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Chapter 13 - The Worst Mistake

The Worst Mistake

The morning sun pierced through the thinning forest canopy, highlighting Xiao Feng and Su Mei as they sat together planning their next steps. Su Mei, now fully healed and energized, spoke passionately about heading to the outskirts of the Flame Sect's ruins to search for survivors. Xiao Feng, however, had other plans in mind, more dangerous and unpredictable.

Before they could settle their argument, the sharp crackle of footsteps broke the serene silence. Two figures emerged from the dense forest. Their faces were unfamiliar, but their robes bore a striking emblem: a black tortoise intertwined with sinister runes.

"There she is," one of the men said, his voice laced with triumph.

Su Mei froze, her face paling as her eyes darted between the two figures. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice trembling but defiant.

One of the cultivators sneered. "We've been searching for you for two weeks. The young master ordered us to bring you back, alive or dead. And today, our search finally ends."

The underbrush stirred as more figures stepped into view. Their numbers grew to ten, then twelve. All were disciples of the Black Tortoise Sect, their presence oppressive as their combined auras stifled the surrounding air.

Su Mei instinctively stepped closer to Xiao Feng, but he leaned lazily against a tree, arms crossed, an amused smirk dancing on his lips.

The Conversation

One of the disciples frowned, his gaze settling on Xiao Feng. "And who are you?"

Xiao Feng yawned, feigning disinterest. "Oh, me? Just a small-town cultivator from some unknown sect. Barely worth mentioning." He glanced at Su Mei. "I know how powerful the Black Tortoise Sect is. I wouldn't dream of interfering."

The cultivators' eyes narrowed as they studied him. One of them noticed the tattered state of their clothes and the faint traces of blood on their bodies. "What about those injuries of yours?"

Xiao Feng chuckled, his silver eyes gleaming with mischief. "Ah, that. You see, I was traveling through the forest, hunting some small beasts, when I stumbled across this beautiful lady. She was injured, so I decided to help her out. You know, hoping to gain something in return. But then—would you believe it?—a Leviathan Wyrm attacked us out of nowhere."

His tone was casual, but his words sent a ripple of shock through the group.

"You expect us to believe that?" one of the disciples scoffed. "A mere Leviathan Wyrm?"

Xiao Feng nodded, his expression calm. "Oh, absolutely. But I had my sect's treasure with me. Without it, we wouldn't have stood a chance."

The strongest of the group, a cultivator at the Spirit Realm 9th stage, stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "I can't sense your cultivation. That's strange."

Another disciple whispered, "It doesn't matter. There are twelve of us, and they're injured and exhausted. What can he possibly do?"

Su Mei's Desperation

Su Mei's heart sank as she listened to Xiao Feng's words. Each sentence felt like a dagger to her chest. He's abandoning me? After everything we've been through?

But she quickly steeled herself. She had no time to dwell on betrayal. These men were here to take her back, to hand her over to that monster of the Black Tortoise Sect.

"I'm not going with you!" she shouted, summoning what strength she had left as she launched herself at one of the disciples. Her fist glowed with fiery energy, a desperate attack aimed at their leader.

The man deflected her blow with ease, countering with a powerful strike that sent her sprawling to the ground. Blood spattered from her lips as she struggled to rise, but the other disciples surrounded her, raining down attacks.

Each hit pushed her closer to unconsciousness, her body already weakened from the previous battle. She cried out, her gaze darting toward Xiao Feng.

"Help me!" she screamed. But Xiao Feng remained leaning against the tree, his expression unreadable.

Xiao Feng's Silence

The disciples noticed his inaction and sneered. "Your friend doesn't seem to care about your fate, girl," one of them taunted, kicking Su Mei to the ground.

Another added, "Perhaps he's smarter than we thought. Knows not to cross the Black Tortoise Sect."

Su Mei's heart shattered further. She had fought alongside Xiao Feng, trusted him, and even grown attached to him. But now, in her moment of need, he stood idle, watching as she was beaten down.

The Grave Mistake

One of the disciples turned his attention to Xiao Feng, his lips curling into a sneer. "What's with that smug look on your face? You think you're safe just because you're not interfering?"

Xiao Feng's smirk widened, but he remained silent.

The disciple frowned, his pride bruised by the perceived arrogance. "You've got a big mouth for someone so weak." He raised his hand, channeling his qi into a deadly strike aimed directly at Xiao Feng.

The attack surged through the air, crackling with energy as it closed in on its target.

For a moment, the forest went silent.

And then it happened.

The worst mistake that disciple ever made… was attacking Xiao Feng.