C5 Go for It!

The jade-colored bead curtain swayed gently, and behind it, a figure of considerable grace held a white porcelain teacup, her gaze demurely lowered as she sipped her tea. The obscured allure of her presence, reminiscent of a veiled musician cradling a lute, left onlookers scarcely daring to breathe, lest they disturb the lady's tranquil moment.

One could tell from her poised silhouette alone that she was no ordinary woman.

"I've always heard that the Imperial City is a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, where even the boy selling sweets on the street corner is not to be overlooked. The moment I heard your refined voice, I knew you were someone special. I am Yu Wu, a disciple of the Grayhands Sect. Might I inquire as to your esteemed name?"

Yu Wu rose and stood with his hands clasped behind him, his stature as upright as a bamboo shoot, his green sect attire adding to his striking appearance. Qin Xuan couldn't help but acknowledge his fellow's elegance.

Yet, the woman behind the bead curtain remained absorbed in her tea, seemingly oblivious to Yu Wu's words, treating the Grayhands Sect's Yu Wu as if he were invisible.

The ensuing silence caused Yu Wu, who prided himself on his distinction, to furrow his brow. His gaze darkened as he looked again at the figure behind the curtain; he was unaccustomed to such disregard from a woman.

Before he could utter another word, the woman beside him burst out, "Senior Brother Yu Wu is speaking to you. Are you deaf?"

"Throw him out, and send a message to the Grayhands Sect's steward who has come to the Imperial City. This man has shown disrespect to the dynasty and has been dealt with by me. If the Grayhands Sect elder has any objections, he can come and seek me out," Wu Ji stated coolly to the two individuals flanking Yulong.

"Yes!"

With their acknowledgment, they escorted Yulong out. Despite his third-level Congenital Realm cultivation, he was no match for Wu Ji's guards and lacked even the courage to resist.

"How dare you!" The senior sister, who had been disputing with the junior sister apprentice, stepped forward to block the guards' way, her eyes fixed coldly on Wu Ji behind the curtain. "You dare to lay hands on a disciple of the Grayhands Sect? Have the courage to state your name! What kind of valor is it to hide behind a curtain? Come out and face me in a few rounds of combat!"

As the words were spoken, a chorus of astonished murmurs rippled through the second level of the Golden Feast.

While there were many female martial artists in the dynasty, only a handful had mastered their craft to such an exceptional degree. Rumor had it that a senior sister apprentice from the Grayhands Sect had reached the zenith of the Pulse Forging Realm, marking her as the most accomplished female martial artist of the younger generation in the past decade.

Now, two women were about to duel, and their striking appearances suggested that the spectacle would be about more than just martial prowess.

"Do you wish to challenge me?" Wu Ji asked, her voice cool and devoid of anger.

"You foolish girl, how long do you think you can keep up this act?" Senior Sister Yang fixed a fierce gaze on Wu Ji from behind the pearl curtain. She swiftly moved to the entrance of the private room, declaring, "If you want to lay a finger on Junior Brother Yulong, you'll have to defeat me first!"

Senior Sister Yang taunted, "Your arrogance ends today. Once you fall to my sword, you'll realize that we disciples of the Grayhands Sect are not to be underestimated!"

Wu Ji merely lowered her gaze slightly, finishing the last sip of tea from her white porcelain cup with unhurried grace. Her voice remained steady, "It seems the Grayhands Sect has quite a few eloquent members this year. Since you're so eager for a match, let's begin."

With her cup set down, Wu Ji turned her attention to the woman beyond the pearl curtain.

Their eyes met, and it was as if sparks were flying in their silent standoff.

"Wind Slashing Sword!"

At her crisp command, Senior Sister Yang had her Whip-Sword at the ready. In a flash, she sliced through the pearl curtain, her blade arcing towards Wu Ji, who was seated calmly at the table.

The curtain fell away in tatters. The sword strike was swift and ruthless, promising serious injury or death to anyone it struck.

Senior Sister Yang, whose given name was Yang Chan, was not only a promising senior sister apprentice of the Grayhands Sect but also the daughter of the mayor of Yang City, located five hundred miles from the Imperial City. With access to superior martial arts resources, she had mastered her family's signature technique, the Wind Slashing Sword. It was said that at its peak, the Wind Slashing Sword could cut through anything with a force and speed surpassing even the fiercest wind.

Qin Xuan had gleaned this information from the palace. Someone like Yang Chan, who had the ear of the heavens, was clearly not someone to provoke lightly. He furrowed his brow, unable to shake off a sense of worry.

Wu Ji observed Yang Chan's aggressive assault but didn't rush to counter. With a graceful shift of her stance, she effortlessly sidestepped the attack.

"All you do is dodge? Very well, let's see how many of my moves you can evade!"

"Wind Slaying Sword, Second Style!" Yang Chan's lips curled into a scornful smile as she moved, her Whip-Sword flickering like a tempest, its cold, gleaming tip suddenly thrusting towards Wu Ji.

Yang Chan was intent on killing.

Wu Ji, realizing Yang Chan was relentless, brought her fingers together and struck out sharply.

Clang!

Her jade-like fingers met the Whip-Sword's blade, creating a sound akin to jade stones crashing together. A fierce energy burst forth, causing the few remaining pearl curtains to sway and jingle like chimes in a gale.

Silence fell.

For a moment, the second level of the Golden Feast seemed frozen in time. Then, Yang Chan staggered, retreating dozens of steps. Clearly, she had been bested.

"To suppress the third level of the Innate Realm with a single, unarmed move?" Qin Xuan was astounded by the sight. Having grown up with Wu Ji, he knew of her exceptional talent. Yet, he had seldom seen her in action. Now, witnessing her prowess, he was convinced she truly deserved her position as the leader of the Imperial Guards.

The onlookers, many with keen insight, could see that Yang Chan stood no chance after Wu Ji's pointed strike. They sighed in disappointment.

Alas, they had been eager to witness a clash between two formidable beauties, only for it to conclude before it truly began.

"You vile wretch, how dare you injure me!" Yang Chan, recovering from her initial shock, watched as Wu Ji approached with a cold demeanor. Her pretty face twisted with anger, she lashed out with a sharp rebuke.

Wu Ji responded to her with a swift motion, pointing her jade-like fingers at two strategic points: one on Yang Chan's shoulder socket and the other on her forearm. After the quick taps, Yang Chan let out a pained cry as her Whip-Sword clattered to the ground. Attempting to raise her arm, she was met with the realization that it hung limply from her shoulder, unresponsive as if lifeless.

Approaching with measured steps, Wu Ji grasped Yang Chan's chin, her face a mask of icy detachment. Her piercing gaze was so chilling that onlookers couldn't help but tremble.

"The daughter of Mayor Yang, you come from no humble lineage. Your father is a celebrated hero. How then, can he have a daughter who is so overbearing and senseless?" Wu Ji's voice was cool and steady as she locked eyes with Yang Chan.

Yang Chan clenched her teeth in frustration.

"There's something else I've been meaning to say to you," Wu Ji continued, her lips curling into a scornful smile. "You and your fellow members of the Grayhands might not even measure up to the little eunuch serving beside His Highness."