C11 Return to the Wind City

With a hearty laugh, a brawny man sporting a full beard emerged from the woods.

"Hey there, young man! What kind of meat are you cooking? It smells incredible!"

The man approached with an air of familiarity, chuckling as he sat down beside Chen Bai. "I'm Faang Hai, a solitary hunter. What's your name, young man, and who taught you your skills? Moreover, you're quite young to venture into the Spirit Beast Mountain Range alone. I must say, I admire your bravery!"

Chen Bai offered a nonchalant smile and kept adding pork to the pot. "You're too kind, sir. I'm not so young. My name is Huo Chen, of the Huo family from Wind City. I'm here to gain experience in the Spirit Beast Mountain Range alongside my elders. You must find it amusing."

Faang Hai's smile momentarily froze upon learning that Chen Bai was accompanied by an elder, but he quickly recovered, his eyes twinkling as he gave a respectful bow. "Ah, so you're Huo Chen of the esteemed Huo family. My apologies for any disrespect. Where might your elders be? May I have the honor of meeting them? Truth be told, I've grown weary of hunting alone and am seeking a family to support."

Chen Bai smirked disdainfully. "Oh, so you're yet another one looking to become a dog of the Huo family? It's baffling to me why you'd rather be dogs than decent human beings. Do you find that appealing?"

"You!" Faang Hai bristled with anger at Chen Bai's words but quickly composed himself, adopting a sycophantic tone. "You're absolutely right, Brother Huo. But you may not realize how tough it is to be a lone hunter these days, with the constant risk of losing one's life. I'd appreciate any favorable words you might offer. With my Foundation Level Five cultivation, I assure you I'd make an excellent guard."

Watching Faang Hai's obsequious demeanor, Chen Bai finally set aside his task and said, "If you're sincerely eager to serve the Huo family, then I have a few questions for you."

"Uh, Brother Huo, don't hesitate to ask. I'll share everything I know!"

Chen Bai nodded with satisfaction and pointed to the half-processed pig on the ground. "Come, tell me all about this creature."

Faang Hai glanced over dismissively and said indifferently, "This creature is known as the Red Fire Pig. It's a Level Two Spirit Beast, with a cultivation at most at the Qi Refining Stage. Typically, it's used for food. But enough about that. I'd rather you call an elder from your family to speak with me. Time is precious, and I can't afford to waste it."

Chen Bai, noticing the scorn in Faang Hai's eyes, realized he had likely given himself away. He quickly responded, "Ah, well answered, very good indeed! Now for one final question. If you get it right, I'll speak for my elder. Tell me, what is today's date?"

Faang Hai's forehead bulged with veins as he spat out angrily, "I don't know the exact date, but I do know that one year from today will mark your death anniversary! Damn it, I've been hunting geese all day, only to be outsmarted by a whelp! Prepare to die, you little wretch!"

With that, Faang Hai readied his hand to strike Chen Bai.

Chen Bai, seeing this, hastily gestured and said, "Stop! You must be mistaken, Senior! How could I deceive you? I got separated from my family's elders, and in the dim forest, I lost track of time. That's why I asked about the date. I had no intention of mocking you! If you escort me back, I assure you the Huo family will reward you handsomely."

Faang Hai paused, listening to Chen Bai finish his plea, then sneered, "Hmph! Keep spinning your tales, youngster! You seem to think you won't face reality until you're in your grave. Fine, since you wish to be an enlightened spirit, I'll indulge you. Today is May 22nd. Happy now? Now, meet your end!"

With that, Faang Hai lifted his hand once more, poised to deliver a fatal blow.

Chen Bai refrained from speaking this time, instead swiftly retreating a few steps before leaping into the air. He executed his signature move, the Crane Wing Palm, shouting the name of the technique as he lunged at Faang Hai with flapping arms.

Faang Hai could barely contain his laughter at the sight, regarding Chen Bai with an incredulous expression. He made no move to defend himself, instead opening his arms wide as if welcoming the futile attack.

Chen Bai, with the grace of a swallow returning to its nest, struck Faang Hai squarely in the chest with his palm.

"Boom~"

"Damn! That's cold! Ugh!"

A bizarre noise accompanied by Chen Bai's own commentary was followed by a shower of blood that drenched him, provoking a wave of nausea.

As it turned out, Faang Hai, noticing no ripple of Spiritual Force around Chen Bai and sensing no abnormalities in his body, had almost completely let down his guard. The result was that he was reduced to a mist of blood, leaving nothing behind.

Chen Bai spent some time retching, his gaze falling on the pig bone soup that had begun to smell appetizing, now tainted with blood. He felt a profound sense of loss.

Eventually, Chen Bai regained his composure and began to talk to himself, "The Celestial Charm Fox's constitution may be strong, but it's useless if I can't harness it. Still, with over half a month until the Great Competition, I can practice using the Spirit Spell on a Spirit Beast and maybe earn some Spirit Stones in the process."

With those words, Chen Bai's silhouette gradually vanished into the woods...

Half a month later.

"Fierce Sun Fist!"

"Roar!"

A Saber-toothed Tiger, towering several meters high, collapsed with a pained roar. A young man, wearing a beast skin skirt and bare-chested, excitedly approached the fallen beast. With practiced ease, he wielded a Profound Iron Sword to extract the Demonic Core.

The young man exhaled deeply, taking a swig of water from a beast skin flask. The water trickled down to his chest, following the path of a scar that looked severe enough to have been fatal.

Touching the scar, he mused to himself, "Sigh, I never expected the Celestial Charm Fox's constitution to backfire like this, growing weaker by the day. What a curse. I nearly lost my life. But at least now I've fully mastered the cultivation technique and the Spirit Spell."

Afterward, the young man deftly leaped to the top of a tree.

"Another day," he mused. "By my count, the Great Competition is just three days away. Hmph! Are you ready? Chen Bai is back in action!"

Having declared his return, Chen Bai jumped down and found a small pond for a refreshing bath. He then retrieved the last set of clothes he had treasured for a long time from the warehouse and quickly departed from the Spirit Beast Mountain Range.

In Wind City, on the streets.

Chen Bai strolled leisurely, his youthful face beaming like a chrysanthemum in full bloom.

"Hey, isn't that Chen Bai from the Chen family? He looks incredibly handsome!"

"Absolutely! His charm is utterly captivating!"

"I'd love to get closer to him!"

"You little flirt, caught in spring fever again?"

"Stop it!"

Basking in the adulation, Chen Bai made his way toward the Chen Mansion with contentment.

"Well, well, well! Look who it is! It's our dear Mr. Bai! You should've told me you were coming back; I would have prepared a proper welcome for you!"

This greeting came as a group approached Chen Bai from the opposite direction. The leader was a tall, handsome young man, standing eight feet with a face as fine as jade, now smiling warmly at Chen Bai.

Upon recognizing the newcomer, Chen Bai's smile vanished, but he still respectfully greeted the young man, "Brother Ke, it's good to see you."

This was Chen Ke, the current Young Lord of the Chen family and the son of the great elder, Chen Loong.

Before Chen Ke could respond, someone stepped forward from behind him, pointing at Chen Bai, "How can you be so disrespectful, Chen Bai? You shouldn't address Brother Ke so casually now!"

Chen Ke gestured dismissively, "No, no, that's not right. Mr. Bai has only recently stepped down as Young Lord; it's understandable he's not yet accustomed to the change. Oh! You're still bowing? Please, rise!"

With that, he extended his hand to lift Chen Bai up.

Sensing the subtle strength in the gesture, Chen Bai gave a slight smile and, feigning excitement, grasped Chen Ke's hand, "Big Brother always knows how to treat me well. I'm truly moved."

With a faint "click," Chen Ke withdrew his hand and tucked it into his sleeve, saying, "Mr. Bai, there's no need for such formality. We're all one family here, and we should naturally look out for one another."

Chen Bai offered a slight smile before turning to the individual who had just spoken. "You don't seem to be part of the Chen family, are you? Non-family members have no business discussing our private matters. Would you prefer to slap your own face, or shall I do the honors?"