Chapter 8: Unfathomable Depths

Chapter 8: Unfathomable Depths

Chen Feng stared at the ancient courtyard ahead, feeling as though his breath had been stolen and his chest weighed down, as if facing a colossal beast.

After a long moment, the courtyard gate opened, and the Combat Hall Elder emerged, beckoning to Chen Feng. The oppressive sensation of confronting a monstrous presence vanished instantly.

Taking a deep breath, Chen Feng strode forward, his heart a mix of tension and anticipation.

The courtyard was modest in size, its walls a muted bluish-gray. A simple stone table and four stone stools stood within, exuding an air of rustic antiquity.

Seated on one of the stools was a burly elder with a ruddy complexion. His tiger-like eyes gleamed with an intense brilliance, making Chen Feng feel as though he were staring directly into the sun—so dazzling that it threatened to scorch his vision, forcing him to avert his gaze.

Under the scrutiny of those blazing eyes, Chen Feng couldn’t help but feel insignificant.

"Chen Feng, this is the Academy Head of the Huntian Dao Academy in the Great Xia Kingdom," the Combat Hall Elder announced.

"Disciple Chen Feng of the Sword Martial Branch pays his respects to the Academy Head," Chen Feng promptly bowed.

"I heard you mastered the Nine Shadows Illusory Body to the level of Two Shadows in just fifteen minutes. Show me," a deep, resonant voice boomed, carrying an overwhelming pressure that seemed to crash over Chen Feng like a tidal wave.

"Yes."

Chen Feng responded solemnly, having already reasoned that displaying his abilities was the key to breaking through his predicament. Holding back would only backfire.

After a brief adjustment, Chen Feng’s tendons and bones trembled as he channeled his Tendon and Bone Force, activating the Nine Shadows Illusory Body. His figure blurred, transforming into a phantom-like silhouette. Moments later, a second phantom emerged beside his original form, identical in appearance.

After executing the technique repeatedly, a third phantom gradually materialized, initially faint and indistinct.

"Hiss—" The Combat Hall Elder sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes bulging.

The Academy Head’s expression tightened slightly, his gaze deepening immeasurably.

Given his cultivation and martial insight, he could clearly discern that Chen Feng had only just broken through to the Three Shadows level.

Yet, the second phantom solidified at an astonishing speed, becoming as tangible as the original, indistinguishable from reality.

Though it couldn’t deceive him, within the Body Forging Realm, few would be able to tell the difference.

Chen Feng continued without pause. Since he intended to showcase his abilities, there was no need to hold back.

The divine essence of the Divine Talisman Of Creation suffused his consciousness, sharpening his focus. He seemed to enter an ineffable state of enlightenment, where the mysteries of the Nine Shadows Illusory Body unfolded before him effortlessly.

There were no obstacles, no bottlenecks—only seamless breakthroughs and refinement.

Once the second phantom reached its peak, a third manifested.

The Combat Hall Elder gasped, biting his tongue in shock.

The Academy Head’s tiger-like eyes blazed with intensity, yet he remained silent, his piercing gaze fixed on Chen Feng as if trying to see through his very soul.

Time flowed steadily.

Chen Feng relentlessly executed the Nine Shadows Illusory Body, phantoms darting across the courtyard.

Fourth!

Fifth!

"Six Shadows!"

The Combat Hall Elder was utterly dumbfounded.

Even the Academy Head was stunned beyond words.

Chen Feng’s movements halted, the phantoms slowly dissipating into the air.

"Why did you stop?" the Academy Head inquired.

"Reporting to the Academy Head, this disciple’s cultivation is limited. Six Shadows is my current limit," Chen Feng replied calmly and steadily.

"Peak of the Fifth Level of the Body Forging Realm, capable of enduring the Six Shadows Illusory Body and executing the Six Shadows Sword Technique. Your foundation is indeed solid." The Academy Head had long since seen through Chen Feng's cultivation and gave an imperceptible nod. "Moreover, your comprehension of martial arts is astonishing, unprecedented in the history of our Great Xia Huntian Dao Academy. One could say you are peerless."

Hearing such praise from the Academy Head, the Combat Hall Elder was utterly stunned.

"However... our Huntian Sect oversees hundreds of Dao Academies, and within the Huntian Sect itself, countless geniuses abound. While there’s no need for undue humility, neither should you grow complacent," the Academy Head continued. "I know why you’ve come. Rest assured, until you complete the Huntian Sect’s assessment, the Ye family will not bully the weak, nor will they involve your Chen family."

"Thank you, Academy Head. As long as my Chen family remains unharmed, that is enough," Chen Feng promptly bowed in gratitude.

"Go now," the Academy Head said finally.

"Disciple takes his leave," Chen Feng replied, and the Combat Hall Elder also bowed before departing with him.

"A truly promising seedling. With such a foundation and comprehension, he could rank among the top even across hundreds of Huntian Dao Academies. But..." the Academy Head murmured to himself.

Having been dispatched from the Huntian Sect, he had witnessed and heard of many geniuses, prodigies, and even monsters within the sect. While Chen Feng’s exceptional comprehension certainly qualified him as a genius or even a prodigy, the vast Huntian Sect was not without others of similarly high aptitude.

Some possessed remarkable comprehension but had limits—they could quickly grasp the mysteries of low-tier martial arts but were helpless before truly advanced techniques. Only those whose comprehension transcended all tiers of martial arts could be called true monsters.

"Whether it’s the Wind Shadow Sword Technique or the Nine Shadows Illusory Body, they are merely low-tier martial arts. I’ll give you an opportunity. Whether you can seize it depends on your own capabilities..."

Chen Feng and the Combat Hall Elder stepped out of the courtyard one after another.

"Thank you, Elder," Chen Feng immediately bowed to the Combat Hall Elder.

"A trivial effort. Had you lacked the ability, even my strongest recommendation would have been meaningless," the Combat Hall Elder smiled faintly. "Do you understand the Academy Head’s words?"

"Disciple understands," Chen Feng replied.

"Good. Then, in the remaining twenty-some days, strive with all your might to break through to the Seventh Level of the Body Forging Realm," the Combat Hall Elder said solemnly. "And remember to solidify your foundation. Only then will you have a chance to pass the Huntian Sect’s assessment and become a disciple of the Huntian Sect."

"Elder, may I ask—how many from our Great Xia Huntian Dao Academy pass the assessment and become Huntian Sect disciples each year?" Chen Feng inquired after a brief silence.

"It’s hard to say," the Combat Hall Elder mused before responding.

"The number of disciples participating in the Huntian Sect’s assessment varies each year, ranging from a little over a hundred to more than three hundred. Thus, the number who pass also fluctuates. However, I recall the best historical ratio was one in ten, while the worst was one in twenty."

Chen Feng inhaled sharply.

A ratio of ten-to-one, or even twenty-to-one—it was shockingly low.

"And... the vast majority of those who pass can only become Outer Sect Disciples of the Huntian Sect," the Combat Hall Elder added after a moment’s thought.

Chen Feng paused, eager to learn more.

"You will understand once you pass the Huntian Sect's assessment. There's no point in saying more now." The Combat Hall Elder reminded him, "Go and focus on your cultivation. Also, the Nine Shadows Illusory Body technique I taught you must never be shared with others."

"This disciple will remember. I take my leave." Chen Feng bowed to the Combat Hall Elder once more before turning and striding away. The immense pressure did not crush him—instead, it ignited a fierce fighting spirit. "With just over twenty days left, I must break through to the Seventh Level of the Body Forging Realm, pass the assessment, and become a disciple of the Huntian Sect. Ye family, your threats will be nothing but dust. Yang Xuening, Ye Yunqi, you wretched pair—just you wait..."

The Combat Hall Elder watched Chen Feng's retreating figure, his pupils involuntarily narrowing. He could sense the growing determination in each step, the unyielding straightness of his back. An intangible aura seemed to gather around him, sharp and indomitable—like a sword capable of piercing the heavens.