"Wind Sovereign, you seem eager for me to face Worry-free Sovereign in battle," Lin Fei inquired directly.
"You're right," Wind Sovereign acknowledged. "I've indeed wished for you to challenge him. It's simple, really. In the past, I dueled with Worry-free Sovereign, and I lost, rather badly at that. Over the years, even as I mastered my Divine Ability, I never dared to challenge him again. Now that you have bested me, it proves your strength surpasses mine. If you defeat Worry-free Sovereign, it would be a vindication for me."
Wind Sovereign didn't attempt to hide the underlying animosity he harbored towards Worry-free Sovereign. By the intensity of his sentiments, it suggested that there was more to their story than just a defeat.
However, what did that matter to Lin Fei? If defeating Worry-free Sovereign meant gaining the top Martial Sovereign-level saber techniques from Illusion Worry City, then that was all Lin Fei required.
"Then I appreciate your company on this trip to Illusion Worry City," Lin Fei decided after some thought. The journey to the city was imperative.
"When shall we set out?" Wind Sovereign asked.
"Tomorrow," Lin Fei responded, bidding his farewell and leaving the Law Enforcement Hall.
Back at his dwelling, Lin Fei examined his Black Wind Prison technique. Even after his duel with Wind Sovereign, there was no improvement in the cultivation progress of the technique. This indicated that Lin Fei hadn't found a way to advance it yet.
If mere effort was sufficient, Wind Sovereign would have long surpassed the 'mastery' stage of his Divine Ability. There had to be a unique method. Like the earlier "Tendon Transformation and Bone Forging Technique" which improved upon hearing Buddhist or Daoist scriptures, the "Black Wind Prison" must also satisfy certain conditions to progress.
However, there was no clear indicator or hint about what the Black Wind Prison technique needed. Lin Fei, with his wealth of experience in martial arts cultivation, delved deep into his memories, recalling every nuance of his practice with the Black Wind Prison. Every detail was etched in his mind, holding the potential key to the next breakthrough.
"Black Wind Prison is a Divine Ability formed by imitating numerous 'peculiar winds'," Lin Fei murmured to himself. "The Bone-Eroding Wind within it faintly resembles the Yin Evil Wind. If I can find the Yin Evil Wind and cultivate within it, the Black Wind Prison technique might just progress."
For the practice of Divine Ability, one has to understand the essence of the ability itself. Divine Abilities are, in essence, martial arts, albeit different from the common ones and sometimes transcending certain martial categories. Many Divine Abilities came into existence when predecessors had sudden epiphanies, deriving insights from nature, and then integrating those insights with their unique martial art styles.
Lin Fei surmised that Black Wind Prison was probably realized by some martial arts experts through their experience with the Yin Evil Wind or similar phenomena. However, this was only his speculation. Only by finding a place with the Yin Evil Wind or something akin to it could he truly validate his theory.
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At present, his primary concern was to acquire the pinnacle saber technique and deal with Worry-free Sovereign. Lin Fei was well aware that the Worry-free Sovereign possessed three Lesser Divine Abilities. Even though they were termed 'lesser', their powers were likely earth-shattering, beyond the capabilities of ordinary Martial Sovereigns. Otherwise, the three major powers wouldn't fear him.
Relying solely on Black Wind Prison might not guarantee a victory against Worry-free Sovereign. Even though Black Wind Prison was an upper-echelon Great Divine Ability, Lin Fei had only reached its beginner realm and couldn't yet unleash its full potential. Hence, he needed the power of saber momentum.
Lin Fei's saber momentum and technique, even during the Three Flower Gathering, were comparable to a Golden Core True Person. Now, as a Martial Sovereign, it was undoubtedly even more potent. If combined with Divine Ability, even Lin Fei couldn't predict the extent of the power he could unleash.
The next day, Lin Fei left his dwelling to meet Wind Sovereign. Together, they transformed into a streak of light, speeding directly toward Illusion Worry City.
...
Illusion Worry City was as bustling as ever, full of life and activity.
Within a mansion in the city, Worry-free Sovereign entered a courtyard.
"Master," Jiang Tianyun opened his eyes and greeted the Worry-free Sovereign with a salute.
The last time, Jiang Tianyun was defeated by Lin Fei. Instead of being discouraged, Jiang Tianyun took his failure as motivation, advancing his cultivation at an unprecedented speed. Given this pace, perhaps in ten years, he might perfect his martial momentum and form the Spirit Flower, potentially achieving the status of a Martial Sovereign. Worry-free Sovereign highly regarded Jiang Tianyun and often checked in on him.
"Tianyun, you've heard the news, haven't you?" Worry-free Sovereign asked.
"Yes, Master. Lin Fei has achieved the Three Flowers Gathering and defeated Taiyi Dao Palace's True Person Lu Feng head-on," Jiang Tianyun responded calmly, showing he had been aware of this for a while.
The Three Flowers Gathering! This news alone was shocking. But the fact that Lin Fei could even defeat a Golden Core True Person from the Taiyi Dao Palace was not only a sensation in Illusion Worry City but also throughout the entire Ancient Continent.
"What are your thoughts?" Worry-free Sovereign inquired.
"Three Flowers Gathering can likely break the shackles of the Life Wheel. Although there's a chance of failure, considering Lin Fei's accomplishments, he's likely to succeed. He might have already become a Martial Sovereign. I can't really compare myself to such a prodigy. I just hope to continue, step by step, to the peak of martial arts. Whether I succeed or fail, I have no regrets."
Hearing Jiang Tianyun's words, Worry-free Sovereign nodded with a hint of a smile on his face. "Good. Such realization and determination... If you remain steadfast, you might surpass Lin Fei in the future. I started as a Qi cultivator and was once rejected by martial sects. And what about Wind Sovereign from the Ancient Origin Sect? He was quite renowned. In the end, while Old Wind did become a Martial Sovereign, so did I. I even defeated him and have suppressed him ever since. As long as I exist, I can suppress him. Even if Lin Fei reaches a higher realm before you, you can still catch up and even surpass him."
Worry-free Sovereign's words were filled with unyielding confidence. His own story was legendary, and his words ignited a fire within Jiang Tianyun. A temporary setback meant nothing; he still had opportunities to catch up.
"Hmm? Speaking of old wind, he's actually arrived," Worry-free Sovereign noted. "Has he come to Illusion Worry City to seek revenge? This time, he'll only lose even more miserably."
With a cold laugh, Worry-free Sovereign took a step, transforming into a streak of light, heading towards the outskirts of Illusion Worry City.