Red Fist Mountain…
The journey to Red Fist Mountain was nothing short of arduous. Towering peaks loomed in the distance, wrapped in a veil of mist that seemed to pulse with an ominous energy. Kent, carrying the pendant given to him by Peak Master Yao Fang, stepped through the grand entrance of the mountain’s inner sanctum, where an imposing figure sat cross-legged on a stone platform.
Kent stared at him from head to toe. The figure’s face matches the description of Master Lao.
Master Lao’s presence was like an unshakable mountain itself. A grizzled beard framed his hardened face, and his sharp eyes scrutinized Kent from the moment he arrived.
Kent bowed and said, “Disciple Kent King greets Peak Master Lao.”
“So, you are the one Yao Fang sent to me?” Master Lao’s deep voice echoed.
Kent bowed respectfully. “Yes, Master Lao. I am Kent.”
Master Lao snorted. “I despise poison out of all things. But this pendent you brought is the favour I have to pay for your master Yao. Let’s see if you’re even worth my time.”
Without another word, the old master waved his hand, and a shimmering testing array appeared before Kent. “Stand in the center,” he commanded.
Kent did as he was told, feeling a strange force pulling at his very being as golden lines lit up beneath his feet. The first test had begun—the measurement of mana quality.
Master Lao narrowed his eyes as the results manifested in the air before them. A powerful green hue, mixed with streaks of golden lightning, blazed into existence, making the very walls tremble. The master’s expression hardened as he muttered under his breath, “High purity… no, absolute purity… It’s almost perfect.”
A disciple watching from the side gasped. “Master, this is even purer than the heir of the Wei family!”
Master Lao smirked. “Hmph, interesting. Let’s continue.”
Next came the bloodline assessment. A drop of Kent’s blood was extracted and placed into a jade basin. As soon as it touched the basin’s surface, a roaring storm erupted around the chamber. The essence of storm and space intertwined, causing even the defensive runes on the walls to flicker wildly.
Master Lao clenched his fists. “Who the hell placed you in alchemy?! You were born for combat!” His voice carried a mixture of disbelief and excitement.
Kent remained calm. “Master, the path of poison is also a battlefield.”
“Hah! We’ll see about that.” Lao’s eyes burned with curiosity. “Next test—spell casting speed. Show me your fastest casting technique.”
Kent nodded, and without hesitation, he activated the ‘Storm God’s Wrath’ spell. In the blink of an eye, a massive surge of lightning coiled around his arm before forming into a tangible spear. The speed was so unnatural that even Master Lao had to take a step back.
“Hah! Faster than most high-ranking battle mages. This keeps getting better,” he said with a laugh.
The final test was weapon proficiency. Master Lao tossed Kent a heavy crimson spear and instructed, “Attack me with everything you have.”
Kent spun the spear in his hands, feeling the weight distribute perfectly through his grip. Without a moment’s hesitation, he launched forward. His movements were fluid yet explosive, a perfect balance of grace and raw power. He struck with precise, devastating force—each swing accompanied by a gust of wind and the sharp crackle of lightning.
Master Lao blocked each strike but felt the intensity increasing with every exchange. He finally countered with a palm strike that sent Kent skidding backward. The old master’s lips curled into an excited grin.
“You pass,” he said, his tone filled with admiration. “Not just pass… you are a monster! I’ve never seen someone with such a natural instinct for battle. Yao Fang was a fool to waste your potential on poison arts alone.”
Kent chuckled. “Poison can be deadly in combat too.”
Master Lao shook his head. “That may be, but you belong here—with warriors, not scholars.” He stepped forward, placing a heavy hand on Kent’s shoulder. “I will personally train you. But let me warn you—my training will be brutal. Only those who survive it gain the right to call themselves my disciple.”
Kent met his gaze with unwavering confidence. “Then I’ll survive.”
Master Lao laughed. “Good! If you master my family’s techniques, I will reward you with a supreme elder-rank weapon.” His eyes gleamed with the weight of his promise. “But be warned—many have tried. None have succeeded.”
Kent tightened his grip on the spear. “Then I’ll be the first.”
Master Lao grinned. “Hah! I like your spirit. Let’s begin!”
–
Ping family Royal Throne room…
The grand throne room of the Ping Empire was a sight to behold. The vast ceiling was adorned with celestial paintings depicting the glorious conquests of past emperors.
At present it is filled entirely with a thick crowd.
Hundreds of members of the royal family, from direct descendants to distant relatives, filled the chamber. The atmosphere was tense, as all knew that a summons from Emperor Ping himself was no trivial matter.
At the center of the room, on an elevated throne of jade and gold, sat Emperor Ping. His presence alone was enough to command fear and respect.
The Wei family head, Wei Gong, stood at his right, his sharp eyes scanning the gathered nobility. At the emperor’s left stood Gu Ping, the first daughter of the first queen. She carried herself with an air of authority, though her clenched fists revealed her barely contained frustration.
The moment everyone had assembled, Emperor Ping’s voice echoed through the chamber like rolling thunder.
“I have gathered you all today because of the recent disturbance at the Slave Village.” His eyes darkened, sending a chill through those present. “Hua Jing and his disciples have brought disgrace upon themselves and our empire.”
Murmurs spread across the room. Some were shocked, others skeptical. The Hua family was powerful—could it be that the emperor intended to suppress them?
Gu Ping’s eyes flickered with fury, but she kept silent, knowing better than to interrupt.
Emperor Ping continued, “As of this moment, the Slave Village is off-limits to all members of the royal family and noble clans. No one is to harass the inhabitants, nor claim dominion over them.” His words carried a weight of finality, his gaze sweeping over the crowd to ensure his decree was understood.
A stir ran through the assembly. The decree was unexpected. Many nobles had profited from the slave trade, and now the emperor was severing their access.
Wei Zhong, ever the tactician, stepped forward and cupped his fists. “Your Majesty, does this decree extend to the Hua family as well?”
A cold smile touched the emperor’s lips. “Indeed. The Hua family will be painted as the villains of this act. Their greed and brutality have threatened the balance of the empire. It is time we correct their arrogance.”
Gasps filled the chamber. This was a political maneuver of the highest level—one that would pit the Hua family against the rest of the noble clans. By making them the scapegoat, the emperor was solidifying his own position while ensuring other factions did not grow too bold.
Gu Ping’s voice cut through the murmurs, her tone sharp with barely restrained anger. “Your Majesty, does this decision stem from the actions of a single man?”
The emperor’s piercing gaze fell upon her. “You speak of that disciple of master Yao, do you not?”
“Yes, father,” she said, stepping forward. “This Kent has suddenly appeared and disrupted long-standing power structures. Why should we yield to him?”
Emperor Ping chuckled, his amusement making the tension in the room rise. “You misunderstand, Gu Ping. It is not about yielding. It is about strategy. Kent has the backing of the Green Poison Peak, and his influence will only grow. If we move against him openly, we risk creating another enemy as powerful as the Hua family.”
Wei Zhong nodded in approval. “A wise decision, Your Majesty. The Hua family’s aggression makes them an easy target for public condemnation. Turning them into the villains benefits us all.”
Gu Ping clenched her jaw, but she knew the emperor’s decision was final. However, that did not mean she would let this matter rest. She would find a way to deal with Kent on her own terms.
The emperor’s voice boomed once more, leaving no room for argument. “Let it be known throughout the empire that the Ping family will not tolerate the injustice committed against the Slave Village. Let the people see the Hua family for what they truly are—rabid dogs who have lost their place in the imperial order.”
With that decree, the court session was dismissed.