Master Baiyun roared, his true essence gathering for a lethal strike.
But in that instant, the wolf-shaped beast spat out a dozen fireballs and fled.
The fireballs, far weaker than before, were shattered by the Twelve Tiger Guards, causing no harm.
“Kill!”
Lin Ze saw the opportunity. The Blue-Eye Clan was crumbling.
“Avenge Ling Xiao! Avenge our fallen soldiers! Crush the Blue-Eye Clan!”
“Kill! Kill! Kill!”
The human warriors, led by Lin Ze, surged forward, their morale soaring.
The Blue-Eye Clan, meanwhile, collapsed in disarray, fleeing in panic, their earlier swagger gone.
Master Baiyun ignored the battle’s outcome, his focus locked on the wolf beast.
As it escaped, he pursued.
Suddenly, an unforeseen event unfolded.
Master Baiyun, just lunging forward, was blasted back by a single punch, blood spilling from his mouth, his face ashen.
He was gravely injured.
There stood a man in gleaming silver armor, gently stroking the scarred wolf beast with a hint of affection.
The beast lay by his side, whimpering softly.
What was happening?
The humans chasing the Blue-Eye Clan halted.
Master Baiyun, repelled and wounded, was no small matter.
Ling Xiao watched tensely.
The wolf beast had a master, one likely far stronger than Master Baiyun.
Otherwise, a single punch couldn’t have left Baiyun vomiting blood.
“Who are you?” Master Baiyun asked coldly. Though pale, he could still inflict damage if pushed to a desperate fight.
“Heh, a mere First Heaven martial artist dares harm my pet? That punch was a lesson,” the armored man sneered.
Pet?
Everyone was stunned. That formidable beast was just this man’s pet?
Where did he come from?
How was he so powerful?
“Are you from the Beast King Palace?” Qi Yuan’s voice cut through, quiet but clear to those nearby.
Ling Xiao, in his soul state, heard it too.
“Beast King Palace? One of the twelve hidden sects?” Master Baiyun’s face shifted, turning to Qi Yuan.
“No mistake. His armor bears the Beast King Palace’s mark—a tiger’s head,” Qi Yuan confirmed.
“Tch, didn’t expect someone in this backwater to know of us,” the armored man laughed. “Since you know the Beast King Palace, you should grasp our power. I’m here today with one question.”
“Speak,” Qi Yuan said cautiously.
“Smart. Has the Mountain River Martial Soul appeared in Baiyun Province?” the armored man asked.
Ling Xiao’s heart tightened.
He was glad he’d never used his Mountain River Martial Soul.
Though he knew it would be potent in battle, he’d restrained himself, fearing attention.
Now, someone was indeed after him.
“Mountain River Martial Soul? That level of soul in a place like this? If it appeared, it’d be in one of the twelve sects,” Qi Yuan said, frowning. “Sorry, I’ve never seen it.”
Lin Ze nodded. “Brother, I’m the border general. I know every young martial artist with potential in Baiyun Province. I’ve never heard of anyone with a Mountain River Martial Soul.”
“I’ve never heard of it either. If it existed, I’d have taken them as my true disciple,” Master Baiyun added.
“You’re not lying,” the armored man said, then sneered. “But the Ninja Clan has sworn allegiance to us. You’ve killed many of them today. It feels like bullying, but Yun Kong City has no reason to exist anymore.”
With that, he threw a punch, its force capable of leveling the city.
“Hmph, the Beast King Palace acts with impunity. But today, I’m protecting Yun Kong City!”
A cold snort.
A flash of sword light.
The punch shattered.
A white-robed swordsman appeared on the battlefield, one hand gripping a sword, the other behind his back, his long hair flowing like a sword immortal.
“Sword King Sect?” The armored man’s face darkened, then he laughed. “Just a jest! If a Mountain River Martial Soul wielder is here, killing them would be a waste. Since you’re here, I’ll leave!”
He didn’t linger, somehow stowing the wolf beast and vanishing into the jungle with a few leaps.
“Sword King Sect, another of the twelve hidden sects!” Qi Yuan was shocked. The twelve sects, unseen for millennia, had now shown two in one day.
“Thank you, hero, for saving Yun Kong City!” Lin Ze bowed.
“No need. I’m here for the same reason—seeking the Mountain River Martial Soul’s awakener. Just a side act. Beihan Kingdom is under our Sword King Sect, so I stepped in,” the swordsman said curtly. With a flick of his sword, he shot off like a beam of light, gone in an instant.
Though he couldn’t fly, his movement far surpassed Master Baiyun’s.
Unnoticed, the Blue-Eye Clan’s remnants had fled Yun Jiang, escaping on their mechanical giant ships to their homeland.
Lin Ze didn’t pursue.
The sudden appearance of Beast King Palace and Sword King Sect weighed on him.
“Master, are you alright?” he asked, approaching Master Baiyun.
“I’m fine,” Baiyun shook his head. “The twelve hidden sects reappearing after millennia is the real issue. My injury is nothing.”
“But Master, what does their return have to do with us?” Lin Ze asked, puzzled.
“Legend says the Mountain River Martial Soul’s emergence signals the twelve sects’ return, heralding a new golden age for humanity,” Master Baiyun explained. “The sects, and other near-top factions, will likely start recruiting widely. A martial artist’s spring has come.”
“Humanity lacks complete martial souls, inferior even to the Blue-Eye and Ninja Clans. How can we prosper?” someone asked.
“The Mountain River Martial Soul is the ancestor of all souls. Its appearance triggers others to awaken. That’s why more young martial artists are awakening partial souls lately,” Master Baiyun said with a bitter smile. “How didn’t I see it? Whoever got the Mountain River Martial Soul is in for a rough life.”
“Shouldn’t getting it be a blessing? Why a curse?” the Baiyun Temple Master asked.
