Chapter 42

As the features became clearer, Hengyi unexpectedly discovered that the person practicing here was Xu Wenfeng!

Xu Wenfeng also saw them, first smiling at Hu Baijie, then wading over to Hengyi and said, "We've met before, at the Two Poles Hall. My name is Xu Wenfeng."

Upon hearing this name, Hu Baijie's eyes widened in surprise...

The first genius of the human race, whose fame had resounded across several star systems years ago, even a small sect like the Lake Sea Sect knew of his legend!

When Hu Baijie was in the Heavenly King Sect, she had heard countless discussions about this name!

A god among geniuses who had entered the Celestial Sovereign realm at the age of fourteen!

Among the ranks of humans, laws, seas, mountains, earth, sky, stars, and the multitude of stars, the power increase from Earth Sovereign onwards was significant. The strength of the first level of Earth Sovereign was four times that of the third level of Mountain Sovereign, and the strength of the first level of Celestial Sovereign was eight times that of the third level of Earth Sovereign. If a Celestial Sovereign had an exceptionally powerful soul-bound spirit beast, the increase would be even more astonishing. Xu Wenfeng had reached a height that many people could not achieve in their entire lives at the age of fourteen!

He had created a record that had never been seen since the current cultivation hierarchy of human civilization was established. He was the god among geniuses admired and revered by countless disciples of the divine sects, and also the strongest man in the hearts of countless women in the divine sects!

When Hu Baijie suddenly realized that the man in front of her was the legendary Xu Wenfeng, she couldn't help but examine him closely. She found that his features were very similar to Hengyi's, but his face was more rugged and imposing, and his figure was taller and more robust. Indeed, he was as handsome and dignified as the rumors suggested, exuding a commanding aura. The depth in his eyes, showing a maturity and wisdom far beyond his years, was something she had never seen in other people of his age.

"Xu Wenfeng, the first genius of human civilization?" Hu Baijie couldn't help but seek confirmation.

"I never deny this honor," Xu Wenfeng said with a smile, without a hint of arrogance. His confident acceptance was even more impressive than pride. "Because I believe I deserve it."

Hengyi clasped his hands and said, "We did meet at the Two Poles Hall. My name is Hengyi."

Xu Wenfeng's eyes lit up, and he laughed, "It's really you! I heard that Hengyi was punished to the Water Hell for fighting dozens of people. I thought no one would be punished here, so it must be you."

Xu Wenfeng didn't hide his admiration and said, "An impressive feat! I heard you are at the third level of Earth Sovereign, yet you managed to defeat a group of North Elephant Mountain experts at the same level. This is almost unbelievable."

"It's not that exaggerated. Many of them lost their fighting spirit," Hengyi said. He knew that if the remaining people had continued to fight, he was confident he could win, but he wasn't sure he could protect Hu Baijie. If Hu Baijie fell into their control, the outcome would be uncertain, so he didn't want to misrepresent the facts.

"A victory in morale is still a victory, no different! Being able to intimidate your opponents shows how beautifully you won. If the battle was evenly matched, they wouldn't have given up so easily!" Xu Wenfeng had a different perspective. He glanced at the intimate posture of the two and smiled, "Am I disturbing you?"

"No problem!" Hu Baijie quickly answered. She was eager to learn more about this god among geniuses and was happy to see Hengyi and Xu Wenfeng become acquainted. Despite the cold pain in her body, the surprise and joy made her forget the cold.

"I won't be polite then," Xu Wenfeng said, standing a丈 (about 3.3 meters) away from them, bending his legs to let the mystic ice water cover his chin. "To be honest, I really want to be friends with you."

Hu Baijie's heart raced. The first genius of the human race actively extending a hand of friendship to Hengyi was undoubtedly a great honor, clearly showing that Hengyi's outstanding qualities had caught Xu Wenfeng's attention! How many people could have such an honor?

Many young people in the divine sects wanted to get to know him but lacked the means, or even felt unworthy to aspire to it. Now, Xu Wenfeng was actively seeking friendship, and it might even be for Hengyi that he came to the Water Hell today.

"I've also wanted to be friends with you," Hengyi smiled, recalling the first time they met. "I felt a warm feeling when I saw you from afar in the Two Poles Hall, as if..."

Hengyi pondered how to describe that feeling.

"Like we were already familiar and even family, right?" Xu Wenfeng saw Hengyi's struggle and asked.

"Family?" This word was too unfamiliar to Hengyi, as he had no family, only a master and fellow disciples. He thought about what Dachuan had said about the Three Elements Sect being a family, and compared the feelings, but was unsure. "I don't know what it feels like to see family. If it's like seeing my master and fellow disciples, I think it's a bit different. But it's not like a friend either. It's a warm feeling, and it feels like we've known each other for a long time!"

"I have the same feeling."

"Is that the feeling of family?" Hengyi was very surprised.

"Yes! Where are you from?"

Hu Baijie noticed that Xu Wenfeng didn't seem to be using this as a means to get closer. His tone clearly showed unusual urgency, and his expression was more like that of a child eager to uncover the truth, rather than the usual composed and wise maturity.

"Qian Mountain Snow Ridge. I grew up in the valley of Qian Mountain Snow Ridge since I can remember."

"Maybe we are brothers." Xu Wenfeng laughed. "My adoptive parents said they found me on the mountain. They are from the Peak Star, and the Black Heaven Mountain where they lived is not far from Qian Mountain Snow Ridge."

Hengyi's eyes grew brighter, his heart racing. He felt this was a real possibility. In the Three Elements Sect, he knew that other disciples had parents and siblings, and he had always wanted to know who his parents were and where they were. But there were no clues, as even his age was determined by Chen Zizai's talisman, and he still had no leads. "I hope it's true!"

"Probably we can't know for sure. The year we were born, both Black Heaven Mountain and Qian Mountain Snow Ridge experienced catastrophic disasters, and many people left their homes to avoid the calamity... My adoptive parents said they found me on the road, where many people had starved to death." Xu Wenfeng's tone was filled with disappointment, and his expression showed sorrow, as it was clear that for an abandoned child, the biological parents were likely no longer alive.

This news also made Hengyi feel disappointed and inexplicably sad. He understood that this meant he would never know who his biological parents were.

"However—" Xu Wenfeng's voice regained its spirit. He smiled and looked at Hengyi. "We can become brothers. Why not swear an oath! I believe this feeling of family must come from our blood! Even if we are not from the same parents, we must have a blood connection!"

"Right! Such a rare bond should be sealed with an oath!" Hu Baijie clapped her hands in approval, forgetting the cold of the mystic water in her excitement. She couldn't believe such a rare opportunity and was afraid Hengyi might not grasp it or hesitate for some reason. "There must be a blood connection! You two should definitely swear an oath to be brothers!"

"Swearing an oath to be brothers..." Hengyi murmured, feeling increasingly happy. "Then we will be family?"

"Yes!" Xu Wenfeng waded over, placing his strong hand on Hengyi's shoulder. "What month and day were you born?"

"July 7th."

"Me too!"

Hu Baijie, listening from the side, began to fully believe that these two might indeed be brothers...

"You are taller and stronger, you must be the older brother!" Hengyi was excited, already fully believing this possibility, and Xu Wenfeng felt the same way. "Great! I'll take the responsibility. From now on, we are brothers!"

Xu Wenfeng happily hugged Hengyi's neck, laughing heartily. "Brother, I've always wanted to find my parents and family! I've thought so many times—since I can't find my parents, do I have any siblings? Will I ever meet them?"

"Me too!" In the Three Elements Sect, Hengyi gradually understood what parents and siblings were and often thought about it. Wang Feizi often accompanied him in these speculations.

At that time, Hengyi wondered if he had a sensible sister or younger sister like Wang Feizi, or a brother or younger brother who looked like him. He imagined that from then on, they could share their thoughts and overcome any challenges together, and he would no longer feel so alone...

Hu Baijie, seeing their joy, was also infected, but she had no siblings. Growing up in the Lake Sea Sect, she had only seen the family ties in the divine sects, which were not particularly warm. She couldn't truly understand the deep feelings of these two who had never had family. What made her even happier was that Hengyi would now have an extraordinary friendship with the first genius of the human race!

Xu Wenfeng, hugging Hengyi's neck, patted his chest muscles and laughed, "You need more exercise, your body isn't strong enough!"

Hengyi touched his head, feeling he had exercised enough. "You are just too tall and strong. I've never seen anyone taller than you..."

Seeing Xu Wenfeng's childlike actions, which were so different from his usual mature and composed demeanor, Hu Baijie realized that Xu Wenfeng was also a 16-year-old child, with a vulnerable side. This side was now opening up because of Hengyi.

Xu Wenfeng pressed Hengyi's shoulders, submerging him in the mystic water until it reached his chin. "Practice with me."

"Here?" Hengyi had been wondering how one could practice in a place of punishment. Even Hu Baijie was full of questions.

"Strengthening the body is about strengthening the meridians. When the meridians can withstand various injuries, the body becomes more resilient! The amount of true qi that can be channeled through advanced techniques increases, and the self-recovery speed is faster. The punishment grounds of the Peak Sect are perfect for this. In the Water Hell, the mystic water cannot be resisted by protective true qi. During practice, you must exert all your effort to make the true qi flow faster in the meridians, making them more resistant to the cold. At first, you will be injured by the cold, but as your adaptability improves, you will recover faster and faster until you are no longer afraid of the cold."

As Xu Wenfeng spoke, he took off his robe, and his body was quickly enveloped in a layer of black light. In a moment, his veins bulged, and despite being in the mystic water, sweat began to seep from his face.

Hu Baijie couldn't believe such a self-torturing, almost suicidal, method of practice!

She knew that the cold of the mystic water had been continuously damaging her meridians, and Xu Wenfeng was accelerating the flow of true qi, making the cold invade a hundred times faster?

Hengyi stared in amazement. Before today, he had never thought of or been taught such a method of practice. Despite finding it incredible, he was also filled with enthusiasm!

The battle at North Elephant Mountain made him realize how vulnerable he was, and he knew it was due to the lack of true qi. Even so, he still wanted to be stronger and more resilient.

At this moment, Xu Wenfeng's appearance was like a beacon, showing him the way. Without hesitation, he gathered the true qi of heaven and earth, recited the incantation he had learned in his dreams, and made the true qi flow rapidly through his meridians!

The increased cold invasion soon turned his body blue, then purple...

Page break for ads

Page break for ads end