In the blink of an eye, twenty days passed.
Ling Xiao’s cultivation broke through from early Two Principles Heaven to early Three Talents Heaven, while Leng Mei advanced to early Five Elements Heaven.
Tianyuan crystals were indeed powerful. Even low-grade ones significantly boosted cultivation speed.
However, after reaching Four Symbols Heaven, progress slowed, which was why Leng Mei, despite cultivating so long, only reached Five Elements Heaven.
As for Ling Xiao, he was a freak. Comparing with him could drive anyone mad.
“It’s the twenty-second. Not much time left this month. I need to return to the Shenhuang Empire’s capital before the end, or Blood Skull will mock me for dodging the fight,” Ling Xiao said, having used up his Tianyuan crystals. He had no intention of staying longer.
After reaching early Three Talents Heaven, low-grade crystals had little effect. Even breaking through from peak Two Principles Heaven to Three Talents Heaven required a Heavenly Spirit Pill.
Clearly, his breakthroughs were far harder than others’.
Since low-grade crystals were less effective and time was running out, it was time to leave.
Leng Mei had also used all her crystals.
Neither planned to hand over any to Pixiu Island.
Over the past twenty days, Ling Xiao had found flaws in the arrays here.
If he wanted to leave now, he could, no problem.
But before going, he’d make Pixiu Island taste some pain.
Plus, Qin Huo’s men still hadn’t been found.
The two left the cave, ready to act on their plan: spark a rebellion in Pen Two and take down Leech Heavenly Lord.
Outside, the same old story played out.
Leech Heavenly Lord’s lackeys were pressuring Ximen Bo and Cai Weiwei to hand over crystals.
Ximen Bo, no longer the proud man he once was, looked dishevelled, like a pitiful beggar.
“Please, can we pay you after the month ends? We really don’t have any spares,” Ximen Bo begged, kneeling.
The lackey, only at early Four Symbols Heaven, was weaker than him.
Cai Weiwei knelt beside him, crying and pleading, likely wondering if her man was still the heroic figure she once knew.
Ling Xiao didn’t care. He had no sympathy for Ximen Bo. If not for Leng Mei, he’d have killed him already, not let him live this long.
Bang!
The lackey kicked Ximen Bo in the face, cursing, “Listen, idiot, I’m done talking. Hand over all the crystals you’ve made!”
“Ximen Bo, is your dignity worth so little? Bullied by someone weaker, and you don’t fight back?” Leng Mei shouted, unable to stand seeing Ximen Bo like this, given he’d once helped her.
“You don’t get it. This is called biding your time. Leech Heavenly Lord’s power is beyond your imagination,” Ximen Bo snapped. “Don’t mock me. Soon you’ll be handing over crystals like me! No one dares defy Leech Heavenly Lord. He’s a Five Elements Heaven warrior!”
“Five Elements Heaven? Heh, I thought he was Cave Heaven Realm. Scared spineless, do you even have any guts left? Are you still a man?” Ling Xiao frowned. Ximen Bo acted superior when bullying the weak but cowered like a dog against anyone stronger.
“He’s not a man, but neither are you!” the lackey said, having taken all of Ximen Bo and Cai Weiwei’s crystals, now turning to Ling Xiao and Leng Mei.
“I’m not a man to begin with,” Leng Mei muttered.
“Ahem, I meant him!” the lackey pointed at Ling Xiao. “Hand over your crystals, or you’ll regret it.”
“You’re not worthy to talk to me. Get Leech Heavenly Lord here, or you’ll get nothing!” Ling Xiao said coldly.
He was here to stir trouble and wouldn’t give Leech Heavenly Lord any face.
“You’re insane!” Ximen Bo, terrified by Ling Xiao’s words, grabbed Cai Weiwei and fled, as if afraid Ling Xiao’s madness was contagious.
Many other warriors hid in caves or shadows, too scared to show their faces.
They all thought Ling Xiao was crazy.
No sane person would provoke Leech Heavenly Lord.
“Hahaha, I’ve seen cocky kids like you before. Once Leech Heavenly Lord shows up, you’ll be talking to the King of Hell,” the lackey sneered. “Hand over the crystals now, and you might live. Otherwise, you won’t know how you died!”
As he spoke, he waved, and Leech Heavenly Lord’s men surrounded Ling Xiao and Leng Mei.
“Done for, those idiots. I knew this would happen. Think playing hero is fun? Brainless fools!” Ximen Bo muttered from his hiding spot.
Cowardly himself, he envied and blamed others for standing up.
“What? Won’t cry until you see the coffin? You lackeys have it tough scraping by. I don’t want to make things hard. Get Leech Heavenly Lord. I’ll only talk to him. I’m giving you a chance. Don’t push me!” Ling Xiao said coldly, eyeing the surrounding warriors. The strongest was the sleazy old man from before, now a lackey of Leech Heavenly Lord, at peak Four Symbols Heaven.
“Little brat, I advise you to obey. Leech Heavenly Lord won’t shortchange you,” the old man said.
“Enough nonsense. Want me to act?” Ling Xiao grew impatient.
He hadn’t planned to deal with these people, but it seemed without action, they wouldn’t take him seriously or follow his demands.
“Kid, you’re really asking for it!” The old man, new to Leech Heavenly Lord’s crew and eager to prove himself, lunged at Ling Xiao without waiting for others.
Ling Xiao didn’t move.
A plum blossom mark appeared on the old man’s shoulder, and he was sent flying, his shoulder blade pierced.
Leng Mei had struck.
“You filthy woman, daring to hurt me? I’ll strip you naked and let every slave here have their way!” the old man roared.
