C17 I Am Called Xiaoyao!

When everyone heard the beast, the horned horse, was being given away, they were astounded. Such generosity was unheard of, signaling the rise of a new star!

Huo Tian was initially surprised but quickly said, "Brother, your kindness is deeply appreciated, but the horned horse is too valuable. I can't possibly take something you cherish!"

"Brother Huo, there's no need to refuse," Ho Liao replied sincerely. "I offer it with a genuine heart."

"Alright, I've always longed for a horned horse, partly because it aligns with my training. Since you offer it so sincerely, I won't refuse and appear insincere. But know that I will always remember your friendship," Huo Tian said earnestly after looking Ho Liao in the eyes for a long moment.

"You can leave now," Ho Liao said, glancing at the two female disciples from the Swiftstriders.

"Ugh, you vile practitioner!" the younger sister suddenly exclaimed angrily. "Our Swiftstriders despise those who cultivate by draining others' powers. Even if I can't kill you today, know that I will seek you out in the future. Don't expect any gratitude from me; I'm not as easily swayed as Huo Tian!"

"Sister, don't be like that," the older sister said gently.

"Hey, are all disciples from the big sects this unreasonable?" a young independent cultivator remarked, standing up for Ho Liao.

"He’s a dark practitioner, so I won’t be thanking him!" the younger sister retorted defiantly.

"And how do you prove that Ho Liao is a dark practitioner?" Huo Tian demanded, clearly displeased.

"If he isn’t, then how could he have absorbed Ouyang Zhong’s powers?" she shot back.

"Fine, next time you see me, feel free to try and kill me. But right now, I have no interest in arguing with someone so unreasonable. Goodbye!" Ho Liao said, unsure of the situation himself. He didn’t want to get tangled up in this or explain too much. He figured his mentor probably knew the reason but wasn’t in a position to ask just yet.

"Hmph!" The younger sister glared at Ho Liao before turning to leave, but not before adding, "Just so you know, my name is Xiaoyao, and next time, I won’t let you off so easily!"

The older sister gave Ho Liao a grateful smile before also turning to leave.

"Don’t worry about it, brother!" Huo Tian said, watching the two Swiftstriders walk away. "Their bias against us runs deep. We can only prove ourselves through strength!"

"Thanks, Huo Tian. I won’t let it bother me!" Ho Liao replied with a smile. "What’s next for you?"

"I’m off to take care of something urgent. Hopefully, we’ll meet again. Where are you headed?" Huo Tian asked with a grin.

"The world is my oyster!" Ho Liao replied with a spirited tone.

Huo Tian, true to his nature, hopped onto his mystical beast and took off without a second thought, leaving no room for hesitation. Ho Liao quickly left the trouble behind as well, but his horse, spooked by the chaos, had lost its way. With Huo Tian's beast following him, Ho Liao had no choice but to continue on foot. Once he was sure he was alone, he spoke up, "Master, what just happened? Why did that Swiftstrider call me a dark cultivator?"

"You lucky brat," the Book Spirit sighed. "Ouyang Zhong's Ghostly Strike is crafted with the most sinister soul energy, enhanced by various elixirs. But our Pure Yang Spirit, which you and I cultivate, is its natural enemy. It's like a cat pouncing on a mouse. Any other cultivator without such pure energy would have been injured or even killed by that Ghostly Strike. As for that girl calling you a dark cultivator, she's just ignorant. Don't let it bother you."

"Master, after absorbing the soul energy from Ouyang Zhong's attack, I feel my energy is overflowing!" Ho Liao exclaimed, recalling the strange sensation he had just experienced.

"I know, you fortunate rascal," the Book Spirit replied. "You've turned misfortune into a blessing. Ouyang Zhong was at the Spirit Shedding stage, and now you've fed on the energy he refined, boosting your own. It looks like you're on the verge of breaking through to the second level of Soulkeep. You reached twelve energy nodes in the first level; let's see how many you can achieve this time," the Book Spirit added, with a hint of anticipation in his voice.

It's no wonder. If the energy vortex Ho Liao forms this time matches the first level, it's safe to say he has exceptional talent. If it's fewer, as long as there are at least three, it's still considered high-level talent. But if he surpasses the vortex formed during the first breakthrough, that's remarkable, indicating Ho Liao has extraordinary potential. How could the Book Spirit not be excited? Who wouldn't want their apprentice to be outstanding?

"Master, where should I go to meditate and break through now?" Ho Liao asked eagerly.

"No rush, kid!" the Book Spirit replied slowly. "I'll find a suitable place for your training, but first, I need to explain the people and events you encountered earlier."

"Please enlighten me, Master!" Ho Liao responded with the formal etiquette he learned in school, his face full of respect and seriousness.

"First, I need to talk about Xiaoyao, the woman you met. Her identity is quite extraordinary. Although you saved her life today, she has a deep misunderstanding of you. If you ever meet her again, you must be extremely cautious. She truly has the power to easily defeat you!"

"Understood!" Ho Liao replied respectfully, though he felt a surge of curiosity, like waves crashing in his mind. He wondered who Xiaoyao really was, but since his master didn't elaborate, he dared not ask further.

"The second person is Huo Tian. He has decent talent, and his fire dragon technique is at a critical stage. That's why he's willing to go to great lengths to find the horned beast, as its horn is similar to a dragon's and can aid his training. He's a rare character, and your help today will be remembered. If he masters the fire dragon technique, you'll surely meet again, and you should maintain a good relationship. So, giving him the horned beast today was the right decision!"

"Thank you, Master, for your guidance!"

"Ouyang Zhong offended Xiaoyao, and he's as good as dead. You don't need to worry about him anymore!"

"Yes!" Ho Liao replied respectfully.

After the Book Spirit's advice, Ho Liao felt a newfound clarity not only in his cultivation but also in how to navigate life's challenges. A wave of gratitude surged within him.

"I'll now seek out a suitable place for your cultivation. For the time being, you'll travel alone. Don't worry about me; I'll find you once I've located the right spot," the Book Spirit said before departing.

Ho Liao was filled with excitement—this was his first time truly facing the world on his own!

After walking along the main road for about half an hour, Ho Liao felt hunger gnawing at him, and the sky was beginning to darken. He noticed a few peach trees by the roadside. Seeing no one around, he thought they might be wild trees and decided to pick a few peaches to satisfy his hunger.

Just then, a gray shadow streaked across the sky like a meteor, tracing a graceful arc before crashing into one of the peach trees with a loud crack, followed by a short, piercing scream!