50 The Unexpected Reunion (1/2)

From the inside of the mass of darkness, Xiao Yue peeked out, squinting to discern who had called her name.

The Black Devil Spear in her hand stopped spinning to point towards the corridor and the invisible Shin Sumi.

”Who is it?” she asked in a defying voice.

Even though her own weapon produced a neverending black fog darker than her surroundings, Xiao Yue had no trouble seeing through it. Because she was the spear's master, her vision was not clouded by it. That didn't change the fact that the entire underground maze was really dark.

Xiao Yue couldn't see who called out to her and was wondering how a person would have seen her.

The sound of light footsteps echoed through the tunnel, bringing Bai Fulong into her divine sense perception range before seeing him with her eyes.

Xiao Yue grinned, thinking ”a red robed guy, and he doesn't look a bit older than me.”

”Are you alone?” she asked, knowing full well that it was impossible for a low level disciple to be this far in the third ring by themselves.

”Yes, Senior Sister Xiao, you don't have to worry...” started Shin Sumi.

Xiao Yue froze for half a breath when she realized that the first time the stranger had been calling her by her name.

”You need to know your place and to not lie to your senior!” she roared, jumping towards Bai Fulong for a surprise attack.

Xiao Yue pounced on Shin Sumi with all the speed of the number one orange robed disciples. The mighty black spear rumbled with the sound of thunder, it's velocity a match for the Gold Tyrant Flying Sword's.

Shin Sumi blew a little bit of air from her nose, almost laughing. Xiao Yue was terrifying but that didn't leave her stuck in place.

For the first time since the absorption of the third Vein of Hell Fire, Shin Sumi had the opportunity to test the strength she had acquired.

Her powerful legs left the ground, instantly transporting her to the other side of the tunnel. She passed by the pouncing Xiao Yue without her even realizing it.

The Black Devil Spear cut the air, not encountering the expected obstruction. Where Shin Sumi had been standing was not empty space. In two spots in the ground were cracks spread in a concentric pattern.

”Wha-

-Hey, please calm down Senior Sister Xiao, I told you I'm alone and I don't want trouble”

Xiao Yue's figure was a mixture of confusion and fury. Did this low level disciple just evade her sneak attack and pass her in a flash?

”That was definitely not the speed of a red robed disciple. Who are you and what do you want?”

If before Xiao Yue was only careful because she thought the red robed boy was part of a larger group, now she understood that she needed to be wary of him.

”I am... Bai Fulong, pleased to meet you!”

The boy in front of Xiao Yue bowed respectfully. Partly in order to hide the smile on his lips.

”Come on Sumi, you need to be more convincing. Don't let her see through you, it's not time for a reveal yet...” Shin Sumi thought.

Shin Sumi had thought about the possibility of her meeting Xiao Yue for a while now. Despite how much it pained her to not be able to tell her the truth, she had decided that it was best to leave it for the time being.

She had made a promise of helping Lan Hui and Bai Xuengen. They definitely needed her help if Chu Erlong decided to attack again. Just by recalling the small sun that had been thrown her way, she shuddered internally. No she really didn't want to involve Xiao Yue if possible.

There was also the matter of the Veins of Hell Fire. If Shin Sumi revealed herself, then Xiao Yue would never let her cultivate alone in the Veins of Hell Fire. That would mean revealing the Gold Tyrant Flying Sword and the fact that besides being Bai Fulong, Shin Sumi was also the mysterious Yan Yan of the lower valley market.

”What complicated mess have I gotten into” she sighed, but now wasn't the time to think about all that.

”What do you want?” asked Xiao Yue again, slightly impatient.

”I simply recognized you from afar Senior Sister Xiao. I wanted to meet you, that's all. I am a fan of yours. ”

”So what now, you are going to ask me to tag along? I don't travel with people, even less with people that are useless to me.”

”Such ruthlessness”, thought Shin Sumi. She recognized the Xiao Yue that used to despise people trying to follow her.

”Isn't that a bit lonely? We've been in this trial for so long now, I thought you might enjoy a travel companion...”

Xiao Yue was taken aback. She didn't expect this Bai Fulong to touch her right where her feelings were. It's true that she had been pretty lonely, trying to find her sworn sister Shin Sumi, not knowing that she was right in front of her.

”Besides I'm not useless. I have speed and power. In fact I don't think you could get rid of me if I started following you, ah-ah.”

Xiao Yue's brow twitched with anger for a second, but the young stranger was right. She had seen his speed in the quick attack earlier and knew she wasn't a match.

But she wasn't going to let that affront slide.

”Oh yeah? You want to try me?”

The Black Devil Spear pointing at Bai Fulong, Xiao Yue assumed a half fighting stance.

Shin Sumi was only joking but she only now realized that she had offended her friend. Without time for explanations or apologies, Xiao Yue attacked her.

They were so close to each other already that Shin Sumi couldn't evade like last time.

Without a second thought, the approaching tip of the black spear being the only thing in her mind, she called to her sword.

The Gold Tyrant Flying Sword appeared before Shin Sumi realized her mistake. It was too late and she was already using the golden blade to parry the black spear.

CLANG!

After the first contact, Xiao Yue gritted her teeth, not willing to believe that she had been parried. She attacked a second time, then a third before a blow from Shin Sumi made her retreat half a step.

Xiao Yue tried her chance another few times, not listening to Shin Sumi's tries at an apology.

”Please- Stop- Senior- Sister- Xiao-...” the sound of the weapons clashing punctuating every word.

Xiao Yue was stunned. Shin Sumi lowered her weapon, bowing and apologizing profusely for her words.

The orange robed girl didn't take advantage of her lowered guard to attack. Every one of her blows had been deflected, and during the entire exchange, not once had see succeeded in making that Bai Fulong take a step back.

”Hmpf. Fine. Tag along if you want but don't expect anything from me, okay? And I will not wait for you.”

And just like that, Xiao Yue ran off in the distance.

Shin Sumi sighed. She had messed up, but it seemed like the issue was temporarily resolved.

Picking up speed, it didn't take long for Shin Sumi to catch up to her friend, who turned her head away as soon as she caught sight of the red robes.

Xiao Yue recognized the strength of the individual following her but wasn't willing to acknowledge him.

”This Bai Fulong... he has the strength to subdue me anytime but doesn't seem to have bad intentions... He has to be a yellow robe in disguise, but which one? I don't recall many friendly yellow robes.”

Right behind her, Shin Sumi smiles to her friend in a reassuring manner whenever she took a glance at her. It didn't seem to have the expected effect though, Xiao Yue only reacting with a face that seemed to say ”what a creep”.