Chapter Eight: Night Raid

Since Gu Fatty advanced to the fifth tier, his mind had once again become lively. He lay atop the stone platform at the summit, scanning left and right below as if studying something.

Under the night sky, when dark clouds veiled the moon, a figure in black clothing quietly soared from the peak of the Fifth Summit, riding a black kite.

“That rascal, always causing trouble. Tonight won’t be peaceful,” muttered Gu Zai Zuo, the master of the Fifth Summit, who had been secretly keeping an eye on things. Stroking his not-so-long beard, he laughed and cursed inwardly.

Old Gu knew well—though the Misty Sect appeared tranquil and harmonious, it was far from truly peaceful beneath the surface. Meanwhile, the other summit masters released their spiritual senses, each on guard against something unseen.

At the Main Peak, seven rhombic mirrors stood in a row before the sect leader, reflecting scenes from each of the seven summits. Every event unfolded within those seven mirrors.

Of course, none of this was within Gu Fatty’s realm of awareness. He continued with his usual bravado, and after landing his kite, vanished in a flash.

In the rear courtyard of the Pill Refining Pavilion, where the elite disciples resided, Mu Wan’er slept soundly, untroubled by external matters. To her pure mind, there was little to fear in one’s own home.

Little did she know, danger was at hand.

Gu Fatty, who had quietly slipped into the rear courtyard, was planning to surprise his beloved Wan’er. Yet, to his shock, he discovered a shadow lurking outside Wan’er’s room, hiding behind a tall spiritual plant.

Gu Fatty instantly became furious, thinking some admirer of Wan’er was spying on her late at night. Rage surged within him, and he wished he could tear the intruder to pieces.

Just as Gu Fatty was about to act, the shadow by the window moved, crouching low and bracing his feet. A dark, gleaming dagger appeared in his hand, poised to break in through the window.

Startled, Gu Fatty didn’t hesitate. He darted inside at once, and as the dagger was about to slash at Wan’er’s neck, Gu Fatty arrived first, kicking the shadow’s wrist. The dagger flew into the bed frame.

The shadow recoiled in pain, his face flashing with surprise and confusion. Though he couldn’t fathom how his actions had been discovered, or why Gu Fatty had arrived so swiftly, it didn’t stop him from continuing the attack.

But Gu Fatty, having struck first, would not let him go. He lunged forward, the Earth Demon Bear Palm aimed straight for the shadow’s chest.

His opponent was clearly a skilled master—at least, by Gu Fatty’s standards. With a casual swipe, he deflected Gu Fatty’s palm and kicked him onto Wan’er’s bed. The impact woke Wan’er, still bewildered, as she heard Gu Fatty’s low voice:

“Wan’er, don’t be afraid. Watch how your Fatty beats him down.”

“Gu Fatty, you’re just in time. My mission was simply to eliminate Mu Wan’er, but now it seems I can take care of you as well.”

“Damn you!”

No sooner had he cursed than Gu Fatty charged forward again, true energy surging through him. He pounced, unleashing fists, palms, and elbows in a fierce battle with the shadow.

Meanwhile, Wan’er quickly grasped the situation. Instinctively wanting to help Gu Fatty, she found herself utterly unable to intervene in their fight. Anxiously watching their violent struggle, her distress grew when Gu Fatty was beaten to the point of spitting blood.

In panic, Wan’er ran out the door, calling for her master, Old Mu, hoping he could come to their aid. But her cry was met with the sight of two figures fiercely battling in Old Mu’s pill refining chamber.

At the same time, battles erupted across all seven summits. By rough count, there were at least ten battle zones scattered throughout the Misty Sect.

Had Gu Fatty not recently advanced to the fifth tier—granting him the ability to fight above his level—he might not have lasted so many rounds against the shadow. The shadow was growing anxious. Just yesterday, Gu Fatty had only been at the fourth tier, and even fighting above his tier meant he could, at most, perish together with a ninth-tier opponent. Yet now he was holding his own against someone who had already reached the peak of the ninth tier and half-stepped into Foundation Establishment. The shadow found himself only narrowly gaining the upper hand—and with each exchange, that advantage slipped further away.

Moreover, although Old Mu was held off by their own master, he could still break free to assist. Defeat was inevitable.

Gu Fatty, from the outset, had fought recklessly—almost a strategy of hurting the enemy while hurting himself even more—but now he was regaining control, matching the shadow’s advantage, pushing him back, growing ever calmer and more focused.

At that moment, unnoticed by either combatant, the stone pendant on Gu Fatty’s chest flashed with a stream of light. His meridians and true energy grew even stronger and flowed more smoothly, enhancing his advantage and making the shadow increasingly unable to withstand him.

The shadow, already at a disadvantage and barely able to defend himself, was struck square in the chest by Gu Fatty’s Demon Bear Palm, collapsing to the ground. Gu Fatty wasted no time, knocking him unconscious and tying him up.

When Gu Fatty returned to Mu Wan’er, who was on the verge of tears, the battles across the other summits were almost concluded. Though Old Mu specialized in pill refining, his cultivation was formidable; he had finally defeated his adversary and hurried over.