After murmuring to himself for a while, the star soul spirit stretched out its hand. Blue mist, formed from Qi energy, emerged and gradually stopped the flow of blood pouring from Xiao Chen's body.
Six days later.
After absorbing a large amount of soul pearl energy, Xiao Chen felt his meridians completely filled with energy.
Realizing he had to overcome a limiting barrier, he felt the sound of bones cracking, followed by the faint echo of a small explosion within his body.
Kraaack! Boooooom!
Finally, Xiao Chen had advanced another level. He had now reached the Five-Star Initial Spirit stage.
'Not only is his comprehension terrifying… Even using the Dragon Clan's techniques, absorbing this much energy in less than a week is extraordinary… Chen'er, I look forward to more surprises from you in the future.'
After the star soul spirit finished speaking, Xiao Chen opened his eyes. He felt lighter, energized, and his spiritual awareness had expanded to fifty meters.
"Chen'er, congratulations on becoming a Five-Star Initial Spirit practitioner… This achievement will astonish everyone…"
"Thank you, master. Without your guidance… Xiao Chen would still be trash, just as everyone said…"
"Hahaha! Seeing your comprehension is terrifying. Even without me guiding you, you will become an unrivaled Phoenix in the future… Now, I want you to hunt all the demonic beasts around Shao Yang Forest."
Xiao Chen nodded. For a moment, he looked at the wounds left by the silver-winged tiger.
'No wonder I didn't feel the pain… These wounds must have been healed by master… I won't let you down in the future,' he thought as he began walking casually, followed by his master.
After traveling deeper into the forest, Xiao Chen had killed more than five hundred Tier-One and Tier-Two demonic beasts. Over the past three days, his master had imparted extensive knowledge about the three continents. As long as Xiao Chen remained careful, he could one day dominate all three continents with his strength.
"Chen'er, ahead of you, Tier-Three demonic beasts are easy to encounter. Before entering the forest center, draw your sword and the Immortal Phoenix Manual."
Taking out the Immortal Phoenix Manual, the star soul spirit explained that the manual contained an extremely formidable sword technique.
"The Nine Phoenix Sword Technique?"
The star soul spirit nodded, recalling how even the highly respected Dragon Clan on the mainland had been humiliated by this simple technique.
Seeing his master lost in thought, Xiao Chen said, "If you don't want me to learn this technique, then Xiao Chen will not practice it…"
"You're too clever… You have Phoenix blood. This technique is Xiao Lang's inheritance, meant especially for you… If you don't learn it, what meaning does being a Phoenix have?"
Scratching the back of his head absentmindedly, the star soul spirit reached for the manual and began reading it aloud, so Xiao Chen could understand faster.
"The Nine Phoenix Sword comprises nine techniques. Each technique is extremely difficult to master… Xiao Chen, practice them one by one…"
After reading the manual, the star soul spirit returned it to Xiao Chen and resumed dwelling within his body.
"First Step…"
'Fight using your sword relying on speed, precision, and flexibility. The first technique's rules are based on these three principles… The swordsman is the point of strength,' Xiao Chen read.
Observing the first step, Xiao Chen tried to memorize it. He practiced for a while, and two hours later, though not perfect, he moved his sword with considerable skill.
During his training, as his spiritual awareness expanded, he sensed three Tier-Three Initial Spirit practitioners approaching.
'Why are they coming? If they provoke you, you must retaliate… This is the final rule,' the star soul spirit reminded Xiao Chen as he prepared to hide.
Nodding, Xiao Chen placed his sword back in his spatial ring. He walked casually, as if nothing had happened.
When the three practitioners reached him, one of them spoke.
"Brother, are you alone? If so, join us… This forest is dangerous, considering your cultivation is only Five-Star Initial Spirit…"
Xiao Chen turned to face them, smiling warmly.
"Then what is your purpose here?"
Huan Le raised his eyebrows, surprised. He had not expected a Five-Star Initial Spirit practitioner to appear so confident, as if mocking the three of them.
"Brother, why invite trash like him? Look at him—he's arrogant, not even willing to acknowledge us!" Huan Le disagreed.
Yang Nan, a disciple from the East Sea Sect, smiled. "It's understandable that he spoke that way… After all, he doesn't know us. Let me introduce ourselves: we are disciples of the East Sea Sect. We came to look for our missing fellow disciple… As for you, may we know who you are?"
'They don't seem to have bad intentions… The more people, the easier it is to deal with the obstacles ahead… Chen'er, choose wisely.'
Xiao Chen nodded, looking at the three with a friendly gaze.
"I am Xiao Chen, just an ordinary young man training in the depths of Shao Yang Forest…"
"Xiao Chen? That name sounds familiar. Brother Le, do you remember him?"