Chapter 144 - The Map, the Group, and the Scraping Sound
Chapter 144: Chapter 144 - The Map, the Group, and the Scraping Sound
Su Bai silently memorized everything.
With Photographic Memory, the entire parchment entered his mind clearly.
Then he folded it and handed it back to Chen Feng.
Chen Feng stared at him.
"You are returning it?"
"It is yours."
Chen Feng seemed even more irritated by that answer.
Su Bai looked toward the others.
"Chen Feng’s suggestion to form a group is not wrong."
The six cultivators opposing Chen Feng were stunned.
Chen Feng also looked surprised.
Su Bai continued, "This map is valuable. His strength is also real. In a dangerous place, following someone with information and power can increase survival."
Chen Feng’s expression eased slightly.
Then Su Bai looked at him.
"But your method is wrong."
Chen Feng’s expression froze again.
Su Bai said calmly, "You are not outside with your sect elders behind you. Everyone here represents their own sect and their own opportunity. If you want cooperation, you cannot begin by making them feel like subordinates."
The others immediately nodded.
Chen Feng’s face darkened, but he did not refute.
Su Bai turned back to the six cultivators.
"You are also not wrong. No one wants to hand over treasure priority before even leaving the safe zone. But refusing all coordination because you dislike the wording is also dangerous."
The six cultivators became quieter.
Su Bai looked at both sides.
"Outside the outpost, the miasma will corrode protection. Beasts can enter safe zones. Maps can become unreliable. Spiritual sense is suppressed. Spatial Return Threads may weaken in some areas."
He raised one finger.
"So there are three matters."
Everyone subconsciously listened.
"First, leadership during danger."
"Second, treasure division."
"Third, information ownership."
Chen Feng frowned slightly.
The blue-robed cultivator’s eyes sharpened.
Su Bai continued, "During immediate danger, the person most suited to handle that danger gives the order. If it is a sword battle, Chen Feng speaks. If it is formation distortion, someone who understands formations speaks. If it is poison or miasma, someone with relevant skill speaks."
The cultivators exchanged glances.
This was acceptable.
Su Bai raised a second finger.
"Treasure division follows contribution and suitability. If an item is clearly suited to one person’s cultivation path, that person has priority, but must compensate the group at fair value. If it is general wealth, divide by contribution. If someone discovers danger first and prevents loss, that counts as contribution."
Several eyes brightened.
This was fairer than Chen Feng’s proposal.
Su Bai raised a third finger.
"Information stays with its owner. Chen Feng does not need to hand over his map to everyone. But if the group uses his route information to gain something, his contribution is counted higher."
Chen Feng’s eyes moved.
That point preserved his advantage.
Su Bai looked at him.
"That is fair."
Chen Feng was silent.
The blue-robed cultivator cupped his hands.
"Senior Brother Su’s arrangement is reasonable."
Another said, "I agree."
"Me too."
"I have no objection."
One by one, the six opposing cultivators nodded.
Chen Feng’s group also looked toward him.
Chen Feng’s face shifted between unwillingness and thought.
Su Bai had not robbed him of his map.
He had not denied his strength.
He had not humiliated Myriad Swords Sect.
But somehow, the center of the group had already moved.
That was the most irritating part.
Chen Feng said coldly, "If you arrange it like this, who leads?"
Everyone looked at Su Bai.
Su Bai was silent.
This was not his intention.
He only wanted to solve the dispute and gather information.
But everyone’s gaze had already arrived.
It was like receiving extra work after fixing someone else’s mistake.
Very familiar.
Very unfortunate.
Su Bai looked at the Boundary Pillar.
Then at the outpost boundary.
Then at the map in Chen Feng’s hand.
Finally, he said, "For now, I will lead until we leave this outpost and confirm the surrounding route."
The six cultivators immediately relaxed.
Chen Feng’s expression darkened.
"I did not agree to follow you."
Su Bai nodded.
"You do not have to."
Chen Feng was slightly startled.
Su Bai continued, "You can act alone. But if you do, this group loses its strongest sword cultivator, and you lose twelve pairs of eyes, several different techniques, and help if the map becomes unreliable."
Chen Feng said, "I can survive alone."
"Yes."
Su Bai did not deny it.
"You are strong enough to survive alone for a while."
Chen Feng’s brows furrowed.
For a while.
That phrase was gentle.
But not pleasant.
Su Bai continued, "However, City Lord Yue Cangyu already warned us. Landing positions cannot be trusted. Mist can call names. Roads can be false. Disciples can be fake. Boundary Pillars may be damaged. Spatial Return Threads can weaken."
He looked toward the red mist beyond the outpost.
"Strength solves many things. It does not solve all things."
Chen Feng was silent.
Su Bai then added, "Also, I heard your fire is excellent."
Chen Feng looked at him sharply.
"My fire?"
Su Bai nodded.
"In the Moon-Reflection Garden trial, fire was useful for disrupting mist density. If we encounter a red-fog path or miasma beast, your fire may be important."
Chen Feng’s expression changed.
This was not flattery.
At least, it did not sound like flattery.
It sounded like assignment based on practical value.
For a sword cultivator, being needed was easier to accept than being persuaded.
Su Bai continued, "We need you."
The words were simple.
Chen Feng froze.
The other cultivators also looked surprised.
Su Bai did not look embarrassed.
He was telling the truth.
A strong sword cultivator with fire capability and a partial map was useful.
Letting Chen Feng leave alone because of pride would be wasteful.
Chen Feng’s ears reddened slightly.
He turned his face away.
"Hmph. Since you understand usefulness, I can temporarily cooperate."
The blue-robed cultivator wisely did not smile.
Su Bai nodded.
"Good."
Chen Feng said, "But if there is a sword-related inheritance—"
"You have priority if it suits you," Su Bai said.
Chen Feng paused.
Su Bai added, "And compensate according to value."
Chen Feng clicked his tongue.
"Fine."
The other cultivators accepted it.
The tension finally loosened.
Weapons lowered.
No one sheathed them fully.
That was also sensible.
Su Bai looked at Chen Feng again.
Indeed, he was still young.
His manipulation had worked.
No.
It should be called honesty.
Su Bai then looked around the group.
"Report your names, sects, main abilities, and current condition. Keep it brief."
The blue-robed cultivator spoke first.
"Qiao Wen, Blue River Pavilion. Water techniques and minor healing. Condition stable. Spatial Return Thread clear."
A young woman in green robes followed.
"Mu Qing, Verdant Rain Hall. Wood binding and antidote arts. Condition stable."
A broad-shouldered youth cupped his hands.
"Zhao Heng, Iron Cliff Gate. Close defense. Condition stable."
One by one, the others introduced themselves.
Chen Feng’s group also reported.
Chen Feng went last.
"Chen Feng, Myriad Swords Sect. Sword techniques. Fire sword Qi. Condition stable."
Su Bai nodded.
Then he said, "Check your Immaculate Lotus-Heart Pills. Do not eat them inside the outpost unless miasma enters."
Everyone obeyed.
Even Chen Feng.
Su Bai looked toward the Boundary Pillar.
"We inspect the pillar first. Then the outpost boundary. After that, we decide whether to remain here briefly or move toward the nearest landmark."
Qiao Wen asked, "Brother Su, which landmark?"
Su Bai looked toward Chen Feng.
Chen Feng hesitated.
Then he unfolded the map himself.
"There is a broken watch platform east of this outpost. The map says it was used as a scouting point in past openings. If still present, we can use it to observe the surrounding terrain."
Su Bai nodded.
"That is suitable."
Then he looked toward the red fog outside the outpost.
"But before leaving, we test the boundary."
He paused.
"Beasts can enter outposts. Miasma cannot, unless the purification array fails."
The moment he said that, a scraping sound came from beyond the broken wall.
Everyone turned.