After tidying up a bit, Tang Xin was led by Zhou Yu of Qingxin Pavilion to Shangguan Qing’er’s tent.
This tent, from the outside, looked a bit larger than the others and was decorated luxuriously inside, not at all like it was meant for temporary rest.
Especially the bed, which must have been made from century-old spiritual wood, beneficial for calming the mind and spirit.
No wonder guests were invited into the tent; at first glance, it showcased the host’s extraordinary wealth.
Inside the tent, Shangguan Qing’er had been waiting for a while, accompanied by Liumei of Shanshifang.
Tang Xin wasn’t surprised that these two were together.
With the notable sect power behind Liumei and her lively personality, Shangguan Qing’er was naturally her preferred contact.
After some pleasantries, Shangguan Qing’er got straight to the point.
“I wonder if Daoist Tang is willing to form a team to enter the mountains?”
It seemed she was still fixated on the formidable strength Tang Xin had displayed.
“I’ve said yesterday,” Tang Xin sipped the immortal tea on the table, deliberately teasing, “let nature take its course.”
“Please be straightforward, what kind of person would make you consider forming a team?”
Shangguan Qing’er asked, her expression unchanged.
Fate? Isn’t that just not meeting the requirements? If all conditions are perfect, then even without fate, fate can be forced.
The core disciple of Qingxin Pavilion seemed to understand this very well, unaffected by Tang Xin’s teasing.
“Alright,” Tang Xin said calmly, “when it comes to forming a team, my first requirement is… strength.”
“Do you doubt my strength?”
Shangguan Qing’er raised an eyebrow.
If someone else had said this, she would think they were inexperienced or simply arrogant.
But coming from Tang Xin, who exuded a “mysterious” aura, it somehow sounded perfectly reasonable.
Last night, I turned down so many invitations because I didn’t trust the capabilities of strangers.
“I’ve heard rumors about Fellow Daoist Shangguan,” Tang Xin said with a cryptic smile. “But in my experience, what’s shown on the surface isn’t always a reliable reference.”
“Understood.”
Shangguan Qing’er nodded and stood up.
“The best way to show true strength is through a competition. Please, Fellow Daoist Tang, enlighten me!”
Such an impatient person…
But it’s just the right time to take this step!
“No rush, Fellow Daoist,” she said slowly. “A competition is indeed the best method, but we’re entering the mountains tomorrow. If we can’t control our power during the spar, wouldn’t that jeopardize the big plan?”
“That’s right, that’s right,” Liu Mei, who had been silent, also chimed in. “It wouldn’t be good to injure someone, right?”
“So…”
Tang Xin also stood up.
“We should have a ‘restricted’ competition between us.”
“Restricted?”
“Yes, the rules are simple. It’s a close combat fight, and whoever touches the other’s limbs or face loses.”
Tang Xin’s smile turned sly.
“Though this competition might seem like a child’s game, it actually tests a wide range of abilities… I wonder, Fellow Daoist Shangguan, are you willing?”
“Hmm…”
Shangguan Qing’er inhaled deeply without changing her expression.
She had heard from her master that the more powerful the expert, the more they preferred close combat.
Even though the cultivation world possesses various spells and techniques that can be unleashed from a distance, many battles ultimately come down to close-quarters combat.
Reaching a realm above the Golden Core, if the combatants are of similar realms, attacks across the air hardly have any effect.
I didn’t expect the person before me, who seems to be of a similar realm as myself, has already cultivated to this level…
“Since Daoist Tang has invited,” she clasped her fist towards the other party, seriously saying, “Qing’er has no reason to refuse.”
“Good,” Tang Xin loosened his shoulders, “We don’t need much space for this contest, let’s do it right here.”
The space inside the tent was spacious enough, with Liu Mei and Zhou Yu moving to the side, leaving the middle area completely clear.
The two competitors adjusted their breaths, ready to begin at any moment.
[System Mall Recommendation for You: “Eighteen Touches”, requires one hundred points.]
[“Eighteen Touches”: A technique summarized by a senior in the cultivation world after “interacting” with many courtesans, mainly for entertainment, with no offensive power.]
To be honest, there are quite a lot of good things in the mall…
After exchanging, Tang Xin waved his hand towards the opponent.
“My apologies!”
Shangguan Qing’er didn’t hold back either, attacking Tang Xin with agile movements.
Spiritual Eye Technique, Seven Lotus Steps!
With the enhancement of two secret techniques, Tang Xin analyzed the opponent’s movements, dodging her probes with even more bizarre postures, and counterattacked.
“So fast!”
Shangguan Qing’er was surprised, forming a hand seal, a layer of white light appeared under her feet, changing positions rapidly as if shrinking the ground into inches.
Tang Xin’s palm, however, followed like maggots in the tarsal bones, impossible to shake off.
Zhou Yu and Liu Mei, watching such a tense and fierce contest, didn’t dare to blink.
A clash between talents of such level was rare to see!
“Shangguan Qing’er is really strong,” Liu Mei analyzed calmly, “She must have used two secret techniques simultaneously. The one under her feet boosted her speed and dodging ability, and another one that allowed her to predict the opponent’s movements in advance.”
“Sister seems to be at a disadvantage all the time…”
Zhou Yu whispered.
“Because Tang Xin’s strength is even more terrifying!” She explained further, “She must be using at least three different secret techniques simultaneously, enhancing her movement, observation, and attack capabilities comprehensively… How did she manage that? How much strength is Xuanling Sect’s genius actually hiding?”
In the arena, sweat beads had already formed on Shangguan Qing’er’s forehead.
Too strong!
Her close combat ability was second to none in Qingxin Pavilion, coupled with her impressive magical attack capability, she was considered all-rounded.
However, the opponent she faced today was even more versatile!
The lotus platform that sprouted under her feet, the sharp light in her eyes, and the elusive palms were somewhat overwhelming for her!
The most formidable was that hand, which could almost ignore her defenses, forcefully touching her torso… She just didn’t understand why, she only reached for the upper body.
Was she holding back? If she touched the back or legs, which are harder to defend, wouldn’t the match have ended earlier?
No, even if I’m going to lose, I have to resist a bit longer, otherwise, the chance to invite her to join the team would be completely lost!
“Are you wearing black lace lingerie today?”
Tang Xin suddenly threw out a sentence.
“What?”
Shangguan Qing’er was startled.
Seizing the opportunity, Tang Xin bypassed the opponent’s blocking hands, charged forward, and her five fingers finally landed on a place as soft as cotton.
Yay!
Heaven rewards the diligent, after all the hardships, she finally touched it!
