Two months later.
On the western border of the Jia Ma Empire, a massive fortress rose along the imperial frontier like a colossal beast. Built against the mountains, it was surrounded by gigantic city walls that stretched almost endlessly into the distance. From atop the walls, the orderly sounds of military drills could faintly be heard.
This place was the fortress known as Zhen Gui Pass. As a border military stronghold used by the Jia Ma Empire to deter foreign powers, its defenses were extremely tight, guarded by one of the empire's top three elite legions.
Among a merchant caravan undergoing inspection beneath the fortress, a handsome young man dressed in green robes was carefully observing the imposing pass before him.
The youth appeared to be around twenty-one or twenty-two years old. A longsword hung at his waist, and a faint scent of medicinal herbs lingered about him. Most eye-catching of all was the badge pinned to his chest. Engraved upon it was an ancient-looking medicinal cauldron, upon whose surface two silver ripples reflected an unusual brilliance under the sunlight.
The people around him cast looks of envy, greed, or ingratiation toward the badge on his chest, for it represented the noble status of a Second-Grade alchemist.
"Master Xu, please go ahead!"
The soldier in charge of inspection looked at the youth with a hint of flattery. His originally gruff voice unconsciously softened as he politely waved him through. The youth passed the checkpoint with ease and entered the Jia Ma Empire.
The young man was none other than Lin Yuan in disguise—his newly created alternate identity. Under this guise, he was Xu An, an itinerant Second-Grade alchemist from the southwestern region, publicly possessing the strength of a five-star Dou Grandmaster.
This time, Lin Yuan planned to stir up quite a few matters within the Jia Ma Empire, making it unsuitable to use his true identity. Thus, to facilitate operating under an alias, he had deliberately purchased a secret art at an auction in the Black Corner Region that allowed one to alter their appearance. Coupled with his powerful soul strength to obscure his aura, using an alternate identity had become extremely convenient—he no longer even needed a human-skin mask.
As for Xu An, he did exist—though he was merely one of the unlucky individuals Lin Yuan had "fished up" during his time fishing for targets while leaving the Black Corner Region. Thinking back to those fishing expeditions, Lin Yuan's mood could not help but lift slightly. The gains from those ventures had been considerable, quickly making his funds abundant. Especially that Dou King from the Blood Sect—he had been a particularly fat catch. After dealing with him, Lin Yuan immediately ended his fishing and flew straight toward the Jia Ma Empire.
"The Black Corner Region really is like a piggy bank for the strong—truly the hell of the weak and the paradise of the powerful," Lin Yuan thought to himself.
Setting foot in the Jia Ma Empire once more, Lin Yuan could not help but feel a sense of emotion. When he had left the Jia Ma Empire back then, he had merely been a child mixed in among Jia Nan Academy's recruitment team. Now, upon returning, he had already become one of the empire's notable powerhouses and a high-level alchemist.
"Life really is unpredictable," Lin Yuan murmured. Shaking his head, he cast aside those thoughts and considered his next course of action.
After declining the merchant caravan leader's invitation to a banquet, Lin Yuan parted ways with the caravan. It had merely been a group he had casually assisted along the road, and he had no interest in forming deeper ties.
Gently pressing his right hand to his forehead, Lin Yuan pondered for a moment before flying off toward the southwest.
"First, I'll go back and pay my respects to my parents."
Gui Li Town—Lin Yuan's hometown was a small, ordinary town of the Jia Ma Empire located near the Magic Beast Mountain Range, southwest of Zhen Gui Pass.
Three days later.
Within a secluded and tranquil valley deep in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, a youth in green robes stood before a joint grave, quietly speaking to himself. It was Lin Yuan, who had relocated his parents' remains to be buried here.
Before his parents' grave, Lin Yuan softly recounted his experiences over the past few years. After a long while—
"Mother, you once said you wanted to live in a quiet place. I hope you like it here."
"Father, you loved Mother so deeply—surely the place Mother likes is the place you like as well."
"Father, Mother, thank you for giving me this life in this world. I will use it to climb to the absolute peak. When I stand at the summit, I will make the entire Dou Qi Continent resound with your names."
"It's about time. I should be going."
Afterward, Lin Yuan performed several deep bows before leaving the valley.
Outside the valley, Lin Yuan stood facing a Fifth-Rank magical beast. The beast was the Heavenly Wind Wolf King, a Fifth-Rank wind-attribute magical beast and the territorial lord of this region of the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
"Wolf King," Lin Yuan said loudly, "according to the agreement from our battle the other day, I'll have to trouble you to guard this grave for ten years. Simply ensure that no one disturbs the peace of this place."
Hearing this, the Heavenly Wind Wolf King nodded in a very human-like manner. Recalling the scene from two days ago—three battles and three crushing defeats—it still felt lingering fear. The human youth before it was terrifyingly strong. Not only was his Dou Qi cultivation close to a six-star Dou King, but his physical body could also contend with it head-on, and he could even unleash that kind of power filled with pure destruction. Fortunately, he had deliberately struck off target—otherwise, it would have died on the spot. Moreover, from time to time, a trace of supreme pressure originating from deep within his bloodline would emanate from the youth, making it instinctively feel the urge to submit.
That was right. One week before leaving Jia Nan Academy, Lin Yuan had broken through to five-star Dou King while refining pills. On the way to the Jia Ma Empire, he had completed two more rounds of Spirit Refining and Spirit Ascension. The Hundred Beasts Spirit Refining Art had advanced another great step toward completion, and his physical body could now rival that of an ordinary mid-tier Fifth-Rank magical beast.
Seeing this, Lin Yuan felt a hint of joy in his heart. His thoughts had been correct. Among magical beasts, the principle of respecting strength was even more absolute than among humans. Thus, in most cases, if one wished to use the power of magical beasts, the best method was to establish a battle agreement first and then subdue their will through repeated victories.
After a moment of thought, Lin Yuan took out a medicinal pill and tossed it to the Heavenly Wind Wolf King. The rich medicinal fragrance instantly invigorated the Wolf King's spirits. Then, amid its expectant gaze, Lin Yuan spoke and set down another agreement.
"Guard the valley well. When I return next time, I will grant you a great opportunity."
"Awooo."
The Wolf King accepted the agreement. Although a Fifth-Rank magical beast could not yet speak, its intelligence was already no different from that of an ordinary human.
"Then, farewell."
Nodding slightly, Lin Yuan rose into the air under the Wolf King's gaze, transforming into a streak of light as he flew off into the distance.
After swallowing the pill, the Heavenly Wind Wolf King rested for a while. Two hours later, after fully digesting the medicinal effects and feeling its strength increase significantly, it let out a satisfied long howl. Afterward, it arranged for two Fourth-Rank magical beasts under its command to guard the valley, then headed back toward its lair.
Not far away, Lin Yuan—who had been observing the situation with his soul perception, sensed that the Heavenly Wind Wolf King had indeed stationed magical beasts to watch over the valley. A relieved smile appeared at the corner of his mouth as he truly departed from the area.
At the same moment, in the Xiao Clan of Wu Tan City.
With one month remaining until the Xiao Clan's Coming-of-Age Ceremony, the clan was holding a preliminary test ahead of the event.
A black-robed youth, under the tense gazes of everyone present, calmly and confidently extended his hand and lightly placed it against the cold testing stone monument.
In the next instant, the stone monument erupted with brilliant light. The enormous golden characters caused every heart present to seem to stop beating in that very moment.
"Dou Qi… Seventh Stage!"
"Xiao Yan: Dou Qi, Seventh Stage, High Level!"
The golden characters on the stone monument and the tester's voice—unable to conceal its shock—seemed to proclaim that the fallen genius had officially returned.
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