Chapter 27

Wu Dao has nine levels, each step filled with hardship.

Once one reaches the fourth level of Wu Dao, they will transcend the lowest rank of martial disciples and become a true martial artist.

This is akin to a carp leaping over the dragon gate, a tremendous leap.

A true martial artist, placed anywhere in Xiangyun Kingdom, in any force, would enjoy extremely high treatment.

On the continent, how many martial disciples have been unable to cross this threshold?

Becoming a martial artist was once a dream that Zhao Feng had to strive for a long time to achieve.

And now, this goal has been realized so quickly.

Breaking through to the fourth level of Wu Dao was also entirely within Zhao Feng's expectations, but it happened even faster than he imagined.

Even before the outer Wu Dao meeting, Zhao Feng had attempted to break through to the fourth level. At that time, he felt he was still a bit short of the necessary conditions, and because he feared an unstable foundation, he did not force it.

However, after participating in the outer Wu Dao meeting, Zhao Feng went through numerous battles, facing some powerful opponents, which greatly promoted his own development.

If this alone were not enough to allow Zhao Feng to break through to the fourth level of Wu Dao so quickly.

"Truly, I must thank Zhao Yijian's father."

A hint of mockery curled at the corners of Zhao Feng's mouth.

During the competition in the daytime, when he defeated Zhao Yijian, it provoked the oppression and murderous intent of Zhao Yijian's father, Zhao Tianjian.

Enduring the terrifying momentum of the sixth level of Wu Dao, Zhao Feng's potential and the power of his left eye were stimulated, making him fully capable of breaking through to the rank of a martial artist.

Even more, under that stimulation, Zhao Feng's peak-level "Raging Dragon Fist" approached the realm of perfection.

This could be considered a powerful boost!

Zhao Tianjian, who failed to gain any advantage, would likely be extremely frustrated.

"Zhao Tianjian must have developed evil intentions and a desire to kill me."

Zhao Feng felt a sense of caution in his heart.

Given this, Zhao Feng decided to temporarily keep the fact that he had broken through to the fourth level of Wu Dao a secret.

He then fully activated the "Hidden Qi Technique," concealing his cultivation at the peak of the third level of Wu Dao, with his Wu Dao inner strength barely visible.

On the surface, Zhao Feng appeared to be just a half-step martial artist.

After advancing to the fourth level of Wu Dao, Zhao Feng's immediate priority was to consolidate his cultivation realm.

In the past few months, his cultivation progress had been truly astonishing.

While consolidating his cultivation, he began to integrate the insights he had gained.

This time, he activated his left eye and fully comprehended the segments of the competition, repeatedly simulating the "Raging Dragon Fist."

After the trials of the outer Wu Dao meeting and the stimulation from Zhao Tianjian's oppression, Zhao Feng's "Raging Dragon Fist" approached the realm of perfection.

"If the 'Raging Dragon Fist' can be cultivated to perfection, even if I encounter a high-level martial art at its peak, I can still have the upper hand."

Zhao Feng thought to himself.

However, the realm and level of martial arts depend on a profound and mysterious understanding, which is a matter of the spiritual level.

In just a few hours during the night, although Zhao Feng had gained some insights, he could not immediately elevate the "Raging Dragon Fist" to perfection.

However, he was confident that it would not take more than a few days to perfect the "Raging Dragon Fist."

Just before dawn, Zhao Feng transformed into a fleeting shadow and returned home.

On the way, he secretly activated his left eye, making the night as clear as day.

His left eye's vision allowed him to see the details of things within a radius of six to seven miles at night.

If it were during the day, this range would be at least doubled.

The improvement of his left eye gave him the greatest changes in visual ability, reaction speed, comprehension, and mental strength.

The last one, "mental strength," was something even Zhao Feng could not fully grasp.

To put it simply, his brain functioned vigorously, and he could think intensively for a whole day and night without feeling tired.

...

The next morning.

Zhao Feng was still sitting in meditation, cultivating, and had not gone to sleep.

Due to the improvement of his left eye, his energy was more vigorous, and his sleep time was reduced. He could continuously cultivate for two days and then rest for a few hours, which was sufficient.

This way, Zhao Feng had more time to cultivate, especially in accumulating Wu Dao inner strength, giving him a significant advantage.

"Is this Zhao Feng's home?"

A clear voice came from outside the house.

"Who is it?"

Mother Zhao went out to open the door.

Outside the door stood a middle-aged man dressed in fine clothing, with several servants behind him. Even the servants had reached the second level of Wu Dao.

At first glance, Zhao Feng found him somewhat familiar.

"Lord Chief Steward!"

Zhao Tianyang was greatly surprised and hurriedly went out to greet him.

With his father's reminder, Zhao Feng immediately recalled that this person was the Chief Steward of the outer layer.

The Chief Steward of the outer layer held real power, overseeing the entire outer layer, and was a high-ranking and influential figure, rarely seen. Even in terms of cultivation, the Chief Steward had reached the sixth level of Wu Dao, which was no less than Zhao Tianjian.

Zhao Tianyang, slightly nervous, welcomed the Chief Steward into the house.

"Zhao Tianyang! To have such a good son is a blessing you have earned over many lifetimes."

The Chief Steward said with a smile.

"Meeting the Chief Steward."

Zhao Feng walked out of the room and gave a slight bow to the Chief Steward.

At the same time, he fully activated the "Hidden Qi Technique" to avoid the Chief Steward discovering that he had broken through to the fourth level of Wu Dao.

"Very good, very good! I have checked your household records. At less than fourteen years old, you have already condensed Wu Dao inner strength and become a half-step martial artist. Even Zhao Linlong in his prime was no more than this."

The Chief Steward praised him.

After a few polite exchanges, Zhao Feng asked, "What is the purpose of the Chief Steward's visit today?"

"Oh! I almost forgot the main reason."

The Chief Steward cleared his throat, his expression becoming serious, and said, "Given your outstanding performance, the family has decided to focus on your cultivation. From today, you can move into the inner layer of the family, and you will receive a monthly allowance of five hundred silver taels. The first floor of the Xuanwu Pavilion will be fully open to you..."

After hearing the Chief Steward's announcement, Zhao Tianyang and Mother Zhao were extremely excited and expressed their gratitude repeatedly.

Even Zhao Feng was somewhat surprised.

He did not expect the family to focus on his cultivation so quickly.

A monthly allowance of five hundred silver taels was dozens of times higher than what he currently received.

In the past, at the first level of Wu Dao, he received ten silver taels per month, and at the second level, twenty silver taels.

Now, not only had his allowance increased significantly, but he also received various other benefits.

Even his current treatment exceeded that of some inner-layer disciples.

This was truly a "special promotion"!

Perhaps Zhao Feng's performance was so outstanding that he could move into the inner layer of the family without even participating in the Wu Dao meeting finals.

"Thank you for the family's cultivation and the Chief Steward's favor."

Zhao Feng immediately expressed his gratitude.

In this vast family, despite some unfairness, as long as he remained in the family, he would be protected. If his abilities improved, he would be promoted and even given focused cultivation.

This was the cohesion produced by the family's competitive mechanism.

"Good, I will now send people to arrange for you to move into the inner layer of the family."

The Chief Steward gave instructions to the servants behind him.

On that day, Zhao Feng's family moved into their new home in the inner layer of the family.

The inner layer of the family was a key area of the Zhao family, and all the disciples and their families here were protected.

By entering this area, not only was Zhao Feng protected, but his parents also benefited.

"This courtyard is really large, completely sufficient for my cultivation. The two- or three-story pavilion includes a study, a bathroom, a kitchen, a stable..."

Zhao Feng entered his new home, slightly excited.

Due to being focused on by the family, Zhao Feng's courtyard and pavilion were also assigned several servants and maids.

After moving into the new home, Zhao Feng began to consolidate his cultivation realm.

For general cultivation, he stayed at home, and for some special and secret cultivation, he went to a secluded place in the family.

After two or three days, Zhao Feng's fourth-level Wu Dao cultivation was basically stable.

"There are still more than ten days before the family Wu Dao meeting finals. I must at least perfect the 'Raging Dragon Fist' to have a chance to compete for the top three."

At this time, his mind was entirely focused on perfecting the "Raging Dragon Fist," and he spent time comprehending it every night while cultivating Wu Dao inner strength.

On this night, Zhao Feng naturally achieved the perfection of the "Raging Dragon Fist."

The "Raging Dragon Fist" at the realm of perfection, each punch was powerful and low-pitched, accompanied by Wu Dao inner strength, like the roar of an angry dragon, shaking the eardrums.

Crack!

Zhao Feng lightly punched a tree in front of him, shattering it into pieces.

This casual punch was comparable to the attack of the "Green-Headed Tiger King" that day.

"The 'Raging Dragon Fist' at the realm of perfection, combined with the 'Lingdu Qi Technique,' truly adds wings to a tiger..."

Zhao Feng could hardly suppress his excitement.

Looking at the inner and outer layers of the Zhao family, Zhao Feng had not heard of anyone who could cultivate a mid-level martial art to perfection.

Because a person with such talent and ability could, with the same amount of time, cultivate a high-level martial art to its peak, or even close to perfection.

The next morning.

Zhao Feng sat cross-legged, still cultivating Wu Dao inner strength.

The ability of his left eye gave him strong mental strength, allowing him more time to cultivate Wu Dao inner strength.

Therefore, the "Lingdu Qi Technique" was steadily improving.

"Zhao Feng! Zhao Feng!"

A voice of surprise came from outside.

Hmm?

Zhao Feng looked out and saw several familiar outer-layer disciples running to his door.

One of them was Zhao Kun.

"What happened?"

Zhao Feng was somewhat surprised.

"A few Xin family disciples have come to challenge the family. My brother, Zhao Guang, and others were all defeated."

Zhao Kun was panting heavily.

Xin family disciples? Challenge?

Zhao Feng was not flustered. What does this have to do with me?

"Among them, some specifically named you, challenging the top disciple of the outer layer of the Zhao family."

Zhao Kun said urgently.

"Where are they?"

Since they specifically named him for the challenge, Zhao Feng could not avoid it.

He had recently made some breakthroughs and was just looking for a chance to stretch his muscles.

After a while.

Zhao Feng followed several outer-layer disciples to the front gate of the Zhao family.

A commotion could be heard from ahead.

"Hehe, the new generation of Zhao family disciples is so weak."

"Brother Fei has made rapid progress. Three quasi-martial artists couldn't even withstand one of his moves."

"I heard that your Zhao family outer layer recently produced a genius named Zhao Feng. Let him come out and fight."

...

A group of about twenty Xin family disciples stood at the front gate of the Zhao family.

Two leaders stood at the front, a youth with a scar on his face on the left and a youth wearing a straw hat on the right.

Both of their cultivation levels had reached the fourth level of Wu Dao.

Especially the youth in the straw hat, whose cultivation had reached the peak of the fourth level of Wu Dao.

"Ah! It's him!"

Zhao Feng recognized the youth with the scar on the left as "Xin Fei," whom he had encountered in the Hengyun Tianlin over a month ago.

Now, after more than a month, Xin Fei had broken through to the fourth level of Wu Dao, indicating that the life-and-death struggle with the Green-Headed Tiger King had greatly stimulated his potential.

Looking at the current situation, the Xin family side was aggressive, with two martial artists as their leaders.

In contrast, the Zhao family side already had five or six disciples injured.

Among them, Zhao Yue and Zhao Qian had visible wounds.

"Zhao Feng, you're here!"

Zhao Yue, enduring the pain, saw Zhao Feng and showed a hint of surprise on his face.

After all, Zhao Feng was the top disciple of the outer layer now.