Chapter Ninety-Nine: Rainflower Stone

In truth, Duan Yi merely intended to teach Chu Feng a lesson; he had no intention of taking his life. He simply wished to break Chu Feng's bones and tendons, and so had not struck with his full strength. At that moment, the shock in Duan Yi's heart far surpassed the impact of Chu Feng's spiritual intent, causing him, in his astonishment, to hesitate and lose momentum as he struck.

Yet even so, his palm remained formidable.

The moment the Domain Sword collided with the mighty spiritual power of Duan Yi’s palm, an immense force erupted, sending Chu Feng flying.

Chu Feng landed more than nine yards away, his whole body feeling as though it had been shattered, his blood and energy in turmoil. Once he steadied himself, he could not help but spit out a mouthful of blood.

Chu Feng fixed Duan Yi with a cold gaze, inwardly shaken; his spiritual attack had little effect, which could only mean the opponent was likely a Heavenly Spirit Warrior.

Meanwhile, Duan Yi still looked somewhat astonished. Before returning to the Spirit Battle Pavilion, he had visited East King City, where he had learned about Chu Feng from the East King.

Previously, he could scarcely believe that a fifth-tier Earth Spirit Warrior, even with constant breakthroughs, could kill a hundred sixth-tier Earth Spirit Warriors.

Now he understood—Chu Feng was capable of spiritual attacks.

How could a mere Earth Spirit Warrior accomplish such a feat? Only an early third-tier Heavenly Spirit Warrior could wield spiritual attacks. At that moment, even Duan Yi felt a pang of envy for Chu Feng.

Recovering himself, Duan Yi stared coldly at Chu Feng and said, “Before absolute strength, your spiritual attacks are useless! Arrogance always comes at a price!”

With that, Duan Yi flashed forward, heading straight for Chu Feng.

When Duan Yi was within six feet of Chu Feng, his expression suddenly darkened. At the same time, a light barrier inexplicably appeared before him.

Duan Yi struck the light barrier, which shattered instantly, forcing him to take a step back.

Wild energy swept between Duan Yi and Chu Feng, blocking Duan Yi’s sight as well.

When the energy storm subsided, Duan Yi saw two figures standing not far away.

One was, of course, Chu Feng, who at that moment was supported by a handsome man in white—Liu Yantao.

Duan Yi’s expression grew unfriendly as he stared at Liu Yantao. “You intend to stop me?”

Liu Yantao smiled slightly. “I just returned to check on my old territory, and here you are bullying my brother in my own domain. Isn’t that a bit disrespectful? Careful you don’t break the rules of the Spirit Battle Pavilion. Besides, what skill is there in bullying a newcomer? Why not challenge Long Yue instead?”

Liu Yantao spoke casually, but Duan Yi’s heart sank as he listened. He knew he could not continue, and not only Long Yue, but even Liu Yantao made him wary. With a cold snort and a glance at Chu Feng, Duan Yi turned and left.

After Duan Yi departed, Liu Yantao looked at Chu Feng with a peculiar expression, finally smiling and saying, “Brother, you’re something else—daring to provoke the East King.”

The first thing Liu Yantao heard upon returning to the Heavenly Battalion was news of Chu Feng’s bold insults toward the East King.

Chu Feng smiled helplessly and sighed, “They provoked me, not the other way around.”

“No matter what, your days ahead won’t be easy,” Liu Yantao said, glancing in Duan Yi’s direction before continuing, “I didn’t expect you to join the Heavenly Battalion so quickly. Your strength has soared. How’s it going—are you alright?”

“I’m fine, just a minor shock. Luckily, you arrived in time,” Chu Feng replied, and then drew a healing elixir from his storage ring and swallowed it.

Liu Yantao nearly dropped his eyes seeing Chu Feng use the storage ring—for even as a ninth-tier Earth Spirit Warrior, he himself was still unable to use one.

“Damn, you really are a monster! Don’t tell me you just used a spiritual attack against Duan Yi?” Liu Yantao asked. He knew Duan Yi’s strength, so seeing Chu Feng only lightly wounded and using a storage ring, he could only suspect this.

“I need a few tricks to stay alive, don’t I?” Chu Feng laughed, glancing in Duan Yi’s direction and continuing, “But he’s truly strong. My spiritual attack had little effect. I never heard of anyone this powerful in the Heavenly Battalion. Duan Yi must be a Heavenly Spirit Warrior, right?”

Liu Yantao shot Chu Feng a look and said, speechless, “You’ve become so extraordinary and won’t allow others to progress? But that guy is indeed remarkable. For the past decade, he’s been the most gifted in the East King clan. He’s one of the four prodigies of the Heavenly Battalion, on par with Mo Xuan. Judging by his aura, he’s now a first-tier Heavenly Spirit Warrior. I’d wager that after a year, Mo Xuan and Murong Qiuxue have likely also become Heavenly Spirit Warriors.”

Chu Feng’s heart grew solemn. Over the past year, he’d made great progress, but others would have as well. Now he faced another formidable opponent—and he still couldn’t match Duan Yi.

Liu Yantao then said, “But all these pale in comparison to your little sister Yue. By the way, has she returned yet?”

“Not yet,” Chu Feng replied.

Liu Yantao glanced at Chu Feng, his eyes filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment, sighing inwardly. “Take care of yourself. I just got back and have things to handle, so I’ll be off. Tonight, let’s drink our fill right here—don’t forget.”

“Alright. I’ll get the food and wine for tonight,” Chu Feng nodded.

Liu Yantao patted Chu Feng’s shoulder and left.

“Thanks,” Chu Feng called out after him.

“What’s the point of thanks between brothers? If you truly want to thank me, take me to see some beauties someday!” Liu Yantao replied, flashing a wicked grin at Chu Feng.

Chu Feng immediately thought of Liu Yantao’s peeping device, realizing his “seeing” was quite different from others’, and couldn’t help but twitch his lips and curse, “Get lost!”

“Brother, that’s the mark of a true hero. One day you’ll understand. Hahaha!” Liu Yantao laughed as he walked away.

Chu Feng smiled helplessly, thinking Liu Yantao was genuinely a good man, though a bit too lustful.

Chu Feng took a deep breath and walked forward a short distance. Suddenly, he froze as something on the ground caught his eye—a small stone.

He stooped to pick it up, and upon seeing it, his body trembled. He could hardly believe his eyes.

It was a beautiful Rain Flower Stone, its pattern resembling an eagle.

Chu Feng gazed in the direction Duan Yi had left, his expression deeply conflicted, tears glimmering in his eyes as childhood memories surged forth. The boy named Yu Xiang appeared in his heart once more.

This Rain Flower Stone was no stranger to Chu Feng. It was the very one he had found by the riverside outside Ancient Qilin City, which he had given to Yu Xiang.

Now, the Rain Flower Stone had appeared again—something Chu Feng never could have imagined.

Moreover, the stone had fallen near where Duan Yi had stood, likely dropped when Duan Yi struck the barrier.

A thousand thoughts flooded Chu Feng’s mind. Could this Rain Flower Stone belong to Duan Yi? Did Yu Xiang, after disappearing, end up with the East King clan? Could Duan Yi actually be Yu Xiang?

If Duan Yi was truly Yu Xiang, what had happened? How had he become a member of the East King clan? Did the East King clan know the truth?

Chu Feng could scarcely believe his own speculation. If it were true, fate would be absurd indeed—Senior Yu Yang bore a bitter grudge against the East King clan, yet his son lived among them.

Holding the Rain Flower Stone, Chu Feng stood lost in thought, unable to leave, for he desperately wished to confirm whether the stone truly belonged to Duan Yi. If Duan Yi noticed its absence, he would surely return to search for it.

For Chu Feng, this was of utmost importance—even waiting several days would be worthwhile.

But events unfolded faster than he imagined. Not long after, Duan Yi returned, finding Chu Feng still there. He paused briefly, but seemed uninterested in Chu Feng, giving him a cold glance before unleashing his spiritual sense to search the area.

Chu Feng sensed Duan Yi’s spiritual wave and understood he must be searching for the Rain Flower Stone, making his heart race with excitement.

“Strange, could it have fallen somewhere else?” Duan Yi muttered, standing sixteen feet away, his brows knit in concern.

“Are you looking for this?” Chu Feng said, opening his palm.

Seeing the Rain Flower Stone in Chu Feng’s hand, Duan Yi’s expression shifted, and he walked over at once. “Give it to me.”

“Is this very important to you?” Chu Feng asked.

Duan Yi did not explain, but his anxious face was unmistakable. He reached out again. “Give it to me!”

Chu Feng smiled faintly and tossed the Rain Flower Stone over. He could see Duan Yi truly cared about it.

Duan Yi caught the stone and examined it, joy spreading across his face. He then looked at Chu Feng, his expression darkening. “Don’t think that just because you found it for me, I’ll let you off. You’d better watch yourself.”

“Is that so? Is it the so-called East King clan’s honor you speak of? Are you going to risk your life for the clan?” Chu Feng said quietly, feeling a trace of sadness.

Duan Yi clearly did not catch the hidden meaning in Chu Feng’s words. He glared at Chu Feng. “As a member of the East King clan, it is my duty to defend its honor.”

Chu Feng shook his head helplessly, looking at Duan Yi. “Though I don’t know what happened in those years, it seems you remember nothing.”

“What do you mean?” Duan Yi asked, feeling a bit bewildered.

Chu Feng was almost certain now—the Rain Flower Stone belonged to Duan Yi, and Duan Yi was surely Yu Xiang.

He did not know how Yu Xiang had entered the East King clan, but he was certain they knew nothing of his true identity. Otherwise, with their hatred over the death of their son, the East King would have destroyed Yu Xiang long ago, not cultivated him.

Yet Chu Feng did not explain. Judging by the current situation, he dared not tell Duan Yi he was Yu Yang’s son, Yu Xiang.

Firstly, Duan Yi likely wouldn’t believe it. Secondly, if the East King discovered the truth, it would surely place him in mortal danger.