Chapter Sixty-Two: Meeting Shu Meng Again

In the vast expanse of the azure sky, if one were to observe closely, they would surely notice a meteor-like object hurtling toward the base of a mountain at an astonishing speed, nearly a hundred meters per second. In just a few thousand meters, the object swept across the distance in an instant.

Boom!

As the massive object struck the earth, a thunderous roar echoed throughout the Wilds Forest, shaking the heavens and reverberating through the land. The world seemed to tremble with the impact, the spectacle more formidable and overwhelming than anything ever seen.

"Cough, cough!"

Amidst the swirling dust in the crater where the meteor-like object had landed, a tall figure gradually emerged from the haze...

"Who are you?"

Just as the shadow in the crater was about to step forward, a clear and melodious voice rang out from somewhere nearby.

"Tianming!"

Hearing this, the tall figure paused, a hint of confusion in his demeanor, but he answered nonetheless.

He had expected, at best, to escape serious injury, perhaps even losing an arm or a leg, yet to Tianming's astonishment, he was completely unharmed. It was utterly unbelievable—even though he had shielded himself with the energy of heaven and earth beforehand, surviving such a fall without so much as a scratch was beyond comprehension.

This mystery baffled Tianming.

As the dust settled, the figure within became clearly visible.

"It's you!" The gentle, pleasant voice rang out again upon seeing him.

While Tianming was still perplexed, a graceful young woman leaped down from a distant tree.

She was delicate and refined, dressed in a white gown, her short black ponytail framing a fair face. At her waist hung a pen case, giving her the air of a young healer.

"May I ask who you are...?" Seeing that she seemed to recognize him, Tianming asked curiously.

"How could you forget me so quickly? Weren't you the brash youngster who challenged me when you first arrived?" The young woman covered her mouth and laughed softly.

At her words, Tianming suddenly understood and nodded.

"It’s you. But weren’t you an outer disciple? How did you make it to the inner sect?" Tianming asked, curiosity piqued.

It turned out that this graceful woman was none other than Shu Meng, the very first person Tianming challenged upon entering the Sky Evolution Sect. She was also the only woman to have slapped him across the face since joining—a matter he had long since let go, treating it as nothing more than a joke.

He bore no resentment, for he knew it had been his own overconfidence at fault.

"Enough about me—seeing you again feels like ages have passed. You’ve already reached the ninth rank of Foundation Building? No wonder the sect values you so much." Shu Meng circled Tianming in disbelief.

When she first met him, he was only at the first rank of Qi-Induction. It hadn’t been long, yet he was now almost at her own level.

"Not at all, just lucky," Tianming replied modestly, shaking his head.

He didn’t let Shu Meng’s praise go to his head; he had learned from Brother Chu that humility was best.

"By the way, Shu Meng, why are you here?" Tianming quickly asked.

He himself had no idea where he would land, so how could it be such a coincidence to meet Shu Meng here?

"I..."

Just as Shu Meng was about to explain, a chilling voice suddenly sounded, sending a shiver down their spines.

"You’ve certainly given me many surprises!"

The familiar voice made Tianming react immediately. He turned toward its source—and indeed, it was Sun Yangcan, the traitor who had pledged himself to the Dark Demon Clan.

Sun Yangcan was now covered in dust, his face smeared with dirt, looking utterly disheveled.

"Sun Yangcan, have you come to die?" Tianming said calmly, shielding Shu Meng behind him.

Times had changed. With the power of the Lightning Sword, Tianming could now contend with the ninth rank of Spirit Void. Sun Yangcan, previously only at the sixth rank of Foundation Building, was hardly a challenge, no matter how much he had improved.

"Oh? Ninth rank of Foundation Building—you've made progress," Sun Yangcan remarked in surprise, staring at Tianming.

If not for the might of the Great Dark Heaven Shield, Sun Yangcan would have hesitated. With this half-immortal artifact, however, his realm could be elevated by an entire stage, making him equal to the tenth rank of Spirit Void.

"...Tianming!" Just then, Shu Meng tugged at Tianming’s sleeve.

Tianming turned and asked, "What is it?"

Seeing the confusion in his gaze, Shu Meng felt a pang of guilt, her eyes growing misty.

"I’ll cover you. Hurry and escape—the token’s teleportation function has failed. If we stay, neither of us will get out alive," Shu Meng whispered anxiously, her worried eyes fixed on Tianming.

Although Shu Meng hadn’t considered the consequences, seeing someone of lower realm unafraid, she felt she mustn’t falter.

If she returned to her former ways, she would despise herself.

"No!"

Before her words had faded, Tianming shook his head. "What do you take me for? If we go, we go together!"

Tianming was moved by Shu Meng’s sacrifice. He hadn’t expected her to risk so much for a stranger.

Was this the pure camaraderie between fellow disciples?

"Why are you so stubborn? You can’t defeat him," Shu Meng said, her brows knitted.

"Heh, how would I know if I don’t try?" Tianming replied with a meaningful smile.

"Fool, do you really think your ninth rank Foundation Building can match him?" Shu Meng grew anxious as Tianming remained unperturbed.

"Thank you," Tianming said warmly, looking at Shu Meng, despite her harsh words.

He knew Shu Meng could have escaped alone, but instead, she thought only of his safety—even at the risk of angering him to make him flee. But Tianming saw through her intent, and in truth, who would escape in the end was far from certain.

Huh?

Seeing Tianming’s earnest expression, Shu Meng was at a loss, her lips parted in surprise. Had Tianming not taken any of her words seriously?

She was bewildered by Tianming’s attitude—why would he thank her?

"Scoundrels! Do you think I don’t exist?"

Just as Shu Meng was about to persuade Tianming further, Sun Yangcan’s cold, furious roar broke through, drawing two disgruntled gazes toward him.

"When grown-ups speak, children should hold their tongues!" Tianming glared at Sun Yangcan, his voice stern.

"You...! Courting death!"

Watching Tianming and Shu Meng converse as though he were invisible, Sun Yangcan exploded with rage. In an instant, a wave of decaying, dark energy surged toward them, creeping like stagnant water, threatening to engulf them both.