Baihu Kingdom (1)

The Eastern Continent was vast and filled with countless domains, but among them, the Blue Wind Domain was considered insignificant.

Due to its remote location, cultivators from larger domains dismissed it as nothing more than a backwater land, unworthy of their attention.

But that was merely the perspective of cultivators.

For ordinary mortals, the Blue Wind Domain was immense—a land so vast that traveling from one kingdom to another took months, even with great effort. Some would never reach their destinations in an entire lifetime.

Above the endless landscape, the sky swirled with drifting clouds.

A flying artifact soared through the air at an astonishing speed, cutting through the skies like a sharp blade.

Upon it sat two figures—Ma Jeong and Wi Soyeon.

Ma Jeong hummed a tune, his expression relaxed as he admired the magnificent scenery below.

Wi Soyeon, however, remained silent.

Just a glance at Wi Soyeon's cold yet breath taking face was enough to make countless men lose their hearts. She was like a frozen flower, untouchable yet mesmerizing.

Not long after…

The Great Baihu Kingdom came into view beneath them.

As far as the eye could see, cities of all sizes stretched across the land, nestled between mountains and rivers.

From high above, the common folk looked no different from ants, their tiny figures moving about in the streets.

In this world, fate was decided from birth.

Some were born into wealth and power, living lives of luxury.Others struggled in poverty, scraping by on whatever they could find.Some toiled endlessly, their efforts never enough to escape their suffering.

But cultivation—cultivation was the only way to break free.

In this world, only those who cultivated could defy their fate

Ma Jeong raised an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on the scene below. "Hmm? Seems like something's happening down there."

Wi Soyeon followed his gaze and, with a cold tone, remarked, "Oh, looks like a band of bandits is robbing a village."

Ma Jeong glanced at her, noticing her unbothered expression. His Expression turned a little weird.

'You were so worried about the Demonic Cult hurting your people, yet you seem so indifferent now. 

Wi Soyeon noticed Ma Jeong's silent gaze and turned to him, her expression unchanged. "My lord, is something the matter?"

Ma Jeong simply shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Nothing, Let's go check it out."

As Ma Jeong spoke, he subtly shifted their course, guiding their flying artifact downward toward the village below.

At that moment—

Peach Blossom Village.

Thick black smoke billowed into the sky as flames raged, consuming homes and fields. The once-tranquil village was now a scene of chaos and despair.

Terrified villagers were rounded up in the central square, their expressions filled with fear and hopelessness.

Those who resisted—those who tried to flee—met a gruesome fate. Steel flashed, blood splattered, and lifeless bodies fell to the ground. The bandits moved without mercy, their laughter chilling against the backdrop of screams.

Cries for help and desperate pleas for mercy echoed through the air, mixing with the roaring flames, turning what was once a peaceful village into a living nightmare.

"We beg you, please show mercy! Our village is poor—we have nothing but a few chickens, ducks, cattle, and sheep. If you must, take them all, but spare the villagers!"

An elderly man, his hair white as snow, stepped forward, leaning heavily on a worn cane as he pleaded for his people's lives.

Smack!

A bandit scoffed and kicked him aside. The frail old man crashed to the ground, coughing up blood as the villagers gasped in horror.

The bandits, numbering around a hundred, stood tall and menacing, their blades gleaming under the firelight. They had corralled the terrified villagers into the village square, their cruel laughter echoing through the night.

Men clenched their fists in helpless rage, while women held their children close, shielding them as best they could. Fear hung thick in the air.

One of the bandits turned to his leader, bowing respectfully. "Master, they're all gathered."

At his words, the leader of the bandits rode forward atop a tall steed, his expression one of casual arrogance. 

The bandit leader was a towering brute, his massive frame covered in thick muscle. His unkempt hair hung wildly over his shoulders, giving him a savage, untamed look.

His piercing eyes swept over the trembling villagers, as if surveying livestock before a slaughter.

His gaze fell upon the elderly man who had dared to plead earlier. A cold smirk played at his lips as he spoke in a deep, mocking tone.

"Drag him out."

"Yes, Master!"

Several bandits rushed forward, grabbing the frail old man and dragging him toward their leader.

At that moment, a young boy about fourteen years old, suddenly broke free from the crowd.

"Don't! Let go of my grandfather!"

The boy looked small and unremarkable, yet his eyes burned with defiance.

"Tie Zhu! What are you doing?!" the elderly man gasped, his voice filled with fear and urgency.

But Tie Zhu didn't stop. He clenched his tiny fists and rushed at one of the bandits, throwing a punch with all his might.

Thud!

With a sneer, the bandit caught the boy's fist effortlessly in his rough hand.

"Hah! This little rat thinks he can fight?" the bandit mocked before swinging his leg.

Boom!

The kick landed squarely in the boy's stomach. Tie Zhu was sent flying, rolling several times across the dirt before coming to a painful stop.

"Tie Zhuuu...!" The elderly man's anguished cry tore through the night, his grief echoing in the burning village.

As Tie Zhu lay on the ground, clutching his stomach in pain, his body wracked with groans and blood oozing from his mouth, the bandit who had kicked him began to walk toward him, a cruel grin spreading across his face.

Without hesitation, the bandit began to kick Tie Zhu, the blows landing with sickening thuds.

"Hahaha... Let me join in for the fun!"

More bandits gathered around, laughing cruelly as they took turns kicking the defenseless boy, each strike sending waves of pain through Tie Zhu's battered body.

"Nooo, stop! I beg you—kill me in return!"

The elderly man cried out in desperation, his voice shaking, but the bandits ignored him.

Tie Zhu's vision blurred as the pain intensified. His ribs felt like they were breaking with each harsh kick. Blood filled his mouth, and he coughed, spitting out more red than he could bear. The world around him started to darken, his consciousness slipping away.

Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind, clear and firm, cutting through the chaos.

"Boy, do you want to take revenge?"

Tie Zhu, barely conscious, wondered if the voice was a hallucination brought on by the pain. Perhaps he was dying, and his mind was playing tricks on him.

The voice spoke again, more urgent this time.

"Boy, I asked: Do you want to take revenge?"

Tie Zhu, battered and broken, couldn't think of anything else. Revenge was all he wanted now, a chance to make these monsters pay for what they had done.

With every ounce of strength he had left, he whispered in his mind, "Yes, I do."

The moment Tie Zhu whispered his answer, something extraordinary happened. A surge of power erupted from deep within his body, rushing through his veins like wildfire.

In an instant, the bandits who had been mercilessly kicking and beating him were sent flying through the air, as if an invisible force had slammed into them.

Several bandits crashed to the ground with sickening thuds. Some landed on their necks, breaking them instantly, while others were so badly injured that they lay motionless, barely clinging to life.

The bandit leader and the remaining thugs stared in shock, their eyes wide with disbelief. They couldn't comprehend what had just happened.

Tie Zhu, his body now overflowing with strength, could feel his injuries rapidly healing, his muscles and bones knitting back together. He flexed his fingers, feeling the power surge through his hands. Clenching and unclenching his fist, he could hardly believe how strong he felt.

Feeling the surge of strength coursing through his body, Tie Zhu charged at the remaining bandits.

With every punch and every kick, bodies were sent flying, crashing into the ground like ragdolls. 

The bandit leader gritted his teeth, unable to tolerate the sight any longer. His fury exploded as he bellowed,

"You dare?!"

Without hesitation, he leaped forward, his massive frame shaking the earth as he landed before Tie Zhu in an instant. The sheer force of his movement sent cracks spreading through the ground beneath his feet.

His right hand curled into a clawed motion, a sinister red energy crackling around it, forming razor-sharp talons. With a roar, he swung at Tie Zhu, aiming straight for his head.

Tie Zhu's instincts kicked in. He quickly dodged backward, but the attack was too fast—one of the crimson claws grazed his cheek, leaving a thin, stinging cut. A single drop of blood trickled down.

The bandit leader threw his head back and laughed.

"Hahaha… You may have gotten stronger, but before my Supreme Divine Techniques, you are still nothing but an insect!"

Tie Zhu, unfazed, lifted a hand to wipe away the blood on his cheek. He looked at it for a moment before snorting in disdain.

"To call this trash a Supreme Divine Technique… You're truly shameless."

The bandit leader's smug laughter was abruptly cut short.

Out of nowhere, a figure appeared beside him, moving so fast that it was as if he had materialized from thin air.

The bandit leader's eyes widened in shock, his breath hitching.

"Who the hell are you?!" he shouted, his voice laced with panic.

Before he could react—

Boom!

A powerful palm strike landed squarely on his chest.

Crack! Crack!

The sickening sound of bones snapping filled the air as his massive body was slammed into the ground like a ragdoll.

A guttural scream tore from his throat, his entire form trembling in agony. "Ahhh—!"

Even though Ma Jeong had only used a fraction of his power, the impact was still too much for a mere Energy Condensation Realm cultivator to handle.

He lay there, writhing in pain, his former arrogance shattered in an instant.

[Author's Note: The Energy Condensation Realm is the first realm in the cultivation journey, followed by the Foundation Realm and beyond.]

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