Splitting the Heave

“Who goes there?!” 

When they saw a spot of extremely bright light shining in the distance, they seemed to have reached the end of the tunnel. A deep voice rang in their ears before they could exit the tunnel.

Yuan Zilu raised his hand slightly, and the entire convoy stopped. 

“Is Deacon Wu Tinghai up ahead? I’m Yuan Zilu, and the institution sent me to resupply the Tongyou Peak!” Yuan Zilu tossed out a shining plaque after he spoke.

“Hmm? Why did Junior Brother Yuan come personally?” The voice continued, “Right, your plaque is real. Please enter!” 

The convoy continued to advance, and everyone was blinded with a flash of light. Everyone felt as though they had entered a whole new world.

Even though they had prepared themselves, the disciples of the outer division gasped in awe.

Looking all around them, they discovered that they were at the bottom of a valley, and a sentry-post looking structure hung above their heads.

From the looks of it, one had to pass through the sentry point if they wanted to enter or exit the valley.

With the gates of the sentry wide open, a boorish and well built man stood directly in the convoy’s way. He was Deacon Wu Tinghai of the Protection Division stationed there.

Two disciples clad in robes that had differing design to the ones worn by outer and inner division disciples stood behind him.

Those were disciples in the upper division!

Shang Xia wasn’t the only one who managed to guess their identity. Everyone looked at the two of them, but Guo You was the only one who had a complicated look in his eyes. After all, he was supposed to be a part of them.

Thinking about the reason behind his rejection to the upper division, a look of malice flashed through his eyes and he glared at Shang Xia. After all, Shang Xia was like the disciple who took his spot! Both of them relied on their connections and background!

Feeling Guo You’s gaze on him, a snort nearly left Shang Xia’s lips. 

If you feel so strongly about it, go look for the person who took your spot! What do I have to do with it?!

Hold up… 

Did the person who replaced him rely on the Shang Clan’s influence?!

FUCK!

Realizing that it was a true possibility, a trace of guilt appeared in Shang Xia’s heart and he turned his head away in order to avoid Guo You’s gaze.

Their behavior didn’t affect Wu Tinghai and Yuan Zilu who were catching up with each other.

Even though the two of them were talking to each other, Shang Xia couldn’t help but realize that the gazes of the disciples from the upper division were flittering past the students from the outer division.

After the two of them were done, Deacon Wu introduced the two disciples behind him. “Brother Yuan, let me do the introductions. This is Tian Mengzi from the first upper division, and this is Jin Guanchao of the second upper division.”

Yuan Zilu chuckled happily, “I have long since heard of them! Instructor Yu often sings your praise!” 

“Senior Yuan exaggerates!” The two of them smiled at Yuan Zilu’s comment.

Shang Xia could feel that Tian Mengzi had great manners, and the way he acted was elegant and graceful.

Unlike Tian Mengzi, Jin Guanchao looked a lot more unassuming. When he stood beside Tian Mengzi, it was easy to overlook his presence. However, the occasional streak of light in his eyes allowed Shang Xia to discover that Jin Guanchao was no pushover. He wasn’t as simple as he seemed.

Since he was focused on the two of them, he didn’t hear what the others were saying. Only when Yuan Zilu speak did he snap back to reality. “Oh? Are they also planning to head over to the Tongyou Peak? That’s great! With their help and protection, our journey will be much smoother!”

Turning to look at Yuan Zilu, Shang Xia noticed that the mood had changed. Wu Tinghai had a solemn expression on his face as he spoke to Yuan Zilu, and Yuan Zilu’s expression started to sink. 

Their lips were moving, but no words came out of their mouth. It was clear that their conversation wasn’t meant to be heard by the disciples around them.

An uneasy feeling started to form in Shang Xia’s heart. All he wanted was a peaceful trip over to the Tongyou Peak! 

…

Wu Tinghai waved his hand all of a sudden and his voice rang through the sky. “Brother Yuan, be careful on the way there!” 

Yuan Zilu nodded slowly before signaling the convoy to continue on its way.

Leaving behind a single carriage of supplies for the sentry point, everyone else continued onwards. The only difference was that there were two disciples from the upper division following them.

“Wow! It’s so pretty out there!” One of the outer disciples cried out softly.

Even though they had been reminded time and time again to remain cautious in the battlefield between the two worlds, they were still shocked by the magnificent scenery around them. Many tossed the warnings to the back of their minds. 

As the heaven and earth qi grew even denser, the air around them seemed to grow heavier. Since Yuan Zilu warned them about the dangers brought by the chaotic heaven and earth qi, everyone was able to prepare adequately. 

“All of you should raise your guards now. We have truly entered the battlefield between two worlds!” 

“If you wish to keep your sorry little lives, start paying attention to your surroundings. You’re not here for sightseeing.” Yuan Zilu’s voice boomed in the minds of the outer disciples. His tone was grim, and there wasn’t much else he could say.

“You should really listen to Senior Yuan…” A comforting voice soon followed and it caught everyone’s attention.

Even Shang Xia had to admit that he nearly forgot about the dangers they were facing when they entered the battlefield between the two worlds.

Frowning slightly, Shang Xia turned to look at Tian Mengzi who gave them the warning. No one knew when, but he was traveling beside the outer disciples at the rear of the convoy.

Jin Guanchao was beside him, but due to Tian Mengzi’s overpowering aura, everyone failed to notice his presence. Shang Xia was no exception.

Tian Mengzi’s gaze soon swept across those present. A flash of disappointment appeared in his eyes and he sighed, “Are you from the third outer division? Why isn’t your teacher here?” 

Teacher? Sun Haiwei? 

Was Tian Mengzi friends with her? Or was she the reason he came all the way out to the valley to meet with them? 

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According to the rules of the institution, disciples in the upper division were allowed to take on a job as a custodian in the outer division. Naturally, only disciples who performed exceptionally would be given the chance to do so.

Sun Haiwei was a student in the upper division, and that was her first year taking on her job as the third outer division’s custodian.

If that was the case…

Those who came from the outer division glanced at Tian Mengzi from the corner of their eye. Their actions were instantly caught by Tian Mengzi. 

“You little brats are really something else…” Tian Mengzi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Even though he looked slightly older than Shang Xia and the others, his attitude and approach to things gave off a sense of maturity little people had. Everyone felt as though they were speaking to an elder when talking to him.

Laughter rang through the air all of a sudden and even Shang Xia failed to conceal his smile.

Shaking his head with a bitter smile on his face, Tian Mengzi continued, “Do you guys know the reason why she didn’t come?” 

The sixteen disciples from the outer division turned to look at Shang Xia instantly.

Tian Mengzi’s gaze followed, and he chuckled in amusement, “I know you! You’re Shang Xia, the leader of the outer division!” 

Even though he was the leader of the outer division, everyone in the upper division knew him by another identity! Shang Bo’s grandson! After all, his identity as the grandson of the deputy patriarch sounded much more imposing compared to the leader of the outer division.

Shang Xia responded quickly, “Senior Brother Tian is exaggerating! I only managed to gain my title by luck! It’s nothing special!” 

Tian Mengzi maintained the smile on his face, but his tone turned serious. “Nonsense! You managed to comprehend your martial intent in your first year, and out of everything you could learn, you cultivated the Chaos Essence Lightning Palm! Even I wasn’t as powerful as you when I was your age.” 

Shang Xia returned Tian Mengzi’s pleasantries and he started to talk about Sun Haiwei.

Raising his eyebrow slightly, Tian Mengzi exclaimed, “She changed her plans and asked you to take her place?” 

He turned to look at Jin Guanchao who was beside him and only then did Shang Xia notice the other disciple’s presence.

When Tian Mengzi came over to talk to him, Jin Guanchao was clearly doing his own thing! When in the world did he appear?!

Shang Xia also discovered the looks of shock on the faces of the outer disciples. It seemed as though he wasn’t the only one who didn’t discover Jin Guanchao’s presence.

Jin Guanchao was also surprised. Naturally, it had nothing to do with Shang Xia’s discovery of his presence. Instead, he was taken aback by Sun Haiwei’s decision.

It was clear that Sun Haiwei had some sort of agreement with the two of them to enter the battlefield between two worlds.

“Was she really anxious when she asked you to replace her?” Tian Mengzi followed up with another question.

After receiving a confirmation from Shang Xia, a trace of joy could be seen on his face. However, an envious look soon followed. “Yeah… She has been stuck for quite some time at her current realm. She went over to the outer division in order to focus on her cultivation. Now, it seems she’s going to break through before us.” 

After he spoke, Tian Mengzi turned to look at Shang Xia. “In the past, your teacher requested for me to accompany you guys to the Tongyou Peak. Even though she isn’t here, Junior Brother Jin and I will definitely ensure your safety!” 

Turning to look at Jin Guanchao, he reminded everyone of the latter’s presence again. 

Shang Xia once again realized that he had forgotten that Jin Guanchao was present.

“Oh right, your Chief Shang is also here to protect you.” 

“Be careful!” Yuan Zilu’s voice boomed all of a sudden.