The air crackled with tension as Xing’s words hung in the smoke-filled air. His eyes, now a fierce crimson, bore into Kai Chen with an intensity that made even the cocky young leader take a step back.

Xing’s grip on Kai Chen's sword tightened, his knuckles turning white. The green blade creaked under the pressure, wisps of Qi visibly swirling around Xing’s fingers.

“You…yo—“ Kai Chen said, but Xing cut him off.

“I ask you a question…who told you about my daughter…” Xing growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Kai Chen’s narrowed his eyes and a flicker of uncertainty painted itself across his face. “It doesn’t matter! Who…or what told me about your daughter. You’re going to be dead…JUST LIKE HER.”

Xing sensed two of Kai Chen’s bandits advancing on a group of cowering villagers, swords raised.

He released Kai Chen swords, and appeared in front of one of Kai Chen’s men using an Instantaneous Step, fright painted itself across his face and before he could defend himself, Xing punched him in the chest, leaving a stone-sized crater.

He performed another Instantaneous Step. He took the man’s hand using Iron Shredding Claw.

A bellow of cries and whimpers echoed throughout the burning village, perfectly matching the scent and sight of the few buildings that were set ablaze.

Xing looked at his bloodied hands, feeling the heat of the fire tinge his skin. He didn’t like how it felt, as it tried to quell the coldness of his heart that brewed in this very second.

He turned to Kai Chen who was shouting commands to his men, but Xing heard nothing he said. The only thing he could hear…echoing through his mind was what he told him earlier.

You’re going to be dead…JUST LIKE HER

“KILL THEM ALL!” Kai Chen shouted, a manic grin spreading across his face. “SHOW ALL OF THEM THE PRICE OF GOING AGAINST THE STONE BEAR BAND”

Terror flashed across the villagers eyes, the band’s cruel laughter sent a chill down his spine, despite the heat of the burning buildings around them.

In that moment, a choice crystallized in his mind.

Xing growled a laugh, and shook his head. What price? He asked himself they didn’t even offend you…you’re just EVIL.

Xing launched himself towards the threatened villagers, feeling his Qi surge within his meridians.

As he moved faster than the eye could follow. I’m going to save you all, Xing vowed. Then he would uncover how Kai Chen knew of Li’er. And he would make sure that this threat to his daughter, to the peace he sought, would end here and now.

No matter the cost.

As Xing fought off the Stone Bear Band, his mind was that of a storm of fury and discipline. The anger surged through him, threatened to consume him, but he knew he couldn’t afford to lose control.

His Core Dantian was cracked, and if carelessly used his Qi, the possibility of it shattering was very likely.

The challenge for him right now, was balancing his power within, drawing on just enough to defeat his enemies without causing irreparable damage to himself.

The Soul Dantian was responsible for generating Qi, making it the most vital Dantian of all. If that Dantian was cracked or shattered, Xing wouldn’t be able to cultivate.

As Xing’s Core Dantian was cracked, his power and strength had dropped drastically, meaning he could only use a third of a his former power. It was significant enough to deal with rabble such as the Stone Bear Band, but he had to be more cautious than ever.

The Mind Dantian, out of all three Dantians was the most Qi taxing of the three Dantians. However, once you’d reached the Qi Perception stage, seeing the flow of Qi in the world is like blinking your eyes.

It also meant that you couldn’t use the Qi within your meridians, as it was that demanding of the body to perceive Qi.

Two men charged towards a group of villagers, their swords raised high. In an instant, he was between the attackers and their targets. He intercepted the first man with a swift kick to the chest, sending him flying backward.

The second man swung his sword, but Xing ducked and countered with a precise strike to the throat, dropping the attacker instantly.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

He scanned the battlefield, assessing his surroundings. A piece of burning debris caught his eye. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the flaming wood hurtling towards another group of bandits.

The burning debris crashed into them, causing chaos and distraction. Xing seized the opportunity, dashing forward with blinding speed.

Every strike was calculated, every step purposeful. He caught a sword mid-swing, twisting it out of the attacker’s grasp and using the momentum to drive the hilt into another bandit’s temple.

Xing spun in a fluid motion to his right, then fired two kicks at Kai Chen’s men, sending them sprawling to the ground.

A particularly large bandit, wielding a massive axe charged at Xing. The force of the attack was formidable, but Xing remained calm.

He sidestepped the initial swing, then used the bandit’s own momentum against him, guiding the Axe into the ground. With a swift chop to the back of the knee, Xing brought the giant to his knees, then finished him with a quick strike to the back of the neck.

Despite his efficiency, the strain on using his Core Dantian, Xing didn’t relent. The cracks of Core Dantian felt as though they were widening, energy within threatening to burst forth uncontrollably.

He gritted his teeth, focusing on maintaining his balance. He couldn’t afford to falter now.

Another wave of bandits surged forward towards the villagers, and Xing met them head-on. He grabbed a fallen spear, using it to parry attacks and strike with pinpoint accuracy.

The spear became an extension of his will, a tool of precision and power. He jabbed and slashed, each movement a masterpiece of martial skill.

As the battle raged, Xing’s thoughts remained divided. His anger fueled him, to protect and to survive kept him grounded. His movements were a dance of rage and restraint, highlighting his improvement in both emotion and power.

Whenever he thought back to the Red Lantern Tavern indicident, he knew it was his fault why things turned out that way.

He could’ve stayed at a small inn and be peaceful, but he allowed his weakness for fun and wine to spur him into staying at the Red Lantern Tavern, causing Li’er’s existence to be know.

Deep down, he knew that was why his Core Dantian cracked, because of his foolish decision, now he had to live this way.

I won’t make such rash decisions again, He mused bitterly.

Through the smoke and chaos, Xing’s eyes locked onto Kai Chen. The young leader was smart, the moment Xing retreated to deal with his men, he began barking orders, showing control and leadership

But that didn’t matter.

Xing was more than strong enough to deal with these mediocre martial artists.

The only challenge he truly faced, was protecting the villagers in this fire!

Xing’s fists blurred as he struck down two more of Kai Chen's men. Their bodies crumpled to the ground, joining the growing pile of defeated bandits.

As he fought, Xing’s eyes darted between the cowering villagers and the spreading fires. His jaw clenched tight. I need to end this quickly. The flames are getting worse.

A bandit lunged at him with a curved dagger. Xing sidestepped, grabbed the man’s wrist, and twisted. The crack of bone was followed by a howl of pain. He then conneted his elbow with the bandit’s temple, silencing him.

These people don't deserve this. They're innocent.

As Xing’s movements began to slow, he became more precise and devastating. As he felt the strain in his Core Dantian and medians.

He couldn’t afford the consequences of his meridians shrinking, not now and possibly not ever.

“Form up you fools! Surround him!” Kai Chen barked.

The remaining bandits eyed each other, hesitating, as they exchanged uncertain glances.

It was one thing to surround this monster of a warrior, but for him to dismantle them one by one and easily…Xing knew how they felt

They were scared.

As they should be.

Their earlier bravado had evaporated, replaced by wide-eyed fear as they watched their comrades fall. One man, his hands shaking visibly, dropped his weapon and turned to run.

In a blur, Xing appeared in front of the fleeing bandit, startling him into stumbling backward. “Maiming innocents and expect to leave unscathed?”

Xing brought his hand down with vigorous err, slicing off his left hand with his Iron Shredding Claw.

The bandit dropped to the ground, howling out in pain and whimpered, as if he were begging for mercy.

A child’s scream then pierced the air catching Xing’s attention. He snapped his towards the sound, spotting a young girl trapped between a burning building and two advancing bandits.

No more. Not one more innocent life.

He launched himself forward, using his qinggong to cover the distance in seconds. The first bandit barely had time to register Xing’s presence before a palm strike to his solar plexus sent him flying. The second managed to raise his sword, but Xing caught the blade between his palms, snapping it with a twist of his qi-laced-hands.

Xing caught a glimpse of Kai Chen trying to flank him. The band leader’s arrogant dissipating like the wind, replaced by a scowl of frustration. He barked orders with increasing urgency, his eyes darting between Xing and the dwindling number of his men still standing.

“What are you waiting for?” Kai Chen shouted, a tremor of fear finally breaking through his bravado. “He’s just one man! Finish him!”

Xing was more than ‘just one man.’ Even with his limited power, he moved like a force of nature through the battlefield. Each strike was purposeful, each step calculated. He wove between attacks, turning the bandits' own momentum against them.

A group of villagers, emboldened by Xing's success, began fighting back. They armed themselves with farming tools and debris, pushing back against their attackers. Xing allowed himself a grim smile. Good. Fight for your homes, your families.

He turned his attention back to Kai Chen, who now stood alone, his remaining men having either fled or fallen.

“How?” Kai Chen sputtered, backing away as Xing approached. “You’re just of the Divination Realm! Even I can’t fight off all these men!”

Xing’s lips curled into a knowing smiling as he turned to Kai Chen, “Whoever said I was of the Divination Realm?”

Xing spread his legs, standing in the middle of the town square and swirled the Qi within his Soul, Core and Mind Dantians.

He watched as fright descended on Kai Chen’s face. A second had only passed, and his the young swordsman face grew pale in an instant.

“Qi Perception Realm?” He whispered through the crackling fire.

“Yes Kai Chen…Yes, I’m of the Qi Perception Realm…now tell me, how do you wish to DIE?!”