The two martial arts schools began fighting to the death with real weapons.

That final battle involved over three hundred martial artists.

The sky darkened and the earth trembled as blood flowed like rivers.

Even the county magistrate dared not intervene.

Only after the fighting ended did the constables dare come out to clean up.

In that battle, both the Wang father and son were killed by the Black Tiger Martial Arts School's master.

Without its top fighters, the Golden Saber Martial Arts School quickly collapsed.

Soon after, the school disbanded completely like monkeys scattering from a fallen tree.

The Black Tiger Martial Arts School emerged as the final victor.

Strangely though, the entire Black Tiger School was slaughtered one night three days later.

Yet the killers didn't seize either school's assets.

They simply vanished after the massacre, showing no interest in the wealth.

Eventually, all properties and assets of both schools were claimed by Xian'an County government.

The Golden Saber School's compound was converted into a private academy.

After hearing the teacher's account, you understood the sequence of events.

But you couldn't fathom why the Black Tiger School members all died three days later.

A coincidence?

Over a hundred robust martial artists dying overnight?

Impossible to be coincidence!

Perhaps some greater power stood behind the Golden Saber School?

Was the Black Tiger School exterminated in retaliation?

"Are there even stronger experts?"

You grew more cautious about avenging the Golden Saber School.

When you tried learning more about the massacre,

The teacher knew no further details.

You gave up, since it happened twelve years ago anyway.

You avoided public appearances in Xian'an City.

The power behind Golden Saber might notice you.

Your only option was to keep improving your strength.

Traveling south, you reached a small village at Heavenly Summit Snow Mountain's base - Huanan Village.

The sparse population in this cold climate suited your seclusion.

You quietly purchased a small courtyard and settled in.

Unlike neighbors chopping firewood daily, the cold didn't affect you.

As a Bone Tempering martial artist, you feared no chill.

Sometimes you trained shirtless in snow to dissipate excess heat.

Villagers who saw this called you a crazy fool who couldn't feel temperature.

Your training continued normally.

In the 62nd year, you succeeded in your seventh True Qi refinement.

This enhanced True Qi could now pierce through Skin Refining late-stage defenses

And its range extended to three zhang (10 meters).

Your condensed True Qi attacks became genuine ranged techniques.

Deep winter arrived at Huanan Village.

Standing in your courtyard, you saw nothing but endless white.

Despite the cold, households grew lively preparing for New Year's Eve.

Even poorest families hung red lanterns outside.

The scarlet dots against pure white snow heightened festive atmosphere.

On New Year's Eve amidst falling snow and glowing lanterns,

You took a rare break from training.

Setting a table in your courtyard with fine dishes,

You warmed expensive Drunken Immortal wine from Fuling Tavern on a small stove.

"Young Master He enjoys himself while poor me has nowhere to go~"

A familiar melancholic voice sounded.

Wan Qingluan appeared in your courtyard,

Her snow-white dress complementing peerless beauty.

Snowflakes settled on her shoulders.

Gone was her usual aloofness or playfulness -

Her eyes brimmed with unexpected sorrow.

Though puzzled by her transformation, you invited her for drinks.

Wan Qingluan sighed heavily sitting across from you.

As you drank together,

Her occasional comments all carried melancholy.

Her mournful gaze almost made you suspect you'd wronged her before,

Though you barely knew each other.

She repeatedly invited you to join the Extermination Sect,

Which you firmly refused.

That universally despised sect?

Others could join if they wished - not you.

You drank until dawn,

Disrupting your healthy sleep schedule.

When you woke at nightfall, Wan Qingluan remained in your courtyard.

"Damn, is she sticking to me?"

Approaching her: "Lady Wan, we ate and drank. Why linger? Want to follow 'procedures'?"

Tilting her flawless face, crystalline lashes fluttering fearfully:

"Young Master He, please don't drive me away!"

A martial artist several realms stronger than you actually begged pitifully.

This seemed abnormal.

Yet her fear appeared genuine.

"Lady Wan, is someone hunting you?"

If even Wan Qingluan feared her pursuer, you'd need to flee again.

Shaking her head: "No pursuer. The outside world just... terrifies me."

Her sincerity unsettled you.

A high-level cultivator calling the world dangerous?

Wasn't the danger precisely because of people like her?

After pondering, an idea struck.

Dropping courtesy, you barked: "Wan Qingluan! Explain why you fear outside, or I'll throw you out!"

Trembling weakly: "So many stronger experts out there..."

"You could just avoid provoking them!"

"But... still feels dangerous..." Her worried expression confirmed your suspicion.

Growling again: "Your personality changes each meeting! Explain or out you go!"

"I... don't know..." Her evasive eyes betrayed lies.

As you lifted her threateningly toward the gate,

"Don't! I'll talk!" she pleaded urgently,

Flushing with fright, eyes glistening pitifully:

"My personality shifts... come from cultivation techniques."

Techniques affecting personality? Sounded unorthodox.

Then again -

The Extermination Sect was among the Three Great Demon Sects.

Practicing normal techniques would be embarrassing.

What self-respecting demonic cultivator wouldn't practice bizarre arts?