Shi Fan frowned, finally unable to suppress the question in his heart.
Qi Yujiang bit her lip with lingering resentment and whispered, "That manual, the Nine Yang Burning Heavens... actually, it should have belonged to me in the first place."
Shi Fan's eyes widened in sheer disbelief. "What? How is that possible! As far as I know, this technique was created by True Monarch Nine Yang himself! Besides, I clearly obtained it inside a temple."
Qi Yujiang sighed helplessly, a look of profound frustration on her face as she explained, "True Monarch Nine Yang is the patriarch of our Qi family. I don't know why, but the formation hiding that temple suddenly failed, allowing you to take advantage of the loophole."
Shi Fan nodded in sudden realization, indicating that he understood.
However, he then said, "But I've already practiced this technique, and its contents have somehow automatically branded themselves into my mind, while the physical manual itself has vanished. So even if I wanted to return it to you, there's nothing I can do."
At this, a trace of grievance showed on Qi Yujiang's face, but she refused to give up. "Then teach it to me."
After a moment of thought, Shi Fan replied, "All right, but I'm about to head to the Qingyun Sect. If you're willing to come along, I can teach you on the way."
Without a moment's hesitation, Qi Yujiang said, "Of course I'm willing, as long as you're willing to teach me the Nine Yang Burning Heavens."
With that, Shi Fan carefully helped her up. Enduring the pain in her body, Qi Yujiang swallowed a medicinal pill and sat quietly on the ground, striving to recover from her injuries.
Shi Fan watched her silently, his heart filled with concern.
After a short while, Qi Yujiang slowly opened her eyes and said with a smile, "Thank you, Shi Fan." Her voice was somewhat weak, but her gaze burned with unwavering resolve.
Qi Yujiang stood up, stretched her limbs, and felt that her injuries had already improved somewhat.
She cast a grateful look at Shi Fan, then patted his shoulder to signal that they could resume their journey. Shi Fan nodded, and after tidying up their gear, the two set off once more toward the Qingyun Sect.
Along the way, every single night, Shi Fan would begin imparting the mysteries of the Nine Yang Burning Heavens to Qi Yujiang.
"The essence of this technique lies in condensing and manipulating <i>yang</i> energy; you must use your heart to feel the flow of the surrounding aura," Shi Fan said earnestly, his fingers tracing wondrous trajectories through the air as he demonstrated the marvels of the technique.
Qi Yujiang listened with rapt attention, nodding from time to time to show she understood.
Yet when she actually attempted to condense the <i>yang</i> energy, she discovered it was no easy task.
"Oh dear, why can't I ever gather this <i>yang</i> energy?" Qi Yujiang furrowed her brows in deep distress.
She tried her best to concentrate, attempting to follow the method Shi Fan had taught her, but the result only left her feeling frustrated.
Seeing this, Shi Fan did not blame her. Instead, he explained patiently, "Don't be impatient; this requires time and a state of mind in harmony. Try to calm your restless heart first, focus on your breathing, and feel the flow of the surrounding <i>yang</i> energy."
He gently patted Qi Yujiang's shoulder, giving her an encouraging look.
Qi Yujiang took a deep breath, closed her eyes, adjusted her mindset, and tried again. This time, she finally sensed a faint trace of <i>yang</i> energy welling up from within her body.
Right at that moment, a sudden gust of howling wind swept in, carrying a bizarre aura within it.
"Look out!" Shi Fan shouted, quickly pulling Qi Yujiang behind him.
He stared vigilantly ahead, gripping a long sword tightly in his hand as he prepared to face whatever danger might appear. A cluster of black figures materialized ahead, their shapes distorted and exuding a gloomy aura.
"Could these be malevolent spirits?" Qi Yujiang's face drained of color as she asked in a trembling voice.
With a steadfast gaze, Shi Fan reassured her, "Don't be afraid, we'll face them together." He clenched his fists, his body tensing as he prepared for battle.
With that, Shi Fan circulated the Nine Yang Burning Heavens, and a searing wave of <i>yang</i> energy gushed forth from his body, turning the surrounding air scorching hot. The malevolent spirits seemed wary of the <i>yang</i> energy and dared not approach rashly.
Seeing this, Qi Yujiang also mustered her courage and unleashed her martial skill. The long sword in her hand danced through the air with fierce sword qi, every stroke carrying an icy chill that sent shivers through the malevolent spirits.
Back to back, Shi Fan and Qi Yujiang cooperated closely to fight off the malevolent spirits. Their movements were perfectly coordinated—one handling close combat while the other dealt with ranged attacks—preventing the spirits from getting close.
Xiaobai was not about to be left behind. It stood imposingly to the side, letting out a low growl with its fur standing on end like a ferocious beast. Its eyes flashed with a fierce light, as if ready to pounce on the enemy at any moment.
In the gloomy night, Qi Yujiang, Shi Fan, and Xiaobai stood side by side, facing the surging malevolent spirits before them. Their figures appeared exceptionally resolute under the moonlight, resembling an unbreakable defense line.
The malevolent spirits emitted strange, eerie cries, baring their fangs as they lunged toward the trio. Their shadowy forms were illusory and terrifying enough to make one's blood run cold.
"Yellow Swift Sword Technique!" Qi Yujiang cried out crisply, launching the first attack.
Her figure flashed as she charged into the pack of spirits like lightning. Her sword moved with the speed of a gale, instantly cutting down several malevolent spirits. Her swordsmanship was swift and fierce, giving the spirits no breathing room whatsoever.
Seeing the attacks of the malevolent spirits, Shi Fan felt a secret surge of surprise.
These spirits seemed even more powerful than he had imagined, and their numbers were vast.
Yet he did not retreat, immediately deploying the Seven Star Sword Technique. The long sword in his hand flashed with dazzling brilliance, each strike carrying fierce sword qi as he slashed toward the spirits.
Meanwhile, Xiaobai the White Tiger also displayed formidable strength.
It leaped forward into the fray, its sharp claws and teeth easily tearing the spirits apart. Its speed was so extreme that the spirits had no way to evade it.
Qi Yujiang, leveraging the advantage of her movement technique, wove continuously among the malevolent spirits in search of their flaws. The short sword in her hand flashed with cold light, and every strike dealt a fatal blow to a spirit.
The three of them cooperated seamlessly, supporting one another as they engaged in a fierce battle against the malevolent spirits.
Their figures intertwined in the darkness, light and martial arts weaving together to form a breathtaking and magnificent spectacle.
Through their combined efforts, the number of malevolent spirits began to dwindle.
Stubborn though the spirits were, they ultimately could not withstand the attacks of Shi Fan and his companions, and were eliminated one by one.
When the final spirit fell, the entire space abruptly grew quiet.
Qi Yujiang, Shi Fan, and Xiaobai all stopped moving, breathing heavily. Their bodies were stained with blood and they were somewhat exhausted, but their eyes gleamed with the joy of victory.
Qi Yujiang walked over to Shi Fan and gently patted his shoulder in approval. Xiaobai trotted over to the two of them as well, rubbing its head against their legs to express its affection.
"We did it!" Shi Fan said with a smile, looking at Qi Yujiang.
"Yes, we did. That fight was really thrilling!" Qi Yujiang replied, her eyes filled with excitement.
Xiaobai let out a few cheerful barks, as if celebrating the victory.
Through this battle, they had not only defeated the malevolent spirits, but also cemented their mutual friendship and conviction. They knew that as long as they remained united, no difficulties could block their path forward.
"I have you to thank for your assistance this time," Shi Fan said to Qi Yujiang.
Gratitude flashed in his eyes as he cast a deep look at the woman beside him.
Qi Yujiang wiped the sweat from her brow, smiled faintly, and replied, "It's nothing, I still want to practice the Nine Yang Burning Heavens anyway!" Her gaze was firm and persistent, as though full of anticipation for the future.
After this fierce battle, the tacit understanding between the two grew even deeper.
They trusted and supported one another, facing various hardships and challenges together.
Continuing onward, the path grew increasingly rugged and difficult to traverse.
One day, they arrived before a sheer, steep peak. The mountain pierced the clouds, wreathed in mist, giving off a mysterious and dangerous aura.
Yet this peak harbored hidden depths.
Thick fog blanketed the mountain, making it hard to see the road ahead.
As they cautiously stepped into the mountain, strange noises echoed in their ears, as if something was watching them from the shadows. Qi Yujiang said vigilantly, "There must be something strange about this mountain." She gripped her weapon tightly, ready at a moment's notice to deal with any danger that might arise.
Suddenly, a massive demonic beast lunged out of the mist, baring its fangs and claws as it attacked them.
It possessed a colossal physique and radiated a formidable aura—it was a third-rank demonic beast, the Purple Flame Bear. Shi Fan and Qi Yujiang hastily reacted, unleashing their respective martial skills to engage in a life-and-death struggle with the ferocious beast.
The Purple Flame Bear possessed boundless strength; every single attack carried tremendous power that made the ground tremble.
As its paws swept through the air, they whipped up fierce gales that chilled the heart.
Shi Fan and Qi Yujiang continuously dodged the Purple Flame Bear's attacks while searching for an opportunity to counterattack. They coordinated closely, with one drawing the beast's attention while the other seized the moment to strike.
Shi Fan executed the moves of the Nine Yang Burning Heavens, <i>yang</i> energy wrapping around his entire body. Every punch he threw burned with raging flames, colliding fiercely with the bear's might.
On the other side, Qi Yujiang utilized her superb martial arts with agile movements, flitting about like a butterfly as she relentlessly sought out the Purple Flame Bear's flaws. After a grueling battle, the Purple Flame Bear ultimately sustained injuries and fled, but the two of them were completely exhausted as well.
"This place is not to be lingered in; we must leave here as quickly as possible," Shi Fan said gravely.
The two continued their arduous journey through the mountains.
They had no idea how long they had been walking, feeling only that the surrounding environment was growing increasingly unfamiliar. Just then, they arrived at a valley. The valley was ablaze with blooming flowers and filled with fragrance; seemingly beautiful, yet fraught with hidden danger.
"Watch your step!" Shi Fan suddenly shouted.
The ground was covered with densely packed traps; a moment of carelessness would plunge one right into them.
They carefully skirted around the traps, only to be met by the attack of a group of mysterious figures. These individuals wore black robes with their faces obscured by shadows, making their true appearances impossible to discern.
"Who are you people? Why are you lying in ambush here?" Shi Fan demanded angrily.
The mysterious figures offered no reply, pressing their attack blindly instead.
Their movements were agile and their cooperation flawless, clearly marking them as no ordinary enemies. Shi Fan and Qi Yujiang resisted with all their might, but the opponents were numerous and powerful, gradually forcing the pair onto the defensive.
Qi Yujiang said with hatred in her voice, "They are people from the Wang family! They are the murderers who slaughtered my entire family for the sake of the Nine Yang Burning Heavens!" With that, she clenched her fists, a murderous light flashing in her eyes.
Shi Fan comforted her, "Brother Yujiang, do not grieve. Since we've run into them today, we cannot let this chance slip away." Having spoken, he drew his Longyuan Sword and charged toward the group of mysterious figures alongside Qi Yujiang.
A fierce battle erupted between the two sides, flashes of blades and swords accompanied by flying sparks. Yet in the thick of combat, Shi Fan discovered that these mysterious figures practiced extremely bizarre techniques—ones seemingly not possessed by ordinary Martial Practitioners.
Qi Yujiang asked in puzzlement, "Why are their techniques so strange? Could it be... has their Wang family joined a malevolent sect?"
Shi Fan felt a jolt in his heart; if that were true, this matter would become even thornier. Yet rather than backing down, it only ignited his fighting spirit.
By this point, Shi Fan had cultivated the Nine Yang Burning Heavens to the fourth layer, enabling him to project the Nine Yang energy outward.
The Longyuan treasured sword in his hand was enveloped in deep red flames, and combined with the Seven Star Sword Technique, its power increased exponentially. Even a powerhouse at the Martial Master Realm would not dare to take it head-on easily.
Meanwhile, Xiaobai on the side also displayed formidable strength. As a third-rank demonic beast, it posed no small threat to the enemies.
Under the joint attacks of the pair, those mysterious figures gradually found it difficult to hold their ground and ultimately chose to retreat.
Watching the retreating figures of the mysterious men, Shi Fan said to Qi Yujiang with a solemn expression, "It's fortunate these fellows are only at the Martial Master Realm. If they were Great Martial Masters, I'm afraid it would have been hard for us to escape today. This place is fraught with danger; we must leave as quickly as possible."
Thus, the two packed their bags and once more embarked on their journey. After a day and a night of hurrying, they finally emerged from this mysterious mountain peak at dusk.
Gazing at the winding path ahead, Shi Fan's gaze was resolute and deep as he slowly spoke, "In a few more days, we will be able to reach the legendary Qingyun Sect."
His voice carried a hint of anticipation and yearning, as though he could already picture their destination.
Beside him, Qi Yujiang nodded slightly in agreement, a light of future expectation sparkling in her eyes. She knew that this journey was of great significance to them; it not only represented a new starting point, but also an opportunity to change their fate.
Yet just as they set out on this leg of the journey with full confidence, a massive crisis was silently closing in on them.
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the clouds, bringing a touch of warmth to the earth.
They continued on their way, passing through a quiet and peaceful town. The town was bustling with voices and overflowing with a rich, lively atmosphere of daily life. But Shi Fan's acute perception immediately made him sense an unusual vibe.
"This town seems to be suffused with some kind of abnormal aura," Shi Fan whispered to Qi Yujiang, his tone laced with alertness.
Qi Yujiang furrowed her brows slightly. She, too, sensed this abnormality and could not help growing vigilant. The two cautiously stepped into the town, casting their gazes around in an attempt to pinpoint the source of the anomaly.
Suddenly, a black shadow flashed past them like a ghost, its speed astonishingly fast.
Shi Fan and Qi Yujiang's hearts tightened as they hurriedly turned to track the shadow's trace.
Yet the shadow vanished like a phantom without a trace, leaving behind only a faint, lingering shade. Reaching the opening of a narrow alley, they halted their steps and cautiously observed their surroundings.
At that moment, the alley was abnormally quiet, a stillness that made one feel uneasy.
An invisible pressure washed over them like a tide, making it hard to breathe.
Shi Fan's expression shifted, knowing things were bad, and he muttered to himself, "Oh no, we've walked right into an enemy trap!" Before the words had even faded, a group of masters clad in black suddenly surged out from all around them. Possessing lithe physiques and fierce auras, they tightly surrounded Shi Fan and Qi Yujiang.
These men in black wore cold expressions, their eyes revealing slivers of killing intent.
Wielding sharp weapons with aggressive momentum, they clearly meant business.
Shi Fan and Qi Yujiang stood back-to-back, gripping their weapons tightly as they prepared to meet this sudden battle head-on. A tense atmosphere permeated the air, and a life-and-death struggle was about to unfold...
"Just what kind of people are you?" Qi Yujiang demanded angrily. Her eyes were filled with fury, as though trying to pierce through those black veils and see the true faces of these men. However, only silence answered her.
The leader of the men in black sneered, his voice icy cold. "Hmph, ignorant fools. Hand over the Nine Yang Burning Heavens, and I can spare your lives! Otherwise, today will be your day of death!" His voice sounded as though it came from the depths of hell, sending chills down the spine.
Shi Fan let out a cold snort, a flash of resolve crossing his eyes. "You want the Nine Yang Burning Heavens? As if you lot are worthy!" He clenched his fists, preparing to fight them to the death.
The two sides engaged in a fierce battle once more, flashes of blades crossing with the roar of fists and kicks. Every single man in black possessed formidable strength, the majority being powerhouses at the Martial Master Realm, and their onslaught was as fierce as a rainstorm.
Though Shi Fan and Qi Yujiang resisted with all their might, they were at a disadvantage in both numbers and strength, gradually falling into a tight spot. Their bodies were already covered in multiple injuries, their clothes stained red with blood, yet they still gritted their teeth and persevered.
Just as they were feeling despair, Xiaobai suddenly erupted with a formidable surge of power. Dazzling white light flashed around its body, soaring into the sky as brilliant and blinding as the sun.
The men in black were forced back step by step by this powerful force, astonishment washing over their faces. They had never witnessed such a powerful demonic beast capable of releasing such terrifying energy fluctuations.
Indeed, Xiaobai radiated dazzling light from its entire body, and its powerful aura instantly swept outward. Its physique grew even taller and more ferocious, its fur gleaming like silver snow, and its eyes radiated boundless majesty.
Shi Fan and Qi Yujiang looked at Xiaobai's transformation in shock, their hearts filled with both pleasant surprise and worry. They did not know why Xiaobai had suddenly grown stronger, but they hoped it could defeat these men in black and protect their safety.
Xiaobai let out a roar like a cracking thunderclap and charged into the group of men in black.
Its speed was as fast as lightning; in the blink of an eye, it reached a man in black, opened its blood-red maw, and viciously bit down on the man's neck.
Seized by sudden terror, the man in black tried to dodge, but it was already too late.
With a crisp snap, his neck was bitten through by Xiaobai, and blood gushed forth. Seeing this, the other men in black wore looks of panic and dared not step forward rashly.
Xiaobai did not halt its steps, lunging toward its next target. Its attacks were incomparably fierce, every single move striking terror into the hearts of the men in black. Gradually, the black-clad men began to rout, fleeing in all directions.
Shi Fan and Qi Yujiang seized the chance to counterattack, joining forces with Xiaobai to hunt down the fleeing men in black.
Their morale soared, their hearts filled with a thirst for victory.
In the end, all the men in black were defeated and collapsed to the ground.
Its speed was swift as lightning, every pounce carrying world-shattering power.
Before this formidable onslaught, the men in black had no power to resist and were instantly shattered into disarray. A moment later, only corpses of the men in black littered the battlefield. Xiaobai, too, collapsed to the ground from overexerting its power.
"Xiaobai!" Shi Fan hurried over, scooping the weak beast into his arms.
Qi Yujiang followed close behind, saying with a concerned expression, "It paid too high a price to save us."
Looking at Xiaobai with heartache, Shi Fan said, "We must find a way to help it recover as quickly as possible." The two found a quiet spot with Xiaobai, letting it rest properly.
However, their troubles did not end there.
The commotion of Xiaobai activating its bloodline had drawn even more trouble.
The Rong family, a powerful local faction, caught wind of the emergence of the ancient White Tiger bloodline and dispatched Martial Master experts to investigate.
The Rong family was an overlord of the region, possessing numerous powerhouses. They were deeply interested in the ancient White Tiger bloodline, believing it might be a powerful treasure or resource.
When the Rong family members learned that Xiaobai possessed the ancient White Tiger bloodline, they immediately grew ecstatic.
Knowing how rare and precious this bloodline was, they realized that acquiring it would drastically elevate the Rong family's strength and status. Consequently, they decided to spare no effort in hunting down Xiaobai and bringing it back to the Rong family.
Realizing the threat posed by the Rong family, Shi Fan and Qi Yujiang felt deeply worried.
They understood that with their current strength, it would be difficult to contend with the Rong family. However, they could not abandon Xiaobai and had to find a way to protect it. Thus, they began gathering information everywhere about the Rong family, attempting to find a countermeasure.
After some effort, they finally uncovered some weaknesses and internal conflicts within the Rong family.
As it turned out, the Rong family was not a monolith; internal factionalism and conflicting interests existed within the clan.
Seizing this opportunity, Shi Fan and Qi Yujiang decided to adopt a divide-and-conquer strategy, attempting to instigate internal strife within the Rong family to alleviate the pressure on themselves.
At the same time, they actively sought out other allies and supporters.
They traveled far and wide to befriend martial artists of the jianghu, hoping to gain their help and support. Along the way, they crossed paths with many like-minded individuals, and together they faced the threat of the Rong family.
Pursued by the Rong family, Shi Fan and Qi Yujiang fled continuously with Xiaobai.
They traversed mountains and forests, crossed rivers, and evaded the hunts of the Rong family. Throughout the journey, they experienced countless hardships and obstacles, yet they never gave up.
Ultimately, they arrived at a mysterious valley.
The valley was surrounded by towering mountains and precipitous ridges, with only a narrow passage leading to the outside world.
Within the valley, the environment was tranquil and filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers, resembling a peach blossom spring seclusion. Feeling that this place might serve as a safe haven, Shi Fan and Qi Yujiang decided to settle down here temporarily.
Upon entering the valley, they discovered an ancient ruin located there.
Some mysterious power seemed to be concealed within the ruins, drawing them in to explore. Inside, they uncovered certain secrets and inheritances pertaining to the ancient White Tiger bloodline. These discoveries filled them with anticipation for Xiaobai's future.
Yet just as they basked in this joy, the Rong family pursued them once again.
This time, the Rong family dispatched even more powerful Martial Masters, swearing to capture Xiaobai. A life-and-death struggle was about to unfold...