Little Pink Starfish

No one dared step into the deadly space between the two combatants. Most didn’t even dare sneak a glance, afraid to draw the attention of that mad figure. Only a few hidden lunatics lurking in the shadows dared to look directly at her.

What made Yi Linglong truly terrifying wasn’t just her martial prowess—it was her understanding of martial arts. Even the smallest movement could hold enough nuance to be pondered for days.

At this moment, Gu Xia had already completely forgotten about the others. No one could pull their attention away now.

The old knife master was treating Hua Rongyue like a serious threat.

Just moments ago, her movements had still held slight hesitation—but in the blink of an eye, they had become flawless. He couldn’t understand what had changed.

But more chilling was her gaze…

Most madmen had eyes like venomous snakes—cold, calculating, lurking in the dark, revealing their cruelty only at the moment they struck.

But this one… her eyes burned like wildfire. Intense, obsessive, and completely unrestrained—as if she’d burn the entire world, herself included.

At last, the old knife master made his move.

He slashed out with a blade that shattered the air—a strike imbued with everything he had, like a collapsing mountain.

Even bystanders could feel a searing sting across their skin, as if the blade had slashed them too.

Some instinctively touched themselves, thinking they’d been wounded—only to find their hands dry. It had been an illusion.

What they felt… was his killing intent.

“Beautiful!” Gu Xia shouted. In that moment, he forgot where they were—this was no longer a mission, just a glorious duel.

Or perhaps it was because Hua Rongyue had risen in his eyes to the level of the old knife master. That kind of respect could only be met with genuine admiration.

The others around him were just as stunned. Jiang Lianhuan couldn’t help but think, A man this skilled… it’s a pity he ended up here.

That strike was the culmination of a lifetime of refinement—a technique that could outshine the stars. How could Hua Rongyue respond to something like that? Could she not only block it, but actually surpass it?

The odds were slim.

And yet, the three onlookers felt a strange hope.

Hua Rongyue herself admired the blade as it came toward her. I may not have eaten pork, she thought, but I’ve seen plenty of pigs run. If it had been her facing that strike directly… she’d be toast.

“No wonder he’s so strong. A mad old knife master at that.” Oddly enough, she felt rather relaxed—like she wanted to crack sunflower seeds and enjoy the show. After all, she wasn’t the one fighting.

Because in her heart she knew: no matter how powerful her opponent was, in front of Yi Linglong, he was nothing.

If you want to hurt me, bring a hundred more.

The strike landed.

All eyes shifted to Hua Rongyue.

But before the blade could even fall, everyone noticed something more shocking—her expression.

This was not the Hua Rongyue they knew—no longer the quiet, reserved youth. Her aura had transformed—her face alight with wild charisma, her eyes blazing with madness.

No one had ever seen anything like it.

Because even among lunatics, Yi Linglong was different.

Back in the day, she had faced the entire Six Doors by herself atop Tianyi Tower.

And now? Just one old knife master?

A laugh rang in Hua Rongyue’s ears—faint as wind, cutting through the crowd. She drew her blade in a single, unembellished motion, cutting through air itself—and through the knife master’s throat.

His eyes widened in disbelief.

Blood sprayed from the wound.

He staggered back, clutching his neck, the sound from his throat a broken gasp.

The crowd fell into stunned silence. Some had hoped Hua Rongyue might survive the blow—but no one had expected her to end it so easily.

Was it her imagination? Hua Rongyue thought Yi Linglong seemed… displeased. Normally, she could barely sense her presence, aside from occasional laughter—but now, she felt a faint annoyance.

Why? Hua Rongyue wondered. Because I hesitated to kill him?

The body had moved on its own, but she’d tried to stop it from dealing a fatal blow. In the end, it was only a deep slash to the throat—bloody, but survivable with timely treatment. Still gruesome, like a horror film, but not necessarily lethal.

She had crossed a line.

That was her first “kill” in this world—though not truly hers, it still left a mark.

As the old knife master gasped for breath, clutching the wound, Hua Rongyue noticed the scar that would form—twisted and hideous.

Before, seeing such scars on TV would have made her squeamish. But now? She calmly analyzed the damage, wondering if it was fatal.

Gu Xia, flushed with excitement, was practically glowing. His cherubic face was as red as an apple.

“That was a master’s strike!” he shouted, thrilled.

He felt like a fish in water—this battle stirred countless martial insights within him.

“His… hand!” he cried, catching something extraordinary.

“What?” Shen Qinglan tried her best to keep up but was clearly lost. Gu Xia could barely contain himself. “The blade!”

Shen Qinglan focused on the knife in the old man’s hand. At first, she thought his hand was shaking—but upon closer look…

It was the blade trembling.

Such a bizarre scene felt unreal. She had heard of blades being influenced by their wielder’s intent—but this? This was like something out of a legend, or a ghost story.

It was as if… the blade was afraid.

A weapon, used so long it developed a spirit, now shivering from fear. It was the kind of thing only storytellers spoke of.

Just as she tried to look again, the shaking stopped.

Perhaps it was an illusion. Perhaps his hand had simply twitched.

But Gu Xia was a true swordsman—the kind who still believed in that kind of mystery. He’d heard tales of people meditating under waterfalls for years to create swordplay that echoed flowing water. He believed in those things.

And right now, he was nearly giddy with excitement.

Hua Rongyue had thought maybe things would end here.

But of course, Yi Linglong’s thoughts were never so simple.

To Hua Rongyue’s horror, her body took a step forward—toward someone in the crowd.

The man’s expression grew more terrified with every step.

Hua Rongyue recognized him immediately—it was the Second-in-Command, the man who had spouted nonsense at the banquet earlier.

Now, seeing Hua Rongyue approach, he was on the verge of wetting himself, scrambling to retreat.

She could feel Yi Linglong’s expression twisting into something monstrous.

No, no, no, Hua Rongyue panicked. Is she going to lose control again?

She used all her strength to maintain some semblance of composure.

The worst possibility would be for Yi Linglong to go completely wild.

Still, she—no, her body—approached the Second-in-Command, lifted a hand…

…and gently tilted up his chin.

What now?!

Hua Rongyue had completely lost control of her movements. She was lucky just to keep her expression in check. Maybe Yi Linglong had “forgiven” her earlier restraint, and was now feeling playful again.

She was taller than the man—so the pose felt dominant. Her dazzling, peach-blossom beauty filled his vision.

This isn’t me! she screamed inwardly. I’d NEVER do something like this!

And then…

She heard her voice speak:

“Am I beautiful?”

That voice carried a madness so unique, so twisted, no one else could have spoken it.

Only Yi Linglong.

And Hua Rongyue froze.

Because—she remembered that line.

Yi Linglong had said it before.

And back then… what had the reply been?

The Second-in-Command trembled—whether from fear or something else—and stammered, voice shaking so hard it was barely audible:

“B-Beautiful… absolutely beautiful.”