Chapter Ninety-Seven: Setting Off

When Liu Feng rose to his feet, he felt his body brimming with boundless strength, as though he could smash the stars from the sky with a single blow.

After a brief estimate, he discovered that his true energy had already reached the force of two hundred cauldrons, while the power of his physical body had climbed to as much as three hundred.

“What is that smell? It’s terrible,” he thought, only then noticing the blackened bloodstains on his body. They were the impurities expelled from within him. He hurriedly found a clean set of clothes and changed.

At that moment, a shaft of morning sunlight poured through the window, and a new day began.

Liu Feng froze. He had not expected this breakthrough to take an entire night.

Just then, his stomach suddenly growled. A fierce wave of hunger surged through him, and he quickly ran toward the Zhao family’s front-courtyard dining hall.

By then, breakfast was already ready. Liu Feng seized a great many steamed buns, along with large chunks of beef and pork, and shoved them into his mouth without pause.

After a whirlwind of eating, he let out a satisfied belch and left.

The cook, however, was left completely dumbfounded. He could not fathom how one man could devour the food of dozens.

Liu Feng left the dining hall and headed for the Zhao family’s council hall.

Inside the hall, Zhao Tu, Zhao Heng, Liu Yuming, Zhao Jing, and the others were already present. When they saw Liu Feng arrive, their expressions all changed.

Zhao Jing hurried over, took Liu Feng by the hand, and looked him over again and again before asking with concern, “Xiao Feng, are you all right?”

Liu Feng blinked. “I’m perfectly fine. Why would Mother ask that?”

Liu Yuming said at once, “Last night, your room was filled with golden light, bright as the sun, and from time to time there were thunderous rumbles. Quite a few people were so startled they barely slept.”

Liu Feng gave an awkward smile. “I didn’t expect my breakthrough to cause such a commotion.”

“This is far too exaggerated. A breakthrough, and it made such a stir?”

“Yes. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed it.”

“It’s unbelievable. Your breakthrough was nothing short of earthshaking.”

Zhao Tu and the others were equally shaken. Had they not witnessed it themselves, they would never have imagined that a single advancement in cultivation could produce such a terrifying display.

“So if that’s the case, Xiao Feng’s chances of winning the final victory in the Four-Nation Alliance Tournament are much greater now,” Zhao Jun said suddenly, inspired by the thought.

“Exactly. Before his breakthrough, Xiao Feng could already hold his own against those at the fifth or sixth level of the Yin-Yang Realm. Now that he has broken through, he can probably sweep through the entire Yin-Yang Realm,” Zhao Bochao said, a smile on his face.

“Not necessarily. The opponents Xiao Feng faced before were only the talents of a single city. But this alliance tournament brings together the finest prodigies from all four nations. There may very well be others as gifted as Xiao Feng, so he must never be careless when the time comes,” Zhao Xu said gravely.

“Yes, we’ve underestimated the heroes of the world.”

“Exactly. How can the talents of one city compare with the geniuses gathered from four nations?”

Their excitement seemed doused by a bucket of cold water, and their emotions gradually settled.

Seeing their expressions, Liu Feng said calmly, “Don’t worry. No matter who it is, I’ll take them seriously. Whatever trial lies ahead, I won’t back down.”

“That kind of resolve is excellent,” Zhao Xu said with a smile, stroking his beard.

“Xiao Feng, don’t place too much pressure on yourself. Even if you don’t win in the end, it doesn’t matter,” Zhao Tu said.

“That’s right,” Zhao Heng and the others echoed.

Liu Feng smiled faintly. “Don’t worry. If something truly cannot be done, I won’t force it.”

“Xiao Feng, you’ll be leaving soon for the Four-Nation Alliance Tournament. While there’s still time before you go, spend more of it with your parents,” Zhao Xu said earnestly.

“Mm, that was my thought as well,” Liu Feng said with a slight nod.

Over the next twenty-odd days, Liu Feng devoted himself to cultivation, but whenever he had time, he stayed by his parents’ side. Sometimes they went out to visit the famous mountains and great rivers nearby; at other times they wandered through the streets and alleys of South State City, observing the warmth and chill of human affairs.

Happy days always seemed to pass especially quickly, and before long there were only five days left until the Four-Nation Alliance Tournament.

That day, after breakfast, everyone gathered in the Zhao family council hall.

Zhao Xu said, “Xiao Feng, Xiao Jun, Bochao, you’ll be departing today for Litian City. Remember, once you arrive there, do not take the initiative to cause trouble, and do not get into pointless arguments with others over trivial matters.”

The three of them nodded.

Zhao Jing and Liu Yuming also gave Liu Feng repeated instructions and reminders. Zhao Jun’s and Zhao Bochao’s mothers, too, kept looking at their sons and speaking to them with careful concern.

“All right, they’re not leaving forever. There’s no need to say so much,” Zhao Xu said, seeing how reluctant the three mothers were to part.

At last, under everyone’s reluctant gazes, Liu Feng, Zhao Jun, and Zhao Bochao set out for Litian City.

Along the way, the three of them took their time, traveling and admiring the customs and scenery of the various places they passed. After several days of steady but unhurried travel, they reached Litian City on the evening of the fourth day.

When Liu Feng and the others arrived at the city gates, they found them already closed. After some discussion, they decided to find a place nearby to stay for the night and enter Litian City the next morning.

The three of them stopped in a village nearest to Litian City and checked into an inn called Good Fortune Comes.

It was an inn that offered both lodging and meals. The first floor was for dining and drinking, while the second and third floors were for guests to stay.

Following the innkeeper’s attendant, Liu Feng and the others went up to the second floor and rented three adjacent rooms.

“I didn’t expect such a small inn to be so well equipped,” Zhao Jun said, glancing around the room in surprise.

“It really is good. It’s even cleaner than some of the famous inns in South State City,” Zhao Bochao added with a nod.

“We’ve been on the road all day. It’s time to rest properly,” Liu Feng said as he lay down on the bed.

But before long, he heard shouting and curses rising from below. Frowning, he pushed open the door and looked down. At the same time, Zhao Jun and Zhao Bochao also opened their doors.

“What’s going on down there? Are we supposed to sleep at all?” Zhao Jun shouted to the people below.

The two sides who had been arguing heard him and looked up toward the second floor.

One of them, a broad and heavyset man, stood up and said in a rough voice, “Boy, we’re discussing who a woman belongs to. You’d best keep your mouth shut. If you anger me, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

Another, a short and slight man, also rose to his feet and said in a sharp, thin voice, “You don’t even know who this young master is, and you dare shout here? You’re simply courting death.”

Zhao Jun felt anger rise in his chest. He had never expected that a casual remark of his would draw such an unprovoked rebuke from the two of them.