The Commandery Princess's trump card, Li Xian's crushing defeat? A hundred ghosts pass through, yet a chance of victory remains!

The moment Huang Su saw the Precious Lotus, she raised her hand to snatch it. At the same time, her left hand curled into a claw and seized toward the back of Li Xian's neck. The move was blindingly fast, honed to exquisite perfection, and devastating when unleashed without warning. Li Xian had anticipated it. He raised a hand to block and shouted, "Now!"

Xiao Cheng had hidden in the banyan canopy for several days, waiting. Now that something was finally happening, how could he let his guard slip? He dropped suddenly, swift and agile as a hawk swooping on a rabbit. A cold gleam flashed as his sword thrust toward Huang Su's neck. The downward strike came like a thunderbolt, cunning and ferociously fast. Startled, Huang Su immediately withdrew her hand and dodged backward, then fled with the Heavenly Secret Lotus in her arms.

Li Xian unleashed his Mysterious Water Palm. His qi swirled like a whirlpool, erupting with a powerful pull. Shackles around Huang Su's ankles had already slowed her down; caught in the palm's suction, she became slower still. Xiao Cheng was an elder of a sect, deeply versed in martial arts and an accomplished swordsman. He caught up at once and severed Huang Su's right hand with a stroke.

Blood instantly sprayed. Her severed arm, still clutching the Precious Lotus, flew high and landed on a patch of grass. Huang Su grunted. At this moment between life and death, she formed a finger strike with her left hand and jabbed toward Xiao Cheng's chest. Xiao Cheng brought his sword across to block. Her finger struck the blade, which snapped with a crack, sending several fragments into his flesh.

Yue Pingfeng, who had been lying in ambush in the grass nearby, shouted, "Eldest Brother!" He charged out