Chapter 70

Chen Zizai sneered coldly, "You overconfident fool, do you still think everyone is afraid of you at this point? Being played like a monkey and not even realizing it, you’re so stupid that it’s not even worth pitying!"

Hu Baijie was slightly taken aback, staring at Chen Zizai’s indifferent expression with a complex look, feeling more and more that Chen Zizai was mysterious and unpredictable. How could a bastard have such capital?

"Chen Zizai, are you tired of living? A bastard dares to speak to this young master like this?" Xu Daxiaogong’s face was ugly, filled with rage. He didn’t take Chen Zizai, a bastard, seriously, but secretly envied and feared his higher talent. He had long planned to eliminate him, but never expected Chen Zizai to be so audacious. How long has he been back? And he dares to completely ignore me!

"Do I need to take you seriously, someone who, despite consuming countless divine pills and using many secret techniques, only managed to enter the second level of Earth Venerable at eighteen?" Seeing Xu Daxiaogong’s incomprehension, Chen Zizai decided to be ruthless and speak bluntly.

"Chen Zizai, you wait, this young master will deal with you later!" Xu Daxiaogong was almost bursting with anger, but being exposed made him feel extremely embarrassed.

This was his secret, known by very few in the Peak Sect. The talent boost from divine pills and secret techniques would stagnate by the age of twenty-five, essentially accelerating a few years of cultivation. The actual improvement in talent was minimal.

Those who understood this would no longer view him as a true genius who entered the second level of Earth Venerable at eighteen. The damage to his reputation was more than just a little.

Xu Daxiaogong didn’t dare to look at the expressions of his confidants, angrily guessing who had revealed this information, hoping to quickly extricate himself from this embarrassing situation.

Then, he saw a pitiful number of Dark Shadow Clan members flying over from the distance and was overjoyed. "Attack!"

This training was very important to him. Many Divine Gate disciples didn’t know the prerequisite for a talent surge, thinking that training and battles always provided opportunities. The actual changes in talent didn’t happen on the spot and were rare, but the major star systems’ main Divine Sects knew that such surges almost always occurred when killing highly genetically advanced races that had undergone evolutionary mutations.

However, even with the right target, the probability wasn’t absolute. According to past statistics, it wouldn’t exceed ten percent.

Whether the killer had a higher chance was uncertain, but it was certain that those too far from the mutant had no chance of being affected!

Xu Daxiaogong and his group, led by him, were invigorated and rushed towards the last group of pitiful Dark Shadow Clan members—

On the land by the sea.

Xu Wenfeng and those who had been fighting for many days gathered together, recovering and healing their wounds.

Wang Bupa looked around, seeing no one, and shouted, "Has anyone seen the mad genius Hengyi?"

The resting people exchanged glances, and many stood up to look around, remembering the incredibly strong figure in the battles. Many had been saved by the sudden appearance of that figure, which killed groups of enemies.

Wang Bupa’s question made those who remembered Hengyi concerned about his well-being.

"Didn’t see him."

"Who saw him, speak up?"

"He appeared and killed some Dark Shadow Clan members and then rushed south."

"When was that?"

"About a day ago."

"Has anyone seen him in the south?" Wang Bupa asked worriedly.

No one answered.

"That kid is probably dead!" A voice full of indifference and jealousy called out, causing some indifferent people to laugh.

But the laughter didn’t last long. Those laughing were silenced by the many angry or cold stares around them.

"Damn! If it weren’t for him, we wouldn’t have made it this far. You’re heartless!" A team leader angrily scolded the laughing teammate.

Others coldly shouted, "Tell you! Our team survived thanks to his help. Anyone who laughs at him is against us!"

For a moment, those indifferent to Hengyi didn’t dare to offend many people and kept silent.

"Ask in the training bead?"

"It’s no use. Chen Zizai said he’s affected too deeply by dark matter black gas and can’t perceive anything except the light of the training bead." Wang Bupa’s fists repeatedly hit his left palm, worried about Hengyi’s situation. The people from Northeast Xiangshan admired strong men and respected those who could kill enemies. In such battles, they used their strength to bear the damage, and only when their teammates killed the enemies did their suffering become meaningful, bringing a sense of victory.

Hengyi, who had killed countless enemies, naturally earned Wang Bupa’s respect.

Chen Zizai had been worried about Hengyi’s situation all along. He called out through the training bead, "Hengyi, Hengyi, can you hear me?"

"I’ll be there soon."

The training bead miraculously received a reply, making Hu Baijie, Hai Shan, and Hai Yuntian overjoyed. They all asked about his condition, but Chen Zizai smiled and reminded them, "The training bead can’t be used for private conversations! Wait until he returns."

Hai Shan was delighted, thinking about how everyone had survived the battles. If Chen Zizai hadn’t changed the plan, she would have regretted it. "The captain is great; this time, we owe it to the captain’s leadership."

Chen Zizai shook his head silently. He wanted to say that he was wrong this time, but in the universe, only results mattered. The final battle with the Dark Shadow Clan was inevitable. Although the training team had paid a price, they had achieved victory, so the result was right, and he didn’t deny his initial mistake.

Chen Zizai called out to the training bead, "Hengyi is fine, he’s on his way back."

"He’s definitely fine!"

"The mad genius is so strong. No wonder he could fight dozens in North Xiangshan. When he helped us, a group of Dark Shadow Clan members were instantly shredded! Damn, it was like a mad slaughter of demons!"

"…Genocide! Perfectly described!"

When Hengyi and Hei Yue flew over, many people waved and shouted, "Genocide mad genius Hengyi, well done!"

Hengyi was puzzled by the welcome, not understanding why his nickname had gained the word "genocide"…

Hu Baijie, seeing him from afar, flew over joyfully, hugging him tightly. "You scared me to death!"

Chen Zizai breathed a sigh of relief, seeing that Hengyi’s skin, which had been heavily affected by dark matter black gas, had returned to normal. Although surprised, he was more relieved.

"You scared us to death! I was afraid you’d be accidentally killed by Xu Wenfeng’s Star Venerable-level techniques! Where did you go?" Hai Shan ran over, circling Hengyi, seeing that he was unharmed, and asked with joy and concern.

Hengyi didn’t remember how he left the battlefield or even the memory of killing enemies. At the time, he had no perception, couldn’t see, hear, or feel, and his memory remained blank. "I think I was affected by the black gas and fell into the sea."

He introduced Hei Yue to them, though he didn’t remember the details.

After some small talk, Hengyi saw Chen Zizai still sitting, looking unwell. "Brother Chen, why haven’t you treated your injuries?"

"It’s not serious." Chen Zizai downplayed it, but Hengyi noticed his neck, which had turned grayish-white. "Dark matter black gas!"

Chen Zizai was startled, quickly asking about his neck. Hearing Hengyi’s description, his eyes showed panic, realizing that the dark matter black gas had invaded his bloodstream and wounds, and the situation was severe. If not treated immediately, the consequences would be dire.

"Brother Chen, let me apply the medicine. Don’t you have medicine?" Hengyi enthusiastically tried to help, but Chen Zizai quickly backed away to avoid his outstretched hand.

Hengyi looked at him in confusion, seeing his changing expression, and suddenly said, "Hu Baijie, you have experience in treating injuries. My wounds are complex, and Hengyi is clumsy."

"I’m not! I’ve bandaged pigs and treated my juniors’ snow wolf bites. I’m very skilled!" Hengyi volunteered, but Chen Zizai shook his head and smiled, "I don’t trust your clumsiness. Women are more careful with such things. What? You think I shouldn’t let your woman treat my wounds?"

Hai Yuntian was taken aback, finding it very unexpected. He thought Chen Zizai shouldn’t say such things. Hu Baijie was Hengyi’s woman, and if they called each other brothers, such actions would be like slapping Hengyi in the face. Others would think Chen Zizai was lusting after Hu Baijie’s beauty, making her serve him…

But in the Divine Gate, it was a world of the strong preying on the weak. Hai Yuntian knew his position and dared not say a word.

His doubts were also the doubts of others around them. Although they were at the edge of the resting area, many trainees were watching and listening.

Most of the male disciples thought the same. A woman with the reputation of a Divine Gate weapon, coveted by all, was normal.

Many people looked at Hu Baijie, Chen Zizai, and Hengyi with deep meaning, secretly guessing that Hu Baijie might have a deep relationship with Chen Zizai, and Hengyi’s entry into the Peak Sect might be due to this "affection."

Those who secretly envied Hengyi felt a sense of satisfaction but pretended not to notice, frequently stealing glances.

Hu Baijie clenched her teeth, always believing Chen Zizai wouldn’t let her go, and that he hadn’t killed her might be because of Hengyi. She had always suspected Chen Zizai had ulterior motives, a common trait in men, making her unable to doubt.

Especially after the recent events, when Hengyi left the team, Chen Zizai didn’t look back, but when she left, he turned around and fought desperately.

Although Hu Baijie was suspicious, she feared Chen Zizai and didn’t dare to say anything against him.

Her hands were sweaty with tension. In the past, she might have felt relieved, but now, because of Hengyi, she neither dared to resist nor wanted to submit.

At a loss, she could only look at Hengyi—

Hai Shan, also nervous, feared Hengyi’s reaction and cleverly said, "I’m good at treating wounds, let me do it—"

"It’s not your business." Chen Zizai didn’t even look at Hai Shan, who was scared and didn’t dare to say more.

Others had their own thoughts, but Hengyi didn’t think much about it, finding nothing wrong and being confused by Chen Zizai’s words. "Why do I feel Brother Chen shouldn’t let Baijie help with the medicine?"

Hengyi’s confused expression made Hai Shan sigh in relief, glad that Hengyi’s simplicity prevented him from being suspicious of others’ intentions.

Hu Baijie thought Hengyi was foolish but didn’t dare to say more.

Chen Zizai laughed, realizing Hengyi hadn’t thought much about it, put away his magic fan, and smiled, "Brother is generous, not jealous, that’s best."

"…What is jealousy?"

"Never mind…" Chen Zizai remembered that Hengyi didn’t even understand the feeling of liking a woman, let alone jealousy. His chest hurt badly, so he walked a bit away but didn’t leave others’ sight, facing a tree and smiling, "My injuries are unsightly, and I care about my image, not wanting more people to see."

Hu Baijie sighed in relief. Chen Zizai’s choice of position, avoiding others but not disappearing from their sight, clearly showed he was avoiding suspicion and preventing others from guessing. But this made Hu Baijie even more puzzled…

"Don’t worry, go ask Brother Xu about his condition. Using such a powerful Star Venerable-level technique must have been exhausting." Hu Baijie, though puzzled, was relieved that Chen Zizai wasn’t lusting after her beauty. Her usual charm returned, and she was concerned that Hengyi didn’t know how to deepen his relationship with Xu Wenfeng.

Seeing Hu Baijie’s half-reproachful, half-gentle gaze, Hengyi realized that Xu Wenfeng’s technique wasn’t easy and quickly agreed to go.

Hei Yue followed him, flying over.

Hu Baijie looked at Hei Yue’s back, increasingly puzzled by her actions.

Hengyi had introduced Hei Yue, saying she didn’t like Xu Daxiaogong’s actions and had left the human settlement on Seed Star to search for Dark Shadow Clan leaders, luckily finding and killing them.

Hu Baijie found this hard to believe. A Divine Gate disciple daring to do such a thing? Wasn’t that like courting death?

Hu Baijie knelt in front of Chen Zizai, the wind blowing his wide robes, the edges gently brushing her face, making her feel a strange aversion.

She tried to control her emotions but couldn’t force a smile, quietly picking up the medicine for dark matter black gas, gently lifting Chen Zizai’s robe…

The outer robe, blown by the wind, covered her head and face, making it impossible for others to see.

The fluttering robe frequently brushed her face, and her hand paused in mid-air, stunned…

Chen Zizai’s cold gaze fixed on her face.

At that moment, Hu Baijie felt a sudden suffocation.

She couldn’t believe what she saw, and all her past doubts and speculations were answered in shock!

But the answer didn’t reassure her; instead, her hands and feet turned cold with fear…

"Do you want to kill me, don’t you?"