The sword shadows faded, revealing a tall, stunning girl dressed in a black skirt, holding a short sword.
"Greetings, Saintess."
One by one, the Black Heaven Demonic Cult followers knelt before the girl.
"Thank you, Saintess, for saving our lives!"
"Hmph! Useless trash, you can't even handle such a simple task!"
The girl scolded them harshly.
"Please forgive us, Saintess! If not for that dog official interfering for no reason, we would have succeeded!" the leading Black Heaven Demonic Cult martial artist argued.
"Your punishment will be dealt with when we return!" The girl's expression softened slightly, her gaze landing on Ian Song. A faint smile appeared on her pretty face: "I didn't expect the famous Third-Rank Graduate to be a martial arts expert as well. My respects!"
Ian Song wasn't angry that his Qi force had been dispersed. Instead, he looked at the Black Heaven Demonic Cult Saintess with interest: "The Black Heaven Demonic Cult truly is a great sect. For a mere girl to possess Grandmaster-level cultivation is quite impressive!"
The Black Heaven Demonic Cult's leader was a martial Grandmaster, and the cult itself was a notorious and terrifying demonic sect. Their way of doing things made it clear they had no regard for the imperial court.
Hearing Ian Song's words, Cindy Li felt a bit uncomfortable, since his tone gave her the impression of an elder. Still, she was somewhat surprised that Ian could see through her cultivation.
She was extremely skilled at concealing her aura. Even when facing other Grandmasters, they usually couldn't detect her true cultivation.
Thinking of this, she carefully sized up Ian Song, only to find that he showed no trace of Qi at all—he seemed just like an ordinary person with no martial skills.
For a moment, she was startled, feeling a new level of caution.
So she spoke again: "It's said the Third-Rank Graduate is a literary prodigy and the disciple of the contemporary literary master Zachary Cai. I didn't expect the Third-Rank Graduate to also possess peerless martial arts. May I ask, which sect taught you your skills?"
"Oh? You want to find out my sect so you can target my teachers next?"
Ian Song asked with a smile.
Cindy Li replied coolly, "I wouldn't dare! But since the Third-Rank Graduate has killed our Black Heaven Demonic Cult disciples, you owe our cult an explanation!"
"You want an explanation?"
Ian Song grinned playfully: "You trespassed on an imperial relay station, disturbed my rest, and even dared attack me. They all deserved to die. If the Saintess wants an explanation, she can come take it herself!"
Hearing Ian Song's words, Cindy Li's expression turned icy. Her short sword flashed out once more, sending several cold, star-like thrusts toward Ian.
"Ding ding ding ding!"
Ian Song remained perfectly still, only flicking his fingers. Each burst of Qi struck Cindy Li's short sword, effortlessly deflecting her assault. Cindy retreated, eyes wide with shock and uncertainty, no longer daring to make a move.
Seeing this, Ian Song smiled and said, "Little girl, you're still no match for me. If your master came, maybe it'd be a real fight!"
"...You...!" Cindy Li was so furious she couldn't speak—this guy was younger than her, yet he had the nerve to call her 'little girl.'
After a moment, she forced herself to speak: "Third-Rank Graduate, you truly are a peerless expert. I concede defeat. Sorry for the offense today—I'll take my leave!"
As soon as she finished speaking—
Cindy Li moved to leave, signaling her Black Heaven Cult followers to go with her.
But Ian Song called out, "Did I say you could leave?"
"What do you mean, Third-Rank Graduate? Are you planning to detain us?" Cindy Li's face flashed with anger.
"Here's my proposal: you stay by my side as a tea-serving maid for now. When your cult leader arrives, I'll settle the score with him directly!"
"What? You must have a death wish!"
Hearing Ian Song actually wanted her to be a maid, Cindy Li was truly enraged. With a sharp cry, she split into several phantom images, all wielding swords and lunging at Ian simultaneously.
"You really are asking for trouble!"
Ian Song just smiled, flicked his finger, and a streak of golden light flashed, piercing one of the figures. The other four phantoms vanished instantly, leaving only the real Cindy Li, who dropped from midair and crashed to the ground.
"Saintess!"
Seeing this, the Black Heaven Demonic Cult followers cried out in disbelief—their Saintess had been taken down by this dog official in a single move.
"I've heard your Black Heaven Demonic Cult is infamous for atrocities and murder. Today, I'll rid the people of your evil!"
As he spoke, Ian Song swept his hand, sending dozens of bursts of Qi shooting out—instantly killing the remaining Black Heaven Demonic Cult followers.
He opened his System interface and saw his Qi Luck points had risen by more than two hundred—a nice boost.