149 Yu Xiaogang Wants to emulate Jiang Ziya
The Hundred-Sect Assembly is held on the border between Fusen City and Tianyun City, a forbidden zone for both sides for the past five years; the arena is only a temporary structure.
Xiao Wu had seen more of the world than anyone else in Sword Sect, so she acted as tour guide during the boring flight.
Chu Feng flexed his wrist, lost in thought. "Holding a tournament in such a sensitive spot—sounds risky."
"Exactly why this gathering is different: experts as common as clouds, and the stakes are huge. One slip could throw the human realm into chaos." Zhu Zhuqing snapped shut the bamboo fan she'd been toying with, her expression tense.
Fang Xinggong stayed by the window, admiring the endless sea of clouds, showing zero interest in the upcoming fights.
Only Chu Feng brimmed with confidence—he still had no idea how high the heavens were!
"We've arrived," the escorting guard announced.
Chu Feng glanced outside: a brand-new castle of white marble stood on the ground, slicing the surrounding green in two.
Contestants for the tournament streamed in and out.
Nobles from every dynasty added to the bustle; the lively scene felt refreshingly novel.
Before the Mystical Bird even stopped, Chu Feng leapt straight down from ten-thousand meters.
"Still so reckless—can't even ride a sword," Xiao Wu sighed with a puff of air.
Zhu Zhuqing smiled faintly. "Sword, come." She shot out after him.
"Eldest senior, you too?" Xiao Wu pouted.
At least Fang Xinggong stayed with her, waiting for the bird to descend slowly—one's entrance ought to be dignified.
Chu Feng landed smack in the arena's center, leaving a small crater.
Dusting himself off, he grinned. "Sorry, sorry!"
People crowded over, fingers pointing; commoners and average cultivators really did behave alike.
"This clumsy kid's a contestant?"
"Pfft—one punch from me and he's dead."
"Pathetic opponent."
…The chatter turned to outright mockery; how could Chu Feng stand for that?
Watching from the side, Zhu Zhuqing found herself intrigued by the boy.
"Let me show you arrogant fools what strength is—Extreme Spirit Body, emerge!"
When Chu Feng roared, the spirit body materialized slowly; ordinary onlookers only saw a faint glow and sneered.
The next second they realized how mistaken they'd been.
"That's really an Extreme Spirit Body? Deep-blue and wrapped in immortal aura—matches the ancient texts exactly!"
"If it's real, he'll be terrifying."
Opinions flipped instantly; no wonder these people stayed stuck in the lower ranks—their eyesight was hopeless.
A surge of overwhelming spiritual pressure rolled in; Chu Feng felt his own spirit body vibrate uncontrollably—one push and it would shatter.
Eyes narrowing, he tilted his head. "Who's there?"
"Young man, withdraw your spirit body. If this old bones walks beside you, you'll die." The voice was gentle, like a kindly grandfather.
Chu Feng repressed his spirit body and stood, turning to look.
Though aged outside, the old man's organs and muscles were those of a thirty-year-old; his aura equaled three or four current Chu Fengs.
Everyone's lips trembled in fear. "G-greetings, Elder Qie Jiang."
"Be off, all of you." The elder's word carried authority; the crowd scattered instantly.
Chu Feng scratched his head, baffled. "You are…?"
"Greetings, senior." Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward respectfully.
"No need for courtesy. Young friend, your talent is outstanding—looks like I've found my favored contender this assembly," Elder Qie Jiang said with a smile.
"How did you just affect my spirit body?" Chu Feng pressed; there were always greater heavens to learn from.
Elder Qie Jiang stroked his white beard. "You have two spirit bodies; I have six. Simple as that."
Six! Each extra body doubles the bodily burden; even without fighting, daily life demands huge amounts of spiritual energy to stay stable.
Among them: three Heavenly Spirit Bodies, one Dual Spirit Body, and two Human Spirit Bodies.
Dual Spirit Body—left and right halves differ in color and power—unstable but consumes less energy.
Human Spirit Body adjusts body resilience; usually forms after other bodies are crippled, then captured and absorbed.
Heavenly Spirit Body is either innate or seized from demons.
Cold sweat dotted Chu Feng's forehead. With such power, why was the elder still in the mortal realm?
"Zhu Zhuqing, didn't I say last year that once you reached Integration I'd guide you into the Realm? Your companion Chu Feng's talent is equally exceptional—both of you, come."
Elder Qie Jiang spoke calmly, seemingly detached from worldly affairs.
To Chu Feng's surprise, Zhu Zhuqing was an Integration Stage expert—two whole realms above him; he'd thought she was just filler.
What exactly was "Entering the Realm"?
In a blink they relocated to the rear mountain—barely a second had passed.
On the cliff overlooking the castle, one felt as if holding the whole world in the heart.
Zhu Zhuqing nudged Chu Feng. "Usually, once you reach Nascent Soul you can begin the Nine-Realm Path; passing the fifth basically ascends you to immortality. You can stay in the world, but if you neither enter the Realms nor ascend, you'll be stuck at the Tribulation bottleneck."
There was such a mechanic?
"The Realm can climb without limit, but mortal cultivation caps at Tribulation. The former focuses on merging with the Dao; the latter on surpassing it. Choosing one or both makes no difference."
Zhu Zhuqing explained meticulously.
Elder Qie Jiang merely smiled; he'd reached the pinnacle of the fifth Realm—Nirvana—and had abandoned cultivation ranks entirely. To him the world was insignificant.
Chu Feng's head spun, yet clearly Elder Hui Xu had never entered the Realms—otherwise how could he have died of old age at barely a hundred?
Only one day remained before the assembly opened; Chu Feng had no time to breathe. Hunger struck—apparently the more you eat the faster you starve.
The demon qi from the Ten Thousand Monster Forest hadn't fully digested, yet his stomach growled again—the demonic art truly lived up to its name.
Elder Qie Jiang seemed to read his mind. "You devour vast spiritual energy often, don't you? That easily destabilizes your cultivation."
That's a true expert—sharp eyes and meticulous mind.
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