Chapter Thirty-Three: Cat and Mouse
“If one can grasp even a single technique, it’s possible to consider him for a menial disciple, but Fellow Wang has not mastered anything at all. If he were to enter the gates of Cloud Palace Peak, that would break the rules!” Cai Ling explained once more.
Fang Qing and Wang Changsheng, seeing the situation, knew there was nothing more to be done, and their expressions grew helpless.
“Don’t worry, Senior Brother. Once I succeed in cultivation, I’ll help you find a suitable sect for your training,” Fang Qing said solemnly.
“It’s nothing,” Wang Changsheng forced a carefree smile. “Perhaps this is just my fate, who’s to say?”
“No need to trouble yourself! With his aptitude, no sect would be interested in him,” Li Fusheng said with a laugh. “Besides, his body has deteriorated too much. Unless he makes a breakthrough or has some great fortune, he won’t live much longer.”
“You…” Fang Qing, hearing Li Fusheng’s words, showed a look of anger, but seeing Li Fusheng’s indifferent demeanor, he could only suppress it.
There was nothing he could do. Not only had he not truly joined Cloud Palace Peak, even if he became an outer disciple, he wouldn’t be able to confront Li Fusheng. Even Cai Ling and the others seemed powerless against him.
“Well then, Fellow Wang, Junior Brother Fang will be returning to Cloud Palace Peak with us. Why don’t you head down the mountain first?” Cai Ling said.
Wang Changsheng nodded, understanding that Cloud Palace Peak was issuing a dismissal.
“Wait!”
Just as Wang Changsheng was about to leave, Fang Qing spoke to the Cloud Palace Peak members, “I have a few matters to discuss with Senior Brother.”
Cai Ling nodded and led the Cloud Palace Peak cultivators back to the cloud vessel.
Gong Yu and Guan Danian also departed at this time.
Li Fusheng, however, lingered, showing no intention of leaving as he looked at Wang Changsheng and Fang Qing.
“Senior Li, I have some matters to discuss with my senior brother. Would you mind giving us some privacy?” Fang Qing said, cupping his hands.
Li Fusheng was taken aback, then replied, “Of course, little Fang. Not even a member of Cloud Palace Peak yet, and you’re already daring to chase me off? You’ve gotten bold!”
“It’s not that…” Fang Qing quickly replied.
“Alright, alright… I’ll give you face today!” Li Fusheng smiled and turned, leaping away.
“Senior Brother…” Fang Qing looked at Wang Changsheng, his expression sorrowful.
“It’s nothing. But you—once you enter Cloud Palace Peak, you must cultivate diligently!” Wang Changsheng smiled. “Otherwise, how will you help me in the future?”
Fang Qing could only nod helplessly.
After a brief conversation, Wang Changsheng left the mountain without bidding farewell to the Cloud Palace Peak cultivators. After all, there was no certainty he would see them again, and there was no need for courtesy.
Besides, in the eyes of Cloud Palace Peak’s disciples, Wang Changsheng likely wasn’t worth much attention.
Just as he left the terrace, Wang Changsheng moved at his fastest speed, his expression tense as he glanced around.
“Let’s hope nothing happens,” Wang Changsheng thought gravely.
It took only the time of a cup of tea for Wang Changsheng to descend the mountain and slip into the forest, vanishing from sight.
“Good. I hope my suspicions are unfounded.”
Hidden in the forest, Wang Changsheng finally relaxed.
He left for good reason; his heart harbored a vague suspicion.
Whoosh!
As Wang Changsheng breathed a sigh of relief, a sound of something slicing through the air reached his ears. Instantly, Wang Changsheng dove forward, flattening himself on the ground.
A branch shot into the spot where he’d just been hiding, half of it embedded in the earth, a testament to the speed and force with which it had flown.
Wang Changsheng had no time to look behind for the source of the branch. He pushed off with his legs and leapt away, his figure vanishing into the depths of the forest.
Leaping from trunk to trunk, Wang Changsheng moved faster and faster, his expression growing ever more grave. His suspicions were confirmed.
Whoosh!
As he landed on a thick branch, another sound rent the air. This time, it wasn’t a branch but a surge of true energy, shaped like a blade, slashing toward him.
Boom!
Wang Changsheng barely dodged in time. The blade of energy struck the trunk, exploding with a deafening blast. Turning back, Wang Changsheng saw the tree blown apart, the force of the true energy incredibly powerful.
Though he avoided a fatal blow, the shockwave injured Wang Changsheng.
“They really want me dead,” Wang Changsheng muttered.
His true energy depleted and wounded by the blast, his face paled.
Still, Wang Changsheng dared not stop. He unleashed his fastest speed, plunging deeper into the thickest part of the forest.
Whoosh!
No sooner had he left a branch than another surge of true energy struck it, blasting the tree apart and sending Wang Changsheng’s body flying.
At this moment, Wang Changsheng felt like a rat, chased relentlessly.
The worst part was the vast gap in strength; Wang Changsheng had no way to fight back. If not for his keen instincts, he’d have been struck down already.
Spitting blood, Wang Changsheng tried to channel his true energy to escape, but his meridians were damaged from the shock. He could barely move before another mouthful of blood sprayed forth.
“I can’t run anymore,” Wang Changsheng said helplessly.
His true energy in chaos, face pale, he sat where he was, resignation written on his face.
“Come out,” Wang Changsheng called weakly.
Though no figure was visible, Wang Changsheng was certain his pursuer was nearby.
“I don’t understand it. With your strength, killing me should be easy. Is there any point to this?” Wang Changsheng said. “Or do you want to kill me without anyone knowing?”
He received no response.
“It’s useless. You can’t kill me, nor do you dare,” Wang Changsheng continued.
Still no reply, no aura sensed. If not for the shattered tree and his own injuries, Wang Changsheng might have doubted he was being hunted.
“If you don’t come out, I’ll leave again,” Wang Changsheng said.
He cautiously stood and made for the forest’s depths.
After crossing two mountains, Wang Changsheng was no longer attacked and began to wonder if his pursuer had left.
Boom, boom, boom…!
Just as he pondered, a series of thunderous crashes erupted. A massive boulder hurtled toward him, crushing countless trees along its path.
The trees did nothing to slow the boulder; its speed only increased, and in an instant it was less than thirty feet away.
“Damn it!”
Wang Changsheng cursed aloud, forcing his true energy up and changing direction.
Bang!
He’d barely shifted before the boulder crashed down with an explosive roar. The force radiating from it struck Wang Changsheng, sending him sprawling to the ground.
Staring at the massive stone, his face pale, Wang Changsheng spat another mouthful of blood.
“Is this fun? Do you find this amusing?” he shouted.
Hunted like a rat, with no chance to resist, this was the first time since he began cultivating that he felt so powerless. Even when he’d just arrived at the Heavenly Realm and fought for spirit stones, he’d been able to struggle.
His pursuer hadn’t given up, but had gone to find a giant boulder to torment Wang Changsheng.
“Kill me! If you have the guts, do it now!” Wang Changsheng sat on the ground, gasping, refusing to run.
Only silence replied, the wind in the trees sending shivers through him.
Half an hour passed; his pursuer still did not act.
“Kill me! Go ahead—you won’t gain much by doing so!” Wang Changsheng cursed loudly.
No sooner had he spoken than a bolt of true energy shot at him. Wang Changsheng saw it coming, but it moved too fast; before he could react, it struck his leg.
Blood sprayed from a hole in his calf.
Wang Changsheng gritted his teeth, clutching his leg to stifle any cry.
“You’re tough,”
As Wang Changsheng endured, a raspy voice reached his ears, clearly masked by true energy.
A figure wrapped in a black cloak appeared atop the boulder, looking down on Wang Changsheng.
“What, do you want me to scream for you?” Wang Changsheng, after staunching the bleeding, gazed at the cloaked figure and said weakly, “After all this chasing, you finally show yourself?”
“Just having a little fun,” the cloaked man chuckled. “It’s been a while since I played cat and mouse.”
“Had enough?” Wang Changsheng asked. “Then kill me now.”
“I’ve had enough,” the cloaked man nodded.
“Hahaha…”
Hearing that, Wang Changsheng laughed, though the effort tore at his wound and brought up another mouthful of blood.
Yet after spitting the blood, he felt strangely relieved.
He wiped his mouth and, eyes dark, said, “Anyway, you don’t dare kill me. Why bother? Chasing me, wanting to kill but not daring—aren’t you suffering too?”
“Isn’t that so?”
“Li Fusheng!”