Chapter 14

As he walked back to his cottage, Ye Wuxie quietly pondered the words Qi Shilong had just conveyed to him through telepathy.

Telepathy is a profound skill that can only be accessed once one's strength reaches a certain level. Just now, Qi Shilong used this skill to tell Ye Wuxie a reason that compelled him to participate in the Hundred Cities Battle.

The young man slowly walked along the stone-paved path. A gentle breeze blew, ruffling his black hair, and his handsome face appeared particularly calm, giving Ye Wuxie an added charm.

This scene caught the attention of the Murong clan's members, who looked at him with curiosity, admiration, inquiry, and respect. Especially some of the young girls, who for the first time found Ye Wuxie to be exceptionally handsome.

Ye Wuxie paid no attention to these gazes. He returned to his cottage, sat cross-legged on the bed, and began to meditate quietly.

Although his battle with Murong Tian was not difficult, it still consumed some of his essence. Despite the existence of the Holy Battle Law's essence, this time he was still a novice and had some difficulty controlling it. However, as he continuously summarized and improved, the power of the Holy Battle Qi would become increasingly strong.

Entering a meditative state, Ye Wuxie temporarily put everything aside. He understood that only by continuously growing stronger could he defeat Jun Shanlie, find Uncle Fu, and uncover Kong's past.

Strength is the foundation of everything, and this world is indeed cruel.

"Hum"

The Holy Battle Qi circulated within his body, and the golden-red qi and blood vibrated. Ye Wuxie took a few first-grade lower-rank essence-recovery pills and began to practice slowly...

An hour later.

The seated Ye Wuxie's body trembled slightly, and his tightly closed eyes suddenly opened. In an instant, he looked radiant. An hour of cultivation had completely restored his depleted essence, except for the wound on his shoulder from Murong Tian's claw, which would take a few more days to heal.

"Sigh, I am still so weak..."

Thinking of Jun Shanlie's strength, Ye Wuxie felt a sense of urgency, but he was not afraid. He firmly believed that in four years, he would definitely kill Jun Shanlie.

"Four years is enough."

A voice that had been silent for a long time sounded in Ye Wuxie's mind—it was Kong.

Jun Shanlie had given Ye Wuxie ten years, but Ye Wuxie had changed it to four years, a suggestion from Kong.

"Hehe, today's events have made your ten years of monotonous life much more exciting."

Kong's slightly teasing words made Ye Wuxie smile, his eyes gleaming. "I guess my days ahead will be endlessly exciting."

Reaching into his chest, he took out the Blood Dragon Jade. The blood-red dragon-shaped jade emitted a faint glow, smooth and warm to the touch.

"By the way, Kong, how credible do you think City Lord Qi's words are? He said he once saw this Blood Dragon Jade in the First Main City."

Apart from the ability to temporarily boost strength, the reason Qi Shilong ultimately convinced Ye Wuxie to represent Dragon Light Main City in the Hundred Cities Battle was that Qi Shilong told Ye Wuxie he had seen this Blood Dragon Jade in the First Main City. This Blood Dragon Jade was left by Uncle Fu, meaning that Qi Shilong was telling Ye Wuxie that there might be information about Uncle Fu in the First Main City.

"He wouldn't lie to you about this, as there is no reason to. Perhaps, in that First Main City, there really is some information about your Uncle Fu."

Nodding slightly, Ye Wuxie put the Blood Dragon Jade back in his chest.

Thinking of the Hundred Cities Battle, Ye Wuxie remembered the sword-wielding youth he met in the Ancient Forest and the Xifan Yingpo Realm cultivator he forced back with a single punch.

At that time, the sword-wielding youth, who called himself Feng Caichen, had said he looked forward to facing Ye Wuxie in the Hundred Cities Battle.

"It seems this Hundred Cities Battle will be quite interesting, and I'm starting to look forward to it."

His eyes flashed with a hint of anticipation.

"Creak"

Opening the door, Ye Wuxie walked out of the cottage. It was already night, with a bright moon hanging high in the sky, casting a gentle light.

Ye Wuxie headed towards where Murong Changqing was. Murong Changqing had been injured because of him, and Ye Wuxie needed to check on his recovery. Additionally, he wanted to ask Murong Changqing about Uncle Fu.

"Whoosh"

Moving like a shadow, Ye Wuxie sped along the stone path. Murong Changqing's residence was in the core area of the Murong family, quite a distance away.

"Hmm, it's Xian'er's residence."

A delicate and elegant two-story building appeared before Ye Wuxie's eyes. It was a building the Murong family had specially prepared for Xian'er, secluded and quiet, with no one usually disturbing her. Most Murong clan members would not come to disturb her either.

All the Murong clan members knew that Xian'er was of unfathomable strength, seemingly approachable but giving a sense of being in a different world, as if she would eventually disappear.

Only Ye Wuxie could be with Xian'er without any barriers, a fact that had once made many Murong clan members jealous.

"This little girl, I haven't seen her for a month."

Mentioning Xian'er, a hint of affection flashed in Ye Wuxie's eyes, the affection of a brother for his sister.

"It's been a long time since I last drank the tea Xian'er made. I can't forget that."

Smiling, Ye Wuxie's thoughts flashed, but his feet did not stop.

"Hum"

At that moment, a very unfamiliar yet intense fluctuation suddenly emanated from Xian'er's residence! This was followed by a faint but painful cry from a woman!

"Trouble! It's Xian'er!"

Although the cry was faint, Ye Wuxie instantly recognized it as coming from Xian'er!

"Whoosh"

His figure rapidly turned, and Ye Wuxie, channeling the Holy Battle Qi, rushed towards Xian'er's residence at top speed.

"Bang"

The tightly closed door was broken open by Ye Wuxie's brute force. The first-floor living room was empty, and the familiar Ye Wuxie did not stop. He quickly rushed upstairs. There, in Xian'er's bedroom, which no one except Xian'er herself had ever entered, he could not afford to hesitate.

"Screech"

The moment Ye Wuxie stepped onto the second floor, a high-pitched cry echoed in his ears, a sound that seemed noble, elegant, and filled with immense authority!

At the same time, Ye Wuxie's vision was flooded with blinding red light, and an intense heat hit him, causing his breath to catch.

Raising his arms to protect his face, Ye Wuxie strained to open his eyes and look forward. In the red light, on the bed, Xian'er lay quietly, her body drenched in sweat, her usually pure face now flushed, her delicate features contorted. Ye Wuxie could clearly feel that Xian'er was in great pain!

However, as Ye Wuxie's gaze moved up, his pupils instantly constricted!

He saw a three-foot-tall, red-light-encircled creature, resembling a bird, floating a yard above Xian'er's body. It had no physical form, existing only as a phantom soul.

The red-light bird emitted intense heat. Sensing Ye Wuxie's presence, it flapped its wings, and a wave of fiery spiritual energy was directed at the lying Xian'er.

As the fiery essence entered Xian'er's body, her expression became even more strained, clearly indicating she was enduring immense pain!

"Beast! How dare you!"

"Hum"

With a loud shout, Ye Wuxie channeled the Holy Battle Qi to its fullest, his golden-red qi and blood surging. He did not use any combat techniques but extended a hand, enveloped in Holy Battle Qi, to grab the red-light bird!

Ye Wuxie's first thought was to control the strange red-light bird, not to kill it, fearing it might harm Xian'er in the process.

"Whoosh"

His Holy Battle Qi-infused hand struck the red light surrounding the red-light bird but was met with resistance!

Sensing the threat from Ye Wuxie, the red-light bird flapped its wings more rapidly, as if trying to complete its task quickly!

"Break through!"

The Holy Battle Qi in Ye Wuxie's body seemed to boil. He would not allow any harm to come to Xian'er under his watch!

"Whoosh"

Finally, with all his might, Ye Wuxie's hand broke through the red light and grabbed the red-light bird!

"Too hot!"

The moment his hand touched the red-light bird, Ye Wuxie felt as if he had plunged it into a volcano!

"Zzz"

The burning sensation from his hand made Ye Wuxie realize it was bleeding!

But he still used all his strength to grab the red-light bird, determined not to let Xian'er come to any harm!

"Hum"

At the critical moment, the red-light bird suddenly trembled, and a golden light appeared! Then, Ye Wuxie felt a powerful force throw him back!

Stabilizing himself quickly, Ye Wuxie was about to strike again when Kong suddenly shouted, "Don't attack! This seems to be the True Spirit of the Phoenix Lady! No wonder I always felt this girl was not ordinary; she is a descendant of the Phoenix Lady! This will bring her great benefits! Do not act rashly..."

Kong's words made Ye Wuxie pause, stopping his attack. He looked at his right palm, which was already burned with a significant wound.

"Screech"

For some reason, the red-light bird suddenly emitted a golden light, seeming to gain a great benefit. It let out a long cry, full of joy, and then looked at Ye Wuxie!

"Thank... thank you... for... allowing... me... to... become... complete... Thank you... Golden... Heavenly... Path..."

A faint telepathic message sounded in Ye Wuxie's ear, which he could barely make out as a thank you from the red-light bird.

"Hum"

The red-light bird then flapped its wings, emitting a brilliant red light, enveloped in golden light, and with immense power, it entered Xian'er's body!

Instantly, all the red light in the room disappeared, as if nothing had happened.

Xian'er, lying on the bed, looked peaceful, no longer in pain, as if she were asleep.

Seeing Xian'er's current state, Ye Wuxie was still not entirely at ease. After some thought, he understood why Xian'er had not watched his battle with Murong Tian. Shaking his head, he finally walked to a chair beside Xian'er's bed, sat down, and closed his eyes to meditate.

He wanted to see Xian'er wake up and confirm she was fine before leaving.

The night was cool.

Time passed quickly as Ye Wuxie meditated... the night soon turned into morning...

Warm sunlight shone into the room of the small building. Xian'er, lying on the bed, fluttered her eyelashes and then opened her eyes. Her clear, water-like eyes immediately saw Ye Wuxie sitting beside her.