The Great Ruler: Starting from the Lower Plane

Chapter 32 Breakthrough in Strength

Cheng Yue's voice was hoarse, and his eyes were filled with fear and a hint of barely perceptible resentment as he looked at Ye Feng, but more than anything, he was dejected.

He knew that after today, he would become a laughing stock of Li Huo Peak and even the Burning Heaven Sword Sect. Not only would his status be greatly reduced, but he would also find it difficult to hold his head high in front of that elder, and might even be questioned.

Ye Feng reached out and took the ancient-looking sword ring. It felt warm and smooth to the touch. He probed it with his divine sense and found that it contained a thousand neatly arranged high-grade sword essence stones, which contained pure sword energy.

"When fellow disciples spar, let's stop when we've reached a point."

Ye Feng remained calm and spoke slowly as he put away the sword ring.

He and Cheng Yue didn't have any deep-seated hatred; at most, it was just a matter of personal feelings. But this was the Burning Heaven Sword Sect, and as fellow disciples, he couldn't go too far.

As for whether Cheng Yue would hold a grudge afterward, he didn't care. If Cheng Yue knew better in the future, the matter would be over. If Cheng Yue was still stubborn and refused to give up, he wouldn't be so inflexible.

Rules are set by people, and as long as one becomes strong enough, one can change any rule, no matter what it is.

"The duel is over, everyone can disperse..."

Seeing that Ye Feng was not relentless and was quite accommodating, the old man in the black robe smiled, then looked around and spoke in a low voice.

Cheng Yue felt as if he had been granted a pardon. Despite his pain, he picked up the Crimson Flame Sword from the ground and, under the watchful eyes of countless somewhat complicated individuals, staggered away from the dueling platform.

If even someone as strong as Cheng Yue, a late-stage Sword Soul Realm expert, met such an end, the rest of them would likely fare no better, perhaps even worse than Cheng Yue.

"Junior Brother Ye Feng is truly amazing..."

"Today's ending is truly unexpected..."

"..."

Jiang Zhenyue's beautiful eyes sparkled with admiration. She took a deep breath and whispered, "Qingxue, you are truly blessed."

Upon hearing this, Su Qingxue did not reply, but stared blankly at Ye Feng, her heart pounding uncontrollably.

In the Burning Heaven Sword Sect, and even in the Western Sword Land, she had never seen such a dazzling peer who inspired a sense of insurmountable difficulty in catching up.

Most importantly, this person, who is even younger than her, is her fiancé.

"If I have the opportunity in the future, I need to study the art of swordsmanship. And if I am fortunate enough to travel to the Great Thousand World in the future, I can also hone my skills as a spirit weapon master..."

Ignoring the commotion around him, Ye Feng took two steps forward, pulled out the Xuanbing Sword stuck in the ground, and his mind raced with thoughts.

A high-level sword—this is a rare find. Today's battle greatly enhanced his strength.

Although the Xuanbing Sword doesn't belong to him, he can borrow it from Su Qingxue if he ever needs it in the future.

Thinking of this, Ye Feng glanced at Su Qingxue in the crowd, nodded slightly to her, revealed a gentle smile, then jumped down, walked to her, and handed her the Xuanbing Sword.

"Here you go, returning it to its rightful owner."

Su Qingxue stood up and took it, feeling the lingering aura of Ye Feng on it. As if remembering something, her pretty face flushed slightly.

Her fate will likely mirror that of the Xuanbing Sword.

"How was it? I didn't embarrass you today, did I?"

Seeing that Su Qingxue remained silent and countless eyes were fixed on her, Ye Feng continued to speak, breaking the awkward silence.

Upon hearing this, Su Qingxue snapped out of her daze, suppressed the inexplicable flutter in her heart, and gave a dismissive snort.

"You barely managed to save face for me, but your swordsmanship just now..."

Su Qingxue paused, but ultimately couldn't resist her curiosity, and looked somewhat puzzled.

Ye Feng's eyes flickered slightly, and he said vaguely, "I guess I got it by chance. I'm not really sure about its specific grade, but I think its power is decent."

Seeing that Ye Feng didn't want to say more, Su Qingxue didn't press him further. Everyone has secrets, even between husband and wife.

"Qingxue, it would be impolite of you not to introduce your little sweetheart to your older sister..."

Just then, Jiang Zhenyue came over with a smile, her bright eyes looking back and forth between Ye Feng and Su Qingxue, filled with envy.

I wonder when she will find such an excellent fiancé.

Su Qingxue's cheeks flushed slightly, and she glared at Jiang Zhenyue: "What nonsense are you talking about..."

"Dare not admit it, tsk..."

Jiang Zhenyue's smile deepened. After teasing Su Qingxue, she turned her gaze to Ye Feng and gave him a graceful bow.

"Junior Brother Ye Feng, I am Jiang Zhenyue. Meeting you today, I can see that you are indeed a dragon among men."

"You flatter me, senior sister."

Ye Feng returned the greeting with a cupped hand, neither humble nor arrogant, his smile gentle.

Jiang Zhenyue's smile remained unchanged, and then, whether intentionally or unintentionally, she winked at Su Qingxue, "Qingxue, if you really don't like this junior brother, you can introduce him to me."

"My sister isn't as picky as you, pretending to be aloof."

Upon hearing this, Su Qingxue was both ashamed and angry. She then gave Ye Feng a cold glance, with a hint of warning.

"If you don't want to leave, then stay with her..."

As soon as she finished speaking, Su Qingxue turned and left, but her pace slowed considerably, as if she was waiting for Ye Feng to catch up.

"Senior sister, farewell..."

Seeing this, Ye Feng smiled apologetically at Jiang Zhenyue, said nothing more, and quickly followed Su Qingxue's footsteps.

Jiang Zhenyue watched the two figures leave one after the other, shook her head and smiled lightly, but there was not much disappointment in her eyes, but rather a hint of blessing.

The two returned to Tianxia Academy without saying a word, and Ye Feng remained silent as well.

Since that ambiguous encounter, their relationship has become much closer, and he can sense it even when the former doesn't speak.

Girls are generally more sensitive, especially a woman like Su Qingxue with a cool and aloof personality.

"If you don't have enough sword essence stones, you can ask my father for some. He told me this yesterday."

At the door of the room, Su Qingxue left a message and then quickly disappeared from Ye Feng's sight.

Ye Feng simply smiled at this.

Sword Essence Stones only work on those at the Sword Soul Realm. He won't need this cultivation resource for long, but with such support, reaching the Sword Domain Realm within a year will be a piece of cake.

……

In the blink of an eye, more than half a month had passed.

For more than half a month, Ye Feng has not left his house and has been cultivating except for a short period of rest.

"Mid-stage Sword Soul Realm, achieved!"

Inside the quiet room, Ye Feng slowly opened his eyes, his gaze gleaming, and his sword energy surged like a tide, even more powerful and refined than it had been half a month ago.

At this moment, the illusory sword spirit residing above his dantian was more solid than before, radiating a pale golden glow.

He had already consumed most of the thousand high-grade sword essence stones. The terrifying absorption and refining efficiency of his innate sword body, coupled with the acceleration of the Devouring Heaven Sword Technique, allowed him to break through the bottleneck and advance to the mid-stage of the Sword Soul Realm in less than a month.

"As expected of someone from the Burning Heaven Sword Sect, this cultivation speed has truly undergone a qualitative change. If this continues, perhaps in less than ten years, I will be able to explore the mysteries of this world."