Chapter 22: The Forbidden Grounds of the Xiao Family

Grandfather is dead?

The sudden news struck Xiao Quanjia like a bolt of lightning, leaving him rooted to the spot. No wonder so many days had passed without a single word from his grandfather. Even for a martial artist at the Xuanhuang Realm, whose physical prowess was extraordinary, it should have taken less than a day to reach Yellow Sand Town. Yet, he still hadn't arrived.

"Impossible! You are merely at the Spirit Entry Realm; how could you possibly be a match for my grandfather?" Xiao Quanjia stared at Mu Feng in disbelief, his eyes filled with terror. In his mind, the Grand Elder was the most powerful figure second only to Xiao Jue. There was no way he could have been killed by a nobody like Mu Feng.

"Mu Feng! Big Brother! Spare me! I promise I will never bother you again!" Xiao Quanjia scrambled to his knees in a panic, trembling as he begged. "Can't we go back to how things were? I’ll be your lackey again—I’ll do whatever you tell me!"

Facing Xiao Quanjia’s pleas, Mu Feng only smiled. "And if I told you to go die right now, would you do it?"

"Die yourself!"

Suddenly, Xiao Quanjia lunged at Mu Feng, a dagger clutched in his hand, aiming straight for Mu Feng’s heart.

*BOOM—*

A burst of potent spiritual energy shook the surroundings. Before Xiao Quanjia could even fully rise, he was crushed into the ground by Mu Feng.

"Using such low-handed tricks? Did you really think I wouldn't see that coming?" Mu Feng grumbled as he crouched down to rummage through Xiao Quanjia’s pockets. He found a map, a stack of silver banknotes, and a key forged from an unknown material.

His eyes lit up as he examined the map. "The location marked on this map is deep within the Snow Moon Mountains. Could it be the legendary forbidden grounds of the Xiao family?" The Xiao family's forbidden grounds were a place of inheritance, accessible only to disciples who had earned the qualification—a place shrouded in profound mystery. It seemed Xiao Quanjia hadn't come to Yellow Sand Town just to investigate the fire at the pill hall; his primary mission was to reach this place to claim the inheritance. Now, it was Mu Feng’s gain.

After tidying up his spoils, Mu Feng looked back at the Treasure Pavilion. He glanced toward a window on the third floor and gave a slight, respectful bow. Inside the room, Yu Linglong watched the scene with a faint, playful smile.

"Go, clear away the mess outside. Do not disturb the guests arriving tomorrow..."

By then, Mu Feng had already set off toward the depths of the Snow Moon Mountains, his figure vanishing into the night.

"I find this map a bit strange," the fairy said quietly, observing the map in Mu Feng’s hand from within the dense forest.

"Is there a problem?"

"The markings on this map seem to be near the resting place of the Seven Absolute Yin Corpses."

"Are you implying that the Seven Absolute Yin Corpses are connected to the Xiao family?"

"Unlikely," the fairy shook her head gently. How could the Xiao family cultivate such a terrifying weapon? Besides, they lacked the secret arts required to raise corpses. The appearance of the Seven Absolute Yin Corpses might be a coincidence, but it was likely linked to the Xiao family’s so-called forbidden grounds.

Just as they were talking, the roars of wild beasts pierced the air, followed by a desperate, sky-shattering cry for help.

"Help! Help me!"

"Is there anyone here who can save me!"

A chubby youth, covered in dust and grime, came sprinting toward Mu Feng, gasping for air. His chubby cheeks wobbled with every step, and his short, stubby limbs looked comical as he ran, his face a mess of snot and tears. Behind him, dozens of massive wild wolves were giving chase, intent on the kill.

"Big Brother, help! Big Brother!" Seeing someone ahead, the fatty rushed toward Mu Feng without a second thought.

*Damn it!* Mu Feng cursed silently. He had intended to stay out of it, but the fatty had led the pack straight to him.

*Hum!*

The small sword pendant from his ear fell into his hand and instantly transformed into a long blade. He swung it sharply, sending three fierce sword qi flying toward the fatty, whose entire body trembled in terror at the lethal aura.

"Big Brother, mercy! Big Brother!"

*Whoosh—*

The sword qi bypassed the fatty and struck the pack of wolves. Instantly, blood splattered, beasts were dismembered, and piercing howls echoed through the night sky. The fatty dazed, patted his intact body and his cheeks, relieved to find he was unharmed.

He looked up to see Mu Feng moving through the wolf pack with ease, his long sword dancing as he harvested lives. Amidst the chaos, Mu Feng remained pristine, not a speck of dust touching his robes. His movements were elegant and dazzling.

"Wow, so amazing!" The fatty watched, mesmerized by Mu Feng’s graceful combat.

*Awoooo—*

Suddenly, an angry howl echoed from the distance. Beneath the moonlight, a massive creature emerged, its size so great it obscured much of the moonlight.

"It’s the Wolf King. Be careful, kid," the fairy warned.

Mu Feng’s face darkened, his grip tightening on his sword hilt. The giant creature emitted a faint glow in the night, accompanied by a scarlet blood aura that rippled outward.

*Spiritual energy!* Mu Feng frowned. The wolf before him was no longer a common beast; it had begun to cultivate spiritual energy. Though it hadn't reached a true rank yet, it was only a matter of time.

"Big Brother, what should we do?" The fatty, now trembling with fear, scurried to Mu Feng’s side.

Mu Feng rolled his eyes. What to do? Fight, of course. This forest was the beasts' home turf, and while Mu Feng had mastered the Spirit Shadow movement technique, he still couldn't outrun the Wolf King. There was no choice but to fight!

Ignoring the fatty, Mu Feng charged forward, his speed shocking. His sharp blade cut a cold arc under the moonlight.

"Sword One!"

He whispered in his heart, and two streams of sword qi coalesced around his blade, spiraling upward as he slashed down at the Wolf King’s head.

*ROAR—*

Perhaps angered by Mu Feng’s slaughter of its kin, or perhaps insulted by his audacity, the Wolf King opened its cavernous maw and let out a thunderous roar. The sound shook Mu Feng’s ears, leaving him momentarily dazed.

*Bang!*

The blade landed squarely on the Wolf King’s shoulder, striking with the sound of metal hitting stone and sending sparks flying.

"What tough hide!" Mu Feng looked on in surprise. The Wolf King knew how to use spiritual energy to protect its body; its strength was no less than a top-tier expert at the Spirit Entry Realm.

"Big Brother, I’ll help you!" The fatty shouted, pulling a jade talisman from somewhere and throwing it at the Wolf King.

*BOOM!*

A massive explosion erupted. The shockwave sent Mu Feng tumbling backward several times. The Wolf King, however, merely had a patch of fur blackened on its chest—hardly a fatal blow. Instead, it was completely enraged!

"Damn it! Whose side are you on?!" Mu Feng shook his dizzy head, clambered to his feet, and glared at the fatty while shouting an oath.

The fatty laughed awkwardly, but just as he opened his mouth to speak, his face turned pale with terror.

"Big Brother, look out!"

Mu Feng spun around just as the massive, blood-dripping jaws lunged toward him.

"To hell with it! Do or die!"

Setting his feet, Mu Feng leaped into the air.

*Spinning Sword Technique!*

Mu Feng’s body spiraled like a whirlwind, diving headlong into the Wolf King’s jaws! Seeing Mu Feng swallowed whole, the fatty’s face went white. "Big Brother! Big Brother, why would you do something so foolish! Big Brother, you died so tragically!"

*Splat—*

As the words left his lips, a figure burst out from the Wolf King’s back, a blade of fierce, sky-piercing energy trailing behind him, a sight so magnificent it was breathtaking. As Mu Feng landed, the Wolf King collapsed, its life extinguished.

"Big Brother! Well done, Big Brother, I—"

*SLAP!*

As the fatty rushed over to celebrate, Mu Feng slapped him across the face. Holding his sword, a cold, murderous light in his eyes, Mu Feng growled, "Listen here, you fat idiot. Tell me... how do you want to die?"