Chapter 1

Xuan Zhe Continent, Dao Ling Shan

"Luo Ze, you're cultivating here? Look at how useless you are—laughable." A mocking voice rang out from the scene.

Luo Ze turned his head, his expression darkening, and said coldly: "Tian Ye, my brother's nearby. What are you planning?"

This Luo Ze was the younger brother of Dao Ling Shan's prodigy, Luo Ling—just an eight-year-old child. His features were delicate, his bangs barely above his eyebrows. Though only eight, he was sharp and clever. Dressed in a black Dao robe, he looked strikingly handsome, yet with the innocence of childhood, radiating cuteness. But his physique was peculiar—he possessed no Xuan Qi whatsoever, unable to cultivate.

Though he had no strength, few dared provoke him. For on Dao Ling Shan, there was a prodigy youth named Luo Ling—his elder brother—who treated him exceptionally well, protecting him since childhood. Thus, Luo Ze lived quite comfortably on Xuan Zhe Continent.

Tian Ye laughed heartily: "Your brother? You think I'm afraid of him? Today, I came specifically to beat your brother. On this tiny Dao Ling Shan, I declare myself the top prodigy—who dares compare with me?"

This Tian Ye had arrived at Dao Ling Shan last month with the Tian Family, as their heir. He'd immediately clashed with Luo Ling, harboring resentment. Since Luo Ling was rarely seen, Tian Ye came to provoke his younger brother, Luo Ze.

Luo Ze replied calmly: "Beat my brother? Have you forgotten how he humiliated you last time?"

Tian Ye still smiled: "When I first arrived, I truly couldn't match your brother. But this past month, I've cultivated into an Xuan Zhe. In my own realm, I'm invincible. Now, I am Dao Ling Shan's top prodigy. Honestly, I could make your brother kneel with just one finger."

One finger!

Luo Ze fell silent.

It wasn't untrue. As Tian Family's heir, Tian Ye possessed high talent and formidable strength—but also great arrogance. Upon arrival, he was hailed as Dao Ling Shan's second-greatest prodigy after Luo Ling. They'd fought before, and he'd merely been slightly outmatched. This past month, he'd resented it, training relentlessly. He now believed himself the true prodigy, and so he deliberately provoked Luo Ze to challenge Luo Ling and prove he was Dao Ling Shan's greatest youth.

Without another word, Tian Ye vanished. At once, Luo Ze's pupils shrank violently, his face paled, and he frantically swung his tiny fists—but to no effect. He was instantly subdued by Tian Ye's single move. Then, Tian Ye seized his throat with both hands.

This time, Tian Ye wasn't wasting words—he struck directly!

Luo Ze had no chance to resist Tian Ye at all.

"Ow! It hurts, Tian Ye! Let go of me!" Luo Ze shouted angrily.

A flash of fury crossed Luo Ze's eyes. He hadn't expected Tian Ye to truly attack him. He suddenly felt utterly useless—why couldn't he even fight back? Why must he rely on his brother? At that moment, he desperately wanted to cultivate, to become as strong as his brother.

"Enough talking. Bring your brother. I challenge him!" Tian Ye sneered.

At that instant, a blade of light flashed toward him. Tian Ye's expression changed slightly; he immediately released Luo Ze and punched the blade of light. It shattered, and Tian Ye was flung back several zhang.

Tian Ye's eyes held a trace of disdain. "That's it? Let you see who the real prodigy is. Not just me—my Tian Family will dominate Dao Ling Shan!"

No sooner had he spoken than another blade of light arrived. Tian Ye narrowed his eyes, clenched his fists, and growled: "Mountain Crushing Earth Splitting!" Golden light surged from his fists as he slammed them toward the blade of light.

Boom!

The blade of light shattered again. Tian Ye retreated several zhang. The collision was evenly matched.

Tian Ye's expression grew serious. He hadn't expected—

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This Luo Ling was a Sword Cultivator. Sword Cultivators possess extraordinary combat power within their own realm. Yet during their previous fight, Luo Ling hadn't used his sword—he'd fought with fists alone, and still Tian Ye had been at a disadvantage. Now he realized: Luo Ling was truly terrifying.

Moments later, a youth stood opposite Tian Ye. The boy was elegant and commanding, clad in blue-and-white robes, a sword hanging at his waist. Sixteen or seventeen, his appearance was undeniably handsome, bearing a slight resemblance to Luo Ze.

Upon seeing Luo Ling, Luo Ze's face crumpled with grievance: "Brother, he bullied me." His childish voice rang out, tears already glistening in his eyes.

Yes—the newcomer was none other than Dao Ling Shan's prodigy youth, Luo Ze's elder brother, Luo Ling!

Luo Ling looked at Luo Ze. Seeing his brother's condition and the marks on his neck, his face darkened instantly. He turned to Tian Ye, and for once, anger flashed across his face.

On Dao Ling Shan, who didn't know Luo Ling cherished his younger brother above all? Even those bold enough to provoke Luo Ling dared not touch his brother. One could say: provoke Luo Ling, you might survive. But provoke his brother—he'll fight you to the death.

"Sword Cultivator? Come, let me see—" Tian Ye's words were cut short as a blade of light slashed toward him. Blue radiance flickered within the blade—this was no casual strike. This time, Luo Ling was serious.

No more words—he struck immediately!

Tian Ye's face turned ashen. He hadn't expected this man to attack without warning. He could only defend—crossing his arms to block. The blade struck. Tian Ye was instantly flung backward—over a hundred zhang away.

Far off, Tian Ye's body split open, blood oozing. His eyes glazed over in shock. What was this? So powerful? He couldn't even block this sword strike—he'd grossly underestimated Luo Ling. He was immobilized. This single strike had nearly killed him.

At that moment, Luo Ling, from afar, said coldly: "You think you're strong? I don't even regard your Tian Family."

Before he finished, Luo Ling vanished and reappeared instantly, stomping directly onto Tian Ye's face with contempt: "What are you? How dare you claim to be my equal as Dao Ling Shan's prodigy? I've hated you for ages. You dared touch my brother? Go home and eat your dinner!"

He slammed his foot down hard. Tian Ye's eyes bulged wide, unable to speak—his breath ceased.

Killed outright!

Luo Ling glared fiercely toward the Tian Family's direction, then returned to Luo Ze's side. He caressed Luo Ze's soft cheek, wiped away the lingering tears, and hugged him gently: "Xiao Ze, it's okay now. This time, it's my fault—you got bullied. I'll protect you. Never again. No one will ever dare." Then he picked Luo Ze up on his back and headed home.

On the way, Luo Ze said: "Brother, I've caused you trouble again. You killed Tian Ye—his family won't let this go."

"Don't worry," Luo Ling comforted him. "We're not afraid. Whoever bullies you—I'll crush them."

The two brothers, bound by deep affection, chatted happily all the way until they vanished into the distance.

Tian Family.

A mysterious clan that had arrived at Dao Ling Shan just a month ago. The top forces of Dao Ling Shan had not intervened—on the contrary, they'd shown signs of courting favor. No one knew what power this clan truly was.

That day, in the Tian Family's grand hall, a black-robed elder knelt on the ground: "Family Head, I apologize. I was in seclusion for ten days—I didn't expect the heir to…"

Chii! A slash of light cut through the hall.

Before he finished speaking, his head rolled off.

"What trash? Useless! The heir is dead—you're guilty of a thousand deaths! Bring me his nine clans and exterminate them all." A voice—

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came from deep within the hall.

Tian Family Head!

The voice belonged to the Tian Family Head—heard, unseen. A black shadow flashed by. "As you command!" It turned to leave.

"Wait," the Family Head's voice came again. The shadow halted.

"In one day, I want the heads of that boy and his brother." The voice carried fury. The shadow bowed slightly, then vanished.

Luo Family.

The two brothers returned home. Night had fallen. Luo Ze leaned back in his chair, holding an unnamed Ancient Record, reading it with rapt attention.

Luo Ling brought a basin of hot water to clean his brother's wounds. Looking at his younger brother, he felt an inexplicable warmth. He treated Luo Ze well—because now, the Luo Family had only these two brothers left. Long ago, their parents had vanished. He'd raised Luo Ze since childhood, and Luo Ze had become his only anchor.

Luo Ling gazed at the marks on Luo Ze's neck. His heart pierced like a blade. His expression turned icy. He silently vowed: "Whoever harms my brother—I'll exterminate their entire clan!"

"What's wrong?" A childish voice suddenly spoke. Hearing it, Luo Ling looked at Luo Ze. The coldness on his face softened. "Xiao Ze, come here. Let me heal your wounds. The injuries you suffered today—I'll make the Tian Family pay a hundredfold!" Then he began tending to Luo Ze's wounds.

After Luo Ze finished listening, a subtle shift flickered through his eyes—Luo Ling didn't notice that the corners of his mouth were quietly lifting.

A long while later, in bed, the two brothers prepared to sleep.

"Brother, I'm a little scared. The Tian Family won't let us off!" Luo Ze suddenly said.

Luo Ling, who had been about to fall asleep, suddenly opened his eyes! After thinking for a long while, he sat up and looked at Luo Ze's profile beside him—such a delicate face, the small round cheeks flushed a faint pink under the lamplight. Luo Ling couldn't help but kiss his cheek.

After being kissed, the flush on Luo Ze's little face seemed to deepen. His voice a little heavy, he said, "Brother... am I really useless? I can't help you at all..." Little Ze reproached himself.

Luo Ling came back to himself, looked Luo Ze straight in the eyes, and said seriously, "Little brother, you might have a bit of a misunderstanding about your brother's strength, haha. I won't pretend anymore—your brother, me! Invincible at Dao Ling Shan!"

Invincible at Dao Ling Shan?

After hearing this, Luo Ze's face showed shock, as if he didn't quite believe it, but he still answered earnestly, "Really, Brother? Don't lie to me." Luo Ze knew his brother was very strong—the most monstrous genius of Dao Ling Shan—but in truth he didn't know exactly how strong Luo Ling had become.

Normally he had seen his brother fight, but it seemed his strength was only slightly better than those of the same generation at Dao Ling Shan. But looking at Dao Ling Shan as a whole, there were still many powerful elders around, so saying "invincible" made him feel his brother was just bragging.

"It's true. Tomorrow morning, Brother will take you to slaughter the Tian Clan. Sleep easy—Brother is right here, no one can touch you, haha." Luo Ling's face was full of confidence!

"Alright, then I believe you, Brother!" Luo Ze hurriedly chimed in. Although he didn't quite believe Luo Ling's words, he had nothing left but his brother—whatever his brother said went!

Luo Ling stroked Luo Ze's face and said softly, "Good little brother, go to sleep. Even if the sky falls, Brother will hold it up!" After Luo Ze finished speaking, he turned off the lamp, and the room began to darken.

After hearing his brother's words, Luo Ze fell into a peaceful sleep, the corners of his mouth still carrying a faint trace of a smile. Beside him, Luo Ling looked at Luo Ze through the moonlight, a look of resolve settling on his face!

Brother will protect you for a lifetime!

His palm opened flat, and a blue sword appeared in Luo Ling's hand. At this moment, only he could feel that this sword was undergoing earth-shattering changes!

……

(End of chapter)