Chapter 47: Waiting for the Hare by the Tree

Shortly after Song Changsheng left, an elderly man with snow-white hair sauntered out from the depths of the dense forest. The old man, though his hair was white as a crane’s, still bore the youthful features of a child. He wore a gray robe covered in patches, giving him a shabby appearance, and his hair was tangled and unkempt. Were it not for the ancient sword slung across his back, he would be indistinguishable from a beggar over seventy years old wandering the streets.

Zhu Yiqun’s eyes widened in delight as he cried out, “Old Master, when did you get here?”

Mo Zhexian scratched his temple and chuckled, “I arrived back when that boy in Luoxia City was taking care of the Blood Demon.”

“What? So you just stood by and watched? Old man, can’t you be a bit more reliable?” Zhu Yiqun grumbled in discontent.

“Hey, brat, now you’re complaining? Pack up your things and come back with me at once.”

———

Night had fallen. A bright moon hung high in the sky, radiating its silvery light, surrounded by a scattering of dazzling stars. Beneath the moonlight, an earthen-yellow streak swept rapidly across the horizon, startling countless birds into flight.

Suddenly, a cold gleam shot out from a distant mountain hollow, intercepting the streak in midair. The figures of Wang Wanzhou and Song Changsheng were revealed.

“Who dares block my path?” Wang Wanzhou’s white brows stood up as he shouted down at the mountain hollow below.

“Wang Wanzhou, leave Song Changsheng behind, and we’ll let you go.” Two streaks of light burst forth from the hollow, suspending themselves one to the left and one to the right of Wang Wanzhou.

“Cheng Yufei, Du Huating, your Earthfire Sect truly has no shame. Two Foundation Establishment cultivators sent after a junior—aren’t you afraid of becoming a laughingstock?” Wang Wanzhou swept his fierce eyes over the two, his tone filled with mockery.

“Elder Wang, this matter has nothing to do with you. Why meddle? The Wang clan has already shed enough blood for the Songs; whatever debt you owe should be repaid by now. Leave quickly.” Du Huating, his hands tucked into his sleeves and eyelids drooping, spoke calmly.

“Du, your master was defeated by me years ago. Do you really think you’re stronger than he was?”

“I have not surpassed my master’s cultivation, of course, but today, my senior brother stands with me. You won’t be able to protect him, Wang Wanzhou. You’re past your prime.” Du Huating’s gaze was steady, faint arcs of lightning coursing at his side.

Song Changsheng’s face was dark as water. He hadn’t expected Earthfire Sect to covet his life so fiercely, sending not only Cheng Yufei, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, but also the Flowing Cloud Market’s elder guardian, who was mid-Foundation Establishment.

“Child, today’s situation is indeed troublesome. Though I do not fear these two, in the chaos of battle I may not be able to protect you. When I hold them off, you must escape at once.”

———

While Wang Wanzhou confronted the two, he secretly sent a voice transmission to Song Changsheng with his divine sense.

“Thank you, elder.” Song Changsheng took a deep breath. It was the only way—should a mere Qi Refining cultivator like himself be drawn into a clash between Foundation Establishment experts, he would be doomed without question.

“Junior brother, what’s the point of speaking further? We’ve trailed him from the market for so long—if we delay, the Li clan’s enforcer will soon notice.” Cheng Yufei’s gaze was icy as he looked at Song Changsheng, who was being shielded behind Wang Wanzhou. Whatever was said, Song Changsheng had to die. Lingzhou could not tolerate another Song Xianming.

“My apologies, then.”

Du Huating sighed softly. In the next instant, his body erupted with dazzling purple lightning. Countless arcs leapt across his form as if he were bathing in thunder, a sight that struck terror into the heart.

“Come, fight!” Wang Wanzhou showed no fear, summoning a seven-colored glass mirror that scattered brilliant hues across the dark sky.

“Heavenly Fire Meteor Spell!”

Cheng Yufei formed a hand seal, and flames filled the sky. Meteors, conjured from pure spiritual energy, blazed down like the end of days.

The glass mirror abruptly enlarged dozens of times, sheltering the two beneath. The “meteors” crashed down with a thunderous roar, sending ripples across its surface.

A chain of lightning arced in from below, crackling with electric fury. Wang Wanzhou’s beard and hair stood on end as he reached out with his left hand, conjured a massive spectral palm of spiritual energy, and seized the chain.

Even faced with two opponents, Wang Wanzhou stood his ground, but Song Changsheng behind him was faring much worse, nearly suffocating under the oppressive might of three Foundation Establishment cultivators.

“Now—go!”

With both enemies drawn into combat, Wang Wanzhou wrapped Song Changsheng in spiritual energy and flung him into the distance, then faced the two foes alone.

Cheng Yufei made no move to stop Song Changsheng’s escape. Instead, a sly smile flickered across his face.

A sense of foreboding gripped Wang Wanzhou. He roared, “This was your plan all along?”

———

“Elder Wang, we would never break the rules and strike at a junior. We’re only here to hold you back. The affairs of the younger generation should be settled by themselves.” Du Huating stood amidst the storm of lightning, completely devoid of emotion.

“Despicable!” Wang Wanzhou glared furiously. “Letting the juniors settle it”—they had clearly set an ambush ahead.

“Hmph, just spar with us for a while. That boy is as good as dead.” Cheng Yufei sneered. If he dared move against Song Changsheng, it was only after meticulous planning. He had considered not only Wang Wanzhou, but even the Song clan’s reaction.

Before dawn, no one would come to interfere. In that time, Song Changsheng would have perished many times over.

“Scoundrels!”

Wang Wanzhou raged, plunging back into the fray with the two opponents...

Song Changsheng, cocooned in spiritual energy, sailed several miles before landing in the dense forest. Feeling the surging power from behind, worry clouded his eyes.

Wang Wanzhou was formidable, but age had sapped his strength. Against those two, there was no guarantee he would prevail.

“I must return to the market at once,” he thought. Staying here would only be a burden.

After orienting himself, Song Changsheng sped toward Flowing Cloud Market.

The scenery blurred past him, but gradually, he sensed something was amiss: he seemed to be running in circles.

He halted abruptly, focusing on his surroundings. Suddenly, a thick vine shot from a hidden angle. He quickly summoned the Water Origin Shield and dodged to the side just as a sharp earthen spike burst from where he had stood moments before. Had he hesitated even a second, he would have been impaled.

He kept the Water Origin Shield at his side and called out, “I don’t know which fellow cultivator laid this Earth-and-Wood Array, but would you care to show yourself?”

His voice echoed within the formation, but the only answer was an onslaught of more vines and spikes...