Chapter Sixty-Three: Shu Meng Gravely Wounded

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“Suo Yangcan, with your mere ninth rank of the Spirit Void, you dare to let your tongue run wild here? I advise you to surrender quietly and save yourself some trouble,” Tianming said.

At these words, Suo Yangcan froze, but the dark energy swirling in his hands did not waver. “Dream on!”

“Stubborn fool.” Tianming shook his head.

With that, Tianming reached into the dimensional space and drew forth the Sword of Electric Light. Instantly, a crackling violet radiance erupted, flooding the entire forest.

Clang!

As the sword left its sheath, Tianming’s cultivation, which had been at the ninth rank of Foundation Building, soared dramatically, his aura intensifying by leaps and bounds.

First rank of Spirit Void!

...Sixth rank of Spirit Void!

Eighth rank of Spirit Void!

Ninth rank of Spirit Void!

...

Narrowing his eyes, Tianming ran his forefinger along the tip of the electric sword. The violet lightning on the blade seemed to boil with the heat of ten thousand degrees, surging and coiling around the blade. Yet, as the lightning passed over his palm, it became utterly ethereal.

“Ha!” With a fierce shout, Tianming swung his sword, and arcs of violet lightning shot out at blinding speed, aimed directly at Suo Yangcan.

In an instant, the decaying, black energy entangled with the surging violet lightning. With a thunderous crack, the stagnant black force was split in two, dispersing in all directions.

What?!

Suo Yangcan stared in disbelief at Tianming, who had so effortlessly neutralized his attack, utterly bewildered.

It was not just Suo Yangcan. Even Shu Meng, standing behind Tianming, gaped in astonishment, her cherry lips parted in shock. What had she just witnessed?

“Ninth rank of Spirit Void...!”

Just a week earlier, this young man had only barely entered the Qi Channeling stage, yet now he had not only surpassed her own first rank of Spirit Void but reached the very peak. Even his previous ninth rank of Foundation Building had astounded Shu Meng, but now Tianming struck her like an arrow through the heart.

Alas!

At the same time, high above in the sky, Qing Po, who had been observing all along, also shook his head at this remarkable youth.

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“Heh, so tell me, do you really think you can contend with me at your current level?” Tianming sneered, meeting Suo Yangcan’s shocked gaze.

Not to mention that the dark demonic cultivator who once confronted Xiao Tianji had also arrived—even if he had, Tianming would not be afraid, since Qing Po was protecting him here. After all, this place would one day be Tianming’s domain. Though he was not yet its master, he believed that day was not far off.

“Don’t get cocky, boy. If not for the fact that half-immortal artifacts are restricted inside this Sky Pool Secret Realm, I’d have made you taste real pain!” Suo Yangcan’s face flushed as he gritted his teeth, his gaze dark and venomous. Yet, as he looked past Tianming, he seemed to notice something, and with a sly grin, he continued, “Besides, you and I are both ninth rank Spirit Void now...”

Had he not brought it up, Tianming might have let it pass, but now his face hardened with fury.

Recalling his earlier agony, Tianming trembled all over—rage burning to its limit. If Xiao Tianji, the sect master of the Divine Calculus Sect, had not saved him back then, Tianming would surely have perished on the spot. The memory of that suffering was seared into his soul.

“Silence, you shameless traitor! Are you ignorant of the world’s contempt for you? A renegade who sold out his sect for personal gain dares wag his tongue here?” Tianming snapped coldly.

His words thundered like rolling storm clouds, bearing down on Suo Yangcan.

At this, Suo Yangcan only smirked coldly, unmoved.

“To gain power, one must pay a price. You call me a traitor to my sect and my continent, yet you fail to see the strength I’ve obtained. Perhaps I will be reviled for generations, but every venture has its odds. I chase the slimmest chance of victory, because if I succeed, the future will be written by the victor. And what will you do then, Tianming?”

“Suo Yangcan, you despicable wretch!” Shu Meng, who had been watching in silence, suddenly stepped forward and cursed him.

Though Suo Yangcan’s argument was not without reason, the stance was everything. Shu Meng could not stomach his selfishness—endangering all for his own gain.

Seeing this, Tianming shot Shu Meng a grateful look before turning his gaze back to Suo Yangcan, his expression grave. “Suo Yangcan, you chase after a petty path. You’re nothing but a pawn in someone else’s game. What pride can you possibly have?”

“Say whatever you like.” Suo Yangcan looked past them with a disinterested air, as if already unconcerned.

“Heh.” Tianming gave a dismissive laugh, thinking Suo Yangcan had been rendered speechless by his words and had nothing left to retort.

But while Tianming remained nonchalant, a flicker of doubt crossed Shu Meng’s face. When she saw Suo Yangcan’s lips curve into a slight smirk, she immediately spun around.

“Tianming… look out!”

With a shrill cry and a cold, sinister laugh echoing in the air, Tianming suddenly felt himself shoved aside by a force as soft as spun sugar. His mind reeled in confusion, and just as he wondered why Shu Meng had pushed him—

Spurt!

Before Tianming could react, the merciless point of a longsword pierced flesh, the sound echoing faintly in the clearing—yet in Tianming’s ears, it seemed to last an eternity. As he rose, a spray of bright blood splattered across his face like rain.

Glancing up, Tianming saw Shu Ya collapsed on the ground. He rushed to her side. “Shu Ya, why…?”

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“Run…!” Shu Ya’s face was pale as she spoke weakly, relieved to see Tianming unscathed.

Rage boiled in Tianming’s heart. He roared, “Why did you take that sword for me? I don’t need you to save me—do you understand?”

“Tianming, go…!” she whispered, but before she could finish, breath heavy and labored, Shu Meng fell backward, utterly spent.

“Shu Ya…!” Tianming caught her as she collapsed, cradling her slender figure. He drew her small head, tied with a short black ponytail, gently into his arms, feeling the delicate, jade-like softness of her skin—a touch both exquisite and heartrending.

Heh heh heh!

“Boy, after the shame you put me through, I finally have my chance. Never thought you’d see this day, did you? Pity—if that fool hadn’t shielded you…” The familiar, sinister voice dripped with both triumph and a hint of regret.

“Bastard!” The chilling laughter echoed through the forest. Tianming glared at the two figures in the distance, eyes burning with wrath and self-reproach, cursing through clenched teeth.

But when his gaze fell on Shu Ya, gratitude and tenderness filled his eyes. “...Sss!” Suddenly, the sound of tearing cloth broke the silence.

Biting his tongue to stifle any stray thoughts, Tianming ripped a strip from his own robe and, for the first time, gazed closely upon Shu Ya. As he studied her, he was struck anew by her beauty—words like “exquisite features” and “skin like carved jade” barely did her justice.

Drawing a deep breath, Tianming’s expression grew grave.

His eyes swept over her delicate face, then slid downward, and his brows knitted. There, by her slender white arm, a ghastly sword wound gaped along her back, exposing flesh and bone. The sight cut Tianming to the core with remorse.

Fortunately, the blade had missed her heart—Tianming dared not think what would have happened otherwise.

“Shu Meng, I can never repay today’s debt. Let me avenge you and wash away this hatred by slaying those two vile villains!” With a cold, murderous glare at his foes, Tianming’s fury reached a level unknown even to himself, far surpassing the rage he had once felt towards the old man who had tormented him.

Drip, drip.

Unnoticed, Shu Ya’s blood had already stained their white robes a vivid crimson. Tianming quickly wrapped her arm and wound with the torn cloth.

He did not understand why Suo Yangcan and his accomplice had not attacked while he was distracted, but he knew that if Shu Meng did not receive treatment soon…

Without hesitation, Tianming threw his head back and roared at the sky, “Qing Po, get out here! I know you’re watching us. If you don’t show yourself, you can prepare to bury our bodies!”