Chapter 21 I’m a Little Scared Too

Staring at the ripples spreading across the water’s surface, Hu Changde and his companions were dumbfounded.

“Brother De, what should we do now?” Scarface asked anxiously.

“Spread out, everyone! Keep your eyes wide open and watch where he comes ashore,” Hu Changde shouted.

Yet, after more than ten minutes, the water remained eerily calm.

It seemed as if, once Chu Tianfeng had plunged into the lake, he had vanished without a trace.

“Brother De, I think there’s something strange under this water,” Scarface murmured.

Truthfully, Hu Changde had already begun to suspect as much. It was impossible for an ordinary person to hold their breath underwater for so long. Before entering the water, Chu Tianfeng had only a shoulder bag—no oxygen tank.

His prolonged absence from the surface could only mean one thing: there was something unusual beneath the water.

Recalling how they’d found Chu Tianfeng near this spot, Hu Changde grew more certain of his suspicions.

“Alright, send them down to check,” Hu Changde nodded.

Two young men stripped off their clothes and dove into the lake with a splash.

Though it was summer, the nighttime water was still piercingly cold. The pair swam around the spot where Chu Tianfeng had entered, circling for over ten minutes.

Shivering from the chill, they found nothing—not even a fish.

“Did you find anything?” Hu Changde called out.

“No, nothing at all,” one replied.

“Keep searching. I refuse to believe he can fly!” Hu Changde roared again.

——————

Chu Tianfeng certainly couldn’t fly yet. He was only at the first level of Qi refining, far from the ability to ride the sword like a Foundation Establishment cultivator, let alone soar through the air like a Nascent Soul master.

But he possessed the art of internal breathing.

Internal breathing meant that his organs exchanged gases within the body, without contact with the outside air.

Of course, with his current cultivation, he couldn’t maintain internal breathing for too long. But lasting over ten minutes was well within his reach.

So, he used internal breathing to swim underwater, pausing every so often to surface, catch his breath, and then continue on.

Repeating this cycle, after about an hour, he found himself miles away from the original site.

He quietly climbed ashore, inspected his surroundings, and finally allowed himself to relax.

Resting briefly by the water’s edge, he used his water manipulation technique to dry his clothes, then continued along the lakeshore, intending to find a concealed spot to hide for a few days.

He knew the Salt Society was likely searching for him around Thousand Bird Lake. If he tried to escape now, he’d probably run straight into their trap.

For now, his only option was to take shelter within the vast expanse of the lake and rely on the water to evade them.

Though their cultivation was stronger than his, they lacked magical techniques. Catching him here would not be easy.

“You’re quite skilled at running away, kid.”

Just as he was pondering his next move, a familiar voice suddenly sounded ahead, accompanied by the beam of a flashlight.

Chu Tianfeng recognized the voice instantly—it belonged to the square-faced youth of the Gold-Seeker Sect, the very one who had once wounded him.

He instinctively glanced behind.

Unexpectedly, another flashlight flashed from the trees, revealing a figure slowly emerging from the shadows.

Though their face was obscured, Chu Tianfeng guessed it was the mole-marked youth.

The two had him trapped from front and back!

Clearly, they had witnessed his battle with Hu Changde and the Salt Society, and understood the peculiarity of his movement technique—thus, they had chosen to encircle him.

“What’s wrong? Still thinking of running?” The square-faced youth, perhaps noticing Chu Tianfeng’s movements, spoke with a mocking tone.

Chu Tianfeng’s mind raced.

Though they were using a pincer strategy, their distance was not close enough to threaten him. He was confident he had enough time to retreat to the water.

Yet, he truly didn’t wish to flee anymore.

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He had swum for over an hour to escape here; to flee again would only exhaust him. If he encountered the Salt Society once more, his chances would be slim.

There were only two opponents now, and neither knew any spells.

True, his cultivation was far inferior, but his bag was stocked with items to boost his power.

Two vials of Essence Elixir, and twelve Essence Pills.

Especially the liquid elixir—once removed from the freezer, it couldn’t be stored. Not to drink it would be a waste!

Chu Tianfeng acted at once.

He purposely wore a nervous expression, trembling as he opened his shoulder bag, took out a vial of elixir, uncapped it, and poured it into his mouth.

“Haha!” The square-faced youth laughed. “Liquid courage—drink up!”

He assumed Chu Tianfeng was terrified and needed alcohol to steady his nerves.

“Good idea, so you don’t wet yourself!” The mole-marked youth behind laughed as well.

As they spoke, they edged closer.

Chu Tianfeng kept drinking, gulping down most of the elixir in one go.

“Are you still afraid?” The square-faced youth stopped three or four meters from Chu Tianfeng.

The mole-marked youth was about the same distance behind.

“I’m terrified!” Chu Tianfeng’s eyes gradually reddened.

At that moment, the medicine took effect.

Just like before, a fierce pain tore through his abdomen.

The true energy in his dantian surged wildly.

Fortunately, his cultivation was slightly higher than last time. He hurried to guide the energy through his small circulation, refining the medicinal power into true energy, lessening the damage to his organs.

Swish!

He tossed the bottle toward the square-faced youth.

The youth tilted his head, letting the bottle fly past and crash to the ground with a sharp sound.

“Hahaha! Your courage is growing,” the square-faced youth kept laughing. “Seems it works fast.”

“Got any more?” The mole-marked youth raised an eyebrow. “Lend me a bottle, I’m feeling a little scared myself!”

Chu Tianfeng actually took out another vial, uncapped it, and, before their eyes, tilted it so the liquid spilled onto the ground with a steady drip.

Moments later, the bottle was empty. Chu Tianfeng shook it, “Catch.”

He tossed the bottle toward the mole-marked youth.

“Senior Tan, this kid needs a lesson. I think it’s time to teach him some manners,” the mole-marked youth called out to the square-faced youth, dodging the bottle.

“Go ahead, don’t hold back,” the square-faced youth replied carelessly.

Last time, he’d easily wounded Chu Tianfeng, so he hadn’t taken him seriously.

“Alright!” The mole-marked youth seemed to have been waiting for this, and immediately hung his flashlight on a branch, then lunged forward, punching at Chu Tianfeng’s back.

Qi Refining, fourth level! Chu Tianfeng could sense the youth’s cultivation.

He was at a critical point of breakthrough and had no intention of fighting head-on.

His left hand formed seals as he moved, his body flowing like wind.

The mole-marked youth launched a barrage of attacks, each more ferocious than the last, but despite the storm of blows, he couldn’t even touch Chu Tianfeng’s sleeve!

“Truly uncanny!” The mole-marked youth growled, increasing his speed.

He hoped to match Chu Tianfeng’s rhythm with rapid attacks.

Chu Tianfeng, meanwhile, circulated his small circulation, skillfully evading.

The Wind-Riding technique was all about leveraging force; if there was wind, good—if not, he made his own.

Unaware of its power, the mole-marked youth only accelerated, filling the air with fist winds and swirling dust, yet all he did was help Chu Tianfeng fuel the technique.

Thus, Chu Tianfeng handled him with ease, almost enjoying the contest.

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The square-faced youth, watching, kept his brows tightly knit.

Chu Tianfeng’s movement during the fight with the Salt Society had intrigued him, but from afar he hadn’t seen clearly.

Now, at close range, he still couldn’t make sense of it—even as he stared without blinking.

Suddenly, Chu Tianfeng’s whole body shuddered, his aura rising sharply!

Damn it, the kid was breaking through!

He was breaking through in the midst of combat!

Both the mole-marked and square-faced youths wore looks of shock, and couldn’t help but admire Chu Tianfeng’s boldness.

The square-faced youth saw clearly: before the breakthrough, Chu Tianfeng’s strength matched that of the mole-marked youth, and with his mysterious movement, he could easily defeat him.

But he hadn’t.

Why?

Even the square-faced youth, no matter how slow, now realized Chu Tianfeng’s intention.

He was using them as whetstones!

“You little bastard, daring to play with us!” The square-faced youth roared in anger, tossing aside his flashlight. “Brother Lu, let’s join forces and capture him!”

“Alright!” The mole-marked youth agreed.

Chu Tianfeng laughed aloud.

He had successfully advanced to the second level of Qi refining, his confidence soaring.

The pain and humiliation the square-faced youth had once inflicted upon him—he would repay in full!

Chu Tianfeng formed seals with his left hand, waved his right, and two fiery arrows appeared out of thin air.

With his advancement, he could now cast twice as many fireballs or arrows—four at once.

The fiery arrows didn’t linger but shot toward the square-faced youth with a roar.

The youth was terrified, thinking, What on earth is he? His movement alone had left them helpless, and now these fire arrows!

He immediately halted and darted left to evade.

But the distance was too close and the arrows too swift.

He dodged the first, but couldn’t avoid the second.

With a harsh sound, the arrow struck him.

The flames were so hot—even though he’d never been to a crematorium, he was certain they rivaled its fires.

The fireball pierced his abdomen, and to his horror, a large, bloody hole appeared in his lower belly in an instant!

“Ah!” The square-faced youth screamed in agony.

Chu Tianfeng smiled, flashed forward, and kicked him to the ground.

The mole-marked youth watched, horrified, forgetting to attack.

Chu Tianfeng spun and lunged at him, f