Chapter 99: Practicing Together **

Ji Moran stood at the 60-meter mark, her eyes wide with shock. The Skyforge Zone was so awe-inspiring that she wondered if Jiang Feng was truly in the Essence Condensation Stage and not the Golden Core Realm. She knew with certainty that if she were trapped in that area, she wouldn't stand a chance of survival.

"He's beyond the level of a genius. How can such a person even exist in Northern Moon?" Ji Moran swallowed hard. She had always believed that the strongest of the younger generation came from powerful clans and factions, nurtured under their immense resources. Yet, Jiang Feng defied her understanding. Lin Moyi wasn't his father or grandfather, and there were no records of Jiang Feng's background aside from his connection to Lin Moyi. "Where did he come from?"

As the Skyforge Zone's radiant display finally dissipated, Ji Moran spotted a drained Jiang Feng, stuffing his mouth full of Crimson Vein Fruit. Along with that, he popped several pills—ones he had bought from her—and swallowed them whole. Suddenly, Jiang Feng paused, his gaze falling on the massive tree they were standing on. Despite the overwhelming power of his Skyforge Zone, the tree remained entirely unscathed.

"Strange... The Skyforge Zone is devastating for crowd control, yet this tree is perfectly fine." His thoughts shifted as his eyes gleamed with light. "Thinking about it... I should start forging now. I'll combine it with practice for the Three Sun Fist." Jiang Feng muttered aloud.

Ji Moran rushed over, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. Jiang Feng couldn't read her thoughts but hoped she would keep his secrets as promised.

"What's the plan now?" she asked eagerly.

"I need one month," Jiang Feng replied, his tone firm. "During that time, I'll prepare something for the both of us. Use that time to get stronger, because we'll face challenges ahead. Those two flame seeds are likely the best treasures this area has to offer. If you've never killed before..." He fixed her with a steady gaze. "...you might need to this time."

"I'll do my best," Ji Moran said with a resolute nod. She had slain demonic beasts before, but the idea of killing another human unsettled her.

"Good. High-level flame seeds possess intelligence and can launch attacks at will, some weak some strong. Some even have unique abilities that can be transfer to a cultivator's flame seed upon absorption of said flame seed. The stronger and higher-quality the flame seed, the better the chance of gaining its ability." Jiang Feng climbed back up the tree, Ji Moran following closely behind listening to his every word.

"How do you know all this?" she asked. The Ji Clan had found flame seeds before, but none had displayed intelligence on the level Jiang Feng had spoken about. While acquiring them was always difficult due to environmental hazards, their abilities had seemed straightforward such as the ones possessed by the Emberheart Essence.

"I've read about it." Jiang Feng avoided her probing gaze. In truth, he was reciting knowledge from the Abyssal Imperion Crucible, his family's most advanced forging manual. "Lower-level flame seeds generally lack intelligence and attack power. They provide auxiliary benefits, like enhancing flame control, but that's about it."

Reaching the uppermost branches of the towering tree, Jiang Feng stopped on a wide, sturdy limb. He took a deep breath, then waved his hand. With a loud boom, a forging table materialized before him.

The table exuded an extraordinary presence, its surface etched with intricate runic patterns that seemed to pulse faintly with power. The metallic edges shimmered with a golden hue, while the base was carved from obsidian-like stone, radiating an aura of ancient craftsmanship.

Ji Moran's eyes widened further as Jiang Feng retrieved a variety of rare forging materials from his spatial ring. Many of these materials were unrecognizable to her, their value evident from the way they glimmered in the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves.

"Crimson Star Iron, Skyshadow Silk, Abyssal Flame Crystal..." Jiang Feng named a few, laying them out methodically.

Ji Moran stared in awe. "I've never seen materials like these before."

"These will be for forging a set of armor—for both of us." Jiang Feng's voice turned grave as he continued, "This battle will be difficult, and I've sensed the power of shadows nearby ever since we left the last battlefield. If I'm right, the Celestial Shadow Church is here."

Ji Moran stiffened at the mention of the notorious faction, deep fear creeped into her eyes, even causing her to shake a little.

Jiang Feng faced her directly, his tone unyielding and filled with hatred. "If you want to leave, now is your chance. I plan to kill anyone from the Shadow Church who crosses my path. I'll claim one of those flame seeds for myself and eliminate anyone who gets in my way. Those who attack me will lose everything they possess. If you don't want to get involved, I suggest you leave."

Ji Moran hesitated for a moment but then clenched her fists, the obsidian Waterfall Realm was a in a life time opportunity and she will never get the chance ever again. "I'm staying. If this is the path we need to take, then I'll do my part."

Jiang Feng nodded approvingly, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "Good. Let's begin."

///

The codex had mentioned that Jiang Feng could create Mundane Tier weapons at his current cultivation level using the Abyssal Imperion Crucible. Yet, during his time at Yumo's shop, he had only been crafting average weapons and tools. In Axina, weapons were classified into three tiers: Average, Mundane, and Enchanted.

Mundane Tier weapons were a significant leap from Average, both in quality and requirements. Normally, only cultivators in the later stages of the Essence Condensation realm could wield them effectively. These weapons demanded a substantial amount of spiritual energy to function. After all, what use was a weapon if it drained you dry before the battle even began?

Across from him, about thirty meters away, Ji Moran practiced her swordsmanship. The faintly glowing blade in her hand caught the soft morning light as she moved through her forms. Sweat glistened on her brow, trickling down her face as she focused on perfecting each strike.

Nearby, Jiang Feng had already laid out the materials he needed to forge their armor. During the night, he had stripped large chunks of bark and wood from the Infernal Ironwood Tree, the name Jiang Feng had give the tree, known for its fire-resistant properties. It would serve as a crucial element in the armor's design.**

Ji Moran eventually paused, sheathing her sword and walking over. "Hey, can you practice with me for an hour or two?" she asked, her tone laced with frustration. Despite practicing all morning, she felt she had made little progress, especially when she compared her movements to Jiang Feng's effortless display of combat against the five men they had encountered.

"I guess I can," Jiang Feng said, rising from his seated position. "Besides, I need to start practicing the Three Sun Fists anyway."

Ji Moran gave him a sweet smile, and Jiang Feng couldn't help but notice just how captivating she was. Her long, jet-black hair flowed like a waterfall, her bright eyes sparkled with determination with a tinge of sweetness, and her tall figure carried an undeniable grace. Every aspect of her seemed to draw his attention, making it hard for him to look away.

"See something you like?" Ji Moran's teasing voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

Caught off guard, Jiang Feng gave an awkward laugh. "Sorry about that," he said, scratching the back of his head. "But... you're really beautiful."

His honest words brought a faint blush to Ji Moran's cheeks, though her smile widened in response. Her shy yet pleased expression only made her look more enchanting, leaving Jiang Feng momentarily dazed once more.

"Let's start," Feng said, regaining his composure. "But before we do, I should warn you—I've never really sparred before. My attacks are usually direct and... well, uncontrollable. I'll use this session to work on precision and controlling the output of my spiritual energy." Jiang Feng adopted a stance, his expression now serious.

"That's understandable," Ji Moran replied, drawing her sword. "I also need to make a breakthrough in my sword art. Back in the Ji Clan, even though my sparring partners pretend to give it their all, I know they hold back. It's hard to gauge if I've actually improved."

The two faced each other, the morning air crackling with tension as they readied themselves.

Jiang Feng's thoughts briefly drifted to the Three Sun Fists, which he had studied earlier while sorting materials. His innate comprehension, bolstered by the insights from the Eternal Flame Codex, allowed him to absorb the technique's intricacies quickly but he needed practice.

The Three Sun Fists was a powerful martial art that channeled solar energy during the day and flame energy at night. Its design was simple yet overwhelming: three sequential strikes, each representing a phase of the sun. Together, they created a relentless assault that could leave even seasoned opponents reeling.

The first phase, Dawn Breaker Strike, embodied the rising sun—a symbol of renewal and explosive power. The technique's purpose was to catch the opponent off guard with a swift and direct attack. It generated a burst of radiant heat, capable of searing the target and destabilizing their stance. When executed, a fiery glow enveloped the practitioner's fist, streaking forward like the first rays of sunlight breaking the horizon.

Jiang Feng clenched his fist, feeling the latent power within him as he visualized the technique. 'This sparring session isn't just for her progress—it's for mine, too.'

"Ready?" Ji Moran's voice brought him back to the moment. She raised her sword, her stance steady and her gaze determined.

"Always," Jiang Feng replied, a faint grin on his lips. This wasn't just a sparring session; it was a step toward greater mastery for them both.