Chang Xing / Chang Zhang

In the depth of the Yul forest.

Chang Xing was currently inside his well hidden cave, holding a red orb-like stone as he sat in lotus position with closed eyes.

From time to time he frowns, as though he was facing a difficult situation.

Suddenly the stone released a bloody light before turning into dust.

A sigh echoed in the darkness

" I still can't breakthrough even after so many tries"

Chang Xing stood up and exited the room he carved inside the cave.while walking deeper down, thoughts started to race in his mind.

'my progress isn't fast enough, but I already secretly used the methods I have to speed up my cultivation'

Actually, he can still increase the pace of his cultivation, but he didn't want to seem anxious.

After walking for a bit, he reached an underground pool. Chang Xing took off his martial robe and immersed himself in the shining water.

" This pure essence water lost quite a bit of luster. " He let the water slide between his fingers while appreciating the gentle light that it gave off.

Ever since awakening in this world, bathing in the pure essence water was one the few things that gave him the sense of relaxation.

Loosening his tense mind regularly helps the efficiency in comprehending the Dao marks hidden in those magical stones. Even now he couldn't help but marvel on how cultivators gained their powers.

Shaking off these thoughts, he focused on his mind on his next step.

' they will probably soon make a probing move,I need to make sure that never happened; otherwise my only option is death '

It has been a year since the time he visited his 'master' knowing those old geezers' personalities, they will definitely not be able to sit still.

Thinking of those three bags of bones,he couldn't help but frown ' although they're cowardly, as outlaws who survived the ruthlessness of the world until now, underestimating them will be my coffin.

Especially now that he lost most of his abilities after possessing Chang Zhang's body.

Chang Xing already thought of a plan that can help him stall for some time. Currently,

That's what he needs the most.

' I guess it's about time to start '

With that in mind, he closed his eyes and enjoyed the warm water.

After a long while,he suddenly opened his eyes with a face filled with shock but also excitement. He waved his hand and a palm-sized disc appeared in his hands.

He inspected the message inside this communication tool and became more excited.

He activated the disc using spirit energy and said with a lowered tone while suppressing his excitement " Disciple greets master. don't worry master, I'll definitely complete your task "

With that he left the pool and wore a new pure white hanfu style clothing. He took out three white orbs and crushed them, saying with a serious voice " junior brothers, let us meet "

The fragments turned into specks of light and disappeared shortly after.

As he moved up the dark cave,the dark eyes displayed a chilling cold light.

°

At the same time, a hundred km away.

Deep inside a valley, an old man was sitting on top of a huge rock.

His eyes closed as he silently meditated, seeming to notice something. He opened his eyes and took out a green furry ball, after gently rubbing it,the ball trembled slightly before a pair of red eyeballs popped out and a scarecrow-like mouth opened as if it wanted to bite his hands.

The old man casually squeezed it but strangely the eerie thing fused with his hands.

Scenes of Chang Xing laying in the pool, enjoying himself and everything afterwards appeared in his mind.

" That old demon sent a message? "

There was a hard-to-notice shiver when the memories of that man passed by his brain.

After thinking for a bit, he clapped his hands and two dark paper birds showed up with a puff,they directly flew into two different direction.he then stood up and started moving.

After half a day, he reached a tall dark oak tree and waited.not long after, the sounds of footsteps reached his ears

" Red eyes, you better have a good reason to summon me here " followed by the voice,a burly old man walked out of dark woods, he was wearing a sleeveless, black martial robe.despite the old age that his face gave off,the muscles on both of his arms still looked at their prime.

Red eyes looked at incomer and said with an eerie tone " Fellow daoist Yingjie, naturally there's a good reason; I'm not bored enough to call you for chit chat. Let's wait for Yin Bai,I don't want to repeat myself"

Song Yingjie snorted but didn't say anything else, he leaned on a tree further away and waited.

The waiting didn't last long as a middle aged man with green robe calmly moved towards them.

Yin Bai smiled and cupped his hands towards them "my apologies for the delay, some inconvenient matters held me up "

Song Yingjie revealed a face full of dissatisfaction but didn't complain. Red eyes didn't care and went directly to the point "there was a movement from Chang Zhang"

The other two immediately became serious "what happened"

Without saying much,he made a few hand seals before a black smock escaped from his fingertips and formed a dark screen.

Yin Bai's eyes narrowed with a gentle smile back on his face.

Song Yingji on the other hand had a more drastic reaction," Yin Bai! Didn't you say that the old demon is probably already dead " his expression was ferocious, with anger bursting from his eyes.

Yin Bai casually replied without even looking at him " I only said that he's injured severely and there is a high chance of death "

Before Song Yingji can do anything, Red eyes spoke"let's decide on what to do before you start a meaningless fight "

" Humph, what is there to decide about? We already agreed to make a move only after the cave's ….."

Before he finished speaking,a warm voice interrupted his speech " my stand is still the same, I won't make a move until I'm completely certain. Now however, I'll only watch"

"What a coward;even if you don't dare to provoke the master, can't you probe the disciple at least? "

Yin Bai gave him a mocking look "You can always do it yourself " not caring anymore,he turned and left with a few words " make sure you don't include me in whatever you will do, otherwise don't blame me for being ruthless "

Red eyes looked at Song Yingji " Are you really going to make a move on Chang Xing disciples "

With a snort he replied " Naturally no, but we still can send our own little demons to keep a close eye on them "

Red eyes nodded, Although he can keep tabs on them from afar, having people on scene is much better. As for them going there personally…. They prefer keeping a low profile as much as possible, not provoking any troubles.

°°°°°

"Ha ha, I hope you had a good time, please visit us again "

"Big sister Ruolan, we'll continue our discussion later. I'll bring the recipe that you wanted, don't worry "

"Old Wuyan,you have a good son; make sure you won't ruin him "

Cui Ling watched by the door as his parents bid farewell to the guests. Looking at his father's beaming smile,he knew that the trouble he went through was worth it seeing the pride and happiness leaking out of his face.

Now it could be said that he had done his best in trying to influence Deng Wuyan's decision making, Although what he did was only a few simple actions that were mostly acting,but as these small actions accumulate there will be a strange chemistry under the right circumstances.

If it was up to him he would directly brainwash them; saving him much work,but with his almost 4 feet hight and childish voice,it wasn't really an option.

After everything was done they reentered the house where a maid they hired recently started the cleaning.

"Father, mother, I'll go to my room"

Pan Ruolan reminded him "Don't forget,to wash your mouth,you ate a lot of snacks today;it will leave a bad effects if you don't take it seriously "

Deng Wuyan said with a smile after seeing Cui Ling leave " Why do you keep nagging him about these little things,An'er was always obedient and did everything you tell to do "

She gave him a glare " that is why I have make sure he doesn't go astray"

Before he could reply she continued " Not to mention you are only defending him because he managed to rip and break the ball today, giving a lot of face, usually you are the one who keeps nagging even over little things "

Deng Wuyan coughed a little and said with a straight face " Wife, What are you talking about? He only managed to do that because the ball wasn't properly made, the shop owner confirmed that "

Pan Ruolan gave him a look of disdain, although it was indeed that Cui Ling only succeed because he was 'lucky' to get malfunction ball,but didn't that mean he has good fortune, considering the dangerous environment; believing in these type of things was a way to help themselves stay strong during the tough times.so having luck is quite valued to these people mind.

She was about to continue bickering but noticed her husband's expression turning serious.

" What's wrong " Deng Wuyan rarely showed such an expression.

"Ruolan…what do you think about going to Peng City? "