"Elder Dur, can I ask you a favor?" Zhi Hao looked at Elder Wi Dur with eyes full of hope.
"What would you like, son?" Wi Dur also asked, his tone soft but full of authority. "I want to return to the Human World!" Zhi Hao said, his voice trembling slightly. wi Dur frowned, "What for? Isn't it more comfortable here? Besides, it seems you're not welcome there either." "Even so, I still want to go home. I want to look for clues my mother left behind," said Zhi Hao, his eyes filled with tears. "Hmm," Wi Dur sighed, "I can't stop you. But if that's your determination, you have to fight to get out of here alone. Do you see the top of the mountain?" Wi Dur pointed towards a towering mountain peak in the distance. “I saw it,” Zhi Hao replied, his eyes following the direction of Elder Wi Dur's finger. "There is Yellow Bamboo growing there and you have to look for Temuruas Bamboo. If you find it, take it and bring it here," said Wi Dur, his voice sounded cold but filled with hope. Zhi Hao was silent for a moment, digesting Elder Wi Dur's words. He knew that this journey would be dangerous, but he had no other choice. He has to find clues about his mother, and he has to do it alone. “Alright, Elder Dur,” said Zhi Hao, determination shining in his eyes. "I'm going to look for Temuruas Bamboo." Wi Dur nodded, "Be careful, son. This journey is not easy. Always remember, true strength lies not only in the physical, but also in determination and a strong heart." Zhi Hao nodded, then turned and walked away, towards the towering mountain peak. "You don't need to look for the Temuruas Bamboo to return to the Human World," Qianlong said, his voice cold and enigmatic. Zhi Hao looked at the bracelet attached to his hand, he knew that it was the dragon head bracelet that was speaking, even though it was a bit strange and didn't make sense to him that there was actually a spirit in the bracelet. "Why do you say that? Is there another solution?" Zhi Hao asked, his curiosity piqued. "Of course, I can open the Door myself without the Temuruas Bamboo. You just need to give me the Energy Stone in one of the chests in the Ring World," said Qianlong, his voice sounding a little arrogant. "Is that true?" Zhi Hao once again asked, still hesitant. "Don't you believe me? Previously, who opened the Portal when the Tomb of the Melting God of Destruction floated? Wasn't it me?" Qianlong boasted a little, "I am the spirit that inhabits this bracelet, and I have the power to open doors between dimensions." "Okay, fine, I believe you this time. Besides, you've also helped me," said Zhi Hao, finally melted by Qianlong's confidence. "But I'm curious, why did you forbid me from putting the Wi village people into the Ring World before?" "Because a person's heart can change if they see a shiny treasure that doesn't belong to them," Qianlong answered, his tone serious. "I know that you are a good person, Zhi Hao, but I can't guarantee that other people will behave the same way. The Ring World is a place full of treasure and power, and that can make people blind." Zhi Hao was silent for a moment, pondering Qianlong's words. He realized that the spirit in the bracelet had a keen view of humans, and he understood that Qianlong only wanted to protect him. “Thank you, Qianlong,” Zhi Hao said, gratitude shining in his eyes. "I'll be careful." Qianlong just cleared his throat, then fell silent again, as if he was contemplating something. Zhi Hao knew that he still had a lot to learn about the spirit in the bracelet. The wind roared through the old pine trees, their branches clawing at the sky as if trying to reach the source of the raging storm above. Zhi Hao, a young man with eyes as sharp as sharpened blades, presses himself deeper into a shallow cave, seeking refuge from the ferocity of nature. he had come to this place, a hidden valley nestled among sharp peaks, looking for a convenient place to enter the Ring World. It is said that it is a realm of unimaginable power, where the essence of life is woven into the fabric of existence. a realm where the secrets of the universe are hidden. Zhi Hao has been chosen, or perhaps he has chosen himself, to embark on this dangerous journey. He closed his eyes, focused his mind, and whispered the words that had been said to him: “Come in!” the world around him dissolved into a swirling maelstrom of color and light. When his vision returned, he found himself standing in a wide open space, bathed in the soft light of the double moon. The air was fresh and cool, carrying the scent of pine and earth. He was in the Ring World. “This is it,” he muttered, his voice echoing in the vast void. "Ring World." He looked around, taking in the beauty of his surroundings. The landscape is a tapestry of vibrant greens and blues, with towering mountains that seem to pierce the sky. the air flickered with a supernatural energy, a tangible power that pulsed through his entire being. He felt a presence, the whisper of something ancient and powerful, urging him forward. He knew he wasn't alone. After his conversation with Qianlong, Zhi Hao finds out that there is an Energy Stone in the chest. Zhi Hao entered the residence where it was the only residence. His steps were calm, and he knew there were several places he had yet to enter in the residence. "Qianlong, where is the chest containing the Energy Stone?" Qianlong said, "Underground. There are certain mechanisms around the walls, just touch them until you feel the different structures."Zhi Hao, ran his finger along the smooth surface of the stone wall. It was a wall like no other, meticulously crafted from stones that seemed to whisper of forgotten stories. hands roughened by years of training touched a subtle irregularity, a slight shift in texture. His curiosity burning, he pressed his palm against the anomaly, his power flowing through the stone. with a resounding crack, the rock gave way, revealing a hidden passage leading downwards.A faint light radiated from the depths, beckoning Zhi Hao to come forward. He hesitated for a moment, his mind struggling with uncertainty. this is no ordinary wall; felt filled with a power that gave him goosebumps. However, the lure of uncertainty is too strong to resist. He took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest, and descended into darkness.As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he realized that he was in a large underground space. The walls are decorated with intricate carvings depicting battle scenes, gods, and
Zhi Hao stepped out of the spatial vortex, his eyes fixed on the Tree he had entered from before. A sense of familiarity came over him, but the sight he witnessed made him frown slightly."This is the Tree I entered before," he muttered, his eyes fixed on the traces of blood and bones of two people lying on the ground. "Are they the two people who wanted to kill me before? But that's impossible, hasn't a year and a half already passed?"Confused, Zhi Hao ignored the questions that were gnawing at his mind. He is more interested in the changes that occur in him. "Who knows how the Zhi Clan is doing now. Would father be surprised to see that I can have the strength of the third stage of the Earth Realm now?" a smile spread across his face, imagining how he would tell all his experiences."The city of Linggau doesn't seem to have changed a bit," he muttered again, continuing towards the city center.Zhi Hao's eyes met Xiao Lui, who was also walking on the street. Xiao Lui smiled, but the
Xiao Bai frowned, his eyes narrowed at the panting Xiao Lui in front of him. "What's wrong with you? Why is your face so bruised?" he asked, his voice cold and piercing.“Zhi Hao… he… he is so strong,” Xiao Lui panted, his chest still aching. "I almost died, Brother Bai! He kicked me flying!"Xiao Bai sneered, "You are stupid, even defeating Zhi Hao is incompetent."Xiao Lui fell silent, his face ashen. "I know, Brother Bai. But I have to take revenge! He has insulted me, he has hurt my pride!""Pride?" Xiao Bai laughed mockingly. “You're just a coward who's afraid of death! But since you're my direct subordinate, I'll help you beat him up. Who he thinks he is can do whatever he wants.”"He probably forgot that two days ago I kicked him. So he's so arrogant. or his head has hit a rock. So, how did you get to be like that by Zhi Hao? Isn't he just trash that even a kid could defeat?" Xiao Bai said, his voice shaking with anger.Xiao Lui, a thin young man with dark eyes, just shook his
The wind rustled through the ancient trees surrounding the Zhi Clan residence, carrying the scent of pine and the whispers of a thousand secrets. Inside, the air felt heavy with anticipation. Zhi Sao, the head of the family, sat in his study, his brow furrowed in worry. He had just received news that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.“Master, first Young master is back,” a voice announced, breaking the silence.Zhi Sao's eyes widened. "How could he come back so quickly?" he asked, his voice filled with astonishment. "Does he look different? I mean, injured or disabled?""Absolutely not, sir," answered the messenger, a man named Dong. "The only apparent difference… he was very brave. Even hitting Xiao Lui, a member of the Xiao Clan."Zhi Sao's eyebrows rose. "I don't know who Xiao Lui is, but I know that both disciples and descendants of the Xiao Clan have quite high cultivation. They would at least be in the Fighter Realm if they were the same age.""That's right, sir,"
Zhi Hao sat beside the tombstone, his mother's final resting place. "Mom, now I am not a trash that can be insulted. I will carve my own name in legends," he whispered softly, his eyes filled with tears.He kissed the tombstone, then told in a low voice about his experiences while training in the World Ring, how he was able to gain extraordinary power. Even though it was just a story without an answer, it was enough to relieve his heart.“Young Master, the Patriarch is calling for you,” a female servant's voice broke the silence.Zhi Hao stood up straight, "Fine. Looks like the Xiao Clan is making a move. What are they really thinking? Even though Xiao Lui is just an insignificant slave," he muttered, slightly dismissive. "Where is daddy waiting for me?""In the Clan hall, Young Master!" answered the waiter."Thank You!" Zhi Hao said, keeping his hands behind his back, walking calmly towards the clan hall.The female servant fell silent, her eyes fixed on Zhi Hao's retreating back. "Y
Swoosh! Swoosh! Zhi Hao looked at Zhi Sao, who was struggling against Xiao Long.Zhi Sao looked exhausted, but he still fought tenaciously."Father!" shouted Zhi Hao.Zhi Sao turned to him."Hao, you have to go!" shouted Zhi Sao. "I'll hold them off."“No, Dad,” said Zhi Hao. "I'll help you."Zhi Hao dashed towards Zhi Sao, swinging the Shadow Sword with all his might."Father, I will defeat them!"Zhi Hao attacked Xiao Long vigorously. Xiao Long was surprised to see Zhi Hao's strength increase drastically. He tried to dodge, but Zhi Hao was too fast.“First Level Sword Technique – Death Strike!” Zhi Hao shouted. The Shadow Sword struck Xiao Long's chest, sending him staggering backwards. Xiao Long coughed out blood, his eyes bulging in disbelief."Impossible! How can a weakling like you have that much strength?" Xiao Long shouted.“Shadow Sword,” Zhi Hao answered, his voice cold and full of power. "This sword has extraordinary power."Xiao Long got up and ran again at Zhi Hao. H
Zhi Hao pondered Qianlong's words seriously. He realized that to reach a level of power equal to that of a God of Destruction, he had to train with discipline and focus. Although being inside the Ringworld provides tremendous time benefits, effort and dedication remain key.After a moment of meditation, Zhi Hao stood up and raised his sword, feeling the weight and balance of the weapon in his hands. "Okay, I'll start training with the sword," he said with determination. "I have to hone this skill before moving on to other abilities."Qianlong nodded, "Remember, every move must be calculated. Learn from every swing and every step. Don't rush. true expertise comes from deep understanding."Zhi Hao nodded and started practicing. He focused his energy, trying to merge with his sword. Every attack, every block, was done with full attention and awareness. He imagined every technique he learned, integrating them with his body movements.Time passed unnoticed while he was practicing. In two s
“What you say seems right, Nephew.” Xiao Ming said. He looked at Xiao Bai who was now sitting in front of him. His face, which was usually filled with a friendly smile, now looked serious, filled with frown lines that seemed to indicate the heavy burden he was carrying.“We have to make a new plan, Uncle.” Xiao Bai said. Her eyes, which usually sparkled cheerfully, now radiated strong determination. He had seen for himself the cruelty of Zhi Sao, the leader of the Xiao Clan who had usurped the Patriarch's throne in a cruel way.“You calm down. I've already contacted someone in the Xiao Clan. Come with me to meet him.” Xiao Ming said. He got up from his seat, his muscular body looked sturdy even though he was old.Xiao Bai wondered that in his mind, but he didn't say it. just following where Xiao Ming would take him. He believes in his Uncle, the only family he has left after the tragedy that took away his parents.They walked along the path that cut through the bamboo forest. The wind
The man in the black hood lay sprawled on the floor of the cave, his body trembling from the agony he had just endured. Black 5 stood beside him, twirling a small silver needle between his fingers, a cold smirk on his face.“You thought you could toy with my master and walk away unscathed?” Black 5 said in a low, menacing voice. He crouched down, slowly pressing the needle into the man’s shoulder, sending sharp pain coursing through his body.“Aaagh!” the hooded man screamed, his body arching in agony.Black 4 stood nearby, arms crossed, his expression unyielding. “You’ll talk eventually. We’ve got plenty of time. But for you, every second will feel like an eternity.”Zhi Hao stood a short distance away, his piercing gaze fixed on the man. He raised his hand slightly, signaling Black 5 to continue.Black 5 chuckled darkly. “You know this is just the beginning, right?” He pressed the needle into the man’s knee this time, twisting it slowly. “This pain won’t kill you, but you’ll wish it
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