The sky-covering Blood Qi instantly dyed the sky blood-red. Wisps of Black Qi floated in the air, their ferocious forms like evil ghosts. If Qin Mu hadn’t witnessed plenty of grand scenes, his legs would have gone weak with fear long ago.
‘Based on what was said earlier, it seems this old hag is in league with that black-robed man from last night.’
Liu Popo watched Qin Mu without changing her expression and said, “At such a young age, you do have good courage. Unfortunately, your talent is too poor.”
Qin Mu’s mouth twitched. ‘Can we just stop talking about talent already…’
If it weren’t for the fact that she was an elderly woman, he would have attacked long ago. The reason he wasn’t fighting now was because he, Qin Mu, respected the elderly and cherished the young! It definitely wasn’t because he couldn’t beat her!
“What’s the matter, young man? Aren’t you going to run?”
The old woman remained seated there, motionless.
“Senior, you jest. I’d love to run, but where exactly could I run to?”
Qin Mu was certain this place was definitely not the original world. It should be something like an Enchanted Barrier or an Illusion Realm.
However, the Enchanted Barriers or Illusion Realms he had encountered before hadn’t severed his connection with Divine Dragon Senior. This old granny who popped out of nowhere could actually do it—she was definitely not simple!
Losing Divine Dragon Senior was, to Qin Mu, like the West losing Jerusalem.
“Heh heh, young man, you’re not stupid. Unfortunately, today you will die here.”
The old woman was just about to raise her hand when Qin Mu hurriedly raised his to stop her.
“Senior, wait!”
“Oh? Are you preparing to surrender, young man?”
“That’s not it. Senior, if you kill this young one, I imagine Senior Chu won’t let you off. A Tribulation Stage powerhouse—surely even you wouldn’t want to provoke one, right?”
As he spoke, cold sweat dripped down Qin Mu’s forehead. He was gambling—gambling that the person before him feared Senior Chu.
Take a gamble, and a bicycle can turn into a motorcycle.
As for going all in, forget it. If he won, great—at least he could say that going all in was a form of wisdom. But if he lost…
“Heh heh, boy. If you bring up that girl Chu, others might be afraid. But I am not.”
Nani!
‘Dammit! This old hag is ridiculously strong!’
‘It’s over, it’s over! She doesn’t fear Senior Chu in the slightest! I can’t bluff her now.’
Qin Mu’s throat bobbed. ‘Could I really be done for here today?’
‘To think that I, Young Master Qin, with all my glorious reputation, haven’t yet transformed into a dragon upon meeting the wind and clouds, and now I’m going to meet my end… wuwu…’
“Young man, although I haven’t killed anyone in a long time, I can still guarantee you a quick and painless death. Rest assured.”
‘Rest assured my ass!’
Qin Mu cursed inwardly.
At that moment, the blood-red sky suddenly split open.
“Hm?”
Liu Popo looked up and saw crimson True Qi flames surging in.
A graceful figure in red had appeared beside Qin Mu at some point.
Seeing the beautiful woman who had appeared beside him, Qin Mu was so excited he almost hugged her.
“Senior Chu!”
‘Fantastic! Senior Chu is here, so there’s hope!’
After seeing that Qin Mu was completely unharmed, Chu Jiujiu let out a sigh of relief. If Young Master Qin were to be injured again, it would be hard to explain.
“Young Master Qin, leave this to me.”
Qin Mu quickly nodded.
“Sorry for the trouble, Senior Chu.”
‘When big shots fight, it’s best to stay out of it.’
Chu Jiujiu’s beautiful eyes turned to the old woman before her. Her red lips parted slightly as she said, “Liu Popo, I didn’t expect you would come out of seclusion. But personally making a move against a junior—isn’t that going too far?”
Facing Chu Jiujiu, Liu Popo said calmly, “Girl Chu, I was merely entrusted by someone.”
‘Entrusted by someone?’
Chu Jiujiu felt somewhat suspicious. ‘Who could be powerful enough to make the Reclusive Grand Ancestor of Ghost Elephant Mountain come out of seclusion? When did Young Master Qin offend such a force?’
Regardless, she was determined to protect Young Master Qin today.
“Liu Popo, for my sake today, would you be willing to leave? I won’t hold you accountable afterward.”
Chu Jiujiu watched Liu Popo. If they really came to blows here, it would inevitably affect Young Master Qin.
“…”
She didn’t reply, simply staring at Chu Jiujiu in silence. The two sides remained at a temporary standoff.
Finally, Liu Popo rose unsteadily, turned around, and said as she walked away, “Forget it. Today, let’s just pretend I never found that little brat.”
The reason she chose to retreat was because she sensed there was another Tribulation Stage powerhouse outside. If it were only Chu Jiujiu, that would have been manageable. But with two Tribulation Stage powerhouses, she wouldn’t be able to handle it.
“Phew—”
Qin Mu let out a long breath. Fortunately, she had left.
“Thank you, Senior Chu, for saving me!”
“You’re too kind, Young Master Qin. I promised you I would do my best to protect you within the Gu Tribe.”
Chu Jiujiu glanced around, waved her sleeve, and True Qi surged, directly shattering the Enchanted Barrier around them.
Crrrrack—
The Enchanted Barrier around them fell away like shards of glass.
“Mu’er!”
Before Qin Mu could react, his vision went dark—along with that familiar floral scent and softness.
‘It’s Miss Mengyu!’
Meanwhile, Lu Qian came to Chu Jiujiu’s side and asked, “Who was that just now?”
“It was Liu Popo of Ghost Fragrant Mountain. From the looks of it, she has already broken through to the Tribulation Stage.”
Chu Jiujiu replied.
This morning, Lu Qian had turned over and reached to embrace the person beside her, only to grab empty air. Only then did she realize that Mu’er had disappeared!
He had vanished right under her nose!
Later, Chu Jiujiu rushed over and detected familiar traces of Dao Arts—the All-Phenomena Realm of Ghost Elephant Mountain.
Someone who could cultivate the All-Phenomena Realm to such a level was probably only that old monster.
Facts proved that Chu Jiujiu had guessed correctly. However, when exactly had Liu Popo broken through to the Tribulation Stage?
The reason Liu Popo had remained in seclusion all this time was that her Lifespan Limit was approaching. To extend her life, she had no choice but to fall into a deep sleep. According to Chu Jiujiu’s estimation, she should have fallen 100 years ago. Yet today, she had actually broken through to the Tribulation Stage!
Breaking through when one’s Lifespan Limit was near wasn’t unheard of. But after sleeping for so long, Liu Popo’s Blood Qi couldn’t possibly have supported her breakthrough to the Tribulation Stage. She wouldn’t even have been able to withstand the Heavenly Thunder alone.
“Tribulation Stage…”
Lu Qian frowned and said, “That doesn’t make sense. Even if she’s at the Tribulation Stage, how could she have hidden from both your and my perception?”
Chu Jiujiu explained, “Although her Cultivation Level is lower than yours and mine, she has rich experience and has lived long enough. Her All-Phenomena Realm is practiced to perfection. If I hadn’t crossed hands with Ghost Elephant Mountain before, I really wouldn’t have noticed it.”
***
In a forest, a Shadowy Figure watched the old woman who had walked out of the Void before him.
“Liu Popo, how did things go?”
“The matter wasn’t accomplished. I didn’t get to see that little brat.”
‘She actually didn’t find him!?’
The Shadowy Figure found it hard to believe.
“You didn’t expose your tracks and get chased out by Chu Jiujiu, did you?”
The moment those words left his mouth, the Shadowy Figure was immediately sent flying.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
The Shadowy Figure crashed through several large trees in succession.
Liu Popo said angrily, “Who do you think you are to question me?”
“Cough, cough…”
The Shadowy Figure stood up with difficulty and spat out a mouthful of blood.
“Fine, fine, fine. Don’t forget, the reason you could reach the Tribulation Stage is because of us! If it weren’t for our help, you would have died long ago!”
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