Three days later, the grand army arrived at East Wilderness, setting up camp in Manyou Valley. The Sword Sect Master established a defensive barrier, and everyone rested within the valley.
Near dusk, Manyou Valley was shrouded in heavy mist, making it difficult to see any light.
Yu Fusheng and other non-main force disciples began their patrol duty. This so-called patrol involved walking around the barrier to check for suspicious figures.
By the time it was Yu Fusheng’s turn, it was already deep into the night. With sword in one hand and a lamp in the other, he walked through the overgrown desolate land. Glancing sideways, he spotted suspicious movement-several shadowy figures sneaking stealthily toward the barrier amid the flickering tree shadows.
Yu Fusheng shouted from a distance, only to discover it was Xue Chuan, Chen Yin, and others.
Xue Chuan’s hand holding the jade pendant trembled. Just as he was about to turn and plead, he realized it was Yu Fusheng and became furious. His followers stepped forward, covered Yu Fusheng’s mouth, and struck his head hard: “Looking to die? Keep quiet!”
Yu Fusheng was caught off guard by the blow, his ears ringing as he became dizzy and disoriented.
Just as he was regaining clarity, Xue Chuan kicked him: “You scared us to death! What are you yelling about in the middle of the night? If you bring others here and ruin my plan to make a name for myself, I won’t let you off!”
Xue Chuan had stolen his father’s jade pendant and was leading his followers to venture outside the barrier to hunt demon beasts.
Chen Yin had been forcibly dragged along. Xue Chuan despised Chen Yin’s cowardice and, as the young sect master, felt obligated to reform the sect’s ethos by helping Chen Yin build courage.
Approaching the barrier, they were startled by Yu Fusheng’s shout, infuriating Xue Chuan.
Being at the late Foundation Establishment stage, Xue Chuan, in his anger, didn’t hold back his strength. His kick sent Yu Fusheng, who had just reached the Foundation Establishment stage, flying to the ground with blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
Relying on his status as the sect master’s only son, Xue Chuan was accustomed to throwing his weight around in the Sword Sect, with everyone yielding to him. Having suffered this injustice, Yu Fusheng could only swallow his pride and wait for the other’s anger to subside before getting up.
“Young Sect Master, don’t bother with this waste. Don’t forget our main task,” said one of Xue Chuan’s followers.
Remembering their demon beast hunting mission, Xue Chuan warned: “If you dare spread word about my hunting expedition, you’ll face the consequences.”
Yu Fusheng hadn’t expected Xue Chuan to be so reckless. With only Foundation Establishment level cultivation, encountering a major demon beast would mean certain death, but… it wasn’t his concern.
Yu Fusheng silently watched as Xue Chuan channeled spiritual energy into the jade pendant and pressed it against the barrier. In an instant, a section of the barrier as tall as a person vanished.
The night wind from outside the valley blew in through the opened barrier, bringing waves of coolness.
“Success,” Xue Chuan curved his lips into a smile, patting the storage pouch at his waist. With high-grade magical tools in hand, if luck was on his side and they caught some major demon beasts, his father and the other two sect masters would surely look at him with new eyes.
“Everyone follow me… Chen Yin, where are you running to?”
Outside the valley was a desolate scene. Crows gathered in flocks on withered trees, their red eyes glaring in the pitch-black night as they emitted hoarse cries. Chen Yin was terrified, trembling as he backed away.
Xue Chuan grabbed him back, scolding in frustration: “No running away! I have high-grade magical tools in hand, what is there to fear? To think the Sword Sect has such a coward!”
Constrained by Xue Chuan’s status, Chen Yin could only seethe in silence. Among them, his cultivation was the weakest; undoubtedly, upon encountering a demon beast, he would be the first to be torn to pieces, with no chance to struggle.
Anxious like an ant on a hot pan, Chen Yin thought hard, his eyes darting around: “Young Sect Master, this place is vast. Searching for demon beasts would waste time. Why not use bait to attract them?”
Hearing this, Xue Chuan found some merit in the idea: “What should we use as bait?”
Chen Yin curved his lips and pointed at Yu Fusheng.
Yu Fusheng’s cultivation was even lower than his own. If they encountered danger, throwing him out as a sacrifice would buy them some time.
Facing this unwarranted disaster, Yu Fusheng’s heart skipped a beat. He decisively tried to flee, but a spiritual rope tripped him.
Xue Chuan channeled his spiritual power, and the rope wound around Yu Fusheng’s wrists, binding both hands together. A forceful spiritual energy then dragged him away.
“Chen Yin is right, we do need bait,” Xue Chuan raised his chin slightly. “You’ll serve that purpose.”
The followers nodded in agreement. Yu Fusheng was the lowest in the sect; if anything happened, there wouldn’t be much trouble: “Being bait for the Young Sect Master is your blessing. When the Young Sect Master subdues a major demon beast with his high-grade magical tools, you’ll share in the merit.”
Unwilling to die, Yu Fusheng struggled vigorously, but he was no match for Xue Chuan. His sword, which
had fallen to the ground, sensed its master’s distress. With a flash of sword light, it flew toward Xue Chuan and his group.
Three days later, the grand army arrived at East Wilderness, setting up camp in Manyou Valley. The Sword Sect Master established a defensive barrier, and everyone rested within the valley.
Near dusk, Manyou Valley was shrouded in heavy mist, making it difficult to see any light.
Yu Fusheng and other non-main force disciples began their patrol duty. This so-called patrol involved walking around the barrier to check for suspicious figures.
By the time it was Yu Fusheng’s turn, it was already deep into the night. With sword in one hand and a lamp in the other, he walked through the overgrown desolate land. Glancing sideways, he spotted suspicious movement-several shadowy figures sneaking stealthily toward the barrier amid the flickering tree shadows.
Yu Fusheng shouted from a distance, only to discover it was Xue Chuan, Chen Yin, and others.
Xue Chuan’s hand holding the jade pendant trembled. Just as he was about to turn and plead, he realized it was Yu Fusheng and became furious. His followers stepped forward, covered Yu Fusheng’s mouth, and struck his head hard: “Looking to die? Keep quiet!”
Yu Fusheng was caught off guard by the blow, his ears ringing as he became dizzy and disoriented.
Just as he was regaining clarity, Xue Chuan kicked him: “You scared us to death! What are you yelling about in the middle of the night? If you bring others here and ruin my plan to make a name for myself, I won’t let you off!”
Xue Chuan had stolen his father’s jade pendant and was leading his followers to venture outside the barrier to hunt demon beasts.
Chen Yin had been forcibly dragged along. Xue Chuan despised Chen Yin’s cowardice and, as the young sect master, felt obligated to reform the sect’s ethos by helping Chen Yin build courage.
Approaching the barrier, they were startled by Yu Fusheng’s shout, infuriating Xue Chuan.
Being at the late Foundation Establishment stage, Xue Chuan, in his anger, didn’t hold back his strength. His kick sent Yu Fusheng, who had just reached the Foundation Establishment stage, flying to the ground with blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
Relying on his status as the sect master’s only son, Xue Chuan was accustomed to throwing his weight around in the Sword Sect, with everyone yielding to him. Having suffered this injustice, Yu Fusheng could only swallow his pride and wait for the other’s anger to subside before getting up.
“Young Sect Master, don’t bother with this waste. Don’t forget our main task,” said one of Xue Chuan’s followers.
Remembering their demon beast hunting mission, Xue Chuan warned: “If you dare spread word about my hunting expedition, you’ll face the consequences.”
Yu Fusheng hadn’t expected Xue Chuan to be so reckless. With only Foundation Establishment level cultivation, encountering a major demon beast would mean certain death, but… it wasn’t his concern.
Yu Fusheng silently watched as Xue Chuan channeled spiritual energy into the jade pendant and pressed it against the barrier. In an instant, a section of the barrier as tall as a person vanished.
The night wind from outside the valley blew in through the opened barrier, bringing waves of coolness.
“Success,” Xue Chuan curved his lips into a smile, patting the storage pouch at his waist. With high-grade magical tools in hand, if luck was on his side and they caught some major demon beasts, his father and the other two sect masters would surely look at him with new eyes.
“Everyone follow me… Chen Yin, where are you running to?”
Outside the valley was a desolate scene. Crows gathered in flocks on withered trees, their red eyes glaring in the pitch-black night as they emitted hoarse cries. Chen Yin was terrified, trembling as he backed away.
Xue Chuan grabbed him back, scolding in frustration: “No running away! I have high-grade magical tools in hand, what is there to fear? To think the Sword Sect has such a coward!”
Constrained by Xue Chuan’s status, Chen Yin could only seethe in silence. Among them, his cultivation was the weakest; undoubtedly, upon encountering a demon beast, he would be the first to be torn to pieces, with no chance to struggle.
Anxious like an ant on a hot pan, Chen Yin thought hard, his eyes darting around: “Young Sect Master, this place is vast. Searching for demon beasts would waste time. Why not use bait to attract them?”
Hearing this, Xue Chuan found some merit in the idea: “What should we use as bait?”
Chen Yin curved his lips and pointed at Yu Fusheng.
Yu Fusheng’s cultivation was even lower than his own. If they encountered danger, throwing him out as a sacrifice would buy them some time.
Facing this unwarranted disaster, Yu Fusheng’s heart skipped a beat. He decisively tried to flee, but a spiritual rope tripped him.
Xue Chuan channeled his spiritual power, and the rope wound around Yu Fusheng’s wrists, binding both hands together. A forceful spiritual energy then dragged him away.
“Chen Yin is right, we do need bait,” Xue Chuan raised his chin slightly. “You’ll serve that purpose.”
The followers nodded in agreement. Yu Fusheng was the lowest in the sect; if anything happened, there wouldn’t be much trouble: “Being bait for the Young Sect Master is your blessing. When the Young Sect Master subdues a major demon beast with his high-grade magical tools, you’ll share in the merit.”
Unwilling to die, Yu Fusheng struggled vigorously, but he was no match for Xue Chuan. His sword, which had fallen to the ground, sensed its master’s distress. With a flash of sword light, it flew toward Xue Chuan and his group.
Facing this unwarranted disaster, Yu Fusheng’s heart skipped a beat. He decisively tried to flee, but a spiritual rope tripped him.
Xue Chuan channeled his spiritual power, and the rope wound around Yu Fusheng’s wrists, binding both hands together. A forceful spiritual energy then dragged him away.
“Chen Yin is right, we do need bait,” Xue Chuan raised his chin slightly. “You’ll serve that purpose.”
The followers nodded in agreement. Yu Fusheng was the lowest in the sect; if anything happened, there wouldn’t be much trouble: “Being bait for the Young Sect Master is your blessing. When the Young Sect Master subdues a major demon beast with his high-grade magical tools, you’ll share in the merit.”
Unwilling to die, Yu Fusheng struggled vigorously, but he was no match for Xue Chuan. His sword, which had fallen to the ground, sensed its master’s distress. With a flash of sword light, it flew toward Xue Chuan and his group.
“Your sword control technique is decent, but unfortunately, it’s no match for me,”
Xue Chuan drew his sword sheath, and a cold light flashed. His treasure sword, a high-grade magical tool, sliced Yu Fusheng’s sword in half.
The shattered spiritual sword’s light dimmed, clanging as it fell among the wild grass.
Yu Fusheng froze. For a sword cultivator, a long-accompanying sword was like a companion. This spiritual sword had been with him the longest.
Anger surged within him. Despite his bound hands, he recklessly charged forward, headbutting Xue Chuan and forcing him back several steps: “Give me back my sword!”
“It was just a low-grade magical tool, destroyed is destroyed. How dare you attack me,” Xue Chuan staggered to regain his balance. Seeing Yu Fusheng’s seemingly crazed state, he snorted coldly and knocked him unconscious with a palm strike. “You must be tired of living!”
Xue Chuan clutched his aching chest, his face turning blue with rage at being confronted by such a “waste.” He irritably ordered someone to drag Yu Fusheng out beyond the barrier.
Outside Manyou Valley, the surroundings were terrifyingly quiet.
After walking for some distance without encountering any demon beasts, Xue Chuan sighed heavily. In his restlessness, he looked up and saw a towering ancient tree ahead.
A plan formed in Xue Chuan’s mind. He had Yu Fusheng hung up and tied to the topmost branches of the tree.
The wind blew away the dark clouds, and without obstruction, bright moonlight once again bathed the land. At night, a figure suspended high up could be spotted from a great distance.
This tactic proved effective. Soon, Xue Chuan sensed a dark figure approaching in his spiritual awareness. The moment it appeared and lunged toward Yu Fusheng, a sword light flashed.
Bang-!
A massive wild wolf tumbled to the ground, raising dust all around.
“As expected of the Young Sect Master, I didn’t even notice the demon beast approaching.”
“High-grade magical tools are truly formidable, subduing a great demon with a single strike.”
“You’ve seen too little,” Xue Chuan snorted disdainfully, carefully sheathing his sword. He crouched to cut open the wolf’s head, and finding no beast core, his expression changed slightly. He took out a silk handkerchief to wipe his hands. “It’s just a minor demon, not worth the effort.”
Yu Fusheng was awakened by the commotion. Opening his eyes and realizing where he was, all color drained from his face. His thin figure dangled from the tree as he struggled desperately.
Xue Chuan glanced at him dismissively, but soon had no time to pay attention. The wolf’s bloody scent had spread, and within moments, more demon beasts attacked, one after another.
Besides Xue Chuan, the others also drew their spiritual swords to fight, but soon they couldn’t keep up. As the bloody scent grew stronger, more and more demon beasts appeared, each fiercer than the last.
Someone suggested retreat: “Young Sect Master, perhaps we should call it a day and return another time.”
With his high-grade magical tool in hand, Xue Chuan moved effortlessly among the attacking demon beasts, enjoying the feeling of near invincibility. Hearing talk of retreat, his brows furrowed with impatience: “A bunch of wastes.”
He tossed his treasure sword into the air, cast a spell on the blade, and a cold light flashed, sweeping away all the demon beasts.
A drop of fresh blood fell from a grass tip, hitting the ground.
Xue Chuan caught his breath, raising his chin amid the cheers and amazement of the disciples around him.
Chen Yin stared at the treasure sword, surprised by the power of high-grade magical tools. His tense expression relaxed somewhat. Looking at the demon beast corpses strewn about, he began searching for beast cores. But just then, a massive shadow engulfed the area.
Chen Yin froze, glancing sideways, his face turning paper-white.
In the moonlight, a demon beast figure emerged.
This beast resembled a red leopard with cold, iron-like horns on its head. Five tails hung behind it like divine whips. It turned its head, red eyes gleaming in the darkness.
“Zheng… Zheng beast…”
The others’ expressions changed as well. The Zheng beast was a notorious fierce beast in the East Wilderness area, known for its ruthlessness. Countless cultivators had been torn to pieces by it.
Xue Chuan felt both shock and joy-shock because this great demon emanated a powerful pressure beyond his imagination, and joy because he had finally found a major demon beast. If he could subdue it, the entire cultivation world would spread tales of Young Sect Master Xue slaying the fierce beast-wouldn’t that be splendid?
Xue Chuan, sword in hand, flashed to the Zheng beast’s head in an instant, slashing at its skull, intending to deliver a fatal blow. Unexpectedly, a sharp whistling sound came from behind.
Bang!
Xue Chuan was struck by the Zheng beast’s long tail, tumbling to the ground and spitting blood.
“Young Sect Master!”
The group turned ghastly pale, none having expected that even with a high-grade magical tool, they would be powerless against a great demon.
Their fear of the fierce beast reached its peak at that moment.
Chen Yin trembled all over, hurriedly running toward Manyou Valley, then suddenly remembered the jade pendant on Xue Chuan-without it, they couldn’t enter the barrier.
He stopped, cast a spell to cut the spiritual rope binding Yu Fusheng, and while the Zheng beast’s attention was diverted, grabbed Xue Chuan and fled toward the barrier.
Yu Fusheng fell from the high tree, his head hitting a stone, darkening his vision.
Fortunately, he sensed the approaching demon beast by its scent. He dodged, leaped onto a tree branch, and followed Xue Chuan’s group without looking back.
The Zheng beast had little killing intent toward these ant-like humans and pursued them at a leisurely pace.
This gave everyone a chance to escape.
Xue Chuan regained his senses, his face showing panic. Running at the front, he reached the barrier and quickly used the jade pendant to open it, entering first. The others followed closely, rushing in.
After everyone had entered, Xue Chuan withdrew the jade pendant. Just as he sat down, gasping for breath, he heard a shout.
Looking up, he saw Yu Fusheng.
Xue Chuan instinctively raised the jade pendant, but Chen Yin, still recovering from the shock, grabbed his hand: “Are you crazy? The Zheng beast is right behind Yu Fusheng. If you open the barrier and let the fierce beast in, what then?”
Xue Chuan paused, looking at Yu Fusheng who had rushed to the barrier, then at the massive creature approaching unhurriedly in the distance. He realized that given the Zheng beast’s speed, it would likely enter Manyou Valley the moment the barrier opened.
He immediately put away the jade pendant: “The demon beast is cunning. I almost fell for it.”
Yu Fusheng, only at the early Foundation Establishment stage, had exhausted all his spiritual power fleeing. Finally seeing a glimmer of hope, he joyfully knocked on the barrier: “Xue Chuan, quick! Open the barrier! There’s still time!”
But in the next moment, the joy drained from his face.
Yu Fusheng watched as Xue Chuan withdrew the jade pendant, his eyes widening in disbelief. With bloodied hands, he pounded on the barrier: “What are you doing? I’m still outside, the demon beast hasn’t arrived yet, open the barrier quickly!”
Just then, a crashing sound came from behind him, the ground trembling as a shadow loomed over.
Yu Fusheng’s entire body shook, sweat pouring down his forehead. Not daring to look back, he used all his strength to ram against the barrier, again and again. But the barrier was impenetrable. His forehead bloodied from the impacts, he stared at the people inside with red eyes.
Xue Chuan felt unnerved by the stare, clutching the jade pendant tightly. When he saw Yu Fusheng being coiled up by the Zheng beast’s tail, he secretly felt a sense of relief.
Bang-!
Yu Fusheng was coiled up by the demon’s tail, then slammed heavily to the ground, causing pain throughout his internal organs as fresh blood continuously welled up in his mouth.
A small Foundation Establishment disciple couldn’t spark any interest in the Zheng beast, so it played with him, laughing coldly as it coiled around Yu Fusheng and repeatedly smashed him against the ground.
Seeing this, those inside the barrier turned pale with fear, immensely grateful that they weren’t the ones outside.
Some fierce beasts enjoyed this-torturing their prey thoroughly before killing them.
The Zheng beast, satisfied with tasting Yu Fusheng’s despair and seeing him motionless, uncertain whether he was dead or alive, raised its tail high, preparing to send him on the journey to the underworld.
At that moment, a black flute struck the raised tail.
The Zheng beast immediately let out a miserable cry as a section of its tail was severed.
The entangled youth fell, but a figure flashed through the air, catching him and instantly moving ten zhang away.
Yu Fusheng’s consciousness was hazy. Fresh blood sliding down his forehead pressed against his eyelids, making it nearly impossible to open his eyes. In his daze, a strand of dark hair brushed against his cheek, and alongside the smell of blood, his nose detected a hint of fresh fragrance.
So close, it penetrated his heart.
Yu Fusheng was fed a medicinal pill and regained some clarity. Turning his head, he saw a cold, exquisite face.
Yu Fusheng’s eyes widened slightly, his pupils reflecting a touch of bright cinnabar.
Fang Zhongqing placed the stunned person under a tree, noticing his body was ice-cold. After brief consideration, he took out a warm robe from his storage pouch and draped it over him.
“Stay here,” Fang Zhongqing said, turning to face the Zheng beast, whose expression had changed.
In the night wind, the youth held the black flute, his robes fluttering lightly.
The Zheng beast had strength at the peak of the Nascent Soul realm. With Fang Zhongqing’s cultivation level, it was like an egg striking stone. Yu Fusheng realized this and immediately tried to stop him.
But in an instant, the black flute transformed into a stream of light, and Fang Zhongqing appeared before the Zheng beast.
His movements were extremely fast. Though the Zheng beast’s physical strength was formidable, its agility was lacking. Fang Zhongqing exploited this weakness. While he couldn’t deliver a fatal blow to the Zheng beast, he could hold it off. The commotion was significant; it wouldn’t be long before the sect masters arrived.
The Zheng beast also realized this, letting out a roar as it engaged in battle with Fang Zhongqing.
Despite his astonishing talent, Fang Zhongqing was only thirteen. Fighting a fierce beast that had lived for over a hundred years inevitably put him at a disadvantage, especially after the beast developed killing intent.
Yet the youth’s expression remained calm, though the cinnabar mark between his brows turned frighteningly red.
Yu Fusheng sat leaning against the tree, his entire body in too much pain to move. He could only watch as the Zheng beast raised its claw like a cold blade, striking at Fang Zhongqing, causing his heart to suddenly tighten.
At that moment, a thunderclap sounded in the sky.
A dazzling light suddenly emanated from Fang Zhongqing’s body, forcing Yu Fusheng to close his eyes.
When he opened them again, he saw the Zheng beast’s massive body torn into pieces. With a “bang,” blood splattered everywhere, raining down in a torrential shower.
Blood fell like raindrops on Fang Zhongqing’s white robes, blooming like red plum blossoms.
Inside the barrier, Xue Chuan and the others had never witnessed such a scene and looked terrified. But Fang Zhongqing, emerging from the blood rain, maintained his calm expression, though a hint of frost appeared in his clear eyes.
He walked to the tree and asked, “Are you alright?”
Yu Fusheng stared blankly, about to speak when the seemingly unaffected youth suddenly collapsed.
Yu Fusheng quickly reached out to catch him. Without much strength, he could only embrace the person as they both fell to the ground, with Yu Fusheng serving as a cushion: “Are you okay?”
There was no response.
What filled Yu Fusheng’s nose was no longer the earlier fresh fragrance but the pungent smell of blood.
Yu Fusheng’s heart tightened suddenly.
Of course.
Fighting a great demon couldn’t have been so easy; Fang Zhongqing was injured.
Yu Fusheng’s hand on the white-robed youth’s waist tightened slightly. He wanted to lift him up, but there wasn’t an ounce of strength left in his body. His previous injuries felt as if his flesh was tearing open.
His lips trembled, his eyes reddening. In the cold night, he could do nothing but hold Fang Zhongqing tightly.
The spiritual energy in the air condensed as the Qinglin Sect Master arrived. Seeing Fang Zhongqing’s condition, he was startled. With a grim expression, he pushed aside Yu Fusheng’s hands and took Fang Zhongqing away.
Yu Fusheng had also reached his limit. His vision darkened as he fainted.
When he regained consciousness, he was still in Manyou Valley. Opening his eyes, he saw his master, coughed lightly, and found his injuries had improved somewhat. He propped himself up on the wooden board beneath him.
“Master, Fang Zhongqing…”
Slap-!
A heavy palm landed squarely on Yu Fusheng’s face.
The blow made his ears ring, his head turned to one side, and for a long moment, he couldn’t react: “Master…”
After striking him, Elder Wu put his hands behind his back and coldly reprimanded: “How dare you steal the sect master’s jade pendant, break the barrier without permission, summon a great demon, and cause the Qinglin disciple to be severely injured! Yu Fusheng, you have such audacity! Do you know what crime you’ve committed?”
Half of Yu Fusheng’s face was as red as if stained with blood. Hearing this, he explained: “No, Master, it was Xue…”
“Enough!”
Elder Wu harshly interrupted: “No more excuses!”
This matter was no small issue. Everyone knew that Qinglin treated Fang Zhongqing like their lifeline. Now that he was nearly lost, the Sword Sect had to provide an explanation.
But Xue Chuan’s status was noble, and with a great battle imminent, they couldn’t let their ally Qinglin think that the Sword Sect’s young master was of such character. Moreover, if the scandal spread, it would damage the Sword Sect’s reputation. After deliberation, several elders decided to let Yu Fusheng take the blame.
Though Elder Wu felt reluctant, he had no alternative.
“Master doesn’t believe me?” Yu Fusheng thought he wasn’t trusted and raised his trembling voice to explain, “It was Xue Chuan…”
“Silence!”
Elder Wu shouted angrily: “If you dare make more excuses, get out of the Sword Sect. I’ll no longer consider you my disciple!”
Yu Fusheng’s face instantly paled. He knelt on the ground, his body trembling as he called out “Master” once more, not daring to speak further.
Elder Wu clenched his fist. He truly cared for this disciple who, though lacking in talent, was diligent. But this matter was significant. If Yu Fusheng didn’t serve as the scapegoat, his days in the Sword Sect would be difficult, and he would eventually be expelled anyway.
The veins on the back of his hand bulged. After a long while, he tossed down a medicine bottle and left with a sweep of his sleeve.
“Kneel here all night and reflect… If you must blame something, blame your unfortunate fate.”
Yu Fusheng was stunned, staring at the medicine bottle that had rolled on the ground. Suddenly, he understood the meaning.
Dark clouds gathered, and large raindrops began to fall.
The rain poured down, and Yu Fusheng knelt silently in place.
His robes were soaked, the rain water bringing a cold sensation as it slid down his cheeks. Cold winds from all directions mercilessly struck his body.
Manyou Valley gathered thousands of people, but at this moment, Yu Fusheng found this area particularly quiet, with only the sound of rain and himself kneeling in punishment.
He kept his eyes open, his vision blurring in the rain, until he vaguely saw familiar robes appear in his sight.
Yu Fusheng was slightly startled and raised his head: “Are your injuries better? Do you… need something?”
Fang Zhongqing couldn’t possibly have come specifically to see him; he must have had some important matter. After all, Yu Fusheng was just a pitiful scapegoat; who would care about him?
Fang Zhongqing’s face was slightly pale: “I lost a piece of jade.”
“I haven’t seen it. Perhaps it fell outside the barrier,” Yu Fusheng lowered his head slightly, thinking to himself, “So that’s it.”
Coming to inquire about a lost item-he knew Fang Zhongqing couldn’t possibly have come to see him. Apart from tonight, the two had no other connection…
Yu Fusheng had convinced himself from the beginning that Fang Zhongqing hadn’t come for him, but this simple statement seemed to break something. As Yu Fusheng carefully considered it, he belatedly realized what had broken-the unrealistic fantasy he couldn’t help but harbor, despite believing it didn’t exist.
Deep in his heart, he had clearly been indulging in the wild hope that this unattainable heaven’s pride had come specifically out of concern for him.
Everyone has moments of dreaming.
Yu Fusheng lowered his dark eyelashes in self-mockery.
Fang Zhongqing had suffered severe injuries, but unlike others, after sleeping and regaining his energy, his wounds would heal extremely quickly.
Upon waking and finding his jade pendant missing, he had searched outside the barrier without success, which led him to question those who had been present. Unfortunately, Yu Fusheng didn’t know either.
Hearing this, Fang Zhongqing nodded slightly and turned to leave.
At that moment, his hand was suddenly grabbed.
Fang Zhongqing looked back, his gaze falling on the youth kneeling on the ground, his eyes showing confusion.
Yu Fusheng didn’t know why he had done this. He reached out, head lowered, tightly gripping that slender hand in the fine, cold rain.
Unlike his own rough hands covered with thick calluses, and unlike the iciness he had imagined, Fang Zhongqing’s hand was like warm jade-delicate, fair, and somewhat soft to the touch.
The patter of rain filled the space between heaven and earth.
Yu Fusheng’s thin lips parted slightly. With his head bowed, his expression was hidden, but his voice, mingling with the rain, carried an inexplicable sadness.
“Stay with me for a while.”
After speaking, Yu Fusheng realized what he had said. The hand that had grabbed Fang Zhongqing seemed to be scalded by the temperature of the other’s fingertips, and he fearfully withdrew it.
He released his grip in panic: “I’m sorry, I…”
“Alright,” Fang Zhongqing sighed.
Yu Fusheng’s flustered expression froze. Whether his previous action had been a momentary impulse or bewitchment no longer mattered at this instant.
Alright… what…
Yu Fusheng couldn’t quite understand.
The bright moon in the sky hid behind dark clouds, its distance from him unknown. But the youth, whom he had thought more distant than the moon, looked around and then, ignoring the muddy ground in the rain, sat cross-legged beside him.
Yu Fusheng’s expression was dumbfounded until a jade-white hand waved in his line of sight.
“What’s wrong?”
Fang Zhongqing asked in confusion, placing his hand on Yu Fusheng’s forehead, feeling the wetness beneath-neither hot nor warm, but rather cool.
He observed Yu Fusheng’s soaked appearance: “Don’t you know the rain-avoiding technique?”
Yu Fusheng shook his head.
Fang Zhongqing pondered briefly, then took his hand: “I’ll teach you the hand seal. With the rain-avoiding technique, you won’t get wet anymore.”
Yu Fusheng froze, watching as the youth manipulated his fingers, teaching him the seal.
Finally, Fang Zhongqing asked: “Have you got it?”
Yu Fusheng’s mind was blank at that moment, filled with countless thoughts, and he instinctively replied: “No.”
Fang Zhongqing frowned slightly, thinking that scrolls were indeed more effective-he had learned from a scroll after just one reading, but when it came to teaching others, they couldn’t seem to grasp it quickly. Perhaps his teaching wasn’t good enough.
He released Yu Fusheng’s hand and instead picked up a twig from the ground: “I’ll draw it out for you.”
Yu Fusheng said: “That’s not necessary.”
Fang Zhongqing’s long eyelashes fluttered as he had a sudden realization: “You enjoy the rain.”
Yu Fusheng pressed his lips together, silent for a moment, his voice slightly hoarse: “Why did you stay? We… don’t even know each other, do we?”
“Didn’t you ask me to keep you company?”
Fang Zhongqing tilted his head, dark strands of hair sliding over his shoulder. His puzzled gaze fell on Yu Fusheng. After thinking for a moment, he said seriously: “My name is Fang Zhongqing.”
With that introduction, they could be considered acquainted.
Yu Fusheng suddenly understood. His throat felt dry as his lips parted, allowing rainwater to enter: “Yu Fusheng.”
Fang Zhongqing nodded, preparing to begin cultivation.
Yu Fusheng suddenly spoke, with some nervousness, tentatively saying: “I’m a bit cold… could you… move closer?”
Fang Zhongqing opened his eyes. His gaze, cold as winter ice, carried an aloof quality, yet upon hearing this, he moved closer to Yu Fusheng and said: “My being close won’t help. You need to circulate spiritual energy within your body three times to avoid feeling cold.”
Yu Fusheng’s heart inexplicably quickened. He nodded in a daze, and only after Fang Zhongqing closed his eyes did his chaotic thoughts gradually clear.
…Fang Zhongqing might be a very kind person, kind enough not to easily refuse others.
Yu Fusheng turned his head to look at the person beside him in the rain curtain. He saw long, dark eyelashes adorned with delicate, crystalline raindrops. The youth’s features were exquisite and beautiful; in the darkness, he seemed to be coated in a layer of light, particularly dazzling.
Seeing the increasingly heavy rain, Yu Fusheng instinctively reached out his hand to shield Fang Zhongqing’s head, but the other suddenly moved.
Yu Fusheng’s shoulder sank slightly, and his breath caught.
The white-robed youth had rested his head on Yu Fusheng’s shoulder, his breathing even as he fell into deep sleep.
“Fang Zhongqing…” Besides the sound of rain, no one answered him.
Yu Fusheng’s entire body stiffened; only his eyeballs dared to move, afraid that the slightest disturbance would wake the other. As his gaze wandered, he noticed Fang Zhongqing’s rain-soaked robes.
Though he didn’t know why, the person beside him had indeed fallen asleep, and the rain-avoiding technique had dissipated with his consciousness. Yu Fusheng reached out, recalling the hand seal from earlier, and cast it over Fang Zhongqing.
Half an hour passed, and the rain continued.
Yu Fusheng’s rigid body gradually relaxed. He turned his head slightly, his cheek inadvertently brushing against Fang Zhongqing’s dark hair. His heart tightened, as if it had been gently scratched.
Disgusting people! ٩(๑`ȏ´๑)۶ I’m so angry (╬ಠ益ಠ)
Thank You for the new chapter (•‾⌣‾•)و ̑̑♡