Chapter 247: A Smack On the Head

Time passed by slowly in the mountains.

𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

In the blink of an eye, it was already August. Chu Liang arrived at Treasured Pagoda Peak to meet with Jiang Yuebai.

Recently, a new hidden realm[1] emerged. Nearly ten major immortal sects sent their disciples to explore it, and Jiang Yuebai, as a representative of the Mount Shu Sect, also entered this hidden realm.

This was a rule established in the world of immortality cultivators. Besides extremely important resources, the competition for most hidden realms and valuable items usually happened between the representative disciples of the immortal sects.

In this way, it would not only train disciples but also allowed conflicts to be resolved in a manageable manner. No matter how intense the competition became, it would not result in a huge conflict between immortal sects.

At this point, the Mount Shu Sect had not yet selected their head disciple. Therefore, Jiang Yuebai or Xu Ziyang were typically the ones dispatched to participate in such competitions. They served as the temporary representatives chosen by the higher-ups.

Jiang Yuebai had been away for several days, and Chu Liang hadn't seen her during that time.

As he beheld Jiang Yuebai at that moment, Chu Liang could faintly discern that she had made progress in her cultivation. She wore a plain blue blouse and a long skirt, her slender waist and long legs accentuating her radiant beauty. In her gaze, a divine light flickered, adding to her refined aura of strength.

It wasn't unusual for Senior Sister Jiang to achieve a breakthrough every once in a while.

Although Chu Liang had made rapid progress in his cultivation recently, he never dared to be proud as he knew how terrifying these talented figures blessed by the heavens were. If he didn't have the Large-Headed Doll toiling day and night, he would never actually be talented enough to compete with them.

"It's been a while. I've missed you so much," he said with a smile as he approached. "Senior Sister, you've finally returned."

"I've missed Mount Shu very much as well," Jiang Yuebai brushed her hair back, revealing her delicate-looking face, and smiled. "It feels really good to be back home."

"Oh, it seems like you've achieved something during this time?" Chu Liang asked.

"I did gain something from this adventure in the hidden realm," Jiang Yuebai explained concisely. "Although I didn't get the biggest opportunity, the trip wasn't a waste of time."

The Mount Shu Summit was about to commence, which might be why Jiang Yuebai decided to keep some things a secret.

It was the same for Chu Liang. He couldn’t be honest with Jiang Yuebai about his actual cultivation level. All his hidden strength would reveal itself as a trump card on the day of the Mount Shu Summit.

He didn’t think there was anything wrong with being cautious of each other. Even though they shared a relationship, it was still a competition. Besides, this meant that Jiang Yuebai considered him an opponent on her level, which was a form of mutual respect.

This would be showing respect to each other.

If his opponent were Lin Bei, he wouldn’t need to hide anything.

"I am already looking forward to seeing Senior Sister Jiang's performance at the Mount Shu Summit," Chu Liang said with an unabashed smile.

"I am really looking forward to yours as well," Jiang Yuebai replied with a wink. "I know you'll be drawing a lot of attention."

"Oh? Really?" Chu Liang was surprised.

Jiang Yuebai retrieved a pill box from inside her robes and nudged it towards Chu Liang. When he opened the pill box, he saw a green pill shimmering with spiritual energy inside.

This was a high-grade Green Pill!

"Senior Sister Jiang, this..." Chu Liang was astonished.

"You deserve this," Jiang Yuebai said with a hint of humor. "Last month, I discovered that the answer to the third clue of the Mountain God Memorial Ceremony was on the Azure Falling Peak. I sought out my teacher, and she told me about you."

"You were already way ahead of everyone in solving the mysteries, yet the elders used this high-grade Green Pill to prevent you from winning first place. I was furious about it. When I returned from exploring the hidden realm this time, I asked the Alchemy Master for one."

Chu Liang held the pill in his hand, touched by Jiang Yuebai’s intention.

She is clearly trying to protect me...

Chu Liang thought to himself.

Senior Sister Jiang has already solved three puzzles. She could have taken this Green Pill and completed the final stage. Yet, because she thought I was being unfairly treated, she gave me this item.

The Alchemy Master probably never expected Jiang Yuebai to give Chu Liang this pill. Otherwise, he wouldn't have given it out so easily.

The higher-ups of Mount Shu likely intended to trap him at this stage with this pill and force him to surrender a significant portion of his undeserved gains. From the elders' perspective, such actions weren’t unjust; this was their method of maintaining control.

In actuality, the elders of Mount Shu did not expect Chu Liang to be this stubborn. They did not expect that he would rather forfeit first place in the Mountain God Memorial Ceremony than lose money.

The sum of ten thousand sword coins was substantial, but it was uncertain whether the prize for first place would be even more valuable.

If other disciples had requested the high-grade Green Pill, the Alchemy Master would have been more cautious, wondering if they were acting on behalf of Chu Liang. But when it was Jiang Yuebai, he showed no caution. After all, she was a leading contender to win first place.

As of now, besides the detective Xu Ziqing, no one on Mount Shu knew that Chu Liang and Jiang Yuebai were secretly on very good terms. Of course, Xu Ziqing had wandered off in her imagination.

"I don't need it," Chu Liang declared after the surge of emotions, pushing the pill box back to Jiang Yuebai. "The elders intend to punish me. If you stand up for me, it will only reflect negatively on you."

"You don't have to worry about that," Jiang Yuebai said, trying to persuade Chu Liang. "This belongs to you anyway."

Chu Liang grinned at her and replied, "Senior Sister Jiang, you don't have to worry. They can't stump me."

...

When Chu Liang went back to the Silver Sword Peak, he sensed something amiss.

As he passed by the hill, he saw what he had expected. A ruckus lay before him!

Half of the flower field was in disarray, seemingly trampled by someone... Trees in the mountain forest had toppled, leaving holes in the ground... Several houses also showed varying degrees of damage...

He frowned.

An enemy attacked?

This was his first reaction?

That’s not possible! Who would come to the Silver Sword Peak just to trample around?

Did my teacher tear the house apart again?

This was his second reaction.

Impossible! She would only be ruthless when she’s tearing apart someone else’s house! She treats her own possession with great care.

Perhaps...

He flew over to the wooden shed of the Golden-Furred Hou and saw that the entire shed had collapsed, and the Golden-Furred Hou, who had been constantly sleeping, was nowhere to be seen.

Chu Liang was about to rise and search when he heard cheerful "

hreeeorhhh

" sounds.

As he looked up, he saw the Baize youngling flying ahead, followed by a massive golden-colored creature. The two spirit beasts streaked through the sky like lightning as they headed towards the Silver Sword Peak.

This massive creature had golden fur and a ferocious face. Its mouth was always open, revealing a sycophantic smile. If it wasn't Big Head from the Silver Sword Peak, who else could it be?

At this moment, its body exuded a powerful aura, shrouded in fierceness. The strength it displayed showed that it was already at the sixth realm!

If Chu Liang guessed correctly, this Big Head had just woken up from its slumber and realized it had achieved a breakthrough. Immediately, it burst into joy and started wreaking havoc. Suddenly, it recalled that it hadn't eaten much in the past few days and felt hungry. And so, it rushed to the Guardian Peak to see its friend Xiao Bai.

Chu Liang had correctly guessed the Golden-Furred Hou’s entire thought process.

When it saw Chu Liang, it displayed immense joy. It flew and pounced toward Chu Liang, eager to show some affection.

When Chu Liang saw this spirit beast that had just achieved a breakthrough into the sixth realm, he smiled with pride. Filled with affection, he raised his right hand and gave it a loving smack in the face.

"I have told you many times not to play in the garden. All the fruits you trampled...are money!"

"

Raarrr...

"

After giving it a stern lesson, Chu Liang finally settled down to examine the Golden-Furred Hou after its breakthrough.

Previously, the strongest traits of this Golden-Furred Hou were its tough skin and strong body, like it was made of steel. It was difficult to break through its defense. In aggressive moments, its sharp claws posed a threat, and the golden fur on its body was like a weapon that could hurt people.

While spirit beasts typically possessed innate divine abilities, it seemed this one lacked them. It remained unclear whether it lacked such abilities due to stupidity or if they genuinely didn't exist.

At that moment, the Golden-Furred Hou, being at the sixth realm, displayed glimmering eyes as if it possessed mystical abilities.

"Did you learn any divine abilities? Show me," Chu Liang said as he patted Big Head.

"

Raaaaarrr...

" At the mention of this, the Golden-Furred Hou immediately became excited. It excitedly leaped into action. It crouched down and suddenly lifted its head, emitting a roar that shook the sky!

"

ROAR—

"

When the roar resounded, tangible golden ripples of light spread out. Despite the effect being aimed at Chu Liang, he still experienced a moment of dizziness upon feeling the sound wave.

After all, compared to the Big Head, his cultivation level was far too weak.

Chu Liang sensed that this loud roar likely unleashed some kind of special power. It could get rid of evil entities, control devils, and make illusions disappear. The feeling of dizziness was just a side effect.

It was extremely powerful. If it were to participate in the Spirit-Pet Combat Tournament, which happened during the Mount Shu Summit, Chu Liang was confident that it would easily be a dominating presence.

The Golden-Furred Hou completed its performance and rushed toward Chu Liang, eagerly awaiting praise.

But then, a streak of fire flashed by. It was Di Nufeng, who looked very grumpy. She swung her arm in a circular motion and gave the Golden-Furred Hou a smack.

"I was in the middle of a deep sleep. What's with the noisy roar?" Di Nufeng shouted.

Smack!

The smack on the head left the Golden-Furred Hou feeling dizzy.

Can't this world be a bit kinder?

Its eyes conveyed such innocence as it pondered.

1. Just to be clear. This is not the Blue Dragon's Hidden Realm. ☜