Metal rang out sharply, and the force of the clash carried each of them a few stumbling steps past the other. Then both whirled around at once, eyes locked.

Tantai Qingyue spoke slowly. "Not bad. You are worth fighting."

Under the veiled hat, the corner of Kang Baobao's mouth twitched. I don't fucking want to fight you.

At the same time, she couldn't resist a jab. "The Holy Maiden of Xiliang, coming thousands of miles to Bianzhou to kill me over some Great Xuan man. Aren't you afraid people will laugh at you when word gets out?"

Tantai Qingyue's sword gave a ringing hum. "Who would dare?" she said coolly. "Whoever mocks me must first ask my sword."

As she spoke, the sword in her hand hummed again, and cold light seemed to flow along the blade.

Kang Baobao's expression turned deadly serious. The sword in her own hand trembled faintly.

Without warning, Tantai Qingyue slashed at the empty air.

A frost-white sword beam flashed and was gone!

At the same instant, Kang Baobao cut one of her own.

Boom!!!

The two sword beams collided in midair and burst apart. The air there twisted wildly, and a shock wave rippled out in a ring in every direction.

Tantai Qingyue gave a cold snort and cut another.

Kang Baobao refused to be outdone and cut one too.

Two flashes of cold light, there and gone in the air!

Tantai Qingyue twisted aside like lightning. The razor-sharp sword beam brushed past her and lifted her face veil, showing a pointed little chin and small, rosy lips.

Hiss!

A deep sword gash appeared in the courtyard wall, nearly cutting right through it.

Kang Baobao let out a muffled grunt. The veiled hat on her head flew apart in two halves, split clean by the stroke, revealing a face lovely enough to topple kingdoms.

A few strands of hair drifted down onto her shoulder. Kang Baobao glanced at them, badly shaken.

If she hadn't reacted so fast, that stroke would have split her head open along with the hat.

Tantai Qingyue was a little…