C39 Victory Is Countless in the Mortal World

When people realized that Liu Xingchang had only thrown out Heavenly Stones and Spirit Stones, it was too late. Liu Xingchang and his companions had vanished without a trace.

Leng Baiyu, aware of the direction in which Liu Xingchang had fled, chose not to pursue. He was acutely aware that he was no match for Liu Xingchang and that antagonizing him too severely could lead to being targeted in the upcoming competition.

For Leng Baiyu, self-interest was paramount.

Besides, the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard had more to offer than just its Demon Core. Its blood, skin, and claws were all valuable commodities that could fetch a high price at the Cultivation Market or be kept for personal use.

Meanwhile, Liu Xingchang and his group, having broken free from their pursuers, didn't linger. They charged out of Bai Yan Town and didn't stop until they reached the valley. Exhausted, they all collapsed, gasping for air.

Hu Gewan, after catching her breath, hurried over to Liu Xingchang, concerned about the wound on his left shoulder. "Are you okay?" she asked.

Liu Xingchang chuckled, "Luckily, it didn't hit the bone—just a flesh wound. I've sealed it with Spiritual Energy, and the bleeding has stopped. I'm fine."

Hu Gewan gazed at Liu Xingchang, her eyes shimmering with emotion. "Why did you save me earlier? Don't you realize you nearly lost your life?"

Liu Xingchang smiled. "As it turns out, I'm still here. Not only that, but we also managed to get our hands on a Fourth Tier Demon Core..." Mid-sentence, he reached into his bosom to retrieve the Demon Core, but his expression darkened when he couldn't find it. Instead, his hand found an odd object.

Liu Xingchang had sensed something amiss earlier, assuming it was the Demon Core moving around. Now, he realized the reality was quite different from what he had expected. "Huh."

When Liu Xingchang pulled the peculiar item from his embrace, his eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Huh? When did this little guy sneak into my arms?" he wondered aloud.

The onlookers peered closer and recognized that Liu Xingchang was holding none other than the small creature that had been with the Fourth Tier Demon Core in the cave—the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard.

Hong Tengqing bounded over with wide eyes gleaming with excitement and exclaimed, "This little fella must be worth a fortune, right?"

At those words, the previously docile creature in Liu Xingchang's hands suddenly lifted its head, the size of a thumb, opened its mouth—boasting just two tiny milk teeth—and let out a fierce roar at Hong Tengqing.

Yan Tianni was astounded. "It can actually understand Hong the Fatty? What a divine beast!"

The little one tried to look intimidating, but given its diminutive size and a head no larger than Liu Xingchang's thumb, it appeared not at all menacing but rather endearing.

Liu Xingchang chuckled and then asked the creature, "Did you swipe that Fourth Tier Demon Core and gobble it up?"

The little beast paused, then shrank back, lowering its head in a display of utter dejection. Its tiny body curled inward like a shrimp, looking quite forlorn.

Tickled by the display, Liu Xingchang said warmly, "It's okay, it's okay. If you ate it, no harm done. I won't hold it against you. Since you've chosen to follow me, it seems we're destined to be companions. From now on, you're with me!"

Upon hearing this, the creature's spirits immediately lifted. It began to frolic joyously on Liu Xingchang's palm, affectionately nuzzling his hand with its little head. It hopped about, alternating between its front and back legs for support, looking irresistibly adorable.

Hu Gewan, being a young woman, couldn't help but be smitten by the sight. She reached out, eager to hold it, and exclaimed, "Oh my, it's just too adorable!"

Liu Xingchang was about to hand over the little creature, but with a peculiar yelp, it swiftly climbed up his arm to perch on his shoulder. From its vantage point, it continued to roar defiantly at Hu Gewan.

Yan Tianni exclaimed, "Well, now this little one has taken to you as its mother!"

Liu Xingchang chuckled and replied, "This creature is quite perceptive. When someone burst into the cave earlier, I made sure to hide it. It must be grateful, hence why it's acknowledged me as its master. Honestly, I'm quite intrigued as to why a youngling from the Flame Dragon clan would be found here."

Hu Gewan arched an eyebrow and said, "You mentioned before that the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard carries a trace of the Flame Dragon clan's bloodline, making it a lower-ranking member among Demonic Beasts. The concept of 'bloodline suppression' is well-known among them. It's likely that this young dragon's elder encountered an unbeatable foe and, while passing through here, left the young one behind with instructions for the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard to guard it. The lizard's injuries probably stem from that encounter; otherwise, nothing near White Rock Town could harm a Blazing Giant Rock Lizard at its peak."

Liu Xingchang nodded in agreement, "Your analysis is well-founded and quite plausible. But now that this little one has chosen to follow me, it's safer to keep it by our side for the time being."

While speaking, Liu Xingchang surveyed the surroundings and noticed the deepening darkness of the night sky. He sighed, "Returning to White Rock Town is out of the question now. We'll have to make do and rest here tonight."

Hong Tengqing's plump face was a picture of misery, clearly unaccustomed to sleeping in such a desolate and remote valley, and he seemed frightened.

Deep into the night, Hong Tengqing remained awake, convinced that mosquitoes were biting him. He flailed his hefty arms, engaging in an epic battle with the imagined pests for countless rounds.

Tong San, who had grown up among wolves in the forest, and the fiercely independent Yan Tianni, fell asleep rather quickly.

Apart from Hong Tengqing, Liu Xingchang was also awake.

Perched on a tree branch, Liu Xingchang gazed at the luminous moon above, his mind awash with countless thoughts.

And how could Liu Xingchang not be lost in thought? In just a matter of months, he had experienced events that he could never have even dreamt of in his past life.

Betrayed by the woman he loved most, in cahoots with another man, and having undergone a rebirth—a phenomenon as mystical as it gets—Liu Xingchang hadn't even settled into his new life when his fiancée's brother strong-armed him into a humiliating broken engagement.

Such complexities were overwhelming and chaotic for Xingchang. Despite his constant recitation of the Clear Heart Mantra, he couldn't alleviate the sorrow weighing on his heart.

As the former master of the Northern Polar Heaven Domain, he believed in bearing his troubles silently, not in burdening others with his concerns, and certainly not in disregarding the pressures of life.

In that moment, the tree trunk quivered. Hu Gewan had climbed up and taken a seat next to Xingchang.

Xingchang glanced at Hu Gewan but remained silent.

Hu Gewan, propping herself up with the tree branch, sat quietly beside Xingchang, also without speaking.

Xingchang gazed at the moon, and she followed suit.

Neither initiated conversation, realizing the serenity of the moment was perfect as it was.

Their breaths mingled under the starlit sky, steady and even.

A gentle breeze from the east brought a refreshing comfort.

In the moonlight, their silent company was a beautiful thing.

Hu Gewan soon found the sitting position slightly uncomfortable, her neck being the first to protest.

Seeking something to lean on, she rested her head on Xingchang's left shoulder.

It had been a long time since Xingchang felt such warmth and beauty. He intended to enjoy the moment in silence, but Hu Gewan's gesture caused his shoulder wound to twinge.

Without crying out, Xingchang's body gave a slight shudder, drawing Hu Gewan's attention.

She quickly lifted her head, concern etched on her face, and said, "I'm sorry, I forgot about your injury..."

Xingchang smiled and replied, "The injury is the least of my worries. But aren't you aware of the principle that men and women should not have such intimate contact?"

Hu Gewan, taken aback, then lowered her head and murmured, "You... I... I apologize..."

Xingchang responded, "No need for apologies. I've always been one to repay an eye for an eye. You've taken a liberty with me, so naturally, I'll have to return the favor to be satisfied."

Hu Gewan exclaimed, "Ah?"

Caught off guard, Hu Gewan found Liu Xingchang's lips swiftly pressing against her own, as quick as a bolt of lightning.

Liu Xingchang's approach was rapid, yet his withdrawal was tantalizingly slow.

Gradually pulling away from Hu Gewan's lips, Liu Xingchang gazed with fascination at the somewhat flustered young woman before him.

Bathed in the pure moonlight, her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue. The moonlight was indeed beautiful, but how could it possibly outshine the blush adorning her face?

In that moment, her blush was more exquisite than anything else in the world.

A sense of tranquility washed over Liu Xingchang. All the absurdity and fear that had plagued him vanished in an instant.

In that moment, he was more serene than the silent, moonlit night itself.

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