In the pitch-black night, clouds covered the silver moon.
The world was plunged into darkness.
From every direction within the endless Beast Mountain Range came the roars of magical beasts.
*Rustle…
rustle…*
A figure walked slowly through the mountain range, brushing past bushes, producing faint sounds.
The surrounding darkness kept Feng Hao’s nerves taut.
He didn’t dare relax for a moment.
A poisonous snake could strike at any time.
Fortunately, he had the Divine Farmer’s Canon — otherwise, he would have already died.
His clothes were torn in many places, shredded by thorns.
There were several holes in his legs where snakes had bitten him.
“I can’t keep going like this.”
Feng Hao stopped.
He couldn’t tell direction anymore, nor could he remember the path he had taken.
Climbing a large tree, he surveyed his surroundings in the faint moonlight.
Endless mountain ranges stretched in every direction.
Not a single trace of firelight was visible.
“It looks like I really went deep.”
His heart sank.
“Master.”
He looked at the ancient ring on his finger, his eyes brightening as he called out softly.
“What?”
The ancient ring emitted a faint glow.
Burning Elder’s voice came from within.
“I’ve ended up in the Beast Mountain Range.”
“The Beast Mountain Range?
Not a bad place.
You’ll train here from now on.”
Burning Elder spoke casually, as if the Beast Mountain Range were no more complicated than his own backyard.
“Uh…”
Feng Hao was stunned.
“Train here?”
“What?
Are you afraid?”
Burning Elder’s voice grew heavier.
“Kid, do you want to be ahothouse flower your whole life?
Without experiencing life-and-death trials, without external pressure, do you think you can become a strong cultivator just by burying your head in training?
You want to break free of the ‘Void Martial’?
Let me tell you — if that’s your plan, just wait to die!”
Burning Elder’s words struck Feng Hao’s heart like daggers.
Feng Hao fell silent.
His tense emotions slowly relaxed.
He thought through the chain of events — it all came back to his own lack of strength.
A single Martial Master had driven him to this state.
What would he have to face Yun Ying, who would likely be a Martial Spirit in three years?
The boy’s gaze gradually hardened.
His expression grew resolute.
He spoke slowly: “I will become a true strong cultivator.”
“That’s more like it.”
“Rest tonight.
Training begins tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
The ring’s glow slowly faded.
Feng Hao sat cross-legged on a tree branch, his brow furrowed.
“Who was that person?
Why did they want to kill me?”
A Martial Master could have killed him effortlessly.
If he hadn’t had the Divine Farmer’s Canon, he would have died right there.
The thought sent chills down his spine.
His vigilance still wasn’t sharp enough.
“The Wan family?
The Yang family?
The Hu family?”
Possibilities flashed through his mind.
His gaze gradually turned cold.
“Whoever it is — if they dare touch the Feng family, I’ll make their entire clan pay in blood.”
A faint, murderous aura flickered in the boy’s eyes.
For the first time, Feng Hao felt a crushing sense of urgency.
He didn’t have much time.
Whoever had tried to kill him would eventually move against the Feng family.
“I can only hope Yage will lend a hand.”
That day at the auction, he had deliberately made that gesture in front of Ouyang Peng.
He believed that if things came to a head, Ouyang Peng would step in.
Of course, he couldn’t pin his hopes on others.
If too much time passed and the cloaked figure never reappeared, Ouyang Peng would probably stop backing them too.
“Starting tomorrow.”
Feng Hao tightened his fists.
Tomorrow, he would begin training alone in this danger-filled Beast Mountain Range.
“What?
He got away?”
Hu Li shot to his feet.
His aura exploded outward, making the black-clad man kneeling before him tremble uncontrollably.
He felt he had been terribly wronged.
A Martial Apprentice he had heavily struck with a palm — and the kid was fine?
Wasn’t that preposterous?
“Useless trash!
You can’t even handle a fifth-stage Martial Apprentice?
Why don’t you just die?”
The roar echoed through thesecret chamber.
Annoyed beyond reason, Hu Li suddenly erupted.
He struck down with a palm, sending the black-clad man flying into the wall.
The man hit the corner, his chest caving in, blood frothing from his mouth.
He was clearly at death’s door.
*Hmph.*
Hu Li barely glanced at him, then turned and strode out.
What he didn’t know was that shortly after he left, the supposedly dead black-clad man opened his eyes and stumbled away.
The next day, when the people of Yulan City stepped outside, they sensed something was off.
Guards from the Hu and Yang families were scurrying through the city, interrogating passersby, seemingly searching for someone.
In the Hu family hall, Hu Li had smashed everything in sight.
“Damn it!”
His face was a mask of gloom, fury burning in his heart.
“You were too careless.”
Yang Chong’s expression was equally grim.
“What’s the use of saying that now?”
Hu Li was naturally displeased at being scolded.
“This is no time for arguing.
If he makes it to the Feng family, everything we’ve done is wasted.”
“I’ve already posted men near the Feng estate.
He won’t get in.”
An elder of the Yang family replied.
“That’s still not enough.”
Hu Li’s eyes flickered for a moment.
He turned and barked at the elders below.
“Spread the word.on full alert.
Keep a close watch on the Feng family’s movements.”
“Yes.”
A Hu family elder acknowledged and hurried out.
Only then did Hu Li feel somewhat at ease.
“Let’s just pray that cloaked figure doesn’t have a strong connection to the Feng family.”
As he said this, a bitter smile crossed his lips.
Giving away a Xuan-level martial skill and a Yellow-grade high-tier essence art for a hundred thousand gold — what else could that be but a gift?
And he had chosen to give it specifically to Feng Chen.
There had to be a hidden reason.
In the Feng family council hall, Feng Lie, the four elders, Feng Chen, and Feng Ren were all gathered.
Lying on the floor was a black-clad man who appeared to have been dead for some time.
“Do you believe what he said?”
Feng Lie frowned, looking at the grim-faced Feng Chen.
“The Hu family.
The Yang family.”
Feng Chen’s eyes were reddened.
His fists clenched tightly, and a murderous aura slowly rose from him.
He turned and walked out.
“Brother Chen, don’t be rash!”
Feng Ren blocked his path.
“Move.”
His Great Martial Master aura exploded, sweeping Feng Ren aside.
Feng Chen strode out.
“This is bad!”
Feng Lie’s face changed.
“Muster all clan members.
We’re marching on the Hu family!”
“Yes!”
The Feng estate’s main gates swung open.
Feng Chen strode out, radiating killing intent.
Behind him followed a group of Feng family disciples, all at Martial Master level or above.
The procession moved imposingly toward the Hu residence.
[END OF CHAPTER 18]