Back home.
Qin Feiyang looked around and saw Uncle Yuan sitting in a shady spot by the lake, fishing.
He composed himself, walked over with a smile, and asked, "Uncle Yuan, any catches?"
Uncle Yuan laughed, "I don’t know why, but the fish just aren’t biting."
Qin Feiyang said, "Then stop fishing. I’ll go smoke the black cow I brought back last night. It’ll be enough for us to eat for a while."
"No need, go take care of your own things!"
Uncle Yuan smiled, turned his head to look at Qin Feiyang, and asked, "Feiyang, is something troubling you?"
"No."
Qin Feiyang shook his head.
Uncle Yuan said, "Silly boy, Uncle Yuan watched you grow up. Do you think you can hide anything from me?"
Qin Feiyang scratched his head and recounted the matter concerning Lin Yiyi simply and clearly.
Uncle Yuan was silent for a moment, then chuckled, "I shouldn’t intervene in this matter. You should decide for yourself. I’ll just say this: don’t judge a book by its cover."
Qin Feiyang asked, "So you mean, Lin Yiyi has her own difficulties?"
"That, I don’t know. You’ll have to judge and discover that for yourself," Uncle Yuan said, laughing without turning his head.
Some things can’t be spelled out directly. I need to ponder and understand them myself, otherwise I might become dependent.
Qin Feiyang pondered for a moment and took a deep breath.
Whatever I do, I’ll need formidable strength. So, instead of just guessing, I should focus on becoming stronger as quickly as possible.
Qin Feiyang was about to start his closed-door cultivation but turned and remembered that his small log cabin had been burned to ashes.
He glanced at the ruins and asked in confusion, "Uncle Yuan, why didn’t you rebuild the cabin?"
Uncle Yuan laughed, "There’s no need. You’ll be leaving Iron Bull Town soon enough."
"Leave?"
Qin Feiyang was taken aback.
Uncle Yuan didn’t explain, only smiled and said, "If you want to cultivate, just find any place. Feiyang, your fifteenth birthday is in two days. What gift do you want?"
Qin Feiyang said, "I’ll take whatever Uncle Yuan gives me."
Uncle Yuan chuckled softly. He fell silent, staring at the float on the lake’s surface, an inexplicable glint in his eyes.
Qin Feiyang also sat beside him, whispering, "This time, I’m going to break through to a Nine-Star Martial Artist all at once."
He took out twenty Body-refining Elixirs and swallowed them all in one go.
The immense energy surged within him, almost tearing his physical body apart!
「At dusk.」
The news that Black Demon Fort had been burned spread like wildfire through Iron Bull Town.
But apart from the shock, most people felt joy.
Some even beat drums and set off firecrackers to celebrate.
Black Demon Fort had long held a notorious reputation in the area. Everyone despised it, but because of its formidable strength, no one dared to make a move against them.
Now that it had been wiped out by fire, it was incredibly satisfying to the people.
「Elixir Palace.」
Ma Hongmei was leaning back in a chair, her eyes closed as she recuperated from her injuries.
KNOCK, KNOCK!
A rapping came from the door.
"Come in," Ma Hongmei said, opening her eyes.
The door opened, and a black-clothed young man of about fifteen or sixteen hurried over to Ma Hongmei, whispering a few words.
"What? Is this news true?"
Ma Hongmei stood up abruptly, her face etched with disbelief.
The black-clothed young man nodded. "The news is all over town. It’s said that some hunters discovered it when they were hunting near Black Demon Fort in the afternoon. Everything was reduced to ash."
Ma Hongmei asked, "What about the people of Black Demon Fort?"
The black-clothed young man shook his head.
"How could this be? Black Demon Fort has two martial masters, and it’s surrounded by traps. Even I wouldn’t dare to force my way in..." Ma Hongmei murmured, her eyes glinting thoughtfully. "Bao Chuan," she ordered, "go to Black Demon Fort at once and see if there are any survivors."
"This disciple will go now," Bao Chuan replied, then turned and left.
"No need to go."
But just then, a hoarse voice sounded. Immediately afterward, an old man in a black robe staggered into the main hall. His face was as pale as paper, and there was a knife wound on his lower abdomen, from which blood was seeping.
"Xiang Wu!"
Ma Hongmei’s body trembled. She hurriedly said, "Bao Chuan, quickly help him!"
Bao Chuan rushed over, supported the old man in black, and helped him sit down on a chair.
Ma Hongmei strode over to the old man in black, took out a healing pill, and had Bao Chuan help him take it.
After the old man in black swallowed the healing pill, Ma Hongmei eagerly asked, "Xiang Wu, what in the world happened?"
"It was Qin Feiyang..."
"He and a white wolf... snuck into Black Demon Fort in the middle of the night and killed everyone..."
"The Chieftain also died at their hands..." the old man in black said intermittently.
"What?"
"How is that possible?"
The expressions of Ma Hongmei and her disciple changed drastically.
"It’s absolutely true!" the old man in black stressed each word, his old eyes filled with venomous hatred.
Ma Hongmei was dumbfounded, utterly incredulous.
Bao Chuan asked, "Master, do you think this Qin Feiyang has been pretending all this time?"
Ma Hongmei shook her head. "Impossible. Over the past five years, he came to the Elixir Palace countless times seeking a Marrow-cleansing pill. I know him very well; it’s not an act. There’s only one explanation: his illness has been cured!"
"He even dared to burn down Black Demon Fort! Master, this man absolutely cannot be left alive!" A murderous glint flashed in Bao Chuan’s eyes.
Ma Hongmei naturally understood this point clearer than anyone.
If Qin Feiyang rises to power, he’ll come after me sooner or later!
"Take some men at once and bring me his head!" Ma Hongmei ordered.
"Yes!" Bao Chuan bowed in response.
"Wait." The man in black raised a hand to stop them and sneered coldly. "I have a plan. Elder Ma won’t have to get her hands dirty to take care of Qin Feiyang."
"What plan?" Ma Hongmei asked urgently.
Naturally, it would be best if she didn’t have to get involved personally.
The man in black revealed, "The Chieftain has a son named Cao Lang. He joined the Martial Palace two years ago and is now said to be a one-star martial master."
"Cao Lang?" Ma Hongmei was stunned. She said in surprise, "I’ve heard of this young man. He’s exceptionally gifted, a monstrous talent, even. I never imagined he would be the Chieftain’s son."
The man in black explained, "The Martial Palace has never looked favorably upon Black Demon Fort, so Cao Lang’s identity has always been kept secret."
Ma Hongmei had a sudden realization and asked, "You want Cao Lang to deal with him?"
"Mm."
"If Cao Lang can kill Qin Feiyang, that would be best; it would save us the trouble."
"However, if Cao Lang is killed by Qin Feiyang instead, we will report Cao Lang’s death to the Martial Palace..."
"When the Hall Master of the Martial Palace becomes enraged, Qin Feiyang wouldn’t be spared, even if he had ten lives!" the old man in black cackled malevolently.
"An excellent idea! This way, regardless of whether Cao Lang succeeds or fails, it will benefit us."
"Bao Chuan, go to the Martial Palace at once and find Cao Lang. Inform him of his father’s death. As for what to say, I trust I don’t need to instruct you, do I?" Ma Hongmei chuckled, her words laced with a biting chill.
"This disciple understands," Bao Chuan replied with a sinister sneer.
「Late that night.」
Qin Feiyang was sitting cross-legged on the ground when a powerful wave of energy suddenly erupted from within him.
Eight-star Martial Artist!
He opened his eyes, and two brilliant beams of light shot out from them.
"Come, have something to eat."
Uncle Yuan’s voice reached his ears.
Qin Feiyang looked over.
Five meters away, a bonfire blazed.
Uncle Yuan was sitting by the fire, roasting two large fish.
GULP!
The appetizing aroma of cooked fish wafted over, making his hunger surge.
He got up, walked over, and sat down beside Uncle Yuan. He said with a smile, "Two big fish, Uncle Yuan, that’s a decent catch!"
Uncle Yuan smiled. "As long as you’re patient and can calm your mind, you’ll always reap rewards."
Patience...
Calmness...
Qin Feiyang pondered for a moment, and it was as if he’d achieved sudden enlightenment. He nodded and said, "Uncle Yuan, I’ll remember your words."
"Eat up now!" Uncle Yuan smiled and handed the two roasted fish to Qin Feiyang.
Qin Feiyang grabbed the two fish and began to devour them ravenously.
Uncle Yuan cautioned, "Eat slowly. Don’t choke on the fishbones."
Qin Feiyang mulled over these words, then looked up at Uncle Yuan with a curious expression. "Uncle Yuan, why do I feel like every sentence you speak now seems to hide some profound truth?"
"That’s just how life is."
"Many seemingly plain and uninteresting words, or ordinary things, can ultimately lead you to a unique opportunity."
"So, in the future, no matter where you go, you must listen more, observe more, and think more, but don’t speak excessively."
"Say what needs to be said, and refrain from saying what shouldn’t be said," Uncle Yuan advised.
Qin Feiyang nodded, engraving these words deep in his mind.
The two fish were quickly devoured.
After tossing aside the fishbones, Qin Feiyang said to Uncle Yuan, "I’m going to continue cultivating, Uncle Yuan. Get some rest if you’re tired."
"Mm-hmm." Uncle Yuan nodded.
"Qin Feiyang, get out here!"
Just then, a furious roar filled with killing intent resounded from the entrance.
"Hm?"
Qin Feiyang frowned, got up, and looked toward the entrance. He immediately saw a dark figure speeding towards them.
"Uncle Yuan, I’ll go check it out."
Leaving a hasty word, he rushed off towards the approaching dark figure.
The two met underneath a willow tree.
They stopped simultaneously, standing three meters apart, sizing each other up.
"Who are you?" Qin Feiyang asked, puzzled.
Facing him was a black-clothed youth, around fifteen or sixteen years old, unusually tall at about 1.85 meters, with a sturdy build and a ferocious air about him.
Yet Qin Feiyang had no recollection of this person.
The black-clothed youth didn’t answer, instead asking, "Did you burn down Black Demon Fort?"
"I did," Qin Feiyang nodded.
"Prepare to die!" The black-clothed youth roared, lunging at Qin Feiyang with a palm strike.
From his palm, True Qi unexpectedly surged forth!
"A martial master!" Qin Feiyang’s expression changed drastically. He hastily took a large step sideways, barely dodging the palm, and shouted, "Can’t we clarify things before fighting?"
"Vengeance for my father is a feud that cannot be shared under the same sky! I swear I won’t rest until I’ve torn you limb from limb today!" The black-clothed youth was seething with rage, like a frenzied beast, as he pounced madly at Qin Feiyang.
Qin Feiyang retreated rapidly, his mind racing.
Black Demon Fort...
Avenge his father...
Could this person be...
A glint flashed in his eyes as he asked sharply, "Is your name Cao Lang?"
"Hm?" The black-clothed youth frowned, stopping in his tracks. He looked at Qin Feiyang and said, "How did you know?"
So, it is him!
A chill ran down Qin Feiyang’s spine. He then said, "Your father told me himself. Of course I know."

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