Fairy Lith

Pay Ling's hair stood on end, but in this critical moment, his survival instincts kicked into overdrive. He twisted his body and rolled to the side, narrowly evading the deadly strike.

Wu Tinshee's sure-kill attack missed its mark, leaving him momentarily stunned. However, as a disciple of a major sect, his reflexes were razor-sharp. He quickly adjusted his stance, abandoning his original plan to stand triumphantly over Pay Ling's corpse and deliver a mocking speech. Instead, he stomped the ground and lunged forward, closing the distance in an instant.

The next moment, his fist connected with Pay Ling's face.

Thud!

Pay Ling's vision blurred from the impact, but inwardly, he felt a surge of hope. As a third-layer Qi Refining cultivator, he had never learned any offensive techniques. If Wu Tinshee had continued using the Five Poisons Finger, even if Pay Ling had dodged the first strike, he would have been doomed.

The fact that Wu Tinshee was now resorting to physical attacks was a clear sign of how severely injured he was—likely no better off than Pay Ling himself.

Without hesitation, Pay Ling wrapped his legs around Wu Tinshee's torso, locking him in place to prevent him from creating distance and using more advanced techniques. At the same time, he swung his right fist with all his might, aiming squarely for Wu's chin.

This was a full-force strike from a third-layer Qi Refining cultivator with perfect-grade Iron Bone. In the past, Wu Tinshee wouldn't have batted an eye at such an attack, but now, severely weakened, he couldn't dodge in time. His head snapped to the side, and the metallic tang of blood filled his mouth.

"Bastard!!!" Wu Tinshee's eyes bulged with rage. Suddenly, he slammed his forehead into Pay Ling's with all his strength!

Pay Ling's vision blurred. Wu Tinshee took advantage of the moment to break free, scrambling to his feet. He grabbed a nearby rock and hurled it at Pay Ling.

Hearing the whistling sound of the rock hurtling toward him, Pay Ling rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the projectile. At the same time, he scooped up a handful of dirt and flung it into Wu Tinshee's face.

Wu instinctively closed his eyes, and Pay Ling seized the opportunity. He lunged forward, wrapping his arms around Wu's waist and slamming him to the ground with all the strength he could muster. The two of them tumbled in a chaotic, desperate struggle, each fighting for survival with everything they had.

"Cough, cough…" Wu Tinshee choked, blood filling his mouth as he struggled to breathe. His organs ravaged by earlier injuries. This latest attack had only deepened the damage.

Realizing the danger, Wu Tinshee fumbled in his sleeve pocket during the ground fighting, deftly retrieving the round bullet he had prepared earlier when startled by the rat.

This bullet was a relic left by his shifu, one of the final trump cards of their faction. Wu Tinshee was reluctant to waste it. Using it against Kinson Zheng would have been like cracking an egg with a sledgehammer—overkill. And now, to use it on a mere third-layer Qi Refining cultivator like Pay Ling? It felt absurd, almost laughable.

Wu Tinshee hesitated for a moment, but then his wrist suddenly flared with pain. Pay Ling, sensing something was wrong, endured Wu's headbutts and kicks to grab his wrist and slam it repeatedly against a nearby rock.

Wu Tinshee cried out in pain, and the bullet slipped from his palm, rolling to the ground.

Filled with shock, rage, and regret, Wu's fighting spirit waned. Pay Ling, on the other hand, grew fiercer and more determined. In an instant, the tide turned, and Pay Ling seized the opportunity to pin Wu down and smash his head with a rock.

Fearing that this disciple of the sinister sect might feign death and ambush him, Pay Ling didn't let loose even when Wu Tinshee stopped moving. He continued smashing the rock until Wu Tinshee's skull was broken in a bloody mess and his body had gone cold. Only then did Pay Ling stop, panting heavily and wiping his bloody face with a trembling hand… He won!

He killed Wu Tinshee!

In the aftermath of his desperate struggle, Pay Ling allowed himself only a fleeting moment of triumph before forcing himself to move. Ignoring the throbbing pain of his injuries, he scrambled to his feet and immediately gave the system a one-star rating.

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He then turned his attention to Wu Tinshee's lifeless body, searching it thoroughly. Remembering the bullet Wu had been so reluctant to use, sensing its potential value, he spotted it nearby and quickly tucked it into his robe. After hastily disposing of the body, he leaned heavily against the cave wall for support, his vision swimming as he fought to stay conscious. Gritting his teeth, he staggered forward.

With Wu Tinshee no longer a threat, Pay Ling spent some time navigating the labyrinthine passages of the cave. Finally, he found an exit and emerged into the open air. The familiarity of Mountain Yuan's outer regions brought a small measure of comfort. Thanks to years of neglect from his father and stepmother, Pay Ling had been forced to gather herbs and hunt in these mountains since childhood, making him intimately familiar with the terrain. After quickly orienting himself, he avoiding the main trails, chose a secluded path to descend the mountain.

Along the way, he encountered a few Pay Clan disciples. Well, since he had been with them earlier in the main hall, they didn't question his disheveled appearance. Pay Ling claimed to have been attacked by a wild beast, his story earning him a sympathetic nod and even a bottle of hemostatic powder from a kind-hearted cousin. He accepted it with gratitude, excused himself to seek medical treatment in town, and continued his escape.

Once he left Mountain Yuan behind, he recalled Wu Tinshee's advice to head west—and promptly chose the opposite direction, heading east instead. 

However, after traveling for a while, Pay Ling once again felt the unsettling sensation of being watched. To make matters worse, the pain in his left arm began to fade, replaced by an ominous numbness. Though he saw no one around, the weight of unseen gazes grew heavier with each step. Pay Ling's pace slowed, his face pale as the reality of his situation sank in.

He was in deep trouble. Not only had the Bone Raksha Painting's eerie presence returned, but the wound from Wu Tinshee's attack was clearly poisoned. Panic threatened to overwhelm him, but he forced himself to stay calm. He rummaged through the items he had taken from Wu Tinshee, hoping to find something useful. Wu perhaps was on the run for so long, he hadn't carried much medicine. Among the few remaining jade bottles, Pay Ling only recognized the Blood Qi Pills—the others were a mystery, their contents unknown and potentially dangerous.

If things continued like this, even if he used the system to temporarily fend off the Bone Raksha Painting, there was no guarantee he would survive.

Moreover, this idiotic system had already caused him trouble twice: the first time, it led him to steal Kinson Zheng's Bone Tempering Pills, attracting the attention of the Bone Raksha Painting; the second time, it made him snatch Wu Tinshee's Blood Qi Pills, resulting in a life-and-death struggle. Who knew what kind of trouble the next cultivation session would bring?

Pay Ling's thoughts raced as he stared at the items he had taken from Wu Tinshee. After a moment of hesitation, he gritted his teeth and turned back toward Deerspring.

Half a day later.

The Pay Manor, Deerspring Town.

Clan Chief Pay Xuan looked at the disheveled and battered Pay Ling with surprise. "You found Wu Tinshee? Then why didn't you send the clan's smoke signal?"

"Chief, I was severely injured at the time. I was afraid that sending the signal smoke would draw Wu Tinshee's attention, and I might not have made it back alive," Pay Ling replied, breathing heavily. "May I ask where Immortal Master Zheng is? I need to report this to him in person."

Pay Xuan's eyes flickered. "Good. FellowDao Zheng's not in the manor right now. I'll have someone take you to rest and treat your injuries. Tell me where Wu Tinshee is, and I'll relay the information to FellowDao Zheng."

The place is quite complicated," Pay Ling refused outright. The reason he had risked returning was to negotiate directly with Kinson Zheng. There was no way he would let Pay Xuan act as a middleman. He added, "I'm afraid even if I explain it, you might not understand. If we delay Immortal Master Zheng's mission, the entire Pay Clan will suffer his rage."

Pay Xuan's expression darkened, and he stared directly at Pay Ling.

However, seeing that this branch family nephew showed no fear and even seemed willing to risk everything, Pay Xuan's thoughts shifted. He forced a smile and said, "Very well. But FellowDao Zheng really is not in the manor right now."

Pay Ling's heart sank. Was Kinson Zheng in Mountain Yuan?

Ok made sense. With so many Pay Clan disciples searching the mountains, Kinson Zheng would likely stay nearby to intercept Wu Tinshee as quickly as possible… But what about him? His situation was critical, and he might not survive long enough for Kinson Zheng to return.

Just as he was about to ask if there was a way to contact Kinson Zheng immediately and how long it would take for him to return, Pay Xuan spoke again.

"Fine. Here's the plan. Although FellowDao Zheng is currently in the mountains, Fairy Lith remains in the Evergreen Courtyard, deep in seclusion. I will lead you to meet her."

Fairy Lith?

Pay Ling was momentarily dumbfounded but quickly realized this must be the other Abyss Pit Sect disciple who had come to Deerspring Town with Kinson Zheng. However, this Fairy had been so low profile that, amidst all the talk of Kinson Zheng's exploits, Pay Ling had subconsciously neglected her.

"Chief," Pay Ling couldn't help but ask, "How does this Fairy Lith compare to Immortal Master Zheng in terms of strength and status?"

What if she was just a minor figure who couldn't help him? That would be useless.

"Pay Ling! You better carve this into your skull!" Pay Xuan cut him off before Pay Ling could even get a word out, his face twisting like a storm brewing fast, voice dropping low and heavy with warning. "This Fairy Lith—she keeps to the shadows, sure, but her cultivation, her rank, and the future she's got? They're leagues beyond anything Kinson Zheng could dream of!"

"She's one of the Successor of the Abyss Pit Sect!"

"And barring some wild twist, she's sure enough to become the next Saintess of the Holy Sect!"

"When you meet her later, you must show even more respect than you would greet me or Kinson Zheng. Do you understand?!"

Pay Ling's heart surged with a burst of joy, "Yes, Chief!" 

Pay Xuan's eyes narrowed, "You damn well better be sure you know where Wu Tinshee's holed up. You wouldn't dream to wasting Fairy Lith's time, would you?" He started forward then halted abrupt-like, wheelin' on Pay Ling. "If Fairy Lith reckon we're pulling a fast one on her, the Pay Clan will pay in blood."

Meeting the stare head-on, Pei Ling said, "Take it ease, chief. I ain't lie to you. If I weren't dead certain, I'd sooner cut my own throat than cross you. Besides, I'm here to beg for a favor with the Abyss Pit Sect's immortal master."

Pay Xuan studied him, his gaze boring deep. After a beat, said, "Let's go!"

He guided Pay Ling swiftly into the Evergreen Courtyard, bypassing the main guest quarters entirely. Instead, they veered off onto a narrow path that skirted the edges of the courtyard, eventually leading them to a secluded area at the back.

This was Pay Ling's first time stepping into this secluded part of the courtyard. Given his lowly status in the clan, he had always been sternly warned to steer clear of areas reserved for honored guests. Now, with his body aching and his mind consumed by the impending negotiation, he had no time to admire the extravagant decorations the Pay Clan had so meticulously arranged. 

After a brief pause, Pay Xuan slowed his steps and leaned in close, his voice dropping to a barely audible whisper. "When arrived, keep your head down. And whatever happen, don't look at the wind chime under the flying eaves. Understood?"

With that warning, Pan Xuan stepped forward, stopping before an elegant lodge. He bowed deeply, voice steady but laced with reverence. "Pay Xuan of the Pay Clan greets the Successor of Holy Sect, Fairy Lith, your highness! "

Noticing that Pay Ling was a little bit slower to follow his lead, Pay Xuan's expression darkened. He shot a sharp glance at Pay Ling and hissed, "Kneel, you fool! You're in the presence of the Fairy. Show your respect!"