"Iron Tree's Secret: A Clash of Ambitions"

Huang Xiaolong arrived beneath a massive Iron Tree, wielding Battle Qi in both hands to knock down the Iron Fruit. He caught one in his right hand, bit into it, and immediately felt a warm liquid flowing into his mouth, reminiscent of fine wine. The warmth spread through his meridians, nourishing his entire body.

Quickly assuming a cross-legged position, Huang Xiaolong began refining the Iron Fruit's efficacy through the practice of Asura Arts. As he refined the fruit, the Nine Nether Battle Qi in his 6-layer meridians surged and roared. He could clearly sense the Iron Fruit's spiritual energy permeating his muscles, bones, and even his five main internal organs, solidifying his entire body.

Two dragons, one black and one blue, continuously coiled behind Huang Xiaolong, while the Nine Nether Qi descended from the void. Having advanced to Rank 6, Huang Xiaolong's Twin Dragons Martial Spirit absorbed the Nine Nether Qi at a rapid pace.

A night passed, and sunlight streamed through the cave opening, casting a warm glow on Huang Xiaolong's body. He retracted his Twin Dragons Martial Spirit and stopped the rotation of his Cultivation Technique. Standing up, he clenched his fists, producing a trembling sound as he struck the wall of the cave with a depth of one foot.

The mountain wall shook, showering the area with crushed stones. Huang Xiaolong's eyes brightened; the Iron Fruit was truly an incredible treasure. His muscles had significantly strengthened over the course of the night's practice, and the explosive power in his attacks had increased.

With this continuous practice, Huang Xiaolong's explosive strength alone allowed him to surpass other cultivators of the same rank. Observing Spirit Devouring Purple Monkey still refining the Iron Fruit's efficacy on the tree trunk, Huang Xiaolong marveled at the little creature's exceptional talent. While it didn't need to refine Monster Cores, it had to sit cross-legged and refine Iron Fruits and other rare medicinal fruits.

Leaving Spirit Devouring Purple Monkey undisturbed, Huang Xiaolong found a nearby open area. Summoning his Asura Blade, he began practicing Tears of Asura.

Time passed slowly, and another month went by. During this month, Huang Xiaolong spent most of his time practicing in the cave's depths. He practiced Asura Sword Arts and Asura Ghost Claw during the day, while refining Iron Fruits in the evening and practicing Asura Arts and Body Metamorphose Scripture. Occasionally, he would venture out of the cave with Spirit Devouring Purple Monkey to hunt and kill Monster Beasts.

Every day, Huang Xiaolong's body absorbed the spiritual energy of the Iron Fruits, strengthening his muscles, bones, and five main internal organs. Compared to a month ago, his strength had multiplied.

Several days ago, taking advantage of the medicinal properties of the Iron Fruits, Huang Xiaolong finally broke through to Rank 6 Middle Stage. This achievement usually required one and a half years of cultivation for someone with a top Martial Spirit at Level 10. However, Huang Xiaolong had accomplished it in only three months.

One month later, out of the more than 100 Iron Fruits on the Iron Tree, Huang Xiaolong and Spirit Devouring Purple Monkey had consumed about half of them. On this day, as Huang Xiaolong was practicing Asura Arts beneath the Iron Tree, he suddenly heard footsteps outside the cave.

His curiosity piqued, Huang Xiaolong ceased his practice. Soon, he heard voices from outside.

"Is the Iron Tree really growing at the bottom of this cave?"

"There shouldn't be a mistake. According to the warning, it's at the bottom of this cave! The fragrance we smell should be that of the Iron Fruit!"

The footsteps grew closer. From the sound, it seemed there were two people.

Intrigued, Huang Xiaolong stood still, watching the two young men who entered the cave. They appeared to be around twenty years old and wore pale black clothes with a phoenix design on their chests, indicating that they were disciples of Nine Phoenix Valley, an influential sect in the neighboring Violent Dragon Kingdom.

The two men, Wu Gan and Chen Yun, were surprised to see Huang Xiaolong and Spirit Devouring Purple Monkey. They hadn't expected to find a ten-year-old child and a small monkey in the cave. However, their attention quickly shifted to the massive Iron Tree behind Huang Xiaolong, their eyes filled with excitement.

"Iron Tree!"

"The Iron Tree is really here!"

One of them laughed, saying, "Haha, Wu Gan, I told you the warning was correct! The Iron Tree is at the bottom of this cave. With these Iron Fruits, we can break through to Rank 7 within three months!"

"Excellent! By the end of the year, we'll secure the top three positions in the Outer Sect Disciple competition!" Wu Gan added, also joining in the laughter.

They completely disregarded Huang Xiaolong, considering all the Iron Fruits in their sight as their own. Huang Xiaolong remained silent, observing the two laughing individuals. Since they were wearing the distinctive attire of Nine Phoenix Valley disciples, he could infer their identities.

After a while, the laughter subsided, and Wu Gan and Chen Yun noticed Huang Xiaolong's presence.

"What should we do about this boy?" Wu Gan asked. "Did he stumble upon this place while lost or while wandering with his family elder?"

Another Nine Phoenix Valley disciple, Chen Yun, sneered and replied, "It doesn't matter how he found this place. The secret must not be revealed. We have more than 100 Iron Fruits here, which we can consume every year to practice. Within ten years, we can surely break through to Rank 8! And everything here will be ours!"

"However, you can only die!" he declared.

With these words, Chen Yun's long sword aimed for Huang Xiaolong's throat. But just as the sword was about to strike, it stopped in midair, held in place by Huang Xiaolong's fingers. Reacting swiftly, Huang Xiaolong moved, and his cold blade swiftly cut through the air.

Chen Yun stood motionless, his eyes growing dull before he collapsed to the ground.

"You were right; it was just a sword, and it wasn't painful," Huang Xiaolong remarked with indifference. Chen Yun's neck slowly dripped blood as he lay lifeless on the ground.

Witnessing the scene from a distance, Wu Gan's complexion changed dramatically, filled with fear and disbelief. He couldn't fathom that a ten-year-old child would be responsible for Chen Yun's death, despite Chen Yun being at Rank 6 Late Stage Peak, just like him.