Mountain God Art

For the next while, Liu Bai remained in the Cultivation Hall, training.

This surprised quite a few people. Liu Bai had rarely appeared in the Cultivation Hall before, much less stayed for such an extended period.

After finishing another half-day of cultivation, Liu Bai looked at his Experience Points, which had risen to 2,600, and felt immensely pleased.

He gained a hundred Experience Points in a little over three days. In three months, he could advance from the Spirit Wheel Realm Initial Stage to the Spirit Wheel Realm Middle Stage. That cultivation speed was already astonishingly fast, and the main reason for it was the body-tempering Divine Art Liu Bai cultivated—the Ice Muscle Jade Bone Art.

He could use the time before the Five Great Academies' selection began to raise his cultivation to the Spirit Wheel Realm Middle Stage through his own efforts. Then, he could save his Experience Points to deal with the tests before entering the Five Great Academies.

One day, just as Liu Bai finished cultivating, Instructor Xi called him out.

"Instructor Xi, is something the matter?" Liu Bai asked, thoroughly confused.

Instructor Xi sighed and shook his head. "Someone came from the Liu Domain earlier. They said you and Liu Mubai were to return to the Liu Domain immediately."

Liu Bai's expression changed. He immediately realized that something had happened.

And judging by Instructor Xi's expression, it was probably nothing good...

Frowning, Liu Bai formed a guess. He immediately returned to the Earth Tier, brought Liu Mubai with him, and headed for Northern Spirit City.

Northern Spirit City did not belong to the Nine Domains, but it was the largest city in the Northern Spirit Domain and not far from the Northern Spirit Academy. Liu Bai usually used the Teleportation Array in Northern Spirit City to return to the Liu Domain.

What Liu Bai had not expected was that the moment they entered Northern Spirit City, they encountered a minor mishap.

Looking at the deserted streets around them, even Liu Mubai sensed that something was wrong...

"Big Brother, why is it so quiet here?"

Though he did not often visit Northern Spirit City, Liu Mubai knew that streets like this were normally crowded with people and bustling with activity.

And besides...

"Is it raining?" Liu Mubai felt the chill against his face, his expression immediately turning astonished.

Liu Bai sneered inwardly.

"A First-Grade Chaos God Array and Spirit Rain Array. Isn't this Rain Man Ji Zong's handiwork? In the original story, he was hired by the Liu Domain to make a move against Mu Chen. I never expected that in this life, he'd be making a move against the two young masters of the Liu Domain instead..."

It gave Liu Bai a strange sense of fate turning in circles.

However, Ji Zong was not yet as famous as he had been in the original story. He had likely only just begun making a name for himself in the Northern Spirit Realm. Still, as a Level 1 Spirit Array Master, he was highly sought after in the assassin trade.

"Mubai, stand behind me!"

Liu Bai looked toward a spot that had been empty moments ago and warned Liu Mubai beside him.

"Oh? You can actually see through my true form?" A somewhat effeminate voice rang out in surprise.

Then, a young man holding an umbrella abruptly appeared before the two brothers.

"I am Rain Man, Ji Zong!"

As the words "Ji Zong" left his mouth, the figure raised the floral umbrella slightly, revealing a lean, sharp-featured face before Liu Bai.

"Heh, that was quite an impressive entrance, but the title is rather lame. I don't recall a 'Rain Man' ever appearing in the Northern Spirit Realm," Liu Bai remarked lightly.

Yet Ji Zong was clearly no ordinary person. He merely smiled faintly and said, "As expected of the young master of the Liu Domain. You can remain so calm even now. I admire you. If someone had not offered such a hefty sum this time, I truly would not have wanted to make enemies of you two."

Liu Bai shook his head. "It seems someone is already too impatient to test the Liu Domain's strength. Aren't they afraid they won't be able to clean up the mess afterward...?"

Truthfully, once Liu Bai had formed his guess, he was not surprised that someone would make a move against the Liu Domain. He simply had not expected them to target him directly.

Still, these people seemed to be underestimating him...

"You're alone? You seem to have only just broken through to the Spirit Wheel Realm Initial Stage. Are you really confident you can take me down?" Liu Bai asked calmly, feeling raindrops fall onto his clothes.

Ji Zong shook his head. "I know that the young master of the Liu Domain possesses extraordinary talent and formidable strength. But I do not intend to kill or capture you. I only need to trap you for a while."

Liu Bai became even more certain. "And then news of this place will reach my father's ears, correct?"

Ji Zong froze for a moment before replying, "It seems Young Master Liu Bai's intelligence is no less exceptional. Since that is the case, I ask that you two cooperate. Ji Zong will certainly not harm either of you. How about it?"

Liu Bai nodded. "Then let me offer you some advice as well. Pledge yourself to the Liu Domain in the future, and I can let today's matter pass."

Ji Zong's expression darkened slightly. He felt that this young master of the Liu Domain was being far too arrogant.

"Hmph. As expected of the young master of the Liu Domain—truly domineering. But if you want me to submit, first break my Spirit Array!"

Clearly, Ji Zong, who had only recently begun to display his talents, was also at the height of his pride. He would not yield just because of Liu Bai's few words.

Liu Bai narrowed his eyes slightly. His indifferent voice drifted toward the supremely confident Ji Zong like an illusion.

"Then as you wish!"

Before his words had faded, more than ten Spirit Seals silently flew from Liu Bai's hands and rapidly merged into the empty space behind him.

The sight left Ji Zong dumbfounded...

"Spirit Seals? You're a Spirit Array Master too..."

Not only was he a Spirit Array Master, but he could also divide his attention. He had set up a grand array while speaking to him. It was a feat Ji Zong had never even imagined.

"Heh, Mister Ji Zong, this isn't the time to stand around in a daze."

Roar!

At Liu Bai's words, three Fire Serpents over ten meters long let out roars like lions and tigers, then charged into the steadily expanding curtain of rain.

Though the Spirit Rain Array was also a First-Grade Spirit Array, its power was far inferior to Liu Bai's Flame Serpent Spirit Breaking Array. Moreover, although Ji Zong was likewise a Level 1 Spirit Array Master, his control over Spirit Arrays could not compare to Liu Bai's. Faced with the three savage Fire Serpents, he had no means of resistance at all, and his array was shattered outright.

The next instant, Liu Bai immediately dispersed the Fire Serpents, preventing the broken array from setting the surrounding buildings ablaze.

Even so, charred marks covered the ground beneath the three of them, displaying the might of the array from moments before.

"Well?"

Liu Bai smiled lightly at Ji Zong, whose face had gone pale in the distance.

"I... concede defeat!" After his face shifted between green and red, Ji Zong finally admitted defeat.

"Ji Zong greets Master!"

He knew full well that if he refused to submit, he would certainly not leave alive today.

As an assassin who lived with a blade at his throat, Ji Zong understood the cruelty of this world all too well. Now, this was the only path left to him.

"Very good. Let's go."

Liu Bai smiled faintly, then led his younger brother, whose face was filled with admiration, and his newly acquired subordinate toward the Teleportation Array in the city.

When they returned to the Liu Domain, Liu Bai clearly sensed an oppressive atmosphere. Even the family guards all looked tense.

And as soon as they emerged from the Teleportation Array, they saw Liu Zong hurrying over with a group of people.

"Second Uncle!"

Liu Bai immediately raised his voice and called out.

When Liu Zong saw his two nephews, his eyes lit up and obvious joy appeared on his face.

"Bai'er, Mubai, are you two alright?"

"Who is he?"

Ji Zong had discarded the floral umbrella in his hand and stood behind Liu Bai with his head slightly lowered, looking every bit the servant.

"We can talk about that later. Second Uncle, why are you in such a hurry? And what happened at home?"

"I heard you were attacked in Northern Spirit City. Your father sent me to bring people to rescue you. As for the family... your grandfather has gone missing..."

By the end, Liu Zong's face had completely darkened.

"What? Grandfather has gone missing?!" Liu Mubai cried out in shock.

As for Liu Bai, his expression relaxed slightly.

It seemed his guess had been correct. When Liu Qingtian had first told him that the old man was entering the ruins, Liu Bai had already anticipated what would come next. He simply had not expected it to happen so soon.

"Do not panic. Let's return to the manor first!" Liu Bai's expression sank as he stopped his younger brother's panic with a stern shout, then strode away.

Liu Mubai looked at his suddenly severe elder brother, his heart trembling. He immediately dared not say another word and hurried after him.

Liu Zong followed after a moment of stunned silence. The aura his eldest nephew had displayed just then had actually felt even more imposing than his elder brother's.

After returning to Willow Manor, Liu Bai did not say a single word the entire way. His manner made many people tremble in fear, to the point that they barely dared make any sound as they walked.

Liu Bai did not stop and headed directly for his father's study. Liu Mubai had originally intended to follow, but Second Uncle Liu Zong stopped him.

Liu Mubai was still too young. There were many things he was not yet meant to know.

Upon arriving at Liu Qingtian's study, Liu Bai looked up and saw two figures sitting within. The one at the head was none other than the old Domain Lord, Liu Jingshan, who was supposedly already missing!

When Liu Bai entered the study and closed the door behind him, the gloom on his face instantly cleared, and the oppressive aura around him vanished without a trace.

"Grandfather, Father." Liu Bai bowed to the two elders.

"Haha, I said Bai'er's intelligence would certainly keep him from being deceived." Liu Jingshan smiled, his face full of praise.

Liu Qingtian secretly curled his lip. If I hadn't tipped the little brat off beforehand, let's see whether he'd still be smiling now...

Naturally, he would not ruin his father's mood at a time like this. After all, his father's favoritism toward his beloved eldest grandson was not hidden in the slightest.

"Grandfather, did you gain some special harvest this time? Why else would you use a false disappearance and death to deceive everyone?" Liu Bai asked curiously.

He knew that in the original story, Liu Jingshan had secretly gone into seclusion to break through to the Three Heavens Realm. Yet Liu Bai did not know the specific reason, though it was surely connected to this exploration of the ruins.

"Heh, Bai'er truly is clever." Liu Jingshan was clearly delighted. He then took out a Jade Slip and handed it over.

Liu Bai's eyes lit up. "Could it be a high-grade Cultivation Method and Spirit Art?"

He raised his hand and accepted it.

Ding! Congratulations, player, for discovering the Spirit-grade High-tier Cultivation Method and Spirit Art, Mountain God Art. Would you like to record it?

Spirit-grade High-tier?!

Liu Bai was immediately shocked.

This was the highest-grade Cultivation Method and Spirit Art known in the Northern Spirit Realm. If he had not fortunately obtained the Ice Muscle Jade Bone Art, this would have been the highest-grade Spirit Art.

Ding! System notification: A higher-grade Cultivation Method available for cultivation has been detected. Please choose: Replace or cultivate concurrently.

Eh?

Liu Bai was slightly surprised. Replacing it was easy enough—it would simply replace his Blazing Sun Art with the Mountain God Art. The spiritual energy in his body could then be converted into that of the new Cultivation Method without any loss. Not only would his strength not decline, it would even increase due to the higher grade of the Cultivation Method.

But the latter option...

Cultivate concurrently? Did that mean he could cultivate two Cultivation Methods with completely different attributes at once?

Liu Bai hesitated, uncertain what effects that would have on him...

"Bai'er? Bai'er?" Seeing Liu Bai standing there in a daze, Liu Qingtian called out twice.

Liu Bai immediately came back to his senses. This was not the time to think about such things.

"Record it!"

Liu Bai directly chose to record it. As for the choice itself, he could consider it later.

After setting down the Jade Slip, Liu Bai pondered for a moment before saying, "Though this Spirit-grade High-tier Cultivation Method and Spirit Art is precious, it can only be cultivated by Mubai and Liu Yang in the future, correct? Grandfather, you've created such a commotion. Could it be that you intend to..."

Liu Jingshan smiled and nodded. "That's right. Mubai and the others can indeed cultivate it, but it would likely take them at least ten years to become strong that way. The reason I faked my death and withdrew from public view is because I intend to... recultivate!"

Liu Bai sighed inwardly. As expected, this was why his grandfather had been willing to risk upheaval in the Liu Domain by faking his death.

"Bai'er, there is no need for concern. Your father has already reached the peak of the Divine Soul Realm Middle Stage and may break through to the late stage at any moment. Your second uncle has also broken through to the Divine Soul Realm. Together with the Liu Domain's hidden preparations, nothing can throw the Northern Spirit Realm into chaos!"

Seeing Liu Bai's expression, Liu Jingshan assumed that he was worried something might happen to the Liu Family, and he immediately smiled.

Liu Bai nodded. Naturally, he knew that as well. To say nothing else, Mangyin Mountain alone was one of the Liu Domain's hidden forces. Moreover, the master of Mangyin Mountain was also a Divine Soul Realm expert and one of the Liu Domain's contingencies.

"That is good. Mubai and I will remain at home for the next few days, then," Liu Bai said smoothly.

Over the next period of time, Willow Manor remained shrouded in dark clouds, while the Liu Domain experienced slight unrest. Yet Liu Qingtian swiftly and decisively crushed it all.

Liu Bai understood clearly that these were all probes from people lurking in the shadows, just like how they had previously paid Ji Zong to attack him. So long as the Liu Family showed the slightest weakness, a pack of hungry wolves would burst out from the darkness and devour the Liu Family as though it were a chunk of fat meat.

That was the cruelty of reality. Even in the barbaric and backward Northern Spirit Realm, it remained the same.