Chapter Eighteen: Same Fates as Drifters at the Sky's End

  Today is the third watch...

  Fifteen days passed in a flash, and the rankings on the training ground were constantly changing. By the fifteenth day, Zhang Chong's ranking was still among the top three on all three boards. The two boards for strength and magic had been firmly occupied by him at the bottom of the list, while on the contrary, he had become the first in speed among the 5,000 disciples, which even Zhang Chong himself found quite unexpected.

  However, being ranked first in speed did not deter the public's cold ridicule. Luo Ding had money and power, and within 15 days, a large group of people were drawn to his side, forming a small faction. They seized every opportunity to make a good impression in front of Luo Ding, making all sorts of provocative moves towards Zhang Chong.

  "Looks like Little Zhang has been scared off by Luo Ge, how did he become such a slippery character?"

  "Haha, this is what they call running away with one's tail between one's legs."

  As these words were loudly spoken out, Luo Ding, who was surrounded by the crowd, also had a proud expression on his face, and he said with a complacent tone.

  "This Zhang is really something, his idea may be good, but this time he has provoked me, and even if he wants to escape, it's too late."

  Zhang Chong's expression was one of pretended ignorance, his mind preoccupied with the most practical matters concerning himself.

  The training of Shēn Fǎ and Liàn Fú can complement each other, which has been proven to him in the past ten days. Now, his Liàn Fú skills have greatly improved, with a success rate of almost 50%. This means that for every two [Qù Fá Fú] he refines, one will be successful, further boosting his confidence. He estimates that when he reaches a 100% success rate in refining [Qù Fá Fú], he should also be able to successfully refine the [Huǒ Qiú Fú].

  As for rushing to first place, it was an unexpected surprise.

  "Hmm~~" Zhang Zhongmu didn't even glance sideways, as usual, lightly passing through the training grounds and returning to his room.

  Xiao Tian's ranking has also skyrocketed during this period. His overall ranking has reached 15th, and his strength has even reached 5th place. It must be said that his progress during this time is extremely astonishing.

  Of course, Zhang Chong also made a great contribution in this regard.

  "Zhang Chongge is actually so serious every day, training tirelessly without sleep or rest. Little Tian, you must learn from Zhang Chongge!" Little Tian motivated himself like this every day.

  He and Zhang Chong lived together, he could see every day that except for meal times, Zhang Chong was always training in body method, and when the body method training was extremely tired, he just lay down slightly and started practicing calligraphy again.

  As for the use of this calligraphy, Xiao Tian was completely unaware. However, Zhang Chong's dedication to his practice was truly admirable. It's worth noting that focus is a path that can be easily followed for a day or two, but it's extremely difficult to persist in the long run.

  What's more, Zhang Chong even gave up sleeping in order to cultivate.

  So, Little Tian also decided to give up his sleep and started training without rest, but he only lasted two days before giving in. From then on, he persisted, sleeping for at least two hours every day.

  After trying it out, his admiration for Zhang Chong became like a surging river.

  However, he didn't know that Zhang Chong was actually asleep during the time he was refining the paper talismans. If he had walked out of the process of refining the talismans, he would have been extremely clear-headed, just like waking up from sleep.

  And at this stage, his hard training was not the kind of obsession with cultivation that Xiao Tian thought, but for another reason: Huo Qiu Fu.

  Facing Luo Ding and his gang's aggressive approach, he needs to find a countermeasure as soon as possible, otherwise, if he encounters another sudden situation like the one at the registration office, he will have no way out.

  On this day, Shi Wenlong came to find him when he was practicing his body method.

  Nothing is done without entering the Three Treasures Hall, Shi Wenlong this time came, spirit and energy are not good, sighing, with a few bottles of good wine in hand.

  "Zhang Chong, Xiao Tian, let's have a couple of drinks together. Now, we're both in the same boat."

  Zhang Chong saw Shi Wenlong every day, always looking like a handsome and elegant young master, but he didn't expect him to be so decadent today. He sat down with him anyway.

  After three rounds of wine, Zhang Chong finally understood the meaning of Shi Wenlong's words. He was pursuing Chen Ling'er when someone intervened and took her away from him. The person who took Chen Ling'er away was Luo Ding.

  It's obvious that Luo Ding, with his extremely wealthy family background, must have taken Chen Ling'er away. Otherwise, how could the fat and trembling Luo Ding compare to Shi Wenlong?

  In this era, having a crystal stone can really fix everything. Thinking of this, Zhang realized that he couldn't help Shi Wenlong either, so all he could do was accompany Shi Wenlong in drinking and getting drunk.

  Although he said that during this period, he refined dozens of [Qufu Symbols], but let alone now, it's impossible to sell them, even if they were sold, these crystal stones would not be enough for Luo Ding's daily expenses.

  His cup heavily clinked against Shi Wenlong's, and then a large drink was poured down, savoring the scorching sensation in his throat. Suddenly, Zhang Chong thought of something - after knowing him for so many days, he still didn't know Shi Wenlong's background. Looking at his young master appearance, he shouldn't be from a small family either.

  "I don't want to rely on my family to achieve anything, this time I came out, I made up my mind, no matter what, I will rely on myself." Shi Wenlong said after taking another sip of wine.

  Jian Shiwen Long didn't want to say much, and Zhang Chong didn't ask in detail. In his heart, brothers should share difficulties and joys together. Perhaps it was because they had no parents since childhood that this idea took root in his heart. He cherished the bond between brothers, which was also what he cared about most. Moreover, they were facing the same enemy.

  "This Luo Ding, when I get the chance, I will definitely teach him a lesson." Zhang Chong said this and then downed the wine in his hand.

  The night is as dark as water, and it must be said that the Longevity Gate not only occupies a vast area but also has beautiful scenery, making it an ideal place for cultivation.

  The sects of the Xian and the Mo are different, with the former often built on mountains to absorb the spiritual energy of the mountains, while the latter prefer to be built on flat land to absorb the breath from the earth. The focus of their cultivation is also different, which determines that the two paths of Xian and Mo are in different positions.

  Behind the lush forest, came bursts of gentle laughter.

  "Don't be like this, if you continue to make noise, you will be discovered by the night watchman." This was a soft and seductive woman's voice.

  "Don't worry, little darling. The night watchman has already been bribed by me, so you can rest assured. You agreed to meet me at midnight, didn't you also think of me in your heart? Now it's just the two of us, don't be shy anymore."

  The man who spoke was a man with a voice that was extremely familiar, wasn't it Luo Ding? In that case, the other person must be Chen Ling'er.

  As time went on, Luo Ding's words became more and more unbearable, and Chen Ling'er was also made to be tenderly gasping for breath under his verbal attack.

  The night watchman was indeed very considerate and did not appear at this place within the specified time.

  This also made Luo Ding's actions more and more unscrupulous.

  Just then, a black figure slowly crept up to the two of them. His movements were extremely stealthy and he quickly arrived at Luo Ding's side.

  Before he could finish speaking, the object in his hand landed squarely on Luo Ding's head, causing him to let out a blood-curdling scream.

  "Ah~~~" A mournful cry pierced the sky, followed by a series of cries.

  "Come on, who's the bastard that put a chamber pot on me?"

  The night watchman was unaware of how much silver he had received from Luo Ding. Amidst the earth-shattering cries, he did not show his face at all.

  The black shadow smashed the object in its hand, then touched Luo Ding's leg and quickly retreated into the night, quietly walking away.