Chapter Twenty-One: The Ultimate Realm of the Martial Artist

By the lakeside.

Old Yuan leaned against a willow tree, eyes closed, resting. Nearby, a bonfire crackled, flames flickering in the breeze. Qin Feiyang dashed back, breathless. Seeing Old Yuan resting, he set down Cangxue and the Universe Pouch, entered the lake quietly, and began washing the blood from his body.

"What a heavy scent of blood..."

"Ever since he purged the poison of the Evil Spirit Pill, this child hasn't been still for a single day..."

"And he's growing stronger by the day."

Old Yuan opened his eyes, watching Qin Feiyang in the lake, mumbling to himself. A hint of a smile crept into his gaze. He closed his eyes once more, resuming his rest.

"Ah, refreshing!"

Qin Feiyang emerged from the water, the cool lake seeping into every cell, invigorating him and filling him with a sense of comfort. He quickly climbed ashore, changed into clean clothes, and sat by the fire to tally his spoils.

Three thousand gold coins.

Fifty healing pills.

Fifty Bone Renewal Pills.

Three hundred Body Tempering Pills.

Eighty Qi Gathering Pills.

Various weapons—swords, spears, blades, halberds—over thirty in total.

These were the accumulated riches of Black Demon Fortress over the years!

Gazing at his treasures, Qin Feiyang could not contain his joy. Had it been five years ago, he would have dismissed them as trifles. But times had changed. For him now, this pile was a veritable trove.

He took several deep breaths, calming his excitement, packed everything into the Universe Pouch, and sat cross-legged to begin his assault on the Nine Star Warrior realm.

Time slipped by.

Morning arrived.

The air was exceptionally fresh, the weather particularly cool. At dawn, hunters left Iron Ox Town, venturing into the deep mountains. The earthen pit was a necessary passage. Thus, Cao Lang and Bao Chuan were soon discovered, news spreading quickly through Iron Ox Town.

Unsurprisingly, a great commotion erupted!

Within moments, crowds gathered around the pit, a sea of people.

"Move aside!"

A cold shout rang out. The crowd parted; Ma Hongmei stepped to the edge of the pit, staring into it at Bao Chuan, her face dark as water.

Soon after, a middle-aged man arrived. Dressed in purple, black hair draping his shoulders, his eyes shone with a chilling light. He was the Master of the Martial Hall!

Even the Hall Master had come in person, a clear indication of Cao Lang's importance to the Martial Hall.

"Ma Hongmei, how do you explain this?"

The Hall Master looked at Ma Hongmei, his gaze sharp and pressing.

"What do you mean by that?"

Ma Hongmei frowned.

The Hall Master replied, "Just now, I asked the guards. They told me your disciple Bao Chuan went to see Cao Lang at the Martial Hall yesterday. Now they're dead together. Do you dare claim you have nothing to do with this?"

Ma Hongmei's pupils contracted. She bowed her head in silence.

"Elder Ma, Hall Master, we've found another corpse over by the rocks."

At that moment, a few hunters hurried over, panting.

The Hall Master asked, "Who is it?"

"Seems to be someone from Black Demon Fortress," one said, clearly nervous.

Ma Hongmei's body trembled; she rushed toward the large rock. The Hall Master's eyes flickered, and he followed swiftly.

"Xiang Wu!"

Upon reaching the rock and seeing the body, Ma Hongmei's face changed dramatically. The Hall Master scrutinized the corpse, his brows furrowed. "The knife wound on his back is identical to those on Cao Lang and Bao Chuan's chests—looks like it was caused by a dagger."

"Could it be him..."

"Impossible. Cao Lang said last night he had already killed him..."

Ma Hongmei muttered, filled with suspicion.

"Who are you talking about?" the Hall Master asked.

"Qin Feiyang," Ma Hongmei replied.

"Tell me the details," the Hall Master demanded.

After Ma Hongmei finished explaining, the Hall Master pondered, murmuring, "He dared burn Black Demon Fortress. This boy is far more than he appears. It's necessary to confirm whether he's really dead."

He leapt into the forest, vanishing swiftly. After a moment's hesitation, Ma Hongmei followed. Qin Feiyang was a thorn in her heart; she could not rest until it was removed, so she had to investigate for herself.

Meanwhile.

Lin Family's council hall.

Lin Baili, holding a teacup, asked, "Uncle Lin, how did Cao Lang, Bao Chuan, and Xiang Wu die?"

"Bao Chuan aside—he was only a Nine Star Warrior. But both Cao Lang and Xiang Wu were First Star Martial Masters. In Iron Ox Town, fewer than ten people could kill them. But as for who it was, I can't say for certain."

The Lin Family patriarch frowned, puzzled.

Lin Baili smiled faintly. "Though Iron Ox Town is small, beneath the surface currents run deep. It's not as peaceful as it seems."

"No," the patriarch shook his head. "The town has always been peaceful—only these past few days have been tumultuous. Could it be related to Qin Feiyang?"

"Qin Feiyang?" Lin Baili was taken aback, thoughtful.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed. An elder in white strode into the hall, saluted, "Greetings, Young Master Baili."

Lin Baili smiled, "No need for formalities, Steward Lin."

The white-robed elder, Lin Yong, was the Lin Family's steward and the patriarch's trusted aide.

"Any news?" the patriarch asked.

Lin Yong shook his head, "I've searched everywhere nearby—no sign of Lin Guo or Lin Gu. No one has seen them these two days. I suspect they may have fallen prey to wild beasts."

"Impossible!"

"With their skill, the beasts around here couldn't harm them."

"Unless they went to Iron Ox Ridge."

"But Iron Ox Ridge is a forbidden zone in these parts—its reputation for danger is well known. They wouldn't dare enter without permission."

"Keep searching. Find out the truth!" ordered the patriarch.

"Yes," Lin Yong replied respectfully, turning to leave.

"What is happening these days?" The patriarch, deeply troubled, turned to Lin Baili. "Baili, when do you plan to return?"

"Tomorrow is Yiyi's fifteenth birthday. I'll wait until she's happily celebrated before taking her back," Lin Baili replied.

The patriarch smiled, "After you return, I hope you'll take good care of Yiyi."

"Of course," Lin Baili answered with a smile, though his eyes glimmered with contemplation.

...

By the lake.

Old Yuan was still as before, fishing in the shade. Qin Feiyang continued his cultivation.

Suddenly.

Old Yuan looked towards the entrance, a sharp gleam in his eyes. He muttered, "No fish caught, but instead two big ones have come."

He set down his fishing rod, walked over to Qin Feiyang, and smiled, "Feiyang, let's change our location."

"Change location?" Qin Feiyang opened his eyes, puzzled.

Old Yuan did not explain. Grabbing Qin Feiyang, he soared into the air, transforming into a streak of light, heading deep into the mountains.

"Flight?" Qin Feiyang stared in astonishment at the landscape receding below. Old Yuan could fly?

In a flash.

Old Yuan landed with Qin Feiyang atop a mountain peak.

"Continue your cultivation," he instructed, then turned and retraced his steps, standing atop a thick tree branch, watching the lake below.

At that moment.

The Martial Hall Master and Ma Hongmei stood by the lakeside, scanning their surroundings.

"It seems they truly are dead," Ma Hongmei said, seeing no one around, a smile on her lips.

"They're not dead," the Hall Master replied.

"What?" Ma Hongmei's smile froze.

The Hall Master glanced at the bonfire, strode to the willow, and lifted the fishing rod, his eyes brightening.

"See? The bait is still here."

"The fire hasn't fully burned out."

"There are two sets of footprints nearby."

"It's clear—they left not long ago."

"It seems your suspicion is correct. Qin Feiyang is the one who killed Cao Lang and the others," the Hall Master concluded.

Ma Hongmei examined each clue, her face growing increasingly grim.

...

"Ma Hongmei, tomorrow will be your death day!"

A cold gleam flashed in Old Yuan's eyes. He turned, slicing through the sky to land atop the mountain. Seeing Qin Feiyang still in a daze, he shook his head with a smile. "Quick, keep cultivating. Tomorrow I'll tell you the truth."

"Will you truly tell me?" Qin Feiyang asked skeptically.

Old Yuan replied, "I will, but only if you break through the Warrior's ultimate limit before dawn tomorrow."

"The Warrior's ultimate limit!" Qin Feiyang trembled.

Old Yuan asked, "What, no confidence?"

Qin Feiyang smiled bitterly, "The Great Qin Empire has countless warriors, endless prodigies, but since ancient times, only one has broken the ultimate limit. It's normal I lack confidence!"

"Every warrior longs to break the ultimate limit. Don't you?" Old Yuan asked.

"Of course I do, but..." Qin Feiyang began, memories long sealed in his soul rising unbidden.

At seven, after reaching Nine Star Warrior, he believed his talent would surely allow him to break through. Yet no matter how hard he tried, whatever methods he used, he never succeeded.

Old Yuan said, "Feiyang, since someone in the Great Qin Empire did it, you must believe you can too. Don’t be a coward!"

"Who says I'm a coward!" Qin Feiyang straightened, the fighting spirit and competitiveness buried deep within him ignited. "Old Yuan, rest assured—I’ll give it my all!"

He sat cross-legged, resuming his assault on the Nine Star Warrior realm.

A smile crept across Old Yuan's face. He murmured, "Silly boy—if I weren't confident, would I force you to attempt the ultimate breakthrough? Don't worry, I'll help you."