Qin Yu Descends the Mountain to Experience the World

After the matter of refining artifacts with True Fire, the small courtyard at Cloud Mist Villa returned to its former quiet. Qin Yu continued his diligent cultivation every day, tempering his body and honing his External Martial Arts by day, then circulating his cultivation technique to absorb spiritual energy at night. Under Yun Ce's guidance, his late Xiantian Stage cultivation grew ever more stable. He was now only one step away from the threshold of the External Martial Arts peak.

One day, Yun Ce summoned Qin Yu to the Artifact Refining Platform. His pale purple Life-Bound True Fire flickered faintly at his fingertips, though he was no longer working with any materials. He simply gazed calmly at the young man before him. Sensing that something was different about his master's expression, Qin Yu quickly composed himself and bowed. "Master, you summoned me. What are your instructions?"

Yun Ce raised a hand to motion for him to stand. His voice was gentle, yet carried an unquestionable gravity. "You have now reached the late Xiantian Stage. Your body is far stronger than that of an ordinary cultivator, and you have a High-Grade Spirit Artifact at your side. Your cultivation and combat strength have both begun to take shape. But you grew up in the Eastern Suppressing Prince Mansion and Cloud Mist Villa, and have never experienced the bloodshed of the mortal world or the treachery of human nature. Cultivating in such a sheltered environment will make it difficult to break through your limits, let alone face the dangers of the Conquest of Chu."

Qin Yu's heart tightened. He hurriedly replied, "I understand, Master. I just don't know how I should temper myself." He had known since childhood that he bore a blood feud, and understood that the comfort of a sheltered life could wear away his fighting spirit. He simply had never had the chance to leave Cloud Mist Mountain and experience the world outside.

"You may descend the mountain and travel through the Chu Dynasty." Yun Ce spoke slowly, gathering a thread of spiritual energy at his fingertip and sketching a rough map of the Chu Dynasty in the air. "The Chu Dynasty is home to countless cultivators, a place where fish and dragons mingle. There are power struggles among great clans, conflicts and bloodshed between martial sects, and forces lurking in the shadows. Once you leave, don't draw attention to yourself. Keep your identity hidden as you cultivate and observe the customs and distribution of power in the Chu Dynasty. Temper your character and hone your combat skills. When you feel you've learned enough, return on your own."

After a pause, Yun Ce added, "Remember, know your limits and don't act recklessly. If you encounter danger you can't handle, crush this jade talisman, and I will find you." With that, he took a pale green jade talisman from his sleeve and handed it to Qin Yu. It felt warm and smooth in Qin Yu's hand, and contained a dense concentration of spiritual energy. It was clearly a magical artifact used to send messages.

Qin Yu took the talisman in both hands and clutched it tightly, his eyes filled with resolve. "I'll follow your instructions, Master! I won't let you down. I'll train hard after I leave the mountain, break through the External Martial Arts peak as soon as possible, avenge my mother, and serve the Qin Family!" He had long yearned to see the world beyond the mountain, and was eager to prove himself through experience. Now that his master had given him permission and instructions, he was filled with excitement.

Yun Ce looked at the sharp glint in his eyes and gave a slight nod, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Go. Get your things in order, then leave. Remember, cultivation isn't only about increasing your strength. It's also about cultivating your character. Only by experiencing the trials of the world can you truly grow." He knew that, on the surface, Qin Yu's journey was an ordinary period of training. In truth, it was a step into the game Qin De had set in motion. Sooner or later, Qin Yu would cross paths with the Heavenly Net hidden within the Chu Dynasty.

That afternoon, Qin Yu packed his belongings and stored the High-Grade Spirit Artifacts inside his body. They had been made from Stone-Embedded Yan Chi Iron. He had named the gauntlets the Yan Chi Gauntlets, the dagger the Yan Chi Dagger, and the longsword the Yan Chi Longsword. He also tucked the jade talisman Yun Ce had given him inside his robe. After bowing deeply to Yun Ce, he turned and left Cloud Mist Villa. Xiao Hei had wanted to go with him, but Yun Ce kept him behind, saying only that he should stay in the mountains and cultivate until Qin Yu returned. Though reluctant to part with Xiao Hei, Qin Yu understood his master's intentions. He could only tell Xiao Hei to cultivate diligently before setting off down the mountain without looking back.

After descending the mountain, Qin Yu concealed his identity and changed into an ordinary blue cloth robe. He made his Yan Chi Longsword visible, tied it around his waist, and covered it with a coarse cloth belt. He looked no different from an ordinary young martial artist. Following Yun Ce's instructions, he headed south toward the heart of the Chu Dynasty. Along the way, he experienced the bustle of everyday life and witnessed conflicts among martial artists. He also encountered bandits who tried to rob him. Most of them were in the early Houtian Stage and were no match for him; he subdued them in just a few moves. He used these encounters to hone his combat skills and familiarize himself with his spirit artifacts.

After traveling for more than half a month, Qin Yu reached a small town outside the Chu Dynasty's capital called Luoxia Town. Located near the border between the Chu Dynasty and Ming Dynasty, the town was a place where all kinds of people mingled. Merchants passed through, cultivators kept a low profile, and many desperadoes made their home there. Qin Yu had planned to spend the night in town before continuing on, but unexpectedly found himself caught up in a fight.

That evening, Qin Yu was eating at an inn in town when he heard a fierce fight break out outside, accompanied by screams and the sharp clang of clashing weapons. Curious, he went to the window and pulled back the curtain. In the open space outside the inn, several black-clad, masked figures were surrounding a middle-aged man. The man fought desperately, but was outnumbered. He was already wounded in several places, and the long saber in his hand was about to slip from his grasp.

Qin Yu hadn't wanted to interfere. After all, he had come down the mountain to gain experience, and his master had told him to keep a low profile and not reveal his strength lightly. But seeing the black-clad attackers strike so ruthlessly, each blow aimed to kill, he could no longer suppress his sense of justice. Yun Ce had taught him from a young age that, despite his blood feud, he must still know the difference between good and evil.

Just as one of the black-clad men stabbed the middle-aged man in the shoulder, leaving him on the verge of collapse, Qin Yu shot out of the inn like a specter. A flicker of spiritual energy passed through his fingertips, and the longsword at his waist sprang from its sheath. A flash of crimson light deflected the attacker's saber with pinpoint accuracy. "Your methods are far too ruthless. Have you no sense of honor?" Qin Yu's voice was cool, carrying the sharpness of youth. The spiritual energy of the Xiantian Stage faintly radiated from his body.

The black-clad men halted their attacks and turned to look at Qin Yu, their eyes filled with wariness and surprise. They were all Silver-Rank Assassins of the Heavenly Net, each at the peak of the late Houtian Stage. They had thought it would be easy to take down a middle-aged man in the late Houtian Stage, but now a young man had suddenly appeared. His aura was steady, clearly marking him as no ordinary cultivator.

"Where did you little brat come from? You dare meddle in the Heavenly Net's affairs?" The leader's voice was cold beneath his mask. He raised his saber slightly, a murderous aura radiating from him. "If you know what's good for you, get out of here. Otherwise, don't blame us for what happens next!"

"The Heavenly Net?" Qin Yu's heart stirred. He had never heard of the name, but he could sense the murderous intent and discipline among the men. They were clearly part of some secretive assassin organization. He didn't back down. Instead, he tightened his grip on his sword and said coldly, "Those who do evil will meet their end. I'm handling this, whether you like it or not!"

A ruthless glint flashed through the leader's eyes. He said nothing more and gestured for his men to attack. "All of you, get him! Kill him!" The black-clad men immediately rushed Qin Yu with their sabers. Their attacks were fierce, each blow aimed to kill—clearly the ruthless techniques of men hardened by years of bloodshed.

Qin Yu remained calm. His steps were nimble as he dodged their attacks, his longsword sweeping through the air. Crimson light wrapped around the blade, and every strike carried dense fire-element spiritual energy. The blade was razor-sharp and radiated scorching heat. His External Martial Arts foundation was already solid, and he also had the support of a High-Grade Spirit Artifact and the cultivation of the late Xiantian Stage. Against several Silver-Rank Assassins at the peak of the Houtian Stage, he had no trouble holding his own.

In just a few moments, Qin Yu had routed the black-clad men. Some were slashed by his longsword, while others were sent staggering back by his spiritual energy. They were all in a sorry state, their eyes filled with fear. The leader, seeing Qin Yu's strength, had already begun to consider retreating, but he didn't dare make a move. He could only force himself to say, "Your strength is formidable. The Heavenly Net has no wish to make an enemy of you. Let's put this matter behind us. We ask only that you refrain from interfering in the Heavenly Net's affairs in the future!"

Qin Yu gave him a cold glance but didn't pursue him. "If I ever see you slaughtering the innocent again, I won't spare you." He then turned to the middle-aged man, checked his injuries, and handed him a healing pill. Yun Ce had given it to him before he left, in case of emergencies.

The middle-aged man accepted the pill and hurriedly thanked him, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, young master, for saving my life. I'll never forget your kindness!" He looked at Qin Yu with admiration. "You're so young, yet already so powerful. It's truly impressive. But the Heavenly Net is a vast organization with influence throughout the Chu Dynasty. You've offended them today, and I'm afraid you'll have trouble in the future."

Qin Yu furrowed his brow, growing more curious about the Heavenly Net. "What kind of organization is it?"

The middle-aged man sighed and lowered his voice. "The Heavenly Net is the most secretive assassin organization in the Chu Dynasty. Its members are ruthless, taking contracts to kill without ever asking why. They say its assassins are divided into three ranks: Gold-Rank, Silver-Rank, and Bronze-Rank. Bronze-Rank Assassins can kill experts in the middle Houtian Stage, while Silver-Rank Assassins must be capable of killing experts at the Houtian limit. Gold-Rank Assassins, meanwhile, are cultivators of the Xiantian Stage. There are very few Gold-Rank Assassins; the entire Heavenly Net has no more than a handful."

Just then, the black-clad men hadn't gone far. They were standing at a distance, and their leader bowed to Qin Yu. "Your strength far surpasses ours. You must already be a Xiantian expert. The Heavenly Net has always respected the strong. Would you be willing to join us as a Gold-Rank Assassin? You'd receive generous payment, as well as access to cultivation resources. Once you join, no one in the Chu Dynasty would dare provoke you lightly!"

Qin Yu was tempted. He had descended the mountain to hone his combat skills and gather resources. Joining the Heavenly Net would allow him to keep his identity hidden, travel throughout the Chu Dynasty with the organization's support, and sharpen his fighting skills by taking contracts. What did he have to lose? Besides, he wanted to learn more about the Heavenly Net and discover what kind of secretive power it really was.

After a moment's thought, Qin Yu nodded and said flatly, "Fine, I'll join the Heavenly Net. But I have one condition: I'll only take contracts I'm willing to accept, and I won't kill the innocent indiscriminately. If you force me to kill a good person, I'll leave immediately—and I won't show mercy."

The leader was overjoyed and quickly nodded. "No problem! Rest assured, although the Heavenly Net is ruthless in its methods, we won't force our assassins to kill the innocent. If you truly are a Xiantian expert, you'll join us as a Gold-Rank Assassin. You'll be a core member of the Heavenly Net!" He took a black token from his robes. The character "Heaven" was carved into it, and a faint spiritual light shimmered across its surface. "This is a Heavenly Net assassin's token. With it, you can collect contracts at Heavenly Net Branches throughout the Chu Dynasty and exchange them for resources."

Qin Yu took the token. It felt cold in his hand, and the character "Heaven" seemed to radiate a chilling murderous aura. He put it away and said calmly, "Take me to meet your superior. I want to learn the rules."

The leader hurriedly replied, "Yes! Please come with me." Qin Yu told the middle-aged man to take good care of his injuries, then followed the black-clad men out of Luoxia Town. Though their contract had failed, the black-clad men didn't think the trip was a loss after recruiting a Xiantian expert. They headed for the Heavenly Net Branch near Luoxia Town.

At that moment, in the small courtyard at Cloud Mist Villa, Yun Ce sat cross-legged as the Life-Bound True Fire at his fingertips slowly faded. He opened his eyes and gazed toward the Chu Dynasty, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. He had long known that the Heavenly Net wasn't some secretive assassin organization. It was a force Qin De had cultivated in secret. To prepare for the Conquest of Chu, Qin De had secretly recruited desperadoes and cultivators to establish the Heavenly Net. It would assassinate important officials and cultivators of the Chu Dynasty while also gathering intelligence for the war to come.

Yun Ce hadn't told Qin Yu anything about the Heavenly Net because he wanted him to gain experience within the organization and establish himself through his own strength, without relying on his status in the Eastern Suppressing Prince Mansion. With his late Xiantian Stage cultivation, Qin Yu would naturally become a Gold-Rank Assassin upon joining. Qin Yu really did seem fated to cross paths with the Heavenly Net, Yun Ce thought with a chuckle.

"Qin Yu, this journey through the Chu Dynasty is both a trial and a test." Yun Ce spoke softly, a note of anticipation in his eyes. "The Heavenly Net is a place where every kind of person mingles, and human hearts are hard to fathom. Only by holding fast to your principles can you grow through the bloodshed, shoulder the burden of the Qin Family, and complete your path of revenge." He wasn't worried about Qin Yu's safety. For one thing, Qin Yu was powerful and had a High-Grade Spirit Artifact and a communication talisman. For another, the Heavenly Net was Qin De's force. Even if Qin Yu encountered danger, Yun Ce would secretly come to his aid.

By then, Qin Yu had reached the Heavenly Net Branch in Luoxia Town. The branch was hidden deep in the mountains. Its buildings were old-fashioned and heavily guarded, with black-clad assassins everywhere, their auras cold and fierce. The branch master was a cultivator in the middle Xiantian Stage. When he heard that Qin Yu had reached the late Xiantian Stage, he came out in person to receive him, treating him with respect and explaining the Heavenly Net's rules one by one.

Gold-Rank Assassins didn't have to obey the branch master's orders. They could accept contracts at their own discretion, and after completing them, receive payment that could be exchanged for cultivation resources, pills, weapons, and other goods. They also had the right to choose for themselves and could refuse any contract they didn't want. Even when faced with orders from the main headquarters, they retained some degree of autonomy.

After hearing the rules, Qin Yu had already made up his mind. He would stay with the Heavenly Net for the time being, taking suitable contracts to hone his combat skills while gathering intelligence on the Chu Dynasty and learning how its cultivator forces were distributed. At the same time, he would continue cultivating and strive to reach the External Martial Arts peak as soon as possible.

The next day, Qin Yu accepted his first contract: the assassination of a corrupt official in the Chu Dynasty. The man had exploited the people and committed countless misdeeds, and the Heavenly Net had long had him under watch. Qin Yu concealed his identity, put on a mask, and infiltrated a county town in the Chu Dynasty. With his late Xiantian Stage cultivation and the support of a High-Grade Spirit Artifact, he slipped into the official's residence with ease and killed him with a single sword strike. The entire operation passed in silence, without alerting anyone.

After completing the contract, Qin Yu collected his payment, exchanged it for a batch of cultivation resources, and found a secluded cave to begin cultivating. He incorporated the combat techniques he had learned during his travels into his training. With the help of his cultivation resources, he continued to temper his body and strengthen his spiritual energy. His late Xiantian Stage cultivation grew ever more stable, and he drew closer and closer to the threshold of the External Martial Arts peak.

From then on, Qin Yu traveled through the Chu Dynasty as a Gold-Rank Assassin of the Heavenly Net. He journeyed between towns, accepted contracts, killed evildoers, honed his combat skills, and quietly observed the forces of the Chu Dynasty while gathering intelligence. His figure remained hidden in the darkness, and his crimson dagger cut through the night sky. He became a nightmare to the wicked throughout the Chu Dynasty. And with every clash and trial, he continued to grow, gradually shedding the inexperience of youth and becoming more composed and ruthless. This was what Yun Ce had hoped for: only by enduring the trials of the world could Qin Yu become a true powerhouse.

Yun Ce often used his spiritual sense to keep track of Qin Yu. As he watched Qin Yu grow step by step within the Heavenly Net, a faint smile remained on his lips. He knew that Qin Yu's journey of experience had only just begun, and that the assassin organization was merely a stepping stone on his path to growth.