Chapter Forty-Six: He Is No Longer Worthy of Your Friendship

Chapter Forty-Six: He Is No Longer Worth Your Friendship

Fang Junmei, hearing these words, looked toward Song Shede.

In that pair of somber eyes, an unfathomable complexity flashed by in an instant, before settling into deep wariness. He did not utter a single word, only shrank his body back and clenched his fists tightly, revealing a fierceness as if he would drag his enemies to the grave with him. Yet this fierceness was hollow—there was no courage to be found, as though he were an ordinary youth tormented to the point of losing even the will to stand up for himself.

Perhaps, deep down, Fang Junmei’s rebellious nature had not been completely stripped away, but his bravery was gone. Was there any reason for one such as this to go on living?

Song Shede, seeing Fang Junmei’s current state, felt an even deeper pain in his heart. Sorrow clouded his face, and it was clear that after several encounters with Fang Junmei, he had developed genuine feelings of camaraderie for him.

“Junmei, wake up! You still need to surpass Gu Xijin—how can you admit defeat here?”

Song Shede shouted loudly.

“… Are you here to kill me again?” Fang Junmei finally spoke. His voice was chillingly hoarse, trembling with unease.

A ripple passed through Song Shede’s eyes; for the first time, he regretted urging Fang Junmei to take on this task.

“There’s no need to shout,” Chunyu Qian said quietly. “He is already delirious. He can no longer distinguish between illusion and reality. Among those hundred deaths, I suppose your face was there as well.”

He looked steadily at Fang Junmei and continued, “I warned you before. Whatever outcome you face, it is the result of your own choices. You must accept this fate.”

As he finished, his expression grew cold and indifferent.

With those words, Chunyu Qian turned and headed for the exit.

“Shede, take him back to Immoveable Peak. Then go find me the next test subject.”

His voice was as cold as steel.

Song Shede’s expression clouded. How could he face those at Immoveable Peak? It was not the first time he had brought back a cultivator in Fang Junmei’s condition—there had already been seven before him. But for reasons unknown, only Fang Junmei filled him with such unprecedented conflict.

The sound of footsteps faded into the distance.

…

“Uncle Master!”

Suddenly, Fang Junmei’s voice rang out again.

Song Shede started and turned his gaze.

Chunyu Qian, who had already reached the great hall’s entrance, also paused, turning to look back at Fang Junmei.

Fang Junmei appeared little different from before, still wary. Yet deep within those dark eyes, a faint glimmer of clarity sparked—like a sliver of light piercing the blackest night.

Though he called out to Chunyu Qian, Fang Junmei’s gaze settled on Song Shede. After a brief silence, he said, “… I can still tell illusion from reality. I have not yet been utterly swallowed by the darkness of human nature. I just need some time to recover.”

Song Shede’s eyes brightened and he laughed, “I knew you weren’t one to fall so easily.”

He took a step forward.

“Don’t come any closer!” Fang Junmei shouted sharply, as if startled like a frightened rabbit. The light in his eyes instantly dimmed.

Song Shede halted abruptly, realizing his own impulsiveness.

“How much time do you need to reclaim your original self?” Chunyu Qian asked calmly.

Fang Junmei thought for a moment, but could not find an answer. Anxiety flickered across his face, as if even his ability for rational thought was slipping away.

“You have one month. Come see me then,” Chunyu Qian said. “If, after one month, I see nothing more in your eyes, then consider yourself a complete failure. I have no more time to waste on you.”

With that, he truly departed.

Song Shede gave Fang Junmei a long, searching look, then left as well without another word.

Fang Junmei remained alone in the great hall for a long while before finally stepping toward the exit.

Outside, he looked around—no sign of anyone. Neither Chunyu Qian nor Song Shede, not even the cultivator who guarded the medicine gardens, was anywhere to be seen.

After scanning his surroundings, Fang Junmei, wary as ever, headed down the mountain—not along the well-trodden path, but plunging directly into the tangled thickets, as if wishing to flee from all human contact.

…

The wilds of Medicine King Peak were even more remote and perilous than Immoveable Peak, with shadowed ravines and valleys shrouded in green, not a trace of humanity in sight, but with the heavy presence of demon beasts.

Whoosh!

A leopard-like demon had silently begun stalking Fang Junmei, sensing his dejection and disarray, believing it had found an opportunity. From above, it pounced, jaws gaping wide—inside its maw, a spray of crimson flame erupted.

“Even you dare to prey on me?”

Though wracked with negative emotions, Fang Junmei’s vigilance was keener than ever. He had already sensed the demon’s approach. As it attacked, he let out a savage roar, a feral light blazing in his eyes.

He did not draw his sword. Instead, his hand formed a sword-finger and thrust forward.

With a piercing cry, sword energy shot from his fingertip like lightning, straight into the beast’s open mouth, tearing through its innards.

The leopard shrieked in agony, blood gushing from its jaws as it crashed to the ground, mortally wounded.

But the brutality in Fang Junmei’s eyes did not subside. If anything, it grew fiercer, as though he were the wildest of beasts. Leaping forward, he landed astride the demon, pounding its body with his fists—each blow infused with sword energy, raining down like a tempest.

The leopard’s cries grew ever more pitiful, its bones snapping, blood spurting from its maw. No matter how it thrashed or struggled, it could not shake Fang Junmei off.

The sound was so heartrending that any listener would be moved to tears.

Moments ago a fierce demon, the creature now seemed the most pitiable of all living things.

There was no mercy in Fang Junmei’s eyes—only the coldest cruelty and savagery.

After dying a hundred times in that illusory world, Fang Junmei now vented his suppressed weakness through unrestrained violence.

That weakness, he hated with all his being.

The Fang Junmei of this moment was no longer the same as before.

…

Atop Medicine King Peak, two figures stood side by side, gazing through the endless green shadows in the direction Fang Junmei had gone.

“Shede, this boy is ruined. He’s no longer worth your friendship. Don’t waste your time on him,” Chunyu Qian said quietly, his voice calm, without a trace of regret.

Song Shede raised his brow at these words. He had joined the sect early and had always admired and obeyed his master’s principles of dealing with others: befriend those who are useful, abandon those who are not. That was how he had treated Fang Junmei as well.

Yet at this moment, a sense of aversion welled up in his heart.

“It’s only the first day…” Song Shede muttered softly.

Chunyu Qian glanced at him, sneered coldly, then turned and walked away.

“You’re still too young. One day, you’ll understand just how cruel the world of cultivation truly is. All naïve cultivators will meet a fate without burial or remembrance.”