Chapter 279-280 (Patreon)

279. Egging

Lin Fei noticed Wind Sovereign's condition. The Bone-Eroding Wind had only blown for a brief moment, estimated to be no longer than three breaths. Yet, the aftermath was severe. In such a short span of time, Wind Sovereign was pushed to the brink. The flesh on his body was eroded by the wind and turned into dust, even exposing his white bones.

However, fortunately for him as a Martial Sovereign, he possessed Life Power. As long as the Life Wheel was intact, the Martial Sovereign would not perish. Even if his body looked terribly damaged, with the circulation of Life Power, the flesh that was eroded by the wind began to regrow at a visible pace.

Though a Martial Sovereign is far from achieving the terrifying stage of regenerating from a drop of blood, injuries like these seemed minor. Soon, Wind Sovereign was restored to its original state. On the surface, he looked unharmed.

"Wind Sovereign, the Mountain Collapse Divine Ability you practice is indeed potent," Lin Fei remarked, furrowing his brows. "However, in hundreds of years, how have you only cultivated one Divine Ability? Moreover, while both are Great Divine Abilities, my Black Wind Prison seems to be slightly stronger than your Mountain Collapse."

Lin Fei had many questions. Being a Martial Sovereign for centuries without any improvement?

Wind Sovereign sighed deeply, "In truth, I was overly ambitious. When I first became a Martial Sovereign, I was full of vigor, believing I could become the top martial king of the Ancient Origin Sect. So, for my first Divine Ability, I chose a Great Divine Ability, which was Mountain Collapse. This Divine Ability was incredibly challenging. I spent three years just to get started, and that was only the beginning. It took me a century to master it. But once mastered, it became almost impossible to advance further. Reaching Transcendence was a luxury, let alone achieving perfection. As a Martial Sovereign, you must perfect your first Divine Ability before cultivating the second. Had I not been so ambitious and chosen a Lesser Divine Ability, by now I might have cultivated two, three, or even more Divine Abilities."

Wind Sovereign's tone was filled with regret.

"Hm? Why didn't you mention how difficult it was to cultivate a Great Divine Ability?" Lin Fei stared at Wind Sovereign.

"It's a rule!" Wind Sovereign responded. "Every newly ascended Martial Sovereign in our Ancient Origin Sect is not recommended any Divine Ability by the existing Martial Sovereigns, nor are they allowed to share their experiences. After all, the path of a martial artist is like rowing upstream: one must progress or regress. If one knows the challenges ahead, wouldn't it lead to despair? If everyone started practicing Lesser Divine Abilities, it would be a dead-end."

Lin Fei understood now. Essentially, the Ancient Origin Sect was worried that their newly promoted martial artists would lack ambition, all of them choosing to cultivate Lesser Divine Abilities. Although these Lesser Divine Abilities are easier, they are nowhere near as powerful as the Great Divine Abilities. Thus, to promote ambition and challenge, they chose not to mention it and let the new Martial Sovereigns choose their Divine Ability paths themselves.

"Sovereign Lin, you needn't worry," Wind Sovereign advised. "You are different from me. In just a few days, you can cultivate a Great Divine Ability. In the future, there's a real possibility you might cultivate a second or even a third Great Divine Ability. Your martial path still holds promise; it hasn't been severed. Among all the Martial Sovereigns in the Ancient Origin Sect, only you still have an unbroken path."

Wind Sovereign's tone was full of emotion, and when he looked at Lin Fei, there was a hint of envy.

"But your Mountain Collapse has reached mastery," Lin Fei pointed out. "My Black Wind Prison has only just begun. Yet, you had almost no power to counter when we clashed. How is that possible?"

Lin Fei wasn't being polite. If anything, he was being quite respectful. During their recent duel, they merely exchanged Divine Abilities, without employing other techniques.

Lin Fei hadn't even utilized his saber momentum or his 'three-in-one' technique, both of which were incredibly formidable. His strength in the past was enough to challenge a Golden Core True Person. Now, they were undoubtedly even more powerful.

"Divine Abilities vary greatly," Wind Sovereign explained. "I've heard of Black Wind Prison. The demands of this Divine Ability are so high; that its cultivation is incredibly challenging. Throughout the history of the Ancient Origin Sect, with its many Martial Sovereigns, nearly none have managed to cultivate Black Wind Prison. And it's not just Black Wind Prison. Many Divine Abilities remain uncultivated. So, to truly know the might of a Divine Ability, one must engage in combat."

Lin Fei then grasped the situation. Black Wind Prison was said to seal all five senses, rendering the opponent devoid of any sensation. It appeared to be a confinement-type Divine Ability. As for the Bone-Eroding Wind, it was said to turn a person into bones instantly. Since no one in the Ancient Origin Sect had managed to cultivate it, its true power was unknown. Now that Lin Fei had achieved it, even if only at the beginner level, its terrifying power was undeniably exceptional.

"Lin Fei, with your strength, coupled with your impressive saber momentum," Wind Sovereign suddenly suggested, "perhaps you should try venturing into Illusion Worry City."

"Martial Sovereigns are forbidden from entering Illusion Worry City," Lin Fei reminded him. "Moreover, Illusion Worry City has two city masters. That Worry-free Sovereign is likely not easy to deal with."

"Indeed, Illusion Worry City does not permit Martial Sovereigns and those of the Golden Core level to enter," replied Wind Sovereign. "But it depends on the individual. Worry-free Sovereign only practices Lesser Divine Abilities, but he has cultivated three of them. He's just a step away from the mid-phase of Martial Sovereign. And the Illusion Heart True Person possesses a powerful magic treasure of the Golden Core level.

This is why our three great forces give some face to Illusion Worry City. Their reputation was hard-earned by the two city masters themselves! Worry-free Sovereign is only slightly stronger than me. After all, how can Lesser Divine Abilities compare to Great Divine Abilities? Even if he has three Divine Abilities, your Black Wind Prison is not just an ordinary Great Divine Ability. Coupled with your saber momentum, you might not necessarily lose to Worry-free Sovereign."

"If you defeat Worry-free Sovereign," Wind Sovereign continued with determination, "you can have anything you want from Illusion Worry City. Even if you lose, not only will the city master of Worry-free not harm you, but he wouldn't dare to do anything either. Behind you stands the entire Ancient Origin Sect! If Worry-free Sovereign dares to kill you, our Ancient Origin Sect could flatten Illusion Worry City in an instant."

Wind Sovereign's tone was decisive and dominant.

"So, you're saying that Illusion Worry City can only take hits and can't strike back?"

"That's right," Wind Sovereign admitted. "It might be a bit stifling for Illusion Worry City, but that's the reality. The city itself juggles between the three major forces, trying to survive the pressures from all sides. They're always walking on thin ice."

Lin Fei came to an understanding. While Illusion Worry City seemed to be thriving and prominent, in the eyes of the three major forces, it wasn't a big deal. The only reason they hadn't attacked the city was out of respect for the two city masters. It wasn't out of fear of them. Even if Worry-free Sovereign seemed dominant in the past, he had to be. Without that dominance, Illusion Worry City would fall.

"Sovereign Lin," Wind Sovereign proposed, "if you truly want those top-tier saber techniques within Illusion Worry City, I'll accompany you. If you defeat Worry-free Sovereign, whatever saber technique you want, Illusion Worry City will surely provide."

Lin Fei looked at the eager Wind Sovereign, noting the excitement in his eyes. It seemed as though Wind Sovereign was "egging on" Lin Fei, almost as if he was very keen for Lin Fei to visit Illusion Worry City. Or perhaps, Wind Sovereign was looking forward to a showdown between Lin Fei and Worry-free Sovereign?

280. Challenge

"Wind Sovereign, you seem eager for me to face Worry-free Sovereign in battle," Lin Fei inquired directly.

"You're right," Wind Sovereign acknowledged. "I've indeed wished for you to challenge him. It's simple, really. In the past, I dueled with Worry-free Sovereign, and I lost, rather badly at that. Over the years, even as I mastered my Divine Ability, I never dared to challenge him again. Now that you have bested me, it proves your strength surpasses mine. If you defeat Worry-free Sovereign, it would be a vindication for me."

Wind Sovereign didn't attempt to hide the underlying animosity he harbored towards Worry-free Sovereign. By the intensity of his sentiments, it suggested that there was more to their story than just a defeat.

However, what did that matter to Lin Fei? If defeating Worry-free Sovereign meant gaining the top Martial Sovereign-level saber techniques from Illusion Worry City, then that was all Lin Fei required.

"Then I appreciate your company on this trip to Illusion Worry City," Lin Fei decided after some thought. The journey to the city was imperative.

"When shall we set out?" Wind Sovereign asked.

"Tomorrow," Lin Fei responded, bidding his farewell and leaving the Law Enforcement Hall.

Back at his dwelling, Lin Fei examined his Black Wind Prison technique. Even after his duel with Wind Sovereign, there was no improvement in the cultivation progress of the technique. This indicated that Lin Fei hadn't found a way to advance it yet.

If mere effort was sufficient, Wind Sovereign would have long surpassed the 'mastery' stage of his Divine Ability. There had to be a unique method. Like the earlier "Tendon Transformation and Bone Forging Technique" which improved upon hearing Buddhist or Daoist scriptures, the "Black Wind Prison" must also satisfy certain conditions to progress.

However, there was no clear indicator or hint about what the Black Wind Prison technique needed. Lin Fei, with his wealth of experience in martial arts cultivation, delved deep into his memories, recalling every nuance of his practice with the Black Wind Prison. Every detail was etched in his mind, holding the potential key to the next breakthrough.

"Black Wind Prison is a Divine Ability formed by imitating numerous 'peculiar winds'," Lin Fei murmured to himself. "The Bone-Eroding Wind within it faintly resembles the Yin Evil Wind. If I can find the Yin Evil Wind and cultivate within it, the Black Wind Prison technique might just progress."

For the practice of Divine Ability, one has to understand the essence of the ability itself. Divine Abilities are, in essence, martial arts, albeit different from the common ones and sometimes transcending certain martial categories. Many Divine Abilities came into existence when predecessors had sudden epiphanies, deriving insights from nature, and then integrating those insights with their unique martial art styles.

Lin Fei surmised that Black Wind Prison was probably realized by some martial arts experts through their experience with the Yin Evil Wind or similar phenomena. However, this was only his speculation. Only by finding a place with the Yin Evil Wind or something akin to it could he truly validate his theory.

At present, his primary concern was to acquire the pinnacle saber technique and deal with Worry-free Sovereign. Lin Fei was well aware that the Worry-free Sovereign possessed three Lesser Divine Abilities. Even though they were termed 'lesser', their powers were likely earth-shattering, beyond the capabilities of ordinary Martial Sovereigns. Otherwise, the three major powers wouldn't fear him.

Relying solely on Black Wind Prison might not guarantee a victory against Worry-free Sovereign. Even though Black Wind Prison was an upper-echelon Great Divine Ability, Lin Fei had only reached its beginner realm and couldn't yet unleash its full potential. Hence, he needed the power of saber momentum.

Lin Fei's saber momentum and technique, even during the Three Flower Gathering, were comparable to a Golden Core True Person. Now, as a Martial Sovereign, it was undoubtedly even more potent. If combined with Divine Ability, even Lin Fei couldn't predict the extent of the power he could unleash.

The next day, Lin Fei left his dwelling to meet Wind Sovereign. Together, they transformed into a streak of light, speeding directly toward Illusion Worry City.

...

Illusion Worry City was as bustling as ever, full of life and activity.

Within a mansion in the city, Worry-free Sovereign entered a courtyard.

"Master," Jiang Tianyun opened his eyes and greeted the Worry-free Sovereign with a salute.

The last time, Jiang Tianyun was defeated by Lin Fei. Instead of being discouraged, Jiang Tianyun took his failure as motivation, advancing his cultivation at an unprecedented speed. Given this pace, perhaps in ten years, he might perfect his martial momentum and form the Spirit Flower, potentially achieving the status of a Martial Sovereign. Worry-free Sovereign highly regarded Jiang Tianyun and often checked in on him.

"Tianyun, you've heard the news, haven't you?" Worry-free Sovereign asked.

"Yes, Master. Lin Fei has achieved the Three Flowers Gathering and defeated Taiyi Dao Palace's True Person Lu Feng head-on," Jiang Tianyun responded calmly, showing he had been aware of this for a while.

The Three Flowers Gathering! This news alone was shocking. But the fact that Lin Fei could even defeat a Golden Core True Person from the Taiyi Dao Palace was not only a sensation in Illusion Worry City but also throughout the entire Ancient Continent.

"What are your thoughts?" Worry-free Sovereign inquired.

"Three Flowers Gathering can likely break the shackles of the Life Wheel. Although there's a chance of failure, considering Lin Fei's accomplishments, he's likely to succeed. He might have already become a Martial Sovereign. I can't really compare myself to such a prodigy. I just hope to continue, step by step, to the peak of martial arts. Whether I succeed or fail, I have no regrets."

Hearing Jiang Tianyun's words, Worry-free Sovereign nodded with a hint of a smile on his face. "Good. Such realization and determination... If you remain steadfast, you might surpass Lin Fei in the future. I started as a Qi cultivator and was once rejected by martial sects. And what about Wind Sovereign from the Ancient Origin Sect? He was quite renowned. In the end, while Old Wind did become a Martial Sovereign, so did I. I even defeated him and have suppressed him ever since. As long as I exist, I can suppress him. Even if Lin Fei reaches a higher realm before you, you can still catch up and even surpass him."

Worry-free Sovereign's words were filled with unyielding confidence. His own story was legendary, and his words ignited a fire within Jiang Tianyun. A temporary setback meant nothing; he still had opportunities to catch up.

"Hmm? Speaking of old wind, he's actually arrived," Worry-free Sovereign noted. "Has he come to Illusion Worry City to seek revenge? This time, he'll only lose even more miserably."

With a cold laugh, Worry-free Sovereign took a step, transforming into a streak of light, heading towards the outskirts of Illusion Worry City.