The Duel Between Two Women

Just as Zi Yan was bewitched by Yang Jingtian's charm, he innocently turned to her and inquired, "Zi Yan, have you ever visited the Central Plains martial arts scene?"

Zi Yan, with a playful smile, responded, "Why should I answer you? Tell me, how did you end up on our ship?"

Yang, donning a calm and helpless expression, retorted, "If you won't say, I can't do much. However, regarding why I boarded your ship, it was simply fate. Indeed, the Buddha has said that five hundred years of cultivation grants us a single passing encounter in this lifetime. I consider myself fortunate to have met you, Zi Yan, and to have exchanged so many words today; truly, I wonder what good deeds I must have done in past lives."

Witnessing Yang speak so earnestly, Zi Yan felt an unexpected stir in her heart, captivated by his words. Her heart began to flutter uncontrollably.

Noticing her mesmerized gaze, eerily reminiscent of He Zhuofang's upon seeing him, Yang proudly stated, "Your Wind God Sect must rarely interact with the outside world; thus, it must be your first time venturing to the Central Plains."

Zi Yan followed on his lead, "Correct. Our Wind God Sect, secluded on an island in the midst of the sea, scarcely mingles with the Central Plains' martial arts community. Had it not been for the rebellion led by Vice-leader Zhou Hongbin, we wouldn't have departed from Wind God Island to the Central Plains."

Upon hearing this, Yang queried, "There's a rebellion within your sect?"

Zi Yan nodded, adding, "It's a long story, better left untold."

Curiously, Yang pursued, "So, is this trip to the Central Plains to seek reinforcements?"

Zi Yan smiled slightly, "It seems you can't be deceived easily."

Yang then questioned, "Your lady is the Sect Leader's daughter, right?"

Surprised, Zi Yan asked, "How did you know that? Did Bai Yun tell you?"

Yang shook his head, "She didn't mention it; it was my guess. Likely, the whole affair started when esteemed elders within your Wind God Sect suddenly revolted, assassinating the Sect Leader and seizing his position. Meanwhile, a group of loyal disciples valiantly protected the young miss, escaping from Wind God Island to seek help from the martial arts world in the Central Plains. Am I correct?"

Zi Yan acknowledged with a smile, "You are quite close."

Yang pressed, "Close? Where have I erred?"

Zi Yan clarified, "The Sect Leader wasn't killed but imprisoned instead."

Yang mused, "It seems the rebels haven't resorted to utter ruthlessness then."

Zi Yan explained, "They dare not, as the Sect Leader still holds the trump card."

Yang wondered, "I see, so the rebels haven't pursued you?"

Zi Yan revealed, "Of course, they did. Just yesterday, we barely escaped encirclement by three warships. In two days, we shall disembark."

"Audacious Zi Yan, how dare you reveal the sect's secrets to an outsider? What punishment do you deserve?"

Suddenly, a woman's voice resounded outside the door. Both Yang Jingtian and Zi Yan turned in surprise to see Bai Yun approaching.

Upon hearing the accusation, Zi Yan showed no fear; instead, she retorted loudly, "Bai Yun, don't you bully others by exploiting the lady's favoritism—scolding us as you please. Others may fear you, but I, Zi Yan, do not."

Bai Yun, fuming with anger, shot back, "You sly fox, relying on your little tricks; you think I wouldn't dare punish you?"

With an air of disdain, Zi Yan cooed, "I'm a sly fox, am I? And what does that make you? A bootlicker or maybe just a parasite?"

Bai Yun demanded, "What did you say?"

With a smirk, Zi Yan taunted, "Struck speechless by the truth, are you, bootlicker?"

In a flash, Bai Yun drew her long sword and pointed it at Zi Yan, seething, "Sly fox, I dare you to say that again."

Zi Yan, undaunted, mocked, "So you resort to force when you've lost the argument? In the Wind God Sect, I've never been afraid of a fight."

Yang listened and understood that these two beauties—one the lady's favored attendant and the other among the top fighters of the Wind God Sect—were engaged in a fierce and relentless competition with each other.

Flushed with anger, Bai Yun's face turned pale—not from fear but from fury. "You think you're still in the Wind God Sect with those smelly men to support you? Let's see who will help you now."

With a resonant chime of clashing steel, a chilling gleam of cold light emerged.

Zi Yan promptly drew her sword, her momentum clearly superior to Bai Yun's, her strength evidently much greater. Coldly she said, "To deal with a bootlicker like you, it won't take even ten moves."

As Zi Yan raised her sword, she was the epitome of concentration, utterly removed from her surroundings, her beauty in this solemn moment a stark contrast to her usual enchanting allure—like a captivating figure standing atop a frigid glacier.

By now, Bai Yun was shaking with rage, "Alright, today I want to see just how great you really are."

Within the cabin, a surge of frosty light filled the air, and a tense atmosphere of killing intent enveloped them.

"Sisters, please hold on!" Yang rushed between them, desperate to prevent their swords from clashing.

Bai Yun challenged sternly, "Who are you to call me sister? Stand aside!"

Amidst laughter, Zi Yan retorted, "Young Master Yang, there's no need for you to play the good Samaritan. She won't appreciate it. I've long wanted to teach this sycophant a lesson."

Fuming at the comments, Bai Yun would have lashed out with her sword if not for Yang standing between them. "Yang Jingtian, step aside," she demanded.

"I apologize, celestial sister, my fault entirely," Yang pleaded. "What is more important than happiness? Don't be angry; rage harms the liver. And you, Sister Zi Yan, don't be harsh on celestial sister. You're family and should face the outside world together. Why squabble over trivialities? Blame me if you must; let out your anger on me."

Zi Yan, however, insisted, "Young Brother Yang, I'm not the one being petty; she won't let things go. How can I swallow such injustice?"

Yang turned to Bai Yun and implored, "Celestial sister, why stoop to this? Please don't ruin the perfect angelic image I hold of you in my heart, okay?"

Bai Yun, relentless, warned, "Yang Jingtian, if you don't get out of the way, don't blame me for being ruthless with my weapon."

Zi Yan coldly mocked, "A lack of precision with your blade would only serve to confirm your poor swordsmanship."

Unable to tolerate any more, Bai Yun sprung into action, leapfrogging over Yang Jingtian's head, her sword flashing like a silvery snake towards Zi Yan, brimming with lethal intent.

Zi Yan, watching the blade approach, scoffed disdainfully and with a flick of her wrist, her sword erupted into a burst of silver light, resembling a volley of icy arrows pelting toward the advancing Bai Yun.

Both women launched deadly moves, with Yang caught right in the midst of the sword-lit atmosphere of death. Should they not cease, surely they would be wounded, risking a devastating end for both.

"Stop, both of you!"

Yang, standing between them, suddenly bellowed a roar of such magnitude it resembled the crush of a mountain, his voice propagating like a tidal wave, unstoppable and sweeping.

Zi Yan and Bai Yun, closest to the roar, felt an immense force that dissipated their sword energies and inner strengths, sending them stumbling back multiple steps.

Inside the cabin, items were upturned and the deck vibrated as if to split open, the door flung into the sea, the most pitiful victim of all.

Yang's roar caused ripples across the vast ship, reminiscent of an encounter with a typhoon or tsunami—utterly terrifying.

When the cry ceased, the people aboard, still unnerved, looked at Yang, and both Zi Yan and Bai Yun gazed on, utterly astonished and filled with apprehension.

The occurrence was simply unbelievable.

Those versed in martial arts knew that such a technique was undoubtedly the fabled Lion's Roar, unique to Shaolin, an ability requiring decades of hard training to master. So how could the youthful Yang Jingtian, merely sixteen or seventeen, possess such profound martial skill?

In the eyes of Zi Yan and Bai Yun, alongside the surprise, was deep admiration—a respect they had for someone who had truly overpowered them.