The sword technique Tan Taiqing unleashed met the sword qi hurtling in from afar in midair.
The instant the two techniques collided, Tan Taiqing's sword technique crumbled at the first touch. Yet the residual force from the explosion still forcibly shifted the direction of the descending sword qi slightly.
"Rumble!"
The edge of the sword qi nearly grazed past Tan Taiqing and Liu Hua before smashing viciously into the ground, kicking up billowing waves of dust.
Within the dust clouds, the earth trembled and mountains shifted. In the blink of an eye, the land was scarred beyond recognition.
Without time to examine the state of the ground, Tan Taiqing, having narrowly dodged the blow, continued to circulate her true essence and immediately prepared to leave with Liu Hua.
But this time, before they could depart—
From the surging dust clouds, a figure in magnificent robes and a phoenix crown appeared in the air. Tan Taiqing's pupils suddenly contracted, and her body froze where she stood.
"Tower... Tower Mistress?!"
"Second Sister, was I... not good enough to you?"
The figure in the air swept a sleeve, stirring up a fierce wind that scattered the dust filling the surroundings.
Then, the Great Tower Mistress of Xuan Nu Tower, Shao Ai, revealed herself.
Staring fixedly at Tan Taiqing, Shao Ai's lips curled slightly in what seemed like a smile but was not one. A dark red glow flickered in her eyes.
Her appearance had not changed much, but her aura had undergone a startling transformation compared to their time in Quicksand Land.
Tan Taiqing instinctively lowered her head. "The Tower Mistress has always treated me very well!"
As she spoke, she quietly shielded East Sea Sword Saint Liu Hua behind her.
"Then why did you betray me? Betray Xuan Nu Tower?!"
Shao Ai