Hu Feng pointed his sword at the Master of the Blood Demon Palace, his spiritual energy surging like a turbulent wave, laden with boundless hatred and resolute determination. The Red Sun Sword hummed and vibrated, as if it, too, sensed its master's monstrous killing intent.
The Master of the Blood Demon Palace was engulfed in churning demonic clouds. With a change of hand seals, demonic hands reached out to blot out the sky, every single one terrifyingly ferocious like a giant black python waiting to devour anyone in its path.
Hu Feng sidestepped and flashed away, pushing the "Astral Spirit Formula" to its absolute limit. Moving with phantom-like agility, he instantly evaded the attack of the demonic hands while shouting in a low voice: "Junior brothers and sisters, form the sword formation! Do not break the ranks!"
Hearing this, the others forced their exhausted bodies to rapidly reposition themselves. The sword formation flashed with light, and sharp sword qi danced wildly like silver snakes, slashing together toward the demonic clouds.
Yet the Master merely let out a cold laugh, and his demonic power surged once more. The demonic clouds instantly grew as thick as ink, swallowing and shredding the sword qi entirely.
After a round of fierce attacks yielded no results and several fellow disciples were even lost, Hu Feng was burning with anxiety, his eye sockets turning red. *"Could it be that we are destined to die here today? No, how can I fall? My parents are still waiting for me to rescue them, and the blood feud of Daoxiang Village remains unavenged!"*
At this thought, he fiercely bit the tip of his tongue and spat out a mouthful of vital blood, showering it entirely upon the Red Sun Sword.
Nourished by the vital blood, the Red Sun Sword's light shifted from red to gold. The runes on the sword body surged wildly, and its power abruptly multiplied severalfold.
"Nine Yang True Formula: Scorching Sun Demon-Breaker!" Hu Feng poured out all his spiritual energy, unleashing this trump-card ultimate technique. Carrying the momentum to destroy heaven and earth, the Red Sun Sword transformed into a giant golden sword, slashing straight toward the Master.
Seeing that this move possessed extraordinary power and not daring to underestimate it, the Master rapidly formed hand seals, constructing a thick demonic shield before him. Complex demonic patterns covered its surface, circulating with a pitch-black light.
With a deafening boom like a clap of thunder, the giant golden sword collided with the demonic shield. Spiritual and demonic energies overflowed, the giant boulders in the surrounding valley cracked and rolled away, and the ground was forcefully smashed into a bottomless ravine.
The webbing between Hu Feng's thumb and forefinger cracked, blood flowing freely, and he was sent flying dozens of feet away, crashing heavily onto the ground.
The Master had a hard time of it as well; his demonic shield shattered, his figure staggered, and blood spilled from the corners of his mouth.
"Hmph, mere ants, yet you possess such ability!" The Master was enraged out of shame, yet he dared not launch another rash attack, wary that Hu Feng might still have a hidden trick up his sleeve.
Taking advantage of this gap, Hu Feng struggled to his feet and transmitted his voice to the fellow disciples beside him: "I will hold him down. You all look for an opportunity to break into the interior of the Blood Demon Palace, rescue the imprisoned hostages, and be sure to find the whereabouts of my parents!"
Although everyone's faces were full of worry, knowing that this was the only way at the moment, they nodded in agreement and feigned a fierce assault, but actually split into several groups and dashed toward the rear of the hall.
Seeing some people retreating, how could the Master let it rest? With a flash of his figure, he moved to give chase.
How could Hu Feng let him have his way? The "Astral Illusion-Breaking Formula" and the "Chaotic Shield" were unleashed one after another. Brilliant stars and a gloomy shield intertwined, blocking the Master's path: "Your opponent is me!"
The Master's advance was obstructed, and he grew increasingly frantic. Demonic power burned like black flames, wave after wave of attack growing fiercer than the last. Hu Feng supported himself bitterly as wounds continuously multiplied on his body, his clothes in tatters and his battle robes stained with blood.
On the other side, the disciples who had sneaked into the Blood Demon Palace proceeded all the way with extreme caution, avoiding heavy mechanisms and traps.
When they reached a dungeon, faint sounds of painful groaning drifted over. Everyone's spirits lifted, and they quickened their pace.
The dungeon was dark, damp, and reeked of a foul stench. Many commoners were locked inside the cells, all looking haggard and covered in injuries.
After a search, they finally found Hu Feng's parents. Everyone rushed to rescue them and escorted them toward the outer exit.
"Where is my son? How is my Feng'er doing?" Hu Feng's mother asked anxiously, grabbing a disciple to press for answers.
"Rest assured, Auntie. Senior Brother Hu is outside engaged in a fierce battle with the Master of the Demon Palace, holding back the enemy to cover us in rescuing you!" Hearing these words, Hu Feng's parents felt both heartache and pride, and they insisted on going to the battlefield to lend their son a helping hand.
At this moment, the battle outside the hall had grown even more tragic. Hu Feng's spiritual energy was nearly exhausted; he knelt on one knee, using his sword to support himself so he could barely avoid falling.
Thinking victory was within his grasp, the Master laughed wildly: "Go to hell!" He leaped high into the air, gathered his lifelong demonic power, and transformed it into a demonic palm that blotted out the sky, slamming down fiercely.
Just at this critical juncture, Hu Feng's parents arrived. Seeing their son in mortal danger, the elderly couple disregarded everything and lunged forward, using their physical bodies to shield Hu Feng.
"Father! Mother!" Hu Feng cried out with splitting eyes and a hoarse voice, watching helplessly as his parents were struck by the demonic palm, blood splashing everywhere as they slowly collapsed to the ground.
At that instant, Hu Feng felt the world spin and his mind go blank, his heart filled entirely with boundless grief.
"No—" he roared. An unfathomably powerful force surged within him, as if blessed by the wandering souls of his parents, and his spiritual energy recovered frantically.
"Blood Demon Palace, pay with your lives!" Acting like a demon possessed, Hu Feng moved like lightning, instantly closing in on the Master. The Red Sun Sword, carrying the powers of the stars, fire, and chaos, slashed down with mad fury.
Terrified beyond measure, the Master never expected Hu Feng to grow strong in an instant. Rushing to parry, he was full of flaws.
Every single one of Hu Feng's moves was fatal, every sword strike aimed relentlessly at vital points. After merely a few rounds, he cut the Master down by the sword.
The demonic body collapsed, transforming into a wisp of black smoke that dissipated. Losing its demonic power support, the Blood Demon Palace halls grew shaky and began to collapse.
Hu Feng paid no heed to the Master's corpse; he threw himself over his parents, pulling them tightly into his arms while continuously pouring in spiritual energy, weeping bitterly: "Father, Mother, wake up. Don't leave me..." Yet his parents' eyes were tightly closed, all breath was gone, and their bodies were gradually growing cold.
"Why? Why!" Hu Feng wailed up to the heavens, his voice echoing through the valley and lingering for a long time.
The fellow disciples gathered around, their faces also filled with sorrow as they silently shed tears. Together, they carried Hu Feng and the corpses of his parents, taking advantage of the collapse of the Blood Demon Palace to flee the place.
Upon returning to the Rosy Clouds Sect, Hu Feng acted as if he had lost his soul. He locked himself in his room, refusing to eat or drink, guarding the coffins of his parents with a hollow and desolate gaze.
The sect master and his martial brothers took turns trying to comfort him, all to no avail.
A few days later, in the dead of night, Hu Feng sat alone before the spirit tablets. In his mind, the past appearances, smiles, and earnest teachings of his parents flashed by like a revolving lantern.
"Feng'er, you must be an upright and kind person. When you go out into the world, never forget your original aspiration."
"Child, your father and I do not ask for you to attain great wealth and nobility; we only ask that you live in peace and joy." Those past words were like knives, every single word cutting into his heart.
Hu Feng clenched his fists so hard his nails dug into his palms, and fresh blood dripped down: "Rest assured, Father, Mother, your vengeance your child will surely exact twofold! As long as the evil in this world is not eradicated for a single day, your child will not rest for a single day!"
Right at that moment, a white shadow flashed past outside the window. Hu Feng arose with sharp vigilance and drew his sword: "Who's there?" The white shadow slowly materialized, turning out to be an immortal-looking, white-haired elder exuding an aura of peace.
"Little friend, do not be alarmed. I am Xuanfeng of the Xuanming Cave in Myriad Demon Mountain. Hearing of your ordeal, I have come specifically to help."
Hu Feng frowned: "Help? My parents have already passed away. Although my great revenge is avenged, my heart is filled with sorrow, and I have no attachments left in this world. How can you help me?"
Elder Xuanfeng shook his head slightly: "You are mistaken, little friend. Your parents' lifelong wish must have been for you to live well, to carry on the family teachings, and to punish evil and promote good. Moreover, behind the Blood Demon Palace, there is still a mastermind. Do you think that killing the palace master settles everything? That is merely the tip of the iceberg."
Hearing this, Hu Feng's gaze suddenly brightened like stars in the dark night: "There is still a mastermind? Senior, is what you say true?"
"Naturally, how could I deceive you? That mastermind lies dormant in the shadows, plotting a heaven-shaking conspiracy. If we do not stop them in time, all living beings will be in peril!"
Regaining his fighting spirit, Hu Feng knelt and bowed in gratitude: "I beg Senior to point out the clear path! I am willing to exhaust everything to stop this conspiracy!"
Elder Xuanfeng helped him up with a solemn expression: "Thousands of miles away from here, there is a mysterious place—Spirit Abyss Valley. Hidden within the valley is an ancient divine artifact, the Spirit Abyss Mirror, which can peer into all things in the world and trace them back to their origin. If you obtain this mirror, you may be able to ferret out the mastermind behind the scenes and restore peace to the world. It's just that Spirit Abyss Valley is fraught with danger, countless mechanisms and Monster Beasts exist there, and there are even mysterious restrictions where many mighty warriors have perished. Do you dare to go?"
Without the slightest hesitation, Hu Feng answered: "I dare! For my parents, for the common people, even if it's a mountain of swords and a sea of fire, I will never back down!"
Elder Xuanfeng nodded with gratification: "Since that is the case, I will pass on to you a cultivation manual—the *Ethereal Sword Formula*. This sword formula is agile and elegant, which can help you save your life and slay enemies in perilous environments. Furthermore, I have a bottle of pills—the Nine Revolutions Soul-Returning Pill, which can restore spiritual energy and heal severe injuries at critical moments. May your journey go smoothly and may you return soon."
With that, the elder raised his hand and gently tapped Hu Feng's center of brows. The essentials of the sword formula rushed into his mind like a torrent; he then took out a bottle of pills and solemnly handed them over.
Hu Feng put away the pills and closed his eyes to comprehend the sword formula. A short moment later, when he opened his eyes, his gaze was as sharp as an eagle's. Drawing his sword and sweeping it forward, the sword shadows were dreamlike and illusory, and their power was actually even stronger than before.
He bowed in gratitude to the elder once more, tidied up briefly, and set off toward Spirit Abyss Valley.
The entire journey was spent flying on his sword, eating in the wind and sleeping in the dew.
When he reached a barren desert, fierce winds howled and sandstorms raged. His spiritual energy was interfered with and difficult to deploy, and his flying sword wobbled precariously. With no other choice, Hu Feng landed and proceeded on foot.
The yellow sand beneath his feet was scorching hot, akin to a furnace. Under the baking high temperature, sweat evaporated the moment it formed.
Suddenly, the sand surface churned, and several giant sand pythons burst out from the earth. Their bodies, as thick as water vats, coiled and writhed, and their blood-red maws spewed yellow toxic mist.
Hu Feng swiftly conjured his Chaotic Shield to block the toxic mist while simultaneously executing the *Ethereal Sword Formula*. His sword threaded through like a swimming fish, precisely piercing the sand pythons' seven-inch vital spots.
Afflicted with pain, the sand pythons writhed frantically, kicking up sand that filled the sky. Hu Feng hoisted his body upward, tumbling back and forth in mid-air to evade the attacks. Spotting an opportunity, he struck with full force and slew the sand pythons.
Having dealt with the sand pythons, he dared not pause and continued on his way.
After enduring hardships, he finally arrived at Spirit Abyss Valley.
The valley entrance was shrouded in clouds and mist, exuding a mysterious aura. The moment Hu Feng stepped inside, he felt the assault of a powerful restrictive force, akin to heavy mountains pressing down upon him, making his movements sluggish.
He gritted his teeth and persisted, inching his way into the valley step by step. The valley was somewhat eerily quiet, with jagged rocks and spirit trees swaying, their branches glittering with strange radiances.
When he reached the depths of the valley, an ancient stone platform stood erect, upon which hovered an archaic bronze mirror. The mirror's surface was like water, shimmering with a faint light—it was none other than the Spirit Abyss Mirror.
A wave of joy washed over Hu Feng, and he stepped forward quickly. Before he could even touch the mirror, the surrounding light burst forth with dazzling brilliance, and several phantom figures materialized out of thin air, holding sharp blades and launching fierce attacks.
Recognizing these as guardian spirits, Hu Feng drew his sword to meet the enemy. He executed the *Ethereal Sword Formula* as smoothly as flowing water, sword shadows fluttering everywhere.
Yet the guardian spirits seemed immortal, instantly regenerating after being injured. Hu Feng gradually grew physically spent, and numerous wounds were added to his body.
*"I cannot fall short at the final hurdle!"* Burning with anxiety, he took out a Nine Revolutions Soul-Returning Pill and swallowed it. His spiritual energy instantly exploded, and his injuries healed completely. Seizing this golden opportunity, Hu Feng pointed his sword at the Spirit Abyss Mirror, using threads of spiritual energy to guide it as he attempted to subdue it.
Sensing something, the Spirit Abyss Mirror trembled, its light radiating brilliantly as it took the initiative to fly into Hu Feng's hand.
The moment he grasped the Spirit Abyss Mirror, a gloomy and wild laugh echoed through the valley: "Want to take the Spirit Abyss Mirror? It's not that easy!"
A black figure burst out from beneath the ground—it was none other than the mastermind behind the Blood Demon Palace: the Black-Robed Demonic Venerable. Demonic energy churned so thickly around him it was nearly corporeal, and a pair of blood-red eyes stared fixedly at Hu Feng like the red lotus of the netherworld.
"It's you!" Hu Feng's eyes widened in fury, his hatred towering to the heavens. "You harmed my parents and destroyed my village! Today shall be your day of death!"
With that, holding the Spirit Abyss Mirror and the Red Sun Sword, he lunged forward with all his might.
The Black-Robed Demonic Venerable sneered: "Ignorant fool seeking your own death, then I shall grant your wish!"
Waving both hands, demonic clouds rolled and transformed into countless demonic shadows that surged toward Hu Feng like a tidal wave.
Hu Feng circulated the *Ethereal Sword Formula* and the *Astral Spirit Formula*. His sword followed his body, and the mirror bloomed with light, scattering the demonic shadows.
Seeing this, the Demonic Venerable produced a demonic artifact—the Netherworld Soul-Destroying Banner. As the banner unfurled, black soul force roared like wicked ghosts, attacking to blot out the sky.
Before Hu Feng could dodge in time, he was struck by the soul force. He spat a mouthful of blood, and his figure teetered unsteadily.
"Hmph, obediently accept your death!" The Demonic Venerable pressed forward step by step, the power of his demonic artifact unleashed to the maximum.
At this life-or-death juncture, Hu Feng hugged the Spirit Abyss Mirror tightly and chanted inwardly in his heart: "If you truly possess divine power, lend me a hand!"
As if it understood his plea, the Spirit Abyss Mirror's light suddenly flared, and a pillar of sacred light shot out, illuminating the Demonic Venerable directly.
Struck by the pillar of light, the Demonic Venerable screamed repeatedly; his demonic power fell into disorder and his form turned illusory.
How could Hu Feng let slip this prime opportunity? Forcing himself up, the Red Sun Sword, carrying the power of the stars, slashed fiercely toward the Demonic Venerable.
With a soft *squelch*, the sword pierced the demonic body. The Demonic Venerable's eyes widened in utter unwillingness, and his form slowly dissipated, turning into a wisp of blue smoke.
Hu Feng collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily. Looking at the Spirit Abyss Mirror in his hand, his eyes turned red: "Father, Mother, your child has done it..."
After resting briefly, Hu Feng got up and used the Spirit Abyss Mirror to scan for remaining remnants of the Blood Demon Palace and potential evil forces.
As the mirror light circulated, hidden corners of the world emerged one by one. Hu Feng firmly memorized the information, preparing to return to the Rosy Clouds Sect and discuss the extermination plan with the sect.
Though this trip had been incomparably arduous, the harvest was bountiful. The Spirit Abyss Mirror in his hand was like the blade of justice; in the days ahead, he would use it to protect the common people, fulfill his parents' dying wishes, and ensure the world would never again see scenes of blood demons running amok and commoners suffering.
On his return journey, Hu Feng happened to encounter a merchant caravan being plundered by bandits.
Without the slightest hesitation, he stepped in to help. His sword struck like a dragon, and the bandits fled in panic. The leader of the caravan showered him with boundless gratitude and offered precious spiritual treasures. Hu Feng politely declined: "Just a minor effort, no reward needed. Travel carefully on your road ahead."
With that, he flew away on his sword. His figure grew increasingly distant, accompanied only by the fierce wind—matching his unyielding determination and heart to protect the common people, which would never be worn away.