Chapter 20: Relentless Pursuit

Xia Chenyu was about to draw his sword when he suddenly heard a familiar voice from the grass: “You two, why didn’t you wait for me?”

Yang Hanrong’s head popped out from the bushes, grinning mischievously, “I’ve been chasing you for a while now.”

Xia Chenyu looked around, “Where are the people from Ziyun Peak?”

“Our peak has a lot of people, I don’t like crowds.” Yang Hanrong said while quickly walking over, “They’re split into two teams. It’s better for me to join you two. How about it? Are you welcoming?”

He slung an arm around their shoulders.

“Of course, welcome,” Xia Chenyu said with joy.

With Yang Hanrong joining, the group became much livelier. “Why isn’t Du Ziming here?”

“He never participates in the grand competition,” Xia Chenyu replied.

“True, with a master who has ascended, what techniques does he lack? Why would he fight for a spot in the Sky Tower?” Yang Hanrong had already heard of this background and seemed a bit envious.

Suddenly, he remembered something and asked, “But didn’t you get banned from entering the Sky Tower?”

Xia Chenyu nodded, “But Master said that Wang Yang Valley is an excellent place for training.”

Shen Yongning agreed, “My master also said that since we’ve already acquired the Earth-level technique, even if we don’t win this time, it can still be considered as training.”

Yang Hanrong dismissed it, “I don’t care about training, I want to see what the Sky-level looks like.”

“Stop dreaming. With your current cultivation, you can only reach the sixth level. Don’t even think about the seventh.”

Shen Yongning added cold water, his tone indifferent, but the others looked disappointed, with Yang Hanrong pulling Xia Chenyu aside, “I really envy you, stepping straight into the sky.”

Xia Chenyu chuckled foolishly, “Senior brother, if you’re interested, I’ll transcribe the sword technique for you.”

Yang Hanrong’s eyes lit up, “Really?”

“Stop!” Shen Yongning decisively interrupted, “Not to mention that the Sky Tower’s techniques can’t be shared, how can you give away something that’s essential for your survival? Isn’t that handing over your weakness?”

This was true—knowing the technique would lead to discovering countermeasures, and sharing it would expose one’s own flaws.

“Just tell me, I won’t take it seriously.” Yang Hanrong waved his hand dismissively.

As they were still discussing, a beastly roar came from not far away.

Shen Yongning immediately took a defensive stance and raised his arm to block Yang Hanrong’s path.

“Don’t go over,” he said, his voice serious. “With that spiritual pressure, the beast must have at least a thousand years of cultivation.”

Yang Hanrong looked nervous, made a gesture, and pointed to another direction, “Sneak around?”

Shen Yongning nodded, and they were about to leave, but Xia Chenyu stood still, frowning.

“That direction seems to be where Zhuang Mingyuan and the others are.”

Yang Hanrong made a sound of realization, “It’s fine, right? With Senior Brother Hufa around, and they’ve been bullying you like that, wouldn’t it be a good thing if they get eliminated?”

Xia Chenyu thought for a moment, agreeing with the logic, but then realized—if the disciples of Lingyun Peak were among the first to be eliminated, it would be an embarrassment to Master.

That wouldn’t do. He shook his head, “I need to check it out.”

Yang Hanrong grabbed him, “Don’t you understand the rules yet? The best strategy is to find a safe place to hide, and only move when the formation shrinks. Why add unnecessary trouble?”

Xia Chenyu smiled, “You two go ahead. I have to check. I can’t let the disciples of Lingyun Peak be eliminated first.”

He could guess that others were eagerly waiting to see who would be the first to leave the valley.

If Zhuang Mingyuan’s group came out first, he could only imagine how the old men of Xuan Yue Pavilion would mock his master.

Four years ago, because he defeated Xiu Wenyuan, the leader of Xuan Yue Pavilion had already developed an unfavorable view of his master. He couldn’t give them any more chances to criticize him.

After saying this, he began walking toward the direction of the beast’s roar.

Shen Yongning quickly said, “Wait.” He cast an invisibility spell on the three of them. “Mask your presence, remain hidden.” He then vanished into thin air.

Xia Chenyu was momentarily stunned, “Senior Brother Shen, I can go alone.”

“Don’t waste time,” Yang Hanrong said nonchalantly. “A group is more reliable than one person.”

The three of them disappeared from sight, communicating via sound transmission as they stealthily approached the area where the spiritual beast appeared.

Xia Chenyu was right.

They saw a massive rhinoceros-like spirit beast. Two people were lying on the ground, while Zhuang Mingyuan still had some strength, holding his sword in front of the others.

The rhinoceros stomped the ground, kicking up dust, ready to charge.

Xia Chenyu transmitted a message to Shen Yongning, and the two of them quickly moved to a safe distance, but this broke their invisibility spell.

Before Zhuang Mingyuan could react, the rhinoceros sensed their presence and roared again, releasing a powerful spiritual pressure that stunned everyone.

Seeing the rhinoceros charge, Zhuang Mingyuan was frozen in place, but Xia Chenyu broke through the spiritual pressure’s hold and rushed forward, pushing him away.

The impact from the rhinoceros sent Xia Chenyu flying. Before he hit the ground, someone caught him.

Yang Hanrong shook his head, “I told you not to get involved.” He gently set Xia Chenyu down.

The rhinoceros, sensing Xia Chenyu’s presence, became even more enraged, its eyes glowing red as it locked onto him and charged again.

“Run!” Xia Chenyu sensed the danger and shoved Yang Hanrong away.

Before his words finished, the rhinoceros charged at him. He quickly turned and ran in the opposite direction.

The beast focused entirely on Xia Chenyu, ignoring the others. The group watched in surprise as the young man ran off.

Shen Yongning was about to follow when he heard Xia Chenyu’s voice in his head: “I’ll lead it away, you all go first.”

“You can’t handle it alone,” Shen Yongning replied, rushing forward, with Yang Hanrong following closely.

Only Zhuang Mingyuan remained rooted to the spot, bewildered. What had just happened? Had that brat saved him? And why had the spirit beast suddenly gone after Xia Chenyu?

The three hid their figures and followed stealthily, while the rhinoceros chased Xia Chenyu relentlessly.

Suddenly, Xia Chenyu found a narrow cave and dashed inside, with the beast charging right into the entrance. Stones fell from above, but the cave held firm.

The beast’s attacks became slower as it grew exhausted. Xia Chenyu, feeling the pressure, moved deeper into the cave to avoid being trapped.

Meanwhile, An Ran, observing from outside, had lost track of Xia Chenyu’s movements. It wasn’t long before the beast ceased its attacks and collapsed, panting.

An Ran felt something was off. He silently entered the cave, following its winding path deeper and deeper, until he reached the source of the light.

After a while, he found himself at the other side of the mountain range. The formation had shrunk, but there was no sign of Xia Chenyu.

Just as he pondered, the sounds of a struggle reached his ears. He followed the sounds to a clearing, where he saw Xia Chenyu facing off against several others.

This was unexpected. Not only were there members of Xuan Yue Pavilion, but also two from Lingxiao Palace.

How had things ended up like this?

And why were the opponents still struggling against Xia Chenyu?

Suddenly, Xia Chenyu executed a flying sword technique that swept through the air, taking down the three opponents in one go.

This was a deadly move!

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