Youth Beneath the Waterfall

"Since you wish to hear it, Young Master, then I'll tell you!

I came from a second-rate family in the Central Continent. My talent was not bad, and my family was fairly prosperous. But later, someone in my family offended the personal disciple of the Valley Master of Magic Flame Valley, and my entire family was wiped out. I happened to be training elsewhere at the time and escaped disaster. When I returned home, all that remained was rubble and ruins. Later, the people of Magic Flame Valley still found me, but I was lucky. While fleeing for my life in a panic, I encountered an elder of the Yao Clan. He saved me, and I remained with the Yao Clan for decades. My cultivation eventually reached the peak of the Dou Huang realm, but I'm still not strong enough to take revenge..."

Zhou Tong's gaze became somewhat weathered. As he spoke of the past, even his hands trembled slightly. Clearly, he had never been able to forget it.

"Don't worry. That day is not far off."

Yao Feng placed a hand on Zhou Tong's shoulder and spoke softly.

"Magic Flame Valley, Old Ghost of Earth Demon's sect. They were a major villain faction in the original story."

"Hehe, don't worry, Young Master. If I had remained trapped in hatred, I would never have broken through to the Dou Huang realm."

Zhou Tong laughed freely, let out a long breath, and cast his worries behind him.

Within a dense mountain forest, Yao Feng nimbly dodged as a Magic Power Pig charged wildly about. Arcs of electricity flickered across its body as it smashed through tree after tree, yet it could not even touch the corner of Yao Feng's robes.

Seemingly having had enough fun, Yao Feng halted. A dark yellow flame suddenly rose from his palm—it was none other than the Mysterious Yellow Flame.

"Burning Fire Palm!"

Yao Feng shouted softly. Dark yellow Mysterious Yellow Flame coiled around his palm as he struck the Magic Power Pig on the head.

The Magic Power Pig let out a miserable cry after taking the blow, its body slowly collapsing to the ground.

"This Electric Pig is among the weaker First-tier Demonic Beasts. It can no longer pose any threat to me. If I want to practice, it seems I'll have to find some stronger Demonic Beasts."

Yao Feng clapped his hands and spoke softly. Though he had the system, he still wanted to become sufficiently powerful himself. Only then could he be absolutely safe and freely do as he pleased in the world of Dou Po.

"Electric Pigs are indeed rather weak, but their meat is delicious. They're indispensable food in the wilderness!"

Old Zhou, who had been watching from afar, chuckled and said greedily.

They had spent several days in the carriage. Today, they happened to pass through a mountain range, and seeing that Yao Feng wanted to test his skills, Old Zhou had immediately led him to a Magic Power Pig.

"Oh? Old Zhou knows about these things too?"

Yao Feng looked at Old Zhou in surprise. He had not expected a Dou Huang expert to know how to cook. In his previous life, he had been a foodie and had done some research into fine cuisine, but this world lacked so many seasonings that even the cleverest housewife could not cook without rice.

"Hehe, although I haven't done it for several decades, I shouldn't be too rusty."

Old Zhou jumped down from the carriage and chopped at a tree with his palm. Then, he took out a dagger and quickly set up a simple grill.

Seeing this, Yao Feng also took out a small knife. After hesitating for a moment, he viciously drove it into the Electric Pig's skull. Red and white fluids flowed out, and Yao Feng suddenly felt nauseated. He hurriedly stood up, turned his head away, and took several deep breaths.

"Haha, Young Master, let me do it."

Seeing Yao Feng's reaction, Old Zhou burst into laughter. Being able to see the monstrously gifted Yao Feng show such a reaction had made the trip worthwhile.

"Fine."

Yao Feng looked uncomfortably at the red and white fluids, his stomach churning. Whether in his previous life or this one, he had never seen such a scene. Back when he bought groceries at the market, he had always bought frozen meat. Who would have thought that the greatest crisis he would encounter after coming to the world of Dou Po would be this?

After setting up the grill, Zhou Tong grasped the small knife lodged in the Electric Pig's skull and gently stirred it. A moment later, he pulled it out. Yao Feng probably would not want it anymore, so Zhou Tong casually tossed it aside.

"Young Master, this Electric Pig doesn't have a magic core. What a pity!"

As he spoke, he ran a stick through the Electric Pig and placed it on the simple grill.

Yao Feng nodded. He had not held much hope to begin with; he had merely been curious.

Zhou Tong placed some sticks and branches beneath the grill. Yao Feng extended his palm and swung his arm, sending out the Mysterious Yellow Flame. The scorching fire began to burn.

"Using a Heavenly Flame for grilling—what a luxurious meal."

Zhou Tong clicked his tongue. The Heavenly Flame before him still felt somewhat dreamlike. Though he had never seen one before, he had heard of them. A Heavenly Flame that could drive countless alchemists mad had appeared in the hands of a young boy—and was even being used for grilling. If those fellows from the Yao Clan learned of this, they probably would not let Yao Feng leave again.

"I'm going to find some water. Old Zhou, wait here for now."

Yao Feng took out a waterskin and started walking away as he spoke.

"Young Master, don't go too far!"

Seeing Yao Feng set off alone, Zhou Tong looked somewhat anxious. If anything happened to him, Zhou Tong's sin would be grave indeed. However, when they had first arrived, he had not sensed any powerful auras, so he did not follow. Besides, the range of his Soul Power perception was not small. If Yao Feng encountered any danger, he could rush over immediately.

After walking several hundred meters deeper into the forest, Yao Feng suddenly heard the rushing sound of water.

He followed the sound, which grew louder and louder, like thunder continuously echoing beside his ears. A massive waterfall appeared before him. Its tremendous impact sent wave after wave splashing across the pool below, while a brilliant rainbow stretched across the air.

Yao Feng looked beneath the waterfall and suddenly spotted a bare-chested young man sitting cross-legged atop a large bluestone. His body flickered in and out of view beneath the cascade, yet despite the enormous force of the water, he remained utterly motionless, like a statue.

Yao Feng looked over in surprise, inwardly marveling that there really were people in this world who trained so desperately. Then he wondered whether his presence here might disturb him.

Just as Yao Feng filled his waterskin and prepared to leave quietly, the young man atop the bluestone moved. More precisely, he was washed down by the torrent. Still, being able to endure beneath the waterfall for so long was no ordinary feat.

The young man climbed out of the pool and walked to the shore. Seeing Yao Feng about to leave, his expression froze as he spoke.

"My name is Liu Qing. Who are you, and why are you here?"

"Liu Qing!?"

Hearing the young man's introduction, Yao Feng turned back in surprise. Looking at the resolute young man by the pool, with his thick brows, Yao Feng was startled.

Shouldn't Liu Qing be at Jia Nan Academy? Could it be that he hasn't enrolled yet? That makes no sense. According to the timeline of the original story, Xiao Yan should enter Jia Nan Academy in about two or three years. By then, Liu Qing was already infinitely close to becoming a Dou Wang. What strength does he have now?

"My name is Yao Feng. I was passing through and came to fetch some water. I had no intention of disturbing you."

Yao Feng did not have a bad impression of Liu Qing from the original story, so he spoke rather politely. More importantly, the aura Liu Qing faintly gave off was much stronger than his own. If he angered him, he would likely suffer some physical pain. Before Yao Feng had left the clan, his father had told him that Yao Thirteen would not intervene unless it was a life-or-death crisis. With Zhou Tong not by his side now, he naturally had to be cautious.

"Your surname is Yao?"

"Uh... yes!"

"Fight me, and I'll let you leave. How about it?"

Liu Qing looked at Yao Feng expressionlessly, though there was actually a trace of anticipation in his voice.

"Although I look a little mature for my age, I'm only thirteen. You're already sixteen or seventeen, right? Isn't that just bullying a child?"

Yao Feng curled his lips, feeling somewhat helpless.

Seemingly seeing through Yao Feng's thoughts, Liu Qing said,

"I am currently a six-star Dou Shi,