Yang Fan shot forward in a single stride and unleashed a sharp punch.
Four layers of hidden force struck the horse's belly, instantly displacing its internal organs and causing the massive body to flip sideways from the sudden torque.
At the same moment—a flash of white light streaked past…
Before Yang Fan could even see what it was, he'd already been flung ten meters away. The spot where Bai Chenxiang had been sitting just moments ago was now empty.
"Child, are you alright?"
An elderly man—tall and lean, with long white hair—stood before Bai Chenxiang, cradling her protectively. That streak of white light had been him.
Bai He!
Though it had been over three years since they last met, Yang Fan recognized "Grandpa Bai" instantly.
Seeing Bai He flooded Yang Fan with memories…
He held a deep fondness for the old man. Back when the Breaking Clan faced its darkest hour—when his grandfather Yang Wudi feared the clan would be wiped out—he'd once planned to entrust Yang Fan to Bai He one night. Bai He had sworn on the spot to treat Yang Fan as his own grandson.
In the end, however, Grandfather couldn't bear to part with him. He'd only sighed, "If the Breaking Clan is truly doomed… then that is Yang Fan's fate."
"Grandpa…" Bai Chenxiang burst into tears and threw herself into her grandfather's arms, terrifying the young men who'd teased her moments earlier.
They all lowered their heads, too afraid to meet Bai He's gaze.
Bai He held his granddaughter close, first shooting the troublemakers a furious glare—then turning to Yang Fan, who'd just saved her.
Yet he didn't utter a single word of thanks.
Yang Fan had expected this.
Bai He was a man whose pride bordered on arrogance. He considered his martial soul—the Needle Tailed Swift—to be supremely noble, and would never bow to anyone.
Besides, even if Yang Fan hadn't intervened, Bai He would've rescued Chenxiang anyway.
It was precisely this stubborn nobility that had left the Speed Clan in such dire straits.
The Breaking Clan sold medicine. The Defense Sect built houses. The Strength Sect forged iron. Each of the other three sects had practical skills to survive in Soul Land.
But the Speed Clan? They merely stared at each other helplessly. Bai He refused to humble himself by serving others—and forbade his clansmen from doing so.
If only the old man would adapt—if he used the Needle Tailed Swift's speed to deliver messages—every Galewind Pigeon in Soul Land would be out of a job!
Yang Fan turned to leave.
Thankfully, he always wore his black cloak outdoors. If Bai He recognized him and reported back to Grandfather, things would get messy.
Just then, Bai He's aged voice called out behind him:
"Young friend—you're heading into the soul beast forest to hunt soul rings, aren't you?"
"Join our Speed Clan party!"
Though Bai He offered no thanks, his invitation was sincere—though still laced with that familiar haughtiness.
Understandable.
Bai He was inherently proud. To a soul master he deemed far weaker, this was simply his normal demeanor.
"No, thank you!" Yao Lao spoke through Yang Fan, making the decision Yang Fan wanted.
Join the Speed Clan?
Are you joking?!
The Four Great Sects were bound by blood. The other three clans surely knew he'd left for training.
Given his grandfather's temper, he'd definitely warned the other patriarchs: "If you find my grandson, bring him back immediately."
It wasn't that Yang Fan didn't want to return—it was that Yunluo City couldn't give him what he needed!
He'd sworn to lift the Breaking Clan from ruin.
Yang Fan's refusal meant Bai He wouldn't press further.
Thus, their paths diverged.
Bai He led his dozen clansmen onward without lingering in the town.
Even if they'd wanted to stay—they couldn't afford it!
Such a dedicated family team was rare in outer towns. Clearly, Bai He had brought the youth here specifically to hunt soul rings in Sunset Forest.
…
Some fates can't be escaped.
On his second day in the soul beast forest, Yang Fan encountered the Speed Clan again.
Unable to refuse their earnest insistence, he finally joined their group—hoping to glean news of the Breaking Clan… and his grandfather.
"Brother Yao Chen," Bai He began cautiously, "I'd like to ask you something."
"You travel widely—have you seen a six- or seven-year-old Soul Breaking Spear soul master?"
Yang Fan's expression flickered.
A six- or seven-year-old Soul Breaking Spear soul master?
That was unmistakably himself.
Just as he'd suspected—
Grandfather had mobilized the other three sects to track him down.
"No," Yao Lao replied, guilt tinging his voice.
Taking Yang Fan away for a year and a half did weigh on him. He felt he'd wronged the Breaking Clan. But without this journey, how else could he forge Yang Fan into a true powerhouse?
As the saying went: "Even the cleverest housewife can't cook without rice."
With no herbs to refine, his alchemy skills were useless to Yang Fan.
"Ah…" Bai He returned to his seat, disappointment clear.
"That kid must've just run off to play. He's probably back home by now."
"Exactly! What can a little brat do? He couldn't possibly have traveled all the way from Star Luo Empire!"
Bai He's face darkened. "You know nothing."
He harbored a secret he couldn't reveal.
If Yang Fan were just an ordinary child, there'd be no danger.
But he wasn't!
At the recent Four Sects gathering, Yang Wudi had shared a shocking truth:
Good news: The Breaking Clan had produced its first innate full-soul-power mutant martial soul—their best hope yet to break the "curse" and birth a Title Douluo.
Bad news: Yang Fan had run away!
If the Spirit Hall learned of such a prodigy, they'd eliminate him immediately.
That's why Yang Wudi searched desperately—but dared not act openly. He'd only begged his three old friends to discreetly investigate.
Bai He now deeply regretted not taking two-year-old Yang Fan into the Speed Clan. This mess might've been avoided.
Bai Chenxiang tugged her grandfather's sleeve, chirping sweetly: "Grandpa, we'll find Brother Yang Fan!"
"When I do," Bai He growled, "I'll break his legs first!"
Yang Fan's heart skipped a beat.
He knew it was an empty threat—but the anger in Bai He's voice was unmistakable.
To avoid exposure and forced return, he resolved to slip away from the Speed Clan at dawn.
Though he'd spent only half a day with them, it wasn't without gain.
At least he knew the Breaking Clan was faring well.
Yao Lao's Blood-Clotting Powder formula had greatly helped the clan.
Now, he hoped the letter he'd just sent would ease his grandfather's worries.
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