The headquarters of the Feihong Sect did not lie atop a towering peak, but nestled before a rolling chain of mountains, framed by picturesque waters and peaks.
Outside the sect's grounds stood an exceptionally prosperous town.
Boasting tens of thousands of residents, the town bustled with thriving commerce. Restaurants, inns, rouge shops, weapon workshops, cloth merchants, and vendors of every description lined the streets, where dense crowds jostled shoulder to shoulder.
The town owed its prosperity directly to the trade brought by the disciples of the Feihong Sect.
The Feihong Sect had several thousand disciples under its banner. While many were dispatched to maintain order across various holdings or carry out assignments, well over a thousand remained stationed at the mountain gate long term. With so many people unable to subsist on cultivation alone without food, drink, and everyday necessities, they regularly came down to purchase supplies, naturally driving the town's flourishing economy.
Beyond that, an even more crucial factor drew numerous affluent families from hundreds of li around, who brought their sons and daughters to the Feihong Sect in hopes of having them accepted as disciples to practice martial arts.
Lately, the sect had been recruiting on a massive scale, drawing families from every direction upon hearing the news, which made the town livelier than ever.
*Clip-clop, clip-clop—*
Amid the crisp clatter of hooves, Huang Tian rode his horse into the town.
A vista of bustling prosperity greeted his eyes, rivaling the vibrant fervor of the commandery city's Baoqing Ward.
At the far western edge of town, several long queues stretched out. Seated at the front of the lines were dozens of Feihong Sect disciples dressed in matching azure robes.
"Don't push! What's the rush? Anyone who disrupts order again will taste the whip!"
"Stand straight while I examine your bone structure."
"Patience! If your bone structure is good enough, you will enter our sect sooner or later. If your bone structure is too poor, panicking won't help you either."
"Hmm. Fifty taels of silver will buy direct entry into our Feihong Sect as an odd-job laborer. If he manages to develop force within two months, he can become an outer disciple. If he fails, it depends on his own wishes—he can stay as a laborer if he chooses, or leave if he doesn't."
"*Hiss*, your bone structure is quite good. Go stand over there. Yes, to my left, with that group."
"..."
A clamor of voices washed over his ears.
Huang Tian eased his horse's pace, unhurriedly advancing along with the crowd.
Suddenly, a clear, bright voice sounded beside him.
"Is this young brother here for the Feihong Sect as well?"
Huang Tian glanced back.
A slender young man in a white robe sat on horseback, waving a folding fan. Behind him sat a boy of thirteen or fourteen, his dark eyes bright and eager as he gazed at the recruitment lines in the distance.
"My humble surname is Zhao, Zhao Changguang," the white-robed youth said warmly, acting familiar with little prompting. "This is my younger brother, Zhao Changming, fourteen years of age. He has loved martial arts since childhood and constantly clamored to learn. With no other choice, I had to take him to seek a master.
"Who could have guessed that he would look down on the martial masters in our county seat, claiming their skills were lacking? After only a few days of study, he insisted on leaving to join a prestigious sect. It just so happened that the Feihong Sect was recruiting widely, so I brought him here to try his luck and see if he can enter their ranks."
The boy, Zhao Changming, muttered sullenly, "The masters in the county aren't strong to begin with. They've practiced martial arts their entire lives and are still only in the lower three ranks.
"If I learned from them, I certainly wouldn't learn anything worthwhile. After decades, I might not even surpass them, so what would be the point of practicing martial arts?"
In truth, martial artists of the lower three ranks were already prominent figures within a single county. A Seventh Rank martial artist in particular was fully qualified to serve as a county commandant, hardly as pathetic as Zhao Changming made it sound.
Zhao Changguang sighed helplessly. "You, your heart is simply set too high! While I may not be versed in the martial path, even I know that martial arts require patient, gradual grinding. If you think you can become an expert in a single day, you can put that thought right out of your mind!"
Zhao Changming remained dismissive. "Second Brother, you don't even dare to imagine it, but I do! Besides, haven't you heard of Huang Tian of the Martial Restraint Guard?
"When he first took up martial arts, he developed force in an instant, entered the ranks in ten days, became a Seventh Rank martial artist within a month, and attained the Sixth Rank in another half month! If he could do it, why can't I?"
Hearing himself mentioned, Huang Tian chuckled softly.
Zhao Changguang did not know whether to laugh or cry. "You? Compare yourself to Huang Tian? Saying it here today is fine, but you must never speak such wild fantasies to outsiders in the future, lest you become a laughingstock."
"Second Brother, you don't believe in me!" Zhao Changming pouted.
"How can I believe you? If you were truly a genius like Huang Tian, our household isn't without guards who have developed force. Had you studied under them, you would have developed force long ago."
"That's... that's because they didn't explain it clearly and taught terribly!"
Seeing his younger brother still stubbornly arguing, Zhao Changguang resigned himself and turned back to Huang Tian. "Judging by your youth, young brother, have you come alone to seek a master?"
Huang Tian smiled and said, "I did come for the Feihong Sect, but not to apprentice myself."
"Oh? Could you be here to do business?"
Zhao Changguang sized Huang Tian up. Apart from a long wooden case slung across his back, he carried virtually nothing else, hardly resembling a merchant.
Yet the steed beneath him was far more extraordinary than ordinary horses. Its shoulder height, sheer presence, and the corded muscles rippling along its frame made it clear, even to someone with no eye for horses, that this was a rare and precious mount.
"Not to do business either," Huang Tian said with a faint smile. "I am merely here to collect a few things."
Seeing that Huang Tian had no intention of elaborating, Zhao Changguang prudently refrained from probing further. Instead, he looked back at his little brother with worry. "The masters in the county said your bone structure is mediocre and won't lead to great achievements. I fear it will be very difficult for you to enter the Feihong Sect shortly."
"Bone structure doesn't mean everything!" Zhao Changming retorted sullenly.
In truth, what he said was not entirely wrong. So-called bone structure was not an absolute measure of martial talent. Those with superior bone structure might not necessarily develop force easily, while those with inferior bone structure might do so faster; no one could say for certain.
The real advantage of excellent bone structure lay in refining blood and vitality slightly faster, possessing greater endurance in combat, and being more resilient against blows. That was the primary reason major sects like the Feihong Sect used bone structure tests to filter prospective disciples.
"Very well. In any case, your second brother has already prepared fifty taels of silver to send you in as a laborer. If you can't even last two months this time and fail to develop force, you can give up your dreams of joining a renowned sect. If you still want to practice martial arts, you can stick to our household guards," Zhao Changguang said, shaking his head with a sigh.
Zhao Changming fell silent, though determination burned in his eyes. Regardless of whether he became an outer disciple today or had to start as a laborer, he was determined to develop force as quickly as possible!
*I will be like Huang Tian and make everyone look at me with respect!*
As Zhao Changming made his silent vow, Zhao Changguang lightly tapped his own forehead with his fan. "I almost forgot to ask. May I inquire after your honorable surname, young brother, and where you hail from?"
"My surname is Huang, and I come from the commandery seat."
"Ah, then have you ever met Huang Tian?" Zhao Changguang asked curiously. "He shares your surname, lives in the commandery seat, and should be around your age, shouldn't he?"
Wait!
He froze, an utterly absurd thought suddenly flashing through his mind.
Swallowing hard, he forced an awkward chuckle. "Young brother, you wouldn't happen to share the exact same name as that Huang Tian, would you?"
Zhao Changming snapped his head up as well, staring at Huang Tian in shock and doubt.
Indeed!
Both shared the surname Huang, both hailed from the commandery city, both were similar in age, and he rode a magnificent steed that looked exceedingly valuable...
Huang Tian did not answer directly. Instead, he said, "Neither of you needs to apprentice yourselves."
The two stared blankly, and Zhao Changguang asked in confusion, "Why would Brother Huang say such a thing?"
"Because today, the Feihong Sect will be wiped out."
As he spoke, the horse had already passed through the dense crowd, arriving at the western end of the town where the Feihong Sect recruited disciples.
Huang Tian nudged the dragon horse. It let out a shrill neigh before leaping forward like an arrow, bolting toward the distant headquarters of the Feihong Sect.
The Feihong Sect disciples in charge of recruitment turned at the sound and glanced at the departing figure. Assuming it was merely a senior brother returning to the sect, they paid it no heed and resumed examining the youths' bone structures.
Zhao Changguang and his brother looked at each other in stunned silence.
"Little Brother, did you... did you hear what he just said?" Zhao Changguang stammered.
Zhao Changming took a sharp breath, his voice involuntarily rising. "Did he say... the Feihong Sect is going to be wiped out today?"
"Hush!"
Zhao Changguang hurriedly shushed him. "Keep your voice down!"
He pulled his reins toward a secluded spot, dismounted, and stared blankly at the snaking queues.
"Second Brother, could he truly be that Huang Tian?!" Zhao Changming's eyes shone as he asked in an excited whisper.
Zhao Changguang pondered for a long time. "It is very likely! His age, his surname, his origin, his demeanor... everything fits too well!"
"Then do I still go apprentice myself?"
"Apprentice for what? Let's wait and see how things unfold today! I have a feeling the Feihong Sect is about to see an immense upheaval!"
***
The Feihong Sect grounds were roughly two to three li from the town, connected by a flat earthen road.
Mounted on the horse, the howling wind whipped against his face as his black hair danced wildly. In the blink of an eye, Huang Tian caught sight of a massive stone stele inscribed with the three characters "Feihong Sect," each stroke carrying the weight of a thousand jin.
Beside the stele, dozens of disciples armed with sabers and swords stood guard on patrol.
"Who goes there?"
An azure-robed disciple noticed Huang Tian galloping toward them and frowned. "Why hasn't he slowed down? What manner of conduct is this, charging like that?"
Another shouted, "You ahead! Rein in your mount and halt at once!!"
Yet the horse's speed did not decrease in the slightest; instead, it surged even faster. Realizing something was amiss, the disciples drew their weapons, while several reached for whistle arrows, preparing to loose a signal flare.
"Senior Brother Fang, this person seems hostile!" a disciple said, hurrying to the side of their leader, Fang He, with a grave expression.
Fang He gripped the longsword in his hand, gazing at Huang Tian atop the dragon horse. An eerie sense of familiarity washed over him, stirring an ominous premonition in his heart.
*Thud, thud!*
The horse's hooves struck the ground like rolling war drums, kicking up clouds of dust.
As the rider drew near...
He finally saw the visitor's face clearly.
"Huang Tian?!!"
His whole body shuddered as though struck by lightning. He froze where he stood, seized by absolute terror.
Ever since the failed ambush on Huang Tian alongside Zhang Yu and the others, a bone-deep dread of Huang Tian had taken root inside him. Even after returning to the sect, he suffered recurring nightmares where Huang Tian stormed the Feihong Sect and slaughtered him along with the rest.
Every time he woke, he was drenched in cold sweat.
Now that the nightmare had become reality, he was paralyzed, as though his soul had fled his body, standing in a daze.
Yet while he stood frozen, the remaining disciples did not. Several raised their bows, loosing shrill, whistling arrows straight at Huang Tian.
Huang Tian paid them no mind. With a surge of his true qi, he casually swept the incoming arrows aside. His gaze then settled on the petrified Fang He.
He drew a single breath, then exhaled.
With just that breath, vast and boundless true qi surged with the gale, detonating before the gathered disciples like an explosive shell.
*Boom!!*
Taking the brunt of the blast, Fang He didn't even have time to scream before the sonic shockwave of true qi tore him into a bloody paste.
Without a second glance, Huang Tian galloped past the wailing patrol disciples beside the stele and charged directly into the sect grounds.
Before him stretched a colossal bluestone plaza, where several disciples were practicing martial arts. Startled by the tremendous commotion outside, they turned in unison toward the mounted intruder.
"Who dares trespass upon our sect?!"
"Enemy attack!!"
"Quick, fire the whistle arrows to sound the alarm!"
"..."
Amid the clamor, Huang Tian abruptly vaulted from the galloping horse like a bird of prey spreading vast wings, tracing a fierce arc through the air.
In the next instant, he landed firmly atop a massive stone pillar in the center of the plaza, a pillar so thick it would take several men to encircle it.
Standing straight as a pine against the winds gusting from all directions, his gaze remained calm and detached. He swept his eyes across the grounds, fixing his sight on the grandest, most central structure among the sprawling complex below.
It was the Feihong Sect's Deliberation Hall!
The hall rose towering and magnificent, its upturned eaves like outstretched wings, standing in solemn majesty.
Without a wasted word, he decisively unslung the fiery Crimson Radiance Bow from his back.
Nocking an arrow!
Drawing the string!
The bow bent into a full moon!
A golden radiance swirled at his fingertips as his true qi surged together, exuding a majestic aura as heavy as a mountain, capable of bearing all things under heaven—as if what rested between his fingers was not a mere arrow, but an entire mountain peak!
*Rumble!!*
The moment the bowstring snapped forward, a muffled roar resounded, as though rising from the deepest bowels of the earth.
A concentrated stream of golden light shot forth. As the arrow cleaved the air, it brought with it a rumbling roar like rolling thunder, forcibly parting the atmosphere into a visible shockwave over a hundred zhang long!
*Bang!!!*
Under the terrified gazes of hundreds of Feihong Sect disciples, the arrow dragon struck the high dome of the Deliberation Hall like a hurtling missile!
The instant they collided, the towering dome sounded as though it had been struck by a ten-thousand-jin hammer, unleashing an earth-shattering blast!
Scores upon hundreds of thick fractures instantly splintered across the entire roof. The dome buckled, collapsing rapidly inward!
*Rumble!!*
Under this colossal force that resembled a collapsing mountain and a roaring tsunami, the massive pillars supporting the hall groaned in agonized strain, snapping and shattering one after another.
The entire grand hall collapsed completely. Walls caved inward, and colossal beams brought thousands of giant stones crashing down in their wake, while tiers of flying eaves and interlocking brackets showered down like torrential rain.
Countless bluestones, rubble, and shattered timbers were crushed and pulverized beneath this destructive might, reduced to powder and debris.
A gargantuan dragon of yellowish dust roared as it surged into the sky, piercing straight through the clouds!
The roiling dust blotted out the sun, blanketing the sky and earth like a sudden sandstorm.
A violent tremor rippled through the entire Feihong Sect grounds. The earth shook as though an earth dragon were writhing and mountains were crumbling, leaving the disciples on the bluestone plaza unable to keep their footing, reeling as if caught in a nightmare!
Chapter 106