Ch. 26 - Breakthrough

Early the next morning, a shocking piece of news spread throughout Skysword City:

"The Chang Clan has been annihilated."

No one had anticipated this.

Overnight, a clan with a 500-year history had been wiped out.

Guards from the City Lord's Mansion surrounded the entire Chang estate. The raging fire from the previous night had burned all night, and even now, small flames still lingered.

City Lord Zhong Yanying stood amidst the ruins, feeling a sense of sorrow.

"Clean this place up. Let this matter rest. No further investigations," Zhong Yanying said calmly to the guards.

"Sir, I believe the people we encountered the other day were responsible," said the elder named Liang Bo.

"They're from the Sacred Ground, and of considerable status," Zhong Yanying pondered, then added, "Keep Ling'er indoors for the next few days. We don't know their intentions in Skysword City."

The elder nodded and withdrew.

...

At that moment, Xu Zimo was practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard when a servant reported that a man claiming to be the third prince of the Violet Sun Empire was seeking him.

Xu Zimo recalled the name, An Yifeng. In his previous life, he was a tragic figure.

"Let him in," Xu Zimo said.

Soon, a resolute-looking young man entered, dressed in white with a long sword at his waist.

"Young Master Xu, I am An Yifeng, the third prince of the Violet Sun Empire. I apologize for the unannounced visit," the young man said with a smile.

"Do you have business with me?" Xu Zimo asked.

"Our Violet Sun Empire is under the Sacred Ground's jurisdiction. I'm returning to the capital tomorrow. Upon hearing of your presence here, I wished to pay my respects," An Yifeng replied.

"You came to Skysword City to ally with the Chang Clan and vie for the crown prince position, didn't you?" Xu Zimo said with a smile.

An Yifeng paused, then said, "Since you've already deduced that, I won't hide it. I did intend to ally with the Chang Clan, but encountered a hero who eliminated them. I've been away long enough; it's time to return to the capital," he said with a bitter smile.

"Your brother is An Yiheng, correct?" Xu Zimo asked, stroking his chin.

"Yes, he's my second brother," An Yifeng nodded.

"Do you desire the position of crown prince?" Xu Zimo suddenly asked.

An Yifeng was taken aback, his heart racing.

He swallowed hard, looked intently at Xu Zimo, and nodded.

"Very well, I'll give you a chance," Xu Zimo said with a smile. "If I hear of An Yiheng's death, I'll ensure you become the future crown prince of the Violet Sun Empire."

An Yifeng was stunned.

"Is he suggesting I kill my own brother?"

He struggled with his emotions, torn between the importance of the throne and his half-brother.

"Don't dwell on it. Take your time to decide. My offer stands," Xu Zimo said, waving his hand. "But let me remind you, without my help, you won't secure the crown prince position."

Xu Zimo wasn't lying. In his previous life, An Yiheng became the crown prince with the help of the protagonist, Chu Yang, who rose from Sunshine Village, subdued the Chang Clan, and eventually befriended An Yiheng in the capital.

As for An Yifeng, he ended up a pitiful figure.

"I'll consider it seriously," An Yifeng said, then departed.

...

Later, Xu Zimo summoned Dark Thirteen.

"Thirteen, I have a task for you. Don't mess it up."

"Please instruct me, Young Master," Dark Thirteen replied solemnly.

...

In Sunshine Village, Master Mo continued the morning training with the youths as usual.

After consuming the pills left by Xiao Yuexuan, he successfully broke through to the Meridian Forging Realm. His spiritual energy surged, the result of years of accumulation.

The youths were practicing horse stances, faces flushed after more than an hour.

But in the last row, Chu Yang stood firm, his expression resolute, unaffected by fatigue.

Since practicing the War Immortal Tactics given by Elder Mo and consuming the pills left by Xiao Yuexuan, Chu Yang's body had undergone multiple refinements, reaching the ninth stage of the Mortal Realm.

This level of training was child's play for him.

After the morning session, all the youths were exhausted, except for Chu Yang, who remained relaxed.

Master Mo approached, patted his shoulder, and said, "Keep it up. You might surpass me in the future."

Chu Yang smiled and nodded firmly.

...

After breakfast, Chu Yang went to a forest outside Sunshine Village. Within the forest was a large canyon.

A river gathered above the canyon, cascading down like a waterfall, creating splashes upon hitting the ground. Below the river was a small pool.

Golden carp swam in the pool, and a turtle basked on a smooth rock nearby.

Chu Yang approached the pool, and Elder Mo's voice sounded from his ring.

"Little Yang, sit beneath the waterfall. Use its pressure to attempt breaking through your first meridian gate and reach the Spirit Meridian Realm today."

The waterfall resembled a dragon descending from the heavens.

Chu Yang looked up at it, gritted his teeth, and slowly sat beneath it.

As soon as he sat under the waterfall, he felt the pressure of the falling water. His muscles ached as if tearing apart.

He felt his blood flow reverse, his veins on the verge of bursting.

He couldn't help but howl in pain.

"Hold on," Elder Mo's voice encouraged. "Circulate the War Immortal Tactics to gradually repair your body and adapt to the pressure."

Chu Yang nodded with difficulty, enduring the pain.

Gradually, his body grew numb, and his consciousness began to fade.

"Don't sleep! You must break through to the Spirit Meridian Realm in one go, or your foundation will be damaged," the voice of the Reincarnation Elder shouted.

Chu Yang opened his eyes weakly, murmuring, "I can't sleep. I still need to find Xiao'er."

He remembered the helplessness he felt when the girl left.

A sharp light flashed in his eyes. With a loud "bang," it felt as if chains within him broke.

The waterfall's water splashed violently as Chu Yang excitedly observed the changes in his body.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a hidden cave behind the waterfall.

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