Chapter 47: Waiting by the Tree for a Rabbit
Not long after Song Changsheng departed, an old man with a head of white hair slowly and leisurely emerged from the dense forest.
The elder had white hair and a youthful face. He wore a gray robe patched all over, giving him a slovenly appearance. His hair was unkempt and wild. Were it not for the ancient longsword slung across his back, he would have looked no different from a seventy-year-old beggar on the street.
Zhu Yiqun’s eyes immediately widened, and he called out in delighted surprise, “Old man, when did you get here?”
Mo Zhexian scratched his temple, gave a toothy grin, and said, “I arrived back when that kid from Falling Sunset City was dealing with those blood demons.”
“What? And you just stood there watching? You mangy old man, can’t you be a bit more reliable?” Zhu Yiqun shouted in frustration.
“Heh! You brat, still yelling at me? Hurry up and pack your things. You’re coming back with me.”
...
Night fell. A bright moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery white glow. Around it, countless stars twinkled, radiant and dazzling.
Under the moonlight, a long earthy-yellow streak shot rapidly across the sky, startling flocks of birds into flight.
Suddenly, a flash of cold light shot out from a nearby mountain hollow. The soaring streak of light was instantly intercepted, revealing the figures of Wang Wanzhou and Song Changsheng.
“Who dares block my path?!” Wang Wanzhou’s white brows bristled as he looked down at the hollow and shouted thunderously.
“Wang Wanzhou, leave Song Changsheng behind, and we’ll let you go,” came the cold reply from the hollow as two more streaks of light shot out. One to the left, one to the right, they flanked Wang Wanzhou.
“Cheng Yufei, Du Huating, you people from the Earthfire Sect really have no shame. Two Foundation Establishment cultivators ganging up on a junior? Aren’t you afraid of becoming a laughingstock?”
Wang Wanzhou’s tiger-like eyes swept over the two, his voice dripping with scorn.
“Elder Wang, this matter does not concern you. Why get involved? The Wang Clan has already shed enough blood for the Song Clan. Whatever favor existed should now be repaid in full. Best be on your way,” Du Huating replied calmly, hands tucked into his sleeves, eyes half-lidded.
“Du, your master was once defeated by me. What, you think you’re stronger than your master now?”
“I’ve yet to reach my master’s level, but today I stand here with my senior brother. You cannot protect him. You’re getting old,” Du Huating replied, unblinking, as flickers of lightning began to surge faintly around him.
Song Changsheng’s face darkened. He hadn’t expected the Earthfire Sect to come for his life so fiercely. Not only had they sent Cheng Yufei, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, but also the guarding elder of Drifting Cloud Market, Du Huating, who was at mid-stage Foundation Establishment.
“Child, this may be a bit troublesome today,” Wang Wanzhou secretly sent a voice transmission with his spiritual sense while outwardly still facing off against the two. “Though I don't fear them, in a chaotic battle, I might not be able to protect you. In a moment, I’ll hold them off, run for your life.”
“Thank you, Senior.” Song Changsheng took a deep breath. That was indeed the only way. With his cultivation level, once swept into a clash between Foundation Establishment cultivators, death was all but certain.
“Junior Brother, what are you wasting time talking for? We’ve trailed him ever since he left the market. Any further delay and that one from the Li Clan might catch on,” Cheng Yufei said, his gaze cold as he looked at Song Changsheng sheltered behind Wang Wanzhou.
No matter what, that boy must die tonight, Ling Province could not afford another Song Xianming.
“Sigh... Forgive us.”
Du Huating let out a slight sigh. At once, blinding violet lightning burst from his body, arcs of electricity leaping across his form as if he were bathed in thunder and lightning. The display was awe-inspiring and soul-shaking.
“Come, then!” Wang Wanzhou showed no fear. He summoned a multicolored glazed mirror, which reflected dazzling lights into the dark night sky.
“Heavenfire Meteor Art!”
Cheng Yufei formed a seal with his hands. At once, the sky filled with fire. Meteors forged from spiritual power blazed downward, trailing long tails of flame like a scene from an apocalyptic vision.
Buzzzz-
The glazed mirror suddenly expanded dozens of times, shielding both Wang and Song beneath it. The fiery “meteors” crashed into its surface with booming force, sending waves of ripples across it.
Szzzz!
A chain of thunderbolts lashed in from below, crackling with electric arcs.
Wang Wanzhou’s hair and beard flew wildly like a furious lion. He thrust out his left hand, conjuring a giant phantom hand of spiritual force to seize the chain midair.
Against two opponents, Wang Wanzhou showed no sign of weakness. But Song Changsheng, behind him, fared poorly. Subjected to the immense pressure of three Foundation Establishment cultivators, even breathing became difficult.
“Now! Go!”
Once both opponents were fully engaged, Wang Wanzhou wrapped Song Changsheng in spiritual power and hurled him far into the distance, before turning to face the two alone.
Seeing Song Changsheng escape, Cheng Yufei did not attempt pursuit. Instead, a sly grin of success crept onto his face.
Wang Wanzhou instantly felt a wave of unease. He roared, “You planned this?!”
“Elder Wang, we would never break the rules by striking down a junior. We’re just here to keep you busy. Let the young settle matters among themselves,” Du Huating said flatly, standing amid the storm of thunder.
“Despicable scoundrels!” Wang Wanzhou bellowed. "Settle it among juniors"? They had clearly laid a trap in advance.
“Hmph. Just enjoy our little match. That boy is already as good as dead,” Cheng Yufei sneered. If he dared act against Song Changsheng, it was only after meticulous planning. He had even taken the Song Clan’s response into account.
Before dawn, no one would come to interfere. That was more than enough time to kill Song Changsheng a dozen times over.
“Bastards!”
With a roar, Wang Wanzhou re-engaged the two in a ferocious melee…
...
Encased in spiritual force, Song Changsheng flew several miles through the sky before finally landing in a dense forest. He could still sense the tremors of spiritual power behind him and could not help but feel worried.
Though Wang Wanzhou was formidable, he was old. His blood and qi had waned. Against those two, things might not go well.
“I need to get back to the market as fast as possible.” He knew very well if he stayed, he’d only drag Wang Wanzhou down.
He quickly confirmed his bearings and sped off toward Drifting Cloud Market.
The surrounding scenery whirred past, but Song Changsheng gradually noticed something was off, he seemed to be running in circles.
Abruptly halting, he began to study his surroundings with focus. Suddenly, a thick vine lashed out from a hidden direction, striking diagonally toward him.
He instantly summoned the Water Element Shield to block it and quickly sidestepped. A sharp spike of earth then shot up from where he’d just stood, had he hesitated even slightly, it would’ve pierced him clean through.
Retracting the shield to hover protectively at his side, Song Changsheng called out in a clear voice, “Which Fellow Daoist laid down this Wood-Earth Harmony Formation? Might you show yourself?”
His voice echoed throughout the formation, but the only response was a greater flurry of vines and earthen spikes…
(Chapter End)