At this moment, in an alternate space, Feng Wuchen remained blissfully unaware of the chaos unfolding outside. However, the world beyond was already in turmoil.
As dusk settled over the city, a few auspicious clouds gathered in the sky above the Feng family estate, casting down brilliant rays of rainbow-colored light. This ethereal glow enveloped the entire Feng family, accompanied by intermittent roars resembling dragon cries—sacred and awe-inspiring.
"Is that the direction of the Feng family? What could be happening to cause such a phenomenon?"
"Could it be… a sign of divine blessing? It seems a prodigy has emerged from the Feng family!"
The so-called divine blessing was a rare event, interpreted as a heavenly acknowledgment. Such occurrences were typically witnessed only when an extraordinary talent broke through their limits or awakened their true potential.
As the citizens speculated, the senior members and younger generation of the Feng family had already congregated in the courtyard, their expressions solemn as they gazed at the radiant light overhead.
"A divine blessing! Haha! The heavens are favoring the Feng family!"
Amidst the joyous laughter, a strikingly handsome man descended from one of the courtyards, stepping onto the air with ease.
Upon his arrival, everyone hurriedly paid their respects.
"Greetings, Patriarch!"
This man was none other than Feng Changgen, the head of the Feng family and its most formidable expert.
"Patriarch, you've emerged from seclusion! Does this mean you've mastered that martial technique?" An elder with white hair and a long beard asked, his face alight with excitement.
Feng Changgen shook his head. "Not yet. However, with such a joyful occurrence within my family, I couldn't remain hidden any longer! Can anyone tell me what has invoked this divine blessing?"
As his question lingered, the courtyard fell into a hushed silence, with everyone exchanging glances but saying nothing. Yet, within their hearts, speculation began to brew.
Just then, the second son of the Feng family, Feng Changyun, burst into the courtyard, his face brimming with excitement.
"Patriarch! My son Feng Mo broke through to the Qi Manipulation Realm just an hour ago!"
"What?!"
"Qi Manipulation Realm!"
As soon as Feng Changyun's words were spoken, the courtyard erupted into a flurry of excitement, with praises and accolades echoing throughout.
"Feng Mo is still so young, yet he's reached a level that took many of us a lifetime to attain. His future is limitless!"
"Indeed! This divine blessing is surely a sign from the heavens for Feng Mo! With him, the Feng family now boasts five Qi Manipulation experts. How can we not prosper?"
In a small place like Luofeng City, the total number of Qi Manipulation experts was minimal, and now the Feng family held five—surely, in time, they would become the foremost family in the city!
Amidst the celebration, a voice of doubt rose. "But Feng Mo only broke through an hour ago. Why has it only now drawn this heavenly phenomenon?"
"Indeed…"
Feng Changgen pondered for a moment before asking, "Is there any other junior of our family who has reached a breakthrough today?"
Upon hearing the question, everyone shook their heads in unison.
With a nod of affirmation, Feng Changgen declared, "Then there is no doubt this heavenly phenomenon is tied to Feng Mo. I hereby announce the revocation of Feng Wuchen's title as heir and declare Feng Mo as the new heir! Do any of you dissent?"
"No dissent!"
Feng Changgen's proclamation was met with unanimous agreement.
He cast a satisfied glance at the father and son pair, saying, "It's clear you possess a heavenly spirit vein, Feng Mo. Do not disappoint us! Tomorrow, we will make this announcement to the entire city and report it to the Qingchen Sect. I must return to my seclusion now. Dismissed!"
"Farewell, Patriarch!"
As time passed, when Feng Wuchen finally awoke, the evening had deepened.
Instinctively, he circulated his inner energy, only to realize he had reached the initial stage of the Innate Realm.
In the lower realms, martial artists are categorized into nine major realms: Postnatal, Innate, Qi Manipulation, Golden Body, Blood Sea, Fish Dragon, Creation, Harmonization, and Immortality.
Now that he had regained his Innate cultivation, it confirmed that everything he had experienced was not a dream. He had truly refined the Longyuan and reshaped his spirit vein!
With a thought, the Burning Sun Sword appeared in his palm, radiating a gentle warmth.
Weapons, techniques, and resources in the Spiritual Martial World are tiered according to a nine-tier system: Mortal, Spirit, Profound, Celestial, King, Emperor, Sovereign, Saint, and Immortal.
"That person mentioned your tier correlates with my cultivation level. You should now be at the Spirit level, right?"
As his words faded, the Burning Sun Sword glimmered with a red light, and vivid images flashed through his mind.
It was the scene of that madman slaughtering experts from the Tai Xuan Heavenly Realm!
In his mind, the images slowed to a crawl, allowing him to observe every move of the madman clearly.
"Boom!"
As the vision ended, a loud ringing echoed in Feng Wuchen's mind.
In an instant, that sword technique was permanently etched in his consciousness.
Feng Wuchen stood stunned!
That technique seemed designed for killing—powerful and terrifying!
At that moment, he felt an overwhelming sense of confidence.
With this sword in hand, even gods and demons could be slain!
"Growing stronger with every battle, gaining power with each kill!"
He gradually realized that this unnamed sword technique resonated deeply with the essence of the Celestial Slaying Sword Art.
Could it be that this madman was more than just a convict in the Longyuan?
"Creak!"
Just then, the door swung open, and Feng Wuchen hurriedly concealed the Burning Sun Sword.
Seeing him awake, Feng Ning dashed into his embrace.
"Brother… you finally woke up! You suddenly fainted today and kept saying strange things—it scared me so much!"
Looking into Feng Ning's swollen eyes, a pang of sorrow gripped Feng Wuchen's heart, turning into deep pain.
In that instant, another face surfaced in his mind—one of a girl of similar age to Feng Ning, radiant and innocent.
That face was a constant reminder of his anguish!
He would never forget that rainy night, watching as his sister's life faded away in his arms.
Gradually, the faces of the two girls overlapped in his vision, awakening a tide of grief within him.
It was his failure as a brother!
If he had become stronger sooner, she wouldn't have died at the hands of their enemies!
Unconsciously, his palm rested on the girl's cheek, and his eyes misted over.
"Brother…"
Feng Ning's call pulled Feng Wuchen back to reality.
In that moment, his gaze at Feng Ning transformed entirely.
"She… she looks so much like her!" he murmured. "I swear I'll protect you with my life, no matter what!"
"I don't want you to risk your life! I want you to be well and always stay with me!" Feng Ning's voice choked as tears welled up in her eyes again.
Feng Wuchen gently wiped her tears away. "Don't worry, I'll always be by your side!"
With Feng Wuchen's comforting words, Feng Ning quickly brightened, "It's a promise! Let's make a pinky swear!"
"Such a silly girl…"
Holding the little girl in his arms, Feng Wuchen felt a rush of mixed emotions.
He was not the original Feng Wuchen of this world, and Feng Ning was not his flesh and blood.
But now that he had been given a second chance at life, wasn't this an opportunity from heaven?
This time, he would not allow the tragedies of the past to repeat!
At dinner, Feng Ning picked up the only piece of meat on the table, swallowed hard, then resolutely placed it in Feng Wuchen's bowl.
Startled, Feng Wuchen glanced at Feng Ning's frail figure, guilt washing over him.
During the past year of his downfall, the Feng family had cut off all financial support, and even daily needs relied on Feng Ning's care. This life of dependence had lasted far too long.
This little girl was so deprived that she seemed on the verge of tears, yet she still cared for her brother?
At this thought, even Feng Wuchen couldn't hold back his own tears.
With a deep sigh, he rose and gently tousled Feng Ning's hair.
"Tonight, you stay home and be good. Brother has to go out for a while."
Upon hearing Feng Wuchen's intent to leave, Feng Ning tensed, memories of a year ago flooding back when he had left her alone, only to return bloodied and broken.
"Where are you going, brother?"
"To get you some meat!"
With that, Feng Wuchen slipped into the enveloping darkness of night.
…
Outside of Luofeng City, over ten miles away, a mountain range stretched for hundreds of miles, forming a natural barrier that isolated the city.
Within these mountains lay the most precious resource of all—demonic beasts!
Feng Wuchen aimed to hunt these beasts, not only to provide a feast for his beloved sister but also to test his newfound strength and the might of his sword technique.