Volume One, Chapter Four: Yinyin

Tang Xi appeared calm on the surface, but inwardly he was far from anxious. His sixth sense remained locked onto those figures ahead; if anyone dared to charge at him, he would not run. Joking aside, he feared that one careless strike might cleave open the gates of heaven.

He then took in the environment outside the Reception Space—a boundless primeval forest stretched as far as the eye could see, punctuated occasionally by the roars of beasts. A crimson sun hung low on the horizon, yet no heat could be felt. The immortal aura here was far denser than that of Blue Star, but Qi Refining cultivators were only allowed to remain within the Bronze Gate for ten days at a time, permitted entry once a month. Time was limited; relying solely on absorbing this level of immortal energy for cultivation would take an enormous amount of time to be effective.

For most Qi Refining cultivators who had just entered, it might be beneficial, but for someone like him, who required vast resources to break through, unless the immortal energy was far richer, it wouldn’t be of much help. His chaotic sword body was constantly absorbing immortal energy, but even so, it was but a drop in the ocean for breaking through to the next stage.

“The ferocious beasts inside the Bronze Gate range from first to ninth tier. First tier corresponds to Qi Refining cultivators, second tier to Foundation Establishment cultivators. With my current strength, I have nothing to fear from mid-first tier beasts,” Tang Xi mused.

He drew the iron sword he had earned himself through part-time work. The sword sang crisply as he held it. With a casual slash, his internal immortal energy surged, and a three-foot-long gray-blue sword light sliced forth, faint lightning shimmering on his body’s surface. A tree large enough to be embraced by a grown man was effortlessly severed.

Tang Xi was very satisfied with this result.

“In that case, let the slaughter begin!” A sharp gleam flashed in his eyes, and the youthful spirit of a young man eager to carve his path shone through: to wield a sword, drink wine, and conquer the world—to vanquish all enemies, build a legacy, with fine wine in one hand and a beloved by his side.

He advanced cautiously, fully focused. In half an hour, he had traveled less than ten miles, hearing only the roars of beasts but seeing none.

“My pace is a bit slow. Once I break through Foundation Establishment, I’ll be able to fly on my sword and roam the magnificent mountains freely—that’s true freedom!”

“Roar~”

“Roar~”

Suddenly, a five-meter-long ferocious beast appeared fifty meters ahead—a heavy-bodied lizard with thick black scales, blood-red eyes, steel-like claws, and a mouth dripping foul-smelling slime.

Tang Xi immediately recognized the beast from a course called “Compendium of Ten Thousand Beasts,” which included both Blue Star and Bronze Gate entries. According to the Bronze Compendium, this beast was called a Thorn Lizard, a first-tier ferocious beast roughly equivalent to a human in the Body Refining stage.

For cultivators who slay ferocious beasts, they themselves are the most delicious prey in the beasts' eyes.

The Thorn Lizard charged forward on sturdy limbs.

Tang Xi gripped his iron sword, letting loose a slash powered by his Qi Refining at the third layer. A gray-blue sword light swept across.

With a soft slicing sound, the Thorn Lizard’s body was severed in two, leaving a one-foot-deep sword scar on the ground.

Points appeared before his eyes: 0.1.

“Ding, host has slain a Thorn Lizard, Immortal Path Point +1.”

“A Body Refining ferocious beast grants 0.1 points. One Immortal Path Point is not insignificant; ten beasts would yield one full point, ten Immortal Path Points.”

“Ferocious beasts aren’t so terrifying. Using full power costs a lot of energy. I must quickly apply what I’ve learned.”

“Historical records state that ancient martial arts mostly involved close combat with heavy casualties. The Immortal Path remedies this flaw, while preserving martial virtues; the physical body is no longer a weakness, greatly reducing losses.”

Tang Xi carefully dissected the Thorn Lizard, extracting its richly energized heart and storing its blood in his system space. Without its heart, the beast’s corpse held no value.

The ferocious beasts inside the Bronze Gate were also cultivation resources.

Three hours passed, and Tang Xi’s points had reached one full point. His system panel now displayed ten Immortal Path Points.

He gradually adapted to the killing. In this world dominated by the strong, students were trained in combat from the moment they enrolled, but rarely had they faced ferocious beasts directly. The few who had were usually prodigies who secured the practical combat slots. Most were left far behind, resources lavished only on promising talents. Students like him, with lesser aptitude, remained theoretical fighters, limited to sparring with classmates.

His first encounter with a ferocious beast had been somewhat unsettling.

But Tang Xi’s adaptability was strong. After several battles, he was essentially accustomed.

He could now apply classroom knowledge in real combat and had even come to somewhat enjoy the thrill of battle.

The sun dipped below the horizon; dusk darkened the sky. The environment within the Bronze Gate was no different from Blue Star, with time passing normally.

The darkness made the wilderness more dangerous. Tang Xi dared not risk staying out and returned to the Reception Space, entering the pillar space, closing his eyes to meditate—a temporary resting place.

In truth, he used the system to observe Jian Qingyu’s movements.

…

Jian Qingyu stepped slowly from her room as dawn’s first light brushed her face, a faint smile dispelling the shadows on her fair complexion.

A woman clad in rough cloth, accompanied by a six-year-old girl, approached Jian Qingyu carrying a bowl of coarse rice porridge.

“Dear, you look much better. I made some coarse rice porridge for you. Eat more to recover quickly.”

“Sister, Mom and I made it together!”

Jian Qingyu took the bowl and drank it down, smiling, “Aunt Juan, Yinyin, the porridge is delicious, thank you.”

“Dear, I’m glad you don’t mind our simple fare. Times are growing ever harsher. Old Jia from the east side of the village went hunting recently, met a ferocious beast, and died—left behind widows and orphans! Those immortals blessed with mighty powers enjoy our offerings, yet... Ah, dear, forgive my ranting. Your body is recovering; get more sunshine.”

“Sister, when you’re better, you have to play with me!”

Jian Qingyu watched Aunt Juan and Yinyin’s retreating figures and sighed. Aunt Juan’s luck had been poor; her husband was killed by beasts years ago. She worked no less hard than men to raise Yinyin.

Then a murderous intent flashed across Jian Qingyu’s eyes.

“The immortals of this world are no longer what they once were. They are heartless, treating mortals as mere dogs. The Immortal Path order—one day, I will overthrow it.”

She looked into her palm, where faint bolts of lightning gathered.

“Who exactly is helping me?”

Lost in thought, a sudden commotion caught her attention.

“Help! Run! A ferocious beast has broken in!”

“I’ll fight you! Give me back my son’s life!”

“Yinyin, no! Don’t hurt Yinyin!”

Jian Qingyu furrowed her brow, spiritual energy surging. In mere moments, she arrived at the village entrance.

…

A first-tier beast, comparable to a Qi Refining second layer in power—a pig monster—bit off half a villager’s torso.

Its grotesque, foul-smelling jaws lunged toward Yinyin.

Aunt Juan brandished a farming tool, blocking the beast and shouting fiercely.

The pig monster’s eyes brimmed with disdain; mortals were its bloodied prey.

Aunt Juan held Yinyin close, bracing for death.

“Beast!”

In an instant, Jian Qingyu transformed her finger into a sword; a three-foot sword aura slanted forth, severing the pig monster’s head.

Aunt Juan felt warm liquid splash her but no pain.

Opening her eyes, she saw the decapitated corpse—the beast dead beyond doubt.

“It’s an immortal! The immortal saved us!”

Many villagers knelt, Aunt Juan calling the immortal blessed.

Jian Qingyu exhaled deeply. Thankfully, Aunt Juan and Yinyin were safe. She had no intention of revealing her cultivation identity, lest she endanger Great River Village.

“What a powerful innate sword embryo—truly the born sovereign of swords. Now that I’m mostly recovered, I must venture out to seek opportunities, or I will never match the Eternal Sword Palace.”

…

“My little girlfriend has a temper I like—passionate and loyal.”

Tang Xi watched in a daze, smiling warmly, suddenly thinking having a girlfriend wouldn’t be so bad.

“However, in her world, the Immortal Path seems flawed. Her actions lack the hallmarks of true Immortal Path conduct; instead, they resemble the demonic path cloaked in the Immortal Path’s name.”

“System, what can I do with ten Immortal Path Points so far?”

“Ding, host may check on their own.”

AI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.