"Flickering Shadows swift as the wind, agile as a fleeing hare… turns out it's a movement technique!" Song Changsheng's eyes lit up with delight as he finished reading the contents of the beast's hide.
Movement techniques had always been one of his weak points. Thinking back to that encounter with the Earth Dragon had it not been for his lack of escape skills, how could he have let it slip away the first time?
Afterward, he'd reflected deeply and planned to learn a movement technique to fill this gap. But the family's library mostly recorded footwork styles, which didn't match what he needed.
There were a few actual movement techniques, but none particularly refined they were all mediocre at best.
Song Changsheng wasn't the type to settle, so he hadn't practiced any of them. That is, until now. At last, he had found a truly exquisite movement technique!
"Though this is a secret art from ancient times and differs greatly from modern techniques, all roads lead to the same destination it won't hinder me.
Once I master this, whether in pursuit or travel, everything will become far more convenient." He looked at the beast hidden in his hands, unable to conceal the joy on his face. One hundred low-grade spirit stones are worth it!
Never mind the Profound Nether Essence he'd gotten earlier this beast hide alone, with its concealed Flickering Shadows technique, was a priceless treasure. It had been perfectly disguised.
Without his Insight Technique, he likely would've overlooked it entirely and mistaken it for useless junk.
If that old man ever found out that the two items he thought were the most worthless were treasures worth a fortune, would he vomit blood on the spot?
Song Changsheng carefully stored the beast's hideaway. He didn't rush to cultivate it just yet. Judging by the time, Uncle Song Luhuai and the others should've finished their tasks he ought to see them off.
Sure enough, early the next morning, Song Luhuai came to find him.
"Changsheng, I'm setting off today to return to the clan," he said with a serious expression. "While you're in Luoxia City, you must be careful. This place isn't like Lingzhou there's no shortage of hidden experts."
Song Changsheng nodded with a smile. "Don't worry, Uncle Twelve. I'll return safe and sound."
"I trust your judgment," Song Luhuai said, but then his face grew stern. "Remember after the Grand City Lord's birthday banquet, return to the clan immediately. No delays."
Seeing the serious look on his uncle's face, Song Changsheng had a vague sense of foreboding. Could something have happened?
Song Luhuai clasped his hands behind his back, frowning deeply. "We've received some whispers nothing confirmed yet but judging by the recent movements of the City Lord's Mansion, it's likely true."
Turning to face Song Changsheng, he lowered his voice: "There's been unusual activity among the beasts along the Blackwater Marsh and Thunderclap Mountain. It might be a prelude to a major northern assault."
Song Changsheng's pupils contracted slightly, and he sighed inwardly. Just as I suspected this is tied to those beasts after all.
He forced a smile. "You're overthinking it, Uncle. War doesn't break out so easily. I'll only be here for about another year. It might not even happen during that time. After the banquet, I'll return right away."
Song Luhuai looked at him with clear concern, hesitated to say more, then finally let out a sigh. "Let's hope so… I'll be on my way now."
"I'll see you off."
....
Outside Luoxia City, Song Changsheng stood watching as the flying boat disappeared. Then he turned and stared toward the Ten-Thousand Mountains an endless range teeming with countless spirit beasts, a forbidden zone for human cultivators.
He faintly sensed a chilling aura of killing intent gathering in that direction an ominous sign.
Thinking back on Song Luhuai's parting words, a heaviness settled over his heart. A storm is brewing…
"Young Patriarch, the elders are long gone. Let's head back." Song Qingluo followed his gaze but saw only thick, oppressive storm clouds.
Song Changsheng nodded and returned to the general store.
As soon as he was back, he locked himself in his room and began cultivating Flickering Shadows. A premonition loomed in his heart: The war isn't far off… and I'll be caught in it too. I have to grow stronger as fast as I can.
Creak…
The wooden door, shut tight for many days, slowly opened. Golden sunlight streamed into the room, causing Song Changsheng to squint slightly.
He quickly adjusted, stepped forward and in the next instant, his figure vanished and reappeared several meters away, startling a servant who had been sweeping fallen leaves. The broom fell from his hands.
Song Changsheng gave the man an apologetic smile, then took a few more steps, and in the blink of an eye, he disappeared again, as if he had never been there at all.
The servant rubbed his eyes in disbelief, staring at the spot where Song Changsheng had stood. His gaze was filled with confusion, amazement, and disbelief in equal measure.
Inside the store, Song Qingluo was organizing the messy display at the counter. Suddenly, a figure in green appeared in front of him without warning. Startled, he nearly cast a Fireball Spell on instinct.
"Young Patriarch?" Thankfully, he recognized him in time and avoided a disaster.
"How's my speed?" Song Changsheng asked with a grin.
"It's like you appeared out of nowhere! You scared the daylights out of me," Song Qingluo muttered in the complaint.
"Hahaha! If I can scare you, imagine what I could do to my enemies. Flickering Shadows lives up to its name!" Song Changsheng was very pleased with the reaction.
With his Foundation Establishment cultivation, he was already fast. But now, his movements were near-invisible unless he intentionally suppressed his aura, even Qi Refinement cultivators would notice his presence too late.
In battle, this technique would be a powerful advantage.
"How long was I in seclusion?" he asked casually while fiddling with a trinket on the counter.
"Twenty-eight days exactly."
"Almost a full month, huh… Uncle Twelve should've already gone to Liuyun Market to take over guard duty. I wonder how Qingxi and Qingxing are doing hopefully they didn't just treat my words like the wind in their ears."
As he spoke, two youthful faces floated into his mind. He murmured, full of quiet concern.
.....
Lingzhou, Outside Liuyun Market
A group of fierce rogue cultivators had blocked the only road travelers could take, their eyes murderous and weapons gleaming, clearly ready for robbery and bloodshed.
There were five of them in total. The strongest among them had reached the peak of Qi Refinement, while the others were at least mid-stage. Together, they were not to be underestimated.
Their targets were two young cultivators a man and a woman. The man wore a black robe and carried a weathered longsword in his arms, his expression cold and detached. The woman wore a flowing green dress, her face delicate and playful, blinking her big innocent eyes as she stared at the group.
These two were none other than Song Qingxing and Song Qingxi, siblings out on their cultivation journey. Not long after Song Changsheng had left, they too had set out into the world.
They first honed their combat skills hunting spirit beasts in the Wangyue Mountains, then traveled on foot to the Liuyun Mountain Range.
Over the past month and a half, they had fought nearly everyday beasts, bandits, and rogue cultivators. Every single one had ended up as a corpse beneath Song Qingxing's sword.
This situation they faced now was nothing new. Song Qingxing didn't even bother wasting words. Looking at the pockmarked leader, he coldly spat a single word:
"Scram."
The scar-faced cultivator's expression darkened instantly. A murderous aura flickered around him as he glared back, "What did you say, brat? Say it again!"
His four subordinates silently moved in to encircle the pair, cutting off any chance of retreat. They grinned maliciously, confident their prey was already in the bag.
But Song Qingxing didn't flinch. Holding his sword to his chest, he met their gaze without fear, showing not the slightest awareness of being outnumbered.
Scarface's anger boiled over. He swung the iron club in his hand threateningly. "I was gonna let you walk away with your lives, kid. Hand over your spatial pouches or your brains will be splattered across the ground!"
To this threat, Song Qingxing remained as indifferent as ever like he was watching a clown dance on stage.
Meanwhile, Song Qingxi wore her usual expression of pure innocence, as if she hadn't heard the threats at all. She even started fiddling with her fingers out of boredom.
Scarface's face grew darker and darker, yet strangely, he still hadn't made a move.
One of his skinny underlings finally couldn't hold back. He shouted, "Boss, stop wasting time on these two brats! Kill the guy, keep the girl. Let the brothers have some fun"
Before he could finish, a brilliant flash of sword light erupted.
The skinny cultivator's pupils widened in stunned disbelief. He froze.
A moment later, a thin red line appeared across his neck. Only a trickle of blood leaked out at first.
Then a gust of wind blew past.
His head toppled cleanly off his shoulders, followed by a geyser of warm blood that sprayed skyward. His body crashed to the ground with a heavy thud.
The remaining four were completely stunned. None of them had even seen who made the move.
Scarface was the first to react. He looked at the unsheathed sword in Song Qingxing's arms, his face a mix of fear and fury. "It was you?!"
The others finally came to their senses. They scrambled to draw their weapons, staring at Song Qingxing like he was some terrifying monster, not a mere teenager.
Song Qingxing met Scarface's gaze, voice icy. "He spoke out of turn. He deserved to die."
Scarface's expression twisted. He found himself in a dilemma. That skinny guy had been Qi Refinement Stage 7 he couldn't have killed him so effortlessly. And yet this young man had done it with a single stroke… and he hadn't even fully drawn his sword.
This boy was no pushover he was a solid steel wall.
Fear crept into Scarface's heart. But to flee now, after losing a man and showing weakness? How could he continue to hold sway in this region?
To hell with it. His eyes blazed with desperation. "He's just one guy! What are we afraid of?!"
With a roar, he raised his iron club and charged at Song Qingxing.
The other three, seeing their leader rush in, felt their courage return and followed with shouts, spiritual energy surging.
But Song Qingxing didn't move.
Instead, he calmly turned to Song Qingxi. "They struck first. Remember that."
Then, his right hand gripped the sword's hilt.
A wave of terrifying sword intent surged from his body. His black-and-white eyes burned with deadly killing intent it sent shivers down their spines.
Seeing the change, Scarface's heart clenched with regret. But the die was cast now it was kill or be killed.
Their attacks arrived in unison with sharp golden blades, fiery explosions, crushing earth spells…
Clang!
Song Qingxing finally unsheathed his sword. A burst of dazzling sword energy erupted, and his aura immediately overwhelmed all four attackers.
He looked cold and detached as he casually swung the blade. The motion seemed slow, almost gentle but in Scarface's eyes, it was lightning-fast.
A sharp pain hit him, his club-wielding hand had been cleanly severed at the wrist.
Slash!
The blade didn't stop. After severing Scarface's hand, it continued into the chest of a round-faced cultivator nearby. The man barely had time to react before his head flew through the air.
In just one exchange one dead, one maimed.
Scarface snapped. His eyes turned bloodshot, and ignoring the bleeding stump of his arm, he pulled out a scarlet pill and swallowed it. His aura instantly surged.
"DIE!!!" he roared.
The Scarface let out a long howl and once again charged recklessly at Song Qingxing. The other two clenched their jaws and followed suit.
At last, Song Qingxing moved. His feet, seemingly rooted to the ground, stepped forward half a pace. In that motion, he firmly positioned himself between Song Qingxi and the attackers, shielding her completely. The three-foot-long sword in his hand let out a high-pitched hum, its sword energy sharp and intense.
"Shhrrrip"
His blade moved like the wind, each strike trailing afterimages. Despite being outnumbered, he held his ground with ease if anything, the longer he fought, the more unstoppable he became.
"Aaargh!"
"No!"
With two agonized screams, the remaining two rogue cultivators aside from the Scarface leader were decapitated. Their deaths were brutal as if they'd been dismembered alive.
"Bastard! Die!!"
The Scarface had completely lost all reason. He gripped his iron club in his remaining left hand and, roaring in fury, swung it down toward Song Qingxing's head with every ounce of his strength.
Having consumed a pill that pushed his body beyond its limits, his power now approached the very edge of what Qi Refinement cultivators could achieve. Fueled by rage, the force behind that club could force even peak-stage cultivators to retreat.
But instead of backing away, Song Qingxing stepped forward.
His speed had always been his greatest strength, and in the blink of an eye, he closed the distance. His face remained calm and still like a tranquil lake but his sword hand was ruthless. In a single, fluid motion, he thrust the blade straight into the man's heart.
A burst of razor-sharp sword energy instantly reduced the Scarface's heart to a pulp.
He froze, mid-swing. The club raised high in his hand never fell.
"Useless rabble," Song Qingxing muttered coldly.
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