My Master Did Not Deceive Me

The person wore a red silk ribbon tied to their forehead, their face as rosy as a peach blossom and their eyes as bright as stars. Their movements weren't fast but were exceptionally graceful.

Crucially, they were extremely young, appearing to be only fifteen or sixteen, with a hint of childishness in their expression!

Senior Brother Ma's interest was immediately piqued. He kept glancing back, a strange smile on his face. "Junior Brother Li, this fellow has quite the striking appearance... though his cultivation seems a bit lacking..."

Liu Xiaolou asked, "Senior Brother Ma, what's the plan?"

"Did you get a clear look? Is it just him?"

"That's right!"

"How about this..."

The two of them stopped simultaneously, parting to the sides and waiting in place. Liu Xiaolou hadn't dared to remove his black-scarf-covered bamboo hat, and Senior Brother Ma quickly pulled his own black scarf back up.

The handsome young man stopped several yards away. Facing the two of them alone, he showed no fear, coldly stating, "Two scoundrels, do you dare show your true faces?"

Senior Brother Ma chuckled sinisterly, "Little brother, I'll let you see my and my junior brother's true faces in a moment... Junior Brother Li, he's mine, the fortune is yours. If there are any magical artifacts or spirit stones, we'll split them fifty-fifty, how about it?"

Liu Xiaolou felt a chill run down his spine. He pulled the black scarf on his face up higher and pressed his bamboo hat down tighter. "Senior Brother Ma, please go ahead!"

Senior Brother Ma took two steps forward. "I didn't expect the Zhang clan to have such a handsome young man. He's practically made of water..."

The other person's expression suddenly turned cold, like frost. "Firstly, I am not a disciple of the Zhang clan. I am a disciple of the Dongyang Sect. My surname is Han, my given name is Wuwang—Wuwang meaning 'hopelessness.' Secondly, at this time, in this place, this mountain will be your burial ground!"

As soon as he finished speaking, an eight trigrams compass flew out from his sleeve. As it spun, it suddenly enlarged, enveloping Senior Brother Ma.

Senior Brother Ma's face instantly turned ashen. He cried out in alarm, "Dongzhen Bagua Disk?" In his haste, he flung out an iron rod. After blocking for two exchanges, it was firmly suppressed by the Bagua Disk, and he could no longer struggle free.

In despair, he shouted for help, "Junior Brother Li, help me!"

Liu Xiaolou couldn't be bothered with this opportunistic senior brother. Upon hearing it was the Dongzhen Bagua Disk, he immediately abandoned any thought of fighting. He had already fled several yards away and, disregarding the mountain path, leaped directly towards the cliff ahead.

The Dongzhen Bagua Disk, one of the Dongyang Sect's most prized treasures. Even a lowly rogue cultivator like himself had heard of it; its name truly thundered in his ears. Thinking about how the Dongyang Sect's sect leader also had the surname Han, the identity of this handsome young man before him was becoming clear—even if he wasn't entirely certain, it was likely very close.

Just as he jumped, a black and white halo of light followed closely behind, grazing past his head. It was the Taiyi Light Blade emitted by the Dongzhen Bagua Disk. As it spun back, it effortlessly sliced three large trees in half, sending them crashing down the cliff with dull thuds.

The Taiyi Light Blade also flew back into the Bagua Disk.

Han Wuwang made a hand seal, and the Dongzhen Bagua Disk spun even faster. Senior Brother Ma's iron rod was already not a good quality item. Even though his cultivation was two levels higher than Han Wuwang's, he couldn't withstand the divine power of the Dongzhen Bagua Disk.

After only a short while longer, the iron rod snapped. Senior Brother Ma let out a heart-wrenching scream as he was ground into a bloody pulp by the rapidly spinning Bagua Disk, his original form no longer discernible.

Han Wuwang snorted, "Bandit!" He retracted the Dongzhen Bagua Disk and went to the spot where Liu Xiaolou had jumped off the cliff to peer down. Seeing that the bottom of the cliff was a mess of fallen trees, he followed suit, leaping down to pursue into the valley and tracking him through the dense mountain forest.

A moment later, a patch of dense bushes on the cliff face began to rustle. Liu Xiaolou, hidden behind them, cautiously climbed towards the clifftop. By the time he flipped himself over the edge, he was covered in cold sweat and trembling uncontrollably.

What his master said was indeed correct. How could one casually provoke disciples from prestigious sects? Judging by his cultivation, he was probably only at the second or third level of Qi Refining, perhaps not even as good at running as himself, but when it came to fighting, five or even himself would be useless.

Liu Xiaolou didn't dare to delay. He fled in another direction. After fleeing for a short while, he mustered his courage and rushed back, picking out two bloodstained spirit stones from Senior Brother Ma's remains.

Reviewing the spoils of this trip, he had one spiritual herb, three spirit stones, over ten taels of silver and gold, and three ordinary jade pendants. Oh, and he had also heartily drunk a little more than half a jar of spirit wine.

Although he had risked his life, this Hero Assembly had truly been worth it!

Based on preliminary judgment, the direction the Dongyang Sect's three Foundation Establishment cultivators were pursuing the heroes was likely northwest. Although he didn't know how far they would pursue, that direction was certainly off-limits.

That young Dongyang Sect disciple surnamed Han had pursued westward, and he couldn't afford to run into that trouble himself.

Therefore, Liu Xiaolou headed southwest. After traveling a hundred miles, he turned north. After traveling for two days, he headed northeast for another day. He made a wide detour, traveling through desolate mountains and wilderness for a full five days before entering the Wulong Mountain region.

Arriving at the foot of Qianzhu Ridge, he followed his usual practice of not entering the mountain. Instead, he went to Uncle Tian's house, waiting for Uncle Tian to return carrying firewood. He then went up to take the firewood. "Uncle Tian, you went to chop wood? I just got back."

Uncle Tian chuckled, scooped a ladle of water from the water vat in the corner of the house, and drank his fill. Then, he glanced outside the door, pulled Liu Xiaolou aside, and asked, "I just came down from Qianzhu Ridge looking for you, but I couldn't find you. Haven't you gone up the mountain yet? Yesterday, a few people were asking around at the foot of the mountain about the whereabouts of the immortal masters. They all had magical arts; their shoes were spotless of mud and sand."

They had found Wulong Mountain so quickly?

"Uncle Tian, how many people? What were they asking about?"

"Three people, just asking around randomly. They only asked if there were any immortal masters cultivating on the mountain. They didn't mention anyone specific, so they weren't getting anywhere. Of course, I only heard the village elders gossiping; they didn't come to me."

"Did they go up the mountain?"

"They entered the mountain. I heard they went towards Ghost Dream Cliff first, not Qianzhu Ridge, but it's possible they might go to Qianzhu Ridge. The immortal masters on the surrounding peaks have all been alerted, and those who can avoid them have done so. This is some rice cake I baked for you, enough for half a month. Hide for a few days and then come back."

"I understand. Thank you, Uncle Tian."

It had only been a few days since the Hero Assembly at Jinping Mountain Villa, and the news must have spread. Although very few rogue cultivators from Wulong Mountain had participated, only himself and Longshan the Rogue Cultivator, when strangers entered the mountain, the rogue cultivators within would naturally relocate. Regardless of whether it concerned him, it was best to lie low until the situation blew over.

Liu Xiaolou took out a jade pendant and handed it to Uncle Tian. "A Zhen has received guidance from a renowned master and entered a prestigious sect. This jade pendant is a small token of my appreciation. Although it's a common item, its quality is excellent. Let her wear it to play with."

This jade pendant had a watery luster, containing shades of green and ink-black. It was something he had casually "borrowed" from Jinping Mountain Villa. Its quality was superior. Uncle Tian, though ignorant of its true value, knew it must be precious and tried to refuse it a few times. However, he likely knew its origins were questionable, probably ill-gotten gains from the young immortal master's ventures outside, which meant little to the immortal masters. Finally, he accepted it with a beaming smile.