STNS: Chapter 492 (Patreon)

Wu Jian had been trying to watch the battle between Zhe Dāozhe and Zhou Shíwēi, but he was unable to keep track of their movements. These two were cultivators at the pinnacle of strength in this world. They were both peak Perfection Realm cultivators, one of only a handful who had ever achieved such a level, and even among them, these two were considered the best.

It’s frustrating that I can’t even see what’s going on.

All Wu Jian saw was the aftermath of their clashes. All he felt was the force winds when they attacked. These two were like forces of nature. What made the situation even more bizarre was how the battle hadn’t destroyed the surroundings. With their power, he would have expected any attack they unleashed to cause mass devastation.

“It’s because they are so powerful that they can avoid destroying the environment,” Wu Meiying said as if she could read his mind.

“I understand. Having more power also means having more control,” Wu Jian nodded.

“Well, sometimes.” Wu Meiying was still watching the battle, but she continued to speak. “These two in particular have great control over their power. Zhou Shíwēi is a time manipulator to begin with, so none of his attacks are going to be flashy and destructive. Zhe Dāozhe could use more destructive attacks if he wants, but that’s just wasting chi. He can’t afford to do that against an opponent like Zhou Shíwēi.” 

Wu jian nodded.

Ever since the battle between those two had begun, Wu Jian had used that time to make sure everyone was healed. He was the only one who couldn’t be healed. His legs were gone. There really wasn’t anything he could do about that. They had tied his stumps with a tourniquet to keep him from bleeding out, but that was the best thing they could do.

Youmei had been inconsolable when she’d seen what happened to his legs. She was currently resting her head on his lap. Hou Jingshu and Zhou Lihua were both right next to him and Wu Meiying as well. The people who had come with Wu Meiying had gathered around them. There were roughly thirty people, and they were all young disciples from the Heavenly Sword Sect.

“Anyway, we can’t stay here,” Wu Meiying declared.

Hou Jingshu furrowed her brow. “Why is that?”

“Because Zhe Dāozhe can’t win.”

“Hold on.” Zhe Fēnglì stepped forward with a frown. “I can’t ignore what you just said, Lady Oracle. What do you mean my father can’t win? He is the strongest cultivator in the world.”

Wu Meiying smiled sadly and shook her head. “I know that’s what most people have come to accept, but the truth is that Zhou Shíwēi is stronger. His cultivation method is better, and his abilities are more refined. He’s not even going all out against your father. Your father is going to lose soon, so we need to leave before that happens.”

“Have you… seen the future?” Zhe Fēnglì asked.

“I have.”

“How are we going to escape from here?” asked Wu Jian, glancing at his legs with a grimace. “I don’t think I’ll be able to move much with an injury like this…”

“Don’t worry. I’m going to transport us using a technique I know, but I’ll need your help,” Wu Meiying began. “The technique is called Celestial Space-Time Rift. Have you heard of combination techniques? They are techniques that combine one or more elements to create an even more powerful technique. This is one of the few techniques that can combine time and space manipulation. You and I will have to align our chi and create a harmonious flow of energy between us. It will require us to be perfectly synchronized. I’ll instruct you on what to do, so just follow my lead.”

Wu Jian had never heard this technique name before, but something about it felt familiar. Perhaps he and Wu Meiying had used this in their previous lives together.

“Hold on just a minute,” Zhe Fēnglì said. “What about my father?”

“Your father is doing his best to hold that enemy back, but the longer this battle continues, the worse it will become for him. The sooner we can escape, the sooner he can make his own escape.”

Wu Meiying’s words were sound, but Zhe Fēnglì still did not look happy. His face was etched into a massive frown. Wu Meiying, however, decided to ignore him.

“Wu Jian, I know it might be hard, but I need you to harmonize your chi with me.”

“Okay.”

Without his legs, Wu Jian could not sit cross-legged. Hou Jingshu and Zhou Lihua kept him from falling over as he made a hand seal with fingers. There were several different types of handseals. The most commonly practiced were those based on the zodiac, but there was another method called Kuji-in. Commonly referred to as Nine Hand Seals, they were symbolic gestures used in various esoteric practiced. It had been a long time since they had fallen out of practice, but Wu Meiying had taught them to him a long time ago saying they would come in handy.

“Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and follow along with the sound of my voice,” Wu Meiying began. “Rin, Toh, Rin, Kai, Toh, Jin, Toh…”

Wu Jian listened to Wu Meiying. With his eyes closed, her interlocked the fingers for both of his hands, extended his index fingers, and pressed them together. Rin. He then placed his left index finger over his right one, extended his his thumbs, and gently touched the tips. Toh. He soon went back to Rin, then interlaced his fingers with the right thumb over the left and extended the index fingers and pressed them together. Kai. Each of the mudras stood for something specific. Rin; power. Toh; harmony. Kai; Intuition. Jin; knowledge.

As he continued following along with Wu Meiying, he activated his chi, which he felt begin mingling with hers. The two of them continued creating hand seals as their breathing synchronized and their chi became aligned. It was surprisingly easy. Was this because of how close they were, or were they compatible in some other way?

The chi that flowed around him and Wu Meiying thickened as their chis combined. He didn’t know what came next, but he was ready.

However, before they could continue, something slammed into the ground not far from where they were. Everyone except Wu Jian and Wu Meiying looked in that direction.

“Do not lose focus, Jian!” Wu Meiying said before he could do anything.

Wu Jian bit his lip but continued to harmonize his chi.

The smoke cleared away and revealed the person who had struck the ground like a falling meteor. Zhe Dāozhe looked like he had seen better days. His once immaculate clothing was covered in cuts and tears. Blood ran down the corners of his mouth, and he had placed a hand against his chest. His back was turned to them. No one could see how many injuries he had, but it was clear to all that he had suffered a serious blow.

“Father?!” Zhe Fēnglì shouted in shock.

“Stay back!” Zhe Dāozhe commanded before the young man could run to him. Zhe Fēnglì bit his lip but did as he was told.

Zhou Shíwēi frowned at them as he floated in the air above their heads. He glanced at Zhe Dāozhe very briefly, but then he turned his attention to Wu Meiying.

“Tiāntán Meiying Gongzhu, I see you are trying to escape. I do not know what technique you are attempting to use, but do you really think I’ll let you go?”

Wu Meiying kept her eyes closed, but she still responded. “Do you really think you can stop me?”

Zhou Shíwēi frowned as he raised his hand. Chi gathered in his palm. Wu Jian did not know what he intended to do, but he clearly wanted to do something. He continued to perform hand seals as Wu Meiying instructed. He had complete faith in Wu Meiying.

Just before the man could finish whatever he had been about to do, a loud sound like thunder clapping echoed around them. Wu Jian wished he could cover his ears like the others who heard it. The noise rattled his skull and almost made him lose his concentration. At the same time, something powerful slammed into Zhou Shíwēi and sent him flying. A strange cone-shaped pattern of pressurized air expanded and washed over them. Some of the weaker disciples were blown away merely from the shockwave.

When the shockwave died down, everyone looked up and found a person floating where Zhou Shíwēi had been. It was clear at a glance that he was not human. Horns like antlers jutted from his cerulean hair and curved behind him. He wore simple hanfu made of bright blue fabric that looked like scales, glistening in the sun as the light struck them. His pale skin, sharp face, and silver eyes made his inhumanity even more obvious. At present, the man was cracking his knuckles.

“I thought I sensed a familiar chi. To think it would be you two,” said Loong Chen with a grin. “How long has it been since the three of us were together like this? And what is this I see? Zhe Dāozhe, what are you doing on the ground over there? Did you get your ass kicked?”

“Shut up, dragon,” Zhe Dāozhe said. It was the first time Wu Jian had ever heard this man sound irritated. “What are you even here for?”

“I told you, I sensed a familiar chi,” Loong Chen said, shrugging. “Along with some hostile intent being directed at my apprentice. Tell me, Zhou Shíwēi, do you have a death wish?”

“Hmph. Loong Chen, it has been a long time. I had hoped we would never meet again,” Zhou Shíwēi said with a huff. He had appeared in the sky again. His form was immaculate as though he had never been hit. “But, hmmm, you said you have an apprentice now? Ah. I see. It’s that girl, isn’t it?” He glanced at Hou Jingshu. “I was not paying attention to her, but I can feel the power of a dragon within her. Very well. I’ll let that one go if you agree not to interfere.”

“Master,” Hou Jingshu looked at Loong Chen with a gaze full of determination.

Loong Chen grinned. “Sorry. I guess you don’t know this, but that brat you’re after is my apprentice’s lover. She’s not going to leave without him.”

“That is not my problem. If she does not agree to leave, you should just take her by force,” Zhou Shíwēi said.

“And make her hate me? Do you understand what you’re saying? That girl is the only remaining heir of my master, and you want me to do something that will cause her to resent me? Have you lost your damn mind?” asked Loong Chen.

Zhou Shíwēi glared hard. A look of frustration and hatred finally emerged from his face. “Fine then. If you get in my way, I will simply remove you.”

Loong Chen threw his head back and laughed. “Ha ha ha ha! You’re a funny man! You think you can beat me?”

“You think I can’t?” asked Zhou Shíwēi.

“When have you ever beaten me?”

“Long ago, you might have been more powerful than me, but I have grown a lot since we last met. Look down there. Even Zhe Dāozhe is no longer a match for me. What makes you think you will do any better when you can’t even beat him?”

“You’re not the only one who’s gotten stronger, you know. My strength has practically tripled since the last time we met,” Loong Chen said.

At that moment, the atmosphere seemed to shift. Strange fluctuations appeared in the atmosphere as chi began emitting from Loong Chen’s body. Wu Jian could not actually feel the fluctuations themselves, but he could see it. The chi solidified around the man, hardening and forming what appeared to be a type of armor.

With a fierce grin, Loong Chen gestured at Zhou Shíwēi. “Come on. Fight me. Let me rearrange that ugly mug of yours.”