Wuxia: Become the 100-Victory Sword King at the Beginning

Chapter 437. A Game of Deception Within the Mechanized City: The Jade Staff Breaks the Mystery
As the early summer heatwave, accompanied by the chirping of cicadas, swept in, Shi Feiyang embarked on his journey to find Yaoyue. To seize the "Ten Thousand Poisons Return to One" manual from Shi Feiyang, who was no longer protected by soldiers, undercurrents surged in the martial world. Various forces meticulously plotted, waiting for him to step into this treacherous vortex.

At this moment, Shi Feiyang arrived near Tianji City. He waved a folding fan painted with pictures of beauties, and the sweltering heat rising from the bluestone slabs beneath his feet was condensed into tiny ice crystals by Mingyu Gong. The osmanthus cake at his waist had long since dried into crispy pieces, but he insisted on picking up crumbs and putting them in his mouth, teasingly saying, "This level of baking is even better than the shortbread baked by chefs in Yangzhou!"

Before he finished speaking, the yellow earth road ahead suddenly rolled up as if it were alive, revealing the giant mouth of a Taotie cast in bronze from the ground.

Where the smoke and dust dissipated, a thousand-foot-high city wall rose from the ground, with gleaming mechanisms embedded in the gaps between the bricks.

Thirty-six bronze lamps hanging on the city wall lit up simultaneously, making the three seal characters "Tianji City" appear blood red.

Shi Feiyang closed his folding fan and tapped the city wall, startling countless hidden crossbow bolts, which were all swallowed into his palm by the vortex suction force created by his Mingyu Gong. He said with a grin, "Goodness, this city wall can bite?"

"Young Master Shi, what superb skills!" An aged laugh echoed from the city tower. The white-haired, white-bearded master craftsman stroked his ivory abacus, while twelve mechanical attendants behind him carried a three-zhang-long fragment of the "Luban Manual." He then threatened, "This city is based on the 'Nine Transformations of Heavenly Craftsmanship,' so even if you have three heads and six arms..."

Before he could finish speaking, Shi Feiyang pulled out a gold-plated magnifying glass and examined the crack in the city wall from left to right. He said sarcastically, "Old man, this mechanism is rusty. Should I introduce you to the jade craftsmen of Yihua Palace? I guarantee they'll be ten times more exquisite than this piece of junk!"

Suddenly, spiderweb-like cracks appeared in the ground, and eighteen bronze warriors emerged from the earth.

These mechanical figures wield giant crossbows, their arrows coated with a mixture of peacock gall and arsenic, a deadly poison.

Shi Feiyang brandished his emerald green bamboo staff, executing the "Dog-Beating Staff Technique" move of "Staff Picking Up a Mangy Dog." The tip of the staff touched the crossbow string, deflecting all the poisoned arrows. Gui Gongzi's expression changed drastically. He abruptly turned the abacus and roared, "Activate the 'Fire Dragon Burning Heaven Formation'!"

In an instant, a roar of surging magma came from underground.

The twelve bronze statues of the Vermilion Bird opened their huge mouths, but instead of flames, they spewed out scalding tung oil mixed with barbed wire.

Shi Feiyang lightly touched the ground with his toes and used the agile "puppy playing with a ball" technique, his bamboo stick coiling up the flying caltrops like a nimble snake.

He suddenly pulled out a kaleidoscope, activated the Mingyu Gong to refract the sunlight into seven-colored light blades, and said jokingly, "Old man, look! It's even more lively than your mechanical city!" Wherever the light blades touched, the tung oil instantly boiled and turned into poisonous smoke filling the sky.

Guigongzi coughed and waved his hand, and suddenly hundreds of triangular spiked stakes rose up from the ground.

Shi Feiyang remained calm and unhurried, sweeping his bamboo stick horizontally to unleash the "Horizontal Strike Double Mastiffs" technique, breaking all the spiked stakes.

The instant the broken stake flew up, he pulled out a kite spool, and the silkworm silk that he spat out from his palm transformed into a long rope that wrapped around the broken stake. He then swung it back at the city tower and roared, "It is impolite not to reciprocate!" The moment the city tower collapsed, the rumble of gears turning came from underground.

The entire city began to flip and reorganize, the streets became conveyor belts of a meat grinder, and the houses became harpoon boxes that sprayed poison needles.

Shi Feiyang was drawn into a rotating passageway, with countless bronze claws protruding from the walls on both sides. He used the "Stealing the Staff from the Mastiff's Mouth" technique, precisely striking the joints of the claws with his bamboo staff, using the force to leap into the air. Then, Shi Feiyang tossed the green bamboo staff into the air, his palms flicking and guiding, using the "Shifting Flowers and Receiving Jade" divine skill. The vortex suction force created by the Mingyu skill reversed all the mechanisms in the entire passageway.

The bronze claws tore at each other, the poisonous needles flew back, and the huge rock at the top of the passage crashed to the ground, creating a huge hole that went straight into the earth.

Shi Feiyang peered into the cave and heard the sound of chains being dragged. Hundreds of mechanical soldiers armed with crossbows stood ready. "Brilliant!" Shi Feiyang laughed heartily, raising his left hand to grab a bamboo stick, while his right hand suddenly produced a firecracker, which he lit and threw into the cave.

Amidst the explosions, he unleashed his "Vicious Dog Blocks the Way" technique, sweeping his bamboo stick across the charging machine soldiers and sending them flying.

The moment the machine soldier fell to the ground, he pulled out a rouge box and shone it at the core of the machine city, jokingly saying, "I heard that mirrors can break mechanisms?" In the blinding reflection, the entire machine city groaned under the unbearable weight.

Gui Gongzi staggered out of the ruins, his abacus broken in two, and said in a trembling voice, "You...you're using evil and crooked methods!"

Shi Feiyang approached, swinging his bamboo stick, and suddenly pulled out a rattle drum, saying mockingly, "Old man, would you like to hear a bit of 'Mechanical Manual'?" As the drum sounded, the remaining mechanical figures began to dance comically to the rhythm.

As the setting sun bathed the shattered city walls in gold, Shi Feiyang leaped atop the wall, stepping on the shoulders of the mechanical puppets. He unwrapped his deerskin bag, scattering the shattered osmanthus cakes into the air, and said with a grin, "If we dismantle this mechanical city and burn it as firewood, it'll be enough for the girls of the Flower Palace to make sweet soup for ten years!"

From afar came the desperate wails of the Ghost Craftsman, but they were completely drowned out by the "Lotus Picking Song" he was humming.

Shi Feiyang knew that his wanderings and battles with various sects and gangs would cause a sensation and attract the attention of the Palace Master of Yaoyue Palace, making it easier for her to find him. Therefore, he wandered aimlessly.

During the Grain in Ear season, the mist of Miao territory, carrying the scent of decaying leaves, wafted through the air. Shi Feiyang, biting into half a piece of osmanthus cake, held a swarm of oblivious mosquitoes on a green bamboo stick, and said self-deprecatingly, "This mosquito is even more greedy than the courtesans of Chang'an. It's sucked up all my Mingyu True Qi; it's probably going to become a spirit." Before he finished speaking, the decaying grass beneath his feet suddenly writhed, revealing itself to be a black carpet composed of thousands of centipedes.

"Young Master Shi, what refined taste you have!" With a charming laugh, Qian Zhu Mei stepped out of the mist. She wore a soft armor with seven-colored spider patterns, and a thumb-thick red-tailed scorpion was wrapped around her three thousand black hairs. Seven golden bells at her waist swayed lightly with her steps, each bell sealing the remains of a Gu King. Shi Fei Yang raised an eyebrow and looked at her. He saw that her face was as beautiful as a peach blossom, but her neck was covered with spiderweb-like blue poisonous patterns—a sign of cultivating the "Ten Thousand Gu Devouring Heaven Technique".

"Sister Qianzhu's appearance..." Shi Feiyang said mockingly, lightly tapping the ground with his bamboo stick, using the "luring the dogs into the village" technique to lead the swarming centipedes towards the poisonous pool on the left. He then said sarcastically, "Could it be that you want to participate in the Miao beauty pageant? My Yihua Palace has several cartloads of rouge and powder; I'll send you ten boxes another day." Qianzhu Mei flicked three Gu eggs from her fingertips, which instantly transformed into three giant, multicolored spiders upon landing. The spiders spewed out viscous venom, causing the vegetation to rot wherever they went.

Shi Feiyang lightly swung his bamboo stick, performing the "Dog-Tossing-to-the-Sky" technique. The tip of the stick picked up the splashed venom, which condensed into a rainbow prism under the sunlight. He teased, "Little sister, this venom has a nice color. You'll definitely get a good price for dyeing cloth with it!"

The giant spider roared and pounced, but Shi Feiyang unleashed his "Horizontal Strike Double Mastiffs," striking the spider's eye with his bamboo stick like lightning. Then, more Gu worms gushed from the giant spider's wound; they were actually "mother-child Gu" raised by Qian Zhu Mei using the "Nine Netherworld Gu Array."

Shi Feiyang activated the Mingyu Gong, and a vortex of suction force emanated from his body, drawing all the swarming Gu worms into his palm. He shouted, "Perfect, add some 'living things' to my deerskin bag!" The poisonous mist suddenly turned blood red, and Qian Zhumei formed hand seals, sending thousands of "Soul-Capturing Gu" into a crimson cloud.

Shi Feiyang felt a sudden dizziness, but then he pulled out a glass bottle containing "Zui Xian Ju," a secret brew from the Yi Hua Palace. He chuckled and said, "Little insects, taste the finest wine in the world!" As the aroma of the wine filled the air, the Soul-Capturing Gu fell to the ground, swirling around in a drunken stupor.

"You!" Qian Zhumei questioned in shock and anger, the golden bell at her waist ringing suddenly. Before she could finish speaking, a muffled tremor came from the ground, and a giant python burst out of the earth, its body coiled with countless skulls. It was the "Nine-Lives Poison Python," the treasure of the Five Poisons Sect.

The python's tongue swept across Shi Feiyang's face, bringing with it gusts of decaying wind, and it roared, "Shi Feiyang, you won't escape today!"

Shi Feiyang remained calm and used a bamboo stick to pick up a piece of osmanthus cake and toss it into the python's mouth. The venomous python instinctively swallowed it, but suddenly let out a painful roar—the cake was actually mixed with the "insect repellent powder" made by the Yihua Palace.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Shi Feiyang unleashed his "Vicious Dog Blocks the Road" technique, striking the python's head heavily with his bamboo stick, and said mockingly, "Old poisoner, taste my 'Dog-Beating Stick Technique'!"

The venomous python, in pain, opened its mouth and spat out its inner core.

Qian Zhumei's expression changed drastically. It turned out that this inner core was the core of the "Nine Netherworld Gu Formation".

Shi Feiyang activated the Bright Jade Skill, his glassy skin radiating an extreme cold light. He struck out with his palm, unleashing the "Transferring Flowers and Jade, Cold Prison Rejuvenation," instantly freezing the inner core into an ice ball. He teased, "Little sister, how about I give you this ice ball as a night-shining pearl?"

Seeing that the array's core had been destroyed, the swarm of Gu worms immediately fell into chaos. She turned to flee, but Shi Feiyang hooked her belt with his bamboo stick and mocked, "Where are you going? You haven't seen my 'grand finale' yet!" He suddenly pulled out a firecracker, lit it, and threw it into the swarm of Gu worms.

Amidst the explosions, countless Gu worms were blasted into the air, their flight resembling fireworks bursting in the setting sun.

"Shi Feiyang! I will never forgive you!" Qian Zhumei's scream was drowned out by the buzzing of the Gu worms.

Shi Feiyang swung his bamboo stick as he walked out of the poisonous fog, and the "living creature" in the deerskin bag was rustling and crawling.

He took out a small mirror and looked at his handsome face from left to right, then said to himself with a self-deprecating smile, "Everyone says that Miao witchcraft is powerful, but it's nothing special—next time I should show Sister Yaoyue what the wonderful method of 'fighting poison with poison' really is!"

As dusk settled, the mournful cries of Gu worms could be faintly heard from the misty air of Miao territory.

Shi Feiyang bit into the last piece of osmanthus cake, whistled towards Yangzhou, and shouted, "My beauties, I'm getting closer and closer—are you ready?" He twirled the bamboo stick in his palm, startling a tree of night crows, which fluttered and flew towards the sky dyed red by the sunset.

In the height of summer, the Central Plains are bathed in scorching, bright sunshine that illuminates the vast, boundless fields. The sky is a clear, deep blue, with a few white clouds drifting lazily by, like the most leisurely strokes of nature's brush. A gentle breeze brings a touch of coolness, but it cannot completely dispel the summer's intense heat.

In the rice paddies, lush green rice seedlings sway in the wind, resembling a green ocean, shimmering in the sunlight. In the distance, mountains embrace the landscape, verdant and lush, with the occasional clear bird song adding a touch of vitality to this tranquil summer day.

The river flows gently, its water crystal clear, and fish swim happily in it.

Willow trees line both sides of the river, their long branches gently brushing the water's surface, creating ripples.

In the village, wisps of smoke rise from the chimneys, contrasting beautifully with the blue sky and white clouds, creating a harmonious pastoral scene.

People are either busy farming or sitting idly under the shade of trees, enjoying this rare moment of leisure.

The summer nights in the Central Plains were stiflingly hot, like a steamer, with cicadas chirping incessantly, disturbing everyone's peace of mind. Shi Feiyang, dressed in a moon-white long robe, gently waved a folding fan in his hand. The beautiful woman painted on the fan was lifelike, her eyes and brows full of charm.

He hummed an off-key tune as he popped a piece of sweet cake he'd casually "grabbed" from the street into his mouth. He looked nothing like a fearsome martial arts master, but rather like a lazy rich young master.

The Mingyu Gong flowing around him shimmered with a faint, glassy luster under the moonlight, as if draping him in a veil of mystery. Little did he know, danger lurked in the shadows, and countless eyes were watching his every move.

Nightless Night, the master of Shadow Tower, dressed in a long black robe, looked like a ghost in the night as he stood on a high place, looking down at Shi Feiyang.

His eyes were as cold as a snake's, and a cruel smile curled at the corner of his mouth. He said in a sarcastic tone, "Shi Feiyang, if you want to keep your head, obediently hand over 'The Return of Ten Thousand Poisons,' otherwise, today is your death day!"

At his command, the "Shadow Thirteen Assassins" emerged from the darkness like ghosts. The assassin "Netherworld Claw," skilled in assassination, launched the first attack. His ten fingers were coated with deadly poison, his nails as black as ink, shimmering with an eerie light.

His figure moved like a ghost, silently reaching for Shi Feiyang's back with astonishing speed.

However, Shi Feiyang seemed to have sensed it beforehand. Just as the fingertips of the "Netherworld Claw" were about to touch his body, he suddenly flicked the green bamboo stick in his hand backward, performing the "Stick Picking Up the Mangy Dog" move from the "Dog-Beating Stick Technique".

The bamboo stick precisely blocked the attack of the "Netherworld Claw," and with a clang, sparks flew everywhere. The "Netherworld Claw" snorted coldly, a hint of surprise flashing in its eyes, before its figure flashed and disappeared into the night.

Immediately afterward, the invisible "Phantom Assassin" appeared. His short sword gleamed coldly, aimed straight for Shi Feiyang's throat. Shi Feiyang remained calm, circulating his Mingyu Gong, instantly creating a powerful vortex of true energy around him.

Just as the short sword was about to reach his throat, it was pulled off course by the suction force. At the same time, Shi Feiyang swept his bamboo stick out, unleashing the "Double Hounds Strike." The bamboo stick whistled through the air, forcing the "Phantom Assassin" to retreat repeatedly.

The "Phantom Assassin" was terrified. He had never seen such bizarre martial arts before. He wanted to turn invisible again to launch an attack, but he found that Shi Feiyang's gaze was like lightning, locking onto his position, making it impossible for him to make a move.

Meanwhile, the "Demon Sound Envoy," who kills with sound waves, plays eerie tunes from afar.

The sound wave, like an invisible blade, sliced ​​through the air and hurtled towards Shi Feiyang.

Wherever it passed, leaves shattered and deep scratches were left on the ground.

Shi Feiyang's expression hardened, and he quickly used the "interlocking" technique of the "Dog-Beating Stick Technique" to seal the target.

The emerald green bamboo stick danced in his hands with impenetrable force, forming an indestructible barrier. Sound waves struck the bamboo stick, producing deafening roars, and the resulting shockwaves swirled dust into the sky.

While fending off the sonic attacks from the "Demon Sound Envoy," Shi Feiyang couldn't resist teasing, "Brother, your playing is worse than the off-key guy in my kitchen. How about I teach you to play 'Lotus Picking Song' another day? I guarantee it will charm countless young ladies!"

Upon hearing this, the "Demon Sound Envoy" turned ashen with rage and played even more vigorously, making the sound waves even more powerful.

At this moment, the other members of the "Shadow Thirteen Killers" also made their moves. Some wielded poisoned hidden weapons, which rained down on Shi Feiyang; others used unpredictable movement techniques to launch attacks from different directions.

Shi Feiyang remained completely composed, his emerald green bamboo staff flashing up and down as he unleashed various exquisite moves of the Dog-Beating Staff Technique. At times, he used "Provoking the Dog's Claws" to deflect hidden weapons, and at other times, he used "Vicious Dog Blocking the Way" to block the enemy's attacks.

His movements were like a ghost, weaving freely through the enemy's attacks, occasionally using the "Shifting Flowers and Jade" technique to deflect their attacks. In a flash, he dodged a assassin's sword thrust, simultaneously flicking his hand to execute "Shifting Flowers and Jade." The assassin's sword was redirected, heading straight for another assassin.

The two assassins were immediately thrown into disarray, dodging each other, which made Shi Feiyang laugh out loud: "Your teamwork is worse than a street troupe, what a disgrace!" In the fierce battle, Shi Feiyang fought with increasing ferocity. He activated the Mingyu Gong to the "Supreme Forgetfulness of Emotions: Ice Soul Cold Prison" level, and his body exuded a bone-chilling coldness, like white ice shrouded in cold mist.

He seized an opportunity and unleashed the "Mountain Splitting" technique from the Hundred Victories Blade Technique. Using his palm as a blade, the palm wind howled out with overwhelming force, the blade's light flashed, and its energy crisscrossed, as dazzling as the blazing sun.

A massive shockwave swept towards the "Shadow Thirteen Assassins," carving a deep trench in the ground in its wake. Several assassins, unable to dodge in time, were struck by the shockwave, coughing up blood and flying backward.

Seeing Shi Feiyang's formidable skill, the "Shadow Thirteen Assassins" couldn't help but feel fear. However, as top assassins of the Shadow Tower, they wouldn't easily back down. They exchanged glances, a ruthless glint in their eyes, then formed a battle formation and launched an even fiercer attack on Shi Feiyang.

Seeing this, Shi Feiyang was not afraid at all. Instead, a hint of excitement flashed in his eyes. He roared, "Well done! I'll show you how powerful I am!" He took a deep breath, and the Mingyu Gong light around him shone brightly, making his glassy skin almost transparent.

He wielded a bright green bamboo staff, displaying a masterful fusion of the Dog-Beating Staff Technique and the Hundred Victories Knife Technique. At times, the staff moved like a nimble snake emerging from its hole, flicking, stabbing, coiling, and drawing with endless variations; at other times, it transformed into a sharp blade of light, cleaving, slashing, sweeping, and cutting with immense power. Every movement of his was filled with power and beauty, dazzling the eyes of the onlookers.

In the midst of the fierce battle, Shi Feiyang suddenly had a flash of inspiration, and an idea immediately came to him.

He deliberately created an opening, his body pausing slightly as if he were running out of strength. Seeing this, a hint of surprise flashed in the eyes of the "Shadow Thirteen Killers," who thought they had an opportunity to take advantage of the situation and launched their attacks.

However, just as their attacks were about to touch Shi Feiyang, Shi Feiyang suddenly used the "Transferring Flowers and Jade" divine skill. The attacks of those assassins were like mud oxen entering the sea, all absorbed by Shi Feiyang, and then rebounded back with even greater force.

In an instant, screams rose and fell as the "Thirteen Shadow Killers" were thrown into disarray by their own attacks. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Shi Feiyang launched a fierce offensive, unleashing the ultimate move of the Hundred Victories Blade Technique, "Severing Reincarnation."

Wherever the palm strike landed, space seemed to be torn apart, and a massive blade of light slashed towards the "Shadow Thirteen Killers," inflicting heavy casualties. Ye Wumian watched from the sidelines, his face terribly grim. He hadn't expected that his meticulously organized "Shadow Thirteen Killers" would be so utterly vulnerable before Shi Feiyang. Dark clouds churned in the night sky, obscuring the moonlight intermittently.

Just as Shi Feiyang repelled a wave of hidden weapon attacks, he suddenly felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end—the invisible "Phantom Assassin" had vanished from the shadows again, and the sound of short swords slicing through the air rang out simultaneously from three different directions. He grinned, his fair skin glowing blue as he circulated his Mingyu Gong, and teased, "Back and forth, stealthy ambushes, is Mr. Assassin a rat?"

Before he finished speaking, a subtle ripple in the air came from the left. Without turning around, Shi Feiyang flicked his emerald green bamboo stick in the backhand, unleashing the "Disruptive Doghouse" technique, the tip of the stick precisely striking the void.

With a crisp "ding," the "Phantom Assassin" appeared, the black cloth covering his face being partially lifted by a bamboo stick, revealing astonished eyes.

"So this is what you look like! You're even uglier than the cook in my kitchen!" Shi Feiyang laughed loudly, sweeping his bamboo stick horizontally as he unleashed "Straight Strike Double Mastiffs".

The assassin raised his sword to parry, but felt a tremendous force coming from it, making his hand go numb.

He hurriedly used "Nine Transformations of Illusion," his figure flashing seven times like a ghost, his short sword transforming into seven cold beams that pierced towards Shi Feiyang's major acupoints.

Shi Feiyang did not dodge or flinch, but suddenly pulled out a bronze mirror and shone it at the assassin.

The moonlight, amplified by Mingyu Gong, stung the "Phantom Assassin's" eyes. Taking advantage of his momentary pause, Shi Feiyang unleashed "Dog-Tossing-to-the-Sky," his bamboo staff coiling around the short sword like a serpent before being violently pulled away.

The assassin lost his footing and fell forward. Shi Feiyang took the opportunity to pinch his face and mocked, "Your skin is so rough, you should use my Yihua Palace's beauty cream!" The assassin was both ashamed and angry, and bit his tongue, spitting out a mouthful of "corrupting blood mist".

Wherever the blood mist touched, bricks and stones crumbled. Suddenly, Shi Feiyang used the "Flower Shifting and Jade Grafting" technique, his palms unleashing a vortex of true energy that condensed the blood mist into a bead, which he held in his palm with disdain. "This thing..." he said.

His eyes darted around, and he suddenly sprang towards a distant rooftop, roaring, "A greeting gift for that old man, Ye Wumian!" Seeing the situation was dire, the "Phantom Assassin" transformed into black smoke and attempted to flee. Shi Feiyang, however, wouldn't let him succeed. He activated his Mingyu Gong to the "Ice Soul Cold Prison" level, his body radiating a chilling aura, and said mockingly, "Trying to run? Try 'dog biting dog bone'!"

His bamboo staff lashed out like lightning, the end of the staff wrapping around the assassin's ankle, and he pulled hard.

The assassin landed in a sorry state, and before he could even get up, Shi Feiyang used a bamboo stick to lift him by the waist, suspending him in mid-air like a chick, and said sternly, "Tell me, where are the beauties of your Shadow Pavilion hidden?"

Before the "Phantom Assassin" suspended in mid-air could answer, three dark figures shot out from three directions like arrows.

Shi Feiyang raised an eyebrow and smiled, flicking the bamboo stick in his hand to fling the "Phantom Assassin" toward the shadowy figure on the left. At the same time, he used "Luring the Dogs into the Village," the bamboo stick drawing a strange arc as it swirled toward the shadowy figure on the right.

The dark figure on the left is the "Deadly Pen" wielding the Judge's Pen. Seeing his companion flying towards him, he had no choice but to withdraw his attack. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Shi Feiyang used the "Puppy Playing with a Ball" footwork, his figure closing in like the wind. He unleashed the "Reverse Poke on the Dog's Buttocks" with his bamboo stick, the tip of the pen precisely striking the wrist of the "Deadly Pen".

"Deadly Pen" felt a numbness in his wrist, and the judge's pen clattered to the ground.

The dark figure on the right was "Iron Meteor," skilled in using a chain hammer, which came crashing down with a whistling sound. Shi Feiyang neither dodged nor evaded, but instead activated the Bright Jade Skill, causing the vortex around him to surge with suction power. The chain hammer actually deviated from its trajectory and swung back towards "Iron Meteor."

"Iron Meteor" was terrified and hurriedly let go, slamming his chain hammer heavily to the ground, sending sparks flying. Shi Feiyang, however, had already moved forward, using his bamboo stick to pick up the pebbles on the ground and unleashing "A Pack of Dogs Fighting for Food," sending the pebbles flying towards "Iron Meteor" like bullets.

"Iron Meteor" couldn't dodge in time and was immediately riddled with bloody holes, flying backward with a scream.

At this moment, the last dark figure finally appeared, and it turned out to be "Whip Chain Unpredictable" who wielded a soft whip.

The soft whip coiled like a serpent, accompanied by a piercing whistling sound, its tip coated with deadly poison.

Shi Feiyang chuckled and said, "This whip is pretty good; it'll definitely be great for whipping a top!"

He used the "shaking head and wagging tail" technique, cleverly wrapping the bamboo stick around the soft whip, and then suddenly pulled. "Whip and rope unpredictable" could not stop in time and staggered forward a few steps.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Shi Feiyang unleashed "Shifting Flowers and Receiving Jade," using the suction force of his palm to draw "Whip and Rope Impermanence" to his front. He then searched the man's body with his other hand, teasingly saying, "I heard you have some good stuff on you. Let me search you!"

"Whip of Impermanence" was both ashamed and angry, and used "Poison Dragon Heart-Piercing Whip". The soft whip transformed into several phantoms, attacking from different angles.

Suddenly, Shi Feiyang pulled out a kaleidoscope and used his Bright Jade Skill to refract the moonlight into seven-colored rays, shining them onto the soft whip. The soft whip refracted strange light and shadow in the light, and the "Unpredictable Whip" was dazzled for a moment.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Shi Feiyang used the "Slaying the Mortal World" technique from the Hundred Victories Saber Technique, using his palm as a saber, and the palm wind carried a sharp saber energy as he slashed out.

"Whip of Impermanence" felt a tremendous force strike him, the soft whip snapped in two instantly, and he was also thrown back by the shockwave, spitting blood.

Shi Feiyang swung the bamboo stick in his hand and laughed at the assassins who were lying on the ground, "Is this all the skill you have? You dare to provoke me? Why don't you go back and practice and become a juggler? Maybe you can make a living that way!"

Before the words were finished, another rustling sound came from the shadows, and more Shadow Tower assassins were stirring...

However, Shi Feiyang was fearless. After defeating the assassins, he took out a large silver ingot, entered the Shadow Tower, slammed the silver ingot heavily on the counter, asked the manager for a superior room, and then swaggered up to the second floor and checked into a luxurious suite.

The assassins of Shadow Tower were stunned, speechless. They couldn't understand why Shi Feiyang was so audacious. Was there something wrong with Shi Feiyang's mind? That night, no one dared to provoke Shi Feiyang. And Shi Feiyang slept exceptionally soundly.

Bai Jieru, the daughter of "Sleepless Night," possessed an unforgettable beauty. Her face was like a finely crafted porcelain, delicate and smooth, with fair and translucent skin that seemed to radiate light. In particular, her large, clear eyes, like autumn water, sparkled with wisdom and innocence, and her long eyelashes, like feather fans, could stir ripples in people's hearts with a gentle blink.

Her nose was straight and her lips were perfectly shaped; a slight smile from her could captivate anyone.

What's particularly captivating is that her hair cascades down like a waterfall, jet black and glossy, swaying gently in the wind, adding to her ethereal beauty.

Her pale blue dress, in a soft, elegant color, perfectly complemented her气质 (qi zhi, a kind of refined elegance), making her appear even more ethereal and otherworldly, like a fairy descended to earth. Upon hearing that Shi Feiyang had killed the Shadow Tower's top assassin and yet dared to brazenly check into the Shadow Tower, Bai Jieru was furious and decided to personally confront Shi Feiyang to test just how skilled he truly was.

However, she disdained to plot against Shi Feiyang and wanted to defeat him with her true skills, forcing him to hand over the "Ten Thousand Poisons Return to One" manual.

The next day at noon, Shi Feiyang woke up from a nap, took a relaxing bath, and then had a hearty meal in the lobby on the first floor.

On the sweltering bluestone street, Shi Feiyang, wielding a green bamboo stick, strolled out of the Shadow Tower.

When that five-tael snowflake silver ingot slammed onto the sandalwood counter, the shopkeeper's abacus beads rattled and flew three feet away, and the hands of all the assassins holding their hidden weapons trembled. Now, he stretched and tapped his shoulder with his emerald green bamboo stick, looking like a carefree young master who had just strolled along the Qinhuai River.

Suddenly, someone taunted, "Shi Feiyang!" The clear shout was like shattered jade thrown into a pitcher.

Bai Jieru gracefully landed from the eaves, her moon-white skirt sweeping across the bluestone slabs without stirring up a speck of dust. The soft sword in her hand gleamed with a ghostly blue poisonous light, its blade lifting a stray strand of hair. Her brows were furrowed with frost as she coldly said, "Hand over 'The Return of Ten Thousand Poisons,' and I'll spare your life."

Shi Feiyang clapped his hands suddenly, startling the street vendors so much that their carrying poles wobbled three times. He teased, "If word gets out that such a beauty is asking for a life, people in the martial arts world will say I, Shi, am wasting a treasure!" He squinted at the silver bell at Bai Jieru's waist, then suddenly reached out to grab it, teasing, "Miss, this bell is quite unique. Shall I borrow it to play with?"

The soft sword, like a serpent striking, instantly pressed against his throat. Bai Jieru's jade-like face turned cold, but the tip of her sword trembled slightly when it touched her glass-like skin—as the Mingyu Gong flowed, the faint blue light emanating from Shi Feiyang's body even blurred the shadow of her sword.

"Smooth-tongued!" she cursed, her wrist flicking as she unleashed the Shadow Pavilion's ultimate technique, the "Thirteen Netherworld Swords." Her swordplay moved like a ghost, deliberately avoiding vital points. Shi Feiyang lightly flicked her bamboo staff, executing "Staff Picking Up a Mangy Dog," the tip of the staff precisely striking the spine of the sword. He said mockingly, "Your swordsmanship reminds me of Pei Yuanqing's Plum Blossom Silver Hammer—it looks fierce, but it hides a touch of delicate beauty!"

He moved with the agility of a rabbit, suddenly using the "Puppy Playing with a Ball" technique to circle behind Bai Jieru. He used a bamboo stick to pick up the jade hairpin in her hair and mocked, "Give me this hairpin, and I'll tell you the whereabouts of the secret manual?" Bai Jieru was both ashamed and angry, and her soft sword transformed into a sky full of sword shadows.

Shi Feiyang activated his Mingyu Gong, creating a vortex of suction around him that drew all the sword energy into his palm. He suddenly pulled out a kaleidoscope, refracting the sunlight to create a seven-colored halo, and teased, "Look! This is even prettier than the lady's sword flourishes!"

The light reflected on Bai Jieru's face, making her slight anger appear somewhat coquettish.

Shi Feiyang used the "Shifting Flowers and Jade" technique! With a flick of his left and right hands, he deflected Bai Jieru's attacks. As she staggered backward, Shi Feiyang seized the opportunity to throw the bamboo stick, the end of which wrapped around the silver bell at her waist.

The tug caused Bai Jieru to fall into his arms. In an instant, a faint fragrance wafted through the air, and the soft sword clattered to the ground. "Be careful, young lady!" Shi Feiyang said with concern, then wrapped his arm around her waist and spun her around three times. He then wielded his bamboo stick in a "pack of dogs fighting for food" style, knocking away all the hidden weapons that came after him.

Bai Jieru struggled to get up, but then he suddenly leaned closer, his warm breath brushing against her ear, and said with a grin, "Would you like to learn that 'dog biting dog bone' move from earlier, young lady?"

Bai Jieru grabbed her soft sword and suddenly pressed it against Shi Feiyang's chest, but found the tip trembling slightly. She bit her lip and took three steps back, the silver bells jingling crisply between Shi Feiyang's fingers, and said defiantly, "Tomorrow at dawn, at the ruined temple in the west of the city. If you continue to speak nonsense..."

"If you spout any more nonsense, I'll treat you to peach blossom wine!" Shi Feiyang laughed loudly, swinging his bamboo stick. As he tossed the silver bell back, a piece of osmanthus cake rolled out of his deerskin bag. He teased, "Want a taste before you go? It's much sweeter than poison!"

Bai Jieru caught the silver bell and turned to leave, her moon-white skirt sweeping past the street corner. But as she turned the corner, she secretly crushed the osmanthus cake. The sweet fragrance mixed with the scent of medicine spread out, and she stared blankly at the crumbs in her palm—this cake actually contained Tian Shan snow lotus, which could cure all poisons.

In the distance came Shi Feiyang's whistling, mixed with the hawking of the market, startling a flock of white doves that flew over the eaves of the Shadow Tower. With each flap of their wings, they stirred up that faint feeling of emotion and made it fly everywhere.

The morning mist at dawn had not yet dissipated, and the broken beams of the dilapidated temple in the west of the city were already covered with cobwebs.

Shi Feiyang sat on the offering table with his legs crossed, gnawing on half a roast chicken. Suddenly, he heard a soft clatter from the roof tiles and laughed, "My beauty, you've come at mealtime. Do you perhaps wish to have breakfast with me?"

Bai Jieru lightly touched the ground with her toes, her moon-white skirt sweeping away the dust. With a flick of her soft sword, the "Soul-Chasing Blue" poisonous mist on the blade instantly spread out, threatening, "Enough nonsense! If you don't hand over 'The Return of Ten Thousand Poisons' today, don't blame me for being merciless!" With that, she unleashed the Shadow Tower's ultimate technique, "The Thirteen Swords of Netherworld Ghostly Cries," the sword light like a lament, carrying a chilling aura that terrified the soul.

Shi Feiyang remained calm, took out a snuff bottle, took a deep drag, and said disdainfully, "This poisonous fog is choking, even worse than the burnt fish in my kitchen!" He activated his Mingyu Gong, his glassy skin glowing with a ghostly blue light, and a vortex of suction force arose in his palm, drawing all the poisonous fog into his body. Bai Jieru's jade-like face changed slightly upon seeing this, and she wielded her soft sword even more rapidly, her sword moves a mix of feints and real strikes, making them unpredictable.

"Good swordsmanship! But compared to Qin Qiong's double maces, it lacks a bit of ferocity!" Shi Feiyang said with a grin, flicking his bamboo stick and executing "Stick to Pick Up a Mangy Dog," accurately striking the spine of the soft sword. Bai Jieru used the momentum to leap backward, only to see him follow like a shadow, his bamboo stick transforming into thousands of bamboo shadows, precisely the "Pack of Dogs Fighting for Food" from the "Dog-Beating Stick Technique."

With a sharp cry, she twirled her soft sword, unleashing the deadly move "Soul Severance" from the "Thirteen Netherworld Swords".

Suddenly, Shi Feiyang pulled out a bronze mirror and shone it in the morning light. Bai Jieru squinted from the bright light, and her attack slowed slightly. He seized the opportunity to use "Shifting Flowers and Jade," diverting Bai Jieru's sword strike towards a broken pillar to the side. With a loud "boom," the broken pillar collapsed, raising a cloud of dust throughout the hall.

"Young lady, your swordsmanship is absolutely superb for demolishing houses!" Shi Feiyang laughed loudly, his bamboo stick coiling around the soft sword like a nimble snake.

Bai Jieru's face flushed crimson. She tried to withdraw her soft sword, but found a strange suction force coming from Shi Feiyang's bamboo staff. She was horrified and tried to retreat using "Phantom Step," but Shi Feiyang was prepared. With a flick of his bamboo staff, he used "Hound's Mouth Snatching Staff" to snatch the soft sword from her hand.

"You flatter me!" Shi Feiyang played with the soft sword, then suddenly leaned close to Bai Jieru and said with a grin, "Is the poison on this sword worth ten jars of Daughter's Red wine? Why don't you trade it for the osmanthus wine in my arms?" His hot breath hit her face, and Bai Jieru was both ashamed and anxious. She raised her hand and slapped him across the face.

Shi Feiyang dodged to the side, then grabbed her wrist and said jokingly, "You don't hit someone in the face. Are you trying to ruin this face that has captivated countless girls?"

Just as Bai Jieru was about to lash out, she suddenly heard a strange noise coming from outside the temple.

Shi Feiyang's expression changed, and he pulled her behind him, reminding her, "Hide well! A rat is coming to ruin our good time!" Before he finished speaking, more than twenty black-clad assassins broke in through the window, and the leader was none other than "Bloody Hand Asura" from the Shadow Tower.

"You little beast! How dare you seduce the young lady of the tower! Prepare to die!" Bloodhand Asura cursed, his blood-red blade flashing coldly as it aimed straight for Shi Feiyang's throat, accompanied by a foul stench.

Shi Feiyang swung his bamboo stick horizontally, unleashing the "Striking Two Hounds" technique, deflecting the blood-stained blade. He activated the Mingyu Gong to the "Ice Soul Cold Prison" level, causing his body to surge with icy energy. He roared, "Perfect timing! Today I'll show you what it means to consider the owner before beating a dog!"

Having said that, he unleashed the "Mountain Splitting" technique from the Hundred Victories Swordplay, using his palm as a sword, the palm wind howling out with the momentum of an overwhelming force.

Seeing the situation was dire, Blood Hand Asura and his assassins formed the "Blood Shadow Formation." Blood light soared into the sky from within the formation, and countless blood blades attacked from all directions.

Shi Feiyang remained calm and composed, wielding his bamboo stick with impenetrable skill, employing the "sealing" technique of the "Dog-Beating Stick Method" to block all the blood blades.

At the same time, he used the "Flower Transfer" technique to deflect the enemy's attack back, and in an instant, screams of agony rose and fell.

Bai Jieru watched in stunned silence; she had never seen such bizarre and unpredictable martial arts. Seeing Shi Feiyang surrounded by dozens of people, she inexplicably picked up the soft sword on the ground and rushed into the fray.

"Watch out behind you!" she warned, swinging her sword to block a sneak attack for Shi Feiyang, but accidentally slashing her arm with the bloody blade. Upon seeing this, a flash of anger appeared in Shi Feiyang's eyes, and he roared, "You have injured my beauty, this is unforgivable!" He activated his Mingyu Gong, his glassy skin becoming almost transparent, and the suction force of the vortex around him increased dramatically.

He unleashed the ultimate move of the Hundred Victories Blade Technique, "Severing Reincarnation," and the space seemed to be torn apart by the force of his palm strike, as a massive blade of light slashed towards the assassins. Blood Hand Asura and the others had no time to react before they were engulfed by the blade of light, turning into a bloody mist and dissipating into the air.

(End of this chapter)