Wang Dong'er

Within the Rift Realm, the sky was dark purple, the trees twisted and covered in purple crystals.

The Rift Realm energy around them, which could make Soul Masters uncomfortable and leave their minds dazed, had no effect on Xu Tianming. Others would gradually be eroded if they remained in the Rift Realm for too long, but no matter how long he stayed there, he would be fine.

The Golden Dragon Spear appeared in Xu Tianming's hand. He looked at the various diamond-shaped crystal conglomerates gathering around him. These differently colored crystals floated in the air, firing ice cones, fireballs, and wind blades at him.

Xu Tianming swept the Golden Dragon Spear, and the powerful wind pressure wiped out all those attacks.

He recognized these Rift Realm Creations—the lowest-grade creations within the Rift Realm: the ice-attributed Frost Crystal Creations, the fire-attributed Flameglory Creations, and the wind-attributed Xunwind Creations.

In terms of strength, they were roughly comparable to Hundred-Year Soul Beasts and Soul Grandmasters. Before Xu Tianming, who had already condensed his third Blood Essence Soul Ring, they posed no threat whatsoever.

His figure flashed, and the Golden Dragon Spear pierced through the air. Its tip struck a Frost Crystal Creation, and with a crack, it shattered into blue crystal fragments that fell to the ground.

A golden chill swept across the area, smashing the fiery red and green crystals. Xu Tianming stomped hard, shattering the ground with a boom and kicking up clouds of dust, revealing a Mutated Pangolin beneath his feet that had intended to ambush him.

Struck by his immensely powerful stomp, that Hundred-Year Mutated Pangolin Soul Beast was instantly reduced to pangolin paste.

Carrying the Golden Dragon Spear, Xu Tianming slaughtered his way deeper into the Rift Realm. The Rift Realm Creations he encountered along the way grew increasingly numerous: Soul Elder-level Calamity Shadows and Soul Ancestor-level Crystallized Soul Beasts. Yet none of them could withstand even one exchange before the Golden Dragon Spear.

As a divine weapon, the Golden Dragon Spear's sharpness needed no explanation. Combined with Xu Tianming's brute strength after activating his Golden Dragon Martial Soul, there were very few Rift Realm Creations that could block one of his strikes and survive.

Xu Tianming's goal was clear: he was heading straight for the Rift Realm Lord. Every Rift Realm Creation that blocked his path was swept aside with overwhelming force.

Just then, he sensed a fluctuation of Soul Power. In the next instant, a golden light blade shot straight at him. Xu Tianming raised an eyebrow, extended his left hand, which had transformed into a dragon claw, and caught the golden light blade. With a squeeze, the blade shattered.

"Hey, are you all right?"

At that moment, a figure appeared ahead. It was Wang Dong'er. She had just been fighting a Rift Realm Creation, and the light blade she released had been dodged, flying straight toward the suddenly appearing Xu Tianming.

She had been badly startled. Though she was of noble birth, she was kind-hearted. If she had injured an unrelated person, she would have felt guilty.

But when she saw Xu Tianming crush the light blade she had released with just one hand, surprise immediately appeared on her face.

The Clear Sky Sect disciples behind Wang Dong'er followed closely, watching the masked Xu Tianming warily. The leading Clear Sky Sect disciple looked at him and frowned. "Who are you? Why are you here?"

"This is the Rift Realm. Of course I came to eliminate the Rift Realm Lord. What else would I be here for?"

Xu Tianming tilted his head. No one could see his face beneath the mask, nor could they make out his expression.

"This is the Cloudbreak Mountain Range. Ordinary people would not come here. Who exactly are you?"

The leading Clear Sky Sect disciple did not believe Xu Tianming's words. The Cloudbreak Mountain Range was not much of a gathering place for Soul Beasts, but it was likewise rarely visited by people. Moreover, it was where the Clear Sky Sect lived in seclusion. They would be wary and suspicious of any stranger.

The other Clear Sky Sect disciples quietly surrounded Xu Tianming.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

Wang Dong'er frowned at the sight.

"Young Mistress, this person's origins are unknown. He is hiding his identity, and he appeared in this desolate place before entering the Rift Realm. We should capture him and find out his purpose and background."

The leading young man spoke softly to Wang Dong'er.

Wang Dong'er frowned slightly, looking thoughtful. Then she looked at Xu Tianming and said, "Hey, why are you wearing a mask? Are you too ugly to show your face?"

She put her hands on her hips and glared at Xu Tianming.

"First, my name is not Hey. Second, I am not ugly. Third, this is how we Fools dress. Fourth, I came here to eliminate the Rift Realm. That is the mission and creed of us Fools. Wherever there is a Rift Realm, there will be Fools."

Xu Tianming shook a finger and spoke calmly.

"Fools? What is that? Have any of you heard of them?"

Wang Dong'er looked at the nearby Clear Sky Sect youths with confusion. She rarely left home and did not know much about the outside world. There were only a few powers she knew of, such as the Heaven Dou Empire, the Dou Ling Empire, the Star Luo Empire, the Sun Moon Empire, and Shrek Academy.

As for the Fools, she had never even heard of them.

"Young Mistress, I have not heard of them. They are probably some small organization."

The leading Clear Sky Sect disciple shook his head.

"Hey, you do not look very old either, yet you managed to catch this young lady's light blade with one hand. What is your name?"

Having finally encountered someone from the outside world, Wang Dong'er was brimming with curiosity and immediately asked.

"Before asking someone else's name, shouldn't you introduce yourself first? That is common sense. As for catching your light blade, anyone with hands could do it."

Xu Tianming smiled.

"You are really infuriating. This young lady is very strong, all right? Still, you are right. My name is Wang Dong'er. What is your name?"

Wang Dong'er first looked angry, then nodded in agreement with Xu Tianming's words and introduced herself.

"You can call me Aether."

Upon hearing Wang Dong'er's introduction, Xu Tianming narrowed his eyes. Though her distinctive hair color and the light blade from earlier had already allowed him to guess her identity, he was still somewhat surprised when it was truly confirmed that she was Wang Dong'er.

He had merely gone out to clear a small Rift Realm, yet he had encountered the daughter of a God King and the little princess of the Clear Sky Sect. What a coincidence.

"Aether, huh? That is a strange name. All right, you do not need to act like this anymore. I do not think this guy looks like a bad person."

Wang Dong'er waved at the other Clear Sky Sect disciples, then slowly stepped forward toward Xu Tianming.

"Young Mistress."

The leading Clear Sky Sect disciple's expression changed. At the same time, he watched Xu Tianming warily. If Xu Tianming made any unfavorable move, he would intervene at once.

"Heh."

The instant Wang Dong'er approached Xu Tianming, a sly glint flashed through her eyes. Her right hand shot toward the mask on his face like lightning.

Xu Tianming reacted swiftly. He tilted his head aside to dodge, then instantly caught Wang Dong'er's wrist and applied a little force.

"Ugh, that hurts! Why are you so strong?" Wang Dong'er cried out as intense pain shot through her wrist.