Chapter 219

Chapter 219: Whose Side Are You On?

Ming looked at the two figures within the Magic Array.

His brows furrowed as he fell into deep thought.

Never in a million years did Ming expect that Wu would be sent to the Heavenly Profound Gate.

And even Mo Zhu’er had shown up.

How on earth did Mo Zhu’er manage to sneak in?

The Heavenly Profound Gate had always boasted about how strict the Purple Mist Grand Ceremony would be.

So this was it?

When Ming thought he might be hallucinating and doubting his own eyes, Wu and Mo Zhu’er clashed once more.

Under the protection of the Mandarin Duck Cauldron, all of Wu’s attacks were neutralized.

Mo Zhu’er, however, could attack recklessly.

Her flexible sword carved one mark after another onto Wu’s body.

Seeing how Mo Zhu’er wielded the Mandarin Duck Cauldron with ease, Ming confirmed that she had successfully refined it.

When a Cultivator refines a half-Sage weapon, their power leaps to an entirely new level.

Fortunately, at Mo Zhu’er’s current realm, despite the Mandarin Duck Cauldron being completely obedient to her, her Spiritual Energy was insufficient, preventing her from using it for long periods.

Wu took advantage of this fact, avoiding direct confrontations with Mo Zhu’er. Instead, she skillfully maneuvered around, striking Mo Zhu’er whenever the opportunity arose. If unsuccessful, she retreated, employing a clever strategy.

Mo Zhu’er frowned, clearly annoyed by Wu’s fly-like tactics.

Seizing the moment, Wu noticed Mo Zhu’er’s hesitation in wielding the Mandarin Duck Cauldron, creating distance before delivering a punch aimed directly at Mo Zhu’er.

Mo Zhu’er smirked, waiting for precisely such an opportunity.

Behind her, streams of black light emerged, resembling the tails of a nine-tailed fox, shooting toward Wu who couldn’t adjust her stance in time.

Wu remained calm upon seeing the incoming black lights.

Her Martial Spirit Form enveloped her entirely, her fist energy growing stronger, distorting the air’s Spiritual Energy around her.

Clearly, Wu intended to trade injuries.

Moreover, her punch was so swift that its energy pressed down on Mo Zhu’er like a mountain, leaving her no chance to dodge.

Onlookers outside the array watched tensely as both unleashed their final strikes.

Regardless of who won, both would sustain significant injuries from this exchange.

Although protected by the array, it wasn’t omnipotent.

The array only activated when one party faced mortal danger or harm to their Dao. For lesser injuries below this threshold, they had to endure them personally.

After all, activating the array consumed numerous Spirit Stones, with maintenance requiring substantial costs.

Even the wealthy Heavenly Profound Gate couldn’t afford such extravagance.

“BOOM!”

With a tremendous explosion, thick smoke billowed within the array.

Everyone strained their eyes to see who emerged victorious.

“Eh? Where’s Brother Xu?”

Only now did Yu Wen Xi notice Xu Ming’s disappearance while focused on the array.

But as the smoke cleared, Yu Wen Xi spotted Xu Ming.

Xu Ming stood inside the array.

One hand gripping Wu’s fist, his Martial Spirit Form blocked several streams of black light Mo Zhu’er directed at Wu. His azure robe fluttered dramatically under the influence of Spiritual Energy and Martial True Qi.

Though a trickle of blood flowed from the corner of his mouth, Xu Ming appeared unscathed.

“What? He actually intercepted both women’s full-force attacks simultaneously?”

“Who is this guy?”

“You don’t recognize him? That’s Xu Ming.”

“Ah? He’s Xu Ming? The one who defeated Senior Chen and ranked second on the Azurecloud List?”

“So, it’s him?”

“That’s right, him.”

“But why did he enter the array?”

“Well, why else? Wu was jilted by Xu Ming himself. Technically speaking, Xu Ming is still her fiancé! Would you not help if your fiancée was in trouble?”

Outside the array, discussions erupted again among the crowd.

They marveled at this man’s strength.

More astonishingly, this man was Xu Ming, the one who broke off the engagement with Wu.

Wu stared at Xu Ming standing in front of her, surprise evident in her expression.

Clearly, she hadn’t anticipated Xu Ming being here at the Heavenly Profound Gate, nor blocking her path.

Is he helping me? Or aiding this masked woman?

Upon seeing Xu Ming, Mo Zhu’er’s lips curled slightly. “Master Xu, we haven’t seen each other in a while. Afraid I might harm your little wife, so you came to assist her against me? Isn’t Master Xu being a bit too unfair?”

“Xu Ming, do you know her?” Wu asked, her tone carrying a hint of coldness.

“Yes,” Xu Ming nodded.

“Not just knowing each other, we’ve gotten along splendidly.” Mo Zhu’er said with a sly smile. “Isn’t that right, Master Xu?”

Xu Ming: “…”

Had it been earlier, without what happened between him and Mo Zhu’er, Xu Ming would have undoubtedly sided with Wu.

But at the sight of Mo Zhu’er, memories of that night within the Mandarin Duck Cauldron flooded his mind, leaving him conflicted.

“Whose side are you on?” Wu questioned Xu Ming.

“Neither side.” Xu Ming sighed.

“It’s just a small test. There’s no need to get heated. Even without mortal danger, both of you will suffer considerable injuries. The Purple Mist Grand Ceremony is a grand event; everyone here is a guest. There’s no need for things to escalate this far.” Xu Ming expressed his neutrality.

But whether viewed by Wu or Mo Zhu’er, Xu Ming’s neutrality implied a significant emotional connection to the other, causing discomfort in their hearts.

“Alright then, since Master Xu has spoken, I’ll heed his words.”

Mo Zhu’er first retracted the Mandarin Duck Cauldron, her flexible sword coiling around her waist as a belt.

“Master Xu should also be residing at Guest Peak, correct? I’ll visit you soon. Do wait for me~” With that, Mo Zhu’er passed Xu Ming, exiting the array.

On the other side, Wu lowered her fists, gazing at Xu Ming’s profile.

Though they hadn’t seen each other for only half a year, Wu felt Xu Ming had grown taller, his face even more resolute.

“Since we haven’t seen each other in half a year, would you like to visit my courtyard?”

Xu Ming turned, asking Wu.

“Hmph! No!”

Wu seemed somewhat angry, turning away and stepping out of the array.