Chapter 49 – Burning Sky

His field of vision was wreathed in scorching golden red. The high-temperature flames had yet to touch his skin, but his hair smoldered slightly under the incoming flames, and he could detect a faint burning smell.

Time passed both quickly and slowly.

It only took a breath of time for the released arrow to reach the fleeing Fang Yang.

And as the golden arrow closed the last meter of distance between them, time seemed to slow before Fang Yang’s eyes.

He had always heard that people saw a revolving lantern of events before death. And when he found himself in such a life-or-death situation, Fang Yang realized it was true.

During this short moment, he had many thoughts. Survival instinct stimulated his body’s potential to the extreme, and his mind became unusually clear. His heart beat like a drum in his ears, and he thought many times faster than usual.

He quickly thought up several methods of escape, but they were all dead ends.

With his own abilities alone, he was completely unable to withstand this golden arrow of unknown origins.

I’m dead, Fang Yang thought.

Clutching Cao Zirui’s hand in his left palm, he didn’t forget this fellow disciple whom he had spoken with for the first time today.

And his right hand unconsciously moved to his chest, gripping the piece of bamboo around his neck.

He didn’t even have a magic weapon, let alone something that could resist this indestructible fire. This single piece of bamboo was his last hope.

In his mind, he called out to the man whose name he still didn’t know. Emotions could not be hidden in one’s spiritual consciousness, unlike in normal conversations where one could maintain a veneer of calm.

The sea of consciousness was the concrete product of a person’s inner world, and the voice therein would reflect the owner’s truest feelings.

His dying cry contained no meaningful words – it was just a prolonged, wavering scream of terror.

This scream was like a heavy hammer slamming into Feng Ye’s mind, which was connected to Fang Yang through his sea of consciousness.

In an instant, thousands of thoughts rushed through his mind like a mighty river.

He was three hundred meters away from land, but the distance between him and Fang Yang was much more than that. Because Fang Yang was not directly above him, but on the western side of the floating island, and the straight-line distance between them was four or five li away.

With such a long distance between them, it would be impossible for him to reach Fang Yang before the golden arrow was shot, even without the obstruction of the monsters around him.

But even if he couldn’t make it in time, Feng Ye was not completely helpless.

It was only that…..he would inevitably have to reveal his true strength.

He had kept his identity hidden up to this point in order to investigate Jianmu as thoroughly as possible without alerting the enemy.

He had no idea who was working behind the scenes, and similarly, the other party was unaware that he had discovered them. It was a delicate balance.

Once that balance was broken and he was the first to be exposed, the subsequent situation would only become increasingly unfavorable for him.

And it would be all for the sake of a human he had only known for a month. Was it worth it?

Before he could come to a decision, the problem solved itself.

On land, the high-speed rotating arrow cut through the air, a tail of flames burning along its trajectory.

Unstoppable, the tip of the arrow drew closer and closer.

The heat burned his skin, and Fang Yang couldn’t help but close his eyes. He finally realized that all of his struggles had been in vain. He even gave up running, and just waited for the flames to consume him.

He had given up, but Cao Zirui had not. He stopped alongside Fang Yang, but not to wait for death.

He turned around and watched the golden arrow intently.

At the same time, he raised his right hand that he had just taken out of the storage bag and suddenly opened his clenched fist, revealing a palm full of spiritual power that was about to activate a magic weapon.

This magic weapon was a blue bead. Just as the golden arrow was about to reach the two of them, vast spiritual power suddenly surged from the bead.

The spiritual power gathered into a spherical shape much like a giant bubble, wrapping Fang Yang and Cao Zirui inside it.

This bubble looked as if it would burst if prodded, but miraculously, it was able to block the golden arrow.

The expected burning agony did not come. Fang Yang opened his eyes with some confusion to see Cao Zirui holding a blue bead to block the golden arrow.

The golden arrow was still spinning rapidly, and flames flowed along its shaft to the bubble, exploding the moment they made contact. The stream of fire erupted into a three-meter-high wall of flames, and the bubble within it was on the verge of collapse.

But it didn’t collapse in the end. The two were at a stalemate for several breaths, the surface of the bubble so full of cracks that it wouldn’t be able to withstand another attack.

But the speed of the golden arrow’s rotation was getting slower and slower, and the unbridled flames were extinguished.

With a clang, the golden arrow fell to the ground.

The bubble burst at the same time, and the dark blue bead in Cao Zirui’s hand also shattered into countless tiny pieces.

Cao Zirui tossed the broken magic weapon away without any regret, and yanked at Fang Yang, who was staring at him in amazement: “Let’s go!”

Fang Yang finally snapped back to his senses and immediately took advantage of Lu Chengye’s delayed reaction to his failed attack, fleeing with Cao Zirui.

As they ran, he couldn’t help but ask: “How did you still have a magic weapon?”

Cao Zirui tilted his head in confusion: “When did I say I didn’t have a magic weapon?”

Fang Yang: “…..”

It seemed he had never said that.

But Fang Yang had thought he didn’t have one.

Otherwise, why could Cao Zirui be in such a miserable state? If he had this kind of self-defense weapon, why hadn’t he taken it out earlier? If Fang Yang hadn’t rushed to help Cao Zirui when Lu Chengye fired the previous arrow, he would have long been dead.

At the critical moment between life and death, there was no point in keeping anything in reserve, right?

Therefore, in Fang Yang’s mind, Cao Zirui didn’t have anything that could protect him.

Cao Zirui took in Fang Yang’s puzzled expression, and could somewhat guess the reason. He explained: “I’ve been poisoned, and my spiritual power is draining away. That Water Soul Bead takes a lot of spiritual power to activate, and I didn’t have enough power to activate it before.”

So that’s how it is, Fang Yang and Feng Ye far away under the deep sea suddenly realized.

Although the time Fang Yang managed to delay didn’t allow Feng Ye to reach land, it had allowed Cao Zirui to recover some of his spiritual power and successfully activate the Water Soul Bead, thus shielding them from doom.

But it was only able to block an attack one time. The two of them ran with no reservations, speeding across nearly a hundred meters in just a few seconds.

Lu Chengye, who had been certain of his success, stood in place as he realized – I failed again!

Damn it!

How many magic weapons did Cao Zirui have?!

He couldn’t help but grit his teeth in jealousy at the thought. As a brand new, penniless disciple, he’d had to rely on himself for everything, but Cao Zirui possessed countless spirit stones and magical instruments bestowed upon him by his master. There was no telling how many times wealthier he was than Lu Chengye.

He was originally only following Xue Ren’s orders to kill Cao Zirui, but after such a comparison, he was so jealous that he wanted to kill Cao Zirui at once and snatch all of his magic weapons.

He raised his hand slightly, and the golden arrow on the ground flew up again at his command, returning squarely to his palm.

Lu Chengye reached up to brush dust off the arrow with some distress. This arrow was indeed just as Feng Ye had thought, an ordinary earth-grade magic weapon.

Even though Lu Chengye had been kicked off the ring by Feng Ye in an extremely undignified manner after winning the championship, he still had the right to receive an earth-grade magic weapon.

This golden arrow was the weapon he had received from the Armory Pavilion. In fact, he had not originally planned to choose the golden arrow. As a sword cultivator, he had chosen a spiritual sword that was the highest quality in offense and defense. 

However, Xue Ren suddenly found him and revealed the fact that Lu Chengye had poisoned Fang Yang.

Lu Chengye was shocked, and denied it repeatedly.

But Xue Ren was resolute, pressing on to tell him step by step where exactly he had been before and after the poisoning.

The evidence was irrefutable. Lu Chengye was unable to deny it. Lingxiao Sword Sect had always strictly prohibited conflict between fellow disciples, let alone such a despicable act as poisoning. 

He would definitely be expelled from the sect once this matter was exposed, which was a result he absolutely didn’t want to experience.

Lu Chengye reacted very quickly and knelt down before Xue Ren, tearfully explaining that he had been momentarily blinded by greed, and had no intention of hurting his fellow disciple.

But Xue Ren had sneered: “You still want to quibble now? Don’t you know it’s a crime to poison a fellow disciple? Do you think this is an issue punishable by expulsion from the sect? According to the sect’s rules, you must also abandon your cultivation and cut off your path to immortality!”

From a cultivator who could call the wind and rain to a mortal who could only toil in the fields? Lu Chengye’s face paled in fright at this horrible thought.

With trembling lips, he offered bribes to Xue Ren, saying that he was willing to give up all of his property if Xue Ren would let him off.

However, as soon as he said this, he recalled that he possessed so few spirit stones that Xue Ren probably wouldn’t even spare them a glance. The most valuable thing he had was the earth-grade magic weapon he had yet to select, and he immediately promised it to Xue Ren as well.

Xue Ren shook his head, unmoved.

It’s over, Lu Chengye thought despairingly.

Unexpectedly, Xue Ren changed tacks: “I can help you keep this secret. I don’t want anything from you, not spirit stones or an earth-grade magic weapon.”

He looked down at Lu Chengye kneeling before him and gave a faint smile, telling him enticingly: “Instead, I’ll give you a magic weapon. All I need is for you to do me an insignificant little favor.”

Lu Chengye raised his head blankly to meet Xue Ren’s eyes, which contained no smile at all – only a cold, restrained killing intent.

His heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly realized that this was Xue Ren’s true purpose. Xue Ren had exposed the poisoning not for the sake of justice, but to use it as leverage to make Lu Chengye obey his orders. And this so-called insignificant little favor was bound to be not very little at all.

But what did it matter that he realized this? He had no choice.

This was why Xue Ren had approached him. He had no other choice but to agree.

Although he had mentally prepared himself, Lu Chengye was still inevitably shocked when he heard what Xue Ren intended to do: “You want me to kill your shidi, Cao Zirui?”

Xue Ren glared at him in dissatisfaction, saying threateningly: “What? You’re unwilling?”

Lu Chengye cringed under Xue Ren’s glare and explained: “N-not unwilling, but Cao Zirui is at Foundation Establishment. And you saw how he took first in the Foundation Establishment competition. His strength is unfathomable! How can a Qi Refining disciple like me kill him?”

“Heh heh.” Xue Ren chuckled and said with a hint of ridicule: “Haven’t you figured out the solution?”

“What solution?” Lu Chengye was mystified by Xue Ren’s words.

Xue Ren suddenly took a light yellow flower out of his sleeve. 

A Blazing Sun Flower.

Lu Chengye looked from the flower to Xue Ren’s affirmative gaze and came to an understanding.

He intended to use the same old trick and poison Cao Zirui just like Lu Chengye had poisoned Fang Yang.

However…..although this plan sounded feasible, it actually wasn’t.

Cao Zirui was different from Fang Yang. That fool Fang Yang had many flaws and was totally defenseless. It had been very easy to find an opportunity to poison him. But Cao Zirui was the sect leader’s personal disciple, and had lived on the peak of the mountain for a long time. Lu Chengye had never met him, so how would he be able to poison him?

Xue Ren reminded him impatiently: “The Floating Island Secret Realm.”

Given his master’s partiality, if Cao Zirui suffered a disaster, it would be investigated in impeccable detail.

Even if Xue Ren was careful and didn’t carry it out personally, there was no guarantee that there wouldn’t be any holes in the plan.

Therefore, in order to be absolutely certain, it would be better if Cao Zirui’s master never got the chance to see his body.

The Floating Island Secret Realm was the best location to take action.

And this secret realm had always been rife with danger, so Cao Zirui’s death there could only be considered an accident. If the sect leader was unresigned, he would still have to wait another ten years after the Floating Island Secret Realm closed.

Ten years later, both the evidence and the remains would be long gone.

Dead men told no tales.

Thus, any action must be reserved for the Floating Island Secret Realm.

Xue Ren observed Lu Chengye’s expression. Seeing that he’d gotten the gist of it, he continued: “The starting location in the Floating Island Secret Realm is completely random, but I’m giving you a bell. You can find his location using the bell, make up an excuse to follow him, and find an opportunity to poison him.”

The effects of the Blazing Sun Flower manifested very quickly. Within an hour of consuming it, spiritual energy would begin depleting. Therefore, the poison could not be administered too early, or Cao Zirui would be in trouble before even entering the secret realm, and his master would definitely find out.

Xue Ren had already planned out the entire process of this murder. He had considered it for a long time, and only went to seek out Lu Chengye when he was certain that there were no weak points.

At this point, he pontificated on the plan he had long been brewing: “After poisoning him, wait patiently for the right time to act. When his cultivation begins to decline, that is when you will take action.”

Having said that, Xue Ren took a simple-looking wooden bow from his storage bag.

He gently stroked the bright red totem on the bow with his fingers, his voice full of affection: “I just obtained this bow not long ago. Do you know what it is?”

Lu Chengye shook his head.

Xue Ren sneered, explaining to him with a hint of contempt: “A hundred years ago, Yinglong cut down Jianmu in the Eastern Sea. The giant tree collapsed, and heavenly fire fell from the sky, spreading across three thousand li. It lasted for three days.”

“Before the heavenly fire was completely extinguished, someone used it as a catalyst and combined it with thousand-year-old locust wood, as well as several cold, yin-based things such as the Snowy Mountain Ice Soul. This was able to suppress the destructive heavenly fire, sealing it inside the wood to form this indomitable bow.”

Xue Ren whispered its name: “This is a heaven-grade magic weapon – Burning Sky.”

Lu Chengye was stunned when he heard this, and also couldn’t help but reach out greedily, wanting to touch this incredibly rare heaven-grade weapon that could only be heard of in legends. 

Xue Ren glared at him in disgust, and the contempt in his eyes obviously said: Are you worthy enough to touch this divine bow?

Lu Chengye awkwardly withdrew his hand.

Unexpectedly, after such a display of contempt, Xue Ren actually handed the Burning Sky Bow over to him: “Your cultivation level isn’t sufficient to use this divine bow, but our sect’s Armory Pavilion happens to have an earth-grade magic weapon that does not require spiritual power – the Sun-Chasing Arrow. Use your championship reward to obtain this earth-grade magic weapon. This way, although you’re unable to unleash the full power of the divine bow, it will be enough to deal with him. When the time is right, you will…..”

Xue Ren leaned down slightly toward where Xue Ren was kneeling on the floor, whispering in his ear: “…..kill him!”

He ground these words between his teeth as he spoke them, revealing a festering hatred, as if he wanted to eat the victim alive.

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