On the Comet Corridor.
Along with the passage of time, Chen Xi’s group pressed forward step by step, and when Nie Xingzhen’s group arrived on the 2,635th meteor, Chen Xi’s group had already arrived on the 2,633rd meteor.
There was merely a single meteor between their groups!
The originally confrontational atmosphere became strained to the limit at this moment.
Clang!
At this moment, Zhongli Luo who had an extremely gloomy expression was unable to restrain himself any longer, and he swiftly turned around before he pointed his dual blades at Chen Xi’s group from afar!
These blades were black and white respectively. A cold glow shot out from them while immortal light rose up from within, and they emanated a horrifying glow.
Chen Xi suddenly returned to his senses from dealing with the restrictions when he sensed this, and his gaze swept over coldly.
At practically the exact same moment, Ling Qingwu and Ye Tang’s eyes turned cold, and their bodies surged with battle intent while they prepared for battle.
“Junior Brother Zhongli!” Nie Xingzhen’s heart tightened when he noticed this, and he berated Zhongli Luo. “Don’t act rashly!”
His voice was like a thunderclap that caused Gu Yueru to return to her senses as well. When she turned around and saw this scene, her originally pale beautiful face instantly turned ghastly pale.
She’d never expected that Chen Xi’s group would actually catch up to them so quickly, and it caused her to suffer a huge blow to her confidence. Especially when she noticed the confrontational atmosphere between their groups, her heart fell into chaos before she spoke instinctively. “You must not make a move against them.”
When he saw this, Chen Xi glanced at them while seeming to be lost in thought, and then he immediately said with a smile, “Senior Brother Nie, Senior Sister Gu, the restrictions at the end of this Comet Corridor are getting more and more formidable, so why don’t we work together? Even if we compete with each other, it shouldn’t be too late to get to it after we pass through this place.”
As soon as these words were spoken, it greatly exceeded the expectations of everyone. It wasn’t just Nie Xingzhen’s group, even Ling Qingwu and Ye Tang frowned as they were unable to figure out why Chen Xi would suddenly raise such a suggestion.
“Hmph! Who needs to work together with all of you? Stop daydreaming!” Before the others could speak, Zhongli Luo had already grunted coldly and refused.
Chen Xi smiled. From the beginning until the end, he didn’t spare Zhongli Luo a single glance, and he’d always been looking at Nie Xingzhen and Gu Yueru.
This sort of practically disregarding attitude had completely infuriated Zhongli Luo. He’d already accumulated a bellyful of rage and being provoked like this by Chen Xi caused him to instantly erupt. His dual blades crisscrossed together before he suddenly slashed out with a ‘乂’ shaped sword light.
Swish!
This attack was sharp and murderous. It tore through space and emanated a sharp howl that sounded like cloth being torn apart as it shot down at Chen Xi’s head.
No one had expected that Zhongli Luo would actually attack abruptly, and when Nie Xingzhen and Gu Yueru intended to stop him, it was already too late.
Bang!
The Violetsky Immortal Sword in Chen Xi’s hand swung out with an extraordinary and otherworldly aura, and it easily dispersed Zhongli Luo’s attack.
How formidable!
Nie Xingzhen and Gu Yueru’s pupils constricted because Chen Xi’s attack seemed to be extremely ordinary, yet he’d deal with Zhongli Luo’s lethal strike in such a casual manner. So it obviously showed how formidable Chen Xi’s combat strength was.
They were existences that were respectively at the 1st and 2nd position on the Heavenstar Saint Rankings, so they were naturally able to discern that even thought it was merely a simple attack, the gap between them was obvious!
Zhongli Luo was slightly stunned as well. He’d expected that it would be impossible for this strike of his to injure Chen Xi, yet he never imagined that Chen Xi would actually deal with his attack so easily.
“You’re courting death!”
“You actually dared to attack!?”
Ling Qingwu and Ye Tang were infuriated as well. Originally, because they were all from the same academy, Ling Qingwu and Ye Tang didn’t intend to form a bad relationship with them, yet they’d never expected that Zhongli Luo would actually not know what’s good for him.
However, before they could attack, they were stopped by Chen Xi who shook his head and said, “Calm yourselves.”
As he spoke, he invited Nie Xingzhen once more. “I presume all of you’re clearly aware. This is the depths of the Comet Corridor, and it isn’t just filled with the attacks from the comets, even the strength of the restrictions is increasing. If we get into a battle at this moment, then probably none of us will be able to pass through this place.”
He paused for a moment and continued. “After all, we’ve been travelling here without stop for seven days and seven nights, and our physical strengths have been greatly exhausted. Under such circumstances, the right choice is to work together, and not fight each other, right?”
As soon as these words were spoken, it caused Nie Xingzhen and Gu Yueru to ponder deeply without end.
It was just then, Ling Qingwu and Ye Tang revealed contemplative expressions as well. Because it was just as Chen Xi said, they’d been fighting without stop for seven days and seven nights, so even if their bodies were made of iron, they were almost at their limits.
Under such circumstances, it was indeed unsuitable to allow an intense conflict to erupt. Otherwise, they might really be forced to stop here and be unable to obtain the acknowledgement of the Dao Emperor’s inheritance.
“Junior Brother Chen Xi, don’t worry, we won’t make a move against all of you.” In the end, it was Gu Yueru that spoke and decided. However, the words she spoke next exceeded Chen Xi’s expectations. “However, since we’re competing with each other, then it’s better for us to act on our own.”
The meaning behind her words was that they wouldn’t fight, yet they wouldn’t cooperate with Chen Xi’s group either.
Ling Qingwu and Ye Tang were naturally pleased with such a decision because they were clearly aware that with Chen Xi leading them forward, then would absolutely be able to surpass Nie Xingzhen’s group.
Nie Xingzhen glanced at Gu Yueru. He wanted to say something, yet when he saw her firm expression, he could only give up.
As for Zhongli Luo, he was extremely unwilling to accept such a decision, and he was just about to speak when he was forced to swallow his words by a glare from Nie Xingzhen that was filled with an intent to warn him against speaking.
“Senior Sister Gu, won’t you reconsider?” Chen Xi frowned. He absolutely didn’t have any other intention, and his only thoughts were that they were all inner court students of the academy and had no enmity between them. So even though they were competing with each other, they could still work together.
“There’s no need for that.” Gu Yueru puckered her lips and said firmly, “A loss is a loss. It isn’t a big deal. However, I still have to thank Junior Brother for your good intentions.” Chen Xi sighed in his heart, and he had a faint understanding. This Senior Sister Gu Yueru of his was probably a woman that was extremely proud in her heart, and she would rather fail proudly than admit she needed help.
After that, Chen Xi didn’t speak any further and started to concentrate on dealing with the restriction.
On the other hand, Gu Yueru and the others concentrated and stopped paying attention to Chen Xi’s group, causing the confrontational atmosphere to be resolved imperceptibly.
However, after merely two hours later.
Chen Xi’s group leaped up onto the meteor that Nie Xingzhen’s group resided on, and they’d caught up completely.
This caused Nie Xingzhen’s face to sink, and Zhongli Luo’s expression was even unsightly to the extreme.
“Congratulations.” Only Gu Yueru smiled as she cupped her hands. Her countenance was completely pale, and her eyes faintly carried a wisp of a dim expression that vanished in a flash.
Ling Qingwu and Ye Tang couldn’t help but admire Gu Yueru slightly when they heard this. They were very clearly aware that if it wasn’t for Chen Xi, then the final victor would absolutely be Gu Yueru’s group.
This wasn’t a compliment because if it wasn’t for Chen Xi, then no matter if it was Ling Qingwu or Ye Tang, they would be utterly unable to chase up to Gu Yueru’s group.
It was even to the extent that they wouldn’t be able to arrive so far on the Comet Corridor.
All in all, it was Gu Yueru’s group that had slightly bad luck because they just happened to encounter Chen Xi, a fellow that couldn’t be judged by convention.
After ten minutes passed, Chen Xi’s group overcame the restrictions on this meteor first and leaped up.
The situation had completely turned around at this moment, and Gu Yueru’s group was left behind on a meteor behind them.
Something worthy of mentioning was that if the groups didn’t step onto the meteor at the same time, then the restrictions on the meteor would recover so that others could overcome it, and it was impossible to follow behind others and benefit from the hard work of others.
Otherwise, Chen Xi’s group would have probably caught up to Gu Yueru’s group a long time ago.
At this moment, the situation was one where Gu Yueru’s group stood on the 2,636th meteor, whereas, Chen Xi’s group was on the 2,637th meteor.
Pu!
However, right when Chen Xi intended to deal with the restrictions on the next meteor, Gu Yueru suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood on the meteor behind them, and her countenance instantly became ghastly pale and translucent.
This caused Nie Xingzhen and Zhongli Luo to be shocked. They hurriedly moved forward to support her as they were deeply afraid that she would suffer misfortune.
“I’m fine.” Gu Yueru forced out a smile and wiped off the blood on the corner of her mouth before she continued dealing with the restriction.
Chen Xi didn’t continue dealing with the restriction when he saw this, and he seemed to have fallen into deep contemplation.
Ling Qingwu and Ye Tang exchanged glances when they saw this, and they didn’t urge Chen Xi to continue forward because they’d faintly guessed Chen Xi’s intentions.
After the time for an entire incense stick to burn, Gu Yueru had finally dealt with the restriction, and she led Zhongli Luo and Nie Xingzhen onto the meteor that Chen Xi’s group stood on.
In this way, they were once again on the same starting line.
This caused Nie Xingzhen and Zhongli Luo to be stunned, and they seemed to be slightly unable to figure out Chen Xi’s group’s intentions.
But before long, Chen Xi gave them the answer. “Let’s advance together. If you continue on like this, then Senior Sister Gu’s foundation will definitely suffer a heavy injury, and it isn’t worth it.”
Gu Yueru was stunned, and she wanted to refuse yet Chen Xi waved his hand and said, “It’s decided. If you want to compete, then we can talk about it after we pass through the Comet Corridor.”
These words were spoken in a decisive and domineering manner, and it revealed an indisputable tone.
“Exactly. Let’s advance together. We’re from the same academy and aren’t enemies after all.” Ye Tang smiled lightheartedly.
Ling Qingwu puckered her lips, yet didn’t say anything.
At this moment, Nie Xingzhen and Zhongli Luo finally came to a complete understanding. Chen Xi had never taken them to be opponents, causing a wisp of complicated feelings to surge into their hearts for no rhyme or reason, and they seemed to be ashamed and moved.
“Thank you,” said Nie Xingzhen in a solemn manner. He’d answered for Gu Yueru because he couldn’t bear to watch Gu Yueru continue risking her life like this.
“I apologize for my disrespect from before.” At the same time, Zhongli Luo took a deep breath and cupped his hands as he spoke. No matter how prideful he was, he had to admit that Chen Xi’s actions were worthy of him apologizing.
Chen Xi smiled and didn’t hesitate any longer to start concentrating on dealing with the restrictions.
Gu Yueru bit her cherry lips. In the end, she took action by Chen Xi’s side as well.
As for Ling Qingwu, Ye Tang, Nie Xingzhen, and Zhongli Luo, they naturally took on the role of guards that jointly resisted the comets that ceaselessly assaulted them from the starry sky.
After the members of their group doubled, their cooperation with each other was actually rather good.
“Subduing without battle… Extraordinary!” Outside the Ancient Dao Emperor Grounds, Hua Jiankong’s eyes flickered with divine radiance that shot out like a bolt of lightning, and he didn’t conceal his admiration at all.
