Xian Yu ventured deep into the jungle. It was nighttime, and along the way, he had slain several beasts. He cooked and ate their meat before sitting down, gazing up at the sky filled with bright stars. A sense of peace washed over him as he admired the night sky.
As he reflected on his battle with the bandits, he realized, It wasn't an easy fight. I was lucky this time, but I can't rely on luck forever. I need to master movement techniques.
Taking out the Crimson Gale Steps, he flipped through the pages. This technique had a total of four forms: Whispering Frost, Gale Mirage, Phantom Tempest, Eternal Glacier Step. Even the first form seemed incredibly difficult yet powerful. Xian Yu was astonished. Did the Blood Emperor create this technique? This is too powerful. If I master it, I won't have to worry about numbers in battle ever again, he thought excitedly. Determined, he resolved to learn and master the technique as soon as possible.
The Next Morning
Xian Yu prepared a training field by placing numerous trees and bamboo at specific locations to practice Whispering Frost, the first form. This form allowed the user's movements to become light and silent, leaving behind a faint chill. Their steps would reduce friction, enabling them to glide effortlessly while making it difficult for enemies to track them.
To enhance his training, he scattered leaves near the trees and bamboo, using them as indicators of his presence. With confidence and dedication, he began practicing.
10 Days Later
Xian Yu moved between the trees and bamboo without disturbing a single leaf. He sped through obstacles seamlessly, his steps as light as the wind.
"I've finally mastered the first form—Whispering Frost!" he exclaimed excitedly. A sense of confidence filled him.
If I were to fight those 100 bandits again, they wouldn't even realize when their heads hit the ground...
Wanting to test his abilities, he ventured deeper into the forest in search of beasts.
While searching for beasts, Xian Yu stumbled upon a group of people. Hiding behind a tree, he listened closely.
"Second Young Master is truly powerful! Hahaha! Killing an Intermediate Martial Warrior beast despite being just a Beginner Martial Warrior—I've followed the right person!" said a tall and bulky man.
"You overpraise me, Mr. Rong," a young man in his twenties said, laughing.
"Second Young Master will definitely be the next patriarch of the Mu Family. We are forever grateful and will follow Second Young Master to the end!" the group declared, showering Mu Bahai—the Second Young Master of the Mu Family—with praise.
"So they're from the Mu Family," Xian Yu thought. He had no interest in getting involved with such families and was about to leave when something made his blood boil.
"Hahaha! After destroying the Whispering Sect, the Azure Sect has promised to give our Mu Family one of their spiritual ore mines. Since I was the one who secured this deal, my father will definitely recognize my contributions!" Mu Bahai laughed arrogantly.
The Azure Sect… The Mu Family…
Xian Yu's anger surged. Without hesitation, he stepped out in front of Mu Bahai.
"Who are you? How dare you stand before Young Master Mu Bahai?! Scram now, and we might spare your life!" several guards threatened in turn.
Mu Bahai's face turned pale. "Xian… Yu…? But how is this possible?" He was speechless. He still remembered the Whispering Sect's destruction, and their superior had confirmed Xian Yu's death. Yet here he was—alive, healthy, and stronger than ever.
Seeing Mu Bahai's stunned expression, Mu Rong, the tall and bulky man, assumed Xian Yu was an enemy. Without hesitation, he launched a punch at him.
Xian Yu easily blocked the attack and, in a single swift motion, sliced off Mu Rong's arm.
"Weak. Get lost," Xian Yu said coldly.
Mu Rong let out a bloodcurdling scream. "AHHHH! I'll kill you...!"
"Mr. Mu Rong!" Several people were startled. Mu Rong was a Perfected Martial Warrior, yet he was defeated so easily.
"So, the Mu Family is part of this too?" Xian Yu's piercing gaze locked onto Mu Bahai.
Still in shock, Mu Bahai stammered, "H-How did you survive, Xian Yu?" He couldn't believe it. There was no way someone could escape the Azure Sect's slaughter, yet Xian Yu stood before him, stronger than before. He knew he wasn't even as strong as the Lead Disciple of the Whispering Sect back then.
"Everyone, kill him! I want him dead, no matter what!" Mu Bahai screamed in panic.
His followers rushed at Xian Yu all at once.
Xian Yu smirked. "Hmph. Just one Perfected Martial Warrior and a few beginners? Laughable."
With a single thrust of his blade, he unleashed Blazing Fang, cutting down everyone instantly.
Mu Bahai was horrified.
"M-Martial Master…?! When did you reach that level?!"
He trembled in fear. Xian Yu was a Beginner Martial Master, while he was only a Beginner Martial Warrior—a gap of two entire major realms. There was no hope for him.
"L-Leave me alone! If you spare me, the Mu Family will forget all of this! But if you kill me, they will hunt you down!" Mu Bahai stammered desperately.
Xian Yu laughed coldly.
"The Mu Family, the Azure Sect, and I—Xian Yu—cannot exist under the same sky. You think I'll let you go? Don't worry… The Mu Family and the Azure Sect will soon follow you into the afterlife."
A flash of steel.
Mu Bahai's head rolled onto the ground.
"The Mu Family… The Azure Sect…"
Xian Yu clenched his fists, his rage still burning. He looted the storage rings of Mu Bahai and Mu Rong. The others had nothing of value.
After searching the rings, he found 10,000 low-grade spiritual stones.
Organizing his spoils, he let Ebon Blade devour the corpses. With no reason to stay, he turned and walked deeper into the Shadowveil Jungle.