Within the pool, dense spiritual energy curled over the surface like drifting mist.
Amidst the hazy smoke, a slender figure stood in the shallow waters.
The pool wasn't deep, reaching only to her waist.
Her smooth, delicate back glimmered faintly through the mist, outlining a near-perfect silhouette.
Lin Xian'er!
Even without seeing her face, Wang Jianqiang recognized her instantly.
His heart lurched—his first instinct was to flee.
But just as he was about to turn and retreat down the stairs, he noticed something amiss.
His gaze shifted toward the pool's edge, where a palm-sized snake's corpse lay.
A sudden thought flashed in his mind.
"Could it be… she's been poisoned?"
"If so, then right now she must be at her weakest."
The idea sparked in his chest, and his eyes flickered dangerously.
Lin Xian'er, having received Song Qiuyue's command, would surely target the disciples of the Hehuan Sect.
Sooner or later, she would become his enemy.
And now—poisoned and weakened—wasn't this the perfect moment to eliminate her?
Clenching his teeth, Wang Jianqiang crept closer to the pool.
Lin Xian'er's entire focus was locked on suppressing the fire poison within her. Added to that, Wang Jianqiang's presence was masked by the Wood Sword Formation's concealing aura.
Even when he reached the very edge of the pool, she failed to notice.
This all but confirmed his suspicion.
She must be deeply poisoned.
Otherwise, even if she couldn't sense his aura, how could she not hear footsteps so close behind her?
His courage swelled, and his eyes grew bold.
From here, the scene within the pool became clearer.
Yet, frustratingly, only her back was visible—her front hidden by the misty veil, and everything below her waist submerged beneath the spiritual waters.
A trace of icy intent flashed across Wang Jianqiang's face.
He raised his hand, spiritual power condensing at his fingertips—ready to strike.
But in his fixation on Lin Xian'er, he failed to notice a wisp of green vapor slipping silently from the pool. It mingled with the mist before drifting onto him, seeping into his pores.
It was a faint thread of fire poison Lin Xian'er had unknowingly discharged from her body.
Compared to the venom raging inside her, this trace was less than a hundredth in potency.
Too weak to threaten his life, yet strong enough to subtly stir emotions—warping his thoughts without his notice.
At first, he thought of nothing but killing the dangerous woman before him.
But once the poison took hold, a crooked impulse rose within him.
"She's so beautiful… what if I take this chance to…"
The thought startled even him.
This was a deadly foe, one who could kill him in an instant!
He shook his head violently, trying to banish it.
But the notion refused to fade. Instead, it grew, as though forming a second voice whispering temptations in his mind.
"Why hesitate? She's the number one goddess of Xuanqing Palace."
"She's poisoned, helpless. She can't resist."
…
Yet another voice—his rationality—fought back.
"No. Absolutely not."
"One mistake, and you lose your life."
"Far too risky."
…
But reason crumbled quickly, eroded by the poison's influence.
"At the very least… look longer before killing her."
"Or… try just once?"
At last, reason collapsed entirely.
Cautiously, Wang Jianqiang stepped into the pool, reaching out.
Lin Xian'er, though dazed, instinctively tensed.
Wang Jianqiang panicked, blurting out, "Xian'er, don't look back—I am Brother Wuya."
By now, most of the poison in her had been refined away, though the long struggle left her slightly groggy.
Yet the instant she heard his voice, clarity returned.
She had grown up alongside Xiao Wuya—how could she not know his voice?
This was absolutely not him.
Moreover, Wuya had always treated her with respect. When had he ever done anything so presumptuous?
Her eyes snapped open.
Fury surged through her, and a killing intent burst from her body.
"Shit!"
Feeling the murderous aura, Wang Jianqiang's blood ran cold. His head cleared in an instant.
With desperate speed, he leapt back onto the shore.
Lin Xian'er spun around, her breathtaking eyes blazing with icy rage.
"It's you!"
She recognized him at once.
That decrepit waste from the Hehuan Sect's group—the one said to be nearing the end of his lifespan.
Her face darkened.
She was the number one prodigy of Xuanqing Palace, its goddess, noble and untouchable.
And yet she had been sullied—nearly humiliated—by a wretched old man.
If word spread, her reputation would be ruined.
How could she ever lift her head again? How could she face Wuya?
Her killing intent erupted to its peak.
Wang Jianqiang's eyes widened suddenly as he stared behind her.
"Xiao Wuya—why are you here?"
Her heart jolted, and she instinctively turned.
Seizing the moment, Wang Jianqiang vaulted out of the pool and bolted.
"Ah—!"
Realization struck Lin Xian'er.
"You shameless old bastard—I'll kill you!"
Her finger flicked.
A jade talisman shot forth, blossoming into a snow-white flying sword.
"That talisman treasure!"
Wang Jianqiang's scalp tingled with terror.
He'd seen its power before—how it sliced through that Foundation Establishment beast as if it were tofu.
If it struck him… he'd be hacked into chunks!
Without hesitation, he activated the Perfect Wind-Chasing Boots. His body blurred into a gale, surging up the stairs toward the third floor.
Clang!
The jade-white sword missed him by a hair, slamming into the stairwell's corner.
The ancient structure looked worn, its walls cracked as though ready to crumble.
Yet even struck by the razor-sharp blade, it bore not a single mark.
Instead, the talisman sword itself chipped, reverting to a jade slip that clattered to the ground, now marred by a hairline crack.
Lin Xian'er burst from the pool, her body flashing with light as she donned a pristine white robe.
Without sparing the talisman a glance, she shot toward the third floor stairway, killing intent surging.