Book 2 Chapter 52: Elimination - Martial God

Chapter 52: Elimination A gentle breeze swept by, and in that moment, He Yiming's body, along with the terrifying great blade on his back, seemed weightless, floating effortlessly with the wind. His eyes closed softly as he attuned himself to the residual energy lingering in the air. After losing one hand, Lü Xinwen fled as if nothing had happened. Others might not see it, but He Yiming clearly sensed that Lü Xinwen's once overwhelming life force had been completely severed by this strike. Even He Yiming was surprised by the sheer power of his blade's energy. Of course, if Lü Xinwen hadn't already fought with He Yiming beforehand and underestimated his formidable secret technique, he wouldn't have been ambushed and struck down in such a manner. In truth, He Yiming held deep respect for this elder. Putting other matters aside, the fact that he managed to escape a great distance at an incredible speed despite his vital functions extinguished is beyond the imagination of ordinary people. Perhaps it was this resilience and willpower that granted him the potential to ascend to the innate stage. After a moment, He Yiming’s eyes opened slightly. He had discerned Lü Xinwen’s escape route through the remaining trace of his presence. Moreover, the growing intensity of this sensation indicated that he was gaining ground. Naturally, the increasingly pervasive aura of death in the air suggested that Lü Xinwen wouldn’t last much longer. With a thought, the innate qi within He Yiming began to surge like a tidal wave. Streams of true qi flowed through his meridians like water, and as they coursed, He Yiming’s body underwent an astonishing transformation. His facial muscles rapidly withered, and his limbs stiffened like wooden stakes, making him look like a completely different person. Xu family’s Withered Wood Technique, upon reaching the innate realm, became even more extraordinary. As He Yiming channeled his innate qi through this technique, his body became indistinguishable from a wooden stake. He emitted a substantial amount of energy, yet this energy was unlike any human aura, blending seamlessly with the surrounding forest. If an innate master approached blindly at this moment, ninety percent would mistake him for an ancient, thriving tree. When Lü Xinwen stopped, he utilized the formidable true qi from his flickering life to scan his surroundings. He entrusted Fan Haori with his origins and the parchment because he had no one else left to rely on and was certain that He Yiming hadn’t pursued him. Given that He Yiming practiced both earth and water techniques, Lü Xinwen surmised that qi fluctuations should align with these elements. If He Yiming were close, the water and earth energy around him would amplify significantly. However, when He Yiming employed the Withered Wood Technique, his wood energy became as bright as a beacon. Yet, Lü Xinwen couldn't fathom that this energy signature belonged to He Yiming. To him, the idea of someone like He Yiming mastering multiple elemental techniques was inconceivable, making it even harder to believe he could also practice wood techniques. Without sensing any peculiar changes in these elemental energies, Lü Xinwen assumed He Yiming had abandoned the chase. Unbeknownst to him, He Yiming not only mastered earth, metal, and water techniques but possessed the talent for all five elements. Thus, as He Yiming inched closer, Lü Xinwen and his companion remained oblivious. Moreover, once the Withered Wood Technique was activated, He Yiming’s breathing ceased, suppressing his human life force to the utmost. Not even advanced breathing control techniques could achieve this concealment. Silently hiding over a hundred meters away, He Yiming's true qi spread through the surrounding foliage. In this densely wooded area, the increased ambient wood energy wouldn't raise any suspicions. As he concentrated and listened intently, he captured their entire conversation. Initially, He Yiming remained composed, particularly when he heard Lü Xinwen discourage Fan Haori from seeking revenge. At that moment, he considered sparing them. However, he was utterly caught off guard when, with Lü Xinwen’s passing, Fan Haori swore such a ruthless vow. He pledged to annihilate the Yuan and He families entirely, ensuring He Yiming lived in perpetual agony. If Fan Haori truly succeeded, He Yiming's life would undoubtedly become one of eternal suffering. At that thought, He Yiming's heart surged with murderous intent. Even when the Xiao siblings asked Lü Xinwen to eradicate the He family, He Yiming’s resolve to kill wasn't as firm as it was now. Hearing Fan Haori’s bold and pointed words, he realized that between his family and theirs, only one could survive; the animosity had reached an irreparable point. With a subtle movement, he launched himself forward like a wooden stake. In mid-air, the Withered Wood Technique transformed into the Ripple Stream Technique. His muscles swelled back to their original form in just a few strides. With a change of attire, no one would associate the previously emaciated figure with him. Despite changing techniques, He Yiming landed without a sound. Assured of Lü Xinwen's demise, He Yiming relaxed, moving with ease and confidence. After all, a mere peak seventh-layer internal strength practitioner like Fan Haori posed no real threat to him. Rounding a corner, he arrived outside a small mountain alcove. At this moment, Fan Haori was digging a pit, seemingly intent on burying Lü Xinwen on the spot. He Yiming sighed quietly, channeling strength through his arms. Although his sigh produced no audible sound, Fan Haori, as if sensing something, halted his digging abruptly, turning around slowly. Upon seeing He Yiming before the alcove, the flush of excitement on Fan Haori’s face vanished instantly. His eyes filled with a malevolent glare, a chilling hatred that sent shivers down one’s spine. Under that gaze, He Yiming frowned slightly, disliking the look of malice. "You actually came. I didn't expect you to deceive even Granduncle,” Fan Haori's voice squeezed out through clenched teeth, dripping with hatred. Knowing He Yiming had overheard his final vow, Fan Haori understood he wouldn't be spared. "Indeed, I did," He Yiming replied softly, glancing at Lü Xinwen’s lifeless form. He said, "Actually, he didn't have to die. If your Fan family hadn’t coveted the Yuan family’s fortune, he, his three disciples, your father, and you… would have been spared." For some reason, a wave of endless sentiment overwhelmed He Yiming. These words had to be voiced lest they choke him. Perhaps it was the gravity of having an innate master's death on his hands. The once-dominant Fan family, driven by greed for what wasn't theirs, couldn’t escape their downfall even with an innate master's aid. Though He Yiming was young, his time alongside Yuan Chengzhi offered him insights into these matters. Unless the sun rose in the west, Yuan Chengzhi wouldn't spare the Fan family. Given Yuan Chengzhi's nature, he wouldn't just seize the Fan family’s assets but likely eradicate their descendants too. Yet, it was a fate of their own making, and not even He Yiming could intervene. Their only option in this feast was to claim their rightful share. A trace of unnatural redness appeared on Fan Haori’s face. He sneered, “Our Fan family was strong. The Yuan family was weak, and someone delivered evidence and an excuse on a silver platter. Why shouldn’t we seize their fortunes? We just didn’t expect the Yuan family to bring you along…” Hearing his stark and unabashed reasoning, alarm bells rang in He Yiming's mind. Today's Yuan family could easily be tomorrow’s He family. No matter how prosperous the He family might seem now, if their fortunes faltered, other families would undoubtedly aim to replace them. At that moment, He Yiming had formed a resolution in his heart. He was determined to elevate the He family into a dynasty akin to the illustrious Lin and Xie families, with legacies spanning thousands of years. Only a family with such intricate connections and deep-rooted influence could withstand waves of emerging challengers. Despite the sneering tone, Fan Haori dared not make a move. Even when facing inevitable death, he hesitated to act rashly lest he provoked He Yiming, unable to fend off even a single strike. Fan Haori’s gaze dropped slightly to his chest, where a parchment sat—a gift from Lü Xinwen as he lay dying. The elderly master's wish was for Fan Haori to carry on the secret techniques, to ensure they weren't lost to time. Yet, Fan Haori's sole intent now was to discreetly destroy the map, even in death, so He Yiming wouldn't locate Lü Xinwen's hidden treasures. His eyes darted, sweat trickling down his brow. Suddenly inspired, he spoke, "Master He, I know I’m doomed and dare not plead for mercy. But may I finish digging this grave for Master Lü Xinwen and then end my own life?" He Yiming pondered briefly before agreeing, "Very well." Fan Haori saluted before picking up a rudimentary stone tool and jumping back into the half-dug pit, continuing his work. Occasionally, he sneaked glances at He Yiming, who appeared lost in thought as he gazed at Lü Xinwen’s body. Satisfied, Fan Haori turned away and furtively reached inside his robe. With his seventh-level internal energy, he could crush the map with ease, ensuring He Yiming gained nothing useful. Yet, as his fingers touched the parchment, his smug grin froze. He found himself immobilized, unable to channel his inner strength or even move. He Yiming stepped out from behind him, looking at him with an open gaze, "Since Brother Fan knows he’s near death, Master Lü’s map should be of no use to you. Therefore…" He sighed, "I shall keep the map safe. I will fulfill Lü Master’s wish and ensure his legacy continues." Fan Haori's face turned an ashen hue as he collapsed, his mouth twitching in fury, face flushed bright red, teeth almost drawing blood from his lower lip. His glare was so intense it might have set He Yiming ablaze. "You... You dare seize Granduncle's items. You will meet a dire fate." He Yiming chuckled, "Brother Fan, didn’t you just say the Fan family was strong, the Yuan family weak, thus justifying your takeover? Now, it seems you're the one who’s weak, and I the strong. Why shouldn't I prevail?" Stunned, Fan Haori's lips trembled, and blood trickled from his eyes, which had torn slightly due to immense emotion. He burst into harsh laughter that echoed until it was raspy and grating. His laughter faded, and he murmured, "Retribution, retribution, we reap what we sow. Yours will come too." His voice weakened, suddenly biting off part of his tongue as blood gushed from his mouth. He Yiming made no move to stop him, only showing a hint of sympathy as he watched silently. Soon, Fan Haori's body convulsed a few times before stilling forever. He Yiming shook his head, retrieving the simple stone tool Fan Haori had discarded. He completed the grave digging, ensuring it was deep enough to prevent scavengers from disturbing the bodies he later placed inside. He Yiming was aware that merely covering a body wouldn't suffice in the wilderness; a deep grave was necessary to prevent wild animals from exhuming and devouring it entirely. Though Lü Xinwen was dead, as a top-tier innate master, his remains deserved more than to be left in the open. As for Fan Haori, the downfall of his family was deserved, but this incident made He Yiming realize a fundamental truth. Only through unmatched strength could his family avoid being overtaken by others. After completing the gravesite, he placed Lü Xinwen and Fan Haori inside and buried them deep. The pit was over two meters deep, ensuring no ordinary beast would uncover them. Before covering them, He Yiming did search their bodies, taking anything useful for himself. They were about to be buried, and their belongings were of no value to the dead. Better they serve some purpose for the living. Lü Xinwen carried little of value, but on Fan Haori, He Yiming found some prized items. Besides the special parchment map, there were several gold ingots and a bottle of pills. Opening it, He Yiming detected the distinctive scent of Essence Restoration Pills—five in total. Realization dawned upon him; these were likely seized by Fan Haori from Lü Xinwen. No wonder the innate master had nothing; he had been robbed already. Yet Fan Haori hadn’t predicted he would soon meet the same fate, having no time to use the map or pills. Gathering his spoils, He Yiming unfurled the parchment, curious about what it revealed.