Ye Feng stayed indoors practicing in the secret chamber of his study for two full days. Although he could not cultivate the Emperor’s Dao Cultivation Technique of the first realm in the Divine Path Heavenly Edict during those two days, he was able to practice the cultivation technique given to him by his cheap senior fellow disciple—the little old man from the Northwest Little Mountain Village.
By now, Ye Feng had vaguely guessed that this cultivation technique actually originated from the Eternal Emperor who lived more than two thousand years ago. He also understood why Tang Bai had a complete change of attitude, doing a one-eighty, when he realized the provenance of the cultivation technique Ye Feng was practicing.
Without a doubt, Tang Bai was worried that once Ye Feng cultivated the technique to Great Perfection, he would follow the same old path as the one tread more than two thousand years ago—a prospect the two old men of the Utility Pavilion were decidedly against.
Moreover, Ye Feng understood why, in the beginning, it was said that the origins of this cultivation technique must never be known by the people of the Nine Great Sects of Ancient Martial Arts.
After all, more than two thousand years ago, the master of this cultivation technique had a deep-seated enmity with the people from the Sects of Ancient Martial Arts—a hatred that has continued to this very day!
Of course, Ye Feng, although reflective on these matters, didn’t bother to dwell on them too much. After all, those events were from over two thousand years ago. Right and wrong depended on the people involved; the fault wasn’t with the cultivation technique itself.
It wasn’t as if by cultivating someone’s technique, one must inevitably follow in that person’s footsteps—such a notion was a feudal superstition.
Having stayed indoors for two full days to cultivate, Ye Feng’s progress was undoubtedly immense. In that time, he had opened up more than a hundred acupoints, bringing the total number he had opened to an astonishing four hundred. This number was undoubtedly shocking and caused his Qi Force proficiency to double again.
Of course, his combat power also nearly doubled from before, which was quite terrifying. Now, as he continued to open up acupoints within his body, Ye Feng felt an illusion: could it be that the acupoints in his body were endless? Could he really keep cultivating like this? Or could there be a limit to the number of acupoints?
Ye Feng guessed that there must be a limit, as it seemed unrealistic to cultivate indefinitely. However, he didn’t know where this limit lay, so for now, he could only keep cultivating and find a solution when he could no longer progress.
The only thing that Ye Feng felt a bit regretful about over these two days was that he had made no progress in cultivating the Emperor’s Dao, which would not only have increased the number of acupoints he could open but undoubtedly would also have greatly improved the quality of his Qi Force.
During the two days that Ye Feng stayed indoors, Xuanyuan Nation was brewing with tumultuous forces and waves of change as the Nine Great Sects of Ancient Martial Arts continuously gathered in the capital to participate in tomorrow’s World Martial Arts Tournament.
Besides that, there were some invisible forces hidden among the common people of various countries that naturally took this opportunity to infiltrate. Of course, even if these people managed to blend into the capital’s Inner City, it would be very difficult for them to enter the venue of the World Martial Arts Tournament tomorrow, let alone take the chance to cause trouble during the tournament.
After all, this was the capital, the most important place under the feet of the Son of Heaven of Xuanyuan Nation. It would not be easy for other countries to come here and cause trouble!
Apart from these, there remained the Southern Territory—as Ye Feng had predicted, even if Zhang Wenyuan, new to his position, had sharpness, he still lacked a bit in terms of strategy and courage, especially compared to the boldness of Northern King Ye Feng.
After learning of the movements of the Three Southern Kingdoms, Zhang Wenyuan didn’t act as Ye Feng had expected. Instead of seizing the opportunity to strike before the three kingdoms could fully assemble, he chose to defend.
However, Zhang Wenyuan’s defensive deployment was quite good, as he quickly integrated and mobilized all forces of the Southern Territory, almost completely securing the border fortresses of the entire Southern Territory, preventing the three southern countries from finding a good breakthrough.
But then a problem arose. According to his master’s instructions, Zhang Wenyuan needed to return to the capital to attend the World Martial Arts Tournament, leaving the Southern Territory temporarily without a leader for the time being. Therefore, everyone was very concerned about the situation in the Southern Territory that would unfold next.
After secluded cultivation for two days, Ye Feng found that his body was full of a foul smell, which seemed to be impurities expelled from his body as a result of the improvement in his physique from opening acupoints. He shook his head, walked into the secret chamber to take a shower, and then left the study.
No sooner had he stepped out than a guard reported that Southern King Zhang Wenyuan had come to visit.
"Let him in!" Ye Feng waved a great hand and immediately headed to the reception hall. When he arrived at the hall, Zhang Wenyuan approached quickly in his long robe.
Compared to three days ago, Zhang Wenyuan had changed quite a bit both in terms of attire and demeanor, becoming more composed and profound. Probably all due to the transformation brought about by taking on the position of the Southern King.
"Looking at your travel-worn appearance, you must have just returned to the capital, right?" Ye Feng asked with a smile, while gesturing to the butler to serve tea.
After taking a sip of tea, Zhang Wenyuan replied, "Indeed, I’ve just arrived, and haven’t even visited my master yet. I came directly to you."
Hearing this, Ye Feng couldn’t help but laugh and said, "Does that mean I’m more important than your master?"
Zhang Wenyuan didn’t respond to this jest, as he didn’t feel it required an answer. Instead, he directly asked, "Ye Feng, if you were in my position as Southern King, what would you have done?"
Ye Feng didn’t answer his question either but countered with, "Do you perhaps want to ask how well I think you’ve handled the affairs of the Southern Territory in these past few days?"
Zhang Wenyuan did not deny it and smiled, "Indeed, how do you think I’ve done?"
Having said that, Zhang Wenyuan straightened up a bit, appearing quite pleased with himself, and seemingly quite satisfied with the series of measures and deployments he had undertaken after taking office as the Southern King.
Ye Feng, seeing his expression, didn’t have the heart to crush his spirits, so he asked, "Do you want me to tell the truth or a lie?"
Zhang Wenyuan chuckled, "You know me, I didn’t grow up in a greenhouse filled with sweet talk."
Ye Feng nodded after hearing this, then let out a slight sigh and said sternly, "In my view, it was mediocre, neither good nor bad. In other words, sufficient in maintaining what has been achieved, but lacking in initiative!"
Zhang Wenyuan’s gaze suddenly sharpened, and he froze there, as if in contemplation. His current stature and his ascent to the position of the Southern King with the support of half of the members of the Utility Pavilion were proof enough that he was not foolish.
Quickly recovering, Zhang Wenyuan shook his head and sighed, "Indeed, now that you mention it, I realize my mistake. I’ve squandered a great opportunity!"
Ye Feng did not engage further; he had said his piece, and naturally, there was no need to say more.
However, Zhang Wenyuan continued to lament, "Indeed, I had not thought about it before. If I had led the warriors of the Southern Territory like a steel blade into the three Southern Kingdoms before they had fully consolidated their cooperation, when their strength was still fragmented, I surely could have broken them one by one, dissolving their alliance.
Even if I couldn’t eradicate them completely, I would have definitely destroyed their unity, and the current situation would not be what it is!"
At this point, Zhang Wenyuan looked up at Ye Feng and sighed, "Now everyone says that among the Four Realms, only the Northern King truly resembles a sovereign. To be honest, I was very unconvinced when I first heard this, but now I have to admit that in the position of the King of One Realm, you have done better than I have. I am not your equal!"
Ye Feng put down his teacup and chuckled, asking, "Do you mean to say that I’ve only performed better than you in the position of the King of One Realm? What about other aspects?"
Zhang Wenyuan was slightly startled by the question, then smiled and said, "As for other aspects, well, that may not necessarily be the case. Besides asking you the previous question today, I actually wanted to tell you something else."
"Go ahead," Ye Feng nodded. He certainly knew the man had other matters to discuss.
Zhang Wenyuan stood up solemnly and enunciated each word, "Today marks the start of the World Martial Arts Tournament, and if we end up facing each other on the stage, I will not show any mercy. This time, I will let you, in the face of all martial artists across the world, know that I, Zhang Wenyuan, am at no disadvantage to you!"
Ye Feng couldn’t help but smile and nodded, "Thank you for being so honest, and of course, I hope your wish comes true."
Zhang Wenyuan then said, "I’ve heard that you killed three elders of the Flora Sect a couple of days ago?"
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Ye Feng countered, "You don’t mean you’ve only found out about it today, do you?"
Zhang Wenyuan did not answer; he was just as proud and self-confident, and like others with that temperament, he was used to asking questions and rarely responded to others’ inquiries.
Zhang Wenyuan asked again, "Don’t you realize that the Flora Sect has always been friendly with our Utility Pavilion, and that in this World Martial Arts Tournament, the Flora Sect might even become our assistant. But now, because of your actions, not only the Flora Sect but also another sect friendly to our Utility Pavilion is likely unwilling to cooperate."
Ye Feng looked at him and asked with a smile, "So what?"
Zhang Wenyuan was somewhat astonished and countered, "If these two great sects are unwilling to cooperate, it means that they might be swayed by the other Sects of Ancient Martial Arts. This will significantly increase the pressure we face at the Utility Pavilion.
What’s more, for this Martial Academy, our Utility Pavilion has two seats, while the Sects of Ancient Martial Arts have three seats, one of which comes from those two sects."
"Now that these two great sects are not aligning with us but have shifted towards the Sects of Ancient Martial Arts, it means that even if we win the World Martial Arts Tournament and secure the position of Martial Principal, we will only have three votes, still unable to exert absolute control. So by now, you should realize what you’ve done..."
However, Ye Feng wouldn’t let him continue and abruptly interrupted with a gesture, "Let me make one thing clear to you. This time at the World Martial Arts Tournament, I am determined to be the victor, and the position of Martial Principal is mine to claim!"
"Moreover, I’ll have you know that as long as I become the Martial Principal, regardless of the number of votes from the Council of Elders, nothing will stop the Martial Dao policies I want to implement, nothing will stop any of my actions!" Experience tales at freewebnovel
Zhang Wenyuan, upon hearing these words and especially when he saw the overpowering aura that Ye Feng emitted, froze in place.