Chapter Eighty-Two: Chu Yichen's Complex Feelings

While Wang Ran was happily roasting meat, elsewhere on a mountain path deep within the Northern Ze Mountains, a group of more than a dozen young cultivators were traveling together. Each of them had attained the Foundation Establishment stage. Both men and women, they walked with expressions of arrogance, their clothing fine and distinctive—clearly the elites of their generation.

“Heh, they say this forest is riddled with strange dangers. I wonder if that’s true?” The leading youth spoke with an amused glimmer in his eyes, a faint smile on his lips.

“Haha, what dangers could there be in this forest? There are simply more demonic beasts, that’s all. In front of Senior Brother Liu, it’s nothing worth mentioning.” A disciple beside him stepped up, his gaze tinged with reverence and a hint of flattery.

The others all chimed in as well, their words full of admiration for Senior Brother Liu.

Though Senior Brother Liu’s face remained impassive at their praise, his eyes betrayed his pleasure—he clearly enjoyed it.

He nodded slightly and spoke, “Since you all hold me, Liu, in such high regard, I will naturally ensure everyone’s safety on this trip to the Square Inch Pool. Aside from the Square Inch Grass, I have no interest in anything else there.”

“Then we must thank Senior Brother Liu!” The other disciples’ eyes lit up with joy as they hastened to express their gratitude.

“Brother Liu... that Square Inch Pool may not be so simple,” someone interjected hesitantly from the crowd—a youth dressed in brocade.

Everyone turned to look at him, including Senior Brother Liu, who smiled lightly. “Oh? Brother Chu, if you have any insights, do share them.”

This brocade-clad youth was Chu Yichen, young master of the Chu family.

He looked at Senior Brother Liu with some embarrassment. “Brother Liu, you may not know, but although the Square Inch Pool gathers spiritual energy and contains the rare Square Inch Grass, it is also guarded by a demonic beast at the peak of Foundation Establishment. This beast is ferocious beyond compare. My Chu family once sent a cultivator of equal strength, yet not only did he fail to slay the beast, he returned with an arm torn off...”

Compared to his usual arrogant airs, Chu Yichen was much subdued, blending into the crowd.

As for this Senior Brother Liu, he was the foremost prodigy of the North Ze Sect, the largest sect in the Northern Ze Mountains. Despite his youth, his cultivation had already reached the half-step Core Formation stage, making him renowned among his peers.

The North Ze Sect was a power on par with the Chu family, wielding great influence in the region. Its sect master was also a half-step Nascent Soul cultivator, so its disciples acted with impunity.

Senior Brother Liu’s full name was Liu Junhou—not only the sect’s greatest talent, but also the son of a Core Formation elder. He was highly favored within the sect, often called the “Qilin Child of North Ze.”

Their purpose in coming to this forest was to reach the Square Inch Pool and obtain the legendary Square Inch Grass, said to enhance the meridians and cleanse the body—a rare treasure of heaven and earth.

However, the Square Inch Pool was not within the North Ze Sect’s territory but instead lay much closer to the Chu family’s lands, so Liu Junhou had recruited Chu Yichen as a guide.

Ever since being humbled by Wang Ran, Chu Yichen had taken his cousin Chu Yingxuan’s advice to keep a low profile for a while and had no desire to show his face. But given Liu Junhou’s status, refusal would have been inappropriate—the two families had frequent contact and were not enemies.

Thus Chu Yichen joined the group. Along the way, witnessing the North Ze disciples’ flattery toward Liu Junhou, he had grown uneasy and finally couldn’t help but speak up.

Yet his warning fell on deaf ears. To Liu Junhou, only Chu Yingxuan among the Chu family’s younger generation was worthy of true regard. As for Chu Yichen, he was just a spoiled scion; for all their brotherly talk, Liu Junhou held him in no esteem.

Liu believed Chu Yichen was simply frightened by the forest’s beasts and was trying to alarm everyone. Even if there truly was a peak Foundation Establishment beast, what of it? With his half-step Core Formation strength, he was more than a match.

So, hands clasped behind his back, Liu Junhou smiled arrogantly and said, “Brother Chu, your worries are unnecessary. The Square Inch Pool is nothing to me.”

Seeing that Liu Junhou dismissed his words entirely, Chu Yichen’s eyes flashed with irritation. He resolved that if things went awry, he would turn and flee immediately—he had no intention of dying alongside these fools.

As a Chu family member, Chu Yichen knew more about the Square Inch Pool than most. He could still remember the terror on his uncle’s face when he returned home, one arm missing after his encounter with the beast. Not only did he abandon thoughts of revenge, but he also warned the family never to provoke the creature—it was a foe even Core Formation cultivators dreaded.

At that thought, Chu Yichen slowed his pace, lagging at the rear of the group. Listening to the others continue praising Liu Junhou, his face grew increasingly troubled.

At last, the forest ended and the North Ze Sect disciples’ eyes lit up as they quickened their steps. Ahead, a sparkling pool came into view, its surface shimmering.

Liu Junhou’s breath quickened at the sight, the thought of the Square Inch Grass within making his heart race. He strode out of the forest, eyes sweeping the open landscape.

It was a scene of great beauty: the pool was perfectly square, its waters clear and reflecting the sky, the grassy banks lush and green. By the water’s edge, two figures sat contentedly, grilling skewers of meat—a picture of tranquil bliss.

Wait—a barbecue?

Liu Junhou blinked in disbelief, rubbing his eyes. Sure enough, beside the Square Inch Pool, a youth was seated, chewing heartily on a skewer of roast meat.

The other North Ze Sect disciples were equally stunned, frozen in confusion.

At the back, Chu Yichen, seeing everyone ahead come to a halt, thought they had found the Square Inch Grass. He craned his neck to look, and in the next instant, his expression turned to stone.

His eyes filled with utter terror as a tidal wave crashed through his mind.

How could it be him?

Chu Yichen was on the verge of collapse—never in his wildest dreams did he expect to encounter Wang Ran again here in the North Ze Mountains.

This was a monstrous figure, a demon among men. Chu Yingxuan had warned him strictly never to provoke this person again. Yet here he was—how had fate brought them together once more?

Before Chu Yichen could react, the overconfident Liu Junhou grew impatient. He strode forward, his face darkening with annoyance, and barked, “Boy, this Square Inch Pool is now claimed by the North Ze Sect’s Liu. You have three breaths to leave, or don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

At these words, Chu Yichen’s face changed dramatically. He knew all too well what Wang Ran was capable of—a man so formidable that even the stewards of Luoyun City deferred to him. Would he care about some so-called prodigy of the North Ze Sect?

Recalling Wang Ran’s terrifying powers, Chu Yichen’s face flushed as if constipated, wishing he could strangle the foolhardy Liu Junhou on the spot.

Of all people to provoke, why did you have to pick this demon king?

Now I’m doomed as well—disaster has fallen from the sky while I sat at home!

At that moment, Wang Ran, still savoring his roast meat, looked up in surprise at the group before him.

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