Chapter 189 - 187: Leaving (1)

Hu Qi had no idea as he left the area.

By some stroke of luck, his use of the Taiqing Immortal Slaying Sword Technique had caused the Food Master to make a grave misjudgment.

And out of an abundance of caution, it had given up the chase.

...

In the gray expanse of the sky, the falcon that Hu Qi had transformed into streaked through the clouds like a thin black line. Its speed was so immense that the tips of its wings cut through the air, creating two trailing white plumes of vapor.

Hu Qi was now rushing back toward the passage he had come from, not daring to linger a moment longer.

Killing those Middle Black Blood Species, along with Changzhu and Wu Yu, hadn’t taken much time.

But he had no idea how fast the Food Master was or when it might arrive.

For now, the only option was to leave this place first.

When Hu Qi arrived back at the rippling, turquoise lake, he saw from high above three figures like black dots converging on the spot from different directions.

The three figures were none other than Fa Ji, Guo Yi, and Lu Mei.

While still some distance away, Hu Qi landed in a mountain forest and reverted to his appearance as Helinta.

He then made his way toward the lake.

As Hu Qi approached, the others turned to look at him.

Before they could even ask, Hu Qi spoke with a grave expression.

"What happened just now? I’m afraid half the Dense Forest Realm must have heard that huge commotion."

Hearing this, Fa Ji shook his head.

"I don’t know the details, but one thing is certain. That first wave of energy must have been from a clash between the local Food Master and the Venerable from the Sword Pavilion. It’s almost certainly related to Changzhu."

He paused, a confused look on his face, as if something didn’t add up. He continued,

"But what I don’t understand is that second crimson Sword Light that descended from the sky... It didn’t look like the Food Master’s work..."

He didn’t finish his sentence, but everyone understood.

If it wasn’t the Food Master, then it could only have been a Refining God. But why would a Refining God Venerable attack Wu Yu and Changzhu?

The implications were too much to handle.

They didn’t dare to dwell on it.

"If I recall, Wu Yu and Changzhu were together.

They were warned to be careful before coming in. Now look at them. They not only provoked the Black Blood Species but probably even killed a Middle Black Blood Species.

Otherwise, there’s no way they would have attracted the Food Master’s attention. Now, they’ve even used up their trump cards. I’m afraid things look grim for them."

Just then, Guo Yi, who stood to the side with his arms crossed, broke the heavy silence with a cold snort.

He was clearly furious about Changzhu and Wu Yu’s behavior.

Lu Mei, standing nearby, also looked displeased.

"When are those two getting here? How much longer do we have to wait?"

Her voice was laced with anxiety.

It was no wonder she was so on edge. A Food Master was a being capable of fighting a Refining God Venerable.

If a Qi Dao Grandmaster ran into one, death was the only outcome.

"Amitabha. Let’s wait a little longer. Wu Yu and Changzhu are protected by the power of a Refining God Venerable; it’s unlikely they’ve run into any real trouble,"

Fa Ji said in a low voice.

Just then, the others noticed that Hu Qi was already on the move, heading toward the lake’s edge.

"What do you think you’re doing?"

Fa Ji’s voice rang out. His figure flickered and, as if teleporting, he instantly appeared in front of Hu Qi, blocking his path.

"What’s the use of us staying here any longer? It’s better to just leave,"

Hu Qi said indifferently.

"Amitabha. Changzhu and Wu Yu haven’t returned. As their companions, how can we just abandon them?"

Fa Ji said with a frown.

"If you don’t want to abandon them, then you can wait here by yourself. If you have a death wish, don’t drag me into it!"

However, Hu Qi sneered.

At the same time, the Red Realm Saber on his back was instantly in his hand. The sheath slid partway open, unleashing a terrifying killing intent.

In an instant, an illusion of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood seemed to manifest behind him.

"I’m going to count to three. Don’t make me do this."

The expressions of Fa Ji, as well as Guo Yi and Lu Mei, all changed.

It was simply because the killing intent emanating from Hu Qi was overwhelming, as if he had slaughtered millions.

None of them knew this wasn’t killing intent, but something far more powerful: Evil Energy.

"Five more minutes. If they’re not back by then, we’ll leave. You can rest assured, even if the Food Master itself appears, this humble monk can hold it off for a time."

Fa Ji was silent for a moment, then made a concession.

His reasoning had nothing to do with being some enlightened master who sacrifices himself for others.

Instead, it was because he had been the one to invite them. If they died here, the Sword Pavilion and the Holy Rain Sect would inevitably come to him for an explanation.

Therefore, as long as it was within his power, he still wanted to do his best to help them.

Besides, Changzhu and Wu Yu were top prodigies of their respective Schools. There was no harm in building a good relationship with them, and he might even be able to leverage this opportunity for his own gain.

As for why he wouldn’t let Hu Qi leave first, he was worried the man might destroy the passage, cutting off their escape route.

The possibility was small, but one could never be too careful about the depths of human malice.

Hearing this, Hu Qi’s expression turned completely cold.

’My initial impression of this bald-headed monk wasn’t half bad,’ he thought, ’but I never expected him to be so... thick-headed.’

’Besides, if he wants to wait, he can wait by himself. What’s the deal with blocking my path?’

’Those two were already dead, killed by my own hand.’

’They’d have to be ghosts to show up now.’

’If I keep waiting here and that Food Master shows up, I’ll just be putting myself in danger, won’t I?’

Hu Qi had no intention of doing something so foolish.

’It’s true that with the Taiqing Immortal Slaying Sword Technique, I can spend Modification Points to unleash an attack on par with a Refining God Venerable.’

’But as satisfying as each strike is, every single one consumes hundreds of Modification Points. With my current reserves, I can only use it a few times before I’m completely drained.’

’And what if a powerful shockwave from the battle destroys the passage? What then?’

"Get out of my way!"

Hu Qi’s voice was low and intense, a flicker of anxiety on his face. He perfectly portrayed the desperation of an ordinary Qi Dao Grandmaster who had just faced a Food Master and wanted nothing more than to flee the Inner Earth World.

"Amitabha! I have long heard that you cultivate an exceptionally bloodthirsty Sword Technique. It seems the rumors are true. If you continue down this path, problems will inevitably arise. After we return, why not accompany me to the Golden Buddha Temple? This humble monk can help you grind away and dispel this killing intent."

Fa Ji, however, simply chanted a Buddhist mantra, his figure remaining unmoved.

With that, he removed the string of Buddha Beads from his wrist and placed them in his palm. He then pressed his palms together and chanted another mantra.

When he opened his palms again, the Buddha Bead Bracelet shone with a dazzling Buddha Light.

The next moment, the air shimmered, and a golden barrier of Buddha Light materialized, enclosing the entire area.