Chapter 107: Arriving Just in Time

To the other four disciples of the Flying Snake Sect, the scene unfolding before them appeared quite different. Their Young Sect Master, Tan Jun, stood motionless, while the sinister phantom of a serpent loomed behind him, roaring toward the heavens as if he had been transported to another realm. Opposite him, Princess Qingcheng stood equally still, occasionally launching a purple, glowing projection toward Tan Jun.

"Hey, what are you doing?" one of the Flying Snake Sect disciples asked, restless and seemingly about to step forward to awaken Tan Jun, only to be blocked by another.

"I'm obviously trying to wake up the Young Sect Master. It looks like he’s been caught in the illusionary effect of that technique the Princess used. I..." The man was cut off before he could finish.

"We know that, but you know the Young Sect Master’s temper. We aren't allowed to interfere with his affairs without his command. If I hadn't warned you, you'd be in for a world of hurt once this is over!" the other man interrupted, offering a well-meaning reminder.

The disciple broke into a cold sweat. It was true; in recent years, Tan Jun had become increasingly violent and particularly loathed any interference. Had he stepped in, he surely would have suffered the consequences. "Thank you, Senior Brother Wang!" he said, feeling a wave of gratitude.

In truth, Princess Qingcheng was feeling even more desperate. The records regarding the "Phantom Dance" stated that it should ideally be practiced only after reaching the seventh level of the Innate Realm, otherwise the burden was too great. Its most lethal aspect was that once an opponent was drawn into the illusory realm, the technique would not cease until either the opponent was killed or the user’s Innate Qi was entirely exhausted. It was a desperate, sacrificial technique, but she had no other choice.

Gradually, Tan Jun grew agitated. No matter how he struck, he could not break the purple light before him. Although his serpent shadow pierced through the projections, blood had already begun to seep from the corner of his mouth. In reality, there were no such projections in the cave; such was the power of the "Phantom Dance"—it trapped the opponent in an illusion, rendering everything Tan Jun saw false.

"Ugh!" Princess Qingcheng groaned, swaying unsteadily. The burden of the technique was too severe, and having already endured a fierce battle, it was a miracle she had lasted this long.

"ROAR!"

Tan Jun’s eyes turned blood-red. With a furious bellow that shook the entire cave, black-purple light flickered in his eyes, and a strange mark appeared before him.

"Ten Thousand Snakes Return to the Body!"

The moment he spoke those words, the mark vanished. The dark purple serpent shadow behind him dove down, merging with Tan Jun in an instant. Tan Jun clenched his fists, feeling an immense surge of power; he felt as though he could shatter a mountain if it stood before him.

"ROAR!"

A sound that was neither quite a human cry nor a serpent’s hiss erupted from his throat. Tan Jun dropped to one knee, thrusting his right fist into the ground. With him as the epicenter, a visible ring of dark purple energy rippled outward.

"BOOM!"

As the energy ring swept over Princess Qingcheng, a massive wave of force sent her flying. The "Phantom Dance" collapsed instantly. As the scenery shifted, the three purple projections vanished. As the Young Sect Master of the Flying Snake Sect, Tan Jun was no fool; he immediately understood what had transpired.

"So, you trapped me in an illusion. While that technique was formidable, it is nothing compared to absolute power!" Tan Jun remarked, his aura shifting as he returned to his normal state. The "Ten Thousand Snakes Return to the Body" was powerful, but it could not be sustained indefinitely and placed a heavy burden on him, so he naturally deactivated it.

In a sense, this strike had actually saved the Princess. Had Tan Jun not forcibly broken the illusion and struck her away, she—already low on Innate Qi—would have continued the "Phantom Dance" until her life force was completely drained.

Tan Jun wiped the blood from his mouth, a flicker of rage in his eyes. He had never been injured in all these years. It was true; everyone in the Flying Snake Sect knew he was the heir, and during sparring sessions, no one dared to strike him with real force.

"Pah!" Tan Jun spat out a mouthful of blood. "You wretch, I will make you wish you were dead!" He strode toward the Princess.

Watching him approach step by step, the Princess felt a spark of despair behind her mask. Her Innate Qi was spent, and she was so severely injured that she could not even move.

"Thud, thud."

Tan Jun walked up to her and crouched down. Looking at the Princess lying on the ground, a wicked smile curled his lips. "They say Princess Qingcheng is the greatest beauty in the Imperial Capital, yet no one has seen her true face. Today, I shall see if you are truly worthy of that title!"

He reached out. The Princess tried to dodge. "Ugh!" The movement aggravated her internal injuries.

*RIIIIIP!*

Her veil was torn away by Tan Jun. A stunningly beautiful face was revealed. Her face was as round and fair as a silver plate, with a pair of phoenix eyes that shone like autumn water. Her neck was elegant and slender, and her brows were shaped like delicate, fine crescents. Combined with her royal aura, she was a true beauty capable of toppling cities.

Tan Jun was momentarily stunned, then stood up and laughed wildly toward the sky.

"Hahaha... truly worthy of being the greatest beauty of the Imperial Capital! It is a pity, however, that Shen Tai will never have the pleasure! Shen Tai, oh Shen Tai, from the very beginning you have overshadowed me, keeping the entire younger generation gasping for air. But today, you cannot defeat me, and in the future, you will be even less capable!"

Shen Tai was hailed as the foremost prodigy of the younger generation of the Great Xia Empire. Having reached the sixth level of the Innate Realm at such a young age, he was an unreachable peak for most; many had not even crossed the threshold of the Innate Realm by his age. His talent had stifled the breath of every other gifted youth in the Empire.

The four disciples of the Flying Snake Sect nearby were also stunned by the Princess’s peerless beauty; no female disciple in their own sect could compare.

"You lot, get out. Guard the entrance and don't let anyone in!" Tan Jun commanded with a lecherous grin.

The four disciples exchanged glances, recognizing the look of mutual understanding in each other’s eyes. They knew Tan Jun’s character well; any female disciple in the Flying Snake Sect who caught his eye never escaped his clutches. Now, faced with Princess Qingcheng—and having been deprived of female companionship during their days in the Ancient Basin—her fate was clear. As subordinates, they only needed to obey.

"Heh heh, Princess Qingcheng, you are now meat on the chopping block, entirely at my mercy. Rest assured, before I kill you, I will let you taste what it is to be a woman. I won't let your time in this world go to waste, haha..." Tan Jun cackled.

The Princess’s expression turned icy. "Even if I die, I will never let you touch me!"

Tan Jun slowly reached toward her chin. The Princess gritted her teeth. "Old Hua, Qingcheng is coming to join you!" She prepared to bite her tongue and end her life.

Suddenly!

"BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!"

Four figures were thrown in from outside and collapsed onto the ground. A hearty laugh echoed from beyond the cave entrance.

"So, this is the character of the Young Sect Master of the Flying Snake Sect, one of the three great sects of the Great Xia Empire. Truly despicable!"