Chapter 113: How Could We Be Missing?
Chapter 113: How Could We Be Left Out? – Ling Guanghan
The youth in purple attire, upon hearing the words of the four youths clad in black, asked sharply, “Why won’t you reason with us?”
The leader among the black-clad youths replied, “Aren’t we reasoning with you right now? They have strong backing, powerful connections; we’re stronger than you—that's the only logic here.”
The three other black-clad youths laughed heartily, finding their leader’s words quite reasonable, and began to jeer. They looked at the purple-clad youth with an expression as if he were a fool.
Ling Guanghan felt that these people had no intention of reasoning or compromising. His tone turned cold as he addressed them, “If you think I, Ling Guanghan, will be a cowardly turtle, sitting idly to await death, you’re mistaken. If you have the ability, come and take it yourselves. I despise nothing more than people like you who bully others by relying on your power.”
The leader of the black-clad youths, catching the phrase “bully others by relying on power,” sneered mockingly, “Bullying by relying on power, huh? We can do it, so why can’t you? Who told you you couldn’t? Is that our fault? If you could bully us, we wouldn’t dare offend you. We pick on lone wolves like you.”
Hearing this, Lin Xueyou whispered to those nearby, “You have to admit, that black-clad youth has a point. A lone fighter can never match the strength of a group.”
Everyone nodded in agreement, finding Lin Xueyou’s analysis quite sensible.
Li Hao, wearing a mischievous smile, said to those around him, “Looks like we’ve got the gist of things. How about we give those black-clad youths a little surprise?”
The group was intrigued by Li Hao’s words. Since they hadn’t known him long, they were unsure what scheme he might be plotting.
Lu Yao, who knew Li Hao best, thought anxiously, “Brother Li Hao is probably up to some mischief again.”
As everyone stared at Li Hao with curiosity and suspicion, Lu Yao finally asked, “Brother Li Hao, what trick are you planning this time?”
Her question voiced their collective doubts, and they eagerly awaited Li Hao’s answer. Li Hao, hearing the slight teasing in her tone, gently tapped her head and said, “Yao’er, how can you say that about me? It’s not a trick—I just want those black-clad youths to experience what it’s like to be outnumbered. Let them feel what it means to be bullied by the many.”
Lu Yao, after being playfully tapped, stuck out her adorable pink tongue at Li Hao, delighting everyone present.
Though Li Hao’s plan remained unclear, Qin Zhen voiced their shared curiosity, “Young master, do you have a strategy in mind?”
Li Hao chuckled with a hint of mischief and revealed his plan: “Kui Hu, Li Zhan, and Qin Zhen—all three of you have broken through your realms but lack real combat experience. I want you three to assist that purple-clad youth, while Xueyou, Yao’er, and Zhenba will support you from the sidelines.”
The group’s eyes lit up at Li Hao’s suggestion, finding it excellent.
Finally, Li Zhan spoke up, “Young master Li Hao, this idea is truly brilliant.”
Qin Zhen added, “Yeah, this sounds fun!”
Li Hao concluded, “As for the battle, arrange yourselves freely.”
Kui Hu, Li Zhan, and Qin Zhen, upon hearing Li Hao’s instruction to aid the purple-clad youth, were already eager to fight, itching for action.
They responded in unison, “Got it!”
The three swiftly descended onto the mountain peaks surrounding the purple-clad youth, about a hundred yards away. Kui Hu called out, “Hey! Purple brother, how can a fight go on without us?”
The four black-clad youths and the purple-clad youth noticed Kui Hu and the others settling on the mountain peaks nearby. Neither side knew whose allies these newcomers were. The black-clad youths assumed they were reinforcements called by the purple youth, while the purple youth thought they were the black youths’ backup.
Amid their confusion, Kui Hu’s words unsettled the four black youths, while the purple youth was baffled by the sudden appearance of three strangers offering help.
After Kui Hu finished speaking, the three of them descended gracefully from the peaks to the purple youth’s side. Just as the purple youth was about to ask, “Who are you?” Kui Hu interrupted, “Brother! Don’t worry, we have no other intentions. We just want to have a fight, a friendly spar, nothing more.”
Hearing this, the four black-clad youths were filled with anger, while the purple youth found Kui Hu’s attitude amusing and humorous—calling a fight “just for fun.”
When Kui Hu, Li Zhan, and Qin Zhen revealed their strength, it became clear that Kui Hu and Li Zhan were at mid-level Youyou Realm, while Qin Zhen was at the early Youyou Realm.
The four black-clad youths burst into laughter.
One of them, pointing at the trio, mocked, “Just those three? Two are mid Youyou Realm, one at early Youyou Realm, and they want to challenge us three? We’re not even a match for one of them alone. I can handle all three by myself. How laughable—they really don’t know their place. Let’s teach them a lesson today.”
The purple-clad youth noticed that Kui Hu and Li Zhan’s realms were two minor levels below his own, and Qin Zhen was three levels lower. He smiled wryly, shook his head, and gratefully said to the three, “I am truly thankful for your help, but to avoid dragging you down, you should leave quickly.”
The three smiled slightly but said nothing.
After a moment, Kui Hu asked the purple youth, “Brother, do you feel pressured fighting one opponent alone?”
Though puzzled by the question, the purple youth answered honestly, “Even if it’s two opponents, I will not be at a disadvantage.”
Satisfied with the answer, Kui Hu quickly arranged the battle.
Meanwhile, the four black-clad youths held back from attacking, wanting to see what tricks Kui Hu’s group had up their sleeves. They hoped to watch them fall into disgrace so they could relish the sight. Their expressions were those of spectators watching a fool.
Kui Hu said, “Then the three of us will each take one opponent. After you finish your fight, come to assist us.”
The “you” Kui Hu referred to was Qin Zhen.
Typically, the trio could hold their own even when challenging someone a minor realm higher. Now, with their power amplified dozens of times by Li Hao’s realm compression, each realm’s strength had increased over tenfold. They were confident that even facing opponents two minor realms above, they would not be at a disadvantage.
The four black-clad youths believed that any one of them, in a one-on-one fight against Kui Hu’s trio, would be overwhelmingly superior. Even if one of them was not a match for the purple youth, as long as they could hold him off temporarily, they could quickly support their teammates after dealing with Kui Hu and Li Zhan. They believed the end result for both the purple youth and Kui Hu’s trio would be death.
Just as they prepared to fight, two young women and two young men suddenly appeared atop a nearby mountain peak. They sensed that one burly, handsome youth exuded an aura, at least at the Refining Soul Realm. The beautiful young woman in red also radiated similar pressure. The other two—a handsome youth in a red robe and a lovely woman in purple—emitted no discernible aura.
The purple youth was stunned by this unexpected arrival. Neither side knew if these newcomers were allies of their opponents.
Who else could these four be, besides Lin Xueyou, Li Hao, Lu Yao, and Zhenba?
Their appearance temporarily halted the battle. As both sides pondered this, Li Hao spoke: “The four of us are not allies of either side—we’re just here to watch the show. Fight to your hearts’ content.”
This statement eased the tension on both sides.
Li Hao gazed at the combatants and murmured to himself:
“Amidst sorrow and joy, the distant observer stands.
Not yet seeing all the grief, I ponder and pause.
Where the sun shines bright, the breeze lacks warmth for greed.
Hearts grow cold, affections fade—where does sorrow’s counsel go?
A single tree cannot stand alone; strength lies with the many.
Who among the drifting clouds can be trusted? Only in the vast mountains and fields.”
Lin Xueyou, Zhenba, and Lu Yao roughly understood that Li Hao was expressing his disdain for the greed and bullying before them.
As Li Hao quietly voiced his feelings, the battle below the mountain began.
When the three black-clad youths engaged Kui Hu, Li Zhan, and Qin Zhen, the earlier disdain vanished—they could no longer laugh.
Kui Hu and Li Zhan confronted their opponents head-on and held their ground without faltering. Qin Zhen, though weaker, avoided direct clashes, dodging and weaving comically as he was chased, yet no one mocked him.
After all, being three minor realms below in cultivation is a vast difference that cannot be measured by strength alone. Any method enabling one to remain undefeated against opponents three minor realms above is nothing short of extraordinary.
The purple youth was astonished by this scene, overwhelmed by the sheer prowess of the three youths. He had once thought Kui Hu, Li Zhan, and Qin Zhen’s boldness was mere youthful recklessness.