Chapter 33: Mirror Spirit Cat Makes a Contribution
Chapter 33: Mirror Spirit Cat Makes a Contribution
The Three-Eyed Demon Wolf was quite unlucky. It detected a cultivator at the early Third Grade nearby and launched a sudden attack without a word, intending to settle the situation quickly. But it never expected to be tricked by a fluffy, decorative-looking Mirror Spirit Cat. Its body froze in mid-air, and then, with a thud, Lu Hangzhi swiftly pierced its forehead with a Wood Spirit Sword Qi, returning it to dust.
“Huh?”
“It was actually a Fourth Grade Monster Beast.”
Lu Hangzhi noticed the thousand additional Points on the back of his hand. He gaped in astonishment for a while, then broke into a happy smile.
Not bad, not bad.
Originally, he had joined this Inner Sect Competition just to accompany the others, thinking he would only be there for the experience. He never expected that the Mirror Spirit Cat given to him by Senior Brother Lü Liang would be so effective, directly taking down a Fourth Grade Monster Beast…
What luck!
It seemed he wouldn’t be finishing last in this Inner Sect Competition after all.
But…
Looking at the Mirror Spirit Cat, which had listlessly curled up on his shoulder again, using its tail to hook around its neck for a nap, he guessed that the previous exertion had been quite a burden on it.
The cat weakly sent back a thought: it needed to rest for a while to recover its energy.
Lu Hangzhi affectionately stroked the fluffy body of the Mirror Spirit Cat and tossed it a Spiritual Energy Vortex to help it recover. He felt even more pleased with his decision to choose this little fellow.
The next moment, Lu Hangzhi collected his thoughts and raised his guard.
He put away the Wood Spirit Sword while pulling out a Talisman. Then, he carefully cast a defensive Art Technique on himself—the Wood Spirit Sword Qi had already been used and could only be reactivated the next day. Now, he could only rely on his actual skills.
“I should find Senior Brother Leng and the others first.”
Before his muttered words even faded, Lu Hangzhi’s brow furrowed. He gripped his sword and focused on the depths of the forest not far away…
There!
A leisurely figure strolled comfortably from the opposite direction. It was actually Senior Brother Xiao from the Discipline Hall, whom he had met once in the Inner Sect.
Lu Hangzhi frowned slightly!
This Senior Brother Xiao wore a cold expression, clearly having noticed him already. A flickering Flying Sword hovered around him, emitting sharp, cold glints. His tone was indifferent:
“I wondered who it was. So it’s the new top rookie, Junior Brother Lu. What bad luck. I thought I could run into someone at the Fourth Grade and grab a thousand Points…”
“Since my Points don’t satisfy Senior Brother, I’ll take my leave now and not be a bother.”
Lu Hangzhi turned and left!
His movement was swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation. Senior Brother Xiao was visibly taken aback.
Just as he was about to speak, he saw that Lu Hangzhi didn’t perform any Art Techniques. Instead, his figure suddenly blurred into an afterimage as he dashed into the forest, disappearing in an instant.
“That cunning kid.”
“He was clearly forming the hand signs for the Sharp Gold Sword Qi Art Technique and didn’t even use his Talisman… Tch! Whatever. I didn’t expect him to have other Spiritual Artifacts besides the Fifth Grade Bone Shield…”
Senior Brother Xiao promptly withdrew his sharp aura and didn’t give chase.
It wasn’t worth it.
Although Lu Hangzhi had the lowest cultivation in the Inner Sect Competition, the Fifth Grade Bone Shield he obtained from the Outer Sect Competition could withstand several attacks from peak Fifth Grade Art Techniques. With his current methods, he would have to expend more than half of his Magic Power to break through that turtle shell. Plus, the other party had other Spiritual Artifacts, so it clearly wasn’t worth the effort.
Many Inner Sect Disciples shared this thought!
After all, during yesterday’s Outer Sect Competition, Lu Hangzhi had been far too conspicuous…
Not only had the Deputy Sect Leader singled him out to speak, and he had elaborated on many points, but in the end, he was also accepted as a disciple of the Golden Jade Hall, becoming the envy of everyone. It was rare to find someone who didn’t recognize this new star.
As he sprinted along, many Inner Sect Disciples were first startled, then showed hesitant expressions. He encountered seven or eight people in a row, yet not a single one took the initiative to attack—not even Fifth Grade Cultivators.
“…”
After realizing this situation, Lu Hangzhi gradually understood.
Excellent!
These people didn’t know that he hadn’t performed Blood Binding Recognition on the Fifth Grade Bone Shield and had instead given it to Senior Brother Leng Wuya. That was why he could move through the Trial Space as if no one was around.
But if he got into a fight and someone discovered this fact, probably any Senior Brother or Sister could easily eliminate him from the Trial Space.
“I must regroup with Senior Brother Leng and the others as soon as possible!”
Lu Hangzhi grew even more determined.
Luckily!
While running at full speed using the Swift Movement Art to search for others, he actually found his own people…
But it wasn’t Senior Brother Leng; it was Zhu Fuqin.
The latter was locked in a fierce battle with a similarly skilled Fourth Grade Cultivator. The situation was dire—her defensive Art Technique had already been broken, leaving only the glow from her Spiritual Artifact and her Flying Sword to contend with the opponent.
“Sister, I’ll help you!”
Seeing this, Lu Hangzhi immediately summoned his Flying Sword without another word.
Sword Control Art!
The Flying Sword Art was a feint; the real killing moves were the Sharp Gold Sword Qi and a Mire Art Talisman.
“Damn it!”
The enemy was a late Fourth Grade Cultivator who had been just about to secure Zhu Fuqin’s thousand Points. He never expected someone to appear out of nowhere. Although this newcomer’s cultivation wasn’t high, his reputation was significant. The enemy immediately retracted his Flying Sword, preparing to flee the battlefield. However, the Mire Art under his feet greatly reduced his movement speed. He could only watch helplessly as two Flying Swords struck his already faltering defensive Art Technique, followed by a Floating Fire Art hitting him directly.
Watching the enemy fall to Lu Hangzhi, a trace of regret and pity flickered in Zhu Fuqin’s eyes, but she quickly recovered and smiled with relief. “It’s a good thing you arrived in time. Otherwise, your Senior Sister might have been eliminated with zero Points.”
As it turned out, Zhu Fuqin had been targeted soon after entering the Trial Space and had been fighting bitterly until now. Just as she had begun to despair, an unexpected rescue came at the critical moment.
“Sister, rest for a bit, and then we’ll go find Senior Brother Leng and the others.”
“Mm.”
Zhu Fuqin didn’t waste words and sat down cross-legged on the spot. The previous battle had drained too much of her Magic Power.
Lu Hangzhi stood guard nearby.
With the help of Spiritual Energy Vortexes and various spiritual items and Spirit Stones, multiple methods were employed simultaneously. Zhu Fuqin quickly recovered to her peak condition and reactivated her defensive Art Technique—also the Third Grade Fierce Gaze Golden Aura—and nodded to him. “Junior Brother Hangzhi, let’s go.”
Having said that, she took the initiative to lead the way.
Lu Hangzhi followed closely behind, keeping watch at the rear.
With the advantage in numbers, Zhu Fuqin gradually grew bolder, and her actions became more aggressive and courageous.
“There’s Magic Power fluctuation to the southeast! Junior Brother, let’s check it out!”
“Alright!”
Lu Hangzhi had originally been indifferent about this competition, so he followed without hesitation.
The first person they encountered was a Fourth Grade Cultivator who had just finished a battle. The latter was highly alert; noticing someone approaching, he turned and ran without a second thought.
But Zhu Fuqin had prepared extensively for this Inner Sect Competition. Now that she had her Junior Brother providing support, she was ready to go all out. She took the lead, activating the Swift Movement Art, and her Flying Sword shot forward.
Lu Hangzhi didn’t dare delay and also controlled his Flying Sword in pursuit.
He had only mastered the Sword Control Art after reaching the Third Grade, and he wasn’t very proficient with it yet. He hadn’t used it much during the Outer Sect Competition. Now, facing Inner Sect Disciples, ordinary Second or Third Grade Art Techniques could hardly pose a threat to the Senior Brothers and Sisters. Moreover, the slow casting speed was another reason he switched to this offensive method.
The two Flying Swords whistled through the air, crossing paths.
Clink! Clink!
With two crisp sounds, the glow of the defensive Art Technique rapidly dimmed.
Seeing that escape was impossible, the opponent had no choice but to turn and fight.
“They’re actually attacking me?”
Zhu Fuqin was somewhat startled to see the Flying Sword shooting toward her, but she didn’t pay it much mind.
The two of them quickly destroyed the enemy’s defensive Art Technique and effortlessly eliminated him.
This time, with Lu Hangzhi intentionally holding back, the Points went to Zhu Fuqin.
After successively defeating three Fourth Grade Cultivators by ganging up on them, Zhu Fuqin’s Points quickly soared to three thousand. However, they still hadn’t encountered Senior Brother Leng or the others. Instead, they attracted the attention of a Fifth Grade Monster Beast, leading to a fierce battle.
Boom!
Lu Hangzhi only felt wind pressure descending above him. Before he could understand what was happening, he was enveloped by a pillar of lightning. The Fierce Gaze Golden Aura shattered instantly, while a soft armor manifested a layer of deep yellow light membrane, blocking the remaining power of the Art Technique.
“Damn!”
“A Fifth Grade Thunder Scale Beast!”
“Junior Brother, run!”
Seeing Lu Hangzhi’s defensive Art Technique break in an instant, Zhu Fuqin’s momentum from successively defeating three Fourth Grade Cultivators vanished entirely. She knew they had encountered a powerful Monster Beast they couldn’t hope to defeat. Shouting a warning, she turned and fled.
Lu Hangzhi didn’t dare hesitate. He activated the Swift Movement Art at full power, suppressing the boiling sensation in his blood from the Magic Power impact, and raced away from the powerful Monster Beast at top speed.
The Thunder Scale Beast suspiciously stared at the deep yellow light membrane around Lu Hangzhi. Surprisingly, it didn’t immediately give chase but instead shifted its target, turning to pursue the other direction—Zhu Fuqin.
Huh?
What was going on?
Lu Hangzhi realized the Monster Beast wasn’t chasing him and looked back in puzzlement, utterly confused.
Zhu Fuqin was in a very bad situation.
She had thought Lu Hangzhi was surely done for, but then she soon felt the Thunder Scale Beast’s breath behind her. Immediately after, lightning struck down from above. The Spiritual Artifacts on her body flickered brightly before dimming completely. Her body was sent flying by the residual force of the Fifth Grade Art Technique, crashing into a large tree. Instantly, her body dissolved into points of light.
Instant kill!
After exiting the Trial Space, Zhu Fuqin still wore an expression of bewilderment and fear.
The Thunder Scale Beast actually hadn’t gone after Lu Hangzhi!
What puzzled her even more upon reflection was that her own defensive Art Techniques and Spiritual Artifacts, at the mid Fourth Grade level, couldn’t withstand a single strike from the Thunder Scale Beast, yet Lu Hangzhi had endured a Mystic Light Falling Thunder unharmed?
What was going on?
Hadn’t he given the Fifth Grade Bone Shield to Senior Brother Leng?
Zhu Fuqin was both confused and helpless.
But when she saw that over a hundred people had already been eliminated outside, and her own ranking on the leaderboard with three thousand Points temporarily placed her at twenty-seventh, she finally breathed a sigh of relief: This result wasn’t bad.
“What to do? I’m separated from Senior Sister now.”
Lu Hangzhi felt somewhat frustrated.
He didn’t know yet that Zhu Fuqin had been instantly killed by the Thunder Scale Beast. Now alone again, he felt a growing tension and unease. The Demonic Beasts and Monsters and Cultivators he encountered nearby were clearly stronger, and he was in danger of being eliminated at any moment.
“Forget it, elimination is inevitable sooner or later. Rather than trembling with fear, it’s better to exit honorably after a proper fight!” Lu Hangzhi secretly abandoned the idea of regrouping with the Senior Brothers. Steeling himself, he gritted his teeth and strode forward…
He hadn’t taken more than a few steps when he sensed a powerful, familiar aura rapidly approaching.