Chapter 12: Into the Misty Cloud ForestThe morning sun shone brightly as Xiao Li left the Azure Kingdom Royal Academy, heading toward Misty Cloud Forest, the location of his mission.

    The path was rugged and overgrown, with dense trees stretching endlessly in all directions.

    Xiao Li walked calmly, his senses fully alert.

    "The Black Fang Bandits… a group of rogue cultivators causing trouble outside the city."

    The mission details had mentioned that they were only at the Qi Refining Stage, making them weaklings in Xiao Li’s eyes.

    But he also knew—this was a setup.

    He had noticed the gazes of hostile disciples when he accepted the mission.

    He was certain that someone had arranged for him to be ambushed.

    "It doesn’t matter."

    A smirk played on his lips.

    "Let them come. It’s been a while since I tested my strength properly."

    With that, he disappeared into the misty forest.

    Deep within the Misty Cloud Forest, a hidden camp lay nestled between rocky cliffs.

    Inside, a dozen figures dressed in black robes gathered around a table.

    Their leader, a scar-faced man with a cruel smile, sharpened his blade.

    "So, we’re getting a visitor today?"

    A hooded figure stepped forward.

    "Yes. His name is Xiao Li."

    The bandit leader chuckled.

    "One of those Academy brats?"

    "Not just any Academy brat," the hooded figure said. "He humiliated the Zhao Clan’s young master and even broke the Spirit Measuring Tablet."

    The room fell silent.

    One of the bandits frowned.

    "You mean… he’s strong?"

    The hooded figure smirked.

    "Not strong enough."

    "Zhao Wu and some of the Inner Court factions want him dead. All you have to do is… make sure he doesn’t return."

    The bandit leader licked his lips.

    "Heh. Fine. But I expect full payment."

    "Kill him first. Then we’ll talk."

    The hooded figure vanished, leaving the Black Fang Bandits to prepare for the kill.

    "Alright, boys."

    The leader grinned, raising his blade.

    "Tonight, we hunt."

    As Xiao Li moved deeper into Misty Cloud Forest, the atmosphere grew eerily quiet.

    No birds.

    No beasts.

    Only silence.

    "They’re close."

    Xiao Li’s lips curled into a smirk.

    "Let’s get this over with."

    He took another step forward—

    WHOOSH!

    An arrow shot out from the trees, aimed directly at his head.

    But—

    "Too slow."

    Xiao Li tilted his head slightly, and the arrow barely grazed his cheek, embedding itself into a tree behind him.

    Immediately, figures in black robes

    emerged from the mist, surrounding him.

    "Well, well… You’re smarter than I expected," the bandit leader sneered.

    Xiao Li glanced around.

    "Only a dozen of you?"

    The bandit leader''s smirk faltered.

    "Arrogant little—"

    Xiao Li raised a hand.

    "Enough talking. Come."

    The bandits hesitated.

    There was no fear in his eyes.

    Only boredom.

    The bandit leader gritted his teeth.

    "KILL HIM!"

    The bandits rushed forward, their weapons glowing with spiritual energy.

    Swords, daggers, and spears flashed through the air, aiming to tear Xiao Li apart.

    WHOOSH!

    But in an instant—

    BOOM!

    A golden shockwave erupted around Xiao Li, sending the first attackers flying backward.

    He hadn’t even moved.

    The bandits staggered, their eyes wide in shock.

    "What… what kind of strength is this?!"

    Xiao Li vanished.

    Before the leader could react, a hand clamped around his throat.

    "Too slow."

    Xiao Li lifted him off the ground, his fingers pressing into the man’s windpipe.

    The bandit leader gasped, his legs kicking helplessly.

    "P-Please…!"

    Xiao Li’s eyes were cold. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    "I don’t spare insects."

    And with that—

    CRACK!

    He crushed his throat, dropping the lifeless body to the ground.

    The remaining bandits froze in terror.

    "M-Monster…!"

    Xiao Li smiled.

    "I gave you a chance to run."

    He raised his palm, and golden Qi erupted from his body.

    "Now, you die."

    The forest lit up with golden light—and within seconds, the bandits were erased.

    High in the trees, a black-robed figure watched the battle unfold.

    His hands trembled.

    "H-He wiped them out… effortlessly?!"

    He quickly pulled out a transmission talisman, his voice urgent.

    "Abort the mission. Do not engage Xiao Li. I repeat—DO NOT ENGAGE!"

    From the other end, a cold voice responded.

    "Too late. He’s already marked."

    The black-robed figure shivered.

    He turned back toward the battlefield, where Xiao Li stood alone, his golden aura flickering like a god of war.

    "If we don’t kill him soon…"

    "No one will be able to."