With Ye Jingyu’s current fighting prowess, even an ordinary Martial Master might not be his match, let alone a mere Martial Warrior… Still, no matter what, this counted as progress, didn’t it?

The night was deep, and the bright moonlight poured down, draping the entire Southern Savage Forest in a silver cloak, making this already mysterious wilderness even more enigmatic… From within the jungle, the howls of wild beasts occasionally drifted, punctuated by sharp, agonizing cries—the final sounds of some creature about to become another’s meal… The entire village of the Chi Yi tribe, however, was steeped in silence.

Aside from a few dozen burly men, all towering over two meters, leading wolf-bears the size of calves on leashes during their patrol, the rest of the tribespeople were fast asleep… And in a clearing near the chief’s wooden lodge, a young man dressed in simple cloth stood motionless, clutching a battered piece of iron that was more like a crude blade than a proper dao… Unmoving… Suddenly, the youth’s tightly shut eyes snapped open, two dazzling beams of light shooting forth.

His body then launched into the air, blade held high in both hands, as he brought it down fiercely towards a tree trunk as thick as an arm… With a shush… this strike slammed into the trunk, instantly cleaving it in two.

The cut was smooth, without a single ripple or imperfection… Was this the Thundering Cleave?

Gazing at the small tree he had just bisected, a wave of shock washed over Ye Jingyu… Although it was only a sapling, something he could split with pure physical strength, to achieve such a perfectly clean cut with this ragged piece of iron was utterly impossible… Yet, on his very first attempt at wielding the Thundering Cleave, he had managed it… Just now, he clearly felt a surge of dao qi forming along the edge of his broken blade—it was this faint energy that had cleanly split the small tree… This was while the zhenqi concentration within him was extremely scarce.

He couldn't imagine the destructive level this technique would reach once his internal energy transformed into Innate Zhenqi, or even into True Essence Power?

Clutching the broken blade tightly, Ye Jingyu closed his eyes once more.

He needed to meticulously experience the true essence of the Thundering Blade Art… He practiced like this throughout the entire night.

When the first ray of dawn spilled over, Ye Jingyu opened his eyes again, but this time he made no immediate move.

He simply stared quietly at a large tree ten meters away, a faint sneer touching his lips before his figure shot out, instantly arriving before the trunk.

His broken blade swept past it with a light swish… Chii… A faint spark seemed to jump… His body had already moved past the tree to the other side… The large tree behind him remained completely still for a moment.

Then, as a gentle breeze blew through, the tree, which had been perfectly sound moments before, snapped cleanly in half from the middle.

The massive crown crashed down with a resounding clatter.

If this area hadn't been so open, it could have easily smashed the wooden structures… Thundering Cleave… Thunder implies speed… Cleave implies power… This was the true intent of the move… A faint smile touched Ye Jingyu’s face.

Though he hadn't fully grasped the first move, he had learned it nonetheless.

His strength had significantly increased, and with greater power, he could better protect those he cherished… “Jingyu… You’re up so early?” Just then, the exquisitely graceful Jiu Feng emerged from a nearby wooden hut.

For the past month, she had barely slept a wink while tending to Ye Jingyu.

Only after his injuries were completely healed yesterday had she finally allowed herself a deep sleep, completely unaware that Ye Jingyu had stayed awake all night… Her eyes were still heavy with sleep, and she was draped in a single piece of animal hide that barely concealed her vital areas.

Her serpentine body swayed subtly, constantly tempting Ye Jingyu toward the abyss of temptation… “Mhm, I haven't moved in a while.

Thought I’d stretch my legs and practice a bit…” Forcing his gaze away from Jiu Feng’s figure, Ye Jingyu said softly, though his heart was in turmoil… Damn it, my injuries are finally healed, and she finally got a night’s rest too.

Tonight, there’s no need to hold back anymore… Having lived here for over a month, he understood that Jiu Feng belonged to him.

No matter how he viewed her, she was his woman.

Furthermore, her diligent care over this past month had allowed this enchanting figure to slowly take root in his heart… It was natural that he desired her… And his constant quest for strength was to protect her well, ensuring no one else could ever claim her.

Perhaps this wasn't love, but just as he had declared before, Jiu Feng was his, and no one could take her away… Of course, the most crucial point was that for any man, possessing such a stunning woman like Jiu Feng would make him vehemently unwilling to share her with anyone else… At the very least, Ye Jingyu adored her deeply, cherished her intensely… Both her person… and her… body… “Then I’ll go prepare some food for you.

You just recovered; don’t overexert yourself too much,” Jiu Feng replied, a sweet smile blooming on her face.

She already considered herself Ye Jingyu’s woman.

In the Chi Yi tribe, the duty of a woman was simply to care for her man—manage his daily life and bear his sons… “Mm…” Ye Jingyu nodded, about to utter some sweet words, when he saw a tall figure approaching them… Jiu Feng, standing at the doorway, called out preemptively, “Father!

You’ve come…” “You, come with me…” The newcomer nodded toward Jiu Feng before addressing Ye Jingyu.

This was Jiu Feng’s father, Chi Yi Wolf, a warrior at the peak of the Nen realm… “Oh…” Although Ye Jingyu was displeased with Chi Yi Wolf's imposing demeanor, remembering he was Jiu Feng’s father, he let it go.

He nodded to Jiu Feng, signaling her not to worry, and followed Chi Yi Wolf forward… This time, they did not head toward the chief’s lodge but walked out of the village, traversed the Ice Fire Fruit Forest, and arrived at a canyon.

Following Chi Yi Wolf, Ye Jingyu entered a vast cavern.

After walking for what felt like an eternity, they reached a slightly flatter area where a massive altar stood in the center.

Green flames burned atop it, illuminating the surroundings, where six aged elders sat in a circle around the structure.

The green firelight cast eerie shadows on their faces, making them look terrifying… If he hadn't recognized one of them as Chi Yi, Ye Jingyu might have thought they were six vengeful spirits… What were they planning to do?