From Death To Dominion

The moment the duel began, Ye Xian seized the initiative.

"Limit Release!"

A surge of explosive power erupted from within him as he channeled concentrated ki into his legs, launching himself forward with a speed that defied his cultivation level. In an instant, he crossed five paces, closing the distance before Yang Mu could even react.

Clang!

Ye Xian's sword descended like a bolt of lightning. Startled by the sheer velocity of the strike, Yang Mu barely managed to raise his sword in defense. The impact sent a sharp vibration through his arm, making his grip tremble.

But Ye Xian didn't stop.

Without giving him a moment to breathe, he unleashed a relentless barrage of strikes. His blade flowed like a tempest, weaving unpredictable patterns—swift, sharp, and precise.

This level of sword mastery was no accident.

Ye Xian's technique carried echoes of Adler's Unpredictable Sword Style— honed through countless battles and hardships. Every strike seemed random, yet there was a deadly rhythm hidden within the chaos. Yang Mu tried to block, but his defenses crumbled under the onslaught.

"What is this technique?!" Yang Mu panicked.

Each time he raised his sword, another attack was already incoming. Every time he tried to retreat, Ye Xian closed the distance instantly, cutting off his escape routes. His swordsmanship was too fast, too precise—too overwhelming.

Yang Mu's heart pounded. How was this possible?

His cultivation was several stages higher, yet Ye Xian's strikes felt stronger, heavier, and faster than his own.

The power behind Ye Xian's attacks wasn't just from technique—it was from Limit Release.

By focusing his ki into specific parts of his body, Ye Xian was able to burst forth with power that surpassed his cultivation realm. Every strike carried explosive strength, leaving Yang Mu unable to counter.

His blade met Ye Xian's assault with a resounding clang, but he found himself pushed back step by step, struggling to regain control. Sparks flew as their swords clashed in rapid succession, the ringing steel echoing across the training ground.

At times, Ye Xian's blade came so close that Yang Mu could feel the cold steel graze his cheek, leaving faint marks where it narrowly missed cutting into his skin.

Each of Ye Xian's strikes carried overwhelming force, powered by the precise burst of Ki from Limit Release, amplifying his strength far beyond his current cultivation level.

Yang Mu, despite his superior realm, was completely overwhelmed. He could hardly breathe between attacks—each time he parried one strike, another came from an unexpected angle, forcing him into a desperate retreat.

The younger disciples watching were stunned. Wasn't Yang Mu the stronger one? Yet, at this moment, he was reduced to a mere defender, unable to counterattack. Excitement buzzed through the crowd as they realized Ye Xian wasn't just holding his own—he was dominating the fight.

His breaths grew ragged. Each time he blocked, another strike followed—faster, heavier, sharper. The sheer intensity left him no time to compose himself.

Then—Ye Xian suddenly found an opportunity and, with a burst of explosive speed, he leaped past Yang Mu. His figure flickered like a phantom, vanishing completely from Yang Mu's senses.

Yang Mu's eyes widened. His opponent had disappeared from his senses!

Panic surged through him.

Without hesitation, he expanded his spiritual perception, scanning the area within several meters.

Nothing.

Instincts screaming, he whipped his sword behind him, aiming for his blind spot.

Whoosh!

Only air.

There was no one there.

"What—?"

CRACK!

A blinding pain exploded across Yang Mu's cheek as a metallic slap crashed against the side of his face from above, sending him reeling sideways. The impact wasn't just brutal—it was devastating. As his head jerked violently, a few bloody teeth flew out of his mouth, spinning through the air before landing on the dirt with a dull thud.

He staggered several steps away, struggling to keep his balance. His face burned with agony, and a deep red sword mark had been imprinted on his cheek—a painful and humiliating reminder of what had just happened. His vision blurred momentarily, and for the first time in his life, he felt a surge of fear grip his chest.

The crowd gasped.

"Did Ye Xian just—?!"

The spectators stared in disbelief, their eyes darting between Ye Xian's calm figure and Yang Mu's pathetic state. Some disciples had expected a competitive match, but this… this was an absolute annihilation.

Yang Mu's mind raced in confusion and horror.

'How did he disappear? Where did he attack from?'

What he didn't realize was that, at the very moment Ye Xian had slipped past his blind spot, he had activated the Shrouded Aura Manual—completely erasing his presence. In that instant, he had become a ghost, vanishing from Yang Mu's senses entirely.

But that wasn't all.

Using Limit Release once more, Ye Xian concentrated his ki into his feet and exploded into the air, soaring several meters above Yang Mu before delivering the surprise attack. His blade gleamed under the fading sunlight, a predator's fang descending upon its prey.

A few disciples covered their mouths in shock, while others barely suppressed laughter.

"Still think you can hold back?" Ye Xian asked, his voice calm—yet carrying an undeniable edge of dominance.

Yang Mu's hand trembled as he gripped his sword tightly, his knuckles turning white. A shiver crawled down his spine.

The battle had been decided in mere breaths.

'I thought I would toy with him—humiliate him. But… it's the other way around…' Yang Mu clenched his teeth in shame, only to realize half of them were missing.

Then came the whispers.

At first, soft murmurs spread through the crowd. Then—an eruption of stunned excitement.

"Incredible! Young Master Ye is amazing!"

"He humiliated Yang Mu so easily!"

"He didn't even give him a chance to counter!"

Some of the younger disciples couldn't contain their enthusiasm.

"Young Master Ye, please teach us swordsmanship!" one boy shouted, his eyes shining with admiration.

"I want to jump and move like that!" another chimed in eagerly.

Laughter rippled through the crowd, some disciples openly mocking Yang Mu's miserable state.

"He lost teeth from a slap—how embarrassing!"

"I thought he was a prodigy? Turns out he's just a punching bag!"

"Maybe he should switch to practicing how to catch his teeth instead of using a sword!"

Yang Mu's face burned as each comment stabbed into his already shattered pride.

Ye Xian, completely unfazed, sheathed his sword and let out a faint smirk. He turned to the humiliated Yang Mu and said casually, "Thanks for spar."

Then, with a playful chuckle, he added, "Oh, and don't be too mad. If you clench your teeth any harder… you might not have any left."

The crowd burst into laughter at the ruthless remark.

Yang Mu's face darkened with utter humiliation. He had been not just defeated—but ridiculed, humiliated, and turned into a laughingstock in front of everyone.

Meanwhile, Ye Xian turned and walked away without looking back, leaving behind a crowd of excited whispers and stunned murmurs.

Yang Mu stood there, frozen, his hand subconsciously reaching up to his bruised, swollen cheek—and the empty spaces where his teeth once were.

Today, the younger generation of the Ye Clan had witnessed something unforgettable.

Ye Xian walked back to his quarters, entering his room with a satisfied expression. The battle against Yang Mu had gone better than he had expected, leaving him in high spirits.

The key to his victory had been catching his opponent off guard and unleashing a relentless barrage of lightning-fast strikes, each carrying overwhelming power. If Yang Mu had been prepared from the start, the match might have taken a different turn.

As he reflected on the fight, Ye Xian analyzed the effects of Limit Release. From his observations, the technique had increased his strength by approximately 30 to 40 percent, allowing him to overpower an opponent with a higher cultivation level.

His strikes had not only been fast but also carried immense force, preventing Yang Mu from mounting any counterattack. He speculated that with further mastery—especially through the Heavenly Treasure Reverse Taiji—this percentage could grow even higher, pushing his combat prowess to new heights.

Setting aside his thoughts, Ye Xian decided to freshen up. He washed away the sweat from the intense battle, which was ended in few breaths, enjoying the refreshing sensation of a warm bath.

Afterward, he donned clean robes and stepped out of his room, just as a servant finished setting his evening meal on the table beside his bed. With a nod of acknowledgment, he took his seat and enjoyed the meal before heading out once more.

As Ye Xian stepped out into the hallway, he made his way toward the Martial Arts Technique Pavilion, the sacred vault where generations of the Ye Clan had stored their battle techniques. This pavilion held an extensive collection of manuals—some ancient, some newly compiled—each containing the secrets of various martial arts.

Ye Xian possessed a rare ability: he could instantly comprehend and even implant any inscription, cultivation technique, or skill into his mind. Knowing this, he sought a battle technique that would be particularly useful in combat.

Upon reaching the pavilion's entrance, he found a guard standing at the gate, clad in standard Ye Clan armor. The guard recognized Ye Xian and gave him a respectful nod before stepping aside, granting him passage.

Inside, the pavilion was modest in size—only a single floor lined with rows of towering wooden shelves, each filled with different kinds of martial techniques. He scanned the area, noting the various categories available:

Battle Techniques – focused on offense and close combat. Defensive Techniques – designed to absorb or deflect damage. Fast Movement Techniques – enhancing speed and agility.

Most of the techniques stored here were elementary-grade, accessible to all Ye Clan members. However, a few middle-grade techniques were reserved strictly for the main branch of the family.

As for advanced-grade techniques, they were shrouded in mystery. Though rumors are the city lord did possess such powerful skills but no one had ever seen him demonstrate them.

The Classification of Martial Techniques

Martial techniques were classified into four grades:-

Elementary Grade – The most common techniques, widely practiced by cultivators.

Middle Grade – Reserved for those of noble blood or higher standing.

Advanced Grade – Rare and extremely powerful, requiring profound comprehension.

Top Grade – Legendary techniques that were either lost to time or monopolized by supreme cultivators.