Playing with People's Hearts

The battle began, but Zhang Lingyu didn't rush to attack. Instead, he hesitated, his lowered hands flickering with golden light one moment, then lifeless the next.

From the stands, the Old Heavenly Master naturally knew what he was hesitating about. He thought to himself, Lingyu, if you can't face yourself, if you can't face the Yin Five Thunders, this battle might not even give you a one-tenth chance of winning. So, recognize yourself, admit who you are!

Seeing Zhang Lingyu still hesitating, Shen Ye smiled. "Since True Person Lingyu is unwilling to violate the rules of hospitality, then I'll make the first move. It just so happens I acquired a few little trinkets last night."

As he spoke, three spirits flew out from his sleeves. Their forms gradually solidified, and faces began to appear.

Others were still waiting for the faces to fully materialize, but Xia He's heart was pounding uncontrollably.

That familiar Qi—there was no doubt. Those three souls were Gao Ning and his group. Could they be dead?

How could this be? I explicitly had people keeping watch outside last night, making sure he didn't get help before leading him there!

Just then, the three souls cast cold, piercing gazes towards her.

Xia He instantly felt as if she'd fallen into an ice cellar. Those three souls still have consciousness; they recognized me!

She could already foresee what would happen if one of the Quansheng "Four Maniacs" was recognized at the Grand Heavenly Offering Ritual.

The next moment, Shen Ye's gaze also turned towards her.

It's over! Just as Xia He's heart sank, Shen Ye suddenly withdrew his gaze, even forcibly correcting the unusual behavior of the three souls.

Did he not understand what those three meant? Impossible! That meaningful look just now clearly showed he recognized me! Xia He's post-escape relief gradually faded, replaced by an even more terrifying thought.

Did he know about my relationship with Lingyu? Is he keeping me alive to threaten Lingyu with this information? No, that's not right. If he reveals this information, Lingyu's character means he wouldn't deny it at all, and there would be no need for this battle to continue. So, is his real target the Old Heavenly Master?

As the three souls gradually solidified, many people recognized their identities.

"That's Thunder Smoke Cannon Gao Ning!"

"The other two are Root of Disaster Shen Chong and Gut-Piercing Poison Dou Mei!"

Shen Ye nodded slightly. "I believe those are their names. They call themselves the Quansheng 'Four Maniacs' and wanted me to join them. I refused, so I fought them and killed them all!"

Upon hearing Shen Ye's personal admission, the entire venue erupted in an uproar!

"It really is the Quansheng 'Four Maniacs'! When those four team up, even the most top-tier exorcisers might not be their match!"

"Excellent! How many families have been ruined by them? This time, they finally hit a brick wall!"

"Young Master Shen Ye… Ahem, Lord Shen Ye is truly too strong! If you ask me, there's no need for this battle to continue. No matter how strong True Person Lingyu is, he can't be stronger than the 'Four Maniacs' combined, right?"

"Speaking of which, where's the soul of Bone-Scraping Blade Xia He?"

"True Person Lingyu is a disciple of the Old Heavenly Master, with a pure and upright character. He would certainly not be tempted by feminine charms. Young Brother Shen Ye must have known this, which is why he didn't release Xia He's soul!"

Amidst these exclamations of shock and cheers, Zhang Lingyu's eyes gradually turned bloodshot.

Did Xia He not heed my advice and still found someone to deal with him, only to be killed by him in the end?

Although he understood in his heart that Shen Ye had done nothing wrong—the "Four Maniacs" were all enemies—understanding and acceptance were two different things!

Shen Ye pretended not to notice Zhang Lingyu's abnormality and reminded him, "True Person Lingyu, be careful. Although their abilities only retain partial power, they are still very difficult to deal with!"

As his words fell, the three attacked simultaneously.

Although their abilities were weakened, their attack speed was even faster in their soul state.

Almost in an instant, Shen Chong appeared before Zhang Lingyu and unleashed a full-power punch.

"So fast!" Zhang Lingyu raised his hand to block, but suddenly, his vision turned pink. Shen Chong seemed to have transformed into Xia He's appearance.

Zhang Lingyu instinctively paused, then was sent flying by Shen Chong's punch.

Coming to his senses, Zhang Lingyu felt a surge of anger. "Damn it! You bastard, how dare you take on her appearance! I'll never forgive you!"

The Twelve Laborious Emotion Array gently plucked at his heartstrings, while Dou Mei continuously transformed into Xia He's appearance, cooing in his ear, "Hehe, is this how you say she is?"

Then, that coquettish pose turned into a blood-soaked figure. "Lingyu, I hurt so much, I'm so cold..."

"Aaah!" Zhang Lingyu roared to the sky, his pupils blood-red, thrashing wildly like a mad bull attracted by a red flag.

Shen Chong seized the opportunity and mercilessly beat him.

Seeing this, everyone in the stands fell silent.

Although many of them thought Shen Ye might have the upper hand, they never imagined that he hadn't even moved a single step himself, yet with just three souls, he had pushed Zhang Lingyu to the brink!

He was even toying with him!

In this silence, one person's eyes shone brightly. Given Lingyu's temperament, he shouldn't be so easily affected by a weakened Twelve Laborious Emotion Array. Is he so angry because of me? Does he think I'm dead? Hmph, what a dishonest, bad child. I thought you really didn't care about me!

After a moment of emotion, Xia He became conflicted again. Should I warn Lingyu? But what if I anger that person, and he exposes my disguise?

Just as her thoughts became a tangled mess, she heard gasps from the people around her. She looked up and saw the enraged Zhang Lingyu being brutalized on the ground by Shen Chong, almost losing the strength to fight back.

Seeing this, Xia He couldn't care less about anything else. She pinched her voice and shouted, "Little Ox-Nose, pull yourself together! Show me the same intensity you had when you fought me!"

Hearing that voice, Zhang Lingyu reacted as if he'd been shocked. The blood-red glow in his eyes gradually receded. He kicked Shen Chong away, then sprang to his feet with a leap, looking towards the source of the voice.

Their eyes met. If Xia He hadn't disguised herself, such a scene would naturally be beautiful. But the problem was, Xia He had specifically made herself up as a gaunt, monkey-faced ugly man today.

Seeing Zhang Lingyu "exchanging glances" with a gaunt, monkey-faced ugly man, many fangirls directly broke down.

"Oh my god, does True Person Lingyu actually like this kind of thing?"

"I can't accept this!"

"You're just being dramatic. Isn't this better? Daring to break through societal boundaries, I admire True Person Lingyu even more now!"

The Old Heavenly Master's mouth twitched in the stands. For the first time, he wondered if there was something wrong with his guidance of Lingyu. However, he quickly noticed Xia He's disguise, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly upward. "So that's it. This young lady must be Lingyu's beloved, right? But what does that Young Brother Shen Ye mean? He seems intent on helping Lingyu get rid of his Inner Demon?"