“It feels like I’m breaking through too quickly. If word spreads, it might draw unnecessary attention. Better to stay low-key.” Qin Xiao thought silently. He circulated his cultivation technique, adjusted the qi and blood in his body, and once again transformed his appearance into that of a man in his sixties.
Until he had absolute strength, he didn’t intend to act too high-profile. Hiding in the shadows was much safer. Even Ye Suxin, the one beside him day and night, didn’t know his real strength. She only assumed he was at the 2nd or 3rd stage Innate Realm.
Once Qin Xiao finished adjusting his appearance, he stepped out of the cultivation chamber.
…
On the outskirts of the Black Cloud Mountain Range, Yang Haoyu and his son Yang Tianchuan gathered with the Yang Family experts.
Since leaving Lingfeng City, the Yang Family had relocated to Black Cloud City, close to the mountains. But as outsiders, they were constantly suppressed by local forces, and life was far from easy.
“Tianchuan, are you certain there’s really a Thousand-Year Vermilion Fruit in this valley?” Yang Haoyu asked.
“Father, it’s true. I saw it with my own eyes,” Yang Tianchuan said excitedly. “But this Vermilion Fruit is guarded by a pack of Gale Wolves. Two of them are at the peak of the 2nd stage, another four are also 2nd stage late phase, and more than a dozen are mid-stage 2nd stage.”
He clenched his fists. “I didn’t dare make a move on my own, which is why I came back to call you.”
This was a Thousand-Year Vermilion Fruit—an extremely rare spiritual treasure born where heaven and earth’s spiritual energy gathered. It was said that consuming it could cleanse the body, greatly improve aptitude, increase one’s cultivation by a century, and extend life by sixty years.
If they obtained it, someone in the Yang Family would surely break through to the Innate Realm. At that point, not only would they stand firm in Black Cloud City, they might even dominate it—or move into Xuanfeng Commandery’s capital without issue.
“The Gale Wolves are too strong. We can’t fight them head-on. We need to lure them away somehow,” Yang Haoyu said in a low voice. Even if the entire Yang Family went all out, it would be hard to deal with this pack.
Yang Tianchuan frowned, “That’s difficult. These beasts aren’t stupid. They rarely leave the valley.”
Just then, an elder from the Yang Family stepped forward. “Patriarch, I have a way.”
Yang Tianchuan quickly asked, “What way?”
The elder smiled faintly. “I have poison—colorless and tasteless. We just need to injure a beast, smear the poison on it, and drive it into the wolves’ den. Once they devour it, the poison will take effect.” This story is hosted at novelping.com.
Yang Haoyu stroked his beard and nodded. “That could work. We can try it.”
Yang Tianchuan agreed, “Alright, let’s act. Everyone, get ready.”
A short while later, the Yang Family captured a massive iron-backed boar weighing several thousand kilograms. Its body was covered in thick scales like iron plates, with sharp tusks and powerful limbs. It had reached the Postnatal Realm, and its cries of pain echoed as they dragged it along.
The elder poured poison over the boar’s wounds and drove it into the valley where the Gale Wolves lurked.
Moments later, a Yang Family disciple ran back, his face filled with excitement. “Patriarch, Elder, the Gale Wolves ate the boar!”
Yang Tianchuan’s eyes lit up. “Good! Looks like our plan will work!”
“Have everyone ready. Once the poison takes hold, we rush in,” he ordered.
…
When they entered the valley, they saw several Gale Wolves writhing on the ground, howling in pain.
But before they could approach, one of the leading wolves forced itself up, hatred burning in its eyes. It roared and spat out a blade of wind at them.
“Hmph! Poisoned beasts, and still so arrogant?” Yang Tianchuan sneered. He drew his sword and swung. A streak of sword light collided with the wind blade.
BOOM!
The clash thundered across the forest. Yang Tianchuan’s figure flickered, and his blade cut clean through the wolf’s skull.
Blood sprayed as its head flew high into the air. The rest of the pack howled in rage.
“Kill them all!” Yang Tianchuan shouted. With the threat weakened, he moved straight toward the Vermilion Fruit.
A massive vine, six to seven meters long, curled around a tree. At its tip, four green leaves surrounded a bright crimson fruit, its fragrance faint but enticing. From the smell alone, it had just ripened.
Yang Tianchuan’s heart raced. With a leap, he plucked it into his hand. “It’s ours! I can’t believe it was this easy!”
The Yang Family members finished off the poisoned wolves and gathered around, eyes burning with desire as they stared at the fruit.
“Congratulations, Patriarch. Our Yang Family will rise from today!” they said with joy.
Even Yang Haoyu’s heart pounded. If he consumed this fruit, he could break into the Innate Realm, and his lifespan would soar.
But before their excitement settled, a deafening roar shook the mountains.
Everyone froze. From the distance, a massive shadow thundered toward them. It was more than 7 meters tall, over 10 meters long, its fur as black as iron, limbs thick like pillars, claws sharp as daggers.
Yang Tianchuan’s face turned pale. “An Innate Realm Ironhide Black Bear!”
The Yang Family trembled in fear. This was no ordinary beast—it was a monster at the Innate Realm, charging directly at them.
“Run! Scatter!” Yang Haoyu roared.
The Yang Family fled in all directions.
A scream pierced the air. A clansman, too slow, was smashed into a tree by the bear’s paw. His body burst apart in a bloody spray.
Yang Tianchuan, fleeing in front, turned back and nearly lost his soul in fright. The black bear ignored everyone else and charged straight at him.
“Tianchuan!” Yang Haoyu shouted, slashing with his blade. A brilliant arc struck the bear’s body.
CLANG!
The strike left only a white mark, unable to cut through its skin.
Yang Haoyu’s eyes widened in shock. “What? Its defense is this strong?!”