Am I… going to die here?
The thought had barely formed when Wang Fang spat out a mouthful of blood. His vision blurred, his legs trembling as an overwhelming pressure crushed down upon him like a mountain.
"Disciple greets Great Master Zhao Taixu!"
Yao quickly clasped her fists and bowed deeply.
The instant Zhao Taixu's gaze landed on her, the terrifying pressure vanished as if it had never existed.
"You brat," Zhao Taixu said coldly. "You dared to run away from your training hall?"
Yao scratched her head awkwardly and let out a nervous laugh.
"Haha… Master, I was just testing my strength. That's why I came out here."
"Testing your strength?" Taixu snorted. "If you wished to test yourself, you should have gone to the Trial Grounds. That is where techniques are refined and power is tempered—not wandering outside."
His eyes then shifted toward Wang Fang.
"And who is this boy?"
Yao turned around and froze.
"Ah no way! You're still standing after that pressure my master released?!"
She quickly pointed at Wang Fang.
"Master, he helped me defeat two Tier-3 Ironhide Boars!"
Zhao Taixu's brows furrowed.
He examined Wang Fang carefully. His breathing was ragged, his body clearly injured, yet his spine remained straight, his feet firmly planted on the ground.
"…Body Tempering Realm," Taixu muttered.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
How did he survive?
Even after I adjusted my pressure for Yao, a mere Body Tempering cultivator should have collapsed
or at least fainted.
Taixu shook his head inwardly.
Perhaps I'm overthinking it. Even Yao didn't complain this time.
"You used that technique?" Taixu asked suddenly.
"Yes, Master," Yao replied softly. "I had no choice."
Zhao Taixu opened his mouth to scold her—then stopped. He exhaled slowly, calming himself.
"Then I have no choice."
"Huh?" Yao stiffened. Master, what do you mean?"
"I must kill that child."
Those words struck Wang Fang like a thunderbolt.
I knew it, I'm really going to die.
As Zhao Taixu stepped forward, Yao rushed in front of him and knelt heavily on the ground.
"Please, Master!" she cried. "If not for him, I would be dead! I wouldn't even be standing here!"
"You are a disciple of the Crimson Sun Sect, Taixu said calmly. "You know the rules. That technique is forbidden to be seen by outsiders."
He paused briefly, then added,
"Still… I am glad you used it to protect yourself."
But Master"
"I must kill him," Taixu said firmly, leaving no room for argument.
Wang Fang clenched his fists.
Mother… I'm sorry. I don't think I'll live to see you again.
Zhao Taixu walked up to him and stopped.
"Which sect are you from?" he asked.
"Sect?" Wang Fang replied weakly. "I'm just, from an ordinary village."
Taixu stared at him in silence.
Wang Fang met his gaze—steady and unflinching, neither begging nor trembling.
After a long moment, Zhao Taixu placed a hand on Wang Fang's shoulder.
Very well."
"As long as you are not from those sects," Taixu said, "you may go."
Wang Fang slowly straightened himself and bowed slightly.
"Thank you, sir."
Without hesitation, without fear, he picked up the Tier-3 beast and the Tier-1 beast beside him and turned to leave—his steps steady, his eyes calm.
"Wait."
Wang Fang stopped.
"Will you be my disciple?" Zhao Taixu asked.
Yao's eyes widened in shock.
Wang Fang turned back and replied calmly,
"I appreciate the offer, sir… but I have family I must protect."
Zhao Taixu chuckled faintly.
"Very well. I won't force you."
Wang Fang nodded once more and left.
"And that's what happened, Granny," Wang Fang finished.
Old Lady Shen fell silent for a long moment.
"So… those are the people you encountered," she said quietly.
She placed a hand on his shoulder.
Child," she said gently, "do not involve yourself with those sects."
"Why?" Wang Fang asked.
Old Lady Shen did not answer immediately.
If they discover his Old Era Bloodline…
If they learn he is just a boy from a small village…
He will become nothing more than a stepping stone on their path to higher realms.
Instead, she smiled faintly and said,
Don't worry, You will understand one day