C10 Redhaired Man

Taoist Priest Huayang had merely instructed Xu Tianzhi to take on menial tasks at Hengshan; he hadn't revoked his apprenticeship. Thus, to the overseers and laborers, Xu Tianzhi remained an esteemed apprentice, high above them in status.

The minotaur cracked its long whip once more, ensnaring the disfigured corpse and flinging it into the furnace, where a dark red liquid churned. With a hiss, all that remained of the once vibrant life was a thin trail of green smoke wafting above the molten abyss.

Xu Tianzhi's forehead bulged with veins as he balled his fists in anger. He was aware of the world's rigid hierarchy, but having been raised in the sheltered environment of the Xu family, he had never experienced such brutality firsthand. Even after being sent to the Hero Sect at the age of eight, his focus on martial arts and the study of formations had shielded him from witnessing such harsh realities.

Now, confronted with such a gruesome spectacle, Xu Tianzhi's soul itself seemed to rebel against the notion that human life could be so cheaply discarded. He was utterly unable to reconcile with it.

"My lord, we should report to Lord Zhang," suggested the Hengshan servant with due reverence.

Xu Tianzhi, hearing this, took a moment to collect himself. He surveyed the formidable minotaurs surrounding him and exhaled a sigh of relief, recognizing that they were beyond his current ability to challenge.

Reflecting on his uncertain future, yet grateful for not being expelled from the sect, Xu Tianzhi sighed inwardly and responded to the servant, "Lead the way, please."

He knew better than to stir up unnecessary trouble, especially when the sect's elders were already looking for any excuse to rid themselves of him.

Following the Hengshan worker, Xu Tianzhi soon arrived at a building. Stepping inside, he was greeted by a refreshing coolness—a stark contrast to the sweltering heat of the mountainous exterior.

Looking up, Xu Tianzhi noticed a half-square piece of Level 1 metal affixed to the ceiling. Carved into it was a Level 1 Cooling Array, with a simple Level 1 Ice Stone, imbued with icy properties, set at its core.

The icy energy of the Ice Stone was gradually released by the array, transforming the sweltering room into a refreshingly cool sanctuary. Arrays were versatile, capable not only of inscribing combat spiritual weapons but also of creating a variety of supportive items.

The room was spartan, furnished with only a table and a few chairs. Yet, in this oppressively hot environment, it was a rare oasis of coolness.

"Lord Zhang, I have brought Lord Xu," announced the attendant as he ushered Xu Tianzhi into the room, addressing a middle-aged man seated behind the table.

The man, clad in the Hero Sect Law Enforcement Team's uniform, looked up, his eyes shrouded in darkness—a testament to his practice of a unique cultivation technique.

"Greetings, Senior Brother, I am Xu Tianzhi," said Xu Tianzhi. In the law enforcement team, hierarchy was not observed, so addressing the man as Senior Brother was appropriate.

"Huang, get him settled first, then take him to assist Master Hong," the middle-aged man instructed, flicking a talisman into Huang's palm.

Huang examined the token, his face briefly contorting into an odd expression before regaining composure. He then replied with due respect, "Understood, Lord Zhang."

Exiting the room, Xu Tianzhi followed Huang to a series of modest dwellings. "Lord Xu, this will be your quarters. This token grants you access," Huang explained, tapping the token against the door, which swung open with a creak.

Inside, the ceiling was just high enough for Xu Tianzhi to stand without bumping his head. The room was bare except for a stone slab bed in the corner. The lack of any cooling system made it unbearably hot, much to Xu Tianzhi's chagrin.

"Lord Xu, feel free to settle in before we head over to Master Hong's," suggested Huang, his tone less deferential than before.

"No need to settle in. Take me straight to Master Hong," Xu Tianzhi replied, a hint of assertiveness in his voice. With all his belongings contained within his storage ring, and nothing in the room but the stone bed, there was nothing to unpack.

"Very well, Lord Xu, please follow me," Huang acquiesced.

After navigating several side paths, a broad avenue soon came into view. As they made their way along this avenue, the rhythmic clang of metal striking metal grew louder ahead.

The road culminated in a spacious cavern. Despite the abundance of caves, this one was sparsely populated. Apart from a handful of slaves sporadically moving items and assisting with tasks, the vast space was dominated by a high platform. Atop it stood a striking figure: a burly man with a flaming red beard and hair, who was vigorously wielding a massive hammer, sending resounding clangs through the air as it struck a piece of metal on the anvil.

With his fiery red hair and beard, and muscles coiling like serpents beneath his skin, the man exuded a magnetic presence.

Upon laying eyes on the imposing figure with the crimson beard, Xu Tianzhi's jaw dropped in astonishment!