Chapter Thirty-Two: Breaking Through to Transforming Force!
The display of Qin Feng’s martial prowess was truly terrifying. By the end of the battle, Jiang Jinghong was utterly powerless against him. Even though Qin Feng was now gravely wounded, eliminating his foes would still be effortless. Without confirmation of Qin Feng’s death, none dared show the slightest disrespect to him or the Qin family.
"Respectful farewell, Grandmaster!"
"Respectful farewell, Grandmaster!"
"Respectful farewell, Grandmaster!"
All around, the many martial artists watching wore expressions of awe and reverence, cupping their fists in salute towards the carriage where Qin Feng resided.
“Send word: surround the Xue, Hong, and Wang families. No one is to touch anything inside,” Lin Jiuyang instructed his family’s martial artists.
“You as well—no one is to approach anything within the Xue, Hong, and Wang estates except for the Qin family.”
One after another, the heads of the surrounding families issued similar commands to their clansmen. The spoils within the Xue, Hong, and Wang homes belonged to the Grandmaster; no one else was permitted to lay hands on them.
Lin Jiuyang, Chen Haitian, Feng Chengyun, and Hu Xiaotian also dispatched people to gather news of the Qin family. Should Qin Feng make any appearance, they were to be notified at once.
They all watched and waited. If Qin Feng pulled through, they would immediately pay their respects at the Qin estate.
The rise of a Grandmaster within the city was enough to shift the balance of power. Previously, eight out of ten first-class families in Tianyang City had close ties with the Jiang family. Now, with the Qin family’s meteoric ascent, a new opportunity arose. If they could align themselves with the Qin family, they, too, could secure a position among Tianyang City’s elite, their status unshakeable.
“Uncle Fu, bring all the century-old spirit herbs at once.”
Sitting cross-legged within the carriage, Qin Feng sensed they had reached home and urgently spoke to Wang Fu.
“Yes, young master.” Wang Fu hurriedly leaped from the carriage and rushed to fetch all the precious medicinal herbs they had brought from Xuanzhou.
“Quick, gather all the valuable herbs in the family!” Qin Tianyun urged anxiously.
Qin Zhongkai, Qin Xingchao, Qin Fengling, and Zuo Daoguang moved at once, collecting every rare medicinal plant the Qin family possessed.
“Surround the carriage completely. Do not allow anyone to disturb us. Any violators will be executed without mercy!” Qin Tianyun, Qin Zhongkai, Qin Xingchao, Qin Fengling, and others drew their weapons and formed a tight guard around the carriage.
“Inhale!”
“Exhale!”
“Inhale!”
“Exhale!”
Inside the carriage, Qin Feng swallowed large quantities of century-old herbs, swiftly refining their essence through the Thunder Breathing Technique.
***
“He’s only sixteen—just sixteen years old.”
“To achieve the rank of Grandmaster at sixteen is truly unprecedented!”
“Jiang Jinghong may have only just reached the initial stage of Grandmaster, but with years of experience and mastery of the spear, for Qin Feng to slay him means his strength far surpasses others in the same realm.”
“Though he’s gravely wounded and near death, he’s but sixteen!”
“A peerless prodigy—a true prodigy!”
News of Qin Feng’s defeat of Jiang Jinghong spread rapidly throughout Tianyang City and soon reached the City Lord’s estate. City Lord Zhao Zhonghao’s expression was one of shock and disbelief; he exclaimed in astonishment.
“It’s just unfortunate he’s so seriously injured—he may not survive.”
Zhao An, Zhao Zhonghao’s confidant, stood nearby and sighed.
“Indeed. After killing Jiang Jinghong, he was left mortally wounded. Without a stroke of fortune, he won’t pull through.”
“For such a genius to fall would be a tragedy for the entire empire.”
“If only this place weren’t so far from Yuntian Prefecture—if we had their resources, they could surely save him.”
Zhao Zhonghao paused for a moment, letting out a deep sigh.
***
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Qin Feng desperately refined the century-old herbs, needing to strengthen his body quickly so it could withstand his surging power. At a certain moment, his body trembled violently as vital energy was born within him. His muscles and bones resounded together, echoing like the roar of tigers and leopards amidst thunder.
“Just barely able to handle the sudden increase in strength,” Qin Feng murmured as he opened his eyes, exhaling the stale air from his lungs. He stretched—though he felt traces of pain, his skin and muscles had not torn.
“Open,” he commanded, sliding his finger and tapping the plus sign in his right-eye vision. The interface appeared before him:
Name: Qin Feng
Realm: Force Transformation
Strength: 8,000 jin (+)
“Eight thousand jin?”
“It seems that after breaking through to Force Transformation, my physical strength increased by four hundred jin.”
He spoke softly to himself, then stood and walked out of the carriage. He had no idea how long he had been cultivating, but it was time to show himself, lest his grandfather, grandmother, father, and mother worry.
“Xiaofeng?”
“Xiaofeng, how are you?”
Qin Tianyun, Qin Zhongkai, Qin Xingchao, Qin Fengling, and Zuo Daoguang had stood guard by the carriage for seven days straight, their hearts full of concern. When they saw Qin Feng emerge, urgent joy lit their faces as they hurried to ask after him.
“I’m fine now. I just need to rest and let my wounds heal.”
Qin Feng replied calmly.
“Good, good, good!” Qin Tianyun’s face shone with elation and excitement.
“Wang Fu, make preparations for hot water—let Xiaofeng rest well,” Qin Tianyun called out.
“All that matters is that you’re all right—all that matters,” Murong Wei’s face was pale and haggard; she had worried for him, staying awake for seven days and nights. She rushed over, scrutinizing Qin Feng anxiously. When she saw he was well, a bright smile broke through her pallor, and tears of joy streamed from her eyes.
“Mother, I’ve made you worry.”
Qin Feng, having fully inherited the memories and feelings of his predecessor, felt a deep bond with Murong Wei. His face was filled with warmth and affection.
With Qin Feng’s awakening, the entire Qin family became lively and festive, hanging lanterns and banners in celebration. The clansmen and servants walked through Tianyang City with their heads held high, filled with pride. The Qin family now possessed a Grandmaster, placing them among the city’s most powerful forces—second only to the City Lord’s estate, wielding tremendous influence.
“Master, the Lin, Chen, Feng, and Hu families... their lords and elders have come to call.”
On the second day after Qin Feng awoke, the heads and elders of many prominent families in Tianyang City hurried to the Qin estate.
“Xiaofeng, what do you think?” Qin Tianyun’s heart tightened; many of these were first-class families whom he had always treated with awe and deference. Now, he glanced at Qin Feng and felt his heart relax—things had changed. With Qin Feng’s breakthrough to Grandmaster, the Qin family had risen to the city’s elite, and his own status had soared.
“Let them in.”
Qin Feng replied with quiet composure.
“Yes, young master.”
Zhao Zhong looked at Qin Feng with deep respect and admiration before hurrying out.
“Lin Jiuyang pays respects to the head of the Qin family, respects to Grandmaster Qin.”
“Chen Haitian pays respects to the head of the Qin family, respects to Grandmaster Qin.”
“Feng Chengyun pays respects to the head of the Qin family, respects to Grandmaster Qin.”
“Hu Xiaotian pays respects to the head of the Qin family, respects to Grandmaster Qin.”
One by one, Lin Jiuyang, Chen Haitian, Feng Chengyun, Hu Xiaotian, and the other family heads and elders approached quickly, their expressions full of awe and reverence as they cupped their fists in salute to Qin Tianyun and Qin Feng.