Next to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, there was a once-abandoned estate. Now freshly cleaned and refurbished, it had been repurposed as the training ground for the clan's soon-to-be-established direct academy.
Eight young spirit masters were gathered here:
Yu Tianlong, Level 40 Power Attack Spirit Grandmaster, Martial Spirit: Blazing Sacred Dragon, Age: 16
Yang Dianfeng, Level 46 Power Attack Spirit Ancestor, Martial Spirit: Dragon-pattern Soul-Piercing Spear, Age: 18
Niu Zhen, Level 37 Defense-type Spirit Grandmaster, Martial Spirit: Armored Giant Rhinoceros, Age: 18
Oscar, Level 40 Food-type Auxiliary Spirit Ancestor, Martial Spirit: Sausage, Age: 15
Ning Rongrong, Level 38 Support-type Spirit Grandmaster, Martial Spirit: Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Age: 14
Zhu Zhuqing, Level 33 Agility-type Spirit Grandmaster, Martial Spirit: Nether Shadow Cat, Age: 14
Chen Feng, Level 46 Power Attack Spirit Ancestor, Martial Spirit: Seven Kill Sword, Age: 14
And lastly, Feng Tao, Level 28 Spirit Master, Martial Spirit: Wind Sword, Age: 14
Standing at the head of the group and gazing at the teammates he had personally recruited, Chen Feng felt a sense of deep satisfaction.
From now on, they would spend a full year training and building chemistry, preparing to strike for the championship title in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament.
Extreme synergy wasn't necessary—simple coordination and understanding would suffice. Everyone in the group, aside from Feng Tao, possessed elite-level individual strength within their respective tiers.
Only Zhu Zhuqing lagged slightly behind in spirit power at Level 33—but that was because she had yet to absorb any immortal-grade herb.
As for Feng Tao, Chen Feng had no plans to gift him an immortal herb.
For one, the herbs were incredibly rare and valuable—even Chen Feng had only a limited supply, and none of them were particularly suited to Feng Tao.
Secondly, Feng Tao had joined as a disciple, not as a core teammate. Chen Feng wasn't some kind of charity distributor handing out heavenly treasures to everyone who asked.
In this team, Feng Tao's position was that of a reserve member.
As his master, Chen Feng was willing to pass on the secrets of the Seven Kill Sword Technique, but how far Feng Tao could go depended entirely on his talent and dedication.
Over the next few days, the young spirit masters lived together in the estate and quickly became familiar with one another.
During this time, Yang Dianfeng and Chen Feng had their first serious sparring session.
No external boosts. No use of mental strength. Just sword versus spear: Seven Kill Sword versus Soul-Piercing Spear.
The result?
Yang Dianfeng was utterly crushed.
"With your current strength, no ordinary Spirit Ancestor can compete with you."
Yang commented afterward, still reeling from the fight.
Even with his aggressive battle style—fearless even against Spirit Kings—he had been completely overpowered by Chen Feng.
This wasn't just a matter of martial spirit quality—it was a matter of experience and technique.
How could a regular Spirit Ancestor possibly compare with someone who, in his previous life, had reached the level of Transcendent Douluo?
In terms of pure combat skill, even Sword Douluo himself might not surpass Chen Feng.
Meanwhile, Yu Tianlong and Oscar had successfully obtained their fourth spirit rings and ascended to the Spirit Ancestor level, bringing the team's count to five Spirit Ancestors and two Spirit Grandmasters.
This level of strength would be hard to match even among elite spirit academies—only top-tier teams like Heaven Dou Imperial Academy could pose a challenge.
But Chen Feng couldn't exactly lead his team to the Imperial Academy for sparring every day, could he?
And besides, defeating them wasn't the goal.
To win the championship, they'd eventually need to overcome Spirit Hall's seeded team—a lineup that boasted three Spirit Kings.
Thankfully, Ning Fengzhi had connections and solutions.
Can't find worthy opponents in the academies?
Then take it to the Spirit Arena.
Unlike the underground pits of minor cities like Pilisno, this was the largest Spirit Arena in the Heaven Dou Empire—government-sponsored, with tens of thousands of spectators at every match.
There, teams ranged from Spirit Masters to Spirit Kings, each boasting real combat experience.
For refining one's skill, it was the perfect place.
Under the team name Seven Treasure Battle Team, Ning Rongrong registered as captain, and their grueling training officially began.
Meanwhile, Feng Tao, having received guidance in the Seven Kill Sword Technique, began to adapt and evolve it into something more suited to his agility-type Wind Sword martial spirit.
He temporarily filled Chen Feng's spot on the team as an official substitute.
As for Chen Feng, this kind of training no longer benefited him. He had his path to walk.
On the day he turned fourteen, Chen Feng bid them farewell.
Before leaving, he called Zhu Zhuqing to his side.
This cold-on-the-outside, fiery-on-the-inside girl had now completely severed ties with Dai Mubai.
When she heard that Chen Feng was leaving, she clearly felt reluctant. She tried several times to persuade him to stay.
But Chen Feng was firm—this was not the time for romance.
"Women only slow down my sword," he muttered inwardly.
"Zhuqing," he said aloud, "do you remember the herb I promised you?
This one is called Water Fairy Jade Flesh Bone—it's a perfect match for your martial spirit.
It will elevate your speed and enhance your cultivation potential."
He took out a crystalline white flower.
It looked like a flawless blend of lotus and white jade—pristine and ethereal.
"Thank you," Zhu Zhuqing whispered, gently accepting it with both hands.
"I'll return before the tournament begins," Chen Feng assured her.
"In the meantime, let Feng Tao take my place during training."
Shortly after, Sword Douluo summoned Chen Feng.
"I hear you're planning to go to the Slaughter City?"
Those were the first words out of his mouth when he saw Chen Feng.
"Yes," Chen Feng replied honestly. "I'm going to seek the Killing God Domain."
This wasn't some impulsive decision.
The third trial of his Asura God Inheritance required him to pass through the Slaughter City and obtain the Killing God Domain.
This event was supposed to take place after winning the Continental Tournament…
But Chen Feng had taken the initiative to bring it up early.
The Asura God, who slumbered within the Seven Kill Sword, had not objected.
Chen Feng's astonishing progress only confirmed that he had made the right choice in selecting this successor.
If the trials could be completed out of order, why not?
Of course, no one else knew of this divine communication.
When Sword Douluo learned of his plan, his expression turned deeply serious.
"You do realize that place is extremely dangerous. You need to think it through."
Chen Feng smiled.
"Don't worry, Grandpa Jian. I would never treat my life as a joke."
Even though he said that, deep down, he wasn't entirely confident.
In his past life, after Tang San passed through the Hell Road, Slaughter City was destroyed by a Blood Swan Kiss, and records of it grew scarce thereafter.
Sword Douluo stared at him for a long moment before turning away to fetch a small jade box.
"It shames me to say this, but as your grandfather, I've done far too little for you."
This is a ten-thousand-year-quality left arm spirit bone.
I originally intended to give it to you after you won the tournament,
but Slaughter City is far too dangerous. If this can give you even a slight edge, then take it now.