In the somber grand hall, where figures sat solemnly, Murui, a man closely entangled with Xiao Yan’s fate, was also present. At the head of the hall sat a middle-aged man with a slightly gloomy expression. His finger gently tapped the table before he finally broke the room’s silence with his hoarse, rasping voice: “Just now I received news—the squad we dispatched today, a pair of seekers, vanished entirely mid-way in the Beast Mountains.”
A murmur passed through the group. Murui replied with a smirk, “Maybe they encountered some beast attack—disappearances like that are normal in Beast Mountain.”
“Beasts would leave some marks,” the man known as Mu She, leader of the Wolfhead Mercenary Group, said dismissively. “Those sent earlier to search their zone found zero traces of battle… Eliminating the probability of clumsy beginner’s mistakes like tumbling off cliffs, these warriors likely were silenced by human foes. The evidence vanished at their hands as well.”
“You aren’t suggesting Xiao Yan could’ve done it?” Murui frowned at his father’s suggestion but waved it off. “Impossible. This guy and I fought—there’s no way he’s capable of slaying two Fifth-Dan warriors before they even launch a signal flare!”
“You’ll check that territory again tomorrow then—with caution,” Mu She commanded, always serpent-cautious. Murui only lazily agreed, “Yes. Whatever.”
The leader’s gaze roved briefly around before pivoting. “That stone case you hauled from the cave earlier—has the cover been pried open yet?”
“Still locked. Though I brought in the best locksmiths from Qing Shan Town already… not promising yet,” Murui frowned.
“Just break it open!” spat Mu She, eyes darkening. With seventy thousand coins plus rare rare herbs in there? Only an expert left all this. Their relics couldn’t be trivial goods.
Murui nodded grudgingly. “Then,” he paused. He glanced up curiously as the talk took a shift. “Regarding Xiaoyixian, what will you do?”
“You learn what treasure she scored back in that cavern?”
When Murui helplessly shook his head, old Mu She narrowed eyes and mused, “No rash moves—yet. That girl is high-profile in Qing Shan. Provocate unnecessary backlash, draw independent mercs like hornets. Bad politics. Bide.”
Murui gave a nod before adding tentatively, “So allow her peace inside the Wanyao House for now?”
“Peace? Not likely.” Murui’s lips curled. “Tomorrow spread whispers—whispers how she took the relics of mighty forebears—the likely legacy? Xuan-level cultivation techniques.” Murui chuckled darkly. “While a genius healer, her personal combat skill leaves much to be desired. That leaves openings… others greedy might try wrest control of such power. She’d better manage herself against the chaos she’ll invite.”
“Ingenious,” laughed Murui gleefully. “And if word drags in even Wanyao’s interests? Then goodbye protection!”
Mu She’s hand idly scratched a thin facial scar and murmured, “That girl doesn’t scare. The one that worries—your Xiao Yan child.” His laughter ceased.
“Heavy raw talent—second-star warrior already? At that age?” He shook his head. “A youth devoid of arrogance? And hiding true power until that near-death gamble you barely survived back there. Even then… no one’d have bet him capable of a strike to throw a grown-up like you back. That level? Cold, dangerous.”
Mu She’s face grew darker still. “Chop potential at the roots or the vengeance will ruin us. Crush it fast… Before it’s too tall!”
Thinking back to Xiao Yan’s icy clarity despite their lethal clash earlier, Murui’s fingers twitched. Such an enemy—was enough to unnerve.
“We double reconnaissance forces tomorrow, and up prize stakes. Locate this brat, now!”
Such intense precautions against one juvenile boy, the Wolfhead high hands felt disdain internally—but dared nothing but dutiful approval with outward nods.
Meanwhile, past hall and mountain halls lay nature wild—瀑布 roaring its crash against ancient stone, reverberations shaking narrow mountain glens. Xiao Yan stood beside the falls’ pool, staring up at ten sturdy stakes hammered defiantly beneath thundering cascade. A wry grimace pulled across his lips, he turned helplessly to Master Yao Beside him.
“Master… Not here?”
“Correct answer.” Yao smiled warmly but cryptically replied, “Told you, Earth-tier techniques differ. Cannot be freely learned like common martial art. Special prerequisite must be met.”
“Pass… Give me that Blackheaver first.” Stretching, he removed the massive dark slab from Xiao Yan’s back. Though it nearly crushed Xiao Yan previously, Yao balanced it with a modest sink in his arm strength alone.
“So see? Real Earth-tier martial techniques—witnessed one yet?”
Eyes flashing keen interest Xiao Yan nodded furiously like a pup with twitching excitement.
Lifting skyward like mist Yao’s figure floated upwards smoothly, slowly reaching the mid-lake’s very center until finally suspending his movement mid-swell.
Surveying from above, he noted an open five-meter gap between falling spray and lake surface. With a last deep breath for show, his gaze snapped open, eyes flaring alert!
Violent aura erupted like waking beast, sending the below surface quivering suddenly violently into seething, frothy foam racing toward every rim of his shadowed reflection! Watching the boiling ripple engulf the entire lake mirror—Yanhua gaped silently at such sudden monstrous power manifesting! Never seen like this within this once-mild old man who wandered leisurely beside him!
This truly was mastery at its peak—that dormant menace within sword-sheath now partially unsheathed. A chilling edge that could intimidate entire crowds into speechless dread.
“So power,” Yanhua muttered reverently then with renewed fiery longing.
“This’ll become I someday, yes?”
Above Yao merely smiled slightly—began lifting Blackheaver overhead smoothly until fully upright.
As he rose the strange intricate motifs that once mystified Xiao Yan on blade flickered—suddenly alive in glowing crimson flames!
With a single swing, space itself twisted like illusion!
He raised it aloft.
“Earth-tier: Flame Sundering Cleaver!” A command roared across the valley, cracking air with deafening roar. Instantaneously searing heat flooded through canyon walls!
Simultaneously waves erupted violently from beneath—shooting hundreds of jets heavenwards.
Within those jets erupted suddenly brilliant crimson—blinding flash that cut water columns into mist.
“Whoosh!” Across lake surface this red streak carved like comet across skies, obliterating cascading spray in wake—a wake leaving tsunami waves soaring high!
BOOOOOM after cascading BOOOM shook hills! Stone clumps rained from walls like shattered glass—avalanche style!
Eyes widened at visual onslaught behind the technique, Xiao Yan covered ears while mouth stood agape, swallowing heavily with stunned awe. Finally tearing eyes away from the still-vapor-wreathed falls, he gazed reverently back.
“Earth-tier?”
Descending soundlessly, Yao approached Xiao Yan gently, placing a firm fingertip upon boy’s startled forehead! Instantly streams of encoded data burst through synapses. Technique secrets. Mastery guidelines all encoded clearly for his use.
“Flame Sunder—basic Earth-tier. At mastery, you could slice mountains with fingertip!” He summarized. Xiao Yan’s heart nearly gave way at the potential described!
Planted firmly into earth beside ten training stakes awaiting below Yao added:
“From tomorrow, you must face the waterfall’s current here. Only on surviving the 10th pillar three full hours chopping streams continuously, would Flame Sunder awaken fully within you.
Remember now—the very first time you attempt, already a massive strain to your core life strength. Try forcing twice with reckless resolve… severe internal wounds guaranteed and worse could stifle cultivation progression ahead.”
His instructions ended firm!
Xiao Yan turned reluctant, yet defiant.
“But Master… Without battle aura protection, those pressure waves will beat me senseless on entry?”
Yao smiled shrugging lightly.
“Maybe.”
“You must carry and wield Blackheaves without interruption—it fuels every motion of Flame Sunder. Deprived, even a mere three-tenths strength you might unleash…”
His old hands pried Xiao Yan clean—drinking recovery drafts all stripped alongside storage rings—leaving young apprentice grim.
“I never feared pain.” Scowling, he tore off garments fiercely, charged rocks like tiger leaping.
Smash. Two feet struck stakes barely. Before even forming an aura shield wave already crashed down—launching him backward helplessly into frigid water!
Sputtered emergence. Choking.
Cursing, Xiao Yan shook water from ears.
“Today! Tonight! Won’t be beaten… NO!”
He growled—drenched, furious—but undeterred—scaled same boulder, leaping wildly. Again and again!
CRAAAAAASHHH after CRASHH after CRAAAAAA—
Yell and crash—laughter echoing with relentless defiance.
Upon rock, Old master only chuckled faint satisfaction watching—
This tenacious spirit would make him shine brighter!
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