SECTION 8: The Brave Prevail When Paths Cross!
Author: Gu Zhenren
Date: 2013-02-09
SECTION 8: The Brave Prevail When Paths Cross!
“How can this be? You can still struggle!” Bei Guangguang’s eyes widened in astonishment as he saw Chu Yun’s desperate resistance.
“This Mind Whip can communicate the souls of you and me. My age is several times yours, my experience is several times yours, and I’ve eaten more salt than you’ve eaten rice. How can you, under soul communication, withstand my soul pressure!?”
Seeing Chu Yun’s continued struggle, Bei Guangguang was both surprised and furious. A hint of fear was even hidden in his wide, staring eyes.
As the battle progressed to this point, Bei Guangguang found himself increasingly unable to fathom the younger generation before him.
“What kind of heavenly treasures did you consume, what kind of fortunate encounters did you have, to forge your soul to this extent? Even with the Mind Whip’s amplification and assistance, I can’t suppress you?”
Unable to contain his curiosity, Bei Guangguang couldn’t help but ask Chu Yun.
“So that’s how it is, it’s a damaged Demonic Soldier…” Chu Yun had already calmed down, a cold smile playing on his lips as he found a way to counterattack.
Bei Guangguang’s body trembled violently, and the Five Luo Rotten Flower Smoke that enveloped him also dissolved into wisps of smoke from its condensed state.
“You little brat! You actually want to counterattack my soul through the Mind Whip!” Bei Guangguang’s voice was sinister, like a venomous snake hidden within clouds of pink smoke, flicking its tongue at Chu Yun.
The Mind Whip was a damaged ancient Demonic Soldier, and Bei Guangguang could not fully control it. It acted as a bridge, connecting the souls of Chu Yun and Bei Guangguang.
This was a unique kind of battle.
It was a pure contest of souls between the two, beyond the reach of outsiders, and the most perilous. Bei Guangguang had initially believed that his greater age, vast experience, and broad perspective would allow him to dominate Chu Yun’s soul.
However, he had not expected Chu Yun to possess memories from a past life and be reborn. His soul was as solid as rock, not inferior to Bei Guangguang’s, which shocked him.
“This kid is too bizarre! I originally intended to kill him directly through this soul battle, making it easier to seize his Demonic Creatures. I never imagined it would come to this!”
Bei Guangguang was both angry and resentful. If he had known, he wouldn’t have used the Mind Whip. While Chu Yun’s momentum was strong, his combat power was ultimately no match for his. In terms of true strength, he could have easily defeated Chu Yun.
But now, the duel between their souls had stripped him of his advantage. The confrontation had become an evenly matched contest.
“Hahaha. Bei Guangguang, this is your own doing. You are destined to lose!” With their souls facing each other directly, all emotions were laid bare. Chu Yun sensed Bei Guangguang’s frustration and laughed heartily, his morale soaring.
“What are you so proud of, brat? Though our souls are evenly matched, I still have the Mind Whip’s amplification!” Bei Guangguang roared.
Although the Mind Whip was a damaged Demonic Soldier and could not wield new Cultivation Methods, its residual Dao Law contained “Heart as Firm as Stone.”
At this point, Bei Guangguang could no longer use other Demonic Creatures. He could only activate this Dao Law, his soul pressure descending like a meteor, crushing down on Chu Yun.
For a moment, the battle in the real world froze. Bei Guangguang, enveloped in the Five Luo Rotten Flower Smoke, stood on the forehead of a giant Mountain Wolf, glaring at Chu Yun.
Not far from him, Chu Yun also stood on the head of a Sky Fox, unable to move. His eyes, filled with a cold yet burning fighting spirit, fixed on Bei Guangguang. His gaze was like a blade, his aura imposing.
“What’s happening?” Little Fly Yan could no longer understand. She widened her eyes futilely, finding the scene utterly bizarre.
Just as she was about to intervene, two figures rushed towards her, appearing before her. They were the Duo of Poison and Star who had been observing the battle earlier.
“It’s Miss Fei Yan!”
“My brother and I saw Miss Fei Yan’s distress signal and rushed to help.”
In the Valley of Life and Death and Rouge Sect, their masters had specifically instructed them: although Rouge Sect was currently a third-rate sect, its two sect leaders were exceptional talents, with outstanding aptitude and steady character. They were destined to soar to great heights one day, so it was wise to foster good relations.
Little Fly Yan recognized the two and, overjoyed, said with tears in her eyes, “It’s perfect timing that you two brothers have arrived! Please quickly save Brother Chu Yun. He was forced to fight to save me.”
“This…” Poison Star pondered hesitantly.
“Let’s go save him!” Star noticed nodded immediately, summoned his mount, and flew into the sky.
Poison Star sighed inwardly and mounted his Demonic Beast, following closely behind.
As they approached, Bei Guangguang suddenly burst into laughter, “Chu Yun, even though your soul is forged beyond my imagination, I am the master of the Mind Whip, and you are doomed.”
His laughter faded, and Bei Guangguang seemed to notice the Duo of Poison and Star. His laughter immediately rose again, filled with a sinister and ruthless tone, “Heh heh heh, two juniors from the Valley of Life and Death, coming to your deaths as well. Scram! You blind fools, for the sake of the Valley Lord of Life and Death, I’ll spare your lives today. Disappear from my sight within three breaths!”
The Duo of Poison and Star froze, their faces turning pale.
“Senior, to forgive when possible is to be forgiving…” Star opened his hands and was about to explain.
Poison Star beside him interrupted, “Senior, we brothers had no intention of interfering in your battle and will leave now!” With that, he grabbed Star’s arm and forcefully dragged him away from the battlefield.
“How could you do this? You promised!” Little Fly Yan stomped her foot in frustration as the two left without helping.
“Bei Guangguang has been famous for a long time and clearly still has strength. Moreover, considering the past connections with the Valley of Life and Death, it’s difficult for us brothers to intervene,” Poison Star replied.
Star hesitated to speak, sighing inwardly. The brothers always acted together. As the elder, he had always deferred to his younger brother. Since Poison Star had already made his decision, he naturally couldn’t object.
After a moment’s hesitation, Star said, “We brothers represent the Valley of Life and Death and have many inconveniences in our actions. However, Miss Fei Yan, rest assured, we will ensure your safety.”
“I don’t need your concern! I’m going to save Brother Chu Yun!” Little Fly Yan snorted coldly, having seen through the two widely praised wanderers. Before she finished speaking, she reached for her Immortal Pouch to summon a Demonic Beast to rescue Chu Yun.
At that moment, Poison Star raised a hand and scattered a cloud of powder. Fei Yan inhaled a whiff, her head tilted back, and she collapsed.
“Brother, what are you doing?” Star exclaimed in shock.
“Brother, don’t you know Miss Fei Yan’s notorious stubbornness? We can’t persuade her, and we can’t watch her throw her life away. It’s better to report after the event and send her to Rouge Sect. This way, we’ve fostered good relations and preserved ourselves. Isn’t it the best of both worlds?” Poison Star’s eyes flashed with cunning. He had watched for a long time, filled with jealousy and hatred for Chu Yun, and truly did not wish to intervene.
“Sigh, so be it.” Star sighed deeply.
“Heh heh heh, disappointed? It’s a pity. Both of us are immobilized, at the mercy of our captors. These two fools, however, let this opportunity slip through their fingers. You have no hope of victory anymore. Actually, why bother fighting me? You had a bright future, and now it will end in obscurity. But dying at my hands is your honor.” Bei Guangguang continued to sneer, attempting to break Chu Yun’s fighting spirit with his words.
“Your ‘Heart is Firm as Stone,’ my ‘Will is Sharp as Iron.’ Bei Guangguang, your nonsense only proves your weakness.” Chu Yun stood as firm as a mountain, his gaze as sharp as a blade, piercing Bei Guangguang’s very core.
“You…” Bei Guangguang looked at Chu Yun, momentarily rendered speechless.
Chu Yun was not wrong; even with the Mind Whip in hand, Bei Guangguang could not defeat Chu Yun in a short time.
“We’ll remain in this stalemate. Such a grand battle will surely attract others. I’ll wait to see who comes. Will it be one of Bei Guangguang’s enemies, or someone looking to profit from the situation?” Chu Yun said, a faint smile on his lips.
“You’re a madman!” Cold sweat trickled down Bei Guangguang’s face. Chu Yun was right; this was precisely his greatest worry. In terms of reputation, he was infamous and had enemies everywhere. Chu Yun, on the other hand, had always operated in the Archipelago, a newcomer in the wanderer community.
With the Duo of Poison and Star, Bei Guangguang had relied on cunning and deception to get past them. Such tactics could not be repeated indefinitely and would eventually be seen through.
Chu Yun’s steadfastness had rendered his schemes completely ineffective. Continuing this stalemate would only increase Chu Yun’s chances of winning.
Of course, Bei Guangguang was not without opportunities, but the odds were heavily stacked against him.
However, the longer one lives, the more one fears death. The older the Jianghu, the more timid one becomes. Bei Guangguang was undoubtedly an old hand, notorious and with enemies all over. For years, he had acted with impunity, relying on his cunning and sinister wisdom. If he were to fall into the hands of his enemies after this battle…
At this thought, Bei Guangguang shivered, his fighting spirit plummeting to its lowest point.
“Damn it! Damn it! You brat, you’re finished. I’ll let you off this time, but clean your neck and wait!”
A soul battle could not be exited; only death could end it. However, Bei Guangguang held the initiative and a method to retreat from the battlefield.
That method was to abandon the Mind Whip.
The Mind Whip had established the battlefield; without it, their souls could no longer confront each other directly.
Bei Guangguang was a decisive person. He uttered a harsh threat and, with a gritted teeth, directly severed his connection to the Mind Whip, abandoning it completely.
Even so, his voluntary retreat from the soul battle still resulted in a backlash. He felt dizzy and disoriented, unable to continue fighting.
“Go!” His soul was injured, and his body swayed. He simply sat down.
“Keep the Mind Whip safe. I will come to claim it myself!” He was extremely unwilling, but there was nothing he could do. He glared savagely at Chu Yun and began to retreat.
Unexpectedly, Chu Yun paid no attention to the Mind Whip, now without a master, which Bei Guangguang had voluntarily abandoned. His eyes shone brightly, and he let out a cold laugh, fixing his target on Bei Guangguang, “A mere broken Demonic Soldier, how can it be worth more than your life?”
“You!” Bei Guangguang’s face turned ashen. His gaze towards Chu Yun was now filled with dread. His soul was injured, his mind not entirely clear, and his thoughts moved slowly. Although he still possessed combat power, he could no longer fight Chu Yun.
“Bei Guangguang, pay with your life!” Chu Yun, after a prolonged arduous battle, had finally gained the upper hand. When paths cross, the brave prevail; he had finally seized the initiative!
“Hundred Mile Swift Flight!” Bei Guangguang shouted in panic. This acceleration Dao Law was the first time he had used it, intending to pursue the Sky Fox. Now, he used it to escape for his life.
