As the mist and smoke began to fade like morning fog dissipating before the rising sun, Eadric Rong stood amidst the rubble of Tianzhou City. The acrid scent of burnt wood and charred stone filled his nostrils, mixing with the metallic tang of spilled blood that had soaked into the cracked earth beneath his feet.Anxiety and anger raged in his heart like a tempest trapped within his meridians, while the scene before him grew clearer and clearer. His dark robes fluttered in the ash-laden wind, the fabric singed at the edges from the flames he had fought to extinguish.The charred ruins of burnt-out buildings stretched as far as the eye could see, dotted with scattered corpses that lay frozen in heart-wrenching, tragic silence. Broken roof tiles crunched under his boots, each step echoing through the desolate wasteland that had once been a thriving city.However, amongst the destruction, a few figures were still alive, emerging like ghosts from their hiding places. They came out of the

The young man's face slowly regained its natural color, flushed with returning health.His breathing, which had been intermittent and labored, was now as normal and steady as a sleeping child's. Eadric Rong withdrew his hand, standing gracefully while observing the miraculous changes his qi had wrought.Moments later, the young man began to move with increasing strength.He shifted forward on his knees, then prostrated himself before Eadric Rong in the manner reserved for honoring great masters. His eyes were teary with overwhelming gratitude, his voice trembling as he spoke words of profound thanks."Thank you, kind immortal benefactor. If you hadn't appeared like a guardian deity, Yin Zhen would have died in this place like a dog, unmourned and forgotten."The atmosphere in the cave suddenly became charged with emotion, heavy as storm clouds before lightning strikes. The gloomy-faced man who had guided Eadric Rong stood motionless, but the look in his eyes reflected deep reverence f

"Of course you can, Prince," Counselor Song replied, full of confidence that radiated from his weathered face like warmth from a forge fire. "Remember, since childhood you have been educated to face this moment, trained in both martial arts and statecraft. You have all the qualities necessary to be a great leader, tempered like fine steel through years of preparation."Xue Yuan nodded slowly, letting Uncle Song's words sink into his soul like water absorbed by thirsty earth, but did not continue the conversation.The morning breeze blew strongly, carrying the scent of change mixed with blooming plum blossoms and distant rain, while the sky slowly began to cloud over with ominous gray formations, signaling an imminent storm that seemed to mirror his inner turmoil."Ah, it looks like a storm is coming soon," he said as he looked toward the gray horizon where dark clouds gathered like an army preparing for battle. "I have to go to the academy to celebrate my farewell, to honor those who

Both of them tried to remain calm, drawing upon their martial training, though astonishment was beginning to show on their faces like cracks appearing in ice. The newly arrived disciple was getting serious, almost angry with their apparent ignorance."You fools who sit in isolation!" he said in a high voice that carried across the hall. "Come out quickly before it's too late! Look at the sky with your own eyes! Listen to what people are talking about in the streets! Something bad is coming soon, something that will shake the very foundations of heaven and earth!"Hearing that urgent plea, they immediately ran towards the academy gate with speed that would have impressed their Qinggong instructors, almost colliding with Prince Xue Yuan who was entering at that very moment."Be careful, young people who run without looking!" admonished Counselor Song, his voice heavy with authority yet stern like a master correcting unruly students. "Don't you know who you're dealing with? This is your

"This is an exciting spectacle! Let's not hide just yet," Yin Zheng said as he pulled Hu Chin's hand to stop him from continuing their retreat. His eyes shone with the fervor of youth witnessing legend unfold before their very eyes.Hu Chin frowned, his face looking full of worry that aged him beyond his years."Aren't you afraid of death? They are all Banxiang-ranked cultivators whose power could crush mountains!" his voice sounded harsh, almost like an admonishment from an elder brother who had seen too much of the world's cruelty. "The best way for weaklings like us is to hide until this storm passes and leaves us breathing!"Even so, Yin Zheng still stood where he was, his feet rooted to the ground like an ancient tree. His fascination with the unfolding battle overcame his survival instincts, a dangerous trait in one so young.The two of them were indeed like siblings bound by more than blood. Hu Chin, the elder, often reprimanded Yin Zheng with the patience of flowing water, but