Chapter 56: The Sheep in Wolf's Clothing

After passing through the narrow mountain corridor, the two quickly arrived at the mountain pass nestled between twin peaks.

As they beheld the scene within, an ineffable sense of elevation swept over them, a feeling of comfort and exhilaration that words could scarcely capture.

“Brother, why don’t we hide here?” Tianming exclaimed, his eyes roaming the surroundings with excitement.

Truth be told, it had been ages since he’d witnessed such raw, unspoiled beauty. Who would have thought that, within the mountain itself, a hidden paradise awaited? Dense forest stretched alongside a crystal-clear lake, energy coursed through the air, birdsong and fragrant blooms mingled, creating an earthly wonderland.

Countless elemental beasts roamed freely, foraging or playing, untainted by the bloodlust that pervaded the outside world.

Seeing this, Chu Qingchen felt the same surge of emotion. But just as he was about to step forward, something caught his eye.

“Wait, something’s happening up ahead,” Chu Qingchen whispered, brow furrowing as he quickly withdrew.

“What is it?” Tianming crouched, using the cover of shrubs near the cave mouth to peer into the distance.

There, at the three o’clock direction, a shadowy figure seemed to be approaching their position. The thick woods obscured the view, but a faint glimpse of white could be seen...

“It’s a lone traveler. Prepare for battle,” Chu Qingchen murmured after a moment’s deliberation.

Understanding immediately, Tianming nodded in agreement. He adjusted his position, slipping deeper into the undergrowth, ready to strike at any moment.

“Brother!” Tianming whispered urgently, sensing the tension.

“What is it?” Chu Qingchen asked, puzzled.

“Hold your fire. Let’s scare him a bit first—eliminating him too quickly would be no fun!” Tianming grinned mischievously, his eyes glinting.

Chu Qingchen shivered involuntarily. “Fine, just don’t overdo it. After all, he’s a fellow disciple.”

He was grateful not to be the one on the receiving end.

“Don’t worry, haha!” Tianming replied with satisfaction.

Just as his words faded, the sound of footsteps crunching through the underbrush echoed through the valley, standing out sharply in the tranquil emptiness.

Looking out, Tianming saw a tall man approaching, probably in his forties, moving with swift urgency, as if searching for something. An ornate longsword hung at his back—clearly a swordsman.

Without hesitation, Tianming waited until the man was nearly upon them, then glanced at Chu Qingchen behind him, signaling it was time to act.

“Brother, what are you waiting for? Let’s do this!” Tianming urged as Chu Qingchen seemed slow to draw his weapon.

But there was no time to hesitate—Tianming leaped out from the shrubbery.

Chu Qingchen...

With a helpless expression, Chu Qingchen seemed about to speak but held back.

He pressed his hand to his forehead, clearly reluctant, but stepped out from the undergrowth nonetheless.

“Halt!” Tianming shouted, drawing his Lightning Sword, which crackled with energy. “This mountain is mine! State your name and purpose!”

His roar seemed to shake the ground itself.

Intense elemental energy surged, and a powerful aura radiated from Tianming, establishing dominance even before he revealed himself, in the manner of a mountain bandit.

“Hm?” Chu Qingchen pondered silently. “Is it him? Why is he in the Sky Pool Secret Realm? Could it be...?”

A sudden thought made him inhale sharply.

Just as Chu Qingchen was about to intervene, the man facing them interrupted, having noticed the two.

“You fool! Heaven’s path lies open and you refuse it; you seek your own doom! I thought I’d have to search for you, but you came straight to me. Don’t blame me for showing no mercy!” The man’s face shifted from surprise to fury, his gaze fixed fiercely on Tianming as he cursed.

With his words, a surge of thick elemental energy erupted from him, pressing down upon Tianming’s silver aura.

The oppressive force caught Tianming off guard.

“Perfected elemental energy?” Tianming muttered in disbelief as he was forced to retreat several steps.

He looked at the man with a touch of helplessness—this stranger was even fiercer than himself, possessing such a high cultivation level.

“Brother, do I know you?” Tianming asked, his lips twitching, dropping the pretense.

His acting skills paled in comparison. Just as Tianming was about to step forward, Chu Qingchen emerged.

“Don’t be rash. This is Suo Yuansheng, elder brother of Suo Yangcan—the one I told you about earlier,” Chu Qingchen warned quietly, his voice full of caution.

“Surprising—Suo Yangcan wasn’t impressive, but his brother is formidable, already at the tenth rank of the Spirit Void realm!” Tianming remarked in astonishment.

From their aura exchange, even Tianming’s Lightning Sword had been outmatched, meaning this man was at least above the ninth rank of Spirit Void.

“Be careful. His comprehension rivals ours—avoid fighting if possible,” Chu Qingchen cautioned.

Just as Tianming was about to reply, the figure opposite grew impatient.

“Chu Qingchen, are you still going to shield that brat?” Suo Yuansheng barked as Chu Qingchen stepped out from the shrubbery.

He’d intended to torment Tianming, but finding him with backup, Suo Yuansheng let his elemental energy dissipate.

“Hey, who are you calling ‘brat’? Didn’t your mother teach you manners?” Tianming retorted with a cold snort.

He glared at Suo Yuansheng, realizing he was cut from the same cloth as Suo Yangcan.

Impulsively, Tianming tossed aside his earlier caution.

“You...!” Suo Yuansheng’s face flushed with anger. He’d heard of Tianming’s sharp tongue, and now saw the reputation was well deserved.

“Tell me, what did you do to my brother?” Suo Yuansheng demanded, his sleeve whipping in anger, the echo of his hoarse voice resounding through the valley.

“Hmph! How should I know? Perhaps he’s joined the Black Demon Clan, living the high life. I haven’t even held you accountable for letting him stray, yet you come seeking trouble?” Tianming replied with a cold laugh, his expression turning grim.

Colluding with the Black Demon Cultivators was a grave crime—banishment at best, execution at worst.

“Nonsense! You must have killed him, trying to blame the Black Demon Cultivators—dream on!” Suo Yuansheng said, clenching his fists in fury.

He dared not admit anything, knowing that if he confessed, the valley guardians would ensure his soul was annihilated before Tianming even acted.

“How thick-skinned are you?” Tianming sneered, shaking his head in derision.

As Tianming prepared to retort, another surge of elemental energy pressed upon him, forcing him to stagger and retreat.

He could barely maintain his realm with the aid of his artifact—how could he contend with a true Spirit Void cultivator, let alone one at the peak of the tenth rank?

“All you can do is talk, brat?” Suo Yuansheng mocked, laughing with contempt as Tianming stumbled.

His tone was full of scorn, dismissing Tianming’s words.

“Hmph!” Chu Qingchen immediately dispelled the oppressive force, rushing to steady Tianming, then cast a sharp, sword-like gaze at Suo Yuansheng.

“Th-thanks...” Tianming began, but Chu Qingchen’s next move left him utterly stunned.

“Suo Yuansheng, you’re a veteran at the peak of the Spirit Void realm—how can you bully a Foundation Stage cultivator?” Chu Qingchen’s face darkened as he rebuked, “No need for pretenses between us. If you want a fight, we’ll oblige you to the end!”

With that, an aura stronger than before exploded forth, sweeping aside the surrounding brush.

“What? Spirit Void tenth rank—is this a dream?” Tianming gasped, dumbfounded.

Was this even reasonable? Who was truly the protagonist here?

He sighed, feeling utterly crushed. Who would have guessed the true master of acting was his own companion, Chu Qingchen?