Martial God Asura Chapters 46-50: Alliance, Ambush, and Ancient Secrets

The scent of fine tea lingered in the quiet elegance of the elder’s chamber, a stark contrast to the violence Chu Feng had just unleashed. Sitting across from the serene Elder Su Rou, he drank cup after cup, not out of fear, but genuine thirst, much to her concealed surprise. Her intervention had been timely, pulling him from the jaws of the punishment department after his brutal dismantling of Liu Mang. As he finally set down the empty pot, he offered his sincere thanks, fully aware that her motives extended beyond mere institutional justice.

“No need for thanks,” Su Rou said with a gentle smile, her eyes appraising him. “You are a rare and excellent disciple.” Her request for the return of the Three Thunder Styles was expected. Chu Feng handed over the martial skill scroll, reluctantly admitting he had only grasped the first two forms. “I won’t hide this,” she replied, a knowing glint in her eye. “Other than the founder of this school, no one has truly understood the third style. Mastering the first two is accomplishment enough.” Her words ignited a quiet determination in Chu Feng. If the founder could do it, why not me? The seed of a future breakthrough was planted.

Their conversation remained light, focused on his well-being as a disciple, with no mention of recruitment. Yet, Chu Feng understood the subtext. Leaving the elders’ building, he found the air outside fresher, his path clearer. A familiar, spirited voice broke his contemplation.

“Oi, you finally came out.”

Su Mei stood there, a butterfly of vibrant energy amidst the solemn architecture. Chu Feng’s gratitude was immediate. “Thanks to you this time.” He knew her sister’s aid had likely been spurred by this fiery girl.

“Oh? You seem to still have a heart,” she teased, hands on her hips. “But if you’re going to give me gratitude, shouldn’t you express it more… materially?”

A playful smirk touched Chu Feng’s lips. “You want me to kiss you?”

“Leave!”

“You want me to hug you?”

“Leave right now!”

“Fine. I’ll take a deficit and I’ll marry you.”

“Instantly leave right now!” Su Mei’s face flushed crimson with exasperation. She spun on her heel, but Chu Feng, chuckling at her reaction, quickly caught up. His tone softened, turning sincere. “How about I join the Wings Alliance?”

She stopped instantly, her bright eyes wide and sparkling. “Really?”

It was a decision born of calculated gratitude and necessity. He owed the sisters a life debt. Furthermore, with his talents now exposed, the protection of a powerful alliance was crucial for his own safety and that of Chu Yue and his family in the inner court. “Of course,” he affirmed. “I owe you sisters a favour… this is just to satisfy your small little wish.”

Su Mei’s smile was radiant. “So you still have a bit of conscience.” She quickly grew serious, business-like. “There just happens to be a mission for our Wings Alliance tomorrow. You join as well.”

When Chu Feng questioned why a group of elite disciples needed to team up, her answer was cryptic and proud. “You think it’s going to be a trash mission like those at the Mission Selection Location? The missions we do are no easier than the ones the core disciples do.” She handed him a slip of paper and a badge—the symbol of the Wings Alliance. “Tomorrow noon, come here. And don’t wear the clothing of the Azure Dragon School.”

“Damn. We’re not doing a group robbery, are we?” Chu Feng joked.

“Idiot,” she retorted, but her eyes were smiling. Before leaving, she addressed his unspoken worry. “The Sword Alliance won’t dare touch your family. If they do, my Wings Alliance will tell them who’s the boss alliance in the inner court.” With that confident declaration, she bounced away, her mood visibly lifted.

Chu Feng immediately pinned the Wings Alliance badge to his chest and took a deliberate walk through the inner court. The effect was instantaneous. Whispers followed him like a wake. “Look! That’s Chu Feng!” “He’s wearing the Wings Alliance badge! He joined them!” “He escaped the punishment department… how deep does his background go?” The message was sent. He saw members of the Sword Alliance, but none approached. The badge was a shield.

His return to his residence brought a wave of warmth that caught him off guard. Light spilled from the doorway, where the bruised and bandaged forms of Chu Wei and others waited anxiously. “Chu Feng, you finally returned! This is great!” They ushered him inside to a heartening sight. Chu Yue, Chu Xue, and all the members of the Chu Alliance were gathered around a large table laden with his favorite foods. He learned that after his arrest, they had stormed the elders’ building to plead for him, only to be nearly detained themselves. It was Su Rou who had saved them and told them to prepare this feast, assuring them of his safe return.

This meal was different. The camaraderie, the relief, the sincere gratitude directed at him—it was the palpable comfort of family. He was no longer just a talented outlier; he was their pillar. That night, Chu Feng felt the weight and reward of his actions in a new, profound way.

The following morning, as he set out to return his unused mission plates, fate presented a small, satisfying moment. He spotted Duan Yuxuan, the disciple who had tried to bully him for a mission just days prior. At Chu Feng’s call, Duan Yuxuan trembled, his face pale with the terror of someone who had insulted the boy who crushed Liu Mang. He dropped to his knees before Chu Feng could even reach him. “Boss Chu Feng, I did not recognize you yesterday… I beg you to forgive me!” Chu Feng was almost amused by the drastic reaction. “What? You’re talking about that?” He casually handed his bag of mission plates to the kneeling disciple. “Duan bro, if you don’t mind, help me return these.” He leaned in slightly. “The mission you liked is in there. Sorry to trouble you.” With a pat on the stunned disciple’s shoulder, Chu Feng departed, leaving Duan Yuxuan flushed with public embarrassment but privately relieved.

Following Su Mei’s instructions, Chu Feng changed into casual clothes and arrived at an abandoned temple before noon. His Spirit power sensed seven people inside. Entering, he saw Su Mei and the Dragon and Tiger brothers, who looked at him with new wariness. The other four were strangers, each distinctive. A man in a flamboyant pink gown adorned with peach flowers was entwined with a woman in masculine attire—Ye Taozi and Zhang Tingzi, as he would learn. A handsome, friendly-looking young man in white offered a polite nod; this was Bai Tong. The last was a blue-clothed youth who met Chu Feng’s gaze with a cold snort of disdain—Jia Yunfeng.

Su Mei made introductions with cheerful authority. “This is the newest member of our Wings Alliance, Chu Feng. He may seem young, but he is no simple person.” Bai Tong was the first to step forward, clasping his hands politely. “I have heard of you. Seeing you today, you are really no ordinary person.” Chu Feng returned the courtesy. Ye Taozi introduced himself and his “future wife” with solemn gravity, earning a mental chuckle from Chu Feng at their perfectly matched names. The Dragon and Tiger brothers approached awkwardly. “We hope you don’t put the previous things… in your heart,” they mumbled, glancing nervously at Su Mei, who silenced them with a sharp cough.

The tense peace was shattered by Jia Yunfeng’s cold voice. “Chu Feng, you have quite some nerves. The Wings Alliance kindly invited you and you dared to refuse? Do you have any virtues or abilities?” Su Mei instantly flared up. “Jia Yunfeng, you shut up!” But Chu Feng gently pulled her behind him, his smile not reaching his eyes as he stared at the challenger. “What do you want to say? Spit it out!” “I’m saying that you are not worthy to join the Wings Alliance.” Action replaced words. In a blur, Chu Feng struck with the Illusionary Palm. The attack was so sudden it shocked everyone. Jia Yunfeng, at the 7th level of the Spirit realm, reacted swiftly, countering with a powerful Rank 4 skill. Yet Chu Feng seamlessly shifted, employing the First Thunder Style to vanish and reappear behind his opponent. Another Illusionary Palm slammed into Jia Yunfeng’s back, sending him face-first to the ground, skidding several meters.

The temple fell silent. The Dragon and Tiger brothers stared, mouths agape. The casual display of speed, skill, and tactical brilliance was a revelation. This was not the boy they had easily pressured before; he had been holding back immense strength. Chu Feng looked down at the struggling Jia Yunfeng. “Do you know whether I am worthy or not now?” Enraged and humiliated, Jia Yunfeng scrambled up for another charge, but Bai Tong flashed between them, a calming yet firm barrier. “Just now, Chu Feng already left some face for you. Don’t look for unhappiness.” The authority in Bai Tong’s voice, and the clear strength of his 8th-level Spirit realm aura, gave Jia Yunfeng pause. He coldly snorted, backing down.

As the group prepared to depart, Su Mei fell in beside Chu Feng, a sly smile on her lips. “You are quite overbearing. They didn’t even say anything yet you directly attacked him.” “He asked for it,” Chu Feng shrugged. “Fine. Actually, I like your temper when it’s like this.” She then discreetly pulled an old, shabby book from her waist purse and pressed it into his hands. “Quiet,” she hushed him, nervously glancing around. Chu Feng’s eyes widened as he read the title: Beginning level Mysterious Technique, Breathing Technique. “Su Mei, you…” “I promised you,” she said indifferently. “I am just fulfilling my promise.” The gesture moved him. This was no small gift. “Thanks,” he said, his voice low and sincere. “What thanks? Hurry up and put it away. Don’t let them see it.” She brandished a tiny fist. “Also, do not give it to another person to cultivate or else I will split your skin apart!” With that final, fierce whisper, she skipped away to lead the group. Chu Feng watched her go, his impression of the spirited girl warming considerably.

The journey westward was long—two days and nights on horseback, taking them far beyond the Azure Dragon School’s borders. As the landscape grew arid, Chu Feng’s curiosity peaked. “Su Mei, what are we actually doing? Aren’t we wasting too much time?” She leaned in, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. “I’ll secretly tell you. We are going to rob a tomb.” Chu Feng feigned disdain. “Robbing a tomb? Really? That’s quite lacking in ethics!” “What do you know?” she huffed. “This is the tomb of an expert in the Profound realm. There are Spiritual medicines, Origin medicines, even Profound medicines and Mysterious Techniques. It’s a huge treasure vault. If you feel it lacks ethics, you can not come.” The terms struck Chu Feng like lightning. Profound realm! That was the domain of the Azure Dragon School’s master, the pinnacle of power in the Azure Province. Medicines and techniques from such a tomb were beyond precious. His feigned morality vanished. “It’s the tomb of a Profound realm expert?” he breathed, astonishment genuine.

Su Mei clarified they were not the main actors. The news had attracted many powers; experts would lead the charge. “As for us, we’re just there for the liveliness. We get some of the leftovers… We can already earn a lot with even a few Spiritual Beads.” The destination was the desert wilderness, with the exact location to be sold via maps in a nearby Ancient City for the exorbitant price of eighty Saint Spirit Grasses. When Chu Feng admitted he had none left, Su Mei rolled her eyes. “What a pig! You’re so wasteful! Whatever. I’ll help you out this time, but remember to return it.” He thanked her with a grin, his heart racing with anticipation.

The Ancient City that rose from the desert was a marvel of decayed grandeur, looking as if a strong wind might reduce it to dust. Yet, Su Mei corrected Chu Feng’s assumption. “What do you know? Every single brick and tile has a Spirit Formation laid by a World Spiritist. Even experts of the Origin stage may not be able to damage them.” “That strong?” Chu Feng was stunned, then asked the obvious question. “Who are World Spiritists? What is a Spirit Formation?” His inquiry drew disdainful looks from some, particularly a cold snort from Jia Yunfeng. “What a bumpkin.” But the ever-polite Bai Tong explained. “The World Spiritist is a special and noble occupation. People like us cannot touch it.” He described Spirit Formations as near-indestructible defensive methods and World Spiritists as geniuses with unparalleled observation skills and strength in their realm. “To become one, you must have the Spirit power. And this Spirit power is extremely rare.” “Having Spirit power, huh?” Chu Feng mused, his gaze drifting to Su Mei. The pieces clicked into place—her keen interest in him, the urgency to recruit him. “What are you looking at me for?” she retorted, guessing his thoughts. “Even if you have the Spirit power, without a World Spiritist to teach you, you cannot become one in your entire life.” “Didn’t Bai Tong just say our Azure Dragon School has a World Spiritist?” Chu Feng countered. “You mean Zhuge? Don’t even think about it. That old guy is too strange… He never accepts disciples.” She recounted a tale of a core disciple who served Zhuge like a slave for a year and learned nothing.

Bai Tong nodded in agreement. “It is just as Su Mei said. World Spiritists guard their knowledge fiercely.” He then looked at Chu Feng with jesting curiosity. “I see you are very interested. Does that mean you have the Spirit power?” Chu Feng straightened, a flash of pride in his eyes. He stated it plainly, boldly. “I do have the Spirit power!” The declaration, save for Su Mei’s lack of surprise, detonated in the quiet space. Bai Tong’s calm demeanor shattered. “Chu Feng, do you really have the Spirit power? You cannot joke on things like this!” “He is correct,” Su Mei confirmed with a sigh, as if resigning herself to the spotlight this would bring. “He is indeed the person that cannot be found even within tens of thousands. That’s the reason why my sister so strongly insisted to invite him.” A collective intake of cold air swept through the group. Their eyes on Chu Feng transformed, layered with newfound respect and awe. Even Jia Yunfeng’s expression became complex, a mix of regret and fear. A Spirit power bearer was a destined elite. Offending one was folly.

In a stunning reversal, Jia Yunfeng stepped forward, his earlier arrogance gone. “Chu Feng, please don’t take offense from my previous actions. As an apology, I’ll pay for your part in buying the map for the tomb.” Chu Feng accepted without hesitation. “Eh? Then thank you.” Ten Saint Spirit Grasses were ten Saint Spirit Grasses, after all.

Entering the Ancient City, Chu Feng felt the thrum of hidden power. The worn streets were alive with cultivators, many in the distinct attire of the Thousand Wind School. “It seems the news really attracted quite a few people,” he observed. “Of course,” Su Mei whispered. “All sorts of surrounding powers rushed here. Sooner or later, there will be conflicts.” She confirmed the Azure Dragon School would also send core disciples and elders, possibly even the enigmatic World Spiritist, Zhuge. “That’s why we’re in casual clothes and pretending to be passersby. They can open up the road and fight over the treasures. It would be enough as long as we get some junk.” Her clever, somewhat ruthless smile made Chu Feng shake his head in a mix of admiration and apprehension. This girl was a strategist in the making.

With the tomb’s location not yet announced, they took rooms in a tavern to wait. Behind his closed door, Chu Feng’s patience finally broke. He eagerly pulled out the “Breathing Technique” manual. The pages were fragile, but the knowledge within was solid gold. A beginning level Mysterious Technique was a treasure that could elevate a cultivator’s foundational power exponentially.

His understanding, sharpened by his Spirit power, was frighteningly swift. He grasped the core principle: coordinating natural breath with the flow of spiritual energy through specific meridians, amplifying the body’s power far beyond normal limits. For most, mastering this would take months of painstaking practice. For Chu Feng, it was a puzzle solved at a glance.

He stood, took a deep, steadying breath, and began. Hu… hu… hu… As the energy resolved according to the technique’s pathway, a transformation erupted within him. The spiritual energy in his dantian, already refined and potent due to the mysterious godly lightning, roared to life like a awakened dragon. It surged through the newly charted meridians, and his power skyrocketed. He clenched his fist, feeling the dense, vibrant energy coursing through him. It was a multiplicative effect. The superior quality of his energy, now amplified by the Mysterious Technique’s method, created a strength that felt overwhelming.

A thrilling assessment formed in his mind. With this power… could I duel Su Mei? She was at the 8th level of the Spirit realm and had cultivated a Mysterious Technique for longer. He was at the 6th level. Yet, the gulf felt surmountable. This revelation opened a dazzling new door: the annual core disciple exam.

The exam had an age limit—under eighteen—and typically required the strength of the 8th level to pass. Core disciples were the school’s true focus, and their families received the Azure Dragon School’s protection. If he could pass… the image of Elder Chu Yuan’s proud, tearful face flashed before him. The development it would spur for the entire Chu family was immeasurable. A fierce, hopeful excitement burned in his chest. He was closer than ever.

A soft knock at the door interrupted his soaring thoughts. Opening it, he found Su Mei standing there, her hands clasped behind her back, a sweet, knowing smile playing on her lips as she looked up at him. The desert night stretched behind her, full of ancient secrets and imminent danger, but in that moment, her playful presence felt like a familiar anchor in the coming storm.