Outside the Spider Nest.
A figure clad in black feathered robes landed, observing the group from The Other Shore before him. A blade as thin as a cicada's wing spun rapidly between his fingers, bearing some resemblance to Su Changhe's Inch Finger Sword.
"Fingertip Blade? You're from the Tang Sect..." Su Luandan pondered briefly before realizing, "Tang Lingyue."
Tang Lingyue nodded. "Are you blocking the way?"
Su Luandan smirked, stepping aside as the rest of The Other Shore members followed suit. He spoke leisurely, "The path is now clear. Whether you can enter this door depends on the Black Tortoise Envoy's own skill."
"I come for Tang Sect matters, not as the Black Tortoise Envoy." Tang Lingyue stepped forward and lightly knocked on the door.
Inside the Spider Nest, the impending battle between Su Changhe and The Head was abruptly interrupted by the unexpected knocking. Su Changhe frowned in annoyance. "Didn't I say no one enters without my command?"
Then the door was pushed open.
Tang Lingyue, clad in black feathered robes, walked in as the door closed behind him. He said calmly, "I knocked only because this is not my residence. But whether I enter requires no one's permission."
The Crimson True Qi in Su Changhe's palm gradually dissipated as he chuckled. "Oh? It's Brother Lingyue. Was my dear Yumo not good enough for you? Why come here?"
Tang Lingyue ignored him, turning to The Head instead. "Dark River Grand Master, we finally meet."
The Head remained composed. "Black Tortoise Envoy of Heaven Revelation City, your reputation precedes you."
Tang Lingyue frowned slightly. "Why does everyone insist on calling me the Black Tortoise Envoy of Heaven Revelation City? I came to kill you to avenge my second uncle. This has nothing to do with Heaven Revelation City."
The Head sneered and shook his head. "You're still too young. Second Master Tang long withdrew from the martial world, unwilling even to stay in the Tang Sect, choosing instead to live alone in that desolate place. Why would anyone need the Dark River Grand Master to personally kill him?"
Tang Lingyue's pupils contracted slightly. "Who hired you?"
The Head continued coldly, "Assassins don't reveal their clients—that's the rule. All I can say is that Second Master Tang was the only one in the Tang Sect who still supported you. When the sect summoned you back to Shu, he alone stood by your side among the elders."
Tang Lingyue sighed softly. "I understand. But I must still kill you to avenge him."
The Head raised his hand slightly. "Then I invite the Black Tortoise Envoy to take my life."
"How amusing." Su Changhe leaped to Su Muyu's side, tapping his waist lightly. "There are always things you can't protect. Why not join me and enjoy the show?"
Bai Hehuai snorted. "At least it saves you some effort."
Su Changhe stroked his mustache, eyeing Bai Hehuai. "The Miracle Healer seems unusually calm. Do you know something I don't?"
Bai Hehuai smiled. "Indeed. I just poisoned you—didn’t you notice?"
Su Changhe clutched his chest dramatically. "Ah, no wonder! No wonder my heart raced faster the moment I saw you!"
Bai Hehuai spat. "You shameless little mustache!"Su Muyu gazed at The Head, silently wondering in his heart: What exactly are you thinking, Head?
Tang Lingyue casually flicked a pebble toward The Head. Mid-flight, the pebble suddenly ignited, transforming into a ball of flame. The Head raised the Sleeping Dragon Sword and effortlessly sliced the pebble into fragments, scattering embers around him: "A mere flaming pebble—do you think it can kill me?"
Tang Lingyue remained rooted in place, flicking three King of Hell Summons with his left hand while raising his right to unleash dozens of Dragon Whisker Needles. The Head swiftly sidestepped the three summons and swept his sword, deflecting the needles to the ground: "Even Second Master Tang had to resort to Myriad Trees Flying Blossoms when facing me. Do you really think this is enough to kill me?"
Finally, Tang Lingyue moved. Seizing the moment when The Head was deflecting the needles, he leaped into the air: "You want to see Myriad Trees Flying Blossoms? Then I’ll show you!" With a wave of his sleeves, countless Silver Needles rained down like a storm.
"Watch out!" Bai Hehuai instinctively stepped back.
But Su Changhe and Su Muyu stood their ground. Su Changhe chuckled: "Tang Lingyue is rigid to the point of amusement. If he says he’ll only kill The Head, then he’ll only kill The Head. Relax, we won’t be harmed."
"Your uncle could turn flowers into weapons, yet you still rely on Silver Needles as your 'blossoms.' You lack his ability to transform all things into hidden weapons." The Head's muscles bulged as his Sword Qi surged with overwhelming ferocity, forming a protective barrier that shattered every needle into dust.
But the needles fell precisely where the scattered embers had landed.
And these needles seemed twice as thick as ordinary ones.
Suddenly, the flames on the ground flared blindingly bright.
In an instant, the entire courtyard lit up as if it were midday.
Still suspended in midair, Tang Lingyue whispered a single word: "Boom."
Then, the ground within a ten-foot radius around The Head erupted.
The entire patch of earth was blasted upward.
Dust and debris filled the air, forcing Su Changhe to wield his Yama Palm to repel the flying rubble: "I misjudged you, Tang Lingyue!"
Su Muyu hissed, "Those needles were packed with the Lei Sect’s explosives!"
"Aren’t the Tang Sect and Lei Sect sworn enemies? Why would Tang Sect’s hidden weapons contain Lei Sect explosives?" Bai Hehuai asked in confusion.
"Li Xinyue leads the Four Guardians of Heavenly Revelation. Her husband is Lei Mengsha, the Lei Sect’s prodigy of this generation!" Su Muyu replied.
Su Changhe coughed while swatting away the smoke: "This much smoke means The Head definitely isn’t dead."
Tang Lingyue landed: "This was my second hidden weapon— Heavenly Thunder Unforeseen . A pity there are no clouds tonight, or I could’ve called down lightning to ensure your death."
The Head stood amidst the settling dust. Though his surroundings were devastated, he remained unscathed—even his robes untouched. The Sleeping Dragon on his sword opened its eyes once more as he raised the blade, tilting his head slightly.
Tang Lingyue pointed an iron box at The Head’s back.
" Storm of Pear Blossom Needles ," The Head said calmly. "Let’s see if your needles are faster than my sword."Tang Lingyue tightly gripped the iron box, pondering the same question until he noticed an extremely fine, almost imperceptible wound slowly appearing on The Head's sword-wielding wrist.
The Heavenly Thunder of No Falsehood had ultimately wounded him after all.
And from that wound flowed white blood.
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