Shocking the Elder!

Spirit Spring Valley was shrouded in mist-like spiritual energy.

Ye Feng sat cross-legged on a rock at the center of the spring, the spot with the densest concentration of spiritual energy.

Because he had defeated Zhao Yu earlier, he now claimed this prime location.

Neither Zhao Yu nor any other Feiyun Sect disciple raised an objection.

The disciples scattered around the spring, some sitting, some standing, greedily absorbing the pure spiritual energy in the air, even their breathing becoming cautious.

The spiritual energy density in the spring far surpassed the outside world; cultivating here for one hour was equivalent to days of hard training elsewhere.

After just three hours, many disciples slowly opened their eyes, their faces flushed, their auras noticeably stronger than before.

Even a small improvement was a rare opportunity for them.

Zhao Yu stood up, stretched his limbs, a hint of emotion in his eyes.

He had just absorbed spiritual energy with full force, trying to break through to the True Condensation realm, but still fell short by a hair.

"The True Condensation realm really isn't easy to break through. What I lack is still that spark of opportunity." Zhao Yu turned to look at Ye Feng, who was still cultivating, and seeing that his aura was steady with no sign of a breakthrough, he inexplicably felt relieved.

"At least Ye Feng's cultivation speed is normal. He hasn't gone so monstrous as to use the spring to break through directly. That would really crush a man's spirit."

Just then, the spiritual energy in the spring began to thin. The once-abundant white mist gradually dissipated, and the clear spring water lost its pearly luster, becoming indistinguishable from ordinary water.

With so many disciples absorbing at once, even the richest spiritual energy couldn't withstand the drain. The spring was completely depleted, losing its value for cultivation.

"Let's go. There's still time before the secret realm closes. Let's look for other opportunities." Zhao Yu glanced at Ye Feng, saw he hadn't woken yet, and didn't disturb him. He led the group of disciples out of the valley in a grand procession.

They all assumed Ye Feng would follow later, but they didn't realize that leaving him behind gave him a chance to monopolize the opportunity.

Another half hour passed before Ye Feng slowly opened his eyes.

Feeling the surging True Qi within him, a smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

Thanks to the Bone Tempering Flower's enhancement of his Bone Root Talent and the pure spiritual energy of the spring, his cultivation had skyrocketed, breaking through directly to the Qi Gathering Realm Tenth Layer Peak. The True Qi in his Dantian was so dense it almost solidified, with faint signs of a breakthrough to the True Condensation realm.

"The Bone Tempering Flower's effect is remarkable. My absorption speed is several times faster than before." Ye Feng stretched lazily but didn't rush to break through to the True Condensation realm.

"Breaking through now would be too hasty. Better to wait until I get back, use the system to optimize my state, and find some auxiliary breakthrough pills to increase the success rate."

Ye Feng stood up to leave, only to find the valley empty. Zhao Yu and the others were long gone.

"They all left?" Ye Feng was stunned for a moment, then grinned.

"Perfect. No one to bother me. I can cultivate a bit longer."

He walked to the dried-up spring and thought stirred: "System, modify the spring's time. Go back to one day ago."

A familiar white light flashed. The dried-up spring instantly erupted with thick white mist, pure spiritual energy of the highest quality filling the valley once more. The spring water regained its pearly luster, even richer than before.

Ye Feng didn't hesitate. He jumped straight into the spring, sat cross-legged, and activated the Azure Origin Art, frantically absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy.

This was a rare chance to have it all to himself. He couldn't waste it.

Some time later, at the entrance to the Earth Sun Secret Realm, two figures stood facing each other.

Elder Yin Dang of the Feiyun Sect and Elder Wang of the Baiyang Sect exchanged cold glances, neither giving the other a good look.

Whoosh--

A flash of white light, and the Baiyang Sect disciples were the first to teleport out of the secret realm.

Lin Jie and Fang Xu walked at the front, heads drooping, faces full of disappointment.

The Baiyang Sect disciples behind them were equally listless, a stark contrast to their high spirits before entering.

Elder Wang hurried forward, frowning. "What's going on? Why do you all look like this? Didn't you find any opportunities?"

The disciples lowered their heads, none speaking, only instinctively glancing toward Elder Yin Dang.

Elder Wang was puzzled but didn't press further, suppressing his unease.

Then, another flash of white light, and the Feiyun Sect disciples teleported out.

Ye Feng was the last to emerge. He had just finished cultivating and was still in a cross-legged posture. As he stood, he subconsciously sensed the surrounding spiritual energy, only fully waking up when he realized the energy at the entrance was far inferior to the Spirit Spring Valley.

Elder Yin Dang swept his gaze over the disciples and quickly noticed their auras were stronger than before. Many still carried faint traces of pure spiritual energy, clearly having gained much in the secret realm.

He nodded in satisfaction and was about to speak when several excited disciples crowded around, chattering about what had happened near the spring.

"Elder Yin! You won't believe it! Senior Brother Ye Feng is incredible! Senior Brother Li Yue tried to kill him, but Ye Feng killed him instead!"

"And the Baiyang Sect people tried to steal the spring we found, but Senior Brother Ye Feng and Senior Brother Zhao Yu teamed up and drove them off!"

"The best part is, Senior Brother Ye Feng sparred with Senior Brother Zhao Yu, comprehended Thirty Percent Sword Intent in the middle of the fight, and even defeated Senior Brother Zhao Yu!"

The disciples grew more excited as they spoke, recounting the key events near the spring in detail.

Elder Yin Dang's expression shifted from calm to shock, and finally to near-dizziness.

He stared at Ye Feng, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Ye Feng had only been at the Qi Gathering Realm Third Layer before entering the secret realm. How long had it been, and he'd skyrocketed to the Qi Gathering Realm Tenth Layer Peak?

And he'd comprehended Thirty Percent Sword Intent?

After all, Ye Feng was only 17 years old!

Such talent is practically unheard of in a millennium!

"A Hidden Dragon! Feiyun Sect has produced a Hidden Dragon!" Elder Yin Dang's heart surged with ecstasy, his gaze toward Ye Feng burning with fervor. The importance he had placed on Ye Feng before now shot up several notches.

He turned to look at Zhao Yu, who nodded without a trace of reluctance on his face—clearly defeated with full acceptance. This only confirmed what the disciples had told him.

The weight of Thirty Percent Sword Intent was no lie.

Elder Wang stood to the side, catching every word the disciples said.

He finally understood why his own disciple looked so dejected.

It wasn't just losing the Spirit Spring resources—he had been thoroughly crushed by Ye Feng.

What shocked him even more was Ye Feng's rate of growth. A seventeen-year-old at the Qi Gathering Realm Tenth Layer Peak, wielding Thirty Percent Sword Intent, with strength that even surpassed Zhao Yu.

And Lin Jie of Baiyang Sect was already weaker than Zhao Yu!

Ye Feng's rise would only widen the gap between the two sects!

A dense killing intent erupted from Elder Wang. He stared fixedly at Ye Feng, his eyes brimming with wariness and malice.

But in the end, he held himself back.

Elder Yin Dang was right there.

If he made a move, he might not come out ahead, and it could spark a direct conflict between the two sects—more loss than gain.

"Hmph!"

Elder Wang let out a cold snort, summoned his flying boat, and barked at the Baiyang Sect disciples.

"Let's go!"

Ye Feng keenly sensed Elder Wang's killing intent. Unflinching, he lifted his head and met Elder Wang's gaze, his eyes sharp and unyielding.

Even an Origin Embracing Realm elder didn't scare him.

Watching the Baiyang Sect's flying boat vanish into the horizon, Elder Yin Dang turned to Ye Feng with a smile. "Ye Feng, come with me. The sect has a generous reward for you!"

Ye Feng's heart stirred. He knew this trip to the secret realm had brought him more than just a boost in cultivation—it had earned him the sect's attention.

That would be a huge help in securing more resources down the line.