Chapter 194 - 182 Martial Arts Skills_2

Words : 1450 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

Chapter 194: Chapter 182 Martial Arts Skills_2 Yan Xiaobao pulled his thoughts back to the present, lowering his gaze to the gravel road leading out of the village. He was wearing new white clothes, with a small bundle strapped to his back containing spare clothes and a few personal items. He had been waiting since morning, unsure when the Rong twins and their family guards would come to fetch him. The sun had long risen high into the sky, and now it was past noon, yet Yan Xiaobao continued to wait patiently. freёwebnovel-com The villagers decided to only tend to the absolutely necessary chores today so they could see off their promising young boy. Each villager approached Yan Xiaobao, wishing him success in his endeavors or reminding him to visit them occasionally. Some even implored him to become a great man, someone who could bring fame to this unknown village. Hui Lifen and Hui Guang stood on either side of their son, their faces filled with contrasting emotions. They were incredibly proud of Yan Xiaobao, yet at the same time worried about letting him venture into the world. They had agreed to let him go because they trusted the Rong Family would support him. Lan Feng and Yan Xiaobao were both eager to move to a big city, every second feeling like an eternity. They both had grown weary of village life. Though Hui Lifen and Hui Guang showered the white-haired boy with all their love and care, he had never needed to mature in the way a young child typically does. All he remembered were the yearly moments shared with the Rong twins during the last ten years he spent growing alongside Lan Feng. It was time to move forward. "I promise to come back often," Yan Xiaobao smiled and reassured his parents. "I won’t stray far, just until school begins," he added, trying to ease their worries. "This will be an exciting adventure," Yan Xiaobao said to Lan Feng, feeling the Phoenix nod in agreement. "It’s been four thousand years since I last wandered this world. I’m truly curious to see how it has changed." Lan Feng was even more restless than Yan Xiaobao. The four kingdoms had transformed from the properties of the descendants of the four Divine Beasts. He couldn’t be certain whether he was still in his homeland. The history from over four thousand years ago was known as the Dark Era in this age, and only the strong knew what had transpired during that time. Everyone else was forbidden from knowing the past of these nations, not even the Rong twins were allowed to understand it. This restriction piqued Yan Xiaobao and Lan Feng’s curiosity. The taboo nature of the topic only made them more intrigued. Rong Ming and Rong Xing seemed disinterested in the matter, as they had grown up being taught to avoid such mysteries. Lan Feng could easily tell which nation they currently resided in the moment they arrived. Nations might change names and erase historical accounts, but it was impossible to move the four mountain ranges created by the four Divine Beasts that divided these lands. However, unraveling the truths of the Dark Era wasn’t easy. But as Yan Xiaobao grew stronger, this mystery would eventually be solved. Three hours passed before Lan Feng suddenly woke with a start. "I hear someone!" he exclaimed in an urgent tone. Yan Xiaobao couldn’t help but grin widely. They were finally here, and he was brimming with excitement! The minutes before the magical beasts and riders reached the horizon felt like an entire year. Rong Ming, Rong Xing, and Bu Huang rode at the forefront; Rong Ming grinned broadly, while Rong Xing’s eyes shone brightly, filled with star-like excitement. "How will this work?" Bu Huang frowned as he looked at Yan Xiaobao and asked. The plan was to have the white-haired boy ride one of the magical horses. However, these horses were rearing on their hind legs or trying to flee from the innocent boy’s presence. "What if he rode with me?" Rong Ming suggested, but he quickly realized that idea wouldn’t work either, as his young Qilin also seemed uneasy around the boy. Rong Xing then attempted to lend her help, but her Qilin reacted similarly. Bubu sighed heavily. The child certainly carried some incredible secrets. His desperate expression made it clear that if the magical beasts continued to shy away, Yan Xiaobao might never leave his village. No one yet knew the vow Yan Xiaobao had made to Lan Feng in his heart. "We have no choice. You’ll have to ride with me," Bo Bu finally said firmly. Despite his Qilin’s discomfort around Yan Xiaobao, its cultivation level far surpassed that of any other Magic Beast, granting it superior intelligence. The Qilin, having been raised by Bu Huang since it was a foal, had a bond of trust deep enough to manage this situation. Happiness gleamed in Yan Xiaobao’s eyes as he grasped Bu Huang’s hand, allowing the stronger man to lift him up to sit in front of him. The young boy waved goodbye to his family and the villagers still present, as the Rong entourage set out from the unnamed village once again. Yan Xiaobao had never truly left the village. Although he had explored the various hills surrounding the settlement, merely ten minutes atop this magical beast had already taken him further away than ever before. The scenery was breathtaking. It wasn’t long before they left the hillside and entered a sparse forest. Riding through the forest felt like descending a slope, moving downward. "Your village is situated within a valley," Huang Bu explained. "Technically, your village is inside the Magic Forest, but it’s at the very edge, making it relatively safe." The recollection surprised Yan Xiaobao. From what he had heard from the villagers and the Rong twins, the Magic Forest was an incredibly dangerous place. Yet, the villagers’ farming land was quite low, leaving them vulnerable to attacks from magical beasts. Typically, mercenaries or cultivators were hired to venture deeper into the Magic Forest, seeking medicinal herbs or magical beasts to extract beast cores. Aside from the Rong Family, Yan Xiaobao had never seen anyone else near the village. Bubu seemed to understand the thoughts racing through the young boy’s mind, continuing with a soft laugh. "Your village is hidden in a valley most people wouldn’t dare venture into. When you enter this part of the forest, it feels as though you’re leaving it, but that illusion is actually the only entrance to your village. Few are willing to take such a risk." Hearing this answered several of Yan Xiaobao’s lingering questions, and he refocused on his surroundings. It was obvious they were about to exit the outskirts of the Magic Forest and enter the outside world. As excitement surged within him, Yan Xiaobao’s heart began to race. Stretching before them was a road cutting through vast fields. There was a village not far from where they were, a settlement far larger than the one he had just left. A wooden barricade surrounded the village, manned by two guards at the entrance. The guards greeted them respectfully, allowing them passage into the village. The houses here were far bigger than what Yan Xiaobao was used to. He also noticed training facilities and even areas where groups of children were cultivating beside stones that radiated a peculiar glow. Yan Xiaobao stared everywhere, shaking his head from side to side, trying to take everything in all at once. He spotted a large building bustling with villagers of all ages entering and exiting, clutching various scrolls. "This village is very different from yours," Rong Ming remarked cheerfully, riding beside Yan Xiaobao and clearly enjoying the look of awe on his younger friend’s face. "On our way to Liluo City, we’ll pass through several villages like this, but these villages are more like family estates." Yan Xiaobao looked at Rong Ming, puzzled, prompting the older boy to laugh. "This village is owned by a Hei Clan family, meaning the land and its profits belong to them. Every year, they sell their agricultural yield in Liluo City." "But they seem highly focused on cultivation?" Yan Xiaobao observed, pointing at the many training facilities. "Yes," Rong Xing answered calmly from the opposite side. "They require strong cultivators to protect their land." Yan Xiaobao remained quiet, staring at Rong Xing, urging her to continue. "Every child under the age of ten learns to cultivate. Those who reach the five-star level by ten are sent to the Royal Art Academy to study, while the rest will spend their lives working the fields." ...

Chapter 194 - 182 Martial Arts Skills_2

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