Watching Li Chengfeng, his entire body trembling, eyes filled with a mixture of hatred and sorrow, tears even continuously welling up, walk towards the surviving bandits, Bai Yunfei found no words to stop him. Picking up the blue short spike beside Sect Leader Zhong's corpse, he turned and walked back towards the village.
Heart-wrenching screams echoed from behind him. Bai Yunfei sighed softly without turning back.
The entire day, the village men were busy dealing with the bandits' bodies. Weapons and valuables were kept; the rest, along with the corpses, were buried. After all, such a large number of deaths occurring at once absolutely could not become known to outsiders, lest it bring disaster down upon their small village.
Thirty-six corpses in total. The bandit Bai Yunfei had captured and brought back, even after confessing much information, was not spared. Men like him, letting even one escape, was inviting calamity.
Then there were the horses. Selling them all together was impossible; it would draw far too much attention. They could only be kept penned up in the back mountains for now, to be dealt with slowly later.
After this ordeal, the villagers all felt they had narrowly escaped death. Bai Yunfei and Li Chengfeng became heroes in their eyes. Li Chengfeng, in particular, despite his near-frenzy when confronting the bandits, was exceptionally kind and sincere towards everyone else. Ling'er stayed by his side constantly, meticulously tending to his wounds.
......
The next day, just before dawn. Bai Yunfei, seated cross-legged on the bed, his hands forming a strange seal after cultivating all night, slowly opened his eyes. He stretched lazily, his joints popping like beans, and let out a soft, contented sigh.
He raised his right hand before his eyes, clenched his fist, and a delighted smile spread across his face.
"Early-stage Soul Practitioner… yesterday's battle… such great gains…" he murmured. "Using the Enhancement Art to boost soul power is certainly a shortcut, but actual combat is indispensable. The road to becoming stronger is still very long!"
Having reached the Soul Practitioner realm, his first act was naturally to take out the skill scroll. He spent considerable time contemplating and comprehending the Bone and Blood Manipulation method specific to this realm. Finally, he put the scroll away, lowering his head in deep thought. "Bone and Blood Manipulation… it's far more complex and difficult than manipulating skin and flesh. I can only comprehend it step by step… Now then…"
With a thought, the various items within his spatial ring appeared vividly in his mind. He directed his soul power towards the two other scrolls he hadn't been able to retrieve before. This time, his perception was much clearer. He distinctly felt his soul power gently repelled by a force emanating from one scroll, preventing any approach. The other scroll, however, vanished in a flash the instant his soul power touched it, reappearing instantly in his hand.
Gazing at the white scroll in his hand, Bai Yunfei felt a surge of excitement. Impatiently, he channeled his soul power into it.
"Tidal Surge Technique," the information flowed into his consciousness. "Mid-tier Mortal-grade Soul Skill. Utilizes a unique method to control the explosive power and contraction/extension of muscles and arm bones, enabling the force of a punch to surge like overlapping waves, delivering the power of multiple strikes combined…" After absorbing the scroll's contents, Bai Yunfei carefully organized his thoughts. "A Soul Skill… requiring simultaneous manipulation of muscle and bone. No wonder it can only be cultivated after reaching the Soul Practitioner realm. That means the other scroll requires at least the Soul Warrior realm to use… Could that also contain a Soul Skill?"
"Moreover," his eyes lit up with realization, "after the Tidal Surge Technique, there's a spear technique described! That means…" Heart leaping with joy, his soul power swept through the spatial ring. A crimson spear, eight feet long, abruptly materialized in his grasp.
Bai Yunfei's hand dropped sharply, his wrist nearly buckling under the unexpected weight. "Bloody hell… this thing must weigh at least a hundred pounds! An ordinary person couldn't even lift it, let alone fight with it. No wonder I couldn't use it until becoming a Soul Practitioner!"
The spear was thick, its entire length a deep crimson, radiating a faint warmth. Where the blade met the shaft, three oval crystals were embedded, fiery red with a hint of translucence.
Bai Yunfei caressed the spear shaft lovingly, feeling the waves of warmth emanating from it. He was practically itching to go outside and try a few practice swings immediately.
Suddenly, he remembered something. Staring intently at the spear in his hands, he focused his mind.
Equipment Grade: Lower Inheritance. Attack Power: 586. Enhancement Requirement: 85 Soul Points.
Bai Yunfei's eyes bulged like saucers. His jaw hung slack for a long moment. He shook his head vigorously, as if to clear it, then checked again. "I… I bloody well… Attack Power 586?" he stammered incredulously. "What… what kind of concept is that?"
It took quite some time for Bai Yunfei to finally calm down. "Lower Inheritance? A grade I've never encountered before. And the initial enhancement requires 85 Soul Points… that's equivalent to enhancing a dagger from +1 to +10!"
"Right…" He laid the long spear across his lap. With a flick of his wrist, the weapon taken from Sect Leader Zhong appeared in his hand. In stark contrast to the spear, it felt icy cold to the touch, emanating faint wisps of chill. Near the hilt were three small characters: "寒冰刺" (Hánbīng Cì – Frostbite Spike), likely its name.
Equipment Grade: Lower Rare. Attack Power: 237. Enhancement Requirement: 63 Soul Points.
Bai Yunfei blinked in surprise. "Lower Rare? Another unfamiliar grade. It seems my understanding of this Enhancement Art is still sorely lacking…"
"These two weapons are clearly on a different level from the junk I bought off the street. Could these be the weapons used by Soul Masters? But then again… weapons with such formidable power shouldn't be commonplace. That Sect Leader Zhong only used an ordinary broadsword initially…"
"I wonder what will happen… after enhancing them…"
Thinking it, he acted. Bai Yunfei stored the heavy spear first; the Frostbite Spike's lower enhancement cost made it the logical starting point.
A few minutes later, Bai Yunfei looked down at the Frostbite Spike in his hand, a wry smile touching his lips. "Although the Soul Point cost per enhancement didn't increase, remaining fixed at sixty-three points… it's still not enough! My soul power is depleted!"
Equipment Grade: Lower Rare. Enhancement Level: +8. Attack Power: 237. Additional Attack Power: 89. Enhancement Requirement: 63 Soul Points.
He had been incredibly lucky, not failing a single enhancement attempt. Yet, after only eight enhancements, he felt his soul power nearing exhaustion. Even as an early-stage Soul Practitioner, he estimated his total Soul Power value was only around six hundred points.
Dawn had broken fully. Bai Yunfei didn't rush to continue his research. He sat down cross-legged to meditate and restore his soul power. Only when a knock came at the door, inviting him for breakfast, did he rise and leave his room…
......
When Bai Yunfei informed everyone he was heading to Blackwood Mountain, Li Chengfeng remained silent for a long while before abruptly stating his intention to accompany him.
Bai Yunfei understood. The hatred Li Chengfeng harbored for the bandits hadn't been quelled by wiping out Sect Leader Zhong's group; instead, gaining power had unleashed the resentment he'd suppressed. His burning desire now was to grow stronger, strong enough to eradicate all those who had inflicted such boundless suffering upon him. That was the true state of his heart.
In truth, Bai Yunfei could understand his feelings all too well. Wasn't he the same?
Li Chengfeng was originally from the Blackwood Mountain area and knew the terrain well. Now, as a Soul Master himself, his strength was considerable. The journey to Blackwood Mountain promised far greater danger than Bai Yunfei had initially imagined – he hadn't expected a mere bandit gang to harbor so many Soul Masters.
After only a moment's consideration, Bai Yunfei agreed to Li Chengfeng joining him.
......
Standing at the village entrance, gazing towards the distant forested mountains, Bai Yunfei's eyes seemed distant and unfocused. The sound of approaching footsteps snapped him out of his reverie. He turned to see Li Chengfeng approaching, a bundle slung over his shoulder, a trace of apology on his face.
"Young Master Bai, sorry to keep you waiting…"
Bai Yunfei waved dismissively with a smile. "It's nothing. We fought side by side; just call me Yunfei from now on. Is Ling'er settled? We shouldn't make her too sad…"
"Heh… alright. Then you just call me Chengfeng too; no need for formality." A happy smile spread across Li Chengfeng's face. "I've already promised Ling'er… once we return from Blackwood Mountain, I'll marry her and take care of her for life…" He glanced back towards the village, waving at the young girl standing by her doorway, her gaze fixed on him. Then, turning, he walked with Bai Yunfei down the forest path, their figures slowly vanishing into the distance.
With Li Chengfeng leading the way and both possessing considerable stamina, their progress was swift. In just three days, they reached the vicinity of Blackwood Mountain. According to Li Chengfeng, from this point onward, they entered the sphere of influence of the Blackwood Stronghold. Bands of bandits frequently roamed these parts, raiding nearby villages or ambushing merchant caravans.
Not far from Blackwood Mountain ran a main road connecting Falling Stone City to Ganling City in the northeast. Merchant caravans traveling between the two cities often used this route, making them prime targets for the bandits. The bandits weren't usually genocidal; as long as a satisfactory "toll" was paid, safe passage was granted. Refuse, and they killed and looted without mercy. Of course, passing without paying was possible – if one possessed the strength to back it up, such as having Soul Masters guarding the caravan.
As evening fell, the sounds of fierce combat erupted from a relatively open patch of woods. Two figures clashed and grappled, the thud-thud-thud of fists meeting flesh and bone carrying far enough to make any listener's own bones ache.
The combatants, however, clearly reveled in it. Sweat traced paths down their smiling faces as they simultaneously threw right hooks aimed at each other's left shoulders. The impact sent both stumbling back several paces, coming to a stop facing each other.
It was Bai Yunfei and Li Chengfeng.
"Let's end today's sparring here, Chengfeng," Bai Yunfei said, rubbing his left shoulder. He flicked his wrist, producing two waterskins and tossing one to Li Chengfeng. Leaning against a large tree behind him, he took several gulps. "Your muscle control is becoming incredibly precise. Your timing for explosive bursts is spot-on. I feel quite inferior!"
Li Chengfeng sat down on the ground, drank some water, and shook his head. "How could I be your match? It's only because you're suppressing your strength to my level that it seems that way. If you used the Tidal Surge Technique, I doubt I could withstand even a single punch."
"Your soul power only fully awakened a few days ago, and you're already nearing the mid-stage Soul Apprentice realm. I don't know how other Soul Masters progress, but you're much faster than I was back then. And I once thought my speed was impressive."
"Now, let's practice separately. I need to get more familiar with my spear technique to prepare for the battles ahead." He paused. "You're sure you don't want that Frostbite Spike? Its power far surpasses those two daggers."
"No," Li Chengfeng refused firmly, pulling two daggers from his waist and twirling them expertly in his hands. "These daggers are excellent. I don't think they're weak at all. I already feel indebted you gave them to me; I couldn't possibly take the Frostbite Spike too. Besides, I'm not used to a weapon that's only good for stabbing."
Bai Yunfei didn't press further. He stood up and walked a short distance away. With a sweep of his hand, the fiery, eight-foot-long spear materialized in his grasp. A wave of heat radiated outwards, palpable even to Li Chengfeng thirty meters away. Li Chengfeng watched the crimson spear, a flicker of envy in his eyes.
Bai Yunfei executed a simple flourish with the spear, then began his spear drills in earnest.
Sweep, thrust, upward flick, downward chop… Though he had only been practicing for three days, Bai Yunfei moved with remarkable fluidity. His speed increased rapidly until his form was enveloped in a swirling vortex of crimson spear shadows. From afar, he resembled a leaping flame.
Suddenly, Bai Yunfei froze mid-movement. The countless spear shadows dissipated instantly. With a sharp cry, he thrust the spear directly at the trunk of a massive tree easily requiring two men to encircle it.
At the moment of the thrust, the entire spear shaft erupted with a blinding crimson light! The three crystals near the spear tip blazed with radiant red energy, appearing as if engulfed in searing flame.
Thwip! The spear tip plunged into the tree trunk without the slightest resistance. The instant it penetrated, a fierce glint flashed in Bai Yunfei's eyes. "EXPLODE!" he roared.
BOOM!
Wooden shrapnel flew in all directions. Dazzling red light spilled from the cracks splitting the massive trunk. Then, the entire tree exploded violently! A heatwave, magnitudes fiercer than before, blasted outward in a shockwave. The colossal tree, thick enough for three men to embrace, began a slow, groaning descent backward. An entire section near its base had vanished, leaving behind a jagged stump charred black and smoldering…