"Tempered veins!?" Hai Du and the young lady with the longsword exclaimed simultaneously, their astonishment evident. They were dumbfounded to discover that Tian Wei's aura was merely at the initial stages of Tempered Veins.
The radiant aura surrounding him, which emitted a peculiar sensation, became even more perplexing considering his apparent lack of strength.
Hai Du continued to ponder how Tian Wei could move with such incredible speed and perceive the swift attack that had nearly struck Xuan Yi.
Either Tian Wei possessed a mysterious technique that disguised his true power or he had something that granted him temporary immense strength.
"The withered leaf, huh? It's interesting that you were able to catch it despite your cultivation level," a voice from the village spoke, revealing itself to be Ming Wen, the charismatic young man who proudly wielded a fan.
"Who are you?" Hai Du questioned sternly. "How dare you attempt a sneak attack?"
"Oh, come now, don't blame me. We must always be prepared. The art of ambush is a skill in itself," Ming Wen responded with a laugh, as if he had just cracked a humorous joke.
"However, it appears you are far from mastering the so-called skill, considering you miserably failed even with the advantage of the mist," Tian Wei spoke coldly. His fingers, which had caught the yellow bamboo leaf, began to emit a flickering golden flame.
Without turning to look at the source of the voice, Tian Wei swiftly swung his hand, unleashing the leaf with breathtaking strength. The leaf, sharp as an arrow and swift as sound, tore through the air.
Ming Wen smiled as the leaf approached, raising one finger to meet its tip. An explosion followed, ripping through the air and threatening to tear apart the fabric of space itself.
Thin black cracks, barely visible to mortal eyes, threatened to reveal the void. The air vibrated, and a fault line traced down the mountain, separating the side where Tian Wei and the others stood from the hovering Ming Wen.
The collision of raging chi between the two sides created a monstrous explosion of sparks, golden flames, and surging energies. The tiny point where finger met leaf became the apex and source of this cataclysmic event.
Finally, the leaf cracked and burst into ashes, and the corrosive energies began to fade.
Ming Wen lifted his finger, finding a tiny prick on his skin. A minuscule bead of blood had formed, which he licked and sucked with a hint of satisfaction.
"Not only can you stop it, but you can also launch an equally strong offensive. How interesting," Ming Wen remarked, striding forward with each step sending ripples of energy through space as he walked in the air.
Hai Du was equally astonished, realizing that Tian Wei was far from being an ordinary individual.
He now understood how Xuan Yi had managed to escape the clutches of the Yang.
The young lady, on the other hand, was left dumbfounded, realizing all too late that her impulsive disrespect towards Tian Wei had been misplaced. In a world governed by strength, this person stood far above her.
As for the other disciples, they were filled with terror, shock, fear, and confusion. Away from the protections and restrictions imposed by powerful clans within the villages, this kind of conflict had the potential to tear them apart if they were caught in the crossfire. Thankfully, Hai Du had placed a protective barrier around them, shielding them from harm.
"Who are you?" Hai Du repeated angrily.
"Ming Wen," he replied, coming to a stop a couple of steps away. "I'm hurt that they didn't mention the dashing person that I am to you. Well, I suppose I didn't give you much time for a warm reunion either."
"What issues does Ming Wen have with members of my Xuan Clan?" Hai Du responded, managing to calm himself.
"So it's the Xuan Clan. Let me guess, that brat over there is probably a young master of the Xuan Clan, right?" Ming Wen said, pointing at Xuan Yi, who was still recovering from Tian Wei's shove.
"That is Young Master Xuan Yi. I suggest you drop the 'brat' if I were you," Hai Du warned, his voice laced with a subtle hint of threat.
"Ah, I particularly have a problem with him. He dared to call himself my grandfather. Of course, you and I both know how disrespectful that is, especially considering that I politely offered my name," Ming Wen explained.
"Whatever trouble he may have caused, our Xuan Clan will discipline him," Hai Du declared, sending a shiver down Xuan Yi's spine. Xuan Yi knew that Hai Du meant every word, even though it seemed as if he was now attempting to protect him from Ming Wen.
The Xuan Clan was a proud and honorable lineage, willing to defend their name and their members against their enemies at any cost.
"If that is the master's decision, then I shall accept it. However, I am also here to retrieve something else—the Ten Thousand Sword Tempering Skill of our clan. And for that, I must take these two individuals back to our Yang Clan," Ming Wen stated firmly.
Hai Du suddenly realized that he was dealing with the formidable Yang Clan, which posed a significant problem. He also wondered how Xuan Yi had obtained possession of the skill. He knew all too well that the Yang Clan would stop at nothing to reclaim it, which meant imprison or kill the person with the skill.
"I believe this is all a misunderstanding," Hai Du interjected.
"I'm afraid not," Ming Wen replied confidently.
"You don't possess the ability to retrieve them," Hai Du retorted.
"Well, let's find out, shall we?" Ming Wen said, his finger beginning to move. A dry leaf spun atop his finger, gradually changing shades of green with each rotation. "Instead of fleeing, you chose to linger here, relying on these pathetic excuses of reinforcements you've gathered. But my Yang Sect always returns stronger. Always." As he spoke, a powerful gust of wind blew, bringing with it a sense of an impending storm.
The air became more humid, and the scent of rain permeated their senses.
At a distance, a figure stood amidst the stormy rain, holding a bamboo umbrella. She wore a twisted, eerie smile on her face, and the mountain itself trembled in response.