Xuè Wúshēng leapt from the edge of the river cliff, his body hovering for a brief moment before landing squarely on a large stone in the midst of the rushing current. Water crashed around him, yet behind the rock, a waterfall tumbled straight down from the high cliff, producing a constant, oddly soothing sound.
He sat cross-legged on the wet surface of the stone.
Inhaling deeply…
Then exhaling slowly.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
His heartbeat gradually stabilized, and the storm raging in his mind began to subside. Then, Xuè Wúshēng closed his eyes, sitting upright like a seasoned cultivator who had long walked this path.
Silence enveloped the surroundings, broken only by the endless cascade of water.
Inside his body, three qi meridians remained tightly sealed—one in his abdomen, one in his chest, and the last on his forehead. Each contained a distinct qi, trapped behind layers as hard as shells.
Xuè Wúshēng began with the first meridian in his abdomen.
In his mind's eye, the lock appeared as a round shell with a thick, resilient surface. He directed his will inward, pressing gently but persistently. Tiny cracks began to appear.
Crack.
The fissure spread, and finally, the shell shattered completely.
Thick black qi surged forth, rushing out to envelop his entire body like a living fog of darkness.
Yet Xuè Wúshēng remained calm, his expression showing no trace of excitement.
Without hesitation, he moved to the second meridian in his chest.
This time, with the first qi as a foundation, the process was smoother. The pressure he applied grew stronger, until the second shell could no longer withstand it. With a silent snap, it shattered.
Dark purple qi poured out, spreading throughout his body and intertwining with the black qi already present. The two currents of energy swirled together, overlapping without conflict.
Finally, only one remained.
The meridian on his forehead.
Xuè Wúshēng directed both types of qi simultaneously, channeling them toward the final shell. But this time, the resistance was far greater. The shell felt denser, sturdier than the previous two.
The pressure intensified.
Xuè Wúshēng's brow furrowed. Sweat began to soak his forehead, dripping onto the stone. His breath grew heavy, yet the qi continued to flow relentlessly, pressed forward by sheer will, chipping at the shell.
Little by little…
Fine cracks began to appear on the surface.
"DOMMM—!"
A tremendous explosion erupted, shaking the entire area around the waterfall. The river churned violently, stones along the cliff trembled, and the waterfall itself seemed to pause for a moment before crashing down even more fiercely.
Xuè Wúshēng's body slowly lifted into the air.
Higher…
And higher.
His eyes remained tightly closed, yet the waves of energy radiating from his body created suffocating pressure. The space around him trembled violently, as if unable to contain the sheer presence of his power.
At the same time, the three types of qi within him erupted outward. Black qi, dark purple qi, and red qi twisted together, spiraling through the air to form a massive vortex in the sky.
Then—
Xuè Wúshēng opened his eyes.
His irises were now a deep, blood-red, like freshly spilled blood. His gaze was calm, cold, yet filled with a terrifying authority. Slowly, he lowered his eyes to his hands.
Three different qi coiled around his arms, blending together as they spun and roared softly, like living creatures submitting to his will.
Xuè Wúshēng's lips curved upward slightly.
A thin smile—subtle, yet filled with satisfaction.
At last…
His full strength had returned.
One hundred percent.
The same power
that had once crushed the Immortals
and shaken the entire world of Tianxia.
"Hahahaha… hahahaha… HAHAHAHA!"
Xuè Wúshēng's laughter rang out unrestrained, wild and drenched in madness. His body spun freely in the air, wrapped within a howling vortex of qi.
"At last…" His voice trembled with cruel satisfaction.
"I have reclaimed the King of Cruelty, the King of Destruction, the King of Darkness!"
His deep crimson eyes shone sharply, piercing the heavens.
"My friends… let us destroy this world and annihilate Tiān Jūn!"
"Hahahaha… hahahaha!"
But in the midst of that frenzied laughter—
"Young Master! Young Master!"
That gentle voice echoed faintly from below, nearly swallowed by the roar of the waterfall and the raging qi.
Xuè Wúshēng froze.
"Hm?"
He looked down. His red eyes narrowed as he caught sight of Yun Rou standing below, waving toward him with a face full of worry.
At that very moment, the raging fury within his chest subsided without warning. The roaring qi grew calm, and the vortex in the air slowly unraveled. Somehow, his heart felt at ease—like a lake returning to stillness after a storm.
Xuè Wúshēng let out a long sigh.
"Perhaps… we'll destroy the world another day," he murmured softly, almost joking.
His body descended slowly.
Yun Rou's eyes widened as she watched her young master floating above the water.
Everything had changed.
Xuè Wúshēng no longer resembled an eighteen-year-old youth. His shoulders were broader, his muscles clearly defined, and his height exceeded what it once had been. Even the aura he exuded was different—calm, yet overwhelmingly oppressive.
"Well, Yun Rou?" Xuè Wúshēng said, planting his hands on his hips.
"Surprised by your young master's transformation?"
But Yun Rou did not answer.
Tears streamed down her cheeks without her realizing it. Not from fear. Not from sorrow. Her heart was filled with relief and joy. At last, her young master could truly walk the path of cultivation.
"Why are you crying?" Xuè Wúshēng asked, slightly puzzled.
"Congratulations, Young Master," Yun Rou said sincerely, bowing deeply.
"Ah, it's nothing," Xuè Wúshēng replied, waving his hand dismissively. Then he suddenly wrinkled his nose, catching the foul smell coming from his own body.
"Wait here. I need to clean myself."
"I will place your clothes here, Young Master," Yun Rou said. "I'll head back up first. I want to prepare a special meal for you."
Xuè Wúshēng smiled. "That sounds good. Cook plenty. I'm truly starving now."
"Yes," Yun Rou replied. With light steps and a joyful heart, she climbed the stairs back up.
Xuè Wúshēng watched her leave, then slowly submerged his body into the cold water. The water washed over his skin, carrying away the stench and the remnants of exhaustion.
"Why does my intent always change whenever I see Yun Rou…" he murmured softly.
"Is it because I now reside in this boy's body?"
He let out a long breath and allowed himself to float calmly on the water's surface, his gaze fixed on the vast sky above.
"Either way," he thought,
"I no longer have a reason to slaughter everyone in this world."
Xuè Wúshēng closed his eyes.
"I am no longer the Xuè Wúshēng of the past."
***
That night, Yun Rou worked diligently to prepare a variety of dishes. The dining table was filled with steaming, fragrant meals. Xuè Wúshēng ate with great appetite, leaving not a single bite behind.
"Delicious… absolutely delicious," he said, his mouth still full.
Yun Rou, who was also sitting across from him, smiled faintly, clearly pleased to see her young master enjoying her cooking.
"How old are you now, Yun Rou?" Xuè Wúshēng asked suddenly, without lifting his gaze.
"The same as you, Young Master," she replied.
Xuè Wúshēng raised his head slightly, looking toward her. "How long have you been with me?"
"Since I was ten years old," Yun Rou answered calmly.
"Ten years?" he repeated slowly.
"My mother served as a maid to your mother," Yun Rou continued. "My father was her personal guard."
Xuè Wúshēng paused mid-bite. "Where are they now?"
Yun Rou's movements froze. Her expression shifted, and Xuè Wúshēng noticed the change immediately.
"What is it?" he asked.
"My parents passed away a long time ago," Yun Rou said softly. "They died while escorting your mother on a journey."
"Died how?"
"Their convoy was attacked by demons," she replied.
Xuè Wúshēng nodded in understanding. Yet Yun Rou continued to look at him.
"Your mother also perished in that attack," she added.
Xuè Wúshēng met her gaze without any change in expression. He had no memory of the woman, so the news left no trace in his heart.
"It's all in the past now, Yun Rou," he said briefly.
Yun Rou nodded and returned to her meal.
"What is my father's name?" Xuè Wúshēng asked.
"Xuè Tiānhóng," she replied.
"And my older brothers?"
"The eldest is Xuè Wútiān, and the second is Xuè Wúliè," Yun Rou explained.
"Are they strong?"
Yun Rou nodded. "The eldest is renowned for his strength. He often goes to the battlefield to fight monsters. The second is different—he is skilled in military strategy. He is currently stationed at the World Alliance."
"The World Alliance?" Xuè Wúshēng frowned. "What is that?"
"It's a coalition of the Murim Alliance, Dominic, and the royal palace," Yun Rou explained. "Its center is located in Cháng'ān City."
Xuè Wúshēng regarded her with mild curiosity. "How do you know all of this?"
"I have been with you for seven years, Young Master," Yun Rou said, smiling. "I often accompanied you while you studied. You taught me how to read and write."
Xuè Wúshēng fell silent for a moment.
"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I don't remember any of that."
"That's alright, Young Master," Yun Rou replied promptly. "If you wish to know anything, you only need to ask me."
Xuè Wúshēng placed the empty chicken bone into his bowl and took a sip of water.
"Tomorrow, I will enter the forest," he said.
Yun Rou looked up in surprise. "For what, Young Master?"
"To train," he replied calmly. "I want to know just how strong the monsters and demons roaming within that forest are."