On the Mountain
The next day, Wang Fang stood alone on the mountainside, practicing his basic techniques.
The morning wind swept past him as he gripped his sword firmly. His movements were steady and precise rolling the blade left, then right, wrists supple yet controlled—before thrusting forward in a sharp, decisive stab.
Swish!
The sword pierced the air cleanly, leaving a faint whistle behind.
"Hm…" Wang Fang muttered, adjusting his stance.
After using the pill granny refined for me.
I reach the Blood Refinement realm.
"And since I've reached the Blood Refinement Realm, my vitality has awakened through my blood. Even my blood itself is changing—becoming stronger."
He could feel it clearly.
Compared to when he was still in the Body Tempering Realm, everything was different now. His senses were sharper, his perception clearer. Qi flowed faintly around him, brushing against his skin like an invisible tide.
"I can feel qi now… and even use it," he said softly. "Though it's still limited."
He let out a slow breath.
"I see now why Granny said I must reach the Qi Gathering Realm,the realm where one forms a true vessel and can actively gather qi."
His fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword.
"Still… I'm far stronger than before. And my recovery speed is much faster too.
For now, this was his limit.
His gaze shifted, and a trace of anticipation flickered in his eyes.
"Alright. Let me try the technique Granny gave me."
He took out a jade slip.
Blazing Phoenix Step.
A movement technique.
Move instantly through flames.
Teleport between sources of fire.
Wang Fang stared at the jade slip for a long moment.
"…This sounds absurd."
He shook his head lightly.
"I don't even know if it'll be useful, but learning it won't hurt.
Sitting down cross-legged, he placed the jade slip in his palm and closed his eyes.
"Since I can control qi now… I should be able to comprehend it."
A thin thread of qi flowed from his body and entered the jade slip.
Buzz
Crimson and golden runes burst forth, hovering in the air around him like dancing flames. The technique's principles unfolded, movement paths, breathing rhythms, and bursts of power intertwining in complex patterns.
Then,
As if guided by instinct, all the runes rushed toward his forehead.
Wang Fang inhaled deeply.
Then exhaled.
His eyes snapped open.
"…I understand it.
He frowned slightly.
"But I can't use it.
He glanced around the quiet mountain.
"There's no fire."
A strange thought suddenly crossed his mind.
"…Should I just burn this place down?"
His expression darkened for an instant, then he shook his head sharply.
"No. Don't let inner demons take advantage."
Just then,
A faint sound reached his ears.
Someone… being chased?
Wang Fang's body tensed. His gaze swept across the surroundings, but the mountain remained silent.
"…Strange."
Above the Sky
High above the mountain, three figures descended rapidly through the clouds.
"Hand over the artifact!" a cold voice shouted.
"Senior Brother—let me kill her!" a young man sneered.
"Yes," another added eagerly. "Let He Sun handle her."
After a brief pause, the leading figure nodded.
"…Do it."
The wounded girl stumbled backward, her face pale.
"P-Please… I beg you"
Slash!
He Sun's sword pierced straight through her body, the blade emerging from her back.
Her body trembled as blood spilled from her lips, hatred burning in her eyes.
"Curse you… all three of you…"
Her form collapsed into dust, scattering into the wind.
Bai Lu scoffed.
"A girl with no background dares provoke us? She was courting death."
The three turned to leave,
Then paused.
Below them, on the mountainside, a lone figure practiced sword techniques.
"…A Blood Refinement cultivator," He Sun said.
Bai Lu's lips curved into a cold smile.
"Senior Brother, let's take a look. He might have a technique or treasure."
"And if he doesn't?" He Sun asked casually.
Bai Lu's eyes turned sharp.
"Then we kill him."
The leader nodded calmly.
"Fine."
Below
A chill ran through Wang Fang's spine.
He looked up.
Three figures were descending from the sky.
His pupils shrank.
Who are they?"
Then he noticed it
The symbol embroidered on their robes.
His expression changed instantly.
A sect."
His grip on the sword tightened