NOVEL WEB Chapter 54: Tornado on the street
1. A Path Blocked
The sun was just past its peak when Qi Rong and Ash turned onto the street leading toward the Lin Family Pill House—an elegant structure tucked into the base of a rocky hill, flanked by golden lanterns and jade flags.
But before they could approach, a commotion broke out in the middle of the road.
Two merchant clans—both minor, both arrogant—had erupted into a heated argument. Boxes were tossed aside. Spirit carts overturned. And in seconds, it escalated into a brawl.
Men from both sides unsheathed their low-tier spirit weapons and lunged at each other, yelling accusations about rigged trades and stolen goods.
The crowd of commoners and low-level cultivators scattered, blocking the entire street.
> "Ughh, not again," Qi Rong groaned. "These clan brats always fight over who gets to sell near the Lin House. It's so annoying!"
Ash remained still, his eyes calm—but beneath that calm was a growing irritation.
His fists clenched behind his back.
> "We're wasting time."
> "They'll clear up soon. I think the guard post is—"
Ash didn't wait.
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2. The Breath of the Throne
The wind shifted.
A pulse of pressure surged from Ash's body—not outwardly visible, not loud, but the air around him hummed.
Qi Rong's eyes widened.
> "Wait—Ash—what are you—"
He raised a single finger.
The sigil of wind, deep within his soul, flickered.
The Throne of Howling Gust responded instantly.
A gust tore through the street.
In the blink of an eye, a tornado of wind spiraled up from the earth, swirling dust, debris, and screaming cultivators into the air like leaves in a storm. The squabbling fighters were blasted into walls, spun through crates, and scattered like toys.
People screamed. Shops shook.
And Ash never moved his feet.
Qi Rong instinctively leapt forward, grabbing his arm as her hair whipped wildly in the wind.
> "ASH?! What the hell?!"
He said nothing.
The tornado roared for another heartbeat… then collapsed into a gentle breeze, as if nothing had happened.
The street was now completely clear.
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3. Shock and Silence
Everyone stared.
Dozens of townsfolk stood with mouths agape.
Those who had been fighting groaned from the rooftops or under wagons, completely dazed.
Qi Rong's silver fox whimpered and hid behind her leg.
She slowly turned toward Ash, who calmly walked ahead, as if none of it mattered.
> "You—you used wind spirit art?" she stammered, catching up. "That wasn't just a technique! That was like... like a stage art! I've never seen someone do that!"
Ash didn't respond.
> "Is that your throne power?" she whispered.
He gave a slight nod.
> "I thought you said you were still in Core Vein Formation?"
> "I am."
Qi Rong blinked.
> "You liar. That was not just core vein…"
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4. At the Pill House
At the end of the newly cleared road stood the Lin Family Pill House, its jade gates wide open, two guards at the front frozen in disbelief.
One of them gulped and rushed inside.
Moments later, a young woman with long blue robes and clear gray eyes hurried out—the sleeves of an alchemist's robe fluttering behind her.
> "Rong'er?" she called. "What in the world was that wind just now?! It came from—"
Her eyes landed on Ash.
She stopped mid-sentence.
> "...Who's this?"
Qi Rong smiled awkwardly.
> "This… is my friend. He needs some help with... spiritual balance. And you owe me a favor."
Lin Yue raised an eyebrow.
Ash gave her a nod, not speaking.
She studied him carefully, her trained senses already feeling the immense spiritual pressure buried deep beneath his skin.
> "I see," she said slowly. "Then come in. But you better tell me what kind of help he needs…"
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