Chapter 108: Long Tianjiao Captured

Chu Tian chuckled lightly, pushed the door open, stepped out of the car, and walked away from the clearing.

Just then, Long Tianjiao also stepped out of the vehicle. She had been staying within the Long family estate for quite some time, not having stepped a foot outside her home. Having not breathed the air of the outside world for so long, she did not want to return to the Long residence so quickly now that she had finally managed to get out.

Long Tianjiao tilted her head, gazing up at the starlit night sky, and took a deep, refreshing breath.

However, at that very moment, an ill-timed voice suddenly rang out.

"Long Tianjiao, we have finally waited for you to leave the Long estate. We really have Chu Tian to thank for this!"

Under the cover of darkness, the figure of Situ Deng slowly emerged.

"Situ Deng? Why are you here?" Long Tianjiao’s brows furrowed as her gaze locked onto his face.

"The North-South struggle is about to begin, and I would like you to be a good girl and come with me," Situ Deng said with a cold sneer, gesturing for her to follow with a wave of his hand.

Hearing this, Long Tianjiao’s expression shifted. She immediately grasped his motive: he intended to use her as a hostage to threaten the Long family. Her grandfather’s previous concerns had been justified; someone was indeed planning to move against the Long family. But she never imagined that the person behind it would be Situ Deng.

As Situ Deng took a step forward, closing the distance, Long Tianjiao’s expression grew increasingly grave.

"Get lost!"

Suddenly, with a flick of her right hand, a sharp blade appeared in her palm. It was a specialized weapon from the Ancient Martial Arts Administration, incredibly sharp and capable of slicing through hair with ease. Yet, Situ Deng showed no regard for her, continuing his advance.

Seizing the moment he took another step, Long Tianjiao acted decisively, hurling the blade directly toward his chest.

*Clang!*

Situ Deng merely raised his right index finger and flicked the edge of the blade. The razor-sharp weapon was instantly knocked off course, flying toward a nearby tree and burying itself deep into the trunk, leaving only the hilt visible.

In that instant, Long Tianjiao transformed into a blur, charging toward Situ Deng. Regardless of his motives, she had already resolved to kill him. After what Situ Feng had dared to do to her Second Senior Sister, this was the perfect opportunity to make the Situ family pay.

However, Situ Deng’s reaction was clearly faster. He surged forward with explosive speed, pouncing on her like a starving wolf.

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

Their fists and palms collided, sending shockwaves of internal energy rippling through the air.

*Boom!*

Situ Deng struck with a fist. Rather than dodging, Long Tianjiao met him head-on with a palm strike. Upon impact, Situ Deng did not budge an inch, while Long Tianjiao was forced to retreat rapidly.

Before she could stabilize herself, a dark shadow flashed from behind a tree. Tang Rixin launched a sneak attack, striking at her back with a hook-like weapon. Long Tianjiao’s face paled, but it was too late to evade.

*Boom!*

At the critical moment, a cyan light erupted from Long Tianjiao’s body as a protective layer of spiritual energy instantly enveloped her. However, Tang Rixin’s hook was equipped with a spiritual talisman; it slammed into her protective barrier, unleashing a deafening roar.

In the next second, the talisman completely sealed off her spiritual energy. The protective barrier around her vanished, its energy absorbed back into the talisman hidden beneath her clothes—the very protective charm Chu Tian had gifted her.

The momentum of Tang Rixin’s hook remained undiminished, striking Long Tianjiao squarely in the back.

"Ugh!"

With a sharp pain in her back, she collapsed to the ground. The talisman from the hook had adhered to her, suppressing her internal energy and rendering Chu Tian’s charm useless. As she turned, the hook was already pressed against her throat, pinning her to the ground.

"You used a Spirit-Sealing Talisman?" Long Tianjiao asked coldly, a trace of blood staining the corner of her mouth.

"We came prepared. Otherwise, how could we have captured you?" Situ Deng stepped forward until he stood right beside her.

The Spirit-Sealing Talisman not only suppressed Chu Tian’s runic energy but also masked any fluctuations in spiritual power, preventing Chu Tian from sensing that she was in danger.

"What do you want?" Long Tianjiao demanded.

"Hahahaha, it’s so obvious, isn't it? What do you think we want?"

Situ Deng laughed heartily, his wicked gaze sweeping over Long Tianjiao’s voluptuous figure, his mind stirred by lecherous thoughts. Unfortunately, Wu Xingyan had already given explicit orders: capturing Long Tianjiao was purely to threaten Long Sihai; not a single hair on her head was to be harmed. Otherwise, how could Situ Deng resist such a stunningly beautiful woman?

"Do you know who I am? I am from the Ancient Martial Arts Administration and the eldest miss of the Long family. Aren't you afraid of the Long family's retaliation for ambushing me tonight?" Long Tianjiao’s expression darkened as she asserted her status.

She silently regretted not heeding her grandfather’s warning, regretting that she had snuck out alone instead of staying within the safety of the family. If she hadn't left to meet Chu Tian in private, she wouldn't have lost the protection of her family, nor would Situ Deng have found an opening.

"Of course I know who you are. If you weren't the eldest miss of the Long family, we wouldn't have bothered capturing you in the first place," Situ Deng sneered, his tone pregnant with meaning.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Long Tianjiao frowned, sensing the underlying message in his words.

Situ Deng did not intend to hide it.

"Long Sihai is a veteran Martial Saint. In the past, the Situ family would indeed have been wary of him. But things are different now. Our master has returned. Do you think the Situ family still fears Long Sihai?" Situ Deng looked immensely proud, eager to reveal more secrets. After all, Long Tianjiao would learn of Wu Xingyan’s survival sooner or later; telling her now was just getting ahead of the game.

"Your master? You are a disciple of Wu Xingyan?" Long Tianjiao muttered to herself, her eyes widening in shock as the realization hit her.

"It’s a pity that the one with the Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart isn't me. If it were, I could enjoy you seven beauties myself!" Situ Deng shook his head with feigned regret.

In truth, he felt no envy toward Chu Tian. He understood the reality of the Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart: even after it was fully nurtured, it would ultimately have to be sacrificed to Wu Xingyan. To enjoy such beauty for a brief moment only to pay with one’s life was a steep price. Nevertheless, at that moment, Situ Deng certainly wished he could have his way with her right then and there.