Chapter Sixteen: I Do Not Wish To

“Could it be... this Xu Zhe is not the Xu Zhe we know?” a disciple of the Jade Pool sect wondered suspiciously.

“Are you out of your mind, junior sister? His voice, appearance, even his spiritual root and talent—he’s unmistakably that Xu Zhe.”

“I mean, is it possible that this Xu Zhe is also a guise of the demon?”

“Impossible.” The eldest among them shook her head, her tone solemn. “The demon takes human form to lure and deceive us. But our spiritual energy was nearly depleted just now. I said we should hold out till dawn, yet you all know—if we kept fighting, within half an hour, our energy would have been exhausted.”

“She’s right. In this situation, there’s no reason for them to send a false Xu Zhe to buy us time and let us recover our energy,” another disciple agreed.

The others exchanged glances, falling into silence. Indeed, the demon would have no reason to do so. That left only one possibility.

Xu Zhe, the hundredth prodigy to awaken, was far from as simple as he seemed.

From daybreak till now, just a few hours had passed, and already he had entered the Qi Refining stage. Judging by the abundant spiritual energy coursing through him and his radiant appearance, he was likely on the verge of reaching the peak of Qi Refining.

“No, even if we concede he’s at the pinnacle of Qi Refining, he’s still only at that stage. Why, then, are these demons so wary of him?” The eldest woman’s brows knitted in confusion.

“It must be some priceless treasure on him. Whether it’s his cultivation or their fear, it all points to a treasure.”

“That’s right. Look closely—the storage ring bestowed by Lord Lin is already in his possession. Lu Lin probably failed to obtain it.”

“Other than Lord Lin and Xu Zhe, no one knows what’s inside that ring. But given what we see now, it must house some extraordinary treasure.”

Their eyes grew feverish as they spoke, shining with newfound hope.

“We must find a way to have him help us break through. If an opportunity arises, seize his storage ring.”

Quickly, the eldest woman made her decision, and the others smiled, nodding in agreement.

...

Meanwhile, the demons led by Shang You’er were locked in a standoff with Xu Zhe.

The small iron shard Xu Zhe produced was deeply intimidating to them.

Shang You’er had initially believed Iron Crutch Granny was slain by Xu Zhe, and the shard was his trophy. But someone quietly informed her of the truth: Iron Crutch Granny had been frightened off, abandoning her staff.

Shang You’er nearly cursed aloud upon hearing it.

Iron Crutch Granny glanced at this fellow, tossed her staff, and bolted back to the sealing array?

Damn it.

This truth was more terrifying than had she been killed.

Who was Iron Crutch Granny? Her strength rivaled the late Foundation Establishment stage, ranking among the top ten in the sealing array. How could she be so frightened?

Shang You’er frowned, having seen Xu Zhe’s power firsthand. She couldn’t gauge its true extent, only that it far surpassed hers.

Yet compared to Iron Crutch Granny, she felt the latter should be stronger.

But Iron Crutch Granny hadn’t even fought—she’d dropped her staff and fled. That was utterly abnormal.

“I can’t make sense of it.”

She scratched her head, deciding to stop thinking about it.

Only one thing was clear: if even Iron Crutch Granny feared this man, she must fear him even more.

“Master Xu, speak plainly—do you want people or riches, or both?” Shang You’er asked directly, hiding nothing.

The other demons found nothing amiss in her words, quietly watching Xu Zhe.

“Well...” Xu Zhe pondered, silently counting the demons again.

Forty outside the inn, eleven inside, fifty-one in total.

Better be subtle.

“Miss, you are beautiful. But I... wish only to cultivate in peace, seeking the Dao with single-minded devotion. I have no interest in romance or wealth. Forced fruits are never sweet—I hope you understand.” Xu Zhe hesitated, looking troubled.

Shang You’er was taken aback. “Master Xu, what do you mean? I don’t quite understand.”

“Sigh, I mean we are not suited. Please, Miss, seek another worthy match.” Xu Zhe sighed, bluntly refusing.

Shang You’er froze again, then realized: “Damn it...”

No, she couldn’t lose her temper.

This fellow was a monster—not someone she could afford to offend.

“Master Xu misunderstands. I can’t deny you are beautiful as well. But what I meant was, if you have any requests, just make them. For example, do you wish us to let these people go, or shall we seek some treasures for you?”

Suppressing her rage, Shang You’er forced herself to remain calm and explain.

Xu Zhe patted his chest, relieved, exhaling deeply.

“Grass,” Shang You’er muttered. “A kind of plant.”

Xu Zhe paused.

Was she cursing at me?

Certainly!

He knew he shouldn’t have been so blunt—but when he tried to be tactful, she feigned ignorance.

Ah, women.

“Miss, your kindness is appreciated. But I want neither people nor riches. Keep them for yourself.” Having spoken, Xu Zhe turned and headed for the Prodigies’ Pavilion.

At such a moment, it was crucial to show her how resolute he was—leaving no hope behind.

Shang You’er was dumbfounded.

He wanted nothing?

Really?

Was he so magnanimous?

The other demons were equally stunned, then delighted.

Zero losses.

Facing one like him, zero losses meant a windfall!

Inside the inn, however, the Jade Pool disciples were nearly frantic.

They had heard Shang You’er negotiating with Xu Zhe, then suddenly conceding—offering people or riches unconditionally.

They had assumed Xu Zhe’s appearance meant he would help—after all, they were all human. Despite previous discord, in times of crisis, solidarity was natural. Afterwards, the backstabbing could resume.

Yet this fellow rambled nonsense, angered Shang You’er, then refused both people and wealth, and simply walked away.

Did he ever consider their feelings?

“Prodigy Xu, please wait!” one disciple cried, desperate.

Xu Zhe paused, turning back. “I understand—you are in trouble and hope I’ll help.”

“Yes, earlier we were blind to your greatness. Please forgive our disrespect, and aid us in escaping,” the disciple pleaded.

The eldest woman’s face darkened, but she did not stop her junior. Frankly, they needed Xu Zhe’s help now.

Around them, Shang You’er and her demonic cohort watched, further convinced of their suspicions.

These human women were strong, yet showed such deference to a Qi Refining man—he must be truly extraordinary.

“Miss, you overstate things. To be honest, though I have just entered Qi Refining, I am unrivaled among my peers. On paper, I can face fifty opponents alone.”

Xu Zhe stepped forward, his voice powerful and spirited.

“We cultivators hold righteousness above all, loyal and true. You ladies are in peril—it is my duty to assist.”

Suddenly, he sighed.

“But alas, the enemy numbers fifty-one. Should I act rashly, I would only lose my life in vain. I hope you understand. Here and now, I, Xu Zhe, sincerely wish you all safe passage through this tribulation. May your fortunes be boundless, your lives long as the southern mountains. Though the green hills remain, and the waters flow, we part ways here—until we meet again.”

With that, Xu Zhe turned and strode into the Prodigies’ Pavilion.

A muffled thud echoed as the doors slammed shut.

The street, shrouded in darkness, fell into dead silence.

Then came a cacophony of furious curses, followed by pleas and sobs, one after another.

Xu Zhe returned to his room, standing at the window, watching as the Jade Pool disciples were beset once more by the demons. His expression remained calm.

You sought to harm me before, but never acted—so I spared you.

Now you are in danger, caused by Lin Keyi. Your leader must deal with her own sect, not my concern.

Perhaps I could save you.

But I do not wish to.

Click.

Xu Zhe quietly shut the window.

Peace settled once more.

...

At the same time, beneath Tianhe City.

A slender tunnel stretched below, shrouded in black miasma, darkness all around, yet the tunnel walls were covered in dense runes glowing red.

At the end stood a transparent barrier.

Looking closely, it was more substance than light—like a pane of glass, pierced and refracted by the faint red glow of the runes.

Suddenly—

A tiny hole appeared in the center of the glass, rapidly widening, then expanding into a great circle.

An elderly woman with snowy hair emerged, stumbling as she entered the tunnel, nearly falling, disheveled.

“Eh, Iron Crutch Granny, the seal hasn’t begun yet. Why are you back so early?” A woman stepped out from the wall, curious.

The old woman was terrified, her trembling hands betraying lingering fear.

“That lord... has returned,” she whispered in horror.

The woman was stunned, then her face drained of color. “You mean... the one who suppressed this place with a single punch years ago?”

“It is him. I could never mistake him. I don’t know how, but he’s suppressed his cultivation to Qi Refining and returned here. Even if I died, I could never forget the technique he used, that mad, overwhelming aura—one punch that made gods and demons bleed, annihilated immortals, shook the heavens, shattered mountains and rivers, tore through our very void.”

Iron Crutch Granny murmured, eyes vacant, lost in memories so terrifying she trembled and began muttering to herself.

“Why has he come back? With his power, he need not suppress his cultivation.”

“Is he here to reinforce the seal?”

“But we’re innocent—we were only sealed incidentally!”

“Or is he here for the fragment of that token?”

“But I already returned it to him. Back then, I waited till he left before I retrieved the fragment.”

“I’m so afraid, so afraid...”

Iron Crutch Granny trembled, blood tears streaming from her eyes, melting her face, her features twisting grotesquely.