C7 Initial Transcendent Fifth Level!

"Roar!"

At the edge of the Aethelwood, a thunderous roar echoed, followed by a resounding crash as a tiger, towering at five zhang high, collapsed heavily onto the ground.

"That was too close—I nearly lost my life!"

Next to the tiger, a young man clad in grey attire gazed at the enormous claw mark on his chest, his heart still racing from the encounter.

This young man was Chu Feng. It had been three months since he had ventured into the Aethelwood, and during that time, Chu Feng's life had revolved around constant battle, interspersed only with brief periods for eating and sleeping.

Chu Feng had been locked in combat with this particular tiger for over half a day.

"My current cultivation is at the fourth level of the Initial Transcendent. Absorbing the power of this tiger should enable me to reach the fifth level," Chu Feng mused aloud.

Chu Feng had initially believed that slaying a War Beast and refining it would straightforwardly enhance his cultivation, potentially reaching the fifth level of the Initial Transcendent within a month. Yet, to his surprise, he discovered that only by defeating and refining War Beasts stronger than himself could he advance his cultivation. Sometimes, it would take the defeat of three or four War Beasts to ascend even a single level.

Before encountering this second-level Mystic Ascension War Beast, Chu Feng had already slain and refined six War Beasts at the first level of Mystic Ascension.

After a brief respite, Chu Feng began to recite the incantation eagerly. As he completed the chant, a burst of light surged from the body of the enormous tiger and shot straight into Chu Feng.

"Boom!"

Chu Feng's elixir field was tumultuous with activity.

"Initial Transcendent Fifth Level!"

Feeling the surge of explosive power within him, Chu Feng nodded with satisfaction and slowly began to channel the Sutra of Enlightenment.

Two hours later, with his elixir field brimming with Shadow Power, Chu Feng rose to his feet.

"Ha!"

He unleashed a blast of Shadow Power, and with a thunderous boom, the earth erupted in sand and debris, leaving behind a massive pit ten zhang deep. "Is this the might that comes with unlocking forty-three meridians?" Chu Feng pondered, staring at the vast crater before him.

In his previous life, he never could have managed to dig such a vast pit!

Chu Feng glanced at the tiger's carcass and shoved it into the deep hole.

"Though you were a War Beast and at times you preyed on humans, your demise at my hands was fated. May you be reborn as a human in your next life."

Chu Feng murmured to himself, and after burying the tiger, he made his way to a nearby stream to wash his face.

Chasing after this tiger had left Chu Feng without a chance to clean up for a week. After freshening up, he caught sight of his reflection in the water and realized that his looks had undergone a transformation.

Over the past two months, as Chu Feng's cultivation grew, not only did his physique become more robust, but his facial features sharpened, giving him a subtly handsome appearance – at least, that's how he saw himself.

"There are only two months left until the Ralens Tournament. Time to head back."

Chu Feng took one last look at the Aethelwood behind him, straightened his attire, and set off toward Aerilon.

"Mother, I've returned!"

Chu Feng was brimming with excitement as he entered Nimbus Palace and made a beeline for Su Yun's quarters.

But something felt off when, after calling out several times, he received no reply.

"Mother!"

Upon pushing open the door, Chu Feng was met with the sight of Su Yun lying in bed, with Lingling beside her, weeping quietly.

Neither had anticipated Chu Feng's return, and they were visibly shocked.

Su Yun attempted to rise, but she was clearly in pain, her forehead beaded with cold sweat.

"Your Highness!"

Lingling rushed to support Su Yun at the sight of her distress.

"What's happened?!"

Chu Feng moved quickly to Su Yun's side. Seeing her pallor, anger flared within him.

"Your Highness, it's..."

"Lingling!"

Before the maid could finish, Su Yun cut her off.

"Mother, what has happened? Tell me!"

Chu Feng sensed that something was amiss and turned to Su Yun with concern.

"I'm alright, I just had a little fall..."

Su Yun's face was a picture of panic, obviously concealing something.

"Was it Lady Shuyu and the others?!"

Upon seeing Su Yun's distressed state, Chu Feng was overcome with rage. He rose to his feet, ready to storm the Jade Washing Palace.

"Don't go!"

Su Yun urgently exclaimed as she saw Chu Feng about to make a beeline for the Jade Washing Palace.

"It was them after all!"

"Lingling, tell me what happened," Chu Feng said, turning to face her. "Don't be scared. I've reached the fifth level of the Transcendent Realm," he reassured her.

"Lingling!"

Noticing Lingling's reluctance to speak, Su Yun encouraged her.

"Your Highness, you've endured such injustice, and besides, this issue concerns His Highness. He's bound to find out sooner or later."

Tears filled Lingling's eyes as she faced Su Yun and spoke.

Su Yun's complexion turned pale upon hearing Lingling's words. She opened her mouth but was unable to utter a single word.

"What's the matter?"

Chu Feng inquired, his voice steady, upon hearing the matter concerned him.

Under Chu Feng's compelling gaze, Lingling shivered and then began, "Next month was supposed to be the wedding between His Highness and Xiahou Jiao, the Xiahou family's daughter. But a few days ago, the Xiahou family reneged on their agreement. Citing the talents and beauty of Xiahou Jiao and Prince Chu Lang, they petitioned the Duke to annul your betrothal, proposing instead that Xiahou Jiao marry Prince Chu Lang..."

Lingling's voice trailed off as she spoke, her eyes fixed on Chu Feng's increasingly stern face.

The Xiahou family held the preeminent position in the Edora Kingdom. Xiahou Yuan, the family patriarch, served as the kingdom's prime minister, a man of immense prestige and power.

Originally, because Xiahou Jiao and Chu Feng were born in the same year, Xiahou Yuan had playfully agreed with Su Yun that the two would wed when they turned sixteen. At the time, Su Yun was still in favor with the Duke of Ralens. Though Xiahou Yuan's proposal sounded like a jest, both families took the arrangement seriously.

What Xiahou Yuan hadn't anticipated was that Chu Feng, frail from childhood, lacked the strength to cultivate or even open the All-Seeing Eye to become a warrior.

Although the Xiahou family was aware that Chu Feng had unlocked the All-Seeing Eye at the age of sixteen, it was considered no different from being disabled.

This prompted Xiahou Yuan to make such a proposal.

"Has the Duke agreed?"

Chu Feng's tone was cool as he inquired deliberately.

"The Duke has yet to state his position. He mentioned he would consider your opinion, but... but..." Lingling faltered.

"But what?"

Chu Feng pressed, his brow furrowed.

"But Xiahou Jiao has consented, and Prince Chu Lang has... also agreed."

Lingling fell silent, her head bowed.

"And what about my mother's injuries?"

Chu Feng's voice took on an icy edge that was almost frightening.

"Her Highness disagreed, so Prince Chu Lang had someone harm her..."

Lingling spoke slowly.

"It was indeed him!"

Chu Feng's eyes narrowed as he responded icily upon hearing Lingling's account.

Chu Lang had been antagonizing Chu Feng and his family at every turn, fueling a deep anger within him.

"Mother, why didn't you tell me?"

Chu Feng turned to address Su Yun, who was resting on the bed.

Chu Feng was puzzled when Su Yun had stopped Lingling from speaking earlier.

"You're aware of our plight. Life has been tough, but the thought of the Xiahou family gave me the strength to endure. I hoped your marriage to them might improve our circumstances, but I never expected..."

"Mother, we don't need to depend on others to change our fate. Trust me, I will ensure you have a better life."

Chu Feng gripped Su Yun's hand firmly, reassuring her after hearing her words.

"Xiahou Jiao doesn't want to marry you. Doesn't that upset you?" Su Yun asked, her voice tinged with concern. She feared Chu Feng might be devastated by the news.

"Not at all. If she has chosen someone else, there's nothing more to say. I'll prove to her what a mistake she's made through my own actions."

Chu Feng's smile was slight but confident.

He was determined to rise above his challenges and make those who had scorned and mistreated him face the consequences of their actions.

"The Duke commands Prince Chu Feng to enter the hall!"

Just then, a voice echoed from beyond the door.

"Can't wait, can you?"

Upon hearing the command, Chu Feng responded icily.