"Qin Haoyu, from the Heavenly Dao Academy of the Great Qin Dynasty, is born with Scorching Light Eyes. His eyes can emit intense light capable of breaking illusions and temporarily blinding others..."

"Yan Ling, from the Heavenly Dao Academy of the Great Wind Nation, has a natural Wind Spirit Physique, granting her agility and extraordinary speed when moving with the wind..."

"Fan Quan, from the Heavenly Dao Academy of Thousand Wood City, is born with Phantom Eyes. When activated, they can trap others in illusions..."

"Lei Gang, from the Heavenly Dao Academy of Heavenly Battle City, is born with Iron Arms. His arms are as hard as steel, with unparalleled strength, capable of destroying anything in his path..."

Listening to these descriptions, both Chen Feng and Li Xinyue felt genuine astonishment, as if their horizons had been broadened.

"So this is what they mean by 'innately extraordinary'..." Chen Feng muttered to himself.

Scorching Light Eyes, Wind Spirit Physique, Phantom Eyes, Iron Arms… none of these were traits that ordinary people could ever possess.

Of course, having exceptional comprehension abilities or a physique that allows for high-efficiency absorption of medicinal pills could also barely count as a form of innate extraordinariness.

"I’d really love to witness it firsthand right now," Chen Feng thought to himself, his eyes filled with anticipation.

"Brother Chen, those with innate extraordinariness are certainly destined to be unrivaled talents. Their strength and energy are far more refined and powerful than ordinary warriors," Jin Hongdang said with a smile. "The person you clashed with earlier, their energy was shockingly condensed—far surpassing someone at the ninth transformation of body refinement's peak. It wouldn’t be surprising if they also had innate extraordinariness."

Chen Feng’s eyes narrowed slightly.

He hadn’t considered that Ye Yunqi might be innately extraordinary.

"However, Brother Chen, with your exceptional comprehension and physique that excels at refining medicinal pills, you’re not inferior to these extraordinary individuals," Jin Hongdang added with a grin. "From that clash earlier, it was clear you weren’t using your full strength, right?"

Chen Feng nodded without hesitation.

He had only used the Wind Shadow Nine Swords technique and hadn’t revealed his movement techniques, footwork, the Wind Shadow Ten Swords, or the ultimate Wind Shadow Killing Strike.

Of course, Chen Feng also knew that Ye Yunqi hadn’t gone all out either.

But if it came down to a full-fledged battle, Chen Feng wouldn’t shrink back. In fact, he was now more curious—did Ye Yunqi truly have innate extraordinariness? If so, what exactly was it?

According to Jin Hongdang, some forms of extraordinariness are outwardly obvious and easy to perceive, while others are more restrained and can remain undetected unless deliberately activated.

"Brother Jin, do you have an innate extraordinariness as well?" Chen Feng suddenly asked.

Jin Hongdang chuckled knowingly but didn’t answer. Even so, Chen Feng understood the implication.

After some lighthearted conversation, the two parted ways.

"Chen Feng, I’ve already mastered the eighth form of the Wind Shadow Sword Technique, but I can’t seem to grasp the key to the ninth form," Li Xinyue said as they walked together. She had once been Chen Feng’s sword technique instructor, but now she found herself asking him for guidance, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"The key to the Wind Shadow Sword Technique lies in…" Chen Feng began without hesitation, immediately explaining it in detail.

Having pushed the Wind Shadow Sword Technique to the level of the Wind Shadow Ten Swords and even the ultimate Wind Shadow Killing Strike, Chen Feng's understanding of the technique had long surpassed that of its creator.

Chen Feng dissected the technique’s intricacies with clarity, presenting them to Li Xinyue in a simple and direct manner. His explanation allowed her to gain new and deeper insights into the sword technique.

He didn’t hold anything back. Not only did he fully explain the secrets of the ninth form, but he also shared the principles behind the tenth form and the Wind Shadow Killing Strike.

To Chen Feng, Li Xinyue had stood by him and supported him during his most difficult times. Her help was a tremendous kindness.

No matter how remarkable the Wind Shadow Ten Swords and Killing Strike were, they paled in comparison to her unwavering loyalty and support.

"Chen Feng, you’ve pushed the Wind Shadow Sword Technique to such an extent..." Li Xinyue was utterly stunned as she absorbed his teachings, gasping in disbelief. She had thought she had already overestimated Chen Feng’s abilities, but now she realized that she had still underestimated him.

Her emotions were a mix of complexity and joy.

"If there’s anything else you don’t understand, feel free to ask," Chen Feng said after finishing his explanation.

"Alright," Li Xinyue replied. Then, after a beat, she added, "But from now on, you can’t call me ‘Instructor’ anymore."

"Why?" Chen Feng asked, puzzled.

"We’re no longer at the Heavenly Dao Academy; now we’re both disciples heading for the selection at the Heavenly Dao Sect," Li Xinyue said playfully. "Besides, even though I taught you the Wind Shadow Sword Technique before, now you’re the one teaching it to me. Should I start calling you ‘Instructor’ instead?"

"Uh…" Chen Feng was momentarily taken aback before laughing. "In that case, I’ll call you Sister Yue from now on."

"Alright," Li Xinyue responded with a smile in her eyes.

Back in their respective cabins aboard the Sky-Patrolling Giant Ship, Chen Feng immersed himself in refining his sword techniques, while Li Xinyue focused on mastering the Wind Shadow Nine Swords, determined to perfect it before reaching the Heavenly Dao Sect.

As for the tenth form and the ultimate Killing Strike, she didn’t dare dream of mastering them yet.

Meanwhile, in another cabin, Yang Xuening, her swelling having subsided thanks to medicinal ointment, still wore a face full of venomous resentment.

"Elder Yun, we can’t let Chen Feng continue to live. Otherwise, he’ll become a serious problem," she said.

"Don’t worry. Though fighting is forbidden aboard the Sky-Patrolling Giant Ship, once we reach the Heavenly Dao Sect selection, I’ll at least secure a position as a core disciple. Even if Chen Feng gets lucky, he’ll at best become an inner disciple. What could someone like him possibly do to me?" Ye Yunqi replied with an arrogant smile. "Besides, there are plenty of my Ye family members in the Heavenly Dao Sect, many of whom hold prestigious positions."

"Exactly. Chen Feng is just a nobody from a small frontier town. He won’t have a foothold in the sect," Yang Xuening sneered coldly. "By then, he’ll know what regret and despair feel like. When Chen Feng is cornered, we’ll make sure to eliminate his entire Chen family as well."

Days passed, and the Sky-Patrolling Giant Ship continued to pick up new disciples from various Heavenly Dao Academies at each stop.

Among the newcomers was one whose eyes gleamed faintly with golden light, sharp and piercing. Just meeting their gaze felt like being stabbed by a blade, causing a stinging pain in one’s own eyes.

"A Golden Spirit Body!" Jin Hongdang remarked from afar, narrowing his small eyes before breaking into a smile. "More and more extraordinary individuals are appearing."

Half a month later, the Sky-Patrolling Giant Ship finally approached its destination.

"We’re almost there," Li Xinyue said, standing alongside Chen Feng on the deck with the other disciples, all gazing forward.

Ahead of them stood a towering, ancient mountain, its majestic peak piercing the clouds and seemingly holding up the heavens themselves. Its grandeur suppressed all else around it.

The mountain was surrounded by endless seas of clouds, illuminated by radiant light, creating a stunning and mystical scene that seemed to contain boundless, indescribable mysteries.

Floating islands hovered around the ancient mountain like stars encircling the moon.

Giant, graceful birds soared through the clouds, playing among the floating islands, their sharp cries echoing with joy.

It was a sight straight out of a celestial realm.

The disciples from the hundreds of Heavenly Dao Academies aboard the Sky-Patrolling Giant Ship, many of whom had never seen such an awe-inspiring scene, were left utterly dumbfounded.

Even those with innate extraordinariness were rendered speechless, their jaws slack with disbelief.

The ship continued to weave through the clouds, passing one floating island after another, heading straight for the ancient mountain that seemed to hold up the heavens.

The closer they got, the more overwhelming the mountain’s ancient and majestic aura became.

Before this colossal mountain, the thousand-meter-long ship seemed like a mere speck, and the disciples aboard, insignificant as dust.

"Chen Feng, we must pass the selections and officially become disciples of the Heavenly Dao Sect so we can train here," Li Xinyue said, taking a deep breath to steady herself. Her tone was firm and resolute.

Chen Feng’s eyes shone with determination, fully agreeing with her.

Having seen such grandeur, how could one not yearn to be part of it? Now that they had witnessed it with their own eyes, there was no turning back.

"Selections…"

At the same time, Chen Feng’s curiosity about the upcoming trials grew stronger and stronger.

[--------------------------------------------]

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