"N-Nascent Soul?" blood leaking from the corner of his mouth. "Who are you people?"
The masked Nascent Soul cultivator didn't even bother to respond. Without hesitation, he lunged for the kill. It was clear these people were highly trained, wasting no time on talk.
"Well, well, well… I didn't expect you to be so reckless, baby boy Chu Feng," came a disembodied voice from all around them.
The Nascent Soul cultivator who had been poised to strike Grandmaster Chu Feng suddenly went rigid. An instant later, his head toppled from his shoulders.
Here's your passage, polished to the level of a Pulitzer-winning writer:
"Who…?" the leader of the group stammered, his voice trembling. But before he could utter another word, he and his men met the same fate as the Nascent Soul cultivator—silent, swift, and absolute.
For a moment, everything was still. Then, Grandmaster Chu Feng exhaled and spoke. "Blood Moon Guild Master… I know it's you."
"Oh? And what makes you so sure? My shadows could have ended them just as easily," came a voice, light and playful, yet tinged with menace.
"Because," Chu Feng sighed, sounding exasperated, "you're the only one who dares to call me baby boy Chu Feng."
A rich, amused laugh echoed through the night.
"So, who were they?" Chu Feng asked.
"You dont need to know" the Blood Moon Guild Master replied simply.
"Why!?" Grandmaster Chu Feng's eyes widened, what kind of answer was that? "Wh..."
But the Blood Moon Guild Master cut him off with a dismissive chuckle. "This is the second time I've saved you."
Chu Feng took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Yes, Senior. I will never forget this favor. Tell me—how can I repay you?"
"That's simple. Leave the Soaring Sword Sect and join the Blood Moon Guild as one of the Shadows."
Silence fell between them. Chu Feng frowned. "Guild Master, I know the Soaring Sword Sect has its flaws, but it was my wife's sect. She's buried there… my child too. I cannot abandon it."
"At most, the Soaring Sword Sect has a year left before it ceases to exist." the Blood Moon Guild Master simply stated.
Chu Feng's breath hitched. "What?" he whispered, barely believing his ears. "How can that happen?"
Even though the sect was no longer as powerful as it was in its heyday, it remained one of the three great sects of the kingdom, as its hidden cards were not something easily dealt with.
"Hmph. This power already has a peak Nascent Soul cultivator as its leader, and it has been plotting this for centuries, amassing hidden forces strong enough to withstand the aftermath of its actions. Leave the sect while you still can. You're valuable to us, but not to them."
Chu Feng reeled at the implications. What kind of ridiculos organization was that? Were they really this powerful?
Seeing his downcast expression the Blood Moon Guild Master remarked "You could still take your chances with the True Flame," amusement lacing his tone.
"But if these people apear again, wouldn't the True Flame already be theirs?"
"No. They in their atempt to silence you so they wont try again."
"Why?" Chu Feng asked, frowning.
"It isin't worth reveling themselve" he simply said.
With those final words, his presence vanished as if he had never been there.
Chu Feng let out a slow, measured breath. Damn it.
For now, he would return to the Long Clan estate. Though he had refused the Blood Moon Guild Master offer to officially join them, he never took offense. He maintained a surface-level relationship with them, one built on mutual benefit and respect.
Despite operating in the shadows, the Blood Moon Guild never crossed that invisible line. Chu Feng was certain that every major power—perhaps even the Royal Clan—had dealings with them.
Maybe… just maybe… joining them wouldn't be such a bad idea.
"But why?" Chu Feng murmured to himself. "If there is a organization that can raise this many experts, they must have a hidden cultivation ground rivaling the Three Great Sects and the Royal Family. Why risk it all just to take over the sect? There's something about the Soaring Sword Sect I don't know about?…"
As he mused, he consumed a handful of healing pills, focusing entirely on recovery.
Meanwhile, back in Dragon Fort City, the Xue family had finished their preparations for the move to Albus. Jin Fu had arranged for them to travel with his people since he also had business in the capital.
"Why don't you come with us?" pouted Xue Si, practically being dragged into the carriage by her mother.
She had assumed Xue San would be traveling with them. When she realized he wouldn't, she threw a tantrum.
"Xue Si, I already told you—I'm still a sect disciple, so I can't go just yet. But," he added with a smile, "you can take Fluffy with you."
At this, Xue Si stopped mid-tantrum, though she crossed her arms stubbornly. "Fine! But you have to bring me gifts when you visit."
"Yes, yes, I promise." Xue San chuckled.
"You'd better not get hurt, or I'll give you a beating," Xue Er chimed in from the side.Xue San knew that this was his sister's strange way of showing she cared for him and wanted him to be safe.
Laughter rippled through the family.
His mother stepped forward, pulling him into a tight embrace. "Make sure you eat properly… and don't forget to find a good girl to bring home next time."
"Mother, I'm still too young," Xue San protested.
"Nonsense! Your father wasn't much older when—"
"Ahem. That's enough, dear," Xue Chang interrupted, his face turning red—a rare sight from the usually stoic man.
Then, turning to Xue San, his expression grew serious. "Take care of yourself, son. And remember—if things get too difficult, you can always come back. I am still your father, and I can provide for our family. Don't push yourself too hard."
"Yes, Father," Xue San said with a nod. But deep down, he knew—there was no turning back for him now.
He was in too deep now, and for some reason, fate kept pulling him further.
"Brother-in-law, thank you for everything you've done for me," Cai Jin said as she bowed deeply.
"Sister-in-law, you don't have to thank me," Xue San replied. "It was the least I could do to repay you."
They had spoken in private earlier, and she had agreed not to tell the family that he was responsible for the massacre at Sakura Palace. Surprisingly, she approved of his actions. In her eyes, those people were worse than animals, and had she possessed the strength, she would have done the same.
"Uh... Ah... Goodbye, Uncle!" Little Xue Rou called out hesitantly from the side. She still wasn't as comfortable with him as she was with the rest of the family. But over the past few days, this new uncle had showered her with sweets, dresses, toys, and countless gifts. While she was still too shy to speak to him much, she had started to like him.
"Haha, little Xue Rou, you're still too shy to talk to your uncle?" Xue San teased, crouching down. "Come give me a hug, and I promise to bring you a gift next time I visit."
"You... You promise?" The little girl's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Yes, I promise."
Xue Rou ran up and gave him a big hug before scampering into the carriage.
"I hope to see you all soon," Xue San said, waving as his family departed.
Inside the carriage, the small wolf cub barked and struggled in Xue Si's arms, trying to escape.
"No, Fluffy! Stay still, and I'll give you some meat later," she scolded while securing the squirming cub.
Xue San watched until the carriage disappeared from view. Then, turning away, he stepped inside the house.
His first priority was exploring the contents of Tiger Head's storage ring. He hadn't had a chance to check it until now. Afterward, he would take care of the wine and finally leave this city for good.
Some time later, he emerged from the house, shock written all over his face.
"How can they be so filthy rich?" he muttered, staring at the ring in disbelief.
It was overflowing with medicinal ingredients, gold, and a substantial stockpile of pills. The sheer amount of wealth made his stomach churn. "How many people had to die for them to amass all this?"
But it was also a stroke of fortune for him. Many of the ingredients were for pills he had recipes for, which meant he could continue refining his alchemy skills without issue.
He was still lost in thought when, suddenly, his shadow stirred. From it, a figure emerged.
Xue San tensed but quickly relaxed upon recognizing the masked individual—Shadow Seven. He had been informed that the guild would deliver a reward for the successful completion of his mission.
Shadow Seven fully materialized in front of him.
"As per the message sent to you, the guild has decided on your reward," she said.
"Can I exchange it for something else?" Xue San asked. He wasn't sure what the reward would be, if it was welth, he had more than enough for now.
"You could… but I doubt you'd want to," Shadow Seven replied.
Even though her mask obscured the face, Xue San could tell thet Shadow Seven was certain he wouldn't refuse.
She handed him a slip of paper.
Xue San unfolded it and read:
The Ocean Heart Breathing Method.
This cultivation technique is widely known under a different name—the Qi Compression Method—but that version is incomplete.
The Ocean Heart Breathing Method is a foundational yet profound technique, passed down through the ages and revered for its purity and depth. Like an ocean drawing in vast currents, it fills the cultivator with energy, mirroring how water fills the sea. It encourages absolute precision and clarity in harnessing spiritual energy.
There was nothing more written.
Xue San's heart nearly leaped out of his chest. How ridiculously lucky!
"So, do you still want to exchange it?" Shadow Seven asked, already knowing his answer.
"No!" Xue San said immediately.
"Here," Shadow Seven said, tossing a jade slip to him.
The slip was bluish-green, etched with wave-like patterns.
Without hesitation, Xue San sent his spiritual sense into it.
Suddenly, a flood of information surged into his mind.
The Ocean Heart Breathing Method was indeed far more profound than its common counterpart. It required absolute stillness, guiding the cultivator's consciousness into their lower dantian, like a stone sinking into the ocean depths.
Breathing was slow and deliberate, drawing Qi in harmony with the heartbeat, creating a natural resonance. The Qi gathered in the dantian, swirling into a dense whirlpool, compressing with each cycle.
With unwavering focus, layer upon layer of Qi would form—each purer than the last—until it crystallized into a shimmering sea of translucent energy. This condensed Qi enhanced strength, resilience, and control.
It was a technique that rewarded patience and discipline. Each session left the cultivator feeling as though they had plunged into the depths of an ancient ocean, emerging stronger, purer, and untamed—like the sea itself.
When Xue San finished absorbing the information, Shadow Seven was already gone.
"With this technique, my cultivation will advance at an incredible pace!"
"Haha, how lucky—so lucky indeed," he murmured with a light laugh. But then his face froze. When had he ever been lucky for no reason? Perhaps this sudden fortune was merely a harbinger of disaster."I'd better grab the wine and leave right away," he told himself
"Something strange might happen to me again if I linger."
Xue San wanted to finish this stupid mission quickly and focus on his cultivation and alchemy. He finally had the time and resources to focus on what truly mattered to him.
He was still deep in thought when the carriage driver informed him that they had arrived.
The establishment that sold Dragon Breath Wine was none other than the renowned Drunken Immortal House, a famous wine house in the city.
Xue San had barely stepped out of the carriage when—
"Eh? Aren't you the junior brother who came with the Long clan? Xue San?"
His eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected recognition.