Chapter 1

Tianye City, a small city located in Qingzhou.

Twenty Chinese miles outside Tianye City, a mountain range gathers the three great clans of Tianye City: the Chen Clan, the Xiao Clan, and the Ling Clan.

The three clan heads were arguing fiercely on the mountaintop: 'Now Tianye City has given birth to a top-grade spirit vein; this spirit vein was first discovered by my Chen Clan. Are you Xiao and Ling Clans trying to take it from my Chen Clan?' 'Nonsense! Clan Head Chen, do you not find what you say laughable? Since ancient times, treasures go to the capable; this spirit vein will surely belong to my Xiao Clan!' In this world, spirit veins are undoubtedly of utmost importance to cultivators; spirit veins can give birth to spirit crystals, and spirit crystals not only serve as the universal currency of this world, but also aid in cultivation, for spirit crystals are born from spirit veins, containing pure spiritual energy. Their effects cannot be compared to ordinary outside cultivation.

At this moment, the head of the Ling Clan spoke: 'Gentlemen, how about this? Since all three clans want this spirit vein, if the older generation fights over it, it means war between our three clans. Instead, let us select ten youths from the younger generation to duel; whichever clan wins will claim the spirit vein, which would also be fair.'

The two clan heads thought it over; indeed, if the older generation fought over it, the consequences would be too severe. For a single spirit vein, causing war among the three great clans, they could not bear it.

'I have no objection.' 'I have no objection either.' Ling Clan head Ling Hai said: 'Since the two clan heads have no problem, let the duel be set three days from now. The rule is to draw lots for matches; whoever admits defeat cannot launch another killing blow.' Chen Clan head Chen Qing and Xiao Clan head Xiao Yun exchanged glances, both indicating no problem.

'Good, since there's no problem, Clan Head Chen, Clan Head Xiao, see you in three days.' Thus Ling Hai clasped his fists toward the two clan heads and then departed. Chen Qing and Xiao Yun also left one after another.

There are still three days left; they also need to go back and prepare.

Tianye City, the Ling Clan.

At this moment, Ling Hai was discussing with many clan elders: 'How is Ling Ye doing now? How much longer until his breakthrough?' Ling Hai asked. 'Clan head, he should break through in less than two days; Ling Ye is currently sprinting to the eighth layer of the Body Tempering Realm.' Elder Ling Du replied. 'Good, then. Our Ling Clan now has an extra hope in the struggle for the spirit vein.' This is also why Ling Hai set the duel day three days later.

Ling Ye, the Ling Clan's First Genius, reached the eighth layer of the Body Tempering Realm at age twelve. There is hope he will become a Condensing Qi Realm expert before the age of fourteen.

At this moment, Ling Ye was practicing fists behind the mountain; Body Tempering is the first step into cultivation. One must forge the body through countless trials, only then can one withstand the Condensing Qi Realm's condensation of spiritual power without suffering a bodily explosion.

At this moment, Ling Ye shattered a hole in a nearby willow tree with a single punch. Seeing this, Ling Ye wiped his sweat and said, 'If I keep going like this, I should be able to breakthrough tomorrow.'

'Big brother, you're still cultivating this late?'

'Ling Feng? How did you come over?'

The comer was precisely Ling Ye's younger brother, Ling Feng. He is the second person among the younger generation of the Ling Clan. Although they do not share the same mother, Ling Ye's mother disappeared when Ling Ye was very young; he once asked his father Ling Du, who only told him that his mother had gone to a faraway place. Ling Ye grew up alongside Ling Feng from childhood, and Ling Feng's mother also treated Ling Ye as her own son, causing the two brothers, though the same age, to have a very close relationship.

'Big brother, the clan head has sent me to tell you that the spirit vein duel will be in three days. The clan head tells you to prepare early.'

'In that case, Ling Feng, your timing is perfect; come spar with me.'

'Big brother, don't joke; how could I beat you?'

'Cut it out; others may not know, but I do—make your move quickly.'

Ling Feng acted extremely low-key in front of the clan; only Ling Ye knew his talent was keeping pace, even nearly catching up to his own. There's just one flaw: he's too low-key.

Ling Feng felt helpless. He set his stance and lunged forward with a quick step.

Ling Ye dared not be careless; he knew his younger brother's prowess.

Ling Feng used a Yellow Rank Middle Grade martial technique, Opening Mountain Fist. When mastered to perfection, this technique can shatter a massive boulder with a single punch.

On this Xuan Tian Continent, martial techniques are ranked in order as Yellow Rank, Xuan Rank, Earth Rank, Heaven Rank, King Rank, and Saint Rank.

Only the supreme sects of the Xuan Tian Continent possess King Rank. Saint Rank has not appeared for many years.

Ling Ye hastily dodged, bending his body to avoid Ling Feng's punch, then unleashed a Yellow Rank Middle Grade martial technique, Blazing Yang Palm.

Seeing this, Ling Feng leaned back, dodging Ling Ye's attack, then threw another Opening Mountain Fist aimed at Ling Ye's forehead, blasting forward.

Thus the two brothers exchanged punches and palms. After an unknown amount of time, both lay on the ground, bruised and swollen.

'I say, big brother, can't you go easier? You're killing me with pain.'

'You little brat, your strikes aren't light either.'

The two brothers just lay there and eventually fell asleep.

The next day, upon waking, Ling Ye discovered he had broken through to the eighth layer of the Body Tempering Realm, thinking it likely occurred during his fight with Ling Feng.

Thus he woke Ling Feng, and they went to the nearby waterfall to rinse off, change clothes, and then head back. Having not returned all night, their father was somewhat worried.

Thus the two brothers stripped naked and dove into the water.

At this moment, a sudden explosion sound rang out from the boundless forest beside the waterfall.

'Oh shoot, big brother, what's happening? Could it be that a master is dueling?'

This destructive power is beyond what the people of this small city can unleash.

'Ling Feng, quickly put on your clothes. Let's hide.'

Running was impossible to escape. Ling Ye felt that the battle's aftermath was drawing ever closer to them.

Ling Feng and Ling Ye brothers hastily fled into a cave.

At this moment, two figures appeared in the sky: a man and a woman.

The man wore a black robe, his age indiscernible. The woman had three thousand strands of black hair, clad in a white long dress; having fought the black-robed man, she was specked with dust, her visage strikingly beautiful. However, after such a prolonged battle, her breathing began to grow unsteady.

'Big brother, what's going on? How could such experts come to our tiny Tianye City?'

'How would I know? My goodness, they could wipe out Tianye City with a casual gesture. Quickly hold your breath and concentrate, don't let them detect our presence, or we're dead for sure—these people are not ones we can provoke.'

Hearing Ling Feng's call to hold breath and focus, the two brothers lowered their breathing to the minimum.

Then the black-robed man struck: he took a clay pot from his person, and instantly scorpions, centipedes, poisonous snakes, and various toxic creatures crawled out. He flicked his sleeve, sending the toxic creatures flying toward the woman.

The woman formed hand seals, creating a barrier before her. Influenced by the black-robed man, the toxic creatures fearlessly slammed into the barrier she had set up.

Below, Ling Ye saw their fierce battle and prepared to drag Ling Feng away secretly; home could not be returned to for the time being. Before them lay an endless open expanse; they could only run deeper into the forest.