The sudden change of events caught Jing Li off guard. Even with his quick reaction and counterattack, he was a step too late. By the time he blocked Zhang Weixi’s attack, he found himself already surrounded by the black fog.
However, the black fog merely encircled the two of them, not launching any offensive moves. It seemed like a barrier that isolated them from the outside world, except it was not formed by spiritual energy, but by the repulsive black mist.
Jing Li didn’t care whether the black fog was aggressive or not. Seeing that Zhang Weixi had completely revealed his true colors, he had no intention of being polite. He immediately gathered his spiritual energy again and actively attacked his opponent.
The spiritual energy transformed into countless ice blades in midair, heading straight for Zhang Weixi’s face. The distance between them was close, and the ice blades quickly approached Zhang Weixi’s eyes.
As Jing Li made his move, Zhang Weixi swiftly manipulated the black qi surrounding his body, forming a misty wall in front of him. Just a second before the ice blades pierced his flesh, he blocked the attack.
“As expected from a man who has gone through two lightning tribulations, your strength is indeed not to be underestimated.”
Zhang Weixi glanced at the ice blades deeply embedded in the misty wall and raised his eyebrows at Jing Li with a smile. “I’ve been wanting to witness Jing-laoshi’s prowess ever since I heard of your reputation. I hope you don’t mind too much.”
With that, he raised his hand and forcefully twisted the black fog. The misty wall in front of him rotated, engulfing the ice blades and gradually devouring them. Then, he narrowed his eyes slightly and transformed the fog into a cluster of flames, sweeping toward Jing Li once again.
The black flames looked particularly eerie, but the scorching heat they contained was impossible to ignore. Even the black fog surrounding them was slightly deformed by the blazing temperature.
Jing Li ignored his nonsense. Seeing that his first strike failed, he slightly raised both hands, gathering spiritual energy in his palms, and launched another attack towards his opponent.
This time, he used fifty percent of his strength, wanting to end the trouble in front of him as quickly as possible.
The spiritual power gathered in his hands leaped into the air. One part transformed into an endless water curtain, spiraling and layering around the black flames, while the other turned into countless ice blades, once again assaulting Zhang Weixi’s face.
The water curtain visibly consumed the black flames and then carried forward with thunderous momentum, merging with the ice blades and instantly unleashing an even more powerful pressure.
Although Zhang Weixi immediately condensed the black fog to resist, he still underestimated Jing Li’s strength. He was forced to retreat several steps in a desperate attempt to barely fend off the attack. Even so, the black fog surrounding them thinned out a bit.
But before he could catch his breath, he saw Jing Li preparing to launch another attack, as if determined to finish him off in one go.
“Wait, wait!” Zhang Weixi’s face instantly changed, and he hurriedly raised his hand to stop him. “Jing-laoshi, don’t take it so seriously. I was just joking with you earlier.”
Seeing that Jing Li remained unmoved, Zhang Weixi finally sobered up, shedding his previous nonchalant attitude and speaking with a serious expression. “Jing-laoshi, I know your strength is extraordinary, but even if you kill me, there will still be many more like me coming after you. So why not listen to what I have to say next?”
Originally, he had planned to use Wu Xiaojun to get close to Jing Li and slowly win him over. He never expected Jing Li to suddenly leave the private room.
He naturally wouldn’t let such an opportunity slip by, so he followed him out, intending to first confirm his strength before making plans. However, he didn’t expect the situation to develop into its current state, completely beyond his control.
But now, he couldn’t be bothered to beat around the bush anymore. It was better to speak clearly and straightforwardly.
Jing Li paused for a moment, halting his attack, but still remained silent, looking at him coldly.
“To be honest with you, my master greatly admires your strength and wants to invite you to join Dark Forest for the great cause of cultivating the immortal path.”
Zhang Weixi observed his expression and spoke slowly, “Since Jing-laoshi has a close relationship with those spirits from Green Forest, I assume you must have heard about my master’s deeds from them.”
“Although I don’t know what kind of connection exists between Jing-laoshi and the second young master of the Jing family, given your current position, I believe you wouldn’t be content to stop here, right?”
Zhang Weixi’s words openly admitted that they had investigated Jing Li’s background and were convinced that he was not the original owner of the body, but a spirit who had somehow possessed it through a fortuitous encounter.
“What exactly do you want to say?” Jing Li narrowed his eyes, not intending to clarify anything, only wanting to uncover what he desired to know.
“Didn’t I just say it? We sincerely invite Jing-laoshi to join Dark Forest.”
Seeing that Jing Li’s attitude had softened, Zhang Weixi’s serious expression instantly cracked, gradually reverting to his previous casual demeanor. “I admit that my earlier actions were offensive to you, Jing-laoshi. If you’re displeased, allow me to apologize first.”
“But you should also understand, I was just too excited to finally meet you.”
“Besides, since we’re inviting you to join, we have to let you see our strength, don’t you agree?”
He casually attributed his previous attacks to a common mutual probing and continued, “Of course, with your strength, Jing-laoshi, you must look down on someone like me. But according to our master’s intentions, as long as you’re willing, the position of our sect’s grand elder is undoubtedly reserved for you.”
“Why don’t you consider it, Jing-laoshi?”
Jing Li stared at him for a moment, then curled his lips into a cold smile. “It sounds like you’re treating me quite well?”
Zhang Weixi instantly let out a gleaming laugh, but before he could speak, Jing Li continued, “But if my strength is enough to crush you, do you think I’m crazy enough to go to your so-called Dark Forest and be manipulated by others? Oh, and it seems I also have to voluntarily offer my demon soul for your master to control?”
Hearing his words, Zhang Weixi’s expression slightly shifted. A trace of darkness flashed in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it.
“That’s not how you should put it,” Zhang Weixi looked at him with a grin. “You’re well aware of how scarce spiritual energy is in this world without me having to say it. Rather than surviving in such an environment, why not take a chance and strive for a new world?”
“In our demon realm, the strong have always been respected. Since there’s an opportunity to be your own master, why settle for being subservient to others, don’t you agree?”
“Of course, I know you understand these principles even without me saying them, Jing-laoshi. Moreover, aren’t you also going for this?”
Zhang Weixi spoke with a look that implied they both understood what was going on and winked at Jing Li with a cheerful smile. “But how can fighting alone compare to everyone working together in unity, right?”
He was also going for that?
Going for what? Towards the power of faith in the entertainment industry?
But his intuition told him that the other party’s words seemed to have another layer of profound meaning.
Jing Li kept a calm appearance, but he frowned inwardly.
Although he didn’t understand what the other party meant, it was clear that they had more information than he was aware of.
Unfortunately, the timing wasn’t right for Jing Li to probe further.
Jing Li suppressed his doubts in his heart without revealing anything.
“I won’t waste more words. You might as well go back and think it over, Jing-laoshi.”
Zhang Weixi didn’t notice the abnormality in his silence. He took out a small, exquisite black jade pendant from his pocket and handed it over. “This is our Dark Forest’s communication jade token. If you make up your mind, Jing-laoshi, just crush it, and I’ll be able to find you immediately by following the resonance.”
Jing Li narrowed his eyes and scrutinized the black jade pendant pushed in front of him by the black fog, but he didn’t reach out to take it.
“Don’t worry, it’s just a communication tool and nothing else.” Seeing his hesitant expression, Zhang Weixi immediately explained with a smile and added, “My master sincerely invites you, Jing-laoshi, so you can rest assured.”
Jing Li glanced at him and eventually reached out to accept the black jade pendant.
No matter what, as long as there was a clue, he at least had a direction to investigate. In the worst-case scenario, if a decision had to be made, he could use this object to approach their lair.
“I hope to receive your reply soon, Jing-laoshi.” Seeing him accept the item, Zhang Weixi was finally satisfied, and the smile in his eyes became more genuine.
However, to complete the task as quickly as possible, he still reminded, “But as a friend, I must warn you that my master is not a patient person, so it’s best if you make up your mind as soon as possible, Jing-laoshi. Otherwise…”
Zhang Weixi grinned, and although he didn’t finish his sentence, anyone could understand the implied meaning.
On the surface, it sounded nice, saying he should consider it, but in reality, it was a threat between the lines. If Jing Li’s answer didn’t satisfy them, his peaceful days would likely come to an end.
“Let’s head back to the private room first.” Jing Li lowered his eyes, concealing his emotions, and didn’t directly answer his question.
Zhang Weixi wasn’t in a hurry either. In his eyes, no one in this world could escape his master’s grasp.
So, when he heard Jing Li’s words, he immediately smiled good-naturedly and responded, quickly dispelling the surrounding black fog. He made a gesture of invitation towards Jing Li, “After you, Jing-laoshi.”
Jing Li ignored his attentiveness and strode toward the private room.
Zhang Weixi glanced at him from behind, his expression unchanging, and then quickly followed.
When they reached the private room, the group at the table was still drinking and laughing, as if they had no idea what had happened outside during that time.
Only Wu Xiaojun, upon seeing the two enter, instantly looked over, first glancing at Zhang Weixi, then at Jing Li, his eyes clearly filled with concern.
Jing Li’s gaze swept over him, and then he looked at the empty seats beside him. Wang Lele and Zhang Shuo were no longer there, probably having left after receiving his message.
Jing Li felt a little more at ease, but he still asked, “Where are Wang Lele and Zhang Shuo?”
“Just now, Wang-laoshi said he had an urgent matter and left with Zhang Shuo.” Wu Xiaojun immediately responded, involuntarily standing up from his seat.
“I see.” Jing Li nodded faintly and then said, “Then I’ll take my leave as well. Enjoy your meal.”
With that, he politely nodded to everyone present and turned to leave directly.
Wu Xiaojun opened his mouth, wanting to make him stay, but after glancing at Zhang Weixi standing beside him, he ultimately didn’t speak.
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