"Bitch, if you had set up a martial arts arena, I might have been wary. But you are so arrogant, setting up a Dan-Wu arena and shamelessly saying we can choose between alchemy or combat. If I don't defeat you, wouldn't that be a disservice to your kind intentions?"
Huang Tao had the smug look of a villain who had achieved his goal, making one feel nauseated.
Zi Lingling said coldly, "You think too much! Go back and tell your guild master and master, Ouyang Yudeke, that if he doesn't want the Alchemist Guild of Xuanyuan City to fall apart, he should chop off this maggot-like disgusting thing of yours immediately!"
Huang Tao's anger surged again.
But when he thought of Zi Lingling's fate in three days, the raging anger in his chest vanished without a trace.
"Bitch, enjoy your arrogance for three more days! In three days, I, this Alchemist, will personally step onto the stage and take your life through an alchemy duel!"
As he spoke, a lustful glint flashed in his eyes. He shook his head and said, "No, no, no! It would be a shame to kill such a high-quality beauty. I've decided, after I win, I'll have you moaning under me day and night!"
A murderous intent flashed across Xuanyuan Zhe's body.
As someone from the Xuanyuan Dynasty, he had always been reluctant to offend Huang Tao.
After all, Huang Tao had the Alchemist Guild of Xuanyuan City as his backing. If he were to offend Huang Tao, it would inevitably cause a chain reaction.
But Huang Tao's words were a blatant insult to Zi Lingling.
If Xuanyuan Zhe could still remain indifferent, then what right would he have to like Zi Lingling?
Insulting the woman he loved was an unforgivable offense.
He thought to himself, "Huang Tao, since you're asking for death, don't blame me for being ruthless! I may not be able to touch you, but the Killing God Hall can!"
Xuanyuan Zhe had made up his mind that after he returned today, he would secretly go to the Killing God Hall to issue a mission.
Unlike his restraint,
Zi Lingling's killing intent instantly solidified.
If it weren't for Xuanyuan City's prohibition of private fights, she would have torn this lecherous scoundrel into eight pieces right now!
"Hmph! You've got some nerve! In three days, I hope you'll still be alive to say this!"
Zi Lingling waved her right hand gently, and something invisible landed on Huang Tao.
Huang Tao didn't notice, still lost in his lewd fantasies.
"Hahaha! Bitch, oh no, little beauty, just wait for this Alchemist to dote on you!"
With that, he turned and left with a laugh.
The coldness in Zi Lingling's eyes turned into frost. She snorted, "Hmph! To have such dirty thoughts about me, then I'll make you experience the pain of becoming infertile before you die!"
After Huang Tao left, the plump man frowned and advised, "Miss, you should leave quickly!"
"Leave?"
Zi Lingling was taken aback. "Why should I leave? I haven't bought enough of your raw stones yet!"
The plump man gave a wry smile. "Miss, you really are carefree! That Huang Tao, relying on his master as a backer, does whatever he pleases in Xuanyuan City. He's like a city tyrant. You've offended him now, and given his nature, he won't let you go. So, you should leave quickly!"
The surrounding onlookers also urged, "Miss, just listen to Elder Fu and leave quickly!"
Elder Fu was the plump man.
"Yes, yes! That Huang Tao has always been lawless, even the people of the Xuanyuan Dynasty turn a blind eye. You should leave quickly!"
"Miss, heeding advice prevents trouble. Leave Xuanyuan City far behind, and never return!"
"..."
Zi Lingling could feel the goodwill from everyone. She smiled sweetly and said, "I can't leave. Didn't you hear what I said just now? I'm going to set up a Dan-Wu arena outside the city to challenge their Alchemist Guild!"
Elder Fu said, "Miss, you can just say that. Don't take it seriously. Just leave quickly to save your life!"
The surrounding onlookers echoed again.
"Miss, you're only fourteen or fifteen years old. Even if you've been cultivating alchemy since you were in your mother's womb, you can't possibly be a match for the Alchemist Guild!"
"Exactly! Miss, Huang Tao is a Grandmaster level alchemist. Can your alchemy skills surpass his? And his master, Ouyang Yudeke, is an Emperor level alchemist. Not just in Xuanyuan City, but even in Central City, very few people can defeat him."
"Miss, don't you know yet? The Alchemist Guild is formidable not only for their alchemy skills but also for their influence!"
"Right, right! If they just raise a banner, there will be plenty of martial experts willing to fight for them. So, Miss, whether it's an alchemy duel or a martial duel, you are at a disadvantage. Therefore, you should take this opportunity and leave quickly!"
"..."
A warm current flowed through Zi Lingling's heart.
Although there were wicked people in this world, there were more good people.
She was deeply gratified, which gave her more motivation to find the reincarnated bodies of the Nine Guardian Spirits and prevent the world-ending calamity.
She smiled and said, "Thank you for your kindness! But I'm destined to disappoint you!"
"What do you mean?" Elder Fu asked, stunned.
The people around looked at Zi Lingling with confusion.
Zi Lingling smiled and said, "Didn't you notice just now that there was the power of the Heavenly Dao empowering my words when I said that?"
Elder Fu was the first to understand and exclaimed, "Witnessed by the Heavenly Dao, a life-and-death contract?!"
These eight words made the faces of the onlookers change.
Zi Lingling nodded and said, "So, even if I leave now, I will be annihilated by the Heavenly Dao!"
The gazes of the crowd on Zi Lingling became complicated. But among those complex emotions, pity was predominant.
Xuanyuan Zhe hadn't paid much attention before, but now, reminded by Zi Lingling, his face turned grim.
"Miss Zi, are you foolish? Making a life-and-death contract with someone like Huang Tao is not worth it!"
Zi Lingling shook her head. "A tree lives for its bark, and a person lives for their pride! If Huang Tao dares to insult me, he must pay the price! Besides, what makes you think I won't win?"
Xuanyuan Zhe gritted his teeth. "But... but..."
Zi Lingling waved her hand to stop him from continuing. "Moreover, as you said, Huang Tao has committed many evils. Meeting me is simply his comeuppance. This time, perhaps it is the Heavenly Dao that has appointed me to settle the karmic debt with him!"
The crowd wanted to say more, but Zi Lingling was no longer willing to dwell on the matter.
She said with a smile, "The stone gambling convention is a rare occasion. Aren't you going to try your luck?"
The crowd was caught off guard by her sudden change of topic and stood there dumbfounded.
Zi Lingling smiled charmingly. "Since you're not willing to try your luck, I'll go try again. Perhaps with good luck, I'll even find a purple top-grade treasure!"