Heart (Complete)

Today is the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, and the Lunar New Year is just around the corner, but the shouts in the back garden of the Star Peak Manor are still deafening.

In the back garden surrounded by the Eight Formations, the grassy area in the center of the back garden, which was originally full of flowers, has now been transformed into a martial arts training square. Nearly three hundred people are diligently practicing here. In order to carry out Zhang Xingfeng's plan, the Dragon Soaring Jade Shop has been closed since yesterday, with only the main store in the capital still open. Almost all of the Star Peak Guard have returned to the Star Peak Manor.

Standing on the high platform, Zhang Xingfeng looked at the Star Peak Guard training hard below with great satisfaction. Looking at the sun in the sky, he figured it was about time.

Zhang Xingfeng addressed the Star Peak Guard who were cultivating below, saying loudly, "Everyone!"

Upon seeing their master standing before them, the Star Peak Guard immediately stood at attention, ready to receive his instructions. They all knew their master's martial arts were unparalleled, and everything they had was a gift from him! Their only feelings towards him were respect and loyalty.

Zhang Xingfeng was very satisfied with their focused expressions and said with a smile:

"Today, I have a major announcement to make! Anyone who reaches the Third Rank Realm will be a disciple of my Tianxin Sect, and I will pass on my supreme Cultivation Method to them. Those who have not reached the Third Rank Realm are merely peripheral disciples. I hope that those who have not reached the Third Rank Realm will diligently cultivate."

Currently, there are three Star Peak Guards at the second rank, one of whom just reached that level a few days ago—quite impressive! There are ten at the Third Rank Realm. These thirteen Star Peak Guard are the first batch of disciples of my Tianxin Sect, and they are of the same generation as my six disciples. Of course, as peripheral disciples of my Tianxin Sect, I will also teach you Cultivation Method. From now on, I will teach you the Seven Star Big Dipper Sword Array, and I will also accept the strongest group of seven as my first batch of disciples!"

Most of the Star Peak Guard were initially disappointed, but they hadn't expected there to be another chance. Not only could they learn sword formations, but they could also become among the first batch of disciples. Naturally, everyone was very happy with such a good opportunity. They knew how powerful Zhang Xingfeng's previous disciples were; any one of them had reached the Second-grade realm. Of course, they would fight for a place as Zhang Xingfeng's disciple!

Zhang Xingfeng naturally taught the Seven Star Big Dipper Sword Array to Li Da, Li Er, Lang Feng, and Zhang Yu, who frequently managed the Star Peak Guard, from the very beginning. Having them teach it would be much faster!

Zhang Xingfeng pulled up a chair and sat down, watching them learn the sword formation. Seeing Zhang Yu, Zhang Xingfeng was very satisfied! When he first took on disciples, Zhang Yu's aptitude was the worst among the three. But now, Li Da and Li Er were only at the Second-grade realm, while Zhang Yu had already reached the First-grade realm. Even Zhang Xingfeng couldn't understand why Zhang Yu aptitude. As for his other three disciples Chiyou Brothers, it was hard to say. They had left after graduating from the National Martial Academy, only sending someone to pay New Year's visits every year. On the only time they came, Zhang Xingfeng was in seclusion.

"Sigh..." Zhang Xingfeng sighed deeply, wondering when he would be able to see Chiyou and his two brothers again.

"Why are you sighing? How old are you, my dear nephew?"

Zhang Xingfeng recognized him immediately as his Uncle Zhang, smiled, and said nothing.

Uncle Zhang walked over to Zhang Xingfeng, pulled up a chair, and sat down. He said to Zhang Xingfeng, "Nephew, after you passed on the Heart Sutra to me yesterday, I feel my True Primordial Energy increasing rapidly, and there's no danger as mentioned above. What's going on?"

After returning yesterday, Zhang Xingfeng learned that Uncle Zhang had broken through to the First-grade realm, so he passed on the Heart Sutra to him, since Zhang Xingfeng himself could no longer practice it.

Zhang Xingfeng looked at Uncle Zhang, then at Star Peak Guard was studying diligently below, and said with a faint smile, "Uncle Zhang, you don't know how lucky you are. You have already comprehended nature, and your mental cultivation is already very high, far higher than your True Primordial Energy. Of course, there is no danger. You just need to focus on absorbing and cultivating. You don't need to worry about anything else. Only when you reach the Soul Departure Stage will it be necessary for your State of Mind cultivation to continue to deepen!"

Uncle Zhang smiled upon hearing this, but didn't take it to heart. He just smiled faintly and looked down at the Star Peak Guard with Zhang Xingfeng.

It was already quite late, time for dinner. Zhang Xingfeng smiled at the Star Peak Guard were packing up below and walked outside. Uncle Zhang had spent the afternoon with Zhang Xingfeng, immediately followed him outside.

Zhang Xingfeng suddenly said to Uncle Zhang beside him, "Uncle Zhang, I've noticed that these Star Peak Guard you found are all quite good. Every single one of them is a martial arts genius! They all cultivate very quickly, and some of them even have better aptitude than Brother Lang Feng! What's the reason for this?"

Uncle Zhang glanced at the puzzled Zhang Xingfeng and smiled proudly, "Our Great Ming has no shortage of people, including many martial arts prodigies. However, some large sects charge money to take on disciples, which ordinary families simply cannot afford. We, on the other hand, even take on beggars, so of course we can select the best. Most importantly, we recruit very few people each year. Except for the initial hundred, we recruit about ten each year. On average, each Dragon Soaring Jade Shop finds one martial arts genius per year. This is very easy. Every time, there are many excellent talents who didn't become Star Peak Guard because of the limited number of spots. Last year, you asked me to recruit a hundred, and I directly selected a hundred from among those people. They are all excellent. Plus, my dear nephew, your Taiji Yin Yang Art has improved your skills rapidly. Isn't this normal?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xingfeng thought it made perfect sense! If these Star Peak Guards were in the Cultivation World, they would probably have been snatched up by those cultivation sects long ago! Zhang Xingfeng thought to himself.

"No matter what, Uncle Zhang, you have made great contributions. Tell me what your request is, and I will try my best to fulfill it!" Seeing that Star Peak Guard was really satisfied, Zhang Xingfeng was so happy that he said such a bold statement to Uncle Zhang.

Uncle Zhang glanced at Zhang Xingfeng, who was smiling at him from the side, and said with a faint smile, "I don't have any requests!"

Zhang Xingfeng was taken aback, but immediately said, "Uncle Zhang, don't miss this opportunity! If you give it up, you might have to beg me later!"

Uncle Zhang smiled calmly, walked to the front and stood still. After a long while, he said, "Nephew, what do you think is the purpose of a person's life?"

Zhang Xingfeng was taken aback. He hadn't expected Uncle Zhang to suddenly raise such a question without a standard answer. But after hearing it, Zhang Xingfeng was still struck by a realization: Yes, what is the purpose of life? Some live for money, some for power, some for love, and some for the pursuit of truth! And what about himself? From a young age, he had to build a powerful force.

Was it for power? No, it was to prove myself to my parents!

Was it for the pursuit of life, the pursuit of spiritual cultivation? I don't know!

Was it for love? Perhaps!

Zhang Xingfeng's eyes held only a faint sense of bewilderment; even now, he didn't know what he was living for. His childhood dreams had been realized, but what about now?

Uncle Zhang didn't turn around, but simply looked at the mysterious and unfathomable formation before him, and said calmly, "I was once young and arrogant, I once indulged in romantic pursuits, I once made vows of eternal love with my beloved, and I once reigned supreme in my profession! But it was precisely because of my arrogance that my wife died! It was precisely because of my arrogance that my son and I were hunted down like stray dogs. If it weren't for you, my life would probably have been nothing but suffering. Now I have a successful son, even more advanced skills, and even the legendary art of cultivating immortality. What more could I ask for? What I want to do now is to see just how high a realm jade carving can reach! To pursue the ultimate Tao!"

Zhang Xingfeng didn't feel anything; he only knew that he didn't know what he should pursue.

Zhang Xingfeng walked calmly, passing through the Eight Formations in a daze. He passed through the Eight Formations without using any of his internal energy!

Days passed by, and the Spring Festival arrived. Everyone was as happy as ever, and Star Peak Guard was as hardworking as ever, striving for the last seven spots!

Everyone noticed that although Zhang Xingfeng had been having fun with everyone these days, they could all sense that something was missing from Zhang Xingfeng.

Spring goes and autumn comes, and autumn brings people bitterness!

Zhang Xingfeng smiled faintly as he looked up at the falling yellow leaves.

"Autumn has arrived," Zhang Xingfeng murmured to himself.

Heavy footsteps sounded behind Zhang Xingfeng, so heavy that they made Zhang Xingfeng feel uneasy. Zhang Xingfeng sensed that something serious had happened, and his heart was in turmoil.

Zhang Xingfeng slowly turned around. Brother Wang, with a somber expression, looked at Zhang Xingfeng from behind. There was nothing else in Brother Wang's eyes but heaviness.

Zhang Xingfeng didn't ask any questions; he waited quietly for Brother Wang to speak.

Brother Wang spoke, and after a long while, he spoke, his hoarse voice resounding throughout the surrounding space. "Yuwen Rou, she—is dead!"

For a moment, Zhang Xingfeng felt nothing. He felt no heartache, but he inexplicably felt the world turn black and white, devoid of any color. There was no sound either; he couldn't even hear Brother Wang's anxious voice beside him. He didn't know what was happening!

Suddenly, a wave of overwhelming pain washed over him, instantly engulfing him. He finally understood: his goddess, the girl he had loved since childhood, the girl he fought for against the Li Family, his Rou—was dead!

He knew, he finally knew, that he loved Rou, loved her so intensely, that Zhang Xingfeng had never been so certain of his love for Yuwen Rou, that his love was so deep, that love had reached the very depths of his soul.

He was completely unaware of anything; in an instant, following that inexplicable feeling, he vanished from Brother Wang's sight! Yes, vanished—not just quickly, but completely vanished!

Brother Wang didn't know what had happened to Zhang Xingfeng, but he knew that everyone in the Star Peak Manor was a follower of Zhang Xingfeng.

"Brother Wang, everything is ready. The three hundred Star Peak Guard are fully prepared and ready to fight at any time!" Lang Feng stood in front of Brother Wang, his hand constantly stroking the long, narrow sword made of Mysterious Sky Stone that Zhang Xingfeng had forged for him. The scene of their first meeting flashed through his mind: a little boy had completely defeated him with his immense aura, the little boy always wearing a calm, composed smile. That little boy was Zhang Xingfeng.

Lang Feng muttered to himself, "No matter what lies ahead, I will follow you. I will kill Buddhas and devour gods!" A resolute light flashed in his eyes.

A faint Blade Aura of light flashed in Uncle Zhang's hand, disappearing in an instant. Only the people of the Star Peak Manor knew it was his knife, his carving knife, a knife refined by his alchemical fire. No one knew that Uncle Zhang's carving knife could kill, not only for carving. But in Uncle Zhang's mind, he recalled the look in Zhang Xingfeng's eyes at the bamboo hut that time.

Li Da, Li Er Zhang Yu, Brother Wang, Sister Yu, and Lang Feng's mother were all touching the weapons made of Mysterious Sky Stone that Zhang Xingfeng had crafted for them, lost in their memories.

Instantly, everyone exchanged smiles. They were always prepared. They had been aware of this when they learned of Yuwen Rou's death. Zhang Xingfeng would never let the Li Family off the hook for failing to take good care of Yuwen Rou. The consequence would be a full-scale war with the Li Family. Although they could already imagine the outcome, they had no courage whatsoever.

The Zhang Family in Hangzhou learned of this matter even faster than Star Peak Manor. Upon hearing the news from Tianyu Tower, Zhang Tiande Zhang Tiande's expression changed instantly. As Zhang Xingfeng's father, he knew Zhang Xingfeng's character well. Looking at the elixir in his hand, he resolutely said in his heart, "Little San, I have disappointed you before, but I won't do it again this time!"

"Execute Subversion Plan 1!" Zhang Tiande commanded resolutely, causing the Steward Zhang was standing nearby, to pause in surprise. He knew all too well what Subversion Plan 1 represented.

"Master!" Steward Zhang had always obeyed orders, but now he wanted his master to reconsider.

Zhang Tiande raised his hand, "Stop talking, I've made up my mind. Just do it, and I'll take full responsibility for the consequences!"

"Yes!" Steward Zhang turned and disappeared.

Zhang Tiande glanced at the few elixirs in his hand, then looked out the window at the azure sky, his eyes firm and profound.

At this time, the Li Family was silent, because Yuwen Rou, who had married into the Li Family less than a year ago, had died.

After arriving at the Li Family Yuwen Rou vomited blood before even consummating her marriage with Li Tianxiang. From that day on, Yuwen Rou's health deteriorated rapidly, and even Li Shimin and the others were helpless, having tried many methods without any effect. Finally, last night, Yuwen Rou died!

Li Tianxiang knelt before Yuwen Rou's coffin, motionless, his heart broken.

Ever since that wedding, he had lived in constant anxiety and pain. Seeing his beloved woman like this every day only made him more miserable, but he was powerless to do anything about it. Every night, he stayed by his goddess's side, never leaving her side.

That night, on that very night, he heard Yuwen Rou calling out in her dream. Although Yuwen Rou's voice was very low, he heard it very clearly. "Brother Feng!" In that instant, he knew that what Zhang Xingfeng said at the Yuwen Family that day was true, and that Yuwen Rou and Zhang Xingfeng were truly in love.

He was furious. He couldn't understand why he and Yuwen Rou had been together for over a decade, while Zhang Xingfeng hadn't seen her even once in ten years. And Yuwen Rou loved Zhang Xingfeng more than him. How was he inferior to Zhang Xingfeng? He admitted that Zhang Xingfeng's kung fu was superior, but he had also reached the First-grade realm. How many people in history had reached the First-grade realm at such a young age?

He, Li Tianxiang, was no ordinary man, so why, why couldn't Yuwen Rou love him? That night, he got drunk, drunk at Yuwen Rou's bedside.

After sobering up, he did not blame Yuwen Rou. He was worried about Yuwen Rou and worked hard for her, but Yuwen Rou was unaware of all this.

Li Tianxiang knelt quietly, silently recalling the scenes of playing with Yuwen Rou when he was a child. A faint smile appeared on Li Tianxiang's lips. Suddenly, his motionless body trembled.

Li Tianxiang stood up quietly and turned to look out the door.

A voice quietly echoed between heaven and earth, "Rou! I love you! I really love you. I shouldn't have, I shouldn't have, I shouldn't have let you marry into the Li Family, I shouldn't have! Rou, do you still remember our first meeting outside the gates of the National Martial Academy..."

All the Li Family experts attacked the man who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere in the Li Family, but the man didn't fight back at all, only talking incessantly like a fool. All the Li Family experts were horrified to discover that their swords and blades could only tear his clothes, but couldn't even harm a single hair on his head!

"It's snowing!" a servant of the Li Family shouted. It was only October, and snow in October was unprecedented. The servant shouted for another reason: the snow was falling heavily and quickly. Li Tianxiang couldn't help but look up as well.

Every inch of space was filled with snowflakes as big as goose feathers. The speed and intensity of the snowfall were unprecedented, making it difficult for even the Innate Master of the Li Family to maintain their powerful attacks.

The man who suddenly appeared showed no reaction to the heavy snow and continued his passionate narration.

"That night, by the Osmanthus Bridge, you said you wanted to be with me, I said I wanted to marry you, I proposed to you, but I didn't insist, I'm so sorry! I didn't even get to see you one last time. If I had insisted, then, then..."

Li Tianxiang vanished from the mourning hall in an instant, reaching the door with terrifying speed!

"Zhang Xingfeng, what exactly are you trying to do? Stop acting crazy!"

Suddenly, Li Tianxiang was horrified to discover that Zhang Xingfeng's hair had turned completely white. At first, he thought it was covered by snow, but now, at this distance, Li Tianxiang could clearly see Zhang Xingfeng's snow-white hair, which was as white as the snow in the sky.

For a moment, Li Tianxiang was terrified. He was frightened by the sight of that snow-white hair. The fear from the bottom of his heart prevented him from exerting any of his First-grade realm power.

Zhang Xingfeng stopped talking and raised his head to look at the hall in the distance. The big word "Dian" made his heart hurt even more. He didn't notice the existence of Li Tianxiang at all. In his eyes, he only had Yu Wenrou.

He walked step by step toward the hall, slowly past Li Tianxiang, into the hall, and stood before the coffin. The cold jade coffin made Yuwen Rou appear as beautiful as she had in life, as if she were simply asleep.

Zhang Xingfeng lay on the ice coffin, gazing intently at the beautiful goddess within, carefully savoring the subtle satisfaction in his heart.

Li Tianxiang didn't move an inch, not even when Zhang Xingfeng walked past him! In that instant, he felt ashamed! He felt unworthy of Yuwen Rou. Li Tianxiang knelt painfully on the snow, letting the snow fall heavily. Suddenly, someone patted his shoulder.

Li Tianxiang looked up and clearly saw his ancestor and a large group of the Li Family experts looking at him with concern. He immediately burst into tears. Lady Hongfu Nu hugged Li Tianxiang and let Li Tianxiang have a good cry.

Li Shimin, Li Jing, and Lady Hongfu Nu exchanged a smile and walked together toward the hall. At this moment, Zhang Xingfeng was completely absorbed in watching his goddess and did not notice the arrival of Li Shimin three of them.

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