Chapter 103: Enhancing Strength

With secret missions issued by various nations, squads of martial arts experts set out toward the Sakura Nation, their targets all focused on one group: Xiao Yu and the Twelve Celestial Descendants.

Xiao Yu and his companions never anticipated that their actions within the Sakura Nation would attract such formidable adversaries from across the lands. What surprised him even more lay ahead.

A day after the battle at their stronghold, a wave of cheers erupted throughout the Sakura Nation’s martial arts community. Feng Qingge, who had long vanished from the scene, learned that the warriors of the Sakura Nation were mercilessly slaughtered by the Summer War King Yan Xia and was incensed. After many years, she announced her return to the fray.

On the day of her comeback, she directly challenged Xiao Yu, proposing a duel atop Mount Fuji in three days. Upon hearing this, the martial artists of the Sakura Nation were stirred with fervor. With a top-tier master like Feng Qingge stepping forward against Xiao Yu, many believed his fate was sealed.

Following Feng Qingge’s reappearance, another elusive martial arts pinnacle, Dizang, emerged into view, similarly setting his sights on Xiao Yu.

Among the few legendary masters of the Sakura Nation—such as Ming Ji, head of the Mirror Flower Water Moon Sect, and the former Shrine Lord Musashi Miyamoto—most had been drawn out by Xiao Yu’s recent deeds.

News of Feng Qingge and Dizang’s return naturally reached Xiao Yu’s ears. With two martial arts titans, the heads of the nine great sects, and the shrine’s priests now revealed, the peak forces of the Sakura Nation’s martial world had surfaced. This was exactly what Xiao Yu had hoped for.

To enhance their strength and usher the Twelve Celestial Descendants onto the divine ranking sooner, they needed to face these top masters, for only such battles could bring greater breakthroughs.

On the peak of the renowned Geya Mountain in the Sakura Nation, several dark figures stood silently—Xiao Yu, Tai Sui, Qinglong, and others.

“Boss, it seems the warriors of the Sakura Nation can no longer restrain themselves. With so many masters appearing simultaneously, our situation looks grim,” Qinglong said in a low voice from behind Xiao Yu.

Tai Sui and the others nodded solemnly. Though the Twelve Celestial Descendants were powerful, their opponents represented the pinnacle of an empire’s might. Even the weakest among the heads of the nine sects far outmatched them. Once battle commenced, they would surely become a burden to Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu had long anticipated this. Deep in his heart, he harbored a bold idea—though uncertain if it would succeed—that he wished to try if the Twelve Celestial Descendants were willing.

For a long time, he had suffered from a stubborn ailment within. After the last appearance of Kong Wu Dao and Wu Qing, he had summoned the power of the sun, moon, and stars to absorb. Nourished by this celestial force, not only had his wounds healed completely, but his strength had surged tremendously.

The power of the sun, moon, and stars was essentially the force of heaven and earth. Xiao Yu wondered if the Twelve Celestial Descendants could all undergo this celestial baptism, whether their strength might also increase significantly. Yet, he harbored apprehensions.

He vividly remembered the agonizing pain of his own baptism, feeling as if his body would be torn apart. If he, seasoned as he was, could barely endure such torment, how could the Twelve Celestial Descendants?

Noticing Xiao Yu’s furrowed brow, the perceptive Queen of Heaven softly inquired, “Big brother, is something troubling you?”

At her words, Tai Sui, Qinglong, and the others all turned to look at Xiao Yu. Feeling their gazes, Xiao Yu sighed deeply and slowly faced them, his eyes sweeping across the Twelve Celestial Descendants.

Looking upon the brothers who had fought by his side through countless campaigns, Xiao Yu spoke gently, “Perhaps I have a way to raise your strength to a new level, but it’s a perilous method, and even I cannot guarantee success.”

His words struck everyone profoundly, but they paid no heed to the caution that followed. In their hearts, only one thought mattered: to increase their strength and support Xiao Yu in the battles to come.

Without hesitation, Qinglong and the others looked at him expectantly and said solemnly, “Big brother, just say it. Whether or not it succeeds, we are willing to try!”

Seeing their earnest faces, Xiao Yu smiled—a smile he had never worn since resigning from office and returning home. It was a smile born of trust in his brothers and the courage to stake everything on them, even if the cost might be life itself.

The dozen or so of them exchanged looks before sharing a faint, knowing smile.

“Follow me,” Xiao Yu said, leaping into the void. The Twelve Celestial Descendants followed suit, appearing opposite him.

Above the void, Xiao Yu’s right hand slowly opened, and a white radiance burst forth, spreading outward from him. A protective barrier of shimmering white light quickly formed around them.

The power of the sun, moon, and stars was overwhelmingly potent. Fearing that the arrival of Sakura Nation warriors might disrupt the baptism, Xiao Yu released his own aura to create a sealed shield around them.

After the events of the previous night, Xiao Yu slowly closed his eyes. The Twelve Celestial Descendants did the same, awaiting what was to come.

A sacred white light emanated from Xiao Yu, one that carried both a deep sense of pressure and a comforting serenity. This light embodied the essence of the sun, moon, and stars’ power that Xiao Yu had absorbed and mastered. After the baptism, he could now wield this celestial force with ease.

As the pure and mighty aura arose, the faces of the Twelve Celestial Descendants grew serious. Seeing Tai Sui and the others before him, Xiao Yu gently waved his hands, and the power of the sun, moon, and stars surged toward them, enveloping each one.

To Xiao Yu’s surprise, those wrapped in the celestial power showed no signs of pain, which puzzled him. He recalled well the torment he had endured during his own baptism—how intensely painful it had been.

Then he realized this time was different. The power was now the refined force of heaven and earth, tempered by himself. With that thought, a spark of hope ignited within him.

If the power of the sun, moon, and stars truly took effect, the overall strength of the Twelve Celestial Descendants would leap to a new pinnacle. Even individuals as formidable as Qinglong might stand toe-to-toe with the heads of the nine sects.

Now, all Xiao Yu could do was wait—waiting for the Twelve Celestial Descendants to awaken while guarding against the arrival of the Sakura Nation’s warriors.