Chapter Eleven: The Arrival of Li Chunyi

A groom appeared out of nowhere and personally helped Xu Hai onto the carriage; surprisingly, he did not flee in panic. Xu Xing watched them leave, his gaze following until the carriage faded into the distance.

As the sound of hooves dwindled, Xu Xing’s sight lingered at the street corner where the carriage had disappeared. Recalling the groom’s horse, a suspicion took root in Xu Xing’s mind—the horse’s teeth still bore traces of his sister-in-law’s sensitive plant.

Xu Hai was hurriedly sent away, leaving Xu Xing standing dazed at the courtyard gate. If Xu Hai was gone, and the defendant was absent, how could the court session proceed? Yet, if his brother did not seek treatment, how could his body ever recover?

Seeing Xu Xing’s vacant expression, Hang Ri approached, poking him gently and comforting, “Don’t worry, Xu Xing. I can impersonate Xu Hai. I’m about the same height and age as your brother. All I need is a new face and a change in my voice and tone. For someone at the Foundation Establishment stage, it’s child’s play.”

Xu Xing had never considered that Hang Ri’s actions would move him so deeply—that he would offer his help so willingly. Once bitter rivals, now Hang Ri was eager to assist. Hang Ri himself didn’t know why, but he simply felt Xu Xing was worth it.

Face-changing was a technique that allowed a person to alter their appearance to resemble another, akin to the transformation pills used by the demon clans.

Hang Ri extended his hand. “Let’s work together. There’s something more behind this matter.”

Seeing Hang Ri’s hand, Xu Xing placed his own atop it; the two shook hands, forging a truce. This was their first time standing at the same starting line; Hang Ri’s lips curled into an involuntary smile.

Perhaps this was their way of letting bygones be bygones.

Standing in the biting autumn wind, under the harsh sunlight, they went back to the willow tree and sat quietly beneath its shade.

No one knew how long their sorrow lasted. Xu Xing eventually stood, brushed the dirt from his clothes, glanced at the willow, and returned to his room, emerging with two bamboo mats, which he laid beneath the tree.

Hang Ri, puzzled by Xu Xing’s actions, asked, “Xu Xing, what are you doing?”

Xu Xing reclined on one mat, leaving the other for Hang Ri, and said, “It’s a family tradition. After what happened to my brother, I feel the guilt weighing on me. I want to cleanse my soul here. You should do the same. Tonight, let’s sleep under the tree.”

“I refuse! How could a young master like me sleep outdoors?”

...

“You know, sleeping out here feels pretty good,” Hang Ri admitted later.

Lying beneath the willow, the two talked at length. Through their conversation, Xu Xing learned much—Hang Ri’s family’s true backer was the Li family, while Xu Xing’s was the Chen family. In Haicheng, Li and Chen families were sworn enemies.

This upheaval was clearly orchestrated by the Li family; they wanted to use it to give Chen family a humiliating blow.

But Xiao Feng was puzzled: Why hadn’t the Chen family retaliated? Were they content to remain passive? Would they let Li family act so brazenly? Was Xu family merely a pawn to be abandoned? Or was there some hidden story?

These thoughts brought a melancholy to Xu Xing’s heart.

Just as the two discussed the critical points of the case, a knocking sounded at the door. A voice spoke outside, “I am a guest!”

The words interrupted their conversation. Xu Xing looked up at the gate and was about to rise when Hang Ri pulled him back. “I recognize this voice. We’d best be cautious, lest something go awry.”

Xu Xing hesitated, unsure whether to check who it was.

Just then, a man vaulted the courtyard wall: sharp brows, small eyes, abstract facial lines—each feature grew as it pleased, presenting a face common enough to blend in anywhere.

“Why is it him?” Hang Ri frowned at the newcomer.

Xu Xing stared at the man in surprise—why had he come here? As the thought dawned, Xu Xing slapped his forehead. He understood now!

“Long time no see, Xu Xing. Don’t you recognize me?” the man said.

“Li Chunyi, well, it’s been a while. If I’m not mistaken, you’re behind all this, aren’t you? You even delivered food the other night, didn’t you?” Xu Xing replied coldly.

Li Chunyi clapped his hands, standing atop the wall and nodding.

Hang Ri, seated on the mat, asked in confusion, “You know Li Chunyi? He’s from the north side of Haicheng—how could you know him?”

How could Xu Xing not recognize him? He was his arch-nemesis!

Li Chunyi was the person Xu Xing despised most. In his previous life, his poor cultivation was largely because of him. According to the Great Shu’s rules, every boy was sent to an academy at age fourteen.

When Xu Xing turned fourteen, he was sent to the notorious Zhuoding Academy in Haicheng’s north district.

Haicheng had six academies, each serving a different area. While Zhuoding was near the bottom, it still offered cultivation opportunities.

Back then, Xu Xing’s talent drew Li Chunyi’s envy. Through underhanded means, Li Chunyi caused Xu Xing to break academy rules, resulting in his expulsion.

This became Xu Xing’s hidden wound, haunting him ever since. He drowned his sorrows in drink, played and idled all day, trying to forget the past.

Until, at sixteen, he met a girl—Mo Xi—who changed him. But happiness was brief...

After half a year with Mo Xi, family circumstances led to their separation. Xu Xing felt as if the sky had collapsed.

Now, he swore to accomplish everything he had failed to do in his previous life, to reclaim what was rightfully his.

For Xu Xing to continue his cultivation, only one path remained: to enter Haicheng’s best, Beihai Academy.

Beihai Academy cared nothing for one’s past—even if you were a murderer or a demon, as long as your talent was sufficient, they would accept you.

If, within the academy, your talents shone brightly enough, you might attract the attention of the Demon Hunter Organization and become a demon hunter yourself.

“Fate truly has a sense of humor—how do I keep running into you?” Xu Xing said, his tone grim. The last time Li Chunyi delivered food, Xu Xing had sensed familiarity—now he realized Li Chunyi had changed his face.

“I just came to see my old friend. Seems you’ve been doing well. I never expected you to unravel the scheme I so carefully planned. This time, I’m here for your life!”

Li Chunyi mocked, and in an instant, appeared before the two. He raised his hand, gathering wild spiritual energy into his palm, forming a swirling sphere that he hurled at them.

“Now that Su Mei, who could oppose me, is gone, you cannot escape.”

The overwhelming power made the sand beneath Li Chunyi’s feet tremble. Pigeons perched on the wall scattered and returned, chattering noisily.

“You have no chance. I won’t give you another opportunity to fight back. I should have cut you down under the moonlight long ago!” The spiritual sphere shot from Li Chunyi’s palm.

Hang Ri shoved Xu Xing aside, and they narrowly dodged Li Chunyi’s attack.

The sphere struck the willow tree—but strangely, the willow absorbed the spiritual energy. Its slender branches, as if controlled by unseen forces, stretched out toward Li Chunyi.

In the blink of an eye, Li Chunyi was ensnared by the willow, every muscle taut as it ravenously consumed him.

Li Chunyi’s eyes filled with terror, disbelief etched on his face. “How can this be? This demon tree!”

“You’re the real monster!” Xu Xing roared.

Hang Ri, sensing the moment, revealed mysterious seven-star patterns on his hands, shining with dazzling starlight, and joined forces with the willow, attacking Li Chunyi.

Li Chunyi was at the late Foundation Establishment stage.

Xu Hai, now in his own perfected Qi refinement, possessed strength comparable to early Foundation Establishment.

Yet his Divine Yuan secret technique could shatter another’s Divine Yuan in an instant—a deadly weapon.

“Great Incineration Technique, Tranquil Wind.” After a brief respite, Xu Xing gathered his power, reciting the incantation.

Seeing Xu Xing’s astonishing cultivation speed, terror filled Li Chunyi’s eyes.

“Cross Sutra, Extinction!” Hang Ri intoned, the swastika condensed, Sanskrit and swastika merging, their power greatly amplified, striking at Li Chunyi.

In desperation, Li Chunyi’s waist amulet detonated, sending sand flying and chaos erupting. His cries betrayed his disbelief.

“How is this possible? How have you become so strong? How are you still able to cultivate? Xu Xing, just wait!”

When the dust settled, Li Chunyi was gone.

Only two figures remained, disheveled in the wind. Xu Xing turned to the willow tree, silently grateful.

It had saved him more than once.

This time, Li Chunyi’s arrival was meant as a warning, and it reaffirmed Xu Xing’s resolve to grow stronger.