"Master, isn't this a bit much?" Zhang Ergou asked.
"What?" Lin Yueru's expression changed. She had initially wanted to refuse when Qiao Yunyang told her about it, especially since Zhang Ergou's cultivation was far below hers.
Furthermore, alchemists generally didn't focus on cultivation and their combat power was definitely not strong.
Now, hearing Zhang Ergou speak like this, Lin Yueru's delicate brows furrowed. She gained a new understanding of Zhang Ergou's arrogance.
"Master, I think we should forget it. My junior brother's cultivation is far weaker than mine. I'm afraid I might accidentally hurt him." Despite her inner unease, Lin Yueru knew the importance of the situation.
"Then you are underestimating this kid. You've been in seclusion for so long, you naturally haven't heard about the trouble this kid caused in the outer sect of the Misty Sect. If you knew, you wouldn't say that."
Qiao Yunyang shook his head. He naturally knew what Lin Yueru was thinking.
But could Zhang Ergou be judged by ordinary standards? This kid was a prodigy. Anything that happened to him no longer surprised Qiao Yunyang.
"If that's the case, then Second Senior Sister, please go ahead." Zhang Ergou didn't want to miss this opportunity.
He immediately walked out of the inner hall and into the open space outside the Treasure Pill Pavilion.
Qiao Yunyang followed him out. Lin Yueru, with a sigh, finally walked out slowly, carrying her sword.
"Senior Sister, please!" Seeing Lin Yueru emerge from the Treasure Pill Pavilion, Zhang Ergou took the Ghost Spear Tianwen from his back, assumed a fighting stance, and waited to face Lin Yueru.
Lin Yueru's delicate brows knitted. She looked at Qiao Yunyang beside her. "Master, this?"
"Yueru, do not underestimate your junior brother," Qiao Yunyang stroked his beard, a meaningful smile on his face.
Lin Yueru had no choice but to brace herself and step forward. However, she remained firm in her belief that Zhang Ergou wouldn't last ten moves against her.
She slowly retreated more than ten feet, stopped, and faced Zhang Ergou across the distance.
Then, she directly extended a finger. "If I don't defeat you within ten moves, I lose."
Zhang Ergou was stunned, then chuckled. "Senior Sister, isn't it a bit too early to say that now?"
"I am confident in defeating you. After cultivating for so long, if I can't even defeat a junior brother in the early Foundation Establishment stage, I really should get married and raise a family."
As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Yueru formed hand seals and chanted.
Immediately, a huge vortex formed around Lin Yueru, and then snowflakes began to drift from the sky. The snowflakes merged with the vortex, possessing immense explosive power.
Zhang Ergou squinted, watching Lin Yueru's movements.
With his current eyesight, he could naturally see the power of this spell. Lin Yueru was unleashing a big move right from the start.
Although she spoke dismissively, her actions were honest, not holding back at all.
"Ice Snow Profound Heaven!" Lin Yueru let out a low cry, her melodious voice piercing through the void and directly reaching Zhang Ergou's eardrums.
Then, the ice and snow vortex rapidly rushed towards Zhang Ergou.
Clang!
Zhang Ergou immediately swung his Ghost Spear Tianwen, emitting a clang. He rapidly swung the iron spear, forming a huge protective shield.
Bang!
Bang!
The seemingly dazzling and colorful ice and snow spell was naturally powerful, striking the protective shield formed by Zhang Ergou's swinging spear with bursts of sound.
"Interesting." Zhang Ergou smiled slightly and continued to wield his iron spear.
Screech!
Despite his best efforts, there were still some gaps in Zhang Ergou's defense compared to the Ice Snow Profound Heaven spell.
His Daoist robe was torn by the ice and snow that had penetrated the defensive shield.
Qiao Yunyang nodded as he watched the two fight. He was pleased with Lin Yueru's proficient use of the Ice Snow Profound Heaven spell.
He looked back at Zhang Ergou and saw that he seemed to be struggling to deal with Lin Yueru's attacks. Seeing his disheveled state, Qiao Yunyang wondered if he had overestimated Zhang Ergou.
Qiao Yunyang shook his head without speaking.
"This spell is too strange." Zhang Ergou not only had to swing his iron spear but also had to dodge from time to time because the Ice Snow Profound Heaven seemed to have eyes.
"However, you want to defeat me with just this spell? You're underestimating me, Zhang Ergou."
Zhang Ergou sneered. His body moved rapidly, unleashing the Shadow Illusion technique. Holding his iron spear, he charged directly at Lin Yueru.
Seeing this, Lin Yueru continued to wave her arms, sending a larger ice and snow vortex towards Zhang Ergou. Soon, Zhang Ergou was enveloped within the vortex.
However, she seemed to have underestimated Zhang Ergou.
With the Shadow Illusion technique, Zhang Ergou's movement was extremely erratic. He moved at extreme speed, leaving behind afterimages. What was enveloped in the ice and snow vortex were merely afterimages.
Lin Yueru frowned slightly. She hadn't expected Zhang Ergou to possess such an exquisite speed and movement technique.
Even Qiao Yunyang beside them looked surprised.
"Senior Sister, be careful. It's my turn next." A thunderous voice sounded by her ear. Unbeknownst to her, Zhang Ergou had already appeared before Lin Yueru.
A domineering fist imprint was then unleashed. Seeing Lin Yueru cast the ice and snow spell, Zhang Ergou had surmised that she would naturally be resistant to fire-elemental techniques.
He immediately unleashed the Fire Spirit Fist. Facing the fist imprint, Lin Yueru felt a scorching heat rush towards her, making her very uncomfortable.
However, she did not retreat. She waved her arm and struck out with her palm, intending to meet Zhang Ergou head-on.
Bang!
With a loud bang, their fists and palms collided, and the surrounding air trembled.
Looking at the two, Zhang Ergou was forced back two steps. Lin Yueru was not much better; she also retreated two steps before steadying herself.
In this head-on confrontation, they had fought to a draw.
"What kind of monster is this guy?" Lin Yueru finally began to take Zhang Ergou seriously. The strength of the punch Zhang Ergou unleashed was not something a cultivator in the Foundation Establishment stage could achieve.
While Lin Yueru was secretly astonished, Zhang Ergou, holding his iron spear again, thrust the tip directly at Lin Yueru's chest.
Lin Yueru hastily retreated to dodge. Her movement was also quite mystical, in no way inferior to Zhang Ergou's speed. After a long chase, Zhang Ergou couldn't catch up to her.
"Lingxiao Sword!" As she retreated, Lin Yueru slashed out with her sword, and a sky full of snowflakes surged towards Zhang Ergou's face with the sword energy.
Zhang Ergou hastily swung his iron spear to block.
Bang! Another loud noise rang out, the sound of metal clashing.
With a clang, Zhang Ergou's iron spear was knocked flying by Lin Yueru's sword.
Zhang Ergou ignored the dislodged iron spear and continued to charge towards Lin Yueru at full speed.
Seeing Zhang Ergou pounce towards her, Lin Yueru thrust her sword.
However, to her surprise, Zhang Ergou did not dodge. He was directly pierced through the shoulder by the sword.
Blood flowed down Zhang Ergou's shoulder. Lin Yueru was stunned.
She had clearly not expected Zhang Ergou to use self-harm to get close to her.
Just as Lin Yueru was momentarily stunned, Zhang Ergou unleashed a punch, accompanied by roars like a lion.