Chapter 127: The Boundless Path of Martial Arts! (1/3)

A day later, Marquis Tianjun personally escorted his family to the Qin residence. Qin Zhongkai and Murong Wei were naturally delighted with their new daughter-in-law. Indeed, the entire Qin family was pleased with the Magistrate of Mingzhu, Zhong Yifei, finding her generous, refined, gentle, and kind. Naturally, ever since Zhong Yifei moved into the Qin household, Huang Ningbing visited even more frequently.

Within the Qin residence, Qin Feng and Zhong Yifei crossed paths several times, though their encounters were always brief. Facing the rising power of the Zhao Dynasty, Qin Feng felt mounting pressure; he needed to master his divine ability, the Great Sun Holy War Technique, as soon as possible. Yet, he felt he was only a hair's breadth away—a thin line that kept him locked out, preventing him from achieving success.

...

"Emperor Chu, I wish to see the Human Sovereign of your imperial house."

Qin Feng arrived at the imperial palace. When the Emperor of Chu came out to greet him personally, he did not mince words, stating his request directly.

"Very well! Please, Human Sovereign Qin, follow me."

Having heard of Qin Feng’s arrival, the Emperor of Chu had already guessed the reason for his visit and agreed without hesitation.

"This way, Human Sovereign Qin."

The Emperor led Qin Feng toward the back of the palace, where a secluded courtyard lay.

"Ancestor, Human Sovereign Qin wishes to see you!"

The Emperor arrived at the door of a room within the courtyard, his expression filled with reverence. He clasped his hands and bowed low as he spoke.

Qin Feng sensed the aura within the room. How should he put it? He felt the martial aura inside was indeed that of a Human Sovereign, but the state of it was wrong—it gave him the impression of a paper tiger, strong on the outside but brittle within. He doubted the occupant could even withstand a single strike from him.

*Creak.*

The door opened, and Chu Jinghai, the Human Sovereign of the Great Chu Dynasty, slowly stepped out. He did not look like a mighty martial artist of the Human Sovereign realm, but rather like an ordinary old man.

"Your Majesty, you may step aside now," Chu Jinghai said to the Emperor with a wave of his hand, his voice flat.

"Ancestor, please take care of your health," the Emperor said, casting a worried look at Chu Jinghai.

"Go on!"

Chu Jinghai smiled faintly. He knew the state of his own body; he likely did not have much time left.

"A supreme prodigy, truly worthy of the title 'Qin the Invincible'!" After the Emperor left, Chu Jinghai looked at Qin Feng, his eyes filled with admiration. "Please, sit."

"Human Sovereign Qin must have many questions for an old man like me. Feel free to ask; I shall answer them one by one." Chu Jinghai invited Qin Feng to a nearby tea pavilion and poured a cup for him personally.

"Many thanks, Senior. Senior, I wish to know, is there a path beyond the Human Sovereign realm?" Qin Feng asked after thanking him. Since arriving in the Xuanwu Continent, he had reached the Human Sovereign realm, granting him a lifespan of three hundred years. But three hundred years was simply too short.

"The path of martial arts is endless; naturally, there is more!" Chu Jinghai’s gaze grew nostalgic as he sipped his tea, the lingering bitterness coating his tongue. "There is a path beyond the Human Sovereign realm, but it does not exist within the Xuanwu Continent."

"Human Sovereign Qin, can you tell what is wrong with me?" Chu Jinghai asked in a low voice.

"How should I put it? You seem strong on the outside but withered within. It feels as if you could not withstand a single punch from me." Qin Feng scrutinized him and spoke his honest thoughts.

"Strong on the outside but withered within, you say?" A bitter smile touched Chu Jinghai’s lips. If he hadn't ventured to the Sea of Death all those years ago, he would not have ended up in this state. "All my suffering stems from the Sea of Death," he said slowly.

"The Sea of Death?" Qin Feng murmured. Legend held that beyond the Xuanwu Continent lay an endless sea, inhabited by countless ferocious beasts. It was a place where those who entered were sure to perish, thus earning its name.

"When I first achieved the Human Sovereign realm, I followed in the footsteps of my predecessors to seek the path beyond. I consulted countless ancient texts and traveled to neighboring dynasties to question other Human Sovereigns. I finally concluded that there was indeed a path, and it lay within the Sea of Death. Beyond it, there must be a more magnificent, more brilliant continent than our own."

"I spent ten years in seclusion, discovering that many Human Sovereigns had ventured into the Sea of Death throughout history. My investigations even suggested that the Xuantian Sect, which existed a thousand years ago, had been established by martial artists who came from beyond the Sea of Death. When my strength reached the mid-stage of the Human Sovereign realm, I could no longer resist the temptation and decided to go."

"But once I entered, I realized how ridiculous my thoughts had been. The Sea of Death was far more dangerous than I had imagined. One day, I fought a ferocious beast; though I managed to slay it, I was severely wounded and poisoned. I had no choice but to return to the Xuanwu Continent in disgrace." Chu Jinghai recounted his entire experience to Qin Feng.

"The Xuantian Sect came from a power beyond the Sea of Death?" Qin Feng’s eyes flashed with intensity.

"And based on my suspicions, the rapidly rising Zhao Dynasty must also be a power from beyond the Sea of Death," Chu Jinghai said slowly.

"The Zhao Dynasty comes from across the Sea of Death? Does that not mean their strength is unfathomable?" Qin Feng felt a knot of tension tighten in his chest. His expression turned solemn as he felt a heavy sense of oppression.

"Human Sovereign Qin, you must be extremely careful when dealing with the Zhao Dynasty. Do not be careless. If you need anything from this old man, just ask. I still have one fight left in me." Chu Jinghai’s aura flared with a sudden, fierce intensity, as if he had returned to his glorious prime.

*Cough, cough, cough.*

Suddenly, Chu Jinghai fell into a violent fit of coughing, his face flushing red. He quickly withdrew his internal energy, returning to his ordinary, frail state.

"Human Sovereign Qin, I have told you all that I know. You are a peerless prodigy, a true supreme talent; you will surely go much further than I ever did." Chu Jinghai’s expression turned despondent as he hunched his back and slowly retreated into his room.

"Qin Feng thanks you for your guidance, Senior." After watching Chu Jinghai return to his room, Qin Feng left quickly.

"The Zhao Dynasty may come from beyond the Sea of Death. Their strength must be truly unfathomable. Can I really resist them on my own?"

"Wait, the Emperor of Chu mentioned that the four top dynasties—Tianyu, Cangyan, Changhong, and Zixiao—have issued a wide call for Human Sovereigns to join forces against the Zhao Dynasty. Perhaps I should join them."

Back at the Qin residence, Qin Feng sat cross-legged in his room, digesting the information he had received. "Wang Fu! Summon the Emperor of Chu to see me!" He decided to learn the details of where the four dynasties were gathering their strength, as he intended to join them.

*Whoosh!*

Without further delay, Qin Feng departed from Qin City the next day. However, he did not head immediately to the location chosen by the four dynasties; instead, he set off toward the Zhao Dynasty’s forces currently stationed within the Great Chu Dynasty.