"Hiss hiss—"
Seeing Li Hao launch another attack, the Frenzied Python King clearly grew enraged. Its body swayed, and its massive tail swept toward Li Hao once more.
As the tail came at him, Li Hao's eyes narrowed. This time, he had no intention of dodging. The pale golden Profound Qi within him surged, flowing toward his right fist. With a fierce shout, he punched hard at the python's tail.
Empowered by the mysterious talisman and his pale golden Profound Qi, the veins on Li Hao's arm bulged like earthworms. A faint golden light shimmered around his fist, and as it moved, sharp whistling sounds cut through the air, creating an intimidating spectacle.
"Boom!"
Fist met tail with a dull thud. Li Hao was forced back several steps, but the python's tail was thrown backward by the impact. Where Li Hao's fist had landed, the tail was deeply dented, a testament to the strike's power.
Thrilled by his success, Li Hao's eyes sparkled with excitement. He channeled his Profound Qi and charged again, raining punches upon the Frenzied Python King like a storm.
Watching Li Hao drive the python back, Ya Ya's eyes widened in shock. She patted her small chest and murmured, "My Medium Grade Giant Strength Talisman only doubles his strength, but combined with his golden Profound Qi, it's boosted nearly fivefold. Grandpa was right—among the Five Elements Profound Qi, the metal attribute is the most powerful."
Li Hao grew more exhilarated. His strength now exceeded a thousand pounds. Each punch left a gaping hole in the python's body, and soon, the creature was covered in wounds, bleeding profusely.
Li Hao himself sustained internal injuries. Every clash with the python's tail sent shockwaves through his body, but he felt a strange force within him steadily healing the damage. Without it, he would have collapsed long ago.
"Boom!"
After a prolonged stalemate, Li Hao spotted an opening. He leaped high and slammed his fist into the python's head. The Frenzied Python King wailed in agony, its body convulsing violently. Seizing the opportunity, Li Hao pummeled its head relentlessly until the creature lay motionless.
"Whew!"
As the python fell, Li Hao collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. The pain and exhaustion from earlier hits washed over him, leaving him too weak to move.
Ya Ya ran to the python's side and kicked its lifeless body, scolding, "You chased me! Now you're dead! See if I don't refine you!" She pulled a white jade bottle from her pocket and pointed it at the python. When she opened the stopper, a powerful suction force erupted, shrinking the massive beast into a black dot that vanished into the bottle.
Li Hao stared, dumbfounded. He rubbed his eyes, but the python was truly gone. Only a pool of blood remained as proof of the battle.
Putting the bottle away, Ya Ya approached Li Hao and took out a green talisman, slapping it onto his body. It dissolved into a green light that flowed into him. A familiar energy coursed through his veins, swiftly erasing his fatigue.
"Are you... a Rune Master?" Li Hao asked softly, watching Ya Ya's curious gaze.
Ya Ya smirked proudly. "Of course! I'm a genius—the only one in the Sword Sect to become a fifth-grade Rune Master at fourteen. Impressive, huh?"
Li Hao took a deep breath, his astonishment plain. Though weak, he knew the status of Rune Masters. In the Southern Realm, they were revered because their creations drove Profound Practitioners wild. Talismans like the one he'd used could boost combat power instantly without side effects, saving lives in critical moments.
But talismans were just the tip of the iceberg. Rune Masters could inscribe runes on weapons or armor, multiplying their power and value tenfold. They could even inscribe Profound Skills onto items, allowing activation with Profound Qi. Li Hao had never seen such treasures, nor had he met a Rune Master before—except this girl. Their rarity added to their prestige; in Pingnan City, with nearly a million people, there wasn't a single one.
And he'd encountered one, even "consumed" several precious talismans. The thought pained him—each could have funded his entire life!
"Why didn't you run earlier?" Ya Ya asked seriously, storing the bottle.
"What do you mean?" Li Hao was puzzled.
"You're so weak. Why fight that little snake instead of fleeing?" Her expression was earnest.
"If I ran, you'd have been eaten," Li Hao replied with a smile. He'd considered escape, but the girl's kindness had moved him. Running would have shamed him.
Ya Ya studied him for a long moment, then grinned. "Many people flatter me, but they always want something—usually to curry favor with Grandpa. You're different. You didn't know me, yet you risked your life. Let's be friends! I'm Ya Ya. And you?"
"Li Hao." He smiled back, finding her as endearing as his sister. "But aren't Rune Masters supposed to be strong? Why...?"
Ya Ya blushed, fidgeting. "I-I'm at the Profound Practitioner Eighth Grade and have Five Elements Profound Qi, but it's the wood attribute—the weakest in combat. And I've never fought before... so I can't." Her face reddened further.
Li Hao was stunned. Eighth Grade? She was only fourteen or fifteen—a monstrous talent! Yet she couldn't fight? His expression turned odd.
Noticing this, Ya Ya glared and changed the subject. "Anyway, you have metal-attribute Profound Qi, part of the Five Elements. You should cultivate faster. Why are you only at the Fourth Grade?"
"Five Elements? Metal attribute?" Li Hao was confused; he'd never heard these terms.
Instead of explaining, Ya Ya asked, "You know Rune Masters are esteemed, right?"
Li Hao nodded. "Very. I'd only heard of them; none exist in Pingnan City."
"They're rare because only those with Five Elements Profound Qi can become Rune Masters," she explained patiently. "It appears in maybe one in millions. Scarcity adds value—that's why they're so honored in the Southern Realm. Understand?"
"You mean my Profound Qi is part of the Five Elements?" Li Hao's eyes lit up. A Rune Master's status dwarfed even an Inner Sect Disciple's. If he became one, the city lord would defer to him, let alone the Liu family.
Ya Ya nodded. "Likely. Metal-attribute Qi is golden, like yours. You should be able to become a Rune Master. And metal is the strongest among the elements—lucky I found you!"
Li Hao felt a surge of joy, but then he frowned. Metal attribute was golden, yet his was pale gold, transformed by the Small Vortex. Was it truly Five Elements Profound Qi?
"Ya Ya, why only Five Elements Profound Qi for Rune Masters?" he pressed.
"Because it can survive in the air!" she said. "Ordinary Profound Qi dissipates after leaving the body without special techniques. But Five Elements Qi persists unless destroyed. See?"
Li Hao pondered this, then channeled his Profound Qi. Using his finger as a brush, he drew a golden line on a rock. Delighted, he continued until the characters "Li Hao" appeared in gold. He waited, and the writing remained intact. Ecstatic, he knew his Qi met the criteria, even if he wasn't sure about the elements.
Seeing his excitement, Ya Ya hesitated, then recalled his bravery against the python. She pulled a scroll from her pocket and handed it to him. "Little Chore Disciple, this is the 'Five Elements Rune Formula.' It's different from other basic texts—it contains Grandpa's personal insights. I've mostly mastered it, so I'm giving it to you. Don't share it, okay?" Her tone turned solemn.
Moved, Li Hao accepted the scroll. "Thank you. I won't let anyone else see it." This was a chance he couldn't pass up.
Ya Ya nodded. "Grandpa went to the Great Yan Empire, so I can't take you to Talisman Peak. When he returns, I'll have him assess your aptitude. If it's good, he might take you as a disciple. If not, you can stick with me—I'm capable too!"
Li Hao felt deeply touched. Ya Ya wasn't just giving him a precious manual; she was offering friendship and opportunity.
"Remember," she added seriously, "don't neglect your cultivation just because you might become a Rune Master. The purer your Profound Qi, the better your talismans. And crafting them consumes a lot of Qi—with your current reserves, you can only make a few."
"I know," Li Hao said. "My goal is to become an Inner Sect Disciple." Though Rune Master status was appealing, he never abandoned his dream of becoming a powerful Profound Practitioner. Strength was essential to protect his mother and sister.
"Inner Sect Disciple? That works!" Ya Ya smiled, then glanced at the darkening sky. She pulled two jade bottles and a Rune Pen from her pocket. "Here—Profound Beast Essence Blood and Spirit Grass Juice. Practice with the 'Five Elements Rune Formula.' I'll visit again soon!" With a wave, she skipped toward the valley mouth.
Watching her disappear, Li Hao smiled and unrolled the scroll. "Five Elements Rune Formula: The Way of Runes..."