Chapter 52:

“This Luo Ke is too strong-headed…” Sung Li thought to himself as he watched the confrontation between Luo Ke and the Kui-Hei gang.

(Note: “Kui-Hei” = basically referring to both Kui Tian and Hei Yuan)

From his perspective, although Luo Ke was someone the mysterious elder had looked after, the current child was simply too weak. While Luo Ke is at the 2nd stage of Jie Hai, the opposing duo were both at the 3rd stage and ten others at the 1st and 2nd stages. Besides, Sung Li had also detected two hidden auras. Those were at the 6th stage of Jie Hai. He quickly found out that the two hidden personnels must have been the elders sent to protect the the Kui-Hei duo.

After watching over Luo Ke for quite some time through the blue-eyed snake, Sung Li knew that the former had the capability to fight against those of higher realms. But in face of multiple opponents of similar level and two hidden experts, it was not wise to engage in combat.

Thus, Sung Li was high on alert; ready to leap out and save Luo Ke should the two hidden elders make their move. Otherwise, if Luo Ke died fighting against the other younger generations, then it could not be blame on anyone but himself for overestimating himself.

After Sung Li had received Huang Xue’s “gifts”, he immediately went out to search for Luo Ke using the black compass. At first, nothing happened for some time, which made Sung Li wonder if there was special method to activate it that Huang Xue had forgotten to inform him.

However, after several moments past, the black compass suddenly trembled and the stiff arrow within began to move. It pointed towards the southern direction, away from the Grand Valley Tomb. Sung Li then, under the guide of black compass, quickly found Luo Ke just as the latter deactivated the Saint Mirror’s stealth ability.

Sung Li watched as Luo Ke and the Kui-Hei duo began to emit high killing intent. It seems like a fight was bound to break out very soon…

***

A few miles away from Sung Li, in the deep forest area, a white robed youth streaked across the ground. He moved at an incredible pace as his eyes displayed a serene outlook.

“Hmm, that child should be around here somewhere.” Huang Xue murmured as he sped through the forest.

After finding that Luo Ke had already left, Huang Xue immediately set off to find him. Since the previous misunderstanding with Yang Chen being a destined one cleared up, Huang Xue no longer paid any attention to the people of the Yang and Yin clan. He did not look for the remaining followers of Yang Chen nor gave time for the youngsters of the two major clans to find and speedily left to seek out Luo Ke.

Given his initial impression of Luo Ke, Huang Xue understood that this type of character was stubborn, cautious, and bold. With so much time having passed, Huang Xue predicted that there was bound to be some conflicts that Luo Ke had stirred up in the Duoluo Province.

Moreover, Huang Xue worried that Luo Ke was not in any condition to fight even after fully recovering. He still needed time to consolidate the residual energy from the pill, which Huang Xue was a hundred percent sure would help propel Luo Ke’s cultivation. Should Luo Ke encounter danger during his breakthrough…

Thinking here, Huang Xue spread out his divine sense even further until he discovered a familiar presence in the distance. A look of joy appeared on Huang Xue’s face as he sped towards that aura.

While Huang Xue knew that there should Sung Li guarding Luo Ke in the shadows, to be honest, Huang Xue was not keen on trusting a stranger he had just met. Therefore, when he planted his a small piece of his divine sense on the black compass, he also set a will in it. Later, Huang Xue planted another piece of his divine sense on the golden Soul Pill that he gave to Luo Ke for consumption.

Once Luo Ke consumed the pill, the divine sense within would allow the black compass, equipped with the same sense, to find the former; even if Luo Ke used the stealth ability of the Saint Mirror! This was how Sung Li was able to track Luo Ke using the black compass. And for Huang Xue, who was the owner of the planted divine sense, he merely needed to use his own soul and he would be able to find the youth from now on.

As for the will, it was a simple command:

Should Sung Li’s murderous aura ever be locked onto Luo Ke and he dares to circulate his Qi in preparation to attack, the black compass give off a terrifying explosion, thereby killing Sung Li. Even if Sung Li was a bit smart and discarded the black compass before trying to kill Luo Ke, it would be the same result: the divine sense hidden within Luo Ke would explode out, wiping out Sung Li.

And if Sung Li were to somehow luckily survive, he would at best become a cripple and at worst...become a mutilated cripple! In short, the moment Sung Li decides to turn against Luo Ke would be the moment he, himself, decides to throw away his fate as a cultivator.

“Hmm?” As Huang Xue got closer to the area where he detected Luo Ke’s presence, he also noticed several other auras as well as two hidden ones.

As of now, due to the lack of blood stench and chaotic Qi, Huang Xue knew a battle had not broken out yet - but it was soon.

***

“Hmph! Since you already know you can’t escape us, you still dare to act so brazenly around here! I really want to break open your head and see what’s inside that damn head of yours!” Kui Tian sneerer. He began to circulate his Qi energy in preparation for battle. Hei Yuan and the rest began to do the same.

Sensing the increasingly hostile atmosphere, Luo Ke’s face fell as he had no choice to but to began preparing himself as well. In the back of his mind, Luo Ke knew that fighting no, while his inner body was experiencing a transformation, may lead to possible internal damages. But there was no time to hesitate.

If he does not fight, what awaits him is only death!

However, just as the two parties were about to make their moves, the fierce wind blew over them. Startled, everyone to a step back as a white blur flashed for a moment before revealing a white robed youth standing in between the two groups.

When Luo Ke’s eyes focused on the newcomer’s face, his face slightly turned pale with shock.

“How...how could he be here?” Luo Ke thought confusedly in his mind.

But compared to Luo Ke’s shock, the Kui-Hei duo’s shock was ten times greater. They fully recognized the status and strength of the youth who stood before them at this moment.

Shen clan’s third young master, Shen Huang Xue! Reaching the 7th stage of Jie Hai realm at the mere age of sixteen! A bonafide elite among the young generation!

For people like Hei Yuan and Kui Tian, normally, they would not even have the chance to speak with such an influential figure. A single word from this person was enough to ensure that their Fierce Dragon clan and Winged Moon Faction would be wiped off the face of the Feng Shui continent. It was a true major power that they could not afford to offend at all cost.

But now, seeing the way Huang Xue had appeared amidst the moment they were going to battle Luo Ke gave rise to an uneasy feeling in their heart. They themselves knew that the third young master of the Shen clan would not have come to meet them, so this could only mean…

Forcing an awkward smile, Kui Tian tried to hide his trembling heart as he respectfully cupped his hands toward Huang Xue and greeted:

“Ah...ah! So it is the third young master Shen! It...it is an honor for this Kui Tian to have met you today.”

Hei Yuan and his group recovered quickly as he likewise saluted:

“Th-this Hei Yuan greets the third young master Shen!”

While the two youths were arrogant and aloof, they were not stupid enough to offend such a great power. Moreover, with Huang Xue’s sudden appearance and the ominous meaning behind his intervention, the Kui-Hei duo were silently panicking in their head. Otherwise, given their pride, they would not have stammered as such under a normal meeting.

Huang Xue stood there calmly as he looked over the group of people. He gave a slight nod.

“Mmn. Fellow cultivators, I did not mean to intervene in your business, however, I have a goal in mind so I will cut straight to the point: I wish to take away Brother Luo Ke with me today due to a personal matter. I hope, you two young masters would give me some face on this?”

“This…” The Kui-Hei duo silently gritted their teeth as they pondered over Huang Xue’s request.

Luo Ke had killed many of their capable men over the past several weeks, resulting in a huge loss for the Winged Moon Faction and the Fierce Dragon clan. Moreover, it seemed that Luo Ke’s strength was also increasing as time passed. If they do not remove this threat immediately, it would potentially lead to a disaster in the future.

However, if they displeased this third young master Shen in front of them, it would definitely result in their complete annihilation.

So after a while, the two men looked at each other before they turned to Huang Xue and nodded.

“Since third young master Shen has matters with that person, how could I not give you face? However, I hope that next time, young master Shen would not...step into this again as it’s an internal matter concerning our factions...I wish young master Shen would grant us this request.” Hei Yuan spoke as he tried to choose his words carefully without coming off as a threat.

This was how cautious he was in front of Huang Xue, and shows just how unwilling he was to make an enemy out of a true major clan.

Kui Tian did not say anything but he nodded his head in agreement with Hei Yuan’s words.

Huang Xue was not angry at Hei Yuan’s words and instead replied: “That is of no issue. This will be the first and only time I would intervene between matters in your factions.”

Hei Yuan’s eyes brightened as he nodded. Then, turning to his men, he shouted: “Let us continue on our way back!”

“Let’s go!” Kui Tian likewise ordered his men as the two groups retreated from the area.

Later on, the two factions would realize that regardless of their decision today, they were destined to not survive the upcoming calamity…

After Huang Xue had confirmed that the groups had departed a good distance away, he turned to look at Luo Ke.

Ignoring Luo Ke’s confused expression, Huang Xue amicably said:

“Ah, Brother Luo Ke, you really are quite fast. I wanted to find you again because I suddenly thought of something. Since you helped me take care of that Yang Chen, I have not awarded you for your unexpected assistance! Say, what would you like?”

As the word “brother” came out of his mouth, Huang Xue felt his cheeks burning slightly. Despite having said this to several other people already since he came to this world, it still makes Huang Xue uncomfortable deep inside. After all, to call others who are thousands of years younger than you were as brother is simply...sad.