Time flowed like water. After the New Year, the villages of Qingyang Town buzzed with activity.
Following the Marriage Selection Assembly, Xiao Ye's home became a magnet for young women. Whenever Xiao Yang or Luo Meilan stepped outside, the girls would flee like startled deer.
"Ugh, how many times this month?" Xiao Yang groaned, watching yet another girl bolt.
"It's because our son's too outstanding!" Luo Meilan beamed, though her tone carried a hint of exasperation. "But he's too picky—none meet his standards."
"Nonsense!" Xiao Yang scolded. "You women lack vision! My son will join the Chongyang Sect one day—his future wives will be celestial beauties, far beyond these girls!"
Though chastised, Luo Meilan smiled secretly, imagining her son's potential bride.
Time Tower Cultivation
Inside the Time Tower, Xiao Ye's hands formed intricate seals. His Qi surged through nine meridians like a raging river.
Boom!
He opened his eyes, their brilliance piercing the air. With a roar, he unleashed Great Splitting Palm—three thunderous blows that sent shockwaves rippling outward.
"The power… it's unbelievable!" Xiao Ye marveled. The Great Splitting Palm, which layered Qi attacks, demanded immense reserves. Without the Harmony Origin Skill, I'd never have mastered this.
Three months of relentless training in the Time Tower had propelled him to Posterior Heaven Realm, early stage. His Qi now dwarfed what he'd had before.
With the Great Splitting Palm perfected, even a late-stage Posterior Heaven cultivator won't stand a chance against me!
Yet time outside the tower had passed only a month—a blink in the grand scheme.
But I need more battle experience, he realized. To defeat Zhao Qian, I must test my skills against true beasts.
The Beast Forest
Xiao Ye slipped into the western edge of Qingyang Town's Beast Forest, a labyrinth of shadows and snarls.
Crunch.
Two figures melted from the undergrowth—a pair of killers sent by Xiao Ba.
"He's just a late-stage Posterior Heaven brat," sneered the leaner man. "This'll be easier than swatting flies."
They stalked deeper until a bloodcurdling howl froze them.
"A Silver Wolf!" The burly man paled. "These beasts are late-stage Posterior Heaven—no joke!"
But curiosity outweighed fear. They followed the sound to a clearing, where Xiao Ye stood over a mangled carcass.
"There he is!" the lean man grinned. "Let's finish him!"
Ambush
Xiao Ye turned, his eyes cold. "I was expecting you."
The killers lunged. The burly man swung a cleaver, but Xiao Ye's palm struck like lightning.
Crack!
The cleaver shattered. Before the lean man could react, Xiao Ye's fist connected with his jaw, snapping bone.
"You… you're not human!" the burly man gurgled, retreating.
Xiao Ye stepped forward, Qi coiling around his fists. "Tell Xiao Ba his son's next."
As the killers fled, Xiao Ye stared at the Silver Wolf's corpse. Perfection.
The Great Splitting Palm was now unstoppable.