Chapter 248 | You Said You Only Wanted to Die

At the Five Elements Dao Sect's residence, everyone surrounded the unconscious Li Nanzhu.

Zhu Yinxi was healing her, his brow furrowed. "Her spiritual energy is severely overdrawn, but her foundation remains unharmed."

Feng Weilan leaned against the headboard, his face still pale. "Junior Sister... she pushed herself too hard."

Feng Qingping snorted as she fed him medicine. "The lot of you brothers are never a peace of mind!"

Duan Xianxing scratched his head. "Fifth Senior Sister, I'm doing just fine..."

"Shut it!" Feng Qingping shot him a sharp glare. "You have a match tomorrow. Go and regulate your breathing immediately!"

Duan Xianxing shrunk his neck and obediently withdrew.

Mu Wenyan stood by the window, gazing at the distant sky. "From here on... things will likely only get harder."

Jiang Yifan nodded silently. The strength Li Nanzhu had displayed would inevitably draw more attention and hostility.

Even they would likely face more targeting in the subsequent matches.

Suisui lay by Li Nanzhu's pillow, its soul fire flickering weakly. The little skeleton seemed to have exhausted its strength as well, yet it persisted in releasing faint traces of life force.

...

Late at night, Li Nanzhu finally woke up. She opened her eyes to see Suisui lying on her chest, its soul fire glimmering faintly.

"Suisui..." she called out softly, reaching up to stroke its skull.

Suisui immediately looked up, its soul fire brightening as its bone claws gently gripped her finger.

"You're awake?" Feng Qingping's voice came from the side. She set down a bowl of medicine and walked over to feel Li Nanzhu's forehead. "Good, no fever."

Li Nanzhu asked weakly, "How long was I out?"

"Twelve hours." Feng Qingping helped her sit up. "Drink your medicine first."

Li Nanzhu obediently swallowed the bitter brew and asked, "Where are the others?"

"Eldest Senior Brother went to find Master. Seventh Junior Brother is regulating his qi to prepare for tomorrow's match." Feng Qingping paused. "Sixth Senior Brother... is still bedridden."

"Tomorrow?" Li Nanzhu blinked. "Shouldn't it be Seventh Senior Brother's turn after mine?"

"Whose fault is it that you two collapsed the entire arena?" Feng Qingping shook her head helplessly. "The commotion you two caused was so great that several sect leaders decided to temporarily suspend the tournament to modify the rules."

"Modify the rules?"

"Yes." Feng Qingping nodded slightly. "The magic tools you two used, combined with the power of the talismans, were too destructive. So..."

Li Nanzhu felt a bit helpless. "I'm really sorry about that..."

Feng Qingping suddenly turned serious. "Junior Sister, do you know the consequences of the strength you've shown?"

Li Nanzhu was silent for a moment before nodding. "I know."

Cultivating three elements alongside being a brush cultivator was a talent extremely rare in the cultivation world. Now that it was exposed, she would inevitably draw the greed of various powers... and perhaps even mortal danger.

"But it doesn't matter." Li Nanzhu suddenly smiled. "I'm not afraid as long as you're here."

Feng Qingping froze, a trace of softness flashing in her eyes. She gently patted Li Nanzhu's head. "Silly girl... just get some rest."

...

The next morning, the spectator stands were already a sea of people. Even today, people were still buzzing about the battle between Li Nanzhu and Cang Dongqing from the day before.

Everyone was looking forward to today's match: Duan Xianxing of the Five Elements Dao Sect against Mu Zeting of the Wuji Sect.

Both were direct disciples of major sects. Many wondered if these two would provide as many surprises as the pair yesterday.

"Arena number three: Duan Xianxing of the Five Elements Dao Sect versus Mu Zeting of the Wuji Sect!"

The referee's voice echoed over the arena. "Following a consultation between the various sect leaders, two new rules have been added starting from this match: First, all participants may only use magic tools they have refined themselves or their life-bound magic treasures. Second, all pills, talismans, and arrays must be personally crafted by the contestant. Violators will be judged as having lost."

The crowd immediately erupted into an uproar.

These rules were clearly targeted at the earth-shaking battle between Li Nanzhu and Cang Dongqing. Those two had used so many high-grade talismans and magic tools that they had nearly leveled the entire arena.

In the Wuji Sect's seating area, Mu Zeting's expression instantly darkened. He clenched his fists so hard his knuckles turned white. As the direct grandson of the Wuji Sect's fifth elder, most of the talismans he usually used were specially made by family talisman masters. Although he was talented in drawing talismans, his level was nowhere near that of a high-grade talisman master.

"Damn it!" Mu Zeting gritted his teeth and glared toward the Five Elements Dao Sect. "It's all because of that Li Nanzhu. If she hadn't used so many powerful talismans, why would they suddenly change the rules?"

A disciple beside him whispered, "Senior Brother Mu, didn't Junior Sister Cang use high-grade magic tools as well?"

"Is that the same?" Mu Zeting snorted. "Junior Sister Cang's ability to drive the Gold Flag Sword Array is her own skill. What is that Li Nanzhu? Just a wild brat who appeared out of nowhere. She doesn't deserve..."

"Watch your words, Senior Brother," his companion interrupted hastily. "The Five Elements Dao Sect people are right over there."

Mu Zeting curled his lip in disdain, but his gaze involuntarily drifted toward the Five Elements Dao Sect's seats.

Li Nanzhu was sitting there quietly. Her face was still a bit pale, but she had recovered most of her condition. Sensing his gaze, she turned to meet his eyes and gave a slight smile.

There was no mockery or contempt in that smile, yet it made Mu Zeting even more furious.

He stood up abruptly and strode toward the arena.

At the same time, Duan Xianxing was being checked over by Mu Wenyan.

"Seventh Junior Brother," Mu Wenyan said seriously. "Remember when we first encountered him in the Flowing Cloud Secret Realm? He must have made significant progress since then. Although the new rules limit him, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. Don't underestimate him."

"Don't worry," Duan Xianxing grinned. "I'm the most level-headed person in the Five Elements Dao Sect."

Li Nanzhu rolled her eyes. "Just go already. Don't keep the referee waiting."

By the time Duan Xianxing stepped onto the arena, Mu Zeting was already standing opposite him with an impatient look.

"Five Elements Dao Sect, what are you dawdling for?" Mu Zeting sneered. "Are you scared?"

Duan Xianxing unhurriedly straightened his sleeves. "My apologies. I was just counting how many talismans you have on you that were drawn by others—after all, you can't use them now, right?"

The audience burst into a fit of laughter.

Mu Zeting's face flushed red. "You!"

"What about me?" Duan Xianxing feigned surprise. "Did I say something wrong? Isn't the Young Master Mu of the Wuji Sect a famous collector of talismans?"

Mu Zeting trembled with rage. "Duan Xianxing! Don't you dare be so arrogant!"

"Oh, so you know me?" Duan Xianxing said with a smile. "I'm truly flattered. However—"

He dragged out the note, drawing the attention of everyone below.

"At least I'm a lot more low-profile than some shameless people!"

Mu Zeting instantly lost his cool. He nearly disregarded the rules to attack Duan Xianxing directly, and it was only the referee's firm grip that brought him back to his senses.