Episode 1
Young youth Zhao Feng Morning.
Just as the sky lit up, while the whole of Sun Feather City was still hidden in the darkness before dawn……
Sun Feather City, Zhao Family Clan
“Flash!”
A young juvenile reacted on instinct, threw off his warm, comfortable covers, jumped up from his bed and put his clothes on. All of this was done in one breath.
At this time most of the family sect disciples and even some of the servants, still slept……
This young person was around 13 to 14 years of age, with a slim body and a childish face. He wasn’t super handsome, but he was still good-looking.
Especially his eyes, they were clear and full of fighting will.
“Just a bit longer and I can reach the 2nd rank of the Martial Path, then I’ll have all those other Zhao family sect disciples shut up.”
This young person’s name was Zhao Feng. Half a year ago, he came from the Green Leaf Village’s Zhao family (side branch family) to the Sun Feather Zhao family sect, relying on his superb performance.
At the Green Leaf Branch, he was a genius for his age and was the first to reach the 1st rank of the Martial Pathway. From then on, he left the life of mortals and stepped into the gateway of cultivation.
At that time, every old person in the village praised him for his talent, saying his future could not be measured…..
His family sect, parents, they all had high hopes for him…..
However, only Zhao Feng knew how many more times the effort he put in compared to his peers, allowing him to become the genius of Green Leaf Village……
Green Leaf Village family…. was one of the main Zhao family sects’ side branch. Every 5 years, there would be 2 people recommended into the main sect.
The person who came with Zhao Feng was “Zhao Xue”, a girl who reached the 1st rank of the Martial Pathway only 2 months after him.
After leaving Green Leaf Village, Zhao Feng was full of fighting will, determined to go to the main Zhao family sect and show off his skills.
However, only after he went to the main Zhao family sect did he realize that he was just a frog at the bottom of a well……
In terms of population, Green Leaf Village Zhao family only had 100 people, with only 7 to 8 people around his own age.
At the main Zhao family however, there were tens of thousands of people, and they controlled large portions of land, mines and resources. Compared to the Zhao family of Green Leaf Village, this family was over a 100 times larger!!!
In the side branch in Green Leaf Village, he was considered a talent, even a genius for some….. Here at the Zhao sect however, he was considered to be one of the lowest level of cultivators for his age, a lowly outer disciple.
In the Zhao sect, there were many youths his age who had broken through to the 2nd rank of the Martial Path. There were even some who were talented, having broken into the 3rd rank. And according to some rumours, some of the families’ geniuses had already broken through to the 4th rank…..
Confronted with this reality, Zhao Feng started to realize that he was nothing compared to them. He was innocently ignorant and small in comparison.
Also, “Zhao Xue”, the beautiful girl who came with him from Green Leaf Village, she slowly became distant from him after entering the Zhao sect. She also interacted more and more with one of the top 3 disciples amongst the outer disciples.
Looking back, when “Zhao Xue” was still at Green Leaf village, she looked up to him in awe and even adored him. However, at that time, Zhao Feng only focused on cultivating, and ignored her
From then on, he became more and more desperate and put in more effort into his cultivation after feeling despair.
He made an oath: that he would take a spot at the top at Sun Feather City in the Zhao sect.
Otherwise, he would never go back to Green Leaf Village!
After washing up, Zhao Feng took a deep breath and then ran towards the family sect’s martial arts field.
“Hah! Hah!” ……..
Zhao Feng took a half step with both fists carrying the wind, and practiced the Zhao sect’s “Flaming Metal Fists”.
“Flaming Metal Fists” was only a core martial art, but Zhao Feng practiced it carefully, polishing it beautifully.
In laymen’s terms, normal martial arts were put into 5 categories: Core, Low, Middle, High, and Peak.
Core martial arts, the lowest of martial arts, were used to strengthen one’s body and blood, the damage dealt by them was very restricted.
Normally, the higher the rank of a martial art, the higher the damage dealt by it would be and the better it would be for cultivating.
However, with Zhao Feng’s side branch identity, as well as having no exceptional talent, it was very hard for him to learn martials arts of a higher rank.
“I have been staying at the 1st rank of the Martial Path for a long time. However, to break through to the 2nd rank, I still lack some time.”
After practicing for a while, Zhao Feng’s face was raining with sweat, and his breathing rate was quick.
Zhao Feng’s talent wasn’t considered bad, the reason why he couldn’t catch up to the others was because he didn’t have martial skills of a higher rank. He also wasn’t rich, like the main family disciples who could buy precious pills to increase their cultivation speed.
Some say a few disciples of the Zhao sect would use these precious pills from birth to strengthen their bodies. Before reaching 10 years of age, they had already broken through the 1st rank of the Martial Path, gaining a certain advantage compared to others.
At the starting line, Zhao Feng was already separated too far from them. Half an hour later, the sun slowly rose into view.
At the martial arts field, some of the Zhao sect disciples slowly but steadily came, and some laughed and played with one another.
However, when their visions landed on Zhao Feng, their eyes suddenly became cold, and some even showed disdain.
This attitude wasn’t just pointed at Zhao Feng alone. The Zhao sect disciples looked down upon everyone who came from the side branches. In front of those who came from the side branches, they felt a certain amount of power!
When Zhao Feng was lost in his thoughts, a sound came whistling from this back: “Little broomstick! Stop there!”
“Pah!”
A hand as strong as metal hit him hard on the shoulder.
“It’s you….”
Zhao Feng was caught off balance and almost fell. Luckily, his core skills were good so he steadied himself.
The guy who came was a youth dressed in black. His body was fit and muscular, and he had thick eyebrows. His eyes had a tinge of playfulness inside of them as he looked down upon Zhao Feng who had just steadied himself.
“Zhao Kun! What is the meaning of this?” Zhao Feng had a face full of anger and wanted to hit Zhao Kun.
When Zhao Feng first came to the Zhao sect, the two of them had a little conflict. This was because Zhao Kun was mocking those who came from the side branches and Zhao Feng was dissatisfied with him.
Zhao Kun was a person who took revenge at every possible opportunity, and from then on, when he found Zhao Feng he would humiliate him in every way.
“Zhao Kun! With your strength, if you cannot take this side branch disciple in ten moves, then it would not be cool!”
“Ten moves? Zhao Kun is already at the peak of the 2nd rank of the Martial Path, to fight that kid, I think three moves will be enough!”
“Three moves? If they fight straight on, it will not be that easy!” The disciples nearby said, ready to watch the show. Most people did not care about what happened, so they spoke without restraint.
“Three moves? Hahaha……” Zhao Kun raised his head and laughed with a look of disdain on his face, “You are all looking down on me, Zhao Kun! To beat this kid, I will only need one move!”
Only need one move!
The disciples who were present had looks of shock on their faces.
“One move?”
Zhao Feng’s eyebrows crunched up and his face changed. The anger in his heart also rose again.
He and Zhao Kun only had 1 rank in difference between them. If Zhao Kun did well, maybe he could win in 3 moves. That was true.
However, just 1 move…..
This was a humiliation!
Facing Zhao Kun‘s provocative eyes, Zhao Feng calmed down soon and thought, “I cannot fall into this trap. Even if I live through this one move, he will still humiliate me after.”
Having been at the Zhao sect for half a year, Zhao Feng had been beaten a few times and had learned to bear with it.
“I am quite tired from training today. Let me rest a few days, and then I will fight you.”
Zhao Feng’s face was expressionless and he then left without another word.
His performance gave Zhao Kun who was the same age, a pause.
“Ok, kiddo, I will let you off the hook today, but the next time we see each other, do not forget about today’s ‘1-move battle’.” Zhao Kun’s eyes gave off a cold and cunning feel.
1-move battle?
Zhao Feng’s heart sped up once more, and thought: “It looks like Zhao Kun isn’t going letting me off the hook.”
“I must reach the 2nd rank of the Martial Path soon. Only then can I fight Zhao Kun.” Zhao Feng’s heart tensed up once more.
After leaving the martial arts field, Zhao Feng returned home.
Since Zhao Feng managed to enter the Zhao main family sect, his parents also gained a bit of his “fame” and entered the Zhao sect.
This was supposed to be his parents’ fame.
Zhao Feng however only felt ashamed because his performance at the Zhao sect might make his parents feel disappointed. He might also disappoint those of the older generation who had high expectations of him at the village.
“I am back.”
A deep, calm man walked out. It was Zhao Feng’s father. Zhao Tianyang.
“Feng’er, come quick and have some food!” This was his mother, Zhao Shi, who had a caring look on her face as she brought out some food from the kitchen.
Every time Zhao Feng came home, he was able to feel the warmth and love here.
“Thanks mom….. This tastes so good!” Zhao Feng mumbled through his mouth, which was full of food.
When they ate, Zhao Tianyang and Zhao Shi didn’t speak, as if there was something on their mind.
“Father, Mother, what are you….” Zhao Feng saw that his parents had solemn expressions and looked as if they had something to say. Zhao Tianyang and Zhao Shi looked at one another, and then they took a long sigh.
“Let me say it. Just not long ago, the sect’s higher level sent some people over with a letter.” Zhao Tianyang paused for a moment.
“The sect’s higher level?” Zhao Feng didn’t understand.
Zhao Tianyang had a solemn face and said: “The sect has now made some new rules. If the side branch’s youths cannot break through to the 2nd rank, they will have no right to participate in the ‘family sparring contest’. If…. before the age of fifteen, they cannot reach the 3rd rank, they will be sent back to their branches.”
What!
Zhao Feng’s heart stopped for a second and his face changed dramatically.
The family sparring competition was where all the youths fought to show off their skills. The ones who won would get rich rewards and have a chance to become an inner disciple, who would be fully trained by the family.
Thus, the family sparring competition was a chance to turn into a dragon from a fish for the outer disciples.
If they lost the chance to enter, it was considered to be the same as being thrown away by the sect!
And the rule that made Zhao Feng’s heart cold was the last one – Before the age of 15, those who are not able to achieve the 3rd rank of the martial path, will be sent back to the branch families.
“No, no, this cannot be true….” Zhao Feng’s voice was soft, and both his hands clenched together.
He and his parents wouldn’t have the face to be sent back to the Green Leaf Village.
“This rule is only set towards the side branch disciples.” His mother Zhao Qi had a look of dissatisfaction on her face.
“Mother, Father, it is ok. I will train even harder and reach the 2nd rank of the Martial Path before the family sparring competition.” Zhao Feng clenched his teeth and said while trembling.
“There are still two months left, and to register, you need to sign up a month earlier. To break through to the 2nd rank in a month is probably not easy.”
Zhao Tian Tang shook his head.
Only a month’s time?
Zhao Feng’s eyes were dim as if he fell into darkness.
If there were 2 months left, and he doubled his efforts, there was a 20 to 30 percent chance of success. To breakthrough in a month however, he didn’t have any confidence at all!
After staying silent for a long time, Zhao Shi wiped the corner of her eyes and spoke softly: “Feng’er, it doesn’t matter if you fail…… you still make us proud…. The most that will happen is us returning to Green Leaf village and living a normal life.”
“Yeah! If we return to Green Leaf Village, you will still be the most talented one there – I would rather have you be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix!”
Zhao Tianyang nodded his head in agreement.
Being parents, they would rather have their children be safe, even if their lives would be normal..
Return to Green Leaf village?
“No!”
Zhao Feng shook his head furiously, “I am not going back to Green Leaf Village to lead a normal life!”
He once swore an oath. To perform well, earn a spot in the Zhao sect and in Sun Feather City, and own his own land.
His heart yearned towards the 9th rank of the Martial Path and the land that lies beyond in the outer world….
How could I be willing to lose and return in this manner?
Zhao Feng restrained himself from crying, screamed, and merely ran out of the house.
“Feng’er! Don’t be stubborn……”
His parents called out.
“Boom!”
Suddenly, thunder and lightning howled in the sky and it started raining outside. Zhao Feng kept the despair in his heart, howled back at the sky and ran into the rain. At this time, the lightning shone everywhere, making Zhao Feng’s face light up.
“Not good!”
Zhao Feng felt a pressure bearing towards him, and so, as he looked up he was shocked by what he saw.
From birth, he had never seen such lightning, closely packed together, like a spider’s web.
At that short moment, the lightning above seemed to be under some kind of power, which caused the dimension to crack.
“Sheeeeeeew ——————-”
A black streak came from outer space. It passed through the lightning and caused beautiful ripples to appear that seemed like a dream.
It was impossible to imagine what that “black line” was, it was even able to ignore the power of lightning.
“Pah! Pah!”
Zhao Feng felt his feet go numb, his hair and clothes turn black, and thunder rang in his ears nonstop.
The whole world suddenly went dead silent.
“This is……”
His face was white, looking down at his feet he saw a weird black marble, like an eyeball. It was this item that caused the black line.
“Peng! Peng!”
The eye-like marble seemed like it had life, giving off a thumping sound as it “stared” Zhao Feng right in the eye.
However, the eyeball’s thumping seemed to thump in sync with his own heart, giving Zhao Feng a friendly feeling.
At this moment, he felt some kind of summoning.
“Does this item have life?” He held his breath, ready for any signs of danger. However, before he could move.
“Poom!”
The eyeball-like marble turned into an afterimage as it shot into Zhao Feng’s left eye.
“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!………………………..” Zhao Feng screamed and then fainted.
Before he fainted, he only had one thought: “I’m screwed……… my eye has been blinded
Episode 2
The battle of one move
Not knowing how much time had passed, Zhao Feng started to regain his consciousness, but he was not able to feel his body.
The only thing he felt was the pain coming from his left eye.
Left eye?
Zhao Feng turned cold, and suddenly remembered what happened. Before he fainted, the weird eyeball shaped marble stabbed straight into his left eye.
If there wasn’t any accidents, my left eye might’ve been blinded and can probably be compared with those ugly and berserk “One-eyed dragons”.
When he thought up to here, Zhao Feng had the urge to cry.
Peh!Peh!Peh!Peh!……
There was a sound similar to that of a heartbeat, giving off a familiar and kind feel, resonating from the left eye, which had been punctured.
Shoosh!
He thought about his left eye and in that moment, his consciousness merged with his left eye.
Boom!
His brain suddenly shook and Zhao Feng consciousness went into a pitch black dimension.
“This place is…..”
Zhao Feng had fear for the unknown, and seeing such a weird place was completely outside of his knowledge.
His consciousness was attracted by the faint green light given off from the centre of the pitch black place.
That faint green light seemed so mysterious, and infinitely deep. It slowly spun, as if it had survived from the Ancient times till now, giving people both a feeling of life and eternity.
Zhao Feng consciousness was fully absorbed by it, and was so absorbed that he would not awaken, not until the sky turn old or when the dimension was destroyed.
“The Ancient is broken, and the Ancient Gods slain will turn into a trillion dust…..”
The sigh that came with it seemed so ancient and sad. It reverberated around the pitch black area, as if it came from the Ancient times itself.
“Who’s there!?”
Zhao Feng consciousness swayed, and his whole body turned cold. He surveyed the area but could not see anyone.
That sound seemed to come from the space itself.
“There is a soul in the universe that is perfectly in sync with me? Is this destiny?”
The mysterious voice said to itself.
“Who’s there sneaking around!”
Zhao Feng suppressed his fear and shouted.
“To continue my bloodline of the Eye, you will Rule everyone, control every race. You lucky youngster, do not disappoint me….”
The pitch black area suddenly poured out an Ancient consciousness, which then faded away.
Everything remained calm…….
Hah!
Zhao Feng took a long breath, but before he could think more, a painful feeling came from his left eye.
Within the room.
The burning sun came through the window.
“Ahhhhh….. My eye.”
Zhao Feng screamed and clutched his left eye which was now swollen red and burned with pain.
At this time, Zhao Feng suddenly woke back up into reality.
This was his room.
Zhao Feng la!d on the bed, and his body still had charred pieces from when he was struck by lightning.
At this time, the pain coming from his left eye made him sweat and toss around in the room.
It was good that, as time went, the pain eventually faded away.
“My eye……”
Zhao Feng had a face full of worry, and slowly loosened the grip around his left eye.
He was certain that his left eye could still see the light.
However, when his left eye saw the first ray of sunlight, the strong burn in his eye made him squint, but it still made Zhao Feng let out his breath.
His left eye eventually adapted to the sunlight and could finally see the outside world.
However, the thing that came after made Zhao Feng go into shock.
At that moment, the whole world seemed to have become one of tens of thousands of different colours.
The vision of his left eye made everything seem perfectly clear and beautiful.
Zhao Feng even saw the particles in the air, which certainly wasn’t what normal vision could see.
He even clearly saw ants on a tree 100 metres away, and the veins on a leaf.
“What is going on? My left eye can even……”
Zhao Feng thought about it after the shock passed and revealed some happiness on his face.
He was certain that his left eye had undergone a series of changes and was at least 10 times, or more, stronger than the original eye.
Zhao Feng took out a mirror and looked at it closely, the left eye’s size was the same as before.
The only difference was that the centre of his eye was darker than the original.
And when he fully used his left eye, the eyeball would give off a faint glow of green light.
These changes, although not very obvious, sped up Zhao Feng’s heartbeat.
“Did….. did that mysterious eye merge with my left eye?”
Zhao Feng’s heart was happy but also worried at the same time.
After a while he took a deep breath and walked out his room.
“Feng’er, you did not wake up for one day and one night, do not make me feel worried.”
Zhao Shi saw that her son was all right and was super happy.
“Mother, I am all right! I might even have gotten lucky from this disaster.”
Zhao Feng laughed.
However, his face soon turned, “Wait! Mother, did you say…. That I was unconscious for one day and one night?”
“Yes, that day you were hit by lightning, but the alchemist said that you were just unconscious.”
Zhao Shi wiped her eyes and felt scared by what might have happened.
When they talked, Zhao Feng’s stomach growled, only then did he feel the hunger.
“Come! I will make you some food to eat.”
Zhao Shi went to the kitchen and busied around.
At this time, Zhao Feng kept on using his left eye to observe everything and felt that his body also went through some changes.
The most obvious change was his reaction speed.
“Mmmmmm…..”
When they were eating, Zhao Feng eyes landed upon a fly.
His left eye saw the fly’s flying route, he could even differentiate the gender and he also saw the stripes on its wings.
Shoosh!
He waved his chopsticks on instinct.
Suddenly, the humming stopped.
Hahaha….
Zhao Feng looked at the fly killed by his chopsticks and laughed deep in his heart.
That felt good!
That felt d--n nice!
Because of his left eye, Zhao Feng’s reaction speed and senses had far surpassed that of normal people.
After eating, Zhao Feng felt full of energy so he walked towards the martial arts field.
He had a feeling, that the change in his left eye could possibly change his life……
His left eye gave off sizzles of heat and after that, also gave off a “peh!peh!” heartbeat sound.
He didn’t know that as the mysterious eyeball merged with him, his bloodline and body was slowly changing.
Martial Arts Field.
Zhao Feng was the same as normal and started to practise his fist core martial arts.
“Hahaha! Zhao Feng, you’re finally here, I thought you’d be a turtle hiding in your shell…..”
A laugh came from the other side of the martial arts field.
D--n it!
Zhao Feng said d--n in his heart and then looked at the muscular Zhao Kun, who was taking big strides while coming over.
He then remembered the “1 move battle” with Zhao Kun.
With Zhao Kun’s laugh, many sect disciples in the martial arts field came gathering around.
“Looks like it cannot be avoided……”
Zhao Feng could only walk over.
“Zhao Feng, get ready. One move! I’ll only need one move to make you go down!”
Zhao Kun’s massive body seemed like a tiger and pressured towards Zhao Feng.
As soon as his words finished.
Using a weird stance, his two hands and body contracted, then like a poisonous snake, gave a dark and creepy feeling.
Zhao Feng felt a chill, as if he was locked onto by a poisonous snake.
“Whoa, it is the high ranked martial art Thirteen changes of the Poisonous Snake!”
From the crowd came an excited shout from someone who recognising Zhao Kun’s move.
“High ranked martial art, how is this possible! Most 2nd rank disciples can only go to the “Martial Arts Library” and get middle rank martial arts, how could Zhao Kun get a high ranked one?”
“You might not know this but Zhao Kun’s grandfather is one of the sect elders……”
“No wonder Zhao Kun has confidence in winning with one move, it is because he’s learned the Thirteen Changes of the Poisonous Snake!”
The disciples around the area all felt chilly, even some of those whose cultivation exceeded Zhao Kun gave him a solemn look.
“It is a high rank martial arts skill.”
Zhao Feng took a cold breath.
At the Zhao sect, disciples under the 4th rank of the Martial Path could only learn low or middle ranked martial arts.
As for Zhao Feng, since he had not even achieved the 2nd rank of the Martial Path yet, he could not enter the sect’s “Martial Arts Library”, so he could not even learn low rank martial arts.
Thirteen Change of the Poisonous Snake was a high rank martial arts skill, and the damage dealt by it was way higher compared to low and middle ranked martial arts, not to mention core rank martial arts.
At this moment, Zhao Kun’s moving hand even gave Zhao Feng a huge pressure, as if he just needed to move and the poisonous snake would attack.
“No wonder Zhao Kun has confidence to take me down in a single move!”
Zhao Feng’s heart sped up, as he knew that, under normal circumstances, he couldn’t take one move from a high rank martial art skill.
And even then, Zhao Kun’s cultivation was higher than his own by 1 rank.
Peh!Peh!……
Under the pressure, Zhao Feng felt his left eye move, this gave him an excited feeling.
Zhao Feng now put all of his power into the left eye and set the target on Zhao Kun.
Not one realised that, at this moment, Zhao Feng’s left eye gave off a faint green glow……
Shoosh!
Zhao Feng felt like he had gone into super-vision mode. In his vision, Zhao Kun’s body was enlarged, and every change, including his breathing rate, heartbeat, the body’s muscles, veins, they were all seen with his left eye.
And at that moment, the world seemed to slow down by many times.
However, the speed of the world didn’t slow down.
The change was Zhao Feng’s own reaction speed!
Under the pressure, Zhao Feng’s heart felt extremely peaceful and calm.
His opponent, Zhao Kun, got an unknown shiver and had a feeling as if all of his secrets had been seen.
“3rd Change of the Poisonous Snake!”
Zhao Kun had a face full of dimness and used his strongest strike without hesitation. His body was like a poisonous snake, and like lightning, had both extreme speed and power.
Shoosh!
In a flash, Zhao Kun 2 fingers were together, and like a poisonous snake’s teeth, slashed through the air as they stabbed towards Zhao Feng.
So fast!
Many of the sects disciples thought.
Many youths of the 2nds rank of the Martial Path did not even manage to see how Zhao Kun moved.
Just as Zhao Kun’s teeth like fingers were about to to hit Zhao Feng.
Pah!
Suddenly, a strong fist punched through the air, hitting Zhao Kun’s arm, making him fall.
“What happened?”
Zhao Kun felt his mind shudder as his body turned stiff due to shock, his arm turning numb.
His fingers, which were only half an inch away from Zhao Feng’s chest, could not move forward another bit.
Whoosh——
Zhao Kun’s stomach suddenly felt pain as he was sent flying out with a scream.
“What happened!?”
All of the disciples shouted in shock.
“One move, you’ve lost……”
Episode 3
Breaking through to the 2nd Rank of the Martial Path
“One move, you’ve lost….”
Zhao Feng had an expression of shock and excitement which was hard to cover up.
I won? And I won in one move?
Before the battle, because of the changes in the left eye, Zhao Feng was confident that by relying on his reaction speed and vision, he would be able to block one of Zhao Kun’s moves, and if used well, he could be able to block more than 10 moves.
The result however, was well out of his expectations.
Zhao Kun’s attack was very fast for some of the bystanders, but under his left eye, all of his movements were as clear as day.
And when the left eye was activated to its fullest capabilities, Zhao Feng felt that the opponent’s moves seemed slow and clumsy.
He was stunned because he saw faults in Zhao Kun’s skill.
Faults!
Faults in a high ranked martial art!
Zhao Feng didn’t understand it either, how could he see the opponent’s faults so easily? Maybe it was because the opponent hadn’t fully polished the skill.
At last, Zhao Feng reacted on instinct, just like how he had with the fly, and gave the opponent a deadly hit, which allowed him to win in one move.
Hua!
All the disciples on the martial arts field were shocked.
“Did I see wrong!? The one that lost was Zhao Kun!”
“You are right! The person who lost was Zhao Kun!”
All the Zhao disciples opened their eyes wide and had weird faces on.
“How is this possible………. How could I lose to this guy?”
Zhao Kun had a questioning face.
Yep!
He lost so suddenly he didn’t understand.
At this time, the expressions on Zhao Feng and Zhao Kun’s faces were comparable.
“It was by accident!”
When the Zhao disciples saw the expression on Zhao Kun’s face, they understood.
After this was said, all of them started agreeing.
“You are right! This kids luck must be too good, he won by accident.”
“His luck must be too good……”
The crowd agreed on the reason for Zhao Feng’s victory.
“Luck? Maybe.”
Zhao Feng gave a faint smile and turned to leave.
“Kid! Stay there!”
Zhao Kun clutched his stomach as he slowly stood up before he, in a dark manner, said, “Zhao Feng! You were just lucky before, that’s why you won. Let’s fight again!”
“Fight again?”
Zhao Feng scrunched up his eyebrows and looked at Zhao Kun, “Firstly, you’re hurt. Secondly, I don’t have time.”
After saying this he turned towards a corner in the martial arts field and left behind a group of disciples with stunned faces.
“B-----d! After I’m healed, I’ll perfect my Thirteen Changes of the Poisonous Snake, then I’ll fight you.”
Zhao Kun had a face of anger as he then left without another word.
Looking back on the fight, Zhao Kun had his own reasons of why he lost, and there were 3 main reasons:
Firstly, he looked down on his opponent.
Secondly, he had only learnt the first 3 moves of the Thirteen Changes of the Poisonous Snake, and there were still many faults as it was yet to be perfected.
Thirdly, Zhao Feng had too much luck.
On the other side of the martial arts field, Zhao Feng started to practise.
“The reason I was able to win the last fight is mainly because Zhao Kun looked down on me too much, as well as the fact that he have yet to perfect the high ranked martial art skill, which allowed for me to the faults……”
Zhao Feng knew the answer in his heart.
Zhao Kun would definitely not go easy on him in the next fight, and if he perfects the Thirteen Changes of the Poisonous Snake’s first 3 moves faults, then Zhao Feng doesn’t have any confidence in winning again.
That was because the difference between the 1st rank and the 2nd rank of the martial path was too big.
The Martial Path had 9 ranks in total, the first three ranks were known as “Power ranks”.
The “Power ranks” were about gaining more strength and increasing one’s foundation.
So the 1st rank and the 2nd rank of the martial path had a difference of around 100kg’s in terms of strength.
That’s why, under normal conditions, to be a 1st rank and beat the 2nd rank of the martial path was so surprising, even more so to win by 1 move.
“The key point is still to increase my strength!”
Zhao Feng took a deep breath and started to practise “Flaming Metal Fist” again.
The first move… The second move….. The third move……
The “Flaming Metal Fist” seemed to be as smooth as water, smoother than it had ever been.
Hah!
As Zhao Feng finished his moves, he had an excited look on his face. The “Flaming Metal Fist” had a total of 32 moves, and he could now finish them in one breath, a much faster speed than previously, the power of the moves had also increased.
After finishing the moves, he felt that his blood flowed better and faster than before, as if it was burning.
Peh!Peh!…..
At the same time, the beat coming from his left eye became even more obvious.
Zhao Feng closed his eyes and his consciousness interacted with the pitch black dimension.
At the centre of the dimension, there was a faint green light.
At first, the faint green light had a radius of around 60cm, and was especially faint.
Now however, the faint green light’s length and brightness seemed to have increased.
“Could it be? Is the left eye’s abilities directly linked to my own strength?”
Zhao Feng guessed in his heart.
The changes in his left eye gave him the chance to change his destiny. Firstly, it let him beat Zhao Kun, secondly, when he practised his moves, they became super smooth.
“Again!”
Zhao Feng eyes became sharp as he started to practise “Flaming Metal Fist” again.
Hu Hu Hu…….
Zhao Feng’s movement speed became faster and faster, and the moves started to perfectly link with one another.
After practising it for the 3rd time, the speed had already become 2 times faster than before, and the damage had also increased by heaps.
Through his breathing, he felt his blood circulate better and the parts of his body that could not be toughened before had also started to become stronger.
“At this speed, I will just need a few more days to break through to the 2nd rank of the Martial Path.”
Zhao Feng felt that his increase was very obvious.
He practised until night and then wiped his sweat and headed back towards his home.
After arriving home, he still was thinking about the change in his left eye.
“To continue my bloodline of the Eye, you will Rule everyone, control every race. You lucky youngster, do not disappoint me….”
He remembered the voice that came from the pitch black dimension before he fainted.
“This eye might have come from an Ancient God-like existence, and in an accident, merged with my own eye.” Zhao Feng assumed.
Even at night, when he opened his eye, he could still see everything outside.
The darkness of night had almost zero influence on Zhao Feng. His eye still saw the birds that were a few miles away.
Zhao Feng lay on his bed at night and felt his left eye releasing sizzles of heat, which merged with his blood.
Under this weird feeling, Zhao Feng fell asleep.
The second morning.
Zhao Feng woke up, extended his 4 limbs and went to practise in the small courtyard.
“This yards too old, and the environment is bad, When I am stronger, I am definitely going to let my parents live inside a big yard.”
Zhao Feng thought in his heart.
Quickly, he began to practise the 32 moves of the “Flaming Metal Fist.”
Hu Hu Hu…..
The fists carried the wind and now contained extreme power.
As soon as Zhao Feng threw a few punches, he felt that something was wrong.
Between his breaths, his blood was raging and gave off an aura of power, every punch contained at least 200-250 kg’s of force.
“What!”
Zhao Feng was shocked, and his two fists burned in 2 patches of red light.
Ka Ka Ka ——
One of the punches hit the big tree in front of him, and a branch, as thick as a fist, snapped into pieces.
“No! This definitely is not the power of a 1st rank, could it be……”
Zhao Feng’s heart jumped.
To prove his thoughts, he took a deep breath and put all of his power into one stomp.
Peh!
The ground shook and the layers of earth crumbled, leaving Zhao Feng’s footprint half an inch deep into the ground.
His expression turned happy, then one of his palms hit a stone that was at least 30 kg’s , and broke it into pieces.
This kind of power wasn’t something that the 1st rank of the martial path could do.
“2nd rank of the martial path….. I’ve broken through to the 2nd rank of the martial path!”
Zhao Feng closed his eyes and began to feel the power coursing through his body.
He first thought that breaking through to the 2nd rank would at least take a few days, but didn’t realise that he broke through just after one night’s sleep.
His consciousness went inside his left eye, there, Zhao Feng found that the faint green light had now extended from around 60cm to 67cm.
He felt that his energy was better than before and that it also had different changes which could not be explained…….
Episode 4
Zhao Yijian
“After breaking through to the 2nd rank of the Martial Path, I won’t be at the bottom anymore, and I’ll also have the right to participate in the “Family Sparring Contest”.
Zhao Feng was very excited, but soon calmed down.
The martial path had 9 ranks, and every rank was harder to achieve than the previous one, similar to a pyramid.
Everyone knew that the first 3 ranks were known as the “Power Ranks”, they were also known as Martial Learner!
Martial Learners used force to strengthen their bodies to provide a strong foundation for later realms.
Although Martial Learner were very low, as it was only considered to have entered the gateway of Martial Arts, to cultivate to the peak of the 3rd rank was not to be looked down upon as one would have at least 400 kg of strength, those born with better talent could even have over 500 kg’s of strength. They could rip apart tigers and destroy bears with their bare hands.
Although Zhao Feng had only broken through to the 2nd rank, he had around 250-300 kg’s of strength, which was well outside the capabilities of normal people. If it was accompanied by strong martial skills, tens of normal people wouldn’t even be able to reach him.
“If I can reach the 3rd rank of the Martial Path, and have around 350-400 kg’s of strength, my overall strength will at least double.”
Zhao Feng thought in his heart.
Of course, the thing that he yearned for was the 4th rank of the Martial Path.
The 4th to 6th rank of the Martial Path were known as the “Accumulation Ranks”, they were also known as Martial Artists, those who were real Martial Artists!
After entering this realm, the Martial Artist wouldn’t just have a strong body and blood.
They could also strengthen their organs and use the power of “Inner strength”, which surpassed that of pure muscle attacks.
Once they reached Martial Artist, they would leave the realms of mundane people and entered a higher level.
Back at Green Leaf Village, Zhao Feng had the urge to become a true Martial Artist, and entering the Zhao sect had made this dream come one step closer.
After he entered the 2nd rank of the martial path, Zhao Feng immediately told his parents.
2nd Rank of the martial path?
His father Zhao Tianyang and his mother Zhao Shi were both surprised but let out deep breaths.
As Zhao Feng was able to reach the 2nd rank at this age without the use of outside help, his talent could be said to be better than some people.
“All you have to do next for the next two months is to prepare for the “Family Sparring Contest”. We do not need you to do extremely well, just do not lose face.”
Zhao Tianyang revealed a happy smile.
Zhao Shi also had a pleased smile.
For Zhao Feng to reach this step, they were very pleased and did not have higher expectations.
However, Zhao Feng’s target wasn’t restricted to just this. He wanted to become a true Martial Artist, maybe even reach the pinnacle of Martial Arts.
“After breaking through to the 2nd rank, my status within the sect is now higher and I have the right to enter the first floor of the “Martial Arts Library”.”
The sects “Martial Arts library” contained many different martial arts skills.
Thinking about this, Zhao Feng immediately went towards the Martial Arts Library.
“Brother Feng!”
Halfway, a slightly shocked voice from a girl stopped him.
The young girl’s voice had a familiar sound and felt comfortable to listen to.
Zhao Feng’s body turned stiff.
From his side came a boy and girl whose ages weren’t very old.
The male was purple clothed, had thick eyebrows, a straight tall back and sharpness in his eyes. His cultivation had reached the peak of the 3rd rank, the other disciples around them felt the pressure he emitted.
“He is the sects 3rd ranking disciple of the outer disciples “Zhao Yijian”!”
The people around them exclaimed, with faces full of worry and fear.
The one that came with Zhao Yijian was a young woman wearing white, whose age was the same as Zhao Feng, around 13 or 14, she had a clear beautiful face.
“Little Sister Xue.”
Zhao Feng looked at the white clothed girl and his mouth subconsciously curled into a mocking smile.
The girl in front of him was the one who entered the sect with him half a year ago, “Zhao Xue”.
Back at Green Leaf Village, Zhao Xue was a huge fan of his. However, after they entered the Zhao sect they became distant from one another, they were almost total strangers now.
After Zhao Xue entered the Zhao sect, using her beauty, she quickly became good friends with Zhao Yijian, who was ranked 3rd of the outer disciples, and then, by using her connections, she achieved the 2nd of the martial path half a month ago.
At this moment, Zhao Xue said something to Zhao Yijian.
“Ok, but just do not take too long.”
Zhao Yijian nodded his head and leaned aside, not even bothering to look at Zhao Feng.
Zhao Xue walked in front of Zhao Feng and,in a complex manner, and with a little sigh, said, “Brother Feng, you have finally broken through to the 2nd rank. However, Xue’er is going to give you some advice, do not be too stubborn. After entering the sect, I have realised that the place we started at is too low compared to the ones here.”
“What do you want to say?”
Zhao Feng broke off her sentence and responded with a cold face.
Zhao Xue had a bit of anger of her face, but she still bit her teeth and said, “Brother Feng, Xue’er is going to advice you one more time, go to brother Yijian and pledge yourself to him. With his help, only then will you merge with the main Zhao sect, that way you can avoid problems……”
Pledge?
Zhao Feng made a cold laugh. He won’t pledge to anyone in his whole life.
Zhao Yijian had a cold aura and was extremely arrogant. Every time he saw Zhao Feng, it was with his nostrils, as if he was too high up compared to him.
Seeing Zhao Feng’s expression, Zhao Xue immediately knew, as they grew up together she understood Zhao Feng very well.
Zhao Xue walk back to Zhao Yijian’s side and murmured something.
“Hmph! He doesn’t know what’s good for him, this useless garbage.”
Zhao Yijian said in a cold voice.
“Useless garbage?”
Zhao Feng’s eyebrows scrunched.
Maybe it because he saw Zhao Feng so unwilling, but Zhao Yijian took a pause and coldly said, “I’ve heard that you’re the genius of Green Leaf village? However, at the Zhao sect, you’re just a little bug! We’ll meet at the “Family Sparring contest” and I’ll beat you in just one move.”
“Just like what I would say, we’ll meet at the contest.”
Zhao Feng spat bitterly and then turned towards the Martial Arts library.
He didn’t want to keep on talking, since they were bound to fight 2 months later, and the one with greater strength would win.
As Zhao Xue’s eyesight passed by Zhao Feng, it flashed ever so slightly.
At this point, she felt a strange feeling from Zhao Feng. A feeling that she couldn’t understand.
“He sure thinks he’s good.”
Zhao Yijian snorted.
He didn’t even think of Zhao Feng as a serious opponent!
At the sects outer disciples, those that had entered the 3rd rank of the martial path didn’t exceed 60 people, and to rank 3rd out of these… It could be seen that he had some great skills up his sleeve.
Zhao Xue gave off a deep sigh in her heart, Zhao Feng was just finding trouble for himself.
Zhao Xue understood Zhao Yijian’s strength very well. Some of the 3rd ranks couldn’t even block one move of his.
After a while, Zhao Feng came to the sect’s important grounds, the Martial Arts Library.
The Martial Arts Library was very important to the sect, and therefore had elders guarding it.
“Branch disciple?”
The white-clothed elder inside the Martial Arts library looked at Zhao Feng’s identity plate, and scrunched up his eyebrows.
“Great elder.”
Zhao Feng had a polite face on, he knew the elders strength.
From his left eye, he felt a mysterious force coming from the elder. It was a layer of red aura, which was between their blood and skin, but was constantly moving through their veins, and could attack at any time. It could also attack through the air and crush metal into powder.
Zhao Feng knew that the white-clothed elder had already cultivated “inner strength” to a high degree, it could destroy one hundred of him in an instant.
Only those that were at the 4th rank of the martial path or higher could have inner strength.
Zhao Xue, Zhao Kun, these martial learners wouldn’t have inner strength.
Zhao Feng took a bow and said: “Elder, I want to go into the second floor of the martial arts library.”
“Achieving the 2nd rank at 14 years of age is average. However, before you become an inner disciple, I must tell you that branch disciples and main disciples have different treatments in the martial arts library.”
The white-robed elder said.
When Zhao Feng heard this, he paused a second, but then thought about the new rules of the sect and immediately understood.
“Elder, please go on.”
Zhao Feng knew that before having absolute power, he didn’t have any right to discuss the rules.
The white-clothed elder said with an expressionless face: “those with the 2nd rank of the martial path can only enter the first floor of the martial arts library. The first floor of the martial arts library have a lot of low ranked martial arts, and a few middle ranked ones. Main sect disciples can choose two middle ranked martial arts, or four low ranked martial arts at max, and the limit for borrowing these is two months. Side branch disciples can only choose one middle ranked martial art, or two low ranked martial arts, and the time limit is one month.”
After listening to the rules, Zhao Feng took a deep breath and said, “This junior understands.”
The branch disciples had only half of the quantity and time compared to the main branch disciples.
“Ok! You can go in now, but the time limit is half an hour.”
Under the white-robed elder’s guidance, Zhao Feng slowly stepped into the martial arts library, a place he’d dreamed of coming to……
Episode 5
Choosing Martial Arts Skills (1)
The martial arts library was an important ground in the sect, it had a collections of different martial skills collected over hundreds of years. They were used to help those of the later generation hoping that they could expand the family.
Usually, a sect’s number and quality of martial arts determined how strong the sect would be. Zhao Feng remembered that at the Green Leaf village Zhao family, there wasn’t even a martial arts library.
The martial arts library was divided into 3 floors.
In the first floor there was a large quantity of martial arts, but most of them were low ranked, with a few middle ranked ones there as well.
The second floor apparently had the sects secret and traditional techniques. Most of them were of the high rank, there were even some peak ranked ones there!
However, to enter the second floor one needed one to be at least at the 4th rank of the martial path.
And the 3rd floor was just a rumour, as it had never been opened….
However, for Zhao Feng, the 2nd and 3rd floors were just too far away, even the 1st floor’s martial arts were something that he yearned for.
He had no background in the sect, and a person with no background or exceptional talent could not access higher ranked martial arts. The Flaming Metal Fists he had was only a core rank martial art, and it was even weaker than a low ranked martial art.
However, after breaking through to the 2nd rank of the martial path, he had the right to enter the 1st floor and choose a martial art.
“The Zhao sect, it is no wonder that it is one of the 3 big families of the Sun Feather city, which rides on top of several hundreds of other families.”
Zhao Feng stepped into the first floor, his breathing quickening.
At the first floor, he could see a few other Zhao disciples, but all of them were using their time to choose their own martial art skills.
According to the rules, those that entered the martial arts library only had half an hour to select.
So everyone that entered the martial arts library didn’t waste any time.
“I’ve got half an hour and I need to choose a middle rank martial art, or two low ranked martial arts.”
Zhao Feng took a deep breath, and scanned along the bookshelves.
The 1st floor of the martial arts library had several thousand books, and every book was half an inch thick. To find one or two martial arts from such a high amount was not easy.
“Rock Breaking Palm, Angered Dragon Fist, Leaf Picking Sword, Wind like foot……”
Different kinds of martial art skills made Zhao Feng’s eyes turn colourful.
Shuah! Shuah! …..
Zhao Feng flipped the pages of these martial art skills quickly to the 1st page.
These martial arts usually had their summaries on the first page.
Crazy Wing Blade Blade like the wind, powerful like lightning, uses speed to win. Minimum requirement is 1st rank of the Martial Path, to train this skill is average. Rank: Low.
Angered Dragon Fists Can increase the strength of the cultivator, can put all the power into one attack. Minimum requirement is 2nd rank of the martial path, to train this skill is quite hard. Rank: Peak of the Middle rank.
Wind like foot A close combat skill which uses speed to win. When trained to fullest potential, can fight against many people and not lose. Minimum requirements is 1st rank of the martial path, but needs high level of understanding. Rank: Middle.
Metal Sand: Increases the defence of the body. Under fully activation can go head to head with same rank opponent. Someone who can train it to a high level can use their body and fight against swords and blades. Minimum requirements is 2nd rank of the martial path and needs high will power. Rank: Middle.
“The martial arts library’s skills are stronger than the core ranked skills by far, just as expected…..”
Zhang Feng was extremely pleased, and the skills he saw were mainly middle rank ones.
After only looking through tens of books, his heart had already been moved several times.
However, the martial arts library had restrictions. He could only take out 1 middle rank martial art.
If I could only take out a few then that would be great…..
Zhao Feng felt unwilling and thought it was unfair, “Branch disciples can only choose one middle martial art whereas the main disciples can choose two.”
To increase his speed in choosing, Zhao Feng started to use his left eye.
With his left eye, his speed increased more than 10 times….
Shuah shuah shuah …..
Zhao Feng’s left eye used an incredible speed to look through these martial arts.
He only needed one look to understand it all.
Looking at over thirty books, Zhao Feng fully memorised the contents of them and compared them with one another.
When he had scanned over 50, Zhao Feng suddenly realised something…….
Not right!
Zhao Feng suddenly froze.
He went back to his memories of other books.
In his mind the contents of the book’s appeared and not a single word was wrong.
“This…..”
Zhao Feng felt himself tremble with excitement.
After merging with the left eye, Zhao Feng’s memory had increased as well, it could be said that he only needed to look at something once and would never forget it.
Especially when he activated his left eye, the contents of the books were as if they were burned into his mind.
Zhao Feng never thought that he would achieve the power of “never forgetting”.
There were many rumours about geniuses on Azure Flower Continent, and “never forgetting” was one of the attributes they had…..
However, “never forgetting” for most people was that their memory was good, they only needed to read it once and would remember 80-90 percent of the contents.
However, compared with Zhao Feng’s “never forgetting”, his was clearly much stronger; he was literally not able to forget.
With this power, at the martial arts library, it meant that Zhao Feng could take a “few more” books out.
“Fast, fast, fast!”
Zhao Feng had a look of excitement and started to memorise all the books he could.
Shuah shuah shuah ……
His concentration was put to max as he flipped through the pages as soon as he read them.
As long as the contents were looked at by his left eye, it didn’t matter if it was words or drawings, he memorised all of them.
It only took Zhao Feng 20 breaths of time to fully remember a book with 50 pages.
“Hahaha ……. Never forget! Good!”
Zhao Feng felt nice, but he seemed more insane as he ripped through the books.
His actions obviously caused some of the other disciples to look over.
“I think this guy’s gone crazy…”
“Maybe it is his first time going in and he is too excited…”
Some of the disciples looked at Zhao Feng’s actions and shook their heads.
Time passed by in a flash……
¾ of half an hour had already passed.
Hu!
Zhao Feng let out a long breath. He felt tired, but it still couldn’t stop the excitement in him.
At this point, he had “stolen” over 100 books of martial arts.
These martial arts were mainly middle ranked martial arts. It included Fists skills, Palm skills, Sword skills, Breathing skills, Footwork skills, Defence skills and many more.
Because Zhao Feng kept on using his left eye, his mind became tired.
Next, Zhao Feng’s left eye scanned around the area and landed upon an old martial art book.
The reason why he stopped here was because Zhao Feng felt that the materials this book was mode of were different from the rest.
Zhao Feng picked up this book and on the top were 3 words: Lightly Floating Ferry.
He flipped to the first page.
Lightly Floating Ferry High Rank martial art, can make the cultivator move through the snow without leaving marks, can drift across the river and make the person feel like a bird….. When trained high enough, the person can double jump and even fly for short moments! Minimum requirements is 2nd rank of the martial path and to train in this skill is very hard. In addition, inner strength will increase the force. Achieving the highest realm will let a person be the quickest out of everyone under the 7th rank of the martial path.
Zhao Feng fist thought that this was just an ordinary footwork skill, but after he saw “double jump”, and “added with Inner Strength”, his eyes twinkled.
“Double jump” exceeded the limits of Middle rank martial arts, even some High ranked ones cannot do that!
“In addition, inner Strength” meant that this skill was suited for martial artists above or at the 4th rank of the martial path.
And the most incredible part was: Achieving the highest realm will allow the person to have the fastest speed of all under the 7th rank of the martial path.
“What an exaggeration! Even some peak rank martial arts won’t have the courage to say this.”
Zhao Feng’s eyes shone and without hesitation, he started reading the contents of Lightly Floating Ferry.
He had a question in his heart though, why would such a strong skill be put at the bottom floor? And why would no one learn it?
Soon, Zhao Feng found the reason.
After flipping to ¼ of the book, the words started to blur out. The main reason was that the book was too old, and the book started to mould.
That meant that this book only had ¼ of its original contents.
“So unfortunate…..”
Zhao Feng was severely disappointed.
However, he did not give up and continued to use his left eye on the blurred out words.
Using all of his power on his left eye, Zhao Feng could just about see the words under the mould, this already exceeded a normal human’s eyesight by at least 20-30 times.
After reading 1-2 pages, Zhao Feng felt his mind go tired and his left eye felt as if they was no power left in it.
“If I take this back I can slowly read all of it’s later contents.”
Zhao Feng thought up to here, and then took Lightly Floating Ferry out of the 1st floor of the martial arts library.
“Lightly Floating Ferry? You want this book?”
The white-robed elder asked with scrunched eyebrows.
“Yes.”
Zhao Feng politely said.
“This book has been around for a thousand years and there are parts in it which exceed high rank martial arts by far.” After talking up to here, the white-robed elder’s voice turned: “However, only ¼ of this book can be seen. An important note: to fully train this in skill is super hard, even some geniuses cannot do it. Even if they do it….. Under the 4th rank of the martial path, the potential is restricted.
At last, the white-robed elder warned: “I’d advise you to change a book, or else you will never break through to the 4th rank of the martial path and become a true martial artist.”
“Thank you elder for your warning, but my heart is decided.”
Zhao Feng had a calm look on his face.
Looking at the Zhao Feng leave, the white-robed elder shook his head and said, “These youths nowadays all take the highest ranked book possible.”
He believed that Zhao Feng would not be able to fully learn Lightly Floating Ferry, and taking a step back, even if he could, what could a partially martial art book do?
Leaving the martial arts library, Zhao Feng returned home.
Sitting on his bed, he closed his eyes, and on inside of his mind the contents of around 100 martial art books quickly surfaced…
STAY TUNED FOR MORE EPISODES
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