Chapter 117: The Witch of Destruction
It was hardly a dignified position for the so-called Witch of Destruction to be pinned down by Mu Qingtong.
The woman had skillfully locked every joint in his body, ensuring that even the slightest movement would drain his strength instantly, leaving his entire body wracked with soreness.
Xia Feng attempted to shift his hands, but his wrists remained tightly restrained above his head, forcing his armpits wide open and his chest to arch upward.
Gritting his teeth, he tensed his abdomen in an effort to throw Mu Qingtong off—but it was futile. The woman's core strength matched his own. Once she gained the upper hand, she could hold him down effortlessly.
"Mr. Xia, do you yield?" Strands of silver-white hair brushed against Xia Feng's sweat-dampened, heaving cheeks. The golden-eyed beauty gazed down at him in the dim light, a faint smirk playing at the corners of her lips.
Xia Feng's dark eyes flickered with irritation, but then he suddenly grinned. "Miss Mu, don't force me to resort to underhanded tricks."
Underhanded? Mu Qingtong hesitated for a split second—just as the man's reflection in her pupils abruptly lunged upward!
"!!" She jerked her head back, narrowly avoiding the motion, but the sudden movement loosened her lower body's leverage. With a thud—
Xia Feng seized the opportunity. In an instant, he arched his back and flipped their positions, pressing the silver-haired woman beneath him. Just as he prepared to lock her joints in the same manner, Mu Qingtong suddenly ducked her head and sank her teeth into his neck!
"Tch—!" Xia Feng's stance faltered unexpectedly, and the two tumbled across the floor in a chaotic struggle.
They rolled wildly, from the doorway to the center of the empty room.
"Mu Qingtong! Were you born in the Year of the Dog?!"
Xia Feng's furious voice echoed in the darkness.
"Heh~ And here I thought only perverts resorted to forcing kisses on people."
"I call it strategy. Do you even know what that means?"
"Oh? So do I."
Their sharp exchange continued, yet neither gained the upper hand.
Xia Feng's black eyes widened as he strained his neck back. Beneath his clenched jaw, a mess of silver hair clung damply to his skin. He could feel the pearly teeth finally release his neck, but the sensation of being ensnared by a venomous serpent lingered.
Without access to spiritual pressure or spirit weapons, the sheer physical exertion quickly drained their stamina.
By now, both were thoroughly spent.
Only their ragged breaths filled the darkness.
"Mr. Xia, won't you admit defeat?"
"Heh~ I could keep going for another three hundred rounds!"
After a silent stare-down, Mu Qingtong sighed. "Fine. Since we're at a stalemate, let's call it a draw today. Release me, Mr. Xia."
"You let go first."
"No. If I do, you'll just ambush me." Mu Qingtong shook her head. She knew him too well—after biting him, he'd undoubtedly seek retaliation.
"Ambush you? Do you really think so little of me?" Xia Feng scowled. Was this wicked witch actually questioning his integrity?
"Fei." Seeing no room for negotiation, Mu Qingtong's voice turned icy.
"Master, I'm here." The maid's form materialized above them.
Xia Feng's eyes flashed. "Hong."
The Ancient Warblade, hovering in the distance, shot forward midair, shifting into human form to intercept the maid.
Oddly, the maid's attire had changed—now clad in a red-and-white classical maid's dress, her face obscured by a plain white mask. A single character, "Fei," was painted delicately at the corner of her rose-red eyes.
She remained still, tilting her head slightly as she observed the entangled pair below. Her voice was languid yet earnest:
"The wise God of Fei once declared: Without the friction of flesh, there can be no spark of the soul. Master, if you wish to understand your companion more deeply, I suggest thorough physical engagement—"
"Fei. It seems you'd prefer to be confined again."
At Mu Qingtong's frigid tone, Xia Feng noticed the woman atop him suddenly shrink in size.
A lock of crimson hair brushed against his ear and neck. The maid lifted her head slowly, her striking scarlet eyes curving with allure as her slender arms draped lazily around Xia Feng's neck.
Just as his pupils dilated, a bewitching smile touched her lips, her voice dripping with temptation:
"Listen well. From this moment onward, you will find yourself helplessly enamored with—"
Her words were cut short as the red-and-white dress dissolved into mist. Simultaneously, Mu Qingtong's icy command rang out:
"Leave."
The maid dissolved into a wisp of crimson mist and vanished.
Xia Feng narrowed his dark eyes slightly, rising to his feet as he studied Mu Qingtong with suspicion. This woman truly was his equal—still holding cards she hadn't yet played.
Yet, judging by her demeanor, the maid called "Fei" seemed… less than obedient.
During their first two encounters, he recalled Fei as expressionless, sparing with words, yet utterly compliant to Mu Qingtong's orders.
But just now, she had been an entirely different entity.
"Continuing this duel is pointless. Let's declare it a draw, Mr. Xia. Do you agree?"
"Personally, I think I had a slight edge."
"…?" Mu Qingtong nearly punched him again. Suppressing the urge, she replied coolly, "In that case, Mr. Xia, dare to face me again in a month?"
Now that she had gauged Xia Feng's strength, all she needed was time—time to grow stronger, to master the power that would pin him down and pummel him into submission!
"A rematch in a month?" Xia Feng arched a brow, sensing the fighting spirit radiating from her. It was the same fervor as an employee willingly working overtime past midnight for the company!
A grin split his face. Yes, exactly! Miss Mu, keep burning with that ambition. Sooner or later, you'll have your chance to ride your boss Xia's coattails to the top!
With a composed nod, he replied, "Very well, Miss Mu. We'll see who prevails. I look forward to the day you truly defeat me."
Defeat you? No. What I want is to dominate you. Mu Qingtong smiled faintly, offering no retort as she unlocked the safe house.
Xia Feng didn't linger long after that, citing urgent matters before taking his leave.
The woman in the black dress stood at the villa gates, watching his retreating figure with a quiet smile.
Mr. Xia… it's refreshing to meet you. At least now I know the world doesn't skimp when crafting geniuses.
...
Xia Feng headed straight home after leaving the villa, immediately setting up the teleportation array. He couldn't afford to wait any longer—his mental strength needed rapid improvement.
Though both he and Mu Qingtong possessed Alpha-rank spirit weapons, theirs specialized in different areas. Hers held a slight early-game advantage.
Xia Feng's abilities—replication and theft—were growth-oriented. Once his spirit weapon slots multiplied, each filled with A-rank or even S-rank weapons…
Absolute invincibility.
A mere Witch of Destruction? Crushed with a flick of his wrist!
But first, he needed a way to accelerate his mental power. With enough of it, even Mu Qingtong's Alpha-rank spirit weapon would be useless in their next duel.
He could already picture the shock on that little witch's face when he crushed her.
The array activated, the world spinning around him.
When his vision cleared, he stood once more within the evil dragon's domain.
(End of Chapter)