Yao, you should know yourself how many people in the entire Southern Province want to have you!"

"We sold you for a good price, and maybe we can sell you a few more times. I don't think they'll mind!"

"Hahaha! To think that the the first beauty of nanzhou will end up like a brothel girl... just thinking about it is exciting!"

"..."

The four female cultivators grew more excited as they spoke. Their gazes toward Tao Yao were filled with malice, with a hint of jealousy and envy deep within their eyes.

Tao Yao was hailed as the the first beauty of nanzhou. As fellow women, how could they not have any thoughts about that?

This was likely the real reason they backstabbed Tao Yao!

They had long harbored thoughts of rebellion, but they lacked an accomplice until today, when someone finally agreed to help.

Once a woman becomes jealous, nothing she does is surprising!

Listening to their foul language and thinking about how she was about to end up as they described, Tao Yao's delicate body trembled, and she felt a chill all over.

This was even harder to accept than being killed!

Tao Yao naturally wouldn't sit and wait for death. She immediately brought out her signature skills, managing to trade blows with the snake-shaped Yao Beast for a time.

However, Tao Yao's brows were furrowed, and she didn't relax at all. The four of them hadn't made a Move yet, clearly intending to watch the tigers fight from the sidelines.

But now, she didn't even have a chance to escape. Her retreat was completely blocked by the four of them, and Tao Yao grew anxious.

If this continued, she would surely be captured. It seemed impossible to leave today without paying a price.

Tao Yao's movements as she plucked the zither strings changed. The sound of the ancient zither became increasingly rapid, and a piercing killing intent suddenly spread out.

Multicolored feathers gradually appeared on her body. Her head rose high, growing a golden crest. Her arms transformed into a pair of brilliant wings with a span of dozens of meters, and long tail feathers grew behind her.

That wasn't all; even her long, straight legs transformed into a pair of sharp talons.

In the blink of an eye, Tao Yao transformed from human form into a Phoenix. She appeared majestic and solemn, yet agile and ethereal—a perfect combination of power and beauty.

Rumble!

With a flap of the Phoenix's wings, spheres of Phoenix fire suddenly appeared in the sky, raining down upon the snake-shaped Yao Beast.

Roar! Roar! Roar!

Under the scorching heat of the Phoenix fire, the snake-shaped Yao Beast began to retreat step by step, letting out miserable cries. Its entire body was burned until its flesh split open, emitting a scent of roasted meat.

For a moment, Phoenix fire danced across the sky, and even the surrounding Yin Qi was incinerated, creating a vacuum zone.

The four female cultivators watched in stunned silence. Seeing Tao Yao transform into a Phoenix and display such Divine Might, they couldn't help but feel fear.

If this continued, it wouldn't be long before Tao Yao finished off the Yao Beast, and then it would be their turn.

Immediately, they glanced at each other, took out various Magic Treasures, and used their signature skills to attack Tao Yao.

Upon seeing the four of them, Tao Yao ignored the Yao Beast. The sky-filling Phoenix fire turned around and attacked the four of them instead.

"You four sluts! I'll make sure you die a miserable death today!"

The Phoenix spoke in human tongue, its voice crisp and pleasant, yet completely different from Tao Yao's previous voice. It was filled with majesty, as if the true King of Birds had descended upon the world.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The offensive became even more violent, with various Moves appearing one after another. Phoenix fire burned wildly on the ground, and everything it touched turned to ash.

The snake-shaped Yao Beast took the opportunity to slip away. It wasn't stupid; it knew that if it stayed, it would be the one to die.

Under the intense assault, the four female cultivators were completely suppressed. Barring any accidents, their defeat was only a matter of time.

Killing intent surged in Tao Yao's eyes. Phoenix fire gathered on her wings, which became like sharp blades, tearing through layers of Yin Qi and whipping up a fierce Yin wind as they slashed toward the four, clearly intending to kill them in one blow.

"Tao Yao!"

Sensing the sudden increase in the power of Tao Yao's attack, the four realized she was going for the kill. Their faces turned deathly pale, and their eyes were filled with horror.

Just as they could only watch helplessly as the fiery wings descended, a large, rugged hand suddenly appeared. With just a wave, it actually forced the Phoenix back.

"Who dares stop me?"

The Phoenix's eyes fixed on the front, a look of solemnity appearing in them as she demanded in a low voice.

"Hehe, Tao Yao, I didn't expect you to have such a trump card. It's truly an eye-opener! But it ends here. Come with me!"

A light chuckle rang out, and then a figure slowly appeared in front of the four female cultivators. The moment he appeared, an invisible pressure spread, making one feel like surrendering.

"Wind Thunder Manor, Li Fenglei!"

Looking at the figure before her, Tao Yao's heart trembled slightly. Her mouth felt bitter as she with difficulty identified the man's identity.

That figure wore black clothing that was stretched tight by his robust physique. His firm and deep eyes seemed capable of seeing through one's heart.

"Villa Master, we..." When the four female cultivators saw Li Fenglei appear, they looked terrified, as if they feared him to the extreme.

"No matter. I didn't have high hopes for you anyway!"

Li Fenglei waved his hand dismissively, then turned his gaze toward Tao Yao, his eyes full of admiration.

"Tao Yao, you've seen what happened today. Why not come with me? I promise to marry you with great fanfare and have the entire Southern Province celebrate for us. What do you think?"

"Li Fenglei, after doing such a thing, you still want me to marry you? You're daydreaming!" Tao Yao sneered.

"As expected of the person I like, you have character. If you had surrendered just like that, I might not even have taken an interest in you!"

Li Fenglei wasn't surprised at all by Tao Yao's reaction. Instead, he acted as if it were only natural. Then, a faint cold light flashed in his eyes.

"But today, it's not up to you. Since I'm here, I won't be leaving empty-handed!"

Tao Yao looked at Li Fenglei as if facing a great enemy, Phoenix fire surging within her as she remained ready to erupt at any moment.