《Cultivation Nerd》


 Chapter 1: Who is this Nerd?

    Chapter 1: Who is this Nerd?

    Spring rain quietly fell upon Blazing Sun Mountain as evening approached, and the sun dipped below the horizon. A gentle breeze accompanied the rain as night drew nearer.

    Yu Zhu, an outer elder of the Blazing Sun Sect, found himself tasked with managing the arena''s fights. He lived up to his title as an Elder with his long white beard and a nearly bald head.

    Despite his dissatisfaction with being there, Yu Zhu had little choice in the matter. As an Outer Elder, he was at the bottom of the leadership hierarchy, and even in the rain, the tournament had to continue. All the participants were Body Tempering Cultivators.

    "Liu Feng and Jia Man, please step into the arena," Yu Zhu called out to two disciples. With a wave of his hand, he created a barrier around the arena by activating the inscription arrays on the walls, forming a translucent barrier.

    Most of the disciples looked at him in wonder and began murmuring among themselves, discussing the prowess of cultivators. Yu Zhu knew this admiration wasn''t the result of his own cultivation, as he had just activated the inscriptions on the walls. But he had no intention of convincing the young disciples otherwise.

    Liu Feng was the first to enter the arena, donning a gray robe that epitomized the image of a cultivator. He possessed long dark silky hair, sharp features, and an expressionless face. Even his demeanor exuded the aura of a seasoned cultivator. Though he wasn''t one.

    Yu Zhu recalled information about the youngster; he hailed from a clan in the southern part of the White Tiger Continent, a relatively small clan that had recently grown wealthy. As Yu Zhu remembered, the youngster had a few family members in the inner sect, and Liu Feng considered himself a fully-fledged cultivator.

    In contrast, his opponent, Jia Man, was a young man with short red hair, a muscular build, and a more barbaric appearance than that of a typical cultivator. However, what stood out most about him was the overwhelming sense of pressure he exuded. It was a sense that made it clear to everyone that he would fight tooth and nail to win.

    "Get ready to fight upon my command," Yu Zhu repeated the same speech he had given countless times today. The thought of having to do it all over again tomorrow with the semi-finalists made him contemplate breaking a limb or two to use injury as an excuse to return to his cultivation. He wasn''t getting any younger.

    Furthermore, Yu Zhu was aware of who was likely to win. Jia Man was at the nine-star Body Tempering level, whereas the other youngster was only at seven stars. Neither of them had exceptional talents, which was why they were competing in a tournament where the victor would earn a place in the inner sect.

    This annual tournament was a chance for those with limited talents to enter the inner sect.

    "Although my clan is a cultivator clan, my family branch hasn''t produced one since my great-grandfather," Liu Feng stated. He took a basic fighting stance with fists forward. "Amongst my numerous cousins, I was chosen to defy the heavens, and it is my fate to one day become an immortal!"

    Yu Zhu would have chuckled at this young man many decades ago. Yet now it seemed perfectly common with how often he had seen ambitious young men proclaim something like that.

    Cultivation talent was a rare gift, often making youngsters feel like they were chosen by the heavens. Especially when they were raised in a village where they have never even seen a cultivator and think of them as mystical beings.

    Yu Zhu had once been one of those dreamy-eyed people. But now, at nearly a hundred years old, he no longer cared about being a chosen one. Yu Zhu had learned his lesson and knew there was nothing special about him.

    Instead of striving for a breakthrough, he was here babysitting these kids, nearing the end of his lifespan. The Blazing Sun Sect higher-ups no longer thought he could break through, and they were giving him these time-wasting menial jobs.

    Yu Zhu sighed and raised his hand, silencing the chattering students. The fight was about to begin, and every one of the youngsters kept their gazes on the fighting stage.

    "Fight!"

    Both combatants charged simultaneously, but it was evident to Yu Zhu that Jia Man would emerge victorious in this bout. The last time someone with a lower cultivation level had won in a tournament like this was about five decades ago when Grand Elder Zun Gon defeated a nine-star Body Tempering practitioner as a seven-star.

    Could Liu Feng be another exception? He wondered.

    As soon as they closed the distance, Liu Feng attempted a palm strike, but Jia Man swiftly countered with a punch to the face, sending Liu Feng flying.

    Liu Feng crashed into the arena wall, leaving many disciples gasping in shock as blood streamed from his head.

    Well... it seemed that Liu Feng wasn''t as exceptional as he''d hoped.

    "Take the disciple to the infirmary," Yu Zhu instructed one of the attendants responsible for tending to injured disciples. The last bout had clearly shaken them.

    Jia Man snorted and walked away without glancing at his fallen opponent. He demonstrated raw power and a ruthless side, showing he might win the tournament.

    Now, there was someone who could be considered special.

    If he wasn''t old, and still had the time to take on disciples, Elder Yu Zhu would have offered the young red-haired man the chance to become his personal disciple.

    ***

    Nestled on the fringes of the outer sect''s territory was a large medical complex. Within these hallowed walls, the air seemed to reverberate with a harmonious blend of herbal notes, the subtle allure of pharmaceuticals, and the refreshing essence of mint.

    Amidst the medicinal aroma, a man with vibrant green hair moved gracefully among the injured disciples sprawled on the floor. This man was Che Cheng, a healer of the Blazing Sun Sect, known as the Green Elder, owing to the color of his hair, a testament to his mastery of poison and medical techniques.

    Most of the outer sect''s disciples had flocked to the tournament; this world lacked diverse forms of entertainment.

    In this realm, there were five known stages of cultivation:

    Body Tempering

    Qi Gathering

    Foundation Establishment

    Core Formation

    Nascent Soul

    Each of these stages had minor sub-stages, ranging from one to nine stars. There were rumors that breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm could lead to immortality.

    But the original Liu Feng didn''t know shit about that.

    If this world adhered to the clichs of xianxia, it was almost certain that there were stages beyond the Nascent Soul Realm, possibly even higher realms where a Nascent Soul cultivator would be considered a mere servant.

    Or perhaps I was letting xianxia tropes cloud my judgment, as why would a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator work as a servant when they could rule these lands?

    Regardless, none of this directly concerned me. I was merely a seven-star Body Tempering nobody.

    I wasn''t overly fixated on pursuing any grand aspirations. While reaching greater heights would be nice, I wasn''t consumed by ambition. Maybe later? But for now, I was more curious about other things like these pills, techniques, and seemingly ''mundane'' things that these people took for granted.

    I wasn''t necessarily dissatisfied with my position in the sect. Sure, I wasn''t an inner disciple, and my talent in cultivation wasn''t exceptionally high, but it wasn''t too low either. Moreover, very few could become inner disciples in their first year. If one reached the Qi Gathering Realm before the age of twenty, they were usually accepted as inner disciples without needing to participate in any tournaments.

    Speaking of cultivation talent, in this world, it was measured by the number of branches on a person''s spiritual root. I had 53 branches, while 50 was considered average. Those with sixty or more could become inner disciples with some effort.

    I didn''t care to compare myself to my peers. Instead, I gazed at the horizon and noticed it was late.

    "Damn, the library must be closed by now," I muttered.

    My dorm room was located in one of the outer buildings of the Blazing Sun Sect. Since the entire sect was situated on a massive mountain, it meant I had to descend a considerable number of stairs.

    Fortunately, due to my new body, I barely felt winded when I reached my lodgings.

    The dorm buildings were three stories high, made of wood, and had a Chinese-styled roof. Thankfully, there were no other disciples here, as the tournament would last another couple of days. Most students would sleep in their dorms and watch the fights.

    I entered the building and noticed doors every four meters. However, I continued past all those doors until I found one numbered 314. It was odd because there were definitely not 314 rooms in the building. Even the original Liu Feng didn''t know what this was all about.

    Perhaps it was some way of ranking the students?

    Taking out an iron key, I unlocked the door, and it made a loud clicking sound. These locks were somewhat outdated compared to modern versions, but there were probably doors with strange inscriptions that didn''t even need a key to open.

    Upon entering the room, it was small. It barely had enough space for a bed, a desk, and a chest next to the desk where I could store my belongings. The place was dusty, with scrolls and books scattered around, the bed was in disarray, and clothes were strewn everywhere.

    I ran my finger along the desk, and a thin coating of dust collected on my fingertip. I immediately opened the windows and sighed.

    "Well, time to bring some order to this place," I said as I rolled up my sleeves.

    An organized mind could only work in an organized room.

    ...

    An hour later, the small room was spotless. Scrolls and books were neatly arranged on the desk. Clothes were folded into two piles: clean ones and ones that needed to be washed.

    With the room organized, I collapsed onto the bed as I heard some students returning from the arena. While they were still celebrating, I decided it was time to sleep.

    I couldn''t help but feel excited about tomorrow. Despite being here for over three days, my heart beat excitedly at the thought of learning about this world.

 Chapter 2: Being a Nerd 101

    Chapter 2: Being a Nerd 101

    Xin Ma, the outer elder responsible for the library, had a head of black hair with silver strands, something many said made it hard to determine his age. He also sported large circular glasses, which was a peculiar low-tier artifact that helped him read faster.

    The library allowed free access to all the library books as long as they remained within the building''s walls or they could borrow one for some time. But the disciples sometimes tried to sneak some extra books out. They were unsuccessful as there were inscriptions on the walls that stopped someone from taking books out of the place. Though none of the disciples knew that tidbit of information.

    Despite the occasional annoyance of his job, Xin Ma cherished days like these when events drew away most disciples, sparing him from dealing with the troublesome youths.

    Sighing, he watched the countless rows of shelves, reaching as high as the ceiling, housing a vast repository of low-level techniques and knowledge on basic cultivation practices. However, despite his enthusiasm for reading about techniques, he had long since learned that these shelves were useless for those beyond the Body Tempering Realm.

    Though still considered young among his peers, Xin Ma harbored greater ambitions in life and aspired to rise beyond his current status as an Outer Elder. He yearned for a path of cultivation rather than spending his days among dusty tomes.

    Suddenly, the rhythmic sound of a cane striking the wooden floor broke the library''s silence. Xin Ma immediately recognized the source without even turning his gaze.

    As an old man came into view, he looked like he had one foot in the grave. With a peculiar goat-like beard jutting from his chin, small beady eyes, and a hunched back, the old man leaned on his broom as a makeshift cane for support.

    Known as ''Goat Geezer'' among the sect members, few knew his actual name. Xin Ma remembered that this old man had been part of the sect since his own days as a disciple.

    The old geezer''s name was Shan Sha, a cultivator who never advanced past the Qi Gathering stage. His unwavering loyalty to the sect was the sole reason for him still being around.

    "Another one of those bloody tournaments has come around?" the geezer snorted as he settled into one of the many chairs lining a long table where disciples would usually read. "I swear, it''s all just useless peacocking. They''re doing it solely to please the Grand Elder. Aside from the man himself, no one believes another like him will rise from the outer sect to become a Grand Elder."

    Even after easing into the chair, the geezer continued to breathe heavily. A simple walk had already become quite a challenge for him.

    "You''re still kicking it, Shan Sha?" Xin Ma joked.

    The old man responded with a wheezing laugh. "Don''t worry, I''ll outlive all of you."

    Normally, Xin Ma wouldn''t allow the old man to make such remarks in front of others, as it would cause him to lose face. But since it was just the two of them, he didn''t mind the jests. These conversations with the geezer were what made his days bearable.

    As the old man gathered his breath, he continued, "By the way, when will the Acceptance Ceremony take place? I wouldn''t wish to be you at that time, even if I were to regain my youth."

    Xin Ma winced, and the old man cackled at his reaction. When new disciples arrived, they were often curious, rummaging through books and causing trouble. Of course, they grew bored of reading and moved on after a month or two, but it was still a hassle to deal with every year.

    "Please don''t remind me of that whole thing. It is one of the damn reasons I don''t want to stay as an Outer Elder. We are all just glorified servants with fancy titles. The Inner Elders would never suffer something like this," Xin Ma ranted. "I barely have time for cultivation in the evenings."

    "I wish I had the same problems as you youngsters." The old street sweeper shrugged.

    ***

    After enjoying the free breakfast at the dining hall, I immediately made my way toward the library.

    The entire Blazing Sun Sect was built atop a mountain, with the whole sect fit inside that mountain. But it was a big ass mountain, so everything took climbing an ungodly amount of stairs to get anywhere.

    Fortunately, there were some blessings to this whole thing. Like how most disciples skipped breakfast to attend the tournament fights. So at least I didn''t have to wait in line.

    I walked up the countless stairs, clutching a notebook and brush in my hand. The only sounds accompanying my footsteps were the chirping of birds. At least the scenery was pleasant, with trees all around and lush greenery as far as the eye could see.

    Upon reaching my destination, I breathed out a sigh of relief. Even this body was beginning to feel the fatigue of climbing so many stairs.

    The library was like a large Chinese-themed tower. At the entrance, there was a statue of a scholarly-looking man, with a book in one hand and a sword in another.

    There was no one around here, and I took a moment to appreciate the scenery. This place was built high enough that I could catch a glimpse of the arena where my compatriots were beating each other to death. Though from this distance, it was hard to tell who was fighting.

    Walking closer to the statue, I searched for memos that might reveal the scholar''s identity. Unfortunately, cultivators were shit at cataloging things, so there was no information about the statue.

    With a disappointed sigh, I walked through the entrance, which was spacious enough to fit people three times my height. As soon as I stepped into the building, the sounds of chirping birds and the gentle rustling of leaves vanished.

    Was this some kind of noise-canceling array?

    Furthermore, the scent of the trees dissipated, leaving behind only the unmistakable aroma of ink and paper.

    The library was filled with an astonishing number of books. So much so that it made me doubt what I knew about the technological level of this world.

    There wasn''t much additional information about this rank, but there were a few sentences describing talent levels beyond 100 branches. I decided to write down this information, even though there was little information available about it.

    S+ Rank aptitude, with over 101 branches. They''re known as Extreme Physiques, ''extreme'' because despite how fast they cultivate, they die young.

    I had some other questions about what determined the number of Spiritual Root branches or how they worked exactly, but those were the kinds of questions I wouldn''t have answers to anytime soon.

    Are there any books on alchemy around here? There must be some pills that help with impurity extraction. After all, there are healing pills, so something like that would make sense if it existed. Maybe the alchemists will have a clearer explanation of what it means to expel impurities from the body.

    Now that I thought about it, I couldn''t help but be curious about one thing.

    Who tests these pills? If they do test them, do they take into account any long-term effects?

    I went and put the books back where I found them, as I had already written down the useful information.

    I looked around for any books that seemed related to alchemy. Some basic medical books here gave instructions for an outdated method of first aid, but nothing else appeared to be related to alchemy.

    "Maybe I just don''t know the location of such books in this huge, disorganized library."

    With that in mind and an anxious heart, I approached the librarian. The old man was already gone, so the librarian was the only senior left, and I could only hope that this guy wasn''t going to start a blood feud by asking a question.

    It sounded kind of dumb when I thought about it. But this was a world where young masters exterminated clans just so they wouldn''t lose face or for some other dumb reason.

    "Excuse me, honorable elder, do you know where I can find some books on the basics of alchemy?" I asked, trying to stroke his ego as much as possible without coming off as insincere.

    "Books about things like Artifact Creation, Inscriptions, or Alchemy aren''t something you''ll find in a library for free," the man explained, pushing up his glasses slightly. "To get access to that kind of information for free, you either need to be an Inner Disciple training under an Inner Elder or be a Core Disciple. Though for someone like you, your best chance is to look around the markets. But because of the tournament, no one is there to open any stalls."

    Well, that sucks. But there isn''t anything I could do about it for now, so it was better to turn in a different direction.

    Also, Liu Feng had no savings. The guy didn''t even think about what would happen if he failed the exam and had to stay another year as an Outer Disciple.

    ...

    Hours passed, and I finished my daily reading session. I put the books back in their respective places and prepared to leave.

    I had learned a little more about the basics, mostly reaffirming what the original Liu Feng already knew. For instance, in the Body Tempering Realm, talent didn''t carry as much weight yet, since we didn''t utilize our Spiritual Roots or Qi.

    While talent played a minor role in one''s progress within the Body Tempering Realm, hard work and access to resources were more crucial. At least when it came to the speed of advancement.

    As I exited the library, the midday sun kissed my face, and the sounds of birds and rustling leaves once again filled my ears.

    Now it was time to go and do some physical training! After all, I didn''t want to get my brains plastered by some goon or end up like one of those bullied protagonists because my progress was too slow.

    However, as I strolled along the stone pathway, approaching the descent down the stairs, I noticed an old man with a smile on his face, busy sweeping leaves at the side.

    He was the same elderly man I had encountered in the library, likely a janitor.

    At least, that''s what an ordinary person from this world would think. But having read dozens, perhaps even over a hundred xianxia novels, I had developed a keen eye for clichs.

    An old man janitor? I could spot the trope from a mile away! There was a decent chance that this old man was a hidden powerhouse. Perhaps he was a revered elder or even a clan ancestor.

    Should I try to approach him? Going by clich standards, he shouldn''t be a villain, and having someone to watch my back in case I inadvertently offended some young master could prove invaluable.

    However, what if I was wrong? He might just be an ordinary old man. My entire assumption was based on a clich that might not even be true.

    Regardless, even if he wasn''t some hidden boss, there was a lot of wisdom to gain from an elder like him.

    With that thought in mind, I changed course and approached the old man.

    Please be a super monster in hiding. Though I hated cliches in my last life, I wouldn''t mind it now if it ended up improving my situation!

    It was the kind of situation where I wouldn''t watch a show about a multi-millionaire with no problems in his life, but I would love to be one.

 Chapter 3: Nerd Guy Doing Nerdy Things

    Chapter 3: Nerd Guy Doing Nerdy Things

    "Hello there, do you need any help?" I asked the old man, cautiously bowing and clasping my fist in respect as one would to a senior.

    He looked at me, raised a questioning brow, and frowned. "Who the hell are you?"

    "Uh, I''m the guy who was reading in the library and noticed that you were working hard even at your age. Even someone strong should take care of their health more," I tried to soften my words by indirectly calling him strong, just in case this guy was really just an old janitor.

    There was no losing option for me as long as I didn''t provoke the old man too much, especially if he was a powerhouse. Or maybe he was a powerhouse in hiding, and I could end up as collateral damage... Perhaps I shouldn''t have gotten involved with this.

    "No, I don''t need anyone to help me with my job," the old man snorted and went back to sweeping, his hands shaking a bit as he had to lean on the broom every now and then to take a rest.

    I stood there and stared; maybe he really was just an old man. Now I felt a bit bad for trying to take advantage of him. He was probably just an elderly man who had to work here because he had no other choice.

    It seemed like I didn''t have that protagonist luck after all. Still, I felt sorry for the old guy, and there was no doubt some things I could learn from him. "So, I could go and bring you your lunch."

    Okay, I probably said that in the most awkward way ever.

    But the stairs in this place were crazy, and even I would get tired walking up and down those, not to mention someone his age.

    The old man sighed and turned around, "What''s your deal, kid?"

    "Honestly," I stopped for a split second, thinking about how to phrase my words. But instead, I decided to be truthful. "I feel sorry for you, and for old people in general who have to work laborious jobs even after their retirement age. Sometimes, I wonder if this isn''t just me trying to be nice, but maybe I too am afraid that I might end up like that one day. If I do end up like that, I would like someone young to offer some help when they can. Oh, and I was also hoping to learn a thing or two from someone who has lived so long in the sect. There is plenty to learn from an old man in a profession where people die young."

    He stared at me, and it was hard to tell what he could be thinking behind that stern look on his face. But he sighed again and shrugged, "Go and get me some tea, then."

    Well, I didn''t get slapped into a fleshy smudge, so that was a win for now.

    I turned around and started walking down the stairs, and halfway down, it became clear that this was going to be a bit tiring, even for me.

    ...

    By the time I returned, the old man was still sweeping around the same place, and I had a wooden cup of tea with a small cover above it. Fortunately, since I was running, it didn''t take me even ten minutes to get back here.

    However, I was breathing heavily, and my lungs felt like they were on fire. This was good training; maybe I should consider stair climbing for endurance.

    "Here is your tea," I offered him his tea.

    The old man raised a questioning brow as he took the tea from my hand and gave it a sniff. Then, he sat down on the ground near the scholarly statue and patted the spot next to him. I took that as a sign and went to sit down. As I settled, he remarked, "You''re either exceptionally kind or just generally foolish. Why do something like this? Do you think a cultivator has all the time in the world? You should be training."

    "Running up and down the stairs was excellent training," I replied, smiling despite the old man''s comments. I leaned against the foot of the statue and continued, "Whether I live for one, one hundred, or one thousand years, life is meaningless if you don''t do what you want during that time. I wanted to bring you some tea, and I did. I wouldn''t call that a waste of time. Even if I live for a thousand years and spend nine hundred of those years in indoor cultivation, did I truly live longer than a hundred years?"

    Some cultivators could live quite long. However, what was the use of living for 100 years if you spent 90 of those years indoors training? That was one of the many things I didn''t understand about cultivators. The old man was also viewing things from a cultivator''s perspective.

    I turned toward the old man and was surprised to see his wide eyes. Was he that shocked by my answer?

    "Heh," the old man chuckled. "I never looked at it that way."

    That was when I realized that this guy could still be some formidable old master cultivator. So I cupped my hands in respect. "Of course, that is only my humble opinion as a disciple. I could be wrong too. But I''m not here for that, I''m here to ask you some questions, wise elder."

    "Go on then, this is the most fun I''ve had in years," the old man''s chuckle deepened.

    "Why aren''t there many explanations for different paths than the standard one? There are no records of them," I asked.

    He must have lived here for decades, witnessing tens of thousands of sect disciples throughout the years.

    The old man shrugged, "What''s the use of writing down failures? Though powerful cultivators can have a long lifespan, no one wants to waste their time on useless things... Heh, kind of like how you are wasting your time on me."

    "I wouldn''t call you useless. You have already helped me quite a lot with that answer," I nodded. The old man shrugged and took a sip of his tea, clearly dismissing my compliments as useless comments.Follow current novels at novelhall.com)

    "Well, let me tell you. The current way of cultivation has been perfected through tens of thousands of years by our ancestors and hasn''t changed for thousands of years," he looked at the sky as if recalling a distant memory.

    That... didn''t make sense. I understood that cultivation had been optimized, but by that assumption, the current cultivation methods should be the best. Yet it was widely known through stories and legends that in the past, there were stronger cultivators, even outliers of the whole system who somehow became strong and defied their natural cultivation aptitude.

    In the distant past, there were stories about immortals beyond the Nascent Soul Realm roaming the lands.

    I shared my thoughts with the old man, and he rubbed his goat-like beard, deep in thought. "Huh, you make some good points. But that''s because what cultivator would share a technique they worked hard on with others? Things like that could get lost in time. Also, it could have been an elixir that no longer exists. Or maybe, there was more Qi in the air back then."

    He continued to offer various other reasons, like a treasure trove of assumptions from people across the ages.

    But I somewhat understood why cultivation would halt at a certain stage.

    Knowledge was power, literally in this world. Knowing a certain technique was power. A cultivator sharing their technique was like... by modern standards, it could be compared to telling a potential enemy how to create an atomic bomb and providing them with the tools to do so.

    "In the past, there were many legendary cultivators whose powers defied common sense," the old man said. "Even the creator of this Sect, the Ten Thousand Sun Saint, was such a figure. He couldn''t be harmed by flames, and some said he could wield the power of the sun from the palm of his hands."

    Okay, that had to be exaggerated a bit over the years. Because... it had to be; such absurd power would be catastrophic if it existed. But there had to be some hints of truth to it. Maybe immunity to fire could be real, even if it contradicted everything I knew about physics and biology from my previous world.

    It was astonishing that this was considered one of the lowest-grade Martial Techniques.

    In this world, Martial Techniques were categorized into four grades:

    Mortal Grade

    Earth Grade

    Sky Grade

    Heaven Grade

    Piercing Fang Fist belonged to the Mortal Grade, the weakest category. Something you could even buy in the market with a bit of luck.

    Mortal Grade techniques were considered attainable by normal people, yet it was still so incredibly impressive!

    Just the thought of higher-grade techniques made my heart race. How powerful would a Sky or Heaven Grade technique be? Even Earth Grade was bound to be something amazing!

    Techniques were further rated within each grade, divided into low, middle, and high tiers. My technique was a middle-tier Mortal Grade.

    I attempted the technique again, and a whip-like motion followed, as I didn''t aim at anything. I experimented with hip twists and power from my legs, trying to apply knowledge from my previous world, but my long hair kept hitting my face like a horse''s tail.

    It even stung my eyes a bit. "Damn, why did that idiot think keeping long hair was a good idea?"

    I rubbed my stinging eyes and then gathered a handful of hair.

    Taking out a roll of bandages, I used some to tie my hair into a ponytail. Even then, as I moved quickly, my hair continued to slap me or obstruct my vision. That''s when I realized something crucial. "The hair has to go."

    The original Liu Feng cherished his hair, but it would be a hindrance in any fight. Besides, I knew from Liu Feng''s memories that longer hair was harder to maintain, requiring extensive conditioning. A waste of time, in my opinion.

    Blasphemy! Called a part of me. That part was the original Liu Feng''s memories that I decided to ignore.

    However, there was one lingering concern. Would anyone notice? After all, Liu Feng was quite fond of his hair.

    Perhaps I could use the excuse that I cut it to strengthen my resolve.

    With a touch of anxiety, I decided to cut my hair after this training session.

    ***

    Xin Ma managed his library as he always did, but at least today had been a bit more interesting. It wasn''t every day that someone became so engrossed in books about the basics.

    At least the kid had some basic decency, refraining from making noise or attempting to sneak the books out of the building. He even returned the books to their proper places. This had quickly become Xin Ma''s favorite disciple generation, which wasn''t a difficult threshold to cross since he didn''t like any of them. They usually just made his job more difficult.

    Suddenly, someone else entered, and with the unmistakable sound of something hard hitting the floor, Xin Ma knew that the old man had arrived. However, unlike before, the old man had a smile on his face as he took a seat with an empty wooden cup in hand. "You won''t believe what I saw today."

    "A dragon with crow''s legs?"

    "No, something even rarer. A likable disciple," the old man nodded. "He actually felt sorry for me as I cleaned."

    Cleaning? Xin Ma wondered, then realized what had happened and chuckled, with the old man following suit.

    In certain areas of the sect, such as the library and its surroundings, having cleaners posed a security risk. Instead, the Sect employed an Inscription Master to create cleaning arrays and similar solutions.

    Moreover, having an old man undertake strenuous work posed its own security risk. Fatigued individuals were more susceptible to bribes or external influences seeking to exploit them for personal gain.

    There had been numerous instances of such incidents in the past, and the Blazing Sun Sect wouldn''t have risen to become one of the most powerful sects in the White Tiger Continent by being careless.

    The only reason the old man was still around, performing "cleaning" duties, was because he had nothing else to do in his old age. He had long since given up on his cultivation and now only wished to spend his remaining days in relaxation.

    "Huh, what kind of brat could make even an annoying fellow like you fond of them?" Xin Ma cracked a smile. He knew how difficult it was to like the old man, Shan Sha, who was far too grumpy.

    "Hey! I can be nice when I want to. It''s just that young people nowadays lack the patience to earn someone''s respect," the old man grumbled.

    Even though they didn''t look like it, many people in the Blazing Sun Sect were old. But among all the older people Xin Ma knew, this old man was the grumpiest.

    Yet despite his prickly personality, old Shan would never talk behind your back. If he had something to say about you, he''d say it to your facemuch better than those scheming elders in the Inner Sect who pretended to be friends and stabbed you in the back with smiles on their faces.

    "Still, won''t the Acceptance Trial take place soon? Hopefully, there won''t be any exceptionally talented new juniors. Since he''s still far from eighteen years old, he can enter the Inner Sect as long as he wins the tournament next year," Xin Ma suggested.

    "Meh, the brat isn''t the type to be deterred by something like that. From what I''ve seen, he doesn''t seem to care about such matters. As long as he reaches Qi Gathering before the age of twenty, he''ll be able to enter the Inner Sect that way," the old man shrugged and adjusted his chair.

    For some reason, the old man believed this youngster would make it. Well, Xin Ma wished the young man good luck.

    Entering the Qi Gathering Realm before the age of twenty without external aid was hard, as it was a well-known bottleneck in cultivation...

 Chapter 4: Nerd Finally Sees Some Action

    Chapter 4: Nerd Finally Sees Some Action

    "Hey, Liu Feng!" A young man with a large belly called out, rushing to sit next to me in the bustling cafeteria. Even that short dash through the cafeteria seemed to leave him breathless. "I didn''t see you anywhere in the tournament stands?"

    Despite his weight, I was surprised he was tired. After all, he was a cultivator too.

    Maybe this was a side effect of a martial technique he might be practicing.

    Unlike the emptiness of the week before, the cafeteria was filled with hustle and bustle. It now resembled a mess hall, abuzz with conversations about cultivation, and some used the time to read while they ate. A few peculiar guys even balanced themselves on sticks while dining.

    Perhaps that last one was some sort of training method?

    "I was using that time to rest," I replied to the plump youth.

    Since I had Liu Feng''s memories, I should know who this guy was as they apparently were friends. However, Liu Feng had not bothered remembering the guy''s name.

    Liu Feng had assumed he would be out of the Outer Sect after the tournament and would be a useless waste of time to bother remembering the name of some no-name loser. At least that was what Liu Feng considered him. This was kind of ironic because, by that view, Liu Feng himself should also be a loser.

    But I wasn''t here to judge how much of an asshole the previous owner of this body was. He had his faults and was young. At least he hadn''t gone around making enemies, or bullying people who would have come for revenge down the line.

    "I almost didn''t recognize you with the short hair," the fat guy said.

    At that moment, an overwhelming sensation surged through me, and the world around seemed to freeze. A rush of adrenaline flooded my veins, causing my heart to skip a beat, then another, until it seemed to hang suspended in the air, its rhythm silenced momentarily. The faint hum of life''s constant motion faded into a distant echo, leaving only a profound silence in its wake. Every detail, every nuance, became magnified in the clarity of that suspended moment.

    Had he noticed anything strange? Liu Feng was known to take care of his hair.

    "Anyway, the tournament was exciting. It''s a shame that most of us couldn''t get through, but the participants this year were above average. Even some of those who lost were taken in by the Outer Elders as personal disciples," he sighed and shook his head.

    "Yeah, shame," I nodded.

    It seemed like no one gave a shit about me cutting my hair. They barely even noticed, which kind of made sense. I was just paranoid about it, and even Liu Feng had rarely talked with people from the outer sect.

    The closest person to Liu Feng in the outer sect had been this chubby guy, and even then he wouldn''t have gone as far as to call him a friend. At best, the chubby guy was an acquaintance but often acted more like Liu Feng''s errand boy. Liu Feng had been more concentrated on training so he could enter the inner sect and make real friends, his thoughts, not mine.

    He was kind of stupid for thinking that. What made Liu Feng think the people from the inner sect would look at him in a better view than he looked at the outer sects?

    Though I didn''t agree with his ideals, I could understand where he came from. Liu Feng grew up in the Liu Clan where he always had to kiss ass to get cultivation resources. He had grand dreams, and there was no low he wouldn''t stoop to if it helped advance his cultivation. Sadly even that demeanor was nothing special amongst cultivators.

    "How many passed the exam to go into the inner sect?" I asked.

    "Bin Bao passed by winning the tournament, and Wen Da due to the talent he displayed," he sighed, jealousy reeking out of his voice. "Hundreds of participants, and only those two passed."

    Neither of those names sounded familiar. I shrugged, "Did anything else happen?"

    "Well, you know, just the usual. At least the tournament was tame this year. Only three people got their cultivation broken, and only one was killed in an accident," he shrugged. "Also, one of them who had their cultivation broken started a blood feud between his and the opponent''s clans on the outside."

    What the hell? They were really something... What could I even say to that?

    Thankfully, I hadn''t participated too much in that whole mess. There was a good chance I won''t participate in the tournament even in the next year.

    Getting my cultivation broken didn''t sound good, and even if I won, there was a good chance some of my defeated opponents would take offense and call thirteen generations of his ancestors.

    At the Body Tempering stage, we didn''t have Qi yet, so breaking the cultivation essentially meant breaking the body in ways that someone would no longer be able to advance as a cultivator.

    I would rather spend my time reading and talking with interesting people than starting feuds and getting my cultivation crushed.

    "You dare!" Suddenly, someone yelled and stood up on one of the tables. "I will have your whole Yuchin Clan killed by tomorrow!"

    "Come and try it, you Tang bastard!" Yelled out someone else, putting his hand on the sheath of his sword.

    Yep, this was the time for me to get out of here.

    Standing up, I walked toward the counter, delivered my tray of leftover food, and asked, "Can I have two hot cups of tea? Make them as hot as possible.."

    The server behind the counter nodded and handed me a tray with two still-steaming cups of hot tea while taking my own.

    "Thank you," I smiled.

    The man behind the counter had a small smile of his own. He nodded while handing over my previous tray to the dishwashers and turned back to me, "Have a nice day."

    "You too."

    I had never seen any of the other fellow cultivators who dined in the cafeteria thank them. Those who worked in the kitchen might be mortals or Body Tempering cultivators at best. But it was always a good idea to respect the people who made your food.

    As someone who had briefly worked in the service industry as a part-time job after high school, the service staff sometimes got their revenge against rude customers.

    The yells and hollering in the distance alerted everyone else to what was happening, and soon disciples crowded around the two bickering disciples.

    Unlike them, I walked the opposite way and out of the dining hall while being careful no one knocked down my teacups.

    Once outside, I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the fresh morning air. After staring at the towering library in the distance I went down the stairs with a smile.

    Even if, in the future, I never got that far in cultivation, I would at least end up with amazing glutes by walking up and down stairs so many times.

    ...

    Once again, my rule of never even being in the vicinity of trouble worked, and I arrived at the library without being hassled or starting a blood feud.

    The journey up and down the stairs had become easier. All this walking had amounted to something, and I was barely winded.

    People went in and out of the library, and I had to look around until I caught sight of the old janitor putting some books on a shelf.

    Like the cafeteria, the library was packed with people now that the tournament was no longer ongoing.

    I waved at the old janitor and put his cup of tea on the empty seat of the long table. I took my cup of tea and walked away while he smiled and sent me a brief nod.

    I crouched down, closed my eyes, and concentrated on the thighs.

    The book said a bunch of things with little meaning about how someone should concentrate all their strength on their thighs. So that was the only body part I focused on, and by the time I opened my eyes, my thighs had bulged up to almost twice their size.

    "What the actual fuck?!" I released my hold on the ground and shot forward like an arrow.

    The world around me blurred, and the air stung my eyes.

    I put my arm up to cover my eyes, and the next thing I heard was the crunching sound of a tree breaking and the pain in my forearm.

    I came to a skidding halt and looked at the trail behind me as I tried to stop myself.

    There was a broken tree, and where I had kicked off from were two holes on the ground with cracks around it.

    "Damn! This is amazing!"

    Rushing Bull Step wasn''t flashy compared to many other movement martial techniques, but it was useful and compatible with my other techniques.

    "They call this not flashy?" I grinned.

    I felt like a damn anime character, kicking off the ground and causing the earth below me to crack. Well, it didn''t crack as the dirt had just shifted to make it look like that, but still!

    It took a while for the excitement to die down, and when it did, the numbness on my thighs, the pain in my forearm I had bashed against the tree, and the tension in the joints behind my knees finally settled in.

    Slumping to the ground, I massaged my thighs as they felt like I just had a horrifying leg day at the gym.

    But despite the pain, this was exhilarating in some ways. This was the first time I had used the technique, and the more I did the more my body would get used to the movements and my muscles would grow to adapt to it. Meaning I would be able to grow stronger and faster!

    I stared at the broken tree, "It almost looks like I punched through it like last time..."

    Wait... what if?

    Standing up once again, I brushed the dust off my clothes. The broken trees were a stark reminder of the first super-powered punch I had unleashed in this world. The tingling sensation and excitement still coursed through me whenever I recalled it.

    Surrounded only by trees, I turned away from the shattered trunk and crouched, pulling my fist backward. Like a bullet, I shot forward, though the wind pressed against my eyelids like a pressurized hose. Closing my eyes, I gauged the distance between myself and the tree, initiating the Piercing Fang Fist.

    My punch collided with the solid tree before I could fully extend my arm, a testament to the inherent challenge of estimating distance without sight. An explosion followed, accompanied by the crash of multiple trees. When I opened my eyes, a trail of destruction lay before me.

    "Holy shit! Awesome!" I exclaimed.

    "So this is what they meant by saying some techniques were compatible," I chuckled, attempting to suppress the mad cackle bubbling in my throat. The last thing I needed was for potential observers to think I was deranged.

    Of course, I hadn''t fully unleashed the potential of the Piercing Fang Fist. Imagine the power when that happened!

    "I gotta try again!"

    Crouching down, I face-planted into the ground, tasting grass. "Huh?"

    As the excitement waned, the fatigue and muscle cramps from utilizing such a potent technique set in. The movement had sent my body into shock.

    Despite the painful muscle cramps threatening to bring tears to my eyes, only one thought persisted: I couldn''t attempt that technique combination again today.

    Should I even bother returning to the dorms tonight? It was evident that no one cared. Even if I wanted to return, I doubted my legs could carry me.

    With those considerations weighing on my mind, I slumped back and attempted to fall asleep on the grassy ground. The setting sun gave way to a starry sky.

    Would there be a level of cultivation where one could reach the stars? Some said that cultivation was endless. Well, I wasn''t going to find answers to such questions tonight.

    The soft-cool wind brushed through my body, bringing a comfortable sensation as the grass beneath felt more inviting than any modern mattress. Sleep enveloped me effortlessly, a welcome respite from exhaustion.

    Sometimes, exhaustion made sleep a wonderful experience.

    It felt like the blink of an eye when sunlight gently kissed my face, rousing me from slumber. "Damn, I was too tired to even dream," I muttered groggily.

    Standing up, I stretched, finding that yesterday''s painful muscle cramps had faded into dull aches.

    I also reeked of grass and needed a change of clothes. Fortunately, the sect provided a place for outer disciples to exchange their dirty or destroyed uniforms for fresh ones.

    Should I return to the dorms like this? I needed a shower, but the hassle of bathing in this world involved lugging a large tub of water up the mountain to the shower rooms. It would be simpler to use one of the many ponds scattered around.

    Moreover, I was finding excuses to return to training as soon as possible. Yesterday had been exhilarating, moving at such speeds. However, I needed to acclimate my eyes to the wind pressure first... one thing at a time.

    Ensuring I had everything, including the book on the Rushing Bull Steps, I prepared to find a pond.

    With a single jump, I landed on a tree branch, and then another jump brought me atop a tree. Surprisingly, I maintained incredible balance without stumbling, a skill unique to cultivators.

    I should try shit like this more often. Though techniques and other wonderful things had kept me quite busy.

    There was no rest needed when having fun!

    In the distance, several clear ponds shimmered nearby. It didn''t take long to find one with crystal-clear water.

    As I approached, I paused and called out, "Is anyone in there?"

    I looked around and ensured no jade-like beauty lurked nearby. By xianxia clich standards, encounters with such characters often led to them attacking the protagonist. The protagonist would survive by sheer dumb luck, and later would be revealed she was many levels above him. As for me, I would never survive such a thing, considering the vast power discrepancy.

    There was no way I would allow myself to die due to something stupid like that after just arriving in this world.

    Disrobing, I stood naked as the day I was born... or as Liu Feng was born. After confirming privacy once more, I dipped into the clear pond. The water''s chill, exacerbated by the morning air, bit at my skin, and a chill went through my body. But I quickly got used to it.

    Leaning against the pond''s edge, I relaxed with the cold rocks pushing against my back like a comforting massage.

    Doing something I love every day. Was this what it felt like when those people blabbed about doing what you love, and it would feel like you never worked a day in your life?

    It would be a blessing if these days lasted forever.

 Chapter 5: I Like Turtles

    Chapter 5: I Like Turtles

    "So you''re still around here looking for some new techniques?" asked the librarian, a friendly smile gracing his face.

    A week had passed since I learned the Rushing Bull Step. Despite that, I made it a habit to visit the library daily, pouring over texts and absorbing knowledge before my training sessions. While mastering many Mortal Grade techniques was a waste of time, reading about them didn''t waste too much time and was my way of giving myself a break.

    Who knows, maybe this knowledge about Mortal Grades techniques would be useful when fighting against someone who used them.

    Progress with the Rushing Bull Step remained reasonable, as expected. Yet, the challenge of mastering it and devising countermeasures against its straightforwardness was exhilarating. However, I struggled with its backlash; I couldn''t use it more than three times a day, and even that was pushing it as I no longer would be able to walk for a couple of hours.

    Nonetheless, it was good training for my legs, and I wasn''t complaining. Yet, unless I miraculously achieved an eight-star or nine-star Body Tempering, that limit wouldn''t budge.

    "I''m searching for a defensive technique. Something that shields against both external and internal shock," I stated. The librarian nodded, though he offered no further input.

    I wasn''t disheartened by his lack of engagement, as I was closer to the old janitor either way.

    Some disciples cast odd glances my way while I conversed with the staff.

    When I was courteous to the dining hall staff, they thought nothing of it, since they were mortals. In their eyes, I was no doubt a fool wasting time talking to the servants. But having a good relationship with the librarian was another matter altogether. The guy was essentially an elder in the sect who guarded many techniques. Many might try to leverage that relationship and get preferential treatment if they were in my place.

    Hence, the old librarian was more approachable during off-peak hours, when fewer people were around and away from prying eyes.

    "Look who the cat dragged in here," remarked the old janitor. He was suddenly beside me.

    I glanced toward the front door. Nobody had come in a while.

    How did the old guy slip in unnoticed? I hadn''t seen him on the first floor or enter from the front door.

    "Where did you come from?" I whispered.

    If the old janitor harbored hidden monstrous cultivation, he was good at concealing it. He cared little about trivialities or sugarcoating words to placate him.

    "Second floor," he replied nonchalantly, brandishing his ever-present broom. "Got to tidy up upstairs too."

    The librarian chuckled discreetly, masking it as a cough to avoid drawing attention from the half-dozen disciples scattered throughout the library.

    Why did it feel like I was the victim of some inside joke?

    "By the way, why do you keep coming to the library so often? I haven''t even seen you take any martial technique books with you," the old man inquired, raising a skeptical eyebrow. "It would be better to spend that time training or resting."

    "How could I miss meeting my favorite old man? Training wouldn''t feel the same without your daily rants about how everything I do is stupid," I replied with a grin. "Besides, who else would bring you your tea if I didn''t come?"

    "I''m old, not crippled. I can fetch my own tea," the old man grumbled, though his tone betrayed a hint of jest.

    I knew he wasn''t entirely serious. Despite his gruff exterior, he was surprisingly friendly.

    "Also," the old man continued, "I thought by now you would have tried to read and learn every technique here, covering all bases and minuscule things. You seem like the kind of person who would attempt something like that."

    "I can''t deny the temptation to learn a ranged attack, just to cover all bases," I admitted.

    Unfortunately, pre-Qi long-range attacks were rather ineffective, typically involving the use of a bow. While some techniques allowed for curved arrows, their practicality was limited. Arrows did little against opponents above six stars, and the time investment outweighed their usefulness.

    "Good, it''s wise to keep such impulses in check," the old sweeper remarked, taking a sip of tea.

    Where did he get that cup? Hadn''t he already finished the tea I brought earlier?

    "Well, perhaps if I ever transcend to immortality beyond the Nascent Soul Realm and have all the time in the world, I''ll return to learn every Mortal Grade Technique here," I mused, settling onto a nearby desk to read the defensive martial arts manuals I had gathered the previous week.

    "An immortal learning Mortal Grade Techniques?" The old man chuckled, settling into a chair opposite mine and savoring his tea with continued amusement.

    "If I had eternity at my disposal, I''d seclude myself from the outside world and explore, witness, and experience the supernatural wonders of these martial techniques," I shared my dreams before I got back into my reading.

    I never thought about it before about how immortal life might suit me. How would someone even spend all that time? One thing I knew for sure was that I wasn''t conquering worlds or anything like that. Well, it mattered little either way. That kind of realm was something I would never reach.

    However, something was troubling. Despite spending considerable time, the books I had gathered contained none of the defensive techniques I wanted.

    Perhaps I should make another attempt to scour the library for defensive martial arts?

    "How did a book from the second floor end up here?" Xin Ma inquired calmly.

    "What are you talking about?" Shan Sha feigned innocence, his fingers grazing his goat-like beard.

    "I saw the book the kid had. That''s not something from the first floor. Do you take me for a fool, old friend?" Xin Ma pressed. "What you''ve done violates the library''s codes I oversee. Why jeopardize our friendship like this?"

    Shan Sha met his gaze, embodying the stubbornness often associated with his moniker, Goat Geezer. "I''m just an old man who sometimes misplaces things."

    "You misplaced something an entire floor down?" Xin Ma raised a skeptical brow. "You''re only permitted to fetch tea from the second floor. You weren''t authorized to handle the books."

    No ordinary servant would have access to items on the second floor without explicit consent. While Shan Sha''s demeanor was cantankerous, he had always been trustworthy and had never acted out in this manner before.

    Yet, Shan Sha''s actions endangered his life.

    There was little they could do about the youngster, as instances of disciples discovering martial manuals not belonging on the first floor weren''t uncommon. Disciples were permitted to learn techniques from these books before they were returned to the second floor. Such rules governed the discovery of materials by disciples.

    However, Shan Sha would face severe consequences if his transgression came to light.

    "If the Judgment Hall decrees death as my punishment, so be it. I have only a few years left at best," Shan Sha declared, effectively acknowledging his wrongdoing.

    Xin Ma replaced his glasses. "I won''t disclose this in light of our longstanding friendship. But understand that it strains our relationship. Should you repeat this offense, I''ll personally advocate for the maximum penalty from the Judgment Hall."

    "Thank the ancestors! This turned out better than I feared. I dont want to die just yet," the old man breathed a sigh of relief, sinking back into his chair.

    It appeared his bravery earlier had been more facade than substance.

    "Also, just to clarify, I left the book for the kid to stumble upon. I never explicitly handed it to him. If he hadn''t noticed it, I wouldn''t have pointed it out. The book would''ve remained there for someone else to find," the old man explained.

    "Ah, yes. Concealing the book in the section where we house most of the Mortal Grade defensive techniques. But you''re assuming the youngster, who we know meticulously covers all his bases and isn''t swayed by flashy names, would miss it," Xin Ma sighed. "Let''s be honest, you practically served that martial technique book to him on a silver platter. You knew he''d find it."

    The old man shrugged, showing little inclination to dispute the accusation. "It''ll give him a headstart against those born into more favorable circumstances. He''s a good kid, and it''d be a shame to see him fall behind just because he lacks the Blazing Sun Sect''s lineage."

    "He has his own clan, don''t forget that. He''s not some resource-poor mortal," Xin Ma reminded.

    "Yes, but I chose to assist him regardless," the old man sipped his tea. "Just think of this as a lucky encounter for the kid."

    "Except there was no luck involved," the librarian interjected.

    Shan Sha shrugged once more, taking another sip of tea. Xin Ma couldn''t help but sigh.

    It seemed the kid had won over his old friend simply by bringing him tea, despite there being free tea refills on the second floor.

    No wonder someone like Shan Sha hadn''t progressed far in cultivation. He was too driven by emotion in Xin Ma''s estimation. Yet, that was also why he enjoyed the old Shan Sha''s company and would forgive him for this lapse. Few cultivators were as genuine as Shan Sha.

    ********

    I stood atop a boulder in the forest, engrossed in the intricacies of my newfound defensive technique.

    How had such a remarkable technique ended up on the first floor? It felt like a stroke of luck, the first time I could genuinely call myself fortunate in both of my lives.

    It was akin to hitting the jackpot!

    Despite being a mortal-grade technique, Turtle Shell Body far surpassed those typically found on the first floor. It was a passive martial technique designed to gradually enhance the body''s defensive capabilities, addressing a significant issue I faced. I struggled with using three techniques simultaneously, a feat made difficult by the Rushing Bull Steps and Piercing Fang Fist combination. However, Turtle Shell Body was a passive technique that would permanently increase my body''s durability, promising to mitigate the strain and damage to my legs after each use of Rushing Bull Steps and Piercing Fang Fist once mastered.

    Yet, there was one peculiar requirement for practicing this technique.

    "I need to get a turtle."

    However, turtles were not commonly sold in the Sect''s Market. There might be Monstrous Beast parts, pills, and other things I didn''t need. For the first time since maybe ever, it was inconvenient the Sect''s market only sold cultivation-related things.

    Moreover, finding a turtle within the Sect''s grounds presented its own challenges, as most animals had been purged out of fear they might evolve into Monstrous Beasts.

    With this realization, the next step in my plans became clear.

    I had to travel to a nearby mortal town and buy a turtle.

 Chapter 6: Greengrass Town

    Chapter 6: Greengrass Town

    "Your name?" inquired a disciple stationed at the front gate. He appeared to be about my age, clad in a blue uniform signifying his status as an inner disciple, with a notebook and brush in hand.

    "Liu Feng," I replied.

    The gates to exit the sect loomed large, as if crafted to welcome giants. Towering, marble-white walls extended as far as the eye could see, encircling the colossal mountain upon which the Blazing Sun Sect was erected.

    "Reason for leaving?" the disciple queried.

    "Visiting a mortal town," I stated.

    The disciple nodded and handed me a wooden badge the size of my fist. "You''re free to go. Remaining absent from the Sect for more than a month with a badge like that will lead to your presumption of death and your name being eliminated from the Sect''s Archives."

    Such a condition existed? For a xianxia sect, they had numerous security measures in place. Yet, I surmised that such things were necessary for a sect to be around for millennia, or however old the Blazing Sun Sect purportedly was.

    A shiver coursed down my spine the instant I stepped beyond the sect''s confines.

    The air itself felt different, lacking a certain... presence. It defied precise description, akin to a weightiness in the atmosphere, yet not quite.

    Shaking my head, I dismissed such musings. It was likely a barrier I had crossed, because giant marble walls weren''t useful against most Monstrous Beasts or Cultivators. Nevertheless, they served as a tangible boundary of the Blazing Sun Sect''s perimeter.

    Glancing back at the Blazing Sun Sect, I couldn''t help but marvel at the mountain''s immense size. The upper half of the peak was covered in clouds and was barely visible.

    "Mount Everest has nothing on this," I muttered, turning around to walk the stone path leading toward the world beyond.

    Liu Feng had sparse memories of the terrain surrounding the Blazing Sun Sect. Nevertheless, following the main road should eventually lead to a town, city, or civilization.

    Yet, taking over such a grand mountain, the Blazing Sun Sect was exceptional. Though back then, it was probably more of a powerhouse since the founder, the Blazing Sun Immortal, was still around.

    While less exciting than martial techniques, the history of this world was still noteworthy. For instance, the fate of the Blazing Sun Immortal remained shrouded in mystery.

    History here wasn''t quite as forefront as the one in my world where everything was written in books. After all, there were still people alive from many historical events.

    It was like asking Judas about Jesus.

    Also, Nascent Soul Realm cultivators often disagreed on events dating back a thousand years. Which offered quite a diverse perspective on historical occurrences.

    If I ever ascended to the echelons of power where I needn''t fear ancient monsters swatting me out of existence. I was going to ask the elders so many things. But such things would take a while, even if I somehow survived to reach that kind of power.

    I took out a sack of coins the size of my fist from my inner pocket and inspected its contents. The bag was still brimming with gold coins that Liu Feng had received from his family before going on his journey to join the Blazing Sun Sect.

    If I were ever low on gold, a mere request would suffice to gain another sack like this. No questions asked.

    Liu Feng had never truly valued such assets, deeming an ample supply of mortal currency commonplace. Nevertheless, he scarcely used the gold, favoring the currency of cultivators: spirit stones. Hence when I took over, he only had a single spirit stone. In truth, his family had bestowed upon him a dozen spirit stones, giving him an advantage over his peers. Regrettably, he squandered them on acquiring resources for cultivation, thereby advancing from five-star Body Tempering to seven-star within a year.

    It was kind of a waste of resources on his part. With ten spirit stones, I would have paid for access to the library''s second floor. Yet, Liu Feng had planned to attain inner disciple status, which granted entry to the second floor for free. No doubt in his mind spending spirit stones for such privilege equated to a waste of resources.

    An hour passed as I traversed the road, encountering no other soul. The formidable silhouette of the Blazing Sun Sect mountain loomed in the distance.

    Why was the road deserted? Shouldn''t merchants ply their trade or carriages ferry provisions like food and clothing? By mortal standards every damn cultivator was rich.

    Though the Blazing Sun Sect''s mountain was colossal, sustaining itself should be implausible.

    Or was it?

    What insight did I know about this xianxia realm? Perhaps they cultivated crops within a subspace, although the existence of such domains was questionable at best. Liu Feng had no recollection of something like that existing, but storage rings were a thing, so maybe it wasn''t impossible.

    Still, why were there no signs on this damn road? How did disciples navigate without them?

    Pressing onward, I quickened my pace to a jog. After running past a dense forest, I arrived at a small town.

    One notable feature of towns and cities in this world was their large stone walls. To lack such fortifications was to extend a direct invitation to Monstrous Beasts to feast upon the populace.

    Living near a dominant force like the Blazing Sun Sect afforded a semblance of security, and the likelihood of a Monstrous Beast sighting was low. Nonetheless, the risk was never entirely zero percent, and mortals stood no chance and were defenseless even against the feeblest Monstrous Beasts.

    A lengthy line had formed at the front gates, including individuals from diverse backgrounds. Some bore the appearance of weary farmers returning from toil in the fields, and others looked like merchants accompanied by their mules. I joined the line, assuming my place alongside the others.

    A dozen guards clad in chainmail and armed with spears were at the gate. As our eyes met, one of the guards looked shocked.

    Before the line could progress, the guard who had noticed me hurried over, his face fraught with urgency. His anxiety instilled a measure of unease within me.

    Had I looked suspicious?

    "Honorable Disciple! There is no need for you to wait in line. Blazing Sect Cultivators will always be welcome in Greengrass Town," the man announced.

    In the eyes of the sects, mere merchants amounted to little more than inconsequential figures, paying annual fees for the privilege of existing within their domain. Regardless of one''s wealth, antagonizing a cultivator spelled potential destruction.

    "Thank you," Liu Feng acknowledged, tossing a golden coin in Mao Zhi''s direction.

    Mao Zhi caught the coin instinctively, staring at it in disbelief.

    A guard''s salary in Greengrass Town was considered substantial, yet this single gold coin surpassed a month''s wages.

    Before Mao Zhi could express his gratitude to Liu Feng, the latter had already vanished into the Merchant Hall. Minutes later, he emerged with a sack brimming with copper and silver coins.

    "Thank you," Mao Zhi bowed, ensuring Liu Feng understood his appreciation despite the briefness of their interaction.

    Liu Feng waved off Mao Zhi''s concerns with a smile tinged with amusement. "Don''t fret about it. We''re both friends here."

    "Then, as one friend to another, you are quite strange," Mao Zhi remarked, intrigued by Liu Feng''s uncommon demeanor. It was unusual for someone of Liu Feng''s status to engage with him in such a manner. After all, cultivators typically held themselves aloof, commanding obedience without question.

    "I tend to treat people as I wish to be treated," Liu Feng replied with a nonchalant shrug.

    Once again, Mao Zhi found himself baffled by Liu Feng''s behavior. While the young man spoke of the sect in a matter-of-fact manner, demystifying its aura, Mao Zhi couldn''t help but harbor a growing curiosity about him. Liu Feng''s nonchalant demeanor suggested he considered his conduct entirely ordinary.

    Were there more cultivators like him? Perhaps only the arrogant ones frequented Greengrass Town.

    However, Mao Zhi opted to keep his musings to himself, sensing that Liu Feng harbored his own agenda. He had no intention of disrupting his companion''s plans.

    "Do you know where I can buy a turtle?" Liu Feng inquired as they made their way toward the marketplace.

    "Of course," Mao Zhi replied.

    As they strolled, Mao Zhi couldn''t resist asking, "If you don''t mind my asking, why do you need a turtle?"

    "It is a requirement for one of the techniques I''m training. A spiritual turtle would have been better since they''re somewhat attuned to Qi and have better cultivation potential. But even tamed turtle Monstrous Beasts, considered one of the weakest kinds of monstrous beasts, are way too expensive for me to buy. They would cost at least dozens of spiritual stones."

    "Why not search for one yourself?" Mao Zhi suggested.

    "Finding a live turtle Monstrous Beast in the wild is challenging," Liu Feng explained as he purchased a turtle from a raw food vendor. He cradled the creature in his palm, noting its small size.

    "I''m gonna name you Speedy," Liu Feng smiled, attempting to pet the little turtle, only to receive a snapping bite. Thankfully, Liu Feng''s cultivation level spared him any harm, while the turtle recoiled from its failed attempt.

    "Careful there, little guy. Don''t go breaking your teeth," Liu Feng advised the turtle.

    Did turtles even have teeth? Also, the name ''Se Pi Di'' sounded bizarre and awkward when spoken aloud.

    "Thanks for everything, Mao Zhi," Liu Feng expressed his gratitude, placing a hand on Mao Zhi''s shoulder, sincerity reflecting in his eyes. "If I ever make it big as a cultivator, feel free to say hi."

    "Are you suggesting I leech off my cultivator friend for life?" Mao Zhi quipped.

    "Exactly," Liu Feng affirmed, beginning to walk away. "No need to escort me back, I''ve memorized the route. Use the gold I gave you to take a break from the soul-sucking boredom of your everyday job."

    As Mao Zhi watched Liu Feng depart, he couldn''t help but smile. He had been so nervous when first meeting him.

    What a genuinely amiable fellow. Liu Feng was the type of person who effortlessly made friends. It was a bit weird for a cultivator, as they were usually solitary creatures and were said to cut off any ties to the mortal world.

    "Ahhh! Master!" A nearby voice pierced the air, jolting Mao Zhi from his reverie.

    Turning around, Mao Zhi spotted a young man roughly Liu Feng''s age. Unlike Liu Feng''s polished appearance, the newcomer wore disheveled clothes, a black coat draped over his shoulders. Despite the bustling market, the young man''s red hair made him stand out, but otherwise, he was average-looking and wouldn''t even stand out in a crowd.

    Though, was he screaming? And who was he speaking to? Also, why was he constantly glancing at his side as if somebody was there?

    Approaching the red-haired man, Mao Zhi observed the curious gazes directed their way. As a guard, he was obliged to address public disturbances.

    "I can''t believe the Blazing Sun Sect''s acceptance trials aren''t held in the nearest town! It doesn''t make sense," the red-haired man sighed. "But at least we didn''t come here for nothing, as you spotted that Earth Grade Technique, master."

    Who was he addressing?

    "Young man, could you refrain from talking to yourself?" Mao Zhi interjected, his pleasant mood tempered by the need to maintain order.

    What was with the talk of an Earth Grade Technique?

    In any other setting, such behavior might provoke violence, even though it likely stemmed from the young man''s evident mental illness.

    After all, stumbling upon an Earth-Grade Technique was unheard of.

    "Ah, right. Sorry, I''m not used to it yet," the young man apologized, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.

 Chapter 7: Three Brothers

    Chapter 7: Three Brothers

    The first order of business after parting ways with the guard was to purchase a new set of clothes and change into them. Wearing the Blazing Sun Sect uniform attracted undue attention, which I preferred to avoid for what I planned next.

    Since I found myself in the city, there were certain matters I wished to attend to. There was little chance I would take the unnecessary risk in the near future to travel out of the security of the sect.

    Moreover, there was something I had contemplated at the back of my mind. I wanted to do my own research into things rather than read it from books. Books only taught someone so much.

    Research thrived on data, and if I could get my hands on it, it would satiate my curiosity with the added benefit of helping me with cultivation.

    For instance, what was my true strength? I knew I had the strength of a seven-star Body Tempering cultivator, but how did that translate into actual numbers? How much stronger was I than the average individual?

    Setting up a rug on a sparsely populated merchant street, I called out, "Step right up! One copper coin for each man who dares to strike the palm of my hand. A single punch, and you can go about your business."

    Some regarded me with curiosity, while others dismissed it as mere spectacle but lingered to witness the outcome. It didn''t take long for the first challenger to emergea taller-than-average man bearing a distinctive scar across his forehead.

    "So, a punch to your palm earns me a copper coin?" he inquired.

    "Indeed, give it your all," I replied, extending my palm.

    Without hesitation, he drew back his fist and delivered an aggressive blow. Yet, upon impact, his strike abruptly halted, leaving him visibly perplexed.

    "Y-You," he stammered, his complexion paling. "Are you a cultivator?"

    "No," I countered with a friendly smile. "However, in my youth, I chanced upon a Mortal Grade martial manuala worthless technique known as the Steady Palm Art. It serves only to block punches, and even then, my lack of cultivation prevents me from fully mastering it. Hence, I''ve pursued a path of research, and this experiment is part of it."

    He appeared wary but accepted his payment as I flicked a copper coin toward him.

    Following this public display, a steady stream of participants approached, each eager to test their strength. After dozens had taken their turn, I folded the carpet and departed.

    While some onlookers seemed tempted to follow me, I swiftly navigated toward an alley, increasing my pace. Should anyone attempt pursuit, they would have a hard time keeping up with me. I had already ascended to the rooftop by the time the first observer peered around the corner.

    I soared through the air, propelled by the sheer force of my momentum as I leaped from one rooftop to the next. The wind whispered against my skin, a gentle caress that danced with the strands of my hair, imbuing each leap with a sense of fluid grace. With every angle, I felt the world fall away, a weightless sensation enveloping me in exhilaration.

    As I picked up speed, the rooftops blurred into a mosaic of shadow and light, a silent witness to the bustling life below. Eventually, my airborne journey led me to a dimly lit alley, where the remnants of broken walls and abandoned buildings mingled with the garbage.

    I scrunched my nose as the air hung heavy with the smell of decay.

    Amongst the discarded trash, feline creatures prowled, their eyes gleaming like embers amidst the darkness. The cats moved gracefully, traversing the slumps of garbage while keeping their eyes on me. As if assessing if I was a threat.

    Setting the carpet upon the ground, I shed my clothes, reverting to the familiar garb of the Blazing Sun Sect gray cloth uniform. With a sense of purpose, I hurried toward the gates, intent on leaving before drawing undue attention. However, upon reaching the gates, Mao Zhi, the guard who had accompanied me earlier, was absent.

    He should have already been here by now. Maybe he took my advice to heart and took a break?

    "Excuse me, but where is Mao Zhi? We parted ways in the city. Did his shift already end?" I inquired, noting the discomfort in the guards'' expressions.

    It had taken Mao Zhi some time to adjust to my presence. Which was understandable, given my outsider status. But, I had no desire to cultivate an air of mystique.

    In my experience, genuine camaraderie was often better than formal authority. People would have an easier time telling something to a friend than their boss.

    "Honorable Cultivator," one of the guards approached, bowing respectfully, with his comrades following suit. "Mao Zhi is chasing some thug that broke the town''s laws."This chapter is updated by

    "Is he chasing anyone dangerous?" I inquired, considering offering assistance to my newfound friend, Mao Zhi. If the threat was manageable for a guard, it would likely pose little challenge to a cultivator.

    "No, he was just chasing some crazy homeless guy who talks to himself," the guard explained.

    "In that case, I shall take my leave and leave you to your duties. Have a nice day," I bid them farewell and strode out of the town gates, ignoring the lingering stares that trailed my departure.

    The lush fields beyond the town stretched wide, living up to its name as Greengrass Town. I strolled leisurely, absorbing the tranquil scenery and relishing the purity of the air.

    Once sufficiently distanced from prying eyes, I settled onto the grass. The blue sky stretched like a vast blue canvas. While the day looked good to have a leisurely picnic, duty called, and I could not afford to stay here any longer.

    "One day, Speedy, we''ll be best friends," I mused aloud.

    Hearing his name, Speedy tried chewing on my ear even harder. Which was ticklish. Hopefully, the little guy wouldn''t hurt his jaw trying to bite too hard.

    He reminded me of my cat in my previous life, the guy didnt like anyone getting closer to him. But eventually he would get comfortable with me.

    After a leisurely stroll, Speedy eventually grew tired after nibbling my ear and succumbed to slumber.

    In the peaceful night, the only sounds were the chorus of crickets and the gentle rustling of leaves.

    A part of me entertained the idea of setting up camp and getting some training done. But the risk of exhausting myself in this wilderness was a problem.

    Despite my battle against the temptation of training, there was an undeniable tranquility in walking through a forest at night. Enveloped by the starlit expanse and breathing crisp air.

    Any fear of the dark was gone at the thought of how I could crush a tree with one punch.

    Yet, after roughly thirty minutes of reclusive strolling, the silence shattered with the telltale shuffle of bushes.

    My instincts immediately flared, and I debated reaching for a rock, prepared for whatever might come out.

    "You can come out now," I called out. It could be just an animal or simply the wind. But if I was wrong there was no one to see my embarrassment.

    The bushes parted to reveal a man brandishing a bow, his gaze fixated upon me with a poised arrow. His disheveled appearancetousled hair, earth-stained nails, and a scar adorning his liphinted at a rugged life, more akin to a farmer than a warrior. Yet, appearances were often very deceiving.

    "Drop your belongings and walk off," a commanding voice resonated from behind a nearby tree, unveiling a towering figure wielding an ax. Another assailant emerged, armed with a spear, ready for a fight.

    This was the eureka moment where I realized how much I needed any form of scouting technique. If non-cultivators could evade my detection, I stood at a huge disadvantage against other cultivators.

    What if a cultivator decided to ambush me? I had to keep an eye out for an ambush in the future.

    Contemplating their motives, I weighed the possibility of them being cultivators. However, that was unlikely as they didnt recognize my uniform. Nevertheless, this was an opportunity to test my techniques on live targetsno one would miss some bandits disappearing into the night.

    *******

    Tufei was a farmer from a nearby village rarely visited by outsiders. Despite what they were doing, he didn''t consider himself a bandit. But his actions proved otherwise.

    He aimed his bow at the seemingly defenseless man, his heart racing amidst the chilling sensation of cold sweat trickling down his back.

    Unsettling unease gnawed at Tufei''s gut despite how they had cornered the young man. It felt as though they were gazing into the eyes of a dangerous beast, and they had just put their hands in its mouth.

    Glancing at his second brother, who had the ax in hand, Tufei voiced his concerns. "Futou, something feels off about this man. He doesn''t look bothered by any of this. What if he''s one of those cultivators?"

    Even under the threat of their weapons, the "victim" kept an air of amusement, akin to a child toying with insects in their front yard.

    "Cultivators go around by flying on swords, not walking around like common mortals. Everyone knows that!" Oftu interjected, his apprehension apparent despite his words as he tightened the grip on his spear until his fingers turned white.

    Indeed, they had seen cultivators fly over their village while standing on swords. Said cultivators were once revered as deities until a merchant visited and proved to them that cultivators were no deities.

    Despite Oftu''s assertion, a sense of fear lingered, manifesting in tightened grips and wary gazes.

    Only Futou exuded unwavering confidence, bordering on recklessness, as he dismissed their uncertainties. He looked ready to swing his ax. But this was how Futou had always been.

    Their goal was simplerob some rich guy and then return home to provide for their mother. Since the merchants rarely came by their village, they knew little about the world around them. Tufei was nervous in more ways than one because of that.

    "The guy is just acting calm. He is obviously bluffing!" Futou''s determination wavered between conviction and self-assurance, his resolve evident in clenched teeth and furrowed brows. "He thinks we are just a group of village hicks who know nothing!"

    Well, they were village hicks, Tufei thought. However, maybe his brother was right. Always being too careful was one of his weak points. Despite the poor situation in the village, Tufei was the one who had been too afraid to come out and try banditry.

    "Screw this!" Futou''s frustration erupted into action, his ax cleaving through the air in a wild arc aimed at the man they were trying to rob.

 Chapter 8: New Experiences

    Chapter 8: New Experiences

    Tufei held his breath as the ax approached the strange man. The younger man didn''t blink, and their worst fears were confirmed when the man grabbed the ax blade mid-air and stopped it from moving an inch. Despite Futou being larger than their ''victim'' by many times over, said victim didn''t even budge.

    The steel ax trembled, cracks spread around it, and the stranger''s eyes widened, "Oh? What is this? I didn''t think I was strong enough to destroy iron with my hands. At least the readings didn''t show so. Was the average human in this world stronger? Except for the physical advantages of simply doing more physical labor, making them a bit stronger... But that shouldn''t be such a big difference that it would lead to something like this."

    The man rubbed his chin thoughtfully and crouched down, picking a piece of the broken ax off the ground and looking at it in a trance as if he were in his own world. Futou was frozen in place, looking in a trance at whatever remained of the ax handle in his hands.

    But the man didn''t seem to pay much attention to it. His gaze settled on them, and he smiled, "Sorry, I''m not usually so arrogant or rude as to ignore someone. But this really surprised me. Where do you get your weapons from? Maybe their metal was just that shoddy?"

    The way he spoke was so polite that one might have thought he was just an unassuming and well-mannered neighbor''s son.

    They immediately dropped their weapons, or whatever was left of his ax in Futou''s case. Tufei''s mind worked a thousand miles a second as even his bow seemed to move in slow motion as it fell to the ground.

    Was this it? Was this how they died? Who would take care of their mother?

    Within two breaths, the three brothers were on their knees with their foreheads on the ground. Tufei could smell the green grass, and sweat trickled down his nose. But he didn''t dare look up, no matter what!

    "Please spare our lives!" Tufei begged, and his two brothers followed along.

    "Why do people think that bowing would solve any problems?"Visit  for the best novel reading experience

    Those words were like a bucket of cold water splashed over their heads. At that moment, Tufei knew the odds of them surviving plummeted.

    Maybe running away would work, he wondered.

    But such foolish thoughts disappeared as soon as they came. This wasn''t someone they could fight or run away from.

    There was no other solution; their fates were in someone else''s hands, and there was next to nothing they could do about it.

    "The way I see you guys is that you''re scumbags with no redeeming quality. Honestly, a part of me is thinking of using you as a way to get used to killing humans. It is bound to happen anyways since this is that kind of world," he sighed regretfully, but the cold look in his eyes did not lie. They weren''t dealing with the kind of guy who would spare their lives. "After all, what better victims for this than some murderous bandits nobody would miss."

    This was it. Tufei knew that they were going to die.

    In a way, he was okay with this. Sure, he wanted to live. But either way, life didn''t have much in store for him.

    Even if he continued living, what was there to look forward to for the rest of his life? He had no dreams other than living and maybe finding a good wife. He would have had to still spend whatever remained of his life doing back-breaking labor on the farm.

    But what he did regret about this was pulling his brothers along to their deaths also. This had been his idea after the previous long winter.

    As the oldest brother, it was his responsibility to protect his younger siblings.

    However, even if he gave up his life and tried to buy time for his brothers to escape, there wasn''t much he could do against someone like that young man.

    I have just placed a curse on all of you, one that will bring about your demise in horrific ways should you commit evil acts, the man smiled. Believe me, the deaths wont be quick. I''m not a sadistic individual, but the creator of this technique certainly was. Can you imagine? He was hailed as a saint during his lifetime.

    "What do you want from us?" Tufei stuttered. He had never fathomed the existence of such a technique before. Yet, as a youth raised in an isolated village, he was beginning to grasp the vastness of the world.

    But what choice did he have except to trust the stranger? This man could kill them all before they even blinked. Why would he bother lying to them?

    "I want you to guide me back to your village," he declared, his voice leaving no room for argument.

    Yes, my lord... sir, Tufei rose to his feet. His brothers followed suit as they treaded away from the rough pathway and toward the village, weaving through trees, bushes, and obscure forest trails imperceptible to the untrained eye.

    They had traversed these woods since childhood, knowing them like the backs of their hands. They were familiar with the perilous areas inhabited by strange beasts and monsters. Tufei contemplated leading the young cultivator to one of these dangerous locales.

    But guiding the cultivator and his brothers to such a place would likely result in their deaths. What if the cultivator easily killed the monster? It would only lead his brothers to death. Tufei preferred to rely on what he had seen with his own eyes, and the young man didnt seem cruel or a sadist.

    You know, you guys are very fortunate you didnt encounter other cultivators, the young man remarked. I know some cultivators who like exterminating entire family lines for even the slightest offenses. Most of the people who traversed the road I was on would have been cultivators at the same stage as I am. So you truly were lucky not to encounter any of them.

    We Tufei contemplated his next words very carefully. We have only been doing this for less than a month, and youre the sixth guy that we tried to rob.

    Then that is even better luck, as there is still a chance you didnt offend the mortal family of some cultivator or someone like that, the man nodded. I understand how hard life can be sometimes. Before I became a cultivator, I too was just some average working man. Though the closest thing to compare my job to would be something like a scribe, so working in the fields must be even harder.

    Not like we had much of a choice after the long winter, Tufei nodded and stopped in his tracks.

    What had he just said?! Why was he talking to this man like he was just some friend when he had clearly threatened them with death not even a dozen minutes ago? He had gotten so absorbed in the atmosphere and the way the cultivator acted that he had talked to him like an equal!

    Tufei swallowed and glanced at the cultivator, praying to all his ancestors and Gods that he hadnt taken offense. To his relief, the cultivator continued acting as if nothing had happened.

    Not long after, they arrived in the village, which consisted of straw and mud houses situated on the side of a mountain and close to a small river. With less than a hundred inhabitants, the population dwindled each year due to Monstrous Beasts or migration to the nearby Greengrass Town in search of opportunities.

    Tufei had contemplated doing the same at one time, but lacking funds and special skills, he found himself limited. His cousin had ventured there but returned, finding little opportunity for village folk like them, who werent even considered for labor jobs like construction.

    As they walked to their own house, Tufei glanced at the people around them, pondering. Whatever it was, he hoped the cultivator wouldnt unleash his wrath on the innocent.

    Mother, we are back, called out Oftu, spear still in hand.

    Their elderly mother, who relied on a walking stick to move, emerged from the hut, her familiar friendly smile lighting up her face. Oh, how was your hunting trip? Then her gaze shifted toward the cultivator. Who is this? Is he one of your new friends?

    Tufei felt a lump in his throat as a bead of sweat rolled down his cheek. He felt trapped between a rock and a hard place. Their mother remained unaware of their banditry, believing their excursions to be hunting trips where they sold their goods to wandering merchants and returned with coins.

    Mother We Tufei began, his heart weighed down by the impending confession.

    How could he tell his mother that despite her sacrifices in raising them after their father''s death, they had turned to banditry?

    But before Tufei could utter another word, the cultivator stepped forward.

 Chapter 9: The Stranger & Danger

    Chapter 9: The Stranger & Danger

    The people in the village showed no fear towards the sibling trio upon their arrival, meaning they were likely honest with what they told me. Especially now, observing their palpable nervousness around their mother.

    As the bow-wielding brother began to stutter, I stepped forward, clasped my fist against my palm, and bowed slightly to show respect. Hello ma''am, my name is Liu Feng. Sorry if your sons werent able to get much hunting done today. I was lost, and they kindly offered their assistance.

    It was evident the trio cared deeply for their mother, and her gentle gaze and amiable demeanor revealed she would never condone her sons'' criminal activities. I could use this in the future as blackmail in case I needed these guys to do something.

    Ah, dont worry. My sons have always been helpful, and sometimes their kindness is rewarded. But the true reward for good deeds lies not in this life, but the next, she remarked.

    Next life? Did the common folk in this world believe in an afterlife or deity? Liu Feng''s clan, as per his memories, revered their ancestors and clan founder, but never delved into concepts like deities. It seemed the general populace believed in things that immortal-seeking cultivators like him would disregard.

    Then Im sorry to intrude further, but could I stay the night? I inquired. With darkness descending, attempting to rest in an unfamiliar forest seemed dangerous. Despite the unlikely presence of threats, given the Blazing Sun Sect''s efforts to purge the area of dangerous beasts. But even their influence had its limits.

    Oh, you must be similar to the young girl who visited earlier today. She was searching for someone, but you dont match the description, she nodded. Regardless, Ive prepared some rice porridge. Youre welcome to have some.

    Young girl? There was someone else before me? I got the impression this village was desolate and rarely visited by outsiders.

    It was clear they were poor, and taking from such a kind old woman didn''t sit right with me, so I shook my head. No, but thank you for the offer. A healer advised me to abstain from eating for the next two days as I consumed some tainted food in Greengrass Town.

    That sounds dreadful, the old woman''s expression shifted to concern. Is everything alright?

    Now, I felt a pang of guilt for deceiving her. But it was too late to retract now; I had to forge ahead. Yeah, just some unscrupulous food stand that the authorities have shut down. Apparently, the vendor was peddling spoiled pig meat salvaged from butcher shop trash.

    However, my fabricated backstory wasnt what troubled me. The individual searching for someone set me on edge. This proximity to the Blazing Sun Sect hinted at potential danger, and there was a good chance the other party was a cultivator.

    Would an enemy from a rival sect dare to venture so close? It seemed improbable, yet caution was warranted. Did they describe the person they were looking for?

    The old mother shook her head. I have no idea. She only spoke with the village elder. It seemed like she was in search of something.

    And where might I find this village elder? I inquired.

    Just up the hill there. His home isnt any grander than ours, but it has the high ground, she chuckled as if reminiscing about some private joke.

    I nodded. Then I will go and talk with him. It would be impolite to arrive in someones village without the elders knowledge. I''m a stranger, after all.

    Oh, dont fret. I doubt he would mind, she reassured me.

    Nevertheless, I smiled and added, I prefer to stay on the side of caution. I had a negative experience in a village once, so now I always take precautions. Also, I should inquire about the arrival of merchants or caravans. Perhaps I could secure passage with one to reach a nearby town.

    You are right, she nodded. Nowadays, the forests around here have grown much more dangerous. Did you know that a couple of years ago one of the lumberjacks in the village died?

    "Well, she was a beauty, that''s for sure," he smiled. "But not like any other beauty, she stood out with dark hair with strands of silver. She was beautiful like jade... Heh, a jade-like beauty straight out of legends."

    As soon as the words "jade-like beauty" left the old man''s mouth, my decision was already made.

    Yeah, I was getting the fuck out of here. I wanted none of whatever that stuff was!

    Turning toward Tufei, I said, "Tell your mother I said goodbye and thanks for the dinner offer, but something came up."

    "Uh, okay?" Tufei''s response sounded more like a question.

    He was confused, and I couldn''t blame him.

    I came here to determine whether the bandits had people who cared about them and to guarantee they would choose the right path from now on. The former, I had already figured out. They were not mere fourth-rate villains from some xianxia novel; they were real people with families, loved ones, and their reasons.

    As for them choosing the right path from now on, that was somewhat dubious, depending on whether they believed my curse on them was legitimate. It was not, of course. It was merely a fabricated technique conjured on the spot, bolstered by a contrived backstory about its saintly creator.

    Having achieved half of my objective, I was fairly sure they wouldnt continue their former ways, at least not out of fear. If they did, they would inevitably encounter someone who wouldn''t tolerate their behavior, and by then it was no longer my concern.

    But when jade-like beauties became involved, it signified the start of some craziness. Something I wanted no part of and had no curiosity about. After all, curiosity killed the cat, and unlike felines, I didn''t have nine lives.

    As for resting during my journey, I was a cultivator. Though still in the early stages of cultivation, I should be capable of enduring days without sleep without suffering short-term physical or mental degradation.

    Welp, I have to go now, I declared, propelling myself off the ground and dashing out of the village and into the forest. I stopped when surrounded by greenery and far away from the village. I tried to catch my breath and exhaled a sigh of relief.

    I focused on my heightened senses, listening intently for any signs of pursuit. However, there were no unusual sounds, only the familiar rustling of leaves in the wind. The absence of crickets or any other insect noise was strange.

    Then, a small earthquake rumbled, causing the ground to shake violently, nearly causing me to stumble. This was followed by a massive explosion that sent me tumbling to the grassy ground. I scrambled to my feet and stared toward the village, where a mushroom cloud billowed into the sky.

    The explosion was dangerously close to the village. For a fleeting moment, I entertained the idea of rushing to help, but what emerged from the mushroom cloud stopped me in my tracksa gigantic boar, towering over the trees like an apartment building.

    The monstrous beast''s thunderous roar echoed through the forest, uprooting trees with its sheer power. In the face of such a mighty creature, my previous notions of power paled in comparison.

    Monstrous Beasts possessed at least a bit of Qi, and beasts were typically stronger than martial artists of equivalent stages. This beast, at least a Qi Gathering level Monstrous Beast, presented a formidable threat. I stood no chance against it.

    Part of me yearned to intervene and aid the villagers, but the beast was still some distance away. However, there lingered the looming possibility that it could charge toward the village at any moment.

    But what could I realistically do? Even if I mustered all my strength, the beast would likely shrug off any attack as if it were nothing more than a scratch.

    I had momentarily forgotten the absurdity of Xianxia Worldsthe vast differences in power between individuals even just a single stage apart.

    Fuck!

 Chapter 10: Vomit on My Sweater

    Chapter 10: Vomit on My Sweater

    Now, a moral dilemma was in my hands. While it was evident that I wouldnt be able to save the entire village if disaster struck, I believed I could at least rescue some of the villagers, particularly the children.

    However, while I wouldn''t label myself heartless, there was a limit to the risks I was willing to take for strangers. My lips felt dry, and my body remained frozen in place as every instinct screamed against moving even a single step toward such imminent danger.

    But then, a sudden chill enveloped the air, diverting my attention from thoughts of my next move. A large crystal formed above the Monstrous boar, causing it to roar in response, its steamy aura swirling around its massive form.

    As the crystal shimmered in the moonlight, I managed to get a clearer look at itit was no crystal; it was a giant icicle. Despite my weakness compared to the beast, the icicle descended and pierced the creature straight through its spine, exiting from its abdomen.

    What the fuck had I stumbled into?

    With the villagers now safe, there was no longer a reason for me to wrestle with moral dilemmas. Whatever food shortages they might have faced would now be resolved by the colossal beast that had been killed in their backyard.

    With the innocents secure, I turned on my heels and sprinted in the opposite direction. The trees blurred past me as I pushed my body to its limits, propelled by the agility of Rushing Bull Steps.

    Though I knew I would likely have to deal with pain for days to come from abusing Rushing Bull Steps, I felt I had no other choice. The battle would undoubtedly draw the attention of any nearby cultivators, and the situation could quickly escalate into a bloodbatha scenario I wanted no part of.

    Cultivators were greedy, and I knew there was a high probability of encountering death battles, even if I were fortunate enough to avoid many cultivators noticing mesomething I highly doubted.

    As I continued to flee, I gradually began to tear off my sect uniform. There was no telling how many enemy cultivators or spies lurked around the Blazing Sun Sect, ready to exploit the chaos. They might seize the opportunity to target Blazing Sun Sect disciples amid the turmoil.

    Trees blurred around me, and I tried to run as fast as possible when a sharp, swishing sound sliced through the air. Instinctively, I ducked, narrowly evading a metal sword that whizzed over my head.

    My heart almost jumped out of my chest as I looked up and saw my reflection in the steel blade.

    This was a situation I had thought about countless times. But reality was often quite different from what the mind conjured up. There was little time for thinking, so I relied solely on my instincts.

    I retaliated with a swift kick, but the attacker did a backflip over it and dodged swiftly in mid-air. But I rotated my hips, built momentum, and sent another kick toward his face. There was no chance for him to dodge this time.

    But as my kick connected, he barely blocked it with the side of his sword. With deft grace, he landed on a nearby tree branch.

    His wavy dark hair was pushed to the side by the wind, revealing his intense, dilated brown eyes.

    His sword gleamed in the sunlight as he tightened his grip on it, its edge seemingly razor-sharp. The weapon emitted no Qi, indicating it wasn''t an artifactotherwise, I would have been in serious trouble.

    No words were exchanged between us; none were needed. He had made an attempt on my life, and unlike the bandits I encountered earlier, this guy was a genuine threat.

    There was an invisible connection between us, and for that brief moment I wasn''t sure if it was just my delusions, but it felt like I could understand this man''s intentions.

    Was this the so-called learning to know another person through fighting?

    Either way, it was clear that neither of us would emerge from this encounter unscathed.

    Clad in simple attire, he bore the semblance of a rogue cultivator unaffiliated with any sect, or perhaps he, like me, concealed his sect association.

    With a crouch, the sinister feeling around him intensified. The branch below his feet trembled and shattered into pieces as he shot toward me like a bullet.

    I leaped backward as his sword sliced downward, effortlessly cleaving through the branch I had stood on like a razor, leaving behind a clean, precise cut.

    His swing left him momentarily exposed. I seized the opportunity and kicked off another tree, charging at him and using the Piercing Fang Fist technique. As the air around my fist twisted and whooshed toward his face, his eyes widened, a grimace contorting his features as he barely raised his sword to block the attack.

    A resounding thud echoed through the air as he was thrown backward, accompanied by the clanging of metal. A sudden, piercing pain shot up my arm, and warmth trickled down my elbow.

    The man crashed through a nearby tree but rose to his feet almost immediately, showing no visible signs of damage. From what I could discern, he possessed strength comparable to minea seven-star body-tempering youngster, likely accustomed to killing foes swiftly with decapitating blows. Prolonged battles didn''t seem to be his forte.

    Glancing down, I observed a deep gash spanning from wrist to elbow on my right arm, blood gushing forth in alarming quantities. Panic surged through me.

    Thankfully, they were okay, except for the black swelling in the middle of my forearms where the hit had landed. Though the attack hadn''t broken my arms, there were probably some cracks along the bones.

    I looked at my new opponent, and unlike my last one, this was a female. She had long dark hair in a ponytail, cold dark eyes, and a lanky body with a long face.

    "Leave this body to me, and you can go," she stated coldly.

    I narrowed my eyes on her.

    How should I deal with this? She obviously couldnt be trusted and it would be foolish to turn my back on her.

    I was wounded, yet she refrained from attacking.

    Why was she hesitating?

    She had been observing the skirmish between me and the man, so she likely smelled an opportunity to kill me. However, despite the repulsion I had felt witnessing the man''s gruesome death, I remained vigilant.

    Fear coursed through my veins. There was little chance I would win this with these injuries. But I straightened my stance, and a facade of false bravado enveloped me like never before.

    "Why extend such an offer?" I smirked. "Aren''t you confident in taking me down? Believe in yourself a bit more, young lady. Self-confidence is key."

    Whether this bravado stemmed from the original Liu Feng or myself was unclear. Perhaps it was a weird fusion of both. Regardless, an irrational and angry opponent was easier to deal with than a calm and rational one. Even if these insults failed to provoke her, each second of rest I gained after exerting myself was an advantage. Moreover, engaging in verbal sparring soothed my nerves.

    "You talk mighty well for someone who was just throwing up for killing someone. What kind of man does that?" She muttered, assuming a pugilistic stance, her silver brass knuckles dripping with red liquida telltale sign of previous murderers because that wasn''t my blood.

    Her choice of weapon suggested she was a fistfighter. However, I remained vigilant for any potential tricks. Though it would be mighty inconvenient for her to go through all this trouble just to give the wrong first impression.

    "What can I say? Deep down, I''m a tender-hearted man who recoils at the sight of blood," I sighed, shaking my head in mock regret.

    Her eye twitched, her grip on the brass knuckles tightening.

    Did she think that not being a murderous maniac was something to be ashamed of? Well, maybe it was in this world. It was a stark reminder of the harsh realities of this world, where strength often dictated one''s fate.

    This situation reminded me of an old saying: It is better to be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener in a war.

    Here I stood, akin to the hapless gardener thrust into the midst of battle. If I hoped to survive, I needed to shed the guise of passivity and embrace the mantle of a warrior now! Not next year, or next month, or even tomorrow I had to do it now!

    My arms bore the scars of the previous skirmish, the gash inflicted by the man''s blade reminding me of my vulnerability. Meanwhile, my legs felt numb from the untrained use of Rushing Bull Steps without the accompanying defensive technique I had intended to master.

    "Talk about a shitty day," I muttered under my breath, casting a glance at the man''s lifeless form, his chest caved in.

    Normally, the sight of his wide, lifeless eyes would have repulsed me, yet now, I felt an eerie calmness. My stomach no longer churned. The only concern occupying my mind was the enemy before me, intent on killing me.

    There were no thoughts of the uncertain future or the enigmatic jade-like beauty who likely lurked nearby. My sole preoccupation was with ending this girl before she ended me.

    How odd. The notion of taking someone''s life didn''t evoke the slightest hesitation within me. Perhaps the awareness of the inevitable necessity of such actions in this world dulled the shock they should have elicited.

    "You know, when a woman attempts to slay a handsome young cultivator, she often finds herself joining his harem in the end," I jest.

    She gritted her teeth. "Well, you''re far from handsome."

    Oh, the xianxia girl had some comebacks? Never thought I would meet someone like her in this world. Under different circumstances, perhaps we could have been friends. Regrettably, her unwavering intent to end my life left me no choice but to reciprocate in kind.

    "You''re breaking my heart, lady," I retorted, my tone dripping with sarcasm.

    Her response was immediate. With silent grace, she surged forward, her movements fluid and deadly. Her eyes burned with a palpable intensity, sending shivers down my spine.

 Chapter 11: Nerd Uses Joestar Secret Technique

    Chapter 11: Nerd Uses Joestar Secret Technique

    The girl''s nimble footwork made it seem like she was hopping from blade to blade of grass. Her strange movements made no sound, and it was hard to read from her steps what she would do next.

    But the strangest thing was that despite how she was dancing on the grass, there was no sign she had stepped there. A testament to her skills and stealth, her techniques were more suited for assassination.

    How intriguing. These techniques revealed quite a lot about her. What kind of sect taught their disciples assassination techniques? Also, why wasn''t she running? While it might be hard for her to be able to defeat me without a surprise attack, it was still quite clear that if she wanted she could escape.

    "What kind of footwork is that?" I inquired, even as she drew her fist back. Unfortunately, my Rushing Bull Steps lacked the versatility to evade her attacks, a flaw I resolved to address in the future.

    As she lunged forward, her left brass knuckle grazed my chest, tearing through my robes and leaving a deep gash. Her frustration was palpable as she cursed under her breath and prepared for another assault.

    "Oh? That was the wrong move, little lady," I taunted, my voice dripping with feigned confidence as I sought to goad her into making a fatal error. The tension was heavy between us.

    Despite how hard she tried to hide it, it was clear as day she grew angrier.

    I smiled and continued talking, "Now that you''ve lost the advantage of charging speed, there isn''t much difference between us."

    The air crackled around my fist as I swung at her head, ready for the gruesome outcome if my blow landed true. However, my hand went straight through her head.

    An after-image?!

    "As if a peasant like you would ever know anything about good techniques," she snorted and appeared next to me.

    In the blink of an eye, pain exploded through my ribs as her fist connected with a force that sent me hurtling through the air. I could feel something crack, likely a rib, and prayed it wasn''t something more vital like an organ. Visit  for the best novel reading experience

    I was not elated to find out what this would feel like once the adrenaline wore off.

    With my arm still bleeding and no means to staunch the flow without risking further injury, I realized the need to be better prepared for such encounters in the future. Bandages would have been a wise addition to my arsenal.

    It wasn''t like she would have stood by the side and waited for me to stall my bleeding.

    Despite every instinct urging me to flee, I held my ground, acutely aware that showing her my back would seal my fate. I was determined not to meet death again so soon, especially when I had barely scratched the surface of what this world had to offer.

    I had no idea what Qi was like or how it felt using an earth-grade technique.

    The girl cautiously encircled me. I kept my eyes on her while also keeping my ears open in case she had a companion attempting to exploit a moment of distraction to finish me off in a single attack.

    Everything about her pointed to her being an assassin for hire. If I were to hazard a guess, her assignment likely involved eliminating individuals in the vicinity. Judging by her strength, she was probably tasked with dispatching disciples or ordinary mortals who stumbled upon whatever was happening here.

    Now that she had lost her element of surprise, she stood little chance against me. Even the afterimage technique was a one-time use, and we both knew it wouldn''t work a second time.

    "You can''t get out of here alive," she stated, her breath trembling as she glanced at my legs and arms. "This place will be razed by forces much stronger than us. So why not surrender, and I''ll ensure your death is painless."

    Oh? Was she already offering compromises?

    I mean, it wasn''t much of a compromise, but still significantly different from her earlier stance. Perhaps she was on a deadline? Or she didn''t want to linger longer than necessary? Or it was a combination of all these factors.

    How intriguing. I was beginning to think I wasn''t even her primary target. Was her assassination target the other guy I killed? Well, it was clear now that she wouldn''t have let me leave, considering no assassin worth their salt would allow their actions to be exposed.

    Bringing my fists up, I assumed a defensive stance and crouched. The girl''s eyes widened, and she retreated, positioning half her body behind a tree.

    A bead of sweat trickled down her cheek, and her eyes dilated, as if she were awaiting something.

    Oh? Now, that was interesting.

    "I think I know what''s happening here," I grinned, attempting to conceal the jolting pain coursing through my body, and how the only arm that wasn''t bleeding like a fountain had started swelling and was hard to move. "You watched me use my technique against the sword wielder and now fear I might use it against you. Why? Are you not confident in your speed to dodge it?"

    Recalling what little medical knowledge I had gleaned from the sects library, most of it centered around identifying poisonous mushrooms and herbs with healing properties. However, information on common herbs was scarce in the cultivator''s domain.

    One thing was certain: once I emerged from this ordeal alive, I wasnt leaving the sect for a long while!

    Surveying my surroundings, I heard nothing but the rustle of leaves, and the only notable sight was a distant smoke cloud.

    Yes, getting further away from here seemed like a good choice.

    A whole day passed, spent running in the opposite direction of whatever had caused that explosion. Only then did I feel comfortable enough to pause by a clear stream of water. Also, I no longer had much of a choice as it felt like any minute now, I would pass out.

    Carefully, I removed the cloth from my injured arm, inspecting the wound. The blood around it had hardened, and the injury seemed to have closed somewhat. I could move the arm with discomfort but was grateful for having a cultivators physique, which likely meant a more robust immune system and faster recovery. Either that, or I got lucky for some reason.

    As I began to undress and assess my injuries, a little turtle poked its head out from one of my inner pockets, attempting to nip at my finger.

    "I almost forgot about you, little guy," I chuckled while checking to ensure that the two books I always carried were undamaged. Thankfully, they remained intact. While my Status Book served as a record of my stats and for future reference, my information book, containing all the knowledge I had gathered about cultivation, was more important.

    Standing naked, I cautiously dipped my toes into the water, feeling a chill shoot up my spine and my teeth chattering.

    Well, it seemed my cultivators body didnt shield me from the cold as I had hoped. A disappointment, perhaps an overreaction, but I had grown accustomed to the superhuman capabilities my body now possessed.

    Washing every part of my body, I tended to my wounds, ensuring there were no lasting injuries. Aside from the cracked bones in my arms and possibly cracked ribs, everything else seemed to be healing well, particularly the cut in my arm.

    "At least I didn''t suffer a concussion from colliding with all those trees," I remarked to the little turtle, still rummaging through my clothes. "Isn''t that right, little guy?"

    Speedy''s only response was to continue chewing at my clothes.

    Was Speedy already in his rebellious teenage phase? Kids grow up so fast these days.

    I reminisced about the younger years of my last life when even the internet was not a big thing yet, and not everyone had a smartphone.

    Not a phone in sight, and people were experimenting with weird substances, burning things, and getting drunk. I never understood why people complained about the younger generation always being on their phones. It was better than the shit we did.

    Shaking my head, I stopped reminiscing about the old days. A part of growing up was always reminiscing about those good old days. Imagine not having to worry about work or taxes. Unironically, it was one of the main reasons why I liked this world so much; at least someone had a chance to have the power to do whatever they wanted, and the few could win against the interests of the many. However, it also had the disadvantage of the crazy few getting into power.

    As I washed off all the blood and dried myself, I put my clothes back on and then laid down on the grass, feeding the little turtle some grass and tree roots.

    Carefully, I ripped the long sleeves out of my clothes and made them into rough bandages, washing them before setting them on some stones near the stream to dry. I looked around, making sure the grass was tall enough to hide my form, and then lay down.

    After a while, Speedy stopped fighting and no longer resisted my love. The little guy lay on my shoulder and snoozed off while I stared at the deep blue sky.

    It was early in the morning. The sun wasnt bright enough to hurt my eyes yet, providing a pleasant view of the sky.

    Wait, was space the same in this world as in my last one? Had any sword-flying cultivator attempted to reach space?

    With such questions in my mind and pondering the wider world, I waited for my new bandages to dry and put them on. After that, I did some stretches to ensure no underlying injury would affect my mobility. Finally, I put the little turtle, who had gotten a taste of freedom during our stay, back into my pocket.

    "Don''t worry, Speedy, if I ever make it as a big-shot cultivator, I will buy you a mansion and get you a harem of turtles," I reassured the little guy as he peeked his head out of my pocket.

    I set off and ran through the grasslands until I stumbled upon a rough road with carriage tracks, which I followed westward. There wasn''t much else I could do, so I walked along the tracks until I finally reached what looked like a town.

    It had high walls tinted pinkish-red with dark markings along the walls, likely some inscription or array. Or perhaps it was just there as a bluff to deter low-level cultivators from causing trouble. Either way, I wasnt going to try and find out.

    As I approached the gate, two men in crimson medieval armor with dark swords in their hands kept their eyes on me. Unlike Greengrass Town, there was no long line waiting to get in.

 Chapter 12: New Town

    Chapter 12: New Town

    Excuse me, good men, I called out before reaching them. It was clear these guards were on edge. The last thing I wanted was to aggravate them or look suspicious for any reason.

    They frowned as they saw me approaching and unsheathed their dark swords, "Who are you?"

    I raised my arms, "I''m just someone looking to return to The Blazing Sun Sect."

    "There is no such thing around here," one of the guards said. He was the taller one among the two of them and looked more dangerous.

    How far had I run where people had no idea where the Blazing Sun Sect was?

    Soon, the guards on the ground were joined by a dozen more guards on the walls. Unlike the people below, those up there had crossbows and were probably calibrated strong enough to kill a cultivator.

    I had no intention of testing out how arrow-proof I was. What was more worrying was that these guys had no idea which way the Blazing Sun Sect was.

    But after thinking about it for a bit, I remembered the average Greengrass Town citizen knew nothing about a way to reach the Blazing Sun Sect. I was not sure whether even the guards knew, though they did know such a sect existed somewhere nearby.

    Maybe having a nearby mortal town who knew nothing about the sect wouldn''t be so strange when those things were taken into account. Maybe only someone high up in this town''s hierarchy would know anything.

    It sounded kind of absurd due to the literal mountain the sect occupied and the giant walls around it. However, the Blazing Sun Sect had somehow managed to hide itself from mortal eyes. Though it was weird, despite how big the mountain was, I couldn''t see it once I walked a certain distance from it.

    "Then, can you tell me which way to go to Greengrass Town?" I asked, and this time there was a trace of recognition in their eyes.

    Bless the monstrous eyesight cultivators had; even from such a distance on a bright sunny day that would have hurt my eyes, I could see their faces quite clearly.

    "And why would you need to know such things, friend?" The large guard asked.

    Okay, they were suspicious now. Did I say something wrong or what?

    "That was my original destination. If some kind of weird explosion hadnt scared my horse, I would be there by now," I explained. "Though my horse wasn''t the only thing scared by that freaky event. I ran away as far as my feet could take me and ended up here."

    Now that I thought about it, these red walls, dark swords, and how no one was around. Was this a secret town or something? No matter how small, people would be coming in and out of a town...

    Please don''t be some kind of evil demonic sect hideout.

    My luck was never that good, but it wasn''t bad either! Stumbling into an evil sect''s hideout would be too much misfortune for someone with average luck like mine!

    The guards shared a look, and I tensed up, ready for anything. They had armor on, so I was confident in outrunning them. However, no matter what, I was not getting into another fight. I was in no shape for it.

    "Were you close to the explosion, friend?" asked the guard.

    The way he talked about it seemed like they knew something.

    "Not close enough to see what happened, but close enough to feel the aftermath. But even then, the aftershock of the explosion, which rocked me off my feet," I sighed.

    "Tell us anything you know, and we will show you the way to Greengrass Town. We will even give you the supplies needed to go there. However, we are in lockdown, and no one is allowed in or out of the town," the guard said. "Sorry for the late introduction, but you''re in Red Lotus Town. Where the Red Leaf Clan, Crimson Sword Clan, and Black Scale Clan rule."

    Clans? That meant there were cultivators here, and these guards were probably low-ranked body-tempering cultivators also.

    Were they acting when they said they had no idea that such a thing as the Blazing Sun Sect existed? Maybe the clan patriarchs were using their power to suppress such knowledge to stop their people from finding some better alternative than being in their clan. Or perhaps they kept all their fighters here as they were in some rough balance of power, and any fighter leaving would break that balance.

    I tied the sack shut and put it by the side of the road, just out of view in the grass, and walked away.

    If there was nothing wrong with it, some other guy or gal would be fortunate enough to find it. But for all I knew, there could be some invisible tracking inscription or poison in the food, or the medical ointment or bandages were doused in invisible venom. There was no way to tell, really.

    The guards had seemed like good men doing their job and even went out of their way to help me. But it would be arrogant of me, some average Joe, to think I was somehow an expert at telling when people were lying to me.

    Because if someone wanted to poison me, they would for sure do it with a smile on their face and not do some cliche shit like snickering like a two-bit villain. Real people were not actually that dumb, and unlike what shows and Hollywood made it seem like, most murder cases went unsolved. People were smart and elaborate when it came to these kinds of things.

    ...

    It took hours before I finally ended up in a familiar place, with the walls of Greengrass Town in the distance. I had been traveling as fast as my body would allow, about the speed of a scooter, when I finally reached the town.

    With Greengrass Town in sight, I knew how to return to the Blazing Sun Sect.

    As I turned around and was about to start another journey back to the sect, I stopped.

    Many things had happened that I wasn''t aware of. Unlike Red Lotus Town, Greengrass Town was closer to the incident, and they might have even been able to see the action with their own eyes.

    Making my decision, I turned toward the town again and walked to the front gate where the guards were checking someone''s carriage. At first, the guards looked at me cautiously, but amongst them were some of the same guards who had welcomed me into the town. Despite the lack of my uniform, I was recognized.

    "Liu Feng, you''re back?" One of the guards called out to me.

    Said guard was, of course, Mao Zhi. He was the guy I had gotten along quite well with as he had escorted me through town during my last visit. In hindsight, it wasn''t that long ago, but it felt much longer.

    "Mao Zhi," I called out to him and walked closer with a smile. But once I was close enough, and the other civilians trying to enter town wouldn''t hear me, I asked. "What was this I am hearing about an explosion? Is everything alright?"

    An uncomfortable smile made its way onto his face, "Alright? Things are far from alright, my friend. Everyone is on edge, and from what my friends who work at the governor''s office say, it seemed like everyone who was even remotely close to the explosion had died."

    "Everyone died?" I asked.

    "There were some far away, but they either died due to the clash between two powerhouses. Or one of the said powerhouses killed everyone after that to cover their tracks," Mao Zhi sighed. "Until now, we haven''t found anyone who knew anything, and the governor is in a frenzy."

    A chill went down my spine.

    I could have been one of those unlucky people. I had definitely been close enough to the explosion. If I had been keeping an eye out, I would have been able to see the cause of the disaster.

    Since I was attacked twice, it was safe to assume there were a lot of people at that distance away from the explosion.

    But they had all ended up dead? It seemed like getting the fuck away from there was the best decision I had made in this life.

    "You were that way too, right? Were you close to the explosion?" Mao Zhi asked.

    His question was nothing more than one of curiosity, and from what I had seen so far, Mao Zhi wasn''t the kind of guy who would spill the beans even if I told him the truth.

    "No. Thankfully I was occupied by some things just on the outskirts of the forest and decided to do some training," I shook my head, lying through my teeth. "I usually like going out of uniform and talking with normal people. Helps get rid of the annoying edge that comes with being a cultivator and thinking everyone is after you."

    He chuckled, "So you just decided to spend some time with us mortals."

    Whatever had happened in there, I wanted no one to even think I was close to such a thing. "Much more fun than being around some pretentious cultivator. By the way, did anything new happen around here while I was gone?"

    What I said was more of my way to try and change the subject, but the grimace that returned on Mao Zhi''s face said enough.

 Chapter 13: Might Makes Right

    Chapter 13: Might Makes Right

    My healing injuries hadn''t bothered me much on the way to Greengrass Town. Showing the resilience of a cultivator. But just seeing the grimace on Mao Zhi''s face made those injuries act up again.

    "Someone stole from the Greengrass Auction House," he said with his grimace growing. "Wanna know the worst of it?"

    That was already more than enough of a reason for me to get the hell away from here. "Not really."

    "Well, I''m gonna tell you anyway," he shrugged. "The Blazing Sun Sect sponsors the auction, and they''re already breathing down our necks. An inner sect elder is currently in the governor''s office, and some say he is a Core Formation Realm expert."

    As expected of my intuition that had grown from reading many xianxia novels. I really should be getting the fuck away from here. The last thing I wanted was for suspicion to fall on me.

    But before I could turn around, Mao Zhi grabbed my wrist, glanced at his fellow guards, and said, "Can we talk by the side here. I have a message for you from one of the merchants you bought something from."

    I could easily overpower him and get the hell away from here. But Mao Zhi''s gaze seemed solemn. He wasn''t the kind of guy who would do this for no reason. So I followed him.

    We walked thirty feet from the other guards, and he leaned on the wall. He sighed and looked around to make sure no one was around.

    As we were far enough out of earshot, he explained, "Okay, that thing about the merchant was a lie. But I had something to tell you."

    "What is it?"

    "A good friend of mine that works in the governor''s manor told me that the Blazing Sun Sect elder that came here wasn''t just because of the things stolen from the auction. But also because he was trying to get something for his great-grandson to help with his cultivation," he whispered and looked around carefully again. "A Spring of Power was discovered somewhere around here, and the clans will fight fiercely to get it. They say there is enough for someone to bathe in the damn thing!"

    A Spring of Power was a natural gathering of pure Qi. The Qi was compressed and so dense that it turned into liquid form. Bathing in it or even drinking something like that was beneficial. But it usually was better to do so when someone was at the Qi Gathering stage. However, even Body Tempering would cleanse impurities, help with strengthening the body, and make the breakthrough from Body Tempering to the Qi Gathering realm much easier.

    I was tempted. But that was only my greed speaking here. It was like knowing that there was money in a bank vault, and there was a reason why it didn''t usually go well when someone tried stealing it.

    This would have been free real estate if I were a cliche xianxia protagonist with plot armor. But the chances of me stealing that from Qi Gathering and perhaps some Foundation Establishment cultivators were slim to none. On the other hand, the chances of me dying were high already, and it was guaranteed death with the Core Formation guy around the corner.

    Also, I could see the signs: a jade-like beauty around, a secret treasure that spawned, and many clans gathering around. There was only one thing I should do for now; I had to get the hell away from here. It felt like this was all just a time bomb waiting to blow up.

    Some might call it stupid and superstitious, but I had no intention of tempting fate.

    "Thank you," I put a hand on his shoulder and looked him in the eyes. "You''re putting yourself in danger by saying this information, and it means a lot to me that you''re going through such troubles just to help me with my goals. You''re a true friend."

    I wasn''t even lying because I hadn''t known Mao Zhi for long. But this was a xianxia world. Maybe friendships developed easier here?

    Either way, I took out all the change money I had left from exchanging that one gold coin and sneakily put it in his pocket. "Make sure the other guards don''t see you with that money, or they might get ideas to take a part of the share. Also, don''t spend it all at once. People might think you''re involved in unsavory things to get this money."

    With that said, I turned around and waved.

    Retrieving my wooden badge, I clutched it tightly in my palm. Though without my uniform, the badge was proof of my affiliation, warding off suspicions of espionage. Holding it in clear view was a matter of life and death, should the guards opt for a shoot-first, question-later approach.

    In a world where police brutality was not an anomaly but rather the accepted norm, one couldn''t afford to take chances.

    As I neared, it became apparent that something had shifted since my last encounter. Previously, youthful sentinelsperhaps Qi Gathering disciples from the inner secthad manned the gates.

    Now, however, two elders, their scalps nearly barren save for tufts of wispy, white hair, greeted me. One sported a robust, bushy beard while the other boasted a lengthy chin adornment reminiscent of a goat''s.

    By xianxia standards, the older and frailer they looked, the stronger they usually were.

    Their gazes locked onto me like hawks as I approached, and I clasped my left fist into my right palm.

    "Honored elders, I''m outer disciple Liu Feng, returning from my excursion outside the sect," I announced.

    They scrutinized me in silence for what felt like an eternity before the bushy-bearded elder spoke, his voice gruff. "Did you find what you sought outside?"

    What kind of question was that? I wasn''t out there on some treasure hunt.

    "Um, yes?" I replied tentatively, bowing my head as a show of respect.

    The elder cleared his throat and issued an unexpected command. "Okay, seize him and escort him to the dungeons."

    What?

    Before I could react, four disciples clad in blue robes encircled me, swords poised at my throat. The chill of their blades pierced the air, even without physical contact.

    "Honorable Elders," I interjected, thrusting forth my wooden badge. It might seem audacious, but I had to clarify the misunderstanding. "This badge signifies my authorized presence outside"

    The bushy-bearded elder waved dismissively. "Take him away."

    Two disciples sheathed their swords and seized my arms. The world spun as I found myself atop the wall, then blurred again as I was dragged along the road toward an unknown destinationpresumably a prison cell.

    "Seniors, please, wait a moment!" I protested, but their grips were unyielding, like iron chains digging into my flesh. "I have no involvement in whatever is happening. I am Liu Feng, an outer disciple of the Blazing Sun Sect. I have cousins from the Liu Clan, and they''re inner sect disciples. They can vouch for me!"

    "Silence! The elders can hear us, even from this side of the wall," one disciple rebuked me with a frigid glare.

    I wanted to protest further, but the two disciples with unsheathed swords silenced me with a single glance.

    What the fuck did I even do to get in this situation?!

 Chapter 14: Shower Thoughts in Prison

    Chapter 14: Shower Thoughts in Prison

    In the end, there wasn''t much I could do but let myself be escorted to the sect''s prisona bit of a surprise, as I hadn''t known such a facility existed within the sect. Technically, it didn''t, as they led me to a small boat. Said boat wasn''t on the water, but it was there on the grass.

    "Get in," instructed one of them, and I complied, joining them in the vessel.

    It was a somewhat absurd sight, five men in a boat on land, all wearing serious expressions. However, the situation soon changed as the boat trembled and emitted a steam-like aura. Gradually, we lifted off and began to ascend toward the side of the colossal mountain housing the Blazing Sun Sect.

    Glancing over the edge, a shiver ran down my spine. This felt like a hardcore airplane ride without any safety measures. At least we moved slowly enough to avoid the full force of the wind.

    Surveying the somber faces of my companions, I inquired, "So, do any of you know what the prison looks like?"

    "Only from the outside," replied one of them.

    "Wei Zemin, we''re not permitted to converse with prisoners," cautioned another.

    Wei Zemin shrugged and sighed, "That''s not an official rule, just common courtesy when elders are present. Besides, it''s only fair to inform him. We don''t want a repeat of the last ten individuals who resisted, one even attempted to leap from the Cloud Sailing Boat."

    "They likely had something to hide," frowned another. "No innocent person would resist the sect''s security so vehemently. The sect doesn''t punish the blameless!"

    Clearly, this one was a hot-headed youth, steadfast in his belief that the sect''s authority was infallible. Many adhered to such a mindset, akin to the school mentality of unquestioning trust in authority figures. Yet, with time, they''d come to realize that age or credentials didn''t necessarily equate to wisdom or righteousness.

    However, considering how sheltered individuals within the sect tended to be, it would likely take some time for someone like him to outgrow such behavior.

    "Apologies for the interruption, honorable seniors," I redirected their attention to me. "But may I inquire as to why I''m being detained? I believe I''ve committed no wrongdoing, but if I have, could you kindly inform me so I can avoid repeating it?"

    "Oh, don''t fret. It''s nothing too severe," Wei Zemin reassured me. "Given recent events outside, we''ve implemented a new protocol to investigate everyone who was outside the sect during that time and bring them in for questioning regarding their knowledge of said events."

    His tone suggested that this might entail an indefinite period of confinement. It wasn''t ideal, but there was little I could do, and I doubted they''d detain us for long, perhaps a month at most, considering that holding disciples in cells didn''t exactly instill confidence in the others or how people saw the sect.

    If there was one thing I could count on in xianxia, it was the need for the strong to save face amongst themselves.

    Now that clearly there was no escape, I decided to make the best of the situation. "Can I train while in imprisonment?"

    "Of course," Wei Zemin confirmed. "You''ll even receive your monthly allowance. Just to clarify, you''re not truly a prisoner. We simply need to question all disciples who''ve been outside and verify whether any spies have infiltrated, perhaps by using skin masks. You''ll also keep your belongings."

    "There''s no chance you could escape cells designed to contain individuals of higher cultivation," the hot-blooded youth interjected.

    Well, wasn''t he a bundle of joy? He appeared to be in his late teens or early twenties, still quite young. Hopefully, he wouldn''t metamorphose into an arrogant young master and instead contribute positively to society.

    ...Who was I kidding? Knowing this world, he''d soon be spouting lines like; Courting death!

    "I don''t really have a strong opinion on it," I replied, trying to keep a calm facade.

    "Why not?" he pressed, his brow furrowing.

    "Because it never really affected me. I never really thought about dating. I''m more focused on training and delving deeper into cultivation itself," I explained.

    "Dedicated and hard-working That''s good," the man smiled warmly. "That''s a very commendable answer. Did you know I have a daughter around your age?"

    Of course, I didn''t know. How could I even know about something like that? We just met.

    I refrained from voicing those thoughts out loud. This wasn''t the internet, where one could blurt out anything without consequence.

    Despite my reservations, it seemed he wasn''t particularly interested in my response, his expression turning melancholic. "Even though she was born with average talent, being an inner elder allowed me to kickstart her cultivation journey as an inner disciple."

    Was he confessing to corruption? While it was an open secret, most elders preferred to keep such matters behind closed doors.

    "Do you know what she said when I offered her that?" His eyes welled with tears. "She said she wanted to start on equal footing with everyone and didn''t need the advantages offered to inner disciples. She said she wanted to prove her worth to herself."

    As he spoke, he retrieved a porcelain bottle from beneath the table, its potent aroma reaching me even from a distance. Taking a sip, tears streamed down his cheeks. "On one hand, I was so proud of her But on the other, I wanted to explain just how misguided such a decision could be. Coming from a regular civilian background, I understood the hardships she would face."

    Suddenly, I felt a pang of sympathy for him. It was evident he was intoxicated, which explained his behavior. What parent wouldn''t seek solace in alcohol if their child met an unfortunate end due to decisions made with the best intentions?

    Regardless of one''s cultivation prowess, no heart was made of stone. Even with centuries of life experience, the love for family and children remained undiminished.

    "I think she went down there to meet up with a guy! She definitely has a lover!" His hand slammed onto the table, causing the cave to tremble, yet strangely, the table remained intact despite its shoddy appearance. "That''s the only explanation! Have you heard any rumors about her?! Has she been courting anyone?! I will kill that bastard and five generations of his family for daring to deceive my beautiful, gentle, smart, cute, and kind daughter!"

    His intense gaze bore into me, and for the first time since arriving in this world, I felt an overwhelming urge to punch someone.

    Seriously, bring back my sympathy, you bastard! Here I was, feeling sorry for you, and you''re out here fretting over whether your daughter is dating someone.

    And what was with asking me if I knew anything? I didn''t even know her name!

    Of course, I would never voice such thoughts to his face. No matter how absurdly he behaved, this was someone who could obliterate me with a single blow.

    "I" I struggled to think of a response. "I don''t really know much about these matters. I don''t belong to any social circles and avoid rumors. I''ve heard nothing about your daughter."

    His intensity waned, and he wiped the tears from his eyes. "You''re right. My honest daughter would never deceive me. She''ll always keep the promise she made when she was four, that she won''t see any boy until she''s at least thirty! My old heart couldn''t bear to see my girl grow up so quickly."

    What in the world was my life, and who the fuck thought it would be a good idea put this guy in charge of the prisons?

 Chapter 15: Prison Time Questioning

    Chapter 15: Prison Time Questioning

    I gazed up at the familiar stone ceiling, coldness seeping into my back as I lay on the stone floor. It was a strange sensation, the stones colder than one would expect ordinary rocks to be.

    Perhaps they were magical rocks capable of withstanding the power of a cultivator?

    Despite the bizarre circumstances of my first day in this new prison, subsequent days passed relatively uneventfully.

    The warden, when sober, proved to be a fairly ordinary guy. Though he undeniably harbored a soft spot for his daughter. No one dared mention her, even in his sober moments, let alone when he was intoxicated. No one was eager to discover the consequences of such a thing.

    I learned that he often indulged in alcohol during the evenings, a revelation I made on my second day of imprisonment.

    Three days had already elapsed since my arrival, and I had to admit, the accommodations weren''t all that terrible. Other inmates occupied nearby cells, and while sunlight was absent, arrays prevented us from hearing each othera stark contrast to the guards, who could listen to our every word. That was probably for the better, as I didn''t want all the noise usually associated with the prisons.

    The rocks retained a dampness at night, inducing a slight chill, but nothing a cultivator''s body couldn''t endure. Inner disciples dutifully delivered our preferred meals daily, their roles reduced to that of mere servants within these walls.

    It seemed even among the talented inner disciples, hierarchy prevailed, with the power lying in the hands of the elders. True power in their hands was more important than the disciples, who only had the potential to hold such power.

    The environment might have been drearier had I not spent my days engrossed in training or playing with Speedy when fatigue set in.

    On a positive note, my wounds had healed. The prison provided top-notch medicine, with a healer ensuring my recovery before giving me the green light to resume activities.

    My cell exuded a faint mustiness, and the thin futon served as my bed, but all in all, it was relatively spaciousfor a cell, at least. I even had my own toilet hole tucked away in a corner, mercifully distant enough not to assail my senses.

    Now that I thought about it, there was no way my sense of smell wouldn''t have picked up something like that. So some poor bastard had to put an array over that so it wouldn''t smell.

    My recent journey in the wild had given me a newfound appreciation for such basic comforts. This was still a far cry from the harshness of sleeping in the cold wilderness, where the threat of a Monstrous Beast lurking around any corner loomed ominously.

    The solid rocks enclosing the cell ignited a longing to continue training in Piercing Fang Fist. With little else to occupy my time, I saw this confinement as an opportunity to catch up on the training I had missed outside the sect.

    Though there was an instinctual urge to test my fist against the wall, I hesitated. They wouldn''t put us in a prison we could break out of; I would probably end up breaking my fist instead. Even if, by some miracle, the wall broke, what would I gain? Just a cave-in and I wasn''t willing to gamble on surviving something like that, cultivator or not.This chapter is updated by

    Rising to my feet, I assumed my training stance, eager for another session. If I overexerted myself and ended up injured, there were medicines and medical staff readily availableno need for unnecessary concern. Presuming I broke anything by overtraining, it wasn''t my problem to deal with that.

    Really, putting me in this prison with nothing to do was like putting an alcoholic in a brewery. Nothing held me back from going to lengths I had never gone before.

    "Time for another four hours of relentless training," I mused aloud. "Perhaps this time, I''ll finally push myself to the brink and collapse from exhaustion. It would certainly break the monotony."

    The recuperative abilities of a cultivator were nothing short of remarkable; a brief pause following an intense training session, and I would be ready to repeat the process in less than five minutes.

    "Yes, thank you, if you wouldn''t mind," I replied, attempting to mask my nervousness, though it wasn''t easy. The granny likely noticed, but it wasn''t uncommon to feel nervous when in the presence of someone who could potentially assume leadership of the sect in the event of the Sect Leader''s absence. "Sorry if this was some kind of test, and I wasn''t supposed to take the candy."

    "No need to worry about tests. I always carry candy with me, and my granddaughter loves them," she sighed. "It must be difficult for someone your age to spend time in prison. All the other Core Elders refused him, but just because of the suspicion of one Core Elder, we have to disturb all the others. Can you believe he insisted on putting my granddaughter here and almost took her? Just because she was outside during that time?"

    She clenched her fist and ground her teeth as veins popped on her forehead, creating quite a haunting appearance that sent chills down my spine. So I nodded along with whatever she said.

    When she mentioned her granddaughter, I doubted it was actually her granddaughter. As a Core Elder, she was likely hundreds of years old and appeared aged, so her descendant might be more of a great-great-granddaughter.

    "Hey! Bring me a chair!" She called out, and one of the inner disciples promptly entered with a wooden chair.

    The young man bowed and then left without uttering a word. Meanwhile, the old lady settled onto the chair, producing a notepad with a swipe of her hand. "Right, Liu Feng. The Liu Clan has another three members in the inner sect, with you being the only one in the outer sect. All three of your relatives have vouched for your innocence and affirmed that you were never involved in anything untoward during your youth. What do you say to that?"

    Her gaze shifted from the tablet to me. Unlike the previous grandmotherly look, her expression now bore a more serious and calm demeanor. A weight settled upon my shoulders, and bile rose in my throat, threatening to spill over. However, I pushed through and took a deep breath.

    "My cousins are fair people," I responded.

    I didn''t know much about my relatives in the inner sect. Liu Feng wasn''t the most friendly guy, even back home. Sure, he knew what the Liu Clan Head''s daughter looked like, but everyone did, and it wasn''t like they were particularly close. Especially since the generation now in the inner sect were at least two or three years older than him, and when they had left the clan, Liu Feng had been thirteen or twelve.

    Liu Feng had his own petty rivals in the clan, but thankfully none of them had made it to the Blazing Sun Sect. Even if they had, I doubted they would have spoken badly about their cousin. After all, they knew that whatever conflicts they had within the family, it was better to keep it in-house and not involve outsiders.

    "Well, now that we''ve warmed up a bit, how about we get to the real questions," the old woman said, smiling, revealing rows of missing teeth. "Do you know anything about the explosion on the road between Blazing Sun Sect and Greengrass Town?"

    "No," I replied. "I heard that there was an explosion, and rumors suggested that many people died. But it''s just hearsay, and I''m not entirely certain if anyone actually died due to the explosion."

    The old granny hummed thoughtfully and jotted something down in her notepad.

    It was beyond dangerous to lie to someone of her caliber. With centuries of experience under her belt, I doubted I could match her in scheming or deception.

    Whatever was behind that explosion, it didn''t take a genius to realize that having my name associated with it would be a disaster waiting to happen. It was a ticking time bomb, and I wanted no part in whatever was brewing.

    As far as I knew, no techniques or artifacts could accurately discern if someone was lying. While there might be methods to detect changes in heart rate or other physiological responses, those signals didn''t definitively indicate lying. Moreover, I genuinely knew nothing about the explosion, even if such techniques existed.

    "Good," she remarked shortly, "Now, when you came to the sect, you were injured. What happened there?"

    "A man attempted to ambush me. He wielded a sword and brass knuckles. Though I hesitate to call it a fight, I must admit that I fled and barely escaped, employing various tactics," I recounted.

    "You claim you fled from him? The cut on your arm, I understand, as you may have used your arm to defend yourself," Her gaze intensified, sending a shiver down my spine. "But what about the injury to your side ribs? From what you''ve described, you ran from your assailant. Yet, a rib injury typically happens when one is not fleeing but engaged in a fight...usually, people who run sustain injuries to the back. So what do you make of that?"

 Chapter 16: Prison Mike

    Chapter 16: Prison Mike

    "We had a brief confrontation before I made a run for it. When the guy slashed my arm, I froze a bit in shock. Then, he aimed for my neck again, but I managed to dodge, only to be caught off guard by a surprise attack to the ribs," I scratched the back of my head nervously and offered a strained smile. "Honestly, I don''t remember the exact details of what happened after that. It''s all a blur like I could sense my opponent''s bloodlust lingering in the air as I escaped.

    "Well, I''m not here to pass judgment on whether running away is good or bad," the old woman shrugged. "And there''s no need to be so nervous. You''re just a Body Tempering outer disciple. Nobody suspects you or anyone else at your level of being involved in this mess."

    Yeah, that made sense. But the old lady gave me a scare for a second there. Thankfully, it seemed she wasn''t too invested in this investigation, and her questions lacked enthusiasm.

    Or did they? For all I knew, everything she had done until now might have been to put me at ease. I couldn''t afford to let my guard down. She was a dangerous woman who would pick up on any inconsistencies in my story. The best I could manage was to offer her some half-truths, wording my responses so that if there were any means to detect falsehoods, my words would technically hold true.

    It sounded much simpler than it was, considering I had to concoct responses on the fly.

    As far as I knew, I was the only survivor of that incident, and if I outed myself now I would have to get involved. There was no other way around it, and depending on who that young girl who had tried to kill me was and who eliminated all the other people who were observing. It had to be a group of people covering things up, and they had a list of people to take care of, and who knew where I sat in that hierarchy.Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

    While the Blazing Sun Sect would protect me to a certain degree, there was a limit to where the costs would outweigh the benefits of protection. Then, they would likely throw me to the wolves.

    She continued probing me with miscellaneous questions about my activities outside the sect. I mostly stuck to the truth, mentioning my visit to the Greengrass Town market and the purchase of the turtle, conveniently omitting the encounter with the three bandits and replacing it with an altercation with someone else, which accounted for my injuries.

    The story contained enough truth that I could recall the details; if anyone decided to investigate, they wouldn''t find anything incriminating.

    The three bandit brothers were my only vulnerability. Though they were likely victims of the explosion, given its proximity to their village. I hoped the villagers had managed to escape despite the weakness it might pose to my case. They were decent folk.

    Either way, even if they miraculously survived, they couldn''t provide a detailed description of me. My face had a lot of average features. Dark hair, dark eyes, and somewhat pale skin, that described most of the cultivators out there.

    "Well, that concludes our session. I may return with more questions, perhaps the same ones, perhaps not," she announced, rising from her seat with a sour expression as if she''d prefer eating a raw lemon to this task. "Honestly, the sect leader places too much trust in that paranoid old coot."

    It was ironic that she was calling someone old, but I held my tongue and bowed respectfully toward the elder woman. "Thank you for your time, honorable elder."

    "Don''t mention it, brat," she waved off my gratitude. "I''ll attempt to persuade the sect leader to abandon this foolishness. So you can return to focusing on your martial arts. And I''ll ensure you''re all compensated for the time wasted here by that old fool. What did he hope to achieve by imprisoning over a hundred kids?"

    She was surprisingly amicable. Or perhaps she was playing the good cop to coax me into lowering my guard.

    As she exited, the door screeched loudly behind her, and I released a breath I hadn''t realized I was holding. Relief washed over me.

    I was still curious and wanted to inquire about the whole incident, but I bit back my questions. After all, the prison had our silence arrays, preventing even the prisoners from discussing what had occurred.

    Prison life wasn''t terrible; meals were delivered, and I had ample time to train and only train.

    Though, I did miss the old man''s company and his snarky remarks.

    "Welp, little buddy. Time to get back to training," I scratched Speedy''s head and resumed my meditation where I had left off.

    Three days passedor at least I believed they did, judging by the nine meals I''d received. It was challenging to gauge time without sunlight.

    Despite the circumstances, I had grown somewhat accustomed to prison life. There were no complicated schedules, and no curfews to abide by. I didnt fret over meetings, readings, or conversations. I simply woke up, ate, trained, and slept.

    Occasionally, the old lady would drop by, feigning interest as she posed her questions. Her disdain for the situation couldn''t have been clearer; she was vehemently opposed to it. From what I noticed, it seemed like her granddaughter was also entangled in this mess too.

    "Don''t look so uncomfortable; it kills the mood," she chided gently, sipping from her cup before offering me the other. "By the way, your frequent interactions with the old janitor essentially clears you of suspicion. He''s been around for quite some time, and his integrity is well-known."

    Her words lifted my spirits, prompting a grateful smile as I accepted the tea. "Thank you."

    "Anyway, about this Rushing Bull Step technique and your desire to train it more... Why exactly can''t you practice it here?"

    "Well, this space is confined, and the technique involves kicking off the ground and charging forward blindly. I can''t exactly halt mid-motion, and the technique only allows forward movement."

    She arched a skeptical brow, regarding me as though I had uttered the most absurd statement. "So what?"

    "So... what?" I echoed, equally puzzled.

    The corner of her lips curled upward. "If your technique is direct and would result in you crashing into a wall, then master it until that''s no longer the case. Every technique''s weaknesses can be overcome with mastery!"

    What she said was very basic, yet its simplicity held profound wisdom. After all, while techniques could be learned, true mastery allowed for personal imprint and refinement.

    "Also, don''t fret about breaking the stone," she chuckled, the sound sending a shiver down my spine.

    Okay, that laugh was a tad unsettling.

    "You''d break your face and every bone in your body before the wall even registers a hit. This stone wall was built to withstand forces far greater than you, brat."

    At that moment, everything clicked into place. It was a eureka moment for me!

    "May I begin training now?" I inquired.

    "Go ahead," she shrugged. "Chair!" she called out, and an inner disciple promptly brought in a chair before departing once she was seated. "There''s no use questioning you further. Nobody suspects you anyway. You''re mostly here because certain inner elders would complain if their sons remained confined while you walked free. But don''t worry, the longer you stay, the more that paranoid bastard will have to pay in reparations."

    I only half-listened to her words, focusing instead on crouching and setting aside the teacup. In an instant, I launched myself off the ground, activating Rushing Bull Step. Suddenly, within the confines of the room, new ideas began to flow.

    Control it! Control the power! I mentally urged myself as I felt my thighs swell, though not as much as usual.

    First and foremost, I realized I didn''t always have to employ Rushing Bull Step at full force. Furthermore, I discovered that I could manipulate my movements within the technique, allowing for strategic positioning. With each landing against the wall and subsequent rebound, my speed increased.

    The old granny waited patiently until I finally grew fatigued, offering only a nonchalant hum when I ceased. Thankfully, my legs didn''t ache more than they would from a brief run. The Turtle Shell Body was perfect for what I had lacked.

    "Since I''m not free, may I inquire about what''s happening outside?" I asked, retrieving the tea I had set aside. Its flavor mirrored the tea I often enjoyed with the old janitor.

    "Well, a Spring of Power was discovered near Greengrass Town, and someone managed to steal it right from under our noses. There''s now a hunt for the thief," she explained, her expression clouding with disapproval. "At least that bastard''s nephew didn''t get his hands on it."

    The notion of someone stealing from a prestigious sect like ours sounded straight out of xianxia protagonist material. Stealing such a valuable resource that sects invested considerable effort to obtain required exceptional skill and audacity. Even when rival sects were involved, such resources were safeguarded with utmost vigilance, given their critical importance in cultivation.

    Stealing something of that magnitude was akin to making a horde of enemies, each eager to exact revenge.

    I often joked about the tropes of xianxia protagonists. But this situation really resembled onea character who stole from dangerous sects and formidable adversaries, only to find his own clan targeted once his adversaries couldn''t apprehend him. Some were hypocritical enough to decry their enemies as dishonorable scum for such acts, conveniently ignoring their own similar tactics.

    Did actually something as ridiculous as someone favored by the heavens exist? A so-called protagonist?

    I was curious, since if they did exist, I would have to take a second look at everything I knew about this world

 Chapter 17: Advancing

    Chapter 17: Advancing

    A week had passed since I began practicing the Rushing Bull Step in my cell. During that time, little had changed aside from my continued training regimen.

    The prison environment had grown increasingly dull. The initial sense of novelty had faded, leaving a longing for the simple pleasures I once took for grantedlike sharing tea with the old man or venturing into the forest to inhale the clean air before demolishing a few trees.

    To alleviate the monotony, I conducted some tests and compared my current stats to those from the previous assessment. As I recorded my findings, one number caught my attention, prompting a frown of confusion. "This can''t be right."

    Name: Liu Feng

    Age: 16

    Talent: C (fifty-three spirit root branches)

    Cultivation: Body Tempering (eight-star)

    Strength 7.7 7.9

    Agility 7.5 7.9

    Endurance 7.9 8.2

    Qi 0

    Techniques:

    -Piercing Fang Fist (Mortal Grade)

    -Rushing Bull Step (Mortal Grade)

    -Turtle Shell Body (Mortal Grade)

    It made no sense. All of Liu Feng''s past experiences breaking through minor realms contradicted this outcome.

    Liu Feng had previously relied on pills that forcefully strengthened his body to achieve breakthroughsa method considered normal in cultivation circles. It had felt as though his body was being torn apart, utilizing pills to stimulate muscle growth, cleanse bone marrow, and eliminate impurities.

    So how, then, had I seemingly broken through a bottleneck? Was my method flawed? Had I miscalculated the numbers somewhere along the line?

    "Oh? Already at eight-star Body Tempering? Congratulations," the old woman remarked. Startling me quite a bit. I hadn''t even noticed her arrival.

    Truth be told, I had grown somewhat weary of her presence and conversation. Despite being the sole individual I could interact with, her company left much to be desired.

    Nevertheless, as a Core Elder in the sect, she possessed a wealth of knowledge about cultivation. While I harbored numerous questionschief among them how she had discerned my breakthroughmany seemed trivial thoughts of a curious mind. Unlike me, who relied on physical indicators like strength and punch to gauge my progress, she seemingly could assess one''s cultivation level with a glance.

    "Well, this breakthrough is as surprising to me as it is to you. I didn''t even feel it passing," I admitted, furrowing my brow to convey a sense of concern. In matters of cultivation, being an outlier could lead to unforeseen consequences. I had no desire to be such an anomaly when I knew so little. "What do you think caused it?"

    "Likely a combination of factors, such as real life and death experiences, as well as you training every waking minute," she replied calmly, indicating she had already discerned the underlying reasons. "Also, you don''t seem to have used pills."

    As expected of a Core Elder, her insight into cultivation was extensive. This development didn''t seem like a bad thing.

    The inner disciple regarded me with a quizzical expression. But given the recent events, he was rather nonchalant and listened to my request without insistence. No doubt, he, too, wished to return promptly to his cultivation trainingI knew that feeling well.

    As soon as my feet touched the grass, I felt as light as a leaf carried by the wind. The crisp outside air enveloped me as I plopped down and rolled in the grass, eventually settling with the little turtle resting on my chest.

    After a brief pause, the next moves were clear. I changed into my sect uniform the disciple had given me and went to the dining hall, where I fetched two cups of tea and walked toward the towering library in the distance.

    The library greeted me with its familiar atmosphere, bustling with disciples engaged in various activities. The librarian acknowledged me with a nod and a faint smile, but otherwise, his reaction was subdued.

    Scanning the room, I searched for the old goat to no avail. Just as I was about to ask the librarian, something nudged me to the side, and there stood the old guy.

    "What took you so long to notice me, brat? Were you deliberately ignoring me to be rude?" he grumbled, his tone laced with aggression.

    But that was the old man for youalways blunt. With a polite smile, I handed him his cup of tea. "Here. Take care of your tea addiction, old man."

    He huffed, accepting the tea begrudgingly. "Well, it''s good to see you back, kid."

    "I''m glad to be back," I replied, a genuine smile gracing my lips.

    Everything seemed to have returned to normal... or had it?

    An uncomfortable sensation gnawed at my stomach. The tales of stolen treasures from the auction, the mysterious explosion, the Spring of Powerthey lingered in my thoughts, breeding a sense of unease. Perhaps it was just paranoia, but something felt off.

    I had entertained thoughts of protagonists and clichd novels, but the likelihood of such a scenario seemed slim. The notion of someone favored by the heavens, advancing at an unprecedented pace, felt more like fiction than reality. Though my situation made such things much easier to believe.

    Personally, I harbored little concern for others'' cultivation speeds. I had long realized that comparing oneself to others was a futile endeavor. Each person moved at their own pace, and comparisons only led to disappointment.

    Even if there were heaven''s favorites out there, as long as they stayed far away from me, I''d continue training in my Mortal Grade Martial Arts as always. Complaining or getting angry about such things was futile; it would only distract me from my training. The world was unfair, and I had accepted that before coming here. Some people were born rich and wouldn''t have to work a day in their life, while others would have to break their backs to be able to live.

    "What''s got you looking so serious?" the old janitor asked.

    "As a hardened criminal, I have much to contemplate nowadays," I joked.

    "Heh," he shook his head. "Hardened criminal? Do you think I don''t know about those cells? They''re better than most mortal houses, and you don''t have to worry about things like the cold or excessive outside noise due to the engraved arrays."

    Actually, the cells were pretty chilly if someone were a mortal, but I decided not to mention that. "You''re just jealous that I''m a hardened criminal now, and you''re not."

    "Keep talking nonsense, and I''ll throw this tea in your face," he threatened, his eyes narrowing. It seemed like he might actually do it, but then his demeanor softened, and he sighed. "Just make sure to take care of yourself, kiddo. The world out there is a crazy place."

    Despite our banter, my thoughts kept drifting back to the peculiar incidents involving the Spring of Power and others. For now, though, I lacked proof of any such occurrences. I resolved to keep an eye out, as everyone who had read a xianxia novel knew that while a heaven''s favorite might benefit from misfortune, they were often surrounded by disaster.

    "I''ll have you know that I fought eight guys in prison. All one realm higher than me, and I beat them all to show dominance," I boasted.

    "Try coming up with a more believable lie," the old man retorted. "We both know you''re not the type to do that. You''re more of a background guy."

    Damn, he knew me well.

    "And as I already told you, I know how comfortable those prisons are," he added with a knowing grin.

 Chapter 18: Haunt This Stick Instead

    Chapter 18: Haunt This Stick Instead

    My third day out of prison began like many others, with breakfast in the cafeteria.

    I was never much of a breakfast person in my previous life, but since inhabiting Liu Feng''s body, I found myself adopting his habits. I actually quite enjoyed breakfast now. Sometimes, I wondered just how much of Liu Feng''s personality I had inherited. It would be worrying if I started spouting phrases like "you''re courting death."

    But dwelling on such thoughts served no purpose. I knew just the thing to shake myself out of such ruminations: a grueling twelve-hour training session. After that, I wouldn''t be thinking much of anything.

    "Liu Feng!" A familiar voice called out to me, and I knew there was only one person who would address me in the cafeteria.

    It was the overweight guy whose name I hadn''t bothered to learn yet. I regretted not asking him when I took over as Liu Feng. Now, asking would be too awkward. Despite that, he was a nice guy and good company. He was the only one who kept me informed about the happenings around the sect, as I paid little attention to rumors.Visit  for the best novel reading experience

    After all, with at least twelve hours of training a day, how could I keep up with gossip?

    "Yeah, hi... man," I replied as he sat beside me, his plate containing a surprisingly modest portion of food.

    Was his obesity the result of a technique? Or perhaps he was one of those people who ate little but still ate often.

    "You know, I was quite worried about you when the inner disciples came and started asking strange questions. They only mentioned it was for an investigation," he sighed, finishing his food quickly. Turning to me, he wore a concerned expression. "You''re the only friend I have here, and I''d be really sad if you were executed for treason or something."

    His words struck a chord, and I suddenly felt guilty for not knowing his name and being so self-centered since arriving here.

    I was a pretty lousy friend.

    "You know," I nodded, meeting his gaze. "I would also be pretty sad if something happened to you too."

    The young man smiled. "I knew there was a soft side hidden behind that tough exterior."

    "Yeah, yeah, make fun of the tough guy," I waved him away.

    He chuckled at the jest and leaned in closer. "I''ve been hearing rumors about the prison since I heard you were imprisoned. It seems like you got into a bit of a complicated situation."

    "Are you going to tell me what happened already, or are you just going to tell me how screwed I am?" I asked, half-jokingly.

    "I could keep you in suspense a little longer," he teased. "But seriously, there''s a whole conspiracy thing going on. Many cultivators died, even some at Foundation Establishment level. There were no survivors, not even anyone who witnessed it from afar."

    So, there were no living witnesses to the incident? I felt a rush of relief knowing I had escaped before getting entangled in such a mess.

    However, amidst the chaos, there was a silver lining. The girl I left behind during the fight probably wouldn''t return seeking revenge like a typical villain who miraculously grows stronger. ''Probably'' was the keyword here, as one never knew these things.

    I could only hope she was not the daughter of some monstrous cultivator or sect leader. It was the main reason I hadn''t mentioned her during the interrogation with the core elder. There was no way to tell who she was. For all I knew, this was just needless worry, and she was some rogue cultivator with no connections.

    Still, knowing all this, it was likely the village had been destroyed. I winced at the thought. For ordinary people, clashes between cultivators were akin to natural disasters. It was a shame; the villagers had seemed like good people. Sadly, they were too close to the explosion.

    But there was a good chance that the jade-like beauty and perhaps the person she sought had survived the ordeal.

    "Also, the whole prison situation turned sour when internal sect politics started getting involved. Some of the elders'' sons, nephews, and grandsons were caught doing some suspicious activities. Rumors say that it wasn''t anything too bad, just the normal abuse of power as expected from them. But rival elders are bashing heads about that, and pulling up obscure sect laws and how the lustful sons and nephews of the elders could have been goaded..." the chubby guy continued explaining inner sect politics that I cared very little about. But I was a polite friend if nothing else, and whenever he finished a sentence, I would nod and agree with him.

    To make a very long explanation short, some of the higher-ups'' sons were involved with brothels, laziness, and many other debauchery things. Just like any other rich kid born into money who never had to try for anything in life. Not really surprising, but some elders were using those incidents as ammo against their rivals.

    The core elder in charge of questioning me in prison hinted at something like this. But I paid little close attention to it since these things had nothing to do with me. The Blazing Sun Sect was too big, and people were from many different backgrounds. Unlike clans, there were barely any blood relationships in the sect''s higher-ups. It was no surprise there would be some forms of conflict up there.

    But that had nothing to do with me. However, it was a bit worrying how jade-like beauties and inner sect turmoil were coming up at the same time. It made me nervous and it was as if at any moment, it would all boil over in some horrible catastrophe.

    I had no control over something like that, and there was little I could do about it. So, there was no need to even try to think of a solution to those things. Cultivators much more powerful than me were involved.

    For now, the only thing that could cause trouble would be the payment the core elder had promised me for being held for so long in prison. But even then, I wasn''t knocking down nobody''s door for that.

    "So, what do you think you should do now?" My fat friend asked.

    Upon arriving at the dormitories, I encountered students engaged in conversation, some scanning their surroundings. Stealthily, I slipped past them and entered my dormitory rooma simple place furnished with a bed, chest, and desk. Scrolls were neatly arranged on the desk, and the bed was impeccably made, despite my infrequent visits.

    Shedding my clothes, I sank onto the bed, and sleep came almost immediately.

    The next day, I headed straight to the cafeteria, finishing my meal before making a beeline for the library with two tea cups in hand. Upon arrival, I spotted some familiar faces, and the old janitor waved at me while nodding his head toward the librarian.

    Did he want me to go and talk with the librarian? Did something happen?

    As I approached, the librarian leaned in and whispered, "Yesterday, an inner disciple came looking for you. Mentioned something about a reward."

    A reward? I hadn''t held much hope for it after weeks had passed. "Where do I need to meet them to collect it?"

    "I told him I''d store it here for you," he whispered back, gesturing for me to come closer. "But I''ll give it to you after working hours when there aren''t any other disciples around."

    I wondered why he wouldn''t give it to me now, but scanning the library, I noticed the other disciples engrossed in their studies.

    "Well, I could catch up on some reading in the meantime," I replied.

    Despite his gruff exterior, the librarian was relatively kind compared to most cultivators, diligently performing his duties. The reward must be significant if the old janitor thought it necessary to keep it under wraps.

    As I contemplated my reading options, my gaze drifted toward the technique books. Perhaps I''d get lucky and stumble upon something akin to the Turtle Shell Body Technique?

    ...

    Sadly, even as darkness fell and the library emptied out, I found no hidden secret technique waiting to be discovered. It seemed that the first find had truly been a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.

    By now, I had familiarized myself with enough martial techniques that there were few mortal techniques used by outer disciples that I wouldn''t recognize. Still, I had the reward I had been looking forward to. As soon as the last disciple left, I approached the librarian''s counter and asked, "Can I get the thing now?"

    The librarian closed his eyes, and a shimmering pulse emanated from him, sending a chill down my spine.

    "Good, no one is spying on us," the librarian said as his ring shimmered, conjuring a sack larger than two fists combined. "There are one hundred spirit stones in here."

    For a moment, my mind went blank as I processed his words. In the outer sect, a disciple received one spirit stone a month as an allowance. A hundred spirit stones were nearly a decade''s worth of resources for an outer disciple!

    The reward was generous, far beyond my expectations. However, in a world where people killed for resources, having an abundance of wealth could be a liability. I was like a free Thanksgiving turkey, ripe for the cutting.

    "Fuck," I muttered under my breath.

    "By the look on your face, I can tell you understand the gravity of this situation," the librarian remarked.

    "And he said ''fuck,'' so that''s a clear indicator of just how much in deep shit he''s in," the old janitor sighed. He was the only other person present besides the librarian, and oddly enough, I trusted the old man. After all, what use did he have for cultivation resources at his age?

    The librarian remained unperturbed by the old janitor''s remarks and interjected, "There will be many disciples who will want to see you dead. While the sect''s rules may not endorse murder, no core elder will step forward to enforce such rules in person in the outer sect, so tread carefully. Some disciples would go to great lengths to eliminate any evidence. Though outsiders may deem the Blazing Sun Sect tame compared to its rivals, the Sect Leader supports survival-of-the-fittest tactics."

    In a world like this, it was likely that the Sect Leader himself had employed such tactics in his youth. Despite hailing from an ordinary mortal family, he had risen through the ranks, surpassing countless clan children and relatives of elders to claim the top position. While his exceptional talent played a role, one couldn''t overlook the immense effort he must have exerted to secure his position.

    I sighed, accepting the sack of spirit stones. Opening it revealed a radiant glow emanating from the sky-blue stones nestled within.

    "A decade''s worth of cultivation resources," I remarked, closing the sack. "Finding an outer disciple who wouldn''t kill for these would be more challenging than finding one who would."

    "That is true," the old janitor took a casual sip from his tea as if the matter didn''t concern him.

    Turning to him, I declared, "If I die, I''ll haunt the hell out of this library. You''ll be my main victim."

    The old man merely shrugged. "You should haunt my broom and do some chores instead. That way it would be more productive."

 Chapter 19: Money Problems

    Chapter 19: Money Problems

    The sack of spirit stones in my hand felt heavier than anything I had ever held. I swallowed hard, trying to wrap my head around how to handle such a situation. But it all seemed overwhelming, beyond my expertise. Perhaps burying them somewhere and living in the forest around the mountain until I reached Qi Gathering and became an inner disciple would be the safest option.

    Yet, that plan had its challenges. I would have to avoid appearing in the cafeteria too, and there were no ordinary animals on sect grounds due to the fear of them turning into Monstrous Beasts. Maybe I should focus on learning about edible plants to survive in the forest. But would the lack of nutrition and protein slow my cultivation progress?

    "I suggested to the other outer elders that we keep it a secret for now. So we closed down all the channels, and no one in the outer sect knows about the rewards," the middle-aged librarian explained. "Even the inner elders agreed; they didn''t want chaos in the outer sect with disciples massacring each other. But you should still be careful. Someone might have leaked information. For example, the inner disciple who delivered your reward, or perhaps one of his friends in the inner sect has a relative in the outer sect."

    I winced. "This sounds like it''s only going to bring trouble. It would have been better if I hadn''t received a reward in this case."

    "You could always stay in the library day and night," suggested the old janitor. Though his smile didn''t offer much reassurance about the seriousness of the situation. He nodded towards the librarian. "No one from the outer sect would dare attack you with an elder keeping an eye here."

    "I can''t sleep in the library," I sighed.

    "You''re right. It is against the rules," the librarian confirmed.

    "Doing something like that would only spread rumors that I have the spirit stones and a reason to stick around elders or secure places," I added, trying to make sense of the situation.

    When that girl attacked me while throwing up, it became clear that cultivators didn''t care much about honor. Even if I stayed in places like the library or the arena where others were constantly around, it was unrealistic to expect safety at all times. Someone could attack me while I was vulnerable, like when using the restroom.

    "Wait, what if I instead spread rumors that I spent all the spirit stones?" I suggested, grasping for a solution.

    "It might work temporarily, but people would still come after you for whatever you bought with all that money," the librarian countered.

    "Also, people aren''t stupid. They''ll eventually see through that ruse. The only thing such rumors would accomplish is to advertise that you have something worth stealing and risking your life for," the old janitor added, dashing my hopes.

    Their points were valid, and I realized my suggestion had been impulsive, and lacking thorough consideration. I needed to calm down and think things through more carefully.

    "Yeah, you''re both right," I conceded, rubbing my chin. Many of my other ideas were quickly dismissed for similar reasons.

    I had to weigh the pros and cons of my situation. On the positive side, I had few friends and minimal interaction with others, making it less likely for anyone to suspect my time in prison. I often disappeared to train in the forest without anyone taking notice.

    Well, almost no one. There was one guy in the outer sect who considered himself my friendthe overweight guy whose name I didn''t know. Perhaps some others, like my dorm neighbors, had some inkling of my whereabouts, but it wasn''t common knowledge.

    For now, I needed to tackle one problem at a time.

    "Where do you think I should hide the spirit stones?" I asked them for advice. "Because I''m definitely not keeping them on me."

    These two were the least likely to steal from me; if they had wanted to, they would have done so already, and I wouldn''t have been any wiser.

    "You could leave it with Xin Ma here," the old janitor suggested, pointing at the librarian with his thumb.

    In contrast to the old man''s proposal, the librarian frowned and responded firmly, "That would be displaying blatant favoritism toward a disciple."

    The old man turned to the librarian with a knowing smirk. "Oh? Favoritism? Weren''t you already showing favoritism by holding his spirit stones so the inner disciple wouldn''t declare it out in the open? Besides, as an elder, no one would question your actions."

    Despite the old janitor''s attempt to justify the request, the librarian, an outer elder, shook his head. "While I admire Liu Feng''s work ethic and see parts of my younger self in him, I cannot risk jeopardizing my chances of becoming an inner elder. Displaying favoritism would not sit well with some Core Elders like Zun Gon. He is fair and expects the elders to act accordingly."

    The room buzzed with conversation, louder than usual, though the specifics eluded me amidst the noise. A few individuals appeared on edge, their hands hovering near concealed weapons as they cast wary glances around the room.

    Of course, they would be noticed Wait, were those the same guys who started a blood feud a while back?

    After grabbing my tray of food, I scanned the cafeteria for an empty spot to sit. My eyes landed on a table where my only same-aged friend sat, enjoying his modest portion of food.

    Had I overslept today, or was he here earlier than usual? I couldn''t recall him arriving before me in the cafeteria. Normally, I would dismiss such a thing as a coincidence, but given that he was the only one who knew about my time in prison and the potential reward, I couldn''t help but feel on edge.

    Despite my apprehension, I sat next to him and offered a friendly smile. "You''re here earlier than me today. Did I oversleep, or what?"

    There was a palpable tension in the air. Whether it was my anxiety speaking or a genuine atmosphere, it was hard to discern.

    He turned toward me and nodded, his voice somber. "Two people died in my dormitory. They had purchased some Bone Strengthening Pills, and someone noticed they had a lot of spirit stones. Apparently, every person who was in prison for a certain time was compensated based on their duration of stay."

    It seemed that the elders hadn''t been able to contain the information at all. The grim and paranoid atmosphere in the dining hall confirmed it. At least I hadn''t spent any of my reward money, so there was no way anyone would know through that avenue. Most of the outer sect''s markets were managed by students. It also became clear how tactfully the librarian had handled my reward.

    If there was an opportunity in the future, I should repay him.

    Also, it seemed like my chubby friend hadn''t broadcasted about my time in prison. Perhaps he didn''t want to draw attention to me or intended to claim all the rewards himself?

    I had foreseen something like this happening if news of the rewards spread. "How many deaths have occurred in the outer sect because of this recent news?"

    "As far as I know, at least two dozen," he remarked, pushing aside his empty tray. "We have to be careful too. Who knows when someone might get the wrong idea and think we were in prison. Just suspicion might be enough for them to attack us."

    His words were a warning, delicately worded so that any eavesdroppers would remain oblivious.

    Still, the thought of two dozen teenagers, with their entire lives ahead of them, perishing due to others'' greed... They were just kids.

    I understood the cruelty of this world in certain aspects. I had even taken the life of a teenager who tried to kill me. It was a grim reality that left a bitter taste in my mouth. But there was nothing I could do about it.

    The news of the rewards could have spread in numerous waysperhaps even the outer elder''s personal disciples gleaned the information from their mentors. But at this point, it hardly mattered.

    The only individuals I felt I could trust were the librarian and the janitor. However, they could only serve as passive allies, ensuring my safety within the library grounds.

    Now, the question loomed: could I trust my chubby companion? Thus far, he had only offered warnings, but betrayal rarely announced itself with fanfare. It crept in like a shadow, disguised behind a facade of trustworthiness.

    I imagined myself in his position.

    If I were intent on stealing from a friend, I''d likely work to alleviate their suspicions, just as he was doing.

    He provided valuable information, and any falsehoods could easily be debunked by a visit to the library. Undoubtedly, the old man and the librarian would also caution me to be wary, even if my chubby friend hadn''t.

    Every person around me became a potential adversary.

    Things had become considerably more complicated. It reminded me of the tedious office drama from my past life, except this time, there was death involved instead of rumors of who was having an affair.

    I had always hated office drama.

 Chapter 20: Gimme My Moneh!

    Chapter 20: Gimme My Moneh!

    Betrayal, in my mind, could only come from those close to you. As paranoid as I was, I half-expected it. Someone might even say it was all according to Keikaku.

    But who was I kidding? I didn''t have enough friends in this world for an unexpected betrayal to be possible. It was a sad thing if someone were to look at it from the outside, but something I had come to like. It wasn''t like I was dying to make friends with teenagers with too much power in their hands.

    Glancing at the chubby guy, I pondered my next move. Waiting to see if he would stab me in the back wasn''t an option.

    So, the question remained: what should I do next with this information?

    I knew next to nothing about my chubby friend''s cultivation stage or his strength. It would be unwise to immediately resort to violence. My close brush with death outside the sect had left me paranoid, the scar on my forearm a constant reminder to be cautious.

    As if sensing my thoughts, the little turtle in my pocket poked his head out. I reached to pet him, feeling his hard reptile skin against my hand. It was harder than yesterday.

    Was Speedy finally growing?

    The Turtle Shell Body technique was said to have some effect on the turtle the user practiced with. Martial technique books were often filled with metaphors and convoluted explanations. It would have been simpler if there were only objective explanations, making learning easier and reducing training time. But perhaps this was how some cultivators thought they could leave their mark on the world.

    The origin of the Turtle Shell Body Technique traced back to its creator''s encounter with a turtle Monstrous Beast defending against attacks from a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator. Inspired by the turtle''s formidable defense, the creator dreamed of attaining a similar level of defensive power. Despite the cultivator''s superior strength, the turtle''s shell proved resilient, forcing the attacker to exert significant effort to penetrate its defenses. However, the technique creator''s experiments only yielded a mortal-grade technique, falling short of his aspirations.

    Although at times the details seemed redundant, I found a certain charm in reading about the authors'' experiences and their martial arts creation. While some narratives were clearly embellished with bravado and falsehoods, they were still entertaining in their own way.

    After feeding Speedy and coaxing him back into my pocket for a nap, I briefly contemplated involving him in exercises. Yet, larger concerns weighed on my mind than the well-being of my favorite turtle and the potential effects of the Turtle Shell Body technique on him.

    I nudged my friend, drawing his attention amid the bustling crowd. With our voices drowned by the said crowd, I whispered, "Is there anything you want to buy?"

    Initially bewildered by the unexpected question, soon realization dawned on his gaze, and he caught the implication in my words.

    Yes, I was offering to buy his silence, conveying that loyalty would serve him better than betrayal. Despite his strength, as an outer sect student, he would be naive to assume he could emerge unscathed from a confrontation with me. Even in a surprise attack, I was confident in delivering a decisive last blow.

    Whether that last move would inflict harm upon him or not, just an injury was already akin to a death sentence. It would signify to others that he had either been an ex-prisoner who had managed to fend off his attacker or an aggressor who had instigated an altercation and emerged alive. Either way, it would likely prompt most to assume he possessed a substantial stash of spirit stones.

    But out of all the potential reactions I had anticipated, and despite my numerous detailed plans, everything crumbled when the chubby guy regarded me with a puzzled expression as if I had sprouted a second head, and asked, "Why would I want to spend your hard-earned money? I didn''t go through the pain to get any."

    Well, that caught me off guard. I felt like a jerk for harboring such low thoughts about him, especially since my paranoia persisted despite his statement. I was not going to lower my guard anytime soon.

    As a supposedly wise cultivator once said; Words are like wind, and cultivation pills are like drugsthe said "wise" cultivator being none other than myself.

    Exiting the cafeteria, a new scene unfolded before me.

    Pitter, patter...

    I stood momentarily stunned. Even Liu Feng hadn''t seen such a barrier around the Administrative Office. Then again, he had never come here when it was raining.

    Clearing my throat and composing myself, I suppressed any overt display of astonishment to avoid appearing foolish. Yet, I made a mental note to delve deeper into the intricacies of arrays and barriers if there was ever a chance in the future.

    Within the castle-like structure, individuals hurried about, some clutching papers while others bore the attire of outer and inner disciples. It was evident that the elder overseeing this place, despite being of outer rank, wielded considerable influence. Ordinarily, inner disciples seldom collaborated with outer elders, given their comparable status as inner disciples with a chance of reaching Foundation Establishment. Yet, the presence of inner disciples suggested otherwise, hinting at the elder''s formidable authority within the sect hierarchy.

    Drawing from Liu Feng''s memories, I strode past the occupants with little regard, navigating through several chambers until I reached the end of the hallway. There, a wide opening greeted me, lined with individuals seated in cubicles separated by glass panels, reminiscent of a modern airport check-in counter, albeit steeped in Chinese architectural motifs.

    The majority of the cubicles were occupied by attractive women, each attended by one or two young disciples. It seemed unlikely that all of them were there solely to collect their monthly allowance; rather, they appeared more interested in engaging the servants in conversation.

    Regardless of the location, such people existed everywhere, even in the distant xianxia world. While I understood what and why they were doing this, I couldn''t help but silently assess them. In my previous world, countless people would have given anything for the opportunity to embark on the wondrous journey of superhuman cultivation. But these guys were wasting this opportunity.

    Yet, to each their own. Who was I to dictate how others should lead their lives?

    Approaching one of the elder gentlemen stationed behind the glass, I leaned closer to ensure he heard me clearly. "Excuse me, sir. My name is Liu Feng. Can I withdraw my allowance?"

    The old man scrutinized me with his gaze briefly before retrieving a crystal and placing it against the glass.

    "Place your hand against the glass, young master," he instructed.

    A shiver ran down my spine at the title "young master," eliciting a sense of repulsion within me. Nevertheless, I maintained a polite smile as I complied with his request. The crystal ball illuminated, displaying the number two.

    The old gentleman nodded in acknowledgment, retrieving two spirit stones from beneath his desk and sliding them under the glass. "Have a good day, young master. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

    "Thank you. Have a good day too," I replied courteously before making my exit.

    Standing by the entrance, I observed the relentless downpour outside. Holding the two spirit stones in my palm, I couldn''t shake the feeling that I didn''t truly need them. There wasn''t much I needed to purchase at the moment. Perhaps later, when my cultivation reached a plateau, the one hundred spirit stone reward would prove more valuable. For now, it felt more like a burden.

    If only there existed a banking service for spirit stones within the sect, perhaps the rampant killings could be curtailed. However, I doubted the inner sect was concerned with our affairs. We, the outer disciples, were akin to unpaid interns... underpaid interns. Relegated to menial tasks and serving as expendable pawns in conflicts, while the inner sect harbored those destined for true strength.

    Glancing outside, I saw the rain trying to enter the building, only to be thwarted by a barrier at the entrance.

    Wait, didn''t the sect maintain a protective barrier around the mountain? Couldn''t it be utilized to halt the rain?

    Yet, as soon as the notion crossed my mind, I realized the logistical challenges. The sect grounds spanned vast expanses, akin to a small country. Traversing from one end to the other would require days, even for a Body Tempering cultivator. The sheer volume of water displaced for such a purpose would unnecessarily strain the barrier. Moreover, the rainwater was vital for nourishing the vegetation surrounding the sect, given the abundance of trees.

    With this realization, I determined my next destination: the market. It was time to spend these two spirit stones.

    I had to look out to ensure people didn''t think I was one of those disciples who had been rewarded. Despite what was happening, disciples were still buying the needed cultivation resources. Only the big spenders were hunted, as far as I knew.

    Who knows? I might stumble upon an ultra-rare technique.

 Chapter 21: Cultivation Highs

    Chapter 21: Cultivation Highs

    With my resolve set, I strode out of the Administrative Office and stepped once more into the pouring rain.

    The cold water cascading over my head served as a catalyst for deeper contemplation about the future. I resisted the urge to rush toward the market and instead sought out a more secluded pathway. Fortunately, the streets lay deserted, reminiscent of the peaceful absence of disciples during the tournament''s peak.

    It provided the privacy I needed to ponder some matters, particularly about my future.

    How would this life turn out?

    But before I could entertain such questions. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of a disciple hurrying toward the dormitories. His demeanor was unremarkable, blending in with any other disciple.

    What drove him out into the rain? Was it just a coincidence?

    As he disappeared from view, the tension I hadn''t realized I carried began to dissipate.

    Reflecting further, I wondered how many of these outer disciples harbored aspirations. Despite their supernatural prowess, they were still adolescents. When I was their age, I was clueless about life''s direction. Yet, unlike them, I lacked the power to do whatever I wanted.

    Contemplating the trajectories of these teenagers'' lives inevitably brought to mind one whose life had been cut short because of me. The one I had killed to save my own skin.

    There was no regret at what I had to do. After all, he had tried to kill me. Yet I couldn''t shake the thought of how his life might have unfolded had our paths not crossed. He had parents, as everyone does, perhaps even siblings awaiting his return that would never come.

    The memory of my fist piercing his chest, the gruesome sight of him coughing up bits of lung onto my clothes, and the sensation of withdrawing my fist from his chest flooded my mind. Disgusting! It triggered a surge of bile in my throat, yet I managed to suppress the urge to vomit.

    Killing was a gross and grotesque act, one that I didn''t like at all. Yet, faced with a similar situation again, I knew I would make the same choice. Still, that experience had unveiled the grotesque nature of combat between individuals endowed with supernatural abilities. We were capable of tearing limbs and shattering bones as though they were mere trifles.

    In a world steeped in violence, I yearned to distance myself from its clutches. Even as I immersed myself in martial arts training, techniques honed for the purpose of ending lives, I found a perverse enjoyment in mastering them. However, wielding them for their intended purpose left a bitter taste in my mouth.

    "Sometimes, I''m a mystery even to myself," I sighed.

    Yet, was this to be the trajectory of my existence? A life ensnared by violence, where my only action was reactionary to other people trying to kill me? No, violence held no allure for me; I preferred to lose myself in literature and personal indulgences.

    Truthfully, I felt like an outsider in the realm of cultivation, where strength reigned supreme and all pursuits were geared towards power. I harbored no aspirations for such dominance, content even if I remained an eight-star Body Tempering realm cultivator for the remainder of my days.

    Having already surpassed the limits of my previous life, I reveled in my newfound abilities as a superhuman. Martial arts had afforded me opportunities beyond my wildest imaginings. Yet, I remained indifferent to combat; power had merely been an incidental consequence of pursuing my passions, not the driving force behind them.

    For the first time since arriving in this world, I realized how much of an outsider I was. Were I to express my beliefs to others, they would regard me as crazy, my reasoning completely alien to their understanding.

    That was when everything fell into place, striking me like a metaphorical bolt of lightning.

    I needed to gain sufficient strength, if I wanted to spend my days engrossed in books and training. It was a straightforward notion that perhaps only someone like me could have overlooked: the need for power to indulge in my desires freely.

    To rule the world, one would need to become an immortal. But to be left alone, I only needed to reach the Foundation Establishment.

    Along the lengthy line of stalls, I veered to the right, closing in on a traditional Chinese structure distinguished by its red walls and blue roof.

    Despite the outer sect''s resemblance to the Wild West in its lawlessness, certain areas fell under the inner sect''s jurisdiction. This particular establishment was overseen by an outer elder, ensuring that the merchandise here was likely free of defects. The elder himself was an alchemist, and the stock maintained by his personal disciples had undoubtedly undergone thorough scrutiny.

    As I stepped inside, a welcoming warmth enveloped me, albeit lacking the power of the barrier of the Administrative Office, which had dried my clothes, yet this was still better than nothing. Nonetheless, it served to chase away the chill from the rain-soaked exterior.

    The interior of the building mirrored the exterior, with glass cases prominently displaying pills, elixirs, and herbs, reminiscent of a jewelry store rather than a mere pharmacy.

    By the standards of my world, this establishment would be akin to a pharmacy peddling steroids on the side.

    Only four workers were in the place. A number seemingly insufficient to deter any would-be thieves from attempting to steal from the display cases. Yet, none dared to entertain such folly within the premises of an outer elder''s domain, aware that such an act invited catastrophic repercussions and would be lucky if only their cultivation was crippled if they were caught in such an act.

    As usual, most patrons gravitated towards consulting with a demure, nervous-looking girl who appeared green in experience. However, it seemed the disciples weren''t exploiting her naivety for fraudulent purposes; rather, they behaved as if they were vying for her favor. Or perhaps they concealed their ulterior motives beneath a facade of courtship. Regardless, it had nothing to do with me.

    If it was someone''s responsibility to help her, such a job would fall to her coworkers or the outer elder in charge of teaching her. Getting involved in these things would only create enemies from the disciples trying to talk to her.

    I directed my attention toward one of the other employees, who had no people looking for him. He was a robust bald-headed youth, exuding an intimidating demeanor that deterred others from approaching him.

    "Excuse me, can I get a Body Strengthening Pill and a Bone Coating Pill?" I requested, echoing Liu Feng''s usual order.

    These pills were a staple in the Liu Clan, with one fortifying the body while the other temporarily densified the bones to withstand the strain induced by the Body Strengthening Pill.

    From beneath the wooden counter, the bald youngster retrieved a light red pill the size of my thumb and an ash-colored pill the size of a mint. The young man placed them atop the glass, and their spherical shapes defied gravity staying stationary as the man''s gaze remained fixed on me.

    I took out two spirit stones, placed them on the counter, and took the pills. Just like that, two months'' worth of allowance vanished in an instant.

    "Thank you for your business," he uttered, his eyes bearing the lifelessness of a dead fish.

    I never thought I would encounter the soul-sapped gaze of service industry workers in this world.

    "Thank you too," I offered, extending my well-wishes.

    Having experienced service industry work myself, I empathized with him. The service industry was already bad in my previous world, now imagine being annoyed constantly by the presence of arrogant young masters and forceful cultivators. Moreover, the influx of rain-drenched customers would undoubtedly add to his workload later.

    Exiting the shop, I pondered my next destination. Though my dormitory beckoned as the most private space to assess the effects of the pills on Speedy, recent events dissuaded me from that course.

    "Well, the library it is then," I sighed, resigning myself to the decision as I stepped outside.

    ...

    The journey to the library proved lengthy, but upon entering, a comforting warmth enveloped me, drying my dampened clothes. The presence of a protective barrier that dried the newcomers made sense in a place with books.

    Now, where could I find a suitable corner to plan these things?

 Chapter 22: The Social Butterfly

    Chapter 22: The Social Butterfly

    The library was fuller than usual, likely due to people having nothing much to do in the rain. But that allowed me to blend into the crowd easier, and I found my own desolate corner and a small desk I quickly occupied.

    Unlike usual, I didn''t even say hello to the librarian or the old janitor and immediately got to work.

    Taking out the Bone Coating and Body Strengthening Pill, I put them on the table. Then I took Speedy out of my pocket and put him next to the pills. The little guy looked curiously at the pill before touching the red Body Strengthening pill with its nose and rolling it away. He looked like he was playing with them.

    I watched him for some time as he played around before stopping him, "These are not for playing. Maybe I will buy you something like this later, and then you can play as much as you want."

    Still, looking at the little turtle and the pills, there was a new problem. They were too big for the little guy to be able to swallow them.

    I grabbed the Bone Coating Pill and tightened my grip around it, crushing the pill into dozens of small pieces and then offering them to the little guy. Thankfully, he didn''t resist and ate them all. Probably used to this by now, as I always fed him this way. I did the same thing with the other pill and waited for something to happen.

    I looked at the little turtle, and he looked back at me. Speedy tilted his head and looked like a confused puppy.

    But I was more confused than him. By body weight composition, he had eaten the equivalent of me eating a bucket of Body Strengthening and Bone Coating Pills.

    And yet, nothing.

    Animals were not bothered by higher doses of cultivation pills. Usually, an animal becomes a monstrous beast by eating too many cultivation resources. But this was still too little of a reaction. Also, while crushing the medicine might have caused it to lose some of its essence, it shouldn''t have been much since I didn''t let them sit around.

    As far as I knew, cultivation resources like pills were supposed to work on animals, albeit to varying degrees depending on their resistance to the medicine.

    I playfully bopped the little guy on the nose. "C''mon now, you should be growing into a spiritual turtle or some other monstrous beast."Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

    I knew it was a jest; creating monstrous beasts wasn''t simple. Typically, monstrous beasts were born to one or two parents who were themselves monstrous beasts. Normal animals could stumble upon a cultivation resource, consume it, and instinctively gain cultivation. But the latter was quite rare as cultivation resources in the wild were hard to find, and even when they were found, usually a monstrous beast had made its nest around it already.

    Speedy settled down, getting comfortable, and closed his eyes. A flicker of worry passed through me, prompting me to check his breathing by placing my finger in front of his mouth.

    Yep, he was breathing normally.

    "..."

    Was he sleeping? Liu Feng''s experience with this combination of pills suggested there should be a heaviness on the pill-taker''s body. From his memories, I knew there were even instances of muscles twitching, causing piercing pain.

    Since the turtle was already asleep, what was I to do now? I had anticipated spending the rest of the day reassuring Speedy, helping him cope with the pain, and offering encouragement.

    With a sigh, I tucked the little guy into my pocket, and he didn''t stir.

    Well, I better grab a book and talk to the librarian and the old goat.

    *******

    The title of Outer Elder of Books was the epithet Xin Ma had acquired upon assuming his role as a glorified librarian. Even among the outer sect elders, his position was deemed less prestigiousa fact well-known to everyone.

    He sighed, removing his glasses to clean the lensesa habit when he found himself stressed but unable to display it openly.

    So many recent events weighed heavily on him, and the incessant rain only added to his unease.

    The old geezer attempted to surprise Liu Feng, as he often did. Yet, unlike the previous times, the youngster turned around with a knowing smile.

    Huh?

    While the old janitor was at the bottom of the barrel when it came to cultivation, he had remarkable stealthiness when he used it. Which explained how he had lived so long when he was so weak.

    "Your senses have gotten better, brat," Shan Sha remarked matter-of-factly, sipping his tea.

    "Well, I''d hope so. After all, I did break through to eight-star," Liu Feng nonchalantly replied.

    Almost too nonchalantly for someone who had gone through a breakthrough. Liu Feng made it seem like going through a minor bottleneck wasn''t tedious.

    "Did you have a hard time doing so?" inquired the old man.

    Liu Feng shrugged. "Not really, I was quite lucky."

    Xin Ma was taken aback by Liu Feng''s swift advancement to eight stars. Based on their conversations, he recalled that the kid had barely broken through before the tournament. To progress so rapidly, Liu Feng must have ingested some potent pills or employed other means to surmount the bottleneck.

    Indeed, he was fortunate.

    Unless he had no social life, dedicating every waking moment to training, it would be difficult to ascend to the next stage so quick. Xin Ma didn''t know much about Liu Feng''s activities outside the library. But the young man''s friendly nature suggested he likely had many friends.

    "Honestly, it''s kind of impressive," the old man remarked. "You must have put in a lot of effort."

    Indeed, while he might not be training from dawn till dusk. Pills and elixirs weren''t miraculous cure-alls that exponentially boosted one''s cultivation. Alchemy aided progress, but it didn''t bestow benefits without consequences.

    "The important part is that I did it with a smile," the young man retorted, casting a smug smile at the old man. "Ah, it''s truly at the top. Being so talented can sometimes be a curse that makes me feel like-"

    "For a below-average brat, you certainly have the nerve to be so smug," Shan Sha quipped, swinging his cane at Liu Feng. The latter deftly dodged, and they launched into their customary banter.

    Their lack of shame, especially in the presence of other disciples, was unexpected. Xin Ma allowed them their amusement, intervening with a glare when their exchanges verged on being too loud.

    Despite this, Xin Ma couldn''t bring himself to be overly stern with the young man. After all, Body Tempering was a stage where hard work and resources outweighed innate talent. When or if Liu Feng were to ever enter the Qi Gathering realm, he would understand why the sect only accepted gifted disciples into the inner sect.

    Most outer sect disciples never advanced to the inner sect, as entering the Qi Gathering stage required sensing one''s Qi. While theoretically, everyone possessed Qi, they had been born with it and have had it their whole lives. Their senses had grown accustomed to its presence without sensing or using it.

    Nevertheless, it would be some time before Liu Feng qualified for the bare minimum of even attempting to break into the Qi Gathering realm. He would encounter the first real bottleneck between different realms, where many cultivators faltered.

    The disparity between cultivators who could manipulate Qi and those who couldn''t was deep. The Qi Gathering stage marked the first stride toward true cultivation. Those adept at wielding Qi inhabited a realm entirely different from others, perceiving the world through a different lens.

 Chapter 23: Painting A Canvas in The Rain

    Chapter 23: Painting A Canvas in The Rain

    Rainy days persisted long after the first, signaling a shift in the weather for the worse. It wasn''t entirely unexpected, considering it was autumn, and seasonal changes were a norm even here. Yet, despite the downpour, some constants remained, like the old goat''s unwavering gaze as I attempted to read.

    Didn''t this tea addict have anything better to occupy his time?

    He knew I was aware of his gaze, and there was a good chance he did it solely to provoke a reaction from me.

    Kids should be enjoying life and acting stupid. What''s got you so stuck up? he remarked, bringing me a steaming cup of tea from the second floor before settling opposite my desk.

    I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply and entering a meditative state. Every muscle, every subtle twitch, I felt it all. This state of heightened self-awareness allowed me to perceive every nuance within my body.

    With the rainy storm affording me some free time, it seemed like an opportunity to explore the development of a method to discern my own statistics without undergoing rigorous testing. It would be akin to crafting a martial technique. A mortal-grade technique allows one to gauge their own physical condition. However, I would require something akin to Qi to manifest the illusion or numbers before my eyes.Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

    Name: Liu Feng

    Age: 16

    Talent: C (fifty-three spirit root branches)

    Cultivation: Body Tempering (eight-star)

    Strength 8.1 8.2

    Agility 8.2

    Endurance 8.6 8.9

    Qi 0

    Techniques:

    -Piercing Fang Fist (Mortal Grade)

    -Rushing Bull Step (Mortal Grade)

    -Turtle Shell Body (Mortal Grade)

    I had progressed surprisingly fast, though my endurance continued to outpace other aspects by a widening margin with each passing day.

    "Hey! You listening to me, brat?" the old man sighed, but I did not entertain him, prompting him to shake his head, with disappointment etched across his face. "I swear, youngsters these days. Eyes in the books and heads in the clouds. Did you know that back in my day..."

    He scratched his chin, fingers threading through his goat-like beard as if contemplating something before blurting out, "You know what, we didnt do things much differently in my days either. The brave ones who faced the world head-on rarely survived and usually met a gruesome end."

    "You''re talking to yourself, old man. I thought someone your age would catch the social cue that when someone is not responding to you while reading a book, they don''t want to talk right now," I retorted.

    "You had your eyes closed. You werent reading shit."

    "I was meditating and trying to rest my eyes."

    "Yeah, too much reading and it''ll ruin your eyes."

    I had a retort ready, but a sudden thought gave me pause. "Do cultivators even need glasses? I mean, our eyes are enhanced the more we advance."

    Even the old guy seemed taken aback. "Huh, you''re right. I know some cultivators who wear glasses despite their advanced cultivation levels. Maybe it''s just for aesthetics, or perhaps they''ve worn them since their mortal days. Personally, I think they''re just weirdos."

    Drawing in a deep breath, I savored the sensation of damp air against my skin and raindrops tracing down my face. Everything felt remarkably clear.

    Piercing Fang Fist!

    My hands moved almost instinctively.

    How many times had I executed the same punch, in the same way? Thousands? Tens of thousands of times? Perhaps even more? Considering Liu Feng''s relentless practice of Piercing Fang Fist, this body might have thrown the punch millions of times.

    The motion was fluid and direct, executed with a grace seldom witnessed in reality. Though it was my own hand in motion, I couldn''t help but admire its precision. My heart quickened its pace, akin to recalling a woman I loved.

    Okay, that analogy was a bit weird, comparing martial arts to women. I didn''t even want to touch that thought with a ten-foot pole.

    Yet, I couldn''t describe the sensation any other way. Excitement bubbled within my chest, and butterflies fluttered in my stomach.

    The air around my arm twisted, as it always did. I had always felt the air move around my arm, but now, with the rainwater, I could actually see the way the air took shape, forming a spiral of water around my limb.

    In an instant, the moment passed, and everything returned to normal. The spiraling water fell to the ground, and I returned to my senses. The entire motion of throwing a punch had lasted less than a second, yet it felt much longer than that.

    Was I growing delirious? Perhaps the cold rain was affecting me after all. I had executed this punch countless times, so why was I so lost in thought now?

    Usually, training felt like a game to me. But now, it was as if I were painting a beautiful canvasI was creating art!

    Being able to see something instead of just feeling it was groundbreaking! Some martial arts became visible only after someone awakened their Qi.

    Once again, I pulled my fist back and executed the martial technique. The water started to twist around my arm, merging with the wind. At the peak of my knuckle, a fang-like protrusion of water burst forth and shot forward.

    I halted, hypnotically gazing at the water. "So that''s why the technique is called the Piercing Fang Fist."

    I tried it again, this time in a barrage of punches, which formed water fangs around my arm. Though they dispersed a moment later and proved useful only for displaying the air movements. Still, I attempted to craft a more impressive water fang. Though it didn''t enhance the technique significantlyit simply looked impressive.

    As I continued for some time, I lost track of the passing minutes, the dark rainy clouds obscuring any sense of time. Only when a distant leaf rustled under the wind pressure, did I cease throwing punches.

    I tried again, ensuring it wasn''t merely my eyes playing tricks on me. Somehow, the pressure from my fists was sufficient to send a gust that caused leaves to rustle about two feet away. There was no mention of such a phenomenon in the Piercing Fang Fist technique manual. Moreover, the technique wasn''t some closely guarded secret; it was practiced widely by Liu Clan cultivators as their introductory technique. It wasn''t rare enough to be absent from the Blazing Sun Sect library either.

    This meant that I had stumbled upon a new application of the technique!

    Granted, it could only produce a soft breeze at most, weaker than an electric fan, but it was still fascinating!

    Caught in my excitement, I began throwing punches, causing the surrounding leaves to flutter.

    "Just when the fire nation attacked, the...." I halted mid-joke, a realization dawning upon me.

    Somehow, I had begun using the Piercing Fang Fist more efficiently. Despite executing numerous punches, I felt no fatigue or soreness.

    Piercing Fang Fist wasn''t typically stamina-intensive or prone to causing injuries with overuse. It was a basic technique, but that didn''t imply one could use it endlessly without tiring.

    I was tempted to test its effectiveness when combined with the Rushing Bull Step. Small improvements in technique could prove more potent when combined.

    However, such considerations ceased when another realization struck me. The old guy had been the one to suggest that I train Piercing Fang Fist in the rain.

    Was it all merely a coincidence? How could he have known that training in the rain would enhance the technique''s efficacy?

    "Just when I thought there was no chance the old man was secretly a formidable cultivator," I muttered under my breath.

 PATREON ANNOUNCMENT!!!

    PATREON ANNOUNCMENT!!!

    First of all, I would like to thank all the readers who have been supportive and have read, written positive comments, reviewed, favorited and rated. I will be honest with you and say that I never expected to get even five followers. So the support has been amazing, and we somehow even ended up in the Rising Stars front page.

    Anyway, I have been editing chapters all night for patreon, so I will keep it short as I am quite sleepy.Follow current novels at novelhall.com)

    If for some reason the link above doesn''t work here is the physical link you can copy paste in URL: /HolyMouse

    I don''t know whether this patreon thing will be succesful or not. Either way, you have my heart-felt thanks for the support.

    P.S: If this patreon announcement came out as horrible. My excuse is that I was too sleepy, lol. See you all tomorrow, and I hope you all have an amazing day.

 Chapter 24: Learning a New Branch

    Chapter 24: Learning a New Branch

    After the recent eye-opening experience while training in the rain, I deviated from my usual routine. Typically, I would push my body until it could no longer bear the strain of training, but today was different. Instead, I returned to the dorm rooms, slipping in unnoticed as no one was outside to witness my arrival.

    However, my mind was not consumed by thoughts of training; it was fixated on the old janitor. The likelihood of his casual advice leading to a profound revelation seemed too far-fetched to be mere coincidence.

    Reflecting on the old bloke''s demeanor, one might assume he wasn''t the type to seek positions of power. Unlike the common xianxia sense that those in power were often arrogant and condescending, the old goat exhibited a genuine, amiable nature. In a world where spiritual roots determined cultivation potential, those with innate spiritual superiority often viewed themselves as such.

    Furthermore, the old guy never resorted to phrases like; courting death.

    Perhaps I was mistaken in my assumptions, and power amplified pre-existing traits. If someone was an asshole before obtaining power, they would likely become even more of an asshole afterward.

    I pondered how many years of indoor cultivation might lead to social ineptitude. While the old man possessed quirks, he didn''t exhibit the extreme shut-in behavior common among long-time cultivators.

    I rationalized the behavior of certain higher-ups as a result of years spent in seclusion.

    Yet, my encounters with such people were limited. Most interactions lasted mere minutes, leaving me with little insight into their characters. Even the old granny who interrogated me in prison revealed more about her granddaughter than herself.

    Despite my musings, it was unlikely for some old monster to do such menial things. While the notion of a secretive old master disguised as a janitor was appealing in xianxia novels, it held little weight in reality.

    To ascend to such heights of power, one would have had to endure relentless effort and confront numerous life-and-death struggles. They no doubt had seen friends die and lovers wither in front of their eyes.

    So why would they squander their time laboring as a janitor? It would be like spitting on the sacrifices they made along the way. People didn''t work that way.

    It was like working hard to make money and then returning to working minimal wage. If someone worked to become a billionaire, the last thing they would do was work as a cashier and be treated like shit.

    So many questions, yet no answers.

    Perhaps I was looking at all this wrong; these were not average people.

    While I could put myself in the shoes of an average person and see things from their point of view. A cultivator who spent most of his life in indoor cultivation was a different kind of creature.

    I stretched out on the bed, strategically placing alarms around my room the chair near the door and the books by the window. They were both tipped to the side so that any movement from the door or window. The chair and the book would fall down and create some noise.

    Should anyone attempt to break in, I would at least receive a warning, giving me the chance to defend myself.

    Perhaps I was overly reading into things too much, and Shan Sha had merely offered sensible, friendly counsel. I could put myself in his shoes, a regular janitor, doling out such advice devoid of hidden mastery.Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

    That was when the cold wetness spreading through my bed woke me up from my thoughts.

    Damn it... I had laid on my bed in wet clothes.

    ...

    The following day greeted me with the gentle caress of morning light upon my face and the soft singing of birds outside, with some disciples talking in the front yard of the dorm.

    As I stirred awake, sunlight flooded my senses.

    Thoughts of the old guy had nearly faded by now, and I got ready for the new day.

    As I was about to wear a fresh uniform, I noticed the scar on my forearma stark reminder of the battle I had survived. I didn''t linger on it, swiftly donning the rest of my uniform, taking Speedy, and leaving the dorm.

    New day, new beginnings!

    Yet, as thoughts of training and studying occupied my mind, I couldn''t help but recall the spirit stones littering the training grounds. Currently, they held no value to me, mere worthless rocks.

    Accumulating wealth was futile for someone at the Body Tempering stage, which only invited potential threats from thieves willing to kill to cover their tracks.

    No one had attacked me yet, so I should be somewhat in the clear.

    Perhaps buying access to the second floor would be a good move. There might be valuable techniques available. Possibly even an Earth Grade technique or two.

    Who knew? Maybe luck would favor me someday.

    However, I was still cautious of the other disciples in the library, especially those who might be there to spy on individuals suddenly gaining access to the second floor. Such expenditures would undoubtedly raise suspicion, signaling newfound wealth. Few bothered with purchasing access to the second floor, most fixated on advancing to the inner sect. Also, I doubt the second floor was empty and there were bound to be some other disciples that might speak.

    Thankfully, the surveillance should have decreased somewhat; the reckless had already been preyed upon, and the cunning were preoccupied with their newly ill-gotten gains.

    Perhaps I could persuade the librarian to grant me entry to the upper floors during off-hours when no one was in the library?

    It wasnt like I needed cultivation pills or anything of the sort for now.

    Im not talking about the unregulated scam hive that is the outer sect market. You should buy something directly from an individual, he glanced at the librarian. Im sure there is someone here who could spend a hundred spirit stones, and no one would bat an eye. A middle-man, so to speak.

    No, the librarian shook his head firmly. That would be beyond simple favoritism and dancing on the line of treason. If Liu Feng here decided to go against the sects interests, my head would be the first to roll for aiding someone like that. It reeks of blatant favoritism, once again.

    The old man seemed unperturbed by this and suggested, How about you just sell him something of your own? An elder selling something isnt against the sects laws. Since youre a stick in the mud, we can even make it, so you only sell something that is yours, and at a fair price.

    The librarian scrutinized me as if seeking an answer to some cryptic question only he knew. I refrained from saying anything. It was clear the old janitor was persuading him, and I didnt want to jeopardize that.

    I dont have many items that would be useful to an outer disciple. Those that would, cost more than a hundred spirit stones, the librarian pointed out.

    Since when do you outer elders get paid so much? I always thought that a hundred spirit stones would be quite a bit, even for you, the old man mused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

    "It is a substantial sum, but not something too large," the librarian replied before trailing off. "Anyway, about what he could buy..."

    "Just think of something that you could give him. I don''t exactly know what you have on you," the old man suggested with a shrug.

    Suddenly, the librarian crouched under the counter, and after rummaging around for a bit, he found what he was looking for: a book about as thick as a dictionary, making a loud sound as he set it on the table. The book had a black cover and appeared quite old.

    "This is something I studied back in the day. I saved for six months as an inner sect disciple to acquire this and missed out on a lot of opportunities," the librarian sighed, gazing at the old book with a melancholic expression.

    "Yeah, yeah, we don''t need your crybaby backstory," the old janitor retorted, as brusque as ever, but the librarian didn''t seem to take offense. It was a bit peculiar for a cultivator at that stage, but it indicated the depth of their friendship. "Anyway, how much would it cost?"

    "I bought it for thirty spirit stones, and I''m offering it to you for the same price," the librarian stated.

    The book was old and likely outdated by now. But one thing was certain: an outer sect disciple would find it nearly impossible to obtain such a tome, no matter how wealthy they were.

    The book wasn''t related to martial arts, but I needed a fresh perspective regardless, and it seemed promising.

    "I will go and get the spirit stones right now," I replied before the librarian could retract his offer.

    Since it was a bright sunny day outside, I swiftly rushed to the training ground and retrieved the spirit stones. Thankfully, they remained undisturbed. Upon my return to the library, less than twenty minutes had passed. I was adorned with leaves and carried the scent of grass.

    Nonetheless, I arrived early enough that no one else was around, fulfilling my intended goal.

    I counted the thirty spirit stones while the librarian waited for me silently, and I placed them on the counter. He retrieved them, and they vanished from his hand, likely stored in a storage ring.

    "How much does one of those cost?" I gestured toward the ring.

    "Way out of your budget," the old janitor interjected.

    The librarian nodded, "They''re quite rare. Perhaps you will receive one for free if you catch the eye of any inner elders."

    He handed me the book and added, "If you need a secure place to keep the book. Bring it here."

    "Thank you," I replied, placing the book on the counter, clasping my fist with my palm, and bowing my head as a sign of respect.

    The old coot and the librarian had treated me well since my arrival. I owed much of my success to them.

    Thus, by purchasing the book from the librarian, I ensured that no information would spread. Yet had the benefit of using the spirit stones to acquire something I would never have accessed otherwise.

    "Okay, kiddo. Now give me my ten percent," the old man demanded, extending his hand.

    What? We hadn''t discussed anything like that.

    Despite my usual inclination to refute him, he was right. A ten percent fee would be customary since I would never have acquired the book without his assistance.

    I reached into my pouch and withdrew three spirit stones, prepared to hand them over when the old janitor poked me in the chest with his cane.

    "I was joking, couldn''t you tell? Just how slow are young people nowadays?" he sighed. "What would an old man like me need spirit stones for?"

    Smiling, I returned the customary gesture of respect, clasping my fist and palm and bowing. "Thank you for everything, too."

    The old guy waved me off, a smile lingering on his face.

    Glancing at the book, I read the title, A Beginner''s Guide to Arrays & Formations.

 Chapter 25: Array Conjurer

    Chapter 25: Array Conjurer

    The new book on arrays opened up a new world of techniques.

    Initially I had assumed Arrays were merely barriers and convenient tools in xianxia stories. That only scratched the surface of what arrays could do. Arrays were a branch of cultivation itself, akin to alchemy.

    If alchemy was similar to cooking, arrays could be compared to mirrors and windows Or microwaves? Or an all-purpose key for problems?

    After purchasing a bag of salt from the servants at a higher-than-market price, I slung the bag over my shoulder and proceeded to my training spot. Which was just some land beside a boulder and surrounded by broken trees.

    Cmon, little guy, I coaxed Speedy out of my pocket and settled him on the rock, ensuring I always had a clear view of him.

    The last thing I wanted was for him to wander off into the grass.

    Speedy had grown a bit since I acquired him, and could move around a bit faster. He was now almost the size of my fist, Stay put, and try not to doze off. Too much of anything is bad for you, even sleep.

    He glanced at me, and for a fleeting moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of understanding in his eyes as if he comprehended my words. But then he leaned against the rock and promptly drifted off to sleep.

    Were my eyes playing tricks on me?

    I opened the salt bag, scooped up a handful of salt, and distanced myself from the rock where Speedy was. This way, in case of mishaps, Speedy would not be caught in the crossfire.

    Carefully sprinkling the salt on the ground, I formed a circle around me, dusted my hands, and clasped them together as if in prayer. "Shield of sunrise, four directions of defense, hungry beasts of howling! Barrier!"

    Ritual, hand seals, and chant.

    These were the fundamentals of array-making. Once someone mastered the basics and attained a high enough level, they could add inscriptions to maintain arrays even when they were absent.

    Despite following the instructions outlined in the book, I felt nothing. There was no buzz or movement around me, only the rustling of leaves in the air. Perhaps I had made a mistake in some way? It was my first attempt, and learning required more than a single try. So I wasn''t too disappointed.

    Before I could reset the ritual, the salt scattered around me sizzled, and a dark slime emerged from the ground, came together, and formed into a dark mass of stretchy liquid that enveloped me in darkness.

    This world never ceased to amaze me.

    How did such a phenomenon work? It defied all conventional understanding. There was no drain on my energy. How could the simple act of sprinkling salt, reciting prayers, and uttering random words conjure such an effect? How did someone even discover this sequence would yield such a result?

    So many questions, yet I hadn''t felt this satisfied in a long while.

    Once again, the laws of this world proved to be utterly foreign. What was commonplace here, such as the formation of a barrier through chanting and ritual, was as natural as gravity on Earth. If I dropped a ball, it fell to the ground. Here, chanting and performing a ritual could create a protective barrier around me.

    One day, if I had the luxury of more free time or attained immortality, I decided to try and understand this nonsensical phenomenon.

    Basic level 1 barriers didn''t require Qi; they utilized the Qi in the surrounding environment to materialize. This suggested that even non-cultivators could erect them.

    Allegedly, the barrier could also ward off evil spirits, whatever that entailed.

    By this point, the existence of ghosts wouldn''t surprise me.

    As I stood, the dark barrier nearly reached twice my height. Taking a step forward, I reached out and encountered something stretchy. The space around me shifted, and I grasped what felt like elastic black slime.

    "A failure. The barrier is meant to be solid," I muttered to myself, seizing the barrier with both hands.

    I stretched it to its limits, akin to a piece of rubber. Until it burst like a balloon. As the barrier began to dissipate, the dark remnants in my hand disintegrated into ash and then nothingness.

    Mastering the simple barrier technique meant creating a translucent spherical barrier around oneself. I was far off from that.

    How could one control a process they couldn''t sense or comprehend? Would relentless repetition eventually lead to mastery?

    What do you want to know about? Despite his usual demeanor, I sensed that deep down, he welcomed any diversion from his monotonous day. Having worked in fast food before, I could relate to his plight.

    Well, the Bind Array caught my eye. I wondered if there was any advice you could give me on it, I explained, detailing what I knew about it.

    It was hard to tell whether he was not impressed or just generally bored with the nonchalant look on his face.

    "And why are you so interested in the Bind Array?" he asked in the most monotone voice imaginable.

    Because it would help me a bunch and work very well with the rest of my techniques, I replied with a generic answer. "Also, it sounds cool as hell, it is cheap to practice, and the ritual isn''t complicated."

    The librarian suddenly pointed at the ceiling without a word, prompting me to follow his gaze. But as I attempted to move, I could not and found myself frozen in place, unable to speak or even blink. It felt as though I was encased in transparent, hardened concrete. Strangely, I could still breathe.

    I''m currently using a Bind Array on you, the librarian said, anticipating my unspoken question.

    What? When had he performed the ritual, executed the hand seals, or chanted the incantation? Did he whisper the chant?

    Regardless, it defied logic; Foundation Establishment cultivators may be fast, but they were not the Flash. I should have seen his hands blurring if he went through the hand seal and complete ritual.

    I wanted to ask, but unable to move, I could only breathe heavily to indicate my desire to ask something.

    "People who can make arrays are called Array Conjurers, though the slang term for it would be something like Array Master. But that would be very incorrect," he started explaining. "Array Conjurers are ranked from level 1 to 9. With the latter being the highest rank. From levels 1 to 3, one is called an Array Practitioner, from levels 4 to 6 is an Array Expert, and from 7 to 9 is an Array Master. As you can see on that last one, people call Array Conjurers as Array Masters, but that would be wrong in a professional environment."

    Then, the old guy joined us with two cups of tea and put one on the counter.

    "This is not for you. It is for the brat," the old janitor clarified.

    The librarian glanced at the tea and then at the old goat. He was too used to talking with the old janitor to fall for any of his tricks. Instead, the librarian continued speaking as if nothing had happened, "Basic arrays might seem too complicated to learn for the meager results. However, they are the building blocks for stronger arrays in the future."

    "I would trust his word on this. He made all the arrays here. That''s why he has this job, he was the only one qualified to keep a lookout on the arrays," the old janitor added some context. "Though if that is a blessing or a curse, well...I would lean more toward the latter."

    "Someone being at a higher cultivation stage doesn''t necessarily mean they''re a better Array Conjurer. Though it does help to be at a higher cultivation stage since one can make up for the lack of a ritual, chant, and hand seals by just using a lot of Qi," the librarian glanced at the old man and narrowed his eyes, they seemed to be having a silent conversation between each other. "Of course, you also need to be skilled. The better one gets, the more they understand that chants, rituals, and hand seals are just crutches. If I wanted to stop someone stronger than me, I would have to go through the full ritual and use high-level materials as a sacrifice. Using the first level, no complex rituals are needed as the level one arrays are nothing groundbreaking yet."

    That was such a detailed explanation. I would have to write that down later, just in case I forgot something. I wished someone would explain cultivation like that. It would make things so much easier.

    This is the definition of favoritism, the old man whispered, breaking the moment.

    The old guy said such things silently enough that no one else would have heard him. But we were both Xin Ma and I were cultivators, so we easily heard him.

    But despite the pointed look the librarian sent him, the old man shrugged, What? You are teaching him like the kid is your personal disciple, and I just had to point that out.

    In response, the librarian removed his glasses and started cleaning the lenses. Something I had learned he did when angry or stressed at something... or someone.

    By now, I could move my head somehow, so I signaled the old goat with my eyes that maybe he should try and keep it down. But the old janitor shrugged and said, The reason this guy, he pointed at the librarian, Even keeps me around is because I''m honest. If he wanted someone to kiss his ass and lie to his face, he would only have to take one step out of the door, and people would line up. But he knows better than that.

    The old man sipped tea and continued as if he wasn''t talking to an elder, If it wasn''t for lies and deceit, Xin Ma wouldn''t be stuck in this dead-end position. He would probably be an inner elder.

    Enough, said the librarian, putting on his glasses.

    Though he hadn''t raised his voice when he spoke, the look in the man''s eyes made it clear that was enough talk about the subject. Despite the old janitor usually liking pushing people''s buttons, it seemed like even he had a limit as he sipped on his tea silently.

    However, I was a bit curious about what the old man meant by deceit leading to the librarian being here. Yet, I was also socially competent enough to know that sometimes asking these questions wasn''t the best idea. It was clearly a sore spot for him.

    Still, at long last, I was fully released from the Bind. I grabbed the tea the old guy had brought me and drank it as we sat in awkward silence.

    I think it was kinda cool how you were able to use the Bind Array so seamlessly, I admitted out loud.

    Sometimes people only need a compliment from someone to get out of their bad mood. But it was hard to tell whether it worked on him since he always had a strict look on his face.

 Chapter 26: Cliché Meeting

    Chapter 26: Cliche? Meeting

    It took days to learn how to use some more basic arrays, and I had to say, it was a lot of fun. Progress was steady since the librarian acted like a pseudo-teacher. Sure, he kept saying he wasn''t showing favoritism, but as the old guy pointed out, Xin Ma said one thing and did another.

    Today was like any other day, with the librarian and I discussing the Binding Array. While the old janitor looked at us from the sidelines, shaking his head with disappointment, "Youngsters these days. Drowning themselves in books and forgetting how to live. Back in my day..."

    He stopped and rubbed his chin, "Actually, back in my day we were killing each other for such books. So, yeah... But still, it''s very disappointing seeing you both like this."

    Both the librarian and I knew the old goat was trying to get a rise out of us, so we didn''t respond in any way. While some might hate to admit it, the old janitor had a way with words. No matter what, he would always drag us to his level, and there he had the advantage.

    "The ritual part of an array is the hardest step to skip, but usually the one that is most convenient to cut off. While some can handle doing the hand seals and chants during the midst of a fight, the ritual is next to impossible. But there are some ways to circumvent this and improvise on the spot," the librarian explained while drawing a circle on a blank piece of paper and noting down four points. "For example, the Bind array you''re so fond of requires four points in the array, forming a cross with the target in the middle."

    "Yes, the four points being candles," I said.

    "Well, you will understand more if there comes a time when you can sense Qi. But what if, let''s say you are fighting inside the building. You do a chant and don''t have candles around. While the candles serve as points and are easier to use in the array. The array only needs the four points and the opponent being at the point where the four points form a cross," he smiled. "So if you were fighting inside the building, you could use the pillars as points."

    He then pointed at the library around us, but contrary to what he said, there were no visible pillars. I looked at him for an explanation, but he only cracked a small smile. It was unusual for him to do that since it was working hours with a couple of disciples still around.

    "That''s enough for today," he said, closing the book to his side and handing it to me. It was the same book he had sold me, and we often used it as a reference. "Try to think of ways you would use the Bind array in the right conditions. Perhaps try to guess what you can''t see. Those four points to erect the array could be anything."

    Well, the four points couldn''t be air. The four points had to be tangible and theoretically destroyable for the Bind array to work.

    It felt like I was back in high school studying chemistry, but now I actually liked it.

    I grabbed the book and walked toward the old janitor, and he took it off my hands. The librarian in the distance frowned, but there was little he could do about it. Technically, he only had jurisdiction on the first floor. Also, he didn''t actually want to stop me.

    Holding the array book on my person would be dangerous. But if the old guy took it to the second floor and kept it where he apparently kept his secret tea stash, then nobody would find it. I had no idea if the secret tea stash was something that existed. But I trusted the old guy not to screw me over and protect the thing he had helped me get.

    How legal was this? Probably not very much.

    Whatever the situation was, the librarian had turned a blind eye to this and wouldn''t pay too much attention to it. The old man had already done his "job" and spoken his ear off about favoritism. Thankfully, the librarian was used to these things and hadn''t even blinked.

    After taking the book to the second floor, the old janitor returned with a hot teacup and looked at me with a bewildered look. "What? You''re still here? By now, shouldn''t you be out there, indulging in debauchery?"

    I frowned, "What do you think I do when I leave the library, old man?"

    "Probably read the books you borrowed for the day or something else as lame as that," he said.This chapter is updated by

    Okay, that was a surprisingly good guess. "Nope, I train."

    "Wow, I was actually joking," the old man muttered under his breath, and he knew damn well I could hear him when he did that. "This kid really has no friends or anything going on for him. What a loser. The young generation these days are really pitiful."

    This old goat...

    "Actually, for today, I''m going to stay in the library and rest for a bit," I said.

    Since progress had been a bit slow with training, I had to push my body beyond what I could recover in a day''s rest. Every so often I had to take some break days, which was a perfect time to study arrays.

    These days, I was able to be a bit more stress-free, especially since the murders around the outer sect had been dying down after that whole Spirit Stones fiasco.

    Things should soon settle down somewhat. There was even some news of the inner sect getting involved due to how many people who used to be prisoners went missing. Amongst the missing people were likely even some innocent guys who only aroused somebody''s suspicion.

    Someone would have to take responsibility for those deaths. Some of the deaths had to have been disciples from clans. The paranoid core elder who started this mess would have to do a lot of apologizing and bowing to absolve all this. It had all started with him being paranoid.

    "Ah, Elder Rong," the librarian''s face remained impassive. "He has many grandsons. You must be one of his unimportant ones if he was willing to send you here."

    "No fights allowed in here, young-uns," the old janitor finally appeared. "Whatever conflicts you have, take it outside."

    The inner disciple grit his teeth, huffed, and tried to pull his arm away from the librarian''s grip. But the librarian used his other hand and took off his glasses, tightened the grip on the inner disciple''s arms, and warned him. "Just in case you forget. If you come here with the same attitude again, I will appropriately deal with you."

    He let the inner disciple go, and the inner disciple rubbed his arm without making much noise. He got ready to walk out. However, the librarian interrupted him, "You think you can leave my library without telling me why you''re here?"

    The inner disciple didn''t even turn to face him and hurriedly muttered, "Every prisoner now has a guard from the inner sect. Both in case they''re attacked or are actually spies. But it was impossible to find Liu Feng."

    After that, he hurriedly walked off. The librarian''s gaze sharpened, and he had murder in his eyes. There was a tense feeling in the air radiating from the usually calm librarian, a tension I couldn''t simply put into words.

    So this was what he was like when he was actually angry? Scary.

    "You sure you should have done that?" I asked. It was already late, and the librarian could have kicked me out of the library and left me with the inner disciple. There was no need for him to make enemies. "This Elder Rong could cause problems for you."

    "Rong is an old man with one foot already in the grave," the janitor answered this time.

    First of all, I dont care who he is. If someone causes trouble in my library, they will be dealt with, the librarian put on his glasses. Which softened his looks, and made him return to the harmless-looking but strict librarian. "True. Back in the day, he was someone who barely qualified to become an inner elder. He spent his new wealth and the long life offered when someone reaches the Foundation Establishment to enjoy sinful activities. He has more children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren than he can count."

    "Nowadays, someone like him just regrets what he wasted his youth on and tries to increase his cultivation," the old janitor chuckled. "I bet if his grandson tried to come to him with a complaint, the kid would end up with a bashed head for wasting his time. He is the kind of man who just realized no prostitutes or excessive drinking mattered now that he is about to die."

    There were all kinds of cultivators out there, even ones who wasted their extra years offered by being at a higher rank. The more I looked at these cultivators, the less they seemed like wise figures beyond their years.

    They were not monsters, nor were they creatures beyond understanding. They were just humans who lived much longer than they were supposed to, and some changed very little as they grew older.

    Oh, look, he is waiting outside, the old janitor pointed out while glancing over the door.

    I followed his gaze, and the inner disciple was in the distance in front of the stairs going down. He had his arms crossed and stared at the entrance of the library like a damn hawk.

    How long is he going to wait there? I asked and turned toward the librarian.

    Unless he is doing something like preparing to attack the library, I can do little against him, the librarian said as he cleaned the lenses of his glasses again.

    The old man stared at the librarian and shook his head, You have one of the weirdest and confusing moral codes of conduct, ever. One moment you are willing to let things be or look the other way, and in the next, you become a damn tyrant.

    I somewhat agreed with that assessment, but now was not the best time to discuss this. Because there was a Qi Gathering disciple outside just waiting to teach me a lesson.

    He probably would not kill me; after all, he was technically here to make sure I didnt die.

    But at the same time, he looked like the kind of guy who would beat the shit out of me to let go of his aggression.

    Yep. This is a battle you can''t escape, the old man chuckled. He turned toward me with an odd look in his eyes. I know you enough to understand what you want in this situation, brat. But I also know you are smart enough to understand that this is not something you can run from."

    He walked closer to me with his cane rhythmically clicking against the ground and he continued speaking, "This is someone stronger than you, who wants to beat the shit out of you. Why? For fun. Because he just can. There is no logical plan here and no way you can reason with him.

    Yeah, I already saw that. However, while the situation might seem like there were few reasonable choices to make. It wasnt like I could just charge out there without a plan.

    You want to live a quiet life, learn techniques, and train without the outside world bothering you. But the world doesn''t work like that; there will be people who can uproot and destroy your life just because they feel like it, the old man''s gaze intensified. I hope you werent stupid enough to think you could live the rest of your life quietly while becoming a cultivator. Because that would make you more foolish than a fool.

    I stared him back in the eyes and didnt look away as a small smile made its way onto my face, I know all that already, old man. Now can you stop yapping so I can think a bit.

 Chapter 27: Experiment #1

    Chapter 27: Experiment #1

    Ever since I had come here, there was always a thought at the back of my mind that I would meet someone unreasonable. But just like those videos on YouTube where people acted crazy. Meeting such people was quite rare.

    People usually restrained their basic desires, thoughts, or instincts of lashing out... Even if, for one moment, someone felt like wanting to kill someone, they would usually not do so.

    Now flip that on its head. What if someone were strong enough to do whatever you wanted? They were powerful, and there were no restraints on their behavior.

    The laws that were stopping the average crazy guy from acting out were gone in an instant.

    It was only a matter of time before I would meet a young master like this. Ironically, it was someone supposed to protect me. Shan Sha was right. If I wanted peace, I would have to fight for it. Not only this once, but for the rest of my life.

    "How troublesome," I muttered under my breath.

    "That''s how life always is, brat," the old man smiled.

    Why did I get the feeling he was enjoying this way too much?

    Fighting with superpowers sounded amazing on paper and something I could enjoy. But whenever I thought of that, my mind wandered toward the moment when I killed that young man. It was gruesome. I could recall that feeling like it was yesterday.

    What would be the chances I would get into a lot of trouble if I killed him? I asked the librarian.

    At least I needed to know what I was getting into. If I was fighting someone this arrogant, it would be stupid to hold back. He looked like the kind of guy who would kill me and act like it was an accident.

    No, he was more likely to proudly claim something like this.

    That would be a troublesome situation, the librarian stated.

    Though the chances of that happening are slim to none, the old man chuckled. Who do you think you are, young man? This is no minor stage difference of a star or two. This is a whole other stage, where the cultivator''s understanding of Qi itself develops. So it is arrogant of you to even think you can win.

    I just like to be prepared, and I know my chances, I reassured the old man, but he still looked unhappy for some reason.

    Whatever. You can''t stay holed up in the library and let your opponent come up with plans on how to deal with you, the old man snorted and pointed at the guy outside. Even someone as dumb as he looks can come up with a plan given enough time probably will need a lot of time for this one. But that works in your favor.

    He was right. No matter how I looked at it, there was no other way.

    What do you think would stop him from coming back? I asked the old man.

    Just make sure to show him that you are not easy pickings and no matter what happens he will only end up in a world of pain, the old man reassured me. Just go out there and show the world what you''re made of. Stop dawdling already.

    It seemed like the memory with the librarian was still a bit too fresh for him to act recklessly.

    But as my steps grew heavier the closer I got, my mind also grew lighter at the same time. Thoughts were moving faster. Not everything was so clogged with what I should study next, array, exercise plan, worries about what would happen after all this, etc.

    Maybe there was some choice out there I hadn''t seen. Perhaps I could have called some officials or something. No, who was I kidding? This was a cultivation and martial arts sect. Fighting between two students wasn''t forbidden.

    I had little to no chance of beating him, and almost every part of me was terrified. Even though all I had to show him was that I was no easy pickings.

    My heart thrummed in my ears, and a part... A very small part of myself was curious about this fight. I wanted to test how well my strength would hold up against someone stronger than me.

    Would my techniques work at all? How much progress had I made?

    Despite getting closer, the inner disciple''s rage grew and veins crawled on his forehead like worms, but he still didn''t attack.

    Many things were brewing in the background that I was not aware of. So to me, this guy was like someone who came out of nowhere. I held no hate for the young man, so I asked one last time, "Is there any way we can solve this peacefully?"

    The man''s features softened, and for a split second I had some hope before he said, "Kowtow to me a hundred times, and take ten slaps from me until your cheeks swell up like a bunny."

    Oh, I was getting the protagonist treatment but without any of the benefits.

    There was no doubt in my mind that even if I were to follow his commands, he wouldn''t stop humiliating me. Probably push me around in public too.

    "How annoying, everything nowadays has become so troublesome," I muttered under my breath.

    Of course, I was overreacting a bit with ''everything'' being wrong as weeks had passed with nothing happening.

    Without much to say, the wind around the man shifted and he threw a slap my way. I leaned back and dodged the lackluster attack.

    "Oh? You dare dodge this young master''s move?!" He looked annoyed.

    Man, this guy was so annoying. Even hearing him talk was like listening to a screeching chalkboard.

    Without warning, I lashed out and slammed my fist on his chin. It was a picture-perfect hit where it would cause someone''s brain to rattle in their skull, and knock them out.

    The inner disciple''s head leaned to the side, and a smile made its way onto his face as he turned back to face me.

    "Is that it?"

    There was not even an injury on him.

 Chapter 28: Experiment #2

    Chapter 28: Experiment #2

    From what I understood of this situation, this guy was supposed to come and keep an eye on me. But when I had not returned to the dorms for days, he had asked people around for me. He finally found me and was angry due to wasting time on someone he considered below him.

    These people and their egos. I could see where they were coming from. But this was not the kind of place where I would put up with such things.

    He cocked back his fist and looked ready to throw a punch at me, and the air around him shifted.

    Despite not having much experience in whatever technique he was planning to use. I understood how the air shifted around a fist and the technique that might come out. Those countless hours practicing Piercing Fang Fist were not for nothing.

    We could have been friends if you werent so violent. Would an apology be enough? I really feel bad for wasting your time, I said, and a smile came to my face.

    Though there were no mocking intentions in my words. Times like these reminded me of certain habits this body had that I had also inherited.

    Do you think this is a joke? The man cursed under his breath and threw his punch. Even if you lick the bottom of my shoes, there is no way youre getting out of this without a beating.

    Well, then I cant say that I didnt try using talk-no-jutsu on you!" I used Rushing Bull Steps and leaped to the side as he swung his fist where I stood before.

    You dare dodge my fist!

    For a split second, I was high in the air and got a good view of the sect with the full moon shining behind me. Then next came the weightlessness, and I started falling.

    I hated the fight that was coming, especially when I knew the chances of me winning were slim to none. But at the same time, I loved it, this was just another experiment with my techniques, and I was the emotionless scientist through it all.

    There was a crash behind me, and my heart leaped. But I did not turn around since even a millisecond of wasted time like that could be devastating.

    The noise of crashing trees grew closer. Then it was followed by sounds of someone yelling, and this time even nearer. The difference in pure speed was too big to cover with a head start.

    I wasn''t running around aimlessly. But maybe it would be better to stop for a bit and buy some time by injuring him or something. It would be pretty bad if the guy somehow sneaked up on me and landed an attack on my back, knocking me out instantly.

    There was still some time until I reached my training ground. Many rituals were already set up during my training time there.

    I planned to use arrays against him since with only pure martial arts it would be difficult to close the gap. I had no Earth Grade techniques, nor artifacts to make up for that kind of difference in power.

    Soon enough, I heard some rustling behind me. Without hesitation, I turned around and stopped in my tracks. Within an instant, a shadowy figure was upon me. I raised my arms to block something swift heading straight toward my face.

    It was dark, and the big trees covered the moon and didn''t make it easier to see anything. Even with the enhanced sight of a cultivator, it wasn''t like I had night vision.

    Something landed on my chest. I went flying and smashed against a couple of trees. My back ached, but it wasn''t the kind of pain where I would be worried something broke.

    Breaking something didn''t feel like a dull ache and could best be described as a sharp pain. I had experience with that when fighting against the girl with the brass knuckles.

    But I didn''t have much time to think about the pain as the man pounced on me again. This time he used a technique as the air around him shifted. I raised my arms again. His fist blurred and moved past my guard like a snake. He struck me on the cheek, and it felt like my head was about to pop out of my shoulders. I went flying and crashed into a tree head-first.

    What?!

    Pain filled my senses. My vision went completely black for a second, and it was hard to form coherent thoughts. When I came to my senses and looked around, catching sight of my opponent getting closer.

    I hadn''t completely gone unconscious and that was only a split-second blackout.

    Yet, as I looked at his hands, his arms twitched and moved in a weird rhythm. Despite how strong cultivators were, they still had human-like anatomy. Someone''s arms couldn''t move like it was a boneless worm unless they used a technique.

    "Your technique is good and makes defending useless. It allows you to change the direction of your attacks without any problems," I said. "But it has a weakness. Doesn''t it? To move like that, you have to turn your arms soft. Those same arms that-"

    Why was I explaining what I was doing like a two-bit villain? Because I wanted to buy some time and show him I was not an easy target.

    Also, his technique was flawed. It was deadly at first sight, but even techniques like Turtle Shell Body would be useless on his hands as there was little he could do about softening those arms. His technique required him to create a weakness in his arms.

    His frown deepened, and my reasoning seemed to have had no effect. He kept attacking as both of his hands turned into whips.

    "Let''s see if you can hit this then," his arms swished around with cracking sounds, breaking the sound barrier.

    Boom!

    One of his fists landed on the tree next to him, and it looked like someone had used a baseball bat to shred the middle of said tree.

    In this case, speed equaled power in its own way.

    Despite the move seemingly not making his attacks stronger, it seemed like the young man had some handle on his technique and had circumvented that weakness. No doubt his grandpa taught him something like this when he was young; this guy didn''t seem like the kind who would figure out things like this on his own.

    Or maybe he was? The best way to do this was to test each other''s mastery of our techniques.

    He rushed me with a smug smile and said some words I bothered not listening to. It was probably something rude. But such things no longer mattered and never even entered my mind.

    I was in my own world, and the only thing in front of me were those whip-like arms. The way he moved those upper limbs was more than just joint-dislocation. This move was at the level of my Turtle Shell Body technique. Average Mortal Grade Techniques never caused such drastic changes in the limbs.

    The way he approached me was rigid despite how fast he moved.

    In the middle of the whip-like arms, I threw a punch, and immediately gashes formed around my arms. I kept my gaze on him, and my Piercing Fang Fist landed on his throat.

    His eyes widened in shock, and for the first time since our fight started, he seemed to take damage as blood rolled down his mouth. He fell to his knees, clawing at his own throat. While looking around confused.

    Perhaps he could no longer breathe? That was bad timing for him. But since he was my opponent, I was definitely kicking him while he was down.

    I threw another punch. This one even slightly aided with Rushing Bull Step.

    Yet, there was a sudden feeling in the air.

    What was this strange sensation on my skin? The closest thing I could describe it to was like the heat coming off a metal stove.

    I could not see it! But there was something there! Dangerous!

    Despite having the perfect chance to give this bastard another beating, I listened to my instinct. Or more correctly I was forced to listen to them as my body moved on its own before I could even think things through and I jumped back. Even ten feet away from the coughing man, the hairs at the end of my neck stood up, and my heart started beating louder.

    What was this strange feeling? There was something in front of me I wasn''t seeing.

    As the inner disciple stopped coughing, he stood up and stared at me with another emotion different from anger. He looked bewildered as he addressed me, "How did you dodge that?"

    Excuse me? Dodge what?

    As if reading the look on my face, he frowned, "No, you can''t see it, just like every other Body Tempering disciple. But what made you dodge there? How can you sense Qi?! Dont tell me"

 Chapter 29: Experiment #3

    Chapter 29: Experiment #3

    After each significant stage of cultivation, the cultivator''s understanding of cultivation and the world itself changed. This explains the vast differences in power among individuals at different stages, as elucidated in many books I have read.

    The transition between Body Tempering and Qi Gathering constitutes a considerable bottleneck. The inner sect places great importance on raw talent because, without it, the likelihood of naturally reaching the Qi Gathering stage is slim to none.

    Some regard the Qi Gathering realm as the stage when one truly becomes a cultivator, as it alters their perception of the world. Most people cannot perceive Qi unless it condenses into a dense form. This is why legends speak of cultivators reshaping landscapes with a swipe of their hand. They used Qi which was invisible to ordinary mortals.

    Qi becomes visible to normal people only when concentrated. It wasn''t until someone mentioned it that I realized I had been instinctively sensing Qi.

    Was I perhaps super talented?

    As soon as the thought crossed my mind, I dismissed it. If there were such a significant change in talent, it would have been noticeable. The only plausible explanation is that due to coming from a world where Qi didn''t exist, I might be more sensitive to it than those born and raised here, constantly immersed in Qi.

    Regardless, this revelation was irrelevant at the moment. I was engaged in a fight, and that demanded my full attention. Seizing the opportunity while my opponent was surprised, I charged at him, employing Rushing Bull Step and Piercing Fang Fist simultaneously. As I closed the distance, unleashing the devastating power of my attack, his eyes widened in shock, barely managed to defend himself as I struck.

    Unlike previous encounters, I executed my techniques flawlessly in full combination. He staggered backward, crashing through a multitude of trees before halting. Though he lowered his arms, there were no visible injuries.

    "How unpleasant," the inner disciple muttered, strangely calm. "Despite being an outer disciple, you remind me of those elites. No wonder something about you made me uneasy. You''re just like those despicable core disciples, always looking down on us, treating us as mere toys. I understand them; they possess the power to do so, being among the most talented in our sect. But what about you? What gives you the right to look down on me?"

    For once, his young master''s demeanor shifted, revealing glimpses of vulnerability. Just like bandits, individuals don''t become arrogant overnight; circumstances shape them.

    Unfortunately for him, unlike with the bandits, I couldn''t afford to show mercy. Only the strong could afford such luxury. Compared to an inner disciple, ensuring my survival was paramount, and mercy was a luxury I couldn''t afford.

    His arms trembled once more, moving like snake-like whips.

    Whatever technique he was using, it was undoubtedly a good one and much more versatile than my Piercing Fang Fist which was essentially just a super-powered normal punch. However, now that I had seen the technique in use multiple times, I was getting used to it.

    It was kind of like xianxia novels themselves, if you read one, you had essentially read them all.

    As he charged at me, I couldn''t help but think that his technique wasn''t meant to be used like this. The way he used it showed no versatility, and only used to get behind someone''s guard and land their attacks.

    What a boring way to use such a technique. At least he could have gone for lethality and held some daggers while using it. Perhaps the technique made his grip weak, but he should still try something like spiked gloves.

    This time I didn''t bother blocking his attacks, or even moving out of the way. Instead, it became an exchange of blows as he aimed for my throat, likely to repay my previous attack on him.

    I had to cast aside the doubts and focus on testing my theories.

    Crouching down, I prepared for Rushing Bull Step, noticing the inner disciple''s guarded stance. Despite the rib injury, could I outlast him? His stamina seemed lacking, contrasting with my rigorous training regimen.

    "What? Not attacking?" I taunted, mustering a smile.

    His reaction sparked a shimmering aura, setting my senses on edge. Despite his tough faade, a bead of sweat betrayed his composure.

    Certainly, even he didn''t possess an endless reserve of Qi, especially since he appeared to be in the early stages of Qi Gathering. Though I lacked experience in gauging the strength of a Qi Gathering Cultivator, if he surpassed one-stat Qi Gathering, this encounter was embarrassing for him.

    "You trash!" He charged at me, repeating the same words like a broken record.

    Though I couldn''t directly sense his Qi, he likely enveloped himself in it, creating a shimmering effect akin to invisible steam.

    With him utilizing Qi, the chances of me reaching the ritual place in the training grounds plummeted. I needed to improvise. The only way to gain an advantage against someone like him was by trapping him in an array. Fighting a Qi user meant using Qi myself, and the only chance I had was through arrays that utilized the Qi in our surroundings.

    I hadn''t mastered array techniques like the librarian. Who could execute basic arrays to trap opponents. His last advice, vague as it was, urged me to observe my surroundings.

    The Bind array required four key points, usually represented by candles... four key points.

    Surveying our surroundings, I noticed we were encircled by trees. Four points...

    How hadn''t I seen it before?

    In a moment of realization, in my eyes, each tree became a pillar of life akin to kindling flames. I no longer needed to reach the training grounds; the forest became my domain.

    Pointing two fingers at the inner disciple, I drew him closer. With all my might, I executed the Rushing Bull Step, leaping backward for distance and a better view. Four trees formed a cross, with the arrogant young master at the center.

    "This is mostly improvisation from now on. Even I''m not sure how this will go, so go easy on me here," I warned jokingly, taking a deep breath before chanting. "Climb the mountain, grab the sky, chain rocks! Bind!"

    As I landed, the inner disciple stared wide-eyed, his body twitching uncontrollably as he attempted to move. He was now trapped by the Binding Array.

    For the first time since the fight began, I had the advantage!

 Chapter 30: Experiment #4

    Chapter 30: Experiment #4

    For a split second, I contemplated leaving this guy here and running away. However, it wasnt certain how long this Bind Array was going to hold him down.

    The guy could barely move due to the Bind Array he was under. But because it was hastily formed, there was no way to tell how long he would stay under its effects. So without much thought, I used Rushing Bull Step and Piercing Fang Fist simultaneously.

    In an instant, I was in front of the guy, and his eyes widened. I used the Rushing Bull Step again and kicked off the ground. This increased my speed once more to impossible levels, where I could no longer see where I was going. However, my target was so close that I could no longer miss the target.

    For a second, my mind wandered toward whether I should have aimed for his legs instead. Crippling him and giving me a chance to run away. But such a move would have been a gamble. He could have found the willpower within himself to move his foot away.

    My fist landed straight on his liver, below his rib cage, and I felt his squishy organs through the skin, despite my punch not piercing him. His bloodshot eyes stared at me, full of shock, and this time there was even a trace of fear as his body was flung away like a rag doll. He bounced off the ground a couple of times before smashing against a tree, causing the leaves to fall, as he lay there motionless.

    I looked at my hand and frowned. "I for sure thought that would pierce through."

    This wasn''t something one would brag about, but I had experience punching someone in the chest, where there were more bones. It was my first kill and not something I would ever forget. Even now, it felt like I had pieces of flesh and organs stuck under my nails because of that guy.

    What was more worrying was how the guy was still breathing. Sure, I was somewhat glad he was alive, as killing someone like that sounded like something that would only bring trouble. I might not have wanted to kill the youngster, but every punch I had thrown was done with the intent to deliver the most damage and kill. It was a testament to how I couldn''t afford to be merciful here.

    The chilling feeling in the air increased, even though it wasn''t that cold. I kicked at the ground, creating a cloud of dust as I jumped back. While I couldn''t see Qi, I could see everything else around it. As the dust shifted about, it resembled two intertwined snakes shooting toward me.

    Though the attack was coming toward me, it moved as if it didn''t know where it was going, likely because of the dust screen where the inner disciple couldn''t see where I was or where I was going and only judged by the rough position I had been in where to throw the attack.

    Maintaining such a technique no doubt took a lot of concentration, and by where the coiling of the dust snakes began, I could judge the rough position of the origin of the technique.

    I leaped into the dust cloud and closed my eyes. Then I stomped on the ground hard enough to create a sound, and immediately the dust in front of me shifted away, and I opened my eyes.

    Though I could not see the Qi, being able to see everything else around it was almost the same as being able to see it. Tendrils of dust shifted around and made to grab toward me. The whole front was covered in a wide net of Qi from what it seemed.

    It appeared that the inner disciple wasn''t as naive as I had thought them to be. He had already realized that my technique could theoretically only move in a straight line and had formed a net of Qi.

    That was a good move, much better than one would expect from someone like him. Maybe he did have some fighting experience after all. But he was a bit careless, as I rushed to the source of this attack, and there I found him, breathing heavily and blood coming out of the corner of his mouth.

    I didn''t know much about medical matters, but when someone had a body shot and started bleeding out of the mouth, there was clearly some internal damage.

    He also had a look in his eyes that made it clear he wouldn''t be going for non-lethal shots anymore.

    Well, time to use this in a real battle.

    I racked my brains to try to figure out another way. How could I get away from someone who could match me in speed?

    A certain memory popped into my head. One where the old janitor told me how stealth and scouting techniques were quite rare. Since the sect didn''t want disciples to kill each other.

    Now the question of the day was, how rare were they really? This guy chasing me was the grandson of an inner elder and an inner disciple himself. Did the same rules apply in the inner sect?

    Common sense dictated that they did. Techniques like this would be dangerous even when given to inner sect disciples. After all, they could kill each other too. But maybe there were some exceptions...

    This was such a gamble; I didn''t like it at all.

    But I had no better choice but to take the chances.

    As soon as my feet touched the ground, a plan had already formed in my mind. Crouching down, I ripped grass, covered myself in it, and laid on the ground at a shadowy angle, away from the full moon. Hopefully, the darkness might help hide me better.

    My heart beat in my chest as there were sounds of leaves crunching and branches shaking, as someone got closer. The second loudest thing I heard was the heavy breathing from the inner disciple.

    Would he find out? I remembered the librarian mentioning that Qi Gathering Realm cultivators could sense Qi. Everyone had dormant Qi within themselves; even I probably did.

    Now the second question of the day was just how honed was the sixth sense of a Qi Gathering cultivator?

    The tree above me shook, and then with a swish of wind, something moved past and went further and further away. I held my breath of relief and dared not move even an inch. Cold sweat drenched my clothes, and my pupils shook.

    Was that it? After all that stressing about him finding me, did he just rush past without even checking?

    I was worried he might notice my tracks ending here, and he would stop and search.

    But was he really so incompetent, or was he acting like he had gone far away, waiting for me to come out of my hiding spot and capture me then?

    Despite every instinct in my body telling me to run away from there, I stayed still and held my breath, taking in breaths only when needed.

    After a dozen minutes of a whole lot of nothing happening, I stood up and quietly rushed toward the library.

    Maybe he would be there too. After all, if he hadn''t found me, then the next logical choice would be to wait for where I would be.

    I had to be prepared for another battle at the entrance of the library!

 Chapter 31: Dark Letters

    Chapter 31: Dark Letters

    I dashed through the maze of trees, fixating on the tower in the distance while the full moon illuminated my path. Upon reaching the front yard of the library tower, I halted, scanning for any potential ambushes. Finding none, the weight of the tension finally lifted off my shoulder as I stepped inside the library.

    The librarian and the old man were still there, whispering to each other. Despite my usual ability to eavesdrop, their words eluded my hearing.

    Was it the result of some sort of array?

    The librarian turned towards me, removing his glasses to clean the lenses. "You are safe here. However, elders cannot meddle in student conflicts."

    Normally, the old janitor would have reminded me that the library should have closed by now. Yet he remained unusually silent, his gaze fixed on me until a smile crept onto his face. "How was it? Did you have fun testing your skills against a superior opponent?"

    "What kind of guy do you think I am, old man?" I retorted.

    My sole intention in confronting the adversary was to demonstrate the high cost of challenging me. It seemed logical that after such a display, he would reconsider his actions. Even in Xianxia settings, bullies typically backed down when faced with potential danger.

    Yet, this guy had a blend of stubborn arrogance and vindictive spirit.

    "Of course, you''re the kind of crazy guy who would risk his life to improve his techniques," the old man regarded me as if I were the anomaly.

    "Why would I ever do reckless shit like that?"

    "I don''t know. How am I supposed to fathom the mind of a training freak?" he quipped.

    That''s how he saw me?

    I massaged my temples, suppressing the urge to argue with the old guy.

    "Shouldn''t the sect intervene in such matters?" I gestured to my bruised arm. "I have the injuries to prove it."

    "Unless someone dies, the sect views it as a mere exchange of pointers between senior and junior disciples," the librarian clarified.

    "To put it bluntly, they prioritize logic over justice," the old janitor interjected. "Consider this. Whom would they value more? A mediocre outer disciple or an inner disciple? Why jeopardize the loyalty of the latter to appease the former?"Follow current novels at novelhall.com)

    "Because allowing the strong to oppress the weak breeds chaos and eventual rebellion," I reasoned.

    It was a matter of common sense that unchecked power only led to upheaval and dissent. There was a reason why monarchies were rarely a thing anymore in my previous world.

    As the janitor stared at me with confusion, a revelation dawned upon me, completing the puzzle.

    The concept of strength here wasn''t merely rooted in political influence; it was tangible power. If the outer disciples dared to rebel, it would take only a handful of Foundation Establishment elders to quell the uprising. Similarly, any friction among Foundation Establishment elders could be swiftly crushed by the Sect Leader or Core Elders. Their authority was backed by sheer might.

    "If you were more talented, the sect might make an exception. However, if you were talented, you would have been in the inner sect or a personal disciple of an elder. But if that was the case, problems like the one you are in right now would never even come up," the old janitor explained, his tone matter-of-fact.

    In simpler terms, it was like an affair in the workplace between the manager and secretary. Where the secretary would be fired because they would be easier to replace.

    "So... I''m trapped either way," I remarked, surprisingly composed.

    My only conceivable escape route seemed to be advancing rapidly to become a Qi Gathering disciple, an endeavor impossible to achieve in mere days.

    I nodded in acquiescence, maintaining my silence as I finished the letter. The librarian deftly folded it into an origami and infused it with his breath.

    Suddenly, the origami''s wings began to twitch, and the paper flapped its wings, soaring out of the library''s door like a bullet toward the higher reaches of the mountain where the inner sect resided.

    I blinked and made sure I was not seeing things. But for now, I kept my mouth shut and my eyes at the entrance, waiting for a certain inner disciple to appear.

    Minutes passed, yet no inner disciple appeared. Finally, breaking the silence, I turned to the two older men. "Can anyone explain why that just happened?"

    "If you explain why you went outside the sect, perhaps," the old man shrugged.

    He was clearly joking here, but I saw no reason to hide something like this.

    "I went to buy a turtle..." I muttered, the absurdity of the situation dawning on me.

    Had this entire sequence of events unfolded because of my quest for a turtle? Fuck me... it really had.

    "Yeah..." the old man winced for some reason. He cast uneasy glances around while the librarian shot him a glare.

    What was that about?

    The librarian sighed, removing his glasses to clean the lenses. His expression softened, a tinge of remorse in his eyes as he regarded me. "You''ve become entangled in an unfortunate chain of affairs."

    He sighed, shooting another glare at the old man, who recoiled. Then, adjusting his glasses, the librarian focused on me once more. "This time, I will make an exception. Tomorrow, I will post a job offer in the Mission Hall. I will need an assistant in the library. The pay will be minimal, just one spirit stone a year. Any applicant will discover that the position has already been filled by you. The only real perk of this job is that the assistant can spend nights in the library."

    Reading between the lines, I grasped his implication. However, I felt like this came out of nowhere, and asked to confirm, "Are you offering me accommodation here for the night?"

    This meant I could seek refuge in the library until the metaphorical storm blew over. For a moment, I questioned my hearing, as this decision displayed clear favoritism toward me. Despite occasionally turning a blind eye, the librarian was typically impartial. However, this gesture was undeniably biased.

    "Yes," the librarian confirmed. "You found yourself embroiled in... unfortunate circumstances. It seems you inadvertently stumbled into some inner sect politics. Recently, some of the elders'' offspring or grandchildren were released, prompting opposing factions to call for surveillance on these individuals. Your involvement was merely collateral in their power plays."

    In the grand scheme of things, I was merely a stray piece caught in a much larger game, likely alongside many other outer disciples. I was not even a pawn, I was completely outside the playing board.

    All because I wanted to buy a turtle. I began to question whether stumbling upon the Turtle Shell Body technique was luck or sheer misfortune.

    Nevertheless, despite the chaos, acquiring the Turtle Shell Body technique had been a boon, and having Speedy by my side was reassuring.

    Yet, the gravity of the situation was such that even the old man refrained from pointing out the blatant favoritism shown by the librarian.

    Oddly, the librarian appeared irked with Shan Sha.

    Had something happened between them? They usually had an amicable relationship.

    The librarian turned toward me and handed me a talisman written in green ink, "Here, this will help you heal from the injuries. It will last about a week, so make sure to keep it on you at all times."

    I stared at the talisman and flipped it around before placing it on my arm.

    "This is inscription-level arrays, right? I didn''t know you could use arrays to heal," I said.

    The librarian nodded, "Usually, it isn''t used for that. But Array Conjurers can be versatile. There are Array Conjurers who specialize in creating large-scale recovery arrays in Healing Halls."

 Chapter 32: Dark Deeds

    Chapter 32: Dark Deeds

    Rong Xiren wasn''t having an easy day. He rushed through the forest as the sun rose, but found no one in sight. The outer disciple he sought had slipped through his grasp, fleeing like the coward he was.

    Determined to exact revenge, Rong Xiren planned to dispose of him discreetly, as he had done with many in the past. His grandfather, though indifferent to such matters, always covered up Rong Xiren''s misdeeds. Yet, this particular outer disciple had managed to shame him unlike any other.

    In truth, it hadn''t been a difficult day... It had been a difficult week.

    Gritting his teeth, Rong Xiren punched a nearby tree, obliterating it in one blow. Wood fragments scattered, piercing nearby trees like arrows.Visit  for the best novel reading experience

    If he were honest, it had been a difficult month.

    Despite being the grandson of an inner elder and expected to be treated like royalty within the Blazing Sun Sect, he found himself assigned to menial tasks. To compound matters, the one he was supposed to supervise hadn''t shown up, leaving Rong Xiren to track him down.

    His once pristine blue robes were now stained with dirt and splatters of blood from the long night''s ordeal. His regal appearance was marred, and his hair disheveled. Moreover, he felt an unfamiliar internal pain from the earlier confrontation with the cowardly disciple, adding to his humiliation. The thought of facing the healer and explaining his injuries filled him with dread; he would become a laughingstock.

    Grimacing, Rong Xiren turned toward the inner sect, vowing to return with a tracking artifact to hunt down and eliminate his target. As he attempted to straighten his rumpled clothes and rid them of stains, his efforts proved futile. The water from a nearby pond only worsened the situation, causing dirt to cling to his robe and bloodstains to spread.

    "Damn it, reduced to menial tasks as if I were a servant! Liu Feng! I will make him suffer for this!" Rong Xiren muttered, suppressing tears of shame.

    Unaccustomed to such chores, he reluctantly approached the towering silver walls of the inner sect. Though unremarkable in appearance, formidable barriers prevented unauthorized entry or exit. Even in his current state, Rong Xiren dared not attempt to breach the inner sanctum.

    As Rong Xiren approached a small gate set within the silver walls, the inner disciples stationed there greeted him with raised eyebrows and stifled laughter.

    "Identify yourself," one guard demanded, while the other struggled to conceal his amusement behind a series of forced coughs.

    He swore he would have his revenge on them all.

    "You already know who I am," Rong Xiren replied through gritted teeth.

    "Yeah, we know," the poker-faced disciple acknowledged, "But protocol is protocol. If you have any grievances, take them up with the Elder of Gates."

    "I am Rong Xiren, grandson of Elder Rong, also known as the Elder of Drinks," he declared formally, recalling the youthful moniker his grandfather once embraced, now a distant memory in the face of his current stoicism.

    After enduring a barrage of inquiries about his presence outside the inner sect, his lineage, martial prowess, demonstrations of said skills, and other requisite formalities, Rong Xiren was finally granted passage, his sense of humiliation deepening.

    Unlike the outer sect''s rustic charm, the inner sect exuded an ethereal beauty, its sparse buildings reminiscent of scenes from a painting. To those attuned to Qi, it revealed a hidden world; to others, it remained a simple forest.

    Thoughts of Qi spurred Rong Xiren''s steps forward. Despite Liu Feng''s status as outer sect trash, his Qi sensitivity indicated he was close to the Qi Gathering realm. Any day now, he could make the breakthrough.

    Judging from Liu Feng''s raw strength, Rong Xiren estimated him to be at the weaker end of the nine-star Body Tempering realm. Were it not for Liu Feng''s Qi sensitivity to Qi, Rong Xiren might have placed him at eight-star. Nevertheless, the leap from nine-star Body Tempering to Qi Gathering was challenging. Rong Xiren intended to eliminate him before Liu Feng could do that.

    Rong Xiren abhorred leaving matters to chance; typically, a Body Tempering cultivator stood little chance against a Qi Gathering cultivator. The ability to sense impending attacks was a game-changer. Despite defeating Liu Feng in their previous encounter, the coward fled as soon as Rong Xiren unleashed his full power.

    "We''re aware," the girl spoke softly, gracefully descending from the tree as if riding down on leaves before touching the ground. "But the individual you assaulted for amusement happens to be the grandson of an elder within the Liu Clan. This elder, aside from Liu Feng, has no descendants with cultivation potential. So it would be troublesome if any harm befell his grandson and we ignored it."

    "You know," Liu Bo shrugged. "It''s safer to upset someone outside the clan than someone within."

    Approaching Rong Xiren with an eerie calmness, the girl''s breath was quiet, akin to that of the dead, and her eyes colder than ice. "Choosing Liu Feng was a grave mistake. He''s cherished by his grandfather, his fiance is an important ally''s daughter, and he is deemed the most talented youth of his generation in the Liu Clan."

    She shrugged, her nails emanating an intense and concentrated Qi at their tips. The Qi was so potent that it illuminated her nails and was dense enough for even a non-cultivator to perceive.

    Rong Xiren trembled, a bead of sweat tracing down his cheek.

    She was no ordinary inner disciple.

    "To be frank, I don''t recall much about Liu Feng," she admitted. "The only memorable traits were his long hair and his obsession with jade-like beauties. He also threw quite the tantrum upon meeting his young fiance."

    Liu Bo chuckled, "That incident caused quite a stir. It was the talk of the year."

    "He grew out of it eventually," Liu Heng remarked. "We can''t judge him based on tantrums he threw as a child."

    "True," Liu Qian agreed. "Anyway, enough reminiscing in front of a stranger. Hold him down."

    Rong Xiren struggled to resist, but his efforts were futile. The two men gripped his arms with unyielding strength, capable of tearing them from his body. He had underestimated them, focusing solely on the enigmatic young woman. Yet, these men possessed higher cultivation levels than him.

    "Release me! I''m Elder Rong''s grandson!" Rong Xiren yelled, attempting to break free. However, they restrained him effortlessly, treating him like a rabid dog. Meanwhile, the girl''s hand moved swiftly, striking his abdomen with a burning sensation.

    "Ahhh!" Rong Xiren cried out, collapsing to the ground as the unbearable heat coursed through his body.

    The foreign Qi within him spread rapidly, disrupting his Qi center and spiritual roots. Panic surged within him as he realized the gravity of the situation. Tears welled up, something he hadn''t experienced in years resurfaced. "Please! No! Spare my cultivation! Please, don''t destroy it!"

    But his pleas fell on deaf ears. The three Liu Clan members conversed amongst themselves, ignoring his distress.

    "After we''re done with him, won''t the sect send another?" Liu Bo inquired.

    "That''s why you should meet with our cousin on the other side before returning to the family with the thing," Liu Qian advised.

    "Moreover, Liu Qian and I will face our own challenges. Elder Rong won''t take this lightly, so we must be careful. Especially when Liu Qian is so close to a breakthrough," Liu Heng remarked.

    They continued their discussion, oblivious to Rong Xiren''s despair. The tables had turned on him. Despite having crushed the cultivation of others in the past, now he lay broken and defeated, in the same situation as his once victims. Even the ones who had destroyed his cultivation acted about as nonchalant about it as he had at the time.

    "It hurts," he muttered, tears streaming down his face as he lay on the ground, feeling the sting of the foreign Qi entering his Dantian and exploding.

    This was the consequence of one petty fight, one small mistake had destroyed his whole lifetime''s work. He would never be able to recover as his Spiritual Roots twisted and turned.

    For him, this was the worst day of his life. For others, it was just another day in this unforgiving world of cultivation...

 Chapter 33: No More Politics

    Chapter 33: No More Politics

    I spent a sleepless night in the library, with my only company being the librarian and the old man dozing off in a chair. There wasn''t much talking or joking around like we usually did. The tension in the air was palpable, and there was nothing that could ease it.

    "By the way, next time, can you give me less vague instructions during lessons? I almost died out there," I said, recalling how the realization that I could use the trees as points had been such a last-second discovery.

    But the librarian frowned, "What are you talking about?"This chapter is updated by

    "You know, how I could use four points anywhere and should look around and anything that could substitute for a ritual to activate an array," I explained.

    "Oh, you used the trees as points? That''s nice, but what I had been talking about in the library was the pillars that hold this library up. Or even the chairs and bookshelves being used as the four points of the Bind Array. Though of course, the pillars would be best since they were strong enough that it would be difficult to break them," he continued with his lesson, and I listened attentively.

    He made a good teacher, explaining many small details about certain Level 1 barriers. He even criticized me on some points about how I could have used a different chant to make the Bind stronger since last night was a full moon.

    "By the way, what about Elder Rong?" I asked. "Will he become a trouble in the future?"

    "I think you should worry more about whether your cousins cared enough to deal with the grandson," the librarian shook his head like a disappointed parent. "Elder Rong is a man who will die soon, he just doesn''t want to be graceful about it. He wants to break through past Foundation Establishment and reach the next stage. He probably won''t come after you and cause trouble, since a conflict with your clan would only take time out of his already limited supply. He would rather use that time to do something useful."

    That made sense. Even if someone has lived over a century, if they had the wealth of an inner elder and the power like that, no doubt someone would want to live even longer. I was more used to old people caring about their grandsons or granddaughters, but in this world, maybe such a long life made people have a different perspective on things.

    "Can you tell me more about this Elder Rong?" I inquired because there was nothing better to do, and learning about someone who might end up becoming an enemy in the future didn''t sound like a bad idea.

    "Well, for one, if he were to go after anyone, then it would be your relatives in the inner sect," he laid that point out there before walking up to one of the chairs and sitting down. A frown furrowed his brows as he leaned back on the chair. "When I was younger, Elder Rong was already an inner elder and younger. There were rumors that he was quite talented. A hard worker too, if said rumors of his youth are to be believed. Some said he would become the next Core Elder. However, he took a step back once he became a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and enjoyed life, having had over twenty wives, dozens of children, and hundreds of grandchildren."

    He explained many things about how Elder Rong was much friendlier in his younger years, and the only downside was that he used to indulge his descendants with anything they wanted. He was a big spender, but as an inner elder, his spirit stones rarely ran out despite his lavish expenditures.

    However, in the last decade or so, things started to change as the man entered the final phase of his life. At the time, he had only been a six-star Foundation Establishment cultivator, and he had little wealth saved to purchase the expensive resources needed for rapid advancement.

    This all sounded uncomfortably familiar to me, and a chill crawled up my spine. "How confident are you that Elder Rong won''t resort to practicing demonic techniques to advance his cultivation?"

    It was a xianxia clich in these scenarios, where the person in power would use demonic techniques or pills to advance. That would be dangerous as hell.

    "That''s impossible. The sect keeps a close watch on such matters. Everyone keeps each other''s powers in check, as too many sects were destroyed that way," he smiled. "If you read some of the texts from the Century of Darkness on the third floor, you''ll find that it was a common practice for the Poison Demon Saint to deal with rival sects by tempting the people in power."

    Just then, a soft gust of wind brushed by, which was unusual as the library was surrounded by arrays designed to prevent such occurrences. A white flash flew in and landed on the librarian''s shoulder: a paper origami figure that emitted a soft whistle before bursting into flames.

    A smile graced the librarian''s face. "Well, it seems like your cousins and clan do care for you. Or maybe your grandfather would have caused quite a stir if you weren''t looked after. It''s either one of those or perhaps a bit of both."

    "Aren''t you curious how this happened?" He asked, his face returning to normal but the happy twinkle still dancing in his gaze.

    Yes, I was curious.

    "No, not really. I don''t question good things when they happen to me," I shrugged, feigning disinterest.

    If he wanted to take this to a petty place, I was already there.

    Suddenly, someone snorted, it was the sleeping old man. He opened his eyes, looking around confused. "Huh? Did someone say something?"

    Then he looked at me and the librarian before wincing, as if he had swallowed a lemon. "It seems like I''m still asleep. A nightmare, really. Who would ever want to wake up looking at you two?"

    Closing his eyes again, he shifted in his wooden chair, trying to find a comfortable position. But that was hard to do since it was a damn wooden chair and not cushioned. After some grunting and cursing under his breath, he stood up and stretched before looking at me. "You''re still alive?"

    The librarian''s face returned to its usual serious demeanor, restoring a sense of balance to the room.

    "Anyway, I have decided to take you on as my personal disciple," the librarian revealed.

    "I guess the kid is still in shock that you''re actually human and know how to joke around sometimes," the old man chuckled.

    I quickly regained my senses and bowed down to my waist as a sign of respect. "Disciple greets master!"

    "This will be far from the average mentorship, so you don''t need to start acting differently. I''m making you my personal disciple to spare you the trouble of dealing with the inner sect disciples or anyone else. From now on, if anyone has a problem with you, you can come to me," he narrowed his eyes. "From now on, you''re untouchable from internal sect politics or anything silly like that."

    That was more than I could ask for, and it sounded like something that would help me in the long run in more ways than one. I was buzzing at the thought of no longer having to deal with that kind of nonsense.

    "Thank you," I didn''t bow or clap my fist and palm this time. Instead, I just looked the man in the eye and expressed my gratitude.

    He had just offered to shield me from a tsunami of potential trouble. Any elders, disciples, or anything else that could cause me problems were now under his purview.

    "Well, there''s no need to thank me yet," the librarian took off his glasses and began cleaning the lenses. "From now on, you will be my eyes and hands in places where it would be inappropriate for an elder to intervene. I helped you deal with all your problems, and we haven''t even discussed the perks you''ll receive as my disciple. However, my issues will now become something you''ll have to help me with."

    I didn''t bother hiding my wince, and the old man chuckled. But the librarian shot him a glare that silenced him, before putting his glasses back on and continuing his explanation, "Don''t worry, I won''t put you in any danger or have you start conflicts with anyone. Just to make sure we are on the same page, my goal is to become an inner elder, and you''re going to help me achieve that."

    Okay... I was okay with this. I scratch your back, and you scratch mine. A mutually beneficial relationship for both of us.

 Chapter 34: The Guilt Trip

    Chapter 34: The Guilt Trip

    Xin Ma watched as young Liu Feng walked away, finally allowing the old librarian to reveal the wince he had been concealing. "This is quite a mess."

    That was the understatement of the century.

    "Tell me about it," the old man sighed, devoid of his usual quips. "I thought there was a chance he might uncover the truth. The kid is usually very sharp. But it looks like he trusts us too much to hold suspicions."

    They were offering to fix problems they had started. The old janitor had inadvertently left the Turtle Shell Body technique on the shelves, sparking this chain of events.

    While the main culprit was the old guy, without a doubt. However, Xin Ma acknowledged his own role in the debacle. He could have prevented Liu Feng from accessing or reading the book. Had he stuck to the rules, Liu Feng wouldn''t have been outside the sect when the incident occurred, and this whole mess could have been avoided.Visit  for the best novel reading experience

    "Are you certain it was wise to guarantee Liu Feng that you would handle any trouble that came his way? What if Elder Rong decides to become said trouble?" Shan Sha questioned. "Despite your reassurances to the kid, the likelihood of that old bastard causing problems isn''t exactly zero."

    "I''ll take my chances," Xin Ma declared resolutely. He had caused the situation and was determined to resolve it. Leaving Liu Feng to fend for himself for a problem they had instigated didn''t sit well with Xin Ma. This situation left a bad taste in his mouth and reminded him of how he had suffered a similar betrayal. "Elder Rong is already on his last legs, having indulged excessively in pills and elixirs to reach an eight-star Foundation Establishment. He stands no chance of reaching Core Formation. The sect will support those who offer greater long-term benefits, and that''s clearly me."

    Moreover, despite the sect boasting an abundance of Array Conjurers, Xin Ma was a valuable Level 4 Array Conjurer who single-handedly managed inscriptions in the library and numerous barriers within the outer sect.

    If it weren''t for others passing their burdens onto him, Xin Ma might have ascended to the rank of an inner elder. He would sooner break both his own arms than subject someone to the treatment he had endured.

    Despite the potential risks involved, Xin Ma was unwavering in his commitment to treating others with the respect he had never gotten. Just contemplating what Liu Feng had enduredthe battles outside the sect, the imprisonment, and all the hardshipsmade Xin Ma feel like he had burdened the young disciple excessively for his own mistakes.

    "You have a look in your eyes like someone kicked your dog," Shan Sha remarked.

    "Well, now I have a lot of responsibility to shoulder and certain things to deal with." Xin Ma acknowledged.

    "Did you ever think about why I suggested you take Liu Feng as your personal disciple in the first place? You know, before all of this mess came to light," Shan Sha''s guilt was palpable in his tone.

    Despite how the old goat acted, he had little going on for him. The two people he even talked to in the sect were Xin Ma and the kid.

    "Yes, despite everything. Liu Feng is the only disciple I trust to have my promotion in his hands, so the plan remains unchanged," Xin Ma reasoned, confident that what he had in mind for Liu Feng posed no danger to someone at the eight-star Body Tempering stage.

    "I still believe you owe him something for this whole mess," Shan Sha persisted.

    "You''re the one who handed him that technique," Xin Ma narrowed his eyes at the old man.

    "Well, I don''t have anything to repay him with," the old man gestured to himself, emphasizing his point. "Also, tried to help the kid. You think I would have done that if I had known he would end up in danger like that?"

    It was more like a Colosseum, with a central stone ring where people fought and a high wall where Liu Feng had slammed into it.

    Now that I had experience with arrays. It was easy to suppose how there was an invisible barrier separating the arena and the stands. The place appeared deserted, unlike my previous memories.

    Settling onto one of the empty stone seats, I basked in the warmth of the sun rays hitting my face. The nearest structure to the arena was this world''s equivalent of a hospital known as the Healing Hall.

    Choosing not to linger until any rivals arrived to settle disputes in the arena, I departed and wandered along random routes. Some paths led to places like the Outer Herb Garden, where spirit herbs grew. However, access to this place was restricted, and I could only observe from behind the wooden fence guarded by sentinels.

    Though these guards weren''t inner disciples, it was evident that outer disciples would inevitably attempt herb theft sooner or later.

    Occasionally, disciples smelling of ash and flames passed by and talked to the guards about specific herbs they needed.

    Wary of arousing suspicion, I decided against lingering near the garden lest I be mistaken for a potential herb thief scouting the area. I had just dealt with a problem and didn''t need another one anytime soon.

    After exploring various parts of the outer sect, such as the Alchemy Tower, I found it smaller than expected, though perhaps it had underground levels. The tower resembled a lighthouse, its apex adorned with a glass cube containing a trapped flame.

    Disciples bustled in and out of the tower, sparing me passing glances but showing no inclination to inquire about my presence. They seemed absorbed in their own tasks, reminiscent of college hallways.

    The tower, constructed of pristine white marble, presented a striking sight, yet the air carried a faint scent of ash. Each passing alchemist emitted a unique medicinal aroma, indicative of their distinct pill-making endeavors.

    After looking around for a bit, I left the Alchemy Tower behind.

    ...

    Conversely, the Mission Hall exuded an ambiance akin to an adventurer guild from an isekai anime. Upon entering, the atmosphere shifted, resembling a bank with receptionists stationed behind counters and a mission board drawing my attention.

    The mission board featured a myriad of tasks, from procuring exotic beast parts to retrieving herbs beyond the sect''s cultivation capabilities. Most missions appeared dangerous, none of which piqued my interest until I noticed a request for library assistance tucked in a corner. The offered pay of one spirit stone per year.

    The disciples within the hall wore stern expressions, clad in sect uniforms. They exuded an aura of readiness and efficiency unmatched by any I had encountered.

    Some bore scars on their faces, chests, and arms, while one even sported a missing limb, though he carried a sword at his hip. These injuries served as a testament to the dangers inherent in missions outside the sect. They looked more like veteran warriors of a middle-ages war than cultivators.

    ...

    Afterward, I visited numerous other sites, but many were left unexplored within the land of the outer sect grounds. I took my time traversing the terrain until midday. Which was when I eventually returned to the library.

 Chapter 35: Personal Disciple

    Chapter 35: Personal Disciple

    Days passed, and as I healed, I began to experience the advantages of being a personal disciple. Although Xin Ma wasn''t a formidable elder with significant influence, he still commanded respect from everyone. He was the kind of elder who would swiftly deal with anyone who dared to hinder me, making everything much more comfortable.

    Despite my lingering paranoia about using the spirit stones I had hidden, I doubted anyone would cause trouble if I used them now. The risk of my disappearance would prompt dangerous individuals to investigate, deterring any outer disciples from taking action.

    However, I wasn''t sure how many people knew about my abundance of spirit stones. Depending on the commotion the arrogant young master had caused when I wasn''t there, people might know.

    It was early morning, and the trees had turned various shades of brown, with leaves beginning to fall. One might expect the old janitor to clean leaves from the library''s courtyard. But he seemed to like staying indoors more as it became colder, likely doubling his tea intake.

    As I entered the library, there were fewer disciples around than usual.

    With winter approaching, one would think more people would seek refuge from the cold to read here, but it was quite the opposite. Though I was not well-versed in such matters, my chubby friend had explained why this was the case.

    During winter, beast waves occurred frequently. Many of the sect''s disciples were dispatched to handle these waves, so most spent their time training and preparing for the inevitable conflicts. Newcomer disciples were usually spared, but even they might be sent to places in emergencies.

    In any case, I relished the privileges of being a personal disciple when the librarian informed me, "You have access to any floor of the library tower in the outer sect. Just be cautious not to rush into things prematurely, or you might get hurt."

    Yes, I could explore the entire library tower in the outer sect!

    I concealed my excitement and nodded, "Of course."

    "Now, I do not believe I have to warn you about this, but taking books out of the library and giving them to anyone else is forbidden. Among those forbidden acts is also sharing techniques learned here with your clan," he narrowed his eyes, and a spine-chilling feeling ran down my spine. "Because if you do that, I will be the one in charge of chasing you down and killing you. I will also take the blame for anything you do. If it comes to that, and your clan tries to take revenge, the sect will exterminate them. So be very damn careful. The Blazing Sun Sect is not here to act as a stepping stone for any other clan or sect to rise higher."

    "Yes, I understand," I nodded.

    "The sect doesnt like creating unnecessary enemies, but when they do, they make sure to eliminate them root and stem," he warned me once again before waving me off. "Anyway, you can now go and study whatever you want. I will come by later and teach you what I can, and I also have something you need to do for me."

    After that, there was no more room for talking out here, and the handful of disciples already here had their eyes on me as I climbed the stairs toward the second floor. However, I worried little about their gazes and instead had a hard time stopping my racing heart.

    With each step I took, I felt butterflies in my stomach, and when I finally reached the second floor, a strange feeling washed over me. Likely, I had passed another array.

    Calling the second floor a floor would be an understatement, as some bookshelves were as high as a two-story house. There were ladders around if someone wanted to reach higher, and there were more books here than one could count.

    Even a lifetime might not be enough to read all this!

    It was more than I had ever imagined; the whole floor was like a maze of books, and I could have sworn it was bigger inside than it looked from the outside.

    Maybe it was some kind of array?

    I ran my fingers along the spines of many books as I walked past them. Unlike the first floor, there was no librarian here, which was a bit unexpected, and it seemed like Xin Ma was the one who managed this whole library. Just him and his countless arrays.

    Unlike the first floor, there were no chairs or tables here, so if I wanted to read something, I would have to do it on the floor. Which I didn''t really mind, as it wasn''t like I would get back problems with a cultivator''s body. Such things were old news, and even cramps were nonexistent!

    For a split second, I almost believed my insults flew over his head. Nothing escaped this old goats attention; his mind was sharper than a razor, the latter of which he needed desperately to cut his goat-like beard.

    Okay, get out now. A man my age needs his midday naps, he said, closing the door behind me.

    I was already out, I grumbled under my breath. However, my annoyance dissipated as I laid eyes on the library before me.

    So many books, and so much to learn! The biggest problem I faced was where to even start with all this!

    First, I should focus on subjects I already had some knowledge of techniques, body strengthening methods like the Turtle Body Shell, and movement techniques. After that, I would delve into arrays, information on monstrous beasts, history, alchemy, sword techniques, and whatever else piqued my interest along the way.

    I took out my notebook and began jotting down topics one by one, preparing to delve into them. Damn, I forgot to ask the old man if there was a way to get food here. There probably is, since he was living here. Also, wasnt there supposed to be some kind of free tea thing, or was the old goat only referring to his own tea maker?

    Shaking my head, I resolved to focus on one thing at a time, starting with the...

    I spent hours scouring the books in the library. But because of its vastness and lack of organization, I only gathered about forty books on fist techniques and a dozen more on the theoretical knowledge of throwing punches with maximum power.

    There were probably many similar books scattered around, but continuing the search would consume the rest of my day. So, I found a secluded corner, piled the books, and settled down, leaning against one of the sturdy bookshelves.

    Usually, I would worry about toppling a shelf by leaning on it. However, the shelves were tall and looked immovable, likely secured by some inscription array.

    So far, I had only skimmed the first pages of some books to get a rough idea of their contents. Some contained very peculiar techniques, requiring unconventional training methods. Among them, the weirdest was one I was called Iron Tiger Body, which hardened the skin like iron but demanded the consumption of tiger hearts during training.

    Yet, none of the defensive techniques had stood out enough to replace the Turtle Body Shell technique, which had shown remarkable progress with no discernible weaknesses.

    I considered myself extremely fortunate to stumble upon such a treasure trove. Even before I had entered the second floor.

    Then, I heard footsteps approaching the second floor. I immediately tensed, dropping the book from my hand and preparing for anything.

    Turning toward the stairway, I saw it was just the librarian carrying a book. He met my gaze and raised a questioning brow. "It seems like you have already started."

    "I couldn''t resist," I admitted.

    "Well, I don''t blame you," he said, handing me the booka fist technique. "As your teacher, it''s my duty to help with your training. For now, this is the best technique I could find for your level. It complements the Piercing Fang Fist quite well, and it seems to have been developed by a skilled martial artist who completed the Piercing Fang Fist to the next level. That is the advantage of widespread techniques like Piercing Fang Fistthere are many variations to be found, and some people have even improved it."

    I read the title of the book, "Sonic Fang Fist?"

    "Yes, it''s more of a shockwave attack. Techniques like this are usually found on the third floor, so you may need to progress from the fist techniques on this floor before mastering something like this," the librarian explained, launching into one of his typical informative lectures. "While all Mortal Grade techniques are considered at the same grade, there are vast differences among them. The Sonic Fang Fist can be considered as close to Earth Grade as a Mortal Grade technique can get."

    He explained things so clearly; he was born to be a teacher. My opinion might be skewed now that he had given me a technique like this. I was about to thank him, but he spoke before I could.

    "Oh, before I forget, there''s something I wanted to talk to you about." His expression shifted, his tone serious.Follow current novels at novelhall.com)

 Chapter 36: Teacher’s Words

    Chapter 36: Teacher��s Words

    "I want you to participate in the acceptance ceremony," the librarian said, interrupting my studying session.

    His gaze was as unyielding as steel, showing that negotiation wasn''t an option. However, I knew the man too well for his tactics to work.

    "Why?" I asked, flipping open the Sonic Fang Fist technique book and skimming through the first few pages.

    "I need you to observe the new participants and recruit a talented disciple before other elders can get their claws on them," he explained.

    So, this was what they meant by saying an elder''s personal disciples were like extensions of themselves. Reaching into areas where direct intervention from an elder would be inappropriate.

    "Alright, I''ll do it," I agreed.

    I owed the man too much to refuse. Since most new disciples rarely surpassed the five-star body-tempering realm, it should be relatively safe.

    His demeanor softened as I accepted, and he nodded. "You can stay in the library as long as you need. Just be cautious on the third floor, and don''t attempt learning anything too advanced without grasping the basics first."

    With those words, he departed. Watching him ascend to the third floor with a satisfied smile.

    I understood his motive. He sought a talented disciple to invest in, potentially elevating him to an inner sect elder. Though he hadn''t explicitly stated his intentions, he hadn''t tried to hide his intentions. It seemed like a reasonable and safe way to repay him.

    I wasn''t fond of combat. But it wasn''t something a cultivator could avoid all their life. If I wanted that kind of life, I would have run away and started a farm or something.

    The chances of a new disciple rejecting an elder were slim to none since they knew all the benefits. Though it might seem exploitative, Xin Ma was a good man. Disciples under his guidance wouldn''t suffer the fate of becoming mere servants to elders.

    A frown creased my brow as I finished perusing the technique book he provided. It was one of the most intricate techniques I''d encountered, surpassing many mortal-grade methods in complexity.

    The technique resembled the Piercing Fang Fist, likely an improved version. However, its learning curve was significantly steeper, requiring familiarity with the original technique for any hope of mastery.

    Given the delay in the acceptance exams, I was uncertain when they would start. Nonetheless, I trusted the librarian to inform me. For now, my only worry should be mastering this technique.

    After an entire week, the librarian finally approached me for another discussion. It was after another day''s work, and for a moment, I thought he might have news about the acceptance ceremony date. However, he sighed and settled beside me, wearing a contemplative expression.

    Apart from meals and occasional trips to the ponds for training, I had scarcely left the library. I even slept on its floor, surrounded by towering shelves of books resembling a king on a throne. Needless to say, I wasn''t exactly a sight to behold.This chapter is updated by

    We sat in silence for a couple of minutes, during which I delved into the theoretical knowledge of the perfect punch. The author had never progressed beyond the three-star Body Tempering stage, yet his insights were remarkable.

    "Just leave them here. Or sometimes in my room, if you see it open," he replied.

    Curiosity struck me, and I asked, "Wait, I didn''t see a water source in your room, and there''s no pond near the library. How do you wash these teacups?"

    "I wash ''em with spit," the old man quipped.

    Even the librarian grimaced, shooting the old man a disapproving glance. But the old man sighed, shaking his head. "Damn, why do I even bother with you guys? Can''t take a joke."

    He then leveled a pointed glare at me. "And Liu Feng, you ought to think more instead of questioning every little thing. If there''s a heating array in my room, don''t you think the creator would have thought to include a water-producing array too?"

    Well, no need to be a dick about it, you old goat. I had only asked a harmless question. "Guessing and knowing the truth are different things."

    With that, I set the empty teacup down and hurried out, before the old man could deliver a cutting retort. He had a knack for using words that hit home and hit right in the feels.

    Once outside the library, I felt a sense of relief. The old man might talk tough, but he was too lazy to chase after me.

    The crimson rays of the evening sun embraced my face, casting a comforting warmth upon my skin that contrasted the chill of the weather. In that fleeting moment, I basked in the tranquil beauty of nature''s embrace, grateful for the simple yet profound joy of the evening sun''s embrace.

    As I descended the stairs leading to the library, a young man blocked my path. His dark, spiky hair and friendly smile struck a chord of familiarity, despite us never having met before.

    Clad in a blue robe denoting his status in the inner sect, he carried a brown leather pouch tied to his side, possibly containing projectiles or other items of significance.

    "I knew I''d find you here, cousin," he greeted me with a smile, advancing toward me.

    Rummaging through Liu Feng''s memories, I identified him as Liu Bo, a member of the Liu Clan and an inner sect disciple. Known for his amiable nature, he often kept a low profile among his peers.

    The question loomed: Was he genuinely friendly or hiding something beneath that smile?

    "And what brings you here?" I inquired cautiously.

    "By the way, we took care of the guy who was bothering you," he announced abruptly.

    His words sent a shiver down my spine. Who starts a conversation like that?

    "Okay..." I replied, unsure how to react.

    "We had to lie low for a while in case the guy''s grandfather retaliated, hence the delay in contacting you," he explained.

    Still didn''t explain dick why he was here.

 Chapter 37: Sup Cuz!

    Chapter 37: Sup Cuz!

    Meeting my cousin turned out to be more awkward than I had anticipated. Despite his friendly demeanor, his casual attitude towards crushing someone''s cultivation made quite an impression.

    Still, I was grateful for their help in dealing with the arrogant young master.

    "Thanks for helping me handle that inner disciple. He attempted to kill me multiple times and even sought to degrade me," I remarked, recalling what I had already mentioned in the letter. Also added a little extra to make them act because I thought they wouldn''t care otherwise.

    Liu Feng knew little about his relatives in the sect. So what was there to talk about? It wasn''t like we were going to high-five for crushing the cultivation of an inner elder''s descendant.

    "Anyway, enough with the pleasantries," Liu Bo smile widened as he continued. "How much do you know about what our clan is trying to achieve here in the sect?"

    "Next to nothing," I admitted.

    "Well, the gist of it is that the Blazing Sun Sect is one of the best in the continent, and our clan is striving for a foothold here," he explained, nodding proudly.

    While that sounded promising, wasn''t this the same goal every other clan pursued by sending their children here? To access better resources and secure opportunities for future generations?r

    "Liu Qian recently broke through, giving us a better chance than ever, as she''s become an inner elder''s personal disciple," Liu Feng said, his fond smile reflecting a glimpse of the journey they had gone through. Undoubtedly, the entire group felt a sense of pride in their accomplishments. "Sadly, as inner disciples, we are restricted from certain activities. However, there''s an upcoming event with newcomers from the Liu Clan. We''ve heard they''ve made it through the preliminaries, and now only the elimination part of the exams remains."

    Liu Feng wiggled his eyebrows, a playful smirk on his lips. "Do you see where I''m going with this?"

    "You want me to enter the exam as a tester and help our clan members pass," I concluded.

    He nodded eagerly, his eyes shining like I had just solved a complicated math problem.

    "As expected from a member of the Liu Clan, our family seems to have a knack for understanding each other without words," he chuckled, his happiness bordering on eerie.

    What was he talking about? There was no silent understanding between us, and we did speak about the situation. But I wasn''t about to confront him in case he turned out to be a smiling psychopath.

    There were a couple of concerning aspects to consider. Undoubtedly, the Blazing Sun Sect had measures in place to counter situations like this. They had demonstrated great caution in such matters before.

    "While I''m willing to help, my help might not be enough. I''m only an eight-star body temperer-"

    "Congratulations," he interrupted, patting me on the shoulder. "I recall you were only at five stars when you joined. That''s remarkable progress."

    Encountering such a supportive figure in the xianxia world was unsettling. While it might have been common in my previous world, it was far from typical here. I couldn''t shake the feeling that there might be something hidden beneath Liu Bo''s facade of kindness.

    "Anyway, as I was saying," I pressed on. "While I may be among the top in the outer sect, there are nine-star disciples and those nearing Qi Gathering. They''re not opponents I can easily overcome."

    To say I had zero chance against them would be a stretch. I had managed to hold my own against the arrogant young master, even though he mostly toyed with me. My survival was largely due to my ability to sense Qi, a skill beyond the average Body Tempering disciple''s grasp.

    "I have just the solution for that problem," he began, reaching into his uniform''s inner part as if retrieving something. Suddenly, his expression paled, and panic flashed across his face. He frantically searched before finally locating a pouch at his side, pulling out a book with a look of relief as if it were a precious gem.

    It seemed like I had just witnessed the xianxia equivalent of searching for your phone only to realize it was in your hand or pocket all along. Moments like these reminded me that despite their extraordinary abilities, they were still just people.

    Since they had entrusted me with an Earth Grade Technique, something I wouldn''t have discovered on my own, I felt compelled to reciprocate by aiding him.

    The book broadened my perspective considerably.

    Approaching a tree marked with my fist, I unearthed a pouch nestled beneath its roots, containing around sixty-nine spirit stonesnot exactly overflowing, but a substantial sum nonetheless.

    Opening the pouch, I revealed its contents to Liu Bo, whose eyes widened in surprise. Comprehension dawned on him quickly, and he remarked, "Ah, I see. So you were indeed imprisoned. It was odd when people inquired about you, so we suspected something of the sort."

    "Take as many spirit stones as you need. Just leave me a few for emergencies," I offered, laying out my terms.

    While a hundred or even a thousand spirit stones couldn''t purchase an Earth Grade Technique, this gesture was the best I could manage.

    "We had to pool resources for Liu Qian''s breakthrough, leaving me short on spirit stones for the journey. This will be more helpful than you realize, reducing the need for frequent rest stops," he acknowledged, taking ten spirit stones.

    "Do you need the talisman? It suppresses Qi signals," I offered.

    "No need. The natural Qi emitted by the spirit stones won''t pose a problem. In fact, it might deter some who sense my Qi, as long as they remain unaware of... the other matter," he replied, glancing into the distance before departing. However, he paused once more, turning back to me. "Remember, the Liu Clan youths you''re assisting are twins. And if anyone witnesses you fully using the technique you just learned, make sure they speak of it to no one else."

    Essentially Liu Bo meant I had to kill them. But as long as I didn''t use the technique to full power, no one should notice it was an Earth Grade Technique.

    I nodded as he vanished into the distance. With him gone, I secured the sack of stones and decided against stashing it under the tree roots, opting to carry it with me.

    There was no scheduled training for today, so I hurried to the library. By now, the sun had nearly set, and nighttime offered the best opportunity for training. However, circumstances had shifted considerably.

    Upon reaching the library, I approached the librarian and placed the dirty sack on the counter. He arched an inquisitive brow at me.

    "What should I do with this?" he asked.

    Glancing around to ensure we were alone, I replied, "Since you''re my teacher now, it wouldn''t be too much favoritism to ask you to keep my spirit stones safe."

    After a moment of contemplation, he nodded. "Very well. Feel free to approach me whenever you need spirit stones to purchase something."

    With a nod of gratitude, I ascended to the second floor, where I found the old man seated, sipping tea just as I had left him. Hopefully, none of my books had fallen victim to his tea spills.

    "You''re back already? Weren''t you supposed to be training?" he grumbled. "Now I have even less private time. It''s a nightmare. I might go insane any day now."

    Ignoring his complaints, I replied, "I need to write something."

    Grabbing one of the empty notebooks scattered about, which I often used to jot down anything of interest, I began transcribing the Earth Grade Technique from memory.

    The old man leaned in to peer at my writing and asked, "What''s with the strange scribbles?"

    "It''s a foreign language," I quipped, finishing the transcription.

    I doubted even someone proficient in English could decipher my atrocious chicken-like writing.

 Chapter 38: The Entrance Exams

    Chapter 38: The Entrance Exams

    Xin Ma had taken his first personal disciple, someone he had never thought he would mentor.

    Becoming a personal disciple was restricting. Especially since he rarely had any time to teach Liu Feng personally.

    Looking toward the library''s entrance, Xin Ma observed the dimming light outside. It was already night and time to close down.

    By now, no one else was in the library except his dedicated disciple, Liu Feng.

    Usually, this would be the time for Xin Ma to cultivate until morning. However, today was different. Seeing Liu Feng engrossed in studying on the second floor made Xin Ma feel compelled to fulfill his duties as a teacher.

    "Liu Feng, meet me at the entrance," he called out, sliding his hand under his desk to activate the night arrays. It was a precautionary measure, although theft was unlikely in the library.

    "Did you need me for something?" Liu Feng asked, balancing a towering pile of books effortlessly.

    "I''m going to personally teach you some arrays today," Xin Ma declared, observing Liu Feng''s enthusiastic reaction.

    "Cool," the youngster replied, setting down the books and dusting his hands. "When are we going to tangle?"

    Xin Ma sometimes found Liu Feng''s metaphor-laden speech amusing. He typically spoke this way only around those he trusted, as far as the librarian had observed.

    As they left the library, Shan Sha didn''t pop up out of nowhere to interfere. This was either a miracle or the old goat simply sleeping. The latter seemed more likely, given Shan Sha''s age.

    Entering the forest, Xin Ma stopped once they were deep enough. "This is far enough," he said, as the moonlight bathed them.

    Thinking of how to teach Liu Feng, who lacked a mentor like himself, Xin Ma shrugged and proceeded with what felt right.

    "I will show you how to cast some basic arrays. Memorize the process, and you can train on your own later," he advised. "Except for one of those arrays... it''s dangerous to activate it alone unless you use your own Qi to erect the array."

    As primarily a defense-oriented Array Conjurer, Xin Ma showcased half a dozen Level 1 arrays for defense. Throughout the demonstration, Liu Feng nodded attentively.

    "Good, show me the Blinding Array," Xin Ma instructed.

    Liu Feng nodded and promptly began, "White Eyes, Evil Mist, Declaration of Madness! Blind Darkness!"

    Feeling the array taking effect, Xin Ma allowed the dark mist to form, suppressing his Qi''s natural inclination to resist foreign influences. As a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, such arrays would never affect him, but he allowed the process to proceed.

    Not long after, the dark mist covered Xin Ma''s eyes. The activation process seemed a bit slow, understandable since it was Liu Feng''s first time using the Blinding Array. He had likely only seen it moments before.

    Was this an indication of monstrous talent for arrays, or something else entirely? Liu Feng''s learning speed was already unnatural, resembling someone who had trained since youth to become a scholar of some sort.

    Perhaps the disciple Xin Ma had been in front of his eyes all along...

    No, it still made little sense how Liu Feng was advancing so rapidly. Becoming an Array Conjurer required being good with numbers and a good memory, but this surpassed mere aptitude.Visit  for the best novel reading experience

    Xin Ma narrowed his eyes as he observed Liu Feng. The youngster was still at Body Tempering.

    "Can you sense Qi?" the librarian suddenly inquired. That was the only thing that made sense.

    "Yeah," Liu Feng shrugged. "I wasn''t keeping it a secret from you. There just wasn''t a good time to mention it."

    Xin Ma cared little about such secrets; everyone harbored their own. However, this revelation sent his mind reeling.

    So Liu Feng was one of those special cases, born with unusual abilities. Some possessed unnaturally strong bodies or could perceive things others couldn''t. While Liu Feng''s Qi sensing wasn''t akin to Extreme Physiques, it was still a good headstart in cultivation and explained his ease at learning Level 1 Arrays.

    "Except for the Lightning Dome Array, which is used for imprisonment, you can practice with the others on your own," Xin Ma explained. "The Lightning Dome Array is highly volatile, requiring the user to be nearby to activate. One wrong chant could result in lightning shooting everywhere as the array collapses."

    Liu Feng nodded, though his thoughts appeared elsewhere as he rubbed his chin, a slow smile forming on his face.

    What was this brat scheming? Xin Ma wondered.

    "That''s a good array," Liu Feng remarked.

    "What do you mean by that?" the librarian frowned.

    He hadn''t anticipated Liu Feng would be the type to experiment with dangerous techniques independently.

    Perhaps some discipline was in order? No, he would rather leave such things to Shan Sha.

    *******

    Days passed and the forest slowly transitioned from deep green to brown, with the ground littered with fallen leaves. My feet shuffled through the foliage as I made my way toward the training grounds.

    If anyone were to spot me now, they would undoubtedly think I was some weird guy. Especially with the turtle perched on my head.

    Speedy was no longer small enough to fit comfortably in my pocket; he had grown to the size of my head, his weight belying his deceptively small appearance. Without my cultivation, carrying him on my head would have left me looking like a hunchback with all this weight.

    Amidst the crowd, leaning against a tree, stood the old goat, his gaze fixed on me with an enigmatic expression. When our eyes met, he offered a brief nod, which I reciprocated.

    Despite the absence of the librarian, who was likely occupied with duties in the library, the old Shan Sha had made the effort to show his support.

    With a fleeting glance, he turned and walked away. Whether his presence was solely to offer encouragement or to subtly remind me of the librarian''s mission was unclear. Nevertheless, I appreciated the gesture, acknowledging the effort it must have taken for someone his age to travel to this location.

    The mission now dominated my thoughts, prompting me to keep a vigilant eye on talented individuals and attempt to recruit them for the librarian''s cause.

    "Ah, Liu Feng, you''re here too!" exclaimed a familiar voice, interrupting my thoughts as I turned to see the fatso approaching. His face resembled a ripe tomato, flushed with nervous energy.

    "Hey, how are you holding up?" I greeted him with a smile.

    Having a familiar face amidst the group provided a sense of comfort. Amidst a crowd where everyone seemed to know someone, I had initially felt somewhat isolated.

    "I''m a bundle of nerves, to be honest. Barely made the cut to be here. Had to undergo numerous tests, needed to be at least a seven-star Body Tempering Cultivator, and they even evaluated my demeanor and potential impact on the group," he sighed, exhaustion evident in his voice. However, his spirits lifted quickly. "How about you? I didn''t see you at the exam grounds for this mission. Given that you''re the personal disciple of an Outer Elder, you must have undergone different assessments."

    Nope, there was no exam for me. This showed how much the elders had pulled strings to get their people in there. However, I wasn''t here to complain or pass judgment on people like the librarian. I owed too much to the guy to engage in such things.

    "I can''t speak for others, but Master Xin Ma needed to ensure I was prepared," I replied, keeping my response intentionally vague.

    Aware of my chubby friend''s youthfulness, I understood the potential blow to his morale upon realizing the extensive effort required compared to someone who simply appropriated achievements for personal gain. It mirrored the disappointment of seeing a scholarship awarded to a wealthy individual who sought to embellish their resume, regardless of their actual merit. Such revelations had the power to demoralize individuals, casting doubt on the value of hard work.

    "By the way, how many passed the exam?" I inquired.

    "Roughly forty or so. However, thousands participated, including outer disciples in their twenties and thirties," he sighed. "They were formidable competition, with years of experience taking the same exams."

    While my chubby friend fretted over the performance of fellow exam-takers, my concerns diverged elsewhere.

    Observing the surrounding crowd, I estimated around two hundred disciples designated for participation. However, only 40 had earned their places through official exams. The remaining 160 were either beneficiaries of elders'' influence or personal disciples of said elders.

    This pervasive string-pulling signaled not merely corruption but rather an accepted norm.

    Behind-the-scenes maneuvering served dual purposes: securing five spirit stones for favored disciplesequating to a significant resource advantageand potentially fulfilling ambitions akin to the librarian''s recruitment strategy. Perhaps it was a combination of both motives.

    I might not be the only one with the same mission.

    "You will now be divided into teams of twenty, each led by an inner disciple," the elder atop the wall proclaimed.

    My discomfort intensified at his announcement, prompting me to glance upward as ten disciples clad in blue robes materialized behind the elder.

    To describe my encounters with inner disciples as unpleasant would be an understatement.

    "Your seniors will select team members," the elder continued.

    Without delay, one of the three young women perched atop the wall leaped down. Her dark, silky hair billowed upward as she descended, landing with a resounding thud that cracked the ground beneath her. Despite the impact, she appeared unfazed, her wild gaze scanning the surroundings.

    She possessed blue eyes akin to diamonds, yet her conventional beauty was marred by the unsettling gleam in her eyes and her predatory grin. Even without knowing her, it was easy to tell she was dangerous.

    As her frenzied gaze roamed the surroundings, seemingly searching for someone, my heart sank when her eyes lingered on me longer than usual.

    "Hey, is she looking in our direction?" my chubby friend inquired, sporting a sheepish smile.

    "I don''t think she''s the kind of woman you want showing interest in you," I sighed, attempting to blend into the crowd and evade her notice.

    Crouching slightly, I maneuvered behind a tall figure, aiming to vanish into the throng when a hand suddenly gripped my shoulder.

    Could it be my chubby friend? If he felt concerned, it was likely due to the intense scrutiny directed at me by the girl with the captivating eyes, not him.

    Turning around, I confronted the most piercing gaze I had ever encountered, sending a shiver down my spine.

    What?! How had she closed the distance so fast? It seemed she reached me in the blink of an eye.

    One thing was certain: this woman was stronger than the previous young master in leaps and bounds.

    "Are you Liu Feng?" she demanded, her grip tightening with enough force to elicit discomfortan action difficult to achieve unintentionally given our resilient bodies.

    Upon closer inspection, her intense gaze and toothy grin, accentuated by sharp canines, revealed a primal edge.

    Should I deny my identity? It seemed futile considering she had already singled me out amidst a crowd of two hundred.

    "Yes..." I responded tentatively, mustering a polite smile. "How may I help you, honorable senior?"

    Her only response was a widening grin.

    Fuck me... Maybe this exam wasn''t worth the trouble after all.

 Chapter 39: Crazy Queen

    Chapter 39: Crazy Queen

    Neither Liu Feng nor I had ever met this girl. I had no idea who this girl was, but experiences from both of my worlds and even my instincts hinted that she had a screw or two loose. Even without said experiences, she had not bothered hiding her craziness.

    My first thought immediately moved toward her being related to the inner disciple who had bothered me. It would fit well also the arrogant young master and his eccentric sister.

    "I want you in my group," she stated aloud, then leaned in and whispered, "Do not worry, your cute cousin sent me. She... convinced me I should recruit you and give you some leeway."

    I breathed a sigh of relief, and the girl released her grip on my shoulder. She had no reason to lie; the difference in strength between us was too big for such games. As she scanned the surroundings, she introduced herself, "By the way, my name is Song Song. You can call me Little Song if you want, that''s what people used to call me back in the day."

    Back in the day? How far back were we talking? When she was a kid?

    "Yes, honorable senior," I answered politely, performing the customary bow, clasping my palms and fists together in respect.

    It seemed I also had to keep an eye out for my fellow Liu Clan members participating in the entrance exams. It appeared even the Liu Clan had pulled strings to involve me in these matters.

    "Fatso, you''re my next team member," she called out. "It seems like you two know each other."

    My chubby friend mirrored the same respectful bow, saying, "Thank you for this opportunity, honorable senior."

    "Yes, you should be glad I have allowed you to amuse me. Fat cultivators are rare," she chuckled, her laughter sounding like a crazy cackle. "It would be quite amusing to see some monstrous beast eat someone as fat as you. I have never seen a monstrous beast get so full they could no longer eat anymore."

    My chubby friend trembled, a bead of sweat rolling down his brow. He looked ready to cry, and when Song Song noticed, her smile widened even further, a nasty gleam crossing her face. Even the bystanders took a step back, realizing that sticking around might be dangerous.

    Before the situation could escalate, I stepped between my friend and the crazy girl. Putting on one of the politest smiles I could muster, I intervened, "Honorable Senior Song, I believe we should have the opportunity to select the rest of our team members. We wouldn''t want to end up with the weakest team, would we?"

    The smile slipped off her face. Though she no longer bared her teeth, the intensity of her crazed gaze multiplied severalfold, sending a chill down my spine.

    Perhaps I shouldn''t have intervened?

    "Do you think that if I desired someone for my team, another inner disciple would dare to take them?" She chuckled as if amused by the notion. "Whoever I want, I can have. If anyone intervenes, as soon as we are beyond these walls, I will... deal with them permanently."

    Did she just hint she would kill someone with everyone around us as witnesses?

    With the heightened senses of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, the elder atop the wall likely heard her mention killing inner disciples. While outer disciples might receive some leniency in killing each other, inner disciples were an entirely different matter. They were the future of the sect.

    She scanned the surroundings, her gaze settling on some inner disciples who were already forming teams. Song Song smiled at them and asked, "Would any of you dare to take what I desire?"

    Some met her gaze, while others averted their eyes. Regardless, it was evident that even the inner disciples felt discomfort with her attention.

    "What level are you?" she inquired while touching the array, but her hand slipped straight through it.

    "Barely level one. I only started learning about it recently," I explained.

    She walked out of the array and looked at me. "Oh, this is interesting."

    Then she walked back in. "A silencing array, skillfully cast so I can still hear what''s happening outside, but no one can listen to any sounds inside. Casting such a thing while skipping rituals, hand seals, and chants. You''re way more interesting than I thought."

    Yeah, so please don''t try to kill me on impulse. It was clear that my relatives in the inner Sect and this crazy individual had some kind of deal. But I would have to be a vegetable not to see that she wasn''t the type to keep her end of the deal at even the slightest inconvenience.

    Also, what kinds of people were my relatives associating themselves with?

    "Anyway, this is all very interesting. But that isn''t the reason why I called you here."

    Relief washed over me. For a moment, I thought Song Song would ask how someone like me could skip so many steps of the ritual.

    That would have opened a can of worms I would have had to wriggle my way out of.

    Under normal conditions, casting a silencing array like this would be next to impossible for me. But in this silent forest, with little noise and dead trees, the Qi around here was different and almost perfect for creating this kind of array.

    Now that I could sense Qi, the whole Array Conjuring thing made a lot more sense. Array Conjuring was the art of preparation, and with the right environment, one''s arrays would appear on a whole other level depending on where they were.

    "Liu Qian told me to give you some leeway in this mission. So I will turn a blind eye to certain things you will do, and if you need to kill anyone, try not to make it so obvious where I will have to take responsibility," she stated with a cold look in her eyes, more serious than usual. "For us inner disciples, this mission is to showcase our leadership qualities. To prove to the Sect that we''re worthy of leadership positions in the future."

    She wanted to be a leader? That didn''t match her demeanor at all. But people often had hidden depths beyond what was shown on the surface.

    "I don''t really give a shit about leadership or anything like that. The most important thing here is becoming powerful enough where others won''t dare say anything, even if I decided to step up as the Sect Leader," she stated confidently, shattering all of my assumptions. "But my teacher will complain if I do something terrible. So try and keep your murders unseen, and if you kill someone, make sure I''m nearby so I can take the blame for it. Nobody will think I''m lacking leadership qualities or can''t control my team. After all, me killing someone is not that weird."

    People who often talked about killing were usually just trying to show off. If someone wanted to really kill, they would do it silently and be done with it.

    Despite those preconceptions, as I looked at the girl, there was something about her so wild that it shattered all my preconceptions about people.

    Yeah, it would be better if I never got on her bad side.

    I understand, honorable senior, I nodded. From now on, I give you my word that I will never shame you while we are on the same team.

    Wow, you''re such a stick in the mud, even with all that skill, she shook her head in disappointment. What''s with the official-sounding speech?

    I would rather stay boring than become her version of exciting.

 Chapter 40: Crazy Justice

    Chapter 40: Crazy Justice

    After that peculiar exchange with Song Song, I tried to maintain my distance from her. However, despite my attempts to manage our interactions, her behavior remained as erratic and unpredictable as ever.

    For instance, it would have been logical to stock up in Greengrass Town before embarking on our lengthy journey. We could have procured rations or necessary supplies, as commodities like that were unavailable in the Sect''s market.

    However, instead of following this sensible course of action, we found ourselves charging through a leafless forest, accompanied by disciples who wore worried expressions and exhibited signs of fatigue. Even my chubby friend, though not the most physically fit among us, was still better than most here who had gained their position due to their connections.

    "Keep up the pace! Anyone lagging behind will get their pinky finger cut off!" Song Song''s voice pierced through the air as she noticed the struggling disciples.

    It came as no surprise that she proved to be an ineffective leader. It was evident to anyone with even a modicum of sense. Why my cousins believed it wise for me to be under her guidance baffled me.

    ...

    Nearly twenty-four hours elapsed before the first disciple collapsed with a resounding thud, prompting Song Song to glare at the group. The said disciple who had fallen attempted to rise, but it was already too late as the crazy girl was already looking at him coldly.

    "Tch, this is precisely why I hate teamwork," she muttered under her breath, a shadow crossing her face as she gazed skyward, the darkness enveloping us completely.

    While I was accustomed to training the Rushing Bull Step for tens of hours, the others were tired and looked ready to fall over any second.

    "I believe a brief rest would be good for all of us," I interjected before Song Song could act impulsively. "The entire group is exhausted, and it would be regrettable if we arrived at our destination too exhausted to be useful."

    Though my suggestion was reasonable, a peculiar gleam flickered in her eyes.

    Maybe questioning her was not such a good idea.

    However, instead of reacting angrily, she sighed and gestured dismissively. "From now on, you will assume the role of vice commander and oversee logistical matters."

    With that, she settled beside a leafless tree, assuming a meditative posture.

    Oh? Was she cultivating? Nice...

    While Body Tempering Cultivators primarily focused on physical training, Qi Gathering Cultivators were regarded as true cultivators, as they had to increase their Qi to progress further.

    Turning towards the group, I clapped my hands to draw their attention. "Alright, everyone. I understand that most of you are exhausted. But since Song Song has put me in charge, I will make sure we take care of each other."

    Even the envious guys, previously too captivated by Song Song''s beauty to recognize her flaws, breathed a collective sigh of relief.

    Typically, a leader needed to be fair and assertive, the latter serving as incentive for the team to fulfill their responsibilities. However, with Song Song present, the poor fellows had more than enough motivation to comply with my orders.

    "I know you''re all eager to rest, but teamwork is essential for setting up camp," I announced, organizing them into teams based on their fatigue levels.

    The least exhausted would forage for food and gather wood, while the more fatigued ones would assist in setting up camp. To ensure fairness, I instituted a policy where those who worked the hardest would receive a larger portion of the food.

    "What about you?" one of them inquired. "What will you be doing?"

    The others nodded in agreement with the question, and just as I was about to respond, a twitch in Song Song''s finger indicated she was awake and had heard everything.

    While the cultivators had appeared on the verge of complaint moments earlier, they now averted their gazes, and their faces paled.

    "I''ll be erecting a protective barrier around the camp. We can''t afford to be ambushed by monstrous beasts, especially as autumn sets in," I explained, crouching down and touching the ground with my palms. "While monstrous beasts are more apparent during winter, autumn is still a season where they wander about looking for food."

    It was strange that she thought like that.

    To say the least, Song Song was no Mother Theresa.

    With my curiosity piqued, I inquired, "Why do you believe everyone can be forgiven?"

    Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and she seemed genuinely engaged as she shifted into a more comfortable position on the ground. Before she began speaking, "I believe that the death penalty or mere imprisonment is insufficient punishment for crimes. Death is too quick, and prison too lenient. Instead, criminals should face appropriate punishment. We should employ methods like torture, gouging out their eyes, severing fingers, or even removing an ear or two for less severe offenses. This way, not only will the public know the individual''s status as a criminal, but the offenders themselves can atone for their sins."

    I stared at her incredulously, and she returned my gaze with an excited smile, seemingly awaiting my approval of her idea.

    What in the world? This girl was unhinged.

    In my previous world, individuals with such beliefs would have probably gone places... likely a prison or insane asylum.

    She could even impose her twisted rules on the world if she gained sufficient strength. Which made her extremely dangerous.

    "So? Don''t keep me waiting. What do you think of this idea?" She prodded my shoulder, and the sensation felt akin to a hot needle, jolting me from my thoughts.

    "Do you want me to speak honestly or lie?" I countered.

    While lying might have been the prudent choice to prevent her from flying into a fit of rage and potentially ripping my head off, it would also lead her to believe that I endorsed her deranged ideas, thereby entangling me in her malformed path.

    "The truth, of course," she insisted.

    Gazing at the stars and the half-moon, I wrestled with my thoughts, striving to formulate an explanation that wouldn''t endanger my life.

    "If we were to treat criminals in such a brutal manner, how would we be different from them?" I met her gaze squarely, refusing to display any hint of weakness. "While some might find satisfaction in the gruesome punishment of criminals and even lend their support to it, the purpose of the laws extends beyond mere retribution. It reflects how civilized societies handle transgressors. Even the death penalty isn''t solely about punishment; it serves to eliminate individuals deemed too dangerous in a manner that society perceives as humane."

    "Why should I concern myself with the opinions of others? If I possess the strength to enact such laws, the weaklings may protest, but they''ll be powerless to resist," she retorted, her expression morphing into irritation.

    "Consider this scenario. What if we mistakenly convict an innocent person? We would be subjecting an innocent individual to torment unjustly. The law, like us, is fallible and imperfect," I paused briefly before adding, "Justice may be blind, but not heartless."

    Though laws and justice were sometimes not the same. But I doubt Song Song wanted to hear a rant about how laws were filled with loopholes to benefit those who came up with the laws.

    Her face softened, and she resumed her smile, momentarily relieving the tension. Then, she turned to me, "Do you think I am heartless?"

    Did she compare herself to justice itself?

    "A good leader may sometimes appear heartless," I responded, deftly evading the crux of her question akin to Neo dodging bullets in The Matrix.

    While technically not lying to her, I managed to sidestep the question.

    "In that case, I''ll assume the mantle of heartlessness on your behalf. You can handle the mundane tasks and play the role of the benevolent figure," she remarked, her smile suggesting a revelation. "I retract my earlier statement about your leadership potential. As you said, you may not excel as a leader, but you''d make a well-liked second-in-command!"

    How she arrived at such a conclusion was puzzling. In my experience, when a leader was despised and the second-in-command was adored, it often led to rebellion. However, such dynamics might differ in this world, where individuals possess the tangible power to quash people instead of just meager political power.

    Regardless, if she chose to perceive me in that light, so be it. All I wanted was a night of uninterrupted sleep.

    Just because a cultivators body could handle a lack of sleep, it didnt mean it was a good idea to not get some shuteye.

 Chapter 41: Don’t Look Underneath

    Chapter 41: Don��t Look Underneath

    After a good nights rest and a hearty breakfast of cooked boar that someone had caught, we were all ready to set off once again.

    Unlike yesterday, the team members had become more accustomed to being around each other, and even as we ran, some of them were engaged in conversation.Follow current novels at novelhall.coms had naturally formed, consisting of those who had helped in the camp, those who had gone hunting, and others who had specific duties the day before.

    As expected, young people always make friends more easily. It almost made me smile; this was how youngsters were supposed to spend their time, not worrying about life or death or which elders they shouldnt offend.

    I was at the forefront of leading the group since I was the fastest and technically the second in command. Song Song was a step ahead of me. She slowed down and walked beside me, saying, We are going too slowly.

    This pace is for the best. After all, this long journey isnt a race but a marathon, I replied.

    Marathon? she queried.

    If we run faster, we will get tired faster too. But by maintaining a steady pace, we could run all day long, I explained.

    She frowned, seeming a bit confused, but she nodded nonetheless. I will trust your decision.

    She then smiled, revealing her pearly white teeth with canines that looked unnervingly like those of a half-vampire.

    I must have inadvertently shown my thoughts on my face because she looked at me and tilted her head, confused. What is wrong?

    Do you want the truth or a polite lie? I asked, ensuring it was her decision to make.

    The truth, of course, she replied, her frown returning. Also, you need to tell me only the truth from now on and stop asking for permission.

    I almost remarked that her smile was creepy, but the situation called for tact.

    How could I convey this without hurting her feelings? People who claimed they wanted the truth often preferred a softened version.

    Then, a memory from my past life surfaceda YouTube video where a fashion critic started with compliments before giving criticism. Everyone smiled in the end, even when they received a low score.

    So, why did you smile back there? I asked as we swung under a tree and pushed a bit ahead.

    She effortlessly matched my pace, and while still within everyones sight, they shouldnt hear us.

    Her face was unreadable, and I could see the gears turning in her head.

    Finally, Song Songs shoulders slumped, and she said, I saw you do it when talking to the others. I assumed it would be a good approach to becoming a good leader and putting them more at ease.

    Hadnt she previously stated she didnt care about leadership? What prompted her change of mind?

    Just because someone has a nice smile doesnt make them a good leader, I asserted, recalling all the politicians in my previous life who had pleasant smiles. You have nice teeth and a pretty appearance. But a good leader doesnt necessarily need to be all smiles. Contrarily, being a strict commander with subordinates doesnt make them a bad leader.

    I see... was all she said before surging ahead of me, and I wisely chose not to follow.

    Philosophy wasnt my forte. In my previous world, I was just an ordinary guy. Yet here I was, grappling with individuals wielding excessive power while straddling the fine line between honesty and not provoking the girl who could rip my head off.

    ...

    After some time, we finally emerged from the forest and encountered a rocky terrain. In the distance loomed deserted mountains, devoid of even a blade of grass.

    It appeared as though someone had sheared away all vegetation, leaving only rocks and rock formations in its wake. Rocky hills dotted the landscape, stretching as far as the eye could see.

    This was likely the battleground of past cultivators. The abrupt transition from forest to rocky wasteland seemed unnatural.

    Before venturing further, I caught up with Song Song and inquired, Are there any food sources in these rocky lands?

    She shrugged, How would I know? Im not a hunter.

    Of course, that was assuming any English-speaking individual from another world would be strong and skilled enough to decipher my chicken-scratch handwriting.

    When I was younger, my friends and I used to joke that I would become a doctor with that kind of penmanship.

    Still, a warrior must always be on guard, she remarked as she handed the book back to me.

    Well, let me share the most important reason why I write these things down, I replied, smiling as I met her expectant gaze. Because I enjoy it, and I dont care. I dont consider myself a warrior, and conducting this research is enjoyable for me.

    Her excited demeanor swiftly dampened, and she frowned. It seemed my words hadnt aligned with her expectations.

    What did she anticipate me saying? Something profound?

    Youre crazy, she declared. But I appreciate that kind of madness. I, too, want to live life on my own terms. To kill anyone I want, eat anyone I want, and savor all that this world has to offer.

    Did she just mention eating anyone she wanted? Was that a slip of the tongue? Well, mistaking words happens to the best of us... I wasnt touching that with a twenty-foot pole.

    I decided to act as though I hadnt even heard it. Would you like to hear about what Ive learned about cultivation? I can translate it for you.

    Her frown deepened, and she regarded me as though Id uttered the most outrageous statement. I could somewhat understand her reaction since cultivators typically didnt share such information with others. Before she could respond to my offer, I began recounting my discoveries.

    ...

    It took some time, and by then everyone had already set up camp in the distance, started a fire, and begun drying the meat of the animals they had caught. Without Song Song around to intimidate them, they were enjoying themselves. So, I selflessly entertained the curiosity of this crazy girl by translating.

    As I concluded my explanation, she rubbed her chin thoughtfully. Ive learned a few new things, but nothing groundbreaking. These might be details one could find in books I didnt bother reading before. Youre not hiding anything from me, are you?

    Nope, I replied, shaking my head and leaning against a rock to find a comfortable position to sleep, occasionally checking to ensure the array was still functioning.

    Song Song narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing my expression for any discrepancies, but found none. Youre so strange.

    Now, it was my turn to chuckle. Tell me about it. Sometimes, Im a mystery even to myself.

    In my previous world, scientists shared knowledge with one another. If Einstein had kept his formulas to himself and other scientists had done the same, the world would never have progressed. In my view, each scientist built upon the knowledge of others, much like Einstein relied on Newtons findings and so forth.

    Later in my life, I will publish all these discoveries in a language everyone can understand, I informed her.

    What I didnt vocalize was my likelihood of doing so only after my death. Just in case sharing this knowledge caused widespread chaos or if hidden forces were already aware of such information and sought to eliminate me.

    Spreading knowledge about cultivation to the broader populace seemed preferable to hoarding it among the powerful elite who often abused their authority.

    Even if the rest of my life was mundane, the era following my demise would be interesting if I learned something worth sharing. Unless, of course, I perished as an anonymous figure in the wilderness. Perhaps by that time my perspective might shift, as I wouldnt want my descendants or loved ones to navigate a world in turmoil. Especially not one I started.

    With these ruminations swirling in my mind, I opted to not contemplate grander matters. With my eyes closed, the world became clearer to my other senses, particularly the sixth sense that detected Qi.

    Unlike the Blazing Sun Sect, the Qi here felt rigid, unyielding, and stagnant. This terrain was ideal for constructing stable barrier arrays.

    I used to sense Qi only in moments of high concentration, like during battles. However, since then, I''ve been able to perceive it more easily and understand how arrays functioned.

    Arrays operated like a cryptic code, manipulating the surrounding environment to achieve desired outcomes. Coding might be too literal a comparison, but it resembled a complex language where each character held significance when combined with others. Additionally, environmental factors such as high concentrations of Water Qi near the sea or Fire Qi around volcanoes played roles, while ritual components like salt expelled impurities to fortify shields.

    The mere contemplation of these concepts filled me with excitement. There were countless experiments I wished to conduct now that I had ventured beyond the Sects confines.

    Suddenly, I pressed my ear to the ground, attempting to rest my head and catch some sleep. It was not the most comfortable position, but I would make do since it would be easier to keep the barrier up with-...

    A tremor rippled through the underground, followed by a rumble before silence engulfed the surroundings.

    What was that?

    Why did it sound as though something was crawling underground?

 Chapter 42: Arrays Go Brrr

    Chapter 42: Arrays Go Brrr

    The sound of something crushing and scratching against rock resonated beneath my ear. Something was moving underground, and the noise was growing louder. It meant one thing: whatever it was, it was getting closer!

    No longer wanting to sleep, I opened my eyes and took Speedy out of my backpack. Placing the little creature on a rock and my backpack beside him, I settled down and ceased movement.

    Closing my eyes, I attempted to sense the Qi around me, but it proved challenging. Although I could perceive the dreary Qi in the vicinity, my senses weren''t honed enough to detect deep underground.

    "Everyone! Wake up!" I yelled out loud.

    There was a possibility the sound was merely something passing by, but I wasn''t willing to take chances. I''d rather face the embarrassment of being wrong than the consequences of being right.

    The other disciples woke up and gathered together, looking startled but displaying little panic. It wasn''t unusual for the White Tiger Continent, locked in a perpetual struggle between humans and monstrous beasts, to face attacks from such creatures.

    What concerned me was the underground threat, a vulnerability of my detection array. It couldn''t warn us against subterranean assaults.

    Glancing toward our leader for guidance, I was about to speak when I noticed Song Song''s smile as she met my gaze. "Congratulations, your senses are exquisite for someone at the Body Tempering Stage."

    Before I could respond, an explosion occurred about twenty feet away, sending rocks flying. I leaped back, dodging the projectiles, while squinting to discern the source within the dust cloud.

    Yes, I could sense it now.

    Song Song acted swiftly, her palm generating a strong wind that dispersed the dust, revealing a scorpion-like creature with three tails and the head of a bull. Its scales resembled unpolished rocks, emitting strange clicking noises.

    This was a monstrous beast!

    Before I could recall the information I had read about scorpion-like monstrous beasts, Song Song darted past me like lightning.

    I could sense her Qi, but I could barely see anything more than a flash of her form!

    She halted in front of the scorpion-like creature and delivered a powerful kick, causing half of the creature to disintegrate into a red smudge on the ground.

    "Well, aren''t you a tough one," she chuckled, as the scorpion still had two tails left, which shot toward her.

    Though immobilized, the monstrous beast attempted one last-ditch attack. However, it was futile. Song Song caught the pincers on the tail, swinging the creature around before slamming it onto the ground. The rocks beneath cracked, forming a crater around the monstrous beast''s body.

    Unlike humans, monstrous beasts possessed greater resilience. Despite enduring relentless punishment, the scorpion-like creature twitched until Song Song delivered her final blow by stomping on its head, crushing it with a wet splat.

    "Be careful. What if it had acidic blood or venom?" I cautioned Song Song.

    She arched a questioning brow, implying whether a Body Tempering Cultivator with no experience should advise her.

    She had a point. I smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of my head. "Apologies, that was thoughtless of me."

    While I had picked up bad habits from this life due to Liu Feng, I also retained habits from my previous life, like cautioning youngsters against dangerous things. Despite her eccentricities, Song Song was likely nineteen or in her early twenties at moststill too young in my eyes.Follow current novels at novelhall.com)

    During those years of my previous life, I had engaged in numerous reckless acts.

    Though I couldn''t confirm whether we were indeed encircled, we confronted a dozen monstrous beasts before us. The last thing we needed was for someone to succumb to fear and break formation, endangering us all.

    As the stone scorpions collided with us, most disciples were sent flying. Fortunately, thanks to my array, no blood had been shed thus far. However, the ominous thud of bodies crashing against rocks in the distance hinted at dire consequences. I had no opportunity to assess the others; a scorpion stood before me, its bull-like head aiming to impale me.

    Seizing the monstrous beast by its husks, I used the Rushing Bull Step at maximum power. The ground beneath us cracked like a spiderweb.

    Typically, I would have surged forward like a bullet, but this time, our momentum stalled, leaving us locked in place.

    The stalemate didn''t last long as its three scorpion tails shot toward me.

    "Chain, Diverge, Dancing Sunlight! Thunder Dome!" I chanted. Four pillars rose from the ground, trapping us both within their midst, and lightning crackled along the stone pillars.

    "Hopefully you''re ready to get the shock of your life, big guy," I had no idea if the monstrous beast in front of me understood human language. But one thing was for sure: it could instinctively tell it was in danger and tried to move back. Even though it was difficult and my arms shook, I held it tight in place by its horns.

    The stone pillars shone brightly, charged with resident Qi.

    I specialized in defensive arrays. Since that was what the librarian had experience with. But that didn''t mean I was horrible at attacking.

    If there had been a lightning storm around Lightning Dome Array would have been more effective. But it wasn''t like I had many options here.

    The stone pillars began cracking, and even though this was my array, I felt a bit nervous.

    This electricity that was about to come out would harm me too, and I had no control over it. This was the downside of not using my own Qi to form these arrays. Without the electricity being controlled by my Qi, it would move in its own natural way.

    Suddenly, the four pillars exploded, and the wild electricity shot out in the middle.

    There was one interesting thing about electricity: it was a very lazy energy and wouldn''t move through something non-conductive. Instead, it would follow the path of least resistance.

    A simple barrier, one without chant or hand seals, formed around my body. Technically, barriers didn''t conduct electricity, so the lightning moved past me and hit its target... the scorpion-like monstrous beast.

    There was a loud screech of electricity, a bit too loudly for my liking, and the horns in my hand twitched. But I held onto them to keep the monstrous beast from moving away.

    Horns were nonconductive to electricity, so I held onto them without trouble.

    When it was all over, there was a smell of burning flesh, and the monstrous beast collapsed to the ground. That was when I let go of the horns and punched the monstrous beast.

    Sonic Fang Fist!

    I gently tapped the beast''s head, and not even a second later, it exploded into a shower of gore. After the blood and guts fell to the ground, I released my basic barrier, with my clothes still clean.

    Turning toward the others, both monstrous beasts and disciples were looking at me.

    While the fight had felt like an eternity, in their eyes, it had happened in a split second.

    C''mon now, what''re you all waiting about? I asked the monstrous beasts. There are many arrays I still need to test out.

    As expected, these monstrous beasts didn''t understand human speech and charged at me. Instinctively, they had deduced that I was the biggest threat to them.

 Chapter 43: Stab Their Hearts!

    Chapter 43: Stab Their Hearts!

    Although my arrays were shoddy at best when used mid-battle and nowhere near the level the librarian had taught me, Qi was still Qi, and the battle against the monstrous beasts attacking our group ended with only some slight injuries on our side.

    After the battle was over, I surveyed the corpses of the monstrous beasts, using one of the swords a disciple lent me to hack apart the bodies and inspect their anatomy.

    Seventeen species of monstrous beasts resembled scorpions. Those were all I had read about in the Blazing Sun Sect library. There were probably more out there, but those mattered little on this side of the world. Given the proximity of this place to the Sect''s territories, there should be records about these creatures. Among them, two species of scorpion-like monstrous beasts possessed three tails, and I was attempting to identify which one this was.

    "Uh, shouldn''t we go and help Lady Song?" asked one of them, though he didn''t seem worried about her but rather frightened. "If she finds out we didn''t bother helping her..."

    "I will take responsibility for it. Now let me work in silence, please," I called out. "Just make sure everyone patches their wounds for now."

    As far as I remembered, there was no mention of them having a bull''s head. Was it some kind of new species? Usually, crossbreeding between monstrous beasts to create a new creature was a miraculous affair. That was how one got a scorpion with three tails and a bull head. A bizarre cow-like monstrous beast mated with a scorpion monstrous beast, yielding a mutant freak.

    But the more likely scenario was that I might have forgotten the bull head part. After all, there weren''t any pictures in the books I read. Even if this were a new species, there should be some weaknesses in common.

    After checking around, I found a strange heart-like organ where the tails and body met.

    "We can go now," I called out, putting my backpack on with Speedy inside.

    We set off and followed the path Song Song had taken. While my Qi senses weren''t developed enough to sense Qi from afar, as we ran past a couple of rocky hills, we heard explosions in the distance and saw dust clouds rising as rocks flew about.

    Some in the group appeared as though they would rather be anywhere else. However, we couldn''t simply abandon everything to Song Song''s fate. If whatever was attacking her won, they wouldn''t let us escape.

    "Slow down a bit," I told the others, and we transitioned from running to a leisurely walk as we peeked over the rocky hill.

    Beyond the hill lay a field of rocks stretching as far as the eye could see. Among them were over a hundred scorpion-like monstrous beasts, with two said creatures bigger than the others. One had the upper body of a man with a bull''s head and the lower body of a dark-grey scorpion with three giant tails. The other was similar, except it had a woman''s body.

    The male monstrous beast attempted to stab Song Song with one of his tails, but she managed to evade by jumping back. As the tail struck the rocks, it created a crack accompanied by a loud gunshot-like sound.

    The female monstrous beast swiftly followed up on her partner''s attacks with faster strikes. Despite their speed, Song Song effortlessly deflected them and retaliated by aiming for the female monstrous beast''s neck.

    However, her assault was interrupted as the male monster re-engaged in the fight, his three tails aiming to skewer Song Song once more. She was forced to dodge, and as smaller monstrous beasts charged at her, she countered with a wave of her hand. A powerful wind pressure emanated, creating holes in any creature that ventured too close, likely a piercing attack invisible to the normal eye.

    Before taking further action, I set down Speedy and my backpack. We observed as Song Song dispatched any monster that approached her, dismembering the smaller ones as inconsequential. Her method of dispatching them lacked flashiness but was methodical and cold, akin to a surgeon''s precision running a scalpel through a patient''s skin.

    My initial impulse was to intervene and aid her, but I recognized it as a product of my ego. We stood no chance against the swarm of smaller creatures. I composed myself and began counting the monstrous beasts, crucial for what would come next.

    "This isn''t a battle we can engage in," I announced to my team, met with silent agreement.

    A single attack from the larger scorpions could shatter any barrier I could muster, and their strength would rend through us effortlessly.

    Song Song''s eyes widened as the scorpion man swung its three tails again, slamming into her and sending her flying, crashing into a distant hill.

    My heart sank at the sight, dread washing over me as the scorpion man turned our way. My array had exposed our position!

    "Everyone, get in formation!" I yelled, and they quickly surrounded me. Normally, I might have felt pride or nostalgia, but there was no time for such sentiments now. "I will cast arrays for all of us!"

    The swarm of smaller scorpions crawled up the hill, heading straight for us. The odds were overwhelming; if they reached us, we were doomed.

    Was this how it would all end? So much left undone, all lost in one reckless gamble...

    Biting down on my tongue, I snapped back to reality, dismissing my fears. The people around me looked just as terrified.

    "There''s too much I haven''t seen! I will survive!" I shouted, distracting them for a second from their fear, and they turned to face me.

    Scanning desperately for any means of escape, I found nothing but the advancing horde of monstrous beasts. In the distance, the male scorpion crouched near his fallen wife, his bull-like head betraying no emotion.

    None of it mattered now...

    Then, something shifted. The male scorpion turned towards where he had thrown Song Song, but it was too late.

    Her hand had made contact with his face, and she wore a victorious smile. As if struck by an invisible force, the monstrous beast''s visage contorted into a spiral until it burst into gore, leaving behind a headless corpse.

    Sensing their leader''s demise, the monstrous beasts ceased their charge, turning towards the fallen scorpion man''s corpse in the distance.

    In that battle, I learned a crucial lesson from Song Song: sometimes, one must seize opportunities without overthinking.

    "Attack!" I bellowed to the others, offering no time for hesitation as I charged forward.

    With no time for preparation or array casting, I relied solely on my fists.

    Sonic Fang Fist!

    My punch connected with the first creature I reached, sending it hurtling backward, blood streaming from its eyes and mouth. Yet, it still twitched, indicating it remained alive.

    Unlike when I used the lightning pillars to weaken the scorpion monstrous beast, these creatures proved physically resilient. Monstrous beasts, in general, boasted superior strength to humans, making my attack less effective. Even a shockwave aimed at their internal organs failed to kill them.

    Attempts to utilize arrays amidst the chaos proved futile. The pervasive Qi emitted by the surrounding monstrous beasts rendered control impossible.

    "Remember, focus on the area where their body meets their tailit''s where their hearts are!" I shouted, hoping to impart crucial knowledge to my comrades.

    While my tactics might have conveyed strength, such as the lightning pillar ruse. But in a straight power struggle, I would struggle against even one of these formidable beasts without the aid of others.

 Chapter 44: Killer Instincts

    Chapter 44: Killer Instincts

    Even with the beasts charging at us and the Qi disturbance around, making it impossible for arrays to be erected, it showed just how crucial it was to have my own Qi pool to create these things. This wouldn''t be a problem otherwise.

    I knew about a dozen arrays since learning new ones always took time. But since the Qi was above ground...

    I crouched down and put my hands on the ground. This rocky terrain was best for defense arrays. However, as soon as I tried to do something... nothing happened. The Qi gurgled about and returned to normal.

    Shit, I cursed under my breath.

    Arrays were the backbone of my fighting style and allowed me to punch above my weight. I had learned at least one array for each dangerous situation most likely to happen. But, I had been learning arrays for a relatively short time compared to most, even though I had an amazing teacher.

    Taking a deep breath, I stood at the front with my team beside me, ready to meet these monsters head-on. Running was not an option since they were faster than us in long marathons, even though we could likely overtake them in short bursts of speed, depending on our movement techniques.

    We fight here! I yelled out loud enough to hopefully overshadow their fears.

    But before we could continue doing anything, something crashed amid the beasts. Scorpions got crushed like bugs before I could see what had collided in their midst.

    As the dust cleared, it revealed Song Song. She had a dangerous look in her eyes as she swung her arm, and like an invisible scythe, it cut through the monsters like a hot knife through butter. Blood flew about, and the smell of iron filled the air.

    Before any of the remaining creatures could react, she blitzed through them, and drill-like holes the size of human heads began appearing on the monstrous beasts.

    Now that I was getting a better look at this, I could think clearer without worrying about what could happen.

    There was a good chance the technique she was using here was an Earth Grade Technique.

    I wished she would try to be less brutal and not rip them all apart since these monstrous beasts could be some new breed. While it might not be anything groundbreaking, it was still rare.

    Welp, the battle was done now, and there was nothing I could do anymore.

    I plopped on the ground, took out a notebook, and started writing everything I had learned today.

    I might need a new notebook to write things about arrays. Perhaps one for monstrous beasts also.

    While noting down everything about this kind of monstrous beast, my mind wondered what I might do with that kind of information.

    Perhaps in the future, I should make some kind of monster encyclopedia? This one would be with paintings of the monsters since no one would confuse one for the other.

    It took less than a dozen minutes for Song Song to kill over a hundred monstrous beasts, and she left the corpses scattered about and covered in monstrous beast blood. She looked at me and nodded, Take care of things for a bit. I need to recover.

    She sat down in a meditative position, took out a dozen spirit stones, held them in her hands, and took a deep breath. Immediately, the Qi I sensed inside the spirit stones started waning, and the bright crystal-like appearance of the spirit stones began dimming.

    She raised a questioning brow but shrugged and nodded, Go right ahead.

    Okay, she was trusting me a bit too much here. Just when I had started thinking that there might be more to her decisions.

    Either way, none of that mattered as I chanted under my breath, the same Blinding Array that I had used on the monster, and this time went through the whole thing and used it on her while looking her in the eyes. The close distance strengthened the array, and a dark mist formed on both sides of her head, about to extend and cover her eyes like a blindfold. However, before that happened, the mist dispersed.

    I wasnt surprised by it and didnt stop there; I continued with the Binding Array, Barriers, and many others that would restrict her in any way or stop her from moving. They broke before they could even take effect.

    As you can see, the reason why my barrier worked was that these monstrous beasts had no experience with them and never a day in their life trained in any way to sense Qi or control it, I explained while she nodded along and surprisingly didnt interrupt me. If I were a betting man, I would bet that even more experienced monstrous beasts would be able to stop the arrays from taking effect.

    Still impressive for a level one array master, she complimented me.

    Using Qi through arrays has its advantages against Body Tempering Cultivators, I agreed to a degree.

    But I was somewhat of a special case in this since I could sense Qi and was better than the average Body Tempering Disciple at learning arrays. But while using the Qi found in nature sounded good, it was like trying to move the sea by slapping it around. As the Qi in nature would return to its natural form, earth Qi would return to the earth and not stick to whatever barrier I used it in for too long. That was why a little nudge from foreign Qi was enough to crash most of my arrays.

    How long have you been learning arrays? She asked, and the dangerous glint in her eyes made me really not want to answer her.

    While she was offering generous rewards for joining her side, I wasnt sure how many of her promises she could keep. Also, even if she could, becoming a part of her team meant that my enemies would become hers and her enemies would become mine.

    Who knew what kind of enemies she had.

    Anyway, as a leader, you shouldnt have charged ahead without giving it much thought, and you ended up falling into some kind of trap, I said, and her eyes narrowed as she could clearly tell I was dodging the question.

    But in the end, she shrugged and decided not to point it out. You were here to take care of things, so I didnt worry too much.

    By the look on her face, it was clear that she hadnt cared at all. Despite that, she continued explaining, My teacher has always said that I have to know how to play to my strengths and find people I can trust to cover weaknesses. I only believed in your ability to lead.

    By the look on her face, it seemed like there were some things she didnt want to talk about either, and I didnt press her any longer and shrugged. Either way, we need to gather our things and the food before getting off this place. Its only a matter of time before something else, possibly way more dangerous, is attracted by the blood.

    She nodded, and we walked toward the camp where we had killed the monstrous beasts, the only ones that Song Song had no part in absolutely massacring.

    By the way, how did your arm turn out okay? I asked while tucking Speedy into my backpack and making sure the little guy was comfortable. The male scorpion monstrous beast was quite strong and not the kind of attacks one could block.

    After punching the female scorpion, I knew that I wouldnt be able to move fast enough to dodge, so I brought my arm up and used all the Qi in my body to the exact points to where he would hit, she declared as if what she had done was nothing impressive.

    While her body couldnt move fast enough, she had somehow moved the Qi from her attack to defending in less than an instant.

    This girl had some monstrous fighting instincts.

 Chapter 45: Unda Da Sea

    Chapter 45: Unda Da Sea

    We arrived at a small town near the sea. The place had high walls, much bigger than the ones in Greengrass Town, and there were even some giant crossbow-like weapons atop the walls, dozens pointed at the front gates in case anyone wanted to cause trouble.

    The guards approached us and scrutinized our uniforms. Before one of them could speak, Song Song produced a silver badge, declaring, We are here under Blazing Sun Sect business.

    Having already healed, Song Song had changed into another uniform she had stored in her storage ring. She now looked the part of a powerful cultivator and even had that look in her eyes like she saw everyone else as trash.

    Yes, honorable cultivators, you can proceed at your behest, the man bowed, and they let us pass through.

    As we entered, some townspeople glanced at us; some children had starry eyes, the adults looked cautious, and a few were even scared. Despite their varied reactions, none approached us.

    It was a peculiar feeling, being stared at with reverence as if I were something more than them.

    How odd it must be to be in their place? I supposed they grew up idolizing cultivators, not realizing that at the end of the day, these cultivators were humans too. Even though we lived long lives and often accomplished very little. Most leaders in power had some kind of cultivation, which was probably the main reason progress in this world was slow.

    I averted my gaze from the people, trying to ignore their reverent stares. It was uncomfortable.

    Like any other person, I had daydreamed of fame or celebrity status. But this strange feeling in my stomach wasn''t what I had expected. No, this was much more than just being a celebrity. These people looked at me like someone would when they thought Gods walked the earth.

    At least the town was beautiful, with numerous bridges and streams running through it. A large fountain graced the town center, and the roads were well-paved, with clear water flowing through the streams.

    "Next time, pay attention to these things," Song Song whispered when we were close enough. Some nearby disciples might have heard, but they likely wouldn''t care. "As my second in command, you''re supposed to handle these menial tasks, just like you handled cooking in the camp."

    I shot her a bewildered look, and she frowned in response.

    Did she understand what a second in command meant? She made it sound like I was her servant.

    "You have my sword, but not my broom," I drew the line on the sand, metaphorically. Then, I met Song Song''s gaze as she looked at me, confused.

    It was important to set boundaries, especially with someone like her.

    Song Song was strong and undoubtedly someone who could enforce her will on me. But if she expected me to be her second in command, and loyal, we needed clear boundaries. The last thing anyone would want was a second in command who felt like a janitor.

    "What''s that supposed to mean?" She said, her voice no longer a whisper, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

    "Back there when we were fighting the scorpion monstrous beast, I didn''t run. I even went to help you. I was ready to lay my life there, despite your questionable decisions," I clarified calmly, holding her intense glare. "Do not take such actions lightly. I''m not suicidal, and it''s not your prerogative to treat our lives as mere pawns in your war games."

    I was dancing with flames here. However, there had to be a clear line in our partnership; she couldn''t continue taking our actions for granted and treating us as expendable.

    "My questionable decisions?" She inquired.

    She really couldn''t tell? I was bewildered for a second before quickly regaining my composure and thinking things through.

    "Let''s start with what you did well. Despite your injuries, coming to save us was commendable. Those actions earned my loyalty, not because someone said you''re supposed to be my leader, but because of what you did." I said, taking a moment to choose my words carefully, while Song Song''s lips twitched upward, almost forming a smirk.

    It seemed she liked that. Now, the next part would be the hard pill to swallow. I better be careful so I didn''t end up as the one needing to swallow my teeth at the end of it.

    "Here, this is yours from now on."

    I examined the wood; it felt like ordinary wood by its weight. After fiddling with it for a minute, I turned towards her and asked, "What is this for?"

    The smile faded from her face, and she regarded me as though I were a primitive caveman, "Well, to control the artifact, of course."

    "What artifact?"

    "The ship," she pointed to one of the ten identical vessels, and we followed along.

    "Don''t tell me you''ve never been on an artifact ship," she furrowed her brows. "Okay, I''ll teach you how to handle this. But from now on, you''ll have to take care of it since I''ll be engaging in indoor cultivation until we reach our destination."

    After a brief explanation, I understood; that essentially, it was like a remote controller. After infusing Qi into it and making a specific motion, it would follow my commands. The vessel already had Qi, so essentially, I had little to do except call for Song Song in case of an emergency.

    In the end, she said, "Anyway, the ship will navigate itself. So, you don''t need to worry."

    Why would she go through all this trouble just to say the ship was on autopilot?

    She disappeared into the captain''s cabin, making it clear she didn''t want to be disturbed.

    With her gone, I turned to the others, ready to give some orders. However, the sails unfurled themselves, and the ship began moving on its own.

    The docks receded until they were out of sight. I glanced up, and the flag flapped in the wrong direction. We weren''t catching any wind at all. But the ship was still moving like it was.

    There was probably some intricate Qi work involved in this, but sadly, I could see nothing. It was times like these when I would envy being a Qi Gathering disciple.

    "Well, at least we can spend this time resting," I turned toward the others. "Also, let''s ensure we''re good on food and not going into this blind."

    "Yes, understood! Sir!"

    "Don''t call me ''sir,''" I waved them away as they headed below deck, their smiles evident. No doubt, they were relieved to finally have some rest from constant running and only resting when sleeping.

    My chubby friend, whom I had barely spoken to during this journey, stood behind me, looked at me, and breathed a sigh of relief. "Finally, you''re alone. It felt so strange with that woman around; it was like she would kill any of us for making the slightest mistake. During our hunting trips, we used to whisper about her. People couldn''t say it in front of her, but they''re thankful to you for dealing with her."

    "We both know the doors leading to the captain''s cabin are probably covered in silencing arrays so she can cultivate in peace. But please, be careful what you say," I cautioned him but didn''t dwell on it for long before returning the smile. "Also, she isn''t so bad. Maybe a bit socially awkward from all that indoor cultivation, but anyone could end up like that."

    "Yeah, I bet you would think something like that," the chubby guy muttered under his breath.

    "What''s that supposed to mean?" I raised a questioning brow and crossed my arms.

    "We might be scared of her, but we''re not blind, Liu Feng," the chubby fellow shook his head, a knowing smirk crossing his face. "We see the looks she constantly gives you, and despite what you say, she always listens. Despite the power disparity."

    What was he getting at?

    It took a couple of seconds before everything clicked into place.

    Oh... OH... I get it now...

 Chapter 46: Not Breaking Engagements

    Chapter 46: Not Breaking Engagements

    "Why would you even imply something like that?" I cringed.

    "Well, she actually listens to you, and even under threat of death you look each other in the eye and support each other. Also, she picked you out of everyone else first. How did she even know your name?" My chubby friend fired one question after the other, making it clear that this was the sanest option from his point of view. "Also, the whole inner disciple problems, you had none of those like... ever. I bet she took care of them."

    "Cool it with the fantasies there," I walked towards one of the stairs leading to the helm and sat down, looking toward the slowly disappearing town in the distance. "First of all, I am an engaged man."

    "To a fiancee you have probably never met," my chubby friend played devil''s advocate. "For all you know, she could be a seven-foot tall ogre with big feet."

    "We did actually meet when we were younger, and I doubt she suddenly grew to become a monster," I looked up at the sky, and the sun rays gently landed on my face. Despite the rough wooden stairs I was sitting on, it felt comfortable. "A man is only worth as much as his word..."

    I wanted no part in breaking off an engagement with anyone. That was asking for trouble in a place like this. If I was ever going to break off an engagement, I would ensure we both ended things on good terms.

    Also, Song Song was too crazy, and the last thing anyone would ever want was to date someone like that. It took a certain kind of crazy man to deal with that type of woman. Double so when said crazy woman could also slap you to death.

    Despite how my chubby friend here saw it, I doubted Song Song had any romantic interest in me. She was interested in my abilities and what I could help her with. This was not some lame romance drama where one character would like the other for no reason.

    Before long, the guys came from below deck. Some of them wore smiles and gave me the good news that there was more than enough food for all of us. I would go and check that later in person to make sure. Some others also showed some fishing rods and smiled.

    Without saying anything back, I smiled back at them.

    During our journey here, I had gotten to know these guys pretty well. They fought by my side, so there was no reason we couldn''t have a little fun until we reached our destinations.

    "What''s happening?" My chubby friend asked.

    "Have you never wanted to try fishing?" I asked.

    ....

    Hours passed, and we were just a group of men with sticks in our hands and nothing to show for it.

    There was no damn fish!

    Despite my inner turmoil, I maintained a cool facade. While I considered my relationship with these guys friendly, as the de facto leader, I couldn''t display illogical emotions.

    I had to be the calm head in these waters.

    "You look angry," my chubby friend commented.

    "And you look like someone who would be easy to throw overboard," I retorted. "Can you swim?"

    "Nah, but I can float," he smirked. "Also, the tidal wave I would create after slamming into the water would sink this ship."

    Despite my annoyance for not catching any fish, I couldn''t help but crack a smile. My chubby buddy knew how to be funny when he wanted to.

    "Damn, you''re probably right," I mock grumbled.

    "Just be careful not to slurp down all our food, fatso," another guy commented with a smile on his face.

    The smile that was slowly making its way onto my face slipped away, and I frowned, turning toward the guy who said that.

    Sometimes, people got so absorbed into the mood that they thought they could just insult someone. Perhaps it was just the fatigue getting to him. This was going to be awkward as hell, but I would have to stand up for my chubby buddy here.

    "What the hell did you just say to my friend here?"

    "No," I answered before she could follow her wilder impulses. "That would just be making unnecessary enemies for a not-so-funny joke."

    She shrugged and sighed. The ship slowed down, and the sails furled by themselves as we settled onto the dock. As we walked out of the ship, with Song Song leading the group, the outer elder approached us and bowed toward Song Song.

    "Lady Song, you''re the first here, as expected from someone of your caliber," he said, clearly trying to butter her up. I never thought outer elders could be like this.

    Just by the look in her eyes, she had already lost all respect for the elder, with the way he acted like a fool. While her words might suggest otherwise, Song Song didn''t like people who were yes-men no matter what.

    Also, what kind of background did she have to end up in a place where even elders shamelessly bowed their heads toward her.

    "When will the exam begin?" Song Song inquired.

    "Lady Song, I''m sorry to say this, but without the other nine inner disciples coming with their teams, the exams won''t start. But you can get a look at the contestants. They''re over that hill," he pointed in the distance toward a large peak. "You can look down at all of them. Do you need me to escort you there?"

    No need.

    She nodded, and we began walking toward the hill where we could oversee the newcomers.

    On the way there, we entered the gigantic forest, and the average person would have had difficulty climbing over the root bumps that were taller than me.

    We jumped over them at a leisurely pace, and Song Song was leading us, so I followed behind her. Until I decided to quicken my pace a bit and catch up with her, So, you have even outer elders acting so polite with you. I dont think I ever asked before, but what exactly is your position in the sect?

    Song Song chuckled as a playful look danced in her eyes, Im just another core disciple.

    Oh, well, that was something. Core Disciples were a step above even inner disciples, and there were only a handful of them at a time. They usually ended up as Core Elders or even the Sect Leaders if they survived long enough.

    She wasnt wearing the usual uniform a Core Disciple would wear, but that was understandable. Other rival sects always kept an eye on the Core Disciples and would be happy for them to have an "accident" so the next generation of the Blazing Sun Sect wouldnt be so strong.

    How the hell did my relatives get in contact with someone like her?

    Before long, I asked her exactly that, How did my relatives even find someone like you?

    That would be considered a bit rude to ask. However, Song Song had already told me she was a Core Disciple, which was quite a dangerous thing to reveal to someone she had barely met for some days. Perhaps she thought I had cousins in the inner sect and wouldnt betray her.

    She was right, but this recklessness of hers could end up getting her killed one day.

    To make a very long story short, my master knows Liu Qians master, she shrugged.

    Well, that was a short explanation, alright. Though it revealed pretty much nothing.

    So far, I could roughly guess that she probably had a Core Elder as a Master and that my older cousin Liu Qian. Who from Liu Fengs memories was the personal disciple of an inner elder. So perhaps they met each other when their teachers were hanging out.

    At least this explained why my cousins had gone through the trouble of fighting that inner disciple for me. This connection with a Core Elder was probably what kept my relatives well and strong within the inner sect, and there had been no incidents about Elder Rong reacting to anything.

    As we arrived atop the hill, we looked down, and there were hundreds, if not thousands of disciples down there. Some had set up some tarps on the grass and seemed to be trading while the others were resting and talking between themselves.

    Most of these were going to end up failing the exam.

    My eyes wandered through them trying to find anyone who stood out. While there were the usual guys around, it was nothing outside of expectations. The only one who really stood out so far was some red-haired guy.

    Red hair was quite rare here. It was not even ginger, just blood-colored hair that if this were on Earth I would have thought it was dyed.

    But I paid little attention to him after that and looked around for any other students who stood out in more than just their appearance.

 Chapter 47: The Trees Have Eyes

    Chapter 47: The Trees Have Eyes

    Finding someone talented based on appearance alone was an impossible task. But I kept an eye on interesting-looking people, like the red-haired guy.

    Weird hair, plus the xianxia world equaled someone having some strange bloodline thing going for them.

    There were cases where humans mated with humanoid monstrous beasts, and it was said to create monstrous talents. However, I wasn''t exactly sure how true that was, as the books on the second floor hadn''t gone into details about such things. Though it wasn''t like I had read anywhere near all the books on that floor.

    We walked back down the slope to where we had docked our boat. Song Song had a knowing smirk as she looked at the sea expectantly.

    "What''re we going to do now?" I asked.

    Despite how Song Song left most things to me, she was still the official leader. So whenever I had the opportunity, I would have her handle things.

    "Well, we just sit around and rest while waiting for the other slow pokes to show up. Before everyone shows up, we can''t even start the exam," her smirk widened. "Go and eat all the food on the ship if you want to, to pass the time."

    She was clearly absorbed in her own world, so I just shrugged and played along. I called over the others and tried to think about how I would introduce soccer here. We were all cultivators, so kicking a wooden ball was probably okay.

    "Do any of you have a sword?" I asked, and not much later, half a dozen people took out their swords and showed them to me. "Okay, I''m taking one of yours and going to make a ball from wood."

    They looked a bit confused as to why I would do something like that. So instead of talking more, I showed them by jumping up a tree and cutting off one of their branches. The branch was as thick as an average tree, and as it crashed on the ground with a resounding thud, even Song Song looked away from the sea, her gaze wandering over my body.

    "You okay?" She asked.

    "Of course."

    "Don''t go hurting yourself before I can show you off."

    What was that supposed to mean? I was not a new expensive handbag she could show her... friends?

    Did she even have friends?

    Well, I guess we could be considered friends in a way.

    I didn''t bother thinking much longer about it and instead cut a rough ball-shaped wooden sphere. Then I showed the others how to play soccer. This chapter is updated by

    Not even ten minutes later, as one of the guys kicked the ball, it shattered into a thousand splinters. It seemed like a superhuman body, and the wooden ball did not fit well.

    "No, Wilson!" I murmured under my breath while looking at the broken pieces of wood on the beach sand.

    ...

    Fishing, running around, wrestling with some weird dolphin-like fish, and many other things. After all that it was almost mid-day, and nine other ships showed up on the horizon.

    Unlike our own, their ships looked worse for wear, like they had gone through a sea battle. Some had ripped sails and cracked hulls, and one ship had a large hole in the side.

    If I were a betting man, I would bet on them fighting amongst each other.

    The outer disciples looked excited. While the inner disciples, who were the leaders of the teams, were nonchalant about it.

    No matter how one looked at this, the system was rigged and heavily favored certain people. Since the inner disciples would stop anyone from the outer sect from disqualifying anyone who showed potential. Likely ending up with some inner elder getting the benefits of gaining a talented disciple. Not to mention those who had connections with the sect and all that.

    "Let''s go," Song Song brought me out of my thoughts.

    We followed along and moved into the forest, while in the back of my mind was that figure who I had seen at the top of the hill.

    For some reason, a chill went down my spine when thinking about it. Like every instinct warning me against something.

    Had I met them before?

    I tried recalling such feelings before, and as far as I could tell, Liu Feng had never encountered such a thing.

    "Liu Feng, I need you to wake up a bit," Song Song slowed down and moved next to me, as her eyes wandered around.

    "Sorry. There was something on my mind."

    "Then think about it later. Because we are about to be bombarded right now."

    As soon as she said that, there was a shift in the air, and three Qi signatures made themselves visible while over two dozen disciples appeared from behind trees. Some had heavy looks, while others seemed like they would be anywhere else but here.

    But what was worrying was the three inner disciples leading all these disciples. The three guys had their hands between their backs, and gentle smiles on their faces. One might mistake them as unthreatening, if it werent for all the people surrounding us.

    One of them opened their mouths to speak, but Song Song interrupted them.

    "These days, guys seem to be growing bolder with each passing second. Where did you find the guys to get in my way?" Song Song licked her lips as the Qi around her flared, and since we were so close, I could feel her Qi clearer than ever before.

    It felt like warm mucus proactively wrapping around me.

    Even the three inner disciples narrowed their eyes and brought their hands forward, beads of sweat rolling down their cheeks. They no longer even played at trying to look like they weren''t here to fight, and all the arrogance was gone in a split second.

    The man in the middle, who was the tallest and looked like the leader, clenched his teeth and said, "It seems like you must have recently broken through."

    "Well, unlike you bastards in your mid-thirties still trying to act and look young, some of us have actual talent in cultivation," Song Song shrugged.

    Then she nudged me and added, "No offense to you, Liu Feng."

    "I''m not old," I answered.

    However, with her nudging, I knew she was preparing something. So I went ahead and played along with her word games.

    "But you are not quite talented," she made a snide comment.

    "True," I admitted, sighing and putting my hands behind my back like an old man. At the same time, with my hands behind my back, I was going through the hand seals to activate an array.

    Two thoughts were going through my mind in this situation. The first one was that Song Song had been scarily right; that gut feeling of hers was quite something. Second, what kind of array would work best in a forest?

 Chapter 48: True Names

    Chapter 48: True Names

    There was a time when I spared the three bandits, and I didn''t regret it despite how things had turned out. There was no universal rule dictating that good actions would be rewarded. That simple act of deciding to spare three brothers led to a bunch of trouble.

    Regardless, I was dwelling on this too much.

    Why worry about complicated matters? Killing was never a complex act; it was simply snuffing out a life.

    With my thoughts settled, I had already made my choice. Song Song had assured me that if I ever killed anyone, she would take responsibility.

    "Even someone like you can have that kind of look in their eyes?" Song Song suddenly interrupted my thoughts. I turned toward her, and she wore a pleased smile.

    Perhaps we were kindred spirits, both having walked further down this path of life. She placed a hand on my shoulder, and without speaking, something seeped into my body, feeling like hot lava coursing through my veins.

    Despite the pain, the energy moved with immaculate control, seemingly avoiding damage. Yet, it was a bit dangerous because this was Qi she was pouring into my body. If she let it rampage within me, it would cripple any chances I had at cultivation.

    Just the thought of that brought a chill down my spine. But if Song Song wanted to crush my cultivation, she could easily do it.

    Like when I used chants to push around the Qi in nature, I did the same with the Qi within me. Song Song had enough control to notice even the smallest changes the chants I muttered under my breath were affecting her Qi, guiding its movement.

    It was like I was laying the foundation, and she was pouring the concrete. Technically, the barrier should be somewhat as strong as if someone proficient in Qi erected it. However, due to Song Song''s lack of experience using Qi to erect arrays, while the barrier might initially be strong, it would crumble quickly.

    Many thoughts about the kinds of barriers we could use ran through my mind. If I were alone, an array covering my tracks as I escaped would have been the best for this situation. But it was useless; I had to be on the same page as Song Song. We had to communicate without talking or even looking at each other, so our enemies wouldn''t catch on.

    What would Song Song do next? That was the main thought I kept at the forefront of my mind while trying to make a decision.Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

    The answer was quite obvious... she would attack!

    "Bind!" I muttered, releasing the array''s power and using the trees as the four points.

    In an instant, the guy in the middle of the three inner disciples froze. His eyes widened, looking nothing like the man who had boasted before or the one we met at the beach who had glared at Song Song.

    By the time my thoughts caught up with my actions, Song Song was already in the midst of the fray. By then, his two friends on the side reacted, their eyes widening as they noticed Song Song was no longer by my side.

    Everything was so fast, yet so slow at the same time!

    One of the remaining teammates opened his mouth to speak, while the other''s eyes wandered around. They both sensed the array simultaneously, turning toward their immobilized leader, who was on the verge of breaking out of the Bind Array.

    However, by the time they grasped what was happening, almost a whole second had passed, and Song Song was within arm''s length. Her hand shot forward like a spear, her fingers stabbing into the leader''s neck as if through tofu, barely meeting any resistance.

    But I lost track of the action as everything accelerated, and an explosion reverberated, enveloping the inner disciples in a dust cloud.

    But despite everything that could be happening, the answer was obvious. No, I was not willing to risk my life for those trying to kill me.

    "You can go," I told her.

    "Don''t worry," she nodded as if sensing my inner conflict. "Whatever happens here, I will take responsibility."

    As she disappeared in a blur, I turned toward the remaining outer disciples. My decision was made, and it was time to solidify it.

    "Surrender, and I promise to spare those who do. The tides are no longer in your favor."

    Initially hesitant, a couple slipped away from the back of the group. The rest seemed bolstered by their numbers, whispering amongst themselves, preparing.

    "Good, those who wished to live have already left," I declared, taking a deep breath. "From now on, I will do my best to kill you all. Even if you beg for mercy, I won''t spare you."

    Being merciful toward your enemies was being cruel to yourself. Most enemies wouldn''t reciprocate your kindness; given the chance, they''d kill you without hesitation. Mercy was a luxury only the strong could afford.

    At least some had departed, making the battle slightly easier despite still being outnumbered. Nevertheless, this wouldn''t be an easy fight.

    Surprisingly, the first to step forward, ready for combat, was my chubby friend. He had a determined look in his eyes as he said, "Come at me!"

    Without hesitation, one of the disciples charged, likely aiming to reduce our numbers swiftly. They probably believed they could evade Song Song for the duration of the acceptance exam.

    I was poised to intervene, but seeing my friend''s confident smile, I decided to trust him. He wouldn''t do something like this for no reason.

    As the outer disciple threw his punch, his fist felt unusually heavy, using a technique I recognized well.

    Rock Smashing Fist was a technique designed to add weight to the user''s fists for a more powerful impact. It was a widely known technique, even more so than my Piercing Fang Fist. However, my chubby friend seemed intent on taking the blow head-on, receiving it in the gut.

    Anticipating a significant impact or signs of pain, I was surprised by the absence of both. My friend opened his mouth, seemingly about to scream, but only a trail of steam emerged. Soon, steam billowed from his orifices, and his body began to shrink, stunning even the attacker.

    However, the attacker''s moment of reminiscence was short-lived as he attempted to retract his fist, only to find a slender palm grasping his wrist.

    "Where do you think you''re going?" questioned my friend as the steam dissipated, revealing a young man with a muscular physique. "I, Yang Cho, will not forgive anyone here today who dared to approach us with ill intentions!"

    In place of the chubby face and overweight figure now stood a muscular man with a square jaw.

    Despite the unusual technique at play, for once, I found myself more intrigued by something other than combat techniques.

    Yang Cho... I finally learned my best friend''s name.

 Chapter 49: Let’s Put A Mask On That Face

    Chapter 49: Let��s Put A Mask On That Face

    My chubby friend, Yong Cho, smiled as he tightened his grip on the other guy''s wrist and tugged forward. With the same momentum, he delivered a punch to the guy''s face, and a nasty crunching sound rang out as the disciple who had attacked first fell to the ground with a bloodied mug.

    But I couldn''t let my friend stand alone, so I walked by his side, keeping an eye out for any sneak attacks.

    "Where did you even learn such a technique?" I asked.

    "My grandfather discovered it when he was younger. There has never been a cultivator in our family until me, and we''ve guarded this technique with our lives," he said, his smile seeming unfamiliar. Gone was the chubby figure I was used to; now he had a square jaw that looked out of place. The glint in his eyes, however, remained the same. "We might be a family of farmers, and this might be just a Mortal Grade Technique. But I will use it to honor all my ancestors who lived in fear of someone discovering they possessed a cultivator''s technique hidden in the attic."

    "It''s a pretty effective technique," I commented.

    He didn''t need to divulge his entire backstory here; someone could target his family. But we were going to eliminate everyone here, and I would ensure he had no need to worry about such threats from our enemies.

    As my eyes scanned the field for the strongest opponents, Yong Cho whispered, "I''m not used to using this technique. Since it takes so long to build up fat stores, I''ve only used it twice before and can''t quite integrate it with other techniques."

    "Then you''ll handle the raffle and lead, protecting the rest of the team. I''ll deal with any troublesome ones," I decided.

    We both understood our strengths and weaknesses. I knew I was the only one who could punch above my weight class if necessary.

    Scanning the opponents, I looked for leadersthose standing at the back of the group, not looking scared, with calculating looks. But I found no one fitting those descriptions.

    Suddenly, someone shot forward and yelled, "Everyone! Attack!"

    The guy leading the charge was a lanky young man who looked undernourished. There wasn''t much else remarkable about his appearance.

    It was hard to determine if he was the true leader or just a figurehead meant to divert my attention. Regardless, there wasn''t much time to think as I met his charge head-on.

    No one else on the team could react in time, so I went all out and unleashed the Piercing Fang Fist. He was slightly faster than me, but compared to people like Song Song, he was dreadfully slow. With some maneuvering and utilizing the Rushing Bull Step to zigzag, I slipped under his fist.

    The guy''s eyes widened as I landed a punch straight to his chin, sending him sprawling. A Piercing Fang Fist punch powered by Rushing Bull Steps would have caved in the skull of any nine-star Body Tempering disciple.Visit  for the best novel reading experience

    However, he flew away like a ragdoll and smashed against a tree. Although it seemed like I had won that exchange, as I examined my fist, there was nothing but a bruised knuckle.

    "Huh, this is quite interesting," I muttered, examining my fist for broken bones.

    That hadn''t felt like hitting flesh and was more like hitting steel.

    "That was quite a hit. Anyone else and they would have died. You''re really going for the kill here," remarked the other guy as he emerged from the tree he had smashed into, brushing debris off his shoulders. "Sadly for you, unlike most others out there, I have an Earth Grade Technique. I''m an investment from one of the inner elders."

    There was no sign of injury on him, and despite appearances, I was the only one injured in that exchange.

    This time, I didn''t hesitate and rushed at the guy. He stood in place, a frozen smile on his face. But as I approached, I slowed down to avoid injuring my fist in the next attack. However, despite my reduced speed, the guy remained frozen in place, with ample opportunity to react.

    Observing this, I halted my charge and jumped back, keeping my eyes on him. It took another whole second before he could move.

    The eardrums in the human body aren''t just for hearing but also help the body maintain balance.

    Straightening my form, I used the guy''s confusion against him and sent a punch toward his throat. This time with Sonic Fang Fist, his eyes widened as the shockwave passed through his body.

    Normally, Qi would have defended against something like a shockwave, but he no longer had that advantage.

    Blood burst out of his nose violently, and bloody tears streamed down his face as he slumped to the ground. Afterward, I raised my foot and violently stomped on his head, crushing it like a watermelon, ensuring he was dead.

    The rest of the disciples stopped fighting when they saw I had killed one of their own. My friend took advantage of the moment, leading the team as they began overpowering the remaining opponents. This left no chance for the opponents to recover; those who attempted to resist were swiftly killed.

    After killing that guy, the rest of the opponents lost morale, and with our help, we slaughtered them all. Some pleaded or attempted to make deals to spare their lives, but we showed no mercy.

    No doubt they would have done the same to us if their masters had ordered it. I wasn''t powerful enough to afford mercy at times like these.

    Once we finished off our enemies, Yong Cho turned toward me, "What now?"

    My previously chubby friend bore some injuries, and his hands were covered in blood up to the elbows. Some members of our group had died, despite my best efforts. Others were critically injured and unfit to continue fighting.

    As I surveyed their forms, some couldn''t even stand up to greet me, and a handful were unconscious. Despite our battered appearance, we had emerged victorious against overwhelming odds. This victory, with so few casualties, was considered good.

    However, I couldn''t help but feel a bitter taste in victory. While I had resolved to kill our opponents, I had also tried to protect my allies, yet some had fallen in battle. We could no longer afford to remain in the forest as a team, or we would become easy targets for other groups.

    Setting my backpack down, I rummaged through it and pulled out a wooden mask. Then, I handed over the backpack to my previously chubby friend.

    "Take care of my turtle in there, his name is Speedy, and he likes to sleep a lot," I instructed Yong Cho.

    Yong Cho was already familiar with Speedy, having seen me bring the little guy around. Nonetheless, he still appeared somewhat puzzled about why I was entrusting him with my belongings.

    I continued to explain, "I still have some matters to attend to here. But you need to take care of the injured and deceased from our side and head to the outer elder on the beach. If possible, clean off the blood before meeting him. Otherwise, if he inquires, say that you acted under Song Song''s directives. However, divulge as little as possible, as Song Song will manage this situation more effectively herself."

    From what I had observed thus far, the outer elder awaiting at the beach likely catered to Song Song. He was probably an underling of her teacher from the inner sect. Yet, it would be unwise to place too much trust in someone of that nature.

    Individuals who acted fawningly and sought favor from their superiors lacked integrity. They performed actions solely for personal gain, not out of genuine regard. I understood this because I had been one of them in my previous life, someone who would grin at my insufferable managers even when I wished they would tumble headfirst into a pile of shit.

    Yong Cho seemed poised to inquire about my intentions, but in the presence of others, he remained silent. With a determined gaze, he nodded at me while shouldering my backpack. "I trust in your judgment, and I know you''re not foolish. But exercise caution out there."

    With that, he instructed the others to gather the fallen and injured comrades as they withdrew from view, leaving me alone amidst the scattered corpses of our adversaries. Despite my earlier resolve, I couldn''t bring myself to look at the individuals I had slain and walked away from the scene of carnage.

    Though necessary, it didn''t mean I found pleasure in what I had done.

    Securing the wooden mask over my face, I ensured it was snug so that no enemies of Song Song would recognize me.

    Now, I only needed to assist my cousins from the Liu Clan in passing and find a promising candidate for my teacher.

    It sounded straightforward... Who was I kidding? It sounded like a tremendous hassle. But I owed it to those who had aided me. My cousins had placed themselves at risk by assisting me in dealing with the inner disciple, and the librarian had been instrumental in nearly everything.

 Chapter 50: Finding My Cousins

    Chapter 50: Finding My Cousins

    As my team departed, I adjusted the mask on my face, tugging at it slightly to ensure its secure fit. Only by touching a specific array under the mask on the right side of my face could someone remove it.

    This precaution was something I had obtained from the librarian in case I ever needed to conceal my identity while doing something.

    I leaped from tree branch to tree branch, the surroundings gradually blurring as I employed the Rushing Bull Steps technique.

    Since the attack occurred so early in the exam, I was far from the center of the island where other participants gathered. However, with the speed at which I moved, it didn''t take long before encountering some outer disciple teams and participants. Despite my efforts to remain unnoticed, I swiftly passed them by. Whether they were engaged in combat, conversation, or jesting, none of it concerned me.

    As I walked past some trees, there was a tall young man with a long, horse-like face sitting on one of the large tree roots. His gaze locked onto mine, tracking my movements. Judging by his attire, he appeared to be an applicant rather than someone from the sect.

    "Finally, someone crosses my path," he smirked and stood up. "Good! I''ve been eager to test the Hundred Mortal Grade Techniques I''ve mastered against someone from the Blazing Sun Sect!"

    He sprang toward me, moving like a leaf, then as light as a feather. Despite employing two techniques that seemed compatible, he didn''t use them simultaneously.

    Even with the excited smile on his face, the young man exuded a scholarly air. "I challenge you, stranger! Succumb to my techniques, for I am the son of the White Mane Royal Family Scholar! My name-"

    Before he could finish his sentence, I swiftly employed the Rushing Bull Step technique and stood before him, delivering an elbow to his stomach. His eyes widened, gasping for air as he collapsed to the ground with his eyes rolling to the back of his skull.

    Had he not pursued me, I wouldn''t have retaliated so forcefully. He seemed talented enough to master many techniques. However, the number of techniques did not mean much compared to mastery and compatibility between techniques. His hundreds of techniques paled compared to only my Rushing Bull Step.

    "Next time, speak less and learn to use two techniques simultaneously," I advised, though I doubted he could hear me in his current state. But cultivators were weird, so he might.

    Ultimately, he had challenged me directly, so I showed him leniency, propping his body against a tree and covering him with leaves to shield him from wild beasts or hostile disciples. Then, I resumed my journey.

    Recalling the faces of those I was tasked to assist in this examthe Liu Clan twins. There was only a pair of those I could remember. They were roughly my age, and Liu Feng had encountered them previously.

    I continued past numerous other teams, remaining vigilant for any signs of suspicious activity. While I might not be able to intervene with inner disciples abusing their power, I aimed to steer clear of such people if they were anywhere close.

    Song Song''s behavior hadn''t left a favorable impression of how the inner disciples acted. Coupled with the issues involving the arrogant young master, it was hard to view the inner sect members as anything other than pompous.

    While pondering these thoughts, I stumbled upon a particular team of four engrossed in conversation. Two of them, Liu Lia and Liu Long, were twins who bore a striking resemblance. Liu Lia, the girl, sported long hair, while her brother had opted for a shorter cut. With dark hair, dark eyes, and slightly above-average looks, they seemed unassuming at first glance.

    Contemplating how to approach and retrieve them without revealing my identity beneath the mask presented a dilemma. Resorting to lethal measures to safeguard my secret wasn''t a consideration, nor something I desired. The day had already seen more than enough bloodshed.

    Taking a deep breath, I crouched down, and in an instant swifter than even my own perception, the world around me blurred. I landed amidst their group. It took a moment for them to register my presence; their eyes widened in surprise. Swiftly, I seized the twins by the back of their uniforms and leaped away before their teammates could react.

    "Wait!" one of their companions called out, while the other gave chase. The remaining teammate attempted to use a martial art technique, his palm gathering wind in a telltale sign of impending action.

    Observing their camaraderie with my younger cousins, I decided not to inflict harm upon them. A smaller team would prove more advantageous. Even if they united, their chances against the selected eliminators seemed slim based on their performance thus far.

    Despite the two troublesome youngsters in my hands, I swiftly created enough distance from the guy chasing us.

    They took my words too seriously as if they were my subordinates. No need for such formality here, though it wasn''t the place to discuss it.

    "Let''s go," I said, leaping onto a nearby tree branch, signaling for them to follow.

    Nodding, they glanced around anxiously. The sister spoke up, "Uh... we don''t have a movement technique."

    The sooner we left, the safer we''d be. So this wasn''t a good thing, but we would have to do with this.

    "Don''t worry, I''ll travel at a slower pace so you can keep up," I assured them, setting a manageable speed.

    As the sun dipped low, we encountered no trouble. However, I sensed movement about a hundred feet away. In the fading light, I recognized the red-haired guy strolling past us.

    He glanced at me, our gazes briefly locking before he narrowed his eyes and continued on his way.

    Huh? What was that about?

    I shrugged off the momentary exchange and refocused on escorting my cousins, ensuring their safety along the journey.

    Before long, we reached the sandy beaches where my chubby friend and the rest of my team awaited. Swiftly, I removed my mask and stashed it in the inner pockets of my robe before drawing attention.

    "Guys," I called out, catching their attention. My once-chubby friend now slimmed down, waved in acknowledgment, appearing to be in the midst of a meal. Without delay, I briefed them on the situation. "These are my cousins. Please look after them for a while as I attend to other matters."

    "Of course," Yong Cho nodded after swallowing his food. "Your cousins are in good hands. Anyone who dares trouble them will meet my fist."

    Grateful for his assurance, I smiled and nodded. "Thanks. I owe you one."

    "What''s there to owe? Friends help each other without keeping score," he chuckled.

    His words echoed sentiments he often expressed, yet they sounded more resolute in his current form.

    As I turned to leave, my cousins bowed deeply and exclaimed, "Thank you for everything, Honorable Senior Cousin Feng!"

    This title seemed to lengthen with each exclamation.

    Rolling my eyes, I walked away, unwilling to correct them. However, before disappearing into the forest, I paused and called out, "Enough with the formalities. We''re family, after all."

    Without waiting for a response, I continued on, the forest enveloping me in its familiar sounds. Fortunately, luck had favored me and led me to my cousins swiftly.

    Perhaps my mind, tainted by exposure to danger, had anticipated a struggle before getting them. Yet, such scenarios were rare among disciples. However, a few bad apples tarnished the reputation of many others with their arrogance.

    The first mission was done, now it was time for the second one.

    I turned my focus to the next and final task at hand.

 Chapter 51: The Ice Jade

    Chapter 51: The Ice Jade

    The question of the day was: how would I find someone talented here?

    Talented people came in many forms. Just because someone might perform poorly in the last part of the entrance exam and be weak during that time did not mean they were less talented. After all, some could have had more resources before coming to the sect, and others hadnt.

    Though if their talents were obvious, they would have already been brought in the inner sect during the parts of the exam before this one. So I had to keep an eye out for many different factors.

    I traversed through the forest, trying to keep my eyes open for anything interesting or to sense any weird surges in Qi. The latter was mostly for my own safety because no matter how talented someone was, the chances of them being a Qi Gatherer at the age of fifteen were slim to none. If they were, then I was screwed either way.

    But the further I moved within the forest, the colder it became, and some moisture in the trees began forming ice. Though the sun had set, this coldness was peculiar and reminded me of a very worrying event.Follow current novels at novelhall.com)

    I remembered a giant boar being skewered by a lance of ice, and a chill went down my spine.

    No, there was no way such a thing would happen right now. It would be too much of a coincidence. That would be ridiculous

    But no matter how hard I tried to prevent such thoughts from appearing in my mind, the worries in my heart only continued to grow. This wasnt something I was used to dealing with. The uncomfortable feeling spread from my stomach to my heart and lungs and all over my body, and my hair stood on end.

    Soon enough, I reached a place where the coldness was so severe that even my reinforced body began shivering, and my teeth chattered. I looked for a way around this cold area, but there was none, and it felt like the whole middle of the island was frozen.

    Since at least one outer elder was overseeing this, nothing dangerous should be around here, even if there was

    Perhaps I should return

    I stopped in my tracks and stood atop a tree branch as all thoughts of continuing further were finished immediately. What lay in front of me could be described as nothing more than a frozen wasteland, and gray-robed disciples lay about with ice all over their bodies, looking like ice statues.

    Their faces were frozen in looks of terror, and the soft moonlight reflecting off the ice around their bodies made it an even more terrifying sight.

    I thought I had somewhat grown a stomach for bloodshed and murder. But it seemed like I wasnt quite there yet.

    Just as I was about to turn around and book it, I caught sight of another figure amongst the ice sculptures. This one wasnt quite frozen and looked like the ice had splattered the guy against a tree, making him hard to recognize. But he wore a blue uniform, signifying he was from the inner sect.

    My heart jumped, and I quickly checked his hands for silver rings. Thankfully, there seemed to be none. His body shape also didnt resemble Song Song, which was a relief.

    No, that worrying was illogical. Song Song had shown how strong she was, and even multiple Qi Gathering disciples would have a hard time against her. Because if something was around here that could hurt even her, then we were all screwed!

    Turning around, I quickly rushed into the night, the chilly air hitting my back. Every fiber of my being was concentrated on getting away from whatever the hell this thing was!

    However, as I got further away, I concentrated on what could be happening behind me or any incoming attack from behind. I barely sensed what was happening before me, and that was two people fighting. I immediately regained my senses, hid behind one of the trees, and held my breath.

    Now that I knew someone who could defeat an inner disciple like that was around, I wanted nothing to do with anyone here. That ice also looked nothing like how Song Song fought, so the chances of it being her were slim to none.

    *Clang!*

    The sound of metal rippled through the air as two weapons met: a sword and a gauntlet. The two people fighting were the red-haired guy I had seen before and an outer disciple. By the way, the latter moved; he seemed to be about seven-star Body Tempering, while the other three-star Body Tempering?

    It felt like this guy was breaking every unspoken rule I knew about this world.

    One thing was sure: this guy was either brave or confident in defeating me without taking any damage. Or he was just plain old stupid enough to call me out. Perhaps both. If he had such good eyesight, he should have been able to see that I was escaping and was no danger to him.

    Either way, I no longer wanted to linger around, and having this little guy on my back would be a good idea. With the way things were going, I wouldnt be surprised if he had an Earth Grade Technique that would allow him to chase after me.

    If that was the case, why was he even trying to join the Blazing Sun Sect? Even inner disciples had no such privileges with Earth Grade Techniques.

    Deciding that getting away and having this guy on my back wasnt worth it, I walked out into the moonlight.

    When he saw me, the red-haired guys eyes widened as if he had just heard some grave news, and he immediately put up his guard.

    Whats with the reaction? I raised a questioning brow. I dont believe we ever had any enmity with each other for you to be so cautious. If my outer disciple uniform unnerves you, I will let you know right now that I am not here to be an asshole and try to drop you off the competition.

    Though it seemed unlikely that it was the uniform that surprised him. Because if he could see me, he should have also seen what kind of uniform I had on. Also, I had no outrageous amount of Qi or Spirit Stones in me where if he could sense Qi he would have noticed me as the Qi around would have dulled my presence.

    No matter how I looked at this guy, he only grew more of a confusing existence.

    Also, the silence grew a bit awkward, so he said, You He took a couple of seconds to think and added, You feel dangerous.

    Hoh? You have quite the senses for someone at the Body Tempering stage, I complimented him.

    Also, I knew for a fact he was bullshitting me. As someone who had spent some days around Song Song, I knew how someone with crazy instincts was. This guy was many things, but he was nothing like Song Song.

    In conclusion, this guy was hiding a whole lot of shit.

    Anyway, do you know anything about the weird cold around here? I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

    No, he answered almost immediately.

    That answer was too fast, like someone who was prepared for that. Usually, people wouldnt answer so fast and might even ask their own questions if they truly knew nothing.

    He was still a good liar. Perhaps the tension was getting to him. Otherwise, he might have acted calmer and tricked me, too?

    I glanced at the guy he had defeated, who was slumped against the tree he had smashed into and looked unconscious while drooling blood. My gaze returned to the red-haired guy. I advised him, You shouldnt kill outer disciples recklessly, or it will just invite unnecessary trouble when you enter the sect.

    If he started like this, he would be in a horrible position unless he had someone like Song Song for backup to take responsibility.

    Usually, only the disciples from the sect had the advantage when it came to fighting against applicants. While there were accidents occasionally, an outer disciple dying was unheard of in these exams. I had no idea how this would turn out.

    Though, for some reason, this exam was wildly fucked up from the beginning. It felt like I had stumbled on something I shouldnt have.

    Also, no matter how I looked at it. There was something about this red-haired guy

 Chapter 52: A Bleeding Heart.

    Chapter 52: A Bleeding Heart.

    Many assumptions were running through my mind. Some were based on logic, like pondering if this guy could be from a famous family, perhaps sent to gain worldly experience. Others were more rooted in superstition, born out of reading xianxia novels.

    Usually, I wouldn''t indulge in such superstitions. Still, superstitions had already saved me once when I wisely exited the situation involving that jade-like beauty. So, the uncomfortable feeling in my stomach regarding this guy sent a chill down my spine.

    While the guy''s appearance was somewhat distinctive, it wasn''t something unseen. There was also someone named Jia Man, who defeated Liu Feng and led me here. He had short red hair and looked more like a barbarian warrior than a cultivator. They may have been related. Red hair was quite rare here. But Jia Man could have dyed it, which seemed like something a rebellious teen in a world like this would do.

    I just acted on my gut feelings as I asked him, "Have you ever broken off an engagement or anything like that?"

    As soon as those words left my mouth, a frown creased the guy''s face, and he grumbled, "Such rumors have spread all the way here. Curse that woman! I will repay the shame she has brought my family a thousandfold!"

    Then his gaze shifted to me, and he narrowed his eyes. With a voice full of emotion, he added, "If you''re here to make fun of me-"

    "No, I don''t care about such things," I interjected before he could say more.

    Gazing at the night sky, I took a deep, calming breath as the cold air filled my lungs and the half-moon''s light washed over me.

    Strangely, I felt no panic or anger directed at anyone in particular. Panicking at times like these would be useless, and harboring resentment toward this youngster for his predicament would be foolish. Clearly, he was unaware of his situation.

    Perhaps I would have panicked if this had been me many months ago. However, the times when I had allowed emotions to rule me in such situations, I had paid dearly. When I killed for the first time, the mistake of letting my emotions take over and nearly throwing up had almost cost me my life.

    I would only make that same mistake once.

    Yet, another part of me, the curious part, wanted to know how someone like this came to be. What made someone favored by the heavens stumble upon Earth Grade Techniques?

    If his family was shamed, they were evidently not powerful enough to casually hand over Earth Grade Techniques. So, the more likely scenario was that this red-haired guy had found them.

    How remarkable. I felt little to no jealousy for the red-haired guy''s luck, as individuals like him were often favored by luck and, simultaneously, by misfortune. There were many things I wanted to understand about how someone like him came to exist. After all, while an ordinary person might ponder their life''s path, someone like this red-haired guy had the rest of his fate predetermined. Nobody was born so special without reason.

    Whether it was advantageous or detrimental to be born into this world with a purpose, something one could hardly alter, remained to be seen. Only the future would reveal it.

    Perhaps all of this was speculation, and I was assuming things. If that were the case, only time would tell.

    I suppressed my curiosity, even though the man in front of me had the potential to overturn everything I had learned about this world so far. Despite the temptation, I kept silent and merely smiled.

    The young man''s behavior made more sense with my mind now open to myriad possibilities. He appeared both seasoned and inexperienced simultaneously, as if someone was whispering in his ear.

    If I were a betting person, I''d wager it was an old grandfather in a ring offering advice. However, it was only sometimes an actual ring; it could be a bracelet, bead, book, or anything else just as likely. The mentor could even be a captivating woman trapped within an accessory.

    He had a tree to his left, suggesting the invisible mentor was to his right. Despite being in spirit form, his mentor wouldn''t stay in a tree while talking to him.

    Without further hesitation, I leaped down from the tree branch. I scooped the girl up like a sack of potatoes beneath my arm before she could comprehend what was happening.

    "Huh?" She looked bewildered, but I didn''t linger, swiftly making my escape.

    Perhaps she was merely a decoy, working with someone else to prey upon disciples. But if that were the case, I would deal with it. Strong individuals here didn''t resort to such underhanded tactics; they simply took what they desired.

    Once we had distanced ourselves sufficiently and reached the shoreline, I set her down. As soon as her feet touched the ground, she burst into tears.

    "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you so much!" She sobbed, clinging to me tightly, unwilling to let go.

    "Um... Don''t mention it," I replied awkwardly, patting her back.

    I was unsure how to handle such genuine gratitude, so I shifted the conversation to a more pressing matter.

    "What happened to you? Who did this to you?" I inquired, noting the deep wounds on her shoulder and back were not bleeding.

    "An applicant," she managed to say between sobs. "Even now, it feels like I was trapped in a nightmare. If it weren''t for the protective artifacts my father insisted I carry, I would have..."

    Her voice faltered, and she buried her face in my shoulder. Her tall frame almost matched mine. Despite her stature, she was still just a child.

    Ordinarily, the notion of an applicant defeating outer disciples would be preposterous. However, there was an anomaly not far from here.

    "Did the guy have red hair?" I inquired.

    No matter how secretive and aloof the protagonist-like individual appeared, he didn''t strike me as someone who would commit such violence against a girl. Yet, xianxia protagonists were renowned for their... unpredictability.

    "No, it was-" Her words caught in her throat as the temperature plummeted, even the air in my lungs turning frigid.

    Reacting swiftly, I pushed the girl away, scanned the surroundings, and got ready for a fight. My gaze settled on a figure leaping from a tree.

    It was a young girl, even younger than me, wielding a translucent ice sword with an expression as cold as stone. Though dressed in the attire of an applicant, every instinct in my body screamed to flee.

    What struck me most about the newcomer was her appearance: porcelain-like skin illuminated by the moonlight, a petite frame, and delicate features. Her hair, predominantly dark, featured two silver strands amidst her bangs.

    Even at her tender age, it was evident she would grow into a beauty. But such matters held little interest for me...

    My heart raced, threatening to burst from my chest as I recalled the description of a certain girl the three brother''s village elder had warned me about. When I first heard it, I fled, sparing myself from likely death.

    Yet, it seemed that no matter how far I ran, things had finally caught up with me.

    Undoubtedly, the newcomer was a jade-like beauty!

 Chapter 53: Use Da Brain!

    Chapter 53: Use Da Brain!

    The newcomer landed softly on the grass, making no noise as she did so. Her sharp blue eyes shifted from the girl beside me before settling on me.

    "You are free to go," she said, her tone sounding more like an order than a request.

    Now, I really should have been getting the hell away from here. I was no brave hero; quite the opposite, actually. I was scared of what she could do. With her ice sword and the biting coldness radiating off her, it was easy to connect the dots between the murdered disciples I had stumbled upon before and this girl.

    But trusting the word of someone, a cold-blooded murderer, would be stupid. The only thing you could trust an enemy to do was lie if it was convenient for them.

    "Can I at least ask what is happening here?" I put up a friendly smile and shuffled the other girl behind me.

    Even if she told me that I was free to go, murderers weren''t easy to deal with. Perhaps she was doing this all for sport; the girl I had brought with me didn''t seem like the kind who would have tried to kill her.

    The jade-like beauty narrowed her eyes. "This test is a waste of time. I will kill all the disciples from the Sect to show that I''m worth investing in."

    "Kill disciples from the Sect? Wouldn''t that brew bad blood between you and the Sect?" I asked, carefully noting that I was also one of those disciples from the Sect. It seemed like she had no intention of letting me go and no particular interest in bothering too much to hide something like this.

    "If you could exchange one coin of silver for a coin of gold, would you complain?" She explained as if I had asked the most ridiculous question ever.

    Oh, so she was working under the assumption that the Sect would accept her no matter what. But her actions made it clear that she was under some kind of time limit; otherwise, they were wholly illogical and downright stupid. Either that or she was just insane, putting on a facade of sanity.

    The sad part was that there was a good chance the Sect would accept her as long as she killed no one related to the Core Elders or the Sect Leader. There was a reason someone like Song Song was so passionate about changing the Sect''s punishment system.

    After all, the Sect''s rules weren''t necessarily made to help the disciples who came there. They were there to benefit the Sect itself. That was why, when a Core Elder or one of their relatives committed something, it was easier to turn a blind eye rather than punish the man''s great-great-grandson for breaking the cultivation of an outer disciple. What else were they going to do? Fight the Core Elder?

    Perhaps those same rules kept the Blazing Sun Sect around for so long. Song Song had a crazy solution for this whole thing: If the people weren''t scared of the rules, she would make them scared of the punishment. It wasn''t necessarily a good way to handle things, but it was something she had come up with.

    If things went as Song Song wanted, people wouldn''t be oppressing each other. She would just be oppressing them all equally.

    After spending so much time around Song Song, I understood why she thought the way she did. However, understanding didn''t mean I agreed with her views, nor would I be a sacrifice or tool for her to achieve these things.

    The air around us grew colder and more rigid, and the jade-like beauty was ready to swing her sword. I grabbed the girl behind me by the scruff of her uniform and jumped back behind a tree as a wave of coldness exploded around us. In an instant, the area around us turned into ice, and as quickly as I could, I cast a basic barrier around us. But the cold also ended up freezing the barrier, and we were stuck in an ice egg.

    I put an arm around the girl''s shoulders and asked, "What''s your name?"

    "C-Cao Wu," she stuttered, sticking close to me like glue.

    "What martial techniques do you know, Cao Wu?" I whispered.

    "Eight Gale Steps and Wine Piercing Sword Art," she answered between heavy breaths. The air around us grew heavier, colder, and harder to breathe. "The Wine Piercing Sword Art is an Earth Grade Technique, best used when someone is drunk and has a curved sword. I have neither on hand..."

    I stomped the ground with all the power I could gather, causing the earth to shake and the trees around us to sputter. Then, as the dust rose, we hid behind a tree, and the ice spikes punctured the said tree.

    "You can sense my attacks? That''s quite something for someone at the Body Tempering Realm. Your senses might be better than one of the Qi Gathering disciples I ambushed. He sensed nothing and only noticed by the time I had stabbed him in the eye," she explained as we heard footsteps approaching us. "Perhaps when some lazy Qi Gathering disciples can see Qi, their ability to sense Qi becomes irrelevant and not something they actively try to use. You can''t see Qi, so sensing is the only thing you can do, and that''s all you have to concentrate on."

    While I let her yap, I used my finger to write some instructions for Cao Wu. The fellow outer disciple looked a bit out of it, likely in shock, but she still nodded at my plan. Then, I used my fingers to count down from three.

    "Now!" I yelled out, and we both shot off in opposite directions.

    It was clear that we stood no chance against this monstrous woman. But no matter how strong she was, she couldn''t be in two places at the same time and would have to give chase to one of us.

    Thankfully, this girl was not like Song Song, who trusted her instincts enough to have her body react before her mind could catch up with what was happening. But the jade-like girl''s reaction was still fast, and she shot an attack toward the girl while turning toward me and shooting off like a bullet.

    "Are you perhaps like me?" She asked.

    But her words were cut short because her eyes widened as she turned around to see that the spikes she had sent toward Cao Wu had been destroyed by a barrier.

    "Tch, a second artifact? Just how many does she have?" The jade-like girl grumbled under her breath and turned toward me, her pupils dilating as she zoned in on me. "Doesn''t matter, I can catch up to her later. You, on the other hand, look like someone troublesome enough to actually be able to escape."

    I no longer paid attention to her words and concentrated on moving as fast as possible. With every step I took, the tree branch I stomped upon was blasted apart, and I flew off. No matter how hard I pushed, the girl was catching up to me faster and faster.

    Taking a deep breath, I ignored the pain in my legs from using the Rushing Bull Step further than it was intended to be used. I closed my eyes and concentrated on my Qi sense while looking for attacks. She seemed to be satisfied with chasing me for now.

    Did she think I would lead her to another team? No, such sidetracked thoughts were useless for now. I should only concentrate on the main objective.

    A 2D map of the island formed in my mind, trying to recall the shoddy map Song Song had shown me when telling me where we were going. Then I remembered where I had killed the team trying to kill us and which direction the two inner disciples Song Song had chased had gone.

    When those two had run away, they went in a straight line, and Song Song chased them North. Based on their initial movement, their movement martial technique should be like my Rushing Bull Step, which worked best when moving in a straight line. So, there was a clear, straight segment where they could have moved along the island.

    Now, the question that my life depended on was to try and guess which place Song Song had killed them. If she had done so, then at which point was she returning to where she had left us. So I had to calculate all that in my mind while escaping.

    This was not some math homework I could skip.

    I was not returning to the beach where the rest of my team was. That was the direction Cao Wu was going to meet up with my team and notify the Outer Elder here.

    But I was not running in a random direction either. I was trying to get Song Song and this psycho jade-like girl to meet.

    The second question was, how could I survive before either of my plans came to fruition?

    Also, the jade-like beauty seemed like someone with a plan, and I had a distinct feeling she had something in store for me just like I had for her.

 Chapter 54: The Chase

    Chapter 54: The Chase

    The dark night enveloped the forest, with only the half-moon offering a faint glimmer of light. Yet, it was inadequate, and the trees loomed ominously like silhouettes against the darkness. Moving at my maximum speed, I had little time to evade the small branches that snagged my clothes and grazed my skin.

    The biting cold permeated the surroundings and seeped into my skin, leaving a slick layer of moisture that froze the sweat on my brow. Despite the discomfort, I dared not even scratch my itchy brow, knowing that any obstruction to my vision could prove fatal.

    One small mistake, one misstep, and death awaited me. So, I remained vigilant, scanning for any potential threats.

    As we ventured deeper, the trees grew more menacingly jagged. I tasted copper in my mouth from biting my cheek earlier, and the cold air stung my nostrils, accompanied by the distant hoot of an owl. Yet, these sounds were drowned out by the thunderous rhythm of my own heartbeat pounding in my ears.

    Despite the dire circumstances, I found myself falling into a rhythm, and the pain in my legs became bearable with familiarity.

    However, as I passed a massive tree, just behind it was a young man, perhaps a year or two older than myself. He turned towards us, his expression confused. Without hesitation, I shot out to grab his collar, intending to drag him away from the imminent danger posed by the jade-like girl.

    This instinctive act of trying to save someone''s life was second nature to me. It seemed inconceivable to walk past someone facing certain death, especially when their demise would, in part, be due to my presence. Unlike those I had slain before, this young man had done me no harm. Though I had no time to think these things through, it was more of a spontaneous decision.

    But in that split-second of delay, the chill in the air intensified, hurtling towards me with unprecedented force.

    Damn it! I had already faltered, and now there was no turning back!

    As my hand tightened around the back of his robe, preparing to pull him to safety, the young man''s confusion was replaced by horror as an icicle pierced through his neck. With lightning reflexes, I narrowly avoided the bloodied tip as it grazed past my eye.

    With no time to spare, I continued to haul the young man''s lifeless body, no longer attempting to save him. His blood splattered across my face, but I pressed forward, sensing more Qi shards hurtling toward me.

    What began as an attempt to rescue him quickly devolved into using his corpse as a shield, as a barrage of ice spikes pierced through him. His once bright eyes, now dull and lifeless, bore the brunt of the assault. Thankfully, a cultivator''s body proved resilient, sparing me from being skewered.

    I tossed his body aside and bolted away, whispering, "Sorry, man."

    Despite the chaos, the ice spikes miraculously missed me. A suspicion crept into my mind. Was she toying with me, like a cat with its prey? Or perhaps she was biding her time, conserving her energy, waiting for an opportune moment.

    But before I could dwell on it further, a miniature ice spike pierced my shoulder, burrowing through flesh as if guided by her will. Reacting swiftly, I seized the spike and hurled it away, but it looped back towards me like a guided missile, its target now my neck.

    As I leaped onto another tree, I decided to halt in a split second, suspending myself in mid-air. At that moment, she caught up and looked at me like a predator awaiting its chance.

    Taking the initiative, I slammed my fist into the neighboring giant tree, unleashing the Sonic Fang Fist technique. The tree erupted from the internal shockwaves, hurling debris towards the jade-like assailant.

    The explosion created a temporary smoke screen and a deafening noise, but she remained unperturbed. She relied on her Qi senses to track me through the chaos.

    "You''re quite the schemer," she remarked, her tone devoid of malice.

    "Everyone becomes one when their survival is at stake," I retorted calmly, standing my ground. "But if you''re hoping to paint me as the villain here, you''re barking up the wrong tree, miss bitch."

    "What crude language," she remarked.

    "Well, you are attempting to kill me. Should I be singing your praises?" I winced as I tried to stem the bleeding, feeling strangely accustomed to the pain.

    As I assessed Song Song, a fact that had slipped my mind during our time together resurfaced: This girl was certifiably insane, no matter how one sliced it.

    Rather than backing down, I upped the ante, casually leaning against a tree. "Well, then. Let''s see a good fight. You wouldn''t want to be defeated by someone with lower cultivation, now would you? That''d be embarrassing."

    Song Song''s smile remained intact, unfazed by my provocation. "I''ll give you a show you won''t forget."

    Turning towards her adversary, she tightened her grip on the ice spear, causing it to crack and shatter into a thousand icy fragments.

    "That''s quite the technique you have," she complimented her opponent, her tone carrying a hint of genuine admiration.

    "Thanks," the jade-like girl responded.

    "And at the Qi Gathering stage at such a young age, you''re on the verge of breaking into two-star Qi Gathering. That''s an extraordinary talent, even surpassing mine," Song Song added.

    Her praise wasn''t empty; it was accompanied by a piercing intensity in her gazethe sort of look that would unsettle anyone who received it.

    The jade-like beauty straightened, her eyes narrowing as Qi gathered in her palms, forming two translucent ice swords.

    Song Song was right; her technique was impressive, unlike anything I''d seen among Qi Gathering disciples. But then again, I wasn''t good at discerning their techniques since I couldn''t even see the Qi they used.

    With a crouch, Song Song prepared to sprint, causing the ground to rumble beneath her. She shot forward like a rocket, leaving a cracked trail behind and kicking up a small dust cloud.

    Their movements blurred, a dark and blue flash intertwining as the environment around them froze. Wisely, I retreated behind a tree, seeking cover from their clash.

    Muttering under my breath, I brushed aside blades of grass and traced my finger along the wound on my shoulder, gathering blood. Initiating a soft chant, I manipulated the air around me, performing the ritual for a Warming Arrayalbeit without the core of a tiger monstrous beast, which normally served as fuel.

    A translucent yellow square barrier formed, spanning a one-hundred-meter radius around us. Its effects were subtle, primarily warming the surrounding area. While more effective during the day, given its absorption of Qi from the sun, it still functioned somewhat under the moonlight.

    Amidst the chaos, a crash reverberated through the forest as the jade-like beauty collided with a tree with such force that it shattered the trunk, sending the giant tree tumbling to the ground.

    The jade-like beauty rose to her feet before Song Song could intervene, her icy demeanor contorting into a frown as she drew in a deep breath. The Qi surrounding her surged erratically, starkly from her usual controlled demeanor.

    "Attempting to break through during combat? That''s a bold move, one I''ve never seen before," Song Song materialized beside me, her hand on my shoulder as she pulled me behind her.

    The other girl remained silent, her actions speaking volumes as her Qi erupted outward.

    Breaking through during a battle was perilous and risked shattering one''s cultivation. Yet, as the Qi settled, the jade-like beauty appeared revitalized, her gaze sharp and focused.

    "Damn, she makes it seem effortless," I muttered under my breath.

    "She certainly does," Song Song agreed, her smile widening. "But that''s what makes this all so exhilarating. And try not to ramp up the heat from your array too much. While it may momentarily inconvenience her to expel Yang Qi to form her weapons, cranking up the heat tips the scales too much in our favor."

    Did she think I had more control over the array''s temperature? She was overestimating my abilities as an Array Conjurer.

    "Yeah, sure," I replied. There was no reason not to let the jade-like beauty assume that. It might make me a target, but I trusted Song Song to protect me and take advantage of the opening that would create.

 Chapter 55: Fighting IQ

    Chapter 55: Fighting IQ

    As the jade-like girl broke through, the Qi around her swelled, dispelling any lingering fatigue. Her gaze sharpened once more, emanating a readiness to kill. The grass surrounding her froze in place, cracking audibly, and within moments, ice spread from her, encasing the ground beneath her feet. The freezing effect extended towards us.

    Though I stood behind Song Song, I instinctively stepped back, feeling the intensifying cold. The jade-like beauty''s power had surged significantly, and the ice spread so fast I could no longer dodge.

    As the ice threatened to crash into us and the chill became nearly unbearable, Song Song emitted a calming pulse of Qi, shattering the ice. Everything around us turned into frozen sculptures, except for a circle surrounding us where the grass remained green, untouched by the cold.

    The jade-like beauty frowned, gathering Qi in her hand for another attack. At that moment, Song Song turned around, gave me an awkward thumbs-up, and said, "Everything will be okay."

    Her reassurance felt anything but comforting!

    The awkwardness of her smile and the forced nature of her words left me uneasy. Was this some signal? It certainly didn''t feel like it. Were we on the brink of death?

    "Okay" I replied, whispering, "Why are you acting like this, is something wrong? Should we flee?"

    She appeared offended by my question. "I was trying to reassure you," she whispered back defensively. "And for your information, I think I''m improving."

    "Can you please just be yourself? It''s unsettling otherwise," I urged quietly. "Just as I promised to be honest with you, you should do the same. Tell me what you truly mean."

    Song Song sighed, her features returning to neutrality, though the intense sparkle in her eyes persisted.

    Meanwhile, the jade-like beauty had charged her attack, launching a dozen ice spikes toward us. Song Song turned towards her opponent, her hands moving swiftly to deflect and shatter the incoming projectiles effortlessly.

    "Liu Feng, stop betraying your emotions through your actions, and refrain from behaviors like stepping back when I''m present," she advised firmly, her confidence unwavering yet tinged with a hint of madness. "Act like a man, and trust in me. I will protect you, and there''s no need to fear. It''s embarrassing to witness my second-in-command behave in such a manner."

    Though slightly insulted, I couldn''t deny the confidence her words instilled. She should play to her strengths, leaving me to handle the role of being approachable and amiable.Visit  for the best novel reading experience

    "Second-in-command? You do realize it''s only a temporary position, right?" I countered with a smile.

    Yes, I should trust her. Despite facing a formidable opponent in the jade-like beauty, Song Song''s prowess was undeniable. If we lost now, then so be it. I wouldn''t have had a better chance at this either way.

    Song Song turned her head slightly, a teasing smirk dancing on her lips as she sent me a glance. "Are you sure saying such things now is a good idea? After all, I could leave you here to die if you''re not going to be of any use to me."

    I smiled back and nodded. "You''d have a better chance at becoming immortal than finding another second-in-command who would put up with your bullshit."

    Her smirk faltered into a frown as she redirected her attention to the jade-like beauty. "You''re probably right. Smart people are usually scheming, but you''re just smart enough to not be a snake, so that''s good."

    "There''s another word for that," I added. "It''s called being trustworthy."

    Meanwhile, during our banter, the jade-like beauty had readied another attack. A singular trident, colossal in size and radiating an aura of extreme cold, hung suspended in the air like a sentinel of icy power. Its sleek form, reminiscent of a frozen storm, loomed large against the backdrop of the dark sky, commanding attention with its sheer magnitude. The air around it seemed to quiver and distort as if recoiling from its frigid touch. Each trident prong gleamed with an unnatural brilliance, its edges sharp enough to cleave atoms.

    Despite its formidable presence, it was surrounded by an eerie stillnessa silent promise of chaos poised to be unleashed at the slightest provocation.

    "Huh? A technique that increases her cultivation that''s quite rare. Even I do not have a technique like that. It also seems like a top grade since you just jumped three stars," Song Song whistled in admiration. "But is it smart to use such a thing right after breaking through when your Qi is still quite malleable?"

    Despite Song Song''s words, the jade-like beauty paid no heed. She took a crimson pill and popped it into her mouth. Her Qi exploded once more, turning crimson.

    Unlike before, when her Qi was soft and controllable, that no longer seemed to be the case. Tears of blood seeped from her eyes, and blood trickled from her left nostril.

    Even to me, a man who was essentially blind to Qi, it was evident that she had far more Qi than her body could handle.

    But the other girl ignored Song Song''s provocations, forming two thin swords of ice and grasping them. Then, the jade-like beauty swiftly kicked off the ground and closed the distance between her and Song Song.

    "Good choice. You didn''t waste any more Qi on projectiles since they were useless," Song Song commented, observing the fight as if she were a spectator rather than a participant.

    Meanwhile, I noted that the new projectile was too costly to use, especially considering Song Song''s movements and the elegance with which she never even stepped back as the jade-like beauty slashed at her. Instead, Song Song leaned into the slash and, rather than dodging, grabbed the sword bare-handed!

    My heart almost jumped at that seemingly foolish action, knowing that my life also depended on her winning. It appeared she wasn''t even taking the fight seriously, especially now that, if my senses were correct and considering what Song Song had stated before, this girl should be at least a six-star Qi Gatherer with all her boosts.

    Before the sword could dig into her hand, it halted midway as if stopped by an invisible force. In a split second, Song Song redirected all the Qi in her body to her hand to defend herself and grabbed the weapon. The jade-like beauty quickly retaliated with her other sword, attempting to cut Song Song''s throat.

    "While your decision was a good one, my specialty is actually close-quarters combat," Song Song stated calmly. "Well, not exactly a specialty, perhaps, as I''m not bad at long-range either. But I prefer my fights up close and personal."

    Two inches before the sword could touch Song Song''s neck, she shifted and delivered a powerful kick to the jade-like beauty''s chin, causing her head to snap backward from the force and rattling her brain.

    Song Song let go of the sword and finally took a step backward.

    The jade-like girls footing grew unsteady, and as she attempted to stand up and slash at Song Song, she plummeted to the ground. Despite her efforts to look up, her eyes remained hazy and unfocused.

    Was this the end? Could the battle indeed be over? It felt surreal. There was no way a jade-like beauty could fall so easily, right? No, it was Song Song who made it seem effortless.

    So this was what an overwhelming difference in combat experience looked like

    Once again, the jade-like girl stumbled to her feet, trying to attack Song Song, only to find herself back on the ground. Her legs shook as she used her hand to prop herself up.

    I couldnt help but observe with an eerie fascination. Despite being a cultivator, what had essentially occurred was an overwhelming knockout and evident brain damage she was struggling to push through, to no avail.

    Have you ever thought about the nose? Song Song suddenly pointed at my nose.

    Excuse me? What was she on about now?

    It still felt like a dream. At any moment, the jade-like girl might rise and unleash another power surge. But even if that were the case, Song Song would make quick work of her again.

    Wait, had Song Song even used a martial technique throughout this entire fight?

 Chapter 56: A Bit On The Nose

    Chapter 56: A Bit On The Nose

    Are you listening to me? She snapped her fingers, drawing my attention away from the bloodied jade-like beauty. Anyway, as you know, the nose is there, and your eyes can actually see it. But subconsciously, they ignore it.

    Okay?

    No, that is not okay! Song Song put a hand on my shoulder. The nose is still there, blocking the field of vision. So, using that weakness, you can send some devastating attacks without people noticing. Thats how I hit her. I used no Qi in my kick so she couldnt sense it and delivered an attack to the chin.

    Why are you telling me something like this? I asked.

    It was clear Song Song was sharing her combat experience and instinct for fighting. But that wasnt something I could replicate easily. After all, the kick might lack Qi, but there was still the wind generated from the kick that someone might feel, so it had to be at the right moment. Timing it amid battle wasnt something I could do. It would just be a massive risk of my leg getting crushed and losing any chance of escaping.

    So you dont fall for the same trick, of course, she sighed and shook her head like a disappointed teacher. Then again, this would probably just make you overthink things needlessly in a fight. So, forget it. Try to think less and do more things in a fight.

    A harrowing cough drew our attention away from talking about noses. It was the jade-like girl, and she had just coughed out a mouthful of blood. She dropped her ice swords and covered her mouth as she continued coughing, but the blood slipped through her fingers.

    The drawbacks of the pill and technique that forcefully increased cultivation temporarily had begun showing. It was not a pretty sight.

    Usually, it takes longer for the aftereffects of these kinds of things to show, Song Song continued her lesson. But she used both the technique to forcefully increase her cultivation temporarily and the pill.

    Her foundation is probably messed up, I said.

    Not probably, definitely, Song Song added and turned toward me. Do you think she will die on her own?

    Once again, there was that crazed look in her eyes. Just when she was having such a fine conversation and explaining how she approached fighting and cultivation.

    I shrugged and sighed, "I don''t know."

    But what grabbed my attention more was the jade-like girl as she began throwing up blood and coughing like somebody who had been smoking for a century.

    How could someone have such dry-sounding coughs while throwing up blood? I had no idea.

    "You''re right," Song Song nodded. "I will kill her with my own hands to make sure she stays dead."

    Song Song grabbed one of the ice blades the girl had dropped and looked ready to kill the jade-like beauty with her own weapon. Though she no longer quite looked jade-like, her skin was sickly pale, she had dark bags under her eyes, and her eyes'' sclera were bloodshot.

    As Song Song approached her, my heart beat faster as thoughts of what would happen next played in my mind. This was the one person I wouldn''t regret pushing to her death. She deserved to die.

    All the things she had done played in my mind. I didn''t know the exact situation with how and why she had killed that inner disciple and the rest of his team. It could have been self-defense. But with how she acted, it was highly unlikely.

    I clenched my hand into a fist, recalling the innocent guy we had run into and had tried to save. Ultimately, I had to use him as a shield, which still made my stomach churn just thinking about it. Also, throughout this whole ordeal, she had come at me with the intent to kill, too. So she had it coming.

    If this was anyone else, I would not have hesitated to kill her with my own hands

    But this was a jade-like beauty. Just thinking of her background made a chill run through my bones. Even if her being a jade-like beauty was not enough of an indicator, her techniques and resources required to reach Qi Gathering before the age of sixteen made it clear that she had a monstrous background.

    Perhaps if I had tried to shift all the blame onto Song Song and blend into the background, I might have been able to handle this whole ordeal and skip the punishment part. But despite her faults, Song Song had gone above and beyond for me. I couldn''t betray her trust like that.

    It would have been hard to hide that either way. I was just another cog in this machine that her clan or whatever she got those resources from wouldn''t have minded eliminating.

    "Stop," I called out to Song Song as she was about to stab the defenseless girl.

    Walking closer, I laid her on her side, making sure she didn''t choke on her own blood, and pulled her away from the pool of blood she had made. The ice she had created before had begun thawing, so I laid her on one of the wet trees, ensuring she could still breathe.

    I would have cleaned her bloody face or the blood on her clothes, but she was dangerous and had tried to kill me. Of course, I was going to hold a grudge for that.

    Despite how harsh the backlash could have been, after a couple of hours, the jade-like beauty coughed again, and her eyes fluttered as the sun began to rise on the horizon. She looked horrible and sickly like she already had a foot in the grave.

    "I''m alive?" she asked, looking around, confused. "No, perhaps the afterlife really does exist. Well, that''s annoying. If I had known that, I wouldn''t have gone through all that effort to stay alive."

    She seemed almost content with how things had turned out. But despite that, someone here was not okay with all that.

    "You''re wrong," Song Song said, breaking the girl''s stupor. Then Song Song pointed her thumb at me and said, "This soft-hearted idiot here decided to spare you, and I like him just enough to follow his words for now."

    Okay, so we were hiding why we actually spared her. It made sense since if she knew why we didn''t kill her, she could use that as leverage against us.

    "I see," the jade-like beauty looked as expressionless as ever and looked at me. "Thank you. Though I can''t say it is a good decision sparing me. Just because you saved someone doesn''t mean they won''t hold a grudge to kill you in the future."

    "Okay, she''s dead," Song Song declared and began approaching the girl.

    "Though there is no need to worry, I do not have the time to waste on silly things like revenge," the jade-like beauty stated.

    "Yeah, like we''re going to trust you," Song Song stated sarcastically, gathering Qi in her hand.

    Wait Song Song was acting, right? She wouldn''t actually kill her after everything we went through to spare her life. Well, this was Song Song, so she probably would.

    "Let''s calm down a bit, Song Song," I played my part and put on a pleading look. "We went through all this effort to spare her life. Killing her would be a waste of effort now."

    "The masked guy is right," the girl added. "Also, you don''t have to worry about me killing you, masked guy."

    "Yeah, because I will murder you if you do that," Song Song added matter-of-factly.

    "I know," the sickly girl nodded. "From our fight, it was easy to see that no matter what, I won''t be able to beat someone like you even if we were at the same cultivation level. You barely used any Qi, while I had to go all out. It was quite frustrating, to be honest. Everything I threw at you just ended up to my detriment."

    Oh, it seemed like Song Song had really gotten under her skin, even though her emotionless face made it hard to tell.

    Then the sickly girl turned toward me and asked, "You could sense Qi, right? Even though you''re Body Tempering."

    "Yes," I answered. It was no secret any longer.

    "Then, are you like me?" She inquired with a strange glint in her eyes.

    Was I like her? What was that supposed to mean? She had also asked something like that when we were fighting. It seemed like she also sensed Qi before entering the Qi Gathering realm.

    Wait by "like her," did she mean a reincarnator?

    That was unlikely, but I had just met someone who was like a protagonist, and my mind was open to the possibilities.

    "Hello," I said in a language utterly foreign to this world, English. It felt weird speaking English with this body.

    Hellowas such a common phrase that even someone from Earth who spoke no English would understand.

 Chapter 57: Taking Off Masks

    Chapter 57: Taking Off Masks

    After greeting her, I looked at the jade-like girl expectantly. Even if she was another reincarnator, it was no big deal for me. A reincarnator wasn''t that different from any other cultivator around here, apart from the chance to sense Qi earlier. Even then, that advantage was usually offset by their softer demeanor. Growing up in a world where cruelty was not commonplace often did that to you.

    However, in response to my words, the jade beauty seemed confused.

    Well, I didn''t have much hope either way. The likelihood of someone from my world coming here and turning into a murder hobo was very low. They would have been more strategic about their actions.

    Or perhaps she was reborn from a world other than mine? Either way, it no longer mattered.

    "What do you mean by that?" asked the sickly girl, while Song Song also looked puzzled.

    "Well, what did you mean by saying we''re the same?" I inquired.

    "If you didn''t catch on, then we''re definitely not the same," the sickly girl said, looking away and no longer seeming interested in conversation.

    I glanced at Song Song, and she understood what must be done. We had already discussed what would happen with the sickly jade girl last night. I couldn''t just let her continue causing trouble. Well, I couldn''t; Song Song didn''t necessarily care and still felt she could handle things. But she trusted my judgment since I had advised her correctly until now.

    "Well, congratulations, sickly one," Song Song called out to the jade-like girl. "You have the honor of being immediately promoted to the inner sect and becoming my direct subordinate."

    The jade-like beauty nodded, not appearing too concerned. Perhaps the jade-like girl was expecting something like this, or maybe it aligned with her goals, whatever they were.

    However, I couldn''t help but worry about her and Song Song spending too much time together. They might feed off each other''s insanity and take things too far.

    As if sensing my thoughts, Song Song turned toward me with an annoyed expression and said, "This bastard is the only one allowed to refuse my offers of making them my subordinate. Do you want to try defending the girl again? I''ll spare her from a life of servitude if you decide to work under me for the rest of your life."

    "No, thanks."Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

    "How about for ten years?"

    Did she forget we were acting? Also, her negotiating skills were terrible; you never dropped the price so much. I was no sales guru, but even I knew the basics.

    "No..."

    What a troublesome woman...

    ...

    The next day arrived, and the jade-like beauty girl showed no improvement. She took some medical pills to stabilize her condition, so her constant coughing had ceased.

    "Do you have anything good in that storage ring?" Song Song, true to her status as a cultivator, looked eager to plunder her new victim.

    "Unfortunately for you, it''s a blood-locked ring, so only I or those from my family can access it," she replied.

    Yeah, we knew. Song Song had taken the liberty to check while the jade girl was sleeping. She had also done a bunch of other stuff and rifled through our new "friend''s" belongings, which weren''t much, to be honest.

    As the sun rose higher, it officially hit about eight in the morning when we set off. Our sickly companion had gained enough strength to use a movement technique. However, she still refrained from using any Qi due to fear of an adverse reaction from the backlash.

    I couldn''t blame her; as far as I could recall, there were no records of someone using a technique to forcefully increase their cultivation and adding a pill on top of that. She was lucky her cultivation wasn''t completely crushed, but her foundation might be compromised for a while, if not permanently. Logically, it seemed like the latter, but my gut feeling leaned towards the former. Somehow, she would find a way to recover from this.

    Even as her breathing grew heavier and beads of sweat rolled down her forehead, the sickly girl continued to follow us without complaint.

    As we ran, we stumbled upon a giant tree with blood on one of its branches. This place was quite familiar to me, and upon closer inspection, I found a corpse wearing an outer sect uniform.

    Yong Cho gestured towards my two cousins who were in the water. One fanned my turtle with a large leaf while the other walked alongside it, though I couldn''t hear what they said over the surrounding noise. Speedy relaxed in the sand, occasionally rolling onto its back, prompting my short-haired cousin to set it upright.

    "After learning that the turtle was your pet, they insisted on looking after it," Yong Cho explained with a shrug.

    Noticing our gaze, my cousins quickly approached us, gently holding Speedy.

    "Good job," I commended them.

    "It''s no problem, hon-... cousin," said the long-haired cousin, Liu Long, correcting himself. Liu Lia nodded rapidly, her excitement evident.

    Before I could continue conversing with my cousins, a gasp in the distance caught my attention. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Song Song also turning to follow my gaze.

    In the distance stood the girl I had saved from Ye An, Cao Wu. Shock filled her eyes as she looked at Ye An, tears streaming down her cheeks while her body trembled. Yet, amidst her fear, there was a hateful glare, indicating her desire for vengeance against Ye An.

    The only other person who seemed to notice was Song Song, who turned towards me and silently sought counsel.

    "I will handle this," I whispered to Song Song. Though we were about ten feet away and the surrounding crowd was boisterous, she seemed to hear me and nodded.

    Approaching Cao Wu, her gaze shifted from Ye An to me. As she realized I was the same person from the group as Ye An, her face paled, and she stepped back while I attempted to wear the friendliest smile I could muster.

    The comfortable autumn sunlight warmed my skin, and the sand crunched beneath my feet. Despite the cold water, this place would be ideal for a vacation. I never did enjoy blistering heat too much.

    Coming within ten feet of Cao Wu, I didn''t want her to feel threatened, so I carefully stopped approaching. With people around, I couldn''t say anything too revealing. I reached into the inner pocket of my uniform, revealing part of the mask I had worn when saving her.

    Her eyes widened, and she went from pale to outright terrified, tears welling up in her eyes once more.

    What was with that reaction? I was trying to show her I was alive, and it didn''t seem like those were tears of joy.

    Attempting to understand from her perspective, neither of us spoke at first.

    Then it hit me like lightning.

    Ah!...

    From Cao Wu''s viewpoint, it likely looked like I was mocking her and her savior''s death since I was in the same group as Ye An.

    "It''s me," I quickly assured her. "We have her under custody."

    She blinked owlishly, initially confused. Perhaps she was hesitant to trust someone who had been seen with her tormentor. So, I added, "Your name is Cao Wu, and I carried you like a sack of potatoes under my arm when I heard you begging for help."

    With each word, she seemed to calm down. Her complexion regained some color, and she even gave a weak smile.

    "I''m glad you''re alive..." she began, then stopped abruptly, grimacing. Without warning, she bowed deeply at the waist. "Sorry for being unable to find any elders here to come and help you! I tried asking for help from other disciples, but no one cared, and when I asked about where the elders were, there were none. Also-"

    "Don''t worry about it," I interjected before she could continue. "Sometimes, even the best among us make mistakes."

    I had also made a mistake by only revealing my mask. I had been more concerned about hiding my identity as the mask-wearing guy than anything else. It had been my idea to have her seek out an outer elder here. The last time I had seen one here, so my choice wasn''t necessarily wrong. But circumstances changed, and no plan was perfect.

    Looking up at the blue sky, feeling the gentle breeze on my face, I smiled.

    At least that whole mess was resolved... for now. As I considered that last thought, my gaze shifted to a certain red-haired young man in the distance, who was also here and had passed the exam.

 Chapter 58: There is No Conspiracy in the Sect

    Chapter 58: There is No Conspiracy in the Sect

    "No need to worry about things we have no control over," I reassured Cao Wu. "We were just unlucky at the time, and at least my team leader came and saved me."

    Cao Wu nodded, her gaze drifting towards my team, her eyes narrowing. She appeared confused before turning back to me. "Song Song saved you?"

    What was with that bewildered look? It wasn''t like I had told her a flying pig turned into a princess to save me.

    "You know Song Song?" I inquired.

    "Yeah, you could say that. I was born in the inner sect, though I left due to my..." Cao Wu trailed off, her gaze fixed on Song Song. When she returned to reality, she added, "Overbearing father."

    Overbearing father? Was it one of those arranged marriage situations?

    Her father probably orchestrated something for her, and she left for the outer sect. Whatever it was, some personal matters were better left undisturbed.

    "Well, if you need anything, just give me a holler, and there''s no need to fear the ice girl anymore. She''s no longer a threat," I reassured her with a smile.

    Cao Wu had a peculiar and inscrutable expression in her eyes, leaving me wondering what she was thinking. After exchanging a few more farewells, I left her and rejoined my group.

    However, as soon as I returned, my cousins clung to my side, trailing a step behind like subordinates.

    These two needed to learn to relax; they did not need to continue acting this way.

    Song Song shot a glance toward my cousins. Still, after that initial look, she seemed uninterested and merely shrugged when she noticed I had caught her staring.

    Disciples from the sect and applicants littered the beach. Together, they numbered in the hundreds. It was about the same number of people as when Liu Feng had joined, except there had been no deceased inner disciples in that batch.

    Once again, a tuft of crimson hair caught my attention, and this time, the guy was staring straight at me like a hawk. Despite his striking hair, he was rather average-looking in other aspects.

    "What was that dude''s problem?" I muttered, almost letting a frown take hold before reigning in my emotions. There was no need to get worked up just because the Disaster Bringer stared at me.

    Then again, maybe there was more reason to worry than I initially thought.

    Could he recognize me despite the mask I wore when we met? Who was I kidding? Of course, he could. Perhaps the guy himself couldn''t discern my identity despite the mask. Still, the one who could see through such things easily was the overpowered grandpa in the... ring?

    He didn''t have any rings on his fingers.

    I scanned for other jewelry, but he wore no bracelet, necklace, or anything similar. The only suspicious item he had was an earring. Maybe he was concealing the vessel containing his old master''s soul. Then again, he might have had another storage method, like a pearl that fused with him or something similar.

    "Who''s that guy making you look so worried?" Song Song''s voice broke through my thoughts.

    "I''m not worried."

    She hinted at a conspiracy and power struggle lurking in the shadows among the sect''s upper echelons. With cultivators hundreds of years old, it was inevitable that many would harbor scheming tendencies.

    "So, what''s your take on this, our esteemed strategist?" Ye An inquired mockingly, aware that I had heard her every word.

    I saw no point in acting stupid or whispering discreetly. Instead, I met Ye An''s gaze and tilted my head in confusion. "Sorry? Did you say something?"

    I was just another bookworm who would rather read than get involved in these kinds of things. Despite my average cultivation talent, I was valuable enough as a mediocre strategist, yet not smart enough to uncover any clandestine schemes. That was all anyone needed to know about me.

    She turned away from me, ceasing any further conversation. Hopefully, our paths would diverge, and we would never have cause to speak again. The last thing I needed was someone to overhear us and infer knowledge I had no business possessing.

    "Be careful out there, and keep an eye on the sickly one for a while," Song Song advised, her gaze shifting to the outer elder who had attempted to befriend her upon our arrival. The older man paled and avoided meeting her eyes.

    "I''ve already told you my name. I thought you''d stop calling me that," Ye An''s left eye twitched in irritation.

    However, Song Song ignored the comment and approached her pet Outer Elder. They engaged in conversation, their voices drowned out by the surrounding noise.

    As their discussion concluded, Song Song turned back towards me, offering a smile.

    What was that about? I hoped she hadn''t done something like speak favorably of me to them! The last thing I wanted was for rumors to circulate, attracting the attention of some ancient cultivator from the inner sect.

    Song Song returned to my side, and before I could inquire about the conversation, she leaned in and whispered, "Keep an eye on her a little longer. Something''s come up."

    "I have a name," Ye An interjected, her expression as icy as ever.

    "Sure," I responded, deciding it wasn''t appropriate to discuss any talks she may have had with the outer elder about me.

    With Ye An''s cultivation on the verge of breaking, I doubted she would risk using Qi and potentially damaging her cultivation. Moreover, she seemed scared enough of Song Song to refrain from acting recklessly. It would be illogical on her part, and thus far, she had shown she was ruthless but not stupid.

    Each outer elder began organizing their respective teams, though there were fewer disciples than when we had arrived. The influx of new applicants was more than sufficient to fill the gaps.

    Surprisingly, I found myself on the same ship as Ye An, along with most of the team I had arrived with. My cousins and the other disciples who had been accepted were on a different ship. It was either an extraordinary coincidence, or Song Song had pulled some strings to keep Ye An close to me.

    Song Song must have been concerned that others might attempt to recruit Ye An if they learned of her talent. Yet she placed a significant amount of trust in me, assuming I would fend off anyone trying to poach the sickly girl.

    As we boarded the ships, the island remained as quiet as ever, with barely any signs of wildlife present.

    At last, this ordeal was over. But just as such thoughts crossed my mind, I caught sight of the red-haired guy on another ship, and a shiver ran down my spine.

    Even the elders mentioned allowing the disciples to rest and indulge in as much food as they desired to celebrate after the strenuous past few days. While some celebrated, others silently consumed their meals and some offered prayers for their fallen comrades. However, I found myself neither celebrating nor mourning; instead, I was consumed by tension.

    If this was not merely an unfortunate coincidence and that guy was indeed a protagonist, things were unlikely to end peacefully.

 Chapter 59: Promotions & Cool Stuff

    Chapter 59: Promotions & Cool Stuff

    As the ships slowly began drifting away from the shore, the disciples and newcomer applicants, who were also on their way to becoming disciples, were in quite a good mood. Some had even begun chatting amongst themselves, displaying a friendly demeanor.

    Despite the cozy atmosphere, I couldn''t relax and glanced toward the outer elder in charge of this ship. He was unfamiliar to me, unlike the individual who had previously tried to flatter Song Song.

    This guy was rather average-looking, with a large crooked nose, a hunched back, and an elderly build. Yet his face seemed no older than forty. With large eyes, he kept a watchful gaze on the other ships, his expression unreadable.

    I hesitated to approach someone so overwhelmingly stronger than myself. Nonetheless, I walked closer, ensuring my steps were audible. When the outer elder turned toward me, I bowed my head and clasped my palms and fist in respect. "Honorable elder, would it be disrespectful to inquire about Lady Song Song''s whereabouts? She led our team admirably, and many of us wish to express our gratitude."

    Fortunately, the other disciples were too engrossed in their activities, and apart from my square-jawed friend, most weren''t paying attention to us.

    The elder remained silent for a moment, and I braced myself for potential arrogance. However, a knowing look and a small smile graced his face.

    "Song Song? Her master has rewarded her and is personally congratulating her for her exceptional exam performance. She is aboard another ship with the inner elder, who has prepared a communication array to connect her with Core Elder Xing Ju," he explained, seeming to relish the opportunity to speak. "Despite initial doubts regarding her status as a Core Disciple, Song Song''s leadership capabilities have been showcased during this time, elevating her standing within the inner sect."

    "Oh, that''s good, she deserves it," I said with a friendly smile.

    So far, my name had not been mentioned in this conversation, which was good. Song Song was not the kind of person who would generally steal credit, but she should have known that I wanted no acknowledgment of my part in this whole ordeal. She had said she would take responsibility for any of the murders our team committed, and since she was taking responsibility and adding to her troubles, then she should also take the rewards. I was happy for her.

    The outer elder nodded and continued his explanation, "If she doesn''t die young, we could be looking at our next sect leader."

    As soon as those words left his mouth, any happiness I had felt before came crashing down. My heart shook, recalling Song Song''s ideas about certain things and how I had a role in helping her with this!

    Unlike in my last world, where a group of people was needed for radical ideas to come to fruition, in this one someone needed to be crazy strong just as they were crazy, and they could make their own rules. The others would have no choice but to follow their leader''s directives because she not only had political power over them but actual power.

    Song Song was already talented enough. She clearly had a good family background, and her instincts during battle bordered on precognition. Now, with her standing in the sect rising, she would get more resources allocated to her.

    A chill went down my spine as I quickly bowed toward the outer elder before he could see my turmoil. "Thank you for your guidance, honorable elder."

    "Think nothing of it, kid. I was your age once too," he waved me off, and I was thankful to walk away as my mind was in turmoil.

    The Blazing Sun Sect had a vast influence on the world. By land mass, they controlled more than whole continents from Earth, though here it was just a large part of the White Tiger Continent. Their influence was so wide that even territories that were technically not under their jurisdiction would pay tribute to them.

    Putting Song Song at the forefront of such power would have her mind and ideas affecting hundreds of millions, if not billions, of people. Usually, the Blazing Sun Sect maintained a decorum to save face and avoid appearing tyrannical. But I knew Song Song cared little about such theatrical ideas.

    I took a deep breath and calmed down my racing heart. In my last life, no decision of mine ever led to affecting the lives of over a billion people. But what was done, was done. I couldn''t change that.

    Walking toward the edge of the crowd, I sat down next to Yang Cho and relaxed.

    "Want to bet how long it will take me to get back to my previous size?" Yang Cho asked with a smile. His face still had that square jaw and ripped muscular appearance, so his smile perfectly showed his symmetrical facial muscles.

    The ship began shaking, and the oars made a squeaky, creaking sound that was quite worrying. This was a concerning sound, and as everyone looked at the elder for answers, he pointed at the other ships beside us.

    They too had begun shaking, and suddenly, most people felt a sense of weightlessness that caused them to stumble. Though we were all confused by the sensations, as we looked at the other ships, it became clear what was happening.

    The other ships were no longer touching water and slowly rising from the sea. It was strange to see medieval-looking ships levitating, but for some reason, the sight inspired a large smile on my face.

    It was so amazing! Flying ships! These ships could fly!

    The sound of the water hitting the ship was no longer there, which was weird enough. But as I looked up, my heartbeat quickened as the sky grew closer.

    I had been in an airplane before, but this was a whole other deal.

    As soon as I began somewhat calming down, another thought came to the forefront of my mind.

    There were flying ships in this world?

    When Liu Feng finished his acceptance exam, the final part was similar to this, except it was closer to the sect. The last part was just eliminating the trash that did not do so well in the aptitude test. Nobody had come and picked them up in flying ships.

    Was the sect showing off and saving face for the explosion incident and deaths that happened in the last part of the exam we were there for? Since the red-haired guy had been around, no doubt the other parts of the exams we were not a part of had their own mishaps.

    None of that mattered to me, though. For a second, I forgot all of my worries. I approached the edge of the ship while holding onto the railings tightly.

    Like most people out there, I was also quite scared of heights. But such fears were temporarily overwhelmed by being on a FLYING SHIP!!

    I looked down at the sea below, and the damp smell of the wet wood drifted upward. So the odor of wet sea corals, salt, and damp wood was not lovely.

    I took a step back and removed Speedy from my backpack. "Do you see this, Speedy? It''s so cool, right?"

    The little turtle looked around, confused and a bit groggy, before snuggling back into my grasp. I couldn''t help but chuckle, and I gently placed the little guy back in the backpack so he could continue his nap.

    I''ve been on a small flying boat, but a ship was a whole other experience. There weren''t many things I wanted in life except books and a quiet place to study martial techniques, but even I couldn''t help but admit that owning my own flying ship would be incredibly cool!

    With enough time and reaching a level where I could inscribe my own arrays into items, I would eventually be able to create my own flying ship. If I ever reached such a stage, I could probably fly using my own power by then. But it was different being on a flying ship.

    Closing my eyes, I could imagine myself in a future where I was powerful enough to travel on a giant flying ship, even bigger than this one. It would be filled with books, and I would travel the world, seeing exotic places like the Flaming Sea and learning even more exotic and strange martial techniques.

    Ahwouldn''t that be nice?

    I never before wondered to what lengths I would go to gain power, like how some killed or tortured themselves for such things.

    But now, I couldnt help but wonder what having power could do for me? Power was not the goal, but it was just another piece of the puzzle that was my life in this world.

 ANNOUNCMENT

    ANNOUNCMENT

    Wanted to do an announcement right after a new chap, since people usually take them better.

    Anyway, I will now be taking a break during Saturdays and Sundays. Since I use that time to plan and flesh out the general plans of the story I have already written.

    So from now on, the posting schedule will be Monday to Friday.

    See you all later, have a nice day. Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

 Chapter 60: Salty

    Chapter 60: Salty

    Gazing at these magnificent ship structures, I couldn''t help but wonder about their intricate creation process. Undoubtedly, it must have been an expensive endeavor, considering even Liu Feng had never encountered anything like this.

    Perhaps the presence of the inner elder was indeed to safeguard these flying vessels. When Liu Feng was accepted, only the outer elders were involved.

    Some inner elders oversaw the first part of the exam when talented individuals were still available to select from. The first part was talent assessment, which was when someone''s spirit roots were tested.

    As the selection progressed, it was to find students who were not talented but still had something else going for them. There were intelligence tests to determine whether they knew anything about alchemy. But in the end, it was the combat exam. In which the rabble did their best to hide from the disciples of the sect finding them. Most people in this part of the exam were average-talented and just there to fill in the numbers.

    Liu Feng had found himself among the less fortunate, relying on a combination of luck and cunning to evade detection. He had shown nothing special during the talent or intelligence exams. His cousins might have been able to arrange something for the third part to let him pass, but there was no memory of Liu Feng ever being directly told they had helped. He may have passed with his own efforts.

    Anyway, back to the cool flying ships. All the ships bore signs of wear and damage except for the one Song Song and I had used. Our avoidance of conflicts at sea with other disciples likely contributed to this assessment.

    Exams typically took place near the sect, minimizing conflicts with inner disciples.

    The encounter in Greengrass Town before the exam likely fueled animosity between them. Numerous deliberate factors were designed to incite conflict among the disciples. Whoever orchestrated this, I hoped to never cross paths with them.

    As I gazed at the shifting clouds above, for a moment, I could have sworn I saw movement within their billowy whiteness. However, the illusion faded upon a closer look, perhaps a trick of the light.

    Turning my focus to the flying ship, I roamed the deck in search of inscriptions. While I possessed some knowledge of arrays, it paled compared to the complexity exhibited here. Array Conjurers could inscribe Qi-infused symbols called inscriptions onto objects at a certain level of mastery, bestowing them with lasting effects even without an Array Conjurer around to keep them up.

    Of course, my speculation regarding the construction of the flying ship centered around arrays, but the reality could be entirely different. Nonetheless, considering the multitude of arrays required to withstand wind pressure, support weight, and manage other factors, even pondering its creation was mind-boggling.

    After hours of marveling at the ship''s design and wandering its decks, I was suddenly jolted back to reality. My dormant fear of heights resurfaced as I fought the urge to peer over the edge too often.

    Despite my cultivation abilities, the prospect of plummeting from such a height was terrifying. While the ship didn''t move at breakneck speed, the thought of an unexpected fall lingered uncomfortably. I resolved not to tempt fate and slowed down, attempting to blend in with the others and brace for whatever awaited us.

    Suppressing my disappointment, I made my way below deck. Contrary to its exterior appearance, the interior was surprisingly modern, with a long wooden hallway lined with numbered doors. Room number five awaited mea small, private space for the journey. I carefully set my backpack on the bed, mindful not to disturb Speedy, who was still napping.

    The room was tight, barely accommodating the bed and allowing for an open door. It was a welcome thing since we didn''t have to sleep on hammocks like those pirates in movies. Also, the place was impeccably clean.

    I settled onto the thin mattress, which with its wooden base, offered little comfort. Adjusting myself to find a tolerable position, I couldn''t ignore the discomfort of bones against wood. Nevertheless, accustomed to enduring discomfort, I directed my gaze to the wooden ceiling and closed my eyes, seeking rest before the next unknown challenge emerged.

    Feeling a bit paranoid without Song Song''s presence and being outside the safety of the Sect grounds was understandable, given my past experiences in this world. It often felt like everyone here was on edge, ready to resort to violence at the slightest provocation.

    Of course, by "everyone," I meant cultivators in particular. The average person was more concerned with providing for their families than martial arts or conflict.

    As I poised the brush to write, the entire ship jolted violently. With the ink bottle open, disaster seemed imminent. Still, instinct kicked in, and I swiftly sealed the lid, averting a messy spillage, albeit with some ink staining the door.

    The sudden clamor of a ringing bell reverberated through the ship, signaling an alarm.

    I hastily stowed my belongings back into my backpack. I rose to my feet, ready to investigate the cause of the disturbance. While there was a possibility that remaining inside might offer some safety, I knew that being informed was paramount.

    Whatever warranted the attention of the outer elder could pose a significant danger. It was also probably not something I could deal with. Still, I preferred to make an informed decision rather than remain in the dark.

    In moments like these, knowledge was power, and staying inside might prove even riskier than venturing out. One could never know these things unless they were informed of what was happening around them.

    As I reached for the door handle, a pang of concern gripped me as I glanced at my backpack.

    Taking Speedy into a potential battle could put him in harm''s way, but leaving him behind seemed equally risky. With uncertainty looming, I ultimately decided to keep him close, slinging the backpack over my shoulder before stepping out into the hallway.

    The constant tolling of the bell echoed through the corridors, a relentless reminder of the urgency of our situation.

    Clearly, this wasn''t just a simple alarm bell but likely an array designed to alert us to imminent danger.

    Others emerged from their rooms, their expressions ranging from confusion to panic. Amidst the chaos, I spotted Yang Cho, who met my gaze with a nod of acknowledgment. No words were necessary as we fell into step beside each other, joined by the rest of our team.

    As we made our way onto the deck, a chilling sight greeted us: a faint yellowish barrier encircled the ship, and below us, the vast expanse of the sea rushed up to meet us with terrifying speed.

    "Shit!" Yang Cho''s expletive cut through the chaos as the ship collided with the unforgiving waves.

    The impact reverberated through the vessel, sending shockwaves rippling through its structure. With a sickening lurch, we were plunged into the depths, the pressure of the water pressing in on all sides.

    Frantically, I reached out for anything to anchor myself to but found only flailing bodies amidst the chaos. We were at the mercy of the relentless current, tossed about like ragdolls in its merciless grip.

    Just as panic threatened to overwhelm me, a firm tug on my backpack halted my descent. It was Yang Cho, his grip firm as he clung to the doorframe. His strength was our only lifeline in the chaos below.

    Above us, the battered ship struggled to stay afloat, its once-sturdy frame now vulnerable to the elements. Some of our comrades were cast overboard, while others remained trapped below deck, fighting to reach the surface.

    Coughing and gasping for breath, I struggled to clear my lungs of saltwater, the sting a bitter reminder of our perilous predicament. But amidst the turmoil, one question burned in my mind:

    What the fuck had just happened?

 Chapter 61: Plans & Schemes

    Chapter 61: Plans & Schemes

    As my mind raced a thousand miles a second, I sensed movement behind me. Glancing back, I saw Ye An, her hair disheveled and coughing up water. It appeared she had been below deck and nearly drowned.

    Amidst the chaos, I had completely forgotten about her.

    Gasping for air, she leaned against the doorframe, her face expressionless despite the ordeal. "My room suddenly flooded as the door burst open. What the hell happened?"

    Even as she coughed, her demeanor remained stoic, almost robotic.

    "I have no idea," I replied, patting her back firmly to help clear her lungs.

    Ye An wasn''t someone I particularly liked, which made her the perfect person to use as a meat shield in a pinch. Besides, she seemed capable of handling that. If she died, I''d owe Song Song an apology. But if someone else killed her, it wasn''t my responsibility. Her family or the Blazing Sun Sect could handle it.

    Her family could hunt down the perpetrator or retaliate against the Blazing Sun Sect for not letting Ye An in immediately after the first aptitude test. It had nothing to do with me.

    "Why are you staring at me like that?" she asked, noticing my gaze.

    "Just thinking about how mesmerizing you are," I replied without missing a beat, scanning the surroundings for clues.

    "You might be a naive fool who spares his enemies. But even in this short time I have known you, I know that what you just said was bullshit," Ye An retorted bluntly.

    Well, she would be a mesmerizing meat shield, that was for sure. However, I refrained from saying such things to her face. It seemed like almost drowning to death below deck had affected her much more than she let on, as she had even used banal language. This chapter is updated by

    Before I could ponder further, Ye An''s head snapped to the side with such speed that, if mortal, it would have snapped her neck. I followed her gaze, spotting a translucent platform in the distance, hovering just above the water.

    Atop those platforms stood all the outer elders and an inner elder. The translucent platform, positioned so close to the sea''s surface, created the illusion of them standing on water.

    The platform was made of Qi that felt like the inner elder''s. He was likely the one who made it.

    But I had no time to ponder their presence as the stormy sky crackled above us, even the elders wearing worried expressions. Ye An seemed to sense something, her gaze fixed on the sky as she closed her eyes, possibly shutting off her other senses to extend her Qi perception.

    Was she attempting to sense all the way up to the clouds? The distance seemed absurd, nearly impossible to achieve. Yet, Ye An''s talent shone through as she abruptly opened her eyes, frozen in place as she stared skyward.

    It appeared she had succeeded in her endeavor. While impressive, I might have been more astounded if I hadn''t met Song Song before. Song Song''s Qi sensitivity bordered on the uncanny; she could almost discern intentions and predict attacks with eerie accuracy. Thankfully, she wasn''t an enemy.

    "So, what''s your take?" I inquired.

    "I think we might all be dead," she replied, her expression as impassive as ever. However, a hint of paleness crept into her already jade-like complexion.

    Other ships plummeted from the sky with resounding splashes, some already submerged. Despite the darkened clouds, which gave the illusion of nightfall, a cultivator''s eyesight let me see clearly, even with the faint sunlight piercing through the clouds.

    Finding the person I sought was not difficult; their red hair made them stand out like a sore thumb. He was on one of the ships that had already crashed into the water before ours, and he wore a frown and wide-eyed with shock.

    It felt akin to pulling back the sheets before bed and discovering an anaconda coiled within. No, even that fear was comprehensible to the human mind.

    But witnessing a giant serpent-like entity traversing the sky was an entirely different experience. It appeared colossal enough to wrap around and crush skyscrapers with ease.

    Just when I thought the terror I was feeling couldn''t escalate further, the clouds shifted and parted, revealing a giant snake poking its head out.

    It was a massive white snake with four crimson-red eyes, each with slits. Its gaze wandered around as if searching for something, its forked tongue flickering. Its size was so colossal that our ship seemed as small as a candy bar in comparison.

    The creature''s forked tongue flickered consistently while each pair of eyes seemed to have a mind of its own, scanning the surroundings.

    "Humans," the creature said, its growly, slow voice sending a shudder through my body.

    This wasn''t something meant for human ears. Its mere sound caused large waves to rise and crash onto ships.

    "Have you seen what I am looking for?" it asked, its voice now a whisper, though still deafeningly loud enough to rupture a mortal''s eardrums.

    In front of such an overwhelming creature, my mind went blank. All I could think of were the books I had read, filled with random facts about monstrous beasts.

    According to those books, Foundation Establishment monstrous beasts possessed human-like intelligence, while a Core Formation monstrous beast could even speak human language.

    Now that it had revealed itself from the clouds, the Qi around the creature made it clear that I stood no chance.

    No matter how hard I fought, how cunningly I schemed, or whatever clever way I devised to use my arrays, I was powerless against something like that.

    Such strategies only mattered when facing opponents of similar power. It was a harsh realization.

    Plans and schemes had been my bread and butter, offering hope against those stronger and more skilled than me. Yet, I had known there was a limit to how far I could push that.

    But understanding something intellectually and witnessing it firsthand were vastly different experiences. It was a realization that crawled from my lower abdomen to my chest, finally settling in my heart.

    Such sheer power...

    This sensation, I struggled to articulate. The closest semblance would be despair.

    Back on Earth, regardless of someone''s prowess in MMA or boxing, no matter how rigorously one trained or how high one climbed on the political ladder, people remained just thatpeople.

    Even the most skilled fighter, devoted to martial arts, could easily fall victim to a teenager wielding a gun. There was never the fear that someone like Mike Tyson might suddenly invade my home, and there was nothing I could do about it.

    Even when facing formidable creatures like bears, lions, tigers, bulls, rhinos, elephants, sharks, silverback gorillas, spiders, snakes, or any other animal, there was always a chance of survival if they sought to harm me.

    But here... against a creature of that magnitude... there was no hope.

 Chapter 62: New Endings & Beginnings

    Chapter 62: New Endings & Beginnings

    Spending time in this world made me understand that when push came to shove, there were only two kinds of people: overthinkers and go-doers. The best example of the latter was Song Song. Sometimes, she acted recklessly, but her instincts compensated for that drawback.

    I was definitely an overthinker, but such things mattered little now.

    Even though I tried to think of the best way to get the hell away from this situation, the only thing I realized was just how fucked I was. There was no use even pondering about saving Song Song, Yang Cho, or my cousins I couldn''t even save myself. Worrying about whether they survived the crash into the water was useless since I could do nothing about it either.

    "I can sense someone special amongst you. Bring them to me," the monstrous beast said in a calm, booming voice. He didn''t seem to be intentionally talking so loud; this was just his normal sound level.

    As the titanic monstrous beast looked around, people were frozen in fear. Its aura alone was like being splashed with a river of blood. The air grew heavier, and I felt like I was drowning in oxygen, making me lightheaded.

    No, this was all just an illusion! He was clearly not even releasing his killing intent. Yet, it felt like my spine was a mush of yogurt, making it hard to stand up straight.

    I glanced at the elders, who seemed also nervous. But they were not affected by the Qi as much as I was.

    Hopefully, those old fools were not planning something stupid, like running away, because that was not a good idea. The monstrous beast was intimidating, but it seemed calm and had someone he would rather not kill here. Whoever they were looking for, they were probably not looking to kill them... at least not immediately.

    However, it was doubtful whether he would spare us after finding who he was looking for.

    I took another deep breath, trying to calm myself down. But in that split second, the creature glanced my way momentarily, likely just scanning the surroundings. Yet my body broke out in a cold sweat.

    "Fuck," I cursed under my breath.

    I could not control this reaction. My body was terrified at its deepest core. It felt natural and instinctual, like pulling away one''s hand from flames.

    Either way, the decisions were out of my hands now. The elders would be the ones deciding what would happen next.

    But my hopes of this ending peacefully came crashing down when two outer elders turned their palms toward the monstrous beast in the sky.

    "Blinding, Blazing Sunlight!" the outer elders called out simultaneously. Suddenly, before anyone could react, the world turned white. I quickly covered my eyes, and my eyes stung despite the light not being directed at me.

    "Push the ships!" our outer elder said as he landed on the ship. A sudden tug made all of us disciples stumble on the wooden deck, and the boat suddenly picked up speed and shot off like a rocket.

    Unlike the leisurely speeds from before, this one was a whole other deal. But I had no time to think about how their strategies were somewhat good if they wanted to escape. While the monstrous beast had higher cultivation, it could not defend against the blinding light.

    "All disciples! Go under the deck!" Yelled out the outer elder in an authoritative voice.

    Even when I opened my eyes, there were still black spots in my vision. But I still made sure to locate where Yang Cho was and pulled him inside. He was still rubbing his eyes and groaning in pain.

    "Deciding to lose the fat at this time was one of the best decisions in my life," he said as I pulled him inside.

    Some disciples didn''t make it and were blown off the boat. But there was nothing we could do. There was no longer a translucent barrier around the ship to catch them, so they probably focused all their power on speed.

    "So, what now?" Ye An asked calmly, as I was still rubbing my eyes due to the dark spots. As I turned toward her, she was not bothering with that and just closed her eyes.

    It seemed like she had pushed herself inside despite her injuries.

    "Now we just wait here and maybe pray to any gods you might believe in," I said, my vision finally returning to normal.

    Hopefully, the snake monstrous beast got the brunt of it, and the light caused enough pain to stop him from being able to sense Qi. Despite what some might assume about anger and cultivation, when it came to sending Qi, only a calm mind could do it best.

    Despite my words, I looked around for cracks or crannies on the wooden walls around us. But we were still within the range of the dark clouds, as no sunlight was coming in.

    Things were out of my hands now. But if I was going to die, I would at least like to stare at some monstrous beast before doing so.

    For those looking from the outside, this sounded nothing like the decision of a scared man.

    Was I scared? No... scared would be an understatement. I was terrified.

    Just looking at such a colossal monstrous serpent... That thing was not something normal humans were ever supposed to gaze upon. It was like something straight out of legends on Earth or downright horror stories.

    There were some crashing sounds in the distance and rumbling thunder, which made my heart skip a beat with each sudden sound. The people around me were not much better.

    But my despairing mood was interrupted by light breaking through the ship''s nooks and crannies. I approached one of them and examined it, greedily looking around for any signs of the snake.

    But as I looked around, there were no signs of the snake. So I kept changing cracks until I found one in the back of the wooden hallways, through which a dim light came through. Putting my eye next to it, I saw something out of a nightmare.

    Snakes'' swishing and movement in the grass were already eerie enough. But moving like that while flying was a whole other realm of nightmarish.

    However, I kept staring despite the chill that went down my spine.

    Sometimes, people did not die on their own terms; that was something I could not change, even in a world like this. Perhaps my death would also not be on my terms. But one thing was sure: I would live on my own terms!

    "Hey, that''s dangerous. Perhaps you should back off," Yang Cho said, and I could hear his worry.

    "Don''t worry about it," I smiled. "If the ship even gets nicked by the serpent, we will all come crashing down. If that were to happen, I can confidently say that we would all die except for Ye An. Even she would have to try and pull out enough Qi, which would crush her cultivation. Unless, of course, any of you have some protective artifacts. But you wouldn''t bother helping with this test if you had that kind of money."

    Some seemed unconvinced by my words, perhaps thinking they would still smash into the water even if they fell from such heights. How could water be dangerous against the body of a cultivator?

    But at our speeds and heights, we seemed to be above the clouds, which on average should be 20,000 to 30,000 feet if they were the same distance as in my last world. At those heights, landing on water was about the same as landing on concrete.

    The snake-like monstrous beast was slowly but surely catching up with the ships, which pulled my attention away from the group. Another blinding light was released as it approached the boat, and the snake screeched, the sound shaking even our ship.

    Since I was looking through such a small crack, the light only hit me a little bit. But it was still annoyingnot annoying enough to stop me from observing what was happening with my other eye through the crack.

    But what came next was something out of a horrible nightmare, as the serpent seemed angry now, but the ship that had shot light was still there. It was ridiculous looking at it since the ship was the size of an M&M compared to the monster.

    Then, with that same rage, it blew a dark cloud out of its mouth toward us. Thankfully, we were moving at such speeds that the dark clouds had difficulty catching up. Still, one of the ships was caught by it, and immediately, the wood rotted, and the whole ship melted like it was hit by acid. I could not hear the screams all the way here, but that could not have been a pretty sight.

    However, despite the wrathful show of power, the giant serpent stopped in place and looked lost in thought for a second, giving the ships some time to create some distance between them.

    Hopefully, my cousins were not in one of the ships crashing down. They were good kids.

    But even as we went further away, it was still easy to see him due to the snake''s size. As the monstrous beast came to its senses and turned toward us, it was met by another blinding light. But this time, it did not shy away; it simply closed its eyes and continued giving chase.

    Since the technique that created the blinding light used Qi, it clouded even my Qi sensing for a second. But the snake seemed to have no such problems and continued chasing us with its serpentine movement.

    Once again, the snake grew closer with each passing second. This time, no blinding lights or techniques would work on it. At least the elders were wise enough not to try attacking and wasting Qi. Even I could tell how massive the distance between them was by how they unconsciously released Qi.

    As the snake came closer, my heart began beating faster.

    How the hell were we going to get out of this?

    I tried to think of what the elders were trying to achieve here. It wasn''t that hard to figure out what had happened.

    Since Song Song had a way to contact her Core Formation master, the Sect should know of the situation or at least have an idea of what was happening.

    Those carefree moments felt like an eternity away, even though it had barely been a week.

    "You look relieved," someone whispered behind me, almost making me jump in place. I hadn''t sensed anyone there.

    Turning around, it was Song Song, who had my cousins behind her.

    I sighed in relief, "It''s good to see that you''re also alive."

    "I was in the same ship as the inner elder, in the front. I was never really in any danger before all of you guys died. You know, I''m actually super important now," she smiled jokingly.

    Though every joke had a hint of truth, and if that outer elder had said that Song Song had a chance at becoming the next Sect Leader, then she was definitely very important to the Sect, even if she never reached that position.

    "Well, I came here to exchange your cousins with the sickly bitch," she shrugged, looking toward the place we had come from, and a worried look flashed through her eyes for a split second.

    "I have a name," Ye An insisted.

    Song Song turned toward the jade-like beauty, stared at her in the eyes, and then turned toward me. "Anyway, an idea crossed my mind while I was on the ship with my own thoughts."

    Did she ignore Ye An?

    "So... hypothetically, let''s say..." Song Song rubbed her chin as her brows scrunched, and she seemed to be thinking hard. "How bad would you take it if I forced you into the inner sect?"

    Huh? Of course, I would take it very badly!

    "It''s only hypothetical, of course," she added with a solemn nod.

    "I would not like it," I said calmly, making sure not to create any stupid misunderstanding.

    "Not like it... like in a bad way?" She raised a questioning brow.

    "What other way of not liking something is there?"

    "Well, I mean..." she looked concentrated. "You could not like it and be mad for a few months. But then I will shower you with gifts and cultivation resources, and you will quickly get over it and forget about such small matters."

    Ye An coughed and drew our attention as we turned toward her. She then looked at Song Song, asking, "Do I-"

    "No," Song Song replied. "Only he gets to choose... and I''m half a mind to kidnap him."

    Holy crap! She actually said her intentions out loud! I knew that whole hypothetical talk was bullshit! She really meant it!

    "I''ll even throw her as a concubine," Song Song said, pointing at Ye An with her thumb as if she were talking about cattle.

    "That would actually sour the deal," I replied honestly and got my bearings.

    This was Song Song, and if there was one thing I could trust her to be to me, it was honest. She wouldn''t kidnap me out of nowhere and would actually ask first...

    Okay, that actually sounded crazy. Was I moving at the same wavelength as the crazy now?

    "Anyway, I can give you whatever you want with my new position," she added. "I will treat you very well. I promise I will even find a way to get you dozens of Earth Grade Techniques. If you accept, I will even give you one right now."

    Earth Grade Techniques? That was some wild payment she was offering.

    Actually, she was overpaying for my services. There wasn''t much I could help her with when she was in the inner Sect. No doubt her master was more trustworthy and had better advice than me.

    "Why would you pay so much?" I asked, making sure Speedy was in the backpack before jumping down onto the grassy ground. Song Song and Ye An followed suit.

    Nobody approached us, not even the inner disciples, who acted like they couldn''t see Song Song. The other outer disciples, including newcomers like my cousins, had to undergo a screening, and they waved at me excitedly before leaving.

    That left only Song Song, Ye An, and me alone.

    "We work well together," Song Song stared me in the eyes as something dangerous burned before that gaze. "Imagine when you become a Qi Gathering Cultivator? We would be unstoppable within our realm. With you as my right-hand man, I believe we can handle even those core disciples who are over a hundred years old."

    A disciple even after that age? Talk about a wall. Now it made sense why she wanted me. But she was overestimating my abilities.

    "If you want advice, my doors will always be open as a friend. You saved my life more than once, and I appreciate that. Whether you become a sect leader or not, don''t be afraid to come for a talk," I smiled. "But I''m going to have to refuse."

    She sighed and scratched her head. "I knew it would be something like this, but I still feel kind of annoyed about it. I need to punch something."

    When she said those latter words, her gaze turned toward Ye An, who fiercely met her stare.

    "When I regain my cultivation, I will surpass you and kill you," Ye An threatened Song Song, her words ringing like facts.

    "Give it your best shot," Song Song smiled. "But make sure you don''t miss the first time. Unlike Liu Feng here, I won''t spare you. Quite the opposite actually, I will do my best to give you a tortuous and horrible death."

    As they continued threatening each other, I walked at a slower pace and let them gain a step or two on me. After they were too absorbed with each other, I stopped walking altogether, and Song Song stopped for a second and glanced at me. She sighed and turned away, walking into the Sect with Ye An.

    Despite what Song Song would have liked, I was not from the inner Sect, and we would eventually have to part ways.

    She was crazy, but I was thankful she had saved me multiple times. She might have made me join if she had used underhanded tactics and mentioned how she had saved me numerous times.

    But this was Song Song, a crazy but honest woman.

    I smiled as she walked away, turned toward the others, and waited for my cousins to finish their checkups.

    Despite Song Song no longer being around, none of the inner disciples or even outer elders approached me. They didn''t even look my way.

    Anyway, this harrowing journey was ending, and we were about to return to our daily lives.

    While thinking such thoughts, my gaze landed on a certain red-haired young man. He didn''t notice my gaze as usual and looked somewhat discombobulated and anxious. This resembled nothing like the confident guy I had met in the forest.

    But I was not going to take his behavior at face value.

    And just like that, everything I had studied and worked hard to understand how this world and everything within it worked was flipped on its head!

    I, someone trying to understand the cultivation world by using logic, would now have to live close to such a creature of illogicality.

    .

    .

    .

    .

    .

    End of Book 1

 Chapter 63: Red Books!

    Chapter 63: Red Books!

    Being born with talent, one would expect a nice life ahead of them. However, what could be considered talent had changed as he traveled the White Tiger Continent.

    Hu Jin rubbed his hand through his crimson hair as the inner disciple in front of him examined his pockets, clothes, and everything else.

    "Are we done?" Hu Jin asked, trying to hide the nervousness.

    But the inner disciple glanced at him with an unreadable look before saying, "What''s with the weird reaction? We''re just checking for any poisoned injuries or tracking methods left on you. It''s suspicious how jittery you are."

    Damn it!

    Hu Jin gritted his teeth and tried to force a smile. "Nothing, it''s just been a tiring day."

    "Good. Now that the elders are done putting down the array, go walk in there," the inner disciple said, pointing at a stone platform that had appeared out of nowhere.

    Hu Jin could have sworn that the platform had never been there before!

    But he chalked it up to someone probably using a storage ring.

    "What''s with the copper coin?" asked the inner disciple as he retrieved a small box from Hu Jin''s pocket and opened it.

    Hu Jin''s heart jumped into his throat. That was the coin where his master''s soul was trapped.

    "Just some change," Hu Jin quickly said. Without his master to reassure him of these things, acting confident and putting on a face like he knew everything was pretty tricky.

    If this had been six years ago, when he still had his talents, it would have been a different story. He had an ego back then when he was constantly told he was the best talent the Hu Clan had created in the last half a millennia. But after his cultivation was crushed, the Hu Clan bullied him for years. Then, his fiance broke off their engagement.

    Life had kicked him down and then kicked him again while he was down.

    It was lucky he had even stumbled upon the coin in the first place. Because after his cultivation was crushed, his clan no longer invested in him. So Hu Jin was going around searching for a way to recover his cultivation, and this bronze coin was something he had acquired as a chance to buy some Spirit Rejuvenating Grass.

    Despite his cultivation barely recovering due to his master''s power, Hu Jin was still cultivating at a snail''s pace. However, he had been able to regain the cultivation, and that was something many didn''t get the chance to do.

    However, even with that, he had barely passed the exam to join the Blazing Sun Sect. While he had recovered his ability to cultivate, his talent had not recovered.

    The exam had been separated into four parts.

    The first part was when they tested raw talent; if one was talented enough, they would immediately go to the inner sect. Hu Jin barely had nineteen spirit root branches; his talent was trash, incomparable to the seventy-nine spirit root branches before his cultivation was crushed.

    Unlike his declining Hu Clan, the Blazing Sun Sect was the prime example of power. So, while nineteen spirit roots could have been considered average in his clan, here it was trash. There were disciples here at Qi Gathering, while the Hu Clan only had his father, the Clan Leader, and a handful of elders at that stage. But here, Qi Gathering was as common as the grass in a field.

    Anyway, the second part of the exam involved many tests to test intelligence. Hu Jin was not the most academically inclined guy. Enough said about that.

    The third test had been to see if any talents were promising at arrays or alchemy. The old master had helped with the alchemy part since he had dabbled in the art while still alive. But barely using a pill recipe over a thousand years out of date did not constitute enough potential to be worth the investment.

    Since, with his cultivation talent, he was unlikely to ever reach Qi Gathering. Only by being able to use Qi could alchemists, array masters, or artifact makers could show their usefulness.

    So that had only left the fourth and last exam of showing battle powers. Usually, it was just the riff-raff. But he did well enough to keep his badge from getting stolen.

    Despite the difficulties in his path, he would never allow himself to fail!

    That promise he had made to that haughty ex-fiance of his was still valid and would come in two years. So he had to get stronger fast and wipe the arrogant look off that bitch''s face! Thinking she could come and humiliate the Hu Clan and his family like that!

    Unconsciously Hu Jin tightened his hands into fists. He was going to win that fight in two years, no matter what!

    With revenge on his mind, Hu Jin''s gaze hardened, and all his nervousness disappeared. The inner disciple shrugged and returned his coin.Updated from  I just supposed to walk through it?" Hu Jin asked one of the elders in green robes. Though they were called elders, most of them seemed to be middle-aged.

    "Yes," the elder answered with a disdainful snort.

    Hu Jin frowned but looked down and quickly walked through the array. These people were looking down on him just because, in their eyes, he would be a country bumpkin.

    He would show them all!

    After walking past the array, the elders pointed in the distance where other guys and girls his age had passed. He walked toward them, and as he got closer, he noticed just how tired these people were.

    But now that they had passed and gotten into the Blazing Sun Sect, they all had excited looks in their eyes.

    However, someone with a gray robe stood out the most among the people wearing random clothes. He was talking to a pair of twins, one with long hair and the other with short hair.

    The twins seemed to be excitedly talking to him, and the guy was smiling politely.

    Hu Jin sat on his new bed in his small room. A desk and a small chest were at the foot of the bed. At least the place was spotless.

    He took out his bronze coin, and his master formed again; however, his form was unstable this time.

    "Dumb brat, I waited for you to get away from others before you started sounding crazy again. I thought we had already curbed that bad habit!" The old master grumbled.

    "I was just relieved," Hu Jin smiled.

    Despite being scolded, he was happy that his master was at least alive.

    "Well, no need to be worried. However, from now on, I will only be able to be out for two hours at a time, as taking care of that little snake took quite a lot out of me. It isn''t like I can recuperate Qi so easily... if only a certain someone could reach the Qi Gathering realm faster," the old man rolled his eyes while sending a teasing smile. His figure sizzled out again before only his sound was left as he said. "This is my limit for the day. See you tomorrow, and make sure not to get into trouble."

    Left in the eerie quiet of his room, with his neighbors as the only sound, Hu Jin let out a sigh of relief.

    His master was someone who had helped him fix his cultivation. He was the only person who had decided to help even a dumb cripple like him.

    Hu Jin was indebted to the old man a thousand times over.

    He lay in bed, thinking about how this felt much more underwhelming than he thought it would be.

    Perhaps since there had been that giant snake chasing them out of nowhere...

    Well, it wasn''t like the journey to the Blazing Sun Sect had been easy either.

    But just as he was about to relax, Hu Jin jumped up and smiled. "I should go and check the library nearby!"

    Hu Jin had stumbled upon a handful of Earth Grade Techniques on his way here, and his master had even handed him a technique that could grow into Sky Grade. So he had dreamt of just how many Earth Grade or higher techniques the Blazing Sun Sect must have.

    Looking around, he found a box at the edge of the bed, inside which was a gray uniform. Hu Jin quickly changed into it before bolting out of the door, touching his chest and making sure the bronze coin was close to his heart.

    After walking around a bit, Hu Jin ended up at a crossroads. With many roads, the signs thankfully had written where most roads read, and there was the library.

    "That''s just down the road I came from," Hu Jin winced as he looked at the stairs in the distance. "This is going to be a pain."

    Despite vocal complaints, Hu Jin hurriedly climbed the stairs as the sun was almost set.

    He had no idea whether the library was closed at night, but he knew he could only sleep tonight if he learned some new cool-looking technique! Or see some sights around the sect!

    His master had said something along the lines that the number of techniques one learned did not matter, but mastery of one technique. Quality meant more than quantity.

    Finally, he saw the library pagoda and an old man was dusting some leaves outside. Hu Jin ignored the old geezer, walked past him, and entered the library.

    The place was filled with books, though there were no people around.

    Was the place closed?

    Hu Jin looked around, and his gaze landed on a man wearing green robes in front of the counter. He had large round glasses, dark hair, and whiskers of white that made it hard to pinpoint his exact age.

    Hu Jin walked past the librarian and went to the library, his eyes wandering around for good techniques that sounded strong. But while Hu Jin was running about, he stumbled, and before he fell, he grabbed onto one of the books.

    However, instead of grabbing the book and falling, the book extended like a lever and there was a sudden clicking sound.

    "Huh?" He looked over and saw that a small compartment the size of a small box had opened on one of the shelves.

    Hu Jin looked around cautiously, feeling a chill baring down his spine. Thankfully, no one was around. So he quickly looked into the box that had opened, and inside it was a dusty book.

    "This looks like it hasn''t been touched in a thousand years!" Hu Jin thought excitedly.

    But as he pulled out the book and closed the secret compartment, he blew away the dust and read the title.

    "Mountain Crushing Fist," he hurriedly opened the book and read through it, and a feeling of disappointment settled over him. "Tch, just another Earth Grade Technique."

    He looked over other books, but there were only Mortal Grade Techniques. Then, his eyes settled on the stairs leading to the second floor.

    But before he had any thoughts of going to the second floor, he heard someone speaking. A familiar voice.

    "Sorry, I couldn''t find anyone," he said.

    It was that same guy! Liu Feng! How was he seeing this guy everywhere! Was he following him?

    Hu Jin leaned in and tried to listen in to the conversation. However, as soon as he tried to, the words turned into buzzing sounds.

 Chapter 64: Big Guy Problems!

    Chapter 64: Big Guy Problems!

    As I made my way down the steps to the library, my pace slowed, allowing me extra time to reconsider my decision.

    While I had fulfilled my relatives'' mission by successfully introducing the twins to the Sect, another task remained: scouting for talent to fill the librarian position.

    Discovering someone of exceptional ability capable of compelling the Sect to promote an outer elder was no small feat. Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately in this case, I had identified two individuals who perfectly matched that description.

    One such person was Ye An. If I requested her assistance, I was confident that Song Song would agree to lend her, albeit temporarily, to facilitate the librarian''s promotion to the inner Sect.

    The second candidate was the red-haired guy. Convincing the librarian to mentor someone who appeared less talented might have been challenging, but I was confident he would trust my judgment and accept the red-haired individual as his personal disciple.

    But just because I could take these actions, did that mean I should?

    The librarian had been helpful to me, and I held genuine concern for his well-being. However, directing either of these two candidates toward him could inadvertently increase the risk to his life dramatically. The giant serpent had already shown that sometimes those favors by the heavens could attract trouble far more than some Foundation Establishment Cultivator could handle.

    Had anyone else assigned this mission, I might have simply completed it with little consideration. However, my genuine desire for the librarian''s welfare compelled me to weigh my options carefully.

    "So, the brat finally returns," the old janitor interrupted my thoughts, busily wielding his broom to tidy the areaan unexpected sight that momentarily surprised me.

    "And you are as stubborn as ever, old goat," I sighed.

    "Do you expect people my age to change? There''s a reason they say you can''t teach an old dog new tricks," he retorted, smirking as he leaned on his broom.

    "Comparing yourself to a dog? That''s rather sad, old man," I teased, shaking my head with mock concern.

    But the old bastard had a thick skin and only chuckled at my backhanded insults. "Just screw off, you brat. I''m already sick of you, and you''ve only been around for not even a full minute. Already, you''ve insulted your elders, calling them dogs and abusing your authority as a cultivator."

    This was the best victory I could achieve against him in a verbal spar. The old goat must have had something on his mind, as he was usually quicker with his words... and way more ruthless with his insults.

    I walked past him and muttered, "It''s good to see you again, old man."

    He grumbled something inaudible under his breath before sighing and returning to his job. Only now did I notice that the old goat was sweeping the broom in just one place.

    As I entered the library, the place was as welcoming as always, and the smell of books made me feel at ease. This was the closest thing I had to a home in this world.

    The librarian''s gaze turned toward me, and he nodded in acknowledgment.

    Though I had already decided, now that I was in front of the guy, it felt like a knot had formed in my stomach. But I swallowed such silly things like anxiety, which paled in comparison to the fear I felt when staring at the giant serpent.

    Before we could exchange greetings, I walked up to the librarian and bowed my head. "I''m sorry I couldn''t find any talented disciples for you."

    Jade-like beauties and those favored by the heavens only brought misery and disaster to those around them. My choice may be biased on superstition. But this was my decision at the end of the day, and I could do nothing but continue moving forward.

    "I heard how the exam turned out this year. Some say that there was even a Core Formation monstrous beast, and that is more than enough reason. We still have next year, and it isn''t like one year makes much difference for me," the librarian shrugged. "Also, it isn''t like the kind of talent we were looking for is common. Even if there were talents like that this year, they would usually be snatched in the first part of the exams."

    The librarian''s lack of surprise at the outcome was unexpected but also a relief. I had been overthinking things.

    He was righttypically, the kind of talent we sought never surfaced, and even if it did, some inner or core elder would snatch them up before anyone else had a chance.

    "Also, it isn''t like your journey was without merit," the old librarian said, his cold facade cracking slightly as the corner of his lips tilted upward to almost form a smile. "Song Song has already been singing your praises to the higher-ups for your skill. Some individuals have even approached me, expressing interest in... If Song Song were to ever leave the Sect for a mission, she would invite you along."

    The librarian nodded, adding, "She is being quite generous. Song Song has a reputation for being forceful with her commands."

    She had garnered enough notoriety that even outer sect elders were aware of her habits?

    I couldn''t help but grimace when he mentioned Song Song had spoken to higher-ups about my supposed skills.

    Born into remarkable circumstances with exceptional talent, Song Song seemed to possess everything one could desire... except, perhaps, sanity.

    After concluding my discussion with the librarian, I departed the library. From the platform on which the library tower stood, I gazed upon the sect grounds. Even from afar, I observed people bustling about, and the setting sun on the verge of dusk did little to obscure my view, as it should have.

    Well, it was time to unwind and enjoy some leisure...

    ...

    After a day of supposed rest, I was eager to return to the library as soon as morning arrived. But first, I needed to eata necessity I couldn''t ignore.

    I joined Yang Cho, my now muscular friend who still looked like Giga Chad''s favored offspring. Engaging in our usual banter, we gossiped like housewives about sect affairs, or he relayed rumors he had heard.

    The latest gossip centered around a man allegedly assaulting and robbing someone in the dead of night. It was likely mere speculation, but Yang Cho and I entertained the topic nonetheless.

    Amidst our conversation, a certain redhead entered the dining hall. Not the charming kind of redhead girl, mind you; this was a crimson-haired man.

    "Do you know that guy''s name?" I asked Yang Cho.

    "Yeah, his name is Hu Jin. He''s a newcomer, and he participated in the same test we assisted with," Yang Cho replied, detailing the other exam takers who had accompanied us.

    Yet, my focus remained fixed on the intriguing newcomer.

    I suggested to Yang Cho, "From now on, I''ll avoid coming here during dining hours like breakfast, lunch, and dinner."

    "Why?" he looked puzzled.

    "It can get a bit overwhelming with so many people around. Sometimes it feels like tensions are high like they''re always on the verge of starting a fight," I remarked with a smile, attempting to downplay the seriousness.

    "Fair enough. A couple of hours after the usual dining times works for me," Yang Cho agreed. "By the way, have your cousins approached you yet? They''re in the same dorms as me, and they''ve been pestering me to reveal your dorm location."

    I was about to respond when a disturbance erupted, causing a table to crash as someone slammed their fist upon it. Amidst the chaos, the red-haired guy and another tall, lanky individual became embroiled in an altercation. The latter appeared to be significantly older, adding another layer of tension to the scene.

    Grabbing my plate of rice, I stood up and exited the dining hall with Yang Cho trailing behind. He courteously finished his meal and returned the plate to the staff.

    "Do they allow someone to take their plates?" he asked.

    "Not sure. But as a personal disciple of an elder, I''ll return it after I''m done," I replied, leading us down the stairs from the dining area. "Also, shouldn''t you be eating more?"

    He sighed, "I''m trying. But now that I''ve bulked up, no matter how much I eat, all the energy goes toward maintaining muscle rather than forming fat."

    It reminded me of bodybuilders needing to consume copious amounts of food to sustain their muscle mass.

    "I never considered it, but having so much muscle feels strange, too. I used to have a body that felt like a pillow when I lay down. Now it''s uncomfortable," Yang Cho lamented, continuing to voice his complaints.

    As a supportive friend, I listened attentively, nodding occasionally to indicate my attention.

    When we reached the bottom of the stairs, he was still airing his grievances. "People perceive me as some kind of barbarian, which is irritating in its own way. I''m not concerned about impressing the girls, but hearing them whisper as I pass by is annoying."

    There wasn''t much I could do to help him with that. Big muscles weren''t as popular in this world as they were on Earth. If Yong Cho was on Earth with his body, he would be the buff guy in a yacht.

    "Wanna do some training to take your mind off things?" I suggested.

    He grinned, "Sure. Just go easy on me."

    It was nice having friends...

 Chapter 65: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished!

    Chapter 65: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished!

    Since that incident with the red-haired dude, I have come to the cafeteria at random hours, avoiding the times when the other guy was around.

    I sipped my tea and smiled at the empty dining hall.

    Two weeks had passed since the entrance exams, and the newcomers had arrived. With them came an entire library, but the second floor remained deserted, as usual.

    Thankfully, I hadn''t spotted the red-haired guy in the library either. Perhaps because I spent most of my time on the second floor, I was unlikely to run into him there.

    "Did you hear that Hu Jin recently got into a fight with an elder''s personal disciple?" Yang Cho asked, indicating he was well-versed in outer sect gossip. "He''s been the only troublemaker lately. There''s also a rumor that he intervened when outer elder Xi''s son harassed a young disciple."

    Who was Elder Xi, anyway? He was probably a minor elder with connections to the inner sect. Knowing Hu Jin, this conflict would escalate, and Elder Xi likely had connections with another guy in the inner sect.

    I shrugged, glancing at Yang Cho, who had noticeably gained weight in the past two weeks. It seemed he was struggling to put on weight as quickly as before.

    Afterward, I swiftly returned the plates and went to the library. Meanwhile, Yang Cho went off to do whatever he did when not with me, which, given his vast knowledge about whatever happened in the sect, was probably just gossiping with others.

    As I passed them, the old man was chatting with the librarian and waved at me. Stepping onto the second floor, my attention was immediately drawn to Speedy, the wandering turtle.

    Considering how much time I spent there, Speedy had become a permanent resident on the second floor.

    My recent breakthrough to nine-star Body Tempering made the training more relaxed. For now, my focus lies on sensing and understanding Qi.

    I settled onto the hard wooden floor, assuming a meditative posture. Sensing the Qi around me came naturally, but detecting it within myself proved challenging. However, I noticed a subtle warmth, which I presumed to be my own Qi. It felt distinctly different from the Qi of others or the Qi that permeated the world around me.

    Yet, moving my own Qi remained elusive.

    Perhaps seeking advice from the librarian would be wise. He had likely navigated similar experiences and could offer valuable insights.

    As I climbed down the stairs, the scent of alcohol greeted me as I stepped beyond the array barring entry to the second floor. Another individual engaged in conversation with the librarian and the old man. His disheveled dark hair, scruffy beard, and dark robe marked him as an inner elder.

    Normally, I might have retreated and returned later, but with the librarian present and Song Song''s unspoken protection, there seemed no need to avoid potential threats. It would only have wasted time.

    "Liu Feng, come and greet Inner Elder Cao Ruogang," the librarian called.

    I nodded and approached, respectfully bowing towards the elder and clasping my fist to his palm. "Disciple Liu Feng greets Honorable Inner Elder Ruogang."

    "No need to be so formal," the elder smiled, placing a hand on my shoulder and straightening my posture. "I remember you from the incident involving the imprisonment of returning disciples to the Sect. You were always the quiet one."

    Uncertain how to respond, I recalled his behavior while intoxicated during that time. Though he appeared less inebriated now, the smell of alcohol emanating from him did little to instill co

    "I came here to personally thank you for helping my daughter," he said, his smile tinged with gratitude. However, a glint in his eyes unsettled me. "Cao Wu, come out here!"

    A young girl emerged from the shelves, carrying a couple of books. With a bob cut reaching her shoulders, she stood nearly as tall as me. Her callused hands testified to her training efforts.

    Though appearing more composed and less desperate, it was evident she was the girl I had rescued from the jade-like beauty. The name confirmation helped; memorizing her features hadn''t been a priority when fleeing for our lives.

    Glancing at the librarian, he gave me a subtle nod. While I couldn''t decipher political machinations, it was evident he was establishing connections with the inner elders.

    Whatever his intentions, he could handle the scheming and politics. He wielded almost absolute authority over me as my teacher, though he rarely exercised it.

    "Sure, let''s go to dinner," I said, breaking the somber atmosphere.

    "Your teacher mentioned you''re a nine-star Body Tempering practitioner," the elder remarked with a smile. "I know a place where they serve a monstrous beast steak infused with dense Qi. Eating it can aid in Qi sensing and strengthen your foundations."

    Monstrous beast meat? That sounded like a culinary experience worth trying at least once. Moreover, the intoxicated elder seemed genuinely excited about it, so it was bound to be good. However, I doubted it would offer much benefit to someone who could already sense Qi.

    I felt secure with the librarian''s assurance, regardless of the elder''s apparent instability. Exiting the library tower, the drunkard waved his hand, conjuring a giant leaf in an instant.

    The leaf gently descended to our feet, and the elder climbed aboard, motioning for us to follow. A warm Qi current enveloped us in an invisible sphere, and in the next moment, we were propelled forward, the sect grounds below blurring into a rapid motion.

    Before I could discern our destination, the leaf slowed and stopped at a wallthough not the outer wall, as it was much smaller. The drunkard extended his hand, causing a ripple in the barrier. As we passed through, a tingling sensation coursed through my body, leaving me feeling exposed.

    Was this some kind of high-level array performing security checks? It was too intricate for me to decipher.

    Once again, the surroundings blurred as we sped toward our destination, likely at speeds only the intoxicated driver could perceive. Despite the potential danger, Cao Wu seemed at ease, stealing glances at me every so often, only to avert her gaze when I returned it.

    Approaching one of the many pavilions in the inner sect, we disembarked from the leaf, which vanished instantlylikely stowed away in the drunkard''s storage ring.

    "Come on, I have a table reserved for us," Cao Ruogang said, his previous hostility nowhere in sight.

    It felt more unsettling when he concealed his intentions. An adversary whose motives I couldn''t discern was far more dangerous than one who wore their heart on their sleeve, constantly revealing their intentions.

    Upon entering the pavilion, I immediately noticed that the interior appeared larger than the exterior, which was somewhat disorienting. The first floor buzzed with inner disciples engaged in conversation and celebration, creating an atmosphere vastly different from the dining hall.

    We only stayed there for a short time and climbed up to the second floor, which was much quieter than the first and had fewer people.

    Ascending to the third floor, Cao Ruogang gestured towards a table with a view of the inner sect, its grandeur spread before us. Here, black-robed elders populated the space, our presence drawing no more than passing glances.

    Unlike the traditional tables where sitting on the ground was customary, our table stood high, offering a different dining experience.

    As we settled into our seats, a disturbance in the Qi around us heralded the arrival of a young waiter, no older than his mid-twenties, sporting a polite customer service demeanor.

    It was the second time I had encountered that soul-sucking smile in this world. Seemingly, grueling jobs with difficult bosses were a universal experience.

    "I''ve already placed our orders," the drunkard stated sharply, a hint of irritation in his voice.

    The waiter nodded hastily, a bead of sweat trickling down his brow. "Yes, of course. I''ll bring your orders right away. My apologies for any inconvenience."

    As the waiter scurried off, Cao Wu turned to her father, narrowing her eyes as if cautioning him.

    Ah, what a relaxing meal this promised to be... but it wasn''t. The tension in the air was palpable, and I couldn''t shake the feeling of unease.

    Glancing at Cao Wu, she looked embarrassed and silently mouthed an apologetic "sorry."

 Chapter 66: Midnight Strolls

    Chapter 66: Midnight Strolls

    "So, how did you and Song Song meet?" Cao Wu asked awkwardly, clearly attempting to divert her father''s attention from any potential drastic actions. "She isn''t exactly the friendliest person."

    "Heh, if that isn''t an understatement, I don''t know what is," the drunken elder snorted. "I remember when you were younger, she dragged one of the Sect Leader''s concubines by their hair and drowned her to death."

    There was a story there, but many details were missing. If I asked, it might have conveyed the wrong message. Instead, I shrugged and let them assume whatever they wanted.

    The concubine might have said the wrong thing. Song Song wasn''t usually the kind of person who killed someone without reason. But at the same time, she was not someone who needed much incentive to murder someone. Even one mocking comment would have been enough.The source of this content no/v(el)bi((n))

    After some small talk, Cao Wu stood up and said, "I need to go to the toilet."

    As she left, an uncomfortable silence settled between us. The elder and I locked eyes without saying anything. Calling the silence awkward would be an understatement, and the man still wore that fake smile he had when his daughter was around.

    The waiter arrived with our food, three plates, each with just three pieces of meat resembling steak. They looked delicious but dry.

    "Here, hope you enjoy," said the waiter before quickly leaving.

    I took the knife and what looked like a long needle, and I stabbed the needle into the steak. It went through quite easily, but I could have sworn there was a strange feeling emanating from the needle just before it pierced the meat. I shrugged and continued with the knife. This time, I sensed the Qi gathering around the knife and artificially reinforcing it as I ran it along the meat''s surface. I had to strain my hand a bit to push through.

    I used the needle to pick up a small piece of the meat I had cut off and put it in my mouth, beginning to chew. It felt like chewing leather or perhaps a part of a rubber tire. Yes, this was the flesh of a creature that could likely endure significant punishment, so my teeth were not enough to shred it easily.

    At least the taste was acceptable.

    As if energized by my struggle to eat the meat, the inner elder''s facial smile twisted into a nasty grin. Veins popped all around his face, making him resemble some kind of vengeful demon.

    Before he could take any drastic action, I swallowed and said, "By the way, just to be clear here. I already have someone whom I''m going to marry, and I have no plans to break any arranged marriages."

    The man''s face returned to normal afterward, wearing only a frown as he pointed at me like I was some thug and declared, "If you ever even think of making my daughter your concubine, I will come and kill you myself."

    "I''m not interested in things like concubines," I stated matter-of-factly.

    I wasn''t even lying this time; in my experience, a healthy relationship required exclusivity between two people. Having concubines seemed like a surefire way to invite trouble, likely leading to poisonings due to jealousy.

    Cao Ruogang looked thoughtful for a moment before snapping his fingers, prompting a waiter to quickly rush over. The inner elder sighed and said, "Bring me a bottle of wine."

    The waiter promptly brought one, and after a swift motion from Cao Ruogang, the bottle was opened. A stray thought crossed my mind: Was wine a common beverage in this world, or did its presence indicate the influence of someone from elsewhere? The bottle of wine seemed out of place among everything else, which was Chinese-themed.

    Casting cautious glances around, Cao Ruogang gulped down the wine in one swig and then snapped again, summoning the waiter to take the bottle away. "Quickly, take this away!" he commanded.

    The waiter complied without question, heeding the words of the inner elder. Then, the elder gazed at the table absentmindedly, sighing and rubbing his forehead.

    I couldn''t help but feel sorry for the guy; he looked like a kicked puppy, a look that an outer elder should never show. Perhaps the drinking was taking its toll.

    He glanced at me, then quickly averted his gaze and nodded before disappearing.

    "I wanted to talk with you privately," she said as we stepped outside of the pavilion, the sun beginning to set.

    The inner sect resembled the outer sect, which made sense since they were both on the same mountain. However, if one could sense Qi, the inner sect felt markedly different from its outer counterpart. Due to the abundance of Qi, the barrier separating the two places must have served various functions. If I were to create a barrier or array here, its effects would be significantly enhanced compared to anywhere else.

    Furthermore, the paths we traversed were better constructed with smooth, marble-like rocks, and the air felt heavier, fresher, and cooler. Yet, I couldn''t fully appreciate it as I was 99.9% certain that her father was still following us despite sensing nobody around us.

    We walked in silence for a couple of minutes as she gazed into the distance, her eyes distant. Finally, she said, "Thank you for saving me."

    She had already expressed her gratitude numerous times, so I simply nodded. Before I could respond, she continued, "This incident made me realize that I am not cut out to be a cultivator... not at all. That''s why I returned to the inner sect, under my father''s watchful eye."

    She offered a bitter smile and said, "I came to the outer sect to prove I was a cultivator and only ended up returning as a coward."

    "No, you weren''t proving anything by joining the outer sect," I interjected, unwilling to entertain her self-deprecating remarks. "Feeling undeserving doesn''t negate your status as a cultivator. A true cultivator would seize the opportunities presented to them and not dwell on trivial matters."

    "Heh, so either way, I''m a crappy cultivator," she chuckled.

    "Yeah, absolutely dreadful," I agreed with a smile. "You need to at least declare your intent to massacre the families of anyone who dares to obstruct you at least once a week."

    Though she didn''t seem to grasp the xianxia clich I was referring to, she still chuckled. It was a common enough experience in this world. Or perhaps she was just a high school-aged girl who laughed at any joke her crush made. Either way, she needed to divert her mind from such frivolous concerns.

    My biggest worry when I was her age was not having a girlfriend, despite never talking to women or asking anyone out. She should be fretting over trivial matters, not contemplating whether dedicating her whole life to cultivation was a mistake.

    As we approached the small walls in the distance, Cao Wu kept sending glances my way, clearly gearing up for a conversation. It was apparent what she was about to broach. This was merely a high school crush, nothing more. My circumstances were somewhat extreme. Still, in high school, girls could develop feelings simply because they saw someone being assertive or giving off a bad-boy vibe. Just as guys might be attracted to the cheerleader type, only to realize later that appearances aren''t everything.

    I was flattered, but she wasn''t my type... unless I was misinterpreting the situation entirely, and this was just a young girl being awkward around her savior. Which was also plausible. Regardless, I wasn''t going to assume or say anything.

    "So... Do you have a fiance?" she asked suddenly.

    Yeah, there was about a 90% chance she had a crush on me. Liu Feng''s good looks were likely playing a part in this. He had a face that blended seamlessly into a crowd yet was undeniably attractive.

    "Yes, she''s from one of the Liu Clan''s most prominent allies," I replied before she could potentially corner me by making a bold move like confessing her feelings.

    She nodded and did not seem to take it too badly as she led me to the gate, and the inner disciples who stood guard glanced at her and just nodded without saying anything.

    "Don''t forget, call me if you need help," she said as I walked out of the gates.

    I nodded and walked away with a friendly smile. Overall, the day turned out quite well.

 Chapter 67: Library Owl!

    Chapter 67: Library Owl!

    I reclined against one of the shelves on the library''s second floor, engrossed in a book about monstrous beastsa subject that had occupied my thoughts frequently lately, particularly with Speedy growing each day.

    Navigating through the information on monstrous beasts proved as perplexing as ever. There were no clear categories or labels; I had to scour through various books to find details on each type. Moreover, unlike humans, monstrous beasts encompassed different species, each with its unique cultivation path. A turtle, for instance, didn''t follow the same trajectory as a cat.

    Yet, amidst the confusion, there was a glimmer of hope. Slowly, I began jotting down brief notes on each monstrous beast, organizing them neatly into a folder.

    As I rose to my feet, I flipped through the meticulously illustrated pages, admiring the fusion of words and images. My endeavor resembled a personal monster encyclopedia, a labor of love born out of sheer fasci

    However, this book served merely as a pastime, a distraction from the complexities of sensing my own Qi, which proved more daunting than anticipated.

    Descending the stairs, I approached the librarian and inquired, "Any advice on cultivation or breaking through to Qi Gathering?"

    Fortunately, the old goat wasn''t present to interject with his usual quips. Though not inclined to entertain my questions, the librarian was nonetheless a reliable source of knowledge.

    "You''ve posed this question before; there''s little more I can offer. While you''re already halfway into Qi Gathering, forcing a breakthrough isn''t doable," he reiterated, echoing the same counsel he''d given for the past few days. "Based on your talent alone, the odds of breaking into Qi Gathering are fifty-fifty. However, I believe you''ve overcome the most important obstacle. Now, you must allow it to unfold naturally, without undue pressure."

    "Then how does one go about breaking through to Qi Gathering?" I inquired.

    The librarian shrugged nonchalantly. "Typically, one would acquire a Qi Sensing Pill to aid in sensing Qi, but it''s rather useless for you."

    Oh, well...

    Just as I was about to concede to his assessment, an idea struck me. "Where would I get Qi Sensing Pills?"

    "If you''re asking where to discreetly obtain Qi Sensing Pills without drawing attention or hindering your breakthrough, let''s just say I have a few sources," the librarian stated matter-of-factly.

    I didn''t have to voice my thoughts to understand what I was thinking about. Clearly, the librarian knew me well. During these moments, his intelligence and skill at reading people became obvious.

    "Qi is a personal journey, a path of self-discovery," the librarian mused philosophically, launching into his third such discourse of the week. It wasn''t too bothersome.

    While his theory held some merit, I couldn''t help but doubt its universality. I''d recently encountered someone who had found profound self-awareness through caring for his daughter rather than pursuing extraordinary cultivation.

    Between the librarian''s perspective, Song Song''s unconventional wisdom, and the arrogance of young masters, it seemed everyone had their unique approach to cultivation.

    "Stop trying to rationalize everything, you brat," the old goat suddenly interjected, pointing his cane at me with a toothless grin. "Sometimes, understanding lies in accepting that you understand nothing. The world and cultivation itself are both filled with irrationality."

    There may have been no singular correct path to cultivation. Maybe everyone followed what felt right. I realized I was overanalyzing it; reaching the Qi Gathering realm could only signify a new level of power, nothing more, nothing less.

    "Also, brat, could you stop leaving your books and notes in my secret chamber? Nobody even comes to the second floor, and even if they did, nobody would touch your shoddy notes," the old goat sighed, shaking his head like a disappointed father.

    Despite his words, I intended to continue my habits. If this old goat had taught me anything, it was to prioritize my convenience, regardless of inconvenience to others.

    "You could rearrange some of your tea sacks, and you''d have plenty of room," I suggested casually, then turned to the librarian.

    Before I could speak further, the old man sighed and stood up. "Well, time to retreat to my room and ''accidentally'' spill some tea on your papers."

    I turned towards him, engaging in an intense stare-down before conceding, "I apologize for my earlier remarks. I''ve changed since then."

    "You literally said that less than a minute ago," he pointed out.

    "A minute ago is still the past, and people can change. And you mentioned spilling tea ''accidentally'' when we both knew it wouldn''t be accidental. But I thought we agreed not to call each other out on our bullshit," I countered.

    Another silent understanding passed between us, and we resumed our conversation as if nothing had occurred. The librarian observed us, clearly puzzled by our dynamic. It was surprising that he hadn''t caught on by now, but I couldn''t blame him; we did act rather peculiarly.

    "So, anything new on your end?" the old man inquired, taking a sip from a teacup he conjured seemingly out of thin air.

    It was somewhat predictable for there to be a test here. Given the age of the building, clichd challenges were to be expected.

    Attempting to retreat, I found myself stuck in place once more. This array was formidable, and illusionary arrays weren''t typically so overtly powerful.

    As I prepared to take a deep breath to calm myself, I noticed something peculiarI wasn''t breathing.

    No matter how hard I tried, I didn''t feel the air entering my lungs, and even the absence of breathing didn''t cause discomfort.

    I realized my mistake. This wasn''t an illusionary array or a harmful one. It was an array designed to accelerate thoughts, causing my mind to outpace my body. The darkness compounded the effect, leading to hallucinations of my actions. My nervous system was thrown off, and my senses were inundated with distorted stimuli.

    Despite understanding what was happening, there was little I could do.

    Strangely, I felt excitement at the prospect of solving this puzzle. While I typically avoided danger, this challenge appealed to me. I persisted, attempting to regain control.

    With each attempt, I slowed my movements until finally, after numerous tries, my left pinky twitched, indicating a brief synchronization of body and mind.

    After several more attempts, I regained control of my right knee, and my right foot moved to the second step. At that moment, it felt as though something had snapped, and the shadowy grip around me dissipated.

    The remainder of the ascent was uneventful, leading me to what appeared to be an underground cave.

    What?...

    Was this yet another illusion?

    As I ventured further, there were no strange sensations, and everything appeared real. I proceeded through the cave until I encountered what could only be described as a tsunami-sized shelf overflowing with books. Books littered the ground, and as I looked up, I noticed more shelves embedded into the walls, all filled with books.

    Gazing at this unbelievable sight, I immediately categorized it as an illusion. It seemed beyond the scope of anything I could sense; even my Qi perception was deceived. This vast expanse couldn''t possibly be part of the library; it felt more like we were in a cavern.

    "The same array used here is similar to storage rings, albeit modified to suit this space," a deep voice interrupted my thoughts.

    Turning around, I was met with a strange chimera-like creaturea fusion of an owl and a human. Its humanoid body featured large claw-like legs, its brown feathery head resembled an owl, and its hands were human, adorned in a golden-laced black shirt.

    It must be a monstrous beast if this wasn''t a human engaging in eccentric cosplay. Only Nascent Soul Realm monstrous beasts could assume human form. I quickly bowed my head, clasping my palm with my fist, and spoke, "Liu Feng greets the honorable senior."

    Though I couldn''t detect the Qi emissions one would expect typical of a Nascent Soul Cultivator, someone of such power could undoubtedly conceal their aura from my modest senses.

    Or perhaps this was how all Nascent Soul Cultivators felt?

    "I might be older, but that doesn''t necessarily make me your senior. I only gained this rough human form because of a pill. At best, I was a mere experiment," he explained, shaking his head. "Anyway, I''m Mao, the guardian of the third floor. However, my duties often extend beyond that. Think of it as while the librarian is supposed to keep an eye on the disciples, I keep an eye on the librarian for any signs of corruption. Thankfully, this last guy is stricter than me, so there hasn''t been much work to do."

    "Oh," was all I could muster, recalling the times the librarian had shown favoritism towards me, even if it could be considered corrupt.

    "It has been fifteen years since someone has come to the third floor, so having you here is quite an exciting development for me," Mao remarked, his steps executed with an air of anticipation as he walked towards the shelves.

    He seemed genuinely thrilled to have someone to converse with, and I was eager to hear more about this hidden floor. Before delving further, I inquired, "How many books are here? Are there any technique books, or are they all theoretical?"

    "Well, technically, this is the last floor of the library. In truth, this floor didn''t even exist until one of the least talented disciples of the Blazing Sun Immortal decided to dedicate his life''s work to it. Many talented disciples after him have converted Mortal Grade Techniques into Earth Grade Techniques and left their findings here," Mao explained. "However, nowadays, most consider it a waste of space since it requires a highly skilled Array Conjurer to keep these arrays active and regularly maintained."

    So that''s why the librarian worked here, and likely all the librarians before him were Array Masters.

    Surveying the vast collection, I felt a twinge of despair knowing I wouldn''t be able to read all these books in ten lifetimes. I had yet to scratch the surface of the books on the first floor and had only selected those that intrigued me on the second floor.

    Yet, amidst the overwhelming abundance, a sense of contentment washed over me. Despite the impossibility of reading every book, I found solace in knowing that this library held enough material to captivate me for a lifetime.

    It was like discovering a new genre of books you absolutely loved, and learning there were many books of the same genre.

 Chapter 68: A Day in the Life of a Nerd!

    Chapter 68: A Day in the Life of a Nerd!

    The books on the third floor differed significantly from those on the other two floors. While technically containing more valuable information, they also harbored numerous theories devoid of factual evidence.

    I found myself engrossed in a book discussing a theory known as the Fate Theory. However, I opted to simplify its name for ease of remembrance. It delved into the concept of three wills governing the world, one of which was visible while the other two remained invisible.

    The first will was the most apparentthe will of man. Through their actions, humans and other living beings could shape their surroundings, sometimes irreversibly. This will was observable to even the layperson, encompassing desires for freedom from mortal constraints, which cultivation sought to achieve.

    The second will was the will of the heavens, a theoretical notion suggesting that heavenly forces might impede human progress beyond a certain point of cultivation and prevent them from entering the celestial realm.

    Had the theorist consulted with immortals, he might have gained insights to verify his conjecture. However, lacking such encounters, he formulated his theory based on observations. If his conjecture proved accurate, he would indeed be a remarkable genius.

    The book postulated a logical conflict between the wills of Heaven and Manthe former representing predetermined fate while the latter embodied individual free will.

    The third will was the Will of the Earth, a regulating force that maintained balance and favored regression to natural states. The author posited that this will prevented unnatural things like the resurrection of the dead.

    Although I harbored doubts about the latter assertion, I remained open-minded. My own unnatural experiences had broadened my perspectives, rendering me receptive to diverse possibilities.

    What drew me to this book was the attempt to rationalize fate despite its heavily skewed and unproven nature, with a significant chance of being entirely erroneous.

    I entertained the notion that individuals blessed by the heavens might possess an unnatural fate, replete with riches and opportunities, yet countered by the balancing force of the earth, which interjected misfortunes into their lives.

    This framework was my closest approximation to understanding the enigmatic Hu Jina figure seemingly entwined with both fortune and disaster.

    "You''re delving into the musings of a lunatic?" Mao, the owl humanoid, interjected, his inscrutable owl visage betraying little emotion as he fixed his cold gaze upon me. "I knew the author of that tome. He rambled about bizarre notions, haunted by echoes of disasters from a century past. Despite his fervent efforts, the sole copy of his work, ensconced within this library, became his legacy before he leaped from out of a window on this very floor."

    I scanned the cavernous confines around us. "There''s a window here?"

    Mao''s confusion was palpable as he tilted his head. "You''re fixated on the window? Even after hearing about a man''s tragic death?"

    "There''s little merit in pondering the dead," I replied nonchalantly. "Only he knew the reasons behind his fateful leap. Speculating about his demise serves no purpose. It seems you''re as puzzled by his death as I am."

    I refrained from insinuating any foul play in the man''s demise, wary of implicating Mao. After all, I had no desire to meet a similar fatestabbed in the back and tumbling out a window, whether by accident or design.

    Turning my attention back to the book, I noted its peculiar appearance: a cover reminiscent of stretched skin adorned with red ink and curious splatters that bore resemblance to blood. Though the thought of human skin covering such a tome seemed improbable, I doubted the sect would harbor such macabre artifacts in their library.

    Closing the book, I returned it to its rightful place and turned my attention back to the owl-like figure. "So, about that window?"

    Regardless of whether the book merely contained the ravings of a madman, the author possessed a unique perspective worth considering.

    "This place does indeed have windows... for those who know where to find them," the owl man replied cryptically before departing.

    I watched him go, noting subtle differences in his demeanor compared to our initial encounter. There might be multiple individuals like him. After all, Mao had referred to himself as a failed experiment, implying the existence of others subjected to similar transformationsif such experiments had indeed taken place.

    Engaged in a flurry of theories, I maintained a composed exterior, much like my contingency plans in the event of the sect''s downfall. With Hu Jin around, I had prepared for certain things that might come to pass.

    Surveying the shelves, my gaze settled on a small pile of books in a cornermy acquisitions from previous visits. These volumes purportedly contained Earth Grade Techniques, surpassing the potency of mundane Mortal Grade Techniques found on the lower floors.

    However, not all Earth Grade Techniques proved practical. Many were unfinished, arduous to master, or carried dire consequences. Moreover, each tome hinted at a mysterious element known as a ''Trace,'' essential for their completion.

    Despite exhaustive searches, the elusive Trace remained undiscovered within the library''s vast expanse. While the prospect of uncovering it independently held allure, I harbored no qualms about wasting too much time on this. After all, this library had enough books to last multiple lifetimes. I might never be able to find a specific thing; this was not Google.

    When it came to these things, there was no shame in asking for help.

    "What exactly is this Trace phenomenon?" I inquired, hoping for clarification. "Some passages in these books suggest that a technique is only considered half-Earth Grade without it."

    The owl sighed, pivoting back toward me and approaching until he was within a couple of feet. Seating himself cross-legged, he rested his feathery head on one palm, elbow propped on his leg.

    "A Trace occurs in perhaps one out of a thousand perfectly executed techniques, and even then, it''s a tentative concept," he explained, scratching his beak before elaborating further. "It involves someone performing a Trace to demonstrate a technique''s potential, confirming its classification as an Earth Grade technique."

    Though unconventional, the requirement for a Trace revealed the perceived weakness of these techniques compared to conventional Earth Grade ones. They were the rejects, although some were still good despite their classification.

    Turning to a stack of books nearby, I retrieved a specific green tome titled ''Piercing Gaze.'' It contained a technique capable of inducing headaches in those who met my gaze. However, anyone skilled in Qi manipulation could mitigate its effectiveness, rendering it impractical for widespread use.

    Most techniques housed on the third floor were advanced iterations of Mortal Grade techniques, refined over time by talented practitioners to almost be as strong as Earth Grade techniques but lacking the elusive Trace.

    Mao''s explanation of the Trace phenomenon was somewhat evasive, cloaked in verbose language that left the precise nature of a Trace unclear. Nevertheless, it seemed to be a discernible occurrence, recognizable when witnessed.

    It was surprisingly easy to get my mind in a suitable space, and my senses expanded as a bead of sweat rolled down my brow.

    I was actively controlling the range of my Qi senses... just two more things, and I would break through. I could do it right now.

    Yes, this was it. I truly felt a breakthrough right now! Almost there!

    "Dancing Jade Armour," I muttered under my breath and clapped my hands.

    One of the weaknesses of this technique was that I had to keep my hands clapped when activating it. It was quite a significant drawback, especially for someone who used fist techniques. But it was something I could get rid of...

    I let go of my hands and held them by my side, smiling as the barrier stood up. However, it was technically not a barrier and was more of a jade-like construct.

    Yeah, I could feel it now. It was so clear before, the Qi inside me. There was no way to move it; I had no experience with that. But when using arrays, I knew how my words, hand seals, and rituals could nudge the Qi around the world to form certain things.

    So I had to try and nudge my Qi...

    But just as I was about to take that final step, my legs buckled, and I almost fell face-first onto the hard stone floor. I barely stopped myself from smashing my face to the ground by using my arms to hold myself up.

    "Huh, it seems like I accidentally used my own Qi instinctively," I said while slowly letting myself lay down on the cold stone floor. "If only I had a little more Qi to use."

    Damn, this kind of sucked. If I had taken a Qi Replenishing Pill before this whole thing, I would have broken through today! But then again, it wasn''t like I knew this would happen, so no use worrying about something like this.

    However, I could now sense the meager Qi moving through my body. I was literally a hair away from breaking through!

    After some time, I rested well enough to stand up, and immediately after doing so, I took out a notebook and began writing down my stats.

    Name: Liu Feng

    Age: 16 17

    Talent: C (fifty-three spirit root branches)

    Cultivation: Body Tempering (nine-star)

    Strength 8.9 9.3

    Agility 8.9 9.2

    Endurance 8.9 9.8

    Qi 0 ?

    Techniques:

    - Sonic Fang Fist (Mortal Grade)

    - Rushing Bull Step (Mortal Grade)

    - Turtle Shell Body (Mortal Grade)

    - Dancing Jade Armor (semi-Earth Grade)

    - Falling Moon Claw (Earth Grade)

    Skills:

    - Array Conjurer - Level 1 (Practitioner)

    Since my birthday passed a couple of weeks ago, I should also change my age. Birthdays were only important here if it was the tenth birthday when someone could officially begin practicing the family''s martial arts. Even then, most never celebrated such trivial things unless they were rich.

    The Qi stat was still unknown since I had created no measuring number for it and qualified what 1 in Qi would signify.

    Today was another day in my life, though it had been a bit more exciting than average. I rarely got this kind of excitement of almost breaking through.

    I turned toward the owl, who was just looking at me, and I asked. "What?"

    "N-Nothing," said the owl, looking intimidated for some reason.

 Chapter 69: He is My Disciple!

    Chapter 69: He is My Disciple!

    A soft greenish glow surrounded my hands, shimmering in and out of existence, leaving behind a tingling sensation. As I tried to keep my fists up, two spherical barriers the size of my head formed around them. No matter how much I concentrated, I wasn''t quite adept like a Qi Gathering Cultivator, where I could freely control my Qi.

    Glancing to the side, I saw the owl-like being staring at me without blinking.

    Was he curious about how I was doing this? It was much less impressive than it might appear to an outsider.

    Or perhaps he was pondering the futility of barriers around my fists since this was a martial technique and not an array, where the smaller the barrier, the stronger it was.

    "This is something I came up with in case I ever need to punch someone with poisonous skin or something like that," I explained my reasons for training in this manner.

    Well, at least that was part of the reason. Simply training for utility sounded like a chore. Also, any logical person could point out that instead of going through all this effort. I could just use a sword instead of punching someone with poisonous skin.

    But I trained this mainly because it was fun. I wanted to see how far I could push this and how similar certain defensive martial arts and barrier arrays were.

    Overall, defensive martial techniques were less versatile and didn''t grow stronger with a smaller area of effect for the barrier. Yet they were still impressive, naturally stronger than any of the level 1 arrays I had conjured until now. The martial technique''s Qi was also denser and easier to manage.

    I smashed my fists together, but they didn''t touch; the two spherical barriers collided. As they ground against each other, they created the sound of someone scratching a blackboard. In response to the noise, I just applied more force.

    Slowly, the defensive greenish glow began to crack. I used a weaker version of the technique to acclimate myself to having small barriers around my hands, but it was still quite challenging.

    Clearly, the Dancing Jade Armor was not designed for something like this at all.

    My initial plan was to have the Dancing Jade Amor form into gloves. Sadly, that was too complicated to accomplish on the first day. With only the library''s silence, the sound of the barriers breaking down around my fists resembled glass shattering.

    As shards of Qi fell to the ground and my fists finally touched, I kept staring at the green shards that began disappearing into a green mist, and then nothing.

    Despite the slow progress, I didn''t feel discouraged at all!

    If I was going to have a defensive technique, it would be quality over quantity. The least I could do was develop that one technique to be as versatile as possible. I would have to master this technique to levels none had before.

    "How is your day going?" Mao suddenly asked, breaking me out of my thoughts. His owl-like golden eyes goggled at me as if trying to see into my soul.

    Okay, he was totally acting like a weirdo here. I knew it must be confusing to communicate as a monstrous beast in human form. Imagine how weird it would be to communicate with other birds if I became a bird.

    But that didn''t mean I wouldn''t call him out on it.

    "What''s with the weird question out of nowhere?" I asked.

    "The last guy I talked to was over a decade ago," the owl said awkwardly. "Humans have weird rituals."

    So he didn''t regularly meet with the librarian? They managed the same library, so one would assume they would at least meet up more often. But that seemed not to be the case.

    "What did you want to do?" I inquired.

    "Well, I was attempting one of those weird rituals calledsmall talk. I know that it is considered rude to just immediately tell someone what you need or want," Mao said and took a breath. "I mean, to me, such things are completely alien. The reason why beings communicate is to tell someone something and convey that information about something. So talking about nothing is definitely weird."

    "How did you do it then?"

    "You mean how owls communicate?"

    "Yeah."

    "We usually just hoot when there is a predator nearby, which is a clear enough signal. I mean, we for sure don''t do the ''small talk'' thing before an eagle swoops down to kill us."

    The intricate thoughts behind owl communication were fascinating, but it wasn''t why we were here.

    "Not to be rude, but can you get to the point already?" I said.

    "I''m not the one with the weird rituals here. I mean, what if there is danger nearby? Do I have to write you a poem about nothing before warning you?" He shook his head.

    Okay, he was stuck in this small talk for a while. Should I just explain it to him?

    I was about to explain to him that there was no need to do that, as not even humans would do small talk with something dangerous nearby. However, it felt like saying such things would prolong this conversation unnecessarily. I would just tell him later about it when I had more free time.

    He had never seen Mao outside the third floor. Xin Ma had assumed that some kind of restriction array kept the monstrous beast confined there.

    "Do you know about the young man''s talents?" Mao inquired.

    Talents?Xin Ma''s mind immediately went to Liu Feng''s ability to sense Qi prematurely and his proficiency with arrays.

    Usually, he would have liked to brag a bit about his disciple. But Xin Ma knew the consequences of others learning too much about him, which is how he ended up in this position.

    "Of course, Liu Feng has his own talents. I didn''t pick him as a personal disciple for no reason," Xin Ma said vaguely, displaying a disinterested gaze, indicating that he did not find Liu Feng unique in any way. "I taught Liu Feng some minor tricks; he is my eyes and ears in places where I can''t be."

    If he had it his way, Xin Ma would never have monstrous beasts in the sect. Even one so disfigured and acting as some kind of guardian.

    Whether he could speak like a human or not, a beast was still a beast in his eyes.

    "Does this personal disciple of yours truly have fifty-three spirit roots?" the owl man asked, his worried look almost human-like. But Xin Ma dismissed such thoughts as nothing more than a pure imitation.

    A beast was and would always be just that, a monster wearing human skin.

    Xin Ma raised a questioning brow, pointing out, "Shouldn''t you be able to tell? A Foundation Establishment beas-... Cultivator like you has access to the second floor, and the third floor is your playground. Shouldn''t you be able to tell through your own access to the arrays on the third floor just how talented someone is and what cultivator they are?"

    "I just saw something crazy," Mao reasoned. "It wouldn''t be surprising if someone could hide such things from my senses."

    "Liu Feng does indeed have fifty-three spiritual roots," Xin Ma stated, unable to stop his disappointment from slipping through.

    It was such a shame. While Liu Feng''s talent was just about average for the sect. With that work ethic, intelligence, and lack of recklessness, he would undoubtedly have reached greater heights if he had just ten or twenty more spiritual roots.

    After all, despite his measly talent, Liu Feng had been able to sense Qi before even entering Qi Gathering. Imagine what he could have done with even more spiritual roots?

    Mao sighed in relief, saying, "Thank the heavens for that."

    Xin Ma immediately frowned and glared at the humanoid owl.

    This damned beast! How dare it belittle-...

    The librarian took a deep breath, calming himself down. But despite getting a tight grip on his emotions, he couldn''t let someone talk like that about his personal disciple.

    "While you are technically here to keep an eye on me and make sure I don''t allow too much corruption or get bribed by clans," Xin Ma calculated his following words carefully before spitting them out. "You should still know that the sect would do nothing if I happened to squash some useless monstrous beast. Do you think I''m going to allow you to return to the third floor after wishin'' for my disciple''s downfall?"

    "I meant nothing-"

    "How would we know that?" Xin Ma interrupted Mao, adding, "Do you intend to harm my personal disciple?"

    The air in the library grew stale and cold as Xin Ma released some of his Qi. This caused the bookshelves and table to shake while strange dark symbols crawled up the reception desk.

    Mao took a step back, frowned, and mumbled under his breath, "Master was right. Human cultivators always result in violence at the smallest inconvenience."

    But when Xin Ma did not stop, Mao raised his hands and said, "You know better than me that there are arrays in place here to stop me from acting against humans. I can''t even walk out of this building."

    Instead of confronting him or adding fuel to the fire, Mao stepped back and walked up the stairs to the upper floors.

    That should be enough of a threat.

    Xin Ma withdrew his fighting intent and calmed down. He was expecting peace and quiet after such an encounter, but that was nothing more than a dream when Shan Sha walked out behind one of the shelves.

    "It seems like the brat impressed Mao. That useless bird isn''t easily impressed," said the old man, running a hand along his goat-like beard while holding a cup of tea in his other hand. "While Liu Feng is weird, he still has some moments where his intelligence shines through."

    Xin Ma hid his smirk behind a fake cough.

    Despite Shan Sha''s only bantering with Liu Feng when they were around each other, the old goat still had a high opinion of the kid.

    But just as they were about to continue conversing, Xin Ma halted as he sensed someone walk past the arrays at the entrance.

    The library was closed at this hour. Usually, only Liu Feng came during these hours, and he was currently on the third floor.

    Who could it be?

 Chapter 70: Icy Allergies!

    Chapter 70: Icy Allergies!

    Xin Ma stared at the entrance as a young girl entered. She had skin resembling white jade, silky dark hair with a patch of white on her bangs, and a face akin to a pretty peach. Despite her beauty, something felt off about her demeanor; her silvery gaze was cold and emotionless.

    "The library is closed," Xin Ma informed her.

    "I''m here to meet Liu Feng under Song Song''s orders," she stated, casually scanning her surroundings.

    Xin Ma maintained eye contact as he discreetly activated a barrage of arrays. Despite the numerous arrays present, she seemed oblivious to any changes in Qi. Yet, Xin Ma sensed something peculiar about the young ladya Qi blockage, as if her cultivation teetered on the brink of collapse.

    "Liu Feng is currently on the third floor," Xin Ma informed her.

    Though the girl appeared rough around the edges, she posed no threat to any Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Hence, excessive caution seemed unnecessary.

    "I''ll wait for him here. I''m not keen on returning and facing Song Song''s wrath for failing to meet her favorite toy," the girl remarked coldly.

    "Kids these days growing ruder with each generation," Shang Sha interjected, drawing attention to himself.

    "My name is Ye An," she revealed.

    "Well, Ye An, you don''t strike me as someone easily intimidated," the old man remarked, sipping his tea with a smirk. "Not even by someone like Song Song."

    Ye An rolled up the sleeve of her new blue uniform, revealing a nasty scar below her elbow. "The last time I defied Song Song, refusing to comply with her orders and insisting I wasn''t her servant, she severed my arm."

    For the first time since entering the library, Ye An''s gaze wavered, hinting that the incident had affected her more deeply than she let on.

    "Though she had someone reattach my arm, she made it clear that the next time I talked back to her or questioned her orders, she would feed my arm to the dogs," Ye An stated, her breath trembling slightly as she pulled her sleeve back down.

    Immediately, Shan Sha''s expression darkened, his playful demeanor replaced by seriousness. For a moment, his elderly faade vanished, replaced by a sharp intensity in his gaze.

    "No doubt she wants to meet him," said the old man, his tone reflecting concern. It makes me wonder if sending Liu Feng to Song Song is a smart thing to do. It''s like sending a lamb into a lion''s den."

    Shan Sha kept glancing at the librarian as he spoke, signaling him to intervene.

    Even Xin Ma found himself at a loss for words. There seemed to be little choice in the matter, knowing that someone like Song Song could easily manipulate inner elders to do her bidding in order to gain favor as a future Sect Leader.

    Xin Ma removed his glasses and began wiping them with a white cloth.

    While he had only glimpsed Song Song in passing during significant events, her reputation seemed warranted. They were in a troublesome situation, and logic dictated a retreat. But this was his responsibility. He had been the one to send Liu Feng to that fateful exam, where he encountered Song Song.

    "No, she treats him alright," Ye An suddenly interjected, snapping the librarian out of his thoughts. "In fact, I''d say Song Song behaves better when he''s around."

    She walked towards the table and sat, crossing one leg over the other while leaning forward. "Without Liu Feng, Song Song compensates for her lack of leadership and personality that inspires no loyalty by resorting to violence and cruelty to keep people in line."

    Ye An had a distant look in her eyes as she spoke as if recalling something from the past. However, she quickly snapped back to reality before continuing, "The most surprising part of this whole ordeal is how many people within the inner sect actually support her."

    "Well, she''s essentially royalty within the Blazing Sun Sect, given her family''s lineage tracing back to one of the Blazing Sun Immortals'' ten wives," the old janitor remarked.

    Despite his job being technically just doing around and doing nothing, the old janitor was quite well-learned in the history of the Sect. Xin Ma had also delved into the Sect''s historical records. Still, it was evident that the history was biased, written by the winners.

    Only two direct bloodlines could be traced back to the Blazing Sun Immortal. In contrast, others had mysteriously vanished over the millennia.

    "They must be so against having someone of peasant descent as the sect leader that they''re willing to place their trust in someone unfit to lead anything more than a herd of goats," Ye An remarked, a smirk playing on her lips. "If Song Song were to ascend to the Blazing Sun Sect Leader position, it would spell doom for the Sect. She''s is grossly incompetent at anything other than fighting."

    Her bold statements reverberated through the library. Ye An''s eyes burned with intensity, indicating her determination for revenge despite her current setbacks.

    I wouldn''t take her words to heart if she wanted to insult someone, but that did not mean I wasn''t going to shoot back.

    "Since you spared my life, let me give you some advice. Song Song will absolutely bash your head in if she hears your answer," she stated matter-of-factly. "After she''s done killing me in anger, she will personally come and rip your heart out. I''ve seen her do much worse for much less."

    "I''m not necessarily worried about that," I leaned back on the wooden chair, looking at the ceiling. "I promised Song Song that I would always tell her the truth. This was the truth and my real thoughts about her offer."

    Ye An didn''t seem convinced, but she still said, "Let''s say that by some miracle, Song Song felt merciful that day and decided not to kill you. Let me remind you this is less likely than seeing a unicorn dance in the sky. But for argument''s sake, let''s say she''s feeling nice. She could just as easily pull strings from behind the scenes and have you drafted. After all, most disciples who have been here a year or longer help with the Beast Waves somehow."

    "If she decides to do so, that would be her decision, and she had better be good at hiding her trail. Because if I ever found out she pulled the strings from behind the scenes to have me drafted, our trust would be broken," I stated.

    There was an unspoken understanding between Song Song and me. We had trusted each other on blind faith more than once. Neither of us had broken their trust in the other. I would trust her with my life.

    "After that, the only thing she can trust me to become is one of her many lackeys who will backstab her whenever it is convenient for me or another stronger figure bribes me," I stated, not caring whether Ye An would tell this part to Song Song. "Despite that, I believe that Song Song would not do something like that behind my back."

    "That just shows how little you know of her," Ye An shook her head.

    No, that showed just how little everyone else knew Song Song.

    She had saved my life more than once. So either way, I owed it to her to at least not lie.

    I was just some regular guy with everyday fears and insecurities. I would rather not get drafted into some horrific defensive battle against literal monsters. If Song Song wanted some brave young man who valued his life so little they were willing to put it in line for her without questioning her decisions, then she was barking up the wrong tree, and no doubt Song Song was smart enough to figure out something like this by now.

    Ye An kept staring at me as if expecting me to change my answer.

    In response, I just shook my head and doubled down, Tell Song Song I appreciate the offer. But I would rather sit this war out.

    Ye An shrugged and stood up from her chair. She turned toward the exit and walked out without saying a word.

    Clearly, the jade-like beauty was not pleased by my response. Whatever Song Song had done to get this chick so obedient could not have been pretty. But I was about 70% sure that Song Song would not take this personally. Also, she should find better advisors than me and inspire loyalty on her own instead of relying on someone whose strategic knowledge came from YouTube videos.

    I turned toward the librarian and the old man sitting on the corner of the table. The old goat looked at me bewildered, How did a bookworm like you get involved with such dangerous women? You barely even go outside.

    I shrugged in response and turned toward the librarian, Anyway, do you know anything about the owl on the third floor, or is he some kind of evil spirit who has been haunting me all along?

    He was the pet of the guy who made this library. Some experiments caused him to end up like that. So, no, he is not some evil spirit, said the librarian.

    Oh, okay. So, the worst-case scenario of Mao being an evil spirit was not something to worry about.

    Though you should be careful around him. His master was known to be one of the Blazing Sun Immortals many sons, but he was also known to be insane. Even though one might assume that he liked books since he created this library, he never had the talent to grow much as a cultivator, despite who his father was. His only legacy is a book about some mad ramblings about wills and fate. Then he threw himself off a window, the librarian said. I have been preparing for the owl to one day break, show his true colors, and finally take him down for good.

    Oh that guy sounded a lot like the so-called madman who wrote the book about the wills of heaven, earth, and man. It seemed like Mao had a deeper connection to the book than he had first let on.

    The book stated that the author never met an immortal, which was one of the stumbling points in my theory. After all, if his father was an immortal, could a son never really meet his father when they were both living in the same Sect?

    The Blazing Sun Immortal had ten wives and countless concubines throughout his long life and likely hundreds of children. So, it wasnt like there was no chance he would never meet his father, especially when he lacked the talent to draw any attention, even from his own father.

    Now that I thought about it, it was suspicious that only two families could be traced to be direct descendants of the Blazing Sun Immortal when he had a harem of women and so many kids. Also, the guy who made this library threw himself off the tower perhaps

    Oops, it seemed like I just stumbled on another possible conspiracy within the Sect. This was the second one, and I would act like I knew nothing about it, just like the first one. I was just another bookworm here to read and knew nothing about grand conspiracies.

    Well, none of this mattered to me, and I did not want to get involved in any way.

    I was here to cultivate and learn cool techniques, not to get involved in political bullshit.

 Chapter 71: A Wave in the Distance…

    Chapter 71: A Wave in the Distance...

    Days passed since Ye An came around with her crazy suggestion, and soon enough, my life returned to normal.

    Climbing up the stairs and reaching the second floor, I immediately went to the third floor. A weightless feeling washed over me as I walked past the array. Unlike the first time, no illusion arrays or anything else tried to stop me.

    Once again, I found myself on the third floor, seemingly alone. I couldn''t shake the suspicion that Mao was lurking in some dark corner, just watching me creepily. I had yet to speak to him since our initial conversation.

    This time, however, I had Speedy in my hands, and the little guy swung his legs around as if trying to walk on air.

    But despite his apparent excitement to explore, as soon as I put Speedy on the ground, he immediately laid down and retreated into his shell.

    Did he just fall asleep?

    "You really are a dramatic turtle," I crouched and tapped his shell.

    He popped his head out and looked at me curiously as I grabbed a bone-white pill the size of a pinky''s nail. Speedy eyed it suspiciously before extending his head and munching on the pill.

    "You know, you shouldn''t get in the habit of trusting anyone who hands you strange things," I warned Speedy.

    Initially, the turtle had been quite reluctant to eat pills, and I usually crushed them for him. But I really hoped he wouldn''t become like one of those dogs who accepted snacks from anyone. People in this world could be pretty diabolical.

    Having the librarian discreetly buy these for me was the epitome of having my cake and eating it.

    Letting the little guy sleep, I walked toward the shelf and picked a book on one technique resembling Dancing Jade Armour. I wasn''t planning to train in this new technique, as it would be a waste of time, but it seemed like a good comparison and might spark some ideas.

    Dancing Jade Armour, while boasting an extremely high defensive capability when used correctly, had crippling drawbacks in any fight. So, I had to ensure a slow unraveling and development of the technique to reach a true Earth Grade level, retaining its positives while eliminating as many negative factors as possible.

    Closing my eyes momentarily, I attempted to sense Mao, but anything beyond twenty feet was too convoluted to perceive. This was not due to my lack of Qi senses but the numerous arrays saturating the third floor. They filled the space with so much Qi that it felt like trying to peek through a dense mist.

    "Mao, don''t eat the sleeping turtle. He''s a friendly guy, and his name is Speedy," I declared aloud.

    Mao rarely left the third floor, and thus far, I''d only caught glimpses of him staring at me creepily. He should have heard my request.

    By now, he had likely honed his skills to the point where I couldn''t see him anymore, but he was likely lurking nearby, observing me.

    Navigating the cave-like third floor, I felt as though the walls were shifting as I moved, accompanied by strange clicking sounds and a soft breeze tousling my hair.

    Though my understanding of arrays was modest, the shifting patterns and moving walls indicated some form of sentient design. It was as if the library possessed its own subconsciousness.

    This place''s creator was undoubtedly talented.

    However, there was still a discernible predetermined sequence of changes in the walls. Unlike mobile puzzle games, this one proved relatively easy to solve, and soon, I found myself back in the main library area without getting lost on the intricate cave pathways.

    Returning the book to its rightful place, I ensured Speedy slept soundly.

    "Where might a place like this have a window?" I mused aloud.

    This was an intriguing puzzle, likely holding a reward at its conclusion. Even though I had never met the individual who constructed this place and knew little about them. Yet, the design of the third floor alone spoke volumes about their character.

    He was a puzzle enthusiast and enjoyed treasure hunts, so there had to be some reward if I could decipher the library''s third-floor layout. Or the guy could also be a prankster. But that was more unlikely.

    However, for the moment, I had no time to delve into such pursuits. Scooping up Speedy, who was not so little anymore but had grown to the size of a football, I descended the stairs and left him on the second floor. Despite his change in size, his sleeping habits remained unchanged.

    After settling Speedy on the second floor, I descended the stairs. It was still daylight, so some disciples lingered around. Paying them little mind, I exited the library, basking in the warmth of the sunlight on my face.

    I scanned the surroundings, straining my eyes to discern anything I couldn''t sense.

    Nervously, the twins assumed fighting stances.

    "Darn it, I accidentally stumbled into your sensory range," came a familiar voice as Ye An emerged from behind a tree. "Since when did your sensory abilities improve so much?"

    Before responding to her, I turned to the twins and gestured for them to depart. "You two can leave now. I have matters to attend to."

    They nodded understandingly, though their expressions betrayed their suspicions toward Ye An as they departed.

    As they ran off, Ye An''s gaze lingered on their retreating figures, "I didn''t realize you had relatives in the outer sect."

    "One learns something new every day," I replied with feigned astonishment. "Now, why are you following me?"

    I harbored no trust for her. Was her intrusion into my sensory range genuine or a deliberate ploy? It was plausible that her internal Qi, in disarray, had weakened her sixth sense. However, it was equally plausible that she intended to be discovered.

    "Well, I wasn''t actually following you. I have better things to do, and if I were tailing someone, it would likely be for more sinister purposes," Ye An clarified before addressing the main issue. "Anyway, Song Song reacted strangely when I delivered your message. She actually laughed... and it wasn''t one of her usual eerie laughs."

    I nodded, scrutinizing her, expecting her departure at any moment. Yet she lingered as if anticipating something from me.

    "What? Do you have anything else to say?" I prompted.

    "Well, I''m not supposed to mention this, but Song Song urged me to persuade you by any means necessary. I''m pretty sure she hinted at using my charms for that purpose," she remarked matter-of-factly.

    "Just to be clear, that won''t work," I interjected firmly.

    "I know, so I''m trying to think of another way to persuade you to join. Can you give me some space? Song Song didn''t make it easy with all her conditions either, so I actually have to put in some effort here," she muttered, cursing under her breath. "I''ll make sure to settle the score with her once I regain my cultivation."

    "Wow, you two seem to get along famously," I remarked sarcastically.

    But Ye An made no indication of even hearing me. Instead, she locked her gaze with mine and asked, "So, is it working?"

    "No?" I sighed, rubbing the back of my head. "What are you even talking about?"

    The situation was getting increasingly awkward.

    "According to Song Song, maintaining eye contact can seduce a man. Even a fleeting glance from a beautiful woman can reduce men to acting like dogs. And I know I''m absolutely beautiful," she explained.

    She was clearly humble, too.

    "Well, staring at someone is just creepy," I pointed out.

    It felt doubly unsettling when someone who had previously attempted to kill me continued to gaze at me so coldly.

    Song Song teaching Ye An about romance was akin to a fish teaching an octopus how to breathe. While both girls were physically attractive, they seemed clueless about human interaction.

    Furthermore, I couldn''t shake the suspicion that Song Song might have simply sent Ye An my way to torment her for amusement.

    "I see," Ye An nodded. "Then I''ll have to try another approach to convince you. Luckily, Song Song has given me until we depart for the Beast Wave to figure something out."

    With that, she turned on her heel and began walking away. I watched her retreating figure, left with more questions than answers. It felt as though I were caught in some bizarre fever dream. Witnessing people so oblivious to the intricacies of human behavior was disconcerting.

    Despite my frequent visits to the library, I remained keenly aware of the preparations underway to combat the monstrous beasts. This was an annual occurrence, with the beasts venturing out during the cold weather in search of prey. Usually, it was manageable.

    However, with the presence of a particular red-haired individual this time, I couldn''t help but wonder how different the upcoming Beast Wave would be compared to previous ones.

 Chapter 72: No Right Choice for Righteous Men

    Chapter 72: No Right Choice for Righteous Men

    "Why are you bringing this to the second floor?" asked the old goat as I carried two green jades the size of my head down the stairs.

    Shan Sha stared at me, sipping his tea while pointing his cane at my chest.

    "Well, the owl upstairs just keeps staring at me, and it''s a bit unnerving. Also, I don''t want to train in a place where I feel nervous, especially as I''m in some critical stages of my training," I explained, putting down the two jades and sitting in a meditative position between them.

    The old man took this as a chance to slurp his tea loudly, and I stared at him as he did so. He continued without an ounce of shame.

    "What? Now that you no longer have the owl staring at you, I will be staring instead," he declared.

    He was doing this to annoy me and for no other reason. So, instead of falling for his bait, I closed my eyes and concentrated intensely as the two jades next to me began shining brighter.

    "What kind of training is that?" he asked.

    I didn''t bother to open my eyes and just explained, "I need these to gather the Qi needed to activate my new technique. Think of it as a crutch, allowing me to use the technique at higher levels than normal, and then I can retrace those steps with my normal Qi."

    "Are you into Qi Gathering yet?"

    "No, but I can somewhat move my Qi," I explained. "Now, can you stop talking? I''m trying to concentrate on this. I think I''m pretty close to being able to use this technique freely and without the need to use the jades to gather Qi."

    "That''s a weird technique," the old goat commented as if he hadn''t even heard the part where I asked him to be quiet. "Why do you always pick up weird techniques? Also, wouldn''t it be easier to carry your jades around when using your technique?"

    "That''s not how this technique works, and even if it did, do you think carrying jade on my shoulders sounds convenient in a fight?" I bit back.

    "Who said anything about carrying them on your shoulders? You could just as easily use a storage ring and store them," he smiled.

    My eyes closed, but I could sense that he was smiling by how he said those words. He did this kind of thing when he was leading someone to a certain point he wanted to make.

    "Do I look like I''m made of money? Where would I even get a storage ring?" I was concentrating on training my Dancing Jade Amour technique to come up with witty comebacks.

    "You could always ask Song Song. There are rumors that the two of you are close," he said in the last part, with a deep tone in his voice that gave the word a double meaning.

    I immediately opened my eyes and frowned at the old goat. "What''s that supposed to mean?"

    "I think you already know what that means," he smirked deviously, enjoying the show while smugly sipping his tea. "People have been talking. People have eyes, and even I was there looking at you from a distance when you and Song Song met for the first time."

    "Are you suggesting that Song Song and I are in a relationship?"

    "Oh, no. I know you are too much of a shut-in to charm a woman like that. I doubt someone like Song Song can even be charmed," he snickered, looking me in the eyes and pointing his cane at my face. "Also, don''t get something mixed up, brat. You''re nowhere near the same social standing as her to even qualify to be her partner. At best, you would be her boy toy."

    "Do cultivators have nothing better to do than babble about other people''s business?" I sighed, closing my eyes again to focus on practicing Dancing Jade Armour. "Also, just to clarify, my relationship with Song Song is nothing less or more than simply professional. I would even go as far as to call her a friend, though there have been times when she doesn''t act like one. But at the end of the day, people should learn to keep their mouths shut and mind their business."

    "Hey, don''t worry too much about it," the old man reassured me, though I could feel the teasing smirk on his face. "Though this story might have gained more traction if it wasn''t for that red-haired youngster causing trouble everywhere. I just want to advise you to take advantage of these rumors. They won''t go away, and nobody will believe you if you refute them, so it is best to use them. While people might be willing to mess with her potential advisor, even if only to weaken her base since there is only so much someone can sacrifice to take revenge for a servant."

    I waited for the old man to continue, and he did after taking another sip. The clicking sound of him putting his teacup down rang out, "But if you''re known as her secret lover or boy toy, then people wouldn''t dare touch you. Because then there was a chance that Song Song might act illogically and be willing to sacrifice anything to take revenge."

    From a certain perspective, his idea was sound. It was the kind of high-level scheming I would expect from someone who survived for so long in the Sect.

    "No," I stated loudly and clearly before Shan Sha could spew any more of his ideas. "I would not disrespect Song Song like that. After all, if she were to one day find a good fianc, I doubt he would like this unknown boyfriend to be around her all the time, especially when there is a perceived history and rumors between us two."

    I did not want to be the guy friend a girl told her boyfriend not to worry about. Not only would I not do something like that on Earth, but here it was a hundred times more of a reason not to. Some people could easily kill me, and I doubted Song Song''s future fianc would lack the political power to have me executed.

    Also, betraying my future fiance like this was just asking for her to embark on some long revenge arc. I understood nothing about how someone favored from the heavens like the red-haired guy came to be. It could be because certain events aligned, and I did not want to do anything like that.

    I was thinking more long-term than just what was beneficial right now.

    I looked around for a certain someone and easily found him. Unlike everyone here, the guy I was looking for was fat as heck. His fat jiggled around under his wide uniform as he threw a punch.

    It was quite a comedic sight, but I held my tongue.

    As I approached Yang Cho, who no longer had his muscular body, a round of sniggers stopped me in my tracks, and I turned toward the source.

    It was just some normal-looking disciples exchanging whispers between each other and snickering while looking at Yang Cho.

    To some degree, I understood why they were laughing. Perhaps if I were an outsider, a chuckle would have also slipped out and I would have done the same as them.

    But this was my friend. This was unacceptable...

    Closing my eyes, I felt the simmer of Qi inside myself, and with a heavy nudge, the Qi bubbled up. I was almost there...

    I recalled a certain event, of how the large serpent I had met had caused me to freeze in place with its presence. Though I had no such presence, theoretically, I should be able to imitate it.

    Though I had no control over my Qi, I was still skilled enough to open the dam gates and have it burst out like a tidal wave. Then I filled that tidal wave with every negative emotion possible and tried to think of my worst memories.

    Times when I wanted to hit my manager for talking to me like I was a nobody, that time I wanted to kill Ye An for attempting to murder me. That one inner disciple who came and disturbed my peace.

    I wanted to kill them all!

    All manner of malice and negative emotions burst through me as Qi mixed with negative emotions burst out, and everyone around me stopped moving.

    The people I was targeting seemed to have caught the most of it, as they immediately stopped laughing at Yang Cho and turned toward me. At first, there was a trace of fear behind their gaze, but whether it was due to stupid bravado or bravery, they somehow regained their senses and frowned.

    As expected, an imitation of something the snake monstrous beast had done naturally was just that... a poor imitation. This was a poor version of something like Killing Intent. Still, it was not quite there, mostly because I lacked the necessary experience to build something into it.

    One of the people in the group who had been snickering at Yang Cho took a step toward me. He looked ready for a fight, but one of his friends put a hand on his shoulder and whispered something in his ear. That caused the guy to lose all the momentum of the fighting spirit he had built up, and he no longer even looked at me. Instead, he stared at the ground and tried to make himself less visible.

    Even though I likely wouldn''t have lost in a fight against him, Song Song''s guardianship seemed to protect me from more than inner disciples or outer elders.

    "Yo! Liu Feng, what''re you doing all the way here?" Yang Cho called out to me with a wide smile.

    Deciding not to ruin the mood, I smiled back and walked toward my chubby friend. As I got closer, it felt like Yang Cho had somehow grown taller and even fatter than when I met him.

    "It''s rare to see you outside of the library these days," Yang Cho said as he sat down on the pavement floor, taking a breather. "Nowadays, people have been busier than usual, if you haven''t noticed. We are getting closer to the Beast Wave each day, and any day, the names of those conscripted will be announced."

    Despite whether they were going to be picked or not, everyone who had been in the Sect for two years or more was likely training. I should be doing that, too, and there was no room for small talk or secretive meetings in a place like this.

    Instead, I went straight to the point and whispered to him, "Don''t question this. But if Hu Jin is still in the Sect when the Beast Wave comes around, you should immediately leave even if you aren''t drafted. Take my cousins with you too, if you can. They''re good kids."

    Yang Cho''s smile slipped off his face, and he nodded without asking questions. Soon after, the smile returned, and he began telling me the usual gossip he had overheard in the Sect.

    "By the way, did you know that Hu Jin defeated an inner sect disciple and actually crippled the guy''s cultivation?" Yang Cho stated. "Now an inner elder demands reparations, and Hu Jin is imprisoned."

    It was just another of the usual shenanigans that Hu Jin had been involved in since he came here. This was just another piece of gossip...

    But this one came with another terrifying realization.

    There was actually a good chance that Hu Jin would also be deployed if one of the many people he pissed off since coming here decided to pull some strings from behind the scenes. It could likely be some kind of ploy to kill Hu Jin. But I was willing to bet everything I owned that Hu Jin would only become stronger after the ordeal.

    "Fuck," I cursed under my breath, now having a hard time keeping my emotions under control.

    In this case, both outside and inside of the Sect had the potential to mess things up.

    Was there any right choice in this mess?

 Chapter 73: An Encyclopedia of Monsters

    Chapter 73: An Encyclopedia of Monsters

    I settled onto the stone base on the library''s third floor, stitching together a thick binder of pages and a rugged leather cover. Making a book from scratch was tedious, especially when it was as thick as this, and I had to sew the pages together.

    I smiled as I examined the book''s dark cover, adorned with the inscription:

    An Encyclopedia of Monsters by Liu Feng.

    But despite the momentary satisfaction of finally completing my side hobby, my thoughts still lingered on what my chubby friend had told me about Hu Jin.

    There was a pattern of events I couldn''t see, but strangely, I could sense something big coming soon. Perhaps I was just being paranoid, and the xianxia novels I read in my last life were twisting my senses.

    But if what I feared came to pass, and Hu Jin stayed in the Sect. For something to cause trouble for the Sect, the creature would have to be at least at the level of a Nascent Soul Cultivator. Otherwise, it would perish before reaching the Sect''s outer barrier.

    A Nascent Soul Beast attacking the Sect while I was here would make this place unsafe! I would get squashed like a bug, perhaps literally. I had no idea precisely how monstrously strong a Nascent Soul Cultivator was.

    There was a 50% chance I would make the wrong choice, like flipping a coin. However, I still couldn''t dismiss the possibility that I might be overreacting, but I pushed that thought aside for now.

    If I took too long to decide, Song Song would set off on her own. She would likely defend one of the big cities with her position while the elders and upper echelons remained at the Sect. That was usually the case.

    Journeying in winter, when animals preyed on humans and danger filled the roads, I would likely die chasing after Song Song once she left.

    Ultimately, the decision wasn''t about gambling on a fight-fifty chance but choosing the path with the least danger. In this case, it would be best to venture outside. Even if Hu Jin was nearby, he would have to confront his own challenges. Which hopefully won''t be a Nascent Soul creature. I cared little whether he obtained a random power-up; he would deal with these things on his own.

    Unfairness existed even on earth. Some were born into wealth, while others toiled endlessly, with no chance of ever closing the wealth gap even if they worked tirelessly for the rest of their lives.

    With that in mind, I harbored no jealousy or hatred towards Hu Jin as long as his problems didn''t intrude upon my life.

    Considering we were outside the threat level needed to trouble Hu Jin, it didn''t have to be a Nascent Soul Monster. Even if Hu Jin chose to stay behind, I''d be far enough away to be unaffected, even if the Blazing Sun Sect vanished upon my return.

    Rather than a coin toss, I preferred a logical, safer choice. Plus, I held some sway with Song Song. If Hu Jin somehow ended up in our group, I could arrange for him to join another team.

    My decision was made, and I would go with Song Song. Now, I just needed to make it seem natural. Explaining my theories would be a hassle; she''d probably think I was crazy. However, that didn''t necessarily mean I had to lie.

    How should I explain something like this to her?

    I rushed downstairs, finding Ye An effortlessly on the first floor, engrossed in an untitled book, likely from her storage ring.

    Before I could speak, she turned to me. "Finally, you''re here. Since I''m stuck with you, I''ve been brainstorming ways to put you to use."

    "If it''s too much, I''ll pass," I replied promptly.

    Only one woman could be so blunt about her intentions and still command my attention: Song Song. But Ye An occupied the opposite end of the friendship spectrum compared to her.

    "Anyway," she continued, unfazed by my remarks. "Have you seen any books about Extreme Physiques?"

    Extreme Physiques? That condition arose when someone possessed more than a hundred spirit roots.

    Suddenly, it all made sense. No wonder she was in such a hurry...

    I quickly withdrew my hand, a bead of sweat trickling down my forehead. "I see, so that''s how you''re likely to explode when the time comesbecause you have too many spirit roots."

    Despite the situation, I had gleaned something new: individuals with Extreme Physiques could somehow increase the number of their spirit roots, which wasn''t a boon in their case.

    "Your sensory abilities are truly remarkable," she remarked. "It seems you''ve improved even further."

    "You could say that. Also, I''m incredibly envious of your spirit roots. How many do you have now?" I inquired, massaging my forehead to ease the migraine from the influx of information.

    What a peculiar sensation. Yet, oddly enough, I found it somewhat exhilarating. Though Ye An''s condition was exceedingly rare and seemingly devoid of practical knowledge, it held a strange allure.

    "I''d estimate close to a hundred and sixty spirit roots," she replied. "It''s likely the only reason my cultivation didn''t collapse entirely during my battle with Song Song."

    "Hmm..." I rubbed my chin. "Are your spirit roots somehow stabilizing your chaotic Qi?"

    "Yes," she confirmed without hesitation, seemingly prepared for my discovery. "I can sense that you''re mainly interested in how my roots and talent continuously increase. An Extreme Physique is a talent bestowed by the heavens, yet cursed."

    "I''d argue it''s more akin to a metaphysical anomaly with peculiar benefits," I countered.

    She appeared perplexed. "Anomaly?"

    Ah, right. There was no concept of anomalies like cancer in this world.

    "Think of it as a kind of illness," I explained briefly.

    Before I could delve deeper into my thoughts on this newfound knowledge and begin forming theories, Ye An interjected, "If you''re likening it to an illness, do you know of a cure?"

    A cure for cancer? No. But cultivators approached such matters differently.

    "This is purely theoretical, but ancient texts suggest that an immortal''s body ceases to age or change in any way. It''s as if the body freezes in time. So theoretically, becoming immortal should halt the progression of your ''illness''," I suggested.

    She might possess an Extreme Physique, but ascending to the immortal realm in three years was highly improbable.

    Glancing at Ye An, I expected disappointment. Instead, her eyes sparkled with hope.

    "Remember, this is just a half-baked theory of mine, so don''t get your hopes up too much. The notion of immortals ceasing to age could be nothing more than a metaphor," I cautioned.

    "Song Song was right, you''re actually quite clever," she nodded, then seemed poised to leave. However, she halted before taking a step, turning back to me with a knowing look. "By the way, it was wise not to have me killed back then. My death would have triggered my spirit roots to explode in a burst of ice, lethal even to a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. You saved both your life and hers. Song Song is fortunate to have someone like you at her side."

    I remained frozen, processing the revelation that she had a contingency plan in case of her demise. It made sense, yet I hadn''t considered it then and had nearly allowed Song Song to finish the job.

    "Song Song is fortunate to have someone who reins in her impulses and makes sound decisions," she added, her gaze distant, indicating her mind was elsewhere despite her words.

    It felt peculiar to hear such praise from someone who typically insulted me.

    Honestly, it was somewhat unsettling, coming from her.

    When did the conversation even start going this way? I was here to tell her my decision.

 Chapter 74: Just Call Me!

    Chapter 74: Just Call Me!

    "With how she acts, Song Song is headed for an inevitable demise. She''s making too many enemies," Ye An continued her rant.

    I had zoned out halfway through. After all, it was more than ironic that Ye An was accusing others of making enemies. Did she forget what she had done? Ye An had her own enemies from when she killed all those people in the exams.

    If it weren''t for Song Song''s protection, she would be in deep trouble. Inner elders and disciples would come out of the woodwork hunting her, ready to do terrible things.

    "The closest thing she has to a friend her own age in the inner sect is me, and that''s saying a lot," she smiled, her gaze sharpening as she looked at me. "Though I''m not much help with anything. I broke through haphazardly during my fight with Song Song, and my foundation is all messed up. Not only can''t I use Qi, but even cultivating is not an option for now. I have to let my Qi settle down naturally."

    She also left out the part where she had eaten a pill to forcefully increase her cultivation right after breaking through. Also, there was that strange technique. If I were a betting man, I''d say that technique did most of the damage.

    While many logical rules from my last world and this one had changed drastically, morphing how I looked at things, one rule still held true: something could not be created from nothing.

    In this case, more Qi could not be made from no Qi.

    Where had she even gotten such a technique?

    From what Ye An had said until now, she would be dead from her Extreme Physique before she ever got a chance to cultivate again unless she found some way to heal herself.

    Well, none of those things were my problem. I had my own matters to attend to.

    After gathering my thoughts, I held Ye An''s gaze and said, "I will join Song Song''s group."

    She said nothing, blinking a couple of times and seeming lost in her thoughts, before finally coming to her senses and saying, "I never took you for an illogical person. You always seemed like the calculating type who never participated in something without being sure they would win."

    That second part was quite an acute assessment of me. But Ye An seemed to have other ideas, so I let her continue talking.

    "Was just the thought of Song Song dying enough to make you put yourself in danger? That''s quite romantic. I would congratulate you if I wasn''t more than a hundred percent sure your feelings are wasted. I don''t think Song Song feels such things for any man..." Ye An''s gaze was emotionless. "Actually, she likely holds love for no one, not even herself. She''s just an instinctive being going through motions and imitating humans because she follows her instincts to survive, and acting as a human would help her survive longer."

    Okay, how long was she actually going to rant?

    While her expressionless face might not show it, just with how much yapping she was doing, I could tell she had a bone to pick with Song Song.

    Ye An was just assuming things here. But I let her continue assuming whatever she wanted.

    "Yeah, yeah," I said and began climbing up the stairs toward the upper floors of the library.

    I had nothing to do up there, but sitting about and doing nothing was better than listening to her talk. Her soft, innocent, and beautiful appearance did not match her personality.

    As I climbed the stairs, as soon as I walked past an array separating the second and first floors, all the sound from the first floor stopped.

    That was not something I had paid much attention to before, but it was very welcome right now.

    On the second floor, Speedy was walking about the bookshelves. Since I had nothing to do, I walked past him and was about to pick a new book to read.

    But as soon as I stepped a few steps away from Speedy, my Qi senses blipped, and I knew someone was behind me.

    What?

    While my cultivation hadnt advanced to the next level, I had improved in some areas.

    Closing my eyes, I visualized the Qi inside the rock and carefully siphoned it. Opening my eyes again, I muttered, Eight Trigrams, Golden Inauguration, Dancing Tax! Wealth Barrier!

    Instantly, I was surrounded by a pyramid-shaped golden barrier that gave off a soft metallic hum. The Wealth Barrier was stronger when gold was used as sacrifice and was an outdated barrier utilized by merchants of old times, something I had stumbled upon on the second floor.

    To be considered a Level 2 Array Conjurer, someone had to use their own Qi or the Qi from a spirit stone to form a Level 2 barrier. Usually, the easier way was to just be at the Qi Gathering stage to tick off all those points, but I was a special case when it came to this. Despite the greater difficulty of achieving this, there were few advantages, as I had to carry spirit stones around to use arrays. This was usually done by cultivators who did not want to waste their Qi.

    Extending my hand toward the golden barrier, my palm touched the hardened surface. Even though the golden barrier shimmered like water when I put my hand on it, it was still a hard surface and undoubtedly strong enough to handle attacks even from Qi Gathering Cultivators and would no longer be destabilized by someone just using Qi on them.

    From where my palm made contact with the barrier, spiderweb-like cracks began spreading, and soon they overtook it. The barrier shattered like glass in seconds, with shards exploding outward and stabbing into nearby trees, sometimes even cutting through trees like razor blades.

    I was working on a new attack with the Wealth Barrier, trying to combine the effects of two arrays. However, I had had too little success with it and no longer had much time to test things out as a hobby; I had to focus on improving in areas that would increase my survivability during winter.

    I jumped up, and with a single leap, I was higher than any of the tallest trees could reach. Enjoying the sensation of falling for a split second, I grabbed onto a branch and swung myself toward the library.

    Every movement was controlled, and it felt like I was dreaming. Despite over half a year passing since I came into this world, moving around like some superhuman never got old. I had never enjoyed exercising that much, but this was a whole other thing!

    It took me less than a minute to reach the library tower entrance, with only a slight dusting of snow on my hair. But even then, I hadnt gone as fast as I could and was using no movement technique.

    Since it was early in the morning, no one was there except my teacher, the librarian. He was behind the counter, as always. Except this time, he was reading a thick book. Not just any book, thoughit was my monster encyclopedia that I had put a lot of effort into.

    As I walked closer, he looked up and met my gaze. I really hope youre not going out there with Song Song just so you can confirm the contents of this book.

    Not necessarily, but that is a very good side quest when Im out there, I said, dragging a chair and sitting down next to the counter.

    I still do not understand why you decided to go out there with Song Song. It seems like such an illogical choice on your part, and I can see no reason why you would act on something like this, he said; his voice was deadly serious despite how nonchalant he acted by flipping to another page in my book. Though I must admit, your encyclopedia of monstrous beasts is quite good. There is even a species of scorpion I havent seen before in here; it describes their weaknesses in a lot of detail and even where their hearts are.

    Despite his compliments about my book, it was evident by the tone of his voice that his previous remarks held more weight here. Honestly, telling him my reasons would make no sense to him. I would come off as crazy to him. Perhaps I was crazy in assuming certain things that had almost no physical proof and could be correlated to mere coincidences.

    "Well, now that I have become a Level 2 Array Master, do you think the Sect has a place for me? Preferably very far away from the Blazing Sun Sect, involving some work that a Level 2 Array Master could do," I said.

    "First off, congratulations on becoming a Level 2 Array Master," he said while adjusting his glasses once more. "While impressive given the time you have been studying arrays, in the grand scheme of things and within the Sect itself, you have gone from a disposable Body Tempering Cultivator to a disposable Level 2 Array Master. Trust me, you do not want to be outside the walls reinforcing the arrays while the monstrous beasts are trying to devour you alive. You should keep certain abilities to yourself."

    "Well, that''s a shame," I shrugged, expecting something like this.

    Leaning back in my chair, I glanced at the librarian before returning my gaze to the library.

    My teacher might be stoic, but I knew he also had a history of becoming an Array Master. He was forced into a position he did not want and ended up in a dead-end job.

    "Any day now, Song Song will come and have you join her little group of misfits," my teacher said, his voice as hard as a stone and betraying no emotions or how he might feel about this whole thing.

    "Well, I''m ready," I said.

    I had been waiting all this time for Song Song to send a letter or for someone to notify me

    Wait, she would do that, right? She wouldn''t just show up one day out of nowhere without prior notice and ask me to come with her immediately, right?

    I should prepare just in case

 Chapter 75: Welcoming Gift

    Chapter 75: Welcoming Gift

    It only took a couple of days for someone to show up out of nowhere. It was just some guy with unassuming looks waiting for me at the library while talking to the librarian.

    "Why do people who send letters or need to meet with my personal disciple come here? You do know that this isn''t his home, right? This is a public space," the librarian complained. His voice was as dull as always, and he seemed like he was giving a lesson and teaching rather than reprimanding someone.

    On the other hand, the unassuming guy kept bowing and apologizing. By the Qi around the newcomer, he was around a one-star or two-star Qi Gathering Cultivator.ReAd latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

    I walked up next to him, but his eyes were still on the librarian, and he kept apologizing without a care in the world other than what was in front of him.

    How careless...

    Even though I was a whole large realm below him, if I wanted to kill him right now, it would not be hard to do so. He had his guard down, and his senses were dog shit. If he hadn''t had such plentiful Qi and a blue uniform, I would not have believed someone as unskilled as him could be a Qi Gathering Cultivator.

    No, perhaps I was being too harsh on him. Most of my experience with Qi Gathering Cultivators was with people like Ye An and Song Song. They were both very skilled.

    "Is everything alright here?" I asked, and instead of jumping away in fright that someone had gotten so close to him, the guy only looked at me with a surprised look.

    "It seems like Song Song has sent someone to pick you up," the librarian said, nudging his chin toward the newcomer.

    "Do I need to come immediately?" I inquired.

    "Yes," the inner disciple answered, this time without the apologetic look he had toward the librarian.

    Even some second-rate cultivator with third-rate capabilities would look down on someone with lower cultivation than them.

    "Well, I will just get a backpack from the second floor and come right down," I said, turning my back on the man and walking up the stairs.

    While climbing the stairs to the second floor, I couldn''t stop my mind from wandering toward the journey ahead. A part of me still doubted whether I made the right decision with this one. But I was not going to fight or suppress that side of me because the day I stopped doubting my decisions would be the beginning of a countdown to my untimely death.

    On the second floor, the place no longer had books scattered around like before when I used to do research. Now, they were categorized on their own shelves. Techniques were separated from theories, making it easier for people to find what they needed without wasting time searching.

    But I didn''t linger long. Instead, I walked toward the hidden room on the second floor, where the old man usually stayed. However, to my surprise, the place was open, and the old man was sleeping inside.

    "This guy... did he think no one would stumble upon something like this? What if anyone other than me came here," I whispered.

    Despite expressing my displeasure, I carefully retrieved a wooden coffin-like backpack from a corner of the room. I tried not to wake the old man. The backpack was made of wood and had strange inscriptions carved into it.

    I had already packed everything except for the Monster Encyclopedia I had painstakingly built. So I picked it up, placed it in the wooden backpack, and searched for Speedy.

    While the wooden backpack wasn''t a storage ring, it was something the librarian had personally inscribed arrays on it. So its weight was barely noticeable. However, that might also be because of my raw strength.

    It didn''t take long to find Speedy; the big guy crawled under one of the shelves, bumping into it. I grabbed him, placed the wooden backpack down, and carefully tucked the turtle inside. Thankfully, he fit snugly, and there was even a small opening in the box-like backpack where he could poke his head out. Speedy did just that and gave a happy squeal.

    "You should try to act this cute when the ladies are around," I joked as we returned to the first floor.

    As soon as I stepped foot on the first floor, the inner disciple here to pick me up stared at me like a hawk.

    "C''mon, we have to set off," he said in a monotone voice.

    He spoke oddly, unlike the guy who had practically been groveling toward the librarian. But I followed without making an issue out of it.

    He struggled and scratched at my arms, but it was futile. While Earth''s martial arts were mostly ineffective here, certain dominant moves still worked on cultivators.

    The rear naked choke was one such example. It was an absolutely dominant move. Even someone much weaker could defeat someone much stronger with it.

    While he struggled, I leaned in and whispered, "Do you think I could break your neck from this position if I tried?"

    Hearing that, he made raw grunting noises and struggled even harder. Ultimately, he jumped up and slammed back-first into the stones below. But since I was between him and the rocks, I took most of the damage, and a piercing pain ran through my back.

    However, the damage inflicted was nowhere near enough to incapacitate me or release his hold. Instead, I tightened my grip around his neck as his body began twitching uncontrollably.

    Shifting the position of my arms, I placed one hand under his chin and the other at the top of his head, then twisted as if trying to screw a giant bolt. "How about we test that? I bet I can break your neck, and you bet that I can''t. If you win, you get to keep your life."

    He emitted pitiful groans and attempted to say something, but I was done listening. Though I was done with pushing, it was clear that with him in this position, I could break his neck. But committing murder in front of so many people would be dumb.

    Not long after, he stopped moving. For a moment, I almost considered releasing him. Instead, I tightened my grip further, and he began thrashing once again.

    Did he think I was foolish enough to let go because he stopped moving? What a silly guy.

    After a while, he ceased moving again, and I maintained my hold on him until his face turned purple. I doubted he could fake that.

    Releasing him, I rose to my feet, but despite my clear victory, I remained vigilant, ready for any retaliation. After several moments of him remaining motionless, I retrieved my wooden backpack. I donned it, all while keeping a watchful eye on him.

    By now, the onlookers had fallen silent. Perhaps they would gossip about my alleged cowardice in attacking a man when his back was turned. However, I cared little for their opinions as long as they refrained from voicing them in my presence.

    Grasping the inner disciple by his clothes, I dragged him away, his lower body scraping against the ground like a discarded ragdoll. What a pity; his once-bright blue robe was now tarnished with dirt.

    But where to now?

    He was meant to lead me to Song Song.

    She would likely be at the front gates. If not, then she''d be in the inner sect. I''d need someone to inform her that one of her subordinates had gone rogue. Perhaps he needed to be disciplined... Or maybe I should simply dispose of him myself and bury him in the forest. No one would ever find his body.

    In my experience, these people never let things slide. Murder might be too extreme to commit within Sect grounds, but crippling his cultivation was just another Tuesday.

    But such thoughts were quickly dismissed. Song Song needed all the pawns she could get her hands on. A useless guy like this was still valuable as a meat shield.

    With his fate postponed for now, I dragged him toward the front gates, drawing more attention from outer disciples along the way.

    By the time I reached the front gates, about three dozen people had gathered just before them. They ranged in age from teens to thirties. Among them stood the jade-like beauty Ye An, along with Liu Bo and two other familiar faces he was hanging out with. Though I hadn''t met those two, I remembered from Liu Feng''s memories that they were Liu Heng and Liu Qian, the latter being the Liu Clan Leader''s daughter.

    A lone figure in the group''s center stood, capturing everyone''s gaze.

    From an outsider''s perspective, she was stunning, with long, dark silky hair, blue eyes, a diamond-shaped face, and a petite chin. The gracefulness of her movements and her hourglass figure would make any man willing to do anything for her. But the illusion shattered upon meeting her eyes. One didn''t need to be a mind reader to see the raging flames of unquenchable madness hidden behind them.

    That was Song Song, the woman I had decided was my safest bet.

    She was in conversation with one of her subordinates when she suddenly stopped and turned toward me as if sensing my gaze. As our eyes met, a smile spread across her face, and the intensity of madness in her eyes multiplied tenfold.

    That crazed look in her eyes put me at ease for some inexplicable reason. With her here, nobody could touch me anymore.

    Approaching closer, I halted when the rest of the crowd noticed me. With one swift motion, I threw the guy I had been dragging along, and he landed roughly on the stone pavement in front of Song Song''s feet.

 Chapter 76: An Innocent Mind, Tainted!

    Chapter 76: An Innocent Mind, Tainted!

    Song Song stared into my eyes, then without hesitation, kicked the unconscious guy in the head. His body flew away like a rag doll, bouncing off the ground several times before coming to a halt.

    That kick inflicted more damage than I had, and there was a good chance she might have killed him with it. Though her kick wasn''t at full power, the guy was defenseless in his unconscious state.

    A small stream of blood seeped from his head, adding to the danger he was in.

    "You know, I actually went through a lot of effort to not kill him," I stated, meeting Song Song''s gaze while keeping an eye on everyone else and their reactions.

    Most seemed undisturbed, as expected from Song Song''s subordinates. However, my cousins had a strange look in their eyes as they stared at the downed guy. Ye An also appeared disinterested in anything happening around her.

    "Then you shouldn''t have bothered. Saving pretty girls, I can somewhat understand," her smile hinted at something more as she glanced at Ye An. "But being gracious to useless people is a whole other deal."

    "I thought you could use another meat shield, and not everyone can afford to break the Sect''s rules without a second thought," I shrugged.

    "You are under my protection. I feel insulted that you even think someone would dare touch you. If they have a problem with you, they can come and talk to me," she stated confidently.

    If she acted more like this, more people would be willing to follow her. However, her brazen behavior put many people off. Certain people, like my clan, seemed to have decided to back Song Song. Not only one, but three of my cousins from the inner sect came out.

    "I will keep that in mind for the next time," I said, nervous with so many people staring at me. "By the way, why would you send someone so annoying to come and get me? Did you think this would have ended any other way than with him getting a beating?"

    Song Song''s smile didn''t waver as she said, "We were short on hands."

    Short on hands? I looked at all the people around us.

    Aha, no one else was from the outer sect, and the others were too prideful about their position to do something like this.

    My cousins might have been a better option, but Song Song wanted to show something to everyone else.

    "As you can see, you are the only outer disciple coming with me and my group. Due to my position, many in the group objected to you coming with us and how you should have been with the rest of the outer disciples, marching to the cities on foot," Song Song said, her eyes wandering around the crowd as if she was pointing out who disagreed with having me on the team.

    Was she trying to show me off to others? Now that I understood her motives, I decided to play along for now.

    "I agree with them on that point. No outer disciple has a place where an inner disciple is needed for the job. Just like an inner disciple is not needed in a job that requires a Foundation Establishment elder," I said nonchalantly, my gaze settling on the downed guy who was bleeding profusely, forming a small pool of blood below his head. "Then again, with what that guy had shown, I never thought you were running a charity case here."

    "Well, someone has to guide the unskilled and the stupid to make better decisions," she blatantly said.

    "Looks can be quite deceiving," I added, responding with my own smile. "By the way, how is your preparation this time?"

    Song Song showed me the silver ring on her pinky finger, "I already gathered all the foodstuff we will need for the rest of the journey here."

    Smart. Not only was Song Song prepared, but she also had control of the food in the group. Seeing how these inner disciples acted, I wondered how many were careful enough to pack their own food. Hunting would not be easy with monstrous beasts running rampant, so Song Song had quite the power in the group already.

    "Well, if you need me for anything, I''m at your service," I bowed my head and went through the whole theatrical scene for the onlookers.

    Song Song''s base was already weak, and the last thing she needed was an outer disciple disregarding her authority. However, I wanted to bring a couple of things to her notice.

    But for now, I stepped back and went toward my cousins, as no one else appreciated my presence there that much.

    The closer I got to my cousins, the more an awkward knot formed in my stomach. The only one I personally knew was Liu Bo, the friendly guy. But the other two were just faraway memories.

    "Thank you for helping me with that problem a couple of months back," I first showed them that I was grateful for their help.

    "No need to thank me, you''re part of the Liu Clan. We are family, after all," Liu Qian said, her shoulder-length dark hair and a nonchalant look on her face making it hard to figure out what she was thinking.

    On the other hand, Liu Heng, with his dark hair, dark eyes, and a strict look on his face, simply nodded. He seemed like the kind of guy who would remind the teacher that they had forgotten to give them homework.

    All in all, the meeting with my cousins was underwhelming.

    Just as I was about to relax and stay in the background without getting in anyone''s way, Liu Bo put an arm around my shoulders. "Here it is, my favorite younger cousin. How has the outer Sect been treating you?"

    "Well enough, I suppose," I smiled, trying to end the conversation there.

    But Liu Bo didn''t get the message and continued, "Heh, I bet. Anyway, I came around to try to visit you whenever I could. But you were always in the library, not your dorm, even at night. I swear, I have seen the twins more often than I have seen you, and you have been in the Sect a year longer than them."

    I was about to answer him with some excuse I just made up when someone, not even an arm''s length away from me, said, "Well, some people often just get too absorbed in their work. Sometimes, I also get too into reading recipe books and forget the time while tasting how different ingredients work together."

    I held myself back from flinching at the soft feminine voice. Turning toward the source, I found a young girl resembling Song Song. She was shorter than Song Song had silky dark hair tied in twin tails, deep blue eyes, and a smaller chest. Even the rest of my cousins turned toward the newcomer, surprised. They too hadn''t sensed her approaching.

    Where did someone like this come from out of nowhere? I didn''t even notice her when I was looking over the ground.

    "My name is Song Sia, one of Song Song''s cousins on her father''s side. Though not to confuse each other, you can just call me Sia," she introduced herself and bowed her head in respect. "By the way, I heard what happened with Han Lan. It seems like you went out of your way to bring him unharmed, even though what you did was self-defense."

    Who was Han Lan? Did she mean the guy I strangled?

    It felt weird seeing someone who resembled Song Song so much speaking so kindly. Since she was Song Song''s cousin, who was related by blood, there was a good chance she was someone from the bloodline of the Blazing Sun Immortal.

    "Thanks," I answered. "I''m sorry I didn''t recognize you before. Song Song never told me about her relatives."

    "Are you talking about Sia?" Song raised a questioning brow as she put the map back in her storage ring. "While she might be my cousin, calling her a friend is a bit of a stretch. She was mostly my servant... Well, more like a minion who did whatever I wanted when we were young."

    As I suspected, Sia greatly exaggerated her friendship with Song Song.

    It was nothing against her, as she seemed like a lovely young woman. But Song Song was not the kind of person who made friends with people just because they were nice. She liked being around people with some basic competence.

    "What, did you finally start falling for a pretty face again?" She smirked. "My cousin might be pretty, but she is empty-headed and dumber than a rock. While it is not my business to ask what you do with your nocturnal activities, I will warn you that you should at least get someone competent. Even bedding her would bring you trouble from my clan, as they would force you to marry her."

    Though her words resembled a warning, the smile on her face showed that she was amused by this whole thing and was just looking for her dose of daily entertainment.

    "Not interested at all, just curious," I shrugged.

    "What a shame; I thought I could get you to fluster this time," she said before looking back at the team following us. Noticing her gaze, everyone looked down and dared not to meet her gaze. "Here is another puzzle for you to solve. Why do you think there are so many women in my team?"

    "Is there a prize for solving this puzzle, or am I just here to entertain you?" I smiled back, reciprocating her gesture.

    While it might sound weird if said out loud, speaking with Song Song sometimes felt like hanging out with a friend. I didn''t know if that said more about me or the crazy girl beside me.

    "Prize?" Song Song rubbed her chin before a mischievous glint danced in her eyes. "Then how about this: if you can guess the exact reason why they are here, you can have any of them as a concubine."

    "No thanks, I already have a fiance," I answered immediately. "Also, one of those girls you offered is my cousin. But I will try and guess this for free since this journey will otherwise be quite dull."

    Also, what was up with her and offering women off as concubines? I guess it was more accepted in these times. Perhaps she saw her father or a relative do something similar.

    Not just women but anyone weak had next to no rights in this world. The opinions of non-cultivators did not matter either. But Song Song was pushing that a bit further. Also, my cousin was the future of the Liu Clan; I doubt Song Song had the power to just make her or any other girl here with a powerful clan behind them anyone''s concubine.

    Back to the puzzle.

    Why were there so many women in the group? While there were men, almost twenty of the thirty members of the group were women.

    The first thing that came to mind was that Song Song had said that her teacher was also a woman. Also, Song Song herself was not charismatic enough to attract these people.

    Now, the question came as to why her teacher had primarily sent women to Song Songs group? I doubted she cared much about the gender of the person who helped her disciple.

    The only conclusion that made sense was that she had some kind of leverage that attracted mostly female disciples. What kind of leverage did a Core Elder have with access to all the information in the Sect? The answer was obvious.

    There are so many women in your team because of the techniques they practice. It probably has something to do with your teacher, and she no doubt knows some techniques that help when the cultivator is female, I said.

    There were weird things like Dual Cultivation, so there were bound to be techniques that worked or were more effective and helped with cultivation when the user was female.

    Song Song stopped and looked at me, her eyes wide, You are right on that one. I knew you would probably guess it was a technique. But I didnt think you would even pinpoint that it was my teacher. You know, youre quite scary with those guesses sometimes. But yes, youre absolutely correct.

    Well, guessing that her teacher was the one who did the talking was common sense. It wasnt like Miss Psycho here would be good at negotiations that didnt involve threatening someones life.

    For your information, it is a kind of technique that increases someones cultivation speed as long as they have their virginity intact, Song Song stated.

    My face scrunched up like I had just swallowed a lemon. I felt pretty uncomfortable conversing with Song Song about these things.

    I did not need to know that, I said.

    What? The smile on her face seemed to grow wider as she noticed my discomfort. I thought you were interested in strange techniques and things like these. Do you want me to tell you exactly how the technique works? I practice it myself, so feel free to ask for any details.

    It seemed I shouldnt have shown any discomfort, as Song Song would try her best to bring it up in any conversation she could now!

    Also, I didnt recall ever telling Song Song about my interest in martial techniques. How did she find that out?

    But for now, I put such questions in the back of my mind. I tried to regain my composure, calmly stating, It is still uncomfortable to talk with another person about these things. Though it might be an interesting book to read in the privacy of my own room.

    Heh, she jested. The guy who is supposed to know everything is scared of women? Who would have thought?

    Her hawk-like gaze settled on me, trying to read any slip-ups. But I had learned from my mistake, and it was clear that she was trying to get a rise out of me. So I just smiled back and added, True, I am allergic to pretty women. Though youre okay, you can stick around.

    She chuckled at my backhanded insult and shrugged. The interest she had shown before had already faded in her gaze. Instead, she returned to business and asked, What do you think of the group?

    What did I think of her group? Nothing much. I didnt know them that well.

    But I doubted that was the kind of answer she was looking for. Was she talking about the build of the team? Perhaps asking me to assess their balance? Well, once again, I knew next to nothing about them or how they fought.

    The only thing I can tell for sure is that there is a traitor in your team, I stated the obvious.

    That made Song Song stop in her tracks, and any chance of her teasing and joking any longer disappeared in an instant. Instead, everything was replaced by her murderous aura that flared like a bonfire.

    Welp, this wasnt something my silencing array could stop or hide.

    The rest of the team, who were too busy sending me piercing looks before, began looking worried, and some turned pale.

    Thankfully, only murderous intent was not enough to break my barrier since I was now a level 2 Array Conjurer.

    Song Song looked at her team, and an eerie darkness formed in her eyes, Who is it?

 Chapter 77: Just A Weird Girl!

    Chapter 77: Just A Weird Girl!

    "Who is it?" she asked.

    "I have no idea," I shrugged. "But your enemies would be stupid not to put at least one spy in your team."

    In this case, I was putting myself in the shoes of whoever Song Song was against. If there was one thing someone could trust Song Song to be, it was unpredictable. So it would make sense to have someone keep an eye on our dear psycho girl here so she didn''t do something like... just decide to lead this team toward one of the rival camps and slaughter them.

    "If your enemies did not put a spy in your team, there is nothing to worry about. You will win this, or you would have already won by now," I stated the obvious.

    Of course, her enemies were not dumb; we both knew that. One of her enemies was surely her other cousin, the kid who was the Sect Leader''s son. Given how the Sect Leader himself had come into power, I doubted he raised a naive son.

    Song Song calmed down and sighed. With her sigh, it seemed like everyone else on the team also breathed an internal sigh of relief.

    "It seems like the only people I can trust here are you and your cousins," Song Song shook her head.

    "Do not trust my cousins," I quickly refuted her. "While they might work for you, they ultimately have the clan''s best interests in mind. If betraying you benefits the Liu Clan, then you can be sure they will stab you in the back."

    "Oh? Is that so?" Song Song asked rhetorically as an eerie feeling ran up my spine and a strange chill spread through my body. "Then, what about you? Should I trust you? If your cousins have their clan''s intentions at heart, what about you?"

    Well, I had stumbled into very dangerous waters here. I would have to answer carefully, or I would not take a step further before my head would be rolling at my feet. But at the end of the day, anything other than the truth would be a lie. But I had to be careful how I came off.

    "If I were in your place, I would not trust me either, just to be sure," I shrugged. "But there is one thing that you can trust."

    "And what is that?" she asked.

    "You can trust my lack of strength. I am only a Body Tempering Cultivator, and if I decide to betray you or stab you in the back, you can rip my head off before I can even bring the knife down, I answered with the facts that she could easily prove.

    Almost immediately, Song Song put a hand on my shoulder, and I felt a soft Qi run through my body in a split second and leave before it did any harm. She had gotten better at imbuing Qi in someone else''s body compared to the last time we did this.

    "You truly are a Body Tempering Cultivator and don''t have Qi spread through your body like any Qi Gathering Cultivator would," she stated her findings and let go of my shoulder before stating. "I have decided to trust you on this. You haven''t lied or led me wrong until now."

    "Well, if I were to lie about the traitor, the only benefit a spy would get was making you appear paranoid or crazy" I carefully thought of my following words and contemplated if I wanted to say such things to her face. Ah, screw it. "But we both know you don''t need much help since they already see you like that."

    "True," she agreed without any of the anger.

    Huh, she was more self-aware about her problems than I expected.

    While Song Song looked at everyone in her team like a hawk searching for her prey, I kept my eyes on the one person I knew for a fact would betray Song Song if she ever got the chance, and that was Ye An.

    "You can put the array down and return to the others. I need some time to think," Song Song said, waving me away.

    "Call me if you need anything," I said before dismissing the silencing array around us with a single thought and returning to the rest of the team.

    Unlike before, it seemed like they no longer seemed angry or even thinking of me. Everyone was looking at the ground, not daring to raise their heads to meet Song Song''s gaze.

    I stayed back with my cousins, who spoke very little the whole way, only occasionally staring at some of the people in the crowd. To be more precise, Liu Bo talked a ton and acted as friendly as always. But the other two were stone-faced and impossible to read.

    Slowly, the sky turned dark as we continued on the road. Song Song had not stopped or told anyone after what I had told her. Perhaps telling her was not the best decision, but she needed to know. Because if anything were going to happen to her, this was the perfect time for someone to pull off an assassination and blame it on the monstrous beasts.

    Was she even paying attention to her surroundings?

    "Oh! Cool! Do you think I can work with this fire..." she scratched her head and uncomfortably smiled. "Despite Song Song telling me to go around doing menial work or something, I brought nothing to start a fire with or anything like that."

    "Did you bring cooking tools?" I inquired.

    "Of course!" Song Sia smiled brightly and showed me the bronze ring on her finger. A dozen pans and pots popped out in front of her. "Tada! Look at this!"

    She had enough space to carry so many pots and pans but brought nothing to start a fire with?

    Perhaps Song Song was right; her cousin seemed to lack foresight. She had turned out quite peculiar in her own way for someone who grew up with Song Song.

    "Did you bring any meat or other foodstuff?" I asked.

    "Yep!" She then took off her strange ring and handed it to me. "You can check it all and take anything you need from in there!"

    I raised a questioning brow and examined the storage ring in my hand. It felt and looked like a typical ring; there wasn''t even a speck of Qi around it.

    How were these things made?

    Despite my curiosity, I turned toward Song Sia and clarified, "I can''t use Qi to open a storage ring."

    "Oh! Sorry about that!" Song Sia hurriedly took back her storage ring and began listing the contents she had brought.

    Was she actually this slow, or was it all an act? It made little sense for someone who grew up with Song Song as a friend to be so naive.

    Though some people were just born less astute, and no amount of life experience could change that.

    If she was acting, then she was an exceptional actress. Also, she would have had to act around Song Song all the time, too, and my psycho friend had an instinct about these things.

    Even as Song Sia put everything up and began making some meat stew, she kept up a one-sided conversation with me, unaware of my lingering gaze.

    There were no inconsistencies in her acting, not an ounce of suspicion. She hadn''t even noticed me looking at her.

    From an outside perspective, if someone were a spy, Song Sia fit the description perfectly. She had been with Song Song for a long time and could have kept an eye on her. But at the same time, she did not come from the part of her family connected to the Sect Leader.

    "So, how did you and Song Song meet each other?" Sia asked, trying to make some small talk.

    "It kind of just happened," I answered vaguely.

    She didn''t seem to mind the answer and continued talking about food and some recipes she came up with when she was younger.

    "By the way, Song Song seems quite happier with you around," Sia remarked. "She seemed more at ease, too."

    I raised a questioning brow and looked at Song Song, who was leaning against a tree and staring at the group like a hawk. Then I turned back toward Sia and asked, "Does this look like someone happy?"

    Sia chuckled, her voice soft and friendly, nothing like her cousin''s. "Yes, Song Song is usually much worse."

    After that, she picked up the pot and walked away with a happy leap in her step, calling out to anyone hungry.

    What a strange girl...

 Chapter 78: A War of Meaning!

    Chapter 78: A War of Meaning!

    After Sia finished cooking, she handed everyone a plate of delicious-smelling soup. It had been a lot of hard work for her, but she did it with a smile.

    As part of the group, I also received my own metallic plate of food. I stared at it for a good minute while the others ate theirs.

    "Is something wrong?" Liu Bo asked.

    "No, I''m just waiting for it to cool down," I responded. New n0vel chapters are published on

    With one plate in hand, I used the other to scratch the back of Speedy''s head as he lay on my lap.

    I had prepared a couple of countermeasures against poison and such. However, if there was any paralysis poison in the soup that would stop me from moving immediately, I wouldn''t be able to do anything about it.

    As soon as Speedy''s feet touched the ground, he walked out of my lap and rolled onto his back. When I pushed him upright, he still rolled onto his back, and we played this little game.

    Turning toward my cousins, I asked, "What are the chances that this food is poisoned?"

    They already had mouthfuls of soup, so just my suggestion alone made them all stop and stare at me. Thankfully, I had cast a weak silencing array around us so none of the cultivators with good hearing could overhear our conversation.

    Liu Qian looked at me and then at the soup. She wasn''t the one who answered; instead, the strict-looking guy, Liu Heng, said, "Lady Sia has been cooking for Lady Song and her guests for a while and manages the kitchen duties in her abode. The chances of her doing something like poisoning her now are zero."

    He was right. If Sia had been cooking for Song Song regularly, she would have already taken her shot by now.

    Despite knowing that, I only acted like I was eating the soup, and when no one was looking, I slipped some to Speedy. The little guy had a slow metabolism, and I was here in case anything happened, with antidotes prepared. Also, animals in this world were generally more resistant to poisons that would harm humans.

    However, the little guy only ate as I spoon-fed him and then walked around briefly before snuggling beside me.

    I no longer had any real reason to believe the food was poisoned. It probably wasn''t, to begin with. However, someone had to be cautious in the group, and it was better to be safe than sorry.

    For now, Sia was off the suspicion list. If she wanted to do something to Song Song, she would have done it long ago. Instead of concentrating on her, I should get to know the others in the group. Sia was not the only suspect here.

    As everyone ate their food, I tried to listen to their conversation while sneakily keeping my pinky on Speedy''s neck. There was no change in pulse.

    I didn''t enjoy possibly feeding the little guy poisons. Still, since he had a slow metabolism, if any poisons acted only when a human was asleep, the little guy would have already shown signs. But there was nothing.

    Despite all the precautions, I had assumed things needlessly.

    Standing up, I addressed my cousins, "Please look after Speedy, and don''t let him wander too far away."

    I would hate to have to kill some vindictive little bastard if they decided to harm Speedy just for fun. Song Song needed all the meat shields she could have, even the dumb ones.

    After walking a dozen steps from the camp, I took a spirit stone from my pocket and muttered something under my breath. A pulsing light shot out from the stone, forming a translucent misty barrier around the camp.

    It was an alarm array that would make loud noises if anything trespassed into our camp.

    Typical alarm arrays only worked on larger beasts and did not send out alarms for any bugs that passed through. But since I was looking out for any possible assassin this time, I also set up a weak defensive array so no flies or mosquitoes could pass through. The barrier was not strong, but if it was broken, it would trigger an alarm too.

    As an Array Conjurer, the more I learned about arrays, the more I understood just how versatile the art of Array Conjuring was. At the same time, I knew of all the possible weaknesses, and there was no perfect array.

    For example, even this sequence of arrays I had put up had no defense against poisonous gas attacks. But if I put up a barrier that stopped air from coming in from the outside, then it would just lock us in, and someone from the group could release an odorless gas, killing us all while we slept.

    Covering one weakness often created another...

    The spirit stone in my hand dimmed until all that was left was a dull color, and after that, the stone turned into dust.

    After dusting off my hand, I approached Song Song, who was standing away from the group and still staring at everyone like a hawk. Despite seeming so concentrated, her gaze immediately shot toward me when I got close.

    "Do you need me to set up an array around you when you sleep?" I offered.

    Though I didn''t say it outright, my offering implied that she needed an array in case someone from her team decided to attack her in her sleep.

    Song Song shook her head, "No need. I can handle small things like an assassination plot on my own if the perpetrator has the guts to attack me directly."

    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    Opening my eyes, the first thing that greeted me was Ye An''s cold face staring down at me, just outside of my barrier''s border.

    Holy shit! Fuck!

    I was startled and almost jumped up and got ready for a fight. But Ye An was doing nothing other than staring at me like a creep.

    "What''re you doing?" I groaned and stood up while dispelling the barrier around my bed.

    "Do you sense anything strange about me?" Ye An asked out of nowhere, answering my question with one of her own.

    "What? No?" I answered, confused and still a bit groggy.

    Also, what was up with the weird questions? She sounded like an alien had replaced the real Ye An, and she asked if I sensed anything strange. I might have been worried about their well-being if it was anyone else.

    But this was Ye An; aliens taking over her body could not make her worse.

    "Good," she nodded. "The crazy bitch shouldn''t be able to notice either."

    "What is this about?" I asked while rolling up my bed and putting everything in place. I also made sure that Speedy hadn''t gotten lost and put the sleeping little guy in my box-like backpack.

    "Would you tell Song Song if I told you what is happening?" She inquired.

    "Absolutely, yes," I answered without missing a beat. There was no use lying about that; even Ye An knew I would tell her.

    "Well, then I won''t tell you," she stated nonchalantly.

    Whatever had happened was probably related to her cultivation. There was no other sensible reason she would ask me if I sensed anything weird. Ye An might have recovered some of her cultivation and likely attempted to hide it from Song Song.

    I had no idea how she had recovered her broken foundation, but it probably had something to do with her monstrous spiritual roots.

    Also, did she have no one else to ask that, or did she trust my senses that much? There was no way; after months in the Sect, Ye An had made no friends she could remotely trust other than the guy she tried to kill at one point and who was the unofficial second-in-command of her worst enemy.

    Despite how wild it sounded, it wasn''t so strange when one really thought about it. After all, Ye An might seem milder now that she had somewhat lost her cultivation. But she was even worse than Song Song when it came to socializing.

    Did I have some personality traits that made it easier for women with antisocial traits to approach? I mean, it was just Song Song and Ye An, but that was two too many.

    Also, Ye An here was trusting my Qi senses too much. Song Song was at a whole other level, even amongst Qi Gathering Cultivators, when it came to that. But it wasn''t like I would warn Ye An about that; she might have to find out the hard way.

    After that, Ye An wandered into the distance, and I watched her as she walked away.

    But I had no time to let my mind wander for long as Sia had already cooked breakfast for everyone on the team. Just like she had done yesterday for dinner, she was pretty hard working.

    The breakfast was some kind of sandwich, and as I looked at the meal, I couldn''t help but think about my dream. All the food I had eaten in this world was alright, but it was bland.

    Then again, I only ate in the dining hall, and except for that one time, I hadn''t been to any fancy restaurants.

    I missed some good old pizza...

    This time today, I waited for everyone to begin eating, and after they were okay, I ate some myself.

    "These are pretty good, though it would have been better if they were a bit spicy," I mumbled.

    While eating the sandwiches, I kept an eye on everything around the camp, and it seemed like my cousins were talking with Song Song about something. But just as I was staring at them, Song Song suddenly disappeared.

    Which was strange since she was moving at a speed I couldn''t even sense. I could somewhat sense her Qi when she moved during the entrance exam.

    Has she gotten stronger?

    My cousins seemed confused at first and then turned toward me.

    I first noticed the soft smell of lavender; next, she whispered from behind. "Something is coming.

    As if on cue, the sound of some trees crashing in the distance rang out.

 Chapter 79: It’s That Instinct Again!

    Chapter 79: It��s That Instinct Again!

    With monsters charging at us, there wasn''t much we could do. Well, more specifically, there was not much I could do.

    When I had certain advantages, I was confident in defeating a one-star Qi Gathering Cultivator. On average, that was not the case. Here, everyone other than me was a Qi Gathering Cultivator, and they likely had more fighting experience.

    So, without mincing my words and being honest with myself, I was the least valuable person on this team. Song Song coming here to stay next to me might just send a horrible message to everyone else when the monsters come around. She was the team leader, favoring and rewarding the weak never worked for any leader in history... ever.

    "I will be okay," I reassured her. "You should be out there dealing with the enemy. Let others see you as the competent leader you have shown yourself in this journey so far."

    "I''m thinking about it," she stated nonchalantly as if she were discussing the weather.

    Thinking about it? Thinking about what?

    "As you used to say, sometimes there is no time to think. Sometimes it''s the time for action," I said as the sounds of crashing trees and something crawling on the ground grew louder. Every cultivator who had super hearing by normal standards heard something slapping on the muddy grounds.

    Did the possible enemy have some tentacle-like limbs that it used to move?

    "You seem to forget that most people on this team are replaceable," she said. "Even your so-called cousins. I can tell that they''re only here because of their clan or some benefit of their own. Perhaps letting them all perish would be the smart thing to do; it would also take care of the possible spy in one fell swoop."

    I really hoped no one else heard that and that they were more distracted by the sounds of trees crashing down. No one would be willing to follow someone who didn''t value their lives at all.

    Just as I was about to reason with her, Song Song continued speaking, "Also, who is to say that the traitor or traitors won''t reveal themselves? They could use this chance to stab me in the back."

    Perhaps telling her about the spy in the group might not have been smart. It seemed like it affected her more than I had anticipated. What would be even more ridiculous was if there really was no spy on her team. It could be that her master had dismissed any and all possible spies.

    But right now, that was not important. What was important was that Song Song should be already performing!

    However, explaining such things to Song Song in a logical manner had a low chance of working on her. I knew Song Song well enough to know that she would never do what others might consider right and would only base her actions on her own worldview.

    "Don''t worry..." I put up the best reassuring smile I could muster and said. "I will handle your back."

    Song Song''s gaze was directed at me, and her intense blue eyes felt like they were staring straight through me.

    If she were a gamer in my last world, she would be the kind of person who killed all the NPCs in a stealth mission. So, technically, no one saw her.

    She was pulling the same analogy here. She trusted me, so if the rest of her team died, she would be sure there were no traitors. Because no one would be left alive.

    "I never asked, but why did you join my team again? We both know you would not put yourself in needless danger," Song Song inquired out of nowhere.

    "Is this the best time to ask such questions?" I pointed to where the sound was coming from and how some of the trees in the distance fell.

    "Do I seem stressed for time to you? I''m in no rush. This is the perfect time to ask such questions," she stated.

    What was she playing at here?

    I put my sandwich down and stood up, staring into the distance and narrowing my eyes at the approaching figures. But it was hard to determine what it was, even though my eyesight was supposed to be quite good as a cultivator.

    "Because..." I began saying.

    Unlike how one would imagine battles like these, there was no glory, only carnage, and blood littering the ground that I could smell all the way from here. When I thought of battles, I usually assumed carefully crafted plans and schemes. This was nothing like that, and any moment now, one of the inner disciples was going to inadvertently kill one of their teammates due to friendly fire. They were throwing attacks wherever there seemed to be some root coming for them without thought of what their attack could hit.

    One of the many tree-like monstrous beasts turned toward me and charged at me. I had no idea whether it did so instinctively because I was alone and far away from others or perhaps it picked me as the weakest in the group. But as the creature charged, it didnt take long until it almost reached me.

    Instead of engaging in direct combat with one of the creatures I had just seen sever some guys arm with just the swings of its roots, I decided to back off and jumped backward. That was when the tree used its roots and extended them, grabbing onto some other trees. It quickly ripped them off the ground and hurled them at me.

    As soon as the trees thrown by the monstrous beast blocked my vision, I dodged to the side. It was a good thing I did because one long, thin root pierced through the tree and the ground where I had previously been.

    Interesting. Could it use some rudimentary strategy when fighting? Did it have a semblance of basic intelligence, or did it learn from seeing someone else do something like this?

    I would rather stay on the sidelines of this fight, but it wasnt like I could keep backing off and going too far away from the group. That would just invite more trouble!

    I wanted to test a couple of things on both people and monstrous beasts alike, and this was as good a time as any.

    Taking a deep breath, my Qi instantly exploded out of my body as I looked at the tree and focused all the malicious intentions in my mind toward the creature.

    Yes, this was the killing intent move I had been practicing occasionally. But without being able to control my Qi accurately, it wasnt quite at the level I wanted.

    The monstrous beast froze for a split second, but that wasnt enough to halt its momentum as it kept charging at me.

    Maybe not only did I lack Qi control, but maybe my mindset wasnt quite there either. It wasnt like I had enemies I hated so much that it would enhance this technique. The person I most wanted to kill was Ye An, and even then, I was in no rush to do such things.

    There was not a lot of malicious intent in me for anyone. Thinking about killing someone was just a waste of time. That shit made it impossible to concentrate on anything other than hatred; I wouldnt even be able to read a book in peace if I left such emotions running rampant on a daily basis.

    I was about to maneuver out of the way of the roots again, dodging another attack, when suddenly, the monstrous tree halted in place. Cracks spread around its body and exploded in a gory mess of wood, red sap that looked like blood, and other chunks of stone fused with flesh.

    Behind the beast stood Song Song, her hand extended outward without a drop of blood on her clothes. She stared at me with a frown, and for a second, I almost thought she was angry at me for something. But it seemed more like she was contemplating something.

    Song Song turned toward the rest of the battle, then suddenly, a chill crawled up my spine as she began chuckling. Not the happy kind either, but the kind that belonged to a clearly deranged individual.

    This technique How didnt I think of something like this before? Song Song muttered under her breath.

    The next instant, my body shook and froze in place as a sense of terror overwhelmed me. Irrational despair filled my body, and a malevolence so evil permeated the surrounding area that it churned my stomach and made me feel like throwing up.

    However, despite this, I couldnt help but stare at Song Song as just her standing there had made all the enemies freeze in place. Sadly, it seemed like she lacked control, and even our allies were affected by this, which was no surprise since she was using this for the first time.

    Yes! This was the technique I had envisioned! Song Song had the Qi Control and temperament to pull something like this off! This was the killing intent I had imagined when someone actively used it.

    Then, just when I thought it couldnt get any worse, I could taste the copper in my tounge, and the feeling of maliciousness in the air grew heavier.

    One of the disciples finally gave in, hunching over and vomiting his breakfast and dinner. Bluegghh!

    Dark spots began crawling at the corner of my eye as Song Songs killing intent spiked once again.

    Was I about to pass out?

    Shit, I think she might be a bit too compatible with something like this!

 Chapter 80: A Degree in Monsterology!

    Chapter 80: A Degree in Monsterology!

    Song Song''s intensity continued to increase, reaching a point where the tree-like monstrous beasts began writhing in discomfort.

    However, they weren''t the only ones affected; the rest of our team also appeared to be in poor condition. Some were vomiting, while others shook uncontrollably, overtaken by irrational fear.

    "Nice! Liu Feng, you truly are a genius! How did you even think of utilizing maliciousness in an active form? It''s such a simple concept, yet no one had ever thought of it before," Song Song complimented me, her malicious Qi rising to such levels that even the leafless trees around us began to wither.

    It was an intriguing reaction, almost as if Song Song''s killing intent had a tangible presence, actually causing harm.

    Using killing intent actively was a concept I had borrowed from fantasy stories in my previous life. Yet here, in this world, it seemed entirely new.

    Or at least, no one had publicly displayed this ability until now. However, there might be some dude from before who figured out something like this. Still, like the rest of the cultivators, he hid this information for himself, and that information died with him.

    Killing intent was not a concept unique to me in this world. It was something that cultivators or other beings who could manipulate Qi naturally emitted when their emotions were uncontrolled. Typically, human cultivators viewed the release of killing intent as a sign of emotional instability, something to be ashamed of.

    Cultivators were meant to be detached from worldly emotions or strived to be so.

    However, reality often deviated from these ideals, much like those YouTube videos titled "A Day in the Life of a Millionaire," portraying a seemingly perfect routi

    Uncontrolled killing intent was more commonly associated with monstrous beasts, further emphasizing why no cultivator wished to be compared to such creatures.

    My thoughts drifted, but my gaze remained fixed on Song Song''s back. Her silky hair fluttered as a red outline enveloped her body.

    No... Song Song wasn''t creating an energy barrier around herself; her intensity hadn''t heightened. I was just beginning to see what I had sensed all along!

    Was this Qi?

    However, as excitement surged within me at the prospect of seeing Qi, my concentration shattered under the overwhelming killing intent. The red aura around Song Song blurred and vanished from my vision entirely.

    Glancing at the other inner disciples who had joined us on this journey, I couldn''t help but ponder how they must see the situation. Just catching a glimpse of Qi had me enthralled; undoubtedly, they had a clearer view.

    Everyone inherently possessed killing intent, and those manipulating Qi could do so actively. Moreover, the more brutal and potent one''s thoughts and mindset were, the greater the effect.

    A technique like this might not be useful to someone like me, but for Song Song... it was akin to a fish in water.

    While Song Song was engrossed in her newfound ability, and everyone''s focus was on her, I took a deep breath and decided to play a more active role in the battle.

    Crouching down, I executed the Rushing Bull Step technique, instantly appearing before the monstrous trees.

    Despite the overwhelming killing intent affecting everyone indiscriminately, as the creator of this "party trick," I knew the best method to resist it and had grown accustomed to such situations.

    For a moment, I entertained the idea of using Falling Moon Claw, my Earth Grade Technique. However, the thought vanished as quickly as it came. I wasn''t in a dire enough situation to resort to such a technique, and the Liu Clan had yet to fabricate a backstory for how it got such a thing.

    Employing Sonic Fang Fist, the air sang like a whip around my fist as it collided with the trunk of the monstrous tree. Though my fist remained unharmed, the tree showed no signs of damage either.

    Damn, this monster had problematic defenses! Song Song made penetrating them appear effortless, but clearly, it wasn''t the case.

    The tree''s roots swished menacingly, prompting me to leap backward. However, the tentacle-like roots extended further than one would expect, pursuing me relentlessly.

    Despite its speed and ability to utilize Qi in its attacks, I had familiarized myself with its movements. As a vine grazed my cheek, the wind''s whiplash left a shallow cut, causing a trickle of blood to seep down my face.

    Sensing a looming confrontation, I approached Song Song as she conversed with another inner disciple, who appeared visibly shaken. Despite sustaining a rough blow to his arm, his limb remained intact, unlike some other unfortunate comrades.

    As the disciple retreated, Song Song turned her attention to me. A faint tilt of her lip hinted at something resembling a smile, though it exuded an eerie aura.

    "Can I dissect the bodies of the monstrous beasts?" I cut to the chase, devoid of small talk or jests.

    "Sure," she shrugged, conjuring a sword with a white silver handle from her silver storage ring. "Here, use this to cut up the bodies."

    It was a convenient offer; I had intended to request a sword from one of the inner disciples. Accepting the weapon, I felt a subtle vibration emanate from the blade as I tightened my grip. Though not a blade expert, it was evident this weapon held significance. Given Song Song''s status, I doubted she wasted space in her ring on trivial items.

    Under different circumstances, I might have delved into inquiries about the sword. However, more pressing matters demanded attention.

    Approaching the corpses of the fallen monstrous beasts, I noted their red, human-like blood staining the ground, a stark contrast to the trees we had just battled.

    Unlike before, when the inner disciples had regarded me with disdain and hostility, their demeanor now was passive. Despite my gray uniform, they no longer viewed me as beneath them.

    I suppose fighting a life-and-death battle against a common enemy has a way of bringing people together.

    I began dissecting the trunks of the monstrous trees, finding that the sword effortlessly pierced their defenses. Without the ability to use Qi as when they were alive, their defenses were significantly diminished. However, it was still surprising how easily the blade sliced through them.

    Shaking off stray thoughts, I focused on my task, using the sword to cut open the trees and a stick to manipulate the organs within. After inspecting each one, my heart sank, and I took a deep breath.

    As expected...

    Retrieving my Monster Encyclopedia from my wooden backpack, I flipped through the pages until I found the entry for the Eight-Pronged Human Wishing Tree. "This is the one... Yes, they don''t primarily consume humans. Most plant-like monstrous beasts don''t consider humans their primary food source."

    Since the trees had no human remains in their stomachs, it confirmed that they hadn''t eaten humans, corroborating the Monster Encyclopedia''s information.

    Approaching Song Song, I found her alone. Without seeking permission, I erected a silencing array to ensure our conversation remained private.

    Song Song raised a questioning brow as she looked at me. "Wasn''t it you who suggested we act more cordially? To set an example of mutual respect within the team? Erecting a silencing barrier without permission doesn''t exactly convey that message."

    I could see the mischievous glint in her eyes, indicating she was teasing me, not genuinely concerned about formalities.

    "This isn''t the time for formalities," I said, my tone serious, causing her playful demeanor to fade. Her eyes narrowed as I continued. "Plant-like monstrous beasts don''t need to consume humans to survive. So, why did they attack us out of nowhere?"

    I had harbored suspicions since the monsters began displaying strategic combat tactics despite lacking human-like intelligence. Even without Foundation Establishment, they exhibited signs of training.

    "Do you think it''s the work of a spy?" Song Song''s eyes gleamed with a dangerous light.

    "It''s a possibility," I nodded, sharing my theory. "But there''s a more concerning possibilitythat someone is leading these monsters. This suggests this year''s Beast Waves won''t be a mindless stampede. Perhaps someone has united the monstrous beasts... and this was a calculated attack."

    Song Song''s eyes widened, recognizing the gravity of the situation.

    A monster leading other monsters...

    Humans maintained an advantage over monstrous beasts due to our organization and unity.

    But if monstrous beasts were organized and united, it was a terrifying prospect. We were about to face something no one was prepared for.

 Chapter 81: Plan: Paper Diamond

    Chapter 81: Plan: Paper Diamond

    With Hu Jin involved, anything could be possible, and no matter the danger, the grandpa in the ring would save him. Sadly, I did not have that privilege. So, I had to plan things through and take some countermeasures.

    In this case, the worst-case scenario was that someone was leading these monstrous beasts. Usually, disciples already had enough difficulty defending the towns, and it was not unheard of for them to fail. But with the beasts being somewhat organized, we were all in for a painful death.

    But despite everything, I was not in the worst-case scenario.

    Because if there was really some kind of Beast King, it meant they wanted to take over the local area. Which also belonged to the Sect. When it came to these kinds of things, if the Beast King was even somewhat bright, a preemptive strike against the Blazing Sun Sect was vital.

    Cultivators might fight and argue against each other, like children in a kindergarten who do not want to share a toy. They were still likely to band together against a common enemy.

    But this was also looking at it from a human perspective, and how this was moved forward would depend on how this Beast King saw things. Uniting against a common enemy was not usually seen in monstrous beasts.Folloow current novE?ls on nov/3lb((in).(co/m)

    "Are you suggesting that a monstrous beast was leading cross-species of other monstrous beasts?" Song Song asked.

    "Yes," I answered.

    Both Song Song and I knew that monstrous beasts could have a leader. It usually was something like a wolf pack, with its wolf leader. But a wolf-type monstrous beast would never lead a horse-type monstrous beast.

    "I understand why you seem so worried about this," Song Song said, and she rubbed her chin. "You haven''t led me wrong so far, and despite how hard to believe your words are, I will believe them. But since we are already so far from the Sect, it would be useless to return, and I doubt they would listen to me, much less you, about some Beast King."

    Well, I didn''t want to return to the Sect, as attacks could already be happening. At least, if the Beast King was smart enough, he should have stealthily surrounded the Sect.

    That was what I would do in his place, and make sure to kill anyone coming in as a messenger so nobody was any wiser about what was happening outside. Assuming he didn''t know about communication artifacts, he had no way of knowing since he was a monstrous beast.

    "Also, your theory makes sense on paper. You could also be overthinking this and trying to humanize monstrous beasts. There was no need for one to understand the other. I doubt even humans would be interested in understanding how a pig''s brain worked before it was about to be turned into pork." Song Song smiled, almost like a proud parent or, in this case, an older sibling. "You have an active imagination, sometimes allowing you to think outside the box and create techniques no one thought of before. But sometimes your ideas can end up coming off as too wild. Yet, we will prepare, and if you have any plans, don''t be afraid to come and suggest them to me."

    "Well, I have no idea for now. I was hoping you had something in mind," I shrugged, trying to devise a plan.

    "You can only connect the dots looking backward, not forward," Song Song said.

    Okay, that sounded quite wise, and it was something Song Song would never come up with.

    "Where did you get that from?"

    "From a book," she answered honestly. "While I can let you handle the managing side of things, a leader must at least be a good speaker. So, I memorized some good quotes and when to say them. It gives the illusion of the leader being wise, and with you working behind the scenes, that illusion becomes a reality."

    Song Song was surprisingly honest and not insecure about what she lacked. I should learn more from her.

    There was nothing I could do about the incoming threat, and during these times, I usually panicked for a bit. Which served no purpose and did not solve the problem at all.

    Instead, I sat down, took out a small brush and a book, and began writing down everything about the tree-like monstrous beasts while the memory was still fresh.

    But while I was writing, Song Song was staring at me, which made it a bit uncomfortable.

    After a dozen minutes of me writing and her staring, I turned toward Song Song and asked, "Don''t you have anything better to do? Like reassuring the group that everything will be okay and acting like you''re sad due to the losses."

    "They will take care of that on their own," she waved off my worries. "I''m just recalling how you didn''t refute my claims that you would be my second in command and work behind the scenes. Despite a couple of nobodies dying, I''m in quite a good mood right now. I knew that eventually you would come around and accept my leadership."

    She was joking with that last part, but every joke had a hint of truth. If I let her say that I was under her command enough, sooner or later, someone like her would just declare it.

    "Well, thanks for reminding me then. The answer is still solid; no," I smiled. Also, you really should be trying to gain the trust of your team."

    "The bulk of the team will be in the middle town, while four people you trust will each be managing one of the other towns. You will be the one with all the power at hand, and if needed, you will also be a backup for each of us when we need it. As for the injured, they will also get the rest they need in the middle town," I said.

    Though that one guy was missing an arm, no amount of resting would fix that.

    Song Song rubbed her chin and nodded, "Yes, I can see this working. Also, there''s no chance the traitor will have the opportunity to convince five others to join her cause by whispering honeyed words into their ears."

    That was a legitimate worry. One person was dangerous enough, but getting six Qi Gathering cultivators was dangerous even to Song Song. However, the chances of that happening were low with someone like Song Song, as no one would easily fold and betray the scary person. They all knew how she was, and they wouldn''t even dream of an easy death in that case.

    Sometimes, it was quite useful to be feared.

    "Well, I already know who I''m going to put in charge of the Northern Town," she looked straight at me.

    I frowned, "Many will protest the decision to put a mere Body Tempering Cultivator in charge."

    "If they question my decision, then I will deal with them," Song Song stated matter-of-factly, and any other excuse died in my throat. "Anyway, congratulations. Don''t worry too much. I will keep an eye on you and be the first to come to your aid in case something happens."

    Her decision had already been made, but I couldn''t help but ask, "Why me?"

    I was not necessarily the best choice for this.

    "Because I trust you to handle the town well and deal with some problematic issues there. You''re the perfect guy for this, and I trust you with it," she clarified.

    Ultimately, Song had to choose some people she trusted to manage the surrounding towns. Sadly, there were not many people she trusted in general, so she ended up putting those she trusted the most in charge.

    In the East would be Liu Qian.

    In the South, it was her cousin Song Sia. She was tending to the wounded with a worried look on her face.

    In the West, it was someone Song Song suspected would betray her. Ye An was put in charge.

    "Why her?" I asked.

    "Well, despite trying to hide it from me, Ye An has recovered her cultivation, and she makes a good meat shield," she revealed.

    What? So fast!

    I knew Ye An would probably eventually recover her cultivation, but this was too fast. Had she had some fortuitous encounter I knew nothing about? Or perhaps her strange Spirit Roots had a role in this.

    No, there was no time to worry about it at a time like this.

    "I researched this area, and the West Town is usually the one with the most dangerous monstrous beasts," Song Song nodded and looked quite proud of that choice.

    Of course, the one on the central island was going to Song Song, and she would be there with all her members. Anyone who had a chance of betraying her would be within arm''s reach, both literally and figuratively.

    Hopefully, her paranoia didn''t skyrocket; otherwise, all the people going with her would end up as corpses by the next time we met.

    "Enough talking about this; now is the time for action. I will escort you and the rest of the new town leaders to your destinations and make sure none of you die on the way there," Song Song declared.

    ...

    Days later, just as she had promised, we stood in front of a tall, dark wall with marble-colored gates, one with a crimson flag on one side and a green flag on the other.

 Chapter 82: Petty Rivalries and How To Solve Them

    Chapter 82: Petty Rivalries and How To Solve Them

    I couldn''t help but stare at the white marble gate; they were giant and looked big enough to fit a large truck, though that was widely useless since there were no trucks in this world.

    Nevertheless, with their size, the gate was undoubtedly heavysomething that even a dozen humans would have difficulty opening and closing.

    Heavy gates might sound like a good idea against an enemy, but it wasn''t that practical when the enemy was close, and you were closing your gates at a snail''s pace.

    Either the higher echelons in this town were stupid, which was doubtful since if that were the case, they would have perished long ago in the Beast Waves, and the city would have fallen. So, the more likely scenario meant they had people strong enough to easily open and close these doors.

    The governor would not do such menial work, nor would anyone in high standing. So that meant only one thing: Cultivator Clans in this city assigned guards who were cultivators themselves.

    I glanced at Song Song, but she didn''t turn to meet my gaze. She just stared at the top of the wall where some archers had drawn their bows and pointed at us.

    "Welp, you''re on your own from here on out. I would have given you more information about this town. Still, it isn''t like I have ever been here before myself," Song Song said before turning around and walking away. She waved at me and added, "My teacher said that this would probably be the safest place when the Beast Waves come. But there are some internal conflicts; I''m sure you can handle those."

    Just like that, she went away and left me behind with some guards who now looked more at ease, though they were still nervous and had their bows pointed at me.

    It was useless since their bows did not seem special in any way. I could probably catch those arrows mid-air. They would have difficulty puncturing my skin with mundane weapons even if I couldn''t.

    "As you saw, I''m here with the Blazing Sun Sect group. Can you let me in?" I asked.

    The guards atop the wall did not answer, and I couldn''t help but swear under my breath.

    I knew we were tight on time, but Song Song could have spared some time to clarify everything and let me in. At least I didn''t have to worry about Song Song already causing trouble with the people I would work with to protect this town. So that was a positive, at least.

    Without anyone saying anything, the door made a loud clicking sound, and the giant white marble gates began opening. A loud screeching sound rang out as the marble scratched against the stone, and the doors opened inward.

    On the other side of the door were a handful of cultivators. Some wore red uniforms, and others wore green. They all had veins bulging along their arms, and their eyes were bloodshot from the strain they had endured as they used all the power they could muster to open the doors.

    Each of them was only at the Body Tempering level. However, they still had difficulty opening the door. Even monstrous beasts would have a hard time getting through the gate.

    But while the Body Tempering Cultivators were working hard to open the door, a man in his late fifties stood at the front of the open door.

    He was tall and stood straight for someone his age. His hair was almost entirely gray, except for a few strands of dark hair here and there. The old guy wore a pearly-white robe, and its cleanliness and material showed that he held quite a high standing to wear something of that quality.

    "Welcome to Whitewall Town, honorable cultivator," the old man clasped his palm and fist in respect and bowed slightly.

    I reciprocated his gesture and began acting as a cultivator. Since I was still just a Body Tempering Cultivator, I had to play my part and at least show some basic respect. "Thank you for having me."Folloow current novE?ls on nov/3lb((in).(co/m)

    With every step we took, the sound of our shoes touching the ground and ringing through the house was constant.

    There was a large staircase with a red carpet, resembling something from one of those restaurants where the bride walks down. Despite the extravagance on display, the place also had a rustic and simple feeling.

    We walked up without saying anything at first, and then I asked, "How did the rivalry even start?"

    "Well, they are two clans that live in the same town. There are bound to be some vendettas," the old guy sighed and shook his head. "Though the real cause that made everything escalate was when each of the Clan Leaders'' sons competed in a yearly tournament, and one of them crippled the other''s cultivation."

    That sounded like everyday cultivation bullshit to me.

    Though I couldn''t see what they were all so butthurt about. After all, this was an easily fixable issue. If these clans were connected by marriage, there would be no conflict for a generation or two.

    Sure, it was kind of barbaric as the groom and bride might not like each other. But it was better than hundreds of people dying in a petty rivalry.

    My arranged marriage was something like this.

    At the time, the Liu Clan had a rival clan, and they started mending their relationship by arranging a marriage. Then, the other clan extended that trust by having my little fiance visit me when we were young, strengthening the trust between clans when she was safely returned to her clan after her visit.

    Now, my fiance''s clan was one of the big supporters of the Liu Clan.

    But just as I thought that and walking through the hallways, along the way to wherever the governor was in this mansion, there was a large circular window that gave a view of the whole city, and from there, I could see the thousands of people walking about.

    Managing and leading a team of two dozen people was very different from managing a whole town with thousands of inhabitants. It felt like one of those situations where the incompetent son of a rich CEO takes over after his father. I was wholly unprepared and knew nothing about things like these.

    I did not linger long near the window as we finally reached a large door. Two servants opened it and bowed toward me, while the guy who had escorted me also stepped by the side and said, "From now on, only you can continue."

    "Thanks for the trip," I smiled politely and nodded toward the servants before walking in.

    The doors behind me slammed shut as soon as I walked in, almost making me flinch.

    The room was extravagant, with a long table that could fit at least twenty people. At the end of the table was a burly man in his fifties. He had a well-combed head of hair slicked back, and a scar ran along his face from the top of his forehead to his nose. Then, it deviated and touched the corner of his lips. But despite his intimidating look, his expensive-looking silk robe showed that he was a man of status and not a brute.

    So this was the governor of this town

    He motioned with his hand and signaled me to sit down. I sat opposite him and looked down at the table, which contained a plate of soup, two plates of steak, and other foodstuffs. The steak and soup still felt hot, so they could not have been made too long ago.

    "The Sect seems to be looking down on me, sending just a Body Tempering Cultivator here," the governor growled. "Even that lass, Song Song, saw it prudent not to save me face. She came to my front gates and didn''t even come to greet me."

    I fucking knew something like this was going to happen!

 Chapter 83: Avengers Assemble!

    Chapter 83: Avengers Assemble!

    I observed the old man, who appeared to be in his fifties. Based on the Qi around him, it felt like he was in the upper stages of Qi Gathering, somewhere around the peak, no doubt. Song Song had sent me here for a reason, and I doubted it was to handle some displeased local politicians.

    As I opened my mouth to speak, the governor interrupted me, "If you even try to order me around, I''m going to smash you over the head. There''s no way some brat will ever order me around!"

    At first glance, this guy sounded quite hot-headed. But I had been around reckless people before, and he did not have that fire in his words that was often hard to fake. No doubt, he was stuck at the peak of Qi Gathering, and at his age, there was little hope he would advance any further in his cultivation.

    But that wasn''t all. The old governor''s calloused hands, rough skin around his arms, and everything else about his musculature and scars showed that he practiced fist or palm techniques. Also, becoming governor was a job for those who couldn''t reach Foundation Establishment after half a century of their life.

    Most Qi Gathering Cultivators were never able to reach Foundation Establishment. One would think that the Sect would run out of cities to give, but it was quite the opposite. Instead, they didn''t have a lot of Qi Gathering Cultivators to fill the demand. Towns in the Blazing Sun Sect''s territory often did not have a cultivator governor.

    This clearly showed how much influence the Blazing Sun Sect had and how large their territory was. Also, Qi Gathering cultivators were rare to the broader population. There were times when, even in a city with tens of thousands of people, there would not be even one Qi Gathering Cultivator.

    Anyway, the governor was understandably not pleased by being treated like nothing more than a convenient chess piece by Song Song. But despite that, nothing else suggested that the old governor was reckless.

    But no matter how reasonable his anger might have been, I couldn''t take it lying down because I was already dismissed by merely being a Body Tempering Cultivator. If I didn''t show my backbone, everyone here would walk over me.

    Nonetheless, I did not have the personal power to act arrogantly.

    "Then, if you have made up your mind, you should also prepare a coffin," I blatantly threatened him.

    I made my threats clear first so none of my orders would be so easily dismissed in the future.

    I would have apologized to him if the world worked on pure intentions and honesty. But apologizing, more often than not, would not help someone when dealing with cultivators, which was quite a sad thing in and of itself.

    "You''re threatening me, boy?" The governor stood up and slammed his fist on the table, causing the solid wood structure to crack, with cracks spreading all around it and the soup on the plates spilling onto the table, dripping to the ground. But despite all that, I kept staring at the old governor in the eyes.

    If growing up with siblings who always argued had taught me anything, it was that insults should be followed by compliments to heal a broken ego. Then again, my brother never had the power to slap me to death. So, who could say...

    "Me personally? I''m not threatening you; I''m just stating facts," I said, leaning back in the chair. "I''m nowhere near strong enough to be a deterrent to someone like you. But I know the perfect deterrent, and her name is Song Song. What do you think she would do if she even caught a hint of insubordination from you?"

    There was no change in the old governor''s scowling expression, but at least he was no longer screaming at me. It was pretty nerve-wracking when someone so overwhelmingly stronger screamed at me.

    "I know I''m only a Body Tempering Cultivator and was the weakest in a group of twenty. You were expecting six Qi Gathering disciples, but instead, you got me," I thought my following words carefully and contemplated what should not be mentioned here.

    I had yet to learn where this old governor''s loyalties lay. "Though I know very little about Song Song''s plans, she apparently planned to do the same with most other cities, adding only one defender in their midst. She undoubtedly left me here since the governor must be the strongest compared to the others from nearby towns, and despite me being weak, your power would balance that out somewhat."The most uptodate novels are published on n0velbj)n((.))co/m

    The governor did not seem pleased, but at least he stopped yelling and stopped banging his fist on the table.

    There was a small scratching sound coming from my wooden backpack, which I had forgotten to remove despite its size. So I removed it and put it beside me while Speedy popped his head out and looked at me.

    "While inner disciples come over from the Sect and usually take over leadership, the Sect considers this as a way to teach them-"

    "Usually, it is five or six inner disciples, and they''re all Qi Gathering Cultivators," he pointed out.

    I didn''t get angry; instead, I just smiled, "Yeah, that number can even overthrow the governor. So it isn''t like he has much of a choice when it comes to giving up his power."

    The governor leaned back in his chair, his calloused hand scratching the scar on his face as he stared me in the eyes. "So, how did an outer disciple like you end up here? You guys are usually more expendable and sent toward towns without cultivators."

    "It''s a long story," I said, glancing at the delicious-looking food and wondering if it was poisoned.

    Probably very low, and now he was even less likely to poison me, especially since he seemed to know Song Song quite well.

    "Well, we have all the time in the world. Trust me, those trashy Clan Leaders will take an unnecessarily long time to prepare. They''re like women," the old governor snorted.

    "We met during the last part of the acceptance exam."

    "Were you a participant?"

    "No, just helping as an obstacle for the newcomers," I shook my head. "How about you? How did someone like you know about Song Song?"

    "Who doesn''t know about the crazy girl," he stated, looking toward one of the windows with a melancholic gaze. "Actually, her teacher and I used to work together when we were younger. Though she was always kind, she helped everyone. Even had a bad habit of giving people candy; it unnerved many since they thought the treats were poisoned."

    He chuckled and seemed happy recalling the past. But his face soon turned into a frown, and he said, "I will never understand how Xing Ju ended up with a disciple like Song Song. Why would she take someone like that in? I know Xing Ju; she would never compromise her morals just to get a talented disciple."

    Well, it seemed like there was some history there, and with nothing better to do, I asked him, "Really?"

    By my calculations, Song Song''s teacher and this guy should not have been in an era when her teacher was the same age as him. Because they were Core Formation Cultivators, they had a lifespan of about half a millennia.

    So when this guy was young, Song Song''s teacher should still have been old. At least a couple of centuries old or more. Whatever he was saying made little sense.

    "Was the cultivation world different back then?" I asked, leaning back in the chair and getting ready to listen.

    "No, not that much. Though the youngsters were more respectable, and we never threatened our elders," the old governor gave me a pointed glare, but his glare relaxed soon after that, and he continued. "However, there used to be another clan the size of the Blazing Sun Sect. In comparison, it was a younger clan than the Blazing Sun Sect. But it fell sooner; often, the old outlived the young regarding these things."

    "Huh? What was the name of the destroyed Sect?" I inquired, now curious how a Sect like the Blazing Sun Sect got destroyed.

    "Purple Cloud Sect," he answered. "They were quite vicious in their takeover, and their growth was fast. Many assumed that it would grow even larger than the Blazing Sun Sect. But unfortunately for them, a quick growth like that is bound to leave behind some unsolved grudges."

    "Was that what got them destroyed? Some revenge plot?" I inquired, now quite curious about how a Sect that size went under.

    "Part of it. But they destroyed the Clan of some young man who at the time was unnamed. It wasn''t like they hadn''t done this many times before, but they messed with the wrong guy this time. As his cultivation skyrocketed within less than a decade, that helpless young man whose cultivation was crushed ended up becoming a peak Nascent Soul Cultivator and destroyed the Purple Cloud Sect," the old governor chuckled, rubbing his chin. "Some say that the guy went into hiding and became an immortal; some say he was already an immortal when he attacked and had likely assassinated the Purple Cloud Immortal, and that was why he didn''t appear in the battle. Though by now, most believe the young hero died of his injuries after the battle."

    That was quite an interesting story, and it had a chilling similarity to something I had come to somewhat understand. How this avenger''s tale went mirrored Hu Jin''s in many ways.

    Could it be that he was another Heaven''s Favorite before Hu Jin?

    Suddenly, the doors to the room opened, breaking my contemplative thoughts.

    "Lord Governor, the Lu and Hong Clan Leaders are here," declared a servant, and two men walked in.

    Well, it was about time I began acting like a cultivator...

 Chapter 84: Fixing Problems The Xianxia Way

    Chapter 84: Fixing Problems The Xianxia Way

    The two newcomers were notably younger than the governors and retained a full head of black hair. One of them sported short hair and possessed a stockier build with a square jaw, donned in a striking red robe. Meanwhile, the other cut a tall, thin figure, resembling a stereotypical cultivator with his long hair tied in a ponytail, clad in a green robe.

    In stark contrast to the old governor''s aged and weathered appearance, these individuals exuded youth, and the trappings of a life lived in luxury.

    "Allow me to introduce the two individuals who oversee a significant portion of this quiet and somber town," the old governor reclined in his chair, gesturing towards the newcomers. "The shorter gentleman is Lu Peng, the leader of the Lu Clan. And on the opposite end, we have Hong Guanyu, the leader of the Hong Clan."

    He then redirected his attention towards me, continuing, "Clan Leaders, this young man here hails from the Blazing Sun Sect. His name is What was it again?"

    "Liu Feng," I promptly supplied.

    Though it bordered on rudeness to refer to the Lu Clan Leader''s stature in such a manner, he displayed no outward signs of displeasure. Nevertheless, it presented an opportunity to create a rift between the old governor and these two figures. At least, they didn''t seem inclined to resort to assassination and concealment of my body.

    Meeting new people in this world set me on edge, anticipating their intentions. But as the saying goes, more harm befell those who were careless than those who were paranoid.

    Unlike the old governor, I rose to my feet and respectfully clasped my fist and palm toward the two Clan Leaders. However, I refrained from bowing my head as we remained on equal footing, and they showed no inclination towards such formalities. "It is an honor to meet both of you. I''ve heard much about your clans during my journey here. I hope to glean valuable knowledge from you esteemed seniors."

    "Indeed, we are honored to welcome a member of the Blazing Sun Sect," remarked the Hong Clan Leader, reciprocating my gesture with a similar one.

    The other, Lu Po, merely grunted in acknowledgment, appearing to prefer being anywhere else but here.

    "One of my nephews also attempted to join the Blazing Sun Sect. He was a prodigy, achieving five-star Body Tempering at the tender age of fifteen. Unfortunately, he met his demise during the final stages of the examination," shared the Hong Clan Leader, seemingly more willing to engage in conversation than his counterpart, who observed us silently.

    "I offer my condolences for your loss. I understand that this year''s exams were particularly perilous, especially with the appearance of that monstrous beast," I replied cautiously, ensuring to keep the details vague. I wasn''t sure how much of the exam''s events the Blazing Sun Sect made public.

    "We can only accept fate and carry on," sighed the Hong Clan Leader, shaking his head. "Sometimes, the heavens claim those who possess too much talent, keeping them for themselves."

    According to him, his nephew''s reaching five-star Body Tempering at the age of fifteen was impressive. However, it was nothing special in the Blazing Sun Sect, and he had a good chance of failing the exam altogether.

    Moreover, it was possible that his nephew had simply utilized abundant resources to boost his power. Progressing fast during the Body-Tempering realm didn''t necessarily correlate with cultivation talent; it was merely about training the body and preparing it for Qi. Technically, anyone could become a Body-Tempering Cultivator.

    "I am sure he is in a better place now, and hopefully, his murderer receives retribution from the heavens themselves," I said, carefully observing the Hong Clan Head''s face.

    I, too, have taken lives, and if this was an elaborate ploy for revenge against me, the Hong Clan Head was mistaken if he thought I''d be an easy target. But despite my scrutiny, there was no sign of betraying his emotions.

    However, people were adept at concealing their feelings. I had heard in my previous life that those who committed suicide often appeared happy and were the life of the party before their tragic act.

    "Anyway, we are all here together and on the same side," I smiled. "I would appreciate it if we could work together and set aside our differences. Undoubtedly, you have more experience in handling Beast Waves than I do. But it was the Sect''s decision to put me in charge. Just to be clear, I will take your suggestions and advice seriously."

    Consciously or not, I was merely speaking platitudes, pretending as if I had the option to ignore their counsel. In such situations, one must acknowledge the superiority of the master. It was akin to a lesson I learned in my previous life, where those who outshone their managers often faced termination. It was a lesson I had fortunately learned without personal detriment, observing it in others. Never attempt to surpass the master, lest you become the nail that gets hammered down.

    Scheming like this took a lot of work. I''d much rather read in the quiet of the library than engage in these mind games with egocentric individuals.

    The Hong Clan Leader chuckled and placed a hand on my shoulder, "You don''t have to be so modest, young man. While we may possess more knowledge, the younger generation holds greater potential. You may learn from us, but it''s up to you to carry those lessons forward, just as we did with our forefathers."

    The Lu Clan Leader also nodded and grunted, "Indeed, as a member of the Blazing Sun Sect, you have more potential than us despite being an outer disciple."

    It was evident that certain unspoken rules applied to the common folk when cultivators were nearby. Undoubtedly, some unpleasant experiences had taught them this the hard way.

    My new residence was less of a house and more like a grand mansion. It exuded an ancient Chinese aesthetic, with curved roofs and intricate details. Positioned at the town''s corner, where few ventured, it was surrounded by a sturdy wooden fence supported by rocks and white cement.

    Two additional guards stood sentinel at the mansion''s gates, bowing their heads as we approached.

    The governor reciprocated the gesture before leading us onto the mansion grounds. A pond teeming with fish adorned one corner, while a miniature shelter in the opposite corner housed a chessboard.

    "I''ve assigned those two guards at the gate to follow your commands. If you need anything, simply instruct them. They can fetch food or guide you to the finest eateries if you wish to explore the city," the governor explained.

    His words highlighted the mansion''s emptiness despite its grandeur.

    "I''ll arrange for a personal chef! I know some of the finest cooks in town," the Hong Clan Leader interjected eagerly.

    However, the governor seemed to interpret it differently, his expression darkening. He turned to the clan leaders, stating, "Then you must trust those chefs implicitly. You must also trust the ingredient suppliers and servants who will attend to Liu Feng. Should anything happen to him under your care, the Blazing Sun Sect would not hesitate to make an example of anyone found responsible... they would decimate the Hong Clan."

    The Hong Clan Leader''s friendly smile faltered, a bead of sweat trickling down his cheek. He retreated with an uncomfortable laugh, "My apologies. Should you need anything else, send one of your guards to the Hong Clan, and we will attend to you."

    "Well, we''ll leave you to settle into your new home," the governor announced, shooting a pointed glare at the clan leaders, prompting them to depart.

    "Apologies, Liu Feng. Duty calls," the Hong Clan Leader lamented before leaving.

    The Lu Clan Leader offered a nod before taking his leave as well.

    As soon as they exited the mansion grounds, I released a breath I hadn''t realized I''d been holding.

    "How vexing. Ironically, I felt more at ease with Song Song around," I grumbled under my breath. "Even Ye An is better company than this."

    I stepped into my new abode, greeted by impeccable cleanlinessnot a trace of dust, not even above the door frames. As I explored the mansion, its emptiness became apparent, as if no one had inhabited it for years.

    Undoubtedly, this was the old governor''s way of absolving himself of responsibility should anything untoward occur.

    Nevertheless, I found solace in this solitude.

    Secluded in this remote location, with minimal noise and no distractions, it was an ideal setting for a breakthrough.

    Previously, I had been content to delay, lacking the drive to hasten such matters. But now, the situation had changed. The need to actively seek a breakthrough had become pressing.

    Setting down my wooden backpack, I smiled at Speedy as he peeked out, surveying our new surroundings.

    As I gently placed my wooden backpack on the floor, I couldn''t help but smile at Speedy, who poked his head out, his eyes wide with curiosity.

    "This is our new home, little buddy. What do you think?" I asked, affectionately rubbing his head.

    Now, how does one actively pursue a breakthrough? Both of my previous near-breakthroughs had occurred by chance.

    Fortunately, I possessed a wealth of knowledge on how to approach such a task.

 Chapter 85: An Old Governor’s Tales

    Chapter 85: An Old Governor��s Tales

    Mao Shaoqi had served as the governor of Whitewall City for nearly a decade. When he first assumed office, Whitewall was merely a medium-sized town, though some still referred to it as such out of habit. In truth, it had burgeoned into a bustling city, especially during the summer months when merchants flooded its streets.

    Since his arrival, he had relentlessly poured his energy into the town''s growth, undeterred by the presence of two rival cultivator clans. Mao Shaoqi''s unwavering determination and tireless efforts transformed Whitewall from a modest settlement into a city that even the prestigious Blazing Sun Sect deemed worthy of protection despite its local cultivators and defensive measures.

    However, this year, the Sect''s decision took a surprising turn. Instead of dispatching seasoned Inner Disciples proficient in Earth Grade Techniques, they had assigned a relatively unknown Outer Disciple to Whitewall. The unexpectedness of this decision left a bitter taste in Mao Shaoqi''s mouth, yet he had no choice but to accept it.

    As he reclined in his office chair, his mind drifted to the newcomer, his feet resting on the table.

    Closing his eyes, memories flooded backparticularly one that had led him to this remote post.

    Having once served under a core elder in the Blazing Sun Sect, Mao Shaoqi''s advancement had seemed assured. Despite his modest talents, he had hoped to attain the rank of Outer Elder and even reach Foundation Establishment. Yet, his ambitions were derailed by a seemingly young girl, only at the Body Tempering stage.

    Involuntarily, Mao Shaoqi''s hand drifted to the scar on his face, the pain still fresh despite the years that had passed. He had believed he''d moved past the humiliation of that episode, but life had a way of surprising him.

    A young girl, merely ten years old, had somehow inflicted injury upon a Qi Gathering Cultivatoran incident so humiliating that Mao Shaoqi could never face his colleagues again. He had been banished to the middle of nowhere to spare his faction from disgrace.

    The culprit behind his scar was none other than Song Song. She was born into privilege and possessed talent, beauty, martial instincts, and a prestigious lineage. With abundant teachers and resources at her disposal, she lacked for nothing.

    In his folly, or perhaps arrogance, Mao Shaoqi had deemed himself capable of instructing Song Song, given their similar training backgrounds. However, his attempt at discipline resulted in his face being slashed.

    Now, after many years, his assailant found herself in charge of managing his city. Despite his apprehension about facing her again, she deemed him unworthy of even a greeting, treating him as a nobody.

    The realization fueled Mao Shaoqi''s rage, triggering a surge of malevolent Qi that propelled the table before him into the wall, shattering the expensive wood. His nervousness gave way to anger at Song Song''s dismissal of him.

    Did she even recall what she had done to him? Mao Shaoqi began to doubt.

    He had eagerly pursued every rumor about Song Song despite no longer being part of the Sect. He was well-acquainted, though not surprised she ended up as a ruthless murderer. However, her recent behavior confounded him.

    Standing, he effortlessly restored the fallen table to its place, but his gaze was drawn to the shattered window behind his desk.

    "Damn it, I let my emotions get the better of me," Mao Shaoqi muttered under his breath.

    Despite his authority as governor and substantial wealth, Mao Shaoqi was reluctant to squander his citizens'' hard-earned money.

    Tax revenue wasn''t found on the roadside, after all. Especially during beast waves, those funds could be better utilized to fortify the city''s defenses or support families affected by the conflict, preventing desperation from driving people to future crime.

    Gradually regaining his composure, Mao Shaoqi took a deep breath. "I''m a different person now. The people of this city have relied on me as their protector for years. I am their benevolent guardian. I can''t betray their trust... and glass is too volatile."

    With his temper subsiding, Mao Shaoqi could now rationally contemplate the situation.

    Reflecting on Song Song''s character, he concluded she was cruel enough to relish demonstrating her power over him. While some individuals became malevolent due to life''s circumstances, Mao Shaoqi believed there were inherently evil people like Song Song.

    But why hadn''t she just come and mocked him like he had expected her to do?He wondered.

    Suddenly, another figure crossed his mindone he had previously overlooked. It was the youth Song Song had sent to Whitewall City, perhaps as a token member of her group. Given the youth''s status as a Body Tempering Cultivator, Mao Shaoqi surmised he was likely deemed the least valuable member.

    "Ah, I unjustly lashed out at the boy. We''re both victims of that psychopath," Mao Shaoqi murmured. He recognized the goodness in the youth and couldn''t help but see his younger self reflected in him from a certain perspective.

    Song Song had undoubtedly anticipated Mao Shaoqi''s anger towards Liu Feng, knowing their history. But Mao Shaoqi had evolved, no longer the man he once was. He saw Liu Feng for who he truly was and, in many ways, saw a reflection of his own past self in him.

    It may be time to bridge the gap with the young Liu Feng. Lingering animosity served no purpose, especially amidst the already simmering tensions between the city''s clan leaders.

    Although Liu Feng had shown no outward hostility, Mao Shaoqi couldn''t discount the possibility of hidden animosity. Despite his youth, Liu Feng might possess a level of emotional control beyond his yearsstranger things had occurred in Mao Shaoqi''s long life. So he didn''t question it that much.

    Nevertheless, he quelled the irritation. Liu Feng was simply unaware of the city''s transformation, a fact he would soon come to appreciate. After all, Whitewall City had evolved into one of the region''s strongest cities.

    "Excuse me, ladies, but I must speak with the governor," Liu Feng interjected politely.

    The girls, appearing bashful, averted their gaze and offered a slight bow to Liu Feng before departing, seemingly lost in thought. In their distraction, they forgot to pay their respects to the governor as they withdrew.

    Were they meant to charm him or be charmed themselves? The question lingered as they disappeared.

    "Don''t hold it against them, governor," Liu Feng interjected as if foreseeing Mao Shaoqi''s thoughts. "They''re just young kids trying to earn their parents'' approval. It was actually refreshing to talk with normal teenagers for once. In the Blazing Sun Sect, kids their age are usually messed up in the head. That''s not how children should behave."

    "You do realize they were attempting to seduce you, don''t you?" Mao Shaoqi clarified, ensuring Liu Feng understood the gravity of the situation.

    "Honestly, I''d prefer this over peers trying to take my head off," Liu Feng shrugged nonchalantly.

    What an unusual youngster...

    "I was planning to ask you anyway, but could you stay here under the guise of discussing matters and guard me for an hour or two?" Liu Feng''s request came out of nowhere.

    "Why?" Mao Shaoqi frowned, considering the pressing matters awaiting his attention amidst the impending Monster Wave. Without a compelling reason, he would have to decline the request; his people needed him during such critical times.

    "Oh, I''m going to attempt a breakthrough. I studied some notes last night and made the necessary preparations," Liu Feng explained casually as if discussing the weather.

    Mao Shaoqi''s plans and discussions for the day instantly evaporated. While breaking through from Body Tempering to Qi Gathering wasn''t as perilous as later stages, it was still a challenging milestone many struggled to overcome for years.

    Despite their brief acquaintance, the level of trust Liu Feng placed in him was remarkable. Or reckless... a bit of both, perhaps.

    "Very well, just let me know where you''ll be attempting the breakthrough," the governor acquiesced.

    "Right here," Liu Feng settled onto the grass beside the pond. "Even if someone manages to conceal their presence from your Qi senses, this location offers enough visibility to see intruders."

    Why would someone skilled enough to conceal their presence target Liu Feng? Mao Shaoqi pondered. As far as he knew, the boy was unremarkable. Perhaps he had some hidden background, but if so, Song Song wouldn''t have abandoned him. Then again, Song Song wasn''t known for her logical decisions.

    "Go ahead, kid," the governor shrugged, allowing Liu Feng to proceed with his breakthrough attempt.

    Liu Feng nodded, muttering under his breath as a purple barrier formed around him.

    An Array Conjurer? Mao Shaoqi''s interest piqued. Such talent at a young age was rare. That was why Song Song brought him along; he had his own unique abilities.

    Mao Shaoqi couldn''t hear Liu Feng''s breath despite his chest moving. The silencing array likely helped him concentrate.

    Not expecting much from the attempt, Mao Shaoqi watched as Liu Feng''s Qi surged. Doubts about the boy''s ability vanished as a tornado of Qi engulfed him.

    Impressed, Mao Shaoqi''s eyes widened as Liu Feng''s breath grew shallow, and he opened his eyes. A burst of Qi erupted from his body, cracking the silencing array.

    A new Qi Gathering Cultivator typically struggled to control their Qi, akin to mastering a new limb or sense. It often took months to adjust, with their senses overwhelmed by the newfound perception of Qi.

    In an instant, the unruly Qi calmed, settling under his control with the finesse of a veteran. Liu Feng''s mastery became evident. Soon, his Qi was so well-suppressed that Mao Shaoqi had to concentrate to sense it at all.

    The notion that Liu Feng had somehow faked his breakthrough and had been a Qi Gathering Cultivator all along briefly crossed Mao Shaoqi''s mind. However, he dismissed the thought as nonsensical; such actions had no logical benefit.

    At that moment, Mao Shaoqi realized he had misjudged Song Song''s motives for leaving Liu Feng behind.

    She hadn''t deemed him useless; instead, she had likely wanted to keep another monstrous individual like herself at a distance!

    A surge of pure, unbridled rage blossomed within Mao Shaoqi. An emotion he had abandoned long ago woke once again. The key to revenge lay right in front of him!

 Chapter 86: Incompetent or Mastermind?

    Chapter 86: Incompetent or Mastermind?

    Breaking through was much easier than I anticipated.

    To transition from Body Tempering to Qi Gathering, one simply needed to release all the Qi in their body in a powerful burst, akin to how I unleashed killing intent. Then, they had to halt that Qi from escaping their body. Eventually, the body should acclimate to its presence, instinctively drawing it in, thus completing the final step toward preparation for Qi. Subsequently, the Qi Gathering Cultivator would gain the ability to perceive Qi, control it, and manage other related aspects.

    The breakthrough to Qi Gathering depended significantly on the quantity of one''s spirit roots. These roots facilitated Qi production, regeneration, control, and other related functions.

    In my case, I was already so close to Qi Gathering that the typically arduous process, where the Body Tempering Cultivator had to contain their Qi within their body for hours, was unnecessary.

    It came as a surprise to me as well, although in many aspects, I should have anticipated it. I could already sense Qi and even harbored Song Song''s foreign Qi within me. Moreover, I had almost broken through twice before, purely by accident.

    There were numerous methods for breaking through to Qi Gathering, and the one I employed involved forcefully dismantling the barrier, or in my case, the thin sheet separating me from the breakthrough. Nonetheless, I wished the breakthrough could have been more natural, allowing me to savor the experience.

    Nonetheless, this wasn''t entirely unfavorable. Instead of experiencing a natural breakthrough, I could document the journey as someone who forcefully broke through. While it might be considered the less exciting route, I would need to encounter someone in the future who broke through naturally to compare. As far as I knew, there were no significant drawbacks, but I still desired confirmation. It was regrettable that regression of cultivation without damaging one''s spirit roots was impossible.New n0vel chapters are published on

    My fingers itched to record these discoveries while fresh in my mind. However, with the governor present, it wasn''t the most opportune time to indulge my scholarly inclinations.

    Instead, I smiled and nodded as if this had all been part of my plan. "Thank you for your help, governor. It seems like the breakthrough went smoother than expected."

    Turning toward him, I found the old governor lost in thought. His gaze fixed on me with an unreadable glint, and he smiled and placed a hand on my shoulder.

    "You''re a good kid, Liu Feng. Keep doing what you''re doing, and perhaps you could even become a Core Disciple," he remarked before turning away, smiling. However, as he neared the gate, he halted and glanced back at me one last time. "If you ever need any help, don''t hesitate to come and ask me for anything!"

    As he departed, I watched his retreating figure, unable to suppress a frown.

    A tingling sensation behind my eyes accompanied a misty aura enveloping me, gradually solidifying into a transparent-like mucus.

    But this sensation paled compared to the sight of the golden vine extending from the stem of my brain, trailing along my spine, and terminating at my lower back. It resembled a lengthy worm with peculiar outwardly extended legs.

    Counting them carefully, I noted it had fifty-three legs.

    This was my spirit root, now easily perceptible since attaining Qi Gathering. It served as the sole organ responsible for my cultivation from this point forward.

    Even in idle moments, I could feel a subtle suction force emanating from the spirit root, absorbing minute amounts of Qi from the surrounding environment. Through a meticulous process, it would then replenish my Qi. It functioned like a filter, converting external Qi into my own energy, thereby averting harm to my body.

    "This is fascinating," I murmured, a smile gracing my lips as the tingling sensation behind my eyes subsided, and I adjusted to my newfound vision. With concentration, I could discern various misty auras surrounding me.

    This experience transcended anything I had previously experienced and could not be described in simple words. It was like trying to explain to a blind man what red looked like.

    Taking a deep breath and concentrating, I sensed warmth moving beneath my skin, coalescing into my right fist. Simply clenching my hand imbued me with the power behind it. However, I refrained from expending too much Qi, wary of overwhelming my fist''s capacity.

    The process was sluggish, akin to waiting for tea to boil. Nonetheless, I endeavored to spread that warmth throughout my body, gradually feeling an unprecedented surge of power coursing through me.

    Before long, an unnatural fatigue draped over my body, prompting me to cease reinforcing my body with Qi and instead focus on catching my breath.

    This underscored just how formidable Song Song was in manipulating her Qi. For her, it seemed effortless, whereas it felt akin to pushing a heavy cart for me. Though theoretically possible, transferring all my Qi from one part of my body to another while transitioning from offense to defense seemed daunting, requiring extraordinary reflexes even for seasoned cultivators.

    Yet, despite the challenges, a vast new realm had opened up before me. I was filled with a burning desire to experiment with constructing arrays using my own Qi and to refine my martial arts with Qi augmentation.

    Then, after a brief pause, he added, "If you don''t mind me asking, how many spirit roots do you possess?"

    Ah, so that was his aim all along.

    However, such a question was rather impolite in the world of cultivation. Talents often dictated one''s worth, and revealing a lack thereof could undermine one''s standing.

    "I am content with my level of talent," I replied, divulging nothing about the specifics.

    Had this inquiry come from someone within the Sect, I might have been inclined to answer truthfully. However, in this context, adopting a more guarded approach was crucial. The governor evidently saw potential in me, affording me some latitude. I doubted he had the means to conduct a thorough background check amidst the chaos of war.

    "Good," he nodded, a slight twitch forming at the corner of his lips, almost hinting at a smile. "I''m aware of your association with Song Song..."

    What was he insinuating here? Was he referring to the rumors circulating within the Sect about her and me being romantically involved or some other nonsense?

    Did he have informants within the Sect? That was a perilous game he was playing. Despite his current status as an outsider, if the Blazing Sun Sect caught wind of his activities, it would likely result in severe repercussions for him. Yet, I refrained from addressing the matter directly and instead opted for a more cautious response. "There''s nothing noteworthy between us. She''s my team leader, and I''m just one of her many followers."

    The old man should not be surprised by my vagueness. However, if he had spies, they might discern the underlying context.

    "I may not appear as more than a provincial governor of an obscure city," he continued, the words "obscure city" uttered with apparent difficulty. "But I have connections within the Sect, and they have divulged some intriguing information. I understand that you and Song Song are adversaries in all but name."

    Upon hearing this, my thoughts screeched to a halt, leaving me momentarily stunned.

    What was he talking about?

    I scrutinized his expression, searching for any indication of jest or insincerity.

    Spies? No, it seemed more plausible that this poor man had been scammed, ripped off, and bamboozled. It appeared that even in this world, the elderly were susceptible to scams.

    Even Yang Cho, with his penchant for gossip, seemed to possess more reliable information than whatever purported spies this man claimed to have. I was inclined to believe that he had no spies and was merely fabricating stories to bolster his image of sagacity.

    Despite his assumption, the likelihood of this man having spies was slim to none. Even if he did, they would have at least reported the rumors circulating within the Sect. So either his spies were grossly incompetent, taking his money without risking their necks on a task like spying on one of the most powerful Sects, or he had no spies. Personally, I was more inclined to believe the latter.

    Despite this, I saw no reason to correct him. Why stop an opponent from making a mistake?

    "Sure..." I responded cautiously, contemplating my following words carefully. "What do you intend to do with that information?"

    "Nothing, just wanted to inform you," the governor replied with a smile, a knowing glint in his eyes as though he had just imparted some profound revelation.

    What game was he playing here?

    Nevertheless, more pressing matters were at hand as we reached the walls. I ceased pondering whether the governor was a mastermind or merely inept. After all, he couldn''t be entirely incompetent if he had been entrusted with governing a town... Then again, it wasn''t as though governors were chosen for anything other than their cultivation prowess.

    We climbed atop the walls and surveyed the vast grasslands and the distant forest just outside the town. Since attaining Qi Gathering, my vision had improved, allowing me to discern some monstrous beasts concealed within the trees. Though too distant to discern their exact forms, their presence felt ominous, as if they were not merely stragglers but rather observers.

    Wait, were these creatures scouts?

    A shiver ran down my spine.

 Chapter 87: The Protagonist’s Day

    Chapter 87: The Protagonist��s Day

    Hu Jin stared at the plate of food before him while the outer disciples around him rambled on various topics. He had never considered it before, but the simple act of being able to eat whenever he wanted was a privilege he hadn''t fully appreciated until now.

    Just a couple of days ago, he had been imprisoned by an inner elder for allegedly crippling the cultivation of his disciple''s brother. It was a conundrum, a sticky situation that had led to him being treated horribly, forced to subsist on just one meal a day. With those memories fresh in his mind, he focused on savoring the plain bowl of rice and meat before him; though unseasoned and lacking the flavors of the meals he once enjoyed as a talented member of the Hu Clan, this simple fare felt strangely satisfying, like the best meal he''d had in a long time.

    "Please stop acting like a wimp," a deep, elderly voice chided, emanating from the coin in his pocket.

    "Shut up, old man," Hu Jin grumbled in response. "What would a ghost know about good food? That damn prison was starving me."

    Hu Jin was certain he would have perished in that cell if not for a just Core Elder whom he had befriended. Even now, his clenched fist betrayed the anger still simmering within him at the memory of his ordeal. Grateful to the Core Elder for his rescue, Hu Jin nursed revenge plans against those who had wronged him.

    His gaze hardened at thinking about what he intended to do to those people. They had initiated the conflict and then resorted to underhanded tactics to falsely accuse him.

    "You better start cooling down. People are starting to notice you. If you keep this up, someone might throw a punch to earn favor with those who put you in that cell," the old man warned, his voice echoing from the coin.

    As always, the old man''s advice proved wise, and Hu Jin had learned the consequences of drawing undue attention to himself the hard way. In this world, the nail that stuck out the most was often hammered down. So, for now, he had to bide his time.The source of this content no/v(el)bi((n))

    He knew he just had to wait a bit longer. Hu Jin would have his reckoning once he regained his former talent and soared to heights he had never reached before. He would prove wrong all those who had belittled, mocked and mistreated him.

    The breakfast no longer held that somber taste as he ate, quickly finishing his meal. Afterward, he walked out, keeping his head down as he passed through the dusting of snow, avoiding conversation with anyone. Even the old man in the coin remained silent for once.

    Descending the stairs, the wet snow melted beneath his feet, and he glanced toward the library tower in the distance. He couldn''t help but notice that his teacher''s usual insistence against visiting the library had lessened, and the librarian''s scrutiny had diminished slightly. However, his master had warned him sternly against stealing from the library again, cautioning him of potential drastic consequences should the librarian decide to retaliate.

    Pushing those thoughts aside, Hu Jin redirected his steps toward the market. Despite the winter chill thinning the crowds, some vendors and buyers still braved the cold. Yet, as he navigated the stalls and shops, he couldn''t shake off his growing annoyance.

    Most merchants boasted only blades or inscribed armor in their shops, their claims of wild defensive abilities easily debunked by his master.

    "Why is everyone selling so many damn weapons?" Hu Jin grumbled.

    "Winter is known as the season of war, and in my younger days, it also used to be known as the season of survival," said the old master, his voice tinged with reminiscence. "Back then, humanity faced genuine threats from Monstrous Beasts. We were one bad horde away from extinction as a species."

    "Really?" Hu Jin''s anger momentarily gave way to curiosity. His master didn''t often share personal stories. "Were the cultivators weaker back then?"

    "No, quite the opposite, actually. Though sects nowadays are more organized, back then, some no-name Nascent Soul Cultivator established the Blazing Sun Sect. It wouldn''t become the powerhouse it is today until the Blazing Sun Immortal achieved immortality."

    It was fascinating to have someone with such intimate knowledge of history at hand. Still, Hu Jin was more interested in his master''s life than the broader history of the Blazing Sun Sect.

    "Finally," Hu Jin muttered as he spotted a shop selling alchemy ingredients.

    After purchasing what he needed, he swiftly left the market, the ingredients disappearing from his hand and being stored inside the coin where his master resided. Walking around with expensive alchemical ingredients in plain sight wasn''t safe.

    Venturing into the cold, leafless forest, he found a secluded spot where he could practice in peace, free from interruptions.

    "Master, have you checked if anyone is around?" Hu Jin asked.

    "Yes, no one is around, don''t worry," his master reassured him. "It''s a shame you don''t have the brains or talent to learn some arrays. Then you wouldn''t have to rely on me so much for these things. My limited awakeness puts you in danger for the rest of the day."

    Ever since he had used his power to defeat that serpent, his master had struggled to stay awake for extended periods, revealing the toll that encounter had taken on him.

    With a swift motion of his hand, an Alchemical Cauldron transformed into a small furnace, its silver cover adorned with intricate golden inscriptions. A vibrant crimson-red flame emanated from within, casting an eerie glow and sending out a chill that permeated the surroundings.

    Hu Jin had never questioned how his master possessed such an artifact. But whatever material it was crafted from, it exuded a distinctly ominous aura, prompting him to avoid using it in the presence of others.

    As the snow melted and steam rose from the ground, Hu Jin felt the cold dissipate, replaced by an uncomfortable heat. Despite the discomfort, he persevered, gritting his teeth as beads of sweat formed on his brow.

    However, despite his intimidating demeanor, the old master wore a smile on his face. "Of course, all my ideas are good. I didn''t live for centuries and almost reached the peak of cultivation without having a brain."

    Despite the evident self-praise, Hu Jin bowed his head respectfully. "Thank you for your guidance. I promise to do my best to find a way to restore your physical form, master."

    The old master''s smile widened at the gesture, his eyes shining with appreciation. But soon, his expression turned serious, and he ran a hand through his ghostly beard. "Still, don''t become arrogant just because you''ve progressed in Body Tempering. Advancing quickly in this stage is relatively common, with various methods available. The true challenge begins when you reach Qi Gathering. Even an average cultivator with fifty spirit roots would take about a year to advance by one star in Qi Gathering. And suppose they fail to break through to Foundation Establishment after cultivating for a decade. In that case, they''d have to restart from one-star Qi Gathering again. Many perish despite their potential because they fail to break through in time."

    "Yeah, I understand," Hu Jin nodded solemnly. He was well aware of his limitations and needed to address his lack of cultivation talent.

    With fewer than fifty spirit roots, and not even twenty at that, advancing to Qi Gathering was a monumental challenge, let alone progressing beyond. But with his master''s guidance, he believed anything was possible.

    "It may seem fast and easy now, but the path of cultivation is far from it," the old master nodded.

    "Yes, and the sooner we restore my spirit roots, the sooner we can achieve our goals," Hu Jin affirmed.

    A part of him was eager to reclaim his former talent, where Sects vied for his attention, and his family showered him with praise.

    "Technically, we''re not healing your spiritual roots. There''s nothing to heal or recuperate because it had been almost a decade since your cultivation was broken by the time we met," the old cultivator explained, his tone oddly punctual on certain matters. "Still, we''re creating new ones."

    Hu Jin nodded, recalling how he had acquired those nineteen spirit roots in the first place. While the herb he had stolen from Ye An had earned him her eternal enmity, the pill his master had concocted from it had granted him a second chance at cultivation.

    "Since your body will be out of commission for weeks after the Strengthening Pills, you should rest during that period and use the time to enrich your knowledge," the old master suggested a dangerous glint in his eyes. "You should visit the Alchemy Pagoda."

    "I''ve already learned plenty," Hu Jin insisted. "It would be more beneficial to spend that time searching for new techniques. It''s been a while since we stumbled upon an Earth Grade Technique."

    As Hu Jin stretched, feeling his body slowly recuperating thanks to the healing pills, the old master countered his idea. "Instead of learning more techniques, you should focus on mastering those you already have. Achieving a Trace at Qi Gathering is monumental, and you can''t do that with a half-assed technique."

    Hu Jin knew his master was rarely wrong in such matters, but he couldn''t resist teasing him. With a smug smile, he remarked, "You''re just nervous about being near the library because of that bookworm, aren''t you?"

    The old master frowned. "Not necessarily, but you should always avoid Liu Feng."

    Though Hu Jin was confident his master could discern his jest, the severity of the situation warranted such precautions, and he didn''t take the warning lightly.

    "You never explained why we need to be cautious around that guy," Hu Jin shrugged, seeking clarification.

    Liu Feng exuded a dangerous aura akin to a serpent lurking in the grass, biding its time to strike. He was someone you didn''t want to turn your back on. Yet, despite his threat, others in the sect were even more dangerous than him.

    "It''s never wise to associate with those who skirt the edges of death," the master shook his head solemnly.

    Hu Jin arched a questioning brow, eyeing his master. "Skirting the edges of death? You do realize you''re a ghost, right?"

    "When I was alive, I possessed theoretical knowledge of the soul and concocted many poisons that targeted it. But it wasn''t until after my death, when I departed my body, that I gained the ability to perceive the soul firsthand," the old master explained, his expression grim. "And I can tell you, without a doubt, that Liu Feng''s soul is nothing short of an abomination."

    "Abomination? What does that mean?" Hu Jin inquired.

    "It could mean many things," the old man shrugged. "At best, the lad was born with a peculiar soul. At worst, we''re dealing with an immortal who has evaded death. No one but an immortal could achieve such a feat. Though crude, the melding of souls is seamless."

    The gravity of the situation settled heavily on Hu Jin, sending a shiver down his spine.

    "Believe me, kid. You don''t want to entangle yourself with their kind. Immortal cultivators transcend humanity��they''re stronger and more cunning than you can imagine. Even if an immortal were to reincarnate and lose their power, they would still retain their immortal techniques. And trust me, you don''t want to cross paths with those individuals."

    His master''s somber warning echoed in Hu Jin''s mind, reminding him of how Liu Feng had looked at his master during the exams.

    What a terrifying guy...

 Chapter 88: Springing A Trap

    Chapter 88: Springing A Trap

    The monstrous beasts stared straight at us, their attempt at hiding behind the trees rather feeble.

    "Why''re they looking at us? Do they usually do this?" I asked.

    Monstrous beasts below Foundation Establishment behaved much like other animals. Usually, they just attacked. Yet, some retained a predatory instinct, observing their prey from afar, waiting for an opportunity.

    "No," the old governor frowned. "This is strange. But we will send some people to take care of them."

    "Do you think someone is leading them? They could be scouts," I offered.

    The old governor paused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "While possible, that is very unlikely. Even if, God forbid, they were led by a Foundation Establishment monstrous beast, they would be more likely to attack head-on since it would have the advantage. Even when Foundation Establishment monstrous beasts have human-like intelligence, they learn anew with a low chance of knowing human military strategies like scouts."

    Certain bee-like monstrous beasts sent scouts like this, too, even without a Foundation Establishment leader. However, bringing up such a thing was useless since the creatures scouting us looked nothing like bees, and the monstrous beasts I referred to were not native to these lands.

    I scrutinized the town wall and our defensive measures. Despite the rivalry between clans, the walls were manned with Body Tempering Cultivators. Yet, there were no cannons or similar deterrents against sizable monsters. To qualify as a monstrous beast, the creature would need to awaken a semblance of Qi, placing the average Body Tempering Cultivator at a massive disadvantage.

    "Can I go with the party to hunt down those monsters?" I asked.

    The governor met my gaze momentarily before stating, "That would be unnecessarily dangerous."

    "I know, but I believe in my abilities," I insisted.

    Asking him was merely a formality; we both understood I didn''t need his permission. I was not his child or his servant. Quite the opposite, actually.

    "Be careful out there," he nodded. Then he turned toward one of the guards and said, "Notify the team going out that they will have a new leader."

    He was making me the team leader? That was quite generous of him. It''s not like I necessarily needed to lead the team. Still, it wouldn''t hurt to be at the top of the command chain in the team, so there wouldn''t be unnecessary arguments.

    I walked over to the edge of the wall and jumped down, softly landing on the grass with a crouch to absorb all the impact. While crouching, I touched the ground and tried to feel any tremors.

    During my experience with the scorpions while I was with Song Song, I knew just how devastating underground ambushes were.

    Standing up, I dusted off my hand, and while waiting for my new team to come out, I kept my eyes on the monstrous beasts in the distance. Controlling some of my Qi, I concentrated it softly in my eyes. The last thing I wanted was to go blind because I put too much Qi in them. That would be a ridiculous way to go blind, too.

    If I thought my vision was better before, after using Qi in my eyes, it felt like the first time I was seeing things so clearly. No longer were shadows disturbing my vision, and even as the monstrous beasts hid, they were as clear as day to me.

    The monstrous beasts spying on us were not from the same race. Just to mention some, one looked like a centaur, another was like a minotaur, and there was some kind of crow-like creature with arms and legs.

    Slowly, a handful of Body Tempering Cultivators opened the town''s large gates as a dozen people came out. Unlike the others, who wore colors representing their clans, these guys were decked out in dark uniforms. They bowed their heads respectfully toward me as the door closed behind them.

    Amongst them, one of the stronger guys, who seemed to be in his late twenties and a seven-star Body Tempering Cultivator, stared at me with a heated glare. He must have been the previous leader before he was forced to step aside.

    Well, this was something I had expected regarding these kinds of things. If he tried anything hot-headed while we were out there, I would snap his wry neck and leave him for the beasts to eat his corpse.

    "If you don''t know me, my name is Liu Feng. I will be your leader for this mission, and we will be exterminating those monsters just looking creepily at us," I pointed at the creatures in the distance, hiding in the shadows of the trees.

    He folded his arms and looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding. Then he told one of the soldiers, ��Go and call the Lu and Hong Clan leaders. Tell them it is an emergency, so I don��t have time for their dawdling around.��

    ��I will go and do so immediately, sir!�� The soldier saluted before rushing away.

    After that, I turned toward the monstrous beasts in the distance and kept my eyes on them. They were the same as before, and the chances of this being a scheme were high. My mind went through a dozen scenarios of what they could be up to, but without concrete proof, such assumptions were useless.

    It didn��t take long for the two clan heads to arrive, and they seemed to be competing to see who could power walk faster toward us. The Lu Clan Head won that, sporting a triumphant look in his eyes.

    These guys... They were ridiculous.

    Despite what I felt about these two for trying to compete against each other even at times like these, I quickly swallowed such feelings and explained my theory to them. About how there must be some kind of intelligent leader leading the monstrous beasts, and we should be ready for anything. Perhaps even a Foundation Establishment monstrous beast could be close by, giving orders and testing if we had anyone strong enough to challenge it.

    ��It is a good theory,�� the Hong Clan Leader nodded, dressed extravagantly, as always in red colors.

    On the other hand, the Lu Clan Head was quieter and simply nodded. I liked him more than the constantly talkative Hong Clan Leader. That guy had mastered the art of breaking while talking somehow.

    ��That is why I think two Qi Gathering Cultivators like Lu Clan Head, and I should go and check how things are there, and we can escape if needed,�� I said.

    ��Oho, you reached Qi Gathering? Congratulations are in order. You��re welcome to the Hong Clan anytime, and we will throw a feast that will be remembered for generations! It isn��t every day that someone so young reaches such a stage in cultivation,�� the Hong Clan Head said, laughing with joy.

    We were in the middle of a war, and he wanted to throw a party? I admired the governor for putting up with these guys all day and staying sane enough to manage a town.

    Either way, I shook my head. "Perhaps at a later date."

    Before he and the Lu Clan Leader could engage in some kind of contest, I just jumped off the wall again and said, "Feel free to follow me whenever you want, Lu Clan Leader."

    I had chosen the Lu Clan Head to accompany me since he was quieter and didn''t want my ears to fall off from constant yapping. Also, I wanted to concentrate on the matter at hand. Despite the words the Hong Clan Leader was saying, he didn''t seem to take the circumstances seriously.

    The Lu Clan Head quickly rushed next to me and grunted in affirmation before saying, "What should we do?"

    "Just follow my lead for now," I advised and rushed toward our target. "Also, suppress your Qi just in case. Make us seem like two normal Body Tempering Cultivators."

    As we stalked close to the monstrous beasts, they kept their eyes on us, and as soon as we were within a certain distance, they immediately ran away. The Lu Clan Head and I only needed to exchange glances, and we understood each other, giving chase to the monstrous beasts.

    We chased them through the naked forests of leafless trees and snow. We could have caught up to them relatively quickly, but instead, we kept a comfortable pace as our goal was not to catch them but to see what they were up to.

    But as we got deeper into the forest, we stopped as our senses picked something up. The Lu Clan head''s eyes widened, and he asked, "What? How come I didn''t sense it until now?"

    "Animals are always good at hiding, even though they lack humans'' traditional training methods. There are certain things like suppressing their Qi to hide their presence that animals do subconsciously," I said.

    I looked around and was greeted by quite the sight. Gorillas as tall as trees, spiders the size of cars, snakes as thick as a tree trunk and as long as a bus, and many other monstrous beasts surrounded us. There were about forty of them. Somehow, we hadn''t sensed them at all.

    Huh, we had found ourselves in quite a pinch here.

 Chapter 89: Falling Moon

    Chapter 89: Falling Moon

    Animals needed access to Qi in some way to be considered monstrous beasts. While humans had Qi and didn''t change much appearance-wise, monstrous beasts were the opposite. When encountering a monstrous beast, one could usually tell by their size and features unless it was an extremely rare case.

    Despite having Qi and its effects on their bodies, it didn''t mean they could consciously use it. Doing so required more than just instinctual intelligence.

    Of course, I had read this in books, but it was something I had yet to see or prove for myself. Just like with every rule, there were exceptions, and there were Qi Gathering monstrous beasts that could use Qi too. If a couple of such monstrous beasts existed among those that surrounded us, then we were done for.

    I slammed my palms on the ground before any of the monstrous beasts started attacking. A web-like light spread out onto the ground, and a burst of mist exploded, obscuring the vision of anyone in the area. Except for myself, since the array was made by my own Qi, I could sense every slight movement within the mist.

    Monstrous beasts didn''t have the same training humans did, so despite being physically stronger than humans of the same stage, they couldn''t sense Qi.

    I put my hand on the Lu Clan Leader''s shoulder and quietly guided him away while trying to make as little sound as possible. Thankfully, he understood what was happening and didn''t say anything either.

    But two steps into our plan of escaping this mist, the monstrous beasts charged. At first, I thought it was a mad charge without a goal, which would be expected of monstrous beasts. Instead, what we got was all the monstrous beasts charging toward us with pinpoint accuracy, none of them even a little off.

    Immediately, we set off, and I whispered, "They can sense us!"

    The Lu Clan Leader''s eyes widened before he looked at me and followed along as we tried to run toward the town.

    The implications of what was happening were terrifying.

    These monstrous beasts could sense us? Not just one or two of them could do that; all of them could, almost as if they were trained to do this.

    However, despite the realization, I felt strangely calm as I tried to think of how we should play this out. My chances of survival were relatively high, especially since I could just throw the other guy under the bus as he was slower than me. But that was not something I would like to do, despite how annoying the Lu Clan and Hong Clan Leaders were.

    "Shit," the Lu Clan Head cursed under his breath as a frog monstrous beast the size of a car opened its mouth and had its tongue wrapped around the Clan Leader''s leg.

    Without hesitation, I turned around and swung my arm as if I were scratching the space before me.

    Falling Moon Claw!

    The air where I had swiped and aimed with my Qi twisted and turned before a condensed slash of wind shot toward the frog''s tongue, easily cutting through it and allowing the Lu Clan Leader to escape.

    But before the monstrous beast could retract its tongue, I grabbed onto it and swung it around like a bowling ball on a string. It hit the other monstrous beasts, landing on a bat causing it to fall from the sky, land head-first into a tree, and skewer itself. But at the same time, my new weapon also suffered some damage due to now becoming nothing more than a clump of bloody flesh.

    What a shame; I thought it would have a stronger body as a monstrous beast. But soft-fleshed creatures like frogs usually had weaker defenses, even as monstrous beasts. They make up for such weakness with their long-range or poison. However, it seemed like this one was still in development and hadn''t reached that stage yet.

    This stunt of mine had pushed several monstrous beasts away. But it had also given others the time to get closer. From what I could sense, the Lu Clan Leader hadn''t gotten that far away, as his movement technique was quite slow.

    I was about to turn around when I noticed that while some monstrous beasts were clustering, they were getting in each other''s way.

    They might be able to sense and perhaps even use Qi. However, they were still unable to communicate with each other and do complex maneuvers while working together.

    At that moment, I decided to put escape on hold as an idea came to mind. Though I kept running away from them, it was slower than my max speed, and they would catch up to me soon enough.

    The first one to reach me was a human-sized praying mantis-like monstrous beast, and it swiped one of its blade-like arms toward my head. But I sensed the attack and crouched down, swiping at its midsection.

    Falling Moon Claw!

    I bisected the monstrous beast, kicked its lower body away, and grabbed its upper body before it could fall to the ground. It almost surprised me that despite its injuries, this bug could survive quite a bit longer than normal creatures who took this much damage.

    But since I had grabbed onto its neck, I didn''t dodge its attacks and instead just moved it around like a rag doll, causing all its attacks to miss. Then, I shot another invisible slash at its arms and used its arm as a sword against a kangaroo-looking creature with deer antlers.

    The creature tried to block, but my new weapon only ended up slicing through its arms and neck like they were nothing.

    It was a shame I was not strong enough. Otherwise, I could have experimented some more and tried other moves. It wasn''t like I got the chance often to practice on live targets where I could go all out against them.

    Within a dozen seconds, I caught up with the Lu Clan Leader, who had been a disappointing deadweight until now. As I got closer to him and looked at his face better, I couldn''t help but frown. The guy was pale and looked scared.

    What was up with that? Why was he panicking? He was the veteran here.

    "Everything okay?" I asked, trying to see whether he was poisoned or anything like that.

    The Lu Clan Leader shuddered. "Your theory might have some merit. The monstrous beasts did not fight or feel like their usual wild selves."

    What?��I frowned.

    I recalled how the clan leaders and governor agreed that my hypothesis was reasonable. Why was this guy reacting like he just...

    Ah, he hadn''t believed my claims all along. He had just agreed so he would get on my good side. Were the governor and other clan head like this too? Had they sung my praises just so they wouldn''t get on my bad side?

    That was annoying...

    Now I understood why Song Song liked honesty so much despite how often I had gotten under her skin.

    Just like before, the monstrous beasts were slowly catching up to us since I was moving at the same speed as the Lu Clan Head.

    I glanced at the Lu Clan Head and contemplated leaving him behind. When I thought of Qi Gathering Cultivators, I thought of them as useful fighters. But with how it was going, they seemed nothing more than dead weight.

    I also valued my life enough that I wouldn''t be willing to put it on the line for every hobo out there. More importantly, I wouldn''t like my life to be left to someone incompetent.

    These guys did not inspire the confidence Song Song exuded. If she was around, I wouldn''t have to even think about worrying about my life��not like this guy, who would have been better off if I hadn''t taken him along to spring this trap.

    Sighing, I stopped again and turned to face the approaching monstrous beasts.

    Perhaps I was judging him too soon, and this was his first time facing monstrous beasts like this. But in the future, I should calculate how much I would be willing to sacrifice to keep these guys alive. Putting my life on the line for them was not worth it.

    If I had learned anything from Song Song, it was that there were times in someone''s life when they needed to be cold and logical.

    I slammed my hand on the ground, and a translucent purplish barrier rose. Some monstrous beasts walked in without hesitation and immediately became wobbly and sleepy. Most slowed down, and a few fell asleep.

    Huh, they seemed they hadn''t been trained to handle certain arrays. So, my Sleeping Array was quite effective. Good...

    I turned around and decided not to attack the drowsy monstrous beasts as they could awake at any moment. Just an instinctive discharge of Qi would break a simple and weak effect like sleep.

    As soon as we reached the wall, I jumped up in one swoop. The Lu Clan Head did the same. While his movement sucked at speedy escapes, it had good maneuverability, as he seemed to almost dance on the wind as he climbed up.

    In the distance, the monstrous beasts awoke. But instead of continuing to give chase, they retreated.

    "How did everything go?" asked the old governor.

    I turned toward him and then glanced at the Clan Heads.

    Having someone else on the team, even someone relative to her stage in cultivation could still be a liability. With how the Lu Clan Leader had acted out there, I couldn��t trust this guy to peel a potato, much less handle a war against a dangerous enemy.

    Note to self, not everyone was Song Song.

 Chapter 90: Plans & Schemes

    Chapter 90: Plans & Schemes

    Now that I was atop the walls and safe, it gave me a chance to calm down and think things through logically. However, I had already made some decisions after witnessing the display by the Lu Clan Leader.

    This was my life here, and I would not let the actions of someone incompetent jeopardize it.

    I looked at the governor and the Hong Clan Leader, wondering if they were akin to the Lu Clan Head. Upon closer inspection, they seemed more like politicians than competent leaders or warriors.

    This may be my biased opinion, but they really paled compared to Song Song. I used to consider her a poor leader, but at least she possessed enough skill as a warrior to compensate for her mistakes.

    Approaching them, I raised the two mantis arms I had with me. "Do you have any skilled blacksmiths in town who can work with materials from monstrous beasts?"

    Considering cities experiencing Beast Waves, they usually had craftsmen to fashion weapons from the creatures they slayed every winter.

    "Yes, I know just the right people for these,�� the governor examined the monstrous beast''s parts, then met my gaze and nodded. ��I also dabbled in blacksmithing back in the day. What kind of weapons do you need?"

    "I''m not well-versed in weapons or monster materials. What can you tell me about them? What would be the best weapon to fashion from these two arms?" I inquired.

    There were some half-truths in my words. While I hadn''t directly worked with materials from monstrous beasts to create weapons or artifacts, I had compiled a monster encyclopedia. So, the subject was not unfamiliar.

    But I said that to gauge the governor''s response. From now on, I would scrutinize everything they claimed about their abilities. Politicians often embellished their skills to secure positions of power, and these individuals now fell into that category.

    "Daggers would work best. The rough form is already there. Since we don''t have someone skilled enough to fashion them into a completely new shape like a spear or similar weapon," he rubbed his chin, appearing lost in thought before continuing, "I will put in a good word for you so you can get those daggers faster."

    I nodded in agreement. "Good."

    He had a grasp of the basics. Perhaps even more...

    As the governor handed over the mantis arms, I watched as one of the guards collected them and swiftly left.

    With that task completed, I settled down cross-legged and retrieved a couple of spirit stones from my pocket. As I began to meditate, I focused on controlling my Qi, forming it into a needle-like shape in the center of my palm and slowly drawing Qi from the spirit stone.

    Unlike the Qi found in nature, the Qi within a spirit stone was less rigid and readily absorbed by the body without adverse effects.

    This was something I had researched but never had the opportunity to attempt myself. This new source of Qi felt refreshingly cool, akin to a revitalizing drink coursing down my throat and permeating my internal organs.

    Meanwhile, the governor and the two clan heads engaged in conversation. The Lu Clan Leader, now composed, recounted the events and circumstances. Throughout, I listened intently, ensuring he didn''t exaggerate his actions.

    "Thankfully, we managed to fend off the monstrous beasts while making our escape-"

    Before the Lu Clan Leader could tell any more fairy tales, I rose to my feet, diverting everyone''s attention back to me.

    Regardless of my feelings toward him, I wasn''t about to expose the Lu Clan Leader''s fabrications in front of everyone. Despite his cowardly conduct and panic, revealing his falsehoods yielded no benefits, while concealing his secret did. Perhaps I could use this knowledge later as leverage.

    "Anyway, it seems the monstrous beasts indeed had some sort of leader or instructor who taught them how to sense Qi and, to a lesser extent, utilize it. This mentor could either be a more mature monstrous beast or a demonic cultivator seeking chaos," I elaborated.

    The governor nodded in acknowledgment, and the Hong Clan Head chimed in, "As expected of someone from the Blazing Sun Sect, your assumption was spot-on."

    Entering the mansion, I passed through numerous doors. I entered one of the simple bedrooms, reminiscent of the living quarters back at the Sect. The modest dimensions and close walls might induce claustrophobia in some, but I found comfort in the setup. An array I had placed around my room made it difficult for assassins to detect my Qi, and the vacant master bedroom served as an obvious decoy.

    Reclining on the bed, I inhaled deeply, savoring the earthy scent emanating from the wooden walls. The room had a tranquil atmosphere, allowing my thoughts to wander freely. I spent several minutes contemplating various schemes and organizing my plans for the future, all while devising contingencies for any potential setbacks.

    It was a tangled web of ideas but not an insurmountable predicament... yet. If things took a turn for the worse, I still had Song Song in a nearby city whom I could call upon for assistance.

    Part of me was tempted to contact her immediately, entrusting her to assert control over the situation here. However, I recognized that she had her own problems to contend with, and I couldn''t rely on her to resolve every obstacle that crossed my path. Some trials in life required my personal intervention.

    ...

    After spending a few hours resting on the bed, I finally decided on my next course of action.

    Rising from the bed, I stepped into the hallway to stretch, the confined space of the room offering little room for movement. Exiting the mansion, I was greeted by an armored guard holding a piece of parchment.

    Upon spotting me, he promptly knelt before me. "Honorable cultivator! The governor has instructed me to deliver this document containing the names of all available warriors who could assist in the upcoming Beast Wave. Additionally, he assured that your weapons will be ready by tomorrow, personally overseeing their preparation."

    I acknowledged his report with a nod.

    "Please convey my gratitude to the governor," I replied, accepting his parchment.

    The guard respectfully withdrew as I read the surprisingly detailed document, leaving me to my thoughts.

    Remarkably thorough, the paper provided each soldier''s name, age, and the latest recorded cultivation levels.

    The governor''s earlier claim of uncertainty regarding troop numbers was a mere facade to maintain appearances before the Clan Leaders. He likely possessed comprehensive knowledge of the Clans'' military strength and chain of command.

    Perhaps I had misjudged everyone else due to the Lu Clan Leader''s behavior. I had been too emotional at the thought of defending the town against monstrous beasts with such incompetent people by my side.

    The governor hadn''t demonstrated incompetence thus far. Still, I couldn''t stake my life and the lives of the townsfolk on his administrative capabilities alone. He still hadn''t proven his competence in military matters, and I would never again assume someone was good at their job just because of their age or position.

    "Sixty-eight Body Tempering Cultivators... not ideal, but not disastrous either," I muttered to myself.

    While the monstrous beasts outnumbered the defending cultivators, the city''s fortifications and defensive arrays provided a significant advantage, narrowing the gap. However, the efficacy of these defenses remained uncertain in the face of the evolving threat.

    With a sense of finality, I tore the paper to shreds and utilized a partial array to incinerate it into cinders.

    Despite my meticulous planning, uncertainty loomed over the outcome of the impending conflict.

    There was only one thing I could count on: the amount of effort I could devote to my training before the situation reached its climax.

    With determination in my heart, I made my way to a tree at the corner of the yard. Leaning against the mansion, it offered a serene view of the surroundings.

    Snapping off a thin branch, I broke it over my knee, fashioning two short sticks. Imagining them as daggers, I recalled the various martial arts techniques I had studied in the Sect''s library. Though lacking in formal training, I had little time to learn anything new.

    Instead, I focused on mastering the fundamentals of dagger combat: more than simply stabbing with the pointy end.

 Chapter 91: Logical Thoughts…

    Chapter 91: Logical Thoughts...

    It became evident that wielding sticks at superhuman speeds was beyond their capability. Thus, I had to swap those sticks for some kitchen knives from the mansion.

    That''s how I spent the entire night��struggling to master weapons I''d never handled before. Progress was slow, as expected, but I managed to improve marginally from where I began.

    At the break of dawn, the governor arrived at my door, a proud gleam in his eyes, accompanied by a guard bearing a box.

    "Apologies for interrupting your training," the elderly governor said.

    "No worries, I was nearly finished anyway," I replied.

    In truth, my training sessions typically lasted until exhaustion, but this time, I didn''t intend to push myself too hard. The monstrous beasts could strike at any moment, and they wouldn''t wait for us to rest.

    Training also honed my senses while simultaneously easing my tension. Unlike some, I wasn''t cut out for war. No matter how much I tried to adapt, deep down I was the same guy who, in a different life, never had to worry about a war breaking out in his backyard.

    He motioned for the guard to step forward, and the man hastily obeyed, opening the box he carried. Inside lay two daggers resting atop a silk pillow.

    The daggers appeared relatively ordinary, yet they exuded a dark sheen as if crafted from obsidian.

    "Though we lack a Level 4 Array Master, I soaked the daggers in ink used for inscriptions��a blend of various minerals and monstrous beast blood," the governor explained, a glint of excitement in his eyes. It was the first time he seemed genuinely enthusiastic. "It''s been a while since I''ve fashioned daggers like these; I typically forge swords. But undoubtedly, these are the weapons I''ve put the most effort into crafting in recent memory."

    "Thank you," I nodded, seizing the daggers by their handles and twirling them in my grip.

    Then, assuming my stance, I launched into a flurry of slashes, testing their weight and balance. Surprisingly light, they allowed me to maintain my speed. My arms blurred, and as I focused my Qi, even the blurs began to vanish from my sight.

    The air resonated with a metallic hum as I sliced through the wind.

    After completing my routine and familiarizing myself with the new weapons, the governor applauded. "Impressive. It appears you have some skill with daggers."

    "Not as much as I''d prefer, but it''ll suffice for now," I replied, shifting the daggers into a reverse grip and moving around.

    Sunlight glinted off the dark blades as I tightened my grip, a potent force stirring around me. Infusing the weapons with Qi, a smile crept onto my face as I glanced at the mansion.Y0ur favorite novels at novelhall.com

    For a moment, I entertained the idea of using Falling Moon Claw on the building. How much damage would it cause? I rarely had the opportunity to employ this technique, especially with a real weapon.

    Despite the temptation, rationality prevailed. I withdrew my Qi from the daggers, sighing and letting tension drain from my body.

    "That was quite the display of fighting spirit," the governor remarked. "For a moment, I thought you might slice the mansion in half."

    With no time to dwell on the psychological dynamics of serving alongside someone who could easily overpower you, I seated myself, procured some blank sheets of paper, and swiftly jotted down everything I could recall about the monstrous beasts visible in the distance.

    Drawing them within a short timeframe wasn''t feasible, so I settled for rough descriptions. Regrettably, I had left behind the encyclopedia back at the mansion. Nevertheless, I managed to catalog most of the monstrous beasts I could see, thanks to my Qi Gathering speed, akin to a rapid printer. My handwriting was precise, almost mechanical, suggesting I could sketch the creatures in seconds with more practice.

    Perhaps when this was over, I could get into painting at super speed. That sounded like something pretty cool to do.

    "Here''s all the information I could gather about the non-native monsters. Bear in mind, it''s from memory, and even if we know their weaknesses, it doesn''t imply they''re weak," I informed the group, intending to explain further when my words caught in my throat.

    Turning towards the advancing horde, I spotted a serpent-like beast wreathed in blue flames, its skinless form moving with surprising speed. Its gaping maw crackled with gathering Qi��a precursor to a devastating blast aimed at the gates.

    Our odds were already slim, but if the gates fell, civilian casualties were inevitable, and our chances of victory dwindled further, with my own survival becoming uncertain.

    Desperation seized me as I frantically searched for a solution. Yet, the snake was too distant for dagger throws, and my Earth Grade Technique''s range fell short.

    In a split second, my body reacted instinctively.

    Perhaps the lessons from Song Song were finally taking hold, or maybe I already knew the answer and was simply executing it.

    The monstrous creature, identified as a Blue Flaming Divine Snake��a rare bloodline among monsters, possibly a halfbreed��posed a grave threat. Facing the potential loss of limbs seemed a small price to pay compared to the alternative: a highly likely chance of my own death and the slaughter of innocent civilians. The logical choice was clear.

    "They''re aiming for the gates!" the governor''s frantic shout pierced the air, finally recognizing the impending danger.

    But time was against us. The blast hurtled towards me as I positioned myself before the gates.

    A defensive maneuver crossed my mind fleetingly, swiftly dismissed as futile. Unlike Song Song, I lacked the mastery of Qi required to execute successive defensive and offensive techniques like Dancing Jade Armor followed by Falling Moon Claw.

    Instead, I gambled everything on the attack.

    Gathering every iota of Qi I could muster, I infused it into my right dagger, channeling all my strength and focus into the dominant hand and weapon.

    I allowed the blast to draw closer, minimizing the distance my technique needed to travel, thus conserving its power.

    Waiting until the blast was mere inches away��hardly a second since its launch��I unleashed Falling Moon Claw without hesitation.

    In that moment of impending death, adrenaline surged, heightening my concentration to unprecedented levels. Suddenly, the intricacies of Falling Moon Claw became clear to me as if illuminated by a revelation. The invisible slash, its trajectory through the air, its genesis��all aspects I had practiced extensively now crystallized in my mind. It was as if I could taste the essence of the technique itself, a surreal sensation.

    My thoughts shattered as the two attacks collided, engulfing us in a cacophony of explosive force.

 Chapter 92: Intelligence is a Weakness!

    Chapter 92: Intelligence is a Weakness!

    The blast that followed the clash rattled my arm and pushed me back several steps. However, it was also partially split in two, and despite everything around me exploding, I emerged unharmed with my arm intact.

    Did I misinterpret that? Blue Flaming Divine Snakes were a rare type of monstrous beast notorious for their attack powers.

    I had been prepared to sacrifice an arm, so this power seemed lackluster compared to my expectations. Nonetheless, I didn''t let it bother me or dwell on it too much. Instead of doubting what I had sensed, I questioned why I perceived the attack as much stronger than it actually was.

    Despite my doubts, I didn''t question my senses for a second. The more likely scenario was that whatever monstrous beast this was, it could somehow inflate its Qi or manipulate it to deceive my senses.

    Someone like that was dangerous. Not as dangerous as a real Blue Flaming Divine Snake, but still a significant threat.

    As the dust settled, a crater marked the spot where my attack had clashed with the blast. In the distance, the flaming snake stared directly at me, and I couldn''t help but smile a bit. If someone could conceal their Qi so effectively, I doubted their instinctual abilities could be effective against other creatures. So, whatever it was, that flaming snake was likely the culprit.

    Monstrous beasts with illusionary abilities often lacked physical power. Just like animals evolved, monstrous beasts followed a similar pattern. After all, small, weak-looking animals with bright colors often possessed venom. Similarly, monstrous beasts developed unique abilities through evolution to compensate for their deficiencies.

    Allowing such a monstrous beast to get close was not advisable; it could use its illusionary powers to evade our guards and even breach the gates. That was a conclusion I could draw simply by pondering these powers; I shuddered to think what else it might have come up with given enough time.

    Moreover, I wanted to test and learn some things!

    There was no point in running now; there was nowhere to escape. Instead of hiding behind those walls, it would be better to at least gain something from this ordeal.

    Without worrying about someone else covering for me, I could try Falling Moon Claw without restraint.

    It was undoubtedly a dangerous and perhaps even reckless decision. But in times of war, what wasn''t risky? I preferred to deepen my understanding of my techniques rather than cowering behind walls.

    Moreover, I preferred it this way. I didn''t necessarily enjoy the bloodshed or killing, even if my victims were monstrous beasts. But there was so much to be learned from battling living beings, especially when monstrous beasts came in various shapes and sizes and possessed different abilities. While humans excelled in martial arts, though lacking in that aspect, monstrous beasts held the advantage of bloodline powers.

    It didn''t take long to approach their army. Their charge was intimidating; it almost tempted me to flee. There were so many of them that some might not have noticed my presence. Yet, most did, and that posed more than enough danger to my life.

    "This sense of danger, the rush of adrenaline. It heightens my senses like nothing else; there''s no replicating this in training," I observed, noting some interesting points, especially about facing such an army.

    However, before I could begin testing other things, my priority was to eliminate the monster capable of creating illusions.

    Crouching down, I gathered Qi into my dagger again, feeling an imaginary weight settle on my weapon as I shifted it into a reverse grip. Then, with all the power I could muster, I swung the weapon, unleashing an invisible flying slash toward the monsters.

    "Falling Moon Claw!"

    Those targeted by the flying slash hesitated, and since the slash''s range and power were reduced due to my charging it, some managed to evade. Yet, not everything was in their favor because my primary target, the flaming snake, had little space to dodge amidst the crowded army.

    The snake-like monstrous beast met an anticlimactic end as its head was severed, along with many other monsters nearby. Despite its apparent demise, I remained highly alert, searching for any signs of illusionary trickery. Before its head hit the ground, the snake transformed into a gray serpent with misty eyes and swirling scales.

    The Hong Clan wielded a golden talisman inscribed with red ink, channeling the clan leader''s Qi into a drill-like form. Conversely, the Lu Clan leader wore a gauntlet emitting constant shockwaves, destabilizing the monsters.

    I couldn''t help but wonder where he had obtained such a powerful artifact during our earlier encounter with the beasts. Perhaps it was a family heirloom seldom brought out of the clan treasury.

    Even the soldier cultivators weren''t idle; they hurled metallic spears coated with a strange green liquid. While the spears didn''t inflict significant damage, the poison they carried weakened and killed the monsters.

    A few of the governor''s regular guards were actively reading my notes aloud and pointing out weaknesses in the monsters. Then, I realized how seamlessly they operated together, like a well-oiled machine engineered to exterminate monstrous threats.

    Having replenished some of my Qi, I approached the governor. "Where would my skills be most beneficial?"

    He turned towards me, gesturing toward the monsters. "It would be best if you positioned yourself between us and the soldiers. While engaging in combat, your ability to identify the monsters'' weaknesses would be invaluable."

    Standing just above the gate, I nodded, observing the diminishing wave of monsters gradually forming into a mountain of monstrous beast corpses.

    "This barrier is holding up surprisingly well," I remarked to the governor.

    He winced slightly. "Trust me, it''s not as sturdy as it appears. If we don''t end this soon, we''re in deep shit."

    Understanding enough about barriers, I discerned from his expression that while the barrier was strong, it likely had a limited duration.

    Despite being armed with this knowledge, there was little I could do to manage the situation.

    However, as the piles of monsters grew, it wasn''t our side that was losing morale. Instead, some of the monsters in the rear began to retreat, and soon an astonishing sight unfolded before us.

    "They''re retreating?" the Hong Clan Leader questioned, echoing the confusion the rest of us shared, albeit with a sense of relief.

    This retreat essentially confirmed that the monstrous beasts were being led by someone strategic. Not just one individual, but likely someone close enough to the leadership to command them effectively without revealing themselves.

    This realization was quite enlightening. Despite the absence of the masterminds, several revelations emerged.

    Firstly, there was a finite number of monstrous beasts. While obvious, today''s events demonstrated their limit in willingness to sacrifice in battle.

    Secondly, the leader of these beasts was undoubtedly not human. Otherwise, someone with even a basic understanding of barriers would know that apparent strength didn''t equate to longevity. Arrays and barriers had their own balancing mechanisms.

    Yet, what intrigued me more was the leader''s display of human-like emotions. Whereas disorganized beasts would have continued to attack relentlessly, a rational being chose to withdraw and preserve the remaining forces.

    Good... I could use this...

 Chapter 93: Qi Makes No Sense!

    Chapter 93: Qi Makes No Sense!

    The ground outside was dyed red, and as snow began falling, the snowflakes absorbed the redness as soon as they touched blood. It was a strangely serene scene as I stared at the mutilated corpses of the monstrous beasts below.

    But I was interrupted by the sound of something cracking. It was the yellow barrier surrounding the town, and it seemed like it had reached its time limit.

    Thankfully, the monstrous beasts were gone, and there were no roars in the distance or strange creatures staring at us from behind trees.

    "Hell yeah!"

    "We won!"

    "Nobody even had to die!"

    The warriors celebrated; some breathed sighs of relief, and others cried. Even the two clans, while separated by their colors, celebrated with some hugging each other and yelling out at the top of their lungs.

    There was no longer any of that sophisticated feeling about them, and they now seemed like just any other person happy to be alive another day. They would get to see their families again.

    Even the clan leaders exchanged glances, which were too short to tell if it was a coincidence, and they happened to be looking at each other at the same time. But they also smiled and nodded, seemingly happy with how everything had turned out.

    The governor looked happy too, though he stared in the distance with a complicated glint.

    I understood where he was coming from. Despite first appearances, this seemed like our victory. If one looked at the bigger picture, we were just a fly who fell into the spider''s net and struggled harder than others. We were safe for now, but that wouldn''t be much longer.

    This was no victory; we were just delaying the inevitable at this rate. We no longer had a high-level barrier to protect us, so any other attack from now on was going to be a massacre. Just like we had done today, except the chances of it still being in our favor were slim to none.

    Neither the governor nor I said it out loud, but I was pretty sure that barrier had been a single-use thing. The old governor ripped that card to activate it, which was usually done only to activate single-use arrays. Otherwise, he would have saved the key to activate and deactivate the barrier.

    I shook my head and dismissed such thoughts. Now was not the time to analyze every little thing and try to make some grand discovery.

    Approaching the governor, I whispered, "I can put a barrier around town that will look just like the previous one."

    Though our conversation should have been drowned out by the noise of celebration, I still decided to whisper my words. Also, putting up a sound-canceling array would just raise more brows.

    "That looks like it?" The governor asked, making sure he heard right.

    "Of course," I nodded with a polite smile.

    Neither of us needed to say it out loud. But the only barrier I could create that would cover the whole town would be a bluff. It would look like the previous one but have zero defensive capabilities.

    Also, just the barrier being there would raise morale.

    "What do you need?" The governor asked; his confirmation of my plan was already evident.

    "I need some monstrous beast corpses, blood, beast cores, and a couple of hundred spirit stones," I said.

    Sure, the barrier would just be a bluff, but it was still a big barrier. Also, I really needed some spirit stones. I was running low on them.

    "Done," he nodded and looked on ahead.

    Wait, did I ask too little? Judging by how casually he acted, I asked too little. Oh well, if I needed more spirit stones, I could just ask Song Song. She probably had a lot lying around.

    I looked around in the distance, and no monstrous beasts were in sight. I could only hope it stayed like that. Many unknown factors were at play here, but I was confident that the monstrous beasts wouldn''t attack for a while. Especially when I put that yellow barrier up again.

    That was the weakness of having a cautious leader.

    We needed to get Song Song and reinforcement here and let her handle the rest. She could enjoy a good battle.

    "Also, can you bring some monstrous beast corpses to my mansion as soon as possible? I need them for some of my research," I said.

    They continued their verbal banter as the other guards opened the gates of the mansion wide and dragged in the monstrous beast corpses. About a dozen of them.

    Monstrous beasts often resembled normal animals, with something extra to them. In this case, some cows had four horns and were the size of a truck. There were also others like three-headed dogs and such.

    However, I didn''t know their exact names, as most were annoyingly long. I knew that these monstrous beasts did not have poisonous flesh or anything dangerous to consume.

    "Send my thanks to the governor for such a fast delivery," I told the guards.

    They bowed down to their waist, and one amongst them said. "Yes, honorable cultivator!"

    Then they walked out and left me alone with the monstrous beasts and Speedy.

    "How about giving it a taste?" I grabbed Speedy and dropped the little guy before the monstrous beast corpses.

    Speedy bit into the cow-like monstrous beast''s thigh without a second thought. But due to its tough skin and flesh, Speedy made no progress. So I had to draw my daggers and cut up the thigh of the monstrous beast into smaller chunks of flesh that Speedy ate without a care in the world.

    Monstrous beast flesh was good for humans too. Well, most of it was, as there were poisonous monstrous beasts. Or monstrous beasts that were essentially trees and were not edible. Anyway, monstrous beasts eating other monstrous beasts also helped them cultivate.

    After all the pills I had given Speedy, and with this too, he should be close to ascending into a monstrous beast himself.

    It was only a matter of time, but how long would it take?

    My thoughts were interrupted in their midst as I looked at Speedy. Where before his head was just bigger than my fist, it was now bigger than two fists and almost the size of a human head. Also, its body had grown proportionately.

    I rubbed my eyes, making sure that I wasn''t seeing things. Thankfully, I wasn''t.

    Holy shit! My Speedy was growing at a visible rate!

    A sense of excitement rose in my chest. Was this what it felt like seeing your children grow up?

    But before I could get too excited, I came to my senses and immediately turned my senses to their maximum. Then, I concentrated on the little guy.

    What I sensed was nothing short of bewildering. Somehow, the bones were growing at a visible rate, and joints and ligaments were expanding in ways that did not make sense at all.

    What the fuck was this shounen anime bullshit physics? Nothing grew like this!

    But despite its lack of sense, it was exciting. It was like watching a magician''s trick. It really seemed like there was nothing out there that couldn''t be achieved using Qi.

    Though it looked like the little guy would grow indefinitely, he stopped his growth once he reached my knee. But Speedy kept munching without a care in the world.

    I was so concentrated on him that I almost missed a powerful Qi signature getting closer until they nearly reached the mansion''s entrance. That brought me out of my thoughts, and I turned toward the newcomer.

    "Governor, I did not expect you to come and visit me so soon," I said.

    The old man took out a sack, and I could sense the abundant Qi inside the spirit stones in the sack. He walked up to the table on the corner of the yard and put the sack down, "This is three hundred spirit stones. I added some extra for a job well done during the Beast Wave. Also, you will get a large cut from the earnings we make from selling the monstrous beasts. Just as large as the clans."

    After that, carriages came through the gate, and the guards carried barrels that reeked of blood.

    "This is the monstrous beast blood you asked for. I brought it here as soon as I could," the governor said.

    He worked pretty fast; no wonder this town was so prosperous under his rule. "Good. I will make the barrier as soon as I recover from the battle."

    The governor nodded and opened his mouth like he was about to say something, but then he caught sight of Speedy. He frowned and looked confused. But then he shrugged and dismissed his concerns, "Anyway, there is something I wanted to talk to you about."

    Ah, with all the rewards he had come with, it felt like he would ask for something troublesome. Which I was ready to refuse.

 Chapter 94: Setting Up The Pieces

    Chapter 94: Setting Up The Pieces

    I took a deep breath, relishing the damp air as drops of water cascaded off the roof of the Chinese-style mansion. The governor fixed his gaze on me as if attempting to discern my intentions. Or perhaps he sought something else?

    Regardless, it held no significance for me. If he expected me to undertake a perilous task merely for a handful of spirit stones and a charming smile, he would fare better with individuals like Hu Jin. He seemed the type to embark on frivolous quests at the drop of a hat.

    The sole reason I''d risk my life was if it aligned with my whims and desires.

    "Since you are so knowledgeable about monstrous beasts, and I wanted a second opinion," the governor grumbled, displaying his dissatisfaction. "How did the monstrous beasts approach unnoticed by any of our scouts?"

    "None at all? Could you elaborate?" I inquired, pondering the level of organization among the monstrous beasts.

    "We maintained regular contact with the scouts, relying on them to alert us of approaching monstrous beasts. This year''s influx was the largest I''ve encountered since assuming office. For the scouts to miss such a significant threat..." He furrowed his brow, a bead of sweat trickling down. "The monstrous beasts must have incapacitated all the scouts simultaneously, with precision timing, just before the attack to avoid arousing suspicion from our lack of communication."

    This revelation highlighted just how organized the monstrous beasts were. To execute such a maneuver was undeniably impressive.

    Monstrous beasts excelled at stealth, naturally suppressing their Qi without requiring human-like training. Adding ambush plans on top of that, we had a very dangerous enemy on our hands.

    "It seems like you are probably right with something like that happening. From now on, we must keep our guards up and not think of our enemies as only mindless beasts," I cautioned. My words lacked the comfort he sought, but honesty was paramount. Fabricating the truth would only lead to our demise. "In any case, I shall resume constructing the barrier as soon as possible. However, it''s essential to understand that the barrier will serve as little more than a deterrent. It is just a paper tiger."

    I dispelled any potential misconceptions in the absence of witnesses. To be safe, I even used the idioms from this world in that last part.

    The governor nodded, indicating his prior understanding. "The illusion of strength is still preferable to vulnerability."

    Those words reminded me of a certain quote from Sun Tzu: Appear strong where you are weak and appear weak where you are strong.��Or something like that.

    I learned most of Sun Tzu''s quotes from memes. If I had known I would be involved in actual war, I would have read the book ten times from cover to cover and memorized every word.

    Still, this gave me an idea...

    I rubbed my chin and was in deep thought. My gaze wandered toward an empty piece of paper as an idea slowly began to formulate in my mind.

    The governor also seemed to be in deep thought as he looked at the sky. We seemed to be using this time as a brief scheming session. But just as he looked ready to say goodbye, two Qi signatures entered my sensory range, and the governor frowned as he noticed them too.

    I turned toward the gate, and the two clan leaders were walking side by side on the stone road leading toward the mansion. The Hong Clan Leader had a smile on his face and seemed like he was talking about something. By the smug look on his face and the annoyed grimace of the Lu Clan Head, it couldn''t have been anything diplomatic.

    But what stood out most about them was that they each had five Body Tempering guards wearing their respective clan colors.

    The number of cultivators approaching put me a bit on edge.

    What was up with the bodyguards? There was no reason to have so many of them inside the town... Unless they were about to do something really dumb like attack us. Even if they were more in numbers, quality more often than not made up for quantity when it came to cultivators.

    In the end, as they got closer, my worries subsided as it was just them arguing.

    In his own words, we had to be realistic here, and Qi Gathering Cultivators made much better meatshields than civilians.

    But despite sticking to the sidelines, the governor was quite angry despite his calm demeanor. So before the situation could escalate any further, I intervened, "I plan to finish the barrier today. Also, I need some monstrous beast cores as fast as possible."

    This seemed to free the governor from whatever he had been thinking of doing before, and he turned toward me. "The cores aren''t ready yet, as not all monstrous beasts have cores and those that do need to be extracted carefully so the cores don''t break."

    Monstrous beasts with cores were rare and, in many cases, much more dangerous since they had more potential than average monstrous beasts. No research was done on how a core formed inside a monstrous beast or if they were born with it. Monstrous beast cores were useful only for specific skills or situations, so despite their rarity, they were not as valuable as one might think. They were expensive but not valuable for a town like this to keep them in stock.

    "We can give you some," the Hong Clan Leader said. "My clan and I believe the Lu Clan also have some cores in storage. How many do you need?"

    They had them? Neat.

    "At least two dozen," I said without missing a beat.

    For a split second, the clan leaders faltered before the Lu Clan Head nodded, and the Hong Clan Leader hurriedly followed suit. Though they looked thoughtful as they made such a choice.

    I glanced at the governor from the corner of my eye, and he also was staring at me. When I had asked him about beast cores, I had not asked him even a quarter of what I was asking from the Clan Leaders. The old governor was smart enough not to speak up about this.

    To the Clan leaders, agreeing with them to take their ''gifts'' was a silent message that I was on their side. With the governor, he knew I was screwing them. Yes, I was playing both sides here.

    Even if the governor decided to spill the beans about my trickery, I could use it as ammunition to make the clans think he was lying to make them hate me and put a wedge in our relationship.

    Both sides thought I was on their side while hating each other. Now, I just had to keep this fragile mixture bowl from becoming a fighting bowl with two sides. Internal tension was good for keeping everyone from ganging up on me, but internal conflict was the last thing we needed.

    Still, for now, it was checkmate...

    ...

    True to their word, the Clan Leaders had servants deliver the monstrous beast cores a few hours after we talked.

    So, here I was, sitting on a carriage as one of the guards rode with barrels of monstrous beast blood in the back. At the same time, I stared at the crimson beast cores that looked like blood diamonds in my hand.

    Some cores were entirely red, while others had a red sphere inside and looked like they were made of highly transparent glass.

    ��Here is our first stop, honorable cultivator,�� the guard told me, breaking me out of my thoughts.

    I got down from the carriage, stuffed all the monstrous beast cores in the sack, grabbed the barrel of blood over my shoulder, and approached the northernmost part of the inner wall. Cracking open the barrel, I took out a thin brush and dipped it in.

    Time to make a big fake barrier!

 Chapter 95: Checkmate & The Strongest Piece

    Chapter 95: Checkmate & The Strongest Piece

    By the time I finished constructing the barrier, a couple of days had passed, and the interior part of the wall had turned red from the countless scribbles and symbols of varying sizes. I was concerned that the moisture in the air, typical during these temperatures, would have damaged the array, but so far, that wasn''t the case.

    Leaning against the mansion''s outer wall, I gazed at the yellow-tinted sky now that the barrier was erected. Technically, it wasn''t a single barrier but smaller ones mashed together. The entire structure seemed precariously held, any disruption threatening to cause it to crumble down.

    Thankfully, the guards patrolled the walls regularly, preventing drunk civilians from inadvertently damaging it and undoing all the work I had invested in.

    "At least the barrier is still active," I muttered, focusing on the positive. There was a chance that after all this work, it might have been for nothing. I could have miscalculated something, and the barrier wouldn��t have activated.

    Still, I wasn''t about to underestimate the monstrous beasts. Since completing the barrier, I had been constantly pondering how they might attempt to breach it. We also had to remain vigilant for any monstrous beasts that might have ventured close to test the barriers, knowing full well that the array wouldn''t withstand such a challenge.

    I straightened away from the wall, and Speedy, now the size of a small dog and tall enough to reach my hip, turned his attention to me. He chewed on a piece of monstrous beast flesh, having eaten almost continuously while I worked on the barrier.

    "Stay here and make sure no one enters. If someone does, don''t intervene; just inform me when I return," I instructed Speedy, meeting his gaze. He simply resumed chewing, snapping a bone with his powerful jaws. "No matter what happens, don''t put yourself in danger."

    Speedy lifted his head again, rubbing it against the grassy ground before fixing his gaze on me again.

    What the fuck was that supposed to mean?

    Either way, I just gave him a thumbs-up and a smile. "You''re right, pal. Just keep doing what you''re doing. I''m going to talk to the guys who run this city."

    There were many factors to consider. It would be safer to ensure precautions were taken against any potential threats.

    Since I wasn''t the town leader, I had to suggest my ideas before implementing them.

    Exiting the gates, I noticed the guards'' silent observation. Though their presence seemed futile, as ordinary metal offered little defense. They were primarily tasked with preventing civilians from entering. Yet, the town''s inhabitants seemed preoccupied with their own problems, paying little attention to my mansion.

    As I strolled through the streets of Whitewall Town, I caught glimpses of curious glances from passersby when they thought I wasn''t looking.

    Upon reaching the governor''s mansion, the guards made way for me without questioning my presence or authority. It was rather convenient.

    Sensing the governor''s Qi signature, I navigated through the mansion until I reached a door at the end of the corridor. Unlike the grandeur of the dining hall where we first met, this door resembled that of a servant''s quarters.

    I knocked, and a gruff voice from within called, "Come in, Liu Feng."

    Undoubtedly, he had sensed my presence as well.

    When I entered the room, I was taken aback by its small size. It felt almost like a cubicle, cluttered with papers and lacking adequate light. The scent of ink and damp paper permeated the air.

    Without bothering with formalities, I delved straight into business.

    "Of course," I interjected before the governor could respond.

    It was crucial to establish clarity regarding ownership and favors owed once this ordeal concluded. The governor had no authority over the lending of my book.

    Working political games like this were annoying, time-consuming, and often useless when looking at the bigger picture. But it was something I had to do nonetheless. I usually would have shared this kind of knowledge for free. However, I was not naive enough to forget what kind of world I was living in.

    Anyway, it was time to put this final nail in the metaphorical coffin.

    "Also, we might not be as helpless as it might seem. I know of a way to end this whole thing in one fell swoop," I announced, diverting their attention from the books.

    Instantly, their focus shifted, setting aside their usual discord in favor of survival. Despite their usual divisions, the governor and the rival clan leaders appeared almost eager, united by the prospect of a resolution.

    "We just need to contact Song Song for backup," I revealed the plan, gauging their reactions.

    The clan leaders nodded calmly, their smiles reflecting contentment. However, the governor''s demeanor wavered momentarily, his gaze briefly betraying unease before returning to its usual icy calculation. It was a subtle shift, but it didn''t escape my notice.

    Could it be...?

    Just how far was people''s fear of Song Song spread? If someone knew of her, it always seemed like she had terrorized them one way or another.

    Yet, there was no time to dwell on conjectures or unravel the governor''s connection to Song Song. Action was imperative!

    "I''m unsure if the clan leaders are aware, given they were not a part of the Blazing Sun Sect, but Song Song is renowned for her... distinctive personality," I tactfully phrased. "Thus, it''s crucial for me to assume official leadership, or she could interpret it as a personal slight if her envoy isn''t in charge."

    "Absolutely, I wholeheartedly support your decision. I''ve always recognized your leadership qualities, but I hesitated to vocalize them for fear of appearing like a yes-man," chuckled the Hong Clan Leader, shamelessly dramatic as ever. It was a trait I had come to almost tolerate from him.

    "Yes," the Lu Clan Leader concurred, brief as always.

    We all directed our attention towards the governor, who had remained silent thus far. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and the facade of impassivity began to crack as his gaze faltered.

    I had played the political game to the best of my abilities, leveraging my knowledge and power to sway the situation in my favor. By lending them my encyclopedia, I had demonstrated my worth and influence. Furthermore, I had exacerbated the tension between the clan leaders and the governor, ensuring they wouldn''t unite against me. The mention of contacting Song Song added a layer of urgency, making it perilous for them to oppose my leadership.

    It almost appeared as though I were doing them a favor by assuming control.

    "Very well, you can take the leadership," the governor acquiesced, though his reluctance was palpable. Ultimately, his agreement held little weight, as the clan leaders had already pledged their support to me, a fact he undoubtedly recognized. He simply didn''t wish to be forced to relinquish his position of authority and risk earning my enmity simultaneously.

    Just like that, another checkmate... political bullshit was boring. Though, I might be getting better at it.

 Chapter 96: The Lovers

    Chapter 96: The Lovers

    Hong Dosu was just another young man from the Hong Clan. The only notable thing about him was that he stood a head taller than most of his peers and possessed a traditionally handsome face. His father had been mortal, and his mother a cultivator. It was quite an achievement for a mortal man to capture the attention of a female cultivator, indicating that Hong Dosu had inherited the best from both sides of his family.

    Currently, he stood by the Hong Clan Leader as the clan leaders, governor, and the new strategic leader discussed plans for the future.

    The meeting took place around a large dining table in the governor''s mansion, which was devoid of food or drinks. Trusted guards and servants were the only people here allowed to stay in the same room as the only four Qi Gathering Cultivators in town.

    Bright morning light streamed through the window as the city''s rulers calmly deliberated.

    Hong Dosu''s gaze wandered toward Liu Feng, a young man of similar age to him who occupied a vastly different position in life. Liu Feng''s status surpassed that of the Clan Leaders, a position Hong Dosu could only dream of attaining.

    Life seemed unfairly distributed, with talents unevenly spread. Hong Dosu felt a twinge of jealousy toward the young man who had already achieved what seemed beyond his grasp. Despite this, he maintained a calm facade, assuming the role of a background guard.

    "So, what are your thoughts on this letter?" Liu Feng presented a piece of paper to his fellow Qi Gathering Cultivators. Hong Dosu was too far away to discern the contents, and even if he were closer, he knew a single misstep could cost him dearly.

    As the clan leaders and the governor approached Liu Feng to examine the letter, their expressions shifted from shock to confusion.

    "Our adversaries are cunning," Liu Feng remarked knowingly.

    With no context, Hong Dosu remained oblivious to the situation.

    "I possess an artifact capable of traversing long distances to deliver messages to nearby cities," the governor disclosed, revealing a short sword hidden beneath his sleeve.

    While the revelation was significant, the reactions of the others remained inscrutable behind their stoic expressions.

    Unversed in politics and lacking leadership training, Hong Dosu was merely a handsome face, serving as a bodyguard in name only. He questioned why a Qi Gathering Cultivator would require his protection.

    Nevertheless, having been privy to numerous political discussions among his clan leader, Hong Dosu sensed the tension in the room. One wrong move could escalate into conflict, though the reasons behind it eluded him.

    "Then my Hong Clan proposes to dispatch one of our finest scouts to deliver the letter should the governor''s method fail," the Hong Clan Leader offered, maintaining his ever-present smile.

    Further discussions ensued about strategies for impending monster attacks. However, Hong Dosu understood that the actual planning occurred when only the four Qi Gathering Cultivators were present.Findd new stories at novelhall.com

    After the meeting, the Qi Gathering Cultivators dispersed with smiles adorning their faces. However, discerning genuine from feigned expressions proved challenging. Yet, as the Hong Clan Leader exited the mansion, he refrained from engaging in his usual bickering with the Lu Clan Head.

    Observing his clan leader''s peculiar behavior, Hong Dosu refrained from questioning it and followed him like a shadow.

    While traversing the streets, the Hong Clan Leader''s smile gradually faded, replaced by a scowl.

    "Tch," the Clan Leader spat on the ground. "That bastard Mao Shaoqi, relishing being manipulated even as the governor. Can''t he see the kid is playing us against each other? Blind fool!"

    Hong Dosu listened silently as his clan leader vented his frustrations. Offering words of comfort seemed futile amidst the man''s palpable anger. This ritual of venting his rage on the way home was all too familiar, as the clan leader maintained a facade of civility in the presence of other powerhouses.

    Approaching the Hong Clan Compound, the streets grew quieter, with fewer houses and passersby.

    "By the way, I want you to act as our scout and deliver the letter to this Song Song," the clan leader suddenly instructed, catching Hong Dosu off guard. Typically, the clan leader only spoke to him when issuing orders.

    "Yes, sir!" Hong Dosu affirmed.

    Surprisingly, he encountered no resistance as he passed through the barrier, not even a slight hindrance. Hong Dosu had heard of barriers capable of distinguishing between humans and monstrous beasts. Still, he doubted the city could afford such advanced defenses, but perhaps they did. It wasn''t like he was privy to the city''s exact resources.

    Once beyond the city''s protective confines, an invisible tension gripped the air. Racing across the grass at top speed, he hoped to avoid detection by any lurking monstrous beasts. Though the clan leader''s talisman would cloak his presence, he could still be seen.

    Entering the forest, he silenced his steps, the tall trees casting eerie shadows despite the daylight. Reassuring himself that he could outrun any beasts that spotted him, Hong Dosu pressed on.

    But his confidence shattered when he felt a sudden impact, a furious hand striking the back of his head, sending him careening into a tree. Pain exploded across his face as his teeth shattered on impact, the tree splintering under the force.

    Confusion and fear swirled in his mind as he tried to process the assault. Before he could react, he was slammed face-first into another tree, the pain intensifying with each blow.

    Who was attacking him?

    Struggling to speak, he received another brutal punch, sending him flying through the forest, crashing through trees. Agony engulfed him as he glimpsed the twisted angle of his arm, his vision clouded with red.

    A scream tore from his lips, abruptly cut off as a hairy foot smashed into his face, sending him crashing to the ground, darkness creeping at the edges of his vision.

    Just as he teetered on the brink of unconsciousness, a powerful grip seized him by the hair, lifting his battered form. His once-handsome face was now a grotesque mask of blood and bruises, his long hair matted and disheveled.

    The creature looming over him, a four-armed gorilla, wore a furious expression. "Dirty human," it growled.

    "Da Xing, don''t kill the human. We need to ask some questions from him," intervened a softer voice, belonging to a small monkey with two tails, contrasting starkly with the intimidating gorilla.

    Hong Dosu''s thoughts veered away from his mission as the monkey drew nearer, consumed instead by a desperate plea for survival. He refused to meet his end in servitude to those who scorned him.

    There was so much in his life that he had not done! He never experienced real love or anything else that was outside the clan. Despite being middle-aged, his mother often spoke about love like a young girl with her head in the clouds.

    I-I don''t want to die! Please, any gods out there!��his inner plea echoed as the small monkey addressed him.

    "Human, you know how to read, right?" the monkey queried.

    Shock gripped Hong Dosu at the creature''s ability to speak, his heart pounding with fear. Yet, he understood that any hesitation could prove fatal. Drawing upon years of training as a servant, where punishment awaited even the slightest error, he responded without hesitation.

    "Y-Yes," he managed, each word causing pain to ripple through his throat and jaw, his broken teeth a stark reminder of his ordeal.

    "We captured a sword with a letter attempting to reach a nearby town, and we need you to read it," the monkey presented a familiar letter, thrusting it close to Hong Dosu''s face. "What does it say? Read it aloud, word for word. We''ll know if you lie, so don''t attempt deceit."

    "D-Dear Song Song, it seems like more monstrous beasts are attacking us than we initially assumed. Thankfully, the barrier is stronger than ever. We even worked on the side to strengthen it after our first attack. But despite that, I couldn''t change the barrier''s main effects as it was made to handle stronger and fewer monstrous beasts and not many weaker monstrous beasts. In a way, its weakness is quantity against quality..." Hong Dosu paused, disbelief washing over him as he continued reading. "The killing arrays are still here, but it could still be dangerous if many weaker monsters attacked and triggered it needlessly. We could use some backup. Thankfully, we have one Foundation Establishment Cultivator, even if the monstrous beasts can break through. But I would feel more comfortable with some backup."

    The gorilla and monkey-like monstrous beasts exchanged frowns and growls, the monkey addressing a tree as if seeking confirmation. Suddenly, the space shimmered, and a human-sized butterfly with rainbow-colored wings emerged. The butterfly released a strange aroma that permeated the air, even penetrating Hong Dosu''s broken nose.

    Without uttering a word, the butterfly monster fluttered its wings, emitting a vibrant display of colors. The monkey, seemingly understanding its silent communication, nodded in response.

    "Huh, he was telling the truth all along? Well, one can''t fake their emotions," the monkey mused. "Humans have more tricks up their sleeves than we thought. This is going to be much harder than anticipated. We were supposed to easily crush these towns."

    As Hong Dosu''s adrenaline waned, groans of pain escaped his lips. But before he could fully comprehend his predicament, he found himself staring into the gaping maw of the gorilla, its powerful fangs descending upon him.

    Ah, he is going to bite my head off��Hong Dosu''s thought, just before his head was crushed like a watermelon followed by a sickening crunch as darkness enveloped him.

 Chapter 97: A Storm of Songs

    Chapter 97: A Storm of Songs

    I leaned on the balcony''s railings on the third floor of my wooden Chinese-style mansion. From up here, I could see everything within and beyond the town.

    However, the golden-tinted barrier ruined the view of the forest in the distance. Still, it was quite a view as I could see the governor''s mansion and the two clans'' compounds from here.Ree?ad latest novels at novelhall.com

    I sighed and looked into the distance as I had been doing for weeks. Outside the walls, Body Tempering disciples were working on traps and other miscellaneous things I had prepared for the next Beast Wave.

    It had been a while since I sent the letter to Song Song, and there had been no reply. So, it was safe to assume that the messaging had failed. Song Song would have noticed the strange way I acted in the letter and would have at least paid a visit. But there was no way for the enemy to know the relationship between myself and Song Song.

    I had hoped the letters reached her, but I knew the chances were nonexistent. If the message hadn''t reached her, then the monstrous beasts should have been fed misinformation.

    I had gone through a lot of trouble preparing everything else, too. While my plan would need some luck to be successful, there were also many other factors.

    The monstrous beasts might have human-like intelligence and perhaps had even learned how to speak the human language by listening to humans. However, I doubted they knew how to read. But they should have a messenger to read the letter for them.

    Here''s hoping they were too intelligent to just kill a human. Instead, they would force him to read their letter, at least. If somehow they had disregarded the letter they had caught from the sword, I had ensured the scout got a similar letter on him.

    This experience taught me that schemes needed more than just playing around and lying to people. There was also the unstable factor of luck and coincidences to take into account.

    I clenched my fist as I remembered the scout, one of the guys who acted as the Hong Clan Leader''s bodyguard. I had never spoken to him or known anything about the guard, but he no doubt had a life of his own; perhaps he even had loved ones waiting for his return.

    I knew nothing about the guy, and he had not wronged me. But in the end, my plan led to his death, even though the Hong Clan Leader had the right to choose who he wanted. Thankfully, he had offered his own members during the meeting, as I would have hated to send someone and sentence them to death myself.

    "This is why I don''t like politics," I grumbled. "I don''t have the heart for it."

    For all I knew, the guy could have been a monstrous murderer who liked killing cats. Or he could have been a saint. Either way, my choice was made, and even if no one would remember that man, I would do so until my time came too. Everyone would die eventually; some just went faster than others. He was already dead, and thinking about these things too much was detrimental when I was in the middle of a war.

    But as I sensed a Qi Gathering Cultivator getting closer, it broke me out of my melancholic thoughts. I stared ahead and was greeted by the Hong Clan Leader looking at me with a smile.

    Unlike usual, he was alone this time. He had snuck past the guards and was standing in my garden, where Speedy was staring at him with a pointed look.

    I was already growing tired of looking at the governor''s or the clan leaders'' faces so much when we had meetings. Adding to that time was the last thing I wanted. Those guys were almost entirely useless when it came to the logistics of keeping a war or preparing for it.

    "Clan Leader, how can I help you?" I asked, leaning on the railings and acting nonchalant, though I was prepared for any of these guys to attack me at a moment''s notice.

    The clan leader jumped and covered the distance from the ground to the third floor in one leap. He stepped to the edge of the railing I was leaning on and turned toward me with his ever-present smile.

    "Well, I just came to give you some information you might consider useful," he said. "Before setting off, the messenger I chose knew that it was unlikely he would make it through this alive. So he volunteered to take a tracking talisman with him to roughly show us how far the monstrous beasts'' perimeter is."

    I almost believed his story for a second as he looked at the ground with a sad look. But then I remembered who I was talking with, and there was an almost 100% chance this guy had used some underhanded methods to get such information. Also, despite looking sad and singing the messenger''s praises, the Hong Clan Leader never mentioned this "hero''s" name.

    Did he even know the guy''s name?

    Either way, if his information was accurate, it would be helpful. As the Clan Leader relayed the information to me, I adjusted some plans in my head and reacted accordingly.

    If what he said was right, the monstrous beasts were far from the forest entrance, but not that far. I could work with that.

    "Anyway, I hope that after the war is over, you remember that the Hong Clan were always your friends and willing to make sacrifices to see that humanity wins against the vile monstrous beasts," the Hong Clan Leader said with a serious look.

    Essentially, after removing all the flowery words, he was asking for some benefits after the war. But he was barking up the wrong tree if he wanted something like that.

    "I won''t have much power after the war is finished since I will be gone, and someone like the governor, who was a part of the higher echelon of the Blazing Sun Sect, would have more pull around these parts," I said.

    I took out a notebook and began writing down my stats. I hadn��t had the time to relax like this in a while.

    Name: Liu Feng

    Age: 17

    Talent: C (fifty-three spirit root branches)

    Cultivation: Body Tempering (nine-star) �� Qi Gathering (one-star)

    Strength �C 9.9 �� 11

    Agility �C 9.9 �� 12

    Endurance �C 9.9 �� 14

    Qi �C 1

    Techniques:

    - Sonic Fang Fist (Mortal Grade)

    - Rushing Bull Step (Mortal Grade)

    - Turtle Shell Body (Mortal Grade)

    - Dancing Jade Armor (Semi-Earth Grade)

    - Falling Moon Claw (Earth Grade)

    Skills:

    - Array Conjurer - Level 2 (Practitioner)

    My endurance was still leading in growth. By now, the Turtle Shell Body Technique was no longer as helpful. At least it wasn''t supposed to be, but considering the changes in Speedy... I smiled fondly thinking of him. He had grown so much since I bought him at the market.

    But a sudden cold wind interrupted my thoughts as a snowstorm began setting in, the first of the winter. We were already past the middle of winter, and I hoped this ordeal would soon be over.

    As the snowstorm picked up, I had to cancel the barrier protecting the mansion against snow. It would be a waste of spirit stones to keep powering it since it wouldn��t handle the weight of accumulated snow.

    Suddenly, a crackling sound came from my pocket. I quickly took out a flashing talisman connected to arrays around the forest. Soon, other talismans followed, flashing in my hand.

    My heart dropped, and I looked up at the building snowstorm.

    During this month and a half, I wondered why the monstrous beasts hadn��t attacked. Had my plan been successful? Perhaps the letter had intimidated them, prompting a move to another region? Such assumptions were based on hopeless optimism, and I paid them no mind.

    But as I stared at the snowstorm, I realized what the monstrous beasts had been waiting for. Just as we had prepared for them, they had also prepared against us.

    One thing was sure: they wouldn��t have come out recklessly after waiting so long. We had to fight on their terms.

    ��Guards!�� I called out to the two men at the gate. ��Summon the governor and notify the clans. It��s time for battle!��

 Chapter 98: Charging The Gates

    Chapter 98: Charging The Gates

    As I walked atop the wall, my heartbeat rang in my ears, and the snow crunched under my feet. The biting wind sent a chill down my spine, and the snowstorm grew stronger and colder with each passing second. I breathed out a misty breath and narrowed my eyes against the howling winds and snow in the distance. No matter how hard I tried, the heavy snowfall made it difficult to see what was happening.

    Even a cultivator��s eyes couldn��t pierce through it, and there was a good chance the monstrous beasts had calculated this too.

    I turned around and gave the town one last look.

    A crowd of people was evacuating on the opposite side from where the attack was coming. We were generally surrounded, but the monstrous beasts knew that spreading their forces would weaken their piercing pressure against the walls. I hoped their commander was not foolish enough to spread their forces too thin and understood the basics of warfare.

    Hopefully, if they decided to attack from behind and somehow snuck past the sensory arrays I had painstakingly put up, the governor��s soldiers would warn us. There was no smoke signal from the other sides of the walls, indicating no attack there. Even if there was one, it would be hard to see in this heavy snowstorm.

    I took a deep breath and calmed my rapidly beating heart. Worrying about everything else or what the enemy had up their sleeve was no use. I had prepared as much as I could with the limited resources available.

    Explosions in the distance rang so loud that they drowned out even the howling wind for a second. I narrowed my eyes and stared into the distance. There were some red flashes, but nothing concrete I could make out. However, after a dozen seconds, the winds carried the smell of blood all the way here. Hence, it was safe to assume that some of the arrays I had placed just outside the forest had been effective.

    This idea came from landmines in my last life, except I used flawed arrays that would explode on contact as a weapon.

    The improvised minefield would have been detected without an army of monstrous beasts who could use Qi.

    Sensing Qi wasn��t like any other sense; the closest comparison was knowing when I was close to a fire, even with my eyes closed, because I could feel the heat. But when surrounded by flames, it would be hard to sense a candle in the corner. That was the situation these monstrous beasts were in. I had exploited the vulnerability that came with being in an army of Qi-using monstrous beasts.

    ��Sir, should we attack too?�� asked one of the Body Tempering Cultivators.

    Even though the governor and two clan leaders were close by, I had the final decision on these matters. I had ensured everyone knew that over the past few weeks. The last thing I wanted was confusion on the battlefield due to conflicting orders from the governor and me.

    ��No, hold on for now,�� I said calmly, though internally I was swearing like a sailor.

    This was not good at all. With the limited visibility, one of our biggest advantages was neutralized.

    We had prepared a lot of poisoned spears, and I had made sure everyone here knew the weaknesses of certain monstrous beasts. This would have given even Body Tempering Cultivators a chance to kill them. But all that was in vain as the strong winds from the snowstorm and the limited visibility made it nearly impossible to hit the right target.

    I hadn��t thought they would be patient enough to wait for a snowstorm. Even monstrous beasts had to eat, and there wasn��t much they could consume out here except each other.

    Whoever their strategist was, they were dangerous and risk-taking creatures. They preferred that monstrous beasts eat each other rather than attack us on a clear day. They had gambled on a snowstorm occurring. Perhaps they thought that even with some beasts devouring each other, fewer would die compared to attacking our walls.

    It seemed my bout of misinformation had held them back quite a bit, and most of all, they hadn��t underestimated me.

    ��They actually developed anti-human strategies,�� I muttered.

    Though we were enemies, I admired whoever came up with this. Monstrous beasts did not have books or other resources to learn from past events. This was all something their strategist had devised on their own.

    I grabbed my two daggers and unsheathed them from a hidden sheath in the inner part of my robes.

    Tightening my grip on the blades, I came to a resolution.

    No matter what, I had to kill the monstrous beast scheming these strategies. A lot of people would die otherwise. Even if we somehow survived this onslaught and they lost, that strategist could not be allowed to escape.

    Suddenly, a deep primal roar in the distance raised the hairs on the back of my neck.

    Falling Moon Claw!

    Using my strongest attack point-blank and charging it up as much as possible, I created a bleeding cut on the back of its neck. Though the beast heaved heavily and left a trail of blood on the snow, its charge barely slowed. Even if I attacked again and again, it would take a dozen attacks to kill this thing. It would have reached the walls by then, and I would run out of Qi.

    I decided in a split second, as the beast was already too close to the wall. Using its back as a foothold, I jumped off just as it smashed into the wall. Immediately, the barrier around the town shimmered and broke, and the part of the wall the boar had smashed down into came down with it.

    With its crazy momentum, rocks went flying, hitting some people. Those atop the wall where the beast crashed fell, their screams quieted as the beast crushed their bodies. It was not a pretty sight; their mangled forms were smashed aside.

    The monstrous beast grunted and looked around confused, as if what had happened was an accident.

    But I didn''t have time to observe the beast. Rocks passed toward me, and I used my Qi-imbued daggers to cut them down before any could hit me.

    The monstrous beast didn''t stay confused for long. It approached one of the fallen Body Tempering Cultivators and crushed his body under its hoof like a bloody pimple. It was a gross sight, and the snow around the broken wall turned red, with a trail of blood leading toward the break in the wall like a road for the other monstrous beasts to follow.

    ��Governor!�� I called out to the only other man I knew could injure the monstrous beast.

    Unlike the clan leaders, he had to have techniques that could do real damage. He met my gaze and nodded, and we simultaneously charged toward the monstrous beast.

    ��Lion Roar Fist!�� the governor yelled as crimson Qi gathered in his fist, forming into a lion head silhouette. He slammed his fist into the boar��s ribs.

    The attack sent the monstrous beast sliding on the snow outside the wall, but its legs steadied. It stared at the governor hatefully, but it seemed to forget about me entirely.

    I imbued my daggers with Qi, jumped on its back once more, and began slashing at the exposed nape of its neck. The upper part of the boar��s spine was visible after the last attacks, so I relentlessly slashed at its nape, and the beast groaned in pain.

    The governor took this chance to imbue his fists with Qi and pummel the boar��s ribs. Neither of us used Martial Techniques, knowing we had to conserve our Qi for the other enemies.

    ��Shit,�� I cursed under my breath as I sensed the army of monstrous beasts getting closer. At this rate, even if the boar died, we were done.

    I abandoned my attack and yelled to the governor, ��Get back on the wall! The rest of this guy��s friends are coming.��

    He looked at me confused, questioning my decision, but there was no time to explain. Ultimately, he followed my orders and jumped back atop the wall.

    With no more targets around, the boar-like monstrous beast roared. It opened its mouth wide and gathered Qi in its throat, preparing to shoot a blast. But before it could, I swung my dagger and unleashed a Falling Moon Claw slash.

    The invisible slashes, shaped like a spiraling cylinder, entered the boar��s mouth and sliced the back of its throat. The boar grunted and gurgled, falling to the ground and thrashing before it drowned in its own blood.

    No matter how strong a monstrous beast or cultivator was, they still needed to breathe. The boar had run quite a distance and was breathing heavily, so it drowned in its own blood faster than most.

    I glanced at the broken part of the wall; the barrier had fallen. Turning to the other side, I saw shadows in the snowstorm of the monstrous beasts charging toward the town.

    The wall was broken, and our bluffing barrier was down. Thankfully, in the snowstorm, the leader of the monstrous beasts shouldn��t have noticed what had happened. The snowstorm obstructed their view just as much as ours.

    But there was no mistaking that we were on the back foot in this conflict, and an opening in the wall had formed much quicker than expected. We suffered a devastating loss before the monstrous beast army reached the walls.

    No matter what, I couldn��t let any of them enter the city.

 Chapter 99: Thinking of a Title

    Chapter 99: Thinking of a Title

    The snowstorm grew heavier, making everything more difficult to see. As the air grew colder, I began taking deeper breaths.

    I glanced back at the broken wall and then returned my gaze to the shadows of the monstrous beasts. Though I couldn''t sense each monstrous beast since they were all so close together, it felt like a tidal wave of Qi charging toward us.

    There were over a thousand monstrous beasts, at least. I couldn''t handle even two of them at once without facing grave danger. With this many it was beyond dangerous, and there was no wall to hide behind anymore.

    I turned and ran behind the wall, planning to use the opening the boar had left as a choke point against the monstrous beast army. This way, they shouldn''t be able to use their numbers as effectively.

    As they approached, I finally got a better look at them. It was a cascade of monstrous beasts, each more terrifying than the last. Many predators among them had a natural killer intent oozing out, and in such huge numbers, it sent a chill down my spine.

    I looked at the Body Tempering warriors on the ground with me. They looked scared, but thankfully, no one had frozen in fear. It seemed the training they had undergone this month had kept them confident.

    Most of the monstrous beasts charging were smaller than the boar I fought before but were still much larger than most normal animals. On closer inspection, they looked like mutated animals: a horse-sized wolf with devil-like horns, two-headed bears, zebras with vampire-like teeth, and more.

    Due to the snowstorm, even as the monstrous beasts activated my traps, such as arrays that shot out flashbangs or generated pillars of fire, these traps were not as effective as they would have been otherwise.

    As they approached, the traps did not inflict as many casualties as I had hoped. The beasts were barely injured or inconvenienced by them.

    "Governor!" I called out.

    The old man turned my way, and I ordered, "Manage the soldiers atop the wall for now. I will deal with any monstrous beasts that come through the opening."

    Usually, the better choice might have been to have the governor down here. He had higher cultivation than me, but he was still an old man who might not have the stamina to fight as long as I could. Also, I needed him as a trump card in case a strong enemy came so he could deal a few heavy blows.

    Also, I trusted no one other than myself with the duty of defending the opening in the wall. If Song Song had been here, I might have entrusted this to her, but for now, this was the best I could do. I had the most lethal skill set needed to handle this. I knew the weaknesses of monstrous beasts better than anyone here, even though they each had a copy of my monstrous beast encyclopedia.

    Some monstrous beasts were too big and durable to fall for my traps. They eventually approached the crack in the wall, charging toward it with as many as could fit through the opening.

    As soon as they crossed the invisible line that was the broken wall, I charged at them, my mind focused on coming up with different ways to kill them. I aimed at their general weak points: eyes, mouths, and for creatures with big nostrils, their noses.

    The first few monstrous beasts fell quickly, slashes piercing their eyes and turning their brains into mush. They dropped dead where the wall used to be, forming new walls of flesh.

    But I was under no illusion that this would work for long. I jumped atop the corpses of the big, monstrous beasts I had killed and saw the field of attackers running through my traps. Many died, and many survived.

    With a thought, the marble walls shone brightly. Many of my arrays were weakened during the snowstorm, especially the flashbangs and the arrays involving heat. But the snowstorm didn''t benefit me either.

    "Ice Array, activate!" I muttered under my breath, and there was a sudden chill in the area on the outer part of the wall.

    Unlike the others, this array had a considerable boost. Within a split second, it froze the snow, turning it into ice and transforming the field outside the wall into a glacial environment. The monstrous beasts charging slipped and fell onto the ice with a resounding bang.

    It looked pretty comical as some truck-sized monstrous beasts tried standing up, only to slip and fall again. This one move halted the entire monstrous beast army from charging at the opening in the wall as they struggled to approach in general.

    I imbued Qi into my daggers and swung them wildly, sending a barrage of slashes where I could sense the monstrous beast. While it did slow down, it somehow blitzed through all my slashes, dodging them effortlessly.

    This guy was the definition of a speed blitz. How the hell was he moving so fast on slippery ice?

    Once again, I tried manipulating the slashes to corner it from all angles. But the lizard-like monstrous beast moved through them all and finally caught up to me. Within seconds, dozens of slashes appeared along my forearms and a few on my thighs as I tried to defend myself.

    Dancing Jade Armor!

    A greenish hue surrounded me, and the monstrous beast could no longer get through my defenses. However, keeping this technique up while using the skates was hard.

    If I lost even an ounce of concentration, all my techniques would crumble simultaneously, and I would be in serious trouble. The skating technique required a lot of focus to maintain.

    As I kept backing off and got closer to the wall, I tried sending flying slashes at the lizard-like monstrous beast. It seemed wholly concentrated on dodging my attacks. Perhaps that was why it reacted a bit too late when a crimson beam of Qi hit its shoulder, courtesy of one of the clan leaders. The monstrous beast seemed surprised.

    "Bad move, little buddy," I said. That split second of distraction cost the lizard-like monstrous beast dearly, as a flying invisible slash was enough to sever its leg.

    While I could afford to make mistakes, all my moves were lethal to him, so he could afford none. But I didn''t stop there and went for the decapitation. Before my knives could touch its skin, it blitzed me again and appeared beside me.

    I barely tilted my head to the side as it missed hitting my left artery, leaving only a tiny cut on my jaw.

    What?

    That was when I noticed its leg was back to normal. I was initially confused until I saw the leg I had cut off was on the icy ground, covered in a dusting of snow.

    "Regeneration? You are crazy fast and can heal. That is quite a dangerous combination," I said.

    While the regeneration was fast, its Qi had dropped significantly. That must have taken a lot out of it. Damn, I doubt it would fall for the same trick again.

    "To regenerate bone, flesh, and nerves so easily. If we weren''t in the middle of a battlefield, I would love to discover how your body works," I admitted.

    What a shame I had to kill this creature. Unlike most cultivators here, I could see how some monstrous beasts could be intelligent beings with whom we might work. But I wasn''t blind to reality and knew my view was skewed.

    We consumed each other as food and resources. We couldn''t work together with those dynamic, intelligent beings or not. Still, I would have loved to talk with an intelligent monstrous beast and discover how they saw the world.

    Were we monsters to them? Or just feisty food?

    "It really is a shame. But I am too weak to follow my whims and wishes. With enough power, I could make my own rules."

    After saying that, I finally backed off enough and entered the town grounds through the broken part of the wall, with the lizard-like monstrous beast still giving chase.

 Chapter 100: My Besto Frendo

    Chapter 100: My Besto Frendo

    Even though I had moved back behind the wall, the lizard-like monstrous beast followed me without hesitation. This time, I didn''t have the privilege of skating around or allowing its hits to push me back.

    But it didn''t take long for the tables to turn. As I jumped back, the monstrous beast was about to give chase, but its eyes widened as it noticed that not everything was as it seemed.

    Three new Qi signatures had landed, and we had cornered the monstrous beast in a four-way prong. We all attacked immediately without an ounce of hesitation.

    "You have amazing instincts," I told the monstrous beast. "But you''re quite reckless. With a bit of training, I could see you becoming a skilled fighter who would be able to hit way above their level."

    Though I could see its future potential, monstrous beasts generally had no concept of training. If this lizard-like monstrous beast had been trained, I would have been dead before I could retreat behind these walls. Perhaps training was a concept their leader needed more time to implement.

    The clan leader, the governor, and I simultaneously shot long-range Qi attacks at the monstrous beast. Its eyes widened just before an explosion engulfed it.

    "He jumped!" I yelled, pointing at the sky where the lizard-like monstrous beast was. "I will take care of this. Save your Qi."

    I contemplated using a flying slash, but wasting Qi was not something I could afford. Fatigue was already catching up to me, and my Qi reserves were less than half full.

    In the end, I decided on the next best thing: jumping up and giving chase of the monstrous beast while we were both in midair. Since it couldn''t use its feet to kick off the ground, it couldn''t build up any speed in midair. But it was still a fast monstrous beast. It tried to slash at me and even landed a couple of hits.

    But I didn''t mind. I swung my daggers and pierced its eyes. I skewered the monstrous beast continuously as we fell to the ground, making sure to deal as much damage as possible so its regeneration factor wouldn''t keep up.

    By the time we landed, the lizard-like monstrous beast''s body was riddled with holes and oozing blood. I stood cautiously over its corpse as the Qi inside it fizzled out and it died.

    But despite our success, we did not get the chance to celebrate. A reverberating crash sounded in the distance. The snowstorm made it hard to see, but such a huge army was hard to miss.

    Powerful bear-like and moose-like monstrous beasts stomped through the ice, turning it into chunks and crushed powder. It didn''t take long before the array holding the ice cracked, and a large spider-web-like fissure spread through it.

    "The array is broken," the governor pointed out with a solemn look on his face.

    Behind the powerful monstrous beasts, the faster ones charged forward with frightening speed as soon as the ice was gone.

    Whoever was leading these monstrous beasts had already figured out a countermeasure to what I was doing. Dealing with someone smart while my life was on the line was a pain in the ass. I preferred friendly competition or a healthy rivalry over death battles.

    But even with the advantage, it seemed that was not enough for the mastermind behind the monstrous beasts. A giant porcupine-like monstrous beast stepped forward, inflating like a pufferfish until it was the size of a commercial airplane. Then, without waiting long, the spikes on its back shot toward us.

    "Damn," I cursed under my breath as the porcupine''s spikes, the size of electric poles, flew at deadly speed.

    I intercepted a couple of the spikes that came my way, but the screams and grunts of the Body Tempering Cultivators made me grit my teeth.

    "Everyone! Get behind the walls!" I yelled.

    The porcupine somehow grew a new wave of spikes and shot them out just as ferociously. Thankfully, most of the remaining Body Tempering Cultivators followed my orders and jumped behind the wall, though a few were unfortunately skewered.

    The wall shook as the spikes landed and dug into it. Despite their size, the spikes didn''t do much damage to the wall but caused it to shake, which was quite worrying.

    Politics? Ambition? Power? A greater purpose in life? Speedy cared for none of that. He was living my dream life of doing whatever he wanted.

    A carpet flew down and landed next to the governor. That was the artifact Speedy had used to stay in the sky. He had been quite high up, where no monstrous beast should have been able to sense him. Even though Speedy was heavier than his size might suggest and had an incredible mass, his defense was strong enough that even falling from great heights did not visibly hurt him.

    "What did you say?" the gorilla grumbled, staring at Speedy with a veil of hatred.

    Huh? Could he understand Speedy, even though he couldn''t speak? They were both monstrous beasts, so that might be the case.

    "You think that our hatred is so cheap that a measly turtle does not care about it?" The four-armed gorilla''s eyes turned red as he took a step forward. He looked ready to fight Speedy and almost forgot about poor old me.

    But before he could continue, there was a shimmer in the air, and a human-sized butterfly appeared out of nowhere. Its wings were rainbow-colored, with an almost hypnotic effect to put someone at ease.

    The butterfly''s wings flashed with a strange light, and even though I didn''t understand why, it seemed to be panicking.

    What was more worrying was that despite the butterfly monstrous beast being close and having shown itself, I could not sense its presence at all. If it weren''t for the shifting air and falling snow around it, I would have doubted its existence, possibly considering it an illusion.

    It seemed like it had the ability to turn invisible and even hide others. That was likely how the gorilla had gotten so far into enemy lines without anyone sensing his monstrous Qi reserves. This kind of ability was very dangerous.

    "Thanks for breaking me out of my stupor," the gorilla said, now eerily calm. "After everything humans have done to monstrous beasts, I was surprised that one of our kind would still take their side."

    The butterfly''s wings flashed again in a myriad of colors and now seemed calmer.

    "Yes, I know I was supposed to wait and sneak attack the hidden Foundation Establishment human. But at this rate, the guy won''t even need to show up," the gorilla stared at me. "Their leader is too dangerous. Even if we somehow won, with the losses he is making us suffer, we would still end up losing."

    He must have figured out I was the leader when I ordered the Body Tempering Cultivators to come down. That was a wild and risky assumption on his part, but he had been right.

    "If it makes you feel any better, it''s not just humans being cruel to monstrous beasts. Don''t act like you guys don''t also destroy villages on a whim and eat everyone from the youngest to the oldest of any human you encounter," I said.

    Of course, I was lumping all monstrous beasts into one category. It was an ignorant assumption on his part that all humans kill monstrous beasts. The average mortal couldn''t kill a monstrous beast even if they wanted to, and mortals still made up the majority of humans. He was blaming humanity as a whole for the sins of the powerful few, who were less than one percent of the entire human population.

    But I didn''t care. I was using these arguments to buy time to activate a barrage of arrays all over the city. I also bought time for the governor and the clan leaders to retreat. The gorilla-like monstrous beast had its eyes on me, and it would be a waste if the governor and clan leaders died because they were too close to the fight.

    "Something about you makes me uncomfortable," the four-armed gorilla said, taking a step toward us. The snow under his feet crunched, and the ground cracked with every step as he spread his Qi over his body. "For some reason, it feels like if I let you live, monstrous beasts will never be able to move forward with a guy like you around."

    For a monstrous beast, this guy was quite dramatic.

    I formed a Qi coating around myself, ready to use the Dancing Jade Armor Technique immediately. Since he no longer had the element of surprise, I should still be able to react to his speed somewhat. While the guy was much faster than me, he was still slower than I could move my Qi.

    However, the four-armed gorilla took me by surprise once again. Instead of attacking, he grabbed the edge of Speedy''s shell and lifted the big guy with no problems, even though the ground around his feet cracked and caved in under the weight.

    "As a monstrous beast who has lived among my own kind for many years, I know how to take care of turtle-type monstrous beasts!" he grunted. With his muscles bulging, he threw Speedy in a sumo throw outside the walls.

    Well, shit... there went my defense plan. Speedy''s defensive capabilities were where seventy percent of my confidence came from.

 Chapter 101: A Bitter Loss

    Chapter 101: A Bitter Loss

    "Governor, from now on you will take command! Protect the soldiers!" I yelled out, hoping he understood my meaning.

    After that, I immediately backed off, and the gorilla gave chase.

    The monstrous beast was much faster than me. In less than a second, it was already in front of me. Despite my attempt to create some distance, it was useless. He threw a punch, and I crossed my arms, using the Dancing Jade Armour Technique to form a shield of jade in front of me.

    But despite all my defenses, his fist crashed through the jade armor and struck my arms. Though some of the momentum of his attack was lost as it broke through the Dancing Jade Armour Technique, I still flew back like a rocket. I smashed into one of the houses, causing it to crumble.

    My arms tingled, and my ears rang.

    Handling even two more hits like that would be next to impossible. Even though this attack wasn''t as powerful as the first, it was still dangerous enough to kill me.

    At least the people had evacuated as far away from the battle as possible. Otherwise, there would have been many casualties.

    The gorilla-like monstrous beast didn''t allow me any time to gather my bearings. I sensed his Qi signature already closing in on me.

    I burst through the rubble and tried to run away, but the gorilla was so fast that I couldn''t predict where the next attack would come from!

    Forget handling two more attacks. One hit to a blind spot in my defenses, and I was a dead man!

    I bit the inside of my cheek and spat a glob of blood on the ground. The blood wriggled and formed into a singular letter that meant ''Bind.'' The air to my left shifted, signaling the gorilla''s attack. There was no time to react, but the monstrous beast froze in place for a split second.

    Though he broke free almost instantly, and there was no time to dodge, it was enough to bring up my arms and defend myself.

    Baam!

    Even though I used the Dancing Jade Armour Technique and jumped back to go with the impact instead of fighting against it, every bone in my body rattled. It felt like he was about to knock my skeleton out of me.

    I used the force of his punch to fly as close to the middle of the city as possible.

    While mid-air, I couldn''t help but think��what a ridiculous difference in power. Without outside factors, no matter how hard I tried, I wouldn''t have been able to defend against even one attack.

    The contrast in power between a Qi Gathering and a Foundation Establishment Cultivator was overwhelming. There was no chance I could defeat this guy in combat!

    Despite the four-armed gorilla giving chase like a mad dog, he still looked around cautiously. That caution was what was stopping him from going all out.

    He must have been expecting a sneak attack from a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. That was why he was not going all out like he did in the first attack, using most of his Qi for defense.

    I came crashing down on the town''s market, smashing through a couple of stalls and finally stopping after colliding with the wall of a restaurant. Spider-web-like cracks spread across the restaurant''s wall.

    How long would it take for the monstrous beast to notice there was no Foundation Establishment Cultivator? Though their initial sneak attack had failed, they were prepared to fight someone like that.

    Sensing this, the four-armed gorilla dropped all pretenses of attacking and used all his Qi to coat his body. He had no defensive martial arts and seemed to lack the special abilities some monstrous beasts had. The gorilla still had a tough body, and even without martial arts, handling the attack of a human Cultivator of a similar stage should be no problem.

    There was no chance for me to run away now. I could hear the monstrous beasts charging through, destroying houses, shops, and any other building in their way. They were razing the town to the ground.

    "Do not despair, human. You did very well considering how outnumbered you were," the gorilla suddenly said.

    What was that? Was this guy trying to comfort me? So they were capable of sympathy after all.

    The more I learned about these guys, the more sorry I felt for them. They were like humans too, just in different animal-like bodies.

    "I would like to apologize to you too. While a little rough around the edges, your strategies were amazing," I said calmly, dropping any facade of panic I might have built. These guys had played it well and hadn''t underestimated me. "If we had met under different circumstances, I would have liked to talk with you about our differences, how we see the world, and how we could unite our races. But sadly, I''m too weak to follow my whims and wishes... and I cannot let any of you escape this city alive."

    By now, the monstrous beasts had destroyed half the town. I was glad I had decided to evacuate the civilians to the opposite side.

    With all the monstrous beasts in the town, I was on the back foot, and the four-armed gorilla was even more cautious than ever. He probably thought the nonexistent Foundation Establishment Cultivator would attack him now or never. So, he was careful not to rush things.

    However, there was something in his eyes��a look I couldn''t decipher. Was he unsure of something?

    "I have lost the battle," I said as a rhino-like monstrous beast ran through the house next to me, looking ready to stomp me to bloody bits. "But in many ways, I expected this."

    Still, losing was a bitter feeling.

    With but a thought, I sent a specific pulse of Qi that traveled throughout the town and bounced off the crimson writings on the walls. This single pulse activated all the arrays I had prepared beforehand.

    Loud explosions rang through the town, but they were not dangerous enough to harm the monstrous beasts��nothing compared to the traps they had faced outside the walls.

    I immediately created a spherical barrier around me, stopping air or any other chemical from entering or leaving. Clouds of dark purple smoke began rising all over town as the explosions opened the barrels I had prepared.

    The purple clouds settled down at frightening speeds, covering the whole town in a purple mist. The gas was imbued with Qi, dulling my Qi senses and doing the same for everyone else.

    My heartbeat increased as I saw the purple mist shifting toward my barrier. This thin sheet of Qi was protecting me from certain death, which was quite nerve-wracking.

    Ever since I knew we were fighting against monstrous beasts that vastly outnumbered us, I never believed I could hold these walls, no matter how hard I tried.

    My mother always said: hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

    A question had been hanging in my head for a while: How would someone defeat a stronger enemy? The answer was to use poison.

    What about defeating many enemies that were stronger than me? The answer was to use a lot of poison.

    On Earth, there was another name for this strategy. It was called chemical warfare.

 Chapter 102: The Last of Us

    Chapter 102: The Last of Us

    Among the Weapons of Mass Destruction, chemical warfare was probably one of the most brutal created by mankind. Chemical warfare agents were extremely toxic synthetic chemicals that could be dispersed as a gas, liquid or aerosol or as agents adsorbed to particles to become a powder.

    That was most of what I knew about chemical warfare from my previous world. I wasn''t a scientist in my previous life. Still, I liked dabbling in obscure knowledge, and Wikipedia often had all the answers. I was just a nerd who looked up weird things while pretending to work at my office job.

    Either way, I had little idea how to create actual chemical weapons. However, by using Qi in the process, I made something similar.

    The purple mist around my barrier shifted, and I sensed that the whole town was now covered in this thick mist that blocked everyone''s vision and dulled their Qi senses. It seemed almost beautiful; the light purple mist was hypnotically inviting its next victim. But the four-armed gorilla hadn''t given me enough brain damage to tempt me to try something stupid like that.

    I stayed in one place, making sure my barrier was steady and would follow me when I began moving. I had trained with this, but now was no time to be a risk-taker. Array conjuring was a delicate process; even the most skilled practitioners had a small chance of failure when erecting their barriers.

    As the creator of the poison, I knew exactly how it smelled and even tasted in small doses. It smelled kind of sweet.

    Were monstrous beasts going to die while tasting something sweet? Or perhaps many did not have bodies that could taste such things. Ah, what a shame. I wanted to ask them exactly that, but the opportunity for such things was long gone.

    If there was ever a time when I wished I was more powerful, it would be during moments like these. If I could easily stop both sides from fighting, I could talk to the monstrous beasts and... I had so many questions in mind that I didn''t know what to ask first.

    Well, enough dwelling on what could have been. I had more important things to handle.

    Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes since they were useless for seeing anything around me. Instead, I concentrated on my sensory abilities. Since the poison mist was imbued with thick Qi, it felt like I was surrounded by Qi, making it hard to sense any Qi signatures.

    Not impossible, but still very difficult.

    It was like trying to see while underwater in a muddy lake. The monstrous beasts would be having the same difficulty.

    After I got a rough idea of where everything was, I began moving among the alleys of broken homes. Staying still in this place was only a matter of time before the oxygen inside my barrier ran out or some rampaging monstrous beast accidentally stumbled upon me and broke this fragile barrier.

    Strangely, the only thing I heard as I walked was the sound of my own steps. It was a bit eerie, and every now and then, I stumbled upon the corpses of some fallen monstrous beasts. Usually, it was the smaller ones; the bigger beasts at least got to struggle a bit, feeling the pain as the poison seeped into their eyes and pores.

    I was extremely careful not to rush because I was doomed if I accidentally crashed into someone or something and this barrier broke.

    While I technically had an antidote for the poison, if my lungs, mouth, nostrils, eyes, and every pore in my body were exposed, the antidote would be useless. That would be like jumping into a volcano and putting on some sunscreen.

    Then again, there might be something like gaining a poison-resistant body or some xianxia bullshit like that. There were things in this world like the Hundred Poison Body.

    The more I walked, the more corpses of monstrous beasts I saw. It seemed like some had noticed they were poisoned and had the bright idea to try and escape, only to end up dying on the way.

    I was never specifically interested in poisons, but I had read many books on various topics. It was fun to see how many weird things this world had.T/his chapter is updated by

    There was even an Extreme Physique like Ye An, related to poison, which made the cultivator stronger the more powerful poison they consumed.

    Anyway, even though I wasn''t particularly interested in poison, I had worked with the governor to make this one as lethal as possible. We had worked hard and used an enormous amount of his spirit stone reserves to imbue all the poison with Qi. From our calculations, the poison would stay in mist form for about a week before it ran out of Qi and fell to the ground, making the city livable again.

    Of course, there was a chance of some unforeseen event, and somehow the mist might become permanent. Or perhaps it could turn sticky, and rain wouldn''t be able to wash it away, making the town unlivable. But this had been our last resort.

    With many thoughts running through my mind, I finally reached the outer edge of the walls and, with one leap, jumped over to the other side.

    I rubbed his head. "You did a good job. I thought the barrel might shatter when the four-armed gorilla threw you over the wall, but it seems like you''re stronger than I thought."

    Speedy raised his head and looked around proudly. But that pride barely lasted a handful of seconds before he got sleepy again and yawned.

    I smiled and gave him one last pat on his head before his body retreated back into his shell.

    This barrel was my own cache of antidote for the poison, and there was no safer place than inside Speedy''s shell. Sadly, it was a bit of a tight fit for me, but if he grew bigger...

    The dream was for Speedy to be my turtle friend and bunker. For that, he would need to grow many times his current size.

    Speedy stayed by my side as we waited for some monstrous beasts to emerge from the poison mist. I used that time to sit down, leaning against Speedy''s shell, and rest. My body was riddled with injuries, my arms still tingled from the attacks of the four-armed gorilla, and my stamina was pretty much on its last legs.

    Man, I wanted to sleep so badly.

    But such thoughts immediately vanished as I sensed something approaching from the sky. It was coming from the town still covered in the poisoned mist, and some flying monstrous beasts were still alive.

    I stood up and clenched my fists, causing piercing pain to run up my forearms. But this was not the time to sit down and relax.

    "Monstrous beasts approaching from the sky. They don''t seem to have been hit by the poison," I said, narrowing my eyes to see what they were. "They look like some kind of woman with wings for arms and bird-like legs. Harpy-like monsters. Their weaknesses are obvious��cut their wings and they''re finished."

    Even some of the injured Body Tempering Cultivators forced themselves to stand up, clutching spears in their hands. Their eyes were filled with spirit, and with us being so close to victory, none of them were willing to give up at the last step.

    Despite the situation, I couldn''t help but smile at the irony. Even when we were all healthy and had walls protecting us, at the cusp of victory we wanted to win harder than ever!

    As the monstrous beasts approached, they first flew high and then shot down toward our position like bullets.

    "Everyone, get behind me," I said, and with great effort, I pulled up the sleeping Speedy and used him as a shield. "They use their flying speed as a weapon to slam into people."

    The sound of the monstrous beasts cutting through the wind as they dropped was my only warning before they smashed into Speedy. It had little effect, resulting in a screech of pain from the other side.

    After the first beast smashed into Speedy, the others were not dumb enough to continue the same tactic. They maneuvered around the turtle, but without their charging speed, they were slower than before.

    I took out my dagger and threw it at one of the harpy''s faces. Now that I got a closer look, it resembled a human, but her face was disproportional. She had a big mouth with many rows of shark-like teeth, and her eyes were thin and dilated.

    She tried to kick at my left side, and I brought up my arm to defend myself.

    Everything about what would happen next played in my head. She would attack, I would block her kick, and then I''d turn around to kill the other monstrous beast sneaking up behind me.

    But there was one miscalculation in that plan, and I realized it as soon as the harpy''s feet made contact with my arm. After taking so much abuse from the four-armed gorilla, my forearms were on the verge of breaking.

    I think I got a bit too excited at the thought of finally ending this and forgot that just because something didn''t hurt, it didn''t mean it wasn''t damaged.

    My left forearm snapped like a twig this time, bending unnaturally with a nasty bone-breaking sound.

    CRACKI

 Chapter 103: Perfect Execution

    Chapter 103: Perfect Execution

    The dagger I had thrown pierced the skull of the monstrous beast that had broken my arm, killing it instantly. Despite the pain, I looked at my floppy arm with a strange feeling. Surprisingly, I wasn''t panicking; I was rather calm overall. It must be the adrenaline.

    At the same time, the clan leaders and the governor were killing the rest of the monstrous beasts. So, I had nothing to worry about except for a couple of monstrous beasts who were a bit too close for comfort and were sneaking up on me.

    I turned around just as another harpy was about to attack. The monstrous beast froze for a second when it saw that I had noticed it. It narrowed its eyes, making them appear as nothing more than slits on its face. Just like the other harpy, she tried to kick me.

    Since their arms were their wings and they used them to move around, it was obvious they mostly used their legs to attack. However, instead of kicking me, this one was trying to use her knee.

    I had gotten used to pain and getting injured by now, but that didn''t mean I would try the same thing twice and expect different results. So, I raised my arm and formed a Dancing Jade Armor shield, which I was reluctant to use since my Qi was already almost depleted.

    But still, her attack barely pushed me back. She noticed that and attempted to bite me on the neck. This time, I raised my foot, aiming to knee her in the chin, as my other arm was already occupied blocking her leg.

    I could feel her misty breath as she moved closer, murder radiating through her whole being. She turned and changed targets from my neck to my knee. But it was all for naught, as I used Dancing Jade Armor once again and concentrated better than ever before. Despite how I was fighting, I was strangely calm. Perhaps because the pressure she was putting on me was nothing compared to the four-armed gorilla.

    I created coin-sized barriers for each of her teeth, using the minimum Qi needed to block an attack like that.

    However, in that split second, I felt something strange. It was like an instant, the kind of thing one felt before they saw it. The closest comparison I could make was the anticipation of the thundering sound after seeing a lightning bolt strike in the distance.

    There was no wasted Qi in how I executed the technique, and it achieved its objective perfectly. Not too much Qi, nor too little. No wasted Qi, using the exact reactive force... Everything was perfect.

    The Qi around me shifted, and I saw green at the corner of my eye. I could smell jade, even though the stone itself did not necessarily have a distinct smell. There was also no jade around.

    Even the cold invading my body was secondary to this feeling. I felt like a stone washing down the river until a young child found me. It was there when the child went to show his parents what he had found.

    It was a bewildering thought process I did not comprehend but somehow understood. The natural Qi around me shifted and churned, forming a green armor. Since it was made of Qi, the armor weighed nothing but still protected me from the cold.

    Using my only usable arm, I used my elbow to hit the monstrous beast biting at my knee. With the pressure of the armored elbow and knee combined, the beast''s head was crushed into a mess of blood, gore, and gray sludge. One of her eyes popped out and landed next to my other foot, and I was covered in her brain matter as her body slumped to the ground.

    My concentration was at its peak. I could sense, smell, and even feel the Dancing Jade Armor Technique.

    Trace... A perfect execution of a technique!

    I grabbed one of my daggers and, with just a thought, a green hue covered the blade, extending to form a translucent greenish sword. Despite the added length, the dagger was still as light as ever.

    Instantly, I let Speedy fall and no longer used him as a shield; instead, I sat on his shell, staring at the harpies around us. Some of the Body Tempering Cultivators were having a hard time since the harpies could fly.

    I jumped into their midst, and even though I could only use one arm, I cut through two harpies with one swing. Despite my injuries, I moved better than I ever had, even when uninjured.

    However, despite hitting a Trace, I couldn''t help but feel a bit annoyed. I knew the chance of hitting a Trace was higher when one was calm, but hitting a Trace would have been much more convenient when I was fighting the gorilla.

    But, then again, life was rarely convenient.

    Dancing Jade Armor was now officially an Earth Grade Technique. It now formed into actual armor; if I had more Qi in this temporary state, I could have done so much more. What a shame that I couldn''t test everything. But next time, if I ever hit a Trace again, I will make sure to have plenty of Qi to try some stuff and get the full benefit of this temporary state of attunement with Qi.

    Still, even after this, I should be able to form it into an official armor, and it was much stronger than before, requiring much less concentration to maintain.

    "What is that?" asked the Lu Clan Leader.

    "There might be monstrous beasts with higher resistance to poison, so do not let your guard down," I warned them.

    The chances of that happening were low, but it was not impossible.

    "Also, just because some monstrous beasts have higher cultivation doesn''t make them immune to the poison. But they have higher resistance, so keep an eye out for them. Some might have higher resistance due to their physiology," I added, then began walking away, leaving the rest behind.

    Even if the monstrous beasts somehow survived the poison, they would still be weakened. It was a cheap tactic, but it worked for now��until our enemies developed countermeasures or their own chemical warfare tactics. Counteracting this tactic wouldn''t be difficult; a talisman that casts a simple barrier to stop gases from entering or leaving would suffice.

    Just then, I heard the thud of steps behind me and turned around. There was Speedy, out of his shell and staring at me.

    "Wanna come with me, little guy?" I asked.

    He was no longer so little, but in my eyes, he was still that little turtle I fed while keeping him on my desk. He nudged me on the side, tapped his head against my shoulder, then turned around.

    "What''s that supposed to mean?" I inquired.

    Speedy nudged me again, then turned around, showing me his back. Finally, I caught on to what he was trying to say and climbed atop his shell.

    "Well, take us around the walls and keep some distance too. Don''t stop until we reach the opposite side of the town," I said, lying on his shell.

    Without any more prompts, he began walking, following my instructions. For a monstrous beast, he was slow and at max speed was about as fast as a mortal walking. But I was in no rush.

    As we walked away, I was reminded by the rocking and the piercing pain that I had a broken arm.

    ...

    It took a while since Speedy was not living up to his name. But we finally reached the other side, and I got down from him. There was no entrance on this side of the wall, and jumping over it was annoying. We needed to create a new entrance anyway, as I could sense the civilians on the other side.

    I walked up to the wall, leaned back, and placed my palm on the cold, marble-white stone. Then I recalled a technique Song Song had talked about, one that was good at destroying physical objects.

    With that in mind, I imbued the wall with a sliver of the meager Qi I had recovered while resting atop Speedy, which caused the Qi to implode. Cracks spread through the wall, and then I twisted my body and gave the wall a good kick. It crumbled down.

    The people on the other side were startled, and I sensed some guards getting ready to fight. Before further misunderstandings could develop, I said, "Calm down, everyone! I''m here to take you all away from here."

    I walked past the broken wall and caught sight of thousands of people huddled together. The gases surrounding them were only held back by a shimmering barrier and a handful of weaker artifacts placed around.

    There was no food and nothing to do, and they had no doubt heard the sounds of fighting. Also, my broken arm did not inspire any confidence in them either.

    But I still put on the best smile I could muster and loudly stated, "The war is won!"

    When they heard that, the people''s faces lit up immediately. Some cried joyfully, with the tension in their minds draining away. In contrast, others asked whether their relatives fighting in the war were okay or what this purple mist was.

    I was too tired to answer, so I turned around and began walking toward Speedy.

    It had been a bittersweet victory, as many people had died. The town''s fighting force was crippled, and so was the economy with half the town destroyed. This was far from the victory I had wanted.

    However, it was a victory nonetheless...

 Chapter 104: Notes of Transparency

    Chapter 104: Notes of Transparency

    Fifteen days had passed since the battle, and I lay down in the master bedroom of my mansion for the first time since arriving in this town.

    It was a luxurious room, with a bed so large I could lie sideways and still have ample space to sleep comfortably. Lamps provided warm lighting, and the room was awash in purple hues. From what I understood, purple was an expensive color to produce. However, it made the room feel like a decorator with questionable taste had worked on it.

    What kind of showboating asshole owned this place before me? It was clear he was more concerned with flaunting his wealth.

    Regardless, I wasn''t planning to stay in town for long. With the monstrous beasts defeated, my job here was done.

    Since the poison mist dropped, servants had been filling the halls of this mansion. Many people had volunteered to help with my recovery. Also, half of the town was destroyed, and this mansion was large enough to house several families.

    I shifted in my silk sheets to find a more comfortable position. While the bed was top-notch, the cast on my broken arm limited my options for comfort.

    At least the arm was healing. I should be able to use it normally again in a couple of days. The arm would have healed faster, but it had been badly broken, with chunks of bone lodged in my tendons and flesh.

    Thanks to being a cultivator, my healing was much faster than most. I wouldn''t suffer permanent damage or lose strength in my arm, but the break had been severe. The gorilla had likely fractured it, and the harpy''s final blow shattered it completely.

    While my broken arm was the most obvious injury, I had many others, from cuts to fractures in my back and more.

    I shifted on the bed and removed the silver sheets. They felt uncomfortable; such luxury made it hard to rest.

    The recovery environment had been harsh for a week after the battle. We had to camp in the forest, and only I could set up arrays to protect us from the freezing winters and hypothermia. There was no way I would let the people I had worked so hard to save die from the cold.

    That week had been tough for everyone, but at least no one had complained, and after our victory, most were still in good spirits.

    Unable to rest on the bed which felt like a soft sludge, I got up and walked around the room. But even this didn''t help with the hideous purple splattered everywhere.

    Luxurious didn''t always mean comfortable.

    I walked out of my room, and immediately, two guards bowed toward me.

    "Lord Liu Feng, how may we help you today?" they said in unison, like a practiced recital.

    "No need to worry, I''m just going for a walk," I replied, walking away. "You guys can take a break too. Go get something to eat. Standing around all day doing nothing can be quite daunting."

    Walking through the halls, I saw many maids dusting, mopping, and cleaning the windows. They all had their respective responses when they saw me, and most didn''t even seem fake. Still, having people act this way around me was always a bit uncomfortable.

    During these days of rest, I couldn''t train, and something had been on my mind.

    How did maids exist in this world? Xianxia was usually an ancient China-like world with magical powers. I wasn''t an expert in history, but I was pretty sure there were no maids in ancient China. Also, given the temperament of Cultivators, I couldn''t see how something like French maids came to be.

    My best theory was that some perverted transmigrators in the past "invented" maids. Weirdly enough, that made the most sense.

    I walked down the stairs and finally exited through the mansion''s front doors, greeted by the sight of a snowy garden and bone-chilling cold.

    The outside of the mansion was very different from the inside, where I had placed low-level heat arrays. Even the pond in the corner, which used to house fish before Speedy ate them all, was frozen.

    Usually, I would have had Body Tempering Cultivators work on something like this. Their tough bodies could handle any strain or cold. But there were only two dozen Body Tempering Cultivators left. Most of them were injured, and they had all fought hard. They deserved their rest, and I wasn''t going to be a slave driver. Those men had lost friends and family, brothers in arms... they needed time to grieve too.

    This last battle had been purely about survival. The winner had gained nothing more than that. Even the monstrous beasts we had killed��most of their bodies were filled with poison and had turned bad. There was no way the governor could sell them or turn this into an economic opportunity. We had also drained many spirit stones to create that poison mist.

    No... perhaps there was one person who benefited from all of this.

    Using my new understanding of my martial techniques after the Trace, I formed a curved, moon-like blade from translucent green energy, adding the Falling Moon Claw Technique.

    The attack shot forward faster than I could see, and even though I barely put any effort into it, it carved through the yard like a hot knife through butter, leaving a large gash.

    No slashing motion or hand movements were needed. Pure Qi control and simple thought were enough to create this attack, which allowed me to shoot it from any angle I wanted.

    Despite everything that had happened, one thing was certain: I had grown stronger by leaps and bounds. The previous me who came into town wouldn''t stand a chance against the current me. I could easily kill him in three seconds.

    As I leaned on the balcony railings, I sensed the governor''s Qi signature approaching.

    Not long after, he arrived at my front gates with a frown. He looked around and then saw me. His face eased up, "I sensed a strong attack. Is everything okay? I thought some monstrous beasts might have sneaked in."

    His eyes wandered to the yard, which was cut in a straight line from the pond all the way to the wall, as thick as a tree and deep enough to be a well.

    "Yes, everything is alright. I was just testing a new move. Sorry for making you come here," I apologized.

    He nodded and smiled, which shattered his strict and serious old-man persona. "No worries, I was about to come and meet with you anyway."

    There was a fifty percent chance that what he just said was bullshit. These people had started kissing ass harder now that the battle was over. Now that they had seen my abilities and how we had risked our lives together, they almost respected me enough not to lie to my face. So, I gave the governor the benefit of the doubt.

    "Really? What for?" I raised a questioning brow, a smile playing on my lips.

    With the battle over, I had handed power back to the governor. So, I was no longer involved in any political bullshit. But the governor had done nothing to show anyone he was back in charge. Technically, I was still the power behind everything. The governor, who had been grumpy about me gaining power, no longer seemed interested in reclaiming it.

    "I sent letters to all nearby towns, spreading the news of our victory and what happened," the governor said, his forehead wrinkling with reluctance. "Few answered back, but those that did asked about your Monster Encyclopedia Book."

    "Really?" I asked, surprised.

    "Yes, and don''t worry if you don''t want your books to spread around. I know what you did before by distributing the books to all the defenders because we were in an emergency," the governor explained.

    "Sure, give them the books," I waved away his worries before he could continue. "Also, tell them they''re free to spread the knowledge as they like."

    It wasn''t like my Monster Encyclopedia had any significant discoveries. I had mostly learned from existing books on monstrous beasts and organized the information.

    He nodded and then hurried back toward his mansion. He was probably going to work on a load of paperwork dealing with the planned reconstruction of the town, with the clan heads bickering and scheming against each other.

    As for me, I was just chilling. Political matters like that had nothing to do with me anymore.

    Ah, life without political bullshit was quite enjoyable. Even my broken arm seemed like a minor inconvenience compared to that nonsense.

 Chapter 105: The True Danger

    Chapter 105: The True Danger

    Xin Ma hated his job as a librarian since there was never an opportunity to achieve anything. But there were times when a position like this, which always required him to stay in the library, was useful.

    For example, now was a good time since the war front was an absolute disaster, and he was not part of it due to handling the library''s arrays.

    Xin Ma liked killing monstrous beasts as much as the next fellow cultivator, but he wouldn''t risk his life recklessly. There were rumors that every attack against a city was led by at least one Foundation Establishment monstrous beast, and their armies were large and organized. Rumors also said that most monstrous beast armies that took down cities had a strategic leader guiding them, and foreign beasts not native to the lands were among the attackers. People were unfamiliar with dealing with them.

    He tapped his finger against the library counter. No new outer disciples had come in for a few days, which was good news.

    If it were some decades ago, Xin Ma would have cared and felt sorry for the naive youngsters who went out to fight battles they had no part in. But by now, the old librarian had grown desensitized to it. This was part of a cultivator''s life.

    There was only one outer disciple he really cared about, and that was Liu Feng.

    He hadn''t heard anything from the brat, which was quite worrying. Well, perhaps not so worrying, as Liu Feng wasn''t the kind of person who would send letters or anything like that.

    From what Xin Ma had gathered, Liu Feng was liked by Song Song. As long as he stayed by her side, she would protect what was hers.

    The Song Clan was among the most ruthless, not just to others but also to themselves. However, when they found someone useful, they kept them close. That was how Song Song''s father, the current leader of the Song Clan, kept his position primarily due to his many wives. Though there were some rumors about the man...

    Xin Ma shook his head, dismissing his thoughts about inner sect politics. He was no longer involved with that and just hoped Liu Feng would come back alive.

    A kid like that dying would be a shame. Liu Feng had already become part of his routine. Without him around, the old goat was even grumpier than usual. It wasn''t the same without the brat around to argue with Shan Sha about stupid things and then laugh it off the next second.

    Just as he thought of Shan Sha, the old man appeared like the devil summoned by his thoughts. Someone came in from the front of the library. He was shorter than most young cultivators and used a cane to walk.

    Xin Ma turned toward the old man, expecting him to be grumpy as always. But instead, he saw a smiling old man that looked nothing like his expectations. The old goat had a broad smile, showing some of the few yellow teeth he had left.

    Why was he so happy all of a sudden?

    The old man was carrying a thick book. As he approached the librarian''s counter, he asked, "Have you seen the new encyclopedia?"

    "No," Xin Ma raised a questioning brow.

    Encyclopedias were usually thick books by the Alchemist Tower detailing which plants were poisonous, which ingredients were precious, and what the Alchemist Tower would pay for them.

    Was there a new version of it? Even if there was, why would the old guy be so excited? Perhaps he had some rare herbs he had held onto for decades that might earn him some spirit stones. But then again, the old guy didn''t care and had no use for spirit stones.

    Without saying anything more, the old man reached the counter and put the thick book he was carrying in front of the librarian. The book landed with a loud thud, causing it to open on some random pages.

    The page it landed on featured a drawing of a weird humanoid tiger monstrous beast, with its characteristics, weaknesses, and abilities written down. However, the detailed drawing stood out the most.

    Curiosity got the better of Xin Ma as the old man dragged a chair from a nearby table. Scrolling through the book, he noticed that some monstrous beasts had detailed anatomy charts explaining numerous things.

    "This book has been spreading like wildfire through the cities," explained Shan Sha as he finally got the chair close to the counter and sat down. "We finally got our hands on one. An inner elder came to give this to you but met me on the way here. The elders are in short supply since they''re being sent to the war front, so he quickly handed the book to me and flew away on a flying sword."

    Xin Ma closed the book, got a better look at the cover, and read the title, "A Monstrous Beast Encyclopedia... by Liu Feng?"

    That last part finally got a reaction out of him as his eyes widened. At first, he felt relieved as this book meant the brat was not in danger. Second, Liu Feng would be valuable enough that he wouldn''t be put on the front lines in danger.

    Slowly, a smile made its way onto Xin Ma''s stone-like face. "That brat is always getting into weird things like this."

    Shan Sha laughed. "Right? That was the same thought I had. Who goes to defend against a monstrous beast army, and their first thought is to write a book!"

    Liu Feng''s mind always worked in mysterious ways. As far as Xin Ma could remember, the youngster was always strange.

    Usually, a cultivator faced with a stronger adversary would try to find a stronger martial technique, call a more powerful cultivator for assistance, or work harder to increase their cultivation. However, for some reason, Liu Feng created an encyclopedia of monsters, detailing how to deal with them and their weaknesses.

    "What a weird kid..." Xin Ma said, his smile widening.

    Surprisingly, it didn''t take as long as he had feared. This kind of monstrous beast was relatively early in the encyclopedia.

    "Sharp-Toothed Snake-Tailed Tiger," he read. "It sleeps close to rare treasure-like herbs. Very dangerous and can often fight above its level. Be careful of its snake-like tail, as it has advanced sensory abilities and is known to use trickery. If a battle is imminent, the attacker should aim for the tail."

    Hu Jin skimmed the rest. Though books bored him, this one was crucial as his master had pointed out. He noticed some bold lettering warning about the beast''s danger.

    "What can this flower even do?" Hu Jin frowned.

    "I like the way it looks," his master said.

    "What? You want me to risk my life for your leisure?"

    "I''m just joking, you fool," the old cultivator shook his head, manifesting in his ghostly form next to Hu Jin. "That thing is called a Sun Ruby. It improves the efficiency of spiritual roots."

    Hu Jin was confused, having no idea what improving the efficiency of spiritual roots even meant. His master sighed at Hu Jin''s perplexed expression and began to explain.

    "Spiritual roots are, at their core, an organ. Think of them like muscles that have never been used since birth. Even the most talented people usually enter Qi Gathering at fifteen years old. Their bodies have to adapt to the process, and there are physical limitations a child can''t surpass," the old cultivator explained.

    Hu Jin still looked confused. His education was limited to reading and understanding books about martial techniques. He never cared about anything else.

    Noticing his protege''s distraction, the old cultivator sighed and grumbled under his breath, "Why did I get stuck with an uneducated farmer from the middle of nowhere with a no-name clan? He doesn''t even know the basics!"

    "Hey!" Hu Jin protested. "I can hear you perfectly well, you old bastard. No need to be so rude!"

    The master sighed, ignoring Hu Jin''s comment, and continued his explanation. "Alright, let me simplify this for your shovel-swinging brain. Think of an unused shovel left in the rain; it would eventually rust. But this Sun Ruby here can remove that rust, allowing for better digging!"

    "Oh, so it increases my talent?" Hu Jin inquired. He understood his master''s point but wanted to provoke the old cultivator.

    "No! Improving efficiency in cultivation doesn''t mean you get a second shovel. It means the rust is off the first one, and now you can work more efficiently with it," he said, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "This ''rust'' can go away naturally as one cultivates, but it can take up to a decade for that to happen as spiritual roots get used to absorbing and filtering Qi. By then, some talented people might even reach Foundation Establishment. Make no mistake, all the big clans and sects have their people take medicine to deal with this problem. While this plant might be rare, powerful people have their own resources for these things."

    His teacher always went on rants like this when he was annoyed, and from experience, Hu Jin knew he wouldn''t stop anytime soon.

    "Of course, there are rare cases like those with Extreme Physiques or certain types of Otherworldly Devils that are born able to sense Qi," the old cultivator frowned and looked at the sky.

    "Otherworldly devils?" Hu Jin asked, having never heard the term.

    Instead of answering him, his master stared at the sky and his frown deepened. He closed his eyes and opened them again.

    "Forget the Sun Ruby flower," the old master said, returning to the coin in Hu Jin''s pocket. "Return to the town as quickly as possible!"

    "What?"

    "Shut the hell up and get back to town!" his master yelled.

    This was unlike his usual master; he seemed genuinely worried. So Hu Jin quickly turned and began using an Earth Grade Technique, flashing through the forest at breakneck speeds.

    As he moved at top speed, reaching the grass fields outside the forest didn''t take long. That was when he saw something on the opposite side of the forest and understood why his master was worried.

    A dark cloud in the distance blocked the sun, suddenly making the day feel like night. Among the dark clouds was a giant serpent with a scar running along its titan-sized body.

    The same monstrous beast had troubled him when they joined the Blazing Sun Sect and attacked the flying ships.

    But that wasn''t all; following the monstrous beast was an army of flying creatures, and based on the shaking ground, there were also ground troops.

    "Retreat immediately, and stop gawking like an idiot," his master said. Usually, his insults were jests, but this time he was serious. "That is not an army meant to handle a town. It seems like the monstrous beasts are planning to massacre all humans and turn the Western Continent into a zone of monstrous beasts, just like they did with the central continent!"

    Hu Jin''s heart dropped at this. He immediately used the fastest Earth Grade Technique he knew and shot toward Red Lotus Town like an arrow.

 Chapter 106: Goodbyes & Welcomes

    Chapter 106: Goodbyes & Welcomes

    I planted my feet on the snowy ground and breathed deeply as the cold air filled my lungs.

    It had snowed so hard in the past few days that the snow now reached my knees. Even training in the yard of my mansion had changed, though it wasn''t all that bad. I enjoyed training in different environments as they posed new challenges.

    For example, using Rushing Bull Step in deep snow was not a good idea. Especially when the snow was so thick. However, I found a workaround by keeping my feet high as soon as I began using the technique to avoid stumbling.

    Opening my eyes, I felt the cold seeping past my eyelids.

    The yard had only one area not fully covered in snow, a large cut through the yard as if made by a giant scalpel.

    But I no longer concentrated on the outward appearance of things around me; I looked within. Slowly, Qi surged through my body and moved with methodical precision. Everything was controlled to the smallest detail, with minimal Qi wasted.

    As Qi moved to my fist, it gained a green tint and formed into a translucent jade gauntlet. On my other hand, the wind surged, forming invisible blades of condensed air held in place by Qi.

    Whether for attack or defense, everything was perfect.

    I never knew how good it was to have healthy arms until I discovered how miserable it was to have a broken one. Now, back in perfect fighting condition and having landed two Traces back-to-back, my techniques had reached a pinnacle usually impossible to achieve.

    Not much had happened during these last few days, but I liked it that way. Everything was relatively peaceful.

    The most exciting event recently was the governor''s visits every other day. Now that he was back in power and there was no impending destruction, everyone was back to their usual shenanigans.

    The governor''s visits were mostly filled with gossip. The only slightly exciting news was a rumor that the Hong Clan Leader once loved a woman who left him for a no-good gambler and got pregnant. It sounded like a sordid version of a Titanic romance.

    Learning these things was mostly useless. However, it was intriguing that the Hong Clan Leader sent the child from that relationship as the scout to deliver a letter to the monstrous beasts. Thinking about what might have been going through his mind as he schemed such a thing was amusing. Poor kid though, he had to deal with something he had no part in.

    ...

    After training, I walked around town to loosen up my muscles before beginning my cultivation.

    Snow covered the streets, houses, and everywhere else. Some of the wells in town were frozen, but I wasn''t too worried since Body Tempering Cultivators handled that. As I walked deeper into town, it was evident that few people ventured outside in this weather.

    With the town half-broken, there was plenty of space to walk amidst the rubble. We had moved all the dead monstrous beasts, but there were still patches of frozen blood on the walls of the buildings.

    As I strolled through town, I sensed the governor approaching. This time, however, he was accompanied by another Qi Gathering Cultivator, neither of whom were the Clan Leaders. I stopped walking and waited for the governor to find me.

    When he did, I was surprised to see a young man in a blue uniform beside him��the attire of an inner disciple from the Blazing Sun Sect. I recognized him as one of the members of Song Song''s group.

    "Liu Feng, this young man has come with a message from Song Song herself," the governor said, introducing the young man by his mission without mentioning his name.

    The young cultivator, who looked fidgety and tired but not much older than me, ignored the governor''s lack of introduction. "Yes, Lady Song Song has asked me to bring you back to regroup with her."

    "Sure," I shrugged.

    The governor''s left eye twitched slightly, the only sign of his surprise. But with no monstrous beasts around and no reason to stay, it made sense to leave.

    "If these were better times, I would have organized a parade to make your departure from Whitewall Town memorable. Sadly, our circumstances prevent us from doing so," the governor said with a smile, half-joking. He then waved his hand, and a carpet rolled out from his sleeve towards me leisurely. "Use this to carry your turtle."

    "Thanks," I said, feeling the carpet rub against my hand. I imbued it with my Qi and controlled it by manipulating the Qi inside. "I''ll return it after this whole war ordeal is over."

    "There''s no need for that," the governor said. "Consider it a small reward for what you''ve done for Whitewall City."

    I checked his pulse; his heart was beating like a loud drum, faster than an engine. He looked like he was on the verge of a heart attack.

    "Calm down a little," I said, injecting some Qi around his neck. He was so distracted by fear that he barely noticed me using Qi to pressure the arteries supplying blood to his brain. In an instant, he was knocked out and slumped down.

    Rechecking his pulse, it had returned to normal, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

    If he hadn''t been a cultivator, he would have had a heart attack, or his heart would have torn itself apart.

    The source of the killing intent moved closer at such speeds that I wouldn''t have been able to react if we were in a fight. It stopped about ten feet behind me.

    Turning around, I raised a questioning brow at the cloaked figure.

    "Do you get a laugh out of sending mixed signals? I thought you sent a messenger to get me. Why come here yourself?" I asked.

    As the figure pulled back its hood, a pretty, youthful face with long, silky dark hair and deep blue eyes stared at me. She had a playful smirk and narrowed her eyes.

    "If I didn''t know any better, I might think you are unhappy to see me," Song Song sighed and shook her head in mock pain.

    "Also, can you stop showing off with the technique you copied from me? You probably killed every animal within a two-mile radius," I said, checking the guy''s vitals and making sure to keep his body isolated from outside sensations.

    "Pretty cool, right?" she smiled. "While you might have created this killing intent technique, I was the one who developed it to this level. Do you know how hard I had to work at this?"

    Song Song tried to string me along, but she was barking up the wrong tree on this one.

    "Probably not that hard. It''s not a difficult technique to master," I shrugged.

    There was a good chance she developed something like this in her free time. She was crazy and crazy talented at the same time.

    "Yes you are right, but you could at least make an effort to look impressed," she grumbled, kicking some snow my way. Despite her behavior, she toned down the killing intent, and that unreasonable feeling of fear disappeared in an instant.

    I stood up and turned toward Song Song. There were no injuries on her, and her Qi seemed normal. Thankfully, she wasn''t hurt or anything like that. I had been very worried about how she would handle a monstrous beast army led by an intelligent general while also dealing with a traitor in her midst.

    "Anyway, I bet even you will be surprised by this," she said, her hands moving as if drawing an imaginary bow. Then her Qi ignited, forming an arrow of darkness.

    Despite her aiming an unknown attack at me, I wasn''t worried. Song Song might be crazy and unpredictable, but I was ninety-five percent sure she wouldn''t harm me out of nowhere.

    Without warning, she shot the dark arrow at me, and I caught the projectile with my hand. The dark energy slithered into my hand despite stopping, and an irrational sense of fear took over again.

    Oh? She had infused her killing intent into a projectile Qi attack. That was impressive, especially if she wanted to stun only one target with her killing intent.

    "Impressive," I admitted as fear dissipated when I crushed the foreign Qi in my body with my own Qi.

    "I knew you would like that. I call it the Heart Piercing Thousand Terrors Technique," Song Song smiled.

    "Lame name, but the technique is good. The guy who created the foundation for that must be a genius or something," I teased her.

    Though we were talking like old friends, making jokes and teasing each other, one thought still permeated my mind:

    What was she doing all the way here?

 Chapter 107: A Returning Conversation

    Chapter 107: A Returning Conversation

    Song Song and I continued talking as I created a barrier to protect the unconscious man from the cold.

    "So, how was the war on your end?" I asked her.

    "I had to reinforce most cities, but the monstrous beast army was overwhelming. Ultimately, I evacuated as many people as possible to the main city I was managing. That way I only had to protect one city instead of four," Song Song explained.

    Overall, it was an intelligent plan that saved more lives than it lost. But how did Song Song handle the logistical challenges of relocating so many people? What about food? Where would they sleep during this harsh winter?

    "Even though I could handle most monstrous beasts, and none could really harm me. That didn''t mean I could protect everyone, especially when a Foundation Establishment beast held me back while the rest of the army marched past me," she sighed. Still, a smile slowly appeared on her face. "Your killing intent move was helpful in stunning some, serving as effective crowd control. Also, your advice to keep most inner disciples together worked well. Otherwise, I might have been the only survivor of this mess."

    It seemed she had faced significant challenges during the battle. Making Foundation Establishment beasts seem like mere nuisances was impressive. The higher the realm, the harder it was to bridge the gap. From what I sensed, Song Song was still at the peak of Qi Gathering, but her battle prowess was extraordinary.

    "The killing intent move takes very little Qi, so it was easy to use and improve," she nodded, seemingly agreeing with something only she knew. "Eventually, the beasts learned to shroud themselves in Qi to protect against it. So, I had to focus the technique on dark tendrils to avoid hitting my allies, making it more effective. It was a game of cat and mouse, constantly improving my technique while the beasts developed countermeasures."

    Outclassing an army with her talent was something only Song Song could pull off.

    Heh, her technique improvements must have terrified the intelligent beasts.

    However, despite her success, her method was not the best. It was her talent bullheading through the problem. But what if she had failed?

    Perhaps that was the difference between Song Song and I; she never even assumed she would fail. In some ways, that was a good trait to have, and in her position, I might have failed where she succeeded.

    "How many members does your group have now?" I asked.

    "Very few. Most died. At least your cousins made it out, injured and probably unable to fight for the rest of the winter. But they survived," Song Song shrugged, her gaze fixed on me like a hawk.

    What was she up to now?

    "What''re you thinking about?" I asked her directly

    I didn''t have to be as vigilant as I had been with the governor and clan leaders. Neither did I have to wonder what she could be scheming. It was refreshing to be around someone as straightforward as Song Song.

    "When I learned that you had not only defended your city against thousands of monstrous beasts with minimal numbers on your side..." She smiled, her eyes glistening with a strange light. "At first, I was going to let you do your own thing and rest. No doubt, what you did was exhausting. But as my situation worsened, I decided to come and get some advice. You clearly know what you''re doing... even compared to people who have been defending their cities for decades!"

    That last part carried an unconscious hint of bloodlust. I felt sorry for any governor or clan leader who dared to obstruct her.

    "I barely got by by the skin of my teeth. There was a lot of luck and trickery involved," I shrugged.

    As we approached Whitewall Town, I noticed rough construction around the outer walls covering the holes the monstrous beasts left.

    I tried to get a read on Song Song, but all I could tell was that she was quite pretty when she wasn''t smiling creepily. Her steamy breath in the cold gave her a charming appearance, almost like a princess.

    It was easy to forget how charming she was by how she acted. As long as she didn''t open her mouth or show her craziness, she could qualify as a rare beauty that many would fight over.

    She stopped walking and stared at the walls. I halted along with her and stopped the flying turtle by manipulating the Qi in the carpet artifact.

    "What''s on your mind?" I asked, giving up on trying to read her. It seemed I wasn''t the only one improving on the political side.

    "My leadership while trying to defend my cities has been disastrous. If I return to the clan like this, with nothing but broken cities to show, it will be disastrous," she confessed. "That''s why I decided to come here... I want to break into Foundation Establishment. But there''s no one I trust in my group except you."

    Ah, so that was what she was worried about. As a Core Disciple, Song Song had countless advantages many couldn''t imagine. Still, those advantages came with the expectation that she would outperform everyone by a wide margin.

    But with so many of her cities destroyed, a crack had formed in Song Song''s indomitable armor. Her fellow Core Disciples and others would use this as a weakness or counterargument against her in the future.

    Despite how much we knew and trusted each other, Song Song''s goals sometimes felt alien to me. She usually didn''t concern herself with what was happening around her or what people thought. Yet, there were times when she showed genuine interest and tried hard to become a better candidate for the next Sect Leader.

    "Are you sure you''re ready?" I inquired.

    If she failed to break through to Foundation Establishment, all the Qi she had gathered would dissipate, and she would regress to a one-star Qi Gathering Cultivator.

    With Song Song''s talents, even if she failed, it would take at most a couple of years to reach the peak of Qi Gathering again. Compared to me, her cultivation speed was fast. But that still didn''t mean much. She would be weakened if she failed, and she had too many enemies who would take advantage of such a situation.

    "Yes, I have been ready for a while," she said.

    I decided to trust her judgment. I would not argue with her, and I would try my best to help her if something went wrong.

    "I''m doing this because we''ve been called to gather and form a main army to fight against the monstrous beasts. They''re apparently planning to attack some no-name town," she shrugged.

    "With your background, you could stay in a safe place during the war," I offered. "There''s no need to rush. Nobody can compete with you anyway, so why enter a dangerous situation for no reason?"

    While Song Song might be pretty bloodthirsty, she wasn''t stupid enough to willingly enter an unwinnable battle. From what I was hearing, it seemed like the monstrous beasts were preparing for one last push. If that were the case, the monstrous beast leaders might reveal themselves, which was very dangerous.

    Song Song looked me in the eyes and tilted her head. "Oh... you don''t know about the Sect Leader''s son?"

 Chapter 108: Casual Terror

    Chapter 108: Casual Terror

    The Sect Leader''s son? While it might sound like a special position, it really wasn''t. As one of the most powerful men on the continent, the Sect Leader had a harem. And since condoms weren''t a thing here, he had around a hundred children.

    I didn''t know the exact number, but he had many kids. As far as I knew, none of them inherited his talent, mostly because their mothers were chosen for their beauty and were mortals. It was hard for a high-grade talent to transfer, though with these odds, the Sect Leader had been more unlucky than most.

    Then again, I hadn''t paid much attention to these rumors. I didn''t know exactly how many children the Sect Leader had and was just speculating and crunching numbers.

    "You think he can defeat you?" I asked.

    At first, as we approached the town, there was only the sound of snow shuffling beneath our feet. Song Song''s gaze seemed distant as she looked at the sky.

    "No," she answered. "I can defeat and destroy everyone in the race to the top. There is no question about that."

    "You sure?" I teased her. "The clan head has a lot of children. One of them is bound to be more talented than you."

    "The only ones I have to worry about are those children from the union of the Sect Leader and my aunt," she said nonchalantly.

    Song Song wasn''t foolish enough to overlook the Sect Leader''s other children, so there must be a reason for this.

    "Why? The talent should still translate well, and the clan leader reached his position without the help of the Song Clan. There''s a chance one of his children with another member of his harem will have that same potential," I explained.

    "Well, let''s just say that my aunt isn''t the best stepmother... It''s no coincidence that none of the children from the concubines have shown any talent for cultivation," she smiled as if reminded of an inside joke only she knew. "Also, she''s insufferable enough that despite being married to the Sect Leader, they only had a child thirteen years ago."

    Oh, so the only child of the Sect Leader she was worried about was her own cousin. From what Song Song was hinting at, it seemed like her aunt was either crippling the cultivation or poisoning the Sect Leader''s newborn children so they could never become cultivators. No wonder the Sect Leader only had one child with her.

    Also, what was up with the Song Clan and their women? Why were they all crazy? I felt sorry for the Sect Leader. Just imagining having someone like Song Song as a wife sent a chill down my spine.

    "Have you at least ever met your cousin?" I wondered what kind of genius could worry Song enough that she would even entertain the notion that he could surpass her.

    When I thought of someone who could best Song Song, the first thing that came to mind was someone with the ruthless efficiency to be her cousin, yet level-headed and humble due to his father''s commoner background. A charismatic guy who could draw both sides of the Sect to his side��that was a terrifying opponent. Even if I owed Song Song a lot, that was not the kind of dude anyone wanted to fight.

    "He is just some pansy, a thirteen-year-old brat who has reached the peak of Body Tempering and has been stuck there for a whole year now," Song Song explained with a bored look in her eyes. "Nobody knows his cultivation talent, or at least it is not public knowledge."

    Nobody? The Sect Leader likely knew, which clarified why Song Song hadn''t already been pushed out of the race.

    She shattered all my preconceptions about someone who could cause her to worry. The only thing her way was her own craziness.

    As we approached the wall, a few ideas came to mind about why they might hide his talent. It made no sense unless he wasn''t talented or had an Extreme Physique that meant he would die young, making it unnecessary for anyone to support him.

    Extreme Physiques were rare; it was considered often if they appeared once a century. It would be improbable for the kid to have one. Still, we lived in times when heaven''s favorites strolled about, so anything was possible.

    "He seems to have advanced to the peak of Body Tempering quite fast. Did you do it that fast too?" I teased, trying to keep a smirk from forming.

    What was she on about?

    "This is unlike you," I said. "Do you need help with anything? I could brew you a good cup of tea."

    "I don''t usually fail," she said.

    Her piercing blue eyes met mine, and for a second, we had a tense standoff.

    "Well, if you thought you were going to live the rest of your life without failing, then you are delusional," I stated matter-of-factly.

    When those words left my mouth, the temperature around us somehow grew colder. The tension in the air was palpable. But despite all that, Song Song ended up laughing and saying nothing.

    Sometimes, it was hard to tell what someone like her could be thinking. What was going through her brilliant but deranged mind?

    There was no more time for banter as we arrived at the front gates of Whitewall Town. The giant gates were already open, and the two clan leaders and the governor were waiting for us.

    Among the three welcoming us, the governor caught sight of Song Song and paled. His lip shook, and his breaths hastened. It was a clear sign of panic. For God''s sake, his face was sweaty in this bone-chilling winter.

    At least the two clan leaders looked relatively normal, and the Hong Clan Head even had a smile on his face as usual. It seemed like they knew little about Song Song''s reputation. Still, the governor looked like he had personal experience with her.

    "Whitewall Town humbly welcomes the honorable cultivators-"

    Whatever honeyed words the Hong Clan Leader was about to say were interrupted as Song Song frowned. Her deep blue eyes gained a red glint, and a dark mist began seeping out of her. The mist formed into intangible dark tendrils and spread like some unspoken horror.

    "Since when did some trash get so confident? What made you think you could come greet me while standing? Get on your knees before I cut off your legs," Song Song said with an eerily calm voice.

    Then, once again, that overwhelming killing intent lashed out. To some, it was like a physical force, crashing against the Body Tempering cultivators and throwing them back. At the same time, the two clan leaders and the governor''s knees buckled and they fell to one knee.

    The governor still seemed scared, but the clan leaders seemed to realize what was happening. Perhaps they thought that Song Song was the same as the governor since she was also at the peak of Qi Gathering. But she was in a whole other position and a hell of a lot crazier.

    We had been having a nice chat before, so it was easy to forget. But Song Song was the closest thing this world had to royalty; she was a princess in the Blazing Sun Sect. She looked genuinely offended that these people hadn''t greeted her on their knees.

    "Perhaps you should stop releasing so much killing intent since it could harm the civilians," I advised.

    "Don''t worry, I tested this on civilians, and since they can''t perceive Qi, the most they feel is a tingle... unless, of course, said civilians have good senses and can somehow sense Qi without being Qi Gathering cultivators. Then that''s a whole different matter," she smiled.

    Her murderous presence intensified once again, and the tendrils of dark intent were large enough that they looked like they were grabbing at the town.

    She had gotten so much better at using this technique that it no longer felt like the same thing I had initially used. Despite how much I liked to tease her about being the one who created the active use of killing intent, Song Song had made this technique her own.

 Chapter 109: Corrupting The Good

    Chapter 109: Corrupting The Good

    While Song Song terrorized the local higher-ups, I observed the technique she was using. It would be interesting to see how this technique developed in the future.

    As for what Song Song was doing to the local people in power? There wasn''t much I could do without blatantly undermining her authority. Honestly, I didn''t want to help these people who had been a pain in the ass. They had treated me as if I were an overbearing tyrant. It had taken literally defeating an army for them to start showing me some respect. Even then, I wasn''t sure if it was genuine or just an act.

    Now, they had to deal with an actual overbearing person like Song Song.

    Also, not having to worry about the leadership part of this whole endeavor was quite nice.

    "Lady Song," I addressed her formally. "The governor and two clan leaders have been very helpful. It would save me some face if you would let them off the hook this once. I''m sure they won''t forget to get on their knees from now on."

    Despite everything, the governor had given me that carpet artifact, and we had fought shoulder to shoulder. The least I could do was ask Song Song to go easy on them. Whether she followed my advice was up to her.

    "I''m already being lenient with them, Liu Feng," she said as she withdrew her killing intent. "If this were any other place, I would have had them bow with their foreheads touching the snow. Weaklings, trash, and the incompetent should know their place."

    Okay, she wasn''t going to follow my advice. Oh well, there were some things I would never be good at, no matter how hard I tried. One of those things is appeasing crazy women.

    I shrugged and let her do her thing.

    Instead, I approached Speedy, put him on the ground, and patted his head. The little guy glanced at Song Song and seemed intimidated, but I reassured him.

    "Just cover your body in Qi, which should stop most of the technique''s effects. The technique is nothing special despite how scary it looks," I said.

    I hadn''t had time to teach Speedy something like that, so he just looked at me confused.

    While petting Speedy, I zoned out. What happened next was just Song Song indulging in her usual cruelty. She was testing how much resistance these guys would dare put up against her, which was none.

    "Since I am new here, I will partake in the hospitality of Whitewall Town," Song Song said, lowering her killing intent until it completely disappeared. "Do you have a place where I can stay for a few days?"

    When the pressure lifted, the Hong Clan Leader stood up, his knees still shaking from being forced to kneel in the snow. Despite his sorry appearance, he had a smile on his face. That same fake smile he always wore.

    "Then, Lady Song, the Hong Clan will offer you the best accommodations in the city," the Hong Clan Leader declared boldly.

    Usually, I would have been annoyed by his attitude. But right now, I felt sorry for him. He had just picked the worst possible target for that kind of behavior.

    I glanced at Song Song. Surprisingly, she only had a slight smile without the malicious intent I expected. However, a certain unreadable glint in her eyes made me uncomfortable. I wasn''t even her target.

    Poor guy...

    "Really? Then let me check your clan compounds and wherever the governor is staying. I will choose whichever building I like," Song Song said with the sweetest smile as if she wasn''t planning to kick people out of their own homes.

    At least it was the clans, not civilians who might struggle to find a place to sleep. Despite her actions being a bit on the nose, I didn''t publicly speak up or challenge her authority.

    Even though they were experiencing blatant disrespect, the three town leaders were forced to smile stiffly and nod. The governor looked especially bad, his face pale and covered in sweat, like someone who had seen a ghost.

    I followed along as a spectator while Song Song inspected the places she planned to make her temporary home. Though the Clan Leaders were displeased, they didn''t dare express their opinions.

    With everyone focused on Song Song, I put on a cloak, pulled up my hood, and hung at the back of the group. This was the most fun I''d had in a while, watching the mess unfold like a reality TV show while petting Speedy.

    "See, Speedy, always make sure not to pick women who only have beauty to offer. Otherwise, you end up with women like Song Song," I advised the little guy. In response, he rubbed his head against me.

    What did that gesture mean? I had no idea, but I got the feeling that Speedy understood. As an honorary father, I could only hope he wouldn''t end up picking some crazy turtle for a wife or getting a harem.

    I had nothing to worry about with Song Song around, so my mind wandered to weird places.

    ...

    Despite her harsh words, there was a teasing smile on her face, so I knew not to take her words to heart. But as she was about to hurl more insults, I picked up one of the pillows and threw it at her face.

    Sadly, she had good instincts, and she easily caught it midair without even looking at the projectile.

    She even had the audacity to keep staring at me with mock worry and said, "You must have had a horrible childhood to come up with wild fantasies like that."

    I sighed and leaned on the couch, waving her words away. "Yeah, yeah, continue bullying your helpless subordinate."

    "Now you just had to go and ruin it," she pouted. "This is more fun when you are annoyed."

    No matter what I told her or how she might change in the future, I realized that Song Song just had a shitty personality, and there was nothing I could do about that.

    "Despite those people being put in charge here as governors or even smaller clan leaders, they''re all under the protection of the Blazing Sun Sect. There is no free meal in this world, and the Blazing Sun Sect doesn''t do this just because they''re nice. This protection comes with a cost, and that cost is their service to the Blazing Sun Sect," she stated, throwing the apple she finished away, which perfectly landed in a trash can in the corner. "In essence, everyone here is our servant. No matter how they might look at it, or whether they like it or not they''re here to serve us, not the other way around."

    I understood what she was saying in principle, but that did not mean I agreed with her view. Before I could speak, she continued her explanation.

    "A leader is not supposed to sacrifice themselves for the people; he just has to be there to show his power and protect them. But the ones doing the sacrificing should be the servants, and they should try to do anything to please their leader and keep their overlord''s protection. After all, the leader''s life is much more important than all of their subjects," she explained and stared at me as if waiting for me to challenge her opinion.

    Here, when someone was in a leadership position, it usually meant they were a strong cultivator compared to the other people around them. There were many variations of what it meant to be "strong" depending on the region. Either way, this was just a different way of looking at things, and no matter what I said, it would be impossible to convince Song Song otherwise. A part of me understood where she was coming from.

    "We have different views on the matter," I shrugged and left it at that.

    "No. You''re just plain wrong," she refuted. "After all, if you want to be so self-sacrificing, the people you''re trying so hard to protect will spit on you and stab you as soon as a stronger cultivator comes around. Why would you want to sacrifice yourself for someone who would do that to you?"

    That made me think. Despite how I treated these people, they were from this world. It didn''t matter how I looked at things; my views would not change how they would act.

    Also, she was speaking in absolutes here. But I was more worried about her next breakthrough than this.

    The dangerous glint in Song Song''s eyes intensified. By the time I noticed that she had likely read me like a book in that split second of showing weakness, it was too late as she continued talking.

    "Do you want to test that out?" She smirked. "We just have to call the three Qi Gathering Cultivators and act like we had a conflict. Then I can order them to beat you to death. Do you think they would refuse my orders and valiantly stand by your side?"

    It was a question I knew the answer to...

    "Yeah, and even the normal civilians would do the same too, stab you in the back without an ounce of hesitation," Song Song said while stretching on the couch like a cat. "Don''t try to be righteous and risk your life for people who don''t care about you."

    She was... right...

    No matter how I thought of Song Song as a crazy maniac even when she was at her best, she was absolutely right. Despite how hard I had fought for this town, all I had earned was a bit of respect. They would probably support me when it came to most other things, but none would go through the danger I did for me as I did for them.

    Perhaps, I should abandon the mentality I had in my previous life regarding certain things. Helping people was okay as long as I had the power, but risking my life for people who would stab me in the back without a second thought was just being cruel to myself.

    I never looked at it that way before.

    Oh well, that was enough philosophical discussions for today. We had more important matters to attend to. When I turned toward Song Song to ask her something, she looked mighty pleased with herself while staring at me. But as soon as she noticed my gaze, she smiled and acted like nothing happened.

    Whatever it was, I was no longer in the mood to talk about useless things. ��When do you want to try and breakthrough?��

    That was the reason she had even bothered coming here after all.

    ��Tomorrow,�� she said. ��Even though I didn��t waste much Qi coming here, I want to be in top shape just in case.��

    I stared at Song Song and couldn��t help but wonder just how scary she would be when she became a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

 Chapter 110: Brutal Battles

    Chapter 110: Brutal Battles

    The next day arrived quickly, and I had the best sleep I''d had in a while. With Song Song around, I felt secure and carefree. I woke up feeling energetic and rejuvenated.

    Walking through the mansion''s hallways with a smile, I encountered Song Song, who raised a questioning brow.

    Before she could speak, I asked, "Did you sleep well?"

    "The room had too much purple, but it was a good night''s rest. I''m back in my best shape," she replied.

    We walked together to the mansion''s empty ballroom, which I had the servants clear out yesterday. I had also set up numerous arrays and protective barriers. Song Song looked around, sensing the barriers, and nodded. She then sat in a meditative position in the middle of the ballroom.

    There was no need for words as I erected a barrier around her, protecting Song Song from outside influences. The barrier formed a black sphere the size of a car, blocking her vision, and I couldn''t see inside.

    "This is just a precaution," I said, knowing she could still hear me.

    "Good, I like this cautious side of you," she responded, her Qi surging like a tidal wave, attempting to break through invisible walls within her body.

    Song Song had officially entered the process of breaking through.

    However, as soon as she began, I sensed a chill in the air, as if something was watching us. I turned toward the only window in the room but saw nothing. There was no time to dwell on it as the ballroom door opened by an invisible force.

    No servant would do this, as I had warned them.

    Immediately, I unsheathed my daggers and assumed a defensive stance. Though nothing appeared initially, it was clear that something had opened the door.

    Then, eight figures emerged, each removing a strange ring artifact from their fingers. As soon as they did, the rings shattered into a thousand pieces.

    The newcomers looked tired, disheveled, and smelled terrible. Whatever artifact they had used seemed to have severe conditions, just like my arrays. Something had to be sacrificed to make the effect stronger.

    "Song Sia, what are you doing on this side of the battle?" I asked, trying to keep my voice nonchalant.

    Despite their fatigue, I recognized these people. They were from the same group as Song Song, and I realized I had underestimated the number of spies in her group. There were eight women from Song Song''s group.

    "How did you gals get here?" I inquired, more to buy time than anything else.

    There was no need to ponder why they were here. I immediately began analyzing everything that might give me an edge in this situation. Since they hadn''t attacked while invisible, that must be one of the conditions on the artifact.

    I cast a sound-canceling barrier around Song Song to keep her from being disturbed.

    My new opponents were all around four to seven stars Qi Gathering Cultivators. They were stronger than me but looked exhausted and malnourished, likely due to the artifact''s drawbacks. It must have required them to consciously keep it active, which explained their condition.

    Had they been in the same room when we talked yesterday? That was creepy.

    "Step aside, this does not involve you," Song Sia said.

    For a split second, I considered accepting her proposal to get them closer and let their guard down. But they were already on guard, and cheap tricks wouldn''t work on them. Especially not on Song Sia, who no longer seemed her dull self.

    Thankfully, I didn''t have to worry about hurting Speedy, or I would never have done this kind of strategy.

    Two of the five girls who had been ready to attack Song Song turned towards me. One had a dagger, and the other a sword. They swung their weapons without hesitation.

    Instead of dodging, I went through their attacks, activating Dancing Jade Armor at the last second. The sword attack penetrated my armor due to a strange Qi surrounding the weapon, likely some technique, and left a gash on my side.

    But none of that mattered as their eyes widened, realizing my real target wasn''t them but the three girls attacking Song Song.

    "Look out!" the dagger girl yelled.

    But it was too late. While her friends sensed my approach, neither could turn around quickly enough to stop me. I used my daggers to stab one of the girls attacking Song Song in the back. My daggers pierced her kidneys, and she gasped in pain. Her eyes widened as I lifted her up, still skewering her with my daggers.

    Immediately, the two girls who had attacked me before and the other girl to my left, whose friend I had skewered, filled with rage and attacked me.

    I used Dancing Jade Armor on my leg to block the attack from the girl on my left while turning around and using my victim''s body as a shield against the two girls behind me.

    Surprisingly, despite their rage, the two girls cut through their friend, trying to get to me with their blades. Before their attacks could reach, I let go of my daggers and turned towards the last girl. She hesitated but still swung her sword toward the dark barrier protecting Song Song.

    I wasn''t fast enough to stop her, but even as her Qi-imbued sword clashed with the barrier, only the sound of clanging metal rang out. She didn''t have much time to act surprised. Having used almost all her Qi on her sword to increase her attack, she had little time to react to my move and even less defense.

    Swiftly, I moved towards her, grabbing her from behind and putting her in a chokehold. Turning to the rest of her companions, I said, "If any of you move, I will break this girl''s neck."

    Though the exchange felt like an eternity, it happened in a split second.

    Despite the care I saw in their eyes for each other, the girls didn''t stop charging toward me.

    With no weapon in hand, I tightened my grip and twisted the girl''s neck like a screw. Using her corpse as a meat shield, I charged at her friends. They had grown accustomed to my strategies and stabbed through their friend to get to me. I used the Dancing Jade Armor Technique to defend myself. While that stopped two attacks, one sword pierced through my armor, sending a piercing pain followed by a nasty crack through my collarbone.

    A tingling sensation ran through my arm as blood splattered on my face.

    Shit, she must have hit a vein or something.

    Time was running out. I needed to weaken the most dangerous force here.

    Muttering under my breath, I activated some of the arrays in the room, filling it with a dark mist made from my Qi. The fog obscured vision and Qi sense, but since it was my Qi, I could sense everything that moved inside it.

    Charging towards Song Sia, the biggest threat, I swung at her neck. She summoned two short swords from her storage ring, blocking my fist with one and stabbing me in the belly with the other.

    "Shit," I cursed.

    There was no time to think as the other girls were already attacking. Even as I used Dancing Jade Armor, some of their attacks got through.

    Damn, at this rate, I was going to lose.

 Chapter 111: The Convenient Timing

    Chapter 111: The Convenient Timing

    Some of the attacks from Song Sia''s friends pierced through my Dancing Jade Armor. Although they lost all momentum, they still left deep cuts on my flesh.

    I had to jump back and create some distance between us, or else I was going to be chopped up. Song Sia did not give chase; she just stared at me with a cautious look, still holding the short sword she had used to stab me in the stomach. My blood dripped from her blade as she glared at me with a frosty expression.

    "I know I''m handsome, but I am from a small clan and you''re from the Song Clan. Our love can never flourish," I said, smiling arrogantly.

    Song Sia''s friends glared at me with hatred in their eyes. It was hard to tell whether they hated me for my words or because I had killed their friends.

    On the other hand, Song Sia seemed unaffected by my words, which was disappointing and scary. I needed a distraction, or she would cut me down soon enough. I could tell she was preparing something, but I had no idea what.

    The best plan was to eliminate them all before Song Sia''s plan came to fruition.

    I tightened my hands into fists, extending only my index and pinky fingers on both hands. Then I clasped my hands and muttered a soft chant under my breath.

    For a moment, I expected Song Sia to charge at me. It would have worked in my favor if she had, as I could have used it against her. But she was either too cautious or knew what I was about to do next.

    The shadow below my feet bubbled up and then extended into a curtain of darkness, covering the room and blocking any light from coming in.

    Dark Coffin, a peak Level 2 array. Some considered it nearly Level 3, but it had steep limitations: it could only be used in enclosed spaces and had weak durability, easily broken from the outside even by a mortal.

    There was another drawback: I was still someone who had just become a Qi Gathering Cultivator. My Qi reserves were small, and this move almost drained them completely.

    Dark spikes shot out, and I sensed two girls getting skewered, their groans of pain confirming it. Despite that, I directed most of the spikes towards Song Sia. With the dark mist, her senses should be muddled, and the Dark Coffin completely blocked any light.

    No matter how good a cultivator''s eyesight was, light was crucial for the human eye to see.

    But somehow, for whatever reason, Song Sia leaned to the side, dodged, backed off, and tilted her head away from all of the attacks. It was like trying to hit a leaf with a flyswatter; the wind seemed to push her away from each attack.

    Amid that, she even protected two of her friends who were close to her, using her short swords to deflect any attacks.

    My breathing grew heavier as my remaining Qi plummeted. Combined with my injuries, I was significantly weakened.

    Damn, there was a burning sensation in my lungs. I felt cold, but at the same time, I felt as if surrounded by a warm wet blanket... Yep, I was bleeding out.

    Taking a deep breath, I concentrated and used whatever meager Qi I had left to move through my body, forcefully clotting veins, acting as organ linings, and pushing the skin together to stop the bleeding.

    This required intense concentration, but once I got used to the feeling, it was like riding a bike. I didn''t have to think too hard about keeping the Qi in place.

    Despite my injuries and low Qi reserves, I was almost there. I just needed to take care of the two girls left, as they would be troublesome now that I couldn''t use Qi carelessly to distract them.

    I was confident I''d win if it was one-on-one against Song Sia.

    One last push. I needed to increase my power in the Dancing Jade Armor Technique, which would cost a lot of Qi. I was still only at one-star Qi Gathering.

    As I was psyching myself up for my next move, trying not to think about the gruesome death that awaited if I failed, there was a sudden surge in Song Sia''s Qi.Her Qi exploded outward, forming like a web and grabbing the corners of my barrier. With a mighty tug, the whole room shook. Cracks spread through the darkness, and rays of light began pouring in.

    Another tug and the barrier came crashing down, returning the room to its original state. Since I no longer had the Qi to maintain the dark mist, it dissipated too.

    The darkness receded, and my situation became more dangerous as light flooded in.

    Song Sia''s gaze was as cold as ice, sending chills through my veins. I felt numb just looking at her, as she resembled Song Song a bit too much.

    "It''s kind of creepy how much you resemble your cousin," I said, trying to provoke her. We were at a stalemate, and I needed her to get emotional and perhaps waste some time talking. "Having Song Song as a friend always makes me feel confident, no matter the battle. But as an enemy, she would be a nightmare."

    "Friend? You think too highly of yourself. Song Song thinks of you as nothing more than a pawn, someone she would drop immediately if it ever required effort on her part to keep you around," Song Sia refuted, her fiery glare making it clear she wanted to kill me. "Liu Feng, if you think you have even an inkling of what kind of person you''re dealing with when it comes to my cousin... Trust me, she is worse than you could imagine. Like every worst habit an evil human could have, clumped together into one person."

    "You know, you could stop this. Deep down, you''re a good person. Song Song is not the source of evil you think she is. She''s just a symptom of a harsh reality," I said.

    Did she just call me Song Song? Was her tiredness and frustration getting the better of her? Song Song was still behind the barrier, and these wires could not get through something I had put so much effort into perfecting.

    I looked at my only remaining hand and extended my fingers. Thin, translucent wires with a greenish tint formed. They took so little Qi to make that I barely felt it, even with my current reserves.

    "Thanks for the lesson. These wires are quite useful," I smirked at Song Sia as she charged at me.

    The girl clearly had her own internal demons she was battling. Well, I would play to those fears as much as I could.

    As she came closer, attempting to stab me in the chest with her sword, I tried to use my new strings as a defense, wrapping them around the weapon. Song Sia was too fast for me to dodge right now.

    When the thin greenish strings wrapped around her weapon, she channeled her bountiful Qi, and her sword was surrounded by a pink aura.

    Her strange technique cut through the strings, barely slowing down the attack. Panicking, I raised my hand and grabbed the sword blade.

    Feeling the razor-sharp blade running along my palm was very uncomfortable as the cold metal touched the bones in my hand. But even that didn''t stop the sword from stabbing into my chest.

    Thankfully, the sword didn''t pierce deeply. Song Sia''s Qi had strong cutting properties, but it had lost its momentum.

    She left her side wide open, and I could have attacked with my fist if my arm was still intact. It wasn''t a mistake on her part, but a crazy idea came to mind.

    With a single thought, a greenish aura blazed along the stump of my arm. A new arm formed, made of pure translucent green Qi, and I punched toward Song Sia''s chin.

    Her eyes widened when she noticed this, but she let go of her sword despite the surprise and leaned away from the attack. She twisted and maneuvered herself midair, delivering a kick to the hilt of her sword.

    I barely had enough time to push the sword away from my heart as it pierced the upper part of my chest. An uncomfortable feeling seeped through me as the cold metal slipped past my ribs and came out the other side.

    Due to the power behind the kick, I flew back and smashed against the wall, leaving a giant spiderweb-like crack on the stone.

    This fucking Song Clan and their bullshit fighting instincts! Song Sia hadn''t seen that coming, yet she dodged and still managed to deliver her own attack!

    I took a step forward, my back leaving the wall. I almost instinctively removed the sword from my chest for a second, but I stopped myself from such a foolish action.

    The sword was better left there. Even though it felt strange to have something cold inside me, I could still feel it... it was such a weird sensation.

    Was this what it felt like to be stabbed? Before, I was usually full of adrenaline or panicking and never noticed. Or was it just a cultivator thing, where my senses were hyperaware, and I could sense things inside my body clearly?

    My jade-armored arm dissipated into nothing, and I was left with a stump that I had to forcefully shut down the bleeding using my Qi.

    There was no way I was going to win now. The best I could do was to hold on as long as possible and hope for Song Song to break through as fast as possible.

    If I couldn''t hold on, I would use my lifespan to strengthen the barrier around Song Song. I had never practiced using lifespan, but I knew the theory behind how it worked. After my death, Song Song would crush them all.

    Damn, I had grown pretty decisive about these things. I was kind of surprised at myself.

    Just as we were about to start fighting again, a cold descended into the room, and the walls froze in an instant. I winced as the sword in my chest transferred the cold directly through me. A cold metal literally touching the bones in my chest was an awful sensation, sending a chill through my whole body.

    I could see my own misty breath as the only window in the ballroom shattered, followed by a loud booming sound. The glass froze mid-air, and the extreme cold made it so brittle that the air resistance itself caused it to shatter.

    In came a young girl with dark hair streaked with white. She was a jade-like beauty with no imperfections, making her seem almost ethereal and otherworldly. Even though her blue uniform covered her body, not revealing much, she clearly had a good figure.

    This was Ye An, and she seemed to have grown more beautiful since the last time I had seen her. But despite her profound beauty, what caught my attention was her nine-star Qi Gathering cultivation. She also had more white strands in her hair than before.

    She turned toward Song Sia and coldly stated, "You can continue your mission. But I''m going to have to ask you not to take the life of this suicidal fool."

    Well, wasn''t this convenient? Miraculously saved at the last moment when all sides had gravely injured each other? Almost like she had been waiting for this to happen...

 Chapter 112: A Good Meal

    Chapter 112: A Good Meal

    Song Sia had grown up around monstrous people, from those who were exceptionally talented to those who were incredibly strong. But as she fought this guy, there was something about his eyes...

    He hadn''t blinked once since the battle started. She was going all out, and she was technically winning with each exchange. However, Liu Feng constantly adapted and created countermeasures against techniques that had been in the Song Clan for centuries.

    His Qi reserves were getting lower, but his control of his Qi was improving mid-battle. This was astonishing, especially since she knew he had only recently broken through��he hadn''t been a Qi Gathering Cultivator when they first set off for the cities.

    It was like fighting a shadow. Song Sia knew his techniques, but no matter how hard she tried, he used them in new ways. Everything made sense now as to why that monster trusted him. Birds of a feather flock together and all that.

    Liu Feng was undoubtedly a monster in his own right. The way he modified techniques and used them on the spot surpassed even Song Song. It was like watching a child doodling, but at the same time, it was like seeing someone paint a masterpiece.

    Despite seeming like a good guy when she met him, Song Sia didn''t trust Liu Feng for even a second. While Song Song was known for her cruel ways, she too hid her worst vices.

    Song Sia recalled a particular memory from many years ago when she and Song Song were just children.

    It was a dark room, and like any child her age, Song Sia was wandering around the clan compound playing hide and seek with the other children. Despite the harsh training, the Song Clan children could still play and hang out with their peers.

    She had snuck into one of the walls of the Clan Leader''s building, which was usually empty. Song Sia found an opening that led to one of the backrooms. It was a dark, cold room made of stone with no decoration. The darkness was palpable, and she could barely see anything, with the only light coming from flickering torches.

    As a dumb child, she had walked down the hallways and seen something she should never have...

    A mountain of bones as big as a house, a pool of blood on the ground deep enough to reach someone''s knees. In the middle of that were Song Song and the Clan Leader, Song Song''s father.

    The Clan Leader was saying something Song Sia couldn''t quite remember. The grotesque sight was the only thing that stuck with her.Ree?ad latest novels at novelhall.com

    Her heart shook at the image of a young Song Song on her knees in front of a corpse, ripping flesh off and devouring it. The crunching noises, the sound of slurping blood, the small annoyed sigh as Song Song struggled to tear the raw human flesh with her teeth��it was all too horrifying.

    Song Sia had no idea how she had left that place or how she had even been able to enter it in the first place. After all, there should have been arrays or something to stop people from coming in. Or perhaps the room was so secret that the Clan Leader wanted no one to even sense the barriers around it and come to investigate.

    Either way... Song Song was a cannibal. She was a monster who wore human skin; someone like that could never feel human emotions and care for anyone.

    When Song Sia was declared Song Song''s servant, she almost broke down and cried in front of the messenger. But somehow, she kept her composure and played the part of a ditzy girl whenever Song was around. A part of her always felt like Song Song knew she was terrified. But Song Song never cared about appearing scary to people. Perhaps she even enjoyed those moments of psychologically tormenting her.

    Song Sia''s hand shook, and the cold brought her to her senses.

    "You can continue your mission. But I''m going to have to ask you not to take the life of this suicidal fool," said Ye An, another victim of Song Song.

    But Song Sia cared nothing about her, and instead her gaze went toward the dark sphere that Song Song was hiding behind. Then her gaze settled back on Liu Feng, who, despite being bloody, had bloodshot eyes wide open, looking like they were about to pop out of their sockets.

    He looked creepy, and something was definitely wrong with him.

    Song Sia exploded her Qi outward, and the ice shook but didn''t break. Even as she increased the intensity, it was no use; it seemed like the ice grew stronger the more Qi she used to try and break it.

    Song Clan Secret Technique: Devouring Abyss!

    Though she had not mastered this technique, Song Sia was forced to use it. The space around her arms shifted, causing the ice around them to shift and break.

    Thankfully, that was enough to break the ice. No longer resembling an ice statue, Song Sia coughed out chunks of ice and almost threw up as she felt the frozen saliva at the back of her throat.

    "Oh? You broke out? How did you do that?" Ye An inquired, tilting her head with genuine curiosity. "No offense, but that technique was made to handle someone of Song Song''s caliber... and you are nowhere near that level."

    Song Sia didn''t bother answering and used the time to take deep breaths. One attack from Ye An and her lungs were burning, her eyes felt like they had toothpicks shoved in them, and her nose felt stuffed with cotton.

    "Liu Feng, how about you? Do you have any idea how she broke through my technique? The little lady here seems preoccupied with gathering her bearings," Ye An asked nonchalantly.

    "She twisted space in her palms, and that twist likely gathered in one strong point of impact. It is like glass: while a storm or people standing on it might not break it, if someone used a nail on the glass and a slight hit, all the force at the small point causes it to crack," Liu Feng explained without hesitation.

    Even Song Sia was surprised because, even though she had broken through the ice, she hadn''t known the exact specifics of how it happened. At that point, she tried everything out of desperation, and luckily something worked.

    The understanding of martial techniques he showed freaked Song Sia out once again. There was something about Liu Feng that, despite his lack of power and cultivation talent, oozed danger.

    "Well, it''s about time we finish this. I have a certain someone to kill too," Ye An said as she casually walked toward Song Sia.

    This caused Sia to immediately jump back, next to her two remaining friends who were still alive. She knew that from now on, defeating them was a lost cause. But no matter what, Song Song had to die today, or there would be no other chance like this.

    Song Sia glanced at Liu Feng and recalled how he had fought against all of them. She knew how hard it was to fight above your cultivation level, but monsters like him and Song Song made it look easy.

    Just as she thought that, Song Sia felt a warm splatter land on her cheek, contrasting with the cold that had settled in the room due to Ye An. She turned around to see what had caused this and was greeted by her friend''s headless body.

    Song Sia touched her cheek and examined her fingers, now painted red with blood. She looked toward where Song Song''s barrier cocoon had been and found a black sphere with a jagged hole as if someone had broken through.

    Time seemed to slow down as her brain tried to catch up with what just happened. Even though deep down she already knew.

    Before her friend''s headless corpse even fell to the ground, she felt a piercing sensation in her back. Looking down, she saw a hand covered in blood coming out of her chest.

    But she wasn''t alone. The cry next to her showed that even her last friend had suffered a similar fate, with the attacker''s other hand coming out of her friend''s chest.

    She met her friend''s gaze, and a tear rolled down her cheek. Song Sia felt a sense of overwhelming despair as she realized what had happened.

    Song Song was done with her breakthrough...

 Chapter 113: A Wild Ride

    Chapter 113: A Wild Ride

    I had to be honest; seeing Ye An''s eyes widen as she saw Song Song elbow-deep in her cousin''s rib cage was satisfying. All the bravado Ye An had built up until now slipped away as she struggled to control her expression.

    I was not usually the kind of guy who got hung up on petty things like this, but today, these people dragged me to my lowest.

    "How the hell did she break through so fast?" Ye An cursed under her breath.

    With a sickening crunch, Song Song pulled her arms out of her cousin''s chest and did the same to her other friend. Song Song''s arms were covered in blood up to the elbows, with it dripping onto the thawing floor.

    She stared at Ye An, but her gaze soon settled on me, specifically my stump. "Your arm..."

    "What?" I smiled. By now I had lost all sensation in my body, and couldn''t even feel the pain. "Giving up an arm for a life is a pretty good deal, all things considered."

    Perhaps my sense of humor was lost on Song Song, as she didn''t even give a polite smile out of courtesy. Instead, her gaze wandered toward my severed arm, which lay on the ground with a bit of frost around it from the Qi Ye An had been releasing.

    Losing an arm was terrible, but a part of me was also excited at the possibilities. I was curious about the kinds of prosthetic arms available in this world. However, the most exciting part was creating a whole new translucent arm from my Dancing Jade Armour Technique.

    Some artifacts or miraculous medicines could probably regenerate an arm or two in case I regretted this. Sure, I might not get them now or anytime soon. But it was my left arm that was cut off, so it was no big deal. It wasn''t like I lost an arm on Earth where there was no chance of growing it back.

    There was a sound like a hushing wind, and Song Song disappeared from my vision, even though I had been looking directly at her. I sensed her presence next to me, but her gaze was on Ye An and she asked the ice girl. "What are you doing here?"

    Ye An smiled, hiding her previous cautious look as she asked, "Do you want a lie or the truth?"

    In a twisted way, she mirrored my usual quote, and her smile widened slightly when she saw Song Song''s eyes narrow dangerously. At first, Song Song didn''t respond and kept a cold mask, but her eyes... there was a coldness in them that made even Ye An''s ice feel warm.

    "You have grown stronger, but we both know you won''t be able to kill me in one hit like you did them. That''s why you didn''t even try," Ye An said and turned toward me. "Do you think his life is more important than your revenge or not? He seems pretty injured. Sure, he is stopping himself from bleeding out for now, but how long will that last? We both know there is no healer nearby that can take care of wounds like that-"

    Whatever she was about to say next, she stopped as Song Song''s Qi exploded out of her. It felt like a tidal wave crashing against the mansion. The walls cracked, and the roof looked like it would cave in. Even Ye An was forced to step back, immediately surrounding herself in a cocoon of ice.

    It was a wise decision because the next instant, Song Song disappeared from her previous position and was within arm''s length of the cocoon.

    An astronomical amount of Qi gathered into the palm of Song Song''s hand, the kind of Qi that could easily destroy a whole building in one attack. She shot her palm forward, and a wave of pure dark-colored Qi slammed into the ice cocoon, smashing it through the mansion walls and blasting it far into the destroyed parts of the town.

    Thankfully, no servant in the mansion was hurt, and I sensed that Ye An was still alive despite the devastating blast.

    At the same time, I felt Song Song come and grab me like a sack of potatoes under her arm, careful not to nudge or move the sword in my chest. Then she used her other hand to hold my severed arm. It all happened so fast that I could barely see anything, but I could still sense what she was doing.

    It was surprising that she wasn''t going after Ye An. After all, if I could sense that Ye An was alive, then Song Song definitely could too.

    She jumped out of the large hole in the wall where there used to be a window before Ye An had blasted an opening. Before we touched the ground, a sword came out of her storage ring. It was a jian sword with the yin and yang symbol on its hilt. It was so sharp that just hovering in the air created a strange cutting sound.

    As soon as her feet touched the sword, Song Song formed a spherical barrier around us and blasted off like a rocket. She moved so fast that it felt like we were on a plane, with everything blurring past us.

    Were they burning incense or something?

    Song Song led me through a backroom into a traditional Chinese-themed room with green decorations. There was even a drawing of a green dragon on one of the scrolls on the wall.

    There were many tables with pillows and what looked like rudimentary hospital beds. What stood out were the dozen or so people wearing white robes and working with scalpels and sewing needles. They were crowded over one wooden bed, and I couldn''t see who they were treating.

    Song Song immediately put me down on my side in one of the wooden beds and placed my severed arm next to me. It wasn''t the most comfortable position or place to lie down, and the pillow felt like it was made of solid wood. Also I couldn��t lay down on my back because I had a sword sticking through my chest.

    She then turned toward the healers and called out, "Hey! I need you to treat someone here!"

    When the healers heard her voice, they all turned around. That gave me enough of an opening to see who they were working on a young man who looked to be in his early twenties. He had feminine features, a thin build, and a fresh scar from the edge of his eye to his jawbone. Though the wound was stitched, it clearly was going to leave quite a nasty scar.

    From how the guy seemed sweaty and pale, with dark circles under his eyes, and had difficulty breathing, it was clear a face injury was not his only problem.

    The healers looked at me, and I could tell by their gazes that whatever urgency they felt due to Song Song''s call was gone.

    "Sorry, Lady Song. But we have clear procedures about this, and when it comes to circumstances where we have to choose who to treat between an outsider or a clan member, the latter is always a priority. We have to save your cousin first, Lady Song," one of the lead healers, an old man with a close shave and slicked-back hair, answered.

    "Oh, is that so?" Song Song asked.

    Before they could answer her rhetorical question, she blitzed past them and was next to the wooden bed where her cousin lay. She had a sword in hand, pointed it down at her relative, and swung it without hesitation.

    Every one of the healers stared as their wide-eyed patient gurgled and clawed at his throat, where Song Song held her sword in place with an iron grip. Then she glanced at the healers while the guy in the wooden bed struggled. Without breaking eye contact with the healers, she pulled the sword from the patient''s throat. Then she swung it down again, this time decapitating her cousin and sending his head rolling to the healers'' feet.

    With nothing more than a headless corpse left in the wooden bed, Song Song turned toward the healers with a smile that didn''t quite reach her eyes.

    She stated, "It seems like there is no longer a patient you need to save."

    The healers ogled at the scene before them as if they could not believe their eyes.

    I was shocked, also. But Song Song wasn''t done. The fake smile slipped off her face and settled into a cold glare. "What are you waiting for? Get back to work."

    The coldness in Song Song''s eyes intensified to a degree that it sent a chill down my heart, even though I was not the target.

    "Try your best to save him because if something happens to him, I will find all your families and slit their throats in front of you. Only then will I give you the sweet release of death," she threatened them.

    What the actual fuck?

    With those words of "encouragement," the healers no longer wasted time and immediately came to my aid.

 Chapter 114: Wide Open

    Chapter 114: Wide Open

    My eyes fluttered open, and I exhaled, my breath heavy with confusion. I found myself in an utterly unfamiliar room.

    It was an old-style building, and the decoration was outdated, even for this world. The doors were not regular doors but sliding doors, and everything seemed to have been built without a nail in sight.

    Where the hell was this?

    The last thing I remembered was the doctors coming to help me after Song Song killed her cousin. I wasn''t sure how smart that was on her part; everyone already saw her as an unstable monster with a shaky support base. Her killing of her own cousin could be the final nail in the coffin.

    Poor guy died just for being at the wrong place at the wrong time. But Song Song was like a natural disaster regarding these things��an unstable factor in any logical plan, which made her hard to predict.

    I didn''t bother thinking about the guy who died too much after that. To others, Song Song''s actions might have seemed cruel and come out of nowhere, but she saved my life with that. While it wasn''t something I necessarily liked or condoned, I was okay with it for some reason. I even appreciated her willingness to go to such lengths for me.

    The quietness of the whole place was a bit eerie, but I enjoyed it since I hadn''t had the time to rest well in a while. Also, the place was relatively warm.

    I shifted in the futon and took off the covers, noticing that I was just wearing shorts, which gave me a perfect view of all the new scars riddling my body. The one on my chest from the sword piercing through and the one on my abdomen from the light stab were the most noticeable among the endless cuts.

    The most eye-catching scar was the one just above my left elbow. Calling it a scar might be a bit hasty since there were still stitches and some redness around the newly formed scar. It was the only wound that still seemed a bit raw.

    Overall, though, the healers had done an excellent job. Even without modern medicine and surgeons, their healing techniques and artifacts were pretty effective, or whatever they used to achieve these results.

    Judging by my thirst and hunger, it shouldn''t have been more than two or three days since I was treated. But perhaps cultivators had a way to feed and hydrate me remotely while I was unconscious, so this assumption could be incorrect.

    As I rose to my feet, a wave of soreness washed over my body, a stark reminder of the recent events. I flexed the fingers of my reattached arm, a strange sensation considering it had been severed not long ago. Yet, there was no pain, no discomfort. The reattachment had been done with precision, and I seemed to have lost none of my power.

    Walking toward one of the sliding doors, I opened it. Behind the door were a wooden porch and a large backyard surrounded by walls in the distance.

    My eyes stung as the sunlight flashed on my pupils. But once I got used to the light, I was surprised by the green grass in the large yard and the bushes, flowers, and other plants that made it clear this place no longer looked like winter. There was even an unfrozen large pond next to a thick green tree.

    My heart skipped a beat, and I hurriedly looked around, wondering how long I had actually been unconscious. But I quickly calmed down when I noticed snow atop several distant towers outside this compound.

    I breathed a sigh of relief; for a second, I thought I might have been asleep for months��or, in the worst-case scenario, even years.

    But now that I knew the truth, I enjoyed the warm sun and the greenery. However, it seemed like I was not as alone as I thought because in the shadow of the tree next to the pond was a man with long green hair and a dark green glint in his eyes. He looked young, at most in his mid-twenties appearance-wise.

    A small fishing pole was rooted in the ground next to him as he played with some paper.

    Despite the strangeness of the whole situation, what stood out about him was that he had no Qi. I couldn''t even sense him. Sure, he had none of the intimidating presence or overwhelming Qi a powerful cultivator had, but this still put me on edge. Also, he was suspicious as hell.

    The green-haired guy finished playing with his paper and made a paper airplane. After that, he finally turned toward me, his cold face showing no emotion as he threw the paper plane at me.

    However, his paper plane-making skills were lackluster, as the plane just barely did a circle and flopped a couple of feet away from him.

    "My paper darts are not getting any better," the man sighed as his gaze turned toward the fallen paper.

    Whatever he was playing at, I wanted no part in it. "Where am I?"

    The man''s gaze returned to me, his cold, emotionless eyes feeling like they were seeing straight through me.

    I quite liked that string technique.

    Wait, I just remembered that Speedy was left behind and alone in Whitewall Town! Holy shit! He was probably super sad now and crying.

    Even though I wasn''t too worried since the governor and clan leaders knew Speedy was my companion... Well, even if they wanted to harm him, it''s not like any of them would even be able to hurt Speedy. But being so long away from me could cause emotional scars that would never heal!

    Of course, I was being dramatic here. Speedy would probably sleep until I returned, and we would pick up from where we left off. He would sleep close by while I trained.

    To distract myself from such thoughts, I decided to try some new ideas I had come up with during the fight against Song Sia. However, there was another reason I was willing to train in front of a stranger: I was too excited to wait until this whole thing blew over to try these new ideas.

    I extended my hands forward, and thin strings of Qi formed from the tips of each finger. But as soon as they extended farther than three feet, they became floppy and hard to control.

    However, I could fix this by no longer trying to control the strings and just shooting thin strings in a direction. Then, I attached the strings to some of the bushes and the grass around me.

    While the technique was quite sharp, my strings were made of Qi and easy to sense. Also, the technique still had the same weakness it did when Song Sia used it: none of my allies would be able to help me since they would be cut indiscriminately. That was why Song Sia''s friends couldn''t gang up on me after she began using the strings; they would have all gotten caught in it together.

    It wasn''t that much of a useful technique if the opponent could put their guard up, as the cuts would be too shallow. The only reason it had been so lethal was because it had caught me off guard.

    However, creating something to use in battle wasn''t the main reason for using this technique. Instead, I glanced at the green-haired man, trying to get a read on him and what he thought about this.

    It was hard to tell his thoughts, but he seemed calm and nonchalant. At least it didn''t seem like he had any hateful intent. So, the assumption that this guy was someone from Song Sia''s family and that I had been sent there to appease them was implausible. More likely, I was sent to the family of the guy Song Song had killed in the hospital.

    I had no illusions that I was important enough to the Song Clan or the Sect itself to avoid being sent as a sacrifice to stop someone from growing angry.

    "Are you hungry?" Song San suddenly asked out of nowhere, breaking me out of my thoughts and whatever assumptions I had.

    Perhaps I was just acting on suspicion and assuming things needlessly.

    "I could go for a good meal," I shrugged.

    There wasn''t much else I could do for now, and I had a feeling that my being here wasn''t just to wait for me to heal.

    I stopped my training, and the strings dissipated into nothingness.

    "Do you want anything specific?" he offered. "Don''t be shy. If any dish comes to mind, the chef here can make it. This guy is the same chef that cooked for Song Song, and she... was a very picky eater."

    He was saying that but who knew if that was true?

    I was already on full alert. After all, I hadn''t seen Song Song, and he just mentioned that the chef who would cook my meal was the same one who had cooked for her. It was almost like he was trying to create a sense of familiarity for me that wasn''t there.

    It felt like I was being manipulated.

    Oh well, I would let myself be manipulated to see what these guys wanted me to think or do.

    One thing I knew for sure was that these guys couldn''t give Song Song capital punishment and execute her. So it was only a matter of time before she came here and got me out of whatever this was.

 Chapter 115: An Elder’s Life

    Chapter 115: An Elder��s Life

    Xing Ju was an old woman, even by cultivator standards. At 295 years old, she was approaching the limit of how long a Core Formation cultivator could live.

    To some, three hundred years of lifespan seemed too short, especially given their hard work to reach that stage. In comparison, a Nascent Soul Cultivator could live for more than a thousand years. Many who never had the chance to become Nascent Soul Cultivators were bitter about how unfair the heavens were.

    That was why many resorted to using Martial Techniques to extend their lifespans. Xing Ju had heard that a good technique could slow down vitality and even allow some Core Formation elders to live up to seven hundred years. Though the Blazing Sun Sect didn''t have many of those.

    As for herself, Xing Ju had no plans to use such techniques, as they always came with significant drawbacks. The best and safest way to increase lifespan was by increasing their cultivation; any other method had too many consequences.

    For example, one elder who lived up to seven hundred years had used a Wood Element technique that turned him into a semi-sentient tree. Ultimately, he became just a precious resource to speed up the cultivation of some no-name demonic cultivator.

    No thanks. Xing Ju would prefer to go to the grave with her head held high. A life as a damn tree was no life at all!

    "Good, all the Inner and Core Elders are here," said a man sitting on a throne-like chair.

    Xing Ju was currently in what could only be described as an extravagant palace. Golden dragon statues wrapped around marble pillars, a floor made of white jade, and the Blazing Sun Sect Leader sat on a golden throne-like chair encrusted with diamonds, some as big as fists.

    The Core Elders, wearing red robes, sat in the front row on golden seats facing the Sect Leader. Behind them were rows of Inner Elders, sorted by cultivation level, wearing black robes. The large hall was filled with such seats.

    The Sect Leader sat on a platform, wearing an intricate red uniform and a red robe across his shoulders. His clothes were inscribed with gold arrays to differentiate him from the Core Elders.

    This man stood at the top of it all, one of the most powerful and influential people in the White Tiger Continent. He had short dark hair and sun-touched olive skin that showed his heritage as a farmer who had worked under the harsh sun for generations. He had brown eyes and wasn''t particularly handsome, but many considered him good-looking.

    "While we did suffer some setbacks initially in the war, we are in a stalemate now that we have sent reinforcements. However, a scout reported that there is a Core Formation monstrous beast that hasn''t shown itself yet. I plan to send a couple of Core Elders to the front lines to keep pace with the monstrous beasts," the Sect Leader said.

    The Sect Leader spoke in a low and casual voice, but everyone heard it clearly, as no one dared make any noise while he was talking. Despite his tone, everyone was a bit tense.

    He had no need to show his Qi or anything like that.

    This man had reached the peak of power and become a nine-star Nascent Soul Cultivator. He was still relatively young, and if he didn''t step down voluntarily, he could rule the Sect for at least another millennium.

    He would surely outlive everyone in this room...

    This was what happened when a monster broke through to the Nascent Soul Realm before even reaching two hundred years old. His cultivation hadn''t slowed down much either, breaking through a small stage roughly every twenty years.

    Some fanatics rumored he might become an immortal. Still, those were the words of ignorant people who had nothing detailing the path to immortality; those who knew the truth knew the chances of the Sect Leader becoming an immortal were next to impossible. But he didn''t need to become an immortal to have the whole Sect in his hands.

    Xing Ju recalled her younger days when her elderly body wasn''t constantly sore. Born with a golden spoon, she hadn''t appreciated life back then. In her teenage years, she felt stifled and annoyed by her cold-faced master, who made her cultivate and train constantly. She was also not allowed to spend much time around boys since certain techniques that sped up her cultivation required her to remain pure.

    Of course, she did something stupid to annoy her master. She started an affair with the best candidate for the Song Clan Leader spot at the time, a handsome bad boy who had charmed her off her feet.

    To this day, Xing Ju considered it the worst mistake of her life. Even though it led to the birth of her children, it didn''t mean she had no regrets. It was a secret she planned to take to the grave. Except for the man himself and her dead master, who had noticed her decline in cultivation speed, no one knew of the affair. At least no one who would risk spilling the secret without harming themselves first.

    In the end, after the man became the Song Clan Leader, he had his own harem of a dozen women and left her behind despite her youthful romance. Pursuing the bad boy rarely worked out. A relationship built on lust and passion could break just as easily as it began.

    If she hadn''t messed around, Xing Ju knew she might have had a chance to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm. Instead of looking like an old bag of bones, she would have appeared as a youthful young woman no older than twenty as a Nascent Soul Realm Cultivator.

    "Also, we must be mindful that the Monstrous Beast Encyclopedia has helped us strategically on many fronts. The young man who wrote the book has been quite a contributor in this war," said the Sect Leader, his gaze turning toward some Core Elders and a couple dozen Inner Elders from the Song Clan. "I heard that the young man who has made such contributions is in the Song Clan compound. How is he doing?"

    That question was directed toward the three Core Elders from the Song Clan: the Warfront Core Elder, the Information Core Elder, and the Secret Hall Core Elder, also known as the Assassination Core Elder.

    "He is doing well," said the Warfront Core Elder, an old man with a bald head, sideburns for a beard, and a sharp gaze.

    "That is good," the Sect Leader nodded. "I heard about the debacle that happened, and I hope the Song Clan won''t punish an innocent kid for Song Song''s mistakes. Song Song has always been a bad seed."

    Xing Ju wondered whether the Sect Leader cared for Liu Feng or if he just wanted to use this opportunity to keep the Song Clan in check. It could be both at the same time.

    Unlike where she had met the Sect Leader, this place was dark with barely any light coming in. There were seats, though they were made of wood and stone.

    At the end of the hall was an elaborate throne made of something that looked like obsidian. On that throne sat a tall man with long black hair, dark eyes, and skin so pale she could see the green veins at the corners of his eyes.

    This was Xing Ju''s son and the current clan leader of the Song Clan. He was known as the Man of a Thousand Secrets, and many weird rumors floated about him.

    "I know about the meeting, and the Song Clan elders will tell me what they discussed," the Song Clan Leader said before she even mentioned anything. But he also knew that she wouldn''t come all this way for no reason and asked, "What did you want to talk about, Mother?"

    A chill went down her spine when he called her that.

    Even though this man was her own child, being in his eerie presence made her want to leave as soon as possible. It was the exact opposite of what she felt when she was face to face with the Sect Leader.

    "I know you have Liu Feng in custody as insurance, so Song Song won''t do anything crazy while she''s sealed," Xing Ju said. "But even if she does, it isn''t smart to harm Liu Feng. The Sect Leader has his eyes on him."

    "Liu Feng... Oh, right, the poison youngster," the Clan Leader recalled. "Song San is an admirer."

    "He also wrote the Monstrous Beast Encyclopedia. That''s why the Sect Leader favors him," she said.

    He would likely get the elders'' reports on the war front. Nothing much had changed in the battle against the monstrous beasts, so there wasn''t much to say. However, some would attribute the stalemate to Liu Feng and his book and that one strategy...

    The Song Clan Leader shook his head. "Even if fighters read the encyclopedia, very few can use the knowledge in the book to their advantage. I''ve read it myself. It''s thousands of pages long and not something you can recall in the heat of battle. So, the book is a scholar''s tool, not very useful in combat."

    Despite his harsh words, the Song Clan Leader continued, "On the other hand, the strategy to poison a town was quite smart for someone his age. Even if we can''t defend our cities from the waves of monstrous beasts, we will make sure to avenge them."

    Of course, they would only see the cruel part of the clan that required sacrificing people as useful, Xing Ju thought.

    At the same time, she understood that the Song Clan Leader might sound cold, yet his argument was logical.

    While Liu Feng had pulled off the plan without civilian casualties from the poison, not many array masters could set up an array for the specific poison they were dealing with. The process of setting such an array required intimate knowledge of the poison.

    While making poison was easy, what about the array part? Certain people would be willing to sacrifice civilians for a last-ditch effort victory, so they wouldn''t bother erecting a barrier to protect them.

    ...

    After some more small talk, Xing Ju was done and walked out of the Song Clan Compound, sticking to the shadows so no one saw she had been there.

    Her mind raced, and she realized that it was only a matter of time before Song Song realized they couldn''t punish Liu Feng to hold her accountable for her actions. His use as a deterrent had plummeted.

    Song Song was her granddaughter and personal disciple, but she had as much control over her as she did over Song San. They might be siblings from different mothers, but their blood rang true.

    As she walked along the snowy paths of the inner sect, an idea came to mind on how to solve this issue. While Song Song rarely listened to her outside of things about cultivation, there were rumors that she did listen to a certain someone.

    Xing Ju spread out her senses in a split second, with only a thought, almost covering the entire Blazing Sun Sect. She could sense every living creature within those grounds.

    Finding the person she was looking for took longer than a couple of seconds. This was mainly because he seemed to have broken through to Qi Gathering, which had altered his Qi signature a bit, but it was still largely the same.

    She moved faster than the wind as she appeared atop one of the trees, standing on a thin branch. Past a barrier was Liu Feng training in the yard, going through martial movements meant to put pressure on the body.

    Training physically as a Qi Gathering Cultivator was almost useless; it was better to just cultivate Qi and let the physical strengthening come naturally.

    Then again, while he had changed a lot, this was still the young clueless kid she had met in that cell. Strangely, he had such good control over his Qi for someone who had recently broken through. Song Song had done something similar when she broke through; she was a top-grade talent, and her spiritual roots helped her sense Qi clearer and better.

    So, what was it that the brat had that had closed the overwhelming gap in raw talent?

 Chapter 116: Melted Tower

    Chapter 116: Melted Tower

    I felt the soft, cold grass shift beneath my feet as I practiced martial arts. The warm wind washed over my skin, and the movements flowed like a dance. Mid-way through, I used the Dancing Jade Armour Technique to form it into a faceless jade soldier standing in front of me.

    The new jade soldier was a translucent man resembling a wooden doll. I even added intricate detail to its armor, depicting a dragon''s head on its chest, and translucent green bear heads were used as shoulder pads on its shoulders.

    Did this improve the technique in any way? No, but it looked much cooler than some stickfigure-like construct. I was working on making a face for the gut, but it was hard.

    He tried to punch me. Sadly, I hadn''t figured out how to make it attack automatically. So, since his attack came due to my order, I knew where the punch would come from.

    But I stood my ground as the translucent jade fist approached my face. Just before the hit, the Qi around my face turned soft and cushion-like, absorbing most of the attack''s impact. I barely felt the punch.

    "Damn, not as good," I grumbled.

    I was trying to create the automatic response I had achieved while fighting against the assassins. But it was hard to get into the mindset when my life was not on the line. Instead, I had to consciously turn my jade-like hard Qi soft to absorb a blow.

    Perhaps what I was trying to achieve wasn''t possible... However, in a weird way, that made it more fun.

    Thinking about my Qi reacting automatically before my mind can excited me.

    Well, it would be useless against higher-stage cultivators since they would break through it with brute force. But it would make me unbeatable in my own realm. The ultimate defense!

    After withdrawing the jade soldier and gaining back some of the Qi I had used in creating it, I returned to practicing martial movements.

    I had read about many martial arts in the library. While they were mainly used to train the body, they were also an excellent way to relax as I got used to punching with this new power. I was also trying to test how strong my newly Qi-imbued fist was and how fast I could go through the forms.

    It was like a game of cat and mouse as I tried to surpass my previous record by half a second or more. Though it sounded easy, it was much more complicated than it seemed because I had to moderate the Qi flowing through my body to strengthen only certain parts.

    For example, when I punched, I would strengthen my whole body. But that was amateurish as certain parts in the body, like the muscles that were supposed to stop the first from moving a certain way, would create a slight resistance. But strengthening only the calves, a small repulsion of Qi at the top of my feet, and some more Qi to defend my hips from breaking through the rotational movement of the punch... Anyway, by the end, I could throw a devastating punch.

    Thankfully, through cultivation, my strengthened body could handle these things without tearing muscles or ligaments so easily.

    It has been so long since I have had so much fun practicing.

    At least after the green-haired guy had left without saying a word, bringing me some ease as I trained, even if he had left his fishing rod rooted in the ground next to the pond.

    Though I was having a good time, it wasn''t as good as it could have been because I felt like someone was watching me. It was a weird feeling, like a deep emptiness in my stomach. It was hard to put into words, but instinctively, it felt like someone was watching me.

    Of course, this could also be a delusion. After all, I was in the Song Clan Compound as a "guest"; of course, they were watching me. Perhaps my mind created this weird sensation to make up for how I couldn''t sense my observers.

    Even though that feeling didn''t go away, I kept practicing. Worrying about things I couldn''t change was useless.

    "You are training hard as always," said a withered voice behind me.

    My heart jumped, and I hurriedly turned to face the presence I only now sensed.

    How long had she been there? What was it with these people that allowed them to slip through my senses so easily?

    I had been quite proud of my Qi-sensing powers before this. But with the green-haired guy and now this, it had been a bit of a wake-up call.

    I turned around and saw a familiar old woman. With a hunched back and so many wrinkles that she looked like a worm, she looked like a fragile old woman with a foot already on her deathbed. This was the same granny who had questioned me when I had been in prison. That felt like an eternity ago, though it hadn''t been a year since then.

    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    I did as I was told, and that was when I felt a monstrous amount of Qi released from her. It felt like I was standing next to an erupting volcano!

    But almost immediately, the Qi was back under her control, forming into a translucent, elegant, feminine hand that gently grabbed me. That was followed by a feeling of blurriness as we shot toward the sky like a rocket!

    It felt like an instant, but we had moved quite a distance from the outskirts of the Song Clan compound and landed in front of some weird tower. I was left disoriented; everything was blurry, and my brain felt mush.

    The granny released her hold on me, her Qi dissipating until it was barely sensible.

    Now that I was no longer enveloped by her Qi, I felt the chilly air and took a deep, comforting breath. That helped calm the weird sensation of moving at such speeds.

    I took this small moment to enjoy the smell of winter and the snowy ground. Who knew how long I would spend in that building I had been assigned?

    We were in front of a large tower. Though it looked like it had melted a bit, almost as if it had been hit by something hot enough to turn the stones into lava, it still somehow held its rough shape.

    The tower had a small, normal-looking wooden door at its root, and the granny approached it with me one step behind her. She took a short dagger from her storage ring, made a small cut on her thumb, and pressed her finger against the door.

    The normal-looking door pulsed as red lines spread like veins around it, and it creaked open. The inside was dark, illuminated only by a handful of flickering candles.

    As we walked in, I got a better look at things. There was another person in here with us: an unnaturally tall woman. I was pretty tall myself, and I barely reached her bosom. The woman sported a dark cloak and held a crimson-red thorny whip in her hands. She wore dark lipstick, had pale skin, blue eyes, and long blonde hair with a red tint.

    There was a look in her eyes as she glanced at me that sent chills down my spine. Then, the tall woman bowed her head and said, "Honorable Core Elder of Beauty, Master Xing. Are you here to see Song Song?"

    What was up with that long title? Also, this granny was the Core Elder of Beauty? What did that position even mean?

    I did my best not to stare at the granny and kept a calm facade. It was easier than usual since I was primarily concerned with seeing Song Song.

    "Yes, we will be going now," said the granny as she walked past the tall woman without a care.

    I followed along and respectfully bowed my head toward the tall woman. She smiled when she saw this.

    Instead of going upstairs, another opening led downstairs and we walked in. The lighting was even shittier here.

    This was a prison, right? I couldn''t help but wonder what a prison made by the Song Clan looked like.

    Walking down the stairs, we finally saw what this prison was like.

    The whole underground part was a giant cylindrical hole the size of an apartment building. Stairs ran along the walls like a spiral, leading to the unseen dark bottom of the prison. Along the stairs, there were countless cells.

    This place was huge, though eerily quiet.

    "I would advise you not to look in the cells," the granny said as we climbed down the stairs and were about to encounter our first cell.

    But due to my curiosity, I couldn''t help but glimpse the cell as we passed.

    I had built a tolerance for bloodshed... at least, that was what I had thought... But this was a whole other thing.

    It made me want to throw up.

    What kind of prison was this?

 Chapter 117: Madness in Power

    Chapter 117: Madness in Power

    What in the actual fuck was I looking at? What was this?

    A shaky breath traveled up my throat as I laid eyes on what could only be described as the result of pure madness!

    In the first cell we were about to walk past was a thin, corpse-like man. His stomach was open, with his intestines spilling onto the ground. One of those intestines was wrapped around his mouth as a gag to stop him from saying anything.

    Flies had gathered around him, and for a second I thought he was dead. However, his body twitched, showing that he was still alive.

    Cultivators often had strong vitality and could survive injuries no mortal ever could. I always saw that as an advantage in most cases. Yet, this... death would be better than whatever this was.

    Despite the shocking sight, I was left in a trance and followed the Core Elder behind. But my eyes were glued to the cells as the following figure appeared in the second cell.

    It was a prisoner with his limbs burned off, just a thin torso and a head. He had a dead-eyed look as he stared at the ceiling, the only sign of life being the rising and falling of his chest as he breathed.

    As I walked, I fell into a daze, feeling like I could no longer control my body. I couldn''t believe what I was seeing. Yet, more and more brutal sights greeted me.

    Next was a person stuffed into a tight barrel too small for a human with dried blood on the ground. He resembled a sludge of flesh. His face crunched and crushed as he looked around in terror, unable to do anything.

    And so the horrors continued unimaginable cruelties that no sane mind would ever conjure. It was like looking at insanity itself. As we climbed down, about to reach the ground floor at the bottom of the prison, I was returned to my senses.

    That was when I caught sight of a hook piercing through both biceps of a man, holding him in place by the ceiling. Only the meat of his arms held him up. As I walked past his cell, I could hear him breathing heavily, trying to endure the pain without screaming.

    Then came the last cell. It was a man tied to a chair, looking at a mirror with a sense of bottomless terror and despair. The top of his head was scalped open, with the top of his skull, bone, and hair nowhere to be seen. He stared at himself in the mirror as a rat gnawed at his brain.

    The brain didn''t have pain receptors to feel pain... but seeing a rat eating his brain...

    The sound of footsteps was the only thing I could hear.

    They wouldn''t dare do something like this to Song Song, right? After all, it was illogical to cripple someone as talented as her.

    But by now, any hope that whoever had made this place worked with a logical mind was thrown out the window. My heart was in my throat, and the only thing I heard was a buzzing sound in my ears.

    No, perhaps they didn''t need to cripple her. After all, this world had healing pills and artifacts. A chill went down my spine at just the thought of how far someone could go with torture without crippling someone.

    This was what happened when a fucked-up person gained ultimate power. This wasn''t a prison; this was torture!

    Was she talking about that rumor that Song Song killed one of the Sect Leader''s concubines?

    "Why are you here then if you''re not going to add some torture arrays? It''s boring around here, but not boring enough for me to want to listen to you talk. I would rather take the torture," Song Song sighed. "Wait, is your talking going to be the torture method? Can we please not do that and move to the good old tradition of ripping off my nails or something like that? There''s only so much of your ranting I can take before I explode the Qi at the back of my throat and kill myself."

    Even in these moments, she was being sarcastic. I puckered my lips, trying to hold in the chuckle that almost escaped me. She made me forget what I had seen outside the doors for a second.

    "Some people are worried that you might do something thoughtless, like try and escape," the granny said, nudging me forward. "Even your friend came here to advise you against this."

    When she heard that, Song Song''s mocking smile slipped away. Even though her eyes were covered by those dark bandages, I felt she could still see me.

    I stared at the granny and wondered when she last spoke to a normal person. She was clearly out of touch.

    What the hell, granny? Did she expect me to just tell Song Song to be a good pet and stay put after everything I saw? How could she even be so calm after this whole ordeal?

    Right... She was a monster who had lived hundreds of years. I was looking at this all the wrong way. She must know the people who came up with a place like this. After all, she knew the place intimately. How often had she been here? Hundreds? Thousands of times?

    I looked at Song Song and then at her bleeding wrists. What should I tell her? Should I twist the truth and lie since the Core Elder granny was here? Perhaps I could twist my words where they had a hidden meaning that only Song Song would understand.

    But... this was how she ended up because she tried saving me. If I caved in now at the slightest bump, then I would regret something like this for the rest of my life. Also, I owed it to her to not lie. She had always been honest with me.

    "Let''s destroy it all after you are out of here," I said.

    The granny''s eyes widened when she heard that, and she, before I could even blink, quickly put a hand over my mouth before I could say anything more. She looked at me with a bewildered gaze.

    But Song Song wasn''t surprised at all. Instead, she agreed, "Yeah, sure. Though rebuilding from the rubble sounds like a chore, I will leave that to you."

    I tried to push the granny''s hand away to answer back. While her grip was not painful, it was firm, and it felt like I was trying to move away an immovable metal statue. That kind of strength could easily rip my head off.

    Though her eyes were covered, Song Song seemed to understand that I couldn''t answer, so she said, "When I''m outta here, I will give you access to the entire Song Clan Library. You can nerd out while I go and kill a couple of people."

    After a few seconds of silence, Song Song seemed to read my mind and started laughing maniacally. "Hahahaha! We''re gonna kill so many people together! We will leave behind a mountain of corpses of anyone who crosses us!"

    The granny paled. Whatever plan she had by bringing me here... Well, it had backfired spectacularly.

 Chapter 118: No, Im Not Scheming

    Chapter 118: No, I''m Not Scheming

    Drip!. Drop!. Drip!. Drop!.

    Song Song''s blood dripped from her pierced wrists onto the dirty floor of the dark room. Aside from my breath and heartbeat, it was the only sound I could hear.

    Though I couldn''t see the rest of her face, she wore a knowing smirk, as if privy to the punchline of a joke only she knew.

    The door behind us cracked open before another word could come out of Song Song''s mouth. A strong breeze burst in, almost throwing me off my feet. With the wind came a stench of blood, rotten corpses, and much worse.

    The granny tugged me from the back of my clothes, keeping me steady and dragging me back. I could do nothing despite my instinctive urge to resist being dragged along. Her overwhelming strength made me feel like putty in her hands.

    Despite her age and appearance, this granny could fold me like paper.

    Judging by how ancient she looked, the old lady was likely on the weaker side of Core Formation Cultivators regarding raw physical strength. But between us, there was still an extreme difference in physical power.

    The door slowly closed again to Song Song''s haunting chuckles. Even though I couldn''t see well, I knew the granny was undoubtedly worried about the outcome of this meeting.

    As the doors to Song Song''s cell closed, the granny held onto me like an iron vice. But unlike what I expected, she didn''t yell, scream, or say anything. She didn''t even reprimand or hit me.

    The old woman crouched down and tightened the grip on the back of my uniform. The next thing I knew, it felt like someone had hooked me up to a rocket.

    She had jumped up!

    In an instant, we covered the whole distance and reached the top of the prison where we had entered. The granny kicked the door open leading to the reception area, and the tall woman looked at us wide-eyed and startled.

    The tall lady couldn''t even say a word as the old woman took me out. The clear winter afternoon wind bristled against my hair.

    As the granny took a deep breath, the air around her shifted, and the snow was pushed away by the Qi bursting out of her. My knees buckled as I felt an overwhelming pressure on my shoulders. Despite the powerful burst of Qi, I realized she had it all under control, as the snow that was pushed away formed a perfect circle around her.

    She shifted her position, and we were in the air in a split second. I dangled in her grip like a rag. Hopefully, these clothes were durable, or I would turn into a smudge on the ground below!

    Despite the cold wind brushing against my skin and pushing a chill into my eyes, this time, I was prepared. From such a great height, I caught sight of the Song Clan Compound.

    The place did not look like a compound and was closer to a small town. Even the roads were built by stone, and a training field was on the western corner with an arena next to it. Every house I saw was quite big and like a mini-mansion. Plus, that big castle-like manor in the distance should be where someone important stays, likely the Clan Leader.

    As we approached the building where I was staying, the momentum she had built slowly lessened, and so did the harsh cold winds beating against me.

    I rubbed my hands together to generate some heat, though with the barrier around this place, the cold was no longer a problem. But with how fast we had moved through the cold winter air, I felt like I had almost gotten frostbite.

    The granny kept staring at me, saying nothing, and making me nervous. I kept rubbing my arms and acted like I didn''t notice what she was doing.

    In my last life, I learned a crucial lesson: to keep my mouth shut if I had nothing to say.

    There was a shift in the air that I was growing familiar with, and the granny flew off the next second. She flew without a flying sword or any other artifact.

    I let out a sigh of relief as soon as she was out of sight. It seemed like I was safe for now.

    If there was one person even Song Song couldn''t shield me against, it was her father. Clearly, the dungeon was in the Song Clan''s territory, so it was a safe bet that the Song Clan Leader was heavily involved with the miseries there.

    I calculated every choice I had, which wasn''t much... No matter how hard I tried to think of something to help me with this, my mind always went to what I couldn''t do instead of what I could.

    I cared about Song Song as a friend enough that I even risked my life for her on multiple occasions. But approaching her father would be stupid. The kind of man who had a whole torture dungeon just for fun was not the kind of man I could read. I had no idea what he might do next.

    No, I had to play it safer and not try to convince a maniac I couldn''t predict. Still, to release Song Song, I needed to find someone powerful enough to force the Song Clan Leader''s hand.

    Who would do that?

    There was only one person I could think of. But there was no free meal in this world. I needed to offer that someone something that would make it worthwhile to butt heads with the Song Clan Leader.

    What could I offer?

    With my thinking done, a scheme slowly formed in my mind. I was dancing with fire here, but I wasn''t as scared as I thought I would be for some reason.

    Those torture scenes played in my head...

    I was playing a very dangerous game here.

    ...

    Another week passed with me holed up in this place. Very little had changed.

    I sat on the warm wooden porch, shirtless, and looked at the wound where my arm had been cut off. There were no longer any stitches, as they had fallen off on their own, and there was no longer any redness around the wound. A cultivator''s regeneration was quite something.

    There had been no news of Song Song''s release this week, which was worrying.

    I sat down in a meditative position and felt the Qi inside my body. A chill went down my spirit roots as the Qi around me was sucked in and filtered.

    Like always, progress was slow. It might take about ten years of rigorous cultivation to reach the peak of Qi Gathering with my talent. I was far from breaking through to two-star Qi Gathering.

    But I was confident that if I worked hard enough, I might be able to reduce that time to nine years.

    I sighed and opened my eyes.

    I was a hostage in all but name here and had zero authority. I needed to find a way to meet up with someone who could challenge the Song Clan Leader''s power. I was just barely a Qi Gathering Cultivator.

    "Yo, how have you been?" a familiar asked, leaning against the tree close to the pond.

    Like always, he had slipped past my senses. I didn''t know how he did it, but some type of technique was definitely involved. I was pretty sure even elders couldn''t usually hide their Qi like this.

    Song San stared at me with a smirk on his thin lips that didn''t quite reach his eyes.

 Chapter 119: A Brother’s Heart

    Chapter 119: A Brother��s Heart

    Song San wiggled around to find a comfortable spot, leaning against the tree, then sat down. He closed his eyes and turned toward the sun as if trying to get a tan.

    "How have your last couple of days been? I haven''t been able to visit much. Did the servants leave the food in front of your door like usual?" Song San asked.

    This guy didn''t have much going on in his life if he was willing to loiter around with someone essentially under house arrest.

    "Everything was okay," I answered, pausing my cultivation.

    It was somewhat true, as there was nothing to worry about here. I have yet to get any news about what was happening with the Beast Waves. So perhaps ignorance was bliss on that part, or there really was little to worry about. The only thing I was even remotely worried about was Song Song.

    I glanced at Song San and wondered whether I should play my cards now. There wasn''t much time left, and the longer Song Song stayed in that prison, the worse it would get for both of us.

    Either way, I never thought I would go through this life without taking some reckless risks at least once or twice. But that didn''t mean I had to like it. Alll latest novels at novelhall.com

    "Can you get me in contact with the Sect Leader?" I asked, trying to gauge his reaction. That question came out of nowhere, but Song San was as calm as always, acting as if I had just asked him about the weather. "I have some new strategies for the Sect."

    Song San opened his eyes, and his deep green eyes turned toward me. He raised a questioning brow.

    Was he still going to play the part of a servant?

    "What''s in it for me?" he asked, his reaction and body language indicating that arranging a meeting with the Sect Leader might not be too hard for someone of his position.

    Wait... this guy wasn''t Song Song''s father, right? Because that would be terrifying.

    "You will help the Blazing Sun Sect massively and likely end the war sooner, so fewer people die," I said passionately.

    This guy was from the Song Clan, so I held little hope that such words would sway him. But I needed to get a better read on what kind of person Song San was.

    "Even if the Beast Wave was big enough and strong enough to destroy the whole Sect and massacre all the Song Clan, it would only be an inconvenience," Song San shrugged as he stood up and walked toward me with measured steps. "There is no way I would ever do anything if there weren''t at least some benefits."

    There was not even a twitch or change in expression as he said all that, which likely meant he was not bluffing. He really didn''t give a shit about the Sect or the Song Clan.

    "What do you want?" I asked. There was no need to play games any longer.

    "Give me the poison formula you used on the town you were managing. I heard quite some rumors about it but never caught wind of what it exactly was," Song San said.

    I almost breathed a sigh of relief when that was all he asked. But I kept a composed expression and tried to show nothing.

    "I will go get some paper," I said. But before I could stand up, he waved his hand, and a piece of paper appeared between his fingers.

    A storage ring? But there were no rings on his fingers.

    "Here," he said, placing the paper down. He then took out a thin brush and handed it to me, along with an ink bottle. "During the last couple of weeks, I couldn''t get a wink of sleep just thinking about this."

    Though I held little hope he would answer, he seemed like the kind of guy who wouldn''t do something without some benefit.

    "I''m a Core Disciple of the Blazing Sun Sect and the son of the Song Clan Leader. Though I guess you would be more familiar with Song Song''s brother," he said nonchalantly.

    Song Song had a brother? They looked nothing alike!

    Though I guess it made sense. They might be from different mothers. Powerful cultivators, especially male ones, were known for their vast harems. Song Song probably had many more siblings, though most of them might not have the talent to cultivate. Either way, Song Song didn''t seem like the kind who would be a loving sister. She never even mentioned her siblings once.

    "So... how is your relationship with Song Song?" I inquired, curiosity getting the better of me. Also, if this guy and Song Song got along, I could use him for my plans.

    "Well," Song San rubbed his chin, seemingly thinking about how to explain. In the end, he just shrugged and said, "I tried to poison her a couple of times when we were younger. But overall, I don''t think our relationship is so bad. I haven''t tried to kill her even once in the last eight years."

    What? How could he say all of this with a straight face?

    "When you say poison, do you mean like a prank poison where her birthday cake was spicy or something like that? Or do you mean the deadly kind of poison?" I asked.

    "The deadly kind, obviously," he looked at me like I was the weird one.

    Wow, okay. That was something. This family was all kinds of messed up. But in a weird way, there was still hope he and Song Song could get along. After all, he hadn''t tried to kill her in a while. Perhaps he had grown up and understood that hurting his little sister wasn''t the best way to live his life. Growing up in a place like the Song Clan, this was the best one could expect.

    "At least you didn''t try to poison or kill her during the last eight years, and that means something," I tried to spin this on a positive note, planning my following words carefully.

    This guy was an unlikely ally but an ally all the same as long as I could play on his brotherly protective instincts.

    "Yeah," he nodded. "Song Song started living with her master eight years ago. Poisoning her became really hard after that."

    Oh... so that was why he stopped.

    A man had to know when to give up. After learning all this, it was easy to tell there was no chance Song Song or any of her siblings would become allies. This guy only stopped trying to poison her after it became too difficult and tedious.

    After that mess of a conversation, I stayed quiet and thought about what I could tell the Sect Leader. There were some military strategies from Earth, but...

    Carpet bombing, or saturation bombing, describes the bombardment of a given area with bombs, destroying as much as possible in the given area. Like a carpet that covers the floor, bombs should cover the area. Carpet bombing is usually done by dropping a large number of unguided bombs. The planes could be replaced by disciples on flying artifacts, throwing down explosive artifacts or potions.

    Sadly, that was no good because of flying monstrous beasts. In the worst-case scenario with carpet bombing, we might make the monstrous beasts learn from them and become much more dangerous. After all, while monstrous beasts could move their armies, we couldn''t move our cities.

    The plan of acting like we were retreating so we could encircle the enemy was useless, too. They were monstrous beasts; they would break the encirclement easily, and flying monstrous beasts would attack relentlessly. It might be effective initially, but it was not good enough.

    No, my plan would only work based on the logic of this world. It was something original that I came up with, and it would not work on Earth. But here, it was perfectly logical with what I knew.

    It should work... hopefully.

 Chapter 120: The Strongest

    Chapter 120: The Strongest

    It took a little while before we arrived at the mountain''s peak, where the Blazing Sun Sect was built. Oftentimes, it was easy to forget the whole Sect was built on a giant mountain due to just how large everything was.

    Even the mountain itself was unusual. During summer, it was full of greenery all the time, even at the highest peaks. I only noticed recently that the clouds in the Sect were higher positioned than typical clouds should be.

    Up here, the air was thinner, and it was hard to breathe. I kept taking deep, rapid breaths and somehow felt out of breath.

    Various buildings were scattered across the upper parts of the mountain. From towers to strange giant mansions and even fortified fortresses, it seemed like every powerful cultivator in the Sect had built their own dream home up here, all with unique tastes.

    But the most ridiculous of them all was the building at the top-most peak of the mountain. Up there was a marble palace with golden towers pointing at the sky. The whole place looked overly extravagant, even from a distance.

    As we approached the strange chateau, I noticed the first thing that stood out like a sore thumb. Despite the extravagant appearance, no guards were in sight, and I couldn''t sense anyone. Perhaps they were hidden, but guards were supposed to be seen to dissuade anyone from attacking and to handle people who wanted to meet the Sect Leader.

    Well, as the Sect Leader, I doubted he needed guards. But this blatant lack of protection seemed more like a message and, at the same time, an invitation for anyone dissatisfied with his leadership to try their hand at assassination. These were some of those things that only worked in this world where leaders had personal power.

    There was a good chance the Sect Leader could take the whole Sect out on his own if he wanted. As far as I knew, there were no other Nascent Soul Cultivators here. At least, that was public knowledge; who knew what the ancestors were up to.

    We arrived before a giant silver door leading to the palace. No one was here to stop us, so we just floated in front of the gate.

    "From now on, everything is in your hands," Song San said before using a slight tug of his Qi to push me off his flying leaf. I didn''t resist as I jumped in front of the door, and before my feet even touched the ground, Song San had set off.

    But I didn''t care about that and just stared at the silver door. Surprisingly, there was no array around here to stop the cold.

    I walked toward the silver door and knocked a couple of times. Though there was barely any sound from knocking on a dense silver door, a Nascent Soul Cultivator should still be able to hear it.

    After waiting for a couple of dozen seconds, there was no response. I put my hands on the cold silver door and felt a chill pass through my body as I tried pushing it open.

    Despite my efforts, the doors didn''t even budge. Only when I pushed as hard as I could, sweat trickling down my brow, did the door finally budge. However, as soon as that happened, I let go and stepped back, and the doors closed again. I breathed heavily and narrowed my eyes at the silver door. Re?a?d new chapters at novelhall.com

    There was something strange about it.

    Dancing Jade Armor!

    Qi flew out of me and took a humanoid shape, forming a jade soldier with cool-looking armor. A dragon was engraved on his chest, and two bear heads were shoulder pads. But that wasn''t all; he now had two bright, shining eyes, although his facial structure still lacked real definition.

    Working on the shape of the constructs created by Dancing Jade Armor was like drawing... Well, to be honest, it wasn''t like drawing at all. But making faces was challenging due to the intricate details required. Of course, this was all a cosmetic change that I worked on for fun and never affected the technique''s power. But it did look cooler.

    "I need to increase the brightness in your eyes," I said to the jade soldier as if he could understand. In the future, I planned to look into an illusionary technique that would make its eyes crimson red. The deep green didn''t have the same scary effect as red.

    "Push the door," I instructed.

    There was no need for verbal orders since he only worked with mental commands. But if anyone was listening, it would be okay if they misunderstood how this technique worked.

    I put my hands on one door, and the jade soldier put his hands on the other. We both pushed at the same time. Even though I exerted as much power as possible, the gate barely budged, and we only managed to open the door by less than six inches.

    Yeah, there seemed to be some mechanism that would stop the gate from moving unless we exerted our full power. But just as I was planning to let go, as a last-ditch effort, I created some jade strings to hold the door in place as we took a breather.

    I wasn''t expecting the strings to hold, especially against an artifact designed to handle bigger and more powerful things than a Qi Gathering Cultivator''s power. But just as the doors were about to close, there was a deep, grueling sound of metal clunking.

    Huh?

    I looked at my jade soldier, who was still holding the door in place. By now, the Qi I had input into the technique should have run out, but that didn''t seem to be the case.

    Was I missing something? I was pretty sure I had calculated everything and was familiar with the Dancing Jade Armor Technique.

    So why was the technique sustaining itself longer than usual?

    The only logical answer was that the technique was supercharged because jade was around. Judging by how the technique worked at unprecedented levels, there must have been a lot of jade around!

    But I wasn''t going to complain. I took a deep breath before pushing on the door again. This time, the door nudged open a couple more inches and was held in place by the jade strings.

    Using all the power I could muster for an extended period was difficult. But doing it in short bursts of strength was relatively easy, and that was what I was doing.

    "Bargain with what?" he calmly asked.

    "I know the place where monstrous beasts are going to attack with their main force," I said, looking him in the eyes.

    "Normally, I would take that as a youth''s arrogance. But you have written that book and even defended your city well with limited resources. Tell me where it is, and I will have a couple of Core Elders go and defend the place," he leaned his head on his fist, with his elbow resting on the armrest of his golden throne.

    For some reason, I felt at ease even though I was talking to someone of his stature. Was it because it seemed like no matter what I said or how I acted, he wouldn''t be bothered by it.

    "As a reward for this information, I want Song Song to be set free," I said.

    "I can''t intervene in the Song Clan''s internal affairs. But you can ask for anything else," he said. "While I have decided to listen to your words, even if you know exactly where the monstrous beasts will attack. For now, your words are still just hearsay and not worth the effort of getting into a scrabble with the Song Clan."

    There wasn''t even anything I could criticize him for. It was a logical decision on his part.

    "How about at least getting her to house arrest?" I asked.

    "Sure," the Sect Leader easily agreed. "If your information is correct. If not, she will return to wherever the Song Clan is keeping her."

    Okay... that was kind of anticlimactic. I thought I had to try harder to convince him.

    "To get this information first requires some preparation," I said. "I need the names of every disciple that has left the Sect and which city they have gone to."

    He met my gaze, and his brown eyes felt like they were looking straight at my soul. "Someone will be here soon and will bring the books."

    Someone? He already had someone called for this? How did he reach them? Was it some kind of telepathic communication?

    Despite wanting to know, I kept my curiosity in check for now.

    In less than a minute, a red-masked guy wearing a dark robe just shimmered into existence next to the Sect Leader.

    I had a hard time keeping my face straight as I stared at the "thing." This red-masked guy was different than Song San, who only had no presence. I couldn''t hear his shoes touching the ground as he appeared, and I couldn''t sense the movement in the air as this guy moved about.

    He had three thick books in his hands, and with a wave of the Sect Leader''s palm, the books flew out of the grasp of the red-masked guy. The books floated right before me, and I grabbed them as the levitation effect immediately disappeared.

    How weird, I couldn''t sense any Qi even when the books floated.

    I opened the book and went rummaging through the names, acting like I was looking for something specific. Though I tried not to give away my intentions, it would be hard to hide anything from the observant eye of a Nascent Soul Cultivator.

    But even if he found out my reasons for this, it should not affect me that much based on his demeanor. However, my idea would likely be dismissed if he knew how I came to such a conclusion.

    It took only a short time until I found what I was looking for.

    [Hu Jin �� Red Lotus Town]

    Despite seeing the name, I tried not to give it a second glance and kept flipping through the pages. After a while, I closed the last book and turned toward the Sect Leader. The red-masked guy was no longer around, and I hadn''t noticed when he left.

    "The main force of the monstrous beasts is going to attack Red Lotus Town," I said.

    Normally, I wouldn''t speak confidently about something I knew so little about. But sometimes, one had to act confident, even when they weren''t.

    The Sect Leader looked at me silently for a few seconds before finally asking, "How confident are you in this?"

    "Very," I replied. His only response was a brief nod.

    This was the kind of plan that would work only in this world, based on what I knew so far. Those favored by the heavens always got the main slice of the action.

    While I hadn''t technically lied to the Sect Leader. I muddled the truth in convenient places, especially about how sure I was about the whole thing.

    How confident was I in this? Not very. This whole thing worked on logic I barely understood.

 Chapter 121: Casual Murderer

    Chapter 121: Casual Murderer

    Ms. Xing Ju strolled down one of the estate''s many corridors. The wooden flooring creaked beneath her footsteps.

    She had deliberately commissioned the floor to be constructed this way, as there were frequent attempts on Song Song''s life during her youth by assassins. The creaking floor served as a deterrent against stealthy intruders.

    Fond memories of Song Song''s childhood escapades in this very location surfaced in her mind. A sense of warmth enveloped her aging heart, and a gentle smile graced her weathered face.

    Although she was Song Song''s mentor, she was also her grandmother. Cultivators were unlikely to have familial feelings for their offspring. Still, she had personally raised Song Song.

    Xing Ju recalled the first time she met Song Song. She was just a young girl with a vacant look in her eyes. There had been no emotion in her gaze for quite a while.

    What kind of life must she have lived until then to have an expression like that?

    Ever since she could remember, Xing Ju had never seen Song Song act like a normal kid. She never cried or complained about food, even when she didn''t like eating meat.

    She was always a strange child and continued being that same dead-eyed child for years, with no apparent emotions, like she was a doll. But that all changed when Song Song decided to murder one of the Sect Leader''s concubines.

    After that, a demon had been born in her heart. Her whole demeanor changed. Perhaps that was how she had always been, hiding it behind a dead stare. Since then, Song Song always had a spark in her eyes��a very deadly spark.

    She cared for no one, and nothing could faze her. She was a monster without weaknesses.

    Xing Ju reached one of the hallways filled with portraits of her and Song Song through the ages. While she had always been an old woman, Song Song still changed, and with each passing year, the paintings seemed to show a more deranged look in her eyes.

    The old woman knew many saw Song Song as the perfect tool for their agendas. They just needed to make Song Song the Sect Leader, and since she cared little for ruling, her dear "advisors" would do that for her.

    Of course, they were playing with fire... However, no one could have guessed just how dangerous that fire would be.

    Recently, Song Song began changing. Her ruthless ways were still there, but now there was a semblance of intelligence behind her actions. That just made her even more dangerous.

    Song Song was undoubtedly clever enough to know she was being used as a tool by her "supporters." It wasn''t like they tried hiding it too hard, either. But she still had no one to replace her supporters. That changed recently. Once again, Song Song grew even more dangerous.

    She walked past the hallway and ended up at one of the windows, which gave her a good view of the snowy gardens and the slope of the mountain, which looked ready to break off into an avalanche. But even the possible natural disaster didn''t scare the old woman enough to stop her train of thought.

    For some reason, Song Song had put up with this newcomer. Xing Ju could never understand how the same Song Song she raised would tolerate someone of no value to her.

    Xing Ju thought he was just another kid, someone Song Song took a fancy to. Like everyone else, he would try to use Song Song, and her granddaughter would learn a valuable lesson from that experience.

    That was all Liu Feng was supposed to be. Even with his sudden changes, he was supposed to be just another stepping stone in Song Song''s path. Someone who would teach Song Song something important while ending with some heartache for her.

    Like everyone else, he saw the potential Song Song represented as a tool. So he definitely wouldn''t do something as stupid as going against a Core Elder when he was still within arm''s length of them! Yet he did, and Song Song became even more dangerous. It was like she was slowly growing into a demon incarnate of slaughter.

    One thing was for sure: when she got out of that prison, there would be a massacre. So, it was in everyone''s best interest to keep her there until she gave up on such foolish ideas.

    Xing Ju opened the window, letting the cold brush against her face. She looked down and jumped without hesitation, landing on her feet, barely making a crunch in the soft snow. But even being in the snow did not cool her anger.

    It was all because of Liu Feng; he either actually cared for Song Song or was just plain stupid! There was a good chance it was both.

    Even Xing Ju, Song Song''s own grandmother, didn''t care as much about her as he seemed to. He was willing to risk his worthless life for someone like Song Song, who would take him out on a whim.Fiind updated novels at novelhall.com

    Either way, the kid had to be dealt with. He was bringing out the worst in Song Song. The guy was making her worse... somehow.

    Xing Ju walked along the yard, staring at the places where flowers would have grown if it hadn''t been winter.

    For now, Song Song had to stay in prison. Hopefully, her stay there would teach her to be more patient, and by the end of winter, she would be out. She needed to understand that the world was not her plaything and that not all people were toys she could break whenever she wanted.

    As Xing Ju was thinking that, she felt a change in the air and turned toward one of the walls surrounding the mansion. Some snow had accumulated on the walls, and a man wearing a dark cloak and a green mask stood atop the snow. Despite the snow having just fallen and not having had a chance to freeze over, meaning it was soft snow, the man stood atop it without making a dent.

    "What is someone like you from your part of the world doing here?" Xing Ju inquired.

    A naked Song Song softly landed on the ground, her cold blue eyes staring at Xing Ju. Then she raised her hands and looked through the holes in her wrists.

    Xing Ju was confused at first. Then Song Song groaned, spit out a ring, and put it on her finger.

    "Yeah, I''m ready now," Song Song said nonchalantly, seeming calm.

    A new pair of clothes materialized on her��a plain and simple dark robe.

    Xing Ju glanced at the ring on Song Song''s finger. It was a storage ring, one Song Song was familiar with as she accurately materialized her clothes.

    Suddenly, the pools of blood that had formed on the floor bubbled up. Xing Ju realized something she had missed the first time she visited.

    Song Song had been here for a while, and most of the blood that had fallen on the ground should have dried. But instead, it still looked fresh.

    Her suspicions were confirmed when the blood from the floor flew toward the holes in Song Song''s wrists. The flesh mended itself, and her wounds closed up. Soon enough, there was no injury and no scars where the nails had pierced through.

    Xing Ju''s eyes widened, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw that.

    With every major breakthrough, a cultivator experienced a metamorphosis. Their perspective on Qi changed, and they saw the world differently. Just like the difference between Body Tempering and Qi Gathering was massive, where the latter could sense and see Qi, the difference was even more profound when someone became a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

    The higher a cultivator rose, the more things they could "see" in a sense.

    When one became a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, one had to align one''s Qi with a compatible element. Changing their Qi to an incompatible element could doom someone, no matter their talent. That also wasn''t something they could ever change again after they locked in their choice and began the process.

    However, when someone reached Foundation Establishment, it took months, and even years in some cases, to fully attune their Qi with an element. The speed at which one improved after that often indicated how compatible a cultivator was with their element.

    Song Song had not been here even a month, and she had already attuned to her element. She seemed to have reached a level where even one of the more advanced and complicated usages, like regeneration, was already within her grasp.

    The pools of blood that had formed below her were a form of training, and she had been doing that this whole time.

    Her element was blood, and she was extremely compatible with it!

    "What is it, teacher? Are we going now or what?" Song Song asked calmly.

    This brought Xing Ju out of her thoughts, and she nodded. "Come, follow me."

    As they walked outside, the doors behind them closed. Almost immediately, the back of Song Song''s clothes bulged just where her shoulder blades were. A beautiful, intricate, and nearly artistic pair of bat-like wings sprouted.

    "Hopefully, you''re not too old to keep up, teacher," Song Song said as she flapped her wings. She took off with practiced ease as if she had done this many times. But Xing Ju knew this was Song Song''s talent at play.

    Xing Ju used her raw power and Qi to fly, easily keeping up with Song Song. But she was still surprised by her speed.

    Song Song''s improvement was worrying...

    When they arrived at the top, the tall woman was still there and bowed her head. "Honorable Core Elder of Beauty, and Lady Song-"

    Whatever she was about to say was cut short as, with a swing of Song Song''s hand, the tall woman''s head went flying. The lack of hesitation and committing murder before she was even entirely out of prison... even Xing Ju was so shocked by what happened that she hadn''t been able to act in time.

    The prison guard here was still an Inner Elder!

    "Why did you do that?!" Xing Ju yelled at Song Song.

    "I could hear her when she was torturing the people. It was annoying, and she always did it late at night when I was trying to sleep," Song Song shrugged. "I had to change my schedule because of her and spent the night training. Who did she think she was to force me to change my sleeping schedule?"

    Her bloodlust was palpable. It was as if people daring to be a slight inconvenience to her by accident were deserving of a death sentence.

    Yeah, Song Song''s time in prison had changed her for the worse...

 Chapter 122: Touching Grass

    Chapter 122: Touching Grass

    After my offer to the Sect Leader, there was little to do around the palace. The red-masked guy who had brought the books took me out and used a flying coffin to get me back to the Song Clan compound where I had been staying recently. During the entire journey, neither of us spoke a word. He dropped me off and left without saying anything or giving me a date for Song Song''s release.

    I knew I had played all my cards and pushed my luck by going straight to the Sect Leader about this, so I kept my mouth shut and watched the red-masked guy store the coffin artifact in a storage ring. Even though he didn''t have a ring on his finger, it was probably some other storage artifact like Song San''s.

    After that ordeal, I lay on the ground and let out a breath of relief. The soft grass cushioned me, helping all the tension from that meeting slip away. This had all been a gamble; depending on the sect leader''s personality, it could have turned deadly.

    I looked at the cloudy sky and couldn''t help but smile. An involuntary chuckle came out.

    The Sect Leader had no reason to lie to someone at my level, so he would likely keep his part of the deal.

    How the hell did I pull this off? I walked into a room with one of the most powerful people on the continent, walked out alive, and even got what I wanted!

    The only one who might suffer from this deal was Hu Jin. Sending two Core Elders to his location might change the threat level. I had no idea how luck and fate behaved around that guy, but there was a good chance he would survive and come out of it with some extreme benefits. So, I was not too worried about the guy.

    Suddenly, a shadow blocked the sun, breaking me out of my thoughts. I turned toward the source and found Song Song wearing dark robes, a teasing smirk on her face.

    What? I had just finished talking with the Sect Leader... that guy worked fast!

    "How are you enjoying your freedom?" I asked.

    "I would rather be killing some of my so-called supporters who conveniently forgot I was imprisoned," Song Song said with a deadly sweet smile.

    I reciprocated her smile and apologized, "Sorry, I was busy with other things."

    "You shouldn''t joke about something like that," she rolled her eyes. "I know no one else cares about me enough to inconvenience themselves to even try and say something to free me."

    It was sad that there wasn''t even a twitch in her expression when she said that. Sure, she said it as a joke, but it was the kind of joke believed to be true. Well, it kind of was. As far as I knew, even her teacher hadn''t tried to free her, and her father was the one who put her in there in the first place.

    "How did you even do it?" she asked. "My teacher didn''t explain anything, but I know only one person in the Sect can force my father to change his mind."

    "So, who might that be?" I asked jokingly.

    Despite her ruthlessness, Song Song was a smart girl and should have been able to figure this out on her own.

    "How did you convince the Sect Leader to go against my father? This could totally blow up into an internal conflict," Song Song said.

    Internal conflict? Well, they had the monstrous beasts to deal with for now. By the time they could swing their fists without worrying about monstrous beasts, tensions should have cooled.

    "I call it a strategic investment," I said, the teasing smile slipping off my face as I stared into the clouds. "If I were to guess, the Sect Leader wanted to stir some tension in the Song Clan, and we were the perfect tools for that. I just gave him the reason to try it. Or, we could be optimistic and say he blindly trusted my words."

    "You really went out of your way on this one..." Her tone sounded like she was sorry for making me do this, but at the same time, she looked happy.

    "Yep. Now, I''m probably part of ten schemes I have no idea about, just from the Sect Leader. I''m officially in the eyes of the big shots," I sighed and looked at Song Song. "Please hurry up and get to the Nascent Soul Realm so I don''t have to worry about these things, and I can just relax and read when I feel like it."

    "You should be cultivating too, not just lying down and staring at clouds," she said, using her foot to lightly kick me to the side, like a mother berating her lazy son.

    "Hey, some of us have average spiritual roots, which get strained quickly. If I cultivate too much, it might cause permanent damage," I grabbed a handful of grass and threw it at Song Song''s face for kicking me.

    Someone with Song Song''s instincts could definitely dodge a bullet at point-blank range, but she didn''t. The grass didn''t have the momentum to reach her face, but it still got entangled in the lower part of her hair.

    "Just go to the big building where my father usually stays. There is a secret entrance right next to the staircase, and that is the entrance to the library," she explained.

    "A library just below the Clan Leader''s building? That sounds..." I put no effort into hiding just how uncomfortable being so close to Song Song''s father made me.

    "Yeah, well, what kind of knowledge do you think we are keeping down there? There are some writings from the Blazing Sun Immortal himself," she huffed, mock offended at my words. "Also, don''t lose that badge. It''s the only one I have, and even I can''t get in there without it."

    "Wow, okay, no pressure then," I said sarcastically.

    "You know, even though this is technically just a two-person organization, I''m still the leader and could take back the badge I gave you," she smirked.

    "Sorry, Honorable and Reverend, Eternally Beautiful and Fair Song Clan Lady Song Song," I said, intentionally lengthening her titles.

    "Okay, that''s it. Give me the badge," Song Song extended her hand toward me.

    I just smiled, stood up, and leaped over the wall, landing on the cold, snowy street outside. Song Song stood atop the wall and crossed her arms.

    She was just on the line where the array stopped. Her eyes wandered around as if searching for anyone else listening in, and then her gaze landed on me.

    "Don''t take too long, or I might just decide to destroy this house and go out on my own," Song Song said loud and clear, enough for anyone spying on us to overhear.

    Those words weren''t directed at me, per se. Instead, they were a threat that if something happened to me, Song Song might go on a slaughter fest. By staying behind the barrier, she also showed that she was willing to stay locked in that place as long as I was around.

    "Don''t worry, I will just look for some interesting books, put them in the storage ring, and come right back," I reassured her.

    She nodded, and I turned toward the Clan Leader''s castle-like place.

    Neither Song Song nor I said anything more. We both knew we were too weak to come and go however and wherever we wanted.

    .

    While I walked through the snowy road, I looked around. It was winter, so not many people were out. But most of those who were out had dark hair accompanied by green or blue eyes.

    Tall men, short men, some kids, women, even elderly people��every person I saw and could sense had that sense of danger about them. Not to mention the people I couldn''t sense at all.

    Though it felt like they were looking at me, I never caught one of their eyes, even glancing in my direction.

    What a clan... No wonder they slaughtered all the other clans related to the Blazing Sun Immortal. They were a dangerous type of people.

    I kept my eyes on the large castle-like building in the distance. I always followed a road toward it while acting like I wasn''t uncomfortable in this street.

    Ah... I really didn''t want to be here... The things I did for books.

    Once Song Song grew strong enough, we would make our own rules and break them whenever we found it convenient.

    Actually, Song Song might. I would follow any fair rules I came up with.

    Well, that wasn''t something I had to worry about anytime soon. With how dynamic and violent the cultivation world was, everything might change by the time Song reached that level of power.

    The only thing I had to worry about right now was what kind of wonderful books I would find in this library.

 Chapter 123: A Shadowy Library

    Chapter 123: A Shadowy Library

    As I exhaled steam rose from my mouth, clouding my vision slightly. But I was finally at the foot of the place where Song Song had directed me.

    I walked next to the staircase, which Song Song had said concealed a secret entrance. I made sure to have the token on hand as I walked around the staircase.

    Occasionally, I couldn''t help but glance at the twenty stairs leading to the castle. An instinctive part of my mind was on full alert, anticipating that something dangerous might descend those steps.

    It was an illogical fear, of course. What was the point of being wary of the Song Clan Leader coming down those steps? It was not like I could do anything against him.

    Perhaps coming here immediately after the Sect Leader forced his hand wasn''t a good idea. After all, I was the source of this trouble.

    Just then, I felt a tiny twitch from the wooden plaque Song Song had given me. I felt the arrays inside the plaque shift and twist as if pointing at something. I followed its direction to another wall under the stairs.

    I knew better than to trust just my eyes, so I extended my hand forward. I touched the wall, closed my eyes, and focused entirely on my sixth sense, which I used to sense Qi. However, there was nothing.

    Undeterred, I used my other hand to place the wooden plaque next to the wall.

    Immediately, a pulse of Qi spread through the wall, revealing the hidden opening I couldn''t detect before. The wall didn''t physically move, but now I could sense that the apparent wall in front of me was just an illusion. Initially, it had felt solid, but now my hand moved straight through it.

    What an impressive combination of arrays and illusionary techniques, with perhaps some minor hypnosis. Beautiful!

    But I couldn''t stay here looking like a fool, staring at a wall, so I walked through it. As I passed through the illusion, I sensed an array washing over me as if checking for something. But it didn''t stop me.

    On the other side of the wall was a dark staircase leading down. Although there was no light, I could see everything perfectly. It was another neat illusion, one I didn''t bother to break.

    The illusion hypnotized me into thinking I could see the stairs, displaying an illusion of light.

    It was a shame that the person who created this was probably dead by now. I would have loved to meet someone like that. They made my tweaked arrays look amateurish, like comparing a child building with Legos to a worker using advanced machinery to build a house.

    I walked down the stairs, the cautiousness and fear I had felt regarding the Song Clan dissipating.

    For a moment, I had lost sight of myself. So what if it was dangerous? Every man had something for which they would risk their life, and my thing was my curiosity.

    My previous life was meaningless. Nothing was gratifying. I was not living; I was just waiting to die! I was not truly passionate about anything, just hobbies at most. I never felt I would be willing to give my life for anything.

    But in this life, I had found it! This feeling!

    I had already lived a non-dangerous life, and it wasn''t all it was sold to be. When it came to gaining new knowledge, I was willing to risk my life!

    Who cared if dangerous people were getting in the way of what I wanted? I was dangerous too. As time passed, I continued to grow even more dangerous. It was inevitable.

    The dangerous ones were the cultivators who hid their intentions and remained quiet even when insulted to their faces. Those were the kind that would actually go through the effort of exterminating someone''s whole clan and family. In that case, I wouldn''t even see it coming.

    "Well, I''m Song Lian, the direct grandson of the Blazing Sun Immortal!" The pages flipped again and landed on a drawing where he had his mouth open, then ended on another page where he wore a proud smirk.

    Yep, there was a good chance this guy had definitely been a puppet leader. If I had learned one thing about this world, it was that arrogant cultivators were usually used as tools by the scheming cultivators. Also, there was no way this dangerous Song Clan had been created in the last generation or two. They had to have been just as dangerous during this guy''s generation, or perhaps even more so because they had to deal with families of similar power.

    "Wow, sorry Clan Leader. I never knew you held such a prestigious position," pulling off the starry-eyed look was surprisingly easy. I just had to think about the kinds of books this guy might give me if we got along. "Sorry, I''m kind of nervous. It feels like I''m meeting one of those legendary heroes from books!"

    "Of course," the book said, flinging the page to a page where he had his mouth open as his voice came out. Then, the book returned to the same proud-looking drawing.

    This had to be one of those techniques that extended people''s lifespans.

    There was a good chance this book was older than most Nascent Soul Cultivators today. But then again, the Blazing Sun Immortal was an immortal after all. This could be just a couple of cultivator generations ago.

    "Sorry for intruding on your time, Honorable Leader. But my friend really wants me to bring back some books. Can I come back and talk to you when I have some free time? I would love to learn about your life history!" I said, and I wasn''t trying to trick him this time.

    This guy might be an arrogant cultivator, which I didn''t usually respect. But he was also a living relic.

    "Of course," he said, and the book flipped to a page where the man was nodding with a peaceful smile. "Let me help you with any books you might be looking for. What is it that you want? You have the highest access badge and can take any book here."

    "I''m looking for some books on arrays. Most of the arrays I know are defensive barriers in one way or another, so I''m looking for some attacking arrays or something similar," I said.

    The book flipped pages and landed on a proud drawing. "Then, I know just the books for you! Follow me."

    He levitated toward one of the shelves and said, "Thirteen of those books at the top have information on arrays from level one to level five of all kinds. From setting boundaries, fire arrays, lightning arrays, some ritualistic arrays, three dozen demonic arrays that you shouldn''t use in public, and some level four arrays where you can inscribe the beast in an item and cause the soul of the monstrous beast to come fight for you..."

    The book continued explaining, and I listened with a smile. After a while, I constructed a jade soldier, and the book stopped explaining, flipping to a drawing of a confused man.

    "No, please continue, Honorable Leader. You were just getting to the good part. You were talking about the Leaf Controlling Array, right? Where the array allows the user to imbue Qi in leaves and control them as a tidal wave of sharp blades. A bit complicated for a level three array, but I would love to hear more about it," I said, using the jade soldier as a foothold to reach and grab all the books above.

    After putting all the books I needed on a jade platform, I closed my eyes, concentrated, and ran Qi through the storage ring. I felt an empty, dark space with nothing in it. Then I touched the books individually and put them in the storage ring with just a thought.

    It was pretty easy to use a storage ring. I had seen Song Song use it with a wave of her hand before, but this was my first time.

    As I was putting in the books, another book caught my attention. It was an old book with a red cover, and it looked like it had been a while since it had been touched. Even though it was dark and on another shelf, and I could barely read the title even with my good vision, the title alone was more than enough to grab my attention.

    ''Explanation of Otherworldly Devils''

 Chapter 124: Otherworldly Devils

    When I looked at the book, my eyes were glued to it. When I realized what had happened, my heart began beating faster, and I wondered whether I might have been staring too long.

    A soft shadow washed over my feet, the low light barely making anything visible.

    I peeled my gaze away from it, but I had a sneaking suspicion just by the title alone. This place housed some of the rarest knowledge, and either that book was about devils from some hellish realm, or it talked about...

    I should read this book here and put it back.

    No! I had to think calmly. If someone was spying on me right now and I only read a book here and put it back, it would seem like I had something to hide and come off as suspicious.

    With my mind made up, I walked toward the book I had my sights on. My feet pushed the shadowy ground aside like a fluff of smoke.

    "I''m taking this book too," I said as I opened it.

    ''The first records of Otherworldly Devils appeared around thirty thousand years ago. Though that was the oldest record I could find, there were likely many before that. The Clocktower Queen, leader of the grasslands in the Eastern Continent, is assumed to have been the first female leader of her tribe. She likely earned that position due to her many miraculous inventions...''

    I skipped some parts about her early childhood, which could be roughly summarized as showing that while she had no talent for cultivation, she was known as a miracle worker. However, the book never mentioned any of her miracles.

    ''She was killed at the age of twenty-two by a wandering demonic cultivator who wanted to see how a miracle worker''s sacrifice would power his dark rituals. There are no records of the results, but later, that demonic cultivator would be killed by the Blood-Teared Immortal, whom many at the time assumed was the Clocktower Queen''s childhood friend and perhaps even lover in the later part of her life. Or perhaps he was just one of the many people she helped when they were younger.''

    I was about to turn to the next page but stopped myself. Otherwise, I would spend hours just sitting here reading this book.

    So, I put it in my storage ring and turned toward the floating book, which looked at me curiously.

    "This is amazing. I was just thinking about how there might be other people from different worlds," I said truthfully.

    But the face in the book still didn''t look impressed. The pages flipped to another drawing of him where he was still unimpressed but now had his mouth open. "You must definitely be a kid from one of the smaller clans."

    "Actually-"

    "If it can''t compete with the Song Clan, it''s a small clan," the book interrupted me, and as if to prove his point, he said. "There are records of a rabbit monstrous beast traveling through time. It was injured in the future and returned with those injuries to the past. Nobody has injured the rabbit yet, and it is bound to happen in the future. People from another world who can''t even make things levitate with their minds are boring compared to things like that."Re?a?d new chapters at novelhall.com

    I was happy that truly knowledgeable people might not consider my situation exciting or important enough. Though... he was definitely right that the time-traveling rabbit was way more impressive than my situation. I''d never heard about something like this.

    "Are there any books about this time-traveling rabbit?" I asked. "Also, what even makes a rabbit able to travel in time?"

    However, I was surprised some cultivators were solemn enough to follow and catalog something like that. Perhaps one of those immortals had made an enemy of the rabbit. Also, it could all be a very elaborate plan by someone.

    Something like time travel would break the balance of the world and everything I knew so far. Or there should be some strict limitations on that kind of power. Also, someone had injured it, so it wasn''t as overpowered as it sounded at first.

    "Well, humans aren''t the only ones who can become immortals. Also, it isn''t like that weakling can attack anyone, it just goes through time like a lost rabbit. We all know that when humans become immortals..." Whatever he was about to say next, the book stopped and flipped to a page showing the face of an expressionless man. Then it flipped again to a page with an open mouth. "Anyway, the world is a big place. Even though we haven''t had contact with the other continents due to the monstrous beasts taking over the central continent, just this White Tiger Continent has many wondrous sights of its own, like the Cold Ice Time Palace and Space Breaking Point where people can travel to other realms. There''s even a place where people can go insane seeing things no one was meant to see."

    For example, as a baby, they could be born in a village that was about to be slaughtered or a city that was about to fall to a Beast Wave. They were powerless to defend themselves for at least the better part of a decade.

    ''There were only three recorded people who have revealed they were Otherworldly Devils. They did so only when they reached immortality and no one could touch them. Certain historical notes reveal they were all from the third category of Otherworldly Devils.''

    Oh? Some otherworldly people actually reached immortality? Well, it would be weirder if none of them had. This was often a numbers game; eventually, someone was bound to check all the boxes needed to reach that unprecedented level of power.

    ''The Lustfully Eternal Immortal, from the Eastern Continent. The man who had the largest recorded harem with eight hundred women. He lived around 13,000 years ago. Lustfully Eternal Immortal didn''t bother hiding that he was an Otherworldly Devil once he became an immortal, as he had his women often wear outfits that clearly revealed that. Like maid outfits, cat girl outfits, and...''

    With that harem, there was a good chance that a large percentage of the population in the Eastern Continent where this guy came from might be related to him. Did he get inspired by Genghis Khan or something?

    ''The Beautiful Dream Immortal. A kind man, like a saint. He was from the central continent and died when the monstrous beasts took over. Most say that it was due to betrayal of some kind. He lived around 1,000 years ago...''

    Oh, now that was a timeline point I could measure. I read in a historical book that the central continent was taken over four thousand years ago. So, this book was written around three thousand years ago.

    ''The Blood Step Immortal. A murderous man who lived on the Western Continent. A man born with a poor talent for cultivation, he was known to participate in mass sacrificial ceremonies that helped with cultivation and developed more such demonic rituals. He lived around 23,000 years ago and died soon after becoming an immortal. His life was relatively short but filled with violence. In every step of his life, he fought against fate...''

    Oh, this guy was from the same continent as I was. The White Tiger Continent was also known as the Western Continent. Nobody called it the Western Continent since we lost contact with the other continents.

    Also, it was telling that only these three people revealed they were other-worlders. They only did so after they became immortals; otherwise, it was like asking a demonic cultivator to just try a ritual on you. Fuck, me actually having a stronger soul than usual probably made me a good ingredient in a sacrifice. However, I had no idea what qualified as "good ingredients" in a demonic ritual.

    As I approached the latter pages of the book, the author stopped discussing the lives of those three immortals and instead addressed another topic.

    ''Otherworldly Devils rarely ever get to meet another one of their kind. Because compared to the general population, they''re too rare, and coming from another world is not a common occurrence...''

    On the last page, the author''s name was written.

    ''Written by: Chaofan Tuosu''

    I finished reading the book and was close to my temporary house. Song Song was still waiting atop the wall. I closed the book and waved at her.

    "Took you long enough," she said.

    "Yeah, because I took the long route back. Your clan members like to stare," I responded, putting the red book in my storage ring.

    As I leaped past the wall, the cold that had hung around me on my way here disappeared, and I felt the comfortable warmth of spring within the barrier. Song Song''s presence disappeared from atop the wall, and she appeared sitting on the wooden porch.

    I turned toward her. "You didn''t tell me about the man in the book."

    "The man in the book?" She looked at me, confused.

 Chapter 125: A Strange Living Situation

    Chapter 125: A Strange Living Situation

    After explaining to Song Song the man in the book and the weird way he changed expressions throughout the book, she nodded thoughtfully. It wasn''t like a moving picture, but it was still cool in its own way.

    "It must be an extra security measure I never activated," Song Song shrugged.

    "You''re probably right," I nodded. "The guy must have been sleeping for a while. Either that or he was alone all that time... No wonder he talked so much."

    Due to his age, the man in the book hadn''t considered what might not be common knowledge, and he spoke about things that were way above my level.

    I also learned about Otherworldly Devils and more people like me. It was nice, but it hadn''t really changed anything. There was no significant advantage an Otherworldly Devil had against the people of this world. It was nothing close to the advantage actually talented people had.

    After some thought, I took the books out of my storage ring and plopped them on the dry wooden porch.

    Anyway, it was time to learn some new arrays. But first, I needed to arrange the books in the order I should read them.

    As I began arranging them, Song Song watched me from the sidelines with curious eyes, her chin resting on her palm.

    "There is a good chance my master has decided to jump ship," Song Song suddenly said.

    I looked up from the books and turned toward her. "What makes you think that?"

    Our gazes met, and despite discussing betrayal of the highest order, we were both calm. There was a good chance I was the source of these changes where Song Song''s teacher would abandon her. Of course, Song Song''s actions definitely added to her teacher''s decision. But my instructions and decapitating that cousin of hers cost Song Song most of her supporters. Very few knew the context of that situation, and even those who did didn''t care.

    "I don''t know. She just seemed like she had already given up. No matter how hard you try, a tool that doesn''t do what it''s made for is useless. Even if it''s a good tool," she said.

    "They can''t replace you that easily," I said.

    "True," Song Song nodded. "You know, she raised me. That granny was the closest thing I had to a mother after my own mother was killed."

    I nodded and went back to organizing the books, giving her the chance to talk. There was nothing I could say to reassure her of something like that. The best I could do was lend her an ear and listen to her problems.Nne?w n0vel chapters are published at novelhall.com

    "The reason I didn''t even listen to that granny that much when it didn''t involve cultivation was because she treated me like a younger version of herself," Song Song chuckled. "I bet she got fooled by a young man and broke that technique when she was younger. She does give off that vibe that she was dumb when she was younger."

    By "that technique," Song Song meant the technique that increased cultivation speed as long as a woman was a virgin.

    Though I was here to listen, she just put an image of the granny doing the nasty in my head. All wrinkly and all that. But if I told Song Song to stop, that would be the last thing she would do since she liked making me uncomfortable when it came to this.

    ��Perhaps she wanted children?�� I offered a different perspective.

    To be honest, the thought of the granny doing the deed really disrupted my thoughts about studying arrays. I didn��t know much about the situation, but I didn��t want to talk about an old granny��s sex life, so I tried to change the subject.

    Thankfully, Song Song didn��t notice how uncomfortable I was and shrugged. ��That still doesn��t improve my opinion of her.��

    ��Why?�� This time, I was genuinely curious.

    ��People have children to leave something behind after they die, but a cultivator chases immortality. What use are children? Especially ones that would lower your cultivation potential,�� Song Song stated.

    A simple name like the Jade Controlling Array or the Jade Soldier Array could work. But then I recalled the pain I had suffered reading through long technique names. Suffering like that builds character.

    "Thousand Soldier Greenbook Jade Controlling Array!" I smiled, thinking of the poor soul who would curse my notes on this array in the future.

    Was this what people who invented unpaid overtime or homework felt like?

    Anyway, there were other arrays to test, and I couldn''t stand around gloating all day. With just a thought, the barrier and jade soldiers crumbled into wisps of Qi and disappeared.

    Many arrays I had read about in the past few days came to the forefront of my mind. I was concentrating on the elemental arrays that could do damage. I really wanted one of those big explosion arrays. That was something I hadn''t touched yet.

    There were many elemental arrays to choose from, but I had already made my choice. Fire was far too volatile and commonly practiced early on, even though the Blazing Sun Sect had an abundance of such arrays. Also, these arrays were too straightforward, boring, and consumed too much Qi.

    Boring was the keyword here. Even if there were things I wanted to try with fire arrays, there was a good chance I could blow this whole place up and end up horribly scarred at best.

    But there was another array that was more Qi efficient and just as strong. Although there weren''t many of those kinds of arrays in the Blazing Sun Sect.

    A translucent, whitish square barrier appeared, and dark clouds formed at the top. There was a flash in the dark clouds, and rumbling thunder rang out.

    Not long after, lightning began falling like rain within the array, leaving my ears ringing.

    ��Fuck, why does it have to be so loud?�� I grumbled, reluctantly bringing the barrier down.

    As I helped my ringing ears settle, the smell of scorched green grass where the lightning had landed wafted up my nose. It wasn��t a pleasant smell.

    ��Can you be a bit quieter? Some of us are trying to cultivate here,�� Song Song said.

    ��I didn��t know it was going to be so loud. Damn, my ears are still ringing,�� I grumbled.

    ��It was a lightning array; of course it was going to be loud. Sometimes, I really think you were dropped on your head as a child,�� Song Song snidely remarked.

    ��Insults get stale if you use them twice. You have to be original; that��s how they hurt the most,�� I replied.

    What she said was only technically true. Not the part about me being dropped on my head as a child, but the fact that this array wasn��t actually shooting lightning. It was just having Qi turn into and imitate lightning. That was a very different thing, and in the books, it even said that the lightning shot around randomly within the constraints of the barrier.

    On Earth, there was a saying that lightning didn��t strike twice in the same place. But that wasn��t remotely true. Lightning often struck the same place repeatedly, even during the same storm. Modern cities even had these things called lightning rods whose function was to attract lightning so it wouldn��t hit something important.

    Now I just had to think about how to make a lightning rod...

    ��Hey, Song Song, want to try and see if you can handle this lightning array I��m planning to modify?�� I asked her before she could return to her cultivation.

    She should be able to handle the damage and any accident. I needed a testing dummy for this technique.

    Also, I knew Song Song was bored enough to give this a try.

 Chapter 126: Lightning Arrays

    Chapter 126: Lightning Arrays

    Song Song walked past me and stood on the blackened grass where the previous array had struck.

    "This might hurt a bit," I warned her.

    "Mhm," she nodded, a bored look in her eyes.Alll latest novels at novelhall.com

    I erected the same barrier as before, with some minor tweaks. One of them was to avoid shooting lightning randomly, as that cost me Qi. Instead, I replaced it with a single bolt of lightning that would act like normal lightning.

    Of course, lightning and electricity are lazy forms of energy. They chose the fastest path to the ground, and that path was Song Song. I had found my lightning rod.

    Something interesting happened as the lightning rumbled and was about to strike Song Song. Her hair rose, and even she looked curious.

    "Hm?" She turned toward me, raising a questioning brow.

    But the only answer she got was a lightning bolt raining down. Before the first bolt was done, another came down. They rained so frequently that the victim wouldn''t have time to breathe.

    This was good. Of course, it had a major weakness��if someone carried some metal, threw it around, or used a sword, it might make the array useless. Also, lightning cost too much Qi to use the array at full power.

    I walked toward the barrier and entered it without trouble, and the lightning immediately stopped hitting Song Song. This revealed that she was covered in a dark crust. The crust cracked, showing one of her piercing blue eyes. She looked awake, not bored from hanging around the house and cultivating.

    As the lightning rumbled in the dark clouds above, I felt a soft tingle on my scalp.

    I was about to be hit by the lightning too. The array didn''t discriminate. Good thing I learned this here rather than in the middle of a battle.

    Before the main lightning strike, the electricity traveled toward the earth in many random paths. Once a path was found, the big strike happened exactly through that path. So indeed, the lightning didn''t know where the rod was; it searched to find it.

    A simple barrier that stopped that signal was easy to make, which was another weakness of this technique. Any Array Conjurer with basic mastery could make a simple barrier to prevent this and bypass the lightning strike.

    "Even at Foundation Establishment, I felt a stunning effect for a second," Song Song said as she broke out of her darkened crust. Her hair, clothes, and skin were perfectly fine, without a scratch. "Though after the first time, it was easy to push the lightning out of my body using Qi. Kind of like this."

    As she said that, her hair rose again and a lightning bolt rained down on her. But the electricity seemed to pass straight through her this time, causing no damage.

    It was frustrating how easily she dismantled a technique like this, making it almost ineffective against her. However, it wasn''t as easy as she made it seem; she had to dispel the lightning the instant it touched her.

    "How about a friendly spar?" she asked, a soft smile dancing on her lips. "After all, you need to test this technique in real combat."

    I knew she was trying to bullshit me. With a smile like that, she almost looked like the friendly girl next door��the kind you''d have a crush on but never the courage to ask out. In this context, and considering it was Song Song, she was definitely using that smile to get me to do something. She probably knew the smile wouldn''t work on me, but her other smile would have been too intimidating.

    But she knew I was a sucker for trying out new techniques.

    "Sure," I said, clasping my hands together and immediately changing the shape of the array, making it a closer barrier from the ground. Though it was a small change, it disrupted the delicate balance Song Song had with her technique, and she frowned.

    I charged at her like a bullet. Halfway there, I realized I wouldn''t be able to attack her without taking down the simple barrier, as it would be destroyed when we made contact.

    In a split second, I changed the array''s rules so it would search for a new target every half a second. That gave me about half a second without needing the barrier, allowing me to hit her.

    "Against someone like me, the lightning disperses as soon as it touches my blood. For others, it could take four to five seconds if caught off guard. Maybe less, but they''d definitely be stunned," Song Song explained.

    Given Song Song''s reaction time, this array seemed somewhat ineffective against her. But we were discussing normal cultivators here.

    I closed my eyes, focusing on adjusting the array. Making changes before erecting it wouldn''t compromise its durability��only alterations after construction affected that.

    "Do you want to spar again?" Song Song asked, her eyes gleaming with anticipation as she gave me a dangerous smile. "This time, let''s go a bit all out."

    What did "a bit all out" even mean?

    Without waiting for a signal, I erected a barrier around us. Song Song smiled, not taking my little trick to heart; we both knew I stood no chance. It was all in good fun, and I was testing some of my wilder ideas.

    Her hand twitched, activating the new parameters of the barrier. A lightning bolt shot toward her, much more powerful than before. It slammed into her at full force, but she effortlessly broke through it. Suddenly shifting from seeing the bright lightning to feeling her hand about to grab my face, blocking my vision completely, was startling.

    Song Song grabbed my head, ready to smash it against the barrier walls. I quickly dismissed the barrier, but she tried to throw me away like a ragdoll before I could deploy more tricks.

    However, this worked in my favor. I didn''t even touch the ground and swiftly erected a stationary barrier mid-air��a translucent slab capable of supporting my weight. It was an idea inspired by the floating carpet the governor had given me.

    Song Song''s smile widened. She made a flickering motion with her middle finger, closed one eye to aim better, and a Qi bead the size of a bean formed in front of her. With a flick, she launched it at me.

    "Shit!" I muttered as I sensed the attack coming. I jumped off the platform just in time to barely dodge the explosion from the destroyed barrier platform.

    Song Song was like those annoying opponents I used to battle in Street Fighter when I was younger��a relentless spammer ready to flick another red bead of Qi at me without hesitation.

    With a quick thought, I conjured a jade soldier beside me in mid-air. It grabbed my arm and swung me away from the crimson Qi bead hurtling my way.

    Song Song''s eyes tracked me like a hawk honing in on its prey.

    She was significantly stronger since breaking through. This Song Song could easily finish off Ye An in one attack.

    I barely had time to process this as Song Song blitzed through my defenses. In an instant, she was in front of me, gripping my face gently as she brought me to the ground. Her fist swung down, smashing into the earth beside my head, causing the ground to shake, crack, and form a small crater. Also, the sound of the ground crashing made my ears ring.

    That would have turned my head into tomato soup if it had landed...

    "You know, if you''re so bad at hiding, you really shouldn''t try it," Song Song called out, glancing towards the shadow of a tree near the pond where Song San stood with his usual nonchalant gaze.

    He wasn''t lying down as usual. He looked ready to defend himself, suggesting he saw his sister as a threat.

    "Hey, I''m not here to fight," Song San raised his hands. "Actually, I''m here to give you some news. Have you heard about the situation on the war front? Also, you were both making so much noise, I couldn��t help myself but come and check what was happening."

    ��That is a lie right there, I know there was an array that stops noise from going out, and outside noise from coming in,�� Song Song refuted, and stood up from where she was holding me down and turned toward her brother.

    ��Well, the main point is the development in the war front,�� Song San took a step back and a bead of sweat rolled down his brow. It seemed like he was expecting her to attack him for that lie.

 Chapter 127: The Heavenly Poison Master

    Chapter 127: The Heavenly Poison Master

    The cold snow fell on the vast field of white. There was no wind, just the steady descent of snowflakes. Yet, an unnatural chill lingered in the air.

    Hu Jin stood atop the wall of Red Lotus City, clad in the uniform of the Blazing Sun Sect. Around him, fellow disciples stood shoulder-to-shoulder, their eyes distant and forlorn.

    Many had lost friends, and some even family. Escape was not an option, as the monstrous beasts ensured no humans could flee. This forced the cultivators to constantly play defense.

    And what a defense it was...

    The stone wall was unremarkable. Some stones were uneven, and there were rough patches where monstrous beasts had broken through.

    Hu Jin''s gaze pierced the distance, where a horde of monstrous beasts began their relentless charge. The ground quaked under their weight, threatening to crumble the wall. The beasts stirred up a blinding snow cloud, resembling a merciless avalanche hurtling towards them, their roars echoing with a chilling ferocity.

    Until now, they had faced only minor skirmishes, never waves of this magnitude.

    Hu Jin glanced around at the fortified walls. Traps were set at the base, and pots of strange liquids were ready to be hurled at the beasts. He guessed they contained poison.

    Poison had become a routine weapon against the monstrous beasts. Hu Jin''s master constantly kept bragging about poison and things like that.

    Despite their preparations, Hu Jin knew their chances were slim. A Core Formation monstrous beast was among the horde, sealing their fate. Of course, no one had taken any countermeasures against that...

    He had warned everyone, but as an outer disciple with no notable feats, his warnings were dismissed. The delay in the beasts'' attack had made him seem like a liar.

    "Monstrous beasts are using strategies and plans, just like they did when they conquered the central continent," his master''s voice came from the coin. "If that monster from the central continent is here, we''re all dead."

    "What monster?" Hu Jin whispered.

    "When a whole continent falls, there''s always a monster or two involved��both literal and metaphorical. If you ever thought about going on a wild adventure, don''t even think about heading to the central continent," his master advised.

    "I wasn''t thinking that. There are already enough problems here," Hu Jin sighed.

    "Then keep your eyes ahead. The monstrous beasts are close, and there are some troublesome ones among them," the old man in the coin said before falling silent to let Hu Jin focus on the impending battle.

    The monstrous beasts were now within range. Roaring flames, ice spikes, wind blades, rocks, and various ranged attacks rained on them. The beasts were so densely packed that it was hard to miss.

    Hu Jin looked on with a worried gaze. Despite his warnings falling on deaf ears, one of his new friends was the son of a Clan Leader in the city, and his father had built additional fortifications on the walls. This should allow them to hold out longer, but it wasn''t enough. They were going to be crushed.

    "Ugh, so this is why the Sect Leader decided to bring me here?" A man beside Hu Jin grumbled.

    Hu Jin turned toward the speaker and saw an old man, easily two heads taller than everyone else.

    The man had a bald head like a monk and was built like a bear, with rippling muscles. His thick, spiky white beard resembled a lion''s mane around his jaw. Despite the weather, he wore a red robe that was open in the middle, showing off his rock-like physique.

    "Careful of this one," his master muttered, something only Hu Jin could hear, and he gave a slight nod.

    The large man turned toward Hu Jin, noticing his gaze. "What''re you looking at, kid? Never seen a real man?"

    Hu Jin was about to turn away when his master in the ring suddenly added, "Follow my instructions from now on and say what I say."Re?a?d new chapters at novelhall.com

    Unsure of his master''s intentions but trusting him implicitly, Hu Jin repeated, "How does someone even move around with such deadly poison running through his veins?"

    At that moment, the old man put his meaty hand on Hu Jin''s shoulder. The weight of it felt oppressive. Hu Jin''s eyes turned bloodshot like they were about to burst. His mouth was shut, and his teeth chattered like they were about to shatter due to the invisible weight.

    What was this power? He couldn''t even open his mouth!

    "That''s not the kind of thing you say in public, young man," the muscular elder whispered, his sharp gaze fixed on Hu Jin. Some of the others around them turned to watch.

    But then Hu Jin felt a surge of power as his master remotely activated the Qi inside his body. He flinched, and his teacher whispered hurried instructions. Hu Jin repeated his master''s words out loud.

    "I can help heal you before the battle starts," Hu Jin spoke through gritted teeth as the pressure around him increased.

    "Oh?" The old man smiled, but despite his nonchalant demeanor, the pressure grew stronger. Hu Jin felt like he was going to be crushed. "And pray tell, why would you do something like that?"

    The old man''s tone made it clear he didn''t trust him. Anger sparked within Hu Jin''s chest. He had been working hard, doing everything he could, yet people still didn''t listen to him and treated him like dirt.

    "Because I don''t want you to get injured in a battle that will involve my life if you lose!" Hu Jin yelled, this time without his master''s help, driven purely by willpower. "So shut up and take my help, old man!"

    This was it, Hu Jin thought. Was this how his life was going to end? No, his master would likely come out and save him somehow; he always did. But he was tired of people looking down on him all the time.

    Instead of growing angrier, the elder, a towering figure with a weathered face and a glint of mischief in his eyes, laughed loudly, his voice echoing through the courtyard. The pressure around Hu Jin dissipated instantly. "I like your guts, kid!" he boomed. "Come show me what you''ve got!"

    "Ah..." Hu Jin was surprised and couldn''t believe his eyes. The old muscular man was smiling from ear to ear.

    "By the way, my name is Zun Gon," the old man introduced himself. He picked up Hu Jin and slung him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

    Just as Zun Gon seemed ready to unleash his Qi, Hu Jin''s master gathered Qi for a potential fight. But Zun Gon suddenly laughed loudly, "You have guts, kid! This is refreshing compared to those schemers in the Inner Sect. I''ll trust you on this."

    Before Hu Jin could react, the bald old man grabbed the pills from his hand and popped the green one into his mouth. Immediately, the old man''s face turned pale, and he coughed up a mouthful of black blood onto the floor.

    Where the blood landed, the stone floor sizzled like a chicken dropped in hot oil. Hu Jin''s eyes widened, realizing the severity of the poison within Zun Gon.

    The veins on the elder''s face popped up and turned green, and blood began dripping from his nose. Despite this, the elder stood calmly and asked, "When should I take the second pill?"

    Hu Jin waited for some time, watching the elder''s face contort in pain. When his master told him it was time, Hu Jin said, "Now!"

    The elder immediately swallowed the blue pill. Everything was quiet for a moment until a burst of black blood erupted from Zun Gon''s nose. His pale face slowly regained its natural color, and the elder smiled, revealing bloody teeth. He glanced at his ribs, where the poison had been, and saw only tanned skin.

    "Heh, a poison I''ve been struggling with for over a century was healed by some random kid," Zun Gon chuckled. "I owe you one, kid. What''s your name?"

    "Hu Jin."

    "Well, Hu Jin, what do you think about becoming my personal disciple? I need some friends who aren''t snakes," Zun Gon offered, his voice filled with a mix of seriousness and humor.

    "You should accept," his master said. "He seems like a good man. You could gain a lot from him and also protection."

    Hu Jin''s gaze lingered on the weathered face of the muscular old man, a flood of memories washing over him. He recalled the time when his cultivation was shattered, and the relentless torment that followed. Everyone loved to beat on a fallen genius.

    Hu Jin clasped his right fist with his palm and he lowered his head in a respectful bow, his voice filled with determination. "Sorry, I will only have one master in this life."

    His master''s ghost smiled next to him, stroking his long beard before retreating back into the coin.

    "Oh, I didn''t know you already had a master. Well, I can respect that. A man must be loyal and stick by his word, or he isn''t a man!" Zun Gon declared boldly. Then he frowned and looked toward one of the house''s walls, toward the battlefield.

    Without another word, he walked toward the wall, slamming through it and stepping out into the snowy ground. He looked up, frowned, and suddenly disappeared.

    Hu Jin was left alone, unsure of what he had just witnessed or what he was supposed to do. He felt exhausted before the battle had even started, knowing most monstrous beasts had the power of a Qi Gathering Cultivator.

    "Go to the wall," his master commanded.

    Hu Jin''s feet moved before he could think about what his master meant. He climbed the stairs to the wall and was shaken by what he saw. The monstrous beasts, with their hulking forms and glowing red eyes, were dangerously close, their roars making the hair on the back og Hu Jin''s neck stand up.

    Explosions rang out everywhere. Flying monstrous beasts, with their razor-sharp claws and fangs, grabbed cultivators off the walls. It dropped them, their bodies landing with a wet, crushing sound, turning into red smudges on the ground.

    The air was thick with the stench of blood and the cries of the wounded.

    There was a metallic smell in the air that Hu Jin had grown somewhat familiar with.

    Before he could fully immerse himself in the battle, a shadow descended over the field. Hu Jin looked up, and what he saw made him freeze in place. It was a giant snake monstrous beast that towered over the clouds.

    The snake had a scar running from its chin to the tip of its tail. Its pure white scales seemed to reflect the sun. Four red eyes wandered around, looking for prey.

    A deadly aura surrounded the creature, making Hu Jin''s skin crawl.

    The snake opened its mouth, releasing a red mist toward the walls.

    "It appears the little snake has come to play again," Hu Jin''s master''s soul emerged from the coin. There was a slight shine in his translucent soul. "Well, it seems like I won''t get to slap it around a bit this time."

    As he said that, there was a thundering roar and two figures appeared in the sky. Both wore crimson robes, but they couldn''t have been more different in build. One looked like a thin, starving young man. The other was someone Hu Jin was familiar with��Zun Gon.

    Zun Gon pulled his arms out of his robe''s sleeves, letting the upper part hang down and revealing his sculpted upper body.

    The white snake narrowed its eyes at him, and all the red mist concentrated into a large bead that shot toward Zun Gon with a thundering boom, the air around it rippling.

    Zun Gon clasped his hands, and an invisible, heavy pressure descended. The earth below cracked, causing many monstrous beasts to fall through the fissures. A tidal wave of lava rose up, forming a giant human head made of lava. A wave of heat washed over the fields, making Hu Jin feel like he was in a sauna. The snow melted, and some of the grass beneath the snow caught fire.

    As the red sphere reached the lava head, the structure opened its mouth and bit down on the red sphere. A sizzling sound rang out, and the lava head popped like a balloon.

    Lava splattered everywhere, causing panic among the people on the walls. But before the molten rock could reach them, the thin man standing next to Zun Gon waved his hand, and a wall of fire almost reaching the clouds formed, burning the lava to a crisp.

    No one stopped the falling lava on the monstrous beast''s side. Lakes of lava formed, and the monstrous beasts burned. Their yelps, yells, roars, and cries of pain echoed briefly before they died quickly.

    Hu Jin''s eyes were wide as saucers as he witnessed the battle. He knew without a doubt that these were Core Formation powerhouses. They could easily change the tide of war and destroy armies.

    The Sect had sent two Core Elders!

    Hu Jin smiled, realizing they had listened to his warnings. The Sect might have kept it hidden to avoid alerting the monstrous beasts.

 Chapter 128: A Thousand Mysteries

    Chapter 128: A Thousand Mysteries

    Xin Ma tapped his finger on the counter, waiting for anyone to come by today. While most others were worried about the war, he wasn''t too concerned. A big reason was that the outer library wouldn''t function without him.

    "Hey, did you hear about the recent rumors?" called a voice from the front doors. Shan Sha, the old man with missing teeth and a goat-like beard, liked to hang around here.

    "There are always some rumors in the Sect. Most of them are false," Xin Ma said.

    Despite his dismissive tone, he was interested in the rumors. After all, he didn''t have much else going on.

    "Well, there are some rumors that our Liu Feng is somehow entangled with Song Song..." the old man smiled suggestively.

    "No," Xin Ma refuted immediately. "Liu Feng is not unintelligent enough to be manipulated like that. Even Song Song wouldn''t be able to get him to do something he didn''t want."

    "Perhaps he isn''t faking it. Young love does strange things to people," Shan Sha wiggled his eyebrows.

    "What? Are we even talking about the same thing here? Are you suggesting Song Song is involved with Liu Feng... romantically?" Xin Ma could barely say the last word. The thought of someone like Song Song getting her clutches on him worried him. She was a dangerous young woman, too dangerous. "The Inner Sect is filled with ruthless cutthroats. Liu Feng understands that, and there is no way the young man I know would fall for something like that."

    "Well, you might know him as a person. But even the most logical man has certain instincts," Shan Sha ran his fingers through his goat-like beard with a knowing smirk. But when he noticed no one was taking the bait, he relented. "True, I can''t see Liu Feng falling for a honey trap either."

    But the old man was not done so soon and continued his charade, "Liu Feng''s weakness is his curiosity. Usually, he is quite cautious, to the point of cowardice in some cases. But he can get quite reckless when testing a new technique or seeing a new one from his opponent. Liu Feng is a young man of logical passion!"

    At this point, Xin Ma was sure the old goat was making things up. Shan Sha only saw the worst parts and picked and chose the context of things.

    Sure, Liu Feng was a complicated young man. Like everyone else, he was not a one-dimensional person. But the kid was not some logical machine that would go berserk at the thought of new knowledge. He was a kind young man who would never look away from someone who was hurt.

    By the old goat''s smirk, Xin Ma knew that Shan Sha had gotten what he wanted. He just wanted to get a rise out of him. Without Liu Feng around, the old goat was bored.

    "We shouldn''t be talking about things we know nothing about," Xin Ma said. "Whatever is happening in the Inner Sect, Liu Feng is a resourceful kid."

    "True," Shan Sha shrugged. "He also wouldn''t have gotten so emotional so fast. He was a challenge; that made bantering with him fun."

    ''Banter? Don''t you mean: bother?'' Xin Ma thought but kept his thoughts to himself. He didn''t have Liu Feng''s patience to deal with the old man.

    The library fell into a quiet trance after that, and both the librarian and the old man were lost in thought.

    "That''s an interesting conversation," a voice came from the middle of the bookshelves.

    Xin Ma was startled as his arrays hadn''t sensed anyone else there. But as his eyes landed on the figure who spoke, he went from startled to downright terrified.

    How long had he been around?

    The newcomer was a young-looking man holding a book, not even glancing up as he spoke. He had olive skin and wore a red robe embroidered with golden writing.

    What was the Sect Leader doing here?

    No wonder the arrays didn''t pick him up. The difference in power was just too vast. Arrays at this level were mere tricks compared to a Nascent Soul Cultivator.

    The Sect Leader closed the book and turned toward them. Immediately, both Shan Sha and Xin Ma dropped to one knee.

    "We greet the Honorable Sect Leader!" they said in unison.

    "No need for the theatrics," the Sect Leader said, though his gaze lingered on Shan Sha a bit longer.

    "Okay, you already told us the news. You can leave now," Song Song waved him off.

    "Hey, why am I being treated so badly?" Song San looked confused. "I came here to deliver good news, and you are so aggressive, sister."

    He acted like the time he had poisoned Song Song so many times when she was young was nothing. Also, she was not the only one cautious. After all, this was still the guy who explicitly said he would never do anything without some benefit involved. So he was definitely gaining something out of this.

    "I''m like the tragic older brother who tries to help his sister but is never appreciated for his work," Song San sighed and shook his head.

    This guy...

    "It will also be really tragic when the street sweepers find your corpse on the road among chicken bones, broken teacups, and other trash," Song Song stated.

    "I''m almost hurt by those words, dear sister," Song San said without a care in the world. Even a blind man could tell he was not hurt by his sister''s words. The guy was even smiling as he said that. "Anyway, I''m happy you''re out of that prison now."

    "You mean the same prison where your mother ended up. Did you ever visit her when she was there? She died there, right?" Song Song asked with an almost friendly smile.

    But in contrast, Song San''s smile slipped off his face, and he glared at her. It was the first genuine emotion I had seen in this guy. He actually seemed angry.

    "It wasn''t like your mother died a better death," Song San said as his glare disappeared and he returned to normal. "I wonder what her last thoughts could have been. It was probably something along the lines of: ''Oh no, why is my husband killing me?''"

    Fuck, okay. This was getting out of hand! I had to do something fast before these two got their emotions hurt and did something stupid.

    Unexpectedly, Song Song seemed calm, and she shrugged. "Probably. I never really talked to her when she was dying."

    "But I heard you were there to see it, right? Rumors say that many things happened that day," Song San said.

    "I think we should stop this before anyone gets hurt," I intervened. "We should just leave things here and separate before they get ugly."

    Things had already gotten way beyond ugly. But I wasn''t here to play semantics with these two about to kill each other.

    These two, Song San and Song Song, were the product of a violent environment, something that could erupt at any second.

    "You''re right," Song San shrugged. "Sorry, sister. I went too far there."

    Song Song, on the other hand, didn''t apologize and just stared him down. Likely because everyone here knew his apology wasn''t sincere.

    He then turned around and, without saying a word, walked out of the doorway.

    Once he was gone, I turned to Song Song and asked, "Everything okay?"

    "Yeah, why wouldn''t it be?" She turned toward me with a questioning brow.

    "Sorry..." I said and decided to drop the conversation there.

    "If you''re worried about how I might feel about my mother, you don''t need to feel sorry. I don''t need your pity. That woman never cared about me either," Song Song stated calmly.

    She really didn''t seem affected by her mother''s death. But she knew how to hide her emotions when she wanted to.

    Not even her mother cared about her. That was sad...

 Chapter 129: Last Day

    Chapter 129: Last Day

    After the debacle with her brother, Song Song and I settled back into our routine. Days passed without any visitors since Song San left.

    Many things weighed on Song Song''s mind, both from her past and her thoughts. But she didn''t seem to want to talk about it. If she ever needed someone to confide in, I was here for her as any good friend would be. And if she never spoke of it, I was okay with that also.

    However, as she watched me train on the newly charred ground, she certainly had plenty to say then.

    "You still haven''t replaced your lousy movement technique?" Song Song gasped in mock shock. "I saw you using the same technique last time, too. Please don''t tell me you went to the Song Clan Library�� arguably the library with the most secret techniques on this side of the world��and didn''t pick up a better movement technique?"

    "It''s not just about picking a new movement technique," I explained. "It''s also about how compatible it is with me."

    Of course, we both knew I had gotten too excited and forgotten about it. I had let my emotions get the better of me, grabbed the Otherworldly Demons book, and couldn''t wait to read it.

    Song Song smirked knowingly, as if this was all just a fun little game for her. "Give me a better excuse."

    "Well, I didn''t want my hard work to go to waste, so I was looking for a technique similar to my previous one. While I might be able to learn a new technique at an acceptable level, if they aren''t similar, the insights and enlightenment I had won''t transfer over." I gave a long-winded explanation and stared at her like an honest man awaiting judgment.

    "It was good until you started talking about ''enlightenment'' and other lame things like that," Song Song shrugged, delivering her merciless verdict. "What do you think enlightenment is? Common candy or something?"

    Despite the playful nature of our jokes, there was often a hint of truth in them. Song Song stood up from the wooden porch and walked toward the charred grass. A green book with brown letters appeared in her hand, and she offered it to me.

    "This is a technique I learned when I was younger. It''s no longer useful for me, but it should work well with your style," Song Song said.

    I took the book from her and read the title, "Galloping Horse Power..."

    The name rolled nicely off the tongue, but it was unusual for techniques like this. "The name is simple and self-descriptive."Nne?w n0vel chapters are published at novelhall.com

    "You say that like it''s a bad thing?" She raised an eyebrow.

    "A bit boring, if nothing else. I always expect techniques to be complicated nowadays," I smiled.

    "Mhm," she rolled her eyes and returned to the porch. Before she began cultivating, she said, "You would learn it faster if you bathed in horse blood while practicing the technique."

    I stopped in my tracks just as I opened the book and looked at Song Song, narrowing my gaze, trying to see if she was joking. "Actually?"

    "Yes, actually," she nodded.

    I shrugged and said, "Nah, I won''t do that."

    But just as I was about to return to my job, I asked her again, "This isn''t actually a demonic technique, right?"

    "If you don''t use human blood, it isn''t," Song Song smirked.

    Was she teasing me? She looked like it. But there was a good chance this was also true. This would mean that the Galloping Horse Power might be a variant of a demonic technique.

    As I read the book, I realized it was a technique very similar to Rushing Bull Steps. But instead of stomping through the ground, it was more like trotting, and I could easily change directions. Not only was it a usable movement technique, but it also strengthened the user''s lower body, meaning even my kicks would become deadlier. As expected of an Earth Grade technique, it was better in every way.

    "Anyway, now that I taught you one of my most valuable techniques, you should teach me your most valuable one too," Song Song smiled.

    "You said it was something you didn''t really use," I returned her smile. At this point, we were just messing around and having fun.

    I shrugged. "You really need to get used to this technique; it''s slow."

    After saying that, I used the jade strings to pull me to the side again. Song Song then swung her sword, shooting a red flying slash and adjusting her attack. This time, it was fast enough that I couldn''t dodge!

    Instead of going through that effort, I dismissed my daggers and formed a translucent longsword. Grabbing the handle with both hands, I parried the attack. Song Song''s gaze followed me like a hawk, indifferent to where her slash would land next as it cut through the ground like a razor.

    "Ready for a new technique?" She asked with a teasing glint in her eyes, knowing just the right words to make me go along with her brand of craziness.

    "Of course," I answered.

    As soon as those words came out of my mouth, a chilling effect spread through my body. I felt lightheaded and like I was going to pass out as a heaviness settled on my chest.

    I barely noticed that she had released her killing intent technique or that I had instinctively stopped using Dancing Jade Armor. It escaped my notice as she calmly walked toward me until she was too close for it to have been feasible in a real fight.

    "Use Qi to circulate the blood in your heart and calm down. You will have to manually pump the blood," Song Song advised as I hunched over, and she patted my back.

    I followed her instructions with a precision I rarely achieved in situations where my life wasn''t threatened. I pushed the effect of her technique away, and my heartbeat and senses returned to normal.

    After that ordeal, I was left with sweat on my forehead and breathing heavily as if preparing to get my money''s worth at a buffet.

    But there was a more worrying thought at the forefront of my mind. Whatever Song Song used, it was like she was forcing my blood to stop moving.

    When did she fulfill the conditions to activate such a technique on me? I had no idea. But one thing was for sure: Song Song''s killing intent technique was meant for mass massacres. She could kill many Qi Gathering Cultivators at once.

    How many would be able to figure out how to pump blood through Qi if she didn''t tell them?

    We didn''t have time to discuss it as we sensed someone approaching. Whatever tiredness I was feeling, I brushed it off, wiped the sweat from my forehead, and straightened my posture while sharpening my gaze.

    No matter what, Song Song and I had to put up a strong front. We had only each other in the Inner Sect. Everyone else was a potential enemy.

    "Can you tell who it is?" I asked her.

    "No, but they''re using a technique to hide their cultivation that I''m familiar with. Probably some Core Elder," Song Song glanced at me. "How confident are you in escaping if things turn hostile?"

    "You know the answer to that. Also, why would you ask something like that?"

    "Well, worst-case scenario, this will be our executioner as they''ve finally had enough of us. Clearly, you couldn''t buy any time for me to escape. But I should be able to hold them back enough for you to escape. Just make sure to take revenge for me if something happens," Song Song said nonchalantly before adding, "Of course, this is assuming the worst case possible."

    I didn''t need to answer as a white-masked man wearing a black cloak appeared. His breathing was almost inaudible despite my keen hearing.

    "Liu Feng, your information was right. Under orders from the Sect Leader, from now on, Song Song is free from her imprisonment," the masked man informed us.

    Despite the tiredness, I felt from sparring with Song Song, a wave of relief washed over me, and I felt rejuvenated.

    I turned toward Song Song, thinking about celebrating together. But while she had a smile, it wasn''t the kind of smile someone would have when freed from confinement.

    Her gaze was filled with clear murderous intent, and the aura around her promised that a massacre was about to take place. It was as if all the relative normalcy that had grown around us had exploded, turning into endless killing intent.

 Chapter 130: Second Place

    Chapter 130: Second Place

    Finally, the house arrest was over. Judging by Song Song''s expression, though, she had something deadly in mind. While she usually listened to my advice, she often also did her own thing.

    However, as her unofficial advisor, forced into this role by circumstances and by this crazy woman saving my life, I still had to advise her before she did anything rash.

    However, the white-masked guy was still here, and we both knew that showing any weakness in front of anyone was a bad idea. As Song Song''s advisor, my job was to make her look perfect; ideally, she would never make any mistakes as long as she followed my advice.

    The white-masked guy''s body shifted and disappeared from our senses in a torrent of dark shadows. As soon as he was gone, Song Song turned toward me, knowing that I had some advice to give her. Her look was a silent affirmation that we were likely alone and could speak freely.

    "Whatever you''re thinking of directing that bloodlust toward, I would advise against it for now," I said.

    "Weren''t you the same guy who said we should destroy it all?" Song Song narrowed her eyes at me. She didn''t like people who backtracked on their ideals. She liked people who wore their hearts on their sleeves and didn''t back down. At the same time, she wanted naive people to be competent.

    But here, I would insist against that. I liked that part about Song Song, where she always did what she did what she wanted. But if we did whatever we wanted, we would end up as corpses within less than an hour.

    "Not now. Perhaps when you get powerful enough to survive after something like that," I said.

    While Song Song was the closest thing to a princess the Blazing Sun Sect had, that didn''t mean they would put up with everything from her. Especially now that it seemed like she had lost a lot of her supporters. There was no Core Elder to defend her from the fallout.

    Song Song rolled her eyes at my advice. "Well, you know nothing about this person we''re going to. Trust me, he spits out logical guys, and there is little chance even you can predict what he is thinking."

    That was quite a high estimation from Song Song. It seemed like she wasn''t going to listen to me, but it wasn''t as if she was doing this out of recklessness. My murderhobo friend had thought this through.

    "What''s with that look?" She frowned.

    "Huh?" I looked at her quizzically.

    "I feel like you''re thinking something rude," she said.

    It was times like these when Song Song''s instincts showed just how scary they were. Either that or she was used to reading me after so many days we spent together.

    "Anyway," Song Song changed the conversation. "Do you want to come with me to meet this dangerous and potentially murderous man feeling in the mood to, well... murder someone?"

    That really dampened my mood about going with her.

    "You really have a way with words that can convince anyone," I said sarcastically.

    "You coming or not?" Song Song asked impatiently.

    "Ah yes, I will stay here where I would be easy pickings for your crazy brother, your mad teacher, or any other Song Clan member feeling in a rather murderous mood," I added, with sarcasm dripping off each word I spoke.Nne?w n0vel chapters are published at novelhall.com

    "Are you really going to be this annoying every time I decide not to listen to your advice?" Song Song sighed, but there was a slight twitch on her lips that said more than she showed. We had our own brand of humor.

    "Yeah, I''m coming with you," I said.

    There was still some hope that I could stop Song Song from saying or doing something she shouldn''t.

    She took a sword from her storage ring, the same sword she had used when she flew me here while I was injured.

    "Now is as good a time as any to begin learning how to use a flying sword," she said, pointing at the weapon and throwing it at me.

    "Don''t you know that throwing sharp objects at people is dangerous?" I said while calmly watching the sword coming toward me. This wasn''t dangerous for a cultivator at my level; it was slow. I grabbed the sword mid-air and peeked at the yin-yang symbol on its handle.

    She, on the other hand, closed her eyes, and the fabric where her shoulder blades should be bulged up. Something emerged from her back, tearing two holes in her robes. In their stead were two large crimson wings.

    When she was close to the door, she pointed her hand at the gates, and a soft blast of Qi caused them to swing wide open, almost blasting them off their hinges.

    My heart jumped when I saw that. But by now, we should be under surveillance, and I wouldn''t publicly undermine Song Song''s decisions like this.

    Despite the light coming from the door, the castle-like building still seemed covered in darkness. Song Song walked in confidently, and I followed. As soon as I stepped in, my vision was useless; everything turned dark and I had to rely on my Qi senses. I could feel a wisp of Qi, a withering presence before us. He seemed to be sitting on some kind of throne, but it was difficult to tell because while I could sense him, I couldn''t see what he was doing.

    "Song Song," a chillingly calm voice came through the darkness. I would have thought he was whispering in my ear if I hadn''t sensed him. "Your friend caused quite some trouble for me."

    Ah, fuck me.

    "Yeah, he is pretty competent," Song Song said, sounding proud for some reason.

    "I have to agree, quite the troublesome fellow..." he calmly stated. "Perhaps I should have someone deal with him."

    "If you wanted someone dead, you would have sent someone," Song Song stated.

    "Perhaps I wanted to see what kind of expression you would make when I tortured someone so close in front of you," he said.

    A sense of terror spread through me. His cold voice made me feel like he saw things as if everything in the world was born to be his plaything.

    "Can you stop with the threats? You''re scaring him," Song Song grumbled. Though I couldn''t see her, her tone of voice was like a daughter in front of her spoiling father.

    Song Song''s father said nothing at first, so she continued, "I will start building my faction from the beginning, and Liu Feng here is its first member."

    "Are you sure about this?" he asked. "I''m sure that if I talked to your teacher and the rest of your supporters, the sheep would return to supporting you."

    He was planning to threaten and force them to do this. No wonder Song Song thought that everything could be solved with violence when she had a father like this.

    "No, I don''t need their help," Song Song insisted. "After all, sheep like that won''t stay by my side when I take over the Sect and destroy the Song Clan."

    Wait, did she just imply that she was... Well, she wasn''t implying anything; she just straight-up said it. Okay, I had to stay calm.

    Should I even say something here? The guy knew I had made a deal with the Sect Leader to undermine his decision to get Song Song out of prison.

    "Why?" her father asked. His tone didn''t change at all despite hearing that his daughter wanted to destroy her family.

    "Because I can," Song Song answered. Her tone wasn''t calm like her father''s. She was filled with passion and absolute rage. "I will gain strength and force my will on everyone. Nobody cares about the opinion of weaklings!"

    "Right," her father said, and even though I couldn''t see him, it felt like he had a smile on his face.

    This was the most emotion he had shown so far and wasn''t that a scary thought.

    "When you''re strong enough, you can do whatever you want. Even the Song Clan and its thousands of years of history would be at your mercy," her father stated, his voice returning to calm.

    "Well, that''s all I wanted to say. If I want to destroy the Song Clan, I will have to kill you. You were an okay father, but kind of annoying and always only caring about what you wanted," Song Song sighed.

    After that, she turned around and began walking out. I followed a step behind her, and as we were about to leave, some chilling laughter built up. When we reached the door and walked outside, the laughter had developed into maniacal cackling.

    Why was this whole family full of crazies? Even Song Sia, who I had thought was the calmest one, wanted to kill her cousin out of nowhere.

    Why did I have to get involved with this family?

 Chapter 131: The Need For Speed

    Chapter 131: The Need For Speed

    As we left the castle, the snowy ground felt chillier than usual. Perhaps it was because I was still expecting the Song Clan Leader to kill us at any moment.Nne?w n0vel chapters are published at novelhall.com the haunting laugh I heard, he would either send assassins after us, or it could be the Song Clan equivalent of a proud parent. What a weird family.

    "You have to get a better handle on your emotions. While my father won''t kill you since he probably sees some value in you, he is the kind of guy who uses everything and everyone. He is efficient at his core," Song Song said, looking at the cloudy sky as snow began falling. "Well, since you were able to create trouble for him, he probably likes you."

    "Likes me?" I inquired as we walked down the stairs. "Does he like people who cause trouble for him or something?"

    "Not at all. My father just likes competent people. As a Qi Gathering Cultivator, being able to convince the Sect Leader is very impressive. But always remember, no matter how impressed he is with you, you will be nothing more than a tool in his eyes," she explained.

    We reached the bottom of the stairs and began walking toward the exit of the Song Clan. While we could have flown away, we needed some time to think.

    Now that I was free, there was so much I wanted to do. But I hadn''t decided yet where to begin. However, as soon as I started thinking about it, one thought stood out at the forefront. The first thing I had to do!

    I turned toward Song Song and said, "I have to go get Speedy now that we are free."

    "Speedy?" She raised a questioning brow.

    "My turtle."

    "You have a turtle named Speedy?"

    "Your first name is the same as your last name," I grumbled.

    "It means princess if you look at it a certain way," Song Song refuted.

    "In what way?" I asked. As far as I knew of this world''s language, her name didn''t mean princess.

    We reached the populated areas of the Song Clan, and the clan members stared at us. Some seemed star-struck, while others frowned. Song Song seemed to have contrasting views throughout the clan.

    "I will send a letter to Whitewall Town and have someone deliver your turtle. For now, you just need to cultivate. It would be stupid on my part to let my adviser go around recklessly now," she said. "There could also be some dangerous monstrous beasts that escaped the last battle."

    It was considerate of her as we walked out of the Song Clan Compound. Then she turned toward me and began thinking a bit.

    "We technically aren''t allowed to fly around the Sect recklessly," Song Song said.

    "No, we have broken enough rules for now. Also, we should use this time to plan some things out," I hurriedly said before Song Song decided to convince herself to break the rules. She usually did so easily and would have never questioned it before.

    Did we break the flying rules when we did so within the Song Clan grounds? Or was there some special permission in that place?

    "We''ll go to where I used to live and set up a base there. Then, we can handle the rest, like getting you some pills to cleanse your spiritual roots. Can''t have you lagging so far behind," Song Song explained.

    "Make sure to get me as many of those pills as possible. I might break a couple," I reminded Song Song.

    "You''re like a spoiled kid," Song Song sighed in mock annoyance.

    We continued talking about things that most people might consider useless, like new ways to use our techniques. After some time walking, with the sun about to set, we had traveled quite a bit through the stony roads and finally reached what looked like a mansion covered in green vines and other forms of grass. It looked abandoned.

    "You live here?" I asked as she opened the gate, which made a loud creaking sound of rusted metal rubbing against itself and looked like it would fall apart at any moment.

    "Used to," Song Song clarified. "I lived here with my mother. It was when my father didn''t care about me since my talent had not been tested. There were a lot of assassins, as every wanna-be wife or concubine hoped her useless children would somehow make it ahead of the line and resorted to murder."

    She signaled me to follow her, walking toward one of the walls and tugging at an old torch. At first, nothing happened, so Song Song frowned and pulled harder. This time, a clicking sound followed by a large creak as a door opened, revealing a large, thick iron door with rust along its hinges.

    It was strange, considering how old traps and entrances wouldn''t work as perfectly as when they were made.

    Song Song extended her hand forward, and a blood-red fire flickered into existence, serving as a light source.

    "By the way, when do you think you will become a Level 3 Array Conjurer?" Song Song made some small talk as we walked down the dark, dusty stairs. "We need some good arrays around here, and I don''t trust anyone else. No offense, but a Level 2 Array Conjurer is kind of a nobody."

    "You know, I kind of just reached Level 2 Array Conjuring recently," I reminded her.

    "Yeah, so what?" Song Song had the gall to act confused. "I never thought you didn''t have the abilities of a Level 3 Array Conjurer. You only lacked the knowledge you needed to reach the next level, which I gave you when you gained access to the Song Clan Library."

    "That''s not how it works," I grumbled. Though I had never tried to use a Level 3 Array, I knew the difficulty of casting one.

    We reached the bottom of the dark stairway. It led to a dusty library with shelves that looked in poor condition. There was a heavy smell in the air as if it hadn''t seen fresh air in a while.

    "I''m pretty sure you should be a Level 3 Array Conjurer," she said. "After all, I''ve seen worse Level 3 Array Conjurers who can''t do what you can with the lightning array."

    "Really? I have never had experience with that kind of thing." I relented, letting her have her victory so she wouldn''t continue talking so much when I was trying to read.

    "You should try using a Level 3 Array," she insisted.

    "If an Array Conjurer tries to use an array above their level, it usually ends with a nasty explosion. A Level 3 Array might not sound like much, but it would destroy this library and cause the mansion to cave in on us. We are quite deep underground, and with so many tons of earth and rocks falling down, even you would be in danger," I explained why her request was insane.

    She smiled and stared at me like a hawk. It was a fake smile she wasn''t even trying to hide, and a chill went down my spine. Song Song was about to do something crazy.

    Without saying another word, she gathered a ball of Qi in her hand, which had enough power to destroy the whole place.

    "I see that uncertainty is making you cautious. Well, I''ll get rid of that doubt for you. If you don''t try using a Level 3 Array, I''ll explode this ball of Qi and have the whole library cave in on us," Song Song stated nonchalantly.

    "There is no way you''re going to do that!" I said hurriedly.

    "What? Do you think I''m the kind of person who makes useless threats? I''m hurt you think so badly of me," the crazy smile on Song Song''s face widened. "Now, it''s your gambit! What''re you going to do?"

    "You crazy bitch," I grumbled under my breath, not caring if she heard me.

    She was putting our lives in danger for no damn reason! Oftentimes, Song Song was a very stable person... Well, perhaps not "very" stable. But she could be relatively normal, and we would even joke together. Then she went and did something crazy like this!

    "You should really start working on it. It''s getting hard to control this unstable blast of Qi," Song Song said, and as if to prove her point, the crimson Qi ball shook.

    "Fuck," I cursed under my breath.

    I went through the motions for a Level 3 Array, taking all the steps; chanting, hand seals, and deep concentration formed from the life-and-death situation. It was the best condition to create an array, and the type of array I had in mind only required Qi.

    In the end, a long rectangular barrier formed around Song Song.

    "Qi Disruption Array!"

    The Qi ball in her hand popped like a balloon, creating a pushing force that destroyed the barrier. But her Qi blast no longer had the power to do much, and it ended up just making a strong wind that pushed my hair back and threw some of the books around.

    Song Song looked at me, her deranged smile replaced by a strangely peaceful one. "Congratulations, that qualifies you as a Level 3 Array Conjurer."

 Chapter 132: The Icy Beauty

    Chapter 132: The Icy Beauty

    Ye An woke with a shaky breath as a piercing chill traveled through her body.

    She was in a bed covered in thick blankets, yet the chill didn''t go away. She breathed heavily, looking at the still-lit fireplace with a pot of boiling water above. Grumbling under her breath, she stood up, pulled the covers off, and released a cold, steamy breath that caused the water particles to freeze mid-air.

    By now, this had become routine. Ye An walked close to the fire, swiped her hand over the flames, and felt a bit of warmth on her skin. But it wasn''t anything special. There was no fire or anything else that could warm her easily. Even now, with her hand on the fire, the flames grew weaker until they almost died out.

    Ye An lived in one of the many tiny stone houses within Whitewall Town.

    Since the fight with Song Song, she had nowhere else to go. Despite using her strongest defense technique, Song Song''s attack had been monstrous. Ye An was supposed to have an advantage since her Qi had an element due to her Extreme Physique. Still, there were always monsters like Song Song who could exploit every slight difference in level to their overwhelming advantage.

    She took her hand off the fire and pulled down the clothing around her shoulder, revealing a bruised shoulder with dark spots.

    "One day, I will kill that bitch," Ye An cursed.

    During times like these, she thought perhaps joining the Blazing Sun Sect had been a mistake. The Blazing Sun Sect was known for its Yang element treasures. Maybe they had something that could extend her life or even suppress her condition completely, left behind by the Blazing Sun Immortal.

    Of course, such dreams had been crushed by the harsh reality that there were people like Song Song in the Sect.

    Ye An sighed, breathing her frosty breath onto the fire, extinguishing the flames and covering the leftover wood in a thin layer of frost in an instant.

    Impressive-looking, but this was not a good sign. It showed that Ye An''s body was absorbing and creating an extreme abundance of Yin Qi, and her roots were duplicating and doing the same.

    In an instant, the room was covered in a smoky cold mist that quickly obscured her vision.

    A part of Ye An had already accepted her death. Perhaps it would have been better to accept it and live the rest of her life peacefully. There was still time for her to get married and even have children.

    Ye An walked out of the door, stepping barefoot on the snowy ground. Even the snow felt warm compared to her feet. But Ye An was releasing such extreme cold that it froze the snow and everything else.

    No, Ye An refused to accept her fate. Even though she was born to die young, she would fight her fate every step of the way! No matter what she had to do! Even if she had to kill a thousand people a day, bathe in their blood, and eat their hearts, she would do it. This mentality was the least she could do to somehow increase her chances of survival, and there were many other things she would be willing to do.

    Though her body was colder than ice, Ye An''s eyes were lit aflame with an unwavering fire and an unbreakable will. Her whole being radiated danger.

    No matter who she had to kill or what she had to do, Ye An wanted to live!

    Her Qi, influenced by her feelings, bubbled under her skin.

    She winced and forcefully stopped the breakthrough that was about to begin. There was a better time to break through to Foundation Establishment. She had to wait until summer, at least, because with her condition, breaking through in winter could cause her to explode. In the best-case scenario, her spirit roots would be crippled, and her cultivation destroyed. Though with her Extreme Physique, she would recover eventually, but by then it might be too late, and she would already be at the end of her lifeline.

    She walked through the relatively empty town; most people were in their houses during such cold. Some curious onlookers stared out their windows, and some children''s gazes followed her. At the same time, some of the men looked at her bashfully, like little girls seeing their first crush.

    "The rumors were about your two friends, Liu Feng and Song Song," the Hong Clan Leader said enticingly. "This could be your chance to return to the Sect and shake things up a bit."

    "What do you get out of this?" Ye An asked nonchalantly as she walked past him with her fish still in hand. The man followed her like a dog.

    By following her, the Hong Clan Leader was close enough to feel the cold her body naturally released. He couldn''t stop his teeth from chattering due to the extreme cold.

    Despite this, the man kept chatting away, telling her about all the benefits she would gain by following his advice. Ye An zoned him out most of the time.

    "So what?" she asked as they approached her house.

    "This could be your chance to take over everything!" he insisted. "Song Song was the talented one, the golden child. But��"

    Ye An interrupted him. "How would you know something like that?"

    "Excuse me?" The Hong Clan Leader seemed confused by her question, interrupting his charade.

    "How would someone in the middle of nowhere know about Song Song being the golden child, or whatever you called her? The only thing that doesn''t make sense here is how someone like you knows something like this," Ye An smirked and stared at him dangerously. "Are you a spy or something?"

    "No, of course not!" The Hong Clan Leader refuted her claims. He knew the punishment for something like that, and he could no longer keep the fake smile on his face as his eyes narrowed. "I have my own sources."

    Ye An also thought that the chances of this guy being a spy were slim to none. He had no valuable information to offer to any enemy Sect. Also, it was clear that this guy was an unknowing tool.

    As for who sent him? If she were to guess, it would be someone from the Blazing Sun Sect, specifically the Inner Sect.

    Ye An couldn''t help but let her mind wander how easy it would be to kill this guy. She could easily create a sharp coating of ice around her hand and decapitate him in a split second. Or she could make a sharp ice spear and run it through his mouth��maybe that would finally shut him up.

    She finally reached her house and entered through the unlocked door. The place was cold as always, as her constant presence had turned it naturally chilly.

    The Hong Clan Leader was about to follow her. But just as he was about to step through the door, Ye An turned toward him and released her overwhelming Qi, making him stop in his tracks.

    She kept looking at him, and the Hong Clan Leader''s fake smile slipped off his lips as he realized he should back off.

    After stepping back, Ye An closed the door in his face. She then walked toward one of the windows, peeking out, waiting for the Hong Clan Leader to give her any reason to kill him.

    She looked through the reflection in the window and saw the Hong Clan Leader open and close his mouth before sighing and walking away.

    With that done, she returned to her tasks.

 Chapter 133: The Slow Problem

    Chapter 133: The Slow Problem

    Three weeks later, Ye An finally recovered from the injury Song Song had inflicted on her.

    She looked outside her window and saw barely any snow left in the town. Only a few snowy patches remained where the shadows of the buildings had protected the cold snow from the sun.

    Ye An enjoyed the approaching warm weather, and it was perhaps time for her to finally begin moving. The thought of breaking through, catching up to Song Song, killing her, and continuing her journey excited her. However, she would need to figure out a way to convince Liu Feng to become someone who would give up his life for her; pawns like that were extremely useful.

    As she was planning her next move and considering how to keep Song Song away until she could also break through to Foundation Establishment, her thoughts were interrupted by sensing a Qi Gathering Cultivator approaching her house. It wasn''t any of the Clan Leaders or the Governor, whose Qi signatures she had grown accustomed to and memorized.

    Ye An peeked out the window and saw that the newcomer was an unassuming young man wearing a blue uniform. He was an inner sect disciple.

    Right, Ye An had been far away when spying on them. But she recalled Song Song had knocked out some weakling using her aura.

    The weakling was about to knock on her door, but Ye An opened it before his knuckles could meet the door. When he saw this, his eyes widened like a deer''s, and he stood still in fear.

    He radiated insecurity, fear, and a lack of confidence.

    Was this guy like this before, or did Song Song''s technique have some kind of mental effect on him? Ye An wondered. However, she didn''t care much either way; the guy was a mental weakling.

    "Say what you have to say," Ye An sighed.

    That made the guy come to his senses and straightened his posture. "The Inner Sect has sent a message saying that we should find a way to bring the turtle to the Sect!"

    Ye An frowned in confusion. By the Inner Sect, he likely meant the Blazing Sun Sect. Still, it was better to specify these kinds of things. This incompetent and feeble-minded guy spoke as if she knew what he was saying.

    "What turtle?" Ye An asked.

    "Ah," his eyes widened, and he looked embarrassed before quickly adding, "Liu Feng''s turtle."

    She considered making turtle meat stew depending on whose pet it was, but Ye An held herself back because this was Liu Feng''s turtle. She had just been thinking of a way to get closer to Liu Feng, and this opportunity had landed in her lap.

    Now, she could only hope that after she brought him his turtle, Liu Feng would forget the incident where she had tried to kill him. They were cultivators; there were stories of cultivators who tried to kill each other one day and became sworn brothers the next.

    Of course, there were also stories of the exact opposite happening. But Ye An hoped that Liu Feng was naive enough to let his guard down.

    All those thoughts went through Ye An''s mind in an instant. She had already made up her mind but didn''t show it. There were a lot of benefits to be gained with little to no risk.

    "Either way," Ye An said, "what are you doing here?"

    "The governor has sent me to ask if you would be willing to take the turtle with you on your way back to the Blazing Sun Sect," the guy added, looking to the side and avoiding her gaze.

    A coward to the core, Ye An thought. This guy was clearly attracted to her, as was any man with a healthy body and mind, but he didn''t even dare to meet her eyes. Not that it would impress her, but it would stop her view of him from getting lower than it already was.

    Ye An thought of the way Liu Feng looked at her. He was like a moving, emotionless doll. It was as if his mind controlled his body without any emotion involved; at least, that was how she remembered it when she chased him to kill him.

    True, she had been holding back so he would lead her to his leader, which in hindsight, had been a terrible idea. But still, he was genuinely creepy when fighting.

    Liu Feng would owe her one with this turtle thing, and that guy could be pretty resourceful. He was a very emotional man outside of battle.

    Liu Feng was willing to risk his life for a crazy bitch like Song Song. She bet she could do something similar and have him do the same for her.

    Ye An took her time to answer this time, making the weak guy uncomfortable.

    "I will do it for a thousand spirit stones," she said.

    Sure, it was convenient for her to do this. But it didn''t mean she was stupid enough to not notice that the other party was quite desperate to get this thing done. So, she was going to get something out of it.

    The feeble-minded guy nodded and finally mustered the courage to glance in the general direction of her face.

    After demonstrating the carpet''s function, the turtle put the artifact down but kept staring at her.

    This was very strange. But Ye An had seen many odd things in her life. She walked outside, used her Qi on the floating carpet artifact, and instantly bonded with it. Ye An quickly figured out how to use the carpet and placed it under the turtle. With a command from her, the turtle floated with the rug underneath it.

    After this, the monstrous beast yawned and fell asleep without a second thought, as if its job was done and the rest was up to Ye An.

    Ye An shrugged and let the sleepy turtle float next to her as she gave one last look at the house she had lived in for the past month. Then, she began walking toward the town gates. With the sleeping carriage-sized turtle floating beside her, she made quite a strange sight.

    She cast one last look at the town she was planning to leave. Now that the snow and cold were departing, many building projects were taking place. The town was ready for the rebuilding process that would take over during spring and summer.

    It was a shame that the man who had gone through all the effort to save this town was unlikely to ever see it rebuilt.

    The guards at the gate took one look at her and immediately moved aside to let her pass.

    No one knew exactly what had happened in that mansion nor why Ye An was here, but they knew it was something they shouldn''t be involved with in any way. With the floating turtle next to her, even the dumb ones could tell she was a genuine cultivator.

    As Ye An walked through the gates, she couldn''t help but smile. She took in the vast field, and bits of greenery began to emerge from the thinning snow. The cold wind felt warm against her skin, and her smile widened.

    Ye An waved her hand, and a sword emerged from her storage ring. It was a long, straight sword with an icy edge. She jumped onto the sword, easily balanced herself, and began flying toward the Blazing Sun Sect.

    She wasn''t flying at her top speed, keeping pace with the carpet''s top speed as it carried Speedy. It was still quite fast.

    As the wind brushed against her silky hair, Ye An''s pale skin regained some of its healthy color in the sunlight. The critical condition she had endured all winter was almost over.

    As they were minding their business, flying over a battlefield likely set by Liu Feng to trap monstrous beasts, the craters and destruction became visible as the snow melted.

    Something strange happened as Ye An felt the air shift, like something coming out of nowhere. Her eyes widened as she sensed nothing before this new creature appeared, emerging from a water-like ripple in the air.

    The monstrous beast resembled a rainbow-winged butterfly the size of a human. However, instead of attacking Ye An, the butterfly sent pink and purple flower petals toward the turtle, carrying a sweet scent familiar with poison.

    Ye An was about to intervene until she sensed something strange again. This time, it came from the turtle.

    The turtle opened its mouth, generating a suction force that drew all the pink petals toward it. Ye An winced, realizing there was nothing she could do now. Her plan to get Liu Feng on her side had failed before she could even take the first step.

    But what happened next surprised her once again. The turtle''s cheeks bulged after gathering all the flower petals. Although its mouth no longer moved, and the poison should have been in its stomach, she could still hear a munching sound.

    Somehow, the turtle was okay, for now.

    However, the slow monstrous beast wasn''t done. It grunted and jumped off the flying carpet with surprising grace for a turtle. The turtle''s move must have caught the butterfly by surprise, or perhaps the previous attack had weakened it. The turtle slammed into the butterfly and bit down on one of its wings before it could dodge.

    The butterfly fell alongside the turtle, and as they slammed onto the ground, the trees they landed on broke apart, sending splinters flying.

    A loud sound rang out from the impact. What followed next was brutal. Contrary to the butterfly monstrous beast, the turtle wasn''t hurt or dazed by the fall. It used its surprisingly fast bite to chomp the beast in half. Then, the turtle began to rip apart the butterfly, which was still alive and writhing on the ground.

    The butterfly''s wings lost their luster as it died.

    "Are turtles somehow resistant to poison or venom? Or is it some kind of variant?" Ye An wondered.

    When an animal became a monstrous beast, certain traits were always amplified. But she had never heard about turtles being resistant to poison. She kept staring at the turtle devouring its fellow monstrous beast. With surprising intelligence, the turtle wiped its bloody mouth on some leftover snow in the forest and stomped on whatever was left of the corpse.

    Ye An used her carpet to pick the turtle up. As it floated up, its legs still dripped blood onto the ground below. The turtle turned and looked at her.

    She could swear there was a sense of creepy intelligence behind those eyes. But the monstrous beast snoozed away almost immediately as it landed on the carpet, making her thoughts about its intelligence seem like she was seeing things.

    If it had been anyone else, they might have doubted their eyes. Perhaps they were just assuming things. But Ye An rarely doubted herself. No matter what, she always stuck by her decisions, even though some of those decisions had sometimes almost led to her death.

    This turtle was definitely intelligent, Ye An concluded.

 Chapter 134: A Slow Journey

    Chapter 134: A Slow Journey

    After that incident, Ye An kept an eye on the sleeping turtle. However, it proved needless as the monstrous beast dozed off for the rest of the way.

    When they were halfway through the journey, Ye An looked at the setting sun and contemplated continuing to finish the trip in one swoop. If she kept traveling, she could have been done by dawn.

    After all, if she knew Song Song well enough, she would have gotten into another sort of trouble. There would be no time for that psycho to come to deal with her. Song Song hadn''t done it when she was in Whitewall Town and doubted she would do it now.

    She looked at the setting sun and decided to set up camp. It never hurt to be careful, and tonight was a full moon.

    Ye An flew down into the shadow of some trees, and with a wave of her hand, an already-made tent appeared. She set the turtle next to her tent, and even though the monstrous beast touched the cold ground, it didn''t wake up.

    Ye An noticed out of the corner of her eye that the sun was almost set.

    She hurried and, after making sure no one was around, took off her clothes and stood naked as the day she was born. The setting sun glistened on her pale skin.

    She took a small bottle from her storage ring and rubbed off the sour oil on her body, making it even shinier. Ye An ended up looking like a porcelain doll by the end of it. Even the scar Song Song had left behind after cutting off and reattaching her arm as punishment was barely visible and didn''t detract from her charm.

    If anyone had seen this scene, they would have been mesmerized and seduced instantly. But Ye An didn''t care how attractive she might look. She felt a looming sense of desperation as she saw the full moon in the distance.

    Her heart began beating faster, her breathing grew heavier, and a strange look settled in her eyes. For a second, she considered giving up��if she just let it play out, she wouldn''t have to continue enduring this pain...

    But such thoughts vanished as quickly as they came. Ye An''s gaze sharpened.

    Ye An took a red crystal from her storage ring and entered her tent. The inside of the tent was nothing special, containing only a futon. She laid down and took out a red crystal, an artifact that, when imbued with Qi, would create a small flame at the top.Updated chapters at novelhall.com

    She took a deep breath and applied the artifact to the tent. Without much effort, the tent caught fire.

    Despite the situation, Ye An didn''t seem surprised. Her gaze hardened, and every muscle in her body clenched as she prepared for the incoming pain.

    Through the fire in her tent, some faint light from the full moon peeked through the burning tent flap and landed on her skin.

    Ye An screeched in pain, feeling like a freezing root was spreading through her body. The slow growth that her spiritual roots usually experienced suddenly surged violently, and she felt like she was painfully freezing from the inside.

    She thrashed around as her spirit roots violently grew. It was like a plant growing inside her; the process was violent, and it felt like her blood was freezing, yet she was somehow still alive.

    The tent was almost burned, and a spark landed on Ye An''s skin. That spark was enough to silently ignite the flammable oil she had covered herself.

    Ye An felt like crying, but her tears both froze and boiled as her body caught on fire. At first, the flames began burning her jade-like skin. Yet it was only a sensation; she wasn''t actually burning.

    Even the flames weren''t enough to cull the Yin Energy generated by the full moon. As she felt a biting cold spread through her body, Ye An still felt the sensation of being burned on the outside and frozen on the inside.

    She grunted in pain. It felt like every organ inside her body was being pricked by tiny needles. Soon enough, even her screams became silent. She could only open her mouth, no longer able to scream.

    This was a pain that no one could ever understand... With each passing full moon, it grew stronger and got closer to killing her.

    To stop feeling this torturous pain, she would be willing to do anything and kill anyone. Ye An tried to think of what she would be willing to do to eliminate this pain as a distraction. It was useless as the pain grew worse.

    However, there was another person with the two disciples. The extra person was an old granny with many wrinkles who had a cane in her hands. One might assume she was the usual old granny who already had one foot in the grave.

    But Ye An knew better. This old granny was a Core Formation Cultivator. Her identity was even more troublesome since she was Song Song''s teacher and one of the few people who cared about that monster.

    Ye An hadn''t met the dangerous granny often, but she had seen her while she "worked" under Song Song.

    Ye An knew that trying to escape a Core Formation Cultivator was useless. Despite her uniqueness, she was still just a Qi Gathering Cultivator. There was no way she could escape or even make a peep before being killed by this granny.

    So with that in mind, Ye An concluded that the granny didn''t want to kill her. With how close Song Song and the old woman were, there was little chance the granny hadn''t learned what had transpired in Whitewall Town.

    Why didn''t the granny want to kill her despite everything? Ye An had no idea.

    Ye An approached the two guards, put the turtle down, and stepped off her flying sword.

    "I have brought the turtle here, and I expect to be paid a thousand spirit stones for the job," Ye An said.

    While the deal she had made was with the governor of Whitewall Town, Ye An had intentionally "forgotten" to take the money from him in the hopes that Song Song would end up paying. A thousand spirit stones were nothing for Song Song. Still, if it caused her even a slight annoyance, like getting the news she would have to give money away to someone who had tried to kill her, Ye An was very petty.

    "Good job," the old woman said in a raspy voice. Now that Ye An was so close to her, she saw the wrinkles on the granny''s face had somehow deepened from how she remembered her. "As expected of someone with such plentiful talents. Your cultivation speed has exceeded even Song Song''s."

    What the old woman said was true, but Ye An couldn''t take pride in it despite that. It wasn''t like she had to work that hard to surpass even a genius like Song Song in cultivation speed. She had been working harder to stop her body from exploding due to allowing her cultivation to progress so fast.

    "Can we please stop with the theatrics?" Ye An asked. "We both know you want something from me; that is why you haven''t killed me yet. So, get on with it."

    "The younger generation only keeps getting more rude," the old woman said. But she stopped hiding her intentions and revealed her greedy gaze. "Song Song has overstepped some unspoken rules recently."

    Ye An was about as surprised by that as the sky being blue.

    "As her master, I have sought to punish her. But some people got in the way of the punishment I had in mind. So the only thing I could do was renounce her as my personal disciple," said the granny.

    Ye An nodded, not trusting herself to avoid saying something she shouldn''t. Many Core Cultivators, or just cultivators in general, used raw power to handle everything for decades or centuries. That made them grow mentally stagnant and often even regress in sharpening their wits.

    After a bit of silence and the old woman looking Ye An up and down, the granny finally broke the silence and said, "Will you become my disciple?"

    When those words left the old woman''s mouth, Ye An realized that the granny and her group had somehow lost Song Song.

    Ye An had to try hard not to let a smile slip. She had been looking for a way to access Yang Element Resources, which the Blazing Sun Immortal might have left behind.

    Then this just came and fell into her lap! She would investigate later to ensure this was not a trick. It sounded too good to be true! But after the previous night, she allowed herself to feel some joy.

    Throughout her life, Ye An always felt like she was fighting against fate. She was born to die young, and even when she found an item to extend her lifespan, the red-haired bastard went and stole it!

    But now she not only got an opportunity to gain access to the hidden areas in the Blazing Sun Sect, but this would also keep that crazy bitch off her back.

    Ye An hoped that her fate might turn for the better!

 Chapter 135: Open Wide

    Chapter 135: Open Wide

    I leaned on one of the shelves in the basement, reading one of the alchemy books in Song Song''s mansion. Despite how hard we had worked cleaning the library, the shelves no longer had a speck of dust, the floor was polished, and the place had better lighting. However, there was still a smell of damp wood in the air.

    But even the strange smell wasn''t enough to distract me from the book in my hands; Alchemy Mysteries Maximum.

    Through my studies, I had a rough understanding of how alchemy worked. The whole process was much more complicated than I had thought. It was more art than science, somewhat like cooking, yet it wasn''t like cooking at all.

    Alchemy was interesting in its own way but very unpredictable, which made me apprehensive about consuming any pills.

    As for trying alchemy myself? I could follow a recipe, but it didn''t take a genius to figure out I didn''t have what it took to become a master chef. However, I would only know for sure if I tried it. Only fools thought in absolutes.

    "I had hoped it would be closer to chemistry than cooking," I muttered, closing the book. Then I placed it back on the shelf and rubbed my brow.

    However, alchemy did have many similarities to chemistry, but without the absolute certainties. Just one ingredient could have many different effects in alchemy! Where hydrogen, for example, always acted like hydrogen in chemistry, in alchemy it could behave differently, like a magnet that could both push and pull.

    Perhaps I was viewing things too much from an Array Conjurer''s perspective, while Alchemists saw things differently. Nonetheless, I definitely wanted to give it a try. I couldn''t wait until Song Song brought me those Root Cleansing Pills. Since she no longer had her old connections, getting something like that would take longer than usual.

    I walked up the stairs and out of the secret door that led to the basement library. The mansion no longer looked as it had before. After setting up arrays for cleaning and making a few repairs, the floor was polished, the stairs were fixed, and we even had a few dozen mortals come to fix other things. At the same time, Song Song had watched them like a hawk.

    It now looked like an actual mansion, with good lighting and a big chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Though neither Song Song nor I cared too much about appearances, it was much better than the place looking haunted.

    I walked outside and was greeted by the soft chill of the air and the green garden. With the snow almost gone, the place was starting to look more alive. Turning around, I glanced back at the mansion.

    Some green vines still clinging to the walls and sneaking through the windows, but that added to the rustic charm. We also hid some artifacts and specific keys to the arrays surrounding the mansion that only Song Song and I knew about.

    "Did you finally stop that reading spree?" Song Song''s voice came from behind me, accompanied by the soft smell of delicious food. Like always, she had moved so fast that I only sensed her when she was already behind me.

    I turned around and saw her holding a plate. It looked like a curry, rice, and meat dish.

    She had brought me food? I had gotten so absorbed in reading that I hadn''t eaten anything for the last couple of days.

    "Thanks, I didn''t think you were that considerate," I smiled and extended my hand, ready for the plate.

    But Song Song raised a questioning brow and used her chopsticks to grab a mouthful of rice, stuffing it into her mouth. "What''re you talking about? This is my food. Go get your own."

    "What?"

    "Some of us are not so stupid as to forget to eat for a couple of days," she shrugged.

    "Inconsiderate bitch," I muttered just loud enough for her to hear.

    She pointed a chopstick at me and said, "What did you say? I suddenly have the urge to stab this in your eyeball."

    "Honorable, Eternally Powerful, Beautiful Compared to Heavens, Lady Song Song! Your charm truly knows no bounds, and your leadership makes me want to go out there and conquer the world for you," I mock-bowed my head toward her.

    "Anyway, I got you the pills you needed," Song Song said, handing me a small sack. "There are five Root Rejuvenating Pills. Use them carefully and try not to waste them. They''re rare, and even I had difficulty getting so many at once."

    My heart leaped with excitement, and I stopped worrying about things I had no control over. I didn''t even bother paying attention to Song Song''s smugness; she clearly wanted to say something I didn''t care about. Opening the sack, I saw the pearly white pills inside and sensed the light Qi radiating from them.

    I immediately entered the mansion and entered one of the corners of the entrance room. If one didn''t specifically pay attention, newcomers might not notice the door hidden in the shadow of the stairs.

    I had prepared a room specifically for this. It was empty except for a clean table and a couple dozen vials. Some small and delicate tools, like those made for surgery, were on a small shelf in the corner.

    Taking out one of the pills, I placed it atop a clean white napkin from my storage ring and put it on the wooden table to prevent it from rolling away.

    Song Song had given me five of these pills, so I had to be very careful. Unfortunately, Speedy wasn''t around to test these things on him.

    I removed a thin needle from the tools and poked the marble pill. The needle pierced the surface easily, but instead of the Qi inside the pill pouring out, it rampaged and formed many holes.

    Whatever kind of Qi the pill released, I had already contained it with a simple barrier. Though the Qi from the pill was leaking, it seemed harmless and was leaking at such a slow rate that the pill should still retain some of its effects.

    I looked at the pill in a trance, wondering about swallowing one of the pills I had. But as soon as the idea came to mind, I shook my head and dismissed it.

    I didn''t get much time to play around with the pill as I sensed Song Song approaching the room. She opened the door, which now made no sound, and no dust fell down.

    "Why did you have to run away so fast? I have other news," Song Song grumbled.

    "How important is the news? I''m doing something really crucial right now," I said.

    "It doesn''t look like something crucial at all," Song Song whispered under her breath, knowing that I could hear her. "Anyway, it isn''t any big news. So you can go back to work."

    She genuinely seemed to think that, and I trusted Song Song''s decisions on most things. But when it came to certain things, like what she considered "dangerous" or "unimportant," our views rarely aligned.

    "Now that you''re already here, you can just tell me the news," I said.

    She shrugged. "Sure."

    Song Song leaned on the door frame with a bored look and said, "Well, I wanted to say that your pet turtle has returned. It''s being cared for by some of the inner disciples that reside in the Outer Sect, you know, the guys who work as guards and such."

    Whatever I was thinking about doing next moved to the back of my mind as a smile spread across my lips.

    This was not small news for me!

    "Well, I''m going to the Outer Sect. It''s about time I visited some of my friends too," I calmly stated and stood up.

    There were many things I needed to do in the Outer Sect, and among those things were many people I hadn''t greeted since coming back. After Song Song and I finally decided to go after everyone, I would no longer have the leisure to visit my old friends. That would just put them in danger.

    This was as good a time as any to meet them.

 Chapter 136: Meetings

    Chapter 136: Meetings

    After telling Song Song where I was going, she didn''t raise much of a fuss as I left. She did not need to ask me to be careful or wish me luck, as we both knew our situation.

    Despite everything, I couldn''t help but smile as I jumped from tree to tree, enjoying the Qi-rich environment of the Inner Sect. A bubbling excitement traveled across my chest. It differed from the excitement when learning something new or trying new techniques, but it wasn''t any less thrilling.

    The gate guards looked at me as I approached the gates leading to the Outer Sect. They were inner disciples, and their faces paled, indicating they likely knew what had happened recently. They stepped aside without much trouble, letting me pass without saying anything.

    I nodded as I maneuvered past them and said, "Thanks."

    Song Song had a scary reputation that led to people fearing me just out of the association. Still, there was no reason for me not to be polite. Song Song had her own way of dealing with people, and I had mine.

    When I landed on the familiar roads of the Outer Sect, I stopped running and slowed to a casual walk. A strange feeling washed over me, and I couldn''t help but smile.

    Now that I had time to think about it, Speedy was likely okay. So a little detour on the way there wouldn''t hurt, and it wasn''t like I could visit these people too often now that I was associated with Song Song.

    I changed direction and walked toward the dining hall. As soon as I entered, everyone glanced at me, but I no longer paid attention to them. Strangely, the whole dining hall was quiet, something I never remembered happening when there were people around.

    An Inner Disciple coming to the dining hall did not happen often. The newer generation looked at me with starry eyes.

    Everyone moved away as I approached the counter, and I smiled at some of the cooks behind the line with whom I was familiar.

    "Can I get two cups of tea?" I asked.

    The cooks seemed nervous. Even those who knew me previously were not at ease. I wasn''t sure whether this was due to me being an Inner Disciple or because of Song Song''s reputation. It could be a combination of both.

    At least my tea was ready faster than ever, and they placed two cups on a tray.

    "Here it is, Lord Liu Feng," one of the line cooks said, placing the tray before me while bowing his head.

    When I was an Outer Disciple, this guy would smile when I thanked him. I was just the polite Outer Disciple then, and while I didn''t like this reaction from everyone, I understood it.

    I was no longer the no-name Outer Disciple. Everyone had read a book on Monstrous Beasts with my name on it. Also, I was an Inner Disciple associated with the most dangerous person from the younger generation... and probably the older ones, too.

    "Thanks for the tea," I said, smiling and repeating the exact words I had said many times before.

    While the cooks still showed the respect expected when meeting an Inner Disciple, some smiled when they heard my thanks.

    I picked up the two cups of tea and walked away from the dining hall, escaping all the looks I was getting.

    The soft, familiar wind brushing against my face was comforting. It felt like I was back to more comfortable times.

    Though I didn''t let myself be fooled��the place might have stayed the same and seemed familiar, but there was someone who had changed... and that someone was me!

    With a slight trot, I dashed up the stairs. I hadn''t mastered the Galloping Horse Power Technique, even though I knew how to use it. Despite that, the technique was still Earth Grade, made to be used with Qi, and there was no comparison to a Mortal Grade Technique.

    In an instant, I stood in front of the library gates. Those stairs that used to make my legs feel like jelly were no longer a challenge, and I could cover them in one swift movement.

    Wearing the blue robes of an inner sect disciple, I walked into the library, and the familiar smell of old wood and books surrounded me.

    At that, the smile slipped off his face and his gaze grew heavy. ��I don��t think I��m really cultivator material.��

    His gaze shook as he seemed to be traveling down memory lane.

    ��What happened?�� I asked. The old man and the librarian were polite enough not to say anything during this moment.

    ��Some of us can��t handle the blood. I saw some of my friends ripped apart and killed. People I have looked up to throughout my life ended up being incompetent commanders when it really counted. Powerful cultivators revealed that they were nothing more or less than humans with too much power in their hands... We are all the same,�� Yang Cho��s voice shuddered. ��I decided to become a cultivator just because I had the talent for it, and in some way to prove that the technique my family had guarded for generations was good, not something my family had wasted their time protecting. I have gone with the flow of things my whole life.��

    Looking at Yang Cho, it felt like I was looking at a shadow of my former self. This was a clear example of not having the experience of a first life. He was a young man who had done what others had guided him. It was like choosing a college major because my parents wanted it, while I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life.

    As I stared at my first friend in this world, I didn��t know what to say.

    What advice could I give him that would matter? The only advice that came to mind was telling him to adapt and move on. People would die anyway; he should concentrate on his passion and what he wanted to do.

    No, perhaps I was the strange one here. When had I crossed this side of the line? I had become one of those people I used to look at as crazy when I came to this world.

    I was like a ghoul, not knowing what I wanted to do in my previous life. But here, I knew exactly what I wanted. Perhaps the destination of this journey was a bit blurry, but I knew for sure that I wanted to learn more about Qi and this fantastic world.

    Were the weird ones those who knew exactly what they wanted in life? The people who were so sure of something that they would be willing to do anything.

    Perhaps I hadn��t changed much to my core. At least, I hoped I hadn��t. But how I approached things had definitely changed. What I didn��t like, I would do my best to eliminate. Even things that I couldn��t handle now, there were plans in place to get rid of them.

    ��Sorry,�� I said.

    ��What are you apologizing for?�� Yang Cho asked, looking genuinely confused. Before I could answer, he said, ��Anyway, I just wanted to see you one last time. I have decided to join one of the smaller Sects under the Blazing Sun Sect. I��m not made for this. I��m just a small cultivator who would rather manage a farm than be doing all of this dangerous stuff. Anyway, I wish you the best!��

    He spread his arms, and we hugged each other and patted each other on the back. We told each other to take care, and he turned around.

    It was weird��this might be the last time I saw this guy. But I didn��t know how to feel. A part of me was sad that he was going away, and the other part was happy that he would be out of danger. The Blazing Sun Sect, as a powerhouse, was a can of worms that not many got to open.

    But despite the danger, I was not going to run away. I just thought of learning what I had recently about Sky Grade Techniques, Otherworlders, and all those other things. What about Heaven Grade Techniques? What actually made someone Immortal? Why did people from other worlds end up in this one? What were the Heavens? Why did it seem like fate had an active hand around certain people?

    There were so many more questions about everything in my mind. Though a part of me wanted to run away, I knew I would end up miserable if I did something like that.

    ��Yang Cho, I have something for you before you go,�� I called out to him and offered him a handshake. He shook my hand without a second thought, and I used my storage ring to materialize a Root Rejuvenating Pill.

    His eyes widened slightly, but he quickly controlled his expression and realized what it was.

    ��Take this after you break through to Qi Gathering,�� I offered him, destroying the silencing array around us.

    He looked at me, took his hand away, and smiled. No more words needed to be said as he turned around and walked out of the library.

    Looking at his retreating back, I couldn��t help but think about when we would meet next. It wasn��t a bad last meeting, but I would hate to lose my friend.

    ��Teacher,�� I turned toward the librarian and glanced at the old goat. ��Old man, I��m going to go and get my turtle. See you later.��

 Chapter 137: The Unknown Lady & Family

    Chapter 137: The Unknown Lady & Family

    I walked absentmindedly out of the library, my body moving on autopilot until a familiar presence brought me back to reality. Speedy was sleeping on the grass beside the large gate leading outside the Sect.

    Sensing my presence, he opened his eyes and looked at me. His eyes were a bright green, almost like his shell.

    ��Did you miss me, little guy?�� I asked, spreading my arms wide.

    He stood up, slowly approached me, and rubbed his head against my chest. I rubbed his head and scratched his chin. But Speedy quickly got over his feelings, laying his head down and softly snoring.

    ��This artifact is yours, right?�� Ye An��s voice came from behind a tree. She wore her usual inner disciple blue robes; her deep blue eyes had gained a silver lining around them and seemed to radiate coldness. She held the carpet artifact the governor had gifted me in her hands.

    She looked the same as always, except for the increased silver bangs in her hair. When we first met, only a few strands in her bangs were silver. Now, the whole front part of her hair was silver.

    There was an array that prevented people from sensing clearly, likely a method to stop any attackers from figuring out how many guards were in place. I had sensed someone else here.

    I walked closer to her and put a hand on the carpet. Her cold fingers brushed against mine slightly. I covered the artifact with Qi, and once it was taken over by my presence, I easily stuffed it into my storage ring.

    Ye An had a knowing smirk as if privy to a joke only she knew. ��I heard some interesting rumors-��

    ��No,�� I answered before she could finish her sentence.

    ��You didn��t even listen to what I had to say first,�� she said, the smile slipping off her face.

    ��Well, the answer is still no,�� I said, turning my back on her and walking up to Speedy. I felt her cold gaze on me. Despite hiding it quite well, she didn��t seem happy with my answer.

    Song Song had many problems, some of which I wanted to fix. She may even change for the better. Or at least, I could direct her murderous energy toward people who deserved it.

    As for Ye An? Whatever problems she had, I didn��t care about them. She had tried to kill me. That wasn��t something I would forget easily.

    Also, whatever she was about to say probably had something to do with Song Song. She likely wanted me to betray her. But no matter how things played out, I would never betray someone who had saved my life many times for someone who had tried to take it.

    ��You are walking into a dead end with Song Song. No one will support a murderous psychopath. She could end up killing you next, just like she did with some of her previous supporters,�� Ye An warned.

    ��Oh, you��re worried about Song Song?�� I asked with mock surprise.

    Ye An frowned, her face scrunching as if she had swallowed a lemon. Even as a joke, she never toyed with the idea of actually helping Song Song.

    ��No,�� she stated resolutely.

    ��Then, Song Song and her supporters are not your problem,�� I said.

    Her face returned to normal as she regained her composure.

    "I want to repay the debt of you sparing my life," she stated.

    "You already saved me," I refuted. "You know, recently, when the assassins almost killed me."

    "That is where we disagree," she smiled. "You could have probably held on until Song Song broke through."

    I almost believed her. Ye An''s expressions were immaculate, and she was a good actress. Her reasons sounded plausible, as some people had a weird sense of honor. Of course, said "honor" had nothing to do with Ye An.

    "Don''t worry," I responded to her smile with one of my own. "It doesn''t matter how you look at it. You have repaid the debt in my eyes."

    There was no debt to begin with. If I could have had it my way, she would have been killed back then when Song Song absolutely destroyed her. But Ye An must have a powerful background... This was just baseless speculation based on what I knew from my first life.

    "If you are going to be selfish and only think about your feelings, then I will also be selfish and think only about my feelings and not take your opinion into account," Ye An said.

    Before I could retort, some people walked in on us. There were five familiar faces: three inner disciples and two outer disciples.

    It was Liu Qian, Liu Bo, Liu Heng, Liu Lia, and Liu Hong. They immediately grew tense when they met my gaze and glanced at Ye An.

    What? Why were they all here and together like this? Oh, right. Song Song said something about my cousins looking for me. They must have heard the news I was in the Outer Sect.

    I tried to keep a smile from appearing on my face. With my cousins around, there was no need to worry about Ye An having an edge in this conversation.

    Sometimes, there were lucky coincidences in life. This was one of them. With them around, Ye An no longer had the overwhelming advantage if a fight were to break out.

    "Yo! Liu Feng, we just returned from the front lines and have been looking everywhere for you!" Liu Bo, the cheery inner disciple, waved at me. He acted like he didn''t understand what was happening, but the sharp look in his eyes and the bubbling Qi made it clear that he was ready for a fight.

    Liu Qian was the Liu Clan Leader''s daughter, but taking such heavy responsibility on her shoulders at such a young age would just cause undue stress. If I had learned one thing this last year, it was that I shouldn''t worry about things I had no control over.

    "Also, whatever you and Ye An have going on, keep it under wraps," she added.

    "What we have is nothing. I would kill her if I ever got the chance," I responded.

    "I guessed it was something like that," Liu Qian nodded. "Ye An is kind of like Song Song in that she seems very single-minded. But as I said before, rumors don''t care about facts."

    She glossed over the fact that I had confessed I wanted to kill someone. But it wasn''t that strange here. Would I even be considered a cultivator if I didn''t have one or two mortal enemies?

    "Is it that bad?" I inquired.

    She was making such a big deal about it. While I didn''t have my fingers on the pulse of the Sect''s rumor mill, it wasn''t like many cared about the relationship between Song Song and me. There were many more exciting things to talk about, like how Song Song was indiscriminately killing people.

    My cousins shifted around. While Liu Qian seemed worried, Liu Bo smiled from ear to ear and teased our twin cousins. On the other hand, Liu Heng was glaring at the smiling Liu Bo as if reprimanding him with his gaze.

    Even Song Song''s enemies would concentrate more on spreading rumors about her cruelty rather than something inconsequential as a possible relationship between us. Anyone with half a brain could tell that it was just made-up nonsense.

    "Not necessarily," Liu Qian shrugged. "There are more important things to gossip about. Most don''t believe someone like you, who is always known to be reading books can somehow get... along with Song Song in such an intimate way. But you should still keep an eye on things, and don��t give rumors a reason to form. This alliance is quite important for the Liu Clan."

    "But Song Song is more important, right?" I inquired. This question came out of nowhere so I could get a read on them.

    What was the Liu Clan''s stance on Song Song? Did they consider me compromised and no longer tell me anything crucial, or did they think I was still working for Liu Clan''s benefit?

    ��Of course, Song Song is a powerful potential ally. But that is only in the far future. Your fiance?e��s clan, however, will help us immediately,�� Liu Qian said, and there seemed to be no deceit in her voice. ��Especially now that the clan has already publicized that we have found an Earth Grade Technique.��

    While in the Blazing Sun Sect, as long as someone was an Inner Disciple, there was a good chance they had an Earth Grade Technique. But outside the Sect, even a local powerhouse like the Liu Clan would have difficulty getting their hands on something like that.

    Still, meeting my fiance?e... For some reason, I felt kind of nervous. Was this the original Liu Feng side of me acting up? Also, a tournament with Hu Jin around... The Blazing Sun Sect was weakened quite a bit during the last beast wave. Would it be one of those moments where the rival Sects took advantage of this whole ordeal and tried to destroy the Blazing Sun Sect while it was down?

    I was joking with Liu Qian before when I said I would be on a mission outside the Sect during that time. But perhaps that wasn��t such a bad idea.

    The sun set in the distance, covering the sky crimson. My thoughts were going a thousand miles a minute, trying to think of every outcome. My head felt like a balloon about to burst.

    But I calmed down as soon as my heart began beating faster. I was no longer just some guy who would panic about anything and everything that even remotely had the potential for danger.

    This was an issue way above my level. Perhaps I was wrong about this theory altogether. I should look at the positive things in life, like how I would see many high-level techniques used in the tournament!

    I still had the Song Clan voucher that Song Song had given me, and there were likely many other secrets hidden in that library. Things had settled down enough where I could relax and read.

    As for what would happen in the future? Who cared? I only had to worry about reading books. The Sect Elders and the Sect Leader had to worry about things beyond my level.

    ��Anyway, you must have had a hard time until now. Sorry we weren��t around,�� Liu Qian apologized. After all that grinding my gears, she had a worried gaze as she looked me in the eyes. ��We should go to a nice restaurant in the Inner Sect, my treat.��

    ��Lady Qian, can we also come there?�� asked Liu Long, the feminine-looking twin.

    ��Of course, you��re coming along!�� Liu Bo put his arms around the necks of the twins. ��We must prepare a party for Liu Feng becoming an Inner Disciple. Perhaps a bit of a late party since so many things happened, but this is a party-worthy achievement!��

    Serious as ever, Liu Hong explained in more detail, ��Liu Feng is now one of the reputed Qi Gathering Cultivators of the Liu Clan. He is now one of the powerhouses of the Liu Clan.��

    ��Usually, my father would host a party personally. But we can��t do that due to our circumstances,�� Liu Qian bowed her head slightly toward me. ��Sorry. I hope you��re okay with only us being there.��

    ��Why��re you acting so stiff?�� I smiled. ��Don��t worry about it. We are family, after all.��

    Family... I never thought I would feel this way. Perhaps Liu Feng��s original memories affected me, but I did care about these people.

    .

    .

    .

    .

    .

    End of Book 2

 Chapter 138: Wind Economy

    Chapter 138: Wind Economy

    The soft spring wind washed over Blazing Sun Mountain, and the grass swayed like a ballerina awakening from a deep slumber. The landscape, once a monochrome canvas of dead trees and white snow, burst into a riot of colors, each blossom a brushstroke of nature''s art.

    Even the air itself carried the crisp, fragrant scent of blooming flowers. Golden sunlight filtered through the budding leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground where tender shoots pushed through the thawing earth. Trees donned fresh green attire, their branches swaying gently as if greeting the warmth of the sun after the long, cold nights.

    I leaned on one of the many trees in the yard of our new home. It was a serene feeling, as all the problems that had come with winter had melted away with the snow. The green grass I was sitting on brushed against my skin, and a small smile took over my face as I read a book that I had gotten from the Song Clan Library.

    Birds woke from their winter slumber, their melodious songs creating a symphony.

    This was something new I had been thinking about. It seemed like there were no wild animals within the Sect grounds, as that would risk one of them evolving into a monstrous beast. But somehow, there were still enough birds around to form some kind of symphony.

    "It is too early in the morning to think about something like that," I groaned and cleared my mind of weird thoughts.

    Of course, with that came the breaking away from the beauty of nature and coming to terms with the fact that Song Song was here. So was Speedy, though he was less "here" and more in dreamland.

    Song Song threw Speedy up to extreme heights, high enough that it almost looked like he was higher than a twenty-story building, and caught him as he came down. The ground shifted below her feet, and some small cracks appeared as Speedy wasn''t exactly lightweight. However, Speedy was getting his best sleep through the ordeal and didn''t seem to care.

    "Don''t throw him too hard," I told Song Song.

    She turned toward me with a smile and replied, "Don''t you believe in me? Also, even if he falls, Speedy won''t be hurt by something like this."

    Song Song didn''t have her usual bloodthirsty smile on her face. It was weird seeing her without a creepy smirk on her lips. But now she had such an innocent smile that complemented her features and made it look like it perfectly fit her face.

    But I was not tricked by her smile; she was still the same person. Whether it was good or not that she could hide her creepy smile, only the future would tell.

    "It is like dealing with a kid," I grumbled under my breath as she was about to continue throwing Speedy upward.

    Of course, that was when the air crackled and a rock "accidentally" came flying my way. I didn''t bother looking up from my book as the pebble bolted toward me. However, as soon as it reached a certain distance, the stone lost momentum and was cut into small squares using jade strings made of my Qi that were barely visible.

    I returned to studying and reading my book. This particular book was an advanced one about Spirit Roots. It contained a cascade of theories and many accounts of people who tried to overcome their limits. The author, a mortal, documented the struggles of these cultivators.

    Though there was no documentation in the book of people increasing their Spirit Root count, some theorized that they could squeeze out all the potential and gain everything possible from a Spirit Root. That was what the Root Cleansing Pill did.

    It was quite an intriguing book, delving into legends of strange treasures that could increase someone''s Spirit Root count. These treasures were extremely rare, and there was no proof of whether they were real or merely rumors. It was one of those once-in-a-millennium kinds of treasures, and if someone found it, they would surely consume it on sight. The chances of finding such a thing were so slim that it would be useless to hold out hope.

    "Hey, what''re you reading?" Song Song asked, having grown bored of playing with Speedy.

    I looked up from my book and saw the curious and mischievous glint in her eyes as she stared at me.

    "I''ve been reading the same book for about two weeks," I said, glancing at Speedy, who still seemed asleep. "You never asked me what book I was reading before, so what changed now?"

    "I might not be as learned as you in most things, but I have the experience of breaking through and becoming a Foundation Establishment Cultivator," she said.

    That was true, but her explanations were often confusing. The way a genius like her understood something was very alien because Song Song''s instincts made up for any small things she might lack.

    "For example, integrating your Qi with an element," Song Song smiled sweetly.

    Even though monstrous beasts had a resistance to these kinds of things, I wasn''t going to feed him dangerous and untested pills.

    "Hey there, little guy," I said. "How much do you trust me?"

    He stopped when he heard me speak, but he continued leaning into my touch after a bit.

    I took out a marble-white pill, its smooth surface catching the sunlight, and gently held it up to Speedy''s mouth. His large, curious eyes followed my movements like a hawk.

    "You know what this is, don''t you?" I inquired, looking for any signs of Speedy responding in any way. Whether that was nodding or anything else. However, he wasn''t human and had nowhere to learn such things. "Just swallow it, and it should help you grow several folds faster."

    Speedy opened his beak-like mouth slowly, allowing me to place the pill on his wide, rough tongue. With a soft crunch, he swallowed it, the pill disappearing into the cavernous depths of his throat.

    I looked the big guy in the eyes, waiting for anything to happen. But... there was no reaction, absolutely nothing. His green eyes stared into space like a blank canvas.

    "You okay?" I asked, a bit more worried than I''d like to admit.

    Speedy opened his mouth wide, and for a moment, I braced myself, expecting him to throw up. But instead, he let out a long, deep yawn that reverberated through the still air. His large jaws closed slowly, and he looked at me with a sleepy, contented gaze before slumping down onto the soft, green grass. The ground seemed to cradle his immense body as he settled in, his eyes drooping shut. Within moments, he was fast asleep, his breathing deep and steady.

    "Shit, that worried me there for a bit," I grumbled, letting out a relieved breath. Watching Speedy settle into his peaceful slumber, I couldn''t help but shake my head at my own overreaction. The gentle rise and fall of his breathing reassured me, and I sat beside him, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease as I matched my breaths to his calming rhythm.

    A chuckle from Song Song ruined the serene atmosphere. She looked at me mockingly, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

    "I thought you were about to die from a heart stoppage," she said, pointing at me and laughing. Her teasing words echoed through the tranquil clearing, contrasting sharply with the peacefulness of Speedy''s slumber.

    I didn''t stop to listen to her. I took out my Root Rejuvenation Pill, popping it into my mouth without hesitation.

    The initial bitterness was intense, almost overwhelming, as I crunched it between my molars. The thick, medicinal liquid flowed down my throat, leaving a harsh, acrid taste that made me grimace. But soon, an icy wave of minty coolness spread through my veins, electrifying my entire body. Every one of my senses went haywire��sight, sound, touch, all amplified to an almost unbearable degree. It felt like I had been injected with pure adrenaline, every nerve tingling.

    Immediately, I began the cultivation process, my mind focusing inward as a bead of cold sweat rolled down my cheek. The new sensation coursing through me was strange, like chewing mint gum and feeling a sudden rush of clarity, only this time it spread through my entire body. Every breath seemed to fill me with crisp, invigorating energy, making my muscles tingle and my senses sharpen. The coolness flowed in a steady current, wrapping around my bones and settling in my core.

    As I cultivated, I drew in wisps of Qi, guiding them into my Spirit Roots. The Qi transformed within me, reshaping and purifying itself into a more refined, usable energy. I felt it morph and repurpose, becoming something potent and vital as it flowed through my channels. Gradually, the Qi settled just below my stomach, forming delicate, barely visible wisps of energy that pulsed. Each wisp was like a tiny ember, flickering with life.

    The effects were immediate, and my cultivation progressed much faster. With my heightened awareness, things that would have taken years to sense became apparent.

    This new sensation captivated me. Song Song had been wrong when she said the pill removed impurities; it didn''t do that at all. The truth was more complex. Spirit roots weren''t like muscles that could deteriorate or be trained through physical effort. The "deterioration" they experienced was due to humans slowly losing touch with Qi, just as one couldn''t feel what happened in their stomach in intricate detail, nor could they feel the electric neurons in their brains.

    Spirit roots were ethereal channels for energy, and the pill''s effects were far more subtle. Instead of cleansing impurities, it temporarily enhanced the efficiency of Qi absorption and refinement, making my spirit roots more receptive and my cultivation more fluid and harmonious. The sensation was like a finely tuned instrument resonating with the world, amplifying every wisp of Qi I drew in and repurposing it with a newfound clarity and vigor.

    Essentially, it was flooding me with Qi and forcing my senses to feel things they shouldn''t have been able to sense for a while. It was kind of like throwing babies in the water to learn how to swim.

    "Anyway, do you know about the tournament?" Song Song asked, oblivious to the fact that I was in a trance, deeply immersed in my cultivation. "They''ll be coming in about a week. They''re always dramatic with their entrances."

    Her words barely registered as I focused on the intricate process within me, the new sensation of Qi transforming and settling into my spirit roots. The outside world seemed distant, her voice an echo compared to the vibrant energy coursing through my veins.

 Chapter 139: A Titanic Sharp Shadow

    Chapter 139: A Titanic Sharp Shadow

    I spent hours in the trance, deeply absorbed in the rhythmic flow of Qi. When I finally emerged, my body, mind, and Qi were all attuned to the highest level. My muscles felt invigorated, my thoughts sharper and more focused, and my Qi flowed with newfound clarity.

    Song Song sighed when she saw me come out of my trance and said, "Finally! Anyway, do you want to know which of the major sect''s disciples from the other great sects are easy to bully?"

    Was she serious or joking about this? Though she said it jokingly, this was Song Song, so I was almost 100% sure she was serious. Knowing her, she was probably bullying the other Sects'' biggest, toughest, and most influential people from the younger generation. I didn''t even want to think about who she had offended over the years. It sounded like she had a knack for stirring up trouble with all the wrong people.

    "No, not really," I answered, trying to keep my face nonchalant. I had enough on my plate without adding a list of potential enemies to it.

    There were too many books to read in the Song Clan Library and not enough time to read and deal with enemies simultaneously.

    Whatever, she had already made those enemies, and there was no changing that now. We would have to deal with the consequences as they came, whether head-on or through behind-the-scenes scheming.

    Song Song continued rambling about her exploits, recounting how many people and famous youngsters she bullied last year.

    Her voice faded into the background as I resumed my cultivation, her words blending into a distant hum. My spiritual roots no longer felt strained, even after hours of channeling Qi.

    I knew exactly how to guide the energy to avoid overburdening them, feeling them stabilize and grow stronger with each passing breath. As her stories droned on, my focus deepened.

    ...

    Four days passed in the blink of an eye, and spring became even more apparent as flowers bloomed in the mansion''s yard. Time seemed to fly when I was cultivating.

    Early in the morning, I stepped out of the mansion and inhaled the crisp, chilly morning air. The scent of fresh blossoms filled my lungs.

    I made more progress in these four days than I would have previously achieved in weeks. Sure, it was nothing compared to Song Song, who could cultivate all day long without any issues, but it was still a big improvement.

    I was ready to cultivate from morning until lunch, giving my spirit roots the rest they needed afterward. This schedule worked well because Song Song would start getting bored by lunchtime. Every day, we either sparred or discussed the arrays I was learning, analyzing their lethality and potential uses. Afterward, Song Song would return to her cultivation, and I would read until evening��or sometimes until the following day if I decided to forego sleep.

    It might sound like a boring and stressful routine to most, but I enjoyed it. Even quelling Song Song''s bloodlust during our discussions on lethal arrays was something I found engaging. This balanced blend of cultivation, learning, and spirited debate made each day fun in its own way.

    But as I sat down, I knew today was going to be different when I heard someone knock on the metallic gate of the mansion grounds. I glanced toward the gate and was met by Liu Bo''s bright smile as he waved at me.

    "Hey, cousin! How have you been?" His friendly smile widened as he met my gaze. "Anyway, can I come in? The arrays here feel kinda scary."

    "Sure," I nodded, using the motion to send a precise pulse of Qi that activated an array near the metallic gate, causing it to swing open.

    Song Song had insisted on setting up this array one day when we were discussing a seemingly useless array I had learned. Initially, I wasn''t sold on the idea either, but an array that opened doors like they were haunted was pretty cool.

    Liu Bo''s smile didn''t falter when he saw the door open on its own. He just walked right through without questioning it. This was the difference between me and someone who had grown up in this world. To him, a door that opened by itself through roughly magical powers was not impressive.

    I had been in this world for a while, but somehow, these small things hadn''t lost their charm. Even though I understood the "logic" behind arrays, there were still many things I was eager to discover in the future.

    No, perhaps this was her showing more of her true emotions.

    I tried to replicate Song Song''s look, showing no emotion. However, I smiled at the few people I knew, as I didn''t need to maintain the same cold demeanor she did.

    We eventually arrived at our destination, a cliff-edge stage overlooking a steep fall into a ravine below. The inner disciples gathered in a square formation, guided by one of the many inner elders. The air was thick with anticipation, the sound of the wind and distant rushing water filling the silence left by the subdued conversations. The sheer drop beyond the stage added an element of danger and gravity.

    The inner elder in charge of us was an old man with a bald head and a thick white mustache. He must have had quite an intimidating presence if he was dealing with anyone other than Song Song.

    "Come this way," he told our group of inner disciples. However, it was clear that he was pretty unnerved as he kept glancing toward Song Song. His palms twitched, and his Qi fluctuated as if he were ready to defend himself in case of an attack.

    As far as I knew, Song Song had never killed an Inner Elder or Elder of any kind. So, this was a bit of an overreaction on his part.

    What did he think she was going to do? Cut off his head with so many Core Elders watching?

    Song Song was placed in the front row of the sea of blue uniforms from the inner sect. I ended up in the second row, just behind her. Song Song glanced at me and smirked with a knowing look in her eyes.

    I nodded but didn''t say anything since we had so many people around us with superhuman hearing, and putting up a silencing array might be taken the wrong way.

    Song Song was wearing a simple inner disciple blue uniform. It might not visually stand out as much as the Core Disciples wearing their purple robes. Among the Core Disciples was Ye An, who came as a surprise.

    How did she gain that position?

    But on a second look, Song Song also stood out in her own way. The inner disciples standing close to her looked pale, like hogs beside a cleaver. This highlighted Song Song''s presence in a more eye-catching way than just wearing a different uniform.

    "Blazing Sun Sect disciples!" called out a Core Elder I knew nothing about. She looked relatively young, with long purple hair and her dark uniform cut short, barely reaching below her thighs. "We shall welcome our allies and fellow great sects that have lived through these turbulent times and helped us survive against many monstrous beast waves and demonic cultivators!"

    After my disillusionment with the cultivation sects, I knew she was doing nothing more than paying lip service. I had seen what cultivators do to those from the same sect. I could only imagine what a "creative" mind might come up with to do to a rival sect''s disciple.

    Suddenly, an invisible pressure settled upon us. A palpable tension gripped the inner disciples, causing some to audibly grunt in discomfort. In that charged moment, a shadow materialized in the clouds, taking the form of an immense sword. Its silhouette loomed against the sky, surpassing even the towering peaks of the Blazing Sun Mountain.

    A sudden gust of wind swept through the air, parting the clouds as if by command, and unveiled the colossal sword in its entirety. The hilt gleamed with a vibrant red hue, contrasting sharply against the ominous darkness of its blade, which seemed to absorb the very light around it, casting an eerie shadow over the gathered disciples.

    "We welcome the Titan Blade Sect!" announced the purple-haired Core Elder, her short skirt not even fluttering despite the strong winds.

    As the titanic sword descended from the skies, its enormity became starkly apparent. Slowly, it lowered itself, dwarfing everything in its path. The sheer scale of the sword was staggering; it surpassed even the lofty peaks of the Blazing Sun Mountain, which itself was enormous. As the sword got closer, it cast a shadow that seemed to stretch endlessly across the mountain''s upper reaches, leaving an impression of insignificance upon all who saw it.

    I had not been too worried about the tournament since I was not one of the stronger disciples of the sect. Most of the participants were going to be the Core Disciples.

    But despite my lack of interest in the tournament itself, all powerhouses from the four great sects were going to gather here. That meant that many of the powerful people in the Western Continent were going to be here!Ne?ww chapters will be fully updated at novelhall.com

 Chapter 140: The Size

    Chapter 140: The Size

    The gigantic dark sword tilted ominously in the dim light, casting a long shadow over the mountain. With a deafening howl, it came swinging down with the force of a falling meteor.

    Would it slash down?��The mere thought sent a shiver down my spine.

    If it did, we were all doomed unless someone much stronger than the inner disciples acted swiftly. Either way, a war would begin if another great Sect dared to do this.

    Strangely, I didn''t feel as anxious about it as I thought I would. Perhaps it was the numbness of adrenaline, or I had gotten used to these things. Whatever it was, the impending slash seemed less daunting.

    But as the slash came down, it halted with the tip of the gigantic dark blade touching the edge of the cliff, revealing the people riding atop the sword. There were quite a lot of them, at least around a hundred or more, their strength varying from Body Tempering to Qi Gathering, and even some at Foundation Establishment. Of course, there were a handful that I couldn''t sense their strength, so they were likely Core Formation Cultivators.

    The sight was both mesmerizing and intimidating. However, if I had to choose which feeling I associated with most among the two, it would be mesmerizing.

    The people standing on the sword wore dark gray uniforms. It was the same uniform for all of them, and it seemed like they had one color to represent the whole Sect. Likely something done so their disciples wouldn''t get confused with others since it wasn''t likely that just the Blazing Sun Sect had the color thing to separate disciples, elders, and all the others in between. Chee?ck out latest novels at novelhall.com

    There was a feeling of cohesion amongst the Titanic Sword Sect disciples, and they gave off a sense of being more of an army than a group of undisciplined cultivators.

    Still, to think that this giant weapon was a flying sword. It was the closest thing this world had to a giant airplane. Perhaps no otherwolder tried to develop certain things because there were already things that were the xianxia-equivalent of it.

    Arrogant cultivators would definitely kill someone if they tried to invent the airplane. There were certain things they took offense to that made no sense, but getting mortals into the sky where previously only Qi Gathering Cultivators and above could get with the help of flying swords.

    Yeah, it was definitely a "courting death" kind of thing to do.

    "Some say that this sword belonged to the Titanic Blade Immortal," one of the disciples whispered.

    With how good the average cultivator''s hearing was, many people heard him say that as he whispered it to what could only be his friend next to him.

    The first person to descend from the giant blade was a tall man who appeared to be in his early thirties. He wore the same dark gray uniform as the rest of the Titanic Blade Sect members, but his was modified��the sleeves were ripped off, revealing his hairy, muscular arms. His presence was imposing, and each step exuded confidence.

    After that, the rest of the Titanic Blade Sect members stepped off the giant sword, but they made sure none stepped ahead of the hairy man. Their deference to him was apparent, an unspoken acknowledgment of his authority. The line of gray uniforms followed in perfect order; their movements synchronized as they formed ranks behind their sleeveless leader.

    The sleeveless man waved his hand with an air of effortless command, and the now-empty giant blade trembled. The massive sword began to shrink rapidly in a heartbeat, its towering form collapsing inward with an almost imperceptible blur of motion. The blade''s transformation was mesmerizing, the dark steel compressing and folding upon itself with a quiet hum until it was no larger than a pinky finger.

    The once formidable weapon, which had hovered menacingly above the cliff, now lay harmlessly in the palm of the sleeveless man''s hand. He grasped it with ease as if it were a mere trinket. The spectacle was awe-inspiring and intimidating, a silent testament to his incredible control over the artifact. The members of the Titanic Blade Sect, standing in orderly ranks behind him, watched with a mixture of respect and reverence, their eyes fixed on their leader and the shrunken blade.

    Realizing this man was much more important than he initially appeared, I examined him closer and tried to memorize every detail of his appearance.

    He had sword-like dark eyebrows that slanted sharply, giving his gaze a piercing intensity. His physique was incredibly muscular, a common trait among cultivators who trained their physical bodies even after reaching Qi Gathering. However, his build seemed even more formidable. His hairy arms were like thick, knotted ropes of muscle. Each detail of his appearance etched itself into my memory. Even the notion that, based on the hair on his neck, he likely also had a hairy back.

    But before anyone could exchange greetings, a figure in a striking red robe embroidered with intricate golden writings suddenly appeared before the sleeveless man. The crimson fabric billowed behind him, announcing his arrival. This new arrival was an olive-skinned man whose presence seemed to radiate intensity.

    He looked nonchalant as he stared down the hairy man, his eyes cool and assessing. The contrast between the two leaders was striking: the sleeveless, muscular man brimming with raw power and the other exuding an aura of calm, controlled authority.

    This olive-skinned newcomer was the Blazing Sun Sect Leader.

    "It is surprising that someone like you decided to come here directly," said the Blazing Sun Sect Leader, his voice steady and authoritative. He glanced toward the purple-haired announcer. "Please declare that the Titanic Blade Sect Master has appeared."

    The purple-haired woman, who had previously seemed brave and exuded the authority of a Core Elder despite her risque? outfit, now looked embarrassed. "Yes, Sect Leader! The Blazing Sun Sect welcomes Zhou Yong, the Titanic Blade Sect Leader!"

    "You''re as attentive as always," sighed the hairy man, now revealed to be Zhou Yong, the Titanic Blade Sect Master. He placed a friendly hand on the Blazing Sun Sect Leader''s shoulder. "But you are still a young man. You should relax more. Look at me; even at this age, I enjoy my life to the fullest."

    Zhou Yong was also the Sect Master of another Great Sect, meaning he was a Nascent Soul Cultivator.

    But that was the weird thing about these two; if I judged a book by its cover, I would assume that Zhou Yong was just some random brute.

    Even the way he spoke sounded uneducated, different from how someone would expect an intelligent person to speak. Though I was not foolish enough to think of someone in his position as simple-minded, people didn''t reach such heights by being naive. Furthermore, judging by their conversation, he seemed to be older than our Sect Leader.

    "I wish I was one of the male cultivators in the Azure Frost Sect!" another whispered.

    I didn''t turn around to see who they were. But that latter guy had a lot of guts and very little brain to say something like that with Core Elders and Sect Leaders around.

    There was a sudden, deep sound reminiscent of glass shattering, and the very fabric of space seemed to tremble. I instinctively raised my guard. Even the usually composed purple-haired Core Elder appeared taken aback by the unexpected disturbance.

    Before us, the air near the cliff began to twist, and dark fissures materialized within the fabric of space. Unlike previous encounters, no sudden surge of pressure or ominous aura accompanied the phenomenon.

    A pale-white hand emerged from these eerie cracks in space, gripping the edges as if pulling itself from another realm. With a deliberate motion, the hand widened the rifts, unveiling a swirling, dark dimension beyond the breach.

    "The air here is quite different," stated an old woman as she stepped through the spatial crack. She was tall and imposing, her presence commanding immediate attention. Sharp and penetrating, her dark eyes studied her surroundings with an air of sinister, seasoned wisdom. White hair cascaded down her shoulders, starkly contrasting her dark eyes, and her posture was regal and proud.

    Behind her, many others in black uniforms walked out. Unlike the other disciples who had come proudly, without showing any fear, these seemed relieved to be out of their dark dimension.

    As the last person stepped out of the crack, a low hum filled the air, signaling a shift in the atmosphere. But the spatial rifts didn''t seem like they would close on their own; instead, they began widening.

    The old woman approached the widening spatial rifts with purposeful steps. She extended her hand toward the empty air beside the cracks. She grabbed it with a decisive grip as her fingers sunk into space itself, and the scenery behind her shimmered.

    A ripple of energy coursed through the fabric of space, and the cracks began to shrink under her command. With steady power, she closed the spatial rifts like a forceful clamp, the dark dimensions beyond them folding and dissipating until only seamless air remained.

    Her actions were met with a collective hush among the gathered sect elders and disciples.

    "We welcome the Void Piercing Sect within our holy grounds!" the purple-haired announcer declared.

    These were the four great sects. Among them, the Void Piercing Sect had left more of an impression. Though no matter how cool their entrances were, the four sects were of roughly the same power.

    But just as I thought that all the great sects had completed their entrances, the biting cold in the air, which had descended with the arrival of the Azure Frost Sect, dissipated instantly.

    With the cold disappearing, an overwhelming heat took its place as a crimson dot in the sky blazed through the clouds. It appeared as though a second sun had ignited in the heavens above, casting a fiery glow over the landscape below.

    As the fiery orb descended closer to earth, its brilliance intensified, revealing its true form��a colossal ball of swirling flames pulsating with raw energy and heat. Atop this fiery spectacle stood a figure: a muscular, bald-headed man.

    The air shimmered with heat waves as the fiery entity drew nearer, casting long shadows and bathing the assembled sect leaders and disciples in an otherworldly glow. The sight was awe-inspiring and surreal as if a mythological deity had descended from the heavens.

    "Elder Sun Gon, from the Blazing Sun Sect!" declared the announcer, her voice ringing amidst the awe-struck silence. As suddenly as it had appeared, the sun vanished, replaced by the imposing figure of Zun Gon, who landed with a thunderous impact next to the Sect Leader.

    Even though he stood before the Titanic Blade Sect Leader, Zun Gon did not shy away. He crossed his arms and stood by the Blazing Sun Sect Leader''s side, a cheerful smile on his face.

    Why did he have to appear like that when we were already within Blazing Sun Sect grounds?... Was this all just a dick-measuring contest or something? Sure, it looked cool, and I wasn''t complaining about the opportunity to see something like this. But was this all necessary?

    I no longer had the leisure to continue contemplating things like that. Now that the spectacle was over, many people were glancing at Song Song. Thankfully, as I had planned, people concentrated more on Song Song than the guy behind her. So I quickly began noting in my head the people who blatantly showed their emotions of hate toward her.

    People from all the sects kept sending glances at her. A handful of people couldn''t hide their surprise as they noticed that Song Song had broken through to Foundation Establishment.

    However, just as I was doing my job and memorizing the faces of any potential enemies, my heart almost jumped out of my chest as I glanced at the Azure Frost Sect and noticed that one of their disciples was staring straight at me.

    It was a young girl around my age, with straight dark hair that reached her shoulders and an aloof look in her eyes. Though quite pretty, she seamlessly blended into the background among the other Azure Frost Sect disciples.

    She seemed to be the only one who gave me more than a passing look.

    Comparing a certain face from memory and this girl''s face... Yep, this was her.

    She was Fu Yating, my fiance?e.

 Chapter 141: A Changing Tide

    Chapter 141: A Changing Tide

    As our gazes met, my fiance?e narrowed her eyes at me as if trying to determine whether I was really looking at her. From what I could sense, she wasn''t a Qi Gathering Cultivator yet, so her vision shouldn''t have been as good as mine, but still good enough to notice. Perhaps she thought I might be looking at someone in her direction.

    I winked at her and smiled.

    Her eyes widened, and she turned away after confirming that I was indeed looking at her.

    After that little tease, I returned to monitoring people who looked like they might be planning something against Song Song. I did this until the higher-ups finished talking with each other, and the meeting was officially over.

    "Now, with the introductions done, we will go to the feast!" the purple-haired girl declared, her eyes fluttering as she glanced at the Sect Leaders as if seeking their approval.

    The elders guided us into different groups and routes. Still, I just followed behind Song Song and tried to recall the faces in the crowd that had shown hostility toward her. I used the Dancing Jade Armor Technique to form small jade coins that looked almost like genuine jade and then began engraving the faces from memory.

    It was challenging, as Song Song had angered quite a few people. But I had planned and trained for this, so it wasn''t too hard.

    We followed the same route we had taken to get here, except now there were more people from the other Sects. Blue, white, gray, and black rarely mixed together despite the large clump of disciples.

    Occasionally, I would rest my mind to better recall the faces. Despite having a good memory, it wasn''t perfect, and there were bound to be some gaps.

    However, every time I rested, I looked toward my fiance?e. This time, she was staring ahead, moving with the rest of her Sect.

    I moved through some roads I hadn''t walked on before, leading to a Chinese-themed palace with tables everywhere and a couple dozen servants at the Qi Gathering stage.

    Huh, I had thought that all the inner sect disciples were at the meeting?

    The tables were colored differently, with flags on each table. There was a red sun on a blue field representing the Blazing Sun Sect, which had the most disciples and three rows of big, long red tables for them. The flag with a giant dark sword with a red hilt atop a golden field belonged to the Titanic Sword Sect, which had gray-colored tables. The Azure Frost Sect had marble-white tables, and their flag was a white snowflake on a black field. Last but not least was the Void Piercing Sect, which had a large black crack spreading out like a spiderweb on a white field.

    I found a specific spot at the corner of the first table and sat down next to Song Song. My three cousins from the inner Sect sat on the opposite side of us, and not many others dared approach. They avoided Song Song no matter what.

    Sneakily, I nudged Song Song under the table with my knee. She didn''t turn toward me but understood my message. I began passing her the coins with the engraved faces of the people, one by one. We both knew I likely hadn''t gotten everyone, but there were still many coins to pass along.

    Song Song kept her cold mask on and didn''t seem as surprised as I was by the number of coins. This girl was too used to creating enemies for herself.

    "There are quite a lot of people I have to memorize. How long can you keep these coins around?" Song Song inquired, to the surprise of my cousins, who didn''t know what we were discussing.

    "Indefinitely, unless I get exhausted in some battle or something," I shrugged.

    Song Song nodded and took out one of the coins to inspect. A slight green gleam on the coins reflected off the sun.

    I looked around for anyone else sending us nasty or hateful looks. Still, it was just the usual suspects I had already noted down. People were talking and whispering, and a guitar-like instrument played a soft, humming tune. I believe it was called a zither.

    The Sect Leaders were nowhere to be seen, which was worrying and relieving. It always felt like they had an eye on everything, and nothing could escape their gaze.

    "The Sect Leaders are not around," I told Song Song in case she needed to know.

    "Without them around, people can relax. Kind of how you are relaxing right now," she pointed out while checking another coin. My cousins took a sip from their drinks and stared at us without saying anything.

    "They''re probably scheming something in a dark hole that will involve the rest of the continent," Song Song added, going under the table to take another coin as she sent a knowing smile my way. "Why else would the Titanic Blade Sect Leader even come all this way?"

    Song Song''s face gleamed as the sun reflected off her pale skin. Her smile was no longer creepy, and it even turned some heads away from people who didn''t know her reputation.

    Well, I was the only one from the Blazing Sun Sect here. So that drew its fair share of eyes.

    I finally reached where Fu Yating was, and we stared at each other for a few seconds before I introduced myself. "Hey, my name is Liu Feng."

    "Hi..." Fu Yating said awkwardly. Her smile was as harmless as the winter sun.

    Also, my back was going to hurt from carrying this conversation.

    "What is your name? It would be a shame if I had to call you Azure Frost Sect Lady for the rest of my life," I stated.

    Fu Yating looked around and noticed the gazes of her seniors were on us. But it was better to rip off the band-aid now rather than later.

    "Fu Yating," she answered in a whisper-like voice, quieter than the wind. I could barely hear it. ��My name is Fu Yating.��

    Well, better get this girl out of her shell. It would be annoying if we had to always speak in riddles. I wanted to understand her as a person.

    I leaned over the table, thankful for being quite tall even by cultivator standards, and softly grabbed Fu Yating''s hand. Her hands were soft, and her palms were sweaty.

    "Fu Yating, that is a beautiful name. Want to get married?" I popped the question like a balloon.

    Similar to popping a balloon, the people who heard me were startled. Some of the senior disciples even sent hostile looks my way, like a ruthless ice storm.

    Fu Yating, on the other hand, shyly looked away. That seemed to surprise some people even more than my question. For a blatant proposal like this, the normal response would have been to tell me to fuck off.

    "Fu Yating!" A young woman next to Fu Yating yelled out; from her demeanor, she must be one of my fiance?e''s friends. "You can''t act like this in front of some random man!"

    The girl had brown hair and big brown eyes. Her fast speaking made her look like a chipmunk, and she seemed very easy to agitate.

    But the spitfire young girl turned toward me and began nibbling at my ear with her words. Or at least she looked like she was going to. The young girl opened her mouth, but her gaze wandered up and down my body before it settled on my eyes.

    "Oh, right... Liu Feng," the chipmunk girl whistled and turned away, trying to look innocent. As if her yelling from before hadn''t gotten every eye in the banquet to focus on us.

    But the gazes of all those people were nothing more than background noise. I leaned in and whispered to my fiance?e, "How about we get away from the noise for a bit?"

    Fu Yating looked unsure, her whole presence radiating like that of a harmless, unsure rabbit. But despite her hesitation, she nodded, and I gently led her away by her soft hand.

    The background noise grew lower as we got further away from the crowds. The palace we were in was large enough for us to move far enough that others couldn''t hear us, and we ended up in a beautiful garden.

    The garden was a riot of colors, with red roses, yellow daffodils, and purple lavender swaying in the breeze.

    I was about to lead her further away where no onlookers would even be able to see us. But then, my innocent fiance?e halted and swiftly removed her hand from my grasp.

    "Since when did the Liu Clan get gutsy enough to do something like this?" Fu Yating asked. Her voice was no longer a symbol of innocence; now there was a cold edge to her words, sharper than a razor.

    Now that we were away from the feast, she could reveal her true colors. While they couldn''t hear her speak, they could still see her, so if I wanted to do anything, that would be impossible. It was very smart of her.

    I smiled, answering, "I knew the Fu Clan wouldn''t send you out if you were as dumb as you appeared."Chee?ck out latest novels at novelhall.com

 Chapter 142: Coin Sides

    Chapter 142: Coin Sides

    I turned around to look at my fiance?e, Fu Yating. The innocent flower look of a naive girl who hadn''t seen the world was gone. There was a frown in her dark, steely eyes, and she looked worried.

    Just as I thought...

    The first hint I got that she was faking her persona was when, on the way to the festival, she never looked at me even once. Someone who was naive and innocent wouldn''t have been able to control themselves and would have sent my way a look or two.

    It was a small slip-up. She likely used that time to plan how to act around me, but it was still a slip-up. She was very impressive for her age.

    Her gaze lingered on mine as she tried to read what I was thinking. She had a good mind for this, but I had been dealing with people much more experienced. Her attempts were amateurish at best.

    Another clue that made me sure she wasn''t as naive as she appeared was her father. He wouldn''t have been stupid enough to send away a daughter as gullible as the character she played. That would have been asking for a horrible end for her or creating needless blood feuds with people the Fu Clan couldn''t handle.

    If she were tricked by another man, it would dishonor me, and could spell war with the Liu Clan. While our clans were somewhat equal in standing, the Liu Clan still had the advantage. We also had more allies and a bigger territory.

    Of course, nothing was guaranteed. Many clans and sects had met their end due to the words and actions of a fool. But the Liu Clan wouldn''t have gained so much territory and power in the hands of an incompetent leader. The Liu Clan Leader was in his seventies; he wouldn''t make the mistakes of a boy regarding alliances. He wouldn''t let his emotions cloud his judgment. He wouldn''t pick an incompetent ally.

    So, with all that combined, it made no sense for Fu Yating to be a dumb, naive girl who got embarrassed in every situation. It was more likely she was using this demeanor to incite feelings of protectiveness in her seniors.

    Still, a scheming woman... It wasn''t exactly my type.

    I doubted any man wanted that type of woman so close to them. But it was one of the better options in a world like this. There were women like Song Song or any woman from the Song Clan; they were all crazy in some way.

    As for my type of woman? It was much, much older than her.Diiscover new stories at novelhall.com

    "Well, as long as you let me read books in peace, I think our marriage will be a happy one," I said out of nowhere.

    I often used this trick to read people��saying something out of the blue and observing their reactions. If she hated the arrangement, she would have shown some displeasure.

    "What?" But she seemed more confused than anything else.

    Then again, she was a really good actress. If it wasn''t for the context of her situation, I would have bought her act too.

    "Congratulations on the sweaty palm trick. I even doubted myself there for a second. How did you pull that off?" I inquired.

    "I was nervous for real," she grumbled.

    Huh, so she wasn''t entirely acting? She was mixing it up a bit. No wonder her actions seemed genuine.

    Honestly, I didn''t know what I wanted out of this situation. I knew I wanted nothing to do with marriage, children, or anything like that.

    First of all, my little fiance?e here was a teenager. Even if that wasn''t a problem, did I want to go through with all this?

    I doubted I would be a good father. There was always too much on my mind, and I wanted to spend my time reading rather than with kids. What kind of father would that be? Someone who had to force themselves to spend time with their kids?

    The setting sun bathed the palace in a crimson light. Fu Yating''s face was nonchalant as she continued observing me. It was strange being on the other end of this gaze.

    I let go of her hand, and she returned to her crowd of adoring seniors.

    Of course, Fu Yating had her own goals, and I wasn''t sure how truthful she had been with me. Since this was only our first meeting, it was safe to assume she wouldn''t reveal her goals or anything like that.

    What could a young girl like her be scheming? Hopefully, nothing against me.

    I walked back to Song Song''s table and sat next to her. Song Song was still looking at the jade coins I had minted.

    When he saw me, Liu Bo breathed a sigh of relief, but Liu Qian used her elbow to nudge him.

    "What did I miss?" I asked.

    "Just that the announcer bitch said it will take a couple of days to get the tournament ready. My theory is that the Sect Leaders are scheming something and need days to prepare," Song Song offered her two cents.

    "Do you have to call everyone you see a bitch?" I asked, trying to keep the incoming smirk off my face. Song Song was about to go on a rant, and I loved every part of it. "You don''t even know her, and she is a Core Elder."

    "But I do know her, and she is a Song Clan member. She is a cousin or something to the prison whore; that whole branch of the family is kind of bitchy," Song Song complained as she seemed to be having a hard time memorizing the faces of the people minted into the jade coins.

    I spent the rest of the night egging on Song Song, but she was too busy trying to memorize the faces in the coins to see through my intentions. The night was accompanied by music and jolly laughter.

    After the feast, we all went our separate ways while the disciples were gathered off to what I assumed would be separate lodgings.

    Song Song and I walked our own way toward the mansion that was not far from here. It was an abandoned path, and it was hard to see through all the weeds. The shadows of the trees lingered as the sun finally set, and the shadowy trees formed a creepy atmosphere.

    Of course, Song Song added to this by humming some weird, cheery song. On the other hand, I took a book out of my storage ring and began reading it. My eyesight was good enough that even the brief moonlight was more than enough for me to read.

    We arrived at our mansion, and at night it was quite a sight to behold, with vines along the walls seeming to choke the structure with a relentless grip. Some vines had broken off their usual rope-like structure and cast long shadows on the ground. As the wind brushed against them, it created swaying shadowy tendrils on the ground.

    Speedy was there too, napping by the side of the yard, hidden under the shadow of one of the trees.

    We easily jumped over the gate and began walking toward the mansion. It was a comfortable silence as we both understood each other. I was not going to sleep tonight and would spend the time until tomorrow reading while Song Song was going to cultivate.

    But fate had other plans for us. We sensed the presence of an ''outsider'' in our secluded part of the Sect before we even saw her. The sign that announced her arrival was a soft knock on the metallic gate, a sound that shattered the tranquility of our night.

    The newcomer was a young woman with straight, dark hair that cascaded down to her shoulders. Her white uniform, adorned with splashes of green, hinted at her prolonged stroll on the grass.

    This girl, who stood before us, was not just any stranger. She was my fiance?e, and her face bore an expression of pure innocence, a look that could deceive even the most discerning eyes.

    "Sorry, I got lost while following my group," Fu Yating apologized.

    "Usually, problems don''t follow you home," Song Song whispered. For some reason, my friend found this very funny and chuckled like a madwoman.

    This proved that my dear fiance?e was scheming something. Perhaps that was what Song Song found so funny��I was finally the one who brought problems to our doorstep instead of it being just her.

 Chapter 143: The Third Wheel

    Chapter 143: The Third Wheel

    I gazed at Fu Yating and pondered what schemes she might be hatching. Her large, innocent-looking eyes wandered around, looking at everything with child-like wonder.

    Either way, out of sight, out of mind.

    "I will help you get back to your group," I smiled, playing the dutiful fiance?, ready to take her back.

    "Oh, it''s already late at night," Song Song suddenly said in her faux innocent voice. It was as if she hadn''t brazenly laughed when she saw Fu Yating looking like a lost cat. "Don''t worry, we will take you to your place tomorrow, little flower."

    I usually had a good read on what Song Song was up to. Sometimes, she didn''t need to say anything for me to understand, and vice versa. We had fought and bled together long enough to instinctively grasp each other''s intentions.

    But I had no idea what Song Song was up to right now. There was nothing for her to gain by bringing my fiance?e into our home. Song Song was smart enough to see it wasn''t a coincidence she had come here.

    The soft, chilly night wind washed over us, causing Fu Yating to shake like a leaf.

    Song Song opened the gate for Fu Yating and told her to follow as we entered the mansion. As soon as we stepped through the doors, arrays activated, lighting everything up.

    We walked into one of the guest rooms we never used. The small room exuded a warm and inviting charm. Dominating the cozy space was a plush red couch, its fabric felt like touching clouds. The walls were a soothing blend of white and beige, enhancing the room''s tranquil ambiance. Complementing the couch was a unique wooden table with elegant marble feet.

    Song Song sat on the couch, and Fu Yating followed, sitting beside her.

    My friend then looked at me and smirked, "You lovebirds should spend some time together. I''ll make you some tea."

    "You know how to make tea?" I asked, genuinely shocked.

    Song Song narrowed her eyes dangerously and softly laughed, "You''re always such a jokester."

    Why was she annoyed by that? It was a genuine question.

    I should be the one angry here. I had planned to read a fascinating book on illusionary arrays. I slept more than usual yesterday to have fun today and spend the rest of the night reading until dawn.

    But despite my complaints, Song Song walked away to prepare some tea.

    What was the benefit of bringing someone like Fu Yating around? She wasn''t even at Qi Gathering and seemed like she would only bring trouble.

    Fu Yating glanced at me but said nothing, knowing that Song Song could hear us even if she was on the other side of the mansion. Foundation Establishment Cultivators had crazy senses like that.

    The door creaked open shortly after she left, and Song Song came in with a tray of steaming cups of tea.

    "I made more than needed, just in case our guest likes tea," Song Song said politely.

    "Ah, thanks," Fu Yating bashfully said.

    As Song Song sat down, I picked up my cup of tea and drank it while standing. The tea flowed down my throat, its taste a bit too overwhelming, leaving a strong, lingering aftertaste.

    I was just waiting to see what this was about before leaving. How did I get involved in this?Neew updates at

    Sure, Fu Yating was my fiance?e. But it was Song Song''s problem now. She was the one who insisted on bringing her into our house. I had reading to do. Who knew when I would get another chance like this to read with the tournament around! Those illusionary arrays were really cool when I was under their effect. I couldn''t wait to learn about them!

    "No need to be so polite," Song Song told my fiance?e, offering her some treats that she pulled out of her storage ring. "Liu Feng sure is lucky to have someone like you."

    My fiance?e looked aside, embarrassed.

    Song Song was already in the yard, cultivating next to a sleeping Speedy, who hadn''t moved since we left him there yesterday. Fu Yating was engaged in physical training nearby.

    Ah, the joy of being a Body Tempering cultivator, where physical training was the only path to advancement.

    I jumped out of the window, landing gracefully before taking another book from my storage ring in midair.

    The night had gone as planned. I had read books on illusionary arrays, but it was less exciting than I had hoped, as creating my own illusions would take time.

    I sat down next to Song Song, cracking open the new book on illusionary arrays and leaning against Speedy''s shell. A comfortable feeling settled over me, and I smiled.

    Initially, I had assumed Fu Yating would disrupt my reading time, but she remained surprisingly quiet.

    "What do you think of her?" I asked Song Song, keeping my eyes on the book.

    Song Song paused her cultivation, opening her blue eyes. "At least she''s hardworking, but her talent for cultivation is quite low."

    "Low? Our talents are about the same," I reminded her.

    "She won''t break through to Qi Gathering anytime soon, though," Song Song reasoned.

    I had to agree. Sensing Qi was usually the toughest step in early cultivation stages. Even with my talent, breaking through was a challenge. Average cultivators with my talent faced even greater difficulties.

    Fu Yating moved swiftly, her movements a blur to mortal eyes but painfully slow to mine.

    "At best, she might reach Qi Gathering in her twenties, perhaps mid-twenties with a few setbacks," I estimated. "People with my talent usually reach it by their mid-twenties, but she is hardworking. She could reach it sooner."

    "Don''t forget, when it comes to Body Tempering, female cultivators generally face more challenges in advancing since it doesn''t rely so much on talent," Song Song reminded me.

    While women cultivators didn''t differ much from men upon reaching Qi Gathering. There were even techniques like the ones Song Song used to hasten their cultivation. Which as far as I knew there were no techniques that could hasten a man��s cultivation just by remaining a virgin..

    However, in Body Tempering, they struggled more to reach the physical thresholds required for advancement. That was why she was at a lower cultivation level than even the original Liu Feng.

    Fu Yating was only at six-star Body Tempering��not necessarily bad for her age, but not exceptional.

    It was also unlikely she received the same support from her clan that I had. After all, in her clan''s eyes, she was destined to marry into mine. Investing heavily in a future Liu Clan member might not have seemed worthwhile.

    I felt sympathy for her plight. Her cultivation journey was undoubtedly challenging. Thankfully, she didn''t appear to blame me for her circumstances.

    Or perhaps she did blame me but was clever enough to conceal it.

    I turned towards Song Song; her marble-white skin glowed in the sunlight, her long lashes fluttering as she glanced at me from the corner of her eye.

    "How did you manage cultivation during Body Tempering?" I asked.

    Song Song shrugged, closing her eyes and returning to her cultivation. "Just gather a bunch of cultivation resources."

    She saw the world through a straightforward lens. Though Song Song''s approach was a practical one. Due to my connection with her, I also had access to those resources.

    Now the question remained: should I help my scheming fiance?e?

 Chapter 144: An Arranged Woman

    Chapter 144: An Arranged Woman

    I looked at Fu Yating as her fists and palm strikes cut through the air. Sweat trickled down her brow, and her gaze grew intense like an erupting volcano. She seemed to be forcing herself through the movements despite the fatigue.

    There were some advantages to helping my fiance?e. Perhaps she would trust me with whatever was on her mind. But the risks were more dangerous until I got to know her better. She was very dangerous, capable of dragging her whole Sect into conflict if she decided to fabricate something.

    Also, helping someone who might leave me in the future wasn''t worth it.

    I sighed. Resource-wise, I wasn''t going to help her. She needed to be more trustworthy.

    Closing my eyes, I mirrored Song Song and began cultivating. As soon as I felt the strings of Qi forming in my spirit roots and flowing out, I zoned out everything happening in the background.

    Despite the improvement, my spirit roots showed signs of fatigue hours later. I didn''t want them to strain too much since I planned a cultivation session in the evening.

    When I opened my eyes, the bright sun flashed in my gaze, and I grumbled. But what I saw next, as my eyes adjusted, was Fu Yating breathing heavily, with sweat streaming down her forehead.

    It was not a seductive or ladylike pose. Fu Yating looked at the ground behind her before slumping on the grass. After lying down, she began taking big gulps of air but still seemed unsatisfied.

    I stood up from my meditative position and approached my fiance?e. She glanced at me from the corner of her eye and frowned. Then she tightened her fists and looked on guard.

    Ignoring her cautiousness, I took out a glass water bottle from my storage ring. I crouched and offered it to her. "Here."

    A humid mist on the bottle showed the water was still cold.

    However, Fu Yating narrowed her eyes at the water bottle, her suspicious glance wandering toward my face.

    "I haven''t poisoned it, if that''s what you''re wondering," I said.

    She swiped the bottle from my hands and unscrewed it. Fu Yating smelled the lid and offered the bottle back to me.

    "Here, you first."

    I shrugged, took the bottle, and chugged a gulp. The icy sensation washed down my throat, and I offered it back to her.

    "You really make helping you feel like a chore," I sighed.

    Fu Yating took the bottle and drank from it while keeping her eyes on me. She drank the whole thing in one breath and returned the water bottle. I touched the bottle with my index finger, and it disappeared from her hand, entering my storage ring.

    Her gaze lingered on my bronze storage ring, but Fu Yating said nothing about it. She closed her eyes as her breath settled down, with the sun shining on her face and the sweat making her skin glisten.

    I took out a towel from my storage ring and threw it at her face. "Careful, this one is doused in poison."

    This time, she let the towel land on her face and used it to wipe off the sweat without hesitation. She hadn''t even flinched when the towel touched her, despite my words.

    "What is with that reaction, my young fiance?e? Where did your suspicions go?" I asked.

    Fu Yating''s dark eyes stared into mine; she was calm as a cucumber. "Things changed."

    "What changed?" I inquired, curious where her mind had wandered.

    "Now I know you are too soft-hearted to do something like that," she revealed.T/his chapter is updated by

    When did she get a read on me? I wondered. However, despite my soft-hearted nature, it was her mistake to be so nonchalant. After all, even the nicest people became animals when something needed to be done. I was not that different.

    Fu Yating smiled. "If you wanted to poison me or do something to me, now is your chance."

    "Do something?" I frowned. "You don''t mean..."

    "Yep, totally soft-hearted," Fu Yating stood up.

    "Why do I have to be the one to deliver it? I had planned a light reading session after breakfast," I said.

    Though I was willing to comply with Song Song''s requests, I had to know why I was sacrificing my reading time. Since gaining access to the Song Clan Library, I have been on a constant high. They had books on every subject, even ones on demonic cultivator rituals!

    "Mhm, and this light reading session will last until dinner," Song Song refuted.

    "It is easy to lose track of time when reading," I made an excuse for myself. "Do I have to be the one to do it?"

    "Ah, yes, how could I forget? Let me ask one of the other people I trust with something so critical," Song Song said sarcastically.

    "Okay, I get it," I sighed.

    "I could go myself, but doing that would show weakness. Because I am the leader of this organization. If I had to beg for some Body Tempering Cultivator... No offense to your fiance?e, but she is no one important in the general gist of things. The leader personally going to ask permission would send the wrong message, making us look weak," Song Song explained.

    I nodded, understanding where she was coming from. This was xianxia politics, and Song Song had to save face. It was silly from my point of view, but it was what it was. She had explained her reasons clearly, and I would not refute her.

    "I will do it," I nodded.

    Song Song smiled, adding, "You being the one who sends the letter will make it seem more genuine, as her fiance?e."

    "Well, I better get this over with fast. See you later," I told Song Song, using my Earth Grade movement technique. In an instant, I was atop a tree outside the mansion grounds.

    After pulling every route nearby to the forefront of my mind, I ran through the forest. No greenery even touched my clothes, as I had long since grown used to moving in these kinds of terrains.

    However, I had to slow down when my vision began blurring at the corners of my eyes.

    Finally, I reached one of the main roads and saw some disciples walking about. Among them was an Inner Sect Elder.

    He didn''t look that old. He was seemingly middle-aged, with a thick head of black hair and a dark mustache.

    The Inner Elder glanced my way before I landed in front of him. He didn''t seem cautious or on guard, which meant he had sensed that I was just a Qi Gathering Cultivator.

    I clasped my palm and fist together as a sign of respect. "Honorable Elder, I have come to ask for some directions."

    Before I could complete my request, the Inner Elder finally got a good look at my face and his eyes widened. His mask of nonchalance shattered like glass. He hurriedly looked around, worried, with a paranoid look in his eyes.

    The Inner Elder stopped looking around after not sensing anything and bowed his head. "What can I do for Lady Song?"

    "Can you tell me where the Azure Frost Sect is staying?" I asked, not bothering to correct his misconception.

    "It is a palace just north of here," he pointed in the direction. Still, he continued, "I have always respected Lady Song and never went against her."

    Okay, why was he telling that to me? It wasn''t like Song Song was around. Though we spent most of our time within each other''s vicinity, it didn''t mean we were always together.

    "Thank you for the information," I said, shooting like a bullet toward the north.

    Whether that Inner Elder would discover whether Song Song was with me or not wasn''t worth the risk of sticking around.

    Who knew his reaction if he found out Song Song was not close? Cultivators and their pride were like cats and their naps... I couldn''t think of a good analogy for how that worked.

    A couple of dozen minutes later, I reached a large clearing. The trees were no longer green; the leaves had a pinkish hue, and the trunks were light red. It was a strangely beautiful sight. I never thought there was a view like this in the Blazing Sun Sect.

    But what caught my attention was the building in the distance. It was an ice-blue wall surrounding a dull gray palace. Stones next to the wall looked like pearly white dinosaur eggs.

    It was a bizarre place in the middle of the greenery.

 Chapter 145: Undefeatable

    Chapter 145: Undefeatable

    I approached the gates and sensed an array, feeling a tingling sensation on the back of my neck. Smiling, I extended my hand and softly touched the array. My hand didn''t pass through it; instead, it felt the hard, stone-like texture of the barrier.

    Immediately, two presences appeared behind me. I turned around, bowed, and greeted them respectfully, "Junior greets the two honorable Azure Frost Sect Elders!"

    The two Azure Frost Sect Elders were female and appeared middle-aged, with some wrinkles at the corners of their eyes, but still quite beautiful. Although they were Foundation Establishment Cultivators, the wrinkles probably meant they were close to a hundred years old.

    "Why are you here?" asked the woman on the right.

    "I''m here to deliver a letter for Lady Song Song," I said, offering them the letter after taking it out of my storage ring.

    The Azure Frost Sect Elders were not as intimidated as the Blazing Sun Sect Elder when they heard Song Song''s name.

    The elder on the left, who hadn''t spoken a word, took the letter from my hands and began reading it. Her face was calm like a spring beach, and her cold eyes stared at me after she finished reading.

    "I hope you do not do anything stupid and bring shame to the Azure Frost Sect. Until she takes your family name, she is still a disciple of the Azure Frost Sect," she said, her voice a bit raspy, making her sound much older than she looked.

    I knew it was a matter of honor to them. I couldn''t see Fu Yating as important to the Azure Frost Sect. She was far less significant to them than he was to the Blazing Sun Sect.

    "I''m not going to challenge or make an enemy of a power like the Azure Frost Sect," I said, carefully trying to read the elders'' reactions. It was tough to tell; these cultivators were too good at maintaining a cold facade. So, to be sure, I added, "Also, Fu Yating is going to be the mother of my children, and that makes her the most important woman in my life. I will not disrespect her in any way."

    I understood why they were being cautious. After all, cultivators were not exactly known for having reasonable control over their emotions.

    The elder looked at me and nodded, "Good."

    Then they turned around and disappeared in a cold mist as if they had never been there. The only sign left behind was that the green grass where they had stood had frozen solid like an icicle.

    I turned around and shot away from the Azure Frost Sect''s palace. With my mission done, I could return to doing my own thing.

    But as I contemplated spending another all-nighter reading, my mind wandered toward the tournament tomorrow. I didn''t know all the participants, but Song Song would definitely participate. She had no support from anyone else in the Sect or outside, so I had to be there for her.

    ...

    Tomorrow came faster than I would have liked. Thankfully, nothing was a better sleep aid than training to exhaustion the night before.

    I sat on one of the stone stands of an ancient arena that resembled a colosseum. Unlike my last world''s ancient and broken Colosseums, this one looked new, with stones cut and polished to make a comfortable, though cold, seating place.

    As for the audience filling these seats, most of them wore blue and occupied half of the seats, while the rest were left for our visitors.

    In the middle of the Colosseum was a patch of sand, and in the center of that was a circular, marble-white arena the size of a basketball court.

    Twenty people were next to the entrance of the arena, all wearing robes representing their Sects. They were going to be the fighters. Among them were Ye An, Song Song, and Song San. The others I mostly couldn''t recognize.

    Despite the simplicity and calm beauty of the place, what really stood out was the crowd. Though people were talking and jesting, there was an invisible tension in the air, grasping everyone''s hearts. However, no one seemed to show it on their faces, as they all smiled and hung out with their friends.

    This wasn''t just a tournament; it was the closest we would get to an impromptu war.

    "You can sense it, right?" my fiance?e, the only one wearing a pure white uniform on this side of the stadium, said. "This tension... Do you think they''re more likely to go for the kill?"

    Fu Yating sat to my left, while my cousins sat to my right, with Liu Bo being closest to me.

    "Not all of us are as smart as you are, my dear fiance?e," I said in a sarcastic tone, which perhaps came out more biting than I had intended.

    My gaze scanned the higher stands opposite the entrance of the Colosseum. Another person wearing a white uniform stood out like a sore thumb. He sat next to a muscular old man with a bald head and a beard like a lion''s mane.

    Kong Ruo was a tall young man with long dark hair tied in a loose ponytail. He had deep, dark eyes and a serious look on his face. He was pretty handsome, though a bit feminine-looking even by xianxia standards.

    From what I could sense, he was around Foundation Establishment stage one or two.

    Before the fight began, he stared at Song Song and said, "You should give up. The Void Piercing Sect''s technique excels in one-on-one combat. I have mastered all of them."

    Despite his words, it didn''t seem like he had any mocking intentions. He truly believed that Song Song fighting against him was a useless endeavor.

    Perhaps he was trying to use this tactic to enrage Song Song? Before we met, she had a berserker-like reputation. Or he could genuinely be a guy trying to save some stamina and not hurt a lady.

    Of course, by saying that he just sealed his own death... Well, Song Song was going to go for the kill anyway.

    Song Song kept her calm demeanor and did not respond to him in any way.

    "Begin!" yelled the announcer.

    The guy took out an obsidian-dark spear from his storage ring and twirled it around before getting into a stabbing position.

    Song Song created two daggers out of blood, resembling the ones I made from jade. But instead of attacking, she crossed the daggers and looked ready to defend.

    This was not like Song Song at all...

    However, despite the distance, Kong Ruo stabbed his spear forward. That was when something strange happened right in front of my eyes.

    The space twisted like those filters, creating a swirl in front of the camera. With my enhanced senses, it was even scarier than it might seem at first glance.

    The air contorted and popped, and something that should have been impossible happened. The spear twisted and curved in ways that made no sense when the man stabbed forward. Even though I was looking at it, I couldn''t understand it.

    It was as if space was folded, and the world''s laws had twisted and changed. No matter what, somehow I knew that attack would land...

    Was this a Sky Grade Technique? No, it wasn''t at all like what the books said. But it was one of the most unique and complex Earth Grade Techniques around!

    Song Song''s eyes shifted as she tried to predict where the strike would come from.

    Despite her sharp instincts, the attack stabbed her in the shoulder and strangely made no sound as it pierced through flesh. The tip of the spear pierced through and came out of her back.

    Song Song''s eyes widened, clearly surprised. This was the first time her instincts had failed her despite her best efforts.

    I was stunned, too. For the first time since I had met her, Song Song was in a fight where someone had drawn first blood against her. She was no longer fighting some schmuck she could overpower and defeat with pure talent alone. She was up against the cream of the crop from the Void Piercing Sect. In many ways, these people were equal to, or perhaps even better than, her.

    For the first time since meeting her, I felt anxious about Song Song''s well-being in a direct fight. These contestants didn''t have to hold themselves back from killing.

    Song Song had always been this undefeatable mountain in my eyes, constantly improving every day. But I just got a reality check: Song Song wasn''t the only talented person out there.

    "That is the signature technique of the Void Piercing Sect," said my cousin Liu Bo; for once, his smiling visage was replaced by a frown. "It is an undodgeable technique, and no one can block it. The attack will always hit its target. In single combat, it is undefeatable."

    I was okay with her losing as long as she came out of this alive.

    But suddenly, a chuckle reverberated through the field, and what I had feared all along turned out to be true.

    Song Song revealed a gnarly smile as she reached to grab the spear on her shoulder, but the weapon withdrew in a flash, leaving her with a gaping wound.

    The chuckles slowly turned into maniacal laughter. Song Song seemed to have grown excited at the prospect of fighting someone who could be considered her equal.

 Chapter 146: Learning

    Chapter 146: Learning

    Song Song''s mad cackles made some people shift uncomfortably, but her opponent''s sharp gaze didn''t change. He was wholly concentrated and looked ready to attack at any moment. Despite laughing like a madwoman, Song Song''s gaze was also on her opponent, and she hadn''t let her guard down.

    Just as he looked like he was going to attack again, with Song Song''s fresh blood still at the tip of his spear, dark tendrils of Qi seeped out of her. Her already scary presence combined with her killer intent, the effect was palpable.

    Some of the disciples'' faces went pale, and others shivered in uncontrollable terror. Song Song''s killing intent had grown more potent, and I could feel it in my bones. It was also apparent she had improved, as the colosseum walls shook and the darkened tendrils of Qi seemed to affect the real world. The walls of the Colosseum began showing signs of cracking.

    One Core Elder from the Blazing Sun Sect stepped up from where he sat in the upper stands. He waved his hand, and a strange array activated, enveloping the whole arena and stopping the worst of Song Song''s killing intent from leaking out. Most people could still feel the after-effects, as some barriers meant to protect the disciples from attacks in the arena weren''t made to handle something like this.

    Song Song''s smile widened to a creepy degree, almost splitting her face in half. Her hand twitched, and blood began dripping from her fingertip.

    At first, it was just a few drops, then it became a thin bloodstream. Ultimately, it formed a full-on pool of blood next to Song Song. The blood was bright red, like a crimson ruby. It bubbled up, twisted, and took shape into an exact copy of Song Song, except it was made of blood.

    The blood clone stood next to Song Song like a puppet with its strings cut. But then its body twitched in unnatural movements and charged at her opponent.

    "Can you attack two people at the same time?" Song Song asked.

    "I don''t need to attack two people," the guy coolly responded.

    He made a stabbing motion with the spear, and once again, space twisted like a mixing bowl. The air popped, and the spear moved in ways that made no sense. It was like someone had grabbed a dark marker and drawn on space itself, and somehow, that was how the spear moved. Even when the lines clashed against each other, the spear didn''t clash; it just moved past.

    Even though it was hard to tell where the attack was going, it was clear he would not attack the blood clone. That would be a useless endeavor.

    I didn''t know much about the blood clone, but I doubted a little piercing would dispel it. So it was useless to attack it, and the creature was somewhat immune to the effects of this sure-hit attack since it did nothing to the creature.

    Song Song was no longer trying to see where the attack was coming from, as her hawk-like glare concentrated on her opponent.

    My heart began beating faster, and the tension in the air was palpable. Song Song no longer seemed to bother with the attack, which was the best decision she could make.

    If she couldn''t dodge a sure-hit attack, then it was no use worrying about it.

    But she was having an easier time than me at not worrying about this. Did she not think of the dangers? What if the attack landed in her throat? Or her eyes��it would pierce straight through her head!

    Though the attack was almost instantaneous, it felt like an eternity. The crowd''s noise drowned out in the background as I stared at Song Song. Her pale skin, her deep blue eyes, and that psychotic smile...

    This world was dangerous, and no destiny protected us. We were the masters of our fates and could die without achieving anything.

    Song Song tilted her head to the side, then stepped back, maneuvering against an invisible enemy.

    That was when the spear appeared where it would have pierced her forehead if she hadn''t moved. The blood from the previous attack still dripped from the spear, and Song Song''s confidence soared. Her gaze sharpened, and her eyes were filled with a sense of absolute murder.

    How had she done that? How had she dodged an attack that couldn''t be sensed and would land on your body?

    As I looked at the dark spear, the answer revealed itself. Song Song''s element was blood, and her own blood was at the tip of the spear.

    Sensing someone else''s Qi, especially on a technique like this to predict their attack, was impossible. But she had blood and some Qi in her blood, and blood was her element. When all those factors combined, she could sense the attack.

    Now, the question was whether her opponent had sensed that. To use the technique, the guy just had to wipe the blood off his spear or use another weapon.

    But the guy''s eyes widened, and he seemed surprised. Judging by his usual temperament, he might gather his bearings quite fast. However, Song Song was not going to give him that chance.

    Song Song''s blood clone, which had been running toward the spear guy all this time, suddenly morphed like jelly and formed into a spiked wheel that rolled toward him at breakneck speeds.

    The spiky wheel of blood had almost reached him in a split second. The guy finally came to his senses, and that brief surprise had cost him. He knew it as his face scrunched up like he had bitten a lemon.

    His spear withdrew, and he dropped it to the ground as he concentrated as much Qi as he could into the palm of his hands.

    Was he going to try defending himself? That wasn''t smart since Song Song''s wheel had crystallized into dry blood enhanced with Qi. Oh well, it wasn''t like he could dodge without going out of bounds and losing the fight, as Song Song wasn''t idle while manipulating the blood to attack her opponent.

    A translucent barrier formed around the guy as he let go of the Qi he had been gathering in his hands. The translucency of the barrier also had a reflective effect, something barriers didn''t usually have.

    No, it wasn''t a barrier. Arrays took longer to form, and if he was that skilled at them, he would have used them sooner in the fight. Also, I knew how Arrays worked and what they felt like... this was not a barrier.

    The only other answer had to be that he was using his element. His element was glass... or something with similar properties. His spear technique seemed very hard to learn, so he had to have synergy with his element.

    Was it perhaps that glass was connected to space? After all, elements were not just a raw representation of the element. It could also be taken as a metaphorical representation. An element like Mirror would also be good for learning an abstract technique.

    Song Song''s bloody wheel slammed into the glass. The guy''s eyes were wide like saucers, and he looked a bit scared now.

    Baam!

    Despite being reinforced with Qi, the glass cracked and shattered almost immediately. The guy opened his mouth as if to say something, but the spiky wheel slammed into him before any words could escape.

    The spikes pierced his body like thorns tearing through flesh. His skin ripped open, and blood sprayed in all directions. The sound of tearing flesh and breaking bones echoed through the arena. He cried out in pain, a high-pitched scream that resonated with terror and agony as he tried to push the blood wheel away, but to no avail.

    Ah, that made sense. This was a famous technique from the Void Piercing Sect.

    She stopped playing with the red blob of blood, and it changed form from a ball into a tendril that entered through her palm, returning the blood to her.

    Song Song turned toward me, her deep blue eyes looking me over as she still lay down, and asked, "Did you learn anything from this fight?"

    "Something like that," I smirked.

    I created a jade spear and took the same position as the guy who had used the weird space technique. In an instant, the bored look washed away from Song Song''s face, and her eyes widened. A mad, almost insane smile began making its way onto her face, sending chills down my spine.

    Thrusting my spear, the jade in my hand turned into Qi for a split second. Now, it no longer had the rigid functions of a solid construct; it was just pure Qi. I manipulated the Qi to move like a snake, slip past the guard of the imaginary opponent, and the Qi turned back to a jade spear as it stabbed them in the heart.

    The room was silent for a couple of seconds as I dismissed the jade spear.

    "I can have the jade lose its hard properties for a bit, turn to Qi, and reform again. Guarding against my attacks is useless now," I explained.

    "Boo," Song Song booed and hollered at me. "Disappointing, I thought you copied the Void Piercing Sect''s signature technique."

    "Well, you were the one who got to experience the technique. Why don''t you try copying it?" I calmly said, not falling for her fake insults.

    Song Song tapped her chin, thinking for a bit before she nodded and got up from the bed. She created a spear of blood, replicated her ex-opponent''s form, and looked ready to stab someone.

    However, she didn''t stab the air and turned toward me. Her crimson-red spear aimed at me, and the intensity in her eyes sent a chill down my spine.

    Oh... shit!

    "Defend yourself," was all Song Song said.

    Without an ounce of hesitation, she hurled her spear forward, and just like mine, her blood spear turned liquid and slipped past my guard.

    Despite my fears, Song Song wasn''t going all out and could have moved faster. I had enough time to form a coin-sized jade shield to stop the spear from piercing my shoulder. The miniature jade shield cracked, and some minuscule drops landed on her red spear.

    Song Song smiled. "That is a really good technique. But I will go a bit faster now."

    Her twisted bloody spear withdrew, and she took a step back. The invisible tension was still there. In the next instant, Song Song''s arm blurred as she stabbed toward me. I couldn''t see her arm movements even with my enhanced vision!

    The air crackled, and I felt something pushing against the wind, getting closer.

    I should have listened to my cousins!

    But despite this, I didn''t rely on my eyes. Sensing someone else''s Qi to predict their attack was difficult. Someone like Song Song was experienced and skilled enough that she wouldn''t leave behind a trail for me to read her next moves.

    However, when it came to my own Qi, it was much easier to sense.

    I used precise sensing and created a partial jade armor around my stomach as Song Song''s spear landed precisely there. She hadn''t put much force behind the attack, and the jade didn''t even crack.

    "Hm? How did you sense that?" Song Song asked.

    I pointed at the tip of her spear, where some of the fragments of minuscule translucent broken jade were. It was a mirror of the strategy she had used in the fight.

    "Your opponent isn''t the only one I learned from," I said.

    Song Song chuckled, dismissing her blood spear.

    "You know, one day, I''m going to attack you out of nowhere too," I grumbled under my breath, knowing full well she could hear me.

    "Sorry, a thousand apologies," Song Song waved off my complaints. "But I was curious how you would react if a surprise attack came toward you in a way you couldn''t predict."

    "I''m definitely returning the favor in the future," I continued grumbling despite her reasoning.

    "You know, if you''re so against it, you could ask me to stop doing it," Song Song sighed, looking like a disappointed mother whose child no longer needed to depend on her.

    "Can you stop doing it?" I asked immediately.

    "No," she answered just as fast.

    "What? But you said..."

    "I said you could ask; I didn''t say I would listen," she huffed.

    That was a nice excuse. I was going to borrow it in the future whenever she asked me anything I didn''t want to do.

    Though Song Song was not as insensitive as she came off, she knew I didn''t mind her "attacks".

 Chapter 147: The Third Generation

    Chapter 147: The Third Generation

    Hu Jin gazed at the bloody arena, where the mangled and headless corpse still lay in a puddle of blood. This kind of brutality he had only seen before during the Beast Waves.

    The higher-ups from all the Sects stood on a platform separate from the masses of disciples. It was a marble-white podium with stones resembling small eggs, built with intricate details.

    He turned toward Zun Gon, the muscular core elder he had helped rid of poison, and invited him to come and look. Though it was an unnecessary risk, his master had wanted to show him what the people he needed to surpass looked like.

    "Are all the fights to the death?" Hu Jin whispered to Zun Gon. He knew everyone could hear him but was whispering to be courteous.

    Usually, he would have asked his master. Still, his master wouldn''t risk making his presence known so close to a Nascent Soul powerhouse.

    "Normally, fights aren''t to the death," Zun Gon said. "But there have been many times where an opposing fighter has come back from the brink of a brutal loss and won. This is why the elders often hesitate to end a fight. Also, in this case with Song Song, she was just bloodthirsty... well, you saw what happened."

    "It seems wasteful and unnecessarily cruel," Hu Jin murmured under his breath as he stared at the two elders walking toward the arena. One stored the dead man''s head in a storage ring, and the other stored his body.

    The elders went through their motions with a bored look in their eyes as if seeing a headless corpse was nothing.

    Hu Jin had seen many cruel methods within Sects and Clans, but he never expected that even a powerhouse like the Blazing Sun Sect would have something like this.

    He was about to look away from the leftover pool of blood in the arena when he noticed one of the people in the upper stand. The Core Elder from the Void Piercing Sect was a tall woman with a straight posture and wrinkles at the corners of her eyes. She still had a mature charm, and it was clear she must have been a beauty in her youth.

    However, what worried Hu Jin was that the woman was staring straight at him. Her cold stare was accompanied by dark eyes that seemed to draw him into an invisible void as if she were looking at his soul.

    Hu Jin shook his head, dismissing such thoughts. Though a chill went down his spine as her glare intensified.

    "Honorable Elder, I think you should overlook this young man''s comment as something made due to the naivety of youth," Zun Gon suddenly said.

    Hu Jin realized he might have said something offensive and hurriedly bowed his head. "Sorry for any inconvenience I have caused the honorable elders and the Sect Leader."

    For a second, Hu Jin had forgotten that he was in the presence of the most dangerous people on this side of the world and that he should be careful with what he said.

    Bowing his head toward people stronger or more talented than him always caused him to feel anger burst in his chest. Just thinking about it made him want to throw up.

    Even though Hu Jin had been born with good talent and hailed as a genius within his clan, he had to bow his head and eat dirt more times than he could count after his cultivation was ruined.

    He was going to show them all! Even these arrogant Core Elders who looked at him like he was an ant would someday bow their heads to him!

    "Also, when it comes to these kinds of things, people who lack skill usually fail to survive," Zun Gon suddenly said, breaking Hu Jin out of his thoughts. The Core Elder''s muscular chest twitched as he added, "That guy who died against Song Song could have at least given a verbal surrender. If he panicked or was too scared to speak, then it was good that he died."

    Zun Gon nudged Hu Jin, his powerful elbow feeling like a stab from a knife, and Hu Jin''s body shook.

    What was up with this guy''s strength? Hu Jin internally grumbled. Zun Gon had regained his strength after the poison and was in a strange position where he had to get used to his new power. He wouldn''t accidentally kill anyone, as he was a Core Elder and already had experience using as little strength as possible. But now, even that was a bit too rough.

    Zun Gon shook his head, and his lion-mane-like beard swished around. The muscular Core Elder touched his ear...Yo?ur favorite stories at novelhall.com

    "At the peak of Qi Gathering at that age?" The Titanic Blade Sect Elder put a hand on the sword on his lap, running his finger along the blade as a strange smile appeared on his face. "Also, is she related to the Ye Clan? Or is it just a coincidence?"

    As he said that, he turned toward the elders from the Azure Frost Sect. But they gave no answer and kept looking toward the ongoing fight with a resolute look.

    "I think even in that uptight Sect, someone who reached that level of power at such a young age would be valued," mumbled the Titanic Blade Sect Elder, knowing full well that everyone here could hear him. But the strange smile on his face made it seem like he knew something no one else was privy to.

    But the smile slipped off his face as the announcer declared the beginning of the fight. Ye An''s opponent was a large man who took a saber out of his storage ring and swung his blade, creating an invisible slash that cut the arena in two and rushed toward Ye An.

    Hu Jin narrowed his eyes as he could have sworn that while the attack seemed invisible, there was a red hue at the edge of the attack.

    Was this just his imagination?

    But despite the perilous situation, Ye An''s cold glare didn''t change, and she moved at breakneck speed, dodging the flying slash and charging at the Titanic Blade Sect disciple before he could prepare another attack.

    With a thought, she summoned a pure white sword with an icy edge in her hand and swung it at the wide-eyed Titanic Blade Sect participant.

    Hu Jin narrowed his eyes, preparing for the grotesque show he was about to witness. However, contrary to his expectations, the sword passed through Ye An''s opponent''s body as if going through a ghost.

    At first, Hu Jin thought the guy must have used an afterimage technique or something similar. Still, the panicked look in the" afterimage" eyes didn''t suggest that.

    "Huh?" The victim seemed confused at first, but suddenly, white steam came out of his mouth. Ye An put her sword back in her storage ring and walked away. In the next instant, the guy was frozen in a block of frosty clear ice. The angry look on his face as he was ready to attack again was frozen for everyone to see.

    "The Blazing Sun Sect wins another fight!" declared the announcer slightly smugly. He was from the Blazing Sun Sect, so he wasn��t even hiding the smugness and a bit biased toward his Sect. "The winner of this fight is Ye An!"

    Despite winning her fight against an opponent of a similar cultivation level, Ye An didn''t seem happy or impressed with herself. Instead, her dangerous gaze turned toward Hu Jin.

    Having seen her overwhelming power, Hu Jin felt like a block of ice was sliding down his spine. He swallowed hard and tried to show a strong front. At the same time, he was conjuring up a plan on how to never be alone or in a place where Ye An could corner him.

    Thankfully, she had to leave the arena to make way for the next fighter, so she couldn''t glare at him as much as she wanted. Well, she wanted more than just to glare at him.

    A couple of Blazing Sun Sect elders approached the arena, their hands slightly crimson-colored like heated metal. Their hands were so bright that he could see the bones in their hands, and the blood that ran through their veins almost looked like lava.

    They put their hands on the ice block that encased the Titanic Blade Sect disciple. The block of clear ice began steaming and slowly melting. At first, they only melted the ice quickly enough to release the frozen disciple''s head, and after he was freed, the disciple began taking deep breaths and coughing.

    It didn''t take long before the block of ice was just a pool of hot water on the ground. At least the opponent had survived this fight. After that, the elders hurriedly cleaned up, and one of them mended the arena through some strange technique as the rocks came together.

    Soon after, the next fight was announced, "Kong Lijuan and Song San, step up into the arena!"

    The next fight was between a green-haired guy from the Blazing Sun Sect and a tall, dark-haired woman from the Void Piercing Sect.

    Hu Jin didn''t know either of these people, so he didn''t think the fight would be interesting, but he still planned to watch it.

 Chapter 148: The Fourth Generation

    Chapter 148: The Fourth Generation

    Hu Jin glanced over and planned to keep his mouth shut about everything��His father always said enemies were created as easily as breathing if one wasn''t careful.

    "I remember you from the last tournament," Song San said, smiling and revealing his perfect marble-white teeth. He was pretty handsome and seemed easygoing. "You did quite well last time, right?"

    "I won it," Kong Lijuan coldly stated, unimpressed by her opponent''s behavior. "If I remember correctly, you didn''t participate."

    "One of my biggest regrets is missing that. I was learning a new technique at the time," Song San shrugged. Despite his opponent''s glare, he still had a friendly smile. He seemed like a nice guy. Perhaps no one had to die in this fight.

    "Begin!" The announcer declared the start of the fight.

    In an instant, Kong Lijuan took out a thin halberd and rushed toward Song San. He drew a crimson-red sword that resembled a katana, and they both imbued Qi into their weapons.

    Hu Jin could have sworn he saw dark flashes in their weapons. His thoughts wandered to what his master had told him about how it would take a while before he could see or sense Qi. However, having been near his master for so long, he would have an easier time than most people despite his poor talent.

    The sound of air cutting rang out as Kong Lijuan appeared in front of Song San. Their weapons clashed, producing a loud, ear-popping clang of metal.

    Neither had an advantage at first, but Kong Lijuan kicked Song San in the stomach, making him stumble. She then attempted to hit him with the butt of her halberd on the throat.

    Song San leaned back, barely dodging by stepping to the arena''s edge. Kong Lijuan wasn''t done. She crouched down, and her fingers and the shadow beneath her touched.

    Something strange happened: the shadow beneath her began moving as if it had a mind of its own. It shifted and ran toward Song San.

    Song San narrowed his eyes at the incoming shadow, seemingly unsurprised. As someone who had participated in previous tournaments, some of Kong Lijuan''s abilities were not a secret.

    As the shadow approached, Song San''s eyes followed it. Hu Jin could have sworn he saw greenish wisps of Qi.

    When the shadow reached Song San, it stepped out of the ground and looked like a dark doppelganger of Kong Lijuan.

    One of the shadow doppelganger''s arms turned into a shadowy nail and pierced toward Song San. He dodged, but the shadow''s body morphed, and suddenly, hundreds of thin needles shot out.

    Song San''s eyes widened in shock. He looked behind him, seemingly ready to jump back and out of the ring to lose the fight. But before he could, the shadow extended into spikes and skewered into his neck, head, belly, and eye.

    Unexpectedly, no blood came out. Instead, Song San''s body dispersed and popped into a green mist. Wherever the mist touched, the shadow melted as if hit by acid.

    Kong Lijuan frowned when the air behind her shimmered. Suddenly, like a chameleon, Song San appeared with a knowing smile.

    "Shadow is a good element when combined with the techniques of the Void Piercing Sect. But I always wondered what you would be like without your shadow around? Perhaps you might be defenseless?" Song San chuckled and slashed at Kong Lijuan''s back with his katana.

    However, Song San halted before his sword could connect with her neck. His eyes widened as the shadows under his clothes shifted and restrained him.

    "Deathly Nail Technique," Kong Lijuan muttered. Suddenly, the shadows within Song San''s clothes burst into needle-like shapes. Dozens of shadowy spikes erupted from his body, piercing his skin from the inside out. Blood sprayed from the wounds, and he looked down in shock as the shadows continued to puncture him like a porcupine, each needle tearing through his flesh and clothes.

    His screams filled the air as the shadow needles twisted and burrowed deeper, leaving him bleeding profusely into a pool of blood on the ground. But he still stayed standing, through pure will alone.

    Song San''s surprise was genuine as he looked half-dead, his body trembling from the shock and pain.

    "With the winner of the previous tournament already gone on the first day, the most popular contestant is already out!" said the announcer, trying to create some hype.

    "Are so many elders even allowed to enter the arena?" asked the Void Piercing Sect Core Elder mockingly.

    Hu Jin cautiously looked around, expecting a fight to develop. But these people were so old it was hard to tell what they were thinking, as they knew how to hide their emotions too well. They had likely seen hundreds of these tournaments, so nothing affected them much.

    After that, the rest of the fights had an invisible tension. Since the battle between Song San and Kong Lijuan, the Blazing Sun Sect intervened in every match that looked like it was going too far. Hu Jin was sure something was happening, some political scheme he couldn''t read. For some reason, the elders in charge of the fights became very cautious, and no one died after the Song San and Kong Lijuan battle.

    After more fights, when everyone had fought once, Zun Gon suddenly stood up and put a hand on Hu Jin''s shoulder. "C''mon, kid, let''s go."

    "The tournament is over?" Hu Jin inquired.

    "Well, the tournament''s first day is over since everyone fought once," Zun Gon nodded.

    "The tournament for today is over; come back tomorrow for more lessons from your seniors," the announcer declared to the stands.

    The disciples stood from their seats, and it looked like the exit would be crowded. Zun Gon tightened his grip on Hu Jin''s shoulder, and suddenly, the world around them blurred. The next thing Hu Jin saw was that he was at the entrance of the Colosseum.

    "Anyway, you can wander around as much as you want here. Try and see some sights. No one will dare touch you since they know you''re with me. I would like to come along and show you around, but I have to deal with some boring stuff," Zun Gon said before disappearing in a flash as if he had never been there.

    Core Formation Cultivators were monstrously fast.

    Suddenly, the coin in Hu Jin''s pocket grew warm, and the old master''s voice rang out.

    "That guy, Song San... There is something familiar about him."

    "What?" wondered Hu Jin.

    "Nothing... I just have a suspicion..." said his master, sounding contemplative. "Anyway, you can just go and explore around. No need to worry about something that already happened."

    Hu Jin shrugged and used an Earth Grade movement technique to move away. He didn''t want to stick around and wait for the other Inner Disciples; he had no friends among them.

    Green trees and fields flashed past his eyes. Since Hu Jin couldn''t use Qi, he couldn''t use his Earth Grade technique to its full potential, but he was still moving fast enough to barely keep up.

    He stumbled upon an old ruin with red ruby-like stones used as building materials. The structure looked ancient, with its stones weathered and cracked. Vines and moss covered much of the surface, and what remained of the walls and pillars was crumbling. The air around the ruin had an eerie stillness, as if time had forgotten this place. Broken statues and shattered tiles lay scattered around, hinting at a once-grand temple now reduced to rubble.

    Hu Jin was almost about to touch one of the stones but decided against it. Such an action would be too careless. It looked like an important site, and since many Core Elders were at the tournament, the one stationed to protect this place might have gone there. Who knew when he might return? He might already be here.

    As Hu Jin began walking away, he walked in a straight line. However, he returned to a familiar place just as he thought he was out of the area.

    It was the exact location as before, but now it was no longer a ruin. The place was rebuilt like a magnificent temple. Thick, sturdy pillars rose high, supporting a massive slab of stone that shined with an intense, radiant heat. The ruby-like stones were polished and gleaming, reflecting the sunlight in dazzling patterns. Intricate carvings adorned the walls, depicting ancient battles and celestial beings. The air was thick with a sense of power and reverence, and Hu Jin felt like he was being boiled alive by the extreme heat emanating from the stone.

    "We are stuck in some illusionary array," his master said. Then he appeared as a ghost next to Hu Jin and prepared in case of a fight.

 Chapter 149: Fifth Generation

    Chapter 149: Fifth Generation

    Hu Jin stared at the architectural marvel in front of him��a red ruby palace that shimmered under the sunlight, its surfaces reflecting an otherworldly glow. The structure was a harmonious blend of grandiose and ominous.

    "Should we turn around?" Hu Jin asked his master. He felt an uneasy sense of foreboding despite not being attacked and seeing no signs of an ambush.

    His apprehension was partly due to suddenly falling into some kind of array. Yet, he felt more endangered here than when he fought on the front lines of the Beast Wave.

    "No, this was clearly created by a high-level array conjurer," his master explained softly. "At this level of arrays, the array conjurer can impose absolute rules within their barriers. Even a Core Formation Cultivator would have to obey those rules."

    "You seem to know a lot about barriers... Can you get us out?" Hu Jin asked.

    Usually, he would have tried to brave the situation. But something about this place made him hesitate as if he was better off not knowing what lay ahead.

    "While I know a bit about arrays and have dabbled in many things over my long life, I''m not an array conjurer myself. Talent is necessary for these things beyond a certain level," his master explained. His misty form next to Hu Jin morphed into smoke before retreating into the coin in Hu Jin''s pocket. "Well, we just have to figure out the absolute rules of this array, and there should be a way out."

    "Absolute rule?" Hu Jin was unfamiliar with the terminology his master was using.

    Suddenly, a strange pulse emanated from the ruby building, like a beating heart, coming from the roof of the temple-like structure.

    "An absolute rule is usually something that high-level array conjurers put in their barriers to achieve a certain effect or reward. For example, an array conjurer at that level could make it so all food except tomatoes tastes rotten," his master sighed. Hu Jin felt a drain from his core as the coin in his pocket, where his master''s soul resided, grew warmer. "Even a Nascent Soul Cultivator would be subject to that rule inside the barrier."

    Hu Jin nodded, roughly understanding what his master meant. Arrays were complex, unlike Alchemy, which could be guided by gut feeling. His master often said that array conjurers needed precision and clarity in their intentions.

    Of course, his master had also said that Hu Jin had no aptitude for it. Hu Jin had no idea whether that was a backhanded insult or a genuine assessment.

    "What do you think the rules of this barrier are?" Hu Jin asked, turning around to get a better look at the forest behind him.

    He didn''t notice anything different from before when he had stumbled upon the ruin. But then again, he hadn''t been paying attention to the trees or other small details.

    "Well, the only way to find out is to walk in there," his master encouraged him. "Don''t worry; if someone who could erect a barrier like this were still alive, we would both be dead or captured by now. The barrier isn''t as illusionary as it originally looked. Everything you see around you is actually real."

    Hu Jin was aware that he was over his head by now. The tone of his master''s voice made it clear��these were two dead men admiring each other''s craftsmanship.

    "Rules can''t be absolute, so there is no need to be afraid. For example, something like, ''the victim will be imprisoned for eternity,'' doesn''t work well, and the array would end up weak. Ironically, to make the barrier stronger, there has to be an escape route," his master said.

    Though Hu Jin couldn''t see it, he felt like his master was smiling, excited at the prospect of figuring out something complicated.

    Hu Jin decided to trust his master and took a step forward toward the blazing-hot ruby structure. With each step, the temperature felt like it was increasing. A bead of sweat rolled down his brow, and as he went to wipe it off, he felt a biting cold sensation.

    "Me?" The voice chuckled. It was a hollow laugh devoid of emotion. "I''m the Fourth Generation Blazing Sun Sect Leader. As for my name? I''m called Song Wen."

    "Song Wen? Are you from the Song Clan?" Hu Jin didn''t really care, but he recalled the tournament where that crazy girl butchered her opponent.

    "Of course. Out of the five Sect Leaders the Blazing Sun Sect has had, three have been from the Song Clan," the old man''s voice echoed as the building shook. "Hopefully, there is another one. The one who stabbed me in the back to grab the position was such a bastard."

    Hu Jin clenched his fist, recalling a time when he was young. With talent to spare, he had many friends who had done all kinds of rituals and ended up as his sworn brothers. After his cultivation was broken, only a handful of those people supported him through tough times.

    "I''m sure the Song Clan got or perhaps already got their revenge," Hu Jin tried to comfort the man. This time, he wasn''t even entirely acting��a part of him felt sorry for the man who was betrayed.

    He couldn''t tell for sure whether the clan had gotten its revenge since he had no idea what generation the current Sect Leader was from.

    "I doubt that," the man grumbled. "After all, they worked with that trash to stab me in the back!"

    The ground under Hu Jin''s feet rumbled, and he was about to inquire why his clan would do something like that, but the man needed no prompting to continue.

    "I was the Sect Leader, and my duty was to the Blazing Sun Sect first and foremost. How could I do my duty, knowing that the Song Clan engaged in brutal demonic rituals?" he asked rhetorically. Though Hu Jin couldn''t see him, he felt the man''s sadness through his words. "I learned many things as both a member of the Song Clan and the Sect Leader. Many... horrible things...��

    Hu Jin felt a sharp sensation in his stomach, followed by a wave of euphoria washing over his body. It seemed like he could see and smell everything with heightened clarity. However, now was not the time to get distracted!

    "I don''t know what game the Song Clan is playing nowadays. Perhaps they might be trying to play the benevolent card. But do not trust them!" the voice hollered. "Though they were never a big clan until the recent handful of millennia, the Song Clan is over a couple dozen millennia old."

    Hu Jin found himself bored again. He didn''t care about history or past events, but letting the old man rant worked to his advantage. After all, the old man hadn''t had anyone to talk to in a while. Even a monstrous thousand-year-old Nascent Soul Cultivator''s mentality would crumble under certain pressures.

    "Nowadays, the Song Clan is known for inheriting the blood of the Blazing Sun Immortal. There was another immortal in the clan''s history, though nobody likes to mention this one," the voice chuckled. An eerie feeling ran down Hu Jin''s spine. "Back in the day, over twenty thousand years ago, the clan had a disciple named Song Fa... who would later be known as the Blood Step Immortal!"

    An uncomfortable silence followed. Hu Jin realized just how silent the whole place was without anyone speaking. The sounds of nature, rustling leaves, crickets��everything he usually took for granted��were all gone.

    However, Hu Jin only dwelled on that for a short time. He was never the kind of guy who thought about things too much or pondered philosophy.

    However, he was curious about the ending of the old man''s speech. Blood Step Immortal? Was that supposed to mean something? Immortals were rare, and many left their names in the annals of legends and history throughout their journey to reach the peak of cultivation. It was hard to tell fiction from fact, and many immortals were shrouded in myth. But even Hu Jin had never heard of the Blood Step Immortal.

    Whether the strange voice noticed his curiosity or not was hard to tell. But it continued its rant.

    "Of course, the Blood Step Immortal was an individualistic creature and never cared for his family. He was killed quickly after he became an immortal and barely left an inheritance. Perhaps that was for the best��who knows how the Western Continent would suffer with the Song Clan at the top," the man''s voice turned somber, calming down from his rant. "Also, the only thing the guy left behind was some useless notes on how to learn an otherworldly language."

 Chapter 150: Its Just The Boyz

    Chapter 150: It''s Just The Boyz

    Hu Jin let out a sigh of relief internally. Now that the other guy was done with the rant, he would have to continue the conversation. But just as he thought, the voice continued.

    "Not much is known about Song Fa, or as he was more famously known as the Blood Step Immortal. Though there were rumors that he was a degenerate who enjoyed the company of men. Even that might just be propaganda from his enemies, of which he had many. The Song Clan didn''t get any benefits from him, except perhaps for the mindset that cruelty could get things done easier and faster."

    Okay, now Hu Jin really had no idea why the old guy was going on this rant. Next, he might explain the Song Clan''s history in compulsory detail��something Hu Jin didn''t care about.

    Most of the major clans and sects were related to one immortal or another, perhaps even two or three. In that essence, the Song Clan wasn''t particularly special. Like many other renowned clans, they were all one bad leader away from making the wrong enemy and writing their own end.

    Even though Hu Jin had yet to learn who the old guy was talking about, he had the distinct feeling that he was unsatisfied with many things.

    But just as he was about to zone out the rest of this long speech, he felt the coin in his pocket shaking.

    His master was trying to send him a message, he thought. Hu Jin quickly reined in his excitement.

    "I even went through all this effort, creating a barrier that only Body Tempering Cultivators could enter. It was to keep the Song Clan and that Shan bastard from desecrating my body," the voice said before it grew quiet again.

    Snow-like white things began falling from the roof, and they slowly gathered toward one place, just in front of the golden throne. What began forming was a humanoid, ghost-like translucent construct. It was an old man with sword-like eyebrows and a thick, long white beard that reached his hips.

    The ghost turned toward Hu Jin, its eyes piercing into his, and the ghost said, "Kid, I can''t force you to do anything. I had to put a rule in place where I couldn''t go out to keep this array up, and I wouldn''t be able to come with you. But can you promise me to take revenge, and I will give you the full inheritance as a Nascent Soul Cultivator who reached the peak of power!"

    When he heard "Nascent Soul Cultivator," Hu Jin''s heart jumped. Those people were god-like beings who ruled the Western Continent since the immortals rarely appeared. An inheritance from that was bound to be very lucrative; there was a chance that with that inheritance, he might become a Nascent Soul Cultivator himself! He already has his master, with this guy''s inheritance on top of it. Wouldn''t he have a very high chance of becoming a Nascent Soul Cultivator?

    "Tell me what I need to do," Hu Jin smiled.

    "I need you to destroy the Blazing Sun Sect. It is no longer the image the Blazing Sun Immortal imagined. Nowadays, it is just a cave to hide demonic cultivators and corruption," said the man with a chillingly cold voice for a ghost.ViiSiit novelbi/n(.)c/(o)m for latest novels

    Deliver justice and get rewarded for it. What more could an honest man ask for? Hu Jin was overjoyed!

    But before he could utter a word, a mist came out of his pocket and took the form of his master. The two ghosts stared at each other. It was a strange scene, and his master no longer looked like the friendly old man who knew something about everything. Instead, his demeanor had turned cold as ice, and his eyes were sharper than any blade. He looked like a true cultivator who had lived long and would forget more things than many people would ever know.

    "How disappointing. I thought you knew better than to fall for mummery, Hu Jin," his master addressed him, never taking his eyes off the other ghost. "If you think the Blazing Sun Sect is special in any way, look at every other great sect or clan. There is corruption at the top. It is the only truth in common between both mortals and cultivators. If you think the other sects are any better, look again."

    "Are you calling me a liar?" Song Wen inquired. His voice no longer held that uncontrollable fury; it was soft as silk, eerily calm for someone in his position.

    But his master chuckled, unperturbed. "I''m just teaching my disciple here that there is no good or evil when it comes to cultivation. All that matters is how high one can soar."

    Song Wen was quiet at first, but Hu Jin''s master continued, "But we both know that, don''t we?"

    "I assumed that the spirit in the coin was hidden, and you wouldn''t appear so recklessly. Who would have thought that a ghost and a human would work together," Song Wen confessed.

    Hu Jin felt as if something had pierced the back of his head when he heard that. He had been tricked...

    "Here is another lesson for you, my disciple," his master turned around and stared Hu Jin in the eyes. His gaze was colder than ice, and his demeanor was frightening. "There is no way a Nascent Soul Cultivator would act so emotional unless it was to sell the image to a victim and make them think a certain way."

    "True. Since you will likely be taking my inheritance, you will technically become my disciple too. So, here is another piece of advice," Song Wen said. "There is no good or evil on the road to immortality; there are only results. Only the weak-willed and the weak-minded fall for something like you almost did."

    "Check what is inside there," he pointed out.

    Hu Jin followed his master''s instructions and took the loose ring off the bony finger. Then, he quickly put it on his own, and the master did the rest by guiding his Qi. Soon enough, Hu Jin was in some subspace. Despite having his eyes open, he was in an empty space with nothing in it.

    "Empty?" Hu Jin was confused. He had expected some treasure.

    "It seems like he was telling the truth. He probably used everything he could to survive and set up his array," his master concluded. "Still, a Sky Grade Technique... perhaps..."

    His master mulled over something and stared at Hu Jin intently. There was something in his gaze as if trying to see something deeper than the physical form.

    "My disciple, you have unnaturally good luck," his master finally said.

    "You say it as if that is a bad thing," Hu Jin replied, looking around the ruby temple for other treasures. At least he got a new storage ring that was really big. Though if he used it, that would put a target on his back, as a Body Tempering Cultivator having something only a Nascent Soul Cultivator had was just asking for trouble.

    "The heavens never give out things for free. No one is ever too lucky or too unlucky unless the heavens themselves have a hand in things," his master explained. "Of course, some people make stupid decisions that bring bad things upon them, but that has nothing to do with luck."

    "I don''t understand what you mean by this, master," Hu Jin said as his search proved futile. There was nothing else in this ruby temple. "Also, should we go out?"

    His master ignored his inquiry, saying, "The more you take from the heavens, the heavier the punishment will be when you go against their will... or when they''re finished with you."

    Hu Jin thought his master might be a bit too paranoid about this. It wasn''t like they could change his luck either, so what was the use of worrying about it?

    "You are a person with a fate planned by the heavens. Until you complete said fate, most people will have difficulty eliminating you. But when you learn of your fate and try to fight against it, the heavens will show their wrath," his master cautioned him.

    "That..." Hu Jin didn''t know what to say; he was a bit intimidated.

    Usually, his master was never quite this grave. If he was warning him so seriously about something that could happen, then it was a dangerous thing!

    Hu Jin wanted to cry, but thankfully, he had a Sky Grade Technique to cheer him up. Deep down, he hoped that his master was wrong and that this was really just a branch of good luck.

    After all, he had found all those Earth Grade Techniques. Why was a Sky Grade Technique so unique that it warranted a warning?

    Hu Jin left the temple and put the book in the storage ring. However, as soon as he stepped outside the temple''s ruby-like ground, he didn''t feel any of the expected blistering heat. Instead, he was suddenly just before the ruins of the ruby temple.

    He looked down at the bone-white ring on his finger... Yeah, that wasn''t a dream.

    "Fucking arrays," he grumbled under his breath before hurrying away, just in case someone might see him there.

    When he was far enough, he breathed a sigh of relief and casually strolled through the forest. The greenery was a nice change of pace from the bright ruby temple and the tense atmosphere that followed it.

    As he thought back to what happened, he noticed a sensation... Oh, he could sense the Qi inside himself now?

    As soon as he became aware, it was like a dam was broken. Suddenly, the rampant Qi quieted down, and he sensed the foreign influence of his master inside his body. But Hu Jin stayed focused and hurriedly sat down to prepare for a breakthrough!

 Chapter 151: A Repeating History

    Chapter 151: A Repeating History

    After all the tournament fights, Song Song and I wandered through some of the Colosseum''s secret hallways. Though the place was shrouded in darkness, with barely a hint of light seeping through, I could still make out the outlines and details around us relatively well. With her superior vision, Song Song undoubtedly saw everything with perfect clarity. As we moved deeper into the hidden passages, the air grew cooler, and the sounds of the bustling arena faded into a distant murmur.

    "What a pathetic fight," Song Song suddenly said, her voice echoing through the empty halls. Her tone carried a mix of disappointment and disdain, cutting through the silence like a blade.

    "Hm?" I turned toward her.

    She had a cold look on her face. "My brother. What was with that pathetic showing? Everyone could see he was defeated and would have died if this wasn''t a tournament. He couldn''t even injure his opponent."

    Cultivators usually wouldn''t play the victim if it involved losing face, especially on such a grand stage as the tournament where each of the great sects participated. If I had been less knowledgeable about how things worked in the background, I may have also dismissed Song San.

    We quietly walked through the hallways before I decided to warn Song Song.

    "You should still not underestimate your brother. While his tactics might appear shameful, and he lost face doing something like this, that is precisely what makes him dangerous. We know every other fighter''s element and even some of their techniques. Still, no one knows what his element is or even what techniques your brother uses," I explained.

    While others might see Song San as a loser, logically, his decision to hide everything about himself was a very good one. However, it made him appear pathetic to the average person. Reputation was a handy thing, and he ruined most of it; it would take a while before people would forget this and stop using it against him.

    Either way, not really my problem.

    After getting out of the arena, we ended up coming out of some rough-looking cave that served as a secret exit from the arena. Song Song and I walked back to the mansion, sticking close to each other. Who knew when someone might decide to try their hand? I was the only one on Song Song''s side for now.

    But as soon as we walked inside the mansion, I turned around and said, "I''m going to the library."

    "I''m going to try and break through to two-star Foundation Establishment," she said.

    Telling each other what we would do was just a point of reassurance. I may have to break into two-star Qi Gathering soon. My advancement was faster than expected but nothing special.

    As I walked outside, I looked at the greenery around the mansion''s yard and the vines that gripped the wall, tightly wrapped around the metal bars of the front gate. Speedy was blending into the environment with extreme stealth. Even his Qi was barely noticeable amongst the grass and plants.

    I used the Galloping Horse Power Technique, feeling the rush of wind against my face as I traversed a long distance with blinding speed. Everything around me became a hazy blur, the landscape melding into streaks of color as I surged forward. Eventually, I found myself standing in front of a familiar castle-like building with its towering walls. At its base was a grand, winding staircase that I stood next to, each step worn smooth by the passage of countless feet over the ages.

    A chill went down my spine as I recalled the conversation Song Song and I had with her father.ing here so often wasn''t a bright idea. But I couldn''t resist the temptation of the forbidden knowledge in that library.

    I hurriedly took Song Song''s wooden token out of my storage ring and pressed it against the wall below the stairs. A shadowy secret passage was revealed, as sketchy as always, and I rushed in before anyone could see me.

    By now, I was used to this place, so I rushed down the stairs and ended up in the library with the shadowy grounds.

    The guy trapped in the book quickly fluttered toward me and said, "What took you so long, brat?"

    Did older people in this world have something with calling me a "brat"? It wasn''t like I minded, but I was curious whether I gave off a bratty vibe.

    "There is a tournament happening," I explained the general gist. "I''m not sure whether you can even go outside this library. But if you can, I will hide you under my shirt or something so you can get a look at the fights."

    The book was open on a page where the man drawn in it stared at me with an unreadable look.

    Then the book flipped to a page where the same guy was drawn again, but his mouth was open this time. "Anyway, what book are you looking for this time, kid?"

    Someone was hiding this pattern; it was not common knowledge at all.

    I turned toward the book guy and noticed him hovering above me. He was flipped to a page, and it showed him with a cold look in his eyes as he stared me down. It was a creepy atmosphere, and the place was already dark.

    "What are your thoughts on this weird repeating history of incidents?" I asked the book guy.

    His gaze turned crimson. "From now on, no matter who you''re talking to, never... and I mean never ask this question to anyone else."

    Ah... Another Sect conspiracy. Another thing to act like I knew nothing about.

    However, this answer from the book guy all but confirmed that these events were somehow related.

    I tried thinking of what kind of incident could threaten the Sect nowadays. There was no major ongoing calamity... The first thing that came to mind was a particular red-haired guy.

    Was he connected to all this somehow?

    Well, whenever the time came for another calamity, I was going on a journey to visit my family and see the world. I hadn''t seen my grandfather in a while.

    "Well, it seems like I''m already bored with history," I said while putting all the history books I had found into my storage ring. "I have overstayed my welcome for today. See you later."

    The shadow beneath my feet seemed to grow heavier as I walked away, a palpable weight tugging at my steps. Despite this, I reached the stairs, and an eerie silence enveloped the place as I climbed. Each step up the dark staircase echoed softly, amplifying the stillness. My eyes scanned the surrounding darkness, half-expecting a shadow to leap out and seize me at any moment.

    Once I was out of the place, the soft evening sun brushed against my skin. But I didn''t stick around to enjoy the sun and immediately shot off like a bullet.

    As I absentmindedly traveled past the Song Clan Compound and into the greenery, I was about to cross a random place close to the arena when I sensed two presences. One of them I recognized was Zun Gon, the Core Elder who seemed to be close with Hu Jin. The other presence was some weak Qi Gathering Cultivator I had never felt before. He might have broken through recently.

    I had a sneaking suspicion of who the other presence was, but I wanted to confirm it with my own two eyes. The recent history lessons had left me uncertain about some things.

    Should I just go and appear in front of them? The chances of them killing me due to this were slim to none.

    Changing direction, I "accidentally" ended up stumbling on Zun Gon, whose thick sausage-like fingers were on Hu Jin''s shoulder.

    "Good, now we just need to get you a blue uniform. Also, you don''t have to be on the stand where the higher-ups hang out. No offense, but you really need to learn when to keep your mouth shut," Zun Gon laughed out loud and slapped Hu Jin on the back.

    Zun Gon glanced at me from the corner of his eyes. He had noticed me coming. But Hu Jin was different and showed no signs he had seen me. This made sense since he had just broken through, and his Qi sensory observations should have gone crazy. Standing next to a Core Formation Cultivator and trying to sense me would be like standing next to a forest fire while at the same time feeling the heat from a matchstick twenty feet away.

    "Sure..." Hu Jin seemed absentminded as he asked, "By the way, what generation of Sect Leaders is the current Sect Leader?"

    "Hm?" Zun Gon raised a questioning brow. "Fifth."

    "Ah..." Hu Jin grimaced.

    If we didn''t count the Blazing Sun Sect Immortal as the first Sect Leader, then yes, we were on the fifth generation Sect Leader. On average, each Sect Leader ruled for about six hundred years.

    Well, I had cultivation to get to.

    I just used my movement technique again and went away. Hu Jin had broken through, but nothing else seemed interesting about it. So I just went away before he noticed anything, though his master would probably tell him. Whether it would be Zun Gon or his other master, who knew?

 Chapter 152: The One and The Many

    Chapter 152: The One and The Many

    The next day arrived all too quickly. As I walked through the bustling crowds, Song Song walked beside me. Her presence was a constant comfort, and I didn''t have to be paranoid. We moved with purpose as we approached the looming structure of the Colosseum.

    Song Song had a smile on her face, which was unusual in public. Of course, her smile unnerved people even more. Her happiness wasn''t unfounded, and despite how creepy she came off, she had a reason to be happy. She had broken through to two-star Foundation Establishment. It came as a surprise to both of us. Still, it seemed like she was very compatible with her element, and her cultivation talent was top-tier.

    Now that I thought about it, I had never asked Song Song how many spirit roots she had. Though her talent was top-notch, I had no idea how good it actually was.

    "You really need to rush and break into two-star Qi Gathering. I am a whole stage above you, and my cultivation speed is still somehow faster," Song Song teased me.

    "I couldn''t care less about what pace other people advance at," I shrugged.

    There was literally a system of talent in this world, where those with a higher count of spirit roots had an absolute advantage in cultivation speed.

    "Lame," Song Song shook her head. "You should be acting all angry and cursing at the heavens about how they were unfair."

    That was the same as crying about how some people were born rich, and I was born poor. It was useless and a waste of time. How many books could I read during that time?

    Okay, that was a weird time measurement. Had I been reading too many books recently?

    "Just thinking of someone acting like that gives me second-hand embarrassment," I said.

    Song Song looked disappointed when she saw that no matter what she said or did, it wouldn''t get a reaction out of me.

    When it came to these kinds of things, I was fully prepared and wouldn''t be surprised if Hu Jin became a Nascent Soul Cultivator in a couple of years through some bullshit method.

    With people making way for us as we walked, we reached the Colosseum with relative ease. The crowd parted like a sea, allowing us to advance unhindered toward the grand entrance.

    We parted ways as we approached the exit leading to the seating part of the Colosseum. With Song Song heading toward the fighter section, I went with the crowd.

    I felt a tug on my sleeve as soon as Song Song was out of sight. I looked toward the source and saw my fiance?e staring at me with an unreadable look in her eyes.

    Oh, right, I had kind of forgotten about her after yesterday.

    "You weren''t in the mansion yesterday," I remarked.

    "My Azure Frost Sect called me," she said, leaving it at that. Her gaze trailed toward where Song Song had left, "Not to sound paranoid, but what exactly is your relationship with Song Song?"

    "Friends," I immediately answered.

    "It didn''t look like friends. You''re close with her, too close. She is the kind of woman who would rip off the head of anyone who got in her way, or even if they had a voice she didn''t like. However, for some strange reason, she puts up with you. Oftentimes, she even listens to your orders," she explained her suspicions.

    "Orders? That is a bit too far-fetched. If I tried to do something like that, my head would be rolling before I could say��chicken," I said.

    If I gave Song Song an order, was she likely to listen? Yes. But I couldn''t let other people know that. We needed everyone to think she was still the same ruthless Song Song. At least until this tournament was done.

    Man, I was really becoming a��Don''t worry, she''s just a friend��kind of guy.

    "How would you feel if I hung around some guy from the Ye Clan, which is the equivalent of the Song Clan in your sect, all day long?" Fu Yating tried to put me in her shoes.

    Sadly, she didn''t know that would work perfectly for me. It was just the excuse I needed to end this sham of a marriage. Also, Ye Clan... that was interesting. Was she related to the clan?

    "Begin!"

    When the announcer''s words left his mouth, Song Song created a dagger out of her own blood and swung it. It was a perfect replica of my Falling Moon Claw Technique, except it wasn''t invisible. A crimson-red slash cut the arena in half and instantly reached its target.

    The feminine-looking guy''s eyes widened. He brought his hands up to block the attack and imbued his arms with all the Qi he could muster. However, the attack cut through his thumbs and left a sizeable nasty cut from his shoulder to his hip. Blood burst out like fireworks, littering the arena.

    I had seen a fair amount of people being cut in this world. But it seemed like the feminine-looking guy was bleeding unnaturally. That was too much bleeding for an injury like that. It was as if his own blood was rushing to get out of his body.

    Song Song smiled. The blood dagger in her hands contorted, extended, and turned into a long Jian sword. She charged toward her opponent, fully intent on decapitating him.

    But just as she was about to get within reach, a Blazing Sun Sect Core Elder appeared in a black flash, wearing his dark uniform. He looked like a man in his thirties and caught Song Song''s blood sword with his bare pale hands.

    "The fight is over," he told Song Song. His voice was calm like the morning spring wind.

    "But the guy hasn''t given up," Song Song smiled, not showing an ounce of fear despite standing in front of someone who could easily squash her.

    The Core Elder turned and looked at the bleeding disciple. The feminine-looking guy got the signal and grunted weakly, "I give up."

    Song Song shrugged and turned around, dismissing her sword and the blood plugs in her ears.

    Wait, if her hearing was blocked, how had she been able to respond to what the Core Elder told her? Either those blood plugs had been just for show, to intimidate and give her opponent the wrong idea, or perhaps she could read lips.

    But suddenly, as Song Song was walking away, her eyes widened in shock. She grabbed at her ears, a look of pain etched across her face. In an instant, a burst of blood erupted from her ears, slipping through her fingers as she tried to staunch the flow. Her balance wavered, and she stumbled, struggling to remain upright.

    I stood up and glared at her previous opponent.

    "An attack after the fight is already over! That''s against the rules!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the arena.

    My outburst drew attention, but I didn''t care. I focused all my rage on the feminine-looking guy. The noise around me faded into the background as I glared at him. He met my gaze with a twisted smile, revealing bloodied teeth.

    "That was just a backlash from the fight. I didn''t attack her," he weakly said.

    This fucking guy!

    Song Song''s element was blood; there was no way she wouldn''t have noticed a time-bomb-like attack within her own body. But I knew that saying such things now was useless. So, I quickly regained control over my emotions and sat down.

    Song Song straightened her posture and looked at me, her gaze telling me something I didn''t quite understand. No, I understood perfectly well, but I wasn''t going to listen.

    In the end, Song Song walked off the arena, and I whispered to my cousins, "I''m going to check on her."

    "I''m coming along," my fiance?e said.

    I didn''t care about any of that, as my gaze zoned in on the injured feminine-looking guy who was dragged away on a stretcher by some healers.

    Though Song Song could regenerate, the eardrums were a delicate part of the body and affected balance. Her next fight was going to be the semi-finals against one of the strongest disciples among the four great sects.

    These were brutal fights, and it wasn''t strange for someone to die. Because of this bastard, Song Song wasn''t in her best condition and could end up gravely injured or dying. Nobody was going to show her mercy!

    Fuck!

 Chapter 153: Lightning Before The Thunder

    Chapter 153: Lightning Before The Thunder

    I zoned out the crowd around me as I moved past them, my thoughts drifting away from the next fight. Though my mind wasn''t absentminded, a strange calmness settled over me despite the rage boiling within my chest. The tension of anger and tranquility coexisting within me was an odd, almost surreal sensation.

    Fu Yating followed behind me, and as we entered the dark hallways under the arena, the only sound we heard was our footsteps echoing around us.

    A heavy tension filled the air as I tried to devise ways to kill that bastard.

    "Do you even know where Song Song''s room is?" asked Fu Yating, looking around cautiously. Her eyes had an unreadable look, and I wondered if she regretted coming along with me.

    "Yes," I answered.

    Though we weren''t going to Song Song''s room. First, I was going to pay her opponent a visit.

    We ended up in a secluded part of the maze-like hallways, and I looked around to check if anyone was nearby. Thankfully, it seemed like we were alone, and I already had some ideas about relieving that guy of his mortal coils.

    "Do you even know where we are?" asked Fu Yating, frowning as she saw me looking around like a lost lamb.

    I didn''t bother answering her, and with a wave, I took out two uniforms from my storage ring. One was a pure white uniform, and the other was a dark gray uniform that resembled that of the Titanic Blade Sect''s disciples. I took the gray uniform and threw it to Fu Yating.

    "Here, put this on. Also, turn around, I''m about to change," I said.

    Fu Yating hurriedly did as she was told, and I quickly changed into the white uniform and put on a cloth that resembled a face mask. My fiance?e, on the other hand, looked more confused than ever as she turned around and stared at me.

    "What are you waiting for? Change uniforms, too. I know it might be a bit big for you, but we have to make do with what we have," I instructed.

    "What even is this?"

    "You were the one who wanted to come along," I reminded her. "So, you''re free to leave whenever you want. But from this point on, you will have to listen to me and play along. Remember, you are my apprentice; that is all you need to know."

    Her confusion remained, but Fu Yating wore her new uniform and handed me her old one. "Keep it in your storage ring."

    Thankfully, by the time she was done dressing, she had an innocent look in her eyes like a lost lamb, ready to learn anything. It seemed like she had come to her senses and was prepared to play her character.

    "Good," I nodded.

    "Of course, teacher! Thank you for the compliment!" She smiled enthusiastically.

    It was creepy how good she was at acting and how fast she changed characters. Though she didn''t change appearance, it still felt like I was standing before a shapeshifter. Her body language and expressions were so different; it was like she had become another person.

    After that, we continued walking around the empty hallways. Though most of the people from the inner Sect were watching the tournament above, the Sect hadn''t wholly abandoned security measures. There were still some patrols around the Sect and, of course, in the underground tunnels.

    I spread my senses, trying to detect any guards nearby, and there were a couple.

    As I approached one of them, I hunched my back and began humming a song, a nonchalant smile on my face.

    The person we stumbled upon was an inner disciple dressed in blue. He stood around with a spear in hand and looked bored. It appeared like he would rather be anywhere else but here.

    I understood where he was coming from. After all, the Sect Leader was around. What were the guards helpful for if a fight broke out? They were mainly here just to stick around and perhaps for crowd control... Even then, this wasn''t like my previous world, where crowds could be dangerous to a leader.

    "Excuse me, young man," I called out to the guy who was physically older than me. "I was sent here to manage some kind of cursed wound? Apparently, a bleeding curse or something?"

    Thankfully, I had memorized the way to Song Song''s room last time. So we were soon in front of her door. However, I couldn''t sense her inside.

    Was she away?

    I frowned and was about to open the door when I sensed something from the inside. It was like a glass bottle breaking when left in the freezer for too long. So I put my arm around Fu Yating and backed off as an explosion rocked the hallway and knocked Song Song''s door off its hinges.

    A cold feeling spread through the hallways, and the dust cleared out as both fighters flexed their Qi, creating a strong wind.

    On one side was Song Song, holding her bleeding ear and leaning against the door hinge. On the other side was a dark-haired young woman with icy-blue eyes and perfect skin. She was the epitome of jade-like beauty.

    "Ye An," I muttered under my breath.

    Someone had taken the chance to try to take out an injured Song Song. The reason why I couldn''t sense Song Song even though I was just outside her door was because Ye An had done something.

    The jade-like beauty turned toward me, a gleeful smile on her lips, and said, "Hey, Liu Feng, I''m finally having an advantage in a fight against Song Song."

    I didn''t bother responding. Instead, with a thought, I created a spherical translucent jade barrier around Fu Yating.

    "This will hold on for a couple of minutes. Go as far away as you can," I advised my fiance?e and added, "Don''t bother notifying anyone. It would be a shame if they came here before we could kill her."

    Fu Yating understood the situation and knew she would be useless in a fight of this caliber. Before she left, she took out a wooden pearl bracelet, and the barrier made way for her hand as she handed it to me.

    "This is an artifact made by my father that can shoot a Foundation Establishment level attack once, and only once," Fu Yating said. Just outside of Ye An''s view, her left hand held three fingers, signaling that the artifact could shoot three such attacks. She wanted Ye An to remain unaware of this fact.

    I took out her previous white uniform with black sleeves and handed it to her.

    "Please don''t die. It would be a shame if I had another arranged marriage to some arrogant bastard," she said before running away.

    I think that was the first time she was genuinely honest with me. It was far from a romantic declaration of love, but it was better this way.

    My gaze returned to Ye An. She still wore her blue uniform and looked like a princess, but her beauty did nothing to change the genuine hate I felt for her.

    "Can you at least stay away?" Ye An asked, looking at me with a conflicted gaze. "It would be a shame if you got harmed in the aftermath. You would leave your fiance?e without a husband she seemed quite fond of."

    Ye An had a way of imitating other people''s manner of speech. This time, she was mimicking Fu Yating. Judging by the smirk on her face, she knew how annoying it was.

    "C''mon, we both know you can''t do anything with your level of power. It won''t even turn the fight in her favor, as she would have to always protect you," Ye An reasoned.

    She was right��a one-star Qi Gathering Cultivator stood no chance against someone like Ye An, who was a nine-star Qi Gathering Cultivator and could even challenge Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

    On the other hand, a Level Three Array Conjurer definitely could.

    I clasped my hands, and Song Song glanced at me from the corner of her eye. It was hard to tell whether she could even hear me with her burst eardrums or how much they had healed.

    But we had practiced this together, and a small smile tugged at her lips.

    I erected a barrier throughout the hallway, trapping us three inside.

    Thousand Lightning Array!

 Chapter 154: Just A Little Bit of Murder

    Chapter 154: Just A Little Bit of Murder

    Dark clouds gathered ominously above the hallway, their swirling mass casting a shadow over everything. A deafening boom of thunder followed, and electricity crackled in the air, illuminating the scene with bursting flashes of light.

    Song Song circulated her Qi in a strange rhythm as her hair stood up. I created a simple barrier around myself to stop the lightning array from tracking me.

    Ye An, on the other hand, looked confused, her hair standing on end and her eyes wide.

    Then, lightning rained down with unbent fury. Ye An quickly covered herself in ice, knowing she had no chance to dodge.

    As lightning struck her, the ice held strong. Despite what some might think, ice was a poor conductor of electricity.

    Song Song also took her lightning bolt and let it harmlessly pass through her.

    Ye An, however, was in for a rough time as lightning rained down on her continuously. There was no use in trying close-quarters combat with her, so I removed the lag between each lightning bolt. Every second, she was hit by two lightning bolts.

    While ice was somewhat resistant to electricity, it was not resistant to the heat generated by the electricity. Slowly, the ice cocoon around Ye An began melting. She tried adding a new layer of ice atop her cocoon, but it was useless; before her Qi could turn into ice, lightning blasted and destabilized it.

    But Ye An was undoubtedly a genius, as she figured out how to deal with this problem. Instead of adding a layer of ice outside the ice cocoon, she expanded the ice cocoon, leaving an internal part of it hollow, which she could move freely in and fill with ice.

    However, I wasn''t idle either and formed a simple barrier around Song Song, protecting her from lightning bombarding her.

    Song Song didn''t hesitate. She created two daggers out of blood and swung them at Ye An. A large, bright crimson-red slash spawned, releasing an odor of blood as it shot toward Ye An.

    A loud screeching sound rang out as soon as the attack landed on the ice cocoon. Song Song''s attack cut through the ice like butter and reached Ye An. Her eyes widened as something under her shirt shone a bright golden, revealing a necklace. The artifact activated a golden barrier around Ye An, protecting her from the lightning and Song Song''s incoming slash.

    A loud gong-like sound rang out, and Ye An''s golden barrier cracked.

    Ye An was strong and very talented. She could sometimes punch above her weight and battle against people at a higher cultivation level than hers, even if that level was the beginning of Foundation Establishment. However, there was a reason Ye An had attacked Song Song only when she was injured.

    Song Song''s arms blurred as she shot out countless red claw-shaped crimson projectiles. The golden barrier shattered when the crimson projectiles hit it, and parts of the shattered barrier were about to shred into Ye An together with Song Song''s attacks.

    This was it... All the attacks were lethal, and there was a good chance that Ye An was going to die. I knew there would be an implosion of her extreme physique after her death. Still, I was ready to erect the barrier and buy the split-second Song Song needed to grab me and escape.

    If anyone asked in the future and figured out who killed Ye An, I was going to plead self-defense.

    Song Song''s attacks whistled through the air as they dug into Ye An''s flesh. However, a sudden influx of Qi burst out in that instant, and an ankle bracelet shined. Usually, artifacts were not placed there, but it seemed Ye An was hiding this one out of sight.

    Suddenly, a ghostly mist surrounded her, and Song Song''s attacks came crashing instantly; they turned brittle like glass, and the crimson slashes broke down. The ghostly mist sent a chill through the area and took the form of a tall man with a straightened back and a frown.

    My heart dropped as every instinct told me to run away!

    "Who dares harm my descendants of the Ye Clan?" he declared, swiping his hand as if wiping away a bug.

    The walls cracked as an invisible telekinetic wave emerged, heading toward us. We were in a slim hallway with no room to dodge.

    "Wait, don''t kill him!" Ye An''s voice rang out.

    I hurriedly turned my gaze toward the fight, where Song San was dodging the attacks of Liang Shoushan. The latter was using a large blade, swinging it around in a strange posture like a baseball bat. But each swing had a devastating heaviness behind it that would take out Song San with one hit if it landed.

    Just then, Song San''s throat swelled, and recalling the previous fight, the guy from the Titanic Blade Sect immediately backed off.

    But instead of a vomit of exploding pills, only a single green pill the size of his thumb came out, glistening in his gross, slick saliva. Song San crushed the pill between his fingers, and a green mist burst and expanded outward.

    "Another trick," Liu Bo frowned.

    Well, Song San already had a bad reputation from his previous fight, so now there was no reason to hold back the underhanded tactics.

    The Titanic Blade Sect disciple backed away too much and accidentally touched the grass outside the arena.

    "Song San from the Blazing Sun Sect advances with another victory by forcing his opponent out of bounds," the announcer tried to spin this tale well. Still, there was nothing he could work with.

    If this had been a real fight, the Titanic Blade Sect guy would have been right to back off as much as possible from the unknown mist. All of Song San''s victories so far had been due to technicality. In a real fight, these things wouldn''t count.

    Liang Shoushan frowned as the green mist cleared, revealing Song San. Anger blazed in the eyes of the Titanic Blade Sect disciple, and he threw his large sword at Song San. The latter smiled, seemingly unprepared for the surprise attack.

    However, before the sword could reach him, a Core Elder appeared and grabbed the sword with his bare hands. The same tall, pale Core Elder who had stopped Song Song from killing her opponent.

    "I will not let another disciple attack the back of an opponent they had already lost against," declared the Core Elder in a calm, almost bored-sounding voice but with an edge that sent the lesson home.

    After both contestants left the arena, the announcer declared, "Now we move on to the next phase of the tournament, the semi-finals!"

    He took a paper and read, "The first fight will be Ye An from the Blazing Sun Sect against Peng Zixin from the Void Piercing Sect! The second fight will be between Song San from the Blazing Sun Sect and Song Song from the Blazing Sun Sect!"

    There was a sudden popping sound, and Song Song muttered, "Finally, now I can hear something again."

    I turned toward her, and our gazes met. She nodded and said, "Thank you."

    "There is no need for thanks between us," I smiled, glad she regained her hearing.

    I turned my gaze back toward the arena, only to be met with Fu Yating staring straight at me like a jumpscare.

    "Thanks to you too," I smiled at my fiance?e. Without her help, illogical thoughts would have prevailed. "By the way, what kind of food do you like?"

    "Hm?" She looked confused by the question.

    "Well, I have to put some effort into this date," I explained.

    Then, her expression morphed into a happy yet ugly smile.

    What the hell was that supposed to mean? Was she angry or happy?

 Chapter 155: A Family

    Chapter 155: A Family

    Peng Zixin was a sharp figure��short and thin, like a dagger��his eyes and confident smirk spoke of a dangerous demeanor. He was cut from the same cloth as Song Song. However, judging by the injuries on his body, his talent wasn''t.

    He would participate in the next fight as Ye An''s opponent. Those guys and gals from the Void Piercing Sect were always strange and had strange techniques. I hoped one of those unorthodox techniques would finish off Ye An.

    But knowing her, that was highly unlikely. Despite being someone with an Extreme Physique and a metaphorical timer over her head, she clung to life like a cockroach.

    Ye An stood opposite her opponent in her regal blue uniform, clean of debris or blood from when she was fighting us.

    I had no idea how she had healed so fast. There was a good chance Song Song''s ex-teacher could be involved. They undoubtedly had many strange alchemical pills or artifacts that could quickly heal someone.

    However, I knew that even Alchemy couldn''t heal someone without some drawback unless it was a High Tier Alchemist. At least she would have lost some stamina or something like that. So, while Ye An had the appearance of someone uninjured, she was likely at a significant disadvantage, and her opponent was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

    How was she going to handle this?

    I never wished harm on anyone, not even Ye An. While she had tried to take my life, I never wasted my time on old grudges. Sure, I would never like her either, but I wasn''t going to lose my head to revenge or waste time on it. I was willing to let bygones be bygones. But Ye An was constantly a thorn in our side.

    Peng Zixin crouched down, took out a trident-like weapon, and aimed it at Ye An. Within an instant, instead of having the weapon teleport, Peng Zixin''s body shifted and twisted like a reflection in water.

    In a flash, he was in front of Ye An.

    Her eyes widened as the trident went directly for her throat. But in a desperate effort, Ye An raised her arm, letting the trident pierce through it. Blood splattered on her uniform and the lower part of her face. Using that as leverage to try and stab him with an ice sword.

    Oh? She used similar tactics to mine when I was fighting against Song Song''s assassins when she broke through.

    Of course, she was just copying my moves, and this was not a stage where such desperate tactics would work. Her opponent leaned back and ripped the trident off her arm, with blood splattering on the ground. Ye An''s arm hung uselessly by her side, likely crippled for the rest of the fight.

    But despite the pain, Ye An stared at her opponent with an obsessed look.

    "I''m sorry for hurting you," he apologized. "A woman like you isn''t for hurting. You are made to make love."

    Oh, so he was a pervert also. Usually, I wasn''t lenient toward people like that. But this was Ye An he was leering at. Hopefully, he made her as uncomfortable as possible.

    But the only thing that would make Ye An uncomfortable was spending a day without skewering someone with her ice spears. She didn''t seem bothered by the guy''s words but nodded.

    "If you defeat me, then I will marry you," she said out of nowhere. "Just make sure not to harm your future wife too much. You wouldn''t want someone scarred as a wife, would you?"

    Heh, who would have thought? Ye An could also be ruthless toward herself, it seemed. She would not lose this fight and would do anything to achieve that. Even promising marriage to random guys.

    Some people in the stands laughed at her behavior, while others whispered insulting slurs and called her a whore.

    They were all fools. Ye An was using any advantage she could get, however slight. Even her appearance was nothing more than a tool for her.

    Ye An''s opponent seemed enchanted when he saw her reddening face, glowing skin, and full lips. She was mesmerizing. Ye An shot a sharpened ice disc at her "beloved''s" face without hesitation. Peng Zixin leaned his head to the side, barely dodging out of the way.

    That minor distraction almost cost him his life. However, despite the dangerous situation, he kept smiling.

    Ye An''s opponent was foolish. Though it should be expected at that age, he appeared in his late teens or early twenties. The Void Piercing Sect had invested a lot of resources in him to reach the Foundation Establishment at such a young age.

    Peng Zixin smirked while jumping around and dodging Ye An''s ice spears, swords, discs, and any other projectiles she threw at him with the intent to maim and kill.

    "You shouldn''t act so bashful, Lady Ye An-"

    However, that resulted in Song San''s chest caving in, and he popped like a balloon in an exploding green mist surrounding the arena. There were a couple more clashes within the arena that I couldn''t see due to the thick green mist, but I could sense them.

    But the fight was not as I expected, as Song San jumped out of the green mist and outside the arena.

    "Song Song wins by forcing her opponent out of bounds," declared the announcer.

    When the mist cleared, the so-called victor was a pitiful sight. Song Song was bleeding from her nose, her face unusually pale, and her eyes bloodshot.

    On the other hand, the loser was fine, with only a tiny cut on his cheek.

    "This is it for today, honorable cultivators. The finalists will prepare for tomorrow''s next and last fight," said the announcer.

    Burst eardrums and now poison��Song Song was injured badly. How the hell were we going to deal with this?

    I immediately stood up and walked out of the stands before the announcer declared the next fight for tomorrow. As I hurriedly wandered through the underground hallways, I found Song Song sitting down, leaning against the wall while bleeding from all her orifices.

    Quickly, I went through hand seals and chants, taking some spirit stones and other ingredients from my storage ring. I skipped none of the ritual steps for creating an Array and ensured I could use it at full power.

    "Qi Strengthening Array!"

    A small translucent white dome formed around the two of us. I laid down Song Song on the cold stone floor and placed one hand on her abdomen and the other on her forehead. Without hesitation, I poured my Qi inside of her. We were pretty familiar with each other''s bodies, and doing this, even if I wanted to, I couldn''t hurt her since she was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. This was very good for me.

    I did a deep body scan of her whole physical form. Then, I created a translucent jade soldier and slowly began morphing it into what I sensed from Song Song''s body.

    "Keep an eye on the jade soldier," I told her, perfectly showing her what parts were injured in a 3D model.

    Song Song''s regeneration was manually done by her, so she needed a visualization of her injuries to have a chance at healing them.

    The blood from Song Song''s nose slowly turned from crimson red to dark. But I wasn''t worried, as it just meant that she was expelling the poison from her body.

    The bloodshot veins in her eyes also slowly receded, and Song Song''s face regained some color.

    I continued to channel my Qi into her, feeling the subtle shifts in her body as the energy worked to cleanse and mend her. Her breathing became steadier, and the trembling in her limbs subsided. The dark blood began to ooze from her nose and mouth, pooling on the floor before evaporating within the confines of the Qi Strengthening Array.

    Song Song''s face twisted in concentration as she focused on the jade soldier. Her eyes darted over the translucent figure, pinpointing the damaged areas and willing her body to heal. I could feel her Qi responding, surging towards the injuries, knitting together torn tissues and neutralizing the remnants of the poison.

    Minutes felt like hours as we worked together in silence. The white dome of the array pulsed gently, a protective cocoon isolating us from the outside world. I watched the color return to her cheeks, her skin losing its sickly pallor. The blood vessels in her eyes cleared, and her irises regained their sharp, focused gleam.

    "Almost there," I murmured, sensing the last traces of the poison being eradicated. Song Song nodded slightly, her focus unbroken. Her body convulsed one final time, expelling the last of the dark, corrupted blood. She took a deep, shuddering breath, and I felt the tension in her muscles ease.

    Song Song lay on the ground, staring at the ceiling. Before her gaze anchored on me.

    "I have everything handled now. We got rid of the poison by using my blood manipulation. From now on, I have a rough idea of how to deal with poisons in my bloodstream, as I have some experience with that," Song Song said as she took a wet towel from her storage ring and wiped the blood off her face before standing up. "What a nasty bastard; he didn''t even care about winning the fight but still went through the effort to poison me."

    "Do you think he was perhaps trying to please the faction of your granny teacher?" I asked. "After all, they might be looking into having her win this tournament now that Ye An is the star in their eyes. We know Ye An wouldn''t be able to win under normal circumstances, and your brother helped them a bit."

    "Or he was just being a bastard as usual," Song Song offered.

    "That is also a very solid argument," I chuckled.

    Still, after this ordeal, I finally felt like I got a read on Song Song''s brother.

 Chapter 156: The Correct Date

    Chapter 156: The Correct Date

    "Thanks for healing me; it saved me a lot of pain," Song Song said as we walked out of the Colosseum through a secret exit. "How long do you think it would have taken me to figure out how to do this on my own?"

    "Probably never."

    Even though only the two of us were in these tunnels, my mind was elsewhere. I slowly began to understand Song San as a person.

    Why had Song Song''s brother given up? After thinking briefly, I concluded that he must have done it to hide his element.

    Typically, revealing someone''s element wasn''t a big deal. But since Song San was obsessed with poisons, his element had to be poison. However, saying that someone''s element was just "poison" was too broad and could not be made into an element.

    My guess was that Song San''s element must be a specific type of poison. If people learned what kind, they could develop antidotes against it, putting him at a permanent disadvantage against anyone who knew the antidote.

    He could probably defeat Song Song as she was now, but not without revealing his element.

    Song San was different from the other cultivators. Though he participated in the tournament, he was not there to win. I doubt he had delusions of winning without revealing his element. He had come way too close for someone putting in half-assed efforts. He didn''t care about his reputation or saving face like the others.

    But then, why was he in the tournament? He could have faked an injury or something like that when he was announced as one of the participants. As far as I knew, the selected participants could even refuse to enter, citing one reason or another.

    I glanced at Song Song, who was still weakened by the aftereffects of the poison. But she could still fight.

    I had this crazy theory. Though Song San was never there to win, he removed the biggest obstacles in the tournament.

    But why? The only reasonable explanation was that he wanted a specific person to win. When he escorted me to the Sect Leader for my plea to release Song Song, he revealed that he would never do something without some benefit.

    What did he gain from pushing his sister to win? Because that''s what it looked like he had been doing. Even though he had poisoned Song Song, he hadn''t made much effort to try and win that fight.

    What a confusing guy! Even though I understood him, I couldn''t read what he was thinking.

    "Do you know any good places someone might go on a date in the inner sect?" I asked Song Song bluntly.

    She turned toward me and raised a questioning brow. "I''m thankful for the effort but don''t enjoy public places. Also, your fiance?e is here."

    She might have misread what I meant if this had been Song Song from a few months ago.

    "Well, that''s who I''m taking with me. Sorry if you have feelings for me, Song Song. But I look at you as a little sister," I quipped.

    Song Song knew I was messing around, and the smile on her lips showed it too. Though she still asked, "Little sister?"

    "Well, you might be older physically. But mentally..." I shook my head. "I''d give you six years at most."

    "Well..." Song Song frowned, clearly trying to come up with an insult. "You''re like a worm who likes to read books constantly. If left alone, you''ll linger on books like a leech. So, you''re like a creepy bookworm."

    We reached the end of the secret tunnel and emerged into a lush forest near the Colosseum. The trees were tall and robust, their leaves vibrant green and glistening in the sunlight. The tall grass swayed gently in the breeze while vines wrapped around the secret entrance, concealing it from anyone flying overhead on swords. The forest floor was a tapestry of wildflowers and moss, creating a serene and almost magical atmosphere.

    The forest''s scent was refreshing, a pleasant contrast to the damp, moldy odor of the tunnels. The air was filled with the earthy aroma of pine and the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers.

    "Well, I''ll tell you some nice places you can take your scheming fiance?e to," Song Song smirked, trying to hide a mischievous smile.Geett the latest novels at novelhall.com

    Yep, I would not go to any of the places she recommended. I refused to be her cheap entertainment.

    ...

    While Song Song headed toward the mansion, I waited for certain people to exit the Colosseum. It didn''t take long for my cousins and fiance?e to come out. Fu Yating and Liu Qian were talking about something, though I couldn''t make out their voices over the rabble of the crowd.

    They were both daughters of their respective clan leaders, so they undoubtedly had much in common.

    ��You don''t have to be so nervous,�� I reassured her as we pushed through the crowd and I decided to take a shortcut on one of the uncharted dirt roads. There we were alone, with only tall grass, trees, and some rocks around.

    ��How am I not supposed to be nervous when a guy dragged me away, with everyone looking at us? They all know there is something between us,�� she said.

    Fu Yating was acting way too embarrassed. We were just holding hands here.

    ��Trust me, most people have better things going on in their lives. Even if they for some reason decided to gossip about us, they would forget in a month or two,�� I reassured her. The only reason people were even paying attention to us was because she was from the Azure Frost Sect. Otherwise, with our unassuming appearances, we wouldn''t stand out.

    She took her hand off mine and hurriedly wiped her palm across her uniform while trying to avoid my eyes.

    ��You play a bashful character quite well,�� I complimented her.

    ��It isn��t hard to play with feelings you already have. I just go a bit... extra,�� Fu Yating said, her gaze turning steely though she still avoided meeting my eyes.

    ��One day, if neither of us rejects it and nothing tragic happens, we will get married. There��s no reason to act embarrassed or any other way when it��s just the two of us. I��d like a wife I can trust,�� I said, expressing my true feelings.

    Love was a tricky thing, something we had little control over. I couldn��t ask her to love me, but trusting someone was a choice. Of course, we barely knew each other, and I doubted she trusted me, nor did I trust her. However, we could build this relationship one block at a time, and one day, we might even end up in a happy marriage.

    We trekked through the mountains, past green trees, hollow trees, tall grass, and strange vines. We even stumbled upon a ruin made from stones that resembled ruby. The Blazing Sun Sect had many interesting things on its grounds, even though most of the ruins seemed untouched for the last century.

    After all that travel, we finally reached a vast field where four neat stone roads converged. At the intersection stood a tall pagoda, its elegant structure rising above the field. The pagoda was built of intricately carved stone, its surface adorned with patterns of swirling clouds and mythical beasts.

    With its upturned eaves, the roof was decorated with vibrant red and gold tiles gleaming in the sunlight. Lanterns hung from the corners, gently swaying in the breeze, adding a warm glow to the scene. People came and went, entering and exiting the pagoda��s arched doorways.

    There were fewer people than I remembered, likely because the more exciting tournament was drawing most of the crowd. Some people arrived on flying swords, landing gracefully at the front doors. The crowd jested and joked while some innocent couples looked at each other bashfully and held hands.

    ��What is this place?�� Fu Yating asked.

    ��One of the many restaurants in the inner Sect. They serve monstrous beast meat that can help with your cultivation,�� I explained, recalling my last visit under different circumstances.

    ��Oh yeah, you had that whole Monstrous Beast Wave incident, right? The elders from our Sect described it more like a war. You probably got a lot of monstrous beast meat from it,�� Fu Yating nodded as we emerged from the trees. She brushed off some grass strands stuck to her robes and fixed her hair. ��By the way, did you guys ever find out who was behind that whole ordeal? According to rummours on our side, it was led by some kind of Core Formation Monstrous Beast.��

    "Yeah, it was some snake-like monstrous beasts, they say. It attacked the ships returning to the Blazing Sun Sect after the acceptance exam, even before winter was around," I explained the narrative conveyed to the masses. Unlike most, I didn''t buy into the propaganda.

    We reached one of the roads and walked behind another couple as my mind wandered back to the monstrous beast waves. Those had been some tough times.

    I had a theory that the snake-like Core Formation monstrous beast harbored a grudge against Hu Jin. That was a significant reason it attacked the Blazing Sun Sect and gathered an army.

    However, there was one thing... There was no definitive proof that the snake-like beast was behind the extensive attack on the Blazing Sun Sect''s territory.

    Perhaps it was just a warm-up to whatever calamity the Blazing Sun Sect would face every hundred years.

    A surprisingly rowdy atmosphere greeted us as we entered the restaurant. Usually, cultivators were a serious bunch, but now they were letting loose, enjoying themselves among friends or lovers. They revealed parts of themselves that were usually hidden behind masks.

    The aroma of delicious food filled the first floor, and a tall, thin waiter with a mouse-like appearance led us to our table. We ordered from the menus he handed us, and after taking our orders, he darted off toward the kitchens.

    Despite the lively atmosphere and the pleasant company of Fu Yating, my mind kept drifting to tomorrow''s fight between Song Song and Ye An.

    By all measures, Song Song should easily win. But Ye An wasn''t foolish; she wouldn''t enter a fight she knew she would lose without preparing something of her own. That worried me.

    Also, without a doubt in my mind, Ye An would approach the fight with the intent to kill. There was no room for error on either side.

    Thankfully, Fu Yating''s company was pleasant, which kept me from sinking into anxious, pessimistic thoughts.

 Chapter 157: When Killers Turn To Monsters

    Chapter 157: When Killers Turn To Monsters

    "How was your date with your lady love?" Song Song teased as we were in her waiting room. I hadn''t gone to the arena immediately today since there was no need to check out other fights.

    "It went pretty well. I think we both enjoyed each other," I replied curtly. The shadows in her new waiting room seemed to crawl and felt more eerie than usual. The walls were adorned with dark, heavy drapes that absorbed the light, making the room dim and claustrophobic. The air was thick with the faint, musty scent of old wood and incense.

    "You think?" she asked.

    Song Song was lounging on a plush red chair, one leg draped over the other. The chair creaked under her weight as she leaned back so that only two shanks touched the floor. A confident smile graced her face, illuminated by the soft glow of a nearby lamp that cast long, shifting shadows across the room.

    I leaned against the cool stone wall, my hands buried in my pockets. Despite the room''s opulence, I felt a twinge of unease, as if the ornate furniture and rich dyes were closing in on me.

    "Are you sure everything is ready?" I inquired. "You don''t have to fight; it''s not like the tournament reward means much to you. You''re rich, and your father still sends cultivation supplies in bulk."

    "I find your lack of trust disheartening," Song Song said, pointing an accusatory finger at me. Her smile, however, suggested she was jesting, the warmth of her expression a stark contrast to the somber room.

    "I don''t know; Ye An isn''t exactly a fool."

    "Well, I wouldn''t call her smart either," Song Song reasoned. "We both know she has an extreme physique. If things go south, we can always blackmail her."

    "Those with extreme physiques are bound to live short lives. Your master and her group would drop someone like that quickly if they found out. Ye An isn''t the right person for their ambitions," I said, more for my own consolation. "If you decide to go for the kill, be careful. Extreme physiques can be dangerous when their lives are at risk."

    "I know," she sighed.

    Song Song likely didn''t enjoy my pessimism, but it was my job to be the paranoid one. At the same time, she was the recklessly instinctual cultivator with talent.CHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m

    A sudden beeping from a device in the corner of the room broke the silence, its shrill tone bouncing off the walls. Song Song stood up, her blue robes flowing around her as she moved.

    "That''s my signal. Don''t blink, or you''ll miss me decapitating the frosty bitch," she chuckled, her laughter echoing off the high ceiling as she walked out, her steps fading into the corridor.

    I left the room too, stepping into a dark, narrow hallway. The torches lining the walls flickered sporadically, casting erratic shadows that danced like leaves in the wind. The corridor smelled faintly of burning wood and old stone. I walked in the opposite direction, the cold, damp air growing heavier with each step.

    Unlike Song Song, I used my movement technique to dash through the hallways, my footsteps barely making a sound. I finally arrived near one of the entrances to the viewer section of the stadium.

    As I emerged from the shadows, sunlight hit me, making me squint as my eyes adjusted to the brightness. The stadium, bathed in afternoon light, was a stark contrast to the dimness of the corridors. The stands were bustling with spectators, their excited chatter blending with the occasional roar of anticipation.

    I had no idea why the fight was scheduled for the afternoon. Even my cousins said nothing like this had happened last year. It felt like someone powerful, who stood to gain a lot, had pushed for the fights to occur at this time.

    Or maybe it was just a monstrously powerful cultivator who didn''t want his morning naps disrupted and pushed the entire tournament back.

    The announcer''s voice boomed across the arena as I walked toward where my fiance?e and cousins were sitting.

    "This year, the tournament has been like never before! It will be an unprecedented encounter between two dark horses that will conclude with the finals!"

    The announcer''s grand words merely masked the fact that this year''s finalists weren''t the strongest participants. Though his words had a lot of subtext, I doubted most people understood the implication.

    "Now we welcome our finalists," the announcer hollered. "Ye An from the Blazing Sun Sect and Song Song from the Blazing Sun Sect. Please step forward and begin fighting only after I give the word."

    Ye An quickly got up, her face a mask of grim determination. She clamped her hand over the gaping, bloodied hole where her left eye had once been. The sight was gruesome��a raw, pulsating wound that had turned the surrounding flesh into a grotesque mess. Despite the severe injury, she maintained an almost serene composure. With swift, practiced movements, she pulled out the bloody remnants of her eye, her fingers moving with cold efficiency. The detached, gruesome mass was discarded with a flick of her wrist.

    Ignoring the intense pain, she summoned her Qi to encase the wound in a layer of ice. The ice spread rapidly, sealing the gaping hole and halting the blood flow. The cold bite of the ice seemed to be the only thing that touched her expression. No sound of pain escaped her lips, nor did her resolve falter.

    "Is that all you can do?" Ye An asked, her remaining eye locked onto Song Song.

    Though anxious and nervous during the fight, Ye An showed no fear of Song Song.

    There''s a saying from my previous life: Don''t get in the way of crazy people.

    Now I understood exactly what they meant.

    "I''m going to enjoy cutting you up like a fish," Song Song chirped, twirling her blood spear and reshaping it. "Do you think I should go for your other eye? Or perhaps I should butcher you slowly��start with your nose, tongue, and ears and disfigure you thoroughly before blinding you."

    Fu Yating, my fiance?e, shuddered at the words. She opened her mouth as if to speak but closed it again, her face paling. The rest of the disciples looked similarly disturbed.

    "Then again, I''d like to cut off your arms and legs too. Have you flopping around like a fish," Song chuckled, enjoying the disturbing imagery that others found horrifying. "Maybe I''ll keep you alive like that as a pet."

    I clenched my teeth and tightened my fists involuntarily, the memory of the Song Clan prison resurfacing��a memory I had worked hard to suppress.

    "If I end up in such a state, then you can do whatever you want with me," Ye An replied nonchalantly. Despite the threats, she remained as cool as ever. "You sound like one of those demonic cultivators from stories who make books from human skin or forcefully deform humans into grotesque furniture. Unnecessary cruelty... If I kill you, I won��t make a whole parade about it."

    Song Song made the first move again, her speed so overwhelming that even Ye An struggled to keep up. One of Ye An''s arms was sent flying, but simultaneously, an ice sword pierced into Song Song''s lower belly.

    "This is the best you can do?" Song Song mocked, echoing Ye An''s own words. "Your sword didn''t even cut through my muscles."

    "Because it wasn''t supposed to," Ye An muttered. The entire arena was enveloped in a freezing chill in the next instant, and bright crimson icicles erupted from Song Song, blooming like a sunflower.

    Ye An then retreated and moved toward her severed arm. She encased it in an ice block to preserve it and discarded the limb from the arena. Her gaze shifted to the bloody stump of her shoulder, her expression one of grim concentration.

    A small ice spike protruded from the stump, halting the bleeding. The ice spike grew steadily, reshaping into a crude but functional replica of her previous arm. It was a stark, translucent imitation, lacking the sleeve that had been sliced off with her original arm.

    Ye An glanced up at the sky, her gaze fixed on the sun. Though little time had passed since the fight began, much had happened.

    I watched anxiously as Song Song, surrounded by crimson ice spikes, seemed to be in a perilous situation. The situation was dire despite still sensing her presence and indicating she was alive. Ye An had something planned, and I didn''t like this development at all.

    Suddenly, Song Song''s figure trembled, and the icy sunflower shattered into thousands of fragments. Song Song was freed and bleeding profusely, but her smile remained unchanged. Blood that had flowed out of her body began to return, and her injuries healed almost instantly.

    Or at least they appeared to heal. I knew how challenging it was for Song Song to activate her healing, especially for internal injuries. There was a significant chance she was suffering from internal bleeding, merely masking it with her blood manipulation.

    "That almost tickled," Song Song commented, her tone unaffected by the dire circumstances.

    I wanted to intervene, but it was clear that neither of these fierce fighters would concede defeat easily. I had no authority to stop this madness.

 Chapter 158: A Purple Patch

    Chapter 158: A Purple Patch

    Song Song and Ye An clashed again, and that ended with the latter suffering a large gash on the right side of her chest, just under her armpit. Blood seeped through her clothes, staining them crimson, but Ye An gritted her teeth and fought on. Then they clashed again, and this one ended with a deep cut on Ye An''s thigh that almost dismembered the leg. Blood poured from the wound, pooling at her feet. But Ye An was just as ruthless to herself as she froze the wound with her Qi, creating a thin layer of ice that staunched the bleeding. She limped back with a wince, her face pale, but her eyes were filled with the fire of ambition.

    It wasn''t as one-sided as when they fought the first time, but Ye An still couldn''t react to Song Song''s attacks on time. Each exchange ended with her suffering lethal injuries. Her movements were growing sluggish, her strikes imprecise. She wasn''t going to get any better as the fight continued.

    Just as another attack was about to be exchanged, Ye An raised her hand and said, "I surrender."

    Immediately, the Core Elder who had failed to protect Song Song once from being sneak attacked appeared. He stood tall, his presence commanding, and his eyes scanned the crowd.

    "The tournament''s victor is Song from the Blazing Sun Sect! At her age, one can only wonder how long her reign of victories will last!" The announcer declared, looking almost gleeful as he glared at the downed Ye An.

    Despite the victory, most people cheered heartily. This was more of a butchering than a final fight, but no one seemed to care. The audience was captivated by Song Song''s prowess, and the brutality of the match only added to the spectacle.

    Song Song still kept her deep blue eyes on Ye An. She had been tricked once with a backstabbing attack, and despite the tournament being over, she remained vigilant. I knew Song Song would be cautious for the rest of her life. She had learned from her mistakes.

    But her eyes flickered elsewhere for a split second. Her gaze landed on mine, and the smile on her face turned from cruel laughter to teasing. It was as if she was telling me��I told you so.

    However, her gaze didn''t linger long, and she kept her eyes on the downed Ye An. The latter was running her finger across her new missing eye, a look of pain and regret etched on her face. She had gone through a lot during this tournament. She had lied, cheated, and used humiliating strategies. However, in the end, she got a missing eye and an arm that they might be able to reattach.

    The only winner among the participants was Song Song. She was also one of the only people I knew who wouldn''t need whatever the reward of winning this tournament was. However, she still won it.

    "The Blazing Sun Sect Leader, Shan Yi, will now grant the rewards to the winner," declared the announcer.

    A quietness wrapped its arms around the Colosseum. The cheers ceased, and people no longer whispered amongst each other. The air was thick with anticipation. Everyone here was at least a Qi Gathering Cultivator and could hear whispers easily. One could only imagine how good the senses of a Nascent Soul Cultivator were.

    The Blazing Sun Sect Leader stood up from his chair on the higher marble-white platform. The robes wrapped around him as he moved, showing a rather thin and average physique under his clothes. His flowing red robes, adorned with golden intricate patterns, seemed to flutter with an almost ethereal grace.

    Despite his Sect winning a tournament, the Blazing Sun Sect Leader looked nonchalant. I might assume he was acting cold if I didn''t know better, but he had probably seen at least a hundred of these tournaments. He was bored more than anything else. His eyes were distant as if his mind wandered to more pressing matters.

    Even though I looked straight at him and never blinked, the Sect Leader suddenly disappeared. No one had even seen him move. Even the elders and Song Song were still looking at where he had been.

    However, when everyone caught on to what had happened, they found the Sect Leader next to Song Song. His sudden movement was a testament to his immense power and skill, a reminder of that insurmountable gap.

    A crimson box the size of his fist appeared in his hands. He opened it, revealing two golden pills resting atop a purple pillow.

    "These are Tier 5 Phoenix Rising Pills. They will help you advance even during Foundation Establishment," said the Sect Leader, his voice soft like silk, almost welcoming. If I were to judge him by his voice alone, he seemed like a naive youth who had never known conflict. But I knew better. Everyone knew better.

    "Thank you, Sect Leader," Song Song bowed her head, this time not up to her usual shenanigans.

    The Sect Leader closed the box and handed it to her. Then, he removed a milky white ring from under his sleeve and gently placed it on her palm. "This storage ring has a hundred thousand spirit stones. Use them as you like."

    A hundred thousand spirit stones? That was more than my entire clan''s net worth! It was an unexpected display of wealth, handed out so nonchalantly.

    But the seemingly generous Sect Leader was not done with his rewards. He produced a pinky finger-sized wooden ring with a red ruby.

    "Of course, honorable Sect Leader," I said. I would have gotten on one knee and shown proper manners, but the crowd was so packed that I had no room to do so. "Sorry that I can''t pay the-"

    "There is no need to act so lack-minded with me," he interrupted. "Also, stop acting so respectful."

    I nodded. The Sect Leader''s words were like laws, and I didn''t intend to break them.

    "Don''t test my patience again," he said, without glancing at me as his eyes were glued to Hu Jin and his adversary. "Once again, I will ask. What do you think of this conflict between those two?"

    "I lack context on-"

    "That''s not what I''m asking, and you know it."

    My uniform stuck to my body, and I was drenched in cold sweat. But I tried to hide my nervousness as I considered what to say next. He probably saw through me.

    However, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn''t read any profound meanings or what he wanted to know. So, I just went with my true thoughts, hoping they were enough.

    "It seems like a situation that could develop into something more troublesome," I said, my words heavy in my throat. For some reason, I felt thirsty��perhaps it was all this sweating.

    Standing next to a Nascent Soul Cultivator was like being next to a living, breathing nuclear bomb. Nobody could be calm in this situation, no matter how many times they might try to play it cool.

    The Sect Leader''s response felt like it would never come, with each letter he spoke seeming to stretch by an eternity.

    "Exactly," he said, smiling as if pleased with himself. Then his chocolate-brown eyes turned toward me. "I knew there was something more to you than meets the eye."

    Thankfully, his gaze didn''t linger, and he returned to Hu Jin. I had missed the rest of their conversation, but now they were fighting. Unfortunately, the guy Hu Jin had picked a fight with was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and it would not be an easy match.

    Despite having a spear on his back, the opponent didn''t use it. Instead, he opted for fist and palm techniques, almost as if the spear was just an ornament to make him look like someone who had learned the Sect''s spear techniques when he hadn''t. But even then, his hands were pale white and unscarred, not the hands of a warrior.

    On the other side, Hu Jin''s arms were littered with small and big scars all the way to his elbows from cuts, rips, and burns.

    But despite that, the vast difference in power wasn''t easily overcome, and Hu Jin was pushed back. He used strange Earth Grade Techniques to avoid being pushed back too much.

    However, his advantage lasted only a short time. With a sudden move, Hu Jin opened his mouth wide and expelled a cloud of green mist. The mist billowed out, thick and noxious, enveloping the charging opponent before he had a chance to react. The pungent smell of the mist filled the air, making those nearby recoil in disgust.

    The Void Piercing Sect disciple staggered back, eyes wide with shock. He managed to leap away, but it was too late. Dark purple spots bloomed on his skin, spreading like an invasive mold. He clutched at his arms, his expression twisting as the poison coursed through his body. His breathing grew labored, and each inhalation took a lot of effort.

    He opened his mouth as if to say something��a plea, a curse, a final word��but no sound emerged. Perhaps he just wanted to take a deep breath, but even that seemed impossible. His body convulsed, and he fell, his head striking the edge of the stone seats with a sickening thud before it hit the ground.

    The purple spots continued to spread, overtaking his body with alarming speed. His limbs twitched uncontrollably, and a soft, pitiful groan escaped his lips before he went completely still.

    Did... Did Hu Jin kill someone over a disagreement?

 Chapter 159: Curiosity is a Deadly Sin

    Lying on the ground, the corpse had unnaturally purple skin, which was a stark contrast to the usual pallor of death. Black blood oozed from every orifice��eyes, nose, mouth, and ears��forming dark, viscous puddles on the floor. The body was dressed in the distinctive black uniform of the Void Piercing Sect, now stained with the eerie black ichor. The lifeless eyes stared blankly, adding to the grotesque scene.

    It wasn''t like I was a paragon of justice. I hung out daily with the worst of murderers, Song Song. But it was still surprising. I expected Song Song to kill people and be cruel. Yet, this was Hu Jin, the guy chosen by the heavens, and he committed blatant murder in broad daylight.

    If murdering was his only choice, I could have understood. But he had an endless wave of Blazing Sun Sect disciples around, and asking help from any of them or the elders would have been better.

    He just made a shit ton of trouble for himself.

    I turned toward the Sect Leader, his calm demeanor betrayed by the deep, rich chocolate color of his eyes that hinted at mystery. But then, a twisted smile marred his face, curling his lips into a sinister grin that sent shivers down my spine.

    What the fuck?

    Before I could get a read on him, he disappeared right in front of my eyes as if he had never been there.

    I had no time to wonder about what was happening. Instead, I grabbed Fu Yating by the hand and pulled her closer.

    "We need to get away from here," I said, afraid the disciples from our Sect and the Void Piercing Sect might start a brawl. There was a good chance the Core Elders would stop such a thing from happening, but who knew for sure.

    We pushed through a crowd of tall, fat, short, and handsome men and women alike to get opposite from where they were looking. Some of the disciples from the Blazing Sun Sect I shoved aside looked like they wanted to fight me. Yet, when they saw my face, they backed off and let me pass. This was the advantage of being associated with someone like Song Song��nobody wanted to mess with that bag of crazy cats.

    My cousins thankfully followed behind in silent agreement. They were the kind of people who avoided trouble unless it was necessary. With that mindset, we reached the dark hallways below the arena, where a bright glow marked the exit.

    But I turned right and said, "Follow me! I know another exit."

    If something happened, the disciples would storm out of the apparent exit, which could turn into something troublesome.

    We walked through the damp stone hallways. Despite being close to summer, the temperature below the ground was always cold, and our breaths formed misty puffs in the air.

    I couldn''t help but think about Hu Jin and the highly lethal poison technique he used. Many historical figures used poison as a weapon to varying degrees of lethality. Still, only a handful reached the peak of power. Some did so due to Extreme Physiques related to poison.

    Once I excluded those with poison-related Extreme Physiques, only one figure stood at the pinnacle of the poison technique.

    The Great Sage of Divine Slaying Poison��his epithet was a mouthful. He gained that name because rumors said he had slain an immortal using his poison. He sounded perfect to become a ring grandpa, and he wasn''t known as a good guy either, bordering on demonic cultivation. Ideal for someone favored by the heavens.

    I didn''t know much about Hu Jin, but Ye An hated him for stealing something. If he was a thief, I doubted he had a righteous master.

    As we traversed the familiar tunnel, a route I often took with Song Song to avoid the Colosseum''s bustling crowds, I instinctively halted and signaled for my cousins and Fu Yating to do the same. The dancing shadows and the distant flickering torches were a familiar sight. But they felt different from usual.

    Why did it feel like there was someone with us? CHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m

    My senses picked up nothing, but every instinct screamed that someone else was there. I looked around and counted my three cousins and my fiance?e. Despite that, I tried to concentrate on my sense of hearing to detect if anyone was there. But it was useless, as the loudest sound was my own breath.

    But despite my efforts, I heard nothing.

    "Be careful of the dancing shadows," I warned them.

    "I''ll probably just do more training after I leave. There isn''t much to do for me. Body Tempering is oftentimes just a grind," Fu Yating said. "It will probably take me a couple more years to be a Qi Gathering Cultivator."

    "It''s the same for me," Liu Bo shrugged. "It''s just more training and cultivation, though we will also have to prepare for that expedition."

    "Are you sure you should go there?" I asked. With the four clans there, even if nothing dangerous lurked, there were bound to be some fights.

    "I know the dangers," Liu Bo muttered as if reading my thoughts. He was more intelligent than he looked or usually acted. "But as cultivators from some clan with no real foothold here where the strongest Sects and Clans reside, we have to make our own opportunities and take whatever we can get."

    It was a brave thing to do, and Liu Bo was always the one who didn''t mind danger as long as it was for the family. He had also transported Falling Moon Claw to the Clan.

    But at the same time, he was just a two-star Qi Gathering Cultivator. They had only come to the Blazing Sun Sect some years before me. Though I wouldn''t say I got any significant advantage here from being from the Liu Clan, at least I had someone who looked out for me. They had none and had built the mindset to survive this place. But they still had to fight and endanger their lives to get what they desired.

    The other two were not much better than Liu Bo either. Liu Heng was a three-star Qi Gathering Cultivator. At the same time, Liu Qian, who was a once-in-a-century level of talent within the Clan, was a five-star Qi Gathering Cultivator. She might be special in the Clan, but she was barely above average in cultivation talent here.

    Not long after, we separated. My cousins went their own way, and we walked toward Song Song''s mansion. The place was less gothic during the day and didn''t look as scary as at night when soft winds pushed the vines and made it look like shadows danced.

    Speedy raised his head when he saw us approaching. The little guy had stopped growing and was now the size of a small car. He was a fully matured monstrous beast and whatever else that entailed.

    "With this whole hassle of a tournament over, I''m going to enter in-door training," Song Song suddenly said. "If you need anything, you know where the things are."

    She didn''t say it out loud explicitly because Fu Yating was with us. But I knew she meant the places where we hid our storage rings full of spirit stones, medicinal herbs, and other cultivation resources.

    "How long will you be gone?" I asked.

    "However long it takes me to break through to three-star Foundation Establishment," Song Song shrugged. "Foundation Establishment is the stage in cultivation where one begins to enter closed-door cultivation if they want to advance fast."

    "Do you need me to bring you food?"

    "No, I already have boxes of ration pills," she said.

    Ah, those things. They tasted like wet cardboard, and I wasn''t sure how legitimate they were.

    Song Song must have predicted my thought process as she said, "I don''t need flavorful food to distract me from my cultivation."

    With that said, Song Song walked into the mansion.

    With only Speedy and Fu Yating around, I turned toward my fiance?e and asked, "Do you want to do something?"

    "Well, I have training. If you want to help me with that, I could use a sparring partner," Fu Yating offered.

    "Sure," I nodded.

    Now that Song Song will enter in-door cultivation, I should visit the librarian and the old man. I hadn''t seen them in a while. I might even say hello to that creepy owl.

 Chapter 160: A Brief Goodbye

    Chapter 160: A Brief Goodbye

    A brisk, calm morning wind brushed against my skin, carrying the crisp scent of dawn.

    I stood at the gate with Fu Yating, the ancient metallic gate towering above us. Her dark eyes, deep and enigmatic, stared intently into mine, reflecting a mix of shadows and flickers of light.

    The silence between us was palpable, broken only by the distant chirping of morning birds and the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze.

    What was I even supposed to say here? Even though we had spent some time together, it wasn''t like I learned much about her.

    "If you have any last words, feel free to tell me," I said.

    She looked to the left and then to the right as if checking to ensure no one was around.

    "Sometimes your eyes observe every small detail like you''re trying to read me like one of your books," Fu Yating said. "You look scary."

    Wow, okay. At least she was honest.

    "Anything else?"

    "Yeah, when you eat, you move like a puppet. Your manners are perfect, but they look unnatural like they were practiced," Fu Yating pointed out. "I don''t know how you do that since you''re usually an outstanding actor."

    "Thanks, I will keep that in mind," I nodded and with a thought caused the metallic gate to swing open like it was done by a ghost. There was even a loud screeching sound as it opened. Half of the noise came from the rust in the gate''s hinges; the other half was because I had explicitly put an array that would make a noise like this. I had a lot of useless arrays like this around the house.

    As she was about to walk out, I took in every detail of her appearance. Thankfully, we had ended things on good terms. However, I still had some questions.

    Could I risk this comfortable relationship we had built due to my curiosity?

    The answer was... yes.

    "What is your end goal?" I inquired.Fo?ll0w current novE?ls on n/o/(v)/3l/b((in).(co/m)

    Fu Yating stopped walking, her eyes widened, and she seemed surprised at my question. Perhaps it was my straightforwardness that surprised her. Either way, she took some time to think before speaking.

    "I have no idea..." she said. "I learned long ago that I have no control over what happens around me. The only thing I can control is my reaction to such events. As for my goal? It might change depending on the situation."

    That was the greatest non-answer ever.

    "What about you?" she asked.

    Song Song had once asked me the same question. Back then, I had yet to decide what I wanted. Unlike my fiance?e, I chose to be honest.

    "My goal is to learn many martial techniques, discover all the secrets about cultivation, and explore the highest levels of Alchemy, Artifact Creating, and Array Conjuring." I looked her in the eyes, trying to read her, and kept my gaze as unnerving as possible.

    Her heartbeat was normal, and she was not scared��she hadn''t been since the water bottle incident. While I wouldn''t say that she felt completely safe around me, it seemed like she had formed her own opinion.

    Napoleon said something about not getting in the way of an enemy as they were making a mistake. Though we weren''t exactly enemies.

    Fu Yating and I have at least built a friendly rapport. Or perhaps I was the only one who saw things that way.

    Usually, Trace was activated during combat when the user''s concentration peaked, and the technique was used perfectly. A Trace was more likely to land with combat techniques than movement techniques, especially since cultivators train to use movement techniques like second nature without focusing.

    The guards at the gate let me pass without much fuss, and as I walked past the gate, I felt an array wash over me. The most noticeable thing about the outer Sect was that Qi was less abundant here than the inner Sect.

    But I didn''t dwell on that and headed to the Dining Hall, the xianxia-equivalent of a cafeteria.

    Since it was early, few people were here to eat. But even those few stared at me with surprised and envious looks in their eyes. The servants behind the counter also seemed cowered by my presence, and none of the cooks and servers I was familiar with were around.

    "Hello, can I get four cups of tea?" I asked.

    The servants behind the counter nodded and hurriedly brought me the four cups of tea on a tray. I didn''t bother grabbing the tray; instead, I put the teacups in the storage ring and walked out.

    I looked at the library pagoda in the distance, and the world around me blurred as it took a brief second for my eyes to adjust to moving at blitz speed.

    Having things in a storage ring didn''t mean time was stopped in there or anything like that. But the place was like a void.

    As Newton''s first law stated, every object would remain at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless compelled to change its state by the action of an external force.

    Well, there were better examples here. But that was the first thing that came to mind when thinking about how storage rings were good at preserving things. Since the cold morning air wouldn''t touch the teacups, they would keep their heat longer.

    Within an instant, I was in front of the library. The doors were wide open, and a familiar feeling washed over me as I couldn''t help but smile.

    As I walked into the library, it felt like time hadn''t moved since I had left. The librarian was behind the counter, cleaning his Harry Potter-like glasses. His gaze turned toward me while the old man was dozing off on a chair with his broom leaning against the table.

    Thankfully, it was still too early for anyone to visit this place, and we had it to ourselves. The smell of books alone was enough to wash away all my problems.

    "Good morning," I greeted the librarian as I walked toward the old man, got the four teacups out of my storage ring, and put one close to him.

    The smell of tea seemed to rejuvenate the old fossil as he opened his eyes and stared at me. "Please tell me this is a nightmare."

    "Nah, you finally died and are in Tea Heaven, old man," I responded, taking one of the teacups and putting it on the librarian''s counter.

    "It''s more like hell with you around," the old man grumbled, but he still sipped his tea.

    "How have things been around here?" I asked.

    "Much better without you around," said the old man.

    Nonetheless, the librarian gave a more serious answer, "Nothing much. There will be a tournament again about who will go to the inner Sect."

    Thinking about it, it had been a year since I came to this world. That was quite something... So many things had happened.

    "Well, I will be back in a bit. I will also deliver a teacup to the owl on the third floor. It would be a shame if he got cold tea," I said.

    "Owl on the third floor?" Xin Ma looked confused.

    What? Was he pulling my leg on this? We had talked about the owl on the third floor, and I distinctly remember him not liking the monstrous beast.

 Chapter 161: The Bird Problem

    Chapter 161: The Bird Problem

    Despite how weird he was acting about not remembering the owl on the third floor, I knew the librarian wasn''t the type to partake in a cheap joke like this.

    "By the owl, I mean this old guy here," I pointed my thumb at the old man and smiled. "He''s almost as wise as an owl."

    "What do you mean by almost?" asked the old guy.

    "Well, you''re not really wise despite your age. But I didn''t want to be rude to an old fellow like you, who at best has a couple of weeks left to live," I joked.

    Our humor was dark and always had a hint of truth. To others, it might seem like I was insulting old man Shan Sha, but we got along fabulously.

    It felt like I had never left. The old man and I continued bickering while the librarian smiled at us from the sidelines.

    By the end, the old man had finished his tea and was eyeing the second cup initially meant for the owl. Could the owl even drink tea?

    I sat on the opposite side of the old goat and stared at him like a hawk.

    "You know, I missed you too, old man," I smiled.

    The old goat snorted, but a smile slowly appeared on his face.

    "Anyway, I have to go and check some things on the third floor. It shouldn''t take long. I''ll punch the floor and shake the whole tower if something happens," I said jokingly. But if the tower were to shake, they should know something was wrong.

    There was something on the third floor that could change people''s memories. It was a very dangerous thing to approach, but if the owl-like humanoid monstrous beast wanted to harm me, it would have done so when we were alone. Also, I knew that the owl-like monstrous beast was a Qi Gathering Cultivator.

    "Don''t worry, I have control over the arrays that cover the library," said the librarian with an amused glint in his eyes. He also wanted to get a slice of the humor. "If something goes wrong, I know who to blame."

    "Yes, you can blame the old goat," I said as I stood up and walked toward the stairs. An array barrier washed over me but didn''t inhibit my movement.

    The stairway hadn''t changed much, and I felt the same "flavor" of arrays��likely most were to confirm my identity. I didn''t stop on the second floor and continued to the third.

    There was some resistance this time as if I were trying to walk on the ocean floor. The sensation was strange and otherworldly; each step felt heavy, as though the weight of the water pressed down on me from all directions. Despite the dense, aquatic environment enveloping me, I found that I could still breathe with ease, my lungs filling with air as naturally as if I were on land. The contrast of the cumbersome movement and effortless breathing created a surreal experience.

    It was an interesting experience and perhaps an array I should try copying. Yet, just like the others, it couldn''t hinder me.

    For now, there were more interesting things to see, like the owl that apparently could change someone''s memories. So, I had no incentive to stay much longer.

    How did it even change memories? The brain was a very delicate thing to manipulate.

    I was curious enough to take some risks. I may forget this whole thing happened in the future. However, experiencing a technique that causes memory loss might be interesting on its own.

    "If lying-detection and emotion-detection arrays were absolute, then there would be no betrayals or liars left alive," I said.

    Some arrays could help detect whether someone was lying. But those arrays were about as reliable as a lie detector in my previous world. They mostly read physical reactions to determine if someone was lying. If those things were accurate, they would be used in real crimes. Instead, they were just used as props on TV.

    Many people reacted differently to lying, so one could never tell with those things. Also, I wasn''t too emotional about the situation I had found myself in.

    "Anyway, can you show me the thing that you used to delete the librarian''s memories? You should try and use it on me, make me forget about you and all that," I said, trying to goad him into playing his hand. "Or we could play it nicely, and you just tell me how you did it."

    "I will choose the second option," said the owl.

    Wait. He just going to tell me? Now, whatever cards I held close to my chest became somewhat useless.

    "It technically isn''t a memory erasing or memory locking array. As you said, things that deal with the mind are very imprecise. So deleting selective memories is almost impossible unless someone has reached the peak of Array Conjuring and has had time to work on the subject personally," explained the owl, his eyes staring at me unblinkingly. "What I have cast is a library-wide confusion array. Technically, I targeted the librarian''s thoughts about me."

    Confusion arrays were usually ineffective and took a long time to show any real effects. However, with the librarian spending all his time here and believing he had control of all the arrays in the library, the effect was likely slow but eventually took hold.

    Ironically, the best way to combat this array was to just walk out of its bounds. With the librarian being a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, he would have regained his memories if he had stayed just a couple of minutes outside the library.

    It was disappointing to be handed information like this so easily. Learning and discovering these kinds of things on my own was fun. Being given this way felt like playing chess but then using a bot to cheat or trying to learn something I already knew.

    At the same time, I had expected to see some high-level technique or array. But it turned out to be just a relatively simple array.

    It was impressive that someone had used such a simple array to create these effects��that was actually genius. But it would have been way more rewarding to figure this out alone.

    "You must be excited to learn that something like this is possible with arrays," the owl said.

    No, I wasn''t excited. This owl just kind of ruined my whole day.

    "I have spent a lot of effort dodging people who still have the blood of the Blazing Sun Immortal running through their veins. But it was worth it to find someone like you, who has a thirst for knowledge and wants to learn everything there is," he said, taking a step forward until he was within arm''s reach of me.

    Damn, he should just get to the point already.

    "Liu Feng, are you willing to open your mind and gain the inheritance of the greatest Array Conjurer to ever live!" the owl declared with a grandiose speech.

    Greatest Array Conjurer to ever live? That sounded like a very biased opinion. I wouldn''t say I had terrible luck, but I didn''t have good luck either. This sounded like someone telling me they would give me a million dollars if I signed a contract. Nobody would be celebrating that kind of news; they would be more suspicious that it was some kind of scam. This offer also came out of nowhere, which was extra sketchy.

    The owl was still looking at me, waiting for an answer.

    "Tell me more about this inheritance," I said.

 Chapter 162: A Warrior

    Chapter 162: A Warrior

    "Tell me more about this inheritance," I asked as the air around us grew stale.

    The humanoid owl was quiet and almost fidgety, its feathers ruffling slightly as it shifted its weight from one clawed foot to another. Its blank, eerie eyes darted around as if contemplating some deep, unspoken thought. The creature''s beak opened and closed a few times, hesitating, before it finally decided to speak. "Do you know why the world isn''t filled with immortals?"

    Its voice was a low, raspy whisper that seemed to echo through the stillness of the third floor.

    When I didn''t respond, he continued, "Immortals themselves are rare. Unless during certain strange times, on average, only one immortal can break through once every five thousand years or so. But cultivation has been around much longer than that, so why are there so few immortals? It feels like none of them are even alive anymore."

    The owl stared straight at me, trying to catch the slightest change in my expression. "Nowadays, only the Void Piercing Sect is assumed to have its Immortal Sect Founder alive, as he appeared three hundred years ago. How many immortals are living in secret? Where are they? Why do they not live amongst us like powerful cultivators like Nascent Soul Cultivators?"

    He was going on a rant, but I was eager to listen. I put up a barrier around myself to prevent any arrays, like the Confusion Array, from affecting me.

    Now that I knew such an array existed, it would be much harder for it to influence me. For one reason or another, these arrays were usually used��or used to be used��on whole villages. However, it was clear this array had been modified to fit specific criteria.

    "My master discovered an invisible hand of fate in the background. For some reason, the immortals didn''t involve themselves with mortals, and he observed that some people even had a pre-set fate," the owl explained.

    I had already guessed that, considering how certain things played out in the past and how people like Hu Jin existed. I even had a suspicion about why people like Hu Jin existed. If my theory was correct, no matter how lucky he was, a sad fate awaited him at the end of the road.

    "How do you know that your master was the greatest Array Conjurer? There are no array conventions or competitions to determine the strongest in the world," I said, slowly shifting the simple array around me while forming a new one underneath my feet.

    "Haven''t you been listening? He was the only one who discovered the hidden hand fate had to play in the world''s story. What else would you call someone who discovered something only immortals might know?" he asked, sounding calm but with a certain edge to his voice now.

    It seemed he didn''t like his master''s abilities being doubted; that was a weakness I could exploit.

    On the other hand, this master of his did not sound as impressive as this owl-like monstrous beast made him out to be.

    I had also theorized that luck and fate could be tangible things. But I wouldn''t call myself the greatest Array Conjurer around.

    "Yes, that makes sense," I nodded, agreeing with him. "But how am I going to get the inheritance? Do you keep it hidden in the library?"

    Since he had said his master was such a good Array Conjurer, he was perhaps good enough to hide some secret inheritance from the prying eyes of the librarians who managed the library. Though that would be unnecessarily difficult, having the inheritance away from here would be much easier. After all, no matter how good the array was, there was a good chance any Nascent Soul Cultivator would pick up on something unless the Array Conjurer was at the extremes of his craft.

    "No, my master was a careful man. He would never leave things like these to pure chance. The last thing he ever wanted was for someone blessed by the heavens to get his inheritance," said the owl-like monstrous beast.

    It sounded like this guy''s master was annoyed that he wasn''t born talented. I remembered a book about one of the sons of the Blazing Sun Immortal; perhaps he was the one who created this whole thing since he was born without talent. He had also made this library.

    "Okay, I understand that your master was careful," I nodded. "Now, can you tell me how we will get this inheritance? Are there any books or something?"

    The owl walked closer, and I could feel his breath, a warm, unsettling breeze against my skin.There was no bad smell coming off his beak, unlike what one would expect from a monstrous beast.

    Despite our close proximity, I didn''t back off. In fact, I welcomed it; the closer he was, the better it would be for me.

    The owl was clearly skilled in arrays. If we both engaged from a long distance, it would become a clash between Array Conjurers, and I hated fighting a battle I wasn''t sure I could win. Closing the gap neutralized his advantage and brought the fight into a realm where I had a better chance of winning.

    "I will use a technique to transfer my master''s memories and all his experiences about Array Conjuring to you," he stated.

    "That will be a no from me," I immediately responded.

    As far as I knew, having my memories planted into Liu Feng''s body was what essentially allowed me to take over his body.

    Sure, the book on Otherworldly Devils implied that their souls fused when an Otherworlder took over someone''s body. But as far as I knew, I could have just knocked Liu Feng''s soul out of the body, or I could have taken over a body without a soul.

    It was dangerous to blindly believe a book about things like these without some proof of my own.

    Damn, I had gotten excited for nothing. My luck was kinda shit. Even the first ��lucky�� encounter I had was not without strings attached.

    Meanwhile, I locked the array below my feet. As long as I was consciously controlling it, the array wouldn''t cause an explosion that would shake the whole tower.

    Even though I had allowed him to create some distance between us, the owl still seemed angry at me.

    "Since you are further away now, you should try to play to your advantage. Remember, you have lived longer than me and are probably a better Array Conjurer. Also, you can use the arrays on the library''s third floor. As I said, play to your advantage; make this an array battle where you can defeat me," I advised him. The difference in our combat experience was too significant; he would struggle to defeat me in close quarters combat.

    The owl''s gaze sharpened, and he crouched down. My heart leaped with excitement, anticipating what he might show me next!

    Was he finally going to reveal some arrays that were part of that inheritance he kept talking about?

    However, for reasons unknown, the owl chose not to deploy arrays this time. Instead, he charged at me again, his approach more direct and aggressive.

    A howling sound emanated from his fists as he advanced, a clear signal of gathering power. His Qi swirled visibly around his arms, condensing into a radiant aura with vitality. This sudden surge indicated he was using a martial technique. As he closed the distance between us, his arms became blurred lines of force aimed with lethal precision.

    While it was interesting to see a monstrous beast use human martial arts, the owl had already lost most of a monstrous beast''s physical advantages. It was the same strength behind the attack that a human cultivator could muster.

    Another way of saying it would be that it was boring. I expected more from him.

    Before his attacks reached me, I called him out.

    "Fool, don''t try to use martial techniques when you clearly have no experience using them in actual combat," I reminded him. Though his technique was executed excellently, there was still a big difference between an expert and a master. Just by how he used it, I could tell he had never landed a hit with this technique.

    It was like someone who had only trained on punching bags and never sparred against a live opponent going against a professional boxer.

    The owl abruptly halted as a line of blood appeared, slicing from his shoulder to his hip. He had been struck by the invisible blade of my Falling Moon Claw technique.

    As the realization set in, blood burst forth from the deep gash, staining his feathery exterior a stark crimson. Overcome by the sudden loss of strength, he slumped to the ground, his body crumpling under the weight of his injuries.

    "I went through the effort of lowering my technique''s power so it didn''t straight up cut through you," I crouched to his level. "Now, I understand that you want to keep this whole inheritance thing a secret��"

    Before I could finish my words, the owl''s head turned an eerie 360 degrees. With its head facing me directly again, it lunged forward, its neck stretching like a snake, aiming to head-slam me with renewed vigor.

    Oh. Was this a martial technique or something his body could naturally do?

    But I had studied monstrous beasts, and if I didn''t know that owls could turn their heads quite far and that something like this would likely be enhanced when they grew into monstrous beasts, then I would have to be a fool.

    Once again, the owl''s head crashed against a translucent green barrier. This time, his beak cracked, and he had put so much pressure on his face that it looked like his right eye was about to pop out.

    "You put a lot of effort into that one, but it wasn''t a well-thought-out plan. Why you decided not to use arrays, I have no damn idea," I shrugged and stared at the monstrous beast''s bloodied face. "Wait, don''t tell me you didn''t use arrays because I advised you to? That is... incredibly dumb."

    I understood the sentiment of not doing what his opponent told him to do. But, damn, that was stupid. I was a human who practiced martial techniques that were made for humans by humans.

    Why would he think he would be better than me at that?

    "Now, how about we try and make a deal where both of us come out of this satisfied, and I don''t have to kill you? After all, it would be a shame if your master''s inheritance disappeared like that," I advised him.

    While the owl was unique, I was also a veteran of a monstrous beast wave. I had fought against strong, fast, durable monstrous beasts who could fly, and those who could regenerate, and much more. Even monstrous beasts combined those qualities, which made them overpowered. So, I had my own experience to call on.

    Despite my advice, the monstrous beast stayed defiant and glared at me.

    "Listen, no offense to you. But the chances of you winning in a head-on fight against me are slim to none," I told the humanoid owl. "Also, how long will it take to activate your array, which you''re clearly biding your time for?"

    The owl''s eyes widened, a flicker of surprise breaking through its usually impassive demeanor. Clearly, he hadn''t expected me to be aware of his schemes.

 Chapter 163: A Delicate Mind

    Chapter 163: A Delicate Mind

    "How?" asked the owl.

    After I revealed that I knew about his scheme, his round eyes were devoid of hate and hope.

    How I knew about his little scheme was more of a guess on my part. I assumed he wouldn''t be dumb enough to charge at me without any plan in mind. He was likely buying some time for his array to activate, the same strategy I had used more than once. It worked better if the opposing side had no idea I was an Array Conjurer.

    "If you asked anyone, they would say that''s my gimmick. I read many books and know many things," I gave the owl a lackluster excuse. After what he had done, I owed him no explanation.

    He should be glad I wasn''t giving him a barbaric death after he had messed with the minds of those close to me. After what I had seen at the Song Clan prison, I could be pretty creative in these kinds of things.

    Bile rose up my throat just thinking about that place��the man hanging like a piece of meat, the guy having his brains eaten by rats, the one shoved in a barrel, and much more. I clenched my teeth and stopped myself from coming off as a weakling and throwing up in front of my opponent. The last time I had done something like that with an enemy nearby, I had almost died.

    "No matter what tortures you inflict on me, I would never betray my Master''s trust and spit on his legacy!" the owl declared.

    "Torture? What are we even talking about here? We both know I don''t have the stomach for that," I said, walking closer to the owl and crouching again. "What I''m saying is that we could work together. You get to keep the inheritance and give it to some other guy. But at the same time, you write down a couple of books on whatever the inheritance teaches, and we will be on our own merry way. You know what, I will even help you find some asshole guy your master can body snatch."

    The owl met my gaze, and as our eyes locked, the darkness around the library''s third floor intensified. Shadows, once merely cast by the dim light, now wriggled free from their constraints, moving with eerie autonomy. They crawled toward us like hungry worms, slithering across the floor and walls with a life of their own, growing in size and number.

    As I prepared to move, my body suddenly betrayed me in a grotesque display. Bloody holes opened across my skin as if punctured by invisible forces. From these unnerving wounds, flowers began to bloom, their petals unfurling amidst the crimson.

    "Huh," I murmured, my curiosity piqued despite the shock of the situation. Leaning closer, I cautiously inhaled the scent of the flowers sprouting bizarrely from my body. The aroma was unexpectedly rich, filling my senses with an almost intoxicating fragrance, like a wild, untamed garden after rain. As I breathed in, the scent seemed to coat the back of my throat with a sweetness reminiscent of honey, soothing and rich.

    I glanced at the owl. "Does this array have something to do with what can be inherited? This is neat."

    It was fascinating, and I wasn''t saying this just to play ball. I could feel the pain, hear the shadows crawling on the ground, and even smell the flowers. Sure, this was all an illusion, but it was so well-crafted that it made the illusionary arrays I had studied in the Song Clan Library seem amateurish.

    Warmth spread along my body, an alarming yet oddly comforting sensation, as the blood from the flower wounds soaked into my blue uniform, dyeing it a deep, dark red.

    "This would be really cooler if you could force the victim to actually feel the sensation of losing blood. Otherwise, this is mostly just panic bait. Also, when the red blood stains the blue uniform, it creates a purplish tint. Still, these things go beyond the simple sensations," I said, shaking my head in disappointment at the illusion''s lackluster execution despite its potential. "You should have a dizzying array; make the victim feel weak when they lose so much blood. Also, add an acoustic illusion that amplifies the sound of my heartbeat until it''s all I can hear. Make the world blurry, my legs shake, and all that."

    I had many more criticisms to lay on him, but I didn''t have all day. It was because of these lackluster efforts that illusionary arrays were considered useless. Users were trying to make the victim feel things they had no experience with.

    How could someone make another feel the illusion of losing blood if they had never experienced it? The closest the owl had come to feeling such things was probably today, and even then, he wouldn''t be able to add the experience here since it was new, and he hadn''t had the time to really process it; he was probably running on adrenaline.

    It was disappointing to see a creature who had lived for so many years have such lackluster skills in arrays. During his long life, the owl might have grown in cultivation, but his originality and mind had yet to develop to the level expected of someone his age. He was probably older than a hundred years.

    As I watched, the owl''s downed body began a mesmerizing transformation. Its feathery form started disintegrating into countless flower petals, each delicate and ethereal. The petals fluttered upwards, caught in an invisible breeze, and floated away, scattering into the air around us.

    Without hesitation, I lunged forward, my hand closing on what seemed to be thin air. Yet, to my touch, there was the unmistakable feel of a throat under my grasp. I lifted the figure, invisible to the eye but undeniably present in my grip. A strained groan emerged from the unseen entity, confirming its existence. The illusion had shown the owl vanishing in a burst of flower petals, but it was just that��an illusion.

    "Perhaps killing you might be the right decision. If this is all you can do, then you''re not worth leaving alive after what you did to the librarian," I told him, waiting for any reason to spare him.

    I wasn''t against killing the owl, but it would be a shame if the knowledge from his master and the inheritance disappeared from this world forever.

    The humanoid owl, still concealed by his invisibility, extended his hand towards me, aiming for my head��perhaps hoping I had left my guard down. He hoped wrong. As his hand reached out, it crashed against a translucent green barrier I had conjured. The barrier shimmered upon impact, the force of his attempt causing ripples across its surface. The owl''s hand recoiled from the sudden resistance.

    These rays bathed the void in brilliant illumination, creating a stark contrast against the deep purple backdrop. As the light touched my skin, an overwhelming feeling enveloped me, a sensation that seemed to penetrate to the very core of my being.

    He had mentioned something about soul combat before. Was this it?

    As the light from the white sphere intensified, I closed my eyes, focusing inward in an attempt to defend my essence and prevent the owl''s soul from overtaking mine. I didn''t want to lose my memories of this meeting!

    With a deep breath, I tried to reach the deepest recesses of my inner self, searching for a core of strength or hidden reserve that could fend off the invasive force. But a startling epiphany washed over me in this effort��I was already in the deepest part of myself. There was no further depth to myself. This realization was both disarming and enlightening. It suggested that the battle for control, the push and pull against the owl''s influence, was happening here and now, at the core of my being.

    Contrary to the brilliant white sphere behind my opponent, two dark spheres materialized behind me. Even though they were positioned behind me, I could perceive them with startling clarity, as if they were directly before my eyes.

    A shadow began to seep from one of the dark spheres behind me, moving with intent. It surged forward like a wave of darkness, swallowing the white light from the sphere behind the owl.

    In this space, we could no longer speak or hear each other. We couldn''t even move, and whatever we were seeing was likely just a product of our imagination, our minds trying to reason what we were looking at.

    However, our minds were connected, and I could sense the panic, shock, and fear running through the owl''s mind as my darkness eclipsed his light.

    It wasn''t a matter of who was more skilled but who had the stronger soul. Having a twice as strong soul... Well, it was an advantage. It was the same reason why there were weight classes in fighting. But in a soul clash, it was even more unfair because there were no grapples or techniques that would allow someone to take down a bigger opponent.

    Suddenly, my vision returned, and I was back in the real world��with the heavily injured owl still touching my forehead.

    The library was eerily quiet. There was no longer a sound of clanking or shelves shifting around. It was like all that complex array had died out.

    Hurriedly, I disabled the explosive array that was just about to activate.

    I brushed the owl''s hand away from my forehead and got a better look at the monstrous beast. What a sorry sight it was. The owl was visibly drooling, thick saliva dripping from the edges of its beak. Previously, its eyes sparkled with a sharp, almost tangible intelligence; now they had faded to a dull, listless gray, clouded and unfocused.

    He had ended up turning into a vegetable...

    "Sorry, I didn''t mean to do that," I apologized.

    Obviously, deleting memories of our meeting was a dick move. But turning the bird into a vegetable was needless. Yet there was nothing I could do about it now.

    "It seems like there was another drawback to your technique that perhaps you didn''t know about," I sighed.

    If he won the soul clash, he could add the memories of his master or delete certain memories. However, I doubt he knew this would happen if he lost, or he wouldn��t have been so hasty to use the technique.

    Using these techniques was a double-edged sword. To manipulate someone''s mind, the user had to open their own mind to transfer said thoughts. That was an extremely complicated and risky technique.

    Despite the apparent danger, it would be fun to learn techniques like this. Though it would be too dangerous to use on others, so I wouldn''t do that.

    A startling sensation washed over me before my mind could wander off into thoughts about a technique like the one the owl had used. When we were in that strange purplish space, I could sense my own soul... I was my own soul.

    Even though the technique had run its course... I could still sense it. It was perhaps even clearer now��the mangled monstrosity that was my soul.

 Chapter 164: Plucking

    Chapter 164: Plucking

    My soul looked like an old, worn-out shirt, with patches of new cloth awkwardly sewn over it to cover the tears. Though someone might describe it mundanely if they ever saw it, there was a particular horror to it. A malformed form lurked beneath the surface, twisting and writhing, trying to grab everything around it. It was as if my very essence was a grotesque entity struggling to hold itself together while reaching out for something more.

    However, it didn''t feel like I struggled to hold myself together; this was just its natural shape.

    Just "looking" at my soul felt weird. It was that same hollow feeling of looking at my wound right after surgery. Such a primal fear.

    Damn, was my own soul scaring me?

    But just as I tried to observe the mess of my soul, the grime within the misshapen thing��like an infection holding it together��began to change. Once chaotic and erratic, my soul started to calm down, the frantic movements slowing to a gentle stillness. Gradually, it formed into a seemingly perfect sphere, smooth and unblemished. The grime that had marred its surface slowly disappeared as if expelled by some unseen force, leaving behind a pristine, glowing orb.N/ne?w n0vel chap/ers are published o/n

    Huh? Why was this happening now? Or was this what always happened, and I was just catching sight of it for the first time?

    It was as if just knowing about it was like a body finally recognizing an injury and going through the process of healing it. What a strange sensation.

    But I couldn''t dwell for too long on what was happening in my head because something important was happening outside, too.

    The humanoid owl swayed, its feet uneven, and it looked like it would fall at any moment. Unintelligible moans escaped its beak, drool dripping down as it slumped to the ground. It was as if its mind had forgotten how to do even the most basic things. The once intelligent and cunning creature now seemed lost in a fog of confusion, its arms hanging limply at its sides as if it could no longer use the human-like appendages.

    A technique that could relatively easily change the memories of an opponent''s mind was bound to have a very heavy drawback.

    Now, the question was whether this drawback was permanent or temporary. I hoped for the latter, as losing the only time I had a lucky encounter would be a shame.

    This was probably the only lucky encounter I was getting for the rest of my life!

    But before I could grieve my lost opportunities, the whole tower rumbled. For a second, I was afraid it might come crashing down. My worries, however, were unfounded as an explosion of Qi erupted from the entrance of the third floor. Out of the swirling energy stepped the librarian. His presence radiated power, his robes billowing as if caught in an unseen wind. The air crackled with the force of his arrival, and I could feel the intense aura of his Qi even from a distance.

    He no longer wore his glasses; his eyes were intense, bloodshot, and rage-filled. His usually calm and collected demeanor was replaced with raw, seething anger that seemed to fuel the Qi swirling around him.

    I could understand his fury; I too would be angry if someone had tampered with my mind, leaving me with gaps in my memories.

    When his eyes landed on the owl, his gaze was filled with murderous rage. Without hesitation, he approached the owl-like monstrous beast, each step deliberate and heavy with intent. The air seemed to grow colder with every step he took, the Qi around him pulsating in response to his anger.

    "First of all, I think we should all calm down," I said, clapping my hands to bring the librarian''s attention from the owl, even if it was only for a split second. That split second was all I needed. "I was the one who released you from your mind control. Well, not really mind control, but you know what I mean. Who knows what else he did with the confusion array."

    "Confusion array? I fell victim to a confusion array?" The librarian looked ashamed, with a trace of embarrassment tainting his features.

    I quickly explained to him what had roughly happened to him. Regarding my fight with the owl, I didn''t go into much detail beyond how my opponent''s technique had backfired.

    While explaining that, I kept an eye on the humanoid owl. Just in case his technique''s backlash was really only temporary. But that didn''t seem to be the case, as he was still a drooling mess.

    This awoke the librarian from his deep-seated concentration, and he opened his eyes and stared at me.

    "Don''t let your guard down again. Just because you have control of the library''s arrays doesn''t make you invincible," I warned him.

    The librarian nodded. Now with his source of anger gone, he had returned to his usual self; his face betrayed nothing, and he looked calm and collected.

    He stared at me briefly before saying, "You''re a good kid, Liu Feng."

    "Thanks?" I answered, unsure why he would say something like that out of nowhere. There was a better time and place to talk about how I was a good guy.

    "Just make sure you don''t let yourself get corrupted by... bad company," the librarian said in a melancholic tone.

    He definitely meant Song Song.

    Though I wasn''t sure if this was the best time to have a conversation like this, I still responded.

    "People change as they grow up and adapt to the circumstances around them," I said, glancing around to see if anyone else noticed the third floor''s arrays. I sensed no one approaching the library, at least no one strong. But I wasn''t sure if that meant much when anyone overwhelmingly powerful could slip past my senses. "Also, why are you saying these kinds of words as if you''re about to die at any moment?"

    "I probably will," the librarian sighed, clearly having already resigned himself to whatever fate he imagined. "After all, I lied to the Sect Leader straight to his face."

    Oh, that was quite a big deal.

    I recalled the image of his solitary figure, seated imperiously on a golden throne that seemed to radiate an aura of nonchalance. His posture was relaxed, almost dismissive, starkly contrasting the gravity of the situation around him. Even as the Beast Wave was smashing against all the cities that the Blazing Sun Sect controlled, hundreds of thousands, perhaps even millions of people, died due to that as whole towns were destroyed! But this man who was in charge of everything seemed nonchalant about it.

    I had met the Sect Leader, and he didn''t seem like the kind of guy who would care about these things. If the Sect Leader didn''t like people lying to him, why had he surrounded himself with snakes from the inner sect? Clearly, he didn''t care if liars lied straight to his face.

    I opened my mouth and was about to reassure him when another voice interrupted me.

    "Don''t worry, the Sect Leader won''t do anything."

    I turned toward the staircase and saw the elderly janitor''s face staring back. His usual hunched figure was even more pronounced under the dim, flickering lights of the hallway. Shadows danced around his weathered face, accentuating every wrinkle and crevice.

    He was using his broom to stand up, gripping it tightly as if it were a staff of power rather than a simple cleaning tool. His eyes, usually nonchalant and jesting, were piercing and intent, locking onto mine with an intensity I hadn''t seen before.

    This time, it wasn''t just my baseless suspicion; he actually looked like someone influential, someone who held secrets and knowledge far beyond his humble appearance. The air around him seemed to thrum with an almost tangible energy, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

    How could some simple janitor say such words so confidently?

    It seemed like my suspicions were finally proved correct.

 Chapter 165: Beloved Parents

    Chapter 165: Beloved Parents

    I stared at the old man like a hawk, not bothering to hide my suspicion. The old goat met my gaze with a nonchalant look, but I wasn''t going to drop the subject so quickly.

    Eventually, he caved and said, "I have a way to convince the Sect Leader. He always keeps an ear open for those close to him."

    What was that supposed to mean? That explained nothing!

    But then I remembered this wasn''t some stranger I had to shy away from, so I directly asked him, "Are you some secret big shot or something, old man?"

    "Of course, I''m a big shot," the old goat admitted shamelessly. "I manage the outer sect''s Cleaning Council, which oversees all the janitors in the outer sect. How else do you think I landed a cushy job like this?"

    I recognized when someone didn''t want to answer and let the issue drop in the name of our friendship. There was no need to push so hard.

    The librarian''s face visibly softened, the lines of worry smoothing away as if erased by a gentle hand when the old man promised to make the issue disappear. Relief washed over him, his previously furrowed brow relaxing.

    He knew something... Something that reassured him the old man could somehow smother the Sect Leader''s wrath.

    Now, they had me all curious about the issue. If there was one thing I liked, it was knowing things.

    But I had no choice but to drop it for now since the old man was someone I cared about, and I valued the relationship we had built. I doubted his secrets would harm me, and I wasn''t a gossiping housewife.

    "Well, this has been quite an eventful visit. Hopefully, next time, I can just come and relax. There''s already too much drama in my life. This is supposed to be my safe place," I said, brushing past the old man as I headed down the stairs. The arrays that would have once brushed over me were now gone.

    There was nothing more to do here on the third floor. Perhaps later, I could come back and check some things, but for now, we had our duties��especially the librarian, who was supposed to be by the counter now.

    The librarian walked behind while the old man badmouthed me. "I swear, brats nowadays are always finding trouble at every turn. You know, back in my day, we had to be quiet like death."

    He just wanted my reaction, but I wouldn''t give him that.

    "Hey, I don''t need you old folk blaming us for how we act. You guys were the ones who taught us to be assholes. It was your mistake," I said, my argument flawless and without holes.

    Yet, when there were no holes in an argument, the opposing side only had to create one.

    As we walked down the stairs, the flickering lights revealed the old man''s expression and the shameless glint in his eyes. At that moment, I realized I had underestimated just how petty this old bastard could be!

    "Do you know what was a real mistake? Going to the Sect Leader about releasing Song Song," he shook his head.

    "That was the biggest mistake you''ll make in this life, brat. Before, you were nobody important, essentially invisible to most people. Even your book would have faded into obscurity," the old goat shook his head even harder the time, sighing. "But you had to go and try to be the bigger man. Now, everyone and their mother has their eyes on you... and they won''t forget you either."

    Harsh but true. That was how it always was with the old goat. He didn''t mince words, but his arguments were almost always sound.

    "I don''t like people''s attention because it cuts into my reading time," I replied, adding, "But this was Song Song, and I had to help her. She''s always been a good friend, saved my life multiple times, and ended up in prison because of me."

    As we spoke, we descended to the second floor, which presented a striking contrast to the elaborate, cave-like structure of the third floor. The atmosphere shifted to resemble a traditional library, with orderly rows of shelves stretching ambitiously high, each packed with books in various colors and scripts.

    The air was filled with the musty, comforting scent of old paper and leather. It was cozy, and I felt at home.

    Yet, we only lingered briefly here before continuing down the stairway.

    "You''re not blind to your so-called friend''s faults, right?" the old man asked, this time with genuine concern.

    Sometimes, it was hard to tell whether he was truly worried or just adding dramatic effect to his usual jests.

    "No, I know exactly what she''s like," I said.

    But her begging was useless. Her father wasn''t looking at her mother nor at her. Instead, his gaze was fixed on the pool of blood below his knees.

    As her mother continued to utter fragmented pleas, her voice a desperate murmur against the stifling silence, a sudden, chilling motion cut her short. Her father stepped forward swiftly, calculatingly, grasping her mother''s head and twisting it sharply. Like a screw being forcefully turned.

    In an instant, her mother''s body went limp. Her corpse collapsed into a lifeless form, splashing back into the crimson pool and sending ripples across the bloodied surface. Her dark hair fanned out around her, merging indistinguishably with the surrounding red as she lay still and silent.

    Her father then turned toward her, "Your mother had the Gouging Snake Extreme Physique. The ritual is ready; come and eat your meal, Song Song."

    Song Song wasn''t interested in the ordeal and refused to listen to her father. She knew people called her crazy or mad behind her back, but none of them had met her father. He was insanity incarnate.

    "Are you hesitating?" he asked.

    "No, I''m just waiting to see what you''ll come up with next. I can''t believe my subconscious mind is still whining about this," Song Song sighed.

    "Don''t worry," he reassured her, "The Gouging Snake Extreme Physique isn''t like the others. Legends say that if a monstrous beast devours this physique, it will immediately become a Nascent Soul Cultivator. Do you know the legend of the snake who ate it? That''s where it got its name."

    Song Song knew what he was talking about. As a kid, she had received the same boring speech many times.

    Legends and reality were different, and with this ritual, someone from the Gouging Snake Extreme Physique bloodline could devour her mother too. There should still be some benefits, even though Song Song was not a monstrous beast... and there were.

    At the time, Song Song was too young to understand, but her mother''s body was breaking down due to her extreme physique. She could no longer carry a child, so her father did what he had wanted to do all along: He created his perfect offspring.

    That was why Song Song never wanted children. How her father had placed his hopes on her was pathetic. That kind of mindset was for losers. Instead of forcing and molding his child to reach the peak of cultivation, he should have tried to do it himself.

    "We are cultivators," her father said. "Even parents would abandon and betray their own children if it meant there were benefits to it. My parents did it, and I will do the same to you. Always keep that in mind."

    Song Song sighed. This said volumes about how little she truly knew her father beyond his acts of cruelty when they were younger. The only defining trait she associated with him was his penchant for delivering boring speeches.

    As the lifeless form of her mother settled into the blood, a sudden, unsettling twitch broke the stillness. The "corpse" began to move with an eerie autonomy. Her mother''s head slowly rotated, the gruesome sound of bone and ligament realigning echoing in the silent room as it twisted back into its original position. The figure that rose from the pool was no longer the woman Song Song knew.

    Instead, standing before her was a young man with sharp, angular features, his short dark hair slick with blood. Clad in a pristine blue uniform that seemed starkly out of place in the bloody chaos, he was unmistakably Liu Feng.

    Liu Feng fixed his gaze on Song Song, his expression a mixture of accusation and horror. "Song Song, do you want to lead me down this road of damnation too? Will you one day savor my flesh as it runs down your throat?"

    "You just broke the immersion. Liu Feng would never say something lame like that," Song Song said.

    With that, she opened her eyes and woke up.

    She was in a dark room. But despite the pitch darkness, her vision was sharp, and she could see the intricate cracks in the walls in great detail.

    "I should end my indoor cultivation soon. This is boring, and it feels like I''m going insane," Song Song muttered under her breath.

    Song Song recalled the time Liu Feng had told her not to rush things. He had never advised her wrong... Perhaps she should listen to his advice this time, even if she didn''t like it.

    She rather enjoyed cultivating next to Speedy while teasing Liu Feng whenever she could. Liu Feng was usually hard to tease, but with his fiance?e around, it was easy.

    Also, Song Song thought they made a good match. He needed a scheming woman to keep him on his toes, or he''d get complacent.

    Song Song knew her life was no longer just her own. She understood that her enemies would target Liu Feng if anything happened to her. Whether he wanted it or not, their lives were intertwined. She couldn''t afford risks, and she couldn''t allow herself to die in the middle of nowhere.

    Her life had grown so complicated��Song Song sighed and stood up.

 Chapter 166: The Breaking of Through

    Chapter 166: The Breaking of Through

    After my conversation with Shan Sha, I returned to the inner Sect, heading straight for the mansion grounds.

    As I entered the yard, the metallic gate emitted an obnoxiously loud groan��precisely as I had designed it to��making it impossible to ignore. This wasn''t just a random noise but a signal to the entire mansion that I had returned, a security measure I''d implemented to prevent unwanted intrusions.

    The sun was high in the sky, signaling midday. The blistering heat typical of the approaching summer was thankfully tempered by the protective arrays we had strategically placed around the area. These arrays, including the Borderline Evernight Array, Thousand Divine Breath Array, and the Demonic Cloud Everwinter Array, cast a soothing, cool shade over the grounds.

    Despite their badass-sounding names, the arrays were mediocre and easy to cast.Vi?Sit no(v)3lb/!n(.)com for new novels

    As I entered, I noticed Song Song in the yard, seated in a meditative pose next to Speedy. It was an unusual sight, given that she was supposed to be in indoor cultivation.

    "Are you done with your indoor cultivation already? So soon?" I asked, my curiosity piqued as the heavy door to the mansion creaked shut behind me.

    "Spending all day in darkness is boring, so I plan to slowly get used to it. How do those geezers spend years��and even decades��locked up in indoor cultivation?" Song Song asked, looking rather annoyed.

    "I''ve heard some spend centuries in indoor training, especially the Core Elders or Nascent Soul Cultivators," I replied.

    I''d never thought about it before, but now that Song Song mentioned it, spending so much time alone in a dark room with no source of entertainment would be hell for most people��especially doing so for years.

    No wonder some cultivators ended up crazy. Also, that kind of thing wouldn''t bode well for the Princess of Mental Instability here. The less time Song Song spent in her own head, the better it was for everyone. Who knew what messed-up things she could come up with on her own?

    "Anyway, how was your visit to your friends in the outer sect?" Song Song asked. She didn''t care, but she had learned basic manners and courtesy.

    "Nothing much happened," I shrugged and sat beside her, patting Speedy''s shell. "Except for that whole conspiracy by a monstrous beast on the third floor who was brainwashing people. It was actually something set up by a cultivator in the past to try and body-snatch someone."

    "What?" Song Song opened her eyes and looked at me, confused.

    "Well, I''m close to a breakthrough myself."

    "Okay, that''s good. But I think we should go back a bit and talk about that whole conspiracy thing again," Song Song said.

    "Really? But that''s already old news," I shrugged.

    She knew I was egging her on; sadly, Song Song had matured and didn''t fall for my bait. Nobody could trick her so easily anymore. She wouldn''t get angry unless she allowed herself to. Which was good overall, but it made it harder to tease her now.

    "Any other news?" she asked, raising a questioning brow.

    "Well, I''m close to a breakthrough, so there''s that," I shrugged.

    "Yes, I know..." her lips thinned. She knew this was a game between us and stayed in control, "You''d do well to remember that I''m still a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and can sense how strong someone is. Inadvertently being able to sense their cultivation level and how close they are to the next breakthrough is a basic ability for most at my stage."

    Indeed, Song Song''s sensitivity to Qi was already remarkable; her recent breakthrough had only amplified this ability.

    "How far can you even sense?" I asked.

    "Pretty far. For example, I can sense that your friend, Hu Jin, is using the arena in the inner Sect," Song Song replied. "He''s fighting a seven-star Qi Gathering Cultivator and somewhat winning."

    I, on the other hand, stopped cultivating and rested a bit. I patted Speedy''s sleepy head, feeling his rough scales. This little guy could handle attacks from Foundation Establishment monstrous beasts, and I had been working on an array with him in mind.

    As I contemplated, the wind picked up around Song Song, carrying a scent of blood. She opened her eyes, smiling.

    "Congratulations on reaching three-star Foundation Establishment," I said.

    But seriously, what was up with that talent? She had literally just broken through to two-star Foundation Establishment. Sure, she worked hard, but lots of people worked hard. Her cultivation speed was borderline at the level of Extreme Physiques, and it didn''t seem like it was slowing down anytime soon.

    "How many spirit roots do you possess?" I couldn''t help but ask, my curiosity piqued.

    "Officially, it''s eighty-six," she replied shortly, not going into much detail.

    "What about unofficially?"

    "It''s rude to ask a cultivator those things," she pouted.

    "Wait, it''s actually more?" I inquired, now more curious than ever. Usually, spirit roots were counted when the cultivator was young. Meaning she had somehow increased her spirit roots. "How did you increase your spirit root count?"

    Song Song went quiet at first as if wondering whether she should tell me. But in the end, she trusted me quite a bit. "Through some borderline demonic rituals. Though, there are usually steep drawbacks."

    "Really?" I rubbed my chin, feeling a sense of excitement at learning something new. I had guessed that, theoretically, it should be possible, but I never could think of a way. "Did you get any of those drawbacks too?"

    I couldn''t understand why she bothered increasing her spiritual roots when she was already a top-grade talent. But I had enough social skills to realize she didn''t want to discuss this.

    "Not me. My ritual was top grade and not something you can replicate," Song Song said.

    I was about to ask many more questions and details as a sense of excitement danced in my heart. But when I saw the look on her face, I immediately dropped the issue.

    For some reason, she really didn��t want to talk about this.

    ��Anyway, have you heard about that expedition the four great sects will jointly participate in?�� I asked, deciding to change the subject.

    Whether Song Song noticed or not, she didn��t object and nodded. ��Yes. I��ve already secured a couple of spots for us. You would have had to go anyway since you��re our Sect��s monstrous beast specialist, and the Sect wants to show you off.��

    Well, I was going to go regardless. My cousins had heard rumors that the place they were going to was actually some kind of inheritance from an immortal.

    People often exaggerated rumors, so I took that with a grain of salt.

    But I had never been to any inheritance or ruin site of that caliber. I couldn��t help but be curious about what arrays those old folk used. Perhaps it wasn��t arrays at all! A whole new branch of cultivation could be lost to time, just waiting to be rediscovered!

    It was fascinating just reading about ancient cultivators, not to mention actually being in one of their ruins and investigating it!

    ��Well, you seem happy,�� Song Song commented from the sidelines, a smile dancing on her lips.

 Chapter 167: Setting Off

    Chapter 167: Setting Off

    As spring gave way to summer, the blazing heat took the place of soft comfortable and cool winds, with the sun now casting a relentless glare overhead. At least the lighting was good for reading.

    Song Song and I navigated the bustling roads of the outer Sect, feeling the warmth intensify with each step. The air was thick with the scent of sun-warmed earth, and the distant hum of sect activities faded as we approached the quieter, more solitary path leading to the gate outside the Sect.

    I had a book in hand, reading as we walked. It was from the second floor of the outer sect library��a detailed explanation of the confusion array. Often, when someone used a technique or an array, they didn''t need to know exactly what was happening, how it worked, or what the technique was doing in every minute detail.

    The best comparison would be to using a computer. Most people knew how to operate one, but only some understood the finer details of how the computer performed its functions.

    However, I had to admit that the book''s explanations were lacking. What did phrases like "cloud the mind" even mean? I wanted specifics, not metaphorical nonsense.

    As we approached the gates, a group of blue-robed inner disciples and a handful of Core Elders were already there. Despite our early arrival, some people seemed even more punctual than us.

    Once we got closer, I glanced over the book and counted the gathered disciples.

    As the disciples laid eyes on Song Song, the previously boisterous and unruly clamor abruptly quieted, and the air of shouting dissipated. A profound and weighty silence fell upon the assembly, enveloping everyone present. Although the loud voices ceased, a low murmur persisted; the crowd''s whispers wove through the stillness, their words cautious and respectful.

    Despite the presence of Core Elders in the distance, they seemed more wary of Song Song than of them. In a way, it made sense��Song Song was more likely to kill someone without warning. Even though she had calmed down, her reputation remained notorious.

    After counting all the disciples, I began assessing those who might be dangerous to us.

    The first person who caught my eye was Ye An. She wore a medical-white eyepatch over the eye Song Song had skewered. Though she still looked somewhat pretty, the once-perfect luster she had was gone. Scars now marred her face.

    Despite being surrounded by people who supposedly supported her, Ye An looked lonely. Her lone eye was fixed on Song Song, but the hatred I expected to see was absent. It seemed all the fire she once had had drained away.

    I glanced at Song Song to see if my leader was jealous of Ye An, who now possessed what she once had. My Song Song smiled widely, looking at everyone as if waiting for a reason to attack. She paid no attention to Ye An''s supporters.

    "It seems the ice bitch has broken through to Foundation Establishment," Song Song whispered, sounding ecstatic. She really had it out for Ye An.

    I used to have it out for Ye An too. In a way, I still hadn''t forgiven her for that one time she tried to kill me. But right now, she looked like a sorry figure. I wouldn''t interfere with her if she stayed out of my way.

    The last person I was looking for was the one most likely to cause trouble, but Hu Jin was nowhere to be found.

    Had heaven''s favorite really missed out on an opportunity like this? Despite his abnormal luck, even he had to follow some logic, and there were rumors he had gotten into trouble.

    But then again, when was Hu Jin ever out of trouble?

    I waved at my cousins and walked toward them. People made way for Song Song, and I smiled as we drew closer.

    "It seems like you guys found some spots for yourselves too," I said, casting a silencing array around us��a second instinct whenever I spoke with someone.

    Liu Bo gave a thumbs up. "Of course, we have our own connections."

    "Cool it with the bloodlust. We''re here to gain resources or other valuable things from this opportunity, not to kill people," I reprimanded Song Song.

    She frowned and turned toward me, her deep blue eyes locking onto mine. Her gaze was a mix of inquiry and intensity that seemed to probe the very core of my thoughts, stirring a silent conversation between us that transcended words.

    "You know, you''re the servant and supposed to follow my commands. But if an outsider were to look at us, it would seem the opposite," Song Song stated in a chillingly cold tone.

    The tension in the air thickened. I could feel the nervousness emanating from my cousins. Each shift and shuffle, each hesitant glance they exchanged, only added to the charged atmosphere of their collective anxiety.

    "Lady Song, my cousin meant no offense by that," Liu Qian quickly interjected, standing up for me.

    Seeing that she was willing to defend me was nice, but it was unnecessary.

    "I handle the strategic side of things. We already have too many enemies; don''t go making more of them," I reprimanded her again. My cousins winced at my words, glancing at Song Song as if expecting her to explode in rage at any moment.

    But contrary to their expectations, Song Song approached me and pinched my cheeks.

    "Speedy is much cuter than you and never argues back," she huffed.

    "If he could speak, I bet he would have a lot to complain about."

    Eventually, she let go of my cheeks and returned to her habit of creepily staring at people.

    "All bark and no bite," I muttered under my breath, fully aware that Song Song could hear me. She chuckled but did nothing more.

    We might have played around a lot more if it had been just the two of us, but we had company��a company that would take any chance they could to cut us down.

    After a while, more people joined us, and then the Core Elders led us outside the Sect''s walls.

    "Everyone, take out your flying swords," commanded one of the Core Elders, a man with red cheeks and a beak-like nose. "We''re going flying. If you fall behind or fall off and can''t keep up, just return to the Sect."

    After making his declaration, he reached into his storage ring and withdrew a large sword. The weapon had a pristine white handle paired with a striking red blade. With practiced ease, he leaped onto the flat of the blade and began to float effortlessly above the ground.

    That action was the cue for everyone else to draw their own flying swords. I followed suit, grasping my own��a pale, milk-white sword adorned with a red ribbon fluttering from its end. This was my personal flying artifact, a gift from Song Song.

    Mounting our swords in unison, we responded to the elder''s call. Levitating off the ground, we formed a spectral procession behind the red-robed Core Elders, our figures slicing through the sky with surgical precision. The sight of all the disciples aloft on their swords was nothing short of fantastic. Together, we resembled a flock of birds, each member moving in perfect harmony.

    The vast expanse beneath me unfolded as I looked down��the greenery, the forests in the distance, and the mighty marble-white walls of the Blazing Sun Sect. While we flew, I reached out and ran my fingers through the soft clouds��though they weren''t as fluffy as they appeared, leaving me with nothing but a wet hand.

    Where there might have once been fear of heights or anxiety, I now felt a sense of unparalleled freedom. It was as if the very notion of fear had dissolved, replaced by a buoyant, thrilling release that coursed through my veins like electricity.

    Here, suspended between the blue sky above and the green earth below, I felt a realm of pure wonder.

 Chapter 168: Goldwatch

    Chapter 168: Goldwatch

    We flew above the clouds for hours, passing over farms, towns, fields, forests, and even barren lands of rock and sand. Occasionally, we dipped below the clouds, and at other times, we ascended above them when a storm seemed to be brewing.

    Our flight continued until we finally glimpsed a city sculpted from ruby and gold. Even from such a distance, the view was awe-inspiring. Broad avenues and sprawling plazas were intricately woven into the city��s fabric. The city was a testament to extravagance, encircled by towering walls that gleamed like solid gold in the sunlight. Its harbors were so clear and blue they seemed to be a slice of the sky themselves. As we drew closer, the surface sparkled under the sun, revealing pearls scattered across the seabed. The sight was beautiful.

    It was one of the largest cities I had ever seen in this world, like a jewel nestled amidst the landscape below.

    ��We must descend. Prepare for landing,�� said one of the Core Elders. Though he spoke softly, and the wind made it hard to hear, his command came through clearly.

    Like a large flock, the disciples followed the Core Elders as we descended. As we drew closer to the ground, I could see more details below. In front of the city gates was a long line of people trying to enter. Some were turned away, dejected, while others were allowed through. There seemed to be no clear pattern as to who was permitted entry.

    The Core Elders bypassed the line, and we followed. Some non-cultivators frowned at this, but none dared voice their displeasure.

    A tall man wearing intricate golden armor stood at the gate. He had wavy golden hair that reached his shoulders, and his eyes were brighter than any diamond. To top it all off, he was handsome, with no blemishes or imperfections on his face.

    But what caught my attention was that he was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, seemingly unaffiliated with any Sect, and he regarded us indifferently. He stood solemnly, even before the five Core Elders, who were far more powerful than he.

    ��You must be from the Blazing Sun Sect,�� he stated. ��Welcome to Goldwatch, the City of Dreams.��

    Despite his words, all of the Core Elders stayed put. Instead, they waited as the man in golden armor produced a twenty-sided die of crimson ruby.

    ��If you��re unfamiliar with the rules, anything above ten allows you entry. A roll below ten means you��ll have to camp outside,�� the guard explained, rubbing his hand along his pencil-thin mustache before tossing the die. ��The Azure Frost Sect and the Void Piercing Sect have been allowed in. Unfortunately, the Titanic Blade Sect rolled a four and had to camp near the city. As a gesture of fairness, we provided them with tents. Goldwatch City remains neutral in Sect matters, so we��ll extend the same courtesy to you.��

    The ruby die landed on the pearly-white floor, bounced a few times, and settled on two.

    It seemed we would be sleeping in tents. I never thought there would be a place that would treat members of one of the four great sects like this.

    ��I would wish you luck in your future endeavors, but it seems luck is not on your side today,�� the guard said, shaking his head. He took a silver ring from his pocket and handed it to one of the Core Elders. ��Here are the tents. If any of your disciples wish to enter the city, they can try again tomorrow. As long as they respect the choice of the dice. May the dice be with you, honorable cultivators.��

    Some of the inner sect disciples looked displeased, but since the Core Elders didn��t complain, they also held their tongues.

    ��Thank you for your generosity,�� the five Core Elders politely bowed their heads and moved back. Though a few of them wore frowns, they seemed more concerned than offended.T/his chapter is updat/ed by

    Once we were far enough away, I asked Song Song, ��What was that about?��

    The beak-nosed Core Elder slipped on the storage ring given to him by the guard in golden armor and waved his hand. Fifty green tents popped into existence, perfectly camouflaged to meld seamlessly with the lush grass around them.

    "Everyone, choose your own tent. There are enough for each of you to have your own private space. If I catch anyone fighting over a tent, I will break your fingers," the beak-nosed Core Elder stated without a hint of concern.

    As the others began selecting their tents, Song Song and my cousins found theirs quickly and reserved one for me. I, however, wasn''t too concerned about where I slept, though it seemed the tents closest to the Titanic Blade Sect''s camp were less popular.

    I sat on the grassy field, with a clear view of the golden city. Taking out a black charcoal pencil and an empty notebook��the large kind, with pages as big as the span from the tip of my middle finger to my elbow��I began to draw.

    I placed the notebook on my lap and opened it to the first page, a pure white canvas. Slowly and carefully, I started sketching, capturing the golden city and a bit of its glory on paper.

    My drawing turned out rough around the edges, showing that even high cultivation couldn''t substitute for a lack of artistic talent. But it wasn''t too bad, either.

    By the time I added some details I had seen from above, the sun was setting, and the light glistened off the city walls.

    I stood up and walked toward the tent my cousins and Song Song had saved for me. It was between Song Song''s tent on the left and Liu Bo''s on the right. The tents had been arranged around a small wooden pile, where Liu Bo rubbed two wet sticks together, trying to start a fire.

    Song Song used the back of her hand to hide an amused smirk while Liu Qian chuckled under her breath.

    On the other hand, Liu Heng yelled words of encouragement, "Don''t give up; you can do it!"

    It was hard to tell whether he was in on the joke or absolutely serious.

    "I saw one of my cousins do it like this. He''s a hunter and taught me a lot when we were younger! I''m a professional at this, but it takes a while!" Liu Bo said, full of confidence.

    I joined them and sat by the sidelines, smiling.

    After a while, Song Song grew bored of watching Liu Bo struggle and finally told him the truth. That was our unspoken signal to head to our tents and get some rest. It had been a long day.

    As sleep claimed me, I thought about trying to enter the golden city tomorrow.

    What wonders would a place like that hold inside? I was also curious how a place like this came to be.

 Chapter 169: The Golden City

    Chapter 169: The Golden City

    I adjusted to the gray and white clothes I was wearing, prepared for undercover work. They were tight around the shoulders; I should have tried them on before buying them.

    The morning sun cast a shimmering sheen over the golden walls of Goldwatch City. As it climbed higher, the city began to glow as if the walls were made of molten gold.

    As that was happening, I had a front-row seat. I was walking in a seemingly endless queue along the gravel road, each of us awaiting our turn at the city gates.

    Behind me, an elderly man gripped the reins of two sturdy donkeys, their coats dusty and their eyes weary from the journey. Ahead, a peculiar sight caught my attention��a man with three fingers, his knuckles white, hauling a heavy carriage without the aid of a mule. Despite the difficulty, a grim determination marked his face.

    The air was thick with the scent of the morning''s toil, earth mingling with the sharp tang of animal musk. Fortunately, the man before me spared me from the more pungent odors wafting from the individual behind me, who reeked of donkey and manure.

    "Where are you from, young man?" the man with the donkeys asked.

    "From a small town far east," I replied, turning to meet his gaze. "You might have heard of it if you''re from the area. One of our farmers had a two-headed bull. Some called it a monstrous beast, but it worked on the farm and never harmed the farmer."

    "Really? I''m from a village down south, so I haven''t heard of it," the old man said, running his hand through the gray fur of his donkeys. "How big was the bull?"

    "Big! Huge!" I looked around, finding nothing to compare the imaginary bull to. "You know those small mud houses? The ones that wash away and shrivel during Autumn."

    The old man nodded as we continued down the line, almost our turn.

    "Well, it was nearly the size of one of those houses," I lied with surprising ease. I''d gotten good at it.

    We continued discussing this imaginary large bull as we waited in line. The old man kept asking how much the bull ate. I gave him answers, estimating how much grass a beast that size would need.

    The answers weren''t lies; I knew how much a monstrous beast of that size would need to eat.

    The old man and his two donkeys kept me company until my turn came. When I reached the city guards, among their silver armor was the golden-armored man who had spoken to us yesterday. Another familiar figure was there too��a woman in a purple robe, indicating she was a core disciple. The loose, thick robes wrapped around her hourglass figure due to the robe she had wrapped around her mid-section.

    Song Song turned toward me, raising a questioning brow. Even without asking, I knew what she meant. She wondered why I was waiting in line when cultivators could skip it.

    However, I wasn''t here to flaunt my status as a cultivator. I wanted the experience. Since I would likely soon learn the cultivator experience in this city, I first wanted to see the mortal side of things. Mortals might hide certain things out of fear, and I wanted to avoid that tiresome treatment.

    She must have understood my intentions, as she shrugged and took the ruby dice the golden-armored man handed her.

    She threw the dice on the white marble floor without much thought or concern for the outcome. The dice bounced twice and landed on a nine.

    "So close, but sorry. It seems like you won''t be able to enter the city," the golden-armored guard said, crouching to retrieve the dice. "It looks like your journey will be filled with inconveniences shortly. You can try again next week."

    "Like this one right now, not being allowed entry," Song Song sighed. She looked annoyed but was unlikely to start a fight. She gave me one last look before walking away.

    As I followed her, a man in silver armor awaited me with a red die. It looked similar to the one the golden-armored man used to test cultivators, except it was smaller.

    I hadn''t bothered hiding my cultivation. Someone at the level of Foundation Establishment, like the golden-armored man, would have been able to sense me even if I had tried. Yet, he hadn''t even glanced my way. There was no suspicion or anything like it as if everything was under control.

    "Come forward, young man," said the guard in silver armor. Unlike the others, who wore silver masks where their helmets would have shown their faces, his face was uncovered. He had a flat nose with a golden ring through his nostrils.

    He handed me the ruby die. It felt colder than expected, almost like touching an ice cube, despite the warm weather and the many hands that had touched it.

    I threw the die on the ground. It bounced seven times, nearly escaping the confines of the marble platform. The guards all turned their eyes on me, none seeming to watch the die��but I did.

    Despite its small size and the distance, I could see the number it landed on. Yet, the guards didn''t even need to look before the one who handed me the die declared, "Sixteen!"

    Even the golden-armored man, who had been talking with another cultivator from the Titanic Blade Sect, took notice. The latter seemed eager to try his luck. The golden-armored guard smiled, ignored the disciple he had been speaking with, and approached me.

    "How do you think I got the job? Obviously, I rolled the dice, and it landed on a three. People less talented than me roll higher, and somehow they get the resources and chance to cultivate all day long," he said. Though his words expressed dissatisfaction with his lot, his voice made it hard to tell whether he even cared about the outcome.

    They rolled dice to make official decisions like these? Things weren''t decided on merit but on how well someone rolled the dice?

    Strangely, despite how things were decided, it was clear that the city was functioning exceptionally well. People were happy, and everyone seemed quite wealthy. Usually, when everyone had a lot of money, the value of money diminished. But from what the man with the two donkeys had told me, a temporary residency system allowed outsiders to enter the city as "cheap" labor, which seemed to keep the residents rich.

    At least, that was my assumption. When Cultivators were involved, things could get unpredictable.

    The roads were made of white stones and were remarkably clean for a city this size. There wasn''t a single piece of trash on the ground, which almost felt unnatural. Especially since there was no animal manure either, despite people traveling around in carriages drawn by horses.

    After walking for a few minutes, we finally reached a place that looked unmistakably like a library. A dark flag with a golden book sigil woven into it hung outside.

    "This is one of the many libraries here that house historical books. Do you need anything else? If not, I''ll return to my duties, and you can explore the library. If you need help, feel free to ask one of the other guards," Qian Yaoting said, his words tumbling out in a rush as if he was eager to be rid of me.

    "You can return to your job," I replied, no longer bothered by his monotone manner. After all, I had a whole new library to explore!

    He nodded, bowed slightly, and wore his silver mask before walking away.

    I entered the library and was greeted by another extravagant sight I was slowly getting used to in this city. The library was large and had two floors. Every shelf and reading table was made of polished dark wood.

    Several people were seated at the tables, absorbed in their books, while a handful searched the shelves. It was surprising to see that most of them were blonde-haired and blue-eyed. Only a few people around these regions had that appearance. Then again, we had traveled quite far from the Blazing Sun Sect.

    I glanced at the library shelves, tempted to browse and read whatever book I fancied. But I didn''t have the time, as any day now, we would set off for whatever awaited us in those so-called ruins the great sects had found.

    So, instead of the usual browsing, I approached the counter where the librarian sat. She had long blonde hair, each strand like golden threads. She appeared to be in her mid-twenties and had a mature air about her. Her blue eyes met mine, and for a moment, I was lost in her beauty.

    I found her... attractive? It was a strange feeling. I usually looked at people beyond their physical appearance. After all, if I was into only pretty women with no other qualities considered, I would marry Song Song.

    Either I was under the effect of some strange array, or since I no longer needed to be so paranoid about everything and could relax a bit while seeing the beauty of things. It could be both at the same time.

    Yet, even pretty women could not keep me from my true love.

    "Excuse me," I said as I stood before the counter. The golden-haired girl looked up at me, startled, like a cat caught off guard. Despite her surprise, I asked, "Can you tell me where I could find a book about the history of Goldwatch City?"

    "Ah, um, yeah," she stammered before hurriedly standing up and retrieving a book from under the counter. She placed it atop the counter. "Here, uh, someone returned this... like a week and a day... or a couple of days ago."

    I took the book, sparing a glance at the stammering girl as I read the title.

    ''Thousand Fold of History Gold''

    A silly title, if nothing else.

    At the same time, the girl was rambling.

    "The book details how the city was founded and who the leaders have been since its founding. The City Governor has even written down many personal accounts from seven hundred years ago when he was just another civilian. That was before the lake was formed... Oh, right, you probably don''t know about the Battle of the Lake. It was when the Purple Cloud Sect attacked the city, and the previous governor died in the battle. We were left with a governing body of Core Formation Cultivators. It was the hardest time for the city since we were no longer under the protection of a Nascent Soul Cultivator. Many wondered whether we would keep our traditions..."

    The girl continued to ramble, her long-winded explanation becoming background noise as I decided to open the book and read.

    However, the first sentence of the book told a much more intriguing tale than she could have explained:

    ''The Goldwatch City was founded by the Golden Luck Immortal, or as some enemies called him: The Mad Gamble Immortal.''

    Now it made sense why everyone here was obsessed with rolling dice.

 Chapter 170: A Peaceful Day

    Chapter 170: A Peaceful Day

    I sat down and read the history book with the silly name. Surprisingly, it had a detailed explanation of everything. I was used to the author''s life story filling a quarter to half of the book, but it seemed luck had finally shifted to my side.

    ..

    After finishing the book, I returned it to the stammering receptionist, and she said a brief��thank you��that if I weren''t a cultivator, I wouldn''t have been able to hear it.

    She was clearly unsuitable for a customer service job, but knowing how everything here was decided by a roll of the dice, I wasn''t surprised they had hired her.

    As I stepped outside the library, the setting sun peeked over the towering golden walls in the distance. Sunlight reflected off the gold and gems embedded in the roofs of buildings, painting the white-stoned road a crimson red as if a giant''s body had been dragged through the streets.

    I walked through the crimson streets, with my mind adrift on what to do next. One thing was certain: I didn''t have the luck to roll the dice again to enter tomorrow. Not only might I fail, but there was always that five percent chance of rolling a one. So, I wasn''t planning to leave the city today.

    However, I did need to send a letter to Song Song. Without me, she might not try too hard to hold back her worst vices. The last thing we needed was for someone to turn out dead.

    As I wandered, searching for something interesting to do with my evening and perhaps finding an inn, my gaze landed on a plain-faced woman buying food. She was trying to choose between two pieces of meat��a cow thigh and some kind of rib. She looked indecisive, but in the end, she sighed, took out a gray twenty-sided die, and threw it on the floor.

    It landed on a thirteen, and her eyes lit up.

    "I''ll take the bull thigh," she said.

    Did she just decide to roll the dice to solve her indecision? I wouldn''t say that basing decisions on a dice roll is wise. At least it was quick if nothing else.

    Either way, it wasn''t my place to interfere or try to convince the locals to do things differently. Even if I tried to help, it would fall on deaf ears.

    Goldwatch City had a long history of internal and external conflicts, and they had fought to preserve their strange traditions. To briefly summarize how a city like this came to be, this city was essentially what would happen if a gambling addict had too much power and decided to build a settlement.

    Most of the golden-haired, blue-eyed people were his descendants in one way or another. Thousands of years had passed since the Immortal had fathered children, but the blonde gene was very strong. Like many others, the Gambler Immortal had such a large harem that his descendants might accidentally be inbreeding to keep the bloodline pure. For some, the family tree might be a circle.

    Wait, would they decide whether to marry someone based on a dice roll? That would be wild.

    There were probably dice rolls like: This is my cousin thrice removed. Should I marry him or not?

    While I amused myself with thoughts about the stranger aspects of a gambling addiction, I noticed the first sign of poverty in the city.

    A young kid dressed in rags was hidden in one of the alleyways. Usually, with how bright everything was in this city during the day, even the alleys were well-lit. But long shadows had been cast with the sun setting, allowing people to hide in those shadows and alleys.

    The kid couldn''t have been older than ten. He wore a gray robe, dirt smudged on his cheeks, and the robe was ripped in several places. The strangest thing about it was that the kid stared straight at me.

    I contemplated stopping to help him or give him some coin. But my gaze wandered toward the people around me, all dressed in silk clothes and looking wealthy. None of them seemed to even notice the kid.

    Oh well, I always did what I wanted.

    I walked closer to the kid. When he saw me approaching, he looked surprised and quickly ran off into another corner. But his presence vanished as soon as he was out of sight.

    While surprising, I had encountered far weirder situations by now. So I walked to where he had disappeared. It was an empty, dark alley, as clean as everywhere else in this city.

    Usually, I might have doubted my senses. But as a cultivator, I not only sensed his presence but also the shifting wind, the sounds, the smells��everything that had alerted me to his presence had vanished. Yet, there were signs that this wasn''t just my imagination or an illusion.

    After that, I returned to the street and approached a man who seemed to be waiting for someone. He looked young, likely in his late teens, with shaggy brown hair and a pleasant scent. Everything suggested he was waiting for a date or something important.

    He had been there when the kid was looking at me, too.

    "Excuse me," I called out to the man, pointing to where I had seen the kid. "Did you see a homeless kid there?"

    He looked confused for a second before shaking his head. "Sorry, sir. No, I didn''t see anyone there."

    A homeless kid in a city like this stood out. So either he was too distracted by his impending date, or he was an excellent actor.

    This place just became so thrilling and mysterious. I was getting excited about unveiling this so-called secret.

    After that, I walked around the crimson roads until sunset. That triggered some mechanism, releasing yellow light from the ground and creating an almost magical appearance of a white road leading through the town.

    During my aimless walk, I stumbled upon a restaurant called the Golden Tea Leaf. It was a three-story building, bustling with people coming and going.

    "Of course. I''ll have one of the Silver Soldiers personally escort you. The roads can become quite convoluted at night," said the golden-armored man as one of the silver-armored men stepped forward.

    After that, the silver guard led me through the streets of Goldwatch City. Neither of us said anything, and he was as quiet as the first guy.

    He led me to a place called Mournful Moon Inn. It was a high-end establishment that seemed relatively empty. The place was eight floors high, built in a traditional Chinese style, with paper lamps everywhere.

    "This is your place," said the silver guard. His voice was soft, making it hard to tell whether he was a man or a woman.

    "Thanks. You can return to your duties now," I said, walking into the inn as the guard nodded and walked off.

    The inside of the inn seemed devoid of customers, but it was quite luxurious. The first floor appeared to be a restaurant or dining area for guests.

    A dark-haired woman stood behind the counter. When she saw me, her smile widened, and she stepped off her chair. But as soon as her feet touched the ground, her height dipped, revealing that she was so short she barely reached my chest.

    "Honored guest!" she called out, sounding a little too eager. "What can we do for you?"

    "Why is the inn so empty?" I asked.

    "That''s because we only accept customers after a certain high roll. This place is designed with luxury in mind, catering to the high-rollers in the city. Those guests are very beneficial to the city," she explained.

    Goldwatch City had an entire structure dedicated to keeping people here?

    ��Are you sure you should be telling me that?�� I asked, raising a questioning brow. What she said sounded like a scheme that would be better kept a secret. If this was what they were willing to reveal, what could they be hiding?

    ��Of course. We aren��t allowed to lie to the high rollers. Keeping secrets might push them away needlessly,�� she declared.

    That was an interesting prospect. The dice roll was more than just a cultural tradition. People were going above and beyond to keep the high rollers here.

    ��Are there any other people staying here?�� I asked.

    ��Yes, but they��re in their rooms. Two of them are from the Titanic Sword Sect, and one is from the Azure Frost Sect,�� she said.

    So, other people had rolled quite high as well. Also, since they were from Sects, they were cultivators. Why was there no non-cultivator here? Were they keeping the high-roller mortals and cultivators apart? That was a good idea.

    ��Can you show me to my room? Also, how much will the stay cost?�� I asked.

    ��The stay here is free. Follow me, and I��ll take you to your room,�� she smiled, signaling me to follow her.

    As she ushered me through the door of a room on the third floor, my expectations of luxury were met and exceeded. The space that unfolded before me was more akin to an opulent apartment than a mere room. Lavishly furnished, each piece seemed to whisper tales of expensive taste.

    The room was segmented into areas that catered to every conceivable need: a cozy reading nook replete with plush armchairs and a wealth of books, a sleek kitchenette gleaming with brand-new pots and pans, and a dining area that was under the soft glow of a chandelier-like floating artifact. I could feel the Qi used for the lighting.

    Dominating the center of the bedroom was a vast bed sprawling sideways, leaving an expanse of untouched sheets; its luxurious linens looked soft. The air held a subtle fragrance, a lavender and sandalwood blend. This was not just a place to stay��it was a room meant to bedazzle the mind with luxury.

    But despite the luxuries, nothing here really drew my heart. Perhaps when I was a young man, working too much and being paid too little, such luxuries might have overwhelmed me.

    However, now, a bed was just a place to sleep; sleep itself was something I needed to stay well-rested. Compared to using Qi, learning new techniques or arrays, this place failed to live up to the wonder.

    As I lay in bed, I couldn��t help but think that today was another peaceful day...

    Not being under Song Song��s protection and still having a peaceful day felt strange.

    That dice roll may be right. I was lucky during my stay here, and everything was so convenient.

    Was there some technique or array that made the dice roll a valid way to predict the future? Perhaps the dice themselves enhanced the user��s luck?

    How they would do that, I had no idea. But this city was created by an immortal, so I wouldn��t be surprised if they could grasp something as abstract as luck.

    I��d love to learn how something like that worked.

    With those thoughts in mind, I drifted off to sleep, the soft light of the full moon brushing against my skin through the open window.

 Chapter 171: Lucky!

    Chapter 171: Lucky!

    As the first light of morning seeped through the window, I slowly awakened atop silk sheets so inviting that they could tempt even the most diligent early riser. Despite the allure of comfort, I stirred myself to action.

    With a sense of purpose, I quickly got up. I went to the shower, the scolding hot water washing away any lingering drowsiness. With my strengthened body, I could handle much more heat than the average person.

    Refreshed and alert, I changed into a fresh set of clothes retrieved from my storage ring.

    Dressed and ready, I descended the stairs, my thoughts already turning to the breakfast that awaited.

    As I reached the first floor, three people were already there. Two of them wore red uniforms. One was a tall, burly young man with a large sword strapped to his back. His companion, another young man, was short and thin and, notably, had no eyebrows. These two were likely from the Titanic Blade Sect.

    The third person was a woman with haunting purple eyes, dark hair, and a cold demeanor. Despite her beauty, neither of the disciples from the Titanic Blade Sect approached her. From what I could sense, she was one star higher than the tall man, and both were Qi Gathering Cultivators. She was likely from the Azure Frost Sect.

    All three cultivators turned toward me as I descended.

    "Oho! New blood!" the tall man exclaimed, slapping his shorter companion on the back, nearly causing him to slam face-first onto the table. "Which Sect are you from?"

    "Blazing Sun Sect," I replied, moving to one of the many empty tables and sitting down.

    "Oho? A member of the tournament winners!" he declared.

    Did he have some strange compulsion to say "Oho" whenever he spoke?

    He should be more cautious of the woman from the Azure Frost Sect breaking fast with us. She had participated in the tournament. If I remembered correctly, she hadn''t made it far, but her participation alone marked her as elite.

    "And the winner before this tournament was from the Void Piercing Sect. Some consider that a more official victory," I said, calm as a cucumber. The short receptionist behind her desk gave us a strange look. I waved at her and asked, "Can I get a cup of tea?"

    "Of course, honorable guest!" she said, hurrying off.

    She didn''t seem comfortable around cultivators, which was understandable��it was like a regular person surrounded by people with machine guns.

    The tall Titanic Blade Sect disciple walked past the many tables and sat in the chair next to me. "That is still a great achievement, friend."

    "Oh, are we friends now?" I raised a questioning brow. From his tone, it didn''t sound like we were friends.

    "But of course. We slept in the same lodging, we''re talking now, and soon we''ll be on an expedition together, watching each other''s backs. What else but friends could we be?" he asked.

    "Since we are friends, let me tell you something," I said as the short receptionist brought me a cup of tea. I took a sip and locked eyes with my new companion. "Words are wind and easily forgotten. True friendship isn''t built on words but on actions."

    There was no reason for him to be friendly. I didn''t want to be his friend either. Having too many people close to me, people I''d have to constantly look out for would be annoying. Besides, I had seen how he treated the shorter guy from his Sect; it was clear they weren''t friends. Keeping someone like him close was just asking for trouble.

    "Hah! That is true!" The tall Titanic Blade Sect disciple laughed before standing up and returning to his so-called "friend." He slapped him on the shoulder as he sat down and began enjoying his meal. While the tall guy no longer paid attention to me, the short guy without eyebrows and the Azure Frost Sect girl were blatantly staring.

    "That''s why some people only stay for a day," she said. "I don''t know much about the place. Well, technically I do, as I vaguely remember my father going on a rant about it. But it was one of those boring speeches, so I often zoned out. He went on rants a lot of the time for a lot of things and places."

    "Well, either way, I couldn''t leave you alone for too long. I don''t want to return to an inter-sect war," I joked as we walked back toward our clump of tents, where my cousins were sitting outside, waving at me.

    They were lounging on some wooden chairs��likely brought along by Liu Heng, who seemed like the kind of guy who would over-prepare and keep them in his storage ring. However, Liu Qian didn''t seem to be with them.

    Song Song and I continued joking as we sat down on one of the wooden chairs. My cousins soon joined in the jesting, though neither dared make a joke at Song Song''s expense.

    But once the laughter died down, I put up a silencing array around us and turned toward Song Song.

    "I think I might have come up with a way to get us some allies," I said. "This trip is the perfect opportunity to gain certain people''s support without alerting everyone, as we would have if we visited them in the Sect."

    "Oh? So you''ve finally decided to put on your scheming hat? Let me in on your plans," she smirked like a stereotypical villain.

    We really needed to work on that smile if she wanted to play the role of a benevolent leader. And while I liked my cousins, I couldn''t trust them with this kind of sensitive information. I doubted they would intentionally do anything that would put me in danger. Still, if it benefited the Liu Clan and put Song Song in jeopardy, I wasn''t sure they''d care about her well-being.

    Still, I wanted them to know I was up to something. The Liu Clan needed to be ready if they decided to put all their bets on Song Song.

    ��However, we need to keep our plans and all our allies a secret, at least until Song Song reaches Core Formation and can defend herself��and all of us��from any backlash,�� I said.

    ��That will take a while,�� Song Song confessed. ��Advancing during Foundation Establishment is half talent, half understanding and comprehending my element.��

    I had read enough to know that each cultivation stage had its challenges. But the way Song Song looked when she said it would take a while was as if she had just bitten into a lemon. She was not a patient woman, and that might end badly.

    ��How many years do you think it will take?�� I asked.

    ��At least ten,�� she sighed.

    So, by the time we could make our next move, I would be close to my thirties. That seemed so long from now. Oh well, I was going to have to play the long game.

    I leaned back in the wooden chair and contemplated my next move. There wasn��t much to do until the expedition went into full swing; for now, I should continue training and cultivating.

    ...

    Days later, as the early morning sun cast a pale, golden light across the horizon, the air buzzed with urgent news: it was time to depart immediately. The word spread swiftly. In a flurry of motion, everyone gathered their belongings, mostly by storing everything they could in their storage rings.

    Each Sect, distinct in their clothing, rushed, securing weapons to their sides. Elders issued sharp commands while the younger members exchanged brief glances. The atmosphere was set, a collective energy fueled by anticipation and the unknown.

    For whatever reason the Sects had stopped in this city; it seemed they had accomplished what they needed, and everyone was ready to set off.

 Chapter 172: A Title

    Chapter 172: A Title

    When I thought of cultivators traveling, the first thing that came to mind was flying swords. They were iconic and incredibly convenient��like having a personal jet, but better. So, it came as a surprise when the Core Elders from all the Sects decided not to have us travel on flying swords.

    We streaked across open fields like bolts of lightning, each step a blur as the wind barely managed to keep up. We flew between ancient trees; our bodies defied gravity, leaping from branch to branch as though the ground had ceased to exist. The air was cool and crisp, but I hardly felt it. As we ascended the rocky mountains, our pace never slowed. The jagged cliffs became nothing more than stepping stones, our feet barely brushing the crumbling edges as we leaped from one peak to the next. The wind whipped at our robes, but it could do nothing to stop us.

    After all that running, we found ourselves in a dense, swampy forest. The air was thick and heavy. Yet, even then, we moved like the wind, barely touching the squelchy ground as we traveled through the jungle-like trees.

    Occasionally, I would grab some vines and swing around like Tarzan. My cousins gave me weird looks when I did that. Liu Bo didn��t even bother hiding his thoughts and outright told me I looked strange.

    If I didn��t have to constantly always be a bit on edge in case the monstrous beasts attacked. I would have called this a rather enjoyful experience.

    ��Why do they even make us run through these things?�� Song Song asked, frowning as a crimson-red spider the size of a fist almost landed on her hair. Her hand blurred as she grabbed the spider, crushing it like a bloody balloon. She tried to wipe her bloody hand against the leaves, vines, and trees, but she still ended up with a bloodied hand.

    ��If I were to guess, I��d say it��s for the same reason it��s not a good idea to use flying swords during Beast Waves. Flying monstrous beasts can be dangerous and fight well above their cultivation level compared to a cultivator in the sky,�� I offered my theory.

    ��We have twenty Core Elders, five from every Sect. They can kill any flying monstrous beast before we even see them,�� Song Song grumbled. Still, she seemed more understanding and less annoyed about running such long distances.

    It was frustrating how the Core Elders told us nothing. But by now, I had grown used to and expected incompetent leadership from cultivators. After all, they spent their whole lives thinking that they just had to reach a higher cultivation level to defeat someone or something. Strategies were nonexistent and next to useless when it came to fighting cultivators at a higher level.

    If my guess was correct and I were in their place, I would have explained every monstrous beast along the way before we even set off. That way, the disciples wouldn��t be annoyed and would know what to do in case of an attack.

    But my thoughts were cut short as the Core Elders abruptly stopped. Instantly, everyone tensed, senses sharpening. Before we could fully react, small figures with faces smeared in green paint emerged silently from the trees. Their movements were eerie, almost inhuman. Some were so close��barely ten feet away��I saw them but couldn''t feel their presence.

    Even as I looked at them, they felt like the same Qi in the trees, swamps, and mud. Their presence was in tune with nature.

    An old man from a small, green-faced group revealed his presence and showed his cultivation of the Foundation Establishment. He was hunched and looked smaller than even his own people.

    "I never thought that people from the four great sects would one day come upon our lands," said the old man with a very thick accent. It was clear that this was not his native language. "I hope our people haven''t offended you somehow."

    Some newcomers tightened their grips around flute-like instruments, clearly expecting a fight.

    As I studied the weapons in their hands, I noted the stark contrast in their designs. A few wielded dark swords, their blades gleaming with an ominous sheen; it looked like they were carved from solid obsidian. The rest carried slender, elongated weapons resembling blowpipes. These pipes were intricately crafted, with multiple small holes drilled along their length, giving them the appearance of ornate flutes. The surface of these weapons was smooth and polished, each hole meticulously aligned.

    "We apologize if we disturbed your grounds," one of the Core Elders from the Void Piercing Sect stepped forward. His dark robe billowed in the wind, and he wore a friendly smile. "We were just traveling through here. I hope you don''t take offense."

    "Offense? No, of course not," the short old man smiled, revealing rows of dark, yellow, rotting, and missing teeth. "I would welcome you to feast at our homes if you feel tired. Wherever you''re going or whatever you''re doing, a tired mind and body will only make the task harder."

    The Core Elders exchanged glances for a split second before the elder from the Void Piercing Sect nodded. "Sure, we could use a place to rest our weary heads."

    "Good, very good," the old man said with a strange glint in his eyes. "Follow us."

    We were just going to follow these strange people who appeared out of nowhere?

    I looked toward the Core Elders, and for a split second, I saw something dangerous flash through their eyes as they stared at the old man.

    Oh... Don''t tell me...

    I swallowed the hard lump in my throat and followed the Core Elders like any other disciple.

    As we followed the old man, he led us through the swamps'' more watery part. The ground was no longer mud but more like water, with strange creatures swimming through it. Occasionally, I could even sense the odd monstrous beast under the water.

    Monstrous beasts had the power to hide in their natural habitat, so it was only a question of how many monstrous beasts were in those waters that I wasn''t sensing.

    Ultimately, we stumbled upon a unique village unlike any we had seen before. Suspended above the swamp, the homes were connected by a network of ropes and wooden walkways, stretching from one structure to the next. But calling them "houses" seemed a bit of a stretch; they were more like hut-sized swimming platforms kept afloat by an intricate system of submerged logs and barrels. These structures bobbed gently on the water, swaying slightly with each ripple. The village itself was a collection of these floating dwellings, creating a dynamic, shifting landscape that could drift and change positions across the murky waters.

    A village that could move around...

    The village was too small to accommodate everyone, so some of the disciples found makeshift spots on the wooden rooftops. Others clung to the branches of the surrounding trees or used strange techniques to walk across the swamp''s surface, their movements graceful.

    Meanwhile, the swamp dwellers navigated their murky domain with unsettling ease. They glided silently through the dark, silt-laden waters, their bodies partially submerged and barely visible. Despite their proximity, they seemed to vanish from my senses, blending seamlessly with the swamp''s Qi. It was as if they were part of the environment itself. These beings were like shadowy predators, their forms shifting and merging with the gloom, evading detection with practiced skill.

    As far as I knew, monstrous beasts had this skill instinctually. It was enhanced after they became monstrous beasts, from when they needed to hide in their habitats. Their Qi was like a chameleon, blending into the background. These people likely developed their strange technique by observing animals.

    "The place is a bit small. But please, enjoy yourselves," said the old man.

    "Yes, we will rest for six hours," said the Void Piercing Sect Core Elder, who had taken a temporary leadership role.

    The old man nodded, but now that I looked closer, it was clear he was cautious. He might have invited us here in good faith to show they had nothing to hide.

    Only time will tell whether this will end up being a disaster or a good decision. I would have just had the people hide if I were in the old man''s place. But he had no idea why we were around these parts, and might assume the worst.

    I glanced at the swamp people swimming through the waters.

    Though they had an almost absolute territorial advantage, we had twenty Core Elders. They could wipe out the whole swamp area, so our "friends" here had no chance of winning. However, even if the Core Formation Cultivators got involved, these stealthy tribal people would probably slaughter us disciples. They had an extreme territorial advantage, and we knew nothing about their techniques.

    Suddenly, Song Song nudged me, asking, "Do you think you can copy that technique they''re using to hide?"

    "No," I answered.

    "No," I shook my head. "Doing anything now and creating needless enemies is dangerous. We already have our own problems to handle."

    Though Ye An wasn''t looking at us and seemed not to care, I doubted she would let losing an eye go unpunished so easily.

    On the other hand, there was Song San. Kong Lijuan, the previous winner of the tournament, was glancing at him every now and then. It was hard to read what she was thinking. Either she now had a crush on him��though that was the less likely scenario��or she was looking for an opportunity to murder him on this trip.

    There were a lot of enemies within the group, but due to the presence of the Core Elders, no one was acting on their thoughts of revenge. However, if anything happened to the Elders, those thoughts would quickly come to the forefront.

    "Wow, where did your heart go, mister heartless?" Song Song nudged me. "I always took you for an emotional weakling."

    "And I always took you for an insane woman. But that doesn''t mean we must let our instincts rule our actions," I responded, knowing that Song Song was joking.

    I placed a hand on the roof we were sitting on, created a silencing array with a timer, and tried to make it as unnoticeable as possible. But even if they noticed, the Core Elders had already called on me once, and I could easily make an excuse, saying I was testing something. I doubted the swamp people knew the specifics of the array I was using. They had no arrays around their homes, so it didn''t look like Array Conjuring was practiced around these parts.

    "I think something here is weird," I told Song Song and my cousins who were within the range of my silencing array. "These people could have just hidden themselves and let us pass. The old man seems to know something about the outside world, and it''s not like the four great sects haven''t taken part in massacres before. Yet, he still showed us where their homes are. Why?"

    Even Liu Bo''s gaze sharpened when he heard that.

    Yeah, the old man''s decision made no sense... Unless this was a trap, and he knew the secret of their little village would never get out, we would all die.

    I looked at the Core Elders talking with the old man.

    Had they noticed the same oddities I had? Or were they viewing this as a typical event, assuming that many people welcomed them because they wanted to earn some favor with the four great sects?

    However, there was very little the four great sects could do for an enclosed place like this.

    Perhaps the Elders had noticed it too, but they were confident in their power. Twenty Core Formation Cultivators could take out any sect or organization except for superpowers like the four great sects and Goldwatch City, which had a Nascent Soul Cultivator as governor.

    This village didn''t seem to have abundant cultivation resources, and the old man might be the only Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

    I could understand how they might consider this place insignificant, but the old man didn''t seem like someone who would make a mistake like this!

    ...

    Six hours passed in the blink of an eye. While most had used this time to rest, with some even catching some sleep, I, on the other hand, had only become more on edge.

    Song Song was one of the few who had relaxed the whole time. Her excuse was that I was paranoid enough for both of us, and she trusted me to notice anything strange.

    As we set off, Song Song and my cousins stayed close to me as we swiftly jumped from tree to tree. It was a strange but hypnotic sight to see so many cultivators moving about, covering the woods with their graceful dances and unnatural agility.

    ��We probably could have used flying swords to travel if we just flew close to the ground,�� I said.

    ��Bad idea,�� Song Song refuted. ��Unless you��re flying high, it��s better not to use them. If you��re suddenly ambushed, reacting to an attack you might sense will take a second too long. You need to concentrate on controlling the sword, and many say that moving the Qi from the sword to defend yourself in a split second is difficult. Also, there��s no momentum if you try to use a movement technique.��

    While I was about to agree with Song Song, I caught sight of something strange in the distance. The old man from the village had volunteered to show us the way out of the swamps.

    Suddenly, the old man took out a black dagger made of obsidian. Even though I was so far away, I involuntarily tensed up. Song Song put a hand on my shoulder and dragged me back, and my cousins followed us a second later. With so many people around us, we had to be careful not to bump into anyone.

    I trusted Song Song to guide me as I kept my eyes on the old man, concentrating on any small details. The Core Elders didn��t look troubled that the old man had suddenly drawn an obsidian dagger with a bone handle covered in rough leather.

    But instead of attacking them, the old man moved to stab his own throat! Yet, before the knife could touch his neck, his hand stopped. A cold-eyed woman from the Void Piercing Sect had grabbed his wrist. Before the old man could say anything, she delivered three precise strikes, breaking his arm in three different places. The obsidian dagger slipped from his grasp and fell into the swampy waters below.

    ��What do you think you��re doing, old man?�� she asked, her voice cold. ��Your cheap tricks won��t work on us.��

    The other Core Elders didn��t seem surprised either; one of them even chuckled and nudged another Core Elder, likely a friend.

    ��I told you, it��s always the same tricks with these barbarian people. They develop perverse ways of cultivating. Also, I won the bet; you said they were going to be peaceful nomads, and I said they were probably crazy.��

    He seemed more concerned with his bet than with what had just happened.

    ��You two should stop bickering; we have a duty, and we must take it seriously,�� said a male Core Elder from the Void Piercing Sect. But despite his words, his half-lidded eyes and bored expression betrayed his lack of concern.

    ��It doesn��t look like those nymphomaniac demons... What a shame,�� commented a Core Elder from the Titanic Blade Sect. ��Those beauties almost caused me to fall when I was young.��

    It was strange seeing them talk so nonchalantly. When one thought of Core Formation Cultivators, the first image that came to mind was strict, elderly people. But these guys and gals were like anyone else, except perhaps older and clearly experienced in handling situations like this.

    The Core Elder restraining the old man tightened her grip, and a crack like thunder rang out as her palm crushed his wrist as if it were made of squash. Then, with brutal efficiency, she struck the old man on his other arm, legs, and stomach. The final blow caused the old man��s eyes to widen as he coughed out a mouthful of blood, his Qi rapidly diminishing.

    She had just broken his cultivation...

    ��Make sure he doesn��t bite his tongue, and check his teeth for any small poison vials,�� added a Core Elder from the Titanic Sword Sect.

    ��I��m not incompetent,�� the Core Elder from the Azure Frost Sect, who was restraining the old man, frowned, clearly offended. ��When I hit him in the stomach and broke his cultivation, I also used a technique to freeze his nerves. He won��t be able to move for a while.��

    These people... they were kind of scary.

 Chapter 173: Four Eyed Crimson Crow

    Chapter 173: Four Eyed Crimson Crow

    "What do we do with him now?" asked a burly Core Elder from the Titanic Blade Sect. He was the one who had suggested making sure the old man didn''t bite his tongue or hide a poison vial in his teeth.

    "I suggest we return, exterminate this strange group, and continue our journey," said a Core Elder from the Blazing Sun Sect.

    "That sounds like needless effort," another elder chimed in.

    The disciples could only stare as the Core Elders openly discussed their plans. Some of the disciples exchanged bewildered looks, but no one spoke up.

    "I say we torture a few of them to get that stealth technique. The Void Piercing Sect could use more of those."

    "We should just eliminate them on our way back and avoid a needless expedition."

    "It doesn''t have to be all of us. Just one Core Elder from each Sect, and they can get the job done. But make sure to pick someone with the stomach for it��I, for one, can''t handle killing children."

    "I''ve known you, Xue Heizhong, for nearly twenty years, and if there''s one thing you can''t handle, it''s an honest day''s work!"

    The Core Elders were cautious, ruthless, and intelligent. Their decisions were cold and rational. Yet, they bickered constantly, seemed lazy, and most appeared disinterested in the whole situation. They talked like old roommates deciding who would do the dishes.

    I could tell that some of the disciples were appalled and shocked that the Elders revealed such a side. Some even looked like they were ready to speak up. A few whispered among themselves, uncertain whether the old man was really a threat and feeling the punishment was excessive.

    But despite all this, no one dared to say anything. Looking at the waters below, filled with dangerous monstrous beasts... the Core Elders could easily arrange for an annoyance to have an accident. Even if everyone witnessed the crime, they would say nothing.

    For some, this might have been an awakening experience. But not for me��I always knew it took a certain mindset to reach such heights in cultivation. Those who made it by luck were in the minority.

    The Core Elders weren''t pure evil, nor did they seem to enjoy slaughter. Their eyes showed a cold indifference as if they were merely dealing with a chore or cleaning up a mess.

    Ultimately, they agreed to send four Core Elders to exterminate everyone. As for the old man, they concluded he was likely preparing to use a technique that required him to sacrifice his life. So, they kept him alive, using a technique to immobilize and keep him hovering nearby.

    ...

    We pressed on through the landscape, our footsteps steady and rhythmic. The terrain gradually opened up into a vast, dry grassy field dotted with rugged rocks and rolling hills that rose like the waves of a turbulent sea.

    The sun hovered low on the horizon, its golden light casting long, stretching shadows that painted the field in hues of orange and crimson. The sky darkened as the fiery orb dipped lower, and the first hints of twilight began to encroach upon the day. The air grew cooler, brushing against my face as the last remnants of daylight slowly slipped away.

    Were we going to travel through the night as well?

    "Stop!" yelled one of the Core Elders. He used a telekinesis-like technique to keep the old man unconscious and hovering above the ground. The old swamp man no longer kept up his pretense and had a glint of mirth in his eyes.

    The disciples halted as the Elder ordered, "We will rest for a bit and wait for the others to catch up."

    "Your men... they''re dead!" the old man suddenly declared, seeming to have finally gained the strength to speak. Though his body was broken, and his Qi was depleted, broken cultivation didn''t necessarily mean a weaker body, and he seemed to have recovered remarkably well.

    I learned something new today: even a broken cultivation didn''t mean a weaker physical body.

    "What do you know about it, old man?" asked one of the Core Elders from the Titanic Blade Sect. Though he appeared in his fifties, I bet he was older than the person he called an old man.

    The titanic crow lay bleeding all over, and where the swamp once stood, there was now a large crater as if a meteor had struck. A new lake of fresh, warm blood was in the swamp''s place. It looked like a giant bowl of crow soup.

    Not long after, the Core Cultivators who had fought reappeared, some looking more haggard than others. Only a handful had injuries, and while the monstrous beast was clearly powerful, the numerical advantage had worked in their favor.

    "Somehow, we didn''t sense or see the crow fighting when it killed the Core Elders we sent to exterminate the place. It was clearly injured, so the battle wasn''t easy. Yet we heard or saw nothing," said one of the Core Elders from the Blazing Sun Sect. "There might be some kind of strange phenomenon around here. We shouldn''t take this route when we return."

    "Hopefully, we get something in return for four of our own dying. This inheritance better be real," grumbled one of the Core Elders from the Titanic Blade Sect. For a split second, I thought I saw a sadness in his gaze as he looked at where the swamp had been.

    Had he lost someone important in that fight? Though they were cultivators who had lived over a hundred years, they likely had friendships that had lasted just as long. Talented cultivators often saw the family they were born to and the people they grew up with die. But some friendships could have lived through that time.

    But that moment of weakness lasted only briefly before it vanished as if it had never been there.

    "The monstrous beast seemed mindless for a Core Formation beast," remarked one of the Core Elders from the Void Piercing Sect, shrugging as he rubbed his shoulder where he had a small cut.

    "I once heard about a Nascent Soul Cultivator who lost his mind during indoor cultivation. Maybe it''s something like that but with a monstrous beast. Loneliness can be a dangerous demon," said a Core Elder from the Blazing Sun Sect.

    "I think the story was about a Core Formation Cultivator. There''s no way a Nascent Soul Cultivator would be that mentally weak," countered another Core Elder as he adjusted his ruffled clothes from the fight.

    I glanced at Song Song. She had a longing look as she stared at the lake of blood forming where the monstrous beast had died. There was a hunger in her eyes, and I wasn''t sure if she craved that kind of power or if she literally wanted to eat the beast.

    Shan Sha, the old man in the library, had mentioned certain rumors about Song Song. But I wouldn''t let my judgment be clouded by some silly rumors.

    While everyone was distracted by the battle, and as the ice barrier around us crumbled, many stared at the giant crater where the swamp had once been.

    "I''ll be gone for a bit," I whispered to Song Song and slipped away.

    This was the perfect time to act. With the Core Elders distracted and talking about what to do with the old man from the swamps and the disciples still amazed by the power the Elders had displayed, it was time to gain Song Song an ally.

    My gaze wandered toward Song San... This was either going to go well or really, really badly.

    Song San smiled at me as I approached him, noticing my presence despite the distraction. Without needing to say anything, I set up a silencing array around us as soon as I was close.

    "You really are a smart guy. Song Song is lucky to have someone like you by her side," he laughed wholeheartedly. "While everyone''s impressed or occupied with what happened, you sneak away to do your little schemes. I think I know what you want to talk about, but please, go on..."

    "I want you to support Song Song in her rise and when she vies for the Sect Leader position," I said directly.

    "Well, you''re certainly setting the theme straight at the beginning of the conversation," he smiled wider. "But I''ll have to refuse. Though I like my sister, I don''t like her enough to risk my life for her."

    I expected something like this. A guy like him would only move with benefits. We both knew he didn''t really care about Song Song; his words were just wind when his actions had proven otherwise.

    "You haven''t even heard my offer yet," I mirrored his smile. "When Song Song becomes the Sect Leader, she''ll help you become the Song Clan Leader."

    As soon as those words left my mouth, for a brief moment, the mask slipped off Song San''s face. A glint of greed flashed in his deep green eyes. He quickly hid it but sighed when he realized I had seen it.

    That was the moment I knew I had him... My guess had been correct. This guy wasn''t as ambitionless as he pretended to be. Now I just had to make sure he wouldn��t aim for our throats too.

 Chapter 174: Politics Are Lame

    Chapter 174: Politics Are Lame

    Song San stared at me, his gaze unreadable, a small smile gracing his lips. He looked as calm as always. Though my words might have cut deep, revealing his hidden desires, he no longer appeared like an ambitious man.

    But I could sense his greed for the Clan Leader position. After all, why else would he have agreed to send me to the Sect Leader back then, knowing what I intended to do? At the time, I had wanted to release Song Song and success in that meant the Sect Leader would have to metaphorically butt heads with the Song Clan Leader��Song San''s father.

    A poison recipe had been a cheap payment; he wanted chaos in the Song Clan. I thought back on those days, trying to determine his true intentions��not by what he said, but by what his actions revealed.

    He raised a questioning brow as if inviting me to speak. We didn''t have much time; the monstrous beast was captivating, yet some might notice us. The more perceptive Core Elders likely already noticed but simply didn''t care.

    Perhaps when he had helped me meet the Sect Leader, he wanted to force the Song Clan Leader to choose a successor soon, with himself as the most likely candidate now that Song Song no longer had support. Or it could be something along those lines. Perhaps he just wanted me to believe that all along. Either way, it didn''t matter as long as he accepted.

    I didn''t want his untrustworthy self around, either. But the people backing him were another issue entirely.

    Only one group in the Blazing Sun Sect could completely erase its presence, like Song San. It was probably a technique similar to that used by the swamp people, though more refined and effective anywhere.

    We already knew who his father was, and Song Song no longer had the same support. She didn''t have the technique he did, either. So, it was safe to assume he had backing from his mother''s side.

    "What can be given can also be taken," Song San said, breaking the silence. "If Song Song hands me the Clan Leader position, she can take it away just as easily."

    Though greedy and ambitious, he wasn''t stupid by any means. I didn''t enjoy clashing wits with others; I''d rather face a dumb opponent, easily angered, than deal with this. But people rarely got to choose their battles.

    Without waiting for me to respond, Song San smiled, his eyes lighting up like green fire. "My dear sister might just decide to destroy the Song Clan when she gets that power. I can''t be a Clan Leader with no one to lead."

    "I think you''re overstating Song Song''s sense of justice here," I said, trying to play his words off like a joke.

    Song San met my jest and added, "Well, perhaps she might have a righteous hero whispering in her ear."

    For every secret he revealed, he kept back five. But no matter how much it annoyed me, this was not the place to show such emotions.

    "I''ll give you my word that she won''t do that as long as you''re the Clan Leader," I said. He surely caught the play on words, but that was exactly what I wanted.

    ��Your word? What does your word even mean?�� Song San asked, his gaze drifting toward the corpse of the monstrous beast.

    ��Song Song hasn��t killed anyone since she��s been out of prison.��

    ��Except for that one guy she absolutely butchered in the tournament, that girl she maimed, and a couple of other people,�� he added.

    ��You know what I mean. She hasn��t gone on a blind rampage. Because I gave my word to the Sect Leader and others that she wouldn��t immediately revert to her old habits once she was out. My word means something,�� I refuted calmly.

    I knew I was taking too much credit, but I needed Song San to believe my word carried weight.

    An eerie calmness settled between us for a few seconds before he shrugged.

    ��Perhaps the Sect Leader decided to trust you, and maybe he was right. But your words and promises don��t mean anything to me,�� he said, shrugging. ��I can��t base my future on the hot air you spew out.��

    The smile slipped from his face, and his eyes darkened. For a split second, his gaze flickered toward his sister. It was no surprise��Song Song was staring straight at us, meeting his gaze.

    ��Let��s talk seriously now. Give me some actual guarantees that you won��t annihilate the Song Clan and kill me as soon as you��re in a position of power,�� he said, his voice deeper, more serious now that the false smile was gone.

    ��You mean as soon as your sister is in a position of power, right?�� I asked, taking his stance and smiling to hide any betraying thoughts that might be written on my face.

    Song San mirrored my smile. ��Of course, just a slip of the tongue. You��re clearly sticking by my sister out of sheer devotion and nothing else.��

    What a dick.

    But I wasn��t here to engage in pointless arguments. It was clear he wouldn��t be convinced by just my word. He needed a logical reason. If he wanted logic, I would give it to him.

    One thing was bringing in support from outside, like the Liu Clan. Involving outsiders like the other great Sects was something else entirely. We might end up making an enemy of the Sect Leader��the last thing we needed.

    As I thought of the Sect Leader, my gaze drifted again to the dead monstrous beast.

    The massive crow-like creature sprawled across the ground, its body a stark contrast against the barren landscape. Its four large, mangled and tattered wings fanned out awkwardly, draping over the crater''s edges. Dark, thick blood seeped from numerous wounds, pooling into a small lake. Its four crimson eyes��two of which were still intact��were now dull and lifeless, staring blankly into the void. But not for long, as the eyes were plucked out and the beast was cut up, the Core Elders took what they wanted and stored it in their rings.

    Honestly, I didn''t have any grand dreams for this alliance either. Song Song''s brother would stab us in the back the moment the other side offered him more benefits. We weren''t much better��it would be pointless to go above and beyond for someone like that. He wouldn''t reciprocate the effort.

    The Core Elders seemed to have decided while I was talking with Song San on what to do with the old swamp guy. The nonchalant brutality inflicted upon the old swamp man was chilling. They had severed his legs and arms, plucked out his eyes, and even cut out his tongue. He was left helpless, with no will to fight.

    The casual display of cruelty left me a bit queasy. But I knew when my opinions were pointless to voice.

    I understood why they had done it. They were cautious, ensuring that the technique he was planning to use wouldn''t activate if they killed him. They placed a strange artifact on him near one of the few monstrous beasts that had survived.

    They wanted to kill the man and be far away in case the sacrificial technique was dangerous. Most suspected it was meant to summon the crow-like monstrous beast, but with so many techniques out there, no one was taking chances. The crow-like beast could have had a mate, or perhaps another monstrous beast could be summoned with a sacrifice.

    After that, it was another stretch of traveling��this time uninterrupted. As we journeyed, I couldn''t help but dwell on the brutal manner in which we had left the old man.

    When it came to killing, I always tried to do it quickly. But at the same time, I understood where the Core Elders were coming from.

    The rest of the trip wasn��t as idyllic as it had started, and we finally reached a jungle. Within that tapestry of trees and vines lay old ruins, stones covered in algae, and vines wrapped around them like ancient scars.

    It was at that moment that Song Song��s brother decided it would be a good idea to travel next to us. He had a smile on his face and said nothing at first. From an outside perspective, it might even seem like he was a supportive older brother.

    Song San spoke as we ducked and dodged branches that seemed poised to snag our clothes.

    ��Do you know why this joint expedition even happened?�� he asked, drawing the attention of my cousins and some others nearby.

    ��Obviously not,�� Song Song replied. ��It��s supposed to be a secret. Wouldn��t be much of a good secret if everyone knew about it.��

    Song San ignored his sister��s confrontational tone. He looked around, and when no one else answered, he continued, ��Some strange pulse of Qi has been stemming from this place, almost like a smoke signal, but with the rhythm of a heartbeat.��

    That description made no sense under normal circumstances, but it was perfect when it came to Qi and how it felt.

    ��Many assumed it was an immortal who wanted his tomb found at this exact time,�� Song San continued. ��You know, immortals have strange powers, like how the Blazing Sun Immortal can see the future in the fire.��

    What? Obviously, no one would know that.

    After that, he didn��t say much more, letting the others discuss his revelations.

    We traveled deeper into the jungle until we saw what looked like a statue.

    It was a large head, structured in such a way that suggested the statue was much larger, but everything below the neck was buried deep underground.

    The statue depicted a handsome man, his features carved with meticulous attention to detail. It was an almost lifelike piece of art. However, the passage of time had left its mark. Fine cracks meandered across the edges of his forehead, tracing lines that spoke of age and exposure. These imperfections added a layer of fragility to the statue��it looked like one good hit would shatter it to pieces.

    Suddenly, a shuddering sound emanated from the statue, and everyone went on guard, their Qi flaring as they prepared for a fight.

    But then, the statue turned almost lifelike as it opened its mouth, saying, ��Welcome, tomb raiders.��

    Its voice was deep and gravelly, like a man who hadn��t drunk water in a while.

    Well, the voice suited a statue.

 Chapter 175: Down The Hatch We Go

    Chapter 175: Down The Hatch We Go

    "We have come to receive the message you have sent," said one of the Core Elders from the Void Piercing Sect. The same man who had taken charge of the conversation when we encountered the swamp people.

    The statue stood motionless again, resembling a true statue, as if the voice we had heard was just an illusion. But then came another rumbling sound. The statue opened and closed its mouth, emitting that deep, growling noise once more.

    "It wasn''t I who sent the message. I am merely the guardian of a great man''s tomb, a man who once lived. I know little of his plans, but I will do my duty," said the stone head. Then it opened its mouth, revealing a door where the back of its throat should have been.

    On the roof of the statue''s mouth was a cross-like symbol with intricate, flowery details.

    Nothing more needed to be said. Some disciples lingered in cautious anticipation, their eyes darting between the newly revealed door and the Core Elders, waiting for a signal or command to guide their next move. However, not everyone was content to wait. A few of the more impetuous disciples, driven by a mix of curiosity and bravado, charged toward the door without a second thought.

    Witnessing this bold action, others quickly shed their hesitation, not wanting to be left behind or miss out on whatever treasures lay beyond. This sudden rush set off a chain reaction, with more and more disciples surging forward to follow the trailblazers into the unknown.

    Chaos ensued for a few seconds as swishing winds echoed, marking disciples moving at their top speeds. The looks in their eyes promised death to anyone who dared stand in their way.

    "What''re we waiting for?" Song Song asked, nudging me out of my thoughts and pointing at my cousins, who were also looking at me.

    Were they waiting for my decision? That was unexpected. I didn''t think they would wait or listen to me. But seniority or age didn''t matter much when I had Song Song. If she was listening to me, my cousins would too, as a matter of principle��at least when Song Song was present.

    "We wait," I said. "And make way for the ones who want to take the first bite of what could be a poisoned pie."

    Some others had adopted the same cautious approach, choosing to wait. With Song San mentioning that this could be the tomb of an immortal, excitement and greed clouded many people''s rational thinking. They were too afraid someone else might steal the opportunity.

    A handful of people approached the door at the back of the statue''s throat and walked right in, passing through what seemed like a shadowy mucus. But they were the minority, as a surprising number of others slammed into some sort of invisible wall just as they were about to reach the statue.

    These people who couldn��t pass had one thing in common...

    Song Song frowned at the sight and cursed under her breath. Even her usually calm brother''s eye twitched. However, he maintained a serene appearance, wearing a mask of indifference beyond that slight twitch.

    "It seems like those at Foundation Establishment or higher can''t enter," I concluded the obvious.

    It was a shame many had made the journey all the way here only to end up with nothing. At least, that would be the case until people began emerging from the place with treasures. I imagined a lot of murdering and thievery would occur until we returned to the Blazing Sun Sect.

    Thankfully, that wasn''t something I had to worry about with Song Song around.

    "Well, this is as good a time as any to go and try our luck," I said, walking toward the statue. I didn''t go far before turning around, meeting Song Song''s blue eyes, and adding, "Be careful, and wait for some good news."

    My cousins followed as we pushed forward, taking the lead since most were at a higher cultivation level than me.

    We would be at a disadvantage as a group because our strength was rather average. Sure, I could somewhat fight above my level. Still, even I couldn''t defeat a nine-star Qi Gathering Cultivator like many people who had already entered.

    The Four Beast Horror Immortal. There were almost no records about him. Even in the book, which lacked detailed records on most immortals, this guy was among the few with barely any mention of his existence. There were no records of which sect he belonged to; he had just appeared one day.

    The disciples eyed each other warily as if a fight could break out any second. No one said anything, but some who had come together were already forming teams. Seeing this, I stayed away from the crowd and observed from the sidelines.

    I tested my Qi by moving it through my body, and a translucent jade needle formed in my fingertips.

    Yep, everything was working fine. There was no suppression array or anything like that around here.

    Just then, dark cocoons formed, and people emerged from them. It was my three cousins and a handful of others. They looked around, confused.

    Was that how I had come here too?

    I waved at my cousins, and when they met my gaze, Liu Bo breathed a sigh of relief. Liu Heng nodded as if approving of something.

    "Wow, you guys look like you''re about to kill each other," a voice echoed through the room.

    At first, confusion reigned as everyone''s gaze darted around, searching for the voice''s origin. Soon, lines of pure white smoke, sparkling eerily in the dim light, slithered through the air like ethereal serpents. They converged above the ancient stone coffin, forming into a dense, shimmering cloud.

    Gradually, the smoke shaped itself into the ghostly figure of a young man. His long dark hair flowed around a somber face, and he wore an oversized robe that draped past his hands, fluttering slightly as if stirred by an unseen breeze. This spectral apparition hovered silently.

    The ghost was handsome, but its eyes were childish, almost playful. On closer inspection, the ghost appeared more like a hologram.

    Everyone remained silent, aware that this might be a spirit leading them to the inheritance. Even those about to speak were silenced by sharp glares from the others.

    The hologram''s eyes wandered over the crowd, sometimes lingering a second longer on specific individuals.

    "What an interesting group of people. This is a good era to get things rolling. What do you youngsters think about that?" the ghostly figure asked, leaning his head on his palm, his elbow resting on his knee as he sat atop the stone coffin with one leg crossed over the other.

    "We even have someone chosen by the heavens amongst us. That''s quite something. And an otherworlder too. The last one might sound less exciting, but I''ve seen some impressive otherworlders in my time. There was this one guy who came from a world where humans had colonized other planets. I had fun getting that information out of him," the immortal chuckled. He never looked directly at anyone as he spoke, as if he were planning a game of hide-and-seek and didn''t want his fun spoiled.

    My heart dropped, and the hair on the back of my neck stood at an end when I realized he had seen through me. Just a ghost of an immortal, he had easily uncovered one of my biggest secrets!

    By now, I had learned that being an otherworlder wasn''t the most impressive thing. However, it was still intimidating how effortlessly he had seen through me. But there was no use worrying about it right now.

    Of course, there was also the possibility that another otherworlder was in the crowd, and he had noticed only them. But that was unlikely.

    "Anyway, anything you get will be due to your own merit," he said, smiling. But then his gaze turned sharp. "Heaven''s chosen are lucky, but I will warn you. If any slave of the heavens comes and thinks to try his luck, this is my domain. The heavens and fate have no hand here. You will meet a gruesome end otherwise."

    People froze in place, most appearing confused, but the hologram continued, "Know your place, heaven''s slave. Don''t parade in my palace!"

 Chapter 176: The Exorcism

    Chapter 176: The Exorcism

    The tense atmosphere was suffocating despite no pressure coming from the ghostly hologram.

    "Anyway, to level the playing field, I''ve removed the factor of luck. No heaven-given luck to cheat. So only your mind and power matter here," the ghost declared. He seemed disappointed as he looked at us and wasn''t even bothering to hide it.

    What was that about? He had just called us an interesting group of people not so long ago.

    "What a trashy event for heaven''s favorite to find this place. It''s kind of ruined my mood," the ghost whined, which seemed highly unsuitable for someone in its position.

    Another realization dawned on me: by "heaven''s chosen," there was a good chance he meant Hu Jin. What were the chances of there being someone else like that?

    Which meant Hu Jin was here!

    I looked around, trying to commit everyone''s faces to memory. Yet none of them resembled him appearance-wise, and I didn''t even sense his Qi signature.

    Had he been here all along? Or was some other heaven''s favorite?

    I closed my eyes and focused entirely on my sensory abilities. With my cousins nearby, I didn''t have to worry about a sneak attack.

    Hu Jin had only recently become a one-star Qi Gathering, and his talent was even lower than mine. Rising through the ranks would be challenging for him. So even if he could hide his fake and Qi signature, he would still be one of the few here with low cultivation.

    However, even that was more complicated. Most of the people on this expedition were stronger cultivators from the younger generation. There were also those like me who had entered through special permission or were related to the higher-ups, all salivating at the thought of gaining the inheritance of an immortal.

    Assuming Hu Jin hadn''t used a technique to disguise his cultivation level, about three dozen disciples fit the criteria. There was also a chance that Hu Jin had advanced through many stars since his breakthrough��perhaps through some miraculous encounter.

    In the end, there was no way to guarantee I could identify the hidden Hu Jin. So, I stopped my efforts and decided to observe everyone''s behavior instead. He could hide everything else but not his actions.

    As a precaution, I decided it was safer to stay away from everyone.

    The ghost said he could temporarily remove whatever made Hu Jin stand out. But I wouldn''t survive long if I started taking a ghost''s words at face value. Who knew what his real intentions were?

    As for my cousins, I was sure Hu Jin hadn''t impersonated any of them. That much I could be confident about. But if we stayed together, we''d only drag each other down.

    While everyone else was likely searching for some powerful technique, I was here to study and learn new things.

    Who wouldn''t be interested in the man who achieved immortality? Well, more than one might think. But I didn''t care much about powerful techniques��at least not the ones here��because I knew others were much stronger than me and had a better chance of obtaining them.

    "Anyway, I''m sure you''re all here for the reward. So, have at it," the ghost said, waving its hand. Doors revealed themselves on the dark walls, but that wasn''t all��strange doors also began appearing mid-air, opening to dark, unknown spaces. "Pick whichever door you feel like. But if I were you, I''d rush before your peers pick the treasures dry. If you pass the tests, each door will lead to a treasure and an exit from this place"

    The disciples rushed in without hesitation, though only a handful of the bravest chose the mid-air doors. My cousins glanced at me, clearly expecting me to join them.

    The ghost made a face as if he''d just heard the most ridiculous thing. "You come into a treasure trove, and the thing that excites you most is the guy who put the treasure here?"

    "Yes," I answered without hesitation. He clearly had some strange techniques that could tell if I was lying. But I wasn''t worried��I was only telling the truth.

    "Heh," the ghost chuckled. "With that mindset, you''re either going to become an immortal or amount to nothing as a cultivator."

    Though he said it jokingly, it felt pretty endearing to have an immortal suggest I could reach his stage of cultivation.

    The ghost jumped off the stone coffin and walked toward me with soundless steps. When he was within arm''s length, he sat down cross-legged.

    "Well, sit down; my life story will be quite a long one. I lived for seven thousand eight hundred and twelve years," he said. I followed his lead, sitting down cross-legged, and began drawing him as he told his story. "Before the epithets that everyone began calling me by and they eventually forgot my name, my real name was Cui Yongnian. I resulted from the union between Emperor Tang Guoliang and a monstrous beast."

    A union between a human and a monstrous beast? That was quite rare. Technically possible since monstrous beasts could take a humanoid form at will when they achieved the Nascent Soul Realm. But just because they could turn into humans didn''t mean they were into humans that way... It would be like a guy gaining the power to turn into a dolphin and then wanting to have sex with one. Very weird.

    Just that situation alone raised a thousand questions, questions I decided to keep to myself. Despite meaning no offense regarding his mother being a bit weird, I knew how it might come off. Did turning into a human make humans attractive to her? Wait, the cultivators who used transformation techniques, were they all secretly furries?

    He explained his childhood, though he never went into much detail. His early years were relatively peaceful, and he even had a younger sibling born to the same parents.

    Usually, emperors had harems, but his spouse was a Nascent Soul monstrous beast. If he had strayed from the bounds of their marriage, he could have found his entire kingdom destroyed.

    Cui Yongnian''s life continued normally for decades. That was until his father died, and a couple of centuries later, his mother was killed by some Nascent Soul cultivators searching for resources.

    In the end, he didn''t seem too sad about his mother''s death. But then again, he had over seven thousand years to come to terms with it.

    Cui Yongnian never took over his father''s empire. Despite his mother''s death, he felt he had already spent centuries with her��more time than most mortals spent with their parents. Afterward, he focused on cultivation for a while.

    Though many exciting things had happened in his life, they had been washed away and forgotten after thousands of years. He told me he became immortal at seven hundred years old, mostly kept to himself, and died two thousand nine hundred years ago. Obviously, he died from unnatural causes, not a natural death, but he never elaborated on how he died.

    "I would have liked to live until the Era of Immortals came. But sadly, I slipped when I was almost there," the ghost said, shaking his head.

    "The Era of Immortals?" I raised a questioning brow as I finished writing notes on his story and the details he had provided.

    Also, what did he mean by "almost there"? He was nearly three thousand years off. What kind of messed-up time perception did these immortals have?

    "Yes, my tomb was supposed to open just a bit before that," he sighed, disappointed. "Though this wasn''t the generation I was expecting. I thought I saw an era where many immortals emerged and cultivation entered a golden age like never before. Perhaps I saw it wrong."

    An Era of Immortals...

 Chapter 177: Once In A Hundred Years

    Chapter 177: Once In A Hundred Years

    An Era of Immortals? Ah, shit, that sounded like a super dangerous time to be around. The last thing I needed was immortals walking about, able to tell I was an otherworlder.

    "How did you know about this era?" I shifted, trying to find a more comfortable position on the stone.

    "The same way I knew you were an otherworlder. That technique could originally see things even fate couldn''t predict��an almost absolute future unless I changed it," he smiled, pride evident in his voice.

    Though it sounded like an overpowered technique, it likely wasn''t absolute. Otherwise, knowing the future, he could have saved himself from dying. The visions he saw might be absolute but perhaps not too clear.

    "Techniques like this always come with a heavy cost, especially for immortals," he added.

    "Heavy cost? Why do I get the feeling you don''t mean Qi?" I asked.

    "Sorry, kid, but just knowing these kinds of things will make your breakthrough to the immortal realm harder," he shrugged.

    There was always some secret I couldn''t know. It was annoying.

    "I don''t care," I refuted.

    Who knew if I''d ever even reach a phase where I could try to break through to immortality? What if I never became an immortal? That seemed likely, given my talents. Was I supposed to die without ever knowing these secrets?

    The ghost looked at me, surprised, then laughed out loud. The sound echoed through the large room, like nails on a chalkboard. It was not a pleasant sound.

    When his laughter subsided, he said, "It''s because of the tribulations. Immortals are irregular existences that the heavens are always trying to correct. Essentially, they''re always in a fight against the heavens. That''s how I died. After many battles, I eventually lost, and that was it."

    Tribulations? My heart pounded in my chest, and it felt like all my blood came to a standstill as excitement coursed through me.

    The ghost must have noticed something on my face because his smile widened as he added, "Immortals don''t abide by fate. No one is destined to be immortal; they carve their own will into the world. They bend fate to their will and play with the heavens on a whim!"

    Even though my eyes were glued to the translucent form of this immortal, my hands moved faster than ever as I jotted down every word he spoke, etching the expressions on his face into memory.

    "Though we won''t age and technically could live forever, few live past two or three thousand years. Tribulations come in many forms. For example, those so-called heaven''s chosen will, in one way or another, end up a tribulation for some immortal," he said, taking a deep breath as if he''d forgotten he was a ghost. "Anyway, techniques that try to glimpse into the future, change it, meddle with fate, make someone luckier��anything like that��always make the heavens harsher on them. Essentially, the more you use it, the less lucky you become."

    As he explained, a certain thought came to mind. It was a wild assumption, and perhaps I was grasping at straws here, but I might have solved a puzzle that had been at the back of my mind.

    "How often do these tribulations happen?" I asked, feeling as though an anchor was tied to my heart, dragging me down.

    "Every hundred years or so," the ghost answered, and a chill went down my spine.

    Yeah, I think this theory of mine was right.

    Every hundred years, the Blazing Sun Sect faced one disaster or another. It was like a pattern. This all pointed to the Blazing Sun Immortal being alive, and these were his heavenly tribulations! The reason it was forbidden to speak about it was that during the heavenly tribulation, the Blazing Sun Immortal would be at his most vulnerable!

    I was shaken by the discovery, so excited that my mind was abuzz with a thousand questions.

    No! I couldn''t afford to get lost in my excitement!

    With all the willpower I could muster, I crushed any reckless thoughts of excitement or euphoria, leaving only logic behind.

    He stared at the dark hallway ahead, and his heartbeat quickened. Many would take that as a sign of fear, but Xu Tao knew he was no coward! He refused to believe it!

    "P-Perhaps we should turn back," said a whispering voice behind him.

    Xu Tao turned around and saw a young man with shaved eyebrows and an oversized backpack. He was shivering, looking anywhere but meeting his gaze.

    This was what a true coward looked like. If it wasn''t for the rules of the Sect, Xu Tao would have killed this brat and squished his head like clay. But this brat was useful for now; until he got his hands on a storage ring, he would use this loser as a baggage handler.

    Suddenly, a strong wind pushed through the hallway, pushing them back a bit. Xu Tao''s feet dragged along the ground while the eyebrow-less loser would have flown off if it hadn''t been for the weight of his backpack keeping him grounded. He still ended up rolling around like a ball.

    However, Xu Tao didn''t have the chance to yell at his companion. Instead, he stared into the deep, dark tunnels��they had been walking for more than an hour, but there was still no end in sight.

    What was that about?

    There was a rattling on the floor, then it moved to the ceiling, and suddenly, a heavy pressure settled on his shoulders. Xu Tao felt sweat beading on his hairy back, making the robe he wore cling uncomfortably to his skin.

    "Perhaps we should return," said the browless coward.

    With all the tension in the air, Xu Tao clenched his teeth, his anger boiling over. Without hesitation, he swung his fist back, slamming it into the side of the browless coward''s head, sending him head-first into the wall. The browless loser slumped to the ground, bleeding from his head.

    "Shut the hell up, you dumb fuck!" Xu Tao yelled.

    A loser like this wasn''t even good at handling baggage. Because of the coward''s whining, Xu Tao had nearly let fear take root in his heart. Thankfully, he smashed that straight out of him.

    "I just need to concentrate!" Xu Tao clenched his fists and looked at the dark, looming hallway ahead. "C''mon, you bastard! No longer throwing around wind? Too scared?"

    "Where the hell am I?" asked a voice behind him.

    Xu Tao frowned. The voice belonged to the browless coward. However, there was something strange about it. It no longer sounded cowering or insecure about what he would say next.

    "Hey, you," the browless coward called out. Xu Tao turned around, ready to give the loser another beating to teach him a lesson.

    However, when he turned around, he came face to face with the browless loser. But this time, their gazes met directly, and the guy casually rubbed his fingers across his bleeding forehead.

    "What��" Xu Tao began to say.

    "Why aren''t you kneeling?" the browless coward asked.

    For some strange reason, Xu Tao''s body suddenly plummeted to the ground. His eyes widened in horror as he looked down. Everything below the middle of his thighs was gone��he was left with stumps.

    What?

    "It seems like I incarnated; my technique worked. Though, as expected, the heavens intervened," the browless guy chuckled. "In a place where heaven''s influence doesn''t seem to take effect. Probably another immortal''s domain��better get out of here. I''m nowhere near my real strength."

    Xu Tao was still in shock, staring at the browless baggage handler, who began acting strangely, muttering under his breath, "Also, my personality is getting affected by the remnants of the body and the soul. That kid was a coward and meek��what a horrible combination. I should just get rid of it."

 Chapter 178: The Immortal Ghost

    Chapter 178: The Immortal Ghost

    What the ghost showed me was both mesmerizing and unsettling��a dark sphere pulsating with movement. The orb was composed of wriggling shadows that stretched and recoiled as if trying to escape their confines. It was like countless souls were trapped within, each pressing against their spherical prison''s shadowy barriers.

    "What is that?" I asked. "And just to be clear, I''m not going to touch that thing unless I know what it is."

    The ghost looked amused as if he were toying with me. He seemed like a bored spirit finally getting the chance to fool around with someone. But despite the amusement in his eyes, he didn''t seem inclined to push it further.

    Just as he seemed about to say something, his expression shifted to a frown. "Someone dangerous just appeared."

    "What?" I asked, trying to gauge whether he was serious or just messing with me.

    Dangerous? What could a monstrous ghost like him possibly fear?

    "Incarnation," he said as if the word alone explained everything. "A risky move for immortals like us since our souls end up getting crushed due to events orchestrated by the heavens. And just because we''re souls doesn''t mean we escape heavenly tribulations."

    I barely understood what he meant, but it sounded like an immortal could send their soul out and take over another body.

    For a moment, I worried he might try something like that with me. But then logic kicked in, calming my nerves. No offense to myself, but my cultivation talent was kind of shitty compared to the best out there. Surely, there were better bodies he could take over.

    "He''s moving toward the exit," the ghost hummed, "which means he probably didn''t end up here intentionally and has the decency not to interfere. He''s running away, so he''s likely not at full power, and his immortal techniques probably aren''t suitable to use in a weakened state."

    So, someone dangerous was out there, and he was part of the same group as me.

    "It seems other immortals have their own plans for reaching the Age of Immortals," the ghost said as he walked toward me.

    I couldn''t help but wonder what this translucent figure was thinking. It felt like I was a small piece among titanic players.

    "No need to worry about him, kid. Trust me, he doesn''t want to be found out either. The heavens are nearly omniscient, but immortals have ways to hide, even when weakened. But if he intervenes in people''s fates��like killing them before their time��sooner or later, the heavens will notice," the ghost explained. "He''ll likely try to keep a low profile until he gains more strength in whatever body he takes over. If he ever causes you trouble, just get him and heaven''s favorite meet. The heavens are always paying extra attention to that kid."

    Hearing him talk so confidently about someone else''s likely actions was strange. Sure, this ghost came off as friendly and lacked that terrifyingly calm demeanor. Still, he clearly had the intelligence and experience of someone who had lived for nearly ten thousand years. Though I had expected someone that old to act colder and more mysterious.

    "Anyway, here are your rewards," he said, extending his hand and offering me the black, sludge-like sphere.

    "What am I supposed to do with this?" I asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow and making no move to touch the thing.

    The ghost stared me in the eyes, his expression serious, yet with a hint of something darker. "You have to eat it. Just swallow it and feel it bulge down your throat."

    "Fuck no," I replied immediately.

    The ghost snorted, his lips twitching before he could no longer hide his laughter.

    This guy...

    "Sorry, but your expression was priceless," he cackled like a madman, slapping his ghostly knee. "You don''t have to eat this. The Extreme Void Sphere can hold items and keep time from passing within its confines. It''s created by boiling down the body of someone with a void or space-related extreme physique. Unfortunately, I could only get an arm, so it''s just a one-time-use artifact."

    One moment, he was joking around, and the next, he casually mentioned using a human body as an ingredient.

    But the ghost didn''t dwell on that. He retrieved a scroll that the black sphere had spewed out and used some telekinesis technique to hand it over to me.

    As I felt the soft paper in my hand, it seemed freshly made and smelled like it.

    "That is a Tier 6 Pill Recipe. It''s a healing pill that can help someone regenerate organs, limbs, and even eyes from scratch. The ingredients might be hard to find��or even extinct in your time��so you may need to rework the formula a bit," he explained. "But that''s the only free reward I''ll give you as a token of our friendship."

    He made modifying a Tier 6 Pill Recipe sound like a common task. I wasn''t sure even the best alchemist in the Blazing Sun Sect could pull that off.

    "Tell me what you need, though I''ll be honest��I''m not sure I''ll be able to do what you''re asking," I said.

    "The request is simple," the ghost smiled, something strange flickering in his eyes. "Just keep writing the history of what you see, and everything will be fine."

    "Sure?" I raised a questioning eyebrow. I was going to do that anyway. But now that he specifically mentioned it, it was suspicious.

    His life had been a mix of complex deeds, many good and many bad.

    I��d never thought much about death or contemplated it deeply in my previous life. It seemed pointless to worry about something inevitable.

    ��I think I can take care of this new immortal and that heaven��s chosen who��ve decided to taint my tomb. So, don��t worry about them; they won��t be a problem,�� the ghost said. I could no longer see his form, only hear his voice.

    As the ghost dissipated, any trace of that immortal vanished. What remained of him now were just stories about his life that only I knew.

    In the end, he was reduced to a handful of glowing mist. But the fog compacted and turned into a translucent blue cube that shot toward me. Instinctively, I dodged, moving my head to the side. I did the same with the subsequent blue rushes.

    Eventually, I relented, realizing that whatever the ghost was imparting me was unlikely to harm me. For some reason, he wanted me to write down the history as it happened.

    I would have done that anyway, but now that he had asked, it was suspicious as hell. Did he have some technique that could reincarnate him based on books or something?

    Either way, when I allowed the blue cube to sink into my palm, a wave of information surged before my eyes.

    Holy shit! A Sky Grade Technique!

    My heart leaped with excitement and any suspicions I had vanished instantly. Even the sadness I''d felt at the immortal''s disappearance evaporated. He had clearly lived his full share of time��nearly ten millennia.

    Damn! A Sky Grade Technique! I still couldn''t believe it!

    Apologies, ghost immortal; I may have acted a bit shamefully, but my excitement at getting my hands on something like this washed away all my melancholy.

    In my excitement, I almost put the golden apple in the storage ring. The ghost had explicitly told me not to do that.

    I quickly moved away from the main room with the coffin and headed toward one of the doors in the walls. Once inside, I looked at the golden apple in my hand and winced at the Qi it emitted. Even a Qi Gathering Cultivator would recognize this as a precious treasure.

    How do I suppress this Qi? As an Array Conjurer, I had a few options. Still, I needed something that would last long enough to keep the Core Elders from noticing anything until we returned. Even one second needed to re-apply the array would be enough for them to notice.

    Muttering a chant, I made the apple float above my hand, enveloping it in a translucent green barrier.

    Just as I was ready to imbue the barrier with some rules to make it last longer, I heard the sound of wind shifting behind me. I immediately encased myself in translucent jade armor, preparing for an attack. But the strike never came.

    Instead, the would-be assailant rushed past me, grabbed the square barrier I had placed around the golden apple, crushed it, and took hold of the apple before fleeing. It all happened in a split second.

    Oh? Stealing from me?

    Though not as seamlessly as Song San, this assailant hid his presence quite well. But now he was holding the golden apple, radiating crazy amounts of Qi. Unless he planned to use the apple as bait in some kind of trap, he wouldn''t be able to conceal his position. However, if he wanted to set a trap or launch a sneak attack, it would have been easier to do so while his presence was still hidden.

    But I wasn''t going to bother deciphering the thoughts of an already dead man.

    I dismissed the jade armor, forming a translucent green dagger instead, and swung!

    A piercing slash shot out like a bullet, followed by a net of wind blades. The thief was fast but slower than my technique.

    I gave chase, ready to retrieve his corpse. As I closed in on the thief, I first noticed that he was wearing the robes of an inner disciple from the Blazing Sun Sect. When I got a better look at his face, I realized he was one of those background types��someone I didn''t know much about, who mostly kept to themselves. He had an average-looking tan face with a mole on the right side of his forehead.

    However, just as my attacks were about to tear him apart, a white, smokey Qi burst from his pocket, forming into the shape of a dignified old man with a long white beard. The man swiped his arm, causing all of my wind blades to combust and shaking the dark tunnel we were in.

    Oho? It seemed Hu Jin was up to his usual habit of pilfering others'' findings.

    I liked to think of myself as a logical man, always striving to reign in my emotions. After all, it was better to have friends than enemies. If given the choice between pushing someone down or helping them, I would always choose the latter. Even if someone cultivated faster than me or was luckier in finding techniques or resources, I might feel a twinge of envy. However, I would never go out of my way to sabotage or drag them down just to make myself feel better.

    But despite all that, as I looked at Hu Jin''s back and the old man''s indifferent face, something ignited within me. It felt like they were dismissing me with such disregard, as if all the treasures in the world were theirs for the taking!

    Perhaps challenging heaven''s favorite wasn''t the smartest move. But the ghost had said Hu Jin didn''t have his usual luck here.

    Let''s see how well he fared without his luck to back him up. Sure, his grandpa was here, but I was going to kill them both!

 Chapter 179: Five Minutes Before

    Chapter 179: Five Minutes Before

    Hu Jin navigated the shadow-draped corridors of the ancient tomb, his footsteps echoing ominously through the oppressive silence. Each turn seemed to promise discovery, but as he rounded yet another corner, he faced yet another dead end. Encrusted with age and secrets, the walls loomed over him as if mocking his efforts.

    "Tch, this place is like a maze!" Hu Jin grumbled under his breath.

    "The immortal is likely controlling this place and doesn''t want you to find anything," his master said.

    Damn it! That was unfair! Why was the guy discriminating against him?

    Hu Jin clenched his fists; he had gone through so much just for some annoying immortal to get in his way!

    Hu Jin wasn''t originally supposed to be here since he was not one of the top candidates within the inner sect. But Zun Gon had found him a spot, and he had hidden his identity since not many would be pleased with a newcomer with no significant accomplishments in the group. He had even gone through the effort to create this flesh mask and everything.

    "I sense something," his master said, with a weird tone that meant he was thinking up some scheme. "We might not be able to get anything, but we could steal from others. Cultivators deserve only what they get with their hands, and if they can''t keep it, it''s their fault."

    That immediately piqued Hu Jin''s interest. He looked around until he made sure no one was around and asked. "Really? Where is it? I can''t sense anything."

    "Though my senses are dulled here due to this area''s limitations on cultivators at a higher level than Qi Gathering. My senses are still better than any other Qi Gathering Cultivator''s," his master said before urging him, "Follow my lead, and we need to move fast."

    Hu Jin pressed forward through the labyrinthine tunnels, his movements guided by the whispered directions of his master. Each step carried him deeper into a network of increasingly unfamiliar passageways. The air was thick with the musk of damp earth, and the faint echoes of his own footsteps seemed to taunt him, suggesting a shifting maze that rearranged itself just out of sight.

    But ultimately, their twisting journey through the shadowy corridors led them back to where it all began��the empty, dark room with the solitary coffin at its center. This time, however, the ghost was no longer here, leaving behind an eerie silence that hung heavily in the space. Once aglow with a ghostly light, the translucent pillars that supported the roof now seemed dimmer.

    Hu Jin''s gaze wandered toward the coffin, and temptation gnawed at his heart. He wasn''t used to going on a harrowing journey and getting nothing out of it. Not even a measly Earth Grade Technique!

    But as Hu Jin stood there, the memory of the previous attempt to approach the coffin came to the front of his mind. The first man who had dared draw near had been met with a horrific end. An invisible force had struck with such sudden ferocity that it obliterated him, reducing his entire body to nothing more than a gruesome splatter of red sludge on the cold stone floor. The invisible attack had been so powerful that it was impossible to distinguish between flesh, blood, and bones; everything had merged into a thick, coagulated red liquid in a mere instant.

    "Enter the second door to the wall there," said his master. "Make sure to use the Thousand Phantom Steps Technique, and use the aspect of the technique that hides your presence."

    Hu Jin broke out of his thoughts and followed his master''s guidance. They ended up in a dark tunnel again. However, this one was a bit wider, and he could spread out his arms without touching the edges of the passage. In the distance, though Hu Jin couldn''t see well, he sensed the presence his master was talking about.

    "Master, isn''t that the guy who you said we shouldn''t approach?" Hu Jin asked, using the Earth and Wind Ghostly Words Technique; it was a voice-muffling Earth Grade Technique.

    His master stayed quiet momentarily as they watched the man form a square barrier around some kind of golden fruit, causing its presence to completely disappear.

    ��He hasn��t sensed us, and his soul is fixed,�� his master mumbled. ��This guy... is he really an incarnated immortal? Even weakened and in a Qi Gathering Cultivator��s body, immortals should be overwhelming. He hasn��t shown that kind of power. So he��s either an otherworlder or, more likely, part of a failed ritual��either as a victim or born this way.��

    Hu Jin smiled, sensing that his master was deep in thought. A cultivator should take only what they could keep.

    Liu Feng wasn��t as bad as the rumors suggested. But Hu Jin wouldn��t let him keep a Yang Fruit that could help heal the damage from when his cultivation had been broken. He had stolen from much more dangerous people than Liu Feng��Sects, Clans, and even Demonic Cultivators.

    Hu Jin prepared to block the attack with his broadsword, but his other hand was occupied holding the golden apple. Just as the spear was about to clash with the broadsword, it turned into a greenish mist, slithering past the sword like a snake, and aimed for Hu Jin''s throat.

    Shit!��Hu Jin cursed under his breath as he barely managed to move his neck out of the way, though he was left with a small scratch on the left side of his throat.

    "Careful, it seems running away is no longer an option. He''s mastered his movement technique far better than you," his master warned. "I can''t manifest blatantly in here, or the immortal presence will crush me. Throw the apple into the tunnel behind you��you can''t fight him with one hand occupied. If he''s distracted for even a split second by the treasure, take the chance and kill him. He''s clearly not hesitating to kill you."

    Hu Jin did as his master instructed and threw the golden apple away, using the Earth Shattering Palm Technique to strike when Liu Feng got distracted. But to Hu Jin''s dismay, Liu Feng''s cold eyes remained glued to him, as if he hadn''t even noticed the golden apple being thrown away.

    However, Hu Jin still unleashed the palm attack on Liu Feng. His heartbeat pounded like a drum in his ears, and he felt truly on edge for the first time. Usually, he had his master to rely on, and no matter how badly he failed, his master would pick up the slack. But this wasn��t a good place for his master to manifest too often, or his soul could be permanently crushed.

    Hu Jin��s concentration peaked. The Earth Shattering Palm was one of the techniques he had practiced the longest, diligently refining it daily. It held sentimental value as the first technique his master had given him.

    Time seemed to slow, and the dead look in Liu Feng��s calculating gaze shifted slightly. It was as if he knew what would happen next, even before Hu Jin did.

    A perfectly executed technique, and a once-in-a-thousand chance...

    Oh, I��m about to hit a Trace��Hu Jin thought, feeling strangely calm.

    A translucent stone palm, covering the entire hallway, appeared before Hu Jin and shot forward. The attack wasn��t fast, but it carried such immense weight that it caused the winds in the hallway to howl. It generated the force like a mountain had been hurled toward the opponent.

    Greenish strings, almost invisible, wrapped around Liu Feng, forming a leafy cocoon. With the space so narrow, he had no chance to dodge. When the translucent stone palm collided with the green cocoon, Hu Jin expected a clash. However, the cocoon flew away like a ball, absorbing the momentum as if it were made of rubber.

    Despite the hallway shaking from the impact, it didn��t break, proving that this place was truly crafted by an immortal��nothing a Qi Gathering disciple could throw around would affect it.

    ��Don��t let your guard down! That kid executed the best possible counter in a situation like that!�� his master warned. ��He��s barely taken any damage.��

    The cocoon unfolded like a ball of strings, revealing Liu Feng. He was bleeding slightly from his nose, but there was no other visible damage. And he still had that eerie, emotionless look in his eyes.

    ��C��mon, want another one of those?�� Hu Jin taunted, but it seemed pointless��Liu Feng didn��t respond.

    Hu Jin stored his sword in his storage ring, preparing for a fistfight. This was his specialty, and he could incapacitate Liu Feng with his strengthened body.

    Yet, Liu Feng no longer charged. Instead, he made a strange hand sign and whispered, ��Thousand Lightning Array.��

    ��Hu Jin! Run away, now!�� his master��s voice rang out.

    But it was too late��a blue array barrier formed impossibly fast around them.

 Chapter 180: The Birth of a Monstrous Cultivator

    Chapter 180: The Birth of a Monstrous Cultivator

    After his master''s foreboding warning echoed in his mind, Hu Jin felt an ominous prickle dance across his scalp, the sensation crawling like a lava spider through his brain. Abruptly, the tingling gave way to a searing agony that enveloped his head. The heat surged so intensely that it seemed to bore into his skull, threatening to melt his eyes in their sockets.

    He opened his mouth to scream, but no sound came out; his voice was stifled, smothered by the oppressive air around him. Instead of his cry, only a sinister buzzing sound filled his ears.

    Was he already dead? The comforting voice of his master, who had been like a pillar, was no longer there. He felt scared...

    Hu Jin felt like his face was melting. No, it was the mask he had on his face!

    When Hu Jin came to his senses, he found himself in a strange white cloud with his master''s panicked face looking over him.

    "Hu Jin, you must wake up right now, or you will die!" His master yelled as Hu Jin slowly regained consciousness. His master''s voice continued repeating the same plea, though the sound was getting fainter.

    Master, what are you doing? he thought. You said that staying out for too long was dangerous in the tomb of an immortal. The arrays were going to notice your presence.

    "Hu Jin! Are you willing to let your life end like this? Get up! After all the humiliation you''ve suffered, will you let your enemies win?" His master reminded him of all the pain he had endured to get here. The humiliation of his fiance?e breaking the engagement and him finally winning his fight against her. The family members who bullied him, his enemies, those who scorned him... he hadn''t repaid them all!

    With a guttural roar, Hu Jin forced himself to stand and finally came to his senses. The first thing he noticed was the fleshy mask hanging on his face and that his master''s presence had turned almost translucent as the sound of lightning crashed all around them.

    Has my master been protecting me from the lightning all this time? Hu Jin wondered.

    "Put a new mask on," his master said softly.

    "Master, are you okay?" Hu Jin asked, but he hurriedly took out a porcelain mask and put it on, while his old fleshy mask melted. .

    "I will have to go into a long slumber after this. Liu Feng is using a top-notch level three array. Right now, the best decision for you would be to run," his master said. "One day, we will repay this humiliation, but not today. Liu Feng might not be an incarnated immortal, but he is dangerous in his own way. We can''t let him know your real identity. From now on, never use any of the techniques you''ve used here again��even though you finally hit a Trace with your Earth Shattering Palm."

    Hu Jin nodded, knowing he could no longer afford to hesitate, "What should we do about this array?"

    "I will take it down, but you need to grab the Yang Fruit and escape immediately," his master said.

    "I understand, master," Hu Jin nodded.

    Then, in a split second, his master''s protective cover vanished, and Hu Jin felt that same tingle on his scalp. His body shuddered at the thought of the pain that was to come next. But the pain never came as his master''s cloudy form crashed against the border of the array barrier behind him. Then came a pulse of Qi, and cracks spread through the blue array until it shattered like a dome of glass.

    Hu Jin kept his gaze locked on Liu Feng, whose expression remained unchanged. He had the same dead look in his eyes as before.

    This time, Hu Jin wasted no time. He grabbed the golden apple off the ground and sprinted.

    Almost instantly, Hu Jin felt the air behind him shift. Though he hated to admit it, it was clear that Liu Feng had mastered his movement technique far better than him. It took only an instant for Liu Feng to catch up, but Hu Jin trusted his master''s advice.

    A green pill slipped from Hu Jin''s pocket, releasing a burst of green mist. Hu Jin coughed briefly but quickly recognized it as one of the poisons his master had trained him to be immune to. The whole hallway was enveloped in the green mist, but Hu Jin knew he had to keep moving forward. He had his Echolocation Earth Grade Technique, which would give him an advantage.

    "He created a basic barrier around himself before the poison even had a chance to touch him. Doing all that in an instant, his reflexes are impressive," his master remarked. "No, he is familiar with this scenario."

    He sounded thoughtful, but now was not the time to overthink too much, "Anyway, turn around and break the barrier. Even if he beats you in a fistfight, you just need to clash and break his barrier to win. A basic barrier is like paper in front of the power of a Qi Gathering Cultivator."

    "Hey, I''m confident in a fistfight," Hu Jin grumbled, turning around. He tucked the Yang Fruit under his neck to hold it in place. If consuming a Yang Fruit was less disruptive and didn''t cause Qi to surge through his body, he would have swallowed it by now.

    Hu Jin used his Echolocation Earth Grade Technique and quickly located Liu Feng. However, as he drew closer, he sensed another array spreading out. He hesitated, dreading another bolt of scorching lightning coursing through his body.

    "Don''t worry; the poison gas is flammable. If Liu Feng uses that lightning array again, he''ll blow himself up. I will protect you in the ensuing explosion," his master said resolutely. By now, he had retreated into the coin in Hu Jin''s pocket, but his voice was so faint and tired that Hu Jin could barely hear him. "The explosion will destroy his barrier and poison him."

    However, unlike what his master had anticipated��this was a new array. As Hu Jin sensed dozens of new presences within his sensory field, he realized something was wrong.

    "Jade Soldier Array," a voice called out through the mist.

    After running for a bit, the tunnel grew tighter until it could barely fit him. But Hu Jin''s heart sank when he saw something at the end of the tunnel... another wall.

    A dead end...

    All emotion drained from Hu Jin as he stopped using his movement technique and walked briskly toward the end of the tunnel.

    However, as he got closer, he noticed something unusual on the wall��a strange pattern, barely visible in the pitch darkness.

    Well, it was not like he could stick around and wait for that psycho.

    Hu Jin extended his hand and touched the pattern on the wall. Instantly, the surroundings shifted, and he heard birds chirping and trees fluttering. He rubbed his eyes to check if he was under the effect of an illusion. It looked like the teleportation thing led to the outskirts of a jungle.

    "Huh? I''m outside?" A smile stretched across his lips, and he let out a throaty laugh. "It seems like today isn''t the day I die!"

    As Hu Jin looked around for anyone else, he almost jumped out of his skin when he saw a young man behind him, silently staring. The guy appeared small and rather weak, even with shaved brows. But something was unsettling in his stare.

    Hu Jin felt a buzzing sound in his ear as his master''s weakened, whisper-like voice came through.

    "Careful... this one... two souls mashed together," his master warned, his voice barely coming through.

    Just like Liu Feng? Hu Jin thought, smiling slightly. Though his master had warned him about Liu Feng, it turned out Liu Feng was not immortal. His master''s tone seemed calmer now as if the encounter with Liu Feng had made him less paranoid. Not everything had to be the worst-case scenario.

    "What gave a slave like you and his pet ghost the arrogance to look at me with impunity?" the browless man asked, his voice soft, like a snake''s hiss.

    Hu Jin smiled politely and hid the Yang Fruit behind his back. "Hey, how are you doing��"

    But whatever he was about to say next didn''t matter because Hu Jin suddenly felt an emptiness in his chest. Not an emotional emptiness but an actual void.

    He looked down and saw a gaping hole, the size of a fist, where his heart should have been.

    "Oh..." he muttered, falling to his knees and collapsing.

    "A heaven''s slave randomly popping up in front of me? Very unlikely. I didn''t interfere with the ritual in the tomb, so why did he intervene in my affairs? Now the heavens have seen me again," the browless man whispered under his breath.

    The assailant didn''t even bother taking the Yang Fruit; he simply walked off without another word. Hu Jin felt coldness spreading through the rest of his body as darkness crept into the corners of his vision.

    Is this how I''m going to die? he wondered.

    Due to eating a Yang Fruit in the past, Hu Jin''s physique was resilient. Even with a hole in his chest, he could survive for a few fleeting minutes. But those minutes felt like an eternity as his life flashed before his eyes.

    Master... Where are you? Master... I need your help...

    But no matter how much he begged or prayed, Hu Jin knew it was useless. After appearing in the immortal''s tomb so often, his master had gone into slumber. He could only hope his master would find another worthy disciple when he recuperated.

    Not long after, there was the sound of footsteps approaching.

    Hu Jin opened his mouth and mumbled a barely audible plea, "Help..."

    The figure drew closer and turned him over. The sun was blindingly bright, and despite the looming death, Hu Jin squinted to get a better look at his potential savior.

    She was a woman who might have once possessed great beauty, but her face and neck were marred by numerous scars. She wore a white eyepatch.

    Hu Jin''s heart sank as he recognized her. The woman''s cold expression turned into a wide smile that nearly split her face when she saw his face.

    "I thought I had gone mad when I sensed the familiar presence of a Yang Fruit near you. Fate truly works in mysterious ways," Ye An chuckled as a sharp knife appeared in her hand. "Don''t go dying on me too fast now."

 Chapter 181: Departure From Death

    Chapter 181: Departure From Death

    The jade strings encircling me thrummed with a rhythmic pulsation, akin to heartbeats, enveloping me in what felt like a cocoon of bright green silk. The softer strands that composed the inner layer of this protective barrier clung gently to my robes, intertwining with the fabric. The vibrant green glow cast a surreal light, isolating me from the outside world and imbuing the space with a serene, otherworldly quality.

    The battle was easier than expected. His master couldn''t fully manifest here, which made sense, given that an immortal had gone through the trouble to create this place.

    In the end, though, I couldn''t kill either of them. Neither could I sense them, which meant they had been able to escape.

    I was annoyed that Hu Jin took the golden apple with him. But there wasn''t much I could do about it now. Crying over spilled milk wouldn''t help. I would have loved to study it and see how a Yang Fruit affected the body. The information in the Song Clan Library was detailed, but reading about it and seeing it firsthand were two different things.

    However, I couldn''t stay angry because I had obtained a Sky Grade Technique! Just thinking about it sent a shiver of excitement through me!

    To hell with Hu Jin and whatever plans I''d need to make to kill him later! Studying this technique was far more important!

    The green cocoon enveloping me began to unravel, its countless jade strings��each finer than a strand of hair��slowly shedding away. As they untangled, the delicate threads faded from sight, dissolving into the air like mist. Not long after, I was left in a silent and dark hallway.

    Despite the situation, I felt rather calm. Whenever anger bubbled up at the thought of losing a treasure like the Yang Fruit, my mind wandered toward the Sky Grade Technique.

    Eight Mind Phantoms was an intricate technique. While I had read about several Sky Grade Techniques and their workings, possessing one was different. The most significant difference between Sky Grade and Earth Grade Techniques was how versatile a Sky Grade Technique could be in the direction it was intended for. Also, it was complicated as hell.

    I retraced Hu Jin''s steps until the hallway got small enough to barely fit me, and I ended up in a dead end with a strange inscription array.

    Though I was a novice in arrays, and wasn''t arrogant about my knowledge. I liked to think I somewhat knew what I was talking about. But the inscription on the wall showed me that I was little more than an ignorant fool.

    "A teleportation array?" I tried to decipher the inscriptions, but they left me sighing.

    Sure, teleporting people outside might seem like an essential function in a tomb, but this was much more.

    Teleportation arrays were unheard of in this era. Some obscure teleportation techniques were mentioned, usually Sky Grade, but achieving that with arrays was considered impossible.

    Honestly, I wouldn''t even stand close to it if it were anyone else''s work. Teleportation was a delicate process��one wrong move, and I could end up ripped apart or, worse, trigger an explosion.

    But I trusted the skill of the person who made this place.

    "Shit, I could have learned so much about teleportation arrays from him," I sighed while taking out my notebook and copying down the array.

    It was a shame he couldn''t have become my ring grandpa... Though, I would have definitely been paranoid about him trying to take over my body if that had happened.

    In the end, I couldn''t stay here forever. Usually, I would have been cautious about the teleportation array, wary that it might send me to the same place as Hu Jin. Outside, his master could easily kill me.

    However, it was unlikely that the immortal who created this place intended to let me die or teleport me to the exact location of Hu Jin. Even if he did, his master would still be weakened, and I might have a chance to finish Hu Jin.

    I placed my hand on the array, and the world around me twisted and turned. The next thing I knew, I was in a jungle. I could sense people nearby, though Hu Jin was nowhere in sight. I had been teleported close to a group but in a different place than Hu Jin.

    How could I have ended up somewhere different when the inscription was identical? It was like copying a text and having different results every time you pasted it. The logic behind it made no sense. If I knew the immortal could do this, I would have asked the ghost. This question was going to haunt me for a long while.

    As I walked toward the group, some of them turned to look at me. It appeared I wasn''t the first to emerge from the tomb��my cousins were here too, along with Song Song. As I got closer, she turned toward me and narrowed her eyes.

    "You got into a fight," Song Song observed. "Did you at least win?"

    "I''d call it more of a draw," I shrugged. "Anyway, what did everyone find?"

    Liu Bo and Liu Heng showed off two scrolls, smiling. It was strange to see Liu Heng smile; he usually wore a frown like a disappointed teacher.

    Beneath the bridge, the river flowed with an unsettling dark red water. The foul odor it carried was so potent it was almost tangible, like the stench of decay. The stark contrast between the elegance of the castles and the corrupted river created an eerie atmosphere that lingered uncomfortably in the air.

    What could even cause the water to be like that?

    "This is the Moonlit River Sect," said one of the Core Elders, wearing a crimson robe that marked him as a member of the Blazing Sun Sect. "They''re a subordinate sect under the Blazing Sun Sect. We''ll be staying with them tonight. Do not cause any ruckus or pick fights with the other disciples."

    After that, the Core Elders, each using their movement techniques, vanished instantly. Some left behind leaves, grass, or a spark of fire, while others left only a heavy footprint on the pale grass.

    They left us on our own, so I turned to Song Song. "What do we do now?"

    I knew only a little bit about the Moonlit River Sect. It was a minor sect on the outskirts of the Blazing Sun Sect''s territory. The place was of little strategic importance; it was on the edge of the Western Continent and not the border of some other great sects.

    The only reason I knew of this place, out of the dozens or even hundreds of similar sects under the Blazing Sun Sect''s dominion, was because one of my friends lived here.

    "Why are you asking me?" she raised a brow.

    Because you''re you''re the leader��I wanted to reply sarcastically, but I held my tongue. We were in public, and this wasn''t the time to undermine her authority.

    "You''re the guy who is supposed to know things," she said, as if that explained anything.

    "I think we should still follow your decisions, Lady Song," Liu Qian interjected.

    A sudden chill swept through the area, casting a palpable shiver over everyone present. The disciples around us instinctively recoiled, stepping back as Song Song shifted her focus, her intense gaze locking onto my cousin. Her blue eyes sparkled ominously in the rising moon''s soft glow.

    Serpentine tendrils of dark Qi unfurled, creeping through the air with a sinister grace. These tendrils, thick with malevolent energy, reached out toward Liu Qian, weaving through the space between them like dark whispers made visible.

    "If I need your opinion, I''ll ask for it, Liu Qian," Song Song stated, her voice cutting through the chill air with sharp precision. Her words landed heavily, causing my cousins to visibly pale.

    We had been traveling together for days, and perhaps my cousins had grown too comfortable, forgetting to measure their words around Song Song. But that was a mistake. Even I wouldn''t interrupt her mid-conversation��at least not when others were around.

    "I don��t think my cousin meant to interrupt you," I said. "We should both calm down and explore our new surroundings."

    Song Song frowned, her brows knitting together, but then her expression softened, and a smile tugged at her lips as she turned toward me.

    "What do you know about the Moonlit River Sect, o''wise man?" she asked teasingly.

    ��The Moonlit River Sect was once known for its Moonlight Sword Arts, but they lost the technique when they tried to resist the Blazing Sun Sect. All their elders and the clan leader who knew the technique died. Nowadays, the Sect is more known for its alchemy, which is superior to that of the dozens of other sects in the area,�� I summarized from memory.

    The tense atmosphere dissipated, but my cousins knew to keep their mouths shut from now on. This reminded them that, despite how Song Song acted around me, she was still a ticking time bomb. It was one of the reasons I hadn��t stayed long in Goldwatch City. She would have found a way to create problems.

    Whether it was wise to treat her followers this way was another matter. But I couldn��t reprimand her in front of others, even if I wanted to; otherwise, her image would be ruined. At least I could use this situation to my advantage. It seemed that Song Song didn��t work well with others, so creating a distant and intimidating boss atmosphere might be better for her.

    I somewhat understood why Song Song reacted the way she did. She knew my cousins had the Liu Clan��s interests at heart, and she was likely annoyed by the thought that they might betray her if it benefited the clan. If somebody she considered a "traitor" intervened in her conversation or tried to tell her what to do... Well, that was the result.

    ��Wait, do you think they��ll be stupid enough to attack us out of anger for their lost technique?�� Song Song asked.

    ��Very unlikely since the Moonlit River Sect was taken over around a thousand years ago, so there��s little animosity left,�� I explained.

    Despite the incident with Song Song and the foul smell from the river, I didn''t let it ruin my mood and was excited to meet up with my friend.

 Chapter 182: My First Friend

    Chapter 182: My First Friend

    As the sun dipped below the horizon and the moon rose, casting its ethereal glow over the landscape, it became clear that we were on our own for the night. Neither the Core Elders nor any representatives from the Moonlit River Sect came to check on us or guide us to accommodations.

    Some disciples headed toward the Moonlit River Sect. In contrast, others set up camp on the outskirts, grumbling that the smell would only worsen the closer they got to the river.

    I set up an array to block out the foul odors, and Song Song and my cousins joined me in making camp on the outskirts of the Moonlit River Sect grounds. The array was about the size of a small house since any bigger would make it too weak, and I didn''t want to waste more Qi on a mere convenience.

    ��You��re handy to have around,�� Song Song said. Sitting on a rocking chair, she absentmindedly played with her hair, twirling strands around her fingers. The rocking chair barely moved, the soft, wet ground swallowing its rhythm.

    ��Don''t try to break the array barrier; it''s quite fragile. This is one of the first times I''ve cast something like this outside of practice," I responded.

    Liu Bo found a comfortable spot on the grass. Meanwhile, my other male cousin Liu Heng, diligent as always, started a fire. Liu Qian was preparing meat-based skewers while I watched them like an owl.

    Some of the nearby disciples eyed us with thinly veiled jealousy. Still, they were too intimidated by Song Song to approach and ask for the same smell-canceling barrier I had set up for our small camp.

    "Well, I''m going off to see how a foul-smelling river came to be. Anyone want to come along?" I asked.

    My cousins glanced at me before returning to their tasks, saying nothing. Song Song, on the other hand, stared at me like a hawk, and from the glint in her eyes, I knew she was about to say something snide.

    "You''re weird," she said.

    She seemed about ready to add more but glanced around at the others and held back, realizing that certain remarks could undermine the other person''s authority. Song Song knew I wouldn''t take her teasing to heart, but she also knew that, regardless of my feelings, people might see me as someone who could be pushed around.

    "Let me know if you see anything interesting," she yawned, leaning back in her chair, stretching, and then closing her eyes for a nap.

    Her indifference couldn''t have been more evident, but at least it showed she trusted me enough to know I wouldn''t betray her while left to my own devices.

    I turned and headed toward the town. As soon as I stepped outside the array barrier, the foul stench hit me��like an old rag soaked in rotting vomit!

    Pushing through the nauseating odor, I walked closer to the Moonlit River Sect grounds. Those who stayed back had been right; the smell grew worse with every step I took.

    While discovering the reason for the river''s stench might not have been my main goal, it was certainly something I intended to uncover.

    As I approached the town-like Sect grounds, some merchants and Body Tempering disciples glanced my way. Still, none spared more than a moment before returning to their tasks��managing stalls, haggling, or running around after buying pills.

    I navigated through the cluttered outskirts of the Sect grounds, passing by disciples from the great sects who were conversing with merchants and others.

    While observing the bustling activity around me, something unusual caught my attention��a man was flying through the air, a chaotic tangle of limbs, yelping as he unexpectedly crashed head-first into the side of a nearby house. This caused the house wall to splinter apart due to the power of the impact. The crash was brutal, and for a moment, the surrounding noise seemed to mute in response to the spectacle. Although I could tell he was still alive, thanks to a hint of groaning or subtle movement.

    Concern mingled with curiosity as the scene unfolded, leaving bystanders in a momentary state of shocked hesitation.

    The perpetrator of the incident waddled through the crowd. Though I was taller than average, this guy was a giant. He towered at least two heads above me, his body so round it covered half the road. His chest was floppy, and his man breasts spilled out like those of an elderly woman.

    The dark crimson river continued to flow, and I could swear I saw chunks of something grotesque in the water.

    I didn''t think less of my friend for not corrupting himself for the sake of cultivation or for not becoming cold and calculating in the world he was part of. He was a much stronger man than me, willing to resist the world''s corruption for the sake of his values. On the other hand, I was willing to overlook certain things.

    Perhaps people were born with their nature, and I never had the chance to show this side of myself in my previous life. But I often found philosophical discussions and contemplations bland. What interested me more were Qi, martial techniques, and Cultivation.

    "Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best. This is your life, and it isn''t something where someone else can come in and decide for you," I told him.

    My eyes stayed glued to the dark red river as I tried to catch sight of another of those chunks, but there were none.

    Yang Cho released a sigh, one that seemed to have been held in for a while. Then he smiled, his sharp rows of teeth glistening in the moonlight.

    ��Even when you��re wrong, you��re right,�� he said.

    What he meant by that, I had no idea. But it seemed the invisible weight on his shoulders had lightened.

    Sometimes, a friend was someone you could hang around with and talk about dumb stuff for hours. Other times, it was someone who helped lift the burdens you carry.

    ��How did this foul river come to be?�� I asked, steering the conversation away from the somber mood.

    ��From dead monstrous beasts ending up in it,�� Yang Cho explained. ��During the Beast Waves, towns, cities, and Sects throw the carcasses and corpses of monstrous beasts into the river. Multiple rivers connect to the one that runs through the Moonlit River Sect, so we end up dealing with the worst smell and foul water for most of the year.��

    Aha! So those were the grotesque chunks I had seen in the water.

    ��That��s interesting. How do you even get drinking water? Has anyone ever fallen into the river?�� I inquired.

    ��I have no idea,�� Yang Cho shrugged. ��But I can tell you something else interesting. While the Moonlit River Sect technically has one Sect Leader, the Sect is split in two. A Grand Elder, who is as strong as the Sect Leader, rules the other side of the river.��

    That was intriguing.

    ��Do they, like, fight each other?�� I asked.

    ��Not yet,�� Yang Cho smirked. ��But there��s a pretty big rivalry. There are even tournaments where both halves of the Sect compete against each other.��

    It was a strange development for a Sect. No wonder they never rebelled against the Blazing Sun Sect��they were too busy fighting each other.

    We spent the rest of the night talking about our problems and the ridiculous things happening around us. Eventually, the conversation devolved into silly jokes.

    By morning, the night had passed with little actual shut eye for either of us, but despite the lack of sleep, I felt surprisingly rejuvenated��more so than I had in a long while. After exchanging farewells with Yang Cho, I set off once more. Our next destination was Goldwatch City.

 Chapter 183: A Sky Grade Technique

    Chapter 183: A Sky Grade Technique

    Eight Mind Phantoms was a Sky Grade Technique, one of those rare techniques that operated on an ethereal level most cultivators could only dream of. The immortal likely used this technique to leave behind the ghost in the tomb. At its highest levels, it could crush someone''s mind with just a touch and even turn weaker-minded creatures into slaves.

    Though the technique had combat applications, it wasn''t solely designed for battle. From what I could discern, it was created to construct impossible attacks to defend against.

    And yet, these were only glimpses of what the technique could truly do.

    Lost in thought, I drifted through hours of silent travel, the forest''s thick canopy drowning the sun''s rays, wrapping our path in twilight. My mind wandered until a sudden flash of light snapped me back. Emerging from the canopy of trees, Goldwatch City''s golden walls blazed in the distance, the sunlight ricocheting off them, stabbing into my eyes.

    As we neared Goldwatch City, it was like we''d never left. The same long lines of people snaked toward the gates, more merchants than ever hawking their wares just outside the walls. Despite our short absence, the city had only grown more prosperous; it was now teeming with life, even outside its walls.

    "If it weren''t for those dice-rolling idiots deciding everything, this city might actually be decent," Song Song remarked.

    She hadn''t rolled well the last time she had tried to enter. I had the feeling she was still salty about it.

    Even Song Song, indifferent to most things, couldn''t deny the city''s allure. My cousins stayed silent, their expressions as stony as ever. Since Song Song''s last scolding of Liu Qian, the line between our leader and everyone else was etched in stone.

    When we reached the outskirts, the Core Elders skipped the dice rolls of whether we would enter the city as a group, and ordered us to pitch our tents outside the city''s fields. Soon, a sea of canvas sprouted around us. There was no grumbling this time��our stay at the foul-smelling Moonlit River Sect had humbled even the loudest complainers.

    "Are you going to try your luck again?" Song Song asked as she pulled out her rocking chair. I still had no idea where she had even gotten such a thing. It barely rocked on the uneven ground, but she seemed content all the same.

    "Of course," I said with a grin. "You''ve been too well-behaved lately; someone has to stir the pot."

    "Ha. Ha. Ha." Song Song slow-clapped, fixing me with a deadpan stare. "Hilarious."

    "If it''s so funny, where''s the laugh?" I said, sorting through my storage ring for anything we might be missing.

    "I''m laughing on the inside," Song Song said, her face as stoic as ever.

    I had the feeling she had seen through my intentions. She might not have known why I was taking unnecessary risks to enter Goldwatch City. Still, she could smell deception from a mile away and knew it wasn''t for any of the reasons I might say out loud.

    Usually, I would have been more truthful with her. But even with silencing arrays, I didn''t dare to say out loud that I had gained a Sky Grade Technique. If anyone overheard us talking about that, they would try any method they could to extract the technique from me. Thankfully, Song Song trusted me enough not to make a fuss over this.

    I approached the gate of Golwatch City. This time, it wasn''t the same gate, and I didn''t bother hiding my identity as a cultivator. It was a waste of time��those I wanted to conceal it from would notice regardless.

    As I walked to the front of the line, some of the civilians waiting glared my way. A couple of cultivators from the Titanic Blade Sect were already trying their luck to enter. It seemed they hadn''t even bothered setting up their tents before heading here. I hadn''t set up mine either, but dealing with Song Song took up a lot of time. What excuse did they have?

    Both cultivators failed this time��one rolled a four, the other an eight. They left dejected, but there was nothing to argue about; this was simply a matter of luck.

    This gate''s cultivator tester was a tall, lanky man with a bald head and a long white beard. Despite his thin frame, he wore bulky golden armor, and he handed me the dice.

    "Roll it," he said.

    One thing was for sure; the other guy had been much more polite.

    Huh? Was someone actually attracted to me purely based on looks? Or perhaps she mistook my silence for a mysterious demeanor?

    Even in normal circumstances, I wouldn''t have cared for romance. This time, even less so, as I had other things on my mind.

    The room was rather simple in design, with a white-sheeted plain bed in the corner, a wooden desk where two people could dine, and a stick of incense burning in the corner, filling the room with a minty aroma.

    After confirming that I was alone one last time, I closed my eyes and focused on my breath. Slowly, the technique engraved in my mind came to the forefront.

    Suddenly, every complex concept I''d been studying, like an array, seemed simpler than drawing a stick figure. But I didn''t let this feeling distract me; I knew it was just an illusion, like the false sense of invincibility someone might feel after hitting a Trace. I didn''t have enough Qi to use this technique a second time, so I couldn''t afford to make a mistake.

    A sudden spark traveled from the nape of my neck through the rest of my body. Instantly, I became acutely aware of everything within me, from the tips of my toes to the last strand of hair on my head. I had never felt so in tune with my body.

    Eight Mind Phantoms!

    I attempted to activate the Sky Grade Technique for the first time in my life. While I had some basic knowledge of the technique, mastering it was necessary.

    The Four Phantom Beast Immortal used this technique to control monstrous beasts by trapping their consciousness within their own minds. If I could master this technique to its highest level, even Nascent Soul-level beasts could easily fall prey to it, provided certain conditions were met.

    What a crazy technique...

    Despite the overwhelming power the immortal had wielded with this technique, he had even managed to leave behind a ghost that lasted thousands of years due to it. However, Sky Grade Techniques could be tailored to the user. I was interested in something other than merely controlling beasts. I wanted so much more!

    A translucent light spread out, forming a large yellow screen that resembled a golden holographic computer��something only I could see. This helped me interpret what I was operating.

    There were details about my health, stats, and other data on one screen. It was like a video game, complete with skill mastery levels. Endless information flowed into my mind about the various aspects displayed. Although I had a good memory, there were certain things I had forgotten. Yet now, I was recalling everything so easily!

    Was I subconsciously interpreting things like a video game because the detailed version would be too much for my brain?

    A yellow keyboard began forming, but I got a killer headache when it was halfway done, and cracks spread through the hologram.

    "Fuck," I cursed, clutching my face as I felt a warm wetness envelop my hand.

    I looked down to see my hand covered in blood, the same warm sensation spreading from my nose down to my chin and dripping onto the ground.

    Ah, I was bleeding.

    Taking a towel out of my storage ring, I wiped the blood off my face, and an unruly smile spread across my lips. I was ready to go again, but sadly, my body couldn''t keep up with my curiosity. Exhaustion swept over me, and I had never felt so sleepy.

    Darkness crept into the corners of my vision, and I hurried to bed before I could collapse and faceplant onto the ground.

    The bed was exceptionally soft, a cloud of comfort that might have beckoned any weary mind into sleep''s embrace. However, my mind was elsewhere, barely registering the plushness beneath me. My thoughts were drawn irresistibly to the technique. If only I could have used it again today...

 Chapter 184: Red Bronze

    Chapter 184: Red Bronze

    Morning light hit my face, and the first thought that slammed into my mind was simple: I needed a catalyst. Something to store the processing data when the Sky Grade Technique was in play. Using a human brain? Not an option��not with this level of information.

    I pushed myself out of bed, took a deep breath, and the sharp scent of blood hit me. My fingers found the crusted remains under my nose. Dried blood.

    Had I been bleeding in my sleep?

    I didn��t have time to ponder��suddenly, the world spun into a kaleidoscope of colors. Darkness clawed at my vision. The next thing I knew, I was clutching the bed, my stomach lurching, nausea rising like a tidal wave.

    What the hell? This technique was lethal to use so recklessly. It was powerful��too powerful for someone at the Qi Gathering stage. But being the only one who knew it made it both a weapon and a curse.

    "Talk about a load of bullshit," I muttered, a grin creeping onto my face despite everything.

    A week or two, and whatever brain damage I''d done should heal up��assuming my soul stayed intact. Memories and soul were related in a non-linear way. Still, one more push, and I might end up a vegetable. I didn''t want to test if my Sky Grade Technique could mess with my soul.

    But enough whining��back to the technique!

    I yanked a bucket of water from my storage ring and splashed my face; this inn was not fancy enough to have a private bathroom.

    But that was the least of my worries. I needed a catalyst��something that wasn��t physical, something that wouldn��t become a vulnerability. Something physical wouldn''t work either way, and the first thing that came to mind was somehow learning how to use my soul as a catalyst. Clearly, souls could carry information. But that led to the same old problem of not wanting to mess with my soul.

    I didn''t want to end up as a Voldemort-kinda guy.

    Arrays could store information by directing Qi, sure. But again, the problem was that I wasn��t skilled enough in arrays to create something autonomous to store the information from a Sky Grade Technique.

    A greenish cube formed in my hand as I activated the Dancing Jade Armor Technique. Microscopic inscriptions began to etch themselves into the cube. That useless attention to detail I��d developed while creating the jade soldiers��meticulously crafting their facial features and armor��was finally paying off.

    But just as excitement took hold, reality crashed in��I wasn��t a high-level Array Conjurer. The translucent cube in my hand started to heat up, spinning and expanding like a balloon ready to explode.

    The explosion was sudden and violent, sending shards of my Dancing Jade Armor Technique scattering in all directions like shattered glass. Instinctively, I reacted��my training kicked in as reflex rather than thought. In an instant, I enveloped myself in a jade-green barrier. This protective sheath clung just above my skin, shimmering with the residual energy of my disrupted technique.

    As a Qi Gathering Cultivator, my reaction times were sharper than most, honed through countless hours of sparring with Song Song. Yet, even with my enhanced reflexes, the proximity of the explosion left me with little room to maneuver.

    However, the room didn''t stand a chance. The bed was riddled with holes, the roof scarred like it had been clawed by a beast, and the desk bore a jagged wound, as if a dull knife had been dragged across its surface.

    Inscriptions grafting into an object? That''s Level 4 Array Conjurer territory," I muttered to myself, half in awe, half in frustration.

    While my cultivation had progressed at a snail''s pace due to my limited talents, Array Conjuring was a different story. I could probably reach Level 4 by next year. Thanks to the Song Clan''s resources and library, I was advancing further and faster than most as Array Conjurers, a privilege few shared. Not to mention the new stuff I got from the immortal.

    I was so close I could almost taste the success.

    "Here''s your payment," I said, handing her a gold coin while subtly positioning my palm so only she could see it, just in case the patrons got greedy. "Keep the change."

    She froze momentarily, then quickly tucked the coin behind the counter, out of sight.

    "Thank you, honorable customer!"

    "Thank you, too," I replied, leaving the inn without another word.

    I had some silver coins but didn''t want to use them at an inn I''d never see again. It was better to save them for a shop where I needed to stay undercover.

    As soon as I stepped outside, the man in bronze armor turned his gaze toward me, staring like a hawk. I acted as if I hadn''t noticed him and walked along the roads of Goldwatch City. That was when I noticed something strange: I wasn''t the only one being followed by these bronze-armored figures.

    Some merchants who had come from outside to sell their wares were trailed by homeless kids. Unlike my disciplined shadow, these raggedly dressed children seemed easily bored, spending their time running around or even talking to each other.

    No one seemed to notice them��it was like a hidden world in plain view that no one could see.

    One of the kids reached out to grab an apple from a merchant��s stall, but another child slapped his hand away before he could even touch the apple��s red skin.

    ��Stealing while using our technique is against the rules, how many times do I have to warn you?�� warned the young man who had slapped the other kid��s hand. ��If enough people become aware of our presence, our technique will no longer work.��

    ��Don��t worry, nobody can even see us,�� said the kid, still eyeing the apple.

    ��I doubt a merchant won��t notice his merchandise missing,�� the slapper cautioned.

    Whether in a cultivation world or not, kids were the same everywhere��just a bit too loose-lipped, especially among friends. And it would be doubly true if those kids could virtually move around invisibly.

    I left the scene and headed toward the more expensive shopping districts. Here, it wasn��t uncommon to see a cultivator. As I had suspected, bronze-armored men were following the cultivators.

    Instead of lingering, I moved toward a more secluded part of the city. This area was filled with expensive restaurants, inns, and privately owned buildings, meaning fewer people were on the streets.

    I walked around, waiting until no one was around, then turned and met the gaze of the bronze-armored man. He looked directly at me, his eyes locking onto mine. There was no reaction for a moment��he glanced behind him and around, uncertain.

    But then he looked back at me, his eyes widening in realization. I smiled and walked closer. For a second, I was also tempted to conceal my presence, to throw him off. But it was better not to let my ego get involved in these matters; some cards are best kept close to the chest.

    ��Hi there, friend,�� I said.

    When dealing with situations like this, the bottom man often needed a bit of intimidation. I wasn��t too experienced in this, so I thought: What would Song Song do in a moment like this? Well, she��d probably do something crazy, like kill or maim the guy, but I couldn��t go that far.

    ��That��s some nice bronze armor you��ve got there. I think it would look good with red��a nice crimson cloak could really make you stand out,�� I said with a hint of a friendly smile. ��Now, why don��t you tell me what��s happening here?��

 Chapter 185: Press X For Doubt

    Chapter 185: Press X For Doubt

    After saying that to him, the bronze-armored man stared at me, frowning. But after cycling through several expressions, he finally settled on a nonchalant, expressionless mask.

    ��How did you notice me?�� asked the bronze-armored guard.

    ��To me, it was stranger that people didn��t notice you guys running around,�� I answered.

    There was no need to lie, but it was better if a potential opponent had no idea about even the simplest things about me.

    The armored guy��s muscles twitched beneath his armor, his limbs shifting and fingers subtly moving. He wasn��t bad at hiding his emotions, but I had dealt with better actors. That comment about a red cloak had clearly thrown him off.

    His thigh muscles twitched as if he was preparing to run. But before he could even attempt any movement technique, I interlocked my fingers to form a strange hand seal, instantly erecting a bluish barrier around us with just a thought.

    The bronze-armored man clenched his hand into a fist��the only part of his body, aside from his head, that was visible past the bronze armor.

    He eyed the barrier cautiously and asked, ��Are you an outsider?��

    An outsider? I felt he didn��t mean it the way many might interpret it. He knew I had come from outside the city��that was why he had been following me around like a baby duck.

    ��Not exactly,�� I shrugged, leaving my answer vague.

    The guard sighed. ��Only those from the Gold Immortals bloodline can naturally see those who have made a deal with the moon.��

    ��A deal with the moon?�� I inquired.

    ��I literally can��t speak about that,�� the guard winced. ��But I can tell you that the immortal who built this city wasn��t known to have children outside the city. Not that he cared about such things��an immortal is like a god who does whatever catches his whim. Occasionally, some wander into the city, unaware of their bloodline, and are weirded out by how everyone acts like they don��t notice us��the bronze guard and the little rats.��

    As he spoke, beads of sweat accumulated on his forehead, which I stared at as if I were looking directly into his mind.

    He told a nice story, but it was too convenient for my liking as if he was giving me an excuse just to play along. We both knew the game we were playing; there was no reason to clown around. If I were in his position, I might have come up with a story to make the other guy feel comfortable, too.

    ��You��re sweating,�� I said. ��Are you feeling nervous for any reason?��

    The man opened his mouth to answer, panic flashing across his face, but he hurriedly closed it, licked his thick lips, and seemed to ponder something.

    ��What is your name?�� I asked. It seemed like he wasn��t going to answer, and there was no use wasting any more time on this if that was the case. I tried to play it off casually but was also under a time limit.

    ��Qin Niu,�� he answered.

    ��Qin Niu...�� I muttered his name, looking him up and down before staring at his face. This was to give him the illusion that I was trying to memorize his face, but I had already done that. ��What is really happening here? What��s up with the arrays, people following every newcomer, and all that? To me, it looks like the city is hiding something big.��

    ��What city isn��t hiding something big?�� The guard chuckled nervously. But when he noticed I wasn��t laughing, his expression hardened, and he shot a piercing gaze at me. I thought he might attack for a moment, but then he continued, ��There are certain rules in this city��unwritten and often unspoken. They��re not something a Qi Gathering Cultivator can handle. Even I don��t know how deep the hole you��re trying to look into goes, but one thing��s for sure: it��s very deep. You��re investigating things you really shouldn��t be.��

    He was right, in a way. But I had learned enough about immortals through the ghost. I knew they weren��t truly all-knowing, especially when they had isolated themselves from the outside world.

    Now that the bribe was done, it was time to ask some questions. ��Anyway, what do you know?��

    ��I don��t know as much as you might think,�� the guard admitted, looking more reassured now that the bribe suggested I likely wasn��t going to kill him to cover my tracks. ��I also used to be one of those beggar kids. That��s where the children who roll low at birth end up. If I didn��t have a semblance of cultivation talent, I wouldn��t have become one of the bronze guards. But no matter my talent, the chances of me rising higher are slim due to my initial roll at birth.��

    ��What happens to the kids after they grow up?�� I asked, regretting the question as soon as the words left my mouth.

    It wasn��t like I could do anything for them. Judging by how the guards treated people who rolled ones when trying to enter the city, I could only imagine what happened to the kids. I didn��t need to know something I couldn��t change, especially if it would only lead to sleepless nights.

    ��They manage Cheap Bars, or if they��re lucky, they might end up running an underground tunnel bar,�� he said.

    ��Cheap Bars?��

    ��They��re places the beggar-looking kids use to get around. They also serve cheap booze, which is why people call them Cheap Bars,�� he explained. ��While the bars technically exist, an outsider won��t even be able to see them, even if they��re staring straight at the entrance.��

    This city��s structure was fascinating. Clearly, the immortal who built it had a vision for what he wanted it to be, and so far, it seemed he had achieved it. But I didn��t have time to discuss this with the bronze-armored guard��someone might notice if I kept him in one place for too long or if people saw me talking to nobody. Besides, I doubted a guard would know how the higher-end operations worked.

    Instead, I got straight to the point and asked, ��When was the last time Goldwatch City suffered a major tragedy, an attack, or a break in its peace?��

    For a second, the guard seemed confused by my question. But he quickly remembered that I��d paid him to answer, not to question my questions.

    ��About thirteen years ago, when I was a kid,�� the guard replied. ��It stood out because bad things usually never happen in Goldwatch City.��

    Fuck! The immortal who built this city was still alive?!

    Before I learned about heavenly calamities, it seemed like every immortal was dead or had ascended to a higher realm. But now, it looked like they were all still alive!

    This complicated things so much!

    ��What happened?�� I asked, trying to maintain a calm facade despite the internal turmoil.

    ��That day, a dark cloud flew over the city, raining down golden lightning. Some say they saw a two-headed snake made of lightning come down and try to destroy the city,�� the guard shrugged. ��But old folks always make stuff up.��

    I recalled what I��d read in the library about this city��s history��this incident wasn��t mentioned in the history books.

    How many other things the books had omitted or deliberately misdated?

    One event stood out in the history book: something that happened over a century ago caused the lake near the city to form. This indicated that the Gold Immortal was still alive.

    Now, the question was whether I should continue snooping around after learning that. Clearly, the presence of an immortal in the city had cut short whatever schemes or plans I had. But how short were those plans going to be?

    I felt like a kid trying to see how much he could get away with.

 Chapter 186: The Faceless Errands

    Chapter 186: The Faceless Errands

    After my mind wandered for a bit, my fingers twitched. Perhaps the brain damage I''d recently suffered was still affecting me, like how people didn''t make the best decisions when they were sleep-deprived.

    But I was thinking about one final push. I couldn''t stop now.

    If I didn''t act now, I would never do it again. I would only get another chance to discover what was actually happening here if I somehow became immortal.

    Cultivation was a perilous path and the thought of dying without learning what I could have left a bitter taste in my mouth. At the same time, pushing forward like this could very well accelerate the time of my death.

    I stared at the guard, debating whether I should knock him out. In the end, I shook my head��no telling if an unconscious guard would set off some kind of alarm.

    Besides, I wasn''t planning to stick around for long. I''d be gone before anyone noticed him anyway. Stealth techniques weren''t so convenient that they could magically alert the guards. I knew they couldn''t see the bronze-armored figures waiting at the gate for cultivators��none of the guards reacted to them.

    Leaving the guard conscious showed a certain level of trust. It could make him less likely to report me. If he did, he''d have to forfeit the spirit stones.

    "You can go now," I said, waving him off. "Don''t spend all your newfound wealth in one place. If I were you, I''d buy cultivation resources. Whatever crap hand life dealt you, rules are only guidelines for the strong."

    The guard nodded, a resolute look in his eyes. I felt like, for once, he might not betray me.

    He walked away steadily, but I didn''t wait for him to disappear before using my movement technique to get out of there.

    I found an empty alleyway between a large three-story inn and a house in the wealthier district. A shadowy path ran between the buildings, and I quickly made my way there, sitting down with my back against the wooden wall of the inn.

    I closed my eyes and began shutting down my bodily functions, forcing myself into sleep. As a Qi Gathering Cultivator, controlling my body this way was easy. Though I had never done something quite like this.

    But just as my vision began to blur and my thoughts clouded, I sensed the shape of my soul��now like a pristine white pearl��and used it to keep my consciousness awake.

    It was easier because my soul was stronger than average. At least, that was what I assumed. Most of this soul stuff was a shot in the dark, based on my limited experience.

    A strange sensation washed over me as my body became immobile. The sound of cats rummaging through trash in the distance, two rats fighting in the sewer below, and birds chirping above began to fade as sleep overtook my senses.

    I had grown so accustomed to my superhuman senses that it felt disorienting to lose them. Even the subtle air shift around my body was absent, leaving me feeling exposed and vulnerable.

    The only thing I could still perceive was the Qi around me, though even that was diminished compared to what I was used to. Soon, I found myself in a dark void, the only proof that I wasn��t dead being the faint sense of Qi. It was a deeply unsettling feeling.

    But that eerie sensation didn��t last long. I began to feel something again��not my body, but something brushing against my soul, allowing me to ��see�� again.

    I was in a dream-like golden land. Hills of gold stretched into the distance, with rubies, emeralds, and diamonds towering as large as mountains far away. Golden coins shifted beneath my toes, and I looked down to realize I was completely naked.

    I wasn��t alone here. Other people were scattered about, though they lay sleeping instead of standing. Men, women, young, and old��all sprawled across this world of gold and gems, with numbers from eleven to twenty floating above their heads. Hundreds of people were here, and the numbers over their heads steadily decreased.

    With the massive rubies and other precious gems in the distance, we humans looked like insects crawling over a grand table.

    Above, a mesmerizing sight unfolded��a golden-hued full moon bathed the landscape in its luminous glow. A serpentine dragon had coiled around this moon-like thing, its scales shimmering with the same golden light. The dragon twisted elegantly around the moon, moving subtly as if asleep. Its eyes were closed, its form gently shifting as it slumbered.

    The dragon, wrapped in slumber around the golden moon, radiated an aura reminiscent of the immortal ghost I had encountered. Though it appeared to be at rest, a profound power emanated from its form. This deep and pervasive energy resonated with the very fabric of this strange reality. As I gazed upon the majestic creature, I felt an odd sensation��a weight pressing down on my soul. It wasn��t a manifestation of any technique but rather the sheer magnitude of the dragon��s existence. Its power was so immense that it subtly began shifting not my body but my soul.

    That dragon in the sky... I had a strange idea. A so-called theory...

    There was a chance the so-called Gold Immortal, who had created Goldwatch City, might be some kind of monstrous beast.

    Yeah, that was enough snooping around.

    With just a thought, my eyes fluttered open. The once non-existent sensations of breathing, smelling, hearing, and seeing all rushed back to me. Even the taste of the inside of my own mouth felt strange, almost foreign.

    But there wasn��t time to dwell on that. A creeping chill washed over me, and I felt cold. It was not the cold I felt in the snow or biting winds��this was more primal.

    I closed my eyes and focused on my soul. Where it had once been whole, like a pristine white pearl, it was now frayed��a white rag with dirt along the edges, and the prominent stitches holding it together were exposed once again.

    Had merely looking at a slumbering immortal done this to me?

    "Errands? I thought he was more like your second-in-command. Yet you''ve got him running errands for you?" Song San''s smile didn''t waver as he turned toward his sister, but his gaze lingered on me. "How about you join my group, Liu Feng? I won''t make you my second-in-command, but at least I won''t have you running errands."

    Song Song had said that to cover for me. She knew something had happened but trusted me enough not to ask too many questions.

    "No thanks, I quite enjoy running errands," I smiled.

    Unlike Song Song, I didn''t care much about status or fear. It was a polite way to refuse Song San. As much as he was an untrustworthy bastard, he was still an ally, and we had to appear friendly in public.

    Song Song stood up, the grass around her wilting as she glared at her brother. She said nothing and just began walking toward him.

    Blood pooled in her palms, and two crimson daggers formed in her hands. Her murderous intent seeped out, startling everyone nearby. Distant screams rang out from merchants by the city walls. They were mortals, and despite the distance, they couldn''t withstand the pressure of Song Song''s technique.

    Before things escalated, I stepped between the two, the smile fading from my face.

    "I think we should stop here," I said.

    If left unchecked, Song Song would definitely try to kill her brother. And judging by the smile on that bastard''s face, he was ready for it.

    Fucking hell. How had I ever thought I could make it seem like these two supported each other? That had been a foolish belief on my part.

    ��C��mon now, Liu Feng. Every sibling fights every now and then,�� Song San said, still smiling.

    This guy...

    With a single hand seal, a purple barrier formed around us, cutting off all sound from entering or escaping. But the growing killing intent radiating from Song Song pressed against the barrier with enough force that it wouldn��t hold for more than a minute.

    ��If you start a fight here, your exact poison element will be exposed,�� I warned Song San, my eyes locked on him. ��And if you start a fight here, I will kill you. That��s a promise.��

    If Song Song fought her brother, she��d likely lose. She was at the beginning of Foundation Establishment, while he was at the peak. But if I intervened, things would be different. I had a few arrays explicitly designed to target Foundation Establishment cultivators. I��d sparred with Song Song enough to know her rhythm.

    Just as I finished speaking, someone crashed into the top of the barrier. Cracks spread through the purple shield, and within seconds, it shattered. A cloaked figure appeared next to Song San, the same one who had accompanied him earlier. His presence was barely noticeable, but now that I��d used the Eight Mind Phantoms technique, I could better read others. It was almost like I could sense their intentions, though not entirely. I had anticipated his arrival and a few shards of the barrier stuck to his porcelain mask.

    His mind was so bland... It felt like there was literally no personality.

    As the mask began to fracture, cracks spread across its surface like a sinister web. With a final snap, the mask shattered, sending jagged shards clattering to the ground. The face behind it was a grotesque distortion of humanity.

    The man had a broad build, and his face was a nightmarish sight. His eyes were sewn shut, thick black stitches marring the pale, puckered skin. Where his nose should have been, there were only two dark, hollow breathing holes, gaping like the mouths of abyssal creatures. The skin around these mutilations was tight and discolored.

    What the hell was that thing?

    Song San��s smile faltered as others began to notice the scene. Still, he glanced at us and said, ��See you later, sister. Liu Feng. Our alliance will be a fruitful one, I can already tell.��

    He turned and walked away as his companion produced another mask and placed it on his face.

    ��I think we should back off for now. We won��t gain anything from this,�� I advised Song Song.

    She turned toward me, her piercing blue eyes studying every wrinkle on my face before she nodded.

    ��Sure,�� she said, letting the blood daggers in her hands dissolve into a crimson puddle on the ground. She withdrew her killing intent. Thankfully, the participants left on this trip were the cream of the crop, so none had passed out from the pressure of Song Song��s intent.

    Damn it. Why did Song San show up just to stir up trouble? What was that bastard thinking? He should know this move soured our alliance!

    ...

    After that, things went relatively smoothly, though neither my cousins nor Song Song were in the mood to continue cultivating.

    The Core Elders returned as evening approached and ordered us to pack our things. We were to set off and travel in the dark, though no one questioned them.

    Almost twenty-four hours later, after traversing marshes, forests, grasslands, and rocky mountains, we finally caught sight of the marble-white walls of the Blazing Sun Sect.

 Chapter 187: The Devil, The Servant

    Chapter 187: The Devil, The Servant

    As we drew closer to the gleaming marble walls of the Blazing Sun Sect, the tall walls seemed to calm my frayed nerves. The tension that had gripped my nerves slowly eased.

    Along the way, we had separated from the other sects. With four Core Elders escorting us, no one stopped us at the gate. Once inside, the Core Elders turned toward us.

    We stood on the road leading to various parts of the Sect, surrounded by lush green grass, blossoming flowers, and towering trees. After spending so much time in the wild, it felt strange to be so close to a forest and hear nothing��no animals, not even the chirp of a cricket.

    "The Sect has provided you with countless benefits," one of the Core Elders said, breaking the silence. "Whatever you found in those ruins is yours to keep. However, if you''re willing to share a copy with the Sect, you will be rewarded in kind. For example, suppose you''ve obtained an Earth Grade Technique and contribute it to the Sect''s library. In that case, you will receive another Earth Grade Technique from the Sect. It''s like gaining two for the price of one."

    The offer was tempting. I considered sharing the arrays and alchemy recipes I had acquired, knowing it would double my gains from this expedition. That was the greedy part of my brain speaking.

    I wasn''t that naive. Revealing that I had Level 7 Arrays in my storage ring would be like painting a target on my back. The Sect''s top Array Conjurer was at Level 7, so there was no way I could trust them with what I possessed, and I had little interest in bolstering the Blazing Sun Sect''s power.

    Some of the others stepped forward, offering scrolls. The Core Elders used strange artifacts to copy them, pulling out their own scrolls from storage rings and handing them over as rewards. They had planned this before even setting off.

    The artifact they used for copying resembled a mechanical imp. One hand touched the original scroll while the other wielded a brush, transferring the contents onto the new scroll.

    It was a fascinating device, something I would have loved to study if time allowed.

    "Honorable Core Elders," one of the disciples spoke up��a short, stocky young man in a blue uniform with crooked teeth. "If we contribute our Earth Techniques to the Sect''s library, are we forbidden from teaching them to our Clans?"

    His question drew the attention of several clan-affiliated disciples, including my cousins.

    "Even if you contribute the techniques, arrays, pill recipes, or anything else to the Sect, they remain yours," replied one of the Core Elders, a tall, middle-aged man with stubble on his chin. "You didn''t steal from the Sect to give them to your family, so whether you share your spoils with your Clan is your choice. However, the techniques we offer you in exchange cannot be shared with anyone, including your family."

    That was fair. Despite the deep-seated corruption at the top, moments like these made it clear why the Blazing Sun Sect was one of the four great sects. Its policies were designed to encourage disciples to contribute, and they worked well.

    Many disciples nodded in agreement, some smiling. Even my cousins stepped forward to hand over their acquired technique scrolls.

    Still, it was evident that some disciples wouldn��t reveal what they had found in the ruins. These were likely the ones who had gained something precious, and sharing it would only paint a target on their backs. In fact, their reluctance alone would be enough to draw suspicion from any clever individual who could see through their act.

    Not that I had to worry about that. Anyone foolish enough to try taking something from me would soon become another victim of Song Song��s bloodlust. If they went after me, the only treasure they got would be death.

    ��Did you find anything in the tomb?�� one of the Core Elders asked, his gaze locking on me.

    ��Hm?�� I blinked in confusion.

    Why were they singling me out? Had they figured out I��d found something?

    ��You were our monstrous beast specialist during this expedition,�� the middle-aged Core Elder with stubble on his chin clarified. ��Did you learn anything new about monstrous beasts in the tomb?��

    ��Oh, no, nothing,�� I replied, steadying my voice. ��The immortal didn��t leave any records about monstrous beasts.��

    "By the way, how many spirit stones do we have in the vault rings?" she asked.

    "About 138,000, give or take," I replied.

    "You can use a hundred thousand of those to get the resources you need to advance as an Array Conjurer," she said, her tone resolute. "As a Level 4 Array Conjurer, you''ll be able to do more than just slow down Foundation Establishment Cultivators with your arrays."

    I paused momentarily, and Song Song gave me a puzzled look before we continued walking. Her offer hit me hard. I knew how much effort she''d put into accumulating that wealth. She gave me free reign over our finances, trusting me to make the most of it.

    I wanted to thank her, but I knew Song Song wouldn''t appreciate any corny display of gratitude. She might even slap me if I tried.

    "Ah, yes, I can see it now��''The Array Emperor and his sidekick, Song Song,''" I teased, a smile tugging at my lips. "History books will be written about me... I mean us."

    Song Song slung her arm around my shoulders faster than I could react, pulling me closer. She was so caught in the mood she didn''t even notice her chest brushing against my arm. Song Song really needed to learn the concept of personal space.

    "It would be a cautionary tale about an arrogant servant and his mighty master," she chuckled. "About how trying to get too close to the sun was a bad idea because you would get burned."

    I tried to pry her arm away, but Song Song��s grip was like a steel vice��unyielding. Her red nails brushed against my shoulder as she grabbed my robe, effortlessly dragging me along.

    ��Come on, servant. You��ve got errands to run,�� she teased, pulling me toward the library pagoda without a care.

    It was late, and the streets were mostly empty. Still, a few people caught sight of us. I doubted Song Song even considered how it looked to others, and even if she did, she wouldn��t care. She was reckless like that.

    When we finally neared the library, she at least had the decency to let me go. By then, the sky had grown dark, and the full moon bathed us in a soft, silvery light.

    ��At last, you stopped bullying your junior disciple. You should be ashamed of using your authority to take advantage of my gentle nature,�� I quipped, playing the part of the professional victim as I stepped into the library.

    Night or day, the library��s interior always looked the same. The room was lit by artifacts embedded in the ceiling and the glow of flickering candles. The scent of old books filled the air, enveloping the space in a cozy, somber atmosphere.

    As usual, the librarian sat behind the counter while the old man lounged near the shelves, sipping tea. His face brightened with malicious glee when he spotted me, clearly eager for another round of verbal sparring. But the moment he noticed Song Song at my side, his expression soured, as though he had just bitten into a lemon. Without even greeting us, he slunk behind a nearby shelf, vanishing from sight.

    I approached the librarian, who welcomed us with a warm, polite smile��quite the contrast to the old man. ��Liu Feng, Lady Song. Welcome. Please, feel free to explore my humble library.��

    ��Thanks,�� Song Song said absently, her gaze wandering up to the ceiling, looking entirely uninterested.

    Why did she come here if she was going to act like this?

    The librarian, unfazed, adjusted his Harry Potter-like glasses and asked, ��By the way, I heard about the expedition. How did it go?��

    ��It went fine,�� I replied with a shrug, pulling a scroll from my storage ring. ��Remember when you mentioned needing something valuable to secure a big contribution and become an inner elder? Something like a talented disciple? Well, I��ve got something better��a Tier 6 pill recipe. You can contribute it to the Sect.��

 Chapter 188: Sleepy Guardian & Vampire Vines

    Chapter 188: Sleepy Guardian & Vampire Vines

    I handed the librarian a copy of a Tier 6 pill recipe scroll while keeping the original with me. Just in case there were hidden secrets that would only reveal themselves once I reached a certain stage of cultivation.

    An array scroll would have been more appropriate since the librarian was an Array Conjurer. Still, I couldn''t give up my trump cards so easily. They were trump cards I had to keep close to my chest in case of an emergency. The librarian would get more arrays when he became an inner sect elder.

    The potion recipe, on the other hand, was useless to me. While I had some knowledge of ingredients and plants, my alchemy skills were almost non-existent, limited to making simple healing salves and minor concoctions. Alchemy was too rigid for my taste, unlike arrays, where you could adapt and change things as needed.

    Suppose I ever became a Nascent Soul Cultivator. In that case, I''d have all the time in the world to explore pursuits beyond array conjuring. By then, the Sect would likely have found substitutes for the extinct ingredients in the Tier 6 recipe. I could obtain the perfected version along with all its benefits.

    Even with improvements, I doubted the Tier 6 pills would drastically change the Sect''s dynamics. Unlike arrays, which could be cast without rituals at higher mastery, alchemy always required ingredients. And even the substitutes for the Tier 6 recipe would be incredibly expensive. Only high-ranking members, perhaps those missing limbs, would have access to such pills.

    Of course, that was still a remarkable advantage �� the chance to restore someone who would otherwise be crippled for life.

    The Sect probably had other ways to heal lost limbs. I vaguely recalled Song Song mentioning it a few times. But it couldn''t be as simple as popping a pill.

    The librarian took the scroll from his desk, unfurled it, and read in silence. His face remained unreadable, not a single twitch betraying his thoughts as his eyes scanned the recipe.

    In the future, I wanted to observe the pill in action and translate its effects into an array.

    Of course, it wouldn''t be as potent as the pill��I''d never heard of a healing array that could regenerate limbs. Healing arrays were as rare as teleportation arrays. Ironically, I had both in the scrolls the immortal ghost had given me.

    This expedition was a major success. Seeing everything come together filled me with pride. Getting the librarian out of his predicament and earning my rewards��I was the true victor of this expedition!

    It took all my effort to maintain a calm facade, suppressing the urge to dance on the table out of sheer joy.

    The librarian rolled the scroll and placed it back on the desk. He removed his glasses and began cleaning them with a silk cloth.

    He said nothing. This was his usual habit when he was upset. Though he didn''t look angry. But then again, he never did, even when he was.

    Why would he be angry?

    "So, when do you think you can deliver the scroll?" I asked, breaking the tense silence.

    "No, this would be a waste," he replied.

    Just like that, all the pride I''d felt, the satisfaction of a well-executed plan, crumbled like a fragile tower of glass.

    "What? Why?" I asked.

    I tried to stay calm, but some frustration inevitably slipped through. This was something I had carefully planned on my way here. The last thing I expected was for the librarian to refuse.

    After descending the stairs, we quickened our pace, moving with the silent swiftness of vipers through the night. We moved so fast that any outer disciples wandering nearby wouldn��t catch even a glimpse of us. The only trace we left behind was the sound of the howling wind.

    Before long, we reached the inner sect and approached our home. Shrouded in darkness, the mansion still carried an eerie aura that sent a slight chill down my spine, though I had grown used to it by now.

    The vines clinging to its aging walls had spread wildly in our absence, creeping unchecked over the windows and doors. It was going to be a struggle just to open them. The overgrowth gave the building a neglected, almost haunted appearance, as if the wilderness was slowly swallowing it whole.

    Maybe we should have cleared the plants entirely. Still, I liked how they looked, though I wasn��t looking forward to the effort it would take to manage them.

    Perhaps I should create an array to deal with such inconveniences. The rapid growth of these vines certainly wasn��t normal for just a handful of days.

    Sighing, I extended my hand as we passed through the gate. A series of security arrays activated, their protective sweep washing over us. From my palm, I released a handful of invisible wind blades. They weren��t strong enough to damage stone or sever limbs but had just enough force to trim the vines tangled around the mansion��s facade. With precise, controlled bursts, the wind blades sliced through the overgrowth, curbing the wild, haunted look of the place.

    A small green hill shifted in the mansion''s yard, and Speedy popped his head out. It seemed the mansion wasn''t the only thing that had taken over in our absence. The turtle yawned, gave us a tired look, and promptly returned to sleep.

    "Look at that," Song Song pointed to a corpse leaning against one of the trees, wrapped in vines and looking like a mummified figure. Judging by his blue robe, this was no ancient body.

    "Looks like we had visitors while we were away," Song Song remarked.

    More like a foolish disciple who thought he could steal something.

    I approached the corpse and tore away the vines. As I suspected, the texture of his clothes was well preserved. Obviously, the corpse hadn''t been here before, and someone hadn''t just dropped a corpse in our yard.

    "It seems the vines can drain blood," I said. "I''ve heard of plants with similar properties, but these don''t resemble anything we have here. Maybe the overgrowth around the mansion was due to them using this poor guy as a nutrient source."

    "Yeah, my mother planted them. She always had a habit of growing strange things, trying to make potions for her worsening health," Song Song said.

    "Your mother was sick?" I asked.

    Song Song shrugged. "Something like that. Anyway, I''m going to get some rest. I missed sleeping in a proper bed."

    The mansion doors creaked open as she slipped inside, not waiting for a response.

    It seemed her mother''s health was a sensitive topic. I''d have to keep that in mind and avoid bringing it up again.

    I shrugged and turned back to examine the corpse. There were scorch marks around his body, likely from the security arrays. But there were other injuries too �� puncture marks, as if a syringe had been inserted, and bite marks, like a beast had gnawed at him.

    I glanced over at Speedy and gave him a nod. "You''re something else, little guy. Or maybe I should start calling you the Sleepy Guardian. The Sleepy Muncher?"

 Chapter 189: A Stray Thought

    Chapter 189: A Stray Thought

    Xin Ma stared at the scroll on his desk as morning broke, and disciples began entering through the front doors.

    Despite the situation he found himself in, he had slept rather well. He was never the type to lose sleep over trivial drama. Still, if he were being honest, Liu Feng''s behavior troubled him.

    Usually, Liu Feng was an understanding young man who grasped the world better than most of his peers. Xin Ma often saw him as a younger version of himself. Yet, he had to admit that Liu Feng had shown himself more capable, having successfully published the Monstrous Beast Encyclopedia and navigating inner sect politics impressively well for someone so young and inexperienced.

    Xin Ma''s gaze rarely left the scroll, even as disciples approached him with questions about books or what they needed to find. Some were timid, others more confident; a few treated him like just another servant, addressing him with condescending airs. The latter group wouldn''t survive long as cultivators. Xin Ma might have offered them advice in his younger years, but now, he let it pass. After all, he didn''t care to waste time on lessons their parents should have taught them long ago.

    No matter how hard he tried to focus on the scroll, his mind drifted to the time Liu Feng spent in the outer sect library.

    Liu Feng had never been a forceful person.

    Yet, he had played his hand decisively, imposing his will on others. Whether Xin Ma liked it or not, Liu Feng was determined to help him.

    It wasn''t that he held a grudge. In fact, Xin Ma was touched by Liu Feng''s commitment. But it also revealed the bad influences shaping the young man.

    And that bad influence was the girl who accompanied him... Song Song.

    As his thoughts wandered, another working day passed. When the last disciples left, Shan Sha appeared, carrying a cup of tea.

    Despite frequently criticizing Liu Feng when he was still an outer disciple, the old man himself was never one to make tea for others unless asked.

    "What has you so deep in thought?" the old man asked, dragging a chair across the rough stone floor. The screech of wood scraping against the ground was irritating. However, that might be because he was having a rather irritating day.

    "Nothing much," Xin Ma replied.

    It was a lie. Xin Ma had been thinking a lot about Liu Feng and how to handle the situation the kid had put him in. Perhaps many of his colleagues would have rejoiced if their disciple had done something like this for them. Still, Xin Ma approached the matter with a more rational eye.

    He wanted to become an inner elder mainly to pursue the slim chance of breaking through to Core Formation. Of course, there were other reasons too��like proving something to those "friends" of his who had kept him stuck in his current position. He also craved the respect that came with being an inner elder.

    But Xin Ma was not blind to reality��he knew his body wasn''t as young as it used to be. He had already sponged as much knowledge as he could about his element. Perhaps there was still room to grow into a Level 5 Array Conjurer. Still, the skills he had once trained with such passion in his youth, which seemed so promising, were now nothing more than distant memories��the very cause of why he had ended up in this place.

    A tense silence settled between them as the old man stared at him, slurping his tea in that irritating way. In the eerie stillness of the library, the sound of slurping was the only thing anyone could hear.

    To break the monotonous quiet, Xin Ma finally spoke. "It would be pointless to waste a Tier 6 recipe just to secure an invitation to become an inner sect elder."

    "You''ve still got seventy or eighty years left," the old goat shrugged. "There''s a good chance you could still break through to Core Formation. You should be more like that brat. He might be an incredible thug who never learned an ounce of respect for his elders, but you can tell by the look in his eyes that he''ll do whatever he pleases. In many ways, he only cares what he thinks of himself and doesn''t bother with other people''s opinions. He is very selfish."

    "What you''re describing is a pretty exaggerated version of Liu Feng," Xin Ma replied, removing his glasses and wiping them clean with a white silk cloth. "I don''t think someone who just gave away a Tier 6 Alchemy Recipe can be fairly described as selfish."

    "In its own way, that is his brand of selfishness," the old goat grinned. "Whether it''s out of some misguided sense of justice or whatever, that kid''s going to make you an inner elder��whether you want it or not."

    "That is the annoying part. I''m happy that Liu Feng is so grateful and willing to go so far for me. However, I''m worried he is losing sight of his main goal. A cultivator should always be looking out for himself first and foremost," Xin Ma said, picking up the scroll with the Tier 6 Alchemy Recipe and slipping it into his bronze storage ring. "But he''s misunderstanding something. Perhaps I should teach him a lesson he''s forgotten: the world often does not bend to anyone''s whims. Also, everyone can be selfish."

    Their eyes lingered a bit too long on Xin Ma''s sword to be considered respectful. The fatigue clouding their minds must have affected their manners.

    Despite their formalities, Xin Ma could tell the young men didn''t mean the respect they tried to show. They were used to seeing inner elders come and go. In their eyes, an outer elder was almost the worst thing they could encounter��the worst being sent to some no-name city to serve as its governor.

    The eyes never lied. That was why Xin Ma liked wearing glasses; it made it harder for others to tell if he was being truthful or not.

    Without a word, he glided past the disciples, remaining on his sword. Then, with a surge of Qi, he sped off again at breakneck speed. His Foundation Establishment-enhanced vision allowed him to easily track his surroundings and react to any obstacles in time. However, the sword beneath him, cheap and rusted, had reached its maximum speed.

    Before long, he arrived at a grand palace wrapped in more layers of arrays than he could count. Few people were around, which wasn''t surprising given the late hour.

    Even with his hawk-like vision, the beauty of the purple palace was hard to appreciate at night. During the day, it was a stunning sight��lush vegetation of vibrant colors framed walls that shimmered like rainbows in the sunlight. But now, under the pale moonlight, its splendor was muted.

    He dismounted his flying sword as he passed through the array barriers, landing softly without a sound on the grass. With a swift gesture, he stored the rusted blade and briefly considered buying a new one.

    A man emerged as he approached the large building in the palace, the only place still lit at this hour. The man had three fat folds under his chin, a bald head marked by a mole shaped like a coffin, and a broad grin that revealed three golden teeth on the left side of his upper jaw.

    Though clearly overweight, Pang Zhu��s attire��dark and well-tailored��concealed much of his bulk, making him appear slimmer than he actually was.

    ��Xin Ma! Long time no see, old friend!�� Pang Zhu called out. ��Why didn��t you tell me you were coming? I��d have prepared a feast in your honor.��

    Pang Zhu was a large man who exuded the aura of someone corrupt, the kind of person who could be easily bought if one needed something done under the table.

    But despite his questionable nature, Pang Zhu generally kept to himself, staying neutral in most matters. Once, he had been known as a handsome man in his youth, though his charm faded quickly whenever he spoke. Suffice it to say, he was not a ladies�� man.

    ��There��s no need for a feast,�� Xin Ma replied, preferring not to disturb the servants. ��I��m here to submit a Tier 6 Alchemy Formula as a contribution to the Sect.��

    Pang Zhu��s smile vanished, his eyes widening in disbelief. ��You��re not joking, right? Have you developed a sense of humor in your old age?��

    Xin Ma brushed off the remark. ��No, I haven��t. Now, can you notify someone? Or shall I let someone else take credit for delivering this?��

    ��No, no, don��t worry about it!�� Pang Zhu hurriedly closed his eyes, and the air around them shimmered as the arrays shifted and swirled, like a child playing in mud along a riverbank. ��They��ll be here soon. This is the kind of thing the Sect Leader might get involved in.��

    ��I know,�� Xin Ma said calmly.

    Pang Zhu regained his composure, but an awkward silence settled between them. His mind seemed preoccupied, leaving little room for conversation. The silence felt stifling, amplified by the absence of animals or insects within the Sect.

    ��So... how��s your love life been?�� Pang Zhu blurted out, in a poor attempt to break the silence.

    This guy... Even after all these years, he still had the knack for putting his foot in his mouth.

    How did someone with so little social tact manage to land this position?

 Chapter 190: Enjoying The Temporary

    Chapter 190: Enjoying The Temporary

    There was nothing quite like waking up at the break of dawn, the cool morning air brushing against your skin, a book in hand, and a cup of tea resting nearby. The peaceful stillness of the early hours made it the perfect time for quiet reflection.

    Granted, the tea could have been hotter, but the limitations of storage rings meant time moved differently within their separate space. Still, cold tea was a small price to pay for the simple joy of this serene moment.

    I leaned back in the rocking chair in my bedroom, letting the gentle sway soothe my thoughts as I gazed out the window. The soft morning light cast long shadows over the mansion grounds, but my eyes were drawn beyond the neatly kept garden to a lone grave just outside the estate''s borders. A simple stone marker stood at its head��cold, unadorned, and without inscription. Buried beneath that nameless marker lay the body of the thief who had been killed by Speedy and the arrays.

    Despite what the man had tried to do in his final moments, I had given him a proper burial, granting him the respect every soul deserved in death. His body would not be left to rot under the sun. By now, death no longer unsettled me as it once had.

    The lush green yard before me stirred a wave of tranquility, easing any lingering tension. Even the hard wooden chair beneath me felt as comfortable as the softest cushion. A book rested in my lap, and the gentle warmth of the morning sun bathed my skin. I cradled a cup of tea in my hand, its scent mingling with the fragrance of blooming flowers and the wild, untamed essence of the summer forest. A smile tugged at my lips��there was no more perfect morning than this.

    As hours passed, the early light gave way to the full warmth of morning. It grew hotter, and I returned the empty tea cup to my storage ring.

    The lack of tea, however, did little to break my concentration as I finished reading the book in my lap. It was a collection of mental techniques detailing their use throughout the years. I had retrieved it from the Song Clan Library after the owl-man''s ambush, though, like back then, it wasn''t particularly helpful.

    There were no techniques quite like my Eight Mind Phantoms. But then, a Sky Grade Technique was bound to be special. So unique, in fact, that very little was ever written about them. Most knowledge was likely spread through word of mouth among only the highest echelons of any organization.

    Most mental techniques dealt with illusion, confusion, or, in many cases, some form of animal enslavement��controlling hordes of monstrous beasts.

    My Sky Grade Technique could do all of that and more. Unfortunately, there were no good examples of how to use a technique of this caliber. Its only weakness was my inability to handle the overwhelming output of information.

    Since I couldn''t use it in its raw form, my mind wandered to the idea of a computer from my previous life��perhaps a way to recreate something similar. But building a computer from scratch would be no easy feat, essentially coding the first of its kind in this world. It was something to consider once I figured out how to store and process all the information.

    Sky Grade Techniques were complex��far beyond the simplicity of Earth Grade Techniques, which one could learn just by reading a book and enough practice.

    As my thoughts wandered deeper into this subject, considering the best approach to mastering it, I felt the presence of someone approaching the outer layers of the arrays surrounding the mansion grounds.

    A man in a green robe stood outside the metal gates. His face was familiar, marked by the Harry Potter-like glasses that made him stand out.

    Xin Ma? What the hell was the librarian doing here?

    I already had enough on my plate trying to figure out how to use my Sky Grade Technique without frying my brain.

    Sighing, I set the book on the balcony floor and leaped down, landing softly on the lush grass. At the same time, Song Song sensed the newcomer''s presence and stepped out from the mansion''s main doors. Her movements were sharp, like an unsheathed blade, ready to cut someone down.

    However, her fighting intent fizzled when she saw who was at the gates. She turned toward me, a smug smile spreading across her face. I didn''t even need to look directly at her��I could sense her expression in my peripheral vision, knowing all too well how she reacted in situations like this.

    "Do a lot of people you know just follow you home?" Song Song smirked.

    This was bait for an argument. But I wasn''t about to fall for it. An intelligent man knew when a battle wasn''t worth fighting.

    Without a word, I walked toward the gate to meet the librarian. As I got closer, an uneasy feeling stirred in my gut. My mind began piecing together why he might be standing at my doorstep.

    But I didn''t have to guess for long. Without a word, the librarian handed me two scrolls. I recognized one immediately, without even needing to check the contents. The other was unfamiliar.

    "The one on the left is the Tier 6 recipe you gave me," he said. "The one on the right is a new, completed Tier 6 recipe I acquired after exchanging yours with the sect."

    I wanted to scream at him, to tell him to just take the damn scrolls and do whatever he wanted with them.

    How could a man be so stubborn? I knew he was aiming to become an inner elder. So, what the hell was holding him up?

    "Why did you bother doing this?" I asked, frustration creeping into my voice. "If you think I gave you everything I got from the tomb, you''re wrong."

    "Are you so bored that you need to listen in on my tedious conversations?" I asked.

    "Absolutely, yes," she replied without hesitation.

    I swore, if by some miracle I ever became stronger than her, I''d teach her some manners. How could someone be so cold and childishly obnoxious at the same time?

    "Just ignore her," I sighed, returning my attention to Xin Ma.

    The librarian wore a strange expression, his gaze flicking between me and Song Song. His eyes narrowed slightly, though he said nothing at first.

    "Whatever," he muttered. "I wanted to tell you I''ve found a better negotiating position. Despite the rewards, a Tier 6 recipe can elevate the entire Sect''s power. My promotion to inner elder is now under review. It will be finalized once they find a replacement for me in the library."

    Holy shit, he actually did it!

    "How?" I asked, genuinely curious.

    "I technically have a student who is famous and, in many ways, invaluable to the Sect��though not for their cultivation talent," Xin Ma said with a smile. This time, the joy reached his eyes.

    "Make sure this isn''t one of those fake promotions where they take years to find someone to replace you," I warned.

    In my previous life, I knew a lot of people who were stuck in shitty positions in a company just because their manager promised them a raise. Or selling them a future where they would be happy in the company.

    "Don''t worry, I got a promise directly from the Sect Leader," Xin Ma reassured me.

    Good. That was very good. Now, for the final part of the plan, I had to warn several people. But doing it alone might raise suspicion.

    The mansion gates creaked open as I took the two scrolls and the blue card and placed them in my storage ring.

    "Well, I''d throw a party to celebrate, but a party with just me, you, and the old man would be kind of lame," I said, stepping in for a hug.

    Xin Ma raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled by the gesture. People in this world weren''t exactly the touchy-feely type. He smelled of paper, ink, and the faint scent of flowery incense.

    As I hugged him, I subtly pulled him within the mansion''s silencing array, ensuring that anyone too far away would hear nothing but murmurs.

    Once he was close, I whispered in his ear, "Try to get out of the Sect if you can. Something big is coming. Can you discreetly warn my cousins too? Tell them I sent you. Maybe they should visit the Liu Clan for a while, take a vacation."

    He nodded, his expression unchanged, with no flicker in his smile. "Yes, I''ll take care of the old man."

    I couldn''t sense anyone nearby, but you could never be too careful in matters like this.

    He released the hug and nodded. "I have some things to attend to. See you later, Liu Feng."

    He drew a rusty-looking flying sword from his storage ring and shot off like a rocket.

    Good. Now I just had to make sure Song Song got out of here too, and everything would be set. Then, I could leave the Sect and embark on my martial journey without being accused of running off with its secrets.

    Staying away for a few years would be wise, especially when the Heavenly Calamity struck.

    Most things were already in place, but a few more pieces still needed to fall into position.

 Chapter 191: A Crack in the Dam

    Xing Ju stood atop the outer sect wall, her figure silhouetted against the fading light of the setting sun. Her gaze stretched far into the distance, yet her heart was heavy, weighed down by the burdens of time and memories long past. The cool evening breeze shivered through her weary bones, carrying an unsettling sense of unease.

    Where was Ye An?

    After abandoning Song Song, her granddaughter, she chose Ye An as her new disciple. Ye An was supposed to fulfill everyone''s expectations. Yet, she hadn''t returned from the expedition.

    Many within the faction had already lost hope. Xing Ju was the last to lose hope.

    The incompetent Core Elders who had escorted the group remained silent! How could a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator have slipped through their notice?

    A part of her hoped the immortal tomb had taken Ye An, perhaps as a disciple under its will. Even though that meant Ye An would no longer need their support, it was better than her being dead.

    But now, who else could compete with Song Song? That wild girl was growing stronger by the day, and Xing Ju could feel it��everyone could.

    Song Song''s Qi sharpened daily, and soon she would reach the four-star Foundation Establishment. In only a handful of years, she could reach their level!

    It hadn''t even been a year since she broke through! Everyone knew of her talent, but Foundation Establishment required not just talent but also comprehension of one''s chosen element. No matter how gifted, many cultivators were stuck in this stage for a lifetime. They simply couldn''t advance because they couldn''t comprehend their element.

    Yet Song Song''s compatibility with her blood element was incomprehensible. The records showed that even the current sect leader hadn''t progressed through Foundation Establishment so swiftly!

    For some strange reason, Ye An had managed to keep up with her.

    Rumors whispered she might have an Extreme Physique like Song Song''s mother, though nothing had been confirmed. There were plans to investigate once she returned��assuming she ever did. Some even schemed to dig into her background to see if she had any connection to the Ye Clan of the Azure Frost Sect or if her name was just a coincidence.

    "Ye An, where are you?" Xing Ju muttered under her breath.

    A new recipe had even surfaced from one of the outer elders. The sect''s Alchemist Grand Elder was on the verge of discovering replacements for extinct ingredients, allowing them to craft a pill that could restore Ye An''s crippled form and beauty. But without her, these plans were nothing more than dreams.

    Two paths remained: they could try to approach Song Song and beg for forgiveness. But few were willing to take that risk��Song Song might simply kill them.

    The second option was to find someone else to replace Ye An. But who could possibly keep up with Song Song?

    There was a reason the sect tolerated Song Song''s reckless behavior. She had the highest chance of becoming a Nascent Soul cultivator in the last thousand years. Many would prefer to see her fail, but the Song Clan leader wasn''t someone anyone wanted to cross. Death would be the best outcome if someone made an enemy of him.

    Xing Ju knew her son didn''t harbor any familial loyalty or love. But if hypothetically, there was anyone he might care for, it would undoubtedly be Song Song��maybe because she was the one closest to him in personality.

    The reason why he cared about her mattered little. But what was important was that no matter what Song Song did, she would get no punishment or minimum sentence at worst.

    The hot summer wind brushed against her ashen hair, and Xing Ju knew that holding on to hope was a fool''s errand. What she needed now were answers about Ye An��and a replacement.

    She already had someone in mind who could provide both.

    Turning, she leaped from the outer sect wall. Before her feet touched the ground, the wind around her picked up like a hurricane. An invisible tornado wrapped around her, propelling her forward like a bullet, the air bending in her wake. She became a red streak across the sky with nothing to slow her momentum.

    She stood above a humble home within the Song Clan grounds in less than fifteen breaths. The only hint of luxury in the house was the well-built walls surrounding the residence. There was also a small pond in the yard, with a tree next to it.

    Xing Ju landed silently on the grassy ground.

    A dark-cloaked figure with a marble mask appeared before she could even breathe. The man was a five-star Foundation Establishment cultivator. However, his cultivation was hidden��masked by the enigmatic technique used by the Sect Leader''s secret division.

    "I''m here to meet Song San. Call him out," she said to the masked guard.

    Liu Feng seemed sharp for his age, but that was all.

    There were many clever people in the world, yet their intelligence often amounted to nothing if they lacked talent. They still died, and all their brilliance was wasted.

    "Do you know the technique the Sect Leader''s secret squad uses?" Song San asked rhetorically. "The one that''s been around since the founding of the Blazing Sun Sect, once used by the Blazing Sun Immortal himself? It might not be a Sky Grade technique, but it''s one of the finest Earth Grade techniques."

    "So?" Xing Ju was confused by the sudden tangent.

    What did this have to do with anything?

    "Liu Feng saw through that technique," Song San stated plainly.

    "And?" Xing Ju''s confusion deepened.

    Sure, the technique was excellent for concealment. Still, if it were truly flawless, every Core Elder would have mastered it by now and become invincible. Like all techniques, it had its limitations.

    "Ten Thousand Steps of Invisibility may be an Earth Grade technique, but it was created by an immortal and refined over millennia by the sect''s stealth division," Song San explained, his eyes narrowing. "Yet, some unwashed farmer from the middle of fuck nowhere cracked it and sensed me. Do you understand? It hasn''t even been two years since Liu Feng entered the Blazing Sun Sect. The only reason we aren''t dealing with another Song Song is because Liu Feng has garbage talent."

    "When did you start getting intimidated by every shadow on the wall?" Xing Ju frowned.

    She might not be particularly close to her grandchildren, but the idea of them fearing some nobody was ridiculous.

    Also, the notion that Liu Feng could defeat someone like Ye An was absurd. Ye An was not only a Foundation Establishment cultivator but could fight well beyond her level.

    However, she wasn''t about to call her grandson stupid in front of his face. Not when she had come here with intentions to invite him. Perhaps changing the conversation would be better.

    "Anyway, now that Ye An is missing, some people are looking for a new figurehead to lead my faction��someone from the next generation." Xing Ju''s voice softened, attempting to sweeten the offer for Song San, though she knew the reality of the role she was suggesting.

    What she received in response was a mocking smile. "Yeah, sure. Give me half a million spirit stones and access to your treasuries. I''m sure there are some nice things you old folks have hoarded in your long, mediocre lives."

    It was as Xing Ju feared. Song San made demands, offered a half-hearted promise, and left her with no real assurances.

    She nodded, though she knew he was an unreliable ally, and this was not a deal she could accept. Song San couldn''t be controlled. They''d be nothing more than dogs with him holding the leash if he were in charge.

    It was perhaps better than being brutally killed by Song Song��but not by much.

    Xing Ju felt like a cornered animal, with the younger generation advancing so fast and taking their positions of power. This generation had an extra number of monsters. Xing Ju felt like her generation would soon be unneeded and become playthings of this new generation of monsters.

    As Xing Ju thought of what she could do next, an unorthodox idea came to mind. This generation was lost, but perhaps the next one... but this one needed to be out of the way...

    It may be time to eliminate these arrogant youngsters altogether.

    The more she thought about it, the more it seemed like this was the perfect time��the sect was heading toward another calamity, and the Sect Leader and Song Clan Head would be too preoccupied to notice the smaller pieces.

    Xing Ju hadn''t come here with murderous intent, but now, after being treated like a nuisance by Song Song and mocked by her brother, she was reconsidering.

    Since when did the powerful allow themselves to be mocked by the weak? It was about time these foolish descendants of hers learned a lesson.

    After a lengthy exchange of false pleasantries, Xing Ju walked away, irritation gnawing at her. She was tired of being treated like a nobody by a pack of useless bastards.

 Chapter 192: Plan of Leaving

    The damp underground library in the mansion was a strange place. It wasn''t just its appearance��parts of the library resembled an alchemy lab. We had cleaned it, clearing out the dust and spiderwebs, yet the scent of dampness and mold lingered. In addition, the room held curious items like records of peculiar plants and obscure, low-tier alchemic recipes I''d never heard of.

    I turned another page in an old, worn-out book, skimming through its bizarre contents. However, my focus was drawn to the elegant handwritten notes scattered throughout. These notes detailed the true side effects and specific ratios of certain ingredients. Evidently, the writer had used themselves as a test subject, describing in first-person the excruciating pain brought on by particular plants.

    A hastily written note caught my attention as I reached the last page. The ink was smudged, suggesting the writer had been crying while writing:

    ''At least nothing I eat will kill me thanks to my extreme physique. But it''s clear now that alchemy might not be the solution to treat my version of this condition.''

    It seemed that the writer had an extreme physique��a rare case. I was surprised, having already encountered Ye An and now stumbling upon another person who shared this trait. Judging by the condition of the paper, these notes couldn''t have been older than twenty years. Given how poorly the library was maintained, I doubted my estimation was far off.

    Extreme physiques were supposed to emerge only once every hundred to three hundred years. Then again, those were only the recorded cases. People like Ye An and the person who penned these notes likely went unnoticed by official records.

    The ghost also had mentioned the approaching Age of Immortals, which might make extreme physiques more common.

    I sighed, closing the book and placing it back on the shelf.

    From what I had gleaned from the notes, "Extreme Physique" was a broad and varied condition. Though grouped under the same term, two people with this trait often had little in common.

    It reminded me of cancer��how it was not one disease but a collection of conditions characterized by uncontrolled cell growth. Extreme physiques worked similarly. During a person''s conception, the process determining the number of spiritual branches went awry, leading to an excess resulting in a wide range of effects.

    For example, the woman who wrote these notes appeared immune to poison as long as she ingested it through her mouth and never suffered food poisoning. On the other hand, Ye An could easily be poisoned, and her body''s excess spiritual root branches were likely to be her downfall. This woman''s condition was different: her body was devouring itself, and the spirit branches were hyperactive and consuming too much Qi, causing her dantian to become bloated.

    Dantian was roughly the area where cultivators stored Qi.

    No matter how much she ate, she was always starving. Her body consumed her fat, muscle, tissue, and even bone mass at an alarming rate. Despite this, her cultivation talent was extraordinary. She had 153 spirit root branches, which devoured Qi voraciously. By age sixteen, without formal training, she had already reached the peak of Qi Gathering. This was faster than Ye An''s extreme physique in many ways.

    I had a rough idea of who this woman might be, especially when she mentioned a certain daughter in her notes. She was worried about the girl growing closer to her father and the influence that might have on her.

    Of course, some things were better left buried. This was another secret I would pretend I knew nothing about.

    "It took her too long to realize alchemy wasn''t the solution to her problem. Even if some powerful pill or potion could help, it would take a high-tier alchemist to create something like that," I muttered. "She should have abandoned alchemy as soon as she saw that any medical pill or poison she ingested had no effect on her."

    She was worse at alchemy than me, and I barely half-assed it. Aside from a few essential healing salves, I knew little about the craft. My theoretical knowledge was decent, but knowing and executing a recipe were two entirely different things. Alchemy was more art than science.

    A soft sound echoed from the stone stairs leading to the library. I recognized the light rhythm of Song Song''s footsteps. She moved like a leaf, her steps barely noticeable most of the time.

    "Because we won''t be around when they put their plan into action," I replied.

    It was no coincidence that the old faction was making their move now. They knew their chances of influencing things were slipping away with Ye An gone. Plus, the incoming heavenly calamity presented the perfect opportunity��people would be too distracted to notice.

    "A major catastrophe is about to hit the Blazing Sun Sect," I continued. Not using ''heavenly calamity'' just in case that was some kind of trigger word for some of the arrays already in the basement before we moved here. "You need to get away from here for at least a few years. You could claim it''s for indoor cultivation or something along those lines."

    I mentally organized my thoughts, preparing for whatever questions Song Song might have. The library''s silencing array ensured our conversation would stay private. Being underground with only one entrance, there was no way anyone could overhear us.

    "Sure," Song Song shrugged.

    She must have noticed the look I gave her because she frowned in confusion. "What? I can just ask Father, say I''m close to a breakthrough and that the people here are too distracting. He''ll probably agree."

    There was so much to unpack in that statement. First of all, why did she have such blind faith in me? Was she stupid or something? I could be completely wrong about all of this. It''s not like I was infallible.

    I wasn''t saying she should suspect me of treason, but a little caution would be nice. I thought we''d worked on getting rid of that recklessness of hers.

    And second, since when did she become Daddy''s spoiled princess? I never pictured her father favoring her in particular. He treated all his children the same. Even Song San could act like a murderous asshole without facing much punishment.

    The dim light of the library cast long shadows over us, and for a moment, a malicious gleam flashed in Song Song''s eyes as she glanced at the books.

    Yep, she was definitely hiding something.

    "Any other news?" I asked, hoping to coax out whatever secret she was keeping. Usually, she didn''t bother holding things back, but even Song Song had her mysteries.

    "Oh yeah, I almost forgot," she grinned, her sharpened canines showing. "Your cousins left the Sect to visit the Liu Clan. Apparently, it was an emergency. Seems like your clan is in some kind of conflict, and they need fighters."

    I was sure that was a convenient lie. The Liu Clan was in its golden age, constantly expanding. When wasn''t an expanding clan fighting someone? They were constantly battling and assimilating weaker clans.

    "Good, looks like I''ll be leaving soon too," I said with a wink, implying that it was all just an excuse. "I need to do some research for my new Monster Encyclopedia, Summer Edition."

    "And maybe meet your fiance?e while you''re at it," Song Song teased, her eyes glinting. "When''s the wedding, by the way? Bet the Sect would give you more time off if you had a marriage to arrange."

    "You''re so petty," I sighed.

    Petty, yes, but her suggestion had merit. A marriage and some research... would make for a suitable excuse. I could even play it off as my family needing to secure allies quickly due to their conflict, which might speed up talks with the Fu Clan.

 Chapter 193: A Heavy Step

    Chapter 193: A Heavy Step

    A week had passed since my conversation with Song Song about our plans and since my cousins had left. I had already sent the letter requesting leave, and as Song Song''s subordinate, they would certainly approve it. If not, Song Song and I had agreed to act as if she had told me the Sect confirmed my vacation. If anyone asked, we''d pretend she "lied" to me. The worst that could happen would be a slap on the wrist.

    Even that would be excessive. Allowing Song Song to be punished for something like this would send a message to the entire Sect��that the Song Clan could be easily reprimanded, even for minor issues. Whether her clan liked Song Song or not was irrelevant; they had to consider the bigger picture in such situations. They couldn''t afford to give even an inch to their real enemies. After all, the Song Clan hadn''t done much to make friends, and they had made plenty of enemies with their often ruthless behavior.

    "C''mon now, big guy, just step on the jade platform," I coaxed Speedy, who eyed the translucent surface warily. He nudged it with his head, testing its texture, and let out a faint whine.

    The sky was a soft canvas of clouds, their edges tinged with the fading hues of the setting sun. It was late summer, and the oppressive heat had eased into a gentle warmth. The air was mild, carrying the faint scent of leaves just beginning to think about turning for autumn.

    With such good weather, I had no idea what he was complaining about.

    "What? Not soft enough for you? Or are you worried it''ll break?" I teased. "Don''t worry, we''ll take it slow once we''re away from the Sect. And really, what are you so concerned about? With that tough shell of yours, you could fall from space and be fine."

    Speedy whined again, rubbing his cheek against the grass before looking up at me.

    "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" I asked.

    He made a louder sound this time, rubbing his face against a nearby tree before lying down and standing up again.

    "Still no idea what you''re trying to say," I sighed.

    Everything I needed for the journey was already packed in my storage ring. Whether I left this evening or tomorrow morning depended on when Song Song returned with news. She''d have to sneak out with me if she had nothing planned. Though we weren''t traveling together��if Song Song got involved, the trip would become a major headache. She had a way of making simple situations far more complicated than necessary. Besides, there was always the chance that a Core Elder might be sent to assassinate us if she left with me.

    "Alright, just get on the thing, and we''ll argue later," I muttered, waving my hand to summon some jade puppets to lift Speedy onto the floating platform.

    Once settled, Speedy glanced around before resting his head on the jade and falling asleep.

    He fell asleep? After all that fuss about the platform being uncomfortable? What was he even complaining about?

    I pushed Speedy''s antics to the back of my mind and focused on the journey ahead. I had applied for a year or two of leave, but that might stretch further. No one could blame me if I didn''t return to the Sect in the middle of a calamity. I was just a Qi Gathering disciple, and nobody important in the general gist of things.

    The jade platform hovered effortlessly beside me, requiring only a sliver of concentration to keep it active.

    I closed my eyes and began practicing my Sky Grade technique. Whenever I used Eight Mind Phantoms, I felt like a leaf. It was impossible for a human mind to truly comprehend what it would feel like to be a leaf. Yet, this technique altered my entire perception of the world. It was a strange sensation.

    I had somewhat mastered the sensory aspect of the technique, which would be invaluable when traveling through lands teeming with monstrous beasts. Some of these predators could conceal themselves almost perfectly in their natural environments, but pinpointing their location with my ability to sense the mental waves they emitted would be easy.

    As I was about to practice further, I detected a new presence behind one of the walls. Usually, it was better to let a spy believe they hadn��t been discovered and feed them false information. But this wasn��t a spy.

    ��You know, if you��re already here, you might as well say so,�� I called out.

    Song Song leaped over the wall with her usual amused smirk. She acted as casually as ever, seemingly unconcerned that the longer we stayed here, the riskier things could get.

    ��It��s entertaining to watch you be dumb,�� she said, never one to mince words.

    By now, I knew better than to argue with her. Letting her get her quips in and moving on was usually the best approach, rather than wasting time on an argument she clearly enjoyed.

    ��What��s with that rude look in your eyes? Thinking something unpleasant about me?�� Song Song frowned.

    ��No, I��m not angry. Just expressionless,�� I replied.

    ��I didn��t say you were angry. I said you were thinking something rude about me, which you obviously were, judging by your response,�� she sighed. ��How am I supposed to tell you the good news when you treat me so poorly?��

    Song Song often acted like a bored housewife, stirring up drama solely to entertain herself.

    ��Can we just move on?�� I muttered, rubbing my forehead to massage away the growing irritation.

    ��Fine, spoilsport,�� she pouted, though the sad expression quickly vanished as if it had never been there. ��Your vacation request was approved. They��ve granted you up to three years, and some elders seem to have high expectations for you. A few were clearly bootlicking, but others appeared genuinely impressed. Or maybe they��re just good actors. Either way, it doesn��t really matter.��

    ��What about you?�� I asked, feeling a pang of uncertainty.

    Leaving Song Song alone in the Sect with an assassination plot brewing didn��t sit well with me. As much as I wanted to start my journey, I might have to delay it until we dealt with the situation. Some drastic action might be needed��maybe even revealing one of the Level 5 or 6 arrays to the Sect Leader to force him to shut down the plot personally.

    "Don''t go spending that money, kid. He''s just giving it to you for safekeeping," the old man chimed in, his tone more mellow than usual.

    My heart sank, and I swallowed the nervous lump forming in my throat.

    The old man was softening the truth, but this was essentially the librarian entrusting me with almost everything he had in case something happened to him.

    "Then you should just run," I urged.

    "Run where?" The librarian''s voice was calm, almost detached. "I''d be hunted down and made an example of. No elder has run from this place in hundreds of years. Besides, I was born to be a cultivator. I''ve never doubted my purpose, and this is all I know."

    I realized then that nothing I said would change his mind.

    "Don''t worry too much, kid," the old man reassured me. "We work in the library. Your teacher hasn''t seen combat in half a century."

    Shan Sha didn''t call me a brat this time, a rarity. Usually, he would seize any opportunity to be petty. His sudden shift to this tempered demeanor scared me even more.

    "Is there anything I can say to change your minds?" I asked.

    They didn''t respond. Their silence was answer enough.

    I glanced at the silver ring in front of me. If I accepted it, I''d have two storage rings, but that didn''t make me feel any better.

    "What about you?" I turned to the old man.

    "I''ve only got a couple of years left, if that," he shrugged. "I wouldn''t waste my time bothering you. Besides, someone has to keep your teacher company."

    My mind swirled with thoughts, desperate to find something��anything��to convince them otherwise. But the words stuck in my throat.

    "I never really got the chance to hear your life stories," I said, trying to prolong the conversation. It was to buy me time to think of something!

    "Why''re you acting like we''re about to die, kid?" the old man snorted. "Besides, you look ready to leave. You sure you''ve got time for stories?"

    "I''ll make time."

    "As expected of the younger generation. Stubborn and dumb," the old man sighed, though a smirk played on his lips. "I''ll keep it short. My life''s been boring��just an old man who outlived his children and family."

    I frowned. "What-?"

    "As for me," the librarian cut in, "my story is the same as any other average cultivator with mediocre talent. Liu Feng, make sure you don''t lose that joy you have for the martial way."

    "Also," the old man added with a grin, "if you ever become an immortal, try not to be such a nerd. Stop reading so many books."

    Typical. Even now, he couldn''t help but throw insults. He wouldn''t have been the same old goat I knew if he''d been all sentimental.

    That was it. Nothing more needed to be said. The meeting was short but felt like an eternity. I''d known them long enough to realize they wouldn''t change their minds.

    I picked up the storage ring from the counter and turned to leave.

    "Oh, yeah, brat. Now that Xin Ma gave you something, I guess I have to, too," the old man said, tossing his broom toward me.

    I caught it mid-air, and he smirked arrogantly.

    "I''ve got a premium tea set, but I don''t really feel like giving it to you," he shrugged.

    I snorted, stifling a chuckle, and walked out of the silencing array, tucking the broom into my storage ring.

    Outside, a small crowd of curious outer disciples had gathered around Speedy''s jade cube. But when they saw me, they scattered, and I mounted my flying sword again, setting off.

    And so, I began my journey to explore this beautiful world��with a heavy heart.

 Chapter 194: The Powerhouse

    Chapter 194: The Powerhouse

    Xin Ma sat in the library behind the reception desk, his usual spot. The scent of ancient paper and the soft rustling of pages created a calm, familiar ambiance. A handful of disciples wandered through the towering shelves, their eyes scanning the spines of countless volumes. Most were searching for techniques to advance their training, their hopes secretly pinned on stumbling upon a coveted Earth Grade Technique hidden within the stacks.

    However, not all were diligent. Some, after reading, carelessly left books strewn across tables or discarded on the floor, too lazy or preoccupied to return them to their proper places. It was supposed to be Shan Sha''s job to organize the mess, but the old man was far from his prime, and his energy dwindled with each passing year. Knowing this, Xin Ma took it upon himself to maintain order. He would reprimand the thoughtless disciples, his stern gaze enough to make them squirm as they sheepishly gathered the books they''d left behind and returned them to their rightful shelves.

    The library was relatively quiet, with only the soft murmur of students whispering to each other. The subtle scent of incense, burning at the corner of Xin Ma''s reception desk, gently filled the air.

    It had all become routine for Xin Ma; even the once-soothing scent of incense had faded into something ordinary, barely noticed anymore. The job had long since settled into a familiar rhythm in which Xin Ma''s body moved through the motions almost automatically, shelving new books, organizing scrolls, and monitoring the disciples without much conscious thought. His mind often wandered to distant places or old memories while his hands performed the tasks that had become second nature.

    Lately, Xin Ma''s mind wandered more often, especially since Liu Feng had left. They hadn''t seen each other frequently since Liu Feng joined the inner sect. But now, with him truly gone, even the occasional, unexpected visits had ceased.

    He still didn''t know why Liu Feng seemed so rushed when they last met. The only clue was that he mentioned a looming disaster, though Xin Ma could only guess the details.

    The librarian trusted Liu Feng. This wasn''t the kind of thing the young man would lie about. Xin Ma glanced around for the old librarian, but the man was nowhere to be found. It was typical��the old goat often disappeared at the most inconvenient times.

    As Xin Ma relaxed, he sensed a powerful presence approaching the library. A black-robed man entered��his hair dark as ink, with a silvery sheen cascading over his shoulders. His cold, coal-black eyes scanned the room before locking onto Xin Ma.

    The man''s dark uniform marked him as an inner elder. He walked forward with silent steps, his expression as icy as his demeanor. He didn''t even bother with the customary smile of polite authority, clearly indicating his disdain.

    Xin Ma couldn''t tell whether this was an act or whether the man truly disliked him.

    "You must be Xin Ma. I''m here to deliver a message and conduct some investigations," the man said. Though he looked in his twenties, Xin Ma guessed he was in his mid-forties��the cultivator''s youthful appearance would likely last for decades more.

    "That''s me," Xin Ma replied. "What news do you bring?"

    "First, you need to answer a few questions," the man said bluntly, stepping in front of the counter without a hint of respect. He was not giving him face even when disciples were around. "Song Song and her entire faction have disappeared. Do you know anything about that?"

    "No, I don''t get involved in inner sect politics. Sadly, I''ve not been promoted to inner elder yet," Xin Ma answered.

    "But reports suggest you''re close to Song Song''s second-in-command," the man pressed.

    Xin Ma didn''t respond immediately. Instead, he studied the man closely, memorizing key details before speaking. "You must be from the Song Clan. You sure look like it. Shouldn''t you be addressing Song Song more appropriately, considering your position? Perhaps as ''Lady Song''?"

    The man frowned, his disdain palpable. "I''d rather cut out my tongue than call that bitch my lady."

    Despite the man''s aggression, Xin Ma remained calm. No matter how strong the intruder might be, the ancient arrays in the library would make quick work of most Foundation Establishment cultivators.

    "Did the Sect Leader order this?" Xin Ma asked, his tone casual. "I know the Song Clan can get... excitable. But falsifying an order from the Sect Leader about my promotion? That''s a serious crime. The Sect Leader wouldn''t take such a thing lightly. If anyone could claim to act under his orders, it would cause chaos within the sect."

    Xin Ma had taught Liu Feng much��about arrays, techniques, combat, and dealing with people. But he''d also learned from his disciple, observing Liu Feng''s clever maneuvers over the years. One lesson stood out: in confrontations against someone looking for trouble, always escalate the stakes, and, if possible, shift focus onto a higher authority. If this man continued, he would no longer be dealing with a mere librarian but defying the Sect Leader''s authority.

    It was a rather shameless tactic.

    ��Well, I have a few mysteries I hoped you might clarify,�� the Sect Leader said with a friendly smile that didn��t reach his eyes. ��For instance, why have you remained here in the outer sect rather than joining the inner sect? And why has your disciple and those close to him also left? There are some... concerns from some people. After all, your disciple gained his reputation when he poisoned an entire city to kill the invading monstrous beasts. It seems many are still rather fearful of him. They wonder, what else could someone who came up with that kind of plan have in his mind?��

    What did the Sect Leader mean by "some people"? Was he worried that Liu Feng had planted something in the inner sect that might cause a poison explosion at a critical moment like this? Someone like Song San would surely be an easy scapegoat if such a thing happened. But Xin Ma knew Liu Feng��he would never do something so foolhardy. He was too soft-hearted for such deeds.

    Suddenly, there was movement behind the Sect Leader. The old man, Shan Sha, entered, holding a new sleek broom��the replacement for the old one he''d given to Liu Feng.

    The Sect Leader glanced at the old man briefly, an unspoken exchange passing between them. But neither said a word.

    "Apologies, honorable Sect Leader," Shan Sha said without breaking his gaze, "but my friend Xin Ma has decided to stay here a bit longer. Even as an inner elder, he''s chosen to keep me company in the outer sect until I kick the bucket. That''s what friendship is all about."

    Xin Ma exhaled quietly, relieved. With Shan Sha present, the chances of the Sect Leader killing him on a whim, as he''d done with the other man, had dropped significantly. After all, Shan Sha and the Sect Leader were connected.

    "Huh, so the reports were accurate. They weren''t lying after all," the Sect Leader said, his eyes still on Shan Sha. "Well, I wouldn''t want to interfere with such a noble friendship."

    With that, he turned to leave, adding, "It''s a shame the little birdie is no longer around. I enjoyed our games of hide-and-seek. But soon enough, we''ll all have more fun than we can handle."

    The Sect Leader walked away, leaving Xin Ma even more bewildered than before.

    Why had he come here at all? It wasn''t like the Sect Leader had time to waste on such frivolities.

    Several minutes passed before the disciples finally dared to stand up. Shan Sha dragged a chair over to the counter and sat down. Xin Ma quickly activated a silencing array around them, just in case the old man said something that could be misinterpreted.

    "Something big is coming," Shan Sha said, glancing regretfully at his empty hand, muttering a curse under his breath. He must have forgotten his tea. "The whole sect feels like it''s holding its breath. Some inner sect servants gossip that with Song Song''s faction gone, many of the old hawks are looking to eliminate anyone connected to her."

    "But with the Sect Leader showing up here, I have nothing to worry about," Xin Ma said.

    No matter what skirmishes the core or inner elders engaged in, to the Sect Leader, it was all child''s play. He could eliminate one side and crown whichever victor he pleased.

    Everyone knew better than to get involved in matters touched by the Sect Leader. Sure, some elders might argue against his policies, but it was common knowledge that their decisions only mattered because the Sect Leader allowed them to.

    Whatever the reason for the Sect Leader''s brief visit, Xin Ma felt confident that no one would come looking for him, even with his indirect connection to Song Song through Liu Feng.

    It was all rather convenient. The Sect Leader''s visit had been so short, almost as if someone had merely asked him to show his face, and he had done just that.

    Xin Ma glanced at Shan Sha from the corner of his eye, deciding to follow a lesson from Liu Feng: act as if he knew nothing. He had been in the library so long that his awareness had dulled, and he had simply missed certain clues.

    Yes, that sounded like a convenient excuse.

    "Not to mention that girl Ye An vanishing into thin air. And that red-haired kid too��the one everyone thinks must be Zun Gon''s illegitimate son or something. He''s gone missing as well," Shan Sha continued, sharing the gossip he''d picked up from the inner sect servants. "These are dire times."

 Chapter 195: The Song Clan Secret

    Chapter 195: The Song Clan Secret

    When her father told Song Song he would take her to the ancient Song Clan grounds, she imagined an old castle or ruins. Not this...

    They hovered above the sea on flying swords after days of travel. Her father had stopped flying as if they had reached their destination.

    Before her was a sight beyond her imagination: a massive waterfall where the sea spilled endlessly into an unfathomable abyss. Yet, even that description felt lacking, almost dishonest.

    Everywhere she looked, it felt like the very edge of the world. Beyond the water''s edge was nothing but an infinite void��a gaping emptiness that swallowed everything. The water cascaded into the void as though the world itself simply ended there, with only the abyss beyond. The sight was deeply unsettling. Song Song had never felt so small... and insignificant.

    "What the hell is this place?" Song Song asked, still atop her flying sword��a red-bladed, black-handled weapon.

    "The Song Clan has a history of over twenty thousand years. Few clans can boast such longevity and survive to this day," her father stated calmly. He wasn''t using a flying sword at all. Still, he floated using his own Qi��a skill only Core Formation Cultivators could achieve. He was essentially walking on the air, supported by his Qi.

    "Is this some kind of illusion?" Song Song asked, unable to tear her gaze from the abyss.

    The fear that gripped her heart when staring at the endlessness... It was such a primal fear, and even though she knew she could fly, the fear of falling was larger than ever.

    "Not exactly," her father smiled, his dark hair blending almost seamlessly with the night sky. "A clan like ours is not normal; in many ways, this is the end of the world."

    Song Song glanced behind her. As far as her eyes could see, there was only the ocean. How far had they traveled to reach this place? They had been flying for no more than two days, yet somehow, they had reached the world''s edge?

    She recalled one of Liu Feng''s many rants, where he had said the world was round. He had mentioned something about "gramity"��or granite, or whatever it was called��that kept people from falling off the supposedly spherical world.

    Clearly, he had been wrong.

    Even Song Song was surprised. How could they have reached the edge of the world so quickly?

    "What you see before you is the barrier that separates the continents," her father explained. "It was erected by an immortal thousands of years ago. The barrier is no simple thing. No one knows how to pass through it, and as far as I know, our array conjurers are no closer to solving it than they were two thousand years ago. Even the Blazing Sun Sect''s Level 7 array conjurer couldn''t detect anything."

    Song Song bet that if Liu Feng were here, he''d figure out what was happening. He always knew the answer to these kinds of things; if he didn''t, he''d find out.

    The next time they met, she would tell him about this.

    "None of this concerns us," her father said, flying to the world''s edge and descending with the water. "Come now, daughter, it''s time for you to learn about your heritage."

    Song Song followed, guiding her flying sword beside him, her mind still trying to grasp how they had reached this so-called end of the world so quickly. They had traveled in a straight line for days, but the Western Continent was vast, seemingly endless, and there had been no reports of disciples finding its end.

    Did her father have something to do with this? Perhaps some kind of teleportation technique?

    Song Song sighed and shook her head. It was pointless to dwell on these things. Her focus needed to be on cultivation and becoming a Core Formation Cultivator as soon as possible.

    Liu Feng''s curiosity might have rubbed off on her, but she wasn''t naturally inclined to such thoughts. There were more important things than how fast they had arrived.

    As they flew alongside the waterfall, Song Song glanced below. All she could see was an endless dark abyss, and there was no sound of water hitting anything beneath.

    He sure loves the sound of his own voice, Song Song thought, recalling how he''d often launched into long-winded speeches during her childhood. It seemed he hadn''t changed.

    "Can we get to where I can cultivate?" she asked impatiently.

    "Patience was never your strength, and that hasn''t changed," her father remarked, his cold gaze making her spine tingle, even though she knew he wouldn''t harm her. "You should learn your family''s history. After all, you''ll be using these ancient grounds for your training."

    "Why would I care about the history of a clan I''m going to destroy?" Song Song asked, as casually as if she were commenting on the weather.

    Their eyes met, and neither of them backed down. The air between them crackled with tension. In the end, her father nodded slightly.

    "Yes, that makes sense. Just make sure you become an immortal so the bloodline continues forever," he said. "If you achieve immortality, I will help you destroy the Song Clan."

    "Why would I need your help if I''m an immortal?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

    "Because I can easily recall all the family members out on missions. When eliminating a clan, it''s best to leave no one behind. You wouldn''t want some elder to rebuild the clan."

    He moved to the wall and tapped a specific pattern on the rocky surface, causing a secret door to slide open. Song Song wasn''t surprised by her father''s cold indifference.

    "How many secret doors does this place have?" Song Song asked.

    "More than you can imagine," her father replied, gesturing toward the newly revealed entrance. "Inside, the Qi is denser than usual, so your cultivation will progress faster. You''ll also find some pills. Since you''re not fond of explanations, I''ll just say this: start with the pills that release the least Qi if you don''t want to cripple your cultivation."

    He wasn''t finished, though. A blue-covered book materialized in his hands, and he tossed it to her.

    Song Song caught it. The book was as thick as her forearm and heavier than it looked.

    She groaned. "I think your spies have misinformed you��I''m not the one who enjoys reading in my group."

    "I know. But it would be a shame for the clan''s rituals to vanish if you destroy the clan," he said. "This book will teach you a new language��the one in which the demonic ritual texts are written. It''s the only way to obtain the inheritance of the Blood Step Immortal."

    Song Song wasn''t the type to be excited about reading, but the mention of an immortal''s inheritance piqued her interest.

    She opened the blue-covered book, but the writing inside was a strange language she couldn''t decipher. However, it seemed to be an alphabet of some sort, and the letters were translated. Song Song already knew the basics, but this was going to be a pain to learn.

    As she stared at the letters, she frowned.

    Had she seen this writing before? It resembled something from her past...

    Ah, yes. That one time, she had swiped Liu Feng''s notebook when they first met. The strange language he used to write in his notebooks.

    Wait, why would Liu Feng know how to write in this language?

 Chapter 196: Freedom!!

    Chapter 196: Freedom!!

    In a desolate and uncharted region of the Western Continent, deep within one of its untamed jungles, lay a cave shrouded in moss and dampness. The humid air clung heavily, and the ancient stones seemed to exhale with the weight of centuries. Tonight, the full moon hung brighter than ever, casting its silver glow across the jungle unimpeded by even the faintest cloud. Its radiance pierced the dense canopy, bathing the cave entrance in a pale, otherworldly light.

    Inside the cave, a young woman sat alone. Her skin, once smooth and unblemished, now bore the scars of battle, the most jarring being the hollow void where her left eye had once been. The empty socket was a stark, haunting contrast to the rest of her face. The faint moonlight highlighted her features, deepening the shadows around her body. At the same time, her remaining eye gleamed with a quiet, determined resolve.

    Four stars...

    Five stars...

    Six stars...

    Ye An could feel her cultivation surging as the moon''s light reached her, even in the cave''s depths. The cold Yin energy permeating the cave seeped into her. Still, the Yang energy within her swiftly consumed the Yin, transforming it into nourishment.

    It had been over a week since she had consumed the Yang fruit, yet the searing Yang energy within her had barely diminished. Anyone else would have endured immense pain, struggling to prevent their body from being torn apart by the rampant energy. But for Ye An, it was like bathing in cool spring water on a hot day, the sensation soothing and pleasurable.

    The process was nearly enjoyable, except for the occasional hunger and thirst pangs from not having eaten for days. But these were minor distractions compared to the intoxicating sensation of power coursing through her.

    As she gradually acclimated to the raging energy, Ye An opened her lone eye wider and exhaled in relief. Unlike her usual cold breath, this one came out in a steamy rush, so hot it nearly scorched her lips.

    Rising to her feet, she reached for a white medical eye patch and carefully fitted it over her empty socket. Her movements were deliberate, though her trembling fingers betrayed her excitement as she struggled to loop the string over her ear.

    Her gaze drifted to the far corner of the cave, where a mangled, naked corpse lay in a twisted heap. "Corpse" seemed almost too generous a term��it was more like a grotesque pile of mutilated flesh. The limbs had been savagely ripped from the torso, lying in scattered pieces, and the decapitated head rested ominously at her feet. A gaping, ragged hole in the chest where the heart once beat was now teeming with writhing maggots, their pale bodies squirming as they feasted on rotten flesh.

    The cave reeked of death and decay.

    She crouched down, her fingers tangling in the severed head''s matted, crimson-stained hair. With a casual flick of her wrist, she rolled the head in her hand like it was nothing more than a ball. The face was barely human now��a grotesque, mutilated mask. The eyes had been gouged out, leaving hollow, bloodied sockets, and the teeth were jagged, most of them torn away from the gums. The tongue, too, had been severed, leaving only a ragged stump behind.

    Ye An sent the head hurtling through the air with a swift, brutal kick. It struck the cave wall with a sickening crunch, exploding in a burst of blood and decayed tissue. The red smear oozed down the wall, mingling with the putrid remains of the brains and flesh, like a rotten fruit smashed to pieces.

    It was a shame, Ye An mused, that despite all the butchering she had done to Hu Jin��s corpse, most of the injuries had been inflicted after his death. She had vented all her pent-up frustrations on his corpse. However, she��d taken care to inflict as much pain as possible during the surprisingly long half-hour he remained alive.

    His vitality had been unnaturally strong, and she could only hope he had been conscious through the worst of it. Perhaps he survived so long due to the Yang Fruit he had stolen from her. That would be a nice revenge.

    In the past, the mere thought of Hu Jin taking the Yang Fruit from her would have ignited her fury. But now, after desecrating his corpse, she felt only calm��almost a fondness toward the situation.

    Was it because she had ultimately consumed the Yang Fruit, or simply that the target of her rage was dead? Ye An couldn��t say, but the relief she felt was undeniable, like a bird freed from its cage.

    With a casual swipe of her hand, the remaining pieces of the corpse froze instantly. Then, with a clenched fist, she reduced the frozen body to fine snow mixed with crimson and shards of bone. Even his clothes were torn to shreds.

    Curiously, amid the destruction, the only thing left behind was a bronze coin. It looked so dull and worn that it could have been mistaken for a mere rock at first glance.

    With autumn slowly creeping in, the once vibrant, lush forests outside the Sect had begun to lose their vitality. The leaves, tinged with the first signs of decay, no longer danced as freely in the wind. A faint chill clung to the air, and the season��s dampness seeped into the earth, turning the once solid paths into slick, muddy trails. Each step squelched underfoot. The world had grown quieter as if nature itself was preparing for the long sleep ahead.

    As I walked, I couldn��t help but compare the Blazing Sun Sect to Goldwatch City. Sure, the Sect didn��t need roads much��most cultivators came and went on flying swords. But it was hard to ignore that Goldwatch City had better infrastructure for travelers and clearly a larger budget to splurge on such luxuries.

    When I left the Sect, I chose to forgo using a flying sword once I was out of sight. Flying swords were far too conspicuous, and anyone who spotted me could easily report which direction I had gone.

    Of course, the big-ass jade platform with Speedy on it was also quite the spectacle. Still, I was sticking to the uninhabited parts of the forest. For now, Speedy would have to stay behind. My footprints could blend in with the many outer disciples traveling in and out of the Sect on missions, but Speedy��s giant prints were a different story. Even with the rain and mud, those tracks would take a while to disappear.

    For a moment, I considered leaving Speedy temporarily in the forest and visiting Greengrass Town, which was close to the Blazing Sun Sect. Maybe I could meet up with Mao Zhi, an old friend of mine and a guard there. But I quickly dismissed the thought. It would only expose him to any assassins Song Song��s granny might have sent after me.

    Despite the less-than-ideal situation, I felt oddly okay with it. For the first time, I was truly free to do as I pleased. I had plenty of books stored in my ring, enough to last me months.

    I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the crisp morning air.

    The question of the day was: where should I go first? Obviously, I wasn��t planning to visit most of the places I had mentioned to the Sect as excuses. For instance, if I didn��t use a flying sword, visiting my fiance?e would take around six months.

    I didn��t hate Fu Yating, but... it wasn��t like I was madly in love with her either. Aside from the fact that she was a schemer, I hardly knew her at all.

    After mulling it over, I still couldn��t decide on a specific destination, so I shrugged.

    Whatever. I��d just pick a direction and see where the road led me. There were plenty of places to explore��the Flaming Sea, Haunted Forest, Sleeping Dragon Mountains, and many more!

    With excitement bubbling in my chest, I walked along, humming the tune to Jingle Bells.

    .

    .

    .

    .

    .

    .

    End of Book 3

 Chapter 197: A Scarred Neck

    Chapter 197: A Scarred Neck

    Three months had passed, each day seeming to drag on longer than the last as autumn fully settled in. The vibrant green trees that once lined the path at the start of the journey had long since shed their leaves, leaving behind bare branches that swayed mournfully in the wind. The golden remnants of their former glory now lay scattered across the muddy ground, slowly sinking into the soft earth.

    I sat atop Speedy''s back as he trudged through the untamed forest. Throughout this journey, I advanced to a three-star Qi Gathering Cultivator. A one-star increase was a pleasant surprise, happening faster than anticipated.

    Although I had a general sense of where we were, I hadn''t followed the conventional roads or paths. I sought the strange and the unknown, which tended to lurk in the wilderness. The last three villages we passed still recognized cultivators and knew of nearby sects, but I hadn''t seen a village in almost a month. I was wondering if we''d come across any human settlements anytime soon. Still, there was a silver lining: the chances of anyone tracking me were slim to none. Even Speedy''s tracks��he had only started walking about a month and a half into our journey��were easily lost in the constant autumn rains that turned the ground to mud.

    If someone could somehow follow our trail through all that mud, they certainly wouldn''t be using flying swords, as no shortcuts existed. They''d genuinely deserve to find me if they traced me through over a month''s messy trails mixed with those of countless others.

    As my mind wandered, the midday sun hung ideally above, an ideal reading light. I was just about to pull out a book when I spotted something through the tree canopy: a wooden roof atop a mud-brick cottage.

    "Well, would you look at that? Signs of civilization again? I could''ve sworn we were walking through untouched lands," I said.

    Speedy grunted, withdrawing his head into his shell before popping back out to bite one of the trees.

    "Frustrated, big guy?" I smiled, patting his head softly. "I get it. Maybe you wanted to roam a little longer on your own. I was hoping we''d stumble across some ancient ruins myself, but wishes don''t always come true."

    As we moved closer, the forest canopy opened up, revealing muddy roads that led to a village. Children played in knee-deep water near a stream, trying to catch river crabs.

    The place seemed a bit primitive, even for this world. A few dozen huts were clustered around the stream, and barren fields stretched out in the distance��autumn having left them fallow. Each house had its own outhouse.

    The animals, however, were anything but ordinary. Four-horned goats, blue pigs, and purple chickens roamed about. These creatures would have looked bizarre in my old world, but they were perfectly normal here. Apparently, the color of a pig even affected the taste of its bacon, though I hadn''t had the chance to try it yet.

    As I approached, conversations died. Children stopped playing, and the women by the stream halted their washing. Wide-eyed, the villagers stared or hurried back into their huts, pretending they hadn''t seen me.

    At least the villagers seemed relatively normal, and despite the small size of the settlement, there were no apparent signs of inbreeding. That suggested there were other villages nearby where they could intermarry.

    Then again, I hadn''t precisely researched inbreeding in this world. Many cultivators married their cousins, often due to political alliances or to keep family techniques from spreading outside. As far as I knew, there wasn''t a scandal about children born with extra fingers or webbed hands from such unions. Perhaps one of the perks of being a cultivator was resistance to the usual effects of inbreeding. Though, that didn''t really make sense when I thought about it.

    People are usually good at hiding these things. Maybe those babies were abandoned��or, in the more ruthless cases, quietly smothered in their cradles.

    But now wasn''t the time to dwell on thoughts of incest. The people here looked normal enough, if a bit thin, and they were dressed in old, rough leather garments typical of the poor in medieval society.

    As I approached, more villagers gathered, their eyes fixed on me, and their expressions grew tense when they caught sight of Speedy.

    "Lord Deity!" came a raspy voice from the crowd. An elderly man hobbled out, leaning heavily on a cane, with only a few wisps of hair clinging to his head. "It is an honor for us mere mortals to have someone as grand as yourself grace us with your presence."

    He was quite the bootlicker, even managing to appear sincere, which explained how he''d survived to such an old age. He certainly had a way with words. Unfortunately for him, he was barking up the wrong tree.

    Whenever someone addressed me as ''honorable lord cultivator'' or ''young master,'' I cringed inwardly.

    From the relieved looks on some of the villagers'' faces, it was clear this man held a position of authority��likely the village elder.

    The old man came closer, his breath labored, hands trembling as he bowed deeply. "Our village welcomes the outer deity."

    Deity? It seemed I''d wandered far off the beaten path. They thought I was some kind of god riding in on a giant turtle.

    The elder still looked hesitant, but after a moment, he nodded, though doubt lingered in his expression. "We have no temple nearby, but there is a remote one where rumors say the goddess lives."

    His gaze shifted, and he called out, "Lie Xiong, come forward and escort the deity to the temple. You are the most devoted among us and the best interpreter of the goddess''s will."

    A tall, tan-skinned man stepped forward from the back of the crowd. He had a rope burn scar around his neck and wore a rough robe with a bear pelt wrapped around his waist. A bear''s head had been fashioned into a crude helmet, and he carried a bow slung over his shoulder with a large knife at his hip.

    A hanging scar? That was unusual. In most regions, death sentences were carried out by decapitation, though punishments varied depending on the area. I hadn''t researched this much, but hanging seemed rare in this world.

    "Nice to meet you," I said with a wave and a smile.

    "Lie Xiong is the best hunter in the village," the elder said. "He once killed a bear with nothing but a knife. The villagers say he is blessed by the goddess."

    I jumped down from Speedy''s back, landing in the mud without dirtying my clothes. I then covered my boots in Qi to keep the mud off.

    Despite his fierce appearance, the hunter gave me a friendly smile and bowed his head. "I''ll do my best to escort you to the shrine."

    "I appreciate it," I said, returning his bow respectfully.

    These people saw me as a god, but I didn''t need to feed my ego. Besides, despite spending so much time around Song Song, I hadn''t lost my manners.

    "Can my friend stay in the village while we go?" I asked, gesturing to Speedy. "He''s a bit slow; if the shrine is far, it would take us forever. Don''t worry��he''s tame and will just sleep here. You can continue your work as usual."

    Speedy was slow, but only compared to other monstrous beasts. If he wanted to, he could move as fast as a horse. Still, the villagers looked uneasy about having a monstrous beast among them.

    "He''ll protect the village while I''m away," I added, patting Speedy''s shell. "Just in case. If anything happens to you while I''m gone, even if it''s not my fault, suspicion might fall on me. I don''t like leaving things to chance."

    That put them in a more agreeable mood. They were still wary of Speedy, but their blind faith in their goddess helped quell their fears. At least it should; even if they wanted to do something, none could pierce Speedy''s defense.

    "Follow me," said the hunter.

    I did as instructed, and we walked along the outskirts of the village. Soon enough, we were back in the forest. Even here, the trees were bare, and the ground muddy. I used less Qi on my boots as the mud hardened beneath my feet.

    I noticed the hunter moved almost silently despite being a mortal. His steps on the fallen leaves and muddy ground barely made a sound. Now that I was closer, I could see the scars on his right hand, specifically his index and middle fingers��likely from years of drawing a bow. He was a bowman, not a fist-fighter, and the knife at his side was probably for skinning animals, not combat.

    Aside from the rope scar around his neck, he seemed like an average hunter. The village had no gallows, so where had it come from?

    Suicide? Maybe. But his wrists had no scars, and he didn''t seem like the type. Then again, people don''t always show their true selves. Besides, there were easier ways to take one''s life than hanging.

    After a few minutes of silence, we were far from the village, surrounded by leafless trees. The air felt colder, and the forest quieter.

    "You must be a cultivator," the hunter said, smiling as he glanced back at me.

    Well, my suspicions just grew. It seemed my new "friend" knew more about the world than the rest of his village let on.

 Chapter 198: A Hunter’s Dream

    Chapter 198: A Hunter��s Dream

    I raised an eyebrow, questioning, "You know something?"

    The hunter nodded. "Yes, I know our goddess is a cultivator, like you. I hope you don''t hold it against the village��they know nothing about it."

    "If I held a grudge over every little thing, I''d never get the chance to enjoy life," I joked. "Besides, I hope you won''t hold it against me for taking the title of ''god'' so easily. It seemed like too much of a hassle to explain what a cultivator is."

    The hunter chuckled. "Yes, I understand how frustrating that can be. I was like them once."

    "Rea;;y? How do you know about this? You don''t seem like an outsider here," I said.

    "True," the hunter nodded. "But Wei Xian taught me many things."

    There was silence for about a couple of minutes as we moved through the forest, with his eyes wandering around; he was cautious about beasts despite having me around.

    "She even saved my life once when I wandered into a bear''s territory for food during a harsh winter. I was badly injured, and she nursed me back to health. I owe her everything, though I fear I''ll never be able to repay the debt in this lifetime," he said.

    The hunter sighed, regret evident in his expression, but his gaze was firm, filled with unwavering loyalty. It was apparent no one could ever convince him to betray her.

    "So, I take it Wei Xian is the ''goddess'' everyone keeps mentioning?" I asked. He nodded, and I continued, "Are there any Sects around here?"

    The hunter narrowed his eyes, staring north, and nodded again. "I don''t know exactly where, but Wei Xian once told me there''s something called the Silent Harvest Sect nearby."

    We walked past trees and vaulted over a fallen trunk. The ground was getting steeper, taking on the ruggedness of mountain terrain.

    "Oh?" I glanced at the hunter, noticing his discomfort. "Anything special about this Sect?"

    "I''m not sure," the hunter admitted. "But Wei Xian always gets angry when she hears that they desecrate graves."

    Stealing corpses? That was rare. It had to be some kind of necromancy technique; after all, mortal corpses had no Qi to use for alchemy. Sure, some obscure recipes might require bodies, but it seemed unlikely. Live humans made better ingredients for that kind of thing.

    No wonder they lived on the outskirts.

    The fact they collected corpses told me a lot. There was a good chance this was a minor Sect, and their leader was probably a Foundation Establishment Cultivator��if that.

    Corpses didn''t make good cultivators. They couldn''t gather Qi independently and would need to be fed spirit stones to recover their energy. That was an expensive and wasteful process. Every battle would cost them Qi, leaving the Sect constantly in deficit. Plus, this region wasn''t overflowing with resources.

    If necromancy were practical, one of the four major Sects would have already adopted it. But in this world, swords and fists held more sway than necromancy. Power dictated everything, and if necromancy were truly powerful, people would be using it��justifying it with whatever excuses they could muster.

    We trekked through the dead forest for hours until we reached a mountain that jutted from the earth like a sword. Most mountains had trails or paths for climbing, but this one looked like it had been carved smooth��there was no easy way up.

    No wonder the elder said few villagers visited the temple if they had to pass through all this.

    "Just follow my lead," the hunter said, spitting on his hands and rubbing them together, preparing to climb.

    But before he could touch the rock, I grabbed the back of his rough shirt, unsheathed my sword, and without a word, I leaped into the air, pulling him along as I flew upward.

    "Oh, damn!" The hunter panicked, instinctively reaching to grab something. He first almost grabbed my sword but quickly realized that would be a terrible idea. Instead, he tried to grab my arm, the one holding him.

    "So, you''re just squatting in some random temple?"

    "The villagers don''t come up here. They''ve never even seen the inside. They think it''s made of gleaming yellow metal and strange, shiny stones."

    As he spoke, I sensed a shift in the air near the temple''s entrance. Someone was here, and their Qi felt strange��yet unmistakably that of a cultivator.

    I didn''t turn around, pretending I hadn''t noticed her. This would be the perfect moment to strike if she had malicious intentions.

    But instead of attacking, the newcomer did something strange. She approached cautiously and stopped ten steps away. Clearly, she didn''t want to be noticed, but she wasn''t doing a great job of it.

    "I never expected anyone but Lie Xiong to come up here," said the woman.

    Did she really do all this for dramatic effect? When she was sneaking up without saying a word, I thought she would attack! A few more steps, and I might have responded with lethal force. Was being called a goddess making her reckless?

    Maybe she hadn''t had much experience with other cultivators. Still, that was no excuse��her survival instincts were lacking.

    I turned around, and what greeted me was a cute woman with silky dark hair and warm brown eyes. She wasn''t striking enough to be called a goddess, but her friendly, girl-next-door smile was the kind that would automatically make people like her��especially men, who''d no doubt develop crushes on her.

    But her appearance wasn''t what caught my attention. It was her Qi.

    I had sensed it before, but now that I looked closely, her Qi network was a mess.

    Typically, cultivators who sense Qi gradually draw the energy into their bodies after training them to handle it. This process, known as Body Tempering, is essential since Qi is volatile. Spiritual roots help cleanse it, but it was still destructive without proper conditioning. Once the body adjusts to Qi, a cultivator can use it for various wondrous effects: reinforcing the body, using techniques, and extending their lifespan.

    This was the standard method practiced by every major and minor Sect. But there are other ways to cultivate.

    Take the woman in front of me��the so-called goddess. She didn''t look like she had trained her body a day in her life. Outwardly, she appeared young, but the subtle turbulation in her jaw as she moved made it clear she was using some kind of illusion.

    Instead of following the proper steps, she skipped Body Tempering and tried to gather Qi directly, which meant she must have an unusually high number of spiritual branches to even attempt it. If she''d been trained in a major Sect, she might have reached Core Formation by now.

    However, after likely burning herself with Qi by forcing it into her untrained body, she resorted to filtering the energy and keeping it outside her body, like a second skin. Her external attacks were probably more potent than most cultivators at her level, but her physical body hadn''t improved, nor had her lifespan increased.

    In short, she was a glass cannon cultivator.

    There was a good chance she devised this cultivation method on her own, which showed she had crazy talent. Perhaps this was how cultivation itself had started, with exceptionally gifted people just experimenting.

    Still, she''d never reach Foundation Establishment. She would need to gather all her Qi inside her and form a pillar to advance. She simply couldn''t do that with her current method.

    To place her in standard terms, she was a nine-star Qi Gathering Cultivator. Her attacks could probably harm a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Still, I could easily counter them with a barrier and take her down in a fight.

    "Eh, a lady can get embarrassed if you keep staring at her like that," said the self-proclaimed goddess.

    "Sorry, I got distracted. I''ve never seen beauty like yours," I replied.

    It might have sounded insincere, but her cultivation method really was fascinating. In a way, she was an exotic beauty in my eyes.

 Chapter 199: Unspoken Secrets

    Chapter 199: Unspoken Secrets

    The false goddess, Wei Xian, chuckled. "You''re handsome yourself. But sadly, you''re not my type."

    Her playful and flirtatious laugh escaped her lips, but her eyes remained distant. The flirtatious tone in her voice seemed more like a well-rehearsed performance than genuine affection. She tossed her hair back in a practiced motion, but the usual warmth that might accompany such a gesture was missing. Even her perfectly placed smile felt thin like her heart wasn''t in it.

    Despite her teasing words, she obviously had no genuine interest in me.

    "That''s for the best," I nodded. "I have a fiance?e. Despite any fleeting distractions, I keep my vows."

    I wasn''t about to mention that what made her attractive wasn''t her emotional or physical beauty. No matter how I spun those words, they would still come off as an insult.

    She tilted her head slightly, her fake smile dimming. "What brings you here? I can''t imagine someone like you wandering into a place like this."

    "Curiosity, mostly," I replied, keeping my tone casual. There was no need to lie about something so trivial, and I was trying to gauge her reaction.

    "What else does that��''mostly''��imply?" she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.

    "There''s been some trouble back home, so I needed to get away," I shrugged.

    "Is that trouble going to follow you?" she pressed.

    "No," I said, though the truth was more like ''unlikely.'' But no one wanted to hear uncertain answers. Though I constantly ran real calculations in my head, no one liked facing the uncertainty of reality. For all I knew, the sky could fall on us at any moment.

    She nodded, taking my answer at face value. Whether she believed me or not was impossible to tell.

    With a sigh, Wei Xian wandered to the corner of the temple and sat in an old, shadowed chair. Despite its age and the dust coating the rest of the place, it was the only clean spot in the temple.

    Judging by the neglect around us, I doubted she lived here. This was likely just a meeting place for those she didn''t trust.

    Before she finally spoke, Wei Xian''s eyes lingered on me, studying me. "Your Qi is strange. Are you sure you''re not killing yourself by using it like that?"

    I''d read tomes warning that absorbing Qi before the body was ready could be painful. But once your body was strong enough, the Qi would flow seamlessly.

    What struck me most was that she could sense my Qi. By all rights, she shouldn''t have enough Qi within herself to see someone else''s, and yet she could somehow feel it.

    Qi sensing worked like a sixth sense, akin to radar or echolocation. But she managed it without the Qi to support such an ability.

    Perhaps the change in every cultivator when they sensed Qi was more profound than I realized.

    "You''ve got good senses," I said carefully, unwilling to reveal my hand so easily. "You must be able to sense Qi from quite a distance."

    A part of me itched to interrogate her, to unravel how she cultivated in this way. But I still had my manners, and sanity won out. I wasn''t about to strap someone to an experiment table just to satisfy my curiosity.

    "Really now?"

    I nodded. "Yes, I''m curious if you can sense Qi further than I can."

    She smiled, and this time, the smile reached her eyes. "Only a boring woman reveals all her secrets at a first meeting. Passion fades without a little mystery."

    Did she not understand what I hinted at by saying ''sensing''? It hinted that I sensed what she had initially done and broke her rhythm by making her embarrassed. But perhaps I had been spending too much time around old foxes who could see underneath pleasant words.

    ��Do you know who leads the Silent Harvest Sect?�� I asked, cutting into her thoughts before she could recover.

    ��Yes,�� she replied quickly, almost too quickly. ��His name is Jing Shi. But why do you want to know that?��

    I walked up the stone stairs leading to the statue platform and sat on one of the steps. Dust swirled in the air, catching the dim light filtering through the cracks in the temple walls.

    Leaning my elbow on my knee, I smiled. ��What��s their cultivation technique like? I wonder if it��s similar to yours.��

    ��Well, you don��t need to wonder anymore,�� she said, her voice regaining its confidence. ��The Silent Harvest Sect cultivates by feeding their corpses Qi as they gather it. They also feed the corpses strange stones infused with Qi.��

    ��Hm?�� I raised an eyebrow, surprised.

    Cultivators who fed their gathered Qi to corpses that couldn��t even regenerate Qi on their own? That was... inefficient. But intriguing.

    This wasn��t something any sensible sect would do in the usual cultivator world. The process seemed like an enormous waste of resources.

    Still, I couldn��t deny the curiosity stirring within me. Seeing the results of such a method would be worth it.

    ��And where can I find the Silent Harvest Sect?�� I asked, my interest growing.

    This journey was starting to pay off for the first time since I began my travels. Who knew what other strange practices waited to be discovered in this remote place? The thought of it made my pulse quicken. This was like stepping into a new world full of cultivators with bizarre techniques. Who knew what other mysteries lay ahead?

    ...

    After that, we continued to converse, both of us carefully dodging any revelations that might give away too much about ourselves. Speaking in such veiled terms was tiresome, but by the end of it, I had a rough idea of where the Silent Harvest Sect operated. She claimed not to know the exact location, though I couldn''t tell if she was lying.

    With that uncomfortable conversation behind me, I summoned my flying sword. Stepping onto its gleaming surface, I shifted my weight, and the sword lifted smoothly off the ground. I began to descend the mountain.

    As I continued on foot, the forest blurred as I ran, the canopy above becoming a smudge of fading green and brown. Soon, the trees began to change��their naked trunks taking on an unsettling crimson hue as if stained with old, dried blood. The sight made me pause, but I pressed forward.

    By the time the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long, eerie shadows through the trees, I caught sight of a village in the distance. This one was smaller than the last but had a distinct feature: a large, sprawling graveyard just outside its borders. Wooden and stone tombstones jutted from the earth, many so ancient that moss and grass had overtaken them, merging with the ground in quiet, forgotten decay.

    In stark contrast to the ancient graveyard, the village''s buildings were made from the same crimson wood as the surrounding trees. Though the structures themselves were modest, the blood-red hue of the wood gave the entire village a sinister, foreboding atmosphere. Each house seemed bathed in an eerie light, making the place feel more like a haunted outpost than a home.

    Wei Xian, the false goddess, had mentioned that this village used to be larger. It had been abandoned after a monstrous beast attack. Most villagers had migrated, and even now, they left whenever winter approached.

    I leaned against one of the trees far from the graveyard, hidden in the shadows. It would be difficult for anyone to spot me in the dark, but with my enhanced sight, I could easily watch the graveyard from a distance.

    Even in this situation, I didn''t waste time. The Qi inside me began to spin as my spiritual roots absorbed and refined it. Waiting idly would have been a waste.

    ...

    Night fell, the sky draped in a starry dark cloak. My spiritual roots began to strain from the constant refinement. Usually, I would have pushed through a bit longer, but it was better to stay in peak form with a potential fight looming.

    Finally, I saw movement near the graveyard��a man sneaking through the shadows of the trees, approaching the tombstones with careful, deliberate steps.

    So far, everything Wei Xian had told me was accurate.

 Chapter 200: A Coffin On The Back

    Cloaked in the darkness of night, the figure approaching the graveyard cast an unusual silhouette. He wore a finely tailored dark gray robe, its fabric catching the faintest glimmer of moonlight. His pristine white gloves seemed oddly out of place for someone engaged in such macabre work.

    For a grave robber, he looked almost refined��too polished for the task at hand. Yet, the large, square coffin strapped to his back, nearly as big as he was, revealed his true nature. It was a telltale mark of the Silent Harvest Sect, or at least, the false goddess had said so.

    I was suppressing my Qi but couldn��t hide my presence completely. Still, the grave robber either wasn��t paying attention, was acting like he couldn��t sense it, or had terrible Qi sensing. My money was on the last option. Nonetheless, I remained cautious in case he was pretending.

    The man carefully lowered the coffin beside a freshly made grave, its polished wood gleaming under the pale moonlight. A loud, drawn-out creak sliced through the quiet night when he unlatched the lid, causing him to wince. His head snapped up, and his eyes scanned the darkness with tense urgency.

    After a long, silent moment, he let out a sigh of relief. His shoulders relaxed slightly, and he returned to his task. The eerie stillness of the graveyard was once again his only companion.

    He reached into the coffin and pulled out a shovel, its metal glinting under the moon��s light. He began digging into the soft soil with practiced precision, each scoop adding rhythmically to the growing pile. I stood silently, watching as he worked, completely unaware of my presence.

    Gradually, I loosened my hold on my Qi, letting it ripple into the night like a rising tide. At first, it was subtle, barely noticeable to anyone but the most attuned, like Song Song. But as I released more, the air thickened with it, my presence unmistakable even to the most untrained senses.

    Then, I unleashed a sharp pulse of Qi, a brief but powerful flare that no Cultivator could ignore. It radiated out into the night like a beacon. Yet, to my surprise, the grave robber remained unfazed. He continued shoveling, his movements steady and unhurried, showing no sign of noticing the energy saturating the air around him.

    I frowned. Either the guy was a great actor or a terrible cultivator. By this point, the odds of him pretending seemed slim.

    I stepped out from behind the tree, moving deliberately and silently, my eyes never leaving him. Still, he remained focused on his task, oblivious to my presence. Time passed, and beads of sweat formed on his brow. His once-clean gloves were now caked with dirt, and frustration began to creep into his posture. Wiping his forehead with the back of his hand, he muttered curses under his breath.

    "Fuck, did they have to bury her so deep?"

    I remained still, patiently waiting in the shadow of the night, letting him tire himself out further. His irritation grew with each heaving shovel of dirt thrown aside with increasing force.

    As the mound of soil beside the grave swelled, I moved closer, closing the distance in silence until I was just five steps behind him. From this vantage point, I could see him more clearly. His dark, well-tailored robe clung to a lean frame, and under the pale moonlight, his features became distinct. He appeared middle-aged, his face lined with subtle traces of experience, though his movements remained sharp and deliberate. Graying hair peeked from beneath the black dye he used on his head.

    I wasn''t always confident in judging a cultivator''s age��some aged slowly, after all��but as I spread my senses, I detected barely any Qi in his body. His physical condition matched that of a middle-aged laborer, someone who had spent a lifetime in hard, manual work. His body was riddled with minor spinal injuries��it seemed that long nights of digging weren''t kind to the back.

    I casually placed my hand on his sweaty head. His body jerked in surprise, but by then it was too late. His muscles tensed beneath my grip in a futile reaction; any plan he had quickly rendered useless.

    I used my Qi to dampen the mental signals he was sending out. Given how little Qi he possessed, there was no resistance. His physical exhaustion only added to the mental toll, and he succumbed without a fight. In hindsight, this might have been an overly cautious move on my part.

    Despite my limited mastery over the Sky Grade Technique, Eight Mind Phantoms, I had improved over the past three months on the road. Though amateurish at best, I had refined the technique to the point where I could disrupt the mental signals a conscious mind naturally sends by touching someone''s head. It placed the victim in a dazed, almost hypnotic state. For now, it was relatively easy to resist using Qi��I had to be cautious about who I used it.

    I wasn''t yet at the level where I could trap someone within their own mind, but I''d tested it on animals along the way, and it seemed to work just as well on humans. Hopefully, he wouldn''t end up brain-dead.

    Now that I was closer, I had a clearer view of the coffin he had left open.

    Inside lay a corpse, its skin pale and stretched tight over the bones, a macabre contrast to the almost serene expression on its face. The body''s eyes were closed, and its hands were folded across its chest in a traditional burial pose. However, it was difficult to discern whether the body had once belonged to a man or a woman. The head was entirely bald, and time had ravaged much of the corpse, leaving it shrunken and decayed, with the appearance of a withered, almost zombified figure.

    It also reeked of decomposing death. Which left a gross taste on the back of my throat.

    I could sense some lingering Qi in the corpse, though it was far less than expected. Had the grave robber been in a recent fight, expending all the Qi he had stored in the cadaver?

    ��Do you belong to the Silent Harvest Sect?�� I asked, crouching next to the coffin as I inspected the corpse. Even the Qi couldn��t stop the decay from setting in.

    ��Yes, I joined the Silent Harvest Sect when I was six. My mother abandoned me after I was born, the result of a bandit��s rape,�� he replied, his words slightly mumbled but still understandable. ��My master saw potential in me, and I joined the Sect. Even the Sect Leader took an interest, treating and training me like I was his own son.��

    He continued talking in his dazed state, revealing more of his life story. It had started tragically, but things turned out relatively okay for him. Apparently, he was here on behalf of his disciple, procuring a corpse for her.

    Sighing, I wrapped my arms around the man''s neck in a chokehold and began counting. His physique had been rather average, so a chokehold should work just as well on him as anyone else.

    After about ten seconds, his body went limp. I held him for another five seconds, just to be sure, then gently let him go.

    Laying him down next to the grave, I used the Dancing Jade Armor technique to create a translucent green wall, pushing the earth he had dug back into the grave.

    Next, I used the jade armor to form two large arms, lifting the coffin, the shovel, and the man''s unconscious body. I carried them into the forest and gently laid him down beside the closed coffin and shovel.

    "Sorry, but I need you to stay unconscious for a bit," I murmured.

    I pulled out a black robe from my storage ring and put it on. I tousled my hair and hunched my back, suppressing the natural Qi that emanated from my body.

    With five hundred members, I doubted the Silent Harvest Sect kept a detailed registry. Sometimes, disciples just appeared.

    I moved through the valley, heading east as the grave robber had directed me, and soon enough, I came upon the abandoned village. The sturdier and more well-built stone houses than those in the previous villages I''d passed stood in eerie silence.

    It didn''t take long to notice the signs of destruction. A beast wave had clearly torn through the area. Deep claw marks marred the stone walls, gouging out large chunks and leaving jagged scars as evidence of the chaos. The remnants of the village were hauntingly still, save for the occasional scurrying of mice darting between broken stones and debris. The air hung thick with the weight of something left behind as if the village''s final moments still lingered.

    The strangest thing about the village wasn��t the claw marks or the dilapidated stone houses��it was the eerie absence of corpses.

    As I walked through the deserted streets, there wasn��t a single bone, no trace of the villagers who should have perished in the destruction. The village had clearly been ravaged, and it stood to reason that lives had been lost. Yet, the complete lack of bodies was unnerving. Monstrous beasts wouldn��t have gone to such lengths to destroy the place without humans to hunt. Without prey, they wouldn��t have bothered leaving violent scars on the stone or tearing through the village recklessly.

    Something��or someone��had taken great care to remove all bodies after the devastation.

    Despite the destruction, I continued down the stony streets, noting how well-preserved they were. As I reached the southernmost part of the village, one particular house stood out. By the entrance was a statue, partially hidden in the shadow of the crumbling structure.

    The statue depicted a goddess, her naked body cloaked only by a drape over her head, concealing her face in shadow. Her pose exuded grace, though time had not been kind to her. The stone had eroded, smoothing out what must have once been intricate carvings. Most of the finer details had been lost to the elements, leaving behind a haunting, faceless figure. Something about her felt out of place.

    I stepped inside the house, and immediately the air grew heavier. The interior was a stark contrast to the weathered exterior. The walls were adorned with carvings, each one depicting voluptuous men and women locked in intimate, obscene acts. The artistry was crude but deliberate as if the creator had sought to immortalize these scenes in all their vulgarity. The atmosphere was thick with an unsettling aura, as though the walls whispered of long-forgotten indulgences and dark desires, their presence inescapable and claustrophobic.

    The many intricately carved dongs on the walls didn��t help ease my discomfort. The detail was so vivid it felt like they might come to life any moment.

    I moved past the grotesque carvings, navigating the narrow hallways, and eventually found myself in the backyard. Oddly, the house��s interior was not covered in cobwebs or dust��it seemed almost well-maintained. The backyard, however, was a different story.

    Nature had reclaimed the space, with weeds and overgrown grass spilling over the stone pathways, creating an untamed jungle of green. In the center of the yard stood a striking statue of a large naked man crouched low as if offering me his hand. The craftsmanship was startlingly meticulous, with every detail��right down to the muscles and private parts��rendered with precision. The statue exuded strength and vulnerability, its posture inviting yet unnerving, especially against the wild backdrop of the wild yard and the meticulously crafted male appendage.

    ��What kind of pervert made this place?�� I muttered under my breath.

    I didn��t linger long. Grabbing the hand of the statue, I twisted it. A soft clicking echoed, and the ground trembled as the sound of grinding stone filled the yard.

    A square, car-sized opening appeared beside the statue, revealing a dark staircase descending into the earth.

    The Silent Harvest Sect... I sighed.

    The things I do for knowledge...

    With that, I stepped onto the darkened stairs.

 Chapter 201: Down The Stairs

    I stood at the top of the dark stairway, an eerie silence hanging in the air, broken only by the steady sound of my footsteps as I descended. With each step, the faint but unmistakable sound of gears shifting echoed around me, barely audible yet persistent, like an invisible clock ticking. Soon enough, my steps began syncing with the rhythmic clicking.

    When I was a couple of dozen steps from the entrance, another sound pierced the monotony��the grinding noise of two massive stones rubbing together as the entrance closed behind me.

    I was in complete darkness; the moonlight that had once reflected off the stone was gone. Even with my enhanced vision, I couldn''t see a thing.

    Thankfully, I didn''t stumble; my other senses were enough to "see" what I was doing.

    Despite being underground, there was no dampness in the air��one of the usual signs that accompanied places like this.

    After what felt like an endless descent, I finally reached the bottom of the stairway, stepping into a vast, circular chamber. The room was dimly lit by flickering torches mounted above sixteen identical doors, their wavering light casting long, eerie shadows across the stone floor. Each door was accompanied by a coffin standing beside it, ominous and silent, their dark surfaces worn with age.

    Though my vision had adjusted to the faint light, there was little to distinguish between the doors��each one was nearly identical, their ancient wood and iron fittings blending together in the gloom. The silence in the room was broken only by the crackling of the torches, as if the space itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to stir.

    At least the Silent Harvest Sect lived up to its name.

    Then, the third door from the right creaked open, and a tall, elderly man with long, salt-colored hair stepped through. He wore a dark robe similar to mine, the fabric rustling softly as he moved. His face, lined with age, was unreadable, and he barely acknowledged me, offering only a brief, indifferent glance before walking past.

    Not wanting to appear strange for standing around, I entered and chose a random door��the fifth from the left.

    Beyond the door was a long hallway lit by flickering torches mounted on one side. The distance between them was so great that I would have spent long stretches in darkness if I weren''t a cultivator.

    After a while, I heard voices��some talking, others muttering curses under their breath. I was nearing the end of the hallway.

    The passage abruptly ended with a sharp turn to the left, revealing a massive underground colosseum. The place was bathed in a dim, ethereal light, casting long shadows across the stone floor. There were no spectators here, only individuals practicing their moves.

    Scattered across the ground were coffins��not just resting places but makeshift benches for those taking a break from their training. Some disciples sat casually on the edges of their coffins, leaning back as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

    A handful of them had clasped their hands in prayer-like gestures, attempting to guide the Qi around them into the corpses. To do that without being a Qi Gathering Cultivator took remarkable talent. It was a shame they would likely never become actual cultivators.

    There were corpses scattered across the ground��some appeared freshly buried, still carrying the scent of earth and grass. In contrast, others emitted a foul stench, resembling decaying zombies. The disciples didn''t seem bothered, likely having grown accustomed to the smell.

    Occasionally, one of the corpses twitched as the disciples made minor progress with their techniques, but nothing more.

    It seemed I had wandered into some sort of disciple training zone. Most people here looked young, probably in their late teens or early twenties.

    Well, time to play my part.

    "Damn, this technique is impossible to master," I muttered under my breath as I walked around the arena, observing the others.

    One of the disciples frowned, and after a few laps of me grumbling, he finally spoke up. "Hey, cut it with the negativity. If you''re going to keep acting like that, just leave. You''re demotivating us all."

    "Yeah, yeah," I waved off his complaint. "I''ll go read the technique book again, in case I missed some secret notes or advice for sluggish progress. Anyone want to come with me?"

    "Sure," said a young guy in the corner, the beginnings of a whisker-thin mustache growing on his upper lip. "My friend and I could use a break. We don''t have the stamina to keep drawing in Qi."

    "We''ve been at this all day. It feels like my spiritual roots are about to snap," joked the other guy, who sported the faintest outline of a handlebar beard.

    "At least I''m not the only one struggling with this pain-in-the-ass work," I said as we walked toward the hallway I had just come from. I fell a step behind them, as I had no idea where something like the library might be.

    No wonder the guy at the graveyard was so easy to hypnotize. Even a simple confusion array could mess them up. They had no Qi within their bodies to resist such things. Essentially, they were just normal humans using Qi��the necromancer equivalent of xianxia.

    Despite the crude nature of the technique, one thing was clear: the founder of the Silent Harvest Sect must have been a genius.

    The technique book contained notes about the notebook the Sect founder had found. It seemed he had come across research notes, not an actual technique.

    To develop a way to cultivate based solely on notes... He was both intelligent and incredibly talented in cultivation. If this guy had been raised in the Blazing Sun Sect, there was a good chance he could have become a Nascent Soul cultivator.

    It was a strange thought to consider��the next potential Nascent Soul powerhouse could be out there right now, living as a farmer, their only concern being when the next meal would come. Of course, they would never know about their talent as they had no time to worry about silly things like cultivation.

    "When will we even get to see the original text?" I asked. "I haven''t really been keeping track of dates lately."

    It was a bit of a suspicious question on my part, but the guys didn''t seem to pick up on it. Maybe they''d never had to worry about someone sneaking in here before.

    "Probably during the next beast wave, like always. We''ll be at the end of the list even if we have enough contributions. Might get to borrow it for a week during the summer if we''re lucky," said the whisker mustache guy.

    "Not like your slow, honey-filled brain could comprehend anything in it anyway, Hu Zi," the other guy teased.

    Hu Zi��so that was his name��shrugged.

    I nodded and started heading for the library exit. As I walked, I discreetly stored a few books in my storage ring, all while pulling out a bottle of ink.

    "Hey, where are you going?" Hu Zi asked.

    "I forgot something," I said, continuing to walk away. They didn''t follow, and soon enough, I was back in the empty circular room with all the doors.

    I poured the ink onto the ground, some splashing onto my dark clothes. After emptying the bottle, I returned it to my storage ring, crouched down, and placed my hand on the floor.

    Qi seeped from my hand into the ground as I began a low, whispering chant:

    Let the threads of your mind unravel.

    Clarity dissolves like mist before dawn.

    Lost in the endless void, your purpose fades.

    Confusion now binds you, as all paths become shadows.

    It was a long chant that made me cringe, and I poured as much Qi as possible into the ink, causing it to sizzle. Sparks flickered as the ink began to move on its own, shooting forward like a bullet, guided by pulses of Qi. At the same time, I used my finger like a brush, drawing dark symbols on the ground.

    Confusion Array!

    I winced, feeling almost half of my Qi drain into the array. Usually, the Confusion Array didn''t require so much Qi, but I needed it to be larger, with a much stronger effect. I''d gained some inspiration from the owl.

    Now, it was time to explore. With such little preparation, the array would last no more than an hour.

    The only question was��could anyone in this Sect resist the effects?

 Chapter 202: The Four Armed Temple

    The Confusion Array was a simple tool commonly used in the past to make villagers forget something.

    According to the books, it originated during a time when cultivators preferred to remain hidden from mortal society. Later, it was repurposed to keep pesky wild animals away from camps, though even that use became obsolete as better arrays were developed.

    My array was of the same kind as the Confusion Arrays, though modified to suit my needs. I wasn''t here to make anyone harm themselves or anything extreme. After all, the array couldn''t convince its victims to do something they''d never willingly do.

    I had taken some inspiration from the Owl Man, who once lived on the third floor of the outer library. The effects of my array were subtle but accumulative and would be agreeable to most people here. It wouldn''t try to conflict with what the people were already going to do; it would just reinforce that idea instead.

    However, the array would only last for about an hour.

    Its purpose was to make people less likely to notice me. That wasn''t too difficult since I had dressed to look like an unremarkable, low-level disciple.

    With that in mind, I began exploring. Hoping for the best.

    As I moved around, no one paid me any attention. It was hard to tell at first whether this was the effect of the array or simply because they didn''t care.

    As I ventured deeper, curious about where each door might lead, I eventually stepped into a room that resembled a classroom. It was filled with children no older than ten, their wide eyes following my entrance. At first, I instinctively tensed up, but their eyes quickly returned to their teacher as if they hadn''t seen anything.

    The classroom had a rundown, neglected feel��cracked walls and faded paint gave the room a shoddy appearance. Wooden desks were scratched and worn, some wobbling on uneven legs. The faint smell of dust lingered in the air, and the dim lighting only added to the sense of abandonment, as if the classroom had long since fallen into disrepair despite its young occupants.

    I never thought this would actually work, but even the teacher didn''t react as I entered the room. It seemed the array was a success.

    This tactic would never work on even the weakest sects on the mainland. But the people here had a glaring flaw in their cultivation technique. By imbuing Qi into corpses, they left very little Qi in their own bodies, making them vulnerable to confusion arrays��something a typical cultivator could resist without effort.

    The teacher, a woman in her early twenties, read aloud from a book while the students sat dazed as if lost in daydreams.

    I didn''t linger long. I turned and made my way toward the door in the center of the circular room. I had been methodically checking each entrance, starting from the right side.

    As I stepped inside, I expected the hallway to be dark and long like the others. But unlike the right-side doors, which had torches on the right, and the left-side doors, which had torches on the left, this one had torches lining both sides.

    Though it was too dark for the untrained eye, I noticed carvings on the walls as I walked down the hall.

    Oddly enough, these carvings had nothing to do with the Silent Harvest Sect. Instead, they depicted people in compromising positions.

    Had the Silent Harvest Sect made its base in some kind of pervert''s secret dungeon? That''s what all the clues were pointing to. The carvings matched the style I''d seen on the house earlier��ultra-realistic and disturbingly detailed.

    Why would someone so talented dedicate their craft to something like this?

    The hallway eventually widened, large enough to fit two cars side by side and tall enough to accommodate a truck. It stretched on much longer than the other hallways I had explored.

    At the far end of the dimly lit corridor loomed a massive door, the kind that evoked the grandeur of a castle''s great hall. The towering wooden structure looked expensive, but what drew the eye most were the striking paintings adorning its surface. On the left side of the door was the figure of a man, completely naked, his muscles defined with lifelike precision. On the right, an equally bare woman stood in a graceful, almost ethereal pose. Their fingertips extended toward one another, meeting precisely at the seam where the two doors joined.

    Yep, this definitely had sex-dungeon vibes.

    I placed my hands on the door and was surprised to find it was actually made of wood. The logistics of the Silent Harvest Sect bringing such a massive piece of wood here seemed improbable, especially since I had never seen any of them using storage rings. Yet, the wood remained in pristine condition, untouched by rot. Because if the wood had been here long ago, and it was regular wood, it would have rotted long ago.

    It likely came from a tree capable of cultivation. Whoever the pervert who built this place was, they must have been passionate about it. Something like this would have cost a fortune.

    I pushed the doors open. Despite their size, they weren''t heavy, nor did they creak.

    On the other side was a temple drenched in red��red carpets, a red roof, and red-painted walls. It was an overwhelming amount of red, though thankfully it didn''t smell like blood, so it probably wasn''t anything demonic.

    However, that reassurance faded somewhat when I noticed the statue at the end of the room, elevated on three steps. The statue was as obscene as anything else in this place��an unknown goddess with four arms and sixteen teats. Unlike the other statues, this one was carved from gleaming white marble, adorned with gold embroidery and expensive jewels embedded in her eyes and where her nails would have been.

    As I continued copying the book, my hands moved with a speed no ordinary human could match. But then I paused when a particular passage caught my attention.

    Though I was primarily copying rather than reading, I wasn��t entirely mindless in the process.

    The book wasn��t about cultivating corpses. In fact, it barely had anything to do with that. I had no idea how the founder of the Silent Harvest Sect ended up with this text.

    Instead, the book spoke of Heaven��s Will, breaking free from fate and deceiving the heavens. It was quite something. I never expected to come across an immortal��s research notes in a place like this.

    How did they get their hands on something like this? Was it pure chance?

    Despite my surprise, I resumed my work as if nothing had happened. In just under an hour, I had copied the entire book.

    As I neared the end, one name appeared: Jing Mu.

    The Eternal Grave Immortal. I had read about him in the Song Clan library. He was as elusive as most immortals, shrouded in mystery. He lived during the era of the Blood Step Immortal.

    Knowing this, I no longer wanted anything to do with the original text. I would take only a copy. After all, the Eternal Grave Immortal hadn��t earned his title for nothing.

    The only confirmed information about him was that he was known for killing most of his own kind��immortals. Others may have killed more, but their stories never surfaced. Jing Mu held the known record.

    All immortals were monsters in their own way, and I had no desire to uncover what this one had planned.

    For all I knew, he might still be alive.

    I hurriedly stood up. "Thank you for your understanding, elder. I''ll leave your lands without causing any trouble and kill any monstrous beast I encounter along the way."

    "Thank you, young hero," the elder said, bowing his head as I quickened my pace, eager to leave this place behind.

    I stepped out of the temple-like room, leaving its perverse atmosphere behind as I entered the familiar circular chamber with the sixteen doors and their silent coffins. Without hesitation, I crossed the room and approached the dark stairway, beginning the long climb upward. The shadows seemed even darker this time, but I pressed on until I reached the entrance.

    The stone slab remained sealed, as expected. I ran my fingers over the rough wall, searching for the mechanism. After a moment, I found it��a slight imperfection in the brick, barely noticeable unless you knew where to look. I gave it a firm push, and with a resounding click, the mechanism inside shifted. Slowly, the stone slab slid open, revealing the world outside once again.

    The morning light bathed the garden, but I was not interested in the obscene art scattered around. Now that it was daytime, everything was more visible.

    I took out my flying sword and bolted out of the place.

    As the wind whipped against my face, my thoughts drifted toward the notebook in my hands and the immortals whose plans spanned millennia.

    After all, the ghost of the immortal who had granted me my Sky Grade Technique had been plotting for millennia, all to catch a glimpse of this so-called Age of Immortals.

    Whatever happened in this part of the world wasn''t worth disrupting the balance that had naturally developed here. I wasn''t going to intervene in these people''s matters.

    There was also the possibility that an immortal had once lived in these lands long ago, which made this place exceedingly dangerous for a mere Qi Gathering disciple like me.

    I had already gained enough, and with so little control over the situation, it was wiser not to play with fire.

    As I approached the village where I had left Speedy, I swooped down, summoning a gigantic translucent jade hand to pluck him up like a toy. Without a word, I flew off into the distance again.

    Perhaps, in time, interesting legends would spring up about this event. One day, I might return to see what tales had been spun.

    But for now, the research notes in my hands were far more intriguing...

 Chapter 203: Pre-Marital Drinking

    Autumn was in full force, and the crisp air was thick with the scent of wet earth. Rain poured down in torrents as though the heavens had split open. The relentless downpour drenched everything in sight, and I huddled atop Speedy''s massive turtle shell.

    Despite the rain, Speedy moved steadily, his hulking form unaffected by the storm. His steps were slow but deliberate, trudging uphill without pause.

    We were still in the middle of nowhere, walking casually without a care in the world. I kept the rain from directly hitting us with a translucent jade umbrella-shaped construct I''d formed above us.

    The only sound in the otherwise silent landscape was the relentless drumming of rain on soaked earth, trees, and everything in its path. Beneath me, Speedy''s large turtle feet squelched heavily with each step, sinking into the muddy ground before pulling free with a wet, sucking noise. The rhythmic squelching and the rain''s steady beat formed a strangely hypnotic rhythm.

    As we traveled, I read through the research notes I had copied, casting a secondary barrier around the notebook to shield it from the rain.

    The notes were interesting, though they were mostly useless to Qi Gathering Cultivators like me.

    They described a method for creating a corpse or body suitable for a soul to take over. By imbuing an immortal technique into a corpse and transferring his soul and consciousness into it, the Eternal Grave Immortal had hoped to trick the heavens into considering him dead.

    It was an experiment aimed at deceiving the heavens. Since the notes were found in the middle of nowhere, it was likely the experiment had failed.

    Still, the research notes of an immortal were fascinating. They offered a glimpse into the mindset of these beings, who, for all their monstrous tendencies, were human in their own way. The Eternal Grave Immortal detailed his inspirations and observations, searching for anything that might aid him in his quest.

    The corpse-manipulating technique was a distant derivative of this research, and the founder of the Silent Harvest Sect had devised it largely on his own. This showed just how much of a genius he was, even if perhaps he had some assistance from external sources.

    Immortal Techniques and Heavenly Techniques seemed to be the same rank, though the names differed.

    Admittedly, some of the concepts went over my head. For instance, how could someone imbue their immortal technique into something? It was such a strange idea. I could technically do something similar with the Thousand Jade Soldier Array, as its foundation was my Dancing Jade Armor Technique, but still, the idea was perplexing to do it on a corpse.

    As for tricking the heavens? From what I knew, the heavens weren''t conscious but more like the general will of the world to banish unnatural existences. Perhaps back then, they didn''t understand these things fully. The immortal''s ghost in the tomb had mentioned the "eyes of the heavens" being on the immortal incarnator, so clearly, he knew enough to exploit this concept.

    Some people were using the heaven''s will for their own ends.

    The book went into detail about many experiments, with several pages dedicated to soul research. The Eternal Grave Immortal had used numerous nameless otherworlders as material for his research. I could only assume this work spanned centuries. In a way, I felt fortunate not to have been born in an age when that guy was still around.

    The rain pounded the earth with such force that it carved small craters into the mud, each droplet striking like a hammer against the softened ground. The relentless downpour shredded the brown and brittle autumn leaves.

    Until now, I hadn''t discovered any advantage of being an otherworlder that surpassed simply being born truly talented. Yet, there were still dangerous individuals out there who would relish using me as a test subject for their experiments or techniques, just like the ones I''d read about.

    I closed the book, tucked it into my storage ring, and reclined on Speedy''s shell, watching raindrops crash against my large, translucent umbrella.

    Though I was taking a slightly meandering route, I should reach the Liu Clan''s main grounds in three to four months.

    Closing my eyes, I focused inward, feeling the pool of Qi just below my stomach, and began cultivating. The watery Qi flowing into my spiritual roots differed from the more subdued Qi of the Blazing Sun Sect. Still, my spirit roots filtered the energy the same way, finally settling it into the Qi pool below my stomach��though perhaps "Qi pond" was a more accurate term now.

    Just as I was sinking into the rhythm of cultivation, Speedy shifted. I could sense he was slipping in the mud without even opening my eyes. By now, the big guy was used to the sensation and didn''t panic.

    "The least you could do is pretend to try not to slip instead of just giving up immediately," I chuckled.

    With my cultivation interrupted, I formed a large, greenish arm of jade that gently grabbed Speedy, levitating us over the slippery hill.

    Once we were safe, I exhaled slowly, releasing my focus on the technique and dispelling the jade appendage. As my concentration faded, the construct began to unravel. The armor that coated the arm shimmered briefly before dissolving into the air. The skin disappeared next, followed by the tightly woven muscle strands that had given it strength and form. The joints and bones fragmented into nothingness until no trace of the appendage remained.

    "You shoulda known better than to go hunting with winter around the corner," the old man muttered.

    "Lesson learned, that''s for sure," I muttered back. "Lost my bow too��cost me an arm and a leg when I was younger."

    "You ought to sell that ring on your finger," the old man remarked, eyeing my storage ring.

    I smiled. "If I sold this, I''d lose more than an arm. My wife would have my hide."

    The driver laughed, and even the old man let out a chuckle.

    "I thought you were unwed. Married men don''t usually make dumb mistakes like this," the old man said as we neared the town walls. "If it weren''t for my wife��may the heavens rest her soul��I''d have been dead two dozen times over. I was a fool and a reckless young man."

    He sighed, his gaze growing distant as he continued, "I almost drank and whored my way to an early grave, but instead of taking me, the heavens took her. A man without his wife is like a horse with three legs or a man with half a head��it just doesn''t work. Even the finest wines taste bitter without her around."

    I nodded in silent acknowledgment. There was nothing to say. This man was clearly weighed down by regret, disappointed with his choices. Pointing out his mistakes would be pointless��he already knew.

    Also, who the fuck started a conversation like that with a stranger? This was a heavy topic to drop on me when we just met!

    "She always told me��''Save some coin, you fool! Spend time with the kids instead of drinking and whoring all night.'' But no, I never listened. Thought I was smarter than everyone, like I had life all figured out," he said with another sigh.

    After his story, the mood grew awkward, and a heavy silence settled over us. We''d just met, and he had already shared his regrets. I wasn''t sure whether offering some kind of reassurance would help or offend him, so I decided to keep quiet.

    I turned my attention to the distant town walls, trying to identify where we were. Judging by the direction we had traveled, there shouldn''t have been any place like this for at least a year''s journey at the pace we were going.

    Feigning a search in my breast pocket, I used my storage ring to retrieve a map showing every settlement in the region. The two other passengers glanced at me curiously but said nothing.

    Ignoring their attention, I studied the map carefully. But my suspicion was confirmed.

    There shouldn''t be any settlement like this here.

    Had I gotten lost along the way or perhaps wandered into some strange phenomenon without realizing it? There were plenty of reasons why few ventured into unexplored regions.

    Maybe this settlement had been built recently.

    I squinted toward the town. Even from this distance, I could tell��the walls weren''t new. They hadn''t been built in the last decade, at least.

    It was also possible that the map simply hadn''t recorded this place. Although I had paid good money for these maps, which Song Song purchased from the inner part of the Blazing Sun Sect, they weren''t foolproof.

    For now, I returned the map to my pocket, discreetly stashing it back in my storage ring. There was no use fretting over questions I couldn''t yet answer.

    "What''s with the crowd in front of the gates?" the coach driver asked.

    "Maybe they''re waiting for entry," I said, noting the scattered buildings outside the walls��windmills and other structures.

    Despite the walls, this didn''t look like a settlement built to withstand a beast wave. Common sense would dictate that if they were planning for such an event, all the buildings would be within the walls, not outside.

    Still, it was an intriguing place.

 Chapter 204: Faceless Rumors

    Chapter 204: Faceless Rumors

    As the carriage neared the entrance gate, the chaotic scene came into focus��two dozen people crowded around, their voices raised in a cacophony of anger, hurling incoherent insults at the guards. The relentless rain had soaked them through, their clothes clinging to their bodies as they stood in the storm. Water dripped from their hair and ran down their faces, mixing with the mud beneath their feet, yet their fury remained undeterred.

    "Let us in, you sniveling bastards!"

    "I was just at work in the fields, and now I''m just trying to get in! I live there!"

    "We can''t stay out here!"

    The crowd was panicked, which made sense considering it was already past midday, though the storm made it hard to tell the sun''s position.

    "They''re not letting the locals in. That''s odd," I said.

    "You from here?" the old man asked.

    Unlike him, I wasn''t ready to unload my life story to a stranger. "No, I''m from a nearby village."

    Admitting that might make me seem strange, given there were usually no villages near these large settlements. Most people worked the fields and returned behind the safety of the walls in the evening.

    If they were paying attention, they might already be suspicious of me. A silver ring for some no-name villager and the well-made map I''d taken out could easily raise eyebrows. I could always explain it away by claiming a lucky hunt, but still, it was suspicious.

    However, from what I''d seen so far, they didn''t care. They were more likely to rob me than suspect I was dangerous. It made sense, given the circumstances. They probably had never even spoken to a cultivator, let alone understood why someone powerful might hide their identity.

    It was like expecting a vagrant who steals bread every day to secretly be a king.

    "What now?" I asked as the carriages stopped.

    The coach driver sighed, taking out a fist-sized sack of coins from his breast pocket. "I know how this goes."

    I stepped aside as he trudged past me and onto the muddy ground. Muttering curses under his breath, he headed toward the gate, pushing through the crowd without a second thought.

    A few minutes later, he returned with a nasty scowl, silently climbing back onto the carriage and taking the reins.

    "Some duck-fucking piece of shit says there''s a demon in the forest, and lumberjacks have gone missing," the driver grumbled, steering the carriage off the road. "Apparently, until this liar stops spouting nonsense, no one''s getting in or out of the town."

    Demons? Now that was interesting. I was almost tempted to sneak into the city.

    "Any idea when this so-called demon might be found?" I asked, frowning as I tried to appear annoyed.

    "No. They just told people to avoid the nearby forests," he replied.

    "Wait, shit. I just came from a forest nearby," I said. "You think this demon could be haunting me or something? I''ve been pretty unlucky lately."

    That wasn''t the smartest thing to say, given my supposed background. Both the old man and the driver turned to me. For a moment, I thought they were going to toss me off the carriage; which, honestly, would have suited me. Instead, the old man smiled, and the driver chuckled.

    "I knew you village folk were superstitious, but this is too much," the driver said with a smirk. "There''s no such thing as devils. At worst, it''s some demonic cultivator playing tricks."

    I shrugged, choosing not to argue. "I''ll look around for an inn. My brother mentioned a friend who runs a tavern outside the walls. Maybe I can find a place to stay."

    "You''re welcome to sleep in our carriage with us," the old man offered.

    "Maybe, but I wouldn''t want to inconvenience you further. Though I might have to if I don''t find the guy," I said, scratching the back of my head and playing off my awkwardness.

    I stepped outside, and thankfully, the rain had eased up. So far, there was nothing extraordinary about this place aside from the rumors about demons. And who knew if that was true? It could just as easily have been some monstrous beast.

    ''Demons'' was a term used for extraterrestrial creatures from other worlds, though I doubted that''s what the people here meant. On the mainland, demons were considered invaders from different realms, and they appeared when the number of immortals grew too high at some unknown point in history.

    There was a chance some of those beings were still around, but I doubted they''d waste time killing a few lumberjacks if they were. They''d more likely raze an entire town. After all, these were the types of creatures that could bring immortals to their knees. At least, that''s what the books said. Some even theorized that demons were the result of a heavenly tribulation.

    My personal theory was that some immortal had messed up somehow. The heavens wouldn''t just send creatures strong enough to kill immortals without reason. It was like being angry at a dog for biting you, then bringing in a bigger, deadlier dog to get rid of the first one, which would only make things worse. You''d have a dead dog, but now another one would be waiting to bite you.

    Stolen novel; please report.

    A horrible analogy, but I was more intrigued by the demon rumors than the analogy itself. I wondered what the people here were really talking about. Hopefully, it wasn''t just wild animals; that would be dull. Of course, it would be terrible for everyone if it actually was a demon, but at least it would be interesting. Though I didn''t wish misfortune on any of the innocent people here.

    I shook my head, letting the rain wash over me, and refocused. Now wasn''t the time for idle thoughts, it was time for action.

    Since the town was built like this, there were bound to be inns outside the walls for merchants. That''s what I''d look for: an innkeeper with their finger on the pulse of the rumors swirling around here.

    The first place I approached was one of the larger buildings in the area, its towering structure standing out amidst the surroundings. Even before I stepped inside, the noise pouring from within made it clear that the place was anything but quiet. Laughter, clinking glasses, and raucous chatter filled the air, growing louder with each step. As I neared the entrance, the sounds sharpened into something unmistakable, either a bustling tavern or a lively party in full swing.

    Either way, I approached and opened the door, only to be hit by the pungent stench of cheap wine and sweat. The smell of booze and the sounds of rowdy conversation permeated the air.

    No one even glanced my way as I entered, which was a good sign. I was definitely in a tavern. The separate tables, the waitress moving between them serving drinks, and the general atmosphere confirmed it.

    I''d gotten so used to searching for subtle clues that sometimes I missed the obvious. All that time in the inner sect, surrounded by those foxes, had put me on edge constantly.

    The waitress spotted me and smiled, but it was the kind of smile I''d seen plenty of times in the customer service industry. It looked warm and genuine; even her eyes sparkled with sincerity. But the way she moved gave it away. In my previous life, I had a coworker perfecting that smile. She made crazy money off tips.

    "How can I help you, dear customer?" she asked.

    "All this talk about demons makes a man thirsty," I replied, sitting at a table near the door. Someone was already there, a short man with large ears, a bald head, and a small mouth. Sadly, there were no empty tables; this one was with only one other person.

    "Anything you want, friend? I could get you something to lift this somber mood," I offered the rat-looking man.

    His eyes darted around as if checking to see if anyone was watching us. "A friend ain''t a friend if we don''t know each other''s names."

    Well, that was unnecessarily aggressive. I was just trying to be polite.

    "Well then, my name''s Liu Feng, friend," I smiled, unfazed by his behavior. "And yours?"

    He frowned, looking like he was in deep thought. While waiting for him to speak, I ordered something from the waitress.

    "Liu Feng? Like the guy who wrote the book?" he asked.

    Wait, what? Was my Monstrous Beast Encyclopedia really that famous even around here? That was wild!

    "Book?" I asked, feigning ignorance.

    He looked me up and down before snorting. "You don''t look like a merchant. And you definitely ain''t one, friend."

    Just then, the waitress returned with our drinks, setting down two wooden mugs without handles. The smell of cheap alcohol hit me, exactly as I had ordered.

    "Thank you," I nodded. Foam nearly spilled over the rim as I picked up my mug, and I drained half of it in one gulp, wiping the foam from my lips. "What makes you say that, friend?"

    "Liu Feng''s book is something every merchant owns nowadays. They think the instructions he wrote will keep them safe. Bullshit, I say. Monstrous beasts aren''t something to mess with," he scoffed and picked up the mug I''d bought him, raising it in a toast. "To our new friendship."

    I chuckled, and we clinked mugs.

    "It''s always the same with scholars. After reading a few pages, they think they understand monstrous beasts," I shook my head. "You can''t gain understanding with your nose buried in books. But you''re right. I''m a hunter by trade. Still, reading a book on monstrous beasts might come in handy."

    "Here''s some advice you won''t find in any book," he said, taking a swig, some of the alcohol spilling from the corner of his mouth onto the table. He set the mug down and began absentmindedly drawing in the spilled liquid. "If you see a monstrous beast, run like hell and pray it''s not hungry."

    There was a story there, but I doubt he would tell.

    "Speaking of monstrous beasts, what''s the story behind these demon rumors?" I asked, slipping in my real question. "And, by the way, you still haven''t told me your name, friend."

    "Shu Ren," he said. "As for the demon, who knows what''s really going on? First, it was the miller''s child, now it''s this demon nonsense."

    "I''ve heard about the demon, like everyone else. But what do you mean about the miller''s child?" I asked.

    "Well, that cursed wife of his gave birth to a faceless child," Shu Ren said.

    "Faceless? Like no mouth, no eyes, nothing?"

    "Yep. Doesn''t eat, doesn''t sleep, nothing like a normal human. Creepy as hell. I saw it prowling around the gardens once," he said.

    Now, that was an interesting revelation.

    ...

    We talked for the rest of the evening until it was late enough for Shu Ren to retire to his room, and even the waitress was yawning. My mind was elsewhere despite what might have seemed like a hearty conversation.

    A couple of hours after midnight, when most people had gone to sleep, I slipped out of the inn. By then, the rain had stopped, though the air remained humid and the ground was still wet.

    My gaze shifted toward the mill in the distance.

    A child born without a face, who didn''t need to eat or drink? That was definitely strange.

    Under the cover of darkness, I began making my way toward the mill. If not for the need for discretion, I''d have a spring in my step.

    I knew how people were. Soon enough, someone would connect the demon rumors to the faceless child.

    But first, I had to make sure no cultivators were nearby.

    Spreading my senses, I could feel every presence nearby, even the weak cultivators in town. But despite that, a frown crept onto my face.

    At the top of the windmill, there was a strange presence. A chill ran down my spine, not from the cold or excitement. Usually, I would have dismissed it as a mouse or some small creature, but this... it gave off mental waves resembling a human. But as I concentrated on it, everything changed.

    The best way to describe the sensation was pure gluttony, it felt like a black hole had opened within me, an all-consuming void pulling everything toward it. It wasn''t just draining; it was overwhelming, as though my very essence, my thoughts, even the air around me were being sucked into an infinite abyss. The feeling was suffocating, inescapable, leaving behind a terrifying certainty: once it had me, there would be no escape.

    What the hell was that?

 Chapter 205: Faceless

    Chapter 205: Faceless

    The wet squelch of mud beneath my boots echoed through the silence as I trudged toward the mill. The night sky hung heavy, with the faint crescent moon barely piercing the thick shroud above. Everything felt still, as though something unseen was watching me.

    As I reached the mill''s base, I froze. A suffocating realization hit me; the night was utterly silent. No chirp of crickets, no rustling of wind through the trees, not even the distant hoot of an owl. The usual life of the night had vanished, swallowed whole, leaving behind an unnatural stillness that clung to the air like a predator''s breath, waiting.

    The windmill towered before me, its stone walls cold and unfeeling. The great wheel hung motionless. Small windows dotted the mill''s surface, their dark glass like blind eyes watching me.

    I pushed open the weathered wooden door, and it let out a long, drawn-out creak that pierced the oppressive silence. The sound echoed as though the building itself was announcing my intrusion. The stillness felt alive inside��thick, heavy, pressing down on me. The beams overhead groaned faintly as if they carried a weight that wasn''t there. Was someone moving above?

    The air was thick with the faint scent of old flour and dust, mingling with something sinister. Weak and sickly moonlight seeped through grime-smeared windows, casting long, twisted shadows that writhed across the stone floor. The massive gears and wooden mechanisms stood still.

    Outside, the wind howled faintly, yet the wheel above remained frozen. Something was wrong. Why wasn''t it spinning? No, I was outside not even a minute ago, and there was no wind.

    I moved cautiously, each footstep disturbingly loud against the stone floor. The gears and machinery on the lower floor appeared intact, but a foul, decaying stench lingered in the air. Despite everything seeming in place, a sense of wrongness gnawed at this. It felt as if the mill itself was holding its breath, waiting.

    I didn''t linger on the lower floor for long. Pulling in strange Qi, something about the top of the mill drew my attention.

    After pacing in contemplation, I finally ascended the wooden stairs. Each step groaned under my weight, the sound unnervingly loud, cutting through the heavy silence. The noise reverberated in the emptiness as though the mill was alive, amplifying my every movement as if it were listening.

    At the top of the windmill, a strange sight greeted me. The space was small, barely larger than a cramped balcony. In one corner lay a straw bed, its coarse fibers scattered haphazardly as if disturbed by something, or someone. It looked more like a crude nest than a bed, the kind of place an animal might sleep, though the eerie stillness made me doubt that anything living had been here for a long time.

    The air up here was colder, sharper.

    My senses sharpened, every nerve on edge as I searched for the source of the suffocating sensation. It was like a black hole pulling at the air, draining it of Qi. There was nothing visible, just empty space. Yet the chill crawling up my spine was unmistakable like icy fingers trailing across my skin. Something was there, something wrong.

    I reached out instinctively, my hand trembling as I sought to touch the invisible force. If sight was useless, I had to rely on something else. But when my fingers met resistance, it wasn''t air I felt, it was hair. Cold, tangled strands slipped through my fingers like silk spun in nightmares.

    I froze, my eyes wide. Slowly, I closed them, letting the darkness settle over me. When I opened them again, my heart lurched.

    My hand rested atop the head of a child, long hair hanging limp, its face a horrifying blank slate. A faceless thing stared up at me, motionless. My pulse thundered in my ears as fear coiled tight in my chest.

    Holy fucking shit! Was this the faceless child that rat-like guy had spoken about?

    I swallowed hard, forcing myself to slow my racing heart, though my pulse still pounded in my ears. Steadying my breath, I pulled myself together. I was a cultivator, not a sniveling child. I plastered on a smile, trying to ease the rising panic.

    This thing... it was exciting in its own way.

    "Hey there, little girl," I said, keeping my voice steady and casual as if this was just an ordinary child I was speaking to. "What are you doing all the way up here? Did you get lost?"

    ''No.''

    The voice pierced directly into my mind, a chorus of a thousand women, young and old, speaking in unison. The sensation sent a shiver down my spine, a mix of pure terror and twisted excitement.

    Telepathy. Holy shit, it actually existed!

    I crouched down and stared at her faceless face.

    "Can you see anything?" I asked.

    She had no eyes, so how could she see? Yet, she was clearly aware of my presence.

    I gently pushed her hair aside, revealing small, empty spaces where her ears should have been. Though they weren''t conventional, something had to function, allowing her to hear me, at least in some way.

    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    Her face was a smooth expanse of skin, devoid of features. No eyes, no nose, no hint of where they should have been. It was as though her face had been wiped clean, leaving nothing behind. Just a blank, unsettling surface.

    The Qi inside her moved strangely in ways I had never seen before.

    ''Are you afraid of me?''

    Once again, that strange voice echoed in my head. Of course, I was scared, but I wasn''t about to admit it. There was no point in hurting a little girl''s feelings, if she even was a little girl. In a world full of strange, inexplicable things, she might be just that�� a misunderstood, defenseless child.

    Or perhaps she was some eldritch horror. I had no idea.

    "I''m more curious than afraid," I said half-truthfully.

    She nodded, still "staring" straight at my face.

    ''When I''m sad, people don''t usually find me. How did you find me?''

    For a moment, I considered lying but quickly dismissed the idea. Whether she was a harmless child or something far more sinister, I wasn''t about to lie to her. Besides, I was curious about what she truly was. Her Qi felt nothing like a human''s.

    "I sensed your presence," I explained. "I used something called Qi, an invisible energy that''s all around us. It''s hard to explain in words, but it''s like holding your hand near a fire��you can feel the heat even if you can''t see it. Except this doesn''t burn."

    ''So, you don''t need your eyes to see?'' she inquired.

    It was an odd leap for her to make, especially since I hadn''t mentioned anything like that.

    ''Then, can you give me your eyes?''

    I sighed, keeping the nervousness from my face. "Sadly, I can''t give you my eyes. But there might be some bad people out there who don''t need theirs. Maybe try taking theirs instead."

    ''Oh...'' she sounded disappointed. ''Then, can I see as well as you if I try really hard?''

    Her questions were getting weirder, and I chuckled nervously. "If you want to try sensing, you can spread your Qi like a ripple in water. It''ll feel anything that interrupts its flow."

    A better analogy would''ve been a radar, but that concept wouldn''t make sense in this world.

    She nodded, then looked down. Suddenly, I felt a disruption in the Qi around us; a wave washing over me. With each pulse, her energy became smoother.

    What? How?

    She wasn''t using her own Qi to do this. Instead, she was drawing in the natural Qi around her. Just as it touched her skin and entered her, she pushed it out before it could cause harm. Each time, the process grew more efficient, and she instinctively avoided bringing the Qi too far into her body, as though she already knew that doing so without Body Tempering was dangerous.

    The whole process happened in an instant. She was using Qi like it was second nature.

    What crazy talent! She might be even more gifted than Song Song!

    ��It burns a little when the Qi enters me,�� she said.

    ��You need a lot more training to strengthen your body so the Qi doesn��t hurt you as it enters,�� I replied, pulling my hand away from her head. The Qi swirling around her felt unstable, and the last thing I needed was to lose a hand if things got reckless.

    ��Oh,�� she responded telepathically, her voice suddenly growing deeper. Her hair shortened, and she began drawing in vast amounts of Qi, far too much for anyone to safely handle.

    Then her body twitched a sudden, unnatural movement. The unsettling sound of bones cracking echoed through the still air as her form began to contort before my eyes. Her limbs elongated, her posture shifting in ways no human body should. The transformation was mesmerizing yet horrifying in its grotesque precision.

    But the metamorphosis wasn��t the only disturbing thing. She surged through Qi Gathering��one-star, two-star, three-star��and continued, pushing to nine-star without stopping. And still, she kept pulling in Qi, even as her cultivation reached a bottleneck.

    After a few seconds, she winced in pain.

    ��I can��t strengthen my body to handle more Qi,�� she said, her voice now a chilling blend of many. It ranged from the fragile, faltering speech of a toddler to the deep, gravelly growl of an old man. Each voice layered over the next, creating a discordant chorus that sent chills down my spine.

    What the hell had I stumbled into? This thing couldn��t be human.

    ��There��s a strange heat just below my spine, and my head feels all woozy!�� one voice howled inside my head, pained and frantic.

    Suddenly, the smooth skin where her eyes should have been split open, parting in a clean, surgical line. Blood poured out in thin streams, cascading like tears down her face. The crimson streaks contrasted sharply with her pale, featureless skin.

    ��Why does it hurt so much?�� she asked, her voice desperate.

    I wondered the same. As her body swayed and she began to collapse, I caught her, lowering her gently onto the cold wooden floor. I placed my hand over her chest, trying to feel her pulse. Instead of a normal heartbeat, there was a strange, irregular rhythm like two hearts beating out of sync, like the gallop of a trotting horse.

    ��Don��t fight this,�� I said, trying to calm my voice. ��I��m just going to check your condition.��

    I gathered a small amount of Qi at my fingertips. I��d run Qi through my own body many times before to assess my stats, a habit I hadn��t indulged in lately. But now, I��d have to do it on someone else.

    My Qi spread softly through her, like a gentle wave. To my surprise, she didn��t resist the injection. As I probed her body, the first thing that caught my attention was the shattered remnants of her spiritual roots, and the second was the violent Qi coursing through her.

    Had she crushed her own cultivation? Was it even possible to absorb too much Qi at once?

    Theoretically, yes. But to actually witness someone pulling in so much Qi that they destroyed their own cultivation and spiritual roots was unheard of.

    I worked quickly, using my Qi to stabilize her body, locking down the most critical injuries. I siphoned off the excess Qi, creating a funnel with my own energy to drain it safely before it could cause more damage, releasing the Qi into the outside. It stopped the immediate danger, but internal injuries were inevitable.

    Yet, even as the Qi drained away, her body was still changing. Her organs...

    What the hell? Her organs were shifting inside her, morphing effortlessly into other organs.

 Chapter 206: A Family Situation

    Chapter 206: A Family Situation

    I kept my Qi pulsing steadily into her body, feeling its flow like a warm current merging with her uncontrollable waves. With my eyes closed, I focused entirely on the diagnosis, pushing my awareness deeper, searching for any signs of damage or imbalance.

    I had long trained myself to detect every subtle shift in energy and every faint irregularity in the flow. This process had become second nature, my understanding of human anatomy allowed me to pinpoint any anomaly quickly. But with her, it was different. Her body, though familiar in many ways, held nuances that defied simple categorization. The Qi didn''t move as it should; her form, though human-like, was distinctly different.

    Her body appeared normal or perhaps "uninjured" was a more accurate term in this case.

    As I began to withdraw my Qi, her body continued its strange, almost mesmerizing dance of transformation. Even without my energy probing, the shifting and changing didn''t stop; organs moved, reformed, and reshaped in ways that defied comprehension. Any injuries, if they existed, were impossible to identify.

    How could I tell if she was hurt when, in one moment, a kidney seamlessly morphed into a heart, and the next, that heart split into two tiny, pulsing lungs? Every shift felt deliberate yet utterly alien, leaving me uncertain whether I was witnessing a healing process or simply her natural state. It was as though her body had no fixed form, and in such a state, how could I judge what was healthy or dangerous?

    Her outer shape, too, was fluid, constantly shifting between forms, never settling on one. At one moment, her body took on the more robust and defined musculature of a man, with broad shoulders and powerful limbs. Then, as if molded by unseen hands, her figure softened, muscles smoothing out into the more delicate curves of an elegant woman. Her flesh became supple and refined, yet it was never fully one or the other. She existed in a state of perpetual transformation, her form continually morphing between strength and grace, masculine and feminine. It was like her body was an endless canvas, reshaping itself with every breath and heartbeat.

    Despite meeting her as a girl, she might very well be a he. Hell, with such rapid changes, I wasn''t even sure if she was human.

    Beyond suppressing the initial injury, there wasn''t much I could do. Her body kept shifting, reopening injuries, closing them, healing, and then creating new wounds elsewhere but no blood ever spilled.

    I sighed as I fully withdrew my Qi and no longer sensed her internal workings. Even with my relatively reasonable control, foreign Qi left inside the body would eventually begin to scorch it. That was why spiritual roots were so important when absorbing Qi.

    Yet, I still had no idea how to help her.

    As she lay there, her body continued to shift, even her hair changing length. The only constant was her blank face.

    What could her condition be? This level of transformation was unnatural, even by the standards of techniques designed to change the body.

    The first thing that came to mind was an extreme physique. But even that seemed too strange. If she had an extreme physique, though, she might be able to recover her spiritual roots. Even though her roots were shattered now, they couldn''t have been few in number, judging by how quickly she gathered Qi.

    Regarding spiritual root recovery, Ye An was a peculiar case. Her condition caused her spiritual roots to grow uncontrollably, which meant she likely regrew them.

    Another possible sign of an extreme physique was the cause of death. Users of extreme physiques didn''t simply die randomly at eighteen or twenty-one. It was always their own body killing them. For Ye An, it would be an overwhelming influx of Yin Qi as her spirit root branches grew ever larger like a cancer.

    I had always wondered if I could help alleviate her condition by continuously shattering her cultivation, preventing her spirit roots from regrowing or absorbing Yin Qi.

    However, that idea might not work in reality, as the backlash from breaking one''s cultivation was severe. Even the best pills couldn''t heal the damage caused by imploding spiritual roots or internal injuries like that.

    Regardless, Ye An and I weren''t close enough to try something that drastic.

    As I was thinking this, the girl''s body kept morphing, and an idea struck me. The only thing that wasn''t morphing was her face. She wasn''t conscious to control the transformations, yet her body was doing it automatically. She had no face, so while she might have some control over her abilities, it was likely incomplete. Her morphing may not be entirely controllable. Maybe, as she aged, the constant transformations would grow stronger, eventually killing her.

    It was a wild theory, with little to no facts backing it up, but it was the best I had.

    Maybe I should wait until she recovered and try to sense how many spiritual root branches she had by then.

    If she had an extreme physique, that would explain her abnormal talent... then again, being an eldritch abomination would also fit the bill.

    ...

    As morning slowly dawned, I found myself standing by one of the narrow windows just below the top floor of the mill, gazing out over the farmlands. A thick mist had rolled in, blanketing the landscape in a soft, silver haze. The familiar shapes of trees and distant hills were little more than faint outlines, blurred and ghostly in the early light.

    The stillness was broken by soft sounds of movement from the floor above. The faceless girl was stirring. I ascended the creaky stairs, the quietness of the morning amplifying each step. When I reached her, she was rising from her rest, her body shifting slightly beneath the dim light filtering through the cracks. Then, as if sensing my presence, her form''s constant, unsettling morphing suddenly stopped.

    She stared at the blank wall before her as though deep in thought.

    "Do you feel any pain?" I asked.

    Instead of answering through telepathy, she shook her head. I waited for a more concrete response, but none came.

    "You can''t speak anymore?" I inquired.

    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    She nodded.

    "Will you be able to speak in the future?"

    Another nod.

    That was a relief. Communicating only through nodding and shaking her head would make things difficult.

    "Will it take long to recover your... voice?" I wasn''t sure if "voice" was the right word for her ability to speak.

    She shook her head.

    "Can you start speaking today?" I asked, and she nodded again. That was good. I had many questions for her, like how she knew how long it would take for her speech to recover.

    After ensuring she was okay, I settled into a meditative position, calming my mind as I prepared to cultivate. No matter what was happening, I always made it a point not to miss a day of cultivation unless my spirit roots showed signs of strain. Today, however, something interrupted the familiar process before I could even reach that point.

    A sudden, sharp poke against my arm broke my concentration. Startled, I opened my eyes to find the faceless girl standing there, her movements frantic, her energy radiating panic. Her poke had been quick, almost desperate. She didn''t speak, of course, but pointed around the room urgently. I followed her gesture, scanning the area, but nothing seemed out of place to me. Despite her clear distress, I couldn''t understand what she was trying to convey.

    "You want me to check around the room?"

    She shook her head.

    "Someone is coming?"

    She nodded.

    After another round of her pointing and exaggerated hand gestures, I understood she meant someone would be arriving soon. I wasn''t entirely sure, but I shrugged and cast an illusionary array around myself, one that would make me invisible as long as I didn''t move. Any motion would distort the air and make me quite visible.

    No cultivator would be fooled by an array like this. They could sense the Qi, and even Body Tempering cultivators would notice the anomalies with their enhanced vision. Perhaps if I were better at using this array, it might hide me from Body Tempering cultivators, but there were more pressing matters than looking to advance this.

    I chuckled, realizing how my hobby of learning "useless" techniques, things most wouldn''t bother with, paid off occasionally.

    "Hey! You! Come feed the pigs! Why are you late today?" A dry male voice called out from below, echoing through the mill.

    The faceless girl abruptly stood, her movements quick and unsteady, and without a word, she hurried down the stairs. I watched closely as she moved, her steps frantic, taking two stairs at a time, barely maintaining her balance. Her body language spoke volumes, shoulders tense, fingers twitching slightly as if she were struggling to grasp something unseen.

    There was no hesitation, no complaint, but her movements screamed panic. Her posture, usually fluid and strange, now seemed stiff, driven by anxious energy.

    She was usually calm for her age, with excellent control over her body language.

    I canceled the invisibility array, realizing the man wasn''t coming upstairs. Spreading out my Qi senses, I felt every living being around, but it seemed the man who called out had already gone.

    Walking out of the mill, I scanned the area but saw no sign of the old man. The footprints in the mud were more pronounced at the front of the foot, suggesting he leaned forward as he walked. Likely due to poor posture or an injury to his tibia. He probably wasn''t a runner.

    I moved quickly, using the invisibility array whenever it seemed like someone might glance in my direction. Just to be cautious, I kept my distance from the farmers walking about and others who had come to use the nearby inns.

    After scouting the area and sneaking around the mill''s shadow, I approached the house nearby. My footsteps were quiet on the damp earth. The ground-floor windows were tightly shut, but the one on the side, just above eye level, had a slight crack. Perfect. I glanced around to ensure no one was watching, then crouched low and jumped, grabbing the ledge with both hands. The window creaked as I pushed it open just enough to slip through.

    With a swift pull, I hoisted myself up, tucking my legs close as I squeezed through the narrow opening, careful not to make too much noise. My feet landed silently on the wooden floor inside, and I covered them with Qi to avoid leaving muddy prints.

    The house was larger than it appeared from the outside. The first floor opened into a wide room dominated by a long, sturdy table worn from years of use. It looked large enough to seat at least twelve people. Scattered around the room were signs of life; coats hung by the door, boots lined up against the wall, and a basket of fresh bread on a nearby shelf. The faint scent of wood smoke lingered in the air, mixing with the musty smell of old, damp wood from the chairs surrounding the table. The place felt like a house still occupied but was eerily quiet.

    After carefully inspecting the house, it became clear that this wasn''t just a home, it felt more like an inn. The long table, rows of mismatched chairs, and abundant provisions all pointed to that conclusion. Almost every room on the second floor seemed prepared for visitors, with neatly made beds, faded but clean linens, and lanterns set on tables waiting to be lit.

    Even the outhouse, tucked behind the building, was far larger than what a typical family would need. Its tall ceilings and wide doors were designed to accommodate travelers of all shapes and sizes. The reinforced flooring and heavy beams suggested it had seen many prosperous, and possibly overweight, merchants over the years. This place wasn''t just for anyone; it catered to travelers from all walks of life.

    At least, it was built with that in mind. As I extended my senses, it became clear that only two people lived here now. Even with the threat of rain, no merchants had come to stay despite the other inns being fully booked. It seemed the rumors of a faceless child had kept them away. I couldn''t blame them. People knew how fragile life was and weren''t eager to test their luck with something so unsettling.

    As I sensed the subtle vibrations of footsteps stirring within the house, I knew it was time to leave. The quiet murmur of voices and floorboards creaking signaled that the occupants were waking. I moved swiftly back to the window I had entered through.

    With one last glance behind me, I eased the window open and gracefully slipped out as silently as I had come. My feet landed softly on the ground outside, the cool morning air brushing against my skin.

    Rubbing my chin thoughtfully, I watched as more people emerged from their homes, heading to tend the fields or walk the dirt paths between houses. The village was waking up, and with each passing minute, the chances of going unnoticed were shrinking. Sneaking around like a shadow wasn''t exactly my specialty. I could manage it for a while, but eventually, someone would spot me.

    The invisibility array was an option, but it had its limits. Maintaining it would be risky unless I planned to stand perfectly still.

    There were other ways to approach the house where the faceless girl''s parents lived. By now, they were awake, and I could hear the father demanding breakfast.

    "Another day without any customers. It''s all the fault of that wretched thing. We should''ve left it in the forest when I told you to," a woman''s voice screeched, harsh as a banshee''s wail.

    "It''s not that simple, you damn woman! That thing is my child," a man responded, his voice heavy with frustration. "If I''d known this would happen, I would''ve left her for the wild animals or whatever prowls these woods. But now it''s too late! If we leave her, she might come back for revenge. How many times do I have to tell you this? You complain about it every damn day!"

    It was the same man who had called the faceless girl when she was in the mill.

    With a polite smile, I approached the door and gave it a firm, steady knock. The sound echoed briefly in the quiet morning, a knock that wasn''t too forceful but enough to announce my presence. I stepped back, adjusting my posture to seem relaxed and non-threatening, though my mind raced.

    Footsteps shuffled inside, followed by the creak of the door opening slowly.

 Chapter 207: A Guest

    Chapter 207: A Guest

    "Coming," someone said from the other side of the door.

    The door creaked open with a long, drawn-out groan, revealing an elderly man whose gray hair was streaked with remnants of black, stubbornly holding on to the last traces of youth. His back curved slightly, giving him a hunched posture that made him seem smaller, as though the weight of the years had pressed him closer to the earth. Deep lines etched his tan face. His rough and leathery skin bore the unmistakable marks of time and decades spent in the sun.

    "What can I help you with?" he asked.

    So this was the guy the faceless girl was so intimidated by? It seemed ridiculous. Even with her limited power to morph her body, she could kill everyone in the outer city and escape into the night without anyone knowing.

    Sometimes, traditions or long-held beliefs are hard to break, it was just human nature. Children always had a hard time fighting against their parents.

    "I heard you have an inn, and I suffered an accident on the way here. I was wondering how much a place like this costs?" I inquired.

    A glint flickered in his eyes, and he smiled. I might have thought he was just some friendly, middle-aged guy if I didn''t know better.

    With customers rarely showing up, the place should be cheaper. But how cheap? That was up to him. He was probably trying to figure out if I knew about the faceless girl because he could hike up the prices if I didn''t.

    "How does four copper coins a night sound?" he asked. Noticing my slight pause as I pretended to think it over, he quickly added, "It''s all negotiable, of course."

    "No, no need to negotiate. That''s more than fair. Any less, and I''d feel like I was taking advantage of you," I replied.

    The parents clearly feared their own child. They thought they''d birthed a monster, but at least they hadn''t gone to the extreme of burning her at the stake.

    There was room for improvement in their behavior toward her, but I wasn''t here to judge or take the moral high ground.

    The man opened the door wider. "Please, come in. You must be tired from your journey."

    "Well, it''s been an interesting night, to say the least," I said.

    My clothes were still damp, and any cautious cultivator might have been wary of me. I didn''t exactly look like someone who''d spent the night in the rain. But most people don''t notice these things.

    "Please, come, we''re having breakfast," called a shrill voice from the kitchen. She was trying to be polite, but her tone grated on my nerves. "Nothing fancy, just some pork porridge, but it''s on the house."

    "Thank you for your hospitality," I said, removing my muddy boots before stepping inside.

    The place was just as clean as it had been this morning. Now that I wasn''t in a rush, I took a moment to observe it more closely.

    It looked much the same, though a few spots had been wiped down. The inn had a medieval charm, but what struck me was how much places could vary based on their location and the number of cultivators around. It was like each city lived in its own era.

    "This is an inn and also your home, right?" I asked. "It has a warm feeling, not just like a business. There''s something about a home that gives a place a certain energy like someone actually cares about it."

    They smiled. The woman poked her head out from the kitchen for a second, her brittle brown hair framing a freckled, weathered face.

    Despite her worn appearance and sun-beaten skin, she had a certain mature charm about her.

    "Yes, we take care of this place like no other inn," she said.

    I nodded. "Though it must be tough, managing a house and an inn simultaneously."

    "It has its challenges," the old man grunted, his eyes fixed on my hands as I rested my elbows on the table.

    "Oh, right, I almost forgot," I said, reaching into my breast pocket and pulling out four bronze coins from my storage ring. I placed them on the table. "Here''s one-night payment, and I''ll cover any food I eat."

    The man inspected the coins, ensuring they didn''t bend too easily, before pocketing them.

    "My parents had two sons, me among them, but my mother always wanted a daughter. When we moved into a new house, she would clean it obsessively, joking that the house was like her third child... like a daughter," I said.

    They looked at me oddly but said nothing, likely out of fear of offending a paying customer. Maybe I was being too heavy-handed, trying to steer the conversation toward children, but I wasn''t one to beat around the bush for days.

    "Of course, my brother and I were rambunctious brats," I added with a smile, shaking my head at the memory. "By the way, do you have any children? It must be tough running an inn and raising kids. The last inn I stayed at had children. Cheerful little guys who brightened the place, but they were a nightmare for their parents."

    I carefully watched their reactions as my words hung in the air. The woman, who had been cautiously peeking from behind the corner, quickly withdrew, disappearing into whatever task she had been absorbed in before. Meanwhile, the man''s forced smile stretched awkwardly across his face, his eyes betraying the strain behind the facade. He was trying to mask it, but the tension was palpable.

    Yep, kids were a sore subject for them. It didn''t take a genius to figure that out, even someone blind to social cues could pick up on it. But now, with their reactions laid bare, it was clear as day.

    "Yes... true..." the woman said reluctantly. I was surprised she was the one to break the silence. "Thankfully, I don''t have kids."

    I let the conversation drop as she brought two wooden bowls to the table, one for her husband and one for me.

    "Hope you enjoy it," she said, her voice flat despite her forced smile.

    I nodded and took a sip from the metallic spoon, noting the rust spots on the handle. The meal was bland, but I''d had worse. They were farmers, doing their best with what they had. I didn''t hold it against them.

    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    "This is some hearty food. My compliments to the chef," I said as the woman walked away. "It really brings out that rustic country feeling. This meal makes me feel like a boy again, returning home after a long day of playing to a home-cooked meal."

    She nodded wordlessly, disappearing back behind the kitchen wall.

    It seemed my words had soured the mood further, and no fake compliments would fix it. I didn''t feel too bad, though, considering they let their daughter sleep in a cold mill with a bed made of straw.

    "If you''ve heard any rumors about us, I guarantee they''re false," the man said, breaking the silence as we ate. Well, at least I was eating; he seemed sour.

    "Hm?" I tilted my head, feigning confusion.

    "We have a caretaker who handles the black-bellied pigs and feeds them," he added.

    I stared at him briefly, then nodded and resumed sipping the pork porridge.

    A caretaker who didn''t need food, water, or pay. What a dream employee. The only problem was that the caretaker was their daughter.

    It wasn''t uncommon for people to treat others poorly for their own benefit. That was to be expected. But treating their own daughter this way? Even most scumbags had a line they wouldn''t cross.

    "Really? Why would people gossip about a caretaker? Did she do something wrong?" I asked, curious to see how he''d spin it.

    "No, nothing..." he muttered. "She was born with a sickness on her face. The healer had to remove the rot to save her life."

    That was almost plausible. I''d give the lie three stars. It could have been worse, but he didn''t know what I already knew.

    I had examined her yesterday, and there was no sign of scarring. Sure, a metamorphosis physique could hide scars, but her bones didn''t feel like they had been shaved away.

    "Thanks for the meal," I said, putting four extra copper coins on the table. "I know you said it was on the house, but I''d feel rude not paying."

    It was a bit of an overpayment, but it should lift their spirits a bit. My intention wasn''t to make them angry, just to annoy them slightly.

    Luckily, I still had a youthful face, so saying dumb things like this wasn''t as frowned upon as it would have been for a middle-aged man.

    "Anyway, which room is mine? I''d like to rest a bit, it''s been a long night," I said.

    I was willing to play nice for now because they had something I wanted. I just needed them to show me how terrible they were as parents.

    Sure, I could take what I wanted by force, but letting my mind grow dull was dangerous. Cultivators who became arrogant or lazy often met an early death. That rule applied to both worlds.

    The man gave me a brief, scrutinizing glance before motioning for me to follow. Without a word, he led me up a narrow staircase that creaked under our weight, the wood old but sturdy. The air inside was warm, with the faint smell of breakfast lingering in the hallways. We reached the second floor, where he stopped in front of a door with a large number "1" carved into it.

    With a simple gesture, he pushed the door open, revealing the room inside. It was modest but spacious, with a king-sized bed tucked into one corner. On the opposite side sat a bunk bed, clearly meant for children or additional guests. The room was functional, with little decoration besides a small dresser and a single window overlooking the back of the property.

    The man nodded briefly before retreating downstairs, leaving me alone in the quiet room. I studied the space carefully, noting every detail, every subtle sign of who might have stayed here before. It felt lived-in, yet there was a faint air of abandonment.

    After a while, I heard shouting from outside. Curious, I made my way to the window and cracked it open, listening closely.

    "You waste your life! Why do you always bring trouble to us?" the man''s voice rang out, the politeness from before gone.

    A sharp slap followed, and though I couldn''t see the scene directly, I knew what had happened.

    For a brief moment, the thought crossed my mind; Should I kill the father? But I dismissed it just as quickly.

    He was a lousy father, but perhaps in this world, better than most. If someone else had a daughter without a face... several ignorant villagers would have burned her, thinking she was some kind of demon.

    But no matter how much I tried to rationalize the situation, it still didn��t sit right. And now, one unforeseen complication derailed my train of thought.

    His wife was pregnant. They were both too old to have children naturally, but I could sense the faint presence of Qi inside her, confirming she was with child.

    If I killed the father, what would I do with the mother? I couldn��t kill her too, let alone the unborn baby. Killing him would leave the family without its breadwinner. Despite his faults as a father, he didn��t seem abusive toward his wife, at least judging by their earlier argument.

    Ye An had been lucky to be born into a powerful background, but the life of someone with an extreme physique was rarely good. Assuming, of course, that this girl��s condition even fell into that category.

    How could I resolve this without feeling like shit?

    I might have justified it for the greater good in my previous world. But here, I was a cultivator. If a cultivator couldn��t have their cake and eat it too, then who could?

    After that first slap and more yelling, the man stormed off, leaving the faceless girl to get up and futilely try wiping the mud off her clothes. She only managed to dirty her hands further.

    I glanced outside, and though she had no eyes, the girl seemed to sense my gaze. Her head turned toward me.

    She waved, surprisingly chipper, as if her father��s abuse didn��t affect her at all.

    This only made me want to kill the man more. But seeing how he had lost control, I decided to play a different game this time.

    I wasn��t going to have the blood of an unborn child on my hands, nor did I plan to stick around and raise the kid myself. An idea slowly formed in my mind as I silently leaped from the window, landing softly in the mud. Before my bare socks touched the ground, I put on a new pair of boots.

    ��You have a difficult life. Do you want me to kill them?�� I asked.

    The faceless girl hurriedly shook her head, though I hadn��t specified who ��they�� were. She knew exactly what I meant.

    ��You sure?��

    She nodded vigorously, waving her arms in exaggerated motions to show just how much she disagreed with the idea.

    She was too kind. If someone treated me even slightly poorly, there was a good chance I��d kill them.

    However, these kinds of things were always situational. Some people like Hu Jin made it difficult at times. I didn��t want to oppose heaven��s favorite, but by now it was either me or him.

    Since he had escaped the Immortal��s Tomb, there was little doubt he survived. Worse yet, he probably emerged with a great reward, which would skyrocket his cultivation. He was one of the reasons I wanted to leave the Sect and move to a place where I��d be hard to find.

    Still, I had to find a way to kill him. Unless the tomb��s luck-cancelling effect was still in play... if it was, Hu Jin might have already met his end. But it was safer to prepare for the worst. As soon as I could confirm he lived, I needed to gather his enemies. There was that whole fiance?e situation, perhaps it was something I could use against him?

    ��What are you thinking about?�� an amalgamation of feminine voices suddenly rang in my head, startling me.

    The faceless girl had regained her ability to speak!

    Now that she could talk, many questions sprang to mind, though most were likely beyond her understanding. Mostly questions about her condition.

    Instead, I asked, ��Why do you stay transformed as a little girl?��

    She could change into any form, a strong, muscular man to defend herself, or a tall woman. I even theorized that, with enough training, she might be able to transform into an animal, like a wolf, and tear her father��s throat out.

    ��People don��t bother me as much when I look like a little girl, for some reason,�� she explained.

    It was a sad but logical conclusion. Yet, it brought up another question.

    ��What��s your true form?�� I asked.

    ��Sorry, but I��ve long since forgotten. As far back as I can remember, I��ve always been a girl... forever young.��

 Chapter 209: Scheming Old Man

    Liu Bo was a simple man. He liked his clan because they cared for him and did everything they could to develop his meager talents despite being an orphan with two mortal parents who died when he was young.

    Even his cousins, who went to the Blazing Sun Sect, never mistreated him. Liu Qian, the Clan Head''s daughter, always made sure to convey that they were still family. The Liu Clan had to create a base within the Blazing Sun Sect, allowing their talented youth to study in a foreign environment, and Liu Qian kept that unity alive.

    Still, when it came to certain duties, Liu Bo never hesitated to take the initiative and show his willingness to do anything for the clan.

    Now, as he stood atop the walls of Sha Shou City, the city his clan ruled. He kept his back straight, occasionally glancing at the troublesome old man beside him.

    The old man, with his white hair and long beard, was a Foundation Establishment cultivator well over a century old. But judging by his behavior, Liu Bo would have guessed the man was no older than five.

    Despite his thoughts, Liu Bo didn''t dare let his gaze linger too long and returned his attention to the vast grasslands beyond the city. There used to be a forest in the distance, but the Clan Leader had ordered it cut down after it became clear that it was a liability during one of the worst Beast Waves.

    "It''s been months since my grandson supposedly left the Blazing Sun Sect. It''s clear now that he''s dead," the old man said, his voice wavering, his eyes brimming with tears. "I held him in my arms when he was young. I knew then that he would be the next Clan Leader. A lion who would make the nearby regions bow. Why couldn''t it have been any of my other grandsons? I have plenty to spare. Why did it have to be Liu Feng?"

    Liu Bo sighed internally. The old man certainly didn''t hide who his favorite grandson was.

    He had learned by now that comforting the old man was pointless.

    All he could do was pray to the heavens that Liu Feng would return soon so he wouldn''t have to deal with this troublesome elder. He had lost count of how many times the old man had made treasonous remarks about the Clan Head, insisting his grandson should take over.

    Of course, Liu Bo had reported this to Liu Qian. But apparently, everyone already knew how much of a nuisance this old goat was, and no one wanted to provoke one of their strongest elders into rebellion.

    "As long as my grandson is well, I won''t even aim for the Clan Head position anymore," the old man muttered. "Though that lass Liu Qian is hardly suitable. I mean, a woman? Who''s ever heard of a woman leading a clan?"

    Liu Bo had heard of plenty. The Azure Frost Sect, one of the most powerful sects in the world, was led by a woman, and women had ruled as long as they had the power to do so. Liu Qian had read about them, too, hoping to become a better leader without stirring internal conflict within the clan.

    But Liu Bo knew better than to argue with the old man. Logic wouldn''t work on him. At the same time, he couldn''t voice any agreement with the elder, as that would be treason against the Clan Head''s family. Sure, Liu Nu, as an elder, could get away with it. But Liu Bo wouldn''t dare even try.

    Liu Bo cared little about who should become Clan Head. From what he could see, both Liu Feng and Liu Qian would do a fine job. But there were pros and cons to each.

    Liu Feng always seemed aloof and more interested in spending time with Song Song than leading anything. He might make a good leader if he tried, but he didn''t seem like someone who cared about such roles and would rather read a book.

    Liu Qian, on the other hand, was a woman. Not that Liu Bo held it against her, he knew how capable she was as a leader and diplomat. She had been the one to lead her team, and the foothold they had created in the Blazing Sun Sect could largely be attributed to her. But in a clan facing wars on all fronts, image mattered. Some might see her becoming a leader as a sign of weakness, and the last thing they needed was infighting over her leadership.

    Unless Liu Qian possessed overwhelming power, there would be issues. If she were a Core Formation cultivator, no one would care. But none of them had the talents to ensure they would reach Foundation Establishment, let alone anything higher. If they hadn''t been in the Blazing Sun Sect and had access to its techniques and resources, they would have had little to no chance of reaching Foundation Establishment.

    Still, these were matters beyond Liu Bo''s concern.

    All he could hope for now was that Liu Feng would return soon before the old man conjured up wild theories about the Clan Head sending assassins. That would surely spark a civil war.

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    Things had been much simpler in the sect...

    Liu Bo sighed.

    ********

    "Remember, Wu Yan, this is a Heartthrob Flower," I said, holding the delicate rose-shaped blossom between my fingers. Its petals were soft, perfectly forming the shape of a heart, its vivid red color almost pulsing with life. "Despite its romantic name, it has nothing to do with love spells or making someone fall head over heels. The reason it''s called that is much darker, the poison it carries attacks the heart directly, causing it to beat uncontrollably, quite literally making it throb. Not edible."

    Wu Yan nodded, her porcelain mask now carved with a face. She was a good student overall.

    "Punama, suki," the voice whispered, strange and unsettling, emanating not from her lips but from the small, twisted mouth that had formed on her neck.

    I had thought that creating the mouth and teaching her to control the tongue would be the biggest challenge, but getting someone who had never spoken before to say anything was just as tricky.

    We sat atop Speedy''s shell, the gentle sway of his movements beneath us a constant rhythm as I spread out the assortment of flowers, herbs, and other curious items we had gathered along our journey. The plants varied in color and texture, from the deep purples of a nightshade blossom to the pale greens of medicinal roots, each one carrying its own unique properties. Though my knowledge of alchemy was far from extensive, I understood the basics.

    As I pointed to each item, explaining its uses, I could see the girl listening intently, her small hands mimicking my movements as I demonstrated how to crush leaves for a quick antidote or identify a flower that could ease pain. It wasn''t just about knowledge; it was survival. I needed her to understand how to fend for herself and use the land to stay alive, just in case the day came when I wasn��t there to guide her. I also taught her a handful of easy poison recipes.

    If the choice was there, no one would want an extreme physique user nearby. Wu Yan wasn''t an exception. Extreme physiques typically had catastrophic effects when the user died, like how Ye An would unleash an explosion of ice with her Qi or how a poison physique would cause their body to rupture in a poisonous blast.

    We had traveled a fair bit around the Liu Clan''s territory so I could teach her these essential survival skills. I had wanted to teach her how to hunt, too, but with winter approaching, animals were scarce. Sooner or later, we would likely run into a monstrous beast, and I had to be cautious about that.

    The Dragon Sleeping Mountains were nearby, close to the region ruled by my clan, which I had always wanted to visit. But with winter closing in, I would take no unnecessary risks, especially with Wu Yan around.

    We had ventured into a vast grassy field, the soft green blades swaying gently in the breeze. The landscape stretched endlessly, serene and quiet, with the occasional patch of farmland dotting the horizon like lonely outposts of civilization in this sea of grass. In the distance, barely visible at the edge of my sight I saw walls, faint and hazy but unmistakable. That had to be Sha Shou City. Unless, of course, we had taken a wrong turn somewhere along the way.

    As we got closer, I knew it would be a while before we could set off again. Which was both a relief and a bit disappointing. At least now I had some experience traveling the world.

    One thing that stood out to me in this world was that almost every town I visited had reports of people going missing in the nearby woods. Those were the cases I avoided at all costs. The last thing I wanted was to face a monstrous beast in their own territory.

    Monstrous beasts in their habitat were masters at masking their presence. It wouldn''t be like the Beast Waves, where they charged in large packs tightly knit together and could not dodge attacks. Here, they had the advantage.

    During this journey with Wu Yan, I had broken through to become a four-star Qi Gathering Cultivator. Wu Yan, however, had yet to recover her spiritual roots, and by now, I wasn''t sure she ever would. Maybe she wasn''t an extreme physique user after all, or perhaps not all extreme physique users could recover their cultivation like Ye An had.

    The closer we drew to Sha Shou City, and the more clearly the towering walls came into view, the knot of anxiety in my chest tightened. Meeting Liu Feng''s family stirred a strange unease, an unfamiliar mix of nerves and excitment. I had never met them before, yet somehow, it felt like I was returning to a place I''d once known... though it was not an unpleasant feeling.

    I had a grandfather who was an elder in the clan. As far back as I could remember he had always been kind, just like any doting grandfather, showing me gifts and affection.

    Yet, I had to admit he was a bit too biased toward me. I never recalled him showing the same love to his other grandchildren.

    But I didn��t have time to dwell on those thoughts as we continued along the grassy road, and the city��s towering stone walls came into full view. Here and there, patches of newer stone stood out, a clear reminder of the damage caused by the last Beast Wave. The repairs, though sturdy, seemed almost like scars on the ancient fortification, telling the tale of battles fought and survived.

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    Another thing that immediately caught my attention was the figure of an old man standing atop the wall. He looked like something out of a storybook, a Dumbledore-like figure with long, flowing white hair and a beard to match, but dressed in dark, muted clothes. Beside him stood a familiar youth with unremarkable looks.

    That old man was my grandfather. And the youth standing next to him, was that Liu Bo?

    Grandpa��s face was a mixture of emotions as tears streamed freely down his weathered cheeks, his smile soft and filled with warmth. The sight of him like that was both touching and a little overwhelming. His reaction, though extreme, wasn��t surprising... he had always doted on me, ever since I could remember.

    The stranger part was Liu Bo. He looked excited to see me. We had never been close. Sure, he might offer a polite smile, but excited? That was new.

    Had something happened?

 Chapter 208: Young Forever

    Young forever? What a strange way to phrase it. Either she was some kind of eldritch immortal horror, or she simply hadn''t spoken to enough people and developed an odd manner of speech.

    "Would you like to come with me? There''s not much for you in this place," I said calmly, ensuring my tone was as sincere as possible.

    I sometimes had a bleeding heart in certain situations, but I wasn''t in the habit of adopting random kids. I wasn''t a saint. But something about her condition piqued my curiosity like nothing else.

    The faceless girl hesitated before nodding as if unsure of her own decision.

    "Do you hate your parents?" I asked.

    She shook her head, her answer immediate. No hesitation this time, I thought.

    She was too young to know better. Well, her parents would live for now. If she ever wanted to, she could come back and kill them later. However, judging by her demeanor, I doubted that would happen.

    I didn''t waste any more time. With a glance over my shoulder, I leaped toward the side of the inn in one practiced motion. My fingers gripped the rough windowsill, and with a quick pull, I hoisted myself up. The wood creaked under my weight, but I swung my legs over and slipped inside before the sound could draw any attention.

    I surveyed the room and smiled. Not bad for four copper coins. Even so, their business was struggling.

    Well, no need to pretend anymore. I already learned what I needed to learn about this situation.

    I stepped out of the room and descended the stairs. The wood didn''t even creak. A well-built staircase meant I could easily sneak up on the owners.

    "Excuse me, I hope I''m not being a bother," I said, announcing my presence.

    The woman knelt on the floor, her hands moving in steady, circular motions as she scrubbed away at the dirt-streaked surface. Her brow was furrowed in concentration, each brush stroke methodical, as if she were determined to erase every trace of grime that clung to the worn wood. Nearby, the man moved from chair to chair, bending down to check for wobbling legs. He tested each one with a quick press of his hand, his sharp eyes scanning for any signs of weakness. Now and then, he muttered under his breath, adjusting a loose joint or shifting a chair to see if it would hold steady. Together, they worked in silence, the faint sounds of scrubbing and wood creaking filling the room, a quiet rhythm to their routine.

    I approached the table with a smile. It was time to make them an offer they couldn''t refuse.

    "How much for the faceless girl?" I asked. "She seems to be causing you some trouble."

    A direct approach, maybe too blunt. But I was willing to bend a bit to help a little girl from her father.

    "We..." The woman started, but her freckled face froze mid-sentence. She hadn''t expected me to figure it out. Her eyes wandered toward her husband as if looking at him for advice.

    "She''s not for sale," the man said, standing up from his chair inspection and locking eyes with me. "But if you want to see her, it''ll be four copper coins."

    He understood the situation better. I knew he was trying to squeeze as much profit from me as possible.

    However, his approach was surprising. He was treating this like a freak show, charging people to gawk at the faceless girl.

    I walked toward the table, fingers brushing against my chest as if reaching into an inner pocket that didn''t exist. In truth, I used the gesture to summon two gold coins from my storage ring. I set them on the table, their soft clink breaking the silence.

    The woman gasped, hand flying to her mouth. The man narrowed his eyes, suspicion flickering across his face. His gaze darted toward a hammer on the ground for a brief moment, then quickly to the kitchen door.

    He was welcome to try. He probably thought I was loaded and might have enough wealth to make their lives easy.

    If they tried anything, I''d slit their throats before they could blink. Maybe I''d let the woman live. She was pretty enough to remarry someone else, though that child growing in her belly would complicate things. But she should be able to give her other child an okay life.

    "Make it five gold coins," the man said.

    It seemed he''d given up on attacking me. A part of me almost wished they''d tried just to give me a reason to kill them. But that was just an impulsive part of me that wanted revenge for the little girl.

    "Sure," I said, pulling out a small sack filled with gold coins and dropping it on the table. More than they''d see in a lifetime. The wealth gap between cultivators and mortals was ridiculous.

    Their eyes widened as the coins spilled across the table.

    "Here, take it all. As for why your daughter disappeared, just say something like she wandered into the forest," I shrugged and stood.

    I left without a second glance, the door creaking shut behind me as I stepped into the cool air outside. To my surprise, the faceless girl stood there, waiting in the shadow of the doorway. The sight of her startled me for a brief moment.

    But as quickly as the unease came, it faded, replaced by a mischievous idea. A grin crept onto my face as the thought formed, this girl was the perfect person to spook Song Song. I could already picture the look of confusion, maybe even fear on her face, and the thought made my grin widen. Whatever strangeness this girl brought with her, I could at least have a little fun with it. However, it was hard to imagine someone like Song Song being scared the way a normal person would have been.

    "Do you want to take anything from the mill? I paid them enough, they won''t miss it," I told her.

    Of course, whether her parents would survive with that much gold was another matter. The man seemed clever enough in some respects, but reckless spending could attract the wrong kind of attention. They were uneducated farmers in the middle of nowhere, after all. Even someone educated could fall into ruin with newfound wealth, plenty of lottery winners had gone broke. So, it wasn''t necessarily a subject of education. But this world didn''t have free access to information to learn what to do with that level of wealth.

    This was my punishment for them. Their survival now depended on their decisions.

    The girl shook her head.

    "Alright, then let''s go for a little flight," I said, lifting her in a princess carry as a sword appeared from my storage ring, hovering at my feet.

    With that, we shot off like a rocket, the faceless girl clinging to me for dear life.

    As we raced across the land, the world blurred beneath us, a swirl of muted colors. The dull, barren landscape stretched for miles, but a glimmer of change appeared on the horizon as we pressed on. The air grew crisper and cooler as the distant snow-capped mountains slowly came into view, their white peaks catching the faint light of the sun.

    Winter was fast approaching, and it wasn''t wise to wander around when beast waves were on the move. If I encountered a monstrous beast, there was no doubt a beast wave wouldn''t be far behind. Most beasts had a better sense of smell than cultivators, meaning they''d likely notice me before I sensed them.

    "It slipped my mind to ask earlier, but do you have a name?" I asked the girl as we flew.

    She shook her head. No surprise, given how her family had treated her.

    "Alright, how about Wu Yan? Not the most creative, I know, but I''m terrible with names," I offered.

    She nodded but didn''t show much emotion beyond that.

    Did she like it? Hate it?

    It was hard to tell, her lack of a face made her impossible to read, so I let it slide.

    ...

    We reached the edge of a muddy road, the surface cracking and hardening under the relentless heat of the noon sun. What had once been soft, sticky earth had baked into rough ridges, forming a jagged, uneven path. Amidst this dusty landscape, Speedy''s bright green turtle shell stood out like a beacon, impossible to miss even from a distance.

    As we descended, the stench of blood hit me; sharp, metallic, thick in the air. Scattered around Speedy were the half-eaten remains of a wolf pack, their bodies torn apart in a gruesome display. Something about the scene seemed off, though each carcass was partially covered by dry, brown leaves as if someone had tried to hide them hastily.

    Why the hell did he bother covering them? I wondered.

    I landed beside Speedy, who was dozing off as usual. I might''ve been more weirded out by him if he wasn''t such a good companion.

    "Hey, Speedy, no need to hide this from me," I said as his large eyes fluttered open. He snorted, stood, and glanced at the faceless girl, snorting again before yawning.

    With that, he grunted and offered me his back. I climbed atop his shell, pulling the girl up beside me. Her clothes were nothing but rags, so I pulled out a spare jacket and wrapped it around her.

    As soon as we found a stream, I planned to use a warming array and make a pool so we could wash up.

    ...

    Weeks flew by as we journeyed through vast, uninhabited regions, each day blending into the next. The further we traveled, the colder it became. Frost clung to the morning mist, and the nights turned bitterly cold, forcing me to constantly keep a warming array active atop Speedy''s shell.

    Today felt like any other day as I meticulously dissected a squirrel-like creature atop Speedy''s back, explaining each step to the girl as I worked. She "watched" with quiet curiosity. She was never the type to flinch; by now, she was used to these lessons.

    Gone were the rags she once wore, replaced by a simple jacket and pants I had resized to fit her small frame. They hung loosely in places but offered far more warmth than her old tattered clothes. She stood beside me, steadying herself by holding on to the shell as she leaned in to observe. Despite the dead animal, the scene had an odd sense of peace.

    "As you can see, eyes need to be connected to a nervous system to function. Mouths need to be connected to the stomach. Once you understand these basics, even if you can''t change your face, you can still morph the rest of your body," I explained as I carefully cut away parts of the squirrel''s anatomy.

    I was hoping that understanding basic anatomy might help her with her metamorphosis.

    She could already create eyes or mouths on her hands, but they were purely for appearance, they didn''t function.

    "Here, touch the eyes. Feel and understand them," I said, placing the squirrel''s eyes in her hands.

    This wasn''t how a normal child should be taught, but her nonchalant demeanor was far from ordinary. Her time for a typical childhood had long passed.

    "Touch the nerves behind the eyeballs. Do you have a clearer sense of them now?" I asked.

    She nodded.

    Wu Yan was an attentive student, but we worked with limited resources. Books or blackboards wouldn''t help her since she couldn''t read like others. While she could "see" through a personalized form of Qi sensing, it wasn''t the same as reading text. I considered trying Qi-infused writing, but since her spirit roots were still damaged, we had to wait for them to heal before her sensing became more precise.

    If she could grow proper eyes, teaching her would be much easier. Teaching someone blind wasn''t something I ever thought I''d be doing.

    Dissecting humans would have been more effective, but we hadn''t yet encountered any lowlifes deserving that fate. Contrary to popular belief, most bandits were more interested in robbery than killing. Whether it was for moral or practical reasons didn''t matter. They knew that killing some random merchant was just asking for trouble in a world where anyone could be related to a cultivator.

    Dumb bandits existed, but they didn''t last long. Besides, traveling on a giant turtle tended to deter confrontation. Most bandits were just poor farmers, not professional criminals.

    "Well, we''re getting closer to civilization now, near a region my clan rules," I said, glancing at the dry grass fields around us. The road was empty.

    I pulled a white porcelain mask from my storage ring and handed it to her. "Here, so people don''t get scared when they see your face."

    She nodded and took it without a word. Even though she could speak telepathically, she rarely did. A simple nod or shake of her head was usually enough.

    "Now, about that theory we discussed," I continued. "Once you get the hang of it, try growing a mouth on your throat. It''ll make speaking while wearing a mask easier and more natural."

    She nodded again, and a mouth with teeth and thick lips appeared on her throat. It wasn''t new, she''d done it before, but the challenge was coordinating the tongue and vocal cords.

    Hopefully, her spiritual roots would recover soon. If she could use Qi, we could do so much more.

 Chapter 210: Grandpa

    As I approached the gates, a small group of guards stood watch, their chainmail faintly glinting in the sunlight. Dark robes draped over their shoulders, giving them an air that was both regal and battle-ready.

    A line of people stretched ahead, patiently awaiting their turn to enter. Some shuffled forward, others murmured in hushed tones. Yet, as I moved toward the entrance, no one tried to stop me from skipping the line. Instead, the guards acknowledged me with nods, a few even offering friendly smiles.

    ��Young master, welcome back.��

    ��Master Feng, we��ve heard about your book. You honor the Liu Family.��

    ��Did you tame a monstrous beast turtle? As expected of Master Feng.��

    Though these guards were merely Body Tempering Cultivators, they displayed a level of obsequiousness worthy of Core Formation masters when it came to flattery. Their smiles were overly eager, their nods too respectful, each gesture an attempt to curry favor. I saw through their intentions, hoping to gain some small advantage by treating me with exaggerated respect. But I smiled and nodded back. It was easier to play along than to disrupt the delicate dance of courtesies they so clearly thrived on.

    I half-expected someone to mention that monstrous beasts weren��t allowed in the city, but no one brought it up. I was just another inner disciple in the Blazing Sun Sect, a nobody without Song Song behind me. But here, I was an honored member of the Liu Family and the grandson of an elder.

    Sha Shou City lacked the bustling energy of Goldwatch City or even the rugged resilience of Whitewall Town, where I��d once overseen a Beast Wave. Despite its quieter atmosphere, certain features stood out, chief among them, its sheer size.

    The city sprawled out far and wide, with farms stretching across its outskirts, their fields reaching toward the horizon just beyond the walls. A second wall loomed beyond the farmland, separating commoners from the Liu Clan��s inner sanctum.

    If I had to describe Sha Shou City in one word, it would be efficient. Everything about its design seemed purposeful. Farmers toiled methodically in the fields while guards patrolled with watchful eyes. Yet the place felt oddly empty as if it had been built for a larger population than it currently held. Even more striking was the forest nestled within the city walls, a clear indication of the goal here: self-sufficiency. Whoever had designed this place had envisioned it standing strong in isolation, functioning independently if needed. Yet the strain of that ambition showed. The farms alone couldn��t support the population indefinitely, but the idea was sound, especially in the face of constant Beast Waves or worse... something like a prolonged apocalypse.

    The air beside me shifted as I stood there, contemplating the city��s design and its heavy atmosphere. The wind stirred, and suddenly, my grandfather appeared, standing calmly on Speedy��s shell.

    ��How have you been, little Feng?�� he asked, smiling, though his gaze occasionally flicked toward Wu Yan.

    ��Pretty good. I traveled a bit after leaving the Blazing Sun Sect. I planned to journey further, but with the Beast Waves coming, I thought it wise to be behind some walls.�� I paused. ��By the way, how long have you been waiting atop the walls? I didn��t discuss exact dates with my cousins when they left the Sect, but I hope I didn��t keep you waiting too long.��

    ��Worry?�� The old man snorted, shaking his head. ��Why would I worry? You��re my grandson. A dragon in the making.��

    My smile stiffened at that, but I forced myself not to cringe and nodded along instead. Though the original Liu Feng didn��t have the typical young master attitude, he had his flaws and a skewed approach to cultivation. His warrior mindset was largely shaped by our grandfather.

    ��How has the Clan been? Did you suffer during the last Beast Wave? We had some problems on our side. Did they reach all the way here?�� I asked, hoping to steer the conversation away from the embarrassment.

    Also, where was Liu Bo?

    I glanced around but didn��t see him.

    Smart guy. He knew when to cut his losses. I was half-hoping to sic this old man on him for a while, then head off for dinner with my parents.

    ��Not really. The thunder wolves attack this region as usual. Even if other beasts tried to invade, the Thunder Wolf King would keep them in check,�� my grandfather replied.

    The Thunder Wolf King was the true ruler of these lands. While humans built settlements and Sects, it was the beasts that truly held power in the lands. Of course, lumping all monstrous beasts together was too much. Some would probably see humans and their fellow beasts from other races as the same, just a source of food.

    No one was entirely sure of the Thunder Wolf King��s cultivation stage, but it was thought to be at the peak of Foundation Establishment or possibly an early Core Formation beast. Regardless, it acted as a balancing force. An enemy you knew was often better than an unknown one.

    Given the political landscape, I doubted any clan or Sect truly wanted the Thunder Wolf King gone. Yet many cities still fell when Beast Waves came.

    ��I could use some of the thunder wolves for research,�� I mused.

    Who knew? My Lightning Array might improve with some external input. Monstrous beasts usually couldn��t wield lightning unless they were at least Foundation Establishment, but the wolves here may have mutated.

    ��By the way,�� my grandfather said, eyeing Wu Yan, ��Who��s your little friend? She��s a bit young to be a concubine, but in a few years, she��ll be the perfect age for marriage.��

    This guy...

    At his core, my grandfather was a cultivator who had grown up in harsh times. The Liu Clan of his youth was not as prosperous as it was now, and it wasn��t hard to imagine that their rise to power wasn��t achieved by kindness alone.

    So, while the idea of kidnapping a girl and waiting for her to come of age might sound extreme, it wasn��t surprising coming from him. I didn��t hold it against him as much as I probably should. The Liu Feng part of me loved this old man as my grandfather.

    ��No, she��s just a girl I helped along the way,�� I said. ��I see her more like a daughter or sister.��

    My grandfather raised a white brow and looked me over from head to toe before shrugging.

    ��Anyway,�� he said, settling down on Speedy��s back as the massive turtle continued down the well-paved roads that wound through the farms. ��How was your time in the Blazing Sun Sect? I��ve heard many exciting things about you. The feasts I had to throw in your honor almost made me penniless.��

    Though his words sounded like a complaint, the wide, proud smirk on his face said otherwise. He looked like a grandfather boasting about his grandson becoming a doctor.

    We conversed more as we walked, talking about mundane matters. Mu Yan stood silently beside me, saying nothing.

    Grandfather led us down a secluded path as we neared the more populated parts of the city, one I hadn��t noticed before. The winding road was concealed by thick trees and overgrown brush. It was quiet and remote, far from the usual bustling streets one would expect of a city, and it eventually opened up to a hidden entrance leading straight into the inner part of the city.

    Once inside, the difference between the outer and inner city was subtle but distinct. The architecture remained modest and practical, but a sense of familiarity set it apart. Every face I passed was one I recognized. Even the servants, bustling about their duties, were somehow connected to the Liu Clan. It was as if the entire inner city was a close-knit extension of the family. Which, in many ways, it was.

    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    The Liu Clan practiced a form of extreme bloodline elitism. Even the servants had higher status than any of the merchants outside the clan. That��s why marrying into the Liu Clan was considered a privilege.

    But I paid little attention to these things, they didn��t concern me much. However, as we entered the inner city, all eyes were inevitably drawn to me. Speedy was far too conspicuous to go unnoticed.

    We approached one of the larger houses in the inner city, marked by a well-kept yard and a koi pond shimmering gently in the sunlight. The house exuded a quiet elegance, but what truly caught my attention were the two figures standing at the front gates. A man with long, dark hair streaked with early grays stood tall, his beard just a shadow of stubble. Beside him was a woman, her face etched with the lines of time. A scar ran down one side of her face, tracing its path to her eye, a pale, milk-colored orb that showed she was half-blind.

    These were my parents. Seeing them stirred something deep inside me, an emotion I couldn��t quite contain. The Liu Feng part of me, the part shaped by their presence and absence, made my heart leap with excitement. It was more than just recognition; it was the warmth of familiarity.

    My mother��s face was streaked with tears as she looked at me, while my father had an arm around her shoulders, trying to comfort her.

    Speedy stopped at the gates, and I jumped off his shell, landing in front of my parents.

    ��Mother, father, I��m back,�� I said.

    My weeping mother rushed toward me, her head colliding with my chest.

    ��My son, my baby boy, you��ve returned alive,�� she sobbed.

    Still straddled on Speedy��s shell, Grandfather appeared thoroughly unimpressed by the emotional scene. Despite his tender moments with me, he couldn��t hide his indifference toward my parents. Though he might have felt I wasn��t paying attention, I saw right through him. The cracks in his character were clear, cracks the original Liu Feng had missed.

    But I set that aside for now, embracing my mother as my father nodded at me. He was practically a middle-aged version of me, though he still sported long hair.

    These people were supposed to feel like strangers to me, but the Liu Feng part of me cared for them deeply. I smiled and spoke with them for a while before entering a traditional Chinese-style house with a large yard.

    The dining room looked just as I remembered it, as though time hadn��t touched it. The walls were adorned with familiar paintings, landscapes and delicate calligraphy, each stirring memories of quiet meals and family gatherings. At the center of the room was the low table, requiring us to sit on the floor. Its dark wood gleamed faintly in the soft light filtering through the windows. The stone floor beneath us was cool but softened by a well-worn wheat-colored carpet.

    It all felt so familiar...

    I��d never thought much about Liu Feng��s emotions before, but how did they affect my situation? I always considered them like scars, something I could remember without feeling the pain. Yet here, in front of these people, the emotions felt fresh, like a wound that had just been reopened.

    I felt... like Liu Feng.

    They asked the usual questions about my time in the Sect, their voices filled with curiosity and parental concern. I answered as best as I could, recounting my days, my training, and the routines I��d settled into. It was nothing extraordinary, just the kind of small talk families fall into after time apart.

    In turn, I asked them about life at home. Their responses were similarly ordinary, updates on the household, the city, and bits of news that felt both distant and familiar. The conversation flowed easily, with a comforting simplicity, as if we were all easing back into each other��s presence without needing to delve too deeply just yet. The words were secondary to the feeling of reconnection.

    During all this, I had left Speedy in the yard and the faceless girl in the living room. While she could technically create a mouth, her internal organs were... complicated, and I wasn��t sure she even had a stomach. Eating might be dangerous for her, as she had never done it before.

    My mother looked at me strangely when I left the girl outside the dining room without offering her food and came inside to eat.

    In the middle of our pleasant conversation, accompanied by good food and a relaxed atmosphere, my grandfather said, ��So, I think you should take over as the next clan head.��

    I was in the middle of picking up a juicy piece of grilled duck with my chopsticks when he said that. I paused mid-bite, staring at him.

    Huh? What the hell was he talking about? Me, the Clan Head? Where did he even get that idea?

    No offense to the Liu Clan, but while they might be an expanding power and a local overlord, they were nothing in the grand scheme of things. Any Core Formation Elder from the Blazing Sun Sect could reduce this place to rubble in an afternoon.

    If the Liu Clan were some major force with hidden secrets, ancient knowledge, or anything of real value, maybe I��d be tempted to consider it. But this? It felt like being asked to work overtime for no extra pay. I had already done that in one life, and I wasn��t stupid enough to do that shit again.

    Besides, Liu Qian was a nice girl; taking this from her would be a low blow. She had helped me back when I was just an outer disciple, putting herself in a tough spot when an inner sect young master tried to mess with me.

    But now, I had to figure out if admitting all this to my grandfather was a good idea.

    ��I��ll think about it when I reach Core Formation,�� I said.

    By then, no one would be able to force me to do anything, and I��d probably aim for the Nascent Soul Realm since it would be within reach. Becoming the head of some second-rate clan wasn��t even on my radar.

    My parents exchanged worried glances when I said that, while my grandfather��s face remained surprisingly unreadable.

    ��You know,�� he began, a smile tugging at his lips, ��when I heard of your accomplishments, I was the proudest man in the clan. Your books, your relationship with the Song girl, managing a town on your own... one of the few that wasn��t destroyed during the Beast Wave...�� His voice softened, a melancholic glint in his eyes. ��After all that, it would be a loss for the clan if someone like you didn��t become the next Clan Head. And many people agree with me.��

    It was clear he wasn��t going to drop the issue if I kept dodging it.

    ��I��d rather not fight with my family,�� I said with a shrug.

    Grandfather��s brow furrowed, deep lines etching into his face as he frowned. I braced myself for an outburst or maybe a shout or an angry reprimand.

    But nothing came.

    Instead, he simply stared at me, his eyes distant, as if his thoughts had wandered far beyond the room. He slowly ran a hand through his white beard, the gesture calm, almost absentminded. The silence between us stretched, growing heavier with each passing second.

    Finally, he spoke again. ��There wouldn��t need to be any fighting... if you marry Liu Qian.��

    What?

    Now, it was my turn to frown. ��I already have a fiance?e.��

    ��You wouldn��t be the first man to have more than one wife,�� he replied calmly. ��And if you feel that marriage should be special, take the Fu girl as a concubine. Then we can deal with the Fu Clan, wipe them out, and your children with the Fu girl can inherit whatever remains.��

    He leaned back, looking far too pleased with himself, as though he had just delivered the most brilliant plan ever conceived.

    ��Aren��t Liu Qian and I third cousins or something?�� I asked. Everyone in the Liu Clan was related by blood in some way, but some ties were closer than others, and we were pretty close.

    I wasn''t even going to try convincing him about the whole Fu Clan bloodshed that would come with a war between us and them. Not to mention, Fu Yating would not be happy, to say the least, with her family getting massacred. That would be asking to get a knife in the throat while I slept.

    Also, wasn''t this whole marriage alliance between us and them because if a war broke out, we weren''t sure who would win? Even if we did win, there would be heavy casualties.

    ��Yes, my brother was the father of the current Clan Head,�� Grandfather shrugged, giving me a look like I was the odd one for not wanting to marry my cousin. ��I knew my brother well; he was my best friend. I��m sure he would��ve been proud to see you marry his granddaughter.��

    That wasn��t the point. The point was how casually everyone here accepted the idea of me marrying my cousin.

    Sure, I��d heard that political marriages, even between first cousins, weren��t uncommon to keep succession clean and bury bad blood. But still... I really didn��t want to fuck my cousin.

    I let him talk a bit longer, giving him time to express himself. I also had some time to think my words through.

    He just kept circling back to the same argument, rehashing the same points in different ways. When he finally finished, I let the silence linger momentarily, ensuring my following words would have the intended impact.

    ��Ruling the Liu Clan sounds like a tedious job. There are no major benefits for me; in the end, we are just a small clan in the middle of nowhere. Any Core Formation Cultivator could just come and easily slaughter us, so I would rather work on becoming a Core Formation Cultivator than waste time with silly ideas like becoming the Clan Head,�� I said, casually dipping a piece of duck into the yellow sauce by the side. The sauce had a tangy, lemon-like taste. Were lemons even a thing in this world?

    Grandfather was a stubborn old man, so I knew he wouldn��t drop the issue easily. That��s why I spoke bluntly, in a way I knew he would understand.

    Suppose we were a major organization like the Blazing Sun Sect, with access to vast resources and knowledge. In that case, I��d be willing to do the paperwork and deal with the headaches. But for a small place like the Liu Clan? No chance.

    I expected him to get angry, but he kept his cool once again.

    This was no joking matter for us. Maybe greed was clouding his judgment, or perhaps he knew that this situation had a lot of potential for a lot of bloodshed.

 Chapter 211: Costly Things

    I woke up, slowly opened my eyes, and sank deeper into the softness of the silk sheets and plush mattress. Despite the luxurious bed, the room was simplistic; with a small bookshelf stood in one corner, filled with books on techniques like the Piercing Fang Fist. A large window let in a sliver of light, casting a soft glow over a plain wooden table. Beyond that, there was little else, just an ordinary room with modest furnishings.

    After that tense and awkward dinner conversation, I hadn''t crossed paths with my grandfather. Though I wasn''t entirely surprised, he was a busy man.

    Was he scheming again? He always had a talent for maneuvering behind the scenes. After all, he had somehow cornered the Liu Clan Head and arranged my engagement to my cousin. He must have been an excellent speaker if nothing else.

    I also made sure to keep Wu Yan away from him. She was too innocent, and who knew what those scheming foxes might fill her head with.

    Oddily enough, the bed felt familiar despite never having slept there before.

    After slipping into a simple white shirt and pants, I left the room.

    The hallway was quiet, with faint morning light filtering through the windows. As I walked down the stairs, the scent of breakfast, rice porridge and something herbal, wafted through the air.

    Everything felt so familiar.

    At the bottom of the stairs, I was in the living room, bathed in warm light streaming through the windows. My gaze settled on my mother, seated in front of a large mirror propped against the wall. She gently tied Wu Yan''s long, dark hair into a neat bun while the girl sat quietly on her lap.

    My mother''s expression was soft but focused as she taught Wu Yan to replicate the style. Her voice was a quiet murmur that carried a warmth I hadn''t expected. She skillfully twisted the bun and effortlessly secured it with only a single chopstick. It held perfectly.

    Watching them, I felt a strange sense of calm and found myself smiling.

    My mother had taken to Wu Yan surprisingly well, treating her like the daughter she never had. Maybe I was reading too much into it, perhaps she simply wanted someone to spoil, and Wu Yan was just playing along. At least she hadn''t asked about removing Wu Yan''s mask, which was a relief.

    "Oh, little Feng, you''re already up," my mother smiled at me. "Would you like something to eat?"

    "Not right now," I shook my head. "I''m thinking of exploring the inner city. Would you like to come along Wu Yan, or stay here?"

    The faceless girl turned toward me. Her mask displayed a blank expression, but I noticed the subtle signs of her anxiety. Her fingers fidgeted in her lap, twisting and untwisting, never still. Her shoulders sagged slightly as if she were trying to make herself smaller. She shifted uneasily, her legs moving beneath her with nervous energy.

    After a moment, she shook her head hesitantly, her hand trembling a little as she pointed to the floor. It was her way of telling me she wanted to stay, though she was still too nervous to say it confidently.

    But that wasn''t something I could fix with words. Talking about it would only make her more uncomfortable. Hopefully, she would settle in over time and realize I wouldn''t harm her over minor disagreements.

    "Okay, see you later," I said with a shrug. As I prepared to put on my boots, I added, "By the way, Mother, put some cabbages or fruit in front of the large turtle in the yard. Don''t wake him up, though. He sometimes sleeps for days, so don''t worry if it seems like he hasn''t eaten."

    I stepped out into the yard, the familiar crunch of gravel beneath my feet grounding me as I glanced at the large, slumbering turtle in the corner. Speedy, as usual, seemed utterly unfazed by the world, his shell rising and falling gently with each slow breath. A small smile tugged at my lips. His peaceful sleep was a comforting contrast to the morning bustle.

    The big guy had been sleeping since we arrived, likely making up for all the travel. He must''ve been exhausted.

    I sighed, watching my breath fog in the chilly air. The crispness clung to my skin, a reminder that winter was creeping closer. Technically, we were already in winter, and it was only a matter of time before monstrous beasts grew hungry enough to attack humans.

    As I walked out of the yard, I glanced at the pond beside Speedy''s sleeping place. There was no fish for him to munch on, so I asked my mother to bring him cabbages as a snack.

    When I stepped onto the well-paved streets of the inner city, I was surprised by how smooth and well-maintained they were. While it was far from the grandeur of cities like Goldwatch, the inner city had its charm. The streets were orderly, and the houses that lined them were noticeably more luxurious than one might expect.

    Few people roamed the streets, and while some cast brief glances my way, their reactions were nothing out of the ordinary. My shorter hair seemed to have made me less recognizable, allowing me to blend in without drawing attention. They remembered a Liu Feng with long, luscious hair, and I was not that guy anymore.

    My first stop was the market. I expected the usual clamor, merchants shouting to sell their wares, crowds haggling over prices. Still, I found a surprisingly serene atmosphere instead. The market was calm, almost peaceful. People moved quietly, speaking with traders in low, friendly tones. There was no frantic energy or raised voices. It felt more like a gathering of old friends or family than a bustling place of commerce.

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    Well, this was probably because nearly everyone here was technically family. The Liu Clan had only about a thousand members; even if some didn��t know each other personally, they knew someone who did. The inner city seemed like a close-knit community, a world apart from the outer city.

    It became clear that the market here wasn��t the typical kind. Instead of everyday commodities, strange goods were on display, lumber, for instance, right on the main street. However, the prices were steep, costing dozens of silver coins.

    Was lumber so expensive because there were no forests nearby? Most of the houses here were made of stone, likely because importing wood from distant areas inflated the cost. It made me wonder how they managed heating, especially with winter approaching. I supposed I��d find out soon enough.

    As I continued browsing, I noticed someone familiar approaching from the corner of my eye. A woman with shoulder-length brown hair and dark eyes walked toward me with a nonchalant expression. She was accompanied by a man who trailed behind her like a shadow. He had long dark hair, a strict look on his face, and sharp, attentive eyes.

    These were my dear cousins, Liu Qian and Liu Heng. We got along pretty well.

    The first thing I noticed was their cultivation progress. Liu Qian had reached the seventh star of Qi Gathering, while Liu Heng was at the fourth star. They were improving quickly, though still a bit behind my own pace.

    But comparing us wasn��t exactly fair. I had access to some of the best resources the Blazing Sun Sect could offer, thanks to Song Song, who admittedly spoiled me. Except for her, nobody else would have invested so much in me.

    Liu Qian��s gaze fixed on me, her expression as unreadable as ever. Her dark eyes were sharp, like polished stones that held something unspoken.

    ��Oh, what a surprise to see you here,�� Liu Qian greeted me, her tone flat and unconvincing.

    I raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Her acting could use some work.

    With a sigh, she leaned in and whispered, ��We need to talk in private.��

    I shrugged and began walking beside her.

    We ended up in a secluded, forested section of the inner city. Tall trees cast long shadows across the path, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. It was a peaceful area, often used for training by those honing their skills.

    As we walked deeper into the woods, I extended my Qi senses to check for any signs of life. But there was nothing, no movement, no presence, only the stillness of the trees and the cold wind.

    Were they planning to assassinate me? That would certainly be interesting.

    The area was eerily empty, as though everyone had vanished, leaving only us. Liu Qian walked beside me in silence, her presence subdued, almost as if she was avoiding me.

    We continued wordlessly until we reached a large pond at the heart of the forest. The water was perfectly still, reflecting the sky above with crystal clarity. The serene space felt untouched, almost sacred.

    Despite bringing me here, Liu Qian��s discomfort was obvious. She shifted restlessly, her eyes darting around as if searching for something, or avoiding my gaze. Her left pinky finger twitched nervously, subtly betraying her unease. She stood stiffly, her posture tense, as though she��d rather be anywhere but here.

    Despite being well-spoken, Liu Qian acted awkward, something very uncharacteristic of her.

    We stood silently for a few moments before I broke it with a sigh.

    "Can we stop scheming against each other and just talk like family?" I asked.

    Under normal circumstances, I might have thought my cousins had brought me here to finish me off. But I knew they weren''t those kinds of people. Even if they were, I had the advantage with my arrays, assuming they hadn''t prepared something themselves.

    But none of that really mattered. My cousins knew exactly what kind of relationship Song Song and I had. If they killed me, the Liu Clan would be wiped out within a decade by her hands. I was assuming that was the time it would take her to break through to Core Formation, and find out what happened.

    "My father has noticed the tension," Liu Qian said.

    "Tension?" I asked, though I knew exactly what she meant.

    "Yes, the tension in the air. Soon, my father might announce the next Clan Head. But he can sense the unrest, and if he names me his successor, people will revolt."

    She sounded worried, and it was strange to see her like that. When we were in the Blazing Sun Sect, Liu Qian had always been a calm thinker. She made a solid leader for the few Liu Clan youngsters there, knowing when to act and how to protect the newcomers.

    I suppose the thought of her family being torn apart by a civil war weighed on her. It was understandable.

    But honestly, this whole thing had little to do with me. If the old warriors decided to pick up swords and spill blood, that was their choice. I wasn''t here to babysit anyone. They had lived longer than both of my lifetimes combined. If they died because of their own decisions, so be it.

    "What''s with the silence? Do you have nothing to say?" Liu Qian asked, her hands tightening into fists.

    With my grandfather, I had to be careful, honey my words. But I didn''t need to do that with Liu Qian. While I had no stake in this internal conflict, the least I could do was be honest. She had helped me before, after all.

    "I don''t give a shit about the Clan Head position," I said, letting the words hang for a moment so my cousins could process them.

    Strangely, Liu Qian chuckled. "I find it rather offensive when you say that. It''s like you''re looking down on the position I''m working so hard to get."

    Despite her words, the teasing tone in her voice made it clear she wasn''t genuinely offended.

    "You''ve seen the Blazing Sun Sect, right?" I asked rhetorically. "Just one of those Core Formation Elders could come here and wipe out our entire clan without breaking a sweat."

    The only genuine concern I had about this impending civil war was that my parents might get caught in the crossfire. But that was unlikely. This was a fight between the cultivators in the clan. Neither side would target civilians, most weren''t foolish enough to make an enemy out of me by harming my parents.

    "Okay... and what''s that supposed to mean?" Liu Qian asked, still not fully grasping my point.

    "Why would you want to take over something like the Liu Clan?" I asked, genuinely curious.

    I wasn''t interested in taking over anything myself, but if I were, I''d aim higher. An elder in the Blazing Sun Sect likely had access to more cultivation resources than the head of the Liu Clan. It made more sense to strive for a position there than to cling to a title within our family.

    The Liu Clan was my family, yes. But I wasn''t going to let that blind me to the reality of the world. Despite the clan''s "great history," it was nothing more than a speck of dust in the grand scheme of things.

 Chapter 212 - Sweet Home Alabama

    I studied Liu Qian''s controlled expression, trying to read her thoughts. Her eyes darted everywhere except directly meeting mine. It seemed like she was looking me in the eyes, but she focused on my nose, brows, and the space between them.

    It was remarkable what enhanced vision and experience with shady people could reveal. She was skilled for her age, but I had seen much better. Also, she wasn''t as guarded with me as she might have been with a stranger.

    It was weird yet fascinating how someone''s competence could fluctuate based on their emotional state. The Liu Qian I knew from the Blazing Sun Sect was colder and more methodical. But here, surrounded by family, her defenses were down.

    Of course, I wasn''t here to psychoanalyze her. I didn''t care much about other people''s thoughts, unless they had some cool information.

    "What do you think is the best way to solve this?" I asked.

    Liu Qian was in her twenties and would soon bear the weight of the Liu Clan. While I wasn''t keen on getting involved in civil wars, since they were too inconvenient. I believed she had the potential to be a strong leader and I would support her rise when the time came.

    I also believed she could find a solution as long as she stayed calm, and thought this out thoroughly. She should just forget whatever her father or elders wanted out of her. At the end of the day, in most cases, an individualistic mindset was better when it came to cultivating.

    Unexpectedly, my words sparked something in her. She glanced me over, her discomfort clear as day. However, it was hard to tell whether it was nerves or fear of her current situation. I couldn��t tell what she was thinking. Still, it was better than nothing, now that she had started to think things through.

    The best way to help someone grow was to teach them to make their own decisions. It had worked with Song Song... to a degree. She was an extreme case, where sometimes it was better if she didn''t act on her decisions, or half the Blazing Sun Sect might end up slaughtered under her rule.

    "My father told me to spend time with you... and try to seduce you," Liu Qian said suddenly. "Also, whether you want the seat or not doesn''t matter. For now, you''re the best candidate for the opposition, but if you''re too opposed, they''ll just find someone else."

    That was true. In times like these, no amount of scheming would help. Maybe a more straightforward approach was necessary, something bold, like what Song Song would do.

    Actually... no, not something she would do. Definitely not.

    "What do you want from me?" I asked, quickly adding, "By the way, if it''s marriage, the answer is no. I see you more like an older sister."

    My marriage agreement with Fu Yating still stood, mostly because breaking it would be too much of a hassle. I had no interest in adding more drama to my life.

    "You''re Song Song''s advisor, right? Give me some advice," Liu Qian said.

    Her gaze was firm, and for the first time today, she met my eyes with the same unshakable confidence I was used to seeing in her at the Blazing Sun Sect.

    "The younger generation is on your side," I told her. "Me, Liu Bo, Liu Heng, even the twins. As long as you buy time, you win. No one else in our generation really wants to challenge you."

    "It''s not the younger generation I''m worried about," Liu Qian replied, though my words seemed to ease her a little. "And hearing that you don''t want the Clan Head position takes a lot of pressure off my shoulders," she added with the smoothness of a seasoned politician. "But if we refuse, they''ll try to marry me off to someone from the older generation. Probably one of the elders. Someone whose beard has been growing longer than we''ve been alive."

    I smiled at her comment.

    I had almost forgotten the customs here. The idea of Liu Qian being paired with someone over a hundred years old was a bit repulsive, though not uncommon in this world.

    Take the Sect Leader of the Blazing Sun Sect, for example. He was at least five centuries older than most of his wives and concubines.

    At least he still looked youthful. Even so, I couldn''t understand the mindset behind such relationships.

    "Either that or people will revolt," Liu Qian sighed.

    "You''re wrong there," I reminded her. "There are always more options than you think. For instance, you could train harder and become powerful enough to make your own choices. Or you could rise to be an elder in the Blazing Sun Sect. The Liu Clan can''t force a sect elder to do anything."

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    Besides, I doubted the Liu Clan Head had more resources than even a low-level outer elder of the Blazing Sun Sect. The resource gap was just that vast.

    Liu Qian nodded, staring at the pond with a thoughtful look. At this time, I could almost see the gears turning in her head as she mulled over the possibilities.

    Finally, she sighed and smiled at me. "You seem so nonchalant about all this. Anyone would think you don''t even care what happens."

    She wasn''t entirely wrong. These kinds of matters were usually out of my hands. Even if I tried to do something, it was unlikely that it would lead anywhere. Why stress over something I had so little control over? Besides, this situation felt trivial compared to the storms I had weathered in the Blazing Sun Sect.

    ��Well, my advice is simple: just keep pushing forward and don��t waste time worrying about things like this,�� I shrugged. ��By the time you��re ready for marriage, you and the younger generation will be much stronger than the dying one.��

    ��So we��re just prolonging the inevitable?�� she frowned.

    ��Well, the hope is that the schemers will eventually drop the issue. But no one can ever truly know what��s going on in someone��s head, and maybe they won��t agree,�� I shrugged again. ��If they want civil war and blood spilled within the family... that��s their choice.��

    Though I liked my family and even my clan, I wasn��t about to roll over. Worst case, I could always bring Song Song for a visit. A few might die, but that��s the game they chose to play. I wasn��t going to waste too much time on this nonsense.

    If it came down to it, I could force both sides to unite under the threat of complete annihilation by Song Song.

    Liu Qian exhaled, looking down at the damp, slightly frozen ground in the green forest.

    ��Many men have done dangerous things for beautiful women. I might not be Ye An before her injury, but I��d still consider myself a beauty,�� Liu Qian sighed, though this time in mock disappointment, a teasing smile playing on her lips. ��Though, I guess I don��t have that deadly glint in my eyes that you find attractive.��

    ��Is that the report you��re going to give your father?�� I asked, catching her teasing tone.

    ��Yes, something along those lines,�� she nodded.

    ��That might cause some trouble. It��ll just fuel the rumors about us,�� I said, meaning the rumors about me and Song Song.

    Liu Qian��s stress seemed to vanish as she stared at me, narrowing her eyes.

    ��I don��t think you��d lie in this situation,�� she said, ��but no matter how you look at it... no matter how anyone looks at it, there��s clearly something there!��

    ��Yeah, it��s called friendship,�� I replied.

    But Liu Qian only smirked, her gaze glinting with something mischievous.

    ��You were more tolerable when you were worried about stupid stuff,�� I said bluntly.

    My words didn��t faze her. She continued, ��You live under the same roof, tease each other, and she��d never let anyone else talk to her like that. She��d cut off her own brothers�� heads if they did.��

    Okay? So what was that supposed to mean?

    ��Don��t you people have anything better to do?�� I asked, turning and walking away.

    As I left, my dear cousin started cackling like a witch. I was glad she wasn��t as stressed as before, but she clearly needed a better hobby than prying into my personal life.

    I took a leisurely stroll through the inner city, observing the area. Though it was efficiently built, there was nothing particularly exciting about it.

    By the time I got home, it was already midday. The first thing that greeted me was the pleasant smell of chicken and spices.

    I made my way to the kitchen, which was surprisingly small for such a large home. It was perfect, though, since only a few people lived here; ideal for someone like my mother.

    However, today there was a new addition in the kitchen. Wu Yan was watching my mother cook, and my mother had a pleased smile on her face as she explained different recipes and cooking methods.

    It was surprising how well my mother got along with Wu Yan. It seemed like she was finally getting to experience raising a normal child.

    ��Oh, Feng, you��re back already? We��re almost done cooking, and your workaholic father will be home soon for his break,�� she said.

    ��It smells delicious,�� I said, stepping closer to get a look at the pot. ��What��s cooking?��

    As my mother answered, I placed a hand on Wu Yan��s shoulder, channeling some Qi into her body. It had become a daily routine, checking whether her spirit roots had returned.

    But whatever my mother was saying, I no longer heard. I sensed something unusual happening inside Wu Yan.

    How? Everything was normal yesterday!

    When it came to people like Ye An, she usually slowly recovered her talent as new spiritual roots grew. However, what I sensed in Wu Yan was different. Endless roots that looked like cracks in the dark sky leaked light, blinding and dizzying. It was like they had come out of nowhere!

    Words could not describe the sensation, and I immediately withdrew my hand. Yet even then, I was stunned for a second, as my breath was caught in my throat.

    How come her Qi was so calm, and nothing leaked out?

    Over a hundred spiritual root branches were what scholars used to qualify someone who had an extreme physique. So, what did it mean to have 199 spiritual roots?

    I wasn''t even sure this could be called an extreme physique. How was she not dead yet?

    "Wu Yan, do you feel any pain?" I asked.

    She turned toward me, her mask gleaming from the light that came through the window. Wu Yan tilted her head, confused.

    Though I was a bit jealous of her amount of spiritual root branches. Another part of me was so overwhelmingly curious about how fast someone''s cultivation with that amount of talent would progress.

    How exciting!

 Chapter 213: The Experiment

    "What''s with that look?" my mother frowned. "You can''t take her out to play; it''s freezing outside. What if she catches a cold?"

    What? Where did she even come up with that?

    I was so caught up in the discovery that Wu Yan had so many spirit root branches, I almost missed what my mother said. Her frown and the glint in her eyes made it clear there was no room for argument.

    "I''m not taking her out to play," I reassured her.

    "No training for her either," my mother insisted. "Every winter, you went out to train and always caught a cold. Even when I forbade you, you''d sneak out anyway. But I won''t let my little girl out of sight just for you to do the same with her."

    Ah, now it made sense why she looked worried.

    Liu Feng wasn''t stupid, but he''d been obsessed with his grandfather''s stories when he was younger. He even trained under a waterfall when he was barely a one-star Body Tempering Cultivator. Even though he never told his mother, he still caught a cold, and she assumed it was from training outside, never knowing just how reckless her son had really been.

    Of course, I wasn''t going to tell her that now. Even if it happened over a decade ago, I''d still get chewed out.

    My mother turned to Wu Yan and embraced her. "You won''t be like Liu Feng, will you? At least I have one child who''ll finally listen to me."

    Hey, Liu Feng wasn''t that bad of a kid! And she was already treating Wu Yan like her own daughter.

    Wu Yan, who had never really known maternal affection, returned the hug with an excited shiver. She looked so happy, so I wasn''t about to ruin the moment.

    Despite how she acted, I knew my mother cared about me too. I''d scared her to death more than once when I was younger, and I wasn''t petty enough to be jealous over something like this.

    "In my defense, all my bad habits were grandpa''s fault," I said, throwing the old man under the bus.

    "Is that so?" My mother narrowed her eyes at me, still holding Wu Yan tight. Wu Yan was practically melting into the hug. "And what do you blame about your recent bad behavior?"

    "My upbringing," I grinned. "Also, what bad behavior?"

    "Your cousins may be tight-lipped, but they can''t keep all the rumors from reaching me," she said with a shake of her head.

    Now that she had a well-behaved kid like Wu Yan around, she wasn''t afraid to point out my flaws. It must''ve made her realize just how unruly I had been. Like every parent, she was suffering from child comparison syndrome.

    I knew what rumors she was referring to, but I wasn''t about to discuss them with her. It was easier to accept the gossip and move on than to explain the truth.

    "Anyway," I shrugged. "I need to examine Wu Yan for something."

    That was true, and conveniently, it helped dodge the questions I knew were coming.

    My mother eyed me as if trying to read my thoughts. She looked ready to ask why I needed to examine Wu Yan or if something was wrong. But there must have been something in my expression that made her drop it.

    She was my mother, and I loved her dearly, but even she knew when not to pry. I''d accepted Liu Feng''s memories as my own and considered her my mother, but there were limits to everything.

    With a sigh, she reluctantly let Wu Yan go, though curiosity was still in her eyes. But Wu Yan''s condition needed to stay as private as possible.

    I took Wu Yan''s soft hand. "I hope my mother wasn''t smothering you too much. She can be a bit overwhelming."

    Wu Yan shook her head, making a few hand gestures to show it was no big deal. It was odd she wasn''t using her telepathic communication lately. Still, it seemed she preferred this way of interacting, at least for simpler things. And, as far as I knew, she only communicated like this with me.

    We walked into one of the guest rooms, where there was a bed she could comfortably lie on.

    "You can relax, this is the same as always," I told her. "Though honestly, this is nothing compared to the examination being done atop a giant turtle''s shell."

    The guest room was minimalistic, with two bunk beds in opposite corners. It looked more like a room in an inn, trying to fit as many people as possible, rather than a guest room in a large house. I had no idea why it was like this, maybe the place had once been an inn, and my parents never bothered changing the layout of unused rooms.

    As she lay down on the lower bed of one bunk, I placed my hand on her shoulder and gently ran Qi through her body to check her vitals. This time I was prepared for the sight of so many spiritual roots. It was still stunning, but it was like staring into a bright light, blinding, almost impossible to see anything else around it. I couldn''t tell if the sheer number of spirit root branches was affecting her body in a negative way.

    I was curious how fast someone with this talent could cultivate. Though I didn''t stand to gain anything from it, it was just pure curiosity.

    A part of me wanted to set aside my concerns and test it out thoroughly. But that would probably result in Wu Yan getting seriously injured, and I wasn''t about to let that happen. She was a good kid.

    "How did you get so many spiritual root branches?" I asked.

    In response, the skin on her neck bubbled up like boiling water, parting to reveal crooked teeth and a rather unsettling mouth. ��I... made...��

    Her voice was slow and strange, almost like a wolf''s growl, but it was understandable.

    This was a surprise. It seemed like she had learned to speak during her time with my mother, and the increased Qi now available to her probably helped too.

    "Waiting... to grow... no happen. So... I made," she continued, the tongue in her throat-mouth twisting oddly as she spoke.

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    What I gathered was that she had followed my advice and waited for her spiritual roots to manifest naturally. But when they didn''t, she morphed her body like she always did and somehow created as many spiritual roots as she could handle.

    "So you just grew them? You can do that?" I asked, astonished.

    That was an incredibly overpowered ability.

    She nodded. "I decided to try... and it worked."

    This time, her words were clearer, as she seemed to be getting the hang of controlling the mouth on her neck.

    "I remember... you teaching me. You explained... roots, and how more was better..." She paused, and the mouth on her neck shifted again, growing larger, stretching from ear to ear, filled with sharp, jagged teeth. "I made as many as I could... only stopped when it felt like I was going to burst, like water thrown into boiling oil. Speaking feels uncomfortable... controlling mouth is hard. Nodding easier."

    Her voice still had that growling tone, but her words were clearer. Speaking with a second mouth must have been challenging, considering most people learned to speak instinctively.

    "You should''ve consulted with me first," I said, frowning. "This is extremely dangerous."

    The large mouth formed again as she replied, "I wanted to bring you joy."

    "Hurting yourself just to make someone happy is never the answer," I said as I ran my Qi through her body, trying to focus past the overwhelming brightness of her spiritual roots. It was tough to see anything else around them.

    "Are you mad at me?" she asked. The wolfish growl in her voice made it hard to detect any emotion, but her words hinted at sadness.

    "No, of course not," I reassured her. "Why would I be mad? I''m just relieved you''re okay, and we can both learn from this. But don''t ever do this again, at least not so quickly or recklessly. You must test things out before putting your life on the line."

    That was when I noticed something odd, tiny amounts of Qi were entering her body, like a thin stream of water veering off from a river, almost imperceptible at first.

    Was she cultivating?

    "Are you cultivating?" I asked.

    She shook her head.

    Was her body naturally absorbing Qi? It wasn''t like Ye An''s situation, where she absorbed Yin Qi, but it was similar. Wu Yan''s body was drawing in normal Qi, likely due to the sheer number of spiritual root branches.

    "Fascinating, but not good. Your body can''t handle Qi yet," I explained. "You need to develop some musculature. If you can''t manage, just make yourself taller. And don''t transform into a man, you''ve been a girl for too long now. It''s better to stick to familiar grounds. I''m unsure if your transformations affect your internal Yin or Yang Qi, but we must be cautious."

    Generally, once cultivators reached the Qi Gathering stage, there wasn''t much difference between genders. I wasn''t an expert in this area since many things were kept secret and passed down by word of mouth, but there had to be a reason why certain techniques increased a female''s cultivation speed as long as they remained virgins and why those techniques didn''t work on men. With that in mind, it was best to play it safe.

    As I watched her body shift and change, a strange thought came to mind. Song Song had once told me about the workings of the technique that boosted a woman''s cultivation speed as long as she kept her chastity. How would a technique like that affect Wu Yan? Could switching between male and female create a male version of that technique?

    But I quickly dismissed the idea. Wu Yan wasn''t struggling with cultivation speed; if anything, she was progressing too fast. Experimenting like that could be harmful to her.

    "Careful, don''t rush it, or you might pull a muscle," I warned her.

    Though her ability to morph her body seemed second nature to her, I still wanted her to be cautious. But from how she used it, it was as natural as breathing.

    Wu Yan shifted into a taller posture, just above average height for this region, though not quite as tall as me. Physically, she looked older.

    Now that her body was prepared, she was ready for cultivation.

    How fast could her cultivation speed be if she gathered as much Qi as she could for a full minute? Extreme Physiques were ridiculous talent.

    ��Can you lower the number of your spiritual root branches?�� I asked.

    She nodded, and with my Qi still inside her, I sensed the blinding light dim slightly. She now had 198 spiritual root branches.

    ��Can you go below a hundred?�� I inquired.

    She looked at me, tilting her head in confusion. It took me a moment to realize I hadn��t taught her much about numbers yet. In the wilderness, I��d focused more on honing her morphing abilities and basic survival skills.

    ��A hundred is ten tens,�� I explained. ��Understand?��

    She nodded again. A strange energy radiated from her as her body shifted. The blinding lights dimmed further, and I finally got a clearer read on her physical condition.

    Ninety-eight spiritual root branches.

    It took her only a dozen seconds to make these alterations after I explained. Her body morphed and stabilized, with her skin bubbling occasionally, but she soon returned to her usual appearance.

    Was this even an Extreme Physique anymore? Wu Yan could manipulate her spiritual root branches at will, something I had never seen or read about before.

    Extreme Physiques were rare and not well-categorized, even among the books in the Song Clan Library. Despite all my research, Wu Yan��s condition didn��t match any known descriptions of an Extreme Physique.

    And then there was her telepathy, she herself couldn��t fully explain how it worked, only describing it as some vague ��feeling thingy.��

    Was I missing something? Had a vital piece of this puzzle slipped through my grasp? Everything seemed fine as far as I could tell.

    Perhaps she did have an Extreme Physique... but also something more?

    These were just speculations, of course. I felt like a surgeon working in the dark, trying to piece it all together.

    ��Does it feel unnatural to have fewer than a hundred spiritual root branches?�� I asked as I gently withdrew my Qi from her body, careful not to harm her.

    She shook her head.

    Incredible... Simply incredible. I��d heard many terms describing cultivators, talented, genius, even monstrous. Song Song had once been considered a monstrous genius herself.

    But Wu Yan outshone them all. Every other cultivator I��d met paled in comparison. For them, cultivating was a struggle; for Wu Yan, it was like playing a game with cheat codes.

    Just a girl I��d found in the middle of nowhere... How many others like her had gone unnoticed? How many had died prematurely or lived out their lives as farmers, never even interacting with Qi?

    This was humbling.

    Now, the question was whether to let her cultivate. If it were up to me, I��d prefer to learn more about her condition before making any hasty decisions. Typically, cultivation was a marathon, not a race. But with an Extreme Physique, it was definitely a race. A race against death.

    I crouched down and gently took her soft, delicate hand.

    I couldn��t let her lag behind in cultivation. She had limited time. The early stages wouldn��t be difficult, but in the later stages, where talent wasn��t enough and comprehension became crucial, she could hit a wall due to her limited life experience.

    ��From now on, you��ll start cultivating slowly,�� I told her. ��You��ll break through one star each week, and when you become a nine-star Qi Gathering Cultivator, we will have a long talk.��

    Nine stars. Beyond that, she��d need to align herself with an element, gaining experience and understanding of it. Not just theoretical knowledge, but real-world interaction.

    Ironically, Ye An��s Extreme Physique had an advantage here. She had an almost instinctive comprehension of the ice element, allowing her to breeze through the stages of Foundation Establishment.

    There was so much to think about...

 Chapter 214: The Name

    A week had passed since Wu Yan regained her ability to cultivate, and surprisingly, there were no aftereffects from her creating her spirit roots out of nowhere. Now, she was ready to break through to the second level of Qi Gathering.

    This time, we didn��t even bother going to the second floor. She simply sat down in a kitchen chair, closed her eyes, and focused.

    My mother was in the kitchen too, watching us quietly. Though I didn��t want her involved, it wasn��t like we could hide the fact that Wu Yan had grown a head taller. At least she knew not to ask questions, and as usual, she doted on Wu Yan without hesitation.

    ��Does everything feel okay?�� I asked.

    Wu Yan nodded. Slowly, the Qi within her began to bubble up as she temporarily increased her spirit root branches. Without much fanfare, she directly advanced to the second star of Qi Gathering, and her spirit roots returned to ninety-eight.

    I placed a hand on her shoulder, using my Qi to check for any side effects. She didn��t resist my probing, though she easily could have at this stage.

    Everything seemed stable. Her spirit roots, dantian, and body showed no signs of strain. It was remarkable how smoothly it had gone, though I knew very little about the process. A good kind of strange, though.

    Perhaps it would be safe for her to break through one star a day, but I didn��t want to push it. She still needed time to consider her element.

    ��Good. Now, take this pill,�� I said, handing her a thumb-sized medicinal pill.

    Wu Yan nodded, holding the pill in her hand. Out of my mother��s sight, she created a mouth on her palm and swallowed it. Beneath her skin, her body shifted, guiding the pill to her second stomach, where it dissolved.

    Her body froze as the effects of the pill took hold.

    ��It��s a sedative,�� I explained. ��From now on, we��ll be working on teaching you how to break down substances in your body, especially poisons.��

    The chances of her encountering poison in her lifetime were slim, but with her talents, it would be a waste not to unlock the full potential of her body.

    Our ultimate goal was for her to turn her body into an alchemist��s furnace, able to ingest raw ingredients and process them as though they were fully refined pills. Of course, that goal was still far off.

    ��Are you hurting her?�� my mother asked, worry etched across her face. ��Is this really safe?��

    ��I��m adding an extra layer of protection. There��s someone in the Blazing Sun Sect who uses poison, and I don��t want Wu Yan facing someone like that without being prepared,�� I reassured her.

    My mother shifted uneasily, her hand moving to her gray, scarred eye; a reminder of the injury she sustained from a monstrous beast while traveling with my father in their youth. She knew that the outside world was dangerous.

    ��Rest here for a bit,�� I told Wu Yan. ��The paralysis should wear off in about two hours.��

    I left the kitchen, heading toward the house��s entrance. A cold wind greeted me as I stepped outside.

    The yard was now blanketed in snow, with winter in full swing. By the frozen pond, a snow-covered bump marked where Speedy slept.

    I sighed, walking toward the snow mound my big friend had made. If I didn��t remind him, the poor guy would probably sleep all day and forget to eat.

    Still, another problem lingered this winter. The beast waves around here weren��t as dangerous as those near the Blazing Sun Sect, but they were still a threat.

    And with our clan on the brink of civil war, things felt even more unstable. How could we survive the harsh winter when we were so divided?

    But no matter how bad things got, I knew I could save my parents and Wu Yan if the worst came to pass... or so I hoped.

    ��Troublesome people,�� I muttered under my breath.

    ********

    Liu Bo pushed open the heavy doors to the Clan Head��s Hall. The room felt like a temple, with its striking crimson floor polished to a gleaming shine beneath his feet. Tall white pillars reached toward the blue ceiling, and the walls were painted a deep, rich green.

    At the far end of the hall, seated on a dark throne carved from pure obsidian, was a man whose presence dominated the room. His green eyes gleamed with an intensity that seemed to pierce right through, and his long, dark hair cascaded over his shoulders. He wore a snow-white, loose-fitting robe that contrasted sharply with the darkness of his seat.

    Without saying a word, Liu Bo knelt on one knee and waited for the Clan Head to acknowledge him.

    Although Liu Bo had reached the five-star Qi Gathering, his cultivation speed had outpaced his talent, thanks to his discovery in the immortal��s tomb. While this boost would only last until he reached Foundation Establishment, he was still satisfied.

    Even so, Liu Bo knew his place. He had no desire to rebel against the family that had cared for him for so long.

    When orphans were left behind due to one tragedy or another, the Liu Clan Head would take them into his household and raise them as his own. As long as they were from the Liu Clan, no orphan would go hungry.

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    The Clan Head, Liu Nu, was named after Liu Feng��s grandfather. Or, as most people thought about it, the Clan Head''s own uncle.

    ��How long are you going to keep the kid kneeling?�� came an old voice.

    Liu Bo instantly recognized it as the voice of Liu Feng��s grandfather, the same old man who had pestered him for weeks on end until Liu Feng showed up. It was a voice not easily forgotten.

    ��Rise,�� said the Clan Head, his voice soft and almost melodic.

    Liu Bo stood, taking in the hall more fully. He finally noticed the old man leaning against one of the pillars, arms folded and a pleased smile on his face.

    ��Kid, do you have a master in the Blazing Sun Sect?�� the old man asked without even waiting for a breather.

    ��No,�� Liu Bo replied, shaking his head. ��Unfortunately, my talents weren��t enough. Only Liu Qian gained an elder��s attention. Liu Feng also has an outer elder as his master.��

    ��Yes, yes, I know how impressive my grandson is,�� the elder laughed. ��But we��re not here to talk about him.��

    Not here to talk about Liu Feng? Liu Bo was surprised. During the months he had spent with the elder atop the walls, all the old man had ever talked about was his grandson. Anyone else would have thought he only had one grandchild.

    ��So,�� the elder continued, ��are you willing to become my personal disciple?��

    Personal disciple? That meant Liu Bo would eventually inherit the elder��s position. Elder Liu Nu was, if not the most influential figure in the Liu Clan after the Clan Head, certainly one of the most powerful.

    Years ago, Liu Bo would have accepted without hesitation. But now, he had learned the hard way that there was no such thing as a free meal.

    ��Why?�� he asked cautiously.

    ��Why not? It��s clear my grandson has no interest in inheriting my position,�� the old man shrugged.

    Liu Bo couldn��t help but wonder what had led to this. He knew how much the elder cared for his grandson, more than anyone else.

    ��I accept,�� Liu Bo said, knowing it would be rude to ask further questions or refuse.

    ��Good,�� the old man nodded. ��As my personal disciple, you��ll get to learn a few things. But you��re also forbidden from sharing my secrets with anyone.��

    Liu Bo nodded, remaining silent. His gaze drifted to the Clan Head, who sat quietly on the throne, having said nothing the entire time.

    Though Liu Bo wasn��t as well-versed in clan politics as Liu Qian or Liu Heng, he knew there was tension between the Clan Head and certain factions within the clan, led by Elder Liu Nu.

    ��My grandson remains neutral in these matters,�� the elder said, turning to the Clan Head. ��No matter how hard I��ve tried to sway him, little Feng won��t take sides against family. It makes me proud, but also makes me want to slap him for not playing along. After all the effort we put into this plan, what kind of grandson doesn��t listen to his grandfather?��

    What? Liu Bo struggled to maintain a neutral expression, but this was not at all what he had expected.

    Weren��t the Clan Head and Elder Liu Nu on opposite sides?

    ��The younger generation is tight-knit together and won''t betray each other,�� the Clan Head nodded. ��Liu Feng has even offered some good advice to Liu Qian. She shouldn''t limit her views to a small place like this.��

    Liu Bo frowned, now thoroughly confused. Clearly, there was a reason he had been brought here.

    With a hesitant heart, he finally asked, ��What��s going on?��

    Elder Liu Nu turned to him as if only now remembering he was present and smiled. ��We��ve created some fake internal drama to weed out the weak, the traitors, and the overly ambitious fools who might harm the clan. We��ve also been in a stalemate for a while, and we��re hoping our enemies will make a desperate move, thinking we��re divided and vulnerable.��

    ��It��s a good idea to stir up internal conflict every decade or so, to clear out bad blood.�� the Clan Head added calmly.

    ��We need you to keep an eye on the youngsters,�� Elder Liu Nu warned, ��and make sure they don��t actually escalate this fake conflict.��

    Liu Bo was stunned as the reality of the situation sank in.

    They were playing the entire Clan! It was a dangerous strategy, but perhaps it was better to have a fake enemy you could trust than to deal with an unknown threat.

    "We''ll need to lower the fake tensions soon," the Clan Head said. "The first snow is usually a sign that the beast wave is coming."

    "My plan to ease the tension by making it seem like my grandson and your daughter were getting married didn''t work out," Elder Liu Nu said with a chuckle, shaking his head. "Even if they had fallen for each other for real, that would have been fine. But it seems like the youngsters are in a rebellious phase and didn''t agree to it from the start."

    "This isn''t so bad," the Clan Head replied.

    "Yes, I know a war with the Fu Clan would have been terrible. But at this rate, we''ll have to face them one day," Elder Liu Nu insisted. "If it weren''t for those Fu bastards, my brother would still be alive, and you wouldn''t have grown up without a father. Even my new disciple''s parents here would still be alive."

    "Your grandson is resourceful. He might be able to unite the clans somehow. After all, the Fu Clan Head only has one child," the Clan Head said. "At least as long as cultivation goes, he has many untalented bastards."

    Liu Bo clenched his fists as thoughts of his parents resurfaced.

    When their bodies were found, it had been made to look like they''d been killed by monstrous beasts. But monstrous beasts devour their prey. Many suspected a nearby Fu Clan team had killed them and staged it as a beast attack. Their belongings were missing too, something beasts wouldn''t have cared about.

    But as anger threatened to rise, Liu Bo forced it down. Though he was passionate and often let his emotions get the better of him, he knew he had to prioritize the Clan. They couldn''t afford a war, not until the younger generation was ready.

    And in that regard, the Liu Clan had an overwhelming advantage.

    "I don''t like the idea of my grandson marrying into that clan," Elder Liu Nu muttered, frowning. "I''ve been fighting those bastards since I was young, and now I''m supposed to give them my grandson? Can you imagine their children being half Liu and half Fu? Just the thought makes me furious."

    "The girl will be marrying into our clan, uncle," the Clan Head corrected him. "Not the other way around."

    "Yes, but a Fu Clan girl living under the same roof as my grandson? That Fu whore will tear him apart," the old man sighed. "And there''s that clause in the ceasefire, about her not having to change her family name. They put that in on purpose, I''m sure of it!"

    "Think of the marriage as a ceasefire," the Clan Head said calmly, "A way to buy time for the next generation of the Liu Clan to grow in peace, and for our talented young ones to live past twenty. Besides, there''s always the chance she might decide to change her family name of her own accord, if she falls in love with your grandson."

    "Yeah, right," Elder Liu Nu scoffed. "As if a Fu woman could feel love. I bet this so-called fiance?e of his is just a scheming tramp!"

    Like a statue, Liu Bo stood silently at the sidelines, observing the dynamic between them. Despite their power and influence, it felt like watching a nephew trying to calm down his war-hungry and crazy uncle.

    It was a strange dynamic...

 Chapter 215: The Walkway Invitation

    I never imagined writing could be so enjoyable out here on the porch, sitting on a chair with the chill of winter surrounding me. With the yard blanketed in a soft layer of snow.

    I was putting the finishing touches on my personal book, Alternative Cultivation Methods. It was a detailed catalog of the pros and cons of the various cultivation techniques I��d encountered throughout my journey.

    There was also another book, Secrets of Traveling, which described the places I��d visited so far. However, it was still unfinished and detailed all the locations, people, and biomes I had encountered. I had even included some rough dates of when I had been there, just in case I needed reference points in the future. Of course, the dates were intentionally vague, and some were deliberately incorrect. Only I knew the exact times.

    I wasn''t planning on publishing this book, but these measures were more of a safeguard in case someone in the future got their hands on it. After all, there was a time-traveling rabbit. Who��s to say regressors weren��t a thing? I wasn��t about to leave myself vulnerable like that.

    After finishing my writing for the day, I stored the books in my storage ring.

    Now that I was back on clan grounds and not in a place crawling with Nascent Soul Cultivators, I was able to train my Sky Grade Technique more often. Well, the Blazing Sun Sect had only one Nascent Soul Cultivator. Still, it always felt like that guy was everywhere and knew everything.

    With just a thought, the clump of snow that had been about to slide off the roof stopped abruptly, freezing midair as if suspended by an invisible force.

    In my hand, I formed a square jade inscribed with intricate carvings. It was designed to handle information overload, though still far from perfect or usable in most cases. Nevertheless, it was good enough for testing.

    That��s the thing about Sky Grade Techniques, they��re odd. For instance, the snow was floating, but no Qi or any energy detectable by ordinary cultivators was involved. It defied all the rules of Earth Grade Techniques, which required Qi to achieve results.

    The only ones who could understand this were those who had learned a Sky Grade mental technique like I had. What I was using now was mental energy that naturally flowed throughout the world.

    In essence, I had telekinesis. Of course, it was weak and never strong enough to be practical beyond picking up a pencil or something light, but it was still kind of cool.

    I created another jade square in my other hand, which helped manage the results so the calculations didn��t clutter my mind for too long. Technically, I was just a guide for the technique.

    Telekinesis was something new I��d discovered with this technique, and there was a chance even the Four Way Immortal hadn��t used it in this way, probably because it was mostly useless.

    When I felt lightheadedness approaching, I released the snow. My mental energy was almost drained, and it was still morning; I wasn��t ready to pass out yet.

    ��Little Feng, your friends are here,�� my mother��s voice called from the entrance to the yard as she and Wu Yan walked in. Wu Yan was dressed in a pink, long-sleeved robe resembling a yukata.

    Behind my mother were Liu Bo, Liu Heng, and Liu Qian. They wore dark blue robes, similar to the inner sect disciple uniform. The guys were carrying some bags, and Liu Bo had an awkward smile. Clearly, something had happened.

    ��Hey, guys,�� I waved as my mother and Wu Yan entered the house while my male cousins helped carry the bags inside.

    Liu Qian looked around and used Qi to enhance her vision. As I wondered why she was being so conspicuous, her eyes settled on the small snow mound next to the frozen pond.

    ��I��ll never understand why you take that turtle with you everywhere,�� she muttered.

    ��I��ll have you know that turtle is like my best friend,�� I replied with mock seriousness. ��If there was a ranking of creatures I care about, Speedy would be at least in the top five.��

    She looked confused but sighed, clearly uninterested in arguing about it.

    ��Anyway, nobody��s seen any monstrous beasts lately. Normally, they��d have attacked by now, so we��re being sent on an investigative mission,�� she explained.

    More issues with the monstrous beasts? Could it be related to whatever the Blazing Sun Sect had stirred up with those intelligent beasts?

    ��Just us?�� I asked, ready to feign injury or claim I was nearing a breakthrough. Family or not, I wasn��t about to play monster bait.

    ��Other teams have been sent out, too. The elders are creating a perimeter, and we��ll investigate the inside of it,�� she replied.

    ��You think it��ll be like last winter, near the Blazing Sun Sect?�� I asked.

    ��I hope not.�� Liu Qian glanced at the distant sky and shook her head. ��Nobody wants to face the Thunder Wolf King.��

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    The Thunder Wolf King wasn��t my biggest concern. What I feared more was a situation like the one that happened in the central continent, which had essentially become a monstrous beast zone.

    ��All right, I��ll tag along,�� I agreed. Since everyone was going, there wasn��t much choice. Well, there were other options, but I wasn��t ready to abandon my family over a simple patrol. ��But I��m bringing one extra member.��

    ��Who? The turtle?�� Liu Qian eyed the sleeping Speedy skeptically.

    ��No, Speedy will stay here to protect my parents in case of emergency. He��d only slow us down. I��m talking about Wu Yan,�� I said.

    As soon as I mentioned her name, my two cousins joined us from inside the house.

    ��Sure, I trust your judgment,�� Liu Qian shrugged. ��But who is she? She looks about our age, but I don��t remember you having many female friends.��

    ��It��s Song Song in disguise,�� I joked.

    Despite my teasing tone, my cousins immediately spread their Qi, searching for her energy signature.

    When they found it, their frowns deepened as they looked at me.

    ��In my defense, I didn��t think any of you would believe me,�� I chuckled, raising my arms. ��Also, why would you believe such an absurd lie?��

    ��Whatever, can we just move on? How long do you need to prepare?�� she asked, shaking her head, though a tiny smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. No matter how rigid she tried to act, we were still cousins at the end of the day.

    I glanced at the rising morning sun, pondering my schedule. Besides my cultivation session in the evening, there wasn��t much else to do.

    Standing up from the wooden chair, I stretched. ��When do you need me ready?��

    ��As soon as possible, preferably today. But if you have something important, we can wait until tomorrow. No more than three days, though,�� Liu Qian said.

    She was being lenient, and I wasn��t about to abuse her goodwill.

    ��Give me one minute. I��ll be right back.��

    I headed inside to the kitchen, where my mother was putting away produce with Wu Yan��s help. Wherever my mother couldn��t reach, Wu Yan subtly increased her height by just enough, sparing my mother the trouble of climbing a chair to put things away.

    ��Mother, I��ll be taking Wu Yan with me on a patrol mission,�� I said.

    My mother turned, her one good eye flickering with an unreadable emotion. ��Do you have to go?��

    ��Yes.��

    ��Does she have to go with you?��

    ��Yes,�� I replied, thinking about my grandfather. While I trusted he wouldn��t harm me, I wasn��t so sure about Wu Yan.

    ��Make sure you both come back safely,�� my mother��s voice faltered slightly, though she quickly turned back to the shelves. ��Liu Feng, I know you��ve grown stronger and smarter in the Blazing Sun Sect. But take care of Wu Yan, she��s an innocent soul.��

    ��Of course,�� I nodded and left the kitchen with Wu Yan beside me.

    In the hallway leading outside, I briefly set up a silencing array.

    ��Don��t show anyone your metamorphosis ability,�� I whispered.

    Wu Yan nodded, and I dissolved the array as if it had never been there.

    I trusted my cousins, but the fewer people who knew about such things, the better.

    When we stepped outside, my cousins were still waiting. Liu Bo smiled. ��Huh, he really did only take a minute. You sure you��re ready?��

    ��Of course. I keep everything in my storage ring,�� I replied. I had two storage rings, one from my teacher and one from Song Song. Technically had another one, but I never used that since its space was tiny.

    Liu Bo frowned, eyeing Wu Yan. ��I swear she was smaller when we first met.��

    When the fuck did he become perceptive?

    ��Probably just your perspective. You were looking at her from far away, on top of a wall,�� I shrugged.

    Without further conversation, we set off, using our supernatural speed to blur through the landscape. We jumped from rooftop to rooftop, moving so fast that we were likely barely visible to those around us.

    I kept an eye on Wu Yan as she followed, though she moved awkwardly, struggling to match our speed. Even though we weren��t going full throttle to conserve energy, she was clearly unused to it.

    I gave her a few tips and tried teaching her my Galloping Horse Power Technique. Despite her cultivation talent, she struggled to grasp the concepts. Perhaps it was her upbringing, but she wasn��t adept at learning new techniques.

    I had to catch her a few times as she nearly slipped.

    It was a shame. If she had been as quick to learn as Song Song, I could have helped her become a monstrous cultivator. But if she had this much difficulty with Earth Grade Techniques, mastering Sky Grade ones would likely take years.

    Eventually, we settled into a rhythm Wu Yan could follow, and soon we were outside the city.

    Out here, with the snow crunching beneath our feet and a horizon of endless white, we didn��t have to worry about sneaking around or sudden attacks.

    As we traveled, I reflected on my cousins. I knew them well from childhood and our time training together, but there were things I still didn��t understand, like why Liu Heng stuck so close to Liu Qian, almost like her shadow. She was the Clan Head��s daughter, but we weren��t her servants.

    What was Liu Heng��s deal? He wasn��t raised to be a servant, and I distinctly remembered him being wild when we were younger. Had Liu Qian saved his life after they entered the Blazing Sun Sect? Maybe something drastic had happened, which would explain why he followed her so closely. He rarely spoke these days.

    Cultivation was an individual path, yet Liu Heng was spending all his time supporting someone else, slowing himself down. That guy needed his own goals.

    ...

    We ran for what felt like hours, the sun slowly sinking as long shadows stretched over the snow-covered field. Though the elders had supposedly secured the zone we were patrolling, experience had taught us not to let our guard down, even in familiar territory.

    As the light faded, we decided to stop for the night. The cold air bit at us, and though it was just a routine patrol, there was no harm in being cautious. If there was a battle tomorrow, it was better to be well-rested.

 Chapter 216 - Like Brothers

    With the sun gone and the bitter cold setting in, I quickly got to work. The air had become icy, and the wind cut through our clothes with every gust. Setting up a heating array was the first priority.

    With a few well-practiced movements, I erected a barrier. Gradually, the air around us began to warm up, creating a protective bubble of heat.

    Satisfied with the warmth, I moved on to preparing arrays for added security. The night may have seemed still, but we knew better than to trust appearances. I placed a series of minor alarm arrays at the edges of our camp and set up basic protective arrays around our sleeping area. Subtle and incorporated into the snow and earth, they were barely visible to the untrained eye but strong enough to shield us from most potential sneak attacks. With everything in place, I finally allowed myself a moment to unwind.

    Building a traditional fire was out of the question, with no wood in sight and everything around us damp from the melting snow. Fortunately, I had another solution.

    A yellow-red square array, about the size of a human head, designed to act like a furnace, generating intense heat in a small, concentrated area. I activated an extreme heating array I��d learned for situations like this.

    I took out some frozen strips of squirrel meat from my storage ring and placed them over the array. Within moments, the sound of sizzling filled the quiet night as the frozen meat thawed and cooked quickly under the glowing heat. The savory scent began to rise, filling the air and momentarily distracting us from the biting cold that lingered just outside the protective barrier.

    It was a small comfort, but that sizzling meat felt like a feast out here.

    Now that we were all together, the atmosphere felt almost like camping. We started talking about various topics, except Wu Yan, of course, since she couldn''t speak normally.

    As we reminisced about our experiences since leaving the Blazing Sun Sect, Liu Heng pointed at Wu Yan and asked, ��Where did you get her?��

    ��I saved her from a difficult situation,�� I replied, and my cousins were quick enough to notice the reason I avoided going into detail; this wasn��t something I wanted to talk about. ��Now my mother can��t get enough of her. She��s teaching her how to cook, buying her clothes, the whole thing.��

    ��Oh, right,�� Liu Qian smirked. ��I remember you were a troublemaker as a kid and always worrying your mother to death and going on about cultivation.��

    She was teasing me, but it wasn��t like I could refute her; she wasn��t wrong.

    ��Yeah, Liu Feng was quite the handful when he was young,�� Liu Bo chuckled. ��I remember when he was five or six, he threw a rock and hit me on the back of the head for no reason. You didn��t even apologize. Though I recall your grandfather scolding you pretty heavily.��

    I laughed along, remembering how my parents spent a while afterward teaching me to be gentle. As for my grandfather, he did yell at me, but right after, he bought me a wooden sword... essentially rewarding my bad behavior. Thankfully, my mother and father were the ones who took discipline seriously.

    ��Well, I apologize now,�� I said. ��Sorry for hitting you with that rock, cousin.��

    ��I forgive you,�� he replied.

    ��Now, enough of bullying the younger generation,�� I joked. ��What about you guys? I bet you weren��t saints when you were younger either.��

    ��Oh, Liu Qian was the worst,�� Liu Bo admitted, immediately throwing her under the bus.

    ��Yeah, I remember you and Liu Heng used to fight all the time,�� I said, recalling some old memories.

    ��The worst part was they always made me pick sides,�� Liu Bo laughed. ��They were the absolute worst.��

    ��Well, as far as I remember, Liu Bo wasn��t the brightest either,�� said Liu Qian. ��He once ate a shard of glass because he thought it would strengthen his intestines. Liu Heng did it too...��

    ��That was because you said it was a secret technique your father was teaching you,�� Liu Heng muttered in his defense.

    ��Oh, and Liu Qian used to pick her nose and wipe her boogers on the back of my shirt. I didn��t find out for the longest time,�� Liu Bo added.

    ��Hey, don��t just go around telling people a lady used to pick her nose,�� Liu Qian insisted, though there was a smile on her lips.

    After more laughter and jokes about our childhoods, Liu Bo turned to me and said, ��By the way, I never thought you, of all people, would grow up to become a reader.��

    Liu Heng nodded, smiling. ��Yeah, that was the strangest thing. I always thought you��d end up getting into fights with an elder��s son or something as soon as you entered the Sect. But somehow, you became a dorky scholar instead.��

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    ��Hey, Liu Bo, he just insulted your favorite cousin. What do you have to say to that?�� I teased.

    Liu Bo raised a brow. ��Since when did you become my favorite cousin?��

    ��Since now, because they��re teaming up against us,�� I said.

    Liu Bo smirked and nodded, but the rest of my cousins suddenly looked worried, as if they feared what was coming next.

    ��Well, Liu Heng has a crush on Liu Qian here,�� Liu Bo said, dropping a bombshell.

    Liu Qian and Liu Heng weren��t as closely related to each other as I was to her, but they were still cousins in some way.

    Liu Bo, seemingly oblivious to the tension, continued. ��He even confessed to her. She brutally rejected him, and he cried, like, snot running down his nose and everything-��

    ��I think that��s enough,�� Liu Qian interjected, breaking the quiet atmosphere.

    ��What? I thought it was funny,�� Liu Bo shrugged, turning toward me. ��This was just after we entered the Blazing Sun Sect. Guys were always trying to get close to Liu Qian. It was about a year before you came.��

    Still going on? Wow. He was either incredibly socially dense or doing this on purpose. I was betting on the latter.

    Not here to judge, but seriously, what was it with the cousin stuff? There were plenty of pretty girls out there.

    Still, I wasn��t going to hold it against them. They were good people.

    But now, as I looked at my two cousins, I couldn��t help but see them in a very different light. Come to think of it, I usually never saw one without the other.

    Could there be a reason why Liu Heng was so loyal? She might have rejected him at first, but... was it still just a crush, or had their relationship developed into something more?

    I shook my head, trying to dispel the unwelcome thoughts. This had nothing to do with me, and I didn��t even want to know! Why did Liu Bo have to blurt it out like that?

    ��I will push your face into this,�� Liu Qian jokingly threatened Liu Bo, pointing at the heating arrays I used as a makeshift cooking furnace. My squirrel meat was scorched black by now. ��We��re family, and we shouldn��t talk about silly things like romantic love between us. Liu Heng was just confused. I see you all as my brothers.��

    This was awkward... mostly because I caught a brief frown crossing Liu Heng��s brow, just for a split second.

    I observed Liu Heng closely, noticing the way he silently watched Liu Qian. The way his eyes lingered on her neck as she reprimanded Liu Bo... there might still be something there.

    Wait, now that I knew about this, was I overanalyzing everything?

    Also, I might be the only one who considered this weird, given that certain marriages weren��t unusual here.

    After that, we talked more about our time in the Blazing Sun Sect, and despite a few awkward moments, the night ended on a good note. We laughed, reminisced, and finally settled into sleep using some of my arrays to keep off the wet ground.

    ...

    The following morning, we resumed our journey, trudging through snow-covered terrain until a forest finally came into view. The trees were bare, and there was more snow than we knew what to do with.

    Without stopping, we entered the forest. It was a maze of towering trunks and tangled vines. The cold air was thick, and the ground beneath the snow was uneven. Vines hung low, forcing us to duck and weave as we made our way deeper. The silence pressed in, broken only by the occasional rustle of branches. It felt as if the forest were closing in on us.

    ��A bit further, and we��ll meet the elder,�� Liu Qian said. ��Keep your eyes open for anything suspicious. Our task is to scout this area since we knew the fields wouldn��t have any monstrous beasts.��

    We carefully maneuvered through the forest, avoiding frozen branches to keep from slipping. I kept a particular eye on Wu Yan, but she had grown accustomed to moving at such a pace by now. She even developed the habit of stepping only where I stepped.

    As we moved, my senses were on high alert; both my eyes and Qi senses scanning for any sign of danger. I tried to detect any trace of mental energy from a hidden monstrous beast, knowing some could camouflage their Qi. But I found nothing.

    Finally, we stumbled upon an old man in strange attire standing on the snow without leaving a footprint. He wore black, like my grandfather, signifying his status as an elder. But he also had a chunky wool hat on his bald head. I knew it was to keep his head warm, but it looked odd paired with the rest of his official-looking clothes. Despite what must have been a long stay in the wilderness, his appearance was immaculate, not a hair out of place.

    ��You��re here,�� the elder said, steam curling from his breath. ��Faster than expected, though not as fast as you could have been. Did you notice anything unusual on your way here?��

    ��No,�� Liu Qian shook her head. ��No monstrous beasts, not even a wolf. The place feels... dead.��

    ��As expected,�� the elder nodded. ��But we had to be sure, and now we can plan for what comes next.��

    It seemed there were higher-level plans in motion, but I was more concerned about the monstrous beasts. Why hadn��t they attacked yet? Since when could they control their hunger?

    Two possibilities came to mind. Either the Thunder Wolves had some kind of plan, perhaps led by intelligent monstrous beasts. That was terrifying, as such beasts would be acting with purpose, or they had fought for territory with another group of monstrous beasts and nearly wiped each other out.

    While Liu Qian and the elder discussed the mission in detail, my mind wandered to the monstrous beasts. What could they be planning?

    Could they be preparing to attack from underground? Unlikely. Even if they dug an entrance far away, a tunnel that long would surely be noticed.

    Another possibility was that they��d used the snowfall to cover their tracks. If they traveled while snow was falling, their footprints would be erased by morning.

    Of course, this could all be man-made too. Perhaps the Clan Head or someone else wanted certain elders out of the city, and a coup was unfolding back home.

    There are so many possibilities, yet few clues lead to the truth.

    Times like these reminded me I was no detective.

    Had I missed something along the way?

 Chapter 217: The Sensei

    After a final exchange of words with the elder, Liu Qian retrieved a specific scroll, symbolizing the official end of our mission.

    So far, this mission had been a whole lot of nothing, but it was better than something happening. Sometimes, unpredictable things were fun, but I had too many things on my plate for now.

    With the scroll in hand, we left without making a big deal. We navigated through the snowy forests, where every tree stood silent, blanketed in white. The familiar crunch of snow beneath our feet felt as loud as a gunshot in a zombie movie. With each breath, the cold air filled our lungs, and a distinctive rotting smell came from the snow.

    It was a bit frustrating being unable to see through the situation. But we weren��t going to stop and see why the snow smelled so bad, this was still very much enemy territory.

    We wasted no time on idle thoughts or lingering glances. Fields stretched before us, barren and pale under the winter sky. This time, we didn''t even consider stopping to rest; the path ahead was clear, and we focused on a single point, getting back.

    I considered stopping for Wu Yan. But, ironically, she had the most stamina among us, even without any formal training. Extreme Physiques were bullshit... Well, even Ye An didn��t have it like this.

    After many hours of running at top speeds, we finally crossed the secure walls of the outer city. I closed my eyes when we passed the gate guards, activating the Eight Mind Phantoms Technique. Now that I could afford to lower my vigilance, I could "splurge" a bit.

    As a Sky Grade Technique, Eight Mind Phantoms had many perks outside its primary usage. One was the ability to access my mind like an enemy''s and recall memories with nearly perfect clarity. It was still a delicate process, not something to attempt carelessly during combat, and required a focused target memory.

    In this case, my own memories were the target. Ironically, the technique was easier to use on myself than others, even though it was designed to imprison other minds.

    Countless thoughts rushed through me like my life was on fast-forward until I found what I wanted, memories of every detail I knew about monstrous beasts, mainly on reports on strange past activities. Yet, nothing matched the current situation we faced.

    My closest reference was an event three hundred years ago when a Nascent Soul-level beast attempted to attack the Void Piercing Sect. Their immortal intervened to handle it, which was why many believed the Void Piercing Immortal was still alive nowadays. But, as usual with these so-called immortals, records were scarce, with no clear account of what happened or how he resolved it.

    Even then, though, there wasn''t this apparent pattern of missing beasts.

    I wanted to use the chance since I was already deep into memory. I rarely used the Eight Mind Phantoms on myself, uncertain of potential adverse effects.

    Soon, memories of Earth Grade Techniques I''d studied in the Song Clan Library surfaced. Dozens of techniques, mostly learned to broaden my understanding or use as a foundation. I''d never used them.

    But now I analyzed which ones might benefit Wu Yan.

    Technically, teaching clan techniques to outsiders was forbidden, punishable by death or even clan annihilation. However, I was in a unique position; I could claim Song Song told me. She''d play along and get off with a slap on the wrist.

    I''d never risked something like this in my previous life, but being around Song Song had made me a bit of a delinquent. Also, the odds of someone noticing some obscure technique here in our distant home and reporting it to the Sect were slim.

    I had considered using the new techniques the Liu Clan had acquired, but they weren''t compatible with Wu Yan.

    As I moved on autopilot, following the others'' Qi signatures, I compiled a set of techniques for Wu Yan to form a stable foundation for her Foundation Establishment.

    The Leaf Trail Technique was used for movement, the Yang Palm Resolution for attack, the Golden Bell Shield for defense, and Flesh Heat Sensing for scouting.

    There were other techniques I wanted her to learn, like those connected to stealth, but it was better to start with these.

    In truth, the fewer techniques learned, the better. Mastery of one versatile technique was the most beneficial path.

    Fortunately, these techniques complemented each other and aligned with life-altering aspects, aligning with her element and most compatible with her physique.

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    However, Wu Yan needed to learn these quickly, as a dangerous battle might be approaching.

    "Here''s your reward," an unknown elder said when we reached the inner city. Liu Qian handed over the scroll, and the old man gave us a dozen spirit stones.

    Liu Qian distributed two stones each, even to Wu Yan.

    I was absent-minded through the process, still running the Sky Grade Technique in the background. Only when we reached our house''s snowy yard, with Speedy dozing beside the frozen pool, did I release the technique.

    For a moment, everything felt dreamlike, and my thoughts seemed foggy. But the sharp bite of the cold wind against my skin jolted me back to full awareness.

    "Are you tired?" I asked Wu Yan. After using a Sky Grade Technique and traveling without rest, I was exhausted.

    But she simply shook her head, and I nodded.

    "Good. We''ll begin martial training right away. High cultivation alone won''t protect you in most situations," I told her.

    Wu Yan nodded, determined.

    "Good. I''ll demonstrate the techniques, starting with the defensive one since it''s the easiest," I said, clapping my hands and letting a hum resonate from my throat.

    The Qi movement felt strange and rough around the edges, and it required more Qi than necessary, but this was just a demonstration.

    Golden Qi rippled from my skin, bubbling like liquid sunlight as it spread outward, a glimmering aura forming a protective bell around me. The Yang Qi within it resonated with a deep, subtle hum, filling the air with a vibrant warmth that danced in soft waves across the snowy ground. Beneath its touch, delicate flakes melted away, leaving small patches of exposed earth peeking through the snow.

    The warmth wasn''t harsh but soothing, like the first rays of dawn.

    Wu Yan carefully mirrored my movements, her form like a controlled reflection of my own. She guided her Qi along the same paths, tracing each subtle current I channeled. Yet, when her Qi surged outward, it was a modest pulse, conjuring only a faint gust that brushed against the snow around us and pushed it away.

    "Good, you''ve got the movements down," I said.

    I felt a touch of disappointment, but it was expected. Wu Yan had never even learned a Mortal Grade Technique, having worked as a farmhand most of her life. Adapting to martial techniques would take time, but we couldn''t afford much. I needed to fast-track her training.

    Over the next few minutes, I showed her the basics of what the techniques should look like. While I hadn''t personally used these techniques, I was more than familiar with similar movement styles.

    By the end of our practice, a patch of grass peeked through the snow where we''d melted it away.

    During our session, my mother came out of the house, watching us with curiosity.

    "You''re back already?" she asked. "I thought you''d be gone longer."

    "It wasn''t a hard mission," I replied, watching Wu Yan struggle to push her Qi outward into the shape of a bell.

    We might need to enhance her spirit roots for faster Qi regeneration.

    My mother returned with two steaming cups of tea. I took mine, while Wu Yan declined, so my mother drank hers.

    As Wu Yan practiced, my mother commented, "Try not to give her any bad habits, like training in the cold."

    "I have my reasons," I said. "We need to train hard since troublesome times are coming."

    Knowing the dangers of the world, my mother didn''t argue. Though she wasn''t a cultivator, she''d been part of a cultivation clan for decades. She wouldn''t ask me to stop training Wu Yan.

    "Take care of her," she said. "Also, don''t forget to take care of yourself either. The graveyard is filled with brave corpses and weeping mothers during these times. I do not want to be one of them."

    Her tone was firm.

    I smiled, attempting to lighten the mood. "Don''t worry, Mother. I''ve tempered my mind under a lot of rivers and waterfalls. My body is made of steel, veins of iron, blood of bronze."

    That latter part was a well-known saying in the warriors'' community.

    "Waterfalls?" a voice chimed in from the house. My father stepped out, rubbing his hands for warmth as he walked beside my mother. "We live on flat land; there are no waterfalls around here. You would have to travel for a long time on horseback and reach the mountains to find one."

    He''d likely come in mid-conversation and missed the context.

    "There''s actually an underground waterfall here," I said, recalling a training spot from my youth. "If you jump down one of the wells here, it leads to an underground water source."

    "As wells should," he replied.

    "Well, all the wells in the city technically take water from an underground large lake, and there is like a river waterfall thing down there," I added.

    The place was probably meant as a secret hideout, but it wasn''t much of a secret if Grandpa had shown it to me when I was seven.

    Speaking of Grandpa, he''d just entered my sensory range. Moments later, he walked through the gates, sparing a glance at Wu Yan before looking at me.

    There he was, my grandfather in his dark uniform.

    Uncharacteristically, he had a frown etched on his face.

    What was he upset about this time? Hopefully, it wasn''t about the time I refused his plan to incite a civil war. My stance hadn''t changed, and his frowns wouldn''t sway me.

    Without greeting, he said, "There will be a meeting soon between all the cultivator clan members, and after that, we plan to send all our people on rapid missions. So you better be prepared."

    Well, that didn''t sound promising. Last winter had been hectic enough, and now this one seemed set to be worse. It felt as if the central continent''s turmoil was beginning to unfold here too.

 Chapter 218: A Rumbling Between Ages

    "Did something happen?" I asked my grandfather as he came to sit on the porch beside us, sighing heavily.

    "No, and that''s the problem... nothing has happened," he said, shaking his head and narrowing his eyes at the cloudy sky. "By now, armies of monstrous beasts would be smashing against our walls, dying by the dozens. But none of the scouts found a single trace, no fur on trees, no tracks, no corpses."

    A heavy silence hung in the air after he said that. Everyone knew that strange things happening was usually not good news. No doubt by now, some people might be wondering if this city would be just another statistic of one of the places destroyed by monstrous beasts.

    It was strange, almost unnatural. It was as if all the monstrous beasts, and even the regular animals, had suddenly vanished from the nearby territories managed by the Liu Clan.

    There were few animals out and about in winter, but never none.

    "We asked the neighboring clans, and they reported the same," he continued, his expression shifting slightly, "In the end, we may have to cooperate with our rivals."

    His face twisted at that last part as though he''d bitten into something bitter.

    "What''s so bad about that?" I asked. "In this case, the more eyes on the problem, the better it should be for all of us."

    "Yes, until they stab us in the back," my grandfather replied bluntly. "Do you think it''s that simple? This rivalry has lasted for centuries. They''ve killed many of ours, and we''ve killed even more of theirs."

    He sounded irritated, but something else caught my attention.

    Why wasn''t he angrier? Usually, he''d be railing about how this was the perfect time to have the Clan Head meet with an ''accident'' or pushing me to take over. The fact that he wasn''t was... unsettling. It made me wonder if he was planning something behind my back. A civil war within the clan would be the final nail in our coffin.

    It was almost as if he''d forgotten those ambitions entirely.

    "Anyway, with all that''s happening, an old man can''t help but worry," he said, breaking me out of my thoughts. "I want to see how good you really are, shake some rust off my old bones. I''d rather not lose my grandson in the coming war. So if you''re not good enough, you need to improve, and do it fast."

    "Just don''t go too hard on him," my mother chimed in gently. "With battles around the corner, we don''t want him injured before he even steps on the field."

    She knew she had little power to change his mind, but this was her subtle way of intervening.

    My father put a reassuring hand on my shoulder and nodded. He looked worried but seemed to believe I''d be fine.

    Yet, it wasn''t my parents'' reactions that troubled me; it was my grandfather''s. No matter how well someone''s intentions were hidden, actions always revealed the truth.

    My grandfather''s actions now didn''t fit the image of a greedy brute willing to incite a civil war just to take over the Clan and eliminate the current Clan Head, who happened to be his nephew.

    Grandpa stood, stepping into the soft snow and leaving a trail of footprints as he walked toward the gate. When he reached it, he turned back, calling, "You coming or not?"

    "Yes, of course," I replied, rising to follow him.

    Whatever his true intentions were, only time would reveal them. There was no point in worrying about it now.

    On my way to the gate, I glanced at Wu Yan and said, "Keep practicing until I return."

    Side by side, my grandfather and I passed through the gate and then his figure vanished, moving with a gust of wind in what seemed to be a movement technique. It was intended to enhance both speed and stealth, though the latter effect was only partial; I could still sense his presence.

    Without hesitation, I activated my own movement technique and pursued him.

    His technique appeared like an Earth Grade technique, but it was actually a personal adaptation based on his understanding of the wind element. It mimicked the power of an Earth Grade technique but lacked the refinement of a true one. Techniques like these could never reach the same mastery level as those that achieved a "trace."

    Soon, I was just a step behind him as he swept across the roofs of the commercial district, finally leaping toward the central well in town.

    Luckily, no one was using it. The well looked like something from medieval times, with a stone ring around it and a small roof above. My grandfather disappeared into the well, unseen by any bystanders. I had to wait a moment for a clear opportunity to follow him without drawing attention. The last thing we wanted was for anyone to suspect something had happened to the water.

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    That concern was for later, though, as darkness closed in, leaving only a small circle of light above like a shining beacon. Using Qi to sharpen my vision, I could make out a large, roughly-hewn cavern below, with a river channeling water in and another carrying it out. A smell lingered in the air, like algae and something sweet I couldn''t recognize.

    Just before landing on the water, I formed a translucent jade platform beneath me, hovering as I approached where I sensed my grandfather''s presence.

    The water radiated a cold wave, and I felt the cold on my skin even though I wasn''t touching the water. Though it had lost most of its Qi, this place couldn''t have been just some random cave.

    Beside the river was a vast cavern, large enough to resemble a football field. Perfect for a sparring arena, though we''d have to avoid explosive techniques to keep the cavern from collapsing on us.

    "You''re fast," my grandfather noted, his voice carrying a hint of challenge. "Is it you, or just your technique?"

    "It might be the technique," I replied with a shrug. "Why don''t we find out?"

    He smiled; despite everything, this old man liked a fight.

    I could quickly have overtaken him at the pace we��d set if I knew where we were headed. But I wasn��t here to show up my grandfather. I��d let him have his small victories. He was an old man, after all.

    ��So, what now?�� I asked, glancing around the dim cavern. The only light source was the thin beam streaming down from the well, casting a faint shimmer on the water below.

    ��Well, I brought you here to test your strength,�� he replied, his voice calm in a way I hadn��t expected. ��This way, I��ll know what kinds of missions you��re ready for and where I might need to pull some strings to keep you from harm.��

    For a moment, I thought he might launch into a grand speech about me being the destined Clan Head or something equally dramatic. The setting certainly had that kind of atmosphere.

    ��Well, this place is definitely better than our small yard for sparring,�� I said, though I couldn��t help adding, ��But I��m a bit concerned about cave-ins if we go all out.��

    ��Don��t worry about that. This place is sturdier than it looks,�� he reassured me. ��Look closely, can you tell what this place is?��

    Scanning the walls, I noticed repetitive marks.

    ��Judging by the patterns, it doesn��t look like a natural formation. But they��re not marks left by pickaxes or chisels, either. Whoever made this likely used a large-scale technique to carve it out quickly,�� I observed, noting the unnatural geometrical shapes in the walls.

    ��Not a bad assessment,�� Grandpa nodded. ��Now, how and why do you think this place came to be?��

    Was this supposed to be a sparring session or a quiz?

    ��I��m no rock guy, but I��d guess it was either an abandoned spirit stone mine, a secret chamber or vault, or maybe a tomb. There are a few other possibilities, but these seem the most likely. It could also be a hidden shelter, but if that were its sole purpose, I��d expect it to be a bit better constructed.�� I said.

    This could have also been the hideout of some secret cult. But even that would have made the place better built unless this was just where they gathered the victims they were about to sacrifice.

    ��You��re on the right track,�� my grandfather nodded approvingly. ��This place served as something of a tomb for our clan founder, who was a peak Core Formation cultivator!��

    He announced that last part dramatically as if it were a grand reveal. Though clan legends spoke of the founder, many stories were exaggerated, and few considered them grounded in fact. The average clan member took pride in those stories and at the thought of having a Core Formation ancestor. However, no one knew for sure.

    But I��d already verified the founder��s cultivation level during my conversation with the Blazing Sun Sect Leader, who had mentioned it when describing my ancestor��s legacy.

    ��Anyway, enough talk. Get ready for a fight,�� my grandfather said, and in a burst of swirling wind he vanished from his spot.

    He was the one who��d started all the chatting. I was just here for the ride.

    Even though he was hidden by his technique, the darkness here wasn��t exactly to his advantage. I couldn��t see him, but I doubt he could see me well either, so we both had to rely on our Qi senses.

    Tracking the faint Qi trail he left behind, I noted that his movement traced a thin, winding S-pattern.

    His speed was good but not particularly impressive for someone of his cultivation level. By the time he reappeared before me, aiming a punch at my gut, I could��ve had time to drink a cup of coffee... metaphorically, of course.

    I stepped back, dodging easily. My grandfather took a deep breath, and suddenly the wind shifted around me, like a swirling vortex coming out of his mouth, pulling me toward him.

    He didn��t hold back, using the momentum to bring an elbow straight toward my throat.

    Dodging wasn''t an option with his base speed far surpassing mine due to our cultivation difference. His techniques weren''t anything impressive either, but he knew how to use them somewhat well.

    As his elbow neared my throat, three layers of sponge-like barriers materialized, absorbing the impact of his arm. Instead of resisting, I moved with the momentum, flipping upside down and pointing a finger at him.

    Falling Moon Claw!

    A muted wind blade shot from my fingertip, aiming for his chest.

    Rather than dodging, my grandfather swung his fist, shattering the invisible wind blade. Not surprising, given that I wasn��t going all out; it was more a signal that I��d hit my target and could have escalated if needed.

    ��What��s with that weak attack?�� he asked, frowning. ��I heard Liu Qian say you��d mastered the Falling Moon Claw she sent you. But what is this?��

    I raised an eyebrow. Was he trying to provoke me, or did he truly not understand the purpose of that weaker strike?

    I swung my hand again, and silence hung in the air momentarily as if nothing had happened.

    Then, with a burst of power and a thunderous sound, a massive, invisible wind blade shot toward him, cutting through the air and releasing a beautiful song.

    I could control it well enough to stop it before it caused him any real harm, but I was now showing him a glimpse of my actual skill.

    His frown deepened, and he quickly raised his hands, focusing all his Qi into them in preparation.

    If this were a real fight, I would have thrown more wind blades at his undefended limbs and throat.

 Chapter 219: Openings

    As I saw the wind blade speeding toward the old man, who was summoning every ounce of power just to stand a chance at blocking it, a thought crossed my mind: did he even understand dodging?

    I had to consciously hold back, weakening the technique just in case his blocking wasn��t enough and it might end up bisecting him.

    Normally, even a full-powered Falling Moon Claw would struggle to kill a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. But that was assuming the cultivator belonged to the Blazing Sun Sect and had an Earth Grade defensive technique.

    Wind clashed against wind, and Grandpa crushed the weakened Falling Moon Claw.

    Before I could say anything, he swung his hand in a gesture similar to mine when casting the Falling Moon Claw, though it was more of a slap than a precise cut. He didn��t even employ an Earth Grade Technique, just an AOE gust of wind that sent me flying toward the cavern walls.

    ��Some attacks just can��t be dodged,�� Grandpa said as if dispensing some ancient wisdom.

    But my technique could have been dodged. He��d chosen one of the riskiest ways to handle an attack like mine.

    As I hurtled toward the cavern wall, I cushioned my landing with a thick barrier of jelly-like jade that no longer looked translucent. It felt like landing harshly on a soft blob, a strangely comfortable impact.

    Almost immediately, I was back on my feet, ready to defend or attack again.

    From what I��d seen so far, Grandpa��s element was undoubtedly wind. He had developed several techniques from his comprehension of it: an invisibility-enhancing movement technique, a suction force, and an AOE blast.

    But it was a poor configuration of techniques. Foundation Establishment was named so for a reason; it was a stage to build a solid foundation, not to cover every weakness. With this array of techniques, the odds of Grandpa ever breaking through to Core Formation were slim to none. More likely, he��d fail and lose all his cultivation, the standard backlash for failing to advance to Foundation Establishment. Many had tried to break through while injured and died.

    Yet despite everything, Grandpa launched another attack, closing in on me with his movement technique.

    By now, I��d started to get a feel for his rhythm. Despite wielding wind, he fought with aggressive ferocity. A style that clashed with his element, and his techniques didn��t support it well either.

    As he closed within arm��s reach, he began throwing fast punches that left ghostly afterimages, making him look like a many-armed Ashura. His speed was dizzying; it was impossible to tell which arm would strike.

    It looked like a Mortal Grade Technique. Effective, especially against those of lower cultivation.

    But again, most techniques were effective against weaker cultivators.

    Instead of playing by his rules, I activated Galloping Horse Power Technique, quickly retreating so that his punches hit empty air, rendering the real one irrelevant.

    As I moved back, my back hit something. There wasn��t much space left behind me; I was literally up against the wall.

    Seeing the flurry of punches coming my way, I scrambled to think of a strategy. With less than a second before he closed in, only one idea came to mind, though I wasn''t sure how effective it would be.

    Dancing Jade Armor: Ashura!

    I went through the motions of summoning a jade soldier but only made their arms this time. The jade arms floated mid-air, each clashing with one of his afterimages. I formed green jade gloves over my fists and struck out as well.

    To my surprise, his attacks were so fast that he was hitting through every afterimage. Technically, each punch was real.

    As we engaged in a hand-to-hand exchange, I expected the old man''s experience to overpower me, but instead, we were evenly matched. Either he wasn''t putting in his full effort, or he didn''t have as much battle experience as I''d thought. The former didn''t make much sense; he had no reason to hold back in a punch barrage that wouldn''t cause me lasting harm.

    Our clash felt strange. The spar was challenging; he outclassed me physically, and I was mostly on the defensive. Yet, this wasn''t pushing me to my limits.

    Maybe this was how normal spars were supposed to feel. But it was nothing like the spars I was used to... When I sparred with Song Song, it was overwhelming. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn''t beat her, but lasting even a second longer against her was proof of improvement. I could go all out with killing intent, knowing my attacks wouldn''t scratch her. Each spar pushed my mind to its limits, forcing me to predict her moves since I couldn''t keep up with her speed.

    I canceled the jade arms and leaned into his punches now that I knew each one was real.

    As a punch neared, a small jade barrier formed just in time, absorbing the impact but shattering under the force. At this close range, I surged forward, closing the gap until I was just inches from him, and headbutted him square on the nose.

    This kind of move would''ve gotten me floored ten out of ten times against Song Song.

    Given our physical differences, I barely harmed him. Still, it was enough to make him stagger back a step, allowing me to slip past and free myself from the wall.

    Before I could press the advantage of being behind him, he swung his arm, summoning a gust of wind that pushed me back. I could''ve tried to brute force through it, but there was little point.

    His techniques resembled Earth Grade, an advantage for Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Yet, they lacked the refinement to truly be Earth Grade, and they would never reach a Trace.

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    This was why I wasn''t as cautious as I might have been otherwise. A Trace mid-battle could shift the entire balance, which was a risk I wasn''t willing to take lightly, regardless of the opponent.

    Martial Techniques here were like martial arts back in my world; they were used to bridge gaps in strength and often decided the outcome between two evenly-matched fighters.

    In this case, Earth Grade techniques could close the gap between Qi Gathering and Foundation Establishment. But if both fighters were equally skilled... Well, there was a reason weight classes existed in my last world.

    It didn''t seem like my grandfather had learned any of the Earth Grade Techniques we''d brought back. Maybe he saw himself as too old for new tricks and was content with his current moveset.

    Over the next few minutes, more wind attacks flew my way, and I dodged most of them while noting the old man''s repertoire of moves.

    First came a silent wind movement technique, followed by an area-of-effect blast, then an incredibly fast kick accelerated by the absence of wind resistance.

    Essentially, all his attacks were combinations of these three techniques used in various ways.

    He wielded his element skillfully, demonstrating decades of experience. Yet his fighting style didn''t align with the wind element at all. A speed-blitz approach would have been more effective and might have defeated me in a few moves.

    Still, the more he showcased his attempts to create wind techniques to cover his weaknesses and compensate for the clan''s lack of Earth Grade Techniques, the clearer it became that even with top-tier talent, my grandfather would fail to break through to Core Formation. His foundation was lackluster.

    In gaming terms, he''d allocated skill points to all the wrong trees.

    Either way, I had seen enough; it was time to end this.

    I summoned a giant green skeletal arm, swinging it down toward my grandfather.

    I expected him to jump back or attempt to block it and fail.

    But although my grandfather lacked the combat experience someone his age should have, he was no fool. He might have learned much more than I had during this fight.

    Instead of blocking or retreating, he charged straight at me with a confident smile, employing his wind movement technique to move faster than I could normally react.

    My first thought was to use the lightning array, but I immediately dismissed it. That could actually injure him. I didn''t want Grandpa entering the upcoming war wounded, that could lead to his death.

    There were other techniques I could use, moves that wouldn''t harm someone like Song Song, who could devise a counterattack or defense before they even landed. But Grandpa was no Song Song, and he lacked a lot when compared to her, that much was clear.

    It was clear that with this one move, he had cornered me, and I couldn''t handle the situation without risking injury to him.

    This was his victory...

    The giant jade skeletal arm dissipated into green mist, and before it vanished completely, Grandpa was already within arm''s reach.

    So, I used more than half my Qi to form a bubblegum-like cocoon around myself. His punch caused ripples across the sphere, pushing me back until the cocoon smashed against the wall. There were no shockwaves; I tumbled inside, feeling as if I were in a water balloon.

    But in the end, I was unharmed. I dismissed the cocoon and raised my hands in surrender.

    "Okay, you win," I said.

    The old man frowned. "Ah, what a shame. I was just shaking off the rust. It''s been decades since I fought someone like this."

    Usually, elders and cultivators at his stage rarely fought one another; they mostly bullied younger cultivators and acted as deterrents.

    "You are pretty talented when it comes to fighting and quick on your feet. But you really need to work on fixing that creepy look of yours," Grandpa said, smiling as he did some light stretches. He seemed quite energetic.

    Fighting talent? I suppose that made sense in a place like this. Usually, I was more of a preparation kind of guy, which helped me perform better in fights.

    When I thought of fighting talent, I always thought of Song Song. Even if we were at the same cultivation stage, I couldn''t see myself defeating her without extensive preparation.

    "Do you want to go another round?" Grandpa asked.

    "No," I shook my head. "I have to save some Qi for cultivating later."

    This fight had been somewhat dull. The gap between a place like this and the Blazing Sun Sect wasn''t just about cultivation talent but also fighting talent.

    There were plenty of peak Qi Gathering cultivators in the Blazing Sun Sect who could probably defeat my grandfather.

    "Ah, well, that''s a shame," the old man shrugged. "But we should spar again sometime. I learned a bit in this fight."

    A proud man like my grandfather openly admitting that? Was this the same man who was willing to start a civil war out of pride?

    "You should try dodging more," I said, offering genuine advice but also trying to gauge his reaction. "Wind isn''t exactly a strong defensive element."

    For the grand image I had of him, I expected he''d either grudgingly accept or silently acknowledge it while outwardly refusing, all because of his pride.

    "The last time I tried dodging, some Fu bastard lopped off my brother''s head," he said calmly.

    Ah, shit.

    The revelation crumbled all my assumptions and plans, sometimes it was to predict these kinds of interactions. There was a deeper reason he no longer dodged attacks. It was likely the same reason he''d developed such an unusual collection of wind techniques.

    "Anyway, you did well," Grandpa said. "You''re able to defend against and evade most Foundation Establishment cultivators. The best the clans have to offer is Foundation Establishment, so you should be safe on any mission."

    "The clans?" I asked, a bit puzzled.

    Why was he bringing up clans? Shouldn''t we be more concerned about monstrous beasts?

    Don''t tell me... Was there some kind of hidden plot unfolding? Were the clans planning to take advantage of this chaotic moment to backstab each other?

    Great. Complications. I might seem capable of navigating these things, but that was mostly because I worked alongside Song Song. She always ensured my safety.

    But here? That wasn''t a mess I wanted to get tangled in.

    "I meant ''the clans'' in more of a metaphorical sense, you know, as a figure of speech," Grandpa said, backtracking quickly. "Anyway, there will be a meeting here in the underground cavern next Monday. We''ll assign jobs for everyone in the clan and review protocols for emergencies and worst-case scenarios."

    One week... That was all the time I had to pack as much training as possible into Wu Yan. I''d also have to prepare a regimen for her to follow for the time I''d be away.

    A week wasn''t much for someone with Wu Yan''s learning speed. Plus, I couldn''t just write things down for her since she didn''t have eyes to read.

    In addition, I''d need to set aside hours each day for my cultivation since skipping it wasn''t an option.

    I had a lot to get done...

 Chapter 220: Honorable Seniors

    One week passed quickly when I was busy. It felt like it vanished in the blink of an eye, and by the end of it, despite all my efforts, I still felt unsure about everything.

    With me away, I could only hope Wu Yan wouldn''t get impatient and attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment. I''d warned her countless times, but children rarely listened. Regardless of her talent, if she had an elemental alignment that didn''t suit her, her cultivation journey could end prematurely.

    Her comprehension didn''t match her raw potential yet, so we had to keep a close eye on that. If only she had been born into a martial family with the right training and mindset, Wu Yan had the best chance of surviving her supposed death at eighteen if she indeed had an Extreme Physique.

    I looked up at the underground cavern''s roof and around at the rest of the clan members who had gathered here.

    "What are you thinking about?" asked Liu Qian, standing beside me with the rest of my cousins from the Blazing Sun Sect. Even the twins were here.

    "Nothing. Just zoning out, imagining how easy it would be to cause a cave-in and kill us all," I replied. "I mean, this place is secret and all, but it''s a terrible spot for a meeting in such large numbers. A spy could probably take us all out in one go."

    "Your mind works in strange and scary ways," Liu Qian remarked, staring at me.

    "Just keep this in mind for the future. Better to meet somewhere with open exits, there''s plenty of unused farmland," I advised.

    "Honorable Senior truly has a visionary view of things," said the effeminate-looking twin, indicating he was the brother.

    I nearly groaned aloud at the title. I wasn''t particularly special here; Liu Bo was Brave Senior, Liu Heng was Fierce Senior, and Liu Qian was Beautiful Senior Sister.

    The only one who genuinely enjoyed this praise was Liu Bo, he relished being called Brave Senior.

    Not long after, the meeting began. The Clan Head took his place on a stone platform and began discussing strategies for dealing with Thunder Wolves and other monstrous beasts.

    They went into surprising detail, especially when it came to Thunder Wolves. Their centuries of experience battling these creatures showed in their knowledge.

    "In the end, due to unforeseen circumstances, we have decided to collaborate on a scouting mission with the other clans," the Clan Head announced.

    My grandfather''s face soured at that. He didn''t seem surprised, though, which showed that the Clan Head hadn''t made this decision on his own and had consulted others beforehand.

    "The Fu Clan and the Jie Clan have agreed to our arrangement. To mark our alliance with the Fu Clan, we have arranged the marriage between the Fu Clan Head''s daughter, Fu Yating, and our own Liu Feng," the Clan Head declared, casting a look in my direction. The rest of the clan members followed suit, their expressions blank and unreadable. Then the Clan Head continued, "Also, for the Jie Clan, my daughter Liu Qian will marry the Jie Clan''s young master, Jie Chen. Of course, these marriages will only be confirmed after winter, with further negotiations to secure additional benefits if our side performs better."

    Suppose I hadn��t overheard my grandfather��s slip-up last week. In that case, I might have actually believed the clans intended to work together.

    I turned to Liu Qian, smirking. ��Congratulations on the marriage, dear cousin.��

    She narrowed her eyes at me, catching my tone instantly. ��I see that mocking glint. And yes, I know you��re itching for payback after meddling with your ��relationship�� when Fu Yating was around. Just so you��re clear, my so-called fiance? is twelve years old.��

    ��Oh, I didn��t know you had a taste for fresh faces,�� I teased, grinning wider than necessary.

    Liu Qian flashed a patently fake smile, knowing full well that ignoring me would sting less than her feigned amusement. It was her way of turning the joke back on me.

    But I had more where that came from. ��No need to worry, I get it. It can be hard to connect with people your own age sometimes.��

    This time, she gave no reaction, which took the fun out of my teasing. Despite the banter, though, we both knew there was a decent chance our marriages would be annulled by winter��s end. In Liu Qian��s case especially, sending her away wouldn��t make sense after all the clan had invested in her training. Besides, she had talent, at least by the standards here in the sticks.

    This only solidified my suspicion that the clans weren��t planning to cooperate but might even betray each other on a massive scale, likely on an extinction level. Liu Qian��s marriage would probably be dissolved regardless.

    Of course, there was always the chance I was wrong, but I would prepare for the worst either way.

    I recalled how my grandfather had reassured me about facing Foundation Establishment Cultivators during what was supposed to be a beast wave. That alone hinted at the possibility of clan battles... or even a civil war. And if my grandfather was so confident in my safety, it suggested I might be needed in the conflicts ahead.

    Still, I hoped my grandfather and the others would at least hold off their bloodthirsty plans until spring. If they chose now, it might be easier to make deaths look accidental in the winter, but it would also be riskier for everyone.

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    ��The first act of cooperation will be through scouting enemy territory. Each clan has promised to send only Qi Gathering Cultivators or below,�� announced the Clan Head. ��We will honor that agreement and do just that.��

    A murmur went through the crowd, some members speaking of honor as if our clan were the only one with integrity.

    ��The elders and I have carefully chosen our team, and in the end, we decided to send our best!�� the Clan Head roared, his voice thick with likely rehearsed emotion. ��Liu Qian, Liu Feng, Liu Bo, Liu Heng, Liu Lia, and Liu Long! These young members represent our finest and will showcase the strength of our clan.��

    I wasn��t entirely sure why they wanted us, the promising younger generation, to go. But perhaps it was because our training with the Blazing Sun Sect made us the strongest among the Qi Gathering Cultivators.

    After more rousing speeches about clan glory and some exaggerated accounts of our ��history of honor,�� the meeting ended.

    Everyone left through a concealed exit, while those of us chosen for the mission stayed behind to speak privately with the Clan Head.

    With the crowd gone, the Clan Head seemed calmer, no longer the hype man he��d been moments before. Generally, people perceived loud talkers or those who threatened others as powerful, and those types often exuded a certain confidence.

    In both worlds, while big talkers could indeed be dangerous, it was the quiet ones who concerned me the most, as their intentions were harder to read.

    Take the Blazing Sun Sect leader, for example. I had never seen him threaten anyone or boast about the Sect��s greatness or past glory.

    With only us remaining, the Clan Head approached and said calmly, ��You will set off tomorrow. Be cautious out there, and try to ensure the other clans leave as many of their Qi Gathering Cultivators behind as possible.��

    Well, he just came right out and said it.

    I��d half-expected this to be the kind of mission where backstabbing was whispered about behind closed doors, not laid out so plainly. But then again, our team consisted entirely of people from the Blazing Sun Sect, and even the Body Tempering twins had been roped in.

    ��We are honored you have chosen us for this,�� said Liu Long, the more feminine-looking twin. His expression was starry-eyed as if this truly was an honor.

    I couldn��t quite understand his enthusiasm. Couldn��t he see the situation he was in?

    The twins were clearly here to act as a buffer between us and any potential threats. If the clans decided to start picking us off subtly, they��d likely begin with the weakest, namely, the twins. They��d serve as an early warning for the rest of us if anything went wrong.

    Why else would Body Tempering Cultivators be on this mission?

    It seemed inevitable that backstabbing would be part of this so-called cooperation among the three clans against an unknown threat. But I didn��t question the Clan Head��s strategy. There was a strong chance the other clans had similar plans in mind.

    ...

    The next day, after saying my goodbyes to my parents and giving last-minute instructions to Wu Yan and Speedy, I was about to leave when Wu Yan came up and hugged me for the first time. I smiled and hugged her back.

    Then, I joined my team at the gate of the outer wall.

    We were all dressed in gray, nearly white clothing in case we needed to blend in with the snow.

    After some brief discussions about formations, where the weaker members should be placed, and the pace we��d maintain, we ironed out all the details and ensured everyone knew their roles. Then, we set off.

    We��d left early in the morning and reached the edge of the forest by evening, just before the sun was about to set.

    Ordinarily, we would have camped here, as traveling in the dark when fatigued could be risky. But it was even more dangerous to arrive late and give the other groups a chance to strategize, perhaps setting traps to catch us off guard.

    ��Liu Lia, Liu Long, follow me and step only where I step. The ground is icy, so if you feel tired, let us know. We��ll slow down rather than risk a fall on this terrain,�� I cautioned.

    They nodded and followed along.

    By the time darkness fully settled, we had covered a reasonable distance through the forest, reaching what could be considered the boundary of Thunder Wolf territory, a place where Thunder Wolves prowled even in the summer months.

    We were technically at the meeting spot, but with no specific point designated, we had to keep our Qi senses on alert, waiting to detect the presence of another team.

    Yes, we didn��t trust them in the slightest.

    ��Before we meet the other teams, I think we should decide who will lead our group,�� Liu Qian suggested.

    I nodded. ��Your father should have appointed someone.��

    ��You know the situation in the clan. He can��t show favoritism; certain people are just waiting for a misstep to hold against me,�� she replied, leaping from branch to branch in the quiet darkness around us. ��I think you should take charge, Liu Feng.��

    ��Why?�� I asked.

    This wasn��t the time to feign modesty. I knew I was a strong candidate for team leader, but I needed to understand her reasoning.

    ��Because you have experience with monstrous beasts and are well-versed in handling underhanded plots,�� she pointed out.

    Good points, but they didn��t necessarily make me the best leader for this mission. I knew little about my teammates�� strengths and weaknesses or their specific techniques.

    ��I think you should lead,�� I countered. ��But I��ll offer suggestions if I notice anything amiss.��

    Second-in-command suited me better. It made me less of a target, and if Liu Qian were attacked first, I could still retaliate. My main vulnerability was being taken out before deploying my arrays, which could be lethal against anyone in Qi Gathering. Even in an ambush, I could turn the tables if the conditions were right.

    If an opponent aimed for the weak, they��d target the twins; if they went for the strong or the leader, they��d target Liu Qian. As long as I kept a low profile, they were unlikely to go after me first.

    ��Why me?�� Liu Qian asked, her tone calm.

    ��There are too many reasons to list here,�� I replied, mindful that the other team might have techniques to overhear us. ��But leadership involves more than knowledge, and while I might outmatch you in theory, I think you��re the better leader overall.��

    It wasn��t wise to openly discuss our strengths and weaknesses, so I kept it vague.

    After wandering for several minutes, I finally sensed some Qi signatures. They must belong to the other teams.

    I couldn��t help but wonder if Fu Yating was among them.

 Chapter 221: Confusing Days

    After I sensed the Qi signature, my cousins picked up on it too, and without a word, we all moved in the same direction. I carefully scanned the trees and ground, sharpening my senses to heighten my Qi perception, wary of any traps that might lie in wait.

    It appeared, however, that despite our efforts, the two other teams had already crossed paths. This was a troubling development, as they could easily have devised a plan to defeat us by now.

    Even in the dim half-moon light, none of us stumbled. We caught sight of our new "allies" before they got too close, and I blended into the shadows as we observed.

    I examined their faces, but none of them looked familiar. Altogether, our combined forces now numbered twenty, with each clan contributing different numbers.

    Liu Qian took the lead and stepped forward to address the group. "Are you the team we were supposed to meet?"

    They nodded and soon began introducing themselves one by one. Standing just behind Liu Qian was Liu Heng at her side. I lingered in the background, trying not to draw too much attention to myself. If something went wrong, keeping a low profile would buy me enough time to set up arrays, which were my greatest advantage against cultivators of similar strength.

    It was a shame Fu Yating wasn''t here. For all her cunning, she was easy to collaborate with; perhaps we could have joined forces against the Jia Clan. But her absence made sense. She was likely still a Body Tempering Cultivator and, as the sole child in the Fu Clan Head''s branch able to cultivate, practically the heir.

    Unlike the Liu Clan, the Fu Clan hadn''t been so fortunate with talent in this generation. Though promising, they lacked the opportunity we''d seized with the Blazing Sun Sect. We had even maneuvered the selection to secure the twins'' entry into the sect. Now we had a solid foothold there, leaving the others trailing behind. As for Fu Yating being in the Azure Frost Sect, that meant little; males had a more challenging time advancing there anyway. That would cut off half the pool they could send at the Azure Frost Sect.

    Once the introductions were complete, Liu Qian asked, "Did you encounter anything on the way here?"

    "No," Jia So replied, shaking his head. He was tall, with dark hair and narrowed eyes like a snake''s. "There were no animal sounds either, which made it even creepier."

    Despite his words, the snake-eyed man wore a smirk as though privy to some private joke. This was the Jia Clan team''s leader, and his presence unsettled me. Being around him felt like standing next to a coiled viper.

    "None of us encountered anything," Fu Ko added. He was a tall, burly man with black hair, a dark ninja mask covering the lower half of his face, and piercing blue eyes. "And that''s surprising, considering we''re deep in Thunder Wolf territory."

    Ultimately, we chose a random spot to make camp in the thick darkness and snow-laden forest surrounding us. Each group settled at a respectful distance, near enough to remain within sight yet far enough to discourage any whispered alliances under the cover of night.

    The snow muffled our movements, absorbing the crunch of footsteps and the rustle, adding an eerie stillness to the air. Shadows from the trees stretched long and dark, their branches weighed down by snow, forming ghostly shapes in the dim moonlight that filtered through the clouds. Our breath frosted in the cold, and the quiet seemed almost alive, thickening between us as though the forest itself watched our every move.

    The night was chilly, and the soft, shifting wind only sharpened the cold. I leaned against a tree, preparing to doze off while waiting for morning. Tents weren''t an option, they''d only block my vision. Besides, I was on the second watch anyway, so it didn''t matter much. The tree was icy, and the ground damp, making the whole experience miserable despite my cultivator''s resilience.

    With the primitive technology at this level, traveling as a cultivator still had its discomforts.

    As for using arrays? There was no way I''d tip these guys off about my array skills. I''d have to deal with the cold and discomfort, though at least my cultivator''s body meant I wouldn''t catch anything. It crossed my mind that they might already know about my array abilities, after all, I didn''t usually hide them.

    Just the thought that this precaution might be futile almost made me groan. Instead of freezing against a tree, I could be reading under a warm array.

    Ah, the sacrifices I made for a strategic edge.

    Glancing around the dimly lit camps and scattered tents, it was clear the mood here was as cold as the night. Two members from each clan took the first watch, positioning themselves close to their own camps but at a distance from the others, clearly a safety measure. This way, if something went wrong, they''d have enough time to alert their teams before the others could react.

    Shifting uncomfortably on my cold seat, I closed my eyes, hoping to get a bit of rest.

    Liu Bo and Liu Heng were on the first watch, and I needed sleep before my turn came. I''d have to stay especially alert, too, since I''d be on watch with one of the Body Tempering siblings.

    Why bother pretending to work together if we were this distrustful of each other? This mission was turning into a headache.

    But just as I was trying to drift off, I heard footsteps crunching through the snow.

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    I cracked open one eye to see the masked man from the Fu Clan approaching. His piercing blue eyes found me.

    Before he could get too close, Liu Bo and Liu Heng moved in, blocking his path. My cousins'' stances were tense, and their Qi swirled around them.

    ��What do you think you��re doing?�� Liu Heng asked, his voice calm but edged with an icy growl.

    ��I just want to talk to your writer cousin,�� Fu Ko said, pointing at me.

    ��Then you��ll have to make an appointment after this mission,�� Liu Bo replied. ��He��s quite popular and doesn��t have time for fan visits.��

    Fu Ko snorted at their veiled threats and stepped forward, only for my cousins�� Qi to burst out in a violent wave, scattering the snow around them and exposing the muddy, withered grass below.

    The commotion caught everyone��s attention; even those in tents began stirring.

    Fu Ko glanced at my cousins, then met my gaze.

    ��If you wanted to talk, you could have just said so,�� I remarked.

    What was with all this bravado? Was he suffering from some young master syndrome? He didn��t look the type, but appearances could be deceiving.

    ��Don��t worry, guys,�� I said, smiling as I pushed myself to my feet, grumbling at the cold wetness that soaked through my pants from the snow. ��I��d like to talk to him too.��

    My cousins reluctantly stepped aside, but their expressions remained hard, ready to attack if he made one wrong move.

    If I hadn��t intervened, a fight would��ve already broken out. Who chose this guy as a leader, anyway?

    ��You��re Liu Feng, right?�� he asked.

    ��Yes,�� I nodded.

    ��I was supposed to marry Fu Yating before the arrangement with you came along,�� he said, a heavy frown creasing his face.

    What? There was no way he was stirring up all this tension over some love triangle nonsense! People could die here because of how aggressively he was acting. I almost wanted to punch him for his stupidity and for risking everyone��s safety!

    Instead, I tried to keep my cool, and raised a questioning brow.

    ��Well, love is a strong thing,�� I replied. ��If you keep at it, I��m sure Fu Yating will notice you... If she does, then you can keep her. Who am I to get in the way of romance?��

    Normally, I��d be expected to react with fury, defending my honor. But I wasn��t about to throw my life away, much less the lives of a dozen others, over Fu Yating.

    If he could win her over, he was welcome to her.

    One less headache, honestly.

    Of course, the marriage wouldn��t be canceled, even if Fu Yating fell for this guy. The union was more about a ceasefire than love.

    Then again, there was always a chance they��d run away together like lovestruck fools. In that case, a war between the clans would be inevitable, even if the Fu Clan tried to appease me with all the eligible women they had.

    In matters like these, it was about honor and saving face. The best way to salvage our pride would be to wipe out the Fu Clan entirely.

    Wars had broken out over less, like a bride not being a maid on her wedding night. Hundreds could die over such an offense. Children would grow up without fathers, wives would be left as widows, and families would starve come winter because of some pointless show of pride.

    ��Hmph, you��re not even going to fight for your wife? Just as I thought, you��re a coward,�� he sneered.

    No... this couldn��t be happening.

    Was I really about to fight some guy to the death over something so trivial?

    If I fought him, it would ignite everyone��s tempers, and the whole place would erupt in chaos. Everyone here was around their teen years or early twenties, yet most of them would die if a fight broke out.

    He could have just backed off...

    With a sigh, I met his gaze and began analyzing his stance, searching for flaws that might reveal a weakness.

    ��Sorry, young man, but I don��t think you��re her type,�� I said calmly.

    ��What��s that supposed to mean?�� He scowled, fists clenched, looking ready for a fight.

    Standing just behind him, my cousins tensed, their eyes going cold. They were poised to strike, and everyone else��s Qi began to flare. The air felt thick and electric as they prepared for a fight.

    Fu Yating would never pick this guy, unless she��d taken leave of her senses. Talent might allow some people to act arrogant and get away with it, but untalented arrogance? That was a death sentence.

    Unless this guy was blessed by the heavens, his odds were grim. How many had seen the girl they liked married off in a political arrangement? Plenty, yet none had suddenly become heaven��s favored son.

    ��Have you ever been to any of the great sects?�� I asked, more curious than confrontational.

    I��d already decided that this guy was as good as dead. Now, I just wanted to understand his mindset and learn how someone like him had survived this long and ended up leading a team. Did the Fu Clan want war or something?

    ��No, I study the clan��s ancient techniques and have perfected them,�� he replied, puffing up with pride.

    Ancient techniques? The Fu Clan was in the same situation as the Liu Clan before we aligned with the Blazing Sun Sect. They had no earth-grade techniques; if they did, they��d have dominated this region long ago.

    As I reflected on this, my frustration dissolved, replaced by cold resolve.

    I��d have to kill everyone here whose family name wasn��t Liu.

    It was a harsh decision but a necessary precaution.

    All because of this fucking dumbass!

    Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I sat down on the snowy ground, leaning against the tree. My hand touched the snow as I discreetly began forming an array connected to the earth beneath me.

    ��I��d love to continue this conversation, but I think we��d all benefit from some rest,�� I said with a polite smile.

    But as I prepared myself mentally, something shifted. Fu Ko��s bravado drained away. His scowl deepened, and he looked around, finally seeming to notice the tension thickening around us. He must have realized that he��d be the first victim if a fight broke out.

    Without a word, he turned and walked away, muttering curses under his breath.

    Huh?... This was turning out to be a very confusing night.

 Chapter 222: A Friend Of Two Faces

    After that initial confrontation, the night unfolded in an uneasy quiet. Shadows shifted around our camp, but nothing else stirred, and we held our positions with vigilance. The tension in the air slowly eased as hours passed without incident, the forest settling into its natural silence. By morning, we counted ourselves fortunate as no one was ambushed, and despite the charged atmosphere, nobody started a fight.

    As the first light of dawn crept over the camp, casting long, pale rays through the trees, we began packing up in quiet efficiency. The snow around us glowed faintly, reflecting the soft warmth of morning against the stark, cold forest from yesterday night.

    Some of us stowed our gear in storage rings before we set off together to scout the area.

    Although we were supposed to work as a single unit, teams from different clans kept their distance, always guarding against one another. While we were technically cooperating, there was no true collaboration.

    As we moved through the snow, I glanced at the other teams.

    Heading into a dangerous, unknown mission with this kind of fractured dynamic didn��t sit well with me. If we encountered a powerful Foundation Establishment�Clevel beast, our lack of unity could mean all of us getting slaughtered.

    I thought it over. Despite my preference to stay in the background, this group felt like a hot potato no one wanted to hold. Rather than waiting for someone else to step up, I decided to bridge the gap myself.

    I looked toward the Jie and Fu clan teams. I had no connection with the former and an outright animosity with the latter. Yet, if there was any chance, it lay with the Fu clan; at least I knew their motivations, and there might be room for negotiation since we still had an arranged marriage.

    As for that guy who liked Fu Yating? Well, I was always one to encourage young love. A reckless type like him might calm down if I showed him I had no designs on Fu Yating and even that they��d make a good couple.

    Honestly, guys like him were often easier to befriend. A flimsy friendship would serve me better than some forced marriage my clan arranged solely to gain power.

    No offense to my future wife, but I had no feelings for her. She was, to me, just another stranger.

    And who knew what the Fu clan had in mind for my union with Fu Yating...

    With a smile, I turned to Liu Qian and said, ��I��ll go have a word with the Fu Clan. No matter what happens, don��t worry. I doubt I need to say this; but keep your guard up.��

    ��You sure this is a good idea?�� Liu Bo asked.

    ��Not really. But if we keep on like this, it could get us killed,�� I replied. ��The mission��s objective is to keep scouting until we spot a Thunder Wolf or some other beast that might explain what is been happening. What if we run into a Foundation Establishment�Clevel creature? We will have the monster to worry about and the risk of other teams sabotaging us, abandoning us to save themselves, or even taking their chances and stabbing us in the back the first time they see an opening.��

    The Clan Head had given orders to eliminate as many from the other clans as possible, but I had no intention of following such a reckless command. It would only invite unnecessary danger and escalate tensions, and besides, I wasn��t about to follow blindly like some mindless toad.

    In the worst case, I could always leave the clan and meet up with Song Song down the line.

    "Stay alert, just in case they attack. We��re a good distance away, and if something happens it��ll take some time to reach you,�� Liu Qian advised, casting a wary look at the Fu Clan team in the distance, her gaze calculating the distance between us.

    ��No. No matter what happens, don��t interfere,�� I shook my head. ��If you try to help, the Jia Clan will take advantage of us exposing our backs to them. The safest option is for me to handle this alone and trust that I can manage whatever comes up.��

    We were in a tense three-way stalemate. No one dared make the first move, afraid the third team would swoop in and clean up the aftermath. But if I could form even a tentative alliance with the Fu Clan, it would force the Jia Clan to join as well, out of fear of being overpowered.

    With that in mind, I moved to act as the bridge, stepping away from my group. Immediately, I felt the eyes of both teams shift to me.

    As I approached the Fu Clan, I sensed their Qi fluctuate. A sign they were preparing for any sudden move on my part.

    Before they could react, I called out, ��Forgive the interruption, but I couldn��t help asking. How is my fiance?e doing?��

    I expected some reaction, maybe even irritation from their leader, but he remained expressionless.

    ��She��s doing well. She asked about you,�� replied a woman in their ranks.

    I glanced at her. Her posture was rigid, her smile forced. She was nervous, and understandably so.

    ��By the way, I��m a friend of Fu Yating,�� she added, almost too casually.

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    ��Oh...�� I nodded. ��It��s good to hear she��s doing well.��

    Something felt off. The team leader��s lack of reaction didn��t match what I��d anticipated.

    ��Well, as you know, she��s been focused on her training. She��s determined to become a Qi Gathering Cultivator,�� the woman said, her tone light but somehow... distracted.

    Why was this stranger speaking instead of the team leader?

    Oddly, he had shifted his position, moving ahead of the others. Now he��d be the first to encounter any monstrous beast we stumbled upon. But he��d also turned his back to me, an open invitation if I had hostile intentions.

    It was recklessly dangerous.

    Something was happening here, just beyond my grasp. This random woman seemed almost too intent on distracting me, drawing my focus away from something else.

    And then it struck me: how did she know so much about me? She might not know me personally, but she��d read my intentions almost too precisely as if she��d anticipated my every move.

    "That''s good. Fu Yating is still my future wife. Despite our differences, we will have to work as a team. So, I often find myself worried for her wellbeing," I said, directly meeting this random girl��s gaze.

    Her features, height, figure, and even body language were distinct from those of a certain someone.

    After a few moments of eye contact, she gave me an awkward smile and looked away. I did the same, deciding not to bother approaching any closer. They could hear me fine from here, even with the biting wind whipping past our ears.

    "By the way, I hope our clans can work together,�� I added, letting my voice carry, ��and perhaps arrange for a few meetings between me and Fu Yating.��

    But the Fu Clan team captain didn��t react, pretending not to have heard.

    Was he intimidated? That seemed unlikely. Yesterday, he��d acted like a reckless lad, but now he appeared far more level-headed.

    ��It would be a shame if I only saw my wife on our wedding day,�� I pressed, but again, no response from the Fu Clan team leader.

    Someone had clearly reeled him in, but it wasn��t likely through any communication artifact, as those emitted a distinct Qi signature, similar to radio waves.

    This meant the one reigning him in was likely someone within his own team. That was my working theory, at least.

    My first suspect was, of course, the girl in front of me, though she could easily be another layer of deception. She might simply be a decoy to divert attention from the real leader of the Fu Clan team. Judging by her aura, she was a Body Tempering Cultivator, though even that could be disguised.

    Back at the Blazing Sun Sect, I��d met Fu Yating before, though I doubted anyone young in the Fu Clan knew that; it wasn��t their business. But suppose their team leader was a more prominent disciple in the clan. In that case, they might be aware, and I watched their movements closely, trying to discern the true leader from their behavior.

    Perhaps this "friend" of Fu Yating knew, too. But given what I knew about Fu Yating, she wouldn��t have any close friends she��d confide in, especially with anything that could be seen as a vulnerability. If anything, this ��friendship�� was likely just a shallow front to earn some pity points.

    Fu Yating might have plenty of so-called ��friends�� in her clan, but I doubted any truly understood her intentions. She was the last person to open her heart recklessly.

    Her position in the Fu Clan was comparable to Liu Qian��s standing in ours, but more precarious, especially since she was engaged to me. The marriage agreement included a clause about our children potentially leading the Fu Clan one day. But realistically, it seemed more likely that the Fu Clan elders would prefer to roll in their graves than see someone raised in the Liu Clan assume control over their lineage.

    Gradually, I began formulating my theories, sorting them from most to least likely scenarios.

    Just then, the girl I��d been speaking to suddenly approached, flashing a friendly smile. Naturally, I didn��t trust that smile; I flared my Qi in warning. Yet she kept coming, ignoring the clear message, even as she came within arm��s reach. At this distance, I could snap her neck before she��d even blink. But she didn��t stop.

    ��You are so good-looking,�� she said.

    I already doubted her claim of being Fu Yating��s friend, but seeing someone from the Fu Clan behave so brazenly was startling. Despite the shaky foundation of the arranged marriage between Fu Yating and me, the Fu Clan wouldn��t tolerate a random girl openly disrespecting their most prominent member.

    Oddly, she didn��t seem to notice the warning looks her team sent her, nor did she realize that even if things went smoothly here, she��d likely be executed and erased from clan archives the moment she returned to her clan.

    To my surprise, she reached out and touched my arm, looking ready to link her arm through mine. Technically, she didn��t quite make contact; I��d already activated a thin barrier of Dancing Jade Armor around my arm. I stepped on a tree branch back before she could get any closer. She did the same and looked at me with an innocent smile.

    ��What the hell do you think you��re doing?�� I asked coldly, my glare leaving no room for interpretation.

    ��What?�� She smiled as if my hostility didn��t faze her. ��Can��t a guy and girl just be friends?��

    She looked like she had more lies ready to spill, but I cut her off. ��You��re not really my fiance?e��s friend, are you?��

    ��Wow, already calling her ��your�� fiance?e so boldly,�� she replied, her tone sweet as honey. ��And here I thought there might be something between us.��

    Her acting was flawless; it was one thing she and Fu Yating seemed to have in common.

    Fu Yating and this girl had a lot in common, didn��t they? Which was suspicious as fuck.

    I wrestled down the flash of anger that surged through me, forcing myself to assess the situation rationally. But no matter how I turned it over, it made no sense.

    Why on earth was she doing this? What the hell was wrong with this clan?

    It was obvious that Fu Yating wouldn��t be allowed a promiscuous friend; that alone would ignite enough rumors to spark conflict. Such a scandal could easily lead to war.

    Sure, as a man, I had a little more leeway; I could probably take other lovers so long as it was kept discreet. But I wasn��t interested in stirring up trouble over something so pointless.

    So, what exactly was this foolish girl playing at?

    I could admit when I��d miscalculated. Trying to come here and act as a bridge had been a mistake.

    With that thought, I turned and walked back to my team without a second glance.

    I hadn��t accounted for sheer stupidity. This time, the loss was on me.

 Chapter 223: Playing With The Bookworm

    As the sun dipped below the horizon, a biting chill settled over the camp, creeping in with the shadows. Fu Ko worked quickly, his hands shook as he raised his tent, and the cold nipped at his fingers with each movement. But it wasn��t the chill that made his hands shake.

    When night fully claimed the sky, darkness wrapped around them like a thick, impenetrable shroud, broken only by faint patches of silvery moonlight struggling to pierce the cloudy canopy above. The forest lay in a deep, muffled stillness, disturbed only by the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant crack of a branch.

    Although the biggest tent on this corner of the camp was officially his, it felt far from that.

    As he stepped inside, the only girl in their team was already there, sitting on a simple wooden chair. Her looks were plain, with brown hair and a modest figure, but no one in the camp underestimated her anymore after the incident with Liu Feng.

    How had he gotten himself into this situation? Perhaps refusing or faking an injury would have been better in this situation.

    Fu Ko walked closer and knelt, lowering his gaze. ��Lady Fu Yating...��

    Even without looking, he knew she wore a contemplative expression, humming softly as she scratched at the jawline of her mask.

    ��This feels like wet leather strapped to my face,�� she complained.

    A flicker of irritation stirred in Fu Ko. Because of Lady Fu Yating, he had made a dangerous enemy. He recognized the look in Liu Feng��s eyes; a gaze that saw him as nothing more than a stone by the side of the road, like a dead man walking.

    He waited, still on one knee, for his lady to speak. Despite his dissatisfaction with the situation, he had to play along.

    ��Fu Ko, it feels like you have something you want to ask?�� Fu Yating��s tone was casual as she rubbed her cheeks.

    Fu Ko swallowed nervously. ��Is it wise to antagonize the Liu Clan so soon, my lady?��

    Fu Yating paused, her silence stirring his curiosity, making him want to look up and see what expression she wore. But he kept his gaze on the ground.

    ��Do you know what I learned when I visited my dear husband at the Blazing Sun Sect?�� She asked a question that felt nothing like an invitation for a response.

    Finally, he decided he had looked down long enough and rose to his feet.

    Fu Yating, meanwhile, gazed absently at the tent��s roof, her voice thoughtful. ��I learned that my dear husband is very clever. He saw through me the first time he looked me in the eye.��

    That must have wounded her pride, Fu Ko thought. She wouldn��t have been sold off like a broodmare if her talent matched her ego.

    ��It was the first time in my life I felt absolutely seen through,�� Fu Yating admitted, leaning back in the wooden chair. ��We��re the same age, yet he was so far ahead of me... It was frightening.��

    Though Fu Yating had modified her clothing to downplay her figure, her careless lean revealed a hint of her concealed curves.

    But Fu Ko didn��t dare look. He��d known Fu Yating since childhood, and she terrified him; she was the last woman he��d ever consider romantically. She was ruthless, embodying only her mother��s beauty without a trace of her gentle nature. It was good luck for everybody that she wasn��t born as someone talented like those people from the big Sects.

    ��I think that was the first time I developed a hateful crush on someone,�� she murmured, her tone both bitter and amused. ��The way he dismantled my act so effortlessly... a part of me hated him. But another part was happy that I wouldn��t have to suffer spending the rest of my life with a fool.��

    Fu Ko really didn��t care about any of this. However, he had to listen because she might reveal something that might end up with him in a ditch, just to settle down the tension between the Fu and Liu Clans.

    ��He was so interesting, the way he used techniques, cultivated, and handled the people around him. Being around him was like all my worries melted away, and the only thing in my mind was...�� she sighed, her expression growing melancholic. ��Anyway, I��ll have to polish my performance every time he��s around, and we have to always be on guard.��

    Fu Ko tried not to dwell on the situation. This clever, dangerous man she spoke of was now his enemy, all because of her. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn��t calm down his feelings.

    Fuck! How had he wronged the heavens to end up in such a bad situation? Why did life have to be so complicated? No matter how this played out, he didn''t see himself ending up unharmed.

    ��You know,�� she said casually, ��my father��s plan was to use me to stir up internal conflict, to make Liu Feng a tool in weakening the Liu Clan.��

    Fu Ko winced, then quickly schooled his expression before she noticed. To say something so recklessly with cultivators around was risky.

    Wasn��t she the one who just said that they should always be on guard?

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    ��Now, of course, that plan��s ruined,�� Fu Yating continued, her tone flat. ��The only thing getting used here will be me and my body. I have a pretty nice body, so I don''t think he will get tired of me for at least half a decade. Though then will come the kids...��

    Well, at least she was still loyal to the clan.

    Though Fu Ko wasn��t fond of Fu Yating, he respected her dedication to her clan and marriage. Many stories circulated about reckless young women losing themselves in romance or indulging in foolish pursuits before marriage. Whether it was self-control or disinterest on her part, he was relieved that she hadn��t caused a scandal that would end in rivers of blood.

    ��Fu Ko,�� her voice cut through his thoughts. ��Do you think Liu Feng would be a harsh or tender lover?��

    He froze, the silence around the camp suddenly deafening as his mind scrambled. How was he supposed to answer that?

    Sweat pricked his brow. How could he possibly know something like that?

    And did she even like her fiance?, or didn��t she? That part was still a bit unclear.

    ��Whatever you think, my lady, you��d be right,�� he finally muttered, bowing his head.

    ��Well, I think he��d be gentle,�� she replied, a faint, girlish smile touching her lips. ��Behind that cold indifference, I sense a soft gaze. Though I��m not sure that kindness is enough of a weakness for the Fu Clan to exploit. Perhaps I should be looking out for the worst case scenario.��

    Fu Ko felt painfully out of place in this conversation.

    Were all women like this? A chill crept up his spine, and the hairs on his arms and the back of his neck prickled. If that were the case, then he��d rather remain unmarried, forever.

    Fu Ko didn��t think Liu Feng was a bad man despite being forced into enmity. In fact, he seemed like a somewhat decent guy. Even with all the tension between their clans, Liu Feng had tried to open a line of communication. But for reasons Fu Ko couldn��t fathom, Fu Yating had decided to sabotage it with her strange maneuvers.

    If ever two people weren��t meant to be, it would be Liu Feng and Fu Yating. They were so incompatible. Even someone like him, who was no romance guru and had seen them interact only once, could tell.

    Honestly, Fu Ko wanted no part of this mess. Fu Yating was always a little unpredictable, but Liu Feng seemed to bring out her most irrational side. After all, she wasn��t even supposed to be on this expedition, but insisted on coming when she saw the name of her fiance?e on the list.

    ��How should we handle this situation?�� Fu Ko asked, glancing briefly at the tent flap, silently wishing he could slip outside.

    Fu Yating��s smile didn��t waver. ��Liu Feng has two weaknesses that I analyzed after observing him closely.��

    She chuckled, shifting with the excitement of a child plotting mischief. ��His first weakness is his apathy. He won''t give chase as long as he doesn��t notice you or find you interesting.��

    Technically, he��d given chase today, catching them off guard, but Fu Ko kept that comment to himself.

    ��His second weakness is his logic,�� Fu Yating went on. ��He tries to understand people through reason, like assuming the culprit of a crime is the one with the most to gain.�� She giggled, sounding more her age for once. ��The first weakness we can��t exploit since he��s on high alert. But the second? We��ll keep acting just illogical enough to throw him off. By the time he figures it out, he��ll be too late to stop us.��

    Her knack for scheming was impressive, he��d give her that. But right now, Fu Ko felt increasingly reluctant to follow her lead. He didn��t want to be trapped in this marital drama or whatever this was.

    ��If I weren��t here, Liu Feng would��ve destroyed your plans by now!�� She declared, as if she��d single-handedly saved them.

    ��Fortunately, Lord Fu allowed you to come,�� Fu Ko said diplomatically. ��But please, be mindful of your disguise... and try not to act too hastily. I know you''re a better leader than me, but you must be mindful that Liu Feng isn''t the only threat around here.��

    He didn''t believe for a second that Fu Yating was a better leader than him. Sure, she was more intelligent than him since she had had the opportunity to learn in one of the greater sects. Still, just scheming all day didn''t make someone a better leader.

    "Don''t worry. At first, I feared he��d see through the disguise, but changing my voice, body language, and mannerisms worked wonders,�� Fu Yating said, nodding with smug satisfaction, as though she��d won a victory in a game the other player didn��t even know they were in. ��Though I��ll admit, it��s exhausting to keep up. Still, so far, he hasn��t suspected a thing.��

    Her smile turned oddly genuine as she added, ��I even felt a thrill when he mistook me for some other woman trying to get his attention. If things were different, and we weren''t all hanging by the edge of a sword, he��d have probably hit me.��

    To Fu Ko, a veteran of many clan skirmishes, Liu Feng didn��t seem like the type to throw a punch. He was more the sort to rip heads off, ensuring his opponents stayed dead.

    ��If only he were a bit dumber, and if our clans were friends,�� she sighed. ��Then I wouldn��t have minded marrying him.��

    Fu Ko froze, his gaze narrowing on the clan head��s daughter.

    Was she letting her emotions get in the way?

    Fu Yating had been trained from a young age, mentored by tutors and her father who was a leader feared for his ruthless strategies. The Clan Leader was known for shortening the lives of promising young talents from the Liu and Jie Clans, striking fear and ensuring dominance. Had there been stronger young leaders in the Fu Clan, his schemes would have placed both families on the defensive.

    But if Fu Yating was developing feelings for her target, then all those meticulously prepared plans would unravel. In that case, her marriage could be a disaster, one that would compel her own clan to silence her before she jeopardized their secrets.

    ��We need to keep him distracted a while longer,�� Fu Yating insisted, her smile unyielding as if she relished this cat-and-mouse game a little too much. ��He surprised us today, so we��ll have to hope he chalks up our behavior to eccentricity rather than suspicion. We should prepare some ��unusual�� speeches, just in case he confronts us again.��

    Fu Ko opened his mouth, ready to suggest something softer and less provocative than their last encounter. This wasn��t one of those romantic tales where a prince and a cultivator compete for a servant girl��s affection. In reality, the cultivator would kill the prince and take the girl.

    And he had no interest in being the prince.

    But he stopped himself, knowing it was too late for second thoughts. Their words were out in the open now, impossible to take back. Fu Ko was certain Liu Feng was just waiting for the chance to dispose of him when no one could witness it.

    ��I wonder if he noticed the fleshy mask?�� Fu Yating mused, half to herself. ��But no, he wouldn��t have experience with something like that.��

    Seeing the contemplative look on her face, Fu Ko felt a sinking realization that it might be too late to back out.

    What had he done to deserve a mission like this?

 Chapter 224: Singing With Wolves

    On our third day traveling through this snowy wasteland of a forest, we finally spotted something that might relate to our mission. It was a broken tree. A light layer of snow clung to its splintered trunk, but it didn��t look old or dead, as if it had only recently been damaged.

    All the teams gathered tightly around the tree as though it were some precious relic. For the first time, we gave the image of a team and even got close to each other without too much suspicion. None of us wanted to linger in this icy wilderness, and the weaker members were beginning to feel the strain.

    ��Should we just head back?�� I suggested.

    ��For a broken tree?�� Jie So, the leader of the Jie team, shook his head. ��This doesn��t prove anything. We need solid evidence, not just a random fallen tree. It could have toppled on its own after years of wear and tear. We��d be a laughingstock if we returned with this.��

    Pride was clouding some people��s judgment. If it weren��t for the current team mash-ups, I��d have pushed on without them.

    I decided to let the other clans lead from here on out, though breaking the news to Liu Qian wouldn��t be easy.

    I glanced at my cousin. She was intently studying the break in the tree��s trunk.

    There was no fur, paw prints, or trace that might explain the tree��s fall. Perhaps it was just the relentless cold or an unremarkable wind.

    We didn��t linger. With nothing conclusive, we pressed onward.

    After days of trekking deeper into the forest, we finally started seeing tracks. Most were wolf prints in the hardened snow, but some were hooves.

    Maybe certain beast types, horses or moose-like creatures, were running away from the wolves. Or perhaps a Thunder Wolf had mutated to hypnotize prey, leading them back rather than hunting them outright.

    As we moved deeper and the sun reached its peak, casting stark shadows around us, more broken trees littered the path. It seemed a battle had taken place here, yet there were no beast corpses, frozen blood, or fur caught in the splinters.

    This time, we didn��t need to go much farther before a howl sliced through the air, sending a chill up my spine.

    Only now did I realize how unsettling a wolf��s howl truly was. If I remembered correctly, wolves howled for hierarchy, a call among the pack.

    In this world, a wolf��s howl often meant it was lost, searching for its pack. In those times, the wolf''s tone was more of a loud, desperate whine. It was a signal for the pack to find it, a plea, not a challenge to the alpha��s authority.

    Damn, even wolves in this world seemed to care about saving face. Everything here had its own xianxia twist.

    A monstrous beast wolf wasn��t much different from an ordinary wolf, either. But a wild, solitary howl like that was likely a signal of dominance.

    There was a strong chance this wasn��t just some low-tier Qi Gathering beast sitting at the bottom of the hierarchy. It had to be a Foundation Establishment-level monster capable of leading its own pack. Since no other howls answered, it was either separated from its pack or a true lone wolf.

    All of this knowledge about monstrous beasts flashed through my mind in a split second. But by then, the beast was already upon us.

    A massive shadow loomed overhead, and as we looked up, a colossal blue-furred wolf with streaks of yellow through its mane towered over us as large as a bus.

    Thunder crackled along the wolf��s body, and I knew instantly there��d be no time to cast an array. In a flash, lightning struck.

    Dancing Jade Armor!

    I channeled nearly half my Qi to summon a translucent jade dome around myself and my team. The other clans were too far away to reach.

    Thunder struck, screams erupted, and my jade barrier shattered, absorbing just enough of the attack to give us time to jump back as Liu Bo and Liu Heng dragged the twins out of danger.

    With a ground-shaking crash, the wolf slammed down, its enormous paws crushing two members of the Jie Clan before they could react. Bones splintered under the impact, blood splattering across the pristine snow and leaving dark, violent stains. The forest was filled with the iron scent of blood and the beast''s low, menacing growl.

    ��Run!�� I shouted, and the wolf��s icy blue eyes swung toward us. In an instant, lightning surged, and it hurled another bolt in our direction.

    I raised another jade barrier, this one thinner, barely using any Qi. It held just long enough to collide with the lightning bolt, causing both to explode.

    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    That had been a gamble on my part, betting that the lightning as a lazy energy would explode on impact rather than pierce.

    The blast kicked up a thick mist of snow around us. While it wouldn��t fool a monstrous beast who could sense Qi, it gave us the cover we needed to bolt, creating distance without looking back.

    As for the other teams, only the sounds of thunder and distant screams trailed behind us. With any luck, they��d be strong enough to buy us a bit more time.

    ��What... what was that?�� Liu Bo stammered, his voice shaking.

    ��That was a true Foundation Establishment beast... one that��s mastered its element,�� I replied grimly.

    Technically, I��d faced a Foundation Establishment beast before; the gorilla during the last beast wave. But that one hadn��t developed an element yet.

    Depending on their bloodline, monstrous beasts faced different challenges in cultivation. During Qi Gathering, they were mostly instinctual, mindless creatures, relying purely on animal instincts. But reaching Foundation Establishment required them to choose an element, a mental leap that was much harder for beasts than for humans.

    Without a bloodline like the Thunder Wolves, a beast wouldn��t typically gain such instinctual abilities. Even if one brute-forced its way to human-like intelligence through raw power, it would face a grueling process in choosing an element. Unlike humans, monstrous beasts at this stage lacked access to libraries or teachers to guide them; a poor choice could doom them to stagnation at the lower levels of Foundation Establishment.

    I had learned countless theories like these during my studies on monstrous beasts, but now wasn��t the time to dwell on them.

    With no time for anything but survival, we ran like hunted animals. Eventually, we were so far that the crackling of thunder faded into silence. Or perhaps the beast had dealt with the other teams and would soon turn its attention toward us.

    No, the other teams had members at peak Qi Gathering; they wouldn��t be taken out so easily.

    I��d already expended a large portion of my Qi in that first defense and didn��t dare consider a fight with that monstrous wolf.

    We ran until the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the landscape in hues of fading gold and violet. Yet, even as darkness settled and the chill of night wrapped around us, we didn��t stop. The vast, star-strewn sky arched above while we pushed forward, our breaths forming faint clouds in the cold air, steps pounding rhythmically on the snowy ground beneath us.

    By dawn, our pace slowed, but we pressed on relentlessly. The first light cast a faint glow over the snow-covered world. Just as exhaustion threatened to overtake us, we stumbled upon something unexpected.

    Rising before us was a hill, cloaked in snow, with a vast, dark opening carved into its face. A cavernous mouth-like cave, wide enough for giants to pass through as if it had once been the home place of ancient titans. A frozen river stretched out before this gaping cave, its surface glassy and smooth, catching the early sunlight and glinting like a sheet of crystal.

    We were still some distance from the hill, able to see it from afar thanks to our keen eyesight. As we paused and looked around, the adrenaline from last night��s chase began to drain away, and we could finally take in the scene around us.

    The trees thinned as we approached, giving way to a clearing littered with still, ominous shapes. Blue-furred beasts lay scattered across the snow, their massive bodies frozen in grotesque poses, each marked by deep gashes and smears of dark, dried blood on the ice. The cold had preserved them in an eerie, lifelike stillness, their fur frosted over and faintly catching the morning light. Even in death, their forms were imposing, claws and fangs visible beneath a thin layer of ice that had begun to encase them. The clearing was hauntingly silent, the air dense with an unspoken warning, as if whatever had slaughtered these creatures still lurked nearby, hidden within the shadows of this desolate, frozen expanse.

    ��What happened here?�� Liu Heng asked, frowning.

    ��Maybe some territorial fight... or a strong cultivator came through and tossed them around,�� I replied.

    Answers weren��t often served up on a silver platter. While I didn��t enjoy being in the dark, I wasn��t about to risk our lives just to find out what had gone down here.

    ��We escaped in the wrong direction and ended up deeper in the forest,�� I noted.

    When the Thunder Wolf attacked, we didn��t have time to choose the best path for escape.

    ��Well, now we��re between a rock and a hard place,�� Liu Bo muttered. ��If we go back, we might run into the one who almost wiped us out. We can��t go forward either. This looks like a wolf nest. Our best bet is to skirt the sides and hope we don��t run into something worse.��

    ��We could also take our chances in the sky,�� I suggested. ��Flying would cut down travel time.��

    Liu Bo, Liu Heng, Liu Qian, and I all had flying swords in our storage rings. Liu Qian probably had multiple flying swords stashed in her ring as well, just in case. As for our twin cousins, two of us could carry them, each taking one.

    Of course, there was a reason cultivators hesitated to fly during beast waves or in unknown territory. Flying monstrous beasts were insanely dangerous, with a serious advantage in the air. Plus, we could easily stumble upon a flock of them up there.

    ��We��ll go with your plan,�� Liu Qian agreed. ��It��s risky, but it��s still the best option. Besides, taking another route would add days to our journey and we��re already worn out.��

    Ultimately, we agreed: Liu Bo and Liu Heng would each carry a twin, I��d prepare to cast a barrier if needed, and Liu Qian would keep watch, buying me time to cast if necessary.

    With our plan in place, I retrieved my flying sword; a blade with a snow-white hilt, its edge emanating a faint chill.

    Balancing atop it, I went through the motions to activate a barrier, holding off on the final step. This time, if we were ambushed like before, I��d be ready.

    We began to rise, watching as the snow-covered trees shrank beneath us, fading into the endless white backdrop.

    Ascending higher, we broke through misty layers until we soared above the clouds, leaving the world below buried beneath a blanket of soft, unbroken white. Up here, the sky stretched vast and open, clear except for the thin, biting chill of high altitude. With a shared nod, we shot forward, each of us channeling our Qi to blaze a path through the high altitude. The wind whipped past in a fierce, icy rush as we cut through the open sky.

 Chapter 225: A Leader’s Rest

    Liu Nu had led the Liu Clan for decades, almost half a century. Yet, unlike he��d once expected, the role had never grown dull. Perhaps it was the constant threat of danger, how every decision held the power to either sustain or shatter the clan.

    His latest choice was yet another one he had second-guessed. Sending out the youngest generation of the clan had seemed strategic, though perhaps it had been reckless.

    He��d done it to season the new generation, letting them be bloodied and sharpened against the mediocre Qi Gathering Cultivators other clans had sent, like honing blades on whetstones.

    It was clear another war among the clans would soon erupt. Better for the younger ones to cut their teeth in a ��friendly�� skirmish than in the chaos of full-scale battle.

    He leaned back in his throne-like chair, gazing up at the blue roof of the Clan Leader��s hall... his hall.

    Liu Nu��s mind wandered to his younger days. Back then, things had been chaotic; the Clan Leader had died, and no one else had been prepared to step up. Simpler times, perhaps.

    His uncle had groomed him for the position, sharing all the wisdom he possessed. Yet, even with years of guidance, Liu Nu often felt uncertain, questioning every decision. Still, he had to maintain a fac?ade of unwavering confidence, showing strength even when he harbored doubts.

    Was this how other leaders managed, or was he alone in this struggle?

    The thought of his daughter cast a shadow over him, filling him with despair. Nearly a week had passed since the younger generation��s expedition began, with no word from them.

    If tragedy struck, they might never even recover her body to lay to rest. It would be a hollow grave for a lost child.

    His heart clenched. He imagined her, his baby girl, ripped apart by Thunder Wolves. Such thoughts brought an agony he couldn��t name.

    Liu Nu had never known the comfort of a good father. His uncle had been the closest figure to one, as he barely remembered his own father��s face. He often wondered if he��d been any better as a father or a clan leader.

    Had his duty put his daughter in harm��s way?

    Though proud of Liu Qian��s talents, he sometimes wished she weren��t so gifted. Perhaps then, he wouldn��t have sent her away to a distant Sect or placed her in such perilous situations.

    If fate took him, Liu Nu knew his daughter would succeed him. Despite any staged drama within the clan, his uncle would support her; no one dared to defy the oldest elder when he set his mind to something. Stubborn and steadfast, the old man was a force in the clan.

    Knowing he could trust his uncle with his daughter��s well-being offered Liu Nu a measure of peace. Yet, he still wished she might escape the burdens of leadership altogether.

    Being a Clan Leader was challenging enough; imagine bearing that title with subordinates constantly doubting him merely because of his gender.

    Of course, his suggestion to Liu Feng had only been a ruse and a bit of drama to stir up a smokescreen. Yet, a part of Liu Nu had secretly wished the young man would accept the offer.

    Liu Feng was a capable young man, one who might have handled the responsibilities of a Clan Leader better than most. He even had that enigmatic ally his daughter mentioned, the young woman from the Song Clan. With her support, no one would have dared question his right to rule.

    Lost in thought, something he often found himself doing in this lonely hall, a sudden knock echoed against the front doors, and moments later, they creaked open.

    He immediately extended his senses, feeling the familiar Qi signatures of the guards, along with a few new presences. His heart leapt as he recognized these fresh signatures.

    The gates swung open fully, and there she was. His daughter, her shoulder-length hair framing her face and a willful glint in her eyes. Relief swept through him in warm waves.

    Despite his joy, Liu Nu��s trained gaze assessed their condition. They looked slightly disheveled, weary, and low on Qi, but thankfully, they were uninjured.

    Liu Qian led the group with Liu Heng a step behind, while Liu Feng lingered near the back.

    If Liu Nu hadn��t known better, he might have mistaken Liu Feng for any other young man. At his age, pride often tempted young men into rashness, but Liu Feng seemed to know how to keep himself safe. Thankfully, his daughter wouldn��t have to compete with someone like him for the Clan Leader��s role. Though young, he had a dangerous edge.

    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    ��Father, we��ve come to report,�� Liu Qian said, and the young cultivators all bowed their heads respectfully.

    Now that they were safe, Liu Nu��s focus shifted to Liu Feng. He knew everyone else in the group well, understanding how each had developed into who they were. He could say the same for Liu Feng, up to a point. The young man had seemed destined to follow in his grandfather��s footsteps, except with a stronger preference for training.

    But now, something in him had shifted, and he seemed more like a scholar than a warrior. Perhaps exposure to the many techniques of the Blazing Sun Sect had transformed him.

    After so many years as Clan Leader, Liu Nu was accustomed to people looking at him with reverence. Yet, Liu Feng��s gaze was different; the boy''s dark eyes analyzed him as though trying to read beneath the surface.

    ��What happened out there that kept you so long?�� he asked.

    His daughter detailed their journey, and as she spoke, it became clear that Liu Feng��s influence had guided the group. Far from angered, Liu Nu felt relief; his decisions had brought them all home, safe and unscathed.

    Though that last decision to use flying swords was risky, it was also strategic. With Thunder Wolves ruling this territory, the likelihood of running into flying beasts had been slim. Flying monstrous beasts were known for ruling the sky, but even they would have to come to the ground to eat or sleep.

    After his daughter finished her report, Liu Nu remained silent, lost in thought. He considered his next move and wondered whether the representatives from the other clans had survived. It seemed the Thunder Wolves had suffered heavy losses; without their previous numbers, they could no longer launch a monster wave. They wouldn''t need to prey on humans either, there were plenty of wild animals to hunt, or at worst, they could feed on the corpses of their fallen kind.

    With the Thunder Wolf King and his pack weakened, this was an opportune moment to eradicate those pests from their territory.

    It was also the perfect time to thin out the rival clans under the guise of a joint offensive against the beasts. If things played out well, the Liu Clan could seize the entire region in one decisive move. Of course, the opposite outcome was just as possible.

    Now that his daughter was safe, Liu Nu regained his usual calm, calculated composure. It was time to take a risk and eliminate these rival clans rather than leave such leeches for the next generation to deal with.

    The next generation had a destiny beyond mere extermination, they were meant to elevate the Liu Clan to unprecedented heights.

    "You may go and get some rest," Liu Nu said.

    The young cultivators nodded and left quietly. Once outside the doors, they began whispering amongst themselves.

    As the guards prepared to close the doors and leave Liu Nu to his solitude, he called out, "Summon all the elders in the city for an urgent meeting."

    "Yes, Clan Head!" The two guards bowed their heads, shut the doors, and set off to gather the necessary personnel.

    It wasn''t long before the elders assembled, filling the hall. Most were in the higher stages of Qi Gathering. At the same time, five of them in black robes stood at the front, these were the core elders, the pillars of the Liu Clan, and the only other cultivators besides the Clan Head who had reached Foundation Establishment.

    "As many of you know, I sent the younger generation on an expedition, and they have returned with excellent results," Liu Nu announced, adding a flourish to his language to lift their spirits.

    In truth, the report detailed a lot of running with little actual fighting. Still, Liu Nu spun it into a tale of strategic brilliance, bravery, and comradeship and how they had acted to protect their teammates and family.

    After the honeyed words, he shifted to the matter at hand. "With these positive results, I''ve gathered you here to discuss our next steps. There is a strong chance that the Qi Gathering Cultivators from the other clans have perished, giving us a slight advantage."

    ��I doubt the other clans have received any reports from their teams yet. If they have, those cowards in the Jie and Fu Clans will likely band together just to survive,�� a core elder remarked.

    ��Exactly,�� Liu Nu agreed. ��That��s why I suggest we strike while the iron��s hot. We��ll keep the news of our team��s return quiet and stage a ��rescue�� operation, claiming it��s a mission to avenge them against the Thunder Wolf King.��

    He hoped this would sow confusion among the other clans and catch them off guard. Still, Liu Nu knew that those leaders likely had similar plans, each looking for a chance to eliminate the others.

    For now, though, the Liu Clan held the advantage of information. The quicker they acted, the better, as there was no telling when a survivor or injured team member from another clan might return with news.

    ��Let��s not forget,�� Liu Nu continued, ��that the other clans may also attempt to turn this on us, knowing their younger generation can��t match ours.��

    At this, a few of the elders smiled, pride shining in their expressions at the thought of their clan��s superiority. The more experienced elders, however, exchanged cunning glances, their eyes alight with schemes.

    In the end, the elders agreed unanimously. With all assembled, Liu Nu personally drafted a letter, incorporating the elders�� suggestions on its contents.

    Though they had little real influence here, the Qi Gathering elders were given the illusion of a say in the matter, as Liu Nu involved them in the discussions.

    Once they finalized the ��letter of friendship�� for the other clans, a Qi Gathering elder was chosen to deliver the message.

    As the messenger departed, the other elders soon followed, leaving Liu Nu alone with his thoughts. He wondered whether the other clan leaders would play along or whether this maneuver would provoke them to strike.

    This was it... would the Liu Clan deliver the final blow, or would it be delivered to them?

    Liu Nu took a steadying breath, ensuring no trace of doubt showed on his face.

 Chapter 226: The Talks

    Fatigue seeped into my bones as I trudged home. Each step felt heavier than the last, and for the first time since entering this world, I felt like an ordinary man.

    A handful of sleepless nights and relentless days of Qi-fueled flight had taken their toll. Drained nearly all of my Qi reserves. When my house finally came into view, my eyes were half-closed, the world around me blurring at the edges. I barely registered the familiar shape of Speedy by the pond, too exhausted even to manage a simple greeting.

    Even the cold seemed to pierce my superhuman resilience during those last hours of flight. The twins had fared worse; they hadn��t even managed to make it to the clan head��s hall for the report meeting.

    Just as I raised my hand to knock, the door opened, and Wu Yan appeared, wearing her usual porcelain mask.

    ��Hey there,�� I greeted her, feeling a faint warmth melt some of the tiredness as I ruffled her hair. ��I hope someone��s been keeping up with her training.��

    She nodded enthusiastically, and then my mother peeked out from the kitchen, apron on, her hands dusted in flour up to her elbows. She smiled and hurried over to me.

    ��My baby boy,�� she said, wrapping her flour-covered arms around me.

    ��He hasn��t been a baby for a while,�� my father��s voice came from the kitchen as he approached. ��But I��m still glad you��re back safe.��

    ��I wouldn��t have it any other way,�� I replied, hugging my mother back, running a reassuring hand along her back as she shed a few quiet tears.

    I might��ve called her dramatic, but I understood how powerless she must have felt. Besides, I wasn��t about to start teasing her now. Now that I had people caring for me, I was also worried about returning home now matter what it took. I was confident that someone like Song Song would move on if I died, but my parents would be crushed. I was their only child.

    My father gave me a hug as well, though it was brief, almost like he did it just to keep my mother happy. She had always nudged him to show me more affection. I didn��t hold it against him; I knew how Grandpa usually treated his descendants, barely acknowledging them unless they were me. At least he hadn��t been abusive, but I doubted my father had formed the natural bond that fathers and sons usually share.

    I knew he was doing his best.

    ��I��m going to take a shower,�� I said. ��Sleeping in the snow for days isn��t as easy as it sounds.��

    ��I��ll draw some hot water,�� my mother offered.

    We didn��t have a boiler, but we had a heating system connected to the stove that could warm water for a bath.

    Before long, I headed to the second floor and lowered myself into the large wooden tub filled with scalding hot water.

    It was hotter than usual, but with my cultivator��s resilience and a healthy dose of laziness, I didn��t bother adjusting it. I just let myself sink in, closing my eyes and staring at the ceiling, relaxing as I hadn��t in ages, letting the heat wash away the weariness.

    "This is so boring," I muttered aloud. I''d had moments of fatigue on my journey, but they were always on my own terms. Here, the mission felt like a hard day''s labor for nothing. Getting tired on my own whims was one thing; doing it for someone else was entirely different.

    Next winter, I should try to break through to Foundation Establishment. That way, I''d be strong enough to travel freely during the cold months.

    I pictured it: riding atop Speedy''s shell, with a few heating arrays to ward off the chill. That was a much better winter than spending it holed up behind some walls of one city or another.

    ''Are you okay?'' A soft, girlish voice asked telepathically. It was Wu Yan.

    "Of course," I replied, knowing she must be just outside the bathroom door. Her telepathic range was small and easily obstructed. Also, I could sense her. We should test later if her telepathy had improved as her cultivation rose. "Though I am a bit low on Qi."

    ��I''m glad,�� she said, and I heard her footsteps retreating down the hall.

    Wu Yan, despite everything she''d been through, she was a sweet and gentle kid.

    After the bath, I put on a red uniform-like garment, draping a dark robe lined with fur over my shoulders for warmth. Our house was wooden, so it stayed relatively cozy even during extreme weather.

    An old saying from my grandfather in my previous life came to mind, something about why you don''t build a stone house in Texas; it''d turn into an oven. I couldn''t recall the exact phrase, but I was sure my grandfathers from both lives would''ve gotten along. In mindset only, since my current grandfather would never waste time talking to a normal person.

    I walked downstairs just as dinner was ready, the sun having just set. I sat at the table while my mother set out the plates. The air was filled with the mouthwatering scent of cinnamon, honey, and roasted meat.

    Leaning back in my chair, I relaxed as we talked about ordinary things, avoiding any mention of the mission. I hadn''t had enough time to unwind with everything that had happened, but that was typical for winter here, filled with danger and constant battles. Monstrous beasts were gaining ground over humans, especially in recent years, often destroying cities.

    As I sat with my family, I couldn''t help but wonder how many others wouldn''t be with theirs tonight. Had anyone survived the Thunder Wolf''s ambush?

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    With my arrays, we might''ve had a chance against the Thunder Wolf. But that would''ve required trusting others not to stab me in the back right after.

    It felt nice saving people, and I considered this conflict between the clans as useless blabber. But I wasn''t about to risk myself for others who''d likely repay my kindness with treachery.

    After dinner, I went straight to bed and blacked out as soon as my head hit the pillow, finally making up for all those missed hours of sleep.

    I didn''t even dream, and morning had already arrived when I opened my eyes.

    I rose, feeling recharged like I could chew on rocks and spit out diamonds.

    Feeling well-rested, I stretched and mentally noted the tasks for the day. First and foremost, I''d check on Wu Yan''s progress while I''d been away.

    But before I could get started, I sensed a presence in the dining room.

    With a sigh, I headed downstairs and found my grandfather sipping tea and talking with my father about some merchant. The conversation halted as soon as they saw me; my grandfather smiled, seeming to forget all about the merchant or whatever they''d been discussing.

    "Liu Feng, how have you been?" he asked, not bothering to ask about the details of my mission''s success, which he already knew.

    "Pretty good," I replied, "though I''d like to enjoy my break a little longer."

    The silence that followed told me he was here to rope me into something, and it was likely something that would put my life on the line again.

    But this time, I wasn''t about to play along so easily.

    With a sigh of his own, he gestured to the chair beside him. "Come, sit down, have a cup of tea."

    I sat, and my mother brought over a fresh cup for me before slipping back into the kitchen, casting a barely noticeable glare in my grandfather''s direction.

    I took a sip of the jasmine tea, leaned forward on the table, and looked him squarely in the eyes. "So, what''s this all about?"

    "You''ve been chosen for a new mission. We''re planning a coordinated attack on the monstrous beasts, a joint effort with all the clans," he said.

    "I just got back," I muttered, exasperated.

    "I''m not saying it''s happening right away. These things take time to prepare," he replied, as though this were some grand opportunity. "This is all for the betterment of the clan''s future. If it goes well, you might not need to fight again for decades."

    Unfortunately for him, I''d heard enough empty promises to recognize one when I saw it.

    But arguing his points would be like shouting at a brick wall, so I chose a different approach.

    "Who else in my generation is going?" I asked, casting my senses to check on Wu Yan and finding her feeding Speedy outside. At least it seemed my grandfather wasn''t here to try anything dubious with her.

    "We''ve selected the best of your generation. It''ll be just you and Liu Bo," he said. "We need to make it appear as though the Liu Clan is sacrificing equally in this scouting expedition."

    The "best of our generation", an empty title if I''d ever heard one, the sort used to send youth to their early graves.

    Honor didn''t concern me. I calculated risk and reward. Actually, wait... what reward? They hadn''t given me any for previous missions.

    It wasn''t that my clan was stingy. This was not some fancy war; we weren''t here for glory or rewards but to ensure our clan''s survival against another beast wave. But even I had my limits.

    I''d do certain things for my family, but I wasn''t here to be used.

    Sensing my hesitation, my grandfather added, "Your expertise in arrays would be invaluable."

    I gave a small nod. There was no point in anger or protest since it would get me nowhere.

    Instead, I approached it logically: I had a skill they needed, one they couldn''t easily replace. This was business, and business required negotiation.

    "I will go if the Clan Head is willing to give me every technique, inheritance, recipe, and everything else hidden the clan has to give me. It wouldn''t even cost you any resort; just give me some copies of the things," I said. "If the clan doesn''t have that, I''ll settle for a trip to the treasury to pick out a few things I like. And if that''s still too much, then a couple dozen thousand spirit stones will do."

    It was a bold offer, but that''s what negotiations were for.

    "This is for the clan''s wellbeing," my grandfather frowned. His expression was different this time. He looked genuinely disappointed.

    Not quite the response I expected, but I wasn''t going to risk my life for free. If my past life taught me anything, it was that someone could love you and still take advantage of you without even realizing it.

    "If the Clan Head is so insistent on my presence, he should also bring his daughter and keep her by my side on the battlefield," I added.

    Judging by the so-called "cooperation" on previous missions, I knew there was a high chance of conflict between clans. They might call it a mission, but in reality, it was more like heading to the frontlines.

    Sending someone else''s child to war was always easier than sending your own.

    In the end, cultivation was an individual sport. Teammates didn''t exist. And as for what people would think if I refused, who cared?

    My grandfather sighed, but eventually, he nodded. "I will personally guarantee that you''ll receive what''s due to you, including the Clan Founder''s inheritances."

    I gave him a surprised smile. I knew the old man wasn''t against me, but love and use could often go hand in hand. The only jeopardy to this promise would be if he died in the war.

    "When do I have to deploy?" I asked.

    "Most likely in two weeks," he replied. "Someone will come with the final details once everything is arranged."

    After he left, my father finally exhaled, releasing the sigh he''d been holding in his grandfather''s presence.

    "The clan is taking advantage of you, sending you out on missions this often," he muttered.

    I shrugged. That was just how it went in times of war. I''d seen enough in my past life to know how the military could exploit people. I wasn''t about to fall into the tribal mentality of "us against them." That mindset only led to regret when it was too late.

    I sighed, my thoughts drifting to Song Song and how easy things felt with her.

    She overpaid me like crazy, but I never felt used. What was hers was mine, and what was mine was hers. If I asked for something, she''d go out of her way to get it, as long as it was within reason.

    I hadn''t realized how comfortable I felt around her until now.

    Just then, Wu Yan entered the kitchen, and I turned to her.

    "We''ve got two weeks to train this time," I said.

    I was hoping to break through myself in these two weeks, though not everyone could do it at will like Wu Yan could.

 Chapter 227: Logistics, Mergers and Acquisitions

    I stood by her side as Wu Yan sat on the wooden porch, the bitter cold growing sharper around us. Her breath escaped in soft, ghostly tendrils from the corner of her mask, giving the illusion of a breath where there was none.

    The snow descended relentlessly, and some flakes even fell on the porch. Though my father diligently cleared it daily, I often helped by melting the stubborn remnants of ice with Qi. But no matter how much effort he put into keeping the porch pristine, this was winter; snow would always find its way back.

    A lone snowflake landed on the nose of Wu Yan''s mask, and the air around her shifted. The wind gathered, drawing the snowflakes into a swirling vortex that danced around her. Then, with a sudden surge, her Qi erupted violently, scattering the snow in a glittering burst.

    For minutes, this cycle repeated. The winds forming and her Qi flaring until calm finally settled. Wu Yan resumed her habit of moving her chest as if breathing, maintaining the illusion of life.

    She turned her head toward me, and a mouth formed on her throat.

    ��Everything feels okay,�� she said, her voice sounding natural and like a human female... who had a sore throat.

    Two weeks had passed since my initial conversation with my grandfather. During that time, I had done my best to impart basic cultivation knowledge to Wu Yan. She had pushed herself into a few breakthroughs on her own, often rushing without guidance. Not knowing how a normal cultivator operated, she relied on the strain in her spiritual roots to gauge how much Qi she could gather before risking an eruption or the shattering of her roots.

    Unlike her, I had made no breakthroughs of my own. My progress was slow and steady, a daily grind that yielded small but stable gains. I hadn''t hit any bottlenecks recently, so that was nice.

    I approached her, the frost crunching under my boots, the only loud sound around here. I gently placed a hand on her shoulder and let my Qi flow into her. By now, she offered no resistance. She focused intently to stop her Qi from instinctively pushing mine out. This was a harsh instinct in all cultivators, and she abandoned even her fake breathing to concentrate as I probed for hidden injuries.

    ��You should train your Qi control more,�� I said. ��Keep working on the basic exercises I gave you.��

    Despite her overwhelming talent, Wu Yan struggled with martial techniques. For instance, the golden bell defensive technique was a challenge; she could barely summon a few golden wisps of Qi from it.

    Her shifting, morphing internal organs bore faint scorch marks; it was a testament to the strain her cultivation caused her. On anyone else, these injuries would have been fatal. For Wu Yan, they were little more than mild inconveniences.

    A crueler and more reckless part of me wondered if even her heart was a vulnerability.

    What if I removed her heart? Would she continue functioning like normal? Though her ��normal�� defied all expectations.

    Of course, she was just a kid, and I would never do anything that cruel to a child and use them as a test subject. Or anyone else, for that matter!

    Still, leaving her alone was worrying. Perhaps I should tell Liu Qian to take care of her... She would know what to do and help with cultivation stuff. But I didn''t trust her.

    Some of the clan members had already noticed that Wu Yan was strange, but who knew what they might do if they knew the exact source of her problems. People like Liu Qian always cared more about the clan than anything else.

    Even if we had not had limited time, there was little more I could have done for her now. Wu Yan needed to grind at the basics and master them. She had to learn and comprehend techniques herself; my guidance could only take her so far on that part.

    Her unique body had its own challenges despite the monstrously fast cultivation. Techniques designed for the average human had to be painstakingly adapted. For her, even the basics demanded more effort.

    Sometimes, I felt more like a worrisome father than her teacher. I was afraid that she was becoming more used to the injuries she suffered during cultivation or using normal techniques.

    ��Keep an eye out for my parents, and remind Speedy to eat every now and then. The big guy has taken to burrowing underground for some reason and sleeping there,�� I sighed. ��He��s entering some kind of hibernation. Or maybe he��s just annoyed that I keep nagging him to eat and would rather sleep himself into starvation.��

    Speedy had his own things to do, but for now, it was better that no one else knew what was truly happening with him.

    I took my hand off Wu Yan��s shoulder, adjusted my black robe, and smoothed out a few folds.

    Despite being a five-star Qi Gathering Cultivator, Wu Yan��s actual combat capabilities lagged far behind her cultivation. Her potential was undeniable, but she still had a long way to go.

    For now, she was like one of those two-bit villains who get beaten by the protagonist despite being at many levels higher in cultivation.

    I cast one last look toward the house. My parents had both gone out for work today, though not before I said my early goodbyes. They had tried��poorly��to hide how worried they were, their concern etched plainly on their faces.

    It was... strange. In many ways, I wasn��t afraid of dying in pursuit of the answers I sought or the truths this world held. But seeing the fear in their eyes stirred something reluctant in me.

    How would they cope if I didn��t return? I was their only child, their anchor in a harsh and unforgiving world. Deep down, I knew the answer. Their child��s death would devastate them.

    I shook my head, dispelling the thought. Dwelling on it wouldn��t change anything.

    Taking a deep breath, I turned and walked down the snowy pathway leading out of the yard. My gaze lingered for a moment on the frozen pond. Speedy, usually buried deep in his snow mound, wasn��t sleeping this time. His head poked out, and his sharp, watchful eyes locked onto mine.

    I raised a casual hand in farewell. He didn��t respond, but I felt his steady presence as I walked away, with the crisp air biting my face. I took another deep breath, bracing myself for the next stage of my journey.

    ..

    Hours later, I stood at the entrance to the city''s outer wall, where the Liu Clan cultivators had gathered. Their steps had melted the dusting of snow outside the gates, as they shuffled around.

    The air buzzed with anticipation, every breath forming clouds in the frosty air as warriors checked their weapons and adjusted their robes.

    Behind us, the city loomed in silence, its towering walls stark against the encroaching dim morning light. Only a token force of guards remained to protect it. The rest of us were marching into what could end up being our death.

    The Liu Clan cultivators wore shades of gray, their muted attire blending seamlessly with the overcast, snowy atmosphere. Despite the looming threat of battle, a surprising lightness hung in the air. Small groups formed here and there, their hushed conversations occasionally breaking into laughter.

    Some exchanged dried meats and berries, nibbling as if preparing for a casual journey rather than a deadly mission. Others huddled in tight circles, betting with playful mischief over which clan would suffer the most losses in the coming conflict.

    The gathering was a tapestry of ages and experiences. Young cultivators, barely past their rites of passage, stood alongside battle-hardened warriors whose scars from countless struggles. Even elders, some of whom I had never seen before, with faces lined with more wrinkles than hair in their head.

    This wasn��t just another skirmish. It was an all-out war.

    The meeting place carried a peculiar tang of salt. Though other scents lingered like faint perfumes and musky undertones, the salt stood out the most. People munched on salted meats, some exchanging pieces like currency, while others wagered their rations on what might happen in this expedition.

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    Under this joyful atmosphere, some likely thought they might not come out alive after this expedition. Hence, rations were useless and were going all-in. It was a strange, joyful atmosphere with dark undertones mixed together. I had never seen something like this before.

    Perhaps the military in my previous life was like this too, but I had no experience in the military.

    Around two hundred cultivators had gathered. Usually, having many cultivators in one place would guarantee a spark of tension, if not outright conflict. Yet today, there was none. Everyone interacted with a strange camaraderie like a harmonious family united under a single cause. Well, we were family, so there was that.

    It was almost as if the civil war my grandfather had once attempted to incite had never happened. Perhaps it hadn''t, or maybe this was another layer to his convoluted plans. His actions rarely matched his words, and I wouldn''t have been surprised if this entire gathering was part of some elaborate ruse.

    Not that I cared much about the clan''s internal politics. I''d long since decided I had more pressing matters to focus on. Let others obsess over political maneuvering; I had my own battles to fight.

    Wu Yan and her condition were far more intriguing than the machinations of power struggles.

    The Clan Head stood at the forefront of the group. His presence radiated authority, and the people around him barely spoke in whispers. He had a sharp, calculating gaze like a predator sizing up its prey. Beside him was my grandfather, his expression stoic as ever. Yet, there was an unusual energy about him; his movements were more animated than usual as he walked among the younger cultivators, doling out advice and issuing commands. For some reason, Liu Bo was also by the old man''s side, following him like a silent shadow.

    After a brief round of discussions and a rousing speech from the Clan Head, we set off. The energy among the group was palpable, and silent tension carried us forward like a gray wave in the white snow.

    It was an odd sight, even for someone accustomed to the world of cultivation; dozens upon dozens of cultivators moving at top speed on foot, their movements unnaturally fast and synchronized.

    The ground blurred beneath our feet, snow crunching rapidly, creating a rhythmic buzz that filled the air. Our movements kicked up a swirling cloud of snowy dust. We must have looked like an unstoppable avalanche crashing forward from far away.

    ...

    By nightfall, we reached the edge of the nearest forest.

    Traveling in such a large group had its drawbacks. Progress was slower, as everyone had to be mindful not to collide or disrupt the rhythm. Still, there was comfort in numbers. The sense of shared protection eased my usual paranoia, and though I remained cautious, I found myself less on edge than usual.

    At the forest''s edge, we began setting up camp. Tents sprang up in clusters, the weary trudging about to prepare for the night. Many breathed heavily, their fatigue evident after crossing the expansive field biome surrounding the city.

    Throughout the journey, I had spoken to no one. As the others settled into their routines, I approached my grandfather. Though I had no desire to play a role in leading this makeshift army, I disliked being left in the dark. The higher-ups always had more information in such situations, and I intended to get a piece of it.

    As I approached my grandfather at the head of the crowd, people had already begun breaking off branches and setting up fires. A handful of cultivators were huddled together, using Mortal Grade techniques to summon small flames in the palms of their hands to dry the wood.

    My grandfather turned to me as if sensing my approach and smiled. "Do you want your own squad?"

    What? Fuck no!

    "No," I replied almost immediately.

    If this were the Blazing Sun Sect, I wouldn''t have minded leading a squad of loyal family members. But here, most people didn''t know Earth Grade techniques, and they''d just slow me down. It wasn''t like I looked down on them; it was more about the aftermath. If they died under my watch, I''d have to break the news to their families, and I didn''t have the heart for that. That was one of the many reasons I didn''t want to lead a squad.

    If I had to choose team members, I''d pick Liu Bo or one of the Foundation Establishment elders. But I knew I''d get an earful if I asked for the latter.

    "I just wanted to ask about the battle formations," I said, trying to sound uninterested. "What''s the plan? Are the people split into squads, and does everyone know their role?"

    In this world, military strategy wasn''t as developed as it might have been elsewhere. It varied depending on the place, but the truth was simple: one Nascent Soul cultivator could render any strategy meaningless. Even a hundred Core Formation cultivators didn''t stand a chance against a Nascent Soul. The gap in power at that stage was immense, larger than all the prior stages combined. Or so I''d heard.

    "Well, the basic plan is to avoid getting flanked. We need to ensure the other two clans lose enough members in this expedition so they can''t afford to split their forces later," my grandfather said with a vague smile. "You''d know more if you became a squad leader."

    This old fox was quite scheming when he wanted to be.

    "No, thanks," I said.

    I wasn''t about to take responsibility for people who were likely to die.

    Besides, their strategy wasn''t hard to guess. It was about weakening the other clans as much as possible during this expedition, leaving them too undermanned to retaliate.

    After some small talk, I left the front of the army.

    On my way to find a spot to set up camp, I noticed a group of cultivators digging a large hole on the right side of the camp. One of the clan elders was overseeing them. It looked like they were making a latrine; a communal toilet for the camp.

    This was the ugly side of moving in large groups.

    No ancient text ever clarified whether high-stage cultivators still needed to relieve themselves. But Qi Gathering cultivators certainly had yet to escape such bodily needs. I hadn''t researched if they could hold it longer than normal people, and I couldn''t exactly ask about it without sounding like a weirdo.

    I reached the center of the camp and began setting up my tent.

    Despite the looming battle, no one seemed panicked. They might not have known we could end up fighting the other clans, but they were at least aware we''d face Thunder Wolves. Yet the atmosphere was still relaxed. People were mingling, talking, and laughing with each other.

    War had this strange vibe to it. Even in this world, there was something rustic about how people prepared for battle.

    Some of the male and female cultivators were exchanging glances, and some of the women laughed and leaned on some of the men''s arms. The way they looked, their lips moved, and the way they breathed showed something I didn''t really want to think about.

    Some of us were not going to make it back, and the thought of death put people in the mood for some things.

    Well... the Liu Clan might experience a boost in population in about nine months.

    Just a lotta incest babies. I shuddered at the thought. At least most of us weren''t close cousins, and when it came to cultivation clans, keeping it in the family rings true more often than not.

    This was the reality of clans, too; with cultivators a thing, it wasn''t like a rich merchant was the first choice of a female cultivator. It wasn''t just about pure attraction or power either, but it would be hard to invest feelings in someone you knew was likely going to die before you. At least, that was my view on things; it wasn''t like I was going around asking them this.

    Even Qi Gathering Cultivators usually lived around a hundred years since their bodies were so healthy and maintained by Qi. Most people, in these times with medieval-level medicine for most of the non-cultivator world, it was easy to die. Not to mention the monstrous beasts every winter; the age expectancy was shit.

    It would be like getting attached to someone you knew was going to die much earlier due to some terminal illness or something like that.

    Hopefully, the people who were getting to business weren''t first cousins. Even if they were, I didn''t really care that much. It was weird, but I never bothered with these things unless they were someone I cared about. They were hurting no one, except their future babies who might come out messed up.

    After putting up my tent, the thing was as tall as me and attached to some ropes and metal beams that would make it easy to stand up in the tent. It was big for a tent.

    My gaze drifted toward the front of the army, where my grandfather moved with deliberate grace among the elders, their figures half-shrouded by the swirling veil of snow and darkness. The cold night seemed alive around them, and the faint and distant moonlight reflected off the frost-covered ground, casting a pale, ethereal glow that illuminated the figures ahead just enough for me to make them out.

    My grandfather stood at the center, speaking in low tones to the elders around him, their breaths rising in soft plumes that dissipated into the frigid air. Beside him, Liu Bo lingered like a shadow, his movements subtle, his expression unreadable.

    So far, they had done a good job leading the small army, and I was willing to trust them. Also, war never interested me in my previous world, so it wasn''t like I had any grand strategies. Even if I had, war with storage rings and no need to worry about supplies while each side had supernatural cultivators, it was bound to be very different.

    I walked into the tent and looked at the snowy ground before sighing. Then, with an odd hand gesture, I created a barrier just above the snow and laid down.

    Since I was by my lonesome self and had nobody else to worry about, I could splurge and relax a bit.

    I set up a heating array that covered the inside of my tent and made the barrier I was lying down on become like a heated floor. Finally, I could enjoy all the pleasures and Array Conjurer had while traveling.

    I would have offered to do this for the many other warriors, but that would be a huge waste of Qi. Even if I could accomplish it by doing the bare minimum, I didn''t want to go into a battle with so little Qi.

    At least I had the decency to set this array up inside the tent only, where other people couldn''t see me.

    I also set up a small light array and took out a book from my storage ring. Reading before bed had almost become second nature.

 Chapter 228: The Scar

    Chapter 228: The Scar

    After a cold, restless night just outside the forest, the pale light of dawn crept over the horizon like a pale beam against the darkened sky.

    The camp stirred quickly. Fires were snuffed out, and belongings were gathered in heavy silence. Breath curled visibly in the frosty air, and the morning sun''s faint warmth barely touched the lingering chill.

    With the sun rising, the forest ahead came into clearer view. Skeletal trees stretched upward, their frost-covered branches catching the light like shards of glass. The crunch of frozen snow underfoot was sharp in the stillness, and the only sound accompanying us. Even with the added light, the forest felt wrong.

    The night before, their conversations had been vibrant and full of boisterous life; now, they were nothing more than quiet whispers.

    We were in monstrous beast territory, and the less noise, the better.

    No one was smiling. Faces were solemn, their expressions lined with exhaustion. The camaraderie and light-hearted banter of the night before had vanished. Judging by their tired eyes, many hadn''t slept well.

    I couldn''t blame them. My chest felt just as heavy, weighed down by knowing what lay ahead. A battle where I''d have to kill and might even be killed.

    A cold wind swept through the trees, scattering snowflakes that blurred our vision. The sky darkened, and we slowed our pace. The icy terrain was treacherous, the branches slick with frost. Scouts had gone ahead to check for ambushes, forcing the rest of us to move cautiously in their wake.

    It was all so deliberate, so methodical. I stayed in line, watching the veterans move with practiced efficiency. They knew what they were doing. I was here to follow, not to lead.

    But something felt different today. The cold, which I''d learned to ignore long ago, gnawed at me, settling into my bones. It wasn''t the weather. The tension, the fear, it was starting to get to me.

    I''d killed before. Too many times to count. Well, not too many to count, but I just never bothered counting. And I knew others would try to kill me in return. It was a simple truth, the way of things. But I didn''t want to die. I couldn''t say why, and it didn''t matter why. I just didn''t want to die.

    I took a deep breath and forced those thoughts aside, burying them deep. This wasn''t the time to get lost in existential musings. Questions about life and purpose could cost me precious seconds in battle. And in a cultivator''s fight, hesitation meant death.

    ..

    We pressed on, the snowy forest stretching endlessly before us. By midday, I sensed our "allies" before I saw them. They weren''t waiting for us, and they were moving too.

    Strange pulses of Qi rippled from our elders and clan leader, their way of communicating with the other clans. When we finally stopped, it wasn''t in some landmarked clearing, just another patch of frozen trees and snow. The sun had risen higher, softening the chill, but the unease remained.

    While others shifted warily, watching the approaching clans, my grandfather wore a sly grin. He spat into his hands and rubbed them together.

    Gross! Why did he even do that?

    The other clans arrived soon enough. I had expected uniforms, colors, something to set them apart. But there was nothing. Faces were my only guide, and I knew I''d have to memorize them fast. Or, in the chaos, I might end up killing one of my own clan members.

    Shit, some dumb ass cousin of mine might end up being the one to kill me! I might have to rethink my plan for the upcoming battle. Having something as minor as uniform colors overhaul some of my plans was annoying in its own way.

    Most of these plans, I had scheemed for days to come up with them. But they were ruined as soon as I saw the ��allies��.

    But I couldn��t keep dwelling on such things for too long, and brushed them aside and concentrated on the strongest people here.

    The Fu and Liu Clan leaders were middle-aged, or at least appeared so, while the Jie Clan leader looked ancient. They greeted each other with polite smiles that didn''t reach their eyes, the civility thinly masking their animosity.

    Grandfather, meanwhile, was shaking hands left and right with the Fu Clan members, grinning all the while. Handshaking wasn''t a common custom here; although they hid it well, many Fu Clan members who shook my grandfather��s hand looked uncomfortable.

    Oh, so that was why he spat on his hand before meeting them.

    I stayed back, watching the crowd. The clans mingled with an almost forced camaraderie as if trying to convince themselves of the alliance. If I hadn''t known better, I might''ve believed it too.

    Liu Bo eventually broke away from my grandfather and found me. He approached quietly, his gaze flicking over the crowd before speaking.

    "I''m surprised Elder Nu is getting along so well with the Fu Clan," he said. "He even called his hand-shaking an ancient ritual of putting aside differences and working together. I thought he hated them. Guess he can put that aside when it counts."

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    "Yes, he can be... pragmatic when it suits him," I replied, struggling for the right word. My grandfather might have just invented the ''ritual'' to be an asshole.

    Liu Bo nodded toward a group of younger cultivators. "Looks like some of the people who were in the scouting group with us survived. Heard they split up so the Thunder Wolf couldn''t chase them all."

    "Smart," I said, though my thoughts wandered.

    Those scouts might hold a grudge someday. I was making enemies without even meaning to.

    My gaze swept over the mingling clans and landed on someone I hadn''t expected. Fu Yating. Her brown eyes met mine across the crowd for a split second, for that brief moment her gaze was steady and unflinching. But she wasn''t the same as before. A faint scar ran from her shoulder to her jaw.

    It wasn''t the kind of scar that screamed for attention or stood out too much, but it told its story nonetheless. The injury had healed well, or it seemed that way from this distance. Cultivators had sharp vision, but it wasn''t perfect.

    An injury like that for a Body Tempering cultivator was more than cosmetic. It could stunt progress, even reverse it. Some never recovered, their bodies too weak to reach the threshold of Qi Gathering.

    Why had they brought her here? This was something way out of her league.

    I had guesses about why her clan would do something like this. None of them were pleasant. It was a grim fate for a girl like her. But without proof, they were just speculations, and for now, it was best to keep my thoughts to myself. For all I knew, she could be faking those injuries. Fu Yating had always been calculating and only a fool would underestimate a woman like her.

    As if sensing my gaze, Fu Yating turned toward me. When she caught me staring, she smiled and waved. The gesture was polite enough, but her smile didn''t reach her eyes.

    We continued our march as a large group, the mingling of clans making us clumsier and slower than before. Liu Bo stayed close by my side, casting glances at me now and then as if waiting for me to say something. I didn''t.

    Liu Bo was likely the next in line to inherit my grandfather''s position. That role should have fallen to me by blood and talent, but I didn''t mind. I may need to bind myself to a sect or clan to gain certain knowledge. Perhaps even take on the title of elder. If I was going to be shackled, though, I preferred my chains to be gilded. The Liu Clan was too small for my ambitions.

    Under other circumstances, I might have reassured Liu Bo, told him not to worry about it and that I supported my grandfather''s decision. But this wasn''t the time for such sensitive conversations.

    My gaze shifted back to Fu Yating, who was struggling to keep up with the group. Her face was flushed, her breathing labored, and beads of sweat clung to her brow. She looked exhausted, and in a weather and expedition like this it was deadly.

    Why had the Fu Clan brought her here? She was still just a Body Tempering Cultivator, clearly out of her depth. My little fiance?e getting involved in battles like this was reckless at best and suicidal at worst.

    I sighed, brushing away my boredom for a moment as I moved to the tail of the group where she lagged behind. Like a shadow by my side, Liu Bo followed silently, always one step behind. He was surprisingly inconspicuous when he wanted to and blended into the crowd.

    Fu Yating might have been scheming, but at the end of the day, she was still just a kid.

    What was she now? Sixteen? Seventeen? We were the same physical age; perhaps she was a year younger.

    "Need some help?" I asked, matching her pace.

    She turned toward me, her eyes misty. Up close, I noticed her face was damp with sweat, her hair matted and wet. In this cold, that was an invitation for trouble.

    Before she could answer, I summoned a translucent jade box, its surface shimmering faintly with an ethereal glow. With a flick of my wrist, the barrier enveloped her, lifting her slightly off the ground. She didn''t struggle, though her gaze pierced through the shimmering walls like a silent challenge.

    That seemed to snap her out of her exhaustion. She stared at me for a long moment without saying anything.

    If she wasn''t going to talk, neither would I. Some of the other cultivators shot us curious glances, but no one intervened. At the end of the day, she was supposed to be my wife.

    Finally, she broke the silence. "You''re unexpectedly soft-hearted."

    I met her gaze through the jade''s faint glow. The scar on her shoulder was visible even beneath a layer of makeup, its angry red edges unmistakable. It wasn''t the kind of burn left by fire since the skin wasn''t melted. It looked more like the aftermath of lightning: a brief, intense heat that seared but didn''t destroy.

    Scars like that weren''t uncommon among cultivators, especially with creatures like Lightning Wolves around. But as far as I knew, there hadn''t been any Lightning Wolves nearby, except for the one time we scouted ahead. There was a chance she might have encountered one while returning from the Azure Frost Sect, but I doubted it. The Azure Frost Sect was known to be soft-hearted and treat its disciples quite well; they might have even sent a protector with her, or one of her clan elders might have escorted her back. After all, she was not in a group like the Liu Clan, and it would have been reckless to have her return home alone.

    And there had been someone in the scouting group. A bold Body Tempering Cultivator girl who claimed to be Fu Yating''s friend.

    So that''s how it was... I chuckled to myself. It was almost too stupid to believe.

    "You were with the scouting group, weren''t you?" I asked bluntly.

    "What?" Her eyes widened, surprise and confusion flashing across her face.

    I held her gaze, and after a moment, she sighed, slumping to the floor of the jade barrier.

    "So what?" she said, leaning against the shimmering wall. "Are you going to kill your cute wife?"

    "Cute?" I raised an eyebrow.

    In my opinion, cuteness wasn''t just about appearance. It was personality too, and hers leaned more toward vicious than cute. Fu Yating was a schemer, no doubt about it. A beautiful one, but a vicious schemer all the same.

    "Oh, right, the scars..." Her fingers brushed her shoulder as she gave a humorless smile. "I guess you can''t call me cute anymore."

    "Scars add a rustic charm," I said.

    Of course, that wasn''t true in her case. These scars didn''t enhance her charm; they simply blended into her skin. Not that it mattered. Fu Yating was logical to a fault. She wouldn''t let something as superficial as a scar bother her. She didn''t become a cultivator to win beauty contests but to become strong enough to crush her enemies.

    "Don''t patronize me," she said. "I knew you''d figure it out once you saw the scar. I really didn''t want to come here, but my clan... my father... they''ve already decided. I''m a sacrifice."

 Chapter 229: The Sacrifice

    Sacrifice? That was certainly a strange way for her to frame her position.

    I lingered on that thought but chose not to press her further. Instead, Fu Yating settled into the translucent jade cube with an ease that bordered on indifference.

    I trudged forward, the wet snow clinging to my boots. The terrain was unforgiving, each step sinking into the damp slush, now softened under the weak warmth of the sun. The cold bit into my skin with every gust of wind, wrapping around me like a persistent, icy second skin. Meanwhile, Fu Yating remained untouched, suspended in her jade cocoon.

    As we traveled, the journey gave me the chance to talk with my fiance?e.

    "What do you think of me going behind your back and doing all this?" she asked, a smug smile playing on her lips before adding, "Not many men like being outsmarted."

    "Oursmarted?" I raised an eyebrow as I leaped over an icy tree branch. "If this is your idea of outsmarting me, I might''ve severely overestimated your intelligence."

    Her expression didn''t change despite the insult.

    "Scheming and involving yourself with people and situations far above your cultivation level is reckless, my little fiance?e," I added with a smirk, trying to annoy her. "Did you think you were invincible?"

    This world wasn''t like the one I''d come from. On Earth, humans were relatively equal in many ways. Even the strongest man could be brought down by a gun. Scheming was often an effective tool there.

    Here? It was entirely different. Against someone with a higher cultivation level, most people were like ants. That was why I avoided getting entangled in the command of this army or anything beyond my capability. Leading was a Foundation Establishment cultivator''s job, not mine.

    I had some arrays that might work against Foundation Establishment cultivators, but monstrous beasts like Thunder Wolves? I wasn''t confident. The Thousand Thunder Array could just as easily empower them as hurt them, and that was one of the top moves in my arsenal. Without Song Song around, I wouldn''t dare gamble on something so dangerous.

    That was also why I hadn''t been a hundred percent sure Fu Yating could''ve been the girl from the scouting mission. Such recklessness seemed beneath her, or so I had thought.

    "You wasted a perfectly good disguise," I remarked. "It even hid your Qi signature. From what I know, items like that are rare and fragile."

    "Don''t remind me," she muttered, wincing. But her expression quickly returned to normal. She sighed. "Our marriage will probably be pushed forward now. My clan doesn''t seem to like me much anymore."

    Was that the truth, or just another ploy? Perhaps a mix of both. Assuming she wasn''t outright lying, she clearly had her reasons for being here.

    "Can you take down these walls?" she asked, gesturing at the jade surrounding her.

    "They''re there to shield you from the wind. There are small openings at the top for breathing," I replied, pointing upward.

    "You can leave the front wall, but at least make some windows. It feels strange talking to you through this green glass," she said.

    Her tone was casual, her face unreadable. But the request was odd and something she wouldn''t ask without purpose.

    Opening a window could expose me to her tricks. Poison, a concealed weapon, anything was possible. Even though our conversation seemed friendly, I wasn''t naive enough to trust her. Acting was her strength.

    Still, she wouldn''t try something so overt with so many people nearby... would she? Her recent behavior made me reevaluate just how reckless she could be.

    In the end, curiosity got the better of me. I opened a window, keeping my guard up. If she had a plan, I intended to uncover it.

    The jade box now resembled a translucent floating cube about the size of a small carriage, with windows on either side. The cold wind rushed in as we traveled, but Fu Yating didn''t complain.

    I crafted a thin jade barrier beneath my clothes, ready to reinforce it around my face at a moment''s notice.

    Fu Yating smiled and leaned her elbows against the jade window frame while smiling as her hair fluttered with the wind.

    "I never noticed before, but you''re quite handsome," she said suddenly, her tone light.

    "You''re quite beautiful too," I replied with a shrug.

    Then again, it wasn''t like it was the physical appearances of these troublesome women in my life that troubled me. It was what was going on inside their minds that was a headache.

    "Can I hug you?" she asked. Once again, it came off as suspicious as hell.

    I stared at her. She knew the request was strange, and she knew I knew it. That was precisely the point.

    Unlike her, I didn''t underestimate others. Despite her lower cultivation level, I was on guard against her tricks.

    She was putting on a show; that much was clear. But for what reason was she going through all this trouble? If she wanted to manipulate me, she wasn''t doing a good job at it.

    I quietly extended the jade barrier to cover my face. It was thin and discreet, likely imperceptible unless someone looked closely. Then again, cultivators were known for their sharp eyes.

    Fu Yating��s eyes narrowed as her gaze flicked to the barrier I��d just put up. Her expression said it all, as if she wanted to say: really?

    I shrugged, stepping closer to her floating jade cube as we continued moving forward. She sighed, extended her arms through the new opening in the barrier, and gave me a brief, unexpected hug.

    She smelled faintly of lavender. Poison perhaps? It may be time to shut off the breathing system in my armor.

    ��Thanks,�� she said lightly. Meanwhile, I blocked all the airways in my jade armor. Then, leaning closer, she whispered in my ear, her voice low and sharp, ��You need to escape, my cute husband. This is a trap.��

    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    She pulled away, her face still adorned with a pleasant smile as though her whispered words had been nothing but a figment of my imagination.

    Why was she telling me this? I doubted it came from the goodness of her heart. Was she trying to unruffle my feathers? But for what purpose? Her warning felt calculated. Perhaps she was hedging her bets, attempting to gain my favor in case her clan lost this looming battle. After all, the clans that failed here would likely be massacred.

    Despite my suspicions, I kept my expression neutral. Now wasn��t the time for petty schemes or clever comebacks.

    ��It��s no problem,�� I said evenly, answering both her spoken thanks and her whispered warning. ��After all, we��re going to be husband and wife. If I didn��t help you now, you might stab me in my sleep later.��

    She chuckled at the remark, and some nearby cultivators smiled as if sharing in the joke. Some even commented along the lines on how a happy wife meant a happy life.

    ...

    Some days the weather was okay, while others it was mostly snowing, with the rare occasion of a hailstorm with ice pieces as big as the tip of my pinky pouring down like the heavens were throwing rocks at us.

    The journey was grueling. Even with my arrays, the cold seeped into my bones, and the endless snow stretched my patience.

    We were all worn down when we reached the area where the scouting party had encountered the Thunder Wolf. The army set up camp while scouts ventured out again to locate the Thunder Wolves�� nest.

    I wandered through the snowy clearing, trying to piece together what had happened after the team had faced the beast. Scorched trees marked the area, charred as if struck by lightning, but there were no corpses. That didn��t mean no one had died; monstrous beasts didn��t leave scraps behind when food was scarce.

    Returning to my tent, I noticed another pitched right next to it, looking exactly like mine. Fu Yating peeked out of the second tent, her expression a mix of feigned innocence and amusement.

    ��Why are you here? Oh... don��t tell me this is your tent? How embarrassing,�� she said with a mock gasp.

    ��If you so much as touch my tent flap without announcing yourself, I��ll stab first and ask questions later,�� I said, keeping my tone flat. Whatever she was scheming, it wasn��t worth entertaining. ��By the way, did anyone die when we ran away?��

    ��Wow, you��re actually calling it running away?�� she teased, her eyes widening in mock surprise. ��I thought you��d dress it up as a ��strategic retreat.����

    I didn��t bother correcting her. Her words were just noise.

    The others in the camp had the good sense to pitch their tents farther apart, and their chatter made it easy to ignore whatever nonsense Fu Yating was trying to stir up.

    She smirked, taking a step back. ��I know a couple of Fu Clan members died,�� she said casually. ��We all tried to escape when we saw you run. We were just a second too late to react.��

    ��Only a couple?�� I asked, narrowing my eyes. That didn��t add up. The Thunder Wolf was a Foundation Establishment beast.

    Fu Yating glanced around, her gaze flitting over the camp as if checking for eavesdroppers. Finally, she shrugged, giving me a look that seemed to say: Figure it out yourself.

    The token she��d lent me during our first meeting crossed my mind. If she��d told me the truth, it could��ve protected her from some attacks even at the Foundation Establishment level.

    As if reading my thoughts, she smiled coyly. ��I��m a bit scared of the dark,�� she said, her voice sweet. ��Can I sleep in your tent? Or maybe you can keep me company until I fall asleep?��

    ��No,�� I replied curtly, stepping into my tent and activating a heating and barrier array. Warmth spread through the space, melting away the day��s cold.

    Settling into the comfort of my tent, I pulled out a book from my storage ring, its familiar weight a slight ceasefire from the exhausting journey. With the warmth surrounding me, I let myself drift into the calm rhythm of light reading before sleep.

    ...

    The journey continued without incident, the endless snowy forest stretching to the horizon like an unbroken, frozen sea. Towering pines loomed above us, their branches bowed under thick layers of frost, forming a cold, claustrophobic tunnel. Each breath we exhaled rose in ghostly wisps, vanishing into the gray void of the sky. The only sounds were the crunch of snow beneath our boots and the occasional whisper of wind weaving through the trees, magnifying the stillness.

    After days of this monotonous landscape, the sight of our destination brought a strange blend of relief and unease. Ahead, a frozen river shimmered under the pale sunlight, its surface a fractured mirror of crystalline ice. Beyond it, the mouth of a cavern gaped wide, framed by jagged rock formations resembling frozen fangs. A faint mist curled from the cavern''s entrance as though it were breathing, its depths cloaked in shadows impenetrable to the weak light.

    This was where my cousins and I had once turned back, unwilling to venture further.

    The battlefield we had left behind was unrecognizable now. The mangled corpses of Thunder Wolves, once strewn across the snow like grotesque markers of violence, were gone. Yet the air still carried a faint, acrid hint of rotting corpses that lingered despite the passage of time. In place of the dead, the living prowled. Sleek Thunder Wolves moved cautiously through the icy expanse, their electric-blue fur glinting faintly.

    Some lingered near the cavern''s shadowy edges, their sharp eyes fixed on us with guarded intensity. Others remained close to their cubs, the pups tumbling and yipping in playful bursts. Their antics seemed almost innocent, yet the tension in the air was unmistakable. This was still their territory. Though the carnage had faded, their vigilance had not.

    These beasts rivaled Qi Gathering cultivators in strength, and overpowered most of them in a head-on fight. But their lack of refined training and lesser sensitivity to Qi left them at a disadvantage. For now, they hadn''t registered us as a threat, likely unaware of the army just beyond the hill.

    The command came to a single word, spoken softly. "Charge."

    It passed through the ranks like a ripple, whispered from one person to the next until it reached every ear. Then, without hesitation, we surged forward, spilling over the hill like a tide of dark-clad figures against the snowy expanse.

    I ran shoulder to shoulder with the others while Fu Yating remained within the jade cube at the rear, observing the scene with those tasked with guarding our position.

    The wolves were unprepared, which was surprising.

    A pack of their size should have had scouts or even a few Foundation Establishment-level members capable of organizing a defense. Perhaps their numbers had been too greatly diminished by whatever battle had ravaged them before.

    Or maybe, despite their intelligence, they lacked the capacity to preserve and share knowledge like humans. So they didn''t have positions like scouting or anything else.

    The wolves scrambled as we descended into their midst. Haunting howls filled the air, mingling with the cries of their pups. Their instinct to protect their young dulled their ferocity, and that hesitation proved fatal.

    The cultivators struck with ruthless precision. Swords gleamed, Qi flared, and blood sprayed across the pristine snow, staining it in violent streaks. Wolves lunged in desperate retaliation but were cut down one by one. Their cries, sharp, pitiful, and full of pain, echoed through the clearing, the pups'' yelps adding a tragic layer to the chaos. The snow became a tableau of death, the wolves falling together in a futile attempt to defend what they could not save.

    The slaughter ended quicker than anyone had anticipated. What we had prepared for as a battle became a massacre. Silence descended once more, broken only by the faint, fading echoes of the wolves'' last cries.

    Something felt off. I slowed my pace, falling behind the leading group, charging toward the cavern.

    The last of the wolves fell quickly, their resistance no match for our sheer numbers. Casualties among us were minimal, though a few lives were lost, their bodies lying still amidst the carnage. Victory seemed inevitable, almost disturbingly easy.

    And then, the ground trembled. A deep, resonant vibration coursed through the snow, its intensity shaking me to my core.

    A sound that shattered the fragile stillness came from the cavern''s shadowy maw. A thunderous roar of pure, primal rage. The air seemed to crackle with its force, and every head turned toward the source.

    The cavern, dark and silent moments ago, now loomed as a doorway to something far more dangerous than the wolves we had just killed.

    Ah. Shit...

 Chapter 230: Why Do I Hear Boss Music?

    With a thunderous roar, a force unlike anything I had ever felt ripped through the air. It wasn''t just the noise but the raw, unrelenting power behind the roar that ripped through our beings.

    The pressure hammered into me, leaving a deep ache in my chest as I struggled to steady my breath. The shockwave was so intense it felt as if my ribcage might shatter under its weight. Around us, the snow rippled and lifted in swirling clouds.

    The roar wasn''t merely the cry of a beast; it was a declaration that sent a shiver through the cultivators who had moments ago been basking in victory. We had trespassed into something far beyond our estimation.

    Many cultivators stepped back, instinct overriding courage. I wasn''t sure what it was, but every fiber of my being screamed at me to get the hell away from there!

    As we retreated, the thinning army revealed the aftermath of our slaughter: the corpses of pups and Thunder Wolves tangled in a grotesque tapestry of death. The metallic stench of blood hung heavy in the frozen air.

    Despite the gruesome scene, my focus remained fixed on the cavern. From its dark maw emerged a monstrous beast with blue fur and a unicorn-like horn jutting from its forehead. It was as large as a commercial airplane and looked like a towering mass of muscle.

    Muscle alone usually meant little here since Qi could bridge the gap... but this creature, this Thunder Wolf King, was a different story. Its sheer physicality was a challenge that no amount of Qi could easily overcome.

    The Thunder Wolf King''s deep blue eyes glinted with an unsettling intelligence, a slit running through each iris like a crack in a gem. But what froze me wasn''t just their beauty; it was the unmistakable emotion within them. Rage. Pure, seething rage.

    A tidal wave of Qi-laden pressure radiated from the beast, slamming into us like an invisible avalanche. Breathing felt like inhaling stones and exhaling cement.

    There was no mistaking it... this was the Thunder Wolf King!

    I scanned the crowded army around me, realizing I''d never dodge effectively in such a confined space. I backed off further, my instincts screaming for distance.

    Fighting the Thunder Wolf King? That wasn''t my role. This was a battle for the clan elders and leaders. Still, as I retreated, my eyes remained locked on the beast. My gaze caught something in the shadows of the cavern that concealed half its body.

    Blood. Was the Thunder Wolf King injured? Who, or what, could wound a creature like this?

    "Humans..." The growl reverberated across the battlefield, low and deep, like the voice of a vengeful god.

    The word froze everyone. From the corner of my eye, I saw faces pale as dread washed over the cultivators. Even the least educated among us understood the significance of a beast speaking our language.

    A chill coursed down my spine, locking my muscles for a fleeting moment. Thanks to sparring with Song Song and her frequent bloodlust-infused training, I managed to shake it off quickly. While others stood paralyzed, I took the chance to retreat further from the front lines.

    This was bad. Really bad. A beast that could speak? That usually meant a Core Formation beast!

    Above us, the sky darkened, shifting from day to night as black clouds smothered the sun. Thunder rumbled, and lightning crackled ominously. I ran, lightning crashing behind me and screams cutting through the air. I didn''t dare look back.

    No, it wasn''t just fear. It was something deeper. Something primal.

    Though I couldn''t see it, I could sense it. The lightning wasn''t random; it was alive, weaving through the battlefield like a predator hunting its prey. Qi signatures flickered and vanished every second, signaling lives extinguished in the chaos.

    Despite the carnage, a part of my mind latched onto an idea. Arrays. The way the lightning moved sparked possibilities for creating more advanced formations.

    Thanks to my head start, I reached the rear of the army, where the vanguard stood as a last defense. Nobody spoke, their eyes fixed on the destruction in the distance. I found Fu Yating and stood beside her, taking a moment to catch my breath and gather my thoughts.

    For a brief moment, I felt like a normal human again. The cold seeped into my bones, the wind biting at my skin. But the sensation was fleeting, a ghost of something long past.

    "This wasn''t in the plan," Fu Yating muttered, wincing. "It looks like all three clans might get wiped out."

    "There was another Foundation Establishment Thunder Wolf during the scouting mission," I replied. "If there''s one, there might be more in the pack."

    "We should just elope," Fu Yating said, a teasing edge to her voice.

    I turned to her, finding a confident smile on her lips. Her father and family were out there, fighting and dying, yet she seemed unfazed. I didn''t have time to unravel the mystery of my fiance?e''s composure, though.

    The Thunder Wolf King threw its head back and howled, its voice a thunderclap of power. The storm above seemed to obey, lightning beams cascading toward its open maw and condensing into a glowing sphere of electricity.

    "Shit," I cursed under my breath.

    Running further was pointless; lightning would catch me no matter where I went. Here, at least, I had some chance of surviving behind others.

    The wolf''s eyes burned with electric ferocity, and the air around it crackled with unbridled energy. Then, with a feral snarl, it unleashed the gathered power. A beam of lightning, impossibly bright and wider than a bus, tore through the battlefield.

    The ground exploded in its wake, snow and earth erupting in fiery bursts. Bodies were flung like leaves in a storm. Between us and the main army, a wall of blinding light and choking smoke rose, obscuring everything beyond.

    The ground shook violently beneath us, an unrelenting tremor that seemed to reverberate through the earth''s core. The deafening cacophony of destruction drowned out all other sounds, isolating us in a chaotic haze.

    Were the rest of the army still alive? Or had they been obliterated in that attack?

    Were we next?

    Explosions continued tearing through the air, each reverberating like rolling thunder. Snow, dirt, ice, and shattered rock erupted in towering plumes, blotting out the pale light of the forenoon. The frozen river, once a glistening sheet of unbroken ice, lay shattered, its surface now a chaotic whirl of jagged shards and dark currents laced with ash.

    Debris mixed with snow and surged upward, forming an unclear, mist-like shroud that spread across the battlefield. The world around us vanished into the churning gray haze, where the biting cold mingled with the acrid sting of ash, seeping into every breath.

    Then came the shockwave, a formless, invisible force that slammed into us like a tidal wave. It threw many off their feet, ripping through the air with a roar that numbed our senses and rattled our bones. It left behind an eerie silence that felt unnatural and oppressive when it passed.

    What could I even do at this moment? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

    My instincts screamed at me to run, to flee this battlefield and save myself. But running alone wasn''t a good idea; there could easily be a Foundation Establishment beast lurking, ready to pick off stragglers.

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    Two smaller Thunder Wolves emerged from the cavern as the swirling haze began to settle. Smaller only in comparison to the monstrous, airplane-sized Thunder Wolf King, they were still as large as trucks. Their presence radiated power, their auras unmistakable: Foundation Establishment-level beasts.

    The wolves wasted no time. They charged into the army, their movements blurs of raw, predatory speed. More explosions erupted as the cultivators scrambled to defend themselves. Without hesitation, I grabbed Fu Yating by the waist and leaped backward, distancing us from the chaos.

    "We should really run," Fu Yating said, her voice devoid of the teasing tone from earlier. This time, she was deadly serious.

    "Agreed," I said, keeping my voice as steady as I could. Without another word, I crouched, plunging my hand into the icy snow. The cold bit at my skin.

    Dark, inky symbols emerged from the snow, unfurling like living shadows. They twisted and curled with a will of their own, forming intricate patterns that stretched outward in a widening radius. The cultivators around us instinctively stepped back, careful not to disturb the markings. Only Fu Yating stood still, unflinching.

    I glanced up at her. Her face was expressionless, yet a bead of sweat rolled down her cheek. Her gaze held an intensity I rarely saw.

    Was she scared? Perhaps. She was human, after all. The thought struck me as ironic. If Fu Yating wasn''t orchestrating some grand scheme beyond my understanding, then she''d made a series of questionable decisions that now loomed over her like death, sharpening its scythe.

    A faint mist rose from the dark markings, barely perceptible at first. The air shimmered as though reality itself bent and wavered around the array. A low hum of power began to build, growing louder with each passing moment. Everything paused for an instant; the battlefield, the thundering clouds above, and even the chaotic winds were suspended in unnatural stillness.

    A sudden, sharp pull tore through me, draining my Qi at an alarming rate. My veins burned, the strain unlike anything I had ever endured. Yet the array continued.

    The mist solidified, taking form above the battlefield. A massive translucent purple platform materialized, glowing faintly with ethereal light. It stretched across the battlefield, its sheer size casting a violet hue over the chaos below.

    The drain on my Qi was immense. This array was designed for one purpose: to absorb lightning. It operated with brutal efficiency, siphoning energy from any lightning-based attack. Logic dictated that someone expending Qi to create lightning would tire far faster than I would maintaining the array.

    But logic didn''t bridge the vast chasm between Core Formation and Foundation Establishment. That gap was insurmountable; a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators would struggle to take down even one Core Formation opponent.

    "Storms beyond, I call. Lightning, bend and break. I want your power, love your fury, your core. Thunder, freeze! Thunder Absorption Array!"

    The chant felt cringe-worthy, the hand seals tedious, but I pressed on, trying to mitigate the cost of the array. It wasn''t enough. Cracks spiderwebbed across the barrier within seconds, the strain too great.

    Then it came, the lightning bolt. A colossal, searing streak of energy that struck the array with earth-shattering force. The barrier shattered like glass, unable to withstand the raw power. Before it dissipated completely, I redirected the absorbed energy toward the mountain.

    The Qi was volatile, more than I could control. My last-minute effort only partially succeeded; the energy surged into the mountainside, sparking a thunderous explosion.

    The mountain groaned, tremors rippling through its massive frame. Rocks tumbled, cracks spread, and snow began to shift. For a moment, I thought I''d succeeded in collapsing the cavern. But the structure held firm, defying my efforts.

    My heart sank. All that Qi, all that effort... wasted.

    Then I saw it. A cascade of snow, ice, and debris slid down the mountain. It wasn''t a cave-in, but an avalanche, a massive, unstoppable wave that thundered down the slope. The snowy tide swallowed the battlefield, crashing into the monstrous beasts and sealing the cavern''s entrance beneath its crushing weight.

    My breath caught as I watched. How much snow had fallen? How heavy was it? I couldn''t say. How much did snow weigh? I never thought about it!

    As the avalanche of snow crashed down on the wolves, a tense silence fell over the battlefield. No one seemed to know what to do next.

    I wasn''t sure what the next move should be. If I were in charge, I''d have ordered a retreat. But...

    I took a step back, scanning the faces of the cultivators around me.

    "I''m going to prepare another array. Make sure to guard me," I said, my voice steady despite the uncertainty gnawing at me.

    Fu Yating trailed silently behind, tugging at her robes as if trying to shrink into herself. She was clearly trying to appear inconspicuous, though she wasn''t succeeding.

    The snow crunched beneath our feet as we moved farther from the rear group of the army, stopping only once we were about fifty feet away.

    Fu Yating, no doubt, understood the significance of our position. If things went south, this was where we''d make our escape.

    As for the excuse I''d given the other cultivators about preparing an array? Maybe I''d follow through on it. For now, it was a way to keep anyone from thinking this was their chance to backstab me. I wanted to remind them I was still useful in this fight.

    "It seems like the Thunder Wolf King has reached Core Formation," I told Fu Yating, the only person nearby. "I think it''s a recent breakthrough, and the beast seems injured. Perhaps it was hurt during the process. It''s likely weaker than a typical Core Formation-level beast."

    An uncomfortable silence followed as Fu Yating stared ahead.

    Could she see the battle from this distance? As a Body Tempering cultivator, that would be impressive unless she had some kind of technique to enhance her vision.

    "What are your thoughts on this?" I asked, breaking the silence.

    "It feels... strange," she said finally. "Seeing something barely at the Core Formation realm causing so much trouble. Core Formation cultivators weren''t even considered rare in the Azure Frost Sect. They handled menial tasks like organizing inner sect tournaments."

    I nodded, understanding her perspective all too well.

    This was why I''d never want to lead a small organization like the Liu Clan. A single Core Formation cultivator could crush entire clans with minimal effort.

    I shifted uncomfortably as some cultivators approached the snow-covered cavern. If the Thunder Wolf King had only recently reached Core Formation, it made sense why it hadn''t attacked earlier. But if it had achieved this level long ago...

    What if the Thunder Wolf King had kept humans alive, not out of mercy, but as a convenient food source for winter? Humans were, after all, self-sustaining livestock; feeding, watering, and herding themselves behind walls.

    If that were true, then we were well and truly screwed. Worse, it might mean the Thunder Wolf King had fought another Core Formation beast and was injured in the process. That beast could still be lurking nearby.

    "What a shitty, complicated situation," I muttered under my breath, glancing at Fu Yating.

    How was I supposed to handle this?

    "What do you think about striking a deal?" I asked her.

    "Hm?" Fu Yating turned toward me, her expression curious.

    I was confident I could escape this mess if I had to, even with my depleted Qi reserves. But I had a family to think about. No matter how this played out, there was a good chance the Liu Clan might lose everything.

    "If the Fu Clan wins, can you guarantee my parents'' safety?" I asked, leaving the rest of my proposal unspoken.

    Fu Yating''s eyes glinted with cunning as she smiled. "And what will you give me in return?"

    "I''ll try my best to spare your life when the time comes," I offered bluntly.

    "Just my life?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

    She''d caught the subtext; I hadn''t promised anything more than a vague attempt.

    "I could offer to spare your whole family if the Liu Clan wins," I said with a shrug, "But..."

    I left the sentence hanging. Fu Yating was intelligent enough to understand that anything beyond what I''d already offered would be an empty promise.

    "Honestly, I don''t even care much about my family," she admitted. "They''ve shown their true colors recently, and I''m not in a forgiving mood. Besides, my family is the clan head''s family, unlike yours. Asking you to spare them is impossible."

    She wasn''t wrong.

    "Even sparing my cultivation would be a stretch if the Liu Clan wins," she added.

    I hadn''t considered that. It seemed Fu Yating had thought this through more than I had. Perhaps she''d anticipated something like this from the start.

    "Well," I said, keeping my tone deliberately vague, "We''ll see."

    "Just make sure to act dramatic," she said with a smirk.

    "You too," I replied. "In case the Fu Clan wins this."

    "They won''t," she said, chuckling softly.

    Her laughter sent a chill through me, sharper than the cold wind.

    What was wrong with her? Had she lost her mind?

    Still, I kept my face impassive, raising a questioning brow. "Why do you think they won''t?"

    "Because the Liu Clan has you here," she said.

    For some reason, her words felt heavier than they should have. The chill in the air seemed sharper as I turned my gaze back to the battlefield.

    Whatever plans we made were just speculations. Ultimately, we might all be wiped out, rendering clan conflicts meaningless.

 Chapter 231: Do It Like Dark Souls!

    A growl-like groan echoed from the now-buried cavern. Low and resonant, it was more felt than heard. The avalanche had worked well, smothering the cavern entrance beneath a crushing mass of ice and debris.

    The snow trembled. It shifted in small, irregular pulses as though something immense was struggling against its weight. That was probably the case.

    However, it wasn''t the Core Formation monstrous beast that broke through the snow pile covering the cavern''s entrance. Instead, two Foundation Establishment wolves and a dozen others surged forward, attacking the human army. Seeing that the Thunder Wolf King wasn''t making a move, the clan cultivators seemed overjoyed. What remained of their forces quickly slaughtered the advancing pack.

    After triggering the avalanche, my role on the battlefield was over. I stood at a safe distance, waiting for the battle to play out. I had created such a gap between myself and the front lines that the scene was barely visible, even with my enhanced eyesight.

    ...

    The battle against the thunder wolves raged for hours, a brutal and bloody affair. Still, we killed far more of theirs than they killed of ours.

    When the main battle was over, the mound of snow at the cavern''s entrance shuddered. The Thunder Wolf King poked its massive head out. For a moment, everyone froze, holding their breath.

    But the terrifying presence it once commanded was gone. The Thunder Wolf King looked tired and worn, its eyes hollow as it surveyed the corpses littering the field, wolves that may well have been its descendants.

    There was a strangely human glint in its gaze, just for a moment. It made me wonder if diplomacy with monstrous beasts could have been an option. But the thought vanished as quickly as it came. The weak don''t dictate how the world works, and while I wasn''t powerless in this region, I lacked the strength to impose my will on traditions older than I could imagine.

    I wasn''t heroic enough to risk my life over such things.

    Too many had lost loved ones to Thunder Wolves. Even if I were a Core Formation powerhouse, no one who had lost a father, mother, or sibling would listen to me.

    Despite being pushed to the brink of death, the Thunder Wolf King dragged its massive, battered body through the snow. Each labored movement carved deep trenches in the icy ground, draining what little stamina it had left. Yet its eyes burned with defiance, and the immense reservoir of Qi within it hummed like a barely contained storm. Even in this state, it radiated enough power to devastate the clans.

    As it emerged fully into the pale light, the reason for its delayed appearance became horrifyingly clear. The shadows of the cavern had concealed the extent of its injuries. Its hindquarters were a grotesque ruin. Where its tail might have swayed, there was now only a mangled stump. Both hind legs ended above the knees, the flesh shredded as though gnawed through. The snow beneath it was streaked with blood and dark ichor oozing from infected wounds that festered across its lower body.

    The horror didn''t end there. As it dragged itself forward, the jagged outline of its hip bone became visible, flesh gnawed down to bare structure. Its left ribcage was nearly exposed, the faint rise and fall of its breath offering glimpses of its pulsating organs. A sickly, dark rot spread across its abdomen, so advanced it was a miracle the beast still lived.

    And yet, it was fucking alive. Even broken and mutilated, it refused to yield, dragging its ruined body forward as if to remind us that death itself would have to fight to claim it. Perhaps only our deaths would quench its rage.

    Damn, monstrous beasts could endure punishment far beyond what cultivators could. But at such immense size, they also had their drawbacks. They struggled to find enough sustenance to heal. Unlike human cultivators, they had no pills to repair their bodies in hours or minutes in some cases.

    ...

    The battle against the Thunder Wolf King dragged on for hours, though calling it a "battle" felt far too generous for us. It was more like a desperate struggle to survive a dying beast''s wrath.

    Bolts of lightning split the sky, blinding flashes followed by deafening roars. The snow became a chaotic battlefield of light and shadow. The ground shook with every impact, and cultivators fell in droves, unable to withstand the sheer force of its Qi-infused strikes. Each swing of its claws and blast of its lightning breath tore through our ranks, leaving devastation in its wake.

    For all our planning and numbers, we were little more than prey to the Thunder Wolf King, scattered like leaves in a storm. Even as it limped and dragged itself forward, the beast commanded the battlefield, slaughtering everyone it could reach. The air reeked of burnt flesh and blood, the pristine snow churned into a crimson-streaked ruin.

    Still, it fought, determined to take as many of us as possible. It wasn''t a battle; it was a massacre.

    What should have been an assertive outing to eradicate the Thunder Wolves had turned into a disaster. All sides had suffered heavy casualties. Fewer than half of us remained, and that didn''t include the injured or dying.

    Even from my distant vantage point, I could almost hear the groans and cries of the wounded.

    I might have called for a cautious retreat if it had been my decision. But who could say that was the right choice? Leaving the Thunder Wolf King alive would have been disastrous.

    Yet, this grim situation reminded me of Whitewall Town and the monstrous beasts I defended it against... I hated pyrrhic victories.

    In this world, I had learned the hard way that even in victory, the bitterness of defeat was never far behind. I had yet to experience an absolute victory, a moment of pure triumph to drown in. There were always strings attached. Every gain came at the cost of something.

    Sadly, I couldn''t dwell on the thought. The battlefield was far from safe, and indulgent introspection would have to wait.

    "By the way, if you don''t keep your side of the bargain, I''ll do my best to come and kill you," I said to Fu Yating, my tone calm, my eyes fixed on the battlefield.

    "Don''t worry," Fu Yating replied, waving off my warning. "I have everything planned. After you run, I''ll tell my clan we''re holding your parents hostage so you can''t retaliate."

    That was... actually a good idea. She really had thought this through.

    And yes, I knew she wasn''t just using the excuse of holding my parents hostage. She''d genuinely be holding them hostage.

    "I don''t want them mistreated," I reminded her.

    "Of course," she said lightly. "They''re my parents-in-law, after all. And besides, they''re more valuable that way for the plan and in a more practical sense. Since you''re kind of unpredictable and scary."

    At least she was being honest. Though, if she was this outspoken about something like this, I wondered what she was hiding.

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    No, it was likely intentional. She''d probably guessed I''d figure out her true intentions and mentioned them as a gesture of goodwill.

    Dealing with clever people was both refreshing and infuriating.

    I sighed, scratching my cheek.

    Still, I preferred to handle things on my own terms. If it came to it, I''d ensure Wu Yan, Speedy, and my parents were out of harm''s way.

    "As your wife, may I speak presumptuously just this once?" Fu Yating asked.

    Why was she asking permission now when she''d been speaking her mind freely this whole time?

    "Hm?" I glanced at her. "Go ahead. I''m not here to stop you."

    "If the Liu Clan loses today, what are the chances the rest of the other two clans�� members survive?" she asked.

    How did she guess that? Did she already see through my intentions?

    Two possibilities came to mind. The first was that she was a regressor, somehow aware of how this would play out. But that seemed unlikely since she would''ve taken advantage of more opportunities and grown stronger. Unless it was a recent development.

    The second possibility was more plausible: she had a natural instinct for reading situations like this. Unfortunately for her, intellectual genius didn''t carry much weight in this world. Not without the strength to back it up.

    "I think you''re giving me too much credit," I said.

    In the distance, the Thunder Wolf King''s colossal body finally collapsed into the blood-soaked snow. A collective cheer erupted from the surviving soldiers, a raw, unrestrained clamor of relief and triumph that shattered the battlefield''s tension. Men and women embraced, their faces streaked with blood, sweat, and tears, their breath visible in the cold air. They shook not with fear but with the overwhelming reality of survival.

    Some crossed clan boundaries, clasping arms and hugging warriors they had considered rivals days ago. It was an unprecedented sight with clan members standing united, not through alliance or diplomacy, but by the shared belief that death had been a breath away.

    Yet, scattered among the celebration were those who mourned. Faces etched with grief knelt beside the fallen, their quiet sobs and whispered farewells a stark counterpoint to the cheers. Close friends, siblings, and parents lay still in the snow, lifeless reminders of what had been lost. Most had nothing more than mangled corpses to cry over.

    But mourning would have to wait. The battlefield was still dangerous, and survival demanded focus. Those who grieved clenched their fists, swallowed their pain, and stood again, locking their sorrow deep within.

    "C''mon," Fu Yating pouted, drawing me back. "Let''s be honest."

    Her calm demeanor bordered on callous, though it was hard to tell if she genuinely didn''t care about her clan or was just good at pretending.

    My plan involved an enhanced lightning array, designed to kill large groups at once. But with my clan members among them, I couldn''t risk using it. Not that I intended to share this detail, even if she might have guessed it.

    "How about you start by being honest first?" I asked. "You don''t expect me to believe you''d let your family go so easily, do you?"

    Fu Yating blinked, thought for a moment, then shrugged. "You can believe whatever you want. As for what I want..."

    Her best-case scenario was the Fu Clan winning. The second best was all the clans destroying each other.

    I glanced at her, then turned back to the battlefield.

    The uneasy alliance among the clans had dissolved the moment the Thunder Wolf King fell. Old grudges and bloodlust took over. Warriors who had fought side by side now butchered one another ruthlessly, their blades clashing and Qi flaring in vibrant light.

    The air was thick with the sound of battle, shouts of fury, cries of pain, and the visceral clash of steel on steel. Chaos reigned, and the fragile unity shattered as if it had never existed. The snow, already stained crimson, churned into a blood-soaked mire as the carnage spread.

    "Nobody loves me in this world," Fu Yating said at last, her voice low. "My father, who I once thought cared about me, abandoned me the moment it became inconvenient to love me. My clan has turned its back on me, and my own mother doesn''t even ask how I''m doing, not even after I went through a major injury."

    She snorted, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "So, how do you think I feel? Fucking amazing. I''d feel even better if everyone got to killing each other faster."

    That was... a lot. Why was she saying this now? What did she stand to gain? By now, she should have realized that trying to confuse me was pointless. Still, I didn''t dwell on the thought for long.

    The scent of blood wafted uphill, and the snow turned an even deeper shade of crimson.

    "I''m feeling kind of lonely right now," Fu Yating said suddenly, tears rolling down her cheeks. "So if you give me a hug or something, just know I''m a prime target for emotional manipulation."

    She was crying? That... surprised me. She seemed genuinely upset.

    "Damn," she grumbled, wiping her tears on her sleeve. "Saying it out loud makes it feel so much more real."

    "Well," I said, placing a hand on her shoulder and trying to ease the tension, "Since this seems like the perfect time to enact some emotional manipulation..."

    As for hugging her? Not even in her dreams. Whether she was being honest or not didn''t matter. What mattered was that this could all be an elaborate act designed to make me let my guard down. After all, she had to know I had my own plans if the Liu Clan lost today.

    "Don''t worry, my dear fiance?e. Even if no one out there cares about you, I will," I said lightly.

    "At least try to lie convincingly, you bastard," she grumbled, brushing my hand off her shoulder. Then, to my surprise, she stepped forward and lightly rested her forehead against my chest.

    I might''ve thought it was an attack if she hadn''t done it so softly. Of course, I''d already activated a paper-thin jade barrier around myself, with a texture almost indistinguishable from skin. If she noticed it, she didn''t say anything.

    "You know," she murmured, her voice muffled against my shirt, "right now, I wouldn''t feel sad if there was even one person out there who actually cared about me."

    "Yes, yes. Don''t worry, I love you," I replied, this time making an effort to sound sincere.

    We both knew it was bullshit. But on the off chance that her feelings were genuine, I decided to show her a sliver of kindness... to soften the blow of what was coming. Because, deep down, we both knew how this would end.

    I rubbed the top of her head, and her back in what I hoped came off as comforting. Hopefully, it didn''t come off as creepy.

    ...

    By the time the sun set, the sky was painted in hues of crimson. The smell of blood lingered in the air, mingling with the sharp cold as snowflakes continued to fall. The winner had been decided: the Liu Clan had emerged victorious.

    I approached the battlefield, grimacing at the scene before me.

    At the center of the carnage stood the Liu Clan Head, surrounded by frantic healers. His once-pristine robes were now tattered and soaked in blood, the crimson stark against the gray fabric. A jagged wound marred his side, and though Qi-infused hands worked tirelessly to stem the bleeding, it refused to stop.

    Despite his injury, his voice remained firm as he issued orders to those around him. Some nodded and hurried off to carry out his commands, while others stayed by his side, their hands glowing faintly as they worked to stabilize him.

    It was a severe injury, but he would survive. Cultivators, while not as resilient as monstrous beasts, could endure far more than ordinary humans.

    He was faring far better than the Fu Clan Leader, whose body was being dismembered, his head stuffed into a cloth sack. The Liu Clan planned to use it as a forewarning when they attacked the Fu Clan''s cities.

    The Jie Clan Leader wasn''t much better off. He lay on the ground, missing an arm, with only a handful of followers tending to him.

    "Please save our Clan Leader," one Jie Clan member begged, groveling at the feet of a Liu Clan warrior.

    Their pleas fell on deaf ears. The Liu Clan showed no mercy, taking advantage of the Jie Clan''s vulnerability to launch another attack. Not that the remnants of the Jie Clan could have resisted even if they wanted to.

    Despite their victory, the Liu Clan was in shambles. The losses had been heavy, and even the smallest misstep now could spell disaster.

    This wasn''t how I had envisioned things. While I''d given the Liu Clan a sixty percent chance of victory thanks to the Earth Grade Techniques we''d brought from the Blazing Sun Sect, the presence of the Core Formation beast had upended all my calculations.

    Normally, those techniques would minimize casualties, especially at the Qi Gathering stage. But with the Thunder Wolf King in the picture, all those plans had been rendered meaningless.

 Chapter 232: The Compromise

    Liu Bo stood to the side, clutching his mangled arm with a trembling hand. His face was pale, and a sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead despite the biting cold. His left arm hung at an unnatural angle, broken in multiple places, with jagged bone piercing through torn flesh. Blood seeped steadily from the wound, staining the snow beneath him in dark, uneven splotches.

    His breaths came in ragged gasps, each one shaking as though his body might give out at any moment. He muttered a curse under his breath, his voice cracking, his expression shifting between fury and despair. Tears threatened to fall, but he swallowed them back, forcing himself to stand tall. The stubborn remnants of pride refused to let him collapse in front of the others.

    Still, he moved to stand beside Liu Nu, the elder, without making a sound. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead as his breathing quickened, each inhale an effort to distract himself from the searing pain.

    But it was futile. Liu Bo glanced down at his arm and winced. It no longer even resembled a limb, just a mangled, fleshy wreck.

    Where was his finger? His elbow? The damage was so severe it was hard to tell.

    This wasn��t just a simple heavy injury. It might not kill him outright, but if it didn��t heal properly... could it even heal properly? At best, he��d get back something resembling an arm. But even that would cut down on the power he could exert in his left arm.

    He didn��t regret using the arm to block that attack; it had saved his life against some Jie Clan member. But the price... He bit his lip, stifling a groan. Would he ever be able to break through to Foundation Establishment now? Probably not... fuck...

    Heavy injuries like this were no small matter for cultivators. Their body and Qi were the bedrock of their growth. Without them, advancement was nearly impossible. Unless they were important higher-ups from one of those big clans to ensure a perfect recovery, the odds were slim that this wound would heal right.

    ��Take the prisoners and tie them up,�� Liu Nu commanded.

    The few uninjured members of the Liu Clan sprang into action, binding the injured from the Fu and Jie Clans. The others seemed to have surrendered without further resistance, acknowledging their overwhelming defeat. Some tried to resist, but they were too injured to do anything.

    The cost of victory had been high. Fewer than half of the Liu Clan remained standing, and most of those bore wounds of their own. Yet even so, Liu Bo couldn��t suppress a wild, almost delirious urge to laugh. After all, the other clans also had similar numbers! This showed how great the Liu Clan was, and this was only the beginning!

    They had won! With the other clans defeated, nothing could hold the Liu Clan back. They would become a local powerhouse, and who could say how much further they might rise? One day, either Liu Feng or Liu Qian might even claim the position of Sect Leader.

    He had always thought Liu Qian would make the better leader. Her dedication to the clan was obvious to anyone with eyes, in stark contrast to the aloofness of cousin Liu Feng. But today had shifted his perspective. Liu Feng��s seeming indifference didn��t make him a weaker leader. The harsh truth was that even his half-assed efforts might surpass Liu Qian.

    Today, Liu Feng��s actions turned the tide against a monstrous Core Formation beast. As much as Liu Bo loved Liu Qian, she was like a sister to him, and her support in the Blazing Sun Sect had been priceless. But he couldn��t ignore the harsh truth. For the future of the Liu Clan, Liu Feng had proven himself the stronger candidate by far.

    It didn��t take long for the cultivators from the other clans to be bound with chains, ropes, or whatever the Liu Clan had at hand. By the injured Clan Head��s orders, the prisoners were forced to their knees.

    Some of them wept openly, their eyes fixed on the corpses of fallen comrades. Many of the survivors were around Liu Bo��s age, and their looks of despair struck a deep chord within him. He understood all too well what they must be feeling. If he were in their place and if Liu Heng, Liu Qian, Liu Feng, or the twins had died, he knew he��d wear the same haunted expression.

    They were experiencing what had haunted his dreams before the battle.

    ��Please, find Jie Ma,�� a young woman cried, her voice trembling with desperation. ��I beg you. He��s my brother, my little brother... He wasn��t even supposed to be here.��

    She looked to be in her mid-twenties, her clothes torn from the battle. One side of her tunic had been ripped away, exposing her breast, but she didn��t seem to notice or care about her modesty.

    Liu Bo felt a sharp twist in his stomach, like a knife being driven deeper. When he had imagined the Liu Clan��s victory, this wasn��t the scene he had envisioned.

    But the pleas fell on deaf ears. The Clan Head, his voice cold and unyielding, gave the order, ��Slit their throats.��

    Liu Bo froze, his body stiff as stone. His mangled arm spared him from carrying out the grisly task, but that was little comfort. As the others carried out the executions, Liu Bo couldn��t look away.

    He stared into the eyes of their captives, young and old, men and women. Some begged, their voices breaking, while others spat curses at their killers. A few looked calm and not bothered by their deaths. But no matter, the blades slashed from one ear, across the jugular, and then to the other ear. Their throats were split the same, no matter what they felt or said. Blood sprayed out in arcs, soaking the crimson-stained snow a deeper, darker red.

    This wasn��t how revenge was supposed to feel, Liu Bo thought. In his dreams, it had been triumphant, even sweet. But standing here now, surrounded by the dead and dying, all he felt was a hollow ache.

    His gaze landed on the woman who had begged for her younger brother. She lay face-down in the bloody snow; her lifeless body had landed on the ground unnaturally. Red seeped from the gash in her throat, pooling beneath her. Her mouth hung open as though frozen mid-plea and her tear-streaked face was locked in an expression of horror. The despair that had once burned in her eyes was gone, replaced by emptiness.

    ��Are you okay?��

    The voice startled Liu Bo out of his thoughts. He turned to see Liu Feng standing beside him, his expression unreadable. There wasn��t a scratch on him; his pristine clothes and calm demeanor made him seem almost detached from the carnage around them.

    ��Yes... just thinking,�� Liu Bo replied, his voice low.

    ��Just thinking?�� Liu Feng raised a brow. ��What about your arm? I��m no expert, but that doesn��t look like an easy injury to heal. We might need to head back to the Blazing Sun Sect. They��ll need to restructure the damaged bones, and you��ll probably need a healing pill to recover fully.��

    Liu Bo had almost forgotten about his arm until Liu Feng mentioned it. The searing pain, which he had managed to push aside, flared back to life, crawling up his arm and making his breath hitch.

    ��Well, take care of yourself,�� Liu Feng said, his tone neutral. He turned his attention to the rest of the clan, or more precisely, the Clan Head who was being hastily patched up just enough to stand.

    "What should we do next, Clan Leader?" one of the elders asked.

    "First, we need to move out of here," the Clan Head said, forcing himself to stand. His movements were slow, and each one staining his bandages deeper red. "The smell of blood will attract monstrous beasts, and we can''t handle another attack."

    "We should move into the forest," another elder suggested. "The trees will provide cover, even from flying beasts."

    There wasn''t much more discussion after that. The group began moving quickly. The Clan Head gave no orders about what to do with the dead, but some, unable to abandon their loved ones, carried the corpses on their backs.

    Liu Bo wished he could do the same, especially for some people he had been closer to during this journey. He wanted to ensure the families of his fallen clanmates had bodies to bury. But with his mangled arm and other minor injuries, he knew he didn''t have the luxury. So, with many heavy hearts, a large number of the corpses of those who had died from the Liu Clan were left behind.

    As they entered the forest and the battlefield faded behind them, Liu Feng walked beside Liu Bo. His gaze flitted around, sharp and calculating, as though memorizing every shadow, movement, and trim detail.

    "Publicly, we''ll declare that the monstrous beasts killed everyone," the Clan Head announced, leaning heavily against a tree. Blood dripped steadily from his wounds, staining the snow at his feet. Healers surrounded him, pleading for him to rest, but he waved them off. Liu Bo understood why; the Clan Head couldn''t afford to show weakness at a time like this.

    "We can''t have the people we''re going to rule fearing us," the Clan Head continued, his voice firm despite his obvious pain.

    Then his tone sharpened, ringing with authority. "And from today onward, the Liu Clan has no rivals! We will eliminate the remnants of the Fu and Jie Clans!"

    The words sent a surge of adrenaline through Liu Bo. His heart pounded faster as he clenched his good hand into a fist. His parents had been victims of the rivalry between the three clans. When the Liu Clan rose to dominate the region, no more families would be shattered by the Fu and Jie Clans. No more orphans. No more tragedies like his own.

    Heck, even deaths from monstrous beasts were going to become rare after this!

    Liu Bo felt a rush of excitement that made him feel lighter despite the ache in his body.

    But as the main discussions wrapped up, the group''s attention shifted. All eyes turned toward a girl standing quietly near Liu Feng, trying to appear invisible.

    Oh, right. Fu Yating. She was from the Fu Clan.

    Liu Bo��s gaze lingered on her. She looked harmless, small, and unassuming in the shadow of the others. Despite her lineage, Liu Bo couldn''t help but feel a pang of pity for the girl. Fu Yating was known for her gentle nature. Unlike many of her clan, she never flaunted her status or behaved arrogantly. She had always been helpful and kind.

    And now, she stood alone, the weight of her family''s fall pressing down on her shoulders.

    "What should we do with her?" one of the elders asked, voicing the question on everyone''s mind.

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    "Her marriage to my grandson is useless now," said Liu Feng''s grandfather.

    "She''s talented," another elder suggested. "She could still be used to birth the next generation of the Liu Clan."

    "As if I''d allow my seed to mix with Fu Clan scum!" Liu Feng''s grandfather retorted sharply.

    "She''s with the Fu Clan. She needs to be eliminated," someone declared.

    "Agreed," another elder chimed in. Soon, the majority consensus was clear: Fu Yating was too dangerous to be kept alive. It wasn''t her gentle demeanor they feared but her lineage.

    "As the Fu Clan Head''s daughter, any remnants would rally around her," one elder pointed out. And with that, the decision was made.

    "It would be an honor for me to do the job," a young cultivator offered eagerly. He looked to be in his mid-twenties, a one-star Qi Gathering cultivator. Liu Bo recognized the hunger in his eyes and the desperation to prove his worth. Judging by his relatively uninjured state, the young man had contributed little in the earlier battle. Unless your name was Liu Feng, no one could come out of this battlefield uninjured when they were only Qi Gathering Cultivators.

    The young cultivator stepped forward, unsheathing a large knife. His expression was serene as he approached Fu Yating. But when he was no more than half a dozen steps away, Liu Feng moved between them.

    "What are you doing?" Liu Feng asked.

    "I''m going to kill her," he answered, confused as to why Liu Feng was stopping him.

    "This is for the best," Liu Feng''s grandfather interjected. "We won''t defile her body. A quick cut to the throat, and it will be over."

    From the corner of his eye, Liu Bo saw Fu Yating. She stood behind Liu Feng, staring numbly at the snow. Her pale face betrayed her fear, and silent tears rolled down her cheeks, glistening against her ashen skin. She didn''t make a sound, but her anguish was palpable.

    "She is my fiance?e," Liu Feng said evenly, his voice slicing through the tense air.

    "We''ll find you another fiance?e," an elder replied, gesturing toward the young cultivator with the knife. "Get on with it. Let''s not drag this out and make it harder for Liu Feng."

    The young man nodded and took another step forward. Liu Feng''s presence didn''t deter him, at least, not yet.

    Then it happened.

    A dark, ominous glint flickered in Liu Feng''s eyes like an endless black void devoid of emotion. An oppressive, murderous aura exploded from him, heavy and suffocating. The young cultivator froze mid-step, his knuckles whitening around the knife''s hilt.

    The air grew colder. Snow swirled around Liu Feng, and even the nearby trees seemed to wither in his presence.

    "If anyone touches her," Liu Feng said, his voice eerily calm, "I will murder them."

    The weight of his words crushed the air from Liu Bo''s lungs. He froze, unable to move. He had faced overwhelming pressure before, but this... this was different.

    It wasn''t just the murderous intent. It was the feeling behind it, something primal, suffocating, and disturbingly familiar. Tendrils of imaginary crimson darkness seemed to ripple outward from Liu Feng. For a fleeting moment, the dark aura twisted and warped, and Liu Bo''s breath caught.

    The figure cloaked in that malevolent darkness... overlapped with someone else. A memory. A dark-haired woman with her cruel, piercing blue eyes staring into his soul.

    Even though the forest was silent, Liu Bo could hear a scream-like maddening laughter echoing in his mind. The space between illusion and reality blurred.

    Suddenly, everything about Liu Feng''s relationship with her made perfect sense.

    Liu Bo had always wondered how his bookish cousin had gotten along with someone so violently opposite. One was obsessed with reading, the other with killing. Now he realized the truth; beneath Liu Feng''s composed exterior was a vein of malice. If it came down to it, Liu Feng wouldn''t hesitate to kill everyone here just to have his way. The studious cousin wasn''t as studious as he seemed.

    The Foundation Establishment cultivators were the first to recover from the oppressive bloodlust, and their experience helped them to steel themselves. Liu Bo had the advantage of experiencing this multiple times, and at much higher doses since he had seen Song Song release it a couple of times. But even he could tell this wasn''t a bluff.

    This release of bloodlust showed that he would fight anyone who went against his wishes.

    Under normal circumstances, this wouldn''t have been a big deal. Liu Feng was just a Qi Gathering cultivator, after all. But everyone here had seen what he was capable of with his arrays. Most were injured and unwilling to risk wasting their energy fighting one of their own.

    The elders stared at Liu Feng, who met their gazes with unsettling calm. Liu Bo could see the unease in their expressions. They were all thinking the same thing; Liu Feng wouldn''t act this boldly unless he had a plan. Likely, an array was already prepared to back up his confidence.

    "I know what you''re all thinking," Liu Feng began, his voice low and controlled. "But Fu Yating is more useful to us alive than dead. A known enemy is better than an unknown one. If the Liu Clan ever faces an uprising, any revolutionaries will rally around her. And she''ll be here, in our grasp, where we can watch her every move. Let her be the face of rebellion, one we control. Also, who knows if she has connections in the Azure Frost Sect..."

    Liu Bo disagreed with that first part, but that last sentence made him weary. Usually, he wouldn''t take such things at face value since the chances of someone like them making connections with others from the higher-ups were slim to none. But Liu Feng was the best example they had right before them; if something happened to Liu Feng, that crazy woman might just wipe out the three clans and the whole region of all life.

    Liu Feng''s words hung heavy in the air as he met the Clan Head''s gaze. Their silent exchange stretched for a long, tense moment.

    Finally, the Clan Head broke the silence. "I agree to your request," he said, his voice heavy with authority. "But know this, Liu Feng, you will take full responsibility for her. If she betrays us or acts against the clan, the consequences will fall on you."

    "I accept," Liu Feng replied. "And if I even suspect treachery, I will deal with her myself."

    With that, the suffocating murderous intent dissipated, leaving behind an almost unsettling calm. Liu Bo exhaled, only now realizing he''d been holding his breath. But as he looked at Liu Feng, he couldn''t shake the unease. There was something off about his cousin''s calm demeanor, something that felt unnatural and deeply unsettling.

    It was... creepy.

    Still, Liu Bo understood why the elders relented. Liu Feng''s contributions to the battle were invaluable, and his arrays turned the tide against impossible odds. Few were willing to challenge the compromise the Clan Head had proposed.

    "We still need to cripple her cultivation," Liu Feng''s grandfather said, his voice laced with adamant disapproval. Of all the elders, he seemed the most opposed to sparing Fu Yating.

    "What cultivation?" Liu Feng asked dryly. "She''s a Body Tempering cultivator. She hasn''t even gathered Qi to crush her spiritual roots."

    "Then we''ll cripple her physically," Liu Nu interjected. "We can''t take the risk of her breaking through later."

    Liu Feng frowned, but his grandfather cut him off before he could speak. "This is not up for debate, Liu Feng."

    Liu Feng sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly in resignation.

    "Fine," he said. "Then I''ll do it myself."

    Before anyone could react, Liu Nu moved at an incredible speed. The only sign of his movement was the wind brushing against Liu Bo��s hair. His figure blurred, leaving an afterimage as he appeared before Fu Yating.

    Liu Bo turned just in time to see the grand elder��s palm strike Fu Yating��s stomach, Qi surging through her body like a storm. Purple veins crawled beneath her skin, spreading like cracks in porcelain. She coughed up blood, her eyes rolling back as her body began to collapse.

    Liu Bo glanced at his cousin. Liu Feng��s expression hadn��t changed. Despite his earlier threats, he seemed unfazed by his demands being ignored.

    Before Fu Yating could hit the snow, Liu Feng appeared beside her, catching her effortlessly in a princess carry. His gaze lingered on her pale, blood-streaked face.

    Liu Bo couldn��t help but wonder what was going through his cousin��s mind.

    The elders stood tense, bracing for an outburst. Still, Liu Feng remained unnervingly calm, as if this outcome had been within his expectations.

    ��From today onward, Fu Yating is my woman, and no one can touch her,�� Liu Feng declared. His cold eyes shifted to his grandfather. ��I will kill anyone who so much as touches a hair on her head.��

    The air grew heavy, and Liu Bo winced at the weight of the declaration.

    What was his cousin thinking? Fu Yating might have been his fiance?e, but she wasn��t family. There was a vast difference between protecting someone from harm and threatening your own clan over someone from another. Liu Feng��s words marked a line that could not be erased.

    From this moment, Liu Feng had eliminated his chance of ever becoming the Liu Clan Head.

    ��This is quite the heavy declaration, nephew,�� the Clan Head said, straightening despite his injuries. Even pale and bloodied, he exuded a quiet authority.

    ��You murderer! I hate you!�� Fu Yating groaned weakly, her voice filled with anguish.

    The reaction didn��t surprise Liu Bo; it was what anyone would expect from someone in her position. But he couldn��t help but wonder how Liu Feng felt. The woman he had just risked everything to protect was cursing him. Yet, Liu Feng��s face remained cold and impassive, offering no clue to his thoughts.

    ��Family or not,�� Liu Feng said evenly, ��I do not tolerate others touching what is mine. I forgave my grandfather today because he is close family, and I respect him. But I will not swallow my words a second time. From now on, if anyone harms my family or my future wife, do not blame me when I come for their life.��

    Though it was a threat, it didn��t sound like one. Liu Feng spoke with an almost casual calm as if discussing the weather rather than warning his clansmen of potential death.

    The tension hung thick in the air, but there was no time to dwell on Liu Feng��s declarations. The clan had more pressing matters; two other clans still needed to be dealt with, or at least what was left of them.

    ...

    After some deliberation, the Liu Clan forces were divided into three groups. One was sent to attack the remnants of the Fu Clan, another to deal with the Jie Clan, and the injured were ordered to return home. Liu Feng was in charge of the latter group, and Liu Bo accompanied him.

    Despite their exhaustion, there was no time to rest. The groups set off immediately. This wasn''t the safety of a walled city where they could loiter around.

    Liu Bo glanced at the injured members of the group. Their movements were slow and pained, some dragging themselves forward with visible effort. For those who couldn''t walk, Liu Feng had created a translucent green platform, levitating it through the air to carry them. The platform also served as a temporary resting spot for anyone who became too fatigued to continue.

    Maintaining such a construct couldn''t be easy, yet Liu Feng showed no sign of strain. He carried Fu Yating in his arms the entire time as though she were a princess.

    The contrast between his earlier threats and this display of care wasn''t lost on Liu Bo. Watching his cousin now, he couldn''t help but ask, "How do you feel about this whole thing? This war..."

    The cold wind had eased slightly, and with the sun sinking toward the horizon, it was clear they''d need to stop soon and make camp. Liu Feng had already volunteered to handle those preparations and had even wrapped Liu Bo''s arm in several layers of bandages to protect it from the chill.

    "It''s just people killing each other," Liu Feng replied with a shrug. "If I can''t stop it, then I don''t waste time worrying about it. They''re adults; they''ve made their choices. Who am I to coddle them?"

    Liu Bo nodded but found himself unsettled by the answer. As he stared at the distant horizon, he realized he couldn''t be as calm and detached about the situation as his cousin seemed to be.

    A sudden wet, rasping cough broke through his thoughts. Startled, Liu Bo turned toward the sound. It was Fu Yating, still cradled in Liu Feng''s arms.

    Her eyes fluttered open, glassy and unfocused, as she stared at Liu Feng. Her lips curved into a faint smile for a moment as though she were lost in some dreamlike haze.

    Then her eyes widened. Another cough wracked her body, wet and gurgling, the sound unnatural and harsh. Her gaze darted around, taking in her surroundings as though waking from a nightmare. Awareness seemed to hit her all at once, and tears welled up in her eyes.

    Without warning, she began to cry. Weak as she was, she pounded her fists feebly against Liu Feng''s chest, sobbing uncontrollably.

    Liu Bo watched the scene in silence, unsure of what to say or do. It was an uncomfortable, raw moment... one he couldn��t quite tear his eyes away from.

 Chapter 233: The Home

    Chapter 233: The Home

    My "dear" fiance? had a remarkable talent for crying, a skill she exerted constantly during the days it took us to reach Liu Clan''s city. It was annoying, but I got used to it.

    It took us days to reach the city and our home, and for the first time in a while, I let myself relax while dealing with certain things absentmindedly. Liu Bo was there to help me along the way. After a while, I kind of let him deal with everything.

    After settling the injured into the healer''s chambers and taking care of everything that needed immediate attention, I walked with her toward my house. We were alone along the way for the first time in days.

    The moment we were out of sight, Fu Yating stopped crying. Her tears vanished as quickly as they had appeared, wiped away with the sleeve of her robe.

    Before she could speak, I cut her off. "Were you about to laugh as soon as you woke up? To anyone with half a brain, that could have blown our cover."

    "That was days ago. Are you still grumpy about that?" Fu Yating sighed, exasperated. "Also, did you have to squeeze my lungs so hard just to stop me from laughing?"

    When she''d woken up, smiling while I carried her in a princess carry, I squeezed her torso to stop her from making any reckless comments.

    "If I had it my way, I would have crushed your rib cage," I grumbled.

    Letting Fu Yating''s cultivation be crushed wasn''t that bad. It secured my safety and satisfied the clan. It worked for me too. But there was still the matter of face and a reputation to uphold. If people thought I was a pushover, I''d be forced to deal with fools testing my patience.

    If anyone ignored my warnings, I''d have to make an example of them. Kill them, if necessary.

    Tedious work. But necessary. Otherwise every John, Jack, and Jason would be looking for trouble with me.

    After all the trouble I went through, even spouting all that cringe-worthy nonsense about her being my wife...

    "Well," Fu Yating said, "I''ll admit, I thought there was a good chance I wouldn''t wake up after your grandfather broke my cultivation. You could have easily killed me and written it off as an accident. It would''ve made things easier for you."

    "It would have been a strange move after all the effort I went through to save you," I replied. "Only for you to ruin it all with a smile."

    "Can''t a girl just smile and be happy?" she said. "Not everyone has the emotional range of a puppet, like you."

    That was an odd way to frame things.

    Fu Yating had her uses and was part of a piece in a future scheme, but that didn''t mean I trusted her. Not fully... Not at all, really.

    "You know your being here means your family is dead, right?" I stated.

    Fu Yating stopped in her tracks. She turned to me and held my gaze without flinching.

    "I don''t care," she said, shrugging. "Well, I do care, but it doesn''t matter. I have my own problems to deal with. Crying over people who saw me as nothing more than a womb to give away? I''m not that stupid."

    Did something happen with her family to sour that relationship? That worked very well for me, and it was convenient. Almost too convenient.

    Just when I should be worried that grief might drive her to stab me in my sleep, she no longer cared for her family. I didn''t believe in people enough to say everyone loved their family. But convenient things like that? I trusted them even less.

    ��By the way, how is your clan doing?�� she asked.

    ��Why would you need to know something like that?��

    ��Just worried about the future. As you said, after so much effort it would be a shame if everything went down the well. After all, the Liu Clan is weakened, and if some other force came and killed us all...�� She sighed, rubbing her forehead. ��Do you guys even have any plans?��

    ��I have no idea what the Clan Head has planned,�� I said. ��Though I have my own plan if something like that happens.��

    She nodded as we reached the gate of my house and stepped inside the snowy yard. Everything looked as I had left it, and Speedy was still sleeping.

    ��This is your house?�� Fu Yating asked, staring at the large two-story building.

    ��Yes. Why?�� I inquired as we approached the front door.

    ��I don��t know... It seems kind of small,�� she said.

    Wow. I hadn��t expected her to reveal her spoiled, clan-head-daughter tendencies like this.

    ��I mean, you��re clearly a focal point of the Liu Clan. Both in a literal sense and a strategic one,�� she continued. ��You having such a small house just seems... I don��t know...�� r?a?��O??E?s??

    ��A bigger house would serve no purpose,�� I shrugged and knocked on the door.

    Footsteps echoed from inside, followed by the door opening to reveal my mother and father. My father smiled when he saw me, and my mother did the same before tears welled up in her eyes as she hugged me tightly.

    ��My boy. My baby boy is alive!�� she breathed out, holding me with all the strength she could muster.

    ��Mother, Father, I��m back,�� I smiled. ��As you can see, without even a scratch on me.��

    My father��s smile widened, and he turned toward Fu Yating. ��Welcome back, son. It seems you��ve brought a friend.��

    ��Her name is Fu Yating, and she��s my fiance?e,�� I introduced her.

    My father winced, already guessing the circumstances behind such a situation. My mother, on the other hand, seemed purely happy.

    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    ��Oh, dear, she��s pale as a ghost,�� my mother said, releasing me and moving toward Fu Yating. She fussed over her immediately. ��You should eat more. You��re so thin.��

    Fu Yating offered a radiant smile and bowed her head slightly. ��Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, thank you for having me. I apologize for any inconvenience�C��

    ��No worry, dear. You��re not an inconvenience,�� my mother reassured her. ��You��re to be my son��s wife. I��ve always wanted a daughter to spoil!��

    ��Come in. Don��t stay out in the cold,�� my father beckoned us inside.

    As we walked in, I turned around to close the door. At the same time, Fu Yating ��coincidentally�� also turned, and our hands touched. Fu Yating immediately withdrew her hand and blushed like a tomato.

    My parents saw the whole exchange and smiled knowingly.

    Well, at least Fu Yating knew how to act.

    But as she backed off, I leaned in and whispered to her, ��If anything happens to them, you won��t have a pretty death.��

    Usually, I avoided blatant threats, especially around cultivators with keen hearing. But my parents were just regular people.

    Even with my threat, Fu Yating kept her radiant, dreamy smile, blushing like an innocent maiden. If I hadn��t known better, I might have believed her act.

    She gave a brief nod, acknowledging that she��d heard and understood. Her smile didn��t falter as my mother continued fussing over her.

    Meanwhile, my father nudged me with his elbow. ��You have to marry her soon, son. Girls like that are rare nowadays. You might be handsome but with your martial-muscled brain...��

    He shook his head, sighing as he finished his sentence.

    Well, that was encouraging.

    As we walked through the hallways, Wu Yan came down the stairs. She was still wearing her porcelain mask, and unlike my parents, she didn''t seem so worried. She simply nodded my way.

    At least someone in this house believed in my ability to survive. Wu Yan and I had traveled together for a while, and she knew I wouldn''t die so easily. I would simply retreat if it looked like I stood no chance in a fight.

    "Wu Yan, how have you been? How has your training been going?" I asked.

    She nodded, and I turned around to introduce Fu Yating. ��This is Fu Yating, my fiance?e. Fu Yating, this is Wu Yan, my... sister.��

    Fu Yating nodded and offered polite, courteous greetings in line with the persona she was building.

    I leaned in and whispered to Wu Yan, "Be careful around my so-called fiance?e. She''s a master schemer and manipulator."

    Wu Yan nodded. Then, with a few gestures, she indicated she wanted to show me the results of her training, or at least that''s what I thought she meant. With our parents around, she couldn''t generate a mouth on her throat to speak.

    The rest of the day passed calmly, a welcome break from the tedious traveling and fighting we''d been enduring. Fu Yating and my mother talked endlessly while I focused more on Wu Yan and her training. Her progress seemed about as expected.

    ...

    As evening settled in, I lay on my bed in a meditative position, cultivating. The flow of Qi through my spiritual roots was steady, distilling around the stem and gathering at my dantian below my stomach. The sensation was soothing, like drinking ice-cold water on a scorching day, feeling the coolness spread through my body.

    After days spent traveling the cold roads in the snow, resting in a proper bed in a familiar home felt good. Arrays made traveling more convenient, but they couldn''t replace the comfort of home.

    As I was settling into this peaceful rhythm, my door opened. I immediately stopped cultivating and turned my attention to the intruder, someone I might regret saving if she continued to be such a nuisance.

    Fu Yating stood there with a radiant smile plastered on her face. It was the same smile she''d worn while charming my mother, seemingly glued in place. My fiance?e was many things, but she certainly knew how to win over in-laws and act the part of a proper, polite bride.

    "My mother should have prepared a guest room for you," I said, my tone flat.

    Her smile didn''t waver as she responded, "We are husband and wife. We should at least sleep in the same bed. After all, I have to act out the part of the loving bride."

    "No, thanks," I told her.

    While I intended to make her stay here comfortable, I wasn''t about to disturb my rest for her sake. A good night''s sleep was crucial for long-term relaxation and happiness, and having Fu Yating in the same room would ruin that quiet, restful period.

    "Why?" she asked, the smile slipping off her face as she looked at the ground, all sad, like a kicked puppy.

    "I wouldn''t be able to sleep comfortably with you too close by," I explained.

    "Wow, do you have to be so blunt?" she sighed, dropping the act. "I would be crying right now if I hadn''t wasted all my tears weeping for days to sell the part that I was angry about. Do you know how uncomfortable that was? I had wet spots on my face in the cold weather all the time, and since I''m no longer a cultivator, the cold hurts!"

    While she was complaining, Fu Yating took some liberties, stepping past the door and into my room.

    I just stared at her with an indifferent look. She was a bright girl and should read the situation. If she couldn''t, well, she wasn''t smart enough, which made her useless to me, meaning I had no reason to keep her alive.

    She was about to take a second step when a brittle smile appeared on her face.

    "It seems like being pushy isn''t going to work," she said. Then she walked back and stood just outside the door. "I''ve seen a lot of wives and husbands bend over backward for their significant other. But it seems like you don''t fit the norm."

    There was a joke there about her wording, but she might have taken it the wrong way and interpreted it as flirting if I pointed it out.

    Our relationship was one of mutual benefits, and she knew that was all it would ever be.

    After a long silence, Fu Yating stared at me as I was about to cultivate. Finally, she asked, "What do you think when you look at me?"

    Her body shifted, and she blushed, glancing around as if embarrassed. It was picture-perfect behavior for someone feigning awkwardness.

    "I think whether threatening you to go away would be the best move right now," I said.

    "Wow, you really have a way with words," she said.

    "I know. I have my charms too," I shrugged.

    "Okay, I won''t bother you anymore," she said, closing the door to my bedroom and walking away while humming some local traditional song. As her footsteps faded into the distance, I returned to cultivating.

    I had helped her survive because we had made a deal, and she was useful in her own way. But ever since then, I''d been pondering if it was the best decision.

    Did I subconsciously have a thing for keeping around women who were a headache?

    Well, Song Song was right about one thing: with a fiance?e like Fu Yating around, she would make sure I never lost my edge.

    I closed my eyes and began cultivating, reflecting on her body language and how she lied. It was flawless. A part of me was jealous and wanted a skill like that.

    ...

    It was almost midnight after finishing my cultivation session, and I felt the strain on my spiritual roots. A dull numbness settled at the back of my neck, and a fullness lingered in my stomach.

    In the quiet of my bedroom, I knelt by the bed and traced the first array onto the wooden floor. The dim light of the lantern flickered as my Qi flowed into the symbols, the faint glow of the barrier spreading through the room.

    I quickly added a detection array, its lines precise and pulsing softly as it activated, a subtle hum settling into the air. Finally, I etched a reinforcement array beneath the bed, its glow barely visible but enough to strengthen the others.

    Satisfied, I slipped under the blankets. The room''s warmth and the arrays'' faint hum brought a sense of calm. As my eyes closed, the gentle glow of the protections faded into the background.

 Chapter 234: That Girl is So Dangerous~

    Chapter 234: That Girl is So Dangerous~

    The morning light bathed my room in soft gold as rain tapped gently against the windowpane. My body felt like jelly, and for the first time since moving into this house, I had no desire to get up. The exhaustion from yesterday had lifted, and that grueling winter journey felt like a distant, fading dream.

    I pressed my face into the pillow. It smelled faintly of lavender, comforting and familiar. I really didn''t want to wake up.

    Even without opening my eyes, I knew I had probably slept in longer than usual. The protective arrays I''d set around the room just in case Fu Yating decided to try something were still intact, which was reassuring.

    Reluctantly, I stood and took a deep breath, letting the cool morning air fill my lungs. The chill was sharper than expected, a reminder that this wasn''t a modern home with the luxury of central heating.

    After dressing, I made my way down the wooden staircase. Even before I reached the ground floor, I heard the soft murmur of voices and light laughter from the kitchen.

    When I stepped inside, I found Fu Yating and my mother standing side by side, giggling like old friends. Wu Yan sat nearby, quietly observing them.

    Wu Yan noticed me first, and she gave a small wave.

    Then Fu Yating turned. Her eyes widened slightly before she offered a shy, tentative smile. "H-Hi... I''m learning to cook from... Mother."

    Mother? She was already calling her that? It hadn''t even been a full day, and she was acting like she belonged here and was part of the family.

    "She''s been telling me stories about you," Fu Yating continued, her smile softening. "And how you helped Wu Yan, raising her like your sister."

    I kept my expression neutral, but inside, I felt the flicker of wariness. Fu Yating''s performance was flawless... too flawless. It wouldn''t surprise me if she suspected something.

    Still, the idea of her uncovering my secret was unlikely. Knowledge about otherworlders wasn''t exactly common. They wouldn''t stumble upon it unless someone went digging through ancient texts or old sect records. Cultivators were more interested in rare treasures and secret techniques than chasing obscure legends.

    I took a seat at the kitchen table, my gaze narrowing slightly as I watched Fu Yating. She moved gracefully, helping my mother prepare breakfast and carefully measured every gesture.

    Even now, after having her cultivation crushed, she wasn''t entirely defenseless. Her instincts would still be sharp enough to pick up on the sliver of murderous intent I directed her way.

    But she played her part well. Smiling. Laughing. Acting every bit the dutiful daughter-in-law trying to win over her new family.

    I couldn''t deny that she was making my mother happy. That much was real. And even if Fu Yating was putting on an act, my mother''s joy wasn''t false. It had been a while since I''d seen her this at ease.

    As we waited for breakfast to finish, I guided my Qi into Wu Yan, gently correcting the flow in her pathways. Her cultivation was progressing steadily. She listened intently as I made adjustments, her concentration unbroken even when my father entered the room and took his place at the table.

    Soon, breakfast was ready. I noticed several unfamiliar dishes among the usual fare. My mother placed them on the table with pride, her eyes bright.

    I tried a piece of one. To my surprise, it was good, really good. The texture was just right and the meat almost melted in my mouth. I glanced at Fu Yating, who was watching me with an expectant expression. S

    "Sorry if it''s not as good as your mother''s cooking," she said, her voice light but self-conscious. "These are dishes from my hometown. They might taste different to you, but they''re some of my favorites."

    I raised an eyebrow. It was unusual. Mortal women often learned to cook, but for cultivators, time spent on domestic skills was generally considered wasted.

    Despite her occasional recklessness, Fu Yating didn''t seem like the type to indulge in such trivial pursuits, either. She was too ambitious, and for people who didn''t have top-grade talent, every second counts when it came to cultivation, or we would end up dead before we could finish that next breakthrough.

    Then again... it wouldn''t be out of character for her to prepare for every possible outcome. If she''d suspected she might lose her cultivation, she would''ve taken steps to adapt. I could easily imagine her spending weeks mastering household skills just in case.

    That kind of meticulous, borderline obsessive planning was precisely her style.

    I continued eating. The food had a distinct flavor, richer and spicier than my mother''s usual dishes. It was clear Fu Yating had put thought and effort into it.

    And yet, the possibility of poison lingered at the back of my mind.

    Not that it worried me much.

    For one, it was too soon. Fu Yating wouldn''t be foolish enough to make a move now. And even if she did, I''d already scanned her body for anything suspicious. She carried no concealed weapons, no toxins. She was eating the same food, after all. If there was poison in it, she''d suffer the same fate.

    The only way she could have prepared something lethal would''ve been through long-term planning, and she had built up resistance to this very specific poison. Perhaps using everyday ingredients to create a poison that built up in the body over time.

    I wasn''t an expert in poisons, but I could appreciate the ingenuity behind such an attempt. However, I also knew that she wasn''t stupid enough to try this, as a cultivator''s body was too strong to fall to some regular poison.

    Still, I doubted she would do this at all. Fu Yating wasn''t careless. Everything she did had a purpose. She''d fought tooth and nail to survive and wouldn''t throw it all away by making an impulsive mistake.

    Besides, she knew the consequences. If anything happened to me or my family, her life would be forfeit. And depending on my grandfather''s mood, her death could be far from merciful.

    No, she wouldn''t risk it.

    Not yet.

    For now, she played the part of the perfect bride, winning over my parents and weaving herself into our lives.

    I had to admit, though, I was curious. If she ever did try to poison me, I''d be interested to see how far her creativity went. It would take more than a basic concoction to get past me.

    But for now, I savored the meal, aware of the delicate game we were playing.

    She wasn''t the only one who could act.

    The food was, admittedly, quite good.

    "This is good," I said with a faint smile directed at Fu Yating.

    She glanced away shyly, playing her part to perfection. "Th... thanks..." she stuttered, her voice soft and demure.

    Breakfast went by uneventfully after that��pleasant on the surface, but with underlying tension simmering beneath. Once the meal ended, I stepped outside into the backyard, where the snow was beginning to melt. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and fading frost.

    Without hesitation, I leaned over and vomited up everything I''d just eaten.

    I crouched there for a moment, wiping my mouth before going through the familiar routine of testing my bile for poison. Traditional methods weren''t foolproof, especially without proper equipment, but they worked well enough.

    As expected, there were no signs of toxins.

    Of course, there weren''t. Poisoning the food would have been a stupid move, far too obvious. Fu Yating wasn''t reckless, and she wasn''t dumb.

    Still, throwing up every meal she cooked would get old and inconvenient quickly. Annoying, too. I''d have to develop a technique to analyze the contents of my stomach more efficiently. It shouldn''t be too tricky since I already had diagnostic techniques that monitored my internal state. With the Eight Mind Phantoms, a Sky-Grade technique, it was feasible to create something more advanced.

    A part of me enjoyed this game of wits.

    A mental clash, subtle and unpredictable, was far more engaging than the dull, repetitive cycle of building strength through sheer routine. It was far more stimulating than the endless monotony of training and cultivating.

    Of course, there was always the simpler option: just kill Fu Yating.

    She had no one to protect her, no powerful allies that would retaliate. But despite her abrasive personality, she was still just a kid. I''d gone through the trouble of saving her, after all. Unless she did something truly idiotic, I wouldn''t go out of my way to snuff out her life.

    I glanced down at the spot where I''d thrown up and couldn''t help but chuckle.

    By all normal standards, I should be irritated. But a bigger part of me, more than I cared to admit, was elated. Maybe I was being paranoid. Perhaps I was clinging to this assumption just to add some excitement to an otherwise dull stretch of time.

    Fighting wasn''t exciting to me. Not when my life was on the line. Sure, there was a brief, animalistic thrill after defeating someone who genuinely wanted me dead, but that was just adrenaline. Instinct.

    Mental battles, though? That was different.

    Of course, those clashes usually happened with someone far above me, a Core Formation cultivator, or even the damn Sect Leader himself. And I couldn''t enjoy the game when the other player could flip the board and crush me with ease.

    But here? With Fu Yating?

    This was different.

    Here, I could afford to savor the back-and-forth. I could take my time and actually learn from it. I wasn''t as naturally talented at scheming as she was, but copying someone''s methods was always easier than developing my own.

    After all, modern humans had mastered concepts that geniuses like Einstein spent years formulating. I was going to do the same with Fu Yating. Watch her. Learn from her. Adapt her tactics for myself.

    Or at least... I''d try.

    Who knew if it would work? Maybe it was just another silly idea to pass the time. But it wasn''t like I had anything better to do.

    Once I''d confirmed there was no poison in my bile, I rinsed my mouth, ate some dried food from my storage ring, and headed back inside. Before returning to the house, I made sure to get rid of any evidence of what I''d been doing.

    The blueprint for my new poison detection technique was already forming in my mind. It wouldn''t be particularly difficult to create. Medium-low difficulty, at most.

    Later that morning, I took Wu Yan outside to train. She kept adjusting her porcelain mask as we walked to the front yard, the porcelain glinting faintly in the pale winter light.

    "Today, we''ll do some light sparring," I said. "Just to get back into the rhythm of things. We''ll focus on the basics for now and incorporate martial techniques as we go."

    I hadn''t even finished my sentence when Wu Yan lunged at me.

    Her short sword sliced toward my neck with surprising speed. Her movements were fluid, her technique precise. But it was too textbook predictable.

    I conjured a translucent green blade and deflected her strike with a loud clang of metal on metal.

    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    The moment our weapons clashed, she twisted her body like a coiled spring. Her unnaturally elastic tendons allowed her to whip her limbs around with startling speed. She lashed out with a kick aimed straight at my neck, a blow that would''ve ripped a normal man''s head clean off.

    "Good," I said, pointing my blade toward her leg, "but your leg isn''t actually a whip."

    The kick met the point of my knife.

    Her leg skewered itself on the blade, grotesque chunks of flesh landing on the wet ground.

    "Bad idea, as you can see," I said calmly, nodding toward the mangled limb that she decided to cut off as growing a new one would be easier than fixing that.

    Wu Yan nodded in acknowledgment, her masked expression blank. She bent down and began the process of regeneration. Not quite healing, but reshaping her body to its original form.

    "By the way," I added, "you''ll need to clean up those chunks before mother freaks out."

    She nodded again, wordlessly.

    "Also, you need to work on your regeneration speed," I said. "Right now, while you''re focused on regenerating that leg, I could''ve cut your head off and splattered your brains across the yard."

    "Shouldn''t you go a bit easier on her?" a voice called out from behind me.

    I glanced over my shoulder to see Fu Yating approaching, a faint smirk playing on her lips.

    "By the way," she continued, "I''ve got your mother distracted in the kitchen with some new recipes. So you can continue... this." She gestured toward the dismembered leg with a casual wave.

    "Normally, I would train her at a slower pace," I explained, "but Wu Yan lacks a fighter''s instincts. She can dull her pain receptors, so it''s not as bad as it looks."

    Turning back to Wu Yan, I gave her a thumbs-up. "By the way, good idea with the whip-kick. It just needs more refinement."

    Fu Yating chimed in. "I think it was a clever move. The problem isn''t with the technique; it''s the opponent. That attack would''ve worked on anyone who can''t instantly conjure a weapon."

    Her tone was neutral, but there was something calculated in her words. She conveniently avoided mentioning Wu Yan''s unique physique, nor did she seem surprised by it.

    Interesting.

    Was she planning something with Wu Yan?

    Hopefully. It would make for a valuable lesson. At her core, Wu Yan was sweet and innocent, qualities that made her vulnerable. I''d prefer she learned not to trust anyone''s words too easily while under my watch rather than in some far more dangerous scenario. Better to learn those lessons now, in safety, than when I''m not there to protect her.

    "A valid point," I said. "But if a technique is only useful against those weaker than oneself, then it''s a useless technique. The only exception is when it can cover a wide area and deal with multiple enemies simultaneously. But in this case, that doesn''t apply."

    Fu Yating nodded, though her gaze flickered from Wu Yan to me for the briefest moment. She seemed to be considering something and calculating.

    Her mind must be churning with schemes. Was she thinking of using Wu Yan as a tool for revenge? That would be disappointing. I expected more from my fiance?e. Fu Yating had the potential to be more than a two-bit schemer with shallow plots.

    Wu Yan, meanwhile, paid little attention to Fu Yating. She focused on cleaning up, using the storage ring I''d given her to collect the chunks of flesh scattered from our sparring session. She did it without flinching, carefully placing each piece inside the ring with the quiet diligence of someone accustomed to such grotesque tasks.

    Maybe I was being too hard on her with this training. But paranoia had become second nature to me after the war. The clans'' conflict had pushed me to prepare Wu Yan as quickly as possible to make sure she could survive on her own if anything ever happened to me. The war was over now, but peace was never permanent in this world.

    "Anyone want tea?" My mother''s voice broke the silence as she stepped out of the house, carrying a tray of steaming teacups.

    "Sure, we could use a break," I said, waving Wu Yan over. "You don''t need to push yourself physically today. Just remember the points I made during training."

    Wu Yan nodded silently, taking my advice to heart as she always did. Her instincts weren''t as sharp as most cultivators raised in martial households. But I wasn''t worried about that. Martial instincts became less relevant as cultivation levels rose. In the end, raw cultivation talent mattered more. And Wu Yan had plenty of that.

    If she reached the Nascent Soul stage one day, it wouldn''t matter how skilled her opponent was at Core Formation.

    When stepping on a bug, it didn''t matter how quick or clever the bug was. The difference in strength was what truly counted.

    Wu Yan rubbed the chin of her porcelain mask, a gesture she''d picked up after spending time with my family. It was her way of showing she was deep in thought, mimicking the subtle gestures she''d seen us use.

    The sight made me chuckle.

    It was comforting, in a way. Wu Yan had become like the little sister or perhaps the daughter I never had. Unfortunately, this wasn''t a world where such familial bonds could thrive without risk.

    I took a sip of tea, savoring the warmth.

    "How about you?" I asked Fu Yating, watching her sip her tea with practiced elegance. "Do you want to try some light sparring?"

    She froze, looking like a deer in headlights. Her expression was exaggerated and almost theatrical, but she blushed, glanced away, and meekly said, "Sure..."

    Her tone might''ve fooled someone else. But I knew better.

    The contrast between how she acted when my mother was around versus when we were alone was night and day. Around others, she played the timid, blushing bride-to-be. But when we were alone, her true personality slipped through. A calculating mind hiding behind soft smiles.

    My mother''s expression darkened for a moment. Her hand drifted to the scar on her face, tracing the jagged line absentmindedly. She looked like she wanted to say something but held back, simply sighing and turning away.

    Fu Yating and I finished our tea and returned the empty cups to the tray. We walked to the middle of the yard, where patches of snow melted into muddy slush.

    Despite her outward reluctance, I noticed the glint in her eyes. A spark of curiosity, of determination. She wasn''t just playing along. She wanted to know how much had changed since her cultivation had been shattered.

    "You can go first," I said, motioning for her to begin.

    She didn''t need to be told twice.

    Fu Yating closed the distance between us quickly. Faster than an ordinary human, though not as fast as a full-fledged cultivator. Despite having her cultivation crushed, her physical strength remained. Most cultivators retained their enhanced bodies after their Qi was severed, depending on the stage they''d reached when it happened.

    In Fu Yating''s case, her body had been broken just enough to prevent her from advancing further, but she was still far stronger than any mortal.

    Her movements were sharp and precise. She didn''t waste time with unnecessary flourishes. Her footfalls were nearly silent on the wet ground as she darted toward me, closing the distance in a blur.

    But I was used to faster opponents.

    By the time she reached striking distance, I could''ve mentally recited the entire Bee Movie script if I wanted to.

    She launched a punch aimed straight at my jaw. I sidestepped easily, catching her wrist with a firm but not harsh grip.

    "Your speed is good," I said, releasing her. "But your approach is too straightforward. Anyone with decent reflexes could dodge."

    Fu Yating didn''t look discouraged. She pulled back, eyes narrowing slightly as if recalculating her next move. Her lips curled into a faint smile.

    "You''re not holding back," she said softly.

    "Of course not. What''s the point of sparring if I go easy on you?"

    She laughed quietly. "Good. I''d hate it if you treated me like I''m fragile."

    Her gaze flickered toward the house for a moment, where my mother was likely still occupied with her recipes. The facade of the shy and demure bride-to-be was gone, replaced by something sharper, more genuine.

    This was the real Fu Yating. The one who thrived in scheeming. The one who hid her ambitions behind a mask of innocence.

    "Again?" she asked, tilting her head.

    I smiled faintly. "Sure. Let''s see if you''ve improved."

    Fu Yating dropped into a low stance, and the tension between us shifted. The playful air from before was gone. This wasn''t just a sparring session anymore. This was a dance of calculated moves.

    She lunged again.

    This time, there was more nuance in her movements, a feint here, a shift in weight there. She was testing me, probing for weaknesses. I parried each strike with ease, but I couldn''t deny the spark of satisfaction that came from seeing her adapt.

    Maybe I was right to expect more from her.

    Fu Yating wasn''t just a survivor. She was a strategist.

    And as much as I hated to admit it, a part of me relished the thought of matching wits with her.

    After all, the most dangerous games are the ones we play with those we can''t fully trust.

    She threw a palm strike toward my chest, aiming for my stomach. It was slow, sloppy, and painfully predictable.

    I took half a step back, just enough to let her hand sweep past me harmlessly.

    "How often did you spar with your fellow cultivators or seniors in the Azure Frost Sect?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

    Her lack of power was understandable, given her shattered cultivation. Still, that form was so careless and unrefined that it didn''t belong to someone raised in a martial family, let alone someone trained in one of the most prestigious sects on the continent.

    Fu Yating smiled softly. "We don''t have much of a sparring culture in the Azure Frost Sect. Most of our focus is on refining internal techniques. There are branches dedicated to miscellaneous skills. After all, the sect is primarily led by women, and not every cultivator is a muscle-headed brawler."

    I kept my expression neutral, but inwardly, I scoffed.

    Yeah, that was bullshit.

    The Azure Frost Sect wasn''t one of the Four Great Sects because its disciples excelled at embroidery and tea ceremonies. They held their position through ruthless cunning, dangerous techniques, and a leadership that wasn''t afraid to get their hands bloody.

    The way she phrased it made it sound like the cultivation world had just done the Azure Frost Sect a favor by granting them their position at the top. Just the guys doing something nice for the ladies.

    Fucking ridiculous.

    If a sect couldn''t compete for power, they''d be torn apart for their resources. The cultivation world wasn''t a place where niceties mattered. You didn''t stay at the top by turning the other cheek; you held your ground by breaking bones and crushing throats.

    "That is so cute," my mother''s voice came from the sidelines, warm and approving.

    Ah.

    So, I wasn''t the target of Fu Yating''s little story.

    She was playing to my mother, crafting the image of a well-mannered, proper young woman. A perfect daughter-in-law in every way.

    Despite the scar across her face, my mother hadn''t seen much of the harsh realities of the outside world. She had her own views on what made a good woman for her son. And Fu Yating, ever perceptive, was reading her like an open book.

    I couldn''t help but respect the effort. Learning cooking and homemaking skills when she could have been cultivating or mastering new techniques must have taken a lot of patience. It wasn''t easy to play two roles at once: the harmless fiance?e and the survivor.

    "How about this?" Fu Yating''s voice pulled me from my thoughts.

    She kicked a blanket of melting snow toward me, her boots slicing through the wet slush with a playful cry. "Surprise attack!"

    Of course, I saw it coming long before she even lifted her foot.

    The difference in our reaction speed was far too vast. Before her sheepskin boots even touched the snow, I knew exactly what she planned to do.

    With a swift motion, I cut through the incoming snow with a sideways chop of my hand, scattering the slush into harmless fragments.

    But Fu Yating had used that split second of distraction to grab a snowball. Her fingers curled around it, and there was a brightness in her gaze and a glimmer of joy.

    She threw a look my way, her lips curving into a smile that seemed genuinely happy. For a fleeting moment, it looked like one of those moments you''d see in a storybook romance. Time slowed down, the edges of the world softening as her expression lit up with something resembling love.

    But before she could even swing her arm to throw the snowball, I closed the distance between us in an instant.

    With a quick movement, I plucked the snowball from her hand and patted her on the shoulder. "You should protect your head more," I said casually. "Your swing leaves you wide open."

    Fu Yating blinked, her cheeks flushing slightly. Then she sighed in defeat, brushing the remaining snow off her sleeve.

    From the doorway, my mother called out, "Oh, I left some tea boiling. I should check on it."

    Whether that was true or just an excuse to leave us alone, I couldn''t be sure. My mother wasn''t subtle, but she was perceptive in her own way.

    As soon as she disappeared inside, Fu Yating''s cheerful demeanor faded. Her shoulders relaxed, and her lips twisted into a faint pout.

    "Thank you for the lesson," she muttered, her voice quieter now that we were alone.

    Then her gaze drifted toward the house, her expression thoughtful.

    "By the way... that girl," she said slowly, "is she a Qi Gathering cultivator?"

    I tilted my head. "That girl?"

    I knew exactly who she was talking about, but I wanted to see if she''d get annoyed and let her emotions cloud her judgment.

    "Wu Yan," she clarified, her tone calm and measured.

    "Yes. She''s at Qi Gathering," I confirmed. "Her talent is quite something."

    Fu Yating winced slightly. "The Liu Clan was lucky to have her, wasn''t it? She can''t be older than sixteen."

    How did she know Wu Yan''s age? My mother must have unconsciously revealed quite a bit in those conversations.

    "Actually, she''s close to reaching Foundation Establishment," I added.

    Fu Yating''s gaze sharpened at that, and her fingers flexed subtly as if gripping an invisible weapon.

    "And where did you even find her?" she asked, her voice soft with curiosity.

    I offered her a cryptic smile. "Fate works in mysterious ways."

    She didn''t react to my answer, not visibly. No raised brows, no curious tilt of her head. She remained composed, her expression perfectly neutral.

    I''d hoped to provoke a reaction from her, to see if I could make her drop the mask, even for a moment. But she remained unshakable.

    Interesting.

    "You''re not going to tell me," she said after a beat, her lips quirking into a knowing smile. "Fair enough."

    Fu Yating was many things, calculating, manipulative, and far more dangerous than she let on. But what made her genuinely intriguing was her adaptability. She didn''t push for answers when it was apparent none would come. Instead, she stored the information away, undoubtedly planning how to use it later.

    And that was what made her dangerous.

 Chapter 235: Youthful Granny Thoughts

    Xing Ju stood atop the wall separating the outer and inner Sect. Her old bones felt heavier than ever. Despite being a Core Formation cultivator, the years weighed on her, sapping her strength and leaving her breath shallow. She didn''t have much time left.

    She gazed out over the outer Sect, memories of her youth surfacing unbidden. Back then, she would venture beyond these walls, seeking capable subordinates to bring into her fold.

    It had been one of the few pursuits that felt truly hers, an accomplishment she could claim as her own, untethered from her teacher''s guidance or expectations. Of course, she now recognized those ambitions for what they were: the naivety of a headstrong girl.

    Her sharp eyes focused on the snowy fields in the distance, where monstrous beasts roamed just beyond the outer wall. Even at her age, her vision remained sharp, allowing her to pick out their shapes against the stark white landscape.

    She had never heard of monstrous beasts venturing so close as to threaten the Blazing Sun Sect''s walls in nearly three centuries of life. But these were strange times.

    Every hundred years or so, calamity struck, disrupting the precarious order of the world. Cultivators died in droves, and this time the situation was far worse. No one knew how to stop it this time.

    Even Core Formation beasts, normally intelligent enough to avoid human settlements, were on the offensive.

    Could it be the work of a Nascent Soul beast?

    No. By that stage, monstrous beasts gained a level of humanity that set them apart from their own kind. A cat and a dog monstrous beast were as different as night and day. They rarely cooperated, bound only by the shared hunger of winter, and even that was a temporary truce. When no humans were nearby, they preyed on each other.

    Whatever force was driving them to band together, it wasn''t something she could change. The chaos would likely persist for years, but Xing Ju doubted she would live to see another winter.

    That thought sent a tremor through her chest. Anxiety. Regret. What a waste her life had been...

    One foolish mistake as a teenager had set her on this path. She, a cultivator with the potential to reach the Nascent Soul stage, had ended up a middling Core Formation elder, far from the strongest in her rank.

    Three hundred years... The realization felt surreal. She once revered elders like her teacher, who seemed so wise and worldly. She thought time would mold her into something similar.

    Yet, here she was, the same girl she had always been. Stronger, yes. Wiser, perhaps. Her body had aged, her breasts sagged, and her youthful arrogance had long since faded. But fundamentally, she hadn''t changed. The years had simply slipped by, blending into one another.

    Three centuries wasted. She shook her head, dismissing the thought.

    The Blazing Sun Sect sent elders and Qi Gathering disciples to the frontlines this year, hoping to avoid being caught off guard as they had the previous year. Even so, the death toll was uncomfortably high, elders included.

    Winter beast waves had always been manageable for a sect as powerful as the Blazing Sun Sect. A chance for disciples to hone their skills in battle, perhaps even prove themselves by taking charge of a city or two.

    But now, tension hung heavy in the air. Everyone felt it.

    "It''s something, isn''t it?" a voice spoke behind her.

    Xing Ju flinched and turned, only to find the Sect Leader standing there, hands clasped behind his back. His red robes, adorned with intricate golden patterns, fluttered in the wind as he gazed into the distance.

    "Do you think a Nascent Soul beast is leading them?" he asked, his tone casual. "I''d say it''s likely. Though, whoever''s behind this probably won''t bother showing themselves."

    "Sect Leader," Xing Ju greeted him with a bow, clasping her hands in respect. Yet, the awe she once felt for the man was absent.

    In her youth, she had been groomed to one day challenge this very man for his position. That dream had withered alongside her potential.

    "Disappointing, really," the Sect Leader sighed. "The main entertainment isn''t even in the Sect. Your son, despite sending so many of his clan to the frontlines, hasn''t shown himself either."

    A chill ran through Xing Ju like a bucket of icy water poured over her.

    The Sect Leader had just confirmed what she and her allies had been trying to discern. They had hesitated, fearing the Song Clan Leader might be in hiding, cultivating in seclusion, or lying in wait nearby. But...

    Why had he told her this?

    She thought of the countless schemes the Core Elders had devised against this man. In five hundred years, no one had ever managed to gain the upper hand.

    Now, at the end of her life, she saw things more clearly. They never stood a chance against him.

    "Why tell me this?" Xing Ju asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

    "Why not?" The Sect Leader shrugged, his youthful features betraying nothing. "Most of my entertainment has already left the Sect. I had hoped you might mold Song Song into a challenger, but now someone else is whispering in her ear. That kid''s too cautious, so she''ll never challenge me."

    "As for you..." His gaze turned sharp. "The really old folk have outlived their usefulness. I''m just trying to squeeze one last show out of you."

    The truth struck her like a blade. She wasn''t a person in his eyes, none of them were. They were toys, valued only for the amusement they could provide.

    How had she not seen it before?

    "A grandmother killing her own grandson." The Sect Leader chuckled softly, a cruel edge to his voice. "Now that''s something I don''t get to see every day. I wonder... What kind of look will you have on your face when you see the truth? What makes you even try something like this?"

    Xing Ju''s stomach churned with anger, like a blazing inferno. But she kept her gaze steady, her expression calm. She couldn''t afford to show such emotions in front of the Sect Leader. He treated her like a child, mocking her, toying with her... but she didn''t dare lash out.

    This was the cruel reality she found herself in: centuries of loyal servitude to the Blazing Sun Sect, only to be humiliated at the end of her life. The Sect discarded its elders when they became "useless," favoring the younger generation.

    "The last time someone challenged me for my position," the Sect Leader began, his tone chatty, "was during the era of the previous Song Clan Head. He challenged me after reaching the Nascent Soul stage."

    Xing Ju''s eyes widened. Her heart skipped a beat. The lover she had tried to forget, had he truly ascended to the Nascent Soul realm? Why had she never heard of it?

    "You should have seen him." The Sect Leader chuckled again, his gaze distant, as if reliving the moment. "He had more Sky-Grade techniques than I did. So confident, so certain he could win." He shook his head. "But confidence alone isn''t strength. By then, I had already reached the peak of the Nascent Soul stage."

    Another revelation struck her like a hammer. Many within the Sect had speculated about the Sect Leader''s cultivation, assuming he was somewhere in the middle of the Nascent Soul realm. Breaking through each star in that stage was a monumental task, after all.

    But he wasn''t in the middle. He was at the peak.

    At barely over five hundred years old, he had accomplished what most cultivators only dreamed of. While others slowed or stagnated, he had continued to grow.

    "I expected Song Song to be the next challenger after her grandfather." He sighed, almost wistfully. "But it seems unlikely now. She''s too cautious. That certain someone whispering in her ear won''t let her make a move unless he knows my exact strength." His gaze darkened, the amusement in his eyes fading. "The Blazing Sun Sect has outlived its usefulness to me. I was waiting for a worthy challenge, but it seems that day will never come."

    Xing Ju swallowed the lump in her throat. "Why are you telling me this?"

    "Entertainment, mostly." The Sect Leader shrugged. His voice took on a rougher, more casual tone, almost like a farmer''s drawl. "The last two centuries have been hella dull."

    Xing Ju opened her mouth to respond, but her senses flared. A group of cultivators was approaching. She glanced down, spotting a small squad clad in dark robes, wooden plaques pinned to their shoulders.

    They were members of the Investigation Squad.

    Too old to be core students, yet too young and weak to be Core Elders, they patrolled the battlefield''s outskirts when they should have been investigating the cause of the monstrous beasts'' aggression.

    But no. Instead, they had been sent by Zun Gon, the Sect''s second-in-command, to track down some red-haired brat the old man had taken a liking to.

    A waste of resources in times like these.

    Zun Gon, known as the most righteous and just elder, had shocked many with this apparent lapse in judgment. His spotless reputation, earned over centuries, now bore a crack.

    Though he hadn''t committed his full power to the search, the act itself raised eyebrows. Others in his position would have abused their authority far more if one of their grandsons had gone missing, but it was still a vulnerability.

    His rivals would pounce on this as soon as the beast wave ended. They would spin their stories, using it to tarnish his legacy.

    As for the red-haired brat?

    Most assumed he was dead.

    Even if he was alive, no one except Zun Gon cared. The elders had already forgotten him, a fleeting talent lost too soon.

    Yet, there had been something remarkable about the boy. Despite his supposedly mediocre cultivation talent, he had reached the Qi Gathering stage within a year of joining the Sect. That kind of result was hard to ignore.

    Talent could be deceptive. Results, however, were undeniable.

    Still, dying meant failure.

    Xing Ju''s gaze lingered on the Investigation Squad before she turned back to the distant snowy plains, where monstrous beasts clawed futilely at the walls. The beasts were slaughtered en masse, the Sect''s defenses reducing them to little more than fodder for the meat grinder.

    "Well," the Sect Leader said, breaking the silence. "I''ve lingered long enough. I''ll let you get back to your little plan."

    He stretched lazily as if the conversation had bored him.

    "It''s a shame we won''t see each other again. Watching you grow into a bitter old woman was... a flavor of its own. Disappointing, yes. But still, interesting in its own way."

    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    With a wave of his hand, he vanished. His departure was so fast that Xing Ju didn''t even sense it.

    Once alone, she exhaled slowly. The cold bit into her scalp, seeping through her bones.

    No matter how many years passed, she still felt like that naive teenage girl when she stood before the Sect Leader. His appearance hadn''t changed; he still looked like a man in his early thirties. That only made it more unsettling, being berated by someone who looked younger than her.

    Her thoughts scattered as more presences appeared beside her.

    They were old, like her. The elders of the Sect.

    Gray-haired, wrinkled, and tired.

    Some were bald. Others were balding.

    The only other woman in the group was toothless; her speech was slurred, and she was barely understandable when she spoke.

    These were the last remnants of their generation, the forgotten, the discarded.

    And soon, they too would be gone.

    "We''ve eliminated most of Song San''s supporters," said one of the elderly men. His long, silver hair shimmered in the faint light, a stark contrast to the deep wrinkles etched into his face. "Some of the secret squad associates his mother had were troublesome. We lost a couple of our own dealing with them. But it seems the Sect Leader is too preoccupied with the war to care."

    Xing Ju opened her mouth, preparing to tell them that the Sect Leader knew everything and was likely watching them for his own twisted amusement. But she held back. Now wasn''t the time to lower morale. They would deal with that revelation later.

    "Most of his support was nothing but paper tigers," said the bald elder, his head gleaming like polished marble. "He only kept them around to make himself seem more influential than he really was."

    "There''s a good chance he was planning to join forces with his sister down the line," added the toothless old woman, spittle flying from her cracked lips as she spoke.

    The shadow war they''d been waging in the background was going in their favor. They had killed nearly all of Song San''s remaining allies, with barely any losses on their side.

    It was an overwhelming victory.

    They moved freely in the chaos of the ongoing beast wave, using it as a distraction to slip through the sect grounds unnoticed. The Song Clan Head was absent, and their enemies within the Sect were eager to lend a hand in dismantling the remnants of his power.

    Still, Xing Ju couldn''t shake the thought of the Sect Leader. She never would have guessed he already knew everything and that he found their efforts nothing more than a source of entertainment.

    The group soon arrived at their destination: an unassuming house with a small pond and a weathered tree standing watch by its side. It looked no different from any other home in the outer Sect, but they all knew it was where Song San was hiding.

    As they landed in the yard, their steps silent on the grass, the door creaked open.

    A man in a dark robe emerged, his face hidden behind a blank porcelain mask. He said nothing, simply watching them with a calm, unwavering gaze. After a moment, he pulled out a wooden sign roughly the size of a dog.

    The message carved into it read: Lord Song San is not expecting visitors.

    "I am his grandmother," Xing Ju said.

    The porcelain-masked man tilted his head as if considering her words before shaking it slowly. Without hesitation, he dropped the sign and moved into a fighting stance.

    Despite facing a group of Core Formation cultivators, he showed no fear. His movements were steady, his stance firm.

    Xing Ju didn''t bother exchanging words.

    She took a step forward, the others falling in behind her. The masked man crouched low, pressing his hands to the ground. Black markings snaked through the grass, spreading outward as a barrier began to form.

    But Xing Ju moved before it could manifest.

    Like a gust of wind, she crossed the yard in a blink. Before the masked man could react, her hand drove through his chest, crushing his ribcage with ease.

    There had been stories of Qi Gathering cultivators holding their own against Foundation Establishment opponents, rare geniuses capable of bridging that gap.

    But the difference between Foundation Establishment and Core Formation?

    That chasm was far wider.

    Core Formation cultivators moved faster than their enemies could think.

    Xing Ju withdrew her arm, blood slicking her sleeve. The masked man crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

    As she stood over the body, her gaze lingered on her bloodstained hand. Her thoughts drifted.

    Where had her life gone wrong?

    It all led back to him.

    The Song Clan''s young master, the man she once loved. They had been so in love... until he took the mantle of Clan Head. Everything had changed after that. He became cold and calculating, like a stranger.

    And her grandchildren?

    She felt no affection for them. How could she, when they were living proof of her wasted life?

    The only exception had been Song Song.

    Those brief years spent with the girl had been the closest Xing Ju had come to feeling like a real grandmother. But even then, there had always been a shadow of doubt. Song Song was too much like her father.

    Still, the thought of her brought a faint smile to Xing Ju''s lips.

    Despite everything, she was proud of one thing. Song Song would never become like her.

    That girl had a future.

    As her mind wandered, memories of the previous Song Clan Leader surfaced. They had been the same age. He had disappeared after passing leadership to their son.

    Had he truly died challenging the Sect Leader?

    No. Xing Ju knew better.

    Her old lover wasn''t a reckless man. He wouldn''t have acted without a trump card.

    She stared at her bloodied hand and sighed deeply.

    Her life felt... empty.

    This was supposed to be her final act to destroy the seed of the mistake she had made all those years ago. But there was no satisfaction in it.

    Only a hollow ache.

    For centuries, she had drowned herself in duty. Now, at the end of her journey, there was nothing left to distract her from the truth.

    Even mortal women, who lived less than a third of her lifespan, likely lived fuller lives than she had.

    Sure, she had power. But what had it brought her?

    Here she was. Killing. Always killing.

    And for what?

    As blood dripped from her hand, leaving crimson stains in the grass, she walked toward the house. The other elders followed silently.

    They called themselves The Old Society, and were a secretive faction that had controlled much of the Sect''s inner workings for the past hundred years.

    Each of them had joined for different reasons.

    Xing Ju?

    She had joined to help Song Song rise.

    Xing Ju wasn''t even sure what she wanted anymore.

    She chuckled bitterly to herself. Three hundred years lived, and still clueless about life.

    Her musings were interrupted by a soft shuffling sound from the porch. The sliding door creaked open, revealing a green-haired young man with a cold, detached expression.

    As her sources had confirmed, Song San was here.

    He stepped forward, placing his hand on the edge of the doorway. Under his grip, the wood blackened and cracked, tendrils of darkness spreading like rot. A foul, acrid stench filled the air as the wood groaned in protest. Slowly, the house began to crumble inward, collapsing under the corruption.

    "Poison!" the toothless old woman shrieked, leaping back with surprising agility.

    The others followed her lead, retreating to a safe distance.

    Xing Ju swung her hand, summoning a powerful gust of wind that slammed into the collapsing house. The debris scattered like straw, blown away by her technique.

    With centuries of experience, Xing Ju knew how to handle poison cultivators. They were tricky foes, dangerous even when they were a stage lower and capable of inflicting lasting, debilitating injuries. She had no intention of testing her endurance against poison at her age.

    Poison users were best dealt with in open air.

    Her gaze flickered to the transparent barrier surrounding the garden, a protective array that kept the grounds lush and untouched by the harsh winter outside. With a single swipe of her hand, she shattered the barrier.

    Cold air rushed in like a hungry serpent, biting at their skin.

    "Well," Song San said, glancing at the corpse of his masked subordinate. "There goes years of guarding." His tone was light, almost mocking. He bowed his head briefly. "Rest easy, uncle. You can join Mother now. Sorry for being such a hassle all these years."

    Suddenly, the bald elder in their group coughed violently, spitting out a thick, dark sludge. Black, ink-like blood oozed from his eyes, nose, and ears.

    "What...?" The elder''s voice was barely a whisper before he collapsed to his knees and pitched forward, face-first into the dirt.

    Dead.

    One of the Core Formation elders was killed in an instant.

    Xing Ju''s heart sank.

    "Grandmother," Song San greeted her with a twisted smile, his dark robe marking him as a Core Disciple. "How kind of you to visit. And you brought friends."

    "It was foolish to show yourself so openly," Xing Ju said, her voice steady. "You should have run when you had the chance."

    Song San shrugged. "I knew what was happening to my supporters. The Sect Leader doesn''t seem to care much for the fate of the Song Clan."

    "Is that so?" Xing Ju said softly. She said no more, choosing instead to act.

    Without hesitation, she charged at her grandson, her hand glowing with lethal wind Qi.

    Poison cultivators were dangerous, even capable of harming those with higher cultivation. But for a Core Formation elder to die so quickly... an uneasy feeling twisted in Xing Ju''s stomach.

    Still, there was no hesitation in her steps. She felt no guilt, no sorrow. Perhaps she should have done this years ago.

    Her hand shot toward Song San''s chest, aiming to pierce through�C

    But suddenly, another hand, black-nailed and twisted with poison, grabbed her wrist.

    What?

    Xing Ju''s eyes widened in shock.

    It was Song San. He had caught her attack.

    How?

    She knew she was slower than she had been in her prime, but even so, no Foundation Establishment cultivator should have been able to stop her.

    Dark bruises spread across her arm from the point of contact. The poison worked fast, sinking into her flesh like fangs.

    Without a second thought, Xing Ju attacked her own arm that her grandson had grabbed onto.

    Her wind blade sliced clean through her shoulder, cutting off the poisoned limb before the corruption could spread further. Blood splattered onto the ground as she leapt back, her gaze locked on the withering, foul-smelling remains of her arm.

    Such a potent poison.

    This wasn''t the work of a typical poison user.

    Song San stood tall, his Qi flaring like an uncontrolled wildfire. His aura flickered and danced without rhythm, a clear sign of instability. He had broken through recently. Perhaps a day ago. Maybe even just hours ago.

    The arrays around the house must have masked the breakthrough.

    Still, it was undeniable.

    Song San had reached Core Formation. At twenty-five years old.

    "How?" Xing Ju whispered, disbelief mingling with unease. Song San had always been talented, but this level of advancement was unprecedented. Not even his sister, Song Song, could achieve such a feat at his age.

    Song San''s smile widened, pride gleaming in his eyes.

    "Surprised?" he asked, his voice low and steady. "No one ever believed I could surpass Song Song. The only advantage I had was the few years I was born before her. But I never doubted. Not once."

    His words dripped with defiance.

    "How did you achieve this?" the toothless old woman demanded, spitting her words through cracked lips. "Your progress isn''t natural."

    "Only losers like you believe that," Song San sneered. "Those who give up when others tell them they''ve reached their limit." He took a step forward, his presence radiating poison and malice. "I never cared when people said I couldn''t keep up with my sister, and this isn''t the end of the road either. I will reach Nascent Soul before her. And I will go even beyond that."

    Xing Ju barely registered his words.

    A sudden brightness from above caught her attention.

    Her eyes widened as she glanced up.

    A massive ball of molten lava hovered in the sky above the Blazing Sun Sect.

    It was impossibly large, eclipsing the entire Sect.

    "What...?" Song San''s voice faltered, surprise flashing across his face.

    At first, Xing Ju thought it might be the Sect Leader''s doing. But this wasn''t his style. Nor did it match his Qi signature.

    No.

    This felt different.

    It felt natural.

    A heavenly calamity?

    At a time like this?

    The ball of lava churned ominously, casting a fiery glow across the sky.

    The heavens themselves seemed ready to descend upon the Blazing Sun Sect.

    And none of them were prepared.

 Chapter 236: A Monotonous Life

    Mao Zhi stood at the gate of Greengrass Town, staring at the vast field of snow that now covered what once had been lush grasslands. His fingers tightened around the hilt of his spear as he scanned the horizon, his mind weighed down by dread. He expected an attack, some kind of monstrous beast lunging from the forest''s shadows at any moment.

    He glanced up at the wall. Atop it stood a middle-aged man with a sharp, piercing gaze. His face, chiseled and stern, carried an air of perpetual displeasure even when he wasn''t angry. This man was the governor of Greengrass Town, and an elder of the Blazing Sun Sect.

    The beasts had been behaving oddly these past few years, their attacks becoming more frequent and erratic. As a result, cultivators were stationed in the town closest to the Sect since they were the last line of defense.

    Mao Zhi swallowed the lump in his throat, his heart hammering against his ribs. It felt as if a heavy log had crashed into his chest, making it hard to breathe.

    There was a time when he would have been proud to serve as a guard. It was, after all, one of the best-paying jobs in town. But things had changed. He had recently married and was no longer the carefree young man he used to be. His priorities had shifted.

    Now, he had a wife. They had been trying for a child. Hopefully, a son to carry on his legacy and be his strength in old age.

    He couldn''t bear the thought of his child growing up without a father.

    His thoughts spiraled as he stood in the cold silence.

    Then, suddenly, his ears popped. A high-pitched ringing filled his head.

    Before he could make sense of the sensation, a blinding light flared in the distance. His eyes widened as a massive mountain appeared on the horizon, its summit shrouded in clouds. At the very peak, a radiant sun burned fiercely, illuminating the landscape with an unnatural brilliance.

    Mao Zhi shielded his eyes with his elbow as pain seared through his vision. The sudden brightness made his eyes water and ache like needles pressing into his pupils.

    But he had no time to recover. The ground beneath him trembled violently, and a thunderous explosion ripped through the air.

    "Get down!" someone yelled in a gurgling shout. The voice pierced through the chaos, instinct overriding thought. Mao Zhi dropped to the ground just as a deafening blast shattered the air around him. His eardrums felt like they were being stretched and twisted, the vibrations rippling through his skull like wet fabric being wrung out.

    Then came the wind, so strong it slammed into him, sending him hurtling backward. His back hit the wall with a sickening thud, the impact rattling his bones. His body crumpled to the ground, his vision blurring as the world spun around him.

    Darkness tugged at the edges of his consciousness. The last thing he felt before succumbing to it was the bitter chill of snow against his cheek.

    ...

    When Mao Zhi''s eyes fluttered open again, he had no idea how much time had passed. His body ached, every muscle sore from the impact. The cold, unforgiving ground had left half his face numb.

    Groaning, he pushed himself upright, wincing as his joints protested. Around him, the scene was grim. Men and women staggered through the ruins of what had once been the town''s gate. Some limped, others clutched at wounds, and more than a few were sprawled motionless on the ground.

    The air was thick with the sounds of grief, guttural sobs and quiet weeping. Fires crackled in the distance, smoke rising to the gray sky in thin tendrils. Amid the chaos, squad captains barked orders, trying to restore some semblance of order to the shattered ranks.

    Mao Zhi rubbed his temples, trying to clear the fog in his mind and stop the ringing in his ears. He caught snippets of conversation as he moved through the crowd.

    "Something must have happened at the Blazing Sun Sect," an old, gravelly voice said nearby. The speaker was a weathered elder. "The stealth arrays are broken. The mountain is visible now... or at least, what''s left of it."

    Mao Zhi stiffened at those words, dread pooling in his gut.

    A hand clapped his shoulder, startling him. He turned to see one of his fellow guards, a man with a weary expression and blood staining his uniform.

    "You''re part of the team heading to the sect," the guard said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We need to see what''s happened."

    Mao Zhi''s heart sank.

    His wife, he hadn''t even had the chance to have a child with her. No, what if Lian Mei was pregnant? Would he leave his child an orphan before they were even born?

    But in the end, he had no choice but to follow. There was still a chance he might live if he obeyed, however small it seemed. Insubordination against a cultivator, on the other hand, was a guaranteed death sentence.

    They gathered just outside the gate. From somewhere unseen, in the blink of an eye a large wooden platform appeared, creaking under its own weight as it settled into place. Guards and cultivators from the Blazing Sun Sect descended from the platform, their dark red uniforms standing out against the snowy backdrop, marking their rank and authority.

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    A faint shimmer passed over the platform as a translucent layer of spiritual energy formed beneath their feet. Soon, shadows darkened the sky as flying boats, carpets, and other enchanted objects descended. The air buzzed with a hum of spiritual energy, and the faint scent of burning incense wafted from the magical artifacts.

    After quick organizing, as many guards as possible climbed aboard the various floating crafts. Mao Zhi ended up on one of the small boats, squeezed in with a handful of other guards. The boat jerked upward, and he grabbed the side for support.

    The boat blasted forward at an incredible speed. A protective barrier formed around the platform, keeping the wind at bay, but Mao Zhi still clung tightly to the wooden sides. The blurred ground rushed past beneath them, stretching out like a distorted painting.

    A chill ran down his spine. The surreal sensation of flying, combined with the day''s events, left him feeling disconnected from his own body. He hadn''t even had time to process everything that had happened.

    Before he could gather his thoughts, the boat began to slow. Ahead, the mountain came into full view, or what remained of it. The once-majestic peak loomed like a scar on the horizon, blackened and crumbling. The top of the mountain appeared molten, as though fire had melted the rock itself.

    The acrid scent of smoke filled the air, stinging Mao Zhi''s nose and throat. Burnt wood, scorched earth, and something more pungent lingered. A foul, sickly-sweet odor that made his stomach churn.

    Mao Zhi had no idea what the mountain had once looked like, but now it stood as a testament to devastation. The landscape was a sea of ash, with twisted remnants of buildings jutting out like the bones of a long-dead beast. Embers floated lazily through the air, glowing like dying fireflies.

    The elder in charge, the same stern middle-aged man who had stood at the town gate, stepped forward, his expression as grim as ever.

    "Check for any survivors in the Outer Sect," he commanded. "We will search the Inner Sect."

    Despite the overwhelming scene, the guards moved with practiced efficiency. The cultivators remained eerily calm, their expressions unreadable as they assessed the damage. Mao Zhi''s captain, a grizzled veteran of the town guard, led their group toward a half-melted tower that loomed in the distance.

    "Do any of you know where the Inner and Outer Sect are?" one of the guards muttered as he trudged alongside Mao Zhi.

    Mao Zhi shook his head. The cultivators hadn''t specified the difference or any landmarks between the inner and outer Sect.

    Perhaps it was something obvious?

    After an exhausting climb up countless stairs, they reached the tower. The upper levels had melted and collapsed, but the lower sections seemed relatively intact.

    By the time they reached the entrance, most of the guards were panting and wiping sweat from their brows. The cold air bit at their skin, but the exertion kept them warm.

    Inside, the tower was a scene of chaos. Scorched books and scrolls littered the ground, some still smoldering. The air was thick with the acrid smell of burning paper and ink, mingling with the scent of charred wood.

    "Must have been some kind of library," one of the soldiers murmured, nudging a half-burned tome with his boot.

    The further they ventured into the tower, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. The walls were now blackened and cracked. The lingering heat made the air heavy, each breath thick with smoke.

    Then came the corpses.

    The stench of death hit them like a physical blow, making some guards gag. The bodies were no more than ashen clumps, their flesh charred and steaming. The smell was nauseating, a sickening mix of burnt meat and decay.

    As they moved deeper into the tower, they found more bodies. These corpses were less burned, with patches of blistered flesh still clinging to bone. Their twisted expressions spoke of agony and desperation.

    ��Do you think any of them are alive?�� asked one of the soldiers.

    ��Doubt it,�� another answered, shaking his head grimly. ��This kind of heat burns the lungs almost instantly. If stone didn��t stand a chance, what do you think happened to their throats and chests?��

    ��This place still feels like an oven,�� someone else muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. His armor clinked softly with the movement. ��Every breath feels like it��s scorching my throat.��

    ��It took us a couple dozen hours to get here since the explosion,�� said another, running a hand across the soot-streaked wall. ��And it still feels like my skin��s cooking.��

    A couple dozen hours? Mao Zhi blinked, his thoughts sluggish. Just how long had he been knocked out?

    The oppressive heat made his head swim. The walls radiated warmth, like the inside of a stove that hadn��t cooled. Even the ground beneath his feet seemed to pulse with lingering heat.

    ��Still,�� one guard grumbled as he poked at a fallen body with his spear, ��why were there so many stairs leading to a library?��

    ��Who cares about that?�� another retorted, wrinkling his nose at the acrid smell. ��I��m more concerned about whether we��re supposed to be collecting these corpses. They��re unrecognizable, but just leaving them here doesn��t sit right. Most of these were probably kids.��

    ��They got what was coming to them,�� someone else muttered darkly. ��These cultivators walk around like they own the world. Maybe this��ll teach them a lesson.��

    Mao Zhi winced at the words, a pang of guilt and anger twisting in his chest. His mind flashed to Liu Feng, the boy he had guided through town not long ago. He knew not all cultivators were arrogant or cruel. Some, like Liu Feng, were just kids trying to survive in a world that demanded too much from them.

    ��You should watch what you��re saying,�� Mao Zhi interrupted, his voice low but firm. ��They were just kids. There was this one... a good kid. Fuck, I hope he was out on a mission or guarding one of the cities during the beast waves.��

    The guard who had been badmouthing the dead paused, shame flickering across his face. ��Ah, sorry, man. I didn��t know you knew someone.��

    The tension eased slightly, though the air remained heavy with unspoken tension. The rest of the guards fell silent, no longer willing to speak ill of the dead. They all knew where Mao Zhi was coming from. Many of them had dealt with both the arrogance and humanity of cultivators firsthand.

    ��Oh, look,�� someone said, breaking the silence. He pointed to a body near the edge of the room. ��This one��s preserved better.��

    Mao Zhi followed the guard��s gaze. The corpse lay twisted at an odd angle, its clothes scorched and tattered. What caught their attention, however, was the melted glass still clinging to the body��s face, a pair of lenses fused to the skull.

    ��Must��ve been a stronger cultivator,�� the guard murmured, crouching to get a closer look.

    It was just another body amongst the many...

 Chapter 237: There is Honey in the Moon

    Days passed since my return, and Fu Yating eventually became a part of my everyday life.

    Surprisingly, she had been far less of a nuisance than I''d expected.

    I sat in a meditative position on the wooden floor of my room, exhaling slowly as the Qi inside my dantian bubbled up, spreading through my veins like glass cracking under pressure. For a split second, there was that sharp, jagged sensation, and then it melted away and was replaced by a blissful lightness, like floating in a lukewarm spring.

    Yep, I''d finally broken through to five-star Qi Gathering.

    Not exactly a surprise. I''d felt it coming for days, like standing on the edge of a threshold, waiting to take the next step.

    Honestly, it felt more anticlimactic than I imagined. When Wu Yan broke through, she made a whole spectacle of it. However, I guess there was also a sense of danger with her since she might accidentally crush her own cultivation.

    The door creaked open. Fu Yating slipped inside, unannounced as always, with a broad smile plastered on her face. Despite her innocent demeanor, she carefully lingered just inside the doorway, waiting until I acknowledged her presence.

    "How was your cultivation session? I brought you some tea," she chirped, all sweet and cutesy. A little too sweet, which probably meant one of my parents was lurking nearby, eavesdropping.

    I shrugged and stood, brushing off the lingering Qi buzz. "I broke through a minor stage today. So yeah, my day''s off to a good start."

    "Oh! That''s wonderful!" Her eyes lit up wide with delight. Over the top, as usual.

    I took the teacup from the tray and sipped. As the liquid warmed my throat, I directed a tendril of Qi inward, weaving it through the tea''s essence to analyze every component.

    Hmm... caffeine, catechins, antioxidants cleansing my blood. L-Theanine, calming my mind. Tannins, binding impurities...

    By the time the tea had settled in my stomach, I had closed my eyes and controlled my Qi to another degree, weaving a net to trap every drop of liquid. The Eight Mind Phantoms Technique spun calculations in the background, working seamlessly without the migraines or nosebleeds it used to cause.

    No toxins. No poison. Just herbs, some with mild toxins naturally found in plants. Barely enough to harm a cat, let alone someone like me.

    The same as always.

    Every meal, every drink, every snack she brought, it all came back clean. Not a trace of poison. Was my technique faulty? Or had Fu Yating genuinely never tried to harm me?

    I opened my eyes, meeting her gaze. Her smile didn''t waver.

    "You know," I said, swirling the tea in my cup, "I always wonder if you''ve poisoned me. It''s impressive how much effort you put into this morning routine."

    Her smile froze for a fraction of a second. Then, she giggled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You''re such a worrier."

    And yet, her hands never trembled.

    She narrowed her eyes, her smile slipping as she shut the door behind her. ��Why would I try something like that? You��re literally my only lifeline. Your mother likes me, sure, but I doubt she��d give it a second thought before having me killed if there was even a hint of suspicion that I had something to do with your death.��

    Okay, that made a lot of sense. Annoyingly so.

    But still, couldn��t she at least pretend to be more emotional about all this? I was developing a new technique here, for heaven��s sake! And here she was, throwing cold logic at me after calling me the one with the emotional range of a puppet.

    ��Besides,�� she continued, folding her arms, ��Even if they loved me like their own daughter, do you really think your parents have the kind of pull to convince your crazy goober of a grandpa and the rest of his merry gang to spare me?��

    She wasn��t wrong there.

    Behind my parents, Fu Yating was probably the one most invested in keeping me alive.

    I sighed, trying to suppress a smirk. ��If I were in your position, I would��ve at least slipped some laxatives into my food. You know, to keep me on my toes.��

    ��And have you get even more annoyed with me?�� She arched a brow, her tone laced with dry humor. ��Besides... why do I get the feeling you��re upset that I haven��t tried to poison you?��

    ��You��re imagining it,�� I muttered.

    She rolled her eyes, clearly unconvinced.

    ��Anyway, any news from the war front?�� I stood, brushing off my clothes and making sure they still fit properly. I��d hit a bit of a growth spurt recently, and my wardrobe hadn��t quite kept up. Maybe it was time to update it. ��We might have to run if anything sketchy starts brewing.��

    ��That��s actually what I wanted to talk to you about,�� she said, placing the tea tray on my plain wooden desk with practiced care, avoiding my books. Her expression shifted, growing more serious as she met my eyes without flinching. ��Your mother said some of the cultivators returned today. They brought news.��

    I tensed. ��What kind of news?��

    She didn��t blink. ��The Liu Clan won. They slaughtered the other two clans.��

    My stomach twisted, and the unknown pressure on my shoulders lifted.

    ��And?��

    Her tone remained steady. ��Now your family manages three large cities and a handful of smaller ones. It��s... quite a bit of territory.��

    I stared at her, watching for any flicker of tension, any shift in her posture that might reveal what she was really thinking.

    Nothing. She seemed completely at ease.

    Too at ease.

    ��That��s... good news,�� I said slowly. ��For most of us.��

    She nodded. ��My mother-in-law said the same thing. And now your father can go back to trading, and you can return to the Blazing Sun Sect once the snow thaws.��

    Fuck.

    She really was a good actor, too good. The way she casually dropped that bombshell, like we were discussing the weather.

    ��Mother-in-law?�� I echoed, raising a brow.

    ��Yes, mother-in-law,�� she said with a perfectly sweet smile. ��I hope you��re not planning to leave me behind. Because this engagement that you clearly don��t care about? It��s the only thing keeping me alive.��

    There was a threatening glint in her smile, the kind that promised pain.

    Fu Yating wasn��t just a survivor; she was the type to take everyone down with her if things went south. Talk about a vindictive bitch. But, for now, she was my vindictive bitch, and she had a very explicit interest in keeping me alive.

    ��You have it easy,�� she said, her eyes narrowing like a hawk. ��If anything goes wrong, you could just run off to that secret lover of yours.��

    ��Secret lover?�� I raised a brow. We weren��t even in a relationship, and here I was, getting the whole suspicious-girlfriend experience.

    ��You know, the one with the crazy eyes? Uses blood in a lot of her techniques? The one who started all the killing during the tournament between the great sects?�� she elaborated, clearly fishing for a reaction.

    ��You mean Song Song?�� I shook my head, smiling. ��You really don��t know her well enough. Wait, no. You lived with us for a bit. You do know how that situation works.��

    She gave a knowing nod. ��Yeah. But my point still stands.��

    Then she tilted her head, that hawkish look returning. ��Also, I meant secret lover as a metaphor.��

    I frowned. ��Then I don��t think you know how metaphors work.��

    She shrugged it off as if I were the one missing the point. We kept chatting or rather, she kept chatting, about all the women in my life. Wu Yan, Song Song, Ye An, even my cousin Liu Qian. I was getting the full, passive-aggressive interrogation, one name at a time.

    Honestly, it was starting to remind me of a girl I briefly dated back in college during my previous life. Same suspicious questions. Same territorial vibes. Luckily, I still had a bit of that old instinct left, the one that let me zone out while letting the girl vent until she calmed down. At least Fu Yating wasn��t throwing kitchenware at my head while cursing at me.

    By the time we made it downstairs to the kitchen, the smell of breakfast already filled the air. But someone was already there.

    Liu Bo?

    He stood by the table, his posture stiff, his left arm in a cast and an eyepatch covering his left eye.

    I blinked. ��Good morning, cousin. You... look better.��

    ��Sorry for showing up unannounced,�� Liu Bo said, his tone rather formal. Something he had developed during the war. ��But some big news came in, and I know you don��t usually go out.��

    I couldn��t help but smirk. He made me sound like some shut-in weeb who hadn��t touched grass in years.

    He got straight to business, confirming everything Fu Yating had already told me, except his version came with more details. As expected, the Liu Clan had suffered astronomical losses while taking over the two new cities.

    It sounded like a victory on the surface. But I knew better.

    It was a waste of life.

    Our forces were too weakened to hold on to those cities for long. Hell, we might even struggle to hold our own city when the next winter��s beast wave came.

    Hopefully, we won��t have to worry about this winter. News traveled slowly during the colder months since nobody moved between cities. It would be a while before any local powers learned just how weakened the Liu Clan had become after all this.

    ��Well, if you need anything, don��t be afraid to come and ask,�� I said as Liu Bo made his way to the door.

    He nodded once and left without a word. Typical. I liked him more when he was all joyful and joking.

    There were plenty of things about this situation that concerned me. But worrying about them wouldn��t change anything. I stepped outside, letting the crisp air clear my mind.

    The worst of winter had passed. The sun was out, the grass was greener, and the birds chirped like they��d never left. Animals were coming out of hibernation, which meant monster waves were next to impossible for the next few seasons. A small comfort, but I��d take it.

    I took a deep breath, stretching my arms toward the sky, loosening muscles that had been stiff from too much sitting. From the corner of my eye, I spotted Wu Yan on the porch, cross-legged in meditation. She wasn��t cultivating in the traditional sense but more like training her Qi control, which wasn��t exactly her strong suit.

    ��Want to spar?�� I called out to Fu Yating, who was lingering nearby. Despite losing her cultivation, I wasn��t about to let her slack off.

    She perked up immediately, giving me a nod. I hadn��t expected to need much convincing. Fu Yating wasn��t the type to wallow in setbacks. If anything, she seemed more determined after getting knocked down.

    We squared off in the yard, taking our positions on opposite sides.

    Speedy, the lazy bastard, barely stirred from his spot by the pond. He raised his head, yawned, and lazily flicked his gaze toward us before settling on Fu Yating with a look that said, Really? Again?

    Fu Yating gave him a glance but kept her focus on me. ��Are you going to go easy on me this time?��

    I grinned. ��I always go easy.��

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    I launched forward, moving at top speed.

    Fu Yating reacted immediately, trying to sidestep, but we both knew she didn��t stand a chance. Our difference in speed was too vast. Still, credit where it was due, she��d gotten better. Over time, she��d learned to anticipate my movements, maybe not through sight but by instinct. She wasn��t fast enough to dodge, but she was starting to feel the rhythm of a fight.

    By the time her eyes tracked where I was, I��d already closed the gap and placed my hand on her shoulder.

    Our gazes met.

    She sighed, brushing my hand aside.

    ��Useless,�� she muttered, frustration bubbling under the surface.

    ��It won��t be useless when you regain your cultivation,�� I reassured her, already running through a list of techniques in my mind. There were plenty that would suit her. The problem was, I didn��t trust her enough to teach her those techniques.

    ��It��s not like your spiritual roots were damaged,�� I continued. ��You never reached Qi Gathering, so your core wasn��t shattered. It��s your physical body that took the hit. That��s much easier to heal.��

    Fu Yating shook her head, crossing her arms. Her lips pressed into a thin line.

    ��Women already have a harder time breaking past Body Tempering,�� she said bitterly. ��This... this is crippling.��

    I opened my mouth to argue, but she cut me off with a sharp, dismissive gesture.

    ��I��m done.��

    Fu Yating stared at the green grass, her expression somber. But, as always, it was hard to tell if she was genuinely sad or just putting on another act.

    "Wow," I teased, breaking the silence. "And here I thought you''d have a bit more hope, considering we can only have kids once you reach Qi Gathering."

    Her gaze flicked toward me, her face unreadable.

    I didn''t really care much about having kids either, but throwing in a comment like that could be revealing. People had a harder time hiding their surprise when faced with something... inappropriate.

    She studied me for a long moment, her eyes narrowing. "You don''t seem particularly distraught or worried about that, dear husband..."

    Ah, there it was, the passive-aggressiveness.

    She was sharp, always searching for hidden meanings like a hawk hunting prey.

    ��Am I really that easy to read?��

    "Both yes and no," she continued, her voice steady. "When we first met and discussed this... I was sure you found the idea of being with me repulsive. But now? I''ve seen no signs of you being a degenerate who prefers men. So, what''s going on inside that dome of yours?"

    Without warning, she swung a wooden sword at my neck. She had hidden the weapon in her loose robes.

    I leaned back, dodging the swing by a hair''s breadth. "So, is that a yes or a no?"

    "Sometimes, trying to figure out what someone''s thinking is pointless," she said, taking another swing, her tone calm. "People often delude themselves into images that don''t fit. I pay more attention to actions than words."

    I smirked. "That was the most roundabout, non-answer I''ve ever heard."

    She shrugged, her attacks growing sharper, more precise. "What I''m saying is, people are complicated. Even if I think I''ve read you like a book, that would be naive. Hell, most people don''t always know who they are."

    Despite the increase in precision, she was still far too slow for me.

    I dodged her strikes with minimal effort, weaving through her attacks until I gently placed a hand on her shoulder, which was our usual sign that I could''ve ended the fight at any time.

    She sighed, brushing my hand off.

    "Though, I''ll admit," she said quietly, "Thinking about how my future husband isn''t satisfied with plain-old me, and running off to find comfort in the arms of another woman does get to me."

    "Stop being so melodramatic," I said with a groan. "You clearly don''t want kids either. So why not relax and enjoy this fake relationship? You get to live. I get to avoid some arranged marriage to some other girl half my age who I''ve never even met."

    Fu Yating''s lips twitched into a smirk. "You''re not even in your twenties. You realize there''s a chance they''d find you a wife who hasn''t even been born yet, right?"

    I winced. "Okay, that''s enough."

    She chuckled softly.

    But the teasing only lasted a moment before her expression turned serious again.

    "Truthfully... you''re right. I don''t want kids right now. I''ve said that before. But at the same time..." Her gaze lingered on me, searching for something I wasn''t sure I had. "A Qi Gathering Cultivator has more control over their future. I''d have some say in what happens next."

    She threw her wooden sword to the ground and shifted into hand-to-hand combat without missing a beat.

    "And honestly?" she continued, throwing a quick jab. "Who wouldn''t be reluctant to give up the Azure Frost Sect techniques just to become some boring housewife?"

    I dodged her strike and met her next attack with a block.

    "Exactly," I said. "It''d be a waste."

    Fu Yating didn��t stop. Her attacks kept coming, though there was less force behind them now.

    "But if I had to give it all up..." she said, voice quieter, "I''d rather do it with you than with some random old man. Or some idiot my age."

    I arched a brow.

    That sounded sweet, but it didn''t mean anything if you read between the lines. It was the same as me saying that if I ever wanted kids, having them with Fu Yating would be more convenient since we were already married.

    Still, she''d phrased it better than I ever could.

    ��Can you still use any of the Azure Frost Sect techniques?�� I asked, weaving around her lunges with ease.

    Fu Yating paused to think before shaking her head. ��No. But I can tell you about them. Most of the ones I know are made for women anyway.��

    I dodged another strike and smirked. ��I��m not looking to copy them. I��ve got my own techniques.��

    She rolled her eyes but continued. ��The first and most basic technique we learn is the Ice Lotus Palm. It generates a cold wind and can be lethal on contact if used right. It��s a Mortal Grade Technique, a good one for its grade, but nothing special.��

    She went on, describing the other basic techniques she��d learned. It was fascinating to hear how the Azure Frost Sect operated compared to the Blazing Sun Sect. Their approach was... structured. Sophisticated. They taught students defensive, offensive, and movement techniques in a controlled, step-by-step manner, almost like a proper school.

    By comparison, the Blazing Sun Sect was the Wild West. You learned whatever you could get your hands on. Survival of the fittest. No hand-holding.

    Then she mentioned something that made me pause. ��There��s another technique they teach... to women with above-average talent. It��s called the Frozen Womb Technique.��

    I raised a brow. ��The what?��

    Fu Yating didn��t flinch. ��It does exactly what it sounds like. It doesn��t actually freeze anything. It just removes a woman��s ability to have children for as long as she practices the technique.��

    I blinked, trying to process that.

    What kind of lunatic comes up with something like that?

    The technique seemed... absurd. There was no way I could see how something like that would logically boost cultivation speed. Which made me wonder...

    Could it be a Sky Grade Technique that had been downgraded after too many people started using it?

    Sky Grade Techniques weren��t just stronger versions of Earth Grade Techniques. They were fundamentally different. They created their own internal logic, warping the normal rules of cultivation.

    Take my Dancing Jade Armor, for example. It hardened my Qi into a jade-like defensive shell. At its core, it was a natural extension of Qi, just taken to an extreme. You could see the logic behind it. Hardened Qi equals armor. Simple.

    But then there was Eight Mind Phantoms. That technique was different. It could trap someone in their own mind, deliver mental shocks, and even read thoughts to a certain extent. That wasn��t something Qi could do on its own. There was no logical progression from ��energy�� to ��mind control.��

    The closest comparison would be my Bloodlust Release technique, but that was more of a psychological trick. A way to intimidate, puff myself up, and project a more dangerous aura. It wasn��t actual mental interference. More like a magician��s sleight of hand.

    So how did techniques like Eight Mind Phantoms, or maybe even Frozen Womb, come to exist?

    People had to be creating these Sky Grade Techniques. But even now, I couldn��t comprehend how anyone just... came up with something like that. It was beyond me. I had to admit my ignorance. This was all speculation. No solid facts. Just theories.

    Well, whatever. I��ll think about it later.

    Fu Yating let out a tired sigh and collapsed onto the grass, lying on her back. Her hair clung to her damp forehead, sweat trickling down her neck. She was clearly exhausted, and we hadn��t even been sparring for a full hour.

    I walked over and offered her my hand.

    She took it without a word, letting me pull her to her feet.

    ��Why does it feel like you��re still faster, even when we��re moving at the same speed?�� Fu Yating asked, brushing grass off her sleeves.

    ��Does it?�� I smirked.

    ��Yes,�� she said, frowning. ��Every counter you throw doesn��t seem that fast... but I still can��t react in time.��

    ��Ah.�� I chuckled, memories of countless beatdowns flooding back. ��I know exactly what you mean. Song Song used to wipe the floor with me using the same trick.��

    Fu Yating raised an eyebrow. ��So it��s a trick?��

    ��Not exactly,�� I said. ��It��s a rhythm. A fighting rhythm that messes with your perception. I haven��t mastered it, but I��ve managed to copy bits and pieces from her. Talented people can pull it off naturally. The rest of us have to learn it the hard way.�� I gave her a knowing look. ��And trust me, it hurts to learn it the hard way.��

    I helped her to her feet, watching her dust herself off.

    Explaining this concept was tricky. There wasn��t a perfect way to describe it because, at the end of the day, it came down to talent and talent couldn��t be taught.

    Still, I gave it a shot.

    ��Okay,�� I said, ��tighten all the muscles in your body like you��re bracing for an avalanche to smash into you.��

    She tilted her head. ��An avalanche?��

    ��Just do it.��

    I extended my palm toward her.

    ��Now, punch my hand.��

    Without hesitation, Fu Yating threw a punch. Her eagerness betrayed a moment of weakness. Proof that, despite her earlier frustration, she hadn��t truly given up. There was still a spark of hope in her.

    Her form was good. Much better than when we��d first started sparring. But as her fist hit my palm, there was no real pushback.

    ��Not bad,�� I said, shaking my hand out. ��But you unconsciously relaxed the rest of your body when you threw that punch.��

    ��Huh.�� She blinked, then shrugged. ��Okay, so?��

    ��Flow with the punch,�� I explained. ��Keep your muscles tight, and don��t second-guess yourself. You��ll make mistakes, sure. But if you hesitate, you��ll mess up the rhythm.��

    She stared at me, skeptical. ��That��s it? Just... don��t hesitate?��

    I grinned. ��Yeah. But don��t use this in a real fight until you��ve figured it out. It��s more about finding your own rhythm, not copying mine. You don��t have to imprison yourself in my way of thinking. Experiment. Make it your own.��

    A part of me hoped she��d show some unexpected breakthrough. So far, Fu Yating hadn��t revealed any hidden martial talents. No sudden bursts of brilliance.

    But I couldn��t help but wonder. What if she had been holding back all along?

    That would��ve been fascinating. I could��ve learned so much from that.

    It struck me then how much I missed sparring with Song Song.

    Training with her had been a constant cycle of growth. Every day, she pointed out my mistakes, pushed me to improve, and stayed just one step ahead, no matter how hard I tried to catch up.

    Without her around, it felt like I��d hit a plateau.

    There was no daily pressure to catch up. No borrowed experience to rely on.

    ��So, you��re one of the talented ones,�� Fu Yating sighed, breaking my thoughts.

    I blinked. ��What?��

    ��You��re going on and on about rhythm and fighting instinct...�� She shook her head, feigning exasperation. ��Never thought you were the bragging type. Why go through all that effort just to say you��re talented?��

    I laughed.

    Despite her words, I knew she was just fishing for a reaction. Typical Fu Yating. Always poking at me to see what would stick.

    "Compared to the people around here, it might give the illusion that I''m talented," I chuckled. "But the real monsters out there? They don''t need to think things through in battle. Their bodies react before their minds do. It''s instinct."

    "Oh, okay." Fu Yating nodded thoughtfully, then tilted her head. "So... what do you think about my talent?"

    "Fighting talent?"

    "Of course. What else would I be asking about?" Her tone had that familiar passive-aggressive edge again.

    "Okay, no need to get snippy."

    I gave her a once-over, trying to figure out how to answer without sounding too harsh.

    Something realistic... but not too offensive.

    "You''re good at scheming," I said. "Especially for someone your age. But your fighting talent... well, it leaves a lot to be desired."

    Her face went blank. "Okay..."

    "What I''m saying is that your fighting talent is kinda trashy."

    "You didn''t need to repeat it as an insult," she grumbled. ��I understood it the first time.��

    I smirked. "I learned how to be passive-aggressive from a certain someone."

    "Which part of calling someone ''trashy'' is passive?" she snapped, narrowing her eyes. "Also, I know you only do this because I''m weak."

    "Well, duh. Only a fool would bully the strong."

    Her mouth opened like she was about to argue, but she closed it again, narrowing her eyes like a fox plotting revenge.

    That look promised untold pain.

    I liked this side of her better. The directness suited her more than her usual roundabout ways.

    Okay, maybe I could''ve worded it better than "trashy." But it was the truth.

    Fu Yating had no natural instinct for fighting.

    Still, that didn''t matter much in this world. No matter how good your instincts were, if your opponent had a higher cultivation stage or better techniques, you were done for. All the fighting talent in the world wouldn''t save you from a Nascent Soul Cultivator''s slap.

    After a moment, Fu Yating seemed to let it go, and we got back to training like usual.

    As expected, she didn''t last long, and soon we both ran inside. I went to my room to cultivate, and she joined my mother in the kitchen to help prepare dinner.

    The wind outside howled, rattling the windows as I sat cross-legged on the floor.

    I tried to focus on circulating my Qi, but my mind kept wandering back to Fu Yating''s words.

    Talent...

    I''d given her advice. Shown her techniques. Seen her improve in small ways. But the truth was, if Fu Yating were a Qi Gathering Cultivator right now, she could probably kill me with a sneak attack.

    Fighting talent or not, a blade to the back or a punch I couldn''t dodge would end me just as easily as someone with years of training.

    Even if I could hear the wind shift or sense the slightest movement at my back, it wouldn''t matter. I wouldn''t be fast enough to react.

    Was that why she''d thrown that sneaky punch earlier? Testing whether she could assassinate me at normal speed?

    I wouldn''t put it past her. She was smart like that.

    The thought made me grin. Not because I believed it; it was unlikely she would do something reckless, but I enjoyed imagining such scenarios and trying to think how I would get out of them.

    Fuck, I was bored.

 Chapter 238: A Harsh Truth!

    Chapter 238: A Harsh Truth!

    Winter passed, and spring was in full swing before I knew it. Some patches of snow still lingered in the house''s shadowed corners, stubborn holdouts against the warmer days.

    Surprisingly, I ended up sparring quite a bit with Fu Yating and Wu Yan. Fu Yating, especially, seemed to enjoy it. She even took the initiative to ask me for matches now and then. I suppose even someone like her got tired of constantly keeping up appearances. Sometimes, you just needed to hit something.

    Unfortunately, enthusiasm wasn''t a substitute for talent. Fu Yating''s martial skills? Barely improved. Still, our sessions gave me some insight into her. From what I could tell, she craved power for power''s sake. She wanted to be strong now and rushed through lessons without fully grasping them. Honestly, that mindset was terrible for learning. She''d have been better off chasing power for a more ridiculous reason, like building a harem or something. At least then, her enthusiasm might have persisted through the endless, repetitive failures with no results.

    Also, another new thing was that we had gotten actual reports from the front lines.

    I watched my mother as she excitedly recounted what she knew about the battle''s outcome, describing how the warriors had returned home braver than ever.

    So, they''d finished off the child-killing and wiped out the Fu and Jie Clans? That was quick. Not so much of a challenge when your targets are defenseless, I guess.

    I didn''t want to think about the bad part of this whole situation. Could I have done something? Perhaps, but not much. I didn''t want to think about that either.

    Now, it was just a matter of waiting for winter to officially end and seeing what came next. Spring would bring new worries, especially if there was trouble with the Blazing Sun Sect.

    I might have to wait a few more years for the Heavenly Calamity to pass.

    I had special leave, thanks to Song Song pulling some strings. But my cousins might not be so lucky. So we might need to find a way to extend that.

    "What exactly did you hear? Did they tell you anything besides the ''victorious return'' bit?" I asked.

    Civilians never got much accurate information. For all the bravado, it could easily be a lie to keep the masses from getting restless. Not that I thought we''d lose the war at this point, but anything was possible.

    From the corner of my eye, I caught Fu Yating biting her lip so hard it nearly drew blood. Almost immediately, though, her face returned to its usual expressionless mask.

    That was the first real crack in her composure I''d seen since she arrived, and I was confident it was genuine. Some part of her had probably clung to the hope her clan might survive or at least hold out.

    This time, just this once, I decided not to take advantage of her weakness and acted like I hadn''t noticed.

    She''d just found out her entire family was dead. The least I could do was leave her be.

    "Other than feasts being arranged and funerals for the dead, I didn''t hear much. I came back as soon as I could! I can''t wait to tell your father!" my mother said, her voice squeaky with excitement. I''d never seen her like this before. I guess the war and its possible outcomes had been weighing on her more than she let on.

    "That''s good," I said, pulling her into a warm hug. If feasts were being prepared, then we really had won. "Let me know if you need help with dinner."

    "A man your age in the kitchen? What are you, a cook?" she shot back with a teasing grin before disappearing into the house with Wu Yan following close behind, practically bouncing with every step.

    She never let me help with cooking, but it was polite to offer.

    I decided to call off sparring for the day; this wasn''t the right time for Fu Yating to push herself. Instead, I headed to the bath while she used the one on the first floor.

    ...

    By the time I was clean, the sun was sinking low on the horizon, signaling it was almost dinner. As usual, my father returned home at sunset, but this time my grandfather was with him, grinning from ear to ear.

    We were already seated at the table when they came in.

    "Sit down. No need to get up," my grandfather said, settling into the chair opposite Fu Yating like he owned the place.

    Despite his cheerful demeanor, the old man bore a large, raw, blistering scar around his neck, and his left arm was bound in a sling. Even so, his good mood seemed unshaken, and not even Fu Yating''s presence at the table bothered him.

    "So, how did the war go?" I asked, skipping any preamble. This wasn''t small talk and would help me decide whether to leave immediately or stick around.

    "Well," my grandfather began, taking a sip of the hard alcohol my mother poured for him. It looked like water, but the smell gave it away. "We got lucky during the Thunder Wolf''s attack. Both the Fu and Jie Clan Heads were killed."

    He paused, a satisfied glint in his eye.

    "The hardest part wasn''t the fighting; it was organizing the loot and managing the cities afterward. Once we showed them the heads of their clan leaders, they just crumbled. Screamed, whined, and rolled over as we put them down like the fuckers they were!"

    My grandfather stared at my fiance?e like a bloodthirsty wolf. At the same time, Fu Yating kept her head down, poking at her food with her chopsticks and barely eating a thing.

    Still, he continued explaining his strategies and how he��d handled the war. ��It was mostly luck that the other clan heads were so badly injured during the fight against the Thunder Wolves. That made it easy for us to wipe out the remnants of the other clans.��

    ��How about we leave work talk for outside the dinner table,�� I suggested. It wasn��t like I enjoyed watching Fu Yating squirm. ��Anyway, how are your injuries, Grandpa?��

    ��Well, I almost got my head chopped off, but here I am,�� he said with a grin. ��You should see what happened to the other guy.��

    Grandpa didn��t seem traumatized by nearly dying. If anything, by the way he was smiling, it looked like he��d made some fond memories. Knowing him, it was probably a Fu Clan member who��d come close to killing him; he always got extra cheerful when he talked about taking them down.

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    We continued eating, but no matter how much I tried to steer the conversation elsewhere, Grandpa kept dragging it back to war.

    After dinner, it was dark out, but Grandpa decided to stay for tea and strong liquor. He and my father laughed and swapped jokes while I stuck around as the third man of the house. Fu Yating, on the other hand, excused herself and went upstairs to ��sleep,�� though it was apparent she just wanted to get away.

    During one of their conversations, I cut in.

    ��By the way, has the snow cleared outside the city? Are the mountains passable?�� I asked. ��We should��ve heard something from the greater sects by now, right?��

    ��No news,�� Grandpa replied, pouring himself another drink. ��There are still monstrous beasts on the mountain roads, and as for the big sects? If they��d sent word, we��d have heard it by now.��

    That wasn��t unusual. Even though the Liu Clan��s territory fell under the Blazing Sun Sect��s jurisdiction, they barely communicated with us, especially in winter. The Sect was the ruler of these lands in name only. They rarely even collect taxes, not that this territory had much to offer them anyway.

    I nodded, letting the topic drop, and Grandpa returned to chatting with my father.

    Towns that paid taxes usually had the protection of sect disciples, or even elders in rare cases, during beast waves. But here? We were on our own.

    ...

    A couple of hours passed, and Grandpa had drunk enough to kill a normal man��s liver while my father had already dozed off with his head on the table. Yet Grandpa didn��t seem the least bit tipsy.

    ��You know, Liu Feng,�� he began, staring into the bottom of an empty glass, ��I��ve never quite understood what happened to you in the Blazing Sun Sect. You were always so dutiful when you were younger and always followed my advice. When I heard how well you were doing in the Sect, I was the proudest man alive.��

    He didn��t look drunk, but I doubted he��d be this open otherwise.

    ��Glad I could make you proud,�� I said, sipping my fourth cup of tea and wondering how much longer he planned to stay. My daily cultivation schedule was coming up.

    ��But now,�� he said, his voice taking on a bitter edge, ��I can��t help feeling like we��ve grown distant.��

    ��Why do you think that?�� I asked, keeping my tone passive.

    ��I never thought my grandson would marry a Fu Clan bitch! Just imagining my descendants walking around with Fu blood in their veins...�� he looked like he was about to cough out a lung as he said that.

    Holy shit, he was still hung up on that? He really needed to move on. The Fu Clan was gone. Maybe he should pick up a hobby more appropriate for his age.

    ��Anyway, how��s my reward coming along?�� I asked, changing the subject blatantly. Arguing with him about his hatred for the Fu Clan was pointless. He was too stubborn, and I didn��t care enough to fight him on it.

    ��Reward?�� He tilted his head, confused.

    ��You know, the reward. I stopped the lightning of a Core Formation monstrous beast and triggered the avalanche that gave you guys some breathing room,�� I reminded him.

    I didn��t usually like boasting, but this was about more than pride. There were rewards at stake, potentially even some valuable knowledge. Sure, my heart wasn��t entirely in this war, and others might��ve shown more loyalty or courage, but the results were what mattered. Without that lucky avalanche, the expedition might��ve ended in a massacre.

    ��Oh, right,�� he said, shaking his head. ��Another thing I was proud of... until you ruined it by sticking up for that-�� He stopped himself, his disgust evident.

    Yeah, no mistaking how he felt about my marriage.

    ��Anyway,�� he said, waving me off, ��You should meet with the Clan Head tomorrow to discuss it.��

    ��Sure,�� I said with a nod.

    If they went back on their promise, I��d just distance myself from the clan. Not the individuals, of course. People like Liu Qian, Liu Heng, and Liu Bo had helped me in the past, even when it put them at risk. Like that one time in the outer Sect when some no-name inner sect disciple tried to mess with me...

    After some more talking about pointless stuff, Grandpa finally left, the smell of alcohol lingering on his clothes, breath, and whole presence. He reeked like he was drunk, but his straight gait and steady demeanor said otherwise.

    I stood at the door, watching him walk to the gate.

    Maybe I should set aside some time to research the effects of alcohol on a cultivator��s body. It seemed like a useless and kind of stupid thing to study, but I couldn��t deny my curiosity.

    I shook the thought away and closed the door, heading toward my room while mentally calculating how much cultivation time I��d need tonight. Looked like I��d have to stay up two hours past my usual schedule to fit it in.

    As I passed Fu Yating��s room, I paused.

    Why was I even standing here? I wasn��t sure myself. Maybe part of me felt sorry for her, wondering if she was crying.

    But logic quickly took over, and I shook my head. This wasn��t my business. Her whole family had been massacred today and if there was ever a day for her mask to slip, it was this one. I wouldn��t use her vulnerability against her. At least not today.

    Still, I couldn��t let her grieve indefinitely. There was too much I needed to learn from her. Those acting lessons wouldn��t teach themselves. It was cruel, but if we had lost then we would be on the receiving end of this treatment. I doubt Fu Yating would have been this soft on me.

    As I reached my room, I sensed something unusual inside.

    I opened the door to find Fu Yating sitting at my desk, brushing her dark hair behind her ear as she leaned on one elbow. She was reading a book, a compilation of my notes on the Mortal Grade Technique, Piercing Fang Fist. It was the same book Liu Feng had used to learn the technique, but I had just scribbled my own experiences and some notes.

    Instead of saying anything, I closed the door loudly enough to break her focus if she was too absorbed. Then I went straight to my bed, sat cross-legged, and began cultivating.

    What could I even say in this situation? ''Your whole family is dead, want to cuddle to feel better?'' Or maybe, ''Get out of my room so I can cultivate in peace?''

    The insensitive part of me leaned toward the latter.

    Comforting her wasn��t an option, I had no idea how to do that. If there was one thing I��d learned in my past life, it was that silence was sometimes the best choice. In the end, I just decided to act like she was not here.

    ...

    Midnight came and went, marked only by the flipping of pages and the gentle swirling of Qi below my stomach.

    By the time I was halfway through my cultivation, the stillness broke.

    ��What do you think of me?�� Fu Yating asked suddenly.

    I stopped cultivating, giving myself a moment to think.

    ��You��re not as bad as I thought you��d be,�� I said.

    ��That��s the greatest non-answer I��ve ever heard,�� she replied dryly.

    ��To elaborate,�� I said, ��You��re not that annoying. You don��t bother me when I��m doing my thing, which I appreciate. But it��s a bit irritating wondering if you��re scheming something whenever I see you doing anything.��

    I closed my eyes, resuming cultivation, but paused again. Staring at the ceiling, I added, ��Still, I like having you around. You keep me on edge, and I��d rather practice scheming with you than someone who could actually hurt me.��

    ��You think I can��t hurt you?�� she asked, raising an eyebrow.

    ��Quite the opposite,�� I replied calmly. ��But you��re less dangerous. If I mess up with you, I��m less likely to end up slapped to death in one hit than I would with someone else.��

    ��So... I��m like your teacher?�� she asked, flashing a smile that showed off her perfect white teeth.

    ��More like a test dummy,�� I said. ��But yeah, something like that.��

    Despite my choice of words, Fu Yating didn��t seem bothered. She stood, placing the book she��d been reading neatly back in its spot, and walked out of the room, carefully closing the door behind her.

    What was she thinking now?

    No matter how I looked at it, whether through her words, body language, or actions... I couldn��t tell. Maybe I lacked the right experiences in both my lives. Or maybe I was looking at this all the wrong way.

 Chapter 239: A Tedious Life Story

    As the first rays of morning light spilled across the Liu Clan grounds, a soft golden hue bathed everything in a serene glow. The faint chirping of birds outside my window broke the quiet stillness of the early hour.

    Wait, chirping birds? Since when did I ever wake late enough to hear chirping birds?

    Warm sunlight filtered through the thin glass windows, casting intricate patterns on the walls and floor of my room. The designs blended with the soft flicker of the extinguishing arrays.

    Huh... I��d overslept.

    Shaking off the thought, I got up and put on a fresh pair of dark pants and a matching robe, something that would blend well into the shadows. Normally, I might��ve gone for the standard white, but I preferred dark robes... they were easier to clean, and I had a stash of them in my storage ring.

    After a quick breakfast of warm porridge and freshly steamed buns, I stepped outside into the Liu Clan grounds. The air was crisp, carrying the faint sweetness of spring blossoms beginning to bloom. Winter��s harsh grip had finally loosened. The stone pathways were no longer slick with frost but dry and sunlit.

    Clan members moved about with a relaxed ease absent during the wars. Children dashed across the courtyard, their laughter ringing like a melody, while elders sat in clusters beneath budding trees, sharing quiet conversations. Warriors and cultivators exchanged nods and occasional smiles.

    Under the sunlight, the Liu Clan buildings seemed to glow. Red lanterns from the last feast still swayed gently from some doorways.

    Merchants bustled along the courtyard edges, their carts piled high with fragrant herbs, polished weaponry, and other wares. The hum of bartering blended with the rhythmic clang of a blacksmith��s hammer echoing from a distant forge. As I strolled through the grounds, familiar faces greeted me with bows or polite waves.

    For a moment, it felt like the burdens of the past months had melted away with the snow, leaving the Liu Clan to bask in the fleeting beauty of a peaceful morning.

    Holy shit! I just realized I spent most of winter holed up in my house, sparring with a woman who probably wanted me dead. Honestly, I need to go outside and touch some grass... metaphorically speaking.

    As I walked through the market, a few merchants cast side-glances my way, clearly thinking I wouldn��t notice. Some looked wary, but most greeted me with broad smiles.

    Mortals were usually cautious of cultivators, but we were a big family with the same blood running through our veins. Besides, everyone was still riding the victorious high.

    The crowd thickened as I neared the Main Hall, where the Clan Head handled grievances. This was the central heart of the Liu Clan grounds, bustling with activity.

    ��Excuse me, excuse me,�� I murmured, weaving through the crowd. Thankfully, enough people recognized me to spare me from waiting in line.

    ��This way, cousin,�� Liu Heng called out, spotting me. He wore a dark robe with metal shin guards, looking every bit the diligent guard. ��The Clan Head has been expecting you.��

    He led me toward the large doors, where a handful of other guards stood to maintain order. They let us pass without a word.

    ��I��ll notify the Clan Head of your presence,�� Liu Heng said as we stopped in front of the large doors to the main hall.

    He slipped inside, then poked his head out moments later. ��You can come in now.��

    I nodded and stepped inside, my boots making soft thuds against the polished wooden floor.

    The Main Hall was as imposing as ever, its vast interior illuminated by faint sunlight streaming through narrow, high-set windows. Marble pillars adorned with carvings of mythical beasts stretched up to the vaulted ceiling. The air was thick with the minty tang of incense, a lingering remnant of countless ceremonies held here. Lanterns hung in perfect symmetry across the hall.

    The scent seemed more potent than before. Were they using the minty incense to hide another smell? If I were a betting man, I would say they were trying to hide the scent of medicine.

    "I will leave you alone now," Liu Heng said, closing the door behind me and leaving us in privacy.

    I nodded, barely acknowledging him. My attention was drawn not to the room''s grandeur but to the man seated on the throne of the Liu Clan leadership.

    The throne wasn''t as I remembered it. A cushion was added for comfort, and the once ornate seat was now polished wood.

    But none of that mattered. What stood out was the man occupying the throne. His head was wrapped in bandages and stitches, an eyepatch covered one eye, and where his legs should have been were wooden prosthetics extending below his knees.

    Grandpa hadn''t said a word about this last night. The Liu Clan had clearly paid a steep price. Despite leading the family to unprecedented heights, it was painfully obvious the current Clan Head was no longer in fighting condition. We needed a new Clan Head sooner rather than later.

    Still, I bowed and reported respectfully, "Junior greets the honorable Clan Leader."

    The words might''ve been lip service, considering "honorable" wasn''t exactly how we won this war. Yet, I genuinely appreciated him.

    "Raise your head, Liu Feng," he said, his voice hoarse and tired, a far cry from the powerful figure I''d first met. "You''ve made significant contributions to the war. A large sum of coin will be given to you once the Clan''s finances stabilize. I''ve also approved your earlier request before the battle."

    With a wave of his hand, a book and a short sword appeared on his lap.

    "Forgive me; I can''t get up to hand them over," he said, tossing the book and sheathed sword toward me. The book spun through the air, and the sword arced gracefully. I caught them with ease, their weight settling comfortably in my hands.

    Without hesitation, I stored them in my ring and bowed again, cupping my fists this time.

    "This young one acknowledges the Clan''s generosity and deeply thanks the Clan Head. I sincerely wish for your swift recovery."

    Despite the formal tone, I truly meant it. The sacrifices he''d made for the Clan were beyond words. But hoping for someone''s recovery wasn''t enough to make it happen.

    The Clan Head nodded at my words, and after a formal goodbye, I left the main hall feeling a touch embarrassed.

    I''d prepared escape plans in case the Clan didn''t honor its promises. Seeing firsthand what loyalty cost when strength waned only deepened my respect for him. He had given everything to secure the Liu Clan''s future and eliminate its historical threats. Of course, he hadn''t exactly used honorable and had likely even dabbled in the cruel, but at the end of the day, he gave everything for his Clan. The least I could do was respect someone who gave their everything for something.

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    "How did it go?" Liu Heng asked, meeting me outside.

    "It went well," I replied, smiling at my cousin. "If you ever feel like sparring or training, come to my home. I should start doing my part for the Clan."

    Liu Heng stared at me, his pupils narrowing in surprise before nodding. "Liu Qian is going to have a tough time competing for the Clan Head position with you showing this much enthusiasm."

    "I have no intention of competing for the position," I corrected him quickly. "There''s no room for petty rivalries. I''ll fully support Liu Qian''s rise to Clan Leader."

    "Really?"

    "Of course. We''re family. We should support each other, especially in times like these."

    With that, I left Liu Heng to his duties and rushed home at top speed, likely appearing as nothing more than a blur to anyone watching.

    Once home, I went straight to my room, threw myself onto the bed, pulled out the book and short sword, and opened the book.

    A diary? This was the diary of the Liu Clan founder! Holy shit.

    As for the sword, it looked like an ordinary weapon, nothing special and not particularly well-made. It was probably something the clan founder used in his early years.

    Without any more babbling, I began reading the diary...

    ~

    My first memory is of someone whispering to me about being a bastard.

    I was born as Shu Zi (I later changed my name to Liu Zi) and was the son of a concubine of some cultivator from the Nine Moon Sect.

    ~

    The first entry caught my attention immediately. I continued reading, engrossed in the founder''s recollection of his childhood. He hadn''t had an easy life. He was bullied and constantly belittled for being the son of what was essentially a personal prostitute for a cultivator. Also, the descriptions in his diary were raw; perhaps he knew only high-ranking descendants in the Clan would read this, so he didn''t care much about his image.

    Nine Moon Sect... I''d read about them before. They were once a mid-to-upper-tier sect, but they''d been in sharp decline for the past few hundred years. Why? No clue. The book hadn''t mentioned anything about that.

    As I read further, I learned that when the founder''s cultivation talent was discovered, the Nine Moon Sect invited him to join. But he refused.

    He wrote about not wanting to be coddled by a father he hadn''t even met yet. A real man makes his own destiny, he had written.

    Just from these entries, I got a rough sense of what my ancestor had been like. It made sense why the Liu Clan valued its members so deeply. No matter how distant the blood ties, we always looked out for each other.

    Though, maybe most clans were like this? The only other Clan I''d spent much time around was the Song Clan, and they were... far from normal.

    Anyway, back to the book.

    The founder''s first twenty or so years were uneventful, mostly him struggling to gather cultivation resources as an independent cultivator. He mentioned his mother passing when he was in his twenties, but nothing else about her beyond that.

    He finally entered Foundation Establishment in his mid-forties. Which was a ridiculously long time considering his apparent talent. His chosen element was wind, and he wrote in detail about his insights, the techniques he developed, and the reasons behind them.

    By the time he hit fifty-five, he''d reached the peak of Foundation Establishment. Then, in his mid-seventies, he broke through to Core Formation.

    "Damn, this guy''s life was just cultivating in a dark cavern," I muttered.

    Was that really all there was to it? Or did he leave out the more personal details? There was no mention of first loves or even lovers. From what I could tell, he might''ve been an almost eighty-year-old virgin.

    I shook my head, laughing a little at the thought, and kept reading.

    After becoming a Core Formation powerhouse, he traveled across the continent, but only briefly. He realized his "ultimate technique," formed upon breaking through to Core Formation, was relatively weak.

    The diary described how every minor breakthrough in Core Formation felt like decades of effort. Years slipped away. Without the right resources or fortunate encounters, his cultivation advanced far more slowly than his talent merited.

    For each breakthrough star in Foundation Establishment, a cultivator would create a technique that represented their understanding of their element. To advance to Core Formation, they had to fuse those nine techniques into a single ultimate technique, often called the Core Technique or Ultimate Technique.

    But the techniques couldn''t be random. The cultivator needed a clear vision of what they wanted to create before attempting to merge them.

    Foundation Establishment was all about laying the groundwork for the next level, hence the name. It wasn''t just about the techniques, though. One had to form Qi pillars in their dantian and engrave those techniques into each pillar. The process wasn''t just "a bit" complicated but extremely complicated.

    Of course, there were always geniuses like Song Song who made it look easy. She had both the talent and an incredible comprehension of her element, breezing through breakthroughs like it was second nature.

    Talent and comprehension worked hand in hand during this stage. One wasn''t worth much without the other.

    I planned to dive deeper into this study once I reached Foundation Establishment myself. Unfortunately, Song Song wasn''t exactly great at explaining things, even with her natural abilities.

    As I read further, the diary mentioned the Liu Clan founder breaking through to the three-star Core Formation stage. Afterward, he left his cavern, realizing that advancing further would take far too long. He didn''t believe he had enough lifespan left to reach Nascent Soul.

    Nascent Soul? The guy had ambition, that was for sure.

    As I turned the page, another interesting tidbit caught my eye.

    ~

    This was all when the Blazing Sun Sect was researching the soul, and they were looking for Otherwolders.

    They used to offer a pretty nice reward for any Otherwolders brought to them.

    .

    .

    ~

    It was a small mention, almost a throwaway line, but my mind latched onto it.

    The Blazing Sun Sect was hunting Otherworlders for research? That was a huge deal! I''d been living in the lion''s den this whole time without realizing it!

    No, wait. Maybe the sect wasn''t searching for Otherworlders anymore. Still, the idea was terrifying. Just thinking about it sent a shiver down my spine.

    The diary mentioned specific years but not exact dates of when things happened.

    It also noted that the rewards included rare pills and secret techniques to help with the Nascent Soul realm breakthroughs. Sadly, Otherworlders were too rare for the Clan Founder to make it a reliable endeavor to search for them.

    I shuddered. If my ancestor were alive today, would he have sold me off for one of those rewards?

    But I quickly threw such thoughts at the back of my mind and continued reading.

    After that brief mention, the founder''s life seemed to return to normal. He worked with the Azure Frost Sect on a mysterious project. Whatever it was, it earned him a lifespan-extending technique from one of the three great sects.

    The technique allowed the user to freeze themselves in ice, halting their body''s aging until someone broke them out. But it required the Ice Element, and since it was only Earth Grade, it came with significant drawbacks: cultivation regression over time and total loss of consciousness while frozen. Someone else would have to break the user out.

    The diary also mentioned a visit from the Blazing Sun Sect leader. The founder didn''t go into detail about the leader''s offer, but it was intriguing.

    In the end, my ancestor obtained the longevity technique and traded it to someone else for a Tier 7 Heaven Overturning Pill, which could help with breakthroughs to Nascent Soul.

    Then, in an almost casual afterthought, he mentioned the idea of starting a family in case he failed to break through. He wanted to leave something behind.

    After that, there were no more entries. It was clear he likely died during his attempt to ascend.

    A chill ran down my spine as I closed the diary.

    "Well, that was fun..."

    Also it was enlightening in its own way.

 Chapter 240: Bad News is Not That Bad

    Spring arrived almost overnight. The city buzzed with energy from the spring festival, streets adorned with colorful banners and lanterns swaying gently in the breeze. Flowers bloomed in vivid clusters, painting gardens and roadsides in hues of pink, yellow, and white. Trees stretched their branches skyward, their fresh green leaves catching the sunlight. The air carried the sweet scent of blossoms, mingling with the hum of the season.

    I was in the yard of my house, lying atop Speedy''s shell with a book in hand. It was a book on the rare diseases that had afflicted cultivators throughout the ages and an interesting read overall.

    Wu Yan lounged on her stomach by the porch, intently watching a half-blooming flower. Her dark robe, resembling my own, blended easily with the surroundings... or at least that was her excuse to wear similar robes to mine.

    She had long since reached the peak of Qi Gathering and mastered the basics of the techniques I''d wanted her to learn. Thank God. Now, she was preparing for her breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, delving deeper into her element. I could only hope she wouldn''t lose herself in the process; her element encompassed a vast range of underlying concepts. Still, her unique circumstances made it a perfect fit... theoretically.

    I really didn''t want her to walk down a dangerous path. But this was the only way we even had a slim chance of saving her.

    As for me, I''d recently broken through again, advancing to a six-star Qi Gathering cultivator. My progress was slow but steady, with no major bottlenecks.

    Spring brought many developments, some intriguing, though not all bad. The Liu Clan, for instance, had sold off the two cities it had acquired to minor sects from outside the region.

    It made sense, given the clan''s significant losses. But why go through all the trouble only to replace two old rivals with two new ones? I couldn''t fathom their reasoning. At least the clan head had been shrewd enough to sell each city to rival sects. It seemed like he had a plan, after all, and it was a pretty solid one.

    The Liu Clan now had a century, maybe two, to rebuild in peace. By then, the next generation would take over. Only time would tell if these sacrifices had been worth it.

    Despite anticipating another war this spring, the situation was surprisingly calm. With no enemies to fight, the clan could even send its disciples to train at the new nearby minor sects.

    It was a good outcome, all things considered. But I wasn''t sure it was the right move. The clan would take decades to recover from this winter''s losses, and who knew what future winters might bring?

    Perhaps this was why I''d never make a good clan leader. I wouldn''t sacrifice lives for land I had no use for.

    As my thoughts wandered, I sensed a presence approaching rapidly. I didn''t bother standing, merely closing my book and turning toward the source.

    In less than a second, my grandfather appeared on the grass. The raw wound around his neck had healed into a scar, and his arm seemed to be in good shape again.

    His gaze swept the yard before landing on me. His eyes briefly flicked to Speedy but quickly refocused.

    "We have news about the Blazing Sun Sect," he said, his voice grave.

    "Really?"

    I didn''t like the look on his face.

    *******

    Song Song let out a sigh in the dark room that had been her home for months. She circulated the Qi in her dantian, working to stabilize the volatile energy left from her breakthrough two days ago.

    She''d been a three-star Foundation Establishment cultivator when she first entered this place. Now, she was five-star, with another technique engraved in one of the Qi pillars in her dantian.

    A bead of sweat rolled down her forehead as her cultivation settled, and an involuntary smile tugged at her lips.

    "Looks like I might make it to Core Formation ahead of schedule," she chuckled softly.

    She was far ahead of her father''s stringent timeline for breakthroughs. Talent had never been an issue for her when it came to gathering Qi, but comprehension? That was an entirely different matter. Fortunately, her chosen element aligned perfectly with her abilities, and Liu Feng had generously shared his deep knowledge of blood and its workings.

    After some rough counting and loose calculations, she figured she''d reach Core Formation by the time she was twenty-three. At twenty-two, she was already right on track.

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    Song Song sighed and stopped cultivating. Not that there was much else to do in this dreary environment. She lit an incense stick, its faint glow barely illuminating the room, and pulled out her ancestor''s book. There wasn''t much light generated by the incense stick, but it was enough for her eyes to make out the writing..

    She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to recall something from Liu Feng''s notes.

    He talked so much, though, it was hard to keep everything straight. If she remembered correctly, he once mentioned learning this language from one of his ancestors, or was that her own situation she was remembering? She really needed to start paying more attention.

    It had been so long ago that the details were hazy. Besides, she hadn''t cared much back then. Most of the time, she had listened just to tease him.

    "Well, I''ll just ask him when we meet again," she muttered aloud.

    Yes, she was definitely going a bit crazy here. The only person she could talk to was herself.

    Still, she was genuinely curious about where Liu Feng had learned the language. It was probably like her situation; he had an otherworldly ancestor. Which was neat.

    Then again, there was always the slim chance Liu Feng himself was an otherworlder. Not likely, though; they were incredibly rare. But if he was, that would explain a lot of his weirdness.

    Not that she cared either way. But if it turned out to be true, she''d definitely ask him what another world was like.

    What kind of strange place could produce someone so passionate about learning? Maybe it was a bright, creative world where knowledge was revered, and teachers were worshipped as gods. After all, what kind of world could create someone like Liu Feng?

    That was a thought for another day, as the incense stick burned out, plunging the room back into darkness.

    She was just about to return to cultivating when the door to her chamber creaked open.

    "Don''t tell me years have passed without me noticing?" Song Song squinted against the sudden light. "Sure, I haven''t been keeping track of the days, but it didn''t feel like years. I mostly measured time by my cultivation. Was my talent so bad that years flew by?"

    "It''s an emergency," her father said, ignoring her entirely. His voice was as calm as usual, which made it rather difficult for her to get into the mindset of someone who just heard that this was an emergency. "Something has happened to the Blazing Sun Sect."

    Ugh, his voice was so dry he could calm down a chicken that was about to get its head cut off.

    "Huh?" Song Song tilted her head.

    Okay? It was not like she cared. But she had to act curious in front of her father. After all, Song Song had no plans to wait for her old man to die until she could get all his secret techniques. If she could do anything about it, then her father was going to have an early death.

    "Their mountain is now a scorched ruin," her father continued, his dark eyes calm and unreadable. "There''s a good chance the Song Clan has been destroyed as well."

    "What?" Her eyes widened, shock rippling through her. The Blazing Sun Sect, which had been an immovable force throughout her whole life, was destroyed? "How could something like that happen? Are you sure this isn''t just a rumor? Did you see it yourself?"

    Song Song had plans to become Sect Leader one day, to eradicate her clan with her own two hands. The massacre would''ve been an afterparty for her and Liu Feng to celebrate reaching their goals. Having such plans ruined left a bitter taste in her mouth.

    "Yes," her father said. "The Sect Leader is missing and may soon be declared dead."

    "The Sect Leader? Dead?" Song Song frowned. This could have been the perfect opportunity, but it had come too soon. She wasn''t ready to take over yet.

    "I never liked him," her father muttered, his voice tinged with disdain. "Ever since he took over, he''s toyed with the Song Clan, even though we helped him secure his position."

    Why was he bringing this up now? It wasn''t the kind of thing anyone would write in the history books. Also, should he be speaking about that last part so casually? Besides, her father hadn''t even been around when the Sect Leader rose to power.

    "Still," he added, "it''s hard to believe someone like him would just roll over and die. He might''ve gotten bored, taken what he wanted, and used this Heavenly Calamity as a cover to disappear. Annoying bastard."

    While the news was shocking, Song Song found herself oddly detached. Sure, her family and most of the Song Clan were probably dead. But she didn''t care about them. If anything, it was a shame her father hadn''t been there to die with the rest. Then, she could have gained access to the Song Clan''s secret techniques. There was no doubt that the Clan Leader himself had some secret stash of Sky Grade Techniques, and a safety switch to transfer them in case he died without a direct succesor. After all, the Song Clan had been around for over a dozen millenia.

    At least Liu Feng wasn''t there. That was another flawless prediction on his part. She had no idea how he managed it, but she expected nothing less from someone so brilliant in strategy and scheming.

    Her father droned on about losses and logistics, but she closed her eyes and resumed cultivating.

    Her only concern was that relying on Liu Feng for so long might''ve dulled her mind. Now, without him around, Song Song had to do her own scheming.

    Having Liu Feng do the scheming, Song Song was always a hundred percent sure that things would turn out okay and they would come out on top no matter who the opponent was.

    Now, without that ticket of guaranteed success, reality had become quite dangerous and she had to be cautious not to overplay her hand.

    With those half-joking thoughts, she continued her cultivation. It was just another day, even if one of the great sects might have fallen.

    Without Liu Feng to warn her when things were about to get out of hand, Song Song knew she couldn��t affort to indulge in her favorite leisurely activities. And what a tedious hassle that was...

 Chapter 241: A Blazing Prediction

    The Blazing Sun Sect was destroyed? That was such a weird thing to think about. Even weirder to hear it said out loud, out of nowhere. It felt almost trivial... but it wasn''t.

    "Where did you get this news?" I asked my grandfather.

    He looked me in the eyes, and there was something strange in his gaze; a discerning look that suggested he was trying to read me.

    "It''s mostly rumors. No official sources yet. Just some petty merchants and travelers, largely word of mouth," my grandfather said in a strangely calm voice.

    That was odd. While the Blazing Sun Sect wasn''t our direct overlord, its name still carried enough weight that no outside power or Sect dabbling in sacrificial or demonic techniques dared stir trouble.

    "But take it with a grain of salt," he said. "All kinds of rumors are flying around. Some say the Blazing Sun Sect was destroyed in a war, while others claim that an immortal ascended. And then there are people saying some Nascent Soul beast crashed into the Sect''s mountain."

    Even as he spoke, his posture was too stiff.

    "Still, there''s probably some truth to it," I said. "Rumors like this don''t just start floating around for no reason. Something big clearly happened."

    "Yes," Grandfather agreed. "Something that''s left the Sect so short-staffed they haven''t even been able to send out an official message to stop the speculation."

    Okay. He knew something. But maybe he was keeping quiet because of the whole Fu Yating incident. Still, I doubted the Liu Clan Leader would''ve kept something major from me.

    Even if my behavior might seem irrational to them, I was still an Array Conjurer, someone important to the Sect.

    So, the only reasonable conclusion was that my grandfather was hiding something. Maybe out of some misplaced fear I''d rush off to the Sect or do something reckless.

    I could understand that. After the stunt I pulled with Fu Yating, I wouldn''t trust me either.

    Still, it was worrying. Hopefully, the librarian and the old man were okay. They weren''t the kind of staff who''d be sent to the front lines or forced to shoulder the burden of defending the Sect against something that could''ve been a heavenly calamity.

    They''d only be in danger if something genuinely catastrophic happened. Which... did fit the bill of a heavenly calamity. But there were still people like the Sect Leader who''d act as a buffer before it reached them.

    Despite everything running through my head, I kept my breathing steady and tried not to let any of it show on my face.

    More often than not, my grandfather was a reckless man, but that didn��t mean he was clueless. He��d lived long enough and survived enough schemes in his time.

    ��For now, the Clan Elders have decided to delay the younger generation of the Liu Clan from returning to the Blazing Sun Sect,�� he said, narrowing his eyes at me like a nearsighted man trying to make out something in the distance. ��If these rumors are exaggerated and the Blazing Sun Sect comes asking questions, we��ll just say the clan suffered heavy casualties during the winter and we needed the extra hands to rebuild our strength.��

    The Blazing Sun Sect was an absolute force to someone like my grandfather. But I wasn��t too worried. Even if people came sniffing around, I had Song Song backing me. And even if we were found guilty of something, nothing would come of it.

    Still, not everything was so dandy. If this indeed was a Heavenly Tribulation aimed at the Blazing Sun Immortal, which if even half the rumors were true, then yeah, we were fucked.

    This was much earlier than I��d anticipated. But with the Sect Leader still around, and likely the hidden Blazing Sun Immortal as well, it was hard to imagine they��d let the Sect grounds be destroyed.

    ...

    After a while, my grandfather left without much fanfare. He didn��t even throw a single scoff Fu Yating��s way, which was very unlike him. It only confirmed he was hiding something.

    Later that afternoon, I sat in my room, flipping through a notebook I��d written by hand based on records from the Song Clan��s library. It was full of relevant history on the Blazing Sun Sect and other things I��d found useful.

    ��What bad timing,�� I muttered under my breath.

    If this had happened two or three years later, I could��ve pushed for Song Song to become the de facto successor, sweeping everything up in one big move.

    Oh well. At least the worst-case scenario hadn��t happened, and whatever went down, we weren��t at the Sect to suffer for it. Still, this was too close for comfort.

    It looked like I might have to get active again. We couldn��t let this opportunity slip by. Even if the disaster came early, there were still advantages to being in a crisis.

    Chances were, many of the major Sects under the Blazing Sun Sect were panicking right now. If I could get them to invest in Song Song, there would be plenty of benefits to collect along the way.

    But before I went off gallivanting, I had to take care of some things within my own family.

    I stood up, closed the notebook, and slid it into my storage ring. My eyes fell on the silver band on my finger as my mind wandered, turning over all the possibilities.

    I took a deep breath, calmed myself, and began thinking about which major Clans and Sects were closest to our location. I doubted I was the only one with this idea.

    Chaos created opportunity, and plenty of people were smart enough to see that.

    ...

    After some small talk with my parents, I made my way toward a somewhat desolate corner of the Liu Clan compound. The place was surrounded by trees and looked like a small forest, though on closer inspection, the trees were actually rocks carved in their shape and painted over.

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    The deeper I walked into this stone forest, the more realistic the coloring became. It was hard to tell the difference from the real thing at one point.

    It was an odd clan tradition. Whenever a cultivator from the Liu Clan died, a fake tree would be carved in their honor and placed there.

    After walking for a few minutes, I finally reached what looked like ancient living spaces carved into a massive boulder. The air smelled strange. A mix of paint and the faint scent of grass created a weird, stinging sensation in the back of my throat.

    My cousin, Liu Qian, poked her head out from one of the boulder''s holes and nodded.

    "Liu Feng? What are you doing here?" she asked.

    "I could ask you the same thing. Isn''t this place supposed to be used for punishing unruly younger cultivators?" I shot back with a question of my own.

    She narrowed her eyes. "Who told you I was here?"

    Oh, so it was supposed to be a secret? That meant more was happening in the Liu Clan than I''d realized.

    "I think you already know that," I said with a smirk, acting smug to bait her into giving away a name. I wanted to see who was in on her little secret.

    "So you just happened to find me? Does that mean you''ve got some kind of array all over the clan grounds?" She raised an eyebrow.

    She didn''t take the bait at all. In fact, she saw right through it and even guessed how I''d found her.

    "Not really. I just used an array that sends out a sonar-like signal and locks onto your Qi signature," I said, walking closer.

    Liu Qian didn''t seem uncomfortable. She simply moved aside and let me enter the same hole she was in. The place looked like an old stone dwelling with an opening about the size of a car. A straw bed sat in the corner, and some charred remains on the ground showed where a fire had once burned.

    "What''s a sonar signal?" Liu Qian asked.

    "Just some Array Conjurer terminology," I waved off the question. "Anyway, why are you here? Did you do something?"

    "It''s more about what I didn''t do," she sighed, leaning against the cave wall. "My father is crippled, and I doubt anyone would accept me taking his place."

    "Well, the Clan Leader position isn''t hereditary," I shrugged. I didn''t really see what the big deal was.

    "Someone from my age group did really well in the war. Meanwhile, my father was too scared to send me to the front lines," Liu Qian said with another sigh. She didn''t sound angry at me, just tired. The whole thing seemed to have worn her down. "Being a woman already makes it hard enough to get elected as Clan Head. Now I''ve got this stain on my record too."

    "You don''t have to worry about me competing for that position," I told her.

    "Yeah, you''ve made that abundantly clear," she replied, giving me a dry look.

    I got the feeling she was a bit annoyed with how nonchalant I was about the whole thing.

    "At least your cultivation is progressing well," I reassured her. "Nine-star Qi Gathering at your age is nothing short of genius."

    "Yeah, well, we wasted all the resources we got from that immortal tomb raid on this," she said, looking down. "All of our cultivation has been rushed. Liu Bo and Liu Heng went through the same procedures."

    "They did?" I frowned.

    "Well, my father had to spread the resources evenly when he decided to give me mine. He no longer has the power to strong-arm the elders into following his orders," she said. "Honestly, I have no idea whether they used their resources or not."

    What went unsaid was that this kind of fast-tracked cultivation likely came with side effects, like an unstable foundation. Breaking through to Foundation Establishment was going to be difficult.

    I didn''t know what the Clan Head was thinking, letting his daughter go through something like this. It felt like the clan''s mindset had chained Liu Qian down.

    She had a chance, however small, to reach Core Formation. But the Clan Head and the others would probably be satisfied with her reaching the peak of Foundation Establishment and nothing more.

    Still, this was her choice.

    "Anyway, my father and I decided it would be best for me to stay out of the public eye for a while," she said. "We plan to play it like I''ve been in closed-door cultivation. When I come out, I''ll be at the peak of Qi Gathering. We won''t mention the extra resources we used to get there. We''ll just let people assume I''ve got a real shot at Core Formation and ride those hopes all the way to the Clan Head''s seat."

    So, she had pretty much ruined her actual chances at Core Formation just to make it look like she could reach it. That seemed kind of stupid, at least from my perspective.

    "Anyway, enough about me. What are you here for?" Liu Qian asked, flashing a smile my way.

    Oh, right. I had almost forgotten why I came here in the first place.

    "Well, I just came to let you know that I''m leaving," I said.

    Liu Qian frowned. An unreadable expression crossed her face.

    "What?" she asked. "Why would you need to tell me that?"

    I couldn''t exactly tell her I was heading out to gather support for Song Song. It wasn''t exactly a secret, but the last thing I needed was one of her enemies coming after me while she wasn''t around. The fewer people who knew, the better.

    "I just wanted to tell you that if Song Song comes here-"

    "Wait, what?" Liu Qian interrupted, her brown eyes wide. A slight shiver ran through her fingers. "She is coming here?"

    She looked around the cave like Song Song might crawl out from the shadows at any moment.

    "It''s not as bad as it sounds," I reassured her.

    "Yeah, maybe for you. But that crazy woman might decide to exterminate the Liu Clan on a whim! You''ve spent the most time with her; you know how she is!" Liu Qian took a deep breath and tried calming down, but it didn''t really help.

    After all this time, my cousins finally got comfortable enough to share their honest thoughts with me. They didn''t bother hiding their feelings about certain things anymore.

    "She isn''t that bad once you get to know her," I said.

    In truth, I also hoped Song Song wouldn''t come here, though for a different reason than my cousins.

    I hoped she and I would have an unspoken understanding, even from a distance. The smartest move for her right now would be to stay where she was and focus on cultivation while trusting me to handle everything else. Sure, the Heavenly Calamity could have come at a better time. But we still had to play our hand now, or at the very least make sure others didn''t gain too much ground during this window.

    "She''s unpredictable," Liu Qian countered. "This is our clan''s survival on the line."

    "Don''t worry, she won''t do anything drastic," I said, waving off her concern.

    "How sure are you of that?" Liu Qian asked. "We know what she''s capable of, even against Sects with Core Formation cultivators. She could probably wipe out our entire clan by herself and not even get punished for it."

    "I''m pretty sure she''ll behave," I said.

    She sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Pretty sure? That''s it? Even you can''t guarantee she won''t go crazy."

    "I mean, nothing is guaranteed," I replied.

    Unless Song Song felt something was seriously wrong, she wouldn''t act out. And even then, she wouldn''t go overboard... probably.

    Okay, to be fair, I understood where my cousin was coming from. But whether Song Song showed up or not was out of my hands.

    "Anyway, if she does come, tell her to return where the chickens roost and protect the egg. She''ll know what it means," I said.

    If she didn��t understand what I meant, things could spiral, fast. We had no time to waste.

 Chapter 242: The Next Journey

    "Hmmm..."

    I looked at the map of the city and clan compound on my desk. The entire place had been built on top of a strange cave system.

    Lately, I''d decided to leave behind a few things that might help the clan and ensure my parents'' safety. At least as much as anything could when it came to situations like this.

    I had also accepted a commission from the clan to build an array across the city. Of course, that was a bit unrealistic for someone at my current level. After all, the idea was for the array to last long after I was gone.

    However, I wasn''t a Level 4 Array Conjurer who could inscribe arrays that absorbed ambient Qi to power themselves indefinitely. But I could make something close. It would have to be fed Qi directly through spirit stones or cultivators, allowing the array to draw it from them. The array wasn''t particularly defensive; it worked more like an early-warning system.

    Truthfully, unless I reached Level 4, I couldn''t make a remote barrier that could withstand anything stronger than a Qi Gathering-level attack.

    At least the arrays I''d installed around my house were better. That was part of the deal. If I created this system, the clan would assign cultivators to keep my home arrays in top condition.

    I rubbed my chin, feeling the stubble from the beard I had shaved off. I didn''t have good beard genetics in this life.

    Anyway, I was very close to reaching Level 4. My knowledge of arrays had peaked for a level 3 array conjurer.

    Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Not my mother. Not Fu Yating, either.

    "Come in," I said.

    The door creaked open. I had made sure it did that, just in case the usual cultivator surveillance methods failed. A little noise never hurt.

    "Dear cousin, what brings you all the way here?" I asked, surprised to see Liu Qian out of her stone cave.

    "Nothing, just curious what you were up to," she said.

    Her expression didn''t change, nor did her body language. But I knew she was hiding something. Fu Yating, my dear scheming fiance?e, was much better at this whole lying thing. After dealing with her, Liu Qian''s attempts felt laughably easy to read.

    "We are of the same blood and flesh, cousin. There''s no need to be worried about me," I said, returning my attention to the map spread across the table.

    "Well, your recent work with the arrays makes it pretty clear you''re planning to leave soon," she said. Her speech paused at the end, just slightly. It would''ve been more convincing if I didn''t know she always talked like that when she rehearsed what to say.

    "You guessed right," I nodded.

    "What do you think of taking me along on this journey?" she asked.

    Liu Qian was a talented and driven young woman in her early twenties. She would be an asset to the Liu Clan, or to any Sect, for that matter.

    But when it came to my situation, she didn''t bring much to the table. And this journey was going to be too dangerous for someone like her.

    Sure, I could somewhat guarantee my own safety. However, if Liu Qian had come along, a lot more variables would have been added. There would be just too many uncontrollable variables.

    She had no practical knowledge of botany or cooking, so she''d be dead weight on the trail. She was strong but not strong enough to shift the outcome of a real battle.

    And even with all that, I might have still considered taking her along if she met one final requirement I had for everyone who traveled with me.

    Unfortunately, she wasn''t interesting enough. Not like Wu Yan. With her, I could overlook a lot of drawbacks just because she made the road feel less dull. Her body was like an endless book; no matter how many times I turned the pages and read, there would always be more.

    "Sorry, but I''d feel horrible putting your life on the line. I can''t tell you exactly what I''m going to do out there, but it''s related to Song Song," I said, shamelessly using my dear friend as an excuse. However, to be fair, the part about worrying about Liu Qian''s safety on the trail wasn''t a lie.

    She rubbed her cheek, then slowly scratched her chin as she looked up at the sky, deep in thought.

    After a long pause, she finally asked, "Will we be meeting her on the road... or at all, for that matter?"

    "We might," I replied.

    The chances of that happening were so low it was practically impossible. But technically speaking, it wasn''t entirely impossible. So once again, I used a sliver of truth to build the wall I needed.

    "Damn, it''s like you and her are attached at the hip or something," Liu Qian muttered under her breath. "Well, this just soured my mood. Sorry, cousin, but it seems like you might have to do this alone."

    "No worries," I said, waving off her apology.

    I knew the whispers behind her back bothered her. But not enough to make her gamble her life on someone like Song Song.

    Maybe people were saying she''d been sheltered, that the Clan Head''s daughter hadn''t participated in the war. But here, at least, she was safe.

    "Maybe I''ll take Liu Bo and Liu Heng and go on a journey of our own," she said.

    "Just make sure you learn how to live off the land and how to mask your presence," I advised.

    As for stopping her, that would''ve been pointless. Liu Qian wasn''t stupid. She knew the risks. Repeating them wouldn''t change anything.

    "I''ll go see what they think about this," Liu Qian said, waving as she walked away.

    As I watched her go, I couldn''t help but smile. For all the gossip people threw her way, Liu Qian was a good person.

    Unfortunately, if she had come along, she would''ve been a massive liability in my anti-regressor plan. After all, I was planning for someone who might know the future.

    Wu Yan was standing on the porch nearby, watching the grass grow during our whole conversation.

    We''d probably have to work on her manners a bit since she would end up as the hidden boss.

    ...

    A couple hours later, I sat beside Wu Yan, scribbling notes in my journal about her development and my progress as an Array Conjurer.

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    I would likely reach Level 4 soon. But beyond that, reaching Level 5 or higher would be a different story. The amount of Qi needed for those kinds of arrays couldn''t be supported by a Qi Gathering cultivator.

    Would I even know if my anti-regressor plans worked or not? Hard to say. Honestly, this whole thing felt more like a vanity project.

    Even if there was a regressor in the future, I doubted they''d have any reason to be hostile toward me. I wasn''t planning to become some future menace. And it wasn''t like I''d benefit from that kind of relationship anyway. They''d keep all their secrets to themselves.

    There was a chance I could use my Eight Mind Phantoms Technique to read their mind. But that was extremely risky, especially against people with stronger mental fortitude.

    To read someone''s memories, I had to open my mind to intrusion to receive them, which made it dangerous.

    Though I hadn''t tested the outcome, if someone managed to counter, the best-case scenario would be me getting influenced by their memories. The worst case would be those memories overwhelming me and taking over entirely.

    With both of my lives combined, I barely had over forty years'' worth of memories. That was nothing compared to people who had lived for hundreds of years. Trying to absorb all of that would be a disaster. Even the sheer amount of memories coming at me could act like a mental technique designed to overpower me.

    Mental techniques were dangerous.

    I broke out of my thoughts as I sensed someone approaching. Turning toward the source, I saw Liu Heng walking up with a grim expression.

    "Both of the candidates for the next Clan Head are leaving?" he asked, clearly already aware that Liu Qian and I were planning to go. "With the current Clan Head in a... condition like this, are you sure this is the right time to leave?"

    I shrugged.

    "Liu Qian and I are only Qi Gathering cultivators. Just because someone gives us a title doesn''t mean we can lead people in Foundation Establishment," I said. "A title doesn''t give you strength."

    Sure, maybe I could lead them using arrays to subdue anyone who got in my way. But I wasn''t about to wade through political nonsense for a job that wouldn''t give me anything but stress and complaints.

    Look at the current Clan Head. Sure, he might have lost his legs, but his mind was still sharp. He could still give orders and direction just like before. But the moment he fell, everyone was looking to replace him. Most of them didn''t even respect his daughter despite everything he sacrificed.

    "Just get to the point, cousin. I''ve got things to do," I said.

    "What can I do to make you stay, or at least give the illusion to others that you''re preparing to take over?" he asked.

    Now that I thought about it, Liu Qian must have asked him to accompany her on her journey. Judging by how tense he was, he had probably refused. That was surprising since this guy usually followed her around like a puppy.

    "Nothing," I said, shaking my head. "There''s nothing you can do to keep me here. I''ve already spent too long twiddling my thumbs. I need to help a friend."

    "Do you have any idea what kind of chaos this will cause? You and Liu Qian are supposed to be the next Clan Head!" His hands tightened into fists. He was clearly getting frustrated.

    "It might cause trouble," I admitted. "But if I keep letting other people''s expectations chain me down, then I''ll never get to do what I want."

    I''d made the same mistake in my first life. My parents and every adult around me told me to study hard and get good grades, which would lead to a good job. So I did that. I finished college with decent grades and landed a stable job.

    But all it gave me was a mediocre life as an office worker with no future.

    No matter what, at the end of the day, someone��s life belonged only to themselves. What they did with that life wasn��t something anyone else had the right to decide.

    Maybe that sentiment didn��t work quite as well in this world, where someone could make you do anything with a sword hanging over your head. Still, the general point stood.

    Liu Heng sighed, looking down with an unreadable expression. ��We were supposed to be the golden generation, the ones who would finally put the Liu Clan on the map.��

    There was a weight in his voice as he continued. ��But Liu Bo is crippled, Liu Qian is seen as a coward, and you don��t really care for ruling or responsibility.��

    ��Well, there��s still you,�� I said. ��You��re at least as talented as the Clan Head was. Maybe even more. So why not become the beacon of light you��re looking for?��

    His eyes widened. He opened his mouth like he was about to say something but closed it again, with no words coming out.

    After a few seconds of silence, a small smile tugged at his lips. He nodded slowly.

    ��You��re right. I��ve been looking at this all wrong,�� Liu Heng said, glancing down at his hand, lost in thought. ��It��s not like I��m talentless. There��s a good chance I can reach the peak of Foundation Establishment. Maybe even Core Formation if I use the resources from the Blazing Sun Sect and the inheritance our ancestor left behind.��

    He actually accepted that? That was fast. Still, wonderful!

    Liu Heng looked up at the sky, then back at me with a hesitant smile. ��Thanks. I��ve got something to work toward now too. See you later, and have a fateful journey, cousin.��

    He walked out of the garden and took off at breakneck speed once he stepped beyond my household��s land.

    I should leave someone else to deliver the message if Song Song came around. Liu Qian didn��t seem likely to stick around much longer.

    It was clear that both Liu Heng and Liu Qian carried their own sense of guilt about Liu Bo��s arm. Neither of them had been on the front lines. In a way, Liu Bo had taken their place and paid the price without any reward.

    I could sense that Liu Heng had advanced his cultivation to somewhere around seven or eight-star Qi Gathering. Hopefully, he hadn��t rushed it the way Liu Qian had. It would be a shame if he ruined his chances of reaching Core Formation.

    I sighed and pulled a book from my storage ring, flipping it open. It was a set of instructions the librarian had passed to me.

    I was so close to reaching the next level of Array Conjuring. And I had this new fire array forming in the back of my mind, waiting to be shaped.

    ...

    Eighteen days later, I looked at the walls surrounding Sha Shou City, where the Liu Clan ruled.

    I sat atop Speedy, with Wu Yan standing beside me and Fu Yating leaning over the edge of the turtle''s large shell.

    "Are you sure this is safe?" Fu Yating asked. "Shouldn''t we have a custom saddle or something? I don''t have anywhere to hold onto while this thing moves."

    "Do you put saddles on your friends?" I frowned, waving at my parents as the city shrank behind us.

    "You have a turtle as a friend?" my fiance?e asked.

    "Well, there have been cases where monstrous beasts who spend enough time around humans develop human-like intelligence sooner than their cultivation stage would suggest," I said, repeating something I read in a book.

    "How does that answer my question?" she asked, looking even more confused.

    By now, we were far enough that I could barely make out my parents in the distance, even with my enhanced sight. I smiled, gazing fondly at the walls of the city I had spent so much time in.

    In more ways than one, Liu Feng and I had become the same person. This fondness wasn''t fake, and it wasn''t just some leftover emotion clinging to the body I had taken over. Even if my personality leaned more toward my modern self, traces of Liu Feng were still there. He hadn''t disappeared; we had simply merged.

    "Also, I wouldn''t say Speedy is just my friend. He''s more like a confidant. Or my right-hand man," I added with a smile.

    Fu Yating gave me an unreadable look.

    Did she think I was messing with her? Well, I was trying to. But none of what I said was a lie.

    Speedy was someone I trusted deeply. During the war against the monstrous beasts, he''d had the perfect chance to switch sides. But he didn''t. He had survived countless dangerous situations and never once complained.

    Though I wasn''t insensitive enough to say it out loud if it ever came down to choosing between my fiance?e and my turtle companion... I would choose the turtle without a second thought.

    "Okay, whatever," Fu Yating sighed. "I should be thankful you''re taking me away from your crazy family. Otherwise, they probably would have killed me."

    I shrugged, not bothering to respond to something so obvious, and laid down on Speedy''s shell.

    "Actually, by crazy family, I mean your grandfather," she clarified. "I like your parents."

    "Well, you''d better," I replied, staring up at the clear blue sky. "Plenty of other parents would have treated you much worse once they found out you were from the Fu Clan."

    Even with my parents around, leaving Fu Yating behind would''ve been a death sentence for her. Only time would tell if she would ever truly appreciate the effort I''d put in to keep her alive.

    Though maybe "effort" wasn''t the right word. At worst, she was just an annoying presence. She talked too much, always trying to get on my good side.

    Still, none of that mattered right now as I looked out across the horizon, letting the warmth of the sun settle on my face.

    Another journey.

    What should I do on this one?

 Chapter 243: Book Title

    A month had passed since we left the Liu Clan, and in that time, spring had fully taken hold of the land. The world was alive with color, with lush, endless green stretching as far as the eye could see. Hills rolled gently across the horizon, blanketed in wildflowers of every shade, their petals swaying softly in the breeze. The once-barren trees were now thick with blossoms, their colors vivid against the clear blue sky.

    The mountains in the distance looked almost unreal, their slopes covered in fresh growth. Birds sang from the treetops, and the scent of grass, blooming flowers, and warm earth filled the air.

    But despite the beautiful view, I was focused on something else.

    I laid a snake, thick as my wrist, onto the grass. The cold-blooded creature writhed, coiling and trying to wrap its tail around my arm.

    ��Snakes typically become more active in the spring,�� I explained to Wu Yan. ��During the colder months, many enter brumation. It��s similar to hibernation, with low activity and conserving energy. But as temperatures rise, they come out to bask in the sun, find food, and mate.��

    That last part was a bit awkward to say aloud, but I was here to teach her facts, not skip over them.

    ��If you��re in an area with snakes, spring��s the time you��ll start seeing them more often, especially in sunny places or near water sources.��

    Wu Yan sat quietly on the grass beside me, her porcelain mask tilted slightly as she stared at the snake. The blank eyes carved into the mask gave away nothing, but I had a feeling she was fascinated by all of this. I felt a small flicker of pride at fanning the curious nature of the youth.

    ��Most parts of a venomous snake are edible, except for the venom glands, the fangs, and sometimes the head,�� I added, tightening my grip behind the snake��s head. I conjured a translucent jade knife and stabbed just behind the eyes, piercing into the skull and brain.

    Then I went through the motions, cutting the belly open, removing the slippery mess of organs, and peeling off the skin. I moved slowly and methodically so Wu Yan could follow along and learn.

    Would she use this kind of knowledge often? Probably not. But one day, something like this might save her life.

    Fu Yating, my ��dear�� fiance?e, sat atop Speedy��s shell watching the entire scene with a blank expression.

    ��You��re quite gentle with her,�� she said.

    I smiled and turned toward her. ��Well, what can I say? I��m a gentle person.��

    We had reached the point where we could joke around with each other. I didn��t find myself contemplating her murder nearly as often anymore.

    Maybe it was the pressure of living under the Liu Clan roof, but I remembered her being way more annoying than now.

    ��Are you the same guy who sparred with me without really holding back?�� Fu Yating raised a brow, the corners of her mouth twitching into a knowing smirk.

    ��I didn��t hit you with full power,�� I replied, waving off the suggestion while I chopped the snake meat into clean, even pieces.

    If I had hit her with everything I had, she would��ve died.

    I was just about to say that when I sensed something approaching from the southwest, roughly a quarter mile away. Moving at the speed of someone near the peak of Qi Gathering.

    Standing up, I put the snake meat into my storage ring and warned my companions, ��Stay on guard. Something is approaching from that way.��

    I pointed southwest, and both girls turned in that direction. My finger was slightly off just to test whether Wu Yan would notice.

    Sadly, she didn��t.

    I knew she had problems with Qi control and even more so with sensing Qi over long distances. But her talent was so overwhelming that I was starting to question my own teaching abilities.

    Was I holding her back?

    With her condition, holding her back was the same as digging her grave with my own two hands. Wu Yan was on a timer. If she didn��t reach the highest realm she could within the next decade, she would likely die a gruesome death.

    I conjured a second jade dagger and focused on the incoming presence. The Qi signature was erratic and wild, too uncontrolled to be a human cultivator.

    My theory was confirmed about a minute later when a squirrel-like monstrous beast the size of a dog appeared standing atop a thick branch. It held a watermelon in its little hands, cheeks puffed out as it munched and stared at us with glossy black eyes.

    We stared at each other in silence for several minutes. Then the squirrel finished its snack, turned around, and scurried away without a care in the world.

    ��Not every monstrous beast is carnivorous. A lot of them don��t attack humans unless provoked,�� I explained.

    Wu Yan nodded but didn��t ask any questions.

    She was a good student. Maybe too good. She never questioned anything I said. A small part of me wished she would, if only to show some personal insight instead of accepting everything at face value.

    ��Still, you should always keep your guard up,�� I continued. ��Some monstrous beasts are smarter than most animals. A few might even hold grudges against humans. Maybe someone hunted their kin, or attacked them in the past. You never know.��

    Wu Yan nodded again.

    I sighed and pulled out my notebook. Sitting cross-legged on the grass, I began sketching the squirrel-like beast. I already knew what it was, but I was cataloging everything for a book I��d been working on: Monstrous Beasts �� Spring Edition.

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    Or maybe I should call it something like Emerging Behemoths: A Verdant Treatise on the Resurgence of Monstrous Beasts in the Season of Rebirth.

    No, that was too long.

    Something better would come to mind once the book was finished. Still, I could already imagine some poor scholar in the future having to memorize that ridiculous title and suffer through the same pain I went through researching all of this.

    ...

    A week of quiet journeying passed, with no more monstrous beasts showing up, and we finally approached civilization.

    Standing atop a wind-swept hill, I looked down at the sprawling town below. Lianjing Town, also known as the Pill Furnace of the East. Its towering walls were veined with golden inscriptions that pulsed faintly, signs of protective formations humming with quiet energy.

    Smoke rose in lazy columns from within the town. The arrays around the walls kept the fumes of countless refining furnaces sealed away, but even from this distance, the scent of rare herbs and spiritual fire lingered in the air.

    We had decided to stop here for supplies. Compared to most places nearby, it was a small town but still big enough for us to stock up on rations and other necessities.

    Everything I knew about Lianjing came from a few outdated books, probably reports written centuries ago.

    ��This is Lianjing Town,�� I said, ��known for being very centered around the art of alchemy. If things haven��t changed much, then the organization running the place should still be the Frieze-Ice Cauldron Sect.��

    ��You have such a weirdly good memory for the oddest things,�� Fu Yating said with a half-laugh.

    With my Sky Grade Technique focused on mental elements and memory, not having a good memory would be like being a poor man sitting on a mountain of gold.

    Wu Yan extended her hand toward me, and the skin of her palm shifted. A slit opened, thickened, and slowly shaped itself into a mouth.

    ��Master,�� she said, her voice soft and clearly feminine. ��How could a town like this develop in such a strange way, where alchemy is everything?��

    She had managed to modulate her voice perfectly. No growling, no distortion. She must have trained in secret for quite some time to get her control to this level.

    ��Wait, what? You can speak?!�� Fu Yating blurted out in shock.

    I ignored her and focused on Wu Yan��s hand. She had done something truly impressive; connecting that mouth to her lungs and the rest of her vocal system. That kind of internal mastery was no small feat.

    She had been practicing in secret. That much was clear.

    And damn, I was proud of her.

    ��Sometimes, when ordinary people and less-talented cultivators are cut off from the rest of the world, they find their own ways to survive,�� I explained. ��There was a time when the central continent was overwhelmed by monstrous beasts, and a great barrier had to be erected to isolate the region. Many cities were left in the dark back then, cut off from the outside world.��

    It was a simplified explanation, of course. However, unless Wu Yan was seriously interested in studying the full history and development of every city, there was no need to go deeper.

    ��We��ve been around each other for so long and you haven��t said a single word!�� Fu Yating continued, almost offended now.

    We both ignored her. Only Speedy made the effort to turn his head and glance at the woman shouting from atop his shell.

    There were darker sides to this kind of development. Some powerless cities had resorted to demonic and uncontrollable cultivation methods just to survive the beast waves that had spilled out of the central continent before the separation. They endured like that for hundreds of years. And when they finally reestablished contact with the larger powers, most were wiped out and branded as demonic under a convenient pretext.

    Each big settlement had its own history, full of struggle and adaptation.

    ��So they developed their own way to fight. Alchemy was the perfect tool since most basic pills and elixirs can be made without becoming a cultivator or using Qi,�� Fu Yating said.

    My fiance?e had already adapted to our group dynamics. Whatever shock she��d had about Wu Yan finally speaking, she��d pushed it aside with surprising ease.

    ��It doesn��t seem likely anymore,�� I pointed out. ��Now that they��ve reconnected with the major powers and this town is within Blazing Sun Sect territory, they��ve probably gained access to martial techniques and moved beyond obsessing over alchemy alone.��

    Fu Yating nodded and turned toward me.

    ��Okay, Master,�� Wu Yan said. Her voice came from the small mouth on her palm before the lips vanished and her palm returned to looking smooth and unmarked.

    ��You don��t need to call me Master. Just Teacher is fine,�� I said.

    Wu Yan nodded again but didn��t really respond. Her gaze stayed fixed on the distant town.

    ��I still think their traditions have probably still stayed rooted in alchemy more than martial arts,�� Fu Yating added.

    ��It wouldn��t be the smartest approach, but I could see them doing it,�� I said with a shrug.

    While alchemy wasn��t very useful in a direct fight, that didn��t mean it had no advantages. With enough resources, you could churn out a whole group of below-average Qi Gathering cultivators just by stuffing them full of pills.

    As we neared the town, I could already feel the alchemical culture lingering in the air.

    Cauldron-shaped carriages rolled by, drawn by strange horse-like monstrous beasts with sharp teeth, cat-like tails, four eyes, and thorny tongues. The roads around the town walls were filled with them.

    They seemed to have a more welcoming policy toward monstrous beasts, which meant I could bring Speedy along without issue.

    At the gates, two guards initially eyed us cautiously. Until I pulled a golden token engraved with black-colored markings from my storage ring. The ink shifted strangely and never seemed to look the same.

    Both guards bowed their heads and spoke in unison when they saw it.

    ��We welcome any cultivator from the Blazing Sun Sect!��

    They let us through without even checking our identities or belongings. Careless, in my opinion. But it wasn��t like a small town like this could afford to offend a major Sect, not even in minor ways like causing delays at the gate.

    Thankfully for them, I was not a raging lunatic.

    The streets inside the town weren��t anything special, but they were well-maintained. Not as extravagant as the bigger cities I��d seen, but not poor either.

    As we walked through, the scent of strange pills lingered in the air wherever we went.

    Despite wandering around for a while, we didn��t find any apparent commercial district. Most of the buildings seemed to be homes with surprisingly large gardens for a town this size. And many of those gardens were filled with precious herbs.

    I spotted Bitterdew Grass, which helps with stamina recovery and usually grows near rivers due to its high water needs. There was Drifting Leaf, a mild tea herb that helps with headaches. I even saw Whispering Root, which can temporarily enhance hearing.

    I had never seen so many low-tier herbs growing in one place.

    Some shops had faded signs advertising Cloudmoss, a herb used to reduce sweating in hot weather. A summer product, most likely.

    ��This is impressive. I��ve never seen this many pill and elixir shops, not even in the Azure Frost Sect,�� Fu Yating said.

    Before I could respond, we both stopped in front of one particular shop.

    I couldn��t believe what I was looking at.

    What the hell?

    Alchemy was too much of a commodity in this place.

 Chapter 244: Cheap

    I looked at the pills and elixirs on sale. A powerful alchemy program was the cornerstone of any good and great sect or clan. Things like Qi Sensing Pills helped people sense Qi and break through to Qi Gathering. They were crucial for any clan or sect to have in stock.

    If a sect had a well-developed Alchemy program or pagoda, Qi Sensing Pills might go for as little as four or five spirit stones. Even the cheapest pills typically cost one spirit stone.

    One spirit stone could usually be exchanged for a hundred gold coins. However, this was more of a forced economic incentive to give cultivators from commoner backgrounds a fighting chance.

    I scanned a shop window and spotted an Ember Root Pill, a tier one pill that boosted fire-type spiritual root resonance, being sold for thirty-seven gold coins. That was... quite a shock.

    There were plenty of other pills at similar prices.

    I didn''t see any Qi Sensing Pills or other signature recipes of the four great sects. It seemed more like this town didn''t have the recipe, or maybe they did, but they didn''t dare use it publicly.

    Copyright didn''t exist in this world, but there was an unspoken rule: mess with the great sects'' core interests, and you''d find out exactly how quickly they''d respond. That kind of risk wasn''t worth the profit.

    I brushed my hand across the clean, polished glass, staring at the pills on display like I couldn''t believe what I was seeing.

    "Are you going to buy something, or just gawk?" the shopkeeper asked, stepping out with a strange look in his eyes.

    He was an old man with barely any hair left on his head and a thick gray mustache. He looked like some kind of cowboy if cowboys were Asian and sold pills instead of bullets.

    "We''re outsiders," I said plainly. "We were just amazed at how cheap your pills are. If you decided to sell them outside the town, you''d make a profit."

    "No, thanks," the man snorted. "I''m not some copper-counting merchant. I''m a proud alchemist."

    There was real pride in his voice when he said that, and I could sense a sliver of Qi around him. He was a Qi Gathering cultivator, barely, but it counted.

    Had he forcefully built up his cultivation using pills to compensate for his lack of talent? Maybe. I could''ve been jumping to conclusions, but studying the idea alone was fascinating.

    "I feel like there''s a story there," I said with a smile. "Sorry if we outsiders are being a bit nosy, but I''d really like to understand more about this place."

    Fu Yating looked at me strangely. She was probably wondering why I wasn''t smashing this guy''s face in and demanding answers. That was how most cultivators would''ve handled a situation like this.

    "Pah, I''ve seen your type before, young man," the shop owner said, running his fingers through his mustache as a smile crept across his face. "A man can only become so humble when chasing profit. Or maybe it''s knowledge you''re after. You''re an alchemist, aren''t you?"

    "So close, yet so far away," Fu Yating snickered.

    What the hell did she just say?

    I shot her a look that made it clear she''d said enough. Just because I had taken her from my family to protect her didn''t mean I''d let her interfere.

    We both knew I was too paranoid to leave behind someone whose clan had been exterminated by mine. I wouldn''t want to kill her, but I would if I had to. It was better than risking her turning against the people I cared about.

    Fu Yating was smart. She immediately picked up on the tension, nodded silently, and looked down.

    We had trained together. We shared a kind of connection. But that didn''t mean I would risk everything to protect her if she stopped being useful.

    "I''ve dabbled in alchemy," I said, shifting the conversation. "But I never delved too deep beyond basic concoctions. Never really had the talent for it."

    The old man frowned, staring at Fu Yating for a few quiet seconds before turning back to me. "Right... So are you going to buy something, or just keep staring at my shelf?"

    "We''re here to buy," I replied, scanning the available pills and selecting what we''d need for the journey.

    ...

    It took a bit of time to settle everything. The old alchemist had to fetch extra pills from the back, and even then, he hesitated to sell too many at once. He wanted to ensure he had enough left over for his regular customers.

    I spent just over a thousand gold coins in total. I would''ve bought more, but he was clearly firm about not emptying his reserves.

    After we left the shop, I placed the goods in my storage ring and turned toward Fu Yating.

    "This is the first and last time you antagonize anyone while I''m around," I said calmly. "I don''t care how you acted in the Azure Frost Sect or how things were in your clan. Do it again, and I''ll assume you''re trying to subtly create enemies around me."

    There was no need for death threats. She already knew that if I ever sensed anything off, anything that hinted at a betrayal, I wouldn''t hesitate.

    Maybe this had been her way of testing how far she could push me. If so, I had just drawn the line.

    I had a way I liked conducting myself when dealing with others. If she couldn''t accept that, then she didn''t have a place here.

    "Sorry," Fu Yating said, bowing her head. "I just got caught in the moment."

    She looked genuinely ashamed. She even sounded like it.

    But she was a master actress, and I didn''t believe her for a second.

    After that brief unpleasantness, we set off to explore more of the town. We ended up spending another couple thousand gold coins, buying both things we needed and a few things we definitely didn''t.

    There were plenty of pills and elixirs here I''d never heard of before. I was interested in seeing what effects they might have.

    Gold was just another commodity for most cultivators, and I was no different. I didn''t hold back much. Even in the Blazing Sun Sect, spirit stones were the main currency for cultivation materials, so gold didn''t mean much to me.

    During our wandering, we also learned some information about the town''s leadership. While the main power here was the Crimson Pill Sect, the place was actually run by a council voted in by the townspeople.

    Strangely enough, it was a kind of democracy.

    Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    But there was a catch: alchemists were the only ones who could vote. That worked out fine for them since most of the population qualified as alchemists... though many were barely skilled enough to be called tier one.

    Alchemy rankings went from tier one, the lowest, up to tier nine, the highest. Some places had a lower standard of passing that threshold when qualifying for tier one.

    ...

    As the sun dipped low on the horizon, the sky turned a brilliant shade of crimson-orange. We finally stopped wandering aimlessly and began heading toward the center of town.

    Normally, you''d expect a town center to get busier the closer you got. But here, it was the opposite. The streets became quieter, with larger homes and even bigger yards spreading out in every direction.

    "I don''t see any Sect grounds. How does the Crimson Pill Sect rule this place?" Fu Yating asked, her brow furrowed. "From the way people talked, it seemed like the Sect was based here, not some outside force."

    Oh? She hadn''t figured it out yet. I guess the idea might be harder to grasp for someone who grew up in a more traditional cultivator environment.

    "It''s probably more of a membership system," I said. "You join, get access to their knowledge, and do your own thing. Think of it like a Sect that doesn''t really demand much control."

    "But Sects already let most people return to their clans," Fu Yating said, watching me closely.

    "Yes, but even then, those people are still within the Sect''s territory," I explained. "They only allow that kind of freedom because it doesn''t cost them anything when a Foundation Establishment cultivator decides to leave. But if someone has the potential to reach Nascent Soul... well, that''s when the Sect gets possessive."

    Most Sects had their own methods for keeping that kind of talent tied to them. Some used honey traps. Others made sure their disciples'' families were well cared for. And then there were promises of future leadership, access to rare techniques, or personal mentorship under powerful elders.

    There were many ways to keep someone invested in the Sect.

    And if none of those worked...

    A wild Nascent Soul cultivator was just asking for trouble. Most sects would eliminate unstable factors like that long before they became a real problem.

    Anyway, some smaller alchemy shops were still around this part of town. Most were connected directly to houses, and some even sold tier-two pills for a meager thousand gold.

    Even Fu Yating couldn��t resist. She ended up buying a few tier-one and tier-two pills. Despite trying to appear harmless, the temptation had clearly been too strong.

    I acted like I didn��t notice, but she was smart enough to know I wouldn��t be blindsighted just because I was in a new place.

    So far, nothing she��d bought could be used to make poison, at least as far as I knew. But Fu Yating might have more advanced knowledge than I gave her credit for. She could��ve hidden her intent beneath layers of complexity.

    Right now would��ve been the perfect time to poison me and make a run for it.

    She had to know that most poisons wouldn��t work on Wu Yan��s unique body, and killing me would turn Wu Yan into an enemy she couldn��t afford. Wu Yan wasn��t someone she could charm or bribe.

    At this point, I was confident Fu Yating wasn��t going to poison me.

    Which was, in a strange way, kind of disappointing.

    Despite all my conspiracy theories, she hadn��t acted on any of them.

    So, I had an idea to create an opportunity. A perfect, clear chance for her to take if she really wanted to betray me.

    No matter how disciplined someone was, it should be impossible to hold back after what had happened to her family.

    Still, this place was more developed than I had expected. That could be an opportunity.

    How many cultivators came through here? How many of them understood the economic significance of being able to buy cultivation resources with gold?

    If I were the first in a hundred years to recognize this opportunity, then there would be real profit to be made.

    If I could get the Crimson Pill Sect to support Song Song, we��d have an enormous advantage in putting her in the high seat.

    This was, in a way, a lucky encounter.

    But before I could get ahead of myself, reality settled in.

    These people weren��t stupid. They weren��t going to get involved in something beyond their level. The inner battles of the Blazing Sun Sect might as well have been wars between gods, while this town was, at best, a pebble at their feet.

    No one here would be reckless enough to interfere.

    No one except maybe Fu Yating.

    We walked deeper into the center of town and finally arrived at a crimson-red pagoda. A couple dozen people milled around the area. It was far more populated than the rest of the central district.

    I approached with a gentle smile, scanning the crowd for someone young, inexperienced, and eager to talk.

    Alchemists weren��t rare in this place, but alchemy was still clearly respected. Its prestige made its students confident and sometimes careless.

    It didn��t take long to find my target.

    The girl looked no older than eighteen. Her face was open and cheerful, and she was surrounded by a group of peers. She kept trying to speak, but the others interrupted her again and again.

    I tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around, and unfortunately, so did her companions.

    ��Sorry,�� I said, keeping my tone apologetic. ��I��m an outsider. I just wanted to ask a few questions about this amazing town. Do you mind? Or should I not be here? Sorry if I��m intruding.��

    One of the guys from the group stepped forward. A tall, handsome young man with brown hair and striking emerald eyes. He offered a friendly smile.

    ��Of course you��re allowed, stranger,�� he said warmly.

    Just from that one interaction, I could already read him. Born good-looking, raised with enough wealth to never worry about anything, and far too kind and trusting.

    ��Thanks,�� I said with a nod.

    They returned to their conversation while the meek girl kept staring at me with uncertainty. Every so often, her gaze drifted toward Speedy.

    "What can I help you with?" she asked, nervously playing with her fingers.

    It was strange, but also refreshing, to be around people acting their age. Most had to mature too fast or become full-blown young masters just to survive the kind of pressure this world threw at them.

    "Well, you can start by telling me your name," I said, tilting my head slightly.

    "Ah, okay," she nodded. "My name is Xuan Zui. I''m an apprentice alchemist. In a couple of years, I should be able to become a tier-one alchemist."

    I hadn''t asked about her profession, but judging a book by its cover seemed to have worked this time. Some people just liked to talk and brag about the smallest things.

    Sometimes, silence was golden. But big talkers made friends more easily.

    "I don''t really understand how this place is ruled," I said. "For example, who''s the current Crimson Pill Sect Leader, or who''s supposed to succeed him? Of course, only if that''s public knowledge and you don''t mind sharing."

    "Oh?" Her shoulders slumped a little like she''d been expecting a more interesting question. "Well, there''s the Sect Leader at the top, and his two successors. Everyone thinks one of them will end up in charge. The first is the Sect Leader''s son, Lian Zi. The second is the son of the Sect Leader''s grandfather, Lian Dan Zi."

    The son of the grandfather? That would make the second candidate the Sect Leader''s uncle. Which was... odd. A young man, considered for leadership, despite being technically of the older generation.

    "How old is the current Sect Leader?" I asked.

    "I think we learned it from our books... hmm..." She paused, doing a bit of mental math. "He should be about eighty-three."

    Long-living cultivators always got into weird succession messes like this. The grandfather probably had a child when he was over a hundred. That kind of thing was bound to create conflict down the line.

    Since this was a family dispute, I didn''t have many openings. Interfering as an outsider wouldn''t be well received. Even if the candidate I supported won, he''d be powerless if he didn''t have the internal support of the elders or the Sect as a whole. A puppet. And puppets were as good as useless without the power behind them.

    I wracked my brain, trying to think of something useful to do with this. But every strategy I came up with was full of holes big enough that anyone with half a brain could tear it apart.

    Still, buried among those bad ideas was a safe investment. One that didn''t rely on backing a side or risking anything too much. My position gave me a little wiggle room.

    "So, what do these two look like? Have you ever seen them before?" I asked.

    The girl tilted her head and squinted at the sky, clearly thinking hard. "Hmm... they both have black hair. One of them is tall... but the other guy is also tall, just shorter than him..."

    She went on with a generic explanation that told me nothing. But I hadn''t asked to get a clear answer.

    I just needed her to get a clear image in her head.

    And then, without warning, I softly touched her forehead with my index finger.

 Chapter 245: British Premium

    As soon as I touched the girl and my fingertip brushed against her forehead, a jolt ran through me. In the next instant, images began to bloom within my mind, soft and blurred at first, like a painted canopy slowly unfurling in the wind. Shapes took form. Fleeting moments and flickers of memory until everything sharpened into clarity.

    Scenes unfolded one after another, flowing with a dreamlike rhythm. It was as if her mind had opened a window, and I was now standing at the edge.

    Eight Mind Phantoms. It was a very overpowered technique that I no longer had much trouble using. Like a muscle that had been torn and rebuilt stronger, the same thing happened with my brain after countless times bearing the surge of information.

    Well, maybe it wasn''t really my brain adapting, but more like I''d figured out exactly how far I could push it before I started bleeding from my nose, eyes, and ears like some emo ghost.

    As the girl had explained what the two likely candidates for Sect Leader looked like, she had their images at the front of her mind. That was something I could access with a simple tap on her forehead.

    Using the Eight Mind Phantoms technique was dangerous since it opened my mind to invasion, but it was mostly safe in short bursts like this. It was generally safe most of the time. But the technique could leave me wide open if someone like a regressor or an immortal in disguise was the target. They could flip the script and force their way in through that opening.

    "What did you do that for?" the girl asked, frowning as she rubbed her forehead.

    "Sorry, but you shouldn''t be revealing sensitive information like that to outsiders. What if I was an assassin?" I warned her.

    She pouted and looked like she was going to argue, but stopped herself. Then she stomped the ground and walked away without saying anything.

    Fu Yating sent me a strange look, and before she could speak, I stepped in.

    "I didn''t hit her. It was just her pride that got hurt," I said.

    That girl was a friendly kid, but she needed to be more cautious. While I had my own reasons for choosing her, mostly because she looked like an easy target, my words weren''t entirely without truth. What might seem like common knowledge to her was still sensitive information to someone like me.

    At least she had the basics down. She didn''t curse at me or yell as she walked away, which was smart. Better not to offend some unknown cultivator. For all she knew, I could have been someone important, and I doubted her Sect would try to justify a fight on her behalf.

    Hopefully, I didn''t come off as a bully. Ideally, she''d take this as inspiration to train harder so something like this wouldn''t happen to her again.

    I noticed a few people around us had started openly staring. But none of them said a word.

    It wouldn��t be surprising if the more informed among them already knew I was from the Blazing Sun Sect.

    ��If you keep acting like this, you��ll lose a lot of husband points,�� Fu Yating sighed dramatically.

    ��Husband points?�� I raised a brow.

    ��Think of it like a good husband scale.��

    ��Does less points mean good or bad?��

    ��Bad, obviously. Do you even know how basic games work?��

    ��Cool it with the passive aggressiveness. We��re in public,�� I warned her.

    Fu Yating humphed and gave me an angry look, but I knew she was just playing along. By now, most people would remember it as nothing more than a lover��s quarrel, rather than focus on the questions I asked about the two possible candidates for Sect Leader.

    Even if Fu Yating hadn��t figured out exactly why I was doing all this, maybe she sensed that I wanted to keep my real intentions hidden. So she gave them something else to latch onto, something louder and more dramatic.

    It was strange how someone with no modern knowledge understood human nature so well. People tend to remember the drama in a show over actual news unless said news affects them directly.

    I wondered what it would be like if someone like her used Eight Mind Phantoms, a mental-type Sky Grade Technique.

    I had a feeling she��d be insanely compatible with it. More than I could ever be.

    If I were drowning in Sky Grade scrolls, and if she wasn��t the kind of person who��d probably kill me instead of saving me, I might��ve been tempted to hand her one just to see what she could do with it.

    Of course, I��d never actually give something that precious to Fu Yating or even let her get too close to it. But it was hard not to wonder.

    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    I knew firsthand how much compatibility mattered when it came to martial techniques. Two people using the same technique could have results as different as night and day.

    At its core, Eight Mind Phantoms was designed to seal, manipulate, and even enslave the minds of other living beings. A technique like that had never been a perfect fit for me.

    I��d made plenty of rookie mistakes with it, like creating a jade cube to process the information. It was slow, left me frozen in place and dazed, and the data still had to pass through my brain just for me to understand what was going on. It worked, but it was clunky and inefficient.

    But now wasn��t the time to get lost in thoughts about martial techniques. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted one of the people I was looking for.

    Looked like both of the Sect Leader candidates were here, trying to win over the younger generation and get them to pick a side.

    I could hardly believe what I was seeing. The so-called ��competition�� between the two looked more like a fan meet-up. They even greeted each other, with people casually switching sides, with no drama or tension. Nothing.

    This could all be a ruse, but any slim chance I had of stirring up a real rivalry between the two was practically nonexistent. The competition had a friendlier vibe than I was used to.

    Compared to the mess Song Song and I had to deal with, this felt downright unfair. Oh well, different Sects, different cultures. I just had to play the hand I was dealt. It''s not like our wild west style of competition didn''t have its own perks.

    Either both sides got eliminated, or an absolute beast of a Sect Leader rose from the ashes. That was usually how it went with the Blazing Sun Sect''s rules.

    I counted the people on both sides of this friendly rivalry. It was almost perfectly balanced, which meant the current Sect Leader hadn''t interfered yet. At least not in any significant way to swing things in his son''s favor.

    Usually, support like that would make the candidate look weak, like a daddy''s boy. And showing weakness in the leadership of a strength-based society? That was basically suicide.

    "Can you stop looking at people like that? You''re creeping everyone out," Fu Yating pointed out.

    Sorry. I just had a male version of the resting bitch face. I mostly blamed Song Song for that.

    There was a reason people in my old world used to say; you are who you hang out with.

    "At least it keeps any of the annoying ones out of the way," I said.

    "Sure, sure," she waved me off without a care. With a cultivator''s hearing, half the people around us had probably heard the whole exchange.

    In this case, Fu Yating brushing me off like that gave off a certain impression. It made me seem less threatening, less like someone worth worrying about. Subconsciously, people would lower their guard.

    Of course, there were always those who noticed the cracks, but those people usually had even more reason to keep quiet.

    Still, I wasn''t here to play coy. I had to hedge my bets.

    I turned my attention to the Sect Leader''s son. He was tall and had a solid four fingers of height on me.

    As I walked closer and focused on him, I could sense his cultivation through the crowd. He was at a Qi Gathering, but the way his Qi moved, erratic and unbalanced, showed a level of control even Wu Yan had surpassed.

    He looked to be in his early twenties, so his raw talent probably wasn''t bad.

    Had he damaged his potential by brute-forcing his way through every minor bottleneck with pills? His foundation was so shaky I doubted he could ever reach Foundation Establishment.

    Unfortunately, his competitor wasn''t much better. So it came down to picking the least terrible option between the two.

    And at the end of the day, one of them was the Sect Leader''s son. That alone made him the most likely to win. Even if the father acted fair, unless he was missing a few screws, he''d be working behind the scenes to give his son an edge.

    The Crimson Pill Leader''s son turned toward me as I approached, wearing a sunny and friendly smile as he nodded my way.

    "Hello there!" he greeted.

    I nodded and smiled back. "Sorry if we''re interrupting. It''s just that we''ve never seen a place like this before."

    "I bet you haven''t," he said confidently. "This place braved the terrors of the Dark Ages for centuries, defeating endless hordes of monstrous beasts."

    "It''s a monument," I agreed vaguely.

    "Probably nothing compared to the Blazing Sun Sect," he added. "Also, you should try to apply for the free Alchemy Classes that are open during the summer. Believe me, you''ll be surprised by how much they build on the basics of our craft."

    The guy already knew I was from the Blazing Sun Sect, and his last line was clearly just for show, probably to steer the crowd''s attention elsewhere.

    "By the way, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Lian Zi. Another journeyman on the endless road that is the art of alchemy," he said.

    He had a fancy way of speaking. It was the xianxia version of a British premium accent.

    ...

    In the end, we came to a deal. The guy was surprisingly cooperative and even said he''d support Song Song when he took over as Sect Leader. But his help wasn��t going to be any good.

    The next head wouldn''t be chosen for maybe a hundred years. That kind of support would be useless by then.

    And I couldn''t and wouldn''t kill someone just for the sake of it. Especially not a Sect Leader like the one in charge of the Crimson Pill Sect.

    After that small meeting, we left the town peacefully. No one tried to stop us under the guise of politeness either.

    As for why we left so soon? Once the novelty wore off, the place was honestly pretty dull. Sure, there was mass-produced alchemy here, but no real alchemy masters. None above tier four or five, at least.

    Still, we had no trouble getting out, and the whole place ended up being a pretty decent vacation from the chaos that usually followed oddball Sects like this.

    I had half-expected some ancient monster to show up and try to use our bodies to refine pills or something. But that was just my overactive imagination kicking in.

    As we walked away, I glanced back at the glowing walls of Lianjing Town as the arrays flickered gently.

    Interesting town. Just filled with a lot of uninteresting people. Though perhaps that might be because I had only looked at the surface of things. Maybe in the future I could come and get a better look.

 Chapter 246: A Casual Dinner

    Chapter 246: A Casual Dinner

    Walking through endless green fields in another part of the Blazing Sun Sect''s territory, the soft spring sun beat down on us while a gentle breeze cooled the air.

    Fu Yating gulped down a glass bottle full of water, as she didn''t have the internal Qi or the physique to handle the unnatural dry heat around here. She had been drinking quite a lot of water recently.

    I wanted to ask if she was okay or if there was something I could do about it. But decided against it since it wasn''t like we could turn around now or do anything about this situation.

    We ended up near a river with a few trees scattered around; despite the dry air, the trees were lush and green.

    A soft, croaking sound from a frog caught our attention.

    But before the croaking could become too annoying, Speedy, out of nowhere, extended his neck so fast that I barely saw a blur. He bit into the frog with a sickening crunch and swallowed it whole.

    Fu Yating watched the whole thing and cringed in disgust. Then she gagged and looked like she was going to throw up.

    In my previous life, I had a reflex where if I saw people throwing up, then I also felt like throwing up.

    Would those kinds of instinctive things transfer even in a new body? Would it mean that even our habits are something engraved into the soul? Though that habit might have been culled since I had seen countless mangled corpses by now, the research would end up inconclusive anyway. But it would be interesting if the habit had transferred.

    Yet my thoughts ended up being for nothing, as she didn''t throw up.

    "Hey, don''t judge Speedy just because he eats with his mouth open. The guy''s just following the laws of nature," I said.

    "Laws of nature? Nature doesn''t have laws," Fu Yating frowned. "Also, why do you always have to take his side? I didn''t even say anything this time."

    I turned to the big-ass turtle and smiled, giving him a thumbs up.

    Most people saw Speedy as just an animal or a pet. But I saw a best friend, someone who had actually saved my life more times than I could count during the beast waves last year and plenty of times after that.

    Honestly, I treated him as more human than most humans.

    Walking up to the big guy, I scratched his chin and thought back to when I got him. It was one of the best decisions in this life.

    It''s been quite a journey...

    Just as Speedy and I were having a bro moment, I sensed someone heading our way, fast. A second later, I heard them too. They weren''t even trying to hide their presence. From the sound of it, they were moving erratically, like they were being chased.

    A handful of seconds later, a middle-aged man with a scruffy beard and a mess of tangled hair dropped down from a tree. When he saw us, he stopped and leaned over, panting hard.

    "I''m from the Flaming Cloud Sect!" he declared once he''d caught his breath.

    Just from the tone of his voice, I had a feeling what kind of person he was. But I gave him the benefit of the doubt. Judging a book by its cover, or by its voice, wasn''t exactly smart.

    "If you help me escape, the Sect will repay you a thousandfold!" he said, glancing around nervously. "We might have to sacrifice one of you, but trust me, it''ll be worth it."

    His eyes moved over the girls'' bodies when he said that last part. And when the word "sacrifice" came out, he looked straight at me.

    "What, or who is chasing you? And how did you get hurt?" I asked, ignoring everything else he''d said.

    It wasn''t wise to get involved in other people''s messes. For all I knew, some Core Formation cultivator could be after this guy, which was a shortcut to death''s door if we got involved or were around for that incident.

    ��Peasants should just listen to my orders,�� he growled.

    I looked at the guy as a strange feeling welled up inside me. It wasn��t anger...

    It had just been a while since I��d seen someone this dumb.

    Strangely enough, it didn��t feel bad. I��d been dealing with so many intelligent, scheming people lately that coming across someone this stupid almost brought a tear to my eye.

    I mean, this guy didn��t even know who I was and still tried to demean me? Why couldn��t more cultivators be this dumb?

    ��Are you the son of a Sect Leader?�� I asked, hoping for a positive answer.

    ��No, but I��m the second son of his seventh cousin,�� he said, with a weird kind of confidence, like that was something to be proud of.

    ��That��s... somewhat disappointing,�� I sighed.

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    ��Fucker! Come here and help me, you bastard! If you don��t, I��ll have your whole family flayed in front of you! No matter where you run, I will�C��

    Whatever he was about to say next never left his lips.

    Without warning, a translucent green barrier shimmered into existence above his head, its edges glowing faintly with a sickly light. For the briefest moment, it just hung there. Then it dropped.

    No warning. No time to react.

    The barrier slammed down with brutal force, the air cracking on impact. Bones shattered, flesh gave way, and in the blink of an eye, the guy was reduced to nothing more than a crimson smear on the grass.

    The ground trembled slightly from the force, and silence followed.

    Did he say flaying someone? That dragged up some old, gruesome memories... memories of a certain melted tower...

    Sure, the world needed its stupid people, but it deserved a better standard of stupid. A village idiot was cute. A local tyrant bully? Not so much.

    ��Sometimes people don��t know how to keep their mouths shut,�� Fu Yating said, staring at the red sludge without blinking.

    All that pretense of being grossed out by Speedy eating a frog? Gone.

    I shrugged, and a rectangular crimson barrier formed at my palm and shot toward the scattered flesh on the ground. It was an overcharged heating array that burned everything inside it. With how dense the fire Qi was around here, it charred the body to a crisp without me needing to use more than a flicker of my own Qi.

    Once the evidence was gone, we left.

    I kept an eye on Wu Yan, trying to gauge her reaction and see if she needed reassurance or a bit of a talk. Killing someone like that could be jarring, especially at her age.

    She didn��t seem affected at all, but I��d still have a quiet chat with her later. She was at an impressionable age, and I didn��t want her developing any weird tendencies.

    Oh, and I should probably do something to reassure Fu Yating, too. Just so she wouldn��t get the idea she might end up like that guy.

    ��For a second there, I thought you were going to leave the idiot alive,�� Fu Yating said after we were far away from the murder spot.

    ��I was more curious about what was chasing him,�� I said.

    Sadly, I wasn��t strong enough to take a risk like that. Maybe if the situation had demanded it, I would��ve gambled with my life out of curiosity. But with Wu Yan, Speedy, and even Fu Yating here, I wasn��t about to charge recklessly.

    The most likely scenario? The guy was being chased by some Qi Gathering monstrous beast.

    ��You and your curiosity,�� she muttered.

    Leaving enemies alive was dangerous. Even if they were weak, who knew what kind of backing they had? They could have a third cousin who was a cultivator, and that cousin could be the personal disciple of a core elder, and that elder could be sworn brothers with the Sect Leader.

    As the sun set in the west, we continued walking south, its final flickers painting the sky in a crimson-orange hue.

    However, something was strange; even after the sun dipped below the horizon, the crimson light didn��t fade. It was like another sun was setting in the south, casting that same burning hue across the sky.

    We had to be close.

    After walking a little farther, we finally got a proper view of what lay beyond the hill.

    There was a sea of flames.

    The sight stretched before me, vast and terrifying, an endless, heaving mass of liquid fire.

    It roared with a voice that drowned out thought, a deep, guttural sound like the world itself was burning from the inside out. Waves of molten flame rose and crashed, not with the rhythm of water, but with violent, chaotic force, sending up showers of embers that danced like dying stars in the thick, smoke-choked sky.

    The heat was unbearable, pressing in from all directions like a living thing. It wrapped around my body, searing my skin even from a distance, turning every breath into a struggle. The air was thick and dry, scorching my throat and lungs with each inhale. My eyes watered, stinging from both the heat and the blinding brightness of the inferno, until everything blurred into shades of orange, red, and white-hot gold.

    The smell was overwhelming too. With ash, charred earth, and something almost metallic, like scorched blood and molten iron. It clung to my nose and tongue, thick and acrid, making it hard to breathe without gagging.

    Beneath my feet, the ground trembled with every surge of fire, rumbling like it was in pain. I felt the vibrations in my bones, like the land itself was cracking under pressure. My hands tingled from the raw energy in the air, like my skin was moments away from blistering.

    It was destruction in its purest form, alive, devouring, and utterly unstoppable.

    Holy shit! This was amazing!

    The Sea of Flames... this was something I��d wanted to see for a long time.

    But it wasn��t just the sea of fire that amazed me. On the shore, massive iron rods were driven deep into the sandy ground.

    A huge chain, each link bigger than a truck, stretched from those rods toward the sky connecting them to a floating island above the clouds, hovering over the Sea of Flames.

    Normal people wouldn��t have been able to see the city so high up and hidden in the clouds.

    The scalding heat kept us from getting too close as we approached the Sea of Flames. Especially Fu Yating since she had no Qi to protect herself, so I had to form a Qi barrier around her, shielding us from the worst of it.

    ��What the hell is this?�� Fu Yating asked, her eyes wide as plates.

    ��Haven��t you ever read the books on the wonders of the world?�� I shrugged.

    ��Well...�� She bit the inside of her cheek, thinking. ��I heard about the Sea of Flames, but I never looked into where it was, or if it was even real. At the time, I... had bigger problems to deal with.��

    ��This world is beautiful,�� I said with a smile. ��You should read more about it and, later, explore it. It��d be a shame to die without seeing the Sea of Flames, or a space crack that drives people insane just by looking at it, or so many other things.��

    ��Perhaps...�� Fu began to say something, but stopped herself.

    ��Stick around long enough, and we��ll see all the wonders together,�� I said.

    Fu Yating smiled. ��You��re finally acting like the husband you��re supposed to be.��

    I tilted my head, clearly confused.

    ��I don��t think there was any hidden or backhanded romanticism in what I said. I literally meant it.��

    ��I know,�� she said, still smiling. ��But this was one of those moments where lying might��ve actually helped your case.��

    ��I see no reason to lie,�� I admitted.

 Chapter 247: Blazing Sun Sect’s Betrayal

    As we drew closer to the rods embedded deep in the sand, their true scale began to hit us. They looked large from a distance, but now, standing beneath them, they were colossal. Towering into the sky, each one stretched as high as a twenty-story apartment building.

    But there was something else... strange about the whole structure. The rods looked metallic and radiated heat, a constant whistle in the air around them as the heat distorted the sound, bathing the area in a crimson hue.

    Also, who was the genius who thought it��d be a good idea to anchor these massive nails in sand?

    Sand was one of the most unstable foundations for any structure, especially something meant to chain down a floating island. Assuming, of course, that the island was actually trying to escape and these chains weren��t just a massive decorative piece. I didn��t remember any books explaining this setup.

    I crouched down, running my hand through the sand.

    It was just... normal sand.

    At the point where molten flame met the edge of the land, there were thick shards of glass. Chunks of molten sand hardened into jagged, glimmering pieces. Even from here, I could smell the sharp, acidic scent of scorched earth.

    Just as I was losing myself in the strange beauty of this place, a Qi fluctuation flickered nearby.

    It was Wu Yan.

    We were so close to the sea of flames that the golden fire-like Qi protecting her began to flicker, fading in and out.

    This wasn��t one of my barriers. Wu Yan had decided to protect herself by using her Golden Bell Shield Technique.

    For a second, I considered stepping in. But almost immediately, I chose not to. Wu Yan had to take control of her own future. I might not always be there. So how was she going to handle this?

    Even though I tried to think coldly and logically for her own good, it still felt off. Maybe my internal reasoning was heartless, but it was meant to help her grow.

    Still, despite that resolve, I couldn��t stop myself from conjuring jade daggers, just in case. I needed to be ready.

    If her protection failed, she might get burned. She��d recover quickly; her healing ability was strong, but the pain would still be real. So I had to be ready to surround her in a jade barrier.

    Was this the right choice?

    Lately, I found myself asking that question more often than I��d like.

    I kept my eyes on her, watching like a hawk. But then Wu Yan clapped her hands, and a soft golden bell sound rang out. The golden Qi flared, stabilized, and formed a solid protective shell around her.

    She��d done it.

    She managed to protect herself. But I knew it wouldn��t last forever. Her Qi control was barely passable, and it would eventually start to falter again.

    Still, I didn��t interfere. Wu Yan needed this. This pressure was necessary. It would sharpen her control better than any gentle guidance ever could.

    Fu Yating glanced at Wu Yan, noticing her struggling, then turned to me. ��How long are we going to stick around here?��

    ��Just a bit longer,�� I said, keeping an eye on the foundation of Wu Yan��s technique.

    To my surprise, she wasn��t faltering. Her control had improved, and she wasn��t showing signs of slipping.

    She finally surprised me for the first time since I had begun teaching her.

    Seeing that I didn��t need to stay on edge to protect her anymore, I turned my attention back toward the Sea of Flames.

    The sea wasn��t quite what the books had described. When I��d read about it, I imagined a body of water engulfed in flames. But in reality, the water itself looked like liquid fire, radiating heat. It wasn��t lava... but it definitely looked like it. There were parts where the liquid fire looked translucent and like water.

    What would it feel like to touch it? To run my hand through that burning current?

    After some thought, I decided against it. Judging by the heat radiating from it, even my Qi wouldn��t be enough to protect me if I plunged my hand into that fiery liquid.

    ��Don��t tell me you��re thinking of drinking it?�� Fu Yating said, her voice laced with mockery.

    ��Of course not,�� I replied.

    Though, deep down I had to admit, I was a little curious what it might taste like.

    I crouched down, watching the flowing fire. There were blackened scorch marks where the molten water had licked the shore, and I sifted some of the scorched sand through my fingers.

    It was brittle and still burning hot. Even with my enhanced body, I felt the sting of heat.

    I didn��t get much time to linger on the thought. Just as Fu Yating walked up, ready to say something, a figure dropped from the sky and closed in on us.

    I stood up, eyes narrowing toward the sky. Thanks to the light of the Sea of Flames, it was easy to see who was approaching.

    The figure landed moments later, sending blasts of hot sand in every direction. But before any of it could reach us, I waved my hand and formed an oval-shaped jade barrier around Wu Yan, Fu Yating, Speedy, and myself.

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    As the dust cleared, a middle-aged man came into view. He wore a dark uniform with white sleeves and crimson patterns stitched through the fabric.

    What stood out most wasn��t his appearance but the fact that he wasn��t using any visible Qi to defend himself from the heat, unlike the rest of us.

    Immediately, I activated the Eight Mind Phantoms Technique. A gentle wave of awareness spread from my head like my brain had just been hit with a blast of minty-fresh air.

    I swept a broad wave of mental energy around him to scan.

    Mental energy was mostly undetectable to cultivators unless special circumstances applied.

    The first thing I picked up was that he was using some kind of specialized Qi circulation technique. But I didn��t dig deeper. A surface-level inspection was usually safe, but probe too far and any competent cultivator would feel it.

    A sea of liquid fire. A floating island. And now a guy who had some strange method of resisting the heat, or maybe a technique that put him in tune with it?

    Man... if Song Song��s life wasn��t in danger, and if we didn��t have to get our shit together fast, I honestly wouldn��t mind staying here for years.

    If something happened to the Blazing Sun Sect, the Song Clan would fall with it.

    Song Song had made quite a few enemies, something that would��ve been inevitable even if she hadn��t been the way she was. During the tournament between the four great sects, she��d killed some and injured others. That was just one such incident.

    Those people held grudges. But with the Blazing Sun Sect backing her, there was nothing they could do. If that protection vanished, though? Then it would be as simple as asking a Core Formation Elder, likely their teacher, to deal with a pesky Foundation Establishment cultivator.

    Song Song had excellent fighting instincts, but instincts alone couldn��t bridge the gap between Foundation Establishment and Core Formation like they could back when it was just Qi Gathering and Foundation Establishment.

    Even if the Sect survived and someone else took over as Sect Leader, the odds of them being like the previous one and leaving potential threats to their authority alive were slim to none. I had no idea why the former Sect Leader had done that in the first place. Maybe it was to temper his mind. Still, Song Song was in line to become the next Sect Leader. She had the talent for it, and only a fool would leave someone like her alive, especially with the position likely to be unstable if the new leader wasn��t a Nascent Soul cultivator.

    Even if they were, giving her the time and space to catch up would still be stupid.

    I shook my head and pulled myself out of those thoughts. No use worrying about that right now. The best thing I could do was create a foothold strong enough that, even if Song Song failed to take the Sect Leader position, it would be too costly to kill her outright. Too many allies. Too much risk of civil war. And the hyenas outside the walls would tear them apart the second they showed weakness.

    As for the idea of assassins or some underhanded scheme? Well, she had me. We��d face those challenges together when the time came.

    ��We��re disciples from the Blazing Sun Sect,�� I said aloud. ��We were on leave, visiting nearby areas, when we heard rumors of something major happening. So we came here to ask what exactly happened to the Sect.��

    The middle-aged man looked at me, slowly letting his gaze sweep over the others as if weighing something in his mind.

    ��Do you have any proof?�� he asked, his voice low and slightly raspy.

    I reached into my storage ring and pulled out a golden token lined with shifting black patterns. The dark lines writhed constantly, marking it as a top-tier identification token from the Blazing Sun Sect.

    It wasn��t mine.

    This was Song Song��s token, one she rarely used since everyone already knew who she was. She��d given it to me.

    I had others in my collection, tokens that conveyed different levels of authority, depending on what I needed. But right now, I needed the highest level possible.

    The man stared at the writhing lines for several seconds. A faint glint flickered in his dark eyes. For a moment, I thought he might do something drastic, but he simply nodded after a long pause, still glaring at the token.

    ��We know something happened,�� he finally said. ��Some kind of disaster. But the cause of it is still a mystery.��

    His gaze drifted to the floating island he��d descended from.

    ��All we really know is that a beam shot down from the sky and scorched the mountain. Eyewitness reports are confirming that.��

    I nodded but kept a close eye on him.

    Even with the highest-level token, I didn��t expect people to grovel. But his casual attitude... set off a few red flags.

    ��The Molten Sky Island and the Flaming Cloud Sect have sent some of our troops as aid. But we��re also preparing in case the other three great Sects get any strange ideas about carving up the Blazing Sun Sect��s territory while the soup��s still warm,�� the middle-aged man said.

    What?

    I froze.

    It felt like I��d just heard something insane and extremely dangerous.

    If what this guy was saying was true, the other great Sects wouldn��t stop at claiming a few border towns. They��d tear the Blazing Sun Sect apart, devour its resources and split the corpse.

    I knew what kind of cruelty it took to reach the top. None of those Sects got there by playing nice.

    Shit.

    The most likely explanation was that some Nascent Soul cultivators fought too close to the Sect or some secret technique had been used, such as an attack by someone at or above that level. But... there was another possibility: a Heavenly Calamity.

    If no one had seen Nascent Soul cultivators clashing, then it was very likely a Heavenly Calamity. Only top-tier forces could damage the Blazing Sun Sect like that.

    ��Would it be possible for us to enter the flying city?�� I asked, pointing at the sky and feigning ignorance about Molten Sky Island.

    To my surprise, the middle-aged man shook his head, resolutely answering, ��No.��

    He refused?

    The red flag I��d felt before turned into full-blown suspicion.

    This wasn��t something I��d expected. Aside from the Sect Leader and the Core Elders, the token I��d shown carried the highest authority.

    Now that the Blazing Sun Sect had taken a hit, their enemies weren��t just the other great Sects. Allies like Molten Sky Island, powers that had their own Core Formation cultivators and had only been subservient because of the Sect��s dominance, were beginning to dream of independence.

    Now that the Blazing Sun Sect had shown weakness... they wanted to be their own masters.

    That was bold as fuck.

    If the Blazing Sun Sect ever regained its strength, they��d turn this place into a cautionary tale.

    Well, this clearly wasn��t going anywhere useful. I was tempted to stay, study this place, and indulge my curiosity. But if Song Song became the next Sect Leader, I��d have time for all that and more.

    ��I see. Looks like we��re at an impasse,�� I said casually. ��Anyway, since the Blazing Sun Sect is entering a period of turmoil... well, you know what they say, chaos brings a shift in the status quo. So, I wanted to ask if you��d consider supporting Song Song in the race to become the next Sect Leader.��

    It was also a lifeline and a potential escape route for them.

    If the Blazing Sun Sect made a comeback, they could claim they had supported Song Song all along and that they hadn��t betrayed the Sect, just backed the proper successor.

    Now, the question was... were they willing to play ball?

 Chapter 248: Absolute Control

    Chapter 248: Absolute Control

    The middle-aged man didn��t even bother flying back to his city to check with his superiors. He just shook his head.

    ��I mean no offense to the Song Clan, and we��ve heard how talented Song Song is. But the beast waves have been acting strange lately, and we can��t afford to send any troops for support,�� he said, without blinking or even pretending to be sorry.

    Such blatant disregard for the Blazing Sun Sect. A mere gatekeeper acting on his own, dismissing a request for aid like it was nothing.

    Still, he��d shown some basic respect for the Song Clan. This meant there was a good chance the Song Clan Head was still alive or, at the very least, there had been no confirmed news of his death. These people were being cautious. But that caution also implied something else... they likely had heard something about the Sect Leader and believed he was dead.

    I couldn��t think of any other reason why mere Core Formation cultivators would act this boldly.

    The Song Clan wasn��t known for kindness. Even now, that reputation still carried weight.

    Hanging around here any longer would just stir up unnecessary danger. These people hadn��t made their hostility toward the Blazing Sun Sect explicit yet, but if things got any worse, they might.

    I bowed my head respectfully, with Fu Yating and Wu Yan following suit.

    ��This disciple bids farewell to senior and believes that with Molten Sky Island��s power, you��ll be able to deal with the threat of the monstrous beasts,�� I said politely.

    The man nodded, and we turned to leave.

    Even as we walked away with our backs to him, I stayed on alert. With all the Fire Qi in the air, I could erect a fire defense array in under a second if I had to.

    Only once we��d made it deep into the forest, far from the burning shore, did I stop feeling his gaze on us.

    With the sound of birds and nature surrounding us, I finally let out a breath I hadn��t realized I��d been holding.

    ��That guy got pissed when you brought up supporting Song Song,�� Fu Yating said.

    I sighed, nodded, and agreed quietly, ��That��s probably true.��

    ��In my humble opinion, we should go get Song Song first. With her presence, we��d have a stronger front, which would be more intimidating. Even if people didn��t really support her, they��d at least pretend. And that��s useful too. As long as they play along, they can��t openly back our rivals,�� Fu Yating said.

    ��Having Song Song with us now would be pointless,�� I explained. ��She needs to focus on breaking through to Core Formation. And with her father by her side, I know she��s safe. No matter what happens, she��ll manage it.��

    Now that Fu Yating was seen in public with me, she knew we were in the same boat.

    Still... even if Song Song did become the next Sect Leader, Molten Sky Island would likely remain a thorn in our side. Even if we won the civil war and fended off outside enemies, there��d still be places that saw the Blazing Sun Sect as nothing more than an iron-fisted oppressor, offering no benefits to those beneath them. Those places wouldn��t welcome a return to that rule.

    But that was a problem for another day.

    Right now, I needed to focus on what was in front of me.

    ��How high was the authority on that identity token you used?�� Fu Yating asked.

    I saw no reason to lie.

    ��The highest level for a disciple. Literally can��t be touched by anyone except those explicitly authorized to it.��

    I added that last bit to make it clear that stealing it would be useless. Not that I thought Fu Yating had any such plan; it would��ve been a stupid one anyway. rA?No?bE?s??

    ��They didn��t even let in a disciple from the Blazing Sun Sect with that kind of authority?�� Fu Yating frowned, rubbing her chin. ��They��ve clearly decided they no longer plan to stay under the Great Sect��s control.��

    ��Yep,�� I agreed, glancing at Wu Yan. She was listening closely and hopefully picking up a few things.

    ��What do you think the chances are that these Molten Sky Island people will send someone to eliminate us?�� Fu Yating asked.

    ��Close to none. They don��t know what kind of power we have behind us, or which clan we might come from,�� I said.

    ��True. But they��ve also shown they��re reckless enough to go against the Blazing Sun Sect.��

    Oh, she would know something about reckless plans.

    ��True...�� I agreed again.

    It was nice having someone on the same wavelength. We could bounce ideas and schemes off each other and spot things the other might miss.

    ��By the way,�� Fu Yating asked, ��where was Song Song during the whole disaster?��

    It was a fair concern. Song Song was our only real backer. If she was injured or worse, we were in deep trouble.

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    ��She was somewhere safe with her father. He��s a weird, creepy-looking guy, but he supports her in everything,�� I explained. ��I don��t actually know where they are, though.��

    The chances of me ending up in a situation where I��d be tortured were slim to none, mostly because I had ways to kill myself before it got that far. Still, knowing nothing about Song Song��s location meant she��d be safe no matter what happened to me.

    ��He supports her in everything?�� Fu Yating frowned. ��Does it feel like she grew up in a supportive family?��

    I shrugged. ��I don��t get what his deal is. But a lot of powerful cultivators are weird like that. Centuries of living tend to twist their thought process.��

    ��You don��t understand him?�� Fu Yating��s frown deepened. ��And you just decided to play along and not look into it?��

    ��Something like that. It��s not like I have the power to investigate someone at that level.��

    ��At the end of the day, all cultivators are still human,�� Fu Yating said. ��They can all be understood, no matter how extreme. I��ve never met Song Song��s father, but does he seem like someone willing to give up so much for his daughter?��

    I stopped walking and looked down at the green grass beneath our feet, my thoughts wandering.

    He had supported her becoming Sect Leader. He��d agreed to destroy the very Clan he was the head of...

    Maybe I��d been too desperate and too focused on the coming Heavenly Calamity to question it. I��d accepted too many things at face value.

    What would Song Song��s father gain from all of this?

    Cultivation was an individualistic pursuit. The guy had more children than I could count. It didn��t seem likely this was just fatherly affection.

    It felt like there was a missing piece to this puzzle.

    ��Do you have any idea what it could be?�� I asked.

    Fu Yating shrugged. ��Nope. I just find it weird and a little too convenient.��

    ��How troublesome,�� I muttered, letting the topic drop. For now.

    I spread out my senses, searching for any nearby monstrous beasts...

    And found none.

    Which made it obvious that Molten Sky Island��s excuse about beast waves was weak, at best.

    We kept moving, and I continued scanning the area regularly, searching for even a hint of the danger they��d claimed.

    ...

    After a couple of hours of searching, we finally found a few beasts, most of them hovering around the low end of Qi Gathering. Probably just left here as training targets for the younger generation of Molten Sky Island.

    "Stay put for a bit," I told the team, then turned to Speedy. "Protect them."

    Then, I shot a quick glance at Wu Yan. When I said "them," I really meant her. Fu Yating was just an afterthought.

    It was a bit of an extreme measure, but this world was an extreme place by itself. Without Song Song around, I didn''t have the luxury of making mistakes.

    I activated Galloping Horse Power, my movement technique, and blitzed through the trees, leaving an afterimage in my wake.

    The wind cracked around me like a whip as I moved. It didn''t take long to reach my destination.

    Now that I was far from the source of the heat, the cool night air kissed my skin. I hadn''t even realized how oppressive the heat had been until it was gone. The contrast was almost... pleasant.

    But I had other things to focus on.

    Leaning lazily against a tree was a monstrous beast, a tiger, at least in shape. But where there should''ve been orange fur, there was only deep crimson. Likely a mutation developed over generations under the influence of the Sea of Flames and the dense fire Qi around here.

    The creature was massive, easily the size of a car. One of its eyes opened, as big as my head. It seemed disoriented, too sleepy to react properly.

    After a moment, it growled. But even then, it didn''t bother standing up.

    There were no visible injuries. It just seemed... lazy.

    "You haven''t fought anyone who was a real threat in a long time, huh, big guy?" I said with a smile, stepping forward.

    I wasn''t bothered by its lack of aggression. Most of the beasts around here were ordinary, probably never exposed to truly strong opponents.

    As for the cultivators nearby, they probably didn''t hunt it down because they wanted to preserve the beast population for training purposes. Otherwise, I couldn''t see any reason they''d leave a creature this big lying around. It wasn''t subtle and couldn''t camouflage its presence, I''d sensed its presence from miles away.

    I waited.

    My fighting style worked best when I counterattacked, and I was curious to see what a fire-mutated beast like this could actually do.

    Unfortunately, it just kept lying there. Maybe it was crippled. Or maybe it was simply that lazy.

    "Whatever," I muttered.

    I charged in, and maybe that''s when it finally understood I was serious.

    It roared, a deep, rumbling sound that sent a tingle down the back of my head. A mental attack. Intimidation.

    Not bad.

    Mental techniques worked on most people since nobody trained their mental defenses. This tiger probably thought it was untouchable.

    Sadly for him, I wasn''t most people. My Sky Grade mental defenses weren''t going to be broken by anything less than a Core Formation cultivator using an Earth Grade mental technique.

    He roared again and swiped at me with a paw the size of a small boulder.

    Slow.

    I slipped past it and placed my palm on his forehead.

    For the first time, I used the Eight Mind Phantoms Technique the way it was meant to be used, not to bend, reshape, or manipulate mental energy but to enslave monstrous beasts.

    How many hours had I poured into mastering this technique? How many sleepless nights spent tracing every thread of its complexity?

    Countless.

    I''d always resisted it and tried to reshape it into something that fit me, my style, and my intent. My limitations.

    But now, the moment I let go and allowed the technique to function as it was designed, it was like turning a key in a lock that had been waiting all along.

    It clicked into place with perfect ease.

    The resistance I''d always felt was gone. No strain. No pushback. Just control.

    Immediate. Absolute.

    Using the Eight Mind Phantoms Technique the way it was intended was... astonishingly easy.

    Too easy.

    Like the technique had just been waiting for me to finally understand.

 Chapter 249: The Intoxication of Absolute Control

    The sensation of having absolute control over someone was... strange.

    It settled over me slowly, like warm water pouring down my spine, foreign but not unwelcome. I could feel the creature��s thoughts, its instincts, its urges... and I could silence them all with a mere flicker of will. It wasn��t just obedience, it was surrender. Total, unquestioning submission.

    In a way, it was euphoric.

    There was a heady thrill in that power, in knowing that something so massive, so wild, was now held tightly in the palm of my mind. I could see, with startling clarity, how someone might become addicted to it. That kind of control could eat away at a person and twist their sense of self until they genuinely believed the world was meant to kneel before them.

    It was power in its rawest form.

    And like all power, it whispered. In a more metaphorical sense, this was not Star Wars.

    Even I, someone with no real interest in controlling monstrous beasts, found myself wondering. Should I pursue this further? But at the end of the day, things that held little of my interest had even less influence over me.

    I stared at the red tiger as it padded beside me.

    What was truly frightening about this technique was that, for the first time, I could feel myself pushing beyond certain boundaries. Even the Qi inside the tiger... I could control it almost as easily as my own.

    However, the sad part was that this tiger had lost all its potential. Sure, it could increase its cultivation like normal, but any chance of genuine innovation was gone.

    I expected some kind of mental backlash or something from using a Sky Grade Technique. The mental strain was something I had grown used to by now, but there was none.

    What a strange thing.

    It felt as though I��d separated a part of my mental energy and attached it to the beast. It wouldn��t do anything I didn��t want it to. And despite that, my mind, or the technique, didn��t feel burdened. I could still use the Eight Mind Phantoms as usual.

    Part of me wondered what filling all eight control slots would be like. Just from this experience alone, I knew I could likely control humans in the same way I had this monstrous beast.

    No. I shouldn��t even let my thoughts wander in that direction. There were lines I shouldn��t cross.

    I shook my head and decided not to dwell on the full potential of the Eight Mind Phantoms Technique.

    By controlling key figures, like the Thunder Wolf King, I could amass monster hordes and bring entire regions to heel. Eight Nascent Soul-level beasts could command hundreds of thousands, maybe millions, of their own kind.

    With numbers like that, I could take over the entire Western Continent.

    Assuming, of course, I reached Nascent Soul cultivation myself. And that no immortals interfered in the process.

    Which... was nearly impossible.

    Also, I had no interest in taking over the continent. It was all tedious work with no real reward.

    I turned toward the tree bark where the tiger had been lying and approached it. With a casual wave of my hand, a dozen translucent jade shovels materialized and began to dig.

    After all, it wasn��t uncommon for monstrous beasts to nest near treasures that aided their cultivation. Usually, they just ate such treasures instinctively. But one could always hope.

    At the same time, I extended my Qi senses, probing the area for anything unusual.

    As the hole grew to the size of a small car and nothing turned up, I finally decided to give up.

    No point in wasting any more time.

    I turned toward the red tiger I had tamed and read a trace of its memories. It had chosen to rest there simply because the spot felt warm. It may have been a fire-type treasure, but now it seemed more likely the sun had just hit the place at the right angle.

    Sometimes, I wished I had the kind of lucky encounters I read about in xianxia stories. But those things were rare in reality. Sure, some normal treasures like herbs weren''t that rare, but finding one was about as likely as stumbling across a wallet on the street. Not impossible, just uncommon enough to be unlikely on an everyday basis. A lot of people go through life without finding a lost wallet.

    Being in the wild increased my chances of these kinds of encounters. But it was still unlikely.

    Sighing, I jumped onto the tiger''s back and grabbed a handful of its fur. The crimson strands were warm. Honestly, this would make a perfect sleeping blanket.

    I used the jade shovels to refill the hole. No point in defacing nature for nothing.

    "Go," I said, even though I didn''t need to give verbal orders.

    The tiger moved, and despite its earlier laziness, it tore through the forest at a surprising pace. Almost as fast as me using Galloping Horse Power, and I wasn''t exactly slow when I used that technique. So yeah, some monstrous beasts could move faster than cultivators using Earth Grade movement techniques.

    Though to be fair, that was a pretty loose comparison. Tigers were known for their speed.

    After about twenty minutes, we arrived at the base of a massive tree. The trunk was as wide as a bus, and the tree itself stood as tall as a fifteen-story building, its branches sprawling out and blotting the sky.

    "I''ve seen cats climb trees before. I bet you can too," I said, rubbing the tiger''s fur.

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    I probably shouldn''t get too attached. I had certain plans, and there was a good chance this cat wouldn''t be sticking around for long. Still... I had a soft spot for animals. Which had grown more because of Speedy.

    With no more encouragement needed, the tiger leapt upward, covering half the tree''s height in a single bound. The wind whipped through my hair, and I felt like a kid on a rollercoaster. I almost hollered.

    The tiger clung to the trunk, its weight dragging it down slightly as its claws gouged deep into the bark. When we finally slowed, it started climbing like a proper cat, almost running straight up the tree.

    As we ascended, I saw a large nest nest among the branches. I spread my senses, but there was only one Qi signature inside.

    We reached the branch, and the tiger perched on it, upright and stable. The branch was thick enough to hold us, and more importantly, it also supported the nest I''d been eyeing.

    Inside the nest lay a pelican-like monstrous beast, its head tucked under its wing, seemingly asleep.

    But the second we arrived, it stirred, pulling its head up and snapping its beak toward us with a loud, piercing screech that shook the branch beneath us.

    Thankfully, the red tiger dug in with its claws and growled in response, holding steady.

    My eardrums rattled. If a normal human had heard that screech, their ears would''ve probably burst on the spot.

    The bird flapped its massive wings, stirring a gust that pushed against us like a soft storm.

    We were no longer in the mood to wait. The tiger lunged forward, charging the bird before it could take flight. If that thing got into the air, our chances of winning or even catching it would plummet.

    Sure, I could fly with various methods, like a flying sword. But I wasn''t delusional enough to think I could outfly a beast born for the skies.

    But, to my surprise, the monstrous bird didn''t fly away. Instead, it charged toward us, its long beak aiming straight for the tiger.

    Huh? That wasn''t a smart move.

    Usually, monstrous beasts had better instinctual fighting sense. In some ways, they were more strategic than humans and less clouded by pride or arrogance.

    As it closed in, I briefly considered forming a jade barrier. At that speed, it would probably shatter through the barrier. Yet the sheer momentum might be enough to break its own beak in the process.

    But I quickly abandoned the idea. I wasn''t here to cripple a potential asset.

    Instead, I looked the pelican in the eye and sent out a subtle thread of mental energy. Until they reached Foundation Establishment, monstrous beasts were generally simpler-minded than humans and easier to influence.

    With our minds connected briefly, I sent it an auditory memory of a hissing snake.

    The pelican froze for a split second, eyes darting to the side. When it saw no snake, it broke through the lackluster illusion.

    But by the time its attention snapped back to us, I had already leapt off the tiger''s back and closed the distance. I was right near the bird''s head.

    Taking a deep breath, I narrowed my eyes as the bus-sized pelican thrust its beak at me. It was sharp and long, like two kayak boats lined up end to end.

    I summoned a translucent jade platform midair to block it. Still, the bird''s beak focused all that power into a single needlepoint.

    Cracks spread instantly through the barrier like spiderwebs.

    "That''s quite the attack power," I muttered, half impressed. Even though I knew it probably didn''t understand a word.

    It likely would''ve pierced right through if I''d stuck to my original plan of splattering it against a rigid barrier. No normal barrier would''ve held that kind of impact.

    Instead, green jade chains erupted around me, wrapping around the bird''s beak, then sliding down its long neck and coiling tightly around its wings and body. The constriction brought the bird crashing down onto the branch.

    It thrashed, stirring up more wind just from the sheer force of its movement. But as a bird-type beast, raw physical strength wasn''t its specialty.

    Even so, my jade chains weren''t invincible. They wouldn''t work against many higher-tier beasts, and usually, they wouldn''t have worked here either. If the bird had dodged, it might have broken free with ease.

    I glanced at the nest, where a human adult-sized white egg sat, speckled with red spots.

    There was the reason the pelican couldn��t fight at full power.

    Monstrous beasts that laid eggs had a unique defense mechanism. The eggshell would develop camouflage properties specifically attuned to the beast inside it. That��s why I couldn��t sense the Qi of the pelican chick, even though it had clearly been born with it.

    It was one of nature��s little wonders. I didn��t know how accurate the tales were, but there were records of even Core Formation Cultivators failing to detect these eggs unless they focused their senses directly in the egg��s direction.

    That was impressive. Core Formation Cultivators were monsters in their own right. Depending on their element, their sensing range could span hundreds of miles or even the size of a small country.

    I approached the struggling pelican, stepping carefully onto its beak. Then, I gently laid my palm on its forehead.

    And just like that... the resistance stopped.

    The bird went still, its will wholly absorbed into the Eight Mind Phantoms Technique.

    I swallowed hard, feeling my pulse thundering in my chest.

    This is too easy.

    I could order this bird to eat its own egg and to destroy its offspring. My control over it was that complete.

    When I��d thought about using this Sky Grade technique before, I imagined it would work by altering the victim��s perception and twisting their emotions until they believed they were loyal to me. Something indirect. Something that still gave them a fighting chance.

    But this wasn��t like that.

    This was absolute control. No thoughts. No resistance. No chance.

    Maybe I should have explored this part of the technique sooner. But the other aspects had always been more interesting to me.

    I looked at the egg with its red dots... then at the pelican��s pristine white feathers, inked black only at the tips of its wings.

    Admittedly, I felt a bit guilty. I would hate it if someone did this to Speedy.

    This creature had done nothing to me. I had barged in, enslaved it, and might end up leaving its offspring to die.

    But that didn��t change anything.

    Song Song had sacrificed so much for me. She��d been imprisoned and tortured after killing her cousin while I lay injured. If she could set everything aside for me... then I could bury my meager guilt for now. Also, this was for my own good, too.

    ��Don��t worry,�� I said softly to the giant pelican. ��I��ll take care of your offspring.��

    There was no response. The beast was too deep within the prison of my technique.

    Theoretically, someone with an extremely strong will might resist the Eight Mind Phantoms Technique during the enslavement process. But in practice? That was unrealistic. Unless someone had trained their entire life specifically to resist this, they wouldn��t stand a chance.

    I looked down at my hand and at the palm that had just enslaved two lives in less than an hour.

    And for the first time, I felt overwhelmed by the power of a Sky Grade technique.

    I turned toward the egg. It was nearly as tall as I was and twice as wide. I placed my palm gently against its shell and a gentle warmth pulsed beneath my skin.

    Due to the ambient fire Qi, the pelican inside would almost certainly develop a fire-type mutation.

 Chapter 250: Eye of The Tiger!

    As I gently patted the egg, the warmth radiating from its surface remained steady and soothing. It wasn''t the kind of heat that burned, but something deeper. A quiet, living warmth that pulsed faintly beneath my palm like a heartbeat. The shell was smooth, almost glass-like, but firm and dense. That constant warmth, unwavering and calm, gave the sense that whatever was inside was still sleeping... and very much alive.

    How was I going to take care of the thing growing inside this egg?

    This year, it felt like I''d been collecting a lot of people I needed to look after. Like they were Poke?mon or something. Wu Yan, Fu Yating, and now this egg.

    I chuckled, patted the shell again, and erected a thin but firm green barrier around it. The egg floated gently beside me, perfectly cradled by the shape of the construct.

    There was this borderline �C no, not even borderline �C straight up demonic ritual that allowed the parent to transfer their Qi, power, and even spiritual roots into their child, though at a massive cost to the parent. The big pelican wasn''t going to be living long anyway...

    But I shook my head and dismissed the thought, no matter how tempting it was to witness such a thing. Human curiosity could get pretty twisted if left unchecked.

    Even in modern times, people sometimes specifically search for gore videos. Why? Just curiosity. How far could the human mind go if no restrictions were placed due to morals or anything holding it back? That was not something I wanted to find out about myself.

    And anyway, I was way too close to Molten Sky Island to be casting a demonic ritual. Besides, the writers of those demonic ritual books who mentioned this stuff never talked about the side effects. They probably didn''t care what happened to the poor idiot who actually tried it.

    Well. Time to get a read on my future enemies.

    With a single thought, the tiger bounded forward, leaping from tree to tree at incredible speed. The giant pelican flapped its wings, creating strong gusts, and took to the skies, flying in the same direction.

    Both were heading toward Molten Sky Island.

    I stayed on the branch for a few more minutes and closed my eyes. At first, there was only darkness. Cool, still, and silent. Then I felt the wind brushing against my feathers, even though I had none. A faint signal connected me to the pelican.

    A blurry image started to form in my mind, hazy and color-muted. It was like seeing through another body with unfamiliar senses, but it was definitely something.

    Then, pain.

    It hit like a dynamite stick full of needles exploding in the center of my brain.

    I immediately cut the connection and staggered slightly as the lightheadedness rolled in.

    "Shit," I muttered, touching my upper lip. I expected to see blood.

    But there was none.

    Huh. No blood?

    It seemed that developing the technique to focus on monstrous beast control didn''t put as much strain on the mind. Which made sense. Driving on a road made of asphalt was always easier than a road of nails. The technique was designed for this and was best when used exactly as intended.

    Also, I think I was beginning to understand the "code" used to create Sky Grade Techniques.

    Sighing, I looked at the large egg floating beside me as the jade barrier around it flickered, becoming more solid, like a cocoon.

    After that, I moved at breakneck speeds from tree to tree. Galloping Horse Power Technique was so fast that the corner of my vision blurred as my body couldn''t keep up with my level of mastery over my techniques.

    But by now, I was used to this.

    What kind of arrays would a big organization like this use to protect themselves? I was curious.

    After a while, I changed my approach, moving from the south to the western side of Molten Sky Island. I summoned a jade platform beneath my feet and hovered there, looking toward the distant island.

    I was about twenty miles away. From this height, and with my vision enhanced by cultivation, I could just barely make out the sea of flames far off in the distance.

    I brought my thumb and index finger together to form a circle, mimicking a pair of makeshift glasses.

    At first, nothing happened. The space inside the circle blurred like I was looking through lousy eyesight. Then, everything suddenly sharpened, like I was seeing through a low-grade pair of binoculars.

    This was a simple Mortal Grade technique I''d barely used before. And it showed since it felt like I was looking through an old TV screen, all low resolution and static.

    I toggled it on and off until it worked a bit better.

    "Fuck me, I should really start using more of these techniques," I muttered.

    Learning techniques on the spot was never a smart move. But I had a reason for it. Between the Song Clan Library and the Outer Library, I''d memorized over sixty Earth Grade Techniques and probably hundreds of Mortal Grade ones.

    Even with my Eight Mind Phantoms Technique helping me categorize memories and improving recall, it wasn''t perfect. That wasn''t what it was made for. There was a good chance I''d forgotten over a hundred Mortal Grade Techniques, ones I''d skimmed for fun but never practiced.

    Still, now wasn''t the time to dwell on that. I planned to sort all this out once I hit Foundation Establishment.

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    I spread my Qi senses, sweeping a radius of almost five miles just to check for anyone nearby. Maintaining that scan along with the visual technique was a bit taxing, but I didn''t need to hold it for long.

    Down by the shore of the flaming sea, the tiger finally appeared. It roared at the sky, then leapt at one of the giant nails holding the massive chain. The nail was supposed to be incredibly hot, but the tiger''s Fire Qi seemed to grant it some natural resistance.

    With surprising ease, it clawed its way up the nail, reached the top, and then sprinted along the chain toward the floating island.

    What surprised me most was the complete lack of response.

    No attacks. No defensive arrays. Nothing had triggered so far.

    For a major stronghold like Molten Sky Island, one with Core Formation cultivators at their disposal, this level of security felt... underwhelming.

    As the tiger climbed higher along the chain, cultivators finally made their move.

    They descended from above, flying down on crimson clouds like Sun Wukong, their palms raised and glowing with fire. Instantly, fireballs filled the air and rained down like a carpet bombing run.

    Even from so far away, I could issue immediate commands to the tiger, trying to weave it between the attacks and keep it moving upward. But the field of fire was too broad and there was no dodging that.

    Control slipped from my grasp in an instant.

    Well, at least now I knew: their defensive arrays weren��t fully in place yet. If we ever needed to invade in the future, attacking from the chain with some cover fire from the ground might actually work.

    Also worth noting was that fire-type techniques were enhanced by the sheer density of fire Qi in this area. No surprise there.

    Now, it was time to test their reaction to an aerial assault.

    The pelican swooped in from high above, having flown well beyond the passive sensory range of most Core Formation cultivators. As it dove, its massive form blurred, and the air around its beak combusted, igniting from sheer pressure and ambient fire Qi. The sharp tip of its beak was now wrapped in flame.

    It looked like a giant fiery missile streaking toward Molten Sky Island.

    Even as it got dangerously close to the city, no defensive array activated.

    But then someone appeared. Just, appeared. I didn��t see him move. No warning. One moment the sky was clear, the next it wasn''t.

    Core Formation. Had to be.

    A brilliant explosion lit up the air, and the pelican slammed into the ground with a thunderous impact. A scorching, oversized handprint was burned into the sand where it hit like a giant had slapped it out of the sky.

    I shut off the binocular-like Mortal Grade technique, dropped from the tree, and moved on. I��d gotten the basics. That would be enough, for now.

    When I returned to Fu Yating, Wu Yan, and Speedy, they all looked at me like I��d grown a second head. Well... I couldn��t tell what Wu Yan was thinking, but Fu Yating looked annoyed, and Speedy was still staring at the egg floating beside me.

    ��Alright, let��s set the ground rules,�� I said, cancelling the jade cocoon and letting the egg settle into my arms. It was lighter than I expected. ��This thing is not for eating.��

    ��I don��t think that was the first thing on our minds when we saw you return with an egg,�� Fu Yating said flatly.

    ��I was just being polite by not pointing fingers,�� I said, gesturing toward Speedy. ��But let��s be honest. The one I��m most worried about is him. Look at him, he��s eyeing it like breakfast.��

    Speedy didn��t respond, just kept staring with that same unreadable turtle face. It was always hard to tell what he was thinking. For all I knew, he was planning its entire seasoning profile.

    ��Anyway,�� I said, ��we probably need to get the hell out of here.��

    My Qi flickered like fire, forming a long thread that wrapped around Speedy. Another barrier formed around the egg and Fu Yating, cocooning them in protection.

    And just like that, we took off, vanishing into the trees.

    The wind brushed against my face and ruffled my hair as I kept an eye on Wu Yan following behind. She��d gotten a lot better at using her movement technique and could almost keep up with me.

    Sure, I was carrying Fu Yating, Speedy, and the egg, but that didn��t slow me down nearly as much as it seemed.

    This was actually kind of exciting. Wu Yan technically had a higher cultivation level than me, so she should be faster. But she hadn��t hit a Trace on her movement technique yet.

    As I wondered which direction would be best for her development, I sensed dozens of cultivators flying toward us at breakneck speed.

    Had they figured out I was behind the attack on their island?

    I��d been careful. While observing, I��d stayed far beyond the sensing and visual range of even Core Formation cultivators. Even if someone noticed me, I��d have just looked like another guy watching from afar.

    Besides, mental waves couldn��t be detected once they were inside someone else��s brain. Even if that Core Formation cultivator who slapped the pelican out of the sky had a mental-type Sky Grade Technique, it would��ve been near-impossible to distinguish my interference from the creature��s own thoughts.

    There was also the egg I was carrying, but they shouldn��t have been able to sense that either. And even if they used it as evidence later, I could just claim it was a beast egg I found or bought elsewhere. The fire-type mutation wasn��t exactly rare in these parts.

    No matter how I looked at it, I couldn��t see any solid reason they��d suspect me. The best they could do was note that I had visited during the same time the incident happened... but assuming I was the attacker based on that alone? Bit of a stretch. Especially since, on paper, I was just a Qi Gathering cultivator.

    Even the borrowed identity token from Song Song only hinted at me having some kind of potential. Maybe they��d assume I could control beasts or something, but I was too old to be seen as a prodigy. Real prodigies reached the peak of Qi Gathering in their teens. They spent the time until their twenties gathering the experience and foundation they needed for their element. King of how Song Song did it.

    The most likely conclusion on their end was that a few monstrous beasts went berserk, whether out of revenge or raw bloodlust.

    Still, I conjured two jade daggers and got ready. I could sense their cultivation levels. Most were at the upper end of Qi Gathering, with one Foundation Establishment cultivator among them. Thankfully, that guy was at the lower end of his stage. If things went sideways, I could still get away.

    But despite all my theories and prep, the group just flew overhead on crimson clouds without even glancing at us.

    ��Huh...�� I raised an eyebrow. ��Oh. I get it now.��

    I��d spent all that time thinking about worst-case scenarios. In reality, I wasn��t even on their radar. They were probably just doing a sweep, wiping out any local beasts near the island.

    ��Are we going to be okay?�� Fu Yating asked.

    I could tell she wasn��t looking for specifics by the way she said it. She just wanted to know whether a fight was coming.

    ��We��re fine,�� I said. ��But we should still get the fuck out of here.��

    ��Please don��t swear in front of Wu Yan. She��s at an impressionable age,�� Fu Yating said, tone soft but pointed.

    She really knew how to hit me where it hurt.

    Still, my thoughts drifted back to those crimson clouds. If I remembered right, that was the Floating and Flying Cloud Technique. An Earth Grade technique used mainly by the Flaming Cloud Sect. It was their signature move. At the lower levels, it let you float, but with enough mastery, you could fly at incredible speed, no flying sword required.

    Tempting... but definitely not something I had the time to learn right now.

 Chapter 251: A Warrior’s Arm

    After the cultivators flew past us, their figures vanished into the horizon like streaks of light, with some flying higher looked like falling meteors.

    Then, it began.

    The monstrous beasts I had sensed earlier began to vanish one by one. Their presences, once pressing at the edge of my perception like something moving in the corner of my vision, flickered out. Some faded slowly. Others vanished all at once, as if swallowed by the void.

    Huh. It really did seem like Molten Sky Island had just sent people to wipe out the beasts they''d previously let live around here.

    That confirmed my earlier suspicion.

    Well... these people had a short fuse. Good to know. There really wouldn''t be any second chance if I failed the first time.

    More and more Qi signatures disappeared. Even a few human presences blinked out, likely killed by beasts who were stronger than their cultivation level might have suggested. Fighting monsters in their home territory was always risky.

    We made it past the perimeter Molten Sky Island had set up, slipping out before they could notice. Meanwhile, the beasts inside that area were being systematically wiped out.

    "What''s happening?" Fu Yating asked, picking up on something in my expression.

    "Nothing," I said at first. But just as I opened my mouth to say more, I felt it; two entire elimination teams vanished in an instant.

    "Actually," I corrected, "Molten Sky Island might''ve kicked a hornet''s nest."

    There were always cultivators and monsters who preferred to live in isolation, hidden from the world. Sometimes they were powerful, the kind of people who didn''t need sect resources to grow. People who thrived in solitude because their talent made up for everything else.

    "We better pick up the pace," I said.

    Until now, I''d been keeping a steady speed. Conserving Qi and stamina in case of a fight. But this wasn''t the time for caution anymore.

    Then another three teams went dark. That was fifteen Qi Gathering cultivators, eliminated almost instantly.

    I couldn''t pinpoint who or what was responsible. Only a flicker of Qi, barely noticeable, before each group vanished. Whoever this was, they were moving fast through different biomes of forests, fields, and dense terrain. But beasts couldn''t camouflage their Qi in environments they hadn''t grown up in or formed a natural connection with.

    That ruled them out.

    I spread my Qi senses wide, like a sonar wave pulsing outward, focusing on the remaining teams. Just as another squad''s life signs began to flicker, I caught it...

    A flicker of Qi.

    Oh.

    The attacker wasn��t a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

    That was... surprising.

    And not good news.

    That meant whoever this was had the techniques, the experience, and the raw fighting talent to kill Qi Gathering cultivators like they were nothing. He hadn��t run into the Foundation Establishment cultivator leading the sweep yet. But I doubted he��d lose to him either.

    Then my thoughts slammed to a halt.

    My heart thudded violently in my chest as the attacker suddenly shifted direction.

    He was heading toward us.

    Did he sense me? Sense that I sensed him? How?

    There was no time to think. I grabbed the edge of Speedy��s shell and yanked the big guy in front of us like a shield.

    A split second later, a searing pain tore through my shoulder, followed by a deafening sonic boom as something slammed into Speedy with insane force. I redirected the tension through my core and whipped Speedy to the side, trying to absorb and deflect the impact.

    The leftover shockwave still knocked me back several feet.

    Despite his ridiculous defense, Speedy bounced off trees and slammed into the ground, creating craters with each hit. He finally stopped after colliding with a massive tree trunk, cracking it nearly in half.

    My heart clenched.

    Even with his absurd durability, I was still worried. That strike had ridiculous pressure behind it.

    The entire exchange had happened in less than a second.

    But it was enough.

    I already had a read on just how dangerous this guy was.

    The attacker stood before us now. Long, loose hair framed his face, and a scraggly beard covered his chin. His clothes looked torn in places, like a beggar��s, but they were oddly pristine. No dust. No grime. Not a single speck of dirt on him.

    ��Curse the Molten Sky Island,�� he rasped, his voice dry and hoarse like it hadn��t been used in years. ��After decades, they finally come for me. They send little rabbits to do their hunting! Banished or not, I haven��t lost my talents!��

    ��I think there��s been a misunderstanding,�� I said quickly. ��We��re not from Molten Sky Island. We��re from the Blazing Sun Sect.��

    ��Ah, our ever-present overlords,�� he sneered. ��What now? Did they finally decide to come down from their glorious mountain to mingle with us peasants?��

    ��Not exactly. Molten Sky Island and the Blazing Sun Sect have been... less than friendly lately,�� I explained.

    ��Oh? Really?�� He tilted his head. ��Please. Enlighten me.��

    I opened my mouth, starting to think through how to phrase it.

    That was my mistake.

    He charged.

    In the instant I hesitated, he took the opening. No warning. No posture shift. Just movement.

    Well... so much for diplomacy.

    His Qi signature flared. He wasn��t hiding anything now. Foundation Establishment. About three-star level. And he was using an Earth Grade technique. A bright, translucent yellow gauntlet formed around his fist, pulsing with power.

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    This was going to be bad.

    His fingers curled into fists, and his chest puffed up as he took a deep breath. He was about to throw a punch. One that would no doubt be devastating.

    I hadn''t seen the first attack. Speedy had blocked my line of sight, but judging by the power behind that hit, it must have looked something like this.

    His gauntlets reminded me of my Dancing Jade Armor Technique.

    My heart clenched.

    But my body moved on its own, hands going through the motions I''d practiced a thousand times.

    Still, I was too slow.

    He''d baited me with conversation. Just a split-second pause and just enough of a mental distraction. When someone moved at supersonic speeds, that was more than enough of an opening.

    Even though I hadn''t let my guard down, it hadn''t mattered.

    Before I could blink, he was already in front of me. His right fist was pulled back, crackling with force, glowing faintly beneath the translucent yellow gauntlet.

    I didn''t have time to brace for the sound. A sonic boom was inevitable. But the noise wasn''t the problem.

    In an instant, my jade armor formed. A mecha-like plating wrapped around me in layers of green light. But I had no time to admire it.

    A loud crack split the air as his punch landed.

    I jumped back, trying to soften the blow, but even with the armor, it wasn''t enough. I felt my ribs break. Not bruised, just shattered.

    I hit the ground hard, skidding backward.

    His eyes flicked to Wu Yan and Fu Yating.

    My stomach dropped.

    If he went after them, I wouldn''t be able to stop him. Not in this condition! Not fast enough!

    Neither of them had reacted yet. They hadn''t even processed what was happening.

    He looked back at me. Maybe he decided it wasn''t worth giving me a breather. Maybe he figured they weren''t worth the time.

    Thank God he didn''t know.

    If he''d gone after Wu Yan, I might''ve lost my composure. And once she was gone, I wouldn''t be fighting smart.

    But now I had to be careful. If he picked up on that connection, he might use it later.

    By the time he met my gaze again, he had already drawn in another deep breath. His next step cracked the earth beneath him. A footprint was left behind, surrounded by spiderweb fissures.

    An Earth Grade movement technique. Great.

    But I wasn''t as vulnerable as I had been at the start.

    A crimson array pulsed out from beneath my feet, expanding in a broad ripple. It swept outward and surrounded both me and the attacker in its glow.

    Wu Yan, Fu Yating, and the egg were gently pushed away by the force. That was part of the design.

    The array recognized a rule: only myself and someone stronger were allowed inside. Wu Yan technically had a higher stage of cultivation. However, with her lousy Qi control, there was no way the array would recognize her as stronger.

    Instead of forming it like a cage, I made it a pulse that spread from my body.

    And now... it was just us.

    Then, out of nowhere, a wave of blazing heat surged through the air, slamming into us like a tidal wave. It was sudden, fierce, and all-consuming, so intense that it knocked the breath from my lungs. The temperature spiked instantly. The ground beneath my feet pulsed like the floor of a furnace.

    Even I was caught off guard despite it being my own array.

    I held my breath as a fireball formed at the roof of the barrier, then shot downward at blinding speed, a concentrated red beam of death.

    The cultivator noticed it immediately and surged forward, closing the distance between us in an instant.

    My mecha-like Dancing Jade Armor had already recovered from the first hit. But his fist, shot forward like a cannon, was faster than my next reaction. Before I could even twitch, it crashed into my chest.

    The twenty layers of soft, energy-absorbing jade, designed to compress and spread the impact, collapsed one after another.

    Still, the blow pushed through every defense.

    Even weakened, the hit sent a shockwave through my entire skeleton. My chest caved slightly inward, even more ribs shattering beneath the blow. Hopefully, nothing vital was punctured.

    But I didn��t fall.

    Despite the burning pain, I grabbed onto his right arm with both of my armored hands.

    The fireball, which had originally targeted the space he��d occupied moments ago, suddenly shifted mid-flight, redirected by the array��s logic. It angled toward his back like a guided missile.

    One second. That was all I needed.

    He met my gaze. For a breath, we locked eyes.

    And I could see the thought pass through him. He was calculating whether he could tear free.

    He could.

    But not fast enough.

    This array was an idea I��d formed during the winter, a Level 4 formation designed to synergize with the surrounding Fire Qi. Technically, I had already stepped into the realm of Level 4 array conjurers. I hadn��t realized it until I first saw the Sea of Flames. That moment gave me the spark of inspiration I needed.

    And now, it was bearing fruit.

    But then, without warning, he moved again.

    He swung his left hand toward his right arm and severed it clean.

    I staggered back, clutching a severed limb.

    What?!

    He��d actually cut off his own arm... in a fight against a Qi Gathering cultivator?

    Blood burst from the wound in a violent spray, splattering across the smooth jade surface of my mask with a hot, metallic hiss. It dripped down the armor in thin red trails, stark against the pale green sheen.

    But even with his arm dangling from my grip, he didn��t flinch.

    No scream. No wince. Not even a breath.

    His eyes locked onto mine with eerie stillness. Not rage. Not hate. Just focus. Cold and hollow.

    Like pain wasn��t even a factor.

    It wasn��t just unsettling. It was wrong.

    Unnatural.

    No... inhuman.

    Cutting off his arm was one of the best plays he could''ve made.

    But... fuck me. Some people were just built different.

    That move told me everything I needed to know; this guy was going to be a nightmare to bring down. I never thought someone like him would fight this hard against someone weaker.

    He moved left, fast, putting distance between us. The fireball that had been tracking toward his back was now headed straight for me instead. As it closed in, I could feel the heat licking at my skin.

    Still, I didn''t move.

    I trusted the array''s calculations. The geometry, the Qi flow, and the predictive trajectory seethed into the formation itself.

    I held my breath, slowed my pulse, and locked my body in place like a deer in headlights.

    But I wasn''t focused on the fireball.

    I concentrated on repairing the jade armor he''d cracked open and tossed the severed arm aside like garbage.

    I also activated a quick diagnostic technique to assess the damage.

    The results weren''t pretty, but not catastrophic either.

    A few ribs shattered. One had likely nicked a lung, which explained the tightness in my chest. Thankfully, it wasn''t deep enough to collapse it. Most of my internal organs were bruised, not punctured. Bleeding? Yes. But stable. I could fight like this. For now.

    Good enough.

    By the time I was done patching the armor, the fireball was already at my face. The heat was unbearable, wrapping around me like a burning shroud.

    Okay, I was beginning to doubt my calculations a bit.

    But right before impact, the fireball swerved and curved away from me, angling toward the cultivator again.

    He narrowed his eyes.

    I could tell he''d figured it out. The array wasn''t reacting to me but to inputs independently. It was autonomous.

    Smart arrays like this operated faster than the conjurer. They could keep firing even if I was knocked out, distracted, or dead.

    We didn''t exchange a single word.

    But the way we stared at each other across the field, it felt like we were talking anyway.

    C''mon, what is your next move?

 Chapter 252: A Warriors End

    We were locked in a silent duel of minds, reading each other with every breath and subtle shift in stance. Every glance carried weight.

    But with fireballs streaking through the air, their heat warping space and their roar swallowing thought, that mental chess match began to tilt in my favor.

    He had already lost.

    There was no escape now. Even if I died, I would burst my cultivation and become a sacrifice to strengthen the array. Either way, he wasn''t leaving.

    He held my gaze calmly, and in that instant, I understood. Neither of us was panicking. There was no point in taunts or bravado. No words would shake us. Not now.

    I''d read stories of enemies understanding each other mid-fight, but rarely had I felt it like this. Even without tapping into my Eight Mind Phantoms Technique, it was like I could hear his thoughts.

    We were both prepared to die.

    No thoughts of retreat or what life might look like without limbs, Qi, or victory plagued our minds. Those thoughts had no place here. They only made you hesitate. And hesitation meant death.

    He slipped from the fireball''s path like it was choreographed. His body twisted midair with expert timing, avoiding the blast entirely. The explosion struck the ground behind him, sending sparks and dust upward in a roaring plume. But he was already gone.

    The auto-attack was too slow for someone like him. Fast, alert, seasoned. He moved like he''d memorized the array''s rhythm after one glance as if he knew exactly when the fireballs stopped tracking and became pure trajectory.

    Then, the array rumbled.

    A deep, resonant growl filled the barrier like a beast awakening. Crimson light pulsed across its surface, and in the next instant, fire bloomed.

    Dozens. No, hundreds of fireballs ignited along the array''s ceiling.

    Molten spheres of burning Qi spiraled to life and dropped like a thunderstorm from hell, raining down with the relentless pace of a machine gun with the devil''s finger on the trigger. The air split with each blast, the roar becoming one continuous scream of heat and power.

    The sky wasn''t just burning.

    It was raining fire.

    But the cultivator didn''t flinch.

    He tilted his head back, staring into the inferno above with sharp, steady eyes. He didn''t blink. Didn''t brace.

    He read it.

    In that split second, time itself seemed to stretch around him. His eyes moved with eerie precision, tracking and calculating, line by line, fireball by fireball.

    He wasn''t reacting.

    He was decoding it.

    Every flicker of flame, every shifting arc of descent, was absorbed and mapped. His face never changed. No fear. No awe. Just razor-edged focus.

    He wasn''t looking at chaos.

    He was reading fate mid-fall, like the fire was writing it for him in the sky and he was already flipping to the last page.

    His lips pressed together as he took in a breath. Then let it out.

    He didn''t get a second one.

    The sky cracked open, and fire rained down like molten meteors.

    But even as they came from every direction, he moved through them like water through cracks. His body twisted, ducked, pivoted. Every motion was sharp, clean, and practiced. He flowed between falling fireballs with impossible grace, each movement guided by both instinct and calculation.

    The battlefield lit up in bursts of flame, the ground erupting in molten splashes. But the guy was always just ahead of destruction.

    By the width of a breath, he avoided death. Threads of heat kissed the edges of his robe. Shockwaves chased his heels.

    And I just stood there, watching, waiting for one of the fireballs to hit.

    But none fucking did.

    After a while... he stopped looking up.

    His eyes shifted to me. Calm, steady, unblinking. Fire still raged above, but he no longer tracked it. He moved on Qi sense alone now, weaving through the hellstorm like it was background noise. It didn''t feel real. It was like the fire no longer mattered.

    Explosions continued all around him, but he slid through the gaps like smoke, reading only the rhythm of energy in the air.

    And now, his focus was entirely on me.

    At that moment, I understood: he wasn''t dodging anymore.

    He was closing in.

    Holy shit.

    He already adapted.

    This was like picking a fight with some random guy in an alley and realizing too late it was Mike Tyson.

    Even as more fireballs joined the onslaught, he danced through them like they were falling snow. The temperature climbed, warping the air into waves and even I, the array''s conjurer, felt the sting clawing at my lungs. The ground cracked from the pressure, the world sweltering in flame.

    He didn''t even sweat.

    But no matter how good he was, we both knew the truth; this wouldn''t last. The longer the array fired, the worse it would get for him.

    Then he kept moving, getting closer with each step.

    Like a serpent through a furnace, he blitzed through the barrage and lunged toward me.

    Fuck.

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    Last resort it is.

    I shut my eyes tight and hoped that when I opened them, my skull wouldn''t be decorating the edge of the array.

    For just a breath, an image flashed in my mind.

    Wu Yan, tugging at my sleeve, asking if we''d make it out alive. For the first time, I could see her face. Even though I couldn''t make out what it looked like, it felt familiar.

    Fu Yating, warning me not to curse in front of her.

    I opened my eyes.

    Still alive.

    Good enough.

    I activated Eight Mind Phantoms and tried to hold him telekinetically. No effect.

    Didn''t expect it to work. He was too experienced, too fast, too strong. But I didn''t need to hold him.

    I''d already mapped him and marked him.

    And with that, I sent out a mental bullet, a compact sphere of raw psychological trauma. No noise, no light, just a crushing echo of pain.

    He stopped mid-step.

    Just for a second.

    Confused, eyes narrowing. It hadn''t stopped him, but it hit. A delay. A flicker of hesitation.

    "Fuck," he muttered. Hoarse, rasping, like someone who hadn''t spoken in years.

    The first truthful word I''d heard from him.

    That split second stretched into a full one as he gathered his bearings.

    And a full second?

    That''s a goddamn eternity in a fight like this.

    The fireballs finally slammed into him with a deafening roar, the ground trembling beneath our feet.

    Flames erupted in a violent burst, engulfing his figure in a surge of heat and light. A thick cloud of dust and smoke mushroomed upward, swallowing the battlefield in a haze of scorched earth and boiling air. The shockwave ripped past us, carrying the stench of burning stone and flesh.

    For a moment, nothing was visible through the haze, just the echo of the blast and the hungry flicker of flames licking at the dust��s edge.

    Who the fuck even was this guy?

    The array was still firing.

    That meant he was still breathing.

    I could feel him, barely. A lingering presence beneath the storm of fire. I had stumbled into a duel with a top-tier Foundation Establishment cultivator seemingly out of nowhere.

    My best guess? He��d been hiding deep in the region and got smoked out by those Molten Sky Island teams trying to clear the beast populations.

    Lucky me.

    But as long as he exhaled, the array would continue raining death. Literally, this array tracked CO2 emissions. That��s why I��d been holding my breath since the first exchange.

    Cheap trick? Maybe. But effective.

    Fire Qi was so dense in this region that the array barely touched my reserves. And while the design wasn��t completely original, the CO2 target-locking was my twist. It was surprisingly simple to layer on top of existing heat-sensitive array logic.

    Of course, my actual specialty was thunder arrays. This was just a clever improvisation in the right place, at the right time.

    The barrage lasted five full minutes.

    Then, without warning, the array turned on me. Fireballs launched at my position.

    Shit. He��s figured it out.

    I closed the array with a single thought, cutting off the feed of fire Qi.

    The battlefield fell silent, the dust beginning to settle in slow spirals as the smoke lost its fury. Embers floated in the air, dimming as the flames receded to glowing cracks in the earth.

    I stood still.

    No movement. No desperate gasp. No final lunge.

    As the smoke peeled back its final veil, the crater revealed itself.

    At its center lay a corpse, charred, broken, and very much dead. It barely resembled a man anymore. Flesh melted into bone. Limbs twisted and half-fused to the scorched stone below. It looked more like a shattered statue than a fallen warrior.

    Whatever he had been, it was gone.

    But I didn��t move just yet.

    Could be a fakeout. Could be a preservation technique. Nothing visible, nothing I could sense. But any life-preserving technique that left a ��traceable�� signature after death would be a bad one.

    I stepped closer, cautious.

    Falling Moon Claw.

    I swept my arm sideways, and blades of wind whipped from my fingers, slicing the remains into scattered chunks of smoldering meat and bone.

    Then, without hesitation, I cast a tight furnace array and reduced what was left to ash.

    Nothing left to come back.

    Nothing left to mourn.

    Finally, I let out the breath I had held since this fight began. It felt cathartic.

    Whoever this nameless guy was, his fighting talent was real.

    And it was strange how someone like that had ended up here. A shame, honestly. With a bit more knowledge, maybe better luck, he wouldn''t have died here.

    If I''d had the strength, I might''ve spared him. Just to see what was going on inside that mind while we fought. I couldn''t tell how high his cultivation potential ran, but his combat instincts were elite. The only reason he lost was due to lack of knowledge.

    Given time? He''d have adapted. Found a countermeasure. Become one of those dangerous opponents that haunt your future. But today, he picked the wrong battlefield... and the wrong guy to fight.

    I stared at the scorched patch of earth where his body had been.

    It was a hard thing to admit, but I''d probably learned more in that single battle than in weeks of indoor training.

    That mental strike I used. Leveraging just a locked gaze to activate the Eight Mind Phantoms Technique?

    That wasn''t even the plan.

    Originally, I''d intended to let him hit me... and use the contact to activate the technique directly. But honestly, I probably wouldn''t have survived that first blow. He was too smart to fall for it. Would''ve adjusted mid-strike, changed angles, crushed my throat or something worse.

    So instead, I''d made my final move before the game even started.

    We were both playing chess. Pre-playing each move. Trying to see the enemy''s thoughts in advance. Ultimately, I won because I had a trump card. A Sky Grade Technique he didn''t see coming.

    "We need to get that wound checked," Fu Yating said, eyeing the sunken-in section of my chest. Every time I breathed in, there was a stinging pain, and with every breath out, my chest puffed up like a turkey.

    Off to the side, Wu Yan stood silent, statue-still. Just the cold expression of her porcelain mask and her head locked toward my position even though she couldn''t see me without eyes.

    I turned and rushed to Speedy, who had crashed against a tree. I dropped beside him, checking his condition.

    He was breathing. Thank the heavens.

    Minor scratches along his neck, nothing too serious. But then I saw it.

    A crack in his shell.

    Shit.

    With Speedy''s absurd defense, I hadn''t thought many Foundation Establishment cultivators could hurt him at all. But here we were.

    I let out a sigh and winced. My ribs shifted, scraping something soft inside. A kidney, maybe? Definitely something important.

    I placed a hand on my chest and carefully moved my Qi. Using the soft-hard modulation from Dancing Jade Armor, I locked the bones in place and swallowed a high-grade healing pill I''d bought in the Alchemist Town.

    The pain dulled. The bones held.

    I offered a pill to Speedy. He extended his head and swallowed it gently. Some of the surface wounds began healing... but the shell crack remained untouched.

    That would take time.

    I checked on the egg next, making sure everything was intact. The jade cocoon pulsed softly, undisturbed.

    A long breath escaped me, lost to the wind.

    My gaze drifted to the horizon, with dawn spilling over distant mountain peaks.

    Then, without another word, we set off again.

    Boots pressing into the scorched earth.

    Wind at our backs.

    The road ahead as uncertain as ever.

 Chapter 253: A Cryptic Stage

    Chapter 253: A Cryptic Stage

    We spent five months on the road after the Molten Sky Island incident, traveling through every kind of biome imaginable. Forests, mountains, open fields, deserts, swamps... even a sect buried beneath a graveyard that practiced strange and borderline heretical techniques.

    Most of these sects were small powers clinging to relevance. Like that graveyard sect, half of them were cultivating the wrong way entirely.

    What was it with graveyard sects always getting it wrong? This was the second one I''d stumbled across, and the pattern was starting to look intentional.

    The majority were minor sects with leaders who''d either hit the peak of Qi Gathering or barely broken into Foundation Establishment but lacked the resources or comprehension to refine their cultivation with proper elemental alignment.

    Still, I had some success. A decent number of those clans agreed to join our side, eager or maybe just desperate to be included in the power struggles of giants. Some refused. Some probably didn''t even understand what they were agreeing to. But overall, we''d made progress.

    The best thing, though?

    Speedy''s shell had finally healed.

    That was a massive weight off my shoulders. Summer had come and gone, and I''d started to worry. Until that crack vanished, I hadn''t dared approach any major powers. Not with him at risk.

    During the travel, I''d also been playing around with Level 4 arrays some the old librarian had left behind. Some were left by that immortal too, ranging from level 4 to 7. The ones left by the immortal were truly something. Even after all these years, they were powerful but a bit clunky by modern standards.

    Still, they made for great practice.

    Some were even fun. There was a house-building array that summoned a small hut out of nowhere, simple but entertaining. I hadn''t come across anything like that in current array libraries.

    We sat around a cozy campfire, logs arranged in a circle like we were pretending we weren''t wandering battle-ready cultivators. Fu Yating was talking, animated as always when she was relaxed, and Wu Yan, who usually said little, was actually listening.

    She was telling Wu Yan about some suspected affair in the last clan we visited.

    We''d grown closer. Fu Yating and I planned things together now. She was surprisingly chatty once she opened up. Wu Yan remained quiet and thoughtful. But she was always listening.

    Meanwhile, I stared into the fire.

    During these months, I hadn''t advanced in my cultivation at all.

    I''d reached six-star Qi Gathering, and absorbing the Qi I needed for the next breakthrough was getting harder. Some of the regions we passed through were nearly barren of spiritual energy. I''d resorted to Spirit Stones for optimal absorption. Thankfully, Song Song had given me 48,000 of them. More than a small sect would ever see in their lifetime.

    I didn''t take that for granted. But my cultivation speed was secondary to my other problems.

    Now that Speedy had recovered, we were heading toward a major power.

    And yet... the weight of that decision pressed on me.

    Despite his insane defense, Speedy wasn''t invincible. I usually relied on him to block the first full-powered attack in any fight. But that was a dangerous assumption.

    This would likely be the last major power I tried to approach.

    I didn''t mind risking my life for Song Song''s ambition. She''d done the same for mine and still would if it came to it. But I wasn''t willing to gamble with Speedy''s life. ?��No?��?S?

    Or Wu Yan''s, for that matter.

    In the end, as we crossed over a hill, the landscape opened before us... and there it was.

    An ancient, abandoned city lay nestled in the valley below, half-swallowed by time and nature. Crumbling towers and weathered stone walls jutted out from the ground like the bones of a long-dead giant. Vines coiled around broken arches and spilled down rooftops, covering everything in a blanket of green, as if the forest itself had claimed the city in silence.

    Mist clung to the edges of the ruins, drifting lazily through the streets like fading ghosts. From this distance, it looked peaceful. Serene, even.

    I stood there, unmoving, taking it all in.

    We had arrived.

    ��Are you sure this is the right way?�� Fu Yating asked, frowning. ��That��s why I asked you to let me look at the map. What if we��re lost? I haven��t bathed in two days, and that is a nightmare scenario for a lady like me. Do you want a stinky wife or something?��

    I ignored her dramatics and focused on the structure in the distance. We were close enough to see the streets clearly from our elevated vantage point on the hill.

    We drew nearer, our footsteps slowing as the ruins loomed larger. The city wall was fractured, its gate long gone. In its place stood a jagged gap, where a massive, rotting slab of wood still clung to a rusted hinge. It swayed gently with the wind, creaking faintly. Its surface was blackened with age, worn thin and splintered.

    Inside, the city was a ghost of its former self.

    The roads were cracked and uneven, veins of moss and grass breaking through fractured stone. Buildings leaned awkwardly, windows shattered or missing entirely like empty sockets staring out like the hollow eyes of corpses. Some walls still stood, though scarred with time and held upright only by the vines that wrapped around them like restraints.

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    There was no sound. No birdsong. No wind through the alleyways. Just silence, thick and unmoving, like the entire place was holding its breath.

    No people. No animals. No movement.

    Just the ruins.

    Fu Yating wasn��t wrong to wonder if we��d taken a wrong turn. The absence of animal life was an obvious clue. But unless someone knew what they were looking at, they might just assume this place had been wiped out by a plague or poison or... something worse.

    ��I know you know a lot about cultivation,�� Fu Yating said, glancing around cautiously, staying close to me. ��Do you think ghosts are real?��

    I thought of an immortal who��d once left a thought projection behind; it was a near-perfect imprint of mind and will. About as close to a ghost as one could get.

    ��Probably,�� I shrugged.

    ��Wait, actually?�� Her eyes went wide, flicking from me to the empty city around us.

    ��Why? You scared?�� I asked. ��It��s mid-day. Ghosts probably won��t come out until night. We��ve got a good six hours.��

    I tried to hold in my smirk, but she noticed. Her cheeks puffed in a pout as she turned away, though she still stuck close to me.

    I wasn��t sure if she was really scared of ghosts. But either way, it was funny.

    Around the city, several towers stood, some broken, others still holding firm against time��s decay. We didn��t stop to investigate. We kept walking.

    Ultimately, we reached the back of the city��s enclosed walls, opposite the entrance. There, half-hidden in the shade of collapsing towers, was what looked like a catacomb.

    And at its entrance stood a cross.

    While crosses existed in this world, as did crucifixion as a form of torture. But they didn��t carry any real religious meaning here. Seeing one above a catacomb was... strange. It might imply some kind of belief system had once been tied to this place.

    The most plausible explanation?

    A devout Christian had transmigrated.

    Then again, it could��ve been anything. Maybe it had eroded into a cross. Or maybe the guy who built this place just liked the shape. People were weird like that.

    ��Wait, don��t tell me we��re going into graveyards underground,�� Fu Yating said, already halfway into resisting the idea.

    ��You��re free to stay here,�� I offered.

    She looked up at the sun. It had already passed its peak. We��d walked slowly through the ruined city, and a few hours had slipped by.

    ��Whatever,�� she sighed. ��If I die, I��m so going to haunt you.��

    ��That would actually be interesting,�� I said, rubbing my chin. ��I��ve never been haunted before.��

    Though... I might need to teach her an Earth Grade Technique that allows the spirit to remain after death. I didn��t have anything like that yet.

    ��Don��t say that!�� Fu Yating snapped, clearly not amused.

    Perched silently atop Speedy, Wu Yan stared down at us behind her porcelain mask. Unreadable, as always. Speedy himself seemed unbothered. He just yawned as we began descending the worn stairs into the catacombs.

    The moment we stepped inside, the smell of rot hit us like a wall.

    I��d been on battlefields before. I��d smelled death. But this was worse. Older. Heavier. It hit me hard enough to gag.

    Fu Yating didn��t just gag; she threw up. Her stomach��s contents splattered across one of the skulls embedded in the wall.

    ��Oh heavens, sorry-�� she gasped, trying to wipe it away, only succeeding in smearing it further.

    ��Analyze the situation,�� I said, my voice calm but pointed.

    She froze.

    We��d grown more comfortable with each other lately. Too comfortable, maybe. She wasn��t as alert, not as cautious. Either she��d let her guard down... or she was hiding it better. Or maybe she wanted me to think she��d let it down.

    Damn it. I didn��t want to think about this all the time.

    But my words had the intended effect. Her panic faded. She stood still for a long moment, eyes scanning the corridor.

    ��This is the hideout of some great power, isn��t it?�� she asked. ��A major sect or clan?��

    I raised a brow.

    Huh. She guessed it on the first try.

    ��Yes, but what made you think this was a great power? After everything we''ve seen lately, what makes you think I��m dumb enough to walk into something like that?�� I asked, genuinely curious how she landed on that assumption.

    ��I could see you exploring some ancient ruin just because it sounded fun. But that would let down Song Song too much. We all know how much of a dog you are for her-��

    ��Can we skip the passive-aggressive commentary and get to the point?��

    Fu Yating huffed, arms crossed, her voice echoing through the damp stone corridor. ��It��s just that you��ve been more cautious lately. More deliberate.��

    She looked at me sideways, eyes narrowing like she was reading a scroll only she could understand. ��The moment we approached the city, you stopped talking as much. You were scanning everything, doors, walls, the ground beneath our feet. And you didn��t ask questions. Which is very unlike you.��

    ��You didn��t even seem curious,�� she continued. ��You already knew something was off. Most people wouldn��t have noticed anything in this wreck of a city, but you? You were tracking patterns. Looking for disturbances.��

    She tapped her temple. ��And when we entered the catacombs, you moved like someone who expected traps. You were studying corners, measuring passageway width. Stuff that wouldn��t matter unless you were plotting escape routes.��

    Fu Yating turned to face me fully, her voice low and serious. ��You didn��t say it out loud, but your behavior screamed it. You knew there was something down here. And judging by how careful you��ve been, it wasn��t just ruins you were worried about. You were expecting resistance. Which means...��

    She let it hang, then finished, ��This is the base of a major power within the Blazing Sun Sect��s territory. No minor sect makes you worry this much.��

    Holy shit, I didn��t expect her to go on such a long rant. Couldn��t she have said all that with fewer words?

    ��Well, normally even major powers wouldn��t act as brazen as Molten Sky Island. But I learned from that situation it��s better to be careful with things like this,�� I admitted.

    We kept walking, descending deeper into the darkness. The stairs wound downward in a tight spiral, like a screw burrowing into the earth. There was no light, so I conjured a marble-sized lighting array at the tip of my finger.

    It was an ancient version I got from the immortal��s archive. The newer model made a floating fist-sized orb that followed you around, but this one felt cooler and it used way less Qi.

    Plus, I��d been experimenting with turning it into a laser array for a finger-gun technique. So far, no success. Probably impossible with something this low-tier, but hey, a guy can dream.

    Just as I was mulling over that side project, I felt it.

    Wait... what?

    How the hell was something like this even built so deep underground?

    Suddenly, thousands of Qi signatures flared into existence within my senses. The weakest were at Body Tempering. The strongest? Core Formation, anywhere from one-star all the way up to five.

    Yep. This was a major power��s base.

    And those heavy hitters?

    They��d definitely sensed me sensing them.

 Chapter 254: The Dark Serpent

    The deeper we ventured into the catacombs, the more the walls seemed to close in, not just with darkness but with death itself. The skulls lining the stone walls grew more abundant, packed tighter together until there was hardly a bare patch of rock left untouched. Their hollow eyes stared blankly into the dim corridor, countless and unblinking.

    Some were clean and bleached, worn smooth by time. Others were cracked, misshapen, or still stained with the faintest traces of rotting flesh clinging to their surface.

    However, not all was bad. By now, our noses had adjusted to the powerful stench of decay. Small victories.

    Fu Yating examined the skulls as we walked. Her eyes moved from the ones near the ceiling to those closer to the floor, analyzing them like a puzzle. I could tell she was trying to figure out whether their placement signified some kind of ranking. As far as I knew, it didn��t.

    ��These individuals were well-trained,�� she muttered. ��See how their cranial bone is denser, especially around the brow ridges. That��s from bone remodeling. Repeated stress.��

    ��You��re reading the brow bone?�� I asked. ��I didn��t know you could tell how much someone��s fought from just that. I always thought the jawline, or fine etchings along the nasal bone from healed breaks, are easier to spot.��

    She rubbed her chin and looked again. ��Hmm. You��re probably right. I learned this in the Azure Frost Sect. Not many female cultivators let themselves get hit in the face enough for the bone structure to change that visibly. So it��s harder to tell than with male bones.��

    Huh. That made sense... in a weird, brutal way.

    The Azure Frost Sect had always interested me. Their methods were specifically designed for women, with tailored techniques, specialized body cultivation paths, and unique spiritual root enhancements.

    I��d always wondered what they taught the men who managed to get in. The bar was supposedly higher for male disciples, but from what I��d seen, their systems weren��t exactly optimized for them.

    Sure, for some guys, the losses might be offset since they were constantly surrounded by beautiful women. But I still thought it was a waste of talent.

    We reached the bottom of the catacomb��s spiral, and the air shifted. Colder. Heavier. Not just with rot now, but with dust, stone, and something faintly metallic. The walls pressed closer with every step, stacked skulls staring from silent rows.

    Then, the tunnel widened into a dead-end chamber.

    And there it stood.

    A massive stone door loomed before us, untouched by time. We looked like insects in front of it.

    Carved into its surface was the chilling visage of a skull, weathered but unmistakable, its hollow eyes seemingly staring into our souls. Emerging from its gaping mouth was a long, coiling serpent sculpted entirely from obsidian-looking material.

    The snake wound downward, its surface impossibly smooth and dark, like flowing ink frozen in time. But it shimmered, catching light in strange ways. Each reflection shimmered just... wrong. As if it wasn��t reflecting just light.

    It felt like it was reflecting something else.

    Something watching.

    The silence here was different. The kind of silence that made you instinctively hold your breath.

    "Fuck, doesn''t this door give you an instinctive chill?" Fu Yating asked, staying so close to me we were practically touching.

    She might''ve grabbed my arm if she didn''t know that would''ve been stupid. Restricting your best fighter''s movement in a place like this? Peak foolishness.

    "Well, this organization is rumored to deal in a lot of murder, assassinations, and conspiracies," I said. "At least that''s what the last report said."

    The most recent one I had was about two hundred years old. Assassination was kind of a dying business. After all, no matter how skilled you were, you weren''t assassinating a Nascent Soul Cultivator.

    And honestly, any group that advertised themselves as assassins? Already doing it wrong. Secrecy was the business. The fewer people who suspected you, the better.

    That old report also said they were diversifying: poisons, kidnappings, monstrous beast captures, and more concerningly, rumors about dabbling in the black market slave trade.

    That last one was dangerous as hell.

    The four great sects survived on a mutual understanding: their disciples had joined willingly. If it ever became acceptable to kidnap and brainwash young cultivators from other sects, the whole balance of the continent would collapse. A full-scale war would be inevitable.

    Slavery wasn''t banned for noble reasons. But maybe that''s why the rule actually worked.

    If the Song Clan hadn''t vouched for them, this place probably would''ve been wiped out just on suspicion. It was cheaper for the Blazing Sun Sect to burn them to the ground than risk a war with the other three giants.

    The Song Clan vouching for them made me even more suspicious that the rumors might have been based on truth. That clan was as fucked as they came. They probably had some back-handed deals with them.

    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    "Hmmm..." I rubbed my chin, staring up at the massive gate. "So, what do you think? Push it open and see what happens?"

    "Or, and hear me out, we could just turn around and pretend this whole detour never happened. I mean, we''ve already gotten a bunch of minor sects to join this unholy alliance," she pointed out. "Also, we left the giant egg in a forest. Which probably looks like a tasty treat to some giant worm or heavens knows what right about now."

    "First of all," I said, "worm-type monstrous beasts are still worms. They eat decaying leaves and plants, dead roots, grass... manure, compost, and stuff like that. They''re not even dangerous to humans, let alone an egg."

    "Okay, fine. Let''s say a snake comes along. Or something that eats eggs."

    "I set an array around it," I reminded her. "Carrying it down here would''ve been a pain in the ass, especially in these tunnels. We''ll be going back the same way."

    Besides, getting the support of a few minor sects and convincing a Core Formation�Cbacked underground power? Not the same thing.

    And honestly... it was too late to back out now.

    They''d probably already sensed my presence. For now, maybe they thought I was just a returning disciple. But if I ran?

    That would look like an intruder trying to escape.

    And then the smart move would be to kill me.

    I walked toward the gate and placed my hand on the obsidian serpent.

    Instantly, a sharp chill surged into my palm. I hissed and yanked my hand back. My fingers were encased in a thin, glistening layer of frost, the skin beneath turning pale and numb.

    Running Qi through them, I coaxed sensation back into the tissue. The cold hadn''t just attacked the surface; it had carried volatile foreign Qi into my flesh. I had to work carefully, smoothing out the invading energy and slowly guiding it out without letting it lash around inside me.

    Usually, your own Qi would instinctively force out foreign energy. But this stuff was so unstable that it would''ve mangled my fingers if I''d done it the usual way.

    "These are some nasty guys," I muttered, flexing my slowly-thawing hand.

    Honestly, if I didn''t know about certain connections this group had, and if I wasn''t fairly sure they wouldn''t kill me on sight, I wouldn''t have gotten within ten miles of this place.

    "What is it?" Fu Yating asked, glancing at my hand. The tips were pink and raw, still shimmering faintly from the cold. "Are we still opening the door, or what?"

    "Of course."

    I summoned my Dancing Jade Armor and manifested two thick, gleaming pillars. They slammed into each side of the gate and began to push.

    At first, nothing happened. It wasn''t just the weight of the door; there was extra resistance. I could feel it. People on the other side were actively trying to keep it shut.

    It felt like siblings fighting over a bedroom door, someone pushing to get in, someone bracing it shut with their feet.

    But no matter how clever or stubborn they were, they couldn''t beat the raw mechanical force behind my technique. Inch by inch, the door began to groan open. The grinding of stone on stone made my ears ring, an awful, screeching sound like someone dragging their nails across a chalkboard.

    Fu Yating clutched her ears and grimaced.

    Wu Yan, practical as ever, temporarily erased her own ears.

    Speedy... looked like he was debating whether it was worth dragging his head into his shell. In the end, he decided it wasn''t worth the effort.

    As the doors parted fully, two guards came into view.

    They looked young, early twenties at most, and strong. Maybe six or eight stars into Qi Gathering, if I had to guess.

    They were chuckling with each other, eyes teasing and casual. But as soon as they saw us, the laughter vanished. Their expressions hardened.

    They wore dark, loose-fitting clothes, black bandages wrapped from their elbows to their wrists, and tight leather gloves on their hands. Their outfits were silent. Minimalistic. Not like guards.

    More like assassins.

    ��Who are you?�� asked the guard on the left. He had one dark eye and one pale blue one. Either he was born like that... or he was using a technique. I leaned toward the latter since there were faint Qi fluctuations in the cornea.

    And if he had been born with some natural Qi-sensitive eye? He wouldn��t be working guard duty.

    ��We��re newcomers,�� I said, pulling out the golden identity token engraved with writhing black lines. ��I��d like to speak with one of your elders.��

    The guard studied the token for a moment before nodding. ��I��ll notify someone.��

    Without another word, he turned and sprinted off down the stone path, leaving us with the second guard.

    This one seemed younger-looking. Innocent, round face. Probably new.

    I figured I might as well get a conversation going. My intel on this place was a couple hundred years old, so there was plenty of time for everything to have changed.

    ��So, what��s your name?�� I asked.

    ��Xiao Yuan,�� he replied cautiously and seemed to measure his words.

    I nodded, then turned my gaze toward the open gate. I��d sensed the city earlier, but seeing it was something else entirely.

    The passage opened into a vast, subterranean world. An underground city carved beneath stone and shadow, hidden away like a secret second world beneath the ruins.

    The cavern stretched out like a buried sky, massive, domed, and glowing faintly with artificial light from unknown arrays. Thousands of window-like cutouts lined the cavern walls, each casting a warm flickering glow. Behind them, shadows moved. It was the people going about their lives.

    Down below, a river wound through the center like a black vein, streaked with strange light. Bridges arched over it, connecting wide stone paths and open plazas. Cultivators in dark robes moved with quiet purpose. Some trained, others traded. Many simply stood, meditating or powering the arrays beneath their feet.

    In the heart of it all, an obsidian spire rose like a black tooth, covered in glowing crimson runes. Around it, towers and halls were built like petals circling the heart of a flower. People moved in and out of those structures like they were following a rhythm only they could hear.

    This wasn��t just a base.

    This was a full-fledged sect.

    Bigger than the reports had claimed. Stronger, more organized. More dangerous.

    I��d known many people were in here from the Qi signatures, but seeing it? Feeling the hum of activity beneath the stone?

    This wasn��t the Serpent Bone Hall I��d read about. Not anymore.

    Just then, I sensed movement.

    The other guard was returning, with someone far stronger walking beside him.

    An elder at the peak of Foundation Establishment.

 Chapter 255: Art of The Deal

    Meeting someone at the peak of Foundation Establishment was always an experience. There was an invisible weight to them and a pressure that felt heavier than just Qi. This guy felt especially dangerous, the kind of cultivator likely to step into Core Formation within the next decade or so.

    He looked relatively young for his stage. By cultivator standards, he was probably around fifty. Dressed in a standard loose-sleeved uniform, he gave off a quiet kind of confidence.

    I bowed my head and cupped my hands.

    "Jinor Liu Feng greets the honorable elder."

    The elder gave a slight nod.

    "No need to bow, junior. I should be the one apologizing on behalf of those two fools for playing a prank on you with the gate."

    Though he said he should be bowing, he didn''t. He only offered a remorseful tone.

    "The disciples outside today were friends of theirs. They thought it was just their buddies returning and decided to have some fun."

    Both guards bowed at once.

    "We apologize for the dishonorable conduct, fellow friends from the Blazing Sun Sect," they apologized.

    This was a nice change of pace. Compared to how Molten Sky Island had treated me, even basic respect felt luxurious. Especially when I had shown the highest-tier disciple token.

    "My name is Bai Shang. Most just call me elder, but you can call me Uncle Bai Shang," the man said.

    I nodded, deciding not to reject his friendliness. Though it was very weird that he decided out of nowhere to have me call him that.

    "Thank you for the hospitality, Uncle Bai Shang."

    He smiled and motioned for the guards to return to their post. They did so without hesitation.

    "Come," he said. "The gate isn''t the right place for this sort of conversation."

    I followed him, with Speedy, Fu Yating, and Wu Yan trailing behind. The steps cut into the stone wall led down toward the city proper, with its main structures built at a lower elevation than the gate itself.

    As we passed through the residential areas, I noticed how unnaturally pale many of the cultivators looked. It was like they hadn''t seen the sun in years.

    We crossed a narrow stone bridge crossing the river, and Elder Bai Shang gestured downward.

    "That''s the Black Snake River," he said. "Tainted with poisons and toxins from the minerals around here. It''s one of our oldest natural defenses. We have some concoctions and arrays that can make some nasty stuff out of this."

    Closer now, I could see the river wasn''t just dark. It was black. Oily. Like ink made from death.

    "This water has killed more enemies than I can count," he added. "And if things keep going the way they are, it''ll be put to use again soon."

    "Local powers causing trouble?" I asked.

    He let out a slow huff.

    "North of here, a few hundred li, is our border with the Azure Frost Sect. Lately, organizations affiliated with the other great sects have been getting bolder."

    "No doubt with the blessing of their parent sects," I added. "It''s the usual game: feign ignorance while stirring the pot."

    He shot me a quick glance as if reassessing my insight.

    "It''s not just the outside, either," I continued. "After what happened in the Blazing Sun Sect... we''ve got our own problems."

    "Oh?" Elder Bai Shang''s brows lifted slightly. "How are things playing out on your side?"

    "You know how it is. Everyone''s looking out for themselves. The Sect is still in disarray. We''re trying to find a new leader. Otherwise, it''ll fall apart from the inside before any enemies can touch us."

    "A new Sect Leader..." he echoed, sighing heavily. "That''s a shame. The old one was a good man. Held the Blazing Sun Sect steady for five hundred years. That kind of reign doesn''t come around twice."

    I agreed with the sentiment, even if I wasn''t so sure about the why of that stability. It wasn''t that he kept people in line with fairness. It was that he was so powerful that no one dared move against him openly or chaotically.

    "He was a great leader," I said carefully. "But with everything that''s happened... we can''t afford to wait. We need to move."

    The elder nodded, his gaze lingering on the massive obsidian spire at the heart of the cavern. His eyes had a melancholic look, like someone remembering something long buried.

    "That was part of the reason I came here," I said, following his gaze. "While it''s clear that the Blazing Sun Sect no longer has any Nascent Soul cultivators among its ranks, we still need someone at the helm. Someone with the talent and mental fortitude to reach that stage."

    He turned to me, a glint of calculation in his eyes. But his smile remained warm and unchanged.

    "It sounds like you already have someone in mind."

    "I do. I believe Song Song is the only one with the strength to hold up the sky for the Blazing Sun Sect. She won''t be the weakest with her talent, even among Nascent Soul cultivators. Not by far."

    The elder gave a soft hum of agreement but offered no commitment, at least not for a few seconds.

    "I haven''t met many Nascent Soul cultivators myself, but those who reach that realm are... exceptional," he finally said. "Monsters, most of them. They were already fighting above their level long before their breakthrough."

    He didn''t outright say yes, but it was clearly an open invitation for more.

    "I''ll bet my life that Song Song will surpass them all within the next century," I said.

    It might sound like an empty promise from someone like me. After all, giving away your life is easy when you don''t plan to lose it. Like offering your molars after death... it was pointless.

    "No need to worry," the elder smiled. "We already support Song Song. She''s the obvious choice for Sect Leader and for the Song Clan Head as well."

    "Thank you," I said, bowing.

    Whether my words had any influence or not, hearing it directly was reassuring.

    "There are still a few radicals in the Serpent Bone Hall who''d rather stay neutral in all this," he continued. "But your visit... well, it reminded us that Song Song hasn''t forgotten us. She values our support."

    I wasn''t so sure about that, honestly. I couldn''t really picture her being especially appreciative, but I wasn''t about to say that. Still, the higher-ups here clearly had good heads on their shoulders and were smart enough to keep themselves from getting dragged in without cause.

    Sorry guys. I knew how annoying it was to get involved in a mess you didn''t ask for. But I needed their help.

    "After the incident with the Blazing Sun Sect," he went on, "we heard that Song Song''s father took her away for some sort of secret training. That alone says she''s being groomed for leadership."

    Their intel systems were impressive to know that much. But it also highlighted a problem; they took information at face value too often, which led to assumptions. Lucky for me, those assumptions worked in my favor.

    "Song San was a solid second candidate," the elder added. "Especially since he shared our affinity for poison. You know, the founder of the Serpent Bone Hall was once a disciple of the Song Clan, long ago."

    "Really?" I said. That part I hadn''t heard before.

    It was surprising. I''d spent a lot of time reading through the Song Clan''s historical records and hadn''t come across anything like that. Either the founder wasn''t notable enough to be recorded... or this was a convenient story, a way to reinforce our current alliance.

    Either way, it didn''t matter. The result was the same.

    And just like that, I had to throw out all the prepared speeches I''d rehearsed for this. They were already on our side.

    With nothing else to push, our conversation slipped into silence. Only the echo of footsteps and ambient cavern noise remained.

    I decided to pivot to keep the silence from turning awkward and avoid letting him think too hard about why Song Song hadn''t shown up herself.

    "I hope this doesn''t come off the wrong way," I said. "And if it does, just tell me to shut up, Uncle Bai Shang. But I''ve always been curious about what kind of techniques you use here. I''m trying to understand how martial paths evolved across the continent."

    He chuckled. "No offense taken. It''s rare to meet someone so enthusiastic about poison."

    Then, he launched into an explanation of some of their foundational techniques. The Serpent Sack Technique, an Earth Grade method that allowed a cultivator to store poison in their body undetected. Then there was the Serpent Fang Technique, which involved slowly desensitizing the hands with poisons until one could kill with just a touch.

    It was fascinating, but also... kind of reckless.

    As he explained more and more, part of me couldn''t help but wonder: Was this a trap? Was he just sharing everything because he planned to kill me soon? After all, a good poison technique became useless if an enemy knew how to counter it.

    Most of the ones he told me about weren''t tied to specific poisons, making them harder to prepare antidotes for. But still, this was a lot of trust.

    Still, I had no intention of wasting it.

    With a major Core Formation backer now guaranteed, I could breathe easier. Song Song had their support, and by extension, so did I.

    Now, I could finally let go of some of the weight and allow myself to enjoy the little curiosities I considered fun.

    ��Sorry, but would it be rude if I stayed here for a month or two?�� I asked. ��Maybe I could sleep in one of the abandoned buildings above ground if it��s not too much trouble.��

    I said it politely, but let��s be honest, if they told me to sleep up there, that��d be rude as hell. And it��d mean their so-called support was just lip service.

    ��Of course, we won��t let you sleep in an abandoned town like some beggar,�� Bai Shang said, chuckling. ��Please don��t ask such silly things. You��re more than welcome here, and I��ll even host you in my own residence!��

    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    ��Thanks,�� I said.

    This place... was honestly fascinating.

    Even now, surrounded by people, the city didn��t feel less eerie. If anything, the creeping weirdness was stronger. The obsidian spike jutting up from the center wasn��t helping either.

    Navigating this place turned out to be harder than it looked. The terrain was a messy patchwork of natural stone and rickety construction. We had to cross old wooden stairways bolted into the cavern walls, creaking and swaying with each step. The planks were warped from age and moisture, and the handrails, where they existed, were more ��decoration�� than actual safety.

    Between the wooden bits were carved stone stairs, narrow and uneven, worn smooth by decades of use. Some spots were barely more than footholds in the cliffside, forcing me to hug the wall just to pass. The layout was a twisting maze, one wrong turn and you could fall straight into darkness.

    How many disciples had fallen to their deaths down here? Probably more than a few.

    Eventually, we reached a section carved into the cavern wall, where a row of residences had been dug out. It reminded me of those archeological sites where people used to dig holes into cliffs, only this had wooden doors.

    Bai Shang stepped up to one door and placed his palm against it. A gentle pulse of Qi flickered from his hand, and the door clicked open.

    Some kind of locking array. Interesting.

    He opened it, revealing a dim, simple room. There was a square stone platform with a mattress laid over it, meant to be a bed. Other basic furniture was carved straight from the walls. Clearly, minimalism was their aesthetic.

    There were actually two beds. The second one was next to the door and hidden in the shadows.

    ��We don��t really do luxury here in the Serpent Bone Hall,�� he said. ��But if you need anything, we��ll do our best to get it for you.��

    Was he testing me?

    ��After months on the road, even a roof and a mattress feel like a luxury,�� I said with a smile. ��Thank you, truly.��

    It wasn��t entirely true; traveling with arrays made life much easier, but I wasn��t about to sound ungrateful.

    ��Well then, I��ll leave you to rest,�� Bai Shang said. ��If you need anything, just ask any disciple, and they��ll fetch me.��

    He left, and the four of us, I, Fu Yating, Wu Yan, and Speedy, stepped inside.

    I spread my senses out carefully, trying not to be rude. No Core Formation cultivators too close, thankfully. But there was a peak Qi Gathering cultivator next door.

    I shrugged and started doing some light stretches to work the road-weariness from my muscles.

    Holy hell. I did it. I actually pulled it off.

    Only now I allowed the happiness to pull down my mask.

    I had secured Song Song a real chance at surviving this whole ordeal. Fuck yeah!

    I hadn��t realized how much it was weighing on me until the weight lifted.

    Humming some modern pop song, I crouched in front of the door and studied the locking mechanism Bai Shang had used.

    Ah. Disappointing. Not even a true locking array, just a push array triggering a latch. Basic.

    I stood up, sighed, and flopped onto one of the stone beds.

    ��So, how do you like your fancy new accommodations?�� Fu Yating asked, leaning on one of the beds and glancing at a softly glowing crystal embedded in the wall, the only source of dim light in the room. ��I think it��s perfect for the soon-to-be second-in-command of the next Sect Leader.��

    ��I don��t need your sarcastic undertones, my dear fiance?e,�� I said.

    ��C��mon, I know you like my voice more than silence.��

    ��That��s not a high bar.��

    ��And that wasn��t sarcasm,�� she grinned. ��That was straight-up talk, honest and face-to-face. Just the way you like it, dear husband.��

    I closed my eyes and ignored her. She had a pretty high opinion of herself for someone who thought I liked her voice more than bleak silence. Still... I didn��t really mind it.

    ...

    After a few hours of resting, there was a knock on the door. The Qi signature told me it was our next-door neighbor.

    I stood up, opened the door and found a black-haired, brown-eyed guy in his mid-twenties standing there. He looked way too innocent for a place like this, like someone who��d wandered in from a countryside village and hadn��t realized he was living in a murder-cult.

    But his cultivation was nothing to scoff at. Peak Qi Gathering in your mid-twenties wasn��t bad, especially not for a place like this. He had a real shot at reaching Core Formation, which meant he could one day be a pillar of this organization.

    ��How can I help you, honorable senior?�� I asked politely.

    ��Hello, strange neighbor,�� he said with a sheepish grin. ��Name��s Sha Gua. Just checking who Master decided to bring in. We don��t usually have guests, y��know?��

    He rubbed the back of his head, laughing awkwardly.

    There was nothing wrong with what he said, but the way he said it? Yeah... he was definitely a bit of a goof.

    ��Well hello, mysterious neighbor,�� I said in a mock deep voice, trying to make him feel comfortable.

    I��d never admit it out loud, but I��d been that guy more than once in my previous life.

    This guy was probably the hope of his generation. Going from the great sects to smaller organizations was always a little jarring. Someone with the potential to reach Core Formation was barely worth a footnote in the Blazing Sun Sect. Technically, after my talent upgrade thanks to the Four-Way Immortal or whatever his fake title was, even I had the potential to reach that stage.

    But what the big sects were really looking for was Nascent Soul talent. The next Song Songs, Ye Ans and Wu Yans. Two of those had extreme physiques, which showed how rare top-tier potential was. And even those born with it often got stopped by their mindset.

    ��By the way, I��m a disciple of Elder Bai Shang,�� he said, dropping the clown act. ��Never thought I��d get a junior brother.��

    ��Well, sorry to break your dreams,�� I said. ��I��m not a new student. I��m actually from the Blazing Sun Sect, here on official business.��

    ��Oh, that��s even better!�� he said, eyes lighting up. ��I��ve never met someone from outside. Especially not from the Blazing Sun Sect!��

    We talked for a bit. He was friendly, surprisingly so, and told me all about himself. Apparently, despite being part of the Serpent Bone Hall, he hadn��t learned any poison techniques. Said his body didn��t have the resistance needed to handle the stronger ones, even though he had the talent.

    That was interesting. Some techniques really couldn��t be practiced by everyone. And for a sect like this, which depended on specific physical conditions for their methods, their talent pool was going to be a lot more limited than, say, sword-based sects. Serpent Bone Hall had it rough.

    ��You should come to the Blazing Sun Sect to train,�� I told him. ��Pick up some Earth Grade techniques, then return here stronger. Though... now might not be the best time, since there��s a bit of trouble brewing.��

    ��I��m not afraid of trouble,�� he said confidently.

    Not a good attitude. The world was all about calculated risk. However, saying you��re not afraid of danger was one thing, and being unafraid was something else.

    ��Though I��ll have to wait out something first,�� he added, ��and then I��ll join the Blazing Sun Sect and fight the good fight.��

    Fight the good fight? My guy, you��re gonna get absolutely slaughtered.

    Also... what did he mean by ��wait out something��? It didn��t sound like he was talking about the Blazing Sun Sect.

    ��So, is there any trouble nearby?�� I asked. I was looking for anything interesting to break up the boredom between cultivation sessions.

    ��Well...�� he looked away. ��There are some Azure Frost Sect subordinates becoming a bit wilder lately.��

    Really? People under the Azure Frost Sect acting recklessly? That was rare. Usually, anyone that high up the ladder wasn��t dumb.

    After all, this wasn��t a world where someone could become president just because their dad was. Power and potential mattered most, but you had to be smart or lucky to climb to the top. And there were a lot more smart people than lucky ones.

    ��Oh, I know what it is,�� I said casually.

    He froze and then frowned. There was unease behind his eyes.

    Wow. He actually fell for it. This was the cousin to the classic ��I know you��re there�� move, making someone hiding think they had been found out.

    ��What are you talking about?�� he asked.

    I shrugged. ��I��m not exactly sure about the rules in your sect or whether you��re allowed to know certain things. I��d rather not cause problems with the Serpent Bone Hall because someone ran their mouth too much. Sorry.��

    He looked like he was about to say something, then closed his mouth.

    ��Well, I��ve gotta go,�� he muttered, turning and walking off quickly.

    He probably thought he revealed more than he actually did. And if he ever planned on joining the Blazing Sun Sect, he was going to need to get a lot better at handling conversations like that. Turning your back on someone too quickly? Dangerous move.

    Too many young masters in the sect were insecure little frogs who used to be frogs at the bottom of the well and were now seeing the full sky for the first time, and they got vindictive fast.

    Well, better to teach the lesson now.

    I extended my arm slowly and carefully enough not to make any sound.

    No reaction. His combat instincts were trash.

    Then I snapped my fingers.

    For a moment, I thought about using Eight Mind Phantoms to read his thoughts. But I didn��t care enough. And I wasn��t about to get reckless by using that technique casually. The moment I developed that habit, I��d end up trying it on someone I really shouldn��t.

    He spun around, startled.

    I smiled.

    "Careful, don''t turn your back on someone you just met," I said. "Also, I know about the treasure. Though maybe calling it a ''treasure'' isn''t the best description. Some things are better left unsaid out loud."

    "Ugh, I really need to work on my sensory techniques if I ever want to leave this place," he grumbled. "Even my teacher says that''s my weakness. Though, to be fair, he says that about almost everything."

    "Well, everyone starts somewhere. Even your teacher probably had a point in his life where he didn''t know a single martial technique," I encouraged.

    "Serpent Bone Hall doesn''t have much development outside the poison path," he admitted.

    "Then try practicing some similar Mortal Grade techniques that align with the Earth Grade ones you want later. It''ll build a foundation and give you a head start," I said. "You think the... thing will help with that?"

    He froze for just a second, but I saw the gears turning behind his eyes. Finally, he said, "Not exactly sure. The people who''ve tried it before never said it helped."

    Huh. So, it was the kind of treasure that could regrow? That''s the only way people could repeatedly consume it. Not unheard of, but rare. Even rarer for such a thing to grow naturally in a place like this.

    Only one thing came to mind: the Nine-Hearted Snake Flower, a heavenly-grade plant born where the White Snake Immortal supposedly died. It was said that the heavens celebrated the death by creating a regenerating treasure in that very spot. One bloomed every hundred years.

    But there was a big problem with that theory: it was lethal. One of the most dangerous poisons under heaven. Legends said anyone within a hundred steps would die.

    Unless... they''d found a way to refine it through alchemy?

    Highly unlikely. My alchemy knowledge was patchy at best, and my skills were even worse. But I had put some time into memorizing herbs and natural treasures. One of the few subjects I found fun.

    "Still, raw power is its own kind of treasure," I said. "With you at the peak of Qi Gathering, it might not help that much. But for your next stage and everything beyond? Huge."

    "Probably," he sighed. "Though I''m not sure my teacher will even be able to get it for me. There''s a line. A lot of others are waiting for their turn."

    "Well, you''ve got time. Even if it''s in your fifties, you can still take it," I shrugged.

    "Nah, I''m only twenty-five," he said. "But if we step back now, we''ll get pushed even further back later. That''s what Master always says."

    From the way he said that, it was likely a botanical treasure. So, I''d been on the right track. Also, judging by the way he spoke about reusing it in under a generation, it narrowed the possibilities further.

    Only one thing came to mind.

    Hearthfire Ice-Stem Flower.

    It boosted Qi absorption, stabilized the foundation, and increased both cold and heat resistance. Not quite at the level of a Yang Fruit, but up there. The elemental resistances were minor, but the overall effect was potent.

    But where around here would such a flower even grow? This place didn''t feel cold enough.

    Was I guessing wrong? I didn''t know every herb out there.

    Still... the northern side of the border, inside Azure Frost Sect territory, would have the terrain for it.

    Wait. No way.

    Had these guys been stealing the flower from the Azure Frost Sect''s territory this whole time? That would explain the conflict between the two, and why both factions were keeping it under wraps from their parent sects, the Blazing Sun Sect and Azure Frost Sect.

    If either of the big dogs found out, they''d step in and demand a cut.

    Which meant... if I took it, I wouldn''t have to share.

    They''d just think the other side stole it again.

    Both would keep blaming each other. No one would suspect me.

    And if it was the Hearthfire Ice-Stem Flower, I had about twenty years until the next bloom. Which meant this wasn''t a one-and-done thing. It was basically farmable.

    I could swoop in, take the treasure, and leave them fighting over air.

    Wow. Okay. I wasn''t that much of an asshole, and I was not going through the effort to come all the way out here again to get something that I had already seen once.

    Finally. Finally, I was getting the full xianxia experience.

    Time to get lost in some academic fun. I was going to catalog and study every effect of that flower.

    Shit, I was getting excited just thinking about it.

 Chapter 256: Obscene Preparation

    I gave the man at the door a polite nod. He turned without a word and disappeared into the gloom of the tunnel, his footsteps fading like a dying echo.

    I closed the door and lingered, eyes fixed on the rough wooden surface, thoughts swirling in the silence.

    A scale teetered in my mind: risk on one side, curiosity and purpose on the other. The question flickered like a flame in the wind: was this worth it?

    But the truth was, I didn''t give a shit about that scale.

    I never had.

    I did whatever the hell I wanted.

    Risky? So what? Walking out your front door was risky. But people did it without blinking because the world was interesting. Worth exploring.

    In my case, back on Earth, I stepped outside for far more mundane reasons.

    I had work. A soul-crushing job that shaved me down, piece by piece, day by day.

    I turned. My eyes found my fiance?e standing in silence. The cavern light spilled softly over her face, casting delicate shadows. I stared at the burn scar just above her collarbone, a pale crescent curling like a brand along her skin.

    She looked kinda cute in this lighting.

    Shame her personality didn''t follow suit.

    "Alright, I need you to brainstorm a few things," I said. "First, we''ll go through normal planning. Then, in part two, you get to poke holes in all of it."

    Fu Yating tilted her head, already smirking. "So the usual, huh? I give my ideas and you shoot them down?"

    She loved drama. Every chance she got, she stirred up a storm like she was paid to.

    Not that I minded. I''d grown better at controlling my anger with her around. She kept me sharp.

    "Well, maybe if your ideas weren''t absolute garbage, I wouldn''t have to shoot them down," I said. "Also, none of that reckless bullshit. You know I don''t play with that."

    "Wow. So you''re a coward now? Super unattractive. Totally lame," she muttered, just loud enough for any cultivator nearby, which was only myself, to hear.

    Fu Yating was the kind of woman who made you reconsider your entire stance on women... sometimes twice in the same conversation.

    Thankfully, Wu Yan was around as my daughter figure, my anchor, and the only reason I hadn''t sworn off women altogether. She reminded me Fu Yating wasn''t the standard. Just the exception with teeth.

    "Well," I said, holding her gaze, "plain looks never did it for me either. Brown eyes. Short hair. Kinda dull."

    I let my eyes drift to her shoulder-length black hair, letting the insult land where it would.

    "Of course," I added, "I''d never say that out loud."

    Her expression twitched just enough.

    Perfect.

    Though she was usually bulletproof, some bullets still got through.

    "Well, no woman''s going to like you after that," she huffed. "Insulting another woman? Really?"

    The way she said it, you''d think all women were part of some shared hive mind. Just one collective organism with a singular judgment system.

    "If you dish it out, you better be able to take it," I said. "Anyway, enough of the silliness. We''ve got bigger fish to fry."

    "Bigger fish to fry?" She raised an eyebrow. "You grew up as some elite cultivation brat. Where the hell did you even learn commoner slang?"

    "Can you not nitpick every damn thing and just focus?" I sighed. "Please."

    Was this why some people were so happy being single?

    I genuinely pitied anyone who ended up marrying someone like Fu Yating, man or woman. She had a way of draining the energy right out of a room. A conversation with her was like walking uphill in wet sand.

    Still, I wasn''t going to let her ruin a perfectly good day.

    "Anyway," I said, rolling my shoulders, "I plan to intervene and retrieve a few things, one from the Serpent Bone Hall, another from a group under the Azure Frost Sect. Also, as you should know already, I''m hiding a ton of the details about the situation."

    She narrowed her eyes. "Didn''t you say you weren''t going to get involved in anything above your level?"

    "I doubt either side will send their Core Formation elders," I said. "That kind of escalation could spark a war between the major sects. And when that happens, border groups like the Serpent Bone Hall will be the first to get flattened."

    Core Formation cultivators were rare. But the Azure Frost Sect and the Blazing Sun Sect didn''t do half-measures. Even a ''minor skirmish'' would look like a natural disaster if things heated up, and the small fish would be the first to boil.

    "You could always play along," Fu Yating said. "Act like you''re helping one side, then slip away with what you want."

    I cast a noise-canceling array mid-sentence. A soft pulse expanded through the room, sealing us in silence. I''d already set one earlier, but I wasn''t taking chances, not with what we were about to discuss.

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    "Do you really think they''d just hand it over if I asked nicely?" I raised a brow.

    Starting a war over some treasure wasn''t ideal. If there was a cleaner way to get it, I''d take it. I wasn''t interested in blood for the sake of blood.

    But from what I''d seen, those two factions were already on the edge. I wasn''t the spark. I was just here to collect on the fire.

    Fu Yating gave a silent nod. She agreed.

    I glanced her way, a grin tugging at the corner of my mouth, just subtle enough to be irritating.

    Her eye twitched.

    Perfect. She was annoyed.

    Mission accomplished.

    Was I being childish?

    Absolutely.

    But she earned it, and honestly, she acted twice as childish on a good day.

    ...

    We spent the next half hour planning, and this time, we didn��t mess around.

    By the end of it, we had a solid strategy complete with countermeasures in case things went sideways. Most worst-case scenarios involved a Core Formation Cultivator showing up out of nowhere, so we memorized what the Serpent Bone Hall members wore and prepared a few tailored lies, just in case I ran into that level of danger.

    But before we could even begin the plan, I had to endure a humiliating but undeniably effective strategy Fu Yating came up with.

    ��So,�� I asked, face serious and composed, ��are you ready?��

    She blushed and glanced away, shyly.

    This bitch. She was enjoying this way too much.

    I took a deep breath, buried the frustration clawing at my throat, and walked to the door. I deactivated the silencing arrays and stepped outside.

    A quick glance confirmed we were alone. I approached the neighboring door, the one with the familiar Qi, and knocked once.

    Before I could knock again, it swung open.

    Sha Gua greeted me with a smile. ��Hello, neighbor. What can I help you with?��

    I forced a smile, trying to play it cool.

    ��Well... the girl with the short, shoulder-length hair? She��s my fiance?e. We were wondering if there are any empty rooms nearby. You know... for privacy.��

    He frowned, head tilting slightly, confused.

    Goddamn, this wasn��t rocket science.

    But I couldn��t even blame him. Liu Feng��s memories made one thing very clear, sex-ed didn��t exist here. No internet, no magazines, no awkward health class. Just vague whispers and the wedding bed.

    Most cultivators could turn boulders to dust with a flick of their wrist, but innuendos? Those flew straight over their heads.

    Maybe the Azure Frost Sect taught that stuff properly, considering how many of their techniques involved... intimacy.

    Sha Gua��s eyes lit up. ��Oh!�� He laughed awkwardly, then cleared his throat. ��Sure, we��ve got some extra rooms next to us.��

    ��Uhh, I��d prefer something a little farther,�� I said, chuckling awkwardly and this time, it wasn��t even an act. ��Don��t exactly want my friends overhearing... you know.��

    ��Oh, right. Yeah,�� he said quickly. ��Follow me.��

    He closed his door and led me down a level, then another, through a corridor carved into the stone. Plenty of empty rooms were tucked away on this stretch of the wall.

    We eventually found one that worked, and he gave me permission to use it. No one around here used keys, just fancy-looking locking arrays that looked more impressive than they actually were.

    Mission complete.

    Sha Gua and I made the walk back in silence. It felt like the walk of shame, even though he wasn��t judging me. I was judging me.

    When I returned, I opened the door with a long, exhausted sigh.

    And there she was.

    Fu Yating, lounging like the smug little tactician she was. The demon queen of ridiculous, face-meltingly awkward plans that somehow worked.

    I��d been thoroughly outplayed.

    And the worst part?

    She was right.

    She even gave me a whole philosophical rant earlier about not letting ��embarrassment limit my potential,�� as if she were some sage on a mountain peak and not the agent of my suffering.

    Damn her.

    ��You know this is embarrassing for you too, right?�� I asked.

    ��I��m willing to fall on the sword if I can take you down with me!�� she declared.

    ��Okay, no need to be so dramatic. This isn��t that serious,�� I muttered before turning toward Speedy and Wu Yan. ��You two stay put. Wu Yan, use the storage ring I gave you if you need food; it��s stocked with about six months of rations. If we��re not back within two weeks, make a plan to escape. Actually, have one ready either way.��

    Speedy yawned, clearly ignoring me. But Wu Yan nodded, ever the perfect student.

    Fu Yating and I stepped outside and shut the door behind us. She practically beamed as she held out her hand.

    ��C��mon,�� she said. ��At least hold hands with your fiance?e.��

    I stared at her palm, sighed, and linked arms with her. She leaned on my shoulder, humming softly like we were on a lovers�� stroll and not about to run a high-risk infiltration mission.

    We said nothing as we descended to the floor below. I opened the door to the room and, unsurprisingly, we were greeted by a king-sized slab of stone dressed up with futons and blankets.

    ��Good enough,�� I said.

    ��Wow, solid stone. Don��t think we��ve done it on something like this before,�� Fu Yating said with a grin.

    The moment the door shut behind us, leaving only the dim glow of the wall crystal, I activated a sound-suppressing array.

    ��You know the plan, right?�� I asked.

    ��Of course,�� she said, smirking. ��I��ll moan loudly and dramatically every now and then just in case someone is eavesdropping.��

    Since Fu Yating couldn��t sense Qi signatures, she��d have to commit to the act until I returned. And honestly, no cultivator in their right mind would risk peeking into a room where those kinds of noises were happening.

    Only real risk was someone using Qi sensing.

    I created a jade soldier and laid it on the bed. Then, placing my palm on its chest, I channeled nearly all of my Qi into it.

    The process was slow and precise since any spillage could blow the disguise. By the end, I��d transferred ninety-eight percent of my Qi into the puppet. I sealed it inside with a barrier array, then dropped all the sound suppression around the room.

    Fu Yating was already playing her role, sprawled on the bed next to the lifeless puppet, making just enough obscene noise to raise eyebrows without attracting attention.

    Mid-groan, she looked at me and winked.

    How the hell did she talk me into this?

    I wiped the sweat from my forehead and focused on stabilizing the sliver of Qi I had left. Right now, I was practically invisible to most cultivators and weak as hell but undetectable.

    I slipped out, closing the door behind me as quietly as I could. Fu Yating didn��t know what I was after, but she trusted me enough to believe it was worth the trouble.

    I moved fast, blending into the background, masking my presence to give off the impression of a peak Body Tempering cultivator at best.

    She��d done her part.

    Time to make all this ridiculousness worth it.

 Chapter 257: Hearthfire Ice-Stem Flower?

    As I moved through the grounds of the Serpent Bone Hall, I kept my steps light and my presence thinner than a whisper.

    The vast underground expanse stretched endlessly around me, lit only by scattered lanterns clinging to crooked stone pillars and weathered walls. They gave off barely enough light to cast long, flickering shadows that hugged the walls like living things. The cavern ceiling soared so high above that it vanished into blackness, swallowing sound and light alike.

    The ground was rough, uneven stone and more a carved-out crevice than a path, with narrow trails winding between buildings carved in rock and a tall black obelisk etched with strange glowing runes in the middle of this cluster of buildings.

    Every so often, small groups of cultivators passed by. Some whispered in hushed conversation, others walked alone, some had hollow eyes and seemed unfocused. Most wore the dark, patchwork robes of the Hall. There were no clear ranks or badges. Everyone blended in, which worked in my favor.

    I kept well away from certain areas where the air grew dense, thick with invisible pressure and an oppressive weight that tugged at the lungs and soul alike. Those were the gathering points for Core Formation cultivators, and just brushing against the edge of their presence could unravel my disguise in an instant.

    Keeping my head down, I moved like smoke, sticking to forgotten corridors and broken walkways along the edges of the Hall��s inner territory. My weakened Qi made everything slower and duller. Things that had once been instinctive now came with hesitation. Even basic Qi-sensing required deliberate control, like threading a needle with trembling fingers.

    I didn��t have time to wander aimlessly, so I listened carefully. Picking up on fragments of conversation, I followed murmurs and observations, deducing likely exit points based on context and movement.

    Before long, I spotted a group gathering by the base of a sloped corridor toward an exit, or at least a secret path leading out.

    ��Okay, remember to keep your heads down and don��t pick a fight,�� said a tall, thin man whose figure resembled a drawn blade. His voice was calm but carried authority.

    He seemed to lead a team of seven. Each of them wore a plain porcelain mask covering the lower half of their face. Their dark robes matched, but it was the masks that unified them, anonymous and relatively disciplined.

    Without hesitation, I retrieved a porcelain mask from my storage ring, one of the spares I had made for Wu Yan. But the moment I did, a spike of pain shot through my temple.

    Even the tiny amount of Qi it took to pull something from storage felt like trying to suck the last bit of juice from a crumpled carton through a bent straw. Slow. Straining. Every drop cost something now.

    I winced and quickly covered it with a quiet breath.

    But I didn��t dwell on the thought long.

    At the tip of my finger, I summoned a hair-thin jade blade, like a scalpel, and ran it cleanly across the porcelain mask. It split into two perfect halves. The Qi string connecting the blade to my core remained intact, and I simply reeled it back in. Even in my weakened state, it barely felt like I��d used anything at all.

    I had never realized how much Qi was wasted during routine technique use until I had almost none left. It was like discovering you��d been flushing toilets with bottled spring water your whole life.

    I fitted the lower half of the mask onto my face and adjusted it until it rested comfortably.

    It��s showtime.

    Then, after observing the group for a few moments, I moved toward them at a casual pace, maintaining a quiet but deliberate distance. Close enough to blend in, far enough not to raise suspicion. They seemed relaxed, too comfortable on their home turf to expect anything unusual.

    Perfect.

    We moved through a vacant hallway, eventually arriving at a stairwell that spiraled upward toward what looked like a trap door. A lone guard stood at the bottom step, a middle-aged man radiating the stable power of a five-star Qi Gathering Cultivator.

    The tall leader at the front didn��t say a word. He merely flashed a token.

    The guard nodded with a small smirk. ��Go and give them hell.��

    One by one, we climbed the stairs. I stayed second from the back.

    After a few minutes, the trap door creaked open, and blinding natural light poured down. The sudden brightness after so long underground made my eyes water, but I kept my posture composed.

    ��C��mon, everyone,�� the leader called. The mask slightly muffled his voice, giving it a cold, almost metallic timbre. ��Watch your step, and don��t slip.��

    We emerged into the open world.

    Grassland stretched out around us, the ruinous towers of the ancient city barely visible in the distance behind a gentle haze. The trapdoor, hidden beneath moss and roots, blended seamlessly into the earth.

    Once everyone was out, the leader gathered the group into a loose circle.

    ��Alright. Listen closely. No drinking, no slacking, no stupidity,�� he said, his tone cutting through the breeze. ��This mission matters. It��s not just a flower; it��s the legacy of the Serpent Bone Hall for the next century.��

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    He paused to meet everyone��s eyes.

    ��Our destination is White Snow Valley. We��re after the Snow Flower, it only blooms once every twenty years, and the Bloodshade Pavilion has claimed it the last three times. That ends today.��

    I stayed silent, nodding with the others.

    White Snow Valley... so that��s what it was called. And now I also had a name for the treasure: the Snow Flower. It sounded a lot like the Hearthfire Ice-Stem Flower.

    Bloodshade Pavilion?

    So that was the other organization we were competing with?

    They were mostly known as an organization of alchemists, famed for their cultivation-enhancing pills, many of which used monstrous beast blood and organs as key ingredients.

    Despite the ominous name, they were legitimate. At least, according to the outdated reports I��d read.

    As the team leader kept talking, this whole mission began to feel less like a covert operation and more like some twisted inter-organizational competition. Something lowkey. Likely unapproved by the two major sects backing each group.

    The Serpent Bone Hall might have sent their younger generation to play the game. Still, I��d bet anything that Core Formation elders were watching from the shadows to make sure no one crossed a line, like sending Core Formation Cultivators to wipe out the younger generation.

    That made things more complicated... and strangely simpler.

    I didn��t need to overthrow anything.

    I just had to win.

    But to do that, I needed my Qi back. Fast.

    Lingering near the rear of the group, I let the others move ahead as I kept my footsteps light. The sun crept over the hills, casting its glow across their backs, while warmth flickered across my face.

    No one looked back. Good.

    Slipping a hand into my robe, I summoned a small pouch of spirit stones from my storage ring. The Qi used drained me more than expected, just that small act left a blank haze in my mind.

    I blinked. Regained focus.

    Not now. Stay awake.

    The spirit stones pulsed faintly in my palm, cool and smooth, their surfaces veined with soft inner light.

    I took one, pinching it between two fingers, and slowly guided it toward my dantian. My breathing deepened. My Qi stirred, sluggish at first, like a frozen stream beginning to thaw.

    The stone warmed. Its essence unraveled into threads of spiritual energy, winding through my meridians. I guided them with care, feeding my starving core. My Qi pool still felt like a dried-out well, but at least something was flowing again.

    With each breath, the pressure in my chest loosened. The ache behind my eyes faded. My spine uncoiled.

    It was a quiet process but not an easy one.

    Sweat beaded on my brow. I kept the flow steady, avoiding any Qi backlash from too much intake at once. A hairline crack split the stone in my hand, then another.

    A soft flicker of light... and it dulled. Drained and dead.

    I tucked the useless thing away and reached for another.

    Normally, cultivators refined Qi slowly. Carefully. To avoid waste.

    But I didn��t have time for finesse.

    I had spirit stones in abundance.

    What I needed now was Qi and fast.

    ...

    Surprisingly, Snow Valley was only ten hours away. The journey carried us from soft green plains into colder, harsher terrain, the shift so gradual it was almost imperceptible at first.

    The wind sharpened with each step. The warmth of the grasslands faded behind us. Frost crept along the edges of the trail, clinging to rocks and dead shrubs. Before long, the ground was mostly stone and snow.

    I stayed at the rear, my steps steady, presence quiet.

    While we walked, I continued drawing Qi from spirit stones, slipping them from my pouch one by one, guiding the energy carefully into my core. The process was slow and deliberate. I kept my breathing calm and my circulation steady.

    By the time we reached the edge of the Snow Valley, its vast, frozen plains stretching beneath a pale, cloud-veiled sky, I had recovered about twenty percent of my Qi.

    Not much. But enough to feel anchored again. Enough to stand and fight if it came to it.

    The cold wind swept across the valley like a silent warning. Still, I stepped forward, snow crunching beneath my boots.

    No monstrous beasts had appeared on the way.

    That, at least, was a blessing.

    I spread my senses to their limits and immediately cursed under my breath.

    Fuck. I might be too late.

    The Hearthfire Ice-Stem Flower was notoriously hard to sense before picking. Its Qi blended seamlessly with its environment. However, once harvested, the spiritual signature became much easier to detect unless it was sealed away by a proper array.

    Fortunately, I knew two arrays that could seal energy. One was from the Song Clan Library. The other, older and more mysterious, came from the Four Way Immortal''s inheritance. That one was outdated, requiring the Qi of a tamed beast to shroud the herb''s presence. It masked the treasure with the essence of a monstrous beast.

    I broke off from the group without anyone noticing, moving low and fast, keeping my presence buried. My aura sealed tight, and I became little more than a breath in the frigid wind.

    Then I felt it.

    A cluster of six Qi signatures huddled together around something. Unfocused. Unalert. Their energy flickered in that loose, lazy way people had when they thought they were alone.

    They didn''t expect anyone to find them.

    My heartbeat surged.

    A treasure was right there.

    What would it feel like? Taste like? What could I learn from it?

    This wasn''t just about power. It was knowledge. Discovery. Possibility.

    I forced the excitement down. I couldn''t afford to get sloppy.

    The snow crunched beneath my boots with a muted rhythm as I closed the gap. My breath slowed. The cold scraped at my lungs, but I didn''t falter.

    By the time I reached them, I was already on top of them.

    Only then did one stir, a flicker of alarm sparking through their Qi.

    Too late.

    They turned, heads snapping up with dawning confusion�C

    Too late. The element of surprise belonged to me.

 Chapter 258: The Last Bad Choice

    ��Fuck! Who is this guy?�� one of them shouted.

    ��Careful!�� another warned, already adjusting his stance.

    The others didn��t waste breath; they were already gathering Qi, their movements tight and practiced, and six cultivators ready to strike as one. A coordinated squad. Sharp-eyed. Disciplined.

    I didn��t move. Not yet.

    I considered killing them all in a blink.

    It would��ve been easy.

    But I didn��t, not because I couldn��t, but because they weren��t a real threat.

    Instead, I moved. Faster than they expected, but not toward them.

    Just as they braced for hand-to-hand, I stepped back.

    An array bloomed beneath their feet.

    A hastily cast, peak Level 4 Qi-Draining Array flared to life, lines of crimson and jade flickering with unstable energy. I didn��t have years of experience at this level. I had just become a level 4 Array Conjurer.

    But I didn��t need years. I just needed this moment.

    Their Qi faltered, ripped from them like wind sucked from their lungs. Streams of energy spiraled from their cores into my outstretched left hand, pouring into a jade cube.

    They panicked.

    A volley of attacks burst toward me; rock fists, ice blades, glass-like shards of translucent Qi.

    I danced between them with calm precision, weaving through desperation as I closed in on the one at the back.

    ��S-Stay away!�� he cried, his voice breaking as he backed up, struggling to stabilize his footing.

    His fear was genuine.

    He thought I was going to kill him.

    I wasn��t.

    But he had something I needed.

    In one smooth motion, I reached out and slipped the storage ring from his finger, my hand brushing cold, clammy skin.

    There it was.

    The Hearthfire Ice-Stem Flower.

    I could feel it pulsing faintly, even through the ring. Cold fire, delicate and alive.

    Behind me, the array did its work.

    Their Qi unraveled like threads, drawn from every limb and breath. One by one, they slumped to the ground. Unconscious, drained.

    No time to linger.

    Using the energy stored in the jade cube, I began carving the sealing array: Three straight lines. A circle. Three anchored squares. It pulsed softly as I guided it with precision, not power.

    I checked the ring again. The flower glowed faintly, stem flickering like frostfire. Now I confirmed this was the Hearthfire Ice-Stem Flower.

    I sealed the ring, slipped it into my pocket, and then funneled the last of my Qi into a final decoy.

    A jade soldier burst into form beside me.

    Faceless. Hollow-eyed. A ghost of light and stone.

    It stood still as I staggered back, breath catching in my chest.

    That would do.

    It held enough residual Qi to leave a false trail.

    Because by now, someone powerful had felt this. Some Core Formation cultivator, maybe more than one.

    I bolted west.

    Not toward the Serpent Bone Hall. Not toward any path they��d expect.

    Every few hundred steps, I carved a Qi-disrupting array behind me, severing the flow, blurring the trail, choking off spiritual sense.

    It wouldn��t hold forever.

    But for now, it was smoke in the wind.

    And that might just be enough.

    ...

    In the end, I found a narrow, half-hidden cavern tucked behind a frost-slicked ridge. Remote enough to be overlooked. Wide enough to serve my purpose.

    I slipped inside and immediately went to work.

    For the next day, I didn''t rest.

    I arrayed the place to hell and back. Layer upon layer of traps, misdirection fields, Qi distortion webs, backlash runes, and even a few unstable formations that, frankly, might blow half the mountain apart if triggered. If anyone came, they''d be walking into a carefully arranged nightmare.

    Then I waited.

    This should''ve been the moment a Core Formation Cultivator made their move. They had every reason to chase, every ability to sense what I''d taken. But no one came.

    Hours passed.

    Then the full day.

    Still nothing.

    No looming pressure on the horizon. No flicker of high-level Qi creeping through the valley.

    Had I really shaken them so easily?

    Maybe they hadn''t been that invested in the Hearthfire Ice-Stem Flower. Maybe they kept their Core Formation seniors at a distance to avoid suspicion. That would''ve made sense. But even then... for things to go this smoothly?

    It didn''t sit right.

    Everything had worked. Too well, in fact.

    My instincts prickled at the stillness like a storm holding its breath just beyond the ridge.

    But the trap lay untouched.

    The flower was still mine.

    And that, I supposed, was a win.

    I sighed. The sound echoed softly through the cavern, then faded into the dark. I turned and began the walk back toward the Serpent Bone Hall.

    ...

    The path was cold and quiet. Five hours of nothing.

    Snow crunched underfoot as I descended from the frozen ridges and stepped into the grasslands.

    My pace stayed steady, my senses open but relaxed. No pursuit. No sudden presence behind me.

    It was strange, returning in one piece.

    Undetected. Successful.

    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    Too quiet.

    Had I really pulled this off?

    Eventually, I arrived at the moss-covered trap door, which was a bit hard to find since it was in the middle of nowhere. One last glance around. Then I slipped inside, the damp breath of the underground brushing my skin like the cave exhaling.

    Each step down clicked softly on the stairs beneath my weight, slick with humidity. I passed the half-dozing guard, who didn''t even look up.

    Soon I reached the small, dim room that had served as our cover. Our ridiculous, flawless alibi, dressed in illusion and a whole lot of noise.

    The door stood as I left it. Closed. Silent.

    I leaned close, ear against the wood.

    Sure enough, Fu Yating was still at it, making lewd, exaggerated noises. Just believable enough to fool a passing ear. Just absurd enough to make me smirk.

    I chuckled and pushed the door open.

    She instantly yanked a blanket over herself, fully clothed beneath it, of course. The fake modesty only made it funnier.

    Her eyes met mine. Mischievous. Bright. That smile of hers, half proud and half-mocking, said it all: Welcome back.

    And for once... after everything... It actually felt like I had returned to something close to normal.

    ��Did you get it?�� Fu Yating asked, voice casual, but her eyes already knowing.

    I nodded once.

    Without missing a beat, she added, ��Well, you know I��ll be taking a part of whatever you got, right?��

    ��Sure,�� I shrugged, not even bothering to argue.

    One of the petals was a small price to pay. The true value of the Hearthfire Ice-Stem Flower was in the stem and the fusion of opposing elements, cold and fire, locked in perfect balance. That was what made it priceless.

    And that was what I wasn��t sharing.

    ��Anyway,�� I said, lowering my voice, ��we need to leave. We can��t afford to absorb it here.��

    She tilted her head, curious, but didn��t press.

    ��I��d have to... take it out.�� I kept the explanation brief.

    She didn��t need more. Her sharp mind filled in the blanks immediately, and her expression hardened with understanding.

    I might be able to mask the flower��s aura from Foundation Establishment cultivators if I layered the right arrays. But from Core Formation experts?

    No chance. They��d sniff it out like blood in the water.

    She nodded. ��Then let��s move quickly.��

    We were completely aligned for once. Quiet, cautious, and ready to vanish before the real predators caught our scent.

    With a wave of my hand, I dismissed the jade soldier lying stiffly on the bed and immediately felt a small rush of Qi return to me. My presence flared slightly, no longer the quiet whisper it had been.

    Now that I was thinking about it...

    Other otherworlders who got transferred here with their original bodies and no Qi must��ve been invisible to spiritual senses. To cultivators, they were basically rocks. Different enough to miss out on the wonders of cultivation. Similar enough that whatever ungodly Earth diseases they carried still translated to this world��s humans.

    Not a great tradeoff.

    We stepped out into the winding underground streets, the slow hum of Serpent Bone Hall life brushing past us. Dim light flickered along the path, faintly glowing stones embedded in the cavern walls casting long, warping shadows with every movement.

    Didn��t take long.

    A lone figure, probably a junior disciple, strolled down the walkway with a relaxed, unhurried gait. Perfect.

    ��Hey, sorry to bother you,�� I called out, stepping toward him. ��But Elder Bai Shang said if I needed something, I could ask someone to either bring him to me or lead me to him.��

    The man blinked, caught off guard. ��Um... are you an outsider?��

    ��Yes,�� I replied evenly. ��I��m a guest from the Blazing Sun Sect.��

    His posture eased. The name carried enough weight to kill most suspicion.

    ��Oh,�� he said, then gestured toward one of the carved-out rooms farther down the corridor. ��Elder Bai Shang is usually in there, doing some indoor cultivation.��

    ��Would now be a good time to speak to him?��

    ��If you��ve got a good enough reason, sure. He��s not the type to throw people out for knocking.��

    ��Thanks,�� I said.

    He gave a polite murmur and wandered on, his footsteps soon swallowed by the stone-walled silence.

    With that settled, Fu Yating and I made our way back to our original room. The creaky stairs and soft echoes of distant voices reminded me just how deep underground we still were. Inside, Wu Yan and Speedy were curled up asleep, but the moment we opened the door, they stirred.

    "Okay, get ready," I said, voice calm but firm. "We''re leaving."

    There wasn''t much to gather. No luggage. No equipment. Just our storage rings.

    Speedy was the first to move, yawning as he stepped toward the exit. The dim light masked it, but as he passed through the doorway, I noticed it was wide, much wider than any normal door. Someone had carved this with monstrous beasts in mind.

    We regrouped and walked together through the winding cavern paths. Moving as one, all eyes forward, we made our way toward Elder Bai Shang''s chamber, the same man who had once brought me in.

    Now, he would be the one to see me out.

    I sensed his presence before we even reached the door. Calm. Steady. Unmistakably, Bai Shang. Taking a slow breath, I raised my hand and knocked, bracing myself.

    But when the door opened, Bai Shang greeted me with a warm and casual smile. As if I were an old friend instead of someone knocking on a Core Formation cultivator''s door mid-cultivation.

    Imagine if he failed his breakthrough just because I interrupted him with a knock. That''d be something.

    "Oh, hey! I was just thinking about you," he said. "I had a talk with the other elders. We unanimously agreed to support Song Song as the next Clan Head and Sect Leader."

    I nodded, though the words only half registered. My mind was elsewhere, already turning over escape routes and next steps. Still, the vote was confirmation. The Song Clan hadn''t lost its grip. If anything, their influence remained terrifyingly intact.

    "That''s good to hear," I said. "But after thinking about it, I''ve decided not to stick around too long."

    Bai Shang gave a soft chuckle and nodded. "Well, I''m sad to see you go so soon. But I''m sure you have your reasons. Come, let me walk you to the same door you entered through. It''s only right I escort you out."

    I agreed, and we began moving through the low-lit corridors. As we walked, Bai Shang and I slipped into light conversation. Small talk about politics within the Serpent Bone Hall, cultivation pressures, and sect affairs that weren''t quite important enough to record but were not meaningless either.

    "Even the most reckless Song Clan leaders have always proven to be reliable," he said, his voice carrying quiet pride.

    I nodded thoughtfully.

    "The Song Clan leaders have a history of... amazing people," I replied.

    Though "amazing" might not have been the right word. Brutal, calculating, power-hungry? Definitely. But in their own ruthless, blood-soaked way, they were remarkable. Born from a clan that devoured weakness and rewarded ambition, it was no surprise that those who rose to the top carried a dangerous brilliance.

    Not always moral. Rarely kind.

    But effective.

    And sometimes, that was all that mattered.

    "When they take that leadership position, and the previous leader steps down, the new one gains wisdom beyond their years. It changes them," Bai Shang said, his voice calm and reflective. "My father was one of the main supporters of the current Song Clan Leader. He used to say the man was obsessed with trying to please his father and earn affection from his mother. But that all changed when he became Clan Head."

    We reached the gate, the same massive stone door marked by a grim skull, its hollow eyes staring down with quiet malice. The obsidian serpent curled from its mouth caught the cavern''s light with that same eerie shimmer, its inky black surface glinting like a black diamond.

    The whole walk, I''d only given Bai Shang half my attention.

    The rest of me was focused on the Hearthfire Ice-Stem Flower in my storage ring: how to use it, how to protect it, how to dissect its mysteries.

    But when the gate began to groan open, something inside me clicked.

    Not the gate.

    Me.

    Everything snapped into place in a sickening rush of clarity.

    Song Song''s voice echoed in my mind, cold, sharp, and certain, as she told her father she was going to destroy the Song Clan. I remembered his face when she said it.

    Calm. Unbothered. Amused.

    Not defiant. Not angry. Not even insulted.

    Unworried.

    Why?

    Why wouldn''t a man so deeply tied to the clan''s legacy care if his own daughter planned to destroy everything he built? Or that she had all but said she was going to kill him?

    Why did everyone say that becoming the leader "changed" you?

    Unless...

    It wasn''t a change at all.

    Unless he already knew.

    Unless it was him, the current clan leader, who planned to do it.

    Body possession.

    Body takeover.

    Of course.

    If he meant to take her body, then her dreams, her ideals, her anger... they were just background noise to him. Just a few final gasps from a vessel he was planning to wear.

    It would explain everything, his calm. The way each Song Clan leader seemed to shift in personality. The strange reverence, the undercurrent of fear, that surrounded every new head of the family.

    My heart thudded. Cold sweat trickled down the back of my neck.

    Shit.

    Sending Song Song off to train with her father might''ve been the worst decision I''ve ever made.

    Was it an ancestor? An immortal? Someone strong enough and old enough to hijack generation after generation?

    But who?

    There were no records. No legends. No whispers in the archives about some founder haunting the bloodline. No ancient ghost steering the ship from the shadows.

    No one had even dared to speculate.

    And now I might''ve just handed Song Song over to something far, far worse than I could''ve imagined.

    Fuck.

    .

    .

    .

    .

    .

    END OF BOOK 4

 Chapter 259: A Cat’s Lives

    Ling Huyin sat in silence on the gently swaying carriage, his legs loosely crossed as the wooden planks beneath him creaked with each bump in the dirt path. Sunlight streamed through the shifting canopy above, scattering into warm, golden fragments that danced across his face and robe. The breeze carried the earthy scent of leaves and distant dust, mingling with the quiet clatter of wheels and the occasional call of unseen birds.

    He tilted his head back, gaze drifting toward the clouds, those slow-moving sculptures of vapor, meandering across an endless blue sky. There was a pattern to their motion, subtle yet deliberate, and he traced it without thinking. His breathing slowed. The warmth of the day enfolded him like a weighted cloak, lulling his body into stillness as his mind wandered ever on.

    For once, there was no urgency. Only stillness. And that, in itself, was rare.

    The season was autumn, but the scenery whispered of spring; lush, fragrant, almost too alive. Curious. There was an array anomaly affecting the flora''s growth cycle around these parts.

    Ling Huyin. That was the name he had chosen for this second life. "Hidden Spirit Tiger." A poetic nod to his origins, cloaked in metaphor. His previous name had been more literal, sounding less like a name for an intelligent creature and more like something summoned or a pet. Keeping it would''ve been... inelegant.

    He had no desire to announce what he truly was. Not when his strength had been stripped from him, leaving only memory, millennia of it. Knowledge that some people would do anything to get. No, for now, obscurity was the better choice.

    This new life came with limitations, yes, hunger, fatigue, and mortality. But it also brought novelty. The sensation of sleep, for instance. Curious how something so mundane could feel alien. He hadn''t needed rest since his early days as a cultivator. Perhaps the last time he''d truly slept was the night before he broke through to Nascent Soul. Before he stepped beyond such things.

    And carriages... Heavens. When had he last traveled in one of these primitive things? Thousands of years ago, perhaps? Back when he''d first roamed the mortal world to study their societies firsthand. It was around that time that the Rich Life Pill was discovered. He was one of the first creatures to experiment with it.

    That pill had rewritten the rules. It aided the breakthrough to Core Formation for humans and transformed beasts and gifted them human form even before the Nascent Soul stage. A leap in evolution. Beasts rarely chose to remain in their natural state once they experienced the ease of cultivating in a human vessel.

    A clever design. His design, though none knew it now.

    It was almost pitiful to see how humans had fallen behind. Once masters of ingenuity, now prey more often than predator. The balance had shifted since the great heavenly calamity. Immortals, too, had retreated from mortal affairs. They no longer guided the world with hidden hands. They watched, perhaps. But they rarely moved.

    Back then, it had all been a game. Immortals pulling the strings of bloodlines, grooming chosen heirs like livestock bred for fortune. Heaven''s favored were gold-laying chickens, stripped of their treasures and their memories and thrown back into the cycle. Again and again. Efficient, if cruel.

    Now? Silence.

    But there was beauty in that silence. In the entropy. The lack of divine-like interference made this new era unpredictable, wild, chaotic, and wonderfully inefficient. And in that inefficiency lay potential. Opportunity.

    Ling Huyin smiled faintly, eyes still tracing the sky.

    The world was quiet. But he could already hear it stirring.

    Ling Huyin shook his head, brushing away the heaviness settling behind his eyes. Sleep was creeping in again. A consequence, perhaps, of staying awake for over two weeks and forgetting that mortal bodies required rest. A minor oversight. Inconvenient but ultimately meaningless. Once he returned to the Nascent Soul Realm, or better, true immortality, such frailties would fall away like old skin.

    To occupy his mind, he reached into the black storage ring on his wedding finger and withdrew three thin books.

    This era had its curiosities. Primitive, certainly. But there was something quietly admirable in how mortal cultivators were beginning to adapt on their own, finding new ways to contend with monstrous beasts without leaning on only raw power. Perhaps they would stumble upon something novel. Unintentionally, of course.

    He glanced at the covers and smiled.

    Monstrous Beasts: Spring Edition

    Monstrous Beasts: Summer Edition

    Liu Feng. A name he hadn''t known but perhaps should have. The man had compiled detailed classifications of regional beast populations, complete with observed behaviors, cultivation patterns, and seasonal migration habits. Crude in language but methodically sound. Impressive for someone likely with less than a hundred years of lifespan.

    The third book caught his attention more sharply.

    Monstrous Beasts: Autumn Edition

    Different author. Jiang Yeming.

    Ling Huyin flipped through the pages, noting the familiar structure and tone. Clearly derivative, an imitation of Liu Feng''s work in everything but the price. This volume cost nearly three times more than the others. Commercial instinct over academic integrity. Still, the imitation was competent enough, which meant Liu Feng had unknowingly sparked a trend. That, too, was very interesting.

    He exhaled through his nose, not quite a sigh, not quite amusement.

    It would''ve been nice to enjoy this era a little longer. There was novelty in obscurity, after all. But fate, it seemed, had other plans.

    Ling Huyin felt heaven''s gaze weighing down on him. He had felt it the way others might feel a change in weather: subtle, undeniable, and entirely unwelcome. The Four Way Immortal had done something brash. He had drawn Heaven''s Will toward him and, in doing so, condemned Ling Huyin to a future calamity.

    He could not recall any enmity between them. Then again, old grudges often outlived the immortals who birthed them.

    Now, barring some unprecedented change, he would likely face a heavenly tribulation within the next century. As a mortal cultivator, no less.

    Still... there was always a chance. The Age of Immortals might return sooner than predicted. The divination-type immortals hoarded that knowledge tightly, guarding the when and how as if it were a treasure. But Ling Huyin had studied their patterns. He had survived the last apocalypse engineered by Heaven''s Will. If history repeated itself, then a mass calamity might once again precede the next age.

    That scenario, at least, was one he could work with.

    Because if not, if it came to a solo tribulation before he reached immortality, then he was, quite plainly, doomed. The progression from Foundation Establishment to the peak of Nascent Soul had always been a brutal crawl. Even with monstrous beast bloodlines and near-perfect talent, it had taken him eight centuries in his previous life to move from one-star Nascent Soul to nine-star.

    And now? This body he had taken over barely qualified as cultivator stock. Mortal-blooded. Average meridians. Dull spiritual sense. Trash, really.

    Two years in this vessel, and he was still just a three-star Foundation Establishment cultivator, even after consuming two heavenly treasures.

    Progress was glacial.

    And yet... Ling Huyin''s eyes narrowed ever so slightly as a quiet calculation began to form behind them.

    It wasn''t impossible.

    Just improbable.

    And improbability, after all, was something he had defied many times before.

    But Ling Huyin wasn''t particularly concerned. Even if he died before reclaiming immortality... it wouldn''t be the end. His reincarnation hadn''t been the result of divine luck or cosmic charity. It was the consequence of a technique, one he had devised, refined, and buried within the folds of cause and consequence.

    Still, he had never intended to test it.

    He remembered the moment of death clearly: the weight of Heaven''s Will crashing down like a blade, and his soul shattered. Or so he had believed.

    Two thousand years had passed since then. He wasn''t entirely certain what governed the time between each reincarnation. Perhaps it depended on how long it took the soul to mend, how long before it could reassert itself into a body once again.

    He was still turning the question over when he noticed it: a pigeon perched on a nearby tree, its beady black eyes fixed on him.

    Gray and white feathers. Ordinary at a glance. But the faint ripple of Qi in its presence betrayed its nature, a monstrous beast, artificially created.

    A technique long thought lost.

    Ling Huyin narrowed his gaze. He hadn''t seen one of these since the final century of his last life. The method of forcibly imbuing beasts with Qi had fallen into obscurity even then, dismissed as inefficient, unstable, and a waste of resources. But now... it had resurfaced.

    Who had gone through the effort of developing a technique like this?

    Much had changed in two millennia, and yet, much had not. The Three Great Sects still existed. Their names had endured, but their practices had evolved. Techniques had grown more refined. Cultivation standards more demanding.

    He''d heard, both from memory and overheard rumors, that youths were now reaching Foundation Establishment before the age of thirty. Even one or two per generation in the major sects. That had once been unthinkable.

    Dying and waking in a new era was, if nothing else, educational.

    He had once believed his immortal technique might allow him to slip beneath Heaven''s gaze. But now, it seemed, even that safeguard had faltered. He had not felt irritation like this in centuries, but the Four Way Immortal had truly earned it. Drawing Heaven''s Will to him for whatever petty scheme had undone years of careful planning.

    The carriage jolted to a halt.

    They had reached the end of the road. A desolate clearing where once a human settlement had stood, now swallowed by time.

    "Is this your destination, sir?" the carriage driver asked.

    He was a man in his forties, though the lines etched deep in his sun-beaten face made him look closer to sixty.

    Ling Huyin nodded and reached into his storage ring. He pulled free a sack of coins the size of a watermelon and jumped down from the carriage, tossing it to the driver in a single motion.

    The man scrambled, grunting as he caught it, arms nearly buckling from the weight.

    "Heavy," he muttered, but as he untied the sack and the mouth opened wide, his voice caught. Gold coins spilled like water, dozens clinking against the ground in a flash of sunlight and sound.

    "Generous Lord..." he managed, eyes wide. "Though the journey was long, this is... too much�C"

    "Too much?" Ling Huyin frowned, his voice cool, almost affronted. "Do you value me so little?"

    The driver froze.

    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    "Driving me should be a memory you pass to your grandchildren. A family honor that should last a hundred generations."

    He hadn''t meant to sound arrogant, only honest. Pride, after all, did not vanish with power. He no longer had cities to bestow or palaces to gift, but once, such things had been his to give without thought.

    A sack of gold? It felt pitiful by comparison.

    He believed himself worth far more.

    The driver lowered his head, overwhelmed. "Thank you, generous lord," he whispered. "With this, I can start anew. I won''t have to live so far from home anymore."

    Ling Huyin waved him off with the same ease one might dismiss an insect, his gaze already fixed on the wilderness ahead.

    The man, wisely, bent to collect the coins that had spilled before climbing back into his carriage. Without another word, he turned it around and drove off, fading into the dust and trees behind him.

    Ling Huyin didn''t look back.

    Ling Huyin wandered off the road, boots crunching softly over loose gravel. A faint sweetness hung in the air, sugary, earthy, with notes of roasted nuts and something floral. Odd. Tempting. He followed it without haste, threading through the sparse trees as the wind stirred dry leaves into lazy spirals around his feet.

    Then, as the forest parted, he saw it.

    A wooden shop sat nestled against a low rise, untouched by time. Its walls were smooth and polished, its roof recently thatched, and the sign above the doorway bore no name, just the simple carved image of a white rabbit. There were some seats in front of the shop that looked newly made and polished.

    The scent grew stronger, richer. Warm dough. Toasted herbs. Ling Huyin paused, eyes narrowing slightly.

    This looked so out of place in terms of the surroundings.

    Through the open window, an old man worked at a counter, his hands steady and sure. He folded green dough with practiced grace, his movements calm and measured, like someone who had done the same task every day for centuries and still enjoyed every motion.

    The shop radiated a nostalgic warmth.

    Ling Huyin stared, a strange pang rising in his chest. Something like... recognition.

    Old rabbit, he thought. You''re still here? Still making sweets in the middle of nowhere?

    The feeling swelled, foreign, too tender for someone like him. It must have been a leftover trace of sentiment from this mortal body. He suppressed it quickly.

    "I remember this place," Ling Huyin said, voice quiet. "Last time I came through, there was a village. Some of your descendants lived there. What happened to them?"

    The old man looked up, squinting at him. For a long moment, he studied Ling Huyin''s face with unreadable eyes. Then he exhaled through his nose and returned to kneading.

    "You''re still alive, old cat?" he said flatly. "I heard you died during your fourth heavenly calamity."

    "So did I," Ling Huyin replied. "Apparently, I got better."

    The old man grunted. "People around here moved to the cities after the dark age ended. When the Great Barrier fractured the world, there wasn''t much reason to stay in small places anymore."

    "Hm. I figured you''d just skipped ahead again during the calamities. You always had that nasty habit of ducking out through time."

    "We weren''t built to survive those things," the old rabbit said. "And I''ve never had your talent for throwing myself at lightning until something breaks."

    The door creaked as he stepped out, carrying a wooden tray with neat green dough balls. They glistened slightly in the sunlight, steaming, fragrant, absurdly perfect.

    "You always keep the spring array active?" Ling Huyin asked, eyeing the glimmer in the air. "Locals think this place is part of the Eternal Spring Forest now."

    The old rabbit didn''t answer. He stepped forward, the movement slightly uneven.

    That''s when Ling Huyin saw it.

    The man''s left leg ended just below the knee, replaced with a polished wooden peg bound in runic iron.

    Ling Huyin''s eyes narrowed. "Injured? What happened?"

    The old rabbit adjusted the tray, his voice still maddeningly calm. "Apparently, the future version of me thought it wise to send the injury back."

    Ling Huyin blinked. "... You''re serious?"

    "Unfortunately."

    Ling Huyin fell silent. The old rabbit''s technique was bizarre, less true time travel and more... temporal sidestepping. Limited, tightly constrained, and riddled with paradoxes. But even so, for the future version of this man to send back an injury...

    "That''s never happened before," Ling Huyin muttered.

    At least never an injury that couldn''t be healed.

    "Then it must be important," the old rabbit said, offering him a sweet. "Eat. You look like someone who''s forgotten how to enjoy the world."

    Ling Huyin stared at the glowing green ball, warm in his palm.

    For just a moment, he hesitated.

    Then he took a bite.

    "I think I''m trapped," the old rabbit said, voice calm, as though commenting on the weather. "Someone from the future and the past are communicating. Likely one-way. But still... a crack in the timeline."

    Ling Huyin''s brow furrowed.

    "That''s... not good," he said slowly.

    "No," the old man agreed. "And worse, I seem to have developed something of a reputation as a time-traveling rabbit. Word travels fast, and it took only centuries for some dangerous immortals to get access to the information."

    That was a disaster waiting to happen.

    Time-travel techniques, especially ones that worked, invited attention from beings no one wanted attention from. Immortal arbiters. Ancient clans. Even Heaven itself.

    "Who would risk exposing something like that?" Ling Huyin asked.

    "Probably the Four Way Immortal," the old man said, still folding dough with the same meditative grace. "I suspect he discovered traces of future knowledge through his divination method. And whoever he glimpsed on the other side... understood. They found a way to pass information back."

    Ling Huyin exhaled slowly. "Schemes on top of schemes..."

    He had never been one for deep planning, at least not plans that spanned millennia. He didn''t enjoy the mental gymnastics many immortals seemed to delight in. Sometimes, despite all his knowledge, he felt short beside the likes of the Four Way Immortal.

    "Well," he muttered, "that would explain his death. That kind of manipulation could easily trigger a heavenly calamity."

    "It did," said the old rabbit. "And he died for it."

    He said it like a fact of nature. No emotion. Just inevitability.

    "Well, you know how it is," the old rabbit added after a moment. "Life''s never simple for those of us who advanced using non-combat immortal techniques."

    "You sure complain a lot for someone who''s probably the oldest among us," Ling Huyin said, chewing slowly on a soft green dough ball. It melted on his tongue but was chewy at the same time, light, floral, and quietly addictive.

    "I''ve been in a foul mood for the last millennium," the rabbit muttered. "Ever since the injury, I used the divination part of my technique again. I saw it."

    Ling Huyin stopped chewing.

    "Your death?"

    The old man nodded.

    "Probably another trap by the Four Way Immortal. He is likely eliminating anyone who is an unstable factor in his plans," the old man said.

    The old rabbit''s technique was the kind that had an absolute future reading. The moment a reading was made, fate crystallized. It wasn''t foresight; it was a curse. A locked path.

    Ling Huyin had come here to request a reading of his own. A glimpse at the tides of fate so he could twist them to his advantage.

    Now, he wasn''t so sure.

    "How long have you even been around?" he asked instead, letting the question hang.

    The rabbit took a bite of his own sweet, then answered without ceremony, "A few centuries shy of fifteen millennia."

    Ling Huyin gave a soft whistle. "That''s a good run."

    "I''m barely over seven thousand myself," he added. "Though most of it was spent as a Nascent Soul beast. My species had a... generous lifespan."

    The rabbit''s eyes flickered with memory. His voice grew distant.

    "We''ve seen empires rise and fall. Watched monstrous beasts nearly wipe out humanity. Watched humans claw their way back. Civilizations reached impossible heights... then collapsed into ashes. We watched the peaks, and the ruins."

    For a moment, the air grew quiet.

    "Once I became immortal," the rabbit continued, "I thought I had time in the palm of my hand. So I was reckless. Always chasing loopholes. Always trying to cheat the end. But in the end... immortal techniques are absolute. Each in their own way."

    Ling Huyin didn''t respond right away.

    An immortal fearing death was absurd. And yet, how could one not? When the end finally came, no matter how many millennia had passed, it still felt too soon.

    He had felt it himself. That quiet despair. That cold surprise. When those creatures tore his soul apart.

    And now he was here again, watching an old rabbit with a peg leg shape perfect sweets in a forgotten corner of the world.

    It was strange.

    It was sad.

    And somehow, it felt... comforting. After all, Ling Huyin didn''t want the old rabbit around either when his own plans came to fruition.

    "Well," Ling Huyin said, brushing the sticky suggar from his fingers, "if you''re still up for telling me my death, I''d owe you one."

    The old rabbit laughed, a dry, cracked thing like brittle paper catching flame.

    "Do you really want to know?" he asked. "You''d abuse it like I did. Use it to take risks and gamble with fate. You''d leap off cliffs knowing the ground won''t rise up to meet you... not yet. Your fate of death is absolute, and nothing will change that."

    His fingers twitched slightly as he set the tray down. "But once the moment does come, and it will, there''s no escape. Trust me. I''ve tried."

    Ling Huyin caught the wording.

    So he''s known for longer than he let on.

    He considered making a remark, but held his tongue. This wasn''t the moment to provoke fate, especially not in a place like this. Immortal techniques were absolute, and if the rabbit''s divination really did carve a path in stone, then even hearing his own death might bring it closer.

    He didn''t know the full mechanism behind the old rabbit''s technique, but its shape was clear: prophecy, unalterable, irreversible. A death seen was a death sealed.

    It likely worked by projecting his current self through past, future, and present. That was how transferring injuries from one moment to the next was possible, and also why the future of his learning something was like it was already in stone.

    But Ling Huyin doubted that the old rabbit could even see the future anymore. After all, there was a good chance that the future version of himself was already dead. He was just waiting for the present and past self to catch up with that moment of death, and they can''t change anything.

    Still, this was only a speculation.

    Even on his deathbed, this man would never reveal the specifics of how it worked. None of them would. Immortal techniques were not shared. Not ever.

    "Either way," the rabbit said, folding his arms, "why did you really come?"

    Ling Huyin hesitated. He was well aware the old rabbit likely knew part of the answer already or could rip it out of his soul if he wanted to. Men who lived long enough always picked up a few high-grade mind-reading techniques. Still, paranoia kept his words cautious.

    "I came for resources. And to plan how to survive a heavenly calamity... as a mortal."

    That alone should''ve been enough explanation.

    Heaven''s Will didn''t take kindly to what he''d done last time. Evading death through reincarnation, cheating death, that wasn''t something the heavens let go. The next calamity would be colossal.

    Less than a century remained.

    The old man only chuckled. "You''re not an immortal anymore. Stop looking so far ahead. Mortals who plan a hundred years into the future are the first to die."

    Ling Huyin didn''t argue. The old rabbit wasn''t wrong. But still, nails had to be hammered down while the wood was soft.

    "Just a hint," he said, lowering his voice. "For old time''s sake."

    That was as low as he''d stoop. He still had pride.

    "I can''t help," the rabbit said. "But I know a few who might. Seek the oldest and the youngest immortals. Between them, you''ll find what you''re looking for."

    His prophecies were always vague. Always just enough.

    Then, the old man tilted his head slightly. His voice dropped.

    "But are you sure you want to be around for the new age? You''re not the only one watching the signs. More than a few have prophesied that the beginning of the Age of Immortals... will also mark the end of immortals as a whole."

    Ling Huyin''s smile faded. "What would you suggest?"

    "End this life. Reincarnate again. A few thousand years forward. Let the storm pass."

    He knew.

    Of course he did.

    Ling Huyin wasn''t even surprised. The old man had probably worked out the mechanics of his reincarnation technique already, enough of it, at least, to be dangerous. That was the problem with ancient immortals. They always knew more than they should. It was also why most people didn''t like having them around.

    Ling Huyin gave a slow nod. If the rabbit was right, then something else was coming. Something beyond calamities and sect wars. Likely an outer-world invasion. Something really bad.

    The last time someone pushed past the boundary of the known, the sky cracked open and demons rained fire.

    He rose from the bench, brushing the creases from his robe. "It was good seeing you again," he said lightly. "Will you be here next time?"

    The old rabbit shook his head. "No."

    There was no need to ask why.

    Ling Huyin turned and walked away, the wind trailing his sleeves behind him.

    He didn''t know if the old rabbit had told him the full truth. Probably not. No immortal ever did. They hadn''t become immortal by accepting their fate; they''d done it by breaking it, bending it, or pretending it didn''t exist.

    Still... Ling Huyin didn''t fear the future.

    Even without prophecy.

    Even without knowing the shape of the storm.

    He had his own technique.

    And his technique was absolute.