Greatly Increased Strength, the Ruins Open

Jinling basked in warm sunlight, the city ablaze with splendor. Ancient trees flowered—it was springtime once more.

Yao Family.

A quiet, spacious little courtyard with secluded scenery.

"Good stuff!"

Xie Yuan clicked his tongue as he looked at the black incense stick inserted into the ancient golden toad incense burner before him.

After driving out the personal maidservant and the other servants, Xie Yuan had rummaged through Yao Tianchuan's room, poking here and looking there, turning up quite a few amusing treasures.

This incense and burner were among them.

The incense burner had been forged from Southern Wastes Warm Gold. Naturally warm, it could burn fragrant incense and bring out the incense's effects to the fullest extent.

The incense stick made from East Sea Jade Sandalwood was even more extraordinary. East Sea Jade Sandalwood was a renowned divine tree, broad enough to blot out the sky and sun, naturally suffused with Spiritual Qi. Incense made from it could focus the mind, calm the Qi, aid cultivation, and improve one's strength. Its value was anything but small.

Xie Yuan did not know exactly how expensive it was. He only knew that every stick was priced by its weight in gold.

And he had found an entire stack of them in the study.

After lighting one and taking a deep breath, Xie Yuan immediately felt refreshed and clear-headed. Sitting alone in the study felt almost no different from cultivating in spiritual land. Even halfway up Yunshan Mountain was only about this good—and that was from just one stick.

"Put in two more. Three at a time. Otherwise, people might think I can't afford them."

Xie Yuan casually lit another two sticks. The study instantly became comparable to Into the Clouds Peak, and he nodded in satisfaction.

Besides the incense, there were little cultivation aids such as Mind Calming Jade, Qi Calming Pillows, Cool Breeze Fans, and more. A small study had been artificially turned into a sacred cultivation ground.

The cultivation conditions of aristocratic clans truly were beyond what ordinary people could imagine.

Xie Yuan shook his head. No matter how fine the equipment was, it still depended on who used it.

Though not everyone in the great clans had conditions like Yao Tianchuan's, most still surpassed ordinary people. Yet only a small number truly amounted to anything.

Of course, in terms of average standards, they indeed far surpassed minor sects and schools.

After arranging those cultivation aids, Xie Yuan turned up several treasured swords in the small room. Every one of them could cleave gold and jade, sever hair with a breath—rare, peerless weapons.

Especially Yao Tianchuan's personal sword. The moment it was slightly drawn, a pool of autumn water seemed to appear within the room. Its sword light was dazzling, and its razor-sharp intent chilled the cramped chamber.

Below Mystic Weapons, there could not be another treasured sword sharper than this one.

Xie Yuan examined the sword and nodded, deeply appreciative. As a martial artist who practiced the sword, he naturally gave fine blades a second look.

But he was not moved. This treasured sword was indeed a fine weapon, but compared to his Hundred Transformations Mystic Weapon, it was still a little lacking.

Though Xie Yuan's Mystic Weapon did not possess the unusual abilities common to other Mystic Weapons and only had a seemingly ordinary power of transformation, its material was still that of a Mystic Weapon. It was incomparably hard, its cold edge impossible to resist. Its basic qualities alone surpassed every ordinary sharp weapon.

Having grown accustomed to this Mystic Weapon, he remained unmoved when looking at such mundane blades. He merely glanced at them.

Unless it was a Mystic Weapon sword with ultimate sharpness and wondrous abilities, Xie Yuan would certainly have no interest.

Beyond weapons, Yao Tianchuan's collection also included Soft Golden Silk Inner Armor, a Mystic Iron Heart Protecting Mirror, Beast Hide Jade Thread Boots, and more. Wearing the full set, even an ordinary external practitioner could withstand many attacks from someone in the Qi and Blood Transformation Realm.

"You have so many treasures. But they're all mine now."

After sweeping through the place once, Xie Yuan stuffed everything into his possession as if he had returned home.

Of course, Cuiping would have to wash everything thoroughly and leave it out to air for seven days and seven nights. Otherwise, he found it filthy.

After equipment came cultivation methods. Yao Tianchuan's study contained nearly half of the Yao Family's finest techniques, and Xie Yuan's eyes gleamed as he looked through them.

With only a brief scan, he found many of the Yao Family's renowned martial skills. If he studied and comprehended them one by one, then when he faced Yao Family martial artists in the future, they would all be as exposed before him as if they wore no clothes.

"I can browse through these in my spare time and broaden my knowledge."

Xie Yuan's gaze flickered. Different cultivation methods produced far greater results in his hands than in anyone else's. Ordinary martial artists risked biting off more than they could chew and losing sight of one thing while attending to another. The martial path was like rowing upstream—if one did not practice constantly, one would fall behind.

But when Xie Yuan trained in martial arts, it was like gliding across still waters. Wherever he went, he stayed. There was no danger of forgetting.

Naturally, few of these techniques were truly top-tier. Xie Yuan only intended to sample them lightly, expanding his methods and knowledge, mainly to prepare himself for dealing with Yao Family martial artists in the future.

As for the Yao Family's true essence—the Great Golden River Skill, the clan-defending art they kept locked away at the bottom of the chest—he had already obtained it. He only needed to focus wholeheartedly on cultivating it.

Last among these treasures were all kinds of pills and medicinal materials.

He opened a brocade box that had just been delivered. Fine silk lined its interior, spiritual herbs cushioned the contents, and three exquisitely crafted porcelain bottles lay quietly within.

Pulling out the stoppers, he saw that two bottles contained Leopard Fetus Jade Ganoderma Pills, while the last contained Immortal Ganoderma Pills, sacred Qi-replenishing medicine for the Second Transformation Realm. They could also be called a version of Leopard Fetus Jade Ganoderma Pills specialized for Inner Strength.

"I've stumbled into a Leopard Fetus Jade Ganoderma Pill nest."

Xie Yuan did not know whether to laugh or cry.

Including those given by the Autumn Wind Pavilion Master, those taken from Gongsun Xiao, and the ones now allocated to Yao Tianchuan, he truly had more Leopard Fetus Jade Ganoderma Pills than he could ever use.

This Precious Medicine was an exclusive Yao Family formula. Its production was limited. Outsiders who obtained even one or half a pill could hope to use it to break through a bottleneck, just like Gongsun Xiao.

Though core Yao Family descendants could receive a supply, they could not take medicine endlessly. The family's operation was too vast and there were too many people. Not everyone could receive it; only disciples with potential could claim it.

For someone like Xie Yuan to take them again and again, it required talent that eclipsed the entire Yao Family—and required him to cause such an uproar that he thoroughly established his unshakable status as the number one among the younger generation.

Unfortunately, he could not use that many. He would soon advance to the Qi Blood Third Transformation Realm. Once his Qi and Blood underwent transformation, sacred medicine for the Second Transformation Realm would be greatly diminished in effect upon someone in the Third Transformation Realm. It would no longer be nearly so useful.

Still, he could use them as Blood Replenishing Pills to satisfy a craving.

Xie Yuan thought leisurely as he put the pills away for now.

Treating Leopard Fetus Jade Ganoderma Pills as everyday cultivation snacks was a bit excessive even among aristocratic clans. If word got out, countless people would turn green with envy.

But he was not the one wasting them anyway...

Still, these Immortal Ganoderma Pills were genuinely excellent.

The Immortal Ganoderma Pill was also a secret formula made by the Yao Family. As sacred internal medicine for the Second Transformation Realm, it was outstanding at improving Inner Breath and particularly suited cultivation of the Great Golden River Skill.

It would naturally be of great use to Xie Yuan as well, but...

"Perhaps using Immortal Ganoderma Pills to cultivate the Great Golden River Skill still won't be as fast as cultivating the Nourishing Body Skill and then converting it."

Xie Yuan pondered.

"I'll test it later. Either way, it will be greatly beneficial."

Besides those major medicines, Yao Tianchuan also had plenty of ordinary supplementary pills and snacks. In Xie Yuan's eyes, it was an entire collection of supplements.

"With conditions like these, even a pig could break through external training."

Xie Yuan lay on the soft couch, breathing in the faint fragrance of incense, and let out a long sigh.

Too decadent.

I love it.

Xie Yuan twisted his body and sat cross-legged on the couch, his eyes flashing.

"The Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Hunt starts in another month. It's divided into the Second Transformation Realm and Third Transformation Realm groups? Then there's no point in breaking through to the Third Transformation Realm—or rather, I still can't break through... I'll cultivate the Golden Bell Cover normally this month and focus on the Great Golden River Skill and the Heaven Concealing Art."

Xie Yuan laid out his plan.

The Heaven Concealing Art was not far from completion. With a little effort, it would soon reach the Great Accomplishment Realm.

With the Nourishing Body Skill assisting it, the Great Golden River Skill would likewise reach the eighth layer in only a few days.

Once he broke through to the eighth layer, the Great Golden River Skill would undergo another qualitative transformation. Four layers of force would surge like raging waves and crashing tides. With this technique, Xie Yuan was confident he could face an early-stage Qi Blood Third Transformation Realm enemy head-on!

With such excellent conditions, he ought to cultivate properly.

Xie Yuan settled down in the Yao Family.

Yet though the tree desired stillness, the wind refused to cease. He had wanted to shut his doors and cultivate, but the endless stream of visitors over the next few days reminded him that his casual demand for the authority to decide the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Hunt slots had had such a great impact.

"Tianchuan, your Seventeenth Uncle is so pleased to see how greatly your cultivation has improved. Ah, come, come. At your current realm, these pills should be quite helpful... Hehe, it's nothing important. It's just about these slots, you see..."

"Tianchuan, hahaha! Your Sixth Grandpa is so pleased to see you becoming so accomplished! Back when I held you while you peed, you were only this tiny. Now you've become one of the family's pillars!

"By the way, aren't you heading to Ten Thousand Demons Mountain soon? Teams of three—you can't be careless in choosing teammates. Those two little brats, Tianhong and Tianming, are no good. You were right not to choose them—but what about your Fourth Brother? His cultivation is close to yours, so you'd work well together!

"His cultivation is too low? No problem. When brothers unite their hearts, they can cut through gold!

"Everyone here is a brother? Brothers can differ too! Fourth Brother and Eighth Brother—it sounds lucky!"

"Little Eight, why haven't you invited Seventh Brother out for drinks lately? We Seventh and Eighth Brothers have always been the closest. Don't forget your brother!"

Wherever he went, Xie Yuan was met with eager greetings. Those bearing gifts nearly trampled down the threshold of his courtyard, pestering him beyond endurance.

After his performance and confrontation at the waterside pavilion, where he had defeated the Second Branch headed by Yao Yilong, "Yao Tianchuan's" status naturally soared into the sky. Everyone had seen clearly that he could no longer be counted merely as a junior; he could practically form a faction of his own.

Thus, no matter who they were, when they saw Xie Yuan, they were either eager and respectful or exceedingly polite. Even certain elders treated him that way, no longer relying on their seniority to put on airs.

Whatever he said, others had to listen carefully.

The dream Yao Tianchuan had imagined before his death—of being respected everywhere he went within the Yao Family—had been realized through Xie Yuan. He could surely rest in peace now...

If one ignored the fact that Xie Yuan had killed him and was now enjoying it in his place.

But beyond the rise in status, the greatest reason for the recent bustle was naturally the Second Transformation Realm group's slots for the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Hunt.

To the younger generation, those two slots were heaven-sent opportunities.

Entering Ten Thousand Demons Mountain was enormously beneficial to one's growth, regardless of whether one brought glory to the family. That ancient ruin was no ordinary place.

Even without some great opportunity, Yao Tianming and Yao Tianhong had gone for two years and reached the peak of the Second Transformation Realm. With their mediocre talent, frankly speaking, even if they were fed Leopard Fetus Jade Ganoderma Pills until they were full, they could not possibly have achieved such cultivation so quickly.

Looking at the genuine prodigies of other aristocratic clans, most of them soared into the sky after entering and obtaining even a small opportunity. Quite a few Third Transformation Realm experts even touched the threshold of advancing to Grandmaster after coming out.

Previously, the slots had been controlled by the Second and Fourth Branches. Others had practically no way to even imagine obtaining one.

But the moment Xie Yuan returned, he kicked Yao Tianming and Yao Tianhong out. His original intention had merely been to provoke conflicts between the Yao Family's internal factions and intensify their contradictions, yet it stirred everyone else's ambitions. His status rose higher and higher, and for a time, he was simply too hot to handle.

Looking at the young nobleman before him, somewhat slick and somewhat expectant, Xie Yuan said blandly, "Seventh Brother, you want to go to Ten Thousand Demons Mountain too?"

Yao Tianfeng, seventh among the Yao Family's younger generation, chuckled.

"Little Eight, what are you saying? Who doesn't want to have a look inside? Even seeing the sights of ancient times would be worthwhile!"

He reached out to pat Xie Yuan's shoulder, but Xie Yuan caught his hand and looked at him quietly.

Yao Tianfeng grinned without embarrassment and withdrew his hand himself.

"Aiya, your Seventh Brother is also in the Second Transformation Realm. We're about the same age too—of course, I definitely can't compare to you in talent. I know that much. But rather than let outsiders go, why not let one of our own? Back then, I took you out to play every day. That time in the woodshed, when we played with those maidservants..."

Xie Yuan frowned.

"Seventh Brother, I don't think I took part."

"You didn't, but didn't we call you over? We dragged you all the way to the woodshed, but you took one look and ran away scared. So useless!"

Yao Tianfeng giggled, then grew more serious.

"Of course, that was because Little Eight had lofty aspirations and wouldn't play with us like that—but this brother has always kept you in his heart!"

Xie Yuan still remembered that incident. A dark glint flickered deep in his eyes.

Yao Tianchuan had devoted himself to cultivation from childhood and had barely participated in the things idle young masters liked to do.

That time, Yao Tianfeng and several young masters had dragged a few little maidservants into a woodshed to violate and humiliate them. They had even used firewood...

Though he had only seen it once, that grotesque scene had been deeply burned into Yao Tianchuan's memories. That was why even Xie Yuan knew of it.

Is that what firewood is supposed to be used for?

The woodsman's and swordsman's souls became one. No matter which angle Xie Yuan considered it from, he felt somewhat enraged.

Afterward, the little maidservants who had suffered such torment naturally lost their lives. Yet Yao Tianfeng and the others had only been scolded by their elders and symbolically confined for two days—in their own courtyards. The punishment was raised high and brought down lightly, then forgotten.

Frankly, compared to these aristocratic wastrels who did not treat people as human beings, Yao Tianchuan was considered one of the better ones.

Xie Yuan and Yao Tianchuan stood on opposing sides. He did not admire Yao Tianchuan's cold, arrogant, obsessive, and vicious nature, but he took his potential threat seriously.

But toward these people, he felt nothing but pure disgust.

Xie Yuan looked quietly at Yao Tianfeng and said blandly, "All right, Seventh Brother. I'll consider it carefully."

There was hope?

Yao Tianfeng's eyes widened, and joy immediately appeared on his face.

Unlike with many others, Xie Yuan had not rejected him impatiently at once. Compared to his attitude toward others, he was far gentler with him.

Good little brother. Your big brother didn't take you out to play for nothing back then! You really remembered!

To be honest, Yao Tianfeng had little interest in cultivation and had previously only wandered around the First Transformation Realm. But after Xie Yuan's return cleared out two slots at once, Yao Tianfeng's elders suddenly saw an opportunity. They directly stuffed him with medicine, forcing him to break through to the Qi and Blood Second Transformation Realm at the last minute and reach the minimum threshold for entering Ten Thousand Demons Mountain. Then they began pulling strings.

As for what use someone like him could be to the family after entering Ten Thousand Demons Mountain... they could not worry about that much. They had to open a path for him first. In any case, aside from Yao Tianchuan, the strongest Yao Tianhong and Yao Tianming had both been kicked out. What results could anyone possibly achieve?

"Hahaha, Little Eight, your Third Granduncle is in charge of the medicine bureau—you know that. I've already had my grandfather send some Leopard Fetus Jade Ganoderma Pills and Immortal Ganoderma Pills to your courtyard. You'll see them once you return. These aren't ordinary goods; they're premium products. Their effects are at least ten percent better."

Yao Tianfeng lowered his voice excitedly.

"Once this is settled, I'll have him give you Dragon Tiger Golden Jade Pills too—hey, don't look at me like that. I know you're grateful. We're fucking brothers! With Little Eight's talent, you'll reach the Third Transformation Realm sooner or later. Your brother still has ways to get you some medicine ahead of time!"

He slung an arm around Xie Yuan and laughed loudly.

Xie Yuan did not push him away again. He merely said quietly, "Easy enough."

When Xie Yuan returned to Yao Tianchuan's courtyard, the pretty and charming maidservant Cuiping came forward to help him change into casual robes.

He quietly spread his arms and watched as Cuiping efficiently removed and put on his clothes. Then he suddenly asked, "Cuiping, among the young masters in the Yao Residence, which one are you most afraid of?"

"Ah?"

Cuiping blinked, looking somewhat confused.

"Cuiping doesn't understand what Young Master means."

Xie Yuan said calmly, "You are my personal maidservant. Say whatever you wish boldly. When you usually speak with the maidservants and servants, you must have discussed which young master is the most frightening to serve, haven't you?"

Cuiping's face went pale. She immediately knelt and kowtowed.

"Young Master! How would Cuiping dare discuss the masters? And Cuiping has never said a single bad word about Young Master! Please judge clearly, Young Master!"

Xie Yuan sighed helplessly, pulled the slender, light maidservant to her feet, and said, "I'm not talking about myself. I know you are utterly loyal to me. I mean the other young masters. Which one are your little companions most afraid of? Don't worry, I'm not investigating this. I'm only asking."

Seeing Cuiping hesitate, Xie Yuan said blandly, "I do not like concealment."

Hearing this, Cuiping could only grit her teeth and risk it.

"Young Master, servants indeed rarely dare discuss the masters under normal circumstances. But even though Ping'er is Young Master's personal maidservant, I have heard that there are several young masters who make people tremble with fear when serving them..."

"Speak."

"One is Seventh Young Master Tianfeng. Any maidservant who is even somewhat pretty and goes to his side will most likely be taken into his chambers. Many people originally think that is a good thing, but... but they say his chambers are filled with crying, shouting, and miserable screams once night falls. People are often carried out in the middle of the night... Many sisters who went there were never seen again."

Cuiping's little face was deathly pale as she spoke.

"Whenever many sisters hear that they are being sent to serve Seventh Young Master, they deliberately make themselves look uglier, terrified of catching his eye. It is the complete opposite of serving other young masters."

Xie Yuan nodded slightly, then asked, "Who else?"

"And then, there's Eleventh Young Master, Young Master Tianci."

When Cuiping mentioned that name, her face turned even more fearful.

"Young Master Tianci... he likes beating and killing servants, so everyone is afraid of him..."

Cuiping did not say more, because everyone in the Yao Family knew about it.

Eleventh Young Master Yao Tianci was the grandson of the family head, Yao Yuzhi. He was deeply beloved, hence the name Tianci—Heaven's Gift.

Yao Tianci was favored not only because his father had died young, leaving him to receive every kind of affection from his family-head grandfather and widowed mother. His own talent was also quite exceptional. He was hailed as a martial arts genius of the younger generation second only to Yao Tianchuan. Though still young, he had broken through to the Qi and Blood Second Transformation Realm before the new year, hardly slower than Yao Tianchuan. Of course, if Yao Tianchuan's Sword Heart had not shattered, he could have broken through even earlier.

But Yao Tianci had a flaw. Though his cultivation talent was high, losing his father in childhood and then being indulged without restraint by his grandfather and mother had turned him into a complete little devil, cruel beyond measure.

Unlike Yao Tianfeng, who reveled in lust and abuse, Yao Tianci had little interest in women. He simply thirsted for killing. If a servant displeased him even slightly, he would beat them to death.

There was something wrong with his temperament. He worshipped strength and loved martial arts, his heart fixed wholly on powerful force. Though he had broken through quickly, his foundation was actually somewhat unstable. Having only just entered the Second Transformation Realm, he needed a longer period than other martial artists to consolidate it.

Xie Yuan was not surprised to hear those two names. They were more or less what he had expected.

He nodded.

"I understand."

Let's pick these two lucky fellows, then.

Cuiping froze. Seeing no expression on her young master's face, she felt uneasy.

Young Master understood? Understood what?

She could not make heads or tails of it.

A few days later, the news spread. Xie Yuan had chosen Yao Tianfeng and Yao Tianci as his teammates for the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Hunt. The Second Transformation Realm team for this hunt had now been assembled.

Upon hearing the selections, everyone found them both unexpected and perfectly reasonable.

The elders behind Yao Tianfeng and Yao Tianci both held high positions within the family. One was the family head's own grandson, while the other occupied an important post in the medicine bureau and was also close to the family head.

Since Yao Tianchuan had offended the Second Branch and Fourth Branch, he would surely cling tight to the family head's thigh.

They said he had been given full authority to decide, but in the end, they had still stuffed in their own juniors... The family head's move was truly clever.

Still, one of those two was an ignorant, useless playboy, while the other, though talented, had a problem with his temperament and had only just broken through his realm.

Taking along two fellows who had only just entered the Second Transformation Realm—no matter how formidable Yao Tianchuan was, could he compete with the other families' teams, all at the peak of the same realm? He would be dreaming if he thought he could win.

The family head kept saying they could not lose again and had to put the family first, yet in the end, was he not simply nurturing his own descendants? For a time, the Yao Family members all harbored different thoughts.

The family head's study.

"Tianchuan, are you sure you want Tianfeng and Tianci as your selections?"

Yao Yuzhi's brows furrowed slightly.

To be honest, unlike what others suspected, he did not think this was a good choice and did not particularly approve.

Compared to nurturing one or two direct-line descendants, as the family head, he cared more about strengthening the family and restoring its former glory.

When that time came, forget one or two descendants—even ten or twenty descendants would naturally have great futures.

Xie Yuan cupped his hands.

"Yes."

"But they..."

"Family Head, even if Yao Tianhong and Yao Tianming are not weak in strength or cultivation, what use would it be for them to go? Seventh Brother and Eleventh Brother would be better. At the very least, they can work with me as one. So long as they are willing to assist me wholeheartedly, I guarantee that I can win the Yao Family at least sixth place."

Xie Yuan spoke with righteous solemnity.

Seeing him put it that way, Yao Yuzhi felt it made some sense. The two strongest were at odds with him, and the others would not be much different if they went. He had said it would be according to Tianchuan's wishes, so he might as well let him do as he pleased.

Yao Yuzhi shook his head.

"Tianchuan, you must put in the effort."

"Family Head, leave the Yao Family's future to me!"

Xie Yuan declared with utter conviction.

With the selections settled, Xie Yuan's small courtyard became much quieter. Then, under the pretext of preparing for the Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Hunt, he went straight into seclusion.

For the first time, with conditions this favorable, Xie Yuan refused all disturbance and immersed himself completely in cultivation. His progress could be called a thousand miles in a single day, soaring by leaps and bounds.

The first thing he focused on was the Great Golden River Skill, the cultivation method he valued most at present. It broke through directly.

Great Golden River Skill · Eighth Layer: (12/8000)

Xie Yuan sat cross-legged and circulated his skill, his palms facing one another before his chest and abdomen as he sensed the vast, boundless Inner Breath within his body.

"This Inner Breath is dense and weighty, deep and still, yet its waves rise and fall. Though the eighth layer only corresponds to the Second Transformation Realm, it is clearly even more powerful than the Yunshan Sword Intent Scripture at the Third Transformation Realm!"

The same physique could bear Inner Breath of a higher quality. That was what made a top-tier cultivation method.

And beyond its quality, the greatest characteristic of the Great Golden River Skill was its ability to stack force.

Xie Yuan opened his eyes. Within his gaze seemed to flow the phantom image of great rivers and long waters, vast and surging onward.

Then he slowly pushed out a palm.

The air in the room suddenly erupted, like a raging tide about to rise.

Xie Yuan had condensed four layers of internal force into that palm. They were like four mountainous waves stacked atop one another, sweeping aside everything before them, impossible to withstand.

Even though he withdrew his hand, the furnishings in the room became a chaotic mess in an instant. Though the force had not been released, it was like a violent gale sweeping through.

"An early Qi Blood Third Transformation Realm martial artist like Gongsun Xiao would likely be killed beneath my palm within three moves, even if he faced me head-on."

A satisfied look appeared on Xie Yuan's face.

The greatest shortcoming that had always plagued him—his cultivation method's insufficient grade—had finally been remedied.

Though he had always been able to fight and defeat experts stronger than himself, he had relied on maneuvering and surprise attacks. Sweep Through a Thousand Armies was his only move capable of a direct frontal assault. The Cloud Dragon Nine Forms were clearly powerful, yet he had never been able to unleash their full might.

Now that he had the Great Golden River Skill, Xie Yuan's raw strength had finally risen. Even relying on this cultivation method alone, he could display combat power far beyond his realm.

Add to that Heaven Concealing Art, Heaven Illusion Art, Sweep Through a Thousand Armies, and the Cloud Dragon Nine Forms—powerful methods beyond his current level—along with the incomparably robust Great Golden River Skill, while Cloud Dragon Step and Shadowless Step complemented one another, and Xie Yuan's strength had almost undergone a qualitative transformation.

After the Great Golden River Skill broke through, it was time for Heaven Concealing Art.

That day, Xie Yuan felt something stir within him—rather, he sensed from the panel that Heaven Concealing Art lacked only the final trace of progress.

Thus, within the quiet chamber, Xie Yuan continuously circulated Heaven Concealing Art and sat in silent contemplation. At last, he slowly pushed that final sliver of progress upward.

Heaven Concealing Art · Mastery: (1/10000)

In that instant, Xie Yuan felt as though heaven and earth had changed.

The sky seemed to have been draped in an imperceptible veil of black gauze. His surroundings turned dim and shadowed, vague and indistinct.

Everything became difficult to discern, as if anything at all could vanish completely from heaven and earth in an instant.

A strange sensation arose from deep within his heart. Xie Yuan came to an understanding: he now possessed the ability to manipulate a trace of Heaven's secrets.

As the breakthrough finished, the dim light around him vanished in an instant. Xie Yuan pondered briefly, and with a thought, the small room suddenly became empty. He had vanished without a trace; not even the faintest shadow could be seen.

He withdrew his concealment and revealed himself again. Then he waved a hand lightly, as though drawing over a dark blanket and actively shrouding himself.

"Previously, Heaven Concealing Art had the passive ability to interfere with Heaven's secrets. Miss Mu said that ordinary divinations could basically never calculate my path accurately. But after reaching Mastery, I can actively interfere with Heaven's secrets too?"

Xie Yuan's eyes flickered as he nodded repeatedly.

Xie Yuan had always been deeply wary of the mysterious and unfathomable Heaven's Secret Art. Though there was an expert in this path right beside him, who knew when he might encounter a master of this art in the future? He could be led around by the nose without even realizing it.

But with Heaven Concealing Art, he had become difficult to detect and impossible to divine, as though there was no record of him anywhere in the world. Unless one possessed great supernatural powers or was a close blood relative at his side, no one could see through him.

He had finally reached the realm of truly interfering with Heaven's secrets.

And beyond this ability of extremely high level, Heaven Concealing Art's concealment had itself reached its utmost limit. Even before a grandmaster on the Soaring Dragon Ranking, Xie Yuan would be difficult to discover so long as he did not act. In this regard, provided the gap in realm was not too great, the effect he could achieve was no less than that of the Autumn Wind Pavilion Master, who was formless and traceless, unfathomable as gods and ghosts.

The same was true for its power of transformation—intercepting fortune and playing the part of another. If he said now that he was not Yao Tianchuan, the Yao Family would be the first to disbelieve him.

With this, entering Ten Thousand Demons Mountain would be foolproof.

Xie Yuan nodded slowly. Then his expression shifted, and he raised his head.

Deep within the Yao Residence, in an exceedingly secluded little courtyard.

The white-clad scholar's mind stirred. He abruptly looked up, uncertainty and suspicion in his eyes.

"What was that movement? It seemed to flash through the Yao Family and vanish."

His brows knitted tightly. He immediately swept his Counting Rods and calculated with his fingers.

After a long while, the Counting Rods did not move at all. He was baffled.

"What is going on? Why is there nothing at all? Could it have been an illusion?"

By all reason, he should not have doubted his own senses. Yet the result of his divination indicated that nothing had happened, leaving him utterly perplexed.

After pondering for some time, he could only say, "Perhaps I really am tired. That mysterious fellow's Heaven's Secret Art is not weak. At full force, he can barely contend with me. What a pity he does not know that I planted a mark on him long ago. When the critical moment comes, I will make him completely finished. When he learns that I was merely playing with him all this time, I wonder what expression he will make!"

A sinister smile spread over Shen Xu's face, and excitement even brought a flush to his cheeks.

Within Yao Tianchuan's small courtyard.

"Was that the mysterious Heaven's Secret practitioner Miss Mu mentioned?"

Xie Yuan sensed the strange ripple heading toward him. Yet beneath Heaven Concealing Art's shroud, that ripple circled around once, failed to find its target, and dispersed of its own accord.

If it had been before, he would never have noticed this intangible, formless thing, and he could not help finding it novel.

"Miss Mu said before that she made time every day to play with this Heaven's Secret practitioner for a while, teasing him as practice. She also said he was somewhere within the Yao Residence. I wonder who it is."

Xie Yuan contemplated it for a while, then shook his head and stopped dwelling on it.

It seemed the mysterious disturbance from his recent breakthrough had awakened that Heaven's Secret practitioner nearby. Yet the nature of Heaven Concealing Art meant he could not find Xie Yuan at all.

As for that person, Miss Mu had him completely in the palm of her hand. He could not stir up even the smallest wave, so there was no need for Xie Yuan to concern himself with him.

Some more time passed.

Within Flower Hairpin House.

Beneath warm hibiscus curtains, there was always a touch of ambiguity.

Yet the two had grown accustomed to it. After blocking out the sounds around them, they simply drank tea inside by themselves.

Xie Yuan was greatly interested in Mu Chaoyun's many secret methods and arrays. But even with the panel, even if he could learn such things, he would need to spend an enormous amount of time immersed in studying them to increase their progress. They might not improve his strength anytime soon and would affect the advancement of his other martial arts.

Just as Mu Chaoyun had her own path and had no need for Xie Yuan's sword techniques or Inner Strength, he too had his own martial path.

Perhaps after retiring into seclusion with Miss Mu one day, I can study those things. But not now.

Xie Yuan let his thoughts drift.

"What are you thinking about?"

Seeing Xie Yuan lost in thought, Mu Chaoyun asked curiously.

That got a little far ahead... almost to the point of thinking about what to name our children.

Xie Yuan returned to himself. Looking at Mu Chaoyun's elegant, breathtakingly beautiful face, he said, "I relax whenever I see Miss Mu. I do not know why. Is this the sense of security my grandmaster master gives me?"

Mu Chaoyun's delicate brows drew together. She shot Xie Yuan a sidelong glare.

"You certainly talk a lot."

"Didn't you ask?"

Xie Yuan chuckled.

"Miss Mu, I'm going to Ten Thousand Demons Mountain. They say we'll stay there for at least a month, not counting the journey there and back. I have to bid you farewell for a while."

Mu Chaoyun nodded softly.

"Be careful yourself. Though the various areas inside should be divided up already, when facing Demon Beasts, even with your considerable strength, you must be extra cautious. Do not let your guard down."

"Do not worry, Miss Mu. I understand."

Xie Yuan was naturally not a careless person. For this Ten Thousand Demons Mountain Hunt, he had made thorough preparations. Not only had his secret methods broken through and his Inner Strength greatly advanced, but even his cultivation was already extremely close to another breakthrough.

Within the bounds of the Second Transformation Realm, Xie Yuan had nearly reached his limit. Once he emerged from Ten Thousand Demons Mountain with sufficient gains, he could break through in one stroke and charge all the way toward the grandmaster realm.

After speaking with Mu Chaoyun and reluctantly bidding her farewell, Xie Yuan stood at the door. Once Mu Chaoyun lowered her head, somewhat awkward yet compliant, he gently embraced her again.

This time, they held one another for a long while, so long that their heartbeats seemed to merge into a single sound. Only then did they part.

"I'm leaving."

Xie Yuan waved.

"Travel safely."

Mu Chaoyun instructed him earnestly.

Watching Xie Yuan leave, Mu Chaoyun returned to the room, her brows faintly furrowed.

"I calculated it again and again. At most, there will be a few twists and turns, but the gains will be immense—enough to help him soar into the heavens in one leap. It should be an auspicious divination."

Yet Mu Chaoyun could not rid herself of her worry. Whenever a divination involved Xie Yuan, she feared good signs would become bad ones, while bad signs made her wish she could immediately alter his fate. It was as though she no longer trusted her own Heaven's Secret Art, despite her attainments already being profound enough to crush Zhikong Mountain's cast-off disciples.

"No. Ten Thousand Demons Mountain is the hunting ground of the Eight Great Families. The Eight Great Families—especially the Upper Three Families—cannot be underestimated no matter what. This journey will not be entirely smooth. Even minor twists and turns are still twists and turns."

Mu Chaoyun's face became grave. Having made up her mind, she immediately set up an array, erected the Array Flags, sat at its center, and began casting her art with focused concentration.

Invisible ripples gathered within the array. A point of golden light, whose very sight brought joy to the heart, emerged from Mu Chaoyun's body. With the array's aid, it shot skyward.

Mu Chaoyun's face turned somewhat pale, becoming translucent once more. Yet her expression relaxed considerably.

"Now there should be nothing to worry about..."

Upon returning to the Yao Residence, Xie Yuan felt something stir within him. He felt as if something had enveloped him, but the sensation flashed away. His entire state seemed much improved, and he had the persistent feeling that something good was about to happen.

"Was that Miss Mu?"

Xie Yuan frowned, then shook his head with a sigh.

"Really..."

But he did not take it to heart and merely continued making preparations.

Several days later, six young disciples stood in the center of the Yao Residence's main hall.

At Xie Yuan's side stood the somewhat frivolous young gentleman Yao Tianfeng and the irritable-looking youth, Yao Tianci.

On the other side were three younger disciples with even stronger auras. Yet though they were called young, each was over thirty, more than a full generation older than Xie Yuan.

They would travel together to Ten Thousand Demons Mountain, then each head for separate hunting grounds.

Yao Yuzhi looked over the six people below him, his gaze lingering longest upon Xie Yuan, filled with deep expectation.

Everyone knew that the three-man Third Transformation Realm team would almost certainly end up at the bottom again. But on the Second Transformation Realm side, with Yao Tianchuan present, he was nearly the entire Yao Family's hope.

Yao Yuzhi said slowly, "Tianchuan, if you lead the family to an excellent result this time, I will make the decision. Before you become a grandmaster, all resources will first be supplied to you with full effort, until you no longer require them. Only then will other allocations be made."

The instant those words fell, the entire hall fell silent.

This arrangement practically placed Yao Tianchuan above every member of the family below the grandmasters. He would be second only to grandmasters.

But... achieving an excellent result would not be so easy.

Many people's eyes flickered, their thoughts shifting and changing.

Yao Tianchuan was certainly formidable, but choosing those two to go with him would be worse than sending Yao Tianhong and Yao Tianming. They might even have had a sliver of hope.

Unfortunately, all this internal strife was merely going through the motions in the end.

"Family Head Xie, I will not disappoint your expectations."

Xie Yuan clasped his hands and spoke in a deep voice.

At the same time.

Langya Wang Family.

"Gentlemen, do you have the confidence to reclaim first place for our Wang clan on this journey?"

A middle-aged scholar entirely devoid of imposing presence spoke gently.

Before him stood six young people, both men and women, all with extraordinary auras. The leading young man clasped his hands and said:

"Rest assured, Father. I will bring home another consecutive championship for the family."

Qinghe.

"Family Head, with me here, the Wang Family definitely won't win back-to-back titles. Mark my words!"

A handsome young man with heroic spirit soaring to the clouds, one hand resting on the sword at his waist, laughed.

The five people beside him all possessed outstanding bearing. Their postures were casual, yet they brimmed with confidence.

On the platform, a man of around forty with three long wisps of beard stroked it and laughed heartily.

"Good. You'd better keep your word!"

Chen Commandery.

A breathtakingly beautiful young girl in a pink dress, her expression lively and spirited, hugged an adorable rabbit and said with a smile:

"Be good, little rabbit, and guard the house well..."

"Lingyun, it's time to go!"

"I'm coming!"

The girl turned her head to answer, then continued stroking her pet as she said gently:

"I'll bring you something tasty when I get back."

At her words, the little rabbit's bright eyes darted, its nose twitched several times, and then it opened its mouth, revealing sharp teeth.

Gubei, Fanyang, Taiyuan... similar scenes played out everywhere.

Yongyang.

An old man who appeared to be in the twilight of his years sat quietly reclining in a lounge chair.

Beside him stood none other than Yao Yilong.

Yao Yilong slowly asked:

"Will it work?"

"Hiss, hiss. Of course."

The old man smiled slowly, his voice like a leaking bellows.

"Ziyu is our secret weapon."

Yao Yilong turned his head and looked at the six people standing respectfully below—or rather, beside the five stood a woman in violet robes, her skin whiter than snow and her eyes radiant with every glance. Her aura was immensely powerful, nearly that of a Grandmaster, and it made him tense slightly.

This woman was fairer than anyone Yao Yilong had ever seen. She seemed to possess foreign blood, especially her jade-like bare feet, which lightly touched the stone tiles. A red cord was tied around one ankle, making her exceptionally eye-catching.

Yao Yilong kept his expression unchanged, secretly wondering when the Qian Family had acquired such a strange yet powerful young woman.

But then he recalled that the Qian Family had always welcomed all rivers into the sea, so it was not particularly surprising.

From his lounge chair, the old man took everything in. His chest rose and fell like bellows, making hissing sounds.