Nighttime Surprise

"Eternal Temple?" Lie Xu didn't understand Lan Renshu.

Lie Xu was aware that sects were like individual entities, with their own rules and customs. So how could he, when he became a disciple of the Night Hunt Sect, also become a guest disciple of the Eternal Temple?

Lan Renshu smiled gently at his guest. He explained calmly as he massaged his chin, "That's right—because the Night Hunt Sect is only a mid-level force. Its founder is, in fact, a member of the Eternal Temple, the legendary Wild Fire, Murong Haoran.

"According to the history books of the Eternal Sword Academy, Wild Fire created the Night Hunt Sect 2,000 years ago. At that time, he was on an external mission for the Eternal Temple. But when he encountered difficulty in resolving an issue quickly and individually, he decided to form a group to help him.

"That group succeeded in their journey and at the end of that mission, he begged Wild Fire to continue following him. And so the Night Hunt Sect was born; therefore, even today there remains a vassal relationship between the sect and the Eternal Temple."

Lie Xu found this impressive. 'A disciple creating an entire sect just to help him on a mere mission?' He imagined the implied significance of that fact. 'In that case, how strong must the Eternal Temple be? If a single member can command an entire sect…'

Lan Renshu didn't know what Lie Xu was thinking and continued explaining the relationship between the Night Hunt Sect and the Eternal Temple, "… Due to that long history, even today the most outstanding disciples of the sect have chances to enter the Eternal Temple and completely elevate the level of their journeys.

"This opportunity is given to those disciples who are the most impressive, with more merits and potential. Once every five years, two vacancies in the Eternal Temple arise for the sect, and a group of first-level sect disciples is sent to the kingdom's capital. Those who pass the temple's selection become permanent guest members of that force, while those who fail return to the village to be nurtured and prepared to assume local leadership positions."

With a slightly more serious tone, Lan Renshu looked deep into Lie Xu's eyes and said, "That's why you must join the sect and work hard, young Lie. In our world, only the strongest can choose their own destiny. But talent isn't everything. One also needs luck and opportunities along the way."

Shaking his head and sighing, Lan Renshu concluded, "Unfortunately, our village is not as good as I'd like. Someone like you should look up and seek the best. For you, the best will be the Eternal Temple. There, you can go far in cultivation and find your true purpose!"

It might have seemed that Lan Renshu was trying to dictate what Lie Xu should do with his life. But the young man did not see it that way. His host was simply giving him advice—basically, an opinion. He did not need to agree or follow Lan Renshu's plan, but he was grateful that the old man advised him as best as he could.

Is the Eternal Temple his destiny? Is the Sun Kingdom's capital the only place he should look now? He did not know, but he was certain that Brave Sword King Village was only the beginning of his journey.

"Thank you for the advice, Sir Lan. I just did not expect such a vast difference in scale between the sect and the temple. It seems unbelievable to think that a temple disciple created an entire sect for a mere mission."

Kong Meng laughed while shaking his head in agreement. "Isn't that right, Big Brother Lie? But as impressive as it is, it's more common than you might think. It turns out that several sects, clans, and organizations in the Scalding Abyss God Region were created in similar ways."

Lan Renshu reinforced his apprentice's words, "There is always a higher mountain. Many forces you will encounter on your path were created by disciples of greater powers. In some cases, expelled or even fugitive disciples have formed forces to support their machinations."

Kong Meng said energetically, "And even the Eternal Temple has forces that they must bow their heads! The heart of the Scalding Abyss God Region supposedly has cultivators of the Divine Journey!"

Lie Xu watched the boy who had been sitting on the floor in silence, his thoughts running wild.

Lan Renshu took a deep breath and said to both of them, "Let's not talk about something so distant and uncertain. As much as the scriptures speak of such powerful places, we have no proof that they really exist. The Eternal Temple is already a great peak from which we can look out from where we are."

Looking at Lie Xu, he advised, "Young Lie, don't be careless like Meng'er. This lad talks a lot, but he is just a foolish child. The consequences of his loose tongue are not the same for adults and cultivators. Avoid speaking of the vast differences between the temple and beings of the Divine Journey.

"Even if the temple must shrink back and heed the orders of greater forces, to us it is like a sovereign dragon. Mere words—even if true—can incite the wrath and heavy hand of that absolute entity!"

Kong Meng scratched his head as he laughed at his master's words.

Lie Xu smiled subtly and nodded in agreement with Lan Renshu's advice.

Lan Renshu slowly rose from his chair, saying, "For now, I think this is what you need to know to make your plans. But you must decide for yourself. This old man has only told you what he would do in your place. But I dare not say that I know the truth of things."

As he headed out of the room, he added, "I'm going to warm up some soup for us to eat. After that, you should rest so you can recover quickly. Tomorrow we'll take care of those matters we've discussed."

"Okay, I'm sorry to trouble you," Lie Xu said, still seated at the foot of the bed, looking at Kong Meng and smiling slightly.

Within less than ten minutes of Kong Meng recounting many of his favorite local stories, old Lan Renshu returned with soup for his guest. He sat down to keep Lie Xu company while Kong Meng went to eat his portion in the living room.

Lie Xu ate his soup quickly, hardly caring about the temperature or whether the taste was refined. He was starving at the beginning of the night and could eat anything that was given to him.

But old Lan's soup did indeed seem delicious. In less than five minutes, Lie Xu finished his bowl, consuming every last drop of his host's offering.

After dinner, Lan Renshu retired to the living area, where he arranged the sleeping area for himself and Kong Meng. Simultaneously, Lie Xu freshened up in the small bathroom of the residence and applied the medicinal paste that Liu Yu had taught him to use earlier.

Less than half an hour after arriving at Lan Renshu's residence, Lie Xu blew out the candle in his room and lay down, parting his lips and taking a deep breath as he relaxed on that bed.

He was tired. His wounds were healing, though he could still feel the cuts around his body burning. Moreover, his head still hurt enough to convince him that he needed to rest.

Now, many new pieces of information swirled around in Lie Xu's mind. He had many doubts, various plans forming gradually, but he also couldn't help feeling excited. Seeing Xue Yazhi use her powers earlier was enough to stimulate his desire to relearn how to use his own powers.

Even though he had no grand ambitions at the moment, Lie Xu was eager to use his powers!

But today was not the day to resolve any of those matters. After closing his eyes a while after Kong Meng finished talking with Lan Renshu in the living room, Lie Xu felt his mind gradually shutting down.

The night was pleasant, with a cool but not freezing temperature. The winds around the village were weak now, neither causing noise as they passed nor making doors and windows creak.

The residential area of Lan Renshu's house was usually as quiet as a cemetery. Its many inhabitants—workers and ordinary people—rarely stayed awake past 8 p.m. Today was no different. By around 9 p.m., the main street of the area was deserted, shrouded in darkness from a section without streetlights.

With no candles or lamps lit and houses shuttered, only the natural light of the stars could illuminate the path for passersby. Unfortunately, the sky in any world of the Primordial Void was gray even during the day. At night, the darkness was even more intense.

These conditions were perfect for two individuals standing in front of the residential building where Lan Renshu lived.

Leaving the alley where they had been, two men walked slowly down that street, making a half-turn around the block.

"The last candle in that house has gone out. Time for us to act."

"Let's get in through the window and teach that bastard a lesson."

"Hmm. My hands are itching to hit someone, Senior Brother!"

The two spoke to each other in low voices, arriving at the back of that building in less than a minute.

After confirming the correct window, the stronger of the two used an item from his hand to force it open. With a crowbar wedged into one corner of the window, he exerted a brief effort—just for a second—until the wood creaked and the hinges moved.

The other was not in the mood for jokes and did not want to risk the plan. With the window open, he jumped into the room without waiting for his partner.

'Oh? You're here?'

This man's movements halted when he saw, just 2 meters ahead, the figure of a tall, shirtless young man with various bandages all over his body, sleeping peacefully on a narrow bed.

The golden hair of the young man was barely distinguishable in the darkness, but the first burglar readily recognized Lie Xu.

Lifting the corners of his lips, the first assailant moved forward. With his dominant hand open, he swung it downward in a vertical arc—as if it were the blade of a guillotine—with his eyes fixed on the Adam's apple of Lie Xu.

The other assailant entered the room amid his partner's attack, having already released the crowbar to join his friend in the planned nocturnal beating.

'You'll learn to stay away from Senior Brother's woman after today, mongrel!' The second assailant advanced as well, lunging with a clenched fist aimed at the middle of Lie Xu's abdomen.

As the two attacked Lie Xu, their eyes gleaming with malice and moments away from reaching the stunned, wounded young man, the seven-pointed purple symbol on Lie Xu's forehead shone for a mere fraction of a second.

Lie Xu felt a burning sensation on his forehead and immediately opened his eyes. He could see clearly in the dark, distinguishing the furniture, the window, and the roof of the room, as well as the two attackers looking at him now.

One of them was leaping from the window toward him, a clenched fist aimed at his abdomen. The other was just centimeters away from reaching his neck with one hand, poised to deliver what would surely be a painful blow.

'You guys!' Lie Xu recognized Yao Feng and Du Ming, and his relaxed expression was instantly replaced by a furious scowl.

"Consider this a lesson, insolent worm!" Du Ming barked something before striking his 'unconscious' target.

"Eh?"

However, instead of hitting Lie Xu's neck as planned, Du Ming felt his hand stop as something firmly gripped his right fist.

At that moment, Lie Xu acted on instinct, seizing one of Du Ming's wrists forcefully, while his other hand swiftly unrolled one of his bandages and moved toward the opponent's mouth.

Subconsciously, Lie Xu lifted Du Ming off the ground with one hand alone, pulling the man atop himself as he shoved the bandage between the opponent's teeth.

Yao Feng didn't have time to halt or change his course. When he saw his enemy act and throw Du Ming into his path, it was already too late.

With his dominant fist tightly clenched, nearly exploding with energy meant to hurt Lie Xu, Yao Feng struck Du Ming's chest mercilessly.

A stifled grunt escaped Du Ming's mouth, but the bandage jammed between his teeth and Lie Xu's hand pressed against his jaw prevented any further noise.

"Senior Brother!" Yao Feng shouted in surprise, his heart halting for a moment before suddenly racing. Cold sweat trickled down his spine, paralyzing him for an instant.

Lie Xu released Du Ming's jaw and, still gripping one of the opponent's wrists firmly, hurled his body aside as if it were a mere pillow.

A loud, heavy thud resounded, causing Yao Feng to look where Du Ming had collided with the wall, face-first, and then fall onto his back, already unconscious.

Yao Feng wanted to help Du Ming, but before he could move from the bed, he felt something stopping behind him.

His spine went cold as he slowly turned to look back.

It was too late.

Lie Xu's left elbow descended forcefully onto Yao Feng's back!

A cracking sound rang out in the room before a soft sound accompanied Yao Feng's collapse onto the bed where Lie Xu was supposed to be sleeping.

Lie Xu remained motionless, staring at the two men, his eyes glowing with a deadly purple light, his expression far from pleasant.

"Now, what should I do with you two?"