In the cultivation world, most people tread cautiously among strangers. To avoid danger, many deliberately adopt an aloof and unapproachable demeanor. Someone as openly friendly and familiar as this youth named 'Sword Guest' was truly a rare sight.
By his own account, he and Lin Feng had clicked instantly, feeling a profound mutual admiration. He was practically ready to drag Lin Feng off to swear brotherhood over chicken blood and yellow paper. The sheer intensity of his enthusiasm was almost overwhelming for Lin Feng, who began to suspect some ulterior motive...
Helplessly dragged into a lengthy, nonsensical conversation in the corridor, Lin Feng finally managed to decline Sword Guest's invitation for a late-night snack and escape into his rented room.
"Click..."
As the bolt slid home, the look of helpless resignation faded from Lin Feng's face, replaced by a thoughtful expression. He walked into the room, sat down on the bed, and sank into contemplation.
Traveling alone, one must guard against malice while remaining vigilant. Lin Feng knew this principle well. Sword Guest appeared forthright and carefree, but true character was often hidden beneath the surface. Who knew what he was really like? During their rambling chat, Sword Guest had casually probed Lin Feng's background while revealing nothing about himself. This alone signaled he wasn't as simple as he seemed.
Still, it was just a chance encounter. After today, they would likely never cross paths again. Lin Feng didn't dwell on Sword Guest. Instead, his thoughts turned to the two individuals from the Absolute Sword Sect.
During his conversation with Sword Guest, he had inquired briefly about the sect. He learned that the Absolute Sword Sect was a Grade Four sect, and moreover, it was the only sword cultivator sect within the borders of the Xia Kingdom!
Sword cultivators were a unique existence within the cultivation world. They pursued the Dao through the sword, concentrating almost all their power into a single flying sword. In terms of offensive power, a sword cultivator typically far surpassed other cultivators of the same stage. Consequently, sword cultivators were among the last people most cultivators wished to provoke.
The Absolute Sword Sect was primarily a sword cultivator sect. A thousand years ago, the sect's founding patriarch arrived alone in the Xia Kingdom with nothing but his sword. Relying solely on his flying sword, he shook the entire cultivation world of Xia, establishing the Absolute Sword Sect. At its zenith, it had been a Grade Six sect, dominating the Xia cultivation world. However, prosperity waned, and three hundred years prior, the sect suffered a major calamity. Now reduced to Grade Four, it still held significant weight within the Xia Kingdom. Absolute Sword Sect disciples were rarely challenged when traveling abroad.
The youth named Loong Tian'ao, who had clashed with Lin Feng, was the son of the current sect master of the Absolute Sword Sect—effectively, the Young Sect Master. His age matched his appearance; he was only twenty-five years old, yet he had already reached Foundation Establishment Stage Nine. In the Xia Kingdom's cultivation world, this qualified him as a true talent. Moreover, as the sect master's son, he possessed a flying sword much earlier than most. With assistance from his elders, he had succeeded in refining his flying sword and could already wield it to kill enemies remotely.
Lin Feng understood perfectly well the immense advantage of possessing such a devastating weapon while still in the Foundation Establishment stage. It was little wonder Loong Tian'ao was so utterly arrogant.
"Just born with a silver spoon and a powerful father. Arrogant young masters like him are everywhere. Fine if he's cocky on his own turf, but coming to Star City acting like that? He'll get himself killed sooner or later."
Lin Feng muttered this internal criticism, pushed thoughts of the Absolute Sword Sect aside, sat cross-legged on the bed, and began his cultivation session.
In the deep quiet of the night, Lin Feng, seated in meditation, wore a troubled expression. A deep-seated irritation was etched between his brows. The faint wisps of spiritual energy swirling around him seemed agitated and unstable.
"Sigh..."
Suddenly, Lin Feng ceased his cultivation technique, opened his eyes, and ended his session. His eyes clearly reflected his deep frustration and worry.
He was deeply troubled, to the point where his mind felt unsettled and restless.
He hadn't anticipated encountering his first major problem so soon after leaving home, barely three thousand miles away.
This 'major problem' wasn't the conflict with the Absolute Sword Sect's Young Master earlier that day. It stemmed from himself and had been plaguing him for quite some time—or rather, it had begun almost as soon as he left home.
—His cultivation progress had inexplicably stalled!!
Based on his previous cultivation speed, he should have already reached Foundation Establishment Stage Three by now. Yet, the reality was he remained stuck at Foundation Establishment Stage Two. Furthermore, over the past twenty-plus days of cultivation, he had made absolutely zero progress. He felt no hint of impending breakthrough to the third stage.
The transition from Stage Two to Stage Three should have been smooth and natural. Yet now, he found himself inexplicably facing a 'bottleneck'!
Initially, Lin Feng hadn't paid it much mind, assuming he was perhaps being overly impatient. However, when he exhausted an entire bottle of Grade Two Spirit Nurturing Pills obtained from Liang Han without any improvement in his cultivation, he finally realized something was seriously wrong...
Since then, a seed of anxiety had taken root within him. Later, in desperation, he even wastefully consumed a Grade Three Spirit Nurturing Pill, simultaneously taking a 'Clear Mind Pill'. Yet, even after that, there was no discernible effect whatsoever!
He couldn't understand why this was happening. After much thought, he attributed the cause to a worry he had harbored for a long time...
The 'Aftermath' of his Bursts!!
This was the most plausible reason Lin Feng could deduce.
He had always suspected that the explosive state which saved him in life-or-death moments wouldn't come without a cost. He just hadn't anticipated the 'aftermath' would be so troublesome...
After the previous bursts, everything had seemed normal. But following the last one, used to kill Liang Han, Lin Feng had felt that his cultivation yielded no results. Each session absorbed spiritual energy, but the converted true essence seemed to vanish without a trace. From that moment until now—nearly a month later—his cultivation level hadn't budged an inch!
This was despite having access to a Level Three Spirit Gathering Array, ample spirit stones, and even the best supplementary pill, the Spirit Nurturing Pill! Under such optimal conditions, the lack of progress signaled a truly grave problem!
Consequently, Lin Feng's mood had grown increasingly irritable and depressed over the past days. That's why, during the earlier conflict with Loong Tian'ao, he had almost lost control and attacked...
It was precisely because of this issue that he had decided to stay in Star City for a while. He hoped to find a solution before continuing his journey.
As for the pill named 'Snow Sprout Pill' he had inquired about at the alchemy shop upon entering the city—that was an extremely precious Grade Three pill. Remarkably, it was also one of the most valuable and potent pills usable by Foundation Establishment cultivators, as evidenced by its Grade Three ranking despite being intended for them. The efficacy of this pill? It could directly elevate a Foundation Establishment cultivator's cultivation by one whole stage!!
Lin Feng had only seen brief mentions of the Snow Sprout Pill in ancient texts. Troubled by his stalled cultivation, he had recalled this pill, hoping it might offer a way to break through his current impasse.
Unfortunately, the Snow Sprout Pill was far too rare and precious. It simply wasn't something one could buy in a regular pill shop.
Lin Feng's next plan was to make inquiries within Biquan City. Perhaps he could seek out some Grade Three Alchemists to see if there was any way to obtain a Snow Sprout Pill.