Rumble rumble rumble!
The ground shook violently, continuously without stopping. Thiên Vũ ran for his life, a whole pack of U Ma Lang hot on his heels, hunting him down.
"Aaaaaaaah, Master, where are you? Why didn't you tell your disciple that this pack would pursue us relentlessly until we're dead? I clearly didn't take the Tinh Quang Thạch! Even if I had, I didn't even have time to take it, so why are these beasts chasing and trying to kill me? Where are you hiding????"
Suddenly, a figure clad in blue appeared, grabbed Thiên Vũ, and departed, leaving the U Ma Lang pack helpless. After going quite a distance, Thiên Vũ was set down. Before he could say anything, he shouted:
"Do you even know how dangerous the U Ma Lang pack is, yet you told me to go get that thing? Not to mention, I tried my best not to make any noise, so how did they suddenly detect me and turn to chase and kill me? And where were you hiding???"
"Oops, I, your master, forgot to mention... at that time, I snatched this. And as far as I know, their ability allows them to sense everything around them. No matter how stealthily you moved, they would still sense it, so I took the opportunity to snatch it right away!!!"
Thiên Vũ flared up in anger, drew his sword, and chased after him.
"Hey, Thiên Vũ, let's talk this out calmly! I'm your master, don't be so reckless! Hey, put that blade down, Thiên Vũ???"
Suddenly, something shot very quickly towards their position. Thiên Vũ, with his innate ability to hear sounds from afar, immediately turned around and took a defensive stance, waiting. As for Master, he was bewildered, not understanding what was happening!
— Roar!
— Slash!!!!
An U Ma Lang charged, attacking unexpectedly, but Thiên Vũ killed it with a single slash of his blade, and it collapsed. Its body emitted a green light, and a blue Tinh Quang Thạch was gradually forming from its very soul. Just as he was about to approach and retrieve it, the alpha U Ma Lang suddenly appeared. Its demeanor was truly murderous; with just a glance, it exerted pressure on both of them, forcing them to be wary if they didn't want to die in its claws. Suddenly, two other U Ma Lang charged out of nowhere, attacking both of them. They were too surprised by this; by reaction, they could only dodge one. But with two attacking at once, it would be much more difficult. As they found themselves in a difficult situation, Master Thiên Vũ stepped forward and said:
"You beast, are you looking for this? Too bad, I can't give this back to you for now. When I'm done with it, I'll bring it back to you, alright?"
The alpha U Ma Lang roared in anger. The entire pack of U Ma Lang swarmed in, leaving no escape route. Thiên Vũ spoke up:
"Master, was it really necessary to provoke the alpha like that?"
"Hahahahaha! Don't worry, I have a plan. Come on, let me show you my true strength!!!"
— Roar!
The roar echoed, and the entire pack of U Ma Lang charged to attack. Thiên Vũ was about to charge in, but unexpectedly, his master managed to escape the U Ma Lang's claws. Suddenly, a white sword blade swept through the U Ma Lang pack, but its path couldn't be seen with the naked eye. Thiên Vũ was stunned by his master's power—normally he seemed like a fool, but how could his true strength be so vastly different from his personality??? Before he could recover, Master smiled smugly and said:
"Well? Did you see through my sword strike, Thiên Vũ? Look at you now, you look just like an idiot! Snap out of it! I have something I want to give you in a bit, Thiên Vũ???? Thiên Vũ???"
After a moment of silence, Thiên Vũ finally recovered and looked around:
"Are you human or a gust of wind??? Can one truly merge with the wind like that, Master???"
"When we return, I'll give you something. You absolutely must cultivate it thoroughly. If you want to fly and dance like me, you'll need to work hard, at least another ten years! Hahahahaha!!!!"
Tian Yu frowned, ready to give his master a piece of his mind, when he suddenly saw his master holding something in his hand and approaching, saying:
"I'm giving you this Spirit White Stone. Remember not to betray the expectations I've placed in you, Tian Yu!!!!"
The words carried a certain weight, pressing down on those small shoulders. Tian Yu nodded in lieu of speaking, then both happily returned to the city.
Both excitedly made their way to the Thương Nguyên Guild when they unexpectedly heard a very familiar voice. Tian Yu rushed over, only to be taken aback by the harsh words.
"I've already said it, I want to break off the engagement with that good-for-nothing."
"Huh??? Clearly, back then, you were the one pursuing him. Is it possible that just because his cultivation slowed down, you'd leave him instead of staying by his side??? As your elder brother, I refuse to accept this foolish act of yours."
"It's true he's facing difficulties in cultivation right now, but that doesn't mean he'll lose his cultivation. If you're so stubborn, don't blame me."
Li Hua Ying still acted as if she was far superior to Tian Yu. Tian Yu clenched his fists, intending to speak, but his master stopped him, saying:
"Hold on, it's not the right time yet. Wait a little longer."
"How can I just sit by and do nothing? So, for all these years, I've been blind in loving her, only to receive this outcome? Why??? Is it truly because my cultivation slowed down that she's abandoning me at this critical moment? Hahaha!!! Fine, if she wants to leave, I'll grant her wish!!!"
With that, Tian Yu slowly walked towards Hua Ying. Surprised by Tian Yu's appearance, she suddenly changed her tone with dizzying speed. Greatly astonished by this, Tian Yu smiled and said:
"Yes, just as you said, my cultivation has indeed slowed compared to before. I thought you would be by my side during my most difficult times, but it was at that very moment that I understood something very important: In matters of the heart, no matter how hard one tries to love someone, if that person doesn't progress, then any further effort is futile. Wouldn't it be better to free us both from this, huh!!!"
"Tian Yu, it's not what you think! Hua Ying truly loves you very much! Don't be so pessimistic. If there's anything difficult to say, tell me, I'll help you. Why must you say such harsh words!!!"
Li Zheng En spoke up, trying to explain, when Hua Ying herself realized that Tian Yu had heard everything she had just said. She immediately frowned and said:
"Fine, in any case, I wish you reach that threshold soon. As for me, I'm already close to reaching it, you good-for-nothing, family disgrace!!!"
Faced with those harsh words, Li Zheng En flew into a rage, unable to control his emotions. He immediately slapped Hua Ying and roared:
"Enough! Do you think I don't exist, huh??? It was a mistake for me to spoil you beyond limits, leading to this incident. Little brother Tian Yu, as your elder brother, I will kowtow and apologize to you on Hua Ying's behalf."
Tian Yu laughed loudly and said:
"Hahahahaha, Brother En, you've always treated me very well, and I'm very grateful for that. But this matter was arranged by our parents. You don't need to kowtow and apologize to me. If there's any fault, it's hers, not yours."
Tian Yu stood tall, pointing directly at Hua Ying, and declared loudly.
Hua Ying smirked, provoking him:
My father has already given me that right, so naturally, concerning this annulment, Dương Thiên Vũ, listen well: from this day forward, the Lý Family and the Dương Family will owe each other nothing. In exchange, you are permitted to take one person from my clan. Consider it a person-for-person trade. From now on, our paths diverge.