No One Dared to Fight

Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

Inside a bamboo house of the Symbol Master Association, Luo Heng slowly opened his eyes. A dark gold gleam flashed through them and vanished, while his aura had become even more deep and restrained than it had been three months ago.

He had already reached the Peak Early Heaven Yuan Realm and touched upon the threshold of the middle stage.

Over these three months, he had devoted nearly all his time to cultivation.

During the day, he tempered his Spiritual Power on the Seventh Floor of the Symbol Master Tower. At night, he worked on merging the Tai Xu Swordplay with his movement techniques.

Occasionally, he also guided Zi Yue and Han Chong in Fu Dao, or discussed cultivation insights with Master Yan.

His gains had far exceeded his expectations.

"System, bring up my status panel," Luo Heng said calmly.

[Host: Luo Heng]

[Age: Sixteen and a half]

[True Cultivation: Peak Early Heaven Yuan Realm]

[Cultivation Method: Great Devouring Art (Beginner Chapter · 45%)]

[Martial Arts: Flowing Cloud and Soaring Goose Steps (Third Stage · Flowing Cloud and Soaring Goose · Minor Mastery), Tiangang Thunderclap Fist (Sixth Move · Tiangang Thunder Prison · Major Mastery), Tai Xu Swordplay (First Move · Void Blade · Minor Mastery), Soaring Dragon Steps (Self-Created · Fourth Grade · Major Mastery)]

[Spiritual Power: Peak Two-Seal Symbol Master (Myriad Law Seal)]

[Spiritual Secret Arts: Myriad Techniques Spirit Needle (Refined Grade · Minor Mastery), Formation of Life (Qi Stage · Beginner)]

[Origin Divine Skills: Great Devouring Art, Tai Xu Swordplay]

[Spirit Treasures: Silver Feather Sword (Intermediate Spirit Treasure · Refined), Qingxuan Sword (Mortal Grade Top Quality · Spare)]

[Special Items: Stone of Enlightenment 1/9, Yang Yuan Stone ×13800, Yang Yuan Pill ×250, Various pills and talismans]

[Check-In Status: Daily/Monthly/Yearly all used]

Looking at the information on the status panel, satisfaction flashed through Luo Heng's eyes.

Over the past three months, with the analytical and deductive abilities of the Myriad Law Seal and the Stone of Enlightenment Fragment, he had elevated several of his main martial arts to new heights.

The third stage of the Flowing Cloud and Soaring Goose Steps, "Flowing Cloud and Soaring Goose," had reached Minor Mastery, increasing both his speed and agility severalfold.

As for the sixth move of the Tiangang Thunderclap Fist, "Tiangang Thunder Prison," it had already reached Major Mastery. Its power, however, was comparable to the full-force eruption of an eighth-grade martial art.

What satisfied him most was still the first move of the Tai Xu Swordplay, "Void Blade."

At Minor Mastery, Void Blade could already condense three spatial rifts, with its attack range extending beyond three zhang.

When used together with the intermediate Spirit Treasure, the Silver Feather Sword, its power increased even further. Without special defensive measures, even someone in the Late Heaven Yuan Realm would likely struggle to withstand it.

As for his Spiritual Power...

Three months ago, he had successfully passed the trial on the Eighth Floor of the Symbol Master Tower and obtained the complete inheritance of the Qi Stage spiritual secret art, the Formation of Life.

The Formation of Life truly deserved to be called a Qi Stage secret art. Its cultivation threshold was extremely high, requiring the Spiritual Power of a Three-Mark Rune Master to wield.

Yet, with the aid of the Myriad Law Seal and his innately powerful Spiritual Power, Luo Heng had forcefully condensed a Seed Talisman Array while still at the Peak Two-Seal Symbol Master level.

Now, with a mere thought and an infusion of Spiritual Power, he could instantly activate the first transformation of the Formation of Life.

The First Stage was Life-Generating Light, which specialized in attacks on the spiritual level and could shatter spiritual barriers.

The following two stages were Life-Generating Azure Waves and Myriad Transformation Flame.

With this secret art, his spiritual offensive and defensive methods had become even more comprehensive.

"The ninth floor... I should leave it for Dongzi."

Luo Heng recalled the contents of the ninth floor of the Symbol Master Tower and shook his head slightly.

That floor concealed the locations of the Devouring Ancestral Symbol and the Thunder Ancestral Symbol. But he had no intention of following the path of the Ancestral Symbols, so he would leave them for Lin Dong, just as in the Original Work.

Opportunities did not need to be hoarded all for oneself. Leaving them for those who needed them was also a mark of generosity.

Besides, the faster Lin Dong grew, the more reliable a brother Luo Heng would have when facing the Yimo in the future.

"By my calculations, the Hunting Tournament in Qingyang Town should be starting soon..."

Luo Heng looked out the window. The winter sunlight carried a trace of warmth.

The New Year would arrive in a few days, and he had been away from Qingyang Town for nearly four months.

During that time, he had frequently exchanged letters with his family.

In his letters, his father, Luo Yun, told him that the Luo Family was flourishing.

With the support of the Yang Yuan Stone Mine, his grandfather, Luo Shan, had successfully broken through to the Late Heaven Yuan Realm two months ago, while his father, Luo Yun, had also entered the Middle Heaven Yuan Realm.

His mother, Su Yi, had cultivated the improved Flowing Cloud and Soaring Goose Steps, greatly improving her movement technique and her ability to protect herself.

Several Earthen Yuan Stage experts had also emerged among the family guards.

The Luo Family's current strength was no weaker than that of any family in Qingyang Town, and it showed faint signs of becoming the fifth great power there.

As for the Lei Clan...

Thinking of the Lei Clan, a playful smile curled at Luo Heng's lips.

After news of his defeat of Yue Feng and his rise to fame in Flame City reached Qingyang Town three months ago, the Lei Clan's attitude had changed dramatically.

Lei Bao had not only personally visited the Luo Family with a respectful attitude, but had also taken the initiative to propose an alliance.

He had even transferred several businesses that originally belonged to the Lei Clan to the Luo Family at low prices as "compensation."

As for the Yang Yuan Stone Mine, the Lei Clan seemed not to have noticed it even now.

"A wise man submits to the times. That old fox Lei Bao certainly knows how to judge the situation."

Luo Heng spoke softly, but there was not the slightest hint of relaxation in his eyes.

The more Lei Bao endured, the deeper his schemes must run.

Still, before absolute strength, every plot and trick was futile.

Once the Hunting Tournament ended, he would begin making arrangements to eliminate the Lei Clan as a hidden threat for good.

As for the Blood Wolf Gang...

Over the past three months, Yue Shan had been quite "quiet," taking no retaliatory action against Luo Heng or the Symbol Master Association.

But Luo Heng knew this was only the calm before the storm.

A ruthless figure like Yue Shan would never swallow this grievance so easily.

With his greatly increased strength, together with the Tai Xu Swordplay and the Formation of Life, he could now fight even someone at the Small Perfection of the Core Formation Realm. However, there was still some gap between him and Yue Shan, who was at the Great Perfection of the Core Formation Realm.

If he were given more time to break through into the Core Formation Realm, he could definitely kill him!

"But... I should go home for the New Year first."

Luo Heng rose and pushed open the bamboo door.

Outside, the winter bamboo grove remained verdant, though a thin layer of frost covered the ground.

"Young Master Luo."

Zi Yue emerged from the neighboring bamboo house, holding an exquisite wooden box in her hands.

"Miss Zi Yue." Luo Heng smiled and nodded.

Over these three months, his relationship with Zi Yue had grown much closer.

She was also quite accomplished in Fu Dao. The two often exchanged ideas and discussed their studies, benefiting greatly from one another.

"I heard you'll be returning to Qingyang Town tomorrow?" Zi Yue handed over the wooden box and said softly, "Master asked me to give this to you. It contains some talisman materials and pills for restoring Spiritual Power. They may come in handy on the road."

Luo Heng accepted the wooden box and swept it with his spiritual sense. As expected, everything inside was of excellent quality and quite valuable.

"Please thank Master Yan for me."

"Also..." Zi Yue paused, a trace of complexity flashing through her eyes before she continued, "News has come from Tianhuo City. The representative they are sending for next July's Tower Battle is Zhou Tong, Han Yun's disciple. He is already a Peak Two-Seal Symbol Master and may reach Three Seal by then. You should be careful."

"Zhou Tong?" Luo Heng raised a brow. In the Original Work, Lin Dong's opponent at the Tower Battle had been this very man.

But that had been half a year later. He was not worried in the slightest.

"A Three-Mark Rune Master... no matter."

Luo Heng's tone was calm, but confidence flashed in his eyes. By then, he would surely have broken through to Three Seal as well.

Over these three months, his Spiritual Power had approached the threshold of Three Seal after being tempered in the Symbol Master Tower.

If he went all out and used the Formation of Life, even a Three-Mark Rune Master might not necessarily be his match.

Not to mention, he still had a trump card like the Myriad Law Seal.

"It's good that Young Master Luo is confident." Zi Yue spoke softly, an imperceptible smile flickering in her eyes.

"Miss Zi Yue should cultivate diligently as well. The Tower Battle is not my responsibility alone," Luo Heng said with a smile. He still thought highly of Zi Yue.

"I will." Zi Yue nodded, a trace of determination appearing on her cool, beautiful face.

After chatting for a few more moments, Luo Heng took his leave.

He first went to Master Yan's bamboo house to bid farewell to the old man.

"Little Friend Luo, be careful on the road." Master Yan stroked his beard and smiled. "Qingyang Town may be small, but during the New Year season, you must still beware of petty villains."

"I understand, Senior." Luo Heng cupped his fists and smiled.

"Oh, right. Keep this Escape Talisman with you." Master Yan took out a silver talisman from his robes and handed it to Luo Heng. "This talisman was personally made by this old man. Once activated, it can instantly escape fifty li away. Even Form Creation Stage experts would struggle to track you down. Consider it a New Year's gift."

Luo Heng's heart stirred. This was an excellent life-saving item!

"Thank you, Master Yan!"

"Go on, then. Leave early and return early." Master Yan waved his hand.

After leaving the Symbol Master Association, Luo Heng made another trip to the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild.

Xuan Su personally came out to receive him.

"Young Master Luo is returning to Qingyang Town?" Xuan Su's beautiful eyes shifted as she smiled. "As it happens, the guild has a shipment of New Year goods headed to Qingyang Town. If you do not mind, you may travel with the merchant caravan. You will have someone to look after you on the way."

Luo Heng pondered briefly before nodding in agreement.

Traveling with a merchant caravan would indeed save him quite a bit of trouble.

"Then I'll have to trouble Manager Xuan Su."

"Young Master Luo is too courteous." Xuan Su smiled sweetly and took out a Jade Slip, handing it to Luo Heng. "This contains the guild's latest intelligence regarding some movements by the Blood Wolf Gang. It may prove useful to you."

Luo Heng accepted the Jade Slip and sent his spiritual sense inside, raising his brows slightly.

It recorded that over the past three months, the Blood Wolf Gang had maintained close contact with several bandit forces around Flame City, seemingly plotting something.

"Thank you for the warning, Manager Xuan Su." Luo Heng put away the Jade Slip and thanked her solemnly.

"Young Master Luo has done my Myriad Gold Merchant Guild a favor. This little matter is not worth mentioning." Xuan Su smiled. "The caravan will depart from the west gate at eight tomorrow morning. Do not be late."

"Alright."

After leaving the Myriad Gold Merchant Guild, Luo Heng wandered around Flame City and bought some New Year goods and gifts.

For his father, he bought a Mortal Grade High Tier Refined Iron Longsword. Though it was not as good as the Qingxuan Sword, it was practical.

For his mother, he bought a set of defensive talismans capable of blocking a full-force attack from someone at the peak of the Earthen Yuan Stage.

For his grandfather, he bought a bottle of fourth-grade Guyuan Pills, which could stabilize Heaven Yuan Realm cultivation.

As for Qing Tan and Lin Dong...

After some thought, Luo Heng bought Qing Tan an ice-blue necklace. Set into it was a Cold Jade Pearl, which could help her suppress the cold yin energy within her body.

For Dongzi, he bought a Jade Slip containing several common Talisman Arrays. He wondered whether Dongzi had broken through to the Earthen Yuan Stage yet.

"That should be enough."

Luo Heng stored the gifts in the System Space. By the time he returned to the Symbol Master Association, it was already evening.

He casually packed his luggage. In truth, there was not much to pack, since all his important belongings were in the System Space.

Sitting inside the bamboo house, Luo Heng took out the Escape Talisman and examined it closely.

The talisman was silver throughout, its surface covered in profound patterns, with faint spatial fluctuations flowing across it.

"Master Yan truly deserves to be called a Four-Mark Rune Master. The value of this talisman is likely no less than that of a low-grade Spirit Treasure."

Luo Heng carefully put away the talisman. It would become another one of his trump cards.

Night had fallen, but Luo Heng did not sleep.

He sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion and began his final cultivation session of the year in Flame City.

The Great Devouring Art slowly circulated. Heaven and Earth Origin Energy surged in like a tide, swallowed and refined by a black vortex before merging into the dark gold Yuan Core Phantom.

Within his Niwan Palace, the Myriad Law Seal slowly rotated, radiating a faint golden glow. Under its tempering, his Spiritual Power grew ever more solid and pure.