Nangong Xiyun transformed into Hun Jiu, perfectly mimicking his appearance, clothing, mannerisms, and expressions.
Perfect.
"It's about time. Let's go."
Even the voice was indistinguishable. For Nangong Xiyun, this was no challenge at all—she was an old hand at this.
At this moment, the Li Family was not only relieved to have overcome a crisis but also brimming with pride over Li Siyi's performance.
The Li Family had finally produced another promising talent, and this one was exceptional.
Perhaps they could restore the family's former glory.
It was said that the family had once produced a Void-Shattering Grandmaster, though no one knew how long ago that was—or if it was just some ancestor boasting.
Amid the joyous atmosphere, a figure descended from the sky, shattering the banquet table.
"Who are you? How dare you cause trouble at the Li Family!"
Hun Jiu coldly asked, "Do you know where the Moonlight Pendant is?"
"What pendant? You should be worrying about whether you'll leave here alive."
However, the next second, the speaker was sent flying by Hun Jiu.
"I'll ask again. Where is the Moonlight Pendant?"
Even within the Li Family, few knew about the Moonlight Pendant. Those who did were aware that it had long been lost.
Thus, no matter how Hun Jiu pressed, it was futile.
Seeing no one answer, Hun Jiu grew impatient and roared, "Speak!"
By now, the Li Family realized that this intruder was not only hostile but also immensely powerful.
But they truly had no idea about the Moonlight Pendant.
"Not talking, huh?"
Before Hun Jiu could act, Li Siyi coincidentally arrived to intervene.
"Stop! I am a disciple of the Seven Stars Sword Sect. Please, for the sake of the Seven Stars Sword Sect, spare my family."
"The Seven Stars Sword Sect? Annoying, but do you know who I am? I am Hun Jiu of the Imperial Soul Family. The Seven Stars Sword Sect is nothing to me."
With that, Hun Jiu raised a hand, ready to cast a spell and make an example of the Li Family members.
Of course, he wasn't planning to kill anyone—just knock them out for show.
Li Siyi feigned terror but inwardly admired her master.
Truly, her master's acting skills were impeccable.
However, BOOM!
An explosion erupted on Hun Jiu's outstretched hand.
It came without warning, and even Hun Jiu hadn't sensed it—though, of course, it didn't harm him.
From the crowd emerged a figure cloaked in black.
Hun Jiu asked with interest, "And who might you be?"
The familiar explosion suggested this was the same person from the battlefield.
Well, this saved him the trouble of searching. Now he could see their true face.
Su Luo slowly declared, "Seven Stars Sword Sect, Nangong Xiyun."
Nangong Xiyun: ?
You're Nangong Xiyun? Then who am I?
Oh, right, Hun Jiu.
Wait, no. Nangong Xiyun chuckled. She never thought she'd see the day someone would impersonate her.
Well, well, playing games, are we? Too bad you've picked the wrong opponent.
Still, she had to admit, this person was doing an excellent job. Even Nangong Xiyun felt like she was looking at another version of herself.
Of course, Su Luo had no trouble altering his voice.
His special ability, "What You See Is What I Want You to See," had also leveled up, allowing him to effortlessly mimic Nangong Xiyun's techniques and aura.
In short, there were no flaws.
Li Siyi was equally confused: ?
Ah, so this is my master? Then is Hun Jiu the real one?
But didn't my master promise to play the role of Hun Jiu instead of appearing herself...
Wait!
Li Siyi suddenly noticed that the black cloak looked familiar.
The familiar cloak, the familiar figure.
Su Luo!
The more she looked, the more certain she became, though it had been a while since Su Luo had appeared in this form, and she'd almost forgotten.
Su Luo, stop! That's my master! Don't intervene, please...
Li Siyi had fantasized about Su Luo coming to her aid, but she knew it was just a fantasy.
Yet here it was, coming true. She was both moved and anxious.
But she couldn't say anything, or she'd give it all away.
Master, master, please adapt to the situation.
Su Luo had thought long and hard before deciding to step in. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to face Li Siyi in the future.
As for the black cloak and impersonating Nangong Xiyun? Su Luo didn't care.
The cloak was common enough, and even if Li Siyi recognized it as the same one from when he saved her, that person had been a woman. What did that have to do with Su Luo? There was no proof linking him to her.
As for Nangong Xiyun, even if Li Siyi brought this up later and the stories didn't match, so what? They'd never guess it was Su Luo.
Did he have any connection to Nangong Xiyun? None at all.
Could he perfectly mimic Nangong Xiyun's traits? No one would believe it.
So, it was time to deal with Hun Jiu.
Su Luo activated the life-saving item Nangong Xiyun had given him, altering it slightly to turn its defensive power into an attack.
A massive sword of spiritual energy materialized above Hun Jiu's head.
Using this, Su Luo could further prove that he was indeed Nangong Xiyun.
Too powerful!
Even just sensing the sword above was enough to make it hard to breathe.
Li Siyi couldn't understand how Su Luo had such immense power.
She only felt the overwhelming strength, unable to discern that it was Nangong Xiyun's.
But Nangong Xiyun knew better.
So it's you, Su Luo.
Unexpected, yet it made sense.
Well, she had planned to teach this impostor a lesson, but now she had to play along.
Su Luo continued, "Li Siyi is not only a disciple of the Seven Stars Sword Sect but also my personal disciple. You dare harm her family? Hmph..."
"N-no, I won't! Spare me!"
With such overwhelming power hanging over him, Hun Jiu panicked, his survival instincts kicking in as he fled in terror.
"Too late. Nangong Xiyun has but one sword... Never mind, let's just split the heavens."
The sword slashed through the sky, leaving a scar that seemed to cleave the heavens in two.
Though Hun Jiu had fled far in an instant, Su Luo locked onto him with precision, and the sword struck true.
Without even looking, Su Luo knew Hun Jiu was done for.
Who was he to withstand a strike from Nangong Xiyun?
Without waiting for the crowd to react, Su Luo left with a flourish.
Li Siyi was immensely relieved that her master had adapted so well.
But before she could relax, she was already frantically trying to contact her master, hoping she wouldn't be angry about the black-cloaked figure impersonating her and attacking.
After all, her master didn't know it was Su Luo.
"How was my performance just now?"
Nangong Xiyun, of course, was fine. She had only taken her own attack to maintain the act, as Hun Jiu's escape speed wasn't enough to evade Su Luo's lock.
"Master, you were amazing!"
"So, who was that black-cloaked figure? He wasn't part of your plan."
"He saved me once before. I never expected him to show up now. Master, please don't be angry with him. He's really kind."
"Tell me, how did he save you?"
Li Siyi recounted the story truthfully, as there was no need to fabricate anything.
She mentioned that the black-cloaked figure was a woman, as Su Luo had used a female voice at the time.
Ah, Nangong Xiyun understood. So Su Luo had saved Li Siyi before, and Li Siyi still didn't know.
Tsk tsk, one helping in secret, the other with his diary—you two have quite a few secrets.
Nangong Xiyun didn't know that Su Luo had written about this in his diary.
"Don't worry, I'm not that petty."
"Thank you, Master."