Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Butterfly Effect

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Attention, everyone!

“One hundred and thirty-seven have been eliminated; eight hundred and sixty-two remain!”

Qingpo’s announcement resounded once more.

Upon hearing this message, the three fugitives doubled their pace, fleeing with even greater desperation.

They had never expected so many to be eliminated so soon after the start—truly terrifying.

After all, everyone here was an elite of their sect, many of them formidable cultivators in the Hollow Nether realm.

Time flew swiftly.

Beneath a secluded corner of a canyon, three figures darted rapidly through a forest, weaving amidst the trees...

Boom! Boom!

As the trio raced through, one towering tree after another crashed to the ground. Yet whenever those falling trees landed before the figure pursuing them, they would instantly turn to ash—offering not even a moment’s resistance.

The black-clad pursuer followed them at a measured pace—not too near, nor too far—always at that perfect distance. The whole scene was eerily unsettling.

“Foolish humans! To think you can escape on my territory is nothing but a delusion!” the black figure suddenly came to a halt, a mocking glint flashing across his eyes.

Hmm?

Noticing the sudden silence behind them, Tianming glanced back in surprise, only to discover that the ancient beast had ceased its pursuit.

“Don’t let your guard down. Even if the Windfang Wolf King isn’t going all out, we must remain vigilant. Where there’s a Wolf King, a wolf pack is sure to follow. If we’re surrounded, we’ll be in real trouble!” Chu Qingchen quickly warned.

Just as the Windfang Wolf King was about to chase them down and toy with them further, a majestic azure phantom manifested, nearly blotting out the sky.

“...Master!” The Windfang Wolf King’s expression shifted in astonishment.

In an instant, the Wolf King prostrated itself in terror beneath the crushing pressure, its voice trembling with awe.

“That’s enough. Scaring them will suffice. Let your subordinates handle the rest,” the ancient voice of the azure phantom echoed, calm and ageless.

But when it landed upon the Wolf King, the beast’s massive form seemed to shrink even smaller.

“Yes!” the Wolf King replied hastily, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.

...

Meanwhile, on the other side—

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High above, at the moment the azure phantom appeared, Tianming—who was about to flee—seemed to sense something.

He immediately dissolved the world energy he’d been gathering and turned to look.

When he saw the azure phantom, delight lit up his face.

That familiar visage? That familiar aura?

“...Qingpo?!”

Recognizing the figure, Tianming couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.

He was puzzled as to why Qingpo would intervene on his behalf, but there was no time to dwell on it. He hurriedly tried to call out to Chu Qingchen.

But just as he turned to look, he found that the latter had already vanished without a trace...

“How did you find the taste of the fourth trial?” As Tianming prepared to leave, an ancient voice instantly snuffed out his intent.

Hearing the voice, Tianming knew Qingpo was speaking to him.

“Heh, it was fine, but the spirit beasts here seem a bit weak,” Tianming replied with feigned indifference, shaking his head.

He could lose his head and shed his blood, but never his pride!

Under the Wolf King’s disdainful gaze, Tianming forced the words out, stubborn as ever.

Oh?

“So, it seems you don’t need my help,” Qingpo replied, a hint of meaning in his tone.

With that, Qingpo’s aged palm shimmered with light, as if he were about to depart.

“Come now, I was only joking. Don’t take it to heart, senior!” Tianming hurried to placate him, putting aside his pride for now. Under the Wolf King’s scornful gaze, he forced a smile, desperate that this powerful figure not leave.

“Are you afraid now?” Qingpo teased, his ageless voice tinged with satisfaction.

...

Seeing Qingpo so smug, Tianming grew irritated, gritting his teeth.

“Honestly, do you not see the level of these spirit beasts? Even ones at the Spirit Tranquility realm are appearing! If you want us dead, just say so!”

After all, experts of that caliber could easily serve as elders in any sect.

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The thought made Tianming’s earlier attempts at flattery turn to indignation. He glared, demanding a reasonable answer.

“Young people will always be young. Do you really think if it wanted to kill you, it would spare you the time for conversation?” Qingpo replied with a helpless shake of the head.

In truth, this trial was about courage. If the threats were truly of that level, no one would make it through.

At this, the Windfang Wolf King nodded in agreement, its face a little aggrieved.

Uh...

“All right, but even so—why only chase us? There are so many others; why us? Do I look that easy to bully?” Tianming protested, unwilling to accept it.

He knew he was handsome, but surely not so irresistible as to warrant this attention.

“Heh, you’re asking the right question. You’re one of my key targets. If not you, then who?” Qingpo replied instantly.

As soon as he spoke, Qingpo’s grin froze, for both the Wolf King and Tianming were staring at him as if he’d grown another head.

“Oh? Finally showing your true colors, old man! You’ve had your eyes on me all along, haven’t you?” Tianming taunted, pointing at Qingpo with a smirk.

He’d long suspected Qingpo of having ulterior motives, and now it was clear he was meddling again.

“You rascal, you’ve got me wrapped around your finger! I warned you not to act rashly, and the moment you enter you cause such an uproar! Do you realize how many people have been eliminated because of your antics?” Qingpo hastened to explain, unwilling to admit the truth for the sake of his own dignity.

“Hahaha! So, those hundred-plus who were eliminated just now, was that all my doing?” Tianming laughed, genuinely amused.

He hadn’t expected his actions to take out so many competitors—utterly satisfying.

Qingpo...

He hadn’t anticipated Tianming’s shamelessness; for a moment, Qingpo was left speechless.

“Getting cocky over such a small success—you’ll suffer for it soon enough,” Qingpo muttered under his breath.

With a shake of his head, Qingpo turned into a gust of azure wind and vanished.

“Trying to play tricks on me? Not so fast!” Tianming chuckled and shook his head as well.

Yet now, his face shone with triumph.

As if recalling something, Tianming’s gaze fell to a certain spot where Qingpo had just stood...