Swallowed Star 2: Origin Continent

Chapter 105: Gifting a City

Luo Feng stood with his feet on the ground and his head touching the edge of the starry sky, watching the tiny Marquis Liu Yin blend into the heavens and disappear.

“My close combat abilities are extremely strong, but my means of restraining opponents are lacking. If Marquis Liu Yin wants to leave, I can’t stop him,” Luo Feng thought. After all, he had only recently stepped into the Chaos level.

After this battle, the outside world would likely view him as a Peak of Chaos who specialized in the physical body. However, Luo Feng knew very well that his body was so strong due to two factors. First, his Perfect Divine Body had grown to its limit, making it comparable to the top-tier Chaos level. Second, his mastery of the ‘Formless and Faceless’ ability allowed him to comprehend various Transformation Techniques, which were even more effective for him than some body-refining methods! Though his Perfect Divine Body had reached its peak, its basic composition was still ‘Divine Power.’

Yet, the basic units of the Transformation Techniques contained a life essence that had already undergone a qualitative change! The transformation forms made his Perfect Divine Body much more terrifying.

“Whoosh.”

Luo Feng instantly shrank back to his normal size and descended into the City Lord’s Mansion.

“Brother Luo He, Brother Luo He,” Jiugang Marquis, filled with excitement, approached with deep gratitude, humbling himself. “I never expected that my small Jiugang Chaos State would be fortunate enough to have Brother Luo He in seclusion here. It’s truly a blessing for my entire Jiugang Chaos State. I must apologize for previously mistaking you for an Eternal True God—I was indeed negligent!”

“Marquis Jiugang, you’re too kind,” Luo Feng replied.

In truth, he had only met Jiugang Marquis a few times, so their relationship wasn’t particularly deep. However, Jiugang Marquis had always been decent in those interactions. When Marquis Liu Yin first made his move, Jiugang Marquis had helped to block him. Luo Feng, therefore, held Jiugang Marquis in high regard.

“Brother Luo He, I’ve prepared some simple food and drinks. Let’s sit down and chat,” Jiugang Marquis, who had already made arrangements, invited warmly.

“Please,” Luo Feng nodded, while also glancing at Moyu Qingyan and Morosa in the distance, giving them a slight nod.

Moyu Qingyan was somewhat emotional.

“My master is actually this powerful,” Moyu Qingyan thought, his mind racing with thoughts that made him feel like he was floating on air, as if everything was too surreal.

“Of course the master is powerful,” Morosa remarked with admiration.

“Divine Lord Morosa, the outside world used to think you were the master’s protector,” Moyu Qingyan whispered.

“How could I be worthy of being the master’s protector? I’m truly just a servant,” Morosa replied, sighing. He was speaking the truth—his very soul was enslaved, making him a servant in the truest sense.

Morosa understood very well.

Luo Feng was a cultivator who could naturally integrate into some of the major forces on the Origin Continent. But Morosa had to stay hidden in the shadows, always considering every move carefully. In reality… the master was his protector!

“Young man, seize this opportunity,” Morosa advised Moyu Qingyan. “Being the master’s only disciple is an immense fortune, so you must cherish this opportunity.”

“I understand,” Moyu Qingyan nodded. Becoming the sole disciple of a Peak of Chaos was an enormous opportunity, and he knew he had to be cautious and respectful.

Morosa watched this scene.

This lucky young man…

The master wasn’t just an ordinary Peak of Chaos.

As Morosa and Moyu Qingyan conversed, other cultivators watched from afar, filled with envy.

“Is this the true strength of Divine Lord Luo He?” General Yue Wu, Magili Xiao, the Lord of Huyang City, and other Eternal True Gods were all deeply shocked.

“To think that such a being would listen to Aloya’s music, to my music, and be moved to tears?” The Dream Flower Pavilion Master mused silently. “It must have touched his heart, causing him to shed tears—a true expression of his emotions.”

Diao Rongqi looked on from afar, “This Chaos-level being, stronger than Marquis Liu Yin, was willing to help me avenge my grudge.”

For many cultivators, this might have been the first time in their lives seeing such an immense divine body. Even Jiugang Marquis felt an intense pressure, so the impact on ordinary cultivators’ minds was unimaginable.

…

In the Yan Feng Pavilion.

“Brother Luo He is actually a Peak of Chaos,” Di Chu Yu remarked with emotion. “But it seems he’s entirely focused on cultivating his divine body. His other abilities seem somewhat lacking.”

“At the Chaos level, there are dozens across the Origin Continent who specialize in the divine body. However, those who can grow as tall as the heavens… such Chaos-level beings are few and far between,” the Deputy Pavilion Master said with a sigh. As a member of the royal family of the Ancient Flame Kingdom, he had seen a lot.

Di Chu Yu chuckled, “It’s not something to worry about. The Infinite Divine Body of the Chaos level can grow to immense heights, but it’s extremely difficult to achieve that. Those who focus on cultivating the divine body aim for greater strength, not height. For example, our Ancient Flame Kingdom’s famed ‘Marquis Minghuo’ specializes in divine body cultivation. His body isn’t large, yet he has reached the transcendental level of the Chaos level, capable of battling some ordinary Divine Kings without being at a disadvantage.”

At the Peak of Chaos level, such beings were considered among the strongest in some border kingdoms.

But in the two ancient kingdoms, there were beings who transcended the Peak of Chaos, reaching a level that defied comprehension.

If the Peak of Chaos level touched the threshold of the Divine King, then the transcendent Chaos-level beings had power that was already of the Divine King level.

However, such beings were extremely rare and were almost exclusively found in the two ancient kingdoms.

“Brother Luo He was able to overpower Marquis Liu Yin, so he’s naturally stronger. But he didn’t force Marquis Liu Yin to use any of his life-saving techniques, so his advantage is limited,” Di Chu Yu said with a smile. “Once he becomes a guest official of the Di Chu lineage and receives better cultivation, I’m sure he’ll achieve even greater success.”

The first guest official he invited after becoming Chaos level had such extraordinary potential—Di Chu Yu was very pleased.

He knew well that the competition among the thirteen branches of the royal family was intense.

The stronger his allies, the smoother his path would be.

“If he can go a step further and reach the transcendental level of the Chaos level, the help he’ll provide will be immense,” the Deputy Pavilion Master said. In the Ancient Flame Kingdom, ancient Divine Kings naturally held high status. However, at the Chaos level, only those who had transcended the Chaos level held truly high status.

Among the thirteen branches of the royal family, there were many Chaos-level beings, numerous disciples under the Emperor, and guest disciples of the Divine Kings. Additionally, there were some rogue Chaos-level beings—the competition was fierce.

The Peak of Chaos? It was unremarkable among them. Many Peak of Chaos beings eventually chose to leave the Ancient Flame Kingdom.

“My only concern,” the Deputy Pavilion Master said, “is that we’ve never heard of such a powerful figure before. Now, suddenly, a Peak of Chaos emerges…”

“What’s there to worry about?” Di Chu Yu laughed, “At worst, he’s just a reincarnated Divine King.”

On the Origin Continent, it was true that some powerful beings would reincarnate.

But to the Ancient Flame Kingdom, such matters were merely ripples in an endless ocean.

******
In an elegant pavilion within the City Lord’s Mansion of Huyang City, Luo Feng and Jiugang Marquis sat facing each other.

“This time, I truly owe it to Brother Luo He,” Jiugang Marquis said with deep emotion. “Over this era, I’ve traveled across most of the Origin Continent, visiting many friends in the hope of inviting a powerful ally. But I couldn’t secure a single one.”

Luo Feng understood.

A ruthless and domineering figure like Marquis Liu Yin, who was willing to do anything, would make other Peak of Chaos beings think twice before opposing him.

But Luo Feng had arrived on the Origin Continent through the Reincarnation Passage, with no attachments, allowing him to act more freely.

If the entire human race were on the Origin Continent, with his family and friends here, Luo Feng would have to think more carefully.

“I understand their difficulties, and I couldn’t offer enough to pay them,” Jiugang Marquis said, looking at Luo Feng with gratitude. “But this time, with just a trivial 1 billion Cosmos Sand, Brother Luo He helped me keep my fiefdom. I don’t even know what to say. I want to thank Brother Luo He… but I don’t have anything valuable enough.”

Jiugang Marquis had invested all his resources in his cultivation. His weapons and secret treasures were too important to give away.

“I’ve thought it over,” Jiugang Marquis continued, looking at Luo Feng. “Brother Luo He has been in seclusion in Huyang City and has acted to protect its people several times. You must care about this city. So, I’ve decided to gift Huyang City to you.”

“From now on, Huyang City will only need to pay 20% of its residence fee to the Divine Kings. The rest will belong to you, Brother Luo He, including all management decisions… those will be up to you.”

“Henceforth, Huyang City will be your city, Brother Luo He,” Jiugang Marquis said, looking at Luo Feng. “I can’t properly repay you for your great kindness, so I insist that you

accept Huyang City.”

Luo Feng was taken aback.

A city as a gift?

Huyang City, after all, was within the territory of Yuguo, so 20% of the residence fee had to be paid to the Divine Kings. But the remaining 80% of the residence fee, along with any resources produced within the city, would belong entirely to him.

“Jiugang Marquis, it won’t be long before I head to the Ancient Flame Kingdom. I won’t be able to oversee Huyang City,” Luo Feng said.

“Brother Luo He, with your current renown… if you leave a Divine Power Incarnation here, who would dare to offend you?” Jiugang Marquis replied quickly. “As for managing the city, your subordinates can handle that.”

“And I must admit, I have a selfish reason. After you leave Huyang City, Marquis Liu Yin might still harbor thoughts of taking it back,” Jiugang Marquis explained. “But if Huyang City becomes your city, Marquis Liu Yin wouldn’t dare to come again. In reality, I’m using a city… to protect my entire fiefdom.”

Luo Feng saw the hopeful look in Jiugang Marquis’s eyes, thought for a moment, then nodded, “Alright, I’ll accept it.”

Huyang City was the first city he lived in after coming to the Origin Continent, so it held some special significance.

And by taking charge of the city, it would indeed make Marquis Liu Yin give up any thoughts of coming back.

“Hahaha, thank you, Brother Luo He,” Jiugang Marquis was overjoyed.

The income from his entire fiefdom came from three large cities and 189 ordinary cities. The income from a single ordinary city was lower, but cumulatively, it equaled that of two large cities.

In reality, he had given up a fifth of his fiefdom to retain the majority and secure the loyalty of a Peak of Chaos.

It was well worth it!

“Now that Brother Luo He has intervened, this war is effectively over,” Jiugang Marquis said. “The Heart Shadow Sect is now trapped in the city. How do you plan to deal with them?”

“How to deal with them?” Luo Feng pondered.

“The Heart Shadow Sect has two Chaos-level beings, both of whom have fled,” Jiugang Marquis said. “The sect’s most important treasures are held by these two Chaos-level beings. The Eternal True Gods of the Heart Shadow Sect don’t have anything particularly valuable. It’s not worth your time to deal with them.”

“Here’s what I propose: I’ll send my subordinates to scour the Heart Shadow Sect for treasures, and those will belong to you, Brother Luo He. As for the sect itself, let it go. The outside world won’t accuse you of bullying the weak,” Jiugang Marquis suggested. “What do you think?”

Chaos-level beings generally didn’t bother to bully those who didn’t provoke them.

“Scour the treasures and let them go?”

Luo Feng shook his head lightly. “When they were plundering and massacring in Huyang City, they had already crossed the line.”

Jiugang Marquis was taken aback.

“Since they love slaughter and plunder, the Heart Shadow Sect has no reason to exist. It can be disbanded,” Luo Feng said. “As for the Eternal True Gods, hunt them down one by one. Anyone who participated in the massacres in Huyang City should be executed. Those who didn’t can be spared.”

“Disband the Heart Shadow Sect?” Jiugang Marquis couldn’t help but say, “The Heart Shadow Sect still has two Chaos-level beings out there… doing this would make you their mortal enemy.”

“Let them be enemies. What can they do?” Luo Feng glanced at Jiugang Marquis. “I’m not as patient as the Great Saint of Nine Origins.”