Chapter 70 He Doesn't Want to Run Away Anymore!
The spiritual pressure field instantly enveloped Xia Feng, as if a mountain weighing ten thousand pounds pressed down on his head, imprisoning his entire body.
Xia Feng felt a sharp pain in his soul, his movements turning sluggish.
The old man floated behind Xia Feng, smiling indifferently. In his vision, everyone seemed to move at half speed, the world around him slowed to a crawl. This was the new reality after reaching the third level.
He casually raised his sickle, swinging it toward Xia Feng's neck—ready to end this so-called genius.
But—
He suddenly froze.
"What—?!" The old man's turbid pupils contracted as a golden symbol flashed before his eyes. His vision went blank, and at the same time, a terrifying blood-colored energy crawled up from his feet, piercing deep into his soul!
"Guh—!" He coughed up blood, his figure flickering as he retreated hundreds of meters in an instant. His face darkened, his gaze locked onto the two figures in the distance.
His mental strength was formidable, and his evil nature ran deep. Neither hypnosis nor the blood beast's aura could harm him significantly.
Yet here he was—a third-level spiritual master—wounded by a first-level brat who had gotten too close!
Even if it was just a minor injury, it was unbelievable.
Xia Feng's stiffened body relaxed as he slowly turned around, grinning at the old man. "Old man, why are you running?"
The woman in the black dress stepped beside Xia Feng, whispering, "Fifty seconds are up. You can advance now."
"Really? Then I'll advance too."
"Are you sure you don't need spiritual materials?"
"Of course."
Listening to their casual conversation, the old man felt like an intruder. These two arrogant fools actually had time to chat?
And they were still thinking about breaking through mid-battle? The old man frowned, shaking his head.
Even with all the necessary spiritual materials, advancement required hours—if not days—of meditation to stabilize one's spiritual pressure. Unless one possessed a spirit weapon like his, attempting to advance before battle was no different from suicide.
"If this is all you have, then let's end this."
The old man decided to finish them quickly. These two were unpredictable, and eliminating them as soon as possible would put his mind at ease!
It was just a shame Xia Feng hadn't copied his spirit weapon. Clearly, the boy had recognized his identity as a Calamity and didn't dare attempt it. A pity—but not a real loss.
Just as he prepared to strike, the spiritual pressure of both opponents suddenly surged. In an instant, they stabilized at the second level!
Old Man: "What?!"
Xia Feng clenched his fist, faint spiritual pressure swirling around his body. He felt power coursing through him, explosive and unrestrained.
[Real-time Synchronization of Strength—]
[Your spiritual pressure has greatly increased!]
[Your cultivation has advanced from first-level spiritual master to second-level spiritual master!]
Every aspect of his physicality had improved—combat foresight, speed, strength, senses—all heightened. The world seemed sharper, clearer. He could even see the fine dust settling on Mu Qingtong's pale collarbone.
His soul felt purified, sublimated. His mind was clear, his spirit invigorated.
[Advancement to second level successful. Copy slot +1]
[Current copy slots: 2 (Exceeding the limit will overwrite the oldest target)]
[Detected replicable spirit weapon: "Vermilion Bird Demon Armor"]
[Copy successful—]
[Currently copied spirit weapons—]
C-rank spirit weapon: "Forest Scepter"
B-rank spirit weapon: "Vermilion Bird Demon Armor"
[Vermilion Bird Demon Armor]
[Introduction: Come fight me~]
[Armor Form: When equipped, combat foresight, strength, nerve reaction, and movement speed increase by 200%. Armor shape can be freely modified.]
[Rebirth: If the armor is shattered, the user temporarily inherits all stat boosts from "Armor Form," and spiritual pressure ascends by one level (cannot exceed Venerable rank). Duration: 5 minutes.]
[Note 1: After using "Rebirth," a one-month cooldown is required. Forcing activation will accelerate aging by 1–10 years and reduce height by 1–3 cm in all aspects.]
[Note 2: Each use of "Rebirth" results in temporary paralysis. Recovery takes approximately 30 minutes.]
A flood of information poured into Xia Feng's mind. He felt both exhilarated and slightly disgusted.
This thing had too many restrictions and side effects.
Mu Qingtong glanced at the spiritual pressure radiating from her palm, shaking her head calmly. Advancing to the second level felt mundane—nothing compared to the thrill of dancing with Xia Feng.
When they had danced, her adrenaline had surged, that electrifying rush only found in battles against true powerhouses.
But this? This was too easy. No challenge at all.
As she mused, her eyes flicked to Xia Feng. His current state made her lips curl with interest.
"This guy actually went through with it," Mu Qingtong murmured, her golden eyes widening slightly in surprise.
While she herself could advance without spiritual materials, doing so carried the risk of backlash—an unnecessary danger she wouldn't normally entertain.
Yet Xia Feng, ever the reckless one, had done it without hesitation. Just as he'd declared, he'd succeeded.
Just how confident was he? Mu Qingtong's lips curved as she studied Xia Feng's profile, her gaze a mix of curiosity and bewilderment.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Xia Feng tilted his head.
"Mr. Xia, did you know I maintain a laboratory on Pulin Avenue?"
"Oh? What of it?"
"Would you consider becoming my test subject?" she asked, smiling unblinkingly.
"Heh."
Xia Feng chuckled and turned his attention to the distance—where the old man had already vanished.
"Let's move. Can't let him get away."
With that, the two shot forward, disappearing into the forest shadows.
The 1.2-meter-tall old man sprinted through the jungle, sweat beading on his forehead, his expression taut.
He wasn't running because he feared them—not truly. As a third-level spiritual master, he should hold the advantage.
But these weren't ordinary opponents. They'd slaughtered second-level masters as first-level cultivators. Now, having advanced to the second level? Dealing with him—a barely stabilized third-level—would be child's play.
Only a fool would stay and fight while these monsters were distracted by conversation!
No, he thought, the smart move is to retreat—to bring this intelligence to the prince at the Final Great Wall. Their freakish abilities will be worth more than gold.
Whoosh—
The sound of rushing air cut through the trees behind him.
"Damn it! Since when can second-level spiritual masters move this fast?!" he cursed, pushing forward without daring to look back.
Then—his vision blanked. His mind emptied.
"Shit!" His powerful mental strength shattered the hypnosis instantly, but the momentary paralysis sent him crashing into a rock wall. Stones shattered under the impact.
"Cough—cough—!" He wheezed, scrambling upright—just as two figures emerged from the forest gloom like living shadows.
The man in white spoke casually: "I've got to admit, your spirit weapon is impressive. That 200% speed boost works wonders—whether you're chasing someone... or running."
As the words settled, the old man's pupils dilated.
Because Xia Feng's body was now sheathed in crimson armor, ethereal vermilion birds coiling around its surface like living flames.
He recognized it immediately—
The nascent form of the Vermilion Bird Demon Armor.
"You... copied my spirit weapon?" The old man's dry lips parted slowly. Then, to his own surprise, the fear in his eyes vanished.
Suddenly—
He didn't want to run anymore.
(End of Chapter)