Yun Xiu's eyes widened as she took in the chaotic scene before her: Su Yan pinning Ling Huo to the ground. Before she could react, an angry shout cut through the air.
"You girl! What are you doing? Leave my son!" It was none other than the head of the Ling family, Ling Sho.
"Sect Master Yun, is this how you treat your guests?" Ling Sho demanded, his voice seething with indignation.
Yun Xiu remained silent, uncertain of the situation. She glanced at Su Yan, silently asking for an explanation.
Su Yan, still holding Ling Huo down, finally released him and saluted Yun Xiu before recounting the events.
"Ling Huo ambushed us and tried to kill Hun Yu," Su Yan explained.
The moment Hun Yu's name was mentioned, Yun Xiu's expression darkened. Without waiting to hear more, she summoned her sword.
It pierced through the hearts of the two figures who had previously restrained Hun Yu. Her blade stopped just an inch from Ling Huo's heart, halted by the sudden appearance of the Great Elder.
"What is the meaning of this, Great Elder?" Yun Xiu demanded, her voice cold as ice. She noticed Ling Sho had also jumped to his son's side, sensing her genuine killing intent.
"Sect Master Yun, I believe we can negotiate. There's no need to worsen relations between the Sky Wind Sect and the Ling family over a disciple," the Great Elder said, attempting to placate her.
Her killing intent only intensified, her face like frost, as she aimed her gaze at the Great Elder.
Sweat broke out on his forehead, and he turned to the other family heads for support, but they averted their eyes, unwilling to intervene.
Seeing no help coming, he fell silent. The old man spoke up instead.
"Sect Master, he will be punished according to sect rules. There's no need for you to take action," the Great Elder said.
Su Yan, standing nearby, clenched her teeth, feeling betrayed by her own grandfather.
"Oh, I just want to set an example of what happens when you break the rules.
Do you have any objections?" Yun Xiu's voice dripped with icy authority as the oppressive pressure of a Fourth-rank High Lord Realm cultivator descended on them, making their faces pale.
"Sect Master Yun, I don't think there's any need for violence. We can talk this matter out." Suddenly, the Guardian arrived, canceling Yun Xiu's oppressive pressure with his own.
Ling Sho's eyes lit up with hope. Only the Guardian could save him and his son now.
Hun Yu, sensing the tense situation, moved to Yun Xiu's side. "Sect Master, I think we should settle this with some punishment," he whispered, so only she could hear.
He knew that continuing the conflict could have ugly consequences, and it was essential to de-escalate.
Though Yun Xiu wanted to execute both father and son, she nodded, understanding the bigger picture. "Ling Sho, punish your son in front of everyone.
Break his bones to show the consequences of his actions." Ling Sho's face turned white, and he looked desperately at the Guardian.
"I think that's not too much," the old Guardian said, knowing that avoiding a fight would be difficult and needing to choose his actions carefully.
With no other options, Ling Sho reluctantly obeyed. He turned to Ling Huo, and soon, the air was filled with the sound of screams.
The crowd dispersed, leaving only Hun Yu and Yun Xiu. Yun Xiu had sent Su Yan away.
Yun Xiu glanced around to ensure they were alone, then turned to Hun Yu with and removed her veil and her face was finally visible the expression on her face was of concern.
"Are you injured? Are you hurt anywhere?" she asked, trying to maintain her authoritative demeanor.
Hun Yu was momentarily confused. Was the Sect Master really so concerned about him? Then he remembered Su Yan's words about how much the Sect Master valued him. He fell silent, doubting his own worth.
Seeing Hun Yu lost in thought, Yun Xiu waved her hand in front of his eyes to snap him out of it. As he came back to the present, he quickly replied, "No, Miss Yun. I'm not injured. I'm absolutely fine."
She examined him, finding no visible injuries. "Let's go back," she said. As usual, she grabbed Hun Yu by the collar and flew towards the house.
"You cause so much trouble," she muttered under her breath, but Hun Yu didn't hear her.
As they arrived, Hun Yu felt as if he were forgetting something. Finally, he remembered... Yun Xiu's pink fox pet.
"Miss Yun Xiu, where is that pink fox? I haven't seen it since the fight with that powerful prana beast," he said.
Yun Xiu's face turned white. She quickly took out a ring, and in the next second, the cute pink fox emerged from it, looking like it had been sleeping for a long time.
It opened its eyes, the first thing it saw being Hun Yu and Yun Xiu.
Though it might sound foolish, Yun Xiu had completely forgotten about the fox after putting it in the ring. If not for Hun Yu's reminder, who knows when she would have remembered.
Su Yan and Yu Mei arrived shortly after. As soon as they saw the fox, they started playing with it, and surprisingly, the fox played back.
Yun Xiu watched the scene with a small smile. She then turned to Hun Yu, her expression turning serious. "I am leaving for Moon Herb City, and you will be coming with me," she announced.
"Don't ask why I'm taking you with me," she added.
Hun Yu nodded, having no reason to refuse. He had heard that Moon Herb City was famous for its alchemists, with many of them residing there.
It was also one of the top three cities in the empire.
Given that His physique trying to awaken but failing due to low energy, he might find something useful there.
"So, when are we going?" he asked.
"We are leaving now," she replied. She instructed Su Yan to train Yu Mei while she was away. Then, as usual, she grabbed Hun Yu by the collar and flew with him toward Moon Herb City. She decided to leave the fox behind.
As they were flying toward the city, Hun Yu called out, "System, show me the information panel."
[ Information Panel ]
Name: Hun Yu
Age: 20
Gender: Male
Clan/Sect: Assistant of the Beautiful Sect Master
Title: Handsome face? Nah, I like a burned face! (Increased Charm When Face is Hidden)
Cultivation Level: Tempering Body 3 (+)
Physique:
- Body Constitution: ???
- Strength: Above +8 average civilian (More Power Than 8 Humans Combined)
Elemental Affinity: Unknown (Revealed upon reaching (Elementalist realm)
Techniques:
- Strikes of 7 Hell and Heaven (Mid - Bronze)
- Water Flow Sword Dance (Low - Silver)
Special Ability:
- Empathic Healing
Special Items:
- Chains Of Oblivion
}
Hun Yu glanced at his cultivation progress, which stubbornly remained at level 3.
Despite the increase in his strength, he sighed. Even with the top-notch cultivation technique Yun Xiu had given him, his progress was slow. Was this what they called a talent issue?
He closed his eyes, placing his hopes in the unknown physique within him. Otherwise, at this rate, he was doomed to stagnation.
A more pressing concern lingered in the back of his mind: the possibility that news of his true identity, as the last surviving bloodline of the ancient empire's imperial family, might spread.
Though people here seemed Not aware of Existence Of Ancient Empire. But that was a problem for the future. If someone came for him, he wouldn't go down without a fight.
As he cleared his thoughts, he looked around and saw the outline of a city in the distance. They reached it in about 30 minutes, thanks to Yun Xiu's incredible speed.
Soon, they landed near the city. He hadn't even noticed that Yun Xiu had already concealed herself, with only her eyes visible.
He, on the other hand, wore a mask, so there was no need for further concealment.
As they approached the entrance, they were allowed to enter without any problems.
Hun Yu followed Yun Xiu silently. After some walking, they stood before a giant building, the air filled with the scent of herbs and medicine.
He read the sign above the entrance: "Alchemist Pavilion."
Are they looking for some kind of pill? he wondered as they stood at the entrance.
"Move! The Princess is coming!" a sudden shout from a guard made everyone clear the way.
In the next moment, a young woman, around 19 years old, with long, flowing black hair cascading down her back, appeared.
Her pure white skin contrasted beautifully with her luxurious royal attire. She was dressed in an elegant, ornate robe befitting a princess.
Hun Yu watched from the side, it was his first time seeing an empire princess up close.
As she walked out of the Alchemist Pavilion, her gaze briefly turned to Hun Yu, who stood out wearing his mask.
Though she noticed him, she paid little attention and continued walking, her guards following closely behind.