Chapter Fifty-Seven: Hatred in Pursuit

Chu Qingchen’s words did not spark anger in Suo Yuansheng; instead, he gave a mocking smile.
“Heh, Chu Qingchen, you’re a well-known name on the rankings. Is it really worth it to offend me?” Suo Yuansheng sneered coldly.
There was no surprise on his face at Chu Qingchen’s level; it was as if he had known all along.
After glancing at Tianming, Chu Qingchen once again stepped forward.
“If you want to oppose him, you’ll have to go through me first,” he said resolutely, shaking his head.
“Brother, that’s real spirit!” Tianming exclaimed excitedly at the sight.
As he spoke, Tianming gave a thumbs-up, so infuriating Suo Yuansheng that he gritted his teeth and his face darkened, but there was nothing he could do.
“Heh!”
Seeing this, the two exchanged a knowing grin.
“Hmph, kid, is hiding behind others all you know how to do?” Suo Yuansheng said with disdain.
Noticing the strong bond between the two, Suo Yuansheng immediately abandoned any hope of sowing discord and seemed to be hatching another plan.
Damn!
Tianming couldn’t stand it any longer when he heard those words. Did Suo Yuansheng really think he was that easy to bully?
“Who are you calling ‘kid’? Trying to provoke me? You’re not nearly clever enough. Let me give you a word of advice: either eliminate yourself or be defeated by us. Of course, we might not know our own strength—if something unfortunate happens, well, don’t blame us for not holding back. Make your choice. I believe you’re a smart man.”
Stepping out from behind Chu Qingchen, Tianming spoke with meaning.
“Damn it, just you wait. Don’t let me catch you alone!” Suo Yuansheng snarled viciously.
He’d barely finished his threat and was about to leave when a stern voice stopped him in his tracks.
“Hm?”
“Wait. Did I say you could leave?” Tianming said with some displeasure.
“…What did you say?”
Suo Yuansheng looked at Tianming in disbelief, astonished.
“Heh, are you deaf? When did I say you were free to go?” Tianming chuckled coldly.
“Enough! Tianming, show mercy when you can,” Chu Qingchen suddenly interjected just as Tianming was about to speak further.
“Sigh, fine. For Brother Chu’s sake, I’ll let you go this time. Get out of here!” Tianming said reluctantly with a sigh.
He had no choice; he couldn’t take Suo Yuansheng alone, so he could only follow his brother’s advice for now.
“You—”
Suo Yuansheng was at a loss for words.

He was a dignified cultivator of the ninth level, a renowned inner disciple—when had he ever suffered such humiliation?
“What are you staring at? Didn’t you hear me? Get lost before I change my mind,” Tianming snapped when Suo Yuansheng remained where he was.
There was a hint of regret on his face; he could have eliminated Suo Yuansheng if only Chu Qingchen had cooperated, but without it, he had to give up.
“Fine. Very well. We’ll see,” Suo Yuansheng cursed, nodding heavily.
“Still not going?”
Chu Qingchen lifted his razor-sharp gaze toward Suo Yuansheng.
“…Hmph!”
With a dark expression, Suo Yuansheng gave Tianming a furious glare, then, after a pause, strode off toward the narrow mountain path, his steps heavy with reluctance.

Watching Suo Yuansheng’s departing figure, Tianming turned to Chu Qingchen.
“Brother, you really hid your true strength well—I was completely fooled!” Tianming said, half in tears after a moment’s thought.
Who would have thought this guy had been pretending to be at the third level? Not only did he act at the start, he was still acting now!
It was just too much!
“You’re the one who was slow on the uptake—how’s that my fault?” Chu Qingchen spread his hands, sounding helpless.
He had already said he was ranked on the Heavenly Roll—that was a clear enough hint!
After all, if someone at the third level could make the Heavenly Roll, it would be a joke. Clearly, that was impossible.
“I’m slow? Fine, you’re the smart one!” Tianming retorted, annoyed.
The gap between the third and tenth levels was no small thing!
“Exactly. Otherwise, how could I be your elder brother?” Chu Qingchen nodded, his words full of implication.
With that, Chu Qingchen prepared to sit and cultivate.
“Wait, brother, can you teach me how to hide my level?” Tianming quickly interjected.
To be honest, he was fascinated by Chu Qingchen’s trick.
Unfortunately, his all-purpose gadget was useless here—it only had a lottery function, and what you got depended on luck.
Uh…
“…I don’t, but you can try visiting the Celestial Pavilion when we get back—they should have something there!” Chu Qingchen replied after a brief pause, rising to answer.
His own concealment technique was also from the Celestial Pavilion, and besides, it wasn’t something he could teach.
“All right.” Tianming replied flatly.
To be honest, ever since joining the sect, he had never visited the Celestial Pavilion—every time, something else got in the way.

But there was nothing he could do; fate could not be defied.

Wait—
“Hold on, brother. Someone’s coming?”
Lost in thought, Tianming suddenly sensed hurried footsteps approaching from behind.
Hearing this, Chu Qingchen also turned to look back at the mountain pass they had just left.
But when they saw who it was, both were utterly astonished.

What the—
“Seriously, Suo Yuansheng, are you done yet? Didn’t I tell you to get lost? Why are you back again?” Tianming exclaimed in disbelief, taking a deep breath.
As soon as he finished, Chu Qingchen also looked at Suo Yuansheng, equally puzzled.
For a moment, neither could make sense of what Suo Yuansheng was thinking.

But Suo Yuansheng paid them no heed; he bypassed the two and fled to the other side.
As he ran, he shot the two of them a rather mocking glance.
“Scoundrel! Do you think we don’t exist?” Tianming growled.
If he let Suo Yuansheng pass, what face would he have left? Of course he couldn’t allow it!
“Run!”
Just as Tianming moved to block Suo Yuansheng, Chu Qingchen’s urgent shout rang out.
“What?”
Though surprised by Chu Qingchen’s words, Tianming nonetheless circulated his energy and followed closely.
A deafening roar suddenly shook the ground, and Tianming nearly slipped from a tree in fright, only to be caught by Chu Qingchen.
“Don’t look back. It’s a primordial behemoth—I’ll explain later!” Chu Qingchen whispered, pulling Tianming up.
With that, Chu Qingchen darted forward at full speed.
“My god, could it be the leader of those Windfang Wolves come to take revenge on me?” Tianming muttered to himself, his heart pounding.
He no longer doubted and, gripping his thunder sword, poured his energy into it.
Through the forest, streaks of lightning flashed as he sped after Chu Qingchen, trailing arcs of electricity through the air as he quickly caught up.