Return to the Symbol Master Association

Master Yan heard Luo Heng's calm yet confident reply, and the smile in his eyes deepened. Stroking his beard, he said, "Good! With those words from you, I can rest easy. The Tower Battle will be entrusted to you and Ziyue."

Zi Yue also nodded lightly. Her cool gaze rested on Luo Heng for a moment before turning to Lin Dong. "Junior Brother Lin Dong has only just arrived, so you should first familiarize yourself with the surroundings. The first floor of the Symbol Master Association's Library is open to core disciples. There are some basic Fu Dao texts and Concentration Methods there. You may go browse them first."

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Sister Ziyue," Lin Dong quickly said.

"Luo, come with me." Master Yan rose to his feet and headed toward a Quiet Room deeper within the Bamboo House.

Luo Heng gave Lin Dong a look, telling him to wait, then followed him inside.

The Quiet Room was simple and ancient, containing only two meditation cushions and a low table.

Master Yan gestured for Luo Heng to sit. He did not speak immediately, merely watching him calmly, his gaze seeming capable of seeing through many secrets.

Luo Heng remained composed and met Master Yan's eyes, waiting for him to speak.

After a long while, Master Yan let out a soft sigh and slowly said, "Luo, I have heard something about what happened in Qingyang Town..."

He paused. Seeing no change in Luo Heng's expression, he continued, "The Lei Clan and Xie Family were exterminated overnight, every last member wiped out. The methods were decisive, the scene was cleaned up quite 'thoroughly,' and only traces pointing to the Blood Wolf Gang were left behind."

"Liu Chong's disappearance, the 'accidental' deaths of several Blood Wolf Gang scouts on their way to Qingyang Town... These events happened one after another, and at such a coincidental time. If one said they had nothing to do with you, I fear no one would believe it."

Luo Heng was silent for a moment. He neither admitted nor denied it, only saying calmly, "In this world, causes and effects come full circle. The Lei Clan and Xie Family operated in Qingyang Town for many years, so they must have had quite a few enemies. The Blood Wolf Gang acts tyrannically and has made even more enemies. Perhaps their conflict led to the current situation... Perhaps it is simply the judgment of heaven."

His words were deliberately ambiguous, but how could Master Yan fail to understand their meaning?

He gave Luo Heng a deep look. There was no reproach or probing in his eyes. Instead, they held a complicated trace of admiration, along with a sigh at how resolute and ruthless a young man's temperament could be.

"Enough. You need not explain anything to me." Master Yan waved his hand, his tone returning to calm. "The path of cultivation is already brambled with thorns and fraught with killing intent at every step. At times, showing mercy to one's enemies is cruelty toward oneself and one's loved ones. Having lived for so many years, I naturally understand this."

His tone shifted, and his voice lowered. "But remember this: once some things are done, they are done. There is no need for regret, but you must bear the consequences. Clean up all loose ends. The Blood Wolf Gang is not kind, and Yue Shan is even more cunning, petty, and vengeful. He may not find conclusive evidence, but he will certainly put this debt on your head."

"I understand. Thank you for your advice, Master," Luo Heng said with a nod.

Master Yan nodded, a trace of relief appearing on his face. "It is good that you understand. You need not worry about the Symbol Master Association. As long as you remain here, I will protect you. Those Blood Wolf Gang scouts... will no longer have any chance to investigate Qingyang Town."

"I will remember Master's great kindness," Luo Heng said, rising to offer a respectful bow.

"Sit. There is no need for this." Master Yan gestured for him to sit, his expression returning to indifference. "Now that you have returned, focus on preparing for the Tower Battle. Zhou Tong of Tianhuo City is not to be underestimated. The honor and disgrace of the Symbol Master Tower rest on your and Ziyue's shoulders this time."

"I will certainly give it my all," Luo Heng replied solemnly.

"Mm." Master Yan nodded in satisfaction. "Your cultivation has improved considerably. Your Sword Intent is now sheathed and restrained, making it seem even deeper. You may enter the Symbol Master Tower whenever you wish. The Formation of Life stele on the Eighth Floor should still benefit you."

"I was just planning to enter the Symbol Master Tower and cultivate in seclusion for a few days," Luo Heng said.

"Go, then. Before the Tower Battle, calm your mind and consolidate everything you have gained until it is fully yours," Master Yan instructed.

After leaving the Quiet Room, Luo Heng found Lin Dong eagerly reading through books on the first floor of the Library.

At Lin Dong's feet, Little Yan lay obediently with its eyes shut, though its ears twitched alertly from time to time. Inside the Stone Talisman, Xiao Diao occasionally offered a sharp comment or supplement on the contents of the books through their spiritual connection, allowing Lin Dong to gain even more.

"How does it feel?" Luo Heng asked.

"I've benefited enormously!" Lin Dong looked up, excitement gleaming in his eyes. "The systems of inheritance here are far too extensive. Many questions that have troubled me for a long time can all be answered here!"

"That's good. Your residence has been arranged beside my Bamboo House."

Luo Heng handed him a Silver Badge and continued, "This is an Outer Disciple badge. It allows you to freely enter the first-floor areas and borrow basic texts. Once you pass the assessment, you can advance."

"Thank you, Brother Luo Heng!" Lin Dong accepted it gratefully. He knew full well how precious this opportunity was.

"Cultivate well. Before the Tower Battle, I will find time to test your progress." Luo Heng patted him on the shoulder, then looked toward the black Stone Tower. "Now, I am going to cultivate in seclusion in the Symbol Master Tower."

Following his gaze, Lin Dong looked at the ancient tower radiating invisible pressure, and reverence and longing rose in his heart.

One day, I will climb it too. Lin Dong clenched his fists and silently swore an oath.

When the guarding disciples of the Symbol Master Tower saw Luo Heng, they immediately let him through respectfully.

The moment he entered the tower, a faint Spiritual Pressure, nearly imperceptible, washed over him. Luo Heng's expression remained natural, and without slowing, he swiftly ascended the spiraling stone stairs.

Second floor, third floor, fourth floor... Every disciple he encountered along the way looked at him with reverence.

"Senior Brother Luo is back!"

"Looking at his direction, he's heading straight for the upper floors!"

"I heard Senior Brother Luo has long been able to cultivate on the Eighth Floor for extended periods. What a monster..."

The murmurs were soon left behind as Luo Heng quickly arrived at the Seventh Floor.

Here, the Spiritual Pressure was already dense enough to feel tangible, while Spiritual Thunder occasionally struck down.

A faint golden radiance circulated around Luo Heng. The Myriad Law Seal guarded his Niwan Palace, dissolving and devouring all the pressure and thunder.

Without pausing, he went directly up to the Eighth Floor.

At the center of the space stood a black stone stele inscribed with the Formation of Life.

There was no one else here. Only a vast field of Spiritual Power filled the space.

Luo Heng sat cross-legged before the stone stele and closed his eyes to focus.

Within his Niwan Palace, the Myriad Law Seal slowly rotated. At his dantian, the dark gold Yuan Core Phantom rose and fell.

Luo Heng extended a finger and lightly touched the patterns on the stone stele.

"Buzz."

The stone stele lit up. Vast streams of information surged into him, and even stronger Spiritual Pressure crashed down!

Luo Heng's expression did not change. The Myriad Law Seal blazed brightly as it began to conduct Analysis and Deduction of deeper mysteries with all its strength...

While Luo Heng cultivated diligently atop the tower, the Blood Wolf Gang's headquarters was filled with oppressive tension in its council hall.

Yue Shan's face was terrifyingly gloomy. "Liu Chong's Soul Lamp has been extinguished for half a month, and several groups of scouts sent to Qingyang Town have also gone missing one after another... Good. Very good!"

He suddenly looked at the people below him, his voice icy. "Though there is no evidence, other than that little bastard Luo Heng, who else would target my Blood Wolf Gang so deliberately? Who else could possess such methods?"

"Gang Leader, the Symbol Master Association is clearly protecting him. That old bastard Master Yan may have intervened as well. If we act openly..." an elder said worriedly.

"Act openly? Of course I am not that foolish! But this debt of blood must be repaid in blood!" Yue Shan sneered.

A vicious light flickered in his eyes. His voice lowered, becoming even more venomous as he said, "The Tower Battle... is it not approaching? That old ghost Han Yun of Tianhuo City dreams of crushing the Flame City Symbol Master Association completely. Perhaps we can lend him a hand and, while we are at it... send that little bastard Luo Heng and the Symbol Master Association he treasures to hell together!"