Chapter 8: Hunted by the Shixue Meng

Dozens of willow branches shot out simultaneously, a torrential downpour of strikes, whipping and cracking against Ye Tianlong’s body! Fwip-fwap-CRACK!

“AGH!” Ye Tianlong cried out, pain lancing through him, but he desperately gripped the Wood Stone Sword tighter.

Sword out! Body dodges!

Gritting his teeth against the agony, Ye Tianlong charged forward!

He pushed off the ground!

His sword flashed like a coiling dragon, his movements agile like a startled rabbit. Swish! Swish!

The sound of air being torn apart, black blurs everywhere!

Ten breaths. Maybe six seconds.

Ye Tianlong was already covered in bleeding welts, collapsing onto the ground in a battered heap.

Heavenly Thunder Crystals rained down softly, knitting his wounds closed.

Ye Tianlong forced his eyes open, staring intently at the sword marks on the red temple door. The slashes seemed to leap and dance before his vision.

His nerves screamed.

In a daze, Ye Tianlong suddenly saw the black-robed elder’s Startling Wave Sword technique flash in his mind again. But this time… it felt different. The killing intent was hundreds, thousands of times more potent, the power amplified beyond belief!

BOOM!

A colossal wave crashed down on him! Beneath the crushing tide, countless inky black tentacles wrapped around him, dragging him down, down into the suffocating abyss of the deep sea!

Everything went black.

“Wake up!” Lao Mu’s voice boomed, like a thunderclap in his mind.

Ye Tianlong felt a powerful force dragging him back from the darkness.

He staggered to his feet, dazed and disoriented. “W-What… what just happened to me?”

“You entered a Jian Yu (Sword Domain),” Lao Mu stated after a moment of thought, his ancient voice resonating.

“Jian Yu? Sword Domain?”

“Correct. A Sword Domain is a conceptual space constructed entirely from sword intent. The creator uses their sword techniques to establish the domain. Within that domain, the power of their sword arts can be amplified hundreds, even thousands of times,” Lao Mu explained patiently.

Ye Tianlong stared, astonished. “But… how did I enter a Sword Domain? And the technique in there… it was the one used by that black-robed elder I fought!”

“No,” Lao Mu corrected him. “It was the Sword Domain of Tian Wai Yi Jian. You possess significant talent; you’ve already grasped the first level of its sword intent. What you experienced was a test from the technique itself. However… this time, you were caught unaware, completely lost within it. You missed the opportunity to comprehend anything.”

Ye Tianlong felt lost, frustrated. “Then… how do I get back into the Sword Domain?” he asked urgently.

“Train more.”

“HAAAH!” With a determined yell, Ye Tianlong gripped his sword and charged again!

Swish! Crack! Thump!

He was slammed back onto the ground almost instantly.

Get up, attack, get knocked down. Again, and again. Ye Tianlong repeated the process dozens of times. But now, whenever he stared at the sword marks, all he felt was the familiar, agonizing nerve pain. No strange visions, no Sword Domain.

“Calm your mind! Cultivation cannot be rushed!” Lao Mu scolded sharply, sensing Ye Tianlong’s growing frustration and impatience.

The words struck Ye Tianlong like a bolt of lightning!

Epiphany!

He suddenly felt a mysterious power surging through his meridians, pulsing, pushing! It felt like every pore on his body had burst open, drawing in the ambient True Qi around him, craving more, needing more!

Ye Tianlong immediately sat down cross-legged, focusing his breathing, synchronizing it with the intake of energy.

The rich True Qi permeating the Suspended Stone Island began pouring into Ye Tianlong’s body like a torrent, swirling around him, faster and faster, forming a vortex of pure energy with him at its eye!

BOOOOOOM!

A muffled explosion of power echoed through the space!

The energy storm subsided. Ye Tianlong slowly stood up, feeling the change.

Body Refining Realm, Sixth Layer!

He casually swung the Wood Stone Sword. Fwoosh! A wave of Sword Qi shot out, striking a nearby boulder. CRUMBLE! The rock shattered effortlessly.

“Elder Mu… thank you for your guidance,” Ye Tianlong bowed respectfully, genuinely grateful. “If not for your reminder, I might have gotten lost in obsession. Calming down allowed me to feel the changes in my body.”

A flicker of something akin to approval appeared on Lao Mu’s ancient face. “Good. Now… continue training!”

By the time Ye Tianlong finally exited the bone tablet space, the sky was already beginning to lighten with the first hints of dawn.

***

Meanwhile… Shixue Meng Headquarters.

A hidden, dark pavilion.

CRASH!

A ceramic cup slammed violently against the floor, shattering into dozens of pieces.

“WHAT?! Mission failure?” a voice roared, laced with fury. “How could they fail to capture one old woman and a little girl?! Who was assigned this mission?! Get in here, NOW!” The man speaking wore a black mask covering the upper half of his face and was dressed in fine black silk robes. His entire posture radiated uncontrollable anger.

This was the leader of the Shixue Meng, Shi Qing.

“My Lord, please calm your anger!” A group of black-robed cultivators dropped to their knees in unison.

Shi Qing let out a cold, sinister laugh. “Calm my anger? Who is going to calm the Master’s anger, hmm?! The person responsible for this operation – get out here!”

“My Lord!” a burly black-robed cultivator spoke up, trembling visibly. “It… it was just bad luck for those two targets! Someone intercepted and killed the assassin we dispatched! Please, My Lord, give me one more chance! I swear I won’t disappoint you!”

Shi Qing practically vibrated with rage. “I can give you a chance! But will the Master give us a second chance?! If the Master is angered, none of us will live to see another sunrise!”

Shi Qing paced back and forth frantically, radiating anxiety and fury.

The kneeling assassins kept their heads bowed low, awaiting judgment.

“My Lord,” a different voice cut through the tension. A tall, slender black-robed cultivator stepped forward confidently. “Your subordinate, Li Ze, is willing to resolve this matter for you.”

Shi Qing stopped pacing, his voice low and dangerous. “Oh? You have a plan? Let’s hear it.”

Li Ze immediately spoke, his voice smooth and assured. “My Lord, although the two Li family members escaped, my informants report that they were rescued by a pair of siblings. More importantly… these same siblings possess the key that the Master requires. Perhaps… we can apprehend the brother and sister instead. This would redeem our failure and appease the Master’s wrath.”

“The key!” Shi Qing gasped, his anger instantly replaced by manic excitement. He threw his head back and laughed loudly. “HAHAHAHA! Good! EXCELLENT news!”

Li Ze bowed deeply, but a subtle, cunning smile touched his lips as his eyes darted towards the ornate leader’s chair behind Shi Qing.

Shi Qing nodded, immensely pleased. “Very well! Li Ze, you will personally command this operation! Make those siblings pay the price for daring to interfere with the Shixue Meng!”

***

Half a month later. Baisha City.

This was a city perched high on a plateau. Looking out from within the city walls, one could see endless rolling sand dunes stretching to the horizon. Sand met sky, sky met sand – a vast, desolate panorama.

The city itself was bustling, filled with people from the Western Regions dressed in white robes, leading camels laden with exotic goods. The streets were crowded and lively.

Walking through the streets, Ye Tianlong cautiously scanned his surroundings. He couldn’t shake the feeling… that someone was watching them from the shadows.

“Brother, what’s wrong?” Ye Qing asked, noticing his tension.

Ye Tianlong didn’t spot anything specific. He shook his head. “Nothing. Maybe I’m just paranoid. Xiao Qing, put on your veil. We should be careful in this city.”

“Mm,” she nodded, covering the lower half of her face.

On a street corner, a flag bearing the Kunlun Sect’s snow peak symbol fluttered in the breeze – a Kunlun Sect apothecary.

Ye Tianlong led Ye Qing inside.

The shop was modestly sized but clean and well-organized, filled with the sharp, bitter-sweet scent of medicinal herbs.

“Welcome… Welcome to the Kunlun Apothecary. What herbs do you require?” The shopkeeper glanced up, his initial polite tone instantly cooling as he took in their dusty, travel-worn appearances.

Ye Tianlong glanced at himself, then at his sister. Messy clothes, covered in dust… No wonder the shopkeeper was judging them.

“I need Fire Spirit Pills,” Ye Tianlong stated plainly.

The shopkeeper’s expression turned indifferent. “Fire Spirit Pills are rare and extremely expensive. This humble shop doesn’t stock them.”

“Isn’t that a Fire Spirit Pill right there?” Ye Tianlong pointed to a small porcelain vial clearly visible on a shelf behind the counter.

A flicker of annoyance crossed the shopkeeper’s face. “Are you sure you can afford it? If you can’t pay, it’s a lot of trouble for me to put it back.”

Ye Tianlong wordlessly pulled out the token Arəya had given him and placed it firmly on the counter. “I have this.”

The shopkeeper’s hands trembled as he picked up the token. His voice immediately became fearful, stammering. “I… My apologies! I’ll fetch the medicine right away! M-My humble shop only has one vial…”

“Fine.”

“My deepest apologies! I failed to recognize Mount Tai! Please, honored Sir, forgive my rudeness!” The shopkeeper returned with the vial, his face plastered with an obsequious, fawning smile.

Ye Tianlong had seen plenty of snobs like this before. He took the vial and the token without another word and led Ye Qing out of the shop.

The shopkeeper hastily wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.

As soon as they stepped back out onto the street, that unnerving feeling of being watched enveloped Ye Tianlong again, stronger this time.

He leaned close to Ye Qing’s ear. “Something’s wrong with this place, Xiao Qing. We need to leave, now.”

“Okay, Brother. I trust you.” Ye Qing nodded, she felt the hostile atmosphere too.

The moment they passed through the city gates, Ye Tianlong urged the horse into a frantic gallop!

Thok! Thok!

Two arrows shot out from behind them, embedding themselves deep into the back of the carriage!

Ye Tianlong’s heart pounded. “Xiao Qing, don’t be scared!”

“Brother…” Ye Qing’s voice trembled slightly, but she added firmly, “I’m not scared.”

Ye Tianlong suppressed his rising anger, focusing on driving the carriage forward.

ROOOOAAAAAR!

A ferocious tiger’s roar echoed!

Suddenly, blocking the path directly in front of them, a massive tiger with white spots and terrifyingly bright eyes appeared! It snarled, radiating chilling killing intent. Faint sword light shimmered around it…

“This is… a Sword Domain!” Ye Tianlong exclaimed, recognizing the phenomenon instantly.

He yanked the reins, bringing the carriage to a screeching halt! He leaped down, drawing the Wood Stone Sword, assuming a defensive stance.

“Heh! A mere little escort driver actually recognizes a Sword Domain? Impressive!” A man in black robes materialized nearby, stepping out as if from thin air. It was Li Ze. “However… might I trouble you and your sister to accompany me for a little… chat… back at Shixue Meng headquarters?”

Ye Tianlong glared warily. “Shixue Meng! Who are you? What’s your connection to that old man from before?”

“My surname is Li. Given name, Ze. You may call me Li Ze.” The black-robed man strolled casually towards Ye Tianlong, completely relaxed. “As for the old man? Oh, you mean the assassin we sent after the Li family members?” He chuckled lightly. “That old fool is utterly insignificant. I’m not here for him. What I want… is the key that you two siblings possess.”

“Key?” Ye Tianlong’s mind raced.

Could it be… the bone tablet?!

The thought flashed through his mind like lightning.

Watching Li Ze approach steadily closer, Ye Tianlong roared defiantly, “We don’t have any damn key! Get away from us, or don’t blame me for attacking!”

Li Ze looked genuinely amused, as if Ye Tianlong had told a hilarious joke. “Hehe… Interesting. I’d quite like to see what this famous Escort Ye is capable of.”

Aura release! True Qi out!

Li Ze’s cultivation level became devastatingly clear. The pressure radiating from him was immense, crushing! He was a Wu Zun Jing (Martial Venerable Realm) cultivator! Third Layer!

Ye Tianlong gasped, shocked to his core. Martial Venerable Realm?! Three layers above Grandmaster?! But there was no escape. He had no choice but to fight!

“HYAAAH!” Ye Tianlong yelled, channeling all his FEAR into RAGE!

Wood Stone Sword out! Aura flared!

Li Ze actually let out a surprised chuckle. “You… How is this possible?! You’re only in the Body Refining Realm… yet you killed our assassin? I recall the one sent yesterday was quite skilled, Grandmaster Realm at least… You… this is simply unbelievable! To actually kill someone two entire major realms above you… Such talent is rare, perhaps nonexistent, across the entire Qian Yuan Continent!”

His tone shifted, becoming deadly serious. “But… wanting to fight me? You’re not qualified. Once we truly fight, you won’t stand a chance. You will die.”

Ye Tianlong sneered back, refusing to be intimidated. “I don’t care what realm you’re in! Enough talk! Come and kill me if you can!”

A flash of sword light shot diagonally towards Li Ze, fast as lightning, bright as a rainbow streaking across the sky!

“Still too hasty,” Li Ze commented calmly. He didn’t even seem to dodge. His figure blurred, flickered… and he was suddenly behind Ye Tianlong! He struck out with a vicious palm strike! WHAM!

Ye Tianlong pitched forward, spitting out a mouthful of blood! Cough! Splutter!

“Escort Ye’s physical resilience is truly unprecedented,” Li Ze mused, a spark of genuine curiosity in his eyes. “The density of your bones is rather remarkable…” He tilted his head slightly. “Perhaps… Escort Ye wouldn’t mind lending me a bone or two? For research purposes, of course.”

Ye Tianlong’s eyes blazed red with fury. “Like hell!”

He pushed off the ground explosively, his body following the sword’s path like an arrow shot from a bow! He lunged straight at Li Ze! Swish!

But the Wood Stone Sword suddenly stopped dead in mid-air, just an inch away from Li Ze’s chest! It felt… stuck, as if hitting an invisible wall! No matter how hard Ye Tianlong pushed, the sword tip wouldn’t advance even a fraction! Instead, the blade itself began to bend slowly upwards under the strain! Creeeak…

BANG!

Repelling true Qi exploded outwards from Li Ze!

A long tear appeared in Li Ze’s black robes from the deflected Sword Qi.

Ye Tianlong was thrown backward violently, crashing to the ground! Excruciating pain wracked his entire body! A wave of nausea hit him, and he coughed up another mouthful of blood. Urgh!

“Escort Ye, that wooden sword of yours is quite interesting,” Li Ze remarked conversationally, examining the tear in his robe. “And your sword techniques are novel indeed. Li Ze has certainly seen something new today.” He straightened up. “However, our little ‘chat’ is just about over. It’s time we departed for Shixue Meng headquarters.”

With that, Li Ze started walking towards the downed Ye Tianlong, reaching down as if to grab him by the collar.

Suddenly, a streak of brilliant cyan light shot towards them! FWOOSH!

“Stop right there!” a sharp female voice commanded!