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Two months later
Inside the worn-down carriage, Dai Chengfeng sat cross-legged, his hands clasped in a meditative posture.
Under his guidance, the final wisp of acquired Geng Metal Qi slowly passed through the Kidney Spine pass, ascended to the Jade Pillow pass, and finally returned to his dantian.
One full macrocosmic cycle—complete.
"Whew…"
Dai Chengfeng exhaled a breath of impure air, slowly opening his eyes as he felt the changes within his body.
A moment later, the corners of his lips curled upward into an excited smile.
"All that hard work over these two months wasn't wasted!"
"Not only has all my soul power—and even my Geng Metal Qi—completely transformed into innate energy…"
"But after being tempered by the Innate Geng Metal Qi…"
Dai Chengfeng stood up. Standing at about one and a half meters tall, his perfectly sculpted muscles now outlined an even more impressive physique.
The clothes he had brought from Star Luo City were now too small to wear.
With just a light clench of his fist, he could feel a surge of immense power coursing through his body, as if he could punch a demonic bull to death with a single blow.
And it wasn't just strength!
Dai Chengfeng's internal organs had also been toughened by the Innate Geng Metal Qi, becoming far more resilient.
Upon closer inspection, faint traces of the Innate Geng Metal Qi could be seen flowing beneath his skin like threads, shimmering with a golden glow.
If the previous acquired Geng Metal Qi had granted Dai Chengfeng unparalleled sharpness…
Then this newly transformed Innate Geng Metal Qi was nothing short of perfection—an ultimate spear and shield, the pinnacle of metal.
Even imagining that one day, his physical defense might rival the Elder's invincible Golden Light Spell didn't seem far-fetched.
"Amazing!"
"My physical strength likely rivals that of some low-level Great Soul Masters—it's as if I've been reborn!"
For a moment, Dai Chengfeng was overwhelmed with excitement.
If not for the fragile state of the carriage, which couldn't withstand any roughhousing, he would have loved to test out his newfound power right then and there.
"Whoa!"
At this moment, Zhu Fan, who had been driving the carriage, suddenly let out a soft whistle and brought the carriage to a stop.
"Chengfeng, are you done cultivating?"
"Yes, Uncle. Why did we stop suddenly?"
Curious, Dai Chengfeng lifted the carriage curtain and stepped outside.
"Look there!"
Zhu Fan pointed ahead. "That's our destination—Wu'an City."
"If you want to turn back now, it's still possible, and no one will say anything. But once we enter Wu'an City and you regret it later, rumors will surely spread."
Hearing this, Dai Chengfeng followed Zhu Fan's finger and looked ahead.
In front of them stood a towering but slightly weathered city.
Its thick walls, constructed from massive stone blocks, bore countless pits and cracks from years of erosion and countless battles. It resembled an old general covered in scars, silently recounting its glorious yet tumultuous past.
On the city walls, the flag of the Star Luo Empire fluttered fiercely in the wind. Its design—a roaring white tiger—was faintly visible, though its once-pristine white had faded to a worn, blood-red hue under the sun, rain, and smoke of war.
The wind blowing from that direction carried traces of blood and killing intent.
At the city gates, passersby hurried with quick steps. Many bore visible or hidden wounds—some with bloody bandages wrapped around their arms, others limping, their faces etched with exhaustion and vigilance, clearly bearing the marks of battle.
On either side of the gate stood two slightly dilapidated watchtowers. The guards atop them kept a wary eye on the movements outside the city.
Though their weapons were no longer new, they gleamed with a cold light, ready to face any potential danger at a moment's notice.
It was clear—they were an elite force.
"Uncle!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Dai Chengfeng's gaze was resolute, even tinged with excitement. "Didn't I leave the comfort of Star Luo City to carve out my own path to greatness?"
"This Wu'an City will be my new starting point!"
Looking at Dai Chengfeng, Zhu Fan's eyes were filled with both worry and pride.
"Good!"
"Since your mind is made up, whether it's a dragon's den or a tiger's lair ahead, Uncle will accompany you on this journey."
"Giddy up!"
The two urged the carriage forward, slowly approaching Wu'an City.
At the city gates stood several guards.
They wore silver-white armor, scarred and battered from countless battles. Some parts were even dented, clearly showing the wear of many fights.
Their eyes scanned every person entering the city with caution.
As soon as Dai Chengfeng's carriage reached the gate, one guard stepped forward to block it, scrutinizing both Dai Chengfeng and Zhu Fan.
"Where are you from? What business do you have in the city?"
Zhu Fan frowned, displeased, and snapped, "How dare you stop the carriage of the Fourth Prince!"
"Go fetch your general to receive us!"
"The Fourth Prince?"
The guards exchanged glances upon hearing Zhu Fan's rebuke, their expressions filled with shock and suspicion.
They studied Dai Chengfeng closely…
Though the young man before them rode in a decrepit carriage, his attire exuded luxury, and his presence was extraordinary.
Still, based on these details alone, it was hard for them to immediately believe he was the esteemed Fourth Prince of the Star Luo Empire.
After a moment of hesitation, one guard mustered the courage to address Zhu Fan respectfully. "Sir, we have received no orders regarding the Fourth Prince's arrival in Wu'an City."
"Therefore, if you wish for our general to receive you, you must provide an imperial edict from His Majesty."
"What do you think…?"
"No orders about my arrival?"
Dai Chengfeng's forehead twitched slightly at this. "So, my father never expected me to make it to Wu'an City without apologizing to him?"
"Or is he deliberately trying to make me retreat?"
Regardless, Dai Chengfeng didn't care.
However, he didn't intend to make things difficult for these dutiful soldiers, as they were all loyal sons of the Star Luo Empire.
Thus, Dai Chengfeng spoke calmly, "You want an order?"
The guards instinctively nodded.
Standing atop the carriage, Dai Chengfeng looked down at the soldiers with an imposing gaze.
Slowly, he retrieved a blank sheet of paper from his spatial soul tool.
Just as everyone was puzzled—
A sudden surge of soul power emanated from Dai Chengfeng…
Roar—!
Instantly, an earth-shattering tiger's roar echoed through the area in front of the city gate.
Behind Dai Chengfeng, a white tiger roared toward the heavens, its presence awe-inspiring.
This was no ordinary White Tiger martial soul—it radiated strange runes, with arcs of golden electric-like arcs flickering across its fur. The surrounding air trembled from its overwhelming aura.
The horses, startled, reared up on their hind legs, neighing loudly.
The soldiers before them felt their hair stand on end, their primal instincts overwhelmed by fear unrelated to willpower.
Even Zhu Fan, an 83rd-level Soul Ancestor, couldn't help but shudder, his face filled with disbelief.
"His Highness' White Tiger martial soul… how is it so different from His Majesty's and Mubai's?"
"It's not just more imposing—it exudes an almost sacred aura that inspires reverence?!"
At this moment—
Dai Chengfeng tossed the blank sheet of paper to the soldiers.
"This—is your order!"
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