In the small courtyard of Jun Xiao, Jun Tian and his son stood side by side. Even though half a month had passed since the tournament, Jun Tian still couldn't believe it. His gaze toward Jun Xiao was complex and unreadable.
"Father, why are you looking at me like that?"
Jun Xiao, despite having given plausible explanations, knew very well that it would take time to digest—but still, it had been over 15 days.
"Kid, you've surpassed your poor father, and on top of that, you managed to keep it a secret. I still can't believe it," Jun Tian sighed, then continued, "Well, you're more exceptional than I ever was. You can protect yourself now, and that's a good thing."
"Don't worry, Father. I can also protect you, you know. And with my potential, I'll bring plenty of resources to the family," he said with a wide smile.
"You really know how to reassure your old man, brat. Still, don't be too hasty—even I, who have lived longer than you, still don't fully understand the vastness of the world we live in."
Hearing his father's words, Jun Xiao furrowed his brows. His father was right. The only information he had received from the system about the world was that there was a higher realm—but that was it. He truly knew nothing about the world he was in.
While lost in thought, his father, who was still looking at him, suddenly seemed to remember something.
"Xiao'er, I still don't know what your current cultivation level is," his father asked.
"Here we go. My father finally asked the question. Half a month ago, I was at the peak of the Qi Condensation Realm, but my power was equal to that of a strong cultivator at the peak of the Spirit Incarnation Realm. Even though I hadn't reached the Spirit Incarnation Realm yet, I could already use purified spiritual qi, which is the mark of cultivators at that level. But after ten more days, I finally reached the Spirit Incarnation Realm. I can now exert more than 200,000 jins. I've even acquired another supreme-grade fist technique. With my current combat strength, I can easily fight a low-level cultivator of the Profound Realm," thought Jun Xiao. After finishing his reflection—which lasted only a few seconds—he spoke to his father.
"Father, I'm at the first level of the Spirit Incarnation Realm," Jun Xiao said.
His father was quite surprised. Even though he had vaguely expected it, hearing it directly from his son's mouth caused true shock to rise within him. After a brief moment of silence, he let out a deep sigh, as if to release the emotions flooding him, and then spoke in a calm but serious voice.
"Very well. Now that you've reached this level, it's time for you to receive the most powerful technique passed down in our lineage: the Meteor Palm!"
At these words, Jun Tian's expression turned suddenly serious—almost solemn—as if he were referring to a sacred treasure.
"It's a Black-rank technique, lower level. For generations, no member of the family has ever managed to master it completely. It requires extraordinary talent and a deep understanding of the laws of heaven and earth. I only discovered its existence recently, while digging through the secret records of the family's treasury. But you… I believe you are the one most likely to succeed."
After these words, he took out an ancient scroll, finely sealed, from his storage ring and handed it to his son, his expression a mix of gravity and hope. As Jun Xiao gazed at the scroll, his heart tightened with emotion. Despite the presence of the mysterious master now guiding him, his father had not sought to keep the technique for himself but had chosen to entrust it to him without hesitation.
"Father, you don't need to worry," he said in a soft yet resolute tone. "I don't need this technique. It will be much more useful to you. Even if you can't master it completely, it will likely strengthen your power."
But to his father's surprise, Jun Xiao continued immediately:
"In fact, I'm the one who will teach you a technique."
With those words, he sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, and entered a deep state of concentration. Silence fell over the room. During the time he had spent in the dream world—a place where time flowed differently and the laws of cultivation were magnified—his skills had greatly improved. His understanding of martial arts and spiritual energy had reached a level few could imagine.
He had set a goal for himself: to create a cultivation technique that was accessible yet powerful, albeit of a lower grade than the one he used himself. After a brief moment, he reopened his eyes, which now shone with calm and mastery.
"Father, just repeat what I say, without thinking. Let your mind follow the flow of my words."
Jun Tian, although intrigued, complied with his son's instructions. He recited the phrases Jun Xiao spoke softly. Just moments later, his gaze shifted abruptly. A shiver ran through his entire body. He felt his qi absorption accelerate dramatically, as if each breath filled him with pure energy. By his own estimation, his absorption rate had increased fivefold.
It was a considerable leap. At this speed, breaking through to a new level was no longer a distant dream. He could likely reach a new realm in the coming days, provided he continued practicing diligently.
"Xiao'er…" he said, still in shock. "What rank is the technique you just passed on to me?"
Jun Xiao responded without hesitation, his voice steady:
"It's a mid-level Earth-rank technique. It's called the Crimson Flame Sutra. It was left to me by my master. It took me a while to fully understand it, but I recently recalled it. It's not the one I use for my own cultivation, but it's powerful enough to transform your current level."
"The Crimson Flame Sutra… an Earth-rank technique…" Jun Tian murmured, still stunned. He never imagined he would one day receive such a technique—from his own son, no less.
Jun Xiao stood up calmly, his eyes filled with warmth and respect.
"With this technique, Father, reaching the Spirit Incarnation Realm will no longer be an obstacle. And with enough effort, even the Profound Realm is within reach. It's only a matter of time."
An emotional silence followed.
Meanwhile, far away, in the central part of Tongli County, stood one of the region's most influential sects: the Red Sun Sect. Known for its ancient history and the strength of its practitioners, it occupied a vast area surrounded by mountains and protected by numerous defensive formations. Among the various pavilions and inner courtyards, one in particular was enveloped in a heavier atmosphere that day.
In this peaceful courtyard, three men were gathered. The first was a man in his forties, his face marked by fine lines that revealed years of intense cultivation. He wore a long white robe, elegantly embroidered with black patterns—symbols of his high status within the sect. His piercing gaze and calm demeanor radiated natural authority.
In front of him stood two young men, barely in their twenties. Both wore the sect's distinctive red uniform, but one of them also had white accents in his attire, adding a touch of elegance and distinction to his appearance. This subtle but meaningful detail showed he was no ordinary disciple.
The young man in simple red robes spoke respectfully, bowing slightly before addressing the older man:
"Master, my senior brother said you had something urgent to tell me."
This young man was none other than Jun Long, eldest son of Jun Liang, and older brother to Jun Wei. A direct member of the main Jun family line, he had been sent to the Red Sun Sect at a young age to perfect his cultivation. Since then, he had built a solid reputation through his diligence and talent.
His respectful tone and the focused attention with which he awaited his master's reply made it clear this matter was of great importance.
"Indeed…"
The middle-aged man spoke in a slow, deep voice. He was Wu Shan, a core elder of the Red Sun Sect, respected for his integrity and experience. He calmly fixed his gaze on Jun Long, but there was an unusual gravity in his eyes.
"If I insisted you leave your closed-door cultivation, it wasn't without reason… It's to inform you that a great tragedy has befallen your family. Based on the information I've gathered these past few days, your grandfather… your father… your younger brother… as well as a large portion of the Jun family elders… are dead."
Silence instantly fell over the courtyard. The words had landed like a cold blade. Jun Long, usually impassive, saw his face freeze and tighten. His gaze faltered for a moment, and his fists clenched unconsciously. Though he had never felt strong affection for the entire Jun clan, he had deep regard for two people: his father, Jun Liang, and his younger brother, Jun Wei.
The sudden loss of the only two people he truly cared for in his lineage hit him hard.
After a few heavy seconds of silence, Jun Long lifted his eyes to his master.
"Master… who did this? Who is responsible for the massacre?"
Wu Shan gently shook his head, visibly saddened.
"I still don't know. However…"
He paused, as if weighing his words.
"A few days after the tragedy, Jun Tian—your uncle—officially assumed the position of clan patriarch. The transition was swift, almost too swift. Reports say he stabilized the situation immediately afterward."
At those words, Jun Long frowned. Though emotionally shaken, his mind began to analyze the situation coldly. The timing. The power vacuum. The sudden rise. All of it formed a troubling sequence of events.
As he remained silent, absorbed in thought, the third man in the courtyard—who had remained quiet until now—suddenly spoke in a firm, almost cutting tone.
"You're thinking too much, Jun Long. There's nothing to guess. It's obvious."
Jun Long turned to face him. The young man in red and white robes was none other than Shen Tu Jian, the first disciple of their master and an elite disciple of the Red Sun Sect. Heir to the prestigious Shen Tu family a Bronze-rank family well established in the main city of Tongli County, Maple Leaf he was known for his sharp insight.
"Jun Tian is clearly involved. Who else would have so much to gain? Your father and grandfather were obstacles. Eliminate them, take their place, and it's done."