Chapter 403: Xuan Wu Fifth Level

The Marriage Alliance Conference had come to an end, but the outcome left everyone dumbfounded, far exceeding anyone's expectations.

Because the conference had drawn top talents from across the Nine Provinces Continent, the news of Purple Bell publicly declaring her feelings for Chu Feng spread inevitably after it concluded.

However, none of this reached Chu Feng, who was hiding deep within a cave.

After days of suffering through the backlash, the forbidden medicine's corrosive force finally began to subside. As his body gradually recovered, Chu Feng didn't leave the cave. Instead, he took out the one million fifty thousand Mystic Stones and began his refinement journey.

Though Chu Feng had no way of learning what was happening outside, he could well imagine that the seven major factions wouldn't let him off easily—they would surely search for him with all their might, perhaps even issue a bounty.

In times like these, Chu Feng had no one to rely on. His only option was to raise his own cultivation. But even with one million fifty thousand Mystic Stones in hand, he had no idea how far he could advance.

After all, the Divine Thunder in his Dantian was far too voracious. Every successful breakthrough meant the resources required for the next one multiplied several times over—something that truly made Chu Feng's head spin.

"Damn it, you guys eat way too much! Do you even want me to live?!"

"A whole one million fifty thousand Mystic Stones—one million fifty thousand! And all I got was two levels of cultivation? I didn't even reach Xuan Wu Sixth Level! How am I supposed to feed you going forward?!"

The cave echoed with Chu Feng's frustrated roars. After two full days of refinement, he had finally finished absorbing all one million fifty thousand Mystic Stones.

But the result was hard for him to swallow. Granted, he knew better than to expect those stones to catapult him straight to Xuan Wu Seventh Level—the realm required to become a Blue-robed Spirit World Master. But reaching Xuan Wu Sixth Level should have been doable. Yet reality didn't pan out the way he'd hoped. With only seven strands of Divine Thunder remaining out of the original nine, they seemed to grow greedier and harder to satisfy with each breakthrough.

After one million fifty thousand Mystic Stones had been consumed, Chu Feng had only risen from Xuan Wu Third Level to Xuan Wu Fifth Level. Even though a massive amount of Yuan Force still circulated in his Dantian—he was practically on the doorstep of Xuan Wu Sixth Level—it was still difficult for him to accept.

"Chu Feng, everything has its pros and cons. Sure, breaking through even a single level costs you an enormous price, and that price keeps growing heavier. But you've also gained your share of benefits. Think about it—who among the youth of the Nine Provinces Continent can match you right now?"

"You've been unmatched among your peers for a long time now. And with your trump cards in hand, even if your cultivation officially sits at Xuan Wu Fifth Level, your true combat power should already rival that of the Heaven Martial Realm. Even if you can't defeat a Heaven Martial cultivator, they won't be able to do anything to you either."

"But ordinary Xuan Wu cultivators can't even hope to contend with Heaven Martial powerhouses. That's your edge—that's what makes you formidable. So there's nothing to complain about."

"As for resources, don't worry. This world is vast. The Nine Provinces Continent is just the tip of the iceberg. There truly is a sky beyond the sky, and beyond that, yet another."

"So no matter how enormous the cultivation resources you need, there will always be places to find them. In this world, it's not just Mystic Stones and Heaven Stones that can boost your cultivation—there are all manner of rare treasures between heaven and earth that have the same effect."

"The flesh and blood of certain special demon beasts can even enhance your cultivation, sometimes with even better results. The only prerequisite is that you have a way to obtain them," Egg reminded him.

"Don't worry, Egg. I haven't lost heart or fallen into despair—I'm just venting. I mean, that was one million fifty thousand Mystic Stones after all," Chu Feng chuckled. He knew Egg was worried about him, afraid that too much burden and pressure would drag him down and make him lose faith in the future.

"Man, I've been cooped up in here for so long I haven't had a proper meal in days. I'm starving. I'm heading out to find some food and scope out the situation outside. Maybe that girl Purple Bell is looking for me. Once she finds me, I'll leave Qinzhou."

With that, Chu Feng pulled out a set of commoner's clothes and a tattered bamboo hat. He placed the hat over his head to conceal his appearance, then left the cave and headed toward the nearest signs of civilization.

Chu Feng soared through the air at tremendous speed. Before long, he spotted an inn below the clouds.

Though the inn sat on a desolate plain, its favorable location along a major route meant there was no shortage of travelers passing through. It was the perfect place to grab some food and gather information.

So Chu Feng deliberately made a wide loop and landed in an uninhabited area before walking toward the inn on foot.

Upon entering, he went straight to the tavern and found an empty table to sit at. But when he glanced up, his eyes narrowed—pinned to the tavern wall was a wanted notice, and the face on it was none other than his own.

"Capture Chu Feng alive and hand over the Shura Ghost Axe—reward: one million Mystic Stones."

"Kill Chu Feng and hand over the Shura Ghost Axe—reward: nine hundred thousand Mystic Stones."

"Failed to kill Chu Feng, but provided actionable intelligence on his whereabouts—reward: ten thousand Mystic Stones."

"If the provided intelligence leads to Chu Feng's capture—reward: one hundred thousand Mystic Stones."

"Rewards may be claimed at the Jie Clan, Yuan Gang Sect, Fire God Gate, White Hidden Sect, Carefree Valley, or Sword God Valley."

After reading the notice, Chu Feng scoffed and muttered to himself, "Quite the bounty. Looks like these factions still have plenty of stockpiles. The one million fifty thousand Mystic Stones I swindled out of them are nothing."

"One million Mystic Stones? Never mind that they suspect the Shura Ghost Axe contains hidden treasure—even without it, a weapon like that is worth far more than a measly million. After all, ordinary treasures are priceless here, let alone one that can bond with its owner," Egg said.

"Fair point. But honestly, even I'm tempted by that reward." Chu Feng knew such a bounty would drive plenty of people to action, especially since the notice stated he was only at Xuan Wu Third Level.

Xuan Wu Third Level on the Nine Provinces Continent was nothing—there were countless people stronger than that. So Chu Feng was certain many would come hunting for him over that reward. The six great factions had truly backed him into a corner.