C4 The Grudge in His Previous Life!

After persuading Zhen Gui, Qiao Mao cast a glance at the three lifeless bodies on the ground, his brow furrowing in concern.

In Qiao Mao's previous life, his combat prowess was unrivaled, but now he found himself at Mortality Transcending Level One Heaven. Leveraging his past life's combat experience, he could easily dispatch warriors at Mortality Transcending Level Three Heaven. However, facing a warrior at Mortality Transcending Level Four Heaven would prove challenging.

Knowing he couldn't keep the fact that he had killed Qiao Hee a secret forever, Qiao Mao took action. He dug a large pit in the backyard and buried the three bodies.

Once the grim task was completed, Qiao Mao and Zhen Gui shared a meal before he commenced his cultivation practice. The Ten-direction Prison Suppressing Technique flowed through him for two complete cycles, swiftly elevating his condition to its peak.

Having regained his prime state, Qiao Mao turned his thoughts to martial skills.

Martial arts were categorized into four primary levels: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow. Within each of these, there were three sub-levels: High, Middle, and Low. Given his current low level of cultivation, he couldn't utilize the martial skills from the zenith of his previous life.

Cultivation and martial skills needed to be in harmony with one's strength. If he lacked the necessary power but attempted to cultivate overly potent martial skills, he would suffer backlash.

For instance, a two-year-old child attempting to cultivate a Heaven Rank Martial Skill would be overwhelmed and destroyed by the skill's intense energy.

"Even though I'm currently at Mortality Transcending Level One Heaven, my body's resilience is on par with a Mortality Transcending Level Three Heaven martial artist. I am capable of cultivating Yellow Rank Middle Grade martial skills."

Having decided to pursue a Yellow Rank Middle Grade Martial Skill, Qiao Mao sifted through his memories and eventually selected the "Wind Thunder Palm."

Wind Thunder Palm was comprised of three tiers. The first tier was on par with a Yellow Rank Middle Grade Martial Skill, the second tier equated to a Yellow Rank High Grade Martial Skill, and the third tier could even rival a Profound Rank Low Grade Martial Skill.

In all of Martial Sun City, Yellow Rank High Grade Martial Skills were exceedingly rare, not to mention Profound Rank Low Grade Martial Skills. Should the cultivation technique of Wind Thunder Palm become public knowledge, it would likely incite a bloody conflict throughout Martial Sun City.

After selecting an appropriate Martial Skill, Qiao Mao wasted no time in beginning his cultivation. Drawing on the expertise from his previous life, he mastered the Wind Thunder Palm with remarkable speed. Within just half a day, he had achieved Great Completion of the first level.

Having reached Great Completion of the Wind Thunder Palm's initial level, Qiao Mao paused his training. He knew that attempting to advance to the second level might cost him the use of his hands.

"Mr. Qiao Mao."

A young girl burst into Qiao Mao's room, her complexion as fair as porcelain.

Recognizing her as his uncle's daughter, he greeted her with a warm smile. "What brings you here?"

Qiao Shuang charged over and playfully punched Qiao Mao in the waist. He feigned a howl of pain, "Shuang, that really hurt."

"Don't try to fool me. You're not in any pain," Qiao Shuang retorted, then looked down and pouted, "I was careful not to hurt you, so I didn't use much force."

Qiao Mao chuckled at her concern, feeling a touch embarrassed. "As a warrior, I don't get hurt that easily."

"Warrior?" Qiao Shuang echoed, her curiosity piqued. A moment of realization washed over her, and she adopted a solemn tone. "Mr. Qiao Mao, I'm a warrior too. Look."

To Qiao Mao's astonishment, Shuang radiated the aura of a Mortality Transcending Level One Heaven. He nearly stumbled in shock; he had never noticed that Qiao Shuang had become a warrior at such a young age in his previous life. He praised her enthusiastically, "Shuang, you're truly impressive."

"Do you really think so? But you're already at Mortality Transcending Level Three Heaven. I'm not as impressive as you," Qiao Shuang mumbled, feeling a bit deflated.

Qiao Mao gave a wry smile. Before his awakening, he indeed was a warrior of Mortality Transcending Level Three Heaven. But upon awakening, he had lost all his cultivation and had to start over, only recently achieving Mortality Transcending Level One Heaven.

With a bittersweet grin, Qiao Mao reassured her, "Shuang, you're still young. By the time you reach my age, I'm certain you'll be even stronger than me."

"Really?" Qiao Shuang's eyes widened in earnest as she gazed at Qiao Mao, her eyes brimming with hope, awaiting his response.

Qiao Mao affectionately tousled Qiao Shuang's hair and assured her with a gentle smile, "Of course it's true. Just remember not to bully me if you end up being stronger than I am."

"I won't bully you," Qiao Shuang declared, her small fists balled up with determination, "but you have to buy me some candied hawthorns."

Qiao Mao chuckled. Having recently mastered the initial level of the Wind Thunder Palm, he found himself with no pressing matters at hand, so he readily agreed to Qiao Shuang's request.

"I've been back in this world for a few days now. It's high time to explore," Qiao Mao mused, stepping out with Qiao Shuang by his side.

"Delicious steamed buns!"

"Sweet jujube paste."

"Candied hawthorns."

Though Qiao Mao was the one who had brought Qiao Shuang out, she was the one leading him around the bustling market.

"Mr. Qiao Mao, look, candied hawthorns! I want ten skewers!" Qiao Shuang exclaimed, tugging at Qiao Mao and dashing towards the vendor. Qiao Mao doubted she could finish all ten skewers.

Just then, a carriage barreled down the road at breakneck speed, heading straight for them. "That's the Qin family's carriage. It looks like Qin Dian is inside," Qiao Mao realized.

The sight of the carriage triggered a flood of memories, and a surge of rage filled his eyes. "I thought my rebirth might have changed some things, but it seems this event is still fated to happen," he reflected bitterly.

In his previous life, it was this very outing for candied hawthorns that led to Qiao Shuang's tragic death under the wheels of Qin Dian's carriage.

At just eight years old, full of innocence and vivacity, Qiao Shuang faced such a cruel fate. The memory ignited a fierce killing intent in Qiao Mao.

Following her death, Qiao Mao's uncle, Qiao Shen, cradled Qiao Shuang's lifeless body as he pleaded with their family for justice. But Qiao Guang refused, claiming her death was an accident, prioritizing the family's relationship with the Qin family over her life. This betrayal drove Qiao Shen to weep for three days straight, his grief so profound that he cried tears of blood.

In the end, Qiao Shen bravely sought vengeance against the Qin family, only to be ensnared in their treacherous plot. His demise was a tragic one. Following his death, the Qin family displayed his body outside their door, leaving it to the mercy of the scorching sun. This gruesome sight attracted crows that feasted on Qiao Shen's remains. The Qiao family was even denied the chance to lay him to rest.

"In my previous life, I failed to protect Shuang. When my uncle met with disaster, I was nothing but a coward. This time around, I am determined to prevent history from repeating itself," Qiao Mao reflected.