Mu Hanyan distinctly felt that, at the moment the two swords clashed, a massive and pure force surged into her Heart Meridian through her chest, just like the time she had advanced in rank under the Meteor Shower.
Clearly, this was the power from the Star Illusion Thousand Machine.
However, she remembered the Star Illusion Thousand Machine had told her that such a life-saving opportunity would only come once. What was happening this time? Could it be that the machine had not told her the truth?
Instinctively, Mu Hanyan looked towards the Star Plate. "Idiot, I advanced in rank, so you have two more chances." Words appeared on the Star Plate, one by one, ending with a big, rolled-up white eye.
Mu Hanyan suddenly realized that the first time she had claimed ownership through the blood pact, she had received one chance to borrow power from the Star Illusion Thousand Machine. This time, as the Star Illusion Thousand Machine had advanced in rank—from an old Star Plate to a delicate chain pendant—she had received two chances. This text is hosted at N0velFire.ɴet
"Does that mean if you advance in rank again, I would get three chances?" Mu Hanyan asked excitedly. The legendary Nine-Life Cat was indeed enviable.
"Do you think it’s so easy for me to advance in rank?" This time, the white eye on the Star Plate rolled even larger, making the entire chain pendant resemble a big white eye.
Mu Hanyan dismissed her impractical fantasies. There was no point worrying about how many chances of survival she had for the time being. The last time, the Star Illusion Thousand Machine had advanced in rank thanks to the once-in-a-millennium Meteor Shower, and who knew how high the requirements would be for the next upgrade. If she were to compare it to herself... forget it, it was better not to think about it, as it would only lead to despair.
Mu Hanyan’s gaze turned to Zong Dingfang, confident that such an outcome would be enough to deter both Zong Dingfang and He Songhua. Even if they didn’t give up, they would no longer see her as an insignificant ant.
This was the transformation brought about by power—without it, she wouldn’t even have the qualification to converse as an equal.
"Such a cunning kid," Zong Dingfang also looking at Mu Hanyan, spat out another mouthful of blood, and suddenly roared at He Songhua, "He’s clearly a Seventh-Order Swordsman at his Peak, yet he pretended to be at the Sixth Rank. I was caught off guard and suffered a great loss. Brother He, this kind of person is a definite menace if left alive, kill him quickly!"
Mu Hanyan was slightly alarmed. Others might not have been able to discern the secret behind her sword strike, but Zong Dingfang had personally experienced its potency and should have been able to feel its immense power. How could he so assertively conclude she was merely at the peak of the Seventh-Order?
In the brief moment of Mu Hanyan’s astonishment, He Songhua’s Longsword had already thrust towards her.
The attack was sudden. He hadn’t given it much thought; after all, he truly hadn’t perceived anything amiss, only sensing danger from Mu Hanyan. Fearing that delay might bring trouble, so without hesitation, he made his move against Mu Hanyan.
Mu Hanyan’s sharp eyes caught a fleeting cold smile at the corner of Zong Dingfang’s mouth.
"This old lecher really isn’t anything good!" Mu Hanyan finally understood what the old man was plotting.
He was seriously injured and clearly had no chance of claiming the strange treasure for himself, but he didn’t want his companion, He Songyun, to benefit from it. Therefore, far from revealing Mu Hanyan’s "true" strength, he deliberately confused and misled He Songhua. In any case, he wanted He Songhua to suffer the same fate as himself.
Moreover, if Mu Hanyan and He Songhua were to both end up injured, Zong Dingfang might even have a chance to lay his hands on the Dragon Blood Stone, which must also be part of his Wishful Abacus strategy.
Such shrewd calculations! Undoubtedly, having such a companion was a true disaster for He Songhua.
Initially, Mu Hanyan had wanted to save one opportunity for a critical moment of life and death. Seeing He Songhua foolishly fall for Zong Dingfang’s cunning scheme, attacking with full killing intent, she could no longer afford to hold back.