Chapter Seventy-Eight: The Son of Yuyang

After leaving the Heavenly Treasure Hall, Chu Feng returned directly to the Twentieth Battalion.

Seated cross-legged in the training chamber, Chu Feng could not suppress his excitement as he opened the nameless tome and began to read.

This anonymous body-forging manual was a thick volume, yet it recorded only six extreme realms. In other words, the book contained merely six main prescriptions for body refinement.

Chu Feng harbored no doubt that these six formulas were nothing short of terrifying; otherwise, the book would not be hailed as the mightiest of all body-forging tomes.

Each prescription was exceedingly complex—so much so that Chu Feng struggled to comprehend them. He could see only that the required medicinal ingredients were vast in number, and the refining process described was intricate beyond his understanding. He glanced over them, realizing that a detailed study would be fruitless at his current level.

At the end of the tome were some annotations, outlining the corresponding ranks of spirit warriors for each extreme realm. In truth, Chu Feng didn’t know these were added by the Grand Elder for his convenience.

The first extreme realm was equivalent to a fourth-rank Earth Spirit Warrior.

The second, to a ninth-rank Earth Spirit Warrior.

The third, to a fourth-rank Heaven Spirit Warrior.

The fourth, to a seventh-rank Heaven Spirit Warrior.

The fifth, to a ninth-rank Heaven Spirit Warrior.

The sixth, to a first-rank Saint Spirit Warrior.

In terms of raw physical strength and explosive power, a body-forging cultivator at any extreme realm would surpass a spirit warrior of equivalent rank. Before the fourth rank, the disparity might not be obvious, but beyond that point, the difference would grow ever more pronounced as one progressed further.

Here, “equivalent” referred only to combat power. The greatest strength of a spirit warrior lay in their spiritual arts, while for body refiners, it was naturally their physique. As to which was truly superior in battle, that depended on the individual.

Yet for body refiners, their true strength did not manifest merely upon reaching an extreme realm, but rather upon breaking through one.

Chu Feng understood that with each breakthrough, his base physical strength and explosive power would both increase—but this increase was not the manual’s true purpose.

Take Chu Feng himself, for instance. Though he had continuously tempered his body and grown ever more formidable, his flesh remained unchanged; blades and swords could still cut him.

If, however, he were to break through the first extreme realm, matters would be utterly different. Not only would his physique grow even more powerful, but his bodily toughness would also rise to the point where ordinary weapons could hardly harm him. His body would rival spiritual artifacts; even barehanded, he could contend with mid-grade Earth-level spirit weapons. This would be nothing short of a qualitative leap—an evolution.

What’s more, after breaking through to an extreme realm, continued training would only further toughen his body until the next extreme was reached. This was the true essence of body cultivation.

Chu Feng’s heart surged with excitement. He could not help but marvel at the extraordinary path of martial arts: six extreme realms—upon reaching the sixth, one could contend barehanded against Saint-grade spirit weapons, rivaling Saint Spirit Warriors. What lay beyond was unimaginable even to him.

He returned the nameless tome to his storage ring, steadied his emotions, and began to ponder matters related to entering the Heaven Battalion.

After a while, there was a knock at the door. Chu Feng was slightly surprised; for someone to knock, it likely wasn’t anyone from the Newcomers’ Battalion, at least not without an identity token.

Opening the door, he was even more taken aback before breaking into a smile. “Brother, what brings you here?”

The visitor was dressed in silver, with the character “Xuan” embroidered on his chest—it was Yu Feng.

Yu Feng grinned. “Brother Chu, your name has been on everyone’s lips lately in the Xuan Battalion. One of the six strongest of this year’s Newcomers, and you’ve earned a place in the Sacred Trial! How could I not come to congratulate you?”

After some casual conversation, Yu Feng invited Chu Feng to visit the Yu Estate, which Chu Feng gladly accepted, intending to share some important news.

The two arrived at the Yu Estate just in time for lunch.

The household members, seeing Yu Feng bring back a young man about his age, were surprised—this was unprecedented.

Though the estate was not bustling with servants, everyone greeted Chu Feng warmly.

In the parlor, Chu Feng met Yu Feng’s mother, and more importantly, his father.

Yu Feng’s father, Yu Guang, was the younger brother of Yu Yang. He was a steady middle-aged man, though streaks of white had appeared in his hair and there was a trace of exhaustion and sorrow in his eyes.

Chu Feng understood—the Yu family had endured covert and overt suppression from the Eastern King’s clan and others over the years, making life difficult.

As the head of the family, Yu Guang held no real power and could do little but persevere through hardship. For the Yu family, endurance was their only option.

Yu Guang greeted Chu Feng with courtesy, even a hint of admiration, aware of the challenges Yu Feng faced in the Spirit Warrior Pavilion.

He ordered the servants to bring out fine food and wine to honor Chu Feng, personally joining the meal.

In truth, from the moment he first saw Chu Feng, Yu Guang sensed something extraordinary about the youth—an air reminiscent of Yu Yang’s younger days.

“Father, Brother Chu is incredible—one of the six strongest in the Newcomers’ Battalion. Last time, when those scoundrels led by Duan Liming caused trouble, Brother Chu settled it in an instant.” At the table, Yu Feng recounted Chu Feng’s exploits, still relishing the sight of Duan Liming and his gang being taught a lesson.

Yu Guang was astonished; he hadn’t expected this young man to have dared offend even members of the Eastern King’s clan.

He felt a pang of guilt, not wanting his son’s affairs to implicate Chu Feng. “Chu Feng, I’m truly sorry if you’ve been dragged into things because of my son.”

Chu Feng replied earnestly, “Uncle Yu, please don’t say that. Senior Yu Yang has shown me great kindness; there is no repayment too great. Alas, I am still weak, but if I ever grow strong, I will do all in my power to curb the arrogance of the Eastern King’s clan.”

Of the four present, aside from Yu Feng, his parents were both stunned, then became visibly emotional. Had this child truly met Yu Yang?

Yu Yang was Yu Guang’s elder brother, and their deep bond needed no words. For fifteen years, the whole family had been most concerned for Yu Yang’s safety.

“Uncle Yu, please don’t worry. In fact, I came today to share some important news with you,” said Chu Feng.

“Yes, yes!” Yu Guang nodded repeatedly, unable to hide his excitement.

After the meal, Yu Guang led Chu Feng into his study, with Yu Feng following.

Truthfully, Yu Guang found it all difficult to believe—how could this youth have ties to Yu Yang?

When Yu Feng explained that Chu Feng possessed Yu Yang’s Spirit Warrior Sacred Token, Yu Guang’s agitation grew.

Chu Feng told them all that he knew, and even summarized the Human Clan Elder’s analysis.

The news that Yu Yang was still alive was earth-shattering but exhilarating for Yu Guang and Yu Feng. Though they did not know where Yu Yang had gone, they now had hope.

So long as he lived, they believed that someday, no matter what, Yu Yang would return.

Chu Feng did not wish them to endure endless suffering from the loss of a loved one, so he decided to share this vital secret. He understood that since the Grand Elder had not expressly forbidden it, he tacitly consented.

Of course, Chu Feng was careful to warn them—the secret was crucial. If leaked, it could alarm the demon clans and bring great danger to Yu Yang.

After his initial excitement, Yu Guang gradually calmed and turned his attention fully to Chu Feng.

At this point, Yu Guang asked, “Child, have you ever considered your relationship to my elder brother Yu Yang?”

His question left both Chu Feng and Yu Feng momentarily stunned, unsure of his meaning.

Yu Guang sighed and continued, “Years ago, I once overheard my brother mention that the reason he left the Spirit Warrior Sacred Token unused was for Xiang’er to accomplish a great task.”

Yu Xiang, naturally, was Yu Yang’s son. Chu Feng already knew this. At that moment, both he and Yu Feng were struck—Yu Yang seemed to have intended the Sacred Token for his own child.

“But wasn’t little brother assassinated by the demon clan?” Yu Feng asked, and Chu Feng looked at Yu Guang in confusion.

Yu Guang replied, “That is the story told outside. In truth, Xiang’er vanished suddenly; it’s unclear who took him.”

Yu Feng exclaimed, “So he might still be alive! But who took him—the demon clan, or the Eastern King’s clan?”

Yu Guang shook his head and gazed meaningfully at Chu Feng. “Now, it seems, it might even have been my brother himself.”

Yu Feng was astonished, then quickly understood his father’s implication. He looked at Chu Feng and then back at Yu Guang, murmuring, “Father, are you saying Brother Chu is little brother?”

“With the clues we have, it’s very possible,” Yu Guang said.

Now Chu Feng was struck dumb, sitting blankly in his chair, turmoil swirling in his heart.

He had never before considered any deeper connection to Senior Yu Yang—he’d thought their meeting was pure fate.

But after hearing Yu Guang’s words, he could not dismiss the possibility.

Yu Yang had wanted his son to accomplish a great task, for which the Spirit Warrior Sacred Token was essential—that much was clear.

To Chu Feng, this “great task” was likely the dark path Yu Yang had once spoken of, and now the Sacred Token was in his possession.

“Could I truly be Yu Yang’s son?” Even Chu Feng felt lost at this point.

Seeing him thus, Yu Guang and Yu Feng were both visibly moved.

But Chu Feng remained silent, his thoughts in turmoil. He had always believed his early years held unique experiences, but now it seemed his origins were more complicated than he had ever imagined.

Suddenly, Chu Feng recalled a fleeting scene from his memory.

“At that time, there was another child with Senior Yu Yang. Later, I never saw him again. Did he leave with Senior Yu Yang? Or was he truly Yu Yang’s son?” Chu Feng wondered, finding this highly likely.

“That’s right—back then, Senior Yu Yang said, ‘But since I encountered you, perhaps this is your destiny.’ Yes, we must have met later.” With this, Chu Feng was almost certain he was not Yu Yang’s son—the other child likely was.

What he could not understand was why Senior Yu Yang changed his mind and chose him instead. Chu Feng did not believe there was anything special about himself.