Chapter 1

In the scorching heat, the blazing sun hung high in the sky.

The sky was still dimly lit, yet many of the outer disciples of the Su family had already risen, rushing to the training ground to begin their arduous daily practice.

But there was one wooden house where the door remained closed, and no smoke rose from the chimney, making it seem unusually quiet.

Su Yang looked at his bedridden father, feeling a surge of intense anger in his chest. His hands clenched tightly, and he didn't even notice when his nails cut into his palms.

"Yang'er."

Father Su Qingshan opened his eyes. Though he was nearly forty, his hair was already white, and his entire body exuded a sense of weakness. He said to Su Yang, "After a few days of rest, I feel much better. Today, you can grind the herbs for me. As for the arena battle, don't go. It's better to avoid trouble."

Su Yang shook his head. "Father, I have made up my mind, and I will not change it!"

Taking a deep breath, Su Yang continued, "You once taught me that a man must be able to bend and stretch, and never give up. But I cannot tolerate this. Even if it means risking my life, I must seek justice!"

As he spoke, Su Yang's eyes turned red, and a fierce aura emanated from his entire body, like a raging beast.

The two of them were part of a branch family. Three years ago, the branch family fell apart, and Su Qingshan brought Su Yang to seek refuge with the Su clan. Due to their low status, they were assigned as outer disciples. Although they received no stipend, they at least had a roof over their heads and didn't have to endure the elements.

Su Yang was passionate about martial arts. Upon joining the Su clan, he devoted himself entirely to cultivation. Su Qingshan, a kind father, saw Su Yang's diligence and went to the back mountain every day to gather medicinal herbs to assist his son's cultivation.

For three years, he never missed a day, even in the midst of storms and heavy rain.

Half a month ago, Su Qingshan found a Body Tempering Grass in the back mountain.

Body Tempering Grass is a first-grade spiritual material that can strengthen bones and is extremely beneficial for martial artists in the Body Tempering stage. If sold, it could fetch at least five hundred taels of silver, enough to provide for the two of them for several years.

But Su Qingshan did not sell it. Instead, he carefully stored it, planning to use it to make a medicinal soup for Su Yang, hoping to help him break through and see the excited smile on his face.

After all, he was a father, and his child's happiness was his greatest comfort.

However, on his way home, Su Qingshan encountered Su Linchuan and Su Yuning, who had just returned from a training trip in the back mountain.

Su Yuning was a beauty of the Su family, with a seductive figure. Su Linchuan, who was pursuing Su Yuning, saw the Body Tempering Grass in Su Qingshan's hand and, without a word, snatched it away, saying he would use it to heal Su Yuning. He left a few taels of silver and walked away.

Who was Su Linchuan?

His brother, Su Linfeng, was a prodigy with cultivation already reaching the Soul Refining stage. In the outer disciples of the Su family, he ranked among the top twenty and was a well-known young hero.

Su Linchuan himself was also talented, now at the late stage of the Strength Cultivation realm. With his brother as a backing, he was known for his arrogance and brutality.

If someone else had encountered such a situation, they would have just sighed and blamed their bad luck, as Su Linchuan was notorious, and provoking him could lead to a violent confrontation.

But Su Qingshan did not back down.

This Body Tempering Grass was something he had worked hard to obtain. If Su Yang consumed it, it could strengthen his body, sparing him the daily hardships of cultivation.

To reclaim the Body Tempering Grass, Su Qingshan immediately confronted Su Linchuan and pleaded for its return. However, Su Linchuan ignored him and broke Su Qingshan's arm.

When Su Yang saw his father fall to the ground, he felt that he had failed as a son. He immediately went to the clan to seek justice, but the clan not only ignored him but also sided with Su Linchuan.

After a heated argument, Su Yang proposed a duel with Su Linchuan to settle the matter.

If Su Yang lost, he would serve Su Linchuan for ten years, willing to be his slave. But if Su Linchuan lost, he would have to return the Body Tempering Grass and the Heavenly Heart Flower, a second-grade spiritual material, as compensation for Su Qingshan's injuries.

The Heavenly Heart Flower could quickly heal internal injuries and was particularly effective for Su Qingshan's broken bones.

To help his father recover, Su Yang was willing to take the risk.

As he said, a man must endure some things, but there are others that, even at the cost of his life, he cannot tolerate. If he allowed his father to be beaten and remained silent, he would not be a man.

Feeling Su Yang's anger, Su Qingshan sighed, "Yang'er, I have burdened you. I am useless and cannot provide you with good cultivation conditions. Now, I am making you take such a risk, and I feel very guilty."

"Since Mother's death, you have raised me, enduring so much hardship and resentment. I understand all of this. From today, I will help you carry the burden and share your sorrows. You are my father, and I am your son. If you are well, that is my greatest comfort."

Su Yang patted his chest, finally speaking the words that had been suppressed in his heart for years.

Su Qingshan was slightly stunned and asked, "Yang'er, since you fainted in the back mountain last month, I have felt that you have changed. You have become more confident, your voice is deeper and more powerful, and you are full of fighting spirit. Are you hiding something from me?"

"I am sixteen now and understand many things. Father, you don't need to worry too much." Su Yang deflected the question and said, "It's about time. I'll go to the training ground now."

With that, Su Yang walked out of the door, his chest held high.

At the same time, in the training ground.

The news of Su Yang's duel with Su Linchuan had spread, attracting many onlookers. The training ground was crowded with people, all there to watch the spectacle.

Most of these disciples were from the clan, and their daily cultivation was monotonous. Hearing about the duel, they rushed over, eager for some entertainment.

In the center of the crowd stood a red-clad girl, sixteen years old. Though still a young woman, her figure was well-developed, and her alluring eyes and brows drew everyone's attention.

"Sister Ning, what do you think of this?"

A green-clad girl tugged at Su Yuning's sleeve and sighed, "Su Yang is from a branch family and only at the mid-stage of the Strength Cultivation realm. If he really goes to the arena, he will surely be beaten to death by Su Linchuan."

In the martial path, the hierarchy is strict.

Even a single realm difference can result in a significant gap in strength. Moreover, Su Linchuan had daily guidance from Su Linfeng, making him far superior to Su Yang.

If Su Linchuan really wanted to kill Su Yang, Su Yang would have no chance to defend himself.

"You also mention that Su Yang is from a branch family. A branch family member has a lower status than a servant. If he dies, who would care?"

The green-clad girl was taken aback but then heard Su Yuning continue, "I was injured during my training, and Su Qingshan should have given me the Body Tempering Grass to heal. Instead, he hid it and ignored me. This is their own fault."

With that, Su Yuning turned her gaze away from the green-clad girl and focused on the arena.

"Su Yang and Su Linchuan are here!"

A voice rang out, and the crowd turned to look at the entrance.

Su Linchuan, dressed in a black robe, walked in with a proud air, his imposing figure exuding arrogance.

In contrast, Su Yang was rather unremarkable. At first glance, everyone's attention was on Su Linchuan, and Su Yang was completely ignored.

Perhaps from the beginning, the crowd had never paid attention to Su Yang.

But Su Yang paid no mind, his gaze fixed ahead, his chest held high, as if everything and everyone else were mere passing clouds.

The two of them climbed onto the arena.

Su Linchuan looked at Su Yang, expecting to see him kneeling and begging for mercy. Instead, Su Yang stood tall and confident, which disappointed and angered Su Linchuan.

"Su Yang, once we step onto the arena, life and death are no longer related. But don't worry, I won't kill you. I will break your limbs to show everyone the consequences of provoking me, Su Linchuan!"

Su Linchuan boasted, looking down his nose at Su Yang, as if he had already won before the battle began.

"Waste of time, talking nonsense."

At that moment, Su Yang opened his eyes and said coldly, "If you want to fight, do it quickly. Don't waste my time."

Su Linchuan's eyes turned dark. Su Yang, the so-called "waste," had the audacity to insult him and waste his time.

"Watch me cripple you!"

With that, Su Linchuan stepped forward, instantly rushing to Su Yang. His sword was drawn, emitting a sharp, piercing sound.

"What a fast sword. Su Linchuan's strength has increased."

"Su Yang had no chance to begin with, and now he's provoking Su Linchuan. He's truly asking for death."

The crowd chimed in, making Su Linchuan even more confident. He planned to defeat Su Yang with a single strike, showing off his prowess to win Su Yuning's favor.

"Is this considered fast?"

At that moment, a cold voice came from Su Yang.

He swung his arm, and a sword light flashed past, so fast that it was almost imperceptible.

Pfft!

The sound of the blade tearing through fabric slowly echoed.

To everyone's surprise, Su Yang remained motionless, still in the position of his strike. It was Su Linchuan who took a few steps back, a glaring sword mark appearing on his black robe.

In that instant—

The Su family disciples, who had been cheering, were now wide-eyed and speechless, as if their throats were blocked, unable to utter a single word.