Chapter 31 – He Chen Qi of the Sky
Above the Broken Jade Forest, clouds drifted in slow procession. Wind teased the treetops, unaware of the violent drama unfolding below.
A lone figure glided overhead on a silver-blue flying sword, his robe lined with pale jade thread. At his waist, a jade token shimmered with illusion light.
With a flicker, his face warped—cheekbones shifted, hair dulled to ash-gray.
> [Artifact Activated: Rank 5 Illusion Tool – Unfamiliar Face]
Liu Guan Yi vanished. In his place stood a calm, unfamiliar young man in silver—He Chen Qi.
Below, chaos tore through the underbrush. Two young cultivators raced through the dense woods. One was red-haired, lean and sharp-eyed, flames flickering along his arms. His every step cracked the soil with raw force.
Beside him, a tall girl with snow-white hair flowed like moonlight. Her sword remained sheathed, yet every movement was graceful—composed.
Behind them, a blur cut through the trees. A Rank 5 elder in silver-black robes gave chase, aura heavy and oppressive.
Liu Guan Yi narrowed his eyes.
> Du Yansheng… mid Rank 5. Du Clan enforcer. Arrogant, reckless, likely greedy. Not worth fighting head-on.
His attention shifted to the pair below.
> Red-haired boy… no sword aura. But that strength and fire—Strength Path cultivator. Interesting. Girl—graceful, focused. Sword path. Pure. ...Both shrouded in fortune. Especially him.
No time to waste.
He Chen Qi leaned forward and dropped like a hawk. Wind spiraled as he descended in a blur. The forest rushed to meet him, but just before he hit the canopy, his form vanished—slipping through the branches like mist.
Moments later, he reappeared behind the fleeing duo.
Two hands shot out.
"What the—?!"
The red-haired boy whipped around, flames flaring. His dagger slashed upward—
Blocked.
A flat palm deflected the blow, calm and effortless.
"Quiet," He Chen Qi said.
With a pulse of sword intent, he grasped both their collars and pulled them through a burst of wind essence. The three vanished, bypassing branches and slipping between layers of spiritual mist—crossing the boundary into the Third Layer.
The world changed.
Gone were the ordinary trees. These were ancient beasts in wood form—bark twisted, roots pulsing with spiritual veins. The ground shimmered with faint mist. Strange glowing fungi lit the fog.
He Chen Qi dropped them in a mossy clearing.
The red-haired boy rolled and landed on one knee, fire already pulsing across his skin.
"Who the hell are you?!"
The white-haired girl placed a hand on his arm. "He just saved us."
"I didn't save you," He Chen Qi said, unbothered. "I pulled you here. I want answers."
The boy growled. "We're not answering to a masked stranger."
He Chen Qi raised two fingers. A ripple of sword energy brushed past the boy's ear—clipping a few red strands.
The boy paused. "…Fine."
"I'm Yan Qing'er," the girl said, her voice like falling petals. "He's Zhou Fang. We're from the border provinces."
He Chen Qi's gaze sharpened. "And why was a Du Clan elder chasing you?"
Zhou Fang hesitated, then shrugged. "We took something from a beast battlefield. Golden quicksand—body-refining material. We found it first. He showed up after."
"Claimed it was theft," Yan Qing'er added softly. "But Zhou was right. He didn't own it."
He Chen Qi's eyes flickered.
> Golden quicksand… enhances physical cultivation. Explains Zhou's raw strength. No wonder Du Yansheng lost it.
"You ran with it into the forest?" he asked.
"Better than handing it over," Zhou Fang snapped.
He Chen Qi stared for a moment, then chuckled softly. "You've got guts."
Zhou folded his arms. "You didn't pull us here for fun. What do you want?"
Smart.
"I want a share," He Chen Qi said plainly. "Of whatever you find next. You two are strong. I'll keep us alive. That's the deal."
Yan Qing'er glanced at Zhou.
Zhou's eyes narrowed. "And if we refuse?"
He Chen Qi turned slightly. "Then I leave. Du Yansheng will find you by nightfall. Assuming the Rank 4 beasts don't first."
A long pause.
Finally, Yan Qing'er nodded. "Alright. We accept."
Zhou muttered, "Tch… fine."
"Good." He Chen Qi gestured around them. "We're deep in the Third Layer now. Rank 4 beasts roam freely here. If you're not careful, even Rank 5s can appear."
"We've handled Rank 4s," Zhou said, flames coiling around his arms.
"And you were almost caught," He Chen Qi replied evenly.
Zhou frowned but didn't argue.
Yan Qing'er took a step forward. "We're not after treasure right now. Our only goal is to survive and get out of the elder's range."
She was telling the truth. Liu Guan Yi could see it in her clear eyes. Unlike Zhou, she wasn't driven by greed or pride.
Pure-hearted. A rare kind of cultivator.
"I suggest we take the western ridge," He Chen Qi said. "Thinner beast population. A few energy signatures ahead, but manageable."
Zhou raised a brow. "You can sense beast signatures that easily?"
"I've trained for this."
Zhou didn't argue again.
The trio moved.
Through twisted vines, glowing roots, and fog-drenched paths, they passed quietly. Twice, He Chen Qi steered them around beast dens. Once, a four-eyed fox tried to ambush them. He stepped forward and killed it in a single slash.
Zhou watched him closely.
"You're strong," he said finally. "But I don't believe you're just some wanderer."
"I never said I was."
Zhou grunted. "Fine. Keep your secrets."
Yan Qing'er whispered, "Thank you. For helping."
He Chen Qi glanced at her. "Don't thank me yet. We're not safe."
But inwardly, he smiled.
> These two… not weak. Not overly cunning either. Useful tools, for now.
As the forest thickened and night approached, the mist shifted—revealing movement ahead.
Three beast shadows stalked the ridge.
Zhou Fang cracked his knuckles. "Time to hunt?"
He Chen Qi unsheathed his sword.
"Time to test our deal."
They advanced.