Chapter Five: Six-Star Warrior

Seeing Qin Feiyang's aggressive gaze, the head of the Lin family frowned slightly. In the past, whenever he saw him, this boy wouldn't even dare to breathe loudly, so why was he so assertive today?

Looking closer, suspicion and surprise flashed in his eyes. Why did it seem that this boy was a little different today? He appeared stronger and more robust than before. The sickly pallor on his face seemed to have vanished as well.

But he didn’t dwell on it. With a calm demeanor, he spoke, “You know best what you’ve gained. In the future, don’t come looking for Yiyi again. Otherwise, don’t blame me for turning against you and breaking your legs.”

He pulled Lin Yiyi along, turning away without a backward glance.

Qin Feiyang was about to pursue them, but Uncle Yuan grabbed his arm, shaking his head. “There’s no need to prove yourself to anyone. As long as you have a clear conscience, that’s enough.”

“But…” Qin Feiyang frowned.

“Feiyang, though you have been reborn, your cultivation is not yet restored. The most urgent thing now is to cultivate as quickly as possible and strive to return to the rank of Nine-star Martial Master. Remember, strength is the only true currency in this world. If your cultivation had remained, if the head of the Lin family knew you were a prince of the Great Qin Empire, do you think he would have treated you this way all these years?”

“Though it’s a harsh truth, it’s a reality you must face,” Uncle Yuan said.

Qin Feiyang took a deep breath and nodded. “I understand, Uncle Yuan.”

Just then, the head of the Lin family returned, this time alone, without Lin Yiyi.

“What do you want now?” Uncle Yuan frowned.

“There were things I couldn’t say with Yiyi present,” the Lin family head glanced at the two, turned his back to them, hands clasped behind him as he gazed at the tranquil lake, and spoke coolly: “Qin Feiyang, you keep going to the Pill Hall for the Marrow-cleansing Pill. I can find a way to get you one, but on one condition: you and Qin Yuan must leave Iron Ox Town forever and never return.”

Qin Feiyang’s brow furrowed instantly. This man was truly overbearing!

Uncle Yuan raised a hand, signaling him to keep silent, and said, “Lin Family Head, don’t you think this is too cruel to both children?”

The Lin family head replied, “Indecision only leads to trouble. Qin Yuan, you must have noticed already: Yiyi has long since developed feelings for Qin Feiyang.”

Uncle Yuan nodded.

“I absolutely cannot allow this. Yiyi is only fourteen, but she’s already a Nine-star Martial Artist. Her future is limitless. But Qin Feiyang, up to now, still cannot cultivate. Even if he starts now, he’s already missed the golden years for building his foundation. He will never achieve anything great.”

“Tell me, how could such a person be worthy of my daughter?” the Lin family head said coldly.

“Not worthy?” Uncle Yuan was taken aback. At ten, Feiyang was already a Nine-star Martial Master—could your daughter compare? Though Feiyang has fallen on hard times, royal blood of the Great Qin Empire flows in his veins—can your daughter compare? But he did not say these things aloud. He wanted Qin Feiyang to personally experience the warmth and coldness of human relationships.

The Lin family head continued, “Though acquiring a Marrow-cleansing Pill from the Pill Hall will cost me dearly, it’s much better than letting all the Lin family’s assets fall into the hands of two outsiders. Am I right?”

“That’s enough!” Qin Feiyang’s anger finally erupted. He could no longer endure it.

“I, Qin Feiyang, have not sunk so low as to need your charity! Listen closely! I have always regarded Yiyi as my best friend—never with any ulterior motives, nor have I ever asked her for a single copper coin. I don’t know where you got the idea that I covet your family’s property, but let me make it clear: I, Qin Feiyang, do not care for your so-called assets!”

“Now leave!”

Qin Feiyang lifted his head and squared his shoulders, his words sharp and unyielding, without the slightest courtesy or restraint. After finishing, he pointed coldly to the lake’s entrance.

The head of the Lin family was stunned. He never expected this boy to refuse his “goodwill.” Yet he failed to realize that his so-called goodwill was nothing less than trampling on the dignity of Qin Feiyang and Uncle Yuan. Perhaps, that was the very purpose of his visit.

“Since things have come to this, I won’t waste any more words with you.”

“One final warning,” he said coldly. “You may fool Yiyi, but you cannot fool me. If you dare entangle yourselves with her again, I’ll let Ma Hongmei know you’re both still alive!”

With that, he swept his sleeve and strode away, leaving only a chilling threat in his wake.

“Lin Family Head… Ma Hongmei…” Qin Feiyang clenched his fists, his eyes cold. “Just wait. Soon, you’ll see how ridiculous your current arrogance is!”

Uncle Yuan sighed deeply, regret in his voice. In truth, he was quite satisfied with Lin Yiyi, even considering nurturing her further. But it was a pity she had a father who could see nothing beyond his own pride.

“Uncle Yuan, the Lin family head is narrow-minded. He really might inform Ma Hongmei that we’re still alive. Should we move elsewhere?” Qin Feiyang asked worriedly.

Uncle Yuan waved his hand. “No need. If soldiers come, we’ll meet them head-on; if floods come, we’ll build dikes.”

Qin Feiyang was taken aback, not expecting Uncle Yuan to be so resolute.

Like a conjurer, Uncle Yuan produced another palm-sized jade box from his robe, handing it to Qin Feiyang with a smile. “Here are twenty Body-tempering Pills. They should be enough for you to reach the rank of Five-star Martial Artist.”

“Body-tempering Pills?” Qin Feiyang opened the box, and twenty bright red pills the size of bullets came into view, their luster vivid, exuding a rich medicinal fragrance.

Staring at the pills, Qin Feiyang was overwhelmed with excitement.

There were two ways for a martial artist to temper their body. The first was through external exertion—strapping heavy stones to the back while running or climbing mountains to hone the body. This method was slow and grueling. The second was through medicinal pills, which contained immense energy, accelerating the tempering process painlessly. However, pills were costly, unaffordable for commoners. Some would even sell themselves into servitude for a single pill.

As a prince of the Great Qin Empire, Qin Feiyang had never lacked for such things in the past. But all of that was lost five years ago. Without his family’s wealth and support, if not for Uncle Yuan’s care, he might not have survived, let alone obtained Body-tempering Pills.

Now, Uncle Yuan was giving him twenty at once—how could he not be moved?

Qin Feiyang looked at Uncle Yuan with gratitude. “Thank you, Uncle Yuan.”

Uncle Yuan smiled and shook his head. “I can only help you start; the rest of the road is yours to walk.”

The meaning was clear—these were the only pills he had. If Qin Feiyang wanted more, he would have to earn them himself.

“I’ll do my best.” Qin Feiyang nodded, walked to the lakeside, and sat on a smooth round stone. Gazing at his reflection in the water, his eyes shone with determination.

In the past, he might have lacked such confidence. But now, the person he was five years ago had returned. He believed he could face any danger ahead with his own strength.

From this moment on, it was no longer Uncle Yuan who would care for him—it would be he who would protect the old man.

“Great Qin Empire…”

“All those who betrayed me…”

“You never imagined that I, Qin Feiyang, not only survived but have returned to the path of cultivation. Wait for me. The day I return will be your end!”

A glint of icy resolve flashed in Qin Feiyang’s eyes. He took out a Body-tempering Pill and placed it in his mouth.

The pill melted instantly, and a torrent of energy surged through his limbs, tempering every inch of flesh and every cell in his body.

Before his cultivation was crippled, he had been a Nine-star Martial Master—body tempering was nothing new to him.

In less than an hour, he broke through the first barrier of cultivation and became a One-star Martial Artist.

Even he was surprised by his speed. Most astonishingly, the energy from that single pill still wasn’t fully exhausted.

He clearly remembered that when he was five, it took him two hours and two pills to reach the same level—twice as much as now.

“Though your cultivation was destroyed, your foundation remains. It's normal for your speed to be faster and your consumption to be less. Don’t be suspicious,” Uncle Yuan’s voice sounded in his ear.

“So that's it,” Qin Feiyang realized, setting aside his doubts and continuing to temper his body.

For a day and a night, his cultivation soared like a rocket.

By noon the next day, Qin Feiyang had refined the last Body-tempering Pill.

With a sharp flash, he opened his eyes, two beams of light shooting forth. Excitement filled him.

He had thought twenty pills would only get him to the rank of Five-star Martial Artist. Never did he imagine he would break through to Six-star Martial Artist!

“If I had enough pills, I’m confident I could reach Nine-star Martial Artist in three days—perhaps even step into the realm of Martial Master!”

Radiant with confidence, Qin Feiyang felt the return of the talent he lost five years ago. This was his true self: confident, wise, and composed. As a prince of the Great Qin Empire, these qualities were indispensable.

“How did it go, Feiyang?” Uncle Yuan asked. He had stayed by Qin Feiyang’s side the entire day and night.

Qin Feiyang looked around the shore, his gaze settling on a large stone about three yards away. Without answering, he walked straight to it.

Uncle Yuan looked on curiously, arms folded.

“Watch closely, Uncle Yuan,” Qin Feiyang grinned, focused for a moment, then struck the stone with his fist.

Boom!

With a thunderous crash, the stone shattered into pieces and plunged into the lake, sending up sprays of water.

“The strength of six bears!” Uncle Yuan’s eyes lit up with admiration. Qin Feiyang had surpassed his expectations.

The strength of six bears equaled that of a Six-star Martial Artist. Now, in Iron Ox Town, Qin Feiyang finally possessed the power to defend himself.

“This is what true strength feels like—exhilarating!” Qin Feiyang looked at his fist, his heart surging with emotion.

He took a deep breath and ran to Uncle Yuan, grinning. “Well, Uncle Yuan, did I live up to your expectations?”

“You already know the answer to that,” Uncle Yuan rolled his eyes, ruffling Qin Feiyang’s hair fondly. “Wait here. I’ll go hunt a wild beast to give you a special meal.”

“No, Uncle Yuan, let me do it. You haven’t slept in a day and a night. Please rest here,” Qin Feiyang insisted, not giving Uncle Yuan a chance to argue, and dashed off toward the entrance.

“My lord, I have not failed your trust. After five years of hardship, Feiyang is no longer that naïve boy. He’s grown—steadier and more capable than his peers. He can stand on his own now. You must hold on until the day we return to the imperial capital.”

Once Qin Feiyang disappeared, Uncle Yuan murmured softly to himself, eyes gradually growing moist.