Night Raid

"That power again..."

"It feels so familiar."

Electrolux's voice suddenly sounded in Huo Yuhao's mind.

Huo Yuhao's heart stirred. He hurriedly asked, "Yi Lao?"

"I sensed traces of that strange power on his blade before," Electrolux said.

"It resembles my power, yet it's entirely different. Strange. Even I can't describe it precisely."

Huo Yuhao watched Song Que, pondering the ability he had just used.

"It's one of the powers I inherited after my Martial Soul Evolution."

"But this system is completely different from ordinary soul skills. I'm not sure whether you can cultivate it."

"Really? You're willing to teach us?"

Tang Ya's eyes lit up, and she spoke first, unable to contain her excitement.

"Teach us! Let us try!"

"Xiao Ya..." Bei Bei hesitated.

Song Que was generous to share his abilities, but learning someone else's inherited secret arts for nothing still felt improper.

Song Que saw his concern and smiled faintly. "No need to stand on ceremony. We're all friends. Besides, the requirements are so steep that you might not be able to learn it."

"And I never stood on ceremony when I learned the Tang Sect's secret arts."

Bei Bei paused, then nodded, his misgivings eased.

Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong exchanged a glance, their eyes full of anticipation.

Seeing their expectant faces, Song Que began, "After my Martial Soul Evolution, I gained an entire combat system beyond the abilities of my Zanpakutō."

"It has four disciplines: swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, movement, and Kidō."

"Standing in midair just now was a movement technique."

"By gathering and solidifying the Reishi that permeates the air into footholds, you can stand, walk, and hover in midair."

"With enough practice, you can even develop footwork so fast it's almost like teleportation."

"As for the Red Flame Cannon I used, that was Kidō."

Song Que flashed back down and landed before them.

"Let's talk as we walk. There's a lot to cover."

"Kidō falls into three categories: Hadō, Bakudō, and Kaido. They cover attacks, binding, and healing, respectively."

"There are hundreds of spells, each progressively more powerful. Mastering them takes a great deal of time."

"Of course, that all depends on whether you're suited to cultivating them."

"I've only picked a few useful spells to start with myself."

Time passed, and their six-day journey flew by.

In a restaurant west of Heaven Dou City, beside the Tang Sect's former estate, Song Que and the others sat around a table, speaking quietly as they watched the Ironblood Sect nearby.

"That sect ahead is the Ironblood Sect. It's our destination."

Tang Ya gazed at the sect that had taken over the Tang Sect's old grounds. Bone-deep coldness flashed in her eyes.

"Back then, that old bastard Tie Li bribed Heaven Dou City's garrison to raid the Tang Sect in the dead of night."

"My parents fought to the death to cover my escape. Every one of the Tang Sect's elders died."

"The Ironblood Sect seized the opening, took our home, and turned it into their headquarters."

Bei Bei gently took Tang Ya's hand. "Don't worry, Xiao Ya. We'll settle this today."

Song Que nodded, his voice grave. "Then we'll wait until nightfall."

"We'll give them a taste of their own medicine. Striking at night will also help us avoid the garrison and spare us unnecessary trouble."

Tang Ya's gaze was resolute. "All right. We'll do as you say."

"Yuhao, Wang Dong, you two will stay on the perimeter."

"Yuhao, use your Spirit Eyes to survey the inside and keep watch around us, especially for any movement from the Heaven Dou City garrison."

"If anyone escapes, stop them."

Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong both nodded solemnly.

"I'll take Xiao Ya and Bei Bei in with a direct assault from above."

Song Que sighed softly. "It's a shame neither of you can cultivate my Kidō or learn to walk on air. This would be much easier."

Bei Bei shook his head helplessly. "Can't be helped. Of all of us, only Yuhao barely managed to learn a little of your special power."

Thinking of Huo Yuhao's eerie Gray Soul Ring, Bei Bei smiled bitterly to himself.

Song Que's Martial Soul has mutated. It's practically become a God Level Martial Soul, and he's even stronger now.

And Yuhao has been hiding so much. Not only does he possess an Ultimate Ice Martial Soul, but he also has a mysterious, unusual 'Martial Soul.'

I wonder what Dean Yan would think if he knew.

Night deepened beneath a bright moon.

Three dark figures silently swept over the Ironblood Sect's courtyard.

"You two deal with the ordinary disciples. Leave the stronger ones to me."

Song Que spoke quietly as Soul Power surged around him. A distinctive Zanpakutō appeared in his hand.

At his signal, Tang Ya drew a deep breath. Years of pent-up hatred erupted as she shouted, "Tie Li! You old dog! Come out and die!"

Her shout shattered the silence. The Ironblood Sect compound erupted into chaos.

"Who's there? How dare you trespass on Ironblood Sect grounds!"

A gate guard barked at them, but when he made out the three figures—especially the two yellow and two purple Soul Rings glowing around both Bei Bei and Tang Ya—his face went deathly pale.

Killing intent boiled within Tang Ya. She thrust out her arms, sending two thick strands of Blue Silver Grass shooting toward the disciple. They coiled around his neck in an instant.

She had activated no soul skill, yet the Blue Silver Grass wrapped around him suddenly turned an eerie dark purple.

Crack!

A sharp snap rang out at the same moment.

A cyan wind blade slashed down from above, cutting the disciple in half at the waist.

Song Que caught Tang Ya, who had lost control of her emotions, and pulled her back to his side. His tone was grave:

"Don't let hatred blind you completely, or it will destroy you."

Bei Bei immediately noticed the strange change in the Blue Silver Grass. He hurried over to support Tang Ya and said gently, "Xiao Ya, calm down. Don't let hatred consume you. We'll help you get your revenge."

When Tang Ya had calmed a little, Song Que continued, "Don't force the mutation of your Martial Soul. Hold on to who you are."

"Rest assured. No one in the Ironblood Sect will survive tonight."

At those words, the ferocity in Tang Ya's eyes gradually faded, and her dark purple Blue Silver Grass slowly returned to normal.

Ironblood Sect disciples poured into the courtyard. At their head stood a burly man with a sinister gaze: Tie Tang, the sect's young master.

He glared coldly at the three intruders. "Who are you?! You dare trespass into the Ironblood Sect and slaughter my disciples? There's a path to heaven, but you refuse to take it. Instead, you come knocking at hell's door! Everyone, attack!"

Tang Ya looked up at him, her gaze icy. She spoke one word at a time. "Tie Tang."

"You and your father bribed the garrison and massacred the Tang Sect."

Tie Tang's face darkened. "So you're the Tang Sect survivor!"

"We failed to wipe you out back then. Today, I'll make sure the Tang Sect disappears for good!"

Song Que's gaze turned cold. He slowly raised his Zanpakutō and pointed it at the crowd.

"Then all of you can die."

"Turn to ash, Tsuchinamazuki!"