Zhi Hao knew that if he stayed there, there would only be insults to him. Even though he was annoyed and furious, it wouldn't change anything. "If I act impulsively, it will only lead me to destruction. Who will help, father? The clan? That's absolutely impossible." in his heart he thought as he took a step away.
Zhi Hao clenched his jaw, trying to suppress the anger burning in his chest. With every word Xiao Bei sprinkled, it was like acid that eroded his heart and self-esteem. He knew very well that every minute he spent in that place would only increase his suffering. "You are nothing more than trash at our feet!" shouted Xiao Bei in a voice full of disdain. The voice blared in Zhi Hao's ears, piercing into his tired soul. Bang! One kick is fired. Xiao Bei's eyes sparkled with satisfaction as he watched Zhi Hao stagger from his kick. "Go away, before I make you even more humiliated!" Xiao Bei exclaimed, pushing Zhi Hao with his foot. Zhi Hao felt blood trickle down the corners of his lips, reminding him of the deeper pain of physical wounds. His heart was broken, but he knew he had to keep a cool head. "Fighting you now won't restore my dignityI must have superior strength in order to take revenge," Zhi Hao whispered to himself. "Look, it's Zhi Hao, the trash of the Zhi Clan!" shouted a young man from the crowd, followed by laughter from several other people. “It's possible that he was an adopted child, so he couldn't inherit the power of the Zhi Clan.” Someone said. "Poor, shameless adopted son!" continued another in a sarcastic tone. Every word thrown at him was like shards of glass that scratched his long-bleeding heart. Zhi Hao gripped his sword tightly, his eyes red but he was determined not to cry in front of them. His legs moved faster, leaving increasingly loud jeering sounds. Arriving outside the city, Zhi Hao found a large, shady tree that seemed to offer an escape from the cruel world. He sat, his back leaning against a sturdy tree trunk. Her shaking hands covered her face, trying to hide the invisible wounds. The gentle breeze brought silence, a contrast to the din of hatred he had just passed. Under the tree, Zhi Hao took a deep breath, trying to dispel the shadow of ridicule and recover a little strength. He knows, this is not the end of everything, but just a test of strength that he may not yet realize. Suddenly, a shadow appeared from high above, descending rapidly from the tree Zhi Hao was leaning against. Zhi Hao, injured by the physical and emotional torture of Xiao Bei's kicks and the crowd's insults, was shocked when he heard the sharp sound of wind passing by. Swoosh! The weapon aimed quickly at his neck, about to cut off a life he considered no longer valuable. However, in an instant, a sword beam struck from another direction, repelling the sudden attack powerfully. Trend! Swords clashed, sparks danced in the air. Zhi Hao quickly rolled away, avoiding the dangerous battle vortex. He was shocked to realize that someone wanted to end his life. "Run, Young Master!" Wang shouted in tension. The voice alerted Zhi Hao, who recognized the helpful figure from past visits to his father. Ignoring the pain wracking his body, Zhi Hao sped up his steps, stumbling for his life on Wang's advice. His instincts screamed, his life depended on every beat and step he took now. "Haha, you think you can stop me?" taunted the black-robed figure in a deep and sinister voice. He raised his hand and quickly drew his sword. Wang took a deep breath, preparing himself for what might be a long fight. "Step over my corpse if you really want to kill Young Master ZhiWho are you really?” he challenged, his voice remaining calm. A cold laugh came from behind the head covering. "Haha. You don't need to know who I am, but what is certain is that I will still kill him. If you really want to die first, I will grant it." With a swift and powerful movement, the figure launched himself at Wang, his sword flashing with a deadly glint. Wang, with honed reflexes, dodged and drew his own sword. The clash of swords was inevitable. Dang! Dang! Dang! fireworks burst here and there accompanied by explosions. Bang! Bang! Bomb! "Oh, it turned out to be you! I didn't expect it. Did you come on the orders of the second young master?" Wang asked in a suspicious tone, his eyes unblinking at Elder Mo. Elder Mo, with a face filled with wrinkles and eyes gleaming sharply, could no longer dodge. "That's right, I came on his orders. But, do you think I came without any preparation at all, Wang?" he answered in a hoarse voice but full of confidence. Elder Mo smiled sinisterly, "I have ordered two of my subordinates to chase him. He will definitely die!" he said confidently, as if he had already won this battle. Elder Wang, raising his eyebrows, did not appear daunted. "Why kill himAfter all, he's not the heir even though he's the first child!" he said in a teasing tone, trying to find a loophole in Elder Mo's defense. Without wasting any more time. “Lightning Sword Technique – Lightning strikes!” he shouted in a booming voice. Bright blue lightning formed on the tip of his sword, flashing quickly towards Wang, who was standing calmly across from him. Slash! Woosh! Wang, who didn't seem surprised, just raised an eyebrow and smiled sarcastically. "Oh, you mastered the Zhi Clan's Sword Technique, it's unexpected that an outsider could master it. Looks like the second young master no longer cares about his position in the Zhi Clan," he said in a mocking tone. with an almost imperceptible movement, he swung his sword, “Illusory Sword Technique – Dual Sword Shadows.” Two sword shadows similar to the original sword appeared beside him and shot out at the same time to attack Elder Mo. Swoosh! Bomb! The two powerful sword techniques collided in the center of the area, producing a powerful explosion. Dust and sparks shot out in all directions, and the sound of the explosion reverberated across the battlefield. Both of them were thrown a few steps back, but immediately stabilized themselves, ready for the next attack, their eyes locked in defiance, waiting to see who would make the next move in this fierce duel. * amidst the darkness that enveloped the Forest near Linggau City, Zhi Hao continued to run away from his hometown, the Zhi Clan. The haunted forest is the only refuge he can hope to hide, survive, and nurture his revenge. His despair and fear mixed together as he realized there was nowhere else to go. As if sensing an approaching threat, his steps quickened. In the distance, two figures jumped nimbly among the dense trees. “Look at him, running around aimlessly!” came the sound of mockery from one of the hunters, as their laughter broke the silence of the forest. "We have to finish it quickly and help Elder Mo. Don't let him fight alone against the cruel Elder Wang," another shouted as he drew his sword with a nimble movement. with a whoosh of wind, one of them jumped high, spinning elegantly in the air before landing in an alert position right above Zhi Hao. The world seemed as if it had stopped spinning for Zhi Hao, his breath was shortened, and fear reigned over every inch of his body as his life and fate depended on a piece of life that was now threatened by the enemy's arrogance.In an instant, Zhi Hao contorted his body, dodging the incoming attack. When the opponent's sword slashed towards his head, he nimbly rolled to the side, saving himself from the deadly attack. With a gasp, he quickly got up and ran through the dense forest. However, in his escape, his foot tripped over a wooden root sticking out of the ground, as if a trap rope had been waiting for him. Zhi Hao fell heavily, hearing mocking laughter from his opponent who witnessed the incident. "Hahaha, you're funny too, catching crickets, aren't you?" taunted his opponent in a mocking tone. Annoyance burned in Zhi Hao's chest. In a voice choked with anger, he replied, "What crickets, you damn thing!" he cursed loudly. His heart was in turmoil, shame and anger mixed into one. In the midst of the chaos, another figure suddenly appeared beside him. That person was carrying a gleaming sword, ready to attack. With quick reflexes, Zhi Hao drew his sword from his waist, his sharp eyes glaring at the unex
"Wi Rang, enough!" shouted the figure who came down from the tree branch, while stroking the big head of the black tiger which was snoring softly. His eyes then fell on Zhi Hao, with a sharp and mysterious gaze, he asked, “Son of Man, how did you end up here?”With wide eyes, Zhi Hao returned the gaze. "Is this place not part of the Human world?" he said, his trembling voice betraying his fear and confusion. In his mind, he recalled a legend he had read in the Clan Library—about a hidden world, barely bordering on the real world. A legend he never thought would come true."Ah, you are in the Soft Realm," Wi Dung sighed, as if it was hard to explain. "This place is a circle of Magical Creatures, not for humans like you.""But, old man, I see no difference between us!" Zhi Hao protested in a firm tone."Indeed, physically we may be similar," Wi Dung nodded slowly, the evening sun reflecting off his twinkling eyes with meaning. "But what separates us is the line of nature; we are confin
"Elder, please forgive me for my audacity to ask. What is the meaning of 'semblance' you mentioned? I have never felt any hidden power within me either," said Zhi Hao in confusion."Follow me!" Elder Wi Dar's voice sounded mysterious. He then approached a Mirror and, with a dazzling step, penetrated it as if it were soft. Zhi Hao froze, his eyes wide in disbelief. "Come on in, don't hesitate." Uncertainty was clearly visible on Zhi Hao's face. Although confused as to how the Mirror could possibly be penetrated, he did not ask any further questions, determined to find the answer. "Maybe behind all this is hidden the secret of my strength. I have to get up, I can no longer feel like I'm useless," he thought with burning determination.With a new boost of courage, Zhi Hao took steady steps towards the Mirror. Quick as lightning, his world changed—he was now on an Island floating in the boundless sky."This place is the Tomb of the God of Destruction. "He left important notes and I am hi
Every time dawn breaks, Zhi Hao stands tall at the top of Mount Qianlong, where the air is still clear of the noise of the world. His right leg was tied tightly to a pine tree branch that grew on the edge of the cliff, while his body floated in the air, depending only on the strength of the rope and his body's balance. His eyes were closed, his breathing evenly following the natural rhythm of his surroundings. The mountain wind blew gently, challenging the stability of his body which was already at its limit.In the afternoon, after performing a series of physical exercises that had been prescribed by the Heaven Crushing Scripture, Zhi Hao returned to the same peak. This time, sweat dripped down his tense face, showing how hard his training had been. His left leg was now tied, and he was hanging upside down, facing the sky which was starting to turn orange as the sun set. Every movement is a struggle, every breath is an effort to maintain focus and balance.Zhi Hao bit his lip when th
Wi Dar, with his tactics and courage, led the Wi Clan Troops in the middle of a tense battlefield. He gripped his sword tightly, fighting against the sudden wave of attacks from the Fu Clan. in the fierce battle, many of his brothers in arms died, and a deep sadness struck his heart when he saw Wi Village destroyed to pieces.On the other hand, Wi Dung, who was previously evacuating children and the elderly, now returned with burning eyes, ready to face the enemy. His strong figure entered the fighting arena, but his heart was immediately hit by a wound when he saw Wi Dar bleeding from Fu Yao's sword. gasping for breath, he shouted, "Elder!"At that moment, a shock occurred that cut his breath. A silhouette fell before Wi Dung's eyes. With sharp eyes, he examined and immediately recognized the figure who had long disappeared from his memory. "Isn't that Zhi Hao, the Human Child that I helped?" he whispered almost in disbelief. The aura emanating from Zhi Hao was no longer weak, but a
The faces of the Fu Clan followers who had just returned looked pale and exhausted, as if they were carrying unstoppable bad news."Why did you come home with Lesu?" The Fu Clan Leader looked at the people who returned. "Where is Fu Yao?""Master Yao was killed." one of them, breathlessly, reported the incident that left everyone speechless in fear and confusion."What?" Fu Tao stood up in shock. "How could it be, he is a master tactician, defeating Wi Dar is not a problem for himMoreover, his cultivation is quite high too.""Sir, we have fought as hard as we can. The fight against Elder Wi Dar was tough, but we were able to overcome it. We are almost in complete control," said one of the followers in a trembling voice.However, just as their confidence reached its peak, the situation suddenly changed drastically. "But, when we thought we were close to winning, a mysterious person came. He appeared unexpectedly, with extraordinary speed and strength falling from the sky."Fu Tao, the
Zhi Hao immersed himself in deep meditation, his determination firm to venture into the Ring World. With his eyes closed and breathing evenly, he thought, "This is really real!" Curiosity aroused, but he was still not sure whether it was only his spirit that felt this or whether his entire physical body was also involved.In a meditative state, Zhi Hao came to the armory hidden in the Qianlong Residence. with hands shaking with anticipation, he opened the dusty old chest and selected a bow. "If I had to fight them alone," he muttered under his breath, "I would have to pick a head target from a distance with this arrow."With a deep breath, Zhi Hao imagined himself moving. When he opened his eyes, reality exceeded expectations—he was actually in the room where he was staying temporarily. However, the bigger surprise was, the bow he previously held was still in his grasp, as if refusing to be abandoned.Qianlong Bracelet, seeming to sense Zhi Hao's astonishment, said in a mysterious ton
The night enveloped Wi Village in darkness, like a woven cloth decorated with the whisper of the wind and the rhythmic chirping of crickets.Several villagers patrolled, their footsteps muffled by the dew-wet ground, moving silently in the darkness.Among them is Wi Pek, an old man with ears sharper than an eagle. His sense of hearing picked up a sound - a low, deep and resonant hum, coming from the shadows beyond the rice fields.Wi Pek's eyes, although clouded by the fog of age, radiated a spark of alertness. he recognized the voice instantly. It was Wi Rang, the black tiger, Wi Dung's pet.Wi Rang, despite his wild blood, was raised in Wi Village since he was a tiger cub. He bears the surname Wi, proof of his acceptance in society, even though his lineage is different.The patrol stopped, their breaths caught in their chests.Wi Rang emerged from the darkness, a majestic silhouette under the moonlit sky. It was a creature of great power, its black fur gleaming like polished obsidi
That night, Zhi Hao prepared his next move. Calm and composed, he stood in a dimly lit room at his temporary base, illuminated only by the faint glow of a small lantern. Before him lay a map of Linggau City, marked with strategic annotations.Black 5 returned from his reconnaissance, bowing respectfully before speaking. "Master, the hooded man appears to have connections with the shadow group from the West. They’ve been using the teahouse on the city outskirts as a temporary meeting place, but their movements are swift and difficult to track."Zhi Hao didn’t respond immediately, his sharp gaze fixed on the map. "How many people did you see?""At least seven, including the hooded man. Four looked like seasoned mercenaries, while the other two seemed to be intermediaries or messengers."Zhi Hao nodded slowly, then shifted his gaze to a burly man standing in the corner—He Lian, one of his combat commanders. "He Lian, assemble the team. We begin the operation tonight."He Lian grinned bro
The dark night enveloped Linggau City. In a luxurious inn on the outskirts, the mysterious man sat in a dimly lit room. Several documents were scattered on the table before him. He gazed at them calmly, lifting his teacup and taking a sip.A plain-looking man entered the room quietly and bowed respectfully. "Everything is going according to plan, sir. Zhi Hao continues to pressure the Ling and Huai Clans. Tensions between them are escalating."The mysterious man placed his cup down and nodded slowly. "Good. Has the document reached Zhi Hao?"The man nodded. "Yes, sir. An anonymous courier managed to slip it into one of his frequent haunts. He must have read it by now."The mysterious man smirked, his eyes gleaming coldly. "Zhi Hao will see it as a golden opportunity. He’ll use the document to humiliate the Ling Clan and possibly provoke direct conflict with the Gray Sky Sect. In the process, he’ll expend considerable resources and energy.""And if he succeeds?" the man asked cautiousl
The following day, Linggau City was shrouded in an invisible tension. Rumors of a potential conflict between the Ling Clan and the Huai Clan spread quickly, leaving merchants and ordinary citizens anxious about their safety. Behind the scenes, Zhi Hao continued to maneuver his pieces, unseen by anyone.In a secluded tea house at the edge of the city, Black 1 sat at one of the tables, conversing with a nervous informant."The Huai Clan has started deploying small forces along the border. They're preparing for something, but Patriarch Ling doesn't seem fully aware of it yet," the informant said in a low voice.Black 1 gave a slight nod. "Keep watching. Make sure we know their every move. Zhi Hao wants this information on time."The informant hurried away, leaving Black 1, who soon melted into the bustling market crowd. He knew Zhi Hao's next steps would be pivotal.Meanwhile, at the Ling Clan residence, Patriarch Ling felt pressure mounting from all sides. Reports about the Huai Clan's
The mysterious man unrolled another small scroll, revealing a document detailing secret transactions. The writing on the paper recorded the shipment of weapons and hidden agreements between the Grey Sky Sect and several small clans in the region. He grinned. "I got this from an informant in the black market. This is proof that the Grey Sky Sect has a contract to supply weapons to the Ling Clan and other clans. If this document reaches Zhi Hao, he'll definitely use it to expose the Ling Clan's betrayal."The younger man sitting across from him, still sharp but appearing less experienced, chuckled softly. "You're truly crafty. With this, Zhi Hao will shift his focus to destroying the Ling Clan while we remain in the shadows."The mysterious man nodded slowly, his eyes gleaming with the calculation of a well-thought-out plan. "And that’s just the beginning. If Zhi Hao and the Ling Clan destroy each other, we only need to wait for the right moment to swoop in and take what's left."The yo
On the other side, at the Ling Clan's residence, Patriarch Ling stood in front of a large window, gazing out at the tranquil garden below. His eyes were vacant, yet his mind was filled with plans and concerns. The sky, tinged with red, seemed to reflect the pressure he was feeling.Ling Mei approached with light steps, but there was tension in her expression. She carried a cup of tea for her father and placed it on the small table beside him."How was your meeting with Zhi Hao?" Patriarch Ling asked without turning, his voice low yet full of attention.Ling Mei sat in the chair near him, adjusting the folds of her long skirt before answering. "He’s clever and hard to read. But I feel he hasn’t completely closed himself off from our approach."Patriarch Ling chuckled softly, but there was no humor in his tone. "Of course. A man like Zhi Hao won't be easily trapped. He plays at a different level, and that makes him dangerous."He took a sip from his teacup, then continued, "However, tim
Ling Mei stood on the balcony of her pavilion, gazing at the starry night sky. Her mind was filled with images of her meeting with Zhi Hao. His sharp words, his cold demeanor yet full of power, and his calculating gaze made her feel both intimidated and captivated."I have to do this," she muttered to herself, trying to gather her courage. Patriarch Ling had entrusted her with the task of approaching Zhi Hao and ensuring the success of the alliance.The following day, Ling Mei began preparing her first step. With the help of her personal maid, she decided to send a private invitation to Zhi Hao, asking him to meet her in the bamboo garden at the edge of Linggau City. The place was quiet and beautiful, far from the bustle of the clan—a location she hoped would make their conversation more personal.The message was delivered by a messenger of the Ling Clan and was received directly by one of the Black. Zhi Hao, who was reviewing documents about the Ling Clan's weaponry at his residence,
Zhi Hao sat casually, his gaze sweeping the room before finally settling on Patriarch Ling. “Let’s get to the point, Patriarch Ling. I don’t like wasting time with pleasantries.”Patriarch Ling was slightly taken aback by the direct tone, but quickly masked his discomfort with a thin smile. “Very well. We would like to propose a marriage between you and my daughter, Ling Mei. This marriage will not only strengthen our relationship but also bring great benefits to both clans.”Ling Mei lowered her head gracefully, appearing shy, but Zhi Hao, with his sharp observation, could see the tension in her face.Zhi Hao smiled faintly, his gaze cold and piercing. “Interesting. But what benefits will the Zhi Clan gain from this marriage?”The elders of the Ling Clan exchanged looks, but Patriarch Ling quickly responded, “Full support from the Ling Clan in any conflicts the Zhi Clan may face. Additionally, the Ling Clan has resources and networks that could strengthen your position.”Zhi Hao chuc
The quiet of the night enveloped the Ling Clan's headquarters, with only the moonlight reflecting off the grand stone walls. Inside the main pavilion, the atmosphere was livelier. Black 1 stealthily crept towards one side of the building, approaching a half-open window. Inside, Patriarch Ling was sitting with five clan elders, their faces serious, indicating the discussion underway."This marriage is a golden opportunity for us," Patriarch Ling said in a low voice, full of authority. His sharp eyes swept across the table, ensuring every elder understood his point. "Zhi Hao is not just a genius, he is the key to our future power."One elder, an old man with gray hair and a long beard, nodded slightly. "But Patriarch, Zhi Hao is known to be difficult to control. If he doesn't agree with our terms, this plan could turn into a threat for us."Patriarch Ling smiled coldly. "We don’t need his consent directly. If he marries Ling Mei, we can slowly use that relationship to gain control. Ling
Zhi Hao stopped in front of the envoy. “I heard you're here with a marriage proposal. Get to the point; I don’t like small talk.”The envoy gave a thin smile, trying to hide his surprise at Zhi Hao's firm demeanor. “Indeed, Young Master. We, on behalf of Patriarch Ling, come with the intention of strengthening the bond between the Ling Clan and the Zhi Clan through marriage.”Zhi Hao stared at the envoy with a neutral expression. “Who am I expected to marry?”“Patriarch Ling’s eldest daughter, Miss Ling Mei. She is known for her intelligence and talent, and is highly respected within our clan,” the envoy answered proudly.Zhi Hao furrowed his brows. The name sounded unfamiliar to him. He had never heard much about Miss Ling Mei, but if she was the eldest daughter of the Patriarch, this marriage clearly had bigger motives.“And what does the Zhi Clan stand to gain from this marriage?” he asked coldly.The envoy smiled, as if he had been expecting this question. “Through this alliance,