"Enduring torture for a whole month... just for the sake of cultivating this Hand Technique... That old fellow really died too soon. Otherwise, he might very well be an Ascension Expert by now..."

However, looking at the man in the painting, a figure in bright red said fiercely, "You, just how much have you been hiding from me?"

---

Several months later, Wang Mu had achieved Great Success with the Four Seasons Yin Yang Palm at the Ice and Fire Pond. His Inner Strength had recovered, having absorbed the forces of heat and cold, making him even stronger than before for a time.

Although he had suffered excruciating torture, he now understood the reasons behind his master's actions.

To bring this Hand Technique to Great Success, one must first specialize solely in this technique, internally cultivating the forces of both heat and cold. Only then can one bring this Hand Technique to Great Success... Master crippled my martial arts to help me achieve Great Success with this Hand Technique...

Wang Mu had a moment of Bright Enlightenment.

Stepping out of the Ice and Fire Pond, he discovered that Leisure Cloud Valley was now destroyed; both his master and senior brother were nowhere to be seen.

Everywhere looked like it had been ransacked. And there was blood!

Master has been kidnapped! Wang Mu was startled. After searching the valley, he found nothing—every book and record had disappeared.

All he found was a Token from the Shura Demon Palace.

Shura Demon Palace!! This is an extremely mysterious Demon Sect in the Jianghu! Could it be that they've captured my master and senior brothers?

With a heavy heart, Wang Mu immediately left the valley to search for any trace of his senior brothers.

Two years after descending the mountain, Wang Mu traveled far and wide without finding any news of the Shura Demon Palace, until he met Mu Hongxue.

"You lad, you've actually cultivated the Four Seasons Yin Yang Palm to Great Success?"

Upon meeting, they sparred for a bit. Mu Hongxue was immediately astonished, incredibly shocked. "Even... my... I wasn't able to cultivate it to Great Success. How can your talent be so high?"

"By the way, you weren't punished after I left, were you?"

Wang Mu thought for a while and shook his head, saying, "Master only punished me lightly... It was nothing much. But what about you, Brother Mu, did you encounter any trouble?"

"No..." Mu Hongxue smiled. "I'm doing well. Anyway, since I've run into you and your Four Seasons Yin Yang Palm has reached Great Success, come with me."

"Where to?"

"To find treasure," Mu Hongxue said with a slight smile.

"What treasure?"

"Have you heard of the Fire King's treasure?"

"It sounds familiar. They say that in the Imperial Palace, there was a Prince with a different surname, called the Fire King. He originally planned a rebellion, but unfortunately, it was exposed in advance. So, he buried countless gold and silver treasures prepared for the coup, intending to use them later. He also had someone create a treasure map, divided into several parts, each hidden in different places..."

"That's right. I've almost collected all the pieces of that treasure map," Mu Hongxue said. "Let's hunt for the treasure together. When we find it, you can have half."

"This..." Wang Mu hesitated for a moment. "I have pressing matters..."

"What matters?"

"My master and senior brothers have been kidnapped." Wang Mu thought for a moment, then took out the Shura Demon Palace Token. "I need to find the Shura Demon Palace and inquire about my master's whereabouts."

Mu Hongxue glanced at it and said nonchalantly, "After we find the treasure, I'll tell you about the Shura Demon Palace."

"Really?"

"I've been wandering far and wide for many years; of course, I know about the Shura Demon Palace."

Wang Mu immediately agreed.

So, they searched for several months and finally, beneath a great mountain, discovered the treasure's location.

To activate the treasure's switch and open the great door, two different kinds of hot and cold energies were needed—precisely what the Four Seasons Yin Yang Palm provided.

"So, when you taught me this move back then, were you already thinking about finding this treasure?"

After entering the Ancient Tomb, Wang Mu saw countless gold and silver treasures and instantly understood.

"That was part of it, but whether you could master it depended on your own destiny," Mu Hongxue said. "Even without the Four Seasons Yin Yang Palm, I have other ways to open the treasure, though they would be more troublesome and waste more time."

The two of them plundered the treasure, which took some time. After taking inventory, they spotted a Jade Pendant emitting strange glimmers atop an ornately carved ancient coffin.

Mu Hongxue's eyes lit up instantly.

"Heavenly Fragrant Wood Jade!"

Mu Hongxue didn't hesitate to take it!

"What's this?"

"This should be the most precious item in the treasure hoard," Mu Hongxue said in a low voice. "Legend has it that the Fire King had an exceedingly beautiful queen, rumored to possess the ability to retain her youth forever. Even at the age of forty or fifty, she still looked no different from a young woman in her early twenties."

"It's because she wore this Heavenly Fragrance Pearl. Besides, this object is also key to practicing a certain Cultivation Technique!"

Having said this, Mu Hongxue removed the Heavenly Fragrant Wood Jade, playing with it, overjoyed.

"Brother Mu, are you planning to give it to a lady you fancy?" Wang Mu asked with a smile.

Mu Hongxue scoffed lightly, took an ancient manual from his bosom, and said, "It's none of your business. Here, take this."

Wang Mu took a closer look.

Immaculate Divine Skill.

"This is your Sect's secret skill. I've kept it in good condition..." Mu Hongxue said. "Taking this Bead, this trip has been really fruitful. You can take whatever else you want from the rest of the treasure."

"Brother Mu, you said you would tell me about the Shura Demon Palace," Wang Mu said, not taking any of the treasure.

"Alright," Mu Hongxue said with a smile. "The Shura Demon Palace is based in Heavenly Capital. When you get there, you'll naturally find out."

Wang Mu nodded, took the ancient manual, and was about to speak.

Suddenly, the interior of the treasure chamber began to shake violently. The great gates outside the mountain started to close with a loud RUMBLE.

The two of them were about to leave.

Just then, the ancient coffin beneath the Heavenly Fragrance Pearl burst open! A Nameless Ancient Corpse emerged from it and lunged at them, attacking ferociously!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.