The Star Soul continued to observe Xiao Chen's training as an entire hour passed. Suddenly, its eyes widened in shock—Xiao Chen had begun to grasp the Thousand Thunder Steps technique. Now, whenever Xiao Chen ran or leaped, his speed appeared almost shadow-like. Not only that, faint sparks of lightning began to flicker around his feet, created by the friction of Qi energy. This signified that Xiao Chen was only half a step away from mastering one of his own techniques.
'Even for me, it would have taken weeks to train such a basic technique… Xiao Chen, in the future, you will surely be able to avenge the hatred buried within your heart. Moreover, reaching the highest realm of cultivation—there is no doubt you can achieve it. Only time will bear witness!' It felt both proud and deeply amazed by the boy it once considered lazy.
Seeing that his disciple continued training without rest, the Star Soul finally halted the session and bestowed another technique upon Xiao Chen.
"Chener, the Thousand Thunder Steps will perfect itself in time. For now, cultivate the Heaven-Devouring Dragon Technique. Although this technique is normally suited only for those with dragon bloodlines, for you, it may still be useful—perhaps allowing you to wield power like a dragon. After this, begin your journey by hunting demon beasts. In Shao Yang Forest, you can turn demon beasts into your prey…"
"Then, Master, where are you going?" Xiao Chen asked.
"Where else could I go, other than remaining within your subconscious? I wish to search through my fragmented memories. If you encounter danger, simply awaken me…"
Swuuuuuush!
The Star Soul vanished into a streak of golden light and entered Xiao Chen's body. After that, Xiao Chen immediately went to his mother's grave and paid his final respects once more.
"Mother, Xiao Chen will never return to your resting place until I bring back the head of your murderer…" His voice was ice-cold.
Blaaaaaaar!
Suddenly, a massive bolt of lightning tore through the clear sky, as though the heavens themselves acknowledged Xiao Chen's vow.
The journey to Shao Yang Forest was long, far from the territory of the Phoenix Empire. Whatever his master's true intentions were, Xiao Chen had already decided to head toward that forest.
Along the way, he passed through horrifying scenery—thousands of ruined buildings lay in devastation. Only then did Xiao Chen truly realize that he had left his homeland behind.
Before long, he arrived at the edge of the forest, still within the Phoenix Empire's borders. His steps abruptly halted. His survival instincts surged violently—he felt several pairs of eyes watching him from within the trees.
Swuuuuuush! Swuuuuuush!
Just as he suspected, five black shadows suddenly leapt out from the forest and surrounded him. They were a pack of one-horned demon tigers.
Though this was his first time leaving home, Xiao Chen knew well that the forest bordering the empire was ruled by powerful demon beasts. He had often heard rumors of merchants being killed when passing through this place.
'Xiao Chen, kill those five tigers. Show your master that you can handle something as trivial as this,' the Star Soul's voice echoed in his mind.
Xiao Chen nodded, assuming a battle stance as the five tigers lunged forward, claws flashing.
Swuuuuuush!
Using the Thousand Thunder Steps, Xiao Chen narrowly avoided the five claws aimed at his body. Though this was his first real battle, he displayed remarkable intelligence, effortlessly toying with the tigers, whose attacks struck nothing but empty air.
Roaaaaaaaaarh!
The five tigers halted their assault after realizing their attacks were futile. They roared in frustration, when the Star Soul's voice startled Xiao Chen once more.
'Chener, kill them. Their soul pearls can increase your cultivation, and you can also sell them for money. Becoming strong requires great effort—the strong trample the weak, and the strong rule forever. This is the law of heaven, unchangeable!'
'The strong trample the weak… Master is right. If I want to avenge my parents, I must become stronger!' Xiao Chen muttered as he suddenly moved again.
Using the Thousand Thunder Steps, his movements became blindingly fast. Appearing beside one of the tigers, he grabbed its tail and, with all his strength, slammed it to the ground.
Boooooom! Roaaaaarh!
Not just once—Xiao Chen smashed the tiger repeatedly against the ground. Its roars sounded like desperate pleas for mercy, but Xiao Chen's heart was blinded by vengeance. Before long, after ten brutal slams, the tiger died, its skull shattered.
Witnessing the cruelty inflicted upon one of their own, the remaining tigers charged forward in a frenzy. Yet Xiao Chen was far too fast—zigzagging through their attacks, dodging each claw strike with ease. Finding openings, he slammed them down one by one with his bare hands.
Booooooom! Booooooom!
Fifteen minutes later, having killed for the first time, Xiao Chen felt his body go limp. Just then, the sound of applause snapped him out of his daze.
Proooook! Proooook! Proooook!
"So the Phoenix young master is still alive?"A familiar voice entered Xiao Chen's ears.
Turning around, Xiao Chen saw three young men—one of them clearly from Han City.
"Young Master Han Fei, not only is he alive… he even managed to kill five trash tigers by himself. Wasn't he supposed to be nothing but trash?"
"Yeah! You're right, he is trash!" Han Fei sneered. "Xiao Chen, I don't know how you killed these tigers, but… their soul pearls belong to us. Leave now, or will you join your parents in hell?!"
"Xiao Chen, did you know?" Han Fei continued when Xiao Chen remained silent. "They say your parents were traitors of the Sky Hall."
Xiao Chen's expression darkened. Insults directed at him no longer mattered—seventeen years of being unable to cultivate had made mockery a daily occurrence. But insulting his deceased parents was something he could not tolerate.
His figure suddenly zigzagged forward, startling Han Fei.
But Han Fei realized too late—Xiao Chen was already standing before him. The crisp sound of a slap echoed through the forest.
Plaaaaaaak! Plaaaaaaak!
Han Fei staggered back, his face flushed with rage. He shouted, "Why are you just standing there?! Cripple that trash for me! Today, I want him disabled!"
Han Fei's two companions nodded and charged at Xiao Chen together. Xiao Chen merely shifted his body slightly as two fists flew straight toward his abdomen.
Kraaaaaaack!
He caught both fists with his palms. In an instant, a sharp cracking sound rang out—the bones in their arms shattered.
"Akkkkh! M-my arms!" The two screamed as they realized their arms were broken.