Chapter Sixteen: Enmity Formed

Mo Bai didn’t even glance her way. With a casual wave of his hand, a gust of wind surged forth, sending Feng Wu stumbling back several steps. His voice was cold as he spoke: “I may like women, but I have no fondness for children—especially unruly ones like you.”

Wu Luo Hua burst out laughing. “Brother Mo, it seems our tastes are remarkably similar.”

Feng Wu’s cheeks flushed crimson, and she stood rooted to the spot. Never had she imagined that a young man barely older than herself could so easily break her Purple Blossom Pressure Point technique with a single move—so effortlessly, too. She was about to go forward again when a voice called from behind, “Feng Wu, stand down. You’re no match for him.”

She turned, her gaze pitiful as she looked at Senior Brother Jiu Tong. Silent, she stepped aside, her hands trembling—whether from anger or the shock of Mo Bai’s blow, it was impossible to tell.

Jiu Tong strode forward, and at the sound of his voice the previously subdued Cloud Heaven Sect disciples grew lively again. “Gentlemen, this way, please. My junior sister was a bit reckless and disturbed you—please forgive her.”

Jiu Tong eyed Wu Luo Hua, finding him unfathomable; he could sense no spiritual power at all from this man. Little did he know, Wu Luo Hua was not a cultivator at all. To come causing trouble at the foot of Cloud Heaven Sect, and not even be a cultivator—perhaps the young master Hua was the first to dare such a thing.

Jiu Tong’s eyes flashed as he scanned for spiritual energy, and though he found nothing from Wu Luo Hua, he immediately sensed the unique signature of Shun Qing, sitting quietly in the corner. He smiled. “So, we have a member of our own sect here as well. No wonder you’re so bold. But, judging by your current state, Senior Brother, your cultivation leaves much to be desired—otherwise you wouldn’t be so depleted.”

Mo Bai looked up at Jiu Tong and replied, “When he first set out, you had yet to even determine your own rank.”

Shun Qing managed a grateful smile, but said nothing more; he no longer had the right to speak.

“Hmph. So it was you who injured my junior sister, was it? Do you think you can act so brazenly under the Cloud Heaven Sect’s nose? You detain one of our own—surely you’re no righteous sect. Allow me to rescue my fellow disciple!” Jiu Tong bellowed, and suddenly the spiritual energy around them surged, gathering madly to him.

“You insolent brat!” he thundered, his fingers pressed together as a stream of spiritual force shot toward Mo Bai. The juniors behind him watched, expressions full of awe—they knew all too well how formidable Senior Brother Jiu Tong’s power was. Otherwise, he would not have been chosen by the Fifth Uncle at the induction ceremony as a personal disciple, walking straight into the sect’s inner core.

“Your foundation isn’t bad, but you’re far too impetuous,” Mo Bai said coolly. He remained seated on the bench, but this time released a bit more spiritual power—a swirling wind, swiftly condensing into a spinning ball of air in his palm.

Jiu Tong was shocked; he could not discern what technique Mo Bai was using. But with the arrow already nocked, he had no choice but to press on. He charged forward, only to be sent staggering back with a crash, retreating seven steps. His left hand slammed down on the dining table behind him, which shattered instantly. A trickle of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth as he stared at Mo Bai in disbelief.

Mo Bai, meanwhile, was calmly picking up his chopsticks, his attention seemingly fixed only on the dishes before him. Wu Luo Hua smiled. “Not bad! You even knew to use the table to dissipate the force—already a rare talent among the young, though you’re still lacking in refinement.” The way he spoke was as if he were the elder among them.

Suddenly, Mo Bai laughed. “Little Hua, I feel like drinking.”

Wu Luo Hua replied readily, “Waiter, bring us wine!”

Mo Bai shook his head. “No, I want your wine.”

Wu Luo Hua looked puzzled. “Which wine?”

Mo Bai answered, “What pairs best with beef? Surely you know. Besides, there’s plenty of beef to go with it.”

Wu Luo Hua grimaced. “Brother Mo, perhaps we should save some for later. You can drink so much—I’m afraid it won’t be enough.”

Mo Bai stretched lazily. “You seemed so eager to give advice just now. Why don’t you go give him a few pointers?” He nodded toward Jiu Tong with his chopsticks, and Wu Luo Hua broke out in a cold sweat.

“I yield, all right? You wine-fiend!” With a deft move, he pulled out his jade treasure pouch from his sleeve. It shimmered with a soft glow as he produced a bottle of fine wine. Even before it was poured, the fragrance filled the air. The wine itself was a deep, clear red, sweet and aromatic.

Mo Bai raised a cup, held it to his nose, and inhaled deeply. “The grapes used to make this must have been exceptional.”

Wu Luo Hua replied with pride, “Purple Ice Grapes from Snow Lotus Mountain. Do you know them, Brother Mo?”

Mo Bai shook his head. “No, I don’t.”

Wu Luo Hua laughed. “So there are things even Brother Mo doesn’t know!”

Mo Bai only said, “But I do know something else.”

Wu Luo Hua was taken aback. “What is it?”

Mo Bai grinned mischievously. “I know this bottle is just enough for me alone.” Suddenly, a streak of spiritual energy shot out. Wu Luo Hua felt the bottle slip from his grasp, flying straight into Mo Bai’s hand. Wu Luo Hua looked utterly crestfallen, the two of them behaving as if the Cloud Heaven Sect disciples weren’t even worth noticing.

Ji Yue was about to step forward, but Jiu Tong, having finally steadied his breath, spoke up slowly: “Anyone who possesses a jade treasure pouch is already beyond our ability to provoke. We’ll return to the mountain and inform the elders—a distinguished visitor is coming to Cloud Heaven Sect.” With that, he walked out of the Niu Family Inn, having spent the entire exchange suppressing his turbulent spiritual energy.

The disciples, though reluctant, could do nothing when even Senior Brother Jiu Tong conceded defeat. Their eyes burned with resentment as they left with him. Bringing up the rear was none other than Feng Wu, who shot a cold glare at the pair and said, “If you dare come to Cloud Heaven Sect, you’ll regret it!”

Wu Luo Hua laughed. “Will the fruit be sweet? If it’s not, I won’t eat it. And a young lady shouldn’t be so fierce, or you’ll never find a husband.”

Feng Wu gave them a murderous look before hurrying after her companions.

Mo Bai rose slowly, downed the last of the wine, and said, “It seems our visit to Cloud Heaven Sect won’t be as simple as we thought.”

Wu Luo Hua was unconcerned. “So much the better. As long as we don’t run into any annoying poison-users, nothing will spoil my good mood.”

Mo Bai smiled faintly. “There may be things even more troublesome than poison. Well, time for us to head up the mountain.”

Wu Luo Hua protested, “Up the mountain? But I haven’t finished the beef yet—hey, where did it all go? Brother, you really are a glutton!”

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