Time passed in the blink of an eye and Zhang Feng was now five years old. Children begin cultivation at the age of 8 but as Zhang Feng couldn't practise so he tried his best to increase his physical strength and mental strength. What Zhang Feng felt strange that he could cultivate mental strength even if he could not cultivate Spiritual energy. Normally one could cultivate mental strength at least when the the body was in condensing energy realm. When Zhang Feng first checked his body to find that his mental strength was at true energy peak state. He was puzzled and happy by this phenomenon. At least he could cultivate mental strength. He then remembered that he had got a technique of cultivating mental strength from Sage Ye Hao. Zhang Feng quietly cultivated that technique for the last 5 years and now he had mental strength at mid-Purple Manaion state.
Zhang Feng lived in Blue Sky County in Xiao Family. Blue Sky County was just one of the hundreds of counties in Greystone Prefecture. Grey stone prefecture was one of the prefecture of Great Chu country. Great Chu country had 109 prefectures. Greystone prefecture was the 98th prefecture in terms of power and size. Zhang Feng had concluded that the areal size of Great Chu country was much larger than earth. This greatly astonished Zhang Feng. And as for the cultivation levels, they were divided into 12 levels.
1) Qi refining realm - 9 refining
2)Condensing energy realm - 9 strands
3) True energy realm - 12 true qi
4) Purple Mansion realm - 22 doors
5) Body Fusion realm - 4 Fusions
6) Spirit Transformation realm - 9 Transformations
7) Spirit Fusion realm - 4 Fusions
8) Body-Spirit Fusion realm - 4 Fusions
9) Yin-Yang realm - 10 poles
10) Sliver Soul realm - 5 quenches
11) Gold soul realm - 5 quenches
12) Soul Fusion realm - 4 Fusions
Zhang Feng had always been a quiet person in his last life. He preferred to speak less and only spoke when necessary. As he was unable to cultivate, so he got frequently sick since his childhood. In Xiao Family, no one took him seriously except for Xiao Chen. Xiao Chen regularly visited Zhang Feng. Zhang Feng was cold at first but soon began to love those visits from Xiao Chen. After all, he too longed for someone's affection. Xiao Chen used to bring him sweets and storybooks to read as he couldn't cultivate. Many people were confused as why was the Patriarch frequently visiting Zhang Feng. Many even thought that he was the illegitimate child of Xiao Chen. Zhang Feng learned to speak in the first year of his birth which somewhat surprised Xiao Chen. Besides cultivating 'Pure Thought Sutra' which he inherited from Sage Ye Hao, Zhang Feng read books. At the age of 4, he had read all the books in the library. A 4-year-old boy holding huge books like 'A Brief History of Great Chu country', ' Demons and monsters' etc made Xiao Chen feel astonished and funny at the same time. After all, it was hilarious to see a small 4-year-old kid dragging a book twice his size with all his might to read.
Xiao Chen had a daughter, Xiao Yiyi who was 5 years older than Zhang Feng. She never spoke much with him. Zhang Feng never took this matter to heart because it didn't matter to him if she spoke to him or not. Zhang Feng also loved music as he was an avid music lover in his past life. He found that there were similar instruments of music except for a few different ones. Zhang Feng learnt to play all of them. He also had excellent literary talent. At the age of eight, Zhang Feng's mental strength reached the peak of Purple Mansion. If anyone heard this then he might think that the other party has lost his sanity. After all, one needs to cultivate spiritual energy first to practise mental strength.
Soon Zhang Feng was 10 years old. All his peers had just got introduced to cultivation. They were extremely fascinated by cultivation and began to cultivate spiritual energy and practice martial arts. Zhang Feng often watched them enviously from far. He too had a dream to be a peerless powerhouse. But his physique was too weak to support even normal training. Yet Zhang Feng always tried to harden his body. But it was a pity that it didn't change anything except for a little hardening of his bones. Xiao Chen sighed as he watched Zhang Feng practising to harden his body. "Why did fate play such a poor joke on this kid? Even though he knows that he is a waste still he never gives up. This tenacity is remarkable for children at his age." said Xiao Chen. "Xiaofeng, take a break and have some rest. Today I brought your favourite sweets and fruits for you to eat." " Uncle Xiao, when did you arrive? I didn't notice you coming. Did I keep you waiting?" said Zhang Feng. "Not at all. However, don't be so hard on yourself. Over exhaustion is not good for children, especially for you. Here, eat these fruits first." said Xiao Chen lovingly. Zhang Feng's heart felt warm after seeing Uncle Xiao's care towards him. He had been distant towards everyone since childhood. However, Xiao Chen always showered him with love and tried his best to fill the gap of parents in Zhang Feng's life. "You should spend some time with Yiyi and your peers too. It's good to have some friends," said Xiao Chen. "I don't want to be a bother to them. Besides, they cultivate and practise martial arts all day unlike me, so I feel out of the group with them," said Zhang Feng. "You should not be so pessimistic Xiaofeng. You should know that I am always here for you," said Uncle Xiao. "Yes, I know and I am grateful to you for that Uncle Xiao," said Zhang Feng. "Ummm, Uncle Xiao, can ask you something?," asked Zhang Feng with some hesitation. "Sure go ahead", said Uncle Xiao. " Uncle Xiao I want to travel the city alone. I have been in the Xiao family mansion since I was a kid. I never saw the outside world. So I want to see it. I know that I won't live long but I still want to see it." said Zhang Feng. "Xiaofeng, don't say such things. If you remain healthy then you will live longer than my old man, "said Uncle Xiao. " As for travelling, you better forget it because the outside world is cruel. They will regard you as a fat piece of sheep. You are better off in the Xiao Family walls. Here at least you will stay safe." "But Uncle Xia-", protested Zhang Feng. " No buts, I cannot take the risk of sending you out. You won't survive a day outside", retorted Uncle Xiao. "Fine, I won't go out. I promise you", said Zhang Feng unwillingly. Suddenly a servant came hurriedly in the room and said," Patriarch, the Zhao family and the Ye family patriarch held a meeting today. They even invited Tier-3 alchemist." " It seems that they are planning something big. Pay attention to all their moves and keep notifying me", said Xiao Chen solemnly. "Xiaofeng, I have to go now. I will see you later. Remember what I said okay?" " Yes Uncle Xiao. Don't worry about it , assured Zhang Feng.
After Uncle Xiao left, Zhang Feng decided to take a hot bath to refresh himself after training. His training included Yoga, Push-ups and pull-ups, Some boxing and kicking and Running. After taking a hot bath, Zhang Feng lied to take some rest. " I really want to outside. I don't have enough days to live. Besides, I get frequently sick so there is no assurance when I will get seriously ill. But I can't go out now. If Uncle Xiao finds out then he will certainly get angry with me. Looks like I can only sneak out at night and come back by morning to satisfy mt curious heart. After all there won't be many people around at night", thought Zhang Feng.
Suddenly Zhang Feng heard a loud bang and the ground started to shake. " What's this? Is it an earthquake? No it's something else! " cried Zhang Feng. Just as Zhang Feng was about to ask the servant outside about the situation he heard a voice saying, " Not good! Zhao family and Ye family have invaded! Everyone take out your weapons now and be ready to fight! "