Chapter Twenty: Retreat

Gu Linglong and the others had flown ahead for fifty miles before Boss Li finally managed to catch up, panting heavily and clinging desperately to the rear.

Seeing Li Chengzhu in such a state, Xiao Ying was furious. Without caring that she was still supporting Yuan Sen, she swung her foot at him and demanded, "Where the hell have you been?"

Boss Li easily brushed aside her pretty kick with a flick of his hand, blinking mischievously. "Guess!"

"Guess? You blockhead!" Xiao Ying's chest heaved with rage, her taut blouse rising and falling—how could this man be so cowardly? Clearly, she'd misjudged him.

Li Chengzhu picked up a little gadget to block half his vision, all the while stealing glances at Xiao Ying's chest.

By now, Autumn Wind no longer resembled his usual refined self; his expression was weary, his body bore the marks of battle. The others were in similar states, except for Boss Li, whose clothes were as immaculate as new, making him stand out like a show-off flaunting wealth in a slum.

"Brother Li, a real man knows when to bend and when to stand tall—enduring for a moment is no big deal," Autumn Wind remarked coldly, casting a sidelong glance at Li Chengzhu and fanning the flames.

As expected, with that remark, the survivors all turned their wrathful gaze on Li Chengzhu.

Li Chengzhu smirked, shifting his gaze from the alluring sight to Autumn Wind. "Brother Autumn, your new look is truly the trend of the times—a model for us all. Tsk tsk, look at that hair, wild as a phoenix's nest, a real original. I admire you!" He then took his time straightening his flamboyant robe.

"What good is a sharp tongue? If you've got the guts, kill a few angels for everyone to see!" Autumn Wind sneered at Li Chengzhu's sarcasm.

"Dealing with that trash? Brother Autumn, you're more than enough. As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together." Li Chengzhu chuckled. "But honestly, when you saw the six-winged angel, weren't you running like mad, fleeing in terror?"

Xiao Ying nearby pursed her lips. "One's a turtle, the other's a rabbit!"

Autumn Wind showed no sign of embarrassment. "Not everyone has Brother Li's extraordinary wit."

Boss Li chuckled, pulling out his spoils from a ring. "That's right. Sometimes, strength doesn't mean everything. I wonder how much this six-winged angel's crystal is worth in top-grade stones."

The group abruptly halted mid-stride, the atmosphere suddenly turning silent, only the sound of the dust storm raging around them could be heard.

Their eyes latched onto the god crystal in Li Chengzhu's hand, which radiated a gray light, like leeches biting down hard.

It is said that angels' crystals are ranked by layers and color, much like a honeycomb.

A two-winged gray angel's god crystal has two layers, gray in color.

A four-winged silver angel's crystal has four layers, colored silver.

Following this logic, a six-winged angel's crystal should have six layers.

But these things are as elusive as a maiden's virtue—everyone knows of them, but none have ever seen one.

Yet the god crystal in Boss Li's hand was stacked layer upon layer, clearly not just four layers.

The group exchanged bewildered glances, hardly able to believe that a rookie at the Out-of-body stage could defeat the fierce six-winged angel, let alone kill it and retrieve its god crystal so quickly.

It must be fake—fake. Autumn Wind told himself so, but couldn't help reaching out to touch the crystal that symbolized the status of a six-winged angel.

Before he could make contact, Boss Li dodged away. "What are you doing? This is my trophy." Autumn Wind's handsome face flushed from blue to white, awkwardly withdrawing his hand.

The others were shaken from their shock. Yuan Sen, barely holding himself upright, approached Li Chengzhu and bowed deeply. "Thank you, fellow cultivator, for avenging my brother. From now on, my life is yours." He sighed regretfully. "It's a pity I've lost all my cultivation, otherwise I could transfer it to you without regret."

Li Chengzhu accepted the gesture with great ceremony, then spoke, "No need for such courtesy. As I said, strength isn't everything. With my cultivation level, I can still slay a six-winged angel. And as for greater cultivation, I can always train further."

Some of the others still harbored doubts. One whispered to Gu Linglong, "My lady, do you think this could really be a six-winged angel's god crystal?"

Gu Linglong shifted her gaze from the crystal to Li Chengzhu's face. "Yes, I can't mistake this spiritual pressure." In fact, since Li Chengzhu produced the crystal, Gu Linglong had sensed the aura, but couldn't believe someone of his caliber could defeat, much less swiftly slay, a six-winged angel.

With Gu Linglong's confirmation, the rest of the group gaped, drawing in cold breaths, gazing at Li Chengzhu with awe. Xiao Ying went so far as to snatch the god crystal from his hand, scrutinizing it for authenticity.

When she was finally certain, Xiao Ying grabbed Li Chengzhu's hand excitedly. "How did you do it? Even I couldn't beat him!"

Li Chengzhu could only smile bitterly in his heart. Oh, my silly girl, why ask this now? Am I supposed to tell you I have an extraordinarily powerful immortal artifact that wiped him out in one shot? Can't you see Gu Linglong, though suspicious, is holding her tongue?

As soon as Xiao Ying spoke, everyone stared expectantly at Boss Li, hoping for an answer.

Li Chengzhu coughed dryly. "Let's talk as we walk, before the angel army catches up."

The group nodded in eager agreement, their faces ingratiating.

"Simply put, it was all about setting up an array," Boss Li replied, utterly composed, spinning a grand lie.

Everyone nodded—this was indeed possible. A good array could amplify one's power many times over.

Xiao Ying looked at Li Chengzhu with excitement. "So during the fight, when we couldn't find you, you were setting up the array?"

Li Chengzhu adored Xiao Ying's carefree nature. He quickly nodded, "That's right. Otherwise, did you really think I ran away?"

Xiao Ying finally relaxed, glancing between Gu Linglong and Li Chengzhu. "Good thing you weren't off fleeing for your life."

Recalling Xiao Ying's earlier harsh words, Li Chengzhu suddenly felt a chilly draft below his waist, nearly blurting out something indecent.

"Fellow cultivator, could you tell us what kind of array you set up? To have such power?" one of the cultivators asked—the question on everyone's mind.

"Uh, well, it was a kind of illusion array," Li Chengzhu replied evasively.

"I see," the man responded blandly.

The others pursed their lips; if you had the skill to set up such a lethal illusion array, wouldn't the Immortal Lord of Illusion have ascended to the position of Immortal Emperor long ago?

Does he really take us for fools? Everyone secretly scoffed at Boss Li.