Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Crisis Arrives

“My god, how can it be this big!” Han Yan exclaimed in shock, unable to contain himself.

The object Chu Feng held in his arms was none other than a Golden Sun Stone, yet this one was extraordinary—large as a washbasin, shaped like an ellipsoid, its surface gleaming with golden radiance, smooth and without a single edge, and surely weighing over a hundred pounds.

Typically, a Golden Sun Stone the size of a fist was already a rare find. As for one of this size, it had never been seen before.

“Your luck is just unbelievable!” Xu Yan walked over, examining the Golden Sun Stone from every angle, her voice filled with admiration.

At this moment, even the four people concealed on the highest peak were startled. Peering through their binoculars, even the middle-aged man, Mr. Lü, could not conceal his interest.

“Boss, this is a real treasure!” Gu Xin exclaimed, his excitement mirrored in the faces of Xu Yan and the others. Clearly, they had all realized the stone’s significance.

Seeing their expressions, Chu Feng asked curiously, “Though the Golden Sun Stone is a relatively rare material for forging, it’s not some peerless divine resource. Isn’t it just unusually large? Is there really a need to get so excited?”

“Boss, that’s where you lack understanding.” Han Yan shook his head, continuing, “As the saying goes, rarity makes things precious. A Golden Sun Stone of this size is something the whole world could search for in vain.”

Xu Yan, Han Yan, and the others were all born in the Holy City and came from distinguished families. Their knowledge was vast, and in their eyes, this Golden Sun Stone’s existence far surpassed its mere utility.

With careful carving, it would surely become a collector’s masterpiece, something countless people would go mad for. Its value then would be hundreds or thousands of times its practical worth.

The distant watchers on the mountain peaks were moved for the same reason. Though cultivators, they too coveted worldly treasures.

Even Mr. Lü could not help but praise Yang Cheng beside him, “Brother Yang, your insight is remarkable.”

“You praise me too highly, Mr. Lü.” Yang Cheng cupped his fists in reply, inwardly delighted. He hadn’t expected such a windfall. Looking out, he said, “It seems it’s time to reap the rewards.”

Meanwhile, Chu Feng and his five companions were still marveling at the Golden Sun Stone when a surprised voice rang out, “It’s you?”

They turned in unison to see that it was Sun Xuan and her four companions.

Chu Feng and the others were mildly surprised. They had not expected these five to arrive as well.

As Chu Feng pondered, realization dawned: “It seems Sun Xuan has also accepted the Golden Sun Stone collection task.”

Indeed, that was the case. Sun Xuan had accepted the same task, but had spent the past few days helping her own companions with their much more difficult assignments, which explained her delay.

Now, seeing the massive Golden Sun Stone in Chu Feng’s arms, the five newcomers could not hide the burning light in their eyes.

Sun Xuan glanced at Chu Feng, hesitated briefly, then said, “I have also accepted the Golden Sun Stone task. How about you exchange that stone with me?”

A faint smile touched Chu Feng’s lips. He motioned for Xu Yan to stow the stone in their storage pouch, then replied, “For you, completing the task shouldn’t be difficult, should it?”

To Chu Feng, Sun Xuan’s offer of an exchange was merely a courtesy.

Sun Xuan’s expression darkened. “Hand over the Golden Sun Stone, and I will forget all past grievances.”

Her words amused the six, and Xu Yan teased, “Little girl, you really think highly of yourself. Such bold words! Do you think we need your forgiveness for anything we do?”

Sun Xuan shot them a cold glare, then fixed her eyes on Chu Feng, her voice icy: “Do you really think you can keep the Golden Sun Stone safe?”

Her meaning was clear—she had absolute confidence in her strength.

Chu Feng’s face also turned cold. “Don’t force my hand.”

At that moment, the silver-clad boy beside Sun Xuan could restrain himself no longer and snapped, “How dare you! Let me tell you the truth: the Sun Clan is second only to the Ten Great Families—you are not people you can afford to offend. Don’t be ungrateful!”

Sun Xuan remained silent, merely watching Chu Feng, as if waiting for his decision. She believed that while Chu Feng might not fear her directly, he would surely be wary of her family. As for the Golden Sun Stone, she was determined to obtain it.

Han Yan and the others grew serious upon hearing this. They had not expected Sun Xuan to have such powerful backing—this could be troublesome.

But for Chu Feng, there was nothing to fear. He sneered, “In the end, you’re still only ‘second to.’ Not the best. Even if you were from the Ten Great Families, so what?”

Sun Xuan gritted her teeth, shooting Chu Feng a venomous glare. She had not expected that revealing her family’s name would have no effect.

She felt utterly humiliated. Instantly, her aura surged and she shouted, “You seek death!”

Just as Sun Xuan was about to strike, a whistling sound tore through the air. In that instant, she felt a powerful sense of danger.

She spun around to see streaks of light shooting toward them. Though she could not clearly make out what they were, she could guess—they were surely arrows.

There were dozens of arrows, aimed at everyone present. Their force was fierce, brimming with spiritual power. Sun Xuan barely had time to react before they were upon her. In that moment, she had no idea how to evade this crisis.

The others were stunned, faces pale, bodies stiff with terror, unable to move a muscle.

In a flash, as disaster loomed, a white light blazed forth. With a chorus of metallic clangs, every single arrow was cut down and fell to the earth.

The one who acted was, of course, Chu Feng. He had sensed the approaching danger long before.

Since comprehending the “Way of the Sword” and awakening his spiritual intent, his vigilance had increased manyfold. Now, with the Sword of the Domain unsheathed and his exquisite swordsmanship, it mattered not how many arrows came his way.

“What marvelous swordsmanship!” Even the distant observers on the mountain peak could not help but cry out in admiration. Mr. Lü was no exception, deeply shocked.

The attackers had been Yang Cheng, Zhang Kuang, and Ding Ren. They had never expected that a well-planned ambush, powerful enough to kill a third-rank Earth Spirit Warrior with ease, would be so effortlessly thwarted by the sword-bearing youth.

Yang Cheng, stunned, could not help but curse, “Damn it! That bastard Qin Zhang’s intelligence was useless. He’s supposed to be only on par with a second-rank Earth Spirit Warrior, but I think he’s almost caught up to us!”

Beside him, Zhang Kuang nodded, cursing as well, “If not for our long-range strike revealing Chu Feng’s true strength, we might have suffered a nasty setback! That wretched Lord Qin almost got us killed!”

Mr. Lü frowned, gesturing for them to be silent as he stared intently at the distant figure. “This only proves his growth is far beyond anything we anticipated.”

Yang Cheng also looked across the distance, a cold smile on his lips. “That makes him a truly rare genius. Killing him is almost a pity—but orders are orders. That’s his fate.”

“You two go meet him,” Mr. Lü instructed.

While the four conversed, Chu Feng had also noticed the figures on the high peak, his expression turning grave.

But he could see only three figures, for Mr. Lü had cast a concealing barrier around himself. Only Yang Cheng and the others were visible.

Everyone else was still pale, shaken by how close death had come.

Sun Xuan, for her part, stared at Chu Feng in shock, her mind still replaying the moment when his sword shattered the arrows—awed by his strength and by his flawless skill.

She had never imagined her opponent would be so formidable, his swordsmanship so transcendent. It was this, after all, that had allowed her to survive.

“You…” Sun Xuan’s throat felt dry. She wanted to speak but didn’t know how. Looking in the direction Chu Feng was watching, she frowned.

“They’re here for me. You’d best leave,” Chu Feng said heavily. He suspected these people were sent by Qin Zhang, though he hadn’t expected them to be so much stronger than he’d imagined.

In truth, even Qin Zhang could not command such figures; they had been sent by Qin Shuai, Qin Hao’s uncle, a general stationed at the border. Having recently dispatched men to the Holy City and learned of Qin Hao’s affairs, he had sent four of his subordinates here.

No sooner had Chu Feng spoken than three figures leapt from the distant peak.

The mountain rose nearly two hundred meters, but they descended as if it were level ground, utterly unconcerned.

As they landed, the earth trembled, stones and dirt shattering. Even Chu Feng and the others, far off, felt the ground quake.

With a few swift movements, the three crossed the intervening hills and appeared before Chu Feng’s group.

They were Yang Cheng, Zhang Kuang, and Ding Ren. Each was now in a state of spiritual transformation, their bodies radiating energy and exuding a powerful aura.

Sensing their pressure, Sun Xuan’s face changed dramatically. “Fourth-rank Earth Spirit Warriors!” she gasped.

Chu Feng’s heart sank—he hadn’t expected three such powerful foes to appear at once.

Judging by their ages, they couldn’t possibly be students of the Spirit Warrior Pavilion. Moreover, though their movements were minimal, Chu Feng could sense a murderous intent from them—something only hardened veterans of battle possessed.

These were not friendly visitors. Chu Feng steadied himself, sword in hand, and asked coldly, “Who are you?”

Yang Cheng, standing in the middle, replied coolly, “We are the ones sent to take your life.”

Chu Feng snorted. “Qin Zhang must think highly of me, to send so many experts at once.”

“Nonsense! Don’t flatter yourself. Qin Zhang has no right to command us,” Zhang Kuang barked.

“So it’s Qin Shuai, then,” Chu Feng said gravely, his eyes narrowing.

Yang Cheng sneered, “At least you have some knowledge. Consider it an honor to die by our hands.”

“Let’s see if you’re capable enough,” Chu Feng replied, pointing his sword at Yang Cheng.

“To kill you, one is more than enough,” Yang Cheng said, then turned to his companions, “I’ll handle him. The rest are yours—you know what to do.”

“Rest assured, not a single one will escape,” Ding Ren replied coolly, a glint of coldness in his eyes.