You Can't Bully Me Like That

"The whole of Hidden Origin Peak?"

Lu Changzhi's expression shifted slightly.

"Go on, Sect Master."

"Do you remember what I told you about the Heavenly Azure Ruins? This has to do with them."

"The Heavenly Azure Ruins were left behind by a saint, and only the younger generation can enter. There are less than six months until they open."

"After discussing it with the elders, we decided to use these six months to help some of our top disciples improve as much as possible."

"During this time, we'll hold a sparring competition among the true disciples and distribute some resources. We'll also let the disciples at the top cultivate in the Spirit-Gathering Pool."

Lu Changzhi's heart stirred slightly.

Ruins left behind by a saint? They're worth keeping an eye on.

But there's still plenty of time before they open, so there's no rush.

He had heard about the Spirit-Gathering Pool, though.

If he remembered correctly, it was the place with the densest spiritual power in the Five Symbols Sect, also known as a treasure land for cultivation.

It was said to lie where several streams of spiritual power converged, and that the Five Symbols Sect's predecessors had used great means to gather the surrounding spiritual power there as well.

The spiritual power within had reached an astonishing level, and after being refined by a formation, it could be called an incomparably ideal cultivation ground for cultivators.

"Does the sect intend for Gu Chen and the others to take part in the sparring competition?" Lu Changzhi asked.

"Not quite."

Cang Wenyu smiled and shook his head. "Hidden Origin Peak's circumstances are special. We have to keep it hidden."

"If you and your disciples want to go, you only need to tell me."

Lu Changzhi nodded. "All right, I'll go back and ask what they think."

"Oh, right."

Cang Wenyu added:

"Many of the sect's disciples will be at the true disciples' sparring competition. Changzhi, why don't you come and have a look?"

Lu Changzhi understood.

Clearly, Cang Wenyu had his eye on that ability of his.

"All right." Lu Changzhi nodded, without refusing.

"Just have someone notify me when the time comes, Sect Master."

He had already been thinking of doing the same.

Now he had the perfect opportunity.

He would go treasure hunting among the sect's disciples and see if he could find any who were out of the ordinary.

"No way?"

Back at Hidden Origin Peak.

When Luo Ling'er took out her weapon, Mu Fan's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

"That's ridiculous. A little girl like you uses a heavy sword that big? Can you even swing it?" Mu Fan couldn't help asking.

As soon as the words left his mouth, Luo Ling'er gripped the sword's hilt with both hands and swung it.

A gale whipped up, sending a cloud of dust soaring into the sky.

Mu Fan: "..."

"This Xiao Ling'er is... a real freak."

"Second Senior Brother."

Luo Ling'er spoke excitedly, the giant sword resting on her shoulder, and asked:

"Can you spar with me?"

Her face was full of anticipation as she spoke.

Mu Fan immediately shook his head like a rattle drum.

"No, no. I'm getting old. I need to rest more."

With that, Mu Fan looked at Luo Ling'er and said earnestly:

"Don't be like your eldest senior brother, sparring every day. It's exhausting."

"Come enjoy life like me. You cook, I come to the table, and we'll eat and drink to our hearts' content."

"Why do I get the feeling you're trying to fool me?" Luo Ling'er blinked. Seemingly reminded of something, she changed tack:

"Could it be that you're afraid of losing, Second Senior Brother?"

"Afraid?" Mu Fan raised his voice and looked at Luo Ling'er with some amusement.

"Trying to provoke me into it? Too bad. I don't fall for that."

With that, Mu Fan shook his head with a carefree air.

Luo Ling'er scratched her head and thought for a moment. Her eyes lit up, and she asked again:

"Come on, Second Senior Brother, just one spar. If you win..."

"I'll make you a late-night snack for seven days, all right?"

"Hiss-"

Mu Fan drew a soft breath and gave Luo Ling'er a long look.

"Well, well, Xiao Ling'er. You've even resorted to tempting me with good food."

The forceful approach didn't work on him, but this...

"Deal."

"If you can catch me, you win. Otherwise, get my late-night snacks ready, hahaha~"

With that, Mu Fan darted away and took off running.

Pitting his own strength against another's weakness naturally gave him every advantage.

In the blink of an eye, he was several zhang away.

He looked at Luo Ling'er with a smug expression.

"Here I come!"

Luo Ling'er hoisted the giant sword on her shoulder and immediately started after him.

The ground trembled with every step she took.

But Mu Fan stayed several zhang ahead of her the whole time.

"If you don't catch me soon, I'll win," Mu Fan said with a smile, looking at Luo Ling'er.

"Ahhh!"

Luo Ling'er immediately grew anxious.

"Chirp, chirp, chirp."

Just then, Xiao Ming's cries came from the courtyard.

Immediately afterward, a gale sprang up, and a clear cry soared into the sky.

Nourished by the sect's resources during this time, Xiao Ming had grown even larger.

His fiery red feathers were dazzling, and when he spread his wings, his imposing presence was at its peak.

"Why do I... have a bad feeling about this..."

The smile suddenly froze on Mu Fan's face.

Whoosh!

The next moment, a gale swept up as Xiao Ming swooped down.

"Xiao Ming, are you going to help me?"

Luo Ling'er's eyes lit up, and she spoke with delight. Hearing Xiao Ming's reply, she leaped into the air.

Under Lu Changzhi's astonished gaze, the petite Luo Ling'er climbed onto Xiao Ming's neck.

"Second Senior Brother, I'm coming after you!"

Luo Ling'er shouted excitedly.

"Holy fucking shit!"

"Xiao Ming, for a few bites of food, you'd actually help a tyrant do evil!"

Mu Fan's face changed drastically, and he took off running, his voice growing more and more distant:

"You can't bully me like this!!!"

Whoosh!

A gale raged as Xiao Ming flapped his wings and gave chase, carrying the giant sword that was like a door panel.

For a time, the earth quaked and the mountains shook, while clouds of dust rose on all sides.

At the sight, Lu Changzhi couldn't help smiling and shaking his head.

To capture a person's heart, one must first capture his stomach.

That principle apparently applied to Xiao Ming as well.

Several days later, a disciple came and said respectfully:

"Peak Master Lu, the true disciples' sparring competition is about to begin."

"Understood." Lu Changzhi nodded and stood up.

"Let's go."

It was time to see how the sect's disciples were doing.