41: mountain climbing

Inside his inn room, Li Ao gently brushed his fingertips over the lightning arc wood, feeling the power of lightning contained within it, like tiny silver snakes darting about. The system in his mind precisely analyzed the energy structure and provided several methods to assist the Black Iron Hegemon Body in absorbing it. The bottle of “Quenching Bone Steel Mane Bear” essence blood emitted a wild and fierce aura, the dark red liquid gently swirling in the jade bottle as if alive.

He did not immediately begin cultivating. His brief contact with Ya Fei, and the scattered information he gathered at the auction house, gave him a more comprehensive understanding of the situation in Jia Ma Holy City. The Mittel Family, or rather Ya Fei herself, clearly had a strong interest in him. This interest stemmed from their assessment of his strength and mystery, as well as a merchant's innate sense for investment.

“Hall of Souls…” Li Ao murmured to himself. Ya Fei’s momentary vigilance and evasiveness confirmed that this organization’s reach had indeed penetrated the upper echelons of the Jia Ma Empire. The Black Robed Man in the Cloud Mist Sect’s back mountain, the mysterious expert who attacked Medusa… the Hall of Souls’ actions were becoming more frequent.

He put away the medicinal herbs and essence blood, his gaze once again falling on the mist-shrouded Yun Lan Mountain outside the window. Ascending the mountain to seek answers was inevitable, but before that, he needed more “momentum.” This was not merely personal martial strength, but also influence sufficient to sway the empire’s dynamics. The Mittel Family, perhaps, could serve as a good stepping stone.

In the following days, Li Ao did not visit the Mittel Auction House again. Instead, like a true recluse, he kept a low profile. He used the purchased medicinal herbs and essence blood, supplemented by the system-optimized energy guidance methods, to further temper his Black Iron Hegemon Body. Subtle thunderous sounds occasionally emanated from the room, and at times, a thick, bear-like surge of vital energy flashed by. His skin grew deeper in color, the dark iron hue seemingly settling, subtly flowing with an almost imperceptible metallic luster. His defense and strength were steadily increasing.

At the same time, he did not stop gathering intelligence on Jia Ma Holy City. Through the inn’s waiters, street-side tea stalls, and “listening” in specific areas at night (such as taverns frequented by mercenaries), he obtained much surface-level information. Combining this with the system’s analysis, he pieced together a clearer picture.

The Nalan Family’s status in the empire was increasingly solid due to Nalan Yanran’s relationship with the Cloud Mist Sect, but this also firmly tied them to the Cloud Mist Sect’s war chariot.

The imperial family seemed uneasy about the Cloud Mist Sect’s growing power but lacked effective means of restraint.

The Alchemist Guild remained aloof, but internal undercurrents regarding the next guild master’s successor had already begun to stir.

And on the border of the Izumo Empire, small-scale conflicts seemed to be escalating, with the scope of poison masters’ activities expanding.

All these undercurrents seemed to subtly point towards the impending Three-Year Agreement, and the deeper, hidden shadow of the Hall of Souls.

Mittel Auction House, top-floor secret room.

Ya Fei respectfully stood before an old man with sharp features and eyes as keen as an eagle. He was Elder Teng Shan, the helmsman of the Mittel Family.

“...Elder Teng Shan, the above is the complete account of Ya Fei’s contact with Mr. Li Ao, as well as some scattered information collected about him afterward. This person’s strength is unfathomable, at least peak Dou King, possibly even higher. The materials he purchased leaned towards extreme body tempering, he showed interest in abnormal flames and the ‘Hall of Souls,’ and his conduct was calm and decisive, unlike typical rogue cultivators,” Ya Fei reported clearly, her charming face now showing only shrewdness and competence.

Elder Teng Shan gently tapped the table with his finger, pondering, “The news from the Tagor Desert suggests that Queen Medusa might have an extraordinary relationship with a mysterious young man, who once heavily injured a Dou Emperor with a single punch… The timing seems to match. If it’s truly the same person…”

He paused, his eyes flashing with brilliance: “Such a young powerhouse couldn’t have appeared out of nowhere. Behind him, there might be a hidden force we don’t know about. His inquiries about the ‘Hall of Souls’ either mean he has an enmity with them, or… he knows something we don’t. Either way, it deserves our attention.”

“What does Elder mean?” Ya Fei asked.

“Continue to maintain contact, but don’t be too eager, so as not to cause him displeasure,” Elder Teng Shan instructed. “Appropriately show him some goodwill, such as providing him with information about rare medicinal herbs or special metals that he might be interested in. Additionally, regarding the ‘Hall of Souls’… use our covert channels to investigate carefully, but remember, do not delve too deeply. That organization… the waters are too deep.”

“Ya Fei understands.”

“Hmm, also, the Three-Year Agreement between that Nalan family girl and the Xiao Family boy is approaching, isn’t it?” Elder Teng Shan changed the subject. “The Cloud Mist Sect this time, I’m afraid, wants to use this to establish their authority and completely suppress the imperial family and other families. We, the Mittel Family, must also watch this spectacle closely. That Xiao Yan… I hear he has been training in the Magical Beast Mountain Range and has made considerable progress. Yao Chen’s disciple, after all, always has some tricks up his sleeve.”

Ya Fei nodded: “Young Master Xiao Yan is indeed extraordinary; his potential was evident even in Wutan City. It’s just… compared to Mr. Li Ao…” She did not finish, but her meaning was clear.

Elder Teng Shan sighed: “Talented people emerge in every generation. This Jia Ma Empire, I’m afraid, is about to face considerable turmoil because of these two young people. We, the Mittel Family, must act cautiously and find our position in the storm.”

Jia Ma Holy City, a hidden cultivation room.

Xiao Yan was drenched in sweat, having just finished a round of high-intensity Dou Qi compression training. The xuan heavy ruler was stuck beside him, and there were faint cracks on the ground.

“Teacher, I feel like I’m not far from being a three-star Great Dou Master,” Xiao Yan panted, his eyes filled with excitement.

Yao Chen’s illusory figure floated out and nodded: “Not bad, your foundation is very solid. However, do not be impatient. Every star’s improvement after Dou Master requires more accumulation.”

Xiao Yan clenched his fist, feeling the surging power within his body, but then his eyes dimmed slightly: “Teacher, I heard… that Li Ao appeared at the Mittel Auction House a few days ago, and even Miss Ya Fei personally received him…”

Yao Chen looked at his disciple, knowing his knot was still there, and said slowly: “Xiao Yanzi, you must understand that the path of a powerhouse is lonely. You will encounter countless people with extraordinary talent and heaven-defying opportunities. If your state of mind is imbalanced every time because of this, your path will come to an end. No matter how strong that Li Ao is, that is his fortune. Your fortune is the Burning Technique, and it is your teacher! Focus on yourself, constantly surpassing your yesterday’s self—this is the path of a powerhouse!”

“But, Nalan Yanran, she…” Xiao Yan hesitated. He had heard some rumors that, due to Li Ao’s appearance, the Cloud Mist Sect’s internal attitude towards Nalan Yanran had subtly changed, which made him feel a sense of humiliation from being underestimated.

“Nalan Yanran?” Yao Chen snorted, “She is merely the first whetstone on your seemingly arduous path. Your goal should be a broader world! As for women…” Yao Chen paused, his tone somewhat complex, “When you truly stand at the peak, you will naturally understand that some things cannot be forced, nor do they need to be. Guard your original heart, and you will find your end.”

Xiao Yan was silent for a moment, then nodded heavily: “I understand, Teacher. I will adjust my mindset. The Three-Year Agreement, I must win! Not only win, but win beautifully! Let everyone know that I, Xiao Yan, am not inferior to anyone!”

The fighting spirit reignited in his eyes; it was an unyielding flame. Li Ao’s appearance was like an invisible mountain pressing on his heart, but it also stimulated a deeper stubbornness and potential within him. He did not know that while he was cultivating diligently, Li Ao had not stopped either. Both were advancing towards their respective goals in their own ways. The stage of Jia Ma Holy City was set, awaiting the protagonists, and who the true protagonist would be was yet unknown.

Li Ao opened his eyes in the inn, a trace of lightning disappearing into his dark iron pupils. He felt the increasingly vigorous vital energy and more resilient physique within him, and a cold, hard arc formed at the corner of his mouth.

“It’s time.”

He stood up, his gaze piercing through the window, once again falling upon the mist-shrouded Yun Lan Mountain.

“Ascend the mountain, seek the Dao.”

This time, his steps would no longer be low-key. He would use the most direct, most domineering way to tell the entire Jia Ma Holy City that he, Li Ao, had arrived. And the prelude to this mountain ascent might begin with a certain piece of news quietly transmitted from the Mittel Family, or perhaps with Xiao Yan’s even more frantic cultivation after hearing about it. The gears of fate, in countless subtle choices and interactions, accelerated their turning.