153: Chapter 153 Sky-Splitting Star River Blade

The smoke of war had not yet fully dissipated, but a new order was rapidly being established upon the ruins with thunderous momentum.

Gao Feng did not suppress the generals under his command who had achieved meritorious deeds that threatened his own position, as suspicious monarchs in history had done; instead, with unprecedented boldness, he rewarded them based on their merits and bestowed generous grants.

Du Wei, the iron-blooded fierce general who had followed him through battles since the Panshi Stockade era, was officially titled "General Who Pacifies the North" due to his great contributions in the battle at Three-Forked Crossing and the subsequent pursuit and annihilation battles. He was given overall command of all infantry legions of the Panshi Army and concurrently served as the Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall; the weight of his authority was unmatched at the time.

Wulu, the barbarian warrior from the Southern Wilderness, displayed astonishing command talent and beast-like combat intuition in guerrilla warfare. He was titled "General Who Pacifies the Barbarians" and officially became the supreme commander of the Green Wolf Cavalry Regiment. The thirty thousand iron cavalry under his command were all elites who had survived hundreds of battles, responsible for the mobile defense and external conquests of the entire northern border.

Luo Qi and Gong Qianxue, these two heroic and dashing female generals, were both promoted to "General of Divine Might" due to the Divine Mechanism Battalion's terrifying, world-destroying performance in the defense of Ji City. Together, they commanded this long-range strike force capable of striking fear into any enemy.

As for Liu Chengfeng, Xu Changqing, and Gu Changfeng, these three top strategists who possessed great foresight, they were jokingly referred to by Gao Feng as his "three-horse carriage," and together they established the highest power center of the Panshi Land—the Political Affairs Hall.

Liu Chengfeng served as the Left Chancellor, overseeing people's livelihood, military farming, and internal affairs; Xu Changqing served as the right chancellor, in charge of the Heaven Net, supervision, and foreign diplomacy; Gu Changfeng served as the Censor-in-Chief, responsible for formulating laws and rectifying the officialdom.

With civil and military affairs separated and each performing their duties, an efficient and stable power structure had already taken shape on this newly born land.

When the last prisoner from the Tianlang Tribe was escorted to the newly built mine, when the last batch of captured cattle and sheep were distributed to the people of You and Yun Provinces, and when that wolf-head banner symbolizing the glory of the Azure Wolf King was set ablaze atop the walls of Ji City, this "Scorched Earth Resistance" that had lasted for nearly a year finally came to a glorious and tragic end.

Gao Feng, this king of the northern border who had risen from the refugees, finally ushered in a period of calm—the longest and most comfortable since his Transmigration.

He entrusted all military and political affairs to his subordinates who each had their own strengths, becoming a "hands-off manager" himself, leaving more time for the family members who had been silently waiting and sacrificing behind him.

Ji City, the original Jiedushi's mansion, had now been expanded into the magnificent "Yan Kings Residence."

That's right, just after the news of the war's victory reached the Divine Capital, the Great Qian Emperor, who sat high on the dragon throne, after experiencing days of fierce quarrels and games in the imperial court, finally held his nose and issued an imperial decree that shocked the world—bestowing upon General Who Pacifies the North, Gao Feng, the title of "Prince of Yan," hereditary and perpetual, with a fief of three provinces, allowing him to establish his own government and military, officially acknowledging his legitimate status as the king of the northern border.

This imperial decree was less of a reward and more of a helpless compromise and attempt at wooing.

But for Gao Feng, this was enough.

What he needed was just such a legitimate identity to drape a cloak of legality over his future grand ambitions.

Yan Kings Residence, back garden, inside the warm pavilion.

Outside the window was a world of silver and ice, but inside the warm pavilion, it was as warm as spring; the charcoal fire was burning brightly, and the air was filled with a faint fragrance.

Gao Feng leaned lazily on the soft couch covered with thick white fox fur, enjoying this rare leisure.

Su Yue was kneeling beside him. She was wearing a simple and elegant moon-white long dress. Her gentle and virtuous pretty face carried a hint of maternal radiance as she carefully fed a peeled grape to Gao Feng's mouth.

And in her arms, a baby who had just turned a month old was sleeping soundly; the pink and jade-like little face looked seven or eight parts similar to Gao Feng between the brows and eyes.

This was the Second Son Su Yue had given birth to for Gao Feng, whom Gao Feng named Gao Changgong.

"Husband, look at Changgong, he is even smiling while sleeping. Is he dreaming of you?" Su Yue's voice was so gentle it could drip water. She looked at Gao Feng, her eyes full of endless love and satisfaction.

Gao Feng smiled and took the grape into his mouth, then took the opportunity to peck lightly on Su Yue's soft lips, causing her pretty face to blush and she rolled her eyes at him coquettishly.

"You are already a mother, yet still so shy." Gao Feng laughed out loud, pulling Su Yue and the child into his arms, and took a deep breath of the familiar body scent that made him feel extremely at ease.

"These years, you have worked hard." His voice carried a hint of guilt.

Su Yue shook her head, gently resting her head on his chest, listening to the steady and powerful heartbeat, and said softly, "It's not hard work. As long as my husband can come back safely and accompany us like this, Yue'er is content."

She did not have the world-shaking talent like Luo Qin, nor the heroic martial arts like Luo Qi. But she used her water-like gentleness to manage this huge Yan Kings Residence in an orderly manner, leaving him with no worries at all.

She was always the warmest harbor in his heart.

Night fell, inside the study, the candles were bright.

Luo Qin had changed into a tight-fitting black silk long dress, her curvaceous and hot figure outlining breathtaking curves under the candlelight. She was standing in front of a huge sand table, holding a long, thin command stick in her hand, focusing intently on analyzing the world situation for Gao Feng.

"...On the side of the Divine Capital, the struggle between the Crown Prince and Prince Ying has reached a white-hot stage. The pieces I planted in the Heavenly Secret Tower have sent news that the Emperor's health seems to be deteriorating day by day, and I fear he cannot hold on for much longer. Once the old emperor passes away, a shocking civil strife will surely erupt in the Divine Capital; this will be our best opportunity."

"In the south, several feudal kings led by the Prince of Zhennan are restless. Although they are each doing their own thing, they have long been disaffected from the imperial court. I have sent people to contact them secretly, attempting to establish a secret trade route, using our northern warhorses and refined iron to exchange for their southern grain and silk."

"As for the grasslands..." A cold light flashed in Luo Qin's eyes. "Although the Azure Wolf King is dead, the Tianlang Tribe has not been completely destroyed. His sons are already in a mess fighting for the throne. I have ordered General Wulu to station tens of thousands of troops on the border, creating the illusion that they might go south again at any time, adding fuel to their internal fighting."

Her analysis was logical and clear, and that composure and confidence of planning and strategizing made her radiate a fatal charm.

Gao Feng listened quietly, his eyes full of appreciation.

Luo Qin was not just his woman, but also his most capable assistant, an indispensable strategist and advisor on his map of hegemony.

"Finished?" Gao Feng looked at her, a wicked smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Finished." Luo Qin put down the command stick, and just as she turned around, she was tightly hugged from behind by a pair of powerful arms.

"Ah..." She let out a cry of surprise, feeling the hot breath in her ear and the large hand wandering wantonly over her body. That pretty face, which was always calm and wise, instantly flushed with two moving blushes.

"Husband... don't... this is the study..." Her voice carried a trembling plea.

"So what if it's the study?" Gao Feng whispered in her ear, his voice hoarse and full of aggression. "I actually think that exploring the mysteries of 'life' here with my female strategist seems even more interesting."

Saying this, he scooped her up by the waist and strode towards the large desk.

"By the way, I haven't asked you yet, how is our daughter?"

"Yueming... she is very good... she can already call 'Daddy'..." Luo Qin's voice was intermittent, full of suppressed gasps and the charm of passion.

"Is that so? Then, shouldn't we give her a little brother?"

"Husband... you are bad..."

A night of romance, it goes without saying.

In the following months, Gao Feng completely relaxed.

Every day, he was either playing in the backyard with his children, watching the two tiger-headed, brainy little guys, Eldest Son and Second Son, fighting over a wooden sword; or he was lingering in the gentle embrace of Su Yue, Luo Qin, and the other women, enjoying the boundless beauty of having multiple wives.

Under his diligent "plowing," the three sisters Luo Qi, Luo Shu, and Luo Hua also became pregnant one after another.

The entire Yan Kings Residence was immersed in a joyous atmosphere.

Gao Feng's offspring were increasing, which not only symbolized the continuation of his personal Bloodline, but also symbolized the vigorous vitality of this newly born force he had established, like the rising sun.

However, the days of success did not last long.

On this day, Gao Feng was on the drill ground, practicing the Flood Dragon Overturning Sea Saber Technique that had long since merged with him.

The three-pointed, double-edged blade in his hand carried the sound of wind and thunder with every swing, and the Saber Qi crisscrossed, plowing deep gullies into the hard bluestone ground.

However, just as he pushed the move "Dragon Fighting in the Wild" to the extreme and prepared to sheath his blade.

"Crack!"

An extremely faint, yet incredibly clear, crisp sound came from the blade.

Gao Feng looked down and saw that on the body of the three-pointed, double-edged blade, which had accompanied him through several life-and-death battles and had drunk the blood of countless experts, a fine crack like a spider web had actually appeared!

That was a hidden injury left behind during the final earth-shattering clash with the Wolf King Ashina Kuotai!

Although it had been repaired many times by the craftsmen of the Hundred Crafts Institute, this weapon made of ordinary iron could ultimately not withstand Gao Feng's ever-growing terrifying power and had reached the end of its life.

Gao Feng gently stroked the crack on the blade, a flash of regret in his eyes.

This blade had long been in tune with his heart and was his most reliable partner.

But he also knew that if a workman wants to do his work well, he must first sharpen his tools.

With his current strength and the even more powerful enemies he would face in the future, he needed a peerless divine weapon that could truly be worthy of him!

"It seems, it is time."

Gao Feng muttered to himself, a flash of determination in his eyes.

He was no longer the penniless refugee he once was, nor the Stockade Master who had to do everything himself.

He was Prince Yan! The king of the northern border who held sway over three provinces and commanded hundreds of thousands of troops!

He had enough qualifications and enough strength to forge for himself a supreme divine weapon, one without equal in the past or future!

That very day, a royal decree from the Yan Kings Residence spread across the entire three provinces of the northern border with the speed of a storm!

"Transmit my royal decree!"

"Order 'Heavenly Net' to operate at full capacity, and command the local governments of the three provinces to cooperate! Spare no cost to search for all rare treasures and exotic metals in the world for me! Anyone who presents useful Materials will be rewarded with one hundred taels of gold and one thousand mu of fertile land! If anyone can present a supreme treasure capable of forging a divine weapon, I will grant them three generations of wealth and nobility, and bestow titles upon their wives and children!"

Once the royal decree was issued, the world was shaken!

The entire northern border was in an uproar!

Countless Jianghu figures, wealthy merchants, and even old hunters living in seclusion in the deep mountains, like sharks that had smelled blood, brought their family heirlooms or strangely shaped rocks they had accidentally found, and poured into Ji City from all directions.

They all wanted to seize this opportunity to ascend to the heavens in a single step and win boundless wealth!

In less than half a month, the rare treasures presented from all over were piled up like mountains in the storehouse of the Yan Kings Residence.

There was "Sea-Sinking Ebony" from the depths of the East Sea that had not rotted for a thousand years; "Red Refined Fire Copper" from the volcanoes of the Western Regions that was scorching hot; and "Green Phosphorus Cold Iron" from the swamps of the Southern Border that was extremely poisonous...

These were all top-tier Artifact Refining Materials that would make any ordinary Martial Artist go crazy.

But after Gao Feng looked at them, he only shook his head slightly.

Although these Materials were precious, they were still missing a hint of "spirituality" to become the "divine weapon" in his heart.

Until the evening of the fifteenth day.

An old hunter from the deep mountains of northern Youzhou, with white hair and beard, dark skin, and a very simple appearance, walked tremblingly into the Yan Kings Residence, supported by his family.

What he presented was not some golden, glittering treasure, but an irregular lump of iron that looked unremarkable, pitch black, and about the size of a human head.

"Reporting to Your Highness," the old hunter's voice trembled with nervousness, "This object was obtained by my grandfather. Decades ago, on a stormy night, he saw it fall from the sky with his own eyes, smashing through three feet of solid rock."

"It is extremely cold to the touch and incredibly hard. We tried every method but could not leave a single mark on it. We don't know what it is, only that it is a treasure, so we have kept it as a family heirloom and worshipped it to this day."

The official responsible for identifying treasures originally wanted to throw away this thing that looked like an ordinary piece of iron Ore.

But the moment Gao Feng saw that "lump of iron," his heart skipped a beat!

He could clearly feel that the dark golden True Qi in his body, refined by the Myriad Dao Unity Art, actually resonated with that piece of black iron stone—a resonance that was extremely weak, yet undeniably real!

He walked down from his throne and personally took the iron stone from the old hunter's hands.

It was bone-chillingly cold to the touch, as if it could freeze a person's Soul!

But as he slowly injected his True Qi into it, mysterious and dazzling silver patterns, like the trajectories of stars in the night sky, slowly emerged on the surface of the pitch-black iron stone!

An ancient, vast, and majestic Aura filled with the power of the stars burst forth!

"This... This is..."

Just then, Gongshu Ban, who had been following Gao Feng and was responsible for identifying Materials, saw this scene, and his eyes, which had been as calm as an ancient well, instantly erupted with an unprecedented, fanatical light, as if he had just seen a peerless beauty!

His body trembled violently with extreme excitement, and he pointed at the meteorite iron, his voice changing pitch!

"Star... Star Geng Metal!"

"This... This is actually the legendary Star Geng Metal, which only exists in ancient texts! It is a supreme divine object formed when the core of a star from the Nine Heavens falls to the mortal world and absorbs the purest Geng Metal Qi between heaven and earth—it's Star Geng Metal!"

"My Lord! With this item! Let alone a divine weapon! Even a legendary 'Spirit Treasure' might not be impossible for us to forge!"

Gao Feng was overjoyed upon hearing this!

He laughed heartily and fulfilled his promise on the spot. Not only did he reward the old hunter with one hundred taels of gold and one thousand mu of fertile land, but he also exceptionally appointed his son as a county magistrate, granting them three generations of wealth!

The old hunter's family was endlessly grateful, weeping with excitement. They kowtowed to Gao Feng over a hundred times before being helped away by the servants.

Gao Feng immediately summoned Gongshu Ban and all the top craftsmen of the Hundred Crafts Institute. Carrying this "Star Geng Metal," as well as the two other rare treasures of heaven and earth he had seized from the Tianshan Alliance treasury—"Deep Sea Cold Iron" and "Red Flame Copper Essence"—he entered the deepest part of the Yan Kings Residence, the heavily guarded Earth Fire Smelting Room!

He wanted to witness the birth of his peerless divine weapon here with his own eyes!

"My Lord, please look!"

Inside the Earth Fire Smelting Room, the temperature was terrifyingly high, and the air was slightly distorted by the scorching heat.

Gongshu Ban pointed to a huge furnace that was three zhang high, made entirely of fire-resistant basalt, and covered with countless secret runes of the Mohist school, his eyes filled with pride.

"This is the 'Heaven and Earth Creation Furnace' passed down by my Mohist school for a thousand years! It draws upon the Earth Lung Poison Fire from three thousand zhang beneath the ground! Its temperature is so high that it can melt everything in the world!"

"Ordinary divine weapons only need to be forged in this furnace for forty-nine days to take shape. But this divine weapon of yours uses 'Star Geng Metal' as the main material, and its hardness is far beyond imagination. We must use the extreme Yin Qi of the 'Deep Sea Cold Iron' to neutralize its Yang strength, and then use the extreme Yang Fire of the 'Red Flame Copper Essence' to stimulate its spirituality!"

"With Yin and Yang intersecting, and water and fire working together! Supplemented by my Mohist school's secret 'Earth Fire Smelting Method,' and forging day and night for seven days and seven nights, there is only a slim chance to completely melt it and forge it into a divine weapon!"

Gao Feng nodded, his eyes filled with anticipation.

"Mr. Gongshu, I will leave everything to you."

"Rest assured, My Lord!" Flames burned in Gongshu Ban's eyes. "To be able to personally forge such a peerless divine weapon that is destined to go down in history is the greatest honor of my life, Gongshu Ban!"

For the next seven days and seven nights, the entire Earth Fire Smelting Room turned into a sleepless battlefield.

Gongshu Ban personally tended the furnace. He and the dozens of top-tier craftsmen under his command, stripped to the waist, poured their life's blood and skills into this gamble.

"Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!"

The huge bellows were pulled to the limit, driving the Earth Lung Poison Fire to its most intense state!

"Dang! Dang! Dang!"

Under Gongshu Ban's precise control, the massive water-powered forging hammer, weighing over a thousand jin, struck the red-hot "Star Geng Metal" again and again like the most precise scalpel, with the force of a thunderbolt!

Sparks flew everywhere!

Every strike produced a sound of metal clashing like the roar of a dragon or tiger!

Every strike forced out the last trace of Impurities from the divine iron!

Gao Feng also stayed in this Earth Fire Smelting Room for seven whole days and nights.

He did not interfere, just watched quietly, feeling the majestic power of the stars that was slowly awakening under the intense fire and heavy hammers.

Finally, at the moment when the dawn of the seventh day was about to arrive.

When Gongshu Ban struck the final blow with all his might!

A strange change occurred suddenly!

"Boom—!!!"

A dazzling silver starlight, seemingly drawn by some mysterious force, tore through the darkness before dawn, penetrated the thick dome of the Earth Fire Smelting Room, and crashed down from the Nine Heavens!

That starlight merged with pinpoint accuracy into the blade that had just taken shape and was still radiating scorching heat!

"Hum—!!!"

An ancient and vast humming sound, as if from the depths of the starry sea, resounded throughout the entire Yan Kings Residence!

At this moment, everyone felt a tremor from the depths of their Souls!

They all looked involuntarily in the direction of the Earth Fire Smelting Room, their eyes filled with shock and awe.

They knew that a truly peerless divine weapon had been born!

When all the light dissipated, Gao Feng slowly stepped forward.

He looked at the brand-new divine weapon lying quietly in the quenching pool, and an unprecedented, brilliant light erupted in his eyes!

It was a work of art so perfect that it could not be described in words!

Its entire body presented a deep and noble dark golden color, as if the entire starry sky had been integrated into it.

There was no longer any artificial carving on the blade; instead, mysterious patterns as brilliant and gorgeous as the Milky Way had formed naturally.

Those patterns flowed slowly under the candlelight, as if billions of stars were being born and dying within them.

It was longer and thinner than the previous "three-pointed, double-edged blade".

But its weight in the hand was several times heavier!

Gao Feng could clearly feel that a cold and majestic power of the stars was resonating continuously with the True Qi in his body through the hilt!

He even had a feeling that as long as he was willing, he could invoke the power of the stars from the Nine Heavens at any time to empower himself!

"Good! Good blade!"

Gao Feng could not help but laugh out loud, his voice filled with endless joy and bold spirit!

He lightly waved the divine weapon in his hand.

He did not use any True Qi, just pure physical strength.

"Chi—!"

An invisible, sharp Saber Qi, invisible to the naked eye, flew out from the blade!

The wall in the distance, made of hard basalt, was silently sliced open like tofu, creating a terrifying, mirror-smooth cut several feet deep!

"From today on, you shall be called—"

Gao Feng stroked the cold blade, feeling the sense of intimacy connected to his own Bloodline, and said word by word:

"sky-splitting star river blade!"