Sky Soul Mountain! . . .
"Every feast must eventually conclude. Both you and your son are well on the path to recovery. It's only a matter of time until you're fully healed. My presence here no longer serves a purpose," Cha Eun Xiao said with his characteristic lack of fuss.
Shangguan Zhuifeng wasn't one to nitpick. He, however, had one lingering question. "Wait a moment, please. There's something I've wanted to ask you, Brother Cha. I was just hesitant before. I wonder... which of the two honorable brothers was your..."
Cha Eun Xiao, atop Darky, stared at Shangguan Zhuifeng, his gaze tinged with an eerie chill. After a pause, he responded blandly, "Shangguan, the traitors among you have been purged. Nevertheless, I doubt they acted alone to inflict such damage upon you. You are better aware than I of what lies beyond. Take care. Perhaps our paths will cross again. As for my true identity, you shall know when the time is right. Rest assured, once you discover who I am, you'll be astonished."
With that cryptic response, Cha Eun Xiao spurred Darky into a gallop, disappearing into the horizon, leaving Shangguan Zhuifeng trembling and on the verge of an epiphany he dared not fully embrace.
A profoundly unsettling thought had crossed his mind, one too horrendous to express or explore. Instead, he buried the notion deep within his heart.
In a decisive move, Shangguan Zhuifeng issued an order to Black Cavalry Alliance. "In regards to Brother Cha, not a word shall be spoken. His identity must remain concealed. Anyone who divulges even the slightest detail about him, shall meet their demise along with their entire family."
This directive bewildered the members of the alliance, but they refrained from questioning the chief's authority. Most surmised that Shangguan Zhuifeng aimed to safeguard Cha Eun Xiao from potential threats, given his expertise in crafting valuable dan beads, a skill that made him vulnerable to exploitation.
However, a select few who had served Shangguan Zhuifeng for years detected a subtle difference in his demeanor. They discerned that he wasn't acting out of fear or concern but was instead radiating excitement and exhilaration—a state he only entered when confident of imminent victory in an impending battle.
Cha Eun Xiao, accompanied by Darky and Erhuo sitting atop his head, resumed his journey toward Sky Soul Mountain. His month-long voyage had been riddled with encounters with bandits and thieves, a testament to the tumultuous nature of the Qing-Yun Realm's martial world, which proved more challenging than the Land of Han-Yang.
Cha Eun Xiao certainly desired to avoid confrontations with these individuals, but circumstances occasionally left him with no alternative. Consequently, he would engage in combat if he believed victory was assured. Otherwise, he would take flight. His unmatched speed, while operating the One Laughter in Skyline technique, ensured that the figures inhabiting this realm remained a futile pursuit, unable to keep pace with him.
He reasoned that he would strive to evade most of the skirmishes, even if it meant confronting challenges along the way. It was a grim reminder that, despite less than two years spent away from the realm, the martial world had devolved into a state of heightened chaos. This chaos bore little resemblance to the relatively peaceful journey he had undertaken during his previous life as the renowned Xiao Monarch, traversing the land at blinding speeds.
Cha Clan knew that the present Cha Eun Xiao was far from his former glory. Now, even the lowliest of antagonists dared to provoke him. He lamented the transformation in human nature over time, and found solace in acknowledging his own diminished strength.
Nonetheless, these frequent skirmishes on the road brought unexpected advantages, albeit at the expense of time he could have spent resting or appreciating the scenery. A string of consecutive battles propelled him to the fourth level of Dream Origin Stage. Astonishingly, he had unintentionally bypassed two intermediate levels. As his cultivation capacity improved, he detected the awakening of the East-rising Purple Qi, particularly after reaching the third level.
This abrupt transformation was marked by an overabundance of purple qi flooding his body, bordering on 'excessive.' With the potential to utilize the breakthrough for the East-rising Purple Qi upgrade, he aimed to ascend to the upper phase of the second degree, or even advance to the late phase of Purple Qi Descends. His cultivation foundation needed to be unwaveringly firm to maximize his chances of success during the East-rising Purple Qi surge.
Cha Eun Xiao perceived that his Dream Origin Stage, Dao Origin Stage, and other foundational stages were of little consequence compared to the East-rising Purple Qi's true essence. Only the East-rising Purple Qi possessed the potential to unlock the core of his power.
Ultimately, he stood on the precipice of Sky Soul Mountain, surveying the dense clouds enshrouding the mountainside. A deep frown crossed his face, and a menacing aura engulfed him as he ventured toward his destination.