The next day at 8 AM in the Sunday Apartments, Mao Xiongxiong had begun to slowly open his bluish eyes.
He then got up immediately, unaware that in another place, not in the cracked hut where he lived.
Mao Xiongxiong put his hand on his head due to the sudden headache that afflicted him.
"Oh, my head, why does it hurt this much?" His tone was full of pain and headache.
He then directed his gaze towards the room he was in, as he felt he was not in the hut he was accustomed to living in.
It was a neat and beautiful room with a refined Chinese style.
His facial features were somewhat filled with confusion and bewilderment, so he looked around his surroundings with concern.
"Sister Mao Jisu..." His tone was full of fear and worry for his younger sister, only to find her beside him, hugging him tightly as if he were her last hope, with signs of shock still leaving marks on her face.
Mao Xiongxiong sighed with relief as he looked at his sister clinging to him like a leech, yet he did not hide his caution at all. The last thing he remembered was seeing the Great Chaos Master Feng Liwu, the known master of disasters.
Before Mao Xiongxiong could say anything, the room door began to open slowly, making a light creaking sound. Mao Xiongxiong's facial features turned to terror. He was swallowing his saliva with great difficulty, so he pulled his sleeping sister Mao Jisu towards him, almost hiding her in his arms.
As soon as the person who opened the door entered, Mao Xiongxiong's facial features turned black. Terror filled his heart and soul. He couldn't say anything, but he was surprised that Feng Liwu was carrying a tray full of delicious food, yet he didn't dare say anything.
Feng Liwu placed the food on a nearby table, then turned his gaze towards Mao Xiongxiong, a look that made Mao Xiongxiong's body tremble.
"You, Mao Xiongxiong, wake up your sister and go take a shower. I get annoyed every time I see you," Feng Liwu's tone was as cold as usual, then he turned to leave the room.
But he stopped at the door and turned his gaze towards Mao Xiongxiong, "After you finish showering and eating, you'd better go out. I have something to say to both of you, or else you know what I'll do, don't you?"
He then left without waiting to hear Mao Xiongxiong's reply, whether he agreed or not.
Mao Xiongxiong tried to calm himself by inhaling a large amount of air regularly. Several minutes passed, during which he was able to regain his composure.
"For now, I have to listen to him. That person is a monster, literally. But what exactly does he want from me?" Mao Xiongxiong's tone was calm as he tried to gather his scattered and confused thoughts.
An hour and a half later, both Mao Xiongxiong and Mao Jisu were in front of a small table where Feng Liwu had previously placed food.
Jisu directed her gaze towards the table full of food, then towards Xiongxiong, intermittently, with some tension and embarrassment.
Xiongxiong sighed a deep sigh as he looked at his sister, whose hunger was tearing at her stomach. She hadn't eaten anything for days.
"Eat your food, what are you waiting for? Oh, I see, you want me to feed you."
"It seems Mao Jisu is still a little girl, hahahahahaha." Mao Xiongxiong's tone had a slight sarcasm to make Mao Jisu eat her food without embarrassment, considering that the one who provided it was the person whose name was number 1 on the blacklist as the most wanted person in the world. Nevertheless, Feng Liwu moved freely across the five continents of the world of masters and the other worlds, of mortals and immortals.
Power is everything in this cruel world. With power, even if you are hated by every creature in existence, they won't do anything to you, because they know you can crush them. In this world, either you are strong, and no one dares to approach you, or you are just trash that no one will bother with.
There is no middle ground; it is where the rising elite tread to forge their glorious path.
Jisu began to eat her food elegantly and nobly. Even though she had lived for 9 years outside of noble life, her noble demeanor was still attached to her actions, movements, and way of speaking. The same applied to Xiongxiong as well.
A faint smile appeared on Xiongxiong's face as he watched his little sister eat her food, then he began to eat his own food.After some time, Mao Xiong Hun and Mao Ji Su, filled with great fear and trepidation, went out of the room. They knew Feng Li Wu well.
They were aware that a single misplaced word could turn them into entrails, especially after witnessing what happened in their hut and the incident at the "Walking Dream" tavern, the brutal details of which had reached their ears from Mart.
"Mao Ji Su, don't say anything ever. Do you understand me?" Mao Xiong Hun's tone was serious and stern, devoid of any jest.
Mao Ji Su nodded her head in agreement.
A look of relief appeared on Mao Xiong Hun's face as he continued on his way to where Feng Li Wu was.
As soon as they reached the guest room, Mao Xiong Hun cast his gaze inside, finding Feng Li Wu waiting. His facial features were as cold as frost, his eyes dark and deep, like an abyss that devoured any emotion and analyzed everything, both existent and non-existent. This was one of his abilities: to see all existing and non-existing possibilities with complete ease. However, Feng Li Wu could not even use 1% of it, as it was currently sealed in the world of imagination they were in, unlike the ability of the Master's Eye of the House, which saw and preserved everything within its complete existential path.
Nevertheless, Feng Li Wu's eyes, in their best state, when he could use them with full power, could see into the entire sacred tree of existence.
"You may enter."
Mao Xiong Hun and Mao Ji Su entered the guest room with some anxiety and nervousness.
"Are you in a hurry? I don't have all day to watch you move like turtles." Feng Li Wu's tone was as sharp as a sword's edge, filled with command and authority towards the young man and woman.
Fear showed on Ji Su's face. His tone of voice exerted an invisible pressure on her body, like mountains.
The same applied to Xiong Hun, but he controlled himself and moved as fast as his remaining strength allowed, while holding Ji Su, who had lost the ability to move from the awe that had overcome her due to Feng Li Wu's commanding presence and his cold tone, which made her previous fall from fear and memories of what had happened inside the hut complete the rest.
After several steps, Mao Xiong Hun and Mao Ji Su sat in their designated places, which were close by, as Ji Su insisted on staying next to her brother Xiong Hun, being afraid of Feng Li Wu.
Mao Xiong Hun's facial features showed some embarrassment to the point that his fear had vanished for a moment, as Ji Su was clinging to his waist, looking at Feng Li Wu with such fear and awe that she hadn't said anything since entering the room.
On the other side, Feng Li Wu's facial features were cold, showing no interest, but he was recalling all his memories with his children.
He let out a sigh as cold as frost, directing his attention to Mao Xiong Hun and Ji Su sitting before him.
"Xiong Hun, listen to me carefully. You will be my way to reach the Mao sect. Although, technically, I don't need you; I can enter and exit it without any issues."
"But I need you because you know the places where treasures are stored. There is something of mine I want to retrieve, but it requires something to activate it, and you and the Mao clan will fulfill it. Do you understand or not?" Feng Li Wu's tone was as cold as usual, as he looked at Mao Xiong Hun with indifference.
"But why do you think we would do that? We have nothing to lose, as we will die by your hand, or by the hand of the Mao sect, or by mercenaries." His tone of voice was calm, or so it appeared, but Mao Xiong Hun was inwardly trembling with fear.
A smile appeared, devoid of any genuine pleasure, as he looked at Mao Xiong Hun and his sister Ji Su.
"Alright, fair enough, why would you trust me?" Feng Li Wu's tone of voice was somewhat coldly sarcastic.
He directed his gaze towards Ji Su, a look that made her hide behind Mao Xiong Hun's back, showing only a bit of her golden-blond, almost silver hair, while she trembled with fear.
"Hahaha, your sister has imagination. Though she is right to be afraid, I can use her to force you or kill you and make her a tool to enter the sect and vent my desires. She is incredibly seductive."
Feng Li Wu's tone of voice was cold but with a hint of biting sarcasm.
Sweat began to bead on Mao Xiong Hun's face as he looked at Ji Su, who began to shed tears silently, her eyes red and swollen from intense crying. She dared not sob in front of Feng Li Wu after hearing his words.
She clutched Feng Li Wu's shirt so tightly that some tears appeared on his shirt.
Mao Xiong Hun sighed, a sigh filled with grief, sadness, regret, and sorrow for his situation.
The world they lived in, where the strong suffered and the weak were insignificant, where millions and billions of commoners were mere imagination, with an immeasurable number of creatures dying every second just so other entities could feel happiness or comfort.
There was no place for weakness; the strong fed on the weak as ferocious beasts preyed on herbivores, and large fish ate small fish, and giants devoured the small under the guise of punishment. Regardless, the law of the world remained the same: the strong rule, and the weak obey.
"Alright, can you guarantee the safety of my sister, Mao Ji Su? That is my only request, and I will do whatever you ask." Mao Xiong Hun's tone of voice was filled with despair and sadness, yet there was a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
Feng Li Wu remained silent for several minutes before speaking in his usual tone.
"Regarding the Mao sect, they consider you dead in the hut. They thought that the massacre that happened there had finished you off, and all that remained was the blood that formed the paint on those dilapidated walls. So, there's no need to worry. I have withdrawn all arrest warrants and verified it myself. However, I can't guarantee that some of them aren't in the hands of mercenaries, so..."
"Yes, you will be under my protection, not out of pity, but because something wants you alive. This doesn't mean I will be merciful when you attempt to betray me. My words are clear to both of you. If you disobey, this discussion is over. I don't want to hear another word." Feng Li Wu's tone was calm and indifferent. What happened in the hut didn't concern him, and the actions of the Mao sect were merely child's play. However, his statement that something wanted them alive was to make them subordinate to him at the same time, to better communicate in this world. There were no eternal enemies or eternal friends. Although Feng Li Wu was an enemy of the Mao sect in general, and an enemy of Mao Xiong Hun and Mao Ji Su, they were almost allies. However, Feng Li Wu was not the type to risk his life for something trivial like killing just two children who hadn't even reached a century old.
He turned his attention again, finding the siblings still standing there.
"Sir..."
"Get your faces out of my sight. I have no interest in listening to you. Leave now if you value your sister's life." Feng Li Wu's tone was cold, with a hint of murderous intent.
Mao Xiong Hun and Mao Ji Su decided to move without saying anything. However, Ji Su felt something strange. Feng Li Wu didn't carry any evil intentions towards them, yet his harsh tone made them think he wished them harm.
Feng Li Wu gazed at the guest room for several seconds before
turning to his spiritual world to begin his cultivation.
In the room, Mao Xiong Hun and Mao Ji Su collapsed onto the bed, exhaustion evident on their bodies. They were more mentally and emotionally tired than physically.
Mao Xiong Hun looked at a ring and some papers placed next to a small vase near the bed.
He walked towards it with a face full of surprise.
"What is this?..." Mao Xiong Hun's tone was filled with surprise and confusion as he flipped through the papers, deciding to open and read them.
[You fools, useless beings. We will head towards the Mao sect in 6 months. It would be best to use the refining resources inside the ring, considering the time dilation within the room next to the bathroom door. Also, during the next 6 months, you will not be able to leave. You will continue refining for this entire period. If you remain at your current low level, Rank 3 of the third level is too late for you, Mao Xiong Hun, and Rank 2 of intermediate Qi absorption for you, Mao Ji Su, there will be dire consequences. I am currently in secluded cultivation, so it's best not to take any foolish actions.]
Mao Xiong Hun sighed deeply as he looked at the message for several seconds, then turned his gaze to the ring, and then to Ji Su, who was sleeping soundly.
Her tears were still petrified in her eyes, which were red and swollen from severe crying. A faint smile appeared, carrying great sadness and a desire to improve and advance to become one of the strongest.
The desire for revenge against the Mao sect burned like wildfire in his heart. If his uncle, Mao Qi Chan, had not turned against them, if he had been strong, his sister would have lived a life of luxury, not this pathetic, pitiable state.
Mao Xiong Hun cursed his weakness deep within his soul. He felt strength permeating his soul like a burning fire, and he felt it emanating from his sister Ji Su, who was sleeping soundly beside him.
After two hours, Mao Ji Su woke up from her sleep to find her brother waiting for her.
"What's wrong? Why do you look so serious? Is there something I missed?" Mao Ji Su's tone was filled with confusion and surprise as she looked at her brother, Mao Xiong Hun, whose facial expression was not its usual self.
Mao Xiong Hun sighed deeply before saying anything.
"You'll know in a little while." His tone of voice was calm, filled with sadness and determination.
He walked towards a door near the bathroom. Ji Su's face was filled with confusion and surprise as she looked at her brother. As soon as Mao Xiong Hun touched the ring on his hand, the doorknob, a cold golden light appeared from the runes. The runes began to activate, playing with space or runes carrying the power of the Space Dao within them, allowing the creation of a spatial dimension with its own time and space.
Mao Xiong Hun looked at Ji Su, his gaze serious, making Ji Su understand the gravity of the situation.
"Ji Su, we have 6 months. We must become stronger, understand? At any cost. Inside this room, one day of training is equivalent to one year of full training, and we have approximately 182 days, which means 182 years."
"However, don't worry, we won't lose a single minute of our lives, as time passes slowly and not quickly, so nothing will happen. However, we will be paralyzed for three days due to the spacetime distortion we will experience upon exiting." Mao Xiong Hun's tone carried some comfort, yet nothing in this world was free and without side effects.
Mao Xiong Hun walked into the room with steady steps, full of determination and resolve.
Ji Su looked at the portal with some anxiety, gripping her hands so tightly that blood began to flow from her palms.
She muttered in a low voice as she looked at the door,
"It's time to become stronger. I won't let you, my brother, bear the hardships alone. I will be your aid until the last breath of my life." Her tone was filled with determination and resolve as she decided to head towards the training room with steady steps, full of determination and resolve to achieve her goal, which was the strength needed to support her brother, Mao Xiong Hun, during their long journey.
As soon as she arrived, the door closed automatically before disappearing as if it had never been there.
On the other side, the door had disappeared, which made Ji Su anxious. She looked at Xiong Hun, who had already begun his secluded cultivation.
"Don't worry, it's just a precaution taken by Feng Li Wu so we don't escape. So it's best for you to utilize every second to become stronger." Mao Xiong Hun's tone was calm and unusually confident.
Ji Su sighed with relief before beginning to cultivate her own Dantian roots for the next 6 months.