Chapter 52: The First Cycle of the Ninefold Mysterious Art
In the rear mountains of the Nangong family estate—
Within a resplendent, extravagantly opulent courtyard, Chu Feng lounged among a bevy of beauties, Nangong Yanran nestled at his left, Lu Linglong at his right. One held a wine cup for him, the other peeled fruit, making his days akin to those of an immortal.
Just recently, Chu Feng had ruthlessly taught Han Feng a lesson, bid farewell to Zhao Dongdong, and then sought out Nangong Yanran and Lu Linglong of his own accord.
At first, the two women gave him no quarter, their faces cold and distant—how could they not, after all that had transpired? Yet after a fierce contest, both were at last subdued.
Still, women are women; their words dripped with jealousy.
“Husband, do you find Zhao Dongdong beautiful?”
“Is there any need to ask? She ranks third among the ten greatest beauties of Sword Prefecture, second only to the two of us,” one of the women remarked.
Chu Feng hastened to reply, “Exactly, she’s only third. How could she compare to either of you? You two are number one and number two, respectively.”
He continued, “Truly, Heaven has not treated me poorly, allowing me to meet the two of you.”
“To hold your hand and grow old together—that is my vow. In this life, I have chosen you, and only you.”
Lu Linglong shoved a piece of fruit into his mouth, exclaiming, “And what about Chen Wanwan? Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten her.”
“And Shen Qianxue—now there’s Zhao Dongdong too. I never realized you were so broad-minded.”
“You fiend, a total scoundrel,” she chided.
Chu Feng protested his innocence, “This isn’t broad-mindedness, it’s responsibility. I just don’t want any of you to be hurt or disappointed. So I sacrifice myself for the greater good. Tell me, would you really want to be apart from me?”
“Just listen to yourself!” With that, Lu Linglong pinched him hard at the waist.
Nangong Yanran, unable to contain her laughter, promptly pinched his other side.
“Ow!” Chu Feng gasped in pain, inhaling sharply.
“Why do women pinch so painfully? It doesn’t make sense. I may not be made of steel or invulnerable, but surely a gentle pinch shouldn’t feel like being torn apart.”
“No, I must master a body-refining technique. If only I could obtain the Ninefold Mysterious Art or the Eight-Nine Arcane Art,” he mused.
“System, how much fate value do these arts cost in the Fate Mall?”
[Host, you can’t afford them.]
Chu Feng retorted, “You haven’t even shown me the price. How do you know I can’t afford it? Show me the numbers.”
[Eight-Nine Arcane Art, five hundred billion fate points.]
[Ninefold Mysterious Art, five hundred fifty billion fate points.]
Never mind, I didn’t say anything.
“Is there a body-refining art suitable for my current stage?”
[The system is searching for suitable techniques. Three match your requirements: First, the Yin-Yang Divine Demon Technique, a technique of immortal emperor level. Second, the Nine Heavens Divine Demon Art, also of immortal emperor level. Third, you may purchase the first layer of the Ninefold Mysterious Art.]
Was there even a choice? Naturally, the first layer of the Ninefold Mysterious Art.
It cost twelve million fate points.
He was close to affording the next five hundred words of the Great Immortal Scripture, but now he was back to square one.
Still, it was no loss. After all, this was the Ninefold Mysterious Art. Chu Feng did not dare imagine how powerful the full scripture might be.
Unfortunately, the Ninefold Mysterious Art, when purchased from the Fate Mall, was not a system reward—it had to be cultivated personally.
Once I master even the first rotation of the Ninefold Mysterious Art, let’s see how you two dare pinch me again, he chuckled to himself.
“Husband, are you really planning to propose marriage at the Sky-Splitting Sword Sect?” Nangong Yanran asked.
Chu Feng nodded, “Naturally. My greatest virtue is keeping my word.”
“Keeping your word? I call it lust,” Lu Linglong fumed. “There’s not a single good man in the world.”
But if he was to propose, a gift would be required.
Old Zhao Tian was over eight hundred years old, at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, and without a stroke of fortune, would never advance to the Spirit Transformation stage in this lifetime. If Chu Feng could help him fulfill this wish, Zhao Tian would agree to marry off his granddaughter, even if it meant swallowing his pride.
The two had known each other; for the body’s former owner, Zhao Tian was among his few friends. He could lend him a hand.
Chu Feng checked his fate value: two million five hundred twenty thousand points.
“System, is there a way to help someone at the peak of Nascent Soul break through to Spirit Transformation?”
[The Grand Evolution Spirit Pill can assist a Nascent Soul peak expert in breaking through to Spirit Transformation. Price: two million fate points.]
So expensive. Chu Feng hesitated.
At that moment, the system displayed another pill.
[The Three Yang Spirit Pill can also assist a Nascent Soul peak expert in breaking through. Price: two hundred thousand fate points. Drawback: After breaking through, the cultivation base will be weaker than a typical Spirit Transformation expert, but dedicated cultivation can remedy this.]
That will do.
Chu Feng grinned, then departed the Nangong family.
He headed straight for the Sky-Splitting Sword Sect. Of course, leaving the Nangong family was no simple feat. Lu Linglong and Nangong Yanran, both jealous and simmering with frustration, seemed intent on draining him dry.
Their relentless energy made Chu Feng chuckle wryly.
In the end, Chu Feng remained vigorous and lively, while the two women were left exhausted, collapsing in a heap, unable to move.
“Tell us, have you been hiding something about the Great Sorrow of Yin and Yang technique?” they demanded.
“Why do you always win, even against the two of us together?”
Chu Feng shrugged. “What can I say? If my brothers are strong, who can blame me? Even if I were hiding something, it wouldn’t be this technique. My victories are due to natural talent.”
“Besides, isn’t bringing Zhao Dongdong here just to share your burden?”
“Get out!”
“Go as far as you can!”
“Don’t let us see you again!”
“Very well, as you command, my dear wives. I’ll take my leave.” Chu Feng grabbed his clothes and dashed out in a flash.
Nangong Yanran and Lu Linglong gnashed their teeth in anger. Were they not so thoroughly spent, they would have stopped him.
“Yanran, what should we do?” Lu Linglong asked.
Nangong Yanran smiled, “Why? Have you fallen for him?”
“Wasn’t it you who said, ‘it’s all physical, no feelings’ between you two?”
“I said that? I don’t recall. Wasn’t it you?”
At that moment, Chu Feng made a delightful discovery.
Nangong Yanran’s conquest value: 92.
Lu Linglong’s conquest value: 96.
She’d overtaken the other. All he needed was a little more effort—to break a hundred soon, and the system would grant him a reward.
He was certain he’d chosen the right path: kill the sons of fate, win over the daughters.
His current cultivation at the middle stage of Soul Fusion seemed strong, but in truth, it was lacking. After all, this time he would likely have to face the Jiang family.
He had slain Fu Wangtian—there was no way the Jiang family would do nothing in response.