Seeing that Xiao Chen had not left, the system repeated: [Abandon Xie Yuanjia within three breaths, or you will drop dead on the spot.]
Does it have to be right now? Xiao Chen frowned. Although the flame python had already sustained heavy injuries once more, Xie Yuanjia was only at the mid Foundation Establishment stage, and leaving him behind at this moment would definitely incur deep resentment! He didn’t expect to be on the best of terms with Xie Yuanjia, but he didn’t want to turn him into an enemy either.
[Two breaths left, please leave, Host.]
Xiao Chen: Is there no room for negotiation at all?
[None.]
Xiao Chen: Can’t we bargain? I’ll do whatever you want as long as you let me stay.
[Negative. One breath left, or you will burst apart and die.]
Hesitating amidst the crisis, Xiao Chen’s gaze darkened as he looked toward the east at this rate, he would have to leave whether he wanted to or not.
With that thought, he flashed to Xie Yuanjia’s side, his fingertips moving swiftly to cast a protective array around him, before releasing a puppet. “The rest is up to your own fate.”
The moment those words fell, Xiao Chen departed from the battlefield and headed east.
Xie Yuanjia had been fully concentrated on fighting the flame python and hadn’t paid attention to Xiao Chen’s side, and thus remained unaware that Xiao Chen had been forced by the system.
The moment Xiao Chen left, Xie Yuanjia’s disadvantage became instantly apparent. The flame python sneered coldly, “Humans are ultimately selfish and self-serving. When it truly comes down to life and death, you’re all still just greedy for life and afraid of death. Living and dying together is nothing more than a joke.”
Xie Yuanjia’s gaze turned dark and heavy. If Xiao Chen had stayed, combining their two strengths might have allowed them to slay this flame python, yet in the end, Xiao Chen had abandoned him and fled alone.
He probably stayed because he had set his sights on the flame python’s demonic core, intending to use outside help to secure a kill, but upon realizing victory wasn’t guaranteed or that even a win would leave him severely injured he weighed the pros and cons, deemed it not worth the risk, and left.
Xie Yuanjia, Oh Xie Yuanjia, you truly are a fool, he thought. Didn’t you stop trusting human affection long ago? Yet you trusted him just because Xiao Chen showed you a tiny bit of kindness! How utterly foolish! How utterly laughable!
In his momentary lapse of concentration, his protective array was shattered by the flame python. Snapping back to his senses, Xie Yuanjia focused entirely on battling the beast, ultimately slaying it while sustaining extremely severe injuries in the process.
Fortunately, Xiao Chen’s array was still in place, blocking other demonic beasts from entering. However, unsure of how long the array would hold, Xie Yuanjia hurriedly sat cross-legged to refine the flame python’s demonic core.
Two hours later, Xie Yuanjia successfully formed his core, his internal spiritual energy circulating with full abundance. Xiao Chen, it’s time we settled our accounts.
Xie Yuanjia stood up and waved his hand to dismiss the array. Sensing the distinct spiritual aura radiating from him, the surrounding demonic beasts parted ways to let him pass.
After leaving the area, just as Xie Yuanjia was about to search for Xiao Chen’s aura, a muffled wail suddenly echoed from not far away, accompanied by extremely violent fluctuations of spiritual energy in that direction.
Xie Yuanjia halted his movements. Never mind, he would have plenty of time to track down Xiao Chen later.
With that thought, he flew on his sword toward the source of the wails. As he drew closer, he could clearly see the battlefield: Xiao Chen was locked in combat with another flame python. Judging by its size and spiritual aura, it was at least a millennium-old beast whose cultivation could rival that of an early Nascent Soul expert.
Xie Yuanjia immediately understood why Xiao Chen had been in such a rush to leave earlier it hadn’t been to abandon him, but because he had sensed a greater danger. Looking back now, before leaving, Xiao Chen had even given him a protective barrier and deployed a puppet.
If he had truly cast him aside and disregarded his life, there would have been no need to perform those redundant actions.
Xiao Chen was heavily injured by the flame python once more, wiping away the blood at the corner of his mouth as he muttered, “Why is Han Wenxuan so unreliable? The distress signal has been sent out for so long, why hasn’t he arrived yet? A little longer and he’ll just be coming to collect my corpse.”
As the flame python struck again, Xiao Chen gripped his immortal sword tightly. He no longer had the strength to flee and could only fight to the death.
At that exact moment, he felt a warmth around his arm, and in the blink of an eye, he dodged an attack before falling into a warm embrace.
Looking at the battered and bruised Xiao Chen, Xie Yuanjia’s eyes were filled with heartache as he spoke in a trembling voice, “I’m sorry, I’m late.”
Realizing it was Xie Yuanjia, Xiao Chen was briefly stunned. Based on his aura just now, he should have reached the Core Formation stage, but the opponent was a heavy-hitter comparable to an early Nascent Soul bigwig, was a newborn core rookie like him coming here just to throw his life away?!
There was no mention in the book about Xie Yuanjia slaying this monster, and he had no idea whether the protagonist’s “invincible golden body” rule would apply here! Why is a plot point not even in the book appearing out of nowhere?! Complaining was useless; the most urgent task right now was to stall for time as much as possible. Forcing himself to stay calm, Xiao Chen said in a cool tone, “Put me down.”
However, Xie Yuanjia’s arm tightened around him, especially given Xiao Chen’s current state.
“If you don’t want to die, put me down,” Xiao Chen repeated.
Hesitating for a moment, Xie Yuanjia set Xiao Chen down.
forcing himself to stand straight, Xiao Chen rasped, “My spiritual energy is completely exhausted. Lend me yours.”
With that, his fingertips moved rapidly, and his immortal sword stood upright in front of him. He had only ever seen Xie Yuanjia use this array once in the book, but fortunately, he had thought that segment particularly passionate and blood-pumping, reading it over and over until it was deeply committed to memory. He had no certainty whether it would work, but he had no choice left except to try.
If it succeeded, he and Xie Yuanjia would spare their lives; if it failed, it could only be said that the two of them had terrible luck.
“Right now!”
Xie Yuanjia raised his palm and channeled his spiritual energy into Xiao Chen’s body. Xiao Chen’s eyes darkened as he dragged two fingers across the sharp blade of the immortal sword, instantly causing it to burst with a blood-red radiance.
Xie Yuanjia had not yet been exposed to this array, but he could faintly sense its abnormality, prompting him to ask in a deep voice, “Xiao Chen, what kind of array is this?”
Xiao Chen did not answer, instead chanting under his breath: “Taking this body as a sacrifice…”
Before he could finish the line, the red light on the immortal sword suddenly faded. Xiao Chen froze for a fraction of a second before Han Wenxuan flew in to shield the two of them, shouting, “Leave this to me.”
Xie Yuanjia nodded. The moment Xiao Chen caught sight of Han Wenxuan, a wave of relief washed over him, and he instantly lost consciousness.
Xie Yuanjia caught him in his arms, retreated to a safe area, and checked his condition only upon doing so did he realize just how severely injured Xiao Chen truly was.
When Xiao Chen regained consciousness, they had already reunited with the rest of the group inside a dilapidated temple. He was lying on a straw mat, with Han Wenxuan and Xie Yuanjia seated right beside him.
“Where is this…” Xiao Chen instinctively asked before chuckling at himself. Whenever he read novels in the past, he always complained about why characters who woke up from unconsciousness would invariably ask where they were and how they got here. Now that it was happening to him, he finally understood it was simply a person’s primary physiological reaction. He promised himself that if he ever managed to return, he would never (make sarcastic remarks) about it again.
Xie Yuanjia explained, “Not long after you passed away—ah, after you fell unconscious, Young Master Han slew the flame python and brought us here to regroup with everyone.”
Xiao Chen understood.
Han Wenxuan produced the flame python’s demonic core and handed it to Xiao Chen, his face icy as he commanded, “Refine it to heal your injuries.”
“I didn’t slay the flame python; taking something this precious…”
Han Wenxuan said coldly, “The other cultivators are probably almost at the core palace of the secret realm. Do you intend to have everyone waste more time waiting for you?”
Seeing that Xiao Chen still wouldn’t take it, Han Wenxuan forcefully placed the demonic core directly into Xiao Chen’s palm, walked off to the side, and ignored him entirely.
Xiao Chen frowned at the demonic core. Did I offend this guy somewhere again? Still, passing up such a massive windfall would be foolish; refining this demonic core might even push him straight into the peak of the late Core Formation stage.
With that thought, Xiao Chen began refining the core. Although Han Wenxuan appeared reluctant to pay him any mind, his attention remained constantly locked onto Xiao Chen’s movements, terrified that something might go wrong.
When he arrived earlier today and saw Xiao Chen attempting to use the Blood Sacrifice Array, he had been horrified. The array possessed immense destructive power, but its backlash was even more terrifying even someone of his caliber wouldn’t dare execute it lightly. Yet Xiao Chen, a mere mid Core Formation cultivator, had dared to recklessly employ it. If he had arrived even a moment later, even the immortals themselves would have struggled to save Xiao Chen. Thinking about it now still sent lingering chills down his spine.
To act so recklessly to this degree meant he still required strict discipline, otherwise… Han Wenxuan suddenly didn’t know what “otherwise” implied; Xiao Chen had used that array to save someone, and apart from injuring himself, it seemed to carry no other malicious intent.
Han Wenxuan’s expression grew even more annoyed. A person must first learn to love themselves before they can love others. Not even cherishing one’s own life… He couldn’t finish his train of thought either, ultimately letting out a muffled huff.
Xie Yuanjia didn’t have as many complicated thoughts as Han Wenxuan; he simply sat quietly by Xiao Chen’s side, guarding his meditation. He had already learned about the Blood Sacrifice Array from Han Wenxuan.
For someone to be willing to use their own life to protect you, what else was there left to say? Before Xiao Chen woke up, he had been angry too, furious at Xiao Chen for acting so recklessly. But it had all been for his sake; what qualification did he have to throw a petty, resentful tantrum?
Now, his only thought was to cultivate diligently and grow strong, strong enough to protect the people he wished to guard, so that the people important to him would never be harmed again.
Two hours later, the demonic core was completely absorbed. Xiao Chen circulated his spiritual energy and a flash of joy crossed his eyes. As expected of a millennium-old beast’s core, not only were his injuries fully healed, but he had successfully stepped into the peak of the late Core Formation stage. At this rate, he might even be able to attempt a breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage after leaving the secret realm.
At that moment, the system chimed in: [Because the Host hesitated repeatedly and only left because of the oncoming beast to block it, the quest “Abandon Xie Yuanjia” is technically completed, but there are no reward points.]
It was only now that Xie Yuanjia realized Xiao Chen hadn’t abandoned him despite being pressured by the system to leave, but had instead departed to block an even more dangerous beast for his sake.
Xie Yuanjia silently clenched his fists.
Xiao Chen stood up and stretched lazily. It truly felt refreshing and wonderful. However, halfway through his stretch, his gaze met Han Wenxuan’s dark and cold eyes.
Fortunately, it was only for a split second before Han Wenxuan looked away.
Xiao Chen frowned. Han Wenxuan hadn’t given him a single pleasant look ever since he woke up, how on earth had he offended this person this time? Forget it, he’s always been a finicky person anyway; why bother trying to figure him out?
Xie Yuanjia asked gently, “How do you feel?”
Xiao Chen feigned composure. “Peak of the late Core Formation stage.”
Seeing the undisguised joy in Xiao Chen’s eyes, Xie Yuanjia smiled slightly. “I meant your injuries.”
“Already fully recovered.”
Han Wenxuan said coldly, “Xiao Chen, remember this: in the future, only save yourself before you even think about saving others.”
“Exactly! You should only bite off as much as you can chew, otherwise you’ll just drag others down with you,” grumbled Liiyu, one of the accompanying cultivators.
Xiao Chen: …
Xie Yuanjia and Han Wenxuan simultaneously shot cold glares at Liiyu, causing him to shut his mouth in terror and dare not say another word.
Right at that moment, footsteps sounded from outside the temple doors, followed by more than a dozen cultivators clad in identical attire walking inside.
The leader stated in a deep voice, “Our Xuantian Sect has taken a fancy to this place. The rest of you can get lost.”
Xiao Chen lowered his eyes. The Xuantian Sect, a sect within the Nine Regions whose influence was second only to the Jiutian Sect, and also the most brazen sect in the entire book. Their sect master had been blind enough to fight Xie Yuanjia for a wife, leading to the entire sect being completely wiped out by Xie Yuanjia.
In the Nine Regions, the Taiyuan Sect’s strength was truly weak. The Xuantian Sect possessed over a hundred times more Nascent Soul cultivators than the Taiyuan Sect, alongside dozens of Deity Transformation bigwigs holding down the fort. On top of that, their sect master was a grand-stage Mahayana peak expert who was only a single step away from transcending the tribulation to become an immortal.
Clearly, they were currently in no position to provoke the Xuantian Sect.
“If you don’t get lost right now, are you looking to die?!”