Fate Sealed in Realm Breakthrough, Winds and Clouds Surge Again
After Hu Feng brought the Primordial Cauldron back to the sect, he spent day and night in deep contemplation and practice. The Primordial Cauldron seemed to understand his intent, its runes shimmering with a faint light as if echoing his spiritual power.
Inside the quiet chamber, Hu Feng closed his eyes and concentrated, forming hand seals with both hands. The spiritual power around him flowed like a nimble stream, slowly pouring into the cauldron before circulating back through his entire body. In a continuous cycle, it constantly tempered and expanded his meridians.
Every circulation of spiritual power felt like a heavy hammer striking the barriers within his body, causing light to flash all around him and his clothes to rustle in the wind.
Lin Yao often kept a quiet vigil outside the door, peeking through the crack to look at Hu Feng's resolute face. Sometimes she would frown when spiritual power impacts wrung his expression, and other times her brow would unfurl when he made a slight breakthrough; her heart tightened and relaxed right along with his.
On this day, the spiritual light inside the room suddenly grew intensely fierce, resembling the blazing sun at noon. Piercing light leaked through the gaps in the doors and windows, causing the surrounding spiritual qi to surge frantically and form a spiritual vortex.
Hu Feng suddenly opened his eyes, a fierce light bursting from his pupils. A long whistle broke through the roof and soared straight into the clouds—he had finally achieved a breakthrough to the tenth stage of the Qi Condensation stage!
Yuji Zi was the first to arrive, his face beaming with joy as he pushed open the door. Seeing Hu Feng shrouded in misty spiritual power with an even steadier demeanor, he laughed heartily, "Good! Excellent! Feng'er, this master knew you would definitely break through. This is a tremendous joyous occasion!"
Hu Feng stood up and bowed respectfully, "Thanks entirely to Master's teachings in the past. Without your guidance all the way, this disciple would hardly have achieved today."
With these words, his gaze swept outward, as if searching for something.
Lin Yao walked gracefully out from behind the others, holding meticulously prepared spiritual tea and healing pills. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were filled with admiration and joy, "Senior Brother Hu, congratulations on your successful breakthrough! You must have expended a great deal of mental energy during these days of closed-door cultivation. This spiritual tea can calm the mind and soothe the spirit, and the pills will help you stabilize your realm."
Hu Feng met her gaze, and seeing the brilliant radiance in those eyes, a warmth spread through his heart. He reached out and took the items, his fingertips brushing lightly against Lin Yao's delicate hand. Both of them froze for a moment, as if an electric current had passed through them.
Hu Feng was the first to recover his composure, smiling as he expressed his gratitude, "Many thanks to Junior Sister Lin for your concern. Every time a critical moment arose, Junior Sister was always by my side to help and support me. This kindness, I have engraved in my heart."
Lin Yao lowered her head, twisting the hem of her garment, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "What is Senior Brother saying? You hold the welfare of all living beings in your heart and repeatedly brave dangers. I... I merely contributed a meager effort."
A fellow disciple nearby bantered, "Oh, Junior Sister Lin calls this a meager effort? Clearly, you've put deep thought and hard work into this, always keeping Senior Brother on your mind!"
Lin Yao's cheeks burned red, and she reproached playfully, "Don't talk nonsense!" Yet she raised her eyes stealthily to peek at Hu Feng's reaction.
The tips of Hu Feng's ears turned red. He gave a light cough and changed the subject, "This breakthrough is largely thanks to numerous fortuitous encounters and everyone's assistance. From now on, when facing the evil sects, I have much greater confidence."
As they were speaking, the sect master sent an order for everyone to gather in the main hall. Inside the hall, the atmosphere was heavy. The sect master's expression was stern, and the jade slip in his hand flickered with light, as if bearing urgent military intelligence.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, the sect master said in a deep voice, "Scouts report that the remnants of the Blood Demon Palace have been lying low for many days, secretly colluding with a mysterious organization called the 'Dark Spirit Pavilion'. Not only have they been abducting children and young adults from surrounding villages, but they have also gathered numerous demonic artifacts in an attempt to restart the ancient World-Extinguishing Demonic Array, endangering all living beings. The situation brooks no delay!"
Murderous intent instantly surged around Hu Feng. He clenched his fists and said angrily, "Sect Master, the Blood Demon Palace has committed countless atrocities and repeatedly attempted to plunge the world into chaos. This disciple requests the command to lead my fellow disciples out to exterminate them; we must never let them succeed!"
Many disciples responded one after another, passionately asking for battle.
The sect master nodded, "This mission is arduous. Hu Feng, your cultivation has just broken through and your strength has greatly increased. You shall lead the team, with Elder Yuji assisting from the side. You must retrieve the demonic artifacts, destroy the demonic array, and rescue the people!"
Everyone accepted the order and quickly prepared for departure.
When they reached the wasteland where the demonic array was located, yellow sand filled the sky and fierce winds howled, while the smells of blood and evil qi intertwined and permeated the air.
The disciples of the Blood Demon Palace and the members of the Dark Spirit Pavilion were draped in black robes, hiding within the demonic fog. Runes flashed before the array, resembling the gaping maw of a beast waiting to devour people.
Seeing the disciples of the Rosy Clouds Sect appear, the vice palace master of the Blood Demon Palace let out a strange, grating cackle, "Hu Feng, there is a path to heaven which you refuse to take, but you voluntarily cast yourself into hell where there are no doors! I let you escape last time, but today you will pay with your lives to fill this demonic array!"
Hu Feng's eyes widened in fury, and he drew his sword. The Red Sun Sword hummed and trembled, as if it too sensed its master's towering rage, "Hmph, mere defeated foes, yet you dare spew such arrogant nonsense! Today we will settle accounts with you once and for all!" With that, his figure moved like lightning, and he was the first to charge into enemy ranks. The "Star-Splashing Illusion-Breaking Formula" carried spiritual power along with him, and flying sword shadows instantly pierced down a group of enemy leaders.
Yuji Zi led the fellow disciples closely behind, their sword arrays flashing with brilliant light as they joined the melee against the demonic army.
Amidst the fierce battle, Hu Feng caught sight out of the corner of his eye of Lin Yao being surrounded by several Dark Spirit Pavilion experts, her spiritual shield growing precarious. Seized by burning anxiety, he shouted, "Junior Sister Lin, I'm coming!"
He broke away and dashed over, casting the "Nine Yang True Formula" several times along the way. The scorching high temperature forced the surrounding enemies back.
Reaching her side, he swung his sword to block a fatal blow for Lin Yao, then turned to ask, "Junior Sister, are you injured?"
Lin Yao shook her head, her gaze firm, "Senior Brother, rest assured, I can hold on. Do not let me distract you."
Hu Feng nodded and fought side by side with her, their sword shadows and spiritual light intertwining.
However, the demonic army poured in endlessly, and the pulling force of the demonic array grew increasingly fierce, as if trying to devour everything.
Hu Feng frowned, realizing that such a frontal assault would yield no results. He shouted, "Find the flaws in the demonic array, break the core first!" Understanding his intent, the others withdrew to search for the traces of the array core.
Lin Yao, possessing a meticulous mind, observed the flow of the demonic array's runes and was struck with an inspiration, "Senior Brother, look over there! Where the rune fluctuations are abnormal might just be the array core!"
Hu Feng looked in that direction and indeed saw a spot where the light flickered erratically. He immediately summoned the Spirit Abyss Mirror and charged toward the array core together with Lin Yao.
Along the way, attacks from demonic artifacts poured down like a rainstorm. Hu Feng blocked them with his sword, while Lin Yao wielded the Spirit Feather Shield to provide all-out protection.
Drawing close to the array core, Hu Feng poured his utmost spiritual power into summoning the Primordial Cauldron. The cauldron's body radiated a blinding light, attempting to suppress the demonic array's spiritual power.
The demonic array seemed to possess intelligence, fighting back frantically. The demonic shockwaves shook everyone's bodies unsteadily.
At the critical moment, Hu Feng looked at Lin Yao. Their gazes met, holding a mix of tenderness and resolve, and he shouted, "Junior Sister, help me!"
Understanding instantly, Lin Yao channeled all her spiritual power into Hu Feng's body. Their auras merged, transforming into a dazzling ray of light that struck the array core dead on.
With a deafening "boom," the demonic array collapsed with a roar. Demonic energy surged backward, and the demonic troops wailed incessantly, suffering heavy casualties and deaths.
The vice palace master of the Blood Demon Palace was panic-stricken, attempting to flee. How could Hu Feng let him go? He brandished his sword and gave chase, "Want to run? Not that easy!"
Moving like lightning, he caught up instantly and drove his sword straight into the vice palace master's chest. The vice palace master's eyes bulged as he crashed to the ground, dead.
Everyone let out a long breath, exhausted yet exhilarated.
Lin Yao ran to Hu Feng's side to check his injuries, "Senior Brother, are you badly hurt?"
Hu Feng shook his head with a slight smile, "With Junior Sister caring for me, it's nothing."
Yuji Zi walked over and said with gratification, "Feng'er, being able to break the demonic array this time is largely thanks to your resourcefulness and the help of Lin Yao girl. You must protect her well from now on."
Hu Feng blushed slightly and nodded in consent.
On the journey back to the sect, Hu Feng and Lin Yao flew side by side on their swords, a gentle breeze blowing their robes and sleeves.
Lin Yao softly asked, "Senior Brother, if there are perils like this again in the future, will you be afraid?"
Hu Feng turned his head, his gaze gentle, "With you by my side, what is there to fear? Through this battle, I have become even more certain that as long as we forge ahead hand in hand, there is no obstacle we cannot overcome."
Lin Yao's cheeks burned hot as she lowered her head and smiled faintly.
Just as they returned to the Rosy Clouds Sect, the sect master had already led the crowd out to welcome them. After offering words of praise, he solemnly said, "Although we broke the demonic array this time, the true background of the Dark Spirit Pavilion remains unclear. They surely still have trump cards, so we must not lower our guard. Hu Feng, this master hears that there is a Spirit Crystal mine in the Extreme North, containing a massive amount of Spirit Crystals. If we can mine them, it can substantially boost the sect's spiritual power reserves and lay a foundation for fighting a protracted war against the evil sects. It's just that the place is frozen year-round, infested with Monster Beasts, and fraught with danger. Are you willing to venture into danger once more?"
Hu Feng cupped his fists and accepted the order, "Sect Master, rest assured, this disciple will go all out!"
Lin Yao wanted to speak but hesitated. Seeing through her thoughts, Hu Feng smiled, "Junior Sister, rest assured, I will definitely return safely, and then we will enjoy the magnificent scenery of the sect together."
Lin Yao gave a playful reproach, "Senior Brother must be careful."
A few days later, Hu Feng led his team to set off for the Extreme North. The cold wind was like knives, stinging their faces as the group flew on their swords, advancing with great difficulty.
Halfway through the journey, a blizzard struck suddenly. Goose-feather snowflakes blocked out the sun and sky, obscuring their vision and slowing down the circulation of their spiritual power.
The ice plain below suddenly shook, and several Ice-Armored Rhinos burst through the ice. Massive in size and covered in blade-like ice ridges, they roared as they charged toward them.
Hu Feng summoned the Spirit Abyss Mirror, its light scattering the wind and snow as he called out loudly, "Deal with them carefully! Do not let the Monster Beasts get close!"
With that, he was the first to swing his sword to meet the enemy. He executed the "Ethereal Sword Formula" with fluid agility, his sword shadows weaving back and forth to knock off the ice ridges of the Ice-Armored Rhinos. Although the sword array of his fellow disciples was sharp, they gradually found themselves at a disadvantage because the Monster Beasts had thick hides and terrifying brute strength.
A disciple was sent flying by the crash of a rhino. Stricken with anxiety, Hu Feng swooped down, caught him in mid-air, and shouted, "Hold on!"
At that crucial moment, an idea struck Hu Feng. Channeling his spiritual power, he used the Spirit Abyss Mirror to condense the snow and ice into ice spikes, launching a counter-attack against the rhinos. Stung with pain, the rhinos rolled about frantically, stirring up a sky-filling mist of snow.
Taking advantage of this, the group joined forces to slay several rhinos, while the remaining Monster Beasts fled with injuries.
After going through many twists and turns, they finally arrived at the Spirit Crystal mine.
The entrance to the mine was biting with cold. The cave walls were embedded with Spirit Crystals that flickered with a faint light, resembling a dreamy fairyland.
Just as Hu Feng was about to enter, the surrounding light flashed, and several phantom figures materialized out of thin air. They turned out to be the mine's guardian spirits, possessing violent spiritual power and fierce offensive momentum.
Hu Feng raised his sword to block, but the guardian spirit's blow made his arm go numb.
Lin Yao summoned the Spirit Feather Shield to assist Hu Feng, calling out, "Senior Brother, don't panic!" Hu Feng steadied his mind and closely coordinated with Lin Yao, their sword shadows and shield light intertwining.
After a fierce battle, spotting a flaw in the guardian spirit, Hu Feng poured his utmost spiritual power into fixing the guardian spirit's movements with the Spirit Abyss Mirror, and quickly gathered the Spirit Crystals.
The moment he grasped the Spirit Crystals, the mine shook violently and began to collapse. Hu Feng gripped the Spirit Crystals tightly and grabbed Lin Yao, "Let's go!"
The group ran for their lives, narrowly dodging falling boulders and collapsing ground.
Escaping the mine and setting off on the return journey, Hu Feng looked at Lin Yao's tired yet relieved face, his heart filled with gratitude and tenderness.
Upon returning to the sect, the sect master was overjoyed to see the Spirit Crystals and offered high praise, "Feng'er, the harvest of this trip is immense! With the help of these Spirit Crystals, our Rosy Clouds Sect's spiritual power reserves are secure, and our chances of keeping the evil sects in check have greatly increased."
Hu Feng presented the Spirit Crystals and smiled, "Thanks entirely to the Sect Master's trust, the assistance of my fellow disciples, and Junior Sister Lin Yao accompanying me all the way, could this disciple have succeeded."
Lin Yao stood aside with a red face.
In their leisure time thereafter, Hu Feng and Lin Yao often strolled through the sect, enjoying the scenery, discussing the Dao, and studying sword formulas.
One day, as they strolled to the peak of Rosy Clouds Peak with the afterglow of sunset spilling over them, Hu Feng stopped in his tracks, pulled Lin Yao to a halt, and looked at her intently, "Junior Sister, after enduring so many trials of life and death, you have long since become an indispensable person in my heart. If in the days to come, the battle between righteousness and evil subsides, would you be willing to spend the rest of your life accompanying me, to see all the worldly prosperity and magnificent mountain scenery?"
Lin Yao's eyes reddened and she nodded heavily, "Senior Brother, of course I am willing."
Hu Feng beamed and reached out to pull Lin Yao into his embrace. As the two held each other, the sunset stretched their figures long, as if painting an eternal scroll.
Yet good times do not last. Only a few days of peace had passed when the sect suddenly received an urgent communication: the citizens of several surrounding cities had plunged into madness overnight, with demonic patterns faintly visible on their bodies as they attacked passersby, appearing to be manipulated by a mysterious demonic power.
The sect master urgently summoned everyone, his expression solemn, "This must be the evil sects making trouble in secret. The situation this urgent; Hu Feng, you must quickly lead an elite force to investigate, and you must ferret out the mastermind behind the scenes to relieve the suffering of the people!"
Hu Feng accepted the order and exchanged a glance with Lin Yao, both seeing resolute determination in each other's eyes.
The two joined hands and led their fellow disciples rushing to the scene of the incident. Chaos was rampant in the city; the citizens had hollow eyes and lunged forward while roaring. Frowning, Hu Feng summoned the Spirit Abyss Mirror, attempting to scatter the demonic power, but it yielded little effect.
Lin Yao said anxiously, "Senior Brother, going on like this is no solution; we must find the root cause!"
As she spoke, the sky suddenly darkened with roiling black clouds. A gloomy, wild laughter echoed through the sky, "Ha, ha! Hu Feng, we meet again! This is the grand gift I've prepared for you, enjoy it to your heart's content!"
Hu Feng raised his eyes and recognized the master of the Dark Spirit Pavilion. Enveloped in thick demonic qi, his pair of blood-red eyes revealed cruelty as he shouted angrily, "It's you again, villain! What kind of sorcery have you used? Release the people from their suffering immediately, or today will be your day of death!"
The Pavilion Master of the Dark Spirit Pavilion sneered, "Want to save the people? Then trade your life for theirs!" Waving both hands, the demonic clouds surged and transformed into a sky-filling tide of demonic figures that rushed toward Hu Feng.
Hu Feng showed no fear, executing his ultimate trump card, "Chaotic Devouring". A spiritual vortex appeared out of thin air and devoured the demonic figures. Taking advantage of the momentum, he closed in and thrust the Red Sun Sword fiercely toward the pavilion master's throat.
The pavilion master dodged to the side, but his cheek was grazed by the sword wind. Enraged, he summoned his demonic artifact, the "Nine Nether Soul-Devouring Banner". As the banner unfurled, black soul power roared like angry ghosts, attacking in a crushing, overwhelming wave.
Hu Feng was unable to dodge in time and was struck by the soul power, spitting out a mouthful of blood. Lin Yao cried out in alarm, "Senior Brother Hu!" and flew to stand in front of Hu Feng, summoning her own magical artifact to resist with all her might.
Struggling to his feet with wide, furious eyes, Hu Feng shouted, "Junior Sister, get back! Today I will fight this scoundrel to the death!" Violent spiritual power surged around him as he fought the pavilion master to the death.
Seeing this, his fellow disciples rushed over to help at the risk of their lives, the sword array's light blazing brilliantly as they forced the pavilion master back.
However, the suffering of the common people had not ceased, and the demonic patterns grew increasingly glaring.
Seized by burning anxiety, Hu Feng gripped the Spirit Abyss Mirror tightly and silently chanted in his heart, "If you truly possess divine power, help me save these people!" The Spirit Abyss Mirror seemed to understand his plea as a blindingly bright pillar of holy light shot forth, enveloping the citizens of the entire city.
The demonic patterns on the citizens gradually faded, and their eyes regained clarity as they collapsed onto the ground.
Seeing this, the Pavilion Master of the Dark Spirit Pavilion was furious, hopping mad, "Hu Feng, you ruined my plans! Just you wait!" With a flash of his figure, he escaped into the demonic clouds.
Hu Feng wanted to pursue, but due to his severe injuries, his body swayed unsteadily.
Lin Yao supported him and said, "Senior Brother, do not pursue them. Healing your wounds must come first."
Everyone returned to the city to settle the residents. As Hu Feng recuperated and regulated his breath, he thought to himself, "The Dark Spirit Pavilion is becoming increasingly rampant with endless tricks. In the future, I must be doubly careful and look for an opportunity to root them out entirely..."
Beside him, Lin Yao tended to him meticulously, her gaze gentle yet resolute, silently telling him that no matter how arduous the road ahead, they would forge ahead hand in hand and jointly resist all evil.