Chapter 244: Jing Xi

Zhang Zhihui sheathed his sword and gazed at the deep, bottomless cliff. Ye Mo had fallen like a meteor; survival seemed impossible.

"Brother Zhang, what was that?" Xi Wushan asked, bewildered.

Zhang Zhihui nodded. "Perhaps I used too much force. I didn't expect that punk to be so weak—my sword sent him flying."

The explanation, though unconvincing, sufficed.

"Sigh, what a pity," Xi Wushan said, his eyes gleaming. "Friends, farewell. We'll be dismantling the metal chain bridge."

Zhang Zhihui's face was grim. He didn't want to leave, but the auctioneer had announced the end. This was someone else's property; he had no grounds to remain. He knew they would soon descend the cliff to find the young man.

This meant all his effort yielded nothing. Depressed but resigned, he left.

Everyone departed, understanding the auctioneer's intentions. With Ye Mo being a wanted man, staying was pointless.

The black-clothed woman stared at Ye Mo's fall, frowning. A cold smile touched her lips as she, too, left with the others.

...

Ye Mo knew the risk of using the Wind Controlling Technique. Some might notice, but he had no choice. First, Zhang Zhihui would have killed him upon landing. More importantly, Xi Wushan and his men were present. They didn't merely want to kill him; they intended to drain his life force beforehand.

Therefore, despite the risk of exposure, Ye Mo employed the perilous Wind Controlling Technique to plummet from the cliff.

He landed where he intended, then continued falling another hundred meters. After several rapid descents, even he was near his limit. Finally, after approximately one thousand meters, he reached the bottom.

The cliff bottom differed drastically from that of Shen Nong Jia. A thick, persistent mist clung to the ground, obscuring the scattered animal bones and human skulls. Ye Mo wanted to leave immediately.

He quickly reached the other side, but refrained from ascending. Returning now would risk encountering Zhang Zhihui. He needed to escape immediately and discarded his sword nearby.

Resisting his disgust, Ye Mo pressed onward along the uneven cliff bottom, aware that the others would soon arrive. They considered him a treasure trove, and he dared not linger.

While his power was inferior to Zhang Zhihui's, his escape techniques—the Wind Controlling Technique and Cloud Shadow Step—allowed him to evade even top masters. The treacherous terrain was no obstacle.

Two hours later, he encountered another cliff wall, blocking his path. He couldn't risk going back, and ascending was his only option. Despite the several hundred meters, it posed no challenge. With the Wind Controlling Technique, he quickly returned to the top.

As he landed, a figure descended and landed nearby.

"You're fast," a completely black-clothed woman said. "I didn't expect you to be here so soon."

Recognizing Jing Xi's voice, Ye Mo's heart sank. How did she know he'd appear here?

Jing Xi sneered. "If you don't want to be surrounded, follow me." She turned, seemingly confident he would obey.

Ye Mo had no choice. Staying put was dangerous. Since Jing Xi knew his escape route, others likely did too.

Jing Xi's speed was incredible; she didn't seem concerned about him keeping pace. Two hours later, near noon, she led him to the stadium he'd previously visited, a metal chain descending towards the Serenity Gate. He didn't understand her intentions.

He felt no fear. He faced Jing Xi alone, but had numerous untapped resources. He trusted his abilities to outmaneuver her.

Jing Xi removed her black veil, revealing a gorgeous face. Smiling, she said, "Brother Da Hu, you truly appear and disappear at will."

Recognizing his cover was blown, Ye Mo removed his own, replying blandly, "Don't call me brother. Don't make me regurgitate my lunch." He no longer cared about secrecy.

"Curious how I found you?" Jing Xi asked, continuing before he could reply. "Not just me; Old Man Xi Wushan likely knows you're alive."

Ye Mo sneered. Xi Wushan's search was expected. But this woman was frightening; she'd anticipated his exact location.

Jing Xi's face turned cold. "I believed you dead. Your performance was convincing, causing me some sadness. But your qing gong is extraordinary; even top-level masters are no match. You've surprised me. I've never seen such skill."

(TL note: qing gong: The art of running and jumping, akin to acrobatics, making movement appear elegant and weightless.)

She paused. "If you survived the Liang Nong cliff, you'd survive Xi Shuang Temple's fall. You think only I recognized you mid-air?"

Ye Mo sat down. "State your purpose. I haven't eaten since last night." He understood how Jing Xi knew he'd survive.

Jing Xi studied him curiously. "You're calm. Your qing gong is formidable, but you're in Wuliang Mountain, with no escape. Do you think the Space Association will abandon its search? Stop dreaming. Make a deal with me. You won't lose. It's my first time; I'll give it to you." Her eyes welled, reminiscent of Jing Zier.

Ye Mo sighed. She was astute, beautiful, a seductive nun—but he had no interest. She was too psychopathic.

"Let's discuss sex later," Ye Mo laughed. "Tell me your conditions."

Jing Xi blushed, unexpectedly. "Do you think it's that easy? Keep dreaming." Then, she said, "You ascended Liang Nong Cliff, then followed me to my sect? Your qing gong makes that believable."

"Correct," Ye Mo admitted.

Jing Xi sneered. "As I suspected. Why Serenity? Don't tell me it's to find Susu."

Ye Mo smiled. "Why can't I find Susu? Is that forbidden?"

Jing Xi's eyes widened. "You like Susu?"

"Can't I like Susu? Must I like you? Yes, I like Susu," Ye Mo stated fearlessly.

Jing Xi laughed. "Da Hu, if you like Susu, you need my help. I'm Susu's shi shu. Without me, you won't see her. Will you grovel? And think you can reach Serenity via those chains? Dream on."

Ye Mo wasn't surprised Jing Xi was Luo Susu's shi shu and dropped his antagonism. He couldn't offend Susu's relative.

"What do you want?"

Jing Xi smiled enticingly. "I rather like you, too." She looked at him. "You possess valuable items, including a Face Preserving Pill. Will you give me one?"

Ye Mo remained unimpressed. "Do you think they're street vendors?"

"You carried a girl at Shen Nong Jia's Qiu Tuo Peak, and picked the Red Leaf Pumpkin Fruit, correct?" Jing Xi's tone turned cold.