Early the next morning, a piece of news began to circulate throughout Heavenly Sword City that shook it to its core.
"The Chang Family has been annihilated."
This was something no one had expected; a family with a history of five hundred years had disappeared overnight.
Guards from the City Lord Mansion had cordoned off the entire Chang Family estate. The blazing fire from the night before had burned throughout the night and even now, there were still tiny flames flickering.
City Lord Zhong Yanying stood amidst the ruins feeling the poignant sorrow of the situation.
"Clean this place up, let this be the end of it, and don't pursue it any further," Zhong Yanying said indifferently to the guards.
"Sir, the one my young lady and I encountered that day must have been them," the elderly man known as Uncle Liang spoke up.
"They are people from the Holy Sect, and their status is not low," Zhong Yanying contemplated before adding, "These next few days, have Lin'er stay indoors. We don't know the purpose of their visit to Heavenly Sword City."
The old man nodded and withdrew.
Meanwhile, Xu Zimei was practicing with his sword in the courtyard when he suddenly received a report from a servant, saying that a man claiming to be the Third Prince of the Purple Sun Empire was looking for him.
Xu Zimei briefly recalled in his mind that this prince seemed to be a tragic character in his previous life.
"Let him in," Xu Zimei said.
Straightaway, a young man with a determined face walked in, wearing a white robe and a longsword at his waist.
"Young Master Xu, I am An Yifeng, the Third Prince of the Purple Sun Empire. My apologies for the imposition," the young man said with a smile.
"Do you need something from me?" Xu Zimei asked.
"The Purple Sun Empire falls under the governance of the Holy Sect. I'm planning to return to the Imperial Capital tomorrow, and hearing that you were here, I thought to pay a visit," An Yifeng explained.
"You came to Heavenly Sword City intending to win over the Chang Family to compete for the title of Crown Prince, didn't you?" Xu Zimei said with a smile.
An Yifeng fell silent momentarily before responding, "Since Young Master Xu is already aware, I won't conceal it anymore.
Indeed, I planned to win over the Chang Family, but it's unfortunate I encountered a hero who eliminates evil. Having been away for so long, I should return to the Imperial Capital," An Yifeng replied with a rueful smile.
"Do you have an elder brother named An Yiheng?" Xu Zimei asked, stroking his chin.
"Indeed, that's my second brother," An Yifeng nodded and replied.
"Do you aspire to be the Crown Prince?" Xu Zimei suddenly inquired.
An Yifeng was taken aback; his heart began beating rapidly for some reason.
He swallowed hard, his eyes blazing as he looked at Xu Zimei and nodded.
"Well then, I'll give you an opportunity," Xu Zimei smiled and said, "As long as I hear the news of An Yiheng's death, I assure you will be the future Crown Prince of the Purple Sun Empire."
An Yifeng was stunned, "Is he suggesting that I kill my own brother?"
His face showed struggle, uncertain how to respond. Was the throne more important than his half-brother shared by the same father?
"Alright, don't be conflicted. Think it over slowly when you return. My offer will always stand," Xu Zimei waved his hand and added, "But I should remind you, without my help, you won't stand a chance of claiming the title of Crown Prince."
Xu Zimei was not lying with this statement; in his previous life, An Yifeng's brother An Yiheng indeed became the future Crown Prince.
The protagonist, Chu Yang, had risen from Qingyang Village and made his way to Heavenly Sword City, reclaiming the Chang Family.
In the end, he went to the Imperial Capital, met the Second Prince An Yiheng, and the two became close friends. Ultimately, with Chu Yang's help, An Yiheng successfully became the Crown Prince.
As for An Yifeng, in the end, he was merely a pitiful creature.
"I will give it serious thought," An Yifeng nodded then withdrew.
......
Afterward, Xu Zimei summoned Black Thirteen.
"Thirteen, I have a task for you, and you must not mess it up."
"Young Master, please give your instructions," Black Thirteen nodded solemnly.
...
The morning in Qingyang Village unfolded as usual, with Coach Mo leading the young trainees in their morning exercises.
Since taking the pills Xiao Yuexuan left for Qingyang Village, he had successfully broken through to the Condensing Vein Realm, and his spiritual energy surged powerfully—a result of years of accumulation.
The young members of the team were all practicing the horse stance; their faces turned red from the effort, having persisted for over an hour.
But at the very back, the youth named Chu Yang wore a resolute expression, steady as an ancient pine, seemingly unaffected by fatigue.
Ever since he started cultivating the Step Battle Immortal Jue given to him by Ink Elder and took the pills left by Xiao Yuexuan, Chu Yang's body had undergone several refinements, reaching the ninth level of the Mortal Realm.
For him, this level of training was child's play.
When the morning exercises ended, all the young trainees were so exhausted they could hardly stand straight, yet Chu Yang alone remained relaxed and unfazed.
Coach Mo walked over, patted his shoulder, and said, "Keep it up, you may achieve far greater things than I ever will."
Chu Yang smiled and nodded firmly in response.
...
After breakfast, Chu Yang made his way to a forest outside Qingyang Village where a vast gorge lay hidden within.
A river gathered above the gorge, cascading like a waterfall from the sky, stirring up waves upon impacting the earth. Below the river lay a small pond.
Golden carps swam in the pond, and a turtle rested quietly sunning itself on glossy stones at its edge.
Chu Yang arrived at the pond's edge, where Ink Elder's voice echoed from within a ring.
"Yang, sit under the waterfall, use the force of the water to help you open the first Vein Gate, and try to break through to the Spirit Vein Realm today."
The waterfall plunged like a direct drop from heaven, as if the Milky Way itself had descended to earth.
Looking up at the waterfall resembling a mighty dragon, Chu Yang gritted his teeth and slowly sat down beneath it.
No sooner had he taken his place under the waterfall than he felt the pressure of the cascading water, tearing pain in his muscles as if ripping them apart.
It felt like his blood was flowing backward, as if his veins might burst.
He couldn't help but let out a roar toward the sky.
"Hold on," encouraged Ink Elder's voice, "circulate the Step Battle Immortal Jue, repair your body bit by bit and then gradually adapt to the pressure."
Chu Yang nodded with difficulty, enduring the pain through clenched teeth.
Gradually, his body became somewhat numb, and his consciousness started to blur.
"Don't sleep, push through now to break into the Spirit Vein Realm; otherwise, it will damage your foundation," Reincarnation Elder shouted from the side.
Chu Yang opened his eyes in a haze, mumbling to himself, "Right, I can't sleep, I have to find Xiao'er."
He remembered the feeling of helplessness on the day the girl had left.
A glint suddenly flashed in his eyes and with a "bang," it was as if shackles within him had been unlocked.
The cascades showered down tumultuously, and Chu Yang excitedly watched the transformations in his body.
Then, he caught a glimpse of something behind the waterfall—a cave seemed to be hidden there.