Chapter 279: Fifth Stage

Chapter 279: Fifth Stage

The lightning continued to crash down from all directions. Even Erlan and Ding Qinwen paused in their battle to look over.

Erlans scalp tingled, and he backed away subtly. Four simultaneous tribulations? Is he so desperate for death that hes seeking it from the Heavens themselves?

If even one of them succeeds, though, let alone two or even all four Erlan swallowed. He attacked fiercely, using his attack as a disguise while he repositioned himself toward the edge of the perimeter All-Heavens had set up around the remnants of Starbound Sect. Just in case. Just in case!

The lightning crashing down on Zhubi grew stronger. The snake twisted and twined, the lightning itself causing him to thrash. Blackened scales tumbled away, burned to charcoal by the tribulation. Lightning painted his entire long body black. Each strike crumbled bits of him away, cutting holes into Zhubis flesh.

No! Hui shouted silently. He wanted to rush to Zhubis side, but held still out of fear that hed drag his own tribulation over to Zhubi, and only cause more damage. He bit his lip and watched, unable to do anything more.

At last, a bolt of lightning as thick around as Zhubi stretched long slammed into the snake. Zhubi trembled fiercely. Bits of crumbling black flesh fell down, raining on the earth below. Zhubis lifeless body fell from the sky.

Huis heart trembled. Zhubi Zhubi! Wake up! Youre only playing dead, right? Playing dead? Please! Youyou cant die!

In the distance, Erlan laughed. And the first attempt ends in failure. What a pity, what a pity. Ah, how inauspicious. Xiao Hui will I even have to deal with you? Or will you, too, fail and crumble away?

Xiao Hui? Who? Bing Qinwen asked.

Erlan put a hand over his mouth as though hed misspoken, though the sly smile that crept out from behind his hand told the truth. Oh perhaps youd know him better as Weiheng Hui? The lone survivor of Starbound Sect?

Survivor? Hes dead. Theyre all dead, Bing Qinwen replied, annoyed.

Look closely. Even now, his disguise flakes away, Erlan said, gesturing behind Bing Qinwen.

Bing Qinwen gritted his teeth. As if Id fall for such an obvious trick!

Oh? Then why dont we ask the young lady over there? Erlan asked, fanning himself gently, his smile no less wide.

Hhuh? What? Lu Lintei asked, sitting upright on her sword. She looked around and blinked lazily, then wiped her eyes. Im awake, Im awake.

Lu Lintei, ignore everything this demonic cultivator says! Hes trying to turn us against one another! Ding Qinwen shouted.

Hardly, Erlan replied, tutting.

Whatd he say? Lu Lintei asked, clueless.

Erlan opened his mouth again.

Whats going on over here? I ran over as soon as I saw the tribulation lightning Zhi Ahn froze in place, staring at Hui, small-Huis head still dangling from his fist. He rubbed his eyes and kept staring. Hhuh?

Eh? Lu Lintei asked, equally startled.

All the more reason to crush him now, while hes weakened by the tribulation! Ding Qinwen replied, frustrated. His sword flashed, battering down a dozen ink swords.

Understood, Elder Brother! Lu Lintei, lets attack! Zhi Ahn shouted.

Lu Lintei let out an exhausted sigh. She looked at Hui and Zhubi, then reluctantly approached the tribulation. Ah, Elder Brother is right. We must rush to battle!

Despite her words, she showed no particular excitement to attack Zhubi. She waved her fan again, sending a mediocre wave of flame at Zhubi.

Quickly! Our most powerful attack, again! Zhi Ahn shouted, flicking the horsehair whip to summon a fierce wind.

Zhi Ahn our most powerful attack already did nothing. What do you expect to happen? Lu Lintei asked lazily, her voice quiet enough Ding Qinwen couldnt hear, though Hui heard it clearly.

Lu Lintei Zhi Ahn started.

She shook her head. Gesturing at Hui, she continued, Listen. Hes about to finish his tribulation. When he finishes even you can handle that math, right?

Zhi Ahn gritted his teeth. Im not Ding Qinwen.

Lu Lintei nodded. Right, so why dont we get out of here before we both get turned into paste by the contingent of four fourth realm cultivators who are about to transcend their tribulations and become four fifth realm cultivators?

Zhi Ahn hestitated, then flicked his eyes at Lu Lintei. What Martial Sister says is indeed reasonable.

Hey, you can hear us, right? Remember, we arent trying to hurt you or your snake. Let us go peacefully once you transcend, okay? Lu Lintei called quietly toward Hui.

Lying in the tribulation, Hui stared blankly at the sky, not sure what to say. Er I suppose I should praise Elder Sister for her incredible desire to cling to life? At least she isnt one of those dimwitted face-slapping villains who desperately wants to die, I suppose. And its not like shes treated any of us particularly badly. I dont hold a grudge against her, Im more than happy to let her and Zhi Ahn, go.

Wait. Wait! I have the upper hand here, dont I? Time to negotiate! Eyes glittering, Hui peeked toward Zhi Ahn. I agree but you have to deliver my head to your sect and declare me dead!

Hhuh? Zhi Ahn asked, confused.

We agree! Lu Lintei replied immediately.

But why Zhi Ahn frowned, looking at the head in his fist.

Lu Lintei waved her hand. Obviously Ding Qinwen isnt going to let it go. But if we return that weve captured his head, hes free to go! Hes a lazybones a reasonable man with a deep desire to live, like me. He doesnt want to be hunted down by All-Heavens Sect.

Er, Elder Sister, I feel like your own desires colored your response there Hui thought.

But Ding Qinwen knows that I captured this head, and that it isnt his current head, Zhi Ahn argued.

Lu Lintei waved her hand. Everyone knows Ding Qinwen is a bit dim. Well make up a story about capturing him again and losing the first head, and thatll be good enough to confuse him. She laid back on her sword, lazing away once more. Look, theres no need to do troublesome things. As long as he doesnt fight us, theres no need for us to go out of our way to fight him.

Well said, Elder Sister! Hui thought enthusiastically. Truly, Ive found a kindred soul that walks the path to immortality!