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 unexpected new opponent. Trend! The loud impact made the sword in Zhi Hao's hand fly away. Obviously, without energy and relying solely on physical strength it is impossible to block the opponent's slash. Zhi Hao's breath was short, his eyes stared at the two figures standing arrogantly in front of him. His sword was blown away leaving him without a weapon, making his blood freeze in his veins. The men in front of him, who seemed to be enjoying the situation, looked at each other as if they were planning some evil game. “Now you can no longer run. No?" "How could he run, look at his legs shaking," said one of them while pointing at Zhi Hao's legs which were shaking slightly. "How could you not tremble in the face of death! Hahaha. Will you or I finish this?" said the others, laughing loudly as if they were at a party and not on the verge of murder. The two of them then chuckled, feeling like they had complete control over Zhi Hao's life and death. "How about we play rock paper scissors first!" suggested one of them, as if this event was just a child's game and not a deadly fight. Zhi Hao swallowed hard, trying to find a gap or opportunity, even though his heart felt like this was the end of everything. Behind the fear, there is anger that begins to burn in the chest, refusing to die at the hands of the criminal. Wei's hands moved quickly to form a stone symbol, while his flock, with a depressed expression, revealed the paper. Wei's laughter broke through the air, echoing the joy of victory. "Rock paper scissors!" he shouted again, igniting a spark of competitive spirit. "Repeat one more time. You cheated!" his friend snapped, his eyes narrowed suspiciously, lips pursed in dissatisfaction. Wei frowned, annoyed, "Losing is losing, just admit it. What's so hard about it?" Wei's arms were folded across his chest, his sharp gaze penetrating. "Don't be like that, I wasn't ready." his friend said, his tone trying to be calming, but his body tense, ready for another round. Meanwhile, nearby, Zhi Hao observed the two fools arguing. the corners of his lips quirked up, an opportunity forming in his mind. This was his chance, taking advantage of the two people's quarrel for his own benefit. His eyes locked on the sword lying not far from them, a sword filled with memories of his mother. With barely audible movements, Zhi Hao crawled closer to the sword. Every inch of his movement was careful, avoiding pebbles that could betray his whereabouts. Finally, his fingers touched the hilt of the sword, and he quickly gripped it tightly. Bang! Suddenly, a kick from behind knocked him to the ground, the sword slipping from his grasp. Wei, who had been paying attention to Zhi Hao's movements, stood up with heavy breaths, his eyes burning as he stared at the sprawled Zhi Hao. "You think you can take advantage of our dispute, you useless Trash?" Wei's voice was bluffing, full of threats. Zhi Hao couldn't say anything else. The forest was dark and dense, highlighted only by the timid rays of the sun. the laughter of the two of them echoed, breaking the tense silence. Suddenly, two huge wolves appeared from behind the bushes, their red eyes emitting a frightening glint, their dark fur seemed to absorb the moonlight. Both of them were shocked, but immediately prepared themselves. "Wei, you take care of that kid, I will finish off these two Wolves first!" one of them exclaimed, his voice firm without hesitation. He didn't wait for a response from Wei, immediately leaping forward with his sword drawn. the wolves growled, their fangs bared, ready to pounce. However, with quick and agile movements, he swung his sword. Slash! The sound of iron meeting flesh filled the air which also instantly silenced it forever. Slash! The swing of his two swords was no less fast, hitting the second wolf who was trying to attack from the side. The two wolves collapsed to the ground, blood flowing onto the dry leaves beneath them. "Wei, where is that boy?" Dong's voice echoed among the deciduous trees. Wei, who was still in a state of shock, immediately woke up from his reverie. His eyes widened, and his lips trembled. "I don't know, damn it. Where did it go?" Wei said in a high pitched voice, reflecting his panic and fear. "How can you not know, even though I've already told you, take care of that boy," Dong shouted, frustration overflowing because of Wei's carelessness. Wei lowered his head, feeling infinite guilt. "It's no use fighting now, we have to look for him. I know I was wrong!" he said in a calmer but still shaken tone. The two then rushed, leaving the area to look for Zhi Hao, hoping that there was still a chance to find him before it was too late. dong with big, fast steps, while Wei followed behind with guilt weighing down his steps. *** Zhi Hao's eyes opened wide, his breath hitched when he realized he was now in an unfamiliar area. Amazement and confusion mixed into one. "What happened?" he asked himself, trying to piece together the events that had just passed. A few seconds ago he only shifted his sitting position slightly, but now he was in a completely different place. In the midst of this confusion, the quiet atmosphere of the forest was suddenly broken by the sound of a deep and scary growl. Zhi Hao stood up straight, his eyes wide with fear when he saw the huge figure of a black tiger that appeared from behind the bushes. Its shiny black fur is clearly visible even though it is only illuminated by the dim light that penetrates through the gaps in the leaves. The animal made a growling sound that made Zhi Hao's blood freeze. His heartbeat raced, cold sweat began to drip down his back. "There has to be a way to get out of here," thought Zhi Hao, as he slowly looked for a wooden branch or stone that could be used to defend himself. His eyes did not dare to leave the figure of the tiger who was now starting to step forward with his eyes focused on him. “This situation is not much different from before. It came out of the crocodile's mouth and entered the tiger's mouth. Am I really this special to be favored by evil?” Zhi Hao muttered in his inner turmoil."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
The series of sounds of weapons sounded terrifying, accompanied by screams of pain, death and agony from the injuries suffered.The Wi Clan people were very weak now, they were retreating slowly, even Wi Dung who was the leader lost one arm, while the Black Tiger was growling, there were several stab wounds on his body. but many of the enemy were also injured. especially after the arrival of Zhi Hao to help with an arrow from behind. Now that Zhi Hao was on the front line, he couldn't let the Fu Clan run rampant. "Young man, were you the one who killed my little brother?" Fu Tao asked, looking at the unwavering Zhi Hao. "Is the person you mean, the person who only has one eye?" Zhi Hao asked. He didn't really want to answer, but in order to buy time for the Patriarch of the Wi Clan to come, he had to speak. with his current strength, he wasn't sure he could defeat all of them who were actually at the average Earth level.Zhi Hao was informed by Wi Dung that the Patriarch of the Wi C
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,