Chapter Twenty-Three: Forming Alliances

Chu Feng returned to the Sutra Pavilion and quickly began his study of intermediate sword techniques.

He soon realized that intermediate swordsmanship was already a realm of great mastery. Among the hundred manuals, nearly seventy percent were intermediate sword techniques, while there were only seven advanced sword manuals. The deeper he delved into his studies, the more enamored he became, almost to the point of neglecting sleep and food. He found the art of the sword to be exquisitely profound, faintly sensing within it a supreme and universal truth.

The intermediate techniques were vastly more refined than the elementary ones, yet even this did not slow the pace of Chu Feng’s progress. News of his long hours spent immersed in sword training within the Sutra Pavilion naturally spread throughout the camp. To others, swordsmanship was a useless art, unworthy of attention, and so Chu Feng’s behavior drew much gossip and ridicule.

Yet Chu Feng remained wholly absorbed, indifferent to the opinions of others. Each intermediate sword manual had its own uniqueness, yet all seemed to share a subtle harmony. Chu Feng was determined not to overlook any of them, and one by one, he mastered every intermediate technique.

He continued to grow, his swordsmanship becoming increasingly sophisticated, and his comprehension of the art only accelerated. At this level, he no longer needed to deliberately memorize; with constant practice, every move and stance became second nature. This visit to the Sutra Pavilion had yielded immense rewards.

After thirteen full days, Chu Feng had thoroughly studied more than seventy intermediate sword manuals—a feat so astonishing that even sword masters would be amazed, for most people would find it impossible to merely memorize that many manuals in such a short span, let alone deeply comprehend them.

His mastery of swordsmanship was now extraordinary. Standing at such a height, learning the advanced techniques was far easier. Without pause, as soon as he finished the intermediate manuals, he began studying the “Fourteen Life-Seizing Swords.”

Having read widely from all schools of swordsmanship, Chu Feng’s insight was remarkable, and in studying the “Fourteen Life-Seizing Swords,” he discovered that this manual truly stood at the pinnacle of the sword arts. Every move seemed distilled from countless forms, returning to simplicity and essence.

The fourteen sword forms could follow seamlessly one after another, fully embodying the principle of transformation—encouraging practitioners not to be confined by routines or manuals, but to transcend them.

Chu Feng pondered and practiced, and through the “Fourteen Life-Seizing Swords,” his understanding of all previous techniques deepened further. In just over a day, he had already comprehended more than ninety percent of the advanced sword manual.

By this time, Chu Feng had spent twenty days in the Sutra Pavilion, though he had long lost track of the days as he immersed himself in sword study. Now, with his food supplies depleted, he had no choice but to leave.

“Greed leads to nothing good. I’ve already learned so much; it’s time to practice and refine what I’ve gained. I should leave now,” Chu Feng muttered to himself.

That noon, he packed his belongings and left, deeply satisfied. Yet as he passed through the corridors, people cleared a path before him. At first, he was puzzled, but then he realized the reason—after twenty days of intensive training and sweating without a single bath, he had become utterly pungent.

“Phew! That menace has finally left.” As Chu Feng departed, the pavilion’s caretaker secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that if he had stayed any longer, the whole place would have reeked.

By now, Chu Feng had become a true celebrity in the Twentieth Camp. Every move he made seemed to draw attention, for his actions were so out of the ordinary.

The moment Chu Feng left the Sutra Pavilion, word spread like wildfire.

“Chu Feng has finished a twenty-day sword training retreat!”

“He really is something—practicing swordsmanship for twenty days straight.”

“Perhaps we should all go ask this Sword Master for advice, haha!”

The news traveled fast, and as soon as Chu Feng arrived at the training ground, he heard people talking about him.

“So it’s already been twenty days,” Chu Feng mused.

With a slight smile, he went to the training room, removed his weights, and tested himself. After twenty days of arduous training, his physique had grown much stronger—he could now carry eleven hundred pounds with ease, and his explosive strength was startling.

Delighted and satisfied, Chu Feng felt that, at this rate, he would one day reach the ultimate limits of body tempering. He looked forward to the day when the impossible would become reality.

Afterward, Chu Feng left the training ground and returned to the dormitory, much to the discomfort of everyone there—his odor was overpowering. Embarrassed, he quickly gathered his things and went to bathe.

Freed from the weights and filth, and immersed in rich spiritual energy, Chu Feng felt refreshed in both body and mind.

When he went to the dining hall for a hearty meal, he overheard astonishing news: after just over a month in the Freshman Camp, a young girl from the First Camp named Sun Xuan had already awakened her spiritual body attribute.

She was only nine years old. After spiritual transformation, she had awakened her spiritual body in such a short time—a truly prodigious talent, making her the center of attention and a likely candidate for the Celestial Camp.

Of course, nothing was certain yet, for entry into the Celestial, Earth, Mystical, and Yellow Camps depended not only on age but also on mission points, which were required for placement.

“So in just over a month, she’s caught up to me. Remarkable!” Chu Feng silently marveled at the terrifying talent of such individuals. What he did not know was that, upon awakening the spiritual body, one’s physique underwent a qualitative leap, and unless they broke through to an even higher realm, their physical growth would not be as rapid—the true strength of a cultivator lay not in the body, but in spiritual arts.

After his meal, Chu Feng was about to leave when four youths approached. One of them wore a purple-gold crown—they were the same boys who had previously wanted to challenge him but had been frightened off.

Chu Feng frowned slightly, wondering if they still clung to old grudges or were planning some new trick.

Seeing his frown, the four immediately paled. The handsome youth with the purple-gold crown quickly spoke, “Brother Chu, don’t misunderstand, we mean no harm.”

The other three nodded vigorously, as if terrified of offending him.

Chu Feng smiled faintly. It seemed he had scared them quite badly last time. “So, what do you want?” he asked.

The crowned youth replied, “Brother Chu, ever since we met, we’ve held you in the highest regard. If you don’t mind, we’d like to follow you.”

“That’s right!” the other three chimed in.

Chu Feng was taken aback. From their bearing, it was clear these boys were from wealthy or noble families—he hadn’t expected them to approach him so sincerely. He found himself admiring their ability to let go of pride, thinking, “If only Qin Hao had a bit of their humility, he wouldn’t keep suffering at my hands.”

Since arriving at the Spirit War Pavilion, Chu Feng had made few friends. Seeing the boys’ sincerity, he smiled, “I don’t go in for forming factions, so there’s no need to talk about followers. As the saying goes, ‘no friendship without a fight.’ Since you appreciate me, let’s simply be friends.”

In Chu Feng’s eyes, these four, though a bit arrogant and prone to bullying the weak, were more a product of their upbringing than of bad nature. He sensed at heart they weren’t bad people.

The boys were delighted. The crowned youth said, “Great! With those words, we’re brothers from now on. Let me introduce us—my name is Han Yan. This guy is Di Han, this is Lin Yun, and that’s Gu Xin. From now on, you’re our leader, Brother Chu.”

“Han Yan, Di Han, Lin Yun, Gu Xin,” Chu Feng repeated, studying them. He noticed they had changed since their last encounter.

Previously, they had been overbearing and arrogant, classic troublemakers.

But now, Han Yan was refined and scholarly, Di Han seemed honest and stalwart, Lin Yun wore a solemn expression, and Gu Xin’s face naturally radiated a brilliant smile.

“Goodness, did I frighten these four boys so much? No, I must have inspired them—they’re like lost lambs I’ve redeemed,” Chu Feng thought, growing rather self-satisfied.

Han Yan then said, “We heard you came out of seclusion today, so tonight we’ve arranged a banquet at the Joyous Guest Pavilion to welcome you. Please don’t refuse.”

At the mention of “coming out of seclusion,” Chu Feng couldn’t help but recall his manly scent. He grinned awkwardly, “You’re being far too generous.”

Gu Xin grinned mischievously, “It’s only right. Just don’t forget to bring our sister-in-law along.”

Chu Feng nearly stumbled. When had he ever courted a wife? He smacked each of them and said, “Don’t talk nonsense.”

Han Yan laughed, “We’re not making it up—everyone knows about it.”

Chu Feng glanced around and saw people looking at him strangely, just as they had twenty days ago.

He swallowed, sensing something was off, and quickly took the four to a quiet place. “What’s going on? What exactly does everyone know?”

“You really don’t know, boss?” Gu Xin replied, surprised.

“If I knew, would I be asking?” Chu Feng said in exasperation.

Gu Xin then recounted the widely spread rumor, embellishing it as he went. His storytelling was superb—tales of lingering in the training room, a fateful embrace, vows for life—he made it sound as if he had witnessed it himself. Even Han Yan and the others were amazed, never realizing Gu Xin had such a talent.

Chu Feng listened, nearly coughing up blood. It had all been a misunderstanding, yet rumor had transformed it into a tale of forbidden love.

“So that’s why Xu Yan reacted that way,” Chu Feng muttered, feeling his face flush hot with embarrassment.

“Boss, you really don’t know how lucky you are. Now you finally understand,” Han Yan teased.

Chu Feng was both amused and exasperated, wanting nothing more than to punch them all. “Understand, my foot! You lot just love stirring things up,” he scolded.

“I’m going to train,” Chu Feng announced, rolling his eyes and walking off.

“Boss, we’ll come find you tonight!” Han Yan called after him.

“Am I destined to be notorious?” Chu Feng thought in frustration. He had always been seen as a hopeless underdog, yet now he’d become the subject of everyone’s attention.

Chu Feng entered the training room and immediately began practicing his swordsmanship. He had learned and comprehended so much in the Sutra Pavilion—now he needed to put it all to the test, refining and elevating his skills through actual practice.

At sunset, as Chu Feng was lost in his sword training, Xu Yan suddenly appeared, startling him.

Seeing her, he felt a bit awkward.

Xu Yan, looking pleased with herself, said, “Savage, how do you plan on properly thanking me?”

“Thank you? For what?” Chu Feng replied, feigning ignorance.

Xu Yan was not offended. She pointed at Chu Feng, “You really are a savage, ungrateful. It seems I truly have no reason to tell you anything about Long Yue.”