Chapter 158: Too naive
"I am Hu Bo, an Outer Disciple of Serene Ice Palace. I came to this village in search of talented cultivator prospects. All the people under 30 years of age are to come and touch the crystal in my hands," a youth in Daoist robes shouted. "If you have the required talent to become a cultivator, this crystal will glow. The brighter it glows, the more talented you are."
The first to go touch the crystal was a farm boy, a clumsy kid. The boy touched it dumbly and the crystal did not glow.
"No talent, you may go."
More people accumulated near him and soon, there was a crowd of hands reaching for the crystal.
"Stay in place!" he shouted again.
The crowd scattered, looking worried.
"Immortal, please forgive us!" An old man kowtowed.
Hu Bo looked coldly at them. He said coldly, "Come to me one by one, there will not be any mercy from here on out."
They did as asked. Soon, the crowd began thinning as most of them reached out for the crystal one by one and came to know that they were incapable of being cultivators.
Hu Bo didn't act nicely to the next few villagers who touched the crystal either. Coldly glaring at them or shouting at them—leaving them weak in the knees.
Another boy went up next, big-boned and sharp-eyed. This time, surprisingly enough, the crystal glowed in rainbow colors. Hu Bo blinked.
"You stand behind me, you have the talent to practice. Even though it is the worst level of talent, talent is still talent."
The boy was overjoyed and after screaming to someone that he was going, he stood behind Hu Bo. It was then that suddenly, a person in hooded robes came near the crystal, reaching out a fair hand for it.
"Wait…" Hu Bo called.
"What?" a lovely voice asked from under the hood.
Hu Bo had just seen a glimpse of those beautiful blue eyes hidden behind the hood but all his rudeness vanished into mist.
"Sorry, I was distracted. But remove your hood please, I can't accept anyone who is 30 years or older."
Choi Sung secretly clicked his tongue.
"Do you think I am 30?" he asked.
"Of–of course not, young miss."
Beauty privilege really was good, but Choi Sung felt his nerves crack in irritation.
I am a man, you little fuck.
He touched the crystal and Hu Bo stared at it intently.
Choi Sung also stared at it with all the hope he could conjure.
He wanted to be a cultivator. For one, he wanted to become strong. For another, he wanted to revive his sister. And being weak was a sin on its own, so with a chance like this in front of him, he didn't want to fumble it. Becoming a cultivator, no matter what it took, was important.
He didn't want to be a victim.
Cultivation. Please work for me… Damnit.
Just like the other untalented peasants, his crystal didn't light up.
Hu Bo took hold of Choi Sung's wrist.
He spoke directly into Choi Sung's mind using telepathic powers. "I can help you get into my Serene Ice Palace as a mortal. Don't worry, stay beside me and follow me after this ends. Don't you dare run away."
Choi Sung stared speechlessly at the man.
Fuck. Damnit, I was too naive.
Of course Hu Bo would want a WOMAN as beautiful as Choi Sung.
It was all that Fuxian's fault.
Walking silently to Hu Bo's back, Choi Sung calculated. He had enough Mindpower to use his Icy Fire 3 times now. He could turn the fire either hot or cold, too.
Can he kill this Hu Bo and run away?
Fuck.
After a while, he asked in a charming voice, "Young Master, what level of a cultivator are you?"
"Heh. I have already sensed Qi and can use it to coat myself and my weapons, I am quite strong."
That didn't answer Choi Sung's question. Can he really kill Hu Bo?
But it made him wonder what he could do with his existing abilities if he himself had Qi. Will having a Hunter Ability and a stronger physical body make him stronger than normal cultivators?
I can't even become a cultivator as I am.
Blue fire burned in Choi Sung's palm, his cold eyes looking at Hu Bo with ruthlessness, but he hesitated.What if Hu Bo was stronger, or had some weird defensive abilities?
He will kill me.
Suddenly, someone caught Choi Sung's wrist out of nowhere and he started—fear thrumming through him. A young man stood beside him, white hair fluttering softly in the wind.
"Unbelievable," the young man said, looking at the blue fire in Choi Sung's palm. "To think you can use this kind of power while not even being a cultivator. I am amazed."
Hu Bo turned with a sneer but halfway there, his face grew rigid. "You–Young master. Why are you here?"
The white-haired young man looked at Hu Bo as if he were air. "To think you would force a mortal girl to follow your lust. Indeed, my sect doesn't need scum like you."
Hu Bo started. "But even you—"
Hu Bo split from the middle, it was a perfect cut.
Choi Sung looked at the young man who had clasped his wrist with wide eyes. The youth had a saber in his hand—which had appeared out of nowhere—and he stood protectively over him.
"No matter how much of such trash you cut down, more appear. Young lady, what is your name?"
"..."
"Have you not heard?"
Choi Sung felt a nerve bulge in his forehead. His gaze cold underneath the hood, he said, "Let go of my hand, please."
"Oh? Did I hurt you fairy?"
Choi Sung held back his rage. This guy was incomprehensibly strong.
I have to calm down!
He said: "Young master, since I can't become a cultivator, may I go?"
"Who said you can't become a cultivator?" the young man smirked, his hold over her wrist not loosening. "There is a sect that is perfect for you. Not to mention, you even seem to have an Ice-related meridian or constitution. You are a divine talent. Don't underestimate yourself."
No, you shit streak, I am just a Hunter.
"So… what do I have to do?"
The young man blinked, then asked, "Swear allegiance to me and I'll make you into a strong cultivator?"
"What kind of… allegiance?"
"Of course not physical allegiance, I am not that boorish." He let go of Choi Sung's hand and the saber vanished. "And the sect I plan to send you into has a requirement—they only accept virgin female disciples."
Before Choi Sung could reject, the world around him moved and they were in a different place. It was a land of celestial beauty; full of white cranes and blossoming flowers.
"Become a cultivator first and we will talk after."
Choi Sung had a distinct feeling that he was going to be used.
He remembered Fuxian. If she was something to go by, he had a faint idea of how he was going to be used. They would first train him and make him stronger, and then, they would steal all his cultivation and powers in some way. It sounded like that.
Fattening the pig before eating it?
Choi Sung was no idiot, he had seen his fair share of cold-blooded criminals. And this white-haired, fair, young man before him was truly one of those. He was no hero who saved the damsel.
The man wasn't moved by Choi Sung's beauty, he hadn't moved until Choi Sung revealed his unique power, the blue fire—now that Choi Sung revealed it, this young master had seen some use in him.
What are you going to use me for?
"So I can become a cultivator?" Choi Sung asked 'happily'.
"Of course."
Okay then bitch, fatten me up with your food and I'll eat you too. He had no chance of escaping anyway. It felt as if he was facing Mark when he faced this young master guy, and he knew he had never stood a chance against Mark.