Inside the inn's small courtyard in Stone Spring Town, the dim lamplight cast long shadows from three utterly exhausted figures. When Yu Yuanchen, Tang Chen, and Qian Daoliu returned while supporting one another, their bedraggled appearance gave the innkeeper quite a fright. If not for their extraordinary bearing and lavish spending, he would have nearly taken them for some wandering desperados.
Back in Yu Yuanchen's room, all three relaxed almost at once. Tang Chen directly collapsed into a chair, baring his teeth as he sucked in cold breaths. The burns and sword wounds on his body were not deep, but there were many of them. In particular, the internal shock from forcibly enduring Qian Daoliu's Holy Light Judgment and Yu Yuanchen's Lightning Pool Burial Annihilation, along with the final wound from being pierced by Thunder Dragon Shatters Void, would all require time to recover from.
Qian Daoliu was in somewhat better condition, but his Soul Power was exhausted and his mind weary. The spot at the root of his light wings where Tang Chen's stone had struck still throbbed faintly, while the Danzhong Acupoint in his chest, which Yu Yuanchen had hit with an elbow, left his breath sluggish. His peerlessly handsome face had lost some color and gained a touch of frailty.
Yu Yuanchen had suffered the greatest expenditure and the most "varied" injuries of the three. His Soul Power had been completely drained, and the stabbing pain caused by excessive Spiritual Power depletion had yet to subside. The strain on his meridians from forcibly compressing and unleashing Lightning Pool Burial Annihilation, along with the Hidden Injuries from enduring the backlash of the domain and repeated collisions, made him feel as if his whole body had fallen apart. Even lifting a finger took effort.
"Damn... that was intense..." Tang Chen panted heavily, tugging open his torn collar to reveal bruised, purpling flesh beneath. "Brother Qian, that Holy Light Judgment of yours nearly shook my organs out of place! And Brother Yuanchen, what the hell was that Thunder Pool that came up from underground? That was too underhanded! My tongue still won't listen to me properly from all that numbness."
Qian Daoliu leaned elegantly against the back of his chair. Even in such a sorry state, he maintained his basic poise. Hearing this, he smiled faintly. "Brother Tang's Clear Sky Formation was also quite ingenious. And if not for that flying stone of yours, Qian would not have ended up in such an embarrassing state." Qian Daoliu gave Tang Chen a meaningful look. "As for Brother Yuanchen's Thunder Pool... it was indeed unforgettable. Transforming the power of a domain in such a manner was truly an inspired idea, and its might was genuinely terrifying." He looked at Yu Yuanchen, his eyes carrying undisguised appreciation and curiosity.
Yu Yuanchen forced a smile, his voice hoarse. "You two overpraise me. It was merely a desperate measure. Brother Tang's power is unmatched; if not for that final moment... cough, cough." He paused, glanced at Tang Chen, and recalled that precise, viciously timed stone strike. He could not help but laugh. "If not for Brother Tang's quick wits, I might have already fallen to Brother Qian's sword. Brother Qian's command of his domain and grasp of the battlefield taught me even more."
The three looked at one another and recalled that dramatic final outcome. They all burst out laughing, only for the laughter to tug at their injuries and turn into a chorus of teeth-gritting gasps.
After the jokes came serious business. They knew their condition was terrible and did not dare neglect it. Forcing themselves to stay alert, they each took out the Healing Pills they carried, swallowed them, and began to regulate their breathing and recover.
Yu Yuanchen swallowed a Dragon Blood Returning Yuan Pill, a Family Secret Recipe. A warm, gentle current immediately spread through his body, nourishing his dried-up meridians and damaged internal organs. He carefully guided the faint thread of newly regenerated Soul Power within him, circulating it slowly. At the same time, he used his Spiritual Power to examine himself internally, repairing the Sea of Consciousness that had dimmed from excessive depletion. The Purple Gold Scale at his chest grew faintly warm, releasing soft, pure dragon aura that complemented the medicine's effects, accelerating the recovery of his Bloodline Power and the healing of his body. He discovered that after this battle at the limit, his slight grasp of Thunder God Power seemed to have become more natural. Though the total amount had not increased, it flowed more smoothly and harmonized better with his Soul Power and Qi and Blood.
Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu also swallowed their respective secret medicines and began healing their wounds.
For a time, the room fell silent. Only the long, steady breaths of the three and the faint energy fluctuations caused by circulating Soul Power remained.
This period of regulating their breathing lasted an entire day and night.
By noon the next day, the three gradually awoke from their deep cultivation. Though they still needed time to fully recover, their visible injuries had basically stabilized, and their Soul Power had returned to thirty or forty percent. At least they could move without hindrance, and their complexions had regained much of their color.
The inn's attendant brought them a lavish meal, and the three swept through it like a storm, leaving nothing behind. With their stomachs full, their spirits rose considerably as well.
"Wonderful! We may not have determined a winner, but that fight was truly satisfying!" Tang Chen slapped the table, his voice booming, clearly in high spirits. "It's been far too long since I went all out like that! You two really didn't disappoint me!"
Qian Daoliu elegantly wiped the corner of his mouth and smiled. "To fight with all our strength against Brother Tang and Brother Yu was also an honor for Qian. What I gained from this battle surpassed months of ordinary hard cultivation." He looked toward Yu Yuanchen. "Brother Yu's use of Soul Skills and development of his domain especially broadened my horizons. The penetrating force of that Thunder Dragon Shatters Void seemed to be more than a simple Soul Skill. Did it also contain spiritual intent?"
Yu Yuanchen silently praised Qian Daoliu's sharp eye and nodded. "Brother Qian sees clearly. This move was inspired by my Fourth Soul Skill. I tried to condense Spiritual Power to an extreme and merge it into Thunder Power, developing it to break through defenses. It still has many shortcomings."
"A Self-Created Soul Skill?" Tang Chen's eyes widened as he clicked his tongue in amazement. "Incredible! I'm still figuring out how to use the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer more smoothly! Brother Yuanchen, you're only a Soul King, yet you've already started creating your own Soul Skills? And such tricky ones at that!" His personality was straightforward, but he understood the difficulty and significance of Self-Created Soul Skills. The regard in his gaze toward Yu Yuanchen deepened.
Qian Daoliu was also moved. Self-Created Soul Skills often suited their Soul Master best and possessed tremendous growth potential. For Yu Yuanchen to create such a powerful Soul Skill at the Cultivation Level of a Soul King, his talent and comprehension were truly astonishing.
Using this battle as a starting point, the three began exchanging insights on cultivation. They set aside the distinctions between their sects and spoke only of the Martial Way and the principles of Soul Power.
Tang Chen shared his understanding of power control: how to transform the weight of the Clear Sky Hammer into unstoppable momentum, how to contain the strongest explosive force within the simplest moves, and some of the secrets behind his Clear Sky Formation—a preliminary application of gravity and a Soul Power field. Though it was not a complete domain, it had already taken shape and could achieve remarkable results at critical moments.
Qian Daoliu explained several traits of the Angel Domain: how to use sacred aura to purify negative conditions and suppress opponents, how to apply the power of light to judgment and protection, and his unique insights into combining flight-based Soul Skills with close-combat sword techniques. His Combat Method was elegant and efficient, brimming with intelligence and calculation.
Yu Yuanchen also candidly shared some of his understanding of Thunder God Power, including how he had attempted to initially merge Spiritual Power into Thunder Power and the two directions for developing the Purple Lightning Domain—control and eruption. He also described several practical techniques and the bottlenecks he had encountered.
All three were peerless geniuses of their era. As their thoughts collided, astonishing sparks often flew. Many difficulties they had pondered over without understanding suddenly became clear through the other's casual remarks or interpretation from a different perspective. At times, they argued until their faces turned red; at others, they sank into thought; then they would clap their hands and laugh together. This exchange benefited them no less than the thrilling battle they had fought before.
Time flew amid their animated discussion, and another three days passed in the blink of an eye. Their injuries had healed almost completely, and their Soul Power had basically recovered.
That evening, the three gathered in the small courtyard once more, but the atmosphere was more solemn than before.
"My two brothers," Tang Chen spoke first. His voice was as forthright as ever, though it carried an almost imperceptible note of sentiment. "To meet the two of you during this journey through the Savage Beast Hills has been Tang Chen's good fortune! The fighting was satisfying, and so was the talking! But all feasts must come to an end. I have been away from home for too long, and there are matters in the sect that need handling. It is time for me to return."
Qian Daoliu nodded slightly. A trace of melancholy appeared in his golden eyes before turning into a gentle smile. "Brother Tang speaks truly. This journey has yielded much, and it will take time to absorb it all. Spirit Hall also has duties that I cannot leave unattended for long."
Yu Yuanchen understood that this unexpected meeting and their time fighting side by side had finally come to an end. He too had gained immensely. Not only had his strength increased, but he had also found two friends and rivals worthy of entrusting his back to. He cupped his hands and said, "To meet and befriend you two brothers is also Yuan Chen's fortune. My family likewise has matters awaiting me, and I must continue along my path of training."
The three looked at one another. Everything that needed saying remained unspoken.
Tang Chen suddenly grinned, and battle intent reignited in his eyes. "It would be too dull to just part like this! How about we make an agreement?"
Qian Daoliu raised a brow. "What does Brother Tang have in mind?"
"Five years!" Tang Chen raised his fan-sized hand and spread all five fingers. "Let five years be the term! Five years from now, no matter where we are or what our Cultivation Levels may be, we'll find a place and have another proper fight! We'll see who has improved more in those five years! What do you say?"
A gleam flashed through Yu Yuanchen's eyes, and he agreed without hesitation. "Good! The Five Year Agreement—I, Yu Yuanchen, will certainly keep it!"
Qian Daoliu also smiled and nodded, though his tone carried unquestionable confidence. "How could Qian possibly miss such an occasion? Five years from now, I shall surely witness the more brilliant methods of you two brothers."
"Haha! Then it's settled!" Tang Chen rejoiced and extended his fist. Yu Yuanchen and Qian Daoliu exchanged smiles and extended theirs as well. Three fists—representing Hidden Dragon, Clear Sky, and Angel—met heavily in the air!
It was a simple agreement, yet it carried the conviction and friendship of three young prodigies.
The next morning, outside Stone Spring Town, the three clasped their hands in farewell.
Tang Chen carried the restored Clear Sky Hammer over his shoulder and strode toward the northeast. His back view was heroic, and his voice rang like a bell. "Take care, my brothers! We'll meet again in five years!"
Qian Daoliu spread his six wings, which shone with holy radiance in the morning light. He gave Yu Yuanchen a slight nod. "Brother Yu, take care. I look forward to seeing your thunder grow even more mighty in five years." With that, he beat his wings, transformed into a streak of golden light, and shot into the sky, vanishing among the clouds.
Yu Yuanchen stood where he was, watching the directions in which the two had departed, his heart filled with emotion. These few short months had been more exciting than the dozen years before them. He tightened the ordinary gray martial outfit around himself, put on his bamboo hat, turned, and chose another direction. With steady steps, he once more embarked alone upon his journey of training.
Stone Spring Town returned to its usual calm, as though nothing had happened. Yet no one knew that here, three future powerhouses who would stand at the summit of the continent had made a Five Year Agreement that would shake an era.
Hidden Dragon continued to conceal itself, sharpening its claws and fangs; Clear Sky returned to the mountain gate, tempering its edge; Angel soared through the heavens, scattering Holy Light.
Their paths had crossed, then temporarily diverged, only so that at some future moment, they could burst forth with an even more dazzling brilliance.
Yu Yuanchen's figure gradually receded into the vast land. His legend had only just begun. And the Wind and Clouds of the continent were about to shift in silence because of these three young men who had parted ways, and the forces behind them.
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