It sounded somewhat plausible, but something didn't feel right.
What about those visions? He wondered.
And how did he manage to break through in the first place? He had no talent. He had tried for years and never succeeded.
He pressed his fingers against his temple, thinking hard.
Then his expression shifted. A look of realization crossed his face.
Aha. I understand now.
It was said that in dangerous situations, a person could be pushed to their absolute limit, and their hidden talent might finally emerge. As for the hallucinations? They were probably caused by the pain - both from his injuries and from the breakthrough itself.
A smug smile spread across Li Chen's face.
Ehehe. It seems after all these years, my talent has finally shown itself.
His gaze drifted to a large rock sitting near the cave entrance.
If he was in the Body Refining Realm now, he should be quite strong, right?
He decided to test it.
Li Chen walked up to the rock and planted his feet firmly on the ground. He pulled his fist back, took a deep breath, and swung forward with all his might.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!"
…
A piercing scream echoed throughout the forest.
Birds burst from the treetops, scattering into the sky in a flurry of wings and panicked cries.
Some distance away, a young man lifted his head.
Zhou Wei looked toward the source of the noise, his eyes narrowing.
He was in terrible shape. His robes were torn and caked with dried blood. Deep gashes covered his arms and legs, and his breathing came in ragged gasps. He had been crawling through the underbrush for what felt like hours.
That noise just now...
People?
Were there people here?
A smile slowly spread across Zhou Wei's battered face.
Then he started laughing.
"Haha... hahaha!"
His father must have sent people to rescue him. He had been gone for so long - of course they would come looking.
Zhou Wei forced himself to his feet, wincing at the pain shooting through his body. He began moving toward the direction of the scream.
He wanted to shout out, to call for help, but he stopped himself.
No. That would be stupid.
If he gave away his location, the monsters might reach him before the rescuers did. That scream was probably meant to get his attention. He just needed to follow the sound.
Zhou Wei limped forward, a strange expression twisting his features as he laughed under his breath.
"Hehehe... there's no way I can die here."
His eyes glazed over with something dark.
"I still haven't enjoyed that bitch Su Mei yet... hehehe."
His smile widened.
"After I return to the sect..."
…
Li Chen grimaced, clutching his throbbing hand.
He blew on it desperately, over and over, until he was completely out of breath.
His eyes drifted to the rock before him.
Was this rock some kind of earthly treasure? How could it withstand a punch from someone at the Body Refining Realm?
Unless...
Had he been mistaken?
He kept blowing on his hand, his face twisting with worry.
Dammit. It's not broken, is it? Just after I've recovered...
At that moment, a rustling sound came from the nearby bushes.
Li Chen spun around, his expression turning suspicious. His eyes locked onto the shifting leaves, watching intently.
A moment later, a figure stumbled through.
Zhou Wei.
Li Chen's expression changed instantly.
Zhou Wei's eyes darted around the area, searching. His face fell when he saw no rescuers waiting for him. Then his gaze landed on Li Chen.
He noticed the reddened hand Li Chen was cradling.
Ah. So that's what the scream was about.
But setting that aside - this brat actually survived?
No. This wasn't the time for that.
Zhou Wei assessed the situation quickly. He himself was gravely injured. But this servant, apart from his hand, seemed to be doing quite well. If he could convince this fool to take him back to the sect...
The boy looked a little stupid. A few promises of money or pills should do the trick.
"You! Come here, help me quickly!"
Zhou Wei called out, his voice strained but commanding.
"I... I apologize for leaving you yesterday. If you help me now, I'll make it up to you."
He forced a smile onto his face.
"Money. Pills. Women. Anything you want. Just take me back to the sect, and my father will give you whatever your heart desires."
Li Chen's expression remained cold for a moment.
You don't even remember my name.
But then he fixed his features, forcing concern into his voice.
"Young Master Zhou! What happened to you?"
He rushed forward.
Zhou Wei smiled smugly as he watched the servant hurry toward him.
Heh. Everything can be solved with money.
All that hostility had vanished the second he mentioned wealth. How predictable.
"Help me up," Zhou Wei ordered. "I'm gravely injured. I definitely won't forget this favor."
Li Chen reached down and pulled Zhou Wei's arm over his shoulder, supporting his weight. They began to move, taking one step, then another…
Clang.
Something fell from Zhou Wei's waist, hitting the ground.
A sword.
"Young Master, don't worry. I got it."
Li Chen released his grip.
Zhou Wei crashed to the ground, pain exploding through his battered body.
"What the hell are you doing?!" he spat, glaring up at the servant.
"I'm sorry, Young Master." Li Chen's voice was calm. "I wasn't thinking."
Zhou Wei's jaw tightened. He forced himself to swallow his anger.
Calm down. I need this guy. Just bear with it for now.
"Just... just help me back up."
Behind him, Li Chen held the fallen sword.
His eyes carried a certain light to them now - cold, steady, and utterly devoid of any emotion.
He looked at the man before him as if he were already a corpse.
Slowly, he unsheathed the blade.
And then…
Blood splattered across his face.
…
Zhou Wei's head rolled across the forest floor.
His body swayed for a moment, then slumped lifelessly to the ground.
Li Chen also fell to his knees.
He stared at his hands. They were trembling. Blood dripped from his fingers onto the dirt below.
What had he done?
When he had gripped that sword, it was as if something had taken over him. All the rage he had been holding inside - it had all come pouring out in that single moment.
He hadn't dared to hesitate. Hadn't dared to think. Because if he had stopped to consider it, he might have changed his mind.
It was a hard decision.
So he made it without thinking.
His gaze drifted to Zhou Wei's detached head. It had rolled to a stop just a few feet away, and now those lifeless eyes stared directly at him.