Volume 1: The True Dragon of Purple Void – Chapter 23: Entering the Path of Killing

On the beautifully scenic Hainan Island, Chu Tianyu was lying comfortably in the surfing pool of an outdoor beach resort, basking in the sunlight while browsing the internet on his laptop by the pool.

Having followed his third master, Kuang Ru, for over two years, Chu Tianyu had fully grown into a 17-year-old youth. Years of hard training had rid him of any traces of childishness. The clear seawater in the pool reflected his well-proportioned, muscular frame and bronze-colored skin, which shone like brocade. A few scars added to his rugged beauty. With his heroic eyebrows and striking, piercing eyes, he was intimidating to look at. His slightly upturned lips seemed to reveal great confidence. Up close, he exuded an extraordinary aura—intelligent, resolute, and strikingly handsome.

Fortunately, this was a private beach resort; otherwise, with Chu Tianyu’s appearance and presence, he would surely attract countless stares—flirty glances, seductive looks, and so on—without fail…

Kuang Ru also appeared by the surfing pool wearing a casual shirt. When Chu Tianyu turned around and saw it was his master, he couldn’t help but laugh at the colorful beachwear his master was wearing. “Wow, Third Master, you look really striking today! In one word—cool!”

“You little brat, what’s wrong? Can’t I wear this?”

“Hehe, no way. Master, you’ve always been the standard handsome guy of the new era. When I go out with you, I don’t even dare walk in front. Last time, we met those five pretty girls—four of them screamed at you, and one fainted from excitement. Who can resist your charm?”

“Go away, you brat! You’re getting more and more sarcastic. How dare you tease your master?” Kuang Ru’s face turned slightly red as he remembered the time when they were challenging each other near the old city wall. They happened to be seen by five adventurous girls who were out at night. The master was wearing a human mask and saying fierce lines—so you can imagine the situation. But he never expected Chu Tianyu to keep using that as a joke against him. Sigh, why is this kid getting more and more ‘naughty’?

Actually, to understand Chu Tianyu’s personality change, one would need to ask him himself. As the four elders of the Xuanji Sect said, “One takes on the traits of those around them.” Kuang Ru might seem righteous on the surface, but inside, he’s full of mischief!

Throughout his life, despite being the master of the Xuanji Sect with thousands of disciples, the Mad Scholar always maintained a distant demeanor to uphold his authority as leader. Coupled with his proud personality, aside from his master, he never had anyone he could open up to or befriend freely. The emergence of Tianyu provided him with an emotional outlet and a place to express genuine feelings, freeing him from the need to act cold and tough all the time. Tianyu, too, had spent his early years in rigorous cultivation; his first and second masters were both outsiders who rarely played or joked with him. Over the two years he had followed the Mad Scholar, during which time he matured both mentally and physically, their relationship gradually evolved into one of both mentor and friend.

Ending the joking, the Mad Scholar crossed his arms and said seriously to Tianyu, “Tianyu, a week of leisure has passed in the blink of an eye. Tomorrow, your master will take you through some challenges.”

Hearing this, Chu Tianyu became interested and quickly asked, “Oh? Hehe, Third Master, have you found another hermit sect? Will it be tough this time? Please don’t make me fight others with only 80% of my strength again—it’s so frustrating…”

The Mad Scholar was at a loss with this precious disciple and said helplessly, “Do you think finding those hermits and their sects is as simple as eating peanuts? Although we challenge one every few days, this is based on centuries of accumulated information from our Xuanji Sect. In modern society, martial cultivation is declining, and those like us are seen as anomalies. To ordinary people, we are just legends from martial arts novels. As for those who live in the world, they mostly serve the state—these are highly confidential matters beyond the reach of ordinary people.”

“Third Master, since those who should live in seclusion do so and those who should hide do so, why do you keep talking about the martial world and its affairs? Why wear masks during challenges? Hiding and showing oneself seems rather ungraceful!”

Hearing his disciple’s arrogant words, the Mad Scholar shook his head, put away his smile, and said sternly, “It seems you’ve grown complacent over these two years. The challenges I’ve given you are just a small fraction of those faced by the legitimate sects. How many cultivators have you even met? Although martial cultivation is declining, there are still countless people with extraordinary skills across China. How dare a frog in a well claim to have seen the sky?”

Seeing his master truly angry, Chu Tianyu quickly stopped joking, bowed deeply, and said, “Yes, Third Master. Tianyu knows his mistake…”

The Mad Scholar looked at Tianyu with a aggrieved expression and felt his words had been too harsh. After all, at Tianyu’s current age, he should have a vibrant spirit, fearless of anything, and with such extraordinary skills, it was only natural for him to be a bit arrogant. After all, hadn’t the Mad Scholar been even more arrogant in his own days? Otherwise, he wouldn’t have carried that title his whole life!

At that moment, the Mad Scholar calmed down slightly and said softly, “The master isn’t blaming you. He just wants you to understand that there are always those better than us in this world. Although those of us who practice cultivation seem like legends in the eyes of ordinary people, once you enter this realm, you’ll face various disputes. Especially when you gain strength and power, you’ll want to control things—whether people or events—whether for good or for ill. It’s all about imposing your will, and who has the greatest ‘ability’ determines the outcome… and thus, disputes arise…”

Tianyu listened with an enlightened look, nodding continuously.

“Tianyu, rest well today. Starting tomorrow, the master will take you to see the real ‘jihad,’ the real land of ‘disputes’…”

The Mad Scholar didn’t say anything more. Instead, he thought to himself, “The real evil forces, the real scoundrels, the true path of madness through killing… Sigh, it’s time to get in touch with Bu Chan and Xian Yun. There’s still half a year left—time to prepare early. Tianyu, I hope you can overcome this trial, turn to madness, and complete the ancient skills of the Xuanji Sect. It all depends on you!”

……

Three months later, discussions about the “Fierce Warrior” gradually faded away. The “Fierce Warrior” seemed to have disappeared into thin air, leaving no trace and no news at all, much to the disappointment of many experts who had been preparing to confront him. Of course, those who tried to investigate the matter also returned empty-handed.

Yet another name emerged, causing a sensation in the cultivation world and even throughout the law enforcement agencies—“Soul!” No one had ever seen his true face, no one knew how many people he had under his command, and no one could track his whereabouts. Curious people tried to investigate repeatedly, and some even linked him to the “Fierce Warrior.” But aside from speculation and various theories, everyone only knew of his bloody deeds and the origin of his title: “Soul.”

One night, in the southern mountains, the Witchcraft Sect invaded a rural household, killed a pregnant woman, stole her placenta to craft a voodoo snake, and executed 52 members of the family on the spot. The fierce battle left swords flashing everywhere, and not a single member of the Witchcraft Sect survived intact. Finally, a blood-written message was left: “Those who do good shall have their souls ascend to heaven; the rewards and punishments of good and evil follow like a shadow.”

One night, the infamous Qian Clan’s three villains were killed when their hearts were shattered by someone else’s attack. A line of cursive script was left on the ground: “Those who do good shall have their souls ascend to heaven; the rewards and punishments of good and evil follow like a shadow.”

In a certain port, all 149 members of the Dongxiao Society were killed overnight. In addition to numerous records of their extortion and robbery, including evidence of their exploitation of terminally ill people, and huge sums of stolen money, a message was also left: “Those who do good shall have their souls ascend to heaven; the rewards and punishments of good and evil follow like a shadow.”

In a private club in a busy area of a city, 27 Japanese people present died instantly, none of them remaining intact. Secret documents were scattered everywhere. Again, a blood-written message was found: “Those who do good shall have their souls ascend to heaven; the rewards and punishments of good and evil follow like a shadow.”

In a dilapidated bungalow, 11 members of a gang trafficking in child organs were executed on the spot. When the police arrived, they not only rescued seven children from the cellar but also discovered another message: “Those who do good shall have their souls ascend to heaven; the rewards and punishments of good and evil follow like a shadow.”

In a luxury villa in a town, the town mayor and his mistress were killed. Evidence of their collusion with the mafia, their abuse of men and women, and their involvement in multiple murders was left at the scene, along with a message on the wall: “Those who do good shall have their souls ascend to heaven; the rewards and punishments of good and evil follow like a shadow.”

……