Chapter 12: The Rival’s Unspoken Understanding

As the ghoul beast lunged, Gu Ping Lin remained calm despite his shock and leaped off the boulder to evade.

"You really are familiar with everything about Ling Xin Sect," Duan Qing Ming said, effortlessly sheathing his Gu Ying Sword as he landed on the boulder. He smiled. "This was an excellent vantage point."

The tables had turned. Gu Ping Lin pressed his lips together.

From the moment he encountered the ghoul beast, Duan Qing Ming must have figured it out. He had anticipated Gu Ping Lin would choose this optimal viewing spot and played along, scattering Corpse Flower pollen to exploit Gu Ping Lin's eagerness to observe. No wonder he had lured the ghoul beast so far away earlier.

The ghoul beast pursued relentlessly. Gu Ping Lin's current cultivation was inferior to his past life's, and knowing Duan Qing Ming wanted to gauge his progress, he held back. Several times, the beast's claws grazed him—the situation was perilous.

"It feels great to switch roles, don't you think, Gu Xiao Jiu?" Duan Qing Ming sat cross-legged on the boulder, meditating to recover his energy.

Gu Ping Lin snorted, dodging the ghoul beast's attacks with effort but showing no trace of panic. "What, you want to watch me struggle?"

"I, too, have faith in your abilities."

"More like you're probing me."

Duan Qing Ming rested a hand on his sword. "Likewise. But if you don't go all out now, you'll die."

"You think this little scheme can trap me?" Gu Ping Lin fought while retreating. "Don't forget—you were the one who said I'm familiar with everything about Ling Xin Sect."

"Oh?" Duan Qing Ming replied casually, unconcerned. "Seems you have a backup plan."

"Of course."

As he spoke, Gu Ping Lin was forced into a corner with no room to dodge. Just as the ghoul beast roared and swiped at him, a blinding white light erupted from the ground!

The flash faded, and silence fell.

Gu Ping Lin stood unharmed, while the ghoul beast seemed to have lost its target, sniffing and looking around in confusion.

"An isolation array," Duan Qing Ming said, standing up.

In the corner of the cavern, the young man stood leisurely within the array, raising an eyebrow at him—not a trace of his earlier dishevelment remained.

Knowing Duan Qing Ming's capabilities, Gu Ping Lin wouldn't have come to spectate unprepared. This isolation array was one he had stumbled upon in his past life during a dire situation—he had been trapped inside for over ten days before someone came to rescue him. Now, with his cultivation weaker than before, avoiding combat was the wisest choice.

Having lost its target, the ghoul beast turned back toward Duan Qing Ming.

Gu Ping Lin smirked.

As long as the ghoul beast was occupied with Duan Qing Ming, he could make his escape.

True to form, the ghoul beast roared and charged at Duan Qing Ming.

Gu Ping Lin immediately dashed out of the array, fleeing the way he had come. Against a monster of this level, even their combined strength wouldn't guarantee victory. Gu Ping Lin knew the Nether Cave's terrain like the back of his hand—a teleportation array lay just five li ahead.

But before he could cover three zhang, he collided with a powerful barrier of qi, sending him stumbling back several steps before he regained his footing.

Gu Ping Lin realized what had happened. "Duan Qing Ming!"

"Apologies. Earlier, to ensure my survival, I set up a small barrier," Duan Qing Ming's laughter echoed.

With his cultivation insufficient to break the barrier, Gu Ping Lin had no choice but to retreat back into the isolation array.

Moments later, Duan Qing Ming slipped in as well.

The two of them stood crammed in the narrow space, locking eyes—one burning with anger, the other utterly unruffled.

"No need to be so angry," Duan Qing Ming sighed. "You schemed against me first. Unlike you, I value our bond as fellow disciples—I didn't even throw you out."

His demeanor was composed, his tone gentle and refined, but those bewitching eyes glinted with mischief.

Gu Ping Lin wasn't truly angry, nor did he fear being tossed out.

If Duan Qing Ming were the type to rely on his two-year head start in cultivation to win, he wouldn't be Duan Qing Ming.

Gu Ping Lin shot him a sidelong glance. "Dragging others down with you—you're quite adept at that."

"I was afraid you'd abandon me. I can't handle it alone," Duan Qing Ming said. "We're fellow disciples—did you really want me dead?"

Gu Ping Lin chuckled. "With the isolation array, you wouldn't have died. You could've just waited for rescue."

"Ah, but waiting for rescue is inferior to solving the problem ourselves," Duan Qing Ming glanced outside the array. "If we join forces, we can fight."

The ghoul beast lingered outside the array, unwilling to leave. It occasionally roared and spewed miasma, its hatred for the two enemies evident. It showed no intention of departing anytime soon.

Gu Ping Lin frowned slightly. "Even combined, our chances of victory are no higher than fifty percent."

"The difficulty is what makes it thrilling," Duan Qing Ming watched the ghoul beast, his eyes unusually bright. "Don't you want the challenge?"

Gu Ping Lin replied, "I only do things I'm confident in."

Duan Qing Ming turned to him. "Are you scared?"

"Cheap provocation," Gu Ping Lin scoffed. "Fine. What's your plan?"

Duan Qing Ming said, "My plan is to have no plan. We'll improvise."

Gu Ping Lin truly didn't want to be trapped here waiting for rescue. After a moment, he relented. "Improvising is too risky. The ghoul beast's weakness is its abdomen. I recall the Duan family's sword techniques include a lethal move called 'Spring Mud Shadow'—a ground-based strike perfect for targeting its vitals. You must have mastered it. I excel in control techniques. I'll find an opening to bind it momentarily, and you seize the chance to execute the ground strike. That way, our odds improve significantly."

"Truly meticulous," Duan Qing Ming stroked his sword. "It seems you're well-versed not just in Ling Xin Sect's methods, but also in mine."

Gu Ping Lin ignored the jab. "On the count of three, we move together."

"Fine," Duan Qing Ming agreed. "One."

Gu Ping Lin stepped forward. "Two."

"Three!"

Neither moved. They exchanged knowing glances, their expressions unreadable, without a hint of shame or awkwardness.

"Gu Xiao Jiu, you're far too dishonest."

"Likewise."

"With neither of us trusting the other, cooperation is difficult," Duan Qing Ming said. "I have a solution."

"Oh?"

"It's simple."

Seeing that infuriating smile, Gu Ping Lin's heart skipped a beat. Sure enough, the next moment, a blinding white light flashed beneath their feet!

The light faded—the isolation array had been destroyed!

"Duan Qing Ming!" Gu Ping Lin roared in fury.

"This is the most effective method. Now, we'll have no choice but to trust each other completely."

"You're courting death!"

Almost simultaneously, the two burst out of the array in opposite directions. Gu Ping Lin sprinted toward the teleportation array without hesitation, the ghoul beast's roars echoing behind him.

Duan Qing Ming slowed to match his pace. "Heading for the teleportation array?"

"What of it?" Gu Ping Lin's sense of foreboding grew.

"I might have accidentally damaged that array earlier."

"Duan Qing Ming!" Gu Ping Lin skidded to a halt.

"Hearing you say my name like this, I suddenly realize how pleasant it sounds," Duan Qing Ming stopped as well, turning to draw his sword and tossing the scabbard aside. "Well? Shall we deal with this problem first?"

As the ghoul beast charged, Gu Ping Lin suppressed his rage with effort. "Stick to the plan!"

With the isolation array destroyed, their last escape route was severed. Now, their only hope for survival lay in trusting and cooperating with each other.

In terms of cultivation, the two were indeed far from a match for the ghoul beast. But Gu Ping Lin was no longer the Gu Ping Lin of his past life, and Duan Qing Ming was a genius in both intellect and combat. Alone, he had managed to stall the ghoul beast for two days, wearing down its stamina. Together, their chances of victory were actually high.

Gu Ping Lin fought cautiously, calmly observing until he found an opening to cast a binding spell. The ghoul beast's level was too high—the spell only immobilized it for a split second.

Before he could speak, Duan Qing Ming was already airborne, hands forming a seal as the Gu Ying Sword traced an ethereal violet arc through the air.

The precision of his timing startled even Gu Ping Lin, who couldn't help but praise, "Well done!"

The Duan family's lethal technique—Duan Qing Ming gripped the Gu Ying Sword with both hands and plunged vertically from midair!

But the ghoul beast was cunning. As if recognizing the overhead strike as a feint, it suddenly flipped onto its back, using its claws to block the sword while its armored spine absorbed five fierce sword qi bursts erupting from the ground!

A shrill cry rang out.

The Duan family's sword techniques were extraordinary—the beast still suffered significant damage.

Yet the attack hadn't achieved their intended effect.

Enraged by its first major injury, the ghoul beast roared loud enough to shake the cavern. It gripped the sword with its other front claw and hurled it upward.

After two days of intense combat and this all-out strike, Duan Qing Ming's stamina was depleted. He was sent flying backward!

The Gu Ying Sword slipped from his grasp.

At that moment, Gu Ping Lin moved like lightning, darting forward to catch the airborne sword. As the ghoul beast flipped, he thrust with all his strength—

The blade plunged into the beast's abdomen!

They hadn't followed the original plan of having the stronger Duan Qing Ming lead the attack. Instead, Gu Ping Lin had taken the main role while Duan Qing Ming provided support. This seamless adjustment was the result of unspoken understanding between two brilliant minds—without a single word of discussion, they had simultaneously altered their strategy in the heat of battle and succeeded.

Gu Ping Lin immediately abandoned the sword and retreated after his successful strike.

But the ghoul beast, maddened by pain, did the opposite—it charged forward recklessly, intent on taking its enemy down with it.

Gu Ping Lin couldn't outpace it. Frowning, he prepared to evade a fatal blow when a gust of palm wind sent him flying two zhang away.

A white figure flashed past like a soaring dragon.

With a sharp cry, the Gu Ying Sword was wrenched free, splattering viridian poisonous blood!

Clutching its abdomen, the ghoul beast howled insanely.

Gu Ping Lin tumbled several times before stopping, bracing himself on the ground and springing up agilely. He exhaled in relief at the sight.

On the other side, Duan Qing Ming leaned on his sword, panting.

Gu Ping Lin called out, "Can you keep fighting?"

"Absolutely." Duan Qing Ming's response came between gasps. Strands of disheveled hair fluttered around his flushed, handsome face—his expression was exhilarated, edged with a hint of madness.

Sword light flashed as he charged forward.

Gu Ping Lin followed closely. The ghoul beast, severely wounded, gradually weakened after its frenzied outburst. Under their coordinated assault, it finally collapsed with a thunderous crash, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Neither approached immediately. Duan Qing Ming hurled his sword, piercing the ghoul beast's right eye.

The beast didn't stir—it was truly dead.

Only then did Gu Ping Lin exhale deeply, his legs giving way as he slumped to the ground and lay flat, drenched in cold sweat.

In contrast, Duan Qing Ming seemed revitalized, as if brimming with endless energy. He strode over to retrieve his sword, examined it, meticulously wiped the blade clean, and sheathed it before turning to Gu Ping Lin. "Sixth layer of Qi Gathering, first layer of Nascent Origin. Impressive."

His dark, smiling eyes revealed nothing of his true thoughts.

"Seventh layer of Nascent Origin—you're no less impressive," Gu Ping Lin retorted coldly. He had held back, so Duan Qing Ming's displayed strength couldn't be his full power either. He might have reached the eighth layer of Nascent Origin—or even the Small Heavenly Cycle.

"A flawless collaboration," Duan Qing Ming walked over, looking down at him with a smile. "Ah, such exhilaration—are you still unsatisfied, Gu Xiao Jiu?"

"Satisfied? Of course I'm satisfied!" Gu Ping Lin gritted his teeth. He hadn't expected Duan Qing Ming to be this insane—willing to sever all escape routes and gamble with their lives. Now he understood how this man had become a legendary sword cultivator in his past life.

Duan Qing Ming tapped Gu Ping Lin's cheek with his scabbard. "You're the only one who can keep up with me. We're the perfect pair of fellow disciples, don't you think?"

Gu Ping Lin smacked the scabbard away. "Get lost."

Meeting those blazing eyes, Duan Qing Ming wasn't offended. He threw his head back and laughed—his arrogant demeanor reminiscent of the swordmaster who had once challenged the world in Gu Ping Lin's past life.