In the study
"Still no sign of her?" The man's voice was hoarse, completely devoid of his previous handsome and scholarly charm.
The subordinate fell silent, the situation evident. After a while, the man leading them called out, "Chairman, we've mobilized all our manpower, and sealed off airports, train stations, and major traffic routes. But the young miss seems to have vanished from the face of the earth... Could it be that—"
"Bang!"
The man abruptly looked up to see his wife entering through the door; her face deathly pale, pupils contracting sharply upon hearing the dreadful news, her entire body collapsing weakly to the floor.
"Wife, don't worry, our daughter will come back." The man quickly strode over to the woman, comforting her with heartache.
The woman sat on the floor without uttering a word. Her eyes were somewhat vacant, her bloodless lips trembling violently, as if her soul had departed.
...
"My daughter—!"
After a moment of silence, a heart-wrenching wail erupted from the villa!
——I am the foodie divider——
Nine years later
In the back mountains of a small village, within a tranquil and elegant courtyard.
"You little brat! Did you put drugs in the food again yesterday?!" An old man with a rosy complexion glared at a little girl, his whiskers bristling. This little girl, growing bolder by the day, actually dared to test poisons on him!
"Hmm..." The little girl lying on the bed slowly opened her sleepy eyes, and in an instant, it was as though the galaxy flowed within them, clear and ethereal. "Master, my meager skills are not worthy of your notice. See? Aren't you doing just fine now?"
"Nonsense! Old man itched all night long!"
"Pfft!—Haha!"
The old man stared helplessly at the little girl who laughed heartily, his eyes brimming with affection.
"Girl, recite the 'Inner Canon of Huangdi' from beginning to end."
"In ancient times, there was Huangdi. Born a spiritual being..."
"Hmm, not bad. Now recite the Medicine Sect's Heart Method."
"The Way manifests as substance, sight but a blur and flurry. Blurred and flurry..."
"Good, now show me the set of boxing techniques I taught you yesterday."
"Umm, I'm hungry, can't practice." The little girl refused to move.
"You little glutton!"
The sunshine was warm, with birds chirping through the mountains, a scene of tranquil serenity...
——I am the foodie divider——
Nineteen years later
Xuandu City, the center of power in Xuanjin Country. It was a city overflowing with desire and dreams.
Down an abandoned alley near Xuan University, rumors said the place was haunted, so even in daylight, few ventured there. The alley's stone pavement was cluttered with broken planks and bamboo baskets, its surroundings eerily quiet.
"Tap—Tap—Tap—" Soft, slow footsteps approached from a distance, each one echoing as if weighing on the soul.
At one end of the alley, a slender figure shrouded in sunlight slowly appeared. Her white dress fluttering, hair cascading over her shoulders, her exquisite silhouette just visible through the intense light.
The girl stepped steadily to the center of the alley, steadied her breath, and lowered her gaze.
"Whoosh—!" Suddenly a few thick and massive wooden planks flew up, slamming fiercely towards her like rogue waves.
The girl didn't move. The planks drew closer, and the men hiding in the shadows thought they saw the girl's bloodied body sprawled on the ground, a malicious smile curling their lips.
At that moment, with a fierce shout, the girl suddenly spun around and struck with her palm, unleashing a gust of wind like a tumultuous wave that instantly shattered the planks! The hidden men felt an overwhelming Inner Breath surge forth, their throats as if gripped tightly, their bodies flung uncontrollably through the air!
Such profound Inner Breath!
The four exposed men were shocked, quickly regrouping and adopting defensive stances.
"Little girl, although you are the Sect Leader's disciple, you are still inexperienced. The few of us together would be more than a match for you. The grudge of the Medicine Sect has nothing to do with you; why press us so hard?"
"Your personal vendettas are none of my concern, but I must apprehend the traitors who stole the Medicine Sect's Secret Technique!" Her voice, melodiously delightful like a nightingale and usually soft, was now chillingly cold.
"Bratty girl, we intended to spare your young life, but since you are so ungrateful, don't cry foul when you're in the Hall of Yama King!" Seeing their plan foiled, the men turned murderous, "Ha!—" The lead man bellowed, his iron-like fist driving fiercely towards the girl along with the wind, while the others attacked swiftly and ruthlessly, closing in with each move!
The girl encircled by the men circulated her Inner Breath throughout her body, facing four opponents without a trace of panic. She lightly tipped on her toes, leaped into the air, and with her pale fist, she struck an assailant's temple with formidable force!
The opponents, seeing this, struck back even more viciously. For a time, the alley was filled with chaotic winds and heavy killing intent!
...
"Thud!"
The last man alive was slammed hard to the ground, limbs convulsing as blood spewed from his mouth, ceasing to breathe in mere moments.
The girl took a delicate porcelain bottle from her bag, poured a few drops, "Sss!—", and the corpses on the ground began to emit white smoke, the unknown liquid boiling over them.
After a short while, the girl slowly walked out of the alley, hailed a taxi, and left the place,
The eerily quiet alley was now filled with the stench of rotting flesh. On the disordered stone path, only a moist puddle remained, as if the bodies of several men had evaporated into thin air!