HPMC Chapter 33

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They had just finished hiding when the stench of blood drew nearer. A young man and woman were supporting each other, their protective magical artifacts glowing dimly as they hovered unsteadily behind them, blocking an incoming flying sword. With each strike from the sword, the glow grew fainter, gradually weakening until it resembled a flickering candle flame, likely to extinguish completely soon.

Pursuing them was a tall, burly man with a triumphant expression, now wearing a malicious grin as he manipulated the flying sword while continuously taunting them, wanting to wear down the mental defenses of the pair ahead. The fleeing two were in a sorry state, especially the male cultivator. In his effort to protect the female cultivator, his thighs and arms were slashed by the sword’s light, leaving him in a truly wretched state. The thick scent of blood emanated precisely from those wounds.

Gradually, upon reaching the tree where Yu Tianze and Mu Zirun were hidden, the expressions of the man and woman turned desperate. The male cultivator bit his tongue, causing the glow of his artifact to brighten slightly. The young woman also produced a hairpin, creating a thin barrier of light to shield herself and the male cultivator. Clearly, they were barely holding on, knowing that further flight would only lead to being toyed with.

Yu Tianze’s expression was icy as he addressed his disciple, “Zirun, do you know why the fool behind is chasing the two fools ahead?”

Mu Zirun was slightly taken aback by his master’s choice of adjectives but quickly replied, “Perhaps because the two ahead snatched a treasure from the one behind?”

No sooner had his words left his mouth than the young woman below cried out in grief and indignation, “My brother and I never plucked that Blood Flame Flower! It was taken by someone else. We’ve been framed! If you want the Blood Flame Flower, you won’t get it from us!”

The burly man sneered, “Hmph, so what? You made me mistake my target and chase the wrong people. I’ll vent my anger by taking your lives!”

The young woman retorted furiously, “Shameless!”

Then, both sides fell back into a stalemate.

Mu Zirun: “…”

He had guessed it might be a case of killing for treasure, but he never expected the “venting anger” angle. It seemed that such unreasonable behavior was commonplace in the cultivation world. He had noticed that although the young woman was distressed, neither she nor her brother seemed to find the situation particularly abnormal.

Thinking his disciple was shaken, Yu Tianze paused. He wasn’t adept at consolation. After some thought, he spoke sternly, “Therefore, in the future, when you encounter others, maintain the utmost vigilance. In this world, some will kill you for treasures, some will kill you in a fit of anger, and others will kill you for no reason at all. So, to avoid being killed, either strike first and kill others or become the strongest yourself.” He paused, his tone turning even colder. “Remember! Never show foolish mercy!”

Mu Zirun sighed inwardly. Alright, he had underestimated the dangers of the cultivation world. Previously, seeing powerful cultivators bully weaker ones, casually withholding resources, or inflicting serious injuries, he thought that was harsh enough. He never expected human life to be so cheap. Especially when competing for resources, it all came down to whose fist was bigger. Some of the schemes, based on a normal person’s mindset from his previous life… he probably needed to adjust them. Otherwise, not only might he fail to protect his own life, but he might also implicate his master.

However, there was one thing Mu Zirun still wanted to know. He asked, “Master, if you encountered such a situation, what would you do?”

Yu Tianze stiffened at the question, his face turning even more rigid. “This master has always disdained such underhanded tricks. No matter how they scheme, I shall crush them with force!”

…Alright, I should have known. Mu Zirun nodded inwardly. Actually, he just wanted to confirm his own thoughts. Indeed, his master was quite simple-minded, unwilling to ponder many things, let alone actively scheme. Even the lesson his master was giving him now was likely born from numerous setbacks. He ought to cherish it.

Although his previous life had been too peaceful, making killing somewhat difficult to stomach, he had switched worlds now. If he continued to hold himself to the standards of his past life, tragedy might come early.  Anyway, he would get used to killing eventually. No matter how important others’ lives were, could they compare to his and his master’s? Better to kill than be killed. Besides, he wasn’t a murderous maniac. Kill when necessary, spare when not. Wasn’t that simple? As long as he observed carefully and didn’t assume safety when someone intended to kill him.

Having reasoned it through, Mu Zirun brushed aside his mental reservations. In business, the battlefield was metaphorical; devouring companies, causing bankruptcy to strengthen oneself—he had been quite accustomed to that in his previous life. In that world, stripping someone of their entire wealth wasn’t so different from taking their life. This time, it was just transitioning from the virtual to reality, stepping directly onto the battlefield. What was there to fear?

Seeing his disciple remain silent, Yu Tianze assumed he was frightened and snorted coldly. “This master sees you’ve never shed blood before. Don’t show weakness.” Then he frowned. “This master knows you have many schemes in mind, but no amount of scheming compares to true strength. After we return, you must continue training diligently!”

Mu Zirun smiled. “Yes, yes. Master, rest assured, your disciple will also cultivate diligently and definitely not let others scheme against me.”

Not only would he prevent others from scheming against him, but he would also never allow anyone to scheme against his master. It had taken two lifetimes to find a family member who genuinely cared for him. Could he afford to let them be harmed? Moreover, his master’s own master was entangled in a mess of troubles. Although his master didn’t seem to care much about that person anymore, there was no guarantee that he would not be deceived in the future. His master was far too easy to fool. He would have to keep a close watch.

Yu Tianze remained completely unaware that his disciple had mentally downgraded his intelligence three hundred times over. He currently felt his disciple was quite teachable, which satisfied him somewhat. At this moment, the brother and sister below were barely holding on. The last glimmer of light from their artifacts faded, and they fell to the ground. Just as the flying sword was about to pierce them, a bolt of lightning struck down, instantly reducing the Golden Core stage burly man to charred remains. The siblings were saved, their faces filled with disbelief as they looked around for their savior.

However, all they saw was a streak of lightning rushing away. Yu Tianze, pulling his disciple along, swiftly departed using movement techniques. He thought somewhat irritably: Although this lord doesn’t follow reason, this lord dislikes it even more when others act unreasonably in front of this lord. Hmph! Mu Zirun felt a slight pang of shame.

He had originally thought that in this world with twisted values, his master’s values were also twisted. But now he realized that he himself seemed even more twisted, whereas his master’s values were slightly more upright than his own… For instance, with this brother and sister, since they had nothing to do with him, he hadn’t considered asking his master to save them just now. Was this the indifference of modern people toward matters unrelated to themselves? Mu Zirun shook his head. Forget it. Such things really weren’t worth pondering.

After passing this area, the master and disciple relied on Yu Tianze’s divine sense to search for places with abundant spiritual energy and unusual phenomena. A major reason for this secret realm’s emergence was that many natural treasures within were about to be born, prompting the realm itself to appear and offer an opportunity to the outside world. Thus, as Yu Tianze scanned with his divine sense, he found that within its range, at least several dozen to a hundred places exhibited unusual phenomena.

No wonder, even though the entire cultivation world knew that entering early meant a higher risk of death, members of smaller sects and rogue cultivators still rushed in desperately. Only major sects, which weren’t lacking in resources, had many disciples, intending to avoid danger by not exploring during the first opening. Of course, since Yu Tianze had a mission, he couldn’t simply do nothing. Along the way, he always recorded routes and other information into a jade slip, creating a map to turn in upon returning. However, whether he provided more detailed information depended on his willingness.

Yu Tianze’s answer was: Unwilling!! Since no one had reminded him of the option to “have someone else go in his place” from the start, why should he exert himself? Doing just enough to complete the mission was sufficient. Before long, Yu Tianze chose the nearest location. Although its spiritual concentration wasn’t particularly strong, since there was light, it must be a treasure, and likely one more suitable for his disciple.

Then, lightning streaked straight toward the destination, arriving quickly. It was a pond nestled against a tall mountain. On the mountain was a cave emitting a demonic aura. In the center of the pond, numerous lotus leaves clustered around a pristine, jade-white lotus flower with twelve petals. Its fragrance was enticing and incredibly alluring. This was the “Twelve-Transformation Qinshui White Lotus.” Though it appeared delicate, it was actually used for body tempering. By extracting its sap for a medicinal bath, cultivators could expand their meridians and even enlarge their dantians!

However, this effect only worked for cultivators below the Golden Core stage. For those at Golden Core and above, it could only replenish spiritual energy—but don’t underestimate this replenishing ability. For cultivators between the Golden Core and Integration stages, if their true essence was depleted halfway through a fight, consuming a single petal would instantly restore them to full capacity without the least reduction. In battles, time was of the essence, and the amount of true essence directly affected one’s survival. One petal equaled one life, and there were a full twelve petals!

This white lotus was also highly effective for demon beasts. Consuming it entirely could immediately increase the chance of successful transformation by thirty percent. That the cave had a demonic aura, and having a guardian was only natural. Upon seeing it, Yu Tianze knew this item was useful and that he must obtain it without hesitation. Observing the celestial signs, it was nearly mature. Perhaps in just a few breaths, it could be plucked. At such a time, who would bother with courtesy?

Action followed thought. Yu Tianze placed Mu Zirun on a nearby tree, patted his shoulder, and instantly cast a Thunderfire Array around him. Then, turning around, he swung his hammer, striking directly at the mountain cave and smashing the demon’s head that had just peeked out into a pulp. Timing it perfectly, he leaped down, snapped the white lotus’s stem with one hand, and with the other, sent a blast of fierce flames across the pond’s surface, incinerating all the lotus leaves. The snake head emerging from the pond’s depths recoiled from the heat, not daring to extend again.

This series of actions was executed with practiced ease, as if performed countless times, leaving Mu Zirun utterly dumbfounded. His master’s style… was slightly exaggerated. Then, in a blur before Mu Zirun’s eyes, his master returned and withdrew the Thunderfire Array around him. Honestly, the speed of casting that array was also slightly impressive. He seemed like someone not to be trifled with.

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