ã€ŠSupreme Elixir Emperorã€‹


 Chapter 1:Rebirth

    Wenxiu Continent, Tingxiang Kingdom, Yun City, Tang Family Estate.

    In the pavilion of the estate¡¯s rear courtyard, an elderly man in a flowing robe stood before a stone table, his hand gripping a brush as he wrote with bold, fluid strokes. Upon closer inspection, one would notice that his fingers never actually touched the brush¡ªhis writing was entirely controlled by a stream of true energy.

    From a distance, he exuded an air of refined elegance and scholarly grace.

    But just as he was about to complete another stroke, his true energy wavered, causing the brush to tremble and leave an unsightly mark on the paper. The steward, who was brewing tea nearby, twitched involuntarily. He knew all too well that the old master¡¯s mood had just taken a turn for the worse.

    "Bang!"

    As expected, the elderly man, who had hoped to calm his anger with a moment of artistic indulgence, slammed the brush onto the table and bellowed, "Someone, go check if that little bastard is awake! If he is, tell him to drag himself over here immediately!"

    <hr>

    "The true method of using the Heaven-Creation Cauldron is to refine its spirit and merge it with one''s own body... Dammit! I cultivated incorrectly from the start! No wonder I hit a bottleneck in my alchemy!"

    Mumbling in a daze, Tang Yan suddenly jolted awake, his eyes snapping open in shock. "Wait a minute! Didn¡¯t the cauldron explode? Didn¡¯t I die in the blast? How am I still conscious?"

    His surroundings slowly came into focus. He was lying on a soft bed, encased in luxury.

    Before he could process his situation, a surge of foreign memories flooded his mind. Two distinct sets of recollections clashed, sending a sharp, unbearable pain through his head.

    It took a long moment before Tang Yan let out a deep breath, finally recovering from the agony. As he sifted through the unfamiliar memories, his expression grew increasingly bizarre.

    In his past life, he had been an unparalleled alchemist, a mysterious figure within the hidden world of cultivators on Earth.

    Cultivation had always existed in China, but as time progressed, these practitioners faded into secrecy, blending into the mountains, rivers, and even bustling cities, forming an underground community known as the Inner Martial World.

    Yet, here he was, reborn¡ªhis soul having taken over the body of a youth with the same name, Tang Yan, the eldest son of the prestigious Tang family.

    Realizing his new noble identity, Tang Yan felt momentarily relieved. At least he was a young master in this life¡ªfar better than being reborn as some lowly commoner.

    However, that relief quickly evaporated.

    This world was one where strength ruled above all, with cultivation ranks divided into five tiers: Heaven, Earth, Profound, Yellow, and Origin¡ªeach further split into nine grades.

    And the previous owner of this body? A mere Grade-2 Origin Rank cultivator.

    Tang Yan nearly choked on his own breath. "Are you kidding me? He started cultivating at six years old! Even a dog could''ve reached Grade-3 by now!"

    As he dug deeper into this body''s past, he felt an overwhelming urge to slap himself.

    If someone were to document this boy¡¯s sixteen-year life, they might as well title it: "How to Become the Ultimate Good-for-Nothing."The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

    In his previous life, Tang Yan had been a prodigy. By the age of five, he had mastered music, chess, calligraphy, and martial theory. By seven, he had stepped into the world of alchemy. At twenty-four, he was known as the Young Alchemy King. By thirty-eight, he had ascended to the rank of Alchemy Grandmaster, capable of refining Grade-9 elixirs!

    Throughout the Inner Martial World, there were only a handful who could match his skill. Countless powerful figures owed him favors for his life-saving elixirs. Even the mightiest of warriors would bow and address him with reverence¡ª"Master Alchemist."

    And yet, compared to that, the original owner of this body was... utter trash.

    As if that weren¡¯t bad enough, he hadn''t even died a noble death.

    The reason for his demise? He had tried to assault Lin Dongxue, the daughter of the city lord¡ªonly to be caught in the act and beaten nearly to death by Liu Zhi, the young master of the Liu family. His dantian was shattered, and his weak, indulgent body couldn''t withstand the injuries. He perished on the spot.

    By sheer misfortune¡ªor perhaps divine will¡ªTang Yan''s soul had merged with this ruined body.

    Something about the whole scenario felt off, but with his mind still in turmoil, he couldn¡¯t piece it together just yet.

    Just as he was about to reflect further, a hurried voice interrupted him.

    "Young Master! Something¡¯s wrong! The old master¡ªhe''s summoning you!"

    A maid rushed in, panic evident in her voice.

    Tang Yan glanced at her and slowly adjusted his robe. "I see."

    "Young Master, the old master said... you need to get there immediately!" The maid, Xiao Cui, lowered her voice anxiously, afraid that he would delay any further.

    Hearing this, Tang Yan paused for a moment before rubbing her head with a chuckle. "Well, that sounds urgent."

    Unlike before, the former waste of a young master was gone. Tang Yan knew exactly why his grandfather was calling for him. It was nothing more than a scolding session. Did he really need to rush over just to get berated?

    Besides, his mind was still a mess. If he said the wrong thing, there was a real chance that his grandfather would slap him into an early grave.

    Then again, knowing the old man¡¯s temper, if he didn¡¯t show up, the old master would personally storm in and drag him over. That would probably end in an even worse beating.

    "Fine, fine. I¡¯ll go. Bring me a fresh set of clothes."

    "Here, Young Master," Xiao Cui responded swiftly, handing him a robe.

    Tang Yan took one look at the garment and felt his face darken.

    The luxurious silk robe was covered in holes. Strangely enough, each hole was adorned with tiny gold ornaments.

    What the hell kind of fashion statement was this?!

    "This is mine?"

    "Young Master, this is your favorite robe! You even had Granny Wang alter it seven times!" Xiao Cui whispered, though her eyes were filled with curiosity. Why did the young master seem... different today?

    Tang Yan nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. "Take off all the gold trinkets and store them away. As for the robe¡ªburn it. Get me something normal."

    If his past self had put half as much effort into actual cultivation instead of questionable fashion choices, maybe he wouldn¡¯t have ended up crippled.

    After changing into proper attire, Xiao Cui couldn''t help but stare. The arrogant, reckless young master she had always known... suddenly looked like a different person.

    Could it be...? Had the young master finally turned over a new leaf?

    With a deep breath, Tang Yan followed the familiar path to the rear courtyard.

    From a distance, he spotted a towering old man, standing by a stone table, holding a brush with an air of scholarly leisure.

    Yet with his sharp senses, Tang Yan could feel it¡ªthe old master¡¯s suppressed fury, seething beneath his composed exterior.

    And sure enough, that anger was directed entirely at him.

    "Grandfather," Tang Yan greeted, bracing himself.

    Silence.

    The butler, Uncle Mo, remained still. The nearby servants didn¡¯t dare to breathe too loudly. Though the old master appeared calm, the palpable tension in the air was suffocating.

    Then¡ª

    "BANG!"

    The brush snapped in two as the old master slammed it onto the stone table.

    "You little bastard! I tolerated your laziness! I overlooked your misdeeds! But now? You actually dared to attempt to assault the city lord¡¯s daughter¡ªand failed?! You¡¯ve brought utter disgrace to the Tang family!"

    Tang Yan nearly choked. That was his biggest concern?

    "At six years old, I tested your aptitude myself! You inherited the finest bloodline of our Tang family! You were born with top-tier talent!"

    "If you had trained properly, would your dantian be shattered now? Would you be lying half-dead in bed? This is entirely your own fault! And now you expect me to clean up your mess?!"

 Chapter 2

    Hearing his grandfather''s angry scolding, Tang Yan remained silent. He knew that although his grandfather''s words were fiery, his father had been missing for many years, and with no uncles or brothers, as the last heir of the Tang family, the old man still cared deeply for him.

    Tang Yan couldn''t help but think about his current situation. With his dantian destroyed, even though he knew the formula for crafting a Continuation Pill, a Grade-6 elixir, in this world, elixir masters of Grade-4 were few and far between. Who could he turn to for such high-grade pills?

    What about cultivating? Without the ability to protect himself, he would be crushed into nothing in this martial world.

    Tang Ling, his grandfather, couldn''t help but wonder: usually, when this brat was bullied, he''d explode in anger and beg for revenge. But today, he was oddly docile.

    What surprised Tang Ling even more was the change in Tang Yan¡¯s attire. Usually flamboyant and carefree, the boy had been scolded countless times for his lack of seriousness. Today, however, he was dressed simply and neatly¡ªwas this a sign of a change in character?

    Tang Yan¡¯s posture also seemed different. Though his head was lowered and he remained silent, his stance was straight, showing an unexpected air of composure.

    "It''s good that Uncle Mo went to intervene in time. If he had been any later, that little bastard from the Liu family might have taken the opportunity to strike. You need to be more cautious and avoid causing trouble. If you dare to make trouble again, there will be consequences!"

    Seeing his grandson silent, Tang Ling couldn''t fathom what was going on in his mind. Although his dantian was destroyed, Tang Yan had never really shown interest in martial arts, so his grandfather didn''t expect much from him in that regard. He only hoped for him to live a peaceful life and pass on the Tang family¡¯s legacy.

    "Today, the young master seems a bit different." The ever-silent housekeeper, Mo Bo, suddenly spoke up.

    Tang Ling nodded and sighed, "I wonder if it''s just a feeling. Maybe he''s recovering from his illness, but who knows what will happen in a few days? If he has really changed, I¡¯ll arrange for a few teachers to teach him some business strategies. That way, at least he¡¯ll have a path to follow."

    <hr>

    Tang Yan was unaware of the conversation between his grandfather and Mo Bo. As he walked back to his quarters, his mind weighed heavily. After being reborn in this world with his dantian destroyed, he was effectively starting in the worst possible scenario.

    He couldn¡¯t help but think of the Heaven-Creation Cauldron. If only it were still around, he could have used it to start cultivating again. Unfortunately, the cauldron was obliterated along with his previous life.

    Even without the cauldron to control the alchemical fire, Tang Yan was not one to sit idly. He turned toward the library, eager to learn more about this world¡ªespecially about herbs, as they were the foundation of alchemy.

    After browsing through a few books, Tang Yan¡¯s lips curled into a smile. Though this world¡¯s culture was different from Earth¡¯s, the names of herbs, their attributes, and effects were strikingly similar.

    However, Tang Yan meticulously flipped through every page, memorizing the differences. As he glanced at the window, he realized the sun had set, and his protesting stomach reminded him it was time for dinner. Smiling, he headed back to his quarters.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    After eating the dinner Xiao Cui had prepared, Tang Yan sat on his bed, carefully organizing his thoughts.

    He had truly been lucky¡ªhis reckless breakthrough that led to the explosion of the Heaven-Creation Cauldron had somehow resulted in his soul being reborn in this world.

    But the situation of his new body was just as grim.

    His father had disappeared ten years ago, and his predecessor had done nothing but waste his potential. The Tang family might be a powerful clan in Yun City, but without strength, once his grandfather passed away, the family would likely fall into ruin.

    "I can''t just sit and wait to die. I must regain my strength!" Tang Yan furrowed his brow, hesitating for a moment before deciding to try something¡ªperhaps the reincarnation of his soul could cause a miracle, enabling him to cultivate again.

    Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Tang Yan focused his mind and began to calm his breath, attempting to enter a meditative state.

    Five minutes passed¡ªno response from his dantian.

    A quarter of an hour¡ªstill nothing.

    An hour later¡ªstill no change¡­

    In his previous life, Tang Yan had the temperament to withstand long hours of alchemy refining, sometimes spending days in front of the cauldron. Yet, after an entire afternoon of silence from his dantian, frustration began to creep in.

    "Is it even possible to cultivate at all?!"

    Just as he was about to give up, a familiar, vast energy suddenly surged from his sea of consciousness.

    Tang Yan¡¯s mind jolted¡ªthat energy... it was the Heaven-Creation Cauldron!

    Quickly, he quieted his thoughts and focused on his sea of consciousness. There, a semi-transparent cauldron slowly rotated.

    "The Supreme Alchemy Manual, seizing the heavens and earth, refining the supreme essence! Cultivators must disperse their dantian¡¯s energy to break through and rebuild, forging the Supreme Alchemy Manual." A deep, resonant voice echoed from the cauldron. Immediately, an intricate stream of information flooded Tang Yan¡¯s mind.

    It took a while for Tang Yan to absorb the information. His heart was in turmoil as he processed the astonishing revelation.

    Even in his past life, when his alchemy skills had reached their peak, he had always relied on a cauldron to refine elixirs. However, the ¡°Supreme Alchemy Manual¡± from the Heaven-Creation Cauldron indicated that once one reached a certain level, they could refine elixirs with their own body, achieving even better results!

    "Incredible!" Tang Yan marveled in his heart.

    Just as he had suspected upon his rebirth, the ultimate secret of the Heaven-Creation Cauldron was to refine its spirit, ultimately merging with the cultivator¡¯s own body to become one.

    In his previous life, he had never fully grasped the method of using the cauldron, but this time, his fate seemed to align perfectly with the ¡°Supreme Alchemy Manual."

    He began cultivating, his breath steady as the warm energy gathered in his lower abdomen. His past experience, coupled with his strong foundation, soon allowed a soft, radiant warmth to gather there.

    <hr>

    That night, Mo Bo reported to Tang Ling, "Master, the young master did not leave the estate today. Instead, he stayed in the library."

    "What?" Tang Ling raised an eyebrow and quickly asked, "He stayed in the library all day?"

    "Yes."

    Hearing Mo Bo¡¯s confirmation, Tang Ling''s face showed an odd expression. After a long pause, he muttered, "This kid never practiced martial arts. If we told him to read, he¡¯d fall asleep after one page. But now, he''s spent the entire day in the library? Can he even read? Or is he just enjoying his nap there?"

    Mo Bo handed over a prepared box with a stack of books inside. "The young master read quite a few books today."

    Tang Ling frowned as he looked through the books: "The Complete Pharmacopoeia," "Herbal Medicine Guide," "Continent Geography Overview," "History of the Tingxiang Kingdom for Two Thousand Years."

    His expression became even more perplexed. "Could this kid really have changed?"

    Mo Bo chuckled, "In his entire life, he''s never read more books in one day than today. Perhaps he really has changed."

    "Nonsense! I know full well what kind of books he''s hidden under his bed¡ªerotic pictures and sordid tales! He''s read a lot of those, too!" Tang Ling growled, his anger rising. "But these books... this is completely out of character. Let¡¯s observe him for a few more days."

 Chapter 3

    Time passed second by second, and the warmth that had been building in Tang Yan¡¯s dantian slowly increased.

    "Boom!"

    Countless streams of energy surged from his sea of consciousness, flowing relentlessly toward the intense heat in his dantian. Soon, the shape of a cauldron began to take form. With a dull thud, the true energy in his dantian ignited, burning through his meridians.

    Though the temperature was high, Tang Yan could still bear it, but as time passed, his skin began to turn fiery red and unbearably hot.

    He had planned to endure a little longer, but when he noticed wisps of white mist rising from his body and his consciousness becoming increasingly faint, he couldn¡¯t hold it back any longer. Without time to put on his clothes, he rushed out the door and bolted outside.

    "Young Master, where are you going... ah!" Xiao Cui, hearing the noise, stuck her head out the window. Under the moonlight, she saw her master running off in such a carefree manner, her mouth agape. Her face instantly flushed red, and she stomped her foot, angrily muttering to herself. However, she was too embarrassed to follow him.

    "Splash!" The sound of someone splashing into the water broke the silence of the night.

    Tang Ling, already a seasoned martial artist at the eighth rank of the Profound level, had extraordinary hearing. When he heard the splash, his heart skipped a beat. That sound... it came from the direction of that troublesome boy¡¯s residence.

    "What¡¯s going on?" Tang Ling stormed out of his study, his voice full of anger.

    "Master, the young master has jumped into the lake to bathe," a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness.

    "What nonsense!" Tang Ling was livid, almost furious enough to lose his composure. He had just thought that his grandson had changed for the better, but within a single day, he reverted to his old ways. The autumn night might not be cold, but the lake water would certainly not be comfortable for most people. What on earth was that boy thinking?

    Just as Tang Ling had a sliver of hope for his grandson, Tang Yan¡¯s behavior shattered it completely. With a heavy sigh, he waved his sleeve and left.

    Meanwhile, Tang Yan, upon jumping into the lake, felt the refreshing coolness wash over him, bringing a sense of relief. The Supreme Alchemy Manual was incredibly domineering; during his first session of cultivation, it didn¡¯t temper his dantian¡ªit was refining his meridians instead!

    The burning true energy constantly refined his meridians, expelling impurities through his pores.

    After a night of cultivation, the true energy finally settled down, and Tang Yan slowly opened his eyes.

    "Feels amazing!" Swimming to the shore, Tang Yan stretched his muscles and tested his strength. In just one night, he had reached the third rank of the Origin level, and he couldn¡¯t help but marvel at how extraordinary this cultivation method was.

    The progress in his cultivation was apparent, and his thoughts began to clear. He now saw his situation more clearly.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    The Tang family had become weak, and the power struggles within Yun City were more apparent than ever. It was clear that other families were eyeing the Tang family¡¯s wealth. But as long as he lived, his grandfather would fight tooth and nail to protect him, making it difficult for others to take control. However, once his grandfather was gone, the Tang family would fall with little resistance.

    "You want to destroy the Tang family? I won¡¯t let you have your way!" A cold glint flashed in Tang Yan¡¯s eyes, and a fleeting sense of murderous intent surged. The overwhelming presence of a once-revered Alchemy Saint erupted for a moment.

    The aura vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving the experts within the Tang family stunned. They wondered if it was just a figment of their imagination.

    At that moment, Tang Yan, now dressed in a white robe with golden embroidery, appeared before them. His appearance was elegant, and with a folding fan in hand, he looked like a charming young nobleman.

    Despite only being at the third rank of the Origin level, refining a Grade-1 elixir was no challenge for him with his vast experience from his previous life. However, the Tang family didn¡¯t even own a proper cauldron, so he¡¯d need to purchase one if he wanted to make elixirs.

    A standard cauldron would cost at least a thousand taels of silver. His grandfather, worried about him causing trouble again, had confiscated all his pocket money, leaving him with only thirty taels a month.

    "I¡¯ll have to ask my grandfather for some silver," Tang Yan thought to himself. Just as he was wondering how to approach the subject, he saw Mo Bo rush in.

    "Young Master, where are you going? You should go back and rest."

    "Mo Bo, what¡¯s going on?" Tang Yan was curious. Normally, if something small happened, Mo Bo would send someone else, so it was rare for Mo Bo to personally come.

    Mo Bo sighed, "The last time you had a little trouble with the city lord¡¯s daughter, the city lord¡¯s mansion is here to demand an explanation. This time, it¡¯s a bit more complicated. Also, someone from Miaodanfang, Wu Xuan, has come."

    "Miaodanfang?" Tang Yan paused, immediately recalling the name. Miaodanfang was renowned across the entire Tingxiang Kingdom, and many of their masters were at the third rank of alchemy. It was not known if they had a fourth-rank alchemist, but generally speaking, if a third-rank alchemist was publicly acknowledged, it meant there were likely even stronger individuals hidden away.

    The status of alchemists was already prestigious, and being affiliated with Miaodanfang made a second-rank alchemist almost untouchable in any city.

    Rumor had it that the chief alchemist of Miaodanfang, Wu Xuan, was under thirty and had already attained the rank of second-rank alchemist. There were also rumors that Wu Xuan was close friends with Lin Dongxue, the daughter of the city lord. Could it be that Wu Xuan was here to seek justice for her?

    Miaodanfang had accumulated so many favors over the years, and many people owed them debts or sought to repay them. If this situation wasn¡¯t handled well, Miaodanfang could turn against the Tang family, and those who had been relying on the Tang family¡¯s elixirs might collectively retaliate. Though the Tang family had power in Yun City, they were not the strongest, and this was still a small city.

    "Mo Bo, is my grandfather trying to have me feign illness to gain sympathy and offer compensation to the city lord¡¯s mansion to smooth things over?" Tang Yan pondered for a moment.

    Mo Bo was momentarily stunned. This boy was sharper than usual.

    "Let¡¯s go to the front hall. While the Tang family might not be the strongest in Yun City, if we go all out, no one will escape unscathed. Even the city lord¡¯s mansion will have to think twice before targeting us. As long as the old master is still around, they won¡¯t dare to openly harm you."

    Tang Yan chuckled lightly and walked toward the front hall.

    Mo Bo was once again taken aback. Though the Tang family was the weakest among the four great families in Yun City, they were still a major force. If they gathered all their strength to oppose any faction in Yun City, even the city lord¡¯s mansion would be severely affected. Those who coveted the Tang family¡¯s assets would have to reconsider their actions as long as the old master was still alive.

    Looking at Tang Yan walking confidently, hands clasped behind his back, wearing a white robe with gold trim, Mo Bo couldn¡¯t help but wonder: If the young master had been serious about martial arts when he was younger, surely the Tang family would have been dominating the younger generation in Yun City by now.

 Chapter 4

    ¡°Tang Ling, regardless of whether Tang Yan''s dantian is destroyed or not, it¡¯s a fact that he molested Miss Lin. The City Lord¡¯s mansion in Yun City has always been just and impartial, not favoring any family, but we will not tolerate any family¡¯s provocations or insults. Tang Family must give the City Lord¡¯s mansion an explanation! Where is Tang Yan? Tang Ling, stop hiding him!¡±

    In the main hall of the Tang family, a middle-aged man¡¯s loud voice rang out.

    ¡°Someone looking for me?¡± A warm voice echoed, and Tang Yan strode into the hall, instantly drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

    Tang Ling glanced at his grandson, then at Mo Bo, who was standing behind Tang Yan with a helpless expression. He exchanged a quiet, questioning look with Mo Bo, who subtly conveyed an expression of helplessness and reassurance.

    At this point, Tang Ling knew hiding his grandson was no longer an option. He sighed inwardly, thinking about how he might protect Tang Yan from this predicament.

    There were seven visitors: five men and two women. Among them, two were guards from the City Lord¡¯s mansion, two were guards from Miaodanfang, and the middle-aged man was Qin Changdao, a guest elder from the City Lord''s mansion.

    Tang Yan carefully observed Lin Dongxue, who had delicate brows and striking eyes, her lips like cherry blossoms, and her tall, graceful figure complemented by her long, flowing black hair. She exuded an innate noble aura.

    Tang Yan couldn¡¯t help but sigh inwardly. Her beauty was truly overwhelming; no wonder the previous Tang Yan had been so audacious as to try his luck with her.

    Standing beside Lin Dongxue was the woman from Miaodanfang, Wu Xuan. Wu Xuan¡¯s aura, though also noble, was distinct. Her eyes were dark and piercing, her teeth white and sharp. She carried herself with poise and grace, standing silently yet unmistakably regal, resembling a classic lady of high birth.

    ¡°Miss Lin, Miss Wu, long time no see,¡± Tang Yan greeted both women with a smile.

    ¡°Humph, ¡®long time no see¡¯?¡± Wu Xuan¡¯s cold voice cut through the air. ¡°I believe this is our first time meeting, Young Master Tang. Qin, you may now state your purpose.¡±

    ¡°Tang Yan, five days ago, you attempted to molest Miss Lin in public and tarnished the reputation of the City Lord¡¯s mansion. Do you acknowledge your crime?¡± Qin Changdao pointed at Tang Yan and demanded.

    Tang Yan jumped up in fury, pointing back at Qin Changdao and yelling, ¡°What nonsense are you spouting? I¡¯ve always been honorable and upright! How could I have molested Miss Lin in public? You¡¯re slandering me!¡±

    Tang Ling, upon hearing this, nearly choked. ¡°You honorable and upright? This is the most irritating thing I¡¯ve heard today! How can you even say that with a straight face?¡±

    The others were stunned, their expressions frozen. The most notorious playboy of Yun City had just spoken¡ªof course, it would be something out of the ordinary.

    ¡°W-What? You dare insult me?¡± Qin Changdao, a guest elder of the City Lord¡¯s mansion, stood frozen, shocked by someone daring to speak back to him. He had long lost the ability to hear insults like this.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t insult you!¡± Tang Yan retorted. ¡°You¡¯re the esteemed guest elder of the City Lord¡¯s mansion, a master at the Profound rank, and I¡¯m just a normal person with a destroyed dantian. Do you think I would insult you? I was simply rebutting your accusations. Miss Wu, I¡¯ve heard much about your fairness and sense of justice. You tell me¡ªjust because someone powerful insults a small person like me, does that make it right? And just because I speak up, I¡¯m the one in the wrong?¡±

    The people of the Tang family were once again dumbfounded. "Has this kid lost all sense of decency?"

    Wu Xuan furrowed her brows. She had heard the rumors of Tang Yan¡¯s playboy reputation, but she didn¡¯t expect him to be so quick-witted and eloquent. She said coolly, ¡°Though your words are bold, they don¡¯t prove your innocence. Let me ask you: If you didn¡¯t intend to disrespect Miss Dongxue, why did you approach her with such lewd words and even try to touch her?¡±

    Tang Yan blinked and innocently replied, ¡°Miss Wu, you¡¯ve misunderstood. There¡¯s actually more to the story.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the full story? Please, I¡¯d love to hear how you¡¯ll try to explain this away!¡± Lin Dongxue, her expression filled with distaste, interrupted. Though she didn¡¯t have much contact with Tang Yan, she was well aware of his reputation and the incident that had occurred. Her disdain for him had only grown since that day.

    Tang Yan hesitated for a moment, as if making a significant decision. Then, with a sudden lift of his head, he spoke earnestly:

    ¡°The whole of Yun City knows me as a playboy, a useless person, the city¡¯s scourge. But the truth is, I had no intention of disrespecting Miss Dongxue that day.

    It all started nine years ago.

    When I was seven, at the temple fair, I saw Miss Dongxue playing with the City Lord, and I immediately fell in love with her. I carried that feeling with me, and over time, I realized I couldn¡¯t be a martial artist¡ªno matter how hard I worked, I remained a mere ordinary fighter, unable to earn her attention.¡±

    ¡°Over time, I became despondent, living a life of luxury and recklessness, hoping to catch Miss Dongxue¡¯s attention. But I only made her more disgusted with me. Five days ago, I finally saw her up close again, with so much I wanted to say, but I was too nervous, too confused, and that led to what happened.¡±

    Tang Yan paused, then with a shy expression added:

    ¡°Actually¡­ actually, I was planning to recite a poem for Miss Dongxue. I spent three years crafting it, editing it 5,209 times before it was finished.¡±

    As he said this, a hint of bashfulness appeared on his face.

    Tang Ling was utterly dumbfounded. ¡°I¡¯ve watched this brat for sixteen years, and this is the first time I¡¯ve seen him shy? He writes poetry? Edited it 5,209 times? How did I never know about this?¡±

    Seeing Tang Yan¡¯s serious expression, Tang Ling was taken aback. Could it be true? Was this why he had been acting this way for all these years¡ªbecause he had been so infatuated with Lin Dongxue that it had clouded his mind, leading to such reckless behavior?

    Even Tang Ling had been convinced by Tang Yan¡¯s sincerity. The others were equally stunned, as the act seemed so genuine.

    Lin Dongxue, for the first time, began to question her own assumptions. Had she misunderstood him? Was it possible that he really had been that desperate to get her attention?

    Wu Xuan, who had heard various rumors about Tang Yan but never met him, now stood slightly shaken. Could it be that all of Tang Yan¡¯s earlier misdeeds had been to catch Lin Dongxue¡¯s eye?

    There were many who admired her, but none were as devoted as Tang Yan. For a brief moment, Wu Xuan even felt a tinge of envy toward Lin Dongxue.

    However, after a moment of reflection, the sharp-minded Wu Xuan quickly noticed a flaw in his story and coldly responded:

    ¡°Your words are indeed touching, but just saying you spent three years writing a poem doesn¡¯t make it true. Would you be so kind as to recite the poem for us? Let us hear it.¡±

    Though Tang Yan¡¯s performance had been impressive, the others were not fools. Upon hearing Wu Xuan¡¯s question, Qin Changdao also caught on and sneered:

    ¡°I advise you not to plagiarize others¡¯ words. I¡¯ve been reading since I was five years old, and I¡¯ve read thousands of books. If I don¡¯t catch it myself, I¡¯ll bring it back to the mansion, and someone will recognize it as plagiarism. You won¡¯t get away with it!¡±

 Chapter 5

    Upon hearing Wu Xuan¡¯s question, Tang Ling inwardly cursed. He knew exactly how his grandson was; his behavior was all too clear. Just when he was trying to figure out how to remedy the situation, Tang Yan''s voice interrupted.

    ¡°Miss Wu¡¯s words are indeed true. Today, I must confess my feelings to Miss Dongxue. Regardless of what she thinks of me afterward, I will not argue. Someone, bring the ink and paper!¡±

    Tang Ling, already frustrated, was about to lose his patience. "You think you''re some kind of literary genius? You''ve never touched a book in your life, and now you¡¯re trying to compose a poem?" Quickly, Tang Ling realized his mistake¡ªthis little brat indeed had read many books, just not the ones one would expect... like the ones hidden under his bed. "Is he really about to write some kind of vulgar poetry?" Tang Ling''s blood pressure rose once more.

    Soon, a servant brought the writing supplies, and a large sheet of white paper was spread out before Tang Yan.

    ¡°Master Tang, shall we begin?¡± Qin Changdao sneered, a look of disdain flashing in his eyes.

    Qin Changdao, despite being only a second-rank martial artist, had superior accomplishments in literature. As a guest elder at the City Lord¡¯s mansion, he had seen his fair share of documents, and his reputation as a scholar was unmatched in Yun City. He looked forward to Tang Yan making a fool of himself by writing poorly and composing an awful poem.

    ¡°Miss Dongxue, as I said, I¡¯ve spent three years writing this poem, revising it 5,209 times. Today¡¯s version is the 5,210th, and this number holds special meaning for me,¡± Tang Yan said, not even acknowledging Qin Changdao¡¯s taunts.

    The onlookers began to understand the hidden meaning behind the number 5,210, which resembled ¡°I love you¡± when pronounced aloud.

    Everyone in the Tang family couldn¡¯t help but secretly give Tang Yan credit. ¡°When it comes to shamelessness, if he says he¡¯s second, who can claim first?¡±

    Even Lin Dongxue, who had previously been furious with him, now softened slightly, her anger and disdain diminishing.

    Tang Yan had just delivered a corny love confession from his past life, but in this world, it was fresh and heart-stirring.

    In fact, Lin Dongxue secretly decided that if the poem Tang Yan wrote was even a little acceptable, she might just let the matter slide.

    ¡°Master Tang, please,¡± Wu Xuan, ever composed, said. Her indifference to Tang Yan¡¯s antics had shifted into genuine curiosity, and she was intrigued by his confidence.

    Tang Yan wasted no more time. Rolling up his sleeves, he dipped his brush in ink and began to write on the flawless white paper.

    Everyone leaned forward to see whether his writing was as bad as they expected, eager to witness whether it was chicken scratch or cat¡¯s claws.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    "Xiangjian Huan"¡ªthree characters appeared neatly in the center of the page as the title.

    Without a pause or hesitation, the brushstrokes were fluid, bold, yet elegant. The characters were majestic, with every stroke flowing naturally and beautifully.

    Tang Yan stood tall, his handsome features shining with focus. Wearing a robe with golden trim, holding a brush with poise, he looked every bit the refined young master.

    He was graceful, elegant, and¡ªtruth be told¡ªquite handsome.

    Tang Ling¡¯s eyes nearly popped out, and Mo Bo¡¯s jaw almost hit the floor. They had watched this boy grow up, but neither of them had any idea that he could write this well.

    Even Qin Changdao, who had expected to see a mess of scribbles, stared in disbelief. ¡°Could this really be from this playboy?¡±

    Lin Dongxue and Wu Xuan exchanged glances, both surprised by the sudden change in their perception of Tang Yan.

    "Good handwriting!" Wu Xuan praised generously, and even Qin Changdao gave a nod of approval.

    "Without words, I climb the western tower, the moon like a hook, the lonely phoenix tree in the deep courtyard locks the clear autumn..."

    The first stanza flowed smoothly, as natural as flowing water, without the slightest pause. It felt as if Tang Yan had practiced this poem for countless hours.

    The delicate emotions in the poem hit Lin Dongxue deeply. Her heart skipped a beat as she read the lines, and Qin Changdao too frowned, stunned by the unexpected beauty of the verse.

    Tang Ling and Mo Bo, meanwhile, were lost in a dreamlike daze. ¡°Could we be dreaming?¡± Tang Ling pinched Mo Bo, and when Mo Bo winced in pain, Tang Ling realized they were wide awake.

    Mo Bo, face contorted with frustration, couldn¡¯t believe it. At his age, being treated like this by a child was humiliating!

    "Uncut and tangled, unresolved, it''s the sorrow of parting, a flavor unique to the heart..." Tang Yan continued with the second stanza.

    As the last line of the poem ended, the room fell completely silent. Even Qin Changdao, who had been waiting for an opportunity to ridicule him, was now lost in the words, repeating the poem in his head over and over. At fifty-seven, Qin Changdao found himself moved by the tender sorrow of the poem.

    Tang Yan remained quiet, not interrupting.

    After a long pause, Wu Xuan finally sighed. "I didn¡¯t expect this, Master Tang. At first, I doubted your words and thought you were making things up. But after reading this poem, I can see you truly put your heart into it. Miss Dongxue, I believe this matter should be put to rest. What do you think?"

    Originally, Lin Dongxue had planned to forgive Tang Yan as long as the poem was at least somewhat acceptable. But after reading this piece, she found herself deeply moved, not only accepting the apology but also admiring his sincerity.

    The poem was simple, yet it conveyed layers of emotion, expressing longing and unrequited love in a subtle and understated way. Lin Dongxue, though a proud city lord¡¯s daughter, couldn¡¯t help but feel touched by its sincerity.

    "Fine, I¡¯ll believe you this time. The City Lord¡¯s mansion will not pursue this matter any further. But if this happens again, no matter the reason, we will not be lenient!" Lin Dongxue said, her voice firm.

    As she turned to leave the hall, she called back to Qin Changdao, "Take that piece of evidence with you."

    Without waiting for further conversation, she hurriedly exited.

    Qin Changdao, still holding onto the poem, was deeply impressed, but without hesitation, he rolled it up and followed.

    "Master Tang truly surprised me today. Though his reputation in Yun City is not good, I can see he has real talent in poetry. If he devotes himself to the art of literature, he will achieve great things in the future. We will meet again when the time is right. Farewell."

    Wu Xuan, with a graceful bow, left as well.

    The remaining members of the Tang family were now fully aware of what had just transpired. Tang Ling and Mo Bo stared at Tang Yan with a look of disbelief.

    Feeling the weight of their curious gazes, Tang Yan inwardly groaned. "I¡¯ve gone too far with the act!"

 Chapter 6

    ¡°Boy, did you really write this poem?¡± Tang Ling casually asked, though his eyes showed unhidden anticipation.

    ¡°Heh, of course,¡± Tang Yan replied with a grin.

    ¡°Oh? Now you''re boasting? Speak the truth!¡± Tang Ling wasn¡¯t going to let him off easy, grabbing Tang Yan¡¯s ear and pulling him closer.

    Tang Yan, feeling a bit wronged, wondered how things had come to this. Wasn¡¯t he allowed to tell the truth?

    ¡°Easy, easy, I¡¯ll tell you. I met a poor scholar a while ago, and he wrote this poem that I thought was pretty good, so I bought it from him. He told me that if I could write well and then copy the poem, some noble ladies might easily be impressed. I got curious, so I memorized the poem and practiced my handwriting...¡± Tang Yan quickly came up with an excuse, trying to dodge the situation.

    The reason was somewhat believable, and Tang Ling, seeing no other option, finally released his grip.

    Tang Yan rubbed his sore ear and, with a bitter expression, said, ¡°Grandfather, I¡¯ve solved the problem with the City Lord¡¯s mansion, so¡­ can you reward me with a few thousand taels of silver to use?¡±

    After the City Lord¡¯s mansion came to settle the matter, Tang Ling was in a better mood. But as soon as he heard Tang Yan¡¯s request, his face darkened, and he growled, ¡°What do you need so much silver for? Want to go back to your old ways, running wild and wasting money? I¡¯ll warn you¡ªif you go out and squander it again, I¡¯ll break your legs!¡±

    Tang Yan¡¯s heart sank. ¡°If you don¡¯t give me money, how am I supposed to buy a cauldron? Without it, how will I refine elixirs?¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t waste money, I promise! I¡¯ve had a sudden realization. I used to be useless, but now that I can¡¯t cultivate, I want to switch paths and try business. I just need some silver to start,¡± Tang Yan said seriously.

    Tang Ling¡¯s expression softened slightly. Though he didn¡¯t believe Tang Yan would actually pursue business, the excuse sounded heartwarming.

    ¡°Fine, take two hundred taels from the family treasury. Once you prove yourself, I¡¯ll consider giving you more. But if I catch you using this money for anything frivolous, I¡¯ll cut off your allowance!¡± Tang Ling warned, before turning to leave.

    Tang Yan felt a chill inside. ¡°Grandfather, I¡¯m your own grandson¡­¡±

    Tang Yan, though frustrated, wasn¡¯t one to dwell on negativity.

    A short time later, Tang Yan gathered all the valuables he had in his room and, with silver in hand and a folding fan in the other, walked out with Xiao Cui.

    Since he wasn¡¯t getting any real funds, he decided to go out and buy some low-grade herbs. Even a simple Yuan cultivation medicine would be better than nothing.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    As he walked through the street, he swaggered, twirling the fan in his hand, his steps wide and carefree. His earlier refined demeanor was nowhere to be found. Now, he looked like the typical playboy he was known as.

    Xiao Cui, tilting her head, couldn¡¯t help but notice how different Tang Yan seemed now compared to in the main hall. ¡°Could it be true what they say, that it''s easier to change a country than one''s nature?¡±

    Tang Yan was enjoying the bustling atmosphere of the marketplace. Shouts of street vendors, the hum of casual conversation, the sounds of people at work¡ªeverything reflected the old world charm of this city. It reminded him of Earth¡¯s old markets, though over time, such places had been replaced by supermarkets and online shopping.

    ¡°Hey, isn¡¯t that Young Master Tang? Why aren¡¯t you at the Red Flower Pavilion? Heard your grandfather cut off your allowance¡ªguess you can¡¯t even afford to treat the old ladies there now?¡± A sarcastic voice interrupted.

    Turning, Tang Yan spotted Liu Yuan, the third son of the Liu family.

    Liu Yuan was a fellow playboy of Yun City, similar to Tang Yan, but his life was much better. The Liu family had many relatives, and several of the younger generation had promising futures. As a result, even though Liu Yuan lived a carefree lifestyle, the family wasn¡¯t as concerned about his behavior. Unlike Tang Yan, who had only himself to fall back on, the Liu family wouldn¡¯t lament over their ¡®lost cause¡¯ of a son.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, you want to send some money to your grandfather?¡± Tang Yan asked, his tone mocking.

    Liu Yuan, though a playboy, wasn¡¯t a fool. The Liu family had long wanted to swallow up the Tang family, and he saw an opportunity here. If he could take down Tang Yan, he would earn a reward from his family. However, the Liu family had warned him never to provoke Tang Yan directly. If Tang Yan started trouble first, then Liu Yuan could retaliate.

    ¡°Send money to your grandfather? Dream on! I thought you were just a waste with a destroyed dantian, but now it seems your brain¡¯s gone too,¡± Liu Yuan taunted.

    Xiao Cui¡¯s face flushed with anger upon hearing the insult, but Tang Yan snapped back, his eyes blazing, ¡°Who¡¯s talking about brains? You really want to start something?¡±

    ¡°You want to fight me?¡± Liu Yuan grinned, his confidence growing. ¡°I¡¯m not looking down on you, but even if you had one arm and one leg left, I¡¯d still be able to beat you senseless.¡±

    Tang Yan¡¯s eyes turned red with fury, his breath quickening. He pointed at Liu Yuan and snapped, ¡°You¡¯re just a fourth-tier Origin warrior¡ªwhat¡¯s all the arrogance for? How about a bet? If I can knock you down, you¡¯ll owe me ten thousand taels of silver. But if you beat me, I¡¯ll give you the two hundred taels I have on me. What do you say?¡±

    Liu Yuan¡¯s heart jumped with excitement. Although he was usually lazy, his fourth-tier martial cultivation was no joke. Tang Yan, with his destroyed dantian and wasted years of indulgence, would barely be able to handle a normal person.

    ¡°I don¡¯t have ten thousand taels, but I have two thousand. And if I win, you¡¯ll kneel and bow three times to me. How about that?¡± Liu Yuan grinned, clearly thinking he had the upper hand.

    ¡°Damn it, you¡¯re really gonna make me bow? Fine, if I lose, I¡¯ll do one, but if I win, you better only expect one!¡± Tang Yan, trying to suppress his frustration, shouted back.

    Liu Yuan¡¯s grin widened. "Typical arrogant Tang Yan... you¡¯re so easy to manipulate." He was certain that forcing Tang Yan to kneel would be a major win. It would cement his status in the Liu family and ensure that no one would question his position in the future.

    Xiao Cui, seeing this, grabbed Tang Yan¡¯s sleeve urgently, her voice trembling. ¡°Young Master, please don¡¯t listen to him! He¡¯s just trying to provoke you, hoping to humiliate the Tang family.¡±

    Liu Yuan noticed Xiao Cui¡¯s frantic attempt to stop Tang Yan. "So the rumor about Tang Yan¡¯s dantian being destroyed is true." But if Tang Yan walked away now, he¡¯d lose his chance to humiliate him.

    ¡°Are you going to fight or not? Make a decision.¡± Liu Yuan pressed, eager to see the spectacle unfold.

 Chapter 7

    ¡°People from the Tang family always keep their word. If we say it, we do it. But let''s set the ground rules: no mercy, and if anyone gets hurt, don''t blame anyone.¡± Tang Yan pushed Xiao Cui aside, rolling up his sleeves, clearly eager for a fight.

    Liu Yuan nearly burst out laughing. This fool really couldn¡¯t help himself, revealing all his thoughts openly.

    ¡°Ah, Young Master Tang is as straightforward as always. Let¡¯s begin then! Everyone here, bear witness¡ªYoung Master Tang himself said ''no mercy,'' so no excuses later.¡±

    Their conversation had already drawn attention from the onlookers.

    However, neither the Tang nor the Liu family was easy to mess with, so no one dared to speak up, but privately, they were all eager to watch the show, waiting for Tang Yan to end up kneeling before Liu Yuan.

    ¡°Ready to start, Young Master Tang?¡± Liu Yuan asked.

    ¡°Of course. But let me warn you first¡ªthis fan I¡¯m holding isn¡¯t just an ordinary fan. It¡¯s a magical artifact. The eighteen ribs of the fan can transform into eighteen sharp arrows, capable of piercing iron and gold without effort.¡±

    Hearing this, Liu Yuan¡¯s expression shifted. No wonder this brat had the guts to taunt him¡ªhe had a magical artifact. Artifacts were rare and usually very expensive. Though Liu Yuan didn¡¯t own one, he knew Tang Yan, as the sole heir of the Tang family, would have access to one, likely supplied by his grandfather for protection.

    Liu Yuan was about to protest against the use of such artifacts when Tang Yan shouted, ¡°Watch this magical fan!¡±

    With that, he tossed the fan into the air, and with a sharp ¡°whoosh,¡± it opened mid-flight.

    Everyone in the crowd looked up in unison, including Liu Yuan¡¯s two guards, who now watched the fan with great interest.

    Magical artifacts were a rare sight in Yun City, and most noble families rarely got to see them.

    Liu Yuan¡¯s heart skipped a beat as he stared at the fan in the air. In his haste, he had neglected to bring a weapon and now felt a deep sense of urgency and frustration.

    Tang Yan, smiling faintly, dashed forward. He lifted his leg and kicked Liu Yuan in the stomach.

    The kick was swift, powerful, and precise. It struck Liu Yuan¡¯s abdomen just as he was preparing to unleash the power of the fan. The sudden force sent him flying through the air, crashing heavily to the ground.

    The crowd stood frozen, shocked. ¡°What just happened? Where¡¯s the magical artifact? Why did Liu Yuan get knocked out?¡±

    Tang Yan, once a ninth-rank alchemist in his past life, had faced countless challenges. His indomitable spirit and battle-hardened experience left no room for his enemies to breathe. As soon as Liu Yuan flew through the air, Tang Yan was already on top of him, pinning him down and hammering fists onto Liu Yuan¡¯s head.

    Liu Yuan, already reeling from the kick and the fall, was now completely dazed. The barrage of punches landed relentlessly, turning his eyes into swollen black circles within moments.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    He tried to summon some true energy, but his stomach hurt too much. Every small movement felt like thousands of needles piercing his body, and he broke into a cold sweat from the agony.

    The constant pounding to his head kept him fully aware of the beating he was taking. The realization that he was being beaten senseless by a man with a destroyed dantian was too much for him to bear.

    Once he returned home, he wouldn¡¯t just face disappointment¡ªhis father and his elders would likely scold him mercilessly, and his temperamental father would probably already have a whip ready for him.

    In a mixture of humiliation, anger, fear, and pain, Liu Yuan finally lost consciousness as Tang Yan''s fists continued to rain down.

    As the fan clattered to the ground, and Tang Yan¡¯s last kick sent Liu Yuan flying, the onlookers slowly started to process what had just happened. ¡°That fool didn¡¯t even use a magical artifact. He just ambushed him!¡±

    ¡°Haha, Liu Yuan, you¡¯ve fallen asleep already!¡± Tang Yan laughed, rummaging through Liu Yuan¡¯s pockets. He pulled out two thousand taels in silver notes and some loose change.

    The crowd could only grimace. ¡°Did you really knock him out just to take his money? What a show-off!¡± But more people looked on with pity at the defeated Liu Yuan.

    Tang Yan, the infamous playboy, had knocked Liu Yuan out with a single strike, leaving him utterly powerless to fight back. This defeat would undoubtedly bring disgrace to the Liu family.

    ¡°Wow, Young Master, you won!¡± Xiao Cui, beaming with pride, was the only one still naive enough to think Tang Yan had won a fair victory.

    ¡°Of course, your young master is amazing, haha¡­¡± Tang Yan casually picked up his fan, fanning himself as he strutted away, his swagger back in full force.

    The two Liu family guards finally realized what had happened, hurriedly lifting Liu Yuan and rushing back to the Liu family compound.

    The crowd slowly began to disperse, but the story of this confrontation would become a popular topic of conversation for days to come in Yun City.

    Meanwhile, Tang Yan walked leisurely with Xiao Cui, deep in thought about what to do with the two thousand taels of silver he had just won. Should he buy a cheap cauldron, or use it for something else?

    After about fifteen minutes of walking, Tang Yan spotted a street up ahead lined with herbal medicine shops.

    An idea sparked in his mind. He pulled out a thousand taels in silver notes and handed them to Xiao Cui. ¡°Take this money and buy three taels of Thousand Herbs, one tael of Qing Tan incense, half a tael of dried Peony, and two taels of Mi Tree core from the Baicao Hall ahead.¡±

    He continued listing off more ingredients, and when he finished, Xiao Cui carefully noted everything down, clutching the silver notes as she headed toward the shop.

    Once Xiao Cui entered the store, Tang Yan quickly slipped into another herbal shop nearby.

    ¡°Shopkeeper, give me two taels of Crystal Sand, three pennies of Pearl Powder, nine pennies of Tianxing Grass, and half a tael of Butterfly Flower,¡± Tang Yan called out loudly as he entered.

    Hearing the order, the shopkeeper immediately greeted him with a smile. Although the quantities weren¡¯t large, the total cost was still significant. After calculating with an abacus, the shopkeeper informed Tang Yan that he had only three hundred taels left.

    After paying, Tang Yan returned to the previous spot. Half an hour later, Xiao Cui finally reappeared from the herbal shop.

    ¡°Sorry to keep you waiting, Young Master,¡± Xiao Cui said, apologetically.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine, let¡¯s go,¡± Tang Yan smiled, knowing his maid well. She was always diligent, and if she had taken longer, it was probably to carefully double-check the measurements and ensure no mistakes were made.

    ¡°Where are we headed now, Young Master?¡± Xiao Cui asked, relieved that she hadn¡¯t been scolded.

    ¡°Miaodanfang!¡±

    ¡°Miaodanfang? Young Master, what... what do you need to go there for?¡± Xiao Cui immediately became anxious. She feared Tang Yan was about to stir up trouble at Miaodanfang.

    ¡°To buy more herbs, of course. I¡¯m planning to refine some elixirs,¡± Tang Yan said with a calm smile.

    Hearing this, Xiao Cui sighed with relief. She quietly observed Tang Yan¡¯s back as they walked, noticing the carefree swagger was still there. But after serving him for so many years, she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something about him had subtly changed.

    For example, if it had been in the past, she would¡¯ve gotten scolded for taking so long, but today, he was far more patient than usual.

 Chapter 8

    In the heart of Yun City stands the City Lord''s Mansion, with the four major families spread across the four cardinal directions.

    Given Miaodanfang''s current standing, they could dominate the center of nearly any city in Tingxiang Kingdom. However, their location, just slightly closer to the center than the other families, reflected their humble and non-confrontational nature. This humility and refusal to compete openly earned them much favor from the City Lord¡¯s Mansion, making them well-regarded in every city, Yun City included.

    About fifteen minutes later, Tang Yan arrived at Miaodanfang.

    The place occupied a large area, with the front hall dedicated to selling lower-tier elixirs and various herbs.

    Upon entering, Tang Yan noticed that the shelves were sparsely stocked.

    ¡°How can I assist you, young master?¡± The shop assistant greeted him with a smile as soon as he walked in.

    Tang Yan opened his folding fan and asked casually, ¡°Do you have any elixirs that can increase true energy?¡±

    ¡°Our Miaodanfang specializes in two types of elixirs for increasing true energy: the Foundation Building Pill and the Qi-Boosting Pill,¡± the assistant immediately replied.

    Tang Yan was familiar with these two types of elixirs. Both were first-grade pills. The Foundation Building Pill was a low-grade first-grade pill, suitable for warriors at the Origin rank. The Qi-Boosting Pill was slightly higher in grade, suitable for Yellow rank and below.

    Though both types of pills were relatively suitable for him, he wasn¡¯t here to buy pills today. Given his limited funds, he could at most buy half a bottle of Foundation Building Pills.

    ¡°Do you have any second-grade pills?¡± Tang Yan closed his fan and patted his chest. ¡°I have plenty of money!¡±

    The assistant¡¯s smile faltered, and he thought, "Is he asking for trouble?" Second-grade pills were not something Miaodanfang openly sold. He hesitated before responding, ¡°Young master, we do not have any second-grade pills for sale.¡±

    Tang Yan''s eyes widened, and with a dramatic swing, he slammed his fan onto the counter. ¡°What? Is Miaodanfang really only selling first-grade pills for increasing true energy? How can you call yourself a major organization with only such basic offerings?¡±

    His loud outburst immediately attracted everyone¡¯s attention. Fortunately, Miaodanfang wasn¡¯t a busy shop, and the few people present had no choice but to watch.

    The assistant quickly explained, ¡°Young master, second-grade pills can only be crafted by second-grade alchemists. Their production is limited, and they are only supplied to the major families. They aren¡¯t sold openly at the counter. Seeing your distinguished appearance, I believe you understand our shop''s rules.¡±Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

    ¡°Since the pills are meant to be sold, and I have the money, why not sell them to me directly?¡± Tang Yan casually continued, leaning against the counter.

    The assistant, growing nervous, realized Tang Yan¡¯s confidence might be backed by his family status. Miaodanfang was powerful, but they weren¡¯t keen on starting conflicts, especially with someone who might be from one of Yun City¡¯s influential families.

    After some hesitation, the assistant was about to speak when a deep, authoritative voice interrupted.

    ¡°We have our rules in Miaodanfang. Second-grade pills are rarely sold directly. However, since you seem to have the means, I¡¯ll make an exception and sell you a bottle of Qi-Boosting Pills¡ªjust produced recently.¡± An old man in a gray robe with white eyebrows and sharp eyes appeared, walking into the room with an air of authority.

    ¡°Master Ge!¡± The staff and assistants immediately bowed respectfully.

    This was Ge Ming, the Grand Elder of Miaodanfang and a second-grade alchemist, ranking above Wu Xuan.

    The Qi-Boosting Pill was a second-grade, medium-tier pill known for its mild effects. Even first-tier Origin warriors could take it without risking their meridians. For many families, this was the go-to elixir for nurturing young talents.

    But it was a difficult pill to make, and even a second-grade alchemist faced a high failure rate in its production.

    Tang Yan frowned as he smelled a faint, burnt scent in the air and turned his gaze to the old man.

    Ge Ming glanced at the porcelain bottle in his hand before stepping forward with a smile. ¡°This Qi-Boosting Pill is priced at one hundred thousand taels of silver. I¡¯ll sell it to you for this price, young master. What do you think?¡±

    Tang Yan¡¯s mind raced. ¡°One hundred thousand taels? Don¡¯t think you can overcharge me.¡± Outwardly, he kept his composure, laughing. ¡°Sounds good, but can I inspect the pill first?¡±

    ¡°Inspect it? Are you doubting the quality of the pill I¡¯ve given you?¡± Ge Ming¡¯s eyes flashed coldly.

    Tang Yan quickly waved his hand. ¡°Miaodanfang has been around for centuries, and its reputation is solid. Of course, you wouldn¡¯t risk tarnishing it over a hundred thousand taels. But I¡¯ve never seen a Qi-Boosting Pill before, so I just want to make sure it¡¯s the real deal before I buy it. You know, just in case I end up with the wrong one and have trouble explaining it later.¡±

    ¡°If you must inspect it, feel free. But if the pill is damaged, you¡¯ll have to pay for it,¡± Ge Ming said, a sneer creeping into his tone as he handed over the porcelain bottle. He didn¡¯t take Tang Yan seriously, thinking he was just an arrogant young man with no real understanding.

    Tang Yan accepted the bottle, gently uncorked it, and sniffed the opening before quickly recapping it.

    ¡°Have you finished inspecting it?¡± Ge Ming asked, his sneer growing more pronounced as he watched Tang Yan handle the bottle casually.

    ¡°Done,¡± Tang Yan replied with a nod.

    When it came to identifying elixirs, the first step was to check their shape; a smooth, round shape was preferred. Next, the color had to be uniform, and the final test was to sense the elixir¡¯s spiritual energy. If a person wasn¡¯t skilled enough, they typically used special tools. Of course, there were more detailed methods, but these weren¡¯t important now. Tang Yan was just playing along to amuse himself, pretending to be knowledgeable.

    The shop assistant and even Xiao Cui could only look on with amusement. ¡°He¡¯s pretending to know what he¡¯s doing. It¡¯s so obvious¡­¡±

    Ge Ming, noticing the way Tang Yan was handling the pill, grew more skeptical. ¡°So, do you think this Qi-Boosting Pill is genuine?¡±

    Tang Yan thought for a moment, then tapped his fan against his palm, pretending to ponder the situation. ¡°It seems real. However, the price could be more reasonable.¡±

    ¡°Oh? How much would you say is a fair price, young master?¡± Ge Ming¡¯s tone remained polite but clearly condescending.

    ¡°Three thousand taels. Take it or leave it,¡± Tang Yan said confidently, offering a much lower price than the asking amount.

    Ge Ming was momentarily stunned, then chuckled to himself. ¡°This young fool thinks he can haggle with me?¡±

 Chapter 9

    When Tang Yan quoted his price, a brief silence fell over the shop.

    Everyone turned their gaze to Tang Yan. The boy had been acting incredibly flippant, and no one knew which spoiled heir from a wealthy family was here causing a ruckus. But Miaodanfang, with its esteemed reputation, was not one to be trifled with¡ªthis young man was bound to hit a wall.

    Three thousand taels... When the number left Tang Yan''s mouth, Ge Ming thought he might be hearing things.

    A feeling of being duped, like a cat being played with by a mouse, crept over him. Ge Ming nearly exploded with anger. He slammed his hand on the table and shouted, ¡°Boy, do you think Miaodanfang is just some lowly shop? How dare you cause trouble here!¡±

    ¡°Master Ge, what¡¯s this all about?¡± Tang Yan asked, feigning fear. ¡°Don¡¯t scare me. If your price is too high, I¡¯ll just walk out. How is that ¡®causing trouble¡¯?¡±

    ¡°Second-grade pills, and you think you can buy them for three thousand taels? Such a low price is an insult to the quality of Miaodanfang¡¯s goods. If you don¡¯t give me a reasonable explanation, you won¡¯t be leaving here so easily!¡± Ge Ming¡¯s voice grew dangerously cold.

    Hearing Ge Ming¡¯s veiled threat, Tang Yan chuckled. ¡°Master Ge, this pill was likely made from a single cauldron, right?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve already told you, it¡¯s just been recently made,¡± Ge Ming responded, his patience thinning.

    ¡°My point is, this cauldron only produced these three usable pills,¡± Tang Yan said calmly.

    Ge Ming¡¯s expression froze. He couldn¡¯t believe it. This young man had somehow figured out the details of the pill production process, despite having so little to go on. The only interactions they had were brief exchanges of words and a single sniff from Tang Yan when he examined the bottle.

    Could it be... that he could determine that the entire batch had failed except for these three pills just by sniffing the bottle?

    Suppressing the absurdity of the thought, Ge Ming forced himself to remain calm. ¡°It¡¯s perfectly normal for a cauldron to produce only three second-grade medium-tier pills. Do you think second-grade pills are as easy to make as candy?¡±

    Tang Yan shook his head and smiled knowingly. ¡°The fragrance of the pills is too strong, with a slight burnt smell. It¡¯s clear that during the final stage of pill creation, the heat wasn¡¯t properly controlled. At that point, there are two options: one is to continue the process, but with a ninety-nine percent chance of failure. The other is to abandon some of the materials and protect the pills, resulting in fewer pills with compromised efficacy. It seems that Master Ge chose the second option.¡±

    Ge Ming¡¯s heart skipped a beat. How did this boy know all of this? Was it truly possible to detect this from just the scent of the pill?This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    He hesitated but forced himself to respond, ¡°As a second-grade high-tier alchemist, I would never fail to control the heat properly.¡±

    ¡°Normally, Master Ge would have no trouble making medium-tier pills. The failure likely stems from two causes: first, your physical condition was not optimal, which hindered your focus; or second, the issue lies with the cauldron,¡± Tang Yan continued, maintaining his composed demeanor.

    ¡°Given that you¡¯re in good health, I would guess that it¡¯s the cauldron. You must have recently switched to a new one, right?¡± Tang Yan asked, his tone light, but with a sharpness that left no room for doubt.

    Ge Ming¡¯s face turned pale. How could this young man know about the new cauldron? This was something only he knew¡ªno one else even suspected it. The only possible explanation was that Tang Yan had somehow figured it out from the faint burnt smell.

    Tang Yan¡¯s insight made Ge Ming realize how meticulous this young man was. His mind raced, and a thought struck him: could this young man be after a pill to restore his damaged dantian?

    Based on his experience, a pill to repair a destroyed dantian would need to be at least a sixth-grade pill, and these were extremely rare and difficult to make. Their value could rival that of seventh-grade pills.

    Miaodanfang likely didn¡¯t even have a sixth-grade alchemist.

    Tang Yan¡¯s wish, it seemed, would remain unfulfilled.

    It all made sense now¡ªhe hadn''t detected any fluctuations in Tang Yan¡¯s true energy. The boy must have had his dantian destroyed.

    ¡°Young friend, your insight is impressive. I will give you these three pills as a gift, free of charge, as a gesture of goodwill,¡± Ge Ming sighed, handing over the porcelain bottle with a resigned expression.

    The onlookers were stunned. This young man had only spoken a few words and was now receiving three second-grade medium-tier pills for free?

    ¡°Thank you, Master Ge,¡± Tang Yan said, bowing and accepting the bottle without hesitation. His demeanor was gracious, but there was no sign of reluctance.

    ¡°Since you¡¯ve come this far, I suspect you¡¯re looking for a pill to restore your dantian, but I¡¯m afraid that¡¯s a request I can¡¯t fulfill,¡± Ge Ming said with a wry smile.

    Tang Yan paused, then smiled back. ¡°Master Ge, I¡¯m not here for that. I¡¯ve come with a business proposition.¡±

    Ge Ming raised an eyebrow, curious. ¡°Oh? What business do you have in mind? Given your background, I doubt it¡¯s something trivial.¡±

    Without missing a beat, Tang Yan responded, ¡°I¡¯d like to borrow your cauldron for two hours.¡±

    ¡°Borrow my cauldron?¡± Ge Ming¡¯s curiosity deepened. ¡°How would that work?¡±

    ¡°I need two hours to use the cauldron here in Miaodanfang. There¡¯s no need to move it; I simply need to refine a batch of pills. I¡¯d appreciate it if you could accommodate me,¡± Tang Yan explained.

    After a moment of consideration, Ge Ming finally said, ¡°Refining pills requires soul power, perception, and true energy. With your dantian destroyed, the cauldron alone won¡¯t help.¡±

    ¡°That won¡¯t be an issue,¡± Tang Yan replied confidently. ¡°The pills I plan to refine are low-grade and won¡¯t require such stringent conditions.¡±

    Ge Ming paused, considering the request. ¡°Two hours... Alright, I¡¯ll allow it, but since this is a business transaction, what will Miaodanfang gain from this arrangement?¡±

    Tang Yan quickly weighed his options. He planned to refine a first-grade medium-tier Initial Spirit Pill, which had milder effects than the Qi-Boosting Pill and was easier for Origin warriors to absorb. There was no better pill for his level.

    But what could he offer in return? Perhaps the Initial Spirit Pill itself? If he shared this recipe, would Miaodanfang covet it?

    As he thought, he noticed a faint glint in Ge Ming¡¯s eyes. Tang Yan frowned slightly¡ªhe was all too familiar with that gleam.

    Suddenly, an idea struck him.

    ¡°After I¡¯ve finished refining, I¡¯ll give you the pills. If you¡¯re not satisfied with my compensation, you can keep all the pills I produce.¡±

 Chapter 10

    As Tang Yan''s price was announced, a brief silence fell over the shop.

    Everyone turned their gaze toward Tang Yan. The young man had been acting incredibly flippant, and no one knew exactly which heir of a wealthy family had come to stir trouble at Miaodanfang. However, with Miaodanfang''s esteemed reputation and power, this brash young man was clearly in for a tough time.

    Three thousand taels... When the price left Tang Yan¡¯s mouth, Ge Ming almost couldn¡¯t believe his ears.

    He was struck by a feeling of being outsmarted, as if a cat had been toyed with by a mouse. Ge Ming¡¯s anger flared, and he slammed his hand on the table, shouting, ¡°Boy, do you think Miaodanfang is some kind of lowly shop? How dare you behave like this!¡±

    ¡°Master Ge, what do you mean by that?¡± Tang Yan asked, feigning fear. ¡°Don¡¯t scare me. If your price is too high, I¡¯ll just leave. How is that causing trouble?¡±

    ¡°Second-grade pills, and you think you can buy them for three thousand taels? This price is an insult to the quality of Miaodanfang¡¯s goods. If you don¡¯t give me a reasonable explanation, you won¡¯t be leaving here so easily!¡± Ge Ming¡¯s voice turned cold.

    Hearing Ge Ming¡¯s threat, Tang Yan chuckled. ¡°Master Ge, this pill was probably made from a single cauldron, right?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve already told you, it¡¯s just been freshly made,¡± Ge Ming responded, trying to stay calm.

    ¡°My point is, this cauldron only produced these three usable pills,¡± Tang Yan said, his tone casual.

    Ge Ming froze. How did this young man know all of this? The only interaction they had was a few words and a sniff from Tang Yan when he examined the bottle.

    Could it really be that Tang Yan had figured out the entire process just by the scent of the bottle?

    Suppressing the absurdity of the thought, Ge Ming forced himself to remain composed. ¡°It¡¯s normal for a cauldron to produce only three second-grade medium-tier pills. Do you think second-grade pills are as easy to make as candy?¡±

    Tang Yan shook his head with a knowing smile. ¡°The fragrance of the pills is too strong, with a faint burnt scent. Clearly, during the final stages of pill creation, the heat wasn¡¯t controlled properly. At that point, there are two options: one is to continue the process, but with a ninety-nine percent chance of failure. The other is to abandon some of the materials and protect the pills, resulting in fewer pills with compromised efficacy. It seems Master Ge chose the second option.¡±

    Ge Ming''s heart skipped a beat. How did this boy know about the issue with the heat control? Could it really be true?Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    He hesitated but forced himself to answer, ¡°As a second-grade high-tier alchemist, I would never fail to control the heat properly.¡±

    ¡°Normally, Master Ge would have no trouble making medium-tier pills. The failure likely stems from two causes: first, your physical condition wasn¡¯t optimal, hindering your focus; or second, the issue lies with the cauldron,¡± Tang Yan continued.

    ¡°Given that you¡¯re in good health, I would guess that it¡¯s the cauldron. You must have recently switched to a new one, right?¡± Tang Yan asked, his expression calm yet sharp.

    Ge Ming was stunned. How did Tang Yan know about the new cauldron? This was something only he knew¡ªno one else even suspected it. The only explanation was that Tang Yan had somehow figured it out from the faint burnt smell.

    Tang Yan¡¯s insight made Ge Ming realize how meticulous this young man was. His mind raced, and a thought struck him: could Tang Yan be after a pill to restore his damaged dantian?

    Based on his experience, a pill to repair a destroyed dantian would need to be at least a sixth-grade pill, and such pills were rare and difficult to make. Their value could rival that of seventh-grade pills.

    Miaodanfang likely didn¡¯t even have a sixth-grade alchemist.

    Tang Yan¡¯s wish, it seemed, would remain unfulfilled.

    It all made sense now¡ªhe hadn''t detected any fluctuations in Tang Yan¡¯s true energy. The boy must have had his dantian destroyed.

    ¡°Young friend, your insight is impressive. I¡¯ll give you these three pills as a gift, free of charge, as a gesture of goodwill,¡± Ge Ming sighed, handing over the porcelain bottle with a resigned expression.

    The onlookers were stunned. This young man had only spoken a few words and was now receiving three second-grade medium-tier pills for free?

    ¡°Thank you, Master Ge,¡± Tang Yan said, bowing and accepting the bottle without hesitation. His demeanor was gracious, but there was no sign of reluctance.

    ¡°Since you¡¯ve come this far, I suspect you¡¯re looking for a pill to restore your dantian, but I¡¯m afraid that¡¯s a request I can¡¯t fulfill,¡± Ge Ming said with a wry smile.

    Tang Yan paused, then smiled back. ¡°Master Ge, I¡¯m not here for that. I¡¯ve come with a business proposition.¡±

    Ge Ming raised an eyebrow, curious. ¡°Oh? What business do you have in mind? Given your background, I doubt it¡¯s something trivial.¡±

    Without missing a beat, Tang Yan responded, ¡°I¡¯d like to borrow your cauldron for two hours.¡±

    ¡°Borrow my cauldron?¡± Ge Ming¡¯s curiosity deepened. ¡°How would that work?¡±

    ¡°I need two hours to use the cauldron here in Miaodanfang. There¡¯s no need to move it; I simply need to refine a batch of pills. I¡¯d appreciate it if you could accommodate me,¡± Tang Yan explained.

    After a moment of consideration, Ge Ming finally said, ¡°Refining pills requires soul power, perception, and true energy. With your dantian destroyed, the cauldron alone won¡¯t help.¡±

    ¡°That won¡¯t be an issue,¡± Tang Yan replied confidently. ¡°The pills I plan to refine are low-grade and won¡¯t require such stringent conditions.¡±

    Ge Ming paused, considering the request. ¡°Two hours... Alright, I¡¯ll allow it, but since this is a business transaction, what will Miaodanfang gain from this arrangement?¡±

    Tang Yan quickly weighed his options. He planned to refine a first-grade medium-tier Initial Spirit Pill, which had milder effects than the Qi-Boosting Pill and was easier for Origin warriors to absorb. There was no better pill for his level.

    But what could he offer in return? Perhaps the Initial Spirit Pill itself? If he shared this recipe, would Miaodanfang covet it?

    As he thought, he noticed a faint glint in Ge Ming¡¯s eyes. Tang Yan frowned slightly¡ªhe was all too familiar with that gleam.

    Suddenly, an idea struck him.

    ¡°After I¡¯ve finished refining, I¡¯ll give you the pills. If you¡¯re not satisfied with my compensation, you can keep all the pills I produce.¡±

 Chapter 11

    When Ge Ming approached Tang Yan, the latter curiously asked, ¡°Master Ge, what brings you here?¡±

    ¡°I merely lent you my cauldron, and in return, you¡¯ve gifted me a recipe. Perhaps to you, that recipe is just a simple sheet of paper, but to me, it¡¯s a life-saving treasure. I owe you a great debt,¡± Ge Ming said seriously.

    Seeing the sincerity in Ge Ming¡¯s eyes, Tang Yan realized that the cauldron Ge Ming was offering would be of high quality. Accepting it would put him in the debt of another.

    Although he hesitated for a moment, Tang Yan knew he needed a cauldron. After thinking it over, he said, ¡°Master Ge, your kindness is too much. I humbly accept your gift. If you ever need help in the future, you have my word that I will do everything in my power to assist you.¡±

    Ge Ming smiled, pleased with Tang Yan¡¯s response. He motioned for someone to bring over a cart to transport the cauldron.

    As Tang Yan looked at the cart, he saw the exact cauldron he had used earlier being placed on it.

    ¡°Let¡¯s cover it up,¡± Ge Ming said, nodding at Tang Yan. ¡°Take care, my friend. I¡¯ll be in the front hall.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Master Ge,¡± Tang Yan said, waving his hand as he walked away with Xiao Cui.

    Xiao Cui looked at the cauldron and asked, ¡°Master, did the Old Master send you to buy this?¡±

    Tang Yan corrected her, ¡°Ge Ming just gave it to me as a gift. How could it be something I bought?¡±

    ¡°Gave it to you?¡± Xiao Cui was taken aback. As a servant in the Tang family, she had seen and heard more than most, especially about Miaodanfang¡¯s intimidating power. She had only ever heard of people offering gifts to Miaodanfang to gain favor, but here was her master, receiving a cauldron for free without paying a single silver tael.

    ¡°Exactly. Otherwise, with the amount of silver I have, I couldn¡¯t even afford a low-tier cauldron,¡± Tang Yan replied with a smirk.

    As they walked, they approached the Tang family estate. Once inside, they saw the enraged figure of Tang¡¯s grandfather storming toward them.

    ¡°Good afternoon, Grandpa!¡± Tang Yan greeted with a grin.

    ¡°Good afternoon, my foot!¡± Tang¡¯s grandfather snapped.

    Tang Yan was left confused. Why was Grandpa angry at him?

    ¡°I told you not to cause trouble when you leave, but not even a few steps out, you¡¯re already fighting with that little brat from the Liu family! Your dantian¡¯s destroyed, and that kid¡¯s at the fourth rank of the Origin stage. If he hurt you, how many more beatings can your body take?¡±Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    At his grandfather¡¯s reproach, Tang Yan couldn¡¯t help but smile inwardly. So, Grandpa was concerned about him¡ªjust going about it in an unusual way.

    ¡°Grandpa, it¡¯s not my fault. Liu Yuan¡¯s the one who started it. We agreed from the start that we wouldn¡¯t hold back. I didn¡¯t kill him, so I showed restraint,¡± Tang Yan shrugged, as though regretting not being harsher.

    Tang¡¯s grandfather¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°What? You wanted to kill him? Good thing you didn¡¯t¡ªif you had, the Tang and Liu families would¡¯ve had an open break! The Liu family would¡¯ve either killed you or crippled you for sure.¡±

    However, he didn¡¯t want to outright warn Tang Yan about this, especially after hearing the reports about how Tang Yan had mercilessly beaten Liu Yuan. It had given the Tang family some face, at least.

    Thinking about the way Tang Yan had mercilessly destroyed Liu Yuan, Tang¡¯s grandfather was both exasperated and amused. He could barely suppress a chuckle at the thought. ¡°Why are all the tricks and schemes coming from my generation? What happened to the straightforward, upright Tang family?¡±

    ¡°Alright, next time be more careful. Your dantian¡¯s destroyed, so you¡¯ll only be able to get beaten if you face a real opponent. If you pull this stunt again, don¡¯t think I won¡¯t discipline you!¡± Tang¡¯s grandfather rumbled, his voice firm, before turning and leaving.

    Tang Yan let out a relieved breath. His grandfather was too preoccupied with being angry, so he didn¡¯t even ask about the cauldron anymore, which worked out well for Tang Yan. He quickly had some men carry the cauldron into the back yard.

    After dismissing the servants, Tang Yan pulled out the two porcelain bottles from his bag. Looking at the bright green Initial Spirit Pills, he didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªhe swallowed one right away.

    The Initial Spirit Pill, a long-standing alchemy treasure, was highly regarded among cultivators of early stages, especially in ancient China. It was the perfect pill for cultivating at the beginning stages.

    As soon as the pill hit his mouth, it dissolved, leaving a fragrant taste. A warm flow of energy surged toward his dantian. Just as he was about to absorb it, the Heavenly Creation Cauldron inside his dantian suddenly opened with a loud snap, absorbing the entire pill.

    Tang Yan¡¯s face turned red with fury. ¡°Did you just eat my pill?¡±

    He tried to force the energy from the pill into his body, but the cauldron remained stubbornly still, as though nothing had happened. All of his effort amounted to nothing.

    Cursing, he grabbed another Initial Spirit Pill, swallowing it again. Once more, the cauldron¡¯s lid snapped open and absorbed the pill.

    ¡°What the hell are you doing, taking my pills?!¡± Tang Yan was beyond frustrated now.

    Desperate, he pulled out the remaining pills and swallowed them all in one go.

    The cauldron¡¯s lid opened, but this time it only consumed one pill. The remaining five pills erupted, unleashing a torrent of pure energy that shot up toward his meridians.

    ¡°What the hell?! Why didn¡¯t you eat those too?¡± Tang Yan thought, confused and relieved at the same time.

    The energy from the pills flooded his body, his meridians stretching painfully as they tried to absorb the immense power.

    Despite the pain, Tang Yan gritted his teeth, determined to circulate the energy. But just as the energy reached its peak, the Heavenly Creation Cauldron snapped open again, releasing even more potent energy.

    Tang Yan¡¯s face twisted in horror. ¡°What are you doing now?!¡±

 Chapter 12

    <h2> </h2>

    Just as Tang Yan was lamenting his predicament, the surge of spiritual energy from the cauldron did not turn as violent as he had feared. Instead, it carried a gentle warmth, moving ahead of the initial fierce energy.

    The energy released by the cauldron soothed and nourished his damaged meridians as it passed, even guiding itself autonomously through a second circulation cycle.

    "Damn, this feels amazing!"

    Before Tang Yan could fully enjoy the relief, the raging energy behind it came crashing through once again, tearing apart the freshly healed meridians.

    Tang Yan''s brows furrowed in pain, nearly crying out loud. He cursed the cauldron inwardly for putting him through such agony while bracing himself for the torment of his meridians being forcefully stretched and torn again.

    One complete circulation cycle passed, and Tang Yan felt as if he had been roasted alive.

    The alternating sensations of scorching pain and soothing relief were driving him to the brink of madness. Fortunately, Tang Yan was no longer the useless young master of the past. As a former Ninth-Tier Alchemist, he had endured countless hardships in his previous life. Had it been anyone else, they would have passed out from the sheer pain.

    Over and over again, his meridians were shattered and rebuilt, torn apart and mended anew. Slowly but surely, the pain became more bearable.

    He lost track of time, his consciousness sinking entirely into cultivation.

    By the time Tang Yan reopened his eyes, sunlight was streaming through the window.

    A sharp glint flashed across his gaze as he examined his body. His meridians had grown several times stronger than before.

    He had reached Seventh-Tier of the Yuan Stage!

    He had advanced four entire levels in a single night!

    If word of this spread, would people think he was some kind of monstrous genius?

    Throughout the history of Tingxiang Nation, no one had ever progressed at such a rate. Even advancing two levels in a row would be considered an unprecedented miracle.

    Indeed, fate was unpredictable. What seemed like a disaster had turned out to be an extraordinary blessing. Tang Yan had thought he would either suffer Qi deviation or explode from the excess energy, yet here he was, not only unharmed but greatly strengthened.

    After a brief moment of exhilaration, Tang Yan quickly calmed down.

    The Tang family was surrounded by enemies in Yun City. Apart from his grandfather and Uncle Mo, the family lacked strong middle-generation warriors. His personal situation remained precarious. Even as a Seventh-Tier practitioner, his strength was still far from enough.

    <hr>

    Tang Yan stepped outside.

    The early autumn morning carried a crisp chill in the air.

    After walking for a few moments, he suddenly heard the sound of intense shouting and exertion. His interest piqued, he quickened his pace toward the source of the commotion.

    Soon, he arrived at a large courtyard with a plaque reading "Martial Training Grounds."If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    This was where the Tang family¡¯s younger generation practiced their martial arts.

    As Tang Yan entered, he was surprised to see over a hundred warriors in the training yard, some sparring while others practiced their techniques alone.

    Leading them was a young man Tang Yan recognized¡ªMo Yanjun, the grandson of Uncle Mo.

    At twenty-three, Mo Yanjun was already a Second-Tier Huang Stage warrior, placing him among the strongest of Yun City¡¯s younger generation. He served as the captain of the Tang family¡¯s guards.

    Dressed in his pristine white robe, Tang Yan stood out as soon as he entered, drawing Mo Yanjun¡¯s attention immediately.

    "Why is this useless young master here?" Mo Yanjun frowned. The last time Tang Yan had stepped into the training grounds was four years ago.

    Following Mo Yanjun¡¯s gaze, the other warriors also noticed Tang Yan. Their eyes filled with disdain.

    In this world where strength reigned supreme, Tang Yan might hold the title of the Tang family¡¯s heir, but his reputation as a good-for-nothing had long brought shame upon the family. These warriors, devoted to martial prowess, naturally looked down on him.

    Tang Yan caught their expressions but remained unfazed. Smirking slightly, he clasped his hands behind his back and strolled leisurely around the training ground.

    Perhaps in an attempt to intimidate him, the warriors immediately increased their training intensity. Their movements grew sharper, their shouts louder, filling the yard with a fierce atmosphere.

    After completing his circuit, Tang Yan finally stopped, at which point Mo Yanjun approached him, feigning surprise.

    "Young Master Tang, I didn¡¯t see you earlier. I was too focused on training."

    "No worries, I was just having a look around." Tang Yan waved dismissively.

    "What do you think of our guards¡¯ training?" Mo Yanjun asked casually.

    The others smirked inwardly, anticipating Tang Yan¡¯s typical empty praise. After all, what did this pampered young master know about combat?

    But then, an exaggerated exclamation broke through the air.

    "What? You call this training?"

    The warriors froze in place.

    Mo Yanjun¡¯s face darkened. "Are you saying we¡¯re just playing around?"

    "Aren¡¯t you?" Tang Yan¡¯s voice carried genuine disbelief.

    At this, the warriors¡¯ faces turned stormy.

    "Hmph! A useless young master like you has no right to insult us!" Mo Yanjun sneered. "Without us, who would protect the Tang family? If you don¡¯t respect our efforts, then get out of the training grounds!"

    "Get out of the training grounds!"

    "Get out!"

    The warriors began chanting angrily.

    "Enough! You bunch of cowards!" Tang Yan roared, his voice carrying the weight of an emperor¡¯s authority.

    Mo Yanjun stiffened in shock, and the entire yard fell silent.

    Tang Yan stepped forward, pointing directly at Mo Yanjun.

    "You¡¯re the captain of the guards, yet I, a man dressed in eye-catching white, walked right through your ranks without being noticed. I even circled the entire yard, and you only acknowledged me just now? Is this the vigilance the Tang family¡¯s guards should have?"

    Mo Yanjun was at a loss for words. Damn it! He had been trying to mock Tang Yan, only to be caught off guard himself.

    Reaching into his robes, Tang Yan pulled out a command token and raised it high.

    "By my order¡ªform ranks!"

    His voice boomed across the training ground.

    The warriors hesitated, uncertain of his intentions. But Mo Yanjun immediately recognized the token¡ªthe Tang family¡¯s core authority seal!

    This token allowed its holder to command the family¡¯s forces.

    "Why does this useless young master have that!?"

    Mo Yanjun¡¯s heart pounded, but he had no choice but to follow protocol. "What are you all waiting for? Form up!"

    Though still skeptical, the warriors quickly assembled into formation. Their expressions, however, remained full of ridicule. What, does the young master want to play soldier now?

    Tang Yan stepped forward, scanning them coldly.

    "You¡¯re all cowards¡ªbrave enough to mock me, a powerless young master, but where was this courage when facing the Liu family?"

    "Not only are you cowards, but you¡¯re also weaklings!"

    The warriors¡¯ faces turned red with fury. Had it not been for them, protecting the Tang family day and night, how could this young master have lived so comfortably?

    "If the Four Great Families of Yun City go to war, every single one of you will be nothing more than cannon fodder."

    A burly warrior finally snapped and stepped forward. "Young Master Tang, on what grounds do you call us weaklings?"

    Tang Yan smirked. "Because I can beat every single one of you."

 Chapter 13

    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± Tang Yan asked.

    ¡°Chang Tie,¡± the burly man replied in a deep, gruff voice.

    ¡°And what¡¯s your current strength level?¡±

    ¡°Ninth grade, Yuan Stage!¡±

    ¡°When did you join the Tang family?¡±

    ¡°Three years ago.¡±

    ¡°And what was your strength level when you first arrived?¡±

    ¡°Ninth grade, Yuan Stage.¡±

    ¡°So you¡¯ve been training in the Tang family for three whole years, yet you haven¡¯t improved even a single step?¡± Tang Yan¡¯s words were sharp, cutting straight to the point.

    ¡°This¡­¡± Chang Tie hesitated. He had never really thought about it before, but now that Tang Yan pointed it out, he felt embarrassed. Trying to salvage some dignity, he explained, ¡°Cultivating martial arts is difficult. It¡¯s normal not to advance.¡±

    ¡°How do you train every day?¡± Tang Yan pressed further.

    ¡°I wake up at six, carry a 300-pound load, and run five laps around the training grounds. Then, I practice my blade techniques for two hours and spar with others for an hour.¡± Chang Tie straightened his back with pride. His training regimen was more rigorous than most.

    ¡°And you¡¯ve been doing the exact same thing for three years?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°When you spar with others, do you hold back?¡±

    ¡°Well¡­ they¡¯re my brothers. We don¡¯t go all out. If we hurt each other¡ª¡±

    ¡°Bullshit!¡± Tang Yan snapped, his voice booming across the training grounds. ¡°You hold back now, but do you think your enemies will show you mercy on the battlefield? By not giving your all, you¡¯re not helping your comrades¡ªyou¡¯re setting them up for failure! You¡¯ve been given Tang family resources, you receive high-grade pills and generous pay, yet your strength remains stagnant! That¡¯s why I call you weaklings¡ªuseless fools!¡±

    A wave of anger swept through the gathered warriors. Some clenched their fists, their faces dark with resentment. How dare this spoiled young master insult them like this?

    Tang Yan sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°I bet you¡¯re all thinking, ¡®Who is he to call us weaklings?¡¯ Let me tell you¡ªI''m the eldest young master of the Tang family. Even if I do nothing, my grandfather will still protect and provide for me. But what about you? Most of you come from humble backgrounds. If you don¡¯t push yourselves harder, all you¡¯ll ever earn is the bare minimum. Your families will never rise above mediocrity. If your sons turn out like me¡ªa so-called useless noble¡ªthen they¡¯ll be truly ruined!¡±

    A heavy silence fell over the training grounds. The warriors, who had initially been furious, now found themselves unable to refute his words. Everything he said was the cold, hard truth.

    Seeing their reaction, Tang Yan smirked inwardly. At least they weren¡¯t entirely hopeless. Raising his voice, he continued, ¡°Many of you are just like Chang Tie. You train the same way, every day, without increasing the difficulty. Three years ago, you carried 300 pounds. Today, you still carry 300 pounds. If you continue like this for a hundred years, you¡¯ll still be stuck in the Yuan Stage!

    ¡°I know this because you¡¯ve all grown too comfortable! You¡¯ve lost the courage to push your limits! Chang Tie, let me ask you¡ªhow much weight did you carry when you first started training?¡±

    Chang Tie cursed himself for speaking up earlier. He should¡¯ve just kept quiet like the others! Now he was the one being humiliated in front of everyone.

    ¡°¡­Ten pounds,¡± he admitted reluctantly.

    ¡°You started as an ordinary man, and through hard work, you reached the ninth grade of the Yuan Stage. Your training weight increased from ten pounds to three hundred pounds. So why did you stop there? Why aren¡¯t you pushing yourself further? If you had gradually increased your weight to 350 pounds, then 400 pounds, don¡¯t you think you¡¯d have broken into the Huang Stage by now?¡± Tang Yan demanded.

    The warriors fell into deep thought. Even Mo Yanjun, the captain of the guards, found himself reflecting on his own training.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

    ¡°I¡­ I suppose I would have,¡± Chang Tie muttered, his voice filled with shame.

    ¡°Good! At least you still have some self-awareness,¡± Tang Yan shouted. ¡°Cloud City is on the verge of chaos. If war breaks out among the four great families, every single one of you will be nothing more than cannon fodder! If you want to survive, if you want to protect your loved ones, you must become stronger! If you don¡¯t, then you deserve to be called weaklings!¡±

    Tang Yan¡¯s sharp gaze swept across the warriors before settling on a wooden stake nearby.

    ¡°How much does that stake weigh?¡± he asked, turning to Mo Yanjun.

    ¡°Around 120 pounds,¡± Mo Yanjun replied.

    ¡°How far do you think I can carry it?¡± Tang Yan asked.

    Mo Yanjun glanced at Tang Yan¡¯s slender frame and smirked. ¡°Less than a hundred meters.¡±

    The other warriors scoffed internally. Hundred meters? That was being generous! This pampered young master might not even be able to lift it.

    Tang Yan walked over to the stake, bent down, and gripped it tightly. With a deep breath, he exerted all his strength and hoisted it onto his shoulders. Then, he took a step forward.

    One meter¡­ five meters¡­ ten meters¡­

    The warriors initially watched with amusement, expecting him to collapse at any moment.

    Twenty meters¡­ fifty meters¡­ eighty meters¡­

    Sweat poured down Tang Yan¡¯s face, his arms trembled, and his legs threatened to give out. But he gritted his teeth and pressed on.

    The smirks on the warriors¡¯ faces disappeared. The laughter died down. The only thing left in their eyes was shock¡ªand a growing sense of respect.

    As Tang Yan reached the 100-meter mark, his body was trembling violently, but he still pressed forward.

    101 meters¡­ 102 meters¡­ 103 meters¡­

    Finally, at 130 meters, he let go of the wooden stake.

    Dragging his exhausted body, Tang Yan walked back to the front of the formation. He swept his gaze over the group, his chest rising and falling heavily as he spoke:

    ¡°When I crossed the 100-meter mark, I thought I had reached my limit¡ªjust like all of you.

    ¡°But the moment I took one more step beyond that so-called limit, I broke through my own boundaries!¡±

    A brief silence followed. Then, a thunderous round of applause erupted.

    ¡°Some of you may think carrying 300 pounds is your absolute limit,¡± Tang Yan continued, his voice steady and firm. ¡°But I¡¯m telling you now¡ªhuman potential is limitless! Only by pushing past your perceived limits can you continue to advance!¡±

    His own weakness, coupled with the Tang family¡¯s position as the weakest of the four great families, filled Tang Yan with a deep sense of insecurity. At this moment, he made a firm decision¡ªhe would build the Tang family¡¯s strength and make it the most powerful force in Cloud City!

    Having set the stage, he finally threw out the bait:

    ¡°In this world, only by becoming stronger can we obtain more. Don¡¯t complain about your birth. If your life isn¡¯t what you want it to be, then blame yourself for not working hard enough!

    ¡°As the eldest young master of the Tang family, I make you this promise¡ªanyone who advances to the Huang Stage will have their salary tripled!¡±

    Gasps of shock rippled through the crowd.

    Tang Yan wasn¡¯t done. ¡°From the Huang Stage onward, for every rank you advance, your monthly salary will increase by 100 taels of silver! You will also receive a top-grade pill every month!

    ¡°And if you reach the fifth rank of the Huang Stage, your children will be allowed to enter the Tang family and receive proper training from a young age!¡±

    The moment those words left his mouth, the atmosphere exploded.

    The guards were beyond excited.

    Right now, most of them earned only a few dozen taels per month. But if they broke into the Huang Stage, their income would triple instantly?

    If they worked hard enough, their families could live far better lives. Their children would have brighter futures!

    ¡°Young Master is wise!¡± someone shouted, and soon, every guard echoed the cry with unwavering enthusiasm.

    Tang Yan smirked. He had lived two lifetimes and knew better than anyone¡ªpeople only work hard when there¡¯s a reward worth striving for. Seeing that he had completely ignited their fighting spirit, he shouted,

    ¡°But let me make one thing clear¡ªTang family does not support the weak!

    ¡°This plan comes with a price. From now on, training will be grueling¡ªbrutal beyond imagination! If you are not prepared for hellish hardship, step back now.

    ¡°If you are willing to become true warriors, then step forward! I will count to¡ª¡±

    ¡°BOOM!¡±

    Before he could even finish his sentence, a deafening stomp shook the entire training ground.

    As one, every single guard stepped forward, their movements synchronized, their eyes burning with newfound determination.

    Tang Yan¡¯s heart surged with satisfaction. He had accomplished what he set out to do.

    For one final confirmation, he asked, ¡°One last time¡ªare you ready for hell?¡±

    ¡°YES!¡± 120 voices roared in unison, shaking the very air.

    ¡°The law governs the nation, and discipline rules the army!¡± Tang Yan declared. ¡°From this day forward, training starts at six every morning. Anyone late¡ªexpelled!

    ¡°I have full authority over your training. Anyone who disobeys orders¡ªexpelled!

    ¡°In six months, if you haven¡¯t reached the Huang Stage¡ªexpelled!¡±

    His tone was cold and absolute, making the guards feel as if they had just been drafted into a military force.

    ¡°Now!¡± Tang Yan barked. ¡°Everyone, grab a 350-pound wooden stake. Ten laps around the training ground!

    ¡°If even one of you fails to complete the run¡ªno one eats lunch!

    ¡°If you don¡¯t start in the next minute¡ªno one eats lunch!

    ¡°BEGIN!¡±

    At his command, the guards scrambled into action, hoisting their wooden stakes onto their shoulders and forming into neat rows before setting off on their grueling run.

    ¡ª

    From a distant pavilion, two elderly men watched the scene unfold in shock.

    For a long moment, Old Master Tang said nothing. Then, finally, he turned to the man beside him and asked,

    ¡°Old Mo¡­ look carefully. That white-clad boy down there¡ªhe¡¯s really my grandson, isn¡¯t he?¡±

    Mo Bo couldn¡¯t help but chuckle wryly. ¡°Yes, Master. That¡¯s definitely the young lord.¡±

    Old Master Tang¡¯s eyes narrowed as he watched the transformed young man commanding the training grounds. His tone grew solemn.

    ¡°Tell me¡­ after being roused by that little brat, how strong do you think our Tang family¡¯s guards will become?¡±

 Chapter 14

    At first, Uncle Mo merely found Tang Yan¡¯s words reasonable. But the more he thought about them, the more they left him utterly shaken.

    ¡°Six months from now¡­¡± he murmured. ¡°Perhaps the Tang family¡¯s rank among Cloud City¡¯s four great families is about to change.¡±

    Old Master Tang paced back and forth, analyzing every step his grandson had taken.

    ¡°First, he angered the crowd, drawing all their attention to himself. Then, he led by example, earning their respect through action. Next, he offered them incentives, igniting their passion. Finally, he established strict rules, securing his control over them.¡±

    At that last point, even Old Master Tang felt a shiver run down his spine.

    With such a method of training, how could the warriors not grow stronger?

    If only the Tang family had done this sooner, would they have ever fallen into their current precarious position?

    But what truly stunned Old Master Tang the most was his grandson¡¯s transformation.

    This useless, idle troublemaker¡­ When did he suddenly mature?

    <hr>

    Tang Yan was unaware that his every move had been observed by his grandfather and Uncle Mo.

    At that moment, he was in the training grounds, pushing his body to its absolute limit.

    With a hundred-pound sandbag strapped to his back, he gritted his teeth and continued his push-ups.

    This time, he infused his training with true energy.

    The body''s qi operated in a cycle¡ªonce depleted, it would regenerate. And with every session of extreme exertion, the amount of qi restored would be greater than before. This created a positive feedback loop, accelerating his progress.

    Of course, there was a drawback. Continuous overexertion would inevitably damage his meridians.

    But Tang Yan wasn¡¯t worried. The pills he crafted could easily remedy such injuries.

    At first, the Tang family¡¯s guards assumed that their young master¡¯s enthusiasm would be short-lived. But when they saw him actually commit to the grueling training, they were left utterly dumbfounded.

    Their young master¡­ was simply inhuman.

    From dawn, he had been doing push-ups with a hundred-pound weight. And he kept at it¡ªfor a full hour!

    Then, after only a short break, he started his second round of training.

    Was this really someone with a crippled dantian?

    Even those at the peak of the Yuan Stage¡ªexperts at the ninth rank¡ªwould struggle to perform weighted push-ups for a full hour.

    Yet Tang Yan had done it.

    His insane determination ignited the blood of the guards.

    If a so-called cripple could do it, how could they¡ªa group of trained warriors¡ªback down?

    Soon, the atmosphere in the training grounds soared to an unprecedented level of intensity.

    <hr>

    After a full day of brutal training, Tang Yan dragged his exhausted body back to his room.

    But instead of diving straight into cultivation, he first instructed Xiao Cui to fetch some herbs from the Tang family¡¯s apothecary.

    Thankfully, the Tang family¡¯s estate was well-stocked with a variety of medicinal ingredients. This time, Tang Yan intended to refine a batch of Marrow-Tempering Powder.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    Once Xiao Cui returned with the materials, Tang Yan entered his makeshift alchemy chamber. He swiftly sorted and purified the herbs before beginning the refining process.

    Marrow-Tempering Powder was a first-tier, low-grade pill. Although its rank was not high, there were few medicinal remedies in this world that specifically targeted meridian refinement and recovery.

    About an hour later, Tang Yan opened the furnace and scooped up the resulting powder.

    He poured it into a large porcelain jar, satisfied with the results.

    Under normal circumstances, he would have aimed to refine a higher-tier pill. But after a full day of training, his qi was nearly depleted. He had no choice but to settle for a simpler concoction.

    Returning to his room, Tang Yan found that Xiao Cui had already prepared a large wooden tub filled with steaming hot water.

    As the bubbling heat rose from the tub, Tang Yan poured a generous amount of the Marrow-Tempering Powder into it.

    After a brief hesitation, he leapt inside.

    ¡°Hiss¡ª!¡±

    The scorching heat seared his skin, making him cry out despite his endurance.

    After a moment, he finally adjusted to the temperature and shut his eyes. He retrieved a Primordial Qi Pill and swallowed it in one gulp.

    But something unexpected happened.

    Unlike before, the Heavenly Creation Cauldron did not absorb the pill. Instead, the pill dissolved instantly, transforming into pure energy that surged through his meridians.

    There was no time to ponder this anomaly.

    Tang Yan immediately sat cross-legged and focused on circulating his internal energy.

    <hr>

    In the following days, the Tang family¡¯s guards experienced an even greater shock.

    Many had assumed that their young master¡¯s dedication would wane.

    Yet, he persisted.

    And not only that¡ªhis daily training regimen continued to intensify.

    A month passed.

    Tang Yan¡¯s cultivation finally broke through to the eighth rank of the Yuan Stage.

    But what excited him even more was the progress of his guards.

    Many of them had reached their bottleneck. With the right push, they could break through to the Huang Stage.

    If the Tang family gained 120 Huang Stage warriors, its overall strength would undoubtedly rise.

    Of course, it still wouldn¡¯t be the strongest.

    In martial cultivation, the difference between ranks was like a chasm.

    Within the Yuan Stage, a fourth-rank warrior could potentially defeat a fifth-rank opponent.

    But in the Huang Stage, a first-rank warrior had almost no chance against a second-rank one.

    The stronger one became, the more even the smallest gap became insurmountable.

    Compared to the other great families, the Tang family still had fewer Huang Stage warriors.

    It wasn¡¯t because of low wages¡ªthe Tang family actually offered better compensation than its rivals.

    The real issue was security.

    Many warriors believed that the Tang family was in a precarious position, teetering on the edge of collapse.

    So instead, they sought shelter under the Liu family or other more stable powers.

    If Tang Yan wanted his men to advance, he needed to provide them with the right opportunity.

    And that opportunity was pills.

    Primordial Qi Pills were perfect for their cultivation.

    But refining over a hundred pills would require at least ten furnaces of ingredients.

    Although Tang Yan was a master alchemist with a 100% success rate, the sheer cost of materials was a major problem.

    Even at the most conservative estimate, he needed over 10,000 taels of silver.

    And that was the real dilemma.

    He couldn''t just ask his grandfather for money¡ªnot after his sudden transformation.

    If his grandfather started asking too many questions, Tang Yan wouldn¡¯t be able to explain himself.

    ¡°Looks like I need to find another way.¡±

    After mulling it over, Tang Yan decided to take action.

    He called for Xiao Cui and dressed in his usual white robe, grabbing a folding fan.

    Then, the two of them left the Tang estate.

    <hr>

    The moment Tang Yan stepped out, Uncle Mo hurried to the study.

    ¡°Master, the young lord has left the estate,¡± he reported.

    ¡°Let¡¯s follow him.¡±

    Old Master Tang immediately stood up.

    ¡°Disguise yourselves,¡± he ordered.

    Less than fifteen minutes later, two plainly dressed elderly men slipped out from the Tang family¡¯s back entrance.

    To any passerby, they looked like common merchants.

    ¡°Master, you¡¯re personally following this time?¡± Uncle Mo asked in a hushed tone.

    ¡°Hmph.¡±

    Old Master Tang¡¯s eyes glinted with cold light.

    ¡°The Liu family has been spying on us for days. It¡¯s obviously that bastard Liu Yuan plotting revenge for what happened before.

    ¡°But listen well¡ªif anyone dares to lay a single finger on my grandson, I will exterminate their entire clan!¡±

    Uncle Mo shuddered.

    He knew that for over a decade, Old Master Tang had given up on his grandson, seeing him as nothing more than a lost cause.

    But now, with Tang Yan¡¯s dramatic change, the old man saw hope.

    And if anyone threatened that hope¡­

    Old Master Tang would burn the world down.

    For everyone¡¯s sake, Uncle Mo could only pray that no fool crossed Tang Yan¡¯s path today.

 Chapter 15

    "Young master, where are we going?" Xiaocui blinked and asked. After more than a month of spending time together, the sharp-witted Xiaocui had already noticed that her young master was different from before.

    "I don¡¯t know, just wandering around. Maybe someone will be so mesmerized by my dashing looks that they¡¯ll gift me tens of thousands of silver taels," Tang Yan replied casually.

    Hearing Tang Yan¡¯s nonsensical words, Xiaocui couldn''t help but roll her eyes and pretended not to hear him.

    Tang Yan deliberately moved towards the busiest areas, wandering for nearly half an hour before finally stopping, muttering under his breath, "It should be appearing soon."

    With the keen soul power of a grand alchemist, he could naturally sense that people had been tailing him. There was no need to guess¡ªamong those who had openly fallen out with the Tang family in Yun City, besides the Liu family, there was no one else. And within the Liu family, the most likely culprit was Liu Yuan.

    Suddenly, Tang Yan felt a slight tremor from the Heaven¡¯s Creation Cauldron within his body.

    Since his rebirth over a month ago, the Heaven¡¯s Creation Cauldron had rarely shown any reaction. The first time it moved was when it transmitted the Supreme Alchemy Scripture to him, and the second time was when it devoured his Initial Spirit Pill.

    And now, what was triggering it this time?

    His eyes scanned the surroundings like lightning before finally settling on an old man sitting by the roadside.

    Casually, Tang Yan strolled toward the elderly man. As he drew closer, the tremors from the Heaven¡¯s Creation Cauldron intensified, shaking violently inside his dantian as if something nearby was calling to it.

    Tang Yan took a closer look at the old man. He appeared to be in his sixties, a commoner, sitting in front of a stall that displayed various medicinal herbs.

    Most of the herbs were quite ordinary. The most valuable one among them was a ginseng root, which seemed to be around thirty years old.

    As Tang Yan approached, he quickly examined each herb on the stall.

    "Flat Mushroom Grass¡ªordinary medicinal herb. Bone-Strengthening Grass¡ªordinary medicinal herb. Red Fruit¡ªordinary medicinal herb¡­"

    After scanning through everything, he still found nothing particularly special.

    Frowning slightly, he was about to leave when the old man, noticing the richly dressed young noble stopping at his stall, immediately put on a warm smile. "Young master, are you interested in some herbs? My prices are fair, and these herbs were freshly dug just a few days ago¡ªtheir medicinal potency is still strong."

    "Old man, are these all the herbs you have?" Tang Yan asked while glancing at the bamboo basket next to him.

    The old man sighed. He assumed that this noble young master had found nothing to his liking and chuckled bitterly, "Everything I can sell is laid out here."

    Tang Yan''s eyes lit up. Everything I can sell? That meant there was still something inside the basket!This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    He stepped forward and lifted the cloth covering the basket, revealing a single herb inside.

    The moment he saw its shape, Tang Yan''s pupils shrank sharply, and he almost cried out in excitement.

    The herb was not large, its entire body withered and yellow, roughly the size of a radish. Its tangled roots looked messy and unappealing.

    But Tang Yan recognized it immediately¡ªSpirit Whirlpool Fruit!

    This herb was extremely rare, requiring highly specific conditions to grow. Its primary function was to refine the dantian, allowing it to store more true qi. It was akin to a cup¡ªthough its height remained the same, if its diameter expanded, it could hold more water.

    Tang Yan had not expected to stumble upon such a treasure today. Suppressing his excitement, he deliberately asked with a disdainful expression, "What is this thing? It looks ugly."

    "I found this in the deep mountains, but my old eyes don¡¯t recognize it," the old man answered truthfully.

    "I think it looks pretty decent. Maybe if I stew it with an old hen, it''ll make a great tonic. How much do you want for it?" Tang Yan asked nonchalantly.

    The old man shook his head. "I don¡¯t know what it is, but judging from its appearance, its medicinal properties have probably faded long ago. If the young master wants it, you can just take it."

    "Then I shall thank you, old man. Xiaocui, pay him a hundred taels of silver," Tang Yan said with a wave of his hand.

    Xiaocui sighed internally, thinking her young master had returned to his extravagant ways. Nonetheless, she took out a banknote worth one hundred taels of silver and handed it to the old man.

    "This¡­ I cannot accept this," the old man hurriedly refused. "This herb is worth at most one tael."

    "When this young master tells you to take it, you take it. Don¡¯t argue," Tang Yan said impatiently.

    The old man was stunned for a moment, then tears welled up in his eyes. He suddenly knelt to the ground. "My grandson is gravely ill, and I was worried about not having money for his treatment. Young master, your kindness is a life-saving grace! If there is ever anything I can do for you in the future, I will not hesitate, even if it costs me my life!"

    "Old man, please get up! If people see you kneeling, they might think our young master is bullying the common folk," Xiaocui hurriedly helped him up.

    Tang Yan had no desire to linger. As soon as he picked up the Spirit Whirlpool Fruit, the Heaven¡¯s Creation Cauldron inside him trembled with excitement, like a starving infant.

    With a sudden realization, he quickly handed the herb to Xiaocui. That damn cauldron! It¡¯s acting just like last time when it swallowed my Initial Spirit Pill. It must want to devour this herb too!

    "Young master, what is this thing? It''s really ugly," Xiaocui muttered, looking at the herb in distaste.

    Tang Yan sternly instructed, "Xiaocui, this is a precious item. You must handle it carefully. If it gets damaged, it would be a great loss. Hold onto it tightly, and when we get home, I¡¯ll reward you with a hundred taels of silver."

    Hearing this, Xiaocui¡¯s eyes sparkled with joy, and she held onto the herb like a prized treasure. Though her young master had always been generous to her, this was the first time he had been so extravagant with money.

    Tang Yan was about to head back home when a mocking voice interrupted him.

    "Well, well, I was wondering who this was. Turns out it''s Young Master Tang! Haven¡¯t seen you in over a month¡ªsurely you haven¡¯t forgotten about me?"

    "How could I forget?" Tang Yan smirked. "Just a month ago, I beat you like a dog and won two thousand taels from you. How could I forget such a generous person who gets beaten by me and still gives me money?"

    A group of four approached¡ªbesides Liu Yuan, there were two guards and a young man in a green robe.

    Tang Yan narrowed his eyes. A Yellow Rank First Stage warrior? He must be a direct descendant of the Liu family.

    Liu Yuan, now dressed in a white robe and holding a folding fan, was clearly imitating Tang Yan¡¯s previous look. At first, he carried himself with an air of nobility, but upon hearing Tang Yan''s words, his breath hitched, and his face flushed red with anger.

    Just a few days ago, this fool barely had a sharp tongue¡ªhow did he become so vicious? Every word was dripping with mockery, yet not a single curse word was used!

    "You bastard, I¡ª" Liu Yuan started to curse.

    "Keep your voice down!" Tang Yan interrupted, pointing at him with an exaggerated expression of shock. "They say you can judge a man¡¯s taste by the company he keeps. If you yell so loudly, people might think we¡¯re friends! If they mistake me for someone as low-class as you, wouldn¡¯t that tarnish the reputation of my Tang family?"

    Liu Yuan opened his mouth to retort, but his mind blanked in rage. He had never been insulted like this before.

 Chapter 16

    Liu Yuan was furious but found himself at a loss for words. He had always thought himself witty, yet Tang Yan¡¯s sharp tongue left him utterly speechless.

    At this moment, the young man in green beside him stepped forward, looking Tang Yan up and down. He sneered, "So this is the young master of the Tang family? He doesn¡¯t seem like much."

    Tang Yan narrowed his eyes and sized up the man. From his aura, he was undoubtedly a Yellow Rank First Stage warrior.

    "You¡¯re Liu Cheng, right?" Tang Yan suddenly asked.

    The young man in green was taken aback. "You know me?"

    "Not really. But it¡¯s not hard to guess. Among the younger generation of the Liu family, only two people have reached the Yellow Rank First Stage: Liu Yuan¡¯s cousin, Liu Cheng, and his elder brother, Liu Feng. Liu Feng is already twenty-five years old, so he wouldn¡¯t waste time hanging out with a good-for-nothing like Liu Yuan. That leaves only you."

    Liu Cheng frowned slightly, feeling uncomfortable under Tang Yan¡¯s casual analysis.

    Seeing his reaction, Tang Yan chuckled. "Honestly, if you had just kept your mouth shut, I wouldn¡¯t have cared who you were. But now that you¡¯ve spoken, I have to say¡ªyou really don¡¯t seem like much either."

    Liu Cheng¡¯s face darkened instantly. "You¡¯ve got quite the mouth. I wonder if your strength matches it?"

    Tang Yan laughed. "I wouldn¡¯t say I¡¯m strong, but at least I¡¯m stronger than your cousin here. What was it, Liu Yuan? Ah yes, just a month ago, I beat him like a dog in the middle of the street. He even graciously donated two thousand taels of silver to me. Such generosity!"

    Liu Yuan¡¯s face turned purple. "Tang Yan, don¡¯t get cocky! That was just an accident. Do you dare to fight Liu Cheng if you have the guts?"

    Tang Yan smirked. "So, after losing, you ran to find your cousin to back you up? Liu Yuan, if you want revenge, you should take it yourself. Why rely on someone else?"

    Liu Yuan clenched his fists but said nothing.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

    Liu Cheng stepped forward, sneering, "Why waste time talking? Since you¡¯re so confident, let¡¯s settle this with our fists!"

    At that moment, the surrounding crowd began murmuring in excitement.

    "A fight? This should be interesting!"

    "Even though Tang Yan beat Liu Yuan last time, Liu Cheng is on a completely different level! He¡¯s a Yellow Rank First Stage warrior!"

    "Hah, I bet this will be over in one move!"

    Liu Cheng smiled smugly. "What? Afraid now?"

    Tang Yan yawned and stretched lazily. "If I were afraid, I wouldn¡¯t have beaten your cousin senseless last time."

    Liu Cheng¡¯s expression changed slightly. This guy was really good at provoking people!

    "Enough nonsense! Let¡¯s see how long you can keep that mouth of yours running after I break your teeth!"

    With that, Liu Cheng¡¯s figure blurred as he launched himself at Tang Yan, his fist glowing with true qi¡ªthis was a combat technique!

    But just as Liu Cheng¡¯s fist was about to land, Tang Yan took a single step forward and¡ªBAM!

    With lightning speed, he struck first, his fist smashing directly into Liu Cheng¡¯s stomach.

    Liu Cheng¡¯s body arched like a shrimp as he was sent flying backward, crashing into the ground and rolling several times before stopping.

    The entire street fell silent.

    Everyone was frozen in shock.

    One punch.

    Just one punch, and Liu Cheng was down.

    "You¡­!" Liu Yuan¡¯s face was pale with disbelief.

    Liu Cheng struggled to get up, but his face was twisted in pain. He clutched his stomach, unable to speak.

    Tang Yan dusted off his sleeves, looking indifferent. "I told you already¡ªI beat your cousin like a dog. What made you think you¡¯d be any different?"

    The crowd erupted in whispers.

    "Did you see that? Just one punch!"

    "How is this possible? Liu Cheng is a Yellow Rank warrior!"

    "He¡­ He¡¯s been hiding his strength!"

    Xiaocui¡¯s eyes sparkled with admiration. She had always known her young master was extraordinary, but seeing him defeat Liu Cheng so effortlessly filled her with excitement.

    Liu Yuan trembled in anger and fear. Tang Yan had hidden his strength all along!

    Gritting his teeth, he turned to his two guards. "What are you standing there for? Get him!"

    Tang Yan¡¯s expression turned cold.

    The two guards hesitated for a moment before lunging at him. They were both Yellow Rank Second Stage warriors!

    But just as they moved, Tang Yan¡¯s eyes flashed with a dangerous light. He was about to act when¡ª

    "Enough!"

    A deep voice rang out.

    The crowd parted, and an elderly man with an imposing presence strode forward. His aura alone was enough to make those around him instinctively step back.

    "Liu Yuan, have you lost all sense of shame? You lose in a fair fight, and now you want to rely on hired goons?"

    Tang Yan narrowed his eyes. He recognized this man¡ªthe city¡¯s law enforcement commander, Zhou Hai!

    Liu Yuan¡¯s face paled even further.

    Zhou Hai¡¯s gaze swept over everyone before settling on Tang Yan. After a brief moment of silence, he spoke.

    "Young Master Tang, the City Lord wishes to see you."

 Chapter 17

    Watching Old Master Tang¡¯s departing figure, the onlookers couldn''t help but twitch their mouths.

    This shameless old man! Your grandson just beat Liu Cheng so badly that he coughed up blood and couldn''t get up, yet you''re claiming he was bullied?

    If this counts as bullying, then what would it be if someone really beat your grandson to death?

    While Cloud City was buzzing with discussions about the incident, Old Master Tang had already dragged Tang Yan back home.

    <hr>

    Inside the study, Old Master Tang finally couldn''t hold back anymore. He grabbed Tang Yan''s shoulders and shook him vigorously.

    "Kid, you can cultivate True Qi again?"

    Seeing his excited grandfather, Tang Yan felt a headache coming. "Yeah, if I couldn''t, I''d probably be dead by now."

    "But how? Wasn''t your dantian destroyed?" Tang Ling hurriedly asked.

    "Well¡­." Tang Yan hesitated.

    Seeing his grandson''s reluctance to speak, Old Master Tang suddenly recalled the overwhelming surge of power that had briefly appeared in the Tang family over a month ago. At the time, he had dismissed it as an illusion. But now¡­ Could it be that some hidden expert had secretly saved his grandson?

    "A month ago, I encountered an old man," Tang Yan began, quickly fabricating a story. "He said we were destined to meet and gave me something to eat. After that, I could cultivate again. He even passed down some techniques to me. But he loves peace and despises worldly affairs, so he asked me not to mention him. I even invited him to stay in our family, offering him endless food and wine, but that stubborn old man refused."

    Tang Yan babbled on, thinking his grandfather would press for details. But instead, Old Master Tang suddenly smacked him on the head.

    "You little brat! That senior healed your dantian and taught you cultivation techniques, yet you call him an ¡®old man¡¯? If he doesn¡¯t want to be involved in worldly matters, it means he has his own pride and principles!"

    Tang Yan was dumbfounded. His random lie was actually believed?

    What he didn¡¯t know was that Old Master Tang had been struggling with many unanswered questions. Why had he sensed a powerful presence that day? Why had his grandson suddenly been able to cultivate? Why had Tang Yan changed so much?

    Now, thanks to Tang Yan¡¯s "harmless lie," everything made sense!

    "Alright, since your master doesn¡¯t want his name mentioned, keep this secret to yourself," Old Master Tang commanded with a wave of his hand.

    Tang Yan exhaled in relief. That was close! At least he wouldn¡¯t have to come up with more excuses.

    "You may leave. Don¡¯t go out too much these days. If you must, get my approval first," Old Master Tang added.

    As Tang Yan left the study, Old Master Tang stood by the window, watching him. His eyes darkened.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    "Yan''er can cultivate again¡­ but what about that incident with the City Lord¡¯s daughter? If the City Lord decides to bring it up again¡­."

    His fists clenched. "As long as I live, I will stand in front of you!"

    <hr>

    As soon as Tang Yan left the study, he remembered something¡ªXiaocui! His Spirit Swirl Fruit was still with her. Had she brought it back?

    Just as he was about to look for her, Xiaocui called out, "Young Master, over here!"

    Seeing Xiaocui holding the bizarre-looking Spirit Swirl Fruit, Tang Yan finally relaxed.

    "Young Master, here!" Xiaocui handed him the fruit while staring at him eagerly.

    Tang Yan laughed and said, "Aren¡¯t all my silver notes with you? Take a hundred taels for yourself."

    "Thank you, Young Master!" Xiaocui beamed with joy.

    The moment Tang Yan touched the Spirit Swirl Fruit, the alchemy cauldron in his dantian trembled again.

    Excited, he quickly rushed to his room to investigate.

    Xiaocui, watching him hurry away, mumbled to herself, "Young Master really seems to like that ugly fruit. His tastes are getting weirder¡­."

    <hr>

    Back in his room, Tang Yan sat cross-legged on his bed. He stared at the fruit and wondered:

    "Does the cauldron¡­ want to eat this fruit?"

    But how was he supposed to feed it? Did he have to eat it himself first?

    Curious, he wrapped a thread of True Qi around the Spirit Swirl Fruit.

    WHOOSH!

    The cauldron in his dantian trembled violently, releasing an immense suction force.

    The next moment, Tang Yan¡¯s hand was empty!

    "WHAT THE¡ª?! It actually ate it?!"

    Tang Yan cursed in shock and immediately checked his dantian.

    What he saw stunned him.

    Inside the cauldron, a hazy cloud of primordial energy swirled at the bottom. The Spirit Swirl Fruit, instead of being destroyed, had sprouted roots in the chaotic energy.

    Even more bizarrely, the fruit¡¯s shriveled, lifeless exterior had begun glowing with vitality!

    It¡¯s¡­ alive?!

    Tang Yan was utterly dumbfounded. Could it be that this cauldron could cultivate medicinal herbs?

    He looked around and found some ordinary medicinal plants nearby. He tried feeding them into the cauldron with his True Qi, but nothing happened.

    So, this cauldron only accepts certain rare herbs?

    Curious, he experimented further. He was able to take the fruit out and put it back in at will.

    After playing around for a while, Tang Yan finally decided to leave the Spirit Swirl Fruit inside the cauldron for now.

    <hr>

    However, he wasn¡¯t in a hurry to consume it.

    While eating raw spirit herbs could increase cultivation, refining them into pills with supporting ingredients would be far more beneficial.

    Now that his strength had been exposed, trouble was bound to come knocking.

    Especially the matter regarding Lin Dongxue, the City Lord¡¯s daughter.

    If someone spread rumors that "Tang Yan attempted to defile Lin Dongxue, but the City Lord covered it up due to fear of the Tang family¡¯s power," the City Lord¡¯s reputation would take a major hit.

    If that happened, the City Lord might feel pressured to act against Tang Yan to restore his family¡¯s honor.

    And the ones behind such rumors? Definitely the Liu family.

    The Liu family had influence over many smaller clans in Cloud City. If they gave the order, those clans would ensure the rumor spread like wildfire.

    Analyzing the situation, Tang Yan knew he needed a countermeasure.

    Currently, the Tang family was surrounded by enemies. If they sacrificed some of their influence to appease the City Lord¡¯s mansion, they would suffer losses. Other major families might take advantage, further weakening the Tang family.

    If the Tang family got devoured bit by bit, how could they survive in Cloud City?

    To prevent this, the City Lord¡¯s Mansion was the key.

    As Tang Yan pondered, he suddenly remembered something¡ªa rumor about the City Lord¡¯s wife.

    She had a disfiguring scar from an old illness. Despite seeking medical treatment for years, nothing had worked.

    Because of this, she rarely appeared in public. Even when she did, she always covered her face.

    Not many knew about this, but as one of the four great families, the Tang family had confirmed it as true.

    And in Tang Yan¡¯s memories, there was a pill recipe perfect for treating scars¡ªthe Scarless Pill!

 Chapter 18

    The Unmarked Pill was a second-tier low-grade elixir. These kinds of pills couldn¡¯t aid cultivation and were notoriously complex to refine, so very few alchemists were willing to make them. Because of its rarity and the difficulty in crafting it, very few people were familiar with it.

    In his previous life, someone had paid an exorbitant price to have Tang Yan craft this pill, which was how he had come to remember its recipe. Little did he know, that knowledge would prove invaluable today.

    <hr>

    City Lord¡¯s Mansion

    A tall, muscular middle-aged man stood by the window, gazing eastward as he spoke with a deep voice, ¡°That kid from the Tang family, so his dantian is intact after all. According to the latest intel, his cultivation is already at the 8th level of Yuan stage.¡±

    ¡°Quite unexpected. It seems that Winter Snow was deceived by the Tang family last time,¡± replied a woman, sitting gracefully in a chair with her face still veiled by a light silk, even though there were no outsiders in the room.

    ¡°The matter between the City Lord¡¯s mansion and the Tang family seemed to have been settled, but the result wasn¡¯t made public. People still believe that the City Lord¡¯s mansion let it slide. Now, it seems someone is looking to stir up trouble with this,¡± she continued.

    ¡°Although the Tang kid once tried to harm Winter Snow, he didn¡¯t even touch her. Moreover, after he wrote that poem, Winter Snow, representing our City Lord¡¯s mansion, declared the matter resolved. Even if rumors spread, does the City Lord¡¯s mansion really want to go back on its word and cause more trouble with the Tang family?¡± The man, City Lord Lin Xiao, frowned deeply.

    ¡°Should we just make the previous resolution public?¡± the City Lord¡¯s wife suggested.

    ¡°That¡¯s not wise. We resolved the dispute with just a poem. Publicly revealing it might affect Winter Snow¡¯s reputation. Let¡¯s wait a bit. If the rumors get too intense, we can exert some pressure on the Tang family.¡± Lin Xiao¡¯s gaze deepened. ¡°And the Liu family has been getting a bit too arrogant lately.¡±

    Just then, a servant entered the room and reported, ¡°Young Master Tang is here to see the City Lord.¡±

    ¡°Tang Yan?¡± Lin Xiao and his wife exchanged looks, both sensing the same confusion. ¡°Did he come alone?¡±

    ¡°Indeed, he did.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s this kid up to now?¡± Lin Xiao thought for a moment, then said in a low voice, ¡°Let him wait in the front hall.¡±

    <hr>

    When Lin Xiao arrived in the main hall, he found Tang Yan sitting leisurely, sipping tea in an exaggerated posture with one leg casually draped over the armrest.

    Lin Xiao was taken aback. Everyone who visited the City Lord¡¯s mansion always behaved respectfully, so who was this impudent fellow?

    Before he could act, Tang Yan noticed him and quickly put down his tea. ¡°Ah, City Lord, I just arrived at the mansion and felt so comfortable, almost like home. I wasn¡¯t paying attention and forgot my manners. Please don¡¯t mind.¡±

    Lin Xiao was taken aback by Tang Yan¡¯s words. What kind of audacity does it take to speak like that?Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    Still, Lin Xiao didn¡¯t address the matter directly. Instead, he coldly asked, ¡°I heard that your cultivation has reached the 8th level of Yuan stage?¡±

    ¡°Oh, haha, yes, City Lord, your eyes are indeed sharp, you noticed it¡­¡± Tang Yan responded with a smile.

    ¡°Outrageous! Last time, when Winter Snow visited your Tang family, you lied through your teeth, claiming your dantian was destroyed! Do you think my City Lord¡¯s mansion can be fooled so easily?¡± Lin Xiao¡¯s eyes went wide with fury, his enormous aura bursting out, overwhelming the room with pressure.

    Tang Yan was immediately engulfed by a heavy sense of danger. His heart raced, and the intensity of Lin Xiao¡¯s aura made him wonder: Is the City Lord a Sky Stage expert?

    Having been a ninth-level alchemist in his previous life, Tang Yan had faced countless powerful people and was hardly intimidated by pressure. He calmly explained, ¡°City Lord, the Tang family didn¡¯t deceive Winter Snow. My dantian was indeed destroyed, and the top physicians in Yun City can vouch for that. It was only because of my master¡¯s kindness that I was able to recover and regain my cultivation.¡±

    Master? Lin Xiao¡¯s eyes narrowed. He had investigated the Tang family¡¯s claim, and the top physicians had indeed confirmed that Tang Yan¡¯s dantian had been shattered and could not be used for cultivation. But if this kid truly had a master, how could his dantian heal, and how did he instantly reach the 8th level of Yuan stage?

    Who could possibly possess the power to reconstruct a destroyed dantian?

    ¡°Oh? Who is your master? Could you introduce them to me?¡± Lin Xiao asked, trying to maintain a neutral tone.

    ¡°My master is a humble person, uninterested in fame, with no name to speak of. He prefers to live in seclusion and travel the world. He doesn¡¯t allow me to reveal his identity. But when I next see him, I¡¯ll ask if he would be willing to meet you,¡± Tang Yan answered seriously.

    After hearing Tang Yan¡¯s explanation, Lin Xiao was left in deep thought. If Tang Yan truly had such a powerful master, anyone who considered troubling the Tang family would have to think carefully.

    Did Tang Yan come here to threaten the City Lord¡¯s mansion and warn them not to make trouble for the Tang family? Lin Xiao¡¯s eyes flashed with cold light. If that was the case, the Tang family had miscalculated.

    ¡°So, what brings you here today?¡± Lin Xiao asked with a serious tone.

    ¡°To give a gift,¡± Tang Yan replied, his voice casual as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

    ¡°A gift?¡± Lin Xiao raised an eyebrow. In all his years, this was the first time someone had so confidently come to deliver a gift.

    ¡°Well, then please leave. It¡¯s not a holiday, and we certainly don¡¯t need any gifts,¡± Lin Xiao waved his hand, preparing to dismiss him.

    ¡°This is a gift from my master¡ªa No-Trace Pill. Although it¡¯s a second-tier low-grade pill, it¡¯s very rare. The recipe for it is little known, and the refining process is quite complicated, so the success rate is very low.¡± Tang Yan sighed. ¡°Since you don¡¯t need it, I¡¯ll just leave.¡±

    A second-tier low-grade pill? Lin Xiao scoffed inwardly. Though second-tier low-grade pills were rare in Yun City, they weren¡¯t particularly valuable in the grand scheme of things. While he¡¯d never heard of a No-Trace Pill, he assumed it wasn¡¯t anything special.

    At that moment, Lin Xiao realized what Tang Yan was really after: using the pill to gain a favor, so that if rumors spread, the City Lord¡¯s mansion wouldn¡¯t get involved with the Tang family.

    Although Lin Xiao never intended to escalate matters further, he was starting to feel the pressure. A second-tier low-grade pill wasn¡¯t something to sway the City Lord¡¯s mansion, but it still had value.

    Just as Lin Xiao was preparing to walk away, Tang Yan mumbled as he turned to leave: ¡°My master mentioned that the No-Trace Pill can remove any scar without a trace, and it can even improve beauty. I wonder if that¡¯s true. Since you don¡¯t need it, I¡¯ll just consume it myself when I have the chance.¡±

    Lin Xiao, whose hearing was as sharp as ever, caught every word clearly. He froze.

    His wife, Winter Snow, had a scar on her face that had plagued her for years, and no doctor had been able to help. Every time she looked in the mirror, she would force a smile, but Lin Xiao could see the sorrow in her eyes.

    The No-Trace Pill, which could remove scars without a trace? Why hadn¡¯t Tang Yan mentioned this earlier?

    Suddenly, Lin Xiao couldn¡¯t contain himself anymore. He bellowed, ¡°Young Master Tang, wait!¡±

 Chapter 19

    Hearing the City Lord¡¯s call, Tang Yan couldn¡¯t help but smirk before quickly wiping the expression off his face and feigning curiosity. ¡°City Lord, did you call for me?¡±

    ¡°Ah, yes, come, Young Master Tang, let''s talk some more,¡± Lin Xiao replied with a broad smile.

    ¡°You must be busy, City Lord. I won¡¯t take up more of your time, farewell.¡± Tang Yan cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, ready to leave.

    Lin Xiao, realizing he had been too hasty, couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit of regret. Ignoring his usual pride, he quickly walked over and grabbed Tang Yan¡¯s arm, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t be in a hurry, stay and chat for a little longer.¡±

    Pretending to be innocent, Tang Yan asked, ¡°City Lord, why did you call me back?¡±

    ¡°Well, you said you were here to give a gift. There¡¯s an old saying, no merit, no reward. I wouldn¡¯t just accept something without reason. This No-Trace Pill is just what I need. Name your price,¡± Lin Xiao replied.

    ¡°I have long admired Lady Winter Snow. Last time when we met, I acted impulsively, causing a misunderstanding between us. Thankfully, Lady Winter Snow didn¡¯t hold it against me, and I¡¯ve been grateful ever since. I heard that the City Lord¡¯s wife is in need of this pill, so I brought it as a small token of appreciation for Winter Snow. There¡¯s no other intention,¡± Tang Yan explained, smiling as he pulled out a small porcelain vial from his robe and placed it on the table.

    Lin Xiao¡¯s eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Tang Yan. The spoiled young master of the Tang family, who had been a notorious troublemaker in Yun City for years, was acting completely out of character today.

    With careful moves, full of both retreat and advance, courage and strategy¡ªhe was not inferior to the best of the other families'' youth.

    Lin Xiao knew that if he accepted this pill, it would place him in debt to the Tang family. And if the pill truly worked, the debt would be a huge one.

    Every family in Yun City wanted the City Lord to owe them a favor, but Lin Xiao had always stayed neutral and avoided owing anyone. However, for the sake of his wife, this was a favor he had no choice but to accept. With a sigh, Lin Xiao smiled lightly, ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, I can¡¯t refuse. I¡¯ll take it.¡±

    Tang Yan didn¡¯t think much of it. As long as it ensured the Tang family wouldn¡¯t be attacked by the City Lord¡¯s mansion, it was good enough. He cupped his hands and said, ¡°The pill can be taken directly. If Lady Winter Snow has cultivation, she can catalyze it herself. After it¡¯s fully catalyzed, it¡¯ll show initial results within three hours. I won¡¯t take up any more of your time. Farewell.¡±

    Lin Xiao didn¡¯t try to stop him. His mind was on his wife, and he left quickly with the pill in hand.

    After leaving the City Lord¡¯s mansion, Tang Yan couldn¡¯t help but chuckle to himself, ¡°The City Lord is truly sincere. A second-tier pill, even a low-grade one, can still fetch a good price. Does he really not want to express any gratitude?¡± He sighed again, thinking he¡¯d need to ask his grandfather for the money to refine the Initial Spirit Pills.

    Just as Tang Yan was contemplating, a carriage pulled up in front of the City Lord¡¯s mansion.

    ¡°Tang Yan!¡± A bright voice rang out, and Tang Yan turned to see two graceful figures jump out of the carriage.

    ¡°It¡¯s Winter Snow and Miss Wuxuan.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re here at the City Lord¡¯s mansion for what purpose?¡± Winter Snow asked with a furrowed brow.

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard how tirelessly the City Lord works for the people of Yun City, and I felt so moved that I decided to come visit him,¡± Tang Yan replied solemnly.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Upon hearing his words, both Winter Snow and Wuxuan exchanged incredulous looks. You came to visit the City Lord?

    ¡°You left just a little while ago to find Wuxuan, and now, within half an hour, you¡¯ve already finished visiting?¡± Winter Snow asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.

    ¡°The City Lord is extremely busy, how could I dare disturb him for too long?¡± Tang Yan quickly changed the subject, smiling and saying, ¡°Haha, I won¡¯t take up any more of your time. Farewell.¡±

    Just as he was about to leave, Wuxuan, who had remained silent up until now, suddenly spoke, ¡°Winter Snow, weren¡¯t you looking for me to guide you through your sword technique? I just heard some news¡ªTang Yan has reached the 8th level of Yuan stage, and he would be perfect as your sparring partner.¡±

    Winter Snow¡¯s eyes lit up at Wuxuan¡¯s words, and with a smile, she turned to Tang Yan. ¡°Young Master Tang, please stay. We¡¯d like to discuss something with you.¡±

    Wuxuan hadn¡¯t lowered her voice, and her words were clearly heard by Tang Yan. He couldn¡¯t help but feel helpless. Why does this woman keep dragging me into trouble?

    ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll reluctantly comply,¡± Tang Yan muttered inwardly. The City Lord¡¯s mansion and the Miao Dan Fang weren¡¯t something he could afford to offend right now.

    Following the two women back into the City Lord¡¯s mansion, Tang Yan could sense Wuxuan¡¯s curious gaze constantly falling on him.

    ¡°Miss Wuxuan, why do you keep staring at me? Did I get something on my face?¡± Tang Yan joked with a smile.

    ¡°I¡¯m just curious. When you said your dantian was destroyed, how did you manage to fool everyone? And how did you go from that to having Yuan stage 8th level cultivation?¡± Wuxuan casually brushed her hair aside as she spoke.

    ¡°Indeed, my dantian was destroyed, and I didn¡¯t lie to you two. I was fortunate enough to meet my master, who helped me repair my dantian and restored my cultivation,¡± Tang Yan once again brought up the excuse of his ¡°master.¡±

    Winter Snow, as the daughter of a city lord, was far more discerning and calculating than most. And Wuxuan, as the chief alchemist at Miao Dan Fang, was equally sharp. When they heard Tang Yan mention ¡°master,¡± their eyes both flickered with suspicion. Does this kid have a powerful backer?

    Although they didn¡¯t fully believe him, Tang Yan¡¯s explanation was plausible enough.

    ¡°Oh? May I ask who your master is? Could you introduce him to us?¡± Wuxuan smiled, her eyes glinting with interest.

    ¡°My master is someone who shuns fame and fortune. He has no fixed name and prefers to live in seclusion, traveling the world. We can only meet by chance. If I see him again, I¡¯ll certainly ask him to come visit,¡± Tang Yan replied with an air of sincerity.

    ¡°Such a pity. If you ever have the chance, please do introduce him to us. We at Miao Dan Fang would be honored to welcome him,¡± Wuxuan responded with a smile, her eyes dancing with charm.

    ¡°If I see him next time, I¡¯ll certainly pass on your message.¡±

    After walking for a while, they arrived at a small, elegant courtyard, marked with the sign ¡°Winter Snow Pavilion,¡± which Tang Yan guessed must be Winter Snow¡¯s residence.

    ¡°Wuxuan, the sword technique you taught me last time, I¡¯ve almost perfected it. If you guide me a few more times, I should be able to master it,¡± Winter Snow immediately said as she entered the courtyard.

    ¡°Alright, show me your practice, and I¡¯ll point out any areas where you¡¯re lacking,¡± Wuxuan smiled and nodded.

    As Tang Yan overheard their conversation, he couldn¡¯t help but feel uneasy. Martial arts techniques were usually closely guarded secrets, yet Wuxuan was teaching Winter Snow sword techniques. This showed just how tightly knit the City Lord¡¯s mansion and Miao Dan Fang were.

    ¡°Should I excuse myself?¡± Tang Yan pretended to prepare to leave.

    ¡°No need, Young Master Tang, just stay and watch. Winter Snow, go ahead and practice,¡± Wuxuan said with a smile.

    ¡°Alright!¡± Winter Snow agreed and took out a slender sword. The blade was light as a feather, and even Tang Yan, who had a discerning eye, couldn¡¯t help but nod in approval.

    ¡°Watch closely!¡±

    With a command, Winter Snow gathered her true qi and began practicing the sword technique in the center of the courtyard.

    The technique, called Miao Man Sword, lived up to its name. The movements were fluid and graceful, and as Winter Snow demonstrated it, Tang Yan couldn¡¯t help but nod in approval.

    Although she hadn¡¯t fully mastered it, she was already quite proficient, and with more practice, reaching a higher level was just a matter of time.

    Furthermore, Winter Snow had a graceful figure, and when combined with the flowing sword moves, it made for a truly mesmerizing sight. Tang Yan found himself captivated, nodding repeatedly, thinking to himself, How beautiful.

    As Winter Snow finished the set, she took a deep breath and looked proudly at Wuxuan. ¡°Sister, how was my practice?¡±

    Wuxuan didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, she glanced at Tang Yan and, with a smile at the corner of her lips, asked, ¡°I saw Young Master Tang nodding continuously. I¡¯m sure you saw something worthwhile. What do you think, Young Master Tang?¡±

    Tang Yan, caught off guard, sighed inwardly. I¡¯m just a spectator here, and now they¡¯re dragging me into this.

 Chapter 20

    "I... although I can''t see any flaws, it feels excellent¡ªperfect! I wonder, Miss Wuxuan, do you notice anything wrong?" Tang Yan tossed the question back to Wuxuan.

    Wuxuan rolled her eyes at Tang Yan before responding with a crisp voice, "You''ve indeed been practicing hard lately. There are no errors, but the only thing missing is refinement. With time, you''ll definitely master it. To accelerate mastering the technique, you need constant practice and sparring with someone. That will help improve."

    At first, Tang Yan agreed with Wuxuan¡¯s words, but as she continued, a bad premonition crept over him. Was she actually suggesting that he be the sparring partner?

    "Alright, since Miss Wuxuan has begun her teachings, I shouldn''t stay longer to avoid suspicion of stealing techniques. Farewell!" Tang Yan swiftly tried to take his leave.

    "Stop!" As soon as Tang Yan made a move, Winter Snow immediately called out, "What¡¯s this? You were just saying you came to be my sparring partner, now you want to leave?"

    "Well... I¡¯m at the 8th level of Yuan stage, while Miss Winter Snow¡¯s strength is close to the Xuan stage. What¡¯s the point of sparring with someone like me?" Tang Yan put on a pitiful face and continued, "Plus, I don''t have a tendency to be abused. Why should I be your sparring partner?"

    Winter Snow and Wuxuan were both stunned. Was this guy out of his mind? So many people in Yun City would gladly be Winter Snow¡¯s sparring partner, and yet this guy wants to refuse?

    However, Tang Yan did have a point, and for a moment, both women were left speechless. After a brief pause, Wuxuan spoke up, "How about this? You temporarily spar with Winter Snow. In return, we will offer you a reward. What do you think?"

    "How much?" Tang Yan immediately perked up.

    "You''re such a money-grubber!" Winter Snow huffed at his reaction and then said, "Fine. I''ll use strength below the Yellow stage to spar with you. If you can last for half an hour, I¡¯ll give you a first-grade mid-level pill. How about it?"

    A first-grade mid-level pill? As a Grand Alchemist, Tang Yan had no real interest in pills, but he was definitely fond of money. He shook his head, "I¡¯m not interested in cultivation, but I¡¯m very interested in silver. Here¡¯s the deal: If I last for half an hour or force you to use your Yellow stage strength, you pay me ten thousand silver. How about that?"

    Hearing Tang Yan¡¯s proposal, Winter Snow raised an eyebrow, scoffing, "You think you can make me use my Yellow stage strength? Fine. Just don¡¯t run away when I beat you."

    "Miss Wuxuan, may I borrow your sword?" Tang Yan smiled.

    Wuxuan¡¯s face turned slightly red at his request, and she quickly unsheathed her sword and tossed it to him. "Here. I¡¯d like to see how Young Master Tang handles his swordplay."

    Taking the sword, Tang Yan felt its weight. It was slightly heavier than a regular sword, which made him wonder what Wuxuan¡¯s true strength was. This weapon felt more substantial than typical swords.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    "Thank you, Miss Wuxuan." Tang Yan expressed his thanks, though his mind was already working on a new plan. Why couldn¡¯t he use Winter Snow as his sparring partner too?

    The more he thought about it, the better it seemed. Tang Yan was excited, and after considering it for a moment, he decided to use this sparring session to refine his family¡¯s martial art¡ªCloud Sword.

    As the only heir of the Tang family, if he didn¡¯t master their martial arts, it would be shameful. Moreover, Tang Yan remembered his grandfather had once said that Cloud Sword was a solid technique, though its ranking was low due to some missing moves and flaws.

    Tang Yan had a good memory and quickly recalled the moves of Cloud Sword.

    "Be careful!" Winter Snow had been eager to beat Tang Yan and with a sharp shout, she lunged at him with her slender sword.

    Tang Yan felt the full force of her Qi and noted that she was only using her 8th level Yuan stage strength. He smiled inwardly and raised his sword to meet her attack.

    As he fought, Tang Yan continued to think about the flaws in Cloud Sword. His focus was divided between defending against Winter Snow¡¯s fierce attacks and exploring the martial art. It made him appear somewhat frantic, but there was no fear in his eyes¡ªonly a sense of excitement. The intense sparring was helping him discover the missing pieces of the technique.

    Wuxuan, watching the fight, saw Tang Yan struggling and smiled to herself. It looked like she would enjoy watching him fail.

    But as time passed, Wuxuan¡¯s smile gradually faded, replaced by confusion.

    Tang Yan had been on the defensive at first, barely holding his ground. Now, a quarter of an hour had passed, and he showed no signs of weakness. Why wasn¡¯t he faltering as expected?

    Tang Yan, however, was becoming more and more excited. Cloud Sword indeed had many flaws¡ªsome moves had been altered, and others were incomplete¡ªbut with a little time, he was confident he could fix it.

    Suddenly, Wuxuan¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief.

    She had clearly seen Tang Yan, who was initially struggling, gradually steadying himself.

    In the beginning, Winter Snow had been dominating the fight, but now, Tang Yan was gradually gaining the upper hand, even attempting to counterattack.

    Wuxuan, with her years of experience and knowledge of martial techniques, recognized that Cloud Sword was a powerful technique¡ªmuch stronger than anything she had seen before.

    Could it be that Tang Yan wasn¡¯t just practicing his sword technique, but also perfecting it?

    The thought left her both impressed and a bit wary.

    On the sparring ground, Winter Snow felt the pressure and, frustrated by her inability to defeat Tang Yan, clenched her teeth. She decided to escalate the fight. Her 9th level Yuan stage strength suddenly burst forth, and Tang Yan¡¯s situation changed instantly.

    The difference between Yuan stage 8th and 9th levels was significant. As Wuxuan and Winter Snow both thought, Tang Yan would surely lose now.

    But just as they were sure of it, something unexpected happened. Tang Yan¡¯s sword suddenly shifted. Though still at the 8th level of Yuan stage, his movements became smoother, and his swordsmanship more fluid and powerful.

    A quarter of an hour had passed, and Tang Yan, who had seemed on the verge of defeat, had turned the tide and started to press back.

    Wuxuan was now thoroughly focused, her gaze locked on Tang Yan. She could no longer ignore what was happening.

    Tang Yan¡¯s moves were stronger, more refined. His swordsmanship had transformed, and the difference was noticeable.

    Winter Snow, seeing that she was unable to gain the upper hand even with her 9th level strength, was furious. Yet, she also had to admit, she was impressed.

    As Tang Yan¡¯s sword surged with newfound power, the fight reached a boiling point. Cloud Sword had truly found its flow, and with every move, Tang Yan was perfecting it.

    He wasn¡¯t just sparring¡ªhe was rewriting the very foundations of his family¡¯s martial art.

 Chapter 21

    At this moment, Tang Yan''s swordsmanship was exquisite. Among peers, it was hard to find a worthy opponent.

    Winter Snow had to unleash her strength at the Yellow stage.

    Breaking through a hundred strikes with one move!

    Below the Yellow stage, everyone else was like ants. With sufficient strength, Winter Snow was confident that this time she would break through Tang Yan''s defense.

    Facing her fierce strike, Tang Yan didn''t retreat but advanced. His sword, like a white cloud, swiftly enveloped Winter Snow¡¯s slender sword.

    Clang! Clang! The sound of metal clashing echoed, and to the astonishment of both women, Tang Yan¡¯s long sword successfully blocked Winter Snow''s attack and swiftly aimed for her throat.

    One force breaks a hundred strikes! But one clever move can break a thousand pounds!

    Tang Yan''s technique was agile, his movements swift, and this strike, full of momentum, was extremely dangerous. Winter Snow stood stunned, her eyes filled with fear as the sword approached her rapidly.

    "Stop!" Seeing Tang Yan breaking through her defense, Wuxuan cried out in anger, raising her palm to block him.

    "You''ve lost!" Tang Yan¡¯s long sword stopped a mere inch from Winter Snow''s throat, just as he was about to flash a self-satisfied smile when he suddenly felt an intense gust of wind and was forcefully pushed away.

    Bang! Tang Yan was sent flying, crashing heavily into an ancient cypress tree. The thick trunk shook violently.

    "Pfft!" A mouthful of blood spilled from the corner of Tang Yan''s mouth. His mind was in chaos. What did I do to deserve this?

    "Tang Yan!" Winter Snow gasped and immediately rushed over to check on him.

    "Young Master Tang, are you alright?" Wuxuan didn¡¯t expect Tang Yan to stop at such a crucial moment. She was conflicted but quickly took out a healing pill and placed it in Tang Yan''s mouth.

    From the scent, Tang Yan immediately recognized that the pill was a healing medicine, a second-grade low-tier one. Before he could swallow it, the Heaven and Earth Cauldron, which had remained still for so long, suddenly emitted a low hum and began to vibrate. A refreshing, cool aura spread from within the cauldron, circulating throughout his body and forcefully suppressing the restless Qi. Though the injury wasn¡¯t instantly healed, most of the damage was alleviated.

    Tang Yan felt the changes in his body and was pleasantly surprised. The Heaven and Earth Cauldron is actually protecting me!

    Pretending to remain calm, Tang Yan swallowed the pill, then frowned and exhaled.

    It was lucky that Wuxuan didn¡¯t use her full strength; otherwise, if she had struck with all her might, Tang Yan would have been in real trouble.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    "Young Master Tang, I¡¯m terribly sorry. I¡­ I didn¡¯t mean to..." Wuxuan looked at Tang Yan with a hint of guilt and whispered, "Are you alright?"

    "You asked me to be the sparring partner, and now it¡¯s you who injured me," Tang Yan responded sharply, "Winter Snow raised her strength to the Yellow stage without any warning, and you didn¡¯t stop her either. Miss Wuxuan, I want an explanation."

    Seeing Tang Yan¡¯s insistence, Wuxuan seemed flustered. She murmured, "Young Master Tang, I thought you couldn¡¯t stop in time, and it slipped out of my control."

    "Slipped out of your control? You sent me flying with one palm? Miss Wuxuan, do you think I¡¯m just some disposable pawn?" Tang Yan demanded angrily.

    "Young Master Tang, Wuxuan didn¡¯t do it on purpose. Now that things have come to this, there¡¯s no need to keep arguing. I¡¯ll compensate you," Winter Snow intervened, trying to ease the tension.

    "Do you think I only want compensation because I was injured?" Tang Yan feigned anger and asked, before swiftly turning the conversation, "What will you compensate me with?"

    "Three first-grade mid-tier pills and one first-grade upper-tier pill. What do you think?" Winter Snow proposed.

    If it were someone else, hearing such an offer would undoubtedly cause great excitement. First-grade mid-tier pills could be found by some families in Yun City, but first-grade upper-tier pills were extremely rare, and they could be considered treasures, nearly impossible to obtain.

    However, Tang Yan was different. As a Ninth-Grade Alchemist in his past life, even second-grade or third-grade pills were worth little more than the cost of the materials to him.

    Tang Yan calculated in his head. He was short about ten thousand silver and had just forced Winter Snow to use her Yellow stage strength. They had sparred for nearly an hour, so he figured he could demand a fair amount as sparring compensation. Furthermore, with the Tang family currently in a precarious situation, if he could once again have the Miaodan Sect owe them a favor, it would add some security for the family.

    With this decision made, Tang Yan feigned weakness and said, "Since Miss Wuxuan also acted unintentionally, asking for material compensation feels too petty. I happen to have some doubts about martial arts, so if Miss Wuxuan has time in the near future, I¡¯d appreciate it if you could come to the Tang family to guide me."

    "Just now, Young Master Tang showed such impressive martial arts talent that Wuxuan couldn¡¯t help but be in awe. I wouldn¡¯t dare to give guidance, but in a few days, I will definitely visit and discuss it with you," Wuxuan¡¯s eyes sparkled as she looked at Tang Yan, her meaning obvious.

    Although Tang Yan said this matter could be settled, Wuxuan knew that as the chief alchemist of Miaodan Sect, if she visited the Tang family, it would raise suspicions about the relationship between the Tang family and Miaodan Sect. This could cause those watching the Tang family to hesitate before attacking.

    "Since that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll wait for your visit, Miss Wuxuan. By the way, Miss Winter Snow, about our bet, is it still valid?" Tang Yan, still thinking about the silver, immediately asked.

    "It¡¯s still valid!" Winter Snow replied, secretly annoyed. How come this guy, who had been so refined and poetic when they last met, was now so greedy for money? Was his grandfather still withholding his allowance?

    Taking the two million silver note from Winter Snow, Tang Yan smiled widely as he put it away. He then feigned exhaustion and said, "Since that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll take my leave and rest."

    Without waiting for further conversation, he staggered towards the door.

    "Young Master Tang, wait! I¡¯ll have someone escort you back," Winter Snow called out, immediately having someone guide Tang Yan outside.

    Looking at Tang Yan¡¯s departing figure, Winter Snow pouted. "This guy doesn¡¯t even know what kind of swordplay he¡¯s using, but it¡¯s so strong. I used my Yellow stage strength and still couldn¡¯t defeat him."

    "He truly is a monster." Wuxuan thought back to the stunning martial arts talent Tang Yan had shown during their sparring session, as well as the cleverness in his words. Could this really be the same spoiled young master everyone talks about?

    <hr>

    Back in the Tang family residence, Tang Yan rode in the city lord''s carriage, drawing attention from many onlookers. However, Tang Yan didn¡¯t care about this. He was focused on one thing: strengthening the Tang family.

    Returning to his residence, he immediately got to work, writing down the required medicinal materials and asking Xiao Cui to go buy them at the local pharmacy.

 Chapter 22

    Today, Tang Yan noticed that the injuries he had sustained had healed remarkably well, almost entirely. This only deepened his interest in the Heaven and Earth Cauldron.

    Not only could this mysterious cauldron absorb spiritual energy and grow medicinal herbs, but now it could also heal injuries?

    However, no matter what method Tang Yan used, he couldn¡¯t provoke any further response from the cauldron. With a sigh, he realized that understanding the true nature of the Heaven and Earth Cauldron would take some more time.

    When Xiao Cui arrived with a cartload of medicinal materials, Tang Yan¡¯s eyes gleamed with excitement. He carried the materials into the alchemy room and began the alchemy process immediately.

    Selecting herbs, refining, extracting, and forming the pills¡ªhe carried out the entire process with precision and skill, almost as though it was second nature to him.

    Once a batch of pills was made, he stored them in ceramic bottles.

    When his true qi ran out, he swallowed an Initial Spirit Pill.

    Tang Yan repeated this process again and again, and after finally filling the last ceramic bottle with pills, he realized that he had used up all the materials!

    Just as he thought of taking a break, he suddenly felt a strange stir in his dantian.

    His face changed as he immediately recognized it was a sign of breakthrough. Could it be that while making pills, he could also progress in cultivation?

    Without time to think, he quickly sat cross-legged, swallowed another Initial Spirit Pill, and began to meditate, focusing his mind entirely on his cultivation.

    As seconds ticked by, the pill melted in his mouth, and his true qi circulated smoothly. Gradually, the true qi in his meridians grew stronger. Finally, with a deep breath, he felt a cracking sensation in his dantian, breaking through the previous barrier.

    Level 9 of the Yuan Stage!

    However, Tang Yan didn¡¯t stop there. He realized that his true qi still had the strength to push further.

    Could it be... another breakthrough?

    After a brief moment of confusion, he pushed aside his doubts and continued guiding the true qi through his body.

    Having gone through rapid advancements before, Tang Yan wasn¡¯t startled by this situation.

    The surging true qi moved like a raging torrent, smashing against his dantian once more.

    After a short while, there was a loud boom, and Tang Yan¡¯s body shook violently. The Heaven and Earth Cauldron inside his dantian trembled fiercely!

    Tang Yan felt that his dantian was shifting, as though something inside wanted to burst out.

    Despite his strong will, he felt a chill. What is this thing in my dantian? Is this a sign of a cultivation deviation?

    Just as he pondered, a deep blue flame suddenly erupted within his dantian with a loud boom.

    Tang Yan was taken aback. Flames in my dantian? This was a phenomenon he had never heard of before, even with his vast experience. He had never encountered anything like this.

    The blue flame burned intensely, but after a few moments, it felt somewhat warm and not as dangerous as it initially seemed. Tang Yan felt his anxiety easing, though he still couldn¡¯t understand what was happening.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    The Supreme Alchemy Scripture, Fire Control Technique!

    The Heaven and Earth Cauldron sent a surge of information into his mind.

    Tang Yan¡¯s eyes lit up with joy as he quickly absorbed the information.

    This was the Heavenly Fire of the Cauldron!

    Not only could this fire increase the success rate of alchemy, but it could also be released from the body and used as a powerful weapon for attacks.

    ¡°Come out!¡± Tang Yan thought, and the blue flame appeared in his palm, flickering mischievously.

    Wanting to test its power, Tang Yan directed the flame toward a medicinal herb.

    There was no sound. In an instant, the herb was completely vaporized, leaving no trace behind!

    ¡°Holy crap!¡± Tang Yan stared, dumbfounded. This flame¡¯s power is insane!

    Testing again, the flame burned the second herb instantly, reducing it to ash without a sound.

    Tang Yan¡¯s dantian suddenly emptied, and he staggered, sitting down on the floor.

    The brief moments of controlling the flame had drained all of his true qi.

    It dawned on him that although the Heavenly Fire was immensely powerful, it consumed a massive amount of true qi. I¡¯m already at the Yuan Stage... wait, I¡¯ve reached the Yellow Stage, First Rank!

    Tang Yan felt his dantian shift, and a smile appeared in his eyes.

    Less than two months after crossing over, from having a destroyed dantian to reaching the First Rank of the Yellow Stage... such rapid advancement would be hard for anyone to believe.

    Yet, Tang Yan wasn¡¯t satisfied. Without absolute power, his fate would still be in the hands of stronger people. As a former Alchemist Emperor, he couldn¡¯t accept such a situation.

    After stretching his muscles, taking a bath, and changing clothes, Tang Yan headed toward the training field.

    Over the past month, the Tang family guards had undergone a significant shift in attitude toward the previously scorned young master.

    Tang Yan¡¯s training had become more intense every day. The requirements he set for himself were not merely hard; they were bordering on cruel, making the guards feel deeply ashamed of their own efforts.

    Under Tang Yan¡¯s pressure, they too trained with greater determination, each striving not to be outdone by this pampered young master.

    As Tang Yan approached the training field, all the guards greeted him with smiles.

    Tang Yan smiled back and scanned the area. His eyes landed on a burly man who seemed hesitant, as though there was something he wanted to say.

    This man was none other than Chang Tie, the first to challenge him when Tang Yan had delivered his speech about hard work.

    Seeing his unusual demeanor, Tang Yan chuckled, "Old Tie, why are you acting like a shy girl? I didn¡¯t know you had that side to you! I¡¯m telling you, I¡¯m not interested in anything with a handle!"

    "Looks like Old Chang has some strange preferences," someone teased. "No wonder when we were bathing in the river, his gaze was always a little off."

    "That¡¯s right! When we sparred last time, he even tried to grab me. Guess he¡¯s been hitting on me all along! Old Chang, you owe me!"

    Laughter erupted across the field, and Chang Tie scratched his head, embarrassed.

    "Haha! Big Young Master, I¡¯ve broken through to the Yellow Stage, First Rank. Does that mean those rewards still stand?" Chang Tie grinned, eagerly rubbing his hands.

    "Yellow Stage?" Tang Yan raised an eyebrow, then smiled. "Let me see how many punches you can throw!"

    "Alright!" Chang Tie nodded, and in the training field, he performed a series of punches. His strikes were powerful and intense, creating a faint aura around his fists. This was a clear sign of reaching the Yellow Stage.

    "How much is your monthly salary?" Tang Yan asked as soon as Chang Tie finished his display.

    "Everyone gets the same, fifty silver a month," Chang Tie replied quickly.

    "From now on, Chang Tie will receive two hundred silver a month!" Tang Yan announced loudly.

    "Thank you, Young Master! Thank you!" Chang Tie¡¯s face lit up with joy.

    "Additionally, as the first to reach the Yellow Stage, I¡¯m rewarding you with five hundred silver!"

    Hearing this, the other guards turned green with envy.

    "Old Chang, you¡¯re treating us tonight, right?"

    "Yeah, Old Chang! We¡¯re going to Wan Hua Tower tonight! We¡¯re not leaving until we¡¯re drunk!"

    Chang Tie hadn¡¯t expected such a reward. Five hundred silver was enough for him to live on without eating or drinking for a whole year. Grinning widely, he thanked Tang Yan repeatedly.

    "Don¡¯t thank me, thank yourself! Hard work earns rewards. Whoever works hard will reap the benefits. Keep up the good work. For every rank you advance in the Yellow Stage, your monthly salary will increase by a hundred silver. If you reach the we¡¯ll talk about further rewards!" Tang Yan patted Chang Tie on the shoulder encouragingly.

    "I¡¯ll work even harder!" Chang Tie slapped his chest in determination.

    Tang Yan smiled and then turned to address the other guards, "If anyone makes a breakthrough, report it to Captain Mo Yan Jun right away. Keep training hard!"

    After dispersing the crowd, Tang Yan was about to begin his own training when Mo Yan Jun approached him silently.

 Chapter 23

    Tang Yan''s relationship with Mo Yan Jun, the eldest grandson of Mo Bo, was quite good. He smiled and asked, "Brother Mo, are you looking for me?"

    Mo Yan Jun chuckled, "In the past, I was blind and didn¡¯t show enough respect to the young master. After spending a month together, I realize that you¡¯re far superior to all the other young disciples in the other families. Given time, you may very well be the number one among the young generation of Cloud City, and that person will be from our Tang family."

    Tang Yan smiled at the compliment and waved his hand, "Brother Mo, if there''s something you need, just tell me. We are family, no need for formalities."

    Mo Yan Jun let out a wry laugh and said, "You brat... I¡¯ve decided to resign from the position of the captain of the guards and focus on my cultivation. The guards¡¯ progress has been rapid, and they are self-disciplined. They no longer need me to lead them. Besides, they respect you, so I will report to the Old Master and suggest that you take control of the guards from now on."

    Tang Yan pondered this for a moment. He understood Mo Yan Jun¡¯s feelings. Seeing the guards advance so quickly must have made him feel pressured, as if his own strength might soon be surpassed. He was afraid of being overtaken and felt unworthy of his position as the captain.

    "Brother Mo, although your last name is Mo, you¡¯re closely tied to the Tang family, and my grandfather regards you the same way. Protecting the Tang family still requires your strength," Tang Yan said seriously. "Although I¡¯ve been in the training field for more than a month, I rarely interfered with your training of the guards. I wanted to avoid undermining your authority."

    "If there are enemies outside the Tang family in the future, you¡¯ll be able to lead the guards to defend the family more smoothly."

    "But wouldn¡¯t it be better for you to lead directly?" Mo Yan Jun asked, confused.

    "My ambitions aren¡¯t here, and I will eventually leave Cloud City. The responsibility of protecting the Tang family must still fall on you, Brother Mo." Tang Yan paused before pulling out a few vials and saying, "These are Initial Spirit Pills. Among pills that enhance true qi, these are the best below the second tier. Distribute one to each guard tonight, and tomorrow, many of them will likely advance to the Yellow Stage."

    Mo Yan Jun, still in a daze, took the pills and asked, "Are these better than the Qi Gathering Pills?"

    "Of course, these are much better. Keep three for yourself, and try one tonight. With your talent, if you push yourself, reaching the Celestial Stage might not be impossible!" Tang Yan said with a smile.

    "I understand," Mo Yan Jun said seriously, looking at Tang Yan with new respect. "Don¡¯t worry."

    The two exchanged glances, and Tang Yan smiled as he patted Mo Yan Jun on the shoulder, then turned to leave.

    Watching Tang Yan¡¯s retreating figure, Mo Yan Jun felt a bit lost in thought. Who really is the senior here? Why does it feel like he¡¯s the elder, not me?

    The fact that Tang Yan had entrusted him with distributing the pills to the guards filled Mo Yan Jun with gratitude. He knew that Tang Yan wanted him to win the hearts of the men.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    But Mo Yan Jun wasn¡¯t particularly interested in power. His mind kept returning to Tang Yan''s words¡ªIf you push yourself, you could reach the Celestial Stage.

    Previously, Mo Yan Jun would never have believed this. But after seeing Chang Tie¡¯s breakthrough, his confidence had grown.

    As the captain of the Tang family¡¯s guard, Mo Yan Jun knew each of the men well. He had thought that Chang Tie would need years, even if he ever broke into the Yellow Stage. But after Tang Yan arrived, Chang Tie had broken through in just a month.

    Tang Yan¡¯s methods for training had indeed opened up a clear path for the guards to follow in their cultivation.

    <hr>

    At the Liu family¡¯s grand hall, the atmosphere was heavy as the top leaders gathered.

    The patriarch, Liu Wuhui, sat in the center. "Liu Quan, tell us what happened today."

    "Grandfather, I saw Xiao Yuan being humiliated by Tang Yan, which hurt our Liu family''s reputation, so I wanted to get revenge. But when I fought him, I discovered that this guy had the strength of a Yuan Stage, Eight Rank!" Liu Quan said with a distressed face.

    "Humph! I¡¯ve always told you that even when fighting a rabbit, you must use your full strength! Underestimating your opponent is the fastest way to fail. Everyone, remember this!" Liu Wuhui slammed the table, his voice thunderous. The entire hall fell silent.

    "No one expected that kid to hide his true power so well. Even if his dantian had been destroyed, there were reports from several doctors confirming that it had been shattered. How did he recover it, and how does he have the strength of Yuan Stage, Eight Rank now?" Liu He, the second most powerful person in the Liu family and the patriarch¡¯s eldest son, said with a frown.

    Liu He¡¯s words eased the tense atmosphere in the room.

    "I believe that the kid has been secretly cultivating and using some secret technique that temporarily kept his dantian in a broken state, fooling everyone," said the second eldest, Liu Jing. His son, Liu Quan, was extraordinarily talented, and Liu Jing had high hopes for him. But he was furious that Tang Yan had severely injured his son¡¯s dantian.

    "That¡¯s right, the sudden eruption of Tang Yan¡¯s power is bad news for our Liu family. If we wait a few more years, he will become a major threat," Liu Wuhui said, sipping his tea calmly, his eyes cold. "Our family has lost face twice to him already. It¡¯s time to eliminate this problem."

    "Twenty days from now, the Mid-Autumn Festival will be held, and all the young disciples of the great families in Cloud City will gather at Mingyue Lake for the Mid-Autumn Martial Competition. If Tang Yan participates, we can take advantage of the chaos and eliminate him without anyone noticing," Liu Jing said coldly.

    "Second brother, this plan is brilliant. Tang Yan is still a martial artist, but he¡¯s not yet fully developed. Last time, my son, Zhi¡¯er, humiliated Tang Yan in front of the City Lord¡¯s daughter. Tang Yan must have held a grudge. When he challenges Zhi¡¯er at the competition, we can let Zhi¡¯er handle him," Liu He said, grinning.

    Thus, a covert scheme to deal with Tang Yan was being quietly set in motion within the Liu family.

    <hr>

    Unaware of the Liu family¡¯s plot, Tang Yan was busy thinking about his finances.

    After a costly night of alchemy, he found himself running low on silver. With a stash of three Initial Spirit Pills in hand, he disguised himself and headed to the Tianbao Auction House.

    After today, the Tang family would likely see an influx of new Yellow Stage warriors, which meant a considerable rise in monthly expenses. Tang Yan knew he had to accumulate wealth for the family to ensure its future stability.

    As he entered the Tianbao Auction House, an elderly man approached him with a smile, "What can I do for you, young master?"

    "I¡¯m here to auction some pills."

    "Oh? What kind of pills are you auctioning? What¡¯s their grade? We only accept high-quality pills here, nothing below second tier," the old man explained.

    He had been in Cloud City for years and was familiar with the families, even recognizing Tang Yan as the so-called ¡°young master¡± from the Tang family.

    But what he didn¡¯t expect was that this young man, whom he¡¯d previously dismissed, was none other than Tang Yan, the same person he had referred to as a pampered fool.

 Chapter 24

    "Initial Spirit Pills, first-tier mid-grade," Tang Yan said with a smile. "By your standards, is this pill not eligible for auction?"

    "Not qualified," the old man waved dismissively, inwardly muttering to himself that there wouldn¡¯t be any good items here.

    "The medicinal effect of this pill, though only first-tier mid-grade, is comparable to ordinary first-tier high-grade pills. It has strong support for martial practitioners of the Yuan stage, with a 90% chance of helping those at the ninth rank break through to the Yellow stage." Tang Yan continued, "What''s more, it can be taken repeatedly!"

    The old man remained unmoved. "Sorry," he said curtly, uninterested in continuing the conversation.

    "You''re going to regret this," Tang Yan muttered under his breath before leaving.

    "Keep dreaming," the old man sneered, watching Tang Yan depart. "If what he says is true, then why is this pill only first-tier mid-grade? At least it should be second-tier low-grade."

    Once outside, Tang Yan sighed quietly. The fault lies with me.

    The quality of a pill is determined by its refining difficulty and medicinal effect combined. The Initial Spirit Pills weren¡¯t inferior to second-tier pills in their effectiveness, but because the refinement process required little martial strength and the procedure was complex, it was classified as first-tier mid-grade. It could easily be considered a second-tier pill due to its properties. Tang Yan, having brought this formula from his previous world, had the final say on its tier classification.

    Tang Yan, not realizing his mistake, continued down the road, his mind already formulating other ways to make money.

    Although most of his previous life had been spent within the shadows of the martial world, he had also gained exposure to the modern business world. He understood the workings of modern commerce.

    Soon, a bright idea appeared in his mind.

    He quickly found a secluded place, wiped his face with some powder, and restored his original appearance. Then, he briskly walked towards the Miao Dan Pavilion.

    Upon entering, the attendant immediately recognized him.

    The young man who had been treated with the utmost respect by Master Ge, they dared not treat him casually.

    "Young Master Tang, please come in. I¡¯ll go inform Master Ge," the attendant greeted warmly.

    Tang Yan didn¡¯t waste time with pleasantries. He nodded and scanned the room casually. Despite the presence of several people, one woman caught his eye.

    The woman was around 5¡¯5¡±, her well-fitted white attire accentuating her mature and elegant figure. Her long black hair flowed carelessly over her shoulder, and her large eyes, like autumn water, gleamed with intelligence, yet there was an icy aura around her that made others hesitate to approach.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Compared to Lin Dongxue and Wu Xuan, this woman¡¯s beauty was no less remarkable, but her demeanor was far more aloof and enigmatic.

    Naturally, such a beauty attracted the gaze of others in the room, and many eyes often drifted her way.

    It seemed that she had grown accustomed to this attention, for she stood there calmly without any discomfort.

    After a brief moment of awe, Tang Yan narrowed his eyes, his heart wary.

    This woman could easily deceive others with her appearance. While she stood there quietly, showing no sign of true qi, Tang Yan was unable to discern her strength directly. However, the cold and distant aura emanating from her made her stand out to Tang Yan.

    Although the others in the room couldn¡¯t perceive anything unusual, Tang Yan, with his extensive experience, immediately labeled her as a potential threat.

    As he walked past her, Tang Yan suddenly wrinkled his nose and took a deep sniff.

    The woman, noticing a strange man standing beside her, furrowed her brow and gave him a cold glare.

    "Smells good," Tang Yan muttered, still walking ahead. "It would be nice to marry someone like her."

    The woman, clearly disturbed by Tang Yan¡¯s forwardness, glared even harder. As Tang Yan continued walking forward, he felt a sudden chill run down his spine, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

    Feigning calmness, Tang Yan continued walking, and once he sensed the fleeting killing intent, he relaxed.

    After a moment of testing the waters, Tang Yan was certain of two things.

    First, this woman was injured. Second, even though she was injured, she was not someone he should provoke.

    "Brother Tang, you¡¯ve arrived!" As Tang Yan was led to a guest room, Master Ge quickly came forward to greet him.

    Tang Yan glanced at Master Ge, the red gleam in his eyes now gone, and he was beginning to understand the efficiency of Miao Dan Pavilion. It seemed that for them, third-tier pills were nothing special.

    "Haha, congratulations, Master Ge," Tang Yan greeted him with a cupped fist.

    Master Ge immediately understood what Tang Yan meant, and smiled, "Thanks to your help, Young Brother Tang. I didn¡¯t recognize you as the famous young master of Cloud City. Turns out the most talented young person in Cloud City isn¡¯t from the Liu family, but from the Tang family."

    "It¡¯s nothing. All the credit goes to my master," Tang Yan casually mentioned his master¡¯s name once again.

    "Let¡¯s skip the pleasantries. What brings you to Miao Dan Pavilion today?" Master Ge asked with a smile.

    Tang Yan didn¡¯t beat around the bush, "I came here as instructed by my master to discuss a business deal with Miao Dan Pavilion."

    Upon hearing that Tang Yan was presenting a third-tier pill formula, Master Ge¡¯s eyes lit up with interest. "What business are we talking about?"

    "Essence Pulse Powder! When consumed by Yuan Stage warriors, it can significantly improve their meridian quality," Tang Yan explained calmly.

    "What?!" Master Ge nearly jumped out of his seat in shock.

    Improving meridian quality was an extremely rare function for a pill. If he could procure such a formula and bring it to headquarters, it would be a major achievement.

    Tang Yan, caught off guard by Master Ge¡¯s sudden outburst, almost spilled his tea in shock. He muttered, "Master Ge, please sit down and speak properly."

    Master Ge, realizing his slip-up, quickly apologized, "My apologies, my apologies. I got too excited. So, Young Brother Tang, are you looking to sell this formula?"

    "Exactly," Tang Yan nodded.

    As a skilled alchemist, Tang Yan knew Master Ge¡¯s reaction was completely expected.

    He was confident that this deal would make him a substantial fortune. In a world where few pills could improve meridian quality, this formula would be in high demand, especially among the major families.

    In Cloud City, the four great families were in a constant balance of power. But if one family¡¯s younger generation were to gain superior talent, in just a few years, the other three families would be suppressed.

    Thus, despite the formula only being effective for Yuan Stage warriors, it was something all the families would fight to acquire.

 Chapter 25

    "Brother Tang, how do you intend to cooperate?" Master Ge asked, choosing his words carefully.

    "Profit-sharing cooperation," Tang Yan succinctly proposed.

    After a brief moment of thought, Master Ge responded, "From what I know, pills that can improve meridians are at least tier-three in grade. My authority doesn¡¯t allow me to negotiate profit-sharing for high-grade pills.

    I¡¯ll send a message to headquarters and have them send someone to talk to you."

    Tang Yan smiled, "You''re overthinking it. As you said, my master will certainly consider the specifics, but the Essence Pulse Powder is a first-tier top-grade pill. I¡¯m confident that with your expertise, Master Ge, making this pill is no trouble. Other alchemists can make it as well."

    "What? First-tier Essence Pulse Pill?" Master Ge stood up in shock.

    Tang Yan remained composed, taking a sip of tea and watching Master Ge with a smile. "Master Ge, can we sit down and have a proper discussion now?"

    "Of course, of course," Master Ge quickly sat down. As an alchemist, he understood the immense value of such a pill. He eagerly asked, "Brother Tang, don¡¯t keep me in suspense. How can we get this pill formula?"

    "The rights to the formula can be sold for one million taels of silver to Miao Dan Pavilion. As for the profits, we¡¯ll do a 30-70 split, with Miao Dan Pavilion getting 70%," Tang Yan said, calculating the offer.

    One million taels might seem like a lot, but compared to the value of the Essence Pulse Powder, it was just a small sum¡ªMiao Dan Pavilion wouldn¡¯t mind paying it.

    "The profit split seems a bit high," Master Ge frowned.

    "For an ordinary formula, a 10% share would be high. But the Essence Pulse formula is extremely rare. You know as well as I do how precious meridian-improving pills are. Besides, Miao Dan Pavilion isn''t the only alchemy faction in Tianxiang Kingdom. We can find other buyers outside of Cloud City. The profit split can definitely be negotiated to 50-50, 60-40, or even 70-30 in your favor. But I¡¯ve given you a generous offer of 30-70, partly to thank you for your help with the cauldron and because I trust Miao Dan Pavilion¡¯s credibility. If it were anywhere else, such a low split would be impossible," Tang Yan explained seriously.

    Master Ge knew that Tang Yan was right, so he nodded in agreement. "How exactly does the Essence Pulse Powder work?"

    "Here it is. Take a look for yourself," Tang Yan said, handing over a porcelain bottle.

    Master Ge uncorked the bottle and used his spiritual sense to probe the contents. A soothing, refreshing fragrance immediately filled the air, and he felt his own meridians, previously sluggish, being invigorated by a burst of fresh energy.

    From just the aroma, Master Ge could tell the quality was impeccable. He apologized quickly and hurried to the appraisal room.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    In about fifteen minutes, Master Ge returned, his face glowing with excitement.

    "Brother Tang, this really is a meridian-improving pill!" Master Ge was overjoyed. The Essence Pulse Powder had exactly the effect he¡¯d expected.

    "Would I joke about something like this?" Tang Yan chuckled.

    "I was too hasty," Master Ge quickly said. "When can we sign the contract? When can you give me the formula?"

    "We can sign now. Once the contract is signed, I¡¯ll hand over the formula," Tang Yan said, making a decision.

    "Great! Let¡¯s get to it!" Master Ge replied eagerly. This was a guaranteed profitable deal, and he wasted no time.

    Using paper and ink, Tang Yan wrote down the formula for the Essence Pulse Powder and the detailed refining process.

    It wasn¡¯t long before Master Ge presented the drafted contract. Tang Yan read it carefully, ensuring every clause, including the monthly settlements, was clear. Satisfied, he signed the contract and stamped it with his seal.

    Master Ge did the same with Miao Dan Pavilion''s seal, and the deal was finalized. He then handed over a thick stack of gold notes to Tang Yan. The business was officially concluded.

    "Excellent! Truly excellent! Your master must be a genius!" Master Ge exclaimed, inspecting the formula. Though it was only a first-tier pill, the refining process was complex and involved many steps.

    This method, which broke the rumor that no meridian-improving pills existed below third-tier, was impressive.

    "You''re too kind. Since we¡¯ve finalized this, I look forward to our future cooperation," Tang Yan replied with a smile, both parties pleased.

    "Brother Tang, whenever you have more formulas, feel free to bring them to Miao Dan Pavilion. I¡¯ll ensure we maximize your profits," Master Ge added warmly.

    "Such formulas are rare, and my master took a long time to develop this one. If we have any more in the future, we¡¯ll definitely cooperate with you. For now, I¡¯ll take my leave. I¡¯ll come by again when I have time," Tang Yan said, cupping his fists.

    Master Ge quickly saw him out.

    As they exited, the atmosphere in the hall, which had previously been noisy, suddenly became quiet.

    "Greetings, Master Ge!" Everyone in the hall greeted him respectfully.

    "No need for formalities, go ahead with your work. I¡¯ll see Brother Tang out," Master Ge nodded, dismissing everyone before leading Tang Yan out.

    To Tang Yan''s surprise, the woman in white who had caught his attention earlier had not yet left. She immediately approached Master Ge and coldly asked, "Are you Master Ge?"

    "Yes. May I ask who you are?" Master Ge asked coolly, having been blocked.

    "Can you refine a third-tier top-grade pill?" The woman¡¯s voice was as cold as ice.

    "Sorry, I¡¯m only a second-tier alchemist and cannot refine such a pill," Master Ge replied, growing increasingly irritated. "Third-tier top-grade pills are nearly impossible to find. You might want to try in Dongzhou."

    "Sorry for the disturbance," the woman said curtly before turning and leaving Miao Dan Pavilion.

    "Ha, sorry for making you laugh, Brother Tang," Master Ge sighed, watching the woman leave.

    "It¡¯s no problem, Master Ge. You¡¯re welcome to visit my Tang family anytime," Tang Yan offered.

    "Of course, I¡¯ll visit in a few days," Master Ge responded enthusiastically.

    The mention of Tang Family caught the attention of some people in the hall. "Tang Family?" they wondered. "What¡¯s the connection between Miao Dan Pavilion and Tang Family? That young man... Could he be the young master of Tang Family?"

    Tang Yan, holding a stack of gold notes, originally planned to head straight home. However, noticing the woman in white still walking ahead, curiosity got the better of him, and he quietly followed.

    Tang Yan, having mastered many tracking techniques, stealthily followed the woman through the crowded streets, without her noticing.

    After half an hour, the woman only bought some herbs before heading out of the city. Once outside, her pace quickened dramatically. Tang Yan kept up, using his true qi to maintain a safe distance while continuing to observe.

 Chapter 26

    Tang Yan had been tailing the woman for nearly half an hour, but just as he was about to give up, he noticed the target had stopped moving.

    "Have you been following me all this time, sneaking around? Did you think I wouldn¡¯t notice?" The woman¡¯s cold voice sent a jolt through Tang Yan¡¯s mind. How had she noticed him? Despite his efforts to conceal himself, he had still been detected.

    He shook his head, letting out a bitter laugh. He stepped forward.

    "Heh... Miss Zi, you truly are impressive. I was hidden so well, but you still noticed me," Tang Yan said as a grey shadow suddenly rushed toward him.

    Another person? Their aura was just as formidable as the woman¡¯s!

    Tang Yan¡¯s heart sank. Just how many powerful individuals had appeared in Cloud City recently? From the auras of these two, they were at least Earth-level experts.

    The grey-robed man was thin as a reed and didn¡¯t look too bad, but his eyes occasionally glinted with a sinister light, revealing his untrustworthy nature.

    "Huh, there¡¯s someone else?" The grey-robed man, upon seeing Tang Yan, eyed him up and down before laughing mockingly. "I knew Miss Zi was poisoned by my Fire Evil Poison, and I thought she would be too weak to show up, but here she is, and she¡¯s brought a helper. Well, your lover here is just a show-off. He¡¯s no threat at all!"

    Zi Yun, the white-clad woman, was also shocked. How had this man managed to follow her without her noticing?

    Seeing their reactions, Tang Yan felt frustrated and thought to himself, These two hadn¡¯t noticed me at all? I was just accidentally caught up in this mess?

    "Heh, I was just passing by," Tang Yan quickly waved his hand, preparing to leave. "You two continue, don¡¯t mind me."

    "Want to leave? Heh, how could that be? Miss Zi, being kind-hearted as she is, would never let someone like you walk away. If you¡¯re still here, she¡¯ll have to split her focus on protecting you. Now that she¡¯s poisoned, her strength has been greatly reduced to match mine. If you stay here, I¡¯ll have the upper hand!" The grey-robed man grinned sinisterly, revealing his inner thoughts with no shame.

    Zi Yun, her expression hardening, retorted, "Stop thinking too much. He¡¯s a stranger who has been tailing me, so he must be involved with you. If you want to kill him, do so. But today, you won¡¯t leave alive! Even if I die, I¡¯ll make sure you die with me!"

    "Humph, then let me see if you can handle me!" The grey-robed man¡¯s laughter became more ominous, and he leaped toward Tang Yan with the speed of a predator.

    Tang Yan¡¯s heart skipped a beat, realizing the man was stepping through the air¡ªthis was a hallmark of Earth-level experts!

    Although he wasn¡¯t confident he could dodge the attack, Tang Yan quickly began retreating.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    "You dare?" Zi Yun¡¯s voice rang out, and she too leapt into the air, sword in hand.

    Tang Yan cursed inwardly, Why did I follow them? I¡¯m no match for these two powerful experts. One move from either of them could easily kill me!

    "Clang!" Just as the grey-robed man¡¯s attack was about to land, Zi Yun¡¯s sword blocked it, protecting Tang Yan. Tang Yan sighed in relief, realizing that his back was drenched in sweat.

    "Heh, so this kid is your lover? You¡¯re in no condition to protect him!" The grey-robed man sneered, clearly enjoying the sight of Zi Yun¡¯s predicament. "To cure the Fire Evil Poison, you must have intimate relations with a man. How about you surrender to me, and once I¡¯ve killed this little lover of yours, I¡¯ll share your fate in the mountains of lust!"

    "Shameless! Even if I die, I¡¯ll kill you!" Zi Yun¡¯s face reddened with anger, clearly embarrassed by the grey-robed man¡¯s words.

    As the two fought, Tang Yan cautiously observed. The grey-robed man wielded a soft sword, and it moved with a fluid, snake-like grace. Zi Yun, though seemingly more powerful than the grey-robed man, was distracted by his insults and occasional surprise attacks, making it difficult for her to focus. After a few moves, she was already in a perilous position.

    "Dammit, I didn¡¯t ask for this! And now this bastard wants to kill me?" Tang Yan¡¯s anger surged. "You think I¡¯m easy prey because I haven¡¯t fought back? Since you¡¯re so shameless, I¡¯ll show you¡ªnever underestimate anyone!"

    Tang Yan quickly distanced himself from the two fighters, keeping a close eye on the grey-robed man¡¯s swordplay. Step by step, he began to break down the grey-robed man¡¯s moves, analyzing them with precision.

    At the same time, he shouted in a loud voice, ¡°Hey, white-clad guy, your face looks like a shoehorn. Did your father squeeze your face too hard when he was making you? And do you know who your father is? Maybe when your mother was with all those big men, she didn¡¯t even know who the real father was! What are you looking at, huh? I¡¯m not your father!¡±

    His rapid-fire insults hit the grey-robed man like a barrage of bullets, infuriating him beyond belief.

    "You little brat, I¡¯ll kill you!" The grey-robed man, enraged, forced Zi Yun back and rushed toward Tang Yan.

    Tang Yan, never taking his eyes off the man, saw his movement. His eyes sharpened, and he spoke to Zi Yun, "Miss Zi, aim for his left side with three parts strength and stab directly!"

    Zi Yun, on instinct, glanced to the left and immediately saw the small but significant opening. With a surge of excitement, she thrust her sword forward with incredible speed, catching the grey-robed man off guard.

    In the world of martial arts, even the slightest mistake could result in a fatal error.

    The grey-robed man, who had been pressing Zi Yun relentlessly, now felt the threat of Zi Yun¡¯s sword. He quickly shifted from offense to defense, retreating to block the incoming attack.

    "To the right, nine inches, swing your sword horizontally, aiming for his lower ribs with seven parts strength!" Tang Yan shouted again.

    Zi Yun, recognizing the opening, swiftly executed the move, her sword landing precisely where Tang Yan had instructed.

    The grey-robed man, who had thought he was winning, now found himself in a position where he had to defend against a much stronger attack. Each of Zi Yun¡¯s blows hit with precision, and his strength waned with every passing second.

    "Spin your body, use ten parts strength, and attack his upper ribs with a horizontal swing!" Tang Yan shouted again, his voice like a battle cry.

    Zi Yun, fully trusting Tang Yan now, executed the move with perfect fluidity. Her body spun through the air, the sword cutting through the air with devastating force.

    The grey-robed man, realizing he was outmatched, could no longer defend. His body was struck by the sword with a deafening crack, and he was sent flying backward, defeated.

    Tang Yan, with a cruel smile on his face, watched as the grey-robed man collapsed. His tactics had worked¡ªhis on-the-spot commands had turned the tide, securing their victory.

 Chapter 27

    At this moment, White Qing, full of frustration, was thinking that perhaps letting that brat go earlier would have been the better choice.

    The incoming sword strike was powerful, not giving White Qing any time to regret. He could only grit his teeth and expend every bit of energy to defend himself.

    But repeating the same move in a short time is always difficult, and White Qing was already struggling to gather enough energy to resist the attack.

    This time, the purple-clad woman, Purple Yun, was using all her strength, adding the momentum of her spinning body to her strike.

    With force upon force, White Qing¡¯s defense crumbled, and he was forced to retreat, step by step.

    Purple Yun, even with her injuries, was so focused and determined that she almost forgot the fire poison still affecting her body. Instead, she was lost in the battle, exhilarated by the strength of the attacks.

    The youth, under her command, had instructed her with such precision: The first strike caught White Qing off guard and exploited a weak spot. The second stabilized the situation, forcing White Qing into defense. The third was simple but effective, pushing him back decisively.

    Even in her prime, it would have been hard for Purple Yun to achieve such a result in only three moves. But this young man, seemingly just a son of a small family in Cloud City, had achieved this with such ease.

    "Hey, what are you waiting for?" Seeing that Purple Yun was momentarily stunned by the result, Tang Yan couldn¡¯t help but shout, ¡°Hurry up and strike, cut his head off!¡±

    Purple Yun snapped back to her senses at Tang Yan''s words and quickly moved to strike again, but White Qing, having regained some of his composure, was prepared this time and narrowly avoided the attack.

    "Seriously, how did you even make it to the Heavenly Realm with such bad battle experience?" Tang Yan sighed in exasperation, shaking his head. "You should''ve pressed your advantage when you had the chance."

    Yet, despite her mistake, Purple Yun¡¯s strength forced White Qing back once more. At this point, White Qing had already lost his will to win. His only thought was to escape from the situation.

    However, when he noticed that he was flying toward Tang Yan, his eyes narrowed with malice. This brat had interrupted his plans¡ªhe was going to kill him for it.

    Tang Yan, who had been following the flow of the battle, immediately saw White Qing¡¯s trajectory and knew that this was his chance.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

    Using the power of his Heaven and Earth Transformation Fire, he gathered it quickly in his palm and shot a burst of blue flame at White Qing¡¯s throat. In a split second, White Qing¡¯s neck was punctured, and he died without uttering a single scream.

    Purple Yun, having just realized what had happened, rushed to Tang Yan¡¯s side in shock. "Did you kill him?"

    "Well, he was trying to kill me, and I just made a mistake. He got killed in the process," Tang Yan replied with a nonchalant shrug.

    Purple Yun stood there, stunned. Just moments ago, she had thought Tang Yan was some foolish, flirtatious boy. Now, she had seen firsthand how this "boy" was capable of killing a Heavenly Realm expert with ease.

    She was perplexed¡ªhow could someone who seemed so weak earlier, so harmless, have the strength to deal such a blow? Yet, it seemed impossible for anyone at her level to miss the power that emanated from Tang Yan.

    Purple Yun, still in shock, glanced at White Qing¡¯s lifeless body and shivered. "How did you kill him?" she asked in disbelief.

    "I have my own tricks," Tang Yan replied lightly, his face showing no hint of concern. "He was attacking me. I just used the right protection, and that was it."

    Realizing that Tang Yan had used some form of defense to kill White Qing, Purple Yun paused. She wasn¡¯t sure if she should feel relieved or worried. After all, he had been the one who had taken down a Heavenly Realm expert in the blink of an eye.

    Tang Yan, looking at the spoils from White Qing¡¯s body, started to rummage through his possessions. In addition to a few stacks of silver notes, he found two three-star level elixirs. Though Tang Yan didn¡¯t have much interest in elixirs, these particular ones were called "Increase Yuan Pills," which would be a perfect supplement for his grandfather.

    "These are the real spoils," Tang Yan muttered, putting the items into his pouch. "Everything else is just junk."

    Meanwhile, Purple Yun¡¯s thoughts were racing as she observed Tang Yan. Not only had he orchestrated the entire fight with masterful precision, but now he was also looting the corpse as if it were an afterthought.

    "Wait a minute," she said suddenly, feeling a shift in her awareness. The effects of the fire poison seemed to be creeping up again. Her vision began to blur, and she realized the poison had become impossible to suppress.

    Before she could think further, she found herself losing control. Tang Yan''s scent, the aura around him, seemed to overwhelm her senses. Her body instinctively reached for him.

    With one last ounce of clarity, Purple Yun whispered, "Kill me, and send my body back to Purple Bamboo City. Don¡¯t violate me. If I wake up, I won¡¯t forgive you."

    Tang Yan froze. He hadn¡¯t expected this. She was clearly delirious from the poison, but still, her words carried a weight. Acting quickly, he knocked her out to prevent any further complications.

    As soon as Purple Yun fell unconscious, Tang Yan carried her in his arms and swiftly began running back toward the city, already planning the antidote he would need to save her.

    When Purple Yun woke up, she found herself lying in an unfamiliar room. The elegant surroundings indicated it wasn¡¯t a normal household, and as she tested her energy, she realized her dantian was completely drained. It took her a moment to process where she was, and her heart skipped a beat when she noticed the change in her clothes.

    She didn¡¯t remember what had happened before she passed out, but it was clear to her now¡ªshe was no longer in control of the situation.

 Chapter 28

    ¡°Don¡¯t be shocked, and don¡¯t try to cultivate your true energy just yet. The Fire Curse has been cured, though not in the way you think.

    Your clothes were changed by my servant. In a few days, I¡¯ll refine some medicine for you to help restore your strength.¡± A gentle voice sounded from across the room. Purple Yun looked up to see the same young man she had encountered earlier.

    ¡°How did you cure the poison?¡± Purple Yun asked coldly, still not trusting him.

    ¡°Why should I tell you? Just remember, you weren''t harmed. If you don''t believe me, you can check for yourself,¡± Tang Yan shrugged, continuing, ¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking¡ªyou¡¯ll kill me if I don¡¯t tell you. But right now, your dantian is inactive, so you can¡¯t fight me. And don¡¯t try to threaten me; I¡¯m not falling for that trick.¡±

    Purple Yun¡¯s temper flared at Tang Yan¡¯s nonchalance, but she realized that she didn¡¯t feel any discomfort. Her anxieties eased just a little, though she still glared at him and muttered, ¡°I¡¯ll let you go for now, but if I find out you did something to me, you won¡¯t escape my wrath.¡±

    ¡°First off, I saved you, so if you don¡¯t believe me, feel free to end it all yourself. Second, don¡¯t try to blackmail me. If you upset me, I¡¯ll kick you out of my family. You¡¯re beautiful, but defenseless, so if some lowlife takes advantage of you, don¡¯t blame me,¡± Tang Yan retorted.

    Purple Yun was fuming, her cheeks puffing up in anger, but she didn¡¯t say anything further. Inside, however, she cursed him a thousand times over.

    Noticing that she had fallen silent, Tang Yan spoke again, ¡°You can stay in the Tang family for now. When your strength is restored, you can leave if you want. I¡¯m going to train now.¡±

    With that, Tang Yan left the room.

    Purple Yun watched him go, lost in thought. Could it be that in this world, there really is a man like Liu Xiahui, who can resist temptation without batting an eye?

    <hr>

    Tang Laozi had been smiling more frequently as of late.

    For many years, his son had been missing, and his grandson had always been a disappointment. The lack of successors in the Tang family had been a heavy burden on Tang Ling¡¯s heart.

    Then came the blow when Tang Yan¡¯s dantian was destroyed, which extinguished Tang Laozi¡¯s hopes. All he could do was try to protect his grandson¡¯s peaceful life.

    Now, however, Tang Yan had stumbled upon incredible luck, finding a mysterious master who not only restored his dantian but also elevated his strength to the eighth level of the Yuan Realm. This gave Tang Laozi a new sense of hope for the future.

    It felt as if he had grown decades younger. Even some bonsai plants that hadn¡¯t been tended to in years were now carefully trimmed every day.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

    ¡°Old Master! Old Master!¡± Just as Tang Laozi was trimming an orchid in his study, Mo Bo rushed in with an urgent expression.

    Tang Laozi, well familiar with his old friend¡¯s temperament, knew that Mo Bo would never act so hastily unless something serious had happened.

    ¡°Mo, don¡¯t get so worked up. What¡¯s going on? Did Tang Yan cause some trouble again?¡±

    ¡°No, no!¡± Mo Bo said, clearly excited. His face was flushed with joy. ¡°Young Master hasn¡¯t caused trouble¡ªhe¡¯s made a great contribution!¡±

    ¡°A contribution? What kind of contribution?¡± Tang Laozi put down the bonsai, his interest piqued.

    ¡°Do you remember how Young Master reprimanded the guards at the training grounds a while ago and started overseeing their training?¡± Mo Bo asked, his voice full of mystery.

    ¡°Stop keeping me in suspense. What happened to the guards?¡± Tang Laozi urged.

    ¡°All 120 guards broke through their previous limits today and all advanced to the first rank of the Yellow Realm!¡± Mo Bo shouted with excitement.

    ¡°Ah, what¡¯s the big deal? Advancing is normal, right? Just promote the ones who advanced and encourage them,¡± Tang Laozi waved his hand dismissively. But then, he suddenly froze, his body going stiff.

    He quickly grabbed Mo Bo by the arm and shouted, ¡°What did you just say? All 120 guards have reached the first rank of the Yellow Realm? Are you serious?¡±

    ¡°Cough, cough, Old Master, calm down. Let¡¯s take it slow. I only heard it from Yan Jun, and I rushed here to report it without verifying the details,¡± Mo Bo stammered, feeling as if his old bones were about to fall apart from the sudden shake.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, enough talking. Let¡¯s check the training grounds!¡± Tang Laozi urged, pulling Mo Bo along with him.

    Yan Jun was a trustworthy person, and Tang Laozi didn¡¯t believe he would lie about something like this. But the idea that 120 guards had all reached the Yellow Realm in one night was unbelievable. He had to see it for himself.

    When they arrived at the training grounds, they felt a heavy and focused energy even before entering. Both Tang Laozi and Mo Bo, both experienced in the Earth Realm, could clearly sense the auras emanating from inside. Many of the auras felt like Yellow Realm power.

    Suppressing their shock, Tang Laozi took a deep breath and pushed open the door.

    ¡°Greetings, Old Master!¡±

    ¡°Greetings, Mo Bo!¡±

    As soon as they entered, all the guards immediately stood at attention and saluted.

    Tang Laozi smiled and nodded at them, asking loudly, ¡°I heard that all of you have advanced?¡±

    ¡°Replying to the Old Master, all 120 members of the Tang family¡¯s guard have reached the first rank of the Yellow Realm!¡± Yan Jun, who had come running over, also looked excited. He turned to the guards and shouted, ¡°Line up!¡±

    In an instant, 120 guards stood tall and straight, their auras unified, full of power.

    ¡°Follow my command and perform the Tang family¡¯s boxing technique!¡± Yan Jun shouted, ¡°Ready! Begin!¡±

    ¡°Roar! Ha! Ha!¡± With Yan Jun¡¯s command, all the guards swiftly performed the Tang family¡¯s boxing techniques. The sound of their energy gathering filled the air, and the wind from their movements caused the space to tremble. The scene was awe-inspiring.

    Tang Laozi stood frozen, his eyes wide in shock. One by one, he looked at the guards, realizing that every single one had reached the Yellow Realm. It was a sight he had never dared imagine.

    Even Mo Bo, who had heard the reports earlier, was completely stunned. Seeing 120 Yellow Realm warriors in front of him left him speechless.

    ¡°Not bad! Not bad!¡± Tang Laozi praised repeatedly, though his joy was tempered by disbelief. He quickly called over Yan Jun and whispered, ¡°Yan Jun, how did they all advance?¡±

    Tang Laozi had managed to secure a position among the four major families of Cloud City for a reason¡ªhe wasn¡¯t a fool. To have 120 guards all advance to the Yellow Realm in one night was highly unusual. There must have been some other opportunity involved.

    ¡°Yan Jun, tell me everything,¡± Mo Bo urged.

 Chapter 29

    ¡°Thanks to Young Master, he gave me more than a hundred pills yesterday, instructing me to distribute them among the guards. He said these pills are the best among the second-tier ones. I didn¡¯t believe it at first, but after just one night, everyone broke through. I, too, broke past my previous limits and advanced to the Fourth Rank of the Yellow Realm,¡± Mo Yan Jun said, his voice filled with excitement.

    ¡°One hundred pills to help everyone advance to the Yellow Realm!¡± Tang Laozi felt numb all over.

    To achieve such effects, the pills would have to be at least second-tier mid-grade. A single pill like that would cost no less than forty to fifty thousand silver coins in the market. And with more than a hundred pills, that¡¯s millions of silver coins! Even the Tang family, no matter how wealthy, would feel the sting from such a large sum.

    Instantly, Tang Laozi¡¯s thoughts turned to Tang Yan¡¯s mysterious master.

    ¡°Old Master, according to the Young Master¡¯s calculations, with the 120 guards, their monthly salary would now be 24,000 silver coins,¡± Mo Yan Jun said, his tone more cautious.

    Tang Laozi remembered the rewards Tang Yan had set up for the guards when they were training. At the time, he hadn¡¯t thought it would progress so quickly. Now he realized how wrong he was.

    The Tang family could still afford the extra 24,000 silver coins per month for now. But once the guards advanced to the second, third, or even fourth ranks of the Yellow Realm, or perhaps to the Xuan Realm, the Tang family¡¯s daily expenditure would escalate to an astronomical amount.

    However, Tang Laozi didn¡¯t mind having so many experts. He was more than happy if the Tang family¡¯s guards were all at the Heavenly Realm. With a wave of his hand, he said, ¡°This is nothing. With these guards, the Tang family will remain invincible and create even more wealth. The reward system that Little Yan set up before should be followed through.¡±

    After spending half an hour in the training ground, Tang Laozi walked outside, his mood impossible to describe, as if he were floating.

    One hundred Yellow Realm experts! How much combat strength had the Tang family gained overnight?

    Lost in his thoughts, Tang Laozi looked up and realized he was heading toward his grandson¡¯s residence. It had been a while since he had spoken to Tang Yan, so he decided to go visit him.

    <hr>

    At Tang Yan¡¯s courtyard, Xiao Cui and Purple Yun were sitting on two wicker chairs, watching Tang Yan practice while chatting.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    Purple Yun was born beautiful, with an extraordinary aura, exuding a natural nobility. This made Xiao Cui very shy at first, but Purple Yun¡¯s gentle and unassuming way of chatting soon brought them closer.

    Women¡¯s conversations, when sparked by one person, could flow endlessly. Before long, Purple Yun had learned nearly everything about Tang Yan¡¯s background.

    But the more Purple Yun learned, the more her brows furrowed.

    Although it was her first time meeting Tang Yan yesterday, his decisiveness and precision in battle had impressed her. Such judgment and skill could never be achieved without intense study and practice.

    On the other hand, Xiao Cui described Tang Yan as a carefree, lazy playboy who had only recently changed in the past month.

    As the eldest daughter of Purple Bamboo City, Purple Yun had excellent judgment. She was sure Xiao Cui, with her innocent demeanor, was telling the truth.

    With these thoughts in mind, Purple Yun¡¯s curiosity about Tang Yan grew. A man who could deceive a servant who had been by his side for more than ten years¡ªwhat kind of monster was he?

    Her gaze landed on Tang Yan, who was currently practicing six odd moves in the courtyard.

    Each movement had a wide range, and the awkwardness of the postures made Purple Yun wonder if Tang Yan would twist himself into a knot if he exerted more force.

    The six moves were not only strange but also linked in a cycle. After completing the sixth move, he would return to the beginning and repeat the process.

    Although Purple Yun considered herself a top-tier expert at the Heavenly Realm, she realized that if she tried to imitate Tang Yan¡¯s movements, it wouldn¡¯t be as easy as it seemed. What were these six moves?

    Tang Yan wasn¡¯t concerned with Purple Yun¡¯s thoughts. These six moves were the Extreme Six Techniques he had created in his past life.

    Each move was the absolute limit of what the human body could endure. Humans had vast potential, and the goal was to push each move to its extreme without harming oneself. Every move used several principles, and each required maximum effort.

    This intense training would drain Tang Yan¡¯s true energy completely within half an hour.

    At that point, he would take a pill and restore himself to peak condition.

    The continuous cycle of draining and refilling his energy allowed for rapid cultivation improvement.

    While effective, very few could sustain these moves, and even fewer could master them. Furthermore, Tang Yan would never easily share such a valuable technique.

    ¡°Ugh, I¡¯m so tired!¡± After repeating the moves three times, Tang Yan finally stopped. His clothes were drenched in sweat.

    ¡°You two, move aside, I¡¯m going to shower and change,¡± Tang Yan said with a yawn, pointing toward the door.

    ¡°Why not change in your room?¡± Purple Yun shot him a look.

    ¡°The water is right here, I¡¯ll rinse off and change here. This is my house; you just follow my lead,¡± Tang Yan said lazily.

    ¡°Fine, you want to change in front of me? Go ahead, show me,¡± Purple Yun huffed, not believing Tang Yan would actually do it.

    However, she underestimated Tang Yan¡¯s boldness. With a swish, he was down to just his underwear.

    ¡°Ah!¡± Purple Yun yelped, frozen in place.

    ¡°Haha, I told you to move, but you didn¡¯t listen. Now you have no choice but to run away,¡± Tang Yan grinned mischievously, picking up a wooden bucket to rinse off his sweat. Just then, the door was kicked open with a loud bang.

    ¡°Yan¡¯er, oh?¡± Tang Laozi rushed in, and froze in shock when he saw his grandson standing in his underwear in the courtyard, with a beautiful woman nearby. What on earth was going on here?

 Chapter 30

    ¡°Eh?¡± Tang Yan, who had only intended to scare Purple Yun, was taken aback when his grandfather suddenly barged in. With a splash, he poured the water over himself, hastily rinsing off his body before grabbing his clothes and rushing to his room.

    ¡°Ha ha...¡± Xiao Cui, who had been watching from the side, couldn¡¯t hold back a laugh, then quickly realized it wasn¡¯t the best time and hurriedly gave a respectful bow. ¡°Greetings, Old Master.¡±

    ¡°No need for formalities. Who is this young lady?¡± Tang Laozi asked curiously as he sized up Purple Yun. With his vast life experience, he could tell that Purple Yun¡¯s aura was far from ordinary.

    Purple Yun smiled faintly, and without any visible motion, she produced a jade token out of thin air.

    The jade was pure and translucent, almost like cream, with the characters "Purple Bamboo" etched in the center and a single character ¡°Yun¡± carved at the bottom right corner.

    Tang Laozi¡¯s pupils shrank, his astonishment evident as he asked, ¡°Could it be that you¡¯re Miss Purple Yun from Purple Bamboo City?¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t expect Old Master Tang to know me. I¡¯m honored!¡± Purple Yun responded with a graceful bow.

    Upon hearing Purple Yun¡¯s confirmation, Tang Laozi couldn¡¯t help but inhale sharply. Aside from the royal family, there were three major forces in the Listening Fragrance Kingdom: Purple Bamboo City, the Rakshasa Sect, and the Gathering Immortals Palace. Among these, Purple Bamboo City was the most powerful.

    Purple Bamboo City had produced many talented individuals, many of whom were renowned throughout the kingdom. One of these was Purple Yun herself.

    At only thirty years old, it was said that she had already reached the Heavenly Realm, a prodigy who had astonished everyone.

    Suppressing his surprise, Tang Laozi responded politely, ¡°Miss Yun, your name is well-known. How could I not have heard of you? You should have informed me before entering my Tang family. Otherwise, people might think that I¡¯ve neglected such an esteemed guest.¡±

    Purple Yun''s mind spun, and a thought formed. She smiled gently, saying, ¡°I happened to have some business in Cloud City and intended to stay low, not disturbing anyone. It¡¯s a fortunate encounter that I met Young Master Tang.¡±

    Tang Laozi, recalling that Tang Yan had walked out in nothing but his undergarments in front of Purple Yun, felt a cold sweat forming on his forehead. ¡°That boy... his behavior is rather... rebellious. If he offended you, please forgive him.¡±

    ¡°Sometimes, it''s not bad for the young to be a bit bold,¡± Purple Yun said with a light chuckle.

    ¡°I¡¯m curious, how did you come to meet Yan¡¯er?¡± Tang Laozi asked, still intrigued.

    Purple Yun didn¡¯t directly explain but instead smiled, ¡°I happened upon him by chance and noticed that he has some potential. In a small place like Cloud City, I feared he might be overlooked, so I wanted to take him back to Purple Bamboo City for proper training.¡±Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    Upon hearing this, Tang Laozi¡¯s heart raced. Purple Bamboo City¡ªone of the kingdom''s top forces, and its resources were vast. If Tang Yan could be trained there, reaching the Heavenly Realm would not be impossible.

    However, Tang Laozi only had one grandson¡ªTang Yan. Letting him go would be a difficult decision. He hesitated for a while before sighing and saying, ¡°Miss Yun, you may not know, but Tang Yan already has a teacher. We can¡¯t allow him to join another force just yet. Perhaps we should ask him for his opinion later.¡±

    ¡°May I ask who his teacher is?¡± Purple Yun inquired, now understanding why Tang Yan had appeared so extraordinary¡ªthere must be a powerful figure guiding him.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure. All I know is that his teacher lives an untroubled life, detached from the mundane world, rarely making an appearance,¡± Tang Laozi replied, shaking his head. ¡°That senior has helped our Tang family tremendously, but we¡¯ve never had the chance to thank them properly.¡±

    ¡°I see,¡± Purple Yun nodded, and then smiled, ¡°In that case, I won¡¯t press the matter. However, Tang Yan is indeed a talent. He has unique insights into martial arts. If I were to leave now, I would feel regret. I¡¯ll stay for a while and offer him some guidance. What do you think, Old Master?¡±

    Tang Laozi¡¯s heart soared with excitement. He had no objections at all. ¡°Please, Miss Yun. Stay as long as you need. The Tang family will gladly welcome you.¡±

    Purple Yun refused with a smile, saying, ¡°There¡¯s no need for such formalities. This small courtyard is quite nice, and there are empty rooms. I¡¯ll stay here.¡±

    Tang Laozi had no issue with that and, after waiting a bit, frowned, muttering, ¡°Where is that boy? He¡¯s been gone for so long. Xiao Cui, go call him out!¡±

    Soon, Tang Yan emerged, his head hanging low.

    He had expected an awkward conversation with his grandfather and Purple Yun, but what he didn¡¯t expect was his grandfather¡¯s smiling face, bright as day.

    ¡°Yan¡¯er, Miss Purple Yun is a renowned Heavenly Realm expert from the Listening Fragrance Kingdom. She sees potential in you and wants to offer you some guidance. From now on, you must show her respect, listen carefully, and learn from her. Do you understand?¡± Tang Laozi said sternly.

    ¡°What? A renowned Heavenly Realm expert? I¡¯ve never heard of her,¡± Tang Yan exclaimed, looking at Purple Yun with surprise. Renowned? Was she more famous than the top courtesan by Mingyue River?

    ¡°Have you heard of Purple Bamboo City?¡± Tang Laozi asked.

    ¡°I think I¡¯ve heard of it,¡± Tang Yan replied.

    ¡°Miss Yun is the Third Miss of Purple Bamboo City. To receive her guidance is a great opportunity. If you upset her, don¡¯t let anyone else handle it¡ªI¡¯ll deal with you myself!¡± Tang Laozi warned.

    Seeing his grandfather so serious, Tang Yan felt helpless. What on earth had happened in such a short time? He was only gone to change clothes, and all this had unfolded.

    He took another look at Purple Yun, who playfully winked at him, and he knew she had probably spun some story to his grandfather.

    Realizing how stubborn his grandfather could be, Tang Yan sighed and quickly agreed, ¡°I understand, I will follow her guidance!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s more like it. You two catch up, I have some matters to attend to,¡± Tang Laozi said, eager not to waste time and let Purple Yun guide Tang Yan.

    As soon as his grandfather left, Tang Yan jumped up and asked, ¡°What did you tell my grandfather?¡±

    ¡°Huh? How are you speaking to me like that? Do you want me to tell your grandfather and have him beat you?¡± Purple Yun gave him an icy glare, warning him coldly.

    Tang Yan couldn¡¯t help but roll his eyes and sighed, ¡°I was planning on helping you with some pills to recover your strength, but now it seems I should focus on my own training and ignore the rest.¡±

    Hearing about recovery, Purple Yun immediately perked up and asked, ¡°Tang Yan, how long will it take for me to recover my strength?¡±

    ¡°Considering your current recovery rate, about half a year,¡± Tang Yan added, ¡°Of course, that¡¯s just when you¡¯ll start recovering. How many years it¡¯ll take to fully restore, I don¡¯t know. It could be three to five years, or even twenty or thirty years.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Upon hearing that, Purple Yun¡¯s face turned pale.

    Seeing her reaction, Tang Yan chuckled inwardly, ¡°But with my pills, you might be able to recover in just three months and even improve further.¡±

 Chapter 31

    Purple Yun was quite willing to accept the timeline, quickly shaking Tang Yan¡¯s arm, ¡°Then make the pills for me.¡±

    Tang Yan chuckled, ¡°Beg me, and I¡¯ll help you.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t make them then! I don¡¯t need your help!¡± Purple Yun glared at him, stomping her foot in anger before turning and storming into the room.

    Watching her storm off, Tang Yan couldn¡¯t help but sigh at her fiery temper.

    Of course, he had only been teasing her. If not for Purple Yun¡¯s kindness when he was nearly killed by Bai Qing, he would have already been a goner. He owed her this immense favor, though he hadn¡¯t said it outright, and he kept it in mind, intending to help her restore her strength when he had the time.

    Now that he had reached the Yellow Stage, his need for pills had increased, and the Initial Spirit Pills could no longer fully satisfy his needs.

    He entered his room, grabbed paper and pen, and listed the required materials in detail for Xiao Cui to go purchase. There were an astounding 76 ingredients on the list.

    As July was ending, the Mid-Autumn Festival was fast approaching.

    I wonder how my old comrades from the previous life are doing now?

    The Mid-Autumn Festival... An idea suddenly flashed in Tang Yan¡¯s mind. If he remembered correctly, every year during the Mid-Autumn Festival, the families gathered at Moonlit Lake for the Mid-Autumn Gala.

    The Tang family had been oppressed by the other three major families in Cloud City, and this time, the three families would certainly use the opportunity to strike.

    Tang Yan was the only direct heir left of the Tang family. If he didn¡¯t participate, rumors would spread, and people would start calling the Tang family weak and leaderless, leading to fewer forces willing to affiliate with them.

    But if he participated in the competition, whether in the civil debate or martial arts contest, he would be targeted by the others, and the risks would be significant.

    In previous years, the Tang family had always endured shame, but this year¡­ Tang Yan smiled coldly to himself.

    However, he wasn¡¯t blindly arrogant. He knew there was still a huge gap between him and the other family¡¯s younger generation. For example, Liu Zhi from the Liu family, who had already reached Yellow Stage 8th Rank according to the spies¡¯ reports. In truth, his actual strength might have already reached the 9th Rank.

    The same went for Wu Feiming from the Wu family and Qin Jiushan from the Qin family, both of whom were in the Yellow Stage 7th Rank.

    His own 1st Rank strength was still far too weak!

    To bring glory to the Tang family at the competition, he would need to do more preparation.

    <hr>

    At the City Lord¡¯s Manor in Cloud City, Lin Xiao and his wife were sitting down, drinking wine.

    Looking at his wife, who had finally removed her veil and was smiling brightly, Lin Xiao suddenly felt a bit dazed. It had been many years since he had seen her smile so radiantly.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    ¡°Dear, for all these years, you¡¯ve done so much for my scar, I really feel bad,¡± Lin¡¯s wife said gently.

    ¡°We¡¯re old friends, no need for formalities,¡± Lin Xiao responded, his voice thick with emotion. ¡°That scar has been a source of regret for me for so long, and it¡¯s all thanks to that young man from the Tang family.¡±

    ¡°Soon, it will be my birthday. Let¡¯s invite him over and properly thank him,¡± Lin¡¯s wife suggested.

    ¡°Mm. During the celebration, the families of Cloud City will come to give their greetings. And as for Tang Yan¡¯s gift of the Scarless Pill, it¡¯s clear that he wants us to owe him a favor. When we thank him in person, we can also deter the other three families, preventing them from attacking the Tang family too easily. This is likely his intention, and we¡¯ll return the favor accordingly,¡± Lin Xiao said, his eyes sharp as he analyzed Tang Yan¡¯s motives.

    ¡°That sounds good. Our manor rarely owes anyone a favor. It would be good to settle this debt early. As long as the family rivalry doesn¡¯t go too far, we should avoid over-involvement,¡± Lin¡¯s wife agreed, nodding.

    ¡°Tang Yan, that boy, he gives me the impression that he¡¯s not simple. Every time I think about our conversation with him, I feel like he¡¯s always strategizing, making it hard to resist following his lead.¡±

    ¡°I originally thought the Tang family wouldn¡¯t have much of a future, but starting this year, they will surely rise to prominence,¡± Lin Xiao said, sipping his tea and casting a deep glance toward the Tang family¡¯s direction.

    <hr>

    Back in the alchemy room, Tang Yan skillfully tossed the ingredients into the alchemy furnace.

    This time, he was refining the ¡°High Spirit Pill,¡± which was a more potent version of the Initial Spirit Pill, amplifying the spiritual energy threefold. In terms of difficulty, it reached the level of a second-tier, low-grade pill.

    After a night of refining, Tang Yan had produced a decent stock of High Spirit Pills, enough for the near future.

    After a short rest, Tang Yan began to refine the pills for Purple Yun¡¯s recovery.

    Once he had prepared all the necessary pills, he yawned and walked out of the alchemy room.

    Upon opening the door, he froze.

    The morning sunlight was bright and vibrant, and Purple Yun stood gracefully in the courtyard, bathed in the glow. She appeared elegant and saintly, and Tang Yan felt a momentary flutter in his chest.

    Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Tang Yan smiled, ¡°Silly girl, why are you up so early?¡±

    Turning to look at him coldly, Purple Yun spoke slowly, ¡°If you dare call me ¡®silly girl¡¯ again, believe me, I¡¯ll beat you into a pig¡¯s head!¡±

    ¡°Then I¡¯ll give you the chance to turn me into a pig¡¯s head,¡± Tang Yan smiled, handing her two porcelain bottles. ¡°This is a Qi Recovery Pill. Take one every three days. The recovery speed depends on you¡ªabout forty days at the fastest, or up to three months.¡±

    ¡°This is the Initial Spirit Pill, mild in nature, perfect for your current condition.¡±

    Purple Yun was momentarily stunned. She had thought Tang Yan had completely forgotten about the pills or didn¡¯t know how to make them. To her surprise, after just one night, he had prepared everything.

    Taking the porcelain bottles, Purple Yun uncorked the Qi Recovery Pill, and a pure, revitalizing aura immediately filled the air. Her eyes widened in surprise. ¡°You can refine second-tier pills?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worship me. I¡¯m a legend,¡± Tang Yan shrugged.

    ¡°Arrogant!¡± Purple Yun rolled her eyes at him before turning to head inside. Just before entering, she turned back and smiled at him, ¡°Thank you.¡±

    With her long, ink-black hair cascading over her shoulders and her bright eyes and pearly teeth sparkling like stars, she looked so enchanting that it took Tang Yan by surprise¡ªhis heart fluttered involuntarily.

    This little demon!

    After Purple Yun disappeared inside, a voice rang out from behind, ¡°Young Master, you don¡¯t seriously have a crush on Sister Purple Yun, do you?¡±

    ¡°If you keep talking nonsense, I¡¯ll beat you up!¡± Tang Yan, realizing he had lost composure, shouted at Xiao Cui. ¡°Hurry up and prepare breakfast!¡±

    ¡°Yes, Young Master!¡± Xiao Cui, knowing Tang Yan¡¯s mood well, bounced off to prepare breakfast.

    <hr>

    Two days passed quickly. With the aid of the High Spirit Pills, Tang Yan¡¯s strength had reached Yellow Stage 2nd Rank.

    Such rapid progress surprised Purple Yun, who had been keeping an eye on Tang Yan. She remembered that just two days ago, there had been no sign of him preparing for a breakthrough.

    Purple Yun herself was also recovering well. Her dantian was finally starting to produce spiritual energy, which gave her confidence in her full recovery.

    One day, just as Tang Yan was about to continue his training, Tang Laozi arrived at his courtyard.

    ¡°Boy, tell me, what¡¯s going on?¡± As soon as he saw Tang Yan, Tang Laozi immediately asked.

 Chapter 32

    Hearing his grandfather¡¯s seemingly random question, Tang Yan was taken aback and put on a pitiful expression. ¡°What do you mean, ¡®what¡¯s going on¡¯? I¡¯ve been listening to you these past few days, and haven¡¯t disrespected Miss Purple Yun at all.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant. The City Lord¡¯s wife is celebrating her birthday today, and she sent a personal invitation first thing this morning,¡± said Tang Laozi.

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s perfectly normal, right? The major families in Cloud City must have received the invitations too,¡± Tang Yan replied dismissively.

    ¡°Bullshit! What I meant is, why does the invitation specifically ask for you to attend?¡± Tang Laozi pulled out an invitation and handed it to Tang Yan.

    Tang Yan took it, and sure enough, at the bottom of the invitation, there was a line of elegant writing: Please ensure that Master Tang Yan attends.

    Suddenly, Tang Yan guessed what was going on. The Scarless Pill he gave the City Lord¡¯s wife must have worked wonders.

    However, Tang Yan didn¡¯t want to overcomplicate the matter. He smiled and said, ¡°How would I know the City Lord¡¯s intentions? If they¡¯re asking me to attend, it¡¯s definitely for a good reason!¡±

    Tang Laozi thought about it and nodded. ¡°True. Let¡¯s get ready and go there around noon.¡±

    After returning to his room, Tang Yan pondered for a while before heading back to his alchemy room to continue his work.

    By noon, Tang Yan tucked a few items into his robes, put on his gold-trimmed white outfit, and grabbed his folding fan. He and his grandfather took the carriage to the City Lord¡¯s mansion.

    The birthday celebration for the City Lord¡¯s wife had attracted attention from the entire city, with long lines of carriages outside the gates. The atmosphere was lively and festive.

    As they stepped out of the carriage, Tang Yan opened his folding fan and walked behind his grandfather toward the hall. His usual swagger and carefree attitude returned as he resumed his previous ¡°dandy¡± persona.

    Upon entering the main hall, people naturally divided into two groups: the younger generation sat together, while the older generation took another area. Though the hall wasn¡¯t yet full, the Tang family¡¯s status as one of the Four Great Families drew immediate attention. The guests were all watching closely to see if the infamous young Tang Yan would do something outrageous again.

    There were eight seats per table in the younger generation¡¯s section, and the seats at the front were reserved for the highest-ranking families. Typically, only the first two tables had special status; the ones further back were not as important.

    However, this time, the first table was already full.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

    Liu Family, Wu Family, and Qin Family had two seats each, while the remaining two seats were occupied by two young members of the Qian Family.

    The Qian family, though considered a second-tier family in Cloud City, had been rising in power due to their business acumen and close ties with the Liu family. It was no surprise that they occupied two seats, but the fact that they were seated at the front implied they were aligned with the Liu family, thus essentially taking up four seats.

    As Tang Yan and Xiao Cui walked toward the first table, he was feigning surprise. ¡°Oh? It¡¯s already full? You two¡ªaren¡¯t you the attendants from the City Lord¡¯s mansion? How did you end up in the main seats?¡±

    He was pointing at the two members of the Qian family.

    Everyone turned to look at them, noting that their red robes and the appearance of attendants did indeed resemble those of the City Lord¡¯s staff.

    ¡°Pfft¡­¡± Some of the younger members of the families couldn¡¯t help but laugh. As the laughter spread, the entire hall began to chuckle.

    The two members of the Qian family turned red with embarrassment. One of them, offended, said, ¡°Look properly, I¡¯m from the Qian family!¡±

    ¡°Qian family? Then why are you sitting in my seat? Want to go up against the Tang family? Get lost!¡± Tang Yan roared as he swiped his hand and slapped both of them across the face.

    The two were caught off guard and slapped so hard that their faces turned bright red.

    ¡°Bang!¡± Before they could react, Tang Yan kicked them both out of their seats.

    The hall fell into complete silence. No one had expected Tang Yan to be so straightforward and audacious. In front of all the major families in Cloud City, not only did he slap Qian Rulong and Qian Shenghu¡¯s faces, but he had humiliated the entire Qian family.

    Tang Laozi¡¯s heart skipped a beat. His grandson seemed to stir up trouble wherever he went.

    Now, the Tang family was already under pressure from all sides. These slaps had only made things worse, turning the feud between the Tang family and Qian family even more intense.

    Qian Shenghu, only 20 years old and already at Yellow Stage 5th Rank, was one of the top young experts in Cloud City. Usually, he walked around in grandeur and had never been publicly humiliated like this. And now, to add insult to injury, it was by the infamous Tang Yan.

    ¡°I¡¯ll kill you!¡± Qian Shenghu shouted, gathering his true qi and slashing at Tang Yan with a sword-like blow.

    ¡°Looking for death!¡± Tang Laozi coldly snorted and threw his tea cup at Qian Shenghu.

    ¡°Bang!¡±

    Qian Shenghu was instantly knocked back, his palm strike disrupted by the tea cup.

    ¡°You¡¯re shameless, Tang Laozi!¡± Qian Shenghu¡¯s father stood up, pointing angrily at Tang Laozi.

    ¡°Hmph! I¡¯m old. I don¡¯t care about my face, but anyone who dares harm a hair on my grandson will have to deal with me!¡± Tang Laozi¡¯s voice carried a murderous intent, sending a shiver through everyone in the hall.

    The crowd fell silent, watching Tang Laozi protect his grandson fiercely. He was like a mad dog defending its cub¡ªhe wouldn¡¯t hesitate to bite anyone who dared approach.

    ¡°Cloud City isn¡¯t your Tang family¡¯s playground. As long as you¡¯re here, you must follow the rules of Cloud City. The older generation should not interfere in the younger generation¡¯s quarrels. What you did was completely out of line,¡± sneered Liu Wuji, the head of the Liu family.

    ¡°Liu is right. You can¡¯t lose your dignity just because you¡¯re old, Tang Laozi,¡± chimed in Wu Wei, the head of the Wu family.

    ¡°Tang Laozi, your actions are unbecoming of the Four Great Families. If you persist, you¡¯ll bring shame upon the family,¡± Qin Feiyue, the patriarch of the Qin family, added, his tone filled with veiled warning.

    The atmosphere in the hall grew tense. The grand gathering was only beginning, and already the Four Great Families were at odds. But this time, it was a three-against-one situation, and the Tang family seemed to be losing.

    ¡°Everyone knows Tang Yan¡¯s weak cultivation; how could he possibly withstand a full blow from a young man from the Qian family?¡± The voice of an elderly man broke the tension.

 Chapter 33

    Everyone turned their attention toward the source of the voice, and when they saw that it was the grand elder of Miaodan Pavilion, Ge Ming, there was an immediate shift in the room. Miaodan Pavilion, like the City Lord¡¯s mansion, usually stayed neutral and kept itself apart from family feuds, so for Ge Ming to speak in favor of the Tang family was unusual and raised suspicions.

    The other three major families exchanged uneasy glances. If the Tang family truly had such strong ties to Miaodan Pavilion, the family that was historically the weakest could very well become a formidable force.

    Tang Laozi hadn¡¯t expected anyone to speak up for the Tang family at this point, and he gave a subtle nod to Ge Ming in gratitude.

    "I think we should let this go," said Liu Wuhui, knowing full well that pressing the issue further would be an affront to Miaodan Pavilion, a powerful entity that the Liu family could not afford to challenge.

    A collective sigh of resignation swept through the room. Since Miaodan Pavilion was backing the Tang family, and with Liu Laozi¡¯s stance, what had started as a thrilling spectacle was effectively defused.

    The City Lord had yet to appear, partly because the guests hadn''t fully arrived and partly because he wanted to observe how Tang Yan would handle the awkwardness of not having a seat.

    Lin Xiao had already pondered how Tang Yan might solve the issue, but all the solutions he considered seemed like they would fail to recover the seat that belonged to the Tang family.

    What Lin Xiao hadn¡¯t expected was that Tang Yan would play the situation so unconventionally. Not only did he strike the members of the Qian family within the City Lord¡¯s mansion, but he also didn''t hesitate to take action when his grandfather, Tang Laozi, showed no qualms about striking the younger members of the Qian family.

    More surprising was that Miaodan Pavilion had come to the Tang family''s defense. What hidden agenda was at play here?

    It seemed that Tang Yan had made a foolish move, but with a series of unexpected events, what could have escalated into a major confrontation had been smoothly diffused, and the Tang family had emerged victorious.

    Just as everyone thought the matter was settling, a sharp voice rang out in the hall: ¡°What a bunch of nonsense from the Four Great Families. When your dogs get beaten, you don¡¯t dare to say a word. If something happens one day, I suppose we¡¯ll just be out of luck, wasting all these years of loyalty.¡±

    Tang Yan¡¯s seemingly casual remark disrupted the atmosphere again.

    The reference to ¡°dogs getting beaten¡± was clearly aimed at the Qian family, who had just been humiliated. The phrase implied that the Qian family had been loyal dogs to the Liu family, which struck a nerve.

    The laughter that had filled the hall turned to awkwardness, as Tang Yan had clearly highlighted the strained relationship between the Qian and Liu families. The alliances were no longer so clear-cut, and the other families watching were now forced to reconsider their own relationships with the Liu family.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Liu Laozi¡¯s face darkened. This young Tang boy was incredibly cunning.

    But now that things had escalated this far, confronting the Tang family would mean directly opposing Miaodan Pavilion, which was not something they could afford to do. This slight against the Qian family would have to be swallowed.

    "Impressive!" The City Lord, Lin Xiao, clapped his hands in approval. He silently marveled at how Tang Yan had handled the situation. The atmosphere had shifted from tension to a precarious balance, with Tang Yan orchestrating a masterstroke.

    Tang Yan nonchalantly took a seat at the front table, and Liu Zhi, with a slight smirk, eyed him. ¡°Ah, so it¡¯s you, Tang Yan. I¡¯m sorry for the last time when I accidentally hit you.¡±

    ¡°Haha, last time there was Miss Lin present, so I held back. But it¡¯s been just a few days, and I¡¯ve already given your brothers Liu Yuan and Liu Quan a good beating. Soon, I¡¯ll pay your whole family a visit,¡± Tang Yan responded with a smile.

    Liu Zhi¡¯s expression turned colder as he glanced at Tang Yan, his voice low and filled with malice: ¡°I look forward to that day. I hope you¡¯re not planning on making me wait until the next life.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the first person I¡¯ve met who actively wants to get beaten,¡± Tang Yan shot back with a sarcastic grin, pushing Liu Zhi to the edge of fury.

    Just as Liu Zhi was about to lash out, a cheerful voice interrupted the tension: ¡°Haha, I¡¯m so grateful to have everyone gathered here today. It truly makes the City Lord¡¯s mansion shine!¡±

    Everyone immediately shifted their attention to Lin Xiao and his wife, who had entered the hall. The earlier atmosphere of tension and confrontation melted away, and the room filled with warm greetings and laughter.

    ¡°Today is my birthday, and I thank you all for coming. Please, drink freely and enjoy yourselves. Let me first offer a toast to everyone!¡± Lin Xiao¡¯s wife gracefully raised her cup and drank in one swift motion.

    ¡°Cheers!¡± The guests responded in unison, raising their glasses and joining in the merriment, the tension now a distant memory.

    As the guests settled, Liu He, the head of the Liu family, stood and bowed to Lin Xiao and his wife. ¡°On this joyous occasion of Madam Lin¡¯s birthday, my Liu family offers this humble gift: two deep-sea night pearls! These pearls, collected by our Liu family, glow as bright as day when placed in a room at night. They also release an aura that soothes the mind and promotes good health. It is a modest gift, but we offer it with all our respect.¡±

    Liu He handed over a wooden box, opened it, and revealed two pearls the size of a fist. Even in the daylight, they emitted a soft glow, clearly rare and valuable.

    ¡°Liu He, you are too kind,¡± Lin Xiao responded, his eyes gleaming with appreciation.

    The Qin family followed suit, presenting a Blue Ice Sword, crafted three hundred years ago by the famed blacksmith Lan Jin. It was known for its sharp blade and its ability to enhance the wielder¡¯s qi flow, improving their combat capabilities.

    The Wu family presented a fine silk vest made from hundred-year-old ice silkworms, claiming that it kept the wearer warm in winter and cool in summer, and was resistant to both extreme cold and heat.

    The gifts from the three families amazed everyone, who marveled at the extravagant wealth and rarity of the items. Many had only heard of such treasures but had never seen them in person. The lavishness of the gifts from the major families left the room in awe.

    The eyes of the guests turned to Tang Laozi, eagerly awaiting what the Tang family would offer.

    As soon as Tang Laozi heard the offerings from the Liu family, his heart sank. He realized that the gifts were far more valuable than the typical offerings for a birthday celebration. When the Qin family presented their rare gift, it became clear that the three families had likely coordinated in advance to outshine the Tang family and make them look inadequate.

    Sure enough, when the Wu family presented their treasure, Tang Laozi¡¯s suspicions were confirmed. He inwardly cursed the three families but was also extremely anxious. The Tang family had only brought ten first-grade, high-quality pills. Although these were valuable compared to the offerings of smaller families, they paled in comparison to the other gifts.

    Tang Laozi was now deeply worried that the City Lord would look down on the Tang family for their insufficient gift and hold it against them.

 Chapter 34

    "Oh? Brother Tang, are you not bringing a gift? Why are you just sitting there?" Liu Wuhui looked at Tang Laozi''s somber expression and couldn''t help but feel a sense of smug satisfaction. He knew that the gift Tang family had brought was far inferior to the gifts from the other three major families.

    The elders from the Qin and Wu families also wore mocking expressions as they looked at Tang Laozi, eagerly waiting to see Tang family¡¯s embarrassing moment.

    The City Lord and other astute individuals had quickly pieced together that the extravagant gifts from the other three families were an attempt to undermine the Tang family. Everyone in the hall could sense that the Tang family was about to suffer a setback.

    Tang Yan, however, remained composed. He had already anticipated their scheme. He stood up, cleared his throat lightly, and smiled, ¡°Time truly favors Lady Lin, she looks just like my sister. I, Tang Yan, wish Lady Lin eternal youth and increasing beauty.¡±

    "How shameless!" The crowd muttered in disbelief. How could this guy say such things so casually?

    Tang Laozi felt his muscles twitching in frustration. Here he was, already worried about the light gift he had brought, and now his grandson was making things worse with his antics.

    However, Lady Lin, upon hearing Tang Yan''s words, couldn''t help but smile, saying, ¡°You speak too much. Time is relentless, no one can escape the passage of time, not even me.¡±

    ¡°You needn¡¯t worry about asking Tang family for a gift anymore,¡± Lady Lin continued, her face lighting up. ¡°Tang family already sent me a gift three days ago. I must thank them for the elixir that removed the scars on my face.¡±

    The rumors about Lady Lin¡¯s disfigurement had spread quietly throughout the city, so it wasn¡¯t exactly a secret. Everyone had noticed her flawless face today, and they had been wondering how she managed it. It turned out that Tang family had sent her the elixir that healed her.

    The people in the hall, especially the heads of the other families, were now looking at Tang family with much more respect. The City Lord had received a huge favor from the Tang family, which made the other families uneasy.

    ¡°Since I¡¯ve already wished Lady Lin eternal youth, I must ensure my blessing is credible,¡± Tang Yan said with a smile. ¡°Thus, Tang family offers this special gift, the Resplendent Youth Pill. Once consumed, it can preserve your beauty for twenty years, and even after twenty years, it will still provide a few more years of anti-aging benefits.¡±

    The crowd was stunned. To maintain one¡¯s beauty for twenty years was truly remarkable, and the effects Tang Yan described were extraordinary. When Lady Lin heard about the effects, her eyes sparkled with excitement. What woman wouldn''t want to preserve her youth, especially one as beautiful as Lady Lin?

    Tang Yan continued, ¡°The grade of this pill is a top-tier second-grade, but the formula is extremely rare. One pill is worth its weight in gold. Today, on Lady Lin¡¯s birthday, I present it as a gift.¡±Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

    As Tang Yan approached with the pill, Lady Lin, usually composed, took a few steps forward in her eagerness. The sincerity in her actions spoke volumes.

    ¡°This elixir was painstakingly made, and its effects have been verified,¡± Tang Yan said confidently. ¡°There are no side effects. Lady Lin, please feel free to take it. If you have any doubts, you may have it tested, and if anything I say proves false, Tang family will accept the consequences.¡±

    Just as Lady Lin was about to take the pill, a clear voice rang out: "May I inspect the pill, Lady Lin?"

    The room fell silent, and everyone turned toward the voice. It was none other than Wu Xuan, the chief alchemist of Miaodan Pavilion.

    The other families weren¡¯t sure if they believed Tang Yan could actually procure such a miraculous elixir, and if Wu Xuan could expose it as a scam, the Tang family would lose face and be punished by the City Lord¡¯s mansion.

    With the precedent of the scar-removal elixir, and in front of so many witnesses, Lady Lin smiled and said, ¡°There¡¯s no need for an inspection. I trust Master Tang.¡±

    Wu Xuan, however, pressed on, ¡°Lady Lin, please don¡¯t misunderstand. I am just deeply passionate about alchemy. I have heard of the Resplendent Youth Pill, but I¡¯ve never had the chance to study one. Since we¡¯re all so fortunate to be here today, would you mind allowing me to examine it?¡±

    Liu Wuhui, from the side, added, ¡°Lady Lin, since Wu Xuan is here, it¡¯s best to have her verify it.¡±

    Tang Yan understood that having someone from Miaodan Pavilion vouch for the elixir would calm Lady Lin¡¯s doubts and improve the Tang family¡¯s reputation. He smiled and said, ¡°That¡¯s fine, please go ahead.¡±

    Lady Lin hesitated for only a moment before handing the pill to Wu Xuan.

    Wu Xuan carefully accepted the pill, uncorked the bottle, and brought it to her nose, sniffing it gently. Her brow furrowed in concentration.

    Everyone in the hall held their breath, eager to see what Wu Xuan would make of it. After a while, she opened her eyes and shook her head.

    Seeing this, Liu Wuhui¡¯s eyes narrowed. Could it be a fake? He tried to remain calm but his curiosity was obvious as he asked, ¡°Wu Xuan, have you noticed something wrong?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been analyzing the ingredients, but I can¡¯t identify a single one,¡± Wu Xuan sighed.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re saying you can¡¯t determine if it¡¯s genuine?¡± Qin Laozi asked, voice laced with suspicion.

    ¡°Is it a fake pill? Tang Yan, how dare you deceive us in the City Lord¡¯s mansion?¡± the head of the Qian family seized the opportunity to retaliate.

    Lady Lin looked confused. Was it real or fake?

    Wu Xuan quickly clarified, ¡°The head of the Qian family is overstating things. My failure to identify the ingredients doesn¡¯t mean the pill is fake.

    The pill is round and smooth, with no sign of leakage of its medicinal power. Whoever made this elixir is undoubtedly a master alchemist.

    From the scent, it¡¯s clear that this pill is meant to enhance vitality, and I am confident that it is genuine.

    Although I have years of experience in alchemy, even I can¡¯t distinguish the individual ingredients in this pill. The reason is that the alchemist has perfectly fused the ingredients, resulting in a single fragrance that is indistinguishable. This is a level of mastery that I, too, can¡¯t achieve.

    This alchemist¡¯s technique is nearly perfect¡ªperhaps at least a fourth-tier alchemist.¡±

    ¡°Fourth-tier alchemist!¡± The room was in an uproar. In the entire Tianxiang Kingdom, there were only a few fourth-tier alchemists. How did the Tang family get their hands on such an incredible elixir?

    Miaodan Pavilion¡¯s alchemists were equally stunned. The skill required to fuse the medicinal ingredients into one undetectable fragrance was extraordinary. It showed a high degree of mental power and innate talent.

    ¡°Seeing this pill in my lifetime is truly a blessing. I must admit, I¡¯m a little envious of Lady Lin,¡± Wu Xuan said with a wry smile.

    Lady Lin, feeling reassured, carefully placed the pill back in her pocket. She smiled at Tang Yan, ¡°Tang family has been very thoughtful. I¡¯ll be sure to visit and express my gratitude personally.¡±

 Chapter 35

    "The Tang is honored to have Lady Lin..." Tang Laozi never expected that his grandson would be this impressive, able to present such a miraculous pill. He couldn''t help but feel immense satisfaction.

    "Tang Gongzi, may I inquire where this elixir came from? Is there any chance I could acquire one?" Wu Xuan, the chief alchemist from Miaodan Pavilion, asked, looking at Tang Yan with a smile.

    At that moment, every person in the hall, men and women alike, turned their gaze toward Tang Yan, especially the women, all eager and full of anticipation.

    "There¡¯s only this one, and it was an unexpected acquisition. I''m afraid I won¡¯t be able to find another," Tang Yan said, suppressing a grin. The pill was one he had personally crafted, and he had made six from one cauldron. But since rarity increases value, if he mentioned that more existed, it would lower the value of this prestigious gift.

    Hearing that there was only one, the women¡¯s faces fell with disappointment.

    After Tang Yan¡¯s incredible gift, the other gifts presented seemed lackluster.

    Fortunately, the City Lord¡¯s attitude was gracious and well-received, and the banquet carried on in a harmonious atmosphere, with guests mingling, the evening slowly drawing to a close.

    As the banquet was winding down, just as Tang Yan was about to leave, he was called over by the City Lord.

    "Tang Yan, come with me," Lin Xiao said.

    Amid the complicated gazes of the others, Tang Yan and the City Lord left the room, leaving behind a mysterious aura.

    At this banquet, the Tang family had become the biggest winner. Not only had they gained attention and acclaim, but they had also secured goodwill from the City Lord''s mansion, putting a damper on any ulterior motives from the other families. It gave the Tang family some breathing room to rise.

    On the other hand, the real losers were the other three families, especially the Liu family. Their schemes against the Tang family had been completely thwarted, and with the issue surrounding the Qian family, any forces allied with the Liu family were now having second thoughts.

    City Lord¡¯s Mansion.

    On a high tower.

    Lin Xiao and Tang Yan stood side by side, gazing out at the city, almost able to see the whole of Yun City from here.

    "Tang Yan, do you think I''m managing Yun City with benevolence or with force?" After a long pause, the City Lord finally spoke, his voice calm as he asked the question.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    "Neither," Tang Yan replied after thinking for a moment.

    "Really?" Lin Xiao was intrigued, smiling as he asked, "Then, what path do you think I follow?"

    "Lord City Lord, you follow the path of moral influence and effortless governance," Tang Yan answered honestly.

    "Ah, the way of effortless governance? What path does your Tang family follow, then?" Lin Xiao asked with a knowing look.

    "Those who don''t harm us, we don''t harm. The Tang family seeks to live in peace with the world," Tang Yan replied plainly.

    Lin Xiao¡¯s eyes narrowed at this. He asked again, ¡°Then tell me, is my way of effortless governance correct or not?¡±

    ¡°There is no absolute right or wrong, only what fits. Whether it fits or not, you, City Lord, surely have your own considerations,¡± Tang Yan responded simply.

    Hearing this, Lin Xiao couldn¡¯t help but feel a new level of respect for Tang Yan. Unlike other outstanding young talents he had spoken with, who always analyzed the pros and cons in ways that suited their family¡¯s interests, Tang Yan¡¯s answer was sincere and revealing. It made it clear that the Tang family didn¡¯t seek to challenge the City Lord, which was a reasonable stance, and Lin Xiao appreciated it.

    ¡°What, then, do you consider the way of kingship?¡± Lin Xiao asked, seemingly enjoying the conversation.

    ¡°Those who defy you, crush them,¡± Tang Yan answered.

    Lin Xiao blinked in surprise. He had lived so long and had never heard anyone put it this bluntly.

    ¡°That¡¯s a direct answer,¡± Lin Xiao chuckled. "And what about the way of tyranny?"

    "Those who submit, crush them too!" Tang Yan answered again, this time even more directly.

    Lin Xiao¡¯s brows shot up. He had never heard anyone explain it like this before. The answer was simple yet incredibly bold, and it spoke to his own sentiments. Lin Xiao smiled wider.

    "And what about benevolence?" Lin Xiao asked playfully.

    "Before you crush them, remind them once," Tang Yan responded.

    Lin Xiao burst into laughter, his belly shaking as he laughed louder than ever, clearly enjoying the conversation.

    ¡°Well said!¡± Lin Xiao finally stopped laughing, giving Tang Yan a hearty compliment.

    Lin Xiao didn¡¯t keep Tang Yan for long. Within less than half an hour, Tang Yan had exited the City Lord¡¯s mansion.

    The days were getting shorter as Mid-Autumn approached. By the time Tang Yan walked back, it was already dark.

    Since the road was empty, Tang Yan thought it would be a good time to practice a new technique. If he encountered a strong enemy, it would be useful to have a way to escape quickly, even if he couldn¡¯t defeat them.

    Recalling some of his memories, Tang Yan chose a technique called "Shadow Step."

    This step technique, as the name suggested, allowed one to move silently and swiftly, almost ghost-like. It was not only good for escaping but also highly effective in combat.

    However, like all excellent techniques, it was difficult to master. After just a few steps, Tang Yan stumbled and nearly fell.

    Not willing to give up, he tried again, but the same thing happened. The second time he tried, he lost his balance and fell hard to the ground.

    But Tang Yan was not the type to give up easily. He picked himself up and tried again. "Boom!" He fell again. "Boom!" Another fall.

    In the middle of the night, Tang Yan had already fallen over twenty times, but finally, he started to get the hang of it. The technique, initially slow, had now become faster than a normal walking pace.

    Another hour passed, and Tang Yan had begun to master the movements. He was moving as fast as an average person would run.

    Lost in his practice, Tang Yan wasn¡¯t paying attention to his surroundings. In the still of the night, his movements became more fluid, and his speed increased even more.

    Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks, his hairs standing on end. A dangerous aura crept over him.

 Chapter 36

    ¡°Roar!¡±

    A sudden growl pierced the night. Tang Yan sensed a burst of wind from his left and instinctively activated Phantom Step. His body twisted, leaping backward at an angle just as a dark shadow lunged at where he had stood moments ago.

    Now, he could finally see it clearly¡ªthis was no ordinary beast.

    It was a massive black panther, nearly three meters in length, its sleek, muscular body blending seamlessly into the darkness.

    Tang Yan¡¯s heart skipped a beat. This beast bore a striking resemblance to a Shadow Panther¡ªa spirit beast!

    Spirit beasts were classified into nine tiers based on their bloodline. It was said that once a beast reached the seventh tier, it could speak the human tongue and wield terrifying magical abilities. Meanwhile, spirit beasts of the second tier or higher contained beast cores within their bodies, rich in spiritual energy and highly coveted by alchemists.

    If this were only a tier-two spirit beast, he might have considered taking it on. But a Shadow Panther was tier-three, the equivalent of a Mystic Realm warrior. The gap in power was insurmountable.

    Tang Yan made a split-second decision¡ªrun!

    The Shadow Panther, surprised by its failed attack, tilted its head slightly, intrigued. This human looked weak, yet his speed was extraordinary.

    Unwilling to accept failure, the panther crouched, coiling its powerful hind legs. With a sudden burst of force, it launched itself forward like a black streak of lightning.

    Tang Yan¡¯s heart pounded. He had no time to hesitate¡ªhe pushed Phantom Step to its limits, sprinting at full speed without daring to glance back.

    "ROAR!"

    The panther, enraged by its prey¡¯s escape, let out a furious growl and gave chase.

    As a tier-three spirit beast, it possessed not only formidable strength but also astonishing speed. Worse still, it moved with an eerie silence, expertly concealing its aura as it ran. Tang Yan couldn¡¯t even sense how close it was behind him, which only heightened the danger.

    "Shit!"

    As he dashed past a massive boulder, he instinctively veered around it. But before he could react, a shadow leaped onto the rock and used it as a springboard. With a powerful kick, the panther propelled itself high into the air, descending upon him like death itself.

    Tang Yan felt the air around him ripple with pressure. Cold sweat trickled down his back¡ªthis was bad!

    Gritting his teeth, he forcefully circulated his remaining energy and Phantom Step erupted beneath his feet. At the last possible moment, he shot forward like an arrow.

    "BOOM!"

    A heavy impact resounded behind him as the panther crashed into the ground, sending dirt and debris flying. Tang Yan staggered but managed to stay upright, his mind racing.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    That was too close.

    But amidst the terror, something clicked¡ªhe was improving.

    The near-death experience had pushed him beyond his limits, allowing him to grasp an even deeper understanding of Phantom Step. His movements became more fluid, his reactions sharper. Though his speed was still inferior to the panther¡¯s, his agility allowed him to evade its attacks with increasing efficiency.

    ¡°Hey, Brother Panther!¡± he called out while dodging. ¡°You¡¯ve been chasing me for a while now and still haven¡¯t caught me. Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s time to call it quits?¡±

    "ROAR!"

    The only response he got was another furious pounce.

    Tang Yan twisted his body at an impossible angle, narrowly avoiding the strike before continuing his mad dash. The panther was fast, but its size made it less maneuverable. Each time it had to turn sharply, he gained a slight advantage.

    For the next ten miles, predator and prey continued their deadly chase.

    As he ran, Tang Yan realized that this intense battle had drastically improved his mastery of Phantom Step. At first, he could barely control his movements, but now, he could travel vast distances in the blink of an eye.

    However, his endurance was reaching its limit. His spiritual energy was almost depleted.

    Without hesitation, he pulled out a High Spirit Pill and swallowed it.

    The moment the pill entered his body, warmth flooded his dantian, instantly replenishing his energy. Revitalized, he refocused and continued dodging.

    The chase dragged on for another two hours. By now, Tang Yan had consumed three High Spirit Pills, and yet the panther still showed no signs of giving up.

    But then¡ª

    The aura behind him suddenly flickered.

    Tang Yan turned his head slightly and saw a sight that nearly made him laugh out loud¡ªthe mighty Shadow Panther was panting heavily, its speed visibly slowing.

    Finally, you¡¯re exhausted too!

    Tang Yan grinned coldly. This was the moment he had been waiting for.

    Scooping up a rock, he infused it with his energy and hurled it toward the panther. At the same time, his sword trembled in his grip as he charged forward.

    "BOOM!"

    The panther swiped the rock out of the air, shattering it to dust. But in that split second, Tang Yan¡¯s sword had already reached its target¡ªthe beast¡¯s eye!

    The strike was lightning-fast, but the panther still managed to twist its head at the last moment. The sword¡¯s tip missed its eye but grazed its neck, leaving a thin, bloody line.

    "ROAR!"

    The Shadow Panther howled in fury.

    Its pride wounded, it charged at Tang Yan once more, its bloodshot eyes filled with rage.

    Tang Yan cursed inwardly. This thing still has energy left?!

    With no time to think, he turned and resumed his escape. The exhausted beast followed, but now its movements were sluggish.

    Another hour passed, and the panther finally stumbled to a halt, its body swaying.

    Tang Yan, who had just swallowed another High Spirit Pill, smirked.

    His patience had paid off.

    Sword in hand, he dashed toward the beast.

    "CLANG!"

    The moment their attacks clashed, Tang Yan¡¯s arms went numb from the force, but he quickly regained control. This time, he had the advantage.

    The fight lasted barely ten minutes. Though weakened, the panther¡¯s raw strength remained terrifying. Even so, its exhaustion proved fatal.

    "PFFT!"

    With one final strike, Tang Yan¡¯s sword plunged deep into the beast¡¯s throat.

    The Shadow Panther let out a final, gurgling growl, struggling weakly before collapsing to the ground with a loud thud.

    For a moment, Tang Yan simply stood there, chest heaving.

    He had won.

    Collapsing onto the ground, he let out a breathless laugh. Originally, he had just wanted to practice his footwork¡ªwho could have guessed that in a single night, not only would he master Phantom Step, but he would also slay a tier-three spirit beast?

    At this rate, it wouldn¡¯t be long before he reached the technique¡¯s Minor Mastery realm.

    After resting briefly, he pushed himself up and approached the beast¡¯s corpse. With a swift motion, he sliced open its skull¡ªrevealing a golden beast core, pulsating with rich spiritual energy.

    Tang Yan¡¯s eyes lit up in excitement. He reached out to take it¡ª

    But before he could store it away, the Heavenly Creation Cauldron inside him suddenly trembled with excitement.

    Tang Yan froze.

    That damn cauldron again?!

 Chapter 37

    Tang Yan focused on the Heavenly Creation Cauldron, trying to sense the source of its sudden excitement¡ªastonishingly, it was reacting to the beast core in his hand!

    Damn, does this thing actually eat beast cores?!

    Stunned, he hesitated for a brief moment before directing his spiritual will. In the next instant, the beast core vanished into the cauldron.

    For a long time, the Heavenly Creation Fire within the cauldron had remained dormant. But now, it flickered to life, emerging faintly in his dantian. Inside the cauldron, the beast core was rapidly being refined¡ªvisible to the naked eye.

    In just ten seconds, the previously energy-rich beast core was completely dissolved, transforming into a stream of incomparably pure spiritual energy that gathered within the cauldron.

    ¡°Shit! I worked my ass off all night for this, and you just gobbled it up?¡±

    Tang Yan cursed internally, picturing a herd of alpacas trampling through his mind.

    Just as he was about to vent his frustration, an intense wave of pure energy suddenly surged from the cauldron, flowing into every fiber of his being.

    A pleasurable sensation swept over him, and then¡ªa sudden tremor in his dantian.

    His expression changed.

    Could he be breaking through again?!

    Without hesitation, he leaped onto a towering tree, found a sturdy branch, and sat down cross-legged to stabilize his breath.

    After four hours of frantic running, he had consumed six High Spirit Pills. Now, the residual medicinal energy¡ªcombined with the refined power of the tier-three beast core¡ªwas flooding his dantian, pushing his cultivation rapidly toward Yellow Rank, Tier Three.

    Boom!

    A subtle tremor shook his dantian, like an eggshell cracking open. A surge of unparalleled clarity rushed through his meridians.

    Breakthrough! Yellow Rank, Tier Three!

    The surging energy coursed through his body. Feeling the raw power of his advancement, Tang Yan¡¯s heart soared with excitement.

    But suddenly¡ª

    His expression hardened.

    The energy wasn¡¯t stopping. It was still rising¡ªforcefully pushing toward Tier Four!

    Boom!

    Another minor rupture resounded within him.

    The barrier of Yellow Rank, Tier Four had shattered!

    Only when he reached Tier Four did the surging energy finally subside. Tang Yan closed his eyes, methodically absorbing and consolidating his newfound strength.

    By the time he opened them again, daylight had already broken across the sky.

    Feeling the powerful energy within him, Tang Yan smiled faintly.

    He checked on the Heavenly Creation Cauldron within his body¡ªthough the cauldron itself had not changed in size, he discovered something astonishing.

    The Lingwo Fruit Sapling he had planted inside had sprouted a new shoot!

    Tang Yan stared at the tender green sprout in disbelief. According to ancient records, this fruit was supposed to be an elliptical deep-green sphere¡ªand that was exactly what had appeared.

    It had to be because of the tier-three beast core he had just fed the cauldron!The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    Apparently, the cauldron¡¯s inner space required nourishment. As long as he provided suitable nutrients, the spiritual plants within would grow at an accelerated rate.

    If a tier-three beast core alone could do this, then what about a tier-four¡­ or even a tier-five core?

    Tang Yan¡¯s mind raced with excitement.

    Of course, he had no idea that within the entire Tianxiang Kingdom, spirit beasts above tier five were extremely rare.

    With a flick of Phantom Step, he sped toward Cloud City.

    With his newly advanced cultivation, his speed had greatly improved compared to the night before.

    Within an hour, the city¡¯s silhouette appeared on the horizon.

    ¡ª

    Back at the Tang residence, he was making his way to his courtyard when¡ª

    A faint melody drifted through the air.

    He paused, following the sound.

    The music was filled with bitterness and sorrow, as if lamenting fate¡¯s cruelty, railing against invisible shackles, and drowning in the confusion of life.

    Eventually, by the lake, he spotted a graceful figure.

    The early morning breeze gently tousled her silky black hair, revealing an exquisitely beautiful face, stained with traces of tears.

    Tang Yan stood still for a moment, sighing inwardly.

    Even a noble-born woman like her is bound by struggles she cannot escape¡­

    The woman, Ziyun, sat with her eyes closed, her delicate fingers gliding across the strings of a guqin.

    But suddenly¡ª

    "Pluck!"

    The serene melody was abruptly interrupted.

    Ziyun¡¯s eyes snapped open in shock¡ªher music had turned into an unpleasant cacophony because of one large hand pressing firmly down on the strings.

    She glared at Tang Yan in anger.

    ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡±

    The artistic mood she had so carefully cultivated was utterly ruined.

    Tang Yan crossed his arms, looking unbothered.

    ¡°Why play such a depressing tune first thing in the morning? It¡¯s bad luck.¡±

    Ziyun¡¯s delicate brows knitted in fury.

    ¡°You¡­ uncultured brute!¡±

    ¡°A brute wouldn¡¯t even be able to recognize such a miserable melody,¡± he quipped lazily.

    She was momentarily stumped.

    That¡­ actually made sense.

    With a clang, her thin sword shot out of its sheath.

    ¡°Hmph! The Tang family patriarch asked me to guide you in martial arts. I mustn¡¯t disappoint the old man¡¯s kindness.¡± She smirked. ¡°Let¡¯s see how much you¡¯ve improved. Draw your sword!¡±

    Without further warning, she launched an attack, releasing the power of Mortal Rank, Tier Nine!

    Tang Yan blinked in surprise.

    She recovered to Tier Nine in just a few days?

    No wonder she was regarded as a prodigy in Tingxiang!

    Little did Ziyun know that in just one night, Tang Yan had already advanced to Yellow Rank, Tier Four.

    Originally, she had planned to use her profound swordsmanship and Mortal Rank experience to completely overwhelm Tang Yan, who was supposedly only at Tier One.

    But this time¡ª

    She had miscalculated.

    Tang Yan, a reincarnated ninth-rank alchemist, was no ordinary opponent.

    Even with his cultivation suppressed to Mortal Rank, Tier Eight, he effortlessly met her assault.

    Ziyun felt a surge of anger.

    Did this brat just¡­ hold back against me?!

    This wasn¡¯t just an issue of strength¡ªthe disrespect was unbearable!

    "You dare look down on me?!"

    Furious, she unleashed a dazzling flurry of sword strikes, vowing to teach him a lesson.

    But as they fought, Tang Yan marveled.

    Ziyun truly was a genius.

    Compared to Lin Dongxue, she was several times stronger. Even with his Tier Eight power, he had to exert real effort to keep up.

    Meanwhile, Ziyun¡¯s mind was in chaos.

    She had never lost to a Yellow Rank, Tier Two warrior before.

    Yet now¡ª

    How was this possible?!

    What kind of freak is Tang Yan?!

    Fighting a Mortal Rank, Tier Eight warrior should have been easy, yet she was completely overwhelmed.

    The realization struck her like a lightning bolt¡ª

    She was the one being suppressed.

    Her frustration peaked.

    ¡°Enough!¡± She huffed, withdrawing her sword and storming off toward her courtyard.

    Tang Yan chuckled, watching her retreating figure.

    Women¡­ so hard to please.

    ¡ª

    The Mid-Autumn Tournament was approaching.

    Though Tang Yan despised public attention, this event was crucial for the Tang family¡¯s reputation¡ªhe had no choice but to participate.

    Determined to bring honor to his clan, he threw himself into rigorous training.

    Meanwhile, Ziyun had gone into seclusion, likely still brooding over her defeat.

    In just nine days, with the aid of various elixirs, Tang Yan¡¯s cultivation skyrocketed to Yellow Rank, Tier Six.

    His monstrous progress was nothing short of legendary.

    Yet, he still found it too slow.

    With the tournament looming, his gaze turned sharp.

    ¡°I may only be Tier Six¡­ but with my Heavenly Creation Fire and Phantom Step, no one in Yellow Rank can take me lightly.¡±

    As he pondered, the sound of a door opening caught his attention.

    He turned¡ª

    Ziyun emerged from her room, wearing a smug smile.

 Chapter 38

    Dressed in a pristine white robe, she looked like an ethereal fairy, untouched by the mortal world.

    ¡°What¡¯s got you so happy?¡± Tang Yan asked, momentarily dazed before snapping back to reality.

    The moment Zi Yun saw Tang Yan, the smile on her face vanished. Her sword flashed out of its sheath as she declared crisply, ¡°Thief! Take this!¡±

    Tang Yan was taken aback. What the hell? He barely managed to dodge the incoming blade, stumbling back a few steps before catching his breath. ¡°Crazy woman, what¡¯s your problem?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve regained more of my strength. Time for a sparring session. Enough talk¡ªI won¡¯t be holding back!¡± Zi Yun responded, her aura surging as a powerful force radiated from her.

    Sensing the shift in her energy, Tang Yan gasped. ¡°Xuan Rank?!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve got some decent perception. But don¡¯t worry, you¡¯re only at Huang Rank One. I¡¯ll fight you with just Third Rank strength,¡± she said casually. The moment her words fell, her sword was already at his throat.

    Tang Yan quickly understood¡ªthis girl had been holding a grudge since their last spar, where he had ended up suppressing her. Now, she was out to reclaim her dignity!

    Well, I¡¯ve got nothing better to do anyway. Might as well use her as a sparring partner.

    And so, the two exchanged blows in the courtyard. Tang Yan limited himself to Huang Rank One, using the opportunity to refine his Flowing Cloud Sword and Phantom Step.

    Zi Yun, raised in a noble martial family, possessed impeccable swordsmanship, making her a perfect training partner.

    After about fifteen minutes, she realized something infuriating¡ªdespite using Third Rank strength, she was only evenly matched with Tang Yan!

    ¡°Boom!¡± Zi Yun¡¯s aura flared as she directly pushed her strength to Fourth Rank.

    Tang Yan¡¯s eyes widened in exaggerated disbelief. ¡°Come on, Miss Zi! You¡¯re a noble lady, a former Tian Rank expert, the Third Miss of Purple Bamboo City! And yet, you¡¯re using Fourth Rank power against someone at First Rank? That¡¯s just shameless!¡±

    Zi Yun¡¯s face turned red with frustration. ¡°Shut up! I do what I want!¡±

    With raw power on her side, Zi Yun quickly gained the upper hand. Tang Yan found himself forced on the defensive, barely avoiding one perilous strike after another.

    Yet, despite the gap in strength, she was only managing to suppress him¡ªnot win outright.

    As their swords clashed, Zi Yun¡¯s thoughts raced. This bastard¡­ his precision is unreal. Every movement is practiced, fluid, like a true master. How did a tiny place like Yun City produce someone like him?!

    I refuse to believe I can¡¯t beat him!

    Gritting her teeth, she pushed her strength to Fifth Rank.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Tang Yan groaned. ¡°Miss Zi, this is straight-up bullying!¡±

    ¡°Nonsense! I¡¯m just guiding you!¡± she shot back shamelessly.

    Tang Yan knew when to push forward and when to retreat. Seeing her overwhelming momentum, he decided not to hold back either. With a flick of his dantian, he channeled more energy into his attacks.

    Zi Yun immediately sensed the shift. ¡°Wait¡­ Second Rank?¡±

    Tang Yan grinned. ¡°Surprised? I was just hiding my strength.¡±

    Realizing that even Fifth Rank might not be enough to completely dominate him, Zi Yun went all in¡ªraising her strength to Seventh Rank!

    In response, Tang Yan boosted himself to Fourth Rank.

    Zi Yun¡¯s eyebrow twitched. How many layers of power is this guy hiding?!

    By now, she saw no point in holding back.

    Forget sparring¡ªI¡¯ll just flatten him!

    A surge of energy erupted around her as she unleashed her Xuan Rank power.

    Tang Yan turned pale. ¡°Miss Zi¡ªZi Yun! Sister Zi! This isn¡¯t funny!¡±

    ¡°Okay, okay! I give up!¡±

    ¡­

    Thirty minutes later, Zi Yun, finally satisfied, left with a triumphant smile.

    Meanwhile, Tang Yan lay sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain. His body was covered in bruises, purple and blue all over.

    ¡°You demon! You have no honor! No ethics!¡± he howled weakly. ¡°Forget about me making you any more pills!¡±

    From a distance, Zi Yun¡¯s voice rang back. ¡°I¡¯ve got one last bottle of Qi Restoration Pills. That should be enough to push me back to Di Rank. Once I need more, I¡¯ll just come to you directly! If you refuse, well¡­ I hope your bones are sturdy! Hmph!¡±

    Tang Yan nearly coughed up blood. Damn it! I should never have made her that last batch of pills!

    He groaned, struggling to his feet.

    As brutal as the beating had been, the fight had given him plenty of insight. Zi Yun¡¯s swordsmanship was nowhere near his own level, but her techniques were still highly refined. Being forced to fight under pressure had greatly sharpened his Flowing Cloud Sword and Phantom Step.

    However, his current strength was only enough to contend with a Huang Rank Eight opponent. That still wasn¡¯t enough insurance for tomorrow¡¯s competition.

    ¡°The Heavenly Creation Flame¡­ if I use it too soon, it¡¯ll attract too much attention. It¡¯s not something I should reveal lightly. If I could just take another step forward in my cultivation, I¡¯d have more confidence for tomorrow.¡±

    As he pondered, his gaze landed on a small fruit in his hand¡ªan Abyssal Spirit Fruit.

    After days of nourishing it within the Heavenly Creation Cauldron, the fruit was practically bursting with spiritual energy. Since another seedling had already sprouted, it was time to put this one to use.

    Calling over Xiao Cui, he instructed her to purchase several rare medicinal ingredients.

    Since this particular pill was quite rare and valuable, the auxiliary ingredients were also expensive. His savings¡ªespecially the hundred thousand taels he¡¯d received from the Miao Dan Pharmacy¡ªwere rapidly depleting.

    Inside the alchemy chamber, Tang Yan carefully summoned his alchemic flames and tossed the Abyssal Spirit Fruit into the cauldron, refining it.

    After several rounds of purification, a viscous green liquid pooled within a hidden compartment of the cauldron.

    One by one, he added the remaining ingredients. As the process continued, he had to repeatedly consume high-grade elixirs just to replenish his energy.

    At last, Tang Yan smacked the cauldron lid, and a pitch-black pill shot out, landing neatly in his palm.

    Sealing it inside a porcelain bottle, he slumped to the floor, gasping for breath.

    ¡°Damn¡­ my strength is still too weak. Just refining a Mid-Grade Third Rank pill nearly killed me.¡±

    Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he looked at the bottle with satisfaction and left the chamber.

    By the time he returned to his room, it was already late at night.

    Sitting cross-legged on his bed, he retrieved the pill. A powerful surge of energy pulsed from it, like an untamed volcano on the verge of eruption.

    This was the Expanding Spirit Pill¡ªa legendary pill that had caused numerous martial experts to fight over it in his past life.

    Upon consumption, it would permanently expand one¡¯s dantian, allowing them to store and unleash far more energy than their peers at the same level.

    Without hesitation, Tang Yan swallowed the pill.

    ¡°Boom!¡±

    A terrifying force exploded within him, flooding every inch of his body.

 Chapter 39

    Countless tiny black whirlpools surged violently toward his dantian.

    Tang Yan felt as if billions of ants were gnawing away at his core. A searing pain drilled into his nerves, forcing sweat to bead on his forehead. His brows knitted tightly as he struggled to endure the agony.

    "Puff! Puff! Puff!"

    Inside his dantian, the countless swirling vortexes wreaked havoc, causing sharp cracking noises. The escalating pain nearly made Tang Yan lose consciousness.

    Biting the tip of his tongue, he forced himself to stay awake. He knew this was the Expanding Spirit Pill restructuring his dantian. If he failed to endure, his dantian would be completely ruined. But if he survived, he would break through his limits and achieve a Whirlpool Dantian!

    "Puff! Puff! Puff!" His dantian kept breaking apart as the tiny whirlpools began merging in pairs, forming larger and larger vortexes. Each fusion intensified the destruction, sending waves of unbearable pain through his body. His limbs trembled violently, and several times, he came close to giving up.

    Time crawled by, second by second. He had no idea how long it had been when, finally, the last two massive vortexes started merging. As their reach expanded to every corner of his dantian, the pain peaked to an excruciating level.

    "Merge!" Tang Yan roared in his heart.

    BOOM!

    His entire body shuddered violently as the two final vortexes fused into one, spinning wildly.

    At that moment, his dantian sent him an unexpected signal¡ªhunger.

    It was starving for energy!

    At the same time, the ancient cauldron deep within his dantian emitted a radiant glow. Countless streams of spiritual energy surged from its surface, rapidly replenishing his dantian.

    When Tang Yan opened his eyes again, his body felt brimming with power. He hurriedly examined his dantian and was astonished¡ªit had transformed into a vast whirlpool, continuously spinning!

    Though his cultivation level remained at Huang Rank Six, his true energy reserves had soared, likely rivaling a Huang Rank Seven or even Eight cultivator.

    A faint smile appeared on his lips as he stepped outside.

    <hr>

    The Mid-Autumn Grand Assembly was set for the evening. Tang Yan practiced the Extreme Six Forms a few times, marveling at the difference. Previously, he could only complete twenty cycles before exhaustion, but now, despite having the same cultivation level, he could push through twenty-five!

    After his training, he was summoned to the main hall by his grandfather.

    At this moment, all the senior members of the Tang family were gathered. Tang Yan scanned the room and spotted Zi Yun seated among them. She cast him a smug glance, as if silently taunting him.

    ¡°Greetings, Grandfather.¡± Tang Yan maintained proper etiquette, stepping forward to pay his respects.

    ¡°No need for formalities. Take a seat,¡± the old patriarch waved his hand. Once Tang Yan was settled, he spoke, ¡°Tonight is the Mid-Autumn Assembly. Our Tang family lacks numbers, with only you and Yan Jun representing the younger generation. There will certainly be challengers targeting us. How do you all propose we handle this?¡±Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    A middle-aged man spoke gravely, ¡°Our juniors are currently weaker than those from other families. If they participate, they will only suffer humiliation. However, the Tang family still holds the fourth-ranking position in Yun City. Even if we withdraw from the tournament, no one would dare truly challenge our standing.¡±

    Another elder, Tang Shengping, who managed the family¡¯s textile business in the west district, frowned. ¡°That may work temporarily, but if we refuse to compete for three years in a row, our prestige in Yun City will plummet. The families loyal to us might lose confidence, dealing a severe blow to the Tang family¡¯s foundation.¡±

    Many in the hall shot Tang Yan disdainful glances.

    If you weren¡¯t so weak, would the Tang family have to suffer humiliation every year?

    Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Uncle Mo interjected, ¡°The young master possesses rare talent. Even after his dantian was crippled, he still managed to reach Yuan Rank Eight. Though this isn¡¯t considered strong, his growth rate is remarkable. I suggest we forfeit the martial competition and let Yan Jun handle the matches. He should focus on defeating challengers from lesser families. If members of the four great families issue challenges, Yan Jun can simply ignore them.¡±

    The elders nodded in agreement¡ªthis seemed like the safest course of action.

    Suddenly, Zi Yun let out a chuckle.

    Her soft laughter immediately caught everyone¡¯s attention.

    ¡°Miss Zi, what do you find amusing?¡± The Tang family patriarch raised an eyebrow, curious.

    Zi Yun smiled, her voice light but carrying a shocking revelation.

    ¡°Tang Yan¡¯s cultivation has already reached Huang Rank Six. He has every right to compete for the title of the strongest among the younger generation. Why do you all look so worried?¡±

    The hall fell into dead silence.

    "Crack!"

    The teacup in the patriarch¡¯s hand shattered as he squeezed it too hard. Scalding tea spilled over his fingers, yet he didn¡¯t seem to notice.

    His voice trembled slightly. ¡°Miss Zi¡­ are you certain?¡±

    All eyes turned to Zi Yun. Though most of them didn¡¯t know her background, they had been instructed by the patriarch to treat her with the utmost respect. If she commanded such reverence from the Tang family head, her identity was clearly extraordinary.

    But her claim¡­ was simply too unbelievable!

    Tang Yan, that good-for-nothing wastrel, had barely managed to scrape together a Yuan Rank Eight cultivation. And now, out of nowhere, he was Huang Rank Six?!

    ¡°If you doubt me, you can simply ask Tang Yan himself,¡± Zi Yun replied casually, not hesitating to expose him.

    The patriarch¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Yan¡¯er, speak honestly. What is your current level?¡±

    Tang Yan glared at Zi Yun, knowing he could no longer keep his strength hidden. He sighed, then released his dantian¡¯s aura.

    A surge of pure, refined energy spread across the hall.

    The patriarch¡¯s body shook. His eyes were filled with disbelief.

    There was no mistaking it¡ªthis was the energy of a Huang Rank Six cultivator!

    The other elders, though varying in strength, could all sense the sheer force radiating from Tang Yan. One by one, their expressions shifted from skepticism to utter shock.

    Since when did this supposed ¡°good-for-nothing¡± possess such terrifying power?

    Zi Yun, however, kept quiet about one thing¡ªTang Yan¡¯s ability to defeat opponents above his rank.

    One, she wanted him to keep that trump card hidden.

    Two, admitting she had lost to someone at the same level was far too humiliating.

    ¡°It¡¯s true! Huang Rank Six!¡±

    The old patriarch¡¯s emotions surged uncontrollably, tears nearly spilling from his eyes.

    For years, he had gone from having high hopes for his grandson to bitter disappointment. He had long accepted Tang Yan¡¯s fate as a cripple.

    Yet now, Tang Yan had climbed to Huang Rank Six without receiving a single elixir or special resource from the family!

    The amount of hardship he must have endured to achieve this¡­

    Recalling Tang Yan¡¯s grueling training sessions, the old patriarch could no longer hold back. His eyes grew misty with emotion.

    ¡°Excellent! Absolutely excellent! The heavens are watching over the Tang family!¡± he exclaimed, slamming his palm against the table in excitement.

    Uncle Mo chuckled. ¡°I was worried about Yan Jun carrying all the pressure of the tournament. But now, with the young master joining, securing our family¡¯s reputation is practically guaranteed.¡±

    Everyone let out a sigh of relief.

    And when they looked at Tang Yan again, their gazes held no trace of contempt¡ªonly admiration and respect.

 Chapter 40

    Tang Yan hadn¡¯t expected such an emotional reaction from his grandfather. As someone who had never experienced familial love in his past life, this moment struck the softest part of his heart. Looking at the elderly man with graying temples, Tang Yan couldn¡¯t help but sigh inwardly¡ªparents'' love for their children is truly boundless.

    ¡°I¡¯d prefer if my current strength remained a secret,¡± Tang Yan said, scanning the room.

    ¡°Tang Yan¡¯s strength is now classified as a top-level family secret. Anyone who leaks this information will face severe punishment under family law!¡± Grandfather Tang declared firmly.

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± the elders responded in unison.

    ¡°At six this evening, we will head to Bright Moon Lake for the Mid-Autumn Gathering,¡± Grandfather Tang announced with renewed vigor.

    Just as the atmosphere was filled with anticipation¡ª

    ¡°Report!¡±

    A family guard burst into the hall, his urgency breaking the moment.

    Grandfather Tang¡¯s expression darkened, and Tang Yan¡¯s gaze sharpened. Interrupting a high-level family meeting was strictly forbidden unless there was a major crisis.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Grandfather Tang asked in a low voice.

    ¡°Master, the Liu family¡¯s businesses in the northern district have been attacked! Shops have been ransacked, their guards slaughtered, and some of our own men have also suffered casualties,¡± the guard reported hastily.

    Tang Yan immediately recalled that the Liu family was a subordinate clan under the Tang family¡¯s protection. He was familiar with them because their businesses included several taverns where he used to drink and feast without restraint.

    ¡°Who is responsible? Have we identified them?¡±

    ¡°It was the Four Seas Gang, but according to our investigations, other noble families were behind the attack. The Liu family was likely targeted at the instigation of the Liu, Wu, and Qin families,¡± the guard explained.

    Tang Yan had heard of the Four Seas Gang¡ªit was the largest underground syndicate in Cloud City, controlling gambling dens, brothels, and other illicit establishments. However, they had never dared to challenge the noble families directly. This meant that powerful forces were manipulating them from behind the scenes.

    ¡°Liu family¡­ Four Seas Gang¡­¡± Grandfather Tang muttered, deep in thought. He turned to Tang Yan, intrigued by his grandson¡¯s insight. ¡°Yan¡¯er, what do you make of this?¡±

    Tang Yan hadn¡¯t expected his grandfather to ask for his opinion, but he didn¡¯t hesitate. He stood up and analyzed the situation calmly.

    ¡°Although our Tang family¡¯s influence has waned in recent years, we are still a dominant force in Cloud City. The Four Seas Gang wouldn¡¯t dare provoke us unless they had strong backing.¡±This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    ¡°The timing of this attack is crucial. The Mid-Autumn Gathering is tonight, and the Four Seas Gang may have hidden experts among their ranks. If we send troops to defend the Liu family, we will undoubtedly be drawn into a confrontation. If we don¡¯t, our inaction will be used against us at the gathering, making our subordinate families lose faith in our protection.¡±

    ¡°Furthermore, they assume we won¡¯t participate in the tournament due to our perceived lack of capable heirs. At the gathering, they will publicly ridicule us, claiming that the Tang family has no future. Their goal is to shake our foundation and poach our allied families, leaving us weakened.¡±

    Hearing Tang Yan¡¯s detailed breakdown, the elders broke into cold sweats. The enemy¡¯s plan was far more insidious than they had realized¡ªif successful, it would strip away nearly a quarter of the Tang family¡¯s strength.

    ¡°Then shouldn¡¯t we just attend the gathering?¡± Mo Yanjun, another younger Tang family member, asked, still puzzled.

    ¡°In the eyes of outsiders, I¡¯m still a useless playboy, and Brother Mo is only at the sixth rank of the Yellow Stage. The other three noble families will definitely send their strongest young talents to challenge us, humiliating our family. To them, we are nothing more than prey waiting to be devoured,¡± Tang Yan said coldly.

    His words sent a chill through the hall. Even those who had once looked down on him, such as Elder Li Hua, now turned to him for guidance.

    ¡°Young Master, what do you propose?¡± Li Hua asked.

    Tang Yan¡¯s expression grew resolute. ¡°Morale is everything. We don¡¯t have time to let this situation drag on. If we don¡¯t resolve this before the Mid-Autumn Gathering, our enemies will exploit it to crush our reputation.¡±

    ¡°So, we must strike back¡ªhard. Not only will we retaliate, but we will annihilate the Four Seas Gang. We will show the city that the Tang family is not to be trifled with!¡±

    His words were filled with an overwhelming killing intent.

    Purple Bamboo, who had been observing quietly, felt a flicker of admiration.

    This so-called playboy was displaying levels of confidence, decisiveness, and strategic foresight that even many noble heirs lacked.

    His decisive stance quickly won over the council.

    ¡°How many men should we deploy?¡± Grandfather Tang asked.

    ¡°Our guards exist for a reason. Only through real battles can they grow stronger,¡± Tang Yan declared. ¡°Mobilize all 120 of our low-tier Yellow Stage warriors. In addition, we will send an elite strike team of ten, led by Uncle Mo, to eliminate any hidden experts.¡±

    Grandfather Tang nodded. ¡°Very well. Mo, I leave this mission to you.¡±

    ¡°No problem! I¡¯ll rally the troops now,¡± Mo Bo said, visibly impressed by Tang Yan¡¯s composure. Just as he turned to leave, Tang Yan stopped him.

    ¡°Wait, Uncle Mo.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Young Master?¡± Mo Bo asked respectfully.

    ¡°A force of over a hundred men will attract too much attention. Take twenty men and march openly toward the Four Seas Gang as a diversion. The rest will move in groups of ten, using back alleys to converge on the target. Once assembled, attack without hesitation. Remember, the gang struck first¡ªwe are in the right.¡±

    Mo Bo¡¯s eyes gleamed with approval. This strategy would greatly lower their enemies¡¯ guard. By the time they realized they were surrounded, it would be too late.

    Tang Yan then added with a smirk, ¡°One more thing¡ªtell our men that for every enemy they kill, they¡¯ll be rewarded one hundred silver taels, with no upper limit.¡±

    Mo Bo¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°That much?¡± He instinctively glanced at Grandfather Tang. The Four Seas Gang¡¯s numbers were unknown¡ªsuch an offer could drain the Tang family¡¯s finances.

    Grandfather Tang was about to protest, but Tang Yan cut in.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Uncle Mo. The Four Seas Gang has made a fortune from their filthy businesses. Once we wipe them out, we¡¯ll seize their wealth. This is an investment¡ªwe¡¯ll profit handsomely in the end.¡±

    The elders¡¯ eyes lit up.

    ¡°What a brilliant plan!¡±

    ¡°Mo, follow Yan¡¯er¡¯s orders!¡± Grandfather Tang commanded.

    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Mo Bo saluted before hurrying out.

    Grandfather Tang looked at his grandson with a mix of astonishment and pride.

    Tang Yan¡¯s recent transformations had been nothing short of miraculous.

    Just moments ago, he had strategically increased their troops¡¯ combat effectiveness through financial incentives.

    The old man sighed inwardly¡ªhe could no longer see through his grandson¡¯s potential.

 Chapter 41

    Northern City

    The headquarters of the Four Seas Gang was located here.

    Inside a grand meeting hall, the gang leader, Chen Dao, was engrossed in a game of chess with a middle-aged man. A closer look revealed that this man was none other than Liu Jing, the second-in-command of the Liu family!

    "Master Liu, the Tang family has already skipped the Mid-Autumn Gathering for two consecutive years. If they fail to attend again this year, their influence in Cloud City will plummet. Today, my Four Seas Gang launched a direct assault on the Liu family, which will undoubtedly provoke the Tang family.

    If they wish to restore their reputation, they will likely retaliate against us. This could turn into a tough battle," Chen Dao said, his tone cautious. Having operated in Cloud City¡¯s underworld for years, he had developed a keen sense for political maneuvering. He knew exactly why the Liu family had incited him to act against the Tang family.

    "Master Chen, rest assured. Among the four major families in Cloud City, the Tang family is the weakest. If they truly dare to clash with the Four Seas Gang, they will suffer immense losses. In fact, if they engage in combat tonight, it could very well mark the end of the Tang family," Liu Jing replied with a smirk, sipping his tea.

    He continued, "Besides, how many men can they mobilize? Thirty Ninth-Grade Yuan Stage guards? Perhaps fifty at most? That¡¯s not nearly enough to overpower the Four Seas Gang.

    Moreover, the Tang family has no idea that my Liu family has secretly stationed fighters within your ranks.

    We have forty Ninth-Grade Yuan Stage warriors and fifteen Yellow Stage experts hidden within the gang. With such forces combined, do you really think we need to fear the Tang family? If they come looking for trouble, we¡¯ll ensure they never leave."

    "Master Liu, you are absolutely right," Chen Dao chuckled. "Still, this move carries great risks for my Four Seas Gang. Once the Tang family falls, as per our agreement, twenty percent of their assets will belong to us, correct?"

    "Of course," Liu Jing nodded confidently.

    The two men exchanged glances before breaking into hearty laughter, as if they had already secured victory.

    Just then¡ª

    "Report!"

    A scout rushed into the hall, panting heavily.

    Chen Dao and Liu Jing raised their brows.

    "The Tang family is advancing toward our headquarters!" the scout reported urgently.

    "Oh? So soon?"

    Chen Dao¡¯s expression shifted slightly.

    "How many of them? Who¡¯s leading?" he asked.

    "Housekeeper Mo is at the front, bringing twenty men¡ªall Tang family guards. They will arrive at the headquarters in five minutes!"

    Hearing this, Chen Dao let out a sigh of relief.

    "Master Chen, most of the Tang family¡¯s guards are only at the Ninth-Grade Yuan Stage. With our fifteen Yellow Stage warriors, there¡¯s nothing to worry about. Whatever demands they make, simply refuse them," Liu Jing said confidently, as though everything was under control.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    "I will follow Master Liu¡¯s instructions," Chen Dao nodded in understanding before issuing a command.

    "All fighters of the Four Seas Gang, assemble! Those at Eighth-Grade Yuan Stage or higher, report immediately!"

    Within moments, over a hundred men gathered in the courtyard, including the Liu family''s hidden forces. Among them were more than eighty Ninth-Grade Yuan Stage warriors and over twenty Yellow Stage experts.

    <hr>

    At the Gates of the Four Seas Gang Headquarters

    "Chen Dao, get out here!"

    Housekeeper Mo stood before the grand entrance, channeling his internal energy as he roared.

    A moment later, the doors swung open, and Chen Dao emerged, flanked by over a hundred fighters. He eyed Mo¡¯s men and feigned surprise.

    "Housekeeper Mo! What an unexpected visit. Forgive my lack of hospitality," he said mockingly. "Bringing so many men¡ªwhat is the meaning of this?"

    Mo''s expression was ice-cold.

    "Master Chen, let¡¯s not play games. You knew full well that the Liu family is allied with the Tang family, yet you still dared to attack them. How do you think that reflects on the Tang family?" Mo demanded.

    "The Tang family stands by its allies. We share prosperity and hardship alike. This blatant provocation cannot be ignored¡ªunless you are prepared to give us a satisfactory explanation, we will not let this matter rest!"

    Hearing this, Chen Dao¡¯s eyes turned icy. Then, he threw his head back and laughed.

    "Housekeeper Mo, you¡¯re getting old. Your memory must be failing you. The Tang family of today is not what it once was. So what if we trample over your allies? My advice¡ªturn around and leave while you still can. Otherwise, I can¡¯t guarantee you¡¯ll walk away alive."

    As Chen Dao sneered, he suddenly caught sight of something in the distance. His expression stiffened.

    Multiple groups of fighters were swiftly approaching from different directions. Their numbers¡ªseventy, maybe eighty strong?

    His heart skipped a beat.

    He had miscalculated! The Tang family had divided their forces, bypassing the Four Seas Gang¡¯s spies!

    <hr>

    The Battle Begins

    "It seems Master Chen has no regrets. Kill them all!"

    Without further words, Mo Bo roared and charged forward.

    "Kill!"

    The Tang family¡¯s forces had arrived¡ªover a hundred warriors, all at the Yellow Stage. Their eyes burned with an eerie light as they surged forward like a tidal wave.

    Before leaving the Tang residence, Mo Bo had relayed Tang Yan¡¯s promise¡ªone hundred silver taels for every confirmed kill!

    To them, the members of the Four Seas Gang were no longer people; they were walking bags of silver!

    The Tang warriors were brimming with battle fervor, each eager to claim as many heads as possible. The reward was simply too tempting¡ªhow much silver could they amass in a single battle?

    "All members of the Four Seas Gang, fight back! Kill them!" Chen Dao bellowed, frustration seeping into his voice.

    But it was too late.

    The Tang family¡¯s elite fighters overwhelmed them instantly.

    Screams of agony erupted as Four Seas Gang members were cut down one after another. Chen Dao¡¯s expression twisted in fury.

    Damn those worthless spies! First, they had miscounted the Tang family¡¯s numbers, and now¡ª

    Chen Dao''s pupils shrank in horror. How were all these Tang warriors at the Yellow Stage?!

    When had the Tang family amassed such an army of elite fighters?

    Before he could dwell on the question, Mo Bo lunged at him with his spear.

    In recent days, Tang Yan had supplied Mo Bo with rare medicinal pills, boosting his cultivation. Originally at the Eighth-Grade Mystic Stage, Mo Bo had now reached the peak of his rank, on the verge of breaking through to the Ninth Grade.

    Chen Dao, at merely the Seventh-Grade Mystic Stage, was at a clear disadvantage.

    "Master Liu, I need reinforcements!" Chen Dao shouted, barely managing to deflect Mo Bo¡¯s strikes.

    Mo Bo¡¯s eyes flashed coldly.

    Liu Jing?

    As expected, the Liu family was behind this scheme!

    Liu Jing himself was a Fifth-Grade Mystic Stage fighter. If he joined the fray, Mo Bo would struggle to maintain his advantage. He had to end this quickly.

    Summoning all his strength, he intensified his assault.

    Meanwhile, across the battlefield, the Four Seas Gang and their Liu family reinforcements were being decimated.

    Outnumbered and outclassed, their ranks collapsed within minutes.

    What had begun as a one-on-one fight had quickly turned into two-against-one or even three-against-one, with the Four Seas Gang¡¯s forces being slaughtered like livestock.

    As the weaker fighters of the gang fled in desperation, the Tang warriors pursued them like harvesters reaping a field of wheat.

 Chapter 42

    Inside the Four Seas Gang headquarters, Liu Jing stood frozen in shock. How could all of the Tang family''s guards be at the Yellow Rank? When did the Tang family gain such a formidable force?

    When he heard Chen Dao calling for help earlier, Liu Jing hesitated for a moment, debating whether to assist him.

    But he quickly abandoned the idea. Mo Bo was already at the eighth tier of the Profound Rank. Even if he and Chen Dao teamed up, they might gain some advantage at first. However, once the Tang family''s guards surrounded them, they would be outnumbered and doomed. His chances of survival were slim. Better to escape while he still could.

    Resolving to flee, Liu Jing discreetly signaled his men to retreat. Then, he sprinted toward the back courtyard, leaped over a high wall, and vanished into the night, heading back to the Liu family estate.

    The battle was a complete massacre. The overwhelming strength of the Tang family¡¯s warriors swiftly crushed the Four Seas Gang. Those who weren¡¯t killed fled in terror. Within less than an hour, the once-dominant underground force of Yun City was reduced to rubble.

    Chen Dao had already realized that the Four Seas Gang was doomed. He hadn¡¯t seen Liu Jing for a while, and rage burned inside him¡ªnot toward the Tang family, but toward the Liu family.

    If it weren¡¯t for the Liu family, would I have ended up like this?

    Already struggling against Mo Bo, Chen Dao found himself further distracted. His focus wavered for just a moment¡ªlong enough for two spear thrusts to pierce his body. Blood sprayed from the wounds.

    "You Liu family bastards! I curse you and your descendants for eighteen generations! Even if I become a ghost, I¡¯ll never let you go!"

    Knowing there was no way out, Chen Dao let out a furious roar before slashing his own throat, ending his life on his own terms.

    As Chen Dao''s lifeless body collapsed to the ground and the Four Seas Gang crumbled, Mo Bo couldn¡¯t help but sigh.

    For years, the Four Seas Gang had amassed immense wealth through illicit dealings. Though they weren¡¯t on par with the four major families, they were still a force to be reckoned with. Even the most powerful clans hesitated to directly challenge them, fearing the chaos they might unleash in retaliation.

    And yet, in a single night, the once-feared gang had been utterly annihilated by the Tang family.

    Mo Bo''s mind turned to Tang Yan.

    The young master must have been behind all of this¡­

    A deep chill ran down his spine.

    "You! Go inside and search every corner. Take anything of value and bring it back to the Tang family!" Mo Bo ordered.

    Moments later, the Tang family¡¯s warriors began hauling out crates upon crates of treasure.

    Mo Bo''s eyes widened in disbelief.

    The sheer wealth amassed by the Four Seas Gang over the years was staggering! The pile of gold and valuables could rival half of the Tang family''s fortune.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    When the spoils were delivered to the Tang estate, even the old master himself was momentarily stunned by the sight.

    "The spoils of battle will be distributed as promised!" Tang Yan declared, his voice firm. "Every warrior will receive their standard kill reward¡ªand an additional 500 taels of silver!"

    His intent was clear: to ensure loyalty by proving that following the Tang family meant prosperity. He wanted his warriors to see that victory with the Tang family was always rewarding.

    <hr>

    The destruction of the Four Seas Gang sent shockwaves throughout Yun City. Within hours, news spread like wildfire.

    Reactions varied across different factions.

    For the City Lord¡¯s Mansion, Miao Dan Workshop, and the independent Tianbao Auction House, the news was surprising but not alarming. They simply took note of the Tang family¡¯s growing power.

    For the smaller families allied with the Tang clan, this event was a reassurance. Some had been contemplating severing ties, but now they knew¡ªstanding with the Tang family was the right choice.

    The situation was more troubling, however, for the other three great families of Yun City.

    At the Liu family estate, Liu Wuhui paced anxiously. The room was filled with grim expressions.

    "The Tang family now has over 130 Yellow Rank warriors," he growled. "Can someone explain to me how we failed to uncover this information? How did they amass such a force without us knowing?"

    Silence filled the hall.

    After a long pause, Liu He finally spoke. "Father, even if the Tang family has strengthened, they are still no match for us. At tonight¡¯s Mid-Autumn Tournament, we can still humiliate them."

    Liu Wuhui narrowed his eyes. "You¡¯re missing the point. If we kill Tang Yan outright, the Tang family will have nothing left to lose. If they go to war with us, how much will we suffer in return?"

    The hall fell into deep thought.

    "We don¡¯t need to kill him," Liu Wuhui continued coldly. "We only need to cripple him. As long as that bastard is still breathing, the old man won¡¯t risk everything for revenge. And once we join forces with the other families, wiping out the Tang clan will be inevitable."

    "What if the Tang family refuses to participate in the tournament?" Liu Zhi, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.

    Liu Wuhui smirked. "Then we spread the word that the Tang family has no capable heirs left¡ªthat they are too weak to even show their faces. No matter how strong they may appear now, their momentum is temporary. Once Tang Ling is dead, the entire family will collapse."

    "If they do participate," he continued, eyes flashing with malice, "we¡¯ll proceed as planned and destroy Tang Yan. Either way, their reputation will suffer."

    "Brilliant strategy, my lord!" The Liu family members applauded in unison.

    <hr>

    As the sun dipped below the horizon, streaks of crimson and gold stretched across the sky. The Mid-Autumn Festival was about to begin.

    The banks of Mingyue Lake were illuminated with countless lanterns, casting shimmering reflections on the water. The entire city had gathered¡ªmen, women, and children alike, all eager to witness the grand event.

    Young men had taken extra care with their appearances, hair slicked back neatly, hoping to impress the young women in attendance.

    Ambitious heirs from various families were preparing to showcase their skills, eager to make a name for themselves.

    Vendors lined the streets, setting up stalls filled with fragrant delicacies and colorful trinkets.

    The entire scene was one of joy, anticipation, and festivity.

    Yet beneath the surface, many were eagerly waiting for something else¡ªthe clash between the four great families.

    Rumors had swept through the city.

    One claimed that the Tang family had single-handedly wiped out the Four Seas Gang.

    The other insisted that the Tang clan had no worthy heirs left, that they had no one capable of representing them in the tournament.

    These two conflicting narratives left Yun City buzzing with speculation.

    As the tournament grounds filled with spectators, the Liu family made a grand entrance. Liu Wuhui, dressed in opulent robes, stood with his hands clasped behind his back, exuding confidence.

    "I heard the Tang family won¡¯t be showing up tonight," some Liu family members whispered among themselves, smirking in amusement.

    Just then, the murmurs in the crowd came to an abrupt halt.

    A figure, leading a group of warriors, strode forward with unwavering confidence.

    It was Tang Yan.

    Gasps rippled through the audience.

    The Tang family had arrived.

    And with their arrival, the tension in the air became almost palpable.

 Chapter 43

    Two rumors spread through Yun City like wildfire.

    The first claimed that the Tang family was never the weakest of the Four Great Families. Instead, they had been biding their time, concealing their true strength.

    The second rumor stated that the Tang family lacked capable heirs. No matter how powerful they were now, once the old patriarch Tang Luo passed away, the family would inevitably collapse. Furthermore, it was said that the Tang family wouldn¡¯t dare participate in the Mid-Autumn Gathering. Even if they did, they would surely rank at the bottom.

    Both rumors seemed highly plausible, leaving the people of Yun City eager to see how the Tang family would perform at this grand event.

    As time passed, the Qin, Wu, and Liu families arrived one after another, but there was still no sign of the Tang family.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think the Tang family is going to show up.¡±

    ¡°Even if they do, they¡¯ll just embarrass themselves. If I were them, I wouldn¡¯t come either.¡±

    ¡°If they don¡¯t show up, then it proves the rumors are true¡ªonce Old Master Tang dies, the Tang family will crumble.¡±

    The crowd buzzed with discussions, and most people had little confidence in the Tang family.

    Just as the murmurs reached their peak, a loud and clear voice rang out¡ª

    ¡°The Tang family has arrived!¡±

    Everyone turned toward the eastern side of the lake. A group of people approached, led by a robust and imposing elder, exuding confidence and authority¡ªnone other than Old Master Tang Luo himself!

    Behind him, a strikingly beautiful woman caught everyone¡¯s attention.

    She was elegant, graceful, and breathtakingly gorgeous¡ªlike a celestial fairy descended upon the mortal world.

    Every man in the crowd was momentarily stunned by her presence.

    Beside her walked a handsome young man dressed in pristine white robes, a folding fan in hand. His smile was carefree, and he glanced around playfully, occasionally winking at beautiful women in the crowd. His roguish charm made it obvious¡ªthis was none other than the notorious Young Master Tang Yan.

    Following closely behind them were the other members of the Tang family, who soon settled into the prime seating area on the eastern lakeside.

    For the first time in three years, all four great families of Yun City were gathered at the Mid-Autumn Festival.

    <hr>

    A new arrival was announced.

    ¡°Miao Dan Workshop has arrived!¡±

    The crowd instantly turned their attention toward the new guests.

    Leading the group was none other than Wu Xuan, the chief alchemist of Miao Dan Workshop.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    Dressed in a fitted warrior¡¯s outfit, she exuded both strength and elegance. Her striking features were further accentuated by her confident demeanor, making her all the more captivating. The way her attire outlined her curves left many men swallowing hard, their hearts racing.

    Walking beside her was Ge Ming, the esteemed elder of Miao Dan Workshop.

    Given that Miao Dan Workshop supplied most of Yun City¡¯s medicinal pills, their presence commanded great respect. The crowd greeted them enthusiastically, offering flattery and warm words.

    Wu Xuan responded with polite smiles and nods, her every gesture oozing charisma. As a woman in a position of power, she carried an air of dominance¡ªan enchanting mix of authority and allure.

    However, despite her beauty, no one dared to make any inappropriate advances toward her.

    Of course, there was one exception¡ªTang Yan.

    Just as everyone respectfully greeted Wu Xuan and her group, Tang Yan suddenly stood up and waved energetically in her direction.

    ¡°Wu Xuan, Elder Ge, come sit with us!¡±

    His boldness made many onlookers scoff.

    ¡°Tch, a good-for-nothing playboy will always be a playboy. Does he really think Miao Dan Workshop would sit with the Tang family?¡±

    ¡°Exactly! Why would they associate with them? The Liu family has already prepared a special tea table for them. That¡¯s where they¡¯ll sit.¡±

    Just then, a deep and magnetic voice came from the Liu family¡¯s seating area.

    ¡°Miss Wu Xuan, we¡¯ve prepared fine tea and a peaceful spot by the lake. Would you do us the honor of joining us for a conversation and moon-gazing?¡±

    The speaker was none other than Liu Zhi, a distinguished young master of the Liu family.

    With his tall and elegant demeanor, he exuded the refined charm of a noble gentleman.

    Many young women in the crowd blushed at the sight of him, their eyes filled with admiration.

    ¡°Wow! Young Master Liu is so handsome!¡±

    The majority of the spectators assumed Wu Xuan would choose to sit with the Liu family.

    She had clearly heard both invitations. She took a few steps toward the Liu family¡¯s area, making it seem as if she was about to accept their offer.

    However, just as the crowd thought she had made her choice, she suddenly stopped and turned with a bright smile.

    ¡°I truly appreciate your kind invitation, Young Master Liu. However, I have already made a prior agreement with Young Master Tang to discuss poetry. I hope you don¡¯t mind.¡±

    With that, she nodded politely in the Liu family¡¯s direction and gracefully made her way toward the Tang family¡¯s seating area.

    Elder Ge Ming, who owed Tang Yan a personal favor, also followed her lead.

    The sight of Miao Dan Workshop¡¯s two highest-ranking figures choosing to sit with the Tang family sent ripples of shock through the crowd.

    The implications were clear.

    Wu Xuan had given the Liu family due respect with her words, but her actions had delivered a subtle yet undeniable slap to their faces.

    Choosing the Tang family over the Liu family spoke volumes.

    What exactly was the relationship between Miao Dan Workshop and the Tang family?

    Had the Tang family, once considered the weakest of the Four Great Families, suddenly risen to prominence?

    As Wu Xuan approached the Tang family¡¯s seating area, she respectfully greeted Old Master Tang. But soon, her attention was drawn to the breathtaking woman sitting beside Tang Yan.

    As someone who frequently interacted with powerful families, Wu Xuan¡¯s instincts immediately told her that this woman was no ordinary beauty.

    She wore no makeup, yet her natural elegance and unparalleled charm made her stand out effortlessly. Despite her composed and gentle demeanor, she carried an air of nobility that made people instinctively keep their distance.

    This was not someone to be underestimated.

    Wu Xuan¡¯s mind raced.

    There were only a few prominent families in Yun City, yet she had never seen this woman before. Could she be from another city?

    Curious, she smiled and asked, ¡°You seem unfamiliar, Miss. May I ask for your name?¡±

    Ziyun was slightly surprised by the question. Looking at Wu Xuan, whose beauty and presence rivaled her own, she maintained a polite and friendly demeanor.

    ¡°My name is Ziyun. You are too kind, Miss Wu Xuan¡ªyou are truly stunning yourself.¡±

    Just as Wu Xuan was about to respond, something suddenly clicked in her mind.

    Her heart skipped a beat as she blurted out in shock¡ª

    ¡°Miss Ziyun¡­ Could you be from the renowned Tianxiang First Pavilion?¡±

 Chapter 44

    Youthful arrogance¡ªwhat young person doesn¡¯t dream of standing out and dazzling the crowd? Who wouldn¡¯t want to display their brilliance before their beloved, earning admiration and favor?

    For those with limited talent in martial cultivation, the pursuit of literature became an alternative path to fame. Many dedicated themselves to poetry and prose, hoping to carve a name for themselves in the intellectual sphere.

    Even in this martial-dominated world, scholarship was highly valued. A strong showing in the literary contest would bring prestige to one''s family, elevating their status in society.

    Among the most renowned scholars of Cloudveil City were Adrian Wu of the Wu family, Ethan Quinn of the Quinn family, and the Lennox brothers, Oliver and Henry.

    As the scent of burning incense filled the air, all contestants stepped onto the literary stage.

    Then, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted¡ª

    ¡°The Tang family isn¡¯t participating?¡±

    At once, all eyes turned toward the stage. After a thorough scan, the truth became evident¡ªnot a single member of the Tang family was present.

    Such a loud remark naturally reached the ears of Patriarch Robert Tang.

    A flicker of embarrassment crossed the old man¡¯s face. Indeed, the younger generation of the Tang family had shown little interest in literature. Even Alexander Tang, though gifted in martial arts, had little patience for scholarly pursuits. In the past, Robert himself had dabbled in poetry, but the contest¡¯s age limit of thirty-five prevented him from entering.

    A sudden thought struck him¡ªhe recalled the poem Alexander had written for Winter Lin. The handwriting had been bold and powerful.

    Perhaps he should give it a try?

    Robert glanced toward Alexander, who lounged lazily in his seat, utterly uninterested. With a sigh, he decided against forcing the matter.

    His guess was correct¡ªAlexander had no desire to compete.

    With the major families eyeing the Tang clan hungrily, his priority was proving his martial prowess. That alone would protect his family¡¯s standing.

    As for the literary contest? At best, it was a pleasant embellishment, but it held little real significance for the Tang family.

    Just then, a playful voice chimed in¡ª

    ¡°Young Master Alexander, that love poem you wrote for Winter was quite the masterpiece. Why so shy now?¡±

    It was none other than Celeste Wu, ever eager to stir up trouble.

    ¡°What?¡± Violet Everglow, who had been sitting nearby, suddenly felt a strange pang in her chest.

    She wasn¡¯t sure why she felt this way, but the discomfort was undeniable.

    Celeste, delighted by the reaction, continued teasing¡ª

    ¡°Oh yes! He declared his love so passionately to the mayor¡¯s daughter! The poem was simply unforgettable. ¡®Alone, I climb the westward tower, gazing at the crescent moon¡­¡¯¡±This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    As she recited the verse, a dreamy look crossed Violet¡¯s face.

    Did he really write such an exquisite poem?

    She cast Alexander a complicated glance.

    His casual, indifferent posture irked her for no apparent reason. Frustration bubbling up, she suddenly kicked his chair, sending him tumbling forward.

    A burst of laughter erupted from the stage.

    ¡°Well, well! Has Young Master Alexander finally decided to represent the Tang family?¡± Oliver Lennox smirked.

    The crowd roared with laughter.

    Everyone in Cloudveil City knew Alexander¡¯s reputation¡ªhe was a notorious scoundrel, more inclined toward drinking and gambling than literature.

    The only thing that had changed recently was his sudden leap in martial cultivation.

    But in the scholarly world?

    He was still a joke.

    However, up on the judging platform, two men had quite the opposite reaction.

    The mayor, Lionel Ashford, and Commander Ethan Quinn of the City Guard exchanged intrigued glances.

    Ethan, in particular, vividly recalled witnessing Alexander compose Reunion¡¯s Lament with effortless grace. The elegance of that verse had left a lasting impression.

    Could he surprise them again?

    From the mayor¡¯s seating area, Winter Lin sat up with renewed interest, her gaze locking onto Alexander.

    Seeing her daughter¡¯s sudden enthusiasm, Lady Lin chuckled knowingly.

    ¡°My, my¡­ such an eager reaction. Could it be that you¡¯ve taken a liking to him?¡±

    Winter¡¯s face flushed crimson.

    ¡°Mother, what nonsense are you saying?!¡±

    Lady Lin only smiled. ¡°Well, he¡¯s quite handsome. If he performs well tonight, perhaps he¡¯s worth considering.¡±

    ¡°Ugh, I¡¯m not talking to you anymore!¡± Winter huffed, turning away, prompting her mother¡¯s amused laughter.

    Meanwhile, Alexander sat on the ground, his expression a mix of annoyance and resignation.

    What is it with women these days?

    He had been chatting pleasantly with Celeste moments ago, and suddenly Violet had sent him flying.

    Seeing no way out, he decided to go along with it. Meeting Oliver Lennox¡¯s gaze, he smirked.

    ¡°The Tang family wouldn¡¯t attend the Mid-Autumn Gathering just to sit on the sidelines. We participate in all contests. Otherwise, some petty minds might use it as an excuse to slander us.¡±

    With that, he stepped onto the stage.

    His confident stride and roguish charm drew the admiration of several young women in the crowd.

    A judge, Master Wallace, spoke up.

    ¡°Are there any additional participants?¡±

    After confirming that no one else wished to join, he nodded.

    ¡°We have 130 contestants. The first round will divide you into ten groups of thirteen.

    The challenge: Poetry relay.

    Each group will take turns composing lines of verse. We will start with five-character lines.

    With each passing round, the complexity will increase by one character per line.

    If you fail to complete your verse in time, you are eliminated.

    The last two contestants in each group will advance.¡±

    Alexander took a seat at one of the tables.

    Seeing him there, several others eagerly rushed to sit beside him.

    His reputation as Cloudveil¡¯s most notorious playboy was well-known.

    Being in his group was practically a free pass to the next round.

    Those who failed to claim a spot sighed in disappointment.

    Each table held thirteen cups of fine wine, prepared for the contestants.

    Alexander picked up a cup, taking a leisurely sip as he glanced around.

    His gaze settled on one individual¡ªHenry Lennox.

    The longstanding feud between the Tang and Lennox families was no secret, and today¡¯s earlier conflicts had only deepened the rift.

    Noticing Alexander¡¯s attention, Henry sneered.

    ¡°These days, it seems even stray dogs think they belong on center stage. What a joke.¡±

    Everyone at the table understood the insult.

    Their eyes turned to Alexander.

    But instead of an angry retort, he casually took another sip of wine and muttered under his breath¡ª

    ¡°Your mother¡¯s the joke.¡±

    A stunned silence fell over the table.

    Then¡ª

    Pfft!

    Several contestants nearly spat out their drinks.

    Never in the history of the Mid-Autumn Gathering had such crude words been spoken during the literary contest.

    Henry¡¯s hand trembled with rage.

    His fingers twitched as he resisted the urge to strike Alexander.

    Taking deep breaths, he forced himself to remain calm.

    Unlike his more battle-ready relatives, Henry was a scholar first and foremost¡ªhe had never even reached the Yellow Rank in martial cultivation.

    At that moment, Master Wallace called out¡ª

    ¡°Begin!¡±

    At each table, the contestants started composing their poetic relay.

    ¡°Moonlight follows the drifting wind.¡±

    ¡°Autumn heart burns hotter than summer¡¯s glow.¡±

    ¡°Leaves fall, vanishing into the clouds.¡±

    ¡°¡­ ¡­¡±

    ¡°Chilled dew moistens the osmanthus bloom,¡± Alexander added lazily.

    The fluidity and depth of his verse startled the others.

    Had this infamous scoundrel¡­ actually come up with something poetic?

 Chapter 45

    "Wine drowns sorrow, yet no tears remain."

    "Blood ignites the endless battlefield."

    "Warhorses thunder across the plains."

    "¡­"

    "On an autumn night, soldiers are called to arms." As Tang Yan seamlessly matched another poetic line with perfect imagery, the expressions of the onlookers shifted. Their gazes carried disbelief¡ªwas this truly Tang Yan? Had he been possessed? How could words like these come from his mouth?

    ¡­

    "The moon waxes and wanes, an eternal cycle of change." When Liu Hailian recited a nine-character verse, several participants hesitated. Of the seven contestants left, three immediately withdrew.

    "The tides rise and fall, leaving only wistful longing." Tang Yan countered with ease.

    The audience turned their attention toward his table. How was this brat still in the game? Could he be cheating?

    "A lonely boat drifts upon the river, the traveler gazes at twin moons in the celestial sea." Liu Hailian delivered a fourteen-character line, reducing the remaining contestants at Tang Yan¡¯s table to three. One of them struggled for words, unable to respond.

    Tang Yan chuckled and spoke effortlessly, "Beneath the morning sun, a young rider scales the emerald peaks, his journey brimming with boundless youth."

    The contestant who failed to respond let out a bitter chuckle, clasped his hands in respect, and admitted, "I was blind to your talent, Tang Yan. I concede defeat." With that, he departed.

    "Well done!" The Tang family erupted in cheers upon seeing that Tang Yan had remained in the competition.

    The first round concluded swiftly, taking only about half an hour.

    When the final twenty contestants were revealed, the entire city of Yun was left astounded¡ªTang Yan, the infamous good-for-nothing, had made it through.

    Among the spectators, those who had been curious about him were now even more eager to see how he would perform in the next stage.

    "Congratulations on advancing to the next round!" Zhou Ying announced. "This time, the topic will be chosen by the City Lord. You will have two incense sticks'' time to complete your piece. It can be a poem or a verse, and the top five will advance, while the rest will be eliminated!"

    After finishing, Zhou Ying turned to the City Lord and cupped his hands. "My lord, please provide the topic!"

    "The first round demonstrated impressive wit and creativity. This time, we will continue to test your quick thinking and literary talent. In past years, we often used the Mid-Autumn Festival as the theme. This year, we will change it¡ªyour theme is ''Emotion.'' You may begin your compositions now." Lin Xiao, the City Lord, stood up and announced.

    Many contestants'' expressions darkened. They had prepared verses related to the Mid-Autumn Festival, only to find them useless now. At once, they bowed their heads in deep contemplation.

    Tang Yan, however, stood out the most. He casually poured himself a drink, tilting his head back to down the wine in one gulp.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

    Seeing his carefree demeanor, many scoffed. This scoundrel had relied on sheer luck to survive the first round, but now his luck had run dry. And yet, he still put on airs, pretending to be refined and poetic? Utterly nauseating!

    "I''ve got it!" A contestant suddenly exclaimed with excitement.

    The outburst startled those around him, earning him a few irritated glances.

    Ignoring them, he cleared his throat and recited:

    "The autumn breeze stirs intoxication, a beauty walks beneath the moon.

    From afar, though words are unsaid, the moon carries my affection."

    A simple yet elegant four-line poem. The audience murmured their approval, and those who had ties with the young man cheered openly.

    Even the four judges nodded in acknowledgment. The verse was short but well-composed, quite commendable given the time constraint.

    Following that, several other contestants presented their works, each poem varying in artistic depth, but all earning a fair share of applause.

    Now, only Yun City''s most renowned scholars remained¡ªWu Jin of the Wu family, Qin An of the Qin family, Liu Zhi and Liu Hailian of the Liu family.

    As for Yun City''s most notorious wastrel? He had already been dismissed from their minds entirely.

    True to their reputations, each of the four scholars delivered a poem that left the crowd in awe, marveling at the beauty of their words.

    "City Lord, may we consider this round concluded?" Liu Zhi smirked as he glanced at Tang Yan, who had yet to write a single word.

    His words triggered another wave of laughter from the crowd.

    So, this was the true face of Tang Yan. He had somehow scraped by in the first round, but in the second, he had been utterly exposed. He couldn''t compose a poem in front of an audience, making this failure even more humiliating. He would have been better off getting eliminated earlier.

    However, the City Lord remained silent, his sharp gaze fixed on Tang Yan. Though he hadn''t interacted with Tang Yan much, each encounter had left a strong impression. Would this young man really give up so easily?

    "This is truly fine wine." Standing at the edge of the platform, Tang Yan gazed over Mingyue Lake, poured himself another drink, and slowly recited:

    "Leaning upon the high tower, the breeze whispers soft.

    I watch the distant sky, where sorrow dims the heavens.

    Grass fades in the dusk, shadows veiled in mist.

    Who can understand my silent longing?"

    As he spoke, he infused his voice with a subtle thread of energy, ensuring his words carried clearly across the entire courtyard.

    The moment his first stanza was completed, those who had been waiting to mock him were struck dumb with astonishment.

    "Did¡­ did Tang Yan really just compose a poem?" Someone in the crowd muttered in disbelief.

    Though the opening stanza focused on scenery, each word was delicately crafted, painting a vivid picture of deep, yearning sorrow.

    Zi Yun, hearing Tang Yan''s poetry for the first time, fixed her gaze on him. This man¡ªgifted in both martial prowess and literary grace¡ªjust what kind of upbringing had he received?

    Qin Changdao, who had initially been worried, finally relaxed. He had known it! A man capable of creating a masterpiece like "Meeting Again" would never struggle with something like this.

    Then, Tang Yan continued:

    "Perhaps I should drink myself into madness,

    Sing to the wine, yet joy feels hollow.

    My robe grows loose, but I care not,

    For I waste away willingly¡ªfor her."

    As the last line echoed through the silent courtyard, the entire gathering fell into stunned quiet.

    "My robe grows loose, but I care not,

    For I waste away willingly¡ªfor her."

    The final verse elevated the entire poem, intensifying the emotion to its peak.

    At that moment, as Tang Yan stood alone under the moonlight, drinking in solitude, his presence exuded a cool melancholy¡ªa romantic yet tragic figure. Many young women stole glances at him, their previous impressions wavering. Perhaps he was not as insufferable as they had believed.

    A long pause followed before the City Lord clapped his hands and praised, "Excellent!"

    "This round¡­ Tang Yan wins again." Wu Xuan, after recovering from her shock, let out a chuckle.

    The Tang family patriarch beamed with pride. Having read poetry his whole life, he could easily recognize the brilliance in his grandson¡¯s work.

    "I hereby announce the results!" Zhou Ying stood and declared, "First place: Tang Yan. Second: Liu Hailian. Third: Wu Jin. Fourth: Liu Zhi. Fifth: Qin An. These five contestants advance to the third round!"

    The ranking was unquestioned.

    "The next round will be even more challenging," Zhou Ying continued. "The first contestant to finish will set the pace¡ªeveryone else must complete their work within a single tea''s time.

    Additionally, each composition must be at least one hundred words long.

    The theme: ''The Young Warriors of Yun City.''

    You may begin!"

 Chapter 46

    Hearing Zhou Ying¡¯s announcement, the crowd immediately perked up. This round¡¯s rules were particularly intriguing¡ªwhoever finished first would set the pace, pressuring the others. More importantly, they were eager to hear how these five contestants would praise Yun City¡¯s warriors.

    The other four competitors grew serious.

    This was no easy topic. To win, their work needed to earn the judges'' approval and resonate with the people of Yun City.

    Tang Yan, however, remained as relaxed as ever, sipping his wine. Unlike the others, who were deep in thought, he seemed utterly carefree.

    His nonchalant demeanor no longer drew contempt. Instead, it added to his charm.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got it!¡± Tang Yan suddenly shouted after downing another cup of wine.

    His loud declaration startled the other four contestants.

    Liu Hailian, who had just begun to find inspiration, lost his train of thought entirely. He frowned in irritation. ¡°If you¡¯ve already composed it, then just recite it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid once I do, you¡¯ll all lose the courage to compete for first place,¡± Tang Yan said smugly.

    ¡°Hmph! How could you possibly write something impressive in such a short time?¡± Liu Hailian scoffed.

    ¡°The Liu family may not be capable, but the Tang family is,¡± Tang Yan retorted, his tone laced with mockery as he continued drinking.

    Seated among the spectators, the Liu family¡¯s patriarch narrowed his eyes. The Liu family is incapable, but the Tang family is? Was this a challenge?

    ¡°Well then, Young Master Tang,¡± Liu Zhi said with a polite smile, seamlessly shifting the focus back onto Tang Yan. ¡°Why don¡¯t you share your work with us? We¡¯d all love to see just how ¡®capable¡¯ the Tang family is.¡±

    ¡°If you insist.¡± Tang Yan stood up, downed his wine in one gulp, refilled his cup, and laughed heartily. ¡°Then listen well!¡±

    His voice rang out over the silent crowd:

    "To slay one is a crime; to slay ten thousand, a hero.

    To slay nine hundred thousand¡ªthen one stands above all.

    A man¡¯s path must be ruthless.

    Virtue and war do not coexist.

    A man must kill, and kill without hesitation.

    For only through bloodshed is true greatness forged.¡±

    At that moment, Tang Yan exuded an air of undeniable dominance. His white robes fluttered in the breeze, and combined with his chilling verses, he seemed like a warlord from ancient times.

    "A sword that severs iron hangs at my waist,

    A single fury, a single kill.

    Flesh sliced for wine,

    Ghosts and gods tremble at my laughter.

    A thousand-mile vengeance,

    I would sacrifice ten lifetimes to see it through."

    At these words, the heads of Yun City¡¯s noble families unconsciously sat up straighter.

    The sheer killing intent in Tang Yan¡¯s verses was enough to make one¡¯s blood run cold.

    And when they recalled how the Tang family had eradicated the Four Seas Gang in a single hour that morning, many couldn¡¯t help but wonder¡ªwas this a declaration of war against the Liu family?A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    "Even in dreams, I kill,

    My smile bathed in moonlight.

    Daughters, do not ask,

    Why men must be so ruthless.

    Virtue has always brought harm;

    Honor, a falsehood from the start.

    Have you not seen?

    Lions and tigers feast and earn renown,

    While helpless deer are left to die?"

    "Do not ask¡ª

    A man has his own path to walk.

    A man¡¯s path must be ruthless.

    Virtue and war do not coexist.

    A man¡¯s duty lies on the battlefield,

    With the courage of a bear and the eyes of a wolf.

    Born a man, one must kill,

    And never let a man¡¯s body hold a woman¡¯s heart!"

    Though Tang Yan had altered the original composition slightly, its words remained as fiery and soul-stirring as ever.

    The young men of Yun City flushed red with excitement, their breathing quickening. Their gazes toward Tang Yan carried a newfound admiration.

    "One strike, one kill.

    A thousand miles, no mercy.

    When the deed is done, I walk away¡ª

    My name hidden, my glory buried."

    For his final lines, Tang Yan borrowed from Li Bai¡¯s Ballad of the Swordsman, delivering them in a voice laced with an unshakable resolve.

    He then threw back his head and drained his cup once more.

    The lakeside fell into a stunned silence.

    Tang Yan¡¯s grandfather, his eyes red with emotion, looked upon his grandson with overwhelming pride.

    This¡­ this is the bloodline of the Tang family!

    Every line Tang Yan had composed was passionate and powerful, igniting a fire within the crowd. To elevate the act of killing to such an inspiring level¡ªLiu Zhi and the others could not hope to match him in this lifetime.

    Liu Hailian and Liu Zhi seethed with frustration, wanting to compose a rebuttal. But no matter how they tried, no words came.

    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Have you finally realized that the Tang family is capable while the Liu family is not?¡± Tang Yan asked with a grin.

    ¡°Hmph. You may have won today, but next time, I¡¯ll shatter your core again. Let¡¯s see who will fix it for you then,¡± Liu Zhi muttered before stepping down from the stage without looking back.

    As he left, the crowd sighed in unison.

    Tang Yan¡¯s composition was too overwhelming. Even the city¡¯s most esteemed scholars, who had dedicated their lives to literature, admitted they couldn¡¯t match even half of his level.

    One by one, the other contestants followed Liu Zhi¡¯s lead, glaring at Tang Yan before descending from the platform.

    The renowned scholars of Yun City had been forced to surrender¡ªby none other than its most infamous scoundrel.

    A conclusion no one had expected.

    While the Tang family basked in joy, the other factions wore grim expressions.

    There was no doubt¡ªTang Yan had claimed the championship of the literary contest.

    What Tang Yan hadn¡¯t anticipated was that the victory came with a reward. And when he saw it, he couldn¡¯t help but laugh.

    Aside from prestige and a monetary prize, he was awarded a Tier 3 Beast Core.

    Though he had no idea why a literary competition offered such a lavish reward, a Tier 3 Beast Core was undeniably useful to him. His efforts had not been in vain.

    Meanwhile, in the Liu family¡¯s section, the patriarch sat in silence, his face unreadable.

    But the Liu family members knew all too well¡ªwhen their patriarch showed no expression, his mood was at its absolute worst.

    ¡°No matter what, Tang Yan must participate in the martial competition,¡± Liu Wuji ordered in a hushed voice. ¡°The moment he steps onto that stage, I don¡¯t care who he faces¡ªno mercy. Crippling him would be ideal. And if¡­ an accident occurs, so be it.¡±

    ¡°Yes. I will make the arrangements immediately,¡± Liu He, the head of the Liu family¡¯s younger generation, replied grimly. He began gathering the strongest fighters among their ranks, whispering instructions.

    Tang Yan¡¯s grandfather, ever shrewd, had been watching the movements of the other families. The moment he saw Liu He¡¯s actions, his heart clenched. He quickly pulled Tang Yan aside.

    ¡°Yan¡¯er, avoid the martial competition if possible. If you must fight, do not face Liu Zhi. The Liu family is plotting something.¡±

    Tang Yan glanced toward the Liu family¡¯s section and smirked. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Grandfather. I know what I¡¯m doing.¡±

    Seeing the confidence in his grandson¡¯s eyes, the old man relaxed slightly. Though Tang Yan had been reckless in the past, his recent actions showed maturity beyond his years.

    As the crowd was still abuzz over Tang Yan¡¯s Warrior¡¯s Path, the City Lord stepped onto the stage and announced:

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, the literary contest has concluded. Next¡­ we begin the Martial Tournament of the Mid-Autumn Festival.¡±

 Chapter 47

    ¡°A city''s future strength depends on its younger generation. This year''s martial competition will be judged by me. Anyone who makes it into the top eight will receive a reward.¡±

    ¡°In the last tournament, the top eight were: Liu Zhi from the Liu family, Lin Dongxue from the City Lord¡¯s Mansion, Wu Feiming from the Wu family, Qin Guang from the Qin family, Liu Changyu from the Liu family, Qin Yi from the Qin family, Wu Ding from the Wu family, and Qian Rulong from the Qian family.¡±

    ¡°The competition will follow the same format as before, divided into two stages. The first stage is the qualifying round, where everyone except the previous top eight can compete. The top five from this stage earn the right to challenge last year¡¯s top eight.¡±

    ¡°The second stage is the direct challenge round. If someone possesses at least Third-Rank Yellow-tier strength, they may bypass the qualifiers and directly challenge the previous top eight. If no one challenges them, then the top eight will compete among themselves to determine this year¡¯s final rankings.¡±

    ¡°The competition begins now! Those wishing to enter the qualifiers, head to the side arena. Those strong enough to challenge directly, step onto the main stage. Let the tournament begin!¡± City Lord Lin Xiao''s voice rang out, followed by the resounding beat of war drums in the distance.

    Before the battles even started, Liu Wuhui sneered at Tang Ling, ¡°Tang family is considered one of the Four Great Families of Yun City, yet not a single one of your younger generation made it into the top eight? How disgraceful! To think our families are even mentioned in the same breath!¡±

    The crowd¡¯s attention once again turned toward the Tang family. The ongoing rivalry between the Tang and Liu families had made this year''s Mid-Autumn Festival particularly eventful.

    Tang Ling, however, remained composed. He had expected such provocations and simply chuckled. ¡°Earlier, when Yan¡¯er joined the literary contest, your Liu family mocked us too. But in the end, who won? You, old dog, should stop barking when you don¡¯t understand the situation.¡±

    Even with his great self-restraint, Liu Wuhui almost lost his temper. He took a deep breath to calm himself before replying coldly, ¡°A martial tournament is nothing like a literary contest. If I recall correctly, your grandson is only at Eighth-Rank Mortal-tier, correct? He doesn¡¯t even qualify to challenge the top eight! The Tang family¡¯s decline is truly pathetic.¡±

    ¡°Who are you calling pathetic?!¡± Tang Yan, ever the brazen troublemaker, immediately pointed at Liu Wuhui¡¯s nose and cursed.

    ¡°You insolent brat!¡± The Liu family members glared at Tang Yan, their faces dark with anger.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    ¡°Enough!¡± The City Lord¡¯s voice rang with authority, silencing the tension. ¡°This is a friendly competition. There is no need for this to escalate into a full-blown feud. Keep your decorum in front of Yun City''s people!¡±

    The Liu family dared not act out under the City Lord¡¯s reprimand, but they couldn¡¯t just let Tang Yan¡¯s insults slide. Liu He, the eldest of the Liu family¡¯s younger generation, stepped forward and said, ¡°The Liu family simply finds it regrettable that the Tang family has no promising successors. No offense intended.¡±

    Liu Jing, another Liu family member, chimed in with a smirk, ¡°Indeed. A family¡¯s sole heir, and he¡¯s only at Eighth-Rank Mortal-tier. He might stand a chance against a Ninth-Rank Mortal, but against even a First-Rank Yellow-tier opponent, he¡¯s nothing more than cannon fodder.¡±

    Tang Yan scoffed. ¡°Bullshit! That Liu Quan of yours was First-Rank Yellow-tier, and I beat him like a dog last time!¡±

    Liu Jing¡¯s face twitched at the reminder. His son, Liu Quan, had been heavily injured by Tang Yan, his cultivation permanently crippled. Furious, he spat, ¡°Quan was careless! If it had been a fair fight, you would¡¯ve been dead!¡±

    Tang Yan sneered. ¡°Shut up! Any Yellow-tier trash from your Liu family who steps up, I¡¯ll cripple them all!¡±

    The Liu family trembled with rage.

    Liu He narrowed his eyes. ¡°If you¡¯re so confident, why don¡¯t we make a bet? We¡¯ll send out a First-Rank Yellow-tier fighter. If you defeat him, we¡¯ll give you three Third-Rank Beast Cores. If you lose, your Tang family owes us three Third-Rank Beast Cores. Deal?¡±

    Three Third-Rank Beast Cores were a hefty sum, tempting Tang Yan greatly.

    But he knew he couldn¡¯t appear too eager. If he agreed too easily and his grandfather didn¡¯t object, the Liu family might grow suspicious and back out.

    Tang Ling, understanding his grandson¡¯s ploy, shot up and roared, ¡°Shameless bastard! Why don¡¯t you fight me instead? If I lose, I¡¯ll give you a hundred Third-Rank Beast Cores!¡±

    Liu He forced a laugh, unwilling to take the bait. He still hoped to get rid of Tang Yan. ¡°The elder avoiding a fight while the younger hesitates¡ªhow pathetic! Do you accept or not? If not, have Tang Yan kneel and apologize to the Liu family!¡±

    City Lord Lin Xiao, now intrigued by the Tang family¡¯s boldness, remained silent and observed.

    Tang Yan, feigning hesitation, then grinned. ¡°Grandfather, don¡¯t worry. Liu Quan was nothing. The others won¡¯t be any better.¡±

    Tang Ling sighed as if in reluctance. ¡°Fine. Be careful. If you can¡¯t win, just surrender.¡±

    The two put on a convincing act, fooling the entire audience into believing Tang Yan was truly only at Eighth-Rank Mortal-tier.

    Liu Wuhui, seizing the opportunity, turned to Lin Xiao. ¡°City Lord, there¡¯s still time before the tournament officially starts. Why not let Liu Xing and Tang Yan have a match first?¡±

    Since both families had agreed and the match promised great entertainment, Lin Xiao nodded. ¡°Very well. But keep in mind¡ªthis is a friendly match. If someone surrenders, the fight ends immediately. Any violation will be severely punished!¡±

    Liu He called over a young fighter and whispered, ¡°Don¡¯t give him a chance to surrender.¡±

    Liu Xing, a stocky young man built like an iron tower, nodded and stepped onto the stage with a long spear.

    ¡°Tang Yan is intelligent, but he¡¯s not very bright,¡± someone in the audience whispered. ¡°He doesn¡¯t seem to understand that anyone below Yellow-tier is just an ant. Last time, he only won because Liu Quan was careless. He won¡¯t be so lucky this time.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, with just Eighth-Rank Mortal-tier strength, he won¡¯t last ten moves.¡±

    The crowd murmured their doubts.

    As both fighters took their positions, Lin Xiao raised his hand. ¡°Begin!¡±

 Chapter 48

    "Take this¡ªmy spear!"

    Wasting no time, Liu Xing unleashed the Liu Clan''s signature Overlord Spear Technique.

    Sensing the aura of a Yellow Rank First-Tier Peak warrior, Tang Yan smirked inwardly. Decent strength, but still far beneath him.

    With a slight release of his inner energy, Tang Yan wielded his longsword and advanced.

    The crowd widened their eyes in disbelief as Tang Yan fearlessly met the spear head-on. By all logic, this battle should have been decided in a single move.

    Clang!

    The sharp clash of metal echoed, and gasps filled the air.

    Tang Yan had actually blocked the attack!

    A Mortal Rank Eighth-Tier warrior had just withstood a full-force strike from a Yellow Rank First-Tier opponent?

    Before anyone could recover from the shock, Tang Yan was already counterattacking, his sword thrusting straight for Liu Xing¡¯s throat.

    Feeling the oppressive force of the sword¡¯s energy, Liu Xing¡¯s expression changed drastically.

    Damn it! This isn¡¯t Mortal Rank Eighth-Tier¡ªhe¡¯s clearly Yellow Rank First-Tier!

    But before he could react, Tang Yan¡¯s blade was upon him.

    The Flowing Cloud Sword Technique¡ªas ethereal as drifting clouds, fluid as flowing water, omnipresent and ever-changing. The seemingly slow swordplay masked an intricate network of unpredictable and perilous attacks.

    Even Old Master Tang couldn¡¯t help but rub his eyes in astonishment.

    It wasn¡¯t Tang Yan¡¯s internal energy that shocked him, but rather his swordsmanship.

    Isn¡¯t that our Tang Clan¡¯s Flowing Cloud Sword Technique?

    Yet, the way Tang Yan wielded it seemed¡­ even stronger?

    As he carefully observed, the old master finally realized what was different.

    It was the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique¡ªbut subtly altered.

    Realizing this, Old Master Tang felt both furious and amused. This little brat learned an upgraded version of our sword technique and didn¡¯t even bother telling me?!

    Despite having the same cultivation level, Tang Yan¡¯s superior technique and battle awareness gave him an overwhelming advantage.

    Under Tang Yan¡¯s relentless assault, Liu Xing could only retreat, barely able to keep up.

    It all happened in mere seconds.

    "Tang Yan is Yellow Rank First-Tier!"

    The skilled warriors in the crowd immediately recognized the truth.

    Liu Xing, overwhelmed and flustered, left an opening in his defense.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    Tang Yan¡¯s eyes gleamed, and he seized the opportunity, delivering a powerful kick straight to Liu Xing¡¯s dantian.

    Boom!

    Liu Xing had no time to defend¡ªhe was sent flying, landing heavily on the ground, unconscious.

    A smirk played at Tang Yan¡¯s lips. Another crippled Liu Clan warrior.

    "Xing''er!"

    Liu He roared and leaped onto the stage, checking Liu Xing¡¯s pulse. As his face darkened, he turned to Tang Yan with a chilling glare. "If something happens to him, you¡¯ll regret it!"

    "We all agreed¡ªuntil someone concedes, the fight continues. Liu Xing never admitted defeat. If anything, I was merciful for not delivering a finishing blow. Liu Clan¡¯s Head Liu He, remember to send those three Tier-Three Beast Cores to the Tang Clan tonight."

    Tang Yan was completely unfazed by Liu He¡¯s threats, sheathing his sword and returning to his seat.

    "You broke through to Yellow Rank First-Tier?"

    Wu Xuan gasped. Just days ago, he had still been at Mortal Rank Eighth-Tier!

    "Hehe, just a lucky breakthrough," Tang Yan said humbly.

    City Lord Lin Xiao, watching from above, felt speechless. No wonder Tang Yan had agreed to the fight so readily¡ªhe had already reached Yellow Rank First-Tier!

    Strictly speaking, Tang Yan had never lied. The Liu Clan simply made their own false assumptions. Lin Xiao could only announce, "Tang Yan is the winner!"

    The Liu Clan elders were seething. They had wanted to humiliate the Tang Clan, yet now it was their turn to be the laughingstock.

    "The Tang Clan has become this deceitful? Hiding his strength and pretending to be weak?" Liu Changyu growled.

    "I never once claimed I was Mortal Rank Eighth-Tier. Your misjudgment is your problem, not mine."

    Tang Yan¡¯s voice turned cold. "Besides, your Liu Clan wanted a Mortal Rank warrior to fight a Yellow Rank warrior. What was your true intention?"

    "Did you think the Tang Clan was an easy target?

    The Tang Clan has always upheld peace, never provoking others, but that does not mean we are afraid.

    Tonight, both the destruction of the Four Seas Gang and Liu Xing¡¯s defeat should serve as clear warnings.

    If anyone believes the Tang Clan is weak, they¡¯re welcome to test their luck!"

    Many of the smaller factions within Cloud City, who had been on the fence, felt their blood boil at Tang Yan¡¯s bold words.

    Some regretted not siding with the Tang Clan earlier¡ªif only Tang Yan had been just a bit stronger, the risk of allying with them would be much lower. After all, once Old Master Tang passed away, would the Tang Clan truly be able to hold their ground?

    Tang Yan had anticipated this concern.

    By participating in tonight¡¯s tournament, he aimed to dispel those doubts.

    As long as he displayed enough strength, the Tang Clan¡¯s influence would rise again.

    "The rules state that anyone at Yellow Rank Third-Tier or higher may challenge the former Top Eight directly, correct?"

    Tang Yan¡¯s voice rang through the night sky.

    Gasps spread through the crowd.

    He wanted to challenge Cloud City¡¯s Top Eight?

    Did that mean he had Yellow Rank Third-Tier strength?

    "Tang Yan of the Tang Clan challenges Liu Changyu of the Liu Clan!"

    As the audience watched in stunned silence, Tang Yan¡¯s aura began to rise.

    Yellow Rank Second-Tier!

    Yellow Rank Third-Tier!

    ¡­

    The rising energy continued to intensify, finally stopping at Yellow Rank Sixth-Tier!

    A suffocating silence engulfed the arena.

    Then, an eruption of chaos.

    The city¡¯s infamous "First Young Master Scoundrel" was actually a hidden expert!

    At Yellow Rank Sixth-Tier, he was absolutely capable of entering the Top Eight!

    The Liu Clan elders¡¯ faces darkened further. They recognized the sword technique Tang Yan had used¡ªit was indeed the Tang Clan¡¯s Flowing Cloud Sword Technique.

    But it had been modified¡ªits power was even greater than before.

    Their plan to cripple Tang Yan had completely fallen apart.

    "Tang Yan, why don¡¯t you challenge me instead?"

    A calm yet commanding voice rang out.

    Liu Zhi stepped forward.

    The once-boisterous arena instantly fell silent again.

    As the undisputed number one among Cloud City¡¯s younger generation, Liu Zhi was rumored to be Yellow Rank Eighth-Tier!

    In high-level combat, even the smallest gap in power could determine the victor.

    Tang Yan¡¯s expression remained unreadable as he quickly weighed his options.

    Even if Liu Zhi was at Yellow Rank Ninth-Tier, he was confident he could fight on equal footing.

    He wasn¡¯t here to claim the championship.

    He was here to prove that the Tang Clan was not in decline¡ªto inspire the city¡¯s wavering factions to stand by them.

    "Very well," Tang Yan said, his lips curling into a smirk.

    "If I can endure twenty moves from you, I¡¯ll consider it my victory."

 Chapter 49

    Engaging in a battle with Liu Zhi would allow Tang Yan to showcase his strength, gauge Liu Zhi¡¯s true abilities, and assess his own limits. With three benefits in one fight, he saw no reason to decline.

    Having made up his mind, Tang Yan responded calmly, ¡°If you want to fight, I¡¯ll accompany you.¡±

    ¡°Yan¡¯er¡­¡± The Tang family patriarch rose, attempting to stop him.

    ¡°Old Master, let Tang Yan go. His combat prowess is stronger than you think.¡± Just as Tang Ling was about to voice his concern, Zi Yun¡¯s words echoed in his ears.

    Zi Yun was the esteemed Third Miss of Zizhu City, and the Tang patriarch trusted her judgment. He swallowed his objections and turned to look at her. Seeing the reassurance in her gaze, he steadied himself and focused entirely on the stage.

    ¡°Hm?¡± Lin Xiao, the city lord, felt a ripple of unease. With his extensive experience in reading people, he knew Tang Yan was no reckless fool. But with his current cultivation level, what hidden trump card did he have to challenge Liu Zhi?

    ¡°You have courage, Brother Tang. I admire that!¡± Liu Zhi stepped forward, taking a few quick strides before launching himself onto the stage in a graceful leap, landing opposite Tang Yan.

    ¡°The match begins!¡±

    Once the two combatants were ready, Lin Xiao gave the signal.

    Liu Zhi struck first, his spear trembling as he lunged at Tang Yan.

    A chilling aura locked onto Tang Yan like a ravenous wolf, making the hairs on his body stand on end. The spear tore through the air with a terrifying force, as if nothing could withstand its might.

    Tang Yan inhaled deeply. Instead of dodging, he chose to meet the attack head-on, shocking the audience.

    Clang!

    Tang Yan staggered two steps back, his hands numb, blood surging chaotically within him.

    Liu Zhi, however, remained rooted in place¡ªan unmistakable gap in strength.

    Having landed his first strike, Liu Zhi wasted no time, his spear whistling through the air as he thrust it straight toward Tang Yan¡¯s throat.

    Gasps erupted from the crowd, and the Tang patriarch¡¯s grip on his teacup tightened¡ªcrack!¡ªshattering it into pieces.

    Tang Yan remained unfazed. That initial exchange had given him a rough understanding of Liu Zhi¡¯s power.

    Activating Phantom Steps, his body shifted at an impossible angle, narrowly evading the deadly spear tip.

    ¡°He dodged it!¡± A wave of astonishment spread through the audience.

    Using the momentum, Tang Yan countered with his Flowing Cloud Sword, striking toward Liu Zhi.

    In just two moves, he had turned the tide from defense to offense!A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    His swordplay, intricate as a sky full of floating clouds and as unrelenting as a torrential storm, enveloped Liu Zhi like an inescapable net.

    The stage rang with the rapid clashing of metal, and in the blink of an eye, three more exchanges had passed.

    Liu Zhi felt a growing frustration. He had expected to defeat Tang Yan within a few moves, yet this slippery opponent kept slipping through his attacks.

    Even more infuriating, Tang Yan¡¯s strikes were unnervingly precise, targeting the weaknesses in his stance with pinpoint accuracy.

    Liu Zhi¡¯s confidence wavered, while the spectators¡¯ astonishment grew.

    Among them, Qian Rulong and Qian Shenghuo¡ªwho had previously clashed with Tang Yan¡ªfelt a chill run down their spines. They had once considered confronting him head-on, but looking back, they realized they had narrowly avoided a humiliating defeat.

    Although Liu Zhi maintained the upper hand, he had yet to land a decisive blow. Within mere moments, nineteen exchanges had passed.

    ¡°Liu Zhi, we¡¯re almost at twenty moves,¡± Tang Yan reminded with a grin.

    His words struck Liu Zhi like a thunderbolt. He regretted his earlier promise¡ªif he failed to defeat Tang Yan in the next move, the Liu family¡¯s reputation would take a severe hit.

    With a heavy thrust, he forced Tang Yan back before growling, ¡°Impressive. I had planned to win with only eight layers of my strength, but it seems I must reveal my true power.¡±

    ¡°This next strike will end it!¡±

    The moment his words fell, Liu Zhi¡¯s aura surged dramatically.

    Yellow Rank, Ninth Tier!

    Tang Yan¡¯s eyes narrowed. Just as he suspected, Liu Zhi had been hiding his true cultivation level.

    Against Zi Yun, he had barely endured the might of a Yellow Rank Ninth Tier opponent. Now, facing Liu Zhi in a life-or-death battle, the danger was even greater.

    ¡°Die!¡± Liu Zhi roared. His spear transformed into a dragon, aiming straight for Tang Yan¡¯s heart.

    The sheer force of the attack was like a roaring tempest, and at the spear tip, a near-tangible layer of energy swirled violently.

    A hushed silence fell over the crowd.

    Everyone was in awe¡ªthis was why Liu Zhi was regarded as Cloud City¡¯s number one genius. Such a display of raw power was simply beyond ordinary martial artists.

    Tang Yan¡¯s defeat seemed inevitable.

    Yet, just as the attack closed in, a faint, eerie blue flame flickered into existence in front of him.

    The Heavenly Creation Flame!

    The surrounding air distorted slightly as the flame, no bigger than a palm, hovered before Tang Yan.

    Despite its striking color, most spectators failed to sense its terrifying energy, merely watching curiously to see how he would respond.

    ¡°Go!¡±

    With a roar, Tang Yan pushed all his remaining strength into the flame and hurled it forward.

    Boom!

    The instant the flame clashed with the spear tip, a deep, muffled explosion shook the stage.

    The solid stone flooring beneath them crumbled into dust, sending a thick cloud of smoke billowing into the air.

    As the dust gradually settled, a lone figure remained standing on the stage.

    The crowd stretched their necks, straining to see through the haze. When they recognized the upright figure as Liu Zhi, a collective murmur of expectation rippled through them.

    But then¡­ their expressions froze.

    As the last wisps of dust cleared, a second figure stood tall on the stage¡ªTang Yan!

    ¡°What?! He¡¯s still standing?¡± someone gasped.

    ¡°A Yellow Rank Sixth Tier cultivator withstanding a Ninth Tier¡¯s full-force attack? Impossible!¡±

    The difference between tiers was like an unscalable mountain¡ªyet Tang Yan had just shattered that belief.

    Though his clothing was in tatters and his breathing was ragged, he was still standing.

    Tang Yan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and grinned at Liu Zhi. ¡°Looks like I made it past twenty moves.¡±

    Liu Zhi¡¯s expression turned dark.

    To let a mere Sixth Tier cultivator survive twenty moves against him? He had single-handedly disgraced the Liu family.

    His hand tightened around his spear, murderous intent flickering in his eyes.

    But just as he considered breaking the rules and striking again, an overwhelming presence locked onto him.

    He turned sharply¡ªLin Xiao was watching.

    The city lord¡¯s gaze was indifferent, but a wordless warning lingered in the air.

    Cold sweat dripped down Liu Zhi¡¯s back.

    No matter how unwilling he was, he couldn¡¯t act recklessly under Lin Xiao¡¯s watchful eye.

 Chapter 50

    The Liu family''s series of plots against the Tang family had been systematically dismantled.

    With every provocation and attack, the Tang family not only endured but also revealed a sharper edge, leaving countless onlookers stunned.

    Everyone knew that Tang Yan and Liu Zhi still had a considerable gap in strength. However, Tang Yan was still young¡ªwho could say for certain who would be the strongest in Cloud City in the years to come?

    Even the previous top eight contenders of Cloud City watched the young man on stage with complicated expressions. The so-called "Cloud City''s most notorious wastrel" had fought evenly against a ninth-tier Yellow Rank opponent, and even forced Liu Zhi into a wretched state.

    Deep down, they knew they couldn''t have done the same.

    "Well done!"

    The families that aligned themselves with the Tang family erupted in cheers. Their confidence in the Tang family had never been higher.

    Liu Zhi''s face twisted in frustration. "What are you so proud of? If you take one more of my moves, you will surely lose!"

    Tang Yan sneered. "A loss is a loss." Without another word, he turned and left the stage.

    With the Mid-Autumn Gathering''s purpose fulfilled, he had no interest in the rest of the event. Returning to his family¡¯s seats, he exchanged brief greetings before swiftly departing, utilizing Phantom Shadow Step to disappear into the moonlit night.

    Strength is Never Enough

    The battle with Liu Zhi made one thing crystal clear: he was still too weak.

    If he wanted to grow stronger, he needed relentless training.

    Back in his room, Tang Yan swallowed a High Spirit Pill and began cultivating.

    By dawn, golden rays spilled through his window as he slowly opened his eyes. After a night of recovery, the exhaustion from his battle had fully dissipated.

    Just as he stepped outside, a crisp voice greeted him.

    "Young Master, the Old Master wishes to see you once you¡¯re awake."

    Tang Yan frowned. Grandfather is calling me this early?

    With curiosity, he made his way to Tang Ling¡¯s courtyard.

    After knocking a few times, his grandfather¡¯s voice came from within. "Come in."

    Upon entering, Tang Yan was shocked.

    His grandfather sat at a table covered with wine bottles.

    Did he drink all night?

    Frowning, Tang Yan strode forward, snatching the wine cup from Tang Ling¡¯s hand and replacing it with a cup of hot tea. "Grandfather, why did you drink so much?"

    Tang Ling chuckled as he took the tea. "Brat, I didn¡¯t drink too much. Back in my younger days, I drank far more."

    Tang Yan was puzzled. "Why did you call for me?"This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    His grandfather¡¯s gaze deepened. "You''ll understand soon. Wait here."

    A short while later, Tang Ling emerged in a fresh set of clothes and waved his hand. "Follow me."

    Still confused, Tang Yan trailed behind him.

    Before long, they arrived at the Tang Family¡¯s Ancestral Hall.

    After paying respects to their ancestors, Tang Ling¡¯s expression turned solemn.

    "Yan''er, for sixteen years, I have never spoken to you about our family¡¯s past."

    Tang Yan''s heart tightened.

    Though he wasn¡¯t originally from this world, his soul had fully merged with this life¡¯s memories. Tang Ling¡¯s meticulous care over the years had made him truly accept this family.

    Having never experienced familial love in his previous life, Tang Yan felt his heart tremble upon hearing his grandfather¡¯s words.

    "Grandfather, I¡¯m listening."

    Tang Ling sighed. "Sixteen years ago, your mother met your father by chance, and they fell in love at first sight. Then¡­ you were born."

    "But your mother¡¯s background was mysterious. She had actually fled from an arranged marriage."

    "The family behind your mother, as well as the one she was betrothed to, stormed into our Tang family and forcibly tore your parents apart."

    "The Tang family was shattered in that calamity. If not for your mother threatening to take her own life, we would have been completely wiped out."

    Tang Ling¡¯s eyes were filled with sorrow. "After your mother was taken away, your father left to search for her. To this day, he has never returned."

    Tang Yan clenched his fists. "No one knows where my mother¡¯s family is from?"

    His grandfather shook his head. "We don¡¯t know. But their strength far surpasses the Heaven Rank¡­"

    Tang Yan¡¯s heart shook violently. "Stronger than Heaven Rank?"

    Tang Ling nodded. "Yes. Martial arts has no true limit. The Tianxiang Kingdom is nothing more than a small corner of this continent. When you reach the Heaven Rank, you¡¯ll realize that¡¯s merely the beginning of the true martial path."

    He fixed his gaze on Tang Yan. "I¡¯m telling you this because you must never become arrogant. Your current strength in Cloud City means nothing in the grand scheme of things!"

    Tang Yan took a deep breath. "Grandfather, our Tang family wasn¡¯t originally from Cloud City, was it?"

    Tang Ling sighed. "Correct. Sixteen years ago, we lived in the Northern Spirit Realm. But after the chaos from your parents¡¯ situation, we had no choice but to go into hiding here."

    Tang Yan looked at his grandfather, whose once-mighty frame had been worn down by time and hardship. His heart ached. "Grandfather, don¡¯t worry. I will find them."

    Tang Ling smiled faintly. "Do your best. That¡¯s all I ask."

    The Secret Chamber

    After a brief silence, Tang Ling¡¯s expression turned serious. "There¡¯s something else. Come with me."

    Tang Yan followed him to the rear of the ancestral hall.

    His grandfather knocked thirteen times against a seemingly ordinary wall.

    Rumble¡ª

    A stone door appeared, revealing a hidden chamber.

    Tang Yan¡¯s eyes widened. The Tang family had a hidden chamber? Why had he never known about this?

    Inside, four luminous Night Pearls lit up the room. The only object within was a jade scroll placed upon a table.

    Tang Ling carefully picked up the jade scroll and handed it to him.

    "What is this?" Tang Yan asked curiously.

    His grandfather exhaled. "Before your mother was taken away, she left this behind for you. I¡¯ve tried to decipher it before, but the techniques are too complex for me to understand. She said if you can learn it, you should practice it diligently. If not, you can abandon it."

    Tang Yan¡¯s breath quickened. His mother had left behind a martial technique?

    He sent a wisp of spiritual sense into the jade scroll.

    "Flameburst Palm."

    As he scanned further, his expression turned to shock.

    In his past life, his expertise had been in alchemy rather than martial arts, but he had still encountered countless powerful techniques.

    Yet this technique¡¯s intricacy rivaled the most advanced martial arts he had ever seen.

    In fact¡­ it seemed even more complex!

    The difficulty of the technique was astonishing. However, rather than discouraging him, it ignited his excitement.

    "Flameburst Palm" had three forms:

    <ol>

    <li>Flame Fierce Palm</li>

    <li>Flame Break Palm</li>

    <li>Explosive Flame Palm</li>

    </ol>

    Each form exponentially increased in power.

    Tang Yan absorbed every detail, his astonishment growing deeper.

    Tang Ling observed his expression. "Did you understand it?"

 Chapter 51

    Hearing his grandfather¡¯s voice, Tang Yan felt a bit embarrassed. "I got too absorbed just now and forgot you were still here, Grandpa. I understood some parts, and I should be able to start training with it."

    Tang Ling frowned upon hearing this and quickly asked, "What level is this technique? Can you determine its rank?"

    Tang Yan pondered over the power of the technique for a long moment before shaking his head. "It¡¯s hard to say, but it¡¯s at least Earth-tier."

    "Earth-tier?!" Tang Ling was shocked. The entire Yun City might not even have a single Earth-tier technique, yet this jade slip contained such a priceless treasure!

    "Take it and train well. Remember, you must never share this technique with outsiders!" Tang Ling instructed solemnly.

    "Don''t worry, Grandpa," Tang Yan assured him.

    Satisfied with his grandson¡¯s promise, Tang Ling nodded and led Tang Yan out of the secret chamber, allowing him to return to his quarters.

    Back in his room, Tang Yan couldn¡¯t wait to absorb the contents of Flame Burst Palm.

    Currently, his strength was only at the sixth tier of the Yellow Rank. After analyzing the technique¡¯s intricate steps, Tang Yan estimated that he could barely manage the first form.

    The technique was extremely complex. Even though he could grasp some insights, fully mastering it would require significant effort.

    But Tang Yan wasn¡¯t in a hurry. He patiently analyzed every step of the first form.

    Time passed second by second. Tang Yan sat there thinking, but to outsiders, it simply looked like he was staring blankly for hours.

    This left Zi Yun and Xiao Cui completely confused.

    "Xiao Cui, do you think your young master was hit so hard by Liu Zhi that he went stupid?" Zi Yun asked worriedly.

    "He shouldn¡¯t be crazy¡­ right?" Xiao Cui was also a bit concerned.

    However, the two of them knew better than to interrupt him. They simply watched in curiosity as Tang Yan sat in a daze. Then, suddenly¡ª

    "Hahaha! I get it now! It¡¯s all about externalizing true energy to create spatial vibrations!"

    Tang Yan burst out laughing.

    His loud exclamation startled both girls.

    "What the hell is wrong with you?!" Zi Yun snapped in annoyance.

    "Heh heh, nothing, nothing," Tang Yan said, grinning from ear to ear. He was so excited about his breakthrough that he didn¡¯t even bother with the front door. Instead, he leaped over the courtyard wall and sprinted towards the small mountain behind the Tang estate.

    "Hopeless!" Zi Yun huffed, stomping her foot in frustration. But despite her irritation, a flicker of understanding flashed in her eyes.

    No wonder Tang Yan¡¯s strength advanced so quickly. No wonder he could challenge opponents beyond his level. With such dedication to martial arts, he was bound to surpass others!This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Tang Family''s Back Mountain

    A lean figure stood in front of a tree, repeating the same movement over and over again.

    "Pfft!"

    "Pfft! Pfft!"

    A series of weak, air-leaking sounds echoed as Tang Yan attempted to execute Flame Burst Palm, but there was no destructive force at all.

    Again and again, he sweated profusely. Again and again, he failed. But Tang Yan refused to give up.

    After every failure, he analyzed his mistakes and adjusted his technique.

    "Break for me!"

    After countless attempts, Tang Yan felt his true energy surge violently, almost as if it were being drained completely from his dantian.

    The air around him distorted.

    A massive energy sphere condensed in his palm.

    "Go!" He took a firm step forward and struck at the tree before him.

    "Crack!" The tree, as thick as a bowl, instantly shattered.

    "Boom!"

    The tree trunk, unable to support itself, collapsed to the ground with a loud crash.

    "Holy crap!" Tang Yan was stunned by the scene before him. He had already expected Flame Burst Palm to be powerful, but with just his sixth-tier Yellow Rank strength, this level of destructive force was simply insane!

    "If only I had learned this earlier, I wouldn¡¯t have struggled so much against Liu Zhi yesterday!"

    Just as he was lost in thought, a wave of intense exhaustion swept over him.

    Tang Yan¡¯s expression changed. In his excitement, he had completely forgotten that this attack had drained his dantian dry!

    His body, completely overdrawn, was only standing because of the lingering adrenaline.

    Before he could even retrieve a High Spirit Pill, his vision darkened, and he collapsed to the ground.

    Back in His Room

    When Tang Yan woke up, he found himself lying in bed.

    "Young master, you''re awake!" Xiao Cui cried out in delight.

    Feeling his still-weak body, Tang Yan chuckled, "What happened? Who brought me back?"

    "The patrolling guards found you unconscious and carried you back. The old master already had someone check on you. You were just exhausted from overexertion and need rest to recover," Xiao Cui explained.

    "Got it. You should get some rest too." Through the window, the moonlight streamed in, indicating it was already late at night. Tang Yan glanced at Xiao Cui and, after a moment¡¯s thought, said, "By the way, your monthly wage is doubled. Tomorrow, go to the accounting office to collect it."

    As he spoke, he picked up a brush and swiftly wrote a note, handing it to her.

    "Thank you, young master!" Xiao Cui¡¯s eyes reddened with emotion as she accepted the note and quietly left.

    "The energy consumption of Flame Burst Palm is ridiculous. Unless I reach the Profound Rank, I should avoid using it recklessly." Tang Yan sighed inwardly. Taking out a High Spirit Pill, he swallowed it and began meditating to recover.

    Three Days Later

    For the past three days, Tang Yan had been training at full intensity.

    That evening, as he practiced swordsmanship in the courtyard, a servant came to report:

    "Young master, someone from the Miao Dan Pavilion is here to see you."

    "They¡¯re looking for me?" Tang Yan was intrigued and followed the servant to the main hall.

    Inside, upon seeing Ge Ming, Tang Yan laughed and strode forward. "Brother Ge, your visit is an honor to my Tang family!"

    "Haha, young brother Tang, you are as lively as ever!" Ge Ming responded warmly.

    Hearing their conversation, Tang Ling sat on the side feeling rather frustrated. He had just spent half the meeting addressing Ge Ming as "Master Ge" with utmost respect. Then his grandson waltzed in and called him "Brother Ge." How exactly was he supposed to handle this generation gap?

    "Master Ge, since Yan¡¯er is here now, may I ask what business you have with him?" Tang Ling finally interjected.

    "I''m here to settle the bill for the Tang family," Ge Ming said with a smile.

    Tang Ling froze for a moment before realization struck him¡ªwas this related to the 120 guards who had suddenly advanced?

    "So this little brat bought all those pills from Miao Dan Pavilion?! He never even told me!"

    Luckily, after looting the Four Seas Gang¡¯s entire warehouse, the Tang family had some financial reserves. Tang Ling forced a bitter smile. "How much does my Tang family owe?"

    "This time, not much¡ªonly 3.3 million silver taels," Ge Ming said with a sigh.

    "Three point three million?!"

    Tang Ling nearly lost his mind. Judging by Ge Ming¡¯s sigh, it was as if he thought the amount was too little!

    "Tang Yan! What the hell did you buy from Miao Dan Pavilion that cost so much?!"

 Chapter 52

    Seeing Master Tang so agitated, Ge Ming realized what Tang Ling¡¯s question had meant.

    He glanced at Tang Yan with a knowing smile. Was this young man always seen as a spendthrift in the eyes of his grandfather?

    Before Tang Ling could explode in anger, Ge Ming explained, ¡°Calm down, Patriarch Tang. Young Master Tang doesn¡¯t owe Myriad Elixir Pavilion money¡ªour pavilion is here to deliver your earnings. Young Master Tang, you didn¡¯t explain this to your grandfather?¡±

    Under the intense glare of Master Tang, Tang Yan chuckled awkwardly. ¡°Too many things have been happening lately, and I forgot. My master gave me a pill formula and allowed me to cooperate with Myriad Elixir Pavilion to sell it. We receive a 30% profit share, settled monthly. Today is the settlement date.¡±

    ¡°We earned 3.3 million taels of silver this month?¡± Master Tang was utterly stunned. Such a huge sum was equivalent to half a year¡¯s revenue for the Tang family!

    ¡°Indeed. We have converted it all into silver notes of 50,000 taels each. Please verify.¡± Ge Ming gestured, and a subordinate stepped forward, presenting a wooden box.

    Master Tang opened it, revealing three thick stacks of neatly arranged silver notes. The fine engravings and the seal of Tianxiang Merchant Guild assured him of their authenticity.

    Not that Myriad Elixir Pavilion would ever risk its reputation with counterfeit notes. Estimating the amount, Master Tang nodded and was about to thank Ge Ming when Tang Yan suddenly spoke up.

    ¡°Ge Lao-ge, why is it so little?¡±

    Tang Ling nearly fainted. Over three million taels in a month, and you think it¡¯s little?!

    Glancing at Ge Ming¡¯s expression, Tang Ling was even more dumbfounded. He expected some irritation from the elder, but instead, Ge Ming looked slightly embarrassed!

    ¡°Heh, this was just the first month. Myriad Elixir Pavilion had to allocate manpower to familiarize themselves with the refining process and time to promote the pill. That alone took a month.¡±

    Ge Ming smiled. ¡°But rest assured, the Qi Tempering Powder has been received well. From next month onward, your earnings won¡¯t be less than five million taels per month.¡±

    Master Tang felt his mind go blank.

    He had always believed there was no such thing as money falling from the sky. Yet today, he was practically being showered with gold!

    Five million taels per month. That was almost an entire year''s worth of revenue for the Tang family! Normally, after covering the family¡¯s expenses, they could only save a fraction of that annually.

    ¡°Then I must thank you, Brother Ge.¡±

    ¡°Haha, no need to be so polite! We both benefit from this. By the way, does your esteemed master have any new pill formulas? We¡¯re open to further profit-sharing collaborations.¡±You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    ¡°This type of high-quality, low-tier pill is quite rare,¡± Tang Yan replied. ¡°My master only had this one formula. However, he has spent his entire life devoted to alchemy, so there¡¯s a high chance he¡¯ll develop more in the future.¡±

    Hearing this, a flicker of disappointment flashed in Ge Ming¡¯s eyes.

    But he understood Tang Yan¡¯s words made sense. After some casual conversation, he took his leave.

    Once Myriad Elixir Pavilion¡¯s people had left, Master Tang stared at Tang Yan in disbelief.

    ¡°This money¡­ it really belongs to the Tang family?¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡±

    ¡°And we¡¯ll get it every month?¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡±

    After receiving Tang Yan¡¯s confirmation, Master Tang let out a long breath, his gaze filled with relief.

    ¡°That jade slip¡¯s martial technique¡­ it requires a certain level of strength to cultivate, doesn¡¯t it?¡± He suddenly shifted the topic.

    ¡°At the very least, one needs to reach the Profound Tier to properly utilize its power.¡±

    ¡°So powerful¡­¡± Master Tang¡¯s eyes widened in amazement before he nodded. ¡°Then focus on your training. If you need anything, just ask.¡±

    After a brief pause, he pushed the wooden box toward Tang Yan.

    ¡°This money is yours. Tonight, Tianbao Auction House is holding an auction. Go see if there¡¯s anything useful for you.¡±

    An Exciting Auction Awaits

    Auction? Tang Yan¡¯s eyes brightened. He was in desperate need of a cultivation technique. Without hesitation, he accepted the money.

    As night fell, Tang Yan took Ziyun with him and headed toward the auction house.

    ¡°How much of your strength has recovered?¡± he asked Ziyun as they walked.

    A playful smile curved her lips. ¡°In two more days, I should reach the Earth Tier.¡±

    ¡°So soon?!¡± Tang Yan was surprised. Her recovery speed far exceeded his expectations.

    ¡°Mhm.¡± Ziyun hesitated before saying, ¡°I''ve been away from my family for a long time. I¡¯ll probably have to leave Yun City soon.¡±

    ¡°Good. You¡¯ve been eating and drinking for free at my house all this time, and you never paid a single coin¡­¡±

    At first, Ziyun had been feeling slightly melancholic. But after hearing Tang Yan¡¯s words, her delicate brows furrowed, and her beautiful eyes burned with fury.

    ¡°You¡­ want a beating?¡±

    Tang Yan, caught off guard, suddenly felt a sharp pain on his backside.

    BAM!

    A swift kick sent him stumbling forward.

    ¡°That was ruthless! If you keep being so violent, who would dare marry you? Can¡¯t you be a little gentler?¡± Tang Yan lamented, rubbing his sore rear.

    ¡°You¡¯re still talking?!¡± Ziyun¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously. With a whirlwind-like motion, she delivered another kick.

    Tang Yan had learned his lesson. He shut his mouth and obediently walked in silence.

    Seeing him looking like a scolded puppy, Ziyun chuckled behind him.

    Her laughter, soft and melodious, was as fleeting as a breeze.

    But Tang Yan was too focused on avoiding more kicks to notice.

    Not long after, they arrived at Tianbao Auction House. The place bustled with people heading inside.

    Tang Yan¡¯s anticipation grew. With a fortune in hand, let¡¯s hope the auction doesn¡¯t disappoint.

    As they stepped into the grand auction hall, they immediately drew attention.

    However, most gazes weren¡¯t directed at Tang Yan.

    Instead, all eyes were on Ziyun.

    Her otherworldly beauty, paired with her cold and aloof demeanor, was like a snow lotus blooming atop a distant peak¡ªunreachable yet mesmerizing.

    Some recognized her from the Mid-Autumn Tournament when she had appeared alongside the Tang family.

    Rumors swirled¡ªsome claimed she was Tang Yan¡¯s fianc¨¦e, while others believed she was merely a relative. No one knew the truth.

    Ignoring the murmurs, Tang Yan pulled Ziyun along and found the Tang Family¡¯s private seating area.

    As they settled in, the auction hall quickly filled to capacity.

    Scanning the crowd, Tang Yan noticed representatives from all four major families of Yun City.

    He also sensed hostile gazes from some of them.

    Heh. This time, I¡¯ll make sure you all leave empty-handed.

 Chapter 53

    It wasn¡¯t long before an elderly man emerged from the backstage.

    ¡°I am Xie Zhang, and I will be your auctioneer tonight. It is my honor to be here with all of you. Tianbao Auction House has spent an entire month preparing for this event, gathering a wealth of rare treasures. I believe everyone is looking forward to the auction tonight.

    Without further ado, let the auction begin!¡±

    Xie Zhang kept his introduction brief and swiftly moved on to the first item.

    ¡°Our first auction item is the Three-Leaf Vitality Herb. This herb has the effects of promoting blood circulation, detoxification, beauty enhancement, and longevity. If you wish for your beloved to remain youthful and beautiful, this is the perfect gift for her.

    Of course, it has numerous other health benefits that I won¡¯t elaborate on.

    The starting bid is 1,000 taels of silver, with a minimum increment of 100 taels per bid!¡±

    ¡°1,200 taels!¡± The moment Xie Zhang¡¯s voice fell, someone immediately placed a bid.

    ¡°1,500 taels!¡±

    ¡°2,000 taels!¡±

    The bids came in one after another, but Tang Yan sat there, staring blankly at the herb on display.

    It was a single-stemmed plant with three thick, vibrant green leaves, exuding a fresh and lively aura.

    As an alchemist, the moment Tang Yan laid eyes on the herb, his keen intuition sensed a faint, pure energy radiating from it.

    A Three-Leaf Vitality Herb! And the starting bid is only 1,000 taels?!

    Tang Yan had to resist the urge to shout in excitement. Could it be that the people of this world didn¡¯t even know the true value of this herb?

    Its main function wasn¡¯t enhancing blood circulation or maintaining beauty. Its real power lay in strengthening one¡¯s mental energy!

    In cultivation, a person possessed three essential energies: Essence, Qi, and Spirit. While Qi could be cultivated through training, Essence and Spirit were extremely difficult to refine. For an alchemist, having strong mental energy was crucial.

    And the Three-Leaf Vitality Herb¡¯s greatest effect was precisely that¡ªit tempered and strengthened one¡¯s spirit!

    Among alchemists, it was better known as the Spirit Refining Herb, a priceless treasure that could easily fetch a fortune.

    ¡°8,000 taels! Any further bids?¡±

    ¡°8,000 taels, going twice!¡± Xie Zhang called out.

    The opening item of the auction was considered mediocre by most people. The fact that it had already reached 8,000 taels was quite surprising. Xie Zhang was content with the price and was just about to bring down the hammer when¡ª

    ¡°50,000 taels!¡± Tang Yan blurted out.

    Silence.

    Xie Zhang was stunned.

    Zi Yun, sitting beside him, was stunned.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    The entire auction hall was stunned.

    Is this guy insane?!

    He didn¡¯t bid earlier, yet now, at the last second, he suddenly raised the price by more than six times?! The herb was only at 8,000 taels, and even if he had raised it to 10,000, no one would have competed with him. But 50,000 taels?!

    The crowd¡¯s expressions turned strange. This young master of the Tang family, who had recently been making a name for himself in Cloud City, turned out to still be the same reckless fool!

    ¡°Tang Gongzi, this is the Tianbao Auction House. Once a bid is made, there¡¯s no taking it back,¡± Xie Zhang warned, his brows furrowed.

    Xie Zhang had heard of Tang Yan¡¯s notorious reputation as a wastrel and was worried that he might be playing games.

    Tang Yan realized he had bid too high, but compared to the herb¡¯s real value, 50,000 taels was still an absolute steal! He casually took out a silver note worth 50,000 taels and slapped it onto the table with an air of extravagance.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got plenty of money to burn. The more I spend, the better I feel!¡±

    Everyone in the hall simultaneously broke into cold sweat.

    By tomorrow, Tang Yan¡¯s title as Cloud City¡¯s number-one wastrel would be firmly established once again.

    Xie Zhang didn¡¯t know whether to laugh or cry. Thanks to Tang Yan¡¯s impulsive bid, this might just be his most successful auction yet. An item worth no more than 10,000 taels had just been sold for 50,000!

    ¡°50,000 taels, going once!¡±

    ¡°50,000 taels, going twice!¡±

    ¡°50,000 taels, sold!¡±

    Xie Zhang finally struck the gavel, feeling both relieved and amused. While 50,000 taels wasn¡¯t a significant sum for the Tianbao Auction House, such an outrageous markup was a rare sight.

    ¡°You must be insane,¡± Zi Yun muttered, looking at Tang Yan with disdain.

    ¡°Heh, women just don¡¯t understand these things,¡± Tang Yan replied smugly, crossing his legs in satisfaction.

    Seeing that Tang Yan had no intention of explaining himself, Zi Yun simply rolled her eyes and ignored him.

    ¡°The next item up for auction is a Purple Heart Jade Pendant. This pendant is made from deep-sea jade from the Southern Ocean and has been meticulously carved by a master craftsman. It has a calming effect on the mind and promotes inner energy circulation, aiding in cultivation.

    The starting price is 3,000 taels, with a minimum increment of 100 taels per bid!¡±

    As Xie Zhang¡¯s voice fell, the second round of bidding began.

    Tang Yan scoffed. Purple Heart Jade? What a joke. It¡¯s all just a placebo effect. He leaned back in his chair, waiting for the more valuable items to be auctioned.

    As the auction continued, Tang Yan purchased three more herbs, each of which carried immense hidden value.

    Zi Yun, being from the prestigious Purple Bamboo City and used to seeing rare treasures, wasn¡¯t impressed by anything so far. She remained silent throughout the bidding.

    As the auction neared its climax, Xie Zhang¡¯s voice rang out once again.

    ¡°Now, we move on to the highlight of tonight¡¯s auction. I¡¯m sure everyone will be very interested in this item.¡±

    ¡°What is it, Master Xie?¡± someone in the crowd impatiently called out.

    Seeing that he had successfully piqued their curiosity, Xie Zhang finally revealed the item.

    ¡°This is a martial arts technique known as Thousand Mountain Fist. After expert appraisal, we have confirmed that this is a partial martial arts manual.¡±

    A murmur of disappointment rippled through the crowd.

    While martial techniques were highly coveted by all cultivators, a fragmented technique was far less valuable. Not only would it be less effective, but there was also the risk that it would be impossible to master.

    Sensing their diminishing enthusiasm, Xie Zhang quickly added, ¡°However, we are fortunate that this manual contains the opening chapters, meaning it can still be practiced to completion!¡±

    Hearing this, the disappointed expressions in the audience quickly turned into renewed anticipation.

    Tang Yan¡¯s heart began to race. This was exactly what he had been looking for¡ªa solid martial technique!

    ¡°Master Xie, what is the rank of this technique?¡±

    ¡°The final item of the auction must at least be of the Yellow Rank, right?¡±

    Discussions erupted throughout the hall.

    Xie Zhang didn¡¯t keep them waiting this time.

    ¡°The Thousand Mountain Fist is a powerful battle technique with incredible destructive potential. While the manual is incomplete and only contains the first two techniques, it still reaches the level of Yellow Rank¡ªMid Tier!¡±

    Yellow Rank¡ªMid Tier!

    The entire hall fell silent for a moment before a wave of heated discussions broke out.

    Even the four great families of Cloud City had very few martial techniques of this caliber. Smaller clans and sects would be lucky to have even a high-tier Mortal Rank technique.

    This auction was about to become a battleground.

    ¡°The bidding starts at 100,000 taels, with a minimum increment of 1,000 taels per bid. The auction begins now!¡± Xie Zhang declared.

    ¡°200,000 taels!¡±

    The first bid had already doubled the starting price.

 Chapter 54

    ¡°280,000 taels!¡±

    ¡°300,000 taels!¡±

    The sound of bids echoed from all corners of the auction hall, making the atmosphere increasingly intense.

    Xie Zhang was extremely satisfied with the enthusiasm of the bidders, his smile growing wider.

    ¡°800,000 taels of silver!¡±

    The moment this price was called, the fierce competition gradually slowed.

    ¡°810,000 taels!¡± The Qian family gritted their teeth as they bid, seemingly reaching their limit.

    ¡°1,000,000 taels!¡± An elder from the Wu family announced loudly.

    One million taels!

    As soon as this price was revealed, many people sighed in resignation. As expected, these truly valuable treasures would always end up in the hands of the powerful.

    ¡°Qin family, 1,050,000 taels.¡±

    In the Qin family¡¯s seating area, the one making the bid was none other than their number-one genius, Qin He.

    Although the Liu family was also present, and their overall strength was superior to the Wu and Qin families, they had already spent lavishly on several items earlier in the auction. Now, their funds were running low.

    According to Tianbao Auction House¡¯s rules, all transactions had to be settled immediately, making it impossible for them to compete at this stage.

    ¡°1,060,000 taels!¡±

    Although the four great families often opposed the Tang family, that didn¡¯t mean they were always on friendly terms with each other. Now that a high-level martial technique was on the line, the Wu family couldn¡¯t resist competing.

    ¡°1,080,000 taels!¡± Qin He followed up without hesitation, looking determined to win.

    The Wu family members discussed for a while but eventually fell silent.

    ¡°1,080,000 taels, going once!¡± Xie Zhang was satisfied with the price and was about to finalize the sale.

    ¡°1,080,000 taels, goi¡ª¡±

    Before he could finish, a lazy voice interrupted.

    ¡°1,080,100 taels.¡±

    The crowd turned to look, and Xie Zhang¡¯s expression became even more animated.

    Tang Yan!

    The notorious "spendthrift young master" was getting involved once again.

    Hearing Tang Yan¡¯s bid, Qin He¡¯s gaze turned sharp and icy as he glared at him. ¡°1,110,000 taels!¡±

    ¡°1,110,100 taels.¡± Tang Yan nonchalantly followed.

    The repeated increase of just 100 taels made Qin He¡¯s face darken as if he were about to explode.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    The audience grew excited¡ªanother spectacle was unfolding!

    ¡°Tianbao Auction House has rules, Tang Yan,¡± Qin He said coldly. ¡°Payment must be made immediately. If you fail to pay, you¡¯ll be humiliating Tianbao!¡±

    Tang Yan smirked mockingly. ¡°If you have the money, bid. If you don¡¯t, shut up. Since when did Tianbao Auction House need Qin family¡¯s advice? 1,110,200 taels.¡±

    He had no respect for Qin He.

    The Qin family had been eyeing Tang family¡¯s businesses for years, constantly scheming against them.

    Qin He¡¯s expression was extremely grim, but he held back his anger. ¡°1,150,000 taels!¡±

    Xie Zhang, who initially thought Tang Yan was just a reckless fool, now found him incredibly pleasing to the eye. Thanks to him, the price had already increased by tens of thousands of taels!

    ¡°1,150,100 taels.¡± Tang Yan kept following.

    At this point, Qin He could no longer keep his composure. He stood up angrily and turned to Xie Zhang.

    ¡°Master Xie! I demand that your auction house confirm whether the Tang family actually has enough money. This kind of fraudulent bidding is disrupting the integrity of the auction!¡±

    Xie Zhang hesitated for a moment. It was true that 1,000,000+ taels was no small sum¡ªeven for the Tang family. Would they really entrust Tang Yan with such an amount?

    Before Xie Zhang could respond, Tang Yan scoffed.

    ¡°Oh? Are you giving orders to Tianbao Auction House now?¡± His tone was full of mockery. ¡°Even if I was bluffing, if I can¡¯t pay, the technique will still go to you. So what are you screaming about?¡±

    Xie Zhang nodded in agreement. He wasn¡¯t fond of the Qin family¡¯s arrogance either.

    Maintaining a neutral expression, he said, ¡°If Tang Yan fails to pay, rest assured that Tianbao Auction House will handle the matter appropriately. But until then, bidding continues.¡±

    ¡°1,200,000 taels!¡±

    ¡°Another 100!¡± Tang Yan lazily added.

    ¡°1,300,000 taels!¡±

    ¡°Still adding 100. Give it up, Qin He. Even Liu family wouldn¡¯t compete against the Tang family in wealth. Who do you think you are?¡±

    Qin He clenched his fists as his fury boiled over. Finally, he snapped.

    ¡°2,000,000 taels! I dare you to follow!¡±

    2,000,000 taels!

    Gasps filled the room.

    This amount equaled a major clan¡¯s total revenue for half a year!

    The atmosphere grew tense.

    Tang Yan didn¡¯t bid immediately.

    The entire auction hall fell silent.

    As a 9th-tier alchemist, his perception and observation skills were far beyond ordinary people¡¯s.

    This was a huge sum of money, so he wanted to see if Qin He could actually afford it.

    If he could, Tang Yan would continue bidding.

    If he couldn¡¯t¡ªgame over.

    The longer Tang Yan remained silent, the greater the pressure on Qin He.

    A flicker of unease flashed across Qin He¡¯s eyes¡ªa detail Tang Yan caught instantly.

    Smiling, Tang Yan leisurely said, ¡°Since the Qin family is so wealthy, this technique belongs to you. Pay up.¡±

    Qin He¡¯s body stiffened.

    Wait¡­ What?

    This guy wasn¡¯t bidding anymore?

    His chest felt tight, and he nearly spat out blood.

    The crowd was stunned.

    Tang Yan¡­ just gave up?

    ¡°All I had was 3,000 taels on me. I was scared to death earlier. Lucky you raised the price, Qin He¡ªmany thanks!¡± Tang Yan clasped his hands with exaggerated politeness.

    ¡°Pffft¡ª¡±

    Many people almost choked.

    This Tang young master was too devious! He tricked Qin He into overpaying by hundreds of thousands of taels!

    But¡­ could the Qin family even afford it?

    ¡°Qin He, please make the payment.¡± Xie Zhang¡¯s smile was filled with amusement.

    Silence.

    Qin He didn¡¯t move.

    At first, people whispered quietly, but soon, laughter erupted.

    The Qin family didn¡¯t have enough money!

    Qin He almost coughed up blood. With great difficulty, he suppressed his rage and forced out, ¡°Master Xie, my Qin family doesn¡¯t have the full amount on hand right now. But Tang Yan was deliberately bidding without funds, which is also against auction rules! This price should be invalid!¡±

    Xie Zhang¡¯s expression darkened.

    ¡°In an auction, the highest bidder wins. We will first confirm whether the final bidder can pay. If you cannot, you must provide an explanation.¡±

    ¡°¡­We don¡¯t have enough money right now. Could we get a one-day extension?¡± Qin He gritted his teeth.

    ¡°No credit allowed. If you can¡¯t pay, compensate us with 500,000 taels.¡± Xie Zhang¡¯s tone was calm yet firm.

 Chapter 55

    "Five hundred gold coins?" Qin He stared at Xie Zhang, his tone filled with resentment.

    Suddenly, Qin He froze. A suffocating aura locked onto him, making it clear that any resistance would mean instant death.

    "Five hundred it is. Consider it compensation for offending your esteemed auction house!" A Qin family elder, sensing danger, immediately stepped forward and agreed.

    The crushing pressure on Qin He vanished. He slumped into his chair, his back drenched in sweat.

    All eyes turned to Tang Yan. Qin He¡¯s matter had been settled, but this young master of the Tang family¡­ wasn¡¯t he nearly broke now?

    Originally planning to leave, Qin He decided to stay and watch Tang Yan make a fool of himself. If he had to lose face, he wasn¡¯t going down alone.

    "Tang Gongzi¡­" Xie Zhang¡¯s gaze was complicated as he looked at Tang Yan. To be honest, he was quite curious about this young man. Though his first bid was reckless, his recent actions weren¡¯t as foolish as the rumors suggested.

    And thanks to him, the Tianbao Auction House had just made an extra ten thousand gold coins.

    "The Tang family has always respected your auction house. How could we disregard its rules?" Tang Yan grinned and pulled out a thick stack of banknotes, handing them to Zi Yun. "Count it carefully."

    Seeing Tang Yan¡¯s smug face, Zi Yun¡¯s temper flared. She nearly smacked him right then and there. This brat was getting cocky!

    Forcing herself to stay calm, she took the notes and quickly started counting.

    Though she appeared obedient, she had already decided¡ªhe wasn¡¯t getting off easy tonight!

    When Zi Yun actually started counting the money, Tang Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

    This girl might look cold on the outside, but at least she was reasonable.

    "Good girl," Tang Yan said with a satisfied smile.

    "It is my honor to serve you, young master," Zi Yun replied, her delicate face carrying a smile that didn¡¯t reach her eyes.

    Tang Yan¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and an involuntary shiver ran down his spine.

    He might have overdone it.

    ¡­

    After paying, Tang Yan accepted the Thousand Mountain Fist scroll and cupped his hands in thanks.

    The auction hall fell into a stunned silence.

    It seemed that the biggest winner tonight wasn¡¯t Qin He, but the so-called wastrel, Tang Yan?

    Watching Tang Yan hand over so much money, Qin He felt as though a massive boulder had crushed his chest.

    He was the eldest young master of the Qin family, one of the top three talents among Cloud City¡¯s younger generation¡ªyet he had been played like a fool by Tang Yan, a notorious good-for-nothing!Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    Where was his dignity now?

    Tang Yan didn¡¯t care what Qin He thought. All he wanted was to get back to the Tang estate and find somewhere to hide.

    Zi Yun wouldn¡¯t let him off for making her count money like that.

    The moment he stepped out of the auction house, Tang Yan put his head down and hurried toward home.

    Zi Yun snorted at his cowardly behavior and quickly followed.

    ¡­

    The streets were empty in the dead of night.

    Suddenly, a powerful presence locked onto Tang Yan. His instincts flared¡ªhe immediately activated his Phantom Step, narrowly dodging a sharp attack that brushed past his backside.

    Tang Yan¡¯s heart pounded. That crazy woman really held grudges!

    "Zi Yun, I-I¡¯ll go warm up the bed for you first!"

    Without hesitation, he pushed Phantom Step to its limit and sprinted toward the Tang estate.

    "Coward! Where do you think you¡¯re running?!" Zi Yun yelled, stepping forward with practiced footwork to give chase.

    Tang Yan¡¯s Phantom Step was a top-tier movement technique he had brought from his past life. His ghostly movements made him almost untouchable. Even though Zi Yun was using eighty percent of her strength, she struggled to close the distance.

    "Not bad¡ªyou actually run fast," she muttered, her frustration rising. Finally, she unleashed her full strength. The power of a peak-tier warrior surged through her body, turning her into a shooting star as she caught up.

    BANG!

    "Argh¡ª!"

    BANG! BANG!

    "OW¡ª!!"

    Throughout the silent night, the sounds of fists meeting flesh echoed through the streets, accompanied by Tang Yan¡¯s miserable cries.

    By the time they arrived at the Tang estate, Zi Yun calmly adjusted her robes and elegantly returned to her courtyard.

    Before stepping inside, she glanced back at Tang Yan¡ªhis face swollen and bruised¡ªthen smirked proudly and walked in.

    Tang Yan trudged back to his own room, cursing himself.

    Why the hell did he let her count the money?!

    Ever since Zi Yun had reached the peak-tier warrior stage, she had taken every opportunity to rough him up. Anticipating more of these "lessons," Tang Yan had prepared three whole bottles of healing pills.

    Back in his room, he swallowed a pill. A warm sensation spread through his body, easing the soreness.

    Fortunately, Zi Yun knew how to hold back. She only aimed for the fleshier areas, ensuring excruciating pain but no serious injuries.

    As soon as his body felt better, Tang Yan eagerly pulled out the Thousand Mountain Fist scroll.

    Skimming through it, he was thrilled.

    Though this fist technique wasn¡¯t as explosive as the Flame Burst Palm his mother had left him, it was much easier to train and suited his current level perfectly.

    He carefully studied the techniques three times but didn¡¯t experience any sudden enlightenment. Instead, his brows furrowed with confusion.

    Initially, he had thought, like the people at the auction house, that this was an incomplete manual. But with his knowledge, he realized it wasn¡¯t that simple.

    The Thousand Mountain Fist only recorded two moves¡ªthe second punch was noticeably more powerful than the first.

    At first glance, the second move seemed like a finishing strike. However, to Tang Yan, its ending stance closely resembled the opening stance of the second punch.

    "If it¡¯s called Thousand Mountain Fist, there should be more than just two strikes. At the very least, it should have multiple consecutive punches to fit the name," he muttered to himself.

    Suddenly, his eyes flashed with realization.

    The second move wasn¡¯t an isolated technique¡ªit was an extension of the first!

    By using the residual force of the first punch, the second punch amplified its power, creating a chain reaction.

    If he could seamlessly link the second strike to the first¡­ then theoretically, he could continue to a third, a fourth¡­

    If that was truly the case, then whoever created this martial art was nothing short of a genius.

    Excitement surged through Tang Yan.

    He couldn¡¯t sleep anymore.

    Stepping outside, he stood in the center of the courtyard.

    Replaying the Thousand Mountain Fist in his mind, he gathered his energy, stepped forward with his left foot, and unleashed a powerful punch with his right.

    BANG!

    A deep, explosive sound echoed.

    Without pausing, he immediately followed up with the second punch.

    BANG!

    The impact was even greater¡ªthe air around him trembled more violently than before.

    Tang Yan still didn¡¯t stop.

    Following his new insight, he drove his third punch forward.

 Chapter 56

    This punch had been simulated countless times in Tang Yan¡¯s mind¡ªsuccess hinged on this moment.

    He could feel his inner energy surging forth, wildly converging into his fist. The overwhelming force made him feel an irresistible urge to strike.

    "Come forth!" Tang Yan roared. His fist shot out like a battering ram, cutting through the air with a fierce gust, producing a deep, thunderous sound.

    Boom!

    A flash of exhilaration flickered in Tang Yan¡¯s eyes¡ªhis guess had been right!

    Having just mastered an impressive new combat technique, he felt a surge of satisfaction. Instead of resting, he remained in the courtyard, continuously practicing every move of this technique.

    Boom! Boom!

    After executing a powerful two-strike combo, he stopped, resisting the urge to throw a third punch.

    A towering building needed a solid foundation.

    Boom! Boom!

    Boom! Boom!

    The rhythmic echoes of his punches filled the courtyard.

    Now that his theory had been confirmed, there was no need to rush ahead recklessly.

    A firm foundation would allow him to climb higher, faster.

    As dawn gradually broke, Tang Yan¡¯s repeated training deepened his understanding of the two techniques.

    Zi Yun had known from the beginning that this martial art was incomplete, so she hadn¡¯t paid it much attention.

    But after seeing Tang Yan train relentlessly for three days and nights, practicing just those two moves, she began to feel uneasy. Had this kid lost his mind?

    "You¡¯ve already mastered those movements. Why keep repeating them?" Zi Yun finally couldn¡¯t hold back her curiosity.

    Tang Yan had just finished another two-strike combo. Instead of answering, he took a deep breath and started the routine once again.

    Boom.

    Boom!

    Still the same two moves, still the same two resounding impacts.

    Zi Yun frowned, but in the next instant, her eyes widened in shock.

    This time, Tang Yan didn¡¯t stop after the second punch. Instead, he stepped forward, his fist carrying an even stronger force as he unleashed a third strike.

    Boom!

    A violent burst of energy exploded through the air¡ªthe power of this punch was even greater than the sum of the first two!

    "Wasn¡¯t this technique only supposed to have two moves? How did you do that?" Zi Yun was astonished. Feeling the power behind the third strike, she realized Tang Yan had truly gained something valuable.

    "Sharpening the blade doesn¡¯t delay the woodcutter. If I solidify my foundation now, the path ahead will be much smoother," Tang Yan replied as he retracted his stance.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Zi Yun¡¯s body tensed slightly. As someone who had already reached the pinnacle of Sky Rank, she possessed a profound understanding of martial arts. What Tang Yan said sounded simple, but when she thought about it carefully¡ªit made perfect sense.

    She gazed at him with a complex expression. The more time she spent with this guy, the harder he was to understand.

    Ever since meeting him, his talent in cultivation, his literary skills, his strategic thinking¡ªall of it far surpassed his peers.

    In Cloud City, he was extraordinary. In Purple Bamboo City... he was still a genius!

    What puzzled Zi Yun even more was this: if he was capable of such rapid progress now, why had he been so mediocre for all those years before?

    Of course, unless Tang Yan explained it himself, no one in this world would ever know the answer.

    Two more days passed.

    On the morning of the third day, Zi Yun¡¯s eyes widened once again.

    Boom! Boom! Boom!

    After throwing three consecutive punches, just like last time, Tang Yan did not stop. Instead, he stepped forward and unleashed yet another punch.

    Boom!

    A fourth strike!

    As the punch landed, an even more terrifying destructive force erupted in midair.

    "This guy...!" Zi Yun¡¯s heart trembled at the sheer power of that strike. The strength behind it had increased exponentially compared to the previous ones.

    "How many moves does this Thousand Mountain Fist have?" Zi Yun asked in shock.

    "I don¡¯t know," Tang Yan replied honestly.

    "You don¡¯t know?" Zi Yun frowned, thinking he was messing with her.

    Seeing the way Zi Yun clenched her fists, Tang Yan was startled. Knowing this violent woman, she was probably jumping to conclusions again. Quickly, he explained, "This technique allows for continuous strikes as long as the right conditions are met. But people have limits¡ªwho knows how many moves it can really extend to?"

    Zi Yun, being exceptionally intelligent, pondered his words for a moment before realization struck. "So this martial art¡­ isn¡¯t incomplete after all?"

    "That¡¯s right. It¡¯s actually a complete technique¡ªyou just need to grasp its essence," Tang Yan replied with a smile.

    Even though she was the proud third young lady of the Purple Bamboo Clan, a flicker of excitement flashed in Zi Yun¡¯s eyes.

    A technique this extraordinary¡­ it might not be just a mere Earth Rank martial art¡ªit could very well have stepped into the Sky Rank realm!

    "Keep this technique a secret," Zi Yun warned seriously. "If word gets out, you could become a target."

    "Of course," Tang Yan agreed readily.

    Just then, a young maid hurried over.

    "Young Master, the Lord asked me to bring this to you."

    Tang Yan smiled and took the wooden box from Xiao Cui¡¯s hands.

    At that moment, the previously dormant Heavenly Creation Cauldron inside his dantian suddenly stirred. A thought struck him¡ªcould this be another spiritual treasure?

    Opening the box, he saw three beast cores of different colors resting inside.

    Tang Yan immediately recalled the bet he had won against the Liu family at the Mid-Autumn Festival tournament. These were part of his rewards, and it had taken until today for them to be delivered.

    After exchanging a few words with Zi Yun, he returned to his room, locked the door, and reopened the box.

    Three Tier-3 Beast Cores lay before him. The once-slumbering Creation Cauldron now pulsed with energy.

    With a thought, the three beast cores vanished from his palm, drawn into the Heavenly Creation Cauldron.

    A surge of flames ignited inside the cauldron, instantly refining the beast cores into pure liquid essence, which dispersed evenly.

    The only remaining Spirit Whirlpool Fruit Sapling trembled slightly and, in an instant, visibly grew taller.

    Just as Tang Yan thought the process was over, an unexpected surge of pure energy flowed out from the cauldron, merging seamlessly into his vortex-like dantian.

    The energy was not only potent but also incredibly gentle. It integrated into his dantian effortlessly, without the slightest feeling of resistance.

    Wasting no time, Tang Yan focused his mind and entered meditation.

    Soon, he slipped into a deep state of cultivation.

    When he finally opened his eyes again, he was momentarily stunned by the transformation within him.

    In just one night, his strength had broken through to the seventh level of the Mortal Rank!

    What surprised him even more was the tiny flickering flame that had always resided in his dantian¡ªit had now become noticeably stronger!

    With a mere thought, a flame appeared in front of him, pulsating as if it had a life of its own.

    All this time, his progress in fire manipulation had been painfully slow. Now he realized it wasn¡¯t due to a lack of talent¡ªit was because he hadn¡¯t found the right way to enhance it!

    Could it be that absorbing spiritual energy from rare materials not only strengthened the Heavenly Creation Cauldron and its Primal Flame but also fed back into his own cultivation?

    If that were true, then with enough rare treasures, he could advance at an unimaginable speed!

    However, thinking about the exorbitant cost of Tier-3 beast cores, Tang Yan quickly dismissed the idea.

    Too expensive¡ªhe couldn''t afford to feed the cauldron like this all the time!

 Chapter 57

    Having just broken through to the next level, Tang Yan didn¡¯t rush into further training. Instead, he pondered the current state of the Tang family.

    With the incentive of rewards and the aid of medicinal pills, a significant number of the 120 Tang family guards had successfully advanced to the second tier of the Yellow Rank. If this information were to spread, it would serve as a formidable deterrent to their enemies.

    Yet, Tang Yan still felt that this wasn¡¯t enough.

    The true deterrence of a family lay in its top-tier power.

    For instance, among the four great families of Cloud City, the Tang family was the weakest in overall strength. However, the Tang family patriarch, Tang Ling, was a peak ninth-tier master at the Profound Rank, on par with the Liu family¡¯s Liu Wuhui.

    It was precisely because of this that, despite their weaker overall strength, the Tang family had not been easily targeted by the other three major families.

    But even with Tang Ling holding the fort, the Tang family was far from being truly safe.

    If the other three families formed an alliance and launched a combined assault, the Tang family would still be doomed.

    So far, the other families had hesitated due to mutual distrust and disputes over potential spoils.

    However, with the Tang family¡¯s recent rise to prominence, the longer they were left to grow, the harder they would be to deal with.

    The likelihood of an alliance forming among the other families was increasing.

    The Tang family had to seize every moment to strengthen itself. Maintaining the training resources for over a hundred warriors was an immense financial burden.

    Even though the collaboration with Miao Dan Pavilion was bringing in wealth, spending it all on third-tier beast cores was not sustainable.

    "My cultivation speed is still too slow. If I were at the Profound Rank already, I could refine pills that would be useful for Grandfather and Uncle Mo." Tang Yan sighed.

    If Zi Yun heard this, she would likely explode with frustration. In Zizhu City, she had never encountered anyone advancing as quickly as Tang Yan¡ªyet he still found it too slow?

    To become a true expert, one had to endure countless life-and-death trials.

    The comfortable environment of the Tang estate wasn¡¯t enough for rapid improvement.

    Tang Yan gazed out the window and suddenly recalled his previous encounter with the Phantom Panther outside the city.

    Cloud City was a small and remote place in the Tingxiang Kingdom. Traveling a few dozen miles north led to the Cangyun Mountain Range¡ªa vast, treacherous wilderness filled with ancient pines and bizarre rock formations, untouched for countless years.

    Rumors said that due to the lack of human activity, the area was home to many spirit beasts. These creatures hunted within their territories and would attack any intruder with full force.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    For Tang Yan, this was the perfect training ground.

    Having made up his mind, he headed straight for his grandfather¡¯s study. He knew that Tang Ling usually spent his mornings there.

    As expected, when Tang Yan entered, his grandfather was slightly surprised. His grandson rarely visited unless summoned.

    ¡°Come in, Yan¡¯er. Have a seat. I was just about to speak with you.¡± Tang Ling smiled warmly.

    ¡°What is it, Grandfather?¡± Tang Yan asked curiously.

    ¡°The Eastern Region Tournament will be held in two months. Cloud City has three available spots for participants. If you perform well, you may earn the opportunity to enter the Azure Dragon Academy, which provides exceptional cultivation resources. Would you like to participate?¡± Tang Ling asked.

    Tang Yan had heard of the Eastern Region Tournament.

    The Eastern Region consisted of five cities: Cloud City, Yu City, Song City, Qing City, and Fang City. Cloud City was the weakest among them, with the fewest participant slots and the worst track record.

    The Azure Dragon Academy would send representatives to observe the tournament. Those with exceptional talent could be selected for further trials to gain entry.

    The academy was the premier martial arts institution in the Tingxiang Kingdom, a place where the most gifted young warriors trained.

    ¡°Of course I¡¯ll go. How could the Tang family be absent from such an event?¡± Tang Yan said with a confident smile.

    Seeing his grandson¡¯s self-assured expression, Tang Ling felt a surge of pride but still offered a reminder.

    ¡°Cloud City only has three slots. One will certainly go to Lin Dongxue, the City Lord¡¯s daughter. Another will likely go to Liu Zhi of the Liu family. The final slot will be determined through a selection process. Don¡¯t neglect your training.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t, Grandfather. In fact, that¡¯s why I came to see you.¡± Tang Yan nodded.

    ¡°Training?¡± Tang Ling was intrigued.

    ¡°My strength is improving every day, but the pace is still too slow. I want to go to the Cangyun Mountain Range for some real combat training. I¡¯ll return in two months, just in time for the tournament,¡± Tang Yan explained.

    ¡°This¡­¡± Tang Ling hesitated.

    He knew Tang Yan¡¯s reasoning was sound. Training in the family estate would never compare to real battle experience. However, the Cangyun Mountains were full of spirit beasts. A single encounter with a high-level one could spell disaster.

    Tang Yan was the family¡¯s only heir. If something happened to him, Tang Ling would never forgive himself.

    Sensing his grandfather¡¯s concern, Tang Yan quickly added, ¡°Grandfather, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve already discussed this with my master. He will also be heading to the Cangyun Mountains to gather herbs. He has promised to scout ahead along my path and eliminate any high-tier threats.¡±

    Tang Ling visibly relaxed at this. If Tang Yan¡¯s mysterious master was watching over him, the danger would be significantly reduced.

    ¡°Since your master is aware of your plans, you may go. But be extremely cautious. The world outside is unpredictable, and you must never lower your guard,¡± Tang Ling warned.

    ¡°I understand, Grandfather.¡±

    ¡°When will you leave?¡±

    ¡°Tonight.¡±

    ¡°Tonight? Why not wait until morning?¡± Tang Ling was surprised.

    ¡°Training must not be delayed,¡± Tang Yan explained. ¡°The sooner I start, the stronger I¡¯ll be. Right now, I¡¯m only at the seventh tier of the Yellow Rank. Even if I secure a spot in the tournament, without a significant breakthrough, I won¡¯t stand a chance. Also, traveling at night will help me avoid unwanted attention.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve advanced again?¡± Tang Ling was momentarily stunned.

    ¡°A lucky breakthrough,¡± Tang Yan said vaguely.

    ¡°Excellent! Very good!¡± Tang Ling beamed. His grandson¡¯s talent was truly astonishing. After a moment of thought, he nodded.

    ¡°Go then. Before you leave, inform Miss Zi Yun. And if you need any supplies, take them from the storeroom.¡±

    Tang Ling gave him numerous words of caution¡ªmost of which were familiar¡ªbut Tang Yan listened patiently. The warmth of family care was something he deeply cherished.

    Returning to his courtyard, Tang Yan entered his alchemy room.

    He couldn¡¯t take the Cauldron of Creation with him, which meant refining pills on the road would be difficult.

    He spent the entire day preparing various pills, filling several bottles and jars with them.

    There were hemostatic pills, antidotes, high-grade energy pills, meridian-purifying pills, and even a few poisons for self-defense.

    When he finally emerged, night had fallen.

    Standing outside his door was a graceful, slender figure.

    In the soft moonlight, Tang Yan immediately recognized Zi Yun.

 Chapter 58

    "Are you leaving?" Ziyun suddenly asked.

    Tang Yan didn¡¯t expect Ziyun to be standing there. He was momentarily stunned before replying, "Yes, I''ll be training in the Cangyun Mountains for two months. I won¡¯t be able to make any more Qi Recovery Pills for you during this time. Here are thirty pills, which should be enough for you to recover to your previous strength."

    Ziyun took the small jar from Tang Yan and softly said, "Thank you for taking care of me all this time, Young Master Tang."

    Having lived two lifetimes, Tang Yan was well-versed in the ways of the world. Noticing Ziyun¡¯s expression, he had an inkling of her feelings. With a smile, he asked, "Is Ziyun also leaving?"

    "Yes, I received a letter from my family asking me to return. They¡¯re waiting for me outside the city," Ziyun replied. "I won¡¯t have the chance to wait for you to return. If you ever need anything in the future, you can find me in Zizhu City. Take this with you."

    She then took out a token from her sleeve and handed it to Tang Yan.

    Tang Yan didn¡¯t hesitate, accepting the token and carefully examining it.

    The token was made of high-grade warming jade, which was very beneficial to the body when worn for long periods. The words "Zizhu" were inscribed on it in ancient seal script.

    "This is the Zizhu Token. Once you enter Zizhu City, show this token, and no one will dare to stop you," Ziyun said after a brief pause. "Try to join the Qinglong Academy. If all goes well, I will also enter the Qinglong Academy in a few months."

    "Alright, we''ll meet at Qinglong Academy," Tang Yan replied firmly.

    "I''ve also heard of the Eastern Domain''s Grand Tournament. Even if you perform exceptionally well, it only grants you the qualification to join the Qinglong Academy. To truly enter, you''ll need to pass a test. To succeed, you¡¯ll need even stronger strength, so make sure to cultivate diligently.

    There¡¯s always someone better. No matter how well you perform, never become arrogant," Ziyun advised again.

    "I told you, I¡¯ll get in. I won¡¯t let you down," Tang Yan said with a relaxed smile, his tone still resolute.

    Looking at Tang Yan¡¯s confident expression, Ziyun seemed to fall into a daze.

    When she first met this young man, his strength seemed to be barely at the Yellow Stage. In less than two months, he had already reached the Sixth Rank of the Yellow Stage.

    Such an astonishing rate of advancement made it not impossible for him to enter Qinglong Academy.

    "Alright, we''ll meet again at Qinglong Academy. Take care, Young Master Tang!" Ziyun cupped her hands in a bow. After taking the Qi Recovery Pills, she gave Tang Yan a deep glance, then pushed off the ground with her feet, swiftly leaping into the distance.

    Watching her leave, Tang Yan felt a sudden wave of loss.

    Ziyun was not only beautiful, but also outstanding in temperament, knowledge, and every other aspect. To spend so much time with such a woman, it would be a lie to say he wasn¡¯t moved in some way.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    "Ziyun, see you at Qinglong Academy!" Tang Yan took a deep breath and walked out of the Tang Family gates.

    His grandfather had been waiting outside, accompanied by Mo Bo, Mo Yanjun, and other core members of the Tang Family.

    After bidding them farewell, Tang Yan took out a few jars of pills from his robes, distributing them to the three of them while explaining the proper usage of each one. Once that was done, he didn¡¯t linger, walking away from the Tang Family.

    Watching Tang Yan¡¯s departing figure, Mo Bo couldn¡¯t help but sigh. "The young master really has the strength to stand on his own now."

    "Haha, come on, Old Mo, let¡¯s go have a drink. We won¡¯t stop until we¡¯re drunk tonight!" Old Master Tang said, filled with emotion. Years ago, everyone in Yun City thought Tang Yan was a good-for-nothing young master. Who would have guessed that this so-called prodigal would unknowingly elevate the Tang Family¡¯s status, once ranked last among the four great families of Yun City, and now even pose a challenge to the Liu Family?

    <hr>

    Tang Yan traveled through the night, moving like a shadow in his black clothes, his steps swift and ghostlike.

    After a while, he reached the outskirts of Yun City. He circled around the distant city wall, took a deep breath, and jumped over it.

    Once on the ground, he didn¡¯t slow down, continuing his journey towards the Cangyun Mountains.

    After running for dozens of miles, Tang Yan hadn¡¯t encountered any spiritual beasts. He looked around and found a sturdy tree to rest in.

    An hour passed quickly. Just as Tang Yan was meditating, he suddenly furrowed his brows. A faint scent of blood wafted into his nose.

    He immediately opened his eyes but remained still on the tree. He released a wisp of true qi to sense the source of the smell.

    "Woo¡ª" A long howl came from not far away, causing Tang Yan to start. A wolf?

    Tang Yan wasn¡¯t foolish; wolves were pack animals.

    Sitting on the tree, he scanned the area and soon saw a massive group of wolves heading towards him.

    Before long, the area beneath the tree was surrounded by wolves.

    The pack¡¯s eyes gleamed with green light, and the howls of the wolves echoed through the air.

    Looking at the hundreds, if not thousands, of wolves, Tang Yan felt a chill run down his spine. How had he provoked such a situation on his first day here?

    Fortunately, he was in a tree, and the wolves couldn¡¯t reach him for now. Tang Yan felt a bit relieved as he observed them closely.

    These wolves were just ordinary first-rank spiritual beasts at the edge of Cangyun Mountain, not much of a threat. But there were so many of them that Tang Yan didn¡¯t dare act recklessly.

    "Woo¡ª" A sharp howl pierced the air, and the wolves below suddenly began to move.

    "Woo¡ª"

    Countless giant wolves rushed towards the base of the tree, with the wolves in the back stepping on the backs of those in front of them, piling up one after another without any hesitation.

    Tang Yan¡¯s eyes turned cold. These wolves were forming a "wolf ladder"!

    The branch he was sitting on was only four to five meters off the ground, and within a few breaths, a black shadow shot up towards him.

    Tang Yan didn¡¯t avoid it. His true qi surged, and he swung his fist towards the wolf¡¯s head.

    "Boom!"

    The power from the Seventh Rank of the Yellow Stage was considerable. The wolf couldn¡¯t withstand the blow and was sent flying through the air, letting out a pitiful howl before crashing to the ground.

    Wolves were known for their toughness and cruelty.

    After one wolf was sent flying, a rapid series of howls came from the distance. Immediately, three more black shadows rushed towards him from three different directions.

    Sitting on the tree, Tang Yan wasn¡¯t in the best position to fight, but fortunately, his strength was enough to handle three wolves at once.

    "Boom, boom, boom!" Tang Yan swiftly struck, sending the three wolves flying in an instant.

    Before he could catch his breath, a dangerous aura appeared from behind. A grey-black wolf sprang towards him.

    Feeling the speed and strength of this wolf, Tang Yan¡¯s heart skipped a beat. This wolf was different from the others.

    There was no time to think. He immediately launched his Qian Mountain Fist. The impact was so powerful that Tang Yan staggered, almost falling from the tree.

    Unlike the others, this wolf wasn¡¯t sent flying. It fell clumsily to the ground but quickly regained its footing, its green-glowing eyes staring ferociously at Tang Yan.

    "Second-rank spiritual beast!" Tang Yan was startled, his eyes fixed on the wolf, which was indeed larger than the others around it.

 Chapter 59

    As Tang Yan scanned the wolf pack, he noticed a few larger wolves among them.

    This unsettling discovery made him tighten his focus. These second-tier wolves weren¡¯t the wolf king, but could the one directing the pack, who had yet to appear, be a third-tier spirit beast?

    Moreover, the wolf king''s ability to command the pack and organize the formation to climb a tree with "wolf ladders" showed an alarming level of intelligence.

    "Awoooo¡ª"

    Five wolves charged at him rapidly, with even more wolves following behind. The pressure of the continuous assault would soon become overwhelming.

    Tang Yan knew he couldn¡¯t stay on this tree forever.

    Just as he had anticipated, after five first-tier giant wolves attacked, three second-tier wolves charged at him. The sheer number of wolves made it a war of attrition, and even with his speed and strength, he couldn''t keep up forever.

    The wolves were relentless, and with each wave of attacks, his exhaustion grew. His body was covered in wounds, his black clothes torn and bloodied, and he had no time to consume healing pills.

    "Run!" Realizing that if he kept fighting, he might lose his life here, Tang Yan decided to flee. He jumped, using the force from the branch to leap to another tree.

    After jumping from several trees, he finally escaped the center of the wolf pack and landed on the ground, where he continued to fight.

    The wolf king, still hiding in the shadows, issued a call, and the wolves immediately surged after Tang Yan.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    "Boom! Boom!" Tang Yan fought with pure instinct and his martial skills, constantly switching positions with his Phantom Shadow Step to avoid being surrounded.

    After an hour of intense fighting, Tang Yan was nearly exhausted. He was covered in injuries, his clothes in tatters, and he couldn''t even find a moment to take a healing pill. The pack''s continuous attacks left him with no time to breathe.

    "Run!" Knowing that he might lose his life here, Tang Yan decided to make a break for it. He stomped on a first-tier giant wolf''s head, crushing it, before leaping with all his strength, using his Phantom Shadow Step to sprint away.

    "Awoooo¡ª" Tang Yan could hear the wolf king¡¯s call in the distance. The wolf pack¡¯s howls echoed across the mountain. Even some high-tier spirit beasts, hearing the wolves, crouched down in fear.

    Tang Yan, however, was faster with his Phantom Shadow Step. After about a quarter of an hour, the wolves gave up the chase, unable to catch him.

    He ran for over twenty miles and eventually stopped near a small river. There, he washed his wounds and applied some hemostatic ointment, wincing at the sting.

    Looking at his bloodstained clothes, he quickly tossed them into the river, fearing that the smell of blood might attract more beasts.

    He reflected on how close he had come to danger. Without his Phantom Shadow Step, he might have ended up dead that first day on the mountain.

    "Although it was a desperate fight, it exposed my weaknesses in combat. But the progress I made in blending martial techniques and hand-to-hand combat was astonishing¡ªmuch more than several days of practice. From now on, I will follow the wolf pack until I¡¯ve perfected this combination!" Tang Yan resolved.

    He found a large tree, jumped up, and began to meditate, letting his body recover.

    The medicinal supplies he had prepared were extraordinary, and by the next day, the wounds had already scabbed over. He quickly hunted a wild rabbit, cooked it by the river, and ate.

    As he ate, he heard a rumbling sound from the distance.

    Tang Yan, curious, quickly finished his meal and followed the noise. Soon, he found the source¡ªa massive waterfall crashing down from a cliff over twenty meters high.

    The immense power of the falling water gave Tang Yan a wide grin.

    His decision to leave Tang Family was proving to be extremely wise. The energy contained in the waterfall made it the perfect training ground¡ªsomething he could never find at home.

 Chapter 60

    Resolute in his decision, Tang Yan wasted no time. He stripped off his clothes and leaped down, landing next to the waterfall.

    He extended his hand to feel the water, and the immense force of the current shocked him. Damn, will I be knocked silly by such strong water pressure?

    Taking a deep breath, Tang Yan stepped forward. The waterfall descended like a massive mountain, instantly weighing down on him. His body sank, and he stumbled, almost falling to the ground.

    Activating his seventh-grade Yellow-tier strength, his swirling dantian worked relentlessly, releasing spiritual energy to steady himself.

    Trying to move under the waterfall, Tang Yan attempted to traverse its width, which was only about ten meters. By the time he reached the other end, he was nearly exhausted.

    Though tired, Tang Yan didn''t give up. Gritting his teeth, he continued, trying to recover his strength beneath the waterfall.

    "Whoo¡ª" After a quarter of an hour, he couldn¡¯t hold on any longer and emerged from the waterfall.

    The moment he stepped out, the pressure on him immediately eased, and even the operation of his dantian seemed a bit smoother.

    His eyes sparkled with determination¡ªhe had now found a perfect training ground. After a brief rest on the shore, he stepped back into the waterfall.

    "Whoo¡ª" Twenty minutes later, Tang Yan emerged again.

    This pattern continued, and by sunset, Tang Yan had built up his endurance to stay under the waterfall for an entire hour. The intense circulation of true energy was strengthening his dantian, and he could feel his power reaching the peak of the seventh-grade Yellow-tier.

    After leaving the waterfall, Tang Yan packed his things and prepared a quick meal, then began to rest and adjust for the night''s battle.

    When night fell, Tang Yan, fully rested, opened his eyes with a slight smile. His figure shifted as he used Phantom Shadow Step to begin his search for the wolf pack.

    The sheer number of wolves made it inevitable that their howls would alert him to their position.

    It didn''t take long for Tang Yan to locate the pack.

    Not bothering to hide, he soon caught the attention of a wolf.

    "Awooo¡ª" A warning howl echoed, and the entire pack fell silent, eyes fixed on Tang Yan.

    "Awooo!" Another long howl rang out, and the wolves immediately began their wheel tactics, charging toward Tang Yan in waves.

    This time, however, with his previous experience, Tang Yan no longer felt panic. His true energy surged as he threw punches toward the incoming wolves.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    While using the wolf pack as training material was rapidly advancing his strength, the dangers were far from tolerable. A single mistake could lead to death.

    But to become stronger, one had to endure the baptism of blood and battle, proving their worth in martial arts.

    The flow between martial techniques and hand-to-hand combat was becoming more seamless as he fought the pack.

    The first-tier and second-tier wolves were repeatedly knocked away by Tang Yan¡¯s fists.

    His punch speed increased!

    His dodging became more fluid!

    His attack angles grew more elusive!

    His fighting spirit intensified!

    Yet, the injuries continued to accumulate with every battle...

    Blood flowed, and under the wolves'' relentless assaults, Tang Yan''s stamina dwindled.

    "Get lost!" With a furious shout, Tang Yan landed a powerful punch on one wolf before using Phantom Shadow Step to quickly retreat.

    Though he had fled twice, this time the battle lasted nearly an extra half-hour compared to the previous one.

    Though fatigued, Tang Yan returned to his temporary camp, cleaned his wounds, and resumed training.

    Seven days passed quickly.

    Through the use of spiritual medicine, the waterfall¡¯s pressure, and constant battles, Tang Yan¡¯s strength had advanced from the seventh to the eighth grade of Yellow-tier!

    Feeling the growing power within him, Tang Yan¡¯s resolve grew even stronger.

    After several days of high-intensity training, Tang Yan no longer felt suffocated beneath the waterfall. Instead, he could now practice his martial skills there.

    "Bang! Bang! Bang!" Four dull sounds echoed, and for a brief moment, the waterfall itself seemed to shudder. Though the disruption was quickly repaired, the sound was lost in the roaring cascade, but Tang Yan had managed to strike four times with his Thousand Mountain Fist under the immense pressure of the waterfall.

    If he could strike four times here, how powerful would the fifth strike be on solid ground?

    Another three days passed.

    Having consolidated his strength at the eighth grade of Yellow-tier, Tang Yan felt much more at ease in battle. In his last fight with the wolves, he noticed that fighting no longer exhausted him as much.

    After over ten days of trial and error, Tang Yan had a clear understanding of the wolf king¡¯s tactics: first, use the first-tier wolves as distractions, then have the second-tier wolves deal the real damage.

    Although the wolves were numerous, most were first-tier, with only a few second-tier wolves. Moreover, the ones he had injured or killed over the days had weakened the pack''s overall strength.

    After all the bloodshed, Tang Yan¡¯s ability to switch between martial techniques and hand-to-hand combat had become second nature.

    Another battle with the wolf pack seemed meaningless¡ªunless the wolf king showed up personally!

    Tang Yan had observed the wolf king; its strength was at least third-tier, and its leadership and intelligence were likely very high. He knew that he wasn¡¯t yet strong enough to face it head-on.

    Realizing this, Tang Yan intensified his training.

    The Thousand Mountain Fist became more refined with each practice. However, striking a fifth punch under the waterfall¡¯s immense pressure remained exceedingly difficult.

    Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

    Tang Yan trained relentlessly under the waterfall, the continuous explosive sounds of his punches ringing through the mountains.

    If he were on solid ground, he could definitely strike the fifth punch. But under the powerful waterfall, which cascaded down like a heavy hammer, he struggled to muster the strength for the fifth punch.

    Tang Yan wasn¡¯t sure how many punches he had thrown under the waterfall, but after landing the fourth punch this time, he felt his dantian swell. True energy surged within him.

    In that moment of stunned realization, a wave of excitement surged through him¡ªhe was about to break through!

    Without hesitation, Tang Yan spun around, roaring, and the true energy that had been growing in his dantian surged toward his fist.

    "Explode for me!" With a mighty strike, a powerful force erupted beneath the waterfall.

 Chapter 61

    "Boom!" The nearly ten-meter-wide waterfall was shattered into pieces with that single punch.

    The waterfall, which had been roaring down just a moment ago, suddenly went silent, and the cascade up to ten meters high seemed to vanish into thin air, creating a vacuum!

    "The fifth punch!" A flash of surprise crossed Tang Yan''s eyes as he realized that during his training, his strength had made a miraculous breakthrough!

    Stepping out of the waterfall, Tang Yan took a deep breath and stood on the shore, beginning to practice his Thousand Mountain Fist. He wanted to test how much power he could unleash without the constraints of the waterfall.

    "Boom!" As the first punch was thrown, a dull, explosive sound echoed through the air. The force released by his punch, now at the Yellow Rank Ninth Stage, was impressive.

    Feeling the power of the first punch, a smile curled on Tang Yan''s lips. It seemed his days of training beneath the waterfall hadn¡¯t been in vain.

    "Boom boom boom boom!"

    The punches kept coming, and after a series of four strikes, each punch seemed to build on the last, with each one packing more power. Without the resistance of the waterfall, every punch was noticeably more forceful.

    After the fifth punch, Tang Yan wasted no time. He twisted his body, using the momentum to throw another punch forward.

    "Boom!" The air around him distorted as his fist tore through it, the force causing a deafening explosion.

    Tang Yan¡¯s momentum didn¡¯t stop. His body spun again, delivering yet another punch.

    This time, Tang Yan felt his vortex dantian rapidly depleting. His arm felt as though it was carrying a bomb as it charged toward the target.

    The seventh punch!

    "Boom!" A massive sound rang out, and dust flew in all directions.

    Tang Yan stared in shock at the ground in front of him. He had actually blasted a pit into the ground!

    "Damn!" After a long moment, Tang Yan muttered to himself.

    Calming down, he began estimating his current strength. He was now confident that he could go toe-to-toe with any expert at the Xuan Rank First Stage.

    Having just broken through, Tang Yan was eager to find a sparring partner to test his newfound strength. As the sun began to set, a grin appeared on his face.

    The Wolf King, tonight, I¡¯ll take you down.

    As the sun set, Tang Yan, eating some roasted wild boar to replenish his strength, suddenly heard a wolf¡¯s howl in the distance.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    "Why is the wolf pack showing up so early today?" Tang Yan thought to himself with curiosity.

    "Awwoo¡ª"

    "Awwoo awwoo¡ª" The howls grew more sorrowful and vengeful.

    Tang Yan¡¯s expression shifted as he tossed the boar leg aside and rushed toward the sound.

    He had been hunting the wolves for days, but he had never heard such anguished howls. It seemed the wolf pack was in trouble.

    Moving silently through the mountains, like a shadow, Tang Yan¡¯s ears picked up the increasingly mournful howls.

    When he arrived, he parted the dense foliage to peer inside. In the dim moonlight, he saw five or six bodies lying on the ground, and two people were engaged in a fierce battle with the remaining wolves.

    Tang Yan sniffed the air and his heart tightened. He detected the scent of poison powder.

    Holding his breath, he took a detoxifying pill from his pocket and quietly observed the situation.

    When Tang Yan first encountered the wolf pack, there had been around 1,300 wolves. After many battles, only about 700 remained, with nearly half of the second-tier wolves slain by Tang Yan.

    Analyzing the situation, Tang Yan deduced that these people were likely well-prepared, and their target was probably the Wolf King.

    It seemed they had attempted to use a poison called "Scattering Yuan Powder" to weaken the mighty wolf by making it too weak to fight back.

    However, from the looks of things, their plan had only partially succeeded, and some of the wolves had lost their combat ability.

    Tang Yan wasn¡¯t sure about the strength of the dead, but the two surviving combatants were likely powerful. The woman appeared to be at the Xuan Rank Second Stage, while the man was at the Yellow Rank Ninth Stage.

    Among the remaining wolves, Tang Yan counted over a hundred, mostly first-tier with a few second-tier giant wolves. The Wolf King, with its silver-white fur, lay nearby, clearly affected by the poison.

    "Long Ying, cover me! Deal with the first-tier wolves, and we¡¯ll take down the Wolf King quickly!" the woman shouted as she waved her longsword and charged forward.

    "Understood!" the man shouted back, brandishing a heavy blade as he began hacking away at the first-tier wolves.

    As the number of giant wolves dwindled, the two were quickly closing in on the Wolf King.

    "Awwoo¡ª" Several giant wolves guarding the Wolf King let out anguished howls.

    Suddenly, Tang Yan¡¯s attention shifted to the side.

    An arrow flew through the underbrush, heading straight for the Wolf King.

    Having already been poisoned, the Wolf King was too weak to fight back. The arrow came closer, but before it could strike, one of the wolves jumped in front and took the hit, saving the Wolf King.

    "Awwoo¡ª" The Wolf King howled in pain, barely avoiding the arrow.

    Before it could react, several more arrows came flying, targeting both the Wolf King and several nearby wolves.

    The arrows, infused with powerful true qi, pierced through the vital points of the wolves, and the Wolf King took an arrow to its throat, collapsing onto the ground, convulsing as it bled out.

    The sudden turn of events left the surviving man and woman stunned, their weapons tight in their hands as they turned toward the new arrival.

    "Who!" the woman, now identified as Wan Fei, shouted.

    "Hehe, Wan Fei, long time no see," a rough voice called from the shadows, making both the man and woman¡¯s faces freeze in anger.

    As the voice faded, six figures emerged from the forest.

    Tang Yan¡¯s eyes sharpened as he recognized the lead figure¡ªa burly man with a large knife strapped to his back and a bow in his hands. He had clearly been the one to shoot the arrows.

    Tang Yan¡¯s senses further revealed that the leader was at the Xuan Rank First Stage, while the others ranged from Yellow Rank Seventh to Ninth Stage.

    A group like this was not something Tang Yan had heard of in Cloud City. Were they from somewhere else?

    "Qing Lang, what are you doing here?" Wan Fei demanded coldly.

    "Wan Fei, you''re a smart one. You should know why I''m here," Qing Lang grinned, showing a mouthful of yellow teeth.

    "Are you trying to steal my prey?" Wan Fei sneered.

 Chapter 62

    "If it was before, I wouldn''t dare, but now... look at you all. The only ones left are the two of you, both heavily injured. Do you really think you''re my match?" Qing Lang laughed loudly, his eyes filled with lecherous intent as they lingered on Wan Fei.

    Upon hearing Qing Lang''s words, Wan Fei''s expression grew colder, though she knew that, at this moment, they were no match for Qing Lang and his group.

    "Another time, I''ll get my revenge. Once I regain my strength, I''ll deal with these bastards," Wan Fei thought, her mind set on vengeance.

    "Humph, you want to steal a wolf? Just how poor is your Qing Lang group? Fine, take the wolf. Chang Ying, let''s go!" Wan Fei decisively turned to leave.

    "Stop!" Qing Lang''s eyes turned cold when he saw Wan Fei walking away so decisively. He immediately shouted.

    "What, do you want to fight me? Although I''m injured, do you really think you can take advantage of me?" Wan Fei said coldly.

    Qing Lang wasn''t bothered by Wan Fei''s threatening tone. He sneered, "Chang Ying can leave, but you must stay. We''ve come all this way not just for the white wolf king. We want to taste the flavor of Wan Lao Hu. Once we''re done with you, we''ll cripple your dantian, and then you can leave."

    When Wan Fei saw the lewd look in Qing Lang''s eyes, she understood that these people were serious.

    They weren¡¯t foolish. They wouldn¡¯t leave her alive to come back for revenge later. They would make sure she was completely dealt with.

    Looking at the bodies of her fallen comrades, Wan Fei felt a deep sadness. She had hoped this hunt would bring great profits, but now all her men were dead, and they had lost everything.

    "Since you want me dead, I''ll take two of you with me!" Wan Fei resolved. Just as she was about to act, a lazy voice interrupted.

    "Who killed my pet? You¡¯d better pay up!"

    Everyone looked around, confused. A pet? Was the white wolf king his pet?

    Seizing the moment of their confusion, a figure quickly appeared next to the white wolf king. With practiced precision, he pulled out a dagger, split the wolf¡¯s skull, and retrieved a green beast core, placing it into a porcelain bottle.

    Realization dawned on everyone: this kid wasn¡¯t here to help, he was here to loot.

    Wan Fei and Chang Ying had been hopeful, but upon seeing the boy''s youthful face, both felt disappointed. He couldn¡¯t be older than seventeen, and what could a kid like him do to help them?This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    "Who are you?" Qing Lang finally recognized the boy and asked with a malicious grin. "I, Qing Lang, have lived so long, and no one has dared to steal from me. You¡¯re the first!"

    The boy blinked and looked surprised. "No one¡¯s dared steal from you?"

    "That''s right," one of Qing Lang''s men snickered, "No one has dared take anything from Qing Lang."

    The boy, completely harmless in appearance, said in an innocent tone, "As a man, you must have had a woman you liked, right? Given your looks, did anyone ever steal her from you?"

    "Have you ever been to an auction? Seen something you wanted but couldn¡¯t afford, and watched someone else outbid you?"

    He paused before adding with a grin, "And judging by your strength, it looks like you¡¯re not as good as Auntie here. I bet when you¡¯ve hunted spirit beasts, stronger opponents have stolen your prey, right?"

    The boy continued, "And now, this beast core... looks like I stole it from you."

    His completely serious delivery made both sides¡¯ faces fall.

    Wan Fei was momentarily pleased with the boy''s words. "At least he¡¯s avenging me!" But then she froze. The boy just called her ''Auntie''?

    She fumed internally. "What? I¡¯m only twenty-two! This kid¡¯s dead!"

    Qing Lang¡¯s expression darkened. His earlier tough talk was now being mocked by this boy. The boy¡¯s words, every single one, hit Qing Lang where it hurt. It was as if the boy was slapping him in the face.

    The one most amused by the situation was Chang Ying.

    Chang Ying, a thick-skinned man, didn¡¯t care about the boy''s jab at Wan Fei. Instead, he clasped his hands and smiled at the boy. "Little brother, you hit the nail on the head. That old fool loves to brag, but it¡¯s good to see someone call him out!"

    "Kid, you¡¯ll regret coming to this world!" Qing Lang''s eyes turned cold as he glared at the boy. He was already plotting ways to make this kid wish he had never been born.

    "Old Three, go grab him!" Qing Lang ordered.

    The man named Old Three, who had spoken earlier, was a burly young man about 1.7 meters tall. His mouth was large, and his body was muscular. His cultivation was at the Yellow Rank, Eighth Stage.

    Old Three stepped forward, cracking his knuckles as he sneered, "Kid, you¡¯d better kneel and surrender, or I¡¯ll break your limbs."

    The boy grinned and mockingly repeated, "You¡¯d better kneel and surrender, or I¡¯ll break your limbs."

    Hearing this, everyone started laughing.

    "Old Three, did you hear that? This kid wants to break your limbs! Hahaha..." someone else mocked.

    Old Three was caught off guard by the boy''s bravery. He roared in anger and charged at the boy, his hand turning into a claw.

    When Old Three attacked, the boy just shook his head and sighed. Accustomed to the fast and fierce attacks of the wolf pack, this strike from Old Three felt painfully slow.

    "Unwilling to listen? Fine, I¡¯ll break your limbs!" the boy declared as his body blurred into a streak of smoke, rushing straight at Old Three.

    "Right hand, break!"

    In the stunned silence, the boy''s punch landed on Old Three¡¯s right arm with a loud crack.

    "Left leg, break!" Without losing momentum, the boy¡¯s right foot slammed into Old Three¡¯s left knee.

    Crack! The sound of another bone snapping echoed as Old Three staggered, falling to one knee.

    "Is that it? Kneeling with one leg? Are you proposing? Sorry, I¡¯m not interested in men!" The boy¡¯s voice was full of disdain, and he raised his foot again.

    Another crack rang out as Old Three¡¯s right knee gave way, and he collapsed to the ground, both knees now on the dirt.

 Chapter 63

    "Your turn!"

    Everyone was stunned, their eyes wide open. Just who was this young man, to take down Old Three in an instant, leaving him powerless?

    Crack! The sound of bone breaking made everyone shiver.

    In the blink of an eye, Tang Yan had disabled Old Three''s hand and foot.

    An expert at the Yellow Stage, Eighth Rank, was no match for this young man!

    No one doubted that if Old Three hadn''t struck first, he wouldn''t even have had the chance to make a move.

    "Ah!" Old Three finally felt the excruciating pain and screamed in agony.

    "Don''t rush, we''re not done yet!" Tang Yan said calmly, as if discussing something trivial, lifting his foot and aiming for Old Three''s groin.

    Thud! No one was sure whether it was the sound of an egg breaking, but all the men, including Chang Ying, felt a cold chill between their legs.

    "Ah!" Old Three let out another soul-shattering scream, his head slumping as he fainted.

    "Uncle, do I have the right to rob you?" Tang Yan asked with a smile.

    Gulp

    At this moment, Qing Lang had to swallow hard.

    Even though he was at the Xuan Stage, First Rank, he couldn¡¯t fathom how someone so young could defeat Old Three with a single move. What kind of terrifying strength did this young man have?

    What unnerved Qing Lang further was Tang Yan¡¯s brutal approach. Even someone like him, who had lived a bloody life, felt a sense of dread.

    But Qing Lang soon noticed that Tang Yan didn¡¯t seem to have reached the Xuan Stage, which somewhat reassured him. His eyes narrowed. "Little brother, as the saying goes, a gentleman doesn¡¯t take what isn¡¯t his. Since I killed this White Wolf King, it¡¯s mine. If you want it, you can buy it from me. But if you try to take it by force, my backup won¡¯t let you."

    Although Qing Lang¡¯s tone was still tough, he no longer carried the arrogance he had at the beginning.

    A young man with such strength, along with the fact that Wan Fei was already at the Xuan Stage, Second Rank, made Qing Lang realize that even if he won, the victory would be costly.

    "Stop talking nonsense!" Tang Yan cursed, "Didn''t you hear me? This White Wolf King is my pet. Since you admit you killed it, you should compensate me!"

    A third-tier spirit beast that could understand human speech and follow my commands is worth a fortune. Out of kindness, I won¡¯t ask for much¡ªjust three million taels of silver."Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    Pff!

    Qing Lang felt as though he might vomit blood.

    He had always been arrogant, and people often described him as domineering. But now, when compared to Tang Yan, who was standing before him, who was truly unreasonable?

    The White Wolf King was his pet? He wasn¡¯t sad that it was dead, and on top of that, he just took the beast core without hesitation? And now he wanted compensation, asking for three million taels of silver? Was this for real?

    If Qing Lang had three million taels, why would he risk his life to come all the way here?

    "It seems, little brother, that you¡¯re not willing to give me face," Qing Lang¡¯s voice grew colder, his blood beginning to boil. "Since you insist, don¡¯t blame me for not showing mercy. Brothers, go!"

    The remaining four were conflicted. Originally, they thought they had the advantage with only Wan Fei and Chang Ying to deal with. But then this young man appeared out of nowhere, and in a single move, he had crippled Old Three.

    They knew Old Three¡¯s strength¡ªhe was a genuine Yellow Stage, Eighth Rank expert. No one dared to charge at this young man.

    And Wan Fei, though injured, was still a true Xuan Stage, Second Rank expert, someone they couldn''t take lightly.

    "Second, Fourth, and Fifth, go deal with this kid. I¡¯ll take care of that woman. Sixth, finish off Chang Ying. Let¡¯s make it quick!" Qing Lang quickly gave orders, his tone confident despite the uncertainty.

    "Kill!" The three men immediately rushed toward Tang Yan.

    Tang Yan was not flustered. Having fought against over a thousand wolves, he was more than capable of handling this.

    Moreover, both in terms of strength and skill, he had a significant advantage.

    With a deep breath, Tang Yan didn¡¯t even use martial techniques. He relied solely on the combat skills he had honed while fighting wolves.

    Bang, bang, bang! Tang Yan landed three punches. The first struck one man¡¯s wrist, blocking his attack. Then, with lightning speed, he pressed forward and landed a second punch to the man¡¯s throat.

    The throat is a vital point. After the first punch, this man fell unconscious, but Tang Yan didn¡¯t hesitate to land another heavy punch to his chest.

    This wasn¡¯t excessive; it was learned from experience. In the wild, wolves that found themselves outmatched would often play dead after a single blow, waiting for an opportunity to strike again.

    Having been caught off guard before, Tang Yan wasn¡¯t about to make the same mistake. The first man was left unconscious, uncertain whether he was dead or alive.

    Meanwhile, Old Fourth was already behind Tang Yan, swinging a heavy knife at him.

    Tang Yan, almost as if he had eyes on the back of his head, stepped back with a graceful movement, shifting to the side just in time.

    Bang, bang, bang! Three more punches landed on Old Fourth¡¯s vital points. Blood poured from his mouth as he collapsed to the ground.

    Two powerful opponents had fallen in front of this young man, who made it look effortless. Old Fifth, who had been hesitant, now trembled at the sight.

    "Enough talking, lie down and rest!" Tang Yan moved swiftly, landing several more heavy punches to knock Old Fifth unconscious.

    The others, watching in awe, could hardly believe what they were seeing. This young man had completely changed the situation.

    Long Ying and Wan Fei, seeing what had happened, were filled with joy, while the remaining two members of Qing Lang¡¯s group were pale with fear.

    How could they fight with such a terrifying person on their side?

    "Uncle, are you going to pay the three million or not?" Tang Yan sat down casually, calling out, "Look at you, with your poor appearance. I¡¯m guessing you can''t afford it."

    Qing Lang was beyond frustrated, unable to express his feelings. Who was this monster, and how did he end up on the opposite side?

    "Since you don¡¯t have the money, then you¡¯ll have to pay with your life. Big Aunt, even though you''re injured, you¡¯re still strong. Don¡¯t be afraid. You can definitely defeat him. Look at Qing Lang¡¯s right side¡ªthere¡¯s a gap. Strike there with all your might."

 Chapter 64

    Upon hearing Tang Yan''s words, Wan Fei looked in the direction he indicated. Upon seeing it, she immediately noticed an opening in Qing Lang''s defense.

    She swung her sword and thrust it forward, and Qing Lang was startled. How had the young man spotted the opening in his defense?

    ¡°Big sister, he¡¯s definitely going to try to block your sword. Angle your sword downward by three degrees and cut him!¡± Tang Yan''s voice rang out again.

    At this point, Wan Fei had started to trust Tang Yan''s instructions. She adjusted her sword and swung downward.

    Sure enough, another opening appeared!

    Qing Lang, now horrified, realized it was too late to avoid the attack. With a sharp sound, Wan Fei''s sword left a deep, bone-exposed wound on his leg.

    ¡°He¡¯s hurt his right leg, which has shifted his weight to the left. His right neck is exposed¡ªgo for the neck and strike quickly!¡± Tang Yan¡¯s voice was clear again.

    Without hesitation, Wan Fei followed his words and swung her sword straight toward Qing Lang''s neck.

    ¡°Crack!¡±

    Wan Fei herself couldn''t believe it¡ªQing Lang''s head was easily severed by her sword. Her heart stirred with a storm of emotions. She had expected the battle with Qing Lang to be a drawn-out, dangerous affair, but Tang Yan had guided her to end the fight in just three moves¡ªno, two, to be precise¡ªand Qing Lang had fallen.

    Even in her prime, she doubted she could achieve such a result. Who was this young man, and how could he possess such formidable power?

    Seeing Qing Lang''s demise, Xiao Liu¡¯s fighting spirit immediately dissipated. Noticing Wan Fei approaching with her sword in hand, he panicked and was easily slain by her.

    The situation, which had seemed destined for failure, had been completely reversed in less than a quarter of an hour, leaving Wan Fei utterly surprised.

    She looked at Tang Yan with a complex expression and bowed her hands in gratitude. "I am Wan Fei. May I ask how to address this hero?"

    "Big sister, just call me Tang Yan," Tang Yan replied casually, still searching Qing Lang''s body without turning around.

    He quickly checked the bodies of all six men, but only found a stack of silver notes and nothing else of value.

    Wan Fei, initially full of gratitude, couldn¡¯t hold back any longer. She¡¯d been called ¡°big sister¡± one too many times, and couldn¡¯t stand it any longer.

    "I''m only twenty-two, not some old lady!" she snapped, frustrated.

    Tang Yan was momentarily taken aback and examined her more closely. After a long pause, he said, "Big sister, you¡¯re at least sixty-two, right?"If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    "I¡¯m going to kill you!" Wan Fei, completely exasperated, raised her sword to charge at him.

    ¡°Big sister, big sister, he¡¯s our benefactor!¡± Long Ying quickly grabbed her to stop her.

    ¡°Hmph!¡± Wan Fei took a few deep breaths, her chest heaving in anger.

    "My sister¡¯s a bit quick-tempered, Tang Gongzi, please don¡¯t take offense. We are truly grateful for your help today," Long Ying said, bowing in thanks.

    ¡°No problem. By the way, where are you two from, and why are you here in Cangyun Mountain?¡± Tang Yan asked curiously.

    ¡°We¡¯re mercenaries. We usually hunt spirit beasts, gather spiritual herbs, or serve as bodyguards. We don¡¯t stay in one place, but mainly operate in the Eastern Region. The biggest city we frequent is Fang City since it offers more opportunities,¡± Long Ying explained. ¡°Mercenaries sometimes act alone, sometimes form groups. Usually, Wan Fei works alone with me, unless the task is particularly difficult, then we form a team. This group was assembled just for this mission.¡±

    Tang Yan nodded, understanding. He had heard of mercenaries¡ªmost of them were between the Yellow and Xuan realms. They loved their freedom and would rather fight on the front lines than be controlled by a family or organization.

    ¡°May I ask where the benefactor resides? My sister and I would like to express our gratitude in person sometime,¡± Long Ying asked.

    ¡°I can¡¯t tell you that,¡± Tang Yan refused immediately. ¡°Your sister just tried to kill me¡ªwhat if you show up at my door later looking for revenge?¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Wan Fei was about to explode, but she held herself back, knowing she couldn¡¯t beat Tang Yan.

    However, she was still deeply curious. Though Tang Yan hadn¡¯t reached the Xuan realm, how could he unleash such terrifying power?

    ¡°Haha, my sister¡¯s just quick-tempered. She won¡¯t actually seek revenge. By the way, Tang Gongzi, what brings you to Cangyun Mountain?¡± Long Ying continued the conversation, clearly eager to chat.

    ¡°I¡¯m here for training. The wolf pack was supposed to be my training ground, but now it¡¯s been wiped out by you guys!¡± Tang Yan said with some dissatisfaction.

    Long Ying and Wan Fei were stunned. "Training in a wolf pack?" Long Ying asked, clearly surprised.

    ¡°Yeah, I need spirit beasts to train my combat techniques. I finally encountered a wolf pack, but now I don¡¯t know when I¡¯ll find another suitable opponent,¡± Tang Yan sighed.

    "So, as long as you find spirit beasts, you¡¯re good?" Long Ying¡¯s eyes suddenly lit up.

    ¡°Wait, do you know where I can find spirit beasts?¡± Tang Yan asked, excited.

    ¡°Cangyun Mountain is vast, but based on our experience, we¡¯ve created a rough map,¡± Long Ying said, pausing before adding awkwardly, ¡°We came here mainly for the White Wolf King¡¯s pelt, but if Tang Gongzi¡­¡±

    ¡°You want me to exchange the Wolf King¡¯s core for the map? No way,¡± Tang Yan cut him off firmly.

    ¡°Tang Gongzi, you misunderstood. We¡¯ll give you the map regardless. Our primary goal was the White Wolf King¡¯s pelt. If you¡¯re not interested in the pelt, could we take it off your hands?¡± Long Ying asked hopefully.

    Tang Yan had no interest in the wolf pelt. It was too large and he had no place to store it. Besides, what would he even do with it? He nodded in agreement, "If you want it, take it."

    ¡°Really?¡± Long Ying and Wan Fei both brightened with joy.

    ¡°Why would I lie to you? Take it if you want it,¡± Tang Yan casually waved his hand.

    ¡°Thank you so much!¡± Long Ying eagerly went to retrieve the wolf pelt and quickly returned, taking out a rolled-up sheepskin map and handing it over with reverence. ¡°The map of the Cangyun Mountain range is very difficult to come by outside. We risked our lives to make it. Please accept it, Tang Gongzi.¡±

    ¡°Oh?¡± Tang Yan took the sheepskin map, intrigued. It depicted the terrain of the mountain range. Based on what he knew about Cangyun Mountain, he was nearly certain the map was accurate.

    There were a lot of valuable details on the map. For example, the current location was marked with a wolf and the number three, indicating a third-tier wolf spirit beast in the area. Surrounding the wolf were markings for other animals like apes, tigers, and leopards, all marked with the number three. Tang Yan¡¯s eyes lit up as he recognized the location of the leopard he had encountered before.

    With this map in hand, he now had a far easier time finding spirit beasts for training.

 Chapter 65

    ¡°Are the unmarked areas of the map still unexplored?¡± Tang Yan asked.

    ¡°Mm, with our strength, we can''t go deeper into the mountains. But we are certain that there are higher-level spirit beasts inside,¡± replied Wan Fei, as Long Ying had gone to retrieve the wolf skin.

    "Good." Tang Yan tucked the map into his robes and said to Wan Fei, "Since your mission is complete, you should head back. We may meet again if fate allows. Farewell!"

    With that, Tang Yan activated his Shadow Step, disappearing like a shooting star into the distance.

    Having been training for about a month, Tang Yan was originally satisfied with his progression. However, upon seeing Wan Fei and her companions, a sense of urgency stirred within him.

    Wan Fei was only 22, yet she had reached the second rank of the Xuan class. In places like Fengyun City, she would be treated like royalty by the top families. But here in Fang City, she was merely a mercenary?

    What kind of terrifying strength did the younger generation of the East Region possess?

    Time was of the essence.

    Realizing this, Tang Yan knew he couldn¡¯t afford to waste any more time.

    Watching Tang Yan leave so suddenly, Wan Fei felt an unexpected sense of emptiness.

    "Sis, he''s really gone?" Long Ying came running back, surprised.

    "He''s gone! What, do you miss him?" Wan Fei replied sharply.

    "No, no. It''s just that it happened so suddenly. We won''t be able to find him to thank him later. But Tang Yan''s strength is amazing. I''m sure his power hasn''t reached the Xuan class, yet his combat abilities are incredibly strong. Any opponent below the Yellow class was defeated with a single move.

    If he were in Fang City, he¡¯d be in the top thirty of the younger generation,¡± Long Ying sighed, ¡°But Tang Yan probably isn''t from Fang City."

    ¡°At least he¡¯d make the top fifteen!¡± Wan Fei seriously assessed, recalling how Tang Yan had guided her through those two moves earlier.

    "He''s that strong?" Long Ying¡¯s eyes were wide with disbelief.

    ¡°Not only does he seamlessly switch between techniques and martial arts, but his insight into his enemies'' weaknesses is also precise. Given his age, we may very well see him in the East Region Tournament," Wan Fei predicted.

    A woman''s intuition was always spot on.

    ¡­

    Tang Yan hurried along and soon reached the waterfall.

    He had been here for a month, and his strength had grown significantly. It was a place perfect for cultivation, and even though he was about to leave, he felt a bit reluctant.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    After studying the map of Cangyun Mountain, Tang Yan''s eyes fell on a mountain peak eighty miles away.

    [Halfway up the mountain: Fire Ape King, third rank spirit beast, lives in groups.]

    After reading this, Tang Yan decided to head there.

    Ape-type spirit beasts were not only agile but also incredibly strong, making them an ideal sparring partner for his current strength.

    Tang Yan practiced intensely under the waterfall for another three days, almost mastering pressure combat. He then set off towards the deeper parts of Cangyun Mountain.

    His steps quickened as he moved across the mountain rocks. After his time under the waterfall, his abilities had grown dramatically, and his Shadow Step had reached new heights.

    After traveling for nearly an hour, the sound of howling apes reached his ears. Tang Yan''s heart raced as he knew he was close.

    Surveying the terrain, he found himself at a halfway point up the mountain, with relatively flat ground around him. A few hundred meters ahead, a towering mountain peak rose from the earth.

    Dozens of Fire Apes were leisurely playing in the trees¡ªsome swinging on branches, others eating wild fruit, living carefree lives.

    When he saw the apes¡ªeach standing over two meters tall and muscular¡ªTang Yan couldn¡¯t help but break a sweat. These creatures were far more imposing than he had imagined.

    What surprised him even more was that these Fire Apes were all second-rank spirit beasts. Tang Yan couldn¡¯t help but feel overwhelmed.

    However, he wasn¡¯t deterred. On the contrary, his eyes gleamed with excitement.

    The wolf pack had tested his speed, and the waterfall had helped him build strength.

    Now, these powerful, agile Fire Apes would be the perfect sparring partners.

    Since he was already here, he decided to take action. He stopped hiding his presence and boldly walked toward them.

    The Fire Apes quickly noticed Tang Yan, and one by one, they began to howl, as if warning him not to come any closer.

    Tang Yan didn¡¯t mind their warnings. He had come here precisely to challenge them.

    However, he may have underestimated the Fire Apes¡¯ temper. Their fiery nature was reflected in their name.

    ¡°Roar!¡± One of the Fire Apes bared its teeth and growled at Tang Yan. It was clearly enraged, but when it saw the small human still advancing, it snapped.

    The ape raised its fist and charged at Tang Yan.

    Seeing the massive fist coming at him, Tang Yan remained unfazed, laughing loudly, ¡°Let me see your strength!¡±

    His swirling dantian rapidly circulated, and his true qi gathered in his right fist.

    Like the Fire Ape, Tang Yan''s punch was pure power with no flashy movements.

    "Bang!"

    The two fists collided with a powerful shockwave.

    The Fire Ape was sent stumbling back, taking two heavy steps as the surrounding mountain shook.

    But Tang Yan stood his ground without budging an inch.

    Although he had gained the upper hand, Tang Yan didn''t celebrate. The Fire Ape''s strength was even greater than he had expected. If this had been a second-rank giant wolf, it wouldn¡¯t have been just two steps back¡ªit would have been knocked off its feet.

    If the second-rank Fire Apes were this strong, just how terrifying was the Fire Ape King, a third-rank spirit beast?

    The Fire Ape, surprised by how its punch had been countered, quickly got enraged again. It was frustrated by this small human''s strength.

    ¡°Roar¡ª¡± the ape growled in fury and struck its chest before charging again.

    This time, it leaped toward Tang Yan with the force of a mountain, its fist aiming to crush him.

    Tang Yan narrowed his eyes, understanding why people often compared apes to humans. The Fire Ape¡¯s movements had started resembling actual techniques.

    He took a deep breath and quickly pivoted in mid-air, using his dual-punch technique.

    "Bang, bang!"

    The second punch, combined with the force of the first, collided with the Fire Ape once more.

    "Bang, bang, bang!"

    This time, the Fire Ape was forced back three steps, still no match for Tang Yan.

    Now, the Fire Ape regarded Tang Yan with clear wariness.

    Though it didn¡¯t understand how this small human could unleash such immense power, it knew that it stood no chance in a direct fight.

    ¡°Roar, roar¡ª¡± the Fire Ape howled, summoning the rest of its pack. They all charged toward Tang Yan.

 Chapter 66

    Seeing a dozen more strong Fire Apes charging at him, all at the second-tier level, Tang Yan''s battle spirit was fully ignited!

    "Good, come at me!" Tang Yan chuckled, his swirling dantian rapidly circulating, providing a steady flow of true qi.

    "Bang, bang, bang!" The Fire Apes rushed at him one after another.

    Fire Apes possessed immense strength and thick, tough hides, so Tang Yan couldn¡¯t afford to hold back like he did in his battle with the giant wolves. He had to give his all with each strike to actually harm them. Their bodies were extremely agile, and in battle, they constantly adjusted their positions. Sometimes, they even feigned attacks, their moves deceptive and crafty.

    Moreover, the Fire Apes attacked quickly, and with over ten of them attacking at once, it was a net of attacks that made it hard for Tang Yan to catch a breath.

    Every move had to be executed flawlessly and smoothly. One slip-up, and he could get hit.

    In this intense battle, Tang Yan''s stamina rapidly depleted. After just half an hour, he had used up 70% of his energy.

    "Bang, bang!" Finally, Tang Yan''s stamina faltered, and the battle began to weaken. Compared to these naturally powerful Fire Apes, Tang Yan was at a disadvantage.

    Due to his lack of energy, one of his moves failed to connect properly, and he took two powerful blows, sending his body flying.

    As Tang Yan flew through the air, he felt a chill run down his spine and saw a Fire Ape already waiting for him.

    His heart skipped a beat. With his true qi nearly drained, if he took another punch, escaping would be nearly impossible.

    He couldn¡¯t afford to fall into the hands of these Fire Apes!

    Tang Yan desperately pulled from his dantian, forcing out what little true qi was left. But despite his efforts, he only managed to summon 20% of his qi.

    Seeing the taunting glint in the Fire Ape''s eyes, Tang Yan made a bold decision. He summoned a faint blue flame that suddenly appeared in front of his fist.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    The air around the flame warped, creating a strange and eerie atmosphere.

    The Fire Ape, about to land a fatal blow, paused in its tracks, its eyes flashing with fear.

    That split second of hesitation allowed Tang Yan to take a deep breath, twisting his body mid-air so that his stomach faced downward. His toes barely touched the ground before he propelled himself out, slipping through the Fire Ape¡¯s armpit.

    After breaking through the Fire Ape''s encirclement, Tang Yan wasted no time, activating his Shadowstep and rapidly fleeing.

    "Howl!" Seeing Tang Yan escape, the Fire Apes chased after him. After a few minutes, Tang Yan had disappeared from their sight.

    ¡°That was close!¡± Tang Yan, already exhausted, slumped to the ground and gasped for breath.

    If he hadn¡¯t thought of exploiting the Fire Ape''s natural fear of fire, his life might have been over in that mountain.

    What he didn¡¯t know was that while the Fire Apes, being fire-elemental beasts, weren¡¯t afraid of fire itself, they had an innate sensitivity to the terrifying aura hidden within that small flame.

    The Heavenly Fire consumed vast amounts of true qi, and Tang Yan¡¯s dantian was already drained. Fortunately, he had managed to escape.

    Finding a safe and secluded spot, Tang Yan took some medicinal pills and began meditating to recover.

    Once his strength was restored, Tang Yan replayed the battle in his mind, analyzing his mistakes, his predictions of the Fire Apes'' attacks, and why he had failed to dodge the two punches.

    After working through all the issues, Tang Yan grinned, moving through the mountains like a shadow. Soon, he reached the Fire Ape¡¯s territory again.

    ¡°Howl!¡± A Fire Ape immediately recognized him and issued a warning cry.

    The Fire Apes, who recognized Tang Yan as the troublemaker, immediately charged toward him.

    "Bang, bang, bang!" Tang Yan quickly engaged in battle with the Fire Ape group.

    After two hours of fighting, Tang Yan took another punch, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Realizing that he might have reached his limit, he unleashed the fifth punch of the Thousand Mountains Fist.

    "Bang!" A violent shockwave erupted, and a Fire Ape was knocked back, sitting on the ground with a pale face, likely injured.

    After pushing back his obstacles, Tang Yan did not linger, using his Shadowstep to dart away from the Fire Ape peak.

    He found another safe place and once again took healing pills to restore his strength.

    With the help of the healing pills, Tang Yan¡¯s injuries soon healed, and he resumed analyzing the battle, finding more areas for improvement.

    After finishing his analysis, and now fully recovered, Tang Yan, regardless of the late hour, moved swiftly through the mountains and returned to the Fire Ape peak.

    ¡°Howl!¡± As always, the Fire Apes spotted him immediately. This time, however, they stood in an orderly fashion at a high point, as if waiting for him.

    Sensing something strange, Tang Yan scanned the Fire Ape group.

    Soon, he noticed an even larger Fire Ape standing at the back of the group, quietly observing him from a distance.

 Chapter 67

    The ordinary second-tier Fire Apes were only about two meters tall, with very few exceeding two meters and twenty centimeters. But that one Fire Ape was much larger than the rest, towering over three meters tall!

    If his guess was correct, this Fire Ape was the leader of the group.

    Feeling the immense pressure from the large ape, Tang Yan''s heart tightened.

    To make matters worse, Tang Yan saw an expression of intense disdain in the Fire Ape King''s eyes.

    Was it not enough that the smaller ones were a challenge? Now the big one had to come out? Tang Yan halted, standing at a distance.

    Fighting this group of Fire Apes was already tough enough; if the Fire Ape King entered the fray, this would truly be a difficult battle.

    "Roar, roar, roar!" Seeing that Tang Yan didn''t dare to advance, the Fire Apes started howling softly.

    Tang Yan nearly fumed. If he wasn''t mistaken, these beasts were mocking him for being scared.

    ¡°Damn beasts, you¡¯ve got so many of you, and there¡¯s even a third-tier spirit beast in the back. Would you dare rush in if it were you?¡±

    As Tang Yan was inwardly cursing, the Fire Ape King, who had been standing motionless, suddenly opened its mouth and let out a fierce "Roar!"

    A powerful aura emanated from its mouth, and even the sound of its roar carried an incredible weight.

    Fire Apes were a strong species of spirit beasts, and in terms of overall strength, they were even stronger than the giant wolves Tang Yan had previously fought.

    Hearing the Fire Ape King¡¯s roar, Tang Yan bent his body, preparing to either fight or escape at a moment¡¯s notice.

    The Fire Apes, eager to fight, immediately responded to their leader''s command and charged at Tang Yan.

    Noticing that the Fire Ape King hadn''t moved, Tang Yan felt a bit more at ease. He was confident that if he used his Mirage Step to its fullest, even the Fire Ape King wouldn''t be able to catch him.

    "Come!" Tang Yan muttered lightly, activating his vortex dantian. The True Qi surged and flowed through his body.

    Bang! Bang! Bang! As before, the battle started without any hesitation, with both sides launching into a fierce clash right from the beginning.

    Thanks to the training and experience gained over the past few days, Tang Yan''s combat techniques had improved significantly. It was precisely this improvement that had caused bad luck for the Fire Apes, as they had been getting beaten up by him.

    After fighting for a while, Tang Yan''s eyes lit up as he noticed a defensive flaw in the Fire Apes'' formation. With a quick shift of his body, he spun in mid-air, sending a punch at a weakened Fire Ape.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

    "Roar!" At that moment, a thunderous roar sounded from above.

    A massive furry fist, carrying a powerful gust of wind, came crashing down at him.

    Tang Yan''s heart skipped a beat, and he had to retract his punch, turning to defend himself.

    Bang! The Fire Ape was knocked back by his strike, but before Tang Yan could catch his breath, he heard the Fire Ape King roar again from a distance.

    Could it be that the Fire Ape King was commanding the battle?

    The subsequent battle confirmed Tang Yan¡¯s suspicion. Hearing the Fire Ape King¡¯s command, another Fire Ape rushed at him, its fist swinging with all its might.

    After fighting for two days, Tang Yan thought he had gotten the hang of the Fire Apes'' attacks. However, the Fire Ape King intervened, making the battle much harder.

    With the Fire Ape King''s leadership, the Fire Apes'' coordination improved drastically. Their attacks became like a rotating wheel, relentlessly pressuring Tang Yan without giving him a single moment to rest.

    Under the Fire Ape King''s guidance, the pressure on Tang Yan grew immensely. In just half an hour, his once full dantian was nearly exhausted.

    Exhausted from the fight, Tang Yan made a mistake and got hit on his back. His body staggered, and blood filled his mouth.

    "Roar!" At that moment, the Fire Ape King let out another roar.

    All the Fire Apes raised their fists and prepared to strike at Tang Yan.

    If Tang Yan tried to get up, he would be struck by the powerful fists. Even with his strong body, being hit by so many Fire Apes would leave him broken beyond repair.

    Tang Yan''s body tensed up, anticipating the attack. When he was struck, he immediately realized the Fire Ape King would seize the chance to strike as well, so he decided not to get up.

    In a flash, Tang Yan tightened his body, used the force of being thrown to his knees, and swiftly dodged between the gaps of two Fire Apes.

    After escaping the Fire Ape encirclement, Tang Yan kicked one of the closest Fire Apes in the back, using the rebound force to quickly retreat.

    "Roar!" The Fire Apes howled in anger, seeing Tang Yan escape.

    However, the Fire Apes, now with some intelligence, realized that this fight had been much shorter than before. They gathered together and excitedly howled, seemingly discussing how they would ensure that next time, Tang Yan would never escape.

    Back at his resting spot, Tang Yan was drenched in sweat.

    "Damn, that Fire Ape King is quite intelligent. With its leadership, those beasts became three times stronger!" Tang Yan gasped for breath, taking some medicinal pills to recover his stamina.

    After more than ten days of constant fighting, with a battle happening roughly every four hours, each encounter was a near-death experience.

    Every time he escaped danger, his body¡¯s potential was triggered, pushing him beyond his previous limits.

    In just ten days, including today¡¯s fight, Tang Yan had gone through thirty-one life-threatening situations.

    With the help of medicinal pills, Tang Yan usually needed just two hours to recover to his peak condition. However, after this most recent battle, even after two hours, Tang Yan still hadn¡¯t fully recovered.

    His mind was filled with memories of these battles. From the giant wolves to the Fire Apes, each fight had tested his life to the limit.

    Every encounter had gradually transformed close combat into his instinct.

    Each brush with death was constantly stimulating Tang Yan''s nerves.

    Now, Tang Yan had reached a point where danger no longer required much thought. His instincts kicked in, allowing him to react swiftly and accurately.

    The scenes from his battles flashed through his mind like shadow puppets.

    His breathing grew heavier, and his face turned flushed.

    As time ticked away, Tang Yan¡¯s mind exploded with realization. His body suddenly sprang up, and his dantian began to surge as he began training in an open area, wind whistling as he practiced.

    Without consciously using any martial techniques, Tang Yan relied entirely on his instincts, throwing punches, blocking, spinning kicks, knee lifts, and elbow strikes. He displayed a myriad of intricate and unpredictable combat techniques.

    If there had been an observer present, they would have immediately recognized that Tang Yan had entered a mysterious state¡ªthe Realm of Combat!

 Chapter 68

    Although Tang Yan was not fully conscious at this moment, every move he made was not aimless.

    In his spiritual world, countless lethal strikes materialized, targeting him, and each of Tang Yan¡¯s moves was a defense against these crises.

    As Tang Yan¡¯s speed increased, the power and speed combined to make all his martial techniques auxiliary.

    "Bang! Bang!" The occasional combination of martial arts and combat skills filled the air with dust and an imposing aura.

    As his speed increased, after a while, Tang Yan began to leave afterimages.

    "Bang!"

    Finally, after Tang Yan threw a punch, his body came to a stop.

    The surroundings were silent, with only Tang Yan¡¯s steady breathing.

    Tang Yan stood still, motionless, while an extremely subtle aura began to grow from his dantian.

    Inside the dantian, it seemed as though a small figure was engaged in continuous combat. Suddenly, it threw a punch that shattered all the barriers within the dantian.

    The swirling qi within the dantian accelerated in an instant, and countless spiritual energies began to gather and flow to his limbs and bones.

    A feeling of immense satisfaction washed over Tang Yan, and he felt an overwhelming surge of strength!

    He had reached the Xuan Rank!

    Feeling the surging qi inside his dantian, a smile appeared at the corner of Tang Yan''s mouth.

    Although Tang Yan had never reached the pinnacle of martial arts in his past life, he frequently interacted with top-tier experts, and his experience and perception were extraordinary.

    After analyzing the situation, his heart couldn''t help but stir with excitement.

    He had just entered the "Enlightenment Realm" that martial artists longed for! And it was the Combat Realm!

    By breaking the dantian¡¯s barriers with the Combat Realm, not only had he broken through to the Xuan Rank, but he had also planted the seed of combat within himself, allowing him to fight purely on instinct!

    Before he could celebrate, the Heavenly Creation Fire within his dantian suddenly flared, its color becoming brighter.

    "Supreme Pill Sutra, Fire Control Technique, Advanced Edition..." A mantra suddenly emerged from the Heavenly Creation Cauldron.

    After carefully digesting the mantra, Tang Yan felt a surge of joy.

    Originally, the Fire Control Technique only had a method for simple control, but no cultivation method.

    Now, with the mantra''s guidance, Tang Yan realized that using the Heavenly Creation Fire was straightforward.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    The first method involved using one¡¯s strength¡ª the stronger the practitioner, the longer and more powerful the fire would be, but this relied on burning the practitioner¡¯s qi, which was relatively simple.

    The second method involved using precious treasures, which would be refined in the Creation Cauldron and extract elements useful for the Heavenly Creation Fire, thereby enhancing its power.

    The third method was to devour spiritual flames. If one encountered spiritual flames from the world, devouring them would boost the Heavenly Creation Fire¡¯s power.

    Ordinary spiritual treasures only had a limited effect on the Heavenly Creation Fire, but devouring spiritual flames would yield far greater results.

    However, in the entire Tianxiang Kingdom, there were no records of spiritual flames, and finding one would be exceedingly difficult.

    Tang Yan sighed inwardly. The Heavenly Creation Cauldron, as the premier cauldron of China, contained too many secrets. To unveil these layers, he needed to continue improving his strength.

    These matters couldn¡¯t be rushed. Tang Yan stopped dwelling on them. Feeling his skyrocketing strength, he smiled slightly and, using his Phantom Step, headed back to the Fire Ape Peak.

    The Fire Apes, who had won in the previous battle, were now eagerly awaiting the next fight, determined to kill Tang Yan.

    The Fire Apes, who had always despised Tang Yan, were now eagerly awaiting his return.

    Since Tang Yan had escaped earlier, the Fire Apes had been eagerly watching the base of the mountain. After three hours, they had expected him to return, but no sign of him appeared. As time passed, the Fire Apes began to grow restless.

    "That human is truly despicable! He toyed with us for days, and now that our king is out, he dares to run and not show up!" they cursed.

    Just as they were lamenting, one Fire Ape suddenly cried out in excitement.

    The others perked up immediately and looked toward the mountain''s base. When that familiar figure appeared, the Fire Apes were overcome with joy.

    "Finally!" they shouted in their primitive way.

    Though they were spirit beasts and not human, they did not possess the same level of tact. Their excitement was pure and direct.

    Tang Yan could not help but chuckle inwardly. These beasts were eager to tear him apart.

    The Fire Ape King stood at the back of the group as usual. Tang Yan ignored its contemptuous gaze and thought to himself, "I¡¯m not afraid if you come out. But if you don¡¯t, these second-tier Fire Apes are no match for me."

    "Howl!" The Fire Ape King gave a command, and the Fire Apes rushed toward Tang Yan.

    With the massive group charging at him, Tang Yan remained unafraid, his speed matching theirs as he sprinted forward to meet the charge.

    Soon, the Fire Ape King¡¯s gaze turned serious. The disdain he had earlier vanished.

    Previously, under his command, this despicable human was a pushover. But now, this guy was handling them with ease.

    The last time, though Tang Yan was fast, his attacks still had vulnerabilities.

    But now, this guy¡¯s moves had become seamless¡ª each strike flowed naturally and effortlessly, as though he had perfected it.

    "Howl!" The Fire Ape King growled angrily, continuing to lead his apes in the assault. But after a while, the Fire Apes failed to land a hit, and Tang Yan¡¯s swift attacks began to injure the Fire Apes. The battle quickly turned in his favor, leaving only five Fire Apes still capable of fighting.

    At this rate, it wouldn¡¯t be long before they all fell.

    "Howl!" The Fire Ape King let out a mighty roar, and the Fire Apes ceased their attacks, retreating to the side.

    The Fire Ape King slowly stepped forward, and Tang Yan¡¯s expression grew serious.

    The Fire Ape King bared its teeth and charged toward Tang Yan.

    Tang Yan, now at the first level of the Xuan Rank, was eager to test his strength against a third-tier spirit beast.

    "Boom!"

    The clash of fists between man and beast created an enormous sound.

    Tang Yan staggered back one step, while the Fire Ape King only swayed slightly.

    "The strength is still a bit lacking, but it should be enough to deal with you now!" Tang Yan muttered, now confident in his abilities. He lunged forward, throwing a barrage of punches at the Fire Ape King.

    The Fire Ape King was also incredibly fast, and the two clashed violently in the mountains.

    Half an hour passed, and during the fight, Tang Yan suddenly noticed an opening in the Fire Ape King''s defense. With his combat instinct in full swing, his attacks flowed seamlessly, and with a swift motion, his Thousand Mountain Fist struck.

 Chapter 69

    "Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!" Five consecutive punches of the "Thousand Mountain Fist" exploded in rapid succession, like a flowing stream, landing on the Fire Ape King''s body.

    The Fire Ape King, known for its immense strength, had already figured out that Tang Yan''s power was slightly weaker than his own during their earlier battle, so he confidently charged forward to meet the attack.

    However, the Fire Ape King underestimated the explosive power of Tang Yan¡¯s martial techniques, unaware that each punch of Tang Yan''s "Thousand Mountain Fist" was becoming progressively stronger.

    The first punch saw the Fire Ape King overpowering Tang Yan in terms of momentum.

    With the second punch, Tang Yan''s body only swayed slightly, and the force he exerted was nearly equal to that of the Fire Ape King.

    By the third punch, the Fire Ape King''s body trembled as Tang Yan''s power exceeded his by a fraction.

    The fourth punch forced the Fire Ape King to stagger back a step under Tang Yan¡¯s ever-increasing strength.

    And with the fifth punch, Tang Yan''s fist shattered the Fire Ape King''s defense, causing the giant ape to retreat by three full steps.

    Without the "Heart of Combat" technique, Tang Yan would not have been able to compete with the Fire Ape King in terms of speed or power. At best, it would have been a draw. However, thanks to his profound understanding of combat, Tang Yan¡¯s movements were seamless and fluid, allowing him to take full advantage of every opportunity and counterattack with devastating force.

    A fierce gleam flickered in Tang Yan¡¯s eyes as he unleashed the sixth form of the "Thousand Mountain Fist" without hesitation.

    The surrounding air warped under the immense pressure, and a violent gust of wind accompanied his punch, striking the Fire Ape King with tremendous force.

    "Boom!"

    The massive body of the Fire Ape King was sent flying by Tang Yan¡¯s punch, crashing heavily to the ground.

    The survival of the fittest, nature¡¯s law, had once again been proven true. The powerful Fire Ape King was no match for Tang Yan. Without hesitation, Tang Yan drew his long sword and skillfully slashed it through the air in a precise arc, aiming for the Fire Ape King''s throat.

    As the Fire Ape King fell, the remaining Fire Apes looked on in terror, their eyes wide with disbelief. The mighty king, nearly a god in their eyes, had been defeated by this human.

    "Howl!" With their leader gone, the remaining Fire Apes scattered like frightened dogs, fleeing in all directions.

    Tang Yan didn¡¯t pursue them. Instead, he retrieved a dagger and expertly slit the Fire Ape King''s head, obtaining a crimson beast core.

    He placed the core into the Heavenly Creation Cauldron, where it was immediately refined, sending a surge of energy through his body.

    As the beast core was absorbed, Tang Yan felt his mind sharpen. He had achieved a significant improvement in his cultivation. His time spent training in the wild had been incredibly fruitful, and he had progressed from the Yellow Grade 8th Rank to the Xuan Grade 1st Rank in just under two months. The speed of his advancement would astonish many.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    With ten days left in his training period, Tang Yan didn¡¯t want to waste any time. He retrieved a map from the long-eagle, marking the location of his next target¡ªa third-grade spiritual beast, the Stone Tiger.

    For the next several days, he would intentionally suppress his own strength, taking on more challenging opponents. He would fight against beasts that typically required Yellow Grade 9th Rank to resist, but he would challenge them with the power of a Yellow Grade 8th Rank, or even a Yellow Grade 7th Rank, to improve his pressure tolerance.

    True to the power of his "Heart of Combat," Tang Yan found it much easier to handle battles now, and after six days, he had taken down three third-grade beasts. However, he had no intention of continuing to challenge these powerful beasts. Instead, he spotted a magnificent waterfall, a natural training ground, which caught his attention.

    The waterfall was about 40 meters high and 16 meters wide, with water cascading down in a grand display of force.

    Tang Yan decided to spend the remaining days of his training refining his skills by practicing the "Thousand Mountain Fist" beneath the waterfall.

    While the waterfall was only twice the size of the previous one, standing under it meant enduring multiple times the gravitational pressure, making it an ideal training environment.

    "Boom! Boom! Boom!"

    Tang Yan, a relentless cultivator, eagerly entered the waterfall¡¯s path and began practicing his punches with great enthusiasm.

    Under the almost thirty times normal gravity, he endured the crushing weight, forcing himself to hold firm, gradually adapting to the pressure.

    "Boom! Boom! Boom!" The sound of punches echoed as he practiced the technique relentlessly, improving with each strike.

    By the end of the fifth day, Tang Yan had advanced from only being able to execute three punches to completing the fifth form.

    Calculating the time, he realized that tomorrow, it would be time to return to Yun City.

    As the training session came to an end, a bold idea surged within him¡ªwhat if he practiced the "Flame Burst Palm" under the waterfall?

    This skill required Xuan Grade power to properly control, and Tang Yan, with only the first rank of Xuan Grade, wondered if he could master it. While challenging, the prospect thrilled him. If successful, his "Flame Burst Palm" would be exponentially more powerful.

    "Poof!" His first attempt failed.

    "Poof!" His second attempt failed again.

    Each time he tried, the force he generated was dispersed by the waterfall''s power. But Tang Yan refused to give up.

    As the final day drew near, the waterfall suddenly erupted with a massive surge of energy, and a powerful aura shot straight up, colliding with the falling water.

    "Explode!" With a shout, a thunderous crack sounded.

    The waterfall, over 40 meters high, was instantly shattered by the explosion of force.

    Tang Yan was stunned by the sheer power of the impact. As he gazed at the waterfall collapsing in front of him, he marveled at his own growth.

    Two months of training had culminated in this powerful moment.

    Emerging from the waterfall, Tang Yan let out a long, echoing howl, his voice resonating through the air, startling nearby wild beasts.

    Ignoring the approaching night, Tang Yan swiftly walked back toward Yun City, his body moving with lightning speed.

    When he arrived at his family estate, the sky was still dark, but he returned to his room like a shadow, barely making a sound. He couldn¡¯t help but smile at the thought that his room had been kept spotless, likely due to the cleaning by the maid, Xiao Cui.

    Tang Yan paused for a moment, remembering his grandfather, Tang Ling. Using his knowledge from his previous life, he could tell that his grandfather''s condition had worsened. Through subtle observation, Tang Yan had discovered that Tang Ling had an internal ailment.

    With this in mind, Tang Yan felt a wave of concern for his grandfather. He had already gathered the necessary medicinal materials and prepared for the day he reached Xuan Grade to begin refining pills that would help cure his grandfather''s condition and restore his health.

    Now that everything was ready, Tang Yan entered the pill refining room, ready to begin his next important task: refining medicinal pills for his grandfather¡¯s recovery.

 Chapter 70

    The next day, as dawn broke, the sun was still on the rise when Old Master Tang was already standing outside the gate.

    This was the seventh consecutive day Old Master Tang had been up at this early hour.

    The weather had shifted to late autumn, edging towards early winter. Even with his strength at the peak of the Yellow Grade Ninth Rank, Old Master Tang still wore a cotton robe to shield himself from the chill.

    As the hours passed, Old Master Tang''s hair and eyebrows were damp with dew, but he didn¡¯t care to wipe them off. His expression grew increasingly anxious.

    Today was the day for the selection of participants for the Eastern Domain Grand Competition, but his grandson hadn¡¯t returned yet.

    It wasn¡¯t that Old Master Tang was worried about Tang Yan missing the competition; rather, based on their previous agreement, his grandson should have been back by now. It had already been two months with no word from him. What if something had happened?

    For a moment, Old Master Tang regretted hastily agreeing to Tang Yan¡¯s request two months ago.

    At the hour of the snake, Mo Bo walked out from the courtyard and softly said, ¡°Old Master, the young master¡¯s strength has reached the Yellow Grade Seventh Rank. The second-tier spirit beasts won¡¯t pose much of a threat. Even if he can''t win, he should be able to escape. Moreover, the young master said his master would secretly protect him. He will definitely return.¡±

    "Ah, two months..." Old Master Tang sighed, not hiding his concern in front of his old companion.

    "Perhaps the young master lost track of time. If he¡¯s not back tomorrow, we¡¯ll send our elite forces to search for him on Cangyun Mountain," Mo Bo suggested.

    "We¡¯ll have to do that," Old Master Tang agreed, glancing at the sky. He then ordered, "The Eastern Domain Grand Competition selection is about to begin. Although Tang Yan isn¡¯t here, we must still attend this important event. Let¡¯s prepare and head over together."

    The two old men, accompanied by some servants from the Tang family, boarded a carriage heading towards the Cloud Stage in the center of Cloud City.

    The Cloud Stage, located at the heart of Cloud City, was a two-thousand-square-meter arena made of shattered iron rock, incredibly sturdy and capable of withstanding full-force strikes from Heavenly Grade experts.

    The stage was rarely used, and even for events like the Mid-Autumn Festival, it hadn¡¯t been employed.

    It was reserved for extremely significant events or those concerning Cloud City''s honor.

    The atmosphere around Cloud City was filled with excitement. Most of the residents had temporarily abandoned their work, flocking to the Cloud Stage.

    There were only three spots available for the competition, and the people of Cloud City were sure that two spots would go to the Liu family''s Liu Zhi and the City Lord¡¯s daughter, Lin Dongxue.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    The biggest point of interest was who would take the last remaining spot, with candidates like Qin He from the Qin family, Wu Feiming from the Wu family, and Tang Yan of the Tang family, all in the running.

    This was also the first time that Tang Yan¡¯s name was being mentioned alongside talents like Qin He and Wu Feiming. After all, Tang Yan''s previous duel with Liu Zhi had stunned everyone. Despite being only at Yellow Grade Sixth Rank, he had fought evenly with someone at Yellow Grade Ninth Rank. Such courage and strength were extraordinary.

    There were also other names among the crowd¡¯s expectations, such as Qian Rulong from the Qian family, Zhao Chen from the Zhao family, and Li Xingfeng from the Li family. These young talents were said to have reached Yellow Grade Sixth Rank as well.

    By the time Old Master Tang arrived, members of the other four prominent families had already gathered.

    As one of the Four Great Families of Cloud City, the Tang family''s position was now quite delicate. Once ranked last, the Tang family was now seen as the only family capable of challenging the Liu family.

    When the Tang family arrived, the crowd immediately parted to make way.

    However, as the crowd noticed, the highly anticipated Tang Yan was nowhere to be seen. This realization quickly spread, and whispers filled the air as people kept glancing at the Tang family''s seats.

    It seemed that most people still held onto the impression of Tang Yan as the spoiled young master. While they had been stunned by his battle with Liu Zhi, many now speculated that he might be too afraid to compete.

    Rumors circulated that Tang Yan''s true strength was not even Yellow Grade Sixth Rank, and that he had only managed to fight on par with Liu Zhi by relying on some magical artifacts. Since those artifacts were now depleted, he no longer had the strength to participate.

    Others whispered that Tang Yan had been missing for two months due to severe internal injuries from the battle with Liu Zhi, and may have even died.

    As time passed, these strange rumors spread through the crowd, and some even began to believe them.

    By the time the crowd had gathered, the City Lord, Lin Xiao, ascended to the Cloud Stage.

    After scanning the crowd, his gaze lingered on the Tang family¡¯s seats. He, too, felt a tinge of curiosity. Where could this young Tang Yan have gone? The spies had reported that they hadn¡¯t heard from him in two months. It was as if he had vanished from the face of the earth. Could the rumors be true, that he had indeed perished?

    But recalling his past dealings with Tang Yan, Lin Xiao felt this was absurd. Although Tang Yan appeared incredibly young, his actions were mature beyond his years, and his sharp mind made him an extraordinary individual. There was no way someone so gifted would just die easily.

    Tang Yan had not arrived, and Lin Xiao could not afford to wait for him. Clearing his throat, he addressed the crowd, "In one month, the Eastern Domain Grand Competition will take place. This is a test for the younger generation from all the cities in the Eastern Domain, and it is of great importance for the honor of Cloud City."

    "Cloud City will have three spots for the competition. These spots are not just for Cloud City''s young talents but for the pride of our city. The final chosen ones will represent Cloud City in the competition!"

    ¡°If we achieve good results in the Eastern Domain Grand Competition, not only will it bring honor to Cloud City, but we will also be rewarded handsomely!"

    Lin Xiao¡¯s impassioned speech ignited excitement in the crowd. For many young people, this was a dream come true¡ªfighting for the honor of Cloud City.

    "This selection is open to everyone, regardless of status or wealth. If you¡¯re from Cloud City and have confidence in your strength, come and sign up!" Lin Xiao announced.

    Back at the Tang family residence, the atmosphere was much calmer.

    "Ah!" When Tang Yan finished refining the pills, took a bath, changed clothes, and was about to look for his grandfather, he was startled by a high-pitched scream.

    The piercing voice caught him off guard, and he scowled at the source. "What are you yelling about in broad daylight?"

    "Young master! Is that really you?" Xiao Cui¡¯s eyes widened as if she had seen a ghost.

    Hearing Xiao Cui¡¯s words, Tang Yan retorted, "It¡¯s only been two months. Have you forgotten who I am already?"

 Chapter 71

    "No, no! That''s not it!" Xiao Cui quickly waved her hands, speaking in a disoriented manner, "Young master, when did you return? The old master has been standing by the door before dawn for the past few days, waiting for you. I thought you weren''t home!"

    Upon hearing Xiao Cui''s words, Tang Yan felt a sharp pang in his heart. His grandfather had been waiting at the door every day for him to come back?

    "I returned last night. I''ll go see Grandpa," Tang Yan said as he was about to head to the study.

    But Xiao Cui called out, "Young master, the old master is not at home."

    "Where did Grandpa go?" Tang Yan paused and turned to ask.

    "Heard that today is the East Region Grand Tournament, the old master went to watch the competition," Xiao Cui replied.

    "Where is it being held?" Tang Yan asked again.

    "Yuntai... Hey! Young master! Young master!" Xiao Cui had just mentioned the location when she saw Tang Yan leap and disappear in the blink of an eye. She called out a couple of times absentmindedly and then stomped her foot, muttering, "Just saw him and now he''s gone again. What on earth is going on with the young master..."

    On the Yuntai platform, City Lord Lin Xiao had just finished delivering some encouraging words when he announced the selection rules: "This competition will follow the results from the Mid-Autumn Festival Tournament. The four participants¡ªLiu Zhi from the Liu family, Lin Dongxue from the City Lord''s residence, Qin He from the Qin family, and Wu Feiming from the Wu family¡ªwill compete for the top three spots. The remaining participants will have to go through the arena fights, and the one who lasts until the end will face the third-place contestant for the final spot. Does anyone have any objections?"

    This method was relatively fair, and naturally, no one objected. Just as everyone was about to agree, a discordant voice suddenly rang out: "I disagree!"

    The voice was not loud, but everyone present heard it clearly.

    The crowd turned in surprise, and a slender figure emerged from a corner, walking slowly toward the platform.

    "Tang Yan!" The crowd gasped as they recognized him.

    Tang Lao (Grandpa Tang) stood up with excitement, his face turning red in an instant. His body slightly trembled due to the overwhelming emotion.

    He couldn¡¯t believe his eyes at first. After two months, his grandson seemed to be... unchanged!

    Could it be that this kid had been out partying these past two months? After the brief moment of excitement, an odd thought popped into Tang Lao¡¯s head.

    This was not so strange. Tang Yan''s unparalleled alchemy technique, the first in the world, made it very hard for anyone to easily gauge his true strength.

    Plus, his youthful, elegant appearance didn¡¯t show the slightest hint of the hardships that one might expect after such intense training.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    "Grandson, greetings to Grandpa!" Tang Yan walked up quickly and bowed respectfully to Tang Ling.

    "Good, good!" Tang Lao patted Tang Yan''s shoulder. Though his grandson seemed unchanged, Tang Lao''s worry was more about Tang Yan''s safety. Now that he saw him back safely, his heart finally eased.

    The crowd erupted into excited chatter. Although Tang Yan had interrupted the selection process, his presence made the event even more exciting.

    His appearance also immediately put to rest all the rumors.

    The higher-ups of the Qin and Wu families looked slightly gloomy. Why was this guy causing trouble at such a critical moment?

    The City Lord, though his face remained neutral, was inwardly pleased. He wondered what surprises this young man would bring.

    Seeing Tang Lao and his grandson exchanging pleasantries, Lin Xiao didn¡¯t interrupt. However, Tang Lao quickly realized that this wasn¡¯t the best place to continue their conversation and apologized to Lin Xiao.

    "Tang Yan, you said you disagree¡ªdo you have any objections?" Lin Xiao asked.

    All eyes turned to Tang Yan.

    Tang Yan, unfazed, stepped forward and spoke loudly, "I believe Liu Zhi, Wu Feiming, and Qin He are not qualified to enter the challenge list!"

    Lin Xiao didn¡¯t immediately respond to Tang Yan''s objection. It was Wu Feiming¡¯s grandfather who couldn¡¯t hold back, jumping up and pointing at Tang Yan, shouting, "Preposterous! If they¡¯re unqualified, does that mean you are qualified?"

    Tang Yan wasn¡¯t modest. He laughed loudly, "Wu Lao (Old Master Wu), you have sharp eyes. Indeed, I am qualified!"

    "Arrogant!" Old Master Wu was stunned by Tang Yan¡¯s boldness.

    "City Lord has already set the rules. Why is your Tang family going against them?" Old Master Qin mocked.

    At this point, the thousands of onlookers watched with great interest as the major families clashed.

    Once the arguing subsided, City Lord Lin Xiao smiled and asked, "How do you think the rules should be set?"

    "Lin Dongxue and I should be directly promoted," Tang Yan paused and continued, "As for the others, they all have to participate in the arena fights, and the winner will secure the final spot in the East Region Grand Tournament."

    As soon as Tang Yan spoke these words, the crowd erupted into an uproar.

    If Tang Yan¡¯s objection to the City Lord¡¯s arrangement had been considered audacious, this proposal was outright outrageous!

    How dare he remove Liu Zhi directly from the list of challengers?

    With his challenge, all eyes turned toward Liu Zhi. How would the young master of the Liu family react?

    "Such big words!" Liu Zhi sneered. Though he had been deeply shocked by Tang Yan¡¯s last attack two months ago, he didn¡¯t think that was Tang Yan¡¯s true strength. It must have been a life-saving tactic.

    Moreover, during the past two months, Liu Zhi himself had made great progress, so he coldly asked, "Since you believe I¡¯m unqualified, how about we fight? If you win, I will voluntarily enter the arena for selection."

    Last time, Tang Yan had forced him into a corner with his Yellow Grade Six cultivation, enduring twenty rounds. The humiliation had stuck with him like a fly in his throat. This time, he wanted to erase that shame.

    After Liu Zhi finished speaking, the atmosphere grew quiet, all eyes on Tang Yan.

    Tang Lao¡¯s face showed a hint of anxiety. Mo Bo, however, remained calm and quietly reassured, "Master, please rest assured. The young master has been very cautious in his recent actions. If he¡¯s not confident, he won¡¯t make a rash decision."

    Hearing Mo Bo¡¯s words, Tang Lao felt a little more at ease as he waited for Tang Yan¡¯s response.

    Tang Yan felt a thrill in his heart.

    Disrupting the competition wasn¡¯t reckless. If Lin Xiao¡¯s original rules had been followed, he would have to go through the entire selection process, facing one opponent after another, eventually having to battle the third-place contestant.

    Now, with the disruption, he could face Liu Zhi in a one-on-one fight!

    If he won, not only would he secure a spot in the competition, but he would also bring great honor to the Tang family!

    As for whether he would offend the City Lord, Tang Yan believed that with Lin Xiao¡¯s broad mind, he wouldn¡¯t take offense.

    "Fine, as you wish! City Lord, I, Tang Yan of the Tang family, request a duel with Liu Zhi!"

    Lin Xiao pondered for a moment before nodding, "Since both of you agree, then let it be decided on the Yuntai."

 Chapter 72

    ¡°Let me see how much you''ve improved!¡± Liu Zhi sneered, leaping into the air like a graceful ape, landing lightly on the arena.

    This impressive display immediately earned applause from the crowd.

    Tang Yan smiled slightly, giving his grandfather a reassuring look before leisurely walking up to the arena.

    ¡°Fists and kicks have no eyes. If there are casualties during the battle, it¡¯s a common occurrence. I hope Young Master Tang is mentally prepared!¡± A killing intent flashed in Liu Zhi''s eyes. This time, he not only wanted to avenge his previous defeat but also eliminate any future threats!

    ¡°Stop wasting time! Can we start now?¡± Tang Yan asked impatiently.

    ¡°Want to die sooner? Just say it!¡± Liu Zhi snorted coldly.

    Lord Lin raised his hand, signaling the start of the match. Tang Yan, unwilling to waste time, swiftly charged forward.

    The crowd watched in confusion. Tang Yan¡¯s aura seemed to be at the same level as before, the Yellow Rank, Sixth Level. Could he really defeat Liu Zhi?

    Having suffered once before, Liu Zhi immediately unleashed the power of the Yellow Rank, Ninth Level.

    As Tang Yan rushed towards him, Liu Zhi¡¯s eyes flashed with cruelty.

    Yellow Rank, Sixth Level¡ªlet¡¯s see if you can survive this time!

    Tang Yan threw a punch, and Liu Zhi did the same, ready to meet it head-on.

    Just as their fists were about to collide, Tang Yan suddenly changed the trajectory of his punch, targeting the inside of Liu Zhi''s elbow.

    Liu Zhi was caught off guard. How could this guy change the path of his punch so smoothly?

    In a rush, Liu Zhi tried to block, but his hurried defense only carried 70% of his full strength. The first exchange showed that even with Yellow Rank, Ninth Level, Liu Zhi didn¡¯t have the upper hand!

    Without pausing, Tang Yan continued his attack, not hesitating to fight at close range, even against someone stronger than him.

    Another lightning-fast punch was thrown, and this time Liu Zhi was more cautious, using Yellow Rank, Eighth Level, in defense, ready for Tang Yan to switch tactics again.

    Sure enough, as their fists were about to collide again, Tang Yan adjusted the trajectory of his punch once more.

    ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang!¡± The sound of fists clashing echoed, and the crowd could hardly keep up with the speed of the fight. It was an exciting match!

    Tang Yan¡¯s performance continued to astonish everyone. Although he was able to hold his ground against Liu Zhi, no one believed he could win. After all, the gap between Yellow Rank, Sixth Level, and Ninth Level was like a chasm. Sooner or later, Tang Yan would lose.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    Lord Lin thought the same way, but soon, he squinted his eyes, and a flash of light flickered in them.

    Although Tang Yan was only at the Yellow Rank, Sixth Level, he didn¡¯t seem to struggle against Liu Zhi. In fact, Lord Lin felt an unexpected ease from watching Tang Yan.

    When this thought crossed his mind, Lord Lin was shocked. He checked again and again, and soon, waves of shock surged in his heart.

    Tang Yan had been maintaining a relaxed state throughout the fight. There wasn¡¯t the slightest sign of tension.

    For a Yellow Rank, Sixth Level fighter to hold his own against a Yellow Rank, Ninth Level fighter with such ease was extraordinary.

    After exchanging blows for a while, Liu Zhi''s anger intensified.

    This guy¡¯s attacks were too fast, and each of his moves flowed together smoothly, almost as if he were cheating. Fighting up close, Liu Zhi found it difficult to use his full martial skills.

    He had used the Yellow Rank, Ninth Level, but was still struggling!

    If this continued, he might lose all face in Yun City!

    ¡°Ah!¡± With a roar, Liu Zhi¡¯s aura suddenly changed!

    A strong and domineering aura burst from Liu Zhi¡¯s body.

    ¡°Profound Rank!¡± Some people gasped.

    The crowd looked at the Liu family with a newfound wariness.

    As expected of the leading family in Yun City, their heirs were unparalleled. In time, it seemed that Yun City would truly become the Liu family''s domain.

    ¡°Now Tang Yan is really going to lose,¡± murmured the crowd, sighing.

    At first, seeing Tang Yan holding his ground against Liu Zhi with his Yellow Rank, Sixth Level, they had felt hopeful. But now, with Liu Zhi unleashing his true strength, all hope seemed lost.

    The difference between the Yellow Rank and the Profound Rank was immense. The gap was simply too wide.

    Tang Yan narrowed his eyes, staring at Liu Zhi¡¯s murderous intent. ¡°You¡¯ve reached the Profound Rank, huh? This is a bit troublesome. Let me try using the Yellow Rank, Seventh Level, and my Mountain Crushing Fist to see if I can break your defense!¡±

    ¡°What?!¡± The crowd gasped.

    Everyone turned to look, and to their surprise, Tang Yan¡¯s aura had also shifted.

    ¡°Yellow Rank, Seventh Level!¡± The crowd was momentarily stunned before many shook their heads, still not believing Tang Yan had any chance to win.

    ¡°Yellow Rank, Seventh Level? Still too weak!¡± Liu Zhi sneered, launching a punch at Tang Yan.

    There was nothing flashy about his move; it was all raw power and speed from his higher rank.

    As Liu Zhi¡¯s lightning-fast punch approached, Tang Yan¡¯s Phantom Step activated, allowing him to retreat a step and then unleash his Mountain Crushing Fist with full force.

    ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang¡ª¡±

    Tang Yan moved swiftly, his body twisting in a rapid series of strikes, building incredible momentum. As his fifth punch came crashing down, a tremendous force shot towards Liu Zhi.

    ¡°Impressive!¡± The crowd stared in shock, unable to believe the power behind Tang Yan¡¯s moves.

    Could a Yellow Rank, Seventh Level fighter really produce this level of strength?

    ¡°Profound Rank, low-tier martial arts?¡± Lord Lin exclaimed in surprise. How did Tang Yan learn such high-level techniques so quickly?

    If Lord Lin knew that Tang Yan still had the sixth and seventh punches to follow, he would be even more stunned.

    The moment Tang Yan unleashed this attack, everyone¡¯s expression changed.

    The force of his punch grew with each strike, making the crowd realize that Tang Yan¡¯s martial technique was no ordinary one.

    ¡°Boom!¡±

    A tremendous explosion of sound echoed, the air swirling around the arena.

    The power of a Profound Rank fighter¡¯s punch was indeed formidable.

    Although Tang Yan¡¯s fifth punch was powerful, those with a keen eye could see that he had fallen into a disadvantage with this strike.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see if you can handle another one!¡± Liu Zhi declared, his eyes gleaming with arrogance. He gathered his true energy and poured it into his next punch, unleashing even greater force and pressure.

    ¡°Tang Yan is going to lose for sure,¡± many spectators sighed.

    Tang Yan¡¯s strength was impressive, and had he been in the regular selection process, qualifying for the East Region Tournament wouldn¡¯t have been difficult for him.

    But Liu Zhi¡¯s next strike was far beyond what a Yellow Rank, Seventh Level could withstand.

    If Tang Yan took another hit like that, he might be out of the competition altogether.

    ¡°Boom!¡±

    As the crowd braced for the worst, Tang Yan¡¯s aura surged once again, increasing with a powerful boost!

 Chapter 73

    "Yellow Rank 8!" Old Master Tang''s full attention was on his grandson, and he didn¡¯t miss a single change in Tang Yan¡¯s performance. When he sensed the surge in Tang Yan''s aura, Old Master Tang was finally convinced¡ªhis grandson had certainly been through a lot in the past two months. Advancing one rank in just two months was an impressive feat.

    After releasing his fifth punch, Tang Yan spun and unleashed an even more violent aura.

    The Sixth Punch of Qianshan Fist!

    "Boom!" The two collided again with a resounding crash.

    This time, Tang Yan¡¯s stance only wobbled slightly, without any significant impact.

    Despite his deep composure, as a young man who hadn¡¯t been through many storms, even when unleashing his profound strength, the results didn¡¯t fully match his expectations. His doubts about his own power started to surface.

    After retreating three steps, his eyes flashed with hesitation before he decided to use his trump card.

    His palms suddenly spread wide, and he began rapidly drawing circles in the air. The faster his hands moved, the more palm shadows formed around him.

    A sharp and lethal aura surged from his body.

    Yellow Rank Intermediate Martial Technique!

    When some keen-eyed onlookers saw his movements, they immediately recognized the technique''s strength.

    "Thunder Palm!"

    With a shout, Liu Zhi leaped forward, and a circular array of palms enveloped Tang Yan.

    After sensing the change in Liu Zhi¡¯s energy, Tang Yan did not pause. His aura shifted once more.

    This time, everyone¡¯s pupils narrowed in shock!

    Tang Yan¡¯s aura had escalated to Yellow Rank 9!

    Just a few months ago, Tang Yan was only at Yellow Rank 6, and now, in less than three months, he had surged to Yellow Rank 9?

    The crowd, stunned by his sudden rise, couldn¡¯t believe their eyes. Tang Yan was about to take on Liu Zhi, who was a profound-level expert!

    Unconcerned with the spectators¡¯ shock, Tang Yan spun again and launched Qianshan Fist''s Seventh Punch.

    The surrounding air distorted as the punch shot forward with explosive force.

    When Tang Yan purchased this martial technique at Tianbao Auction House, it was rated as Yellow Rank Intermediate, based only on the first two moves. But now, the seventh punch he delivered was already at a level that could rival Profound Rank.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    Everyone held their breath, anxiously watching the duel unfold.

    "Boom!"

    Another deep sound echoed, and as everyone looked closer, their astonishment only grew.

    Tang Yan remained in his punching stance, while Liu Zhi was forced to stagger backward, retreating eight steps.

    "Poof!" A line of blood dripped from Liu Zhi''s mouth.

    The result stunned everyone, and the arena fell eerily silent.

    On the VIP platform, Lin Dongxue seemed dazed, her mind a blur. She remembered her first encounter with Tang Yan when he shamelessly teased her.

    And now, just five months later, he had become such a prominent figure!

    "Are you convinced?" Tang Yan sneered.

    Rather than directly declaring Liu Zhi defeated, he asked if he was convinced, bluntly.

    Liu Zhi had been the top youth of Cloud City for a long time, and though he didn¡¯t often show arrogance, his inner pride was undeniable. For him to admit defeat would be as difficult as moving mountains.

    But if Liu Zhi refused to concede, he would face another storm of attacks from Tang Yan.

    The crowd, sensing the tension, could feel the pressure mounting as they watched Tang Yan¡ªthe once notorious young master¡ªdisplaying such terrifying prowess.

    Liu Zhi, having been humiliated, was overwhelmed with rage. His eyes burning with fury, he snarled, "I¡¯m not convinced!"

    Before the words even left his mouth, Tang Yan¡¯s figure shot forward like lightning.

    The fighting spirit surged within him, and he launched a powerful kick toward Liu Zhi.

    Seeing Tang Yan coming, Liu Zhi attempted to counterattack, but Tang Yan had already reached the pinnacle of Yellow Rank 9, making his battle power several times greater than before. Every strike was direct and powerful, flowing seamlessly, leaving no room for Liu Zhi to defend himself.

    "Boom!" In less than three breaths, Tang Yan broke through Liu Zhi''s defense and kicked him off the stage, sending him crashing hard onto the ground below.

    Liu Zhi, overwhelmed with both humiliation and injury, fainted from the pain.

    "Zhi''er!" Liu Zhi''s family members rushed forward to help, their voices filled with concern.

    "If anything happens to Zhi''er, I will not spare you!" Liu Wuhui, seated in the front row, erupted with an immense aura, his Profound Rank 9 peak pressure rolling toward Tang Yan.

    However, Tang Yan, having lived through a lifetime as a Grade 9 Alchemist, had seen all kinds of powerful figures. While he couldn¡¯t match Liu Wuhui''s strength, the pressure from him felt trivial¡ªalmost like child¡¯s play in comparison.

    "You said it yourself before the match¡ª''Martial arts have no eyes.'' I guess you''re a man of your word, aren¡¯t you, Liu Zhi? So now, you should stand by your words, even if I injure him. After all, if Liu Zhi wants to pursue this, he would not only be slapping his own face, but also the face of the entire Liu family!"

    Tang Yan¡¯s words were sharp and full of venom. Liu Wuhui wanted to respond, but he swallowed his anger, staring coldly at Tang Yan.

    The audience, after a moment of stunned silence, erupted in a wave of astonishment.

    After today, the title of Cloud City¡¯s top youth would no longer belong to Liu Zhi. It had shifted to Tang Yan!

    Though Lin Xiao had anticipated that Liu Zhi might lose, he was still stunned that a Yellow Rank 9 like Tang Yan could defeat a Profound Rank expert so decisively.

    Chuckling softly, Lin Xiao addressed the crowd: "I didn''t expect such a twist in the selection. Young Master Tang¡¯s strength is truly astonishing. Given this, we¡¯ll make a slight adjustment to the rules."

    ¡°The winner of this selection will be eligible to challenge either Liu Zhi or Lin Dongxue. If they win, they¡¯ll secure a spot to compete in the Eastern Domain Tournament!"

    The crowd, stunned by the unexpected turn of events, fell silent. Though Liu Zhi had been defeated, his strength was undeniable, and no one truly believed they could defeat him. And as for Lin Dongxue, despite not knowing her true power, challenging the City Lord''s daughter wasn¡¯t something anyone would do lightly.

    After a long pause, no one dared to step forward for a challenge.

 Chapter 74

    ¡°Since no one is willing to challenge, the spots for the Eastern Domain Grand Tournament are tentatively allocated to Tang Yan, Lin Dongxue, and Liu Zhi. Liu Family Head, once Liu Zhi wakes up, inform him to gather at the City Lord''s Mansion within ten days and we will head to Fang City together,¡± Lin Xiao instructed Liu Wuhui.

    ¡°Understood, City Lord!¡± Liu Wuhui replied anxiously, eager to return to his family to check on his grandson, who was grievously injured by Tang Yan. After exchanging a quick greeting with Lin Xiao, he hurried off toward the Liu residence.

    Lin Xiao, observing Tang Yan, was filled with deep thoughts. This young man had shocked him many times, and only now did he realize that Tang Yan was far beyond his comprehension. Both in terms of strategy and strength, it seemed that every time Lin Xiao thought he had seen Tang Yan''s peak, the youth would show him something more extraordinary.

    Over the past few Eastern Domain Grand Tournaments, Lin Xiao had harbored frustration as his city¡¯s team had always ranked near the bottom. He had thought that this year, at best, they might not finish last. But with Tang Yan''s impressive rise, Lin Xiao was now looking forward to what was to come.

    Amidst the awe and curiosity of the crowd, Tang Yan returned to his family¡¯s side. His grandfather, who had not seen him in two months, was filled with excitement. After the selection was concluded, Tang Lao Ye immediately took Tang Yan to the family mansion.

    Once on the carriage, Tang Lao Ye could no longer hold back and eagerly pulled Tang Yan aside, asking, "When did you break through to the Yellow Grade Nine?"

    ¡°About twenty days ago, I think?¡± Tang Yan replied, though he couldn¡¯t remember the exact time.

    ¡°Not bad, not bad!¡± Tang Lao Ye felt excited, but then suddenly thought of something else. ¡°That technique you used against Liu Zhi¡ªwhere did it come from?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not a new technique. It¡¯s the ¡®Thousand Mountain Fist¡¯ I bought at the Tianbao Auction. It¡¯s actually a complete martial art, not a fragment. I can¡¯t accurately determine its rank, but I¡¯m sure it¡¯s above the Xuan Grade!¡± Tang Yan said seriously.

    ¡°Xuan Grade!¡± Tang Lao Ye was shocked. In Yun City, even Yellow Grade techniques were rare, so to think that his grandson had obtained such a fortunate treasure left him feeling stunned. How had Tang Yan managed to find such lucky items?

    Over the past two months, Tang Yan had crossed three ranks, and Tang Lao Ye could hardly believe his eyes. He carefully looked over Tang Yan, then asked cautiously, ¡°Are you really at the Yellow Grade Nine? You didn¡¯t forcefully use any secret methods to raise your power, did you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not at Yellow Grade Nine,¡± Tang Yan shook his head.

    ¡°Not Yellow Grade Nine?¡± Tang Lao Ye¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°But didn¡¯t you say you were at the Yellow Grade Seven before you left?¡±The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    Before Tang Lao Ye could finish, he realized his words sounded too harsh. He softened his tone, ¡°Well, it¡¯s normal. You just broke through to Yellow Grade Seven before you left, and it¡¯s great that you¡¯ve consolidated your strength over the past two months. With another month to go before the Eastern Domain Grand Tournament, you should keep working hard. You should be able to reach Yellow Grade Eight soon.¡±

    Tang Yan, a bit confused, said, ¡°I¡¯m already at Xuan Grade One.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Tang Lao Ye stared at him, his eyes wide with disbelief. ¡°Did you say you¡¯re at Xuan Grade?!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m serious, Grandpa. You didn¡¯t hear wrong,¡± Tang Yan said, trying not to laugh as his grandfather appeared so shocked.

    ¡°Really at the Xuan Grade?¡± Tang Lao Ye had seen many surprising things in his life, but none compared to this moment. His voice quivered as he tried to comprehend.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t lie to you!¡± Tang Yan confirmed firmly.

    ¡°Good! Good! Good!¡± Tang Lao Ye repeatedly praised, unable to find the right words to express his admiration for his grandson.

    ¡°How did you break through to the Yellow Grade?¡± Tang Lao Ye asked, now even more curious about how his grandson had achieved such a feat.

    Tang Yan downplayed the details of his grueling experiences, but it was clear to Tang Lao Ye how difficult the journey had been.

    ¡°You¡¯ve suffered a lot,¡± Tang Lao Ye¡¯s eyes glistened with tears.

    ¡°Grandpa, when you were younger, didn¡¯t you have injuries to your meridians?¡± Tang Yan changed the subject.

    Tang Lao Ye sighed and responded, ¡°That¡¯s all ancient history. We¡¯ll talk about it when your strength reaches the Celestial Grade. How did you know?¡±

    ¡°My master noticed. He made some medicinal pills for me to bring to you. They¡¯re said to be great for repairing meridians,¡± Tang Yan explained, pulling out two small porcelain bottles.

    ¡°This one is the ¡®Meridian Healing Pill,¡¯ which can repair most meridian issues. This one is the ¡®Zhenyuan Pill,¡¯ which can stabilize the energy in your dantian.¡±

    Tang Yan hesitated before pulling out a third bottle. ¡°This one is the ¡®Yang Pill,¡¯ which contains a huge amount of spiritual energy. Only those at the peak of the Xuan Grade can use it. After consuming it, there¡¯s an eighty percent chance to break into the Earth Grade! But Master said that you must stabilize your dantian and meridians completely before taking it.¡±

    Tang Lao Ye¡¯s heart tightened with excitement as he took the bottles from Tang Yan. ¡°Can these really repair the dantian and meridians?¡±

    ¡°Master said they¡¯ll work for you,¡± Tang Yan said confidently.

    Tang Lao Ye, who had already placed great trust in Tang Yan¡¯s mysterious master, no longer had any doubts. He was deeply moved and said, ¡°When I next meet your master, I must invite him to our home and express my gratitude properly.¡±

    ¡°Sure,¡± Tang Yan nodded.

    At that moment, the carriage arrived at the Tang family home.

    ¡°Keep an eye on family matters. Handle the small things yourself, and consult with Uncle Mo for major matters. I¡¯ll be in seclusion for a few days,¡± Tang Lao Ye said before disappearing into the house.

    Tang Yan, now alone in the carriage, sat in a daze...

    Tang Yan¡¯s power had reached the Xuan Grade, and refining low-tier medicinal pills had become second nature to him. With just a month left until the Eastern Domain Grand Tournament, he was eagerly anticipating the challenge, especially the opportunity to enter the Azure Dragon Academy. His mind was set¡ªhe would push forward to seek a greater destiny.

    After that, he would search for his parents. Even though he had never met them, the blood of the Tang family flowed through his veins. His heart had long since accepted his identity.

    However, before leaving, he needed to eliminate all threats to the Tang family, such as the Liu, Wu, and Qin families!

 Chapter 75

    After Tang Yan returned, he dove into the alchemy room. The Tang family''s guards, who previously received a high-grade spirit pill once every half month, were now getting one every other day!

    Thankfully, the marketing strategies of Miaodan Workshop proved effective, and Ge Ming had not deceived Tang Yan. Starting from the second month, the monthly dividends exceeded five million silver coins.

    While the amount of silver seemed substantial, the materials for crafting high-grade spirit pills were expensive. Fortunately, Tang Yan was an alchemist himself. If the Tang family had to buy these pills, five million silver wouldn¡¯t even be enough to keep up with the guards¡¯ consumption.

    Tang Yan introduced additional reward policies, further motivating the Tang family''s guards to train harder.

    Under Tang Yan''s leadership, both strict and generous, his influence within the Tang family grew. He became the idol of all the family¡¯s guards, many of whom had seen him grow from a wasteful young master to someone with immense power in just a few months.

    Before, Tang Yan was seen as a spoiled youth with no skills, but through relentless effort, he had reached the 9th level of the Yellow rank in just a short time.

    The guards now took Tang Yan as their role model, following his philosophy of being "harsh on others but even harsher on oneself." Within nine days, the majority of them had reached the 3rd level of the Yellow rank.

    Moreover, some of the Tang family¡¯s elite forces¡ªalready few in number¡ªhad also advanced at an astonishing pace after Tang Yan prepared a stockpile of pills for them.

    Seeing the rise in combat power among the Tang family¡¯s guards, Tang Yan knew his efforts had not been in vain.

    On this particular morning, while practicing his Extreme Six Techniques, Tang Yan suddenly felt a terrifying aura brush by him, causing his hair to stand on end. He was shocked for a moment, but then felt a surge of joy.

    It seemed that his grandfather had broken through!

    Quickly making his way to his grandfather¡¯s training room, Tang Yan saw his grandfather, Tang Ling, striding toward him with vitality and vigor.

    "Grandfather, your hidden illness is healed?" Tang Yan asked, looking at Tang Ling''s refreshed appearance, his heart finally at ease.

    Tang Ling¡¯s eyes were bright and his furrowed brows had relaxed. He no longer had that gloomy look, indicating that the issues with his dantian and meridians had been resolved.

    "Thanks to your master¡¯s medicinal pills, he is truly a benefactor to our family. I don¡¯t even know his name. I intend to set up a longevity plaque for him in our Tang family," Tang Ling said, his tone filled with gratitude and respect.

    Tang Yan was momentarily stunned and quickly made an excuse, "My master never mentioned his name, but when I invite him to the family next time, you can ask him directly."Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    "Alright," Tang Ling nodded, then turned to Tang Yan and said, "I just felt a strong aura earlier. Was that you, Grandfather?"

    "Yes, I¡¯ve reached the Earth rank," Tang Ling replied with joy, but his expression shifted as he asked, "Are you leaving today?"

    "Yes, I¡¯ll be heading to the City Lord''s Mansion shortly," Tang Yan replied.

    Tang Ling¡¯s expression grew serious, and he warned, "Even though you¡¯ve reached the first level of the Mysterious rank, there are always people stronger than you. In Cloud City, you won¡¯t face many rivals your age, but once you leave, it¡¯s hard to say. Be cautious¡ªif you need to hold back, do so; if you must strike, do not hesitate."

    "I understand, Grandfather," Tang Yan nodded, his eyes flashing with resolve. "Our Tang family is now on par with the Liu family in terms of strength. Our days of submitting quietly are over!"

    Tang Ling¡¯s expression turned solemn. "What do you think the next step should be for our family?"

    After a moment¡¯s thought, Tang Yan said, "When the City Lord asked me what path our Tang family would take, I gave him an answer."

    Tang Ling¡¯s heart skipped a beat. "The City Lord asked you that?" he asked, keenly listening.

    Tang Yan¡¯s voice grew firm as he replied, "Our Tang family should walk the middle way. If others do not provoke us, we will not provoke them. But if they do, we will strike, no matter the distance."

    Hearing Tang Yan''s fierce words, Tang Ling¡¯s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. He understood that his grandson''s meaning was clear: if anyone attacked them, they would retaliate fiercely. But, in daily matters, the Tang family would continue to be peaceful and not provoke others.

    "The Liu family is aiming to be the only top family in Cloud City, and they¡¯ve been quite aggressive, devouring other families. They¡¯re big, ambitious, and powerful. Though the City Lord is indifferent, he likely harbors some grievances towards them."

    Tang Ling continued, "But if the Tang family sticks to the middle way, remaining humble and friendly with neighbors, we can continue to grow steadily in Cloud City."

    "Grandfather, I agree completely!" Tang Ling said with a hearty laugh, clearly in agreement with his grandson.

    After a few more conversations, Tang Ling, feeling both proud and relieved, patted Tang Yan¡¯s shoulder and said, "You can go to the East Region Grand Tournament with a clear heart. Don¡¯t worry about the family. It¡¯s time to leave now; don¡¯t keep everyone waiting!"

    The two walked out of the alchemy room, and the housekeeper, Xiao Cui, was already waiting with Tang Yan¡¯s luggage. As she saw him about to leave, tears filled her eyes, and she bid him a heartfelt farewell, "Young master, take care of yourself!"

    All of the Tang family¡¯s members had gathered to see him off. This was a rare sight¡ªbefore Tang Yan¡¯s return, such a farewell had never happened.

    After bidding everyone goodbye, Tang Yan mounted his prepared horse, and with a swift nudge, he set off toward the City Lord¡¯s Mansion.

    Upon arriving, he walked into the main hall and saw that Liu Zhi had already arrived, standing next to Lin Dongxue.

    When Liu Zhi saw Tang Yan enter, a hint of unease crossed his face.

    But it was Lin Dongxue, upon seeing Tang Yan, whose face lit up with a surprised expression.

    Her feelings for Tang Yan were complicated¡ªthis young man, who had shown his potential, had once confessed his feelings to her.

    "Why are you late?" she feigned annoyance.

    "I was delayed by Grandfather¡¯s nagging, sorry for the wait," Tang Yan explained apologetically.

    "It¡¯s fine. Come here, the three of you," the City Lord said, spreading a map across the table. "Let me explain our itinerary."

    He pointed at the map and said, "Our Cloud City is located in the Eastern Region, and Fang City is the largest, the leader of the five cities in the East. Many talented people are there, and those under thirty who have reached the Mysterious rank are numerous."

    He paused and continued, "This year¡¯s East Region Grand Tournament will be held in Fang City. From the intel we have, some participants are already at the third level of the Mysterious rank."

    <hr>

    This chapter marks Tang Yan''s advancement and preparations for the upcoming tournament, where he faces new challenges while ensuring his family¡¯s growth and security.

 Chapter 76

    Tang Yan''s expression remained unchanged, but he couldn''t help but be somewhat surprised. If a genius like this exists in the Eastern Domain, how many monstrous talents must there be across the entire Tianxiang Kingdom and even the vast continent?

    "Third rank of the Xuan Realm!" Lin Dongxue exclaimed in surprise.

    Liu Zhi also displayed an expression of shock!

    The city lord observed the expressions of the three and felt a bit curious.

    Since the day Tang Yan presented his gift, it seemed like this young man had seen countless storms and faced every situation with calm composure.

    "Indeed, it''s the third rank of the Xuan Realm, and it seems there might be more than one. In this Eastern Domain grand competition, most of the participants'' strengths are above the Xuan Realm," Lin Xiao said solemnly. "Moreover, these are just the reports we''ve received; the specific details still need verification. No one can confirm whether there are any geniuses of the fourth rank of the Xuan Realm. I will have people keep investigating, and once we get more information, we''ll notify you immediately."

    After a pause, Lin Xiao continued, "The Eastern Domain grand competition is in twenty days, and it will take us around ten days to get there. Once we reach Fang City, I will take you to the Death Kill Tower for some training before the competition begins!"

    "The Death Kill Tower? What¡¯s that?" Liu Zhi asked curiously.

    "You can think of it as a training ground, open to martial artists below the Earth Realm. It has six levels, each more dangerous than the last. Without enough strength and battle experience, it¡¯s very difficult to clear the stages. Every time you enter, you need to pay fifty thousand silver coins," Lin Xiao explained patiently.

    "Fifty thousand silver coins!" Liu Zhi exclaimed again. "Does it cost that much no matter how long you stay inside?"

    "Yes, even if you¡¯re forced out immediately after entering, it''s still fifty thousand silver coins. But there is a rule: those who manage to clear the tower are exempt from the fee. However, clearing the tower is extremely difficult. Anyway, this is the plan. Do you have any thoughts?" Lin Xiao asked.

    Both Liu Zhi and Lin Dongxue said they had no objections, but Tang Yan spoke up, "City Lord, I have a request."

    "Speak, what''s the matter?" Lin Xiao smiled.

    "I would like to travel to Fang City alone, and once I arrive, I will find you."

    Lin Xiao furrowed his brows slightly but didn¡¯t refuse. He calmly asked, "Are you sure about this?"

    "Yes." Tang Yan nodded.

    "Alright, once we reach Fang City, we will meet at Wan Fang Restaurant. It¡¯s the most famous restaurant in Fang City, so you¡¯ll easily find it," Lin Xiao nodded.

    Liu Zhi breathed a slight sigh of relief upon hearing Tang Yan''s words. He had no idea how unbearable it would be to travel with Tang Yan.

    "Why travel alone? We can go together," Lin Dongxue said, sharp and quick-witted. From her father''s slight frown, she could tell he was curious but didn¡¯t want to ask further, so she spoke on his behalf.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    "I want to train along the way. Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t delay. We¡¯ll meet at Wan Fang Restaurant in ten days," Tang Yan immediately promised.

    Upon hearing this, Lin Dongxue''s big eyes twinkled, and she immediately had an idea. She turned to Lin Xiao and said, "Father, I also want to go with Tang Yan."

    "No!" Tang Yan immediately shouted before the city lord could even speak.

    The city lord had felt something was off but seeing Tang Yan''s strong reaction, a faint smile appeared on his face. "Others are trying all kinds of ways to stay close to Dongxue, but you, boy, are turning her down even when she¡¯s offering herself."

    "Father, what nonsense are you talking about?" Lin Dongxue pouted in protest.

    Sensing that his words had been inappropriate, Lin Xiao became slightly embarrassed.

    Lin Dongxue, who had been rejected outright by Tang Yan, felt humiliated and angrily asked, "Why not?"

    Tang Yan rubbed his nose. Having lived two lives, his skin was thicker than a city wall. With a tone as though he was considering Lin Dongxue''s well-being, he explained, "It''s not appropriate for a man and woman to travel alone. If we travel together for ten days, it might harm Dongxue''s reputation. If rumors spread, I would feel guilty and uneasy."

    "Moreover, the route I plan to take might be dangerous. If I were alone, I could escape when facing danger, but with two people, we might get distracted and accidents could happen."

    His logical and reasonable explanation left no room for rebuttal. However, women, as always, weren¡¯t likely to base their actions solely on logic.

    "What danger could there be? Do you think you¡¯re invincible? If danger comes, you might even be the one to slow me down!" Lin Dongxue argued, furious.

    Tang Yan¡¯s eyes flickered with surprise. Lin Dongxue, knowing that she had defeated Liu Zhi, still confidently claimed she wouldn''t be a burden. It seemed this young lady¡¯s strength was more than she appeared.

    "I don''t care! I¡¯m sticking with you today!" Lin Dongxue''s spoiled attitude finally broke out.

    Tang Yan helplessly looked toward Lin Xiao, and seeing Tang Yan''s pitiful expression, Lin Xiao felt a bit amused. His daughter, a beautiful and elegant lady, and this kid seemed to be rejecting her.

    "I¡¯m not sure what path you plan to take this time," Lin Xiao asked.

    Upon hearing this, Tang Yan felt a headache coming on. Could it be that the city lord truly wanted him to take care of his daughter?

    With a helpless sigh, Tang Yan knew he had no choice but to use facts to scare Lin Dongxue off. He pointed at the map. "This vast mountain range is the Cangyun Mountain. I plan to cross it to reach Fang City. The route is roughly this one. Though it¡¯s on the outer edge, we can¡¯t guarantee that it won¡¯t be dangerous."

    Lin Xiao followed Tang Yan¡¯s finger and looked at the map. He had personally explored the Cangyun Mountain range. The areas Tang Yan had marked were mostly places where second-grade spirit beasts roamed. Of course, there were also third-grade spirit beasts, so the danger level wasn¡¯t low.

    However, these dangers didn¡¯t exceed Lin Xiao¡¯s limits. He said slowly, "This route is indeed dangerous, but if you are careful, it can be avoided. Third-grade spirit beasts are powerful and hard to deal with, so if you encounter them, remember not to be reckless and just avoid them."

    "Dongxue, if you really go with Tang Yan on this route, it will be very tough."

    "If I can¡¯t handle this bit of hardship, I should just give up on martial arts," Lin Dongxue said with a proud look, glancing at Tang Yan¡¯s miserable face, "My mind is made up. I¡¯m going with Young Master Tang."

    Tang Yan felt his whole body deflate. He had gone through so much trouble trying to scare Lin Dongxue off, but to his surprise, she seemed more excited than ever!

    "This is really dangerous..." Tang Yan made one last attempt.

    "Enough, if there¡¯s danger, I¡¯ll protect you," Lin Dongxue said, determined.

    "I trust Young Master Tang¡¯s character. For these days, Dongxue will be in your care," Lin Xiao concluded decisively and then turned to Liu Zhi. "You come with me, and we¡¯ll talk about your martial arts technique."

    Hearing that the city lord would personally guide him, Liu Zhi¡¯s eyes lit up with joy. He hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, City Lord, for your kindness."

    With the itinerary set, the group split into two groups.

    Tang Yan, looking downcast, mounted his steed, the green-hued horse, and headed toward Cangyun Mountain.

    Beside him, Lin Dongxue rode a fiery red steed, her face showing a smug and cunning smile. From her expression, it was clear that she was enjoying herself far more than Tang Yan, whose face was filled with helplessness.

 Chapter 77

    "I say, Lady Lin, why are you abandoning the main road and following me? Once we reach Cangyun Mountain, we can''t ride anymore. We''ll have to walk, climbing and wading through the water. What will happen to your delicate little feet? And besides, we''re a man and woman traveling alone. It''s really not convenient, you know, like when we need to relieve ourselves or bathe..."

    Tang Yan, hunched over on his horse, continued pleading with a mournful expression. "If you still have any sense, you could turn back now. You can easily catch up to us."

    The two of them quickly left the city, and once they were out of sight of any onlookers, Lin Dongxue let her guard down. "Enough nonsense. You¡¯re not going to escape me. When you wrote me that love poem before, didn¡¯t you say you¡¯ve liked me for years? Why do you want to get rid of me now? Were you just lying to me that day?"

    "Cough cough..." Tang Yan was nearly choked by his own saliva. He had never expected her to be so bold. She looked so graceful and proper in public, but now, she was speaking with such audacity.

    In truth, when Tang Yan wrote that "meeting joy" poem for Lin Dongxue, he had no real intention of winning her heart, but he wasn¡¯t going to admit that. Besides, it would be impossible to say he didn¡¯t feel anything at all for such a beautiful and poised lady.

    "Fine, fine. But don¡¯t blame me when you cry from exhaustion later. I did warn you," Tang Yan relented, shaking his head in defeat.

    "Hmph, don¡¯t look down on me. I¡¯ve endured countless hardships since I was little, and I¡¯ve been to Cangyun Mountain many times," Lin Dongxue retorted with a smug smile.

    Tang Yan couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Lin Dongxue''s abilities were indeed on par with Liu Zhi¡¯s. If so, this year¡¯s East Domain Grand Tournament might be different from the usual bottom-ranking performance of Yun City.

    With nothing else to do, Tang Yan decided to engage in conversation. "How much do you know about the East Domain Grand Tournament?"

    "Not much," Lin Dongxue admitted. "I only know that it¡¯s filled with talented individuals. The competitors are all people trained by various families, and the stakes are much higher than Yun City''s ¡®selection tournament.¡¯" A serious look crossed her face. "Our city¡¯s rank has always been the lowest, but we hope to do better this time."

    Back in the city, Liu Zhi and the city lord were preparing to leave in a carriage.

    Before boarding, Liu Zhi discreetly handed a small note to one of the guards. "Deliver this to my father. It¡¯s urgent!"

    "Understood!" the guard replied, turning to leave for the Liu family estate.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    ...

    Tang Yan and Lin Dongxue arrived at Cangyun Mountain and immediately urged their horses forward. The horses, accustomed to being ridden, were quick to recognize the familiar route and charged ahead.

    Tang Yan pulled out a map and glanced at Lin Dongxue helplessly before saying, "The route I¡¯ve planned for us is more dangerous than what I mentioned earlier. Most of the beasts we''ll encounter will be third-grade spirit beasts, and there¡¯s a possibility of encountering higher-level ones as well."

    "If we do face danger, you should stay behind me. If I can¡¯t keep up, run immediately. I¡¯m fast enough to escape, but with two people, it¡¯s harder to avoid danger," Tang Yan added seriously.

    Lin Dongxue gritted her teeth in frustration, irritated that Tang Yan kept underestimating her. But with a fiery spirit, she shot back, "You think you''re fast? How about we race and see who¡¯s quicker? If you lose, you¡¯ll follow me from now on and do whatever I say!"

    "No way!" Tang Yan rejected immediately without hesitation.

    "Are you even a man?" Lin Dongxue growled in anger.

    "Yes, I¡¯ve always been one. But I¡¯m still not racing you. It¡¯s just how the human body works!" Tang Yan shrugged helplessly.

    Lin Dongxue, accustomed to being in control and having everyone obey her, couldn¡¯t stand this response. Her eyebrows furrowed, and she shot back, "Then what do you want? If you win, I¡¯ll let you kiss me! If you lose, you¡¯ll follow my orders forever!"

    Tang Yan nearly lost his balance, nearly falling off his horse at the shocking proposal.

    This girl, who usually appeared graceful and refined, was now acting like a completely different person.

    After thinking about it, Tang Yan realized that if he didn¡¯t accept the challenge now, she would pester him all day long. Since the outer edges of the mountain weren¡¯t home to any high-level beasts, he decided it might be a good idea to go deeper into the mountain, so he nodded. "Alright, it¡¯s your race. You make the rules."

    "Good!" Lin Dongxue¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement as she prepared herself. "Half an hour. Whoever is in front at the end wins!"

    "Fine," Tang Yan agreed.

    "Ready, set, go!" With that, Lin Dongxue leapt forward, her steps fluid as she darted ahead.

    Tang Yan could only shake his head in exasperation as she rushed off without waiting for him.

    Lin Dongxue was wearing tight-fitting clothes, which highlighted her graceful figure, and as Tang Yan watched her retreating silhouette, he couldn¡¯t help but be momentarily distracted by her curves.

    But a moment¡¯s daze was enough for Lin Dongxue to gain a significant lead.

    Impressed by her speed and graceful footwork, Tang Yan realized she was likely using a method superior to the yellow-grade techniques he was familiar with.

    Observing her aura, he realized her cultivation had likely reached theÐþ½× (Xuan Rank), meaning she was stronger than he initially thought.

    Clearing his mind, Tang Yan activated his own techniques and began to chase after her.

    Minutes later, Tang Yan closed the gap, catching up with her.

    At first, Lin Dongxue had pulled ahead, but after running for a while without sensing any change behind her, she started to slow down, enjoying the thrill of the race.

    "Do you want to see how far you¡¯ve come, idiot?" she muttered to herself as she turned to look behind.

    "Looking for me?" a voice interrupted her.

    Lin Dongxue spun around in shock, and her eyes widened as she saw Tang Yan running alongside her.

    "You¡ªhow did you catch up?" she stammered, flabbergasted. "I didn¡¯t sense your presence at all!"

    "Been following you for a while now. Just didn¡¯t want to ruin your fun," Tang Yan shrugged, as casual as ever.

 Chapter 78

    "You¡¯re just slow!"

    Tang Yan was practicing the Phantom Step, a technique characterized by being elusive and hard to catch. When the power difference wasn¡¯t too large, it was extremely difficult to detect his presence.

    Hearing Tang Yan¡¯s usual ridicule, Lin Dongxue felt increasingly frustrated. She gritted her teeth and said, "Hmph, there¡¯s still time left, let''s continue!"

    With that, she accelerated once again, moving like a meteor as she dashed forward. She had been worried that Tang Yan might not keep up, so she hadn¡¯t been using her full strength earlier.

    Seeing Lin Dongxue¡¯s speed increase, Tang Yan¡¯s eyes flashed with surprise.

    Her footwork was exquisite, and it would definitely be a highlight in the upcoming East Domain Grand Tournament!

    With Lin Dongxue pushing herself to her limit, the distance between them grew once again.

    Not wanting to fall behind, Tang Yan also picked up his pace, closing the gap between them.

    As time ticked by, nearing the half-hour mark, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Tang Yan¡¯s mouth. "Miss Lin, don¡¯t forget your promise."

    Lin Dongxue heard his voice drifting through the air, and in her peripheral vision, she caught sight of a figure like a ghost, passing right by her side and moving ahead.

    No matter how hard she tried to chase, Tang Yan was always five meters in front of her, and she couldn¡¯t close the gap!

    "Hmph!" Realizing she couldn¡¯t win, Lin Dongxue stopped and stood there, breathing heavily.

    "Admit defeat?" Tang Yan also stopped, turning around with a teasing smile.

    Seeing the mischievous grin on his face, Lin Dongxue instantly recalled their bet from earlier. Her cheeks flushed, and thinking about her promise, she almost wished she could disappear into the ground.

    Why had she been so impulsive?

    Of course, Lin Dongxue hadn¡¯t expected that Tang Yan would possess such monstrous speed.

    "What if I lost?" Lin Dongxue feigned defiance.

    "I remember someone saying that if she lost, she¡¯d have to do something... What was it again?" Tang Yan pretended to forget, asking deliberately.

    "Go to hell!" Lin Dongxue¡¯s cheeks burned, and she stormed forward, ignoring him.

    "As the daughter of the City Lord, you wouldn¡¯t go back on your word, would you? I remember the City Lord¡¯s Mansion is known for its integrity," Tang Yan continued to provoke her from behind.

    In truth, Tang Yan didn¡¯t really care if Lin Dongxue fulfilled her promise. It had been a long while since they had seen even a second-tier spirit beast, and he was feeling quite bored, so he couldn¡¯t resist teasing her.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    Ahead, Lin Dongxue suddenly stopped. Then, her face appeared in front of Tang Yan¡¯s eyes, followed by a pair of soft lips pressing against his. Tang Yan felt as if his head exploded, his mind going blank.

    This was... his first kiss... and it was stolen by a woman?

    "Here¡¯s your kiss back!" Lin Dongxue growled as she pulled away, turning and continuing her way forward.

    Tang Yan stood there, dazed, unable to recover. Having lived two lives, he was an absolute rookie when it came to moments like these, and he had never experienced anything like this. His mind was in turmoil, and after a while, he silently followed behind Lin Dongxue.

    Neither of them spoke as they walked, creating an incredibly awkward atmosphere.

    "Roar!" Suddenly, a red figure lunged toward them.

    Tang Yan snapped back to reality. He glanced at Lin Dongxue, still frozen in place, and quickly shook his head, rushing forward with a punch.

    Luckily, it was just a second-tier spirit beast. Tang Yan blocked it in time. Lin Dongxue, still in a daze, was drenched in cold sweat.

    If Tang Yan had been a little farther away and she had lost focus again, she might have been in danger.

    The creature before them was a second-tier Red-striped Tiger, and Tang Yan, with his combat experience, wasn¡¯t concerned. After delivering a powerful punch that sent the tiger flying, he quickly stepped back and said softly, "You take it from here. The more you practice, the better your chances in the tournament."

    Lin Dongxue, looking for an excuse to regain her dignity, nodded. This Red-striped Tiger was the perfect opportunity to break the deadlock between them. She immediately leapt forward.

    Lin Dongxue¡¯s fundamentals were solid, but battling was different from practicing martial arts techniques. In martial arts, moves were important, but in combat, one needed to deconstruct those techniques and choose the most appropriate move for each situation.

    Lin Dongxue¡¯s experience in battle was still lacking, and she used many unnecessary moves, missing opportunities to defeat the Red-striped Tiger.

    "Bang! Bang!"

    Having never experienced such life-or-death combat, Lin Dongxue was momentarily flustered by the tiger¡¯s attacks. Fortunately, her cultivation had reached the peak of the Mystical Stage, giving her a natural advantage over a second-tier spirit beast.

    Tang Yan didn¡¯t intervene. By the time Lin Dongxue landed a punch that sent the tiger flying, half an hour had already passed.

    After the long battle, Lin Dongxue had sustained some scratches.

    "Too slow!" Tang Yan said coldly.

    Lin Dongxue had expected a compliment, or at least some acknowledgment for her effort, but instead, Tang Yan was mocking her?

    "You try, then!" Lin Dongxue¡¯s patience finally snapped.

    "The first attack from the Red-striped Tiger was a leap towards you. You have speed and an advantage in strength. You should have slid under its belly and attacked.

    The belly of a spirit beast is its weak spot, and with a single move, you could have dealt significant damage. But instead, you chose to face it head-on."

    "Although spirit beasts have natural strength, with your advantage, you still had the upper hand in the first move. At that point, you should have closed in and attacked.

    The Red-striped Tiger''s power is beginning to wane. If you had continued your attacks, it would have struggled to use its full strength. You could have easily overwhelmed it in three moves!"

    "The third time it attacked, it tried to bite you. You chose to retreat, but the distance between you and it was just enough for a quick kick to its jaw. You missed that opportunity too."

    "The fourth attack was when it stood on its hind legs and swiped at your head. You should have evaded by using your footwork. Spirit beasts are vulnerable when standing upright; you could have attacked its weak spots with ease."

    "The fifth time..."

    "The sixth time..."

    "The fifty-sixth time..."

    "In the end, you won because of your strength, but it was sheer brute force!"

    Tang Yan, acting as a strict instructor, pointed out every mistake Lin Dongxue had made during the battle. Lin Dongxue, who had been extremely displeased with him earlier, now wore an expression of shock.

    The seemingly harmless Tang Yan had a level of control over combat techniques that was almost unreal!

    As she replayed his every word, Lin Dongxue realized that if she had followed Tang Yan¡¯s advice, she could have defeated the Red-striped Tiger in a matter of seconds.

    Suddenly, Lin Dongxue, who had always been disinterested in combat, now found herself eager to find another spirit beast to practice on.

 Chapter 79

    "Thank you!" Lin Dongxue said seriously.

    "No need to thank me. Just practice more. And the most important thing is that when facing an enemy, don¡¯t be soft-hearted," Tang Yan smiled and reminded her.

    Seeing Tang Yan''s bright smile, Lin Dongxue was a little dazed. Unable to resist, she curiously asked, "The combat techniques you mentioned earlier, did your master teach you those?"

    "Yes," Tang Yan nodded.

    "Your master is really amazing!" Lin Dongxue exclaimed, shaking off her previous dejection. With renewed enthusiasm, she said, "Once I¡¯ve rested, I¡¯ll find more spirit beasts to practice with!"

    "Don''t rest," Tang Yan pulled out two porcelain bottles from his robe and handed them over. "These are high-grade spirit pills for quick recovery. Take one and rest for a bit."

    Upon seeing Tang Yan casually throw two bottles to her, Lin Dongxue thought they were just ordinary low-grade pills. Each bottle contained a fair number of pills, so she assumed they weren¡¯t very valuable.

    However, as soon as she took the pills, a pure and strong spiritual energy surged inside her, the effect was powerful but not overwhelming, restoring her energy smoothly and efficiently.

    "Is this a second-grade high-tier pill?" Lin Dongxue asked in surprise.

    In her experience, normal pills didn¡¯t have this kind of effect.

    "Something like that," Tang Yan casually replied.

    "You¡¯d waste a second-tier pill just to save a bit of time?" Lin Dongxue''s eyes widened even more.

    "Just eat it. The East Domain Grand Tournament is coming up. We don¡¯t have much time!" Tang Yan urged.

    Lin Dongxue felt like she was in a dream. As the daughter of the city lord, she had never been treated like this. To think that she was using second-tier pills to recover her strength! And Tang Yan, without hesitation, casually tossed over two bottles containing thirty pills. These weren¡¯t some cheap items! Was he just giving them to her?

    "All of these are for me?" Lin Dongxue asked, still in disbelief.

    "Yes, take them all. Don¡¯t worry about wasting them. Once we leave Cangyun Mountain, you won¡¯t be able to find them. From now on, you¡¯ll handle most of the second-tier spirit beasts. If there are too many, I¡¯ll help. For the third-tier beasts, I¡¯ll take the lead. If we can''t defeat them, I¡¯ll cover your escape," Tang Yan immediately assigned tasks.

    "Okay," Lin Dongxue, still in shock, nodded.

    Though third-tier spirit beasts were rare in Cangyun Mountain, second-tier ones were abundant.

    The next three days went by in a flash. Under Tang Yan¡¯s guidance, Lin Dongxue¡¯s combat skills gradually improved. Her previously rigid movements began to flow smoothly.

    Both of them were fast, and by the end of the third day, they had entered the territory where third-tier spirit beasts frequently appeared.

    After three days of combat, Lin Dongxue was no longer afraid of third-tier beasts; in fact, she started to look forward to facing them.

    Soon after, as they ventured deeper, a loud roar echoed through the valley.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    Then, a swift black shadow charged toward them.

    Tang Yan¡¯s eyes narrowed as he recognized the danger. The spirit beasts in the deep mountains, especially those that were solitary, were often much stronger than those found elsewhere.

    "It''s a Flying Rhinoceros!" Lin Dongxue exclaimed in a low voice upon seeing the beast.

    Tang Yan studied the creature. It was about 1.5 meters in length, but only half a meter in height, much smaller compared to some of the larger beasts they had encountered. Its body was grey with a tough hide, resembling a rhinoceros. Its mouth was open, revealing sharp tusks, and a pair of narrow eyes gleamed with ferocity. On its forehead was a sharp horn nearly half a meter long, emitting a faint cold light.

    Tang Yan had heard of the Flying Rhinoceros. It was considered a high-level third-tier beast. Its claws, tusks, and the horn on its forehead were all deadly weapons. Any wound inflicted by it would be very hard to heal.

    Despite its small size, its speed was exceptional, which earned it the name "Flying Rhinoceros."

    Without thinking, Tang Yan positioned himself in front of Lin Dongxue to shield her. "Step back a little, and watch how I fight."

    The majority of the spirit beasts they had encountered over the past three days had been second-tier, and most were no match for Tang Yan. He hadn¡¯t needed to intervene much, but this time, it was different.

    "You be careful. Flying Rhinoceroses are extremely powerful and fast, making them difficult to deal with!" Lin Dongxue warned.

    Tang Yan nodded slightly, his gaze focused on the Flying Rhinoceros that was now less than four meters away.

    The rhinoceros seemed to dismiss him as weak. But when it turned its gaze toward Lin Dongxue, its eyes grew more serious.

    With a loud crash, the Flying Rhinoceros charged at Tang Yan with immense force, the distance closing in the blink of an eye.

    Lin Dongxue clenched her fist, wondering if Tang Yan could dodge the beast¡¯s charge given its speed and power.

    Tang Yan¡¯s eyes narrowed, and as Lin Dongxue watched in awe, he leaped into the air and quickly kicked toward the rhinoceros¡¯ back.

    Lin Dongxue¡¯s jaw dropped in astonishment. Not only did Tang Yan avoid the attack, but he also countered with an offensive strike!

    In mid-air, Tang Yan executed a spinning kick, landing a powerful blow on the Flying Rhinoceros¡¯ back.

    The creature¡¯s reaction speed surpassed expectations. The once powerful charge of the rhinoceros suddenly halted, its body arching as it attempted to block the kick with its back.

    "Bang!"

    Tang Yan felt as if he had kicked a steel plate, his foot tingling from the impact. Using the rebound force, he swiftly flipped backward.

    The Flying Rhinoceros let out a painful roar, clearly shocked. It hadn''t expected the seemingly weak human to suddenly explode with such tremendous power.

    "Xuan-tier first grade!" Lin Dongxue was stunned by Tang Yan¡¯s displayed strength. This guy... how much power was he really hiding? If she hadn''t been following him, she would have probably thought that Tang Yan was only at the Huang-tier ninth grade level.

    "Roar!" Before Tang Yan could land, the enraged Flying Rhinoceros charged toward him again.

    "Boom, boom, boom!" Although the Flying Rhinoceros was fast, compared to Tang Yan, who had mastered the essence of combat, its speed was much slower.

    Tang Yan had a keen understanding of his opponent''s weaknesses in combat. Every strike he made was aimed at a vulnerable spot, allowing him to attack quickly and decisively.

    His strikes were incredibly fast, and within a few breaths, his continuous attacks had already put him in the dominant position.

    Lin Dongxue, who was watching from the side, had sweat pouring from her palms.

    Each of the Flying Rhinoceros''s attacks made Lin Dongxue want to scream in panic. She knew that if she were in Tang Yan¡¯s place, she would have no choice but to run from the beast¡¯s attacks.

    But what shocked and exhilarated her even more was Tang Yan¡¯s movements!

    Instead of just evading, Tang Yan was constantly counterattacking!

    The Flying Rhinoceros''s attacks brushed past Tang Yan¡¯s vital spots by mere inches. After each of his attacks, Tang Yan would immediately follow up with another strike without any pause.

    The seamless flow of his combat moves made Lin Dongxue feel as though she was witnessing a form of art.

    So, this is how one can sidestep an attack!

    After throwing a punch, if the force hasn¡¯t dissipated, you can follow up with an elbow strike!

    Rolling on the ground isn¡¯t just for evading¡ªone can also use it to land a powerful kick to inflict more damage on the enemy!

    Lin Dongxue realized that the offensive techniques she had learned over the past twenty years didn¡¯t even compare to the fighting skills Tang Yan had been teaching her these past few days. The dynamic and ever-changing fighting style, the seamless connection between martial techniques and basic moves, could unleash such fierce power!

    All of this shattered her previously held belief that "martial skills above all" was the ultimate truth.

 Chapter 80

    After failing to kill Tang Yan for a long time, the frustration in Fei Xi''s eyes grew more intense. He panted heavily and charged at Tang Yan once again.

    Tang Yan still chose not to dodge, quickly stepping five paces in a circular motion.

    "Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!" The Thousand Mountain Fist was executed rapidly in midair, producing five resonant impacts.

    At that moment, Fei Xi happened to charge in.

    It seemed as though Tang Yan had anticipated the direction of the attack. Without hesitation, he spun around, and Fei Xi¡¯s half-meter-long horn scraped along Tang Yan''s left arm. Meanwhile, Tang Yan''s sixth punch from the Thousand Mountain Fist was delivered without holding back, landing heavily on the side of Fei Xi¡¯s horn.

    "Smack!"

    The full power of a Grade One Xuan-tier warrior erupted, and even though Fei Xi''s strength was immense, the charge was deflected leftward by the force of the blow, leaving his right side exposed.

    Tang Yan''s eyes sharpened. He stepped forward with a lunge, his right leg quickly lifting to kick Fei Xi''s stomach with great force.

    "Bang!"

    The attack was full force, targeting the softer underside of the abdomen. Even though Fei Xi''s defense was formidable, his entire body was numbed, unable to resist.

    Seizing the moment, Tang Yan''s blows fell rapidly, targeting Fei Xi''s critical spots. Soon, Fei Xi spat out blood and collapsed, unconscious.

    Seeing that Fei Xi had been dealt with, Tang Yan took out a dagger from his chest pocket and skillfully extracted the beast core. Just as he was about to speak to Lin Dongxue, he turned around to find her staring at him in shock.

    "What''s wrong? Are you stunned? Fei Xi is already taken care of!" Tang Yan waved his hand in front of the dazed Lin Dongxue.

    "No... no! You''re so fast! Amazing!" Lin Dongxue snapped out of her daze and said excitedly.

    Fast? Seeing Lin Dongxue''s innocent expression, Tang Yan couldn''t help but feel a wicked thought cross his mind.

    "I''ve been fast for a long time," Tang Yan immediately corrected, joking. Although he was still a young boy, he had confidence in himself.

    "No, you''re just really fast," Lin Dongxue said, not overthinking the matter.

    Lin Dongxue, unable to fully comprehend what had just happened, felt that words were too insufficient to describe her shock at how Tang Yan had taken down a third-tier spiritual beast in just fifteen minutes.

    The two had different starting points, and Lin Dongxue obviously couldn¡¯t understand Tang Yan''s inner wicked thoughts.

    "In the future, you can say I''m powerful, but don''t say I''m fast," Tang Yan said seriously.

    "Why?" Lin Dongxue asked curiously.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    "Uh, just remember that, okay? Let''s rest for a bit and continue our journey," Tang Yan quickly changed the subject.

    Before Lin Dongxue could ask more, Tang Yan suddenly felt a dangerous presence. He quickly warned, "Someone''s coming."

    As a pill master, Tang Yan was extremely sensitive to external stimuli. When he sensed a targeted killing intent aimed at him, even if the other party hid their aura well, they couldn''t escape his perception.

    Turning quickly, he saw a black-clad figure approaching.

    After Tang Yan''s warning, Lin Dongxue also turned and looked toward the approaching person.

    Tang Yan didn¡¯t dare to be careless. He bent his knees and prepared for battle.

    The pressure the black-clad person brought was immense.

    "Leave now!" Tang Yan whispered.

    "You leave!" Lin Dongxue, standing beside him, shot back.

    Tang Yan nearly felt his nose twitch in frustration. Why was she so stubborn at this moment?

    "Leave? Stay right here!" The black-clad figure chuckled, his voice rough.

    "We don¡¯t know who you are or why you are attacking us," Tang Yan asked, confused.

    "No grudges or hatred, I just want to kill!" the black-clad figure said, and his body moved like a shooting star, launching a powerful palm strike at Tang Yan.

    Xuan-tier, at least Grade Five!

    Tang Yan¡¯s pupils contracted as his hairs stood on end. He immediately used his Phantom Step and quickly retreated diagonally, knowing he couldn¡¯t directly face such overwhelming power.

    Even with his fighting spirit, he knew he couldn¡¯t take the hit.

    "I''m the daughter of Lin Xiao, the city lord of Cloud City. If my father doesn¡¯t see me, you¡¯ll regret it. How about you leave now, and I¡¯ll pretend this never happened?" Lin Dongxue said calmly.

    The black-clad figure¡¯s eyes flashed with surprise as his strike was evaded by Tang Yan.

    Hearing Lin Dongxue¡¯s implied threat, the black-clad figure sneered. "Cangyun Mountain may not have many things, but it has plenty of wild beasts. Once you two are dead, no one will even know what happened to your bones. Besides, who would know it was me?"

    With a sharp laugh, he lunged toward Lin Dongxue.

    "Move!" Tang Yan didn¡¯t hesitate and immediately rushed toward the black-clad figure.

    Seeing Tang Yan rushing toward him, the black-clad figure¡¯s eyes flickered with hatred. He abandoned Lin Dongxue and sent another palm strike directly at Tang Yan.

    Tang Yan squinted his eyes. The black-clad figure was filled with killing intent toward him, and his moves were only basic techniques, as though he didn¡¯t want Tang Yan to figure out his full capabilities.

    Even so, Tang Yan knew that he couldn¡¯t withstand a Grade Five Xuan-tier opponent.

    Feeling the suffocating pressure from his opponent, a sudden thought of madness flashed in Tang Yan¡¯s mind!

    "Bang, bang, bang, bang!" Time was too short, but Tang Yan managed to land his fourth punch from the Thousand Mountain Fist.

    The black-clad figure was surprised by the power behind Tang Yan''s punch. A mere Grade One Xuan-tier punch had the power of a Grade Two!

    But no matter how talented Tang Yan was, his story would end here!

    With a hint of pleasure in his eyes, the black-clad figure slammed his palms toward Tang Yan.

    Tang Yan¡¯s Dantian spun rapidly, and spiritual energy surged into his fist!

    "Whoosh!" A strange blue flame suddenly appeared.

    Tang Yan''s fist was enveloped in the eerie blue light.

    The black-clad figure stopped dead in his tracks, his gaze wary as he stared at the blue flames.

    What was that? Despite being a Grade Five Xuan-tier warrior, he felt a strong sense of threat emanating from the blue light.

    Not daring to clash directly with the flames, the black-clad figure swiftly dodged to the side. However, close combat was Tang Yan''s specialty, and seeing the black-clad figure¡¯s fear of his Heaven and Earth Transformation Fire, Tang Yan was delighted. He nimbly closed the distance, striking fiercely at the black-clad figure.

    "Dongxue, go!" Tang Yan shouted sternly. Right now, he could only use the Heaven and Earth Transformation Fire to buy time for Lin Dongxue¡¯s escape.

    Seeing Tang Yan daring to attack him, the black-clad figure¡¯s eyes filled with anger. He struck out with a palm toward Tang Yan.

    Tang Yan¡¯s eyes glinted with both excitement and madness.

    At this critical moment, he had thought of using the Heaven and Earth Transformation Fire in his attack.

    He was eager to see how much power the Thousand Mountain Fist could unleash when enhanced by the Heaven and Earth Transformation Fire!

    "Bang!"

    The clash of fists and palms was intense.

 Chapter 81

    The deep blue flames were instantly dispersed by the black-clad man.

    Tang Yan staggered back a step, feeling the oppressive strength of his opponent. He couldn¡¯t deny it¡ªthe man was far too powerful for him to defeat. The consumption of spiritual energy from using the Heaven and Earth Transformation Flame was also taking its toll on him. Tang Yan glanced at Lin Dongxue, who was still standing in place, and shouted, "Hurry, run!"

    "None of you will leave!" the black-clad man sneered, his earlier hesitation about Tang Yan''s Heaven and Earth Transformation Flame gone. Seeing that the flames no longer posed a threat, the black-clad man advanced, attacking again.

    "You must be from the Liu family!" Tang Yan suddenly exclaimed, causing the black-clad man to freeze for a moment.

    The fleeting shock in his eyes didn¡¯t escape Tang Yan''s notice.

    "Trying to figure out my identity? No matter how hard you try, you¡¯ll never guess it unless I tell you," the black-clad man said as he launched another strike at Tang Yan.

    Taking a deep breath, Tang Yan¡¯s vortex dantian spun at its maximum speed. His spiritual energy was continuously converted into the Heaven and Earth Transformation Flame as he met the black-clad man''s palm attack with a strike of his own.

    "You¡¯re using only basic attacks and avoiding using any martial techniques. This shows that you don¡¯t want us to know your identity. The only reason you¡¯d worry about that is if we know you. When you hesitated earlier before attacking Lin Dongxue, it was clear you recognized her. You know us, and you must be in the know about our movements¡ªonly Liu Zhi would have leaked them. You¡¯re a fifth-grade expert of the Xuan realm, and now I know your identity, Liu Jing! How bold of you to attempt an assassination on the city lord¡¯s daughter!"

    Tang Yan spoke as he continued exchanging blows with the black-clad man.

    Despite his best efforts, the difference in their strengths was too great, and Tang Yan felt his internal organs twisting with the force of the impact.

    "Poof!" A small stream of blood trickled from his mouth.

    Upon hearing Tang Yan¡¯s words, the black-clad man revealed a sinister smile. He tore off his mask, exposing his face.

    "Liu Jing!" Lin Dongxue gasped.

    "I was originally going to kill Tang Yan and just knock you unconscious, but now that you know, you¡¯ll both be dying today. Don¡¯t blame me for being ruthless; blame Tang Yan for uncovering my identity," Liu Jing sneered. His aura became even more terrifying, and he launched another attack at Tang Yan.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    "I¡¯ll hold him off¡ªgo now!" Tang Yan roared, his eyes bloodshot.

    Lin Dongxue¡¯s heart skipped a beat.

    She understood that Tang Yan was fast and could have easily left her behind. But he hadn¡¯t!

    Lin Dongxue¡¯s eyes grew moist, a rush of emotions overwhelming her. At that moment, her own cultivation reached its peak. She had just broken through to the second-grade of the Xuan realm.

    With her breakthrough boosting her confidence, Lin Dongxue shouted and charged into the fray. "If we¡¯re leaving, we leave together. If we¡¯re fighting, we fight together!"

    Tang Yan, on the other hand, felt a wave of frustration. "Why are you acting tough now? If you¡¯d run, I might have found a chance to escape!"

    Liu Jing, who had been focused on Tang Yan, noticed Lin Dongxue charging into battle. A flash of joy crossed his eyes.

    Tang Yan, sensing that his spiritual energy was rapidly depleting, quickly opened a vial and swallowed several pills, not bothering to care about the consequences.

    Damn it, I¡¯ll die anyway, I¡¯m going all in!

    He took pills like the Body-cleansing Pill, High-Spirit Pills, and Vitality Pills, consuming them all in one go.

    A massive surge of spiritual energy filled his body, like a volcano about to erupt. Tang Yan struggled to control the overwhelming flow.

    "Shit, I¡¯ve overdone it!" he thought as his body became engorged with energy. His dantian and meridians couldn¡¯t withstand the surge. But he refused to accept defeat.

    "I¡¯m not going down without a fight!" Tang Yan thought, his spirit flaring as his dantian spun faster, trying to control the overwhelming spiritual energy.

    Liu Zhi and Lin Dongxue watched in horror as Tang Yan¡¯s skin turned bright red, with strange bumps forming on his body, as though the pressure from the surging energy was too much.

    Liu Zhi stopped his attack and pointed at Tang Yan, laughing harshly. "Ha, ha! You really live up to the title of Cloud City¡¯s biggest wastrel. While others poison themselves to die, you choose to explode your body with pills. Even I, who have lived so long, have never seen someone die from overeating pills!"

    Lin Dongxue clenched her fists tightly, filled with worry.

    Tang Yan was in excruciating pain as the energy inside him threatened to tear him apart. His body was swelling with energy at an alarming rate, and if he couldn¡¯t find a way to release it, he knew he would explode.

    But then, in his delirium, a memory flashed in his mind. The story of Da Yu controlling the waters¡ªthe wisdom and solutions came rushing to him.

    "Da Yu¡­ controlling the waters?" he thought, his mind clearing just a little. A sudden insight struck him as he felt the surging energy within his body.

    He didn¡¯t have much time. He bit his tongue, and a rush of clarity flooded back into his mind.

    Looking at Liu Zhi, who was still mocking him, Tang Yan¡¯s eyes gleamed with madness.

    If he couldn¡¯t contain the energy, then he would release it. If he could release it faster than the pills were pushing it forward, he might just have a chance to survive!

    Without waiting for Liu Zhi to react, Tang Yan unleashed his full power.

    His aura soared, and using the Illusory Shadow Step, he charged toward Liu Zhi with terrifying speed.

    His right fist traced a complex trajectory in the air, enveloped in the eerie blue flames of Heaven and Earth Transformation.

    "Flame Explosion Palm!" Tang Yan roared, releasing an attack with overwhelming force.

    The ground seemed to tremble as his fist shot forward, powerful enough to break mountains.

 Chapter 82

    The punch looked slow, but its momentum was overwhelming, crushing everything in its path. It seemed as though any obstacle ahead would be trampled underfoot!

    Had it been earlier, Tang Yan would have never dared to use the Flame Explosion Palm.

    The technique¡¯s threshold was at the Xuan Stage, and its consumption of spiritual energy was enormous¡ªmore than even the Heavenly Creation Fire. Using it twice would leave him completely drained.

    But now, it was different!

    Liu Jing''s face revealed intense unease as he felt the oppressive force emanating from Tang Yan¡¯s technique!

    This power¡­ It seemed at least at the Xuan Stage High Rank!

    Liu Jing was puzzled. What kind of luck had Tang Yan gotten to be able to throw out such techniques as if they were nothing?

    Both the Flame Explosion Palm and the Heavenly Creation Fire were powerful, but neither could truly rival Liu Jing''s strength.

    However, the terrifying pressure created by combining them made Liu Jing wonder if Tang Yan''s current power was enough to challenge him directly.

    Unwilling to accept this, Liu Jing took a deep breath and unleashed his own Xuan Stage Fifth Rank power. Stepping forward like a descending tiger, he launched a mighty punch at Tang Yan.

    "Boom!" Violent energy blasted in all directions, sending stones and debris flying!

    Both Tang Yan and Liu Jing staggered backward a step.

    Lin Dongxue, who was watching from the sidelines, had her face filled with shock.

    She had been worried about Tang Yan exploding from overuse, but instead, Tang Yan had launched such a domineering punch even while barely hanging on!

    The Xuan Stage Fifth Rank power hadn¡¯t given Liu Jing any advantage over Tang Yan!

    Liu Jing¡¯s heart was filled with astonishment and disbelief. This young man, who was only at the Xuan Stage First Rank, had actually withstood his blow without showing any signs of defeat?

    Before Liu Jing could catch his breath, Tang Yan¡¯s Flame Explosion Palm came crashing toward him again!

    At this moment, Tang Yan no longer cared about technique.

    For technique, the Flame Explosion Palm itself contained immense skill!

    For power, the Flame Explosion Palm had overwhelming strength!

    For destruction, the Heavenly Creation Fire possessed unparalleled power!

    In short, he was focusing on maximum output!

    Once again, with a single palm, Tang Yan slowly pushed forward, his overwhelming momentum repeating.

    Having already experienced the Flame Explosion Palm, Liu Jing now felt an intense headache!

    Yet, he still didn¡¯t believe that Tang Yan could truly compete with him. With another punch, he swung again!

    "Boom!" Their techniques collided, creating another explosion of flying debris!

    After the continuous clash of two palms, Tang Yan finally felt some relief, the pressure on his nearly exploding dantian easing.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    Just as he was about to take a breath, the swelling sensation returned, forcing him to act quickly with another Flame Explosion Palm.

    "Boom!" Liu Jing charged once more!

    Tang Yan felt like an unyielding machine, his palms coming one after another with no sign of slowing down.

    Each strike was as domineering and sharp as the last, creating an inescapable feeling for his opponent!

    After more than thirty successive clashes, Tang Yan was still full of vigor, but Liu Jing had started to show signs of heavy fatigue.

    Although Liu Jing was the second master of the Liu family, the quality of the pills he consumed could not compare to Tang Yan¡¯s.

    Liu Jing, having spent most of his time using his pills to cultivate, never imagined that Tang Yan would casually toss pills into his mouth like they were worthless!

    Sadly, Liu Jing was not so fortunate.

    And with his Xuan Stage Fifth Rank power, he had believed that as long as he saw the two of them, he could easily defeat Tang Yan¡ªhe had never considered any backup plan.

    "Boom!" Another crushing blow.

    "Stomp!" This time, Tang Yan remained firmly in place while Liu Jing was forced to step back!

    This retreat marked Liu Jing¡¯s complete disadvantage.

    "Boom!"

    "Stomp, stomp!" After another exchange, Liu Jing retreated two steps in a row.

    Tang Yan didn¡¯t stop, continuing the assault until, with the fifty-eighth strike, Liu Jing was finally sent flying through the air!

    Quickly using his Phantom Steps, Tang Yan closed the gap and unleashed another Flame Explosion Palm, seamlessly following up.

    Simple, direct, and unhesitating!

    With Liu Jing¡¯s spiritual energy now completely dispersed, he had no strength left to fight back.

    "Please, don¡¯t kill me!" Liu Jing''s eyes were filled with fear and unwillingness. How could a mere junior like Tang Yan defeat him, a Xuan Stage Fifth Rank expert?

    "I¡¯m not just going to kill you. I¡¯ll never let anyone from the Liu family go!" Tang Yan¡¯s voice was cold. The Liu family had plotted against him more than once, and he had made up his mind to eradicate them all.

    "Boom!" Tang Yan¡¯s palm hit Liu Jing¡¯s chest directly. When Liu Jing crashed to the ground, his eyes filled with resentment as he tried to point at Tang Yan, but he never had the chance to speak again.

    "Ha¡ª" Lin Dongxue, who had witnessed Tang Yan kill Liu Jing, sighed in relief, a mix of shock and awe filling her eyes. She collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily.

    Her gaze lingered on Tang Yan, full of curiosity. This young man seemed to be hiding far more secrets than she could have imagined.

    That mysterious footwork, the devastating palm strikes, and the enigmatic blue flames¡ªthese were all things that could not be obtained in Yun City!

    With his intense attacks, Tang Yan¡¯s near-exploding condition had eased significantly.

    Sensing that his dantian was still being filled with spiritual energy, Tang Yan was ready to find a spirit beast to release his pent-up energy.

    Just then, the Heavenly Creation Cauldron, which had been silent, suddenly began to shake. The enormous amount of spiritual energy within it was instantly absorbed by the cauldron.

    Tang Yan was enraged, wanting to smash the cauldron!

    "Just when I was about to explode, you didn¡¯t do anything! But now that the danger has passed, you eat up all the extra spiritual energy?!"

    "How dare you call yourself a cauldron?!"

    Suddenly, a life-giving energy overflowed from the cauldron, rushing toward his dantian and meridians.

    As the vital energy flowed, the intense damage caused to Tang Yan''s dantian and meridians by the spiritual energy expansion began to heal at a visible rate.

    At the same time, a familiar energy emerged from his dantian.

    Tang Yan, who had been frustrated, was suddenly filled with joy.

    Good cauldron! As expected of the best treasure in the Jianghu!

    "Protect me. I need to meditate for a while!" Tang Yan found a secluded spot and sat cross-legged.

    He knew that, if nothing went wrong, another breakthrough would be coming soon.

    Not rushing the breakthrough, Tang Yan waited for the healing energy to fully repair his dantian and meridians before calming his mind and entering meditation.

    During the battle, Tang Yan had been so focused on releasing spiritual energy that he hadn''t noticed how much damage had been done to his dantian and meridians.

    Now, he was shocked to find that his meridians had been expanded twice their original size!

    His dantian could now contain far more energy.

    Though it was a perilous situation, the unexpected strain had ultimately worked to his benefit.

    He had suffered greatly, but he had emerged far stronger than before.

    Spiritual energy was nearing its critical point, and had he failed to release the energy even slightly slower, he would have exploded. Tang Yan didn''t want to go through this again.

    His spiritual energy quickly circulated in his dantian, gathering until it reached the threshold, and then, naturally, he broke through.

    Xuan Stage Second Rank!

    But it wasn''t over yet... Tang Yan''s power continued to rise.

 Chapter 83

    Lin Dongxue stood to the side, her eyes fixed on Tang Yan. His handsome, bright features made her momentarily lose focus.

    She sighed inwardly, regretting how shallow she had been in the past, believing all the rumors and keeping her distance from Tang Yan. If she had gotten to know him earlier, she would have realized how different he was from what everyone said.

    Suddenly, she felt a fluctuation from Tang Yan¡¯s body, causing her heart to skip a beat. Could it be that he broke through too?

    After a brief moment of shock, Lin Dongxue calmed down. After all, Tang Yan was already strong to begin with, and with the large number of spirit pills he had consumed, a breakthrough under such circumstances was to be expected.

    But soon, Lin Dongxue''s face showed disbelief.

    Just after his breakthrough, Tang Yan''s body showed another wave of energy. Then, a strong aura flashed and disappeared.

    In a single day, Tang Yan had jumped two stages?

    Lin Dongxue widened her eyes in shock, staring at Tang Yan as if she couldn''t believe it. Could he be one of the spiritual beasts from Cangyun Mountain?

    When Tang Yan opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Lin Dongxue''s curious gaze.

    ¡°What are you looking at?¡± Tang Yan asked, puzzled.

    ¡°Ah!¡± Lin Dongxue, who had been daydreaming, was startled by his voice. She patted her chest and said, ¡°You should¡¯ve said something when you woke up! You scared me.¡±

    Tang Yan was speechless. It was clearly her who had been staring at him, yet she blamed him for it.

    But Lin Dongxue was more focused on something else, her eyes wide with excitement. ¡°Did you just break through?¡±

    Since Tang Yan had been cultivating right under Lin Dongxue¡¯s watch, there was no way he could hide it from her. He nodded in acknowledgment.

    ¡°No, no, what I meant was, did you just advance two stages?¡± Lin Dongxue asked hastily.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Tang Yan nodded again, casually.

    Lin Dongxue froze for a moment. Was there something wrong with him? Advancing two stages in one go¡ªhow could he act like it was nothing?

    ¡°You know, in the entire Tianxiang Kingdom, only the most talented geniuses can break through two stages in a row!¡± Lin Dongxue bit her lip, voice tinged with incredulity.

    ¡°Oh, I see now,¡± Tang Yan casually replied, as if it was no big deal.

    Seeing his nonchalant attitude, Lin Dongxue almost went mad. She tried explaining how difficult it was to break through two stages, but no matter what she said, Tang Yan remained calm and indifferent, which only made her more frustrated. Finally, she gave up, deciding not to dwell on it.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    After the battle with Liu Jing, the awkwardness from when Lin Dongxue kissed Tang Yan had completely disappeared.

    The following days, Lin Dongxue focused mainly on combat techniques. Having broken through to the second rank of the Xuan realm, her fighting ability had increased significantly. Under Tang Yan''s guidance, her progress was astounding.

    Meanwhile, Tang Yan, inspired by his battle with Liu Jing, found a way to combine his Tianji Zaohua Fire with his martial techniques. He grew increasingly fascinated with the results.

    For the next six days, Tang Yan relentlessly honed the integration of the Tianji Zaohua Fire and his combat skills.

    Lin Dongxue couldn''t help but feel grateful for following Tang Yan. This decision had turned out to be incredibly wise! With so many spirit beasts in Cangyun Mountain, including three-stage beasts, it truly was a paradise for her cultivation.

    After crossing another mountain peak, a large city came into view in the distance.

    Lin Dongxue glanced at Tang Yan, feeling a slight reluctance to leave. But when she realized her thoughts, she was startled and blushed deeply. Tang Yan, seemingly unaware of her emotions, made no comment.

    "According to the map, this is Fang City. In ten days, we¡¯ll meet with the city lord," Tang Yan said as he gestured for her to follow. "Let¡¯s go, time to head down the mountain."

    Half an hour later, they arrived at the city gates.

    "Fang City!" After confirming their location, Tang Yan and Lin Dongxue walked in.

    It wasn¡¯t long before the hustle and bustle of the city surrounded them.

    ¡°No wonder it¡¯s the number one city in the East Region; it¡¯s far more prosperous than Yun City,¡± Tang Yan remarked.

    As soon as he finished speaking, he felt a sharp pain at his waist. Turning, he saw Lin Dongxue glaring at him fiercely.

    Realizing his words could be seen as a slight to Lin Xiao, Tang Yan chuckled awkwardly. This girl sure knew how to strike.

    Rubbing the sore spot, Tang Yan said, "Let¡¯s go, time to meet the people we¡¯re supposed to."

    They flagged down a carriage, and soon, they were on their way.

    When the carriage stopped, they were in the heart of the city, an area far more lively than before.

    Among the buildings, the most noticeable was the Wan Fang Tower.

    Tang Yan immediately noticed its towering structure.

    It was not only tall but also occupied a large area. While the surrounding buildings were mostly three stories high, this one had six, standing out like a crane among chickens.

    "Guests, please come in. Will you be dining or staying?" A waiter greeted them as they entered.

    ¡°We¡¯ve reserved a room. Could you please check?¡± Tang Yan smiled politely.

    "Of course, sir. Please give me your names and the name of the person who made the reservation," the waiter explained enthusiastically.

    After Tang Yan provided the details, the waiter flipped through a ledger. When he found their reservation, his expression turned respectful. "Please follow me."

    Rather than leading them upstairs, the waiter opened a back door and guided them inside.

    Beyond the door, a large lake came into view, connected to a small river flowing toward an unknown direction. The area was surrounded by trees, and even though it was early winter, the scenery remained lush and vibrant.

    Every so often, there was a separate courtyard.

    Tang Yan couldn''t help but admire the place. No ordinary inn could match this level of elegance.

    "How much for a night''s stay here?" Tang Yan asked out of curiosity.

    "From one hundred to a thousand taels, depending on the room," the waiter answered honestly.

    Tang Yan nodded, understanding that this place was certainly not affordable for ordinary people.

    After walking along the stone path for a while, the waiter stopped in front of a small courtyard. "This is Master Tang¡¯s courtyard. Miss Lin and the warrior Lin have another one nearby. Your companion, Young Master Liu, has a room as well."

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Tang Yan said, and dismissed the waiter.

    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go meet my father,¡± Tang Yan said, ready to head out. But before he could, Lin Dongxue grabbed his arm.

    She knocked on the courtyard door, and after a short while, Lin Xiao appeared, visibly relieved to see them.

 Chapter 84

    Although he had confidently allowed the two to travel alone, Lin Xiao could not help but worry about their safety every single day over the past ten days.

    ¡°Greetings, Lord.¡± Tang Yan immediately greeted and said, ¡°Sorry to make you worry.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s good that you¡¯re back safely.¡± Lin Xiao smiled and invited the two into the small courtyard.

    In the courtyard, there was a table, and Lin Xiao poured tea for them before asking, ¡°How was the trip to Cangyun Mountain? Any improvements in your strength? Did you encounter any third-level spirit beasts?¡±

    Hearing Lin Xiao''s question, Lin Dongxue, who had gained much from the journey, became energized. Like a child seeking praise, she proudly said, ¡°Of course! We encountered quite a few third-level spirit beasts!¡±

    Lin Xiao tightened his grip on his teacup, but remained calm and asked, ¡°Which third-level spirit beasts did you encounter? Were there any injuries?¡±

    ¡°We encountered flying rhinoceroses, long-tailed lions, leopards, and Qinglian pythons¡­ we killed them all. Most of the others were second-level spirit beasts.¡± Lin Dongxue quickly listed the spirit beasts they had encountered. Lin Xiao¡¯s eyes flashed with intense surprise.

    Third-level spirit beasts were so powerful that they could rival someone at the level of Xuan Tier Fourth Grade, while even ordinary third-level beasts could challenge someone at the Xuan Tier First or Second Grade.

    These two actually killed all the third-level spirit beasts they encountered?

    ¡°Then, has your strength improved?¡± Lin Xiao lovingly looked at Lin Dongxue.

    ¡°You¡¯ll know if you try!¡± Lin Dongxue, eager to demonstrate, jumped to the center of the courtyard.

    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s see!¡± Lin Xiao, not hesitating, jumped to face her.

    ¡°You can only use second-grade strength. Here I come!¡± Lin Dongxue cried out, her momentum unfolding as she swiftly charged at Lin Xiao.

    ¡°Second-grade!¡± Lin Xiao¡¯s heart stirred with excitement as he sensed Lin Dongxue¡¯s aura. He had estimated that it would take at least a month and a half for his daughter to break through to second-grade. But to his surprise, her advancement was much faster than he anticipated.

    Although Lin Dongxue¡¯s strength had improved, Lin Xiao wasn¡¯t overly surprised. His daughter¡¯s natural talent was excellent, so a breakthrough wasn¡¯t far-fetched.

    Seeing Lin Dongxue rushing toward him, Lin Xiao wasn¡¯t worried at all.

    ¡°Huh?¡± When Lin Dongxue¡¯s first punch came at him, Lin Xiao suddenly looked surprised.

    Based on his knowledge of his daughter, after her first punch, she would usually follow up with a kick. However, Lin Dongxue suddenly turned, closed the distance, and launched a swift elbow strike aimed at his left shoulder.

    This move was fast and fierce, catching Lin Xiao completely off guard. Luckily, Lin Xiao was highly experienced in combat; otherwise, he might have embarrassed himself in front of Tang Yan.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    Twisting in a strange posture to dodge, he was about to praise Lin Dongxue for her improvement when she launched her third attack.

    This time, Lin Dongxue quickly lifted her leg, aiming straight for Lin Xiao''s abdomen.

    In the span of just a few breaths, the father and daughter exchanged over ten moves in the courtyard.

    With each attack Lin Dongxue made, Lin Xiao¡¯s heart was filled with shock.

    Her combination of moves was not only fierce but incredibly quick, each strike targeting vital points. If an opponent of the same rank underestimated her, they might very well lose within the first exchange.

    Lin Xiao was becoming increasingly cautious, and his curiosity grew. What had his daughter experienced in these ten days?

    Just ten days ago, when they had practiced together, Lin Xiao had easily won, pointing out the flaws in Lin Dongxue¡¯s moves after every few exchanges.

    But now, he had to remain fully alert and exert himself to completely suppress her.

    He even found it difficult to give guidance, as if he was a dog trying to bite a porcupine¡ªhe just couldn¡¯t find a way to counter her.

    After about half an hour of sparring, Lin Xiao finally discovered a small opening in Lin Dongxue¡¯s defense and seized the opportunity to win.

    Though he won, Lin Xiao¡¯s face reddened. In past sparring sessions, he wouldn¡¯t have taken advantage of such small flaws, but this time, he knew he had to act fast. If he didn¡¯t, it would have taken a lot more effort to win with his second-grade strength.

    ¡°Not bad! Good!¡± Lin Xiao didn¡¯t hold back his praise, clapping and laughing.

    ¡°Ugh, I thought I could win!¡± Lin Dongxue shook her head and sighed, causing Lin Xiao to almost stumble. This girl, just ten days ago, was being completely overwhelmed by him, and now she was thinking about defeating her old man?

    Lin Xiao wasn¡¯t a fool. Although he didn¡¯t know what his daughter had gone through in the last ten days, he knew Tang Yan played a huge part in it.

    If his daughter¡¯s strength had increased so much, how strong must Tang Yan be?

    Suppressing his curiosity, Lin Xiao chatted with Tang Yan for a while before instructing him to meet at the Jue Sha Tower tomorrow and then sent him on his way.

    After closing the courtyard gate, Lin Xiao immediately pulled Lin Dongxue aside and asked with great curiosity, ¡°Tell me everything that happened in the past ten days.¡±

    ¡°Tsk, you want to spy on Tang Yan¡¯s strength, right?¡± Lin Dongxue cunningly replied.

    Her father¡¯s intentions were clear, so Lin Xiao didn¡¯t deny it, laughing, ¡°I¡¯m just curious. How did your strength grow so fast? Just ten days, and you¡¯ve made such huge progress!¡±

    ¡°Tang Yan taught me.¡± Lin Dongxue didn¡¯t hide anything from her father. She explained everything that Tang Yan had taught her, starting with their encounter with the Red-striped Tiger. Lin Xiao was left stunned.

    ¡°You mean to say that Tang Yan¡¯s combat skills are even stronger than yours?¡± Lin Xiao quickly asked.

    Lin Dongxue shook her head.

    ¡°Not stronger than you? Then how did he teach you?¡± Lin Xiao, puzzled, pressed.

    ¡°In combat, he¡¯s not just a bit stronger, he¡¯s way stronger than me,¡± Lin Dongxue corrected him seriously.

    ¡°This girl, can¡¯t you just say everything at once?¡± Lin Xiao laughed and scolded her. He then asked, ¡°Has he entered the Xuan Tier?¡±

    Upon hearing Lin Xiao¡¯s question, Lin Dongxue revealed an odd look on her face, then nodded and said, ¡°Xuan Tier Third Grade.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Lin Xiao was shocked by her answer.

    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s really Xuan Tier Third Grade!¡± Lin Dongxue confirmed again.

    ¡°That kid¡¯s first show of strength was against the Liu family¡¯s Liu Quan. Back then, he was only at Yuan Tier Seventh Grade. During the Mid-Autumn Tournament, his strength was only at Huang Tier Sixth Grade. At the selection tournament, he was only at Huang Tier Ninth Grade. How in such a short time did he leap to Xuan Tier Third Grade?¡± Lin Xiao thought for a moment, then his face filled with astonishment.

    Tang Yan had completed the leap from Yuan Tier to Xuan Tier in less than six months!

    ¡°Before entering Cangyun Mountain, his strength was just Xuan Tier First Grade. On the fourth day, he broke through two tiers, reaching Third Grade.¡± Lin Dongxue added, stoking the flames.

    ¡°Two tiers in a row?¡± Lin Xiao raised his eyebrows, quickly asking, ¡°How did he do that? Tell me!¡±

    ¡°We were ambushed by the second young master of the Liu family, Liu Jing...¡±

    Lin Xiao¡¯s heart tensed. Liu Jing? That was a real Xuan Tier Fifth Grade expert! He interrupted his daughter anxiously, ¡°What? Liu Jing tried to kill you? How did you escape?¡±

 Chapter 85

    "Didn''t escape, we killed Liu Jing," Lin Dongxue said without hesitation.

    Lin Xiao''s face instantly reflected disbelief, but he knew his daughter would never lie about something serious. Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself and continued asking about the incident.

    Lin Dongxue recounted the events of that day in detail, and with every word, Lin Xiao''s expression grew darker. Her vivid account could only come from something real and terrifying.

    "The Liu family deserves to die!" Lin Xiao''s veins stood out, and murderous intent surged within him. If it weren''t for Tang Yan risking his life, his daughter would have perished on Cangyun Mountain!

    After a long moment, Lin Xiao forced down his violent emotions and spoke in a low voice, "He fought for your life when there was no chance left. His loyalty and bravery are extraordinary. I was right to trust him. This debt of gratitude is heavier than the mountains. Once the East Domain competition is over, we will repay Tang Family for this favor."

    After talking with Lin Dongxue for nearly an hour, Lin Xiao finally let her go rest. He sat back in his rattan chair and glanced towards Tang Yan''s courtyard, his eyes reflecting a mixture of curiosity, anticipation, pride, and admiration. Since Tang Yan composed the song "Meeting Joy" for the city, he had developed a deep interest in him.

    But the more he tried to learn about Tang Yan, the more he realized how little he understood him.

    Thinking about Lin Dongxue''s words, Lin Xiao felt an unprecedented confidence in Tang Yan¡¯s abilities. Over the years, the East Domain competitions had drained him, and each time, his back was bent.

    But this time, all three candidates from Yun City were at the Xuan Stage, and his daughter had reached the second rank of Xuan Stage. Plus, there was the monstrous talent that was Tang Yan.

    For the first time in many years, Lin Xiao was actually looking forward to the East Domain competition!

    Tang Yan returned to his residence. Since he was in the crowded city, practicing martial arts was not ideal, so he decided to practice the Extreme Six Forms in his small courtyard.

    The day passed quickly.

    The next morning, Tang Yan was barely out of bed when he heard a knock on his door. From the rhythm of the knocking, he immediately guessed it was Lin Dongxue.

    Smiling, he opened the door to see her dressed in tight-fitting clothes. "Dressed like this, are you planning to head back to Cangyun Mountain?"

    "Stop it. Didn''t my father say before? Once we arrived at Fang City, we¡¯d visit the Killing Tower," Lin Dongxue gave him a glance.

    Tang Yan remembered then, realizing that entering the Killing Tower would cost 50,000 taels of silver. The high fees only made him more curious about the place.

    "Alright, let¡¯s go see it," Tang Yan said without hesitation, following Lin Dongxue towards the City Lord¡¯s mansion.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    Liu Zhi was already waiting for them. When the group was complete, Lin Xiao led the way, and they soon arrived at the Killing Tower.

    Located near the center of the city, it was not far from Wan Fang Tower. In less than half an hour, they reached a towering building.

    The structure was enormous, with a square base of 100 meters by 100 meters. It had six floors, and rather than brick or stone, the outer walls were made of bronze, giving it a formidable appearance.

    Between the second and third floors, the words "Killing Tower" were engraved in massive letters, exuding an awe-inspiring aura.

    The Killing Tower was famous throughout the East Domain and even had some influence in nearby cities. Many talents who had failed here didn''t lessen its reputation; instead, it fueled the determination of others to challenge its trials.

    Anyone who succeeded in passing through the trials would receive immense honor.

    "This is the Killing Tower," Lin Xiao said seriously. "It has six floors, each with a unique challenge. Once you enter, injury is highly likely, and death is not out of the question. So, be careful and don¡¯t be overconfident."

    "What if we can''t hold out?" Liu Zhi asked with a hint of fear.

    "Before entering, each person will receive two tokens. One to hold and one to place in your mouth. If you crush or bite the token, all attacks will stop," Lin Xiao explained.

    As soon as he finished speaking, a voice rang out. The door to the third floor opened, and a young man walked out.

    "Not bad," his companion greeted him as he approached.

    "Not quite. Haven''t even reached the fourth floor, the competition''s going to be tough," the young man said with a gloomy expression.

    Tang Yan extended a sliver of his spiritual sense and was surprised. This person was at the peak of the first rank of the Xuan Stage, yet he couldn¡¯t make it past the third floor?

    Seeing that all eyes were on the young man, Lin Xiao explained, "It¡¯s customary for everyone coming to Fang City for the competition to challenge the Killing Tower. According to experience, anyone who can reach the fourth floor has a good chance of making it into the top 15. If you make it to the fifth floor, you¡¯re almost certain to enter the Qinglong Academy. Even those who only make it to the third floor are still considered, and many have been chosen for Qinglong Academy despite only reaching that level."

    Tang Yan now understood that the Killing Tower was a sort of trial before the competition, meant to test one''s abilities.

    "Alright, you three wait here. I¡¯ll go register you," Lin Xiao instructed before heading towards the registration desk.

    "Miss Lin, how confident are you in reaching which floor?" Liu Zhi immediately turned to Lin Dongxue, trying to start a conversation.

    With her unmatched beauty, noble background, and poised temperament, if he could marry Lin Dongxue, it would not only mean having an excellent partner, but also gaining the City Lord¡¯s backing.

    Liu Zhi made every effort to close the distance between them, but his efforts were doomed to fail.

    Perhaps she had once had some admiration for Liu Zhi, but after the assassination attempt by Liu Jing, she had no more goodwill for the Liu family. It was likely that their movements had been leaked by him.

    "Don¡¯t worry about others. Liu Gongzi, you better do your best and at least make it past the third floor. Otherwise, wasting silver is one thing, but embarrassing Yun City is another!" Lin Dongxue said coldly.

    Liu Zhi felt confused hearing her suddenly cold tone. What had happened to her?

    As for Tang Yan''s return, Liu Zhi hadn''t given it much thought. He had specifically instructed his second uncle to handle the matter. With his second uncle at the fifth rank of the Xuan Stage, if Tang Yan had survived, it meant that his second uncle had failed to find them.

    "Tang Yan, how many floors do you think you can reach?" Lin Dongxue, now completely indifferent to Liu Zhi, turned to Tang Yan, a playful smile on her face.

    Liu Zhi noticed the stark contrast between Lin Dongxue¡¯s attitude toward him and Tang Yan, and a hint of resentment flashed in his eyes. These two were clearly a couple¡ªhad they been intimate during their journey to Fang City?

    Tang Yan suddenly remembered the time on Cangyun Mountain when Lin Dongxue had insisted on racing against him. The last time she lost, she had kissed him in a moment of frustration, a kiss that he would never forget.

    "Alright," Tang Yan said, his mind racing back to that moment. "If we make the same bet as last time, then I¡¯ll compete with you."

 Chapter 86

    The secret that embarrassed them both was well-known but left unspoken between the two. However, when Tang Yan suddenly brought it up, Lin Dongxue''s face instantly turned as red as a blooming peach in spring, with a sweet, innocent blush.

    ¡°Stop being a tease!¡± Lin Dongxue muttered, feeling both shy and irritated.

    Seeing them flirt with each other, Liu Zhi¡¯s jealousy and anger deepened. The couple¡¯s casual intimacy irritated him to no end. In his heart, he cursed them both.

    While they were waiting for Lin Xiao, another group of people approached. These individuals, young and full of strong spiritual energy, were likely contestants in the East Domain Grand Competition.

    Lin Dongxue, already a stunning beauty, had caught the attention of many upon her arrival. Now, in her shy state, she appeared even more enchanting, causing a stir among the onlookers.

    One of the newcomers, a fair-skinned young man dressed in white, noticed Lin Dongxue and, his eyes gleaming with flirtation, approached her with a grin. ¡°Miss, we seem to have an instant connection. Would you care to join me for a boat ride on the lake or perhaps enjoy a cozy chat by the fire?¡±

    Seeing his companion engage in this unwanted flirtation, the rest of the group stopped as well, their faces adorned with lecherous smiles.

    ¡°Get lost!¡± Lin Dongxue frowned, not at all pleased by the man¡¯s gaze.

    ¡°Yao Shixiong, she told you to get lost!¡± A tall, thin man in a blue robe laughed.

    ¡°I am Yao Yuan, from Yucheng. Please don¡¯t refuse, Miss. If you do, where will I put my face in front of my brothers?¡± The white-robed youth¡¯s smile was wide, but his words carried an unmistakable tone of dominance.

    Liu Zhi, standing off to the side, couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. "Serves her right. She¡¯s been ignoring me. Now look at the trouble she¡¯s in."

    Lin Dongxue''s eyes turned cold. "Face is something you earn for yourself. I don¡¯t owe you any favors," she retorted, completely unfazed.

    Yao Yuan¡¯s desire to conquer her only grew stronger in response to her defiance.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    ¡°You won¡¯t give me any face? What if I need it?¡± His voice turned cold as he narrowed his eyes.

    Tang Yan, sensing the tension and seeing Yao Yuan¡¯s arrogance, intervened. ¡°We are from the City Lord''s Mansion of Cloud City. Are you suggesting we fight?¡±

    "Cloud City?" The five men froze momentarily before bursting into laughter. Yao Yuan¡¯s face twisted into a mocking grin. ¡°Cloud City? I didn¡¯t recognize you at first. Next time you mention it, just say ''the city that¡¯s always last.'' That title is more famous than Cloud City itself.¡±

    Tang Yan had initially hoped to avoid any conflict but was pushed too far by Yao Yuan''s mockery. A flash of irritation crossed his mind, and when his gaze swept past Liu Zhi, an idea struck him.

    ¡°You must have heard of our Cloud City¡¯s number one¡ªLiu Zhi, the most talented of our city,¡± Tang Yan said with a boastful smile, his words intentionally exaggerating Liu Zhi¡¯s reputation.

    Liu Zhi, hearing his name so highly praised, raised his head with a look of pride. Tang Yan¡¯s skill may not have been much, but Liu Zhi had always believed he was better than him.

    ¡°Oh? So, what does this Liu Zhi have to do to earn face?¡± Yao Yuan sneered.

    "All you need to do is defeat Liu Zhi. If you win, the honor is yours," Tang Yan declared, showing his confidence in Liu Zhi¡¯s abilities.

    The crowd, drawn by the commotion, started gathering around them. They all wanted to see what the so-called "number one" of Cloud City could do.

    Yao Yuan, after sizing up Liu Zhi, was confident that with his higher cultivation, he would easily defeat him.

    ¡°If you truly want the face of victory, let¡¯s see how you handle this challenge,¡± Yao Yuan said, the air around him suddenly growing tense as he charged at Liu Zhi.

    ¡°Ðþ½×¶þÆ·áÛ·å (Peak of Xuan Rank 2)!¡± The surrounding people gasped in amazement as they sensed Yao Yuan¡¯s energy surge.

    Liu Zhi, still new to the Xuan Rank, was no match for Yao Yuan. Before he could react, a crisp slap resounded through the air, and Yao Yuan had struck him hard across the face.

    Laughter erupted from the crowd.

    ¡°Haha, Cloud City is truly the bottom tier. Not even able to block one move!¡± The mockery filled the air.

    Liu Zhi stood dazed for a moment, completely stunned. How could he, the young master of the Liu family, be humiliated in front of so many people?

    Yao Yuan, sensing Liu Zhi¡¯s helplessness, delivered a few more slaps, leaving him unable to defend himself. It became clear to everyone that Liu Zhi wasn¡¯t worth the praise he¡¯d been given.

    "Boom!" Yao Yuan¡¯s foot lashed out, kicking Liu Zhi back. The blow sent him stumbling several paces before crashing to the ground, coughing up blood.

    "Young Master Liu! Young Master Liu!" Tang Yan called, feigning panic as he rushed to Liu Zhi¡¯s side.

    The crowd, however, saw through his act. "Seems like this ¡®number one¡¯ of Cloud City isn¡¯t much to talk about after all."

    Yao Yuan, feeling victorious, turned to Lin Dongxue with a grin. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that Shouyue Lake has magnificent views. Miss, would you like to join me for a boat ride and enjoy the scenery? I promise it¡¯ll be an unforgettable experience.¡±

 Chapter 87

    Hearing Yao Yuan¡¯s words, the onlookers all exchanged suggestive glances.

    Lin Dongxue had not expected that Liu Zhi would be so weak. Just as she was about to reject Yao Yuan, a deep male voice suddenly rang out: ¡°What are you all doing?¡±

    A wave of invisible pressure spread through the air, and everyone immediately made way as Lin Xiao, tall and imposing, approached.

    Lin Dongxue¡¯s face lit up with joy, and she quickly rushed into Lin Xiao¡¯s arms, pointing at Yao Yuan and his group. ¡°Father, that person bullied me and even hurt Liu Gongzi!¡±

    Lin Xiao frowned, scanned Liu Zhi¡¯s injuries briefly, and then looked coldly at Yao Yuan and the others. ¡°What are you trying to do?¡±

    Yao Yuan¡¯s expression flickered with unease as he subconsciously felt the power behind Lin Xiao¡¯s presence.

    At that moment, a tall young man in a green robe who had remained silent stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, ¡°My brother here struck up a conversation with the three fine gentlemen of your city and we simply exchanged a few words. In the heat of the moment, we decided to spar before the competition.¡±

    It seemed this person was the leader of the group.

    ¡°Lies! Father, that Yao Yuan tried to force me to drink with him. When I refused, he started this conflict!¡± Lin Dongxue immediately spoke up again.

    Lin Xiao¡¯s cold eyes fixed on Yao Yuan, who appeared uneasy, as though he had been seen through.

    ¡°This young lady speaks the truth¡­¡± Yao Yuan began to explain, but before he could finish, a crisp slap echoed through the air.

    The sudden sound cut him off mid-sentence.

    ¡°Slap! Slap! Slap!¡±

    Four more sharp slaps followed, and each of Yao Yuan¡¯s companions, without the ability to retaliate, had their faces slapped.

    ¡°Miss Dongxue is the daughter of our city¡¯s Lord. Offending her is equivalent to offending Cloud City itself. Since this is your first offense, I will punish you lightly. But should you dare repeat this, there will be no leniency,¡± Lin Xiao¡¯s cold voice rang out, his power not even needing to be unleashed, yet it still stilled everyone in the area.

    The imposing aura of a city¡¯s ruler spread through the crowd.

    ¡°Petty squabbles among the younger generation, and the elders have to intervene? My apologies for my lack of insight. I never knew Cloud City had such rules,¡± sneered the young man in green, despite his lesser strength.

    Tang Yan knew better than to let Lin Xiao continue talking, which would lower his dignity. Instead, he stepped forward and showed off his usual reckless demeanor. ¡°This person¡¯s character is not just flawed; he¡¯s mentally deficient.

    You¡¯re aware that Miss Lin is the daughter of the city lord, and yet you dared offend her? You have no manners and no education! The Lord kindly taught you a lesson in civility, but instead of being grateful, you mocked him. What difference is there between you and an animal?¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    Hearing Tang Yan¡¯s words, Lin Xiao briefly glanced at the still silent Liu Zhi. He couldn¡¯t help but marvel at how well Tang Yan had played his part. If he had brought someone from the Qin or Wu families, they would probably have reacted just like Liu Zhi, passively doing nothing.

    Sure enough, after Tang Yan¡¯s outburst, the five young men were left speechless.

    However, the young man in green, named Su Wei, was quick to retort. ¡°I always wondered why Cloud City keeps finishing last in every competition. I guess it¡¯s because they¡¯ve spent all their time practicing their mouths!¡±

    ¡°Oh? Since you¡¯re so confident, would you like to spar here?¡± Su Wei raised an eyebrow, deliberately provoking Tang Yan.

    ¡°Let¡¯s do it!¡± Cheers erupted from the crowd. ¡°A spar, a spar!¡± With the crowd¡¯s encouragement, more voices joined in.

    Tang Yan gauged Su Wei¡¯s strength and could sense the aura of someone at the peak of the Third Stage of the Xuan Realm. Though Tang Yan preferred to keep a low profile, he wasn¡¯t one to shy away from a challenge. He smiled calmly. ¡°Since you¡¯re here, why not test your abilities in the Killing Arena? Let¡¯s see who can emerge from a higher level.¡±

    The crowd was intrigued. The competition in the Killing Arena would give Su Wei the perfect opportunity to show off his skills, and Tang Yan might even be able to deal a blow to Su Wei¡¯s arrogance.

    Su Wei¡¯s eyes gleamed with excitement. ¡°Very well! Let¡¯s make this interesting. If you lose, you¡¯ll have to shout three times that Cloud City is inferior to Yu City. If I lose, I¡¯ll shout three times that Yu City is inferior to Cloud City. Deal?¡±

    The crowd buzzed with anticipation. The East Domain Grand Competition hadn¡¯t even started yet, but already, the cities were clashing with intense rivalry. This was sure to be a thrilling year for the tournament.

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, my city and Cloud City have a small dispute, and I¡¯ve come to borrow the Killing Arena for a bit. Please excuse us.¡± Su Wei gave a bow, acknowledging the crowd.

    ¡°Of course, of course. Go ahead with your challenge,¡± the onlookers responded graciously, eager to see the spectacle unfold.

    Su Wei glanced at Tang Yan, clearly eager to see how this battle would unfold. ¡°Shall we take turns, or would you prefer I go first?¡±

    ¡°You go ahead,¡± Tang Yan shrugged nonchalantly.

    It was generally considered advantageous to go second in such challenges. If the first person performed well, they would put psychological pressure on the opponent, which would affect their later performance.

    Su Wei was happy with Tang Yan¡¯s suggestion. Without wasting any time, he pulled out a token, passed the inspection, and stepped into the first floor of the Killing Arena.

    ¡°Tang Yan, are you confident about this battle?¡± Lin Xiao quietly asked.

    ¡°I¡¯ll give it my all,¡± Tang Yan replied firmly.

    ¡°I¡¯ve just scanned that guy¡¯s strength. He¡¯s impressive, at the peak of the Third Stage of the Xuan Realm. Reaching the fourth floor won¡¯t be too difficult for him, and there¡¯s even a chance he could make it to the fifth. But don¡¯t worry about the results, win or lose, Cloud City isn¡¯t concerned with mere reputations,¡± Lin Xiao reassured him.

    ¡°Understood. By the way, what exactly is the Killing Arena like?¡± Tang Yan asked, eager to gather as much information as he could before his own challenge.

    ¡°The Killing Arena has six floors,¡± Lin Xiao began. ¡°The first three test basic abilities. The first level has five times the gravity, and you need to reach the endpoint within the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn.¡±

    ¡°The second level has ten times the gravity, the layout is the same as the first, but there are obstacles in the way, and you must reach the end within one incense stick¡¯s time.¡±

    ¡°The third level is much harder. It has fifteen times the gravity, and the pressure alone can hinder even low or mid-level Xuan Realm cultivators. Attacks become fiercer, and you have three incense sticks to make it through, or you lose. Most Xuan Realm practitioners fail at this level.¡±

    ¡°The fourth level tests combat ability, with mechanical beasts inside.¡±

    ¡°The fifth level challenges stamina, mental strength, willpower, and endurance.¡±

    ¡°As for the sixth level¡­¡±

 Chapter 88

    After a moment''s pause, Lin Xiao spoke carefully, "The Absolute Kill Tower keeps the secrets of its final level tightly guarded. Only those with exceptional talents who enter will know the truth, and they are expected to keep it to themselves. Therefore, for the outside world, the sixth level remains a mysterious place. If you want to know, you must enter it yourself."

    Knowing a bit about the first five floors was already enough for Tang Yan, but his curiosity about the sixth level only deepened.

    Everyone anxiously waited for Su Wei to emerge.

    The people of Yucheng had immense confidence in Su Wei''s abilities, and as they looked toward Cloud City, besides disdain, there was a certain satisfaction. If Tang Yan lost, the humiliation of Lin Xiao slapping them earlier could be fully avenged, and Cloud City would be thoroughly shamed.

    Of course, it wasn''t just the four from Yucheng who thought like this. The onlookers also had little faith in Cloud City.

    They had previously heard that Liu Zhi was the top expert from Cloud City. Yet, after a single encounter, he was humiliated by a few slaps from Yao Yuan. If the first expert was so helpless, what could Tang Yan possibly do?

    Time passed, and after half an hour, the peaceful atmosphere in the Absolute Kill Tower was suddenly disrupted by a loud "boom!"

    Everyone quickly turned to see a door open on the fifth floor, revealing the number "2" next to it.

    "Fifth floor!" Seeing Su Wei emerge, the crowd gasped.

    Tang Yan narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Su Wei as he came out. The latter looked exhausted, his clothes torn and tattered, presenting a rather disheveled appearance. However, there was a glint of something else in his eyes.

    "Haha, fifth floor! Cloud City has lost for sure!" Yao Yuan laughed with pride.

    "Mission accomplished!" Su Wei said with a grin as he approached his companions before turning to Tang Yan. "Do you want to admit defeat, or do you want to continue?"

    "You can admit defeat now. If you fail to make it past the second floor, you''ll be a laughing stock," someone from the crowd mocked.

    "Even if he only makes it past the third floor, it''s still embarrassing," another voice chimed in.

    "Of course I''ll continue," Tang Yan smiled, taking his token from Lin Xiao.

    "You''re too full of yourself!" Yao Yuan sneered.

    "Go for it, Tang Yan!" Lin Dongxue said with concern in her eyes. After all, Tang Yan had only just stepped into the third rank of the Xuan stage, and his abilities were still unstable.

    "City Lord, what does the ''2'' on the door mean?" Tang Yan asked curiously.

    "It''s the score for that floor. Every level has a system that automatically calculates your performance, with a maximum score of ten points. That guy scored 2 on the fifth floor, meaning he probably couldn''t even last long inside," Lin Xiao explained.

    "Alright, I''ll give it a try!" Tang Yan confidently walked toward the Absolute Kill Tower.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    Seeing that Tang Yan was still determined, the onlookers'' eyes were filled with mockery. It seemed he was only setting himself up for humiliation.

    Ignoring the mocking gazes around him, Tang Yan handed his token to the gatekeeper. The large man smiled, handing him two jade balls. "These are for your protection. If you use your Qi to shatter them, all attacks will stop."

    "Thank you!" Tang Yan cupped his hands respectfully.

    "Go ahead, young man, your courage is commendable!" the gatekeeper said before opening the door to the first floor.

    As soon as Tang Yan stepped inside, the betting began.

    "Betting''s open, betting''s open! Ten to one odds on Tang Yan coming out of the first two floors."

    "Betting on him coming out of the third floor, odds 1.3."

    "Third floor, 1000 taels!"

    "Second floor, 20 taels!"

    "Third floor, 100 taels!"

    ...

    Bets were being placed left and right, most people betting that Tang Yan would only make it to the second or third floor. Very few believed he would make it past the fourth, and none were betting on him winning.

    Lin Dongxue''s eyes flashed with determination. She turned to Lin Xiao and pouted. "Father, place a bet."

    "Bet on what?" Lin Xiao asked with mild amusement.

    "Bet on him winning, 100,000 taels!" Lin Dongxue responded immediately.

    "100,000 taels!" Lin Xiao blinked in surprise. His daughter didn''t take money seriously! If Tang Yan could make it out of the fourth floor, there might be a chance, but betting on him winning... Lin Xiao wasn''t so sure.

    "Bet on that guy making it past the second floor, 10,000 taels!" Yao Yuan sneered, throwing a stack of silver notes onto the betting table, looking at Cloud City''s people with scorn.

    "Bet on Tang Yan winning, 100,000 taels!" Lin Dongxue said, her voice firm.

    The crowd fell silent. Everyone stared in shock at the poised girl.

    She was clever, but her actions seemed reckless now.

    Lin Xiao''s heart skipped a beat. His daughter had spoken before he had even agreed! But since she had already made the wager, he couldn¡¯t back out. He retrieved 100,000 taels and handed it to the bookmaker.

    The crowd erupted in laughter.

    The bookmaker was delighted. 100,000 taels¡ªessentially free money.

    Lin Xiao ignored the mockery around him, sitting back and sipping his tea leisurely.

    <hr>

    As Tang Yan stepped into the Absolute Kill Tower, he immediately felt a heavy pressure.

    However, it wasn¡¯t as difficult as he had imagined. The five times gravity didn¡¯t feel much different from the pressure he had endured beneath a waterfall.

    Tang Yan surveyed his surroundings carefully. The main hall was dimly lit, creating an eerie atmosphere.

    Ahead of him lay a massive water pool, with the opposite side marking the end point. The water was about half a meter deep, and the bottom appeared dark and murky, as if there were other objects hidden beneath.

    Upon closer inspection, a chill ran down Tang Yan¡¯s spine. The pool''s bottom was lined with sharp, slender steel spikes. If he fell into the water, it was likely he''d be pierced by at least a few of them.

    There was a rusted copper path along the surface of the water, winding and serpentine. If the path were stretched out, it would likely span four to five hundred meters.

    The water, the path, and the steel spikes blended together in the dim light, making it difficult to discern them clearly. Adding to the difficulty, the copper path was at the same height as the water''s surface, making it hard to determine exactly where the path began and ended.

    If one¡¯s eyesight wasn¡¯t sharp, it would be easy to lose balance and fall in.

    Was this some kind of real-life "Temple Run"?

    After assessing the situation, Tang Yan no longer hesitated. He dashed along the copper path toward the opposite side.

    Despite the winding path and the hidden dangers in the water, Tang Yan moved swiftly. The five times gravity felt like nothing more than a game to him. With his Shadow Steps, he glided across the path as if it were an uninhabited space. In less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea, he had reached the other side.

    "Boom!"

    A door on the wall opened, revealing a staircase leading upwards.

    Tang Yan climbed the stairs and reached the second floor, where the pressure increased slightly.

    However, compared to the pressure he had faced under the waterfall, this was nothing.

    The layout of the second floor was similar to the first, but there were still subtle differences. For instance, the copper path was more winding and convoluted. Additionally, there were several large stone objects scattered within two meters of the path.

    Recalling Lin Xiao''s earlier explanation, Tang Yan narrowed his eyes. It was highly likely that the attacks on this floor were coming from these stones.

 Chapter 89

    Without pausing, Tang Yan activated his Shadow Step and swiftly charged forward.

    Crack!

    After just a few steps, the bronze road ahead suddenly sank, revealing a puddle, and over a dozen sharp spikes shot up from below.

    Tang Yan didn¡¯t slow down, his body leaning slightly to the right as he dodged the spikes and jumped past them.

    Crack!

    As soon as he landed, a nearby stone suddenly opened, and six bronze pillars shot up from the ground.

    Tang Yan remained vigilant, noticing the disturbance. As his feet landed, he jumped again, stepping on the top bronze pillar and leaping forward, narrowly avoiding danger.

    At this moment, Tang Yan was full of admiration for the design of the Death Tower. If his reactions had been slower, he would have fallen right into the trap!

    Taking a deep breath and focusing even more, he activated his Shadow Step once again, rushing forward.

    In less than 100 meters, Tang Yan had already encountered eight sinkholes and six consecutive traps.

    Boom!

    After a few more steps, a copper wall, about 1.5 meters tall, suddenly shot up from the bronze path, blocking his way.

    At the same time, Tang Yan¡¯s hair stood on end.

    He quickly grabbed onto the copper wall, using his arms to propel himself up. Just where he had stood moments ago, the ground had caved in, and over a dozen spikes had emerged.

    "Damn!"

    Even though Tang Yan had a strong will, he couldn¡¯t help but curse. If he hadn¡¯t dodged in time, the spikes would have pierced his legs!

    Looking ahead at the few hundred meters left, Tang Yan became even more cautious. Thankfully, there were no more surprises, and he managed to reach the end safely.

    Taking another deep breath, feeling a lingering fear, he looked back at the winding copper path, secretly marveling at the Death Tower. If one¡¯s reactions and strength were not up to par, they would suffer greatly in the second layer.

    Upon reaching the third level, he felt an even stronger pressure pressing down on him. The 15 times gravity made him feel slightly strained.

    Looking around, Tang Yan¡¯s eyes narrowed.

    Ahead, there was still a pool of water, but the winding copper road had disappeared. Instead, there were wooden planks floating on the water.

    The planks varied in size, some as big as a basin, others the size of a bowl, each attached to a thin iron chain below.

    The distance between them was inconsistent, and their positions were scattered without any regularity.

    Scattered rocks of various shapes floated in the water.

    Based on his experience from the second layer, Tang Yan was sure these stones had hidden tricks!You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    Tang Yan¡¯s gaze sharpened as he mentally mapped the positions of the planks. He took a deep breath, fully unleashing his third-grade Xuan Stage cultivation.

    With a sharp shout, his body shot forward like an agile ape, jumping towards one of the wooden planks.

    The moment his feet landed on the board, his heart skipped a beat.

    The once still floating plank began to move!

    Thousands of planks, each moving at different speeds and directions. Some moved in straight lines, some curved, and others suddenly changed direction, heading towards unpredictable spots!

    Tang Yan felt as though countless alpacas were racing inside him. His planned landing points were immediately disrupted!

    Could the designer of this formation be the reincarnation of the Minister of Punishment? What a twisted way to torture people!

    Luckily, Tang Yan was quick on his feet. With a swift motion, he dashed towards a nearby moving plank.

    This time, he was smarter. With a powerful push off the plank, he leapt higher into the air. Being higher up made it easier to choose his landing points.

    Whoosh!

    As he descended, a whistling sound reached his ears, and Tang Yan caught a glimpse of a black shadow rushing towards him.

    Having been through many battles, Tang Yan remained calm.

    He gathered his true energy, turning his body mid-air. The black shadow whizzed past him, and Tang Yan noticed it was a copper ball.

    With his old experience, Tang Yan quickly drew his legs in, and with his toes, he lightly tapped the copper ball.

    Using the force from the tap, his descending body shot forward again.

    Whoosh!

    Before he even landed, another copper ball flew at him. With his previous experience, Tang Yan repeated the same maneuver, stepping on the ball to propel himself forward again.

    After several more repetitions, Tang Yan had moved a full 20 meters ahead!

    Outside the Death Tower.

    The crowd craned their necks, eagerly waiting for Tang Yan to emerge.

    The bookmaker shouted loudly, ¡°Anyone else want to place a bet? We¡¯re closing soon!¡±

    Just as the bets were about to close, a clear voice rang out, ¡°I bet on Young Master Tang winning, 100,000 silver!¡±

    Everyone turned to see the person speaking¡ªa woman with an alluring figure, sharp features, and an air of competence and maturity.

    ¡°Wan Fei!¡± Some people in the crowd exclaimed in surprise.

    Wan Fei was a unique figure among the mercenaries of Fang City.

    She had appeared only six months ago, and no one really knew her background.

    Though a woman, she lived a dangerous life, often walking on the edge of a blade.

    She was fierce, decisive, and capable, with a high success rate in her missions, quickly gaining fame in Fang City.

    About a month and a half ago, Wan Fei had completed a particularly dangerous mission: obtaining the fur of the Giant Wolf King.

    Ordinary giant wolves weren¡¯t very strong, but they attacked in large numbers, and the Giant Wolf King was a real threat, a solid third-grade beast capable of ambushing anyone.

    Even a high-grade Xuan Stage expert would hesitate to challenge a pack of giant wolves, but this woman had braved the dangers of Cangyun Mountain and completed the mission.

    That highly difficult task had earned her widespread recognition.

    People were surprised by her bet. She probably knew nothing about Tang Yan from Cloud City¡ªso why bet on him to win? And not just a small bet, but 100,000 silver?

    Even if she was wealthy, that was still quite extravagant!

    The bookmaker was equally surprised. He hadn¡¯t expected anyone to place a bet at the last moment. He thought the young man would only last a few layers at best, so how could he possibly win?

    Worried that Wan Fei might change her mind, the bookmaker eagerly accepted the bet, grabbed the silver notes, and handed her the betting slip.

    At this point, Lin Xiao and the others were also puzzled. Who was this woman, and why was she betting on Tang Yan?

    ¡°Could she be Tang Yan¡¯s romantic interest?¡± Lin Dongxue suddenly asked, her tone dripping with jealousy.

    Hearing his daughter¡¯s words, Lin Xiao teased, ¡°Why do you care so much? Are you interested in Tang Yan?¡±

    Lin Dongxue¡¯s face turned red, and she glared at her father, annoyed. ¡°Dad, stop talking nonsense!¡±

    ¡°Wan Fei, do you know that young man? Why are you betting such a large sum on him?¡± People in the crowd continued to ask.

    Wan Fei didn¡¯t intend to explain. Her bet on Tang Yan was purely based on her gut feeling¡ªshe just believed he would win. Even though the last time she saw him, his cultivation was only at the Yellow Stage!

    Objectively, Tang Yan was likely at the first grade of the Xuan Stage, but women were often more intuitive, making decisions based on their feelings.

    That day, the mysterious aura Tang Yan exuded, his unique insights into martial techniques, and his generosity in gifting the White Wolf King¡¯s fur had all left a deep impression on Wan Fei.

    She believed in him, so she placed her bet. What¡¯s the problem with that?