The next day, Zhang Yong headed toward the sect's inner square and raised the communication talisman Wu Ruxian had given him a few days ago, with even a trace of doubt and annoyance in his eyes.
"Well, I'll just follow Brother Qing's advice."
He immediately broke the talisman and waited for her arrival.
"You actually called me."
Zhang Yong nearly jumped at the sudden voice that appeared from nowhere behind him.
He turned around quickly, only to see Wu Ruxian leaning against a tree with a gentle smile on her face—one that didn't fit the title of Heavenly Devil at all.
When he saw her smile he thought a crime is about to be committed.
Zhang Yong shook his head quietly. "Weren't you the one who asked me to call you?"
Wu Ruxian stepped forward and walked leisurely. "No, it's just that I didn't expect you to actually use it. The journey will be long—it's better if we set off early."
Zhang Yong followed behind her silently but couldn't help asking, "Are we going on foot?"
Wu Ruxian replied with a slightly mocking tone, "What? you don't have spiritual energy, or do you want to ride on my sword with me?"
Zhang Yong smirked and replied with a sarcastic smile, "As if I need a sword. My speed alone is more than enough to surpass it."
Wu Ruxian asked, "Do you want to bet on that?"
Zhang Yong's face paled slightly, and he immediately shook his head in refusal. "I refuse, absolutely not."
Wu Ruxian's smile carried a trace of amusement. "Come on, are you afraid of a weak little girl like me?"
Zhang Yong didn't answer. He cursed inwardly—who would be crazy enough to gamble against a Child of Fortune? He had already tried simulations, and she was much faster than him. If he wagered with her, she would almost certainly win and might demand something like a favor in return. Misfortune would only rain down on his head.
Among all the so-called Children of Fortune, there were two kinds Zhang Yong wished never to encounter:
The first were the time regressors—those who had hundreds of years of experience, knew the locations of treasures, artifacts, and future experts, and could recruit them early. They were the hardest to deal with.
The second kind were those simply too strong. Their authors gave them limitless power, able to overturn the heavens and cross the stars. They were absurdly powerful—so much so that even their own writer couldn't figure out a way to defeat them. The only way to deal with that type was to avoid them entirely… or better yet, trick them or form a friendship. After all, the best way to defeat an enemy was to turn them into a friend.
Although normal flight was only possible for those of King Realm or higher, there were magical treasures that allowed one to fly and from them , there's the flying swords
The two immediately set off outside the sect. Wu Ruxian flew through the sky, while Zhang Yong pounded the earth with his feet, running swiftly along the ground.
Wu Ruxian descended slightly, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "You weren't joking when you said you could run fast."
Zhang Yong didn't answer or even look at her. Instead, he increased his speed and overtook her.
Wu Ruxian scoffed 'So you're that fast, huh? Then keep up with me'
She increased her speed and dashed ahead.
"This girl is trouble," Zhang Yong muttered flatly as he stared at her racing forward.
At the same time, Zhang Yong flipped his palm, and a yellow talisman appeared in his hand. Pressing it against his body, his frame was enveloped in wind, and his speed rose further.
It was a Wind Acceleration Talisman. Since he didn't have spiritual energy to use techniques like Shadow Steps, he could still rely on talismans.
The speed boost of the talisman depended on the blood essence of the wind-element beast it was crafted from—this one, in particular, came from a third-rank beast.
If he coulds reduce the air resistance he can be faster
With it, he managed to catch up with Wu Ruxian.
After traveling for seven straight hours, Wu Ruxian pointed to an empty expanse ahead. "There's a wide plain over there—let's stop and rest a little."
The two arrived at the spacious grassy spot and landed quietly on the ground.
Zhang Yong leaned against a tree, while Wu Ruxian sat nearby—though he kept at least two meters of distance between them—and she began meditating to recover spiritual energy.
But then, a sound reached her ears—it was Zhang Yong's breathing. Even with his tough body, she could still hear his labored breaths.
Flying for seven hours using spiritual energy had already drained her somewhat, so how could Zhang Yong, who had run that distance on foot without stopping, be doing?
In truth, Zhang Yong wasn't too exhausted. He had regulated his breathing and tried to conserve energy, but consumption was still consumption. He wasn't some infinite power generator—he was just a human, still vulnerable to death.
"Aren't you going to eat something?" Wu Ruxian couldn't help but ask, partly out of concern.
Zhang Yong shook his head. "I don't really need food. You can eat if you want." His tone was rather cold; he didn't want any bond with her. Once this mission ended, he planned to return to the small world and disappear until he found a way to deal with her.
Wu Ruxian insisted. "No, you should eat. You have an ordinary body and not even spiritual energy to endure hunger." Her gaze carried an unexpected stubbornness.
Zhang Yong remained indifferent, his cold demeanor unchanging. "I said I don't need to. I'm not a child for you to worry about."
Yet Wu Ruxian moved closer, a flash of agitation in her eyes. "No, you must. You don't know what it means to starve. Even children don't always have food and suffer from hunger." It was as if a memory struck her like lightning at that moment.
Realizing her state, she stepped back and returned to her meditation.
'What's with her? That looked like some kind of trauma. Does it have to do with her past? But wait—if her past is actually her future, and her present is our past, then what exactly was she thinking of?'
Zhang Yong couldn't help but think about such useless nonsense at the most ridiculous time.
While they were sitting there, the sound of footsteps echoed—someone was running.
"An enemy?" Zhang Yong instinctively raised his guard, already gripping his sword.
A group of five men emerged from the direction of the sound. They looked rather respectable, aside from one—an overweight youth with a pig-like body.
"Ahem, this spot looks good. You can rest here, brothers," declared one of them, who, judging from his tone, was clearly their leader.
Zhang Yong immediately assessed them carefully. They were cultivators at the Great Master rank, the youngest around twenty years old.
It was obvious that this was a good resting spot—flat ground on a small rise, a beautiful view, tall trees casting cool shade, and a pleasant breeze.
The group soon noticed Zhang Yong and Wu Ruxian. They approached, and the leader joined his hands. "Greetings, fellow doists , We are from the Celestial Twilight Sect. We've grown tired from our journey, so we'll rest on this side. Don't worry, we won't disturb you."
Zhang Yong stood, joined his hands with a smile, and replied, "Welcome, brothers. No need to worry—you can rest however you like."
But unlike his friendly demeanor, Wu Ruxian was far colder. She frowned and said, "Keep your voices down."
The fat youth turned toward Wu Ruxian when he heard her voice. When he saw her, his jaw dropped, the fat on his face trembling, and his eyes lit up with a greedy glint.
"What a beauty…" His gaze clung shamelessly to Wu Ruxian. "Girl, I am the young master of the Peng clan. I'll allow you to accompany me."
The leader immediately slapped the fat youth across the face, ignoring his status. "Peng Youran, stop your insolence and get back!"
Wu Ruxian's face remained cold, unbothered by the fat youth's reaction.
Holding his cheek, the youth shouted, "Brother, I have the right to demand what I want!"
Zhang Yong couldn't help but glance at Wu Ruxian, only to see her looking back at him with a smile.
Zhang Yong cursed inwardly, already anticipating what was about to happen 'Ah, damn it'
Sure enough, the fat youth pointed at Zhang Yong. "So it's because of him, isn't it? I'm far better than this country bumpkin! If you're a man, face me! Whoever wins gets her! Do you accept my challenge?"
Zhang Yong was speechless at the ridiculous situation he found himself in. How the hell did it come to this? Then he glanced at Wu Ruxian. Of course. She's a Child of Fortune. With her luck, we're bound to keep bumping into young masters from every clan across the continent.
He immediately realized—this girl beside him was nothing short of a ticking time bomb.
He shook his head at once. "I refuse. I don't want to fight."
The fat youth looked surprised but kept provoking him. "Aren't you a man? If you are, then fight me!"
Zhang Yong shook his head helplessly. "I'm not a man. I'm a tree."
The fat youth's chubby face twisted in frustration at the absurd refusal.
The leader instantly pulled him back with a furious expression. "Peng, when we return to the sect, you will be punished!"
He ordered the others to drag the youth away, then bowed apologetically. "I apologize if my junior offended you, brother. Please don't take it to heart—consider it our mistake. When we return, I'll discipline him strictly."
Zhang Yong waved his hand with a smile. "No need to worry. You can go."
The leader bowed once more before returning to his group.
Wu Ruxian couldn't help but laugh in amusement. "I didn't expect that. I thought you'd actually fight him."
Zhang Yong sneered calmly. "Why would I? For your sake? You think too highly of yourself."
Resting her head on her hand while still seated in meditation, Wu Ruxian said, "No, it's just that I thought a man could be killed, but never mocked."
She repeated the very same words Zhang Yong had once said during the outer sect competition.
Zhang Yong sighed in mild irritation. This girl never let anything slip. "I don't see it as mockery. It's easy to avoid conflict. Of course, I have enough strength to be arrogant, but I don't. I could also laugh at them and look down on everyone with disdain, but mockery… is childish. Yet those who live under its shadow are the truly childish ones. That's just normal in this world, isn't it? You bow to those above you and step on those below you. Fairness itself is childish, since it depends on whoever enforces it. But those who still wish to live fairly… they're not childish at all. They deserve respect."
Wu Ruxian's eyes widened slightly in admiration. "Heh, you really do have a deep view of things."
"If you've got time to mock me, are you done recovering your spiritual energy yet?" Zhang Yong grumbled.
Wu Ruxian chuckled softly and stood up. "Of course. Did you think it would take me a whole day?"
Zhang Yong walked toward the group, cupped his hands, and said, "I hope we meet again someday, brothers. We'll be on our way now."
The leader immediately stood and returned the gesture, as did every member. "We wish you a safe journey."
Zhang Yong turned and gestured to Wu Ruxian to set off.
She tossed her sword forward, mounted it, and soared into the sky. Zhang Yong dashed after her swiftly.
After they left, the leader of the group turned to the fat youth. "Peng Yu, when we return, you'll be punished."
The fat youth's body trembled. "Eh? Why? Senior, why should we fear them? We outnumbered them."
One of the group members approached him. "Did you forget our senior brother's ability to sense killing intent?"
The fat youth's beady eyes widened. "What? Could it be that they're both from a demonic sect?"
The leader shook his head calmly. "Not could be—definitely. Fortunately, the boy didn't act. His killing aura was far too dark, and the girl… she's no ordinary person either."
The fat youth swallowed hard. "I'm sorry, senior. When we return, I'll accept my punishment."
The journey of Wu Ruxian and Zhang Yong was long indeed, for the Dilapidated Demon Valley wasn't in their own Celestial Province but in the neighboring Mystic Spirit Province.
It was an enormous region, spanning over a hundred thousand square kilometers.
Despite the vast distance, their speed was truly astonishing.
After a few more hours, darkness began to fall, and they had no choice but to camp for the night.
They lit a fire easily and roasted meat over it.
Zhang Yong's eyes remained fixed on the flames, his mind deep in thought.
With his Life and Death affinity physique understanding laws wasn't an issue, yet he felt a barrier
His comprehension of Fire and Ice Laws was stuck at the third level, unable to progress further.
But he couldn't focus on just one law yet. The formation he had set up back in the small world around that academy was only of the first rank. If he could elevate his laws even one step, he could raise the formation's quality
The level of the array dictated the size of the items it would transport, so transporting swords, herbs, and grains was a simple task, but larger items required a higher level of array.
He stood quietly, walked a little away from the fire, then sat cross-legged.
He thought calmly and released the aura of Muramasa within his body. Though it wasn't spiritual energy, he felt something different about it. If he treated it like spiritual energy… what would happen?
Instead of guiding it to his dantian, he changed its path, he guided it in the middle dantian , towards the heart , Slowly, he tried to direct Muramasa's aura into his heart with utmost concentration.
The moment it entered, his body trembled violently, as though his heart were about to explode. He instantly withdrew the aura.
A line of blood trickled down his lips as he panted heavily, wiping it away. "Looks like I can't succeed on the first try. I'll probably need to reach the third layer of Heaven-Defying Body before I dare risk it again. If I fail a second time, it'll mean this aura is just too powerful."
Then a thought flashed in his mind. He stretched his hand toward a nearby tree and released the aura again. A black thread shot out from his palm but stopped at about three meters.
Retracting the aura, he looked at his hand now covered in dark energy.
He realized—this aura couldn't be used for long-range attacks except for throwing slashes , Its maximum reach was three meters. It could serve as a swift, hidden strike, but he needed time to make its release faster.
It could even be shaped into a blade, which was a huge advantage
Until he found a way to detach it fully from his body and control it perfectly , a close-range use was his only option.
And if he truly managed to fuse it with his heart, then his heart itself could generate the aura, increasing its production rate and possibly even extending its range.
"Why are you sitting so far away? Come near the fire—it gets cold at night," Wu Ruxian's voice suddenly called from the side.
Her words brought Zhang Yong back to reality—and back to his current problem: the cunning old fox.
She was a real headache.' The system said she's after my body, but with her strength, she could easily force me. So it must be something more. I doubt she'll harm me for now… but just in case, I can't afford to sleep'
Zhang Yong muttered irritably, "No need. I've got resistance to cold. Something like this won't affect me."
"Yes, but the meat is about to burn," she replied, pointing at the fire.
With annoyance, Zhang Yong walked over, picked up his skewer, and turned away. "I'll keep watch tonight. You can sleep."
There was a faint smile on her face before she lay down to rest—she already had a plan forming in her mind.
The next day, the two advanced toward the Dilapidated Demon Valley.