Chapter Fifteen: Chihui's Letter

So-called Ancient Soul General Cards are soul general cards passed down from ancient times. For a soul general card to survive the erosion of time and remain intact, the martial soul imprint upon it must be exceptionally solid and pure. Ancient Soul General Cards are synonymous with premium soul general cards.

“The creator of this card was the pioneer of the Celestial Crane Constellation, known as the Crane Dancer, Master Crane,” Old Wei said, a look of reverence flashing in his eyes.

Tang Tian scratched his head. “Sounds impressive…”

Amory’s eyes shone. “Wow, I’ve heard that name! Ancient martial artists were all incredibly strong! I remember reading in a book that Master Crane once swept through an entire region.”

“You actually read books?” Tang Tian turned to him in disbelief.

Amory looked a little embarrassed. “Sometimes, sometimes.”

“The Celestial Crane Constellation is still ruled by the Crane Sect, which was founded by Master Crane’s inheritors. But today, the constellation has lost its former glory and has become a peripheral constellation on the Heavenly Path,” Old Wei shook his head with regret. “The true teachings of the Crane Sect are likely lost; otherwise, they wouldn’t be in such dire straits.”

“This card is an authentic Crane Sect cultivation soul general card, and it’s quite old. The Crane Sect’s cultivation method is notoriously difficult to master, which might explain their decline. Back then, cultivation methods were very different from those we use now. They emphasized continuity and were not interchangeable. Our current methods focus more on tiers and less on continuity.”

“Which is better?” Tang Tian couldn’t help but ask.

“Each has its pros and cons,” Old Wei mused. “The old methods were practiced from start to finish as a single discipline, making them more powerful, but if any tier was lost, that was disastrous. Our current system with the Dantian Pool and Ascending Ladder is much simpler and easier to learn, and the different tiers can be mixed and matched as long as their attributes align. This lowers the entry barrier significantly. If not for this, martial artists wouldn’t be so prosperous today. The ancient schools placed great importance on inheritance and produced more formidable warriors, but at a higher cost. In ancient times, Amory might have been chosen as a disciple, but you, young Tang, would have had a hard time even getting started.”

Both boys suddenly understood and nodded.

Tang Tian, though told his talent was inferior to Amory’s, didn’t mind. He knew he wasn’t as gifted as the ‘Fly Bull’, but felt fortunate to live in an era where cultivation only required a soul general card.

“My knowledge of the ‘Crane Qi Formula’ is limited,” Old Wei continued. “I only know that it grants a long and steady flow of energy, making it suitable for prolonged combat. That should suit you well, since stamina is crucial for a close-combat specialist. As for the rest, you’ll have to figure it out yourself, though I’ve heard it’s hard to train. I got this ‘Crane Qi Formula’ card by chance years ago. While it differs from modern methods, it’s still better than most.” He waved his hand. “That’s all I know. Don’t ask me for more.”

Amory was excited. “Basic Tang, hurry up and start training! Once you reach the third tier of true power, let’s fight again! I’ve come up with loads of new moves—I’m definitely going to flatten you!”

Tang Tian retorted with disdain, “Fly Bull, just wait to get beaten like a dog.”

Old Wei cut in. “Enough bickering, get to training. By the way, I’ve prepared a special training for you both so you don’t embarrass me at the Starwind Martial Meet.”

“Special training?” Tang Tian and Amory were immediately intrigued.

“Heh, you’ll find out soon enough,” Old Wei replied with a sly grin.

※※※

Tang Tian’s heart was light, not only because he’d received the ‘Crane Qi Formula’ from Old Wei, but also because he’d gotten a letter from Chihui.

The letter had traveled the long Heavenly Path, and the envelope was a little worn. Opening it, a faint fragrance drifted from the pink paper, and Chihui’s elegant handwriting appeared before Tang Tian’s eyes. He handled it with care, as if it were a precious treasure, greedily reading every word.

“Dearest Tian,

How have you been lately? I miss you so much. Everything here is unbearably dull—I don’t like this place, its rules, or its people. When you arrive, let’s sneak away to the Heavenly Path. I’m already making preparations. Hehe, no one knows. They don’t believe in you, but I do. I’m one hundred percent confident you’ll succeed. Oh, I finally found some clues about the bronze medal. The cross on it is the mark of the Southern Cross Constellation. If the books are right, it’s likely one of the constellation’s star relics. It’s called the Southern Cross Austerity Medal, and there’s very little information about it among all the star relics.”

Tang Tian’s expression grew serious and intent as he read on.

“The Southern Cross lies between the Fly Constellation and the Centaur Constellation—it’s the smallest. So far, only one star relic from the Southern Cross has ever been found: the Austerity Medal. As for its function, I couldn’t find any records. You’ll have to figure it out yourself, but from the name, it’s probably a relic meant for cultivation. The numbers on it, if I’m not mistaken, are related to triggering the medal. Tian, you must never tell anyone about the medal! Be careful, or you might attract dangerous people. The Southern Cross Austerity Medal is a great lead—it’s the only star relic ever discovered from the Southern Cross. If we go there, we’ll definitely find more clues. I’ve already started gathering information on the constellation. Tian, aren’t I awesome? Compliment me…”

The letter was long, and it was clear Chihui had spent a lot of time writing it.

Tang Tian read it over and over, word by word. Only after several readings did he finally fold it up carefully and put it away.

A star relic—the bronze medal was actually a star relic…

Tang Tian’s expression remained calm, but a storm raged in his heart. If not for Chihui’s words, he would never have believed it.

The Heavenly Path was endless, the stars as vast as the sea, and these stars were divided into constellations. Legend had it that each constellation possessed a unique and wondrous treasure—a star relic.

But all these star relics were associated with great heroes or peerless warriors. For example, the Lionheart Flame Sword wielded by Leon the Lion King was the star relic of Leo. The Heavenly Bow of the Arrow Saint Hou Yitian was the Sagittarian relic.

All these names lived in legend, in epic tales, in books—so distant, so untouchable.

And suddenly, Tang Tian discovered that the bronze medal he’d worn since childhood was actually a star relic. It might appear unremarkable, but he sensed something extraordinary about it.

Mother… what was your past really like?

Why did you never tell me…

Tang Tian’s silent murmur echoed in his heart, his gaze turning distant.

But soon, he snapped back to reality, a surge of pride welling up inside him. The confusion in his eyes vanished, and he clenched his fist.

Mother, I’m not afraid!

No matter how great the challenges or dangers, nothing can stop me!

Your son will not bring you shame.

I will uncover the truth of it all!

Tang Tian, keep going!

Tang Tian raised his right fist, swearing to his mother in heaven—and to himself.

※※※

Zhou Peng’s skin was tanned dark, his lips parched and cracked. He was so exhausted he could barely keep his eyes open.

A basin of icy water was dumped over his head with a splash.

“Zhou Mu, once I become head of the family, you’re dead!” Zhou Peng growled through gritted teeth.

Zhou Mu’s face was expressionless. “We’ll see when you actually become the head.”

“I will become the head! I’ll kill you! And Tang Tian! And everyone who stands against me!” Zhou Peng spat, then fell silent, picked up a starstone, and began channeling his cultivation technique.

Moments later, the starstone’s light faded, and it shattered with a crack, fragments falling to the ground. The floor was littered with a thick layer of such fragments—Zhou Peng had consumed a staggering number of starstones in recent days.

But the results were equally remarkable.

Zhou Peng’s true power was now just shy of the third tier’s peak. Soon, he would break through to the fourth tier—a level that would make him a top expert among all the academies in Starwind City.

Zhou Mu showed no mercy and had personally disciplined Zhou Peng several times. Knowing there was no room for luck this time, Zhou Peng displayed an uncommon tenacity.

He was born with excellent aptitude, especially for wood-type techniques, making him a standout among the Zhou family’s younger generation. Normally, he was far too spoiled and reckless, but now, cornered with nowhere to retreat, his progress was startlingly swift.

The Zhou family’s wood-type techniques were their specialty, and their inheritance in this discipline was profound. Their family’s unique standing on Wu’an Star was due in large part to their renowned series of wood-type martial arts.

Once Zhou Peng broke through to the fourth tier, he could begin training in the Zhou family’s signature technique—the ‘Woodheart Sword Wheel.’

The ‘Woodheart Sword Wheel’ was famed as one of the finest fourth-tier techniques of the Zhou family, known for its unpredictable changes.

If Zhou Peng mastered it, his succession as head of the family would be virtually assured, and not even the elders would oppose him.

However, the ‘Woodheart Sword Wheel’ was notoriously difficult to master—many disciples had tried, all to no avail. Those who did succeed became legends.

Zhou Peng had a high chance of succeeding.

Seeing Zhou Peng open his eyes, Zhou Mu spoke without expression. “News just arrived: Tang Tian has signed up for this year’s Starwind Martial Meet. The head of the family has enrolled you as well. This is your chance to redeem yourself!”

A deep, venomous hatred and murderous intent welled up in Zhou Peng’s eyes. “He’s dead! I’ll kill him with my own hands!”

With that, he turned back to his training.

Hey, young man, how can you let such a wonderful book languish in second place? How could you! The prize is right in front of you—if you don’t seize it, you’re no better than a beast! Will you take it or not?

Peerless Tang Sect