Chapter 80: The True Prodigy!

"I’m going too!" Tang Ying tried to rise.

"You and Lei Hong stay here. Don’t make trouble for me," Ye Tianci ordered, leaping from the car. Like a wildcat, he vanished soundlessly into the darkness ahead.

Tang Ying clenched her fists. "Big brother, I’ll work hard to become stronger! I won’t be a burden anymore!"

Lei Hong, too, made a silent vow to follow Ye Tianci and grow stronger.

Ye Tianci moved with the swiftness of the wind, flitting through the ruins of the abandoned building.

Here, weeds grew wild among rubble-strewn floors. Guided by the sounds ahead, Ye Tianci soon reached the roof of a building. Peering downward, he saw Tang Qiong slumped against a wall, blood staining her lips.

Her left shoulder was wounded, fresh blood streaming from the gash.

Not far away, three bodies lay sprawled in the dust—women in battle dress, Tang Qiong’s subordinates.

Five men in strange, colorful clothing—blue and green, reminiscent of borderland tribal attire—surrounded her.

"Tang, the Star General, why not stay in your high hall rather than meddle with our Witchfire Sect?" sneered a gaunt elder, his voice icy. "Last time, you barely escaped with your life. This time, I’ll see how you run!"

Tang Qiong’s face was ashen, her gaze cold as she glared at him. "Your Witchfire Sect commits countless crimes. All deserve your destruction! If only my strength had been enough to defeat you!"

"No more pointless talk. Kill me, torture me—do as you wish!"

The old man’s lips curled in a cruel smile. "So eager to die? Not so fast!" He produced a small box, flicked open the lid, and out leapt a pitch-black insect, shell gleaming with an oily green luster.

Tang Qiong gasped, "Is that a Heart-Eater Gu?!"

"So, the Star General even recognizes the Heart-Eater Gu. Prepare to meet your end! You’ll be the hundredth member of the War God Hall to die by our hands—an honor for both you and me!"

He raised a vertical flute and blew a sharp note in Tang Qiong’s direction.

The Heart-Eater Gu buzzed its wings and darted at her.

Tang Qiong’s expression changed dramatically; she had no strength left to resist. Was this truly her end?

But just then—

A piercing whistle cut through the air.

A flash of white light streaked past, nailing the Heart-Eater Gu to the wall beside Tang Qiong.

It exploded, dissolving into a pool of black water.

"So it wasn’t the real body? What a sinister sorcery!"

A voice echoed from the void.

The five men startled, shouting in unison, "Who’s there? Show yourself!"

"The Heart-Eater Gu is deadly and vile. For your Witchfire Sect to wield such evil arts—Heaven cannot tolerate it!"

Ye Tianci’s voice rang out again.

As his words fell, he landed lightly in front of Tang Qiong.

He stood at ease, as tranquil as drifting clouds.

Tears of gratitude welled in Tang Qiong’s eyes, her voice choked. "Master, you’ve come to save me."

She had believed death was certain, never expecting Ye Tianci’s timely arrival.

"With me here, you will not die," Ye Tianci said quietly, tossing her a pill.

Tang Qiong swallowed it at once, steadying her injuries.

The five men fixed their furious eyes on Ye Tianci. "Who are you?"

"Ye Tianci."

"So, you’re the one who crippled Zhang He and drove him to suicide," the thin elder growled, his anger rising.

"He deserved his fate," Ye Tianci replied, a faint smile on his lips.

"I’ll offer your blood to my brother’s memory! Boy, any last words?"

The old man drew a broken sword, pointing it at Ye Tianci with venomous intent.

Ye Tianci blinked gently. "None for me. But you—do you have any last words?"

"Falling into the hands of the Southern Border Five Poisons, and you’re still so arrogant? Today we’ll tear you to pieces and teach you your place!"

As soon as his words ended, the four men behind him advanced menacingly, each brandishing a short sword.

With a flick, the old man lunged, stabbing his broken sword toward Ye Tianci.

Ye Tianci snapped his fingers—a streak of light shot toward the old man’s forehead, swift as lightning.

The old man’s face blanched. He tried to block with his sword, but was a heartbeat too slow.

A pebble, hard as iron, pierced his forehead like a hammer through tofu.

A bloody hole appeared instantly.

The old man’s face froze, his last reserves of strength spent on a final question: "What… what are you?"

He collapsed forward, eyes wide with shock, never to move again.

"Brother!" the other four cried out, terror plain in their eyes.

Without hesitation, they turned and fled.

"Isn’t it a bit late to think of running now?" Ye Tianci sneered, snatching up the old man’s broken sword.

With a flick of his wrist, the sword shattered into four pieces, which shot out like lightning toward the fleeing men.

Desperately, the four tried to block with their blades, but it was useless. They watched in horror as the shards pierced their chests.

Blood spurted.

One by one, the four fell.

None of the Southern Border Five Poisons escaped. All perished on the spot.

Tang Qiong was stunned, unable to believe her eyes.

She and her subordinates had nearly been slain by the Five Poisons, yet her master dispatched them as easily as slicing vegetables.

In that moment, all the pride and confidence Tang Qiong had built over the years was shattered.

"Everyone calls me a prodigy. I believed it too. But compared to Master, what am I? I don’t deserve the title at all! Master is the true prodigy!"

Tang Qiong gazed at Ye Tianci with fervent admiration, her eyes shining.

"Are you all right?" Ye Tianci asked quietly.

Tang Qiong stood, clutching her shoulder, face pale. "It’s not too serious. Thank you, Master, for saving my life."

Ye Tianci helped her out of the deserted building.

Tang Ying hurried from the car to meet them. "Sister, you’re hurt? Is it bad?"

"I’ll live," Tang Qiong gritted her teeth.

Though they hadn’t found the real Heart-Eater Gu, eliminating the Five Poisons and rescuing Tang Qiong made the trip worthwhile.

Ye Tianci led the group back to the Longxiang Grand Hotel.

He carefully dressed Tang Qiong’s wound, while she kept stealing glances at him with her beautiful eyes.

Nearby, Tang Ying noticed her sister’s gaze. When Ye Tianci finished tending the wound, Tang Ying called him downstairs, claiming it was important.

Once outside, Ye Tianci frowned. "What’s so important that we had to come down?"

"Big brother, don’t you think my sister is beautiful?" Tang Ying asked.

Ye Tianci nodded. "She’s beautiful—valiant and graceful, a rare beauty."

"Then why not make her your wife? That way, we’d be family," Tang Ying said, grinning.

Ye Tianci flicked his forehead. "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"I’m already engaged. My fiancée is Lin Qingqian. You want me to betray her?"

Tang Ying rubbed his forehead and grumbled, "You could just marry both—let my sister be the second wife."

Ye Tianci glared at him. Frightened, Tang Ying turned and ran, calling from a distance, "Big brother, take care of my sister until she’s better. I’m off!"

Ye Tianci chuckled. That Tang Ying—what a harebrained idea.

Back upstairs, Tang Qiong had changed clothes and was almost fully recovered.

"Master, someone wishes to see you," Tang Qiong announced.

"I refuse," Ye Tianci replied bluntly.

Thud!

Heavy boots struck the floor. A middle-aged man in military dress appeared at the door, eyes cold and presence commanding.

"Ye Tianci, you are the first person in my life to refuse to see me!"