The First Summoner - Chapter 78

Zhuge Weiran strode over. As he passed Shen Yan, he could not help glancing at her nervously. When she appeared to have noticed nothing unusual, some of his unease faded.

Shen Yan remained outwardly unruffled, but she could vaguely tell Zhuge Youlin was hiding a secret. Why else would Zhuge Weiran be so tense?

Moreover, over the past few days, the senior in the tunnel had occasionally regarded Zhuge Youlin with a meaningful gaze. It had been subtle, but Shen Yan’s sharp senses had caught it.

The weapon Zhuge Youlin had used just now was thread…

The tiger beast cut into pieces had likely reached Saint rank level one.

For Zhuge Youlin to kill it so effortlessly, his strength could not be ordinary.

He suddenly asked, “Shen Yan, want some roasted meat?”

Shen Yan returned to her senses and looked at the red-haired youth. His eyes held a smile, yet beneath it lay a sharp edge that was almost impossible to detect.

“All right,” she replied.

For days, she had eaten nothing but dried rations from her storage space. It had been a long time since she had enjoyed a proper meal.

When she had trained with Uncle Zhuang in Lingyan Forest, they had often hunted and roasted their catch.

Zhuge Weiran pointed in one direction. “I found a stream over there earlier and washed my face. If we’re going to roast meat, we can do it there.”

“Then that’s where we’ll go.” Zhuge Youlin selected several tender, well-marbled cuts from the tiger beast’s dismembered carcass.

The three set off together.

After walking for some time, they reached the stream, only to find another party already camped there.

They had no intention of approaching the group, so they chose a spot some distance away and began building a fire.

Shen Yan gathered dry wood.

Zhuge Weiran prepared the meat, washing it clean in the stream before skewering it. Zhuge Youlin assembled a roasting rack with practiced ease.

The three worked together seamlessly.

The fire was soon burning.

Fat sizzled from the roasting meat, releasing a mouthwatering aroma.

Zhuge Youlin took out several seasonings and sprinkled them over the skewers, making them smell even more fragrant.

Shen Yan looked at him in surprise. She had not expected him to be so particular. He was clearly experienced at this.

Catching her gaze, Zhuge Youlin asked, “Why are you staring at this young master like that?”

“Where did you buy those seasonings?”

“Smells good, doesn’t it? I made them myself.” Zhuge Youlin flashed a toothy grin.

Zhuge Weiran explained from the side, “Youlin can’t stand food with a gamey taste, so he created his own seasoning to cover it up.”

Shen Yan nodded in understanding.

As time passed, the aroma of meat grew richer.

Just as Zhuge Youlin handed a skewer to Shen Yan, a tall, thin middle-aged man approached from the distant camp with several guards. Their trio appeared to be his destination.

Shen Yan accepted the skewer and took a bite.

Zhuge Weiran accepted one as well, though most of his attention remained fixed on the approaching man.

Zhuge Youlin devoured the steaming meat in great bites. Heat had infused the seasonings into it until spice and savory juices melded together. Its surface had roasted crisp, crunching slightly between his teeth. It was exceptionally delicious.

He quickly finished one skewer, then turned to Shen Yan with a grin. “Is it good?”

“Very.” Her expression relaxed with pleasure.

Zhuge Youlin arched a brow. “This young master can cook too. If I get the chance, I’ll show you what I can do.”

Shen Yan smiled. She truly would never have guessed. He looked every inch a pampered young lord.

“All right.”

When Zhuge Weiran saw the tall man nearing them, he rose and was about to offer a polite nod. Before he could, the man said darkly, “This is our territory. Get lost! The smoke from your fire is suffocating us!”

Zhuge Weiran’s expression tightened. Frowning slightly, he replied, “You have no right to drive us away.”

The man’s eyes turned sinister. “Do you have a death wish, boy?”

As soon as he finished, he released his pressure.

It swept over them like a raging gale, so powerful that merely staying upright became difficult.

Zhuge Weiran was nearly forced several steps back when Zhuge Youlin suddenly threw an arm around his leg.

Only then did Zhuge Weiran steady himself.

The sight made the middle-aged man’s face darken.

He waved a hand and ordered coldly, “Put out their fire!”

At once, the guards behind him closed rapidly on the three. Each possessed cultivation above the eighth level of the Yellow-rank realm. None were weak.

One raised his foot to kick the fire toward them, but his face abruptly contorted in agony and he screamed.

“Aaaah!”

A roasting skewer had pierced straight through his lifted foot. Zhuge Youlin was the one who had thrown it.

He slowly raised his eyes. “How about showing a little courtesy?”

“You came over shouting about fighting and killing, then claimed this was your territory. If word gets out, people will laugh their heads off.”

Shen Yan continued eating her roasted meat at an unhurried pace. Hearing his words, the faintest smile touched her lips.

Zhuge Weiran frowned. He was more worried that Zhuge Youlin’s recklessness would invite even greater trouble. He was about to smooth things over when the middle-aged man’s expression sank.

“Boy, are you mocking me?”

Zhuge Youlin rose, his build lean and strong. He bit into his meat and grinned. “You’re not quite as stupid as you look.”

“You’re courting death!”

With an enraged roar, the man attacked.

Shen Yan sprang to her feet and retreated several steps.

Zhuge Youlin seized Zhuge Weiran and pulled him clear of the strike.

Boom!

A thick tree snapped in an instant. Their roasting fire scattered as sparks sprayed across the ground.

Having missed, the man swiftly gathered power for a second palm strike and hurled it at Zhuge Youlin.

Zhuge Youlin was about to retaliate, but Zhuge Weiran frowned and stopped him.

“Youlin!”

Seeing the worry on his seventh brother’s face, Zhuge Youlin reluctantly lowered his hand.

If he could not fight back, they could only leave.

“Shen Yan, let’s go!”

“You think you can?” The middle-aged man sneered and rapidly closed on the brothers. A massive saber appeared in his hand, and he swung it down at them!

Gloom flashed through Zhuge Youlin’s eyes. Semitransparent threads instantly appeared between his fingers, ready to attack the man—

Clang!

A sword slash shot toward the middle-aged man. The gale cut like a blade, erupting seven times in succession and forcing him to raise his saber in defense.

By the time the sword light dispersed, all three had vanished completely.

The man’s face turned ugly. He swept his gaze around, searching for their trail. The moment he took a step, however, agony tore through his leg.

“Hiss—aaah!”

He collapsed to the ground, his face instantly draining of color.

“Who did this?!” he demanded through gritted teeth.

Looking down, he saw blood pouring from his calf. The culprit was a semitransparent thread that had appeared out of nowhere.

It had very nearly severed his right calf.