Revenge

Within the City Lord's Mansion of Jiuyuan City, Profound Spirit Dynasty.

Zeng Fan and his group followed the officer slowly into the City Lord's Mansion. Though the mansion did not cover much ground, its pavilions and towers were arranged in pleasing layers, with artificial hills and pools all present. It had a certain quiet charm amid the bustle.

Following the bluestone path, the group arrived at the Reception Hall. The officer asked them to wait while he went to report to the City Lord.

Everyone curiously surveyed the furnishings within the City Lord's Mansion, while Zeng Fan considered Yuan Jin's earlier words. A selection trial? I wonder what organization it is selecting for. There will definitely be rankings afterward, and rewards will be indispensable. I am alone and weak; I truly need to find a partner.

"HAHAHAHA! My apologies for keeping you all waiting." A hearty laugh rang out as a middle-aged man, imposing even without anger, strode over and clasped his fists to the group in greeting. Spiritual Energy fluctuations rippled around him; he was clearly a cultivator as well.

"I am Yang Zhong, City Lord of Jiuyuan. Something delayed me just now. First, congratulations to all of you who possess Spirit Veins. From this day forward, heaven and earth will be utterly different. We may be considered fellow travelers upon the path of cultivation now. Hehe, no more words. Someone, bring forth the rewards!" Yang Zhong instructed those beside him.

Servants of the City Lord's Mansion entered carrying trays, and everyone looked over eagerly. Only Yuan Jin remained calm. Those with Yellow Veins received ten Spirit Stones, while those with Profound Veins received thirty. For people who had just stepped onto the path of cultivation, these were naturally fine rewards, but to Zeng Fan, they could only be called neither here nor there.

No wonder Yuan Jin looked so calm. He really does not think much of such things. Zeng Fan looked at the reward in his hands, feeling somewhat speechless.

"Do not be in a hurry, everyone. There is another reward as well. You all know that cultivation requires cultivation methods, and these methods are our most important reward this time. You may not know this, but our Profound Spirit Dynasty is a subordinate dynasty of the immortal cultivation sect, the Five Mountain Sect. These annual selections are also meant to choose suitable immortal cultivation seeds for the superior sect and replenish it with fresh blood. After testing your Spirit Veins here, you must proceed together to the Imperial City for selection. Those who meet the requirements may cultivate at the superior sect. Those who do not need not worry either; the Profound Spirit Dynasty welcomes you to join us." City Lord Yang Zhong said with a genial smile.

Yang Zhong then took out a Jade Slip. "You may take turns probing this Jade Slip with your Spiritual Energy. The cultivation method is contained within."

When the Jade Slip reached Zeng Fan, he curiously sent his Spiritual Energy inside. A cultivation method immediately surfaced in his mind: the Five Mountain Art. It forged the four limbs and torso of the human body into five great mountains. Once all five mountains were completed, they could transform into the Five Peaks Seal, capable of suppressing enemies and tempering one's own Spiritual Energy.

It looks better than the Fish Dragon Technique, but it only reaches Body Tempering Skin. It is of no use to me. I suppose the later portions can only be obtained after completing the selection. Zeng Fan secretly shook his head, then handed the Jade Slip to Yuan Jin. Yuan Jin did not even look at it before passing it to the next person. Yang Zhong's eyes flickered slightly at the sight.

"And these tokens are proof that you have passed the aptitude selection. With these tokens, you will be guaranteed safety within the city." Zeng Fan casually accepted his token. It was entirely black, with a single character for "Profound" upon it, representing the grade of his Spirit Vein.

"The Imperial City selection will not begin for several more days. You may first settle your own affairs. If you have nowhere to stay in Jiuyuan City, my City Lord's Mansion has prepared places for you to rest as well. Hehe, we shall meet again in a few days." City Lord Yang Zhong smiled as he spoke, then prepared to depart.

"Please wait, City Lord Yang. This junior has a matter that requires your assistance." After putting away the token, Zeng Fan heard that he was about to leave and clasped his fists slightly toward Yang Zhong.

"Oh? What is it, young friend?" Yang Zhong had been about to rise and leave. When he heard someone interrupt him, displeasure surfaced on his face. But upon turning and seeing that it was Zeng Fan, he immediately put on a smiling face. After all, Zeng Fan possessed a Profound Vein and was different from those Yellow Vein holders. Unless something unexpected happened, Zeng Fan would certainly travel far on the path of cultivation. He could not miss an opportunity to build good relations with him.

Zeng Fan told the City Lord about the Human Traffickers within the city.

BANG!!! Yang Zhong slammed his palm against the table, fury appearing on his face.

"What? Such a thing actually exists within my Jiuyuan City? It nearly buried our talented prospect here! Men! Deal with this matter at once! I will certainly give this young friend an explanation!" Yang Zhong shouted outside with a livid face.

"However, young friend, you may not know that it will be difficult to uncover the people behind this in a short time. I will first send people over to seize these lackeys and interrogate them under harsh torture. What do you think?" Yang Zhong asked Zeng Fan with a frown.

"I understand, City Lord Yang. Such a matter certainly cannot be handled quickly. I only want to deal with those few people first." A fierce glint flashed through Zeng Fan's eyes as he clasped his fists to the City Lord.

"That will be easy enough. I will have my men accompany you." Yang Zhong smiled.

"Then thank you, City Lord Yang. I will remember this matter!" Zeng Fan clasped his fists toward Yang Zhong.

Hearing this, the smile on Yang Zhong's face grew even broader. He waved his hand, ordering several soldiers to follow Zeng Fan away.

Somewhere along South Street in Jiuyuan City, several hooligans sat idly at a roadside tea stall. They were chatting about something unknown, then burst into laughter.

"Young master, are these the people? I will seize them at once!" The soldiers accompanying Zeng Fan were about to act, but Zeng Fan waved them off.

"You only need to clean up afterward." As Zeng Fan spoke, he slowly walked toward the group, Spiritual Energy beginning to surge through his body.

The men were stunned when they saw Zeng Fan. One of them grinned viciously and said, "You did not die? Fine if you did not die, but you actually dared to come back?! Then this time, I will make sure you die thoroughly."

Zeng Fan had still been hesitating over how to deal with them, but upon hearing those words, the last traces of his modern values slowly vanished.

"You are the ones who should die." Zeng Fan muttered. Then he charged toward the man who had spoken. The man was also startled. Seeing Zeng Fan's thin body rushing at him, he felt something strange, but instinct made him throw a punch without a second thought. Zeng Fan said nothing and threw a punch faster than his opponent's. A faint gleam shone over his fist, carrying a hint of danger.

CRACK, CRACK, CRACK~~~ The two fists collided, followed by the sound of something snapping. "AAAAAAAH!" The man who had charged Zeng Fan clutched his arm and howled. His arm bent at a grotesque angle; it had already broken.

Zeng Fan passed him and walked toward the others. Seeing this, the remaining men immediately pulled out daggers, gave strange cries, and charged at Zeng Fan. The whistling daggers came closer and closer. Zeng Fan raised a hand to block them, and the man attacking him was overjoyed. I will cripple that hand first, then take your life. He immediately put more force into his strike.

CLANG~~~

The sound of metal striking metal rang out. The man watched in horror as his dagger stabbed fiercely into Zeng Fan's palm, then shattered apart. Before he could make another move, a leg, carrying the sound of rushing wind, swelled in his vision.

BANG~~~~ Broken teeth mixed with blood scattered across the ground. The hooligan's vision went dark, and he knew nothing more. The remaining men were filled with terror and scattered in all directions, intending to flee.

A vicious air appeared on Zeng Fan's face. You wanted my life? It will not be that easy. He exerted force through his feet and charged toward the remaining men.

A moment later, Zeng Fan panted lightly. Behind him lay several hooligans sprawled on the ground, groaning in agony.

Spiritual Energy runs out too quickly. Even at Minor Accomplishment in Body Tempering Skin, if there were a few more ordinary people, I might be drowned beneath their numbers. I still need to cultivate quickly and enter the next realm. Zeng Fan stood in the street, lost in thought. The blood covering his body stood in stark contrast to the delicate face of the youth deep in contemplation.

The soldiers beside him had already been struck dumb. They exchanged glances and prepared to take the men away.

"Please wait," Zeng Fan said, clasping his fists toward the soldiers. Then, under the watchful eyes of several soldiers, he stomped on the hands and feet of each hooligan in turn. Even if these people survived by sheer luck, they would be useless for the rest of their lives.

Zeng Fan tossed a Spirit Stone to the leading soldier and smiled. "I will trouble you all to clean up the scene. After these people are interrogated, I hope they will no longer exist in this world. This small Spirit Stone is for you brothers to buy wine."

The leading soldier accepted the Spirit Stone and squeezed it in his palm. With a broad smile, he clasped his fists toward Zeng Fan. Everything was understood without being spoken. He then dragged the men away like dead dogs.

With this matter settled, Zeng Fan slowly walked toward the city gates. It was time to reclaim the house in the village. He was somewhat tired, but he also knew that once he went to the Imperial City, he likely would not return unless something unexpected happened. Since he had transmigrated into this youth's body, he ought to settle its karmic debts.

The village matter did not require such complicated handling. After returning to the village, Zeng Fan directly broke the hands and feet of those occupying the thatched cottage. Then he flashed the Profound Vein token proving his identity before the village chief, who had rushed over. The village chief, already kneeling on the ground, immediately promised Zeng Fan that such a thing would never happen again.

Zeng Fan took out the silver he had exchanged with Spiritual Energy and rebuilt a grave for the youth's deceased grandfather. He respectfully kowtowed three times before the grave. After all, that old man had been the closest family member upon whom the former owner of this body had depended.

After kowtowing, Zeng Fan rose and headed into the city. The youth's karmic ties had already been settled. Next, it was time to pursue his own path...