Volume One: All Things Awaken, Four Seasons Forever Spring Chapter Thirty-Six: I, Zhao Tiansheng, Born of Heaven and Earth—What Do I Fear?

The twilight was thick and heavy. The helicopter hovered above the open ground, its cabin door swung wide, and a refined figure flashed out.

Lin Xi cried out in delight, "Uncle Zhao!"

It was Zhao Tiansheng himself! Though his gray robe billowed in the wind, he stood suspended in midair, his sword still sheathed.

"Go!"

With a resonant clang, the sword—scabbard and all—pierced into the bluish stone, sinking deep and sending up a shower of sparks. Cracks radiated across the stone surface. Though the sword had not left its sheath, its aura was unmistakable. The lady in red, already wounded by Mo Wen's fist, was struck anew by the lingering power of Zhao Tiansheng's sword, and she spat another mouthful of blood.

Zhao Tiansheng's face remained impassive. With a flick of his hand, he drew up the sword, and with the force of a thousand pounds, thrust it toward the lady in red. The sword's intent locked onto her, and death seemed imminent. Suddenly, a surge of energy erupted from the forest, vast and crushing, drawing Zhao's sword away.

The lady in red seized her chance, leapt, and vanished into the night.

Zhao Tiansheng's expression grew grave. He stared into the depths of the woods, fighting against that overwhelming presence with his sword, yet still mindful of his troublesome student, Mo Wen. With a sweep of his left hand, he whisked Lin Xi and Mo Wen into the helicopter as if by magic.

Locked in stalemate with the force emerging from the forest, Zhao Tiansheng's sword could resist no longer. A sharp hum rang out, the scabbard dropped away, and the sword's blue blade gleamed with an eerie light.

"Retreat!"

Suddenly, Zhao Tiansheng shouted, flipping his right palm downward as he drove his sword once more into the stone. With a thunderous blast, the fierce energy from the woods withdrew.

"Zhao Tiansheng, you..."

At the edge of the clearing, the black-clad figure flickered, his long black hair nearly obscuring his face, features indistinct. Engaged with Zhao Tiansheng, he was gripped by terror.

Zhao Tiansheng frowned in surprise, voice deep. "You're not a Heavenly Fiend. Who are you?"

The figure in black laughed wildly, his tone scornful. "Is it only the human race that can produce a Zhao Tiansheng? Can the demon race not birth a Great Roc King?"

The Great Roc King!

Zhao Tiansheng's eyes narrowed. Over a decade ago, during the chaos atop Cloud Peak, he had nearly wiped out the Roc clan. Yet now, another master had emerged.

The black-robed man chuckled, his figure flickering as he vanished into the depths of the woods. Zhao Tiansheng sent his sword after him, swift as a meteor.

"Ah, humans are truly blessed. Beyond the Five Great Masters, now there's Zhao Tiansheng!"

Suddenly, from deep within the forest, a sigh echoed—ancient and profound. Zhao Tiansheng's sword seemed to be stopped by an invisible wall, trailing sparks across the night sky.

The Heavenly Fiend Lord!

"Destroy!"

---

With a roar, Zhao Tiansheng spun his sword, retreated several meters, then thrust fiercely, breaking through the barrier and shooting deep into the forest. The blade cut through the night, its glow illuminating the sky as if it were day.

"How dare you! In my presence, you dare act so brazenly?" The Heavenly Fiend Lord's voice thundered across the heavens. Zhao Tiansheng's blade pierced the forest, a towering mushroom cloud rose, followed by a deafening explosion.

Zhao Tiansheng, almost self-mocking, said quietly, "I, Zhao Tiansheng, born of heaven and earth, what is there I dare not do?"

His words were soft, but the Heavenly Fiend Lord heard them clearly. There was silence for a long moment, then nothing more.

Zhao Tiansheng sighed lightly, slipped into the helicopter, which circled and vanished into the night.

Deep in the Kunlun Mountains, a swath of charred black trees still smoldered. Suddenly, torrential rain poured down, gradually extinguishing the flames, with the burnt scent lingering in the air.

---

When he awoke again, Mo Wen struggled to open his eyes, a wry smile on his lips: This plot seemed strangely familiar!

The simple furnishings, the familiar little building—within, Zhao Tiansheng sat reading a newspaper, absorbed. When Mo Wen stirred, Zhao said gruffly, "You're awake? Then get out. Or do you plan to stay for dinner?"

Mo Wen sprang to his feet, grinning. "Thank you, Teacher, for saving me! But that lady in red, she must be a demon of the Breaking Illusion realm. That sword technique was truly extraordinary!"

Seeing Zhao Tiansheng cast him a sidelong glance, Mo Wen quickly amended, "Of course, nowhere near as good as yours, Teacher!"

Zhao Tiansheng turned away, immersed in his newspaper, ignoring Mo Wen. Seeing he wasn't being chased away, Mo Wen sat down and filled Zhao's teacup.

"Teacher, before I saw the lady in red, I encountered a man in black. Luckily he didn't act, or I wouldn't have lasted until you arrived!"

Mo Wen still felt dread—the memory of that overwhelming presence was vivid, a fear that seemed to seep from his very bones.

"The Great Roc King, a Grand Master among demons—he could crush you with a single finger. What do you think?"

Zhao Tiansheng sipped his tea, his tone impatient but still explaining to Mo Wen. He did not speak of what happened afterward. What was the Great Roc King? What was a Grand Master? Both nearly died by his sword.

After a while, Mo Wen took his leave. As he departed, Zhao Tiansheng sternly warned, "Don't go to Kunlun. It's not the time yet."

Mo Wen nodded, returned to Purple Garden. Lin Xi was not home. He called her, and learned she had gone back to the Northern Capital.

---

Northern Capital, Yanshan Villa.

In the study, Lin Xi and Lin Tianci sat upright. Before the grand dragon-carved desk, a middle-aged man played with prayer beads, glancing at the two.

An invisible aura of authority made Lin Tianci barely dare to breathe, but Lin Xi called out playfully, "Grandpa!"

The middle-aged man's stern face softened, the atmosphere easing. Yes, this was Lin Xi's grandfather, a Grand Master—the head of the Lin family, Lin Wudao!

A Grand Master—transcending the limits of human lifespan, said to live as long as heaven and earth. Compared to Lin Wudao, Lin Tianci seemed far more aged.

"Xi, you were too reckless this time! The heart of Kunlun Mountain—even I can't guarantee leaving there unscathed!"

Lin Wudao reprimanded her gently, knowing well his beloved granddaughter's thoughts.

Lin Xi stuck out her tongue mischievously. "Grandpa, I understand. I won't dare next time. But Uncle Zhao, he's incredible! He nearly slew the Great Roc King, unbelievable!"

Lin Wudao smiled, his expression kindly. With a single sentence, he pierced Lin Xi's intent. "Hmm, and you want to say that Mo Wen is not bad, too, right? Indeed, to comprehend the second move of Starry River Splendor at the Divine Core stage, unleashing Breaking Illusion force—it was worthy of your efforts."

Lin Xi lowered her head nervously, thinking she had secretly given Mo Wen the Starry River Splendor manual without anyone knowing, but her grandfather had already noticed.

"Grandpa, I..."

Lin Xi stammered, about to explain, but Lin Wudao waved his hand, seemingly no longer concerned. Lin Tianci, silent for a long time, finally asked, "Father, how is Zhao Tiansheng so formidable? Has he entered the Grand Master realm?"

Lin Wudao shook his head, a trace of regret in his voice. "Zhao Tiansheng is indeed remarkable, but he's walking a dead-end path. To seek mastery through the sword—this way leads nowhere. A pity!"

He uttered several regrets, and though Lin Wudao mourned, he was deeply pained. He had watched Zhao Tiansheng grow up, advancing rapidly, obsessed with the sword. Ordinary practitioners seeking the Grand Master realm must break through with spiritual consciousness, advancing slowly and steadily, accumulating power until the right moment. Zhao Tiansheng, however, sought to root his path in the sword. Breaking Illusion through swordsmanship was difficult enough, let alone seeking mastery.

Still, Lin Wudao rebuked Lin Tianci: "Though Zhao Tiansheng walks a dead-end, it is an invincible path. And you? Ten years since Breaking Illusion, and still no progress! Set aside trivial matters and let Xi and the others manage them. Time is short—at most two years until upheaval. Your meager cultivation will not suffice then!"

Lin Tianci bowed his head in shame. As Lin Wudao said, after entering Breaking Illusion, his progress had stalled. Zhao Tiansheng was two years younger, yet his cultivation had already pierced the heavens.

Lin Wudao looked at Lin Tianci, sighed helplessly. "Go then, Seventh. Take some time to reflect."

Lin Tianci left the study with Lin Xi. Before they exited, Lin Wudao called out, "Xi, someday bring that young man over to meet me."

"Yes, thank you, Grandpa!"

Lin Xi nearly jumped with joy. Her grandfather rarely saw outsiders—perhaps he recognized Zhao Tiansheng's strength, and was reluctantly accepting Mo Wen!

Delighted, Lin Xi did not forget her important task. She tiptoed into the wine cellar, grabbed two small jars from the wooden rack, and dashed out like a thief.