C10 Phoenixfire Palm

After resolving their internal disputes, the Hu family's banquet commenced.

Northwind Keep was planning to establish a branch in Egluarsall, a move that would inevitably cause a power reshuffle among all the major forces, including the Keep itself. Facing danger, the Hu family's branches braved the wind and snow to return and offer their support. Naturally, a banquet was held to foster unity and strategize for the future.

Hu Nao, preoccupied with thoughts of Pei Zhiyuan, had little appetite or interest in small talk with the Hu family's younger members. He listlessly poked at his food with his fork before excusing himself from the council hall. Nan Xi, noticing his sullen demeanor and apparent preoccupation, followed him out.

The younger relatives had hoped to curry favor with Nan Xi, anticipating that she might look out for them as her influence within the Hu family grew. They were taken aback when, before they could even start a conversation, Nan Xi left with Hu Nao.

"What kind of trick has that boy played to earn Nan Xi's unwavering devotion?" grumbled one of them resentfully.

"Keep it down," another cautioned. "Hu Nao has undergone a transformation and has gained the esteem of the family elders. Were it not for their favor, he would have been severely disciplined for his earlier insolence towards an elder. But what did Hu Binyu say?"

Amidst the murmurs, Hu Xiangsi quickly excused herself from the table to catch up with Nan Xi. "Nan Xi, you've reached the Body Tempering Ninth Heaven at such a young age; you must have insights into cultivation. I'd love to learn from you."

Nan Xi humbly shook her head. "You're too kind. We should spar and learn from each other."

Hu Xiangsi, impressed by her modesty, affectionately took her hand. "Okay, no more formalities between us. Tomorrow, my Fifth Uncle will formally adopt you as his foster daughter, so we'll need to change how we address each other. Call me Xiangsi from now on, not Miss."

"Sure, I'll do as you say, Xiangsi," Nan Xi replied with a playful smile.

Hu Nao, already in a foul mood and leading the way, overheard their polite exchange and found it utterly tedious. He turned around with a hint of irritation and asked, "Are you two finished yet?"

Hu Xiangsi, who had always commanded respect, found it difficult to tolerate such a tone. She retorted, "What's it to you?" Then, turning to Nan Xi, she added, "We'll have to practice with him later... This isn't about me getting even; it's an order from Elder Hu Binyu."

"Sure thing," Nan Xi chuckled, playfully mimicking a martial move toward Hu Nao.

"I can't take it anymore," Hu Nao sighed in resignation.

They hadn't gone far when Hu Nao noticed many of the younger members in the hall eyeing him with envy, their expressions a mix of anger and helplessness. Seizing the moment, he playfully tapped Hu Xiangsi's head, "Cousin, you've got quite a bit of snow up there; don't let it chill you." Then, with a swift motion, he tapped Nan Xi's delicate, alluring chin, "Sweetheart, give me a smile."

His actions were so quick that the girls were caught off guard. By the time they realized what had happened, Hu Nao was already making his escape.

"You're terrible, Young Master!" Nan Xi chided, her demeanor more charming than truly upset.

"Hu Nao, you're asking for a beating!" Hu Xiangsi exclaimed, her anger a stark contrast to her usual demure grace, adding a different allure to her presence.

In the meeting hall, the younger members watched with envy as Hu Nao bantered with the two exceptional young women, their jealousy so intense they could almost spit fire. Even Hu Jinhong, despite savoring a delicious meal, felt a pang of bitterness.

Deep into the night, Hu Nao wasn't practicing his cultivation; instead, he sat by the window, lost in thought.

The wind had ceased, but the snow continued to fall, the large flakes rustling softly, enhancing the silence of the night.

In the courtyard, the red plum blossoms stood defiant against the snow, their subtle fragrance wafting through the air.

A vision flickered before Hu Nao's eyes: a little girl standing beneath the plum tree.

The relentless snow and ice of the Northlands blanketed everything, painting her cheeks a rosy red. Yet, she seemed more delicate and exquisite than the blossoms themselves. Her gaze was clear and intense, unblinking and earnest, exuding a strength and pride that rivaled the frosty landscape itself.

She stood there, regal and aloof, watching the little boy who had tumbled to the ground. "Hu Nao, you haven't finished today's lessons. Get up and continue your training."

Hu Nao looked up at her pleadingly. "Zhiyuan, that fall felt like it broke every bone in my body. Can we take a break, please?"

Her gaze remained unyielding, commanding respect without a hint of anger. "Fine," she said, and with that, she turned on her heel and walked away.

In a panic, Hu Nao scrambled across the snowy ground, clutching at the hem of her trousers. "Zhiyuan, wait! Don't leave. I'll train; I'll do it."

Her departure was decisive, and her turnabout was swift and efficient. She spun around, bent down, and hoisted Hu Nao off the ground with surprising strength, despite being of similar height and even slighter build than him.

"Hu Nao, I am your betrothed. It's my duty to train with you. Stop begging me; it shows a lack of spine."

"But if I don't beg, you'll just go home, and I can't stand the thought of you leaving."

"That's why you need to train harder. When you can best me, will I dare to ignore your wishes?"

"I do want to master martial arts, but my constitution is frail..."

"Don't buy into their lies. Who decreed that a weak constitution means you can't excel in martial arts? Hu Nao, remember this: even if the whole world doubts you, I believe in you. As long as you're dedicated and willing to strive, isn't there a saying 'man can conquer nature'?"

"Yes, 'man can conquer nature.' One day, I'll overcome these cursed fates!"

Hu Nao swore vehemently, then resumed his training.

The young girl didn't reprimand him for his foul language; instead, she joined in his passionate cursing. "Curse you, thieving heavens. Just wait until my fiancé defeats you!"

...

"Zhiyuan, Zhiyuan..."

Hu Nao murmured softly, his usually irreverent face now filled with solemnity and deep affection.

Ever since he was a child, Pei Zhiyuan had been his dream, his faith. Like a beacon across the water, she guided him forward.

It was the greatest source of warmth in his life, the most untamed romance buried deep within his heart.

Because she alone was willing to curse the heavens alongside him.

Damn it all.

The night had grown deep when Hu Nao, hands propping up his cheeks, gazed out the window lost in memories of the past, and inadvertently drifted off to sleep.

In his groggy state, he found himself descending into hell once more.

The blood-red, eerie River of Forgetfulness, the imposing Abyss Bridge, and the massive bird, towering like a mountain...

This time was different; upon entering hell, his consciousness merged with that of the great bird. Instantly, there was a resonance between his consciousness and that of the bird, allowing him to feel its emotions as if they were his own.

"Damn, this bird despises the heavens even more than I do. I resent the cruel heavens for cursing me with a frail body, preventing me from cultivating my strength. That hatred became familiar over time. But the bird's hatred is deep-seated, boundless, a stain not even the waters of the four seas could cleanse..."

In this liminal state, half-asleep and half-awake, Hu Nao's mind retained a sliver of clarity. Understanding the bird's passions and aversions, he ventured a bold hypothesis: "Could it be that the bird's hatred for the heavens resonates with mine? Its stature is mountainous, and it's oppressed by the Abyss Bridge, clearly indicating its immense power. Perhaps this shared loathing for the heavens has forged this extraordinary connection between us?"

"It must also be tied to the dark gold feather at the bottom of Spring Lake, likely shed from the bird itself."

Hu Nao's thoughts grew increasingly agile, and he was nearly convinced his speculation was accurate, as it seemed the most logical explanation.

Yet, what baffled him most was the nature of this bird: "What kind of being could it be, possessing such vast powers? Merely a feather from its body has the capacity to transform me from weak to strong. More alarmingly, it can traverse the realms of Yin and Yang, transporting my consciousness from the world of the living to hell, all while evading detection by any underworld specter?"

As this thought crossed his mind, his head suddenly throbbed with a dull ache, as though the bird's origins were a perilous secret of the cosmos, knowledge of which could prove deadly. Realizing the danger, he curbed his wild conjectures.

As a multitude of martial arts techniques, mental disciplines, and incantations surged into Hu Nao's mind like a tidal wave, he was overwhelmed.

"Phoenixfire Palm, a technique so potent that a single strike could obliterate the heavens and earth, snatch stars and moons from the sky, and suppress eons with a mere palm."

Hu Nao was dumbfounded. "Holy smokes, what kind of martial art is this? It makes our Hu family's Sky-Splitting Palm look like child's play by comparison—infinitely more powerful."

The Sky-Splitting Palm was the Hu family's signature martial art—formidable and mighty, with unparalleled power. Mastered to perfection, it could project its force, wounding an enemy from a hundred steps away. Its excellence was undeniable.

Yet, as Hu Nao concentrated and reviewed the "Phoenixfire Palm" within his mind, he realized the Sky-Splitting Palm paled in comparison.

The Sky-Splitting Palm was ultimately a technique for combat among humans, confined to the mortal realm. In contrast, the Phoenixfire Palm was a celestial art, capable of contending with the cosmos, the sun, and the stars—a martial art of the divine, not of this world.

The disparity in strength was clear as day.

"Phoenix? Could this grand bird be the legendary phoenix? I recall coming across such records, a faint memory of a divine bird."

While pondering this, Hu Nao's head throbbed with intense pain.

He came to a stark realization: he was currently too frail, and delving too deep could invite disaster.

The throbbing in his head jolted Hu Nao awake. He opened his eyes, then quickly shut them, centering his thoughts in silence. He discovered that the Phoenixfire Palm technique remained in his mind—it hadn't vanished, and this was no dream.

He now firmly believed that his otherworldly journey to the abyss was not mere fantasy, but a tangible reality.

Moreover, it appeared he had formed an enigmatic bond with a great bird, one that had been crushed beneath the weight of the Abyss Bridge.

It was as though that bird was an extension of himself.

"Damn, did I actually turn into a birdman?"

With a self-deprecating chuckle, Hu Nao shook off the last vestiges of sleepiness and stepped into the courtyard, eager to begin his training in the Phoenixfire Palm.

With a whoosh, he executed the technique, unleashing a palm strike that left him feeling a profound sense of clarity and an indescribable comfort throughout his body.

Closing his eyes to peer inward, he observed the dark gold flames burning deep within himself. They radiated pulses of energy that coursed through his entire body, revitalizing his flesh, blood, and meridians.

"That day, the dark gold feather transformed into fire attribute energy and infused my body, settling within. I had previously awakened some of it with the Dragon-Elephant Divine Might, but I hadn't expected any to remain. Now I see that the Phoenixfire Palm can also stimulate it, and does so even more quickly and intensely."

Hu Nao attentively tuned into the sensations within his body, his face breaking into a contented smile.