Chapter 4: Natural Rivals (Part 2)

Halechi was stunned for a moment before forcing a smile and persistently said, “Ah? Ah… Hehe, I’ll exchange something for it… Isn’t that okay?”
Guo Shieru asked curiously, “Oh? Exchange something? Tell me, what could be worth exchanging?”
Halechi replied, “How about a Soul Pearl? The soul of a level-10 mutated talisman beast in exchange for ten bottles of strong liquor.” He felt he was already at a disadvantage. Although the soul of a level-10 mutated talisman beast wasn’t particularly precious, it should be enough to exchange for some liquor, and he wasn’t asking for much.
Guo Shieru refused outright, “No exchange!” He didn’t lack anything now, and he had plenty of soul beasts. The souls of level-10 mutated beasts couldn’t survive in the Soul Calming Cauldron—other souls would devour them long ago.
Halechi downed the last sip of his liquor, shook the bottle vigorously, and said with a grim face, “That’s way too little. Sigh, just tell me what you want.” After drinking one bottle, he fell in love with its taste—it felt really good. He drank thirty jin of liquor in an instant without blinking, feeling only that it wasn’t enough.
Guo Shieru chuckled, “I still refuse to exchange!”
Halechi grew furious, “Who does this? Teasing me! Give me a bottle quickly!”
Guo Shieru said, “I won’t. I’ll drive you mad!”
Wang Keer giggled, “You two are like two kids.” That made the two of them speechless.
Boom! Boom! Boom…
A series of explosions followed by intense gusts of wind forced the three of them to retreat again, their eyes filled with surprise. Guo Shieru said, “How can they still have so much strength… I can’t see anything anymore…” The smoke rising in the distance completely obscured the battlefield.
Halechi sighed and said, “With their strength, it’s not surprising if they fight for over a dozen days… Hey, Guo Shieru, give me another bottle of liquor!”
Guo Shieru tilted his head back and took a swig, then asked, “Do I owe you anything?”
Only then did Halechi realize his tone had been wrong. He quickly bowed and joked, “Hehe, just give me one more bottle, please…” Wang Keerer showed a look of disdain.
Guo Shieru took out one last bottle and said, “This is the last one. Here it is.” He threw it.
Halechi smiled broadly, reaching out to catch it. Suddenly, a figure flashed into view—Qi Wuzhen appeared out of nowhere, snatched the bottle, and vanished again in a flash, leaving only these words echoing in the air: “This liquor… belongs to me!”
Guo Shieru said, “Uh…”

Halechi screamed in anger, but he didn’t dare curse Qi Wuzhen. He only said, “Is there any more… is there anything left?”
Guo Shier spread his hands with a smile and said, “Didn’t you hear what I just said?”
Wang Keer looked pleased by their misfortune and said, “The last bottle, hehe, it’s gone!”
Halechi cursed, “What a damn hassle… is there any other liquor?”
Guo Shier said, “You have the potential to be an alcoholic. Here.” He threw another type of strong liquor at him. In fact, he had many kinds of strong liquor, all brewed with the help of the handsome old man, with only a small portion made by him personally.
The three of them chatted and laughed, eating snacks and drinking liquor, happily watching the fight.
A few hours later, the sounds of the fight gradually subsided. Li Ran and Qi Wuzhen came over to them. Guo Shier smiled and said, “Sister Zhen, Brother Li Ran, are you done fighting?”
Li Ran replied irritably, “It’s over. That crazy woman.”
Qi Wuzhen cursed, “You’re the crazy one! Your whole family is crazy!”
Li Ran said, “I don’t have a family…”
Guo Shier couldn’t help but hold his head and wail, “Oh… enemies…” He truly thought the two of them were enemies. They had only exchanged a few words upon meeting, and before he could even hear clearly, they already started fighting. Qi Wuzhen started it first, and Li Ran, not wanting to provoke her, immediately fought back.
Qi Wuzhen was still dressed in gorgeous bright red robes, still stunningly beautiful. Even as she glared and cursed, her captivating charm remained undiminished. Halechi stared at her obsessively, like a infatuated little boy, which made Guo Shier unable to help but laugh.
Qi Wuzhen said, “I’m hungry!”
Li Ran also said, “I’m hungry!”
They both said this at the same time. If you closed your eyes, it seemed like just one person was speaking—their synchronization was terrifying. Halechi’s mouth dropped open in shock. Wang Keer, holding a pickled plum, was about to put it in her mouth when she trembled at those words, causing the plum to fall. Her eyes were filled with surprise.
Qi Wuzhen and Li Ran exchanged a glance, then said in unison, “Shut up!”
Pfft!
Guo Shier spat out his liquor and couldn’t stop coughing. What was this? Telepathy? He said, “I mean… can we not be this synchronized…?”
The two said in unison again, “Shut up!”
Guo Shier was stunned. After a while, he obediently stepped aside and muttered softly, “It’s unbelievable… enemies, oh enemies…”

Li Ran and Qi Wu Zhen continued to face off. Both exuded immense presence, forcing Halechi, Wang Keer, and Guo Shier to step back. They stared at each other, neither willing to yield first, though to others, it seemed more like they were gazing at one another affectionately.

Guo Shier retracted the altar and landed on the ground. It seemed they wouldn’t fight anymore—using the altar consumed soul energy. He found an open area, cast a spell to level the ground, and began cooking. Wang Keer and Halechi also landed.

A large pot was set up, marked with fire talismans, filled with water, along with chopped bones, large pieces of fresh meat and cured meat, and various spices. Guo Shier looked up and said, “I don’t know when those two will stop…”

Wang Keer replied, “Ignore them. Let’s eat first once it’s ready.”

Halechi looked troubled. The hostility between those two made him uneasy. Though they had fought, it was clear they admired each other. His intuition told him something was wrong, but he couldn’t stop them—Li Ran was too strong, just like Qi Wu Zhen, which left him very frustrated.

A rich aroma spread through the air. Guo Shier took out a basket of flatbreads. Looking up again, he saw the two still staring at each other intensely. He couldn’t help but slap his forehead and say, “Are those two idiots?”

Hmph!

They replied in unison. After that huff, they both retracted their altars, landed together, and said at the same time, “Don’t give it to her!”

Guo Shier sighed helplessly, “Hey, that’s not fair!” The three were both surprised and amused. Those two were too strange—speaking in exactly the same way and at the same time, it was utterly incomprehensible.

In fact, Qi Wu Zhen and Li Ran were also frustrated. How could it be that they spoke in exactly the same way?

Then Guo Shier realized something was wrong—Li Ran landed to his left, Qi Wu Zhen to his right, sandwiching him between them, both staring at the meat in the pot. Guo Shier raised his hand and said, “Sit down, it’s time to eat! Hey, you two, speak one after another, not at the same time…”

Li Ran said, “Don’t give it to her… Let her starve a bit to sober up!”

Qi Wu Zhen smiled smugly and said, “My Twelve won’t listen to you, right… Twelve, let’s eat. Ignore that idiot!”

Li Ran retorted fiercely, “Crazy woman!”

Guo Shier quickly said, “Stop! Stop! There’s food for everyone. Stop making a fuss… They’re all skilled professionals who’ve surpassed the ninth-tier altar. Can you calm down? Don’t act like kids… Sigh, what an annoyance.” He was in terrible pain.

Both of them turned their anger toward him. Li Ran demanded, “Who’s the kid?”

Qi Wu Zhen simply slapped Guo Shier on the head and said, “What are you talking about? Who’s his annoyance? Idiot!”

Halechi and Wang Keer kept their heads down, hiding their laughter, clearly not wanting to draw trouble. Sitting by the big pot, they pretended to say, “It smells so good… such delicious broth…” But their trembling shoulders revealed how hard they were trying to hold back their laughter.

Guo Shier was fed up too. He sat down and said, “Eat if you want, or leave! Wang Keer, Halechi, we’ll eat.” He picked up a piece of bread, and a red glow flashed in his hand. The bread immediately emitted heat, and its aroma spread out. He took a bite, then reached out with his hand; a piece of meat, wrapped in a mystical symbol, was brought to his mouth, and he started eating it eagerly.

Li Ran and Qi Wu Zhen snorted and sat down next to Guo Shier, beginning to eat as well.

Guo Shier secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He was afraid that the two might get angry and break the pot, leaving no one with anything to eat. He took out some vegetables, crushed them, and added them to the pot, then threw in some mushrooms. The aroma in the pot changed instantly. As for his cooking skills, no one in this world could compare to him.

Halechi almost swallowed his tongue. At first it was fine, but once the vegetables and mushrooms were added to the pot, the intense aroma completely transformed the taste, making it extremely delicious. He had never eaten anything this good in his life—better even than magical food.

Wang Keer ate like a little pig, beaming with joy, as if she had won something.

Li Ran and Qi Wu Zhen ate quickly, seemingly comparing their meals the whole time. Before long, almost all the food in the pot was gone. After all, it was a large copper pot the size of a small water tank, and there were only five of them, along with another basket of bread of almost the same size.

Guo Shier muttered, “A bunch of gluttons.” He added more water, bones, and fresh meat, replaced the fire talisman, and took out another basket of bread.

Finally, everyone finished eating. Halechi and Wang Keer each held a large bone, chewing away with mouths full of juice. The bones were as thick as an adult’s thigh bone, and they had even been split in half. Guo Shier put away the copper pot and said, “Alright, let me introduce you. This is Brother Li Ran, this is Qi Wu Zhen, Sister Zhen. Hey, I say… stop staring like that, or your eyeballs might fall out!”

The two immediately turned away, avoiding each other’s gaze. Qi Wu Zhen said, “Idiot.” Li Ran retorted, “Crazy woman!” Guo Shier shouted, “You two must have some grudge! Why start fighting on your first meeting?” He couldn’t understand how Li Ran, who was usually calm and composed, could act so foolishly. As for Qi Wu Zhen, he had no other thoughts—anyone would be afraid of this woman—and he agreed with Li Ran; she was indeed a crazy woman. Li Ran and Qi Wu Zhen nodded simultaneously and said, “Right!” Guo Shier stood up helplessly and said, “Well, I’m full. Go on fighting. I have other things to do, so I won’t stay.” He flew away into the distance. He guessed that the two probably didn’t get along and that a few fights would be enough, as their strengths were roughly equal. Halaqi said, “Hmm, I have things to do too. You two go on.” He turned and left. Seriously, two experts who had surpassed the Ninth-Level Altar—once they started fighting, it would be earth-shattering. If he stayed nearby, he’d be caught in the chaos before he could even cry. It was better to stay far away. Wang Keer still held a large bone in her hand. Seeing Guo Shier and the others run away first, she hurried after them, calling out muddlely, “Hey, take me with you… Seriously… Why run so fast? I haven’t finished eating yet…” She ran fast too and disappeared in an instant. Qi Wu Zhen said calmly, “Since we’re full, let’s fight again!” Li Ran felt a headache. This woman was addicted to fighting and became utterly insane once battle started. If not for his slightly superior strength, he wouldn’t have been able to deal with her. He shouted, “Wait!” Qi Wu Zhen suddenly smiled. Instantly, Li Ran felt a brightness in front of his eyes and was deeply shaken. It was only then that he noticed the beauty of this woman’s face—a beauty he had never seen before. That smile even stirred his soul. Qi Wu Zhen said with a smile, “What? Are you scared?” Li Ran replied, “Idiot woman, would I be scared?” Qi Wu Zhen flew into anger, “Who’s the idiot! How dare you insult me…” Li Ran interrupted her, “In a fight, there must be a prize! Whoever loses must pay a price.” Qi Wu Zhen blinked her big eyes and asked, “What price?” She thought it made sense—without a price, there would be nothing after the fight, which wasn’t worth it. Besides, she liked this idea too. She used to like extorting and robbing, but this time her opponent was too strong, so she hadn’t thought of it. Li Ran said, “Whoever loses… must obey the winner’s orders!” Qi Wu Zhen pondered, “You want to command me?”

Li Ran said calmly, “If we don’t fight, will you obey my orders?”
Qi Wu Zhen sneered and said, “Do you think you’ll definitely win? What if you lose… will you then obey my orders?”
Li Ran replied, “Of course. I just don’t think… hehe, I don’t think I’ll lose.” He appeared extremely confident, as if he had a powerful trump card in hand.
Qi Wu Zhen wasn’t easily intimidated. She said, “Don’t think I’m afraid of you. Come on, I’ll make you pay!”