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This was his official reason, but in truth, Yan Xiaobao had no intention of stepping onto the national stage. Although he was renowned in Liluo City, it was rely one of the many cities in the Sun Kingdom. When a new genius erges, this phenonon is quite common. Unfortunately, there are countless talented clouds in the sky.
The Rong twins and Gao Yan were both selected for the national competition. They perford brilliantly in their battles, yet Yan Xiaobao enjoyed his training ti at the academy, showing no trace of jealousy upon seeing their prizes.
The excitent of the competition lasted throughout the winter. As the snow lted and cold weather faded, spring returned once more. Years passed, and Yan Xiaobao remained focused on cultivating his Qi, aiming to reach the rank of Master.
At the age of sixteen, Deng Wu had already broken into the Master Rank, an achievent that shocked all of Liluo City. His elental affinity had evolved into tal and earth; though he could not beco an Alchemist, he still strived to beco a chronicler.
This astonishing feat led the city into celebratory festivities lasting an entire week, as they witnessed the birth of a true genius. A genius who might one day ascend to the rank of Saint.
Though geniuses, like clouds in the sky, were plentiful, those who could rise to join the Saints Team were exceedingly rare. This was indeed worth celebrating.
A year later, at the age of seventeen, another breakthrough ca—this ti from Gao Yan. It shocked everyone, for they all knew his cultivation base had been shattered. He was now hailed as yet another unparalleled talent of the younger generation.
The ergence of these two geniuses quickly caused everyone in Liluo City to forget about Yan Xiaobao entirely. Even Wang Rulong faded from mory as the two young n ascended to the Master Rank.
Ma Kong and the Rong twins remained at the healer-level Ninth Star rank, as did the fifteen-year-old Hui Yue.
Although Yan Xiaobao had also reached the Ninth Star healer-level rank, this achievent was not uncommon in Liluo City. anwhile, due to the extended absence of any extraordinary experts, Hui Yue’s fa gradually waned.
Gusts of wind swept through the barren streets of Liluo City. Everything was cloaked in darkness; a scattering of stars and the moon cast dim light upon the narrow alleys. This allowed a minimal glow to reach the filthy roads—paths that were bustling with life during daylight hours, but now were utterly deserted.
Typically, the windows of the houses would shine brightly, offering flickers of light to the few passersby outside. But tonight, there was none—not even last month—for sothing terrible had befallen Liluo City.
A month ago, seven corpses were discovered in one of the poorer districts. None were left intact; instead, they had been butchered. So had their heads severed, while others were missing limbs. Examining the area, it was evident this was a one-sided slaughter, and could not be deed a proper fight.
It wasn’t the only occurrence. A week later, another district of Liluo City faced similar atrocities—this ti, ten people were slaughtered. The dead were all rcenaries or guards from middle-class or poorer families, hardworking n who labored by day. Yet, the reason behind their murders remained a mystery.
The City Lord deployed additional guards at night to hunt down the culprit, but no arrests were made. He even tried interrogating families who had lost fathers or sons, but none could provide information about their recent activities. No clues surfaced to explain the cases.
These events heightened Liluo City’s vigilance. No one knew whether the person walking beside them might be the killer, nor why these targeted individuals were butchered together. Especially in the poorer districts shaken by the calamities, as soon as the sun set, everyone retreated indoors.
Such was the case tonight. In the darkness, a figure suddenly erged from a closed door, descending quiet steps. His form concealed itself within the shadows, evading the patrol of city guards combing the area.
The moon broke free from the clouds, illuminating the street in soft, silvery light.
The shadow belonged to a young man. His hair seed white, yet streaks and patches of black ran through it like flowing drops of water in the rain. His face was beautiful but cold, harshly etched with an icy expression, his eyes glimring with resolved determination. In his slender hand was a pearl-white sword, forged from pure Qilin. Yet even the blade dripped with thick, crimson blood.
Behind the shadow, another grisly discovery unfolded—a dozen mutilated bodies, dismbered in the sa fashion as before. A group of guards stumbled upon the carnage, shivering at the precision of the cuts.
The young man disappeared into the shadows, returning to a nearby inn. He left his companions behind, unnoticed as he ascended from the entrance to the second floor.
"Yan Xiaobao!" Sha Yun cried out in shock upon seeing the blood-stained clothes. The contrast between the young man’s pale skin and hair and the crimson stains created an unsettling image. Her expression, initially one of concern, twisted into fury as a roaring sound erupted from her throat.
Before retreating to the bathroom, Yan Xiaobao offered a faint smile and calmly waved his hand. Monts later, the sound of running water echoed as he cleansed the blood from his body and his clothes.
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