Chapter 123: Distinction

Page 1/3

Chu Feng prepared various physical training tools, and in the following days, he barely stepped out of the Trial Tower, fully immersing himself in intense martial cultivation. The Trial Tower had become like his home; within its walls, Chu Feng practiced swordsmanship while bearing tens of thousands of pounds, or engaged in extreme physical training.

He also fought fiercely against opponents created by the Trial Tower under heavy loads. Although this Trial Tower was no match for the Divine Trial in enhancing Chu Feng’s combat techniques, it was remarkably effective for physical cultivation—far surpassing what Chu Feng could achieve on his own.

At first, the ground around the Trial Tower nearly collapsed under his exertions, trembling violently with cracks spreading, terrifying the students of the Heavenly Camp. Fortunately, Instructor Wei Changkong summoned experts in barrier formation to reinforce the area around the tower, restoring calm.

For over two years, Chu Feng did not rest for a moment. Though martial arts was his main focus, he still meditated on the “Way of the Sword” during his sword practice. Such cultivation drained even his human-path spiritual power significantly, making recovery pills an insatiable necessity.

A year prior, Chu Feng reached the Fourth Extreme Realm. After nearly five months of agony and consuming ten blood pills, he successfully broke through this realm, his martial cultivation rivaling that of a late-stage seventh-rank Celestial Spirit Warrior. At this point, his combat power shattered the seemingly insurmountable gap between Celestial Spirit Warriors and Holy Spirit Warriors.

After seven more months of grueling training, the two-and-a-half-year period finally concluded. Although progress became increasingly difficult, Chu Feng’s martial cultivation advanced further, now comparable to a mid-stage eighth-rank Celestial Spirit Warrior, with physical strength on par with high-grade celestial spiritual weapons.

Moreover, his “Way of the Sword” deepened, forging a tighter bond with his blade; the unity of man and sword had achieved notable success—an important breakthrough on his path of the Heavenly Dao.

This unexpected progress further bolstered Chu Feng’s combat power. Within the Trial Tower, when pushing to his limits, he could match a late-stage second-rank Holy Spirit Warrior, even defeating them with exquisite swordsmanship.

At that moment, Chu Feng was exhilarated. He could confidently declare that, with the combined strength of the Heavenly Dao and martial arts, his combat capability was now comparable to an average late-stage second-rank Holy Spirit Warrior.

Years ago, Yu Yang, after ten years of cultivation, reached the early second-rank Holy Spirit Warrior level. This meant Chu Feng had already surpassed Yu Yang.

In tens of thousands of years, Yu Yang was the first to achieve such power in ten years. Now Chu Feng’s meteoric rise would surely cause a sensation among both humans and demons if it became known.

Currently, however, the Heavenly Camp only knew of a super training fanatic, unaware of the terrifying power behind that fanatic.

“Long Yue, we will meet soon!” Chu Feng murmured as he stepped out of the Trial Tower.

Upon leaving, he immediately went to the Sacred Hall. The Five Elders personally tested his strength and were speechless with shock when they discovered Chu Feng’s power had reached late-stage second-rank Holy Spirit Warrior. They had anticipated Chu Feng might catch up to Yu Yang, perhaps even surpass him, but not by such a wide margin.

Compared to Yu Yang’s path of exclusive spiritual cultivation, Chu Feng’s path was undoubtedly more arduous.

“At this level, staying in the Spirit Battle Pavilion will yield little further progress. Go to the frontlines—it’s the perfect place for you to shine and grow rapidly,” said the Grand Elder.

“Yes!” Chu Feng replied, his blood boiling. He indeed sensed his growth in the Spirit Battle Pavilion nearing its limit, as there were no heavier training implements available anymore.

The battlefield was different. The demon race excelled in physicality; fighting strong demon warriors would surely accelerate his growth. Besides, he was now a strong figure among humans, capable of self-defense even amid the dangers of the battlefield.

The Grand Elder handed Chu Feng some items, including a set of King’s Battle Armor, along with a golden crown and white boots.

The King’s Battle Armor was predominantly gold with silver edges, adorned with mysterious patterns. Even before wearing it, it exuded an overwhelming aura of dominance.

Page 2/3

The military maintained strict rank distinctions between battle attire and battle armor. Battle armor looked heavy and sturdy, while battle attire was different—though also spiritual weapons, it was slim and resembled ordinary clothing.

Only generals and marshals were qualified to wear battle attire; all other soldiers wore battle armor. Both attire and armor came in bronze, silver-white, and gold varieties, with gold signifying higher status.

This King’s Battle Armor was a mid-grade sacred-level spiritual weapon, among the finest of battle attire, since there were no upper-grade or supreme sacred-level battle attires.

The golden and silver-edged King’s Battle Armor signified Chu Feng’s military rank as a general. Generals were further divided into major general, lieutenant general, and full general—the highest military rank. Marshals commanded the entire army but were always officers holding the rank of full general.

This rank was personally appointed by the Elders; before Chu Feng, only Yu Yang had earned such honor.

Besides the King’s Battle Armor, the Grand Elder also gave Chu Feng a Li Fire Tower, a superior-grade sacred-level spiritual weapon combining offense and defense, to be used once his human-path cultivation matured.

Additionally, there were some powerful fire-path secret techniques, which Chu Feng might not master all but could keep as reserves.

After further instructions, Chu Feng bade farewell to the Five Elders and left.

There was another Sacred Trial scheduled in about ten days, but like before, Chu Feng had no intention of participating, as it no longer had any effect.

As for the Sword Dao Hall, the Five Elders arranged that although Chu Feng joined the army, he would retain his position as hall master, since no one else was suitable.

Three Sword Gods were promoted to deputy hall masters to act during Chu Feng’s absence.

The small Flying Eagle warship was originally assigned to Chu Feng, so it would accompany him into the army. As the fastest warship among humans, it would make his future trips back to the Sacred City much easier.

Having broken through the Extreme Realm seven months earlier and lacking a functioning communication bead, Chu Feng had left the bead at his villa to avoid disturbances.

Now, back at the villa, Chu Feng picked up the communication bead and activated it, immediately receiving a barrage of voices.

“Wildman, where are you? Isn’t your seclusion over yet?”

“Wildman, what are you doing? Why aren’t you answering?”

“Are you still in seclusion? You’re about to leave the Spirit Battle Pavilion. Why so diligent?”

“Wildman, where the hell have you been? Ahhh!”

...

Chu Feng broke into a sweat, feeling as if his eardrums might burst. These seven months had been filled with countless messages from Xu Yan.

After the noise died down, Chu Feng sat on the soft bench, feeling a bit sentimental. Ten years had passed. Though his appearance had not changed much, he was now twenty-seven years old.

At last, he was about to leave this place and embark on a new journey. The future demanded utmost vigilance, as Chu Feng understood his fate was intertwined with that of the entire human race.

Thinking of Xu Yan, Chu Feng felt some helplessness. He knew well her feelings for him, but his heart belonged to Long Yue.

He regarded Xu Yan as his best friend; how could he forget the moments they shared? Recalling the time Xu Yan got drunk and he carried her in his arms stirred a ripple within him.

Page 3/3

Chu Feng fell silent for a moment, then sighed softly, murmuring, “We came in together, so we leave together. Let’s join the army together. I can’t bear to leave her alone.”

He held the communication bead, originally intending to contact Xu Yan. Suddenly, the bead trembled lightly.

He activated it, and Xu Yan’s voice came through: “You damn wildman, are you alive or dead?!”

Chu Feng smiled helplessly and replied into the bead, “Still alive!”

“You disappeared for seven months and almost drove me crazy!” Xu Yan’s voice brimmed with complaint.

“I’ve been in seclusion all along,” Chu Feng answered.

“Oh,” Xu Yan’s tone sounded somewhat aggrieved, as if deeply wronged.

Chu Feng felt an inexplicable stir, almost amused, but found no words to respond.

Xu Yan fell silent as well, and the bead ceased vibrating. About fifteen minutes later, another message arrived.

“Wildman, come to the Xuan Camp tonight, okay?” Her words were filled with longing.

Chu Feng had once deliberately avoided Xu Yan for some time, but upon hearing this, he found it hard to refuse. After a pause, he replied, “Okay!”

That evening, Chu Feng arrived at the Xuan Camp at the agreed time. Xu Yan was already waiting at the gate.

Seeing Chu Feng, Xu Yan’s face brightened with excitement, tears glistening in her eyes. She suddenly threw herself into his arms, scolding, “You damn wildman, am I really so repulsive to you?!”

Chu Feng’s heart ached, unsure how to respond—whether to embrace her or not.

Feeling guilty, he glanced around and patted Xu Yan’s back, saying, “You’re grown up now, why are you still crying like a little girl?”

But Xu Yan paid no heed, her sobbing grew louder, and her delicate hands kept pounding on his chest.

At that moment, several young men and women stepped out of the camp’s gate, catching sight of the scene and showing various expressions.

“Isn’t that Xu Yan, one of the four beauties of Xuan Camp? Why is she crying like this?” one man whispered to the others.

A graceful woman sneered softly, “I heard Xu Yan has had many suitors over the years, but none caught her eye. That guy doesn’t seem to be from our camp. Handsome as he is, he’s just a playboy. Having such high standards isn’t always good. Poor girl, who knows how much she’s suffered with a heartless scoundrel like that.”

Another woman glanced at Chu Feng with disdain and said to the group, “I don’t think he’s a good man either. He must be a notorious womanizer. Xu Yan’s just had bad luck meeting him.”

...

The group left, their voices quiet but not making any effort to conceal their words from Chu Feng and Xu Yan.

Hearing this, Chu Feng twitched his mouth, surprised to be branded a playboy. What was worse, Xu Yan seemed to cooperate fully. Her cries grew louder and more vigorous, even shouting, “You damn wildman, why do you treat me like this?” as if truly casting Chu Feng as a heartless man.