On the canyon path.

Xiao Yi’s slow steps had become smooth.

However, in this smoothness, the stop-and-go movements, the advances and retreats, carried an inexplicable awkwardness.

This awkwardness was different from normal feelings.

It seemed more like a fundamental conflict.

"Impressive." A trace of amazement flashed through Xiao Yi’s eyes.

Undoubtedly, he was comprehending something.

Yet, the difficulty of it clearly exceeded his previous expectations.

Whoosh...

His steps moved once again.

After several minutes.

Even though Xiao Yi advanced and retreated like this, he still traveled about ten miles.

At this point, the awkwardness in his movements had disappeared.

The situation of advancing and retreating also no longer appeared.

Instead, it was replaced by a struggle with every step.

His pace had become extremely slow.

His expression also suddenly turned slightly grim.

This grim expression lasted for an hour.

In contrast to his earlier progress, moving ten miles every few minutes, the present hour was undoubtedly much longer.

Moreover, in the span of an hour, he had only advanced less than a mile.

Xiao Yi furrowed his brow.

...

On the mountain.

Chengfeng Hall Master shook his head, "He’s trapped; it seems my estimate of 30 miles was too optimistic about him."

"He’ll probably come out within 10 miles."

The elder chuckled silently.

A few minutes later.

"He’s moving." Chengfeng Hall Master’s expression was slightly shocked, "It seems he’s breaking free."

The elder chuckled again and nodded.

...

Below the canyon.

Xiao Yi’s steps reverted to their previous speed.

After several more minutes, he advanced another ten miles.

Gradually, over dozens of minutes, he had now traveled over 30 miles.

Including his previous progress, the current location was approximately in the middle of the canyon path.

Xiao Yi stopped again and smiled joyfully.

"What a formidable Sword Dao, Silent Sky Sword Dao, using the wind of silence to wield the sword."

"In windless swiftness, the sword may not be fast, yet it is the Invisible Sword, with sword intent concentrated on the sword edge, and martial arts of wind concentrated at one point." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"When the sword is wielded, beneath the cold light, gods and ghosts are startled."

Xiao Yi smiled and moved forward again.

However, now his steps were no longer chaotic like before, no more advancing and retreating.

Instead, he walked with ease, effortlessly.

His steps began to acquire an unfathomable profundity, yet extremely comforting.

This proved that he was already following his own path.

...

On the mountain.

The elder slightly opened his mouth.

Chengfeng Hall Master was full of surprise, "This kid, he actually succeeded in comprehending."

"Senior Jikong’s Martial Arts Inheritance is one of the strongest and most difficult inheritances in the Inheritance Land."

"Even throughout Ancient Times, few could match it."

"This kid, relying solely on these weak martial winds can comprehend it? If he were truly at the Martial Arts Sacred Stele in the Inheritance Land, wouldn’t he easily obtain the entire inheritance?"

The elder shook his head, "With insight like this, if he were truly placed in the Inheritance Land for a month, over half of the inheritances there might be obtained by him."

Chengfeng Hall Master swallowed, "Fortunately, he spent this month locked in the Wind Shattering Prison."

The elder squinted his eyes, "No wonder this kid appeared indifferent before, he even increased the difficulty himself."

"Wrong." The elder suddenly furrowed his brows.

"I heard this child was expelled from the Black Cloud Academy."

"Such a monster, why expel him?"

Chengfeng Hall Master shook his head, "I heard he committed some heinous act, was expelled by the Heavenly Hidden Academy two years ago."

"Now expelled again, it seems he truly did something monstrous."

The elder furrowed his brows, "Bring me his intelligence dossier, and also, get the dossier for the Hundred Schools contention."

Chengfeng Hall Master hesitated, "Master of the Main Hall, the kid’s dossier is easy enough; but the intelligence dossier for the Hundred Schools contention, if it involves the secrets of various academies..."

"Just get it." The elder’s expression turned serious, "In the vast Flame Dragon Continent, could there be anything I wish to know that could be hidden from me?"

The elder’s tone was full of pride.

Since Ancient Times, the Wind Shattering Hall had been responsible for intelligence.

As the Master of the Main Hall of the entire Wind Shattering Hall, indeed, hardly anything could be hidden from him.

"Yes." Chengfeng Hall Master nodded, bowed, and left.

After a while, Chengfeng Hall Master brought back two dossiers.

The elder opened them one by one, inspected them, then nodded.

"It turns out it’s for the opening of the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb."

"The opening of the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb?" Chengfeng Hall Master was startled.

The elder handed the dossier to Chengfeng Hall Master.

Chengfeng Hall Master scanned a few pages, revealing an enlightened expression, "It turns out it was to force this child away due to the opening of the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb."

"Heh." The elder sneered, "They say it’s for the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb, but in fact, it’s merely for one person."

"Oh?" Chengfeng Hall Master looked puzzled.

The elder’s expression turned solemn, "I just mentioned, this generation’s young Heavenly Talents are born at the right moment, colliding with several grand events that occur only once in many years."

"And yet, each of them is a monster themselves, the finest of their generation."

"All these old folks, anxious for their successors, are all worked up."

The elder paused, then continued, "That Mo Youu, 15 years ago, was already famous far and wide, and now, renowned across the Central Region."

"This child, I know of."

"From his first awakening, he had a black Martial Soul; if his second awakening is successful, his Martial Soul will be the strongest in the Flame Dragon Continent."

"The opening of the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb is just a trial for him."

Chengfeng Hall Master’s face showed shock, "Such a monster, no wonder Dean Luoo would choose this person."

"Heh." The elder sneered again, "I mentioned, these old folks are all worked up."

"It’s just a pity, among these old folks, many have gone senile."

"This time, he made the wrong choice."

"Hmm?" Chengfeng Hall Master furrowed his brows, noticing that the elder’s gaze was tightly fixed on Xiao Yi below the canyon.

"Master of the Main Hall, do you mean the wrong choice was about Xiao Yi?"

The elder nodded, suddenly opening another dossier.

"The records of this kid’s feats contained in the dossier are each more terrifying than the last."

"So far, except for some shameless old folks, no one has ever managed to make this child suffer even the slightest loss."

As the elder spoke, he involuntarily intensified his tone.

"Such a monster, no, even monsters can’t describe a fraction of his potential."

"I do not know to what extent that Mo Youu will grow in the future."

"But I am sure, any monster, in front of this kid, will only be a joke."

"Heh." The elder suddenly chuckled with satisfaction, "The quota for the Ancient Emperor’s Tomb, Heavenly Hidden Academy and Black Cloud Academy won’t give, I will."

Chengfeng Hall Master showed surprise, "I remember, the Master’s successor has not yet been decided; are you perhaps..."

"No." The elder shook his head, "Not yet urgent."

Chengfeng Hall Master noticed clearly that as the elder spoke, his eyes never left Xiao Yi below.

"Hmm? He broke out of the canyon path." The elder suddenly showed joy.

"Impressive, nearly rushing out at full speed, proving he obtained the entire inheritance."

"Good, with such skill, he certainly has the qualification to be arrogant."

The elder withdrew his gaze, looking at Chengfeng Hall Master, "Later, have this kid come visit me."

With that, the elder’s figure flickered and disappeared from sight.

"Yes." Chengfeng Hall Master responded, but his expression was peculiar.

In his memory, it seemed many years had passed since the Master of the Main Hall had shown such frequent smiles and praise, let alone such admiration.

...

The second installment.