Chapter 59: Battle with the Spirit Master

Devouring Heaven Technique, a chaos-level cultivation method, transformed Gu Yan completely after she began practicing it. Her beauty became bewitching, so much so that a mere flutter of her eyelids could cause hearts to reel; her sparkling gaze evoked tenderness, and with her cultivation concealed, she seemed just like the girl next door, inspiring endless fantasies. Gu Feng and Gu Yan had always been together and paid no heed to this, nor did Gu Yan herself ever notice.

At this moment, hundreds of eyes fixed upon Gu Yan. Regardless of age, she captivated them all; they forgot even the presence of the Dragon Vein’s aura, longing only to draw near to Gu Yan, to possess her, to merge with her completely. The essence of the Devouring Heaven Technique lay in the word "devour"—the stronger one’s cultivation and the weaker one’s will, the harder it was to resist Gu Yan’s allure. Their inner spirit energy was at work, guided by the Devouring Heaven Technique itself. Of course, this secret was unknown even to Gu Yan and Gu Feng.

An elder, hair as white as snow and beard trailing to his chest, gaunt as a twig, stared at Gu Yan. Unable to restrain himself, he barked at Gu Feng, “Boy, release the fairy at once! With her lying on your back, you are sullying her. I cannot allow this—justice must be served, and I shall slay you, you mortal who defiles the fairy!”

With that, the old man’s spiritual energy, at the level of a First Grade Spiritual Master, surged forth, sending rippling waves outward. The nearby cultivators were startled and quickly retreated into the distance. Only those protected by powerful family members dared remain unmoved.

Watching the crowd of hundreds withdraw, the old man felt smug; only then did he press his terrifying aura upon Gu Feng. As he locked his pressure onto Gu Feng, he was especially careful to avoid Gu Yan, fearing he might injure her.

Countless eyes watched Gu Feng, convinced he was doomed. Even Gu Feng’s uncle from the Gu clan was preparing to help.

“Ding! First Grade Spiritual Master Jiang Rufei has reached maximum killing intent toward you. The sixth death opportunity has been activated. Duration: twenty minutes.”

Gu Feng was stunned by the system’s voice, then sneered at the white-haired elder. “You’ve got some nerve, daring to direct such murderous intent at me.”

Seeing Gu Feng withstand Jiang Rufei’s aura as if it were nothing, and even curse him in return, everyone was shocked. Thoughts turned to the Dragon Vein’s aura that had entered the cave—had this youth seized it?

Witnessing Gu Feng stand strong before a Spiritual Master, people grew increasingly convinced it was possible.

Jiang Rufei shuddered, finally tearing his gaze from Gu Yan and looking at Gu Feng as if seeing a ghost.

At the same moment, Gu Feng laid Gu Yan down, transmitting his voice to her: “Yan’er, I’ll try to see if I can take him down. If I’m not his match, I’ll need you to step in.”

Gu Yan replied confidently, “Go ahead, brother! Yan’er will hold the fort for you.” Then she playfully stuck out her tongue at him.

Seeing Gu Feng set Gu Yan down, the crowd grew puzzled—what was he planning?

As Gu Feng soared into the air, he realized he lacked a suitable weapon. He looked toward a cultivator wielding a short sword. “Lend me your sword.”

The cultivator sensed Gu Feng was addressing him and instinctively hesitated. Weapons are a cultivator’s second life—how could he lend it so easily, especially when Gu Feng was about to face a Spiritual Master? Lending his sword would offend the master.

Gu Feng denied him any chance to refuse. He reached out, and with a thought, reversed his spiritual energy, generating immense suction.

The cultivator felt someone snatching his weapon and clung tightly. His entire body moved with the sword as it was drawn toward Gu Feng.

Witnessing this scene, the crowd was aghast. The cultivator’s strength was obvious—an Eighth Grade Spirit Practitioner, a formidable level. Yet Gu Feng, with a mere wave, could seize his weapon.

This was no joke. Gu Feng’s power, though not yet at the Spiritual Master’s realm, surpassed the peak of Spirit Practitioners—how could an Eighth Grade resist?

The cultivator’s heart was bitter and uneasy. At this moment, who dared underestimate Gu Feng?

Gu Xueyuan, hiding behind his uncle, couldn’t help but exclaim, “Boss, well done!”

Gu Dongliu stared intently at Gu Feng, vowing that the disappearance of the Dragon Vein’s aura must be linked to him. He sensed Gu Feng might truly match a Spiritual Master.

Jiang Rufei was once again stunned by the display. He could also perform such a feat, but Gu Feng’s skill was only slightly inferior.

To reverse spiritual energy is something only a Spiritual Master can achieve. Gu Feng was proving to everyone he might indeed be one.

Finally, the burly man had to release the short sword; any more resistance would have dragged him into the range of a Spiritual Master’s battle, which he had no desire to risk. Though his weapon had been seized, he dared not utter a word of complaint.

Gu Feng gripped the short sword, took a deep breath, uncertain if he could match a Spiritual Master in combat.

Spiritual energy surged, and Gu Feng’s level was finally discerned by the experts present, who cried out in shock, “What! Sixth Grade Spirit Practitioner!”

The cultivator whose weapon had been taken couldn’t help but roar, “Impossible! How could a Sixth Grade Spirit Practitioner take my sword?”

At this moment, Gu Feng’s eyes contained only Jiang Rufei; his mind held but one conviction—to kill him.

He unleashed Heavy Qi Slash with ease. Powerful flame spiritual energy nearly materialized into the form of a short sword, shooting toward Jiang Rufei.

Jiang Rufei was alarmed; Gu Feng attacked without a word, but most importantly, he felt intense killing intent from Gu Feng.

Yet Jiang Rufei was a Spiritual Master. Though Gu Feng’s combat strength threatened him, it did not shake his martial heart. Without wavering of the martial heart, there could be no opening—a Spiritual Master’s foundation.

Unfortunately, Gu Feng never intended to exploit any opening. He sought a direct clash, wanting only to test the true extent of his power.

As for the sixth death opportunity, Gu Feng simply ignored it.

Jiang Rufei drew his own weapon—a long spear. Occasionally, its tip flashed with a green halo, the mark of lower-grade refined spiritual energy. Though not quite at that quality, it came close—surely, it was a weapon at the pinnacle of mortal arms.

The spear swung fiercely toward Gu Feng, casting a green shadow that flew at him.

Blade energy and spear shadow collided midair, crackling as green and red light alternated, scattering into the void and fading away.

Jiang Rufei shouted, “Die!”

He moved with astonishing speed, in the blink of an eye arriving before Gu Feng, spear aimed at his throat.

Gu Feng’s expression did not change; he struck back with a powerful slash.

To outsiders, the spear held the advantage in reach.

Yet, when they saw the extended arc of Gu Feng’s blade energy, as if detaching from the sword, they were startled to realize the attack’s range exceeded even the spear’s.

Jiang Rufei, too, was caught off guard by the peculiarity of Gu Feng’s strike. His spear’s attack was nullified, and he retreated awkwardly, relying on speed to distance himself.

Gu Feng leaped through the air, slashing fiercely at Jiang Rufei.

Jiang Rufei evaded again by speed, frustration mounting—how could a dignified Spiritual Master fail to subdue a mere Spirit Practitioner?

“Die!” Jiang Rufei seized an opening and counterattacked.

Gu Feng responded with another slash.

Jiang Rufei retreated, unwilling to engage.

Gu Feng pursued, launching Heavy Qi Slashes from afar.

Relying on his speed, Jiang Rufei was also unable to best Gu Feng.

Both moved back and forth, neither gaining the upper hand.

Furious, Jiang Rufei roared, “Boy, is slashing and blade energy all you know?”

Gu Feng’s repertoire was limited to a move or two, yet Jiang Rufei could not overcome him, leaving him vexed.

Gu Feng himself was speechless—his skills were too few. He resolved that after this battle, he would seek to learn many more techniques.

Jiang Rufei tried again, but Gu Feng’s tactics remained unchanged. In a fit of rage, Jiang Rufei glanced at Gu Yan, feigned an attack on Gu Feng, and then dashed toward her.

If he could not kill Gu Feng, he would abduct Gu Yan. She was his true target after all. With his speed, he could take her and leave—the others could never catch up.