Infinite Fire Record

Chapter 14: The beginning of the story

Peach Blossom Forest, within a secluded bamboo house.

The Jade Platform Golden Elixir exuded a faint medicinal fragrance, its potent essence lingering in the air. With a deep inhale, one of the pungent medicinal scents transformed into a long golden stream, flowing into Imperial Sky’s body.

His brow furrowed slightly as his lips parted, guiding the golden stream into his system. He held it for a moment, allowing the essence to brew within him, before attempting another breath. Yet, at the last instant, he clenched his mouth shut, suppressing the surge of energy.

The golden stream of medicinal fragrance, reaching its limit, gradually dispersed into nothingness.

Imperial Sky opened his eyes, and within them, a brilliant light flickered.

“Nine hundred and eighty-one cycles of ingestion and refinement—following the natural course, the energy transforms into a battle aura whirlwind, marking the threshold of a One-Star Fighter. However, this final step, the last mouthful of Dan Pill Qi, proves elusive. Once I break through, the shock to my body will be immense. I do not know if I can withstand it. Yet, once I become a One-Star Dou Shi, I must cultivate the Burning Decree.”

His expression darkened slightly as he pondered.

“The Burning Decree is searing hot. By refining foreign fire, my internal energy will transform into a scorching force. If I recklessly attempt it now, the consequences are unknown. I must first devise a foolproof strategy.”

His power had deepened significantly. The twelve primary meridians had formed a minor circulation, and his physical strength had reached the early stage of Houtian. He had also mastered two martial arts techniques—’ Falling Divine Sword Palm’ and ‘Blazing Fire Palm.’ With this foundation, he was ready to set foot into the Jianghu.

As his thoughts settled, he flicked his right hand, and the jade platform vanished instantly.

Slowly, he rose to his feet. Though his body was that of a ten-year-old, it carried an uncommon strength.

Imperial Sky gazed out the window, a faint, cold smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Another year of peach blossoms. At eleven years old, it is time to leave this cage.”

His words were frigid but truthful. If Huang Yaoshi knew that his cherished Peach Blossom Island had become a prison in Imperial Sky’s eyes, what would he feel?

Yet, Imperial Sky paid no heed to such thoughts. His gaze remained distant, fixated on the endless expanse of the Peach Blossom Forest.

The years of solitude had etched an indifference into his soul. His cold stare, the flame at the center of his brow, burned like ice.

With steady steps, he exited the bamboo house.

Outside, standing before him, was a stunning woman.

His expression remained flat as he addressed her. “Mother, you are here.”

Huang Rong smiled warmly, setting down a food box. Her gaze was filled with love. “Tian’er, I brought your favorite dishes.”

She opened the food box, revealing a meal carefully prepared.

Imperial Sky’s lips curved slightly as he picked up the bamboo chopsticks and began eating, his movements unhurried.

Huang Rong watched him with a gentle smile, her hand reaching out to brush his hair. “Tian’er, I recently discovered your grandfather’s whereabouts. I wish to see him—after all, it has been two years, and I miss him dearly. Would you like to come with me?”

Imperial Sky paused, his chopsticks slowing as contemplation flickered in his eyes.

“Mother, where is Grandfather?” he asked after a moment, swallowing his food.

A hint of sorrow surfaced on Huang Rong’s face as she responded, “I do not know the exact location, but he is somewhere near Jiaxing.”

A chill ran through Imperial Sky’s heart. A cold smile played on his lips as he resumed eating, his thoughts stirring.

“Jiaxing… Huang Yaoshi… So, this is where the plot begins. If my calculations are correct, in the original story, Yang Guo appeared around the age of twelve or thirteen. I am eleven now. It seems the plot truly begins here.”

His gaze flickered with intrigue as he turned to Huang Rong and spoke with newfound determination. “Mother, I will accompany you tomorrow. It is time for Grandfather to return. There is something I must do—something that requires his approval.”

Though Huang Rong did not know what her son intended, she was delighted that he was willing to leave Peach Blossom Forest.

She smiled warmly. “Good. Tomorrow, I will come to fetch you. You should also begin experiencing the outside world—but do not quarrel with your father.”

At her words, Imperial Sky’s expression darkened. His brows furrowed slightly as he snorted coldly. “Mother, I have told you before. Guo Jing is not my father. I have no connection to him.”

With that, he continued eating as though nothing had happened.

Shortly after, Huang Rong left. Watching her retreating figure, Imperial Sky murmured, “Tomorrow, I depart. My strength is sufficient to face whatever comes next. Early-stage Houtian, two martial techniques—that is enough. Guo Jing may be at the peak of Houtian, wielding the powerful ‘Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms,’ but I can still face him. As for Li Mochou, she poses even less of a threat.”

With that, he turned and stepped back into the bamboo house.

The next day, the sun shone brightly.

March peach blossoms bloomed in a vibrant display, their petals carried by the gentle breeze, drifting like whispers through the air.

Yet, no one stopped to admire the scenery.

A group of people slowly boarded a wooden boat. Imperial Sky’s expression remained cold as he walked toward the bow, his presence commanding.

Within the cabin sat Guo Jing.

Guo Jing’s expression was complex—disgust still lingered, but now, there was also a trace of shock. His thick brows furrowed, his rough hands clenched together as if in deep contemplation.

His gaze fixated on Imperial Sky, standing at the bow, and he sighed inwardly. “Impossible… How could he possess such power? Father-in-law gave him the secret manuals, but no one should be able to develop such strength in so short a time. That incident a year ago—it was not an illusion. That slap… it was truly extraordinary.”

Though Guo Jing was simple-minded, his martial arts experience was profound. Having trained under Hong Qigong and studied the ‘Nine Yin True Sutra,’ his insight into martial arts was not lacking. The moment they left the island, he sensed that Imperial Sky was no ordinary child.

But Imperial Sky was unaware of Guo Jing’s thoughts—and even if he were, he would have merely scoffed.

The Qi of Fighting had granted him supreme talent, allowing his path in martial arts to be unobstructed.

As he stood at the bow, watching the rippling sea, he felt an urge to let out a long whistle.

Yet, his cold demeanor remained unchanged, and his lonely aura spread, filling the surroundings with an undeniable presence.

Time passed, and before long, a distant silhouette emerged on the horizon.

A city.

A city of the Song Dynasty.

At that moment, Huang Rong approached, holding a white jade forehead ornament in her hands. Without a word, she gently placed it upon Imperial Sky’s forehead, concealing the flame-like mark.

Imperial Sky did not resist. He merely gazed into the distance, toward the city that awaited him.