Chapter Forty-Six: The Path I Choose Is Not Yours to Walk

The Cold Feast Oyster, a unique marine creature, was something he had only heard about; he hadn’t expected to find it here. It was said that in the past, China had suffered attacks from sea beasts. After those incidents were quelled, mutated marine creatures began appearing in coastal cities. Most of these were harmful, but a few offered considerable benefits to martial artists.

The Cold Feast Oyster was among them. These creatures usually dwelled in the depths of the ocean, but whenever they were about to form pearls, they would seek out caves to hide in. Catching even one or two would mean a handsome profit. Yet, if it were only about money, the Martial Alliance wouldn’t have mobilized so extensively; these pearls were also highly valuable for the cultivation of martial artists.

“Alright—according to the Martial Alliance’s regulations, those at the Qi Gathering stage cannot proceed any further. We’ll escort you here; the rest of the journey is up to you. Organize your teams, and you have enough food and water for a week. We’ll wait for you here. Set out now!” Steward Zhang said, gesturing forcefully to the group of talented youths, signaling them to begin their mission.

There were at least fifty prodigies, each carrying their necessary supplies, walking along the long stretch of sandy coastline, leaving a trail of footprints behind.

At this moment, Zhou Yuyang spoke, “Everyone, though you are all my friends, let me make this clear: we are here to complete a mission and to open as many acupoints as we can. My team must be the elite of the elite—”

Many knew that ahead lay the dense forest; they had to cross it to reach the central cave. Traveling in groups was essential.

“Yuyang, what do you think of me? I’ve opened forty-five acupoints already!”

“Yuyang, we agreed before—my water skills are top-notch. Count me in!”

A number of people eagerly vied to join Zhou Yuyang’s team, knowing that even if one could cross the forest alone, once the Cold Feast Oyster was found, there would be fierce competition.

In previous missions, it was common for one team to acquire eighty percent of the oysters, while weaker teams could barely touch them.

This rivalry, both open and hidden, was intense!

Su Ye noticed that almost everyone was seeking teammates as they walked, except for himself—the “bottom dweller”—whom no one approached. But he enjoyed the peace; he believed he could overcome any obstacle alone.

After entering the forest, he soon found three or four paths ahead. In such towering woods and wild grass, it was hard to discern which path was correct—or rather, which was the most convenient and shortest.

“Hey! Su Ye—stop right there! You can’t take this path!” Suddenly, Zhou Yuyang’s cold shout rang out from the crowd. He strode forward with over ten men and women.

Su Ye turned around to find mocking faces. “Why can’t I take it?” he asked.

“Hmph, you’re asking why? This path is mine. I’m going this way. If you want to walk, take another path. Get out of my way!” Zhou Yuyang spoke arrogantly, and his group immediately surrounded Su Ye, ready for confrontation.

“You’re saying others can’t walk where you walk?” A surge of anger welled up in Su Ye’s heart.

This was an uninhabited island, not their private property. Why should he not be allowed to choose his own path?

Song Chenxin smiled smugly and shouted, “There are plenty of paths here, and we’ve chosen the central one! If you’re hoping to take a shortcut by following us, it’s impossible!”

At that moment, a clear voice echoed, and a beautiful long-haired girl stepped forward, calling out, “Zhou Yuyang, Song Chenxin, you’re going too far!”

She was strikingly lovely, though slender and slightly frail, yet instantly the center of everyone’s attention.

“Every path here is open to everyone. How can you forbid Su Ye from walking it? Do you think you’re some kind of local tyrant?” she said.

Zhou Yuyang’s anger flared. “Mu Xia, I invited you to join my team and you refused. Now you stand up for him? What’s your intention? Are you going to oppose me?”

Mu Xia gave a wry smile, her face proud. “Today, I will oppose you. I want to team up with Su Ye. What can you do about it?”

“Don’t make me take action!” Zhou Yuyang shouted in fury, stepping forward with clenched fists. “Anyone not in my team who dares walk the central path—watch what happens!”

His team of over ten immediately moved into position behind him, hostilely eyeing the others. If anyone dared disobey, they would surely act.

Su Ye snorted. He hadn’t expected conflict to arise before even reaching the central cave; with such unity, he didn’t even need to intervene himself.

He glanced around and chose the far left path, striding forward.

Song Chenxin and Chen He saw Su Ye backing down and not daring to walk the central path. They cheered as if victorious:

“Ha ha, that coward is scared!”

“Clearly just a pretender, thinking he can challenge Yuyang. Another turtle hiding in its shell!”

Zhou Yuyang was especially delighted, laughing heartily. Su Ye had even defeated Yu Zhisha, but now he was subdued in front of Zhou Yuyang—what a satisfying turn.

“Ha ha, that’s right, hurry off! Mu Xia, did you see that? You want to team up with him? One word from me and he withdraws, doesn’t dare make a sound. You should join us!

Everyone knows the central path is fastest. Once we arrive, we can act immediately. Whether we leave anything for the others depends on our mood.”

Mu Xia gritted her teeth in anger, disgusted by Zhou Yuyang’s attitude. She spun around and quickly chased after Su Ye.

Seeing her chase after Su Ye instead of teaming up with him, Zhou Yuyang cursed furiously.

As Mu Xia pursued, three or four boys followed her.

“Mu Xia, why are you chasing him? Are you crazy? You really want to team up with him?” Li Haoxuan was furious; he couldn’t understand what Su Ye had that drew Mu Xia’s attention.

Damn it, Li Haoxuan had so many good qualities, but Mu Xia barely spoke to him, while Su Ye—a nobody—caught her eye.

Jealousy surged in Li Haoxuan, as if his girlfriend had been stolen.

“Get lost, it’s none of your business!”

Mu Xia ignored Li Haoxuan and quickly caught up, shouting, “Su Ye, stop right there! Did you hear me?”

Su Ye stopped and turned to see Mu Xia and Li Haoxuan. “This path isn’t allowed either?” he asked.

“I can’t believe you—you left just after I stood up for you. Why are you afraid of Zhou Yuyang? He can’t do anything to you!” Mu Xia’s face was flushed with anger.

Su Ye hadn’t expected Mu Xia to be so worked up; they were strangers, after all—was it necessary?

“You misunderstood. I never intended to take the central path. Why should I let them provoke me into abandoning the right choice?” Su Ye replied calmly.

Li Haoxuan sneered, “Still making excuses now? You were so cowardly just now, and only care about appearances now—don’t you think it’s too late?”

Su Ye’s brows knitted slightly. He knew this was a rare opportunity, fraught with danger, so he tried not to take offense at most things, but that didn’t mean he could tolerate everything.

He shot Li Haoxuan a cold, warning glare.

“Li Haoxuan, that’s enough!” Mu Xia was still angry, but she managed to hold back and turned to Su Ye. “Let’s team up and search for the Cold Feast Oyster together.”

“No need. I don’t trust you,” Su Ye replied bluntly.

“You don’t trust us? You only have twenty-three acupoints. Don’t think beating Yu Zhisha and taking her spot means you have her skills. We don’t trust you either!” Li Haoxuan shouted.

Su Ye gave a cold laugh, unwilling to argue further. He knew this path was the safest, though a bit longer, so he needed to hurry.

“Su Ye, wait—you all don’t follow. I want to speak to Su Ye alone.”

Mu Xia rushed forward, grabbed Su Ye’s arm, and pulled him aside. Suppressing her anger, she spoke in a low voice, “Listen carefully, Jiang Liuying asked me to relay two things to you. Whether you care or not…”