At the Sovereign Pavilion
The bell at the entrance chimed crisply, signaling that a guest had stepped into the Imperial Commerce Pavilion. It served as a subtle alert for the attendants to prepare themselves to receive the visitor.
Mei Xue: "Welcome, honored guest-"
Before she could finish her sentence, she realized that the person who had entered was Wu Ming. Her demeanor changed instantly. The bright, welcoming smile on her face faded into a cold expression, though she continued to perform her duties flawlessly.
"Welcome once again, honored guest. The Manager of the Imperial Commerce Pavilion requests your presence for a private discussion within her personal quarters."
As soon as those words left her lips, the guests and patrons inside the pavilion were stunned. A direct invitation from the Manager of the Imperial Commerce Pavilion represented status, prestige, and authority of the highest order. Murmurs spread through the hall as countless eyes turned toward the young man.
Who was he?
Why had he received a personal invitation from the Pavilion Master herself?
Mei Xue walked ahead toward the private chamber of the Pavilion Master. Wu Ming followed calmly behind her. The gazes of the crowd pierced into their backs-some filled with envy, some with suspicion, and some with concealed resentment. Even certain great clans of influence had rarely, if ever, been granted entry into that private chamber. This would undoubtedly become a topic of speculation among the powerful.
Wu Ming could sense that Mei Xue's aura had grown more solemn and distant than before-almost hostile.
It seems the Pavilion Master has spoken quite poorly of me... enough to alter someone's attitude this drastically, he thought silently.
Inside the Private Reception Chamber
Mei Xue stopped before an ornate door.
"We have arrived at the reception chamber. Please enter, honored guest. Lady Xuan Yue is waiting for you."
Without another word, she turned and left immediately.
Wu Ming pushed the door open.
Creak-
So the Master of the Imperial Commerce Pavilion is named Xuan Yue...
No matter. What truly matters is the plan from here on.
Inside, an elegant yet cold woman sat at a table, calmly sipping tea. Her bearing was refined, her presence sharp and composed. She was Xuan Yue.
Wu Ming closed the door and stood there briefly before she gestured for him to sit opposite her.
He sat down without the slightest sign of anxiety. His calmness mirrored her own icy composure.
Xuan Yue spoke first.
"I wonder what business or beneficial proposal Young Master Wu Ming has that brings him to my Sovereign Pavilion."
She continued sipping her tea leisurely, as though nothing particularly important was happening.
Wu Ming did not respond immediately. He lifted the teapot, poured himself a cup, and slowly took a sip before speaking.
"It is not bad tea. But that is all it is. It offers little beyond taste-merely a flavor that intoxicates and delights the senses. In truth, it is no different from an addictive substance."
Xuan Yue paused mid-sip. A faint chill entered her gaze as she looked at him.
"What does Young Master mean by comparing this tea to an addictive substance? I fear Young Master may lack sufficient knowledge. It would be rather wasteful for such fine tea to be criticized by someone who does not understand it."
Wu Ming set his teacup down calmly.
"I believe we are not here to debate tea. Naturally, I came to present an opportunity-one that would bring mutual benefits to both parties."
Xuan Yue raised a brow.
"Oh? Is that so? Then please enlighten me as to what benefits my Sovereign Pavilion would gain from conducting business with you."
Wu Ming replied evenly,
"Ordinary benefits would naturally fail to catch the attention of a commerce pavilion as powerful and influential as yours. My proposal is simple: I am willing to become a direct trading partner of the Sovereign Pavilion."
The moment he finished speaking-
Bang!
Xuan Yue slammed her palm onto the table.
"Do you take me for a fool?! You barged into my affairs before, even launched a covert attack against me! Not only that, you dare waste my time claiming you wish to become a trading partner of my Pavilion? Do you believe we lack resources? Thousand-year herbs? High-grade medicinal pills? We possess nearly everything through commerce! What qualifications do you possibly have?!"
Wu Ming did not react to her anger.
"You have not yet heard the full details. I already stated-ordinary offerings would not interest you. What I intend to offer far surpasses what you currently possess."
Xuan Yue gradually calmed herself.
"Get to the point."
Wu Ming continued without hesitation.
"What I offer is a direct partnership-between you and me alone, not tied to any clan or faction. In exchange, I am willing to serve as the Sovereign Pavilion's alchemist for one year."
He continued calmly,
"Additionally, I am willing to exchange high-level cultivation manuals, advanced alchemy techniques, and unique formation arrays. And you need not fear duplication-because those formations are of my own creation. I can confidently say there is no identical formation anywhere in this world."
For a brief moment, silence filled the room.
"HAHAHAHA!"
Xuan Yue burst into laughter.
"You? A mere cultivator at the Qi Condensation Realm? Even the greatest genius of the Tian Men Kingdom does not speak with such arrogance! It seems I truly overestimated you. Even if you alleviated my injuries, that does not mean you possess sufficient capability."
Wu Ming remained composed.
"If the Pavilion Master does not believe me, you may test my abilities-privately or publicly. I am willing to demonstrate everything. What do you think?"
She fell silent, contemplating seriously this time.
Finally, she spoke.
"In three days, the city will host the Grand Alchemy and Formation Competition. It is a selection event for talents in alchemy and array construction. Many clans and factions will attend to recruit promising individuals."
She looked at him steadily.
"That will be your opportunity to prove whether your words are truth-or delusion."
Wu Ming agreed. However, he did not rise from his seat.
"And if I fail? What will you demand from me?"
A wicked smile curved across Xuan Yue's lips.
"You once humiliated and injured me. Even if you treated my wounds, it does not erase that disgrace. If you lose..."
Her voice turned cold.
"You will serve the Imperial Commerce Pavilion as my subordinate-for the rest of your life."
Wu Ming suddenly burst into loud laughter.
"Very well. I enjoy a challenge. In three days, we shall see the result. I trust the Pavilion Master will honor her word."
"That much is certain," Xuan Yue replied.
Soon after, they parted ways.
Outside Quan Dian City - Phantom Valley
A shadowed figure stood within the valley.
"It seems the plan has twisted somewhat... but fortunately I have already established the formation here in Phantom Valley. This operation must proceed flawlessly. I will obtain that item-no matter the cost! HAHAHAHA!"
As he muttered to himself, a handsome young man descended from the sky riding upon a flying sword.
It was Gu Yi Fan.
"What are you laughing about, Elder Xue Ning Qian?"
"Oh! So it is Young Master Gu Yi Fan. I laugh because our plan begins today-and it will certainly succeed."
Gu Yi Fan frowned slightly.
"Is that so? And where are the others?"
Xue Ning Qian replied,
"They are already stationed at their assigned points within the formation across Phantom Valley. Once the plan begins, we will scatter in different directions to avoid capture. We must minimize every possible risk."
At that moment, another figure stepped forward from the shadows.
It was Baili Yuanhe.
"Indeed. Only the three of us will act at the central point. We begin this evening. I have already surveyed the outskirts of the Wu Clan. Their defenses are practically nonexistent. They appear preoccupied with reconstruction."
He smiled coldly.
"This is the perfect opportunity. I even infiltrated the Wu Clan in disguise. The boy has an elder sister bedridden with illness. If we take her hostage, he may surrender the treasure without resistance."
Gu Yi Fan shook his head.
"How can we be certain he possesses only one treasure? There may be other artifacts enhancing his cultivation-perhaps enabling him to fight beyond his realm. Since we have planned so meticulously, we should follow the original strategy. Regardless, we already hold the advantage."
Xue Ning Qian nodded.
"Young Master Gu speaks correctly. We cannot afford chaos by altering the plan now."
Baili Yuanhe sighed.
"Very well. We proceed as planned at dusk."
Inside the Wu Clan Library
Wu Ming cultivated quietly within the library.
He refined his foundation while also revisiting alchemy and formation techniques from his previous life. Those skills had never vanished-they were engraved deeply within his consciousness.
He relearned them swiftly. After all, he had created many of those techniques himself. His concepts and methods differed drastically from those of this world. His formation arrays could be considered unprecedented.
My progress is astonishingly fast...
Strange. Why has this not caused fluctuations in the Laws of Heaven and Earth? Or perhaps what is considered "high-level" here is merely low-level elsewhere?
I still do not fully understand. Only by venturing into the wider world will I learn more.
The sun neared the horizon.
Though his previous-life techniques were powerful, using them within this body carried risks. This vessel could not yet withstand the laws from his former world, nor were those laws identical to the Heavenly Laws of this realm. A clash could result in catastrophe.
For now, he was only at the Qi Condensation Realm.
But it seemed he was close to breaking through.
As he circulated his energy in meditation, absorbing spiritual power-
He faintly sensed something.
Something had entered the Wu Clan silently.
"Hm... Perhaps I am imagining it. The more distractions I entertain, the slower my cultivation becomes."
He closed his senses and focused once more.
In the Courtyard of the Wu Clan
Three maidservants walked cheerfully through the courtyard, discussing the clan's reconstruction under Young Master Wu.
One of them said,
"What do you think of Young Master Wu? He woke from his coma less than a week ago, yet he seems completely transformed. He is only eighteen this year, but his leadership is remarkable. I fear the Wu Clan may rise to greatness once more."
The other two nodded in agreement.
As they chatted, a handsome young man approached them.
He was one of the construction workers arranged by Yong Ye.
His name was Fan Yi.
Fan Yi advanced toward the trio of maidservants with measured composure, each step neither hurried nor hesitant-merely deliberate.
He inclined his head slightly, a smile playing upon his lips-warm, restrained, and meticulously crafted.
"Fair ladies," he began, his tone smooth as silk drawn across polished jade, "might I be permitted the honor of joining your conversation? I confess I find little pleasure in the company of men who drown themselves in wine and raise their voices as though volume alone could lend weight to their existence. I have always preferred discourse of a quieter, more refined nature."
The three maidservants exchanged glances.
Before them stood a handsome young man whose demeanor seemed tempered by courtesy and moderation. His bearing was humble, yet there was a gentility in his speech uncommon among laborers. Their eyes brightened unconsciously.
Indeed, they too harbored distaste for the crude revelry of drunken workers whose laughter carried without restraint across the courtyard at night. Compared to that cacophony, Fan Yi appeared... agreeable.
Thus, the circle widened to admit him.
Their conversation flowed with surprising ease-light, unguarded, almost intimate. The afternoon waned as trivial topics gave way to more personal reflections, until-subtly, almost imperceptibly-Fan Yi shifted the current.
"I have heard," he said, lowering his voice as though speaking out of genuine concern, "that Young Master Wu Ming has an elder sister bedridden with grave injuries. It is said her condition is dire... nearly identical to the affliction he himself once suffered."
He sighed softly.
"What cruel irony. He alone escaped the abyss, only for fate to cast his sister into its depths in his stead. Truly... the heavens can be merciless."
The maidservants nodded, sorrow touching their expressions.
Who would not ache at such injustice?
To survive a calamity, only to watch one's beloved kin succumb to the same torment-it was a cruelty beyond reason.
One of the maids spoke up, her voice tinged with quiet grief.
"I am the one assigned to attend to the Young Master's sister. She has scarcely any strength left. Her complexion is pale beyond measure, and she can hardly rise from her bed, much less walk unaided. It is a most distressing sight."
She hesitated, then added more softly,
"This morning, I saw the Young Master asleep beside her bed. He remained there the entire night, watching over her without rest. It... was heartbreaking."
The other two murmured in sympathy, their voices overlapping in shared lament.
Throughout it all, Fan Yi listened with downcast eyes.
When he finally lifted his gaze, sorrow seemed to veil his features so convincingly that none could detect the calculation flickering beneath.
"You need not burden yourself with such grief," one of the maids told him gently. "It is not your cross to bear. We each have our duties. There is no reason for you to carry another's sorrow."
The others nodded in agreement.
Fan Yi gave a faint, grateful smile.
"You are right. I allowed myself to dwell too deeply upon matters beyond my station. We each walk our own path and shoulder our own obligations."
He stepped back and bowed slightly.
"I shall take my leave. There is work awaiting me at dawn."
He raised a hand in farewell and departed.
Only when he had turned the corner did the softness vanish from his expression.
What remained was something colder.
Something precise.
Within the Main Hall of the Wu Clan
A woman's voice echoed faintly through the neglected chamber.
"There is nothing of value here. Only cobwebs and dust thick enough to suffocate. I see no treasures worth claiming."
A man responded with quiet impatience.
"I am inclined to agree. Let us search elsewhere. The treasury... or perhaps the library. If there are hidden manuals or high-grade cultivation texts, they would be stored in such places. What say you?"
"A sensible proposal," the woman replied. "Very well. The library first-then the treasury."
"So be it."
At the Wu Clan Treasury
A hoarse male voice murmured within the dim corridor.
"Hm... why does this passage stretch so deeply inward? Could it conceal something of genuine worth?"
He advanced toward the far end.
There, the walls were etched with strange and intricate inscriptions-runes that pulsed faintly beneath layers of dust.
"What are these peculiar glyphs...? I can scarcely decipher them..."
He froze.
"Wait-these symbols... they feel familiar. They resemble the phenomena that manifested during that miraculous upheaval not long ago..."
A sharp gleam ignited within his eyes.
"Could it be connected? If I unravel this mystery... the opportunities and treasures that follow shall belong to me alone."
A low, malevolent laugh reverberated down the corridor, swallowed slowly by the suffocating dark.
Within the Wu Clan Archive Repository
Elsewhere, another man sifted through ancient records in a neglected data vault-an archive long abandoned to decay. Dust blanketed every surface; cobwebs stretched like veils across forgotten knowledge.
Wu Ming, burdened with reconstruction and external affairs, had not yet turned his attention to this crumbling trove.
"Tch. Has this place not been maintained at all?"
He flung aside one dusty volume in disdain, only for another to slip loose from a higher shelf and fall at his feet.
It was unremarkable in appearance.
And yet-
It drew his gaze.
He bent down, brushing away the dust.
The History of the Wu Clan.
He narrowed his eyes.
"So this records the founding..."
He opened it.
And thus unfolded a tale two centuries old-
Of a man named Wu Hen, founder of the Wu Clan.
During the internal wars that ravaged the Tian Men Kingdom, when foreign forces converged like vultures upon a wounded beast, a single youth emerged from the chaos.
He traversed battlefields where hundreds of thousands of cultivators clashed.
And with a single technique-
He annihilated them.
Armies crumbled.
Generals trembled.
Among the fallen was the famed General Chong Lin of the Bei Xi Kingdom-strategist unparalleled, equal in renown to today's Mu Chen of Tian Men.
Chong Lin, whose campaigns had never known defeat.
Beheaded.
His head displayed upon the battlefield.
And the one who did it-
Wu Hen.
He appeared without origin, without allegiance, without recorded past.
Within a single day, news of the slaughter spread across the lands, striking terror into invading kingdoms.
Yet his name was never publicly declared.
Instead, another received the accolades-
Mu Chen.
At the urging of those close to him, Wu Hen relinquished glory and withdrew from the stage of history.
He founded a small, obscure clan.
The Wu Clan.
The record ended with two characters written in stark ink:
无声 - Soundless.
The man holding the book frowned.
"This reads less like a clan chronicle and more like an ode to its founder. Strange... How could a figure of such magnitude vanish entirely from history? Is he dead... or merely hidden?"
A chill crept along his spine.
"This may be dangerous. I must conclude swiftly and depart."
Outside the Wu Clan Library
A man and woman arrived before the decrepit structure.
The signboard hung crooked, threatening collapse at the slightest touch. Cobwebs draped from the eaves like funereal banners.
They entered.
Inside, shelves extended in long, shadowed corridors-hundreds upon hundreds of them-while tomes lay scattered across the floor in chaotic disarray.
"Is this truly the site of that heaven-shaking miracle?" the woman whispered incredulously. "It appears more like a ruin than a sanctum."
"Cease speculation," the man replied curtly. "Search. There may yet be something of value."
They separated.
The library was vast-far larger than expected.
The woman wandered deeper between towering shelves, scanning for manuals she might either cultivate... or exchange for high-grade spirit stones.
Then-
Her eyes gleamed.
"Oh? It seems I have stumbled upon something rather... interesting."
A soft, delighted laugh escaped her lips.
"Hmm~"
A radiant smile blossomed upon her face, brimming with unconcealed excitement.
What lay before her possessed an irresistible allure - a cultivation manual unlike any she had encountered before, and yet faintly resonant with the Dao she herself pursued.
It was none other than the scripture entitled-
Peach Blossom of Death.
A soft, delighted laugh escaped her lips.
"At last... I have found something truly aligned with my path."
Never in her wildest imaginings had she expected that within this crumbling, desolate place there would exist a manual such as the Peach Blossom of Death. Indeed, it seemed that even within mountains of dust and ruin, precious jade could still remain concealed.
"I must hasten and search this place thoroughly. If I delay, everything of value will surely be seized by another."
The instant her words fell, she threw herself into the task with fervent intensity, overturning piles of stone-caked books and fractured shelves. Her movements were swift and relentless, as though she were excavating a hidden treasure from the depths of oblivion itself.
Meanwhile, on the other side-
The man who had parted ways with her earlier now strode through the depths of the same decrepit library, his gaze sharp and calculating.
Why would such a forsaken and dilapidated repository contain so many rare and high-grade cultivation scriptures?
"Eh? This is..."
His steps halted.
Before him lay a single volume whose craftsmanship stood in stark contrast to the rest. The cover bore the sculpted likeness of a divine dragon coiled protectively around a celestial pearl. Its surface shimmered faintly, inlaid with precious jade and gemstones of exceptional purity, as though it were not merely a manual, but a treasured heirloom artifact.
He slowly opened it.
Inscribed within were the bold characters-
"Sacred Dragon Body."
A low laugh rumbled from his throat.
"Oh? It seems I have stumbled upon something extraordinary. Hahaha... This harvest is far from ordinary. I must move swiftly."
Though separated by distance, their thoughts mirrored one another perfectly. Each feared that the other might secure the greater fortune. Thus, both redoubled their efforts, frantically gathering additional high-tier cultivation arts.
Even manuals unsuited to their own paths held value - for they could be exchanged for Spirit Stones, the very lifeblood of cultivation.
Suddenly, their voices rang out in unison-
"Is it you?"
The young man spoke first, a faint smile curving his lips.
"I truly did not anticipate that such a place would conceal so many rare and exalted scriptures. It seems our journey here was not in vain. Tell me, Yao Huang - how fruitful has your harvest been?"
She regarded him steadily.
"It would appear that you too have gained no small advantage, Tang Xuan. As for me... I have found nothing rarer than these. Only that final door remains. Perhaps within it lies something of even greater significance."
At the furthest end of the library, they now stood before a tightly sealed door, its surface worn yet resolute.
Tang Xuan stepped forward.
"I shall inspect it."
Extending his hand, he grasped the latch and twisted.
The door creaked open.
Yet within, there were no dazzling treasures, no hidden vault of supreme manuals.
Only a solitary alchemical furnace stood in the chamber, accompanied by several stalks of high-grade medicinal herbs. Strangely, the herbs appeared fresh as though recently harvested.
Then-
A thunderous clang reverberated through the chamber.
The furnace had toppled over.
Tang Xuan's voice turned icy.
"Can you refrain from such clumsy noise? If you continue like this, we shall be discovered before long. Do not become a burden."
He did not even deign to turn his head.
"...I understand..."
Tang Xuan: "Hm?"
Silence.
A silence so thick it seemed to swallow the air itself.
Elsewhere-
"Hahaha! Drink freely!" Yong Ye roared amidst the gathering. "Today marks a crucial step in the grand integration of the Wu Clan! Should our endeavor succeed, I shall personally petition Young Master Wu Ming to bestow upon you all a special reward!"
One of the men within the circle shouted jubilantly,
"Then we must thank Elder Yong Ye! Let us complete tomorrow's work swiftly at dawn. If we succeed, our rewards will not be long in coming! What say you, brothers?!"
A chorus of enthusiastic cheers erupted.
Then another voice interjected-
"Forgive me, brothers... I fear I can no longer endure. I must visit the latrine. Pray continue without me."
A man laughed loudly.
"What is this, Fan Yi? Already defeated? Hahaha! No matter, you are but newly joined - your tolerance will improve in time. Go, go. Rest if you must."
Fan Yi clasped his hands politely.
"My thanks, brothers. I shall take my leave."
Within Wu Ming's residence-
Wu Yue lay resting upon her bed.
Suddenly, she sensed the faintest disturbance beyond the outer perimeter of the courtyard.
Her eyes opened.
Rising gracefully, she extended her spiritual perception outward, her consciousness spreading like an invisible tide across the surroundings.
Yet-
She detected nothing at all.
"Hm... it seems I have been overthinking. I should rest properly."
A faint whisper drifted from behind her.
"You were not overthinking at all."
Wu Yue reacted instantly, her figure blurring as she withdrew from her previous position with explosive speed. When her gaze settled forward, she saw a young man standing before the courtyard.
He stood upright with his hands clasped behind his back, posture refined and dignified. Yet the expression in his eyes... and the faint curve upon his lips... carried something far less noble.
Wu Yue's voice turned sharp.
"You! Who are you? How dare you trespass into my private residence? Do you not fear death?"
Laughter rang through the courtyard.
"Ah, ah... how rude of me. Allow me to introduce myself first. My name is Baili Yuanhe. I observed that your clan appears to be on the verge of decline, and thus I wished to extend a rather generous proposal of cooperation. I do hope the young lady will be willing to listen."
Wu Yue's expression hardened with fury.
"Get out. Leave at once. Otherwise, do not blame me for failing to warn you my younger brother will return soon enough, and if you continue this nonsense, he may very well kill you."
Baili Yuanhe widened his eyes theatrically before breaking into a mocking chuckle.
"Your younger brother? He has already been slain."
"That is impossible!"
"Xiao Ming! Xiao Ming!! Where are you?! Xiao Ming!!!"
"You may shout all you wish," Baili Yuanhe said lazily. "I have already erected a perception-severing formation around this area. Even if an explosion were to occur, none beyond this boundary would sense it."
He began walking toward her unhurriedly, utterly devoid of caution.
"Come with me. If you willingly follow me and accept becoming my servant, I may consider preserving your clan. You will live comfortably under my protection."
His gaze darkened.
"I rather admire the defiance in your eyes... such stubbornness makes the hunt far more entertaining. You are already within my grasp. I am the hunter. You are merely prey. There is no path left for you to escape."
Wu Yue trembled.
Though her injuries had healed, her spiritual reserves had not fully recovered. She lacked the strength to employ her martial techniques. Yet she clenched her teeth, refusing to yield, maintaining distance despite knowing it was futile.
In the blink of an eye-
Baili Yuanhe closed the gap.
He shoved her violently onto the bed and pressed down a sealing technique upon her body. Invisible restraints bound her limbs, suppressing all movement. She remained conscious, fully aware - yet utterly powerless to resist.
Cruel beyond measure.
"If you refuse to acknowledge me as master," he murmured coldly, "then I shall impose it myself. Perhaps I will inscribe my blood-mark upon you. You will become mine entirely."
He clicked his tongue.
"Truly unexpected. A declining clan that once witnessed a miracle, yet remains so feeble beneath the surface. And to think such a radiant beauty would be hidden here... who could possibly resist?"
He licked the corner of his mouth, eyes blazing with manic desire. The image of a refined gentleman shattered, replaced by the grotesque hunger of a beast.
Slowly, deliberately, he began removing Wu Yue's garments.
Tears streamed down her face - not merely of fear, but of humiliation, fury, and despair intertwined.
"Cry," he laughed madly. "I enjoy the sound of my prey begging for mercy. I shall toy with you until I tire of it. You will become my exclusive possession."
Yet what happened next exceeded his expectations.
From her lips escaped a final, trembling whisper-
"Xiao... Ming... help..."
Though weak and barely audible, it caused Baili Yuanhe's expression to shift.
Under his sealing technique, resistance should have been impossible especially in her present condition.
Yet she still struggled for that final plea.
"Foolish woman!" he sneered. "Did I not say this area is sealed? No one can hear you. But I do admire your futile struggle... it excites me even more."
He burst into deranged laughter-
And then-
A killing intent so frigid it seemed capable of slicing through flesh manifested behind him.
His body reacted instinctively, spiritual energy surging as he turned to defend.
The aura alone forced his expression to change.
What terrifying killing intent...!
How could such an overwhelming presence emanate from a youth not yet twenty years of age?
The source of that murderous aura was none other than-
Wu Ming.
When Wu Yue saw him, tears welled anew this time of relief.
Baili Yuanhe narrowed his eyes.
"Boy, listen carefully. Do not meddle in matters beyond your station. You are young and possess potential. I would gladly accept you as a servant within my clan - you would have far greater prospects than remaining in this pitiful household. My clan holds power and authority within this city, and-"
Before he could finish-
His tongue flew from his mouth.
In the next instant, he collapsed onto the ground.
Though he howled in agony, no sound emerged. His screams were devoured by the very formation he himself had erected.
A torment beyond the solace of screaming.
Wu Ming stepped over Baili Yuanhe's convulsing body and draped a cloak over his sister. He instructed a maid who had followed him to escort Wu Yue away to a prepared location, sparing her from witnessing what would follow.
Only after she departed did Wu Ming sit calmly upon the bed, observing Baili Yuanhe's writhing figure.
His voice was cold enough to freeze bone.
"Look at you now. More pitiful than a beast. You cannot even scream. And with your own formation suppressing perception, there will be no rescue. It seems... you have fallen into your own trap."
He chuckled softly.
Suddenly-
Baili Yuanhe's body vanished from the room.
When his vision cleared, he found himself outside the Wu Clan grounds, within a small field of grass.
He was suspended upon a wooden frame.
Both hands were nailed through with finely forged iron spikes crafted by a master smith.
His arms were spread wide; his knees pressed into the earth.
He did not know how he had been brought there.
But he sensed-
He would soon understand.
Within the Wu Clan Treasury Chamber-
"Excellent! Excellent! Hahaha!"
An elderly man's laughter echoed throughout the vault.
"At last! I have succeeded in comprehending a fragment of these peculiar characters! They are no ordinary script - their level surpasses anything seen in the outer world. Not only that, these strange inscriptions are intertwined with the very Laws of Heaven and Earth!"
His eyes burned with ambition.
"What an opportunity! I, Xue Ning Qian, shall surely rise as a supreme figure of the martial world in the future! Hahaha!"
A voice echoed calmly from the shadows.
"Your dreams seem to stretch rather far beyond reason."
Xue Ning Qian's laughter ceased abruptly.
"Hm? Who is there? Show yourself at once! Do not hide!"
From the darkness, a figure stepped forward, rubbing his palms leisurely as though warming them for work.
~~~
"Of course I have no intention of hiding. It has been quite some time since I last exercised. This is a perfect chance to test the new technique bestowed upon me by Young Master... Would you not agree?"