Peaceful Conversation

Three kinds of Intent intertwined with Zhang Baichi's aura unconsciously.

Just as Yu Hao retreated with the captured leader of the Broad Wisdom Sect's disciples in his hands, he felt Zhang Baichi's aura rise and transform.

An unprecedented feeling of terror struck Yu Hao and the hairs on his neck stood up. This feeling was akin to a primal fear of death, akin to a sharp blade dangling above his neck, or a wild beast holding his head in its maw.

Zhang Baichi's eyes opened with barely any delay to the explosion of aura, but just this shortest amount of time was enough to completely drench Yu Hao in cold sweat.

The terror-stricken expression on his face gradually calmed down and he looked at Zhang Baichi with confusion. "…What was that? What's going on with you?"

By now, Zhang Baichi had already read the system's notifications, but he honestly did not need them this time.

The three Intents had been comprehended by him and not the system; He could not be more clear about the understanding he had gained here.

Though, he had not expected the trigger needed to advance his Quasi-Intents to be something as trivial as just deciding on his own path.

"It's nothing. I just made a small breakthrough.", he smiled. "Sorry for the delay; Let's speed up and return to camp."

"A small breakthrough?", Yu Hao muttered. He did not quite understand what Zhang Baichi meant. While Yu Hao had mastered many different martial arts, he had no idea about Intents.

It was true that something about Zhang Baichi seemed to have changed in some way, but he could not put his finger on what exactly changed; His cultivation was obviously still the same.

Yu Hao concluded that Zhang Baichi must have progressed in some kind of martial art or maybe his Cultivation Technique itself. Still, he could not understand how such a breakthrough could make so much of a difference.

Zhang Baichi grabbed the Broad Wisdom Sect's leader and dragged him along as he started walking towards the basecamp again. "Ah, well, don't worry about it. It's a good thing, anyways."

"Sure…", Yu Hao's voice trailed off with his answer and he followed Zhang Baichi.

The two of them did not talk much after that. A short while later, they reached the basecamp.

The disciple that saw them first froze at the sight in front of him.

Yu Hao's clothes were torn, and he was bloodied all over, though still looking fine and dandy, and full of energy.

Zhang Baichi's situation was even worse; His clothes were fine, but blood was splattered all over him. It was obviously not his own blood since he was not injured, but the fact that he was dragging a mangled body behind him made for a grizzly sight.

The surrounding disciples noticed their appearance quickly and gathered around them.

Zhang Baichi dragged the leader of the Broad Wisdom Sect's disciples to the middle of the camp, when Lu Zheng, Yun Ye, Xiao Xueling and most of the remaining disciples were already waiting with confused and shocked expressions.

No one understood what was going on until they noticed the emblem of the Broad Wisdom Sect embroidered on the mangled young man's clothes.

Zhang Baichi unceremoniously threw him onto the ground in front and looked at the gathered disciples. "The Broad Wisdom Sect's disciples have all been annihilated. This is their leader; He's the only survivor. From now on, we only need to concentrate on the threat the Demonbeasts present."

Exclamations of surprise, shock, and fear quickly reached his ears, but Zhang Baichi did not bother to explain further. He looked at the few strongest in their group and signalled for them to follow him as he once again dragged the Broad Wisdom Sect's leader aside.

Yu Hao sighed. He was a lot more social and caring to the other disciples compared to Zhang Baichi and, fortunately, also knew everything that happened.

Two people had annihilated a coordinated team of 10 cultivators at the peak of the Body Forging Realm; This kind of strength left the ordinary disciples in awe.

Yu Hao changed into a set of fresh clothes after a brief explanation of the situation and followed after Zhang Baichi and the rest.

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.

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Zhang Baichi, Yun Ye, Lu Zheng, and the two young women from the Willow Tree Pavilion were once again gathered at the back of the basecamp.

They were waiting for Yu Hao to join them so that they could start to interrogate the leader of the Broad Wisdom Sect's disciples.

A minute or two later, all of them were present and Zhang Baichi removed the gag from the young man's mouth.

He was coughing violently – mostly spit and blood – and Zhang Baichi gave him a moment to catch his breath before squatting in front of him with his arms on his knees. "Well? You can start talking now."

"You-!", the young man spoke in anger, only to fall into another coughing fit. "Do you even know who I am?! You're endangering your whole sect! The powers behind me will never forgive you!"

He spat curses and insults galore, so much so that even the few disciples behind Zhang Baichi were getting irritated, but Zhang Baichi kept a straight face. 'System, who's that guy, really?'

[Ding! Gu Liang, 15 years old, 10th layer of the Body Forging Realm (Suppressed)]

Zhang Baichi's brows twitched, causing Yu hao to believe that he was getting fed up, when in reality, he was only surprised. 'What does 'suppressed' mean?'

[Ding! The cultivation of cultivation Gu Liang is above the Body Forging Realm. His cultivation has been suppressed by a much more powerful cultivator.]

'…So he's actually really strong? He should be much stronger than someone who only reached the 10th Layer.', Zhang Baichi glanced at Yu Hao, once again appreciating that his investment paid off.

However, he didn't linger on that thought and instead looked at Gu Liang at his feet again. The young man was still spouting curses and insults, thinking that Zhang Baichi might be intimidated since he didn't answer.

Zhang Baichi leaned in closer, his head just inches away from the crippled young man in front of him. "Hey, Gu Liang. I know very well who you are."

The young man froze, and his words came to an abrupt stop. He stared at Zhang Baichi for a moment and grew increasingly scared by the indifferent expression on Zhang Baichi's face.

He still tried to put on a strong front, but his voice was shivering. "Th-then you better let me leave! As long as you don't kill me, I promise that you and your sect will be spared."

Zhang Baichi looked at him and shook his head. "I told you; I know very well who you are. The same is true for my Master. But, does it look like we care about your background?"

"What… what do you mean?", Gu Liang's face was growing more and more pale.

By now, even the other disciples looked at Zhang Baichi in surprise. They all knew very well that even their Sects had no idea what was going on with the Broad Wisdom Sect, but Zhang Baichi was lying to this young man so naturally.

If Gu Liang was able to rationalize his thoughts, he would quickly notice that Zhang Baichi was bluffing, but the fear after seeing his whole team slaughtered and being crippled by Zhang Baichi without the strength to resist in the slightest left too much of a mental scar on him.

Zhang Baichi sneered. "What I mean is, that it doesn't make a difference if I kill nine or ten people in this Mystic Realm. Neither does it matter where you come from. Your Elders can't help you here."

The killing intent radiating off of Zhang Baichi sent a shiver down the spines of even the disciples gathered behind him. All of them were absolutely sure that Zhang Baichi did indeed dare to kill this man without hesitation.

"I'm not a very patient man. Nor do I like to repeat myself. Talk.", Zhang Baichi spoke, his voice as cold as ice.

Gu Liang finally saw the shadow of death behind Zhang Baichi and his whole body was growing cold. "No-! No, you- you can't kill me! I'm the- I'm the young master of the Gu Clan! The grandfather is the patria-!"

His words were cut short by a pained scream as Zhang Baichi's sword pierced into his shoulder. Not bothered by the screams, Zhang Baichi pulled the sword out and placed the blade at Gu Liang's throat. "Talk."

He did not even bother to threaten the young man anymore; His actions were more than enough to convey his meaning. He had already given this prisoner multiple chances; This was the last one.

"Talk! Talk- I'll talk!", Gu Liang finally broke when the sword pierced through the skin on his throat and was close to drawing blood.

Zhang Baichi slowly pulled the blade away, slightly smiling at Gu Liang. "Good. See? As long as you cooperate, things can be settled peacefully."