Chapter 82: Innate Astral Qi

“To force me to use my ultimate technique—you should be proud...” The elder in the purple robe was clearly astonished. That someone at such a young, humble cultivation stage could nearly defeat him was unimaginable.

He inwardly sighed at the prodigy before him, his intent to kill growing ever stronger. If this boy was not eliminated, he would surely become a dire threat in the future.

Slowly clenching his fists, he gathered his spiritual energy, preparing to obliterate Lin Cheng in one decisive strike.

Seeing this, the four figures behind Lin Cheng were overcome with desperation. “Lin Cheng...” they cried, rushing to shield him with their own bodies.

The elder’s eyes flashed with disdain. These few, already spent and broken, were in no state to resist him.

“Allow me to send you to your deaths...” he sneered, and with those words, brought his palm crashing down.

Just as the colossal hand was about to reach the five of them, a mysterious voice echoed through the air. “What an arrogant tone.”

Before the words had faded, a sharp, focused blade of sword-light tore through the elder’s massive hand, shattering it instantly.

Who was that?

Shocked, the purple-robed elder spun around.

A group led by Liu Feng flickered into sight, stepping onto the scene.

“Are you alright, Lin Cheng?” Niu Shisan and the others quickly checked Lin Cheng’s wounds.

His face was ashen, his breath weak, but he shook his head. “It’s nothing. I’m just drained of spiritual energy.”

He swallowed a handful of pills and, under his comrades’ protection, began to recover.

——

“How bold you are, Ziyang Sect! To dare commit murder against my sect’s disciples in public—are you trying to start a war between our sects?” Liu Feng’s robes fluttered in the wind, his jet-black hair flowing behind him as he confronted the elder in a resonant voice.

The purple-robed elder’s eyes flickered, and he replied with a feigned air of familiarity, “So it’s you, Liu Feng. I remember back when you were still in open-crotch pants, I was already sharing drinks with your master...”

“What’s this? Did Master Cang Feng never teach you to show respect to your elders?” he continued, putting on a show of seniority.

Liu Feng’s face grew icy. “You old fool, always so quick to flatter yourself. Have you ever looked in the mirror? You, drinking with my master—what a joke.”

The elder’s face turned purple with rage. “You whelp... how dare you insult me...”

“Not only will I insult you today, I’ll cut you down as well.”

With that, Liu Feng’s sword flashed out.

Sword-light raged in every direction, slashing toward the elder with unrestrained ferocity.

No matter how the elder struggled, he could not withstand Liu Feng’s relentless assault.

In a matter of moments, his robes were reduced to tatters, blood trickling from countless wounds, his appearance utterly wretched.

“Well, old man? Weren’t you fierce just now? Did bullying my junior brother make you feel accomplished?”

“Today, I’ll let you taste what it’s like to be bullied yourself...” As Liu Feng’s sword danced again and again, the elder’s body was soon covered with a thousand cuts, his entire form drenched in blood.

—

“Spare me...” the purple-robed elder finally pleaded, terror overtaking him as he realized he was completely powerless to resist.

The agony of his wounds made it clear—if he did not beg for mercy now, he would soon die by torture.

“Spare you? Did you ever consider sparing my junior brothers and the others?” Liu Feng was not one for mercy. Years of cultivation had taught him that soft-heartedness only bred future disaster.

A flash of killing intent passed through his eyes as he prepared to end the elder’s life.

All the while, the guards stationed at the riverbank remained silent, watching with fear and awe. Whether it was the Ziyang Sect or the Qingyang Sect, both were far beyond their ability to intervene. Though they were nominally appointed by the king of Zhao to guard Tian Lake, in truth, they served at the pleasure of the three great sects.

“It seems you’ve grown even more arrogant in these few years, Liu Feng.”

A group of figures appeared at the riverside—Dong Wuwang and his companions, drawn by the commotion.

Liu Feng narrowed his eyes. “Dong Wuwang, Dongfang Hao... I didn’t expect to find the two of you together.”

“I’m taking this old man’s head today—are you planning to protect him?” He tightened his grip on his sword, ready for battle at any moment.

“No need to be tense, Brother Liu,” Dongfang Hao replied with an air of uprightness. “I have no intention of meddling in the grievances between you. Besides, my younger brother Dongfang Yu is a true disciple of your Qingyang Sect; I would never wish for discord between us.”

His dignified manner won the silent approval of many around, though none noticed the strange glint deep within his eyes.

Dong Wuwang remained impassive, fixing his gaze on Liu Feng.

“Brother Hao, why not rest for a moment? Allow me to deal with Liu Feng first,” Dong Wuwang said softly.

“Such arrogance!” Liu Feng retorted, unleashing a sword strike. “Let’s see how much you’ve improved over these years...”

As the sword energy cleaved toward him, Dong Wuwang did not evade. He took a single step forward, and the golden sword-light halted, unable to advance another inch.

Liu Feng’s gaze sharpened. He could sense an invisible barrier of force emanating from Dong Wuwang.

“Innate True Qi?”

Dong Wuwang only smiled. “It seems nothing escapes your perceptive gaze.”

Liu Feng replied, “I didn’t expect you to have mastered Innate True Qi after these years. I’m truly surprised.”

A look of pride flashed across Dong Wuwang’s face. “Let’s hope your swordsmanship has improved as well, lest you disappoint me.”

“Arrogant!” Liu Feng sneered, letting his sword fly straight at Dong Wuwang.

“Sword Control Technique?”

Dong Wuwang never underestimated his opponent. In the past, only Liu Feng could fight him to a draw. Although his True Qi had grown stronger, he knew Liu Feng would not have remained stagnant.

“You’ve comprehended Sword Intent?”

—

Facing Liu Feng’s attack, Dong Wuwang’s entire body trembled as surging True Qi solidified into a golden shield, completely blocking the sword aimed at his chest.

Liu Feng, his expression calm, closed his eyes. A mysterious aura filled the air.

The wind stilled.

For a moment, the world itself seemed to fall silent.

Suddenly, a torrent of sword energy erupted from within Liu Feng, his overwhelming sword-momentum shaking the hearts of all present.

“He’s really grasped Sword Intent—he’s reached the realm of the Unintentional Sword...” Dongfang Hao murmured in astonishment.

“Second Brother, lend me your swords...”

As Liu Feng’s eyes opened, the seven swords carried by the Wine-Loving Madman behind him responded, circling to form an array before him.

His own sword spun back to stand at the center of the circle, its tip aimed squarely at Dong Wuwang.

Sensing imminent danger, Dong Wuwang no longer held back. Clenching his fists, he summoned a suit of True Qi armor.

A flash of light, and a round mirror of neither gold nor jade, heavy and mysterious, appeared in his hand.

A misty blue radiance danced on its surface, a mysterious power gathering within.

“Let my Haotian Mirror test your sword arts!” Dong Wuwang intoned solemnly, mystic energy swirling as the mirror’s blue light expanded.

Clad in innate True Qi armor and wielding the Haotian Mirror, his aura surged to new heights.

Liu Feng’s eyes glinted as the seven swords before him shot forward like unstoppable spears.

An air of invincibility radiated from him, his gaze unruffled.

Before the blades even struck, the sword-momentum alone chilled all to the bone, like icy needles piercing flesh.

As the seven swords closed in, Dong Wuwang’s heart echoed with a silent cry:

Invincibility lies in me!

The golden True Qi armor shone brilliantly, solidifying like real plate.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Sparks flew in all directions as the swords clashed against the golden armor, the sound of metal ringing out.

Soon, cracks began to appear, spreading wider and wider.

Dong Wuwang’s face darkened. He surged his spiritual energy again, patching the armor and withstanding the relentless seven-sword assault.

“You truly haven’t disappointed me...”

“But I’m afraid this alone still won’t break my defense...”