C47 Martial King

"Yun Haoyan, where did this cultivation technique come from?" Yun Hai abruptly snapped the booklet shut, fixing Yun Haoyan with an intense gaze. This was no ordinary technique—it was of Heavenly Grade. The most esteemed families in Ambercoast only possessed Earth Grade techniques of the lowest tier. If the booklet's description was accurate, they were dealing with a Heavenly Grade technique of the highest caliber. Such knowledge, if even a whisper escaped, could unleash chaos and bloodshed.

"My master came across it by chance. He's not merely a Grand Martial Master; he's a Martial King. However, he's currently injured and unable to wield the full extent of his Martial King power." Yun Haoyan had no choice but to invoke his master's situation.

"Martial King..." Yun Hai paced the ancestral hall, his face a mix of excitement and anxiety. The idea of a Martial King—a figure of such lofty stature—being within his reach was beyond his wildest dreams. And now, that same Martial King was a patron of his family, an almost surreal turn of events.

Yun Hai stood erect, inhaled deeply, and addressed Yun Haoyan, "Yun Haoyan, you mustn't speak of this to anyone. The Martial King can be a boon as much as a curse."

"Yes, Father. I haven't spoken of it to anyone else, only to you," Yun Haoyan assured, nodding at his father.

"Good." Yun Hai finally regained his composure. The Martial King was now part of their household. Whether it spelled fortune or doom, they would face it head-on. Should they weather this storm, they would soar like dragons; if not, they would be reduced to ashes.

"Yun Haoyan, did your master say how he was injured? What's the strength of his adversary?" Yun Hai's concern was palpable. Only a Martial King—or someone of even higher prowess—could harm another Martial King.

"My master mentioned that his foe is also a Martial King. He assured us he has a strategy to counter them and advised us not to worry," Yun Haoyan offered soothingly.

"That's a relief," murmured Yun Hai.

"Father, have you seen what's inside that Jade Bottle?" Yun Haoyan asked with a hint of a smile.

Snapping out of his reverie, Yun Hai felt a surge of anticipation. A gift from a Martial King was bound to be extraordinary.

Yun Hai carefully opened the Jade Bottle and tipped out a single pill.

"This is a perfect Qi Gathering Pill. And there are twenty in total?"

"Yes, Father," Yun Haoyan replied with a smile.

"With these pills, along with the Heavenly cultivation technique, you'll be able to advance to the Martial Master realm."

"Excellent!" Yun Hai burst into laughter, thrilled at the prospect of achieving the coveted Grand Martial Master realm he had long dreamt of.

"Yun Haoyan, why not practice this technique alongside me?

With your aptitude, I'm confident you could reach the Grand Martial Master realm with ease."

Yun Haoyan gestured dismissively.

"Father, the technique I'm practicing is quite formidable, perhaps even superior to yours.

It's just that my progress is somewhat slower. This technique seems as though it was custom-made for me."

"Slow?" Yun Hai shook his head in disbelief. He had reached the Martial Master realm in just a month; how could that be considered slow?

"You've grown up and have your own convictions. Make sure you think things through, and then follow your path.

And if you ever sense something off about the technique, stop practicing it right away," Yun Hai advised.

"Understood, Father. You have nothing to worry about."

Yun Haoyan added, "Father, this technique must be cultivated by you alone. If outsiders learn that we possess a Heavenly cultivation technique, it would spell trouble rather than fortune."

Yun Hai looked at Yun Haoyan and assured him,

"Rest easy. I haven't lost my senses. I certainly understand the importance of keeping a low profile.

Until our family has the strength to safeguard this technique, I won't breathe a word of it to anyone."