Chapter 680: Chapter 690: Soul Refining Treasure Tree
Unfortunately, contrary to expectations, Chu Feng’s recent cultivation has been especially smooth.
It was like he had an unfair advantage. The Hymn Sword Technique that he recently learned reached the Fourth Level in just over three months. Similarly, his progress with the Transformation Sword Technique was equally impressive as he cultivated it to the Third Level.
This was something Chu Feng had not even dared to dream of.
The difficulty of comprehending the Transformation Sword Technique was frighteningly high.
It seems that sometimes changing one’s approach can be an effective method.
Chu Feng was simultaneously comprehending the Hymn Sword Technique, Transformation Sword Technique, and Heaven and Earth Sword Skill. The three swordsmanship techniques corroborated and referenced each other with unexpectedly good results.
The various experiences accumulated over thousands of years in his past life, as well as insights gained, also provided Chu Feng with immense help.
His Heaven and Earth Sword Skill has also made significant progress. It advanced from the Fifth Level to the Sixth Level.
The Fifth Level is Deceit Sword, which kills the enemy without them knowing how they died.
The Sixth Level, however, is the Fierce Sword. Fierce as fire, each sword strike contains terrifying power, breaking evil and sweeping through all opposition. Due to Chu Feng’s deep understanding of fire, he comprehended the Sixth Level quite smoothly.
Moreover, he easily grasped the true essence of the Fierce Sword.
Compared with Deceit Sword, Fierce Sword’s approach is all about open and direct overwhelming domination.
Like an explosive flame that burns everything to ashes.
On this day, just after Chu Feng came out from the Gui Xu Secret Realm, he was summoned by the Supreme Lord of Wanfa Sect.
"Disciple pays respects to Master!"
Chu Feng had always held Elder Wanfa in high esteem.
Although Elder Wanfa adopted a hands-off approach, letting disciples cultivate and develop on their own, every time Chu Feng asked a question, Elder Wanfa would take time out of his busy schedule to patiently explain.
"Chu Feng, I have called you here this time to give you advance notice about something," said Elder Wanfa, cultivating with closed eyes on a cloud bed inside a thatched hut.
He slowly opened his eyes.
"Master, please instruct me!" Chu Feng’s mind tensed. He could clearly sense solemnity in Elder Wanfa’s tone.
"According to reliable information, within the Demon Sea Fierce Land’s Gate of Hell, a Treasure Light has appeared. During the night, the Treasure Light pierces the sky, condenses without dispersing, forming the outline of a Qingyun. And within that Qingyun, the silhouette of a wonderful tree has appeared. The Supreme Elders of the Sect and the Hall Master of Duobao Pavilion have specially sat down together to discuss this matter. They deduced that this Treasure tree is very likely one of the mythical Soul Refining Treasure Trees," Elder Wanfa slowly revealed the origin of the matter, leaving Chu Feng greatly shocked.
In the world, there are many Treasure trees, such as the Bodhi Tree revered by Buddhists, which is famous and considered a sacred object. There is even a very famous poem that describes this tree.
"The Bodhi is originally not a tree, and the mirror also not a stand. The nature of Buddha is always pure and clean; where can dust alight? The mind is the Bodhi Tree, and the body is the mirror’s stand. The mirror is originally clean and pure; where can it be tainted by dust? The Bodhi is originally not a tree, and the mirror also not a stand. Originally not a thing; where can dust alight? The Bodhi is sought only in the mind; why toil seeking the mysteries outside?"
Another example is the Seven Treasures Miao Tree held by the second teacher of Buddhism, Taoist Zhunti, which wipes away all things, and no treasures fail to fall.
Besides, there’s the Fire Parasol where the Golden Crow Fire Bird resides, and the mythical Money Tree, among others.
The Soul Refining Treasure Tree is a Treasure tree that grows in Extreme Yin Lands.
Nourished by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, having absorbed the grievances of billions of vengeful spirits, its crown then forms the infamous Hell Netherworld Flame. This flame specializes in refining and tempering souls.
For any Sword Cultivator, this tree is an ultimate treasure they can only dream of.
Using it to refine one’s Three Souls and Seven Spirits is only secondary. The main use is to cultivate one’s Sword Soul.
Everyone knows that the Sword Soul is the spirit and core of a Sword Cultivator, even transcending everything else.
The stronger the Sword Soul, the more powerful the cultivator will be.
If the Ten Thousand Sword Sect could obtain that Soul Refining Treasure Tree, the overall strength of the sect’s experts would definitely rise to another level.
"Is the sect preparing to vie for that Treasure Tree?" Chu Feng asked.
"Indeed, after discussion, the Sect Master and the Elders have decided that the sect is determined to acquire the Soul Refining Treasure Tree. Moreover, several plans have been devised,"
Supreme Elder Wanfa nodded slightly.
"It is foreseeable that this competition for the Soul Refining Treasure Tree will be extremely fierce, with many forces participating. Originally, as your mentor, I did not want you to take part, due to it being too dangerous. Regrettably, Elder Lei Ting, Han Sheng, and other individuals like Xuanming Supreme Elder strongly advocated for your participation in the meeting. In the end, the Sect Master had no choice but to agree to this matter."
At this point, a rare hint of anger appeared on Elder Wanfa’s face.
It seems he had fought for Chu Feng at that time.
Unfortunately, he was unable to overcome the opposition due to their overwhelming power.
Everyone knows that now Chu Feng has become a disciple of Supreme Elder Wanfa and is a key figure within Wanfa’s faction. Moreover, his potential is astonishing, with limitless achievements in the future.
Such a character naturally causes jealousy among the faction of Xuanming Supreme Elder.
They probably dream of eliminating Chu Feng, this Devil incarnate.
Especially Elder Lei Ting, Han Sheng, and people like Lu Qingyuan, they hate Chu Feng to the bone.
"It’s not a big deal for me to participate in the struggle for the Soul Refining Treasure Tree,"
Xuanming Supreme Elder and others exhausted their wits, thinking this could send Chu Feng to his doom. Little did they know, this actually fits Chu Feng’s intentions.
"Initially, if it were only individuals from the faction of Xuanming Supreme Elder, the powers of my lineage wouldn’t have allowed them to oppress you so openly. This time, Lu Kuixi and his master, Supreme Elder Ouyang Yu, also cast their favorable votes. Thus, their conspiracy was successful."
"Ouyang Yu, that old fox, has no usual quarrels with me. I don’t know why he suddenly turned against me this time and sided with the old guy Xuanming."
Speaking of this, Supreme Elder Wanfa’s tone carried anger and resentment.
Even a clay Bodhisattva has a three-point temper.
Although Supreme Elder Wanfa does not like to fight with others, when pushed too far, he will not stay passive. Besides, he has always had conflicts with Xuanming Supreme Elder.
Both openly and secretly vying, each wants to overpower the other.
Presently, the faction of Xuanming Supreme Elder has gained the upper hand. Especially with Han Sheng, the Devil who for many years has occupied the second important spot on the Heavenly List, earning him great face.
In terms of influence, also due to Han Sheng’s contributions, Xuanming Supreme Elder has overshadowed Supreme Elder Wanfa.
"Master need not be vexed, participating in the competition for the Soul Refining Treasure Tree might be a bit risky, but it is also a great opportunity to achieve merit. If I’m lucky, I might even gain some fortunes inside the Gate of Hell."
Chu Feng said with a smile to comfort Elder Wanfa.
"Hmm, your mindset is indeed optimistic. The sect does not plan to deploy Supreme Elders this time. An agreement was also made with other forces of the Divine Martial Continent, to limit participants to those below the Supreme Sword God level."