Chapter 191: How About We Use a Beauty Trap?
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The next day, Yu Zhao stepped onto the competition platform.
Standing opposite her was Ten Thousand Slayer, his face clouded with gloom. Facing Yu Zhao in the first round of the ranking competition was no laughing matter for anyone, especially after he’d previously offended her. The thought of forfeiting briefly crossed his mind.
After hesitating for a moment, he decided to give it his all. Even if he lost, he didn’t want to lose miserably.
Once Elder Sacrificial Blade announced the start of the match, Ten Thousand Slayer launched the first attack.
His cultivation technique bore an uncanny resemblance to Yu Zhao’s Illusory Tides Technique, as both relied on soul force to attack. The difference was that Yu Zhao’s attacks lured and manipulated her opponent’s soul, while Ten Thousand Slayer attacked directly.
It was well known that the Sea of Consciousness, where the soul resided, was the most fragile part of a cultivator’s body. Once its barrier was breached, damage to the soul could have severe consequences—ranging from mental collapse to death. This made Ten Thousand Slayer’s opponents seldom survive his attacks.
However, this time, he faced his true nemesis.
Yu Zhao’s soul force was so profound that even Transformation-level cultivators marveled at its strength.
Ten Thousand Slayer recited his incantation, only to find that Yu Zhao remained unaffected. Frowning, he recited it again, glancing at Yu Zhao’s calm eyes with growing uncertainty.
“Is that it? My turn then.”
Yu Zhao lightly tapped the ground with her right foot.
Ten Thousand Slayer, already on guard, activated a defensive artifact and layered multiple shields around himself. As his vigilance peaked, the sky suddenly darkened, and the air grew icy cold.
From above, a cacophony of piercing wails descended, sharp and grating like the cries of countless tortured souls.
Ten Thousand Slayer froze momentarily before regaining his composure.
“Yu Zhao, your illusion won’t work on me,” he declared firmly.
“Is that so?” she replied, her tone unbothered.
The darkened sky cracked open, revealing an ominous tear from which a terrifying aura poured forth. Ten Thousand Slayer stared at the tear, his pupils contracting as a pale, bloodless arm reached out, followed by half of a ghastly figure.
His instincts screamed at him to run.
With a ghastly sound, countless souls surged from the tear, radiating overwhelming hatred as they rushed toward him.
These souls, male and female, bore familiar faces—ones he had killed.
A wave of horror washed over Ten Thousand Slayer as he instinctively stepped back. It wasn’t until the souls closed in within ten feet that he remembered to cast a spell for defense.
But these souls, being illusory entities, weren’t hindered by ordinary defensive techniques.
One spirit latched onto his head and viciously bit into his face.
“Aah!!!”
Ten Thousand Slayer screamed. The pain was so vividly real that he forgot he was in an illusion. His face twisted in agony as he thrashed about. “Get off! All of you, get off! I killed you once; I can kill you again!”
The spirits paused briefly, then, as though provoked, swarmed over him even more ferociously.
With his soul attacks rendered ineffective, Ten Thousand Slayer was soon engulfed by the spirits. His screams grew faint, the diminishing sound the only proof of his presence.
Below the platform, the audience watched in utter silence.
Yu Zhao’s illusion only targeted the individual it was cast on, so the spectators saw a very different scene.
To them, Ten Thousand Slayer had collapsed in terror, writhing on the ground and clawing at himself while emitting gut-wrenching screams. On the other side, Yu Zhao stood unshaken, her expression serene, not a single fold in her robes disturbed.
Ten Thousand Slayer, who had made a notorious impression during individual matches for his brutal methods, had even earned himself the nickname “Executioner” among the crowd. But against Yu Zhao, the executioner had turned victim.
The contrast was striking, evoking sighs from the onlookers. Over time, Ten Thousand Slayer’s aura began to fade.
Elder Sacrificial Blade hesitated, casting a glance at Yu Zhao. According to the rules, unless one party willingly forfeited, the match would continue until one side could no longer fight. Now trapped in an illusion, Ten Thousand Slayer had completely lost his sanity. If Yu Zhao didn’t stop the match, he would die in a state of utter terror.
Would Yu Zhao show mercy at the last moment? The answer was, of course, no.
When Ten Thousand Slayer killed during matches, he should have foreseen this retribution. Those who kill are destined to be killed.
Ultimately, Ten Thousand Slayer didn’t die by anyone’s hand. Instead, he was scared to death by the illusions. The souls of those he had killed came to claim his life—karma, plain and simple.
“Yu Zhao wins.”
From the spectator seats, sect masters and elders exchanged silent glances.
An elder from Hundred Flowers Valley leaned closer to his sect master, whispering, “Such a waste, such a waste. A rare talent like Yu Zhao, reduced to being an inner disciple of the Five Elements Dao Sect! Sect Master, think of a way to recruit her for ourselves. I can’t stand it anymore!”
The sect master of Flying Leaf, leader of Hundred Flowers Valley, sighed softly. “Do you think I haven’t tried? Look at Sect Master Ji Yuan, grinning like his jaw’s about to split. Getting him to let her go will take careful planning.”
Meanwhile, the head of Heavenly Sword Sect, Sect Leader Chong Yang, was also discussing with Sword Sovereign Jiu Hua the feasibility of recruiting Yu Zhao into their sect.
Initially, when Ji Han Zhou praised Yu Zhao, Sect Leader Chong Yang dismissed it, thinking the younger disciple’s judgment had faltered after spending time outside. Now, having witnessed Yu Zhao’s abilities firsthand, he realized Ji Han Zhou had been too reserved in his compliments. Yu Zhao was far more exceptional than described.
With her talent, Sect Leader Chong Yang believed that Yu Zhao could excel as a renowned sword cultivator, even if she started practicing now. Even if she didn’t pursue sword cultivation, her mastery of illusion techniques was astounding. As long as she joined Heavenly Sword Sect, the possibilities were endless.
Sword Sovereign Jiu Hua, eyes alight with excitement, suggested, “Sect Leader, how about using the beauty tactic?”
Startled, Sect Leader Chong Yang hesitated before noticing the excitement in Sword Sovereign Jiu Hua’s gaze. After a moment of silence, he asked, “Does Yu Zhao prefer women?”
Sword Sovereign Jiu Hua paused awkwardly. “…I was talking about my son as the beauty.”
Though, if Yu Zhao did prefer women, that could be arranged as well.
“Haha, just joking,” Sect Leader Chong Yang laughed stiffly, then glanced down at Ji Han Zhou, who stood out even among a group of handsome men and beautiful women. Nodding approvingly, he said, “It’s worth a try.”
Sword Sovereign Jiu Hua smiled faintly. Han Zhou, your mother has secured the opportunity for you. The rest is up to you.
Meanwhile, other sects such as Green Wood Sect, Aspiration Pavilion, and Tai Bai Academy, along with many smaller yet influential sects, began to stir with interest.
The disdain and coldness Master Qing Yan showed toward Yu Zhao were clear to all. According to rumors, Master Qing Yan had publicly scolded Yu Zhao for her failures in front of the entire sect and even stripped her of the chance to participate in the sect tournament. This led Yu Zhao to compete in the individual matches filled with rogue cultivators.
Given this, their attempts to recruit Yu Zhao were entirely justifiable. If the Five Elements Dao Sect didn’t cherish their own talent, they could hardly blame others for stepping in.