In the following days, Liu Bai remained in the Cultivation Hall to train.
This scene surprised quite a few people. In the past, Liu Bai rarely appeared in the Cultivation Hall, let alone for such an extended period.
After finishing another half-day of cultivation, Liu Bai looked at his experience points, which had increased to 2,600, and felt quite pleased.
He was gaining about 100 experience points in just over three days. At this rate, he could break through from the early Phase of the Spiritual Wheel Realm to the middle Phase in just three months. This cultivation speed was already extremely fast, and the main reason for it was Liu Bai's practice of the body-tempering Deity Art, FrostSkin Jade Bone Art.
Taking advantage of this period before the Five Great Academies' quota selection began, he planned to raise his cultivation to the middle phase of the Spiritual Wheel Realm through self-cultivation, allowing him to save his experience points to deal with the examination required to enter one of the Five Great Academies.
One day, just as Liu Bai finished his training, Elder Xi summoned him.
"Elder Xi, is something the matter?" Liu Bai asked in confusion.
Elder Xi sighed and shook his head. "People from the Liu Domain came earlier. They asked you and Liu Mubai to return to the Liu Domain immediately."
Liu Bai's expression changed slightly, instantly realizing something must have happened.
And judging from Elder Xi's expression, it clearly wasn't good news...
Frowning, Liu Bai formed a guess in his heart, then immediately returned to the Earth Class and took Liu Mubai with him toward Northern Spirit City.
Although Northern Spirit City was not one of the Nine Domains, it was the largest city in the Northern Spiritual Realn and not far from the Northern Spiritual Academy. Liu Bai usually returned to the Liu Domain through the city's teleportation array.
But what Liu Bai didn't expect was that just as they entered Northern Spirit City, something unexpected occurred.
Looking at the empty streets around them, even Liu Mubai sensed something was off...
"Big Brother, why is it so quiet here?"
Though Liu Mubai didn't come to Northern Spirit City often, he knew that streets like this were usually bustling with people.
And...
"Is it raining?" Liu Mubai felt the coolness on his face and immediately looked surprised.
Liu Bai sneered internally.
"A Rank 1 Consciousness Mesmerizing Array and Rain Spiritual Array. Isn't this the work of that Rain Walker, Ji Zong? In the original story, this guy was hired by the Liu Domain to go after Mu Chen. I didn't expect him to make the first move on me and Mubai in this life…"
This gave Liu Bai a strange sense of fate looping back on itself.
However, this Ji Zong wasn't yet as renowned as in the original work. He was probably just beginning to make a name for himself in the Northern Spiritual Realm. Still, as a Rank 1 Spiritual Array Master, he was quite popular in the assassin world.
"Mubai, stay behind me!"
Liu Bai looked toward an originally empty spot and instructed Liu Mubai beside him.
"Oh? You could see through my concealment?" A slightly feminine voice rang out in surprise.
A young man holding an umbrella suddenly appeared before the two brothers.
"I am the Rain Walker, Ji Zong."
As the name "Ji Zong" left his lips, the man slightly raised the umbrella in his hand, revealing a thin and sharp face before Liu Bai.
"Heh, your entrance is stylish enough, but the name's a bit underwhelming. I don't recall there being a 'Rain Walker' in the Northern Spiritual Realm," Liu Bai said lightly, mocking him.
However, Ji Zong was clearly no ordinary man. He simply smiled and said, "As expected of the young master of the Liu Domain. Even at a time like this, you remain so calm. I must admit my admiration. If not for the large sum offered this time, I truly wouldn't want to make enemies of you two."
Liu Bai shook his head and said, "Looks like someone couldn't help but make a move to test the Liu Domain's strength. Let's hope they can handle the consequences."
To be honest, Liu Bai wasn't surprised someone would target the Liu Domain, especially since he had already formed a guess. What he didn't expect was that the enemy would aim directly at him.
It seemed these people were underestimating him a bit...
"Just you alone? From what I can sense, you've just stepped into the early stage of the Spiritual Wheel Realm. Are you sure you can take me down?" Liu Bai asked calmly, feeling the raindrops falling onto his clothes.
Ji Zong shook his head and replied, "I know the young master of the Liu Domain is extraordinarily talented and powerful. But I am not here to kill or capture you. I only need to delay you for a while."
Hearing this, Liu Bai became even more certain of his guess. He said, "And then this news will reach my father, correct?"
Ji Zong paused, then replied, "It seems Young Master Liu Bai's wisdom is truly exceptional. In that case, I ask you both to cooperate. I promise you will not be harmed."
Liu Bai nodded slightly and said, "Then let me give you a suggestion. Submit to the Liu domain. If you do, I can overlook today's incident."
Ji Zong's expression turned a bit unpleasant. This young master of the Liu Domain was quite arrogant.
"Hmph, worthy of being the Liu Domain's young master truly bold. But if you want me to submit, you'll have to break my array first."
Clearly, Ji Zong, who was just beginning to make a name for himself, was still quite prideful and wouldn't give in just because of a few words.
Liu Bai narrowed his eyes at the confident Ji Zong and spoke in a cold, ethereal voice.
"As you wish."
Before his words had even fully fallen, more than ten spiritual seals silently flew out from Liu Bai's hands and merged into the void behind him.
Ji Zong was stunned by the sight…
"Spiritual seals? You're a Spiritual Array Master too…"
And not just any Spiritual Array Master—he could multitask, laying down a formation while speaking, something Ji Zong had never even imagined.
"Hehe, Mister Ji Zong, now is not the time to be dazed."
Roar!
Following Liu Bai's voice, three fire serpents over ten meters long roared like lions or tigers and surged into the expanding rain curtain.
Although the Rain Spiritual Array was also a Rank 1 Spiritual Array, its power was still far inferior to Liu Bai's Flame Serpent Spirit Breaking Array. Moreover, though Ji Zong was an Rank 1 Spiritual Array Master, his control over arrays couldn't compare to Liu Bai's. Thus, facing the three raging fire serpents, he couldn't resist at all they broke through his array instantly.
In the next moment, Liu Bai dissipated the fire serpents to prevent the destruction of nearby buildings due to the broken formation.
Even so, the ground beneath their feet was scorched black in several places, revealing the immense power of the formation just now.
"How is it?"
Looking at the pale-faced Ji Zong in the distance, Liu Bai gave a faint smile.
"I admit defeat," Ji Zong said after his face flushed red and pale in succession.
"Ji Zong greets the master!"
He knew very well that if he didn't surrender today, he would not leave alive.
As an assassin who walked the edge of the blade, Ji Zong understood the cruelty of this world. Now, he had no other path.
"Very good. Let's go."
Liu Bai gave a faint smile, then led his admiring younger brother and newly-subdued subordinate toward the teleportation array in the city.
Upon returning to the Liu Domain, Liu Bai immediately sensed a repressive atmosphere. Even the family guards were visibly tense.
The moment they exited the teleportation array, they saw Liu Zong hastily leading a group of people over.
"Second Uncle!"
Liu Bai raised his voice and called out.
When Liu Zong saw his two nephews, his eyes lit up, and a look of joy clearly appeared on his face.
"Bai'er, Mubai, you're both unharmed?"
"Who is he?"
At this moment, Ji Zong discarded the paper umbrella in his hand and stood quietly behind Liu Bai with his head slightly lowered, taking on the appearance of a servant.
"I'll explain later. Second Uncle, why were you in such a rush, and what exactly happened at home?"
"I heard you were attacked in Northern Spirit City. Your father sent me with people to come rescue you. As for home… your grandfather has gone missing…"
As he spoke the last sentence, Liu Zong's expression darkened completely.
"What? Grandpa went missing?!" Liu Mubai shouted in shock.
As for Liu Bai, his expression visibly relaxed.
It seemed his earlier guess was correct. Back when Liu Qingtian first told him the old man had entered some ruins, Liu Bai had already started to speculate about the developments that might follow. He simply hadn't expected it to happen so soon.
"Do not panic. Let's return to the manor first!" Liu Bai's expression turned serious as he stopped his younger brother from panicking, then quickly moved forward.
Liu Mubai, shocked by his older brother's sudden severity, immediately fell silent and followed without a word.
Liu Zong, after a brief pause, also followed. Just now, his eldest nephew had shown such a commanding aura that Liu Zong couldn't help but feel it surpassed even that of his own elder brother.
Inside the Liu Manor, Liu Bai did not speak a single word on the way. His demeanor caused many of the servants and guards to be so frightened that they didn't even dare make a sound while walking.
Without stopping, Liu Bai headed straight to his father's study. Liu Mubai originally tried to follow, but was stopped by Second Uncle Liu Zong.
At this stage, Liu Mubai was still too young. There were many matters he was not yet suited to know.
Upon entering Liu Qingtian's study, Liu Bai immediately saw two figures seated inside. The one at the head was none other than the old Domain Lord, Liu Jingshan, who was supposedly missing.
As soon as Liu Bai stepped through the door and closed it behind him, the cold expression on his face instantly faded, and the oppressive aura around him vanished without a trace.
"Grandfather, Father." Liu Bai bowed respectfully to the two elders.
"Haha, I knew with Bai'er's intelligence, he would never be so easily deceived," Liu Jingshan said with a hearty laugh, his expression filled with approval.
Liu Qingtian, however, rolled his eyes discreetly. If he hadn't given that kid a heads-up in advance, would he still be smiling right now?
Of course, he wasn't going to ruin his father's mood at a time like this. After all, Liu Jingshan had always doted on his eldest grandson without hiding it.
"Did Grandfather gain something important from this trip? To go so far as to fake your death and conceal it from everyone?" Liu Bai asked with curiosity.
He knew from the original story that Liu Jingshan had gone into seclusion to attempt a breakthrough to the Three Heavens Realm, but the exact reason had remained unclear. Now it was obvious it had to be connected to this exploration of ruins.
"Hehe, Bai'er is indeed sharp." Liu Jingshan beamed with pride, then took out a jade scroll and handed it over.
Liu Bai's eyes lit up. "Could it be a high-grade cultivation technique or martial art?"
He reached out and accepted it.
"Ding. Congratulations, player has discovered a High-level Spirit-Grade cultivation art: Mountain God Art. Would you like to Record it?"
High-level Spirit-Grade?!
Liu Bai was immediately stunned.
This was the highest known grade of cultivation technique in the Northern Spiritual Realm. If not for his fortunate acquisition of the FrostSkin Jade Bone Art, this would have been the most powerful technique he possessed.
"Ding. System prompt: A Higher Level cultivation art has been discovered. Please choose one: Replace or Dual Cultivate."
Huh?
Liu Bai was surprised. Replacing would be simple enough—he could directly substitute his existing Blazing Sun Art with the Mountain God Art. This way, the spiritual energy in his body would seamlessly transform into that of the new technique without any loss. In fact, his strength would increase due to the superior grade of the new art.
But this second option…
Dual cultivate? Was it suggesting that he could practice two entirely different types of cultivation techniques at the same time?
Liu Bai hesitated. He wasn't sure what kind of impact such a thing might have…
"Bai'er? Bai'er?" Seeing him spacing out, Liu Qingtian called out twice.
Liu Bai snapped back to attention. Now wasn't the time to be lost in thought.
"Record it!"
Liu Bai immediately chose to Record it. As for which option to choose, he would consider that later.
After placing down the jade scroll, Liu Bai paused in thought before saying, "This High-level Spirit-Grade Art is indeed precious, but at most, it would be suitable for Mubai and Liuyang to cultivate in the future. Grandfather, did you go to such lengths just for this?"
Liu Jingshan smiled and nodded. "That's right. Mubai and the others can indeed use it, but it would take them at least ten years to truly gain strength from it. The reason I faked my death and disappeared was to... begin re-cultivation."
Liu Bai sighed inwardly. As expected, this was the true reason his grandfather would go so far, even risking turmoil within the Liu Domain.
"Bai'er, don't worry. Your father has already reached the peak of the middle Phase of the Divine Soul Realm, and he could break through to the late Phase at any moment. Your second uncle has also entered the Divine Soul Realm. With the preparations our Liu Domain has made in secret, even if unrest breaks out in the Northern Spiritual Realm, we won't be shaken."
Seeing Liu Bai's expression, Liu Jingshan thought he was concerned for the family's safety and reassured him with a smile.
Liu Bai nodded. He understood this well. Even without mentioning anything else, he knew of at least one hidden force—the Mangyin Mountain Faction, which was secretly aligned with the Liu Domain. Its leader was also a Divine Soul Realm expert, serving as one of the Liu Territory's trump cards.
"Then that's good. For now, Mubai and I will stay at home for a few days." Liu Bai said casually.
In the days that followed, the Liu Manor remained shrouded in a heavy atmosphere. The Liu Domain also experienced slight unrest, but all of it was swiftly and cleanly suppressed by Liu Qingtian.
Liu Bai knew very well that these were all tests from hidden enemies probing the Liu Domain's reaction—just like how someone had hired Ji Zong to attack him earlier. If the Liu Family had shown even the slightest sign of weakness at this moment, a pack of hungry wolves would have rushed out from the shadows to tear the Liu Family apart like a juicy piece of meat.
This was the cruelty of reality. Even in this wild and backward Northern Spiritual Realm, such was the law of survival.
....
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