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Chapter 44: Zhao Xuhe's Desperation
Chapter 44: Zhao Xuhe’s Desperation
Beyond the bustling market town near White Bone Cave on Skull Mountain, a streak of light vanished into the forest, revealing three figures. Two were unmistakably Wu Zhichong and Duanmu Yuan—those who had fled ignominiously after their failed assault on the market town. The third stood hunched with age, white-haired and weathered.
“Elder Ouyang,” Wu Zhichong greeted cautiously, wary of provoking the Core Formation Perfection expert beside him. Before them loomed a den of dragons and tigers.
“Rest assured, I know what I’m doing,” Ouyang Feng replied coldly, his gaze fixed on the market town with icy hatred. Yet his voice remained eerily calm. “That fiend is a ninth-grade Formation Master who’s erected twin arrays—inner and outer—to protect the town. No ordinary cultivator could breach them, explaining his continued freedom and his self-styled title as ‘Lord of the Bloodcloak Pavilion.’ But he’s no true Core Formation expert. His foundation is built on sand.”
“Still, Elder…” Wu Zhichong hesitated. “The Celestial Mirror now rests in his hands.”
Ouyang Feng snorted. “The Mirror is a Divine Martial Gate treasure. Do you think a mere devil can wield it? If he dares use it against me, he’ll seal his own doom.”
“I’ve summoned Yangye Zi, the Mirror’s original craftsman. He’s furious about its theft and agreed to come to Skull Mountain to reclaim it. With him here, that fiend’s death is assured if he tries to challenge me using the Mirror.”
Ouyang Feng’s fury had not clouded his judgment. Given his son Ouyang Haoze’s fate, charging headlong into the array was unthinkable. Better to lure Lv Yang out.
“When does he usually leave the town?”
Wu Zhichong and Duanmu Yuan exchanged blank looks.
“Elder, he… hasn’t left at all,” Wu admitted.
“What?” Ouyang Feng’s brow furrowed. “Didn’t you spread news of the Wugui Secret Realm? Doesn’t he know Skull Mountain is teeming with opportunities?”
“We did, but—”
“Is it because the Chuseng Sect’s reinforcements haven’t arrived yet? Does he fear leaving without their support?”
“Their reinforcements arrived three months ago and have been active on Skull Mountain. Yet he’s never stepped foot outside.”
Ouyang Feng’s confidence wavered. For the first time, confusion crossed his face.
---
Inside the Bloodcloak Pavilion, Lv Yang sat across from Fairy Feixia, handing her a cup of spirit tea as he gently declined her invitation.
“You truly haven’t changed,” Feixia murmured, her beautiful face flickering with nostalgia.
Once, she’d scorned his timidity. Now, he’d carved his name into legend as the Bloodcloak Pavilion Lord. In cultivation, hesitation meant death—a truth that echoed in her heart. Yet here he sat, as serene as ever, as though untouched by the world’s chaos.
Water nourishes all without contention, thus nothing can rival it. The old saying surfaced in her mind. But how could one attain Dao without striving?
“I’m ashamed,” she sighed. “I doubt I’ll ever match your cultivation realm, Senior Apprentice-Brother.”
“You flatter me,” Lv Yang replied, smiling. “We’re here for our Dao discussions today—Formation Arts for talisman techniques.”
“Then I’ll teach you everything,” Feixia said, adjusting her veil. Her delicate frame and melodic voice softened as she added, “Though I’ve yet to thank you for saving my life…”
---
The next morning, Zhao Xuhe paced his cultivation chamber, his face twisted with turmoil.
How could this happen? he raged inwardly. The secret realm’s open, and I’ll lose my chance forever if I don’t act!
His breakthrough to Core Formation seventh layer—the first advancement in years—had ignited his hopes. Yet without the Coiling Dragon Isle’s blessings, he relied on the Heaven-Mending Peak’s Yin-Yang Grand Harmony Manual. His five-grade spiritual energy and shoddy treasures paled in comparison to others. To chase fortune now would be suicide.
Gritting his teeth, he retrieved a dusty jade scroll and channeled his energy into it. After a long pause, a tired voice crackled out:
“Who is it?”
The familiar voice stirred Zhao’s heart. “Fei Xia… it’s me, Xuhe.”
Silence. Then, frostily: “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Don’t contact me again.”
A pause, then Feixia’s voice turned brittle: “I’m in a Dao discussion with Senior Apprentice-Brother Lv. I don’t want misunderstandings.”
The scroll shattered.
Zhao stood frozen, his face contorting until a guttural roar tore from his throat:
“NO——!!!”
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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