Chapter 42: The Mysterious Revelation
Xiao Feng sat cross-legged in his room, his mind fully focused on cultivating. The quiet atmosphere around him was perfect for deepening his understanding of the Void Step Technique. As his cultivation reached a critical stage, the mysterious stone in his possession began to glow faintly. Xiao Feng's consciousness was abruptly pulled into a vast and endless space filled with swirling energy. He had entered the stone's mysterious realm again.
This time, however, it felt different. The energy within the stone was far more intense, almost overwhelming. Xiao Feng found himself floating in the void, watching as streams of knowledge poured into his mind. In this surreal place, the third form of the Void Step Technique began to reveal itself.
"Void Step—Third Form," a voice echoed in his mind. "The culmination of kinetic and potential energy. By mastering the first and second forms, you have the foundation to wield the third form. The third form draws upon both types of energy, blending them into a single, powerful technique."
As the explanation unfolded, Xiao Feng realized the potential of this new form. The first form of Void Step relied on immense kinetic energy, allowing the user to move at blinding speeds. The second form harnessed potential energy, creating an explosive impact upon arrival. But the third form took things further—it fused both energies, creating a technique that could bend space itself.
Xiao Feng visualized the process: by combining the kinetic speed of the first form and the stored potential energy of the second, he could momentarily manipulate the space around him, allowing him to travel short distances without being hindered by the limitations of his surroundings. The technique wasn't perfect, however. His current cultivation, even at Spirit Sovereign Realm Level Seven, wouldn't allow him to sustain the third form for long. His body couldn't yet handle the strain of tearing through space for more than a brief moment.
The mysterious voice spoke once more, "This technique is dangerous for now. Your body isn't ready to bear the full brunt of its power, but in critical moments, it can save your life. Use it wisely."
Xiao Feng felt the full weight of the knowledge settle into his consciousness. This third form was a trump card—something he could use in desperate situations, but it was far from a reliable technique just yet.
As he absorbed the final remnants of the knowledge, his consciousness slowly returned to his body. The room was quiet again, but Xiao Feng could feel the immense power of the third form humming within him.
He stood up, his eyes sharper and more determined than before. It was time. He had been in secluded cultivation for over a year, and now he had the strength and skills to confront the Third Supreme and even the First and Second Supreme. Xiao Feng pushed open the door to his chamber and walked into the main hall of the Xing family estate, where the family had been waiting for him.
The head of the Xing family noticed him and quickly stepped forward. "Xiao Feng, you've emerged."
The tension in the room evaporated as soon as Xiao Feng appeared, and a wave of relief washed over the Xing family. The head of the family smiled, clearly pleased with his return. "How has your cultivation progressed?"
"I've reached the Spirit Sovereign Realm, Level Seven," Xiao Feng replied calmly. "It's time to settle things with the Zhao family."
The head of the Xing family nodded, his expression hardening with resolve. "Indeed. We have gathered our cultivators, and we're ready."
With that, the family gathered their forces. Powerful cultivators from the Xing family stood ready, awaiting their leader's orders. It wasn't long before they made their way toward the Zhao family's estate.
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The Zhao family estate was a fortress of its own, with towering walls and numerous cultivators standing guard. But even the most well-defended fortress trembles under the shadow of a reckoning. As the Xing family and their cultivators arrived at the gate, the Zhao family immediately knew something was amiss.
The head of the Zhao family stepped out, flanked by his most trusted warriors. His eyes narrowed as he saw the army of the Xing family standing outside. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded.
The head of the Xing family met his gaze without flinching. "We are here to break the engagement between Qing Yu and your Son."
The Zhao family head scowled. "Do you understand the consequences of this? We have the backing of the Third Supreme. You cannot possibly think you'll walk away unscathed."
"We no longer fear the Third Supreme," the head of the Xing family declared, his voice steady.
The Zhao family head's scowl deepened. "You fool. The Third Supreme will crush you."
Just as the tension reached its peak, a massive force descended upon the battlefield. The air crackled with raw energy as the Third Supreme arrived, hovering above the Zhao family estate like a god descending from the heavens. His presence alone was enough to make even the strongest cultivators tremble.
"Enough of this," the Third Supreme commanded, his voice booming. "Go home, now, and I will spare your lives. Resist, and none of you will leave here alive."
The Zhao family cultivators smirked, their confidence bolstered by the arrival of the Third Supreme. However, the Xing family stood their ground. The head of the Xing family looked up at the supreme figure in the sky and said, "We have someone who can face you."
The Zhao family head burst into laughter. "Who could possibly face the Third Supreme? There is no one among you who has the strength."
It was then that Xiao Feng stepped forward, his aura still hidden. The Third Supreme glanced at him with casual indifference at first, but as Xiao Feng drew closer, the Third Supreme's expression shifted. There was something unnerving about this young man, something he couldn't quite place.
"How did he get so close without me sensing his approach?" the Third Supreme thought, a flicker of unease creeping into his mind. "Could his cultivation be greater than mine?"
The thought was absurd, but it gnawed at him nonetheless. The Third Supreme's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Xiao Feng, trying to gauge the young man's strength. Yet no matter how hard he tried, Xiao Feng's power remained concealed, hidden behind an impenetrable veil.
The Zhao family head, oblivious to the growing tension, sneered. "This boy? Don't make me laugh. He is no match for the Third Supreme."
Xiao Feng, calm and collected, stood face to face with the Third Supreme. The battlefield grew silent as the tension between them mounted. The fight between the families resumed around them.