Volume One: Turmoil in Yan and Yun Chapter Ten: The Showdown (Part Two)

The Yuan Chamber can be used to store many things; it is said that the old emperor and Li Jinxing each have a small world within their Yuan Chamber. However, no matter who it is, one can have only a single life-bound weapon. This is the first weapon placed in the Yuan Chamber upon reaching the Unity Realm, and it is crucial to the cultivator’s entire life. Precisely because of this, Feng Muyun refused to let Feng Qi place his Overlord Spear inside his Yuan Chamber.

He was waiting for the Star Iron. As a celestial-grade metal, if it were then forged by Master Lou Yu, perhaps it could become a celestial-grade weapon—only then would it be worthy of Feng Qi’s talent.

Indeed, he had always known what his son was capable of. To be precise, even if this son could accomplish nothing at all, as long as he could condense his Yuan Chamber, he would still do everything in his power to provide him with the best life-bound weapon.

He treated Feng Qi’s entire life with such care, and yet Feng Qi had made his decision so lightly, not even consulting his own father. This was what truly infuriated him.

Besides anger, there was also a deep, bone-chilling disappointment.

“It seems I’ve spoiled you,” Feng Muyun sighed. “This is your father’s failing.”

Feng Yang looked at Feng Qi’s retreating figure, thinking he had won. Feng Qi stared at the ground before him, realizing he had lost to his younger brother after all.

They both knew how Feng Muyun would react upon learning of this, yet it was unexpected that Feng Muyun did not actually take action against him.

Feng Qi wondered if this, perhaps, was fatherly love.

Feng Yang, feeling smug, thought to himself that in this area at least, he had an advantage over his elder brother.

“This sword?” Steward Fei suddenly exclaimed. “It seems to be of no low grade?”

Feng Muyun frowned, thinking that even if the grade were high, Feng Qi was an outsider—no matter how high, could it be a celestial-grade flying sword?

He scrutinized the sword closely, a light growing brighter in his eyes.

“Celestial grade?”

Feng Qi glanced at Steward Fei, then smiled at Feng Muyun and said, “Celestial grade, top tier. Its name is No Trace.”

Steward Fei was stunned on the spot.

Feng Yang thought, now there’s no hiding it.

The life-bound sword of the Peak Master of No Trace Peak—how could it possibly be your life-bound weapon?

Feng Muyun said, “This is not your life-bound weapon?”

Feng Qi replied earnestly, “Of course not.”

Feng Muyun asked, “Why is the Snowcloud Sword here?”

Feng Qi answered, “The Snowcloud Sword is my teacher.”

The “sword” Feng Muyun referred to was the No Trace Sword.

The “sword” Feng Qi referred to was a person.

Snowcloud Sect, No Trace Peak Master, Law Sword Xue Wuhen.

One of the most powerful individuals on this continent, his cultivation had reached the pinnacle of the Void Path, and his status in the Snowcloud Sect was second only to Sword Ultimate and Sword Law.

No matter what, this was a broad and open path—even Feng Muyun could not object.

At last, he understood the opportunity that lay before Feng Qi.

But this was against the rules.

It is common knowledge among cultivators that sects cannot recruit the children of high officials.

No child of a high official can ever be entirely free of their family’s influence; coupled with the kind of talent that would attract the attention of cultivators, there is no telling how high they might rise. If their family were to fall into trouble one day, what would the mentors, friends, or even disciples within the sect who were close to them do?

All people have bonds in this world; if those bonds cannot be severed, they will become a burden. Wasn’t the fall of the Tang Li clan due in part to the close ties between the Academy of Rites and the Scarlet Ribbon Pavilion with the old emperor, causing both sacred grounds to openly and covertly support Dugu?

The Law Sword was known for upholding the rules—why break them?

Feng Qi said, “My teacher already knows about this matter. He should be coming to Yanyun in the next few days.”

Feng Muyun replied, “Even if he comes in person, it is still against the rules.”

Feng Qi answered, “Then why not wait and discuss it when he arrives?”

Feng Muyun agreed to this request but absolutely refused to allow Feng Qi to withdraw from his marriage engagement.

Feng Qi looked helpless. “I simply do not wish to marry, but I never said I wanted to break off the engagement.”

Feng Muyun asked, “You don’t want to break it off?”

Feng Qi replied, “As you yourself said, this is His Majesty’s will. Neither Grandfather nor the Prime Minister could go against it. Why should I risk incurring Grandfather’s wrath?”

Feng Muyun frowned. “What exactly are you thinking?”

Feng Qi said, “It’s simple. I’ll go to Snowcloud Sect. In a few years, once I reach the Insight Realm, I’ll be eligible to participate in the Dao Abyss Ritual. Everyone knows that once you enter the Dao Abyss, you’re gone for at least ten years. After more than a decade, this marriage will naturally fade away.”

Feng Muyun said, “The Prime Minister’s residence won’t agree.”

Feng Qi replied, “They most certainly will.”

Feng Muyun grunted in acknowledgment.

Twice.

Feng Qi chuckled, “Murong Xue has joined Treading Snow Peak.”

Feng Muyun was startled. “When did that happen?”

Feng Qi replied, “Less than a year ago.”

Feng Muyun found this hard to believe.

What is Snowcloud Sect trying to do?

Aren’t they afraid Taixuan Mountain will object?

“If Taixuan Mountain wanted to object, they probably couldn’t,” Feng Muyun said with a grunt.

Feng Qi pulled Feng Yang from behind him. “Because I want to send my second brother to Taixuan Mountain.”

The room fell silent.

Just as Feng Muyun was about to erupt, Steward Fei interjected, “Because of Penetrating the Wood?”

Feng Qi glanced at Steward Fei and said, “The Ten Severed Veins is indeed a deadly affliction, but since Wei Sanmu survived, it proves it is an illness—not a fate.”

He patted Feng Yang on the shoulder. “If it’s just an illness, then surely it can be cured.”

All three present understood what Feng Qi meant.

Wei Sanmu conquered the Ten Severed Veins and, with a crippled body, reached the utmost heights—much of it had to do with the Three Wood Techniques.

Spring to Withered Wood.

Transplanting Flowers.

And… Penetrating the Wood.

As long as Feng Yang could obtain the Three Wood Technique, the problem of the Ten Severed Veins would be solved.

The problem was that Spring to Withered Wood and Transplanting Flowers were core techniques of the Medicine Valley and the Flower Palace, inaccessible to anyone but core disciples—how could it be easily resolved?

Years ago, the third master of the Feng family once went to the Medicine Valley to beg for Transplanting Flowers, but was flatly refused. No matter how long he waited outside the valley, they remained unmoved.

As for the Flower Palace, they did not even receive Yun Wanyan.

But how did Feng Qi know the whereabouts of Penetrating the Wood?

Wasn’t it lost with the death of Wei Sanmu?

“I don’t know where Penetrating the Wood is, but I know someone at Taixuan Mountain must know,” Feng Qi said.

“I know about this too,” Feng Yang echoed.

If both Feng Qi and Feng Yang said so, then it must be true. Feng Muyun and Steward Fei did not object.

But while this issue was settled, it did not mean there were no other obstacles.

“Do you think Taixuan Mountain is somewhere you can just enter?” Feng Muyun said. “Don’t forget, both you and Murong Xue are considered to have immortal roots… Yang’er does not.”

Feng Qi replied carelessly, “The old emperor didn't have immortal roots either, yet he still carved his way through thorns to reach the Heavenly Dao.”

Feng Muyun scolded in a low voice, “I am speaking seriously with you!”

Feng Qi thought to himself, I am answering you seriously, too, but ultimately did not say it aloud.

He spoke, his voice very soft, “That’s why we need Second Brother to outshine everyone at the Sandstorm Festival.”

…