Zhong Da, formerly known as Dong ZhenKang, stared at the ancient being that stood before him. His intense gaze pressed them down with a force so powerful, Wu Xui struggled to stay conscious. It was the first time she encountered it. The things behind him. His aura manifested into reality as a creature the size of thousands of stars and galaxies.

It towered over them as he watched. Until finally he changed his intent enough that they were no longer pressed by its existence. The monster behind him disappeared. Pressure vanishing as though it had never existed.

He could not believe such a thing existed.

To think someone so powerful walked these lands now. Zhong Da had worried that one day the Calamity would come out from whence it hid. That he would have to watch the world burn around him with everyone he ever knew or encountered from a distance. Watch as the pinnacle of their world was shattered and all the myths and legends brought low.

By one single being.

Yet, if Yin Hu, ancestor of a well known clan among the Righteous Bloc was so powerful. Maybe they had a real shot. Not an outsider's hope of landing a lucky blow, but a real chance born of power and skill rather than chance.

He could be the spear that led them. The force that pinned the Calamity as everyone else released all their greatest arts, techniques, and Qi. Shatter the world and mar entire landscapes they would, but it had to be done if they hoped to survive another day. For the future generations.

Not that he had any thought about anyone else but himself. And maybe Wu Xui.

Otherwise, everyone else could die for all he cared. As long as Zhong Da survived until the very end without becoming a cripple in the process. It wasn't much to ask for. Whether it was him hiding behind the coattails of an ancient being like the one before them or using Snake Face to trick the entire world into believing he was someone else.

Whatever was required to make it out another day, he would accomplish it.

That led to him standing here. Serving hot, steaming tea to Yin Hu, ancestor of the Hu clan, while the ancient man lounged on a chair that reeked of opulence and wealth. The chair alone could have bought the entire Silver Mountain Gang and the outlying towns that surrounded it. Alone.

Yin Hu took a sip of the tea he poured into the cup. His eyes turning into crescent moons as he enjoyed the brew. Zhong Da had no part in making the tea. It was strange. Yin Hu had almost taken it as an insult for anyone else to even approach his tea before it was fully prepared. Wu Xui had attempted to help, considering she was quite skilled at the tea arts. He had rejected her so thoroughly and with so much intensity, that the poor lady fainted.

Unable to take so much power focused on her at one time.

None of them tried to approach the tea and also the rice. Yin Hu only ate rice. Nothing else at all, not even any sweets or meat he offered.

A person who only eats plants… and they turn out to be the strongest cultivator I've ever seen. Maybe I should give that way of life a try. Learn a thing or two. Might help with all the glares he gives us during our meals.

"Just perfect. Three medium leaves of mint. Two cubes of sugar," Yin Hu said as he took another sip. Groaning in ecstasy. "Just perfect."

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Zhong Da wanted to understand what the Hu ancestor saw in what seemed to be basic tea. That was impossible though. Yin Hu had once again rejected any idea of them tasting it. Zhong Da just couldn't wrap his head around why this was so important to him.

Then again, all of the old monsters were strange.

He shivered as he remembered Zi Zhen. What they had gone through before being told what their mission was. The implied threat of violence was enough to convince them. He didn't need to say anything. Do anything. Hint at anything intentionally. His very presence before them was enough to send them into a spiraling mess.

They had seen the aftermath of someone saying no to Zi Zhen. Seen what it looked like to stand against such a ridiculous monster on the battlefield. What he did to his enemies. Worse, what he did to his friend if they did not please him enough.

Failure was not an option now.

Whether it was being figured out or not gathering enough information for Zi Zhen to be pleased.

Both of them were death sentences he prayed to dodge with Wu Xui.

"Put the pot over here." Yin Hu said. He waved his hand and a table made of fucking RoseGold Wood appeared next to them. He patted it like it was nothing special.

"Yes, Senior!"

Zhong Da would do as he was told when he was told to do it. Until the day he could escape the two monsters, hopefully when they clash and kill each other. Or when the Calamity appeared. They'd be too busy to focus on him running in the opposite direction anyway. Right?

Fuck… I can't think like this. There's too much pressure on me right now for clear thought! What happened to all my plans and plots? All the tricks up my sleeve. Everything that I had worked so hard to prepare as an escape route?!

Wealth gathered that sat in his spacial ring uselessly. Food, resources, cultivation and recovery pills, and everything else under the sun that he would have needed for an extended period of escape and harried sprinting in difficult to traverse territory.

All supported by the Immortal Peak cultivation and Liquid Stage core he held.

"Go on, Zhong Da. I'm sure you have matters to attend to. I won't hold you up for too long, you've been a boon ever since you showed up. Showing your willingness to exist harmoniously as we traverse these light woods."

Zhong Da struggled to not close his eyes.

Who the fuck calls the Bleak Forests, light woods?! Why aren't we being attacked by spiritual beasts? Aren't there ancient monstrosities that exist here too? Strong enough to prevent even Zi Zhen from casually trespassing? Why aren't they appearing so I can make a run for it?!

That had been his initial plan. Big, powerful spiritual beast appears in a fit of rage and destruction. Distract Zi Zhen and Yin Hu. Him and Wu Xui would sneak past them as the three of them duked it out in hopes of killing the other.

Now he was hoping the Calamity would just show up and end his misery. Eliminate the world with him, because darn it, he was not going alone. Zhong Da would take as many people with him as he could if he had to. There was not a morsel of remorse in his chest for anyone or anything that accidentally became worthless paste.

Zhong Da bowed. "Thank you, Senior. I know that it has been said many times already. But my gratitude knows no limits for what you've done for us. We are not worthy of the kindness you show us and the protection you provide for us in these forests."

"No. Don't downplay yourself. You would have been fine even without me. Not a single beast has approached us the entire time. There's nothing out here except normal animals that even little Shui—"

Zhong Da wondered where the Hu girls were.

Why was Yin Hu waiting here for ten days?

What was the point of all this? Yet, he wasn't about to ask any of the questions that popped up in his head. Ancient beings liked keeping their secrets. They also disliked people trying to figure them out with a passion. He was not about to break both important rules.

"—could defeat herself. Your massive floating swords are more than enough."

"Thank you for your kind words, Senior!"

Yin Hu laughed.

Zhong Da cursed in his mind. His eyes drifted to the lady of his life, Wu Xui. She was watching their interactions with extreme intensity. Unable to break her gaze from the conversation and the potential death that stood before them. She wasn't as vocal as usual, nor as confidently… womanly.

Not that he blamed her. Everyone was hard pressed to keep to their true selves in these difficult times. Even he had to make a few sacrifices he absolutely hated.

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