Chapter 45 - Seizing the Spirit Fruit

                                    

                                          

     The entire scene fell silent for a few moments before the commotion resumed.
     When the crowd saw that it was just an unremarkable young girl, standing on a branch, brandishing a beautiful sword and striking an intimidating pose, they couldn't help but notice her delicate features. No matter how hard she tried to look serious, she still gave off an inherently harmless vibe. The tension that had built up in the air immediately dissipated. They returned to their arguing and fighting, without sparing her a second thought.
     "...What's going on?"
     Tong Tong was frustrated as she watched the crowd below completely ignore her. Clenching Bi Ling tightly, her brow twitched in irritation. Her self-esteem had taken a serious hit. "I said... R-robbing you!"
     This shout was packed with all the energy she could muster, finally drawing some attention back her way. Taking advantage of the moment, Tong Tong pressed on, her voice deepening into a growl: "This garden was opened by me, this tree was planted by me, if you want these fruits... come back in the next life!"
     "Hey, little girl, you sure have some nerve! Our South Sea Sect isn't to be trifled with! You better scram and get out of the way!" said a middle-aged man with a thin mustache, looking as skinny as a stick, with a voice that was a comical, southern drawl.
     "That's right! Little brat, don't go looking for trouble. Offend your elder and you'll find yourself in deep trouble!" bellowed a burly man with a broad chest and a loud voice.
     "This younger sister, if you could come down and have a proper chat with this elder sister, that would be wonderful. If we could share this treasure, it would not be in vain... but if you refuse to listen to reason and provoke me, don't blame me for being ruthless," said a slender, graceful young woman with a sweet smile.
     Tong Tong was still processing the first two comments when she suddenly heard the familiar tone and reflexively shouted, "Speak plainly!"
     The young woman was taken aback but quickly dropped her gentle façade, placing her hands on her hips and adopting a shrewish stance, shouting at Tong Tong, "Where did this yellow-haired girl come from, daring to fight with me over stuff? Get down here and accept your punishment!"
     "Hmph, so crude and unsophisticated." Understanding the last remark, Tong Tong mentally simulated how Su Yan might handle such a situation, and she switched to her cold and noble mode-though a bit forced and lacking in spirit, she felt quite confident. "I am-designated envoy of the Buddha, Jade Emperor, and Avalokiteshvara, the Fairy of Huaguo Mountain's Water Curtain Cave, Ming Tian Xiao Xian Tong Mu Yan... so beautiful it's dazzling!"
     After dramatically reciting her lines and feeling pleased with the alias she came up with, Tong Tong performed a flourish with her sword, cutting off a few leaves, striking a pose. In her mind, she rated herself: Appearance 9/8, Lines 9/7, Aura 9/9-Total score 29/4-Perfect!
     The Bi Ling Sword also flashed in a showy manner, shimmering like neon lights, adding to the effect-though it was overshadowed by her self-indulgent grin.
     In response, a barrage of various spells came raining down-red, blue, yellow, green; fire, water, wood, earth, and every type imaginable.
     While none of the spells were particularly powerful on their own, their combined effect was significant. Fortunately, she had prepared in advance and managed to dodge the attacks; otherwise, the outcome could have been quite dire...
     After a moment of relief, Tong Tong looked back at the spot where she had been standing earlier-now a shattered ruin-and paid a three-second tribute to the tree. Annoyed, she yelled at the attacking crowd below, "Attacking without warning is against the rules! One-star rating! All of you get a bad review!"