Three days later, Miao Yuchun flew in using his artifact, bringing Feng Zikang with him to the back mountain.

Though a knot remained in his heart, Feng Zikang was always respectful and warm toward him, showing no sign of remembering the incident of falling into the water years ago; moreover, Miao Yuchun now possessed the cultivation of the fourth level of Qi Induction, and his Li Huo Zhuo divine ability had been refined to the Fourth Layer of True Fire. Wielding the Blazing Sun Axe, he might not even lose against a senior martial brother whose cultivation was two levels higher, so he wasn't afraid of any tricks from this mere junior martial brother at the first level of Qi Induction.

If the young man had truly forgotten those past events, so be it; but if this boy harbored any malicious schemes, Martial Uncle Ye was in seclusion recently anyway, and it was common for one or two low-ranking disciples of the Martial Way to go missing in this desolate wilderness...

Feng Zikang acted immensely envious of Miao Yuchun’s ability to fly with the Blazing Sun Axe, questioning him ceaselessly. With his back to Miao Yuchun, he studied the golden light beneath his feet, but in truth, he had already released his Formless Heavenly Demon Avatar, constantly monitoring Miao Yuchun's movements.

This Senior Brother Miao constantly revealed subtle traces of vigilance; their relationship was far from the friendship he claimed; there was likely still some lingering resentment.

But whatever the relationship!

Since Miao Yuchun agreed to go and slay the Ghost General together, he was now his prey! Feng Zikang gently clenched his fist, a cold smile playing on his lips as his back faced Miao Yuchun. Through the observation of his Formless Heavenly Demon Avatar, he noted that the Senior Brother’s guard had dropped to its lowest point.

“Junior brother, there’s no need to be envious. Once you reach the third level of Qi Induction, Martial Uncle Ye will surely prepare a flying artifact weapon for you as well. Although it won't be as handy as your natal weapon, flying and burrowing underground will certainly not be an issue!”

This was another perk of being an inner disciple favored by a master. Although these initial-stage flying artifacts were merely mundane objects, not reaching the level of magic treasures and having limited use, in the early stages, they allowed for aerial travel and enhanced self-preservation. Without the Blazing Sun Axe, Miao Yuchun, at his current cultivation, would certainly not dare to hunt the Ghost General for the Soul Fire Pearl.

“I visited Senior Brother Huo several times and realized how arduous the cultivation of outer disciples is. I am truly fortunate to have Ye Shi’s care,” Feng Zikang sighed, seemingly lost in thought.

“Direct lineage disciples have a much easier time compared to general inner disciples and outer disciples…”

Although it was a heartfelt remark, Miao Yuchun’s statement carried a strangely deep implication. Without turning around, Feng Zikang knew that when he spoke, Miao Yuchun had glanced faintly over him.

With the ** of his Formless Heavenly Demon Avatar, he immediately grasped the barely perceptible killing intent within the words.

It was indeed because of his status as a direct lineage disciple!

If the incident of the foolish child falling into the water and developing a fever was truly orchestrated by Miao Yuchun, then this must have been the motive—for the position of the direct lineage disciple! Otherwise, how could a seven-year-old child have incurred such a life-and-death feud deserving of such a cruel blow?

In that instant, Miao Yuchun’s heart stirred slightly. This boy survived by sheer luck, but if another accident were to occur this time, wouldn't the position of the direct disciple of the Bamboo Grove become vacant again?

Though he tried hard to suppress his killing intent, the malevolent thought, like a seed soaking up water, began to expand unconsciously.

A trace of a smile appeared on Feng Zikang’s face—the Formless Heavenly Demon Avatar possessed no other great abilities, nor could it precisely discern what the opponent was thinking like mind-reading, but stimulating and accelerating the evolution and expansion of the opponent’s various negative thoughts was an innate instinct.

When malice arose and was spurred by the Formless Heavenly Demon, the process of it taking root, sprouting, flowering, and bearing fruit was greatly accelerated.

“Senior Brother, is that the General’s Tomb ahead?”

But this was not yet the right place for his malevolence to erupt. Feng Zikang casually pointed, interrupting Miao Yuchun’s train of thought.

“Oh… we’ve arrived…”

Miao Yuchun found his breathing somewhat heavy and secretly calmed his mind. Even if he were to eliminate this junior brother, it had to be a swift, decisive strike in secret; he absolutely could not let the boy escape death again. Today’s priority was killing the Ghost General first.

He ceased the artifact-controlling spell, and the two drifted down.

The General’s Tomb lay close to the ancient battlefield of Songling, rumored to be the burial site of the Great King of Wu who personally led the army, where countless soldiers also perished. The outer perimeter was where the Ghost Generals appeared most frequently.

“The ghostly creatures are rampant. Junior brother, though you have the protective jade tablet, you must still be careful. Don't stray too far from me; if you are accidentally injured by a ghost, I won't be able to look after you!”

Although Miao Yuchun said this jokingly, he was simultaneously thinking that if this boy were indeed injured by a ghost, it might present a perfect opportunity to eliminate him. He himself didn't notice that the mere flicker of malice was continuously growing stronger.

“I understand, Senior Brother!”

Feng Zikang replied, diligently following behind Miao Yuchun. As they moved deeper, several low-ranking ghostly soldiers appeared, all easily swept away by Miao Yuchun.

“Senior Brother, save me!”

As Miao Yuchun proceeded, he suddenly heard Feng Zikang cry out in alarm from behind. Turning back, he saw that Feng Zikang had fallen several yards behind, surrounded and attacked by two ghostly soldiers, appearing somewhat flustered. Miao Yuchun gripped the Blazing Sun Axe, preparing to turn and strike, but then a thought flashed, and he halted, bursting into loud laughter.

“Junior brother, you must have stored your jade tablet in your spatial pouch yourself. Since you want to witness the might of the ghostly creatures, why fear just two mere ghostly soldiers? At the peak of the first level of Qi Induction, dealing with ghostly soldiers shouldn't be an issue!”

Peak first level of Qi Induction, with all meridians unblocked, one naturally possessed immense strength in every move and gesture, so fearing the lowest-grade ghostly soldiers should not be the case. However, Feng Zikang had only been channeling Qi into his body for a month and had no experience fighting ghosts. These two sturdy soldiers, armed with shields and blades, attacked and defended with a semblance of formation, making it not entirely easy for him to dispatch them without sustaining any harm.

If he were injured…

A ferocious look gradually spread across Miao Yuchun’s face. He assumed Feng Zikang must be panicked at this moment and wouldn't notice anything.

In reality, Feng Zikang always kept half his attention on the Formless Heavenly Demon Avatar. Seeing Miao Yuchun’s expression, he knew the man’s malice had solidified and couldn't help but sneer internally.

The two ghostly soldiers were indeed formidable opponents for Feng Zikang at the peak of the first level of Qi Induction, but within his body resided the bizarre and unpredictable demonic seed that desperately needed to evolve. He had intentionally lured these two ghostly soldiers here, and during the fight, by continuously absorbing their spectral energy, he could already maintain a stable control over the situation, but he deliberately feigned panic.

“Chi!”

As Feng Zikang smashed one ghostly soldier into dispersal with a punch, he deliberately exposed a weakness, allowing the other soldier’s blade to slash across his arm before kicking it into dust with his foot. He panted heavily, bombarding Miao Yuchun with complaints.

“Senior Brother, why were you just watching my spectacle instead of helping…”

Miao Yuchun saw that his injury was minor and felt a slight disappointment, but he didn't show it, simply roaring with laughter: “Junior brother, we martial artists thrive on sudden epiphanies amidst the clash of blades and swords; that is how we refine our cultivation. If there were true danger, I would naturally intervene!”

His words sounded noble, and Feng Zikang played along, expressing great gratitude. After thanking his senior brother, he suddenly tilted his head, revealing an expression of ecstatic joy.

“Senior Brother’s words are truly golden advice! Having battled those two ghostly soldiers alone just now, I’ve benefited immensely. And now, I’ve actually broken through the peak of the first level of Qi Induction and ascended to the second level of Qi Induction!”

“What?”

Miao Yuchun was shocked. While breakthroughs during combat were common occurrences for cultivators of the Martial Way, Feng Zikang, who had only been channeling Qi for less than a month, managed to break through to the second level of Qi Induction mid-battle? Was his aptitude terrifying?

He reached out to touch Feng Zikang’s pulse. Upon investigation, he indeed saw that the internal energy circulation in the sea of Qi in his chest had formed, though it was still very weak—it was absolutely the sign of the second level of Qi Induction. His expression instantly turned grim.

“This is all thanks to Senior Brother’s accomplishment!”

Feng Zikang danced with joy, while Miao Yuchun forced a smile, his heart brimming with surging malevolence.

‘This boy’s aptitude is so high; in a little while, he might catch up to me… Dragon and Tiger Mountain is small, with so few people. If he figures out that I tried to kill him back then, it will become a major problem. Perhaps I must take this opportunity today to deal with him!’