Chapter 25: Sudden Encounter

"Younger brother, Master will hold the Transmission Ritual for Yunsheng and the others the day after tomorrow."

On the open ground behind the Sanyi Sect's rear mountain, Li Ang recalled the news Lu Jin had told him that morning.

"The day after tomorrow?"

"So fast."

It had been nearly a week since he exposed Wu Gensheng and the other to Zuo Ruotong.

During that week, Zuo Ruotong had not sought him out, nor had he sought out Wu Gensheng or the other— as if he knew nothing at all.

"Must it really be this way, Master?"

Li Ang let out a quiet sigh, then began his cultivation for the day.

After this period of relentless training, his current job rank had reached 【Entry-level Qi Refiner lv5 (122/500)】 and 【Qi Refiner (Sanyi) lv3 (157/300)】.

"Too bad the skill experience gains are excruciatingly slow."

Glancing at the panel's 【Reverse Birth: Three Layers (Entry 79/100)】 and 【Qimen Dunjia (Entry 97/100)】, Li Ang couldn't help but sigh.

Due to its difficulty, the experience gain rate for Reverse Birth: Three Layers was noticeably slower than that of Qimen Dunjia.

But fortunately, at this pace, after he returned to his previous world, Reverse Birth: Three Layers would reach 【Proficient】 in no time.

After calming his emotions slightly, Li Ang began striking the tree stump not far away.

He had now discovered an effective way to simultaneously increase the proficiency of two skills.

That was to maintain the Reverse Birth state while using the Dui Position's spell to enhance his body.

Though the mana cost was high, it allowed both his job proficiencies to grow at once.

As white light shimmered around Li Ang, his hands began to take on a metallic sheen.

Simultaneously, both skills began slowly gaining experience.

【Activating Reverse Birth: Three Layers, skill experience +1】

【Using Qimen spell, skill experience +1】

The Dui Position spell he was currently using drew inspiration from Zhuge Qing's 【Dui: Black Glaze】 from the original text.

Unlike Zhuge Qing, who crystallized parts of his body, Li Ang's spell granted localized areas of his body properties of ordinary metal.

Such as hardness and sharpness.

He named it 【Dui: Golden Spirit】, but unfortunately, this spell could only be used when he stood at the Dui Position.

Finally, after Li Ang's persistent effort, a message popped up on his panel.

【Current Proficiency: Qimen Dunjia (Proficient 1/500)】.

"Finally leveled up," Li Ang exhaled softly, then dispelled both states from his body, "but the experience needed for Expert level jumped straight to 500?"

Though unexpected, it wasn't a major issue—he would eventually grind the proficiency to full.

"Let's see how it differs from Entry level."

Thinking this, Li Ang shifted his stance slightly and raised his hand to cast 【Li: Fire Rope】.

The next instant.

A flame shot forth like an arrow, striking the tree stump.

"Power, speed, control, and precision have all improved somewhat."

Watching the burning stump, Li Ang stroked his chin thoughtfully.

But soon he snapped back to reality, sprinting to the Kan Position to extinguish the fire with water magic.

"Burning down the mountain? You'll end up in prison for life," he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow, "Almost set the whole mountain on fire."

After calming himself again, Li Ang moved to the Xun Position to try the wind spell.

"Xun: Wind Mirror."

As he silently uttered the spell's name, a gentle breeze suddenly stirred across the clearing.

This spell's ability was simple: detect surrounding air currents and form wind pressure to hinder an opponent's movement—though when Qimen Dunjia was only at Entry level, its effect was abysmal.

Now, every subtle air disturbance in the clearing was fully perceived by Li Ang.

Small animals, insects, and— a breath that should not exist.

"Hmm?" Li Ang frowned, turning toward the nearby bushes, "Who's there?"

As he spoke, he lightly pressed his foot— a small pebble shot toward the bushes.

Puff—

The rustling sound of leaves being pierced echoed.

Moments later, two figures emerged from the bushes; one wore an awkward smile and said, "Don't attack, Senior Brother Li—it's us."

When Li Ang saw their faces clearly, his pupils contracted slightly.

It was Wu Gensheng and Li Muxuan.

'Why are they here?!'

'Have they been spying on me these past days?'

Since Li Ang had detected only one breath while using 【Xun: Wind Mirror】, he had assumed it was just another senior brother passing by.

The appearance of the Wu-Gensheng-and-Li-Muxuan duo caught him off guard.

On the other side, Wu Gensheng felt helpless—he had hidden well, but who knew Li Muxuan had given himself away?

And he hadn't expected this kid's progress in Qimen Dunjia to be this rapid.

He and Li Muxuan had come to spy on Li Ang daily; just a few days ago, they hadn't been detected.

Wu Gensheng glanced at Li Ang's wary expression and subtly tugged on Li Muxuan's sleeve: "Brother, wasn't it you who said you had questions to ask Senior Brother Li?"

His intent was to have Li Muxuan defuse the situation, but the troublemaker lowered his head slightly upon hearing this: "I do have questions I wish to ask Senior Brother Li."

As he spoke, he pulled from his sleeve a folded yellow paper shaped into a triangle.

Seeing this, Wu Gensheng quickly grabbed him and whispered, "Didn't we agree you'd let me decide how to vent your anger?"

Li Muxuan slightly twisted free of Wu Gensheng's hand, raised his head, and gazed at Li Ang, who was slowly retreating across from him, his voice devoid of emotion: "Master, it's unnecessary."

"This boy's existence proves that the former Weizuo Sect elder was not wrong."

As he spoke, he tore open the yellow paper.

With Li Muxuan's action, his short frame gradually grew taller.

Seeing this, Li Ang narrowed his eyes: "Li Muxuan."

He hadn't expected the other to drop the act so suddenly—according to the original plot, his identity was meant to be revealed only after Zuo Ruotong's words shattered the ritual of transmission.

Though many thoughts raced through his mind, Li Ang quietly shifted his steps to the Kun position.

Then

"Kun character·Dust Storm!"

Before his words had fully faded, a vast cloud of dust erupted from the ground, obscuring the vision of both sides.

Immediately, Li Ang turned and ran—he wasn't foolish; if it had been only Li Muxuan, he might have tried to fight, but there was also the unfathomable Wu Gensheng present.

Unfortunately, he hadn't taken more than a few steps before Wu Gensheng blocked his path.

Now that his disguise had been shed, the Xingzhang Sect Master looked at the young man before him, shrugged casually, and said, "Sorry—since my disciple has made his choice, I can only ask you to fight him."

"But I won't intervene. Don't worry."

Li Ang fell silent. After a moment, he turned to face Li Muxuan's expressionless face and exhaled softly.

The next instant, spheres of Qi of all sizes drifted around him, turning his hair white, and he strode forward toward Li Muxuan.