章節 11: Chapter 11: Deceit Descends at Nightfall

Wudi sat on the front carriage with Teacher Liang. Cultivators didn't need much rest, so despite it being nightfall, not many were actually sleeping. Teacher Liang still looked vigilant. Many kingdoms were eyeing their territory, and there was a singular explicit rule for the Divine Demon mountain: anything and everything was up for grabs. Only the strong ruled in a place like this, and kingdoms and empires rarely ever started wars for issues that occurred here, but the bulk of that reason was due to there not being much evidence.

If two groups happened to fight over a natural treasure, then they'd do whatever they could to exterminate the other party to prevent word from getting out. Teacher Liang was aware of these facts, but these types of convey runs mostly consisted of food and goods to last in this environment. They'd occasionally bring items to disciples or teachers that had gotten awarded, but it'd be far and few in between.

Wudi sat lazily, but also had his eyes open for any danger that might occur. It was at this time that Teacher Liang called for a stop and asked everyone to set up camp. Wudi looked at Teacher Liang and asked, "Why stop now? Shouldn't we continue throughout the night?"

Teacher Liang explained patiently, "Continuing further and we'd reach where some tier three demon beasts are located. The horses are the fastest we have, and we could avoid many of these beasts if we speed up, but the horses will need at least some rest beforehand."

Smiling, Wudi said, "That makes sense, though I'd say with Teacher Liang here, the Demon Beasts wouldn't stand a chance."

Teacher Liang gave Wudi the side-eye and said, "Enough of the sucking up, help the rest set the tents."

Wudi nodded without complaining and went to help. It didn't take long before the tents were set, but no fire was started. Cultivators had good eyesight even in the dark, and a fire would only bring unwanted attention. Some went to rest, most wouldn't sleep, but many went to cultivate in their tents, some stayed out and patrolled. Wudi himself also went to his tent to cultivate.

Wudi only focused on increasing his Qi, converting, condensing, and expanding his dantian as much as possible. Wudi wasn't far from advancing into the minor completion stage and was very close to hitting the bottleneck between the minor realms.

Wudi heard a thud while he was cultivating and thought something was odd. He stood up to check out the situation, but as he stood up, he heard shouting. Bursting out of his tent, he sensed something and sent a backward palm out behind his back. Someone let out a muffled groan, and Wudi looked around before turning to look at the person who attacked him. It was another student named Wei Zhongxian. Wudi looked at him coldly and said, "What's happening? Who else is involved?" Even now, many others were fighting and yelling. Wudi knew it was mostly their side that was injured or dead, the sneak attack made that clear. Wei Zhongxian smiled at Wudi as he stood and said, "There isn't a need to know, Prince."

It was then that two others surrounded Wudi from behind Wei Zhongxian. Wudi was not afraid and looked at the newcomers; they were not from the academy, which meant they had been waiting in the woods for them to stop. Wudi suddenly remembered what Teacher Liang said, that not much further was a dividing line for reaching a stronger area in the mountain. They must have set up here with the thought that they'd stop before continuing. Wudi thought of this and smiled, saying, "Aren't you afraid of the academy's backlash?" Wei Zhongxian laughed and said, "How would they know if everyone is dead?" Wudi replied, "Good point. I suppose I can at least test myself on you three. As seeing that I have the lowest cultivation, perhaps you should let me make the first move."

Wei Zhongxian only replied by sending a fist toward Wudi with a slight smile and said, "Sorry, but we'll have to take advantage of the third prince. We know of your martial intent." It was Wudi's turn to laugh because he'd heard of Wei Zhongxian in the past and knew he had also learned his martial intent already and was at the grand completion stage of the martial insight realm. Wudi side-stepped and deflected an attack from behind while dodging Wei Zhongxian's attack. Wudi then counterattacked the one that was waiting for him to try and escape. The third ambusher was surprised because he'd thought Wudi would take the chance to run. He could only block the attack at the last second. Wudi also sent another fist behind him, using his intent to block a blade from behind.

Wudi was able to send the one he punched flying, but the hand he punched out with to block the blade was bleeding down his knuckle. Wei Zhongxian was shocked because he just used his intent to attack Wudi with his saber, and it only caused Wudi's knuckle to bleed a little. One had to know that he was at the grand completion stage and was a step away from the martial dao realm. He couldn't help but feel inferior when compared to Wudi, who was just in the small completion stage.

Wudi laughed and sent a punch toward the second ambusher. The second one barely dodged the attack but this gave Wudi a chance to jump back and adjust his stance. The three thought he'd run but he just stood there, Wudi said "Again."

While the fight was happening in the divine demon mountain, Tian Shou was reading a report back in the academy. Tian Shou had donned a serious face after reading it. "What do you think Brother Shou?" surprisingly the person speaking to Tian Shou was Ji Ren.

Tian Shou shook his head and said "I'm not sure, if disturbances like this are really occurring in the areas controlled by our empire and the academy then we might have an issue." Pondering for a moment, Tian Shou continued "Didn't teacher Liang lead the first division? Did she request it?"

Ji Ren nodded and said "Yes, she did. Teacher Liang should be more than enough for a simple outpost trip." Shaking his head, Tian Shou said "I think there's something more to this. She's only a step away from breaking through, and the academy offered her the chance to enter the Thousand Sand Room. If she left, then it means she has a purpose for going and the timing is odd."

A confused look appeared on Ji Ren, and he said "The signs happening around our area of influence are definitely signs of spatial warping. It's possible it's a mystic realm like we think, but there isn't a reason to suspect Teacher Liang has anything related to it."

Tian Shou shook his head and said "She only just recently returned from the Divine demon mountain and comprehended her Martial Dao Intent. I thought it at the time, but didn't her intent seem similar to the Grand Illusionary Drum?"

Ji Ren had a shocked look and said "I hadn't thought of that. If so, then that means she could have obtained something last time. Maybe she even has the key for the mystic realm."

Tian Shou stood and said "I have to go. I have a bad feeling about Wudi. This is just all too coincidental, and we may not have been the first ones to connect the dots."

創作者的想法
Undead_Darth

Hey guys, sorry for the slow releases. I wasn't able to get anything done over the weekend. I spent most of my time with my son and wife. Anyway, if you're enjoying the story, let me know. It keeps me motivated to keep writing, and hopefully, I can get out consistent chapters for you guys. Thanks for reading.

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