The next day.
Outside the Mountain Gate of the Cyan Nether Sword Sect!
White Cloud Peak, the Golden Holy Dragon, Feng Xue Xin, Luoo Xiaoguai, Tie Shou, and the other powerhouses of the Wind and Snow Association, as well as the disciples who knew Hong Yu, were all standing in neat rows outside the Mountain Gate.
Feng Xue Xin said gravely, "Are you really leaving?"
Hong Yu nodded. "I originally joined the Sword Sect to find a way to cure Yaoyao, and that matter is now resolved. Next, I must set out to find my own path."
"I heard from Elder Bai that you're going to participate in the Southern Border Holy Assembly. If that's the case, why not stay in the Sword Sect? We can fight side by side, and with your strength, you're sure to shine in the Southern Ten Nations Alliance!" Luoo Xiaoguai said.
Tie Shou nodded as well. "With your strength, you could definitely make it into the top ten. Then you'd naturally be able to go to the Xiahuang Ancient Kingdom and participate in the Ancient Kingdom's talent competition!"
Feng Xue Xin didn't say anything, just watched Hong Yu quietly.
Hong Yu grinned. "Don't worry. Even if I've left the Cyan Nether Sword Sect, we'll all still be friends. We may not be able to fight side-by-side, but I believe that a year from now, we will definitely et again at the Southern Ten Nations Alliance's martial gathering!"
In truth, there was sothing else Hong Yu left unsaid.
His ambitions weren't limited to just the Southern Ten Nations.
They weren't even limited to the Southern Border Profound Domain!
His goals were greater, higher, and farther-reaching...
If he were to voice this goal now, everyone present would probably think he was delusional!
He was accustod to keeping his unfinished goals in his heart, not parading them around like slogans.
Luoo Xiaoguai and Tie Shou were still trying to persuade him.
Only White Cloud Peak and Feng Xue Xin remained silent. The forr knew what Hong Yu truly sought and desired, so he naturally wouldn't intervene.
Feng Xue Xin, however, was lost in his own thoughts. He watched Hong Yu silently for a long while before suddenly taking out a Storage Ring and tossing it to him. "In here is so roasted at I stayed up all night making. It should be enough to last you for a while."
"Brother Xin!"
A grateful look flashed in Hong Yu's eyes.
Feng Xue Xin waved his hand dismissively. "Don't get all sentintal with thank-yous. If you're really grateful, then cultivate well. A year from now, at the Southern Ten Nations Alliance's martial gathering, give a satisfying fight!"
After a pause, Feng Xue Xin added, "Not being able to fight you in the promotion tournant was a great regret of mine!"
Hong Yu was taken aback.
He couldn't help but sigh with emotion...
He recalled a ti when he had watched Feng Xue Xin slay the Dominating Demon Ape, feeling such amazent that all he could do was look up to him.
Now, with the passage of ti, he was already standing on the sa level as Feng Xue Xin.
For a mont, Hong Yu thought of his master White Cloud Peak's assessnt, and a fire ignited in his heart. 'Ranked outside the top million in the Xiahuang Ancient Kingdom? I can't be satisfied with a Level like that!'
After the pleasantries, Hong Yu cupped his fist to the crowd. "Everyone, farewell!"
"Take care!"
"Brother Hong, you have to co back and visit us!"
"Brother Hong, you'll always be the strongest! We'll be waiting for you to shine at the Southern Ten Nations Alliance martial gathering a year from now!"
Everyone chid in at once.
Hong Yu laughed heartily. "Alright! In one year, we'll et again at the Southern Ten Nations Alliance martial gathering!"
"See you in a year!"
Hong Yu vaulted onto the Golden Holy Dragon, and his master White Cloud Peak also sat serenely on its back. Once they were both seated, the Golden Holy Dragon beneath them let out a resounding Dragon's Roar. With a SHWOOSH, it beat its wings, soared high into the air, and flew off toward the horizon.
Gazing at Hong Yu's departing figure, Feng Xue Xin and the others fell silent.
After a long while...
A low mutter escaped Luoo Xiaoguai's lips. The Chief Disciple's voice was tinged with a hint of wistfulness and emotion. "I have a feeling... a year from now, our Junior Brother Hong is going to give us a huge surprise!"
"I think so too!"
Tie Shou nodded.
A faint smile played on Feng Xue Xin's lips. At so point, a golden roasted chicken leg had appeared in his hand. He tore off a large piece of fragrant at with a bite, a fla of battle slowly kindling in his eyes.
「anwhile, within the main peak of the Cyan Nether Sword Sect.」
Inside a gloomy mansion, Hong Gang kept his head bowed as he reported through the door, "Brother Jie, Hong Yu and Elder Bai have left the Sword Sect!"
"I know. You may leave."
A sinister voice drifted out from within the room.
Hong Gang hesitated for a mont but ultimately withdrew.
Inside the room...
It was pitch-black. A young man in a silver robe slowly raised his eyes—a pair of blood-red eyes, gleaming as if filled with blood.
He licked his lips, a Bloodthirsty expression on his face, his eyes filled with madness and venom. "Hong Yu? Heh heh heh, you actually destroyed this venerable one's true body and wiped out my Primordial Spirit Realm cultivation, forcing to possess this little brat nad Hong Renjie to be reborn. Heh heh heh, just you wait. This venerable one will definitely return. The day my cultivation is restored will be the day your nightmare begins!"
"Hong Renjie" let out a sinister laugh and slowly bent down.
On the dark floor, an Outer Disciple was curled up, looking at Hong Renjie in terror and letting out whimpering pleas.
"Hong Renjie," however, just grinned and opened his mouth, biting down on the Outer Disciple's neck.
Blood spattered. The Outer Disciple struggled a few tis, and their body gradually withered.
A layer of bloody light enveloped Hong Renjie.
It was an exceptionally eerie sight in the pitch-black Quiet Chamber...
"Heh heh heh, Hong Yu, oh, Hong Yu... this venerable one will definitely be back!"
...
Xifeng City, a major town located on the border of the Fengyue Kingdom, adjacent to the Qin Kingdom.
A few dozen li outside the city...
A massive Golden Holy Dragon descended from the sky. Hong Yu leaped from the Holy Dragon's back to the ground and looked up at White Cloud Peak on its back. "Master, are you really going back?"
"Yes."
White Cloud Peak smiled and nodded. "I grew up in the Cyan Nether Sword Sect since I was a child. This is my ho. It may have many dark and imperfect aspects, but that will never change the fact that it is my ho. Now that the Demon Owl is dead, my great vengeance has been achieved, and a long-held wish has been fulfilled. From now on, I will live out my remaining years in peace within the Sword Sect!"
"Please take care of yourself, Master!"
Hong Yu said.
White Cloud Peak chuckled. "You too. Work hard! If you really can't take it out there anymore, if you get tired, the gates of the Cyan Nether Sword Sect will always be open for you. I will always be there, waiting for you!"
Warmth spread through Hong Yu's heart.
If there was anything in the Cyan Nether Sword Sect he couldn't bear to leave behind, it was probably White Cloud Peak.
The Golden Holy Dragon beat its wings and soared away.
Hong Yu stood there quietly for a long ti, watching his master disappear into the distance. Only when he could no longer see any trace of him did he finally withdraw his gaze and walk toward Xifeng City.
'Xifeng City is adjacent to the Qin Kingdom. Once I pass through here, I'll have entered its borders.'
Hong Yu's mind churned as he walked.
After a night of contemplation, he had finally decided to leave the Cyan Nether Sword Sect and the Fengyue Kingdom.
First, he had offended too many people in the Cyan Nether Sword Sect. Even with his master, White Cloud Peak, protecting him, that kind of environnt was not conducive to his cultivation.
Second, his cultivation was currently stuck at the Peak of Earth Soul Realm. If he wanted to advance further, his only option was to find the *Celestial Soul Nine Refinents*.
Currently, the only place known to possess the *Celestial Soul Nine Refinents* Secret Manual was the Qin Royal Family!
Thus, his first stop after leaving the Fengyue Kingdom would naturally be the Qin Kingdom.
As for the third and most important point...
That one sentence from White Cloud Peak had spurred Hong Yu on.
Not even being able to rank in the top million of the Xiahuang Ancient Kingdom—this was sothing Hong Yu simply couldn't accept. At the sa ti, it filled him with greater hope and longing to see the geniuses of the outside world.
As he walked, the enormous city walls of Xifeng City gradually ca into view.
Because it was a border town between two kingdoms, Xifeng City's security was extrely strict. Hong Yu had long since taken off his Cyan Nether Sword Sect Sword Robe and changed into his favorite black martial attire. As a result, he received no special treatnt along the way and naturally had to submit to the guards' inspection.
"You can go."
The guard searched Hong Yu carefully, then nodded.
Hong Yu smiled and walked past.
Its geographical position as a major town on the border of two kingdoms made Xifeng City extrely prosperous. Industries like taverns, restaurants, armories, and Pill shops were all flourishing.
As it was lunchti, Hong Yu decided to find a tavern to satisfy his hunger.
After all, once he left Xifeng City and entered the Qin Kingdom, there was no telling how long it would be before he encountered another city. By then, he would be reduced to eating dry rations.
"West Wind Tower. This place will do."
Hong Yu chose a nearby tavern. Just as he was about to enter, he heard a commotion from inside. "Get out, get out, get the hell out! Ma Le Gobi, is a stinking beggar looking to die by coming to our West Wind Tower? Scram..."
Three or four burly n were shoving a shabbily dressed boy of about seven or eight.
The boy was gaunt. Shoved by the big n, he stumbled and tumbled down the five steps, getting scraped up and bloodied. But he continued to beg bitterly, "Good sirs, I'm begging you, please be kind! My mother hasn't eaten in three days! Please, I'm begging you, just give a little food!"
The young beggar was rail-thin, just skin and bones from hunger, looking as if a gust of wind could knock him over.
But the burly n showed not a shred of pity. They rained down punches and kicks, each blow landing solidly, making the boy cry out in pain. Still, he stubbornly kept pleading, "Please, stop hitting ! Just give so food! I only need one stead bun! I can work for you! If my mother doesn't eat soon, she'll starve to death."
The little beggar's voice was filled with a heartbreaking despair and helplessness.
One of the brutes grabbed him and lifted him up. "Damn it, you shaless little shit! You don't get to choose where you beg! This is the West Wind Tower. Do you think a place like this is for you?"
As he spoke, the brute raised his palm, as large as a plantain leaf, and swung it for a huge slap.
This man had clearly practiced the Martial Dao. Though his skill wasn't profound, he still possessed the strength of the Third Layer of the Essence Realm.
That slap carried at least three hundred jin of force. It could bend a steel pipe, let alone this frail little beggar.
If that slap landed, it would surely take a life!
Watching the palm descend, a flash of despair and unwillingness flickered in the little beggar's listless eyes. He slowly closed them as a single tear rolled down his cheek. "Mother, your son is useless. I couldn't bring food back for you..."
"Quit your fucking pity party! I'm not falling for that shit!"
The brute sneered, his palm about to strike the little beggar's face.
But just as it was about to land, a fair hand suddenly shot out from the side, gripping the brute's arm like an iron vice. A calm voice sounded in his ear, causing the brute's fleshy face to twist into a ferocious scowl...
"He's just a child. Is there any need to be so harsh?"
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