Chapter 144 : Unexpected Change?
Chapter 144: Unexpected Change?
“Xiang Changfeng? Who is that?”
Li Yunqing muttered subconsciously. Now that she had become famous, everyone wanted to challenge her?
Memories surfaced in her mind, and an image naturally appeared—a young general in white robes, clad in armor, holding a long spear.
“The son of the Overlord Spear?”
“The same Xiang Changfeng who was knocked off the arena by me back then, shouting that he refused to accept it and wanted another fight?”
“Seriously? Are all spear users this reckless?”
Li Yunqing felt somewhat speechless.
Who would block someone’s carriage in the middle of the street just to challenge them?
And a dignified Profound Realm Grandmaster stopping someone in the Qi Realm—just to regain face, even abandoning all dignity?
If he won, it might be acceptable.
But if he lost, how much face would he lose?
After thinking for a moment, Li Yunqing raised her hand and lifted the carriage curtain. With Xiaolan’s support, she stepped out.
Since she was already blocked, she might as well see what was going on.
Almost instantly, her gaze was drawn to the center of the road—
A young man in white armor holding a long spear.
Around twenty years old, hair tied high, handsome features, a strong and upright figure.
His white robe fluttered, battle intent surged, and golden light flickered around him.
A faint golden true dragon coiled around his body.
That was Xiang Changfeng’s momentum of heaven and earth, now condensed into an illusory golden dragon protecting him.
He stood upright, spear touching the ground in his right hand, his presence imposing and awe-inspiring.
“Ah! It’s Young General Xiang!”
“Truly worthy of being the son of the Overlord Spear!”
“So handsome—and that aura, that physique—worthy of Young General Xiang!”
In an instant, the entire street filled with people, voices rising in discussion.
From the pavilions on both sides of the street came waves of female exclamations, their gazes shy and admiring as they looked at Xiang Changfeng.
Such a vigorous and domineering young man could indeed capture the hearts of countless maidens.
Seeing Li Yunqing step out of the carriage, Xiang Changfeng lightly kicked his spear.
“Clang!”
The spear trembled with a hum as he grasped it with one hand and spun it.
In the instant it was raised high, the spear tip pointed directly at Li Yunqing.
“Back then on the arena, I refused to accept defeat. Today, we fight again!”
Xiang Changfeng’s voice was thunderous, his head held high, his domineering aura like a great general on the battlefield.
This imposing scene drew countless exclamations.
Even more women leaned out from the pavilions, covering their faces with handkerchiefs, revealing only affectionate eyes as they craned their necks to watch.
As soon as his words fell, countless people turned their heads—
And in a single glance saw the young girl standing at the front of the carriage.
At that moment, all exclamations abruptly ceased.
Every gaze fell upon Li Yunqing.
“So this is the Number One Beauty Under Heaven?”
“Ah! She’s such a delicate beauty—Young General Xiang is bullying her, isn’t he?”
“Exactly! Such a beautiful woman, so gentle and serene, like she’s made of water—how could he do this?”
In an instant, the direction of public opinion shifted, all pointing at Xiang Changfeng.
Even some women revealed expressions of sympathy.
Dressed in a purple gown, Li Yunqing stood quietly at the front of the carriage—too gentle, too serene.
Like divine water condensed into human form, her calm and graceful demeanor paired with unparalleled beauty made it difficult for anyone to harbor ill feelings.
Hearing the surrounding discussions, Xiang Changfeng shook his spear, his voice booming like thunder:
“Do you dare to fight!”
“I’ll use only one hand!”
“If you don’t dare, that’s fine—as long as you can withstand three of my strikes, you win!”
At that instant, the entire street fell silent, many people instinctively covering their ears.
The sound was too loud, making their heads buzz.
His overwhelming battle intent and aura instilled fear in everyone present.
For a time, the entire street was completely packed due to Xiang Changfeng.
Just then—
Several more figures stepped out from the crowd.
“I, Yan Beikuang, request a battle!”
“I, Hua Jinshu, wish to exchange pointers with the young lady.”
“I, Qi Jinghua of the Heavenly Secrets Sect, greet Miss Yunqing.”
Hearing these voices, Li Yunqing immediately understood.
Over the past few days, she had traveled between the martial hall in the morning and the Shang Residence in the evening—clearly she had been noticed.
These people had likely come deliberately to block her here.
As for their purpose, she didn’t need to think much—she already understood.
Of course, if they truly wanted a beating, she wouldn’t hold back.
“Li Yunqing, at this point, you’re still not going to accept?”
Xiang Changfeng pointed his spear at her, its hum continuous.
His battle intent soared, his tone domineering.
It seemed that if Li Yunqing dared to refuse, he would forcibly attack and compel her to fight.
Li Yunqing remained silent, her expression calm. Yet within her chest, Immortal-Martial Power surged instantly as she flicked her sleeve.
“Boom!”
At that moment, it felt as if heaven and earth had been gathered into her sleeve—and then flung outward.
Invisible force, empowered by Immortal-Martial Power, surged forth like a vast river.
“Good!”
Xiang Changfeng shouted excitedly. Dragon roars echoed from his spear as he prepared to leap forward—
But suddenly, he felt a terrifying gale crashing into him.
“You can’t stop me! Astonishing Spear—break for me!”
“Roar!”
With his shout, the golden dragon around him roared, the momentum of heaven and earth surging.
Yet before it could fully manifest, it collided with the invisible force—
And exploded instantly.
“Boom!”
The golden dragon formed from the momentum of heaven and earth shattered.
Even the spear in Xiang Changfeng’s hand trembled violently. Before he could even swing it, the shaft began to bend under overwhelming force.
“Crack!”
In the next moment, the spear bent to its limit and snapped apart piece by piece.
Even the spearhead was blasted away, shooting into the ground and leaving a deep hole.
His entire body was flung backward uncontrollably.
He crashed directly into a stone pillar of a street archway.
“Boom!”
The pillar shattered, the arch collapsed, instantly burying Xiang Changfeng beneath the rubble—no sound came from him.
It was too fast.
One moment, Xiang Changfeng was awe-inspiring.
The next, Li Yunqing flicked her sleeve, and he was sent flying, his spear shattered.
It was as if they were not even on the same level.
The entire street fell into complete silence.
All eyes were frozen in disbelief, staring at the pile of rubble.
Even the four armored subordinates who had come with Xiang Changfeng stood stunned.
Only after seeing him buried did they snap back to their senses.
“Young General!”
The four rushed forward, frantically clearing the rubble, their expressions extremely tense.
Xiang Changfeng—who had broken through to the Profound Realm, son of the Overlord Spear—had been sent flying with a single flick of a sleeve?
Without even the slightest ability to resist, without even letting out a scream?
“What just happened?”
“How did Young General Xiang lose?”
“A dignified Profound Realm couldn’t even block a girl’s sleeve?”
After the silence, discussions erupted again.
Li Yunqing, however, turned her gaze to the others and spoke gently:
“You also wish to exchange pointers with me?”
Hearing this, Hua Jinshu, Yan Beikuang, and Qi Jinghua trembled slightly.
They subconsciously glanced at Xiang Changfeng, who had just been pulled from the rubble.
At this moment, his eyes were closed, his chest armor shattered, his body covered in blood—completely unconscious.
The four subordinates hurriedly carried him away toward the General’s Residence.
Seeing this, the three stepped back simultaneously.
“Ahem… Miss, your strength is extraordinary. We admit defeat.”
“We only came to make your acquaintance—there is absolutely no intention of sparring!”
All three spoke in unison, cold sweat dripping from their foreheads.
Who could explain this?
They were clearly in the Profound Realm, while Li Yunqing was only in the Qi Realm.
Yet Xiang Changfeng, with his formidable strength, couldn’t even withstand a single move?
Even more unbelievable—before, Li Yunqing had at least used a sword.
Now she didn’t even bother drawing it—just a flick of her sleeve nearly killed him.
How could such a gap be explained?
Even they would likely be unable to withstand it.
This kind of power was absolutely not something a Qi Realm cultivator should possess.
Even an upper-tier or perfected Profound Realm expert could not claim to defeat them in a single move.
Yet Li Yunqing had done exactly that.
At this moment, they even felt as if they were facing someone like the Sword Saint or Sword God—peerless geniuses of the Sword Dao.
“Fairy Yunqing, I have prepared a banquet at Tianfeng Tower—please honor us with your presence!”
“Sword Fairy, I have arranged a banquet at Fenghua Tower—please grant us the honor.”
“Sword Fairy…”
The three cupped their hands, speaking respectfully.
Their purpose had never truly been sparring—only that they didn’t want Xiang Changfeng to take all the attention, so they had spoken up.
Their sect elders had instructed them to make connections with Li Yunqing—if they could win her affection, even better.
If not, it didn’t matter—as long as they did not offend her.
The reason was not only her Pure Yin Body.
It was also because Li Yunqing herself was extraordinarily beautiful, her temperament and figure unmatched—no man could claim not to be attracted.
Moreover, she was the disciple of both the Sword God and the Sword Saint.
Even if they couldn’t win her affection, building a relationship and gaining favor with those two through her would be invaluable.
“The night is late. Yunqing must return and has no time for a banquet. If there is nothing else, please make way.”
Hearing them, Li Yunqing had already guessed their intentions.
The Pure Yin Body might be hidden from ordinary people, but not from hidden sects or great families.
These groups were almost always connected to immortals or forbidden zones.
Aside from Xiang Changfeng being genuinely reckless, the others had clearly come because of her physique.
To enjoy her beauty and gain the benefits of her constitution—rising to greatness in one step.
If she were a man, she would be tempted as well.
It wasn’t about love—just the benefits alone were irresistible.
Especially for these Heaven’s Chosen prodigies of hidden sects, who naturally believed themselves extraordinary.
Hearing her refusal, the three exchanged glances, somewhat embarrassed.
As inheritors of hidden sects, to be rejected by a woman in front of so many people—
That was quite a loss of face.
“Fairy Yunqing, please wait!”
Just as Li Yunqing was about to turn and board the carriage, a sharp eunuch’s voice rang out.
A moment later, an elderly eunuch in official robes hurried over.
“Fairy Yunqing!”
The eunuch spoke loudly, “By verbal decree of His Majesty: the hibiscus flowers in Yuhua Palace are in full, magnificent bloom. A banquet has been specially arranged, inviting Fairy Yunqing to enter the palace to admire them.”
“Fairy Yunqing, hibiscus is the finest among flowers. Under the moonlight, it burns like fire—truly a unique sight.”
“His Majesty invites you with great sincerity. Please follow this servant into the palace!”
Hearing this, Li Yunqing frowned slightly and replied without hesitation:
“No time.”
If she were outside, she might have already killed that dog emperor.
But within the palace—she would not step in lightly.
That was the emperor’s stronghold. Without the power to suppress everything, she would not take such a risk.
“Fairy Yunqing, His Majesty also has an imperial edict!”
Seeing her turn away, the eunuch hurriedly spoke, pulling out a bright yellow decree.
But before he could unfold and read it—
Li Yunqing suddenly flicked her sleeve.
“Boom!”
The eunuch coughed blood and was sent flying. The imperial edict flew into the air—
And exploded midair.
At that instant, everyone watching widened their eyes in shock.
Destroying an imperial edict and seriously injuring the imperial messenger in public—
This was a direct slap to the Emperor’s face.
At worst, it could be considered rebellion.
“Let’s go. Return to the residence!”
Li Yunqing said no more and stepped onto the carriage.
That dog emperor still dared to send an edict to her—if she didn’t slap his face, she wouldn’t feel at ease.
“Creak!”
The carriage departed, and no one dared to block the way.
Wherever it passed, the crowd parted.
The Number One Beauty Under Heaven might be stunning—but her courage was terrifying.
No one wanted to be implicated.
Even Hua Jinshu, Yan Beikuang, and Qi Jinghua fell silent, their expressions instead relaxing.
Compared to her humiliating the Emperor, their failure to invite her didn’t seem so embarrassing.
Inside the carriage.
Li Yunqing closed her eyes, thoughts surging.
“Those gazes in the shadows these past few days… so it really was them.”
“They couldn’t even wait three days?”
“Or… has something changed that I don’t know about?”