Wen Su had long anticipated this day would come and had prepared herself, so she wasn’t particularly afraid. She firmly believed that if she had found the courage to walk out of that alcohol-drenched room the first time, she could do it a second time. Her conviction was unshakable: as long as she didn’t give up, nothing in this world could defeat her.

But Chen Zhou and the others didn’t want her to walk out a second time.

Gu San frowned, looking at Chen Zhou, and asked, “What’s your plan?”

He didn’t want to see both of them suffer, with one crying miserably and the other returning in a wretched state.

“When fighting breaks out over there, follow that person,” Chen Zhou pointed at Lin Xiao, standing under the giant tree in the distance. “When he says it’s time to move, I’ll help you take down the guards on the east side. You need to capture the eastern drum tower first, then lower the bridge passage and lead Wen Su out.”

Take down the guards? How?

Gu San grabbed him, frowning as he examined Chen Zhou for a moment. Seemingly reassured that Chen Zhou was more composed than he had imagined, he slowly released his grip and asked just one question: “How confident are you?”

Chen Zhou said, “Eighty percent.”

Gu San replied irritably, “You always say eighty percent.”

Chen Zhou raised an eyebrow.

Gu San tilted his chin up, signaling Chen Zhou to go after Wen Su. Though he always claimed eighty percent confidence, he had always delivered on his promises.

When Chen Zhou left, he took Cheng Jingbai with him. They were stopped by guards who questioned, “Where are you going?”

“He says he knows why the earth ghosts died,” Chen Zhou said as he pulled Cheng Jingbai forward. “The Star Lord also called me to pour wine.”

The Sky Pit guards were all familiar with Chen Zhou, having watched him being tormented by Wang Geng year after year. They knew Wang Geng especially liked to summon him when drinking, so they didn’t suspect much and let them pass.

Cheng Jingbai, hunched with his head lowered to appear frightened, quietly asked, “Isn’t this a bit rushed?”

We’ve only just left the fire cave!

Chen Zhou replied, “Not rushed. Perfect timing.”

Cheng Jingbai asked again, “Has your star power stabilized?”

“Using low-level spirit techniques isn’t a problem,” Chen Zhou said. “But when operating spirit techniques, I’ll be competing with the Sky Pit for star power, so I can’t use time-dependent techniques. It must be one strike, one hit.”

Cheng Jingbai said, “In this situation, using qi circulation meridian techniques would be best. How powerful are your qi circulation incantations? I’ve seen Ming Li’s, and they’re quite impressive.”

Chen Zhou gave him a sideways glance. “You’re comparing me to her?”

Who could compare to her?

Cheng Jingbai also felt it was an unfair comparison and smiled before saying, “Then let’s compare you with your junior fellow disciple.”

Chen Zhou said, “Zixi specializes in the eight-meridian formation. His qi circulation meridian must be strong, so naturally his qi circulation incantations are very powerful.”

Cheng Jingbai scratched his head. “I wasn’t trying to hear you praise him. At a time like this, I’d rather hear you praise yourself to give me confidence.”

Chen Zhou said, “I’m more powerful than all of them.”

Cheng Jingbai looked at him with renewed confidence.

*

Xu Liangzhi wasn’t in the same building as Wang Geng. Wang Geng was drinking on the seventh floor, while Xu Liangzhi was in a wine chamber on the fifth floor, filled with swirling smoke, pervasive wine fragrance, and an ambiguous atmosphere created by candlelight and curtains.

The wine chamber never had fewer than five people. Outside, Xu Liangzhi maintained a meticulous appearance and courteous manner, but in the luxurious wine chamber, he indulged himself, revealing all his dark sides.

The pleasant sound of clinking wine cups intermingled with the vulgar talk of the merchant association men.

The beauties brought in could only live for this one night.

Xu Liangzhi played with the wine cup in his hand, his gaze sweeping past the red curtains illuminated by candlelight, down to the beautiful women being embraced and laughing coquettishly at the tables below, clothes slipping to the ground, and whispers both obscene and coy.

Some trembled in fear, unwilling and resentful. Such people often received more attention, arousing everyone’s sadistic desires.

Xu Liangzhi leaned back in his chair, unable to muster any interest in the people before him. He had been so busy these days that he hadn’t even had time to see how Wen Su had grown up.

In his memory, she liked to smear her fair, pretty face with black dirt. Xu Liangzhi was quite satisfied with this behavior. His possessions were certainly beautiful, but such beauty should only be revealed before him, satisfying his possessive desire.

Normally, he would patiently wait to enjoy Wen Su’s service, but as it happened, Wen Su was connected to Zhou Yi’s escape. Even if he wanted to downplay the matter, Ye Yuanqing wouldn’t let it go—an explanation was necessary.

If he protected Wen Su, Wang Geng would use it as leverage against him.

If he killed her to give Ye Yuanqing an explanation, he would feel somewhat regretful.

This little girl, unseen for some time, had caused him a major headache. She was truly disobedient.

As Xu Liangzhi contemplated this, his gaze deepened.

He raised his head to look at the slender figure appearing at the doorway. The guard outside opened the door for her, and Wen Su entered alone with her head lowered.

As she walked, her peripheral vision swept over the chaos in the room. The iron chains dragging on the floor made crisp sounds. Wen Su ignored the obscene language from the men at the tables. Her hands beneath her sleeves clenched and unclenched repeatedly.

Wen Su stopped at a distance, still keeping her head down, her long black eyelashes trembling slightly.

Xu Liangzhi swirled the wine in his cup, studying Wen Su with an inscrutable expression. She was still in dirty clothes with a blackened face, but possessed a pair of bright eyes that couldn’t be concealed.

Wen Su was starkly out of place in the luxurious, exquisite wine chamber—an anomaly, yet she captivated attention, making people eager to test their prowess.

The world never lacks those who enjoy novelty.

A merchant association man trembled with excitement, his eyes fixed on Wen Su, waiting only for Xu Liangzhi’s signal.

Wen Su told herself it didn’t matter; there would be a day of liberation. No—someday, she would hack all these people to death with random sword strikes.

“Come closer,” Xu Liangzhi said.

His tone sounded gentle and polite, without a hint of threat, questioning, or anger.

But Wen Su knew what a twisted and despicable person he was.

She walked forward slowly. Displeased by Wen Su’s deliberately slowed pace, Xu Liangzhi furrowed his brows. When she reached him, he took a wine bottle and poured wine onto a pure white handkerchief, completely soaking it before using it to wipe the black dirt from Wen Su’s face.

Xu Liangzhi wiped carefully and slowly, asking, “Was it you who helped Zhou Yi find the opportunity to kill himself?”

Wen Su remained silent.

Xu Liangzhi hooked a finger under her chin, forcing her to look up and meet his gaze. In the clear pool of her eyes, he saw his reflection.

Wen Su quickly looked away again and said softly, “No.”

“You’re quite bold, not only daring to do it but daring to deny it,” Xu Liangzhi pinched her face to make her look back at him. “What, did you fall for that Zhou boy?”

Wen Su stared at him silently without answering.

But Xu Liangzhi laughed and said, “Too bad that boy is useless.”

“Even if you let him escape, he couldn’t help you. That boy loves the young lady of Tai Yi, not a black and dirty little slave like you.”

He pinched Wen Su’s face with considerable force, leaving red marks on her fair skin. The pain made her frown slightly as the wine’s smell rushed into her nostrils.

Xu Liangzhi wiped her face clean and leaned in to smell her, dissatisfied. “The scent isn’t strong enough.”

With that, he took the wine from his cup and splashed it onto Wen Su’s face. She didn’t even blink when splashed. Xu Liangzhi said to the others, “What are you standing around for? Splash some fragrance on her.”

Following his command, the merchant association members who had been waiting eagerly began pouring wine on Wen Su. Her clothes and hair were soaked, her black hair clumping into wet strands.

“Wen Su, why don’t you try begging me once more?” Xu Liangzhi stood before her, his voice enticing as he pointed to the ground. “Just kneel here, lift your head, open your mouth—”

With his other hand, he brushed aside Wen Su’s wet hair from her shoulder and pulled down her clothing to reveal the grotesque bite mark scar. He smiled with satisfaction. “Perhaps then I won’t hand you over, allowing you to continue your miserable existence in the Sky Pit.”

Wen Su stepped back with disgust, but Xu Liangzhi grabbed her hair and pulled her back. Her eyes flashed with defiance. As she was pulled back, she charged toward Xu Liangzhi, trying to knock him down, raising her leg to kick him, but he anticipated and blocked her moves.

The more she resisted, the more excited the men in the wine chamber became, including Xu Liangzhi.

Cheers and roars from the men watching the scene filled the chamber, drowning out a low voice from outside. At the door, Chen Zhou raised his hand and pointed into the room: “Mountain Fixation.”

Cheng Jingbai, who had just taken down the guard and laid him on the ground, turned his head in surprise. Wasn’t he supposed to use low-level spirit techniques?!

Invisible star power penetrated through the door and swept across everyone in the room. Whether they had been laughing or trembling in fear, all were now frozen in place. Spilled wine drops hung in the air, curtains swayed gently, and cups that had been lifted but not secured fell to the ground with a crash. All living beings lost the ability to move under the qi circulation incantation “Mountain Fixation,” with only their eyeballs still frantically rotating, their gazes surprised or confused.

Wen Su was being pulled back by her hair as she struggled fiercely. Xu Liangzhi’s hand, which had been about to grip her throat, had touched the warm skin but now halted.

Xu Liangzhi’s pupils contracted, unable to believe what was happening.

As a cultivator, he recognized the situation—it was the qi circulation incantation “Mountain Fixation.”

But who… who could use spirit techniques in the Sky Pit, which devoured star power?!

Xu Liangzhi’s eyeballs trembled. His eyes, opened wide from shock, developed bloodshot lines. He wanted to look toward the door, but couldn’t lift his head or turn his body. He could only watch as Wen Su broke free from his grasp, also surprised to find herself suddenly unable to move.

Wen Su reacted quickly, immediately turning to run toward the door.

Chen Zhou, with faint star power surrounding his body, saw Wen Su come out and open the door. She reeked of alcohol—multiple types of alcohol mingled together—and the hair on her forehead was wet, still dripping droplets.

The moment Wen Su saw him, she understood what had happened and bit her lower lip, not daring to make a sound.

From the corner of his eye, Xu Liangzhi also glimpsed Chen Zhou at the door. His face instantly flushed red, then white, with fear descending upon him, as real as the star meridian power pressing on his shoulders, preventing him from moving.

Cheng Jingbai walked in without acknowledging the two of them, his expression rueful. It seemed Chen Zhou hadn’t lied about his powerful qi circulation incantations. Being able to use high-level qi circulation incantations with minimal star power was truly extraordinary.

Thinking carefully, the cultivators’ star meridians weren’t restricted here; they simply couldn’t sense or obtain star power to use spirit techniques.

For some cultivators, the strength of spirit techniques depended on both the star meridian level and the star power.

But for those with transcendent talent, the strength of spirit techniques is only related to star power.

When Chen Zhou was imprisoned in the Sky Pit, he had already reached the full boundary of six meridians.

Wen Su sniffled, unsure of her emotions. Various feelings mixed, causing her to tremble uncontrollably.

Chen Zhou said, “Wen Su, calm down. You still have many things to do.”

Wen Su took a deep breath, gradually calming herself, and nodded firmly to him: “Yes!”

Chen Zhou said to Cheng Jingbai, “I’ll leave this to you.”

Cheng Jingbai walked toward the terrified Xu Liangzhi with a bright smile. Without looking back, he said, “Go ahead without worry. I’ll make him summon Ye Yuanqing.”

Wen Su closed the door and raised her hand to wipe away the water traces on her face. She glanced at the merchant association members frozen in place. Those eyes, once soaked in wine, flesh, and beauty, now uniformly revealed plea and fear.

Cheng Jingbai walked past the contorted face of Xu Liangzhi, picking up wooden chopsticks from the table and playing with them. He circled Xu Liangzhi.

“It’s your turn to find a solution,” Cheng Jingbai said, pointing the chopstick tip at his throat, watching sweat drip from Xu Liangzhi’s forehead. “You should know how to break the Mountain Fixation. Just open your eight meridian points and release the star power pressing on you.”

“During this process, you can think carefully about how to summon Ye Yuanqing.”

After saying this, Cheng Jingbai used the wooden chopsticks to precisely stab Xu Liangzhi’s shoulder.

Xu Liangzhi fell to the ground, his right shoulder bleeding profusely. Before he could fully experience this pain, the second chopstick had already pierced his left shoulder.

There were no sharp weapons in the wine chamber. Wen Su lowered her gaze to the neatly arranged wooden chopsticks on the table. The brown luster in the candlelight was quite beautiful. She reached out to take one; these chopsticks had some weight to them, with a much better feel than the tree branches she had used to practice killing.

Wen Su picked up a wine bottle and wet the wooden chopsticks, then walked toward the merchant association members behind the table.

These men seemed to know what she intended to do. Fearful and speechless, they wanted to kneel and cry for mercy, but had no chance—they couldn’t move, only watch helplessly as Wen Su approached with the chopsticks.

From these people’s trembling eyeballs, Wen Su could discern their meaning—nothing more than begging for mercy.

But when these people had choked her throat, watching her die repeatedly, or pinched her jaw to force alcohol down her throat, they had never given her a chance to beg for mercy.

At this point, kneeling and begging would be useless.

Wen Su thrust the chopsticks precisely through a merchant association man’s throat. Blood splattered across her face, but she didn’t watch him fall—she had already moved on to the next person.

What would they say if they could speak?

Unfortunately, no one would listen.

The thick smell of alcohol in the room gradually mingled with the scent of blood.

*

Chen Zhou arrived upstairs. Wang Geng didn’t like closing doors when drinking, so the door was wide open. Shi Dang was beside him, smiling as he poured wine and listening to Wang Geng curse.

Seeing Chen Zhou, his eyes brightened, and he hurriedly said, “Pig slave! Quickly come pour wine for the Star Lord!”

Chen Zhou entered and closed the door behind him.

Shi Dang stared in surprise. Wang Geng threw down his wine cup and stood up: “Open the door for your master! I’ll make you…”

The body meridian’s most basic spirit technique: Flash Shadow.

At this speed, neither Wang Geng nor Shi Dang could see clearly. Chen Zhou flashed before the drunken Wang Geng, who still did not react. With fingers tightly clenched, Chen Zhou swung a fist at Wang Geng’s face.

Body meridian low-level spirit technique: Mountain Fist.

This punch sent the hulking Wang Geng flying, crashing and breaking several chairs. His eyeball and several teeth fell to the ground. His mind buzzed incessantly, unable to process external information for quite some time.

Seeing the eyeball fall by his feet, Shi Dang collapsed to the ground in fear, instantly drenched in sweat, watching in terror as Chen Zhou walked toward Wang Geng.

The iron chains on his feet made scraping sounds against the floor.

Chen Zhou pulled out a long knife from the chair and slashed Wang Geng’s right leg. The intense pain immediately brought him back to his senses, making him cry out.

His eye! His leg!

Wang Geng couldn’t help but cover his face with one hand, while his remaining right eye looked at Chen Zhou in disbelief. The thin but steady-eyed man before him crouched down to look him in the eye.

After a moment, Chen Zhou smiled and asked, “Can you bark like a dog?”

This was the first thing Wang Geng had said to him years ago.