Silver Spear Amidst Falling Cherry Blossoms

The radiant force mingled with blood, surging through Jiang Feng’s veins. As it flowed, a thin thread of luminous energy separated from the vessels, permeating his muscles. This power, like a subtle current, stimulated the muscle fibers, strengthening them. Throughout his body, these currents were omnipresent, resembling countless tiny snakes or industrious workers, diligently laboring everywhere.

Gradually, these minute currents seemed to heed a command and began to move, converging toward a single location. Jiang Feng sat cross-legged atop the small peak, his right hand resting on his knee, utterly relaxed. Suddenly, his middle finger twitched lightly, and a faint golden glow appeared at the tip.

Jiang Feng abruptly opened his eyes and stood up. He assumed a stance and began to practice his boxing. He used a set of palm techniques—graceful, measured, seemingly light yet profoundly forceful. With each palm strike, the air exploded with a sharp crack, like firecrackers bursting.

The thunderous sounds gathered, growing louder. Finally, Jiang Feng drew his palm into a fist and punched forward.

With a resounding boom, the small peak erupted as if struck by thunder—a massive stone was hit by Jiang Feng’s punch, paused for a moment, then shattered into countless fragments!

At the instant his fist struck the stone, golden light appeared across Jiang Feng’s knuckles, enveloping his entire fist. As the stone shattered, the golden glow dispersed and vanished.

Standing amidst the rubble, Jiang Feng’s face radiated ecstatic joy!

The set he had just performed was the Falling Thunder Palm. It was through this very technique that he had once forged a bond with the lady, giving it a special significance for him.

The Falling Thunder Palm was an ordinary martial art, trainable even before merging the seed of luminous power, used for strengthening the body and regulating force.

When combined with luminous energy, the Falling Thunder Palm unleashed a new potency, becoming the true “Falling Thunder Palm.”

Jiang Feng had practiced it for over a year, mastering the twelve forms and their variations. Yet, unable to properly harness luminous energy, he could not unlock its full power.

Now, thanks to the improved Finger of Illumination method, he finally managed to channel the faint luminous energy within him, and the Falling Thunder Palm struck thunder!

Currently, Jiang Feng’s luminous energy was divided into two parts: one stored in the primordial branch, continuously entering his body through golden veins; the other stored in his blood vessels, flowing smoothly. It was this latter portion that Jiang Feng had just called upon.

In previous training, this part of his energy would be fully restored, but a single palm strike had depleted two-thirds of it once again.

If this were to occur in normal combat, it could only serve as a life-saving trump card.

However, Jiang Feng had witnessed the master at North Jiang Martial Hall demonstrating the Falling Thunder Palm, which included luminous energy, but its power was far inferior to what Jiang Feng achieved—perhaps only half as strong.

That master was a martial practitioner at the Dawn Realm, meaning Jiang Feng’s punch was equivalent to one or two times the strength of a Dawn Realm martial artist!

Such a technique—even a single strike—could prove invaluable!

And this was only the beginning.

He had just started practicing the Finger of Illumination method, and his control was still lacking. Over time, as he mastered the fine manipulation of luminous energy, the Falling Thunder Palm’s power would multiply.

By then, the Falling Thunder Palm would possess true thunderous force!

Jiang Feng regained his composure, and once again the sound of continuous punching echoed atop the peak.

Yes, this was only the beginning!

...

While Jiang Feng trained on the peak, a few bird calls echoed from the small valley, as if a night bird had wandered in and lost its way.

A gray shadow streaked swiftly down the mountain wall and drifted into the treehouse.

Chong Fan sat upright on the grass mat, eyes clear and wide awake. He stared at his fingertips, as if deeply engrossed.

The rabbit, Night Snack, curled up in a ball, softly snoring and sleeping soundly beside him.

Soon, a gentle voice overshadowed the snores. The rabbit’s long ears twitched, shifted position, and continued sleeping.

“What does the young master require?”

Chong Fan did not look up and asked, “Where is Mother now?”

“The lady is in the eastern Azure Dragon Ancient Kingdom of the Xuanji Continent, meeting with the monarch.”

“The Azure Dragon Ancient Kingdom’s Nine Pillars will soon be opened. That is indeed reason enough for Mother’s visit. Notify her that on the ninth day of the seventh month, I will await her at the Wood Residence in Connecting Heaven City.”

“Yes!”

Chong Fan continued, “Aside from the Nine Pillars, what else is happening outside?”

The gray shadow gathered its thoughts and replied, “The most astonishing news recently is that Ye Hanzhou has rebelled from Imperial City and vanished. Many suspect she died during the city’s pursuit.”

Chong Fan abruptly looked up, shock in his eyes. “One of the Four Saints, Silver Spear Falling Cherry Ye Hanzhou?”

The gray shadow nodded, “Yes, there’s only one Ye Hanzhou in this world.”

Chong Fan was speechless for a long time. The rabbit, Night Snack, opened its eyes and hopped beside him. Its soft fur gently brushed Chong Fan’s palm, helping him regain his senses.

He stroked Night Snack’s long ears, recalling the intelligence he had previously seen.

One Emperor, Two Sovereigns, Four Saints, Seven Sages—these are the fourteen greatest masters in the world.

Ye Hanzhou, mentioned by the gray shadow, was one of the Four Saints.

She was dazzlingly talented, merging the Nine Rings of Luminous Seed at sixteen, breaking through the Dawn Realm in two months, and advancing to the Daybreak Realm in three months. By twenty-eight, she had accomplished what countless martial artists dreamed of—a lifetime achievement: attaining the Heart of Light Realm and soaring through the sky with the wind.

Her legend did not end there. At forty, she became an Emperor of Will, able to command a domain and extend her lifespan to a thousand years.

That year, she entered Imperial City. With a single silver spear, she swept away thirty thousand demon clans; cherry blossoms fell like blood, earning her fame in one battle.

Everyone knew Ye Hanzhou was not just of high rank; her combat power was equally formidable!

She had yet to reach a hundred years, but legend had it she was infinitely close to becoming a Sovereign of Soul, possibly the sixth in the world, and the youngest to ever do so.

Such a figure—dead?

After rebelling from Imperial City, she was pursued and then perished silently in some unknown corner?

After a prolonged silence, Chong Fan finally let out a long breath and asked in a deep voice, “Is this news reliable?”

The gray shadow replied, “Imperial City has not issued an official statement, but neither have they reacted strongly to the rumors.”

Given Ye Hanzhou’s status, rumors of her rebellion and death—if false—would have provoked Imperial City’s wrath and a public search for the source.

Such silence was, without doubt, a tacit confirmation, hinting at dire implications.

Chong Fan asked, “What is Imperial City doing now? Is there any impact?”

The gray shadow replied, “No news has come from the Demon Suppression Army, and logistics are not significantly affected.”

Chong Fan pondered for a moment, then asked, “Any more detailed information?”

The gray shadow answered, “At present, only rumors. Lord Feiting has dispatched specialists to investigate, so more news should arrive soon.”

Chong Fan nodded, “This is a matter of great importance. It must be thoroughly investigated! Especially Imperial City’s reaction and the movements of the Demon Suppression Army—these are matters of humanity’s fate. We must have them in our grasp!”

The gray shadow bowed low, “Yes!”

He raised his head, cautiously gauging his master’s expression, and exclaimed in surprise, “Master, you look very well today!”

Usually, after such a conversation, Chong Fan would show signs of fatigue. But today, after being out all day and speaking at length, he remained energetic, without a trace of weariness.

Chong Fan paused, touched his forehead, and silently nodded.

Suddenly, the gray shadow’s ears twitched and he looked toward the west.

Chong Fan noticed and followed his gaze. Suddenly, a thunderclap erupted nearby!

The thunder was very close, and as soon as it sounded, the gray shadow darted over, shielding Chong Fan.

However, it was just a single clap, then all was calm.

The gray shadow stood guard for a while, then saluted Chong Fan, “Forgive my intrusion. The young man who accompanies you has an unclear origin. Please be cautious.”

Unclear origin?

Chong Fan frowned and said coldly, “Did I not say you are forbidden to investigate him?”

The gray shadow prostrated deeply, replying respectfully, “For the sake of your safety, we dare not be negligent.”

Chong Fan’s voice grew colder, “So, as long as you deem it appropriate, you might defy my commands?”

His voice contained a hint of danger. The gray shadow, though unable to see his expression, began to tremble and could not speak for a long time. Eventually, he managed to say hoarsely, “Yes, we were wrong. Please punish us!”

Chong Fan leaned forward, fixing his gaze on him, “This is my second warning. If there is a third, you will go find Feilian yourself.”

Upon hearing the name, the gray shadow shook violently, but still replied, “Yes!”

The gray shadow soon departed, leaving Chong Fan in the dark treehouse, gently stroking the rabbit’s fur.

Suddenly, the rabbit struggled free, jumped out the low window, and vanished.

“Gone to find your master?” Chong Fan smiled and then sank back into thought about the news.

Ye Hanzhou is dead... If confirmed, this will shake the entire world of Luminous Mind!

...

The white rabbit darted through the night like a streak of lightning, running effortlessly.

A single leap would carry it nearly ten meters forward.

In no time, it arrived at the base of the peak, then bounded up the rocks, reaching the summit in less than the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, where it found the man at the top.

Jiang Feng had just finished ten thousand punches, wiped his sweat, and stopped.

The intense exercise left him invigorated, his eyes shining like stars. He found that such regular training greatly aided the recovery of luminous energy.

Now, though the primordial branch was still not full, the luminous energy permeating into his veins had already fully recovered.

He spotted Night Snack and laughed, “Oh, are you here to fetch me?”

Night Snack paused atop a large stone, and then, with a flash of white, the remnant soul drifted out from the rabbit’s body.

Jiang Feng raised his eyebrows.

In just a few days, the remnant soul had not only failed to dissipate—it seemed even more solid than before!

When he first met it, it was only a vague human shape; without hearing its voice, one could not even tell its gender.

Now, however, the white shadow had begun to take on a feminine form.

Her long hair flowed, her slender body clad in close-fitting armor, right hand gripping a long spear, looking every bit the martial general—just standing there, she exuded heroic spirit.

But that was all; her features remained indistinct, impossible to discern.

Her voice entered Jiang Feng’s mind, still laced with confusion, “My name is...”

Jiang Feng’s heart leapt for joy, and he quickly stepped forward, asking, “Have you recovered your memory?”

The white shadow hesitated, “My name is Ye...”

Jiang Feng looked at her expectantly, but she grew confused again.

Disappointed, Jiang Feng said, “You’re not going to take the rabbit’s name as your own, are you? The rabbit’s name is Night Snack—is yours Ye Snack?”

“Ye... Ye Snack...” The white shadow remained confused, then after a moment actually replied, “My name is Ye Snack!”

Jiang Feng squatted to the ground with a thud, mussing his hair in frustration.

After a while, he stood up helplessly and shook his head, “No, that’s not your name. I was joking.”

He sighed, “Don’t worry, take your time. Look, you’re clearer now than before, which means you’re slowly improving. Maybe one day your memories will fully return.”

The white shadow murmured, “Ye Snack... Yes, my name is Ye Snack!”

Jiang Feng rolled his eyes and looked up, sighing, “Let’s just hurry and go to sleep!”

He scooped up the rabbit, and the white shadow drifted behind him, occasionally repeating, “Ye Snack.”

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Thanks to fatfox911 and Zhesha! Started writing at nine-thirty in the morning, finished and updated at noon... Looks like I’ll be a few minutes late?