386: Give the world some color

Shen Bei, deep within the catacombs, moved stealthily through the Void Realm.

Before him, the continuous mountain ranges stretched endlessly.

Shen Bei was like a bird that had lost its way, seemingly never reaching the end of its flight.

Gloomy light permeated the world, and a continuous, drizzling rain fell from between the layers of dark clouds.

At this moment, the mountainous region was enveloped by a thin curtain of rain, misty and silent, a scene of utter desolation.

The wind howled, thick shadows covered the sky, constantly churning and surging, as if another great storm was brewing. Even approaching noon, the entire world remained a dim and dark sight.

Shen Bei looked up at the sky.

“Rain isn’t romantic…”

Shen Bei slowly descended, found a cave, and entered to take shelter from the rain.

Firstly, traveling in the rain made it easy to get disoriented in the sky.

Secondly, after flying for a long time, there wasn’t much True Qi left in his body.

He needed to replenish it.

Of course, Shen Bei could also absorb Zhuang Bifan’s True Qi.

But that guy was also seriously injured and needed True Qi to recover. While absorbing it wouldn't kill Zhuang Bifan...

It would still make him stay in bed for a few more days.

With no one chasing him, Shen Bei wasn’t in a hurry.

Zhuang Bifan also stepped out of the mirror and sat at the mouth of the cave, taking on the duty of lookout.

Meanwhile, Shen Bei leaned against the cave wall, found a comfortable position, and was about to fall asleep in a daze.

Zhuang Bifan turned to look at Shen Bei, his expression confused, and asked, “Don’t you need to meditate to restore True Qi?”

Shen Bei half-lifted his eyelids and sneered, “Have you never seen a Genius?”

Zhuang Bifan paused, then replied affirmingly, “I often see Genius in the mirror.”

Shen Bei: …

What the heck.

He can even flatter himself without a sound?

Why don’t you step on your left foot with your right and fly to the sky?

No, wait…

That doesn’t seem difficult for a Martial Artist.

Shen Bei twitched the corner of his mouth, his expression cold, seemingly disdainful: “What I mean is, I am a Genius, I don’t need to meditate, a good sleep is enough.”

Zhuang Bifan licked his lips, said nothing more, and turned his head to look at the rain curtain outside the cave.

For Shen Bei, meditating to restore True Qi was indeed faster.

But recovering while sleeping wasn’t slow either, and he also got to rest, making it quite cost-effective.

“Keep an eye on Gu Jiu. If that guy runs off, he’s an important bargaining chip.”

Shen Bei reminded him.

Zhuang Bifan nodded, naturally understanding.

Currently, it was only known that a Martial God Da Shouzi in the country was battling Heaven-Shaking Slave, and somehow, he was captured by Heaven-Shaking Slave and imprisoned in the Da Zhou Dynasty’s dungeon in the catacombs.

The price Heaven-Shaking Slave paid, however, was having his arm severed by this Da Shouzi.

Gu Jiu, as a member of the royal family, was indeed a good candidate for a hostage exchange.

Yes, Shen Bei and Zhuang Bifan had already changed their designation for Gu Jiu.

From captive to hostage.

If Da Shouzi hadn't been captured, Gu Jiu would be a captive.

But with Da Shouzi imprisoned in the Imperial City dungeon, Gu Jiu became a hostage.

This change in designation also made Gu Jiu much more subdued.

He also knew that he would be used for an exchange.

There was still hope for survival.

This avoided a cornered dog jumping over the wall.

He hadn't caused much trouble along the way, nor had he tried to bite off his tongue to commit suicide or anything similar.

…

The night was deep and dark, darkness enveloped the wild land, thunder rumbled, and the pouring thunderstorm gradually ceased, with only sparse raindrops falling.

Shen Bei had a truly good sleep.

He stretched his body and stood up.

Zhuang Bifan had a teasing look: “You had a dream.”

Shen Bei shrugged: “That means I am a young man with dreams.”

“And you talked in your sleep.”

“That means I’m getting closer to my dream.”

Zhuang Bifan was silent for a moment: “Your mumbling was about originally painting, and somehow, while painting, you wanted to ‘do ten’. I’m wondering if bragging also requires lung capacity?”

Shen Bei: …

“Impossible! Absolutely impossible!”

“You originally wanted to ‘show the audience some colors,’ but then somehow it turned into ‘you giving the audience some colors to see.’”

Shen Bei had a solemn expression: “I consider myself a sensible person, how could I have a wet dream in such a situation?”

“Facts prove, you are just that… unrestrained,” Zhuang Bifan said, baring his teeth.

“You can insult my integrity, but you cannot insult my intelligence.” Shen Bei rolled his eyes: “Who knows if you’re just messing with me?”

Zhuang Bifan spread his hands: “Is it that serious? We’re all grown men, what you think about during the day, you dream about at night, it’s quite reasonable.”

“Damn.”

Shen Bei shivered, scooped clear water from a puddle in the cave, washed his face, and became fully awake: “It was a bit too real. But I never thought about ‘doing ten,’ just thinking about it is scary. Even a stud pig wouldn’t dare to dream such a thing.”

“Dreams are usually exaggerated art.”

“I have artistic cells?”

“That is the essence of art, originating from the id, criticized by the ego, and sublimated by the superego.”

Shen Bei was silent for a moment, stroking his chin, a flash of lightning crossed his mind, and he asked, “Are you in sage mode, you bastard?”

Zhuang Bifan: …

Zhuang Bifan was so angry he felt like he was having diarrhea from all seven orifices.

He yawned: “I’m going to paint in my dreams too.”

Shen Bei: …

“I hope your audience is female.”

Zhuang Bifan: …

Shen Bei tidied himself up, put on the odd object mask.

He carried the mirror, grabbed Gu Jiu with one hand, stepped, slowly ascended, and continued on his journey.

It was the dark night after the rain, the vast wilderness was pitch black, dark clouds churned in the sky, and the wind howled furiously, as if countless Vicious Beasts roared incessantly in the dark firmament, filling the air with a distinct eerie terror.

After flying continuously for three hours.

From within the rolling dark clouds, a shriek suddenly came.

Shen Bei didn’t even think, quickly descending directly.

Shen Bei wouldn’t be like others, foolishly waiting for the Vicious Beast to appear, seeing its face, and then fleeing.

By then, it would be too late.

In how many movies and TV shows do humans make this mistake, hearing a strange sound and just standing there in a daze.

By the time things are irreversible, it’s too late to escape, and they can only get their lunchbox.

Shen Bei’s main strategy was quick, decisive concealment.

At the same time, he slapped himself with a Hidden Breath Technique.

No matter what it was, any Vicious Beast that could fly in the air was not to be trifled with.

Just be a coward, and it’s over.

Just as Shen Bei landed.

From within the dark clouds, a giant beast with two horns and four eyes, its appearance ferocious and its horns prominent, resembling a Pterodactyl enlarged a thousand or ten thousand times, burst through the clouds.

Its wingspan was at least over 200 meters, a terrifying length. As its wings flapped, huge storms howled and swept in all directions, clouds shattered, heavy rain evaporated, and the entire giant beast was like an aerial giant ship flying at high speed, bringing profound fear and oppression!

This giant flying beast hovered in mid-air, seemingly very confused.

Shen Bei swallowed, looking at the flying beast’s posture, he knew that it must have sensed his aura just now, preparing for a snack.

“Luckily, I’m a clever little ghost.”

Shen Bei wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

After the giant flying beast circled for half a turn and found nothing, it left directly.

Only then did Shen Bei cautiously emerge from the forest.

“Damn… not taking the Lengshui River route is indeed a bit dangerous.”

Shen Bei complained.

But taking the Lengshui River route was even more dangerous.

Towns were dense near the river, and encountering a nosy Stranger could easily cause trouble.

The mountainous area was much better.

Although there were also Stranger, most were just ordinary ones.

Seeing him pass by, they would just think it was a Cultivator flying by, and they wouldn’t have the ability to meddle if they wanted to.

After ascending, Shen Bei continued his journey through the dark night.