Daniel Davis' biggest flaw was his inability to tolerate others. Even toward his own disciples, he was deeply suspicious and withheld portions of his teachings when passing down martial arts. This was the case even before he learned the latter half of the mud Buddha's prophecy. Such a person was doomed to failure from the start.
In fact, throughout the entire Wind and Cloud saga, the so-called villainous leaders all shared this trait. Strictly speaking, Daniel was actually one of the better ones among them. Figures like Absolute Godless and Duan Lang were even worse.
Daniel's caution in withholding teachings from his disciples is understandable—after all, he had risen to power by killing his own master.
"This world really doesn't have anyone trustworthy," Daniel Davis lamented while hiding in the mountain range behind the World Society with Clark, awaiting the showdown between Wind and Cloud and Daniel. Reflecting on the events in Wind and Cloud, Daniel Davis often sighed helplessly. Given his abilities, he naturally wanted to change some of the tragedies.
In the worlds he had previously traversed, with the exception of Ready Player One—where resources were depleted, leaving him little room for action—he had made significant changes in most places. However, in the world of Wind and Cloud, things were more frustrating.
The martial arts world of Wind and Cloud's Central Plains was full of experts, but unfortunately, most of them only looked out for themselves. Among them, Nameless was a rare exception, as he cared about the world at large. Yet even Nameless was prone to alternating between playing the erhu at full strength and wandering aimlessly when injured.
"Forget it, I'll just do what I can. After all, there's still Xiao Sanxiao, Wind, and Cloud to count on."
Afterward, Daniel Davis stopped dwelling on it and focused on teaching Clark martial arts. He even passed on the Xuanwu True Skill to Clark, as well as offering him True Essence Pills, Blood Bodhi fruits, and other resources. He also restored Clark's lost arm.
While teaching Wind and Cloud, Daniel hadn't noticed the significant impact of aptitude. However, when training Clark, he finally understood just how much aptitude mattered.
Wind and Cloud quickly grasped the basics of their training, whereas Clark required much more time. As a result, even though Daniel provided Clark with the same resources and guidance, there was still a noticeable gap in strength between him and Wind and Cloud.
Originally, Clark planned to step away from the martial arts world after Wind and Cloud's showdown with Daniel Davis. He even thought about learning from Wind and leaving the martial arts scene. But after a persuasive discussion with Daniel, he abandoned the idea.
Daniel analyzed the situation for Clark: if Daniel Davis were to die and the World Society were to collapse, while it wouldn't result in absolute chaos, the cities controlled by the World Society would fall into disarray. Numerous factions would vie for control, leaving the common people to suffer greatly.
Then there was Daniel's daughter, You Ruo. If Daniel Davis were to die, she would undoubtedly become a target for those seeking revenge. In that regard, Bu Jingyun could be considered quite noble—at least he never entertained the idea of targeting You Ruo for vengeance. But most others, nine times out of ten, wouldn't hesitate to do so.
The idea of sparing family members didn't hold much weight. Daniel Davis had destroyed countless clans and factions. For others to seek revenge on You Ruo would be entirely understandable.
The number of people seeking revenge against Daniel Davis was astronomical. Most, however, lacked Bu Jingyun's luck or strength. Many were killed by World Society disciples before even getting close to Daniel.
With both moral and emotional arguments laid out, Clark finally agreed to become the new leader of the World Society after Daniel Davis' demise. Daniel himself had briefly considered taking up the position for fun but ultimately decided against it.
Clark had long served as the leader of the World Society's Sky Frost Hall and had handled most of the organization's affairs for years. This made him the ideal candidate to stabilize the World Society in the shortest time possible. If Daniel were to take over, the only feasible path would be to adopt Duan Lang's route of terror, which would inevitably provoke opposition from Nameless, Wind, Cloud, and even Clark himself. Without using terror, the process would take far too long.
"They're still not here? How odd."
After several days of waiting, Daniel began to feel puzzled by Wind and Cloud's absence. Although Bu Jingyun's retreat was some distance from the World Society, it was still within its territory. With their current skills, they should have arrived long ago.
However, Daniel wasn't too concerned about their safety. With Wind and Cloud's current strength, there were few who posed a threat to them at this stage. So instead, Daniel focused on refining his mastery of Sky Frost Fist, Wind God Kick, Cloud Palm, and the Three Unified Forces.
He also attempted to integrate these techniques with the Taoist arts and yin-yang techniques he had previously learned. After all, only martial arts tailored to oneself were truly suitable. This philosophy was similar to Bu Jingyun's later creation of the Three Overlord Sword and Three Overlord Palm techniques, which he fused from his own vast repertoire. Compared to the Ten Ultimate Martial Arts, these customized techniques were far more effective.
"They've finally arrived."
After waiting a few more days, Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun finally reached the World Society. When the two headed toward the First Tower of the World, Daniel and Clark intercepted them at the base of the mountain.
"Senior Brother Clark!" Nie Feng was overjoyed to see Clark safe and sound. Bu Jingyun, on the other hand, merely nodded slightly. Although the truth about Kong Ci had already come to light, the stoic "God Who Never Cries" was not one to show much emotion—at least not this early stage of his character arc.
Wind and Cloud were peculiar individuals. Based on their personalities, Nie Feng should embody the divine, while Bu Jingyun should be the demonic. Yet, in reality, it was the opposite. Nie Feng was the demon, while Bu Jingyun represented the divine. Similarly, Nameless was a descendant of the demonic Emperor Shitian, yet he too walked a righteous path. Of course, here, the terms "demon" and "divine" are symbolic rather than literal.
Nie Feng, famous for his Wind God Kick and known as the "God of Wind," carried an aura of calm. If one word were to describe him, it would be "stillness." Bu Jingyun, conversely, was movement incarnate. Yet once again, reality flipped expectations—Nie Feng embodied motion, while Bu Jingyun symbolized stillness.
"You two go ahead. I won't be joining."
Clark's feelings toward Daniel Davis were deeply complicated. While Daniel had always treated him as a pawn, he was still the one who had raised him. If Wind and Cloud couldn't defeat Daniel, Clark would unhesitatingly join them in battle. But after training with Daniel, Clark was well aware that the current Daniel was no match for Wind and Cloud together. In such a situation, there was no need for him to intervene.
"Who dares trespass on the World Society?"
When Wind and Cloud reached the staircase leading into the World Society's domain, the disciples stationed there immediately noticed them. Upon recognizing them as former hall leaders of the World Society, the disciples hesitated briefly but then drew their weapons.
"Step aside if you value your lives," Bu Jingyun coldly ordered. Gripping the Peerless Sword, he prepared to attack.
"Senior Brother Yun, let me handle this." Nie Feng stopped Bu Jingyun, fearing he would go on a killing spree. With a flash of movement, Nie Feng appeared at the top of the stairs, leaving the disciples unconscious after swiftly sealing their acupoints.
"Daniel Davis, come out and face your death!"
As Wind and Cloud reached the plaza in front of the First Tower of the World, Bu Jingyun's shout echoed through the air. Moments later, Daniel Davis' arrogant laughter rang out. A yellow figure leaped from the First Tower and landed before Wind and Cloud.
"Old thief! Today, I'll avenge my sworn father's family and Kong Ci!" Bu Jingyun's eyes burned with searing hatred as he glared at Daniel.
"Hahaha! You think you can kill me? You're not qualified! You escaped last time due to sheer luck, but this time, there's no such fortune. Today, I, Daniel Davis, will defy the heavens and rewrite my destiny!"
Daniel exuded confidence. His injuries had completely healed, and his strength had even increased slightly. Little did he know that Wind and Cloud were no longer the same as before.
"In light of our years as master and disciples, I'll show some mercy. You may make the first move." Daniel crossed his hands behind his back, radiating the demeanor of a martial arts master. Of course, this was only because he was secretly gathering his Three Unified Forces behind him.
As soon as Wind and Cloud hesitated briefly, Daniel unleashed his accumulated Three Unified Forces, aiming directly at Nie Feng. This move, combining the long reach of the Wind God Kick, the ferocity of Cloud Palm, and the chilling power of Sky Frost Fist, created a devastating, water-like energy sphere. Few could withstand such an attack.
In the past, Nie Feng would have been powerless against this move. But now, he unsheathed the Snow Drinking Saber. In a flash of cold light, he sliced the Three Unified Forces in two. Before the divided energy could explode, the icy aura of the Snow Drinking Saber froze it entirely.
"The Snow Drinking Saber..." Daniel's expression faltered slightly. He remembered how, after Nie Renwang had been dragged into the
Lingyun Grotto by the Fire Qilin, Daniel himself had sought the Snow Drinking Saber. However, he had been forced to flee after discovering he couldn't defeat the Fire Qilin.
Although Daniel was skilled, the Fire Qilin far surpassed him. His Three Unified Forces had been powerless against the creature.
Daniel wasn't a weapon wielder himself, but he had a habit of collecting renowned weapons like the Snow Drinking Saber. To him, such items were a mark of prestige. If possible, he would have loved to collect the Hero's Sword as well.
"Glance of Frigid Cold!" Daniel's sneak attack had enraged Nie Feng. Before Bu Jingyun could even act, Nie Feng unleashed a powerful strike. A forty-meter-long blade of energy descended from the sky toward Daniel.
The first technique of the Six Cold Arts, Glance of Frigid Cold, was a domineering, straightforward attack. Its surrounding blade energy sealed off all escape routes, leaving the target no choice but to take it head-on.
Boom!
Nie Feng's sudden move startled Daniel. He immediately realized that Nie Feng's strength now far surpassed what it had been during their last encounter. If Nie Feng had been this powerful before, Daniel would have surely lost that battle.
With no way to dodge, Daniel enveloped himself in a transparent shield of energy, blocking Nie Feng's descending blade. The force of the attack created a massive crater dozens of meters wide, with Daniel's feet driven deep into the ground.
Due to the icy energy of the Six Cold Arts, there was no dust or debris from the attack. Instead, the ground around Daniel was completely frozen.
"How has your martial arts advanced so quickly?" Although Daniel wasn't injured, he could clearly sense that Nie Feng's power now rivaled his own.
"That's none of your concern." Before Nie Feng could respond, Bu Jingyun thrust his Peerless Sword at Daniel. With his energy shield occupied by Nie Feng's attack, Daniel had no choice but to take Bu Jingyun's strike head-on.
Crash!
The powerful energy from Bu Jingyun's sword caused Daniel's shield to crack. Forced to rely on the momentum of Bu Jingyun's attack, Daniel managed to break free from Nie Feng's blade energy.
"Poor Daniel, he's lost his edge," Daniel Davis muttered as he and Clark watched from afar. Surrounded in the plaza and forced to defend against Wind and Cloud's relentless attacks, Daniel was clearly outmatched. Even in the original storyline, he lost—let alone against this strengthened version of Wind and Cloud.
Under their combined assault, Daniel was eventually forced to use the Wind God Kick, a technique he hadn't employed in years. His Three Unified Forces proved ineffective against the enhanced Wind and Cloud, leaving him no choice.
In the end, Daniel suffered a sword thrust from Bu Jingyun, spitting blood as he tried to escape. Wind and Cloud immediately gave chase.
In terms of lightness skill, Bu Jingyun was not as fast as Nie Feng, but he was still a top-tier expert. The Cloud Palm technique included an impressive footwork system, allowing him to keep up.
"Your turn to step in," Daniel Davis said, pushing Clark forward. Daniel's defeat and escape, followed by Wind and Cloud's relentless pursuit, were seen by many disciples of the World Society. Amid the chaos, Clark emerged to take control.
Clark's appearance, combined with Daniel's retreat, quickly rallied most of the World Society disciples to his side. Although a small faction resisted, they couldn't change the overall outcome.
Elsewhere, Wind and Cloud soon caught up to Daniel. His lifeless body was brought back to the World Society by Nie Feng, who revealed that Bu Jingyun had ended Daniel with a single thrust of the Peerless Sword. Initially, Bu Jingyun wanted to take Daniel's head to pay respects at the Huo family estate, but Nie Feng stopped him.
After delivering Daniel's corpse, Nie Feng spoke briefly with Clark before leaving the mountain, a wide smile on his face. It was clear he planned to reunite with Second Dream to enjoy a peaceful life, away from the chaos of the martial arts world.
From Nie Feng's words, Daniel finally learned why Wind and Cloud had been delayed. During those days, they had encountered Nameless. The fully recovered Nameless demonstrated his unmatched strength by confiscating Bu Jingyun's Peerless Sword. It was only after a duel that Bu Jingyun managed to retrieve it.
With Daniel dead, the factions under the World Society's rule began to stir. Although Clark had become the new leader, he lacked Daniel's domineering authority and ability to command absolute loyalty.
"Even the Martial Arts Supreme faction has sent people. Do they see Clark as an easy target?"
------------------
Enjoying the story? Support the author and get early access to chapters by joining my Patre@n!
Find me at: patre@n*com/Mutter
You can read each novel for $5 or get them all for just $15.
Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
[+50 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[+5 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]