C5 Young Man's will

The insect tide encircled Feishi, forming an immense ring with no end in sight. Feishi's face registered both shock and bitter resentment. The recent events had overwhelmed his senses; the thought of being devoured by countless ants was a terror beyond words.

"Feishi," Chu Haoyun called out as he approached through the black tide. The ants parted before him, granting him passage.

"Damn you, you wretched boy! I should never have allowed Feifeng to hold back that day," Feishi bellowed. His gaze, filled with malice, fixed on Chu Haoyun as he sneered, "Today I may die, but the Silent Cloud Sect will come for you tomorrow. You'll meet the same fate as Black Panther Rees, who was killed with a single slap by the Seventh Elder."

"The Silent Cloud Sect will meet its end just like you. Had you not condoned Feilong's actions, we wouldn't be in this predicament. You are the one who truly deserves to die," Chu Haoyun retorted, his expression icy as he stepped into the swarm.

"You're delusional. The Silent Cloud Sect could crush you as effortlessly as one crushes an ant," Feishi raged. Chu Haoyun replied coolly, "Jackal's Maw met its end at the hands of ants, too."

"You wish for my death, but it will cost you your life!" Feishi lunged at Chu Haoyun in a frenzy. Chu Haoyun's eyes glinted with a chilling light, his fists clenched, emanating a subtle glow.

With a muffled "thud," Feishi was sent flying. He felt an overwhelming force shatter his body, and with a mix of defiance and spite, he fell into the mass of ants, quickly consumed by the dark swarm.

"Seventh level of Body Forging?" Chu Haoyun whispered to himself. Indeed, the vital essence of Black Panther Rees had enabled his breakthrough to the seventh level of Body Forging. Empowered by the strength of the Mountain Moving Ant, his power now rivaled that of the ninth level.

Having dispatched Feishi, Chu Haoyun's tension eased, the glow around his arms dissipating. He sat down, exhausted, as the relentless tide of ants began to withdraw. In the aftermath, Jackal's Maw was obliterated, save for the Guardian Beast that had vanished without a trace.

Amidst the sprawling mountains, the early sun rose in the east, casting a chill with the autumn breeze. A slender figure pursued the end of an ancient path.

Halfway up the mountain stood a towering gate inscribed with the word 'Azureon,' its presence commanding, as if to pierce the heavens.

"Halt! This is the domain of the Order of the Celestial Veil. No outsiders may enter," declared two disciples, blocking the path of the slight figure.

"I've come to seek knowledge," Chu Haoyun stated calmly, presenting the jade medallion gifted by the elder. To avenge, he needed strength. The words of the elder and Rees had guided him here. Months of travel had left him weary, having witnessed the strong prey on the weak. Without the old man's directions, he would still be lost.

"To study and become a disciple? You?" One disciple was taken aback, then burst into laughter. "A wild child like you wishes to join the Order of the Celestial Veil?"

"Scram, kid. This isn't a place for just anyone," sneered a brash figure approaching from behind. Recognizing the newcomer, the disciples bowed, "Brother Ning Chen."

Ning Chen gave a slight nod, disregarding Chu Haoyun.

"Where did you get that Celestial Key?" he asked sharply as they crossed paths.

The Celestial Key was reserved for the Order's esteemed elders and bestowed upon those of exceptional talent. Possessors of the Celestial Key could directly join the Inner Sect for cultivation. Ning Chen, after three years, was still only among the top twenty of the Outer Sect.

"An elder gave it to me. May I enter?" Chu Haoyun sensed the significance of the medallion he held.

Ning Chen's face twisted into a sneer. "A gift? Hmph, what makes you think you're worthy? You're nothing but a thieving brat who's stolen our Order's Celestial Key. Today, I'll be taking it back."

Before Ning Chen could finish his sentence, he launched an attack. If he could secure the Celestial Key, he would surely gain the favor of the sect's elders. Wouldn't that be a swift ascent to greatness? In his view, Chu Haoyun was neither deserving nor capable of possessing it.

"Hmph." Chu Haoyun was no stranger to the strong preying on the weak, but this was the first time he had encountered someone who could twist truth and falsehood with mere words. His gaze turned icy as he unleashed triple his usual strength to confront Ning Chen. A smirk began to form on his lips when suddenly, Ning Chen's expression shifted, and a torrent of force struck, sending him flying.

"You dare to run wild here!" Ning Chen's arms shook as he bellowed. He could hardly believe that he, at the pinnacle of the eighth level of Body Forging, had been knocked back by this upstart with a single punch.

"Causing such a commotion at the sect's entrance is disgraceful," a middle-aged man interjected, stepping forward with a stern countenance that discouraged direct eye contact. Ning Chen shuddered, pointing at Chu Haoyun and spitting out venomously, "Lord Deacon, this rogue has stolen the Celestial Key from our Order of the Celestial Veil and dares to flaunt his power here. He has insulted the dignity of our sect and must be executed for his crimes."

"Oh? The Celestial Key?" The middle-aged deacon's eyes gleamed as he glanced at the object in Chu Haoyun's grasp. His tone was cool as he commanded, "Hand over the Celestial Key and cripple your own cultivation, or face death."

"Is this what the sect stands for?" Chu Haoyun sneered at himself, feeling the oppressive force from the deacon.

"Seeking death, are you?" The middle-aged man's eyes turned frosty, and with a casual flick of his wrist, a radiant palm shimmered with terrifying power, threatening to obliterate everything before him. Chu Haoyun found himself defenseless against such might. Indeed, the strong dictate the fates of the weak.

He was filled with rage at his own powerlessness. Was he to die here, without having avenged himself?

As the deadly palm wind closed in, Chu Haoyun sensed the end was near. His body quivered under the immense pressure, seemingly on the verge of disintegration. In that critical moment, he suddenly felt a lightness before him, and a familiar voice reached his ears from behind.

"Xiaomu, your audacity is growing," an elderly man, leading a young girl by the hand, approached at a leisurely pace.

The middle-aged deacon's face soured upon hearing this. Internally, he groaned, "Why has this old fellow returned?" Out of respect for his rank, he reluctantly advanced and offered a bow. "Master, welcome back."

"The Celestial Key he holds was a gift from me," the old man stated coolly, causing everyone to tense up. Before they could gather their wits, the old man addressed Chu Haoyun once more, "Come with me."

Chu Haoyun gazed at the old man he had encountered in the village, remaining silent. Indeed, power was the true currency of discourse. The little girl, eyeing him with curiosity, dashed over to take his hand, chiding, "Grandfather told you to go, so you'd better keep up."

Chu Haoyun's resolve to grow stronger was seared into his heart as he glanced at the middle-aged man. He hesitated for just a moment before stating coolly, "Deacon, do not underestimate the young because of their poverty."

The old man gave him a surprised look but remained silent. Ning Chen watched with a twisted expression as Chu Haoyun disappeared with the old man into the mountains, puzzled as to why a wild boy would catch the attention of such a revered figure.

The deacon's eyes glinted with malice as he thought to himself, "Master? Pfft, nothing but an overrated has-been. I'll see how long you can keep up this charade. As for that street urchin, I'll remember today's events."

"Ning Chen, when you have a moment, head over to Sunset Ridge. Take your brothers with you and enjoy yourselves," Xiaomu said sternly.

Ning Chen paused, a flicker of realization crossing his face, before responding with deference, "Understood, Deacon."