Chapter 15: Seventh Transformation

Chapter 15: Seventh Transformation

The distant voices gradually faded away.

Chen Feng no longer employed his movement technique, his breathing subtle and prolonged as he moved with increasing caution. His eyes gleamed sharply, his senses heightened to their utmost limit.

"Shadow Leopard, Iron-Scaled Python, Giant Strength Bear..."

These were the three most fearsome First Rank Ninth Level demonic beasts within the Ten Thousand Woods, capable of easily slaying ordinary practitioners at the Ninth Level of the Body Forging Realm. Even top-tier experts at that level would find it difficult to kill them.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Chen Feng's body involuntarily shuddered. A bone-chilling coldness surged from deep within his core, rapidly spreading throughout his limbs. His hair stood on end as an indescribable sense of dread washed over him in waves.

Carefully, Chen Feng curled up and hid behind a large tree, holding his breath. A harsh rustling sound grew louder in the distance, steadily approaching. It felt as though something cold and slimy was slithering over his body, sending an uncontrollable chill down his spine.

Peeking cautiously, Chen Feng caught sight of a patch of low shrubs swaying violently about a hundred meters away. Amidst the movement, he glimpsed a long, dark figure, its scales glinting with an eerie sheen.

"Iron-Scaled Python!"

Chen Feng shuddered.

That form, that terrifying aura—it was undoubtedly the Iron-Scaled Python.

His luck truly was something else.

First, he had been ambushed by a Shadow Leopard, and now he encountered an Iron-Scaled Python.

The mere thought sent a thrilling yet spine-tingling sensation through him.

"I wonder if I’ll run into a Giant Strength Bear too?"

Chen Feng pondered silently.

His heart was a mix of trepidation and anticipation.

This feeling was exhilarating. The Divine Talisman Of Creation in his mind trembled faintly, releasing ripples of energy.

In a daze, Chen Feng hovered between wakefulness and sleep, his state profound and ineffable—something that could only be sensed, not explained.

He had no idea how much time had passed when he suddenly awoke, feeling as though he had just taken a nap—refreshed and clear-headed. Unconsciously, his understanding of the Wind Shadow Sword Technique and the Nine Shadows Illusory Body seemed to have deepened. It was as if he could break through his current limits at any moment, pushing these techniques to a higher level.

Yet, when he tried to focus on this realization, something felt missing. Besides, this was neither the time nor the place for such contemplation, so he reluctantly set it aside for now.

"Where’s the Iron-Scaled Python?"

Scanning the area carefully, he found no trace of it. Cautiously, Chen Feng approached the disturbed shrubs where the python had slithered through. A path as thick as a waist was left behind, its residual aura icy and oppressive, making Chen Feng shiver uncontrollably.

"What’s that...?"

His sharp eyes locked onto a particular spot.

Three crimson fruits were faintly visible amidst the low shrubs.

After a closer inspection, Chen Feng couldn’t help but reveal a trace of joy.

"Growing in dark, damp places, fiery red in color, with a scent both bloody and fragrant—this must be the Crimson Blood Fruit!"

Chen Feng’s excitement surged inwardly.

Compared to the rare herbs he had obtained earlier, such as the Snake Saliva Fruit, the Crimson Blood Fruit was undoubtedly more valuable. Most importantly, it was one of the primary ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill—a rare herb capable of strengthening vitality and aiding cultivation.

"A Crimson Blood Fruit is worth twenty to thirty taels of silver. Could three of them match the value of a single Foundation Establishment Pill?"

Admittedly, refining the Crimson Blood Fruit into a Foundation Establishment Pill would be more efficient.

But Chen Feng was acutely aware of his current circumstances.

Without hesitation, he plucked the three Crimson Blood Fruits and swallowed them whole.

With the aid of the Divine Talisman Of Creation, the three fruits were instantly refined into a stream of pure energy.

Qi and Blood Surging, a layer of crimson light spread out, covering Chen Feng's body and quickly growing denser.

A faint sound like a babbling brook echoed in his ears as the increasingly vigorous qi and blood washed over his internal organs, gradually strengthening them.

Previously, with the help of three Foundation Establishment Pills, Chen Feng's cultivation had reached the limit of the Sixth Level of the Body Forging Realm, beginning the tempering of his organs. However, due to insufficient stamina, he had failed to complete the process. Now, as he continued the refinement, his organs trembled slightly—his heart pounded like a drum, and his intestines writhed, emitting dull thuds.

A new force emerged from within his organs, formless yet enduring and profound, brimming with latent power. Like a murmuring stream, it gradually grew mighty.

The crimson light slowly faded.

Chen Feng exhaled, and a gust of wind rushed forth, scattering fallen leaves several meters away.

"Organ Force truly excels in endurance and might," Chen Feng mused to himself.

"Skin and Muscle Force, Tendon and Bone Force, and Organ Force—all are essentially forces refined from qi and blood. In theory, they should be interchangeable..."

An idea struck him, and without hesitation, he attempted it. At first, he encountered resistance.

Theory was one thing, but the pathways through which these forces were refined differed, creating distinctions.

Chen Feng tried repeatedly. The ripples of the Divine Talisman Of Creation spread, inspiration flashed, and he understood.

The enduring might of Organ Force slowly transformed into Tendon and Bone Force, gradually replenishing what had been depleted.

Not only that, but Chen Feng also felt that his Tendon and Bone Force now carried some of the enduring depth unique to Organ Force.

"I wonder if my current strength is enough to challenge someone at the Ninth Level of the Body Forging Realm?"

Chen Feng pondered silently, but a glance at the broken sword in his hand extinguished the thought.

"Breaking through to the Seventh Level of the Body Forging Realm already qualifies me for the Huntian Sect's trials, but there's still time..."

At the same age, the higher one's cultivation and the more solid their foundation, the better their chances in the Huntian Sect's trials. Besides, he still needed to earn money to buy a Hundred Refinements Sword.

Lost in thought, Chen Feng carefully scanned his surroundings, using the experience imparted by Shi Feng and the others to determine direction.

Which path led deeper into the Ten Thousand Woods, and which led out—both left traces, but to a novice, they all looked the same, indistinguishable. Only seasoned veterans could tell the difference.

Though a novice himself, Chen Feng, aided by the Divine Talisman Of Creation, had memorized all the knowledge the Wind and Fire Team had shared and now applied it.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

As Chen Feng continued searching for rare herbs in the Ten Thousand Woods, a series of deep, drum-like sounds echoed.

Chen Feng's eyes sharpened as he focused in the direction of the noise, his gaze gleaming.

About a hundred meters away, a large tree swayed violently before crashing down, the grating sound making Chen Feng's teeth ache involuntarily.

Especially when he caught sight of an enormous figure, his scalp tingled with dread.

It was a demonic beast over four meters tall, each step producing a deafening impact that shook the ground.

"Giant Strength Bear!"

Chen Feng couldn't help but suck in a cold breath.

Even a hundred meters apart, the terrifying aura it exuded made Chen Feng's blood boil, stirring an urge to fight.

If he could hunt it down and bring it back, he would surely make a fortune—at least several hundred taels of silver.

But after a glance at the broken sword in his hand, which likely couldn’t even pierce the hide of a Giant Strength Bear, he turned and left in the opposite direction.

……

The sky grew darker, and the temperature dropped steadily.

"It’s time to go."

Realizing nightfall was approaching, Chen Feng immediately sprinted toward the outskirts of Ten Thousand Woods without hesitation.

The nights in Ten Thousand Woods belonged to demonic beasts, and the danger increased severalfold—even tenfold—compared to the day. Even those in the Aperture Opening Realm could fall prey to the beasts.

"The rare herbs I found should sell for over a hundred taels, enough to buy a Hundred Refinements Sword."

Chen Feng pondered as he made his way out.

"I wonder if Ye Huai ended up buried under the claws of the Shadow Leopard?"

As he neared the edge of Ten Thousand Woods, the thought crossed his mind again.

But he doubted it.

After all, Ye Huai was ranked third among the Top Ten Disciples of Huntian Dao Academy, his strength formidable. It was unlikely he’d be killed by a Shadow Leopard.

As for encountering Ye Huai in the camp, Chen Feng had considered it. But with his current cultivation and the Nine Shadows Illusory Body technique, Ye Huai would find it difficult to kill him. The worst-case scenario would be forcing him back into Ten Thousand Woods.

When Chen Feng returned to the camp, bonfires blazed, illuminating the surroundings.

"Damn, this is the first time I’ve ever seen a Shadow Leopard."

"A ghostly killer. Who’d have thought someone in the Body Forging Realm could hunt it down?"

"Truly worthy of being a genius of the Ye Family."

"Indeed. I heard he’s ranked third among the Top Ten Disciples of Huntian Dao Academy."

"Ye Huai actually killed the Shadow Leopard..."

"It seems... Ye Huai’s strength exceeds my expectations..."

Chen Feng’s steps faltered, his expression turning grave.

After some quick inquiries, he learned that although Ye Huai had slain the Shadow Leopard, he had also been injured. After selling the beast for five hundred taels in the camp, he had returned to Huntian City.

"Ye Huai, if you come after me again, it’ll be your funeral."

Chen Feng muttered to himself before stepping into a merchant house to sell his rare herbs.

He received a total of one hundred twenty taels, but purchasing the Hundred Refinements Sword cost him a hundred taels, leaving him with only twenty.

Chen Feng didn’t mind.

In just half a day since entering Ten Thousand Woods, his cultivation had broken through to the Seventh Level of the Body Forging Realm, and he had acquired a stronger sword. His strength had surged dramatically—what more could he ask for?

In a corner of the camp, Chen Feng lit a bonfire and roasted a beast’s leg.

After a hearty meal, he drew his newly bought Hundred Refinements Sword and examined it closely.

The blade was polished to a mirror-like sheen, reflecting the flickering firelight. Its edge was razor-sharp, and when he flicked it with a finger, the sound was crisp and pure—far superior to the Ten Refinements Sword that cost only a few taels.

"A fine sword!"

Chen Feng couldn’t help but smile.

With this sword, he could even attempt to hunt First Rank Ninth Level demonic beasts.

If a Shadow Leopard was worth five hundred taels, other First Rank Ninth Level beasts might fetch two or three hundred at least.

Sheathing the sword, Chen Feng resumed contemplating the Wind Shadow Sword Technique.

During his earlier epiphany in Ten Thousand Woods, he had sensed that the Wind Shadow Sword Technique wasn’t limited to just the Wind Shadow Nine Swords. Perhaps he could break through its constraints and push it to a higher level.

Once he shattered those limits, the sword technique’s power would increase dramatically, further enhancing his strength.

"...That’s him..."

Intermittent voices drifted over, and piercing gazes like tangible blades fell upon him. Chen Feng was interrupted from his meditation. His eyes snapped open, sharp glints flashing as he fixed his gaze ahead. Without the slightest hesitation, he sprang into action, darting forward like a gust of wind, covering seven to eight meters in an instant. With a single sword strike, he pierced through the air.