Chapter Fifty: Sweeping All Before Him

Duàn Liming and the other five already wore faces as dark as iron, especially Duàn Liming himself, whose expression was so gloomy that it seemed it could drip water. They had finally realized that the other party was deliberately mocking them.

Years ago, the East King's most talented son had been killed by Yuyang, and the scar on the East King's face was the greatest shame of his life—a taboo for the entire Duàn family. If an outsider mentioned that scar in their presence, it was undoubtedly a direct insult to the East King and his whole clan.

"You. Very well," Duàn Liming said coldly, his eyes flashing with icy light.

Chu Feng responded with a faint smile, his own face turning frosty as he said in a deep voice, "Was I wrong? If Senior Yuyang had not shown mercy that year, would your East King clan enjoy today’s arrogance and glory?"

"Courting death!" Duàn Liming shouted, instantly unleashing his spirit energy as he charged straight at Chu Feng. The other five followed close behind. They didn’t truly fear Chu Feng—after all, Yufeng was still present.

Although all of them had activated their spiritual powers, they greatly underestimated Chu Feng. Choosing close combat was a grave mistake.

Yufeng and Chu Feng reacted almost simultaneously. Yufeng instantly transformed, preparing to meet the attack, but at that moment, Chu Feng was already ten feet away.

"So fast!" Yufeng was taken aback. He noticed that Chu Feng hadn’t even activated his spiritual form—such explosive power was terrifying.

By then, Chu Feng had already encountered the six attackers. They, too, were surprised by his speed, but their faces soon twisted into cold sneers. To charge at them without spiritual transformation, sword in hand, was, in their eyes, no different from seeking his own doom.

Though they had no intention of killing him here, they were determined to cripple him.

Suddenly, Chu Feng’s long sword flashed from its sheath, his figure becoming a phantom. The crowd saw only a few flashes of sword light before feeling pain at their wrists, each involuntarily crying out in agony.

Chu Feng stood off to the side, sheathing his sword with indifference, staring coldly at the six. He had not severed their hands—only left a cut on each of their wrists.

And he had accomplished all this in the span of a single breath.

The six stood there pale-faced, clutching their wounded wrists, filled with lingering dread. They knew they had underestimated their opponent. For him to subdue all six of them in one breath—such skill meant that even if they used their full strength, defeat was inevitable.

Their hearts quailed, all fighting spirit extinguished—this so-called newcomer was simply too powerful.

How could a newcomer be so strong? It was beyond their comprehension.

Not far away, Yufeng was also stunned, unable to believe how quickly it had ended. His face showed undiluted shock, his heart shaken by Chu Feng’s swordsmanship and strength.

Chu Feng stepped in front of Yufeng, swept a cold gaze over the six, and said icily, "With just you lot, you think you can rule over all? You're not even close. Get lost."

Hearing this, the six were filled with both fear and rage. Born of noble blood, held in high regard, who in the entire Xuán Camp would dare speak to them in such a manner—let alone a newcomer?

"We’ll see about that," Duàn Liming spat, face twisted with resentment, and turned to leave.

Chu Feng paused briefly, then called out, "Wait!"

Duàn Liming turned back, shooting Chu Feng a venomous glare. "What more do you want? You should know, this is the Spirit Battle Pavilion!"

Despite his wariness of Chu Feng’s strength, Duàn Liming still did not take him seriously—after all, he had the backing of the East King clan, protected by a Sacred Spirit Warrior.

Chu Feng drew the Spirit Battle Command from his robe and held it up for Duàn Liming to see. "You recognize this, don’t you? Your East King clan once had one as well. Let me remind you: from now on, come at me if you have any issues. If you trouble Yufeng again, next time it won’t just be a scratch on your wrist. I keep my word."

Upon seeing the blood-red token, Duàn Liming’s face stiffened, his expression becoming utterly grim.

Of course he recognized the Spirit Battle Command. Back then, the East King’s youngest son, Duàn Lang, had received one.

Duàn Lang was his great-granduncle. They had all believed the East King clan would shine ever brighter as Duàn Lang rose, but in the end, he was slain by Yuyang.

That Spirit Battle Command had been Duàn Lang’s to use; upon his death, it had become worthless.

With a cold snort, Duàn Liming turned and left.

All the way back, he could hardly contain his anger at suffering such a humiliating defeat.

"What exactly was that token? It didn’t seem ordinary," someone nearby asked. The others looked at Duàn Liming as well.

Though they had heard of the Spirit Battle Command, none had seen it for themselves. For a moment, it didn’t occur to them that the token was the legendary, awe-inspiring Spirit Battle Command.

"Spirit Battle Command," Duàn Liming replied coldly.

"Spirit Battle Command!" the others gasped, exchanging startled looks.

"How could a mere newcomer possess the Spirit Battle Command?"

"Who is that guy, really?"

"I’ve heard of the Spirit Battle Command. Isn’t it said that in the last hundred years only two have been granted? I haven’t heard of anyone recently receiving one. Could it be a fake?"

"Exactly! How could a newcomer be so formidable? I never expected it. But that command is no fake—I’ve seen one in my clan, and its unique aura cannot be mistaken. Besides, who would dare brandish a fake Spirit Battle Command in the Spirit Battle Pavilion?" Duàn Liming glanced at them, then said, "If I’m not mistaken, that’s probably Yuyang’s command. Strange—how did it fall into that boy’s hands?"

"Now that I think of it, I recall that Yuyang’s command was never used. That boy must have had some luck. No wonder he’s protecting Yufeng," one of the youths said.

Duàn Liming looked up at the sky, a cold light flickering in his eyes. "It seems this matter is likely connected to Yuyang. For that boy to have obtained the command, Yuyang is probably dead. This is a grave matter—I must report it to the clan. Hmph! So what if he owns the Spirit Battle Command? I don’t believe he’ll stay in the Spirit Battle Pavilion forever."

By the brook, after Duàn Liming and the others had gone, Chu Feng tucked the Spirit Battle Command back into his robe.

He had considered carefully before revealing the command.

Given the old feud between Yuyang and the East King clan, he knew showing the command to their members might bring him trouble.

But he didn’t mind. To him, it was simply a matter of time before the command was exposed, and since he’d already incurred the East King’s wrath, there was little point in hiding.

Now that he had revealed the command, at least within the Spirit Battle Pavilion—even if the East King himself arrived—he would be in no danger. With him present, Duàn Liming and his ilk wouldn’t dare trouble Yufeng.

Chu Feng patted the still-stunned Yufeng and smiled, "It’s alright, they’re gone."

Yufeng snapped back to himself, staring at Chu Feng in lingering shock. "Was that really the Spirit Battle Command just now?"

Chu Feng nodded, not trying to hide it. "I received it from Senior Yuyang, by a stroke of fortune."

"You’ve met my uncle? Where is he?" Yufeng asked urgently.

"Uncle? You’re Senior Yuyang’s nephew?" Chu Feng was surprised. He had assumed Yufeng was Yuyang’s son, but realized he was mistaken.

Yufeng’s face clouded. "After Uncle Yuyang disappeared all those years ago, my cousin Yuxiang was assassinated by the demon clan. Poor cousin."

Chu Feng nodded inwardly. Senior Yuyang had been unmatched in battle, slaying so many demon experts. Naturally, the demon clan would fear those of his blood.

Thinking of this, Chu Feng could not help but sigh. The child, so full of promise, had perished before his brilliance could shine.

He told Yufeng that he had only met Senior Yuyang in a dream, where he had received guidance from him, omitting the fact that Yuyang’s spirit might be attached to his small sword, and saying nothing of his suspicion that Yuyang might have already fallen.

Partly, he was not completely certain of Yuyang’s fate. Besides, with Yuyang’s life or death uncertain, his family could still cling to hope—a hope he did not wish to extinguish, given how hard their circumstances already were.

"For now, keep this to yourself. When the time is right, I’ll report it to the elders of the human clan and let them decide," said Chu Feng.

Yufeng nodded, understanding the gravity of the matter. He had no wish to cause his father further distress, especially as his uncle’s whereabouts remained unknown.

"Brother Chu, you must be careful of the East King clan," Yufeng reminded him once again.

Chu Feng felt a warmth in his heart and smiled. "Don’t worry, I’ll be careful."

A hundred miles east of the Holy City stood a grand royal city—none other than East King City.

Though not as magnificent as the Holy City, East King City far surpassed ordinary cities in scale, though its population was but two to three hundred thousand.

Its primary purpose was to guard the Holy City and serve as a military stronghold; thus, despite the small civilian population, its army numbered four hundred thousand.

At the city’s center was the East King’s residence. In the great hall, on a throne of gold and jade, sat a middle-aged man clad in royal robes, bearing an imposing presence and a terrifying scar upon his face—none other than the East King himself.

He sat upright, while below him, a tall, slightly plump youth stood respectfully—Duàn Liming.

"Great-grandfather, that’s how it happened," Duàn Liming said, having already recounted the recent events. He fell silent, head bowed in deference.

After being defeated by Chu Feng, Duàn Liming had immediately returned to East King City.

Were it a trivial matter, he would never have dared disturb the powerful Sacred Spirit Warrior. But this involved the Spirit Battle Command and possibly their greatest foe, Yuyang—so caution was imperative.

The East King was silent for a moment, then glanced at Duàn Liming and waved his hand. "Liming, return to the Spirit Battle Pavilion for now."