Xuanwu War Sovereign

This was all out in the open.

After a great upheaval several hundred years ago, Niu Jinfeng had lost nearly all of its Spirit Mountains and Medicine Mountains.

Although a few remained back then, they had declined over the years and were gradually annexed by the other peaks.

Now, Niu Jinfeng was little more than a name.

If not for Li Zhong’s desperate efforts to hold it together, perhaps even its name would have been lost to time.

A flicker of regret crossed Master Star Venerable’s eyes as he looked at Li Zhong.

Li Zhong was a prodigy in his own right, his aptitude second to none among the Inner Sect Disciples.

In the eyes of the Elders, he had once possessed a brilliant future with a high chance of becoming a True Disciple. Unfortunately, he had been held back for far too long for the sake of Niu Jinfeng’s legacy.

Fifty years ago, Li Zhong had been an Inner Sect Disciple at the Sea Reincarnation Realm Peak.

Fifty years later, Li Zhong was still at the Sea Reincarnation Realm Peak.

Now, many Inner Sect Disciples who were once far inferior to him had already advanced to the Martial Arts Giant Realm.

The Elders shook their heads. Any sensible person would have taken the better option rather than choosing a declining peak.

Master Star Venerable’s gaze fell upon Qin Feng. "Qin Feng, what are your thoughts? According to the rules, Li Zhong originally selected you. Now that you’ve become a True Disciple, you are to join a True Inheritance peak. However, every True Disciple in the sect has the right to choose freely! It is not compulsory."

Li Zhong lifted his head, his eyes fixed on Qin Feng.

Qin Feng considered this. ’I’m no bleeding-heart. If I have the choice, I should obviously pick a powerful backer.’

’To ignore so many powerful patrons and board a sinking ship instead... that’s not a smart move.’

"Qin Feng, you should choose Niu Jinfeng! You owe this to Senior Brother Li Zhong!"

Just as Qin Feng was about to make up his mind, a cold voice cut through the air.

"Hong Luan!"

A woman in red entered from outside the great hall. She was tall, and a cinched, crimson gown exquisitely outlined her perfect figure. Her face was one of stunning beauty.

Hong Luan!

True Monarch Hong Luan, one of the Three Extremes True Monarchs of Yingyue Peak!

She was also one of the most distinguished True Disciples.

When she saw Li Zhong kneeling on one knee, a flash of pain crossed her beautiful eyes. She hurried forward and helped him to his feet.

Seeing this, Master Star Venerable frowned.

"Luan’Er, what is this nonsense?"

True Monarch Hong Luan looked up, cupped her hands, and said, "Master, you are wise and perceptive. You should understand what is in my heart. Li Zhong has always been so devoted to Niu Jinfeng’s legacy that he is unwilling to break through to the Nirvana Realm. I have watched this with growing anxiety, and now, there is an opportunity! I cannot simply stand by and do nothing!"

"Hong Luan?" Li Zhong lifted his head and glanced at the young woman in the red dress.

Hong Luan grasped Li Zhong’s hand. "Brother Zhong, I understand what’s on your mind. This time, I will make sure your wish comes true. I’ll clear this final obstacle for you so you can finally break through to the Nirvana Realm without any worries!"

The affection between them was clear.

Master Star Venerable’s face, however, grew long.

He was thoroughly pleased with True Monarch Hong Luan’s talent, cultivation, and temperament. The only thing that vexed him was her relationship with Li Zhong.

The other peak Elders exchanged glances, chuckling to themselves.

True Monarch Hong Luan was one of Yingyue Peak’s Three Extremes True Monarchs.

The Three Extremes True Monarchs were arguably the strongest cultivators beneath the Nine Great True Inheritance disciples. Among them, True Monarch Hong Luan was the youngest and showed the most potential.

Furthermore, as one of the few female True Disciples on Sect Leader Peak, she held a special place in Master Star Venerable’s heart.

Unfortunately, this favored prodigy had set her sights on none other than Li Zhong of Niu Jinfeng.

Hong Luan turned and straightened up.

Her beautiful eyes turned, and an incredibly sharp gaze fell upon Qin Feng. She took several steps forward, staring him down. "Qin Feng, I know who you are. A fifteen-year-old Alchemist. A Sealed Marquis Genius from the Star Martial Arts Assembly. The chief Alchemist of the Medicine King Hall. But do you have any idea that if it weren’t for my Senior Brother Li Zhong, you wouldn’t be where you are today!"

At these words, Master Star Venerable and the peak Elders all stirred, exchanging looks.

Qin Feng frowned. "Senior Sister, please speak plainly."

"Fine. See for yourself!"

A cold smile touched Hong Luan’s lips. With a move of her palm, countless points of light appeared, forming a scene from the Snowfield Trial.

In the projection, several members of Jiaomu Peak were shown accusing Qin Feng of being a spy and moving to capture him, followed by the image of Li Zhong stepping forward to intervene.

Qin Feng’s expression changed slightly. He circulated the Qiankun Celestial Phenomenon Technique and could tell that these images were not fabricated.

As he watched the scene unfold, Qin Feng fell silent. He did indeed owe Li Zhong a great debt.

If not for Li Zhong, he might never have had the chance to enter the All Stars Academy, let alone enjoy the opportunities that followed.

Qin Feng understood the plight of a Loose Cultivator all too well.

Without the opportunities he found in the Star Sect, he would, at best, still be in the Condensing Vein Realm.

Seeing Qin Feng’s hesitation, an Elder spoke up. "This is but a small kindness, Qin Feng. You need not be overly concerned. Our generation seeks the great Martial Dao. The path is a struggle, fraught with peril. We old-timers have reached our current cultivation through countless life-or-death crises. We didn’t always overcome them on our own, and many have shown us kindness along the way. But we don’t need to sacrifice our own futures to repay them. If you achieve greatness in your cultivation, you can simply support Li Zhong more in the future. That would be enough."

Another Elder added, "Qin Feng, you must think this through. The disparity in sect resources between Niu Jinfeng and the other peaks is immense!"

"That’s right. There are many ways to repay a debt of gratitude. Why must you gamble with your future?"

Several Elders chimed in, trying to persuade him.

Some of these Elders truly valued his talent, while others, having taken many of Niu Jinfeng’s resources for themselves, had no wish to see the peak rise again.

Nearly everyone was watching Qin Feng, awaiting his decision.

"Fine. I’ll join Niu Jinfeng!" After a long moment of deliberation, Qin Feng made his decision.

Qin Feng was a man of principle.

Wrongs done to him would be repaid a hundredfold.

And a kindness shown to him would be repaid a hundredfold as well.

Besides, when he had been reborn, his Qi Fortune was practically zero. That was when he was at his most vulnerable and in the most danger.

If Li Zhong hadn’t stood his ground against the pressure back then, he might have been captured as a spy by the Star Sect long ago.

Back then, at the Martial Arts Fourth Layer, he would have had no way to resist a pursuit from a Sea of Reincarnation Realm Martial Artist.

Qin Feng’s choice stunned everyone present.

Qin Feng looked up at True Monarch Hong Luan and Li Zhong, stating calmly, "I repay all grudges and all favors. That is my code. Since you spoke up for me that day, I, Qin Feng, will join your Niu Jinfeng. I will ensure its legacy continues for a thousand years. After that, its fortunes will no longer concern me!"

"Qin Feng, are you sure you won’t reconsider? You must understand, at the Martial Arts Nirvana Realm, without the support of one of the sect’s main branches, you will quickly be surpassed by your peers!" one of the Elders tried to reason with him.

The Nirvana Realm is all about accumulation!

In the Nirvana Realm, the process of Heaven and Earth Creation requires countless Spiritual Objects to nurture one’s Grotto Heaven. Without the sect’s resources, this process will be slowed ten, even dozens of times over!

And right now, Niu Jinfeng had no resources whatsoever!