Chapter 41: A Master and His Disciple Who Escape Death

　　“Cloud Mist Mountain Range?”

　　There were numerous mountains there that seemed to be connected and dangerously steep.

　　Several figures were flying in a jungle and trying to escape.

　　“Changyu, run, quickly!”

　　Daoist Tai Hua sounded very urgent.

　　“I’m already running. Master, hurry and catch up with me.”

　　Su Changyu weaved through the jungle at top speed.

　　Roar!

　　At this moment, a five-meter-tall iron-armored rhinoceros bulldozed through the jungle, causing several tall ancient trees to collapse while the frightened birds fled in all directions.

　　Clad in iron armor, the extremely fast rhinoceros looked frightening.

　　Daoist Tai Hua was hundreds of meters in front of it, but he knew that it would only be a matter of time before he died if he just fled blindly. Hence, he decided to just fight the iron-armored rhinoceros.

　　He stabbed it with his sword.

　　Daoist Tai Hua targeted the eyes of the iron-armored rhinoceros, which was the most vulnerable spot of the iron-armored rhinoceros.

　　However, the iron-armored rhinoceros was not a fool. When it saw Daoist Tai Hua charging towards itself, it immediately warped its body and blocked Daoist Tai Hua’s attack.

　　“Oh gosh!”

　　In an instant, Daoist Tai Hua’s expression changed because he knew that he was in trouble.

　　Clang!

　　The exquisite iron sword was snapped in half and the iron-armored rhinoceros roared while sending Daoist Tai Hua flying away.

　　The terrifying impact propelled Daoist Tai Hua dozens of meters away and even broke many of his chest bones.

　　The impact was so horrifying that Daoist Tai Hua vomited blood incessantly. Fortunately, he had gathered the remaining spiritual energy in his body in his internal organs in advance. Otherwise, the impact would have caused him to die a horrible death.

　　“Oh dear.”

　　At this moment, Daoist Tai Hua was utterly dejected.

　　He went to the Cloud Mist Mountain Range with some regrets, but there was no point regretting now.

　　Roar!

　　In the next moment, the iron-armored rhinoceros looked at Daoist Tai Hua with a menacing gaze. Clearly, it had already targeted Daoist Tai Hua.

　　“Master, run, quickly.”

　　However, Su Changyu appeared at this juncture.

　　He did not flee and instead returned to save Daoist Tai Hua.

　　“Changyu!”

　　Daoist Tai Hua was stunned because he didn’t expect Su Changyu to return to save him.

　　Phew!

　　Su Changyu immediately grabbed Daoist Tai Hua’s collar and frantically sprinted.

　　Su Changyu was extremely fast, but his body was surrounded by wisps of blood Qi.

　　Daoist Tai Hua did not think much of it. What he had to do now was to flee.

　　The iron-armored rhinoceros was chasing behind him, but Su Changyu was too fast for it to catch up.

　　An hour later, on the cliff where there was no one, Su Changyu and Daoist Tai Hua sat under a tree, both looking unwell.

　　In particular, Daoist Tai Hua seemed frail because he had suffered a serious injury and multiple fractures in his sternum. Moreover, Su Changyu had been pulling him and dragging him along during the journey. Hence, he got injured further.

　　However, he had no other choice in that situation. No matter what, he had to at least stay alive.

　　As for Su Changyu, he sat cross-legged, but he soon spat out a mouthful of fresh, crimson blood.

　　“Changyu.”

　　Bearing with the pain, Daoist Tai Hua looked at Su Changyu.

　　“It’s okay, Master.” Su Changyu chuckled softly, but his brows were furrowed tightly into a frown. He was clearly in pain.

　　“You…”

　　Daoist Tai Hua could tell at a glance what Su Changyu had done. Su Changyu had swallowed a Health Pill that would burn one’s blood to increase their cultivation level, but each dosage of Health Pill would shorten one’s lifespan by at least ten years.

　　“Master, heal your wounds quickly.”

　　Su Changyu’s lips were pale, but he still told Daoist Tai Hua to heal his injuries first.

　　It was because Daoist Tai Hua’s injuries were grave and treatment could not be delayed any longer.

　　“I’m the one who should be sorry.”

　　Daoist Tai Hua took a deep breath, feeling a little regretful for coming here and remorseful for being too incompetent to even deal with a demonic beast, thus causing his disciple’s lifespan to be shortened.

　　“Master, stop being emotional and quickly heal your injuries.”

　　However, Su Changyu casually told Daoist Tai Hua to quickly heal his injuries.

　　Daoist Tai Hua quickly swallowed a healing pill and began gathering Qi to heal his injuries. On the other hand, Su Changyu forced himself to bear with the discomfort and looked around, worried that he might encounter demonic beasts again.

　　Several hours passed.

　　Daoist Tai Hua had finished healing his injuries and although he was still severely wounded, his condition had already stabilized. As long as he recuperated for two to three years, there would be no major problems.

　　After Daoist Tai Hua healed his injuries, Su Changyu began to meditate to recover his Qi.

　　He had just swallowed the Health Pill that caused his lifespan to shorten by ten years and a large amount of his essence blood to be depleted, as if he had fallen seriously ill. He had to stabilize his condition well, or his lifespan would be shortened by more than ten years if his health continued to deteriorate.

　　He meditated until late at night.

　　Su Changyu woke up.

　　“Changyu, have something to eat.”

　　At this moment, Daoist Tai Hua took out some dried food, which was a meatloaf that was made with the flesh of demonic beasts. It tasted mediocre, but it contained Blood Qi that could strengthen one’s body and help with blood recovery.

　　After grabbing the meatloaf, Su Changyu stayed silent.

　　On the other hand, Daoist Tai Hua felt a little helpless and he had no choice but to slowly say the countless things that he had in mind.

　　“Changyu, it’s my fault for implicating you.”

　　Daoist Tai Hua said emotionally, feeling like he had harmed Su Changyu.

　　“Master, there is no need to say such things again in the future.”

　　Su Changyu was not bothered.

　　He was an orphan who had been raised by Daoist Tai Hua. To Su Changyu, Daoist Tai Hua was both his master and father. He would have no complaints even if he had to die just now.

　　Su Changyu felt that it was unnecessary for Daoist Tai Hua to thank him.

　　“Ah.”

　　Daoist Tai Hua sighed. Although he understood Su Changyu’s intentions, he still felt remorseful.

　　“Master, think of some happy things. No matter what, we’ve already gotten the spirit essence and I can create a flying sword for Junior Brother.”

　　Su Changyu broke the silence and tried to say something to cheer him up.

　　“Yes, although we almost died, we gained a lot this time. These spirit essences are worth at least hundreds of Spirit Stones.”

　　“Indeed, if you want to be rich, you have to work hard for it.”

　　At the mention of spirit essence stones, Daoist Tai Hua couldn’t help but feel much happier.

　　Although he almost died on this trip, his gains were massive as he earned at least 200-odd inferior-grade Spirit Stones.

　　The main thing was that such spirit essence was essential for building flying swords.

　　“Ah, we’ve worked so hard and we almost died. The Spirit Stones we earned are lesser than what Junior Brother’s painting would fetch.”

　　“Sometimes when I think about it, I feel that comparing ourselves to others is really infuriating.”

　　Su Changyu sounded rather dejected.

　　As soon as he said that, Daoist Tai Hua’s mood got worse.

　　Well, the things that they had risked their lives to get was worth less than a painting someone else created. How could they not feel upset?

　　“But we can’t keep letting your Junior Brother make paintings and rely on him to support everyone, right?”

　　Daoist Tai Hua was a bit helpless.

　　“Yes, but it’s not hard to let Junior Brother make a painting every now and then. Anyway, I’ve understood through this experience that our lives matter more than our pride. When we go back, I’ll have him paint again and sell it. A portion of the proceeds will be used to build him a flying sword, and the remaining portion will be used for buying some superior-class healing medicine for you to heal your wounds.”

　　Su Changyu had already made up his mind and he no longer cared if he would seem thick-skinned or not.

　　If he hadn’t prepared a Health Pill this time, the two of them would probably have died there.

　　Hence, Su Changyu understood that life was still more precious than pride.

　　“Okay, but don’t ask for too much, just an appropriate number is alright.”

　　Daoist Tai Hua nodded.

　　Although he still felt a little embarrassed, it was at least better than dying.

　　“Master, you actually don’t have to be too bothered. Junior Brother likes painting in his free time too. He might have painted for Second Junior Brother too.”

　　Su Changyu said.

　　Hearing his words, Daoist Tai Hua couldn’t help but be stunned.

　　‘Right!’

　　‘Maybe, Ye Ping has already painted without our request.’

　　“Oh no!”

　　Daoist Tai Hua suddenly thought of something else and his expression changed.

　　“What’s the matter?”

　　Su Changyu was curious.

　　“Changyu, I think what you said makes sense, but could your second Junior Brother have had his portrait drawn too?”

　　Daoist Tai Hua instructed.

　　Su Changyu couldn’t help but be stunned when he said that.

　　“I don’t think so, Junior Brother Luochen is not such a person.”

　　Daoist Tai Hua didn’t say anything.

　　“Maybe he has had his portrait drawn but only his side profile, just like the painting of me?”

　　Su Changyu made a wild guess.

　　“I hope so, if not…”

　　Daoist Tai Hua did not continue.

　　It was because it was already obvious what he meant.