Tang Qianyu was indeed severely injured, her face contorted. "Don't mind me, deal with him first."
The ice ball continued to spin. As Mo Qi regained his footing, another wave of chilling energy assaulted him.
Having no choice, Mo Qi released Tang Qianyu and summoned the staff-shaped magical artifact that had burst from the Gu Diao's body. He then spat out several leaves of the Tianxin Divine Grass, wrapping them around the staff, which immediately began to spin, radiating immense light.
The red glow emanating from the staff swept past, managing to block the chilling energy. Explosive sounds echoed continuously. The staff shook violently, almost falling to the ground, staggering in the air before hurtling back towards Mo Qi.
The red glow was being devoured inch by inch. The white mist and chilling energy were like the rising tide, consuming the beach step by step.
Mo Qi swallowed several emergency pills, and his Blazing Fire spiritual energy erupted, striking the staff.
The staff spun rapidly, its top ring clanging. Black mist spewed from its center, and with a hissing sound, the black mist shattered the Tianxin Divine Grass leaves wrapped around the staff, turning them into fragments that spun and drifted in the air.
The fragments of the Tianxin Divine Grass continued to burn in the air, emitting flames and an aura of destruction. They devoured the white mist and chilling energy. With crackling sounds like hard objects breaking, the chilling energy was consumed.
Simultaneously, Mo Qi suffered a severe backlash, his body and the staff retreating rapidly.
Nangong Yun also felt the pressure from his opponent surging towards him wave after wave. His expression shifted slightly, and he exhaled forcefully towards the ice ball.
The ice ball spun at high speed, white mist surging out like a tide. The chilling energy in the surrounding space increased exponentially, the air tearing with a hissing sound.
The white mist and chilling energy madly counterattacked, instantly knocking down all the drifting Tianxin Divine Grass fragments. The previously fiery red area was fiercely eroded, instantly torn apart and scattered.
The white mist and chilling energy surged, like a monstrous wave. As the staff continued to spin, black mist continuously flowed out, attempting to tear through the chilling energy.
However, the black mist was instantly swallowed, and the chilling energy violently slammed into the staff.
"I want you dead! Die now!" Nangong Yun was furious. He pushed his left hand forward, holding the ice ball, and pressed it towards Mo Qi, wishing he could crush him into a pulp.
Mo Qi knew he couldn't resist, but the chilling energy was boundless, and he had nowhere to dodge. Moreover, if he dodged, he would expose Tang Qianyu behind him, and she would surely be annihilated.
With a roar, he once again unleashed the Blazing Fire divine power within him, striking the staff. Black mist erupted from the staff, and within the black mist, faint sparks of fire appeared. Moments later, the black mist and fire merged, forming a blackish-purple smoke that surged forward.
The white mist and chilling energy surged forward. The blackish-purple smoke drilled into it, churning and shattering the white mist, causing it to gradually disperse.
However, as Nangong Yun lunged forward, the chilling energy behind him continued to surge, its momentum even more unstoppable.
The blackish-purple smoke continued to drill in, churning like a spirit snake, but before it could affect the opponent, it dissipated.
The white mist spread forward madly, while the blackish-purple area grew smaller and smaller.
The staff began to shake violently, as if it would be knocked to the ground at any moment.
Mo Qi's Blazing Fire power circulated rapidly within his chest, flowing into the staff ceaselessly.
Despite being battered, the staff stubbornly remained suspended in the air.
The blackish-purple sphere of influence was continuously encroached upon, eventually being swallowed almost as soon as it appeared.
At this point, both Mo Qi and the staff were rapidly retreating.
At some point, Tang Qianyu had already gotten up from the ground.
Seeing that Mo Qi was about to be overwhelmed, she immediately stepped forward, placing her soft, tender hand on his back, her own magical power flowing out continuously.
However, the white mist and chilling energy had become an unstoppable force, pushing forward, and both of them were forced to retreat.
It was like a flood before a dam breaks, with a small breach first, then a sudden collapse, and the water rushing out uncontrollably.
Nangong Yun was advancing rapidly, a ferocious expression on his face. "Die, all of you die!"
His figure also drew closer and closer to Mo Qi. The ice ball in his hand spun even faster, emitting a humming roar, filled with an insatiable bloodlust.
The white mist and chilling energy also circulated wildly, as if endlessly thirsty, wanting to devour everything.
Nangong Yun also seemed to sense that if he advanced another inch, both of them would turn to dust.
He began to laugh maniacally.
Just then, Mo Qi suddenly produced a pill furnace, tearing off the talismans on it. He then struck it forcefully, sending it hurtling towards Nangong Yun.
Nangong Yun's heart skipped a beat, feeling a sense of unease.
However, at this moment, with victory so close, and his belly full of frustration, how could he let go?
So, he remained indifferent, continuing to urge the ice ball to churn the pill furnace.
Then, with a thunderous explosion, the pill furnace shattered, engulfing the entire world in a white light.
Within the white light, Mo Qi, holding Tang Qianyu, sped away.
Nangong Yun, unable to dodge, activated his protective spiritual energy, swaying in the white light!
After the white light dissipated, a large pit appeared on the ground. Nangong Yun lay on the ground, trying to get up.
Mo Qi placed Tang Qianyu on the ground and flashed to Nangong Yun's side.
Seeing Mo Qi approach, Nangong Yun's face showed panic. What had just happened? He still hadn't grasped it. One moment he was triumphant and had the upper hand, how could he have lost in the blink of an eye?
What exactly had happened? Nangong Yun's eyes held a look of dejection.
Mo Qi walked over, his Blazing Fire power erupting. His arm, like a heated instrument from hell's inferno, swung down with a punch. Nangong Yun still had some strength left, and his protective divine light flared up.
However, the protective divine light flickered and vanished, shattered in an instant.
His body plunged into the mud, like a pile of mud, unable to move.
Mo Qi said to Tang Qianyu, "Aren't you going to get revenge?"
Tang Qianyu sat on the ground, her face contorted in pain, seemingly severely injured.
Mo Qi walked over and handed her a healing pill. "Eat this and go deal with him."
"It's not that fast, is it?" Tang Qianyu looked unconvinced.
But she still ate it.
In an instant, the pain throughout her body receded like a tide, and she felt light and refreshed.
She stood up, looking at Mo Qi with surprise, and praised sincerely, "Your pills are truly amazing!"
"Praise can wait, let's go over there first," Mo Qi said, leading the way. Tang Qianyu followed.
However, when Tang Qianyu stood before Nangong Yun, she seemed at a loss.
"Didn't you say you wanted him to pay tenfold? Make your move," Mo Qi urged.
"No, he's my superior, no matter what," Tang Qianyu said, avoiding Nangong Yun's sharp gaze.
"Superior my foot! With that kind of character, do you still respect him?" Mo Qi said disdainfully, kicking Nangong Yun as he spoke.
"Kill me if you want to. If you don't kill me today, I'll deal with you when I get back," Nangong Yun said, looking at Tang Qianyu.
Tang Qianyu was so startled that she took a few steps back.
"Don't be so arrogant! I'll scratch your face too, then let's see how you go back to your post," Mo Qi said, furious. He took out a flying blade and drew two lines across Nangong Yun's face, forming a prominent cross centered on his nose.
Nangong Yun screamed and cursed, "You brat, hurry up and kill me."
Mo Qi drew two more lines on his face. Blood gushed out, instantly covering his entire cheeks.
Nangong Yun continued to curse.
Mo Qi was about to strike again, but Tang Qianyu stopped him. "Forget it, this is already a profound lesson."
Yuwen Yan also said, "If you don't plan to kill him, I think you can stop here."
Mo Qi sighed, "Alas, I'll always fall for women."
Letting you go is fine, but you have to yield first.
He thought of a nasty trick.
Humiliation never misses an appointment!
He took out some medicinal herbs that resembled sugar from his storage bag and sprinkled them on Nangong Yun's face.
Nangong Yun cried out in terror, "What, what are you doing?"
Mo Qi smiled faintly. "Nothing much, just want to find some companions for you to play with. My herbs are fragrant and delicious. Soon, swarms of companions will crawl onto your face, burrowing into your wounds. They'll find it warmer the deeper they go, so they'll desperately burrow in. You can imagine that stimulating feeling, it's exciting just thinking about it."
"What exactly do you want?" Nangong Yun asked, terrified out of his wits.
"I don't want anything. Beg for mercy, and I'll let you go," Mo Qi said.
"Beg for mercy? You can forget about it..."
Moments later, swarms of ants crawled onto Nangong Yun's face. Nangong Yun let out a pig-like howl and repeatedly begged for mercy.
Only then did Mo Qi wipe the herbs from his face.
Then, keeping his promise, he released Nangong Chuchu. "I am a person of my word. I am returning your daughter to you now."
As soon as Nangong Chuchu emerged, she saw her father's惨状 (miserable state) and cried out tragically, "Father!"
Then, her eyes blazing with fury, she looked at Mo Qi. "You dare to hurt my father, I'll fight you to the death."
As she spoke, she lunged at Mo Qi, her fists imbued with spiritual energy striking him.
Mo Qi glanced at her. She was only at the Foundation Establishment level, not worth his attention. He didn't dodge, instead activating his Protective Golden Body to shield himself.
Nangong Yun saw that with this punch, her delicate fist would turn into shattered bone. He immediately cried out urgently, "Stop!"
Nangong Chuchu also knew she couldn't harm him, she just wanted to vent her anger. Hearing her father's cry, she immediately stopped her punch.
Mo Qi looked at Nangong Yun again. "You're finally sensible now. I'll let you off for today. I'm telling you, Tang Qianyu will still return to her post. If you engage in any more bullying or personal vendettas, I will ensure you turn to dust, without mercy."
With that, he left with Tang Qianyu.
Mo Qi planned to send Tang Qianyu back to the Tang Sect first, then return to the academy to pack his things.
On the way, Tang Qianyu remained silent.
After a long time, she finally said softly, "Were you really not doing that on purpose just now?"
"What was not on purpose?" Mo Qi asked with a smile, feigning ignorance.
"No, it's nothing," Tang Qianyu said, wanting to speak but stopping.
Mo Qi took out a knife, a magical artifact that had fallen from the Gu Diao's body.
Tang Qianyu was startled. "You, you want to kill me?"
Mo Qi smiled. "I want to give it to you. I saw your flying blade was broken earlier. You gave me a flying blade before, so this is a return gift. I'll give you a flying knife."
As he spoke, Mo Qi extended the knife forward.
Tang Qianyu took it, her eyes lighting up. "This isn't just an ordinary flying knife, it's a magical artifact, right?"
Mo Qi smiled. "I'm glad you like it."
Tang Qianyu put away the flying knife and said softly, "Then I'll teach you the Tang Sect's flying blade techniques someday!"
Mo Qi found it unbelievable. "Didn't you say that people not from the Tang Sect can't be taught?"
Tang Qianyu then proceeded to kick and hit him. "I've explained it so clearly, don't you understand? Are you a blockhead? I'm a girl, I get shy too."
Mo Qi covered his head and scurried away. "I understand, I understand."
He wondered in his heart, where did she seem like a girl? And what exactly did she want him to understand?
They reached the sky above a wilderness. Mo Qi remembered that he hadn't tested the pills he refined for the spirit beasts, so he said to Tang Qianyu, "Let's go down for a bit." With that, he descended and landed in the wilderness.