Chapter Four: Xie Feng

Chapter Four: Xie Feng

On the Gongchen Bridge, the celestial energy fluctuated violently, rippling with power. Everyone had long since cleared the bridge, making way for the two young Golden Immortals locked in fierce combat suspended in midair. Not a single person dared to blink, fearing they would miss any thrilling moment.

Xie Qiang and Zhou Hao exchanged blows, one rising as the other fell, moving in opposite directions. Their momentum soared to its peak, and their battle aura surged to the utmost intensity.

At the instant the Golden Palm Seal met the jet-black footprint, time seemed to freeze. A perfect dividing line formed between gold and black, lightning crackled, and radiant halos swirled. Two terrifying energies intertwined, ready to spread out in all directions.

Beneath the bridge, the river reversed course as dozens of thick, dragon-like water pillars burst forth with the sound of thunder, forming a magnificent, overwhelming waterfall that engulfed the crowd's sight and covered the entire bridge.

"Ah!!!"

In a moment, a shadow shot out from the top of the waterfall. He was blasted into the sky, then slammed heavily back onto the bridge, utterly disheveled.

Only then did the waterfall recede back into the river, revealing the scene atop the bridge to the onlookers, who were shocked beyond words.

The broad bridge deck was soaked through. Xie Qiang lay limp like a dead fish, while Zhou Hao stood nearby, completely dry and unblemished despite the wetness surrounding them.

Below the bridge, Huahuo smiled brightly as he watched Zhou Hao in white effortlessly win. He muttered to himself, "I knew you could do it!"

"This is just a small scene. Little Hao is no ordinary Golden Immortal; among his peers, he has few rivals," the Turtle said, accompanied by the Green Snake beside Huahuo, wearing a knowing expression.

"What do you mean by 'no ordinary Golden Immortal'?" Huahuo, who had spent most of his time deep in the molten veins beneath the Yunmiao Immortal Palace, was naturally unaware of many things.

"If the stage of Lesser Immortal is equivalent to the foundational phase of an immortal cultivator, then the Golden Immortal corresponds to the Core Formation stage. It’s somewhat similar to the mortal cultivation system, except mortal cultivators aim to transcend calamities and ascend, surpassing the Celestial Domain’s Heavenly Tablet and stepping onto the Immortal Ascension Platform, naturally becoming Golden Immortals. But for native cultivators of the Celestial Domain, the Lesser Immortal stage is just the starting point—the foundation. Those with a background use various heavenly materials, divine beasts’ blood, and other treasures to refine their bones and marrow; those without a background join sects, relying on resources to build their foundation. This foundation becomes evident after ascending to Golden Immortal, revealing differences in strength even among beginners. Some with better foundations are stronger, others weaker," the Turtle explained slowly.

"So, it’s not about who becomes a Golden Immortal at a younger age; what truly matters is how perfect the foundation is. The Xie family is a lineage of human-immortals, naturally adept at foundational cultivation. Yet little Hao built his foundation within the Great Immortal Cave Mansion, undergoing the solar fire’s baptism and completing his transformation, his golden body newly formed. Plus, he wields the Great Radiant Sun Palm, a peerless immortal martial art created by the Sun Lord himself. Ordinary Golden Immortals cannot contend with that," the Turtle went on.

Huahuo nodded repeatedly, his lively eyes blinking. He whispered, "So there are so many nuances in becoming a Golden Immortal. Does that mean my foundational cultivation in the Immortal Path is quite poor?"

"Not at all. You’re different from them. You are an immortal born of a rare spiritual root, blessed by heaven and earth’s essence, gifted with the power of creation. Your path in cultivation will surely be extraordinary," the Turtle shook his head and began to praise Huahuo.

"Hehe, I like hearing that," Huahuo lowered his head and smiled at the Turtle.

On the stone arch bridge, Xie Yi had flown over immediately from beneath. He hurriedly knelt beside Xie Qiang, helping him up. Seeing him with eyes tightly shut and motionless, he anxiously shook him, "Tenth brother, tenth brother, are you alright? Don’t scare me. If you die, how will I explain to father?"

"Relax, I didn’t go all out, he won’t die. Just resting; he’ll wake soon, though internal injuries are inevitable," Zhou Hao twisted his neck and stretched lazily.

Xie Yi looked up at Zhou Hao, timidly saying, "You... you’re bold... If you have the guts, leave your name. The Xie family won’t let you off."

"What? Can’t win one-on-one and want to gang up? So sore you can’t accept losing?" Zhou Hao sneered with disdain.

"Who’s sore?" Suddenly, a questioning voice rang out, indistinct in direction and distance, almost whispering into Zhou Hao’s ear, giving him goosebumps.

Within a ten-mile radius of the bridge, nearly everyone heard the voice but could not locate its source. People looked around, wondering who spoke.

In the distance, on the rooftop of a well-known tavern, the cold moon hung in the void, casting three shadows.

One was a plump man dressed in dark clothes, with a round, glossy face blessed with good fortune. His gaze had just turned away from Gongchen Bridge, smiling as he said to the person beside him, "Brother Li, it seems the Xie family’s man has arrived. Shouldn’t you go greet your future brother-in-law? Hahaha."

"Hmph. Whether he even becomes my sister’s husband is still up for debate. The Xie family is arrogant and tyrannical; Xie Feng, especially, is proud and sharp. I don’t want my sister marrying that brat, being looked down on and gossiped about, ruining her reputation and damaging our Li family’s honor," said a medium-built, dignified young man in blue holding a wine jug on the rooftop, full of disdain.

"Brother Li, you’re mistaken," said the third person, a graceful woman in yellow robes, with charming dimples when she smiled.

"Oh? What does Miss Li mean?" the blue-robed youth looked at her.

"The Xie family has twelve dragons and phoenixes, with third son Xie Feng the best! His talent is extraordinary,悟性 highest; by one hundred and fifty years old he achieved Golden Immortal status, mastering the Xie family’s top unique immortal martial art, Star-Plucking Hand, breaking the myth that only supreme immortals can comprehend it. In Shuntian City, he’s a renowned youthful prodigy. If you say he’s proud and sharp, I think he has every right to be," she said lazily with a smile.

Upon hearing this, the blue-robed youth’s expression darkened, but facing the beautiful immortal named Xiong Li, he didn’t retort. Xiong Li and the chubby man Gong Qiang were new acquaintances who also came from the Sun-Moon Heavenly Capital, though not from this Morning Star where Shuntian City lies. Though not outsiders, they were young prodigies with strength and connections.

Back on Gongchen Bridge, after hearing the mysterious voice, Zhou Hao sensed the person’s profound power. Though certainly a Golden Immortal, it was someone far superior to Xie Yi and Xie Qiang.

"Looks like a real expert has arrived!"

Zhou Hao wasn’t afraid; rather, he was delighted. Since stepping into the Golden Immortal realm, he had never encountered one who could fight him toe to toe. Instead, all were high-level figures beyond his ability, forcing him to rely on his treasure, the Yellow-Skinned Gourd, to defend. He disliked such battles, feeling unable to show his true strength.

Now, his blood, cooled after the fight with Xie Qiang, boiled again!

"Third brother, is that you? It’s great you’ve come. That wild brat injured tenth brother. Kill him quickly and let Shuntian City know the Xie family’s dominance can’t be challenged!" Xie Yi shouted joyfully, clearly recognizing the voice.

"I’ve come so the Xie family won’t be underestimated. No matter who it is, that won’t happen," the voice replied.

In the distant sky, a massive figure galloped through the air, accompanied by infantile cries that shook the heavens.

In moments, the enormous figure appeared overhead. People finally saw its form: a goat’s body with a human face; four copper-bell-sized eyes under its armpits, aligned vertically; a huge mouth with six sharp fangs dripping saliva. The cries came from this beast. Its gray-black skin was covered with coarse, hard nodules. Even the fiercest ghosts were not as hideous as this monster.

"It’s Taotie! One of the Four Great Fiends!" the crowd immediately recognized the beast.

"Aren’t you the one who said Taotie can’t eat more than you? Now it’s here, why don’t you two have a contest?" On the street below, the Green Snake glanced at the beast and then smiled at the Turtle.

"Contest? I’m not afraid of it! I was only a third full earlier. Now that it’s here, I want to be full to the brim. What beast? I’ll just roast it with extra cumin and chili—no cilantro, though!" The Turtle puffed up proudly, scoffing.

"Give me a break. You eating it? You’re too small; it’d be like stuffing its teeth. You’re fat but still wheezing," the Green Snake sneered in disdain.

"You won’t believe me, but I’ll skin it alive. Thick skin isn’t tasty; skinning and roasting is the way to go," the Turtle snorted.

Hearing the Turtle’s disrespect, the beast glared down at him with its four large eyes, startling the Turtle, whose tail stood upright before he quickly retracted head, tail, and limbs into his shell.

"Old habits die hard," the Green Snake shook her head.

Meanwhile, atop the beast’s back sat a slender youth in dark robes. He wasn’t tall, with sunken eye sockets and a cold gaze, but his aura was imposing.

He was Xie Feng, third son of the Xie family!

The most gifted talent in the Xie family in ten thousand years, breaking the myth that only supreme immortals could comprehend the family’s unique immortal martial art, Star-Plucking Hand. He became a Golden Immortal at just one hundred and fifty years old and was now a mid-stage Golden Immortal at two hundred and sixty, with a bright future and promising immortal path.

On the tavern roof in the distance, the blue-robed youth, Li Xiang, one of the Li family’s twin pillars, observed Xie Feng through an immortal’s eye. He detested him. Though his sister never spoke of it, he knew she disliked Xie Feng’s glaring arrogance and pride. However, the Li and Xie families were long betrothed, so she had no choice.

"Xie Feng, you’ll never marry my sister!" Li Xiang poured wine and drank, his gaze turning cold.

Zhou Hao looked up at the slender youth riding the Taotie, who looked down on him. Their eyes met.

In midair, two streaks of cold lightning flashed and collided, intertwining before vanishing.

"Give your name. I don’t kill nameless pawns!" Xie Feng spoke first.

"Before asking others’ names, you should give yours. That’s called manners. Didn’t your parents teach you?" Zhou Hao smiled lightly.

"You’re asking for death!" Xie Feng’s eyes flickered fiercely. His face darkened as he frowned and scolded.

The word “death” had barely fallen when a giant energy hand, as large as a small mountain, reached out to grab Zhou Hao. Zhou Hao instantly used the Lingxu Immortal Trace technique to dodge effortlessly, leaving the huge hand grasping at empty air.

The stone arch bridge suffered badly, with five large pits marring its surface, a tragic sight.

"You can dodge? Let’s see how long!" Xie Feng extended his other hand, and two massive energy hands descended from the sky, trying to capture Zhou Hao.

Zhou Hao, tired of playing cat and mouse, raised his hands and gathered energy. Once again, the river below the bridge reversed, but this time it wasn’t water pillars. Instead, countless water swords condensed and shot out like a volley of arrows aimed at Xie Feng’s energy hands.

This was a technique Zhou Hao cultivated from the Qingyun Strategy, shaping water into swords. He had practiced it many times in the small blue lake on Yunfang Immortal Mountain and mastered it thoroughly.

Thousands of water swords condensed in midair, shimmering and reflecting light. They formed a dense sword formation, a massive moving cube of blades, spectacular to behold.

The two giant hands first pushed horizontally against the water sword formation, then gradually weakened, finally pierced like a hornet’s nest, retreating completely. The hands dissipated into tiny points of immortal light, returning to Xie Feng.

A roar erupted from the Taotie, the sound waves shaking the sky. The sword formation hadn’t even reached it before the roar struck, and rain began falling again on Gongchen Bridge, drizzling onto the crowd below.

In the next moment, Xie Feng dismounted and descended onto the bridge, landing less than ten feet from Zhou Hao, who was dressed in white embroidered with clouds—clearly a disciple of Yunmiao Immortal Palace.

The two sized each other up, eyes locked in intense focus, neither moving to attack. Below, the bridge entrances swarmed with people. The streets along the river teemed with spectators, including human immortals and bizarrely shaped beings of varying strength and cultivation. Even some influential figures observed the battle.

“Where did this white-robed youth come from? How dare he challenge Xie family’s third son? Should I say he’s skilled and brave, or just reckless?” a man on the street scoffed, doubting Zhou Hao.

“Not necessarily. This white-robed youth looks young, probably just over a hundred years old but already a Golden Immortal expert. Maybe he’s a young prodigy from another celestial domain, playing dumb on purpose, hiding his true strength,” someone offered a contrary opinion.

“I agree. I heard those outside talents usually break through to Golden Immortal around a hundred years old, not earlier, because they perfect their foundation in the Lesser Immortal stage to forge an invincible golden immortal body. This white-robed youth fits that profile. He might be one of them!” another chimed in, sharing his insight.

“Now that Mingmei Academy has opened its doors, inviting young Golden Immortals from seven celestial domains to the freshman selection competition, many have come to our Morning Star. Shuntian City, closest to Mingmei Academy, naturally attracts talent. I heard a gathering of Golden Immortals will be held soon on the Peach Blossom Islands in the 800-li Mermaid Lake. That will be a convergence of heroes, where even outside prodigies will descend.”

“I heard that too. The selection begins in half a month. Mingmei Academy is the most famous ancient immortal academy on Morning Star, held only once every millennium. Usually, outsiders aren’t admitted. I wonder what changed.”

“There’s definitely something going on. For us mere immortals with lifespans around a thousand years, this is a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. We can’t miss it! Let’s see just how talented outsiders really are. Haha.”

The crowd below buzzed with discussion, but on the bridge, the two stood unmoving like statues. Sharp-eyed observers immediately sensed something was amiss.

They were testing each other’s immortal perception, engaging in a battle of divine senses—a clash of wills and minds, a martial contest of spirit through locked gazes!

In Zhou Hao and Xie Feng’s pupils, images of their combat played out. They fought from the ground, their blows blotting out the sun and moon, transforming mountains and rivers, shattering Shuntian City, then changing battlegrounds constantly.

Their fight raged across deserts, snowfields, mountains, forests, even volcanic craters and twenty thousand fathoms under the sea. The earth trembled; landforms were obliterated by their aftershocks. They fought from the ground to the sky, from east to west, moving at incredible speed, becoming streams of light with no visible shadow, until finally, Zhou Hao and Xie Feng burst beyond Morning Star into the starry void.

Zhou Hao pushed the sun and moon forward, striking Xie Feng, who kicked up. The sun and moon exploded instantly, blooming like fireworks.

Xie Feng turned his back to the “fireworks,” and Zhou Hao did the same. Beneath the starry sky, their figures hovered silently, not far from the vast, water-blue Morning Star—a planet far larger than ordinary.

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End of Chapter Four.