Chapter 14: The Price of Life

After leaving the auction, Xiao Chen decided to find some food. He had been trekking through the mountains for several days, subsisting on flowers and tree bark, and his stomach was growling. He needed to eat and drink well to have the energy to continue his journey.

However, on his way to a tavern, Xiao Chen sensed that someone was following him. Although he couldn't see or identify who it was, he was certain someone was tailing him in secret. Pretending not to notice, he ate his fill and then continued on his way, all the while remaining vigilant.

As he walked through various streets, Xiao Chen eventually entered a forest. The forest was deserted, and it was unclear whether this was by accident or design. Moving silently, Xiao Chen stopped in the middle of the forest and spoke to the air, "You've been following me for a while now. Aren't you planning to show yourself?"

"Hmm? When did this kid notice me?" The cultivator following Xiao Chen was surprised. He couldn't believe that a teenager had detected his presence.

After observing Xiao Chen for a moment, the hidden cultivator finally revealed himself. The man sneered, "What a sharp little fellow, to be able to detect my presence."

"It's you." Xiao Chen's face turned serious. This was the same cultivator who had been eyeing him during the auction, a man whose cultivation had reached the mid-stage of the Heart Movement Stage.

The man was in his early twenties, tall and thin, dressed in black silk clothes. His appearance suggested a sinister character, especially his greedy eyes, which made Xiao Chen uncomfortable.

"That's right, it's me." The man sneered, his eyes flashing with malice and greed.

"What do you want?" Xiao Chen asked coldly, his youthful face becoming serious.

"Heh, kid, if you still want to enjoy the good things in life, hand over your storage ring and the sword on your back. You auctioned off a mid-grade spiritual weapon, so that sword must be even more powerful," the man said with a sinister smile, not taking Xiao Chen seriously at all.

It was obvious to anyone that Xiao Chen had a remarkable sword. He had brought out a mid-grade spiritual weapon at the auction but had kept the sword on his back. It didn't take much to figure out the sword's value.

"I knew you had bad intentions at the auction. I didn't expect your greed to get the better of you," Xiao Chen said coldly, his expression growing graver. It was clear the man wouldn't give up on taking his storage ring.

"Enough talk. You're not worthy of dying by my hand. But if you insist on being stubborn, I won't be merciful," the man said coldly, a murderous aura beginning to emanate from him.

Hearing this, Xiao Chen became enraged. It reminded him of what a mysterious figure had said to him back in the Immortal Dao Sect: "Trash like you isn't even worthy of dying by my hand!"

Sensing Xiao Chen's anger, the man scoffed, "What? Do you plan to resist?"

"I'll make you regret saying that!" Xiao Chen said icily, his eyes filled with killing intent as he began to channel his true essence.

"What? Early Heart Movement Stage?" The man was shocked to sense Xiao Chen's power. He couldn't believe that a teenager had such a strong cultivation.

"Bang!"

Fueled by anger, Xiao Chen attacked first, his small body charging swiftly at the man.

"Not bad, kid. I didn't expect you to be at the Early Heart Movement Stage," the man said coldly, also quickly channeling his true essence.

"Bang!"

Xiao Chen and the man clashed fiercely, their fists colliding with a loud thud. The impact scattered leaves from the ground. The man's strength was far superior to that of Zhang Zhen, the bandit. Xiao Chen was forced back several steps despite using all his power.

"So strong!" Xiao Chen thought to himself. Even with his formidable physique, his fist hurt from the impact.

"How is this possible? How can a kid have such strength?" The man was equally shocked. His fist throbbed with pain from the clash.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

After a brief pause, the two clashed again, engaging in a fierce hand-to-hand battle. Their attacks and defenses were swift and powerful, echoing through the forest.

Faced with Xiao Chen's immense strength, the man didn't dare be careless. He fully unleashed his true essence, as did Xiao Chen. Against a stronger opponent, Xiao Chen knew he couldn't be complacent.

However, the gap in their cultivation soon became apparent. As the fight grew more intense, the man's speed increased, while Xiao Chen had reached his limit at the Early Heart Movement Stage. Moreover, this was only Xiao Chen's second battle, making it difficult for him to cope with such a powerful enemy.

"Bang!"

Unable to keep up with the man's speed, Xiao Chen was struck and sent flying.

"That hurts! This guy is really strong!" Xiao Chen thought, his body aching. But despite his pain and anger, he refused to give up. Slowly, he stood back up.

"What? He took my full-force punch and can still stand? Is this kid even human?" The man was shocked again, looking at Xiao Chen as if he were a monster.

With a gaze full of killing intent, Xiao Chen said coldly, "I'll make you pay for saying that with your life!"

Hearing such arrogant words from a kid, the man became furious. His face darkened as he said, "Arrogant brat! Since you want to die, I'll send you on your way!"

"Ha! Wind Shadow Fist!" The man channeled his true essence, shouting angrily as he charged at Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen's expression grew even more serious. His eyes locked onto the man as he thought angrily, "I mustn't lose to him! Anyone who dares say that to me again will die!"

This time, Xiao Chen didn't confront the man head-on. Despite his powerful physique, his opponent was clearly stronger. Xiao Chen's combat experience was still immature, so he chose to evade the attacks instead. This wasn't cowardice, but wisdom.

Using his agile body to weave through the forest, Xiao Chen aimed to exhaust the man's true essence. The man's attacks with his martial skills all missed. Xiao Chen was too nimble, his small body hard to catch.

The man grew increasingly angry, his facial muscles twitching as he shouted, "Brat, don't let me catch you, or I'll tear you to pieces!"