Ou Yangming smiled proudly and said, "Elder Sister Ying, I only did something insignificant."

Looking at the way he smiled, Ni Yinghong gritted her teeth and asked softly, "Are you going to tell me or not?"

"Okay, I'll tell you." Ou Yangming immediately surrendered. "I only analyzed some memories and understandings of the wind series power, which were left in the spiritual world by one of your clan's ancestors."

"And then?"

"Then I imprinted the memories in your sea of consciousness." Ou Yangming grinned. "Based on my observation, you'll need some time to familiarize yourself with it and adapt to it. Once you fully convert those memories for your own, you'll be able to release not four, but six wind blades!"

"Six?" Ni Yinghong's face changed. She was not delighted but was slightly sullen.

She regarded herself to be quite talented, where she was superior to many people in terms of mental power cultivation. Although the young lady could not compare herself with a freak like Ou Yangming, she felt at peace knowing that even Elder Universe was ashamed of being inferior to the young fellow.

Nonetheless, she finally understood the saying—"there's always someone better than you".

With the same mental power, Ni Yinghong could only release one wind blade and could launch four in one go after she inherited her ancestor's memories. On the contrary, Ou Yangming could tell at one glance that there was still room for improvement.

Ni Yinghong's confidence took a blow so huge that it could not be put into words.

Nevertheless, seeing as how proud Ou Yangming was, she could not hate him at all!

She asked after a brief moment, "Lil' Ming, where did you learn how to do this?"

"I figured it out after I observed your clan's inherited spiritual world and combined it with my Simulated Spiritual Fist," Ou Yangming answered after some thought and added, "I wasn't too sure in the beginning, but I have no doubts now."

"Oh? Was I your lab rat?"

"Elder Sister Ying, it's a misunderstanding! You won't be in danger as long as I'm around!" Ou Yangming quickly explained.

"Hmph. Lil' Ming, why do you know so much?"

"Perhaps it's because I'm standing high and am seeing far ahead, so I have a clearer view of everything," Ou Yangming responded seriously after some time.

In actuality, martial art cultivation was similar to the spiritual world. When one's absolute strength reached a certain height, one would usually come to a sudden realization about the unknown or puzzling things.

As Ou Yangming's mental power increased drastically, he began to apprehend more things that were related to mental power.

Ni Yinghong sighed. She felt rather proud when she first entered the secret realm, and she was determined to catch up to Ou Yangming.

Now, she finally understood the disparity between a normal person and a freak. As such, she no longer fantasized about realizing her wish.

"Elder Sister Ying, stay here to practice for one more day. We'll return to the prefecture tomorrow," Ou Yangming noted in a deep voice.

"Why tomorrow?"

"Because they'll be arriving tomorrow." Ou Yangming had a strange look in his eyes. "From tomorrow onwards, I suppose I'll become extremely busy."

74 newly-advanced Supreme Great Ancestors would be arriving at the prefecture, so Ou Yangming would need to smith tailored magic tools for them.

Back then, apart from those incredibly unique magic tools, he could only produce ordinary magic tools. This time, it would be different because he would certainly surprise everyone.

Ou Yangming did not know why the spirit beast would abandon the three Earthly Dragon Beasts and retreated. Despite that, since he was given the opportunity, he would be punished by Heaven if he did not fully utilize it.

Ni Yinghong was captivated by the strange look in Ou Yangming's eyes. She never regretted her choice, but she had just become firmer about it.

Far away, the big yellow dog looked at them resentfully. 'Those two fellas are bullying me—a single dog—again…

'Hmph, the more you show off your affection for each other, the faster you'll be in bad luck!'

※※※※

The next day, Ni Yinghong was not able to strike six wind blades in a row yet, but she gained some idea about it. As long as she continued to practice the technique, she could definitely achieve her goal soon.

Under the big yellow dog's lead, they left the secret realm and headed to the prefecture.

Along their journey, they noticed that the road toward the city was dreary. Even though the prefecture was protected this time, the villages around it were buried by the disaster.

The main road, which was usually packed with people, had become an unbeaten path. Ou Yangming and Ni Yinghong felt sorry for the people affected when they saw the traces of blood on the road, whereas the big yellow dog walked leisurely behind them and stretched or yawned from time to time.

However, owing to the big yellow dog's new size, every move it made was earth-shattering.

Far away, just when they were able to have a glimpse of the city's walls, the horn was suddenly sounded.

Ni Yinghong was appalled when she heard it. "It's the warning horn, indicating that a powerful ferocious beast has appeared!"

Ou Yangming's face took on a grave expression as well. If a herd of ordinary beasts attacked the city, as long as humongous creatures like the Earthly Dragon Beasts did not show up to destroy the walls, they could not get to the top of the walls at all.

It would be different if there was a great-ancestor-level half-spirit beast.

Perhaps it could cause damage more serious than hundreds and thousands of ferocious beasts combined.

"Big Yellow, what ferocious beast is it? Go and find out!" Ni Yinghong ordered without any hesitation.

The big yellow dog became focused and serious. Following that, it flashed and left right away.

Ou Yangming suggested softly, "Let's enter the city first. Once the enemy's confirmed, I'll come back to help Big Yellow."

He and Big Yellow were confident about handling most crises, but he was worried because Ni Yinghong was around.

Ni Yinghong did not object to it because she knew she would only be a burden to the two of them. With that, she and the young fellow dashed toward the prefecture hand in hand.

Before long, they heard shouts from the top of the city walls. The people were urging them to speed up.

Ou Yangming dared not go too fast or too slow with Ni Yinghong beside him. Without warning, he reached out for her slim waist and zoomed toward one of the walls like a ghost.

At the top of the wall, the crowd cheered happily as though they were celebrating their safety.

Afterward, a long rope was thrown down to them. Ou Yangming knew what it was for, hence he carried Ni Yinghong by her waist and grabbed the rope with his other hand. By borrowing force, they made their way up to the top.

Tens of people had gathered at the top of this wall, and they looked into the distance anxiously. One of them shouted all of a sudden, "Master Ou, Master Ou's back!"

Ou Yangming was slightly stunned. None of the people were Supreme Great Ancestors, and only one of them was a Yang Grade cultivator, but even he was a stranger.

It was not strange. After all, how could a Supreme Great Ancestor be normally assigned to guard the walls? In fact, this side of the walls was lucky enough to have a Yang Grade powerhouse.

The person who screamed was a Yin Grade soldier, who looked at Ou Yangming with respect and joy.

Ou Yangming smiled and nodded. "Have you seen me before?"

"Yes, I've seen you in the military camp," the soldier answered instantly.

It was then that the Yang Grade powerhouse came to a sudden realization. He greeted Ou Yangming loudly, "Greetings, Master Ou."

Even if one had not seen him before, one would not be indifferent after hearing his name.

"Master Ou, you're back." A figure approached them in a flash. It was He Xinfang, one of the Supreme Great Ancestors from the capital.

Ou Yangming was surprised. 'Brother He, why are you in charge of guarding the city?"

Ni Yinghong's eyes gleamed because she naturally sensed He Xinfang's intense aura. She was certain that he was a formidable Supreme Great Ancestor.

Even so, Ou Yangming treated the man casually, whereas He Xinfang spoke to the young fellow with extreme respect.

"Master Ou, I asked for this job." He Xinfang smiled brightly and explained, "We followed you here from the capital, so we can't embarrass you, am I right?"

Ni Yinghong was even more surprised, and she looked at Ou Yangming strangely.

She had been focusing on her cultivation in the secret realm, thus she was not aware of Ou Yangming's feats during the past few months. Besides, when the young fellow carried out those matters, they were more or less related to the two ladies from the capital.

As dumb as Ou Yangming was, he would not speak of such things to Ni Yinghong.

"Brother He, thanks for doing this." Ou Yangming beamed and said, "I had the opportunity to gain a new understanding of smithing art. If you trust me, send me your weapons, and I'll refine it for you."

He Xinfang's eyes lit up at once. If anyone else had said this, he would have slapped that person long ago.

'Refine a magic tool? Do you think I'm a fool?' He would have thought.

Nonetheless, he never doubted Ou Yangming.

He Xinfang lowered his head even more at this moment, and he showed a flattering smile on his face.

'I must cling to Master Ou tightly!'

Subsequently, Ou Yangming turned around and asked, "Who was the one who sounded the horn? Where's the danger?"

He Xinfang cast aside his thoughts and immediately focused. He was determined to impress Master Ou.

One of the soldiers pointed into the distance and said, "Sir, that half-spirit beast appeared out of nowhere. I deduced that it's at least a great ancestor, so I sounded the horn."

He Xinfang looked in that direction as well, and he gasped when he noticed the yellow figure running at the speed of light.

'This speed, this size… And of course, this overbearing momentum.

'Can I defeat such a powerful half-spirit beast?'

When he turned to look, he noticed a weird look on Ou Yangming's face.