Chapter 128: An Unexpected Encounter
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Sometimes, when you tend to a flower, it refuses to bloom, yet a willow branch planted unintentionally flourishes.
Lan Zi Yu, while secretly lamenting, could never have imagined that not long after, he would encounter Yu Zhao before Fang Cheng Lang or Cui Jue.
On the tenth day of their journey.
Lan Zi Yu and his two companions heard the sharp sounds of a battle echoing from afar.
Su Ming asked, “Second Senior Brother, what should we do? Should we go around?”
Lan Zi Yu thought for a moment. “You and Little Junior Sister wait here. I’ll go take a look first.”
“Alright, Second Senior Brother. Be careful.”
Lan Zi Yu nodded to them and flew toward the source of the intense spiritual energy fluctuations.
He wasn’t one to meddle unnecessarily, but traveling often brought unforeseen incidents. If someone was in trouble, he wouldn’t hesitate to help—as long as they weren’t evildoers.
As he got closer, he heard the distinct hum of a sword.
The hum was clear and bright, like a phoenix’s cry resonating through the heavens.
Lan Zi Yu’s eyes lit up, and he instinctively felt a sense of admiration for the sword wielder. Quickening his pace, he raced toward the heart of the commotion.
Just as he was about to reach the center of the battle, his divine sense picked up a familiar aura, and he hesitated mid-step.
Why is she here?
On the other side.
Yu Zhao stood calmly at the edge, observing Ji Han Zhou in a duel.
This wasn’t her first time watching Ji Han Zhou wield a sword, but every time she did, she couldn’t help marveling at his innate swordsmanship. His sword and body seemed seamlessly connected, as if the blade were an extension of himself.
Moreover, his technique grew more refined with each use. Just when one thought he had reached his peak, he would surpass expectations yet again.
This time, Ji Han Zhou’s opponent was also a sword cultivator, a formidable one at the mid-Golden Core stage.
Given Ji Han Zhou’s current cultivation level, he couldn’t possibly hold his ground against such an opponent. Thus, Yu Zhao used her Illusion Technique, causing the opponent’s memories to blur and believe their cultivation remained at the late Foundation Establishment stage.
By Yu Zhao’s estimation, the duel would conclude within the time it took for an incense stick to burn. But just then, an unexpected visitor appeared.
She turned her gaze toward the northeast, her brows knitting slightly.
Meanwhile, Lan Zi Yu, having braced himself mentally, still felt a jolt of disbelief when he finally saw Yu Zhao.
Yu Zhao has reached the Golden Core stage!
A Golden Core cultivator under twenty years old—such talent was rare even among the geniuses of the Five Elements Dao Sect.
Lan Zi Yu recalled forming his own Golden Core at the age of twenty-one, an achievement that had earned him high praise from many elders and peers. But compared to Yu Zhao, his accomplishment now seemed almost unimpressive.
Yet wasn’t Yu Zhao supposed to be slow-witted and unmotivated? How had she grown so rapidly?
Lan Zi Yu’s eyes were filled with doubt and uncertainty.
Yu Zhao, being thoroughly familiar with Lan Zi Yu, could easily guess his thoughts from his expression.
She smirked slightly.
She was no longer the person she used to be, but Lan Zi Yu’s mind remained stuck in the past.
Finding this somewhat dull, she averted her gaze.
An incense stick’s time later, the Golden Core cultivator’s sword pierced Ji Han Zhou’s arm, but Ji Han Zhou’s own sword struck through his opponent’s forehead.
A flash of sword light.
A murky liquid splattered.
Bang!
Ji Han Zhou held his still-dripping sword, oblivious to the pain in his arm. He turned to Yu Zhao, his smile as radiant as the sun.
“I won!”
Ji Han Zhou was a handsome young man with sharp, spirited phoenix eyes and an unrestrained demeanor. His smile softened his arrogance, making him seem like a carefree youth full of sunshine.
Yu Zhao, accustomed to this sight, saw nothing unusual. Lan Zi Yu, however, found the scene oddly unsettling.
It might have been the intuition between men, but he could clearly sense that Lan Zi Yu harbored ill intentions. Any slight goodwill he had just begun to feel for him instantly evaporated, leaving his gaze sharp and prickly.
Ji Han Zhou also keenly noticed the sudden hostility directed at him. Turning his head, his previously smiling lips tightened into a straight line, and an icy chill seemed to settle over his expression.
Their eyes locked, neither willing to look away first.
“Junior Brother Ji, let’s go.” Yu Zhao used her spiritual energy to lift the storage pouch of the fallen Golden Core sword cultivator, her voice calm and indifferent.
“Alright,” Ji Han Zhou replied, moving decisively towards Yu Zhao, treating Lan Zi Yu as if he were air.
Watching the two leave without hesitation, Lan Zi Yu’s face darkened with fury. “Yu Zhao! How dare you not even greet your Senior Brother! Did you learn your manners from dogs?”
Ji Han Zhou whipped around, murder flashing in his eyes. “Watch your mouth!”
“I’m speaking to her. What does it have to do with you? Get lost!” Lan Zi Yu’s gaze turned cold as he took a step forward, unleashing the oppressive might of a Golden Core cultivator against Ji Han Zhou.
“Lan Zi Yu, this isn’t the Five Elements Dao Sect, and it’s certainly not the place for you to throw your weight around,” Yu Zhao flicked her finger, effortlessly dispersing the pressure. Her gaze was steady and bottomless, showing not the slightest ripple of emotion.
Ji Han Zhou smirked triumphantly, his lips curving upwards. Clearly, Yu Zhao had chosen him over this inexplicable man. Didn’t that mean he still held a place in her heart?
His spirits soared.
Lan Zi Yu, on the other hand, was livid, almost to the point of exploding. He couldn’t believe that Yu Zhao would openly defy him for some wild man.
“Yu Zhao! I am your Senior Brother!” he roared.
“No, you’re not,” Yu Zhao replied with a faint smile. “Shall I remind you again? Lan Zi Yu, I am no longer a part of Lone Moon Peak. From now on, I hope you’ll pretend not to know me when we meet outside. Let’s not trouble each other.”
This wasn’t the first time she’d said such words, but Lan Zi Yu had never taken her seriously. This time was no different.
“Yu Zhao! How much longer do you intend to act out? Don’t you realize that your unreasonable behavior has thrown all of Lone Moon Peak into chaos? Can’t you learn a bit of sensibility from your Junior Sister?” he barked.
Yu Zhao shook her head. Talking to him was like playing music to a cow. She turned to Ji Han Zhou, speaking softly, “Let’s go.”
“You’re not leaving!” Lan Zi Yu’s eyes gleamed with menace, his voice chilling. “Yu Zhao, you’re not going anywhere until you explain yourself!”
Ji Han Zhou, seething, wanted to retort, but Yu Zhao placed a firm hand on his arm. When their eyes met, he understood her intent to handle this herself and chose to remain silent.
The unspoken understanding between the two was like a stab to Lan Zi Yu’s eyes. Fury surged through his chest, threatening to erupt. Yet, it felt like a ball of cotton was lodged in his throat—impossible to shout, unbearable to swallow, leaving him even more aggrieved.
Yu Zhao, meanwhile, raised her eyes, now as cold as winter frost. “Lan Zi Yu, if I defeat you, will you leave me alone?”
He thought he’d misheard. Did Yu Zhao actually think she could win against him? Even if she’d advanced to Golden Core, the gap between them was as vast as the heavens and the earth. To dream of defeating him was pure fantasy.
“Yes!” he snarled through clenched teeth. “If you win, I’ll pretend I never knew you. But if you lose, you’ll have to kneel, apologize, and promise never to act so willfully again. Furthermore, you’ll treat Junior Sister kindly and stop making things difficult for her!”
“Fine. I accept.” Yu Zhao’s reply was calm, resolute.