Typically, when we speak of a "sharp tongue," we can generally categorize it into two types— the first, like Nono, who enjoys overwhelming opponents with a flood of trivial chatter; the second, like Gaddy, whose seemingly casual remarks often provoke a reaction so sharp it could induce a heart attack in the listener!
Undoubtedly, Li Zhi stood on the verge of eruption at this moment. Although still barely maintaining his composure, the delicate tower in his hand had begun to glow with an earthy yellow light, radiating outward like a tangible force.
"I am merely here as a tourist!" Ignoring the mounting pressure, Gaddy remained leisurely reclined in his rocking chair, letting his dress sway gently in the breeze. "Is it forbidden for an ordinary person to travel in your country as well?"
"A tourist?" Li Zhi smiled faintly, as though he had suddenly turned the tables. "A tourist who comes at fixed intervals every few decades, is it?" He continued, his voice laced with a cold amusement, "Let's be frank! Due to the chaos caused by your actions last night, we no longer welcome you to stay in the South City. Therefore..."
"Therefore, do I need to reapply for a visa?" Gaddy spoke these words casually, catching Li Zhi off guard once more.
"Good! Good! Good! If that's the case..." After a brief pause, Li Zhi suddenly broke into a laugh, a sinister gleam flickering in his eyes. He extended his right hand, and the delicate tower slowly leveled forward, its yellow light surging outward by several feet, creating ripples in the air as if the very atmosphere was being churned. "Then I shall personally see you off!"
Before the words could fade, the delicate tower abruptly detached from his palm and ascended into the air, spinning slowly.
In the silent, rotating motion, the yellow light infused air surged violently, crashing forward like a raging sea.
Gaddy took a slight step back, his expression shifting, as if preparing to invoke divine forces at any moment. Yet, the cultivators around them sang in unison, increasing the pressure of the energy field, making it even more formidable.
"Wuji Tianzun, I beg your pardon!" Li Zhi gave a cold nod, his fingers flicking to the side, summoning the delicate tower back toward him.
The yellow light shimmered from the tower's surface, its small size belying its enormous weight, pressing down on Gaddy with such force that the floor beneath him creaked under the pressure.
In the briefest of moments, Chen Mo suddenly coughed lightly, his fingers sweeping in a pattern as though playing an instrument—suddenly, a thunderous roar erupted, and a bolt of dark blue lightning descended from the sky, striking the delicate tower with a force that sent it reeling backward by several meters.
Li Zhi's expression darkened slightly as he hastily spun his hand, calling the tower back to him once more.
Before the yellow light faded, he glared at Chen Mo, his voice filled with cold fury. "You are truly hiding your strength! No matter if you are an immortal or a demon, you are still from our Central Plains. Why assist the foreign demon's minions?"
"Daoist Li, you are mistaken! How could I possibly turn my back on my own people?" Unfazed by the reprimand, Chen Mo smiled broadly, spreading his hands. "But as they say, harmony breeds prosperity. In the 21st century, globalization is key! Just look at the Beijing Olympics, which promotes the idea that our doors are always open. What's that song—ah, yes—'Me and you, heart to heart...'"
As Chen Mo rambled on, Li Zhi and his fellow cultivators exchanged puzzled glances, wondering if this person was perhaps an ambassador for Olympic propaganda.
A moment of stunned silence passed before Chen Mo, seemingly about to burst into song, finally pushed Li Zhi over the edge. With a sharp cry, Li Zhi hurled the delicate tower forward once more, its force roaring out in a surge of power.
"Preposterous! This is not the time for such nonsense!"
"Oh? Why can't it be?" Chen Mo asked sweetly, before launching a powerful strike, his smile fading in an instant.
Fully aware that the other's strength rivaled that of a powerful demon, Chen Mo unleashed his full energy, sending the dark blue lightning surging forth, condensing into a solid shield of light. The collision with the delicate tower was brutal, and the resulting shockwave sent both combatants stumbling.
The room trembled slightly, both men grunting in unison as their feet sank into the floor.
In the wake of this, the cultivators around them hesitated for a moment, exchanging glances before looking to Gaddy.
But before any action could be taken, a roar of an engine filled the air. Wood splintered, dust flew as a battery-powered vehicle, ferocious in its speed, crashed through the door.
On the vehicle's front, a mobile phone, a rice cooker, and a laptop stood firm, each item arranged as though on display, shouting in unison: "Everyone inside, drop your weapons and surrender! You are surrounded!"
"What...?" Despite witnessing countless oddities, the cultivators were momentarily stunned by the absurdity of seeing such everyday items so brazenly flaunting their power.
Seconds later, a young man in green robes snapped out of his daze and was about to draw his sword.
However, before he could act, Nono leaped forward and cranked the volume to full blast. "Boss, help me!"
"I'll help you, but who's helping me?" Feeling the overwhelming pressure from Li Zhi, Chen Mo gritted his teeth, but still managed to fire a bolt of blue light.
Struck by the bolt, Nono spun rapidly, its formerly battered frame quickly transforming, turning silver as though brand new.
A few seconds later, it sighed in satisfaction and, to everyone's astonishment, transformed into a sultry female voice, cooing: "Sir, would you like some room service?"
Though aware that the voice was coming from a phone, the cultivators still paused, confusion flickering in their eyes.
After a brief moment of stunned silence, the green-robed man's sword fell to the ground with a clatter, his face red and his lips trembling as though he were about to ask, "How much?"
"Focus! This is the Soul-ensnaring Melody!" Realizing the danger, Li Zhi bellowed, causing dust to fall from the ceiling as he forced the cultivators out of their trance.
Wary of further tricks, he struck the delicate tower once again, unleashing a burst of golden light as intense as the midday sun. "My apologies, fellow cultivator!"
Knowing the other had no intention of exterminating them, Chen Mo couldn't help but feel a slight fondness. Yet, there was no time for pleasantries.
A loud crack echoed as the blue shield shattered, sending him flying several meters before crashing into an invisible barrier. He slid to the floor, pale-faced and shaken.
Gaddy let out a soft exclamation, raising his hands in desperation. The golden staff of the goddess materialized, and waves of golden light surged toward the delicate tower.
"Wuji Tianzun, why must this be?" Li Zhi sighed helplessly, about to flick his fingers to strike the tower.
But just as he was about to act, a sharp voice rang from outside the window: "Bad guys! You're bullying my daddy! Xun'er won't let you get away!"
Without missing a beat, dozens of talismans flew into the room, filling the space with radiant light and quickly enveloping everything.
"Damn it!" Chen Mo, having already witnessed Xun'er's terrifying power, immediately shoved Gaddy aside as the four devices scattered in all directions.
Li Zhi and the other cultivators stood frozen, exchanging glances, unsure of what was happening. It wasn't until a long moment passed that Li Zhi hesitantly reached for one of the talismans, mumbling to himself, "Strange, this talisman looks..."
"Get down!" Before he could finish his sentence, Chen Mo, eyes wide in alarm, knocked Li Zhi to the floor without hesitation.
With a soft thud, the talismans exploded in a burst of light. Fireballs, water arrows, stones, and lightning erupted in a storm of destruction, wreaking havoc on the room.
"We've lost control! We've lost control!" Xun'er's clear, sharp scream echoed as the room was violently shaken, leaving even the most diligent of cleaners in shame.
As the noise finally subsided, the cultivators, pale and battered, picked themselves up. The only piece of furniture still intact in the room was a small three-legged table.
"This... this..." Li Zhi, his head covered in debris, trembled slightly, his composure completely shattered.
A few moments later, when he caught sight of Xun'er's face, he froze, his expression softening as he muttered in surprise, "Xun'er, how did you end up here?"
"Huh?" Xun'er, who had been clinging to Chen Mo, turned around, her big eyes filled with confusion.
"Did you forget Uncle Li?" Li Zhi, with a tender smile, bent down to her level. His usually stern face softened as he smiled warmly. "That peachwood sword of yours, I gave it to you for your third birthday."
"Ah, you're Uncle Li?" Xun'er glanced at the peachwood sword behind her, biting her thumb as she pondered. After a moment, her face lit up in realization.