"Good, good! Who would have thought that among women there'd be such a true hero? This grand competition has come to a perfect close. Congratulations, Daoist Yan..."
After Steward Zhong made the announcement in a ringing voice, a maid came forward bearing a large red tray. Two cups of fine wine rested on it.
Steward Zhong picked up one cup and raised it toward Yan Zi. She accepted it, but just as she was about to drink, a voice sounded in her ear. "There's something wrong with the wine."
Yan Zi's hand trembled slightly. She smiled faintly. "Thank you, Mr. Zhong. But I think this wine should be offered to all the fellow Daoists who competed today."
With that, she poured the wine onto the arena.
At the same time, she kept her mind fixed on Steward Zhong. Sure enough, his eyelid twitched faintly, and his smile grew a little stiff.
The only person who could have warned Yan Zi was Xu Yi.
With his spiritual sense as powerful as it was now, he could easily detect the subtle difference between the two cups of wine.
He hadn't stepped in only because he was content to watch Yan Zi handle the situation herself.
Steward Zhong said, "Daoist Yan is not only peerless in Martial Arts, but possesses such boldness as well. You put all the men beneath heaven to shame. Please, Daoist Yan, join us in the reception hall for a little conversation."
Had it not been for that cup of wine, Yan Zi might well have gone.
But now that she knew the other party was harboring ill intentions, how could she be foolish enough to walk into danger?
She replied, "I have urgent business and dare not delay. Please have Steward Zhong bring out the Earth Soul Talisman