Seeing that Wang Ruozhi had no tattoo on his body, Guo Xi'wu's expression immediately turned grim. He couldn't help but lament inwardly, It's over! This is completely over!
Unnoticed by the others, Uncle Chen quietly picked up a sharp blade from the ground.
An Ning'er caught sight of Wang Ruozhi's heaving chest. A blush instantly spread across her face, and she quickly shifted her gaze to Meng Qingshan.
It was as if she were asking, Where's the tattoo you mentioned?
Meng Qingshan, however, remained perfectly calm. Without a trace of haste, he said, "Princess Yun'an, everyone, please be patient. The real show is just getting started."
After speaking, Meng Qingshan removed the iron needles from the Yangguan, Zhongshu, and Qihai Acupoints on Wang Ruozhi, then withdrew some of the Extreme Yin True Qi inside him.
Meng Qingshan had used the Extreme Yin True Qi and those iron needles to seal the True Qi within Wang Ruozhi's body.
Now that the blockage in his Du Meridian had been cleared, the True Qi within him flowed freely, and a Qiongqi Tattoo naturally appeared on his chest.
The Qiongqi Tattoo looked as if it had been cast in bronze. As True Qi flowed through it, a deep, mysterious light seemed to glimmer between its lines.
It sprawled across Wang Ruozhi's chest. Though its eyes were closed, it seemed to brim with boundless vitality with each rise and fall of his chest, as if it could perceive the mysteries of all things in the world.
At that moment, Uncle Chen, who had been watching from behind, suddenly spoke. "It is said that the Murong Family is a clan descended from an ancient people beyond the borders, with an extraordinary bloodline. Word has it that when they circulate their hereditary cultivation method, a Qiongqi tattoo appears on their chests. Seeing it with my own eyes today, I can say the rumors are true."
A cold glint flashed in Wang Ruozhi's eyes, but he quickly concealed it. He said coolly, "What does this tattoo prove? Only that I belong to the Murong Family.
"Since our ancestors' time, the Murong Family has upheld its family rules and acted with benevolence and righteousness as we traveled through the martial world. Yet we have often been slandered and attacked over baseless accusations. If you mean to use this to frame my family, I would rather die than give in."
Meng Qingshan smiled faintly. "Young Master Murong, you're mistaken. I hear that when someone from the Murong Family dies, this tattoo appears on the surface of their body. Do you think any of those black-clad men might have had one?"
At those words, Wang Ruozhi's expression changed instantly. The Murong Family had been established in the Central Plains for over two hundred years, surviving even the upheaval of a change of dynasty. These were closely guarded secrets of the Murong Family. How had this man learned of them?
Just then, Wang Ruozhi suddenly looked into the distance and shouted, "Who's there?!"
The shout drew everyone's attention, and they all followed his gaze.
The True Qi in Wang Ruozhi's body was now flowing freely. He swiftly summoned it and forced out the three remaining iron needles that had sealed his acupoints.
Then he slammed both hands against the ground, vaulted into the air, and charged straight at An Ning'er.
At that very moment, a long spear appeared out of nowhere, as if it had been waiting there all along.
Wang Ruozhi tried to turn and dodge, but the True Qi inside him suddenly seized up, leaving his body rigid for a brief instant.
That brief pause was more than enough for the spear in Meng Qingshan's hands to pierce through him.
Everyone looked where Wang Ruozhi had pointed, but saw nothing. They immediately realized they had been fooled.
When they turned back, Wang Ruozhi was already suspended on Meng Qingshan's spear.
The scene spoke for itself; there was no need to say another word.
An Ning'er looked at Wang Ruozhi, a complicated expression crossing her eyes—part disappointment, part confusion.
Her voice trembling, she asked, "Brother Wang, were you really only kind to me because you wanted to get close to me?"
Wang Ruozhi glared at An Ning'er, his eyes filled with venom.
His heart was full of resentment and indignation.
As a member of the royal bloodline of an ancient people from beyond the borders, he had yet to forge the Crimson Void Sword, much less fulfill his grand ambition of ruling the world. How could he accept dying like this, with so much left undone?
It was all because of this woman. If not for her, he wouldn't have ended up like this!
Grinding his teeth, Wang Ruozhi snarled, "I was so sincere to you, yet after knowing this kid for only a few days, you joined forces with him to turn against me. And you still dare to question me like that?
"A woman like you isn't even as good as the lowest whore in a brothel. I only regret that I didn't use Joyful Union Powder to fuck you senseless a few days ago. Hahaha..."
An Ning'er's face turned ashen at his words, as white as paper swept by a cold wind. Her expression became vacant and helpless, as if her entire worldview had been mercilessly overturned in an instant.
Guo Xi'wu had long held a grudge against Wang Ruozhi. Seeing him invite his own death now, Guo Xi'wu's anger erupted, and he drew his sword to kill him.
Meng Qingshan wouldn't let him steal the spoils. After all, Wang Ruozhi was worth cultivation points to him.
He immediately twisted the spear in his hands. Blood and flesh burst from the wound where it had pierced Wang Ruozhi, a horrifying sight.
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