Chapter Eighty: Breaking Through the Late Stage of Commanding General!

He cared nothing for the deaths among the Qin family; even if Qin Feng were to perish in this moment, he would only sigh, lamenting the fall of a prodigy. But for the Beast King Sect, the Supreme Sect, and the Red Sun Sect to threaten Commander Qin, it was an affront to the imperial dynasty, trampling upon its dignity.

A hundred years ago, the mighty sovereigns of the Great Chu Dynasty held dominion over the realm. The sects bowed in deference, none dared to defy the imperial will. Yet since the ancestor secluded himself in cultivation a century past, disquiet has stirred within the Great Chu. The Northern Martial King, the Tiancheng King, and Marquis Beigong all show signs of unrest; the sects grow ever more arrogant and unrestrained.

“Governor Zuo, deliver my message to the Beast King Sect, the Supreme Sect, and the Red Sun Sect!” Chu Tianfa thundered in fury. “The Great Chu Dynasty will not tolerate their insolence. Should they persist, a million troops shall march, and their sects will be annihilated.”

“Your servant obeys!” Zuo Taoming’s heart quaked violently; His Highness, the Third Prince, had been moved to wrath. He bowed in reverence, then carefully stood at his side.

“Insolent!”
“Utterly lawless, brazen beyond measure!”
Two days later, Chu Tianfa roared in fury. Zuo Taoming stood nearby, his expression dark.

They had received word: the Beast King Sect, the Supreme Sect, and the Red Sun Sect had dispatched ten Commanders, slaughtering over five thousand soldiers, gravely wounding Gao Yunxiao and Chen Donghai, and openly warning Chu Tianfa and Zuo Taoming not to meddle in their affairs.

“Bring me the memorial—I must inform Father, and request the dispatch of a million troops to wipe out the Beast King Sect, the Supreme Sect, and the Red Sun Sect!” Chu Tianfa rose, pacing with agitation, his chest heaving, his voice thunderous.

Zuo Taoming knew Chu Tianfa was at the peak of his rage. He quickly withdrew, his face weighed down with worry.

Returning to the governor’s residence, he paced the courtyard in deep anxiety. The three sects possessed too many top-tier experts; he could not guarantee the safety of the Qin family.

During this period, Zuo Taoming sent envoys to negotiate with the Beast King Sect, the Supreme Sect, and the Red Sun Sect, hoping to discern their demands. Yet the envoys were thrown from the mountain, their bodies destroyed beyond recognition.

Zuo Taoming was furious but powerless against the three sects.

His Highness, the Third Prince, had already reported to the Emperor, but the mobilization of a million troops was not so easily accomplished. Even with imperial approval, assembling such an army would take time.

As for the Sovereign-tier experts, they guarded the realm and would not act for minor matters.

Moreover, the Beast King Sect, the Supreme Sect, and the Red Sun Sect would not allow the Qin family any time.

The Qin family was in imminent peril.

...

Commander-level, late stage!

Qin Feng, relying on the power of a thousand-year spiritual medicine, unlocked all twelve main meridians and eight extraordinary channels, reaching the realm of qi flowing throughout the body. His cultivation broke through to the late stage of Commander.

“So it seems the late Commander stage allows the body to withstand immense internal force.” Qin Feng stood up, stretching. Though he still felt traces of pain from his flesh, his muscles and skin did not tear—the body could now contain the surging strength.

“At the middle Commander stage, when I maximized my stats, my power could reach the early Sovereign realm. Now, with my cultivation at the late Commander stage, my physical strength has soared. If I maximize my stats, could I reach mid-Sovereign level?”

“My raw physical power now matches the early Sovereign realm, but my body's resilience is still far behind. Especially since Sovereign experts can project true qi outside the body—slaying at a distance, guarding themselves with true qi, impervious to blades and arrows, and even able to fly.”

“My overall strength is far inferior to Sovereign-level experts. An early Sovereign martial artist could easily kill me!” Qin Feng analyzed his combat prowess. Against Commander-level cultivators, he was invincible. But faced with a Sovereign expert—even just at the early stage—he might withstand a move or two before falling, ultimately being slain.

“My strength is still lacking. Only upon becoming a Sovereign will I truly be a force to be reckoned with, able to hold and suppress my domain.”

“My current cultivation has reached late Commander, but breaking through to Sovereign is still a long journey ahead.”

“Furthermore, with my cultivation at late Commander, I've pushed the Ninefold Taotian Technique to its limits. I must seek a new cultivation method—a Sovereign-level technique.” Qin Feng murmured softly.

“Master Qin, your subordinate has urgent news to report.” Yan Chonghu, seeing the situation unresolved, could no longer endure. He clasped his hands, speaking in a deep voice.

“Speak.” Qin Feng opened the door and strode out, his tone calm.

“Master Qin, during your recovery, the Beast King Sect, the Supreme Sect, and the Red Sun Sect made several moves against the Qin family, claiming you took what did not belong to you.”

“His Highness, the Third Prince, and Lord Governor both tried to negotiate with the three sects, but their arrogance was boundless; they cared nothing for His Highness or the Governor.” Yan Chonghu, seeing Qin Feng approach, brightened and quickly recounted all that had transpired.

“Any casualties?” Qin Feng’s expression changed sharply, murderous intent erupting from him. In a flash, he appeared before Yan Chonghu, questioning rapidly.

“Master Qin, the Governor deployed troops to surround and protect the Qin family. No casualties occurred.”

“However, I heard the three sects dispatched ten Commanders, slaughtering thousands of soldiers before departing.”

Yan Chonghu relayed what he knew.

Chu Tianfa and Zuo Taoming, in their struggle with the Beast King Sect, the Supreme Sect, and the Red Sun Sect, were repeatedly outmatched and suffered losses, yet could do nothing against the three sects—frustrated to the extreme.

“Is it you again, Northern Martial King?” Qin Feng’s expression was ice-cold as he murmured.

The five Commanders who had gravely wounded him before were sent by the Northern Martial King, seeking the map of the Xuantian Sect.

Now, the Beast King Sect, the Supreme Sect, and the Red Sun Sect were after him for something—most likely the Xuantian Sect map.

This matter was certainly entangled with the Northern Martial King; the three sects were likely his lapdogs.

“Ten Commanders—a bold move indeed!” Qin Feng smiled coldly, murderous intent radiating from him. He was determined to sever the hands reaching out from the Beast King Sect, the Supreme Sect, and the Red Sun Sect.

The three sects possessed ten Commanders; Qin Feng would need to proceed cautiously, but nothing more.

“Yan Chonghu, Shi Tie—return to Xuanzhou City with me,” Qin Feng commanded loudly.

“Your subordinate obeys!”
“Your subordinate obeys!” Yan Chonghu and Shi Tie clasped their hands, voices solemn.

Qin Feng, Yan Chonghu, and Shi Tie found three warhorses within the Zhao residence and swiftly set out for Xuanzhou City.

“Commander Qin, do not be impulsive. Let us consider our options carefully,” Zuo Taoming was hurrying to the Zhao residence to consult with Qin Feng. Seeing Qin Feng, Yan Chonghu, and Shi Tie riding out from Zhao residence, his heart skipped a beat at the cold expression and murderous aura emanating from Qin Feng. He rushed after them, shouting loudly.

He had to stop Qin Feng—prevent him from advancing.

The Beast King Sect, the Supreme Sect, and the Red Sun Sect had deep foundations and unfathomable power, possessing not just ten Commanders.

Even one as strong as Qin Feng, if he clashed directly with the three sects, would face grave peril.