RISE OF THE MARTIAL GOD

"Xiao gege, It seems you're truly leaving today."

Anthony chuckled and leaned closer to the statue.

"Why? Missing me already?"

"Miss you my ass! It's just that this place would become lonely if I only have A'Cheng's grumpy behind with me."

The noise in the background made Anthony realize that Hua Cheng was nearby and just registered his displeasure at being called grumpy.

"Xiao gege, once out there, make sure you create huge waves. I want to hear your stories from here. Never suffer a loss or let yourself be humiliated, especially by your peers. If one person succeeds in bullying you or snatching your thing, others will definitely come to try their luck. Instead of letting people rob you or snatch what you want, it's better to slaughter them and their nine clans and raid everything. If anyone offends you, make them pay. You don't need to be afraid of trouble, trouble should flee from you."

"I love this last quote." Anthony said with a smirk, relaxing lazily against the statue as if hugging it. Lan Xuanyu continued without waiting for him to interrupt again.

"You can only learn true combat from fighting others in a life and death situation, and building up your murderous intent and precision. If you ever meet an enemy who is way stronger than you, run, you live to fight another day. There's nothing wrong with being shameless. Dying with honor is the most nonsensical thing ever, don't let pride become more important than your life."

"Lan Xuanyu, what kind of advice are you giving him? Are you raising a hero or are you making a villain?" Hua Cheng's angry voice cut in, making Lan Xuanyu chuckle evilly.

"No one is truly innocent or totally bad. Being a villain or a hero all depends on the situation you find yourself in." Anthony replied.

Lan Xuanyu chuckled, then laughed loudly, slapping his thighs and nodding in approval.

"Well said. Xiao gege, my efforts these past few months on raising you were not a waste after all. If you treat me well, I will return the favor ten fold. If you do me wrong, I will return the evil to you a hundred fold. That's my motto."

Anthony nodded, arranging the manuals he got. In addition to other things Lan Xuanyu gave him, he had given him a mini treasury made up of high grade training manuals, fifty five of them.

"It's a jungle out there, you need to become the apex predator to not just survive, but dominate. And bear in mind that there's always someone stronger, never relax your guard. Never at any point think you're the strongest, there's always a heaven above the heavens, a God above the gods. And most importantly, strength is the greatest law, power is the universal language, money is just an icing on top. In this life, only you can help or save yourself."

"Alright, alright, I understand already. Suffer no losses, only gain. If someone offends me, kill, if someone wants to steal what's mine, kill. If I meet an enemy who is stronger than me, run, and return when I'm stronger to exterminate him and his nine clans. Life is a jungle, the martial world is full of competition, there's always someone as good or even better, don't get complacent. In all things, apply wisdom. While loneliness is normal on the path of cultivation, it's always better to make one more friend, and less enemy. But if they choose to stand on the opposite side, against your interest, then it can't be helped, kill. I understand everything, you have been repeating the same thing for over an hour like a broken record. One would think you're an anxious mother sending her only son off." Anthony replied rudely with a 'tch'. But deep inside, his heart felt warm and full of happiness.

"It's the same thing. You won't understand me though." Lan Xuanyu whispered in a small voice. A second voice spoke at that moment, interrupting the emotional atmosphere.

"Xiao An, true heroes don't fear trouble, but if you commit atrocities to the point of being reviled by the whole world, you will become a demon, with the weight of blood too heavy to carry, hunted by the world. Never kill without a good reason. The sword is not meant to kill, it's meant to protect and make better. Do you get it?"

Anthony nodded. Unlike when Lan Xuanyu was talking to him, he didn't act nonchalant and playful with Hua Cheng, he can't seem to manage it. But with Lan Xuanyu, there's always this innate over familiarity that makes him want to tease him to death. Besides, Hua Cheng's words were deep, heavy, and thoughtful. Perhaps, it was the tone with which it was delivered, it could also be the implications.

"And most importantly, don't let others paint you a villain. If you do good, don't let other people take the credit. You can't save the world at your current stage, saving yourself is enough." Lan Xuanyu added, his mind drifting to a certain misunderstood hero who did only good, but evil people committed crimes and pinned it on him, turning him into a public enemy reviled by all across the heavens. It was only sixteen years after his death by a coalition of all first tier sects that the truth came to light through his reincarnated form that went to seek justice.

"Xiao gege, do you believe in reincarnation?"

Lan Xuanyu's question came out of the blue, catching Anthony off guard, and he looked up with surprise.

"Reincarnation? I don't know whether it exists or not. Probably it does. Sometimes I will see something that I swear is familiar, but I have never been there before. Especially since I entered the perilous lands and met …"

Anthony didn't complete his words but it was enough for Lan Xuanyu to get excited. He already knew the identity of the person he found incredibly familiar, even if he didn't complete his words. Hua Cheng immediately shook his head at Lan Xuanyu, silently stopping him from recounting their past.

Lan Xuanyu sighed heavily.

"Forget it. Just stay safe out there. Aha, that golden core in your belly will attract evil eyes who want to eat it and level up, like that beast you met at the entrance. That thing is a priceless treasure for all who seek strength and power. To most, it's the gateway to greatness. To some others, it's the shortcut to success."

Anthony frowned as he remembered the incident that happened just after he entered the perilous lands.

"What's the golden thing in my belly?"

"It's a bea…" Lan Xuanyu's words trailed off, as if someone just stopped him from completing his words.

"You will find out in due time, just protect and hide it at all costs. If you attract a band of soul beasts, they will be harder to deal with than a human. They fight ruthlessly, you don't want to meet a band of high level soul beasts desperate to devour you."

"Is it really that precious to soul beasts?"

"Let's hope you never find out."

"Okay, I'm going now."

"An, the most important rule of all, stay away from women. Stay far, far, far, very far away from women. Don't fall in love. Scratch that, never fall in love. History must not repeat itself, you seem to have a bad fate with women. A woman you love will be the reason for your death at the peak of your greatness."

Anthony frowned, did he read his fortune? Could he be talking about past events with Priscilla? But Lan Xuanyu has never mentioned her or even knew about her. Why does it seem to be a different woman and event altogether? Will all women truly betray him? Even in the future? Was it his fate to live like a lone wolf?

"Anthony, you might disregard everything that I just said, but never forget this. Women are an absolute no. You can mess around with them, keep some maidservants, or concubines for a quick fuck if you must. But love should never be on the table, no commitment, no sacrifices, no trust, never bet your life for a woman. Anthony, remember this, women will pull you down, love will cripple you. These two taboos are forbidden in your life. Don't let that dark fate happen." Lan Xuanyu's voice was solemn and his last words sounded like an ancient prophecy, sending chills down Anthony's back.