Back Mountain Path
Xiao Bai strolled leisurely toward the small lake, blood-tear streaks still staining his face. Despite his appearance, he felt invigorated, his spirit soaring.
Suddenly, his expression faltered. He cautiously glanced at the decree in his sea of consciousness before muttering softly, Pah, child's nonsense! Invigorated, my foot! I'm not some Ice Emperor—invigorated, what a joke!
Every time he felt "invigorated," the decree stirred trouble, conditioning him like a reflex. From now on, he was allergic to the phrase.
At the lake's edge, he crouched and splashed cool water on his face, the chill sharpening his senses.
"Refreshing!"
He splashed more water, cleaning the bloodstains, then peered at his reflection.
What's that?
A strange silver rune glimmered on his reflection's forehead. He touched his brow—no unusual sensation. He rubbed it, but the rune remained.
Could I have a special bloodline? In the Dou Qi Continent, only the ancient eight clans have forehead runes, right? Am I some emperor clan descendant?
Shock mixed with excitement. This could be my big break!
In his past life, reading the original story, every page screamed "hot-blooded youth," but between the lines, it was all about "bloodline and physique." Sure, Jinglian and Huangquan were exceptions, but who knew if they had hidden special traits?
He couldn't recall what each clan's emperor rune looked like—those details from the novel long forgotten. Propping his chin, Xiao Bai stared at the silver rune in the water, lost in thought.
No way! I need to hide this. If it's the Soul Clan's rune, that'd be a disaster!
He tore a strip from his clothes, fashioning a headband to cover the rune.
If it truly was a Soul Clan rune, how would he face Xun'er? How would the Xiao Clan treat him? The thought numbed him.
Shaking his head, he dismissed the worry. It's not confirmed yet. It might not even be an emperor rune—maybe a mutation from my technique. Even if it was a Soul Clan mark, what could he do? Carve it off with a knife? I'm not that stupid. Worst case, I'll wander the world, heart set on distant horizons.
Setting aside his concerns, he studied his new look in the reflection, nodding approvingly. To the water, he grinned, Wow, big guy, are you serious? A powerhouse like you doesn't need to be this handsome!
"Pfft!"
A delicate laugh sounded behind him. Xiao Bai froze. When did she get here? Is she related to Cao Cao, showing up the moment I think of her?
Turning, he saw a graceful young girl standing nearby.
Catching his gaze, she glided over with light steps, stopping beside him. Dressed in a pale green skirt, her features were refined, her aura serene yet elegant. Her delicate face now curved with amusement, eyes sparkling, hands clasped behind her back as she leaned slightly forward, peering at him.
"Xiao Bai gege, Xun'er just overheard someone being awfully narcissistic!" Her tone turned playful, dragging out the last words teasingly.
Xiao Bai's face darkened at Xun'er's teasing expression. Feigning anger, he said, "Little girl, you'd better forget what you heard, or I'll have to silence you. Your Xiao Bai gege is known for being ruthless!"
"Mm-hmm! Xun'er won't tell a soul!" She nodded solemnly, shaking a small fist, then burst into giggles, covering her mouth.
Seeing her like this, Xiao Bai couldn't help but laugh. Standing, he fondly ruffled her hair.
Xun'er squinted, relishing his affection, and asked softly, "Xiao Bai gege, you broke through?"
"Yeah, last night I had a breakthrough." He nodded. He'd applied two soul seals: one to hide his core seven-star cultivation, unbreakable without close scrutiny, and another superficial layer, perceptible to stronger senses as one-star Dou Zhe.
"It must've been tough, right?"
Xun'er smoothed his disheveled clothes, a flicker of heartache in her eyes. This boy, always in pristine white robes, was now covered in dust, scorched patches from lightning, and faint bloodstains, his brow tinged with fatigue.
When had she ever seen Xiao Bai so battered? Who breaks through to Dou Zhe looking like this?
She didn't press, though. She knew his situation was unusual. Once, she'd gently offered to find someone to check on him, but he'd refused. She never brought it up again, resolving to grow stronger herself and examine him personally. Surely Xiao Bai gege wouldn't refuse me then.
Seeing her worry, Xiao Bai's heart stirred. To ease her concern, he decided to spin a tale, feigning nonchalance. "Tough? Nah, just had a scuffle with three guys."
"Huh? This wasn't from breaking through? You fought someone? Who?" Xun'er's confusion turned to indignation, her hands tightening on his clothes.
Who dared bully my Xiao Bai gege?
"Hmm, let me think. Last night, during my breakthrough, a thunder tribulation descended. Three human-shaped lightning bolts emerged from the clouds, claiming my talent was unmatched in eons. To pass the tribulation, I had to face them in same-realm combat—win to live, lose to die!"
Xun'er gave him a playful glare, knowing he was spinning nonsense but indulging him, eager to hear his story.
"First, a lightning figure leaped from the clouds, named Wu Shi, proclaiming, 'At the end of the emperor's path, who stands supreme? One glimpse of Wu Shi, and all paths are void!' He wielded an emperor-grade weapon, the Wu Shi Bell."
"Hmph! 'At the end of the emperor's path, who stands supreme?' Such arrogance!" Xun'er huffed, affronted on behalf of her ancestor.
Xiao Bai ignored her, continuing, "Wu Shi and I clashed for three thousand rounds, shaking the heavens, dimming the sun and moon. I barely won by half a move. Wu Shi sighed, 'The new generation surpasses the old. Kid, you've won,' and returned to the clouds as lightning."
"Then, a second lightning figure descended, roaring, 'I'll fight you!' I looked closely—this guy was striking, with eighty percent of my flair. My eyes lit up, and I shouted, 'Who dares challenge me? State your name!'"
"He was Ye Tian Di, declaring, 'I am the Heavenly Emperor, destined to suppress all foes!' He created a supreme Tian-class technique, the Heavenly Emperor Reincarnation Fist, unmatched across the world."
"I couldn't stand for that. Me, the future Thunder Emperor, master of all thunders, enforcer of heaven's will—how could I let him suppress me? Before me, who dares claim invincibility? Who speaks of being undefeated?"
"And then?" Xun'er's eyes sparkled, enthralled by his bold claims, her face glowing with admiration.
In the nearby shadows, Ling Ying perked up. This kid's full of hot air, but those words are electrifying! His blood stirred, itching to spar and spout such lines himself. He hurriedly pulled out paper and pen from his storage ring, scribbling down Xiao Bai's grandiose quotes, lest he miss a single gem for future boasting.