Flames of Fury

　　Teng Qingshan smiled. “No wonder when the Tianfeng Martial Immortal wanted to kill me on the Ox-Head Mountain, he was wondering why I had not attained the Harmonization of the Spirit with the Heavens and Earth yet.”

　　“Even if I didn’t tell you, you would have realized it by yourself. After all, you merely need to extend your senses into your surroundings and your ‘Spirit’ will naturally merge with the Fire Elemental Spiritual Power, which contains the characteristic of fire.” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal smiled. “After the Harmonization of the Spirit with the Heavens and Earth, you will always be aware of everything within your domain. There will be no need to be scared of the Tianfeng Martial Immortal anymore.”

　　Teng Qingshan knitted his eyebrows, “Brother Mu, exactly how strong is the Tianfeng Martial Immortal?”

　　“Haha, don’t be overambitious.”

　　The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal smiled, “It’s been over 200 years since I’ve reached the Emptiness Realm. Although the Tianfeng Martial Immortal broke through after me, he’s also been an Emptiness Realm expert for over 200 years. He’s able to control more Power of the Heavens and Earth than you can. You can feel how much Power of the Heavens and Earth is around you, right?

　　Teng Qingshan nodded.

　　In the world of humans, the Power of the Heavens and Earth can exist in many different forms. By treating the Power of the Heavens and Earth in different ways, different results can be obtained.

　　For example, some people may have comprehended the Dao of Cold Ice, while others may have comprehended the Dao of Bright Moon. Daos have different tiers, some are greater than others.

　　The Dao of Heaven is the most supreme Dao and contains all other Daos.

　　Essentially, the Dao of Heaven is the only Dao in the world!

　　However, you could also say that there are two types of Dao: Yin and Yang. This is because the Dao of Heaven is divided according to Yin and Yang.

　　If it was divided according to life and death, there would only be two types of Dao in this world: the Dao of Life and the Dao of Death.

　　If it was split according to the five elements, there would be five types of Dao: the Metal Elemental Dao, Wood Elemental Dao, Water Elemental Dao, Fire Elemental Dao, and the Earth Elemental Dao.

　　TLN: Metal Elemental Dao, Wood Elemental Dao, Water Elemental Dao, Fire Elemental Dao, and Earth Elemental Dao are also called Dao of Metal, Dao of Wood, Dao of Water, Dao of Fire, and Dao of Earth.

　　However, categorizing the different types of Dao in this manner does not signify that their individual parts are incompatible. . For example, the Fire Elemental Dao contains portions of both Yin and Yang.

　　Each individual Dao is comprised of multiple parts. For example, the Dao of Water contains the Dao of cold ice along with the Dao of gentle water.

　　“Qingshan, the more types of Dao you comprehend, the greater the Power of the Heavens and Earth you can control!” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal grinned and said, “When you can control the entire Power of the Heavens and Earth in your vicinity, then—you will have reached the Emptiness Realm Culmination!”

　　Teng Qingshan nodded.

　　The Fire Elemental Power occupied twenty percent of the entire Power of the Heavens and Earth! Currently Teng Qingshan can only control twenty percent of the Power of the Heavens and Earth.

　　“Your Dao of Fire is already considered rather supreme.” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal said with a smile, “This type of Dao should occupy at least twenty percent of the Power of the Heavens and Earth. In the past, I attained the Emptiness Realm through the Dao of Lightning…At that time, I could only control ten percent of the Power of the Heavens and Earth.

　　“Lightning?”

　　Teng Qingshan nodded to himself. Amongst the Dao of Heaven, the five elements are considered rather supreme. The Dao of Lightning is of a lower degree than the Fire Elemental Dao, which was why the Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal could only control ten percent of the Power of the Heavens and Earth.

　　“In the past, the ancestor of the Duanmu Clan began the cultivation of Dao through the Dao of the Murderous Thunder Blade. When he attained the Emptiness Realm, he could control fifty percent of the Power of the Heavens and Earth.” Admiration could be seen in the eyes of the Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal as he spoke.

　　“Fifty percent?” Teng QIngshan gasped and asked, “Are you talking about the Thunder Blade Deity?”

　　“Yes.” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal beamed with pride, and beside him the great elder who had been silent throughout the whole conversation also beamed with pride.

　　The Thunder Blade Deity Duanmu Yu was the greatest pride of the descendants of Mu Clan.

　　“He could control fifty percent of the Power of the Heavens and Earth when he had just attained Emptiness Realm?” Teng Qingshan couldn’t believe it as he asked, “What is this Dao of the Murderous Thunder Blade?”

　　“Actually, it’s just the Dao of slaughtering and destruction!” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal explained.

　　“Destruction?” Teng Qingshan nodded.

　　For the Dao of Destruction to occupy half of the Dao of Heaven is normal.

　　“The amount of Power of the Heavens and Earth one could control depends on the type of Dao one comprehended.” The Dreamy Cloud Martial Immortal said with a smile, “Brother Qingshan, you are already considered good.”

　　If one comprehended a much greater Dao, then he will be extremely powerful the moment he attain Emptiness Realm! The Thunder Blade Deity is an example!

　　If one was to comprehend a Dao of a lesser degree, he will display a weaker strength when he attains the Emptiness Realm. However, he can still make great achievements in the future. Emperor Yu is an example. The《Thirty-six Splitting Mountain Forms》showed that Emperor Yu also began the cultivation of Dao through the five elements like Teng Qingshan. This was also why Teng Qingshan was able to receive great benefit from the teachings of Emperor Yu.

　　“Some Emptiness Realm Expert comprehended even more inferior Dao, like the Dao of Cold Ice and the Dao of Lightning.

　　“As long as one attains the Emptiness Realm, he will be able to achieve Harmonization of the Spirit with the Heavens and Earth and perceive any motion within an area of 34 Li. He will be able to notice any Emptiness Realm within the area of 34 Li.” At this moment, Teng Qingshan was sitting cross-legged in the secret room at the East Flower Garden, continually sensing the motions within an area of 34 Li. His ‘Spirit’ was being used up and restored slowly at the same time.

　　……

　　The sixth day of Teng Qingshan experimenting with the Harmonization of the Spirit and the Heavens and Earth.

　　In the secret room.

　　Only Teng Qingshan was there, sitting quietly. Suddenly, a voice shouted from below, “Mister Teng, Mister Teng!”

　　“Qingshan! Qingshan!”

　　The two voices cried out.

　　“Oh? Mu Yunji is here?” Teng Qingshan opened his eyes, wondering why Mu Yunji had come. He had felt Mu Yunji’s presence from the moment he had entered Teng Qingshan’s domain. He immediately got up and exited the secret room. He then walked down the stairs to the living room.

　　In the living room, Mu Yunji stood there, waiting respectfully.

　　“Mister Teng.” Mu Yunji greeted welcomingly.

　　“Yunji, what’s wrong?” Teng Qingshan said, puzzled. Judging by Yunji’s expression, it appeared something bad had happened. Mu Yunji smiled bitterly and answered, “Mister Teng, didn’t you ask the Rising Sun Trading Company to investigate a man named Yang Wang several months ago?”

　　“Old Wang?” Teng Qingshan knotted his eyebrows, “What happened?”

　　“What happened to Old Wang?” Standing to the side, Li Jun and Fu Yuping both appeared anxious.

　　“He is dead!” Mu Yunji sighed and shook his head.

　　“Dead?” Li Jun and Fu Yuping were both shocked; Fu Yuping’s face was especially pale. During the early days of following Teng Qingshan, Old Wang was extremely loyal and took very good care of Little Ping. Little Ping had regarded Old Wang as a close relative.

　　“How did he die?” Fu Yuping asked impatiently.

　　Teng Qingshan had a distressed look on his face. “Little Ping, go. Bring Ah Dong here.”

　　“Qingshan, is it a good time to tell Ah Dong about this?” Li Jun asked, concerned. Yang Dong was only recently reunited with his father; will he be able to handle the news of his father’s death?

　　“We should tell him. Even if we can hide it now, we can’t hide it forever.” Teng Qingshan said. Fu Yuping bit her lips. With her eyes red, she nodded and ran out to call Yang Dong.

　　Teng Qingshan stared towards the far north… Old Wang is dead?

　　“Teacher.” Yang Dong came running over, smiling. “Why did you have me rushing over? I asked Little Ping, but she wouldn’t tell me why.”

　　“Listen to Yunji; he’ll tell you.” Teng Qingshan instructed.

　　“Yes.” Although Yang Dong still had a smile on his face, he felt that the atmosphere was a little bit strange.

　　Mu Yunji reported respectfully, “Mister Teng, you asked our Rising Sun Trading Company to look for information about Yang Wang, but we could not find anything. As it turns out, he did not live in Tianfeng city. He lived in a simple village on the outskirts of Tianfeng City.” Hearing this, Yang Dong’s face changed.

　　Teng Qingshan cast a glance at Yang Dong, and said, “Continue.”

　　“Yang Wang was obsessed with killing his enemy, Helian Haotong. To achieve his goal he must have prepared very carefully. Apparently, Helian Haotong is not in a high position in the Helian Clan. He lived in the Western Wild Zone in the inner city. The Western Wild Zone is close to the Meal Center and it houses Helian clan’s direct descendants and other people with ordinary status.

　　“Yang Wang spent some silver and bought a large number of vegetable fields. He then partnered with a restaurant called “Spring-rain,” and provided large amounts of vegetables to this restaurant. And this restaurant, coincidentally, was one of the vegetable and meat providers for Helian clan’s Meal Center.

　　“The restaurant would often send produce over to Helian Clan’s Meal Center. Yesterday morning, Yang Wang and a few restaurant employees delivered food to Helian Clan. After entering the Meal Center, Yang Wang used this chance and snuck into the Western Wild Zone close by.”

　　At this point, Mu Yunji’s story had Teng Qingshan, Li Jun, and the others holding their breath. Yang Dong was particularly nervous; he bit his lips and his body trembled.

　　“Unfortunately, the Western Wild Zone was too big. After all, it housed thousands of members from the Helian clan. The Western Wild Zone is so huge that even a Helian Clan member could get lost if they are not careful.” Mu Yunji sighed, and continued. “I reckon that Yang Wang didn’t even figure out where Helian Haotong lived. Since everyone in the Helian Clan is a cultivator, there were too many experts and Yang Wang was discovered.”

　　“Yang Dong was a skilled swordsman though.”

　　“After being discovered, Yang Dong was killing off one enemy after another and created a huge scene in Western Wild Zone. Many soldiers ran at him with weapons, and many women were watching. At that time, Helian Haotong and Wu Shuang were also in the crowd.”

　　“Yang Wang saw Helian Haotong!”

　　“If he had escaped at that time, perhaps he could have survived.” Mu Yunji sighed, “But upon noticing the two, Yang Wang became emotional and charged towards Helian Haotong and his ex-wife Wu Shuang.”

　　“Every time he swung his sword, he killed an enemy. The guards and children from the Helian clan were no match for his skills as a swordsman. At this point, Yang Wang was covered in blood.”

　　“Helian Haotong and Wu Shuang were so frightened that they ran away.”

　　“More and more experts from Helian Clan arrived. Yang Wang was enraged; he feared nothing. Wu Shuang did not possess any inner strength, she ran too slowly and was stabbed in the heart by Yang Wang. She died immediately. Helian Haotong knew inner strength though, he was able to run very quickly. There were too many enemies attacking Yang Wang and slowing him down, he could not catch up to Helian Haotong. Seeing Helian Haotong escaping, Yang Wang threw his sword at him. It pierced through the stomach of Helian Haotong, leaving Yang Wang without a weapon. He was laughing like a maniac as the swords of the Helian Clan’s soldiers fell upon him, slashing him to death.

　　The living room was quiet. Only Mu Yunji was talking.

　　Teng Qingshan shivered inside. He knew that that Old Wang had prepared to die for his revenge.

　　“Well murdered, well murdered. Good job!” Yang Dong cried. Squatting on the ground, Yang Dong was trembling. His eyes were red.

　　His father had killed his mother. How could anyone imagine the pain Yang Dong was going through?

　　“This battle cost the lives of 167 men from the Helian Clan, and left three more injured.” Mu Yunji bellowed. “And out of the 167 dead, 103 of them were the direct descendants of the Helian Clan! This was the biggest attack on the Helian Clan in hundred of years. Although the descendants are not high in rank, they are still descendants after all. Many of their fathers and grandfathers have high ranks in the Helian clan. On that very night, the Helian Clan shaved the flesh off Yang Wang’s body as a punishment!”

　　“Then they hung his shredded body parts on the Western Punisher Gate. Rumor has it they are going to hang it for a month!”

　　Mu Yunji had just finished his sentence.

　　On the side, Yang Dong’s eyes widened. His eyes bloodshot, he started growling angrily and let out an enraged roar.

　　“Helian Clan!” Yang Dong was infuriated. He rushed outside as if he was possessed.

　　But suddenly-

　　He was held back by Teng Qingshan, unable to move.

　　Yang Dong turned around and looked at Teng Qingshan. His reddened eyes glared at Teng Qingshan, and cried, “Teacher, I… I will kill them, I will kill them!” Yang Dong was like a rabid dog, barely able to speak in his fury.

　　“Follow me, we’ll go to the Helian Residence.” Teng Qingshan said in a cold voice.