Chapter 116: Evenly Matched

"Yes!" the other women nearby responded in unison. Young as they were, they had already reached such high levels of cultivation. Constantly following Su Zi, the Young Mistress of the Misty Rain Pavilion, each of them was arrogant and proud. Within the pavilion, they were envied by all and held in high regard; they had never faced such insults as Yan Chen had hurled at them today.

As soon as the words of Yan Chen and his two companions fell, more than a dozen women launched a frenzied attack.

Although these women were similar in strength to Yan Chen and his group, the trio was no stranger to such situations. Far from feeling fear, their eyes blazed with fighting spirit. They roared in defiance, brandishing their weapons to engage the female cultivators.

*Hiss!*

Inside the massive water sphere, a miserable shriek erupted. Ye Zihan gripped the Blood Lotus Dagger, its blade plunged deep into the belly of the Red-Eyed Shark. Dark blue blood poured from the creature's body, staining the surrounding water a deep, murky hue.

*Splat!*

Ye Zihan’s expression remained stoic as he jerked his arm with force. The sharp Blood Lotus Dagger tore a long gash across the shark's abdomen. With a movement as swift as lightning, Ye Zihan thrust his hand into the wound and withdrew it holding a glowing blue magic core.

The Red-Eyed Shark, which had been struggling violently, saw its crimson eyes dim rapidly. Finally, it dissolved into blue water, merging into the surrounding currents.

"You certainly have some skill. But since you killed one of my sixth-rank Blood Sharks, you wouldn't mind if I killed your five fifth-rank demonic beasts, would you?" Just as Ye Zihan dispatched the shark, Su Zi appeared above him, smiling brightly.

Ye Zihan looked up at her to see five glowing orbs of different colors in her hand—clearly the magic cores of the five elemental beasts he had summoned earlier.

"Of course I don't mind. It's a fair trade!" Ye Zihan smiled, flipping his palm to stow the blue magic core into his spatial scroll.

"This is your strongest technique, isn't it? Then allow me to shatter it." After securing the core, Ye Zihan looked up at Su Zi with a grin.

Su Zi did not object. She smiled faintly and said, "It is indeed my strongest technique, but breaking it won't be that simple." Her words radiated absolute confidence and pride; as the premier disciple of the Misty Rain Pavilion, Su Zi possessed a dignity all her own.

"Oh, is that so?" Ye Zihan’s lips curled into a smirk. His aura surged, his face flushed with exertion, and he let out a thunderous shout: "Blood Lotus manifested, ten thousand bloom at once!"

The Blood Lotus Dagger in his hand moved with blinding speed, carving out trails of crimson light that formed the phantoms of ten thousand blood lotuses, all converging upon Su Zi.

Even Su Zi could not help but look moved; this move had locked onto her completely. Evasion was impossible; she had to meet it head-on. Her long sword trembled with a chaotic rhythm, and as it vibrated, the surrounding water began to rotate, gradually forming a massive vortex. A powerful suction force emanated from it, threatening to draw in everything that dared approach.

"You are the most troublesome powerhouse of the younger generation I have ever met. Let one blow decide the victor!" Ye Zihan watched the forming vortex and laughed aloud, charging into the maelstrom without hesitation, accompanied by the ten thousand blood-red lotuses.

"You are the same. One blow to decide it all. Regardless of the outcome, you shall pass through the Ice and Snow City!" Su Zi smiled as she watched Ye Zihan hurtle toward her.

In her heart, she felt a flicker of genuine admiration for a man for the first time. Not only was his strength on par with her own, but most importantly, he was a true man—unlike those who wore the mask of a gentleman while harboring the vile heart of a villain.

*Boom!*

The two formidable attacks collided with a deafening roar. The shockwave of clashing source energy shattered the water sphere, which had been held together by water-attribute energy, into pieces.

Both figures were sent flying backward from the blast, drenched by the sudden deluge of water, appearing thoroughly disheveled.

The two skirmishes outside the water sphere were startled by the sudden thunderous explosion, and both sides tacitly ceased their fighting.

"Zihan! Zihan!"

"Ye Zihan!"

"Big Brother!"

Four cries of alarm rang out simultaneously. Yan Chen and the others looked toward the site of the explosion, their eyes filled with anxiety.

Yan Chen, Mo You, and Chen Yiyan were genuinely concerned for Ye Zihan’s safety. Lin Dong, while worried, felt so primarily because Ye Zihan was the strongest in their group; if anything happened to him, Lin Dong’s own survival would be at risk. He was less concerned about Ye Zihan’s well-being than his own; he had joined the group out of pure self-interest and could at best be considered an acquaintance.

The two female cultivators at the Origin Realm level were the first to react. With a flicker of movement, their palms danced, casting layers of shadow that instantly enveloped the distracted Chen Yiyan and Yan Chen.

*Thud! Thud!*

Two dull sounds echoed as Chen Yiyan and Yan Chen, caught off guard, took hits to the chest. Before they could process what had happened, cold blades were pressed against their throats.

*Bang!*

An even louder thud followed. Mo You’s massive frame was struck in the chest by a punch from Lan Youcha, nearly causing him to lose control of his flight and plummet from the sky.

Lin Dong was not singled out, but by the time he realized what was happening, several gleaming blades were already pointed at his neck.

Everything had happened too quickly. By the time Yan Chen and the others regained their senses, they found themselves already captured by Su Zi’s female guards.

"Hmph, Lady Su Zi, we were engaged in a fair duel. What is the meaning of this?"

Regaining his footing, Ye Zihan channeled his fire-attribute source energy, causing a mist to rise from his water-soaked body and evaporate into the air. Seeing the situation, he could not help but demand an answer angrily.

Su Zi was also shocked by the turn of events. Her face turned pale with fury, and she snapped, "Presumptuous! What are you doing? Let them go!"

"Young Mistress!" Upon hearing Su Zi’s order to release them, the two Origin Realm women exclaimed in surprise.

"Su Ya, Su Die, do you still recognize me as your Young Mistress? Then release them at once!" Su Zi’s anger flared. Ignoring their protests, she issued a firm command.

Watching from the side, Ye Zihan felt his tense nerves relax. It appeared that this was not Su Zi’s doing after all.

"Yes, Young Mistress!"

Helpless, the two women named Su Ya and Su Die, despite their reluctance, had to obey. They signaled the other female cultivators holding Yan Chen and the others to lower their weapons.

Breaking free, Yan Chen and Chen Yiyan immediately flew to Ye Zihan’s side, asking with concern, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. What about you lot?" Ye Zihan shook his head, looking at them with confusion.

"Haha, what could happen to us? Look at our thick skin," Chen Yiyan said with a laugh, patting his muscular chest.

"That's just you and him!" Yan Chen rolled his eyes, pointing first at Chen Yiyan and then at Mo You, who was flying toward them.

"Yan Chen, are you bad-mouthing me behind my back in front of my boss again? Let me check on him first, and I’ll settle the score with you later."

Mo You, having shrunk down to his miniature form, flapped his wings and landed beside Ye Zihan, asking with great concern, "Boss, are you okay? The water inside didn't taste too good, did it?"