Xiao Ma was the sworn brother of Xiao Long, the genius of the Emerald Mountain Sect. While he was still struggling at the beginning of the first level Xiao Long had already managed to reach the pinnacle of the second level at only 15, a hair's breadth away from the third level.

A Mental Master at the second level could already start to influence his surroundings, capable of condensing water arrows to fling at his enemies or rising a layer of debris around them to defend themselves.

Though, these were just the most basic applications of their power.

For example, if someone was more suited for non-elemental paths like the illusion path they could apply their superior aptitude to control the moisture in the air to subconsciously form illusion arrays, but would find controlling the elements to display superior power to be more difficult.

Someone more suited for the elemental paths like the lightning path instead, would have to study and practice extensively to reliably apply their element mastery to obtain ancillary effects, but could empower their lightning enough to reach the opponent.

Of course, there were easier and harder elements and arts, for example every second level Mental Master could condense a water arrow, but only Mental Masters with lightning affinity could reach the opponent with lightning at a distance, in turn though the electricity would make the one hit spasm or to be outright stunned for a second or two.

In the end, only the Mental Master themselves could judge if their affinity's advantages outweighed the disadvantages or vice versa, but it usually suited them as it wasn't something completely innate but influenced by their actions and their goals.

Because of this, the second level was the safety threshold the Emerald Mountain Sect set for its disciples to reach to exit the mountain.

At the peak of the second level Xiao Long could finally escort his brother outside to show off his knowledge of the nearby territory.

"The nearby kingdoms are called Emerald Kingdoms because they are under the influence of our Sect, their rulers all at the third level or less. Plus, with my crimson fire affinity that focuses on strong power, my combat power can reach the third level.

Brother, you are inside an iron jar."

Patting his puffed out chest, Xiao Long felt that being praised as a genius wasn't as satisfying as showing off to his brother.

Xiao Ma had indeed a couple of years more than his brother, but at this moment his eyes showed a steadiness wholly unfit for someone his age. Only when he sometimes glanced at Xiao Long did they show a hint of playfulness.

"Yes, yes, you are very good. But what about the inheritance cave? Will we make it in time? The mission might have been just an excuse to go out, but I don't want to pay the punishment materials."

"Nhaa don't worry. At this rate, we will reach the cave in two hours. Also, I wouldn't want you to miss it."

"You better.

Only fourth level Mental Masters or higher can build sealed inheritance grounds. The Sect wouldn't have dispatched just the two of us if it wasn't for your training and the fact it's this deep into its territory.

I'm really looking forward to it."

In fact, this kind of mission was more of a reward than a task. The things found inside inheritance grounds of this level weren't just treasures and materials, but also single time transfer of knowledge and techniques.

You couldn't get this mission even if you wanted to, only a genius like Xiao Long could get it.

As the two teenagers went further and further up the sneaking mountain path, they finally found their target.

A clearing just outside a natural cave, the entrance arch protruding outwards as if a small corridor leading inside.

Really, if it wasn't in such a remote location, the cave would have been discovered long ago.

Outside was a man in his thirties, wearing the same white green uniform the brothers had.

He was just waiting, looking at the shimmering light wall of the cave with a gnarly ash colored branch in his hand, sometimes poking the wall with it making it splash like a stone tossed inside a lake

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Xiao Long approached the man and bowed halfheartedly, earning a brief glare from Xiao Ma that, coming from behind, bowed shortly after.

Then Xiao Long extended his right hand, holding a piece of carved jade.

"Greetings senior brother. We are here to take out the resources inside the inheritance cave.

Here, our mission token."

After the man glanced at the piece of jade, he nodded and returned to poking the light wall.

"I'm nearly done. After this you also have to escort me back to the sect, but first let's go to my small house to pick up my things."

Xiao Long first nodded, but then snorted and looked around at the trees surrounding them. Sometimes figures seemed to be flitting between them.

"An announcement of the Sect's claim has already been declared, but nonetheless, some weak unofficial forces still dare to be present."

Xiao Ma rolled his eyes.

"You call this many second level Mental Masters weak forces?! While you yourself are at the second level?! Really, if the Sect hadn't approved of such a thing I wouldn't have believed your third level combat power."

"Brother, you can sense second level Mental Masters?"

A stone face and overly serious voice greeted Xiao Long inquiry.

"What are you saying Xiao Long. I was just guessing. After all it's a fourth level inheritance. I would expect nothing less."

"Uhm. If you say so."

As the sun started to fall and the trees quickly obscured the forest, the senior brother was finally done.

Soon, the seemingly empty forest was filled with people, but only three of them came forward.

They were an old man with taoist robes, a young woman with leather armor and a simply dressed middle aged man with a smile on his face.

Cupping his fists, the elder spoke first.

"Greetings Envoy. I'm the Elder of Clear Stream Sect. Me and a couple of other fellow taoists hope to be allowed inside."

Judging by the group of eight people behind him, they were all elders at the end of their life.

They were probably the last second level Mental Masters of their respective sects. If they died their sect would be swallowed by the surrounding small forces anyway, so better try find hope now in the form of some protective treasure os something than wait for destruction later on.

Next came the young woman. Without bowing or any pleasantries she got to the point, but the fact she was taking her time showed that she was also afraid.

"The bandits of Yellow Clay Mountain also want to enter."

Behind her were four second level Mental Masters and around fifty first level ones.

As Xiao Long looked at the middle aged man to hear his spiel, the man merely widened his smile a bit more before returning to his default one.

"So, you don't want to enter the cave?"

This was a probe.

Xiao Long wore a faint sneer all along, but when looking at the man he was a bit cautious.

The fact that no one was behind the man and he seemed to not even be a first level Mental Master at his age was a bit alarming.

If the man hadn't appeared here Xiao Long wouldn't have given him any credit, believing him a normal person. He even faintly started to believe he was indeed a passerby.

"Oh. I want to enter, but I won't interfere in your business."

The man was indeed strange, but Xiao Long was a genius, and a genius had his own kind of pride.

"Whatever. The cave and everything inside is property of my Emerald Mountain Sect. Today, I will get rid of all opposition!"

Of course, he could have just let them enter. Then, later on, have the sect destroy these forces and regain the treasures.

But that would lose face for the sect and waste time and resources unnecessarily, when all the perpetrators where gathered right here and now.

Xiao Long took out a mushroom cap from his clothes. It was dark brown with the consistency of rotten wood. Inside, embers were persistently burning the mushroom cap, but they couldn't spread nor die out.

Moving his hands, crimson fire arcs were born from these embers and shot towards his enemies.

In turn, the two groups charged out of the forest and activated their own abilities.

The first levels couldn't use their abilities without touching their target, so most of them took out bows and arrows to fling at Xiao Long while the most skilled among them tried to close the distance with sword and shiel in hand.

A myriad of colors filled the middle of the battlefield, but the most conspicuous one was the crimson red.

The flames would heat pockets of air to deflect the attacks or burn through the closer ones to defend, while every now and then a crimson arc would connect with an enemy, adding another screaming figure to the lineup.

With Xiao Ma using his sword to perform techniques bordering on art for how masterful they were executed, the enemies too close for comfort were easily dealt with too.

Not even the ones who resorted to running away managed escape.

The farce went on for an hour or so.

The smell of burnt meat was permeating the air. If someone closed their eyes they could almost enjoy the scene.

Xiao Long, with a bit of a pant, looked at the smiling man, unmoved from his starting position.

"Don't think that just because I burned my starter, I can't ignite my crimson flames anymore."

"Oh I know. If a second level Mental Master couldn't even activate their affinity without a starter then what difference would there be between first and second level?"

Xiao Long squinted.

"You seem awfully knowledgeable about Mental Cultivation while not being one yourself.

Admit it, you are using a treasure to conceal your mental pressure."

The man seemed to hear something extremely funny, as he started laughing uncontrollably, wiping away a tear or two too from his simple brown eyes, but his voice didn't crack even once.

"HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA. HAHAHA. HAHAHAHAHAHA. HA. Haaaaaa. Alright, now I'm bored. Just kill them."

The pupils of three disciples of Emerald Mountain Sect constricted immediately, but whatever thing they wanted to say, whatever knowledge they wanted to apply, whatever life they would have led, it was all severed in an instant.

A man dressed in black suddenly appeared from thin air, bowing while kneeled before the simply dressed man.

"Lord, any other orders?"

The middle aged man, that is, Nicalua, had an unfocused gaze, eyes wandering to the clouds.

"No, just tell the others that I will return to the caravan after I explore this cave."

Finding himself alone, Nicalua looked at the lifeless body of Xiao Ma.

"Just like this. Longevity Lord, I beat you once again."