Meeting an acquaintance again

"Xingchen," Elder Xu began, his voice calm and measured despite the tension crackling in the air. He'd berated Bai Feng for his recklessness, for bringing this calamity upon his own house. Now, it was time to deal with the true threat to their already tattered reputation. "I understand you have a grievance with the Bai Clan… However… consider this: they are under the protection of the Wind Monarch Sect. For the sake of our shared allegiance… I implore you… show mercy."

He spoke with a humility that surprised even him.

Elder Xu had once approached Xingchen with an offer to become his direct disciple, an honor rarely bestowed upon an Outer Disciple, let alone a newcomer. Xingchen had politely, but firmly, refused. The memory of that encounter lingered, a mix of admiration for the boy's talent and a grudging respect for his audacity.

Xingchen's gaze swept over Elder Xu, his expression unreadable.

"The Bai Clan dies today, old man." His voice, though quiet, held an unshakeable finality. "Anyone who stands in my way…dies with them."

Elder Xu flinched at his words, his wrinkled face creasing further with apprehension.

What could he say?

He was outmatched, outmaneuvered, and outgunned. Xingchen's raw power was undeniable…as was his unwavering resolve. And then there was the matter of Grand Elder Duan…

No… there was no reason… no logic in provoking this boy further.

He silently stepped aside, his gaze fixed on the ground.

Bai Feng and his remaining servants watched in stunned silence. One thing was clear: this Xingchen…this boy… commanded a level of respect…fear, even… from someone as powerful as Elder Xu…

"Zhen'er… " Bai Feng croaked, his voice barely a whisper, "Who… who is he?"

Bai Zhen, his face ashen, struggled to speak. He'd made a terrible, irrevocable, mistake…and now, his entire family was paying the price.

"Father…he's an Inner Disciple," he choked out, his voice filled with regret and self-loathing, "We've… we've made a terrible enemy today."

Bai Feng's eyes widened in dawning horror. An Inner Disciple?! No wonder Xu was treading so carefully!

Why, oh, why had he allowed his pride to overrule his better judgment?! To think… it had all started with that foolish girl…and a moment of unbridled rage…

It was too late for regrets now.

"Your time is up, Bai Feng," Xingchen's voice, cold and devoid of emotion, cut through the shocked silence. He advanced towards the trembling figure of the Bai Clan Head, his every step a death knell.

Bai Feng looked up at his executioner, his face a mask of sheer terror. He was powerless… utterly, completely powerless to stop what was about to happen. This was the price of his actions.

"Xingchen! Kill me!"

Bai Zhen…his son…his legacy… lurched to his feet, his voice hoarse but surprisingly steady. "Please! He…he had nothing to do with this… I… I was the one who…who took that man's life… It was my decision… mine alone. Let my father go… take my life instead!"

Xingchen stared down at the boy kneeling at his feet. The resemblance to his father was uncanny: the same proud jawline, the same arrogant set of his shoulders…the same spark of defiance in his eyes…

So be it.

"Very well," he said. "Your sacrifice will be noted."

He raised his fist…

Bai Feng's desperate pleas were cut short by Xingchen's merciless blow.

Elder Xu averted his gaze, unable, or unwilling, to watch as his own disciple was executed.

This… this was beyond his control. The Bai Clan had brought this upon themselves the moment they'd crossed Xingchen … the moment they'd underestimated the depths of his power…and his unwavering, terrifying, sense of justice…

The sound of Bai Zhen's body hitting the ground echoed in the sudden silence…a silence pregnant with fear and resignation.

Xingchen turned towards the remaining members of the Bai Clan, his gaze lingering on the terrified faces of the household staff. They were beneath his notice…

He'd made his point.

Let the world see what happened to those foolish enough to incur the wrath of Xingchen.

He turned to Elder Xu.

"If you feel so inclined, Elder, you are welcome to report my actions to the Wind Monarch Sect," he said, his voice edged with amusement. "I, Xingchen, do not fear the consequences."

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving behind a stunned silence and the lingering presence of death and despair…

In the aftermath, Elder Xu could only shake his head. He had failed his duty as a teacher…and the Bai Clan had paid a terrible price.

He could do nothing more here.

With a weary sigh, he turned and followed in Xingchen's wake, leaving behind a scene of utter desolation: a once-proud family broken… and a father driven mad by grief.

With the destruction of the Bai Clan complete, Xingchen took Bai Xiuxiu away from the city that held nothing but painful memories. He escorted her to Golden Flower City, home to the Four Eyes Clan, determined to ensure her safety and well-being.

Four Eyes' father, grateful for what Xingchen had done for his son, offered Bai Xiuxiu a place in his own household. But Xingchen refused, choosing instead to purchase a luxurious estate for Bai Xiuxiu near the Xia Clan manor, providing her with enough wealth to live out her days in comfort and security.

As for where he'd acquired such a vast fortune…. well…that was a secret Xingchen would keep close to his vest.

He may have come from nothing… but he was no longer powerless. He'd learned that much. And he had the Wind Monarch Sect, however unwittingly, to thank for that.

His Inner Disciple status, it seemed, had its perks.

Xingchen had chosen to settle Bai Xiuxiu near the Xia Clan for a reason. The Xia Clan owed him a debt of gratitude, and he knew they would, out of respect for him, keep a watchful eye on the young woman. With Bai Xiuxiu safe and secure, he turned his attention to the reason he'd returned to the region: the perilous and mysterious Death Ridge Mountains. His purpose was straightforward: find Xiaoqian. He was determined to finally uncover the secrets of the mysterious chamber they'd discovered, a chamber that promised untold power and long-forgotten knowledge.

He knew he couldn't do it alone. The dangers within those mountains were too great, even for someone with his growing strength. This time, he needed Xiaoqian by his side. Her high-stage Martial Lord cultivation would provide the necessary protection they needed.

Xingchen found a comfortable spot atop a peculiar hill on the outskirts of Death Ridge Mountains, the designated meeting place he and Xiaoqian had agreed upon. It had been half an hour since he'd crushed the communication talisman, signaling her to meet him. Even with Xiaoqian's impressive speed, Xingchen knew it would take her at least an hour to reach their destination. So, he relaxed, enjoying the warm breeze and the tranquility of the moment. Life in the world of cultivation left little time for rest or relaxation, and Xingchen intended to savor these stolen moments.

Suddenly, the space before him rippled, as if disturbed by an unseen current. Xingchen watched, a mixture of awe and apprehension twisting in his gut as a figure began to materialize through the shimmering air. A moment later, Xiaoqian stood before him, her elegant form as captivating as ever, her long, dark hair cascading down her back like a silken waterfall. Her stunningly beautiful face held a respectful, if slightly amused, smile.

"Xiaoqian greets Master," she said, bowing gracefully.

Xingchen gaped at her, completely stunned. He'd witnessed her mastery of Spirit Formation, her uncanny speed… but this? This was something else entirely. Could this be…

"Xiaoqian," he stammered, his voice trembling with disbelief, "You've reached the Martial God realm?!"

A knowing smile touched Xiaoqian's lips. "This one achieved high-stage Martial Lord over a century ago, Master. These past hundred years have been… enlightening," she explained, tilting her head as if reliving a pleasurable memory. "Breaking through to the Martial God realm was…inevitable."

Xingchen shot to his feet, unable to contain his excitement. "That's incredible! This changes everything!"

Although there was only a single rank separating a Martial Lord from a Martial God, the difference in their abilities was staggering. Martial Gods, as Xiaoqian had so eloquently demonstrated, were capable of manipulating the very fabric of reality…bending space and time to their will…

His mind raced, his pulse quickening, as he considered the implications of Xiaoqian's revelation. With a Martial God as his ally, the secrets of the mysterious chamber were finally within his grasp…

Xiaoqian's usual composure faltered as Xingchen eagerly explained his plan, her eyes widening with excitement. He was going to search for the legendary Soul Devouring Secret Art? The ancient technique that had once elevated her ancestors to unimaginable heights of power?

A surge of hope… a feeling she had not dared to entertain in over a millennia … surged through her. Could this be the turning point for their people? Could Xingchen be the one to restore the Soul Eater Clan to its former glory?

"Xiaoqian," Xingchen said, practically bouncing on his heels, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "Seeing as you're now a full-fledged Martial God… why don't you just… you know…teleport us there? Save us the long walk!"

Xiaoqian's smile faded. "While I am now capable of spatial manipulation, Master, my current level only allows for short-distance travel…and even then, the strain on my cultivation is considerable. I wouldn't recommend it for non-essential travel." She hesitated, then added gently, "Besides, transporting others through space requires a level of mastery I have yet to achieve. Such feats… they are within the realm of a Martial King…not a mere Martial God."

"Martial King?" Xingchen's jaw dropped. His initial excitement evaporated, replaced by a wave of disappointment, tinged with a healthy dose of sheer awe.

He'd assumed that reaching the Martial God realm granted one complete mastery over space and time. But it seemed he was mistaken…

A Martial King…

Just the thought of such power was intimidating. From what little he knew, Martial Kings were capable of soaring through the skies, unbound by gravity… Their combat prowess was said to be unparalleled, their mastery of Martial Qi and spatial manipulation nothing short of legendary…

A sudden thought occurred to him… a memory of that fateful night…

His Master….Old Feng….he had used spatial manipulation to transport them to safety… from that horrifying demon beast…

Could it be…? Was his Master actually a Martial King?

A wave of giddy excitement washed over him. Gods, if that was true… he really did have the most powerful backing in the entire empire!

As Xiaoqian explained the nuances of spatial manipulation to him, a slow, almost predatory, smile spread across Xingchen's face.

Li Xiaohan's grandfather…with his impeccable lineage and untouchable status…. wouldn't seem so intimidating anymore…

He had a Martial King on his side!

And with that deliciously subversive thought warming his heart, Xingchen set off with Xiaoqian towards the Death Ridge Mountains. He had secrets to uncover, a destiny to fulfill…and a whole lot of butt to kick if anyone dared to stand in his way….