Chapter 138: Twigs and Cultivation

Half a month later.

Although the capital remained shrouded in a somber atmosphere, the city’s vast population ensured that reconstruction efforts were swift. Within less than ten days, the ruins had been transformed back into a magnificent metropolis.

For the civilians whose homes were destroyed during the great battle, the imperial family provided the manpower and funding to help them rebuild. As for the city walls, Uncle Ape led four giant apes to uproot a small mountain several hundred meters long. With a few swift strikes, the mountain was shaped into a new city wall in mere hours.

In the courtyard of Ye Feng’s residence, rows of armchairs were neatly arranged. A dozen young powerhouses lounged leisurely, chatting idly.

"Monster, our Heavenly King Alliance has become an overnight sensation. Thousands of people are clamoring to join lately. Should we take them in? We cannot keep stalling like this," Xiao Chong said, turning toward Ye Feng, who still looked somewhat frail. After Ye Feng defeated Yang Yi single-handedly and crippled the mysterious youth, the nickname "Monster" had spread throughout the capital, becoming synonymous with him.

"You have all witnessed the path the Heavenly King Alliance has taken to get here. Its growth was not built on anyone’s pedigree or background. Since the ruins, we have lived through life-and-death trials almost every day to reach where we are now," Ye Feng said, casting a lazy glance at Xiao Chong from his chair. He continued, "We do not want sycophants. We do not want those looking for a powerful backing. The Heavenly King Alliance is not a sanctuary for the unscrupulous; on the contrary, it is a tomb for true heroes. To join is to prepare for war against the Holy Lands and to stand on the front lines. From tomorrow, follow these standards: anyone at the Spirit King level or above with sufficient talent may join. However, set specific goals for each person; if a Spirit King fails to make a breakthrough within three months, they are to be expelled immediately."

Ye Feng tapped his fingers rhythmically against the armrest. He had anticipated this situation. Only by maintaining strict standards could the alliance preserve its superior combat power. If they accepted everyone, the organization would soon become a cesspool of filth and corruption. What Ye Feng wanted was not numbers, but absolute elites—quality over quantity.

"The Illusion Clan... any news?" Ye Feng asked after a long pause.

At these words, everyone fell silent. They knew well the place Huan Qingwu held in Ye Feng’s heart. Since regaining consciousness, Ye Feng had not made a public spectacle of searching for the clan, but everyone knew that the Ye family’s scouts had been searching day and night.

Ye Feng observed their reactions clearly. Suppressing the profound disappointment in his heart, he said, "It is nothing. Do not worry too much. Keep searching slowly... she will be found."

"She will definitely be found!" they all gripped their fists, silently vowing to themselves.

Even though Ye Feng had not ordered the alliance to search, they had not remained idle. For the past half month, the sole task for over a hundred members had been to track down traces of Huan Qingwu. They all remembered Ye Feng’s kindness; they viewed him as a brother and a kinsman, and among men, loyalty is proven through action.

"The seal on Dragon Island has been fractured. The world is no longer what it once was; the spiritual energy is several times denser than before. I have heard that at the ancient city of Loulan by the East Sea, one can even faintly perceive the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth. Recruit quickly, and in five days, head to Loulan," Ye Feng said, slowly closing his eyes to block out the image of that fairy-like figure.

In the ruins, the white jade skeleton had shattered the golden seal. While they were unaware of the external changes at the time, everyone realized upon returning to the capital that the world had transformed. From the elders, they had learned the truth: in the ancient era, the Eastern Dragon Clan had guarded the most vital treasure of the Martial Soul Continent—the source of all the continent’s spiritual energy. After the fall of the Dragon Clan and the sealing of Dragon Island, the world’s spiritual energy had plummeted, and within a century, the Great Dao had become all but impossible to comprehend.

Since then, few had managed to transcend the Heavenly Venerate realm to reach the state of supreme liberation. For millions of years, cultivation speeds had slowed, and many talented individuals had died, trapped below the Spirit Emperor realm, defeated by the passage of time. Ye Feng did not know that the Heavenly King Alliance’s unintentional actions had triggered a new wave of breakthroughs across the continent—a development that would allow the inhabitants of the Martial Soul Continent to survive a future catastrophe.

"You only broke through half a month ago. Remember, do not be overly ambitious. For the next two months, the forty-four of you who entered the ruins must focus on comprehending the Dao and consolidating your foundations. Perhaps before long, we will have to return to the days of slaughter and war," Ye Feng said, rising slowly. He gazed toward the west, his brow filled with intense killing intent.

"If that is the case, should we not strive for breakthroughs as soon as possible? Why suppress it?" Kuang Lie asked, looking at Ye Feng in confusion.

Ye Feng did not speak. He picked up two branches from the ground, planting one shallowly in the soil, while using his spiritual energy to bury half of the other deep into the earth.

"When the wind blows, which of these two branches will be blown away first?" Ye Feng asked, brushing the dirt from his hands.

"That goes without saying, it’s the wobbly one. Look, it’s almost falling already, how could it—" As he spoke, Kuang Lie’s eyes suddenly brightened.

"I understand," Kuang Lie said, finally sitting down in silence.

"We can compare ourselves to these branches. The war against the Holy Lands is the gale. Only with deep roots can we stand firm against the wind. In the path of martial arts, no one can achieve success overnight. Only through constant accumulation can one reach greater heights."

As night fell, the group took their leave. In the ensuing silence, Ye Feng looked up at the stars and whispered, "I do not believe you are dead. I will seek help from the one in the Immortal Realm; I refuse to believe that I cannot find a trace of you."