“You… how dare you, don’t you know who we are? We are from the Devil’s Sect! Are you courting death?” A lean middle age man spoke out abruptly. He had a huge scar on his forehead, one could tell he had been through many battles.

“Jason, what did I tell you about losing your temper in a fight? Look at this kid, he can’t be more than seventeen. No matter how talented, he can’t be more than level 30.” An old man spoke as he slowly walked forward. Half of his lower face was covered in a metallic mask, distorting his voice a bit.

Ryu is only twelve this year but due to his exceptional secluded training and the abundant priceless Qi enriched food he ate daily inside the forest, he had matured into a tall strapping young man.

Ryu quickly scanned the group, there were two in the Master Domain. The one who spoke was one of them. He took out a scimitar and motioned the men to surrounded Ryu. The other blended in with the incoming scapegoats.

Five men were bolder than the rest, the instant they were all within two meters of Ryu they pounced forward immediately.

Slapppp. Multiple smacks of the hand against bare skin echoed off the walls and continued to vibrate for half a minute.

Ryu who stood calmly with his hands behind his back actually walked forward as men attempted to take his life. While multiple weapons were inches away from him, the men wielding those weapons suddenly spun in circles horizontally from where they stood. It’s as if they were spinning tops.

Almost no one present understood what happened. Only a few saw a few blurred streaks coming from Ryu but nobody could’ve guessed that Ryu simply slapped them all across the cheeks once!

The rest of the approaching men froze in their track, unsure of what to do. As another three men entered within a meter of him – Slap! The same thing happened, before the three men could react they have been slap once on their cheek and the force had made them whirl multiple times before landing. Most of them lost half their teeth.

Ryu continued walking with his hands behind his back, his face was calm and he looked as if he was just taking a morning stroll. The majority of them panicked and started retreating. In just a few seconds, less than the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, one fourth of their force had been wiped out!

The old men with the mask scowled and the scimitar in his right hand flew out towards the retreating men. The unfortunate ones that retreated first all got beheaded and their lifeless bodies slumped to ground.

For the first time Ryu’s expression change, he frowned. “If you are willing to leave these poor people alone, I’ll let you guys go.”

“Unacceptable. We won’t be able to keep our necks if we return empty handed. You don’t know what you are getting into, leave while you can. You are still young and already this talented but the people behind us can crush you like a bug.” The old man spoke coldly back.

Ryu simply sighed and shook his head.

One of the bodies on the ground behind Ryu suddenly sprang upwards and with a dagger in hand, he aimed for Ryu’s neck. His speed was clearly much faster than the rest, he was pretending to be unconsciously while waiting for this golden opportunity. It was one of the two Master Domain experts that blended in earlier. However, never in a million years could he have thought that a young boy could see through his stealthy assassination attempt.

Ryu sees the world differently from the rest. He could see it regularly but also at the same time, he sees another one that’s completely outlined in Qi in a second view. Even if he suppressed his aura within his body, Ryu saw a superior Qi source circling him earlier already. Not to mention a thin mist of aura Ryu spread out earlier in the fight allows him to feel minuscular movements around him.

As the dagger close in on Ryu, Ryu spun around on cue and this time a full swing came out. Ryu was holding his right hand with his left and releasing it like flicking a finger. Back by his deep Qi, the speed was invisible to the naked eyes of amateurs. This was on a different level of regular slaps he had given out earlier.

Bang. This time the sound was louder than before and the ambusher flew twenty meters backwards and crashed into the stone wall. His face was completely smashed in, no one could tell if he was alive or not. Seeing him run head first into such a powerful attack sent chills down everyone’s neck.

The masked old man froze up like a statue, this was supposed to be a two prong attack! He was waiting for Ryu to dodge and then he’ll get him in his blind spot but he didn’t even get to take further than three steps and his accomplice was taken out! His strength was comparable to his partner that just got hammered into the wall. How can he toy around with a Master Domain assassin like this? Master Domain means one had master all the basics of cultivation and had started on the true path of immortality…

Seeing how the group had lost the will to fight, Ryu decided to take a look at the people he helped out. There was an injured old man, blood can be seen dripping down his left arm. Despite that he stood protectively over the girls. He had a scholarly looked and gave off an air of wisdom. In front of him stood two girls, one holding the other.

Both were naturally beautiful. They had long thick hair, slender developed bodies, good skin complexion and petite faces. The first one looked apprehensive and exhibited confidence as she stood up perfectly straight. In Ryu’s opinion, she doesn't need all that makeup. The second one looked like a cute, nice girl. One could see hesitation in her movements, revealing her shyness and introverted characteristics.

When Ryu walked towards the two girls, his handsome features were exposed fully and they couldn’t help but feel their hearts flutter.

Ryu literally swooped in like a white knight. It was similar to the suspension bridge effect coupled with Ryu’s lady killer looks.

Ryu walked directly past the girls as they look at him expectedly. They were captivated by both his flawless face and chiseled body. Ryu only wore a simple white robe and an undergarment, the robe was made of thin materials and the outline of his abs could be seen.

“Mister, you wounds are serious. The cut had severed one major vein and you’ll bleed out in less than an hour.” Ryu’s spoke politely, genuine concern could be heard. The golden tome behind him flipped open for the first time during this incident and a potion fell out.

To the on lookers, it would’ve look like Ryu produced something out of thin air. The Infinity Tome had the ability to store items but the process of taking things out or putting them in takes Qi. The size of the object determines how much Qi is required. Ryu stored the more prized weaponry and armory, vital potion and pills, and some gold coins inside the Infinity Tome directly so he can withdraw from the tome anywhere and anytime. The rest were still in the storage rings and he had to first extract the rings from the tome, equip it on his finger before he can take its contents out. This was much more Qi efficient though.

An overbearing voice shouted out. “My name is Lei Ling-Yu, this is my sister Lei Lin-Er and this is our guardian Bai Du-Feng. Who are you?”

Seeing how bluntly the girl spoke, the old man reprimanded her. Surely an accomplished man would keep his identity a secret. He spoke politely back. “Ling-Yu, don’t be rude to our honorable savior. Young man, thank you for helping us out. We’ll be forever in your debt.”

Suddenly Ryu took half a step sideways and pointed his finger backwards and a thin but sharp brilliant blue light shot forth. A clang could be heard and the masked old man from before fell onto the floor screaming, his scimitar was broken in half meters in front of him.

It turns that the old man took this opportunity to ambush them but his plan was easily thwarted Ryu. Ryu noticed the scimitar coming but realized that its aim was to take the lives of the girls, not him.

I wonder why he wants them dead so badly. These girls don’t look simple. Ryu noticed that the clothes they wore had fancy patterns and their hair ornaments seem to be made of gold.

“You fool! The Devil’s Sect will not let you off.” He screamed from the floor. This was followed by a stream of profanities.

“The Devil’s Sect never call themselves that! Who hired you? Is it Liu-Fan?” Ling-Yu angrily spoke back. The old man didn’t know how to refute and simply swore back.

Ryu ignored the verbal exchange and bandaged the Du-Feng’s arm up.

“You are good to go now, the wound should heal in a week if you take care. Here take this potion to replenish your Qi.” Ryu said. He had some intermediate understanding of the human body and medicine from the alchemy books.

Du-Feng took out gold coins to compensate Ryu but Ryu courteously refused.

Of course, such strength at this young age. He’s background must be spectacular. Also he’s roaming in the Forbidden Forest by himself too… Du-Feng wanted to ask Ryu to help them out but why would he go out of his way to help them?

“Why don’t you help us out? We are looking for something inside this forest before we got ambushed. We will reward you with two thousand gold coins.” Ling-Yu asked boldly with a smile.

“No that’s alright.” Ryu replied. Ling-Yu was instantly taken back. She wasn’t used to getting rejected, her body language gave it away. In fact a hint of anger could be seen in her eye.

Ryu stood up to leave and Du-Feng could only respectfully smile back and bid him farewell. At the same time Ling-Yu picked up a long sword from the ground and proceeded to walk towards the pursuers. Only the old man was conscious but Ryu’s strike had pierced his abdomen so his condition wasn’t that great. The ones unhurt had long deserted.

She raised the sword above her head in front of an unconscious man and with a cold expression, the sword descended. Just before it reached its target, the sword miraculously flew out from her grasp and landed right beside Ryu.

“What do you think you are doing?” Ryu said with a frown.

“I’m tying up loose ends. What? Should I wait for them to wake up, rape us sisters and then kill us? Even if we let them go, they’ll just come after us with greater numbers.” Ling-Yu rebutted with an attitude. Obviously Ryu didn’t understand why she was mad.

“Sister…let’s just go.” Ling-Er muttered softly while tugging her arm. Du-Feng sighed as well, Ling-Yu was really out of line.

“I won’t let them harm you but I won’t let you take their lives either. They can’t fight anymore, just leave.” Ryu replied simply. Although he had vowed to himself to help the unfortunate during his three years of secluded training, taking a life was something he isn’t willing to do yet.

Ryu summoned a fair bit of Qi and the ground around him shook, the self-proclaimed members of the “Devil’s Sect” sunk into the ground with only their head visible. It would be quite a while before they wake up and dig themselves out. Ryu spoke sternly, “This matter is settled, they won’t cause you trouble if you leave now.”

Ling-Yu finally snapped. Du-Feng and Ryu couldn’t understand the maiden’s heart, even she doesn’t really understand it. In her eyes, not only did Ryu ignore her multiple times, he disrespected her and went against her wishes. Now he won’t even let her do what she wants. The rage she felt was unbearable.

A streak of yellow lightening shot forth from her arm. The width was around the same as her arm and at the front, a small snake like figure could be seen.

Ryu raised one finger and a tiny streak of blue lightning smaller than a piece of lead came out. The two bolts collided and the results were anti-climactic. The two simply negated each other.

Ryu had a blank expression while everyone else was shocked. However, something unexpected happened next that left even Ryu speechless.