Seeing this scene, Meng Hao did not let down his guard. He knew very well that Senior Sister Xu's reputation could not protect him forever. It had already been nearly a month; he feared that in a few more months, someone would make a move against him.
– As long as the copper mirror's effects are real, a few months from now... we'll see who robs whom!
Meng Hao's eyes flickered. Lowering his head, he quickly hurried away.
Leaving the Outer Sect, Meng Hao was eager to test the copper mirror's effects. He walked quickly toward his cave dwelling, but just as he was nearing it, his footsteps suddenly paused. His pupils constricted slightly as a figure emerged from the woods ahead.
The man wore a green robe and looked to be about twenty-four or twenty-five years old. He had an arrogant expression, with a hint of ferocity on his face. Standing there, he stared coldly at Meng Hao. His cultivation base was extraordinary, already at the third level of Qi Condensation, and he was currently blocking the path.
– Greetings, Senior Brother Zhao.
Meng Hao's expression changed, and he took a few steps back, his right hand slightly clenched behind his back. He had seen this man before; most disciples in the Outer Sect knew of this Senior Brother, Zhao Wugang. This man was ruthless, and several low-level disciples in the public zone had already died at his hands. Normally, he curried favor with senior brothers above the third level of Qi Condensation, but toward those at the first or second level, he was extremely overbearing, striking at the slightest disagreement.
– Since you recognize me, then don't make this Zhao waste his breath. Hand over your pills and spirit stones.
Zhao Wugang spoke in a cold voice. Others might not dare to touch the Meng Hao before him, but Zhao Wugang had been in the sect for many years and had long since figured out how things worked. Through quiet inquiries, he knew that Senior Sister Xu was often in secluded meditation, and she likely wouldn't care much about the life or death of this small fry.
– I beg Senior Brother Zhao to show some leniency. This scholar... I, I have only just received my spirit stones and pills. Could you give me a little more time?
Meng Hao hesitantly took a few steps back. His opponent's cultivation base was one level higher than his, and moreover, Meng Hao had never fought anyone before. At this moment, his face was slightly pale with anxiety.
– Calling yourself a scholar? Were you some talented scholar before you came up the mountain? Come, recite a poem for your Senior Brother. If I'm pleased, maybe I'll only break one of your legs today.
Zhao Wugang laughed loudly, his expression filled with mockery.
– Senior Brother Zhao... The sages say that if...
Meng Hao was extremely tense, and he felt a surge of anger, but he had to hold it back, attempting to reason with him.
– Shut up! Not only must you hand over your spirit stones and pills, but from now on, I will also share your cave dwelling with you. Outside, we are fellow disciples, but inside the cave, you will be this Zhao's servant. If you dare say another word of refusal, today I will show you what it means to wish you were dead!
Zhao Wugang glared, killing intent instantly flaring as he stepped toward Meng Hao.
Recently, his cultivation had broken through to the third level, and he urgently needed a large amount of spiritual energy to consolidate it. Thus, he had grown malicious and set his sights on Meng Hao's cave dwelling. However, he still had some lingering apprehension regarding Senior Sister Xu, so he came up with the idea of making Meng Hao his servant. He figured Meng Hao wouldn't dare refuse. After a long time, once Senior Sister Xu had forgotten about this ant, he could kill him whenever he pleased. Even if he didn't kill him, keeping a cripple by his side to recite poetry would make him seem quite refined.
"This immortal's cave is Senior Sister Xu's residence. How could I make decisions on her behalf? I ask that Senior Brother Zhao not make things difficult for me."
Behind Meng Hao's back, his right hand subtly channeled a faint trace of spiritual energy. He knew he was no match for his opponent, but the cave dwelling was a major matter, and the spirit stones were even more so. Handing them over would leave him utterly unwilling. Struggling internally with rising fury, he used Senior Sister Xu's name to shield himself.
"I gave you face, yet you threw it back, looking for trouble. Once I, Zhao, make my move, I will show you what it means to suffer a fate worse than death."
Zhao Wugang snorted coldly, his expression dripping with impatience. Without another word, he took a swift step forward and raised his right hand, clawing toward Meng Hao. A look of terror appeared on Meng Hao's face. This panic instantly pleased Zhao Wugang; he loved nothing more than seeing the weak show such an expression before him.
He could already picture the other party kneeling and trembling before him in the next second. But just as he was basking in his smugness, the very moment he closed in, the terror on Meng Hao's face vanished instantly, replaced by a cold ruthlessness. Meng Hao whipped his right hand out from behind his back, and a finger-sized fire snake, carrying scorching heat, shot straight toward Zhao Wugang.
Meng Hao's heart pounded wildly. He knew that even with the element of surprise, the Fire Snake Art would likely fail to kill his opponent. Still, he clung to a sliver of hope that it could stall him for a moment. Unwilling to resign himself to capture, and even less willing to hand over everything to become the other's servant, he turned without hesitation and fled toward the mountains.
"Fire Snake Art!"
Zhao Wugang's face fell. In the face of danger, he hurriedly retreated, slapping his storage bag. Instantly, a small white sword shot out, piercing straight toward the fire snake.
With a boom, the fire snake dissipated, and the small sword was knocked askew, falling into the nearby grass. Zhao Wugang was left in a disheveled state, stumbling back repeatedly. When he looked toward the distant mountains where Meng Hao had fled, his eyes burned with fury, as well as intense shock.
"He actually reached the second level of Qi Condensation so quickly! Senior Sister Xu's cave dwelling is actually this effective. Even if I have to kill him, I must have it."
With a grim expression, Zhao Wugang dashed forward in hot pursuit.
He gave chase for a while, but he was clearly not as familiar with these wild mountains as Meng Hao. Furthermore, Meng Hao was not slow, making it difficult for Zhao Wugang to catch up immediately.
"Little bastard, these are deserted mountains. You are courting death, and today, I, Zhao, will grant your wish."
Zhao Wugang's voice was chillingly cold. Seeing Meng Hao running swiftly ahead, and in order to catch up, he prepared to unleash one of his powerful techniques. With a low growl, his body instantly swelled several times over. His body hair rapidly grew thick and turned golden, with much of it bursting through his clothes, making him look like a demonic beast in human form.
This was a unique cultivation method he had obtained by chance before joining the sect: the Demonic Transformation Art.
This art could be practiced at the second level of Qi Condensation, though the transformation was not yet fully pronounced, merely making the body somewhat sturdier. Even so, it was still formidable. It was by relying on this art that he was able to run amok among the low-level disciples. Although there was a time limit to each activation, it had always yielded miraculous results and never failed him. It was his most prized trump card.
Especially now that his cultivation had reached the third level of Qi Condensation, the technique had evolved to a more complete state, allowing him to grow a thick coat of golden fur. This had once thrilled him, leading him to believe that he could intimidate his opponents through this beastification alone. This was the first time he was displaying it before another person, and he was brimming with confidence. His aura was formidable, and his lush fur gleamed with a brilliant golden luster under the sunlight. He looked mighty and imposing, with even his face covered in golden hair, making him look exactly like a humanoid demonic beast.
“You will be the first to die under this Zhao’s third-level Demon Transformation Art. To die by my signature technique, you have no cause for grievance!”