A Waste of Time

Chapter 164: Unfolding Chaos

Deep in the forest, a thousand miles away from Daemon’s group of three, the air was thick with the scent of moss and damp earth.

In a small clearing, far from the Guardian Beast’s territory that watched over the Evil-Eye Flower, a different gathering took place. Three men stood in a loose semicircle, their eyes fixed on the clash before them — a fierce duel between a man and a girl that shook the clearing with every impact.

Behind them waited another five — two girls and three men — forming a quiet audience, their faces taut with focus and awe.

At the forefront stood three figures. Yu Tianwu and Zhan Lei towered over the five standing behind them in both stature and Cultivation, but even they deferred to the calm man watching the battle with a faint, unreadable smile. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, posture unshakable, expression serene — yet the gleam in his eyes betrayed a quiet thrill as the fight unfolded before him.

The girl danced through the chaos, her every motion precise and deliberate. Waves of Water Qi shimmered around her, bending light through their crystal edges, while thick vines of Wood Qi twisted from the soil to block incoming blows. Each time the man’s icy Hammer descended, the ground surged upward with a shield of packed Earth Qi, sending frost and soil flying.

Her opponent’s Ice Spells hissed against her defenses, filling the air with fog and frozen mist. Yet she neither faltered nor yielded. Step by step, she held her ground, forcing him to expend more Qi and more patience with every failed attempt to break through her tri-elemental defense.

Finally, when their stalemate stretched too long, a voice cut through the haze.

“That’s enough.”

The calm man had spoken, his tone smooth yet absolute. The combatants stopped at once. The girl lowered her guard; the man gritted his teeth, frustration flickering in his cold eyes.

“You two have earned the right to a petal each,” the overseer said. His words carried weight, and the tension in the clearing eased like a held breath released.

With a casual wave of his hand, he turned to Yu Tianwu. “Unfortunately, brother Yu wasn’t able to recruit that little monster,” he said, his tone calm but edged with amusement. “Still, it’s a blessing in disguise. Knowing his position is far from ours ensures he won’t interfere with the next operation.”

He looked to both Yu Tianwu and Zhan Lei, his faint smile returning. “I trust the two of you to keep those girls occupied while we seize the Evil-Eye Flower. Delay them as long as possible. Whoever contributes the most among your seven will earn a petal.”

He paused then, the faintest shimmer of light passing through his eyes. “The last one,” he added slowly, “will go to whoever’s willing to exchange it for an oath of loyalty.”

A heavy silence followed. Then — excitement. Eyes brightened. Hearts quickened.

The offer was intoxicating, more tempting than any treasure. The promise of advancement burned through their veins like wildfire.

Especially Yu Tianwu — standing there, his hands trembling ever so slightly, his heart pounding against his ribs. He was only half a step away from the Foundation Establishment Realm. Just one petal… one sliver of that Flower… and he would break through the wall that had chained him for years.

The thought alone made his blood boil like molten Qi coursing through his meridians.

“Wait…”

Daemon halted mid-step, his tone suddenly sharp enough to slice through the forest’s quiet. The rustle of leaves hushed as both girls turned toward him.

“There are people there,” he said, pointing westward. His eyes narrowed, focusing far beyond the veil of mist and trees. “Yu Tianwu and Zhan Lei — plus five others. Judging by how tense their auras are… I’d say they’re expecting you two to return.”

The corner of his mouth lifted into that infuriatingly playful smile. When Liu Yuying’s beautiful face froze in shock, he couldn’t resist. He gave her a mischievous wink.

Han Ruyue’s expression barely changed, but the faint glimmer of surprise in her dark eyes didn’t escape him. She turned her gaze toward the direction he’d indicated, feigning indifference.

“Y-you… how can you sense them from so f—” Yuying stopped herself mid-sentence, realizing the meaning behind that knowing smile on his lips. Her cheeks flushed with color before she quickly snorted and added, “G-good job.”

Her attempt at composure only made him grin wider.

“Is one of them the man who took third place? And the woman who took fourth?” she asked, brushing her hair back to hide her embarrassment.

“Nope.” Daemon shrugged, fingers laced behind his head as he lazily kicked a loose stone across the forest floor. “Just a bunch of small fry.”

Han Ruyue’s eyes narrowed slightly, though her face remained composed. For a fleeting instant, a sharp gleam passed through her gaze — calculating, cold, and dangerous.

Daemon caught it. He always did.

“They’re on the move,” he said quietly, voice lowering as the breeze shifted.

And just like that, the air changed — heavier now, charged with the scent of coming conflict.

“Don’t you girls want to wait it out until they do all the heavy lifting first?” Daemon asked, his tone dripping with casual mockery as he noticed the two tense, ready to spring toward the group of seven. “Also, you still haven’t told me anything about the Guardian Beast. What should I expect going forward? Something thrilling, perhaps—like the pair of mutts at the Mountain Gate?”

His eyes gleamed with a dangerous kind of excitement. The anticipation in them was unmistakable, his smirk widening just slightly as if the thought of battle stirred something deep within his blood. They’re getting arrogant, he thought, amused. Might be time to remind them who’s leading this dance.

Yuying shot him a glare sharp enough to cut stone, then exhaled hard through her nose — an attempt to dispel the irritation boiling under her skin. Every word that came from this brat’s mouth was another thorn pricking her pride. The fact that he’d sensed the ambushers before either of them only rubbed salt into the wound.

Ruyue, meanwhile, remained as composed as ever. Her eyes reflected quiet calculation as she gave a small nod, then raised her hand. The air shimmered faintly. A ripple of Space Energy distorted the clearing, and her wooden Ruler appeared — larger, heavier, its surface carved with intricate runes that pulsed with restrained power.

“I’ve placed a Formation near the Evil-Eye Flower,” she said, voice even but firm. “They haven’t triggered it yet.” A faint smile tugged at her lips — one that was almost mischievous. “Me and Yuying can hold them off and give you a clear path to claim the Flower. But you’ll guarantee each of us one petal. In exchange, we’ll lead you to your prize later — if you promise to sell each of us another petal, and keep the last for yourself.”

Daemon’s grin stretched wider, a glint of admiration and mischief mingling in his eyes. He’d expected this.

“You’re quite bold,” he said, pushing off the tree he’d been leaning on. “I’ll give you that.” He crossed one leg over the other and folded his arms lazily. “But I’ve got an offer of my own.”

Ruyue arched an eyebrow. Yuying crossed her arms, already bracing herself.

“I’ll give you all five petals,” Daemon said smoothly, “and I’ll help you fight on both sides at once. Then I’ll buy the Fruit’s location off you.” He paused for effect, lips curling into that devilish smirk. “But only if you’re willing to consider my offer… and become my maids.”

“Tsk.”

Yuying clicked her tongue, her glare flaring hotter than fire. This persistent brat is like a perverted frog lusting after swan’s meat, she thought bitterly. And his appetite’s big enough to eye an entire pond!

Ruyue didn’t speak. Her silence wasn’t consideration — it was disbelief. This boy was radiating such supreme confidence, treating their precarious situation like a casual game he could end whenever he pleased. It wasn’t arrogance. It was assurance.

“Before you say no,” Daemon continued, lifting a hand to his chin as he looked toward the west, “how about a little demonstration? Just to prove I seek to help out of the goodness of my heart.”

“Humph. I’m not going to be your damn maid,” Yuying snapped, her voice rising an octave. “Let it rest already before I chase you off!”

Daemon puckered his lips mockingly and made a face that perfectly said: Here I am being generous, and you slap away the helping hand. So rude.

That look alone nearly made her explode. Her Qi stirred dangerously around her frame, the wind snapping against her sleeves.

“Wait, Yuying.” Ruyue raised a hand, her tone urgent but calm. “What do you have in mind?”

She stole a nervous glance toward the west. The air carried a faint tremor — the signatures of seven Cultivators moving closer, tightening their formation. Her pulse quickened.

Facing Yu Tianwu and Zhan Lei was bad enough. Facing them and five others with only Yuying beside her? That bordered on suicidal.

Under normal circumstances, Ruyue wouldn’t have trusted Daemon’s motives for a heartbeat. But right now, the little monster’s grin looked less like mischief and more like a lifeline.

He wasn’t forcing them. He wasn’t threatening them. He was offering power.

A blessing in disguise — wrapped in arrogance and thorns.

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