C16 Your Name Is

The pressure of an aura is a battle of the mind. Typically, martial artists who have not cultivated their Divine Sense are unaffected by such spiritual confrontations.

Thus, this kind of intimidation didn't faze him, especially since he had already opened his Divine Aperture.

Only an expert like the Village Chief could pose a real threat to him; otherwise, it was essentially ineffective.

The display of courage from Yuan Ling at this moment took Yuan Loong by surprise.

Yuan Li had recounted the entire sequence of events to him upon waking that morning.

At the time, Yuan Ling barely registered on his radar.

But now, facing Yuan Ling head-on, Yuan Loong truly recognized what made him stand out.

Recalling his earlier concerns, his resolve to crush Yuan Ling beneath his feet only solidified.

The memory of his father's ordeal was etched into his heart. He believed that by crushing and destroying the other while they were still weak, and by planting an indelible mark of defeat deep within their psyche, he could avoid repeating past mistakes.

With a sneer, Yuan Loong's Genuine Qi surged through him.

He raised his left hand slightly, a pale silver glow flickering between his fingers.

His goal was to vanquish Yuan Ling swiftly and decisively, plunging him into the depths of despair.

Yuan Loong's eyes were wide, a chilling light emanating from them as his left palm glowed with a soft silver hue.

"What are you doing?"

Just as Yuan Loong was about to unleash his palm strike, the Village Chief's voice cut through the air.

Yuan Loong's outstretched hand halted, his expression shifting subtly as a glint of coldness flashed in his eyes.

He huffed disdainfully, brought his palms together, and turned to give the Village Chief a frosty look.

The Village Chief approached calmly, seemingly oblivious to Yuan Loong's antagonistic stare.

"We're short on time. We need to get ready to head into the forest. If you don't want to lose your way, follow me."

Yuan Loong knew that message was directed at him.

He was acutely aware that with the Village Chief present, he couldn't lay a finger on Yuan Ling.

Should he persist in causing harm, they would be left without a guide and unable to navigate the Misty Forest on their own.

The village chief's prowess at the Hidden Consciousness Stage had Yuan Loong treading cautiously.

With a piercing gaze, Yuan Loong locked eyes with Yuan Ling and declared deliberately, "Don't think this is over. Once we're in Yuan Town, I'll see who's there to shield you." He scoffed dismissively and led the Qian City Yuan Family members away.

As the figures receded, Yuan Ling breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't intimidated by Yuan Loong's domineering presence, but he was acutely aware that his own talents couldn't bridge the widening gap between them. Should Yuan Loong choose to engage in combat, Yuan Ling knew he stood no chance of retaliation.

Yuan Ling's brow furrowed at the memory of the earlier threat. He understood the implications all too well. With a Hidden Consciousness Stage Expert like the village chief by his side, Yuan Loong was currently at bay. But as soon as Yuan Loong's reinforcements converged in Yuan Town, the village chief's influence would wane, and Yuan Loong would undoubtedly seek his revenge.

Yuan Ling's fists tightened. He was painfully aware that a confrontation with Yuan Loong was inevitable. He needed to unlock more meridians and Acupoints quickly. To stand a chance against a Martial Artist Level Nine, he conservatively needed to open at least four meridians and four independent Acupoints.

Yet, that might still fall short. Yuan Loong would also progress post-baptism, likely reaching the Perfection Stage, or even ascending to Earth Martial status.

But baptism wasn't just a boon for Yuan Loong; it was an opportunity for Yuan Ling to narrow the gap. Yuan Loong had access to superior resources and wasn't hindered by Sword Blood Shackles, ensuring his baptism would yield substantial gains. However, Yuan Ling had an edge that his rival couldn't match—memories from a past life.

"You shouldn't worry too much," he reassured himself. "The Sword Blood Clan's true strength emerges later on. Your father outpaced everyone in less than a decade; your potential is no less than his. I'm confident that your future accomplishments will rival, if not surpass, those of your father."

The Village Chief smiled warmly as he gently patted Yuan Ling on the head.

Yuan Loong was undeniably exceptional, but the Chief believed that Yuan Ling was destined for even greater accomplishments.

At present, though, the disparity between them was significant.

Should a conflict arise, it would inevitably result in Yuan Ling getting hurt.

Thus, it was best to avoid entanglement and minimize interaction with him.

The Village Chief chose not to elaborate further. Navigating the Misty Forest was challenging enough without distractions.

Once the Village Chief had departed, Yuan Mu, with his noticeably swollen face, slowly got to his feet.

Yuan Loong's slap had looked harsh, but it wasn't intended to be lethal—just forceful.

Yuan Mu hadn't sustained any internal damage, but his face had swollen comically, resembling a pig's head, which was quite the sight.

"Ouch...

That really hurt. That little rascal better hope I don't catch him, or I'll make sure he ends up looking just like me—a pig's head!"

Yuan Sang, hearing Yuan Mu's incessant complaints, quickly interjected.

"Enough already. You brought it on yourself with your sharp tongue. It's bad enough that you got hit.

Now we've both made an enemy who's unlikely to forget this."

Yuan Mu's face twitched with pain as he vented his frustration.

"How was I to know they'd be so brazen? Just one look and they're ready to beat me up. It's outright bullying!"

His thoughts then turned to Yuan Ling, and he said, "Big brother, your punch earlier was so satisfying. Just picturing that guy getting knocked away makes me happy."

Yuan Sang was equally astonished. "Indeed! How did you manage that? He's opened four acupoints. Even with a surprise attack, it's hard to believe you could send him flying with just one punch."

Yuan Ling simply smiled. "He underestimated me. If we were to face off again, I'm not sure I'd come out on top."

The two men found it odd, but they didn't dwell on it.

Reflecting on Yuan Loong's earlier arrogance only intensified their feelings of helplessness.

We were all peers, yet the disparity between us was stark.

The three fell silent for a moment as the convoy swiftly made its way into the Misty Forest.

Shrouded in dense fog throughout the year, the Misty Forest rendered visibility near zero, whether it was day or night.

Once inside, the carriage could no longer proceed—it was simply too cumbersome.

Everyone had to disembark and proceed on foot, leaving behind all other belongings at the forest's edge under the watchful eyes of a few guards.

The group treaded with utmost caution.

The path was anything but straight, twisting and turning in such a way that made discerning direction a challenge.

The hefty fellow, having long since forgotten his earlier beating, was lively once again.

He approached a young guard, "Brother Essence Flame, at this sluggish pace, when will we ever reach Yuan Village?"

Yuan Mu, looking at his own face swollen like a pig's, couldn't help but feel overwhelmed.

"You're always stirring up trouble. Got a beating this time, didn't you? It might do you some good to be a bit more cautious from now on."

Yuan Mu's face, already flushed and swollen, turned a deeper shade of red, resembling a piece of freshly stewed pork, almost purplish.

"I'm not the type to just cower and accept defeat. I will have my revenge!"

Essence Flame let out a helpless sigh.

"That man is a once-in-a-millennium prodigy of the Yuan family. Your desire for revenge seems like a lost cause...

Hopefully, this baptism will grant you a decent cultivation technique, which might just give you a sliver of hope for your revenge."

Yuan Mu felt deflated, "Brother Essence Flame, that sounds a bit like you're underestimating me."

Essence Flame shook his head, choosing not to dwell on the subject, and instead cautioned,

"The Misty Forest isn't just foggy; it's fraught with peril. A single misstep could mean getting lost, which is the least of your worries. Bad luck could cost you your life. Stick close and stay safe; if you wander off, no one will be able to save you."

Yuan Mu pulled his collar tighter and cast a wary glance at the fog-enshrouded woods before falling into silence.

The Misty Forest was enveloped in a dense fog, teeming with peril at every turn. Yet, the travelers navigated through with ease, encountering no mishaps along the way. Emerging from the primeval woods, the vista opened up to reveal a village, where figures of all ages moved about, reminiscent of a utopian paradise from another realm. The children from Yuan Village and Essence Wood Village burst into cheers, their anticipation for the upcoming baptism reaching its zenith.

In stark contrast to the bustling atmosphere of the two towns, the demeanor of the Qian City Yuan Family was markedly different. Observing the jubilant villagers, their expressions were tinged with disdain. Just then, a middle-aged man accompanied by a cadre of warriors approached with a joyful countenance, his warmth intensifying upon laying eyes on Yuan Loong. He, too, was a disciple of the Qian City Yuan Family.

The villagers from both communities instantly surmised that reinforcements had arrived. Considering Yuan Loong's previous brazenness without any apparent support, they feared his boldness would only escalate.

"At last, you've made it. Why the delay of a day? We've been quite concerned about you, Young Lord!" inquired the leader nonchalantly. Despite Qian City's decision for the Young Lord to embark on his journey solo, they assuredly had made covert arrangements to shield him from any insurmountable dangers.

Yuan Loong, hearing the concern, glanced over the gathered villagers with a smile. "Without their assistance, we might have needed several more days to arrive," he acknowledged.

The leader's gaze followed, noting the presence of merely a group of extended family members, and thus, he remained unbothered. However, his attention sharpened when his eyes met the village chief's, his look briefly betraying hostility before returning to a congenial smile.

"Who do we have here? It's none other than Big Brother Yuan Xiu! A decade has passed since our last parting, and to think I'd find you at the Hidden Consciousness Stage now—my congratulations!" he exclaimed.

Yuan Zheng's eyes widened in astonishment. Clearly, he was unaware that the village chief, who had been a constant presence by his side, had ascended to the esteemed rank of a Hidden Consciousness Stage Expert.

Damn it!

That old ghost had always been so low-key. It's unbelievable that after all these years, he's still concealing his true power right in front of me. This is just too much!

The village chief ignored Yuan Zheng's irate look and spoke with a nonchalant air.

"What's the big deal? I was merely fortunate. I'm no match for the likes of the Qian City Yuan Family."

The middle-aged man let out a sly chuckle.

"For someone to reach such a level of cultivation in that kind of environment is beyond what most people can achieve. I'm certainly not in the running."

In a flash, his gaze shifted to the children from both villages, ready to undergo the ritual, and his tone took on a mocking edge.

"But Yuan Xiu, my dear brother, it seems the talents of your younger generation haven't shown any signs of improvement. Surely this time won't be a repeat of the last, ending up at the bottom again?"

However, when his mocking eyes landed on Yuan Ling, the jest vanished instantly, replaced by a look of astonishment and uncertainty.

Why does this kid look so familiar?

As he stared at Yuan Ling's all-too-familiar face, a sense of wariness crept into the middle-aged man's heart.

He was aware that this feeling wasn't about the boy himself, but rather that uncanny familiarity.

The man's brow furrowed; he couldn't pinpoint the source of this feeling.

Just looking at Yuan Ling, he was increasingly overcome by a sense of impending trouble.

Who could it be that evoked such a feeling?

Growing more agitated, the middle-aged man eventually couldn't resist asking.

"What's your name?"