Chapter 105: Taking in Li Dongqing

After Hu Cuishan stormed out in shame and anger, her two Heavenly Rank subordinates staggered back as well. The restaurant fell into a brief silence before erupting into boisterous laughter.

“Her figure really is amazing; no wonder so many men are captivated by her enticing charm! Tsk, tsk…”

“Look at that slender waist! See those two pairs of jade-like limbs still flushed pink? This woman is well taken care of. To see such a feast for the eyes today… sigh, hugging my wife tonight will feel so dull!”

“Damn it, I really wanted to rush over and pin that shameless woman to the ground, and enjoy her properly. But alas, I have desire but no courage!”

“Exactly! Look at that skin, so fair it seems like you could squeeze water from it. Damn, I want to nibble a bit to relieve my thirty years of bachelorhood!”

“Cut it out! With your yellow teeth, better go chew on some pork at home!”

The crowd chatted and critiqued Hu Cuishan’s figure, while Leng Tian, standing in the cold, scratched his head with some boredom. He hadn’t expected his outburst to provoke such a stunning scene. Yet, he had to admit that Hu Cuishan’s figure was impeccable—on par with Luan Yudie’s. For a moment, his body involuntarily reacted, though it was only a natural response.

“Brother, you’d better not linger here. The best strategy is to leave quickly. Hu Cuishan is as cruel as a viper; she won’t let this go and will definitely gather forces to hunt you down!” Li Dongqing approached Leng Tian, cupped his hands, and urged him to leave immediately. His face showed some difficulty as he said, “If possible, brother, please take me with you. I’ve had enough of this life.” Then, unexpectedly, he broke down in tears.

A strange flicker crossed Leng Tian’s eyes as he looked at Li Dongqing and smiled, “Brother Li, to live a life like yours is rare indeed—a grown man bullied so thoroughly by a woman, it’s truly unfair.”

“Ah…” Li Dongqing sighed heavily, wiping away tears bitterly, “Let’s leave quickly; I’ll explain everything on the way.”

“Go quickly!”
“Yes, hurry…”

The crowd urged Leng Tian and Li Dongqing to leave. “Sir, take him away! He’s a poor soul, ruined by a woman with a heart of beast and a face of man. He was once a famed formation genius in the entire Blue Sea Qiutian, but now he’s just Hu Cuishan’s…” The restaurant owner came out from the back, speaking to Leng Tian. But as he spoke, his companion pulled him back, whispering to the crowd, “Hu Cuishan is a regular here; that old fool’s just talking nonsense!” They roughly pushed the old man back inside.

Some other diners, evidently realizing something, hastily left with anxious expressions. They feared Hu Cuishan’s revenge and didn’t want to get caught in the crossfire. Everyone had seen Hu Cuishan’s body, and given her ruthless nature, if this spread, her reputation would be utterly ruined.

Leng Tian sighed helplessly and said to Li Dongqing, “This trouble started with you. I won’t hold it against you. Tell me—do you know the route to Fenglan?”

Li Dongqing, who had been waiting for Leng Tian’s reply, was startled at first but soon brightened with excitement. “You’re from the outside world? I know how to get to Fenglan. I’ll take you there…” His face suddenly turned serious. “But you must promise me one condition!”

“What condition?” Leng Tian asked calmly.

“Take me to your world!” Li Dongqing’s eyes sparkled with hope as he fixed his gaze on Leng Tian.

“Heh… that’s a simple matter,” Leng Tian replied with a smile. He reached out, grasped Li Dongqing’s arm, and stepped forward. In a flash, they were out of the restaurant. Since his bloodline had awakened deeply, Leng Tian’s movement had also improved—his physical strength alone could achieve near-instantaneous short-distance teleportation.

Thus, Leng Tian and Li Dongqing sped along the main road out of the city, covering several dozen zhang in a blink. Li Dongqing’s astonished expression showed how amazed he was when, within a few breaths, they arrived at the dock.

Leng Tian stopped and summoned the massive form of the dragon Max, which appeared before Li Dongqing. At the sight of the giant dragon, Li Dongqing’s mouth hung open, never closing.

Lifting Li Dongqing onto Max’s broad back, the dragon stretched its wings, stirring a fierce gale that sent snowflakes swirling high into the sky.

Upon receiving Leng Tian’s command, Max flapped his wings and surged to top speed, trailing a long golden streak like lightning across the blue sky, racing eastward toward Flame Island. The dragon’s roaring echoed as they vanished into the white horizon.

Shortly after Leng Tian and Li Dongqing left, Hu Cuishan appeared, radiating murderous intent. She led two elderly men into the restaurant and inquired, only to learn that Leng Tian and Li Dongqing had fled Flame Island. Furious, she nearly tore the entire place apart. Then, in a fit of madness, she slaughtered everyone inside and sent people to kill all those who had glimpsed her body, even gouging out their eyes to feed to dogs. This showed just how cruel and vicious she was.

Seeing that Leng Tian and Li Dongqing had escaped Flame Island, Hu Cuishan went berserk, dispatching all her available forces in a frantic search for the two.

She herself rode a massive three-headed monstrous bird, its feathers as tough as adamantium and its huge claws gleaming with deadly cold light. Carrying Hu Cuishan and the two elders, the beast soared out to sea, chasing after Leng Tian and Li Dongqing.

Soon after setting off, Hu Cuishan learned through a communication talisman that the two were fleeing eastward. Her expression darkened. “East… The nearest island in that direction is forbidden territory Fenglan, the only haven. Beyond that lies the deepest part of Blue Sea Qiutian’s forbidden zone, home to the most ferocious sea beasts, called the Sea of Turmoil!”

Hu Cuishan was certain that Fenglan was their final destination. Thinking this over, her face twitched as she muttered, “Could it be that damned boy is from the outside world, seeking the Divine Spring in Fenglan? If he’s from outside, all the more reason to kill him!”

She clenched her silver teeth with a crisp snap, urging the monstrous bird to streak eastward like a shooting star.

Several hundred miles from Flame Island, high above the sea, Leng Tian sat cross-legged on Max’s back, listening to Li Dongqing recount his tragic fate.

As Li Dongqing spoke, Leng Tian learned that this frail young man possessed extraordinary talent. Before twenty, he had already constructed several ancient formation arrays—though incomplete, they caused a stir throughout Blue Sea Qiutian.

Many powers once tried to recruit him, offering generous rewards. Yet Li Dongqing chose Flame Island, turning down many great forces.

The reason was his love for Hu Cuishan. At that time, Flame Island was modest in strength but growing rapidly. Talented formation experts like Li Dongqing were in high demand. The island lord, for the sake of development, resolutely ordered his woman—Hu Cuishan—to seduce Li Dongqing with her beauty.

Li Dongqing’s family was a minor faction with no renown, even subservient to Flame Island. After a rare prodigy emerged in the family and caught the attention of many powers, this was a chance to elevate his clan.

Li Dongqing himself intended to bring glory to his family by joining a major faction to strengthen their influence. But a single encounter with Hu Cuishan completely changed his life.

He paused, his face sorrowful. Leng Tian could guess what happened—Hu Cuishan must have used some means to make him fall for her. Once she had him, she turned cold and heartless.

“Not long after we married, she had my cultivation forcibly stripped away, locking me in the mansion. Every night she forced me to drink some vile potion, shamelessly demanding… Every day I had to study countless formation manuals to construct defensive arrays for Flame Island. She threatened me—if I disobeyed, she would destroy my family. Helpless, I could only obey. That life lasted ten years, ten long years…” Li Dongqing’s tears fell freely as he continued, “Though my cultivation was lost, I never abandoned formations. Thanks to the abundance of manuals on Flame Island, I gradually improved several ancient incomplete arrays. But Hu Cuishan doesn’t know this. Today, while she was out, I bribed a guard and secretly slipped away, planning to escape by ship and find a secluded place to refine formations.”

“But fate was cruel. I ran into a once-in-a-century sea closure, which ended up involving you, Brother Leng. Dongqing thanks you deeply!” He bowed to Leng Tian.

“Brother Li, no need for that. I only did a small favor. It just means we were destined to meet!” Leng Tian helped him up.

Li Dongqing insisted on bowing again to express sincere gratitude but found an unseen force preventing him, which only deepened his respect for Leng Tian.

Helping Li Dongqing up, Leng Tian felt a surge of happiness. After hearing his story, he realized this frail youth possessed remarkable formation skills. If he stayed to aid him, the mercenary group’s headquarters would be well protected. He resolved to become genuine friends with Li Dongqing.

Without beating around the bush, Leng Tian said, “Brother Li, our meeting is fate. I have a request—would you agree?”

“Speak freely, brother. As long as it’s within my ability, I’ll face any danger for you!” Li Dongqing looked at him sincerely. Having suffered much in life, he cherished this straightforward friendship.

“I want to invite you to join my mercenary group as an elder,” Leng Tian said, watching Li Dongqing for his answer.

“Very well. I entrust the rest of my life to you, hoping I won’t regret it,” Li Dongqing said with a rare look of contentment.

“Brother, I promise your life will be filled with excitement from now on!” Leng Tian smiled happily, clasping Li Dongqing’s hand. They exchanged a glance and laughed heartily. From this moment on, the future legendary Formation Master of the Ten Realms was bound to Leng Tian’s war chariot.

Martial Peak 105: Recruiting Li Dongqing — Update Complete!