Chapter 13: The Master’s Rest and the Path Ahead

Zhēnyè Lóng, visibly drained, looked at Jian with a weary smile. "Jian, I'll need to rest… this form of mine cannot sustain for long without my original power," he said, his voice softened by fatigue. "For now, you must return to your family. This forest harbors many powerful beasts, some beyond your current strength to confront. Even with your newfound power, caution will serve you best."

Jian nodded, absorbing his teacher's words. He felt a pang of uncertainty at the thought of navigating alone, but he understood the necessity of Zhēnyè Lóng's rest.

With a final nod of approval, Zhēnyè Lóng's form shimmered, his essence fading as he spoke. "Remember, my student, strength tempered by wisdom will guide you further than force alone."

And with a flash, Zhēnyè Lóng's soul returned to Jian's forehead, merging seamlessly into the blazing Flame Dragon Sword mark. Jian touched his forehead, feeling the comforting warmth left behind. Though he stood alone now in the vast, untamed forest, he felt a quiet resolve bloom within him, a strength that assured him he was never truly alone. As Zhēnyè Lóng retreated into the soul mark on his forehead, Jian took a deep breath, gathering his focus. Now, with both qi, natural energy, and spiritual energy at his disposal, he extended his senses, feeling the subtle pulses of life around him. Every movement, every tremor in the forest seemed to become clearer, revealing the presence of beasts lurking in his path.

Drawing on his knowledge, Jian avoided direct confrontations. Instead, he moved with calculated precision, slipping past powerful creatures that prowled nearby. He used the shadows, concealed his aura, and stayed attuned to the flow of natural energy, relying on wisdom over brute strength. Each step brought him closer to his goal—the safety of the Bo family—his heart steady and his newfound strength guiding his way forward. As Jian approached the outskirts of Huǒmáng Chéng, his senses heightened. In the dim light, he saw a gathering of figures clustered near the city's edge—dozens, perhaps even hundreds, all bearing the emblems of the Shé and Huǒfamilies. Each figure held a weapon, the steel glinting ominously in the shadows.

Jian focused, letting his spiritual energy probe their auras, and felt an unsettling familiarity. Their strength and presence echoed those of the assassins sent after him last time, the ones who had tried to eliminate him. These were not ordinary members; they were fighters with intent, gathering under the night's cover with a clear purpose.

A shiver ran down his spine as he took in the scene. It was clear that the Shé and Huǒ families were escalating their efforts. Jian paused just outside the city's border, his eyes narrowing as he took in the unsettling scene before him. The gathering of Shé and Huǒ family members stretched as far as he could see, their ranks dense with warriors armed to the teeth, their weapons glinting ominously in the low light. A question tugged at his mind: Where was the Long family? Why had the government soldiers—those sworn to protect order in Huǒmáng Chéng—not stepped in to address this blatant display of force?

It didn't sit right. For the two families to openly assemble such numbers, unchallenged and unchecked, was practically a declaration of intent. It was as if they were flaunting their strength for the world to see, testing the boundaries of what they could get away with.

Jian gritted his teeth, feeling a surge of determination course through him. Whatever game they were playing, he didn't have time to solve it now. He took a deep breath, centering his focus, letting the energy within him build to a fierce crescendo.

In a single, fluid movement, he bolted forward, his body becoming a blur. He moved with a speed that even he hadn't fully mastered, a flash of lightning cutting through the night. To the assembled warriors of the Shé and Huǒ families, he was nothing more than a shadow, a faint flicker they barely registered.

Level 3 fighters caught only the faintest impression—a dark shape slipping past them in the corner of their vision, indistinguishable from the shadows around them. Some glanced around, briefly alert, but dismissed it as the movement of one of their own, an ally shifting in the darkness.

With every step, Jian felt his power solidify, each surge of qi pushing him forward, faster, more fluid. He was a whisper on the wind, a breath between blinks, moving undetected toward the heart of Huǒmáng Chéng, where his family awaited. He couldn't shake the questions that lingered in his mind, but he knew one thing with certainty: he would reach his family, and soon, he would uncover the reason behind this ominous gathering.

As Jian ran through the deserted marketplace, a strange tension filled the air. The usually bustling streets of Huǒmáng Chéng were silent, as if the life had been drained from the city itself. Broken stalls and shattered debris littered the ground, and he could feel the unmistakable remnants of a recent battle. His heart pounded as he moved forward, realizing that something far greater than he anticipated was unfolding.As he neared the Bo family estate, Jian's keen senses picked up the gathering. Thousands of warriors stood in the open courtyard and surrounding streets—2,000 Bo family members and 1,500 Long family members, gathered side by side. The chiefs of both families stood together, a rare sight that underscored the gravity of the situation. Jian's father, the chief of the Bo family, had an aura of resolve that radiated over the crowd.

"Today," Jian heard his father's voice, firm and unyielding, "we fight for peace. The Shé and Huǒ families, along with the city's general, have betrayed their oath, conspiring against the order we've sworn to uphold. They have forged an alliance to bring chaos, to seize control by force. We stand here as one—united with our allies in the Long family—not merely to defend ourselves, but to restore balance and honor to Huǒmáng Chéng."

As Jian took in his father's words, the pieces began to fit together. Now he understood why there were no soldiers at the city's borders, why the Long family hadn't interfered with the massing forces of Shé and Huǒ. The city's general—once entrusted with maintaining peace—had betrayed them, joining forces with the enemy families. This wasn't just a family feud; it was an all-out coup, a test of survival and honor.

The weight of the situation settled on Jian's shoulders, but rather than fear, he felt a steady, growing resolve. The power coursing through him, his mother's flame and his teacher's legacy, filled him with strength. He took a deep breath, standing tall in the shadows, knowing his moment to step forward would soon come. As Jian watched his father and the chief of the Long family, Chief Long Tiān, he felt an intense, layered energy radiating from both of them. It wasn't the typical qi he had sensed before—it was something far more refined and powerful, each infused with elements unique to them.

Jian focused closely, observing how his father's qi pulsed with a searing, vivid intensity, as if it was alive with flame essence. His father had achieved a profound mastery over fire, with his qi carrying a natural heat and fierce energy that only the Fire Element Awakening could produce. Chief Long Tiān, on the other hand, had an aura with a solid, enduring weight, combined with a subtle, flowing quality—signs of both earth and water essences in his qi. The duality allowed his qi to channel the stability of earth and the adaptability of water, an intricate balance achievable only at this level.

Jian's eyes widened as he recognized it: Level 5, Bo Sùxīng—the Element Awakening Stage. Cultivators who reached Bo Sùxīng underwent a transformation that aligned their qi with an element, merging the energy with their own spirit and body. This wasn't a mere power increase; it was an awakening, a deep connection with the fundamental forces of nature.

In Bo Sùxīng, cultivators could use techniques that harnessed their chosen elements, amplifying their combat capabilities. For instance, his father likely possessed fire-based techniques, such as Blaze Rend, which concentrated fiery qi into a single, explosive strike, or Flame Barrier, a technique that surrounded the user in a protective aura of flame. Chief Long Tiān, with earth and water essences, could possibly use techniques like Stoneward Armor, a defense technique that strengthened his skin like stone, and Tideflow Qi, allowing his movements and attacks to flow like water, adaptable and relentless.

Seeing them both in their elemental mastery, Jian felt both awe and determination. This was the level he aspired to reach—to connect with the elements, to wield techniques that could shift the tides of battle, and to protect his family with newfound strength. Chief Long Tiān continued, his tone grave. "The Shé and Huǒ families, desperate to gain control, have even reached beyond our borders. They invited this master, Xuánye, from another continent, bringing foreign power into our midst to help them take Huǒmáng Chéng by force. His strength at Level 6, 5-star Bo Língjué is far beyond what any one of us can face alone."

Jian's mind raced as he absorbed the information. Xuánye, the one who had nearly killed him in the cave, wasn't just a powerful enemy—he was an outsider, summoned from another continent to tip the scales. The memory of Xuánye's brutal power flashed through Jian's mind, each encounter a reminder of how mercilessly close he had come to death. The stakes were now even higher; this wasn't only about family rivalries but a battle for the city's sovereignty.

As the Bo and Long families prepared for the inevitable clash with the Huǒ and Shé families, along with the city's treacherous general and Xuánye, a powerful voice broke through the tension.

"Brothers Long Tiān and Bo Tianzheng, forgive my late arrival!" called out the chief of the Yan family as he led his forces to join them. "I have united all my forces from the eastern border to aid in this fight. We bring over 1,000 members—500 of them skilled fighters at Level 4, Bo Qijia, 1 star."

Both Chief Long Tiān and Chief Bo Tianzheng turned, eyes wide with surprise and gratitude. They knew the Yan family was primarily a construction and mining powerhouse, not one known for its military strength. For them to muster such a force, despite their limited combat focus, was an unexpected boon.

Chief Bo Tianzheng inclined his head with deep respect. "Chief Yan, your loyalty honors us.

To bring your family here, ready to fight until the last breath, speaks of courage we will not forget."

Chief Yan's expression was fierce yet resolute. "Today, we fight not as separate families, but as one! We will stand together to protect Huǒmáng Chéng and ensure peace."

Suddenly, a chilling voice echoed through the air, reverberating through the spirits of the 4,000 assembled warriors. The impact was immediate, like a dagger to their cores, causing even the most seasoned fighters to falter. Chiefs Long Tiān, Bo Tianzheng, and Yan Zhen recognized it instantly, their faces darkening with alarm.

"Spiritual attack…" they murmured in unison, bracing themselves against the invisible assault. Bo Tianzheng clenched his fists, his gaze steely. "It's him… Xuánye… Level 6, Bo Língjué."

The voice continued, dripping with disdain. "Do you truly think your meager force of 2,500 Level 3, Bo Wanti peak stars and 1,500 Level 4, Bo Qijia, 1 star could stand a chance against me?"

As the gathered families searched for the source, a figure appeared atop the Bo family's border gate. It was Xuánye, dressed in ominous red and black armor, each plate etched with dark symbols that pulsed with energy. In his hand, he held a twisted evil wood staff, its gnarled form radiating a sinister aura that seemed to darken the air around him.

Xuánye's gaze swept across the assembled families, a cruel smile twisting on his lips. "I'll carve through each of you, turning your so-called alliance into nothing more than rivers of blood." His voice dropped to a mocking drawl. "Just like I almost did to your son, Chief Bo. What was his name again? Bo… Bo… Bo… Jian, wasn't it?"

He laughed, a harsh, hollow sound that grated against the tense silence. Bo Tianzheng's face contorted in shock and fury as the realization of Xuánye's taunt struck deep. His body shook with barely-contained rage, his qi flaring around him.

"Xuánye!" Bo Tianzheng roared, unable to contain himself any longer. "You dare threaten my son and my family? Today, I'll see you fall, or I'll fall trying!"Xuánye lifted his finger, and the Shé and Huǒ families, along with The Crimson Guard soldiers and officials from the Council of Ember, closed in tightly around them. The gathering was immense—5,000 members strong, including elite soldiers at Level 3, Bo Wántǐ (博完体) peak stars, and an additional 2,000 members at Level 4, Bo Qìjiǎ (博气甲), 2 stars.

Xuánye smirked, his voice dripping with confidence. "Let's see who truly holds the upper hand," he sneered, his gaze challenging the leaders of the Bo, Long, and Yan families.

Beside him, the Chief of the Shé family stepped forward, his eyes cold with disdain as he addressed the gathered opponents. "For far too long, you have clung to the illusion of control, stifling our ambitions and limiting our power. But today marks the beginning of a new era. We have waited patiently, biding our time, watching you cling to outdated honor and tradition. Today, we take what is rightfully ours."

The Chief of the Huǒ family followed suit, his tone equally fierce. "All of you stood in our way, believing yourselves untouchable. But you underestimated our strength, our resolve. You will see that the Huǒ family has grown far beyond your reckoning. Our flames will burn through every wall you thought protected you."

Then the general of Huǒmáng Chéng, dressed in his polished crimson armor, stepped forward with a grim smile. "You put your faith in the Council of Ember, expecting us to uphold a peace that shackled true strength. I've seen enough weakness parading as righteousness. This city deserves leadership with vision, power… and the will to crush any who dare oppose it. Today, we reclaim that power."

As the three voices echoed in the air, Xuánye lifted his hand in a commanding gesture, his expression dark and resolute. "Together, we will reshape this city, and all who stand against us will fall."