Setting Matters (Must Read! Must Read! Must Read!)

By the time they left the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild, it was already afternoon.

On the streets of Flame City, Luo Heng and Zi Yue walked side by side.

Zi Yue glanced at the young man beside her, her thoughts shifting slightly.

In just half a day together, Luo Heng's composure, knowledge, and unfathomable depth had stirred ripples even in the heart of the City Lord's daughter.

"Young Master Luo, where do you plan to go next? The Curio Pavilion gathers rare treasures from all directions. Though it is not as proper as the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild, one can often find unexpected things there." Zi Yue asked Luo Heng.

"That works." Luo Heng nodded. He had not properly explored Flame City over the past two days, so this was a good chance to take a look.

Just as the two were about to head toward the Curio Pavilion in the western part of the city, a sudden commotion rose from the street ahead.

Then they saw the crowd quickly part to either side, clearing a path.

Several martial artists in blood-red fitted outfits, each with a fierce aura, escorted a young man as they strode forward.

The young man was around twenty years old, with a sinister face and a vicious gleam in his eyes. A blood-red spear hung at his waist, and Primal Energy flickered around him as he walked. He was clearly at the Middle Heaven Yuan Realm.

The few people following behind him also gave off formidable auras, the weakest among them being at the Late Earthen Yuan Stage.

"It's Yue Feng, the young master of the Blood Wolf Gang!"

"Why is he here? Judging by his direction..."

"What else could it be? I heard the Symbol Master Association has produced a genius. This young master has always been narrow-minded. He probably means trouble."

Low murmurs rose from the surrounding crowd, filled with awe and apprehension.

The Blood Wolf Gang was one of Flame City's three top powers. They acted ruthlessly and tyrannically, and their gang leader, Yue Shan, was a Great Perfection of the Core Formation Realm expert known as the "Mountain Crushing Hand," infamous far and wide.

As his only son, Yue Feng had always run wild among Flame City's younger generation. He might not even take people from the City Lord's Mansion or the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild seriously.

Zi Yue's cool brows furrowed slightly. She stepped half a pace forward, placing herself in front of Luo Heng, and said coldly, "Yue Feng, what do you want?"

Yue Feng stopped. His gaze swept over Zi Yue before locking directly onto Luo Heng behind her, and a cold smile curled across his lips.

"So it's Miss Zi Yue. What, has the City Lord's daughter now become the attendant of some newcomer to the Symbol Master Association?" Yue Feng said with a false smile, making no attempt to hide the provocation in his words.

A chill flashed through Zi Yue's eyes. "Yue Feng, watch your mouth."

"My mouth?"

Hearing that, Yue Feng sneered. He openly sized up Luo Heng and clicked his tongue. "I heard the Symbol Master Association has gained an extraordinary genius. Sixteen years old, yet daring to challenge the Sixth Floor of the Symbol Master Tower, and even touch the barrier of the Seventh Floor? Truly impressive for one so young."

Then his tone abruptly turned cold. "But Flame City has no shortage of geniuses. Only those who survive to the end are true geniuses. Boy, you just arrived and already caused such a stir. Aren't you afraid the wind will make you bite your tongue?"

To everyone present, this was nothing less than a naked threat!

Luo Heng raised his eyes and calmly looked at Yue Feng. Why did every fool have to come jumping out?

Within his Niwan Palace, the Myriad Law Seal slowly revolved, clearly reflecting Yue Feng's cultivation, aura, and even the subtle flaws in the circulation of Primal Energy within his body.

Middle Heaven Yuan Realm. His foundation was acceptable, but his Primal Energy was somewhat unstable.

His martial art should be spear techniques, but his Spear Intent had yet to form. He merely possessed the appearance of it.

As for his temperament... arrogant and easily angered, riddled with openings.

If they were out in the wilderness, Luo Heng was completely confident that he could take Yue Feng's life within ten moves and send him straight to reincarnation.

But this was Flame City.

The Blood Wolf Gang was a local tyrant entrenched here, with countless experts in its ranks and Yue Shan, a Great Perfection of the Core Formation Realm expert, overseeing it.

Luo Heng himself had nothing to fear, but the Luo Family in Qingyang Town did.

His father, mother, grandfather... they had not yet grown strong enough to disregard the Blood Wolf Gang's threats.

Even the Lei Clan required their caution. If the Blood Wolf Gang were added to the equation...

His thoughts raced. Luo Heng suppressed the fleeting chill in his eyes, his expression remaining calm and unruffled.

"Young Gang Master Yue flatters me," Luo Heng said indifferently.

"Cultivation in the Symbol Master Tower depends on one's own ability. It hardly counts as causing a stir. On the other hand, Young Gang Master Yue has come with such a large entourage. May I ask what business brings you here?"

Seeing Luo Heng remain so calm, the viciousness in Yue Feng's eyes intensified.

He had heard about the Symbol Master Tower incident and felt displeased, so he had deliberately come to pick a fight and give this newcomer, who did not know his place, a lesson.

Yet the other party was so composed that it felt like punching cotton, which made him even more irritated.

"What business? I'm simply curious. I want to see how capable this so-called genius really is. What, do you dare exchange a few moves with me?" Yue Feng sneered.

He took a step forward, and the aura of the Middle Heaven Yuan Realm erupted!

The surrounding crowd cried out and hurriedly retreated. Quite a few lower-cultivation martial artists turned pale.

Cool Spiritual Power surged around Zi Yue as she prepared to step forward.

But Luo Heng lightly raised a hand and stopped her.

"Young Gang Master Yue must be joking." Luo Heng's tone remained calm as he continued at an unhurried pace. "Talisman Masters excel in Spiritual Power. Close combat is not my specialty. If Young Gang Master Yue wishes to spar, you may as well go to the Martial Combat Stage and find a suitable opponent."

Yue Feng's face darkened. Naturally, he understood the barb in Luo Heng's words, but with Luo Heng using his identity as a Talisman Master as an excuse, he truly could not force the matter.

After all, the Symbol Master Association was not to be trifled with either. Master Yan was notoriously protective of his own.

"A Talisman Master?" Mockery flashed through Yue Feng's eyes as he continued to sneer. "I think you're just scared. What genius? You're nothing but a cowardly turtle hiding in its shell!"

The Blood Wolf Gang members behind him immediately burst into laughter, hurling endless filthy insults.

Zi Yue's face turned icy, and her jade-like hand had already settled on the hilt of the sword at her waist.

Deep in Luo Heng's eyes, a trace of icy coldness silently flashed.

Within his Niwan Palace, three Myriad Techniques Spirit Needles had quietly condensed, ready to strike.

With the strength of his Spiritual Power as a Two-Seal Symbol Master, combined with the surprise attack of the Myriad Techniques Spirit Needles, it was enough to make Yue Feng suffer badly and perhaps even severely injure his soul for a short time.

But... what would the cost be?

If Yue Feng were badly injured, the Blood Wolf Gang would never let the matter rest.

Luo Heng could leave at any time, but what about the Luo Family? His parents and family were all in Qingyang Town...

A small lack of patience would ruin great plans.

Luo Heng took a deep breath, suppressing the killing intent and humiliation roiling within him.

Since his rebirth, relying on his tremendous talent, memories from his previous life, and the system, he had sailed smoothly through everything. When had he ever suffered such humiliation?

But reality was like this. Before he possessed absolute strength capable of crushing everything, he still had to endure when it was necessary.

"If Young Gang Master Yue has no further business, please make way." Luo Heng's tone was flat, revealing neither joy nor anger. This is completely different from what I imagined. I transmigrated, and I still have to suffer this kind of humiliation... damn it!

Seeing Luo Heng act like such a "coward," Yue Feng felt even more pleased with himself, though he also found it boring.

He had intended to provoke Luo Heng into attacking, then "accidentally" severely injure him. That would both slap the Symbol Master Association in the face and display the Blood Wolf Gang's might.

Who would have thought that Luo Heng would be so slippery and refuse to take the bait?

"Hmph, spineless trash." Yue Feng spat disdainfully, but did not continue blocking the way.

He was arrogant, but not completely brainless. If he openly tried to kill a core disciple of the Symbol Master Association in the street, neither the City Lord's Mansion nor Master Yan would let it slide.

"Let's go!" Yue Feng waved a hand and led his subordinates away.

Before leaving, he turned back and glared at Luo Heng, the threat in his eyes completely undisguised.

"Boy, the waters of Flame City run deep. Be careful not to drown."

The Blood Wolf Gang members swaggered away, and only then did the frozen atmosphere on the street slowly return to normal.

The onlookers dispersed amid quiet discussion. Many looked at Luo Heng with an added hint of sympathy and regret.

What did being a genius matter? Before a local tyrant like the Blood Wolf Gang, he still had to lower his head.

Zi Yue walked to Luo Heng's side. Her cool eyes held a trace of concern and apology as she said, "Young Master Luo, I'm sorry. I did not think this through..."

"This has nothing to do with Miss Zi Yue."

Luo Heng shook his head and said, "The Blood Wolf Gang is powerful. As a newcomer, avoiding their edge for now is the wise choice."

Though he said so, the fist hidden within his sleeve quietly clenched.

Damn it! This is humiliating!

This was the first time since his rebirth that he had felt such intense humiliation!

He clearly had the strength to crush his opponent beneath his feet, yet because he had to consider the family behind him, he was forced to endure and retreat.

That sense of powerlessness ignited a raging fire in his heart.

Become stronger!

He had to become stronger, faster!

Only by possessing strength enough to crush everything could he protect all that he wanted to protect, act as he pleased, and settle grudges with abandon!

Zi Yue looked at Luo Heng's calm profile, yet in the depths of those profound eyes, she caught the sharp, icy glint that vanished in an instant.

That was not the fear or retreat others showed. It was a blade lying dormant, merely waiting for the right time.

Her heart stirred slightly. "Young Master Luo, the Blood Wolf Gang has always acted tyrannically. After today, they may continue causing you trouble. If you need help, the City Lord's Mansion is willing to provide you with protection."

Luo Heng turned to look at Zi Yue. A trace of surprise flashed through his eyes before becoming sincere gratitude. "Thank you for your kindness, Miss Zi Yue. I know what to do."

He paused, then continued, "Thank you for guiding me today, Miss Zi Yue. I would like to return to the Symbol Master Association first."

Zi Yue nodded and said nothing more. Everyone was a genius, after all. If she had been in Luo Heng's place, whether she could have endured it was another matter entirely. She could only say that she admired him.

The two returned to the Symbol Master Association in silence.

Outside the Bamboo House, Luo Heng bid Zi Yue farewell and closed the door.

The room was dim and silent. Luo Heng remained quiet, saying nothing.

He sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion and closed his eyes.

In his mind, Yue Feng's arrogant, domineering face, the Blood Wolf Gang members' mocking laughter, and the gazes of the surrounding crowd—some ridiculing, some sympathetic, some regretful—flashed past one by one.

The frustration and anger in his heart churned like a volcano.

But he did not allow his emotions to spiral out of control.

The Great Devouring Art slowly circulated. A black vortex turned, devouring and refining the negative emotions in his heart bit by bit.

"Strength... it all comes down to insufficient strength."

Luo Heng opened his eyes again. His gaze was now like a cold, deep pool, frighteningly calm.

"The Blood Wolf Gang... Yue Shan... Great Perfection of the Core Formation Realm..."

He quietly recited those names, with no fear in his eyes, only cold killing intent.

"Today's humiliation will be repaid with your heads one day."

"But before that..."

With a thought, Luo Heng retrieved the Stone of Enlightenment Fragment from the System Space.

The palm-sized fragment of a black stone stele felt cool to the touch, its surface covered in mysterious patterns.