Chapter 38: Lack of Combat Experience

With the combined efforts of all the major powers in Senyuan Town, everyone trapped at the bottom of the cave was rescued. Gu Feng and Gu Yan were finally reunited.

"Brother," Gu Yan cried, throwing herself into Gu Feng's arms and hugging him tightly, tears streaming down her face. So much had happened in such a short span—Gu Yan felt that more had taken place in this single day than in all her previous life combined.

Gu Feng held her just as tightly, comforting her, "Don’t be afraid, little sister. Your brother is here. Soon, I’ll teach you how to cultivate." The determination to teach Gu Yan how to cultivate grew ever stronger in Gu Feng's heart. He did not want to be so passive every time. The solution was to make Gu Yan strong—at least strong enough to escape danger.

Now reunited, the powers of Senyuan Town all turned their gaze to Gu Feng and Gu Yan, especially Gu Feng. At such a young age, he already possessed the strength to stand against a Spirit Practitioner, and his courage was astonishing—unafraid of death, ruthless when needed. This was the impression Gu Feng left on them.

Ai Wulong, the First General of the Town Lord’s Mansion, had already gathered reports from the leading families. If not for Gu Feng’s godlike intervention and his fearless battle against the bandit masters, the four great families would have suffered devastating losses.

Ai Wulong approached Gu Feng and spoke softly, "A true hero even in youth. May I ask your name, young friend?"

Gu Feng gently pulled Gu Yan behind him, looking calmly at Ai Wulong. "Gu Feng."

Ai Wulong was momentarily taken aback by Gu Feng’s indifference, but quickly understood. Someone able to wield such power at this age could not have an ordinary background. He concluded that Gu Feng must be a genius disciple sent out to train from some great family or sect. Such a person was not someone Senyuan Town could afford to offend.

Since they could not afford offense, only respect would suffice.

"Young Hero Gu, if I may be so bold, could I ask where you have come from and where you are headed?"

Gu Feng paused, realizing the misunderstanding, but then thought it was for the best. The more mysterious his background, the more advantageous for him.

He replied haughtily, "Do I need to report to you where I come from?"

Ai Wulong's brows furrowed in slight displeasure. But remembering that all such geniuses from great families or sects carried this same arrogance, he let it pass.

He smiled faintly, "Forgive my rudeness. Would you honor us by visiting Senyuan Town as our guest?"

Gu Feng gave a slight nod. "Lead the way."

After all that had happened, Gu Feng had matured, gaining many new insights.

Ai Wulong then turned to a nearby officer. "Give up your war boar."

The man obeyed but looked at Gu Feng with thinly veiled contempt. He doubted Gu Feng’s strength but could not disobey a military order. In his heart, he was not convinced.

Gu Feng saw through this and sneered at him, "You’re not convinced, are you? Believe it or not, you couldn’t withstand even a single strike from me."

The man bristled. He was a bona fide first-rank Spirit Practitioner, yet Gu Feng, merely a ninth-rank warrior, looked down on him so.

He stepped forward, his momentum surging, pressing down on Gu Feng.

Ai Wulong watched with a calm gaze, making no move to intervene.

The man roared, "Such arrogance for one so young. I, Li Bao, want to see if the four great families have been exaggerating."

The Spirit Practitioners from the four families frowned in displeasure at Li Bao's doubt, but said nothing, trusting Gu Feng would not disappoint them.

"Interesting. Prepare yourself—take my blade!"

"Come on, boy! If you can make me take three steps back with a single strike, I’ll admit defeat!"

Gu Feng raised his short sword, and such powerful force rippled through the air that even space seemed to tremble. The Spirit Practitioners watching were astonished.

There was no spiritual energy—just pure strength. They stared at Gu Feng, barely able to believe their eyes.

In that moment, they began to believe what the four families had said.

With such strength alone, Gu Feng was already on par with a Spirit Practitioner.

Of course, while his strength matched a Spirit Practitioner’s, without spiritual energy, his true combat power was still uncertain. But if the test was just to make Li Bao retreat three steps, they believed Gu Feng could do it.

At this moment, Li Bao’s face was grim as he looked at Gu Feng. He had boasted too much and now had to stand by his words.

"Come! Let me see if your strength, said to rival a Spirit Practitioner’s, truly translates into fighting power!"

Li Bao shouted deliberately, so those in the distance would hear that this youth was indeed extraordinary—his strength rivaled a Spirit Practitioner’s.

"Strength rivaling a Spirit Practitioner?"

All eyes were on Gu Feng, unwilling to believe.

"Slash!"

"What?"

Everyone watched as Gu Feng struck with his sword, an extra invisible wave of sword energy disturbing the air.

Some doubted their eyes and rubbed them fiercely.

"Only a Spirit Practitioner can project spiritual energy—but how could a mere warrior do it?"

If all warriors could do what Gu Feng had just done, then at their peak, warriors could pose a threat to Spirit Practitioners. The fighting power of all warriors would soar.

As Gu Feng’s sword slashed toward him, Li Bao was shocked and no longer dared to hold back.

With a shout, he dropped into a horse stance, pouring spiritual energy into his spear, raising it overhead to fully defend against what looked like a casual slash from Gu Feng.

People stared with wide eyes, unwilling to even blink for fear of missing the spectacle.

Clang!

The short sword struck the spear shaft with a shower of sparks.

Even Gu Feng felt his arm go numb.

Li Bao’s feet sank a foot deep into the mud, sliding backward a meter. His tiger’s mouth throbbed in pain, the skin split and red blood oozing out.

Not wanting anyone to see, Li Bao gripped his spear, twirled it, and shouted, "Take this!"

He thrust his spear at Gu Feng’s throat.

Though Gu Feng had killed many, they were all one-sided slaughters. He hadn’t expected Li Bao to counterattack and nearly fell for it.

People noticed that Gu Feng hadn’t dodged or blocked Li Bao’s attack. The experienced Spirit Practitioners saw it at once—Gu Feng wasn’t doing it on purpose, but lacked battle experience.

They shook their heads. However impressive a youth’s fighting power, he was still too green.

Ai Wulong was about to call out to stop Li Bao.

Gu Feng gave a great shout, "Well done!"

To everyone’s amazement, Gu Feng bent his knees and arched backward, letting Li Bao’s spear thrust over his forehead.

The spear missed, and Li Bao, carried by his own momentum, was drawn closer to Gu Feng.

Gu Feng picked up his fallen short sword and slashed upward at Li Bao’s arm.

Li Bao was terrified—was this all deliberate?

But this kind of move was truly too dangerous.

Everyone held their breath for Gu Feng, suspecting he had acted intentionally, yet wondering if it was wise—one mistake could cost him his life.

Gu Feng’s back was slick with cold sweat. If not for the system, he would have died just now.

He gradually realized that while the system was his backing, it was not something he could always rely on.

To save his arm, Li Bao abandoned his spear and leapt back.

As the spear hit the ground, Gu Feng leapt up and brought his sword down hard on Li Bao.

Another slash.

Li Bao, now unarmed, had no time to dodge. His face twisted in terror as the short sword came down on him.

Despair filled his heart. "It’s over, I’m dead."

Ai Wulong was aghast, roaring, "Stop!" as he sent a spear-shadow flying toward Gu Feng.