Who will compete with me?

As the words fell from her lips, Xianyue leapt into the air, her petite figure dressed in white soaring like a delicate swallow in the glow of the campfire. With grace and poise, she glided through the night. Bai Pingting's eyes widened in astonishment as Xianyue extended her arms, resembling a pair of wings, and landed effortlessly amidst the crowd.

Turning around, she was intoxicated yet lucid; this airborne leap might have posed a risk for others inebriated, but for her, it was child's play. Smiling at Bai Pingting, she waved her hand lightly and shook her head reassuringly, saying, "I'm fine."

She reached for the Xuepo at her waist, raised it high, and called out, "Sister Pingting, catch!"

With a sudden leap, the silver-white light streaked across the sky, the Xuepo released from her grasp, flying toward Bai Pingting. Bai Pingting poised herself, her toes barely touching the ground, spinning around to firmly grasp the hilt of the sword.

Xianyue gazed at her empty palms, a momentary look of confusion in her clear, bright eyes. Looking up at the moon, shrouded in mist, she felt as though there was something obstructing her view, something she could neither see nor grasp. Gradually, she curled her fingers, her hands coming together once more. "Who among you wishes to compete with me?"

Below, the crowd exchanged glances, no one daring to respond.

Having triumphed in the Rock City tournament, Xianyue's prowess was undeniable. The others understood their own limitations and recognized her as their superior; it was inconceivable for servants to confront their master, and injuring her would be an unpardonable sin.

Standing by the campfire, she chuckled softly, her face flushed in the firelight as she pointed at those seated around her, saying, "You can come up in groups or all at once, but only with your strength—no weapons are allowed."

Seeing that hesitation linger, she added, "Whoever can knock me down, I shall take her with me wherever I go from now on."

Ya'er was the first to rise, her steps unsteady and her movements resembling a clumsy dance. As she approached, Xianyue remained in place, eyes narrowed, but was unable to anticipate her advance. Ya'er was far too intoxicated; she barely made it halfway before collapsing to the ground, fast asleep.

Xianyue pointed at the fallen Ya'er with one hand while placing her other hand on her hip, bursting into laughter. The others joined in, several relatively sober ones standing to help her up. The laughter faded as over twenty women, all group leaders from various squads, rose from their seats. Although everyone could participate, they understood that following Xianyue was merely a means to better protect her. While Bai Pingting was attentive, they sought to ensure Xianyue's safety in this unfamiliar place. The twenty-odd women had been chosen based on their character and abilities, and they believed these individuals could safeguard Xianyue effectively.

Surrounding Xianyue, even in their tipsy state, they remained in perfect unison. Yueying nodded to her companions, clenching her fists, and shouted as she lunged at Xianyue. Years of archery training had endowed her with strength greater than the rest; though not as delicate as the other women, her movements were quick and agile, like an arrow she had deftly controlled.

Xianyue continued to squint, a smirk playing on her lips as she watched Yueying approach, making no attempt to evade her. It was not until Yueying crouched and aimed for her waist that Xianyue sprang into action, pivoting on one foot to spin behind her. Yueying's reflexes were quick, but the effects of the alcohol weighed heavily on her mind; before she could fully turn, Xianyue grasped her waistband with one hand and yanked her upward. Yueying's arms spread wide as she attempted to channel her energy to break free, but Xianyue's knee pressed against her waist, and with her other hand securing the opposite side, she wrapped her arms around her waist and propelled her forward with a powerful shove.

Yueying's body spun in mid-air, and just as it seemed she would crash to the ground, she managed to brace herself at the last moment, her right hand slapping the ground to maintain her balance. Though she didn't land gracefully, she avoided a humiliating fall.

Bai Pingting observed Xianyue, who swayed unsteadily, now encircled by the group, feeling less worried than before; she trusted that Xianyue was lucid in this moment.

The members of the blue-clad Yueying's team were agile in their own rights, with Yueying's strength being the greatest. Without using inner power, even Xianyue might find herself outmatched. In a direct confrontation, Yueying had the upper hand.

Yueying stumbled several steps before straightening herself, the dizziness overwhelming as she pressed her hand to her forehead. The sensation of intoxication washed over her, and the blurry figures surrounding Xianyue spun chaotically. As nausea set in, she clasped her mouth and dashed a short distance in the opposite direction, where she squatted down to vomit. Her companions quickly followed, gently patting her back to ease her discomfort.

Meanwhile, more than twenty others surged toward Xianyue, who turned sideways, her gaze sweeping over them. Their movements were swift and fierce, rivaling that of any man, yet retaining the agility and grace of women. It was as if a flood had breached its dam, their onslaught relentless. Although their actions were quick, they paled in comparison to Xianyue's true speed, a skill honed through rigorous training, swift as lightning.

As everyone witnessed Xianyue glide past them, they blinked at their empty hands, swiftly turning around. This time, instead of a disorganized rush, they formed a circle, an unyielding fortress enclosing Xianyue.

Xianyue deftly evaded several attacks; however, due to momentum, her assailants stumbled and fell to the ground.

As Lüzhu returned from delivering Yilan, she saw Xianyue engaged in battle and felt a surge of excitement. Rolling up her sleeves, she was grateful to have returned just in time. Standing at the edge of the circle, she could clearly see that many of them were now slightly intoxicated, their movements lacking the usual agility.

More and more opponents fell to the ground. Xianyue found herself surrounded by seven or eight remaining challengers. Lüzhu rubbed her nose and stealthily approached Xianyue's direction.

"Charge!" 

Dingdang shouted, and the eight women moved in perfect harmony, their arms spread wide like the wings of a majestic eagle as they lunged at Xianyue. Xianyue crouched slightly, and Lüzhu, following Xianyue's evasive maneuver, unexpectedly pounced at her side, gripping her shoulders tightly.

Xianyue was taken aback for a moment but soon broke into a smile. With a gentle stomp of her right foot, she steadied herself and shook her shoulders. Though Lüzhu's grip remained firm, she half-crouched and wrapped her arms around Lüzhu's waist. Lüzhu yelled in surprise, shaking herself free, yet Xianyue's grasp was unyielding.

Seeing this rare opportunity, the others, aside from a few completely incapacitated on the ground, charged forward. Though Lüzhu held Xianyue back, it did not hinder her auditory perception; she deflected the incoming attacks one by one.

After a tumultuous struggle, Xianyue's face and body were glistening with sweat. Her clothes clung to her back, and cold beads of perspiration trickled down her cheeks, mixing with the salty taste in her mouth. Her vision began to blur as she shook her head and looked upward, shouting to vent her frustration, feeling much more liberated afterward.

"Lüzhu." 

Xianyue laughed and called out to Lüzhu, who was momentarily taken aback, looking down at Xianyue's smiling face. After a brief pause, Xianyue's grin widened, and as she bent her knees, she pressed her knee against Lüzhu's. Lüzhu winced, her grip loosening, and Xianyue let out a triumphant chuckle as she broke free from Lüzhu's hold and leapt away, causing Lüzhu to fall to her knees from the sudden pain.

"Princess, you cheated!" 

Xianyue, now beaming with delight, waggled her index finger in front of Lüzhu. "All's fair in war." 

The others, having lost their advantage, fought with renewed vigor. Xianyue darted around like a nimble rabbit, appearing here one moment and there the next.

"Come on, catch me!" 

The remaining challengers chased after her, panting heavily from exertion, while Xianyue, ahead of them, turned occasionally to stick out her tongue at them, teasingly.

Though Xianyue's breath was somewhat ragged from the day's excitement, she too felt exhaustion setting in. Many of the women had collapsed to the ground, defeated.

Satisfied, she clapped her hands and turned to Bai Pingting, who stood nearby, her own Xuepo shimmering silver under the moonlight, refracting a gentle golden hue that stung the eyes.

"Sister Pingting." 

She leaned forward, approaching Bai Pingting, when suddenly a blue figure swept past, blocking her path. Xianyue looked up to see the normally composed figure in blue frowning, her delicate brows knitted, and her flushed face glistening with sweat. Rather than retreat, Xianyue surged forward, using the force to propel herself. The blue-clad girl was taken aback, attempting to withdraw, but it was too late; her fist struck Xianyue squarely in the chest.

"Princess!" Bai Pingting cried out, and the others rushed forward in unison.

Xianyue spread her arms wide, allowing her body to fall backward. With a thud, her whole body ached, and her consciousness began to fade. In her final moments, she glimpsed the anxious faces surrounding her, smiled, and slowly closed her eyes.