Chapter 54: Defection? No, I’m Just Trying to Survive

After leaving the Spring Blossom Residence, Cao Chengyu reconsidered his plans. Joining the Five Elements Sect would bring him the greatest benefit.

First, he could learn a vast array of elemental techniques, which aligned with the Rotation Body of the Five Viscera and would allow his Dao body to reach its full potential. Second—and most importantly—it would help him avoid disaster. Third, it would allow him to evade the gaze of the Skywatch Tower and secretly investigate what had gone wrong with the imperial methods.

The problem now was that Master Miaodan was, after all, his nominal teacher. Whether she was righteous or wicked remained unclear, but she had once bestowed treasures upon him. To betray her in silence would be far more serious than what Xiao Yan had done before. If things went badly, the Skywatch Tower might issue a warrant for his arrest, and he would never again set foot in Dayue’s domain. This matter required careful consideration.

Elsewhere, Luo Yuzhu’s longtime adversary, Xiangliu Yan, learned of her breakthrough to the Purple Mansion realm and her successful emergence from seclusion. Jealousy nearly consumed her. The snake guards she had sent to gather information reported that Luo Yuzhu had thrown out her pampered lover—the same young man who had flaunted his tricks and arrogance last time.

Having grown up with Luo Yuzhu, Xiangliu Yan understood her deeply and immediately devised a plan.

“Qifeng, take five snake guards and bring that Cao Chengyu to me. I’ll ruin that pretty face with my own hands, then deliver him to Luo Yuzhu and see if she truly cares for him.”

Qifeng, the scarred man whom Cao Chengyu had once humiliated through the crowd’s gossip, now stood at the early Dao body stage, along with the other snake guards. They hadn’t seen each other in a long time, and Qifeng had unexpectedly broken through to the middle Dao body stage. However, his aura was unstable and his body carried a foul stench, clearly the result of a risky breakthrough method with severe side effects.

Despite his grudge against Cao Chengyu, he still asked, “Lady Yan, he’s already been thrown out of her house. Why provoke him further?”

Xiangliu Yan patiently explained, “You don’t understand. That venomous woman has always been this way. Whenever something displeases her, she simply makes it disappear.”

“Most likely, that pretty boy angered her, and she banished him in a fit of rage. She’s probably regretting it now.”

“Bring him here, torment him well, and settle your old score.”

Qifeng’s face immediately twisted with malicious delight. He answered and took the men with him.

As for Master Miaodan, Xiangliu Yan was also one of her disciples, and a core one at that, having received true teachings. She had nothing to fear from Cao Chengyu, her teacher’s nominal disciple. Even if Miaodan found out, it would be a fait accompli, and she would not face any real punishment.

Meanwhile, Cao Chengyu was leisurely wandering about.

On the street, he happened to run into Ning Que. Since Ning Wenjun had left on a long journey, Ning Que had resumed his arrogant swagger, roaming with a band of idle companions.

He assumed his aunt had rejected Cao Chengyu, and out of consideration for friendship, had departed for another continent to avoid him.

So, encountering him on the street, he couldn’t resist a snide remark.

“Well, isn’t this Young Master Cao? Not staying at your steward sister’s house? Out here to dirty your eyes?”

“Childish,” Cao Chengyu replied with disdain, provoking him further. “Did you eat dung this morning? Does your foul mouth help you? If you’re not convinced, meet me at the Immortal Arena.”

His fists, big as sandbags, cracked menacingly.

Ning Que’s face went pale. He knew he was no match for Cao Chengyu before breaking through to the Dao body stage, but his tongue was sharp as ever.

“Hmph, you only rely on your fists. Gentlemen speak, not fight—haven’t you heard that? You country bumpkin, so uncouth.”

“Right, another word and I’ll feel the air is dirty.”

As the saying goes, you shouldn’t fight one against many, nor argue one against all. Doing so inevitably leads to losses.

Cao Chengyu had no intention of playing along, so he upended the table.

He flicked his Azure Flood Dragon sleeve, and a gust of blue wind swept several spoiled heirs off their feet, crashing them into nearby shops.

Only Ning Que remained, trembling in place.

Cao Chengyu strode forward. After refining his body with dragon blood and flesh, handling Ning Que was as easy as grabbing a chick.

“You—what are you planning?”

“What am I planning?”

“To teach you a lesson!”

With two slaps, the lingering resentment from being thrown out of the Spring Blossom Residence faded.

After beating Ning Que soundly, Cao Chengyu finally asked, “Where did your aunt go? Which continent? Which province?”

“…”

“Not talking?”

Another round of pummeling, Ning Que trembled and finally spoke.

“Luo…zhou… Qingtian Province…”

After pondering it for a moment, Cao Chengyu understood.

“Luozhou, Qingtian Province?”

“Yes, yes!” Ning Que nodded rapidly like a pecking chick.

Just as Cao Chengyu was about to press for more details, a loud shout rang out.

“Who are you, causing trouble on the street?”

It was the six-man squad of snake guards sent to capture Cao Chengyu.

Qifeng had originally intended to provoke Cao Chengyu, hoping he would start a fight in public, giving them a reason to arrest him.

But unexpectedly, he didn’t even need to find someone—the opportunity presented itself.

He acted decisively.

Cao Chengyu recognized the approaching men as those he had previously offended and sensed trouble.

However, upon detecting Qifeng’s middle Dao body aura, he recalled Xiao Yan’s tactics and decided to copy them.

Moreover, this was the southern part of the capital, far from the Skywatch Tower headquarters—a perfect stage.

Copycat Cao Chengyu, ninja style, enters!

“I am a Purple Guard of the Skywatch Tower. This is my duty. Who among you dares to interfere?”

“Purple Guard? You’re just at the late Spirit Refining stage. My brothers are all Red Guards. As for duty…”

Qifeng sneered, turning to Ning Que with a friendly tone.

“Little brother, did this man suddenly assault you? Give me your word, and we’ll avenge you.”

Ning Que did not disappoint either side. He nodded so vigorously it seemed his head might fall off.

Qifeng was satisfied.

Before taking action, he addressed the onlookers.

“This is Skywatch Tower law enforcement. Please do not interfere.”

With that, he signaled his men to attack!

Cao Chengyu feigned panic and bolted toward the southern city gate.

Qifeng and his men followed unhurriedly.

To them, abducting him outside the city would be safer, so there was no need to rush.

The chase lasted less than half an hour before they all left the city.

The soldiers on duty at the gate didn’t dare stop them, as both sides wore the uniforms of the Skywatch Tower.

Who would dare block the greatest power in Dayue?

Once outside, Cao Chengyu shouted loudly.

“You Red Guards of the Skywatch Tower dare to kill me? With such tyranny, I, Cao Chengyu, will not remain here any longer!”

Ensuring the nearby commoners heard, he activated his cloud-riding technique. A swirl of golden cloud enveloped him, and he vanished into the sky like a streak of light.

Qifeng and his men were left utterly stunned. They hadn’t even gotten close—how had he escaped so quickly? His speed was astonishing.

Few people lingered at the southern gate, and none noticed what had happened—just a shout, and then he was gone.

Cao Chengyu’s speed was unmatched. Qifeng and his men gave chase for a while, but could not even catch his trail, finally losing him completely.

Each returned, faces ashen, to report their failure.