228 Destroyed his Pride (1/2)
In the forest, Xue Wei, Bai Tianyi, and Hei Gou were hiding under the thicket just inside the forest. They were observing the experts in the sky, their eyes showing hesitation.
”We could skip meeting up with Prophet Lan and just leave the continent right away,” Xue Wei said a bit hesitatingly. Although he wanted to know what Lan had to tell him, he did not want to walk into a trap with his friends and risk getting them injured and possibly killed.
Bai Tianyi and Hei Gou were both aware that Xue Wei said that for their sake, and they felt warmth in their hearts, but their faces were stern.
”We need to get information before we know what we can do,” Bai Tianyi said seriously. ”And that information can only be gotten from that phony prophet, Lan, so no matter what we have to make our way to the center of the continent.”
The three were conversing with one another, each deep in thought, when suddenly Xue Wei jumped back on high alert. His entire body crawled with discomfort, and his eyes were bulging wide open.
”Who are you?!” he exclaimed. However, he did not raise his voice and made sure to check the air above them. Their pursuers had left long ago, but the current problem was a young man that was squatting next to them.
The young man seemed to be around twenty. His hair was short and his eyes had a playful expression in them. He had wooden sandals on and, instead of the robes that most wore, he wore black pants and a shirt.
His body was sturdy and strong, and his muscles were clearly visible under the clothes. The fact that he had managed to sneak up on them without anyone noticing his presence, not even Bai Tianyi, meant that his power was no laughing matter.
”Woah, woah, woah, calm down!” The burly man laughed when he saw them. ”I just saw three handsome men-” he said before pausing and glancing at Tianyi, ”-sitting together in the middle of a forest and was curious as to what was happening. I have no ulterior motives.”
”It is quite hard to believe you just like that,” Bai Tianyi snorted. But instead of getting mad, the burly man just laughed and reached out his hand before he wreaked havoc in Bai Tianyi's hair.
”What a cute kid, speaking like an adult! You should enjoy your childhood more!”
Hearing this, the corners of Xue Wei's lips twitched. This fellow was rather amusing, but he did not lower his guard.
”Well, I am in a bit of a pickle you see.” The man awkwardly scratched his head and a slight blush appeared on his face. ”Someone is following me and traveling alone will without a doubt give me out, so I was wondering if you were interested in a travel partner? It seems that your group also needs someone to blend in to make you less suspicious.”
”Why would we travel with you?” Hei Gou narrowed his eyes. ”We are already being chased by god and every man. Why would we add even more trouble to our entourage?”
”You said it yourself: god and every man is chasing you. So it does not matter to have a few Diviners added to the fray.”
”Wait.” Xue Wei supported his head in his hands. ”Are you that genius that ran away from the Diviners?” he asked seriously. He had come across Diviners in Cloudsoar City who had clearly been chasing someone. To think that this someone would voluntarily seek them out.
”Oh, you know about me?” The Diviner was stunned and looked at Xue Wei curiously. ”Then it makes it easier,” he said, grinning.
”Where are you going?”
”The center of the continent, Tiansong Empire.”
”Oh, the Tiansong Empire is it. I know the way, and I can even get us there without anyone noticing. Why don't you just accept me and let us get going.”
”Well, I can't really trust just any Diviner I come across, now can I?” Xue Wei felt appalled. This Diviner was so hyper and filled with energy, smiling constantly and joking around.
He did not seem to take the situation seriously at all. ”Tell us first, why are they chasing you?” Xue Wei began. The Diviner genius pondered for a moment before he accepted that his request was a bit over the top for a stranger.
”I was doing military service before I went back home to the temple. Honestly, I am tired of the whole war thing.” He sighed. ”I understand that humans and beasts might not have the best compatibility with one another, but to kill at sight is just too much.”
”Not to mention, why do we need to enslave one another? When I said that, they grounded me. I decided to live for myself so I robbed the treasury and left that night. Since then, they have not found me. I am doing pretty well if I may say so myself.” The Diviner was gloating slightly. Xue Wei was shocked. Were they looking for him because he had stolen their treasures?
”Oh, don't worry, I was the candidate to become the next head of the Temple, so they are quite friendly towards me.” He grinned. ”They almost caught me a few times, but I escaped by threatening to kill myself. In the end, they have no option other than to do what I tell them to.”
”We don't really like Diviners,” Hei Gou muttered, but even he had been moved by what the ostentatiously happy Diviner had said. Still, none of them let their guards down.
Xue Wei looked at Bai Tianyi, who in turn was looking at him. He was pondering for some time before he nodded his head.
”What level of strength do you have?” Xue Wei finally asked a question all three of them were curious about.