Chu Feng's plan was very simple…
When he discovered that Jie Yan and the others had already made up their minds to take his Asura Ghost Axe at all costs, Chu Feng decided to turn their own scheme against them.
He feigned willingness to trade with Jie Yan and the others, but in reality had no intention of going through with it. Instead, he planned to exploit their desire for his weapon to swindle one million Mystic Stones from them, using the haul to boost his cultivation.
Once the Mystic Stones were in hand, Chu Feng would not only refuse to sever his own arm — he wouldn't even leave the weapon behind. He would flee without hesitation, and the forbidden medicine and attack talismans he had requested from Vice President Gao were all prepared for precisely this purpose.
That said, even though his preparations were thorough, there was no denying that enormous risks remained. It could succeed and only succeed. If it failed, Chu Feng would face death — and no one could save him.
That morning, Chu Feng rose early, placed the terrifying forbidden medicine in his mouth, and sat quietly in the palace's great hall, calmly awaiting the arrival of Jie Yan and the others.
Meanwhile, Vice President Gao of the Spirit World Association, Xu Zhongyu, Gu Bo, and the rest had also arrived early at the hall where the trade had been arranged, standing behind Chu Feng.
"Boom."
Finally, the tightly shut hall doors burst open, and seven figures swept inside — it was Jie Yan, Qin Lei, and their group.
"Bang!" Upon entering, Jie Yan wasted no words and tossed seven Universe Bags directly in front of Chu Feng. "One million Mystic Stones — not one less. There are five thousand extra on top, a free gift for you. Check them carefully. Once you confirm everything is in order, hand over the Asura Ghost Axe, then sever your own right arm."
As he spoke, Jie Yan didn't move, but Qin Lei and the others behind him spread out and surrounded Chu Feng from every direction. Clearly they feared that Chu Feng might take the money and bolt.
After all, they had witnessed the movement technique Chu Feng had used inside the underground palace of Myriad Monster Mountain that day — its speed was something they could not afford to ignore.
Chu Feng wasted no courtesy. With a sweep of his sleeve, he drew all seven Universe Bags into his palm. Probing them with his Mental Power, he confirmed there were indeed one million fifty thousand Mystic Stones — not a single one missing, every last one genuine.
In that moment, Chu Feng's heart surged with wild joy. One million fifty thousand Mystic Stones — that was an absolutely enormous sum, enough to make his cultivation skyrocket.
After putting away the Mystic Stones, Chu Feng slowly rose to his feet and released the Asura Ghost Axe from his palm, sweeping his gaze across the seven men.
"Gentlemen, you are indeed men of your word. However, who exactly should I hand this Asura Ghost Axe to?"
"Gulp."
Staring at the Asura Ghost Axe in Chu Feng's hand, all seven pairs of eyes blazed with greed. Some couldn't even help swallowing, because this weapon was no ordinary weapon — it was one that could bond with its master, and every one of them wanted it for themselves.
"This weapon — I must bring it back to the clan, where the Clan Leader himself will arrange a formation to study and unlock it," Jie Yan said calmly.
No one objected to Jie Yan's words, showing that they had already agreed beforehand who would handle the Asura Ghost Axe.
"Very well, Elder Jie Yan — catch it well." Chu Feng smiled faintly, then swept his sleeve and hurled the Asura Ghost Axe into the air. But the trajectory was peculiar — a perfect high arc.
In that instant, every pair of eyes was involuntarily drawn to the soaring Asura Ghost Axe. And in that very moment, Chu Feng swallowed the forbidden medicine he had been holding in his mouth and rapidly refined it.
At the same time, the thunder within his blood surged violently. When the pattern of lightning blazed across Chu Feng's eyes, his aura was already climbing at an explosive rate, invisible to all.
Fourth level, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth — just as Chu Feng had predicted, his cultivation soared all the way to the ninth level.
In that moment, Chu Feng could clearly feel just how terrifying the power within him was. Its strength was almost beyond what his physical body could contain, as if it might burst free at any moment.