Chapter 67: Consecutive Guesses

Feng Kong didn't even have time to respond. After the person on the fake mountain let out a mocking laugh, his voice turned completely cold.

"Want to run?"

"I've given you opportunities..."

As those words fell, the air seemed to grow oppressively hot, and even the rain began to scorch, evaporating instantly.

Shao Yi was startled, but not by the changes in the surroundings after the other's words—it was the statement itself that shocked him.

Want to run?

Who wanted to run?

I didn't even think about running!

Wait... no...

He glanced at Feng Kong with a hint of panic, unable to believe that his usually confident A-Kong bro could be so frightened as to consider fleeing.

Just then, the other looked back at him, and Shao Yi was stunned to see an unusual expression in Feng Kong's eyes.

Was he afraid?

A killer who had lost confidence before even striking—what was the point of fighting?

Shao Yi hadn't been panicking before, but now he truly was.

...

Shao Yi is panicking—he wants to retreat?! That was what Feng Kong was thinking.

When he turned in surprise, he saw the panic in the other's eyes growing. By then, Feng Kong knew the situation had completely spiraled out of control.

Shao Yi had been caught by the opponent!

It could be that he was directly intimidated, or perhaps because of something else...

If it's the latter, then this person is terrifying! Feng Kong's heart trembled.

But regardless of the reason, this battle was undeniably over.

The person on the fake mountain was too composed, perfectly gauging their mindset. He had given them just enough time to panic without allowing further thought.

They couldn't even align their ideas.

As Feng Kong pondered, he caught a glimpse of the figure on the fake mountain shifting, with a sleeve flick revealing a hand covered in fire-attribute ling yuan.

Ling yuan?

Feng Kong felt a chill run down his spine, as if plunged into an ice cellar.

There's ling yuan!

He's not Xu Xiao Shou! Shao Yi's voice transmission was laced with unmistakable panic.

Xu Xiao Shou might have broken through to Lian Ling Jiu Jing right after the competition, but no matter how talented or monstrous he was, he couldn't have shattered through nine realms and then a tenth, let alone entered the xiantian realm!

Yet the person before them, appearing to be at Jiu Jing level, possessed fire-attribute ling yuan—this had to be a xiantian expert hiding their true cultivation.

He had deceived them both!

He absolutely wasn't Xu Xiao Shou!

Go! Feng Kong said in a low voice.

Shao Yi didn't hesitate and immediately retreated, following close behind.

Can you escape?

The person on the fake mountain chuckled lightly. Before the two could leave the courtyard, they felt everything around them shake violently, even the falling rain hanging suspended in midair, eerily still.

Splash, splash, splash!

The puddles on the ground turned into a massive vortex, bubbles bursting as the water boiled!

Deep down, Xu Xiao Shou wished they would run faster, ideally vanishing to the ends of the earth and never returning, but he had no choice but to make a move to hold them back.

If he let them go without attacking, wouldn't that expose him?

Moreover, Xu Xiao Shou vaguely sensed that even if they turned to flee, it might be part of that cunning one's scheme.

He couldn't give the other even the slightest opportunity!

So he had to act, but without actually capturing them.

Thus, his two strikes were all for show—pure intimidation with no real substance.

The first, Jin Zhao Tian Fen, only heated up the environment and increased the pressure, misleading them into thinking he was a master whose anger could influence the world;

The second, Wan Wu Ji Jian, made the heavens and earth tremble, creating a terrifying atmosphere as if he were about to strike, yet without revealing any sword intent.

So...

Could he force them to flee?

Xu Xiao Shou pushed his perception to its limit, his heart pounding in his throat, suddenly skipping a beat.

He saw the hooded, calculating one reach the threshold and extend a hand to stop the other, halting their escape.

Had he been discovered?!

Was there a flaw?!

Xu Xiao Shou froze completely.

Under suspicion, passive value +1.

Under suspicion, passive value +1.

...

The information panel was flooding with messages—something was definitely wrong!

But after reviewing over a hundred branching thoughts, Xu Xiao Shou still couldn't pinpoint the issue.

In that moment, a chill ran down his spine!

...

It was a trap!

He's bluffing me!

Feng Kong ignored Shao Yi's puzzled gaze as his mind raced back into action.

The person on the fake mountain seemed formidable, building an atmosphere of terror to the extreme, but the most inexplicable part was that even as they both tried to run, he was still just putting on a show.

And the most baffling of all...

He still hadn't turned around!

Feng Kong's lips curved into a cold smile—this guy had fallen for it!

Their attempted escape was all part of the plan within the plan. The fact that he hadn't struck when they slowed down already proved something.

All his doubts vanished as he concluded: this guy was Xu Xiao Shou!

Feng Kong subtly transmitted, Shao Yi, follow my rhythm, first...

Have you forgotten? This is my territory!

The eerie voice interrupted Feng Kong just in time.

Buzz!

With those words, the courtyard's array activated, a barrier enveloped them, and the gate creaked shut once more.

Feng Kong's words caught in his throat. Staring at the barrier wall right in front of him, his mind went blank.

Wasn't he Xu Xiao Shou?

According to his reasoning, he was Xu Xiao Shou!

But if he was Xu Xiao Shou, how dare he trap them inside?

Inviting wolves into his den and sealing the door—wasn't that suicide?!

Feng Kong was dumbfounded. He racked his brain.

Could it be...

He wasn't Xu Xiao Shou?

Or...

He was Xu Xiao Shou, but he had anticipated that Feng Kong was trying to outguess him?

...

Absurd!

In such a high-pressure situation, who could think that deeply?!

Feng Kong was completely thrown off. The array's activation nearly scattered his thoughts entirely.

There's still a chance, as long as I sort it out... stay calm! Feng Kong's eyes were full of tension.

Beside him, Shao Yi had no idea how many thoughts had flashed through his A-Kong bro's mind in that instant. He had only heard the call to follow the rhythm and immediately perked up.

A-Kong bro was finally back to his usual cool self—great!

He transmitted, A-Kong bro, what rhythm? You...

Shut up! Feng Kong roared.

Shao Yi was stunned into silence, standing there like a statue. What had happened?

Feng Kong turned back, his eyes bloodshot. He had been just a step away from piecing his thoughts together and figuring out the fake mountain person's intent.

But Shao Yi's words were like a kick that shattered his train of thought, leaving no chance to recover.

It's over!

All over!

Feng Kong's eyes were filled with panic. Had he...

Lost his judgment?

Before he could try to think again, the voice from behind seemed close enough to whisper in his ear.

Turn around? Look at me?

In that moment, Feng Kong's heart nearly stopped. Did he know what I was thinking?

Yes, the only thing Feng Kong was still sure of was that the person on the fake mountain wouldn't turn around—that was all he had left...

Yet in his moment of chaos, the other had exposed it.

Didn't that mean all his earlier thoughts had been anticipated?

Feng Kong wanted to turn his head, but his neck felt rigid, unable to move.

For a killer...

To see meant death!