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Chapter 333 The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind
“I’m fine.” Yu Shangrong did not move. He smiled faintly and looked at the Nether Sect’s flying chariot in the sky as he said, “Look…”
Si Wuya looked at it and did not see anything out of the ordinary. An expression of confusion could be seen on his face as he mulled over what Yu Shangrong’s words meant.
Yu Shangrong continued to say, “Eldest Senior Brother has been injured by me. He’s only pretending he’s unaffected… Well, I’m his junior brother after all. I should let him save face.”
Upon hearing this, Si Wuya finally understood what Yu Shangrong meant. Although he did not know if Yu Shangrong truly injured Yu Zhenghai, he cupped his fists and said, “This means you’re more skilled, Second Senior Brother.”
“There’s no need to mention it,” Yu Shangrong said lightly.
Meanwhile, Yu Zhenghai returned to his flying chariot.
Hua Chongyang, Bai Yuqing, Yang Yan, and Di Qing bowed at the same time. “Welcome back, sect master!”
Yu Zhenghai remained silent. He walked into the interior of the flying chariot with a stoic expression. He sat on his seat in a stern and regal manner. Then, he grunted before a trail of blood trickled out from the edge of his lips.
It was not much, but it was enough to prove that the master of the greatest Fiend Sect, Yu Zhenghai, who took down countless opponents before this, was injured.
The four great protectors had a frightened expression on their faces.
Yu Zhenghai growled. “Nobody is to know about this.” After saying that, he swung his arm and spoke as if nothing happened, “Let’s go.”
The flying chariot adjusted itself and flew toward It flew toward Lilac Mountain.
Creak! Creak! Creak!
The flying chariot made odd noises.
The Nether Sect’s disciples looked at their surroundings.
Hua Chongyang bowed and said, “Sect master, the flying chariot was caught up in the aftermath earlier. However, we can still fly.”
Yu Zhenghai nodded.
The flying chariot began picking up speed.
Yu Zhenghai looked at the passing scenery. The sun was high up in the skies now. The morning rays that penetrated a thin layer of fog made it seem as though they were in the land of the immortals.
Hua Chongyang suddenly said, “Sect Master, we’re picking up something.”
“Hm?”
The other three great protectors looked in the direction where Hua Chongyang pointed.
It was a small, dark flying chariot that hung on the branches of two huge trees.
“There’s people around?” Bai Yuqing was puzzled.
“Sect master, this group of people is audaciously brave! I request permission to kill them,” Di Qing said.
Yu Zhenghai was feeling furious himself so he said, “Go ahead.”
“Eh? What’s that?” Bai Yuqing saw a cluster of auspicious Qi shooting toward the fallen flying chariot.
Yu Zhenghai glanced at it before he shifted his attention to the stern of the flying chariot.
Usually, the more profound a cultivator’s cultivation base was, the sharper their eyes would be. With that single glance, Yu Zhenghai saw a familiar old figure. His regal posture immediately withered as he burst into a coughing fit.
The four great protectors did not even have a good look at the auspicious Qi. They hastily turned around with a worried expression on their faces as they cried out in unison, “Sect master!”
“I’m fine… Go!”
“Huh?”
“Return at full speed.”
Hua Chongyang saw the grave expression on their sect master’s face as he coughed. He thought their sect master had suffered serious injuries from the fight. He hastily gave an order, “As you command, sect master. Return at full speed!”
The flying chariot immediately fired up as it moved creakily toward the horizon.
At the periphery of Radiant Cloud Forest. The Fiend Temple’s flying chariot reeled for several miles after being hit by the energy from the collision between Yu Zhenghai and Yu Shangrong. It took a huge damage so it eventually fell.
“Please forgive me for being useless, old senior!” Duan Xing’s face fell as he hastily bowed and apologized.
Lu Zhou looked at the cooldown time of his item cards. 15 minutes…
A quarter of an hour.
Time was passing excruciatingly slowly. Every second felt like a year!
Just when Duan Xing was apologizing, one of his subordinates pointed at the huge flying chariot shooting past and said, “Old senior, the Nether Sect’s flying chariot!”
Lu Zhou had been preoccupied with the system’s dashboard. When he heard that, he turned to look at once.
The huge flying chariot was already speeding into the distance. There were more than 10 minutes left. In that case, he could only act against the other rascals. There were Yu Shangrong and Si Wuya. They did not have the four great protectors. They should not have any means of escape.
After such an intense battle, Lu Zhou expected both of them to be greatly injured. He was certain Si Wuya would be affected as well. When the cooldown ended, it would be a great opportunity for him to take care of the rascals.
Yu Shangrong looked at Si Wuya and said, “After this battle, I’ll live in seclusion… Junior Brother Wuya, you should go.”
Si Wuya had trouble understanding this. He asked, “Have you thought things through?” Yu Shangrong sighed and said, “Under the heavens, if even you can’t understand my thoughts, Seventh Junior Brother, who can? My mind is set. You should understand.”
After the battle, Yu Shangrong seemed to have gained some insight. He no longer had any ties to the world. “What should I tell Eldest Senior Brother?” Si Wuya asked.
“He’s injured, and the victor has been decided. He won’t spar with me again.” Yu Shangrong’s tone was cold.
Si Wuya saw the lack of expression on Yu Shangrong’s face and said, “Second Senior Brother, I support your decision to live in seclusion, but there’s no need to sever all ties… Perhaps…”
Before he could finish, Yu Shangrong said coldly, “Get lost.”
Si Wuya was stunned. He did not expect the gentle Yu Shangrong to utter such words. He swallowed the words that hung on the tip of his tongue. His Second Senior Brother had always been gentle, humble, and polite. He never saw his Second Senior Brother using words such as, ‘Get lost’, before.
In any case, it was just as Yu Shangrong had said. Was there anyone else who understood Yu Shangrong more than he did? No. He knew he could not persuade Yu Shangrong. He cupped his fists before he walked toward the forest. “Take care.”
The surroundings were deathly still.
Yu Shangrong did not leave. When he was sure that he was alone, he staggered backward, spitting out a mouthful of blood. Although he had tried his best to keep it down, he could not stop his Qi and blood from surging. He was also clearly injured by the battle.
Yu Shangrong sat with his legs crossed and with one hand over the other. He circulated his Primal Qi. He had to adjust his breathing and meditate to calm his chaotic Qi and blood. It gradually stabilized after a few breaths.
At this moment.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
A person emerged from the forest. He had long hair and wore long robes. There was a sword in his hand as he approached Yu Shangrong.
Yu Shangrong opened his eyes and turned to look in the direction of the sound.
The dense leaves covered the newcomer’s face. However, Yu Shangrong could tell from the skinny figure that he was a sword path elite.
“Senior Sword Devil.” The person stepped forward. He was now in the clearing that was caused by the battle.
Yu Shangrong’s gaze on the newcomer. He had a thin beard and wore embroidered robes. It was a middle-aged man with a weathered face. After a glance, he ignored the newcomer.
The middle-aged man was neither delighted nor annoyed. Instead, he calmly cupped his fists and bowed at Yu Shangrong. “Yun Sect’s Luo Changqing offers his greetings to Senior Sword Devil.”
The newcomer was Sword Saint Luo Shisan’s junior brother. He was one of the three Sword Freaks, Luo Changqing of the Yun Sect. He was also a rare sword path genius. Yu Shangrong continued to ignore him. He flicked the dust off his clothes and prepared to leave.
Luo Changqing said, “Ever since my senior brother, Sword Saint Luo Shisan, fought you, he could never forget about it. I have come today with the intention of sparring with you, Senior Sword Devil.”
Yu Shangrong stopped in his tracks. “I’m sorry, you’re very weak.” He seemed to feel that it was insufficient so he added, “Boringly so.” He had said the same words to Sword Saint Luo Shisan. It made no difference to say it again to Luo Changqing. He was no fool. For the newcomer to show himself at this moment, he did not have true intention to spar. The newcomer was nothing but a petty and shameless man who wanted to take advantage of the situation.
Luo Changqing said self-righteously, “If a weakling dares to challenge an expert, the weakling is no longer a weakling. An expert who does nothing but run away is the real weakling.” Yu Shangrong said, “Forget it.” He turned around slowly to face Luo Changqing and said, “A month from now, Yen Sect, sword altar. I’ll be coming for your head.”
“I’m sorry… There’s no need to wait for a month.”
Zing!
Luo Changqing unsheathed his sword and wielded it with both hands.
It split into two, four, eight…
Hundreds of energy blades filled the air.
“Now, in Radiant Cloud Forest, I, Luo Changqing, will end your life.” Luo Changqing stomped his feet and leaped into the air.
The energy blades converged and flew toward Yu Shangrong’s head.
If this was before, Yu Shangrong would have had thousands upon thousands of ways to deal with it. However, at this moment, he only drew his Longevity Sword with a single hand and mustered all the Primal Qi he had left. The blade was slightly red as it hummed and vibrated. He made a decisive and clean sideways sweep.
Bam!
The instant their energies clashed, Luo Changqing’s energy blade was shattered.
Their weapons collided and Yu Shangrong took three steps backward! Lu Changqing did a somersault and dropped to the ground. Although Luo Changqing did not gain the upper hand from this exchange, he saw hope… He saw Yu Shangrong taking three steps backward. This had been something unthinkable in the past. Yet, he managed to do it now. He was overjoyed! If he could successfully take Yu Shangrong’s life, his name would shake Great Yan! “Senior Sword Devil… Who do you think is weaker now?”
Yu Shangrong gripped his Longevity Sword tightly. He gauged the remaining Primal Qi inside his body.
“Why aren’t you saying anything? Show me your Return and Enter Three Souls…” Luo Changqing was starting to lose it. The elation of imminent victory was giving him a rush of excitement. His sword vibrated as it gathered its power.
The edge of Yu Shangrong’s lips curved up in a faint smile.
At this moment, Auspicious Qi appeared in the skies. Whitzard was flying toward them at a low altitude.