Mastery—this is the feeling of absolute control.

The moment Li Xiaoyao unleashed his Amaterasu Martial Spirit, everything around him became crystal clear, as if he could control it all. His mind's computational power surged alongside his Martial Spirit, precise to the smallest detail, and everything that happened now mirrored the rehearsal in his mind.

He lured everyone's attention with his words, provoked Li Batian and Nalan Kunbu, and openly threatened to kill Li Xin. But just as everyone thought he would attack Li Xin, he dashed straight towards Nalan Yanran, taking her hostage.

The most remarkable part was that, despite his enhanced power and terrifying calculation ability, his mind was clearer and calmer than ever.

Li Xiaoyao could only marvel—Amaterasu Martial Spirit was truly astonishing. It granted him various abilities with just its first release, and there was still a second release, plus a heavenly scripture to unlock.

"Release her," Nalan Kunbu demanded coldly, his voice as chilling as ice.

"Release her? Is that even possible?" Li Xiaoyao sneered inwardly, his face still expressionless, his gaze just as cold and unfeeling.

"If anyone dares to approach me or attack, I guarantee that the first one to die won't be me."

The iciness in his voice made Nalan Kunbu's face stiffen, his expression darkening.

"Move！" Li Xiaoyao commanded.

The soft sword in his hand quivered slightly, and in an instant, it left a faint trace of blood on Nalan Yanran's neck. The touch of the cold blade against her skin made her entire body go numb. Especially when she looked into Li Xiaoyao's eyes, she felt no hope that he would spare her. Because those eyes held no trace of emotion.

Nalan Yanran lifted her feet and obediently started walking toward the gate of the city lord's mansion.

"Remember, I mean anyone," Li Xiaoyao said, casting a glance at Li Batian, who was attempting to approach. He tightened his grip on the sword, and a thin line of blood appeared on Nalan Yanran's neck.

"Hey ! Stand down !" Nalan Kunbu roared at Li Batian. With Nalan Yanran's life at risk, he couldn't afford to worry about Li Batian's pride.

Sensing the coldness in Nalan Kunbu's gaze, Li Batian stopped in his tracks, seething with resentment. He hadn't expected Li Xiaoyao to be so cunning as to choose Nalan Yanran as a hostage—now no one dared make a move against him.

"Li Xiaoyao, if I let you leave, how can I be sure you'll release my daughter?" Nalan Kunbu asked coldly, turning his gaze back to Li Xiaoyao.

"So... would you rather she dies here in front of you?" Li Xiaoyao's dark, emotionless eyes swept over Nalan Kunbu, who felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness. He didn't even dare to negotiate further, fearing that Li Xiaoyao's cold stare would turn deadly with a single surge of anger.

Afterward, they said nothing more. Li Xiaoyao and Nalan Yanran's figures gradually receded into the distance. Because of Nalan Kunbu, no one dared to give chase—not even Nalan Kunbu himself. He could only pray silently that Nalan Yanran would be safe.

Finally, the crowd watched as Li Xiaoyao's figure disappeared beyond the gates of the city lord's mansion, feeling a sense of lingering excitement. Today had been incredibly thrilling, and Li Xiaoyao had given them one surprise after another.

"Li Xiaoyao!"

"Li Xiaoyao!"

"Li Xiaoyao!"

From the direction of the Yan family, the Nalan family, and the place where Qiu Baishan stood, everyone was inwardly calling out the same name, the name of the person they now hated to the core.

But the members of the Li family had an especially complicated look in their eyes. He was once the pride of the Li family, yet as Li Xiaoyao shone so brilliantly in Cangyun City, the glory was no longer theirs. On the contrary, the Li family would now be the subject of ridicule. An outstanding genius cast out by his own clan—is there anything more absurd and laughable in the world?

No matter what, after today's battle, Li Xiaoyao had made a name for himself in Cangyun City. Even years from now, everyone in Cangyun City would remember one name: Li Xiaoyao. Once seen as the waste of the Li family, he was now a prodigy—but one who no longer belonged to the Li family.

Li Xiaoyao didn't dwell on what would happen next. In fact, as he approached the outskirts of Cangyun City, he only cast a casual glance back at the city before riding off. He didn't know when he would return, but he knew that when he did, he would stand above all others, truly unrivaled. He would redeem his past shame, and no one would be able to stop him. Nor would he need to rely on hostages to leave.

...

Ten days later, at the foot of the Canghai Sect, Li Xiaoyao sat atop his steed, looking up at the towering peaks with a sense of purpose.

The path of martial arts is like climbing a mountain—step by step, moving forward continuously. One day, he would look down upon the world.

Although he had made a name for himself in Cangyun City, Li Xiaoyao felt no pride or arrogance. He knew he was still insignificant.

At this moment, he didn't even comprehend the vastness of the Divine Continent. How could he feel arrogant or complacent? On this continent, geniuses were as numerous as stars. Take the young lord of the Dapeng clan, for example; he wasn't much older than Li Xiaoyao, yet he could converse with sect elders and demand people from Canghai Sect without fear.

"After back to the sect, the first thing I need to do is select some powerful martial arts techniques, then participate in the inner sect examination to advance to an inner disciple. Only then will I truly be a qualified disciple of the sect. Right now, as an outer disciple, I'm nothing at all."

Li Xiaoyao thought to himself, fully aware of the steps he needed to take.

"Rumble... rumble..."

At that moment, the sound of galloping hooves echoed, reverberating from afar as if the very earth were trembling. Li Xiaoyao's eyes narrowed slightly as he turned his gaze, catching sight of a cloud of dust rising in the distance. A troop of iron cavalry was charging forward at an incredible speed.

"Blood Flame!" A flicker of surprise flashed in Li Xiaoyao's eyes. Every horse under the riders was a blood-red steed, known as the rare Crimson Blood Horse—a prized breed that far surpassed the speed of the thousand-li horse. Each one of these horses was worth a thousand taels of gold, and here was an entire troop of Blood Flame Cavalry. Clearly, these people were of extraordinary status.

But what were they doing in the territory of the Canghai Sect?

The Blood Flame Cavalry drew nearer, dust swirling around them. The riders on the crimson horses exuded a powerful, sharp aura, each of them radiating an impressive presence.

"Any one of these riders would be far superior to the so-called experts from the City Lord's mansion." Li Xiaoyao's heart trembled as he compared these warriors with those who had tried to assassinate him at the City Lord's command. Every one of these soldiers was stronger than those so-called experts, meaning that the weakest among the Blood Flame Cavalry were at the peak of Qi Martial Stage. Spirit Martial Stage was nothing to them.

This was a truly elite force, carrying an intense killing aura.

The group of about thirty riders slowed as they approached Li Xiaoyao, lifting their heads to gaze at the mountain range ahead. This was their destination—Canghai Sect.

At that moment, Li Xiaoyao sensed something. He shifted his gaze, landing on one individual, and his pupils constricted slightly.

"Holly shitttt!! it's her!"

In the midst of the Crimson Blood Cavalry, a strikingly beautiful woman in red armor stood out, exuding a heroic aura. Li Xiaoyao recognized her instantly.

"God damn!!!" Li Xiaoyao cursed silently, feeling a surge of alertness. He hadn't expected to encounter her here. It was clear that this group was with her. This imposing, beautiful woman was none other than Zhao Xinyi, the renowned beauty of the Canghai Sect.

"It's you?!" Zhao Xinyi's face grew cold as she looked angrily at Li Xiaoyao. This guy had taken over her training grounds and even dared to speak rudely to her. She hadn't settled that score yet.

Li Xiaoyao inwardly cursed his luck. This group was leagues beyond the assassins from the City Lord's mansion. If they decided to take action against him, even with his current strength, his chances weren't good.

"Xinyi, do you have a grudge against him?" The young man beside Zhao Xinyi turned his gaze to Li Xiaoyao, sensing her cold demeanor. His own expression grew hostile.

"Nah... We're fellow disciples, so naturally, I recognize him." To Li Xiaoyao's surprise, Zhao Xinyi simply shook her head and replied indifferently, without looking at him further.

"Let's enter into the mountain," Zhao Xinyi said, and the Crimson Blood Cavalry began moving toward the Canghai Sect. The handsome young man shot a glance at Li Xiaoyao, a faint cold glint in his eyes.

Li Xiaoyao frowned slightly, puzzled. In his impression, Zhao Xinyi was a domineering and unreasonable woman. Why was she letting him go so easily this time?