On the Ancient Beast Stage, Lin Dong, Mu Lingsha, Wu Yun, and other disciples from lesser-known families stepped onto the podium with newfound pride. The hunting competition in Qingyang Town had officially come to an end, and the final results shocked everyone.
The once-prominent Xie and Lei families were nowhere to be seen. Their disciples had vanished entirely from public view, sparking whispers and confusion among the crowd. As Ye Feng had anticipated, the champion title ultimately fell into the hands of the Lin family. Following closely behind were the Mad Blade Martial Arts School, led by Wu Yun, and Mu Lingsha's Mu Family Village.
As for the Lei and Xie families? They had gained absolutely nothing.
"Where is Lei Li? Where did he go?"
"Where's Xie Yingying? Is she... dead?"
The heads of the Lei and Xie families couldn't accept what had transpired. Their expressions were grim as they exchanged glances.
"Patriarch," a disciple from the Lei family murmured hesitantly, "could it be that the Lin family and the Mad Blade School worked together to wipe out our people?"
Lei Bao's gaze hardened, locking onto Lin Dong. His fury was palpable.
"I want them alive… or I want their corpses," he said coldly.
Lin Dong met his gaze but didn't flinch. He didn't owe them an explanation. Not anymore.
As night descended, a chilling silence enveloped the Lei family compound. The hall was brightly lit, but the mood was heavy. The heads of both the Lei and Xie families sat grimly as their disciples reported in.
"Master, as you instructed, we scoured the entire forest alongside the Xie family. We found no trace of our people."
"How is that possible?" Lei Bao muttered. "How could they just disappear, both the living and the dead?"
"Could… could it be monsters?" another asked.
"Ridiculous!" Lei Bao snapped. "Even if they encountered a master at the Earth Yuan Realm, there would be evidence—a battle, remnants. But we found nothing!"
What Lei Bao didn't know… was that Lin Dong had obliterated them all using the Bone Chilling Flame. Not a single trace was left—not even ashes could be found in the vast forest.
"This has to be the work of the Lin family and Mad Blade School!" someone cried out. "Only they would dare oppose us. Lei Li and Xie Yingying must've been murdered! We should strike first before they do!"
Lei Bao clenched his fists. "Very well—"
Suddenly, he shivered. "Strange… why is it so cold?"
A voice echoed from outside the hall.
"Lei Bao. Master Xie. I see you're both here."
On the roof of the corridor, a figure stood tall—Lin Dong. A pale flame danced in his hand, illuminating his youthful yet imposing face. He looked down at the gathered leaders with calm, merciless eyes.
"Lin Dong," Lei Bao barked. "Why are you here at this hour?"
"You dare trespass and confront us?" the Xie patriarch snapped.
Lin Dong's voice was calm, almost casual. "Before I kill you, I thought you deserved the truth. Your disciples… were incinerated by my Flame. Not one survived. And now, under Master Ye's orders, I've come to erase your families from Qingyang Town."
"Arrogant brat!" Lei Bao roared and launched himself at Lin Dong.
"Buddha's Wrathful Lotus."
Lin Dong gently waved his hand, and the white flame in his palm expanded, forming a blazing lotus. It shot toward Lei Bao like divine judgment.
Boom!
The sky blazed white. The earth trembled violently as a thunderous explosion erupted. The air first contracted violently before bursting outward, leveling everything around it. A blinding light engulfed the Lei compound.
A towering mushroom cloud rose over Qingyang Town.
Lin Dong stumbled back, coughing blood, his body swaying from the aftershock. But his eyes burned with awe as he stared at the crater where the Lei family once stood.
"So this… is the power of Buddha's Angry Lotus?" he muttered, his voice trembling with excitement.
No trace of the Lei family remained. Men, women, elders, children—all erased. Gone, like dust blown away by the wind.
Lin Dong looked toward the horizon.
"The Xie family… is next."
Moments later, another explosion rocked Qingyang Town. Another mushroom cloud darkened the sky.
---
At the Lin family compound, even from afar, the twin mushroom clouds were visible.
"Dong'er… did it." Lin Xiao whispered.
From this day on, only the Lin family and Mad Blade Martial Arts School remained in Qingyang Town.
Lin Zhentian's chest swelled with emotion. "Those two old dogs—Xie and Lei—they're finally gone."
"They'll be forgotten soon enough," Lin Xiao added.
Suddenly, Qingtan approached with urgency.
"Father, Wu Yun is here."
"Wu Yun? What does he want?"
"He says… he wishes to become Master Ye's disciple."
"Him?"
"Yes."
She stepped into Ye Feng's room and quickly explained the situation.
Ye Feng's soul power swept out and found Wu Yun kneeling at the thousand-step stairway leading to the Lin compound.
"Wu Yun," Ye Feng's voice echoed into the night.
Startled, Wu Yun looked around but saw no one.
"As promised, I've come to formally apprentice under you," he declared.
"I never agreed to take you as my disciple," Ye Feng replied flatly.
"You knocked my head three times before leaving. That was your sign. You told me to come here at midnight, didn't you?"
Ye Feng couldn't help but laugh. In his mind, the image of Sun Wukong flashed—the day Bodhi Patriarch tapped his head and left.
Yet, unlike Bodhi, Ye Feng had no intention of accepting a disciple. Still… Wu Yun's determination was undeniable.
"Master! Please accept me!"
He tried to kneel, but a space-lock held him upright.
"Go back, Wu Yun."
"I won't leave. I'll kneel here forever if I must!"
Ye Feng fell silent, then finally spoke.
"Fine. I'll give you one chance. If, within three years, you can step onto the 1001st step and pass through the Light of the Chaos God… I will accept you."
In the Douluo Plane, even Tang San had only reached the 333rd step in one year. If Wu Yun could reach the 1001st step in three years, his talent would be extraordinary—even greater than Tang San's.
If not, three years of training under the Light of the Chaos God would still reshape him into a formidable warrior.
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