Chapter 1: Blazing Fire - An Omen
The fire dragon, embodying the might of Blazing Fire, circled in the sky, looking down with disdain at the weak Lin Feng below. The void surrounding the fire dragon twisted under the power of Blazing Fire.
Lin Feng looked up, quietly observing the fire dragon. His hands slowly transformed into Sword Points, and the Vital Energy within him did not flow out but instead merged into his flesh and blood.
"Go."
At Jiang Rufeng's command, the fire dragon opened its massive mouth and unleashed a fireball that was as large as two Lin Fengs. Within the fireball, flames of Vital Energy burned fiercely, radiating immense power.
As the fireball shot forth, the fire dragon surged forward, instantly closing in on Lin Feng and attempting to swallow him whole.
Seeing the fireball approaching, Lin Feng chose to dodge to the left. Just as he avoided the massive fireball, he noticed the dragon's mouth opening wide to consume him.
In the blink of an eye, the fire dragon engulfed Lin Feng.
"This... is how it ends?"
"The fire dragon contains the might of Blazing Fire, far surpassing even the peak of Fate Realization's ordinary Divine Techniques. Being inside a fire dragon infused with Blazing Fire's power would likely result in severe injury, if not death."
"Blazing Fire is indeed tyrannical. If someone in this world could refine the entire Blazing Fire, wouldn't they be extraordinarily powerful?"
"Don't be foolish. The power of Blazing Fire is terrifying; it is rumored to have gained sentience. The Fire Departure Sect holds great reverence for Blazing Fire, treating it as a spirit to be worshipped. If your words reach anyone from the Fire Departure Sect, it could bring disaster."
Lin Miaomiao and Magenta also stood among the crowd, watching intently.
After a moment of contemplation, she said anxiously, "Young Master, you must hold on."
"Don't worry, Magenta. Jiang Rufeng is no match for him. He can only buy some time relying on the power of Blazing Fire," Lin Miaomiao said with a smile.
"Why doesn't the young master summon a magic treasure to confront him?" Magenta asked in confusion.
"There's no need," Lin Miaomiao replied.
As everyone was discussing, Lin Feng suddenly surged forward. His entire body radiated a red glow, not the red of flames, but a blood-red hue, infused with a golden aura.
Lin Feng's cultivation and vital energy did not spill outwards. Instead, they transformed into a Divine Technique, contained within his body, allowing his physical form to reach unparalleled power. If one looked closely, the faint vital energy on his surface had coalesced into the shape of a sword.
"Lin Feng has cultivated Sword Intent!" Lin Miaomiao exclaimed joyfully.
To achieve mastery in swordsmanship, the first step is to cultivate Sword Intent. This requires personal insight and is not an easy task.
Typically, only those who have reached the peak of Fate Realization can comprehend Sword Intent and further delve into the path of the sword. It is rare for someone like Lin Feng to cultivate his own Sword Intent in the mid-stage of Fate Realization.
Transforming his body into a sword, Lin Feng pierced through the head of the fire dragon, then inverted in mid-air and plunged back into its body. He repeated this maneuver, his body-turned-sword darting back and forth across the massive fire dragon like a silver needle.
In the end, the fire dragon was riddled with holes and lost all its momentum before vanishing with a loud crash.
Jiang Rufeng looked at Lin Feng in astonishment and said, "You actually managed to cultivate Sword Intent?"
"It was just luck," Lin Feng replied.
"To cultivate sword energy in the mid-stage of Fate Realization—you're indeed talented."
Jiang Rufeng sincerely praised. He had only gained some insights into Sword Intent but had not yet cultivated his own.
Lin Feng stood atop the Refined Iron Arena, hands clasped behind his back, and said, "Show me your Manifestation of Divine Powers."
If Jiang Rufeng had not cultivated his own Sword Intent, then his greatest Divine Ability would be his Manifestation of Divine Powers. The similarity between Manifestation of Divine Powers and Sword Intent lies in the fact that both are expressions of a certain Dao. The difference is that Sword Intent is a personal understanding of swordsmanship and oneself, while the manifestation is a legacy of a sect. All renowned Foundation disciples cultivate Martial Arts Techniques according to their sect's teachings, allowing them to perform it without needing personal insights.
Manifestation of Divine Powers is somewhat easier to achieve compared to Sword Intent. However, that does not mean it is weaker. Whether it is Lin Feng or Lin Miaomiao, their Sword Intent derived from Fate Realization and Walker insights is merely in its infancy. In contrast, the manifestation represents a sect's inheritance.
"Today, let us witness Solitary Moon City's Manifestation of Divine Powers."
With that, Jiang Rufeng wasted no time in showcasing the Fire Departure Sect's Manifestation of Divine Powers.
All the Vital Energy within him surged outward. This Vital Energy burned fiercely, forming a blazing flame. As the flames appeared, the surrounding void twisted and warped.
Then, amidst the flames, a flower bud rose up. This bud blossomed fully, releasing an incredibly powerful aura.
"Blazing Fire gives birth to Red Peony. Fire Departure Sect's Manifestation of Divine Powers."
"The greatest power of this manifestation lies in that Red Peony."
Jiang Rufeng's Fire Departure Sect manifestation was somewhat different from those exhibited by other disciples.
As the manifestation unfolded, Jiang Rufeng's complexion turned slightly pale, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he focused intently, seemingly bearing immense pressure.
"Brother Lin, aren't you going to perform your Manifestation of Divine Powers?" Seeing Lin Feng still standing motionless, Jiang Rufeng asked.
Lin Feng replied, "Today I have comprehended the Sword Intent and wish to know its limits."
"Then Brother Lin is determined," Jiang Rufeng said. With a flick of his hand, a petal from the Red Peony flew out. This petal contained the Dao Intent of the Fire Departure Sect, soaring gracefully through the Void.
Lin Feng gathered all his Vital Energy, maintaining his Sword Intent without dispersing it, and then surged forward to meet the petal.
"He actually dares to withstand the Fire Departure Sect's manifestation with his physical body."
"This person is either insane or extraordinarily powerful."
Bang...
As the crowd discussed, Lin Feng collided with the petal. He felt as if he had never encountered anything so solid; his entire body trembled, and he felt a bit dizzy.
After a moment of stalemate, the petal finally shattered and disappeared.
Lin Feng shattered the petal and, with unyielding momentum, continued to dart toward Jiang Rufeng.
Jiang Rufeng was somewhat astonished and unleashed another petal.
The Blazing Fire he manifested produced the Red Peony's Manifestation of Divine Powers, which had only yielded four petals so far. Now he had unleashed the second one.
Whoosh...
The Red Peony Petal shot through the air like a red lightning bolt. In an instant, it had floated close to Lin Feng.
Lin Feng maintained his Sword Intent, extending his arms straight and together, forming the tip of a sword. His feet represented the sword's hilt, bracing for the petal's impact.
Bang...
With a second loud crash, Lin Feng collided with the petal. This time, he felt a surge of blood and energy rising within him, accompanied by a slight pain in his head. Yet, it was still bearable.
"Good."
Jiang Rufeng chanted another incantation, sending out a third petal.
Bang...
As the third impact resonated, Lin Feng sensed an overwhelming force crashing down upon him, forcing him to bend his arms in response. The Sword Intent surrounding him faded away as the third petal shattered into nothingness.
Jiang Rufeng did not seize the opportunity to attack further but paused to say, "In your current state, you absolutely cannot withstand my final petal. Brother Lin, are you sure you do not want to use your Manifestation of Divine Powers?"
Unexpectedly, his sworn enemy from the Fire Departure Sect had such an honorable disciple. Lin Feng felt a surge of goodwill toward Jiang Rufeng. He replied, "My Sword Intent is unyielding; Brother Jiang may proceed."
"Very well."
Jiang Rufeng did not hesitate; he had already given a warning. However, since Lin Feng chose to be stubborn, that was his own decision. Jiang Rufeng chanted again, sending forth the fourth and final petal.
Bang...
The last petal struck Lin Feng, shattering the faint Sword Intent surrounding him and hitting his body directly. He felt like a kite with its string cut, swept away by a strong gust of wind. Lin Feng was sent flying into the distance, crashing heavily onto the ground and sliding several yards.
Seeing this scene, Magenta clenched her fists in worry and exclaimed, "Young Master..."
Lin Miaomiao remained unfazed, saying, "Don't worry, he's tough."
Lying on the ground, Lin Feng felt intense pain coursing through his body. His clothes were scorched in multiple places, turning black. He got up and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
Although he hadn't withstood the blow, which had completely shattered his Sword Intent, Lin Feng clearly sensed that his understanding of the indomitable Sword Intent had deepened.
Jiang Rufeng looked at Lin Feng, unable to hide his astonishment. If Lin Feng had used a defensive treasure to block the attack, he could have accepted it. However, he hadn't expected Lin Feng to rely solely on his Sword Intent and physical strength to withstand four petals.
"You are indeed strong. Achieving first place in the initial trial and first in the Examination is no coincidence. You deserve this," Jiang Rufeng said sincerely.
Lin Feng gazed at Jiang Rufeng in silence. He could imagine that in the future, there would be a deep-seated enmity between him and the Fire Departure Sect. He would not let Jiang Wannian, this formidable tiger, escape.
When that day comes, how would Jiang Rufeng treat him knowing he had killed so many from the Fire Departure Sect?
"If you want to see my manifestation, then I shall show you."
For the first time in his life, Lin Feng revealed his Manifestation of Divine Powers.
Vital Energy spread out behind him, coalescing into a vast desert. Then a wisp of Lone Smoke slowly rose from the desert, different from the manifestation Lin Miaomiao had displayed.
"Solitary Moon City’s manifestation: Desolate Smoke in the Desert."
"Rumor has it that the Sword Saint once used this Divine Ability to fight his way into the finals."
Jiang Rufeng quietly watched Lin Feng display what appeared to be an extraordinary phenomenon. When he discerned the shape of the Lone Smoke, a look of confusion crossed his face as he asked, "What exactly is your Destiny Artifact?"
When Lin Miaomiao manifested the Desolate Smoke in the Desert phenomenon, that strand of Lone Smoke took the form of a sword. However, Lin Feng's Lone Smoke was not a sword; it was something circular on top with three legs beneath.
What puzzled Jiang Rufeng was that this was clearly not a sword. If Lin Feng's Destiny Artifact was not a sword, then how had he cultivated the Sword Intent?
Not wanting to hide anything from Jiang Rufeng, Lin Feng decided to be honest, regardless of what might happen in the future. He said, "My Destiny Artifact is a cauldron."
"A cauldron? Is anyone still using cauldrons in Solitary Moon City?"
Jiang Rufeng was even more perplexed. Solitary Moon City was renowned for its swords, and yet here was a disciple who used a cauldron? Yet, he had somehow managed to cultivate the Sword Intent. (To be continued...)
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