C32 – Blazing Giant Rock Lizard
Seeing that Patriarch Hu remained silent, Hong Tengqing suddenly shouted in anger, “Dad! Wipe them out! Wipe them out!”
His words might have been meant to intimidate, but coming from Hong Tengqing, who had lost several teeth, they only made everyone pause before bursting into laughter.
President Tong shot Hong Tengqing a furious glance and said, “Enough, stop making a fool of yourself! As a Cultivator of the Spirit Mastery Realm, you lack even the most basic defensive awareness. You were ambushed and lost all your teeth. How can you still have the face to shout here? I hope you’ll grow up during your journey with the Hidden Dragon Sect. I can’t always be there to protect you!”
Before Hong Tengqing could retort, President Tong had resolutely climbed into his carriage and instructed the coachman to leave quickly.
Hong Tengqing was left standing there, fuming and clutching his bleeding mouth, as he comically cursed Liu Xingchang, who had vanished without a trace.
Patriarch Hu paid no mind to Hong Tengqing and turned to Yan Tianni, “Miss Yan, you have the competition documents for Cloud Ascending City, correct?”
Yan Tianni nodded, “Yes.”
“Then I’ll have to rely on you for this journey,” said Patriarch Hu.
Yan Tianni replied coolly, “It is my duty.”
With that, Yan Tianni headed for the city gate and mounted a white fox steed that had been readied in advance.
The White Fox steed, a Stage One Demonic Beast, lacked offensive capabilities but was prized for its excellent carrying capacity and the intelligence and agility of its kin, making it the premier choice for Stage One transportation.
Outside the city gate, there were five White Fox steeds, but with Liu Xingchang having already departed, only four were needed for the group.
As the Hong Family Elder and Patriarch Hu watched on, the four travelers finally left Cloud Ascending City and embarked on the thrilling journey through the Great World of Cultivation, heading towards the sacred Azure Sky Realm.
However, just as they entered the valley beyond the city, a disturbance arose from the southern mountain as stones tumbled down, and a figure emerged, standing tall.
Upon recognizing the newcomer, Yan Tianni’s eyebrows shot up, and Hong Tengqing’s emotions began to surge.
It was Liu Xingchang, the one who had previously fled into the mountains.
Hu Gewan exclaimed with surprise, “Liu Xingchang? You didn’t leave?”
Brushing off the dust from his clothes, Liu Xingchang approached with a smile. “I don’t have the competition documents. Even if I went to the Hidden Dragon Sect, I couldn’t compete, right? I was born in the Great Pine Kingdom. Claiming to represent Cloud Ascending City in the competition wouldn’t convince anyone.”
Hong Tengqing, having angrily leapt down from his White Fox, blurted out, “Little brother! You still have to take care of me!”
Liu Xingchang, taken aback by the comment, raised an eyebrow and turned to Hu Gewan, “What’s he saying? Did a donkey kick him in the head?”
Hu Gewan quickly shot Liu Xingchang a knowing glance, and Yan Tianni’s lips curled into a smile. Tong San’s eyebrows lifted. Realizing the situation, Liu Xingchang felt a wave of embarrassment. He had been the one to knock out the man’s front teeth, rendering him unable to speak clearly. To suggest a donkey had done it was to insult himself.
Liu Xingchang cleared his throat and offered, “Fatty, you called me a lowly servant, and I punched you. How about we call it even?”
But Hong Tengqing wasn’t about to let it go. He bellowed and lunged at Liu Xingchang, brandishing his heavy golden sword.
Yan Tianni tilted her head, curious to gauge Liu Xingchang’s prowess.
Despite Hong Tengqing’s lack of combat experience and shaky foundations, he was a first-level Spirit Mastery Cultivator. Without a sneak attack, could Liu Xingchang really stand a chance against him?
The answer came swiftly.
Hu Gewan felt an unexpected shift behind her and clenched her teeth in silent frustration, asking, “Could you... perhaps restrain yourself a bit?”
Liu Xingchang let out an awkward chuckle, “My apologies, it’s just a natural male response... If there were no reaction at all, I’m afraid a doctor might suggest I consider a career in the palace as a eunuch...”
Yan Tianni, who was nearby, seemed to pick up on their discomfort and arched an eyebrow inquisitively, “Is something the matter? Do you need assistance?”
With her face flushed and feeling too mortified to explain her predicament, Hu Gewan could only bite her lip and insist, “No, it’s nothing...”
Liu Xingchang suggested, “How about we switch places? I’ll take the front and handle the reins?”
Hu Gewan immediately nodded, her teeth clenched, and then swapped places with Liu Xingchang.
After the switch, Hu Gewan did indeed feel some relief, but the jostling of the horse made Liu Xingchang particularly uncomfortable.
Feeling the softness and warmth pressing against his back, how could Liu Xingchang, a virile young man, not feel his passions stirred?
He felt as if his breath could scorch all things in the world and had to silently recite a mantra to maintain his composure.
They continued in this manner for quite some time, until dusk approached. Liu Xingchang had gradually become accustomed to the situation. Hu Gewan, initially somewhat resistant, succumbed to the exhaustion from the ride and the drowsiness brought on by the sun. She abandoned her stubborn attempt to maintain a distance and leaned against Liu Xingchang’s back.
Somehow, Hu Gewan, usually fond of hunting and always on alert, found a peculiar sense of safety behind Liu Xingchang. It was enough to let her guard down and, without realizing it, she nestled against his back and drifted off to sleep.
Liu Xingchang felt the comforting warmth from behind him and turned to look at the sleeping Hu Gewan, a tender smile spreading across his face.
After many betrayals, it had been a long time since Liu Xingchang had experienced such warmth.
He slowed his pace, careful not to wake Hu Gewan.
The slanting rays of the setting sun cast a glow on Yan Tianni’s face, her lips curling into a smile. Whether in mockery or in blessing of Liu Xingchang, she too took the reins gently and slowed the pace of the White Fox.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the group of five entered a small town.
Named White Rock Town, it appeared to be a typical settlement, indistinguishable from the other towns they had passed that day. However, with nightfall upon them, it was time to rest. They needed to find an inn, and upon locating the town’s sole tavern, they discovered that White Rock Town was not as ordinary as it first appeared.
The only tavern in town was bustling with an unusually large crowd. As Liu Xingchang and his companions entered, they were met with a diverse array of patrons. Seasoned mercenaries who had tasted bloodshed, hurried family factions, and groups of prodigies like themselves, all headed to the Hidden Dragon Sect for the upcoming auditions...
Upon their arrival, Liu Xingchang and his group immediately drew the attention of those present.
“Here comes another group after the same prize...”
“Just five kids... Judging by the time, the Hidden Dragon Sect’s selection in the Azure Sky Realm must be starting soon. They’re likely sent by some power to compete...”
“Tsk, tsk... Several small teams aiming for the Hidden Dragon Sect’s trials have already passed through this tavern...”
“These youngsters are too green. They’re hardly ready to vie for the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard’s resources...”
“If they insist on stirring up trouble... then let their blood be the offering for my blade...”
The hostile stares prompted Liu Xingchang to squint slightly, instinctively shielding Hu Gewan behind him as a sense of alertness washed over him.
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