Chapter Seven: A Genius Defying the Heavens

The Grand Elder’s voice was tranquil, utterly devoid of emotion, yet the Lord of Gu Lin City felt a chill in his heart as he listened. When he had trained in the Spirit Battle Pavilion, he’d heard of such medicine; indeed, the Pavilion possessed this rare elixir, crafted by Spirit Alchemists to strengthen the spiritual body. It was precious, reserved for geniuses, and was used to help those unable to awaken their spiritual form. Though it might be considered extravagant for such a purpose, it was undeniably effective.

Hearing this, Chu Feng’s face flickered with excitement. The issue of summoning his spiritual form had troubled him for ten years. He had given everything, but still could not achieve spiritual transformation. Now, this opportunity appeared before him—how could he not be moved?

He paused briefly, clenching his fists as if steeling himself for a decision, then declared resolutely, “Thank you, Elder, for your generous gift, but I do not wish to take this precious medicine.”

“Why?” the Grand Elder asked.

Chu Feng replied firmly, “If I rely on such treasures to achieve spiritual transformation, even if I succeed, I fear my path in cultivation will be limited. I wish to attain it through my own efforts.”

Of course, another reason was that he hoped to follow Yu Yang’s guidance in training, to see what wondrous changes might occur once his physique reached a certain strength.

The Grand Elder was taken aback by Chu Feng’s words, then smiled approvingly. “Good! Such ambition!” The other four elders nodded as well. If, at first, inviting Chu Feng into the Spirit Battle Pavilion had been a gesture of compensation, now it was genuine admiration.

The Second Elder spoke. “Cultivation is limited by talent, yet few ever reach the summit. Our clan has produced many talents, but how many truly stand at the peak? To say one loses the chance after fourteen is not absolute. Throughout history, not all who reach the summit were born geniuses; many matured late. As long as one’s resolve persists, hope endures. The medicine may solve your immediate problem, but it will sever your hope of ever advancing to the pinnacle. Chu Feng, your choice is wise.”

“Thank you for your guidance, Elder,” Chu Feng replied respectfully.

The Third Elder looked to Lord Xu Lan of Gu Lin City. “Xu Lan, since Gu Lin City has fallen, I entrust Chu Feng to your care. From now on, you shall remain here as an instructor in the Spirit Battle Pavilion.”

“I obey, Elder,” Xu Lan replied with deference.

“Go, then,” the Third Elder said.

“Farewell, Elders!” the two bowed to the five elders and strode out of the grand hall.

After passing through three gates, only one remained before they would exit the sacred hall. At that moment, a middle-aged man entered through the main door.

He wore a golden crown and a brocade robe, moving with the bearing of a king. His expression was cold and severe, a long scar ran from the corner of his left eye across his nose to the right corner of his mouth, lending his commanding presence a fierce, sinister edge.

Xu Lan’s heart sank at the sight and he halted, whispering, “Follow my lead—do not look him in the eye.”

As the man drew near, Xu Lan bowed deeply. “Greetings, East King.”

Seeing Xu Lan tense, Chu Feng was puzzled. He hadn’t seen Xu Lan so nervous even before the five elders. Regardless, this man was certainly someone of great importance. He bowed as well. “Greetings, East King.”

They completed their salute and simply stood aside, waiting for the East King to pass.

Human curiosity is irrepressible; the more one is forbidden, the more one wishes to know. Chu Feng, ever impulsive, could not resist and glanced at the East King.

Suddenly, the East King’s gaze locked onto him. Chu Feng’s heart leapt—he felt as if he were prey under the gaze of a predator, every muscle tense and uncomfortable.

Yet Chu Feng forced himself to remain calm, his expression resolute, showing not a trace of fear.

The East King halted, fixing his gaze on Chu Feng and asked coldly, “What is your name?”

Xu Lan grew even more anxious. The East King was not only domineering but narrow-minded; to offend him was to invite disaster. Before Chu Feng could reply, Xu Lan hurriedly said, “We come from Gu Lin City. His name is Chu Feng.”

Xu Lan believed the East King already knew of the city’s fate, and mentioning it now was meant to redirect his attention.

“Did I ask you?” the East King snapped, glaring at Xu Lan. He understood why these two had come. He turned again to Chu Feng. “Your name is Chu Feng?”

“Yes,” Chu Feng replied calmly, his gaze sharp, clearly displeased by the king’s arrogance.

The East King’s face grew colder, menace gathering between his brows. He gave a chilling smile. “Interesting.” With that, he strode away.

Once the East King departed, Xu Lan quietly sighed in relief, pulling Chu Feng along.

Outside, a magnificent warship was docked in the plaza, surrounded by elite troops—each radiating a formidable presence. Chu Feng understood this must belong to the East King, and he had never seen such grandeur before. Surely this man’s status was extraordinary.

Towering walls enclosed the area, with imposing buildings everywhere. Aside from the sacred hall, these were the domains of departments under the elders.

Every building was heavily guarded, and the main road was mostly empty. After weaving through several turns, Xu Lan slowed his pace.

Chu Feng, both startled and curious, wondered why Xu Lan feared this man so much. “Grandpa Xu, what’s with that scarred fellow? Just a look and he reacts like that—rather petty, isn’t he?”

“The East King despises being stared at up close. To offend him over such a thing is not worth it; you must be cautious around him,” Xu Lan advised.

“Who is the East King? Isn’t he a bit too overbearing?” Chu Feng asked.

Xu Lan glanced around to ensure no one was listening, then whispered, “I’ve told you before, each quadrant of the Sacred City has a royal city. The East King is a spirit warrior and ruler of the East King City.”

Chu Feng was stunned; he hadn’t expected the man to be one of humanity’s strongest.

Humans, through cultivation, could become spirit warriors. There were three ranks: Earth Spirit Warrior, Heaven Spirit Warrior, and the highest—Saint Spirit Warrior.

Saint Spirit Warrior was the pinnacle. Chu Feng had heard from Wang Ze that this rank was near legendary, possessing the power to soar through the skies and traverse the earth. Out of tens of millions, perhaps only one would reach it.

Xu Lan continued, “Did you see the scar on his face? He considers it a mark of disgrace. Aside from other Saint Spirit Warriors, he forbids anyone from staring at him.”

“It’s just a scar—does it really matter? Is there a secret behind it?” Chu Feng asked, growing more curious.

Xu Lan replied, “The East King’s clan has always been arrogant. Years ago, his son was born with exceptional talent and was granted the Spirit Battle Holy Order, which made their family even more powerful. But they attracted strong enemies, and his son was killed by another genius who also held the Holy Order. Even the East King barely survived. That scar was left by that genius.”

Chu Feng’s heart stirred at the mention of the Spirit Battle Holy Order. “Grandpa Xu, what is the Spirit Battle Holy Order?”

Xu Lan sighed, “The Holy Order is the Spirit Battle Pavilion’s highest honor, bestowed only upon humanity’s greatest prodigies. Its holder can enter any part of the Pavilion freely, enjoying status second only to the Pavilion Master. Remember, the Pavilion Masters are the five elders of our race. Moreover, the Holy Order allows the bearer to choose any three treasures from the Pavilion’s treasury. Some treasures are so valuable that most people could never hope to obtain them—just one would make cultivators envious. Such prodigies are called ‘once in a millennium talents.’ In the past hundred years, only two have received the Holy Order.”

Chu Feng was deeply shaken. “I never imagined the Pavilion Masters were the elders of our race. The Spirit Battle Pavilion is vital for humanity. If I possess the Holy Order, my status in the Pavilion is astonishing. Only two people in a century have received it—East King’s son and that peerless genius. Could Senior Yu Yang be that genius?”

Chu Feng had a feeling that Senior Yu Yang might indeed be that prodigy. He asked, “Who was that prodigy, so powerful that even the East King, a Saint Spirit Warrior, was no match? Grandpa Xu, can you tell me?”

Xu Lan gazed at the sky and sighed, “Yes, he was immensely powerful. Anyone who met him was awed by his presence and strength. Those who witnessed that battle would never forget it.”

Xu Lan fell silent, lost in memories. After a while, he continued, “His name was Yu Yang, a rare genius in thousands of years. He became a Saint Spirit Warrior in just ten years.”

For a moment, Chu Feng was overwhelmed. “So it was Senior Yu Yang! My god, to reach the pinnacle in ten years—how extraordinary!”

Chu Feng steadied himself and listened as Xu Lan went on, “It was in the battle with East King’s son that Yu Yang became a Saint Spirit Warrior. That fight was earth-shattering, a marvel for the ages. At the time, Yu Yang was at the peak of Heaven Spirit Warrior, his combat power unrivaled. He slew the East King’s son, which drew the wrath of the Saint Spirit Warriors. Though outmatched, his strength nearly rivaled theirs. In the midst of battle, he transcended, becoming a Saint Spirit Warrior and utterly defeating his foe, thereby becoming humanity’s supreme power.”

Chu Feng listened with excitement, his heart filled with longing. “What happened to Senior Yu Yang afterward?”

Xu Lan replied, “He entered the military, clashing with the demon race for years, slaying three beings equal to Saint Spirit Warriors and earning global renown. The demon race came to fear him, and for many years, peace existed between our races. Such a hero was naturally targeted; fifteen years ago, the demon race set a trap, sending ten beings on par with Saint Spirit Warriors to kill Yu Yang.”

At this, Chu Feng couldn’t help but gasp, deeply worried—no matter how strong, surely one could not defeat ten at once. He asked urgently, “Did Senior Yu Yang perish in that battle?”

Xu Lan shook his head, looking skyward with deep respect. “The outcome of that battle was astonishing. The demon race thought victory assured, but seven of their ten strongest fell to Yu Yang, and the remaining three were severely wounded. These were the core of their race—losing seven at once was a blow even their vast strength could not withstand. After that, our races were nearly equal in power, and humanity began to stand as an equal.”

“What became of Senior Yu Yang?” Chu Feng asked.

“He disappeared afterward. Rumor has it he was gravely wounded and near death, but his fate remains unconfirmed. After that battle, Yu Yang was acclaimed as the strongest in our history—there is none greater.”

Chu Feng and Xu Lan continued onward, Chu Feng’s heart never settling. He had never imagined Senior Yu Yang was such a lofty figure, whose guidance and Holy Order he now possessed—it felt like a dream.

Yet, amid his excitement, he felt a pang of sorrow. Senior Yu Yang’s whereabouts were unknown; his spirit lingered on Chu Feng’s little sword, unable to recall his past. Was he truly lost forever?

As they walked, passing through several gates, they finally reached a bustling avenue.

The broad street was filled with people, with carriages and horses everywhere. Those living in the Sacred City, even if not cultivators, were wealthy or noble—far above the common folk of other cities.

The Sacred City spanned nearly a thousand miles, and horses were the most common means of travel.

Xu Lan purchased two fine steeds at great expense, and they rode away.

It was Chu Feng’s first time on horseback, but he quickly mastered the skill, making Xu Lan think that the boy was hardly one of ordinary talent.

Xu Lan’s family lived in the Sacred City, but he had left to serve as Lord of Gu Lin City. His wife passed away ten years ago in Gu Lin, but his children remained here.

After returning his wife’s body to her homeland, he had not been back to the Sacred City for ten years. Now, standing again in his homeland, he was filled with emotion.

Xu Lan planned to visit his home first, then go to the Spirit Battle Pavilion tomorrow.

Half an hour later, Chu Feng suddenly halted his horse in the street, gazing at a mansion, lost in thought and deeply moved.