Gu Manzhi's complexion drained of color, becoming as pale as paper...
No, it had turned completely into paper.
Her body rapidly collapsed inward, skin, muscles, bones... layer after layer peeled off like shedding skin, revealing an inner "core" within. It was actually a palm-sized paper figure!
"Indeed, it's the Paper Puppet Technique..."
Chen Mo showed no surprise at this eerie scene.
With the methods of the Moonlit Holy Maiden from Moon Brilliance Sect, it would be abnormal for her to be killed off so easily.
He reached out to pick up the paper figure, a glimmer of fire flashed at his fingertips, and the paper figure spontaneously combusted into flames.
Faintly, it seemed like wails could be heard.
A semi-transparent apparition struggled to break free from the paper figure.
A dark red talisman lit up between the eyebrows of the paper figure, suppressing it firmly until it was completely reduced to ash.
Simultaneously, a notification appeared:
[You have killed a "Nameless Wandering Soul," True Spirit +5.]
"An unexpected gain?"
Chen Mo's heart stirred slightly, his expression unchanged as he said indifferently, "Come out, how much longer do you intend to hide?"
Moments later, a figure emerged from behind the screen.
Her appearance and figure were identical to the "Gu Manzhi" who had just perished.
Only her eyes contained less charm but a touch more coldness, her peach blossom-like eyes looking astonished at Chen Mo.
...
"How did he discover it?"
Gu Manzhi was baffled.
Her Paper Puppet Technique had reached the Transformation Realm, and she had driven wandering souls to possess it with secret techniques, making it nearly indistinguishable from a real person in behaviors and actions.
Unless it was a Mage who specialized in this art and was far superior to her in realm, no one should have been able to spot the flaws.
Chen Mo, being a Martial Artist, naturally didn't fall into this category.
By all accounts, it should have been a foolproof plan...
Suddenly, Chen Mo stood up.
Gu Manzhi took a step back, her eyes warily on him.
Chen Mo walked over to the tea table and took a seat, tapping on the table.
"Pour the tea."
"..."
Seeing his calm demeanor, Gu Manzhi grew even more uncertain.
After a slight hesitation, she decided to play it by ear.
After all, this was the imperial capital, and creating a commotion might only invite greater trouble.
She gracefully moved to sit opposite Chen Mo, rolling up her sleeves, her delicate hands picking up the teapot.
Warmed the pot, added tea, poured water, cleansed the cups.
Her motions were skillful and pleasing to the eye.
And Chen Mo's attention was all on the floating frame above her head.
[Moonlit Holy Maiden·Fallen Blossom's Absolute String Cold Jade Gu Manzhi]
[Realm: Sixth-Rank Mage]
[Cultivation Technique: Green Jade Scripture]
[Taoist Skills: Six Armored Spirit, Paper Puppet Technique, Soul Capturing Absolute String Zither]
[Favorability Rating: 0/100 (Locked)]
[Note: Favorability Rating is divided into four stages from 0-100, each stage corresponding to different rewards, reaching 100 points will unlock a special reward.]
Seeing the "Favorability Rating" column, Chen Mo's brows slightly knit.
One of the unique features of "Unmatched Immortal" was to gain generous rewards by winning over the female protagonist.
Such a setup would be fine for the protagonist.
But now he was the antagonist.
Any connection with the female protagonist spelled nothing but a dire end.
His predecessor was a bloody example...
"Woman's heart is like hardened candy, the more you lick, the harder it becomes."
Chen Mo knew this truth well and would not repeat the same mistake.
Now he was contemplating whether a Sixth-Rank Mage was an easy target or not?
...
"Lord, please enjoy the tea."
Gu Manzhi filled the teacup before him until it was seven parts full.
Chen Mo picked up the cup and savored the tea, the sweet fragrance permeating his taste buds.
"Heavenly Mountain Silver Needle, the first tender buds of early spring, excellent tea."
"Connoisseur."
Gu Manzhi praised, then with a smile that was not quite a smile, she said, "But aren't you afraid the tea might be poisoned, Lord?"
Chen Mo shook his head, "Using poison leaves too obvious traces, you wouldn't be that foolish. Otherwise, you wouldn't have gone to great lengths, first enchanting me with zither music and then using a paper figure to lure me in."
The plan could be said to be flawless.
His predecessor had been kept in the dark until death, believing that he and Gu Manzhi had shared mutual affection and deep love when in reality, he'd been romancing a paper figure all along.
Painful, too painful.
"It was just some playful flirting."
Gu Manzhi's eyes were captivating, her enchanting voice was enough to melt bones, "Serving Lord with two servants would surely be twice the joy, wouldn't it?"
Chen Mo: "?"
Thinking about it, it did seem to make some sense...
Pah, despicable woman, daring to corrupt my Dao Heart!
He almost forgot, Gu Manzhi had an Innate Extreme Yin Body, naturally charming.
Once fully matured, a single glance or smile from her could turn the world on its head, referred to as the "First Succubus of Unmatched Immortal", even more exaggerated than her Devil Master!
In dealing with this woman, he must be extremely vigilant; a single misstep could lead him astray!
Chen Mo recoiled his thoughts, his tone cooling by a few degrees, "Is that Heart Devouring Poisonous Insect also a mere 'playful act'?"
Gu Manzhi asked confusedly, "What Heart Devouring Poisonous Insect?"
Chen Mo scoffed, "Still pretending to be dumb at this point? Don't you know what Ji Lianxing has made you do?"
Hearing the name "Ji Lianxing," Gu Manzhi trembled, her wrist shook, and the teapot crashed to the ground.
Crack!
The pot shattered, tea splashed in all directions!
Looking at that handsome face, eyes black as ink and unfathomably deep, a chill crawled up her spine.
Panic, astonishment, disbelief...
Even someone as shrewd as her momentarily lost her composure!
"To mention my master's name means he's known my identity all along!"
"Is it Yu Youhan who sent him here? An inescapable net was laid outside, preparing for an easy catch like trapping turtles in a jar?"
Thinking of that woman's terrifying methods, Gu Manzhi couldn't help but shudder.
If she falls into her hands, I'm afraid she would neither be able to live nor die!
As her mind was in turmoil, Chen Mo's eyes became resolute.
Now is the time!
His fingers joined like a blade and decisively slashed down!
At the moment when the murderous aura dispersed, Gu Manzhi was already alerted.
She reacted extremely quickly, her sleeves waving, strands of blue smoke swirling, rapidly forming an ancient blue mirror in front of her.
The palm chop landed on the mirror's surface, creating ripples upon ripples.
The overwhelming force was like clay oxen entering the sea, being completely absorbed and neutralized.
Chen Mo had anticipated this, and he struck out with the second palm, with even greater strength than before.
The third palm, the fourth palm...
Each palm was more fierce, fiercer, and more ruthless!
The mirror's surface rippled like water waves, the ripples becoming more dense, the ancient mirror started to vibrate intensely.
Until the eighth palm was delivered, the force was more than tenfold!
The ancient mirror's ability to neutralize reached its limit, emitting a piercing sad cry, and under Gu Manzhi's horrified gaze, it shattered inch by inch, turning into blue smoke and dissipating!
The palm, enveloped by blazing flame light, passed through the smoke, and landed unerringly on her chest!
Bang!
Accompanied by the crisp sound of bones breaking, Gu Manzhi spurted out a mouthful of fresh blood, was flung into the air and crashed heavily against the wall!
The entire room seemed to tremble for a moment!
In the blink of an eye, the situation was completely reversed!
...
"Do you have anything else to say?"
Chen Mo idly played with a teacup, speaking indifferently.
Gu Manzhi leaned against the wall, her chest heaving, her pale and beautiful face smeared with blood, like a damaged orchid and broken jade, evoking pity.
She took a breath, shook her head, and said with a wry smile, "It seems Young Master Chen has deeper secrets than I... I have nothing to say. Kill or cut as you please, I am at your mercy."
After she spoke, she resignedly closed her eyes.
Her left hand, hidden behind her, quietly clutched a Jade Talisman.
It contained the Taoist Skill "Blazing Thunder Spell," equivalent to the full force of a fifth-grade Mage's strike, just needing a trace of Qi to trigger it, capable of erasing everything in this room.
Including herself.
She would rather go down together with her enemy than be slaughtered without resistance!
"Master, forgive your disciple for being incompetent, failing your trust, if there is another life..."
At this moment, a cold voice entered her ears:
"Tell Ji Lianxing not to think of provoking the Empress, otherwise in this vast Jiu Zhou, there will be no place for her to stand!"
"Our grudges are cleared, from now on we have no relations, next time you won't be so lucky."
"…Hmm?"
Gu Manzhi looked up.
Chen Mo had already turned and walked out of the room.
Staring at his tall figure, she stayed dumbfounded for a long time, lost in a daze.
...
"It's a pity, I almost killed her."
Chen Mo's face was grim as he walked toward the main gate.
The reason he let go of Gu Manzhi was not that he was merciful, but rather he was powerless.
Those eight palms had already drained all his True Qi.
Blazing Eight Slashes, a Top-Tier Earth Level Martial Technique.
Originally, this was a Sword Technique with eight moves; each strike building upon the last in strength, a very powerful technique that also carried Blazing Flame Energy, which continuously burned the opponent's meridians and organs upon entry.
In terms of lethality, it was not far off from Heavenly Rank Martial Technique!
Such a killing technique naturally has a high difficulty of cultivation, not only requiring a huge amount of True Qi, but also deep comprehension of the Sword Way.
When starting out, you can slash twice in succession.
Upon Mastery, you can slash four times.
The predecessor was highly talented, plus having Grandmaster's guidance, he was just one step away from Mastery but could never fully integrate and understand, at most being able to perform six consecutive slashes.
To cross this threshold, effort, comprehension, and opportunity were indispensable.
However, for Chen Mo who has a system panel, there is only one thing to consider:
Leveling up.
By killing Fierce Beasts and Demon Ghosts, one can obtain "True Spirit," which can be used to enhance the level of Cultivation Technique and Martial Arts.
He applied the newly earned 5 points of True Spirit on the Blazing Eight Slashes, directly advancing this Martial Technique from "Small Success" to "Mastery"!
It seems like a minor difference, but in reality, it's like heaven and earth!
As if breaking through a barrier, the once obscure parts suddenly became clear, an endless understanding welled up in his heart...
In an instant, he reached a state of perfect harmony!
Once one technique is mastered, all techniques are understood. After reaching Sword Technique Mastery, he was no longer limited to Weapons.
Chen Mo deliberately closed the distance, took advantage of Gu Manzhi's shaken state, and erupted with a sudden attack, compressing all his True Qi into a single line, transforming his palm into a blade to severely injure her!
The price was an excessive depletion of True Qi, leading to a state of complete exhaustion!
Right now, he was in no better condition than Gu Manzhi!
"With my Seventh-Level Martial Artist realm, using this move is still too forced."
"No choice, the Magician's methods are unpredictable and the longer it drags on, the more dangerous it is, I had to go all in."
"Pity, the gap in the realm is too large, even with the upper hand, I still couldn't kill her... She might still have a backup plan, it's not wise to stay here."
Chen Mo gasped for air, his legs felt as if they weighed a thousand pounds.
Every step he took, the meridians in his body ached as if tearing apart, his consciousness increasingly blurred.
"No good, this place isn't safe..."
He forced himself to walk out of the main gate and looked around.
Not far away, a double-horse carriage was parked, with a tin-top and dark-covered carriage — a style only those of fourth-rank or above in official rank were entitled to use.
Without further thought, he directly walked over, lifted the curtain, and dove into the carriage.
Inside, sat a pretty girl, her cheeks puffy, still holding a piece of Osmanthus Sweet Cake, looking bewilderedly at this unexpected guest.
Chen Mo tore off the Jade Pendant at his waist and threw it at her, his voice hoarse:
"My father is the Right Deputy Imperial Censor, we live on Ming'an Street to the east of the city, take me back to my residence, quick!"
No sooner had his words ended, his strength left him, and he slumped straight into the arms of the girl.
Plunk.
The Osmanthus Sweet Cake was knocked onto the floor.
The girl looked at the man in her arms, then at the Osmanthus Sweet Cake on the ground.
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