Time flew swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, three months had passed. Under Xue Yuhou's guidance during this period, Ye Tian experienced remarkable progress. Not only did his cultivation reach the pinnacle of a Ninth-Level Martial Master, but his combat awareness also surpassed that of Xue Yuhou.
Now, in a battle of equal cultivation, even Xue Yuhou would not be Ye Tian's match. Furthermore, Ye Tian possessed the edge of his blade intent as a secret weapon. It could be said that Ye Tian's strength had multiplied significantly compared to three months ago. According to Xue Yuhou, Ye Tian's current prowess was not much inferior to Liu Bao, akin to a half-step Martial Spirit.
At present, Ye Tian was merely a Ninth-Level Martial Master; should he reach the Tenth Level, he might become the strongest Martial Master, the foremost beneath the Martial Spirits.
"Ye Tian, there is nothing more I can impart to you. The road ahead is yours to tread alone. I hope that when next we meet, you will have ascended to the rank of Martial Spirit," Xue Yuhou said, his face alight with satisfaction as he regarded the blood-robed youth before him, admiration shining in his eyes.
In just three short months of interaction, Ye Tian's burgeoning talent had astonished Xue Yuhou, who predicted that it would not be long before Ye Tian's name resonated throughout the Da Yan Kingdom.
Ye Tian bowed respectfully, his face brimming with confidence. "Rest assured, City Lord, I will not disappoint you!"
"Excellent! I believe you can achieve this. Here is a detailed map of the Da Yan Kingdom; it will aid you in locating the Meteor Mountain Range!" Xue Yuhou nodded with approval, retrieving a thick scroll from within his robes and handing it to Ye Tian.
Ye Tian's eyes lit up with joy as he eagerly accepted the map; it was a valuable asset that would allow him to traverse the Da Yan Kingdom without fear of losing his way.
After expressing his gratitude once more, Ye Tian left the City Lord's residence with the map in hand.
In the following days, Ye Tian bid farewell to the brothers, friends, and elders among the Blood-robed Guards.
They all knew that Ye Tian was going to take part in the assessment of the Divine Star Sect, and once he passed, they might not see him for several years, even a decade, which made their farewells filled with reluctance.
In the largest tavern in Blood Jade City, Ye Tian and his friends celebrated until dawn.
When morning came, however, they found that Ye Tian had vanished. They exchanged glances, a gentle sigh escaping their lips, rendered speechless.
On the walls of Blood Jade City, a delicate figure clad in red swayed with the wind, gazing longingly at the blood-robed youth disappearing into the mountains and forests beyond.
"Hong Wu, it's time to return. He is not of our world. Blood Jade City is merely a fleeting stop in his life; his stage belongs to the Da Yan Kingdom and the Shenzhou continent!" Liu Bao sighed softly, patting Liu Hong Wu on the shoulder.
Liu Hong Wu bit her lip, watching the direction in which Ye Tian had vanished, a sense of melancholy settling over her. She could not explain why the thought of not seeing him for a long time brought a dull ache to her heart, as if she had lost something precious.
...
In the pitch-black night sky, a full moon hung high, casting its cool light upon the earth.
Within the forest, a gentle campfire flickered, while a blood-robed youth leaned against a tree trunk, cradling a rectangular iron box in his arms, gazing dreamily at the star-filled sky.
Ye Tian had been away from Blood Jade City for half a month. Weighed down by the Xuan Iron Battle Knife and traveling on foot, his pace had been slow, but he was now nearing Ye City.
The iron box he held was crafted to conceal the radiance of the Xuan Iron Battle Knife, designed specifically to its dimensions.
After all, carrying a spirit weapon made it hard to avoid attracting attention, and Ye Tian was no fool.
"There are just seven days until the New Year…" Ye Tian murmured softly. This journey to the Meteor Mountain Range might keep him away for some time, and he wanted to cherish the moments spent with his family.
"Eek!"
The little golden mouse emerged from Ye Tian's embrace, fluttering its wings to perch atop his head, mimicking Ye Tian's posture and gazing up at the countless stars.
Ye Tian rolled his eyes, grasped the little golden mouse by its tail, and tossed it aside.
"Eek!"
The little golden mouse glared at Ye Tian, its tiny fists raised in protest, clearly indignant.
...
Three days later, a familiar small town came into view.
It was Ye City!
This ordinary little town was imbued with a sense of familiarity. Ye Tian walked calmly through its streets, feeling the vitality that pulsed within Ye City.
Before long, Ye Meng, Ye Feng, Li Tie, and others arrived to welcome him back to the Ye family.
"小天, your timing is perfect! The New Year is just a few days away; let's gather together as a family," Ye Meng said with a smile.
Ye Tian looked around at the familiar faces; the Ye family had undergone significant transformation over the past two years, evolving from a humble village into a flourishing town, boasting several formidable Martial Masters among them.
All of this progress stemmed from his influence.
Ye Tian even caught glimpses of admiration, respect, envy, and longing in the eyes of many of the Ye family's younger members.
In the days that followed, Ye Tian lived in a tranquil manner, informing the senior members of the Ye family about his impending apprenticeship at the Divine Star Sect.
Though they felt reluctant to see him go, they understood it was a positive opportunity and did not attempt to dissuade him.
During this time, Ye Tian made sure to spend quality moments with his parents, as he had not had many days to be with them since joining the Blood-robed Guards.
Now, as he prepared to join the Divine Star Sect, he feared that future meetings would be even rarer.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
Amidst the joyful cacophony of firecrackers, the residents of Ye City welcomed the New Year, and Ye Tian turned twenty.
At that moment, Ye Tian had shed the youthful, innocent visage of his adolescence, replaced by the vibrant vigor of a burgeoning young man.
On New Year's Eve, the entire Ye City buzzed with a festive atmosphere.
...
Snowflakes danced through the air, the biting chill freezing the ground, blanketing the world in pristine white, transforming heaven and earth into a sea of white.
On the wide official road outside the city, a blood-robed youth trudged onward, bearing a large rectangular iron box upon his back, perspiration trickling down his face as if he were in the sweltering heat of summer.
This was Ye Tian, who had departed from Ye City; at that moment, burdened with the Xuan Iron Battle Knife, each step felt as if he were carrying an immense weight, causing the ground to tremble beneath his feet.
His unusual gait naturally drew the curious gazes of passersby, yet Ye Tian remained unfazed, continuing onward alone.
"Boom!"
At last, Ye Tian could bear it no longer; he set the iron box down and sat atop it to rest.
"Haah... I'm utterly exhausted, but the results are indeed remarkable!" Ye Tian gasped for breath, his body weary yet his heart brimming with delight.
Carrying the mysterious iron blade daily had accelerated Ye Tian's absorption of the world's spiritual energy, propelling his cultivation to new heights. Moreover, once he set down the heavy weapon, he felt an exhilarating lightness, as if his speed had notably increased.
It was akin to the weighted training he had undergone in his previous life, yielding equally impressive results. Each time he pushed himself to the limit, he found himself recovering swiftly, with his essence invigorated significantly.
Although he had yet to ascend to the tenth level of martial mastery, the quantity of his true essence was not significantly less than that of a fully realized tenth-level master.
Approximately half an hour later, Ye Tian fully replenished his true essence. He slowly opened his eyes, a fleeting spark of brilliance igniting within as he surveyed the small city before him.
It was termed a "small city" because it was considerably smaller than Blood Jade City, though it outshone Ye City to some extent. According to the map provided by Xue Yuhao, Ye Tian discerned that this quaint settlement was named "Liu City," governed by a lord known as Liu Yuan, who was a half-step Martial Spirit.
Though Liu City was modest in size, it boasted a large population, even more than that of Blood Jade City. Its proximity to the Beast Mountain Range attracted countless adventurers and bloodthirsty hunters seeking fortune and glory.
As Ye Tian trudged through the bustling streets, he listened to the conversations of nearby warriors discussing which tavern served the finest liquor, which brothel housed the most captivating women, and where the mightiest beasts had been sighted.
"According to the map, beyond Liu City lies the Meteor Mountain Range. With half a year remaining until the trial at the Star Gate, I shall cultivate in the Beast Mountain Range until I reach the tenth level of martial mastery, before making my way to the Meteor Mountain Range for the assessment!" Ye Tian contemplated.
Though he had never witnessed the trials at the Star Gate, he speculated they would be no simple feat. Strengthening his abilities would undoubtedly enhance his chances of being accepted.
Ye Tian was a man of strategy; he would not foolishly rush into the Meteor Mountain Range and wait for the trial. Instead, he preferred to hone his skills amidst the beasts, potentially reaping significant rewards.
Having found a modest inn, Ye Tian settled in. After enjoying a hearty dinner, he placed the iron box upon the bed and sat cross-legged atop it, commencing his cultivation.
As he activated the Blood Demon Transformation, his pores opened wide, and waves of pure spiritual energy surged toward him from all directions, evoking an intoxicating sense of comfort that elicited soft moans of pleasure.
The weariness dissipated entirely, and his true essence surged. Ye Tian began to focus on breaking through to the next acupoint.
At this moment, over three hundred of his acupoints were already unblocked, shimmering like a starry sky.
"Just twelve more acupoints, and I shall ascend to the tenth level of martial mastery!" He inhaled deeply, channeling his crimson true essence toward one of the dimmer acupoints.
The process was slow and meticulous. Ye Tian persevered through the night, and although he did not completely unlock the acupoint, he made tangible progress.
As the silent night quietly flowed into dawn, when sunlight streamed through the cracks in the window, Ye Tian slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint igniting in his gaze.
With his breathing gradually stabilizing, the faint crimson glow enveloping him began to wane.
"Today, I shall venture into the Beast Mountain Range. I've heard tales of powerful beasts at the Martial Spirit and even Martial Monarch levels dwelling within. I wonder if the rumors hold any truth!"
A hint of anticipation danced across Ye Tian's features, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
After a hurried wash, he slung the heavy iron box over his shoulder and departed the inn.