134: Unlock new features

After spending another full three days, Qin Feng completely consolidated his cultivation at the newly entered Martial King Realm. He grew familiar with the surging True Essence power within his body, which was over ten times more refined and profound than his previous Internal Energy, and also advanced the "Daoist Primordial Chaos Art" to a new level matching the Martial King Realm.

One hundred days of secluded cultivation passed in the blink of an eye.

When Qin Feng opened his eyes again, a flash of lightning seemed to flicker and vanish within the quiet room. The aura around him was now perfectly harmonized and restrained, yet it gave off a feeling of unfathomable depth, like hidden undercurrents beneath a calm sea surface—motionless until stirred, but capable of earth-shattering force once unleashed.

"Finally... success!" Feeling the completely different power within him, a surge of heroic spirit welled up in Qin Feng's heart. The Martial King Realm meant an increased lifespan of five hundred years, the ability to fly by manipulating Qi, and the external release of True Essence. In this martial world, he had finally gained true capital to stand his ground!

[Ding! Detected Host has successfully broken through to the Early Stage Martial King Realm. Life level transition completed!]

[daily intelligence system reactivated!]

[Congratulations to the Host on breaking through a major Realm. System functions updated!]

[New function added: Directed Intelligence Fusion. The Host can specify a general direction (e.g., treasure, Opportunity, danger, person, etc.) and use one daily intelligence refresh chance (can be deducted from the guaranteed count) for a targeted search to obtain more precise related intelligence. Usable once per week.]

[Note: Guaranteed intelligence (blue) x3 accumulated during the Host's seclusion has been automatically stored.]

The System's prompt sounded timely, bringing a new pleasant surprise.

"Directed Intelligence Fusion? Once a week?" Qin Feng's eyes lit up. "This function is too practical! It means I can actively search for things I urgently need instead of completely passively waiting for refreshes."

He immediately thought of his current shortcomings. The qingming sword was destroyed. Although the stronger ink plum sword served as a replacement, his armor was still the black tortoise armor, and it was slightly damaged. It probably wouldn't hold up well against stronger enemies.

"System, I want to use one Directed Intelligence Fusion. Direction—Earth Rank or higher protective armor!" Qin Feng silently recited in his heart.

[Command confirmed. Consuming three guaranteed blue intelligence chances for directed Fusion search...]

[Special Intelligence Refreshed:]

[Red Intelligence: Fifty li outside the western suburbs of West Lake City, hidden deep at the bottom of the 'Sun-Moon Pond,' lies a 'White Dragon Soft Armor' left behind by a former dynasty's naval commander. This armor is made from a blend of Hundred-Year Ice Silkworm Silk and Flood Dragon Sinew, soft in texture yet incredibly tough. Ranked as a Medium Grade Earth Rank item, it can withstand a full-power strike from a Mid-stage Martial King expert and offers additional resistance to water and ice attribute attacks. A special method is required to dive to the pond's bottom to obtain it.]

"The bottom of the Sun-Moon Pond? White Dragon Soft Armor, Medium Grade Earth Rank!" Qin Feng was overjoyed in his heart. "Truly a good item! This perfectly makes up for my defensive shortcomings."

He stood up tall, straightened his robes. Despite three months without touching dust or water, he wasn't dirty. Instead, cleansed by True Essence, he felt even more refreshed. He raised his hand and deactivated the protective Formation of the quiet room.

"Creak—"

The heavy stone door was slowly pushed open. Long-absent sunlight poured in, somewhat dazzling yet carrying a comfortable warmth.

Outside the door, several gazes instantly focused on him.

The first to catch his eye was Ji Ruxue, dressed in black, standing like a silent snow lotus in the position closest to the stone door, as if she had never left these past three-plus months. Seeing Qin Feng emerge safely from seclusion with an aura as deep as the sea, a flicker of relief, extremely difficult to detect, passed through her icy eyes. She gave a slight nod as a greeting.

"Big Brother Qin!" A voice, choked with tears yet full of joy, rang out. Xiao Chun rushed over like a swallow returning to its nest, throwing her arms around his arm without a second thought. Her upturned little face was a mix of smiles and tears. "You finally came out! I was so worried! One hundred days, a full one hundred days!"

The Treasure-Seeking Squirrel in her arms also poked its head out, chirping "zhi zhi" as if expressing welcome.

Qin Feng smiled and ruffled her hair, feeling this undisguised dependence and concern, warmth filling his heart. "Silly girl, aren't I perfectly fine? I even turned misfortune into fortune and made a Breakthrough."

At that moment, a fragrant breeze wafted over as Su Yuetang approached gracefully. Today she wore a light purple palace-style gown, appearing somewhat less alluring and more dignified than usual, mixed with an indescribable excitement. Her beautiful eyes were fixed unblinkingly on Qin Feng. In the flow of her gaze, there was relief, admiration, and a deeply hidden emotion akin to a weight being lifted.

"Congratulations, Qin Feng." Her voice carried a barely perceptible tremor, yet her tone was extremely sincere. "A hundred days, breaking through to Martial King! Such a feat, even among the younger generation of our Hundred Flowers Pavilion, is exceptionally rare! I... we are all happy for you." The "we" she mentioned seemed to intentionally include herself.

"Congratulations, Deacon Qin! (Congratulations, Brother Qin!)"

Zhao Mang's rough voice also rang out. He strode forward, clapping Qin Feng on the shoulder with force, laughing heartily. "Good lad! You really did it! When I ground my way from Peak Grand Martial Master to Martial King back in the day, it took a full eight years! You, in a hundred days... tsk tsk, the younger generation is to be feared, truly to be feared!" He looked at Qin Feng, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration. The injury on his left arm also seemed mostly recovered.

Steward Liu also stood a bit farther away, smiling and cupping his hands in greeting.

Looking at these companions who were genuinely happy for him, Qin Feng felt a surge of complex emotions in his heart. This hundred-day seclusion, seemingly lonely, actually carried the expectations and protection of many people.

He cupped his fists and bowed solemnly to everyone. "Qin Feng has been in seclusion for a hundred days, troubling you all with your concern and protection. You've worked hard! This kindness, Qin Feng will remember it in my heart!"

His gaze swept over Ji Ruxue, Xiao Chun, Su Yuetang, Zhao Mang... finally looking into the distance, his eyes becoming sharp and resolute.

Martial King was merely a new starting point. Ahead lay stronger opponents (like the Bai Family) and a vaster world waiting for him to explore.