Bamboo leaves fluttered in the wind as four figures stood within the grove. All from the Wang Clan, the leading youth stood with hands behind his back, an air of arrogance about him, while the other three showed deep respect. He was a direct descendant of the Wangs, holding high status, whereas Wang Ling and the other two were merely branch members.
The Wang Clan was a top aristocratic family in the Great Qian Dynasty, its influence enormous.
Wang Ling's expression contorted as he crushed a fluttering bamboo leaf in his palm, as if imagining doing the same to Daoling. Half a month ago, he had forced Daoling to drink ferocious beast blood, certain he would die. Yet here he was, not only alive but attending Green Mountain Academy—a provocation that enraged Wang Ling. Worse, the Blue Crystal matter must stay secret; exposure would spell disaster.
Frowning, Wang Junfei asked, "Who is this brat? Do you know him?"
Wang Ling quickly forced a smile. "Young Master Fei, he's just a rival. How could I know such trash?"
"Good." Wang Junfei nodded in satisfaction. "You two, go kill him. No one can know about this. Be quick—don't waste time."
Daoling clenched his fists and abruptly retreated. He sensed Wang Junfei's immense strength, and with Wang Ling, a Soul Convergence Realm expert, charging in now would mean certain death against two Soul Convergence foes.
"Do they know about the divine beast's true blood?" Daoling wondered. If so, claiming it would be far more difficult. The true blood was vital—he had to seize this rare opportunity.
"Perfect timing!" Cold light flashed in his eyes as Wang Ling and another chased after him. Eliminating them would ease the fight for the true blood.
"Ha! Where do you think you're running, Daoling?" Wang Ling's sinister voice echoed. "Do you think you can escape my grasp? Impossible!"
Daoling glanced back. Wang Ling and his companion closed in rapidly. He snorted, stomped the ground, and surged down a path.
"Eh? This brat is fast! Catch him—Young Master Fei will punish us if he gets away!" one of them shouted.
"Hehe, don't worry. He can't escape me!" Wang Ling sneered, energy surging through his legs in spiral bursts, boosting his speed.
The bamboo grove trembled as Daoling leaped onto a massive rock, cracking its surface with his landing.
"Boy, where else can you run? I told you—surrender now!" Wang Ling laughed, flanking Daoling with his companion. He couldn't fathom Daoling escaping.
Daoling's cold eyes met Wang Ling's. "Why would I run?"
Wang Ling's face darkened,煞气 (killing intent) rising. "Arrogant fool! Kill him—now!"
"Hmph, you're courting death! I won't make it easy for you!" The yellow-robed youth's face chilled. Daoling's audacity enraged him.
But the youth froze as Daoling charged. *Is he attacking now?*
"Arrogant wretch!" The youth clenched his fist, which glowed yellow as heaven and earth energy roiled, shaking the vacuum as it aimed for Daoling's chest.
"Half-step Soul Convergence," Daoling noted. Five days ago, he might have lost, but not now. This would test his current strength.
His fist clenched, bones cracking, as he met the attack with a golden, energy-infused punch.
"Ha! You're找死 (seeking death)!" the youth scoffed. A mere Body Forging ant couldn't match him.
Wang Ling smiled, imagining Daoling's fist exploding. Killing him would eliminate the Blue Crystal threat. He touched his storage pouch, where a treasure lay hidden.
BOOM! Fists collided, unleashing fierce energy that shredded nearby bamboo leaves.
"What?" The youth's shock turned to horror as he felt his palm break. *Is he also half-step Soul Convergence?*
Daoling pressed forward, golden fists raining down. The two figures clashed wildly, shattering bamboo and sending sand and stones flying.
Wang Ling's face阴沉 (darkened). *No wonder he's bold—he's reached half-step Soul Convergence. But his cultivation speed is too fast. Did he gain some good fortune?*
The yellow-robed youth unleashed mysterious energy from his muscles, merging with heaven and earth to amplify his attacks—this was Soul Convergence, where mysterious energy awakened in the flesh, boosting power drastically. But the strength of this energy depended on one's Body Forging foundation, crucial for future growth.
"Down!" Daoling roared, smashing through the energy with a surge of divine power, aiming for the youth's palm.
"Dammit!" The youth grit his teeth, his fist numb. Shame burned—he was younger than Daoling yet weaker.
"I admit you're strong, but it ends here!" The youth's palm spun, summoning a massive yellow wave that crashed toward Daoling's head, threatening to maim or kill.
"*You* end here." Daoling's cold voice carried杀意 (murderous intent). His fist swelled as dormant blood energy erupted, blazing brightly.
"Break!" he roared, blood energy surging, hair flying like a ferocious beast. His arm, capable of smashing ten-thousand-jin boulders, whipped down like a divine spear.
PENG PENG!
His arm crashed into the yellow wave, which exploded like a divine spear piercing a mountain.
"What? Impossible!" The youth's face paled, sensing a terrifying force. He turned to flee.
"Run?" Daoling's冷漠 (cold) gaze followed, his arm slamming into the youth's spine. The youth's body stiffened, his back exploding under the punch.
"Useless fool." Wang Ling sneered. He could have saved the youth but chose not to—Daoling might hold secrets best kept hidden.
Stepping forward, Wang Ling eyed Daoling greedily. "Daoling, you always surprise me. First the Blue Crystal—what treasure have you found now?"
Daoling turned, eyes locked in a killing stare. "Why don't you guess?"
Wang Ling frowned, displeased by Daoling's attitude. Glancing at the youth's remains, he snorted: "You clearly don't understand Soul Convergence. Your arrogance is trash to me!"
Wang Ling's aura erupted, shattering bamboo as energy tornadoed around him. Heaven and earth energy surged within a ten-zhang radius, as if he controlled the space. "Kneel!" he thundered.
Daoling's body stiffened slightly. The space felt dangerous—this was the terror of Soul Convergence, mastering heaven and earth energy to crush foes.
Wang Ling, at early Soul Convergence, controlled ten zhang. At its peak, one could control hundreds! Those who grasped heavenly mysteries could wield even more energy, their combat power terrifying.
"Do *you* deserve to make me kneel?"
Daoling's fists clenched as golden blood energy burst forth, thundering like drums. Brilliant gold light bathed the bamboo grove. Standing in the glow, he looked fearsome.
"Break through!" he roared, channeling peak energy. Golden blood energy surged like an inverted river, shaking the wilderness.