"The emerald grasses and the green waters, reflecting the blue sky from within!" A crisp, bright, and beautiful song reverberated in the small forest. The singer was a young woman wearing a turquoise long dress, washing clothes by the river.
"Listening to her song, it's easy to imagine just how much the Fourth Master treasured Lady Bi when he was willing to lose his legs over her!" Two groups of men, carrying a palanquin, walked towards the source of the song. A man clad in green sighed to his companion in black.
"Back in the day, Lady Bi was known for her impeccable singing and dancing. The melody of her divine voice is unbearable for ordinary people. The stunning dance she performed seized the minds of many, leading them astray. Don't let yourself be lured in!"
The man in black frowned sternly and snorted. The man in green quickly lost his frivolous demeanor and turned solemn. The pair stopped fifteen meters away from the riverbank. They dismounted their horses and respectfully called out to the direction of the river, "Green Cloth, Black Feather, request to see the lady!"
"Emerald dress, beautiful girl, paddle to the lake to collect the lotus hearts!" The beautiful song continued, seemingly oblivious to their request.
"Lady Bi, by command of the old master, Black Feather and I have come to fetch Young Master!" Seeing the lady didn't heed to his request, Black Feather's booming voice echoed out, maintaining his respect.
"The old master's command?" Even before her voice arrived, the image of the woman in the emerald long dress fluttering in the wind was there. Even though she was a mother, she still looked stunning, carrying an air of untainted divinity around her.
"Is he finally on his deathbed? Retrieve the Young Master? There is no young master of yours here. Xuan is my son and has nothing to do with him!" Her eyes were as deep as spring water, making people lose themselves at first glance.
Black Feather shivered and returned to his senses. He knelt on one knee and uttered solemnly, "The Fourth Master is locked in the Bone Dragon Tower. Now, the old master calls the young master back. Lady Bi, you should know this is the last hope of Fourth Master!"
"Are you saying the Shang Clan is choosing the Saint Child?" Lady Bi's eyes flashed a fierce light, and Green Cloth nodded deeply: "In the line of the Fourth Master, there is only one Lady, thus, there is only one Young Master!"
"And do you know the state of my son? For the past nine years, since he was three, he only read books and didn't train. How is he to compete for the position of the Saint Child? The Battle for the Saint Child takes place in three years at most. How can my son compete in such a short time?"
"But this is, after all, the last hope of the Fourth Master!" Tears welled up in Black Feather's eyes: "The order of the old master, there is only this one chance. Lady, you should know what the Bone Dragon Tower is like, and how much the Fourth Master has sacrificed for you!"
Lady Bi was silent, she whispered: "Because I know what he did, I also understand his choices. If it were him, he would undoubtedly choose to let Xuan grow up peacefully. Even if mediocre, at least his bloodline could continue."
Black Feather remained silent in agony. He knew that what Lady Bi said was also Fourth Master's desire. Otherwise, why would the once most hopeful martial artist in the clan who was on the verge of transcending into a celestial being have been crippled and locked in the Bone Dragon Tower, causing his family to only rank fifth among the martial arts families?
"Mother, let's go back." Just then, a thin figure appeared behind Lady Bi. It was a boy of twelve or thirteen. He was slightly pale and sickly, but his eyes were bright. He had a calmness and composure not usually found in children his age.
"Black Feather, Cyan Robe, we pay our respects to young Master!" Black Feather and Cyan Robe, along with the others, gave a respectful bow to the young teenager. Lady Bi turned around and squatted down: "Xuan, do you understand what you will be facing when you return this time?"
"I am aware," the young man answered with a slight smile. "I am the only son of Father. Mother, we already stayed here eight years. That year, although I was only five, I still vaguely remember that slap."
In his eyes, there was a cold determination, "The pain Father endured, the humiliation Mother suffered, I think it's about time we go back. Otherwise, all that I've endured these eight years would be meaningless."
Lady Bi had a worried look in her eyes, "Xuan, do you know? Rather than revenge, what your father and I want more, is to see you grow and be healthy. Moreover, you've refrained from cultivating for the past eight years. Going back could mean a lot of danger."
"Lin's lineage has Observer of the Stars, who refrained from cultivation for twelve years, then during one-night understood the life, illuminating the stars in the sky, became famous throughout the world!"
"And Yue's lineage has Matchless Iron Sword Yue Yijian. He tempered a sword for three years, three swords in nine years, combining the three into one. After ten years, he created the character Iron Sword, killed numerous enemies, and no one was able to withstand a single strike!"
"These past eight years, even if I haven't cultivated, I've read all the martial scripts in this secluded place with Mother. Even if I can't compare myself to seniors like the Observer of the Stars and Yue Yijian, I believe I won't be mediocre!"
Lady Bi was surprised and looked at the young boy, "Xuan, you?"
The teenager had a deep look in his eyes, "Mother once said that even if we're imprisoned here, we won't have freedom. Originally, grandfather promised mother that she could read all the martial scripts. As long as she could save father with her own power, the clan won't hold us accountable!"
"Now, it's just right that grandfather has summoned us back to the clan. It's enough evidence that his lifespan isn't long. If we can't grab the position of the Holy Son, do you think those people in the clan will truly leave us to live in seclusion here?"
"Wildfires never eradicate the roots, spring winds blow and they grow again. Regardless who seizes power, they would want to eradicate us from the roots."
"This isn't just father's only hope, but our only hope as well. Three years time, trust me, I can seize the position of Holy Son of the clan in three years!"
Lady Bi looked at the young man; she not only saw hatred in his eyes, but also the determination, and tenacity that were identical with his father's!
She nodded slightly. Black Feather and Cyan Robe were ecstatic and quickly said, "We warmly welcome young Master back to the clan!"
"Let's go!" Lady Bi spoke indifferently. She and the young man both sat in two palanquins, Black Feather and Cyan Robe got on their horses and announced loudly, "We welcome Lady and young Master back to the clan!"
The Cultivation World, also known as the World of Truth-Cultivation, is a place where power commands respect. There are three major classifications of cultivators: the Sword Cultivators, the Dao Cultivators, and the Martial Arts Cultivators!
One hundred thousand years ago, the Dao Cultivators ruled the World of Truth-Cultivation. Among them, the Thousand Rim Peak stood paramount, unchallenged by anyone, until one individual appeared. His name was Yun Bufan, coming from the Sword Immortal lineage of the Yunling Peak!
His cultivation talent was unparalleled. His emergence pushed the Sword Cultivators to the pinnacle. Back then, the Sword Cultivators and the Martial Arts Cultivators joined forces to attack the Dao Cultivators. Under Yun Bufan's leadership, the Thousand Rim Peak was vanquished!
Since then, the Cultivation World ushered in the era of Sword Cultivation, with swordsmen reigning supreme. Even now, the lineage of Sword Cultivators remains the strongest. However, within these hundred thousand years, several exceptionally talented cultivators have emerged within the Dao Cultivator lineage!
These exceptionally talented Dao Cultivators led to a resurgence in an almost extinct Dao Cultivator lineage, showing signs of increased power. Interestingly, the Martial Arts Cultivation lineage, which once birthed a God of War, has not seen any progress till today!
The once-formidable Martial Arts Cultivator lineage had no choice but to band together. Seven grand Martial Arts Cultivator clans formed a martial faction, turning into seven subdivisions. Among them, the Shang clan was one.
"Has the old master ordered to bring that child back?" In the Shang clan, three middle-aged men were strolling around the garden. A man in golden attire holding a birdcage was frowning, looking puzzled.
"Big brother, after all, he is the only descendant of our fourth brother!" A middle-aged man, dressed in a black robe, spoke solemnly. "You have long ruined his future in martial arts with your palm strike. Are you still bearing a grudge?"
"Hmm, that demoness's illegitimate child, his existence will only harm the Shang clan's reputation. Our fourth brother was foolish back then, leading us to this state. His legs were crippled, locked in the Bone Dragon Tower. Due to his mishap, our Shang clan is now ranked fifth in Martial Faction standings."
The eldest brother's eyes turned icy, "At this critical juncture, the old master unexpectedly asked for the return of that illegitimate child. I know, our children are not up to the mark, unable to meet the old master's standards. But that illegitimate child, can he still cultivate?"
Finally, the brother in a green robe replied softly, "Big brother, second brother, let's not quarrel over this matter. Cultivation talent is closely linked to lineage. The fourth brother's talent was amazing, and his child won't fall short. The old master's train of thought is not entirely unreasonable."
"But don't forget, eight years ago, I had struck the child once. I severed three of his eight channels. If it is about martial cultivation, he can at best reach the Five Openings Level. Are we short of someone like that in the Shang clan?"
"If he is wise, it would be best not to return. If that demoness dares to bring him back, then don't blame me for disregarding the ties of brotherhood with our fourth brother!"
The eldest brother's face turned cold, "And he dares to dream about participating in the Saint Child competition three years from now? How absurd! A woman with shattered bones carrying an illegitimate with crippled channels, do they plan on surviving within the Shang clan for three years?"
Both the second and third brothers lifted their heads and looked at their eldest brother. At this moment, a figure came running hurriedly. He knelt before the three of them, "First Master, Second Master, Third Master, Lady Bi has returned!"
"She actually dares to come back!" The elder brother was furious, snorted coldly, "What audacity! I am curious to see where she found the confidence to dare to return!"
