Feng Xiao and his two companions set out, heading south with Nuo Xing Province, five thousand kilometers away, as their destination.
Along the way, Feng Xiao, who led the group, stopped and started at leisure. His days were carefree, and he looked nothing like someone out for revenge. Suo Ying was in no hurry either. He had already waited six years; he did not mind waiting a little longer. When they traveled, he focused on traveling. When Feng Xiao rested, he silently honed his swordsmanship.
Seven days later, the three arrived at the outskirts of Star Dou Forest. They had to pass through its outskirts to enter the borders of the Star Luo Empire.
"Let's rest for a while. We've been walking all morning, and I'm starving." Feng Xiao reached a patch of grass and decisively flopped down onto it.
Hearing that Feng Xiao wanted to eat, Feng Yu nodded faintly. "Three seconds."
In the first second, Feng Yu vanished. In the second, the most tender Soul Beast within a ten-kilometer radius had been killed by him. In the third, Feng Yu reappeared, holding a century-old Fire Phoenix Chicken in one hand.
Seeing this, Suo Ying conscientiously went to gather firewood nearby, then built a fire on the spot. Do not ask why he was so skilled at it. He had simply gotten used to it over the past few days.
By the time Suo Ying had the fire going, the Fire Phoenix Chicken in Feng Yu's hand had already been cleaned by the power of the wind. He skillfully ran a skewer through it and set it over the fire to roast.
At that moment, Feng Xiao and Suo Ying both knew it would still be a while before they could eat. Feng Xiao simply lay sprawled on the grass, while Suo Ying summoned his Martial Soul and began honing his swordsmanship.
Suo Ying's basic sword forms were exceptionally solid, clearly forged through countless repetitions. Yet the muscles on his body did not look particularly bulky. Fully clothed, he appeared rather lean, but no one knew how much explosive power lay hidden beneath those clothes.
"Whoosh, whoosh..."
Again and again, Suo Ying swung the Yama Blade in his hand, its whistles slicing through the air. However, Feng Yu, who was roasting the Fire Phoenix Chicken, suddenly spoke. "I cannot sense the presence of your blade."
Feng Yu's words stunned both Feng Xiao and Suo Ying. This was the first time Feng Yu had spoken to him, and his very first words carried such weight. Suo Ying was confused. He looked at the blade in his hand, unable to understand what Feng Yu meant.
"Although you possess the heart of a swordmaster, the blade in your hand is weak. So weak that I cannot sense its presence."
Feng Yu's words made Suo Ying pause. "Before a senior like you, my blade is naturally weak."
Feng Yu said nothing. He merely slowly raised his head and looked quietly at Suo Ying with those weathered eyes. "What do you see in my eyes? Or rather, what can you see in my blade?"
As he spoke, the blade at Feng Yu's waist floated beside him as though it possessed a will of its own.
Suo Ying stared into Feng Yu's eyes, trying to understand his words. Yet all he saw in them was bottomless darkness, nothing else. However, when he turned his gaze to Feng Yu's blade, his eyes lit up.
In his eyes, Feng Yu's blade actually gave off a faint glow. This left him both curious and confused.
"Senior, your blade, it... this..."
Looking at Suo Ying, Feng Yu spoke again. "Look into my eyes."
This time, Suo Ying saw a blade in Feng Yu's eyes—a blade identical to the one floating at Feng Yu's side, turning deep within Feng Yu's gaze.
Suo Ying was stunned. He had never seen such a strange sight before.
"This is my blade—the blade in my eyes, the blade in my heart. But your blade has only form, no intent. That is why I cannot see the blade in your eyes, nor the blade in your heart. Without intent, there is no need for your blade to be swung."
At that moment, Suo Ying fell silent. Then he sat cross-legged on the ground, placed his blade before him, and slowly closed his eyes.
After a long while, Suo Ying opened his eyes. The instant he did, Feng Xiao saw it—a faint glimmer flashed across Suo Ying's blade.
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior."
Feng Yu merely nodded faintly at Suo Ying's words.
"System, what's going on with those two?"
[Suo Ying's blade lacked intent. Feng Yu's guidance allowed him to find that intent. With intent, it means Suo Ying has touched the threshold of becoming a true swordmaster.]
Listening to the system, Feng Xiao thought it sounded pretty damn impressive. Though he used a blade as well, he seemed not to have this thing called intent. What he did not know was that his intent had long since fused into his blade. His intent was invincibility—the intent of invincibility, carefree and unrestrained all the way.
Finally, after Feng Yu sprinkled seasoning over the Fire Phoenix Chicken, they began enjoying a little wilderness barbecue.
However, at that moment, the system's voice rang out.
[Host, a genius-level talent has been detected. Three kilometers ahead, she is running this way at great speed. Behind her are three Soul King-level individuals, at levels fifty-eight, fifty-nine, and fifty-nine respectively.]
Hearing this, Feng Xiao looked toward Feng Yu. Feng Yu silently nodded. If the newcomers were not too much stronger than him, Feng Xiao could try handling them himself. But if they were far beyond him, he would leave them to Feng Yu.
Before long, a light-golden-haired woman—or more precisely, a light-golden-haired girl—wearing an off-shoulder top and pale gray shorts ran toward Feng Xiao and the others. A wound on her right arm was bleeding.
When the light-golden-haired girl spotted Feng Xiao and the others, a trace of delight and slyness appeared on her previously panicked little face.
At that moment, Feng Xiao also received the information on the girl before him.
[Name: Tina] [Gender: Female] [Age: Twelve] [Height: 167 cm] [Martial Soul: Weather Wand] [Soul Power: Level 29] [Evaluation: A genius at professional theft]
Feng Xiao immediately grinned. A genius at professional theft? He wondered whether she had stolen something and was being hunted down for it. Though there was no need to wonder; that was probably exactly what had happened.
The light-golden-haired girl suddenly slowed down. Only when the three figures behind her rapidly closed in did she abruptly accelerate.
"Stop! Don't run, you damned bitch! If I catch you, you're dead!" the leader roared the moment he spotted Tina.
However, Tina did not even turn her head as she ran past Feng Xiao. While running, she shouted, "I'll leave them to you. I'm going to deliver the item to the boss first."
The three pursuers immediately halted upon hearing Tina's words. They watched Feng Xiao's group warily, then finally fixed their eyes on Feng Yu, who was eating a huge chicken leg.
"Take him out first, then deal with the other two!"
As they spoke, the three directly unleashed their Martial Souls.
In response, Feng Xiao merely said faintly, "Life is already pretty short, yet people like you insist on taking shortcuts. Sigh."
The blade beside Feng Yu flashed past. The three foolish Soul King-level men instantly collapsed to the ground. There were no wounds on their bodies, but everything inside had already been shredded by the power of the wind.
"Feng Yu, go catch that girl who dared use us. Tie her up properly."
"Alright."
Before you continue