Chapter Thirty-Four: The Domain of the Town

Xiao Yue’s words made Chu Feng’s heart tremble; he could sense that Xiao Yue had made a significant decision. “But that’s your lifeblood. How could I possibly accept it?” Chu Feng said, though inwardly he was burning with curiosity—what on earth could this thing be, that it could make his power soar?

Xiao Yue sighed as they walked on. “All my life, becoming a Celestial Warrior has been a near-impossible dream. My achievements have reached their limit, and keeping that thing by my side is nothing but a waste. Our meeting is fate; that treasure suits you perfectly.”

He paused, then laughed. “I’m staking everything on you, boy. You’d better do me proud—if you embarrass me, I’ll have you sorted out.” Xiao Yue spoke lightly, even playfully, but Chu Feng was deeply moved. He could feel how much his instructor valued and believed in him, even entrusting some measure of hope to his hands.

In Chu Feng’s eyes, his swordsmanship was decent, but without spiritual transformation, he knew he couldn’t compare to true prodigies. Yet Xiao Yue still pinned great hopes on him.

“Thank you,” Chu Feng said solemnly, then grinned and shamelessly pressed, “So what exactly is this thing? Give me a hint. You’ve got me itching with curiosity.”

Xiao Yue scolded, face darkening, “So little patience! How can you accomplish anything big? You must learn endurance, boy!”

But the more Xiao Yue spoke, the more Chu Feng’s heart burned. The suspense was agonizing—he wished he could sprout wings and fly straight to Xiao Yue’s residence.

Meanwhile, in a luxurious private room at the Guest Welcoming Pavilion, Qin Hao and a group of youths sat gathered around a table laden with fine wine and delicacies.

Qin Hao, wearing a fawning smile, repeatedly toasted a young man in purple beside him. “Come, Brother Kongming, congratulations on returning successfully from your mission.”

The youth in purple was Zhang Kongming, about sixteen, his features both handsome and cold. Despite Qin Hao’s enthusiasm, he remained indifferent.

Zhang Kongming was a member of the Yellow Camp, with no real connection to Qin Hao. In his eyes, anyone who only achieved spiritual transformation at seventeen, like Qin Hao, had no future to speak of, and thus he didn’t bother to take him seriously. He was only present out of consideration for Liu Guang, a boy among Qin Hao’s group—his own family and Liu Guang’s were old friends, so their relationship was quite good.

Ever since their last humiliation at Chu Feng’s hands, all of them—except perhaps Qin Hao—harbored thoughts of revenge, some even wishing to kill Chu Feng outright.

After several rounds of wine, Zhang Kongming finally spoke, “Liu Guang, there’s no need for formality between us. Speak—what do you need my help with?”

Liu Guang quickly recounted how they had been disciplined by Chu Feng.

Though Zhang Kongming was only a Yellow Camp student, he had reason to look down on these newcomers. His expression remained cold as he frowned slightly. “He can’t even achieve spiritual transformation, and yet the six of you couldn’t handle him? Interesting. But without spiritual transformation, all is meaningless—a role like his, not worth the trouble, could be wiped out with a wave.”

“Chu Feng is just relying on brute strength. With you, Brother Kongming—a Terran Spirit Warrior—he’s no match at all,” Qin Hao echoed.

After a moment’s silence, Zhang Kongming added, “But in the Spirit Battle Hall, I can’t take his life. What exactly do you want?”

“We know the rules—we’ll have plenty of chances to finish him off in the future. We only ask you to collect some interest for us now, let him know there are people he can’t afford to offend.” Liu Guang’s eyes flashed coldly. “Lately, he’s been obsessed with swordsmanship. Brother Kongming, as a senior, you could ‘offer guidance’ in the form of a sword bout. If blades draw blood, well—he’ll have no one to blame but himself.”

Zhang Kongming nodded, his gaze turning icy. “That’s no problem. Do you want just one of his hands?”

The others were shocked at first, then delighted. They had worried Zhang Kongming might hesitate because of the Spirit Battle Hall’s rules, but he was clearly even more ruthless than they’d hoped. They nodded eagerly. “That would be best. Thank you, Brother Kongming.”

In the Spirit Battle Hall, Chu Feng and Xiao Yue finally left the newcomers’ camp and arrived at the instructors’ quarter.

Xiao Yue’s residence wasn’t grand, but it was spacious enough. Upon entering, a servant quickly brought them tea.

Chu Feng sipped quietly, and before long, Xiao Yue entered the main hall, a sword in his hand.

The sword’s hilt was ashen white, dull and lusterless, yet exuding an ancient, dignified air. The scabbard was silvery, carved with intricate cloud patterns that shimmered with metallic glints.

Xiao Yue drew the blade. The sword was four feet long, an inch and a half wide, the blade the same ashen hue as the hilt, lifeless and dull.

Chu Feng couldn’t see anything remarkable about it. In fact, it looked inferior to the swords he used for training; the scabbard seemed more precious than the blade.

Xiao Yue stroked the blade and handed it to Chu Feng.

Chu Feng took it—it weighed only a few dozen pounds and felt light in his grip. Turning it over, he saw two characters engraved on the blade: “Domain Suppressor.”

“Domain Suppressor—is that its name?” Chu Feng asked.

Xiao Yue nodded, sighing. “Yes. Domain Suppressor, for guarding the human realm. But thousands of years have passed—how many remember its glory?”

“This sword has survived thousands of years?” Chu Feng was inwardly thunderstruck, staring in disbelief at Xiao Yue. Clearly, this sword had a storied past, one that far surpassed his imagination.

“What’s the story behind the Domain Suppressor Sword?” Chu Feng asked.

“It has existed for twenty thousand years—one of the strongest spirit weapons of our race, second only to the Dragonflame Sword, the sacred relic of humanity. Every one of its masters was a Holy Spirit Warrior.” Xiao Yue’s revelation left Chu Feng utterly speechless.

He was overwhelmed—such a weapon was no ordinary artifact, but one of the highest treasures of the human race.

“But I can’t even achieve spiritual transformation. How could I wield its true power?” Chu Feng finally said.

Xiao Yue shook his head. “That was then. Now, it’s nothing more than a sharp blade.”

Chu Feng’s eyes brightened, beginning to grasp Xiao Yue’s intent. “Why is that?”

“It goes back six thousand years. At that time, the war between our race and the demon-kin was at its fiercest. Among the Holy Spirit Warriors, one emerged supremely powerful, unmatched by any other. He wielded the Domain Suppressor Sword, defeated countless demon masters, and slew two demon-kin on par with Holy Spirit Warriors.”

At this point, Chu Feng quickly guessed what came next. “The demon-kin set a trap for him, didn’t they?”

Xiao Yue nodded. “The battle was brutal. That senior was surrounded and gravely wounded, but managed to survive. However, the Domain Suppressor Sword lost its divine nature in the fight—its spirit was destroyed by the demon-kin masters, its power scattered. Even reforging it into a spirit weapon became impossible. It was reduced to a mortal blade, withdrawn from history’s stage.”

“So that’s why…” Chu Feng now understood the sword’s dim, ashen appearance—it had lost its spirit.

He was also shocked by Xiao Yue. Even as a mundane weapon, the Domain Suppressor Sword was not something anyone could obtain. That it now belonged to Xiao Yue suggested his own background was not simple.

Ignoring Chu Feng’s curious gaze, Xiao Yue said calmly, “Though reduced to a mortal blade, it remains indestructible. If you’re strong enough, you could even shatter powerful spirit weapons with it. Though you haven’t achieved spiritual transformation, with your current strength and this sword, your power will soar. Among the nine ranks of Terran Spirit Warriors, I’d say you could match a second-rank. That’s enough to put you among the top in the newcomers’ camp.”

Chu Feng’s blood surged with excitement. It was true—though formidable, he couldn’t match a Terran Spirit Warrior’s mystical arts with mere flesh and bone. Ordinary swords would be snapped in an instant. But with the Domain Suppressor Sword, things were different. Even the mightiest Terran Spirit Warrior could not damage it.

Those who had not awakened their spirit bodies were no match for Terran Spirit Warriors, who could channel spirit power into devastating techniques. Facing one before, Chu Feng had not dared to hope—but now, he had the means to fight back.

Seeing Chu Feng’s excitement, Xiao Yue smiled slightly, thinking to himself, “The Domain Suppressor Sword seems almost destined for him. This is fate. Perhaps one day, you will shine again.”

In truth, Xiao Yue was just as excited as Chu Feng. After all, for one without spiritual transformation to stand against a Terran Spirit Warrior—that had never happened in history.

“What a treasure!” Chu Feng couldn’t help but exclaim, finally understanding why Xiao Yue called it his lifeblood.

“Doesn’t your heart ache?” Chu Feng joked, unable to put the sword down.

Xiao Yue glared at him. “My heart’s bleeding, you brat. You really lucked out.”

Afterward, Xiao Yue invited him to stay for dinner. Chu Feng sheathed the sword but even as he ate, his left hand refused to let go, leaving Xiao Yue speechless.

Before Chu Feng left, Xiao Yue said seriously, “In a month’s time, I’ll have another treasure for you.”

Chu Feng was stunned, then pressed curiously, “What kind of treasure?”

“Patience—one month, and you’ll find out.” Xiao Yue grinned.

Chu Feng was nearly driven mad by this. Xiao Yue was clearly toying with him.

“One month… I’ll be patient. I’ll endure. I wonder if Grandpa Xu has returned yet? I might as well go check. Who knows, maybe he’s back early.” Chu Feng never imagined that acquiring such a treasure would leave him feeling both elated and frustrated.

Xiao Yue watched him go, smiling faintly. “Perhaps he really can accomplish it…” he murmured.