The sounds of the enemy’s footsteps were becoming louder and louder. With every step, Jack felt his body quivering, his internal energy barely holding up against the ever-increasing heaviness. Based on aura alone, this guy clearly was a level higher than Jian Yan.

Jack could observe that his new opponent had no visible weapons. However, he instinctively knew that this man was much more dangerous than his previous adversaries.

Hui Lang produced a weird smile. “Nice, nice. I can’t believe you’ve managed to fool an entire sect. I have to admit that you two planned everything quite well.”

Jack narrowed his eyes. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Eh? Feigning ignorance? Your current appearance explains it all. You never entered the azure realm, it was all just a gimmick. An excuse Dai Jun had brought up so that he could personally train you. Quite the bold plan you had, eh? Unfortunately, you are an idiot and decided to reappear when you are still this weak.

“And don’t even try playing the Dain Jun’s protection card with me. I know you have Dai Jun’s backing, but we are not afraid of him, let alone you. Dai Jun is the weakest of the junior elders, just some rubbish of the lower foundation realm. If it weren’t for the patriarch’s protection and his position as the sect’s main alchemist, our group would have long put his arrogance back in place.”

Hui Lang’s face continued to darken, his tone becoming more arrogant with every passing breath. “What rights do you have to wear that dress?! What rights do you have to possess that medallion?! Your presence alone is a slap in the face for us inner sect disciples! Leave now and go report to the elders that you are resigning from your position and relinquishing your area. Maybe I will let you go away with just a beating. Otherwise, don’t even hope of surviving beyond today.”

Jack frowned at the unexpected hostilities. What the hell is wrong with this guy? What’s with his conspiracies? Is everyone here a narcissistic idiot?

Jack would have definitely preferred to settle this matter without fighting an inner sect disciple, but it seemed that this Hui Lang was trying to stir up trouble in purpose. He quickly realised that no amount of chattering would resolve the situation.

But Jack wasn’t going to back down. He could feel that his opponent was stronger than him, but not overwhelmingly strong. Thus, he would never let intimidation get the better of him.

“Enough with your bullshit. If a fight is what you want, I’m more than ready to entertain you. Young Lords? Inner Sect Disciples? It doesn’t matter who you are, I will take care of you all.”

In the meantime, Young Lord Yu was observing the proceedings from a safe distance. He still couldn’t accept the fact that Jack was actually the mortal who joined the sect eight months ago. However, his surprise was soon exchanged with a burning desire of seeing Jack crushed to oblivion. This brat is still acting cocky in front of Hui Lang? He really doesn’t know the difference between right and wrong!

Hui Lang noticed the killing intent coming out from the Young Lord, expressing a sarcastic smile. “He is just a little dog, barking at the wrong wolf.”

Hui Lang’s body suddenly blurred, leaving an afterimage that soon dissolved from Jack’s vision. Jack appeared surprised as he explored his vicinities but couldn’t find any trace of his opponent. Shortly after, he heard a mocking voice from behind, leaving Jack entirely frozen.

“Little kid, my severed essence is speed. Even the other inner sect disciples are forced to admit that I have one of the strongest essences in the sect; you can say I am a cultivator favoured by the very heavens. I don’t know what type of essence you have, but when compared to my own powers, I have no doubts that I can easily crush you!”

Jack ignored Hui Lang’s rhetorics, instead waving his hilt at his opponent's vitals. However, Hui Lang speed was not something Jack could match.

Upon seeing that Jack wasn’t going to give up with his attacks, Hui lang casually extended his arm, seemingly grabbing the air and locking Jack’s hilt in a fixed position.

Hui Lang laughed. “Cheap tricks like this might work on weaker cultivators, but they are nothing in front of me.”

Cracks began spreading out in the air, descending straight down towards the sword-less hilt. The sound similar to shattering glass followed as glass-like pieces dropped on the ground, evaporating on impact like glittering dust.

Hui Lang couldn’t help by taunt Jack. “Oh? Did I just destroy your little toy? Looks like your invisible sword is no more.”

Jack retreated back a couple of steps. His eyes showed a hint of worrying but shortly returned to calmness. Unexpectedly, he rushed again towards his opponent.

Hui Lang was leisurely walking when he sensed that something was amiss. Thanks to his ability, he barely managed to dodge the renewed attack.

“What?!” Hui Lang was utterly baffled. “A self-regenerating sword?”

He appeared shocked for a while, but his eyes soon shone with greed. “From where did this bastard get this sword? I don’t remember our sect having this sort of treasure… he is too damn lucky! I must get rid of him! Even if I don’t use it, I can always sell it for immense profit!”

Hui Lang flashed forward like a missile as his fist rippled towards Jack with a power that seemed capable to kill him several times over.

BOOM~

Hui Lang opened his eyes wide as his attack collided against something solid, several cracks spreading out in the air. “Eh? An invisible barrier?!”

Profiting from Hui Lang’s momentary distraction, Jack squeezed through the shattering barrier, punching Hui Lang straight in the face, followed by a low kick in the stomach.

Hui Lang was forced to take a couple of steps backwards. He spat out some saliva mixed with blood, then turned his hateful eyes towards Jack.

“You little animal… I was going easy on you, but it seems you don’t know when to give up. Fine! Fine! If you want the hard way, I’ll gladly fulfil your desires!”

In a span of a few breathes, Jack found himself ensnared by several afterimages, all punching at him with viciousness. Each punch seemed to carry the energies of the very heavens as they repeatedly crashed against Jack’s aerial barriers.

“Haha, you call yourself a warrior? What kind of stupid essence you’ve severed? It’s only suitable for weak pussies like you who don’t know how to fight!”

Hui Lang increased the frequency of his attacks. Soon, Jack’s barriers couldn’t keep up with his opponent's speed, being hit by the residual energies multiple times already.

As the fight dragged on, Jack was already in a miserable state with several injuries scattered over his body.

“You’ve disappointed me. After the way you dealt with Jian Yan, I thought you could give me a bit of a fight. But it seems I’ve overestimated both you and him.” Hui Lang taunted Jack continuously throughout the fight.

After being hammered for quite a while, Jack finally managed to escape Hui lang’s lockdown. He then looked at Hui Lang with his swollen eyes. “You inflate yourself too much. I may not be able to defeat you now, but once I am at your level, our fight would be another story.”

Hui Lang laughed. “Oh? What makes you think that there will be another fight?” Hui Lang expressed a mocking grin. “And if that’s what you think…then I am sorry to disappoint you!”

Hui Lang muscles began to twitch. Snapping sounds filled the area as both his arms transformed into that of a wild beast, with white and grey fur tearing away his sleeves. His fingers twisted and evolved into sharps claws while his eyes flashed with grey lights, his voice turning a bit deeper.

“In my body dwells the inheritance of a Great Wolf. Even if you were at the 5th Qi seeking realm, you still wouldn’t be able to defeat me! Not with that simple essence of yours!”

Hui Lang smirked as he waved his claws with such a force that seemed capable of melding the very air. Jack’s eyes opened wide, evading at the final moment, with the generated winds tearing a piece from his remaining clothes.

When he regained his clarity, Jack noticed five deep trenches, reaching out for several metres.

Jack was inwardly paralysed. His opponent was clearly not joking when he hinted that he was yet to use his full strength.

Jack roared in anger at his opponent’s shamelessness. Several crackling sounds spasmed all over his body, his expression radiating immense pain. He put all his strength into his right fist, running towards Hui Lang like a wild beast.

Hui Lang was ever-smiling as he let Jack attack come unhindered.

Jack’s fist landed on Hui Lang’s body, but he soon realised that it was just an afterimage. Before Jack could protect his back, he felt five sharp claws tearing through his flash.

He let out an anguishing cry as blood spurted out from his back, then fell powerlessly on the ground.

Hui Lang grinned as he pressed his feet over Jack’s head, crushing him down.

“Looks like this is the end of the line for you, you fake shit. Do you still believe you could have beaten me if you were in the 5th Qi seeking realm? You delusional—”

Hui Lang stopped when he realised that Jack had grabbed his other leg. Suddenly, an invasive forced propelled inside Hui Lang’s body, ultimately severing his sensation of the lower body.

Sensing the unknown danger, Hui Lang cried in shock, breaking from Jack’s grip in retreat. However, his lower body felt like it had turned into heavy steal, and could barely move.

Jack used his last remaining energies to stand up, then hurled several punches on an almost immobile opponent. Hui Lang was like a rag doll, and all he could do was spraying mouthfuls of blood.

It was only after activating his essence to the maximum that he got away from Jack’s range of attacks.

The heavily panting Hui Lang kept his distance from Jack, a trail of sweat moving down over his cheek. A hint of relief appeared a moment later when he noticed that the heaviness of his body was receding, and his legs turning responsive again.

His expression soon turned solemn. “I’ve completely underestimated him. His essence seems to harden the stuff he touches; what a weird power, I’ve never heard of such an ability before. I can’t let him grow stronger, or he will become a fearsome enemy one day. I have to extinguish him today!”

Hui Lang let out an ear-piercing cry. His body convulsed as he began transforming again. His clothes were completely ripped apart, his narrowing eyes flashing with even more brightness. In a span of a few breathes, Hui Lang’s human appearance had been entirely replaced by that of a giant wolf, around the height of two human beings.

When Jack saw the giant shadow growing in front of his fading vision, he let out a soft laugh. “Looks like I have messed up this time. I just wish that the creature was more reliable…”

The transformed Hui Lang howled, unleashing a monstrous aura that extended way beyond the villa.

Although the area around the villa had long become deserted, a number of cultivators still remained observing from inside the gardens, well-hidden from the eyes. When they perceived the terrifying aura, they quickly abandoned their positions and fled. In their shocks, they didn’t see the pair of translucent eyes concealed amongst the bushes.

“Mother of all cheaters! Stinky asshole! I still can’t get over your betrayal!”

The Creature appeared exasperated as it glared at the heavenly dice for a long time. Still fuming, it then did a penetrating glance in the villa’s direction.

“This kid is truly unbelievable! I’ve repeatedly warned him to keep a low profile. But why care about my words? Let’s fricking start a war with one of the strongest families! And why not, let’s also piss off an inner sect disciple while we are at it!”

The Creature began already regretting its deal with Jack, but now that it gave its word, there was no turning back. It could only glance back at the heavenly dice and sigh.

“Qi Seeking realm… one roll a day… one chance, nine possibilities…”

The Creature tossed the dice as it began rolling the usual fifty times. When it stopped, weird diagrams flashed on its surface.

“Hmm… no luck, no all-seeing eye… hmm, the Buddha? Shouldn’t that do just as fine?”

The Creature extended its spiritual sense, outwards over the battlefield. “I cannot understand why this stinky thing decided to sever my connection after thousands of years. But it seems that this bloodsucker has taken a liking to your blood, Jack. This is the first time that I’ve heard one of the seven heavenly treasures choosing someone directly!”

“Ah? Why am I overthinking stuff?” The Creature suddenly cuddled its face completely ignoring its previous anger.

“I don’t care anymore! Jack, just trash the enemy before you already! Make sure not to disappoint me!”