Chapter 121: What Kind of Power Is This?

With a consensus reached, the atmosphere immediately lightened. Luo Yanxin, a master of social graces, quickly bridged the gap between the two parties, making the interaction flow smoothly. Had it not been for the necessity of formal reporting and the fact that representatives from Haidu would need to be involved in the final contract signing, Mr. Zhang would have likely sealed the deal on the spot.

After the conversation concluded, Mr. Zhang walked toward a nearby office with his assistant. Xiao Kaitian looked up at a bird circling in the sky and smiled. "Thank you so much for your help today. Let me treat you to a meal another time."

"What about you?" Luo Yanxin brushed back her hair, looking puzzled.

"I have nothing on, so I think I'll walk around this area for a while. It's rare for me to be in Hong Kong, and I'd like to experience the local scenery," Xiao Kaitian explained.

"Odd fellow." A flicker of doubt crossed Luo Yanxin's mind, but she kept it to herself. She simply waved her hand. "Let's stay in touch, then."

Watching Luo Yanxin drive away until she was out of sight, Xiao Kaitian slowly tucked his hands into his pockets and began to walk. A black bird circled above him in the sky.

He avoided the crowds, turned onto a quiet, secluded path, and stood perfectly still. Before long, the bird flapped its wings and flew down toward him.

Xiao Kaitian extended his right hand. When the bird was less than a meter away, it suddenly "poofed" into a cloud of mist, from which a piece of paper drifted down.

With a flick of his finger, the paper landed lightly in his hand. He wrapped it in his divine source energy to ensure there were no traps, then read the message written in Japanese:

"Xiao Kaitian, please meet me at Victoria Peak, or await resolution upon your return to Haidu."

The message was delivered using sorcery, and Xiao Kaitian had a rough idea of who had sent it. The only connection he had to the Japanese sorcery world was the monk who called himself Mifune Fui of the Yakuin Temple on Mount Takao. It seemed someone was seeking retribution for Mifune Fui, whom he had effectively neutralized.

The agreed-upon location was Victoria Peak, nearby. As for resolving the matter back in Haidu, Xiao Kaitian dismissed the idea; he had too many loved ones and friends there, and he would not bring danger to them.

With a flick of his wrist, the paper disintegrated into fragments, which were immediately scattered by the wind.

He returned to the bustling city, hailed a taxi, and requested to be taken to Victoria Peak. The distance was short, and he arrived at his destination before long.

The area was filled with tourists. Xiao Kaitian swept the vicinity with his divine source energy and found nothing abnormal. Since his opponent had invited him to a meeting, they likely wouldn't choose a crowded spot. He set off on foot toward a more secluded area.

Sure enough, before long, a small white butterfly fluttered across his path, immediately catching his attention.

It was early autumn, so seeing a butterfly wasn't particularly strange. What caught Xiao Kaitian's eye, however, was that beneath its flapping wings, tiny specks of light were falling, refracting an unnatural glow in the air.

This was a conjured butterfly, meant to guide him. Xiao Kaitian smiled faintly and followed it.

The butterfly flew and paused, leading Xiao Kaitian deep into the forest. The path became increasingly rugged. Besides the "cooing" of unidentified birds and the "chirping" of insects in the grass, all other sounds vanished.

The sound of his footsteps crunching on dry branches and fallen leaves felt particularly piercing in this environment.

Finally, the butterfly flapped its wings and spiraled slowly to the ground. Suddenly, a tree branch sprouted from the earth, growing rapidly until it was lush with flowers and leaves. Plum blossoms bloomed one by one, and a faint, refreshing fragrance filled the air.

Interesting! Xiao Kaitian couldn't help but smile. He didn't know if this was an illusion, a strange art, or some other form of sorcery, but he waited quietly for his opponent to make a move.

Before long, the plum blossoms withered and drifted away, vanishing into the air. The tree branch writhed and coalesced into the shape of a person.

It was an old monk, looking quite advanced in age with a face full of wrinkles, yet his combat strength was an astonishing 509. Upon appearing, he bowed deeply. "Donor Xiao, it has been a long time. You possess truly remarkable composure."

His illusion had hidden a murderous intent; had Xiao Kaitian lost his patience and attacked, he would have fallen right into the monk's trap. Regrettably for the monk, Xiao Kaitian had not acted. Given this level of mental discipline, it was no wonder Mifune Fui had been no match for him.

"It's not that my composure is particularly good," Xiao Kaitian offered a rare explanation. "The killing intent hidden within your illusion could not mask your aura. That was your mistake."

"Indeed," the old monk lowered his gaze. "My technique was not refined enough. Donor Xiao, you must know why I have come."

"For Mifune Fui, I assume. Yes, I killed him." Xiao Kaitian did not deny it; he would at least grant his opponent a righteous reason for revenge.

"A sin. Mifune Fui was the only direct disciple of our Yakuin Temple. I hope Donor Xiao will not take offense." The old monk pressed his palms together.

"Well, you in the martial world are always like this—endless cycles. Let us begin." Xiao Kaitian rolled up his sleeves; it seemed his custom-made suit would need replacing today.

"Pardon me!" The old monk flung his hands, and a raging torrent of fire surged toward Xiao Kaitian. Xiao Kaitian’s expression shifted slightly; the power of this fire was far greater than that of Duan Fei from the Yinshan Qimen sect. He retreated quickly.

The flames circled in the air, gradually coalescing into a human form—a massive fire giant appeared before Xiao Kaitian. The fire giant waved its arms, launching a series of attacks.

Xiao Kaitian dodged swiftly while testing the strength of the flames. They were hot enough to burn his clothes, but they caused little damage to his body—though taking a direct hit would likely be painful.

He could not afford to intentionally take a hit as he had with Duan Fei; the cost would be too high.

"Let's see where you can run." The old monk waved his hands again, and another massive burst of flame merged into the giant, making it even larger. The giant swung its arms, transforming them into two great dragons of fire, while simultaneously spitting fireballs from its mouth, trapping Xiao Kaitian in a cage of flames from all directions.

"Tsk!" Xiao Kaitian frowned slightly. This was a troublesome opponent. There was no room for reservation now. His body suddenly contracted and expanded: "Divine Source, Explode!"

The power of his divine source rippled outward from his center, instantly scattering the flames. The surrounding branches were instantly engulfed in a sea of fire. Without hesitation, Xiao Kaitian flicked his fingers: "Blade of Wind, arise!"

Dozens of wind blades swept out, meeting the flames and instantly extinguishing them.

"What is this..." The old monk's pupils constricted, his face twisted into a look of greed. "What kind of power is this?"