Cloud Mist Mountain Range.
Mountain ridges stretched endlessly here, looking exceptionally perilous.
Within a forest, several figures were fleeing at top speed.
"Changyu, run!"
Grand Hua Daoist's voice rang out, filled with urgency.
"I'm already running, Master. Hurry up and keep up."
Su Changyu moved with incredible speed, weaving through the forest.
Roar!
At that moment, an Ironclad Rhinoceros standing a full five meters tall charged wildly about, smashing towering ancient trees to the ground and sending birds scattering in all directions.
The rhinoceros was extremely fast, its entire body covered in iron armor. Just looking at it made one's scalp tingle.
Grand Hua Daoist was several hundred meters ahead of it, but he knew that blindly fleeing would only lead to death sooner or later. He might as well risk everything against this Ironclad Rhinoceros.
His longsword stabbed forward.
Grand Hua Daoist targeted the Ironclad Rhinoceros's eyes, its most vulnerable point.
But the Ironclad Rhinoceros was no fool. Seeing Grand Hua Daoist attack, it twisted its body and blocked his strike.
"This is bad!"
In an instant, Grand Hua Daoist's expression changed. He knew trouble had come.
Clang!
The refined iron sword snapped. The Ironclad Rhinoceros let out an angry roar and sent Grand Hua Daoist flying with a direct charge.
The terrifying impact hurled Grand Hua Daoist dozens of meters away, breaking an unknown number of bones in his chest.
That force was utterly terrifying. Grand Hua Daoist coughed up blood again and again. Fortunately, he had gathered his remaining spiritual energy around his vital organs in advance; otherwise, that blow alone would have left him without even a grave.
"It's over."
At that moment, Grand Hua Daoist's heart turned to ashes.
He somewhat regretted coming to the Cloud Mist Mountain Range, but regret was useless now.
Roar!
The next moment, the Ironclad Rhinoceros looked toward Grand Hua Daoist. Ferocity shone in its eyes; clearly, it had locked onto him.
"Master, run!"
Yet at that very moment, Su Changyu appeared.
He had not fled. Instead, he had turned back to save Grand Hua Daoist.
"Changyu!"
Grand Hua Daoist froze. He had not expected Su Changyu to turn back and save him.
Whoosh!
In an instant, Su Changyu grabbed Grand Hua Daoist by the collar and immediately sprinted away.
Su Changyu was incredibly fast, though wisps of blood energy swirled around his body.
Grand Hua Daoist did not think much of it. Right now, all they needed to do was escape.
The Ironclad Rhinoceros pursued them from behind, but Su Changyu was simply too fast.
An hour later.
On a deserted cliff.
Su Changyu and Grand Hua Daoist sat beneath a tree, neither of them looking well.
Grand Hua Daoist especially had suffered severe injuries. Who knew how many of his breastbones had fractured? On top of that, being dragged along by Su Changyu the entire way had only added injury upon injury.
But there had been no choice under those circumstances. No matter what, they had at least snatched their lives back.
As for Su Changyu, he sat cross-legged in meditation. Soon, however, he let out a cough and spat out a mouthful of bright red blood.
"Changyu."
Suppressing his pain, Grand Hua Daoist looked at Su Changyu.
"I'm fine, Master." Su Changyu gave a faint laugh, but his brows were tightly furrowed. He was clearly in terrible discomfort.
"You..."
Grand Hua Daoist saw at once what Su Changyu had done. He had taken a Blood Burst Pill, burning his blood to raise his cultivation. Yet consuming such a pill would cost at least ten years of one's lifespan.
"Master, hurry and treat your injuries."
Su Changyu's lips had gone pale, yet he still urged Grand Hua Daoist to heal himself first.
Grand Hua Daoist's injuries were far too severe. He could not delay any longer.
"It is this master who has wronged you."
Grand Hua Daoist took a deep breath. He regretted coming here, but what he regretted most was being so useless that he could not even handle a mere demonic beast, causing his disciple to lose years of his life.
"Master, stop being sentimental and recover from your injuries already."
Su Changyu sounded unconcerned, telling Grand Hua Daoist to start healing at once.
Grand Hua Daoist said no more. He swallowed a healing pill and began drawing in spiritual energy to heal. Meanwhile, Su Changyu endured his discomfort and watched their surroundings, worried that they might encounter another demonic beast.
Several hours later.
Grand Hua Daoist finished healing. His injuries remained serious, but they had stabilized. As long as he recuperated properly for two or three years, there would be no major problems.
After Grand Hua Daoist finished healing, Su Changyu began meditating to restore his vitality.
He had just taken a Blood Burst Pill. Not only had it cost him ten years of his lifespan, it had also burned away much of his vital blood. It was equivalent to suffering a serious illness, and he needed to stabilize himself properly. Otherwise, if it worsened further, he might lose more than ten years of his life.
And so, time passed until late at night.
Su Changyu awoke.
"Changyu, eat something."
At this time, Grand Hua Daoist took out some dry provisions. They were meat cakes made from demonic beast flesh. They tasted ordinary, but contained blood energy that could strengthen the body and restore one's blood and qi.
Su Changyu took the meat cake, then fell silent.
Grand Hua Daoist, meanwhile, felt somewhat helpless. With a thousand words in his heart, he could only slowly say,
"Changyu, this master has held you back."
Grand Hua Daoist spoke earnestly. He felt that he had become a burden to Su Changyu.
"Master, there is no need to say such things again in the future."
Su Changyu did not take it to heart.
He was an orphan whom Grand Hua Daoist had raised. To Su Changyu, Grand Hua Daoist was both his master and his father. Even if turning back earlier had meant death, Su Changyu would not have harbored the slightest resentment.
Thus, Su Changyu felt there was no need for such words of gratitude.
Sigh!
Grand Hua Daoist sighed. He understood Su Changyu's feelings, but he blamed himself even more.
"Master, think of something happy. No matter what, we got the spirit essence. We can forge a flying sword for Little Junior Brother now."
Su Changyu broke the silence, trying to say something that would lift their spirits.
"Yes. Though we nearly lost our lives, this trip's harvest was indeed considerable. These Spirit Essence Stones are worth at least several hundred spirit stones."
"Sure enough, if you want to get rich, you have to gamble with your life."
Mentioning the Spirit Essence Stones brightened Grand Hua Daoist's mood considerably.
Although they had nearly died on this trip, the gains had been astonishing. They had earned at least over two hundred low-grade spirit stones.
Most importantly, this spirit essence was essential for forging flying swords.
"Sigh, we worked ourselves to the bone and nearly lost our lives, yet the spirit stones we earned are worth less than one of Little Junior Brother's paintings."
"Sometimes, when you think about it, comparing people truly makes people furious."
Su Changyu spoke, his words carrying a touch of dejection.
The moment he said this, Grand Hua Daoist's mood became a little less beautiful as well.
Indeed. What they had obtained through risking life and limb was worth less than a casual stroke of someone else's brush. How could that not make one feel miserable?
"But we cannot keep making your Little Junior Brother paint. We cannot possibly rely on your Little Junior Brother to support everyone, can we?"
Grand Hua Daoist sounded somewhat helpless.
"That is true, but it would not be difficult to have Little Junior Brother paint one occasionally. After what happened this time, I understand that life is more important than face. Once we return, I will have him make a painting. Part of it can be used to forge his flying sword, and the rest can buy some high-grade healing medicine for your injuries."
Su Changyu had made up his mind. He no longer cared about pride or saving face.
If he had not prepared a Blood Burst Pill this time, master and disciple would likely both have died here.
Thus, Su Changyu understood that life was more precious than face.
"Fine, but do not ask for too much. Just enough will do."
Grand Hua Daoist nodded.
Though he still felt somewhat embarrassed, it was better than losing his life.
"Master, you should not take it too much to heart either. Little Junior Brother usually enjoys painting himself. Perhaps he even painted one for Second Junior Brother."
Su Changyu said.
The moment he said this, Grand Hua Daoist could not help but freeze.
That was right.
Perhaps they would not need to ask at all. Ye Ping might have painted one himself.
"This is bad!"
Suddenly, Grand Hua Daoist thought of something else, and his expression changed.
"What is it?"
Su Changyu was somewhat curious.
"Changyu, this master thinks what you just said makes sense, but could your Second Junior Brother have painted a portrait as well?"
Grand Hua Daoist asked.
The moment he said this, Su Changyu also froze.
"Probably not. Junior Brother Luo Chen is not that kind of person."
Grand Hua Daoist said nothing.
"Perhaps even if he painted a portrait, it would only be a side profile like mine?"
Su Changyu guessed reluctantly.
"I hope that is the case. Otherwise..."
Grand Hua Daoist did not continue.
Because the meaning was already obvious.
Before you continue