The woman in the purple robe suddenly burst into loud laughter, her tears even streaming down from her eyes. She had never imagined that she would be threatened by a boy who, by age, was more suited to be her grandson.
"You should know, young man, I am Yung Mei, the deputy leader of the Blood Shadow Sect. No one has ever dared to disturb, let alone threaten me. And you, a mere child who probably can't even urinate straight yet, dare to issue threats that I find laughable. How naive."
"Is it really necessary for you to introduce yourself?" Yun Xia smiled faintly. "Oh, you must have thought I'd tremble upon hearing your name, didn't you?"
Yung Mei's expression changed instantly. She caught the clear mockery in the young man's words.
"You're gravely mistaken if you think I'd be scared upon knowing your identity. In fact, I believe perhaps only rats or cockroaches would fear your name," Yun Xia added.
"Watch your mouth, bastard!" Yung Mei snapped. "I'll make you suffer for daring to cross me!"
Yun Xia raised both eyebrows. "Are you sure about that? Wasn't it you and your foolish disciple who refused to let me leave this damned place in the first place?"
"Stop talking nonsense! Let's finish this fight. I promise I'll give you the most painful death!" Yung Mei unsheathed her sword, while the chain hidden beneath the cloth wrapped around her left arm was now ready to strike.
Yun Xia's gaze remained unblinking. He could sense the deadly intent aimed at ending his life.
Not wanting to take any risks since his opponent had already drawn her weapon, Yun Xia swiftly unsheathed the Crater Flame Sword.
Yung Mei was startled by the immense energy radiating from the crimson blade, glowing like embers. She swallowed hard, realizing that the young man with reddish-yellow hair possessed a power far beyond her own.
"Come on, let's fight! I can't wait to crush your bones!" Yun Xia challenged Yung Mei, who was still frozen, staring at the Crater Flame Sword.
"I'll fight you, but only if you promise not to use that sword!" Yung Mei countered. She knew she had no chance of survival if her heirloom sword had to face off against the weapon in the young man's hands.
"You are in no position to negotiate, Yung Mei. Weren't you just so confident you could kill me? Why are you suddenly trembling now?"
"Stop talking, boy! If you accept my condition, I will fight you. But if you refuse, I'll walk away from here!" Yung Mei barked.
"Hahaha! How ridiculous! You want to make a deal that only benefits yourself? Do I look like some foolish child you can easily deceive?" Yun Xia spun his sword in a semicircle.
"I won't accept your condition. We will fight, and you'll meet the same fate as that one!" he added coldly, pointing the tip of his sword at the red-robed young man lying motionless nearby.
'Damn it! I have no choice but to fight him,' Yung Mei cursed inwardly.
Energy surged from every pore of the old woman's body. Her treasured sword trembled violently as her power grew even stronger.
"You've underestimated me, boy! I'll show you I'm not an opponent you can defeat so easily!"
"Hehehe ... that's just your wishful thinking, Yung Mei. I never underestimate any of my opponents. I simply know that I can kill you!" Yun Xia replied with a smirk.
"That's no different from underestimating me, you bastard!" Yung Mei's voice grew louder. The veins in her wrinkled neck bulged, indicating the immense pressure behind her roar.
With a powerful stomp of her right foot, Yung Mei's aged body shot forward, the hilt of her sword leading the way.
The wind howled as Yung Mei sliced through the air. Her fierce strikes created a piercing, whistling sound.
Yun Xia stood on guard, never taking his eyes off her movements. He understood that Yung Mei's strength was not to be taken lightly. Each of her missed strikes still produced a deafening hum in his ears, signaling the considerable internal energy behind her attacks.
Dozens of slashes and thrusts were easily dodged by Yun Xia. However, as time passed, Yung Mei's movements grew faster and more aggressive, forcing Yun Xia to start parrying with solid blocks.
Yung Mei leaped back a few steps after her attack was parried. She could feel the powerful energy emanating from the blade in her opponent's hand, further amplified by the red aura glowing around it.
A deep furrow formed on her wrinkled forehead. Her worries were confirmed—the young man's sword possessed a power far greater than her own heirloom weapon.
"That sword of yours will soon be mine, boy!" Yung Mei hissed.
Yun Xia merely smiled at her words.
"Enough with your babbling, old woman! If you want to keep talking, save it for after I send your soul to meet the God of Death!" Yun Xia mocked.
Yung Mei's anger exploded beyond her limits. The boy's taunts had successfully pushed her to the peak of rage. However, she couldn't act recklessly. The overwhelming energy radiating from Yun Xia's sword could become a serious problem for her.
Yet there was another issue—her growing desire to possess his sword had become nearly uncontrollable. She had to think of a way to seize the crimson blade and escape this place with it.
The old warrior woman spun her sword repeatedly, generating a thick black mist that grew denser with each rotation, eventually forming a coiled black snake above her head.
Yung Mei grinned broadly. Her most lethal poison technique was now fully prepared. She could see the faint crease on Yun Xia's forehead, indicating his concern about her poisonous attack.
Yun Xia narrowed his eyes, focusing intensely on the black snake, his stance firm and unwavering. He paid close attention to every move Yung Mei made. From what he had learned from his master, he knew that the black mist she summoned contained a deadly poison that could be extremely dangerous. He needed to finish this fight as quickly as possible.
In the blink of an eye, the two warriors—each from opposing sects and of different genders—rushed forward to strike. Yung Mei leapt nimbly and gracefully into the air, spinning her sword twice before delivering a powerful slash aimed at Yun Xia's head.
Meanwhile, less than two kilometers away, a man meditating inside a secluded chamber suddenly opened his eyes. He had sensed that the Black Snake Poison technique was now being unleashed.