"Good!"

With this word, it came from Mu Qingge’s mouth.

In the sky, Ji Yaohua grabbed Sang Xuewu’s hand, pushed hard, and directly threw Sang Xuewu toward the ground.

Mu Qingge’s eyes flashed, she leaped up, caught Sang Xuewu in mid-air, and brought her safely to the ground.

"Then let’s begin now," Ji Yaohua was full of enthusiasm.

Mu Qingge sneered and said, "What’s the rush? To fight someone as skilled as you, I need some time to prepare. Three days later, at the Sunset Grassland, we will battle and see who is superior!"

Ji Yaohua’s eyes sparkled, her smile unwavering, "Good, then I’ll wait for three days. If you can injure me within three hundred moves, consider it your win."

Mu Qingge coldly smiled and did not respond.

Her mocking gaze made Ji Yaohua laugh and say, "Don’t say I’m bullying you; give it your all in three days. I will suppress my cultivation to match your realm."

Having said that, she turned and left, truly coming and going like the wind.

After Ji Yaohua left, Mu Qingge unlocked the restriction on Sang Xuewu, enabling her to move and speak again.

"You can’t fight him, Ji Yaohua is a maniac who does whatever he pleases!" Sang Xuewu anxiously exclaimed as soon as she could speak.

Mu Qingge looked at her and said sharply, "I’ll handle my own affairs." Ji Yaohua came for her, so strictly speaking, Sang Xuewu was merely collateral damage.

"This is no joke, even if he promises to suppress his cultivation, his realm is his realm, and he’s almost breaking into the Golden Realm!" Sang Xuewu pleaded earnestly.

Mu Qingge, however, looked at her calmly and said, "Then what solution do you have?"

"I!" Sang Xuewu was at a loss for words.

Mu Qingge turned and walked toward the main tent, instructing Bai Xi who was standing outside another tent, "Bai Xi, see her out."

Sang Xuewu wanted to say something more, but Bai Xi suddenly appeared in front of her and said, "Miss Sang, please."

With no choice, Sang Xuewu followed Bai Xi to the gate.

At this moment, Mo Yang had already hurried back with the Dragon Tooth Guards, his face equally grim. Ji Yaohua’s voice had echoed across the Sunset Grassland; they certainly wouldn’t miss it.

Seeing Sang Xuewu walk out from the camp, Mo Yang’s heart sank.

At this time, the Third Elder of the Sang Family also arrived with people from the Sang Family and immediately saw Sang Xuewu standing at the gate.

"Xuewu!" The Third Elder said nervously.

Sang Yichen quickly ran up to Sang Xuewu and whispered, "Did she agree?"

Sang Xuewu nodded, her face full of worry.

"How could it be! That Ji Yaohua is ranked second on the Green Talent List; certainly more formidable than Ying Ze; you mustn’t fight him!" Sang Yichen said, intending to rush into the Dragon Tooth Camp to find Mu Qingge and make her reconsider.

However, Bai Xi blocked him at the entrance, he couldn’t get in.

"Yichen, let’s leave first. Don’t disturb her during these three days," Sang Xuewu grabbed Sang Yichen’s elbow and pulled him away from the gate, walking toward the Third Elder.

"Xuewu, are you alright? What exactly happened?" The Third Elder asked urgently.

Sang Zilan chimed in with a cutting tone, "Our Miss Xuewu truly knows how to stir up trouble. First, she implicated Mr. Mu to bear three moves from Young Master Ying for her, and now she has made him agree to Young Master Ji’s duel to save her. The first beauty of the West Continent, indeed her charm is extraordinary."

"Zilan, enough!" The Third Elder rebuked.

Sang Zilan retorted discontentedly, "Why should I shut up? I did not say anything wrong!"

"Enough, discuss it when we get back, aren’t you worried about losing face?" The Third Elder roared.

He finally silenced Sang Zilan.

He sighed and said to Sang Xuewu, "Let’s go back before discussing this."

Sang Xuewu nodded, glancing back at the slowly closing camp gates, concealing her worries, as she followed the Third Elder and the others back to the Sang Family’s camp.

Inside the Dragon Tooth Camp, Mu Qingge returned to the main tent and met Si Mo’s gaze.

"This person has already stepped into the Golden Realm with one foot, and his innate bloodline is wind. Even if his cultivation is suppressed, you are currently not his opponent." Si Mo could see through Ji Yaohua’s depths at a glance.

Mu Qingge smiled bitterly, "You’ve seen it too, under such circumstances, can I refuse? He doesn’t care about Sang Xuewu’s life at all. If I really don’t agree, he’ll definitely kill Sang Xuewu."

"She’s your sister; no matter what, you can’t let her die." Si Mo spoke what Mu Qingge felt in her heart.

Mu Qingge took a deep breath, "I just told Grandpa that he still has a pair of grandchildren; I can’t tell him next time that his granddaughter was dragged into trouble because of me."

Mu Qingge walked to Si Mo’s side, leaned against him with some fatigue, and closed her eyes: "Previously on the battlefield, Ji Yaohua came to me, and I refused him. That’s why he captured Sang Xuewu to force me. This time, even if I still don’t agree, he won’t give up easily. Since that’s the case, I might as well fulfill his wish."

"What will you do?" Si Mo wrapped his arms around her waist.

Mu Qingge opened her eyes, her clear gaze filled with a sharp light, "I’ll give it my all."

"Why don’t I help you?" Si Mo suggested.

Mu Qingge shook her head to refuse, "No, you will eventually leave one day; I must rely on myself and fight honorably." She didn’t want to overly depend on Si Mo and wanted to take the opportunity to hone herself.

Sparring with a master is also a rare experience.

Though she didn’t understand why Ji Yaohua had targeted her, since she had accepted, she might as well treat this match as a form of practice.

"I would be heartbroken if little Ge’er gets hurt." Si Mo held her hand and placed it against his heart.

Mu Qingge stood on tiptoe and gave him a light kiss on the lips. She smiled at him, "So, to spare you heartache, why won’t you quickly tell me all about Ji Yaohua?"

Si Mo’s lips curved into a smile, and he embraced Mu Qingge and sat on the bed.

Mu Qingge, who appeared tall and slender in front of others, surprisingly had a demure and delicate appearance nested in his arms.

"The Ji Family has a bloodline with the Wind Spirit Root; Ji Yaohua possesses an innate Wind Spirit Root, destined for great achievements. Thus, his speed will be incredibly fast, and he may use his innate abilities to interfere with you. Moreover, the Ji Family is an Ancient Clan with extensive collections of books. As the Young Master of the Ji Family, Ji Yaohua has surely practiced top-tier combat skills from a young age. Even though he has suppressed his cultivation to match yours and said that if you can injure him within three hundred moves, you will win, you must understand that even with suppressed cultivation, his stored spiritual power will be greater than yours. Your depletion of spiritual power will certainly be faster than his." Si Mo spoke slowly.

Mu Qingge’s gaze flashed as she lifted her head from his embrace, "Didn’t you say that Spirit Roots can’t be used freely?"

Si Mo nodded, "It’s well known that the Ji Family can control the wind. So, even if Ji Yaohua uses the abilities of his Spirit Root, no one will be surprised, nor can it be concluded that he has an innate Spirit Root. I suspect the Ji Family keeps the matter of his innate Spirit Root tightly concealed."

Mu Qingge’s eyes lit up. "Then can I..."

"No." Si Mo shook his head.

"Why?" Mu Qingge asked discontentedly.

Si Mo looked at her seriously, "Just like you said, I can’t always be by your side. Moreover, your current strength isn’t enough to let you roam freely in the Middle Ancient Realm. Ji Yaohua has the Ji Family supporting him, and even if his Spirit Root is exposed, those who covet it must consider whether they can contend with the Ji Family. You’re different; once your Thunder Spirit Root is exposed, no matter whether you’re merely close to thunder or have a Spirit Root, you’ll become a target for countless hunters. You’re smart enough to know that people would rather mistakenly kill a hundred than let one slip away."

Mu Qingge was silenced by Si Mo’s words.

"That’s why I would rather you concede defeat if you find yourself overpowered in the battle than hope you take risks." Si Mo spoke to Mu Qingge in a solemn tone, "Little Ge’er, your Realm is far inferior to his. It’s normal not to win. It’s fine to lose this time; just give your all. With improved cultivation someday, you can give him a good beating, okay?"

He didn’t want Mu Qingge to put herself in danger just to win.

"I understand." Mu Qingge nodded under Si Mo’s gaze. "I promise not to use Thunder Spiritual Power, but I won’t easily admit defeat either."

Si Mo sighed and pinched her cheek slightly, "Who made me fond of competitive little Ge’er?"

Feeling someone itching to act, Mu Qingge promptly sprang from his arms like a startled deer, blushing as she said, "I will enter seclusion for the next three days to prepare for the battle. Don’t disturb me." After speaking, she vanished from the spot, entering the Cultivation Tower in the space.

"She ran so fast!" Si Mo smiled quietly to himself.

...

At the Ji Family’s camp, Ying Ze barged in directly.

Seeing Ji Yaohua lounging lazily on the bed, eating fruit, Ying Ze’s eyes darkened as he spoke, "What do you intend to do?"

Ji Yaohua glanced at him and laughed, "Why are you so tense?"

Ying Ze approached him, his cold, angular features sharpening as he stared at Ji Yaohua and asked again, "What do you intend to do? Why challenge Mu Qingge? You know perfectly well he can’t possibly be your opponent."

Ji Yaohua pursed his lips and shrugged, "I’ll suppress my cultivation to match his." He looked up at Ying Ze, his curiosity apparent, "He’s so amusing, how can I miss out on that? What, you get to play with him, and I don’t?"

Ying Ze fell silent for a moment before speaking, "Your nature is too malicious; I don’t want a valued opponent to be tormented to death by you. I said to wait until he has strength, then have a proper duel with him."

"So you were worried I might hurt him! Don’t worry, don’t worry, for you, I will show some mercy," Ji Yaohua said, shaking her dripping wet hands.

Ying Ze looked at him and finally turned to leave.

After he left, Ji Yaohua finally reined in the smile that had been tugging at the corners of her mouth, her eyes thoughtful as she murmured to herself, "Ying Ze, oh Ying Ze, it’s the first time I’ve seen you care so much about an outsider’s life. I’m curious to see what charm this Mu Qingge has that makes you pay attention to him after just one battle."

...

The young master of the Ji Family, Ji Yaohua, ranked second on the Green Talent List, challenged Mu Qingge to a battle three days later at the Sunset Grassland. This news spread like wildfire, requiring no embellishment or promotion for everyone to know.

This was naturally thanks to Ji Yaohua’s booming voice; he infused it with spiritual power, making it sound like a live broadcast.

Once again, the Dragon Tooth Camp became the focal point, with countless people speculating, watching for the outcome of this match.

Of course, they weren’t guessing who would win or lose, but rather how many moves it would take for Mu Qingge to be defeated.

"Come, come, betting on Mu Qingge losing within thirty moves is two to one odds. Losing in a hundred moves is five to one. In a hundred and fifty moves, seven to one. Two hundred moves, ten to one. Three hundred moves, fifty to one!" In the Floating Guest Camp, someone had already set up a betting ring openly.

Anyway, with nothing much to do for the next five days, this wildly uneven match became their new topic of conversation, and the most popular pastime.

The participants in the betting were not only the Floating Guests but also many family members.

"Hey, what if the number of losing moves isn’t within your betting range? For example, if he loses at seventy moves?" Someone asked, holding their silver tael.

The person setting the bet enthusiastically replied, "That’s simple, we calculate it by the closest bet. If he loses in seventy moves, then it counts as a loss at a hundred moves for a five to one payoff."

"That’s acceptable!" The questioner immediately beamed and placed their silver tael on the five-to-one spot.

Beside the betting stand, there was a dense crowd of people.

In the distance, Qin Yiyao and Sheng Yuli stood side by side.

Ever since discovering Qin Yiyao’s presence, Sheng Yuli had moved the Sheng Family’s camp near Qin Yiyao’s camp, practically shadowing her all along.

"Are you worried about Young Master Mu?" Sheng Yuli asked Qin Yiyao.

Though he knew the lady he adored had someone else in her heart, he could only feel a sense of helplessness. Jealous of Mu Qingge? He wasn’t, because he could never be a competitor.

If he and Qin Yiyao could be together, they would have been long ago; how could it have come to this?

Sheng Yuli’s inquiry was not avoided by Qin Yiyao, who nodded her head.

Sheng Yuli advised, "Don’t worry too much, Young Master Mu is incredibly intelligent. Even if there’s a difference in strength, he will find a way."

Qin Yiyao pursed her lips and said nothing.

She knew Mu Qingge better than Sheng Yuli did, aware of that streak of fierceness in his heart, harsh towards his enemies, and even harsher towards himself. Even if destined to lose, this battle would be fought with utmost ferocity.

Mu Qingge would never just perfunctorily handle things, but rather give his all and fight with everything he has!

That’s exactly why she was worried and felt heartache for Mu Qingge.

"Where are you going?" Sheng Yuli immediately followed as he saw Qin Yiyao turning to leave.

Qin Yiyao continued on without stopping, "I’m going to gather information about Ji Yaohua." Although she knew the Dragon Tooth Guards would do the same, this was the only thing she could do to help at the moment.

"I’ll accompany you." Sheng Yuli swallowed the bitterness in his heart and resolutely followed Qin Yiyao.

...

The Dragon Tooth Camp once again closed its gates, but this time, there were no prying eyes outside. They were all anticipating the match three days later, and the betting scene in the Floating Guest Camp was getting bigger, with more and more participants.

The three bigwigs had once come to visit Mu Qingge, but were refused due to him being in seclusion.

However, one person still appeared at the gates of the Dragon Tooth Camp.

Mo Yang stood outside the main tent and called in a low voice, "My lord."

"Speak," Si Mo’s voice floated from within the tent.

Mo Yang said, "The Young Master Han is at the gate, requesting to see the little lord."

"Does he not know that Little Ge’er is in seclusion preparing for battle?" Si Mo said slowly. Yet, in his voice, there was a hint of coldness.

Mo Yang felt a chill in his arms, a coolness running up his spine. He braced himself and said, "I have already informed him, but he insists on coming in. He said... if the little lord is unavailable, then he requests to see you, my lord."

The main tent was silent for a moment before Si Mo’s voice came through, "Bring him in."

Mo Yang received the order and withdrew. Before long, he reappeared with Han Caicai outside the main tent.

"He can come in alone, you go about your business," Si Mo instructed once more.

Mo Yang nodded and left, leaving Han Caicai alone.

After Mo Yang walked some distance, Han Caicai entered the main tent, his eyes darkened as he stormed inside.

However, as soon as he entered the tent, he froze in place.

Si Mo, dressed regally in a dark robe, sat at the position originally belonging to Mu Qingge; on the table sprawled a sullen rabbit. And Si Mo was engrossed in feeding the rabbit medicinal herbs!

Han Caicai’s expression changed. He couldn’t understand how this man could still have the leisure to feed a rabbit at such a critical time. Was he even worthy of being Mu Qingge’s man?

"Why do you not kneel upon seeing me?" Si Mo slowly lifted his amber eyes, his cool, detached gaze sweeping over Han Caicai like an invisible mountain pressing down.

Han Caicai was unwilling to kneel, yet the pressure forced him to bend his knee, kneeling on one knee.

The veins on his forehead bulged, and he gritted his teeth, bearing that overwhelming presence, his narrow eyes wide and unyielding as he looked at Si Mo.

Si Mo merely gave a faint smile, "Have you forgotten how to speak upon seeing me?"

Han Caicai nearly gritted his teeth to pieces, his spine gradually bent, and large beads of sweat appeared on his skin. "Han Caicai pays respects to Your Majesty Holy King!"

Si Mo nodded almost imperceptibly, "Rise."

With his words, Han Caicai felt his shoulders relax, the invisible pressure enveloping him vanished instantly.

He knew the gap between him and Si Mo was vast, but experiencing it firsthand, he realized he had no power to resist before Si Mo.

If Si Mo wished, he could have crushed him to dust just moments ago.

"Do you have something to say?" Si Mo asked casually, still focused on feeding the bunny.

Han Caicai took a deep breath, mustering the courage to say, "Qingge cannot fight Ji Yaohua; she’s simply unmatched."

"My Little Ge’er is also quite formidable," a hint of discontent rose in Si Mo’s amber eyes, seemingly displeased with Han Caicai’s words of bolstering others’ morale while undermining his own strength.

Han Caicai felt as though his chest had been struck.

Suppressing his displeasure, he said to Si Mo, "You know she can’t win, yet you let her face danger— is this your way of loving her?"

A sharp glint flashed in Si Mo’s profound eyes.

He finally abandoned feeding the rabbit, rising slowly to approach Han Caicai step by step.

As he drew nearer, Han Caicai felt suffocating pressure, a sensation of asphyxiation spreading through him. Suddenly, his feet dangled in the air, his breath hasty, as though an invisible hand was gripping his throat, lifting him off the ground.

Cold energy spread throughout the main tent, eroding Han Caicai’s spiritual power, rendering him helpless to use his own strength.

He was like a rag doll, at the mercy of the person before him, susceptible to being crushed at any moment.

His narrow eyes wide open, bright with an unyielding gleam, yet in Si Mo’s view, only worthy of a disdainful smile.

The hous lying lazily on the table cast a mocking glance, its golden eyes full of ridicule. Han Caicai’s self-destructive actions left it without admiration.

Look at it, a fierce beast that knew when to yield; when strength fell short, it understood when to bow its head.

"You like Little Ge’er," Si Mo’s words carried no inquiry, but certainty.

Han Caicai’s face turned plum purple; hearing Si Mo’s words, he still defiantly said, "Yes."

This answer was harsh in Si Mo’s ears. A bloody, icy aura emanated from him, like countless black tendrils extending towards Han Caicai, binding his limbs, torso, and neck.

Within the tent, black mist spread uncontrollably, filling the space.

Si Mo’s gaze deepened to inky black, his entire aura turning frigid beyond measure. "I really dislike your answer," the words rolled forth like from the Nine Netherworld, cold, ruthless, cold-blooded, violent...

Symbolizing all negative and terrifying emotions.

Han Caicai’s eyes were full of horror; the intelligence agency of the Han Family knew everything, and he recognized where this vicious aura came from.

"You... are... a demon..."

Si Mo just chuckled coldly, not at all panicked about his identity being revealed by Han Caicai in one sentence.

"Qingge is mine. Anyone who dares to covet her must die." Si Mo dominantly announced his ownership.

"If you do this, Mu Qingge will hate you." Han Caicai squeezed this sentence out from his throat being choked, his lips already turning purple-black.

Si Mo sneered, "You think too highly of yourself."

Han Caicai was unable to speak, he could only stare at Si Mo, his eyes full of defiance.

Suddenly, Si Mo waved his hand, absorbing the aura in the main tent into his body, and the place restored its previous state. Han Caicai fell to the ground, breathing painfully.

And Hou was already lying on the table, asleep.

Si Mo returned to the main seat and sat down slowly, saying to Han Caicai, "I won’t kill you today, leave."

"You don’t kill me because you’re afraid Mu Qingge will come to settle accounts with you!" Han Caicai covered his neck, staggered to stand up, said with a pale face.

Si Mo looked at him as if he were looking at an idiot, sneered, and said, "Leave."

Han Caicai staggered out of the main tent, leaving the Dragon Tooth Camp in extreme embarrassment. In his heart, he kept telling himself: ’He’s actually a demon, a demon! Mu Qingge absolutely can’t be with him, I must tell her to stay away from that man! Absolutely must!’

...

Mu Qingge went into seclusion for cultivation, and Si Mo became the one commanding the Dragon Tooth Camp.

However, he also kept a low profile, seldom stepping out of Mu Qingge’s main tent, occasionally someone went in to report, only to find him playing with a rabbit.

Well, actually, everyone understood that the rabbit was unusual.

Especially Bai Xi, Yin Chen, and Yuanyuan, they knew the origin of the rabbit even more.

Seeing Hou in front of Si Mo, really acting like a rabbit, Bai Xi expressed a happy mood, even his appetite improved in the past two days.

Today, Si Mo called Jing Hai in front of him just because he was Mu Qingge’s disciple.

Jing Hai stood apprehensively in front of Si Mo, feeling extremely uneasy. He felt that this lord’s aura was so powerful, he had an urge to escape.

Si Mo did not speak, just looked at Jing Hai.

After a while, he called Mo Yang over and instructed him: "Take this kid and throw him into the Canglan Mountain Range."

Jing Hai raised his head in surprise, Mo Yang also looked at Si Mo in confusion.

But under Si Mo’s gaze with amber eyes, Mo Yang could only nod and agree.

Mo Yang took Jing Hai away, and under the latter’s tearful expression, sent him to the Canglan Mountain Range to be with the beasts. No one knew why Si Mo did this, but everyone who had walked from Linchuan with Mu Qingge knew that Si Mo had the authority to give such orders, and understood Si Mo would never do anything to harm Mu Qingge.

"Dad, why did you send Jing Hai away without anyone following him?" Yuanyuan rushed into the main tent, his beautiful little face full of ’discontent’. The vermillion between his eyebrows flowed like fire.

"Dad naturally has his reasons for doing this." Si Mo answered Yuanyuan’s question with a slight smile on his lips.

Yuanyuan wanted to keep asking, but Si Mo beckoned him.

Yuanyuan ran over gleefully, his beautiful face immediately showing a pleasing expression, having long forgotten his original intention to help Jing Hai clarify things.

"Dad dad dad dad dad dad..." Yuanyuan sweetly called.

"Good boy." Si Mo took out a handful of Fire Lotus Seeds and placed them in Yuanyuan’s hand.

Yuanyuan was so happy that his mouth watered.

"Help Dad do something, and there will be more Fire Lotus Seeds when it’s done." Si Mo began to entice.

Yuanyuan immediately nodded, "Whatever Dad orders, Yuanyuan will take care of it!"

Si Mo smiled at him and said, "Set up a bet outside, Mu Qingge loses and pays one hundred times, Ji Yaohua loses and pays ten times."

"Huh?" Yuanyuan left the main tent with a confused face.

Outside, he ran into Yin Chen and explained the matter. Afterwards, he asked in confusion, "Does Dad mean he wants Mom to win or to lose?"

Yin Chen’s blood-red eyes smiled, "Seems like the lord wants to take this opportunity to make a big profit for Qingge."

"What do you mean, I don’t understand." Yuanyuan remained puzzled.

Yin Chen explained, "In everyone’s mind, Qingge is bound to lose. So with a hundred-fold loss odds, everyone would bet on Qingge losing. But if Qingge wins, all that money is ours."

Yuanyuan swiftly comprehended!

Excitedly, he ran out of the Dragon Tooth Camp.

Soon, this gamble with extraordinarily high odds started to rake in money amongst tens of thousands in the Sunset Grassland.

...

The day of the match with Ji Yaohua was one day away.

Qin Yiyao walked into the Dragon Tooth Camp.

Mo Yang brought her into the main tent, Qin Yiyao stared blankly at Si Mo, her heart filled with complex emotions. She knelt on the ground, lowered her head, and saluted, "Your Majesty the Holy King."

"Qingge is currently in seclusion." Si Mo’s tone wasn’t friendly towards this woman who once had a marriage contract with Mu Qingge.

Qin Yiyao took out the information she had gathered in the past few days about Ji Yaohua, handed it over with both hands over her head, and said softly, "This is some information I collected about Ji Yaohua, I kindly ask Your Majesty to pass it to Qingge."

The intelligence in her hands floated from her hand and landed on the table in front of Si Mo.

"Qin Yiyao takes her leave." After handing over the intelligence, Qin Yiyao exited the main tent and left the Dragon Tooth Camp.

Si Mo chuckled to himself, saying, "Quite a smart person."

...

Time flew by, and it was the night before the competition.

Mu Qingge emerged from the space, falling into a familiar embrace. Mu Qingge smiled slightly, wrapped her arms around his waist, and nestled her cheek into his chest.

"How did it go?" Si Mo asked dotingly.

Mu Qingge’s expression showed no seriousness, she simply said, "Although there wasn’t a breakthrough, there were gains."

Si Mo nodded, "Cultivation matters are about letting nature take its course, urgency won’t work."

Mu Qingge nodded in agreement and asked, "Has the Sunset Grassland been lively these days?"

Si Mo held her in his arms, sat her down, and recounted the events of the past few days: "The people sent to Canglan Mountain Range have returned without finding anything. Actually, this beast clan was more agitated this time simply because Hou went on a rampage inside before, triggering their animalistic instincts."

"So it’s like that!" Mu Qingge raised her eyebrows.

"Yes, there have been many bets regarding you these days, so I also set one up..." Si Mo talked about the betting matters.

After listening, Mu Qingge widened her eyes and looked at him: "A hundred-fold loss, aren’t you afraid of losing everything?"

"I have faith in my little Qingge!" Si Mo pouted his lips.

Hehe!

Mu Qingge twitched the corner of her mouth, this time to avoid losing everything, she really had to give it her all!

"The princess from Qin Country came looking for you, also brought some intelligence about Ji Yaohua. I’ve already seen it, it’s not very useful, but it’s better than nothing." Si Mo added.

Mu Qingge nodded, "She has a thoughtful heart."

"Your disciple was tossed into Canglan Mountain Range by me." Si Mo threw out another shocking news.

Mu Qingge blinked and closed her mouth, asked, "Why?"

"Because he’s of the Jing Family bloodline, but it hasn’t awakened. Since he can’t be sent to the Jing Family for awakening, we can only use another method to help him awaken." Si Mo answered as if it was obvious.

"He really is related to the Jing Family!" Mu Qingge was surprised again.

Si Mo nodded, "Indeed, it is the Jing Family bloodline."

"Then how did he end up in a small fishing village in the Southern Continent? Besides, Jing Fengyu once said that no bloodline of the Jing Family is lost." Mu Qingge asked in shock.

"Then we can only ask him himself." Si Mo slowly shook his head.

Mu Qingge smiled bitterly, "I fear even he is unclear about it himself. It seems likely that his father may have been someone who left the Jing Family." She paused, speculating, "Perhaps because his father’s bloodline did not awaken, he was forced to leave the family, ended up in the Southern Continent, married, and had children. But unwilling to be ordinary, he left again to seek a path to strength."

"If his bloodline successfully awakens and is well cultivated, he will become a great help to you in the future." Si Mo said.

Mu Qingge nodded earnestly.

"Also... Han Caicai came looking for you and almost got killed by me." Si Mo finally said.

Mu Qingge’s mouth twitched as she looked at him.

"If I really killed him, what would you do? Would you hate me?" Si Mo suddenly asked.

"..." Mu Qingge was silent.

This was a question she had never considered before. She knew Han Caicai had feelings for her and had always rejected him. But aside from this, he was also a friend she acknowledged.

If her friend were killed by Si Mo, what would she do?

Mu Qingge slowly shook her head and looked at Si Mo, saying, "You care about him merely because of his feelings for me. I promise you, I will handle it well and not let him have any expectations."

Si Mo looked at her and slowly smiled, "If he doesn’t do anything to anger me, I can spare his life."

Mu Qingge chuckled, "If he really does something he shouldn’t, you won’t need to step in, I’ll destroy him myself."

This statement successfully pleased Si Mo.

He complained to Mu Qingge, "He said I wouldn’t dare to kill him because he thought you would hate me for it."

Ugh!

"Is he really so shameless?" Mu Qingge blinked, asking.

Si Mo nodded, looking innocent, as if he was the one being threatened to be killed.

Mu Qingge patted his cheek, "I trust that if you really wanted to kill him, you’d have a reason."

"Ge’er, what if he tells you to leave me?" Si Mo toyed with Mu Qingge’s fingers, asking softly.

Mu Qingge was taken aback and said, "What a joke? You’re already mine, I won’t abandon you. Besides, he has no say in our matters." Mu Qingge was convinced Si Mo was jealous, and very much so!

So, her first priority was to soothe this jealous man!

For now, all other concerns can be set aside.

"Remember your own words. If you dare leave me, I’ll make sure you can’t get out of bed for the rest of your life!" Si Mo threatened.

Catching the implication in his words, Mu Qingge’s face showed a trace of embarrassment. "Ahem."

"Don’t worry, tomorrow is the day you’re facing Ji Yaohua, I won’t trouble you tonight." Si Mo said understandingly.

Mu Qingge sighed with relief inwardly and patted Si Mo’s chest, asking, "Will you go tomorrow?"

"Does Ge’er wish for me to go?" Si Mo countered.

Mu Qingge replied honestly, "You can go, but no matter what happens, you can’t intervene."

Si Mo raised his brow, "Ge’er is trying to torment me, huh!" Does she want him to watch her get hurt? Sorry, he can’t do it.

"If you can’t do it, you’ll stay here and wait for me, not going anywhere!" Mu Qingge blinked and smiled.

Si Mo was stunned to realize that this woman was waiting for him here.

She made this roundabout statement just to prevent him from intervening.

Si Mo sighed and looked down in silence.

After a while, he compromised, "Promise me, don’t let yourself get seriously injured. Otherwise, I truly can’t control myself from killing."

"Okay." Mu Qingge responded.

She could understand Si Mo’s emotions. Just like back in the Trial Space, when she was forced to the point of mutual destruction, causing Si Mo to consume millennia of cultivation to save her. Upon learning this, she also wished to kill those who pushed her a hundred more times, desecrate their corpses, and if nothing was left, to destroy their souls, making them scatter for eternity to fulfill her intent.

Just as she was towards Si Mo, wasn’t Si Mo the same towards her?

Therefore, she didn’t want Si Mo to see her injured, didn’t want him to feel heartache.

The battle tomorrow was sure to involve injuries, so she simply wanted him not to go. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"Rest early." Si Mo lay down on the bed with Mu Qingge in his arms.

And he kept his promise, doing nothing, just holding her, clothed, asleep.

...

As the three-day period came, it turned out to be a beautiful day on the Sunset Grassland. The sky was clear, the clouds bright, and the sun shone down. On the grassland, the green grass swayed with the wind, like waves on the sea.

Early on, tens of thousands camping on the Sunset Grassland set off for the competition venue to secure a prime viewing spot.

The competition venue was chosen at the center of the Sunset Grassland.

There was enough space for both sides to showcase their skills and for tens of thousands to watch the competition at once.

This competition didn’t require judges.

If Mu Qingge couldn’t injure Ji Yaohua within three hundred moves, it would be considered her loss.

If she could injure Ji Yaohua within three hundred moves, it would be considered her win!

However, almost everyone believed it was impossible for Mu Qingge to injure Ji Yaohua within three hundred moves, even if he suppressed his cultivation to match hers.

The three major figures of the Floating Guest Realm also came.

They were enjoying a chat with the people from the great families, whether it was due to past connections or recent desires to collaborate.

Ying Ze arrived here early, his expression as indifferent as ever, giving no hint of his current mood.

Those familiar with Mu Qingge also showed up, like Han Caicai, Qin Yiyao, Sheng Yuli, Jiang Tianhao, Sang Xuewu, and Sang Yichen. Naturally, accompanying them were Han Yiren, Ruan Qinglian, and members of the Sang Family.

However, these people did not stand together, instead, they were scattered all around.

The Dragon Tooth Guards also arrived early, as did Bai Xi and the others, except for Jing Hai, who was thrown into the Canglan Mountain Range. They occupied one area, remaining silent, with many people trying to gauge their expressions for any clues but to no avail.

Han Caicai was anxiously waiting, hoping Mu Qingge wouldn’t appear, that she would just admit defeat.

But he knew that was impossible.

Moreover, he had something he wanted to tell Mu Qingge, so after today, he must see her again, to tell her to leave that dangerous man; they are simply from different worlds!

Suddenly, a strange wind blew in the sky.

As the whirlwind scattered, Ji Yaohua appeared before everyone.

"Wow! He’s the Young Master of the Ji Family, second on the Green Talent List! So handsome!"

"So graceful, indeed a scion of a distinguished family, exuding extraordinary presence!"

"Young Master Ji is so formidable, he’ll definitely win today’s battle!"

"Look, Young Master Ji smiles so pleasantly, he looks so approachable."

Ji Yaohua’s appearance drew countless screams from the ladies. No matter the occasion or world, a man with formidable strength, abundant family background, and outstanding looks would always be the object of admiration among women.

"Xuewu..." Sang Yichen looked towards Sang Xuewu with worried eyes.

Sang Xuewu’s face wasn’t much brighter; her mind was in chaos, feeling incapable of handling these matters. Having just met Mu Qingge, she brought so much trouble upon her. She truly hated herself for it.

"Don’t blame yourself; this matter has nothing to do with you." Sang Yichen comforted. He glanced at Ji Yaohua’s smiling face and whispered, "If he dares to hurt my elder sister, I definitely won’t let him go! If I can’t beat him now, I’ll train diligently, and I’ll put him down in time, to avenge my sister!"

"Ji Yaohua is already here, where is Mu Qingge?" Ji Yaohua looked around, infusing his voice with Spiritual Power, and shouted loudly.