Xiao Yue's Transformation (Part One)

The Nine Consecutive Dances strikes were stronger and more ferocious than the last. The ninth strike, a Spear flying from his hand, carried terrifying power. Everyone stared wide-eyed at this spear. Even Cultivator at the Return to Simplicity Realm might not be able to block it. This Wu Zhao's last move, the one that placed his final hope on Zhuge Xiang. What should he do?

In an instant, the terrifying Spear arrived in front of Zhuge Xiang. Its powerful and fierce aura made Zhuge Xiang's scalp tingle. He knew that he couldn't withstand the power of this attack with his own defense alone.

With his knees slightly bent and center of gravity lowered, Zhuge Xiang crossed his arms in front of him, assuming a blocking stance. Wu Zhao Zhuge Xiang's reaction widened everyone's eyes. Facing Wu Zhao's final and strongest strike of the Nine Consecutive Dances, Zhuge Xiang was actually going to use defense to forcibly block it? Could he really succeed?

The passive effect of Thorn Armor is to reduce the defense of surrounding targets by 20%, while the active effect is that it can reflect single-target attack Skill at the Qi Refining Stage. Faced with Wu Zhao's move, Zhuge Xiang can only choose to use the effect of Thorn Armor to fight fire with fire.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Wu Zhao's spear struck Zhuge Xiang hard, causing Su Huayu and Mizheng to gasp in surprise.

However, the imagined scenario of Zhuge Xiang's body being pierced did not occur. Instead, the Thorn Armor on Zhuge Xiang's body shone brightly, and then the fierce Spear flew backward. In terms of both power and speed, it was no different from Wu Zhao's fierce ninth strike.

Exuding a terrifying aura, the Spear shot back—something no one had expected. This scene left everyone horrified. Such a ferocious attack had actually been deflected?

"Oh no!" Seeing the Spear bounce back, Free and Unfettered Duke's expression changed.

With his body severely injured, how could Wu Zhao possibly withstand his strongest attack? With a leap, Free and Unfettered Duke's speed surpassed even Zhuge Xiang's Explosive Steps. His movements were like a ghost, and in an instant, he stood in front of Wu Zhao Free and Unfettered Duke, shield in hand, and exhaled.

Clang!!!

The deafening sound, like the sound of a morning bell and evening drum, was followed by the powerful Spear striking the shield Qi Energy tremendous force. The impact was so powerful that even the Free and Unfettered Duke was forced to stagger back. The shield, standing on the ground, was sculpted by the force of the impact, leaving a long gash in the earth before it could even withstand the attack.

Wu Zhao's spear thrust Human Heart. Of course, Zhuge Xiang's ability to deflect such a formidable attack was even more unfathomable.

"Ding! Over-Level Victory Innate Realm Fourth Layer Wu Zhao, gaining 38,000 experience points and obtaining the Coiled Dragon Staff forging blueprint." The intervention of Free and Unfettered Duke also meant that Zhuge Xiang had won this Duel. The system notification sounded in Zhuge Xiang's mind.

Putting away his shield and gripping Wu Zhao's Spear, Free and Unfettered Duke looked at Zhuge Xiang with shining eyes, his gaze full of admiration for talent. "Asura Sect Disciples? Truly exceptionally talented, a perfect match for my Zhao'er. What do you think, young man? Does my Zhao'er still meet your standards?"

"What's going on with these Carefree Old Couple?" The Free and Unfettered Duke's words left everyone present both amused and exasperated.

It was one thing for Free and Unfettered Duchess to find a partner for Wu Zhao, but now even Free and Unfettered Duke is doing the same. However, Free and Unfettered Duchess prefers the dignified Dongfang Yan, while Free and Unfettered Duke prefers the unparalleled Zhuge Xiang.

"I'm sorry, Miss Wu Zhao Zhuge Xiang, you're not my type," Zhuge Xiang shook his head, not sheathing his Sword of Slaughter, but holding it in his hand, rejecting Free and Unfettered Duke.

"How could that be? Our Zhao'er has both talent and good looks, why don't you like her? If the two of you get together, you will definitely support each other and go far together," Zhuge Xiang's words of refusal made Free and Unfettered Duke's eyes widen in disbelief.

In the four categories of Wealth, Companions, Dharma, and Land, the word "companionship" is second only to wealth, which shows the importance of a Daoist companion to Cultivator. In the mortal world, the ideal partner is someone of equal social standing, and among Cultivator, the same principle applies, emphasizing the natural talents of both individuals.

Those with good talent cultivate quickly, and their lifespan increases greatly as their cultivation levels break through. Therefore, the most important thing for Cultivator looking for a partner is that their talents are similar. Otherwise, if one person has already broken through to the Deity Transformation stage while the other is stuck in the Qi Refining Stage, wouldn't they end up watching helplessly as the other's lifespan runs out?

In the mortal world, there might be cases of wealthy young ladies falling for poor young men, but in the dog-eat-dog Cultivation World, it's impossible for Chosen One to fall for a Cinderella, or Heaven's Favored Daughter to fall for a poor young man. Even if a relationship were to occur, it would only be a one-sided demand, and the two parties would not be considered as husband and wife, but rather as Daoist partners.

People with poor talent won't attract anyone, but similarly, the better one's talent, the more difficult it is to find a suitable partner. Wu Zhao's talent is beyond doubt, and similarly, Zhuge Xiang's talent would also make it difficult for him to find a partner. Therefore, Free and Unfettered Duke finds it hard to understand Zhuge Xiang's rejection.

Wu Zhao had already stood up. Although his face was a little pale, his injuries had improved considerably after taking the Healing Pill. He snatched his Spear back from Free and Unfettered Duke's hand and said to Wu Zhao Zhuge Xiang with a stern face, "I, Wu Zhao, have lost today's Duel. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will definitely challenge you again."

"Hehe, you're welcome anytime," Zhuge Xiang laughed upon hearing Wu Zhao's words. For Zhuge Xiang, it was actually a cause for celebration that such a powerful opponent was eager to defeat him.

"Grandpa and Grandma, let's go," Wu Zhao said to Carefree Old Couple -in-law as he put away his Spear, then turned and left.

"Zhao'er, wait, don't rush off. Let's discuss this some more. Don't you even think much of Zhuge Xiang?" Watching Wu Zhao's decisive departure, Free and Unfettered Duke grew anxious and spoke up. However, Wu Zhao ignored him, as if she hadn't heard him.

"Young Master Dongfang, perhaps we'll visit your residence sometime. Please don't find this old woman unpleasant," said Free and Unfettered Duchess to Dongfang Yan, still somewhat unwilling to give up, as she watched Free and Unfettered Duke chase after Wu Zhao and leave.

Somewhat amused and exasperated, Dongfang Yan, being from a prominent family, nodded politely in welcome.

After watching the Carefree Old Couple leave, Zhuge Xiang finally sheathed his Sword of Slaughter. Regardless, the Carefree Old Couple kept their word; Wu Zhao lost but didn't make any other excuses and left decisively.

"Brother Zhuge, it seems that Miss Wu has a bit of a thing for you," Carefree Old Couple Dongfang Yan said to Zhuge Xiang, secretly relieved that his greatest rival, the carefree in-laws, had left.

"Brother Dongfang, what makes you so sure?" Zhuge Xiang asked, somewhat surprised, after hearing Dongfang Yan's words.

"When Senior Free and Unfettered Duchess tried to match me with Miss Wu, she flatly refused. But when Senior Free and Unfettered Duke wanted to match you with her, she didn't refuse. Isn't that enough to prove it?" Dongfang Yan said, his eyes widening slightly.

"That's just because she lost and doesn't care about it anymore." Shaking his head, Zhuge Xiang didn't take Wu Zhao's attitude to heart. He then pointed to Situ Zhaixing, who had already fainted on the ground, and said to Dongfang Yan, "Situ Zhaixing should thank Brother Dongfang for his leniency."

"Not at all. If I could defeat Brother Zhuge, why would I want to?" Dongfang Yan shook his head, speaking quite frankly. After a moment's hesitation, Dongfang Yan asked, "By the way, this Situ Zhaixing is an unexpected gain for Brother Zhuge. I wonder if you could trade with me? Give me Situ Zhaixing, and I will definitely offer something that will satisfy Brother Zhuge, how about that?"

"A deal?" Dongfang Yan's words startled Zhuge Xiang, who pondered silently.

If I were to take Situ Zhaixing back to my Sect, I would probably get a lot of Contribution Points. However, for me right now, Sect Contribution Points wouldn't bring me any substantial help. On the other hand, if I were to trade with Dongfang Yan, the power of the Dongfang Family should be able to meet my needs.

Furthermore, although Dongfang Yan withdrew from the fight, believing himself to be no match for Zhuge Xiang honestly admitted that if Dongfang Yan were to also make a move, he had absolutely no confidence in defeating two powerful enemies simultaneously. In that case, it would be hard to say who would own Situ Zhaixing.

Regardless, acquiring ownership of Situ Zhaixing was, to some extent, thanks to Dongfang Yan. Just because he didn't mention it doesn't mean Zhuge Xiang didn't care.

After a moment's hesitation, Zhuge Xiang asked Dongfang Yan, "There's no problem with the transaction, but I wonder if Brother Dongfang can offer a suitable price?"

With a look of delight on their faces, even the two old servants behind Dongfang Yan could not hide their joy. Situ Zhaixing was a bridge, a bridge connecting the Dongfang Family and the Southern King. In other people's hands, Situ Zhaixing could only be exchanged for rewards from the Southern King, but in the hands of the Dongfang Family, his real role was to have the opportunity to have a direct dialogue with the Southern King.

"The rewards from the Southern King are all for Brother Zhuge. In addition, how about our Dongfang Family collect eighteen Fairy feathers with Phoenix blood for Zhuge Xiang?" Without thinking, Dongfang Yan said, clearly having already made up his mind.

"Oh? How could I refuse such a good deal?" Zhuge Xiang's mind stirred slightly, and he understood the reason. A smile appeared on his face as he spoke. He then pointed to Situ Zhaixing on the ground, indicating that Dongfang Yan could take him away. This deal was a win-win situation for both Zhuge Xiang and Dongfang Yan.

Without wasting any time, with a wink, the two old servants hurriedly lifted the unconscious Situ Zhaixing up. Dongfang Yan clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zhuge Xiang and said, "Now that Situ Zhaixing is in our hands, to avoid any unforeseen complications, I shall take my leave. I will personally deliver the eighteen feathers and the reward from the Southern King to Brother Zhuge."

"Then I'll await good news," Zhuge Xiang magnanimously, not worried that Dongfang Yan would deceive him, waving his hand as he watched Dongfang Yan disappear into the night.

"Zhuge Xiang, do you Truth him?" Su Huayu asked as she watched Dongfang Yan and the other two leave, clearly still worried.

"Alright, stop being so suspicious. As long as you're not an idiot, Dongfang Yan, and even the Dongfang Family, won't go back on their word," Zhuge Xiang chuckled, patting Su Huayu 'Su Huayu head as if disciplining a child, seeing her worried expression.

"Your Peach Blossom is truly unstoppable," a clear, cold voice suddenly rang out. A Lu Yuling in a flowing white dress, carrying an iron cage, emerged from the night, watching Zhuge Xiang and Su Huayu's intimate actions, and spoke. (To be continued...)