NOVEL WEB Chapter 29: Trapped
The distinction between a Martial Master and a Martial Artist was as stark as the difference between a regular bucket and an enchanted one. The gap between the two was enormous, especially now that the enchanted bucket was empty, still showing signs of being at Level 10, despite its shortcomings.
Yang Haoxuan felt something else too—his body now seemed more attuned to him, more responsive to his mental commands. In the past, when performing certain attacks, his body and mind would move almost simultaneously. Though he knew the commands came from his mind, there was no tangible connection felt in his body.
Now, however, he could make an attack just by thinking about it. For example, with just a few glances at a martial technique in his mind, his body could flawlessly execute the move. In combat, he could maintain perfect calm, allowing his mind to analyze every situation and gain the upper hand.
If Yang Haoxuan were to face the four members of the Heaven and Earth Society again, he was confident he could defeat them in just three seconds.
This was the power of the Martial Master realm, and the key was the word "Master."
When Yang Haoxuan truly grasped what being a Martial Master felt like, he understood the difference between himself and Yang Jian. Back when he was at the peak of Martial Artist Level 9, he had naively believed he could challenge Yang Jian. Now, he knew that was nothing more than a pipe dream.
Even at the peak of Martial Artist Level 10, without breaking through to Martial Master, he would still fall far short of Yang Jian. A Martial Master was at least ten times stronger than a Martial Artist at Level 10.
"Haha! Yang Jian, Yang Jian! This time, I'll beat you so badly you'll wish you were a dog!" Yang Haoxuan thought to himself. The fact that he had truly broken through in just three months felt like a dream.
With the trial in the Terrifying Valley just days away, Yang Haoxuan immediately started running towards the barren mountain, his pace light and fast, covering fifty meters with each stride.
On the barren mountain, Yan Ya, observing Yang Haoxuan's approach, coldly said, "Congratulations, sir, for breaking through to Martial Master in just a month. Yan Ya humbly admits I am no match for you."
Yang Haoxuan, in a good mood, chuckled and replied, "Your Highness, you certainly know how to flatter. Don't worry, there's no need for sweet words—I'm set on curing your face."
Yan Ya rolled her eyes at him but was also eager, "So, what do you need to prepare?"
"Nothing to prepare! We can start now!" Yang Haoxuan said as he subtly adjusted his appearance, similar to how he had used his healing dance. He wasn't even the slightest bit regretful—his experience points were overflowing.
Seeing his confidence, Yan Ya immediately dismissed the soldiers. Yet, despite her royal dignity, she chose not to approach but instead sat on a stone, waiting for Yang Haoxuan to come to her.
Yang Haoxuan, unfazed, walked over and said, "Your Highness, I wasn't trying to hurt you that day. I didn't expect that two fireballs would cause such damage. Did you try to deflect it with your sword?"
"Shut up!" Yan Ya clearly didn't want to discuss the incident further. Nobles, especially princesses, cared deeply about their reputation. Being disfigured in such a manner was humiliating enough, and having to endure the very person who caused it trying to fix it was even more insulting.
Regretting her impulsiveness, she reconsidered. After all, Yang Haoxuan had just become a Martial Master. There was no real need for him to help her. However, Yang Haoxuan, with his calm and nonchalant demeanor, didn't seem angry. Instead, he gave off an air of helplessness, which made her feel both exasperated and strangely drawn to him.
Without saying another word, Yang Haoxuan performed his transformation technique. It was similar to his healing dance, but this time, a glowing face appeared in his hands. He gently placed it onto Yan Ya's face, and the radiant light slowly fused with her skin like a face mask.
Gradually, the disfigured flesh on her face peeled away, revealing a smooth, flawless complexion. Her features were now even more exquisite. When the light faded, Yan Ya could hardly believe her eyes. She gently touched her face, feeling it was as soft and smooth as a baby's skin. Her gaze then fell upon the discarded disfigured face on the ground, and in a fit of anger, she slashed it into dust with a single strike of her sword.
Yang Haoxuan could only shake his head helplessly, pondering the nature of women.
At the same time, he couldn't help but feel that Yan Ya, despite her high pride and cold demeanor, still had a burning heart. Raised in royalty, her every movement radiated an air of superiority. Her beauty, combined with her stature, stirred a sense of conquest in the hearts of men.
Yet, Yang Haoxuan found himself indifferent to her. Instead, he found himself drawn to women who were more down-to-earth, like Qing Xue, who had both warmth and mystery.
Still, he had to admit that Yan Ya was undeniably beautiful, not just in appearance but also in the way she carried herself. Sitting on the stone, her long legs and slim waist were perfectly accentuated, and her full hips, especially when she sat, created a perfect curve that would awaken any man's primal desire.
"Are you done staring?" Yan Ya suddenly snapped, noticing Yang Haoxuan's lingering gaze. Her voice was cold, but her eyes flashed with irritation. The memory of the incident at Red Leaf River still lingered in her mind, and she still thought of him as a lecher.
"Cough, cough!" Yang Haoxuan, who had expected her to thank him or at least show some appreciation, felt disappointed by her coldness. He stood there awkwardly, unsure of what to say next.
"You ruined my appearance that day, and now you've fixed it. I've already given you two pills. Here's one more Blood Pill. We're even now," Yan Ya said suddenly, stretching out her hand. A Blood Pill floated toward Yang Haoxuan.
Yang Haoxuan didn't refuse. Though the Blood Pill wouldn't do much for him now that he had reached the Martial Master realm, it was still a valuable item. He accepted it, placing it into his inventory before retreating to a corner to sit and meditate.
As he turned around, he didn't notice Yan Ya's gaze shift from the prairie to his back. She stared at him for a long time, her thoughts unclear.
As a princess of the Great Yan Dynasty, Yan Ya had been trained by some of the best martial teachers in the world. Her cultivation was astounding, and she was hailed as the "Goddess of Heaven." Yet, when she returned home for a visit, it was Yang Haoxuan who had wounded her. Her appearance had been ruined, but she didn't collapse in despair. Every woman valued her beauty, and she loathed Yang Haoxuan for what he had done.
When the Heaven and Earth Society attacked her, and Yang Haoxuan suddenly appeared, she felt an odd sense of familiarity. His strength, easily defeating the ugly woman with a single move, was terrifying, even more so than her own. But before she could admire him, he used the fireballs she remembered all too well. A mixture of emotions flooded her heart—anger, resentment, but also confusion. Especially when he casually offered to fix her face.
It was this indifferent attitude toward her that angered her even more. If Yang Haoxuan knew what she was thinking, he would have laughed and assured her it wasn't intentional!
For the next few days, Yang Haoxuan, Yan Ya, and the three soldiers continued to pass the time in relative peace. They didn't speak much.
Yang Haoxuan didn't pay attention to Yan Ya's unspoken royal demeanor, spending most of his time meditating. He ignored her, and this only made her more uncomfortable.
Finally, on the last day, the three of them became alert. Everyone knew that the rat who had escaped would show himself today. With two Martial Artists at Level 10 and a Martial Master, they figured he couldn't escape. The only concern was whether he had some trick up his sleeve.
They waited at the cliff's edge of the barren mountain, vigilant, guarding the only path.
"My lord, once we leave, may I accompany you to the palace? I'm sure the emperor will reward you," the soldier suddenly asked.
Yang Haoxuan waved his hand and joked, "No need! The reward of three Blood Pills is enough for me. If the emperor were to give me the princess's hand in marriage, that would be a different story."
The soldier laughed, though he dared not make any further comment in front of Yan Ya.
"What do you mean by that?" Yan Ya couldn't help but snap. "What do you mean by 'that would be a bad thing'? That's a clear insult!" Her eyes burned with fury as she glared at Yang Haoxuan.
"It's just a joke!" Yang Haoxuan chuckled, but his nose twitched. "Hmm, what's that smell? It's so fragrant. What is it?"
"Yes, I smell it too!" Yan Ya thought for a moment that Yang Haoxuan was teasing her, but the scent was undeniable.
"Something's wrong!" The soldier, still cautious, covered his nose and warned, "Princess, my lord, be careful. This place is barren, with no plants—where would the
fragrance come from? There's definitely something suspicious!"
Yang Haoxuan and Yan Ya's expressions changed. They immediately held their breath. Just then, below the cliff, a cloud of white mist erupted, mirroring the scene from their initial entrance. Suddenly, a dark shadow shot up from the ground, and upon closer inspection, it was the rat.
It turned out that the rat's name wasn't just a reference to his appearance—he had a special skill: digging tunnels. It was the perfect way to escape.
"Ha ha! Enjoy yourselves here!" The rat laughed wildly, seemingly brimming with confidence as he sprinted toward the edge of the cliff.
Yang Haoxuan knew the fragrance was a trap, but being immune to poisons, he wasn't worried. As he was about to give chase, a wave of heat surged from his dantian, spreading throughout his body. An indescribable desire filled his mind, and he soon realized the fragrance wasn't poison—it was an aphrodisiac!
"Quickly, let's go!" Yan Ya was clearly worse off than he was. Her face flushed, and her hands began to fidget restlessly. Her legs shifted uneasily.
"My lord, are you okay?" The soldier, noticing the princess wasn't chasing, looked back in confusion. He soon realized something was wrong and his face changed. He quickly jumped down the cliff to give chase.
With that, only Yang Haoxuan and Yan Ya were left behind.
As a woman, Yan Ya was especially affected. Her body burned with an unnatural heat, as if swarming with ants, making her feel a desire she couldn't resist. Slowly, her usually calm and proud eyes lost focus and became clouded with lust, something completely foreign to her.