Chapter 273: Overall Combat Power Surges

On the way, the Black Ox was very excited, holding the Zen staff. As he shook it, the bronze rings attached to it clinked crisply and pleasantly, and a Buddhist glow emanated.

"Hey, wait, the power isn't that great," the Black Ox said, sounding puzzled.

The Zen staff was as thick as an arm and very heavy. When energy was infused into it, it indeed radiated light, but that was all; it didn't unleash the destructive power they had imagined.

"That's also why the Primeval Alliance kept it sealed away," the Yellow Ox explained. "Ordinary people can't activate it; you need to understand Buddhist breathing techniques."

Hearing this, the Black Ox's eyes immediately lit up. In an instant, he activated the Grand Thunderclap Breathing Technique, and even though it was incomplete, it was enough!

With a thunderous boom, an incredibly terrifying light spread out, transforming the surrounding hundred meters into what seemed like a Buddhist realm. Golden waves of energy expanded, startling the Donkey King, the Siberian Tiger, and the others.

What was particularly astonishing was the faint outline of an ancient golden Arhat, a past evolutionist, that appeared behind the Black Ox. It was entirely golden, with a solemn and majestic appearance.

The Golden Condor King, who was flying on their journey, shuddered, feeling a sense of dread.

"Ha!" The Black Ox exhaled and forcefully swung the Zen staff towards a towering mountain ahead. With a resounding boom, accompanied by Buddhist chants and radiating light, the mountain exploded as soon as the staff reached it. The upper half of the peak melted and cascaded down like lava.

Not just the Black Ox, but even Chu Feng and the Siberian Tiger, who were of a similar caliber, were dumbfounded. The energy unleashed by the Zen staff was excessively powerful.

The Golden Condor King's feathers stood on end, and it nearly tumbled out of the sky because the turbulent energy around it was too terrifying.

"I'm going to be sucked dry like jerky, I'm exhausted," the Black Ox suddenly declared, collapsing onto the Golden Condor's back like a deflated balloon. He was utterly spent, and the arm holding the Zen staff trembled uncontrollably.

That single strike had drained all his energy; now he was so weak and sore that he couldn't stand.

"This sacred weapon is extraordinary," Chu Feng said with a serious expression. "If used correctly, that last strike alone should be enough to kill a king who has broken six shackles!"

The Siberian Tiger nodded repeatedly, consumed by envy, practically drooling. Only because of his established camaraderie with the Black Ox did he restrain himself; otherwise, this unscrupulous tiger would surely have tried to snatch it away.

"This item is indeed remarkable and of a very high caliber, which is why it instantly drained all of Old Black's energy," said the Yellow Ox.

In fact, it could be said that this Zen staff was even more powerful than Chu Feng's flying sword, his Violet-Gold Lightning Hammer, and the Yellow Ox's small silver spear. It was the most potent sacred weapon discovered so far.

The Yellow Ox asserted that the strike just now could indeed kill a master who had broken six shackles, provided it hit the target. Moreover, its energy consumption was enormous; if it missed, the wielder would be defenseless and certainly die, as they would be completely drained of strength after a single blow.

"Let me try," Chu Feng said.

Both he and the Yellow Ox had mastered the incomplete Grand Thunderclap Breathing Technique, having even taught it to the Black Ox. Therefore, Chu Feng could activate the Zen staff.

Buddhist light illuminated the area, making the hundred-meter radius appear like a Buddhist kingdom, with terrifying waves of energy surging forth. Behind Chu Feng, a golden Arhat, appearing as if cast from gold, vaguely materialized. As he swung the Zen staff, a grand Buddhist chant resonated.

Below, the remaining half of the mountain collapsed, melted, and then evaporated, vanishing instantly.

This scene once again left the group stunned and speechless.

The Golden Condor King was fed up; it simply couldn't tolerate such fluctuations. With the Zen staff being swung on its back, it genuinely feared being accidentally hit and nearly gave up on carrying them.

Chu Feng's body swayed, and he quickly sat down cross-legged. Even he, strong as he was, couldn't endure it; his energy had been completely drained. The Zen staff's level was too high, and even current powerhouses could only activate it once.

He heavily absorbed the essence of heaven and earth, activating his breathing technique to replenish his energy.

After a short while, he recovered. His strong foundation allowed him to quickly recuperate even after his energy was depleted.

"This thing is a great weapon," Chu Feng told the two oxen. "You two aren't yet strong enough to contend with peerless masters on your own, so it's perfect for you to wield it together for protection."

He himself was capable of fighting peerless experts and didn't need the Zen staff for protection.

In fact, the Zen staff's power surpassed the Yellow Ox's initial expectations. It truly wasn't suitable for a single person to activate, as it would instantly deplete their strength.

Both oxen knew the Grand Thunderclap Breathing Technique and spent time together, making the Zen staff well-suited for them.

Seeing the Siberian Tiger drooling with envy and a hint of jealousy, Chu Feng smiled and said, "Brother Tiger, seeing as you traveled thousands of miles from Kunlun Mountain to assist me, I won't treat you unfairly."

"Oh, what are you giving me?!" The tiger instantly perked up, grinning broadly.

"I'll give you a great gift, but on one condition: don't ever shamelessly betray us again," Chu Feng warned, hitting home the fact that the tiger had once defected directly from the Western camp.

The Siberian Tiger immediately protested, "How could that be? I've always been an Eastern tiger. I simply went astray back then, tricked by Schiller. At the crucial moment, I corrected my path and turned on him—that was great wisdom, not a lack of integrity!"

The Black Ox chimed in to expose him, "You stole the old lama's kasaya, didn't you? Did you return it?"

The last time they attacked Dragon-Tiger Mountain, this tiger stole the old lama's kasaya and then planned to run away from Kunlun Mountain, leaving everyone speechless.

"Damn it, Old Ox, don't bring that up! I already returned it to him. That old monk was too fierce; even after I returned it, he still wanted to make me a Buddhist Guardian Beast. Luckily, I ran fast."

Chu Feng decided to extract the Xingyi Breathing Technique from the Twelve True Forms and teach it to the Siberian Tiger.

"What, a breathing technique?!" Upon hearing this, the Siberian Tiger's eyes widened. He became incredibly excited, leaping directly onto the Golden Condor's back, overjoyed.

Born a tiger, he believed he had immense potential, but he couldn't defeat Schiller, the Peacock King, and others, always having to flee when he encountered them. All of this was because he lacked a proper breathing technique.

Currently, all powerful beings known as peerless experts, such as the Old Lion, Schiller, and the Peacock King, possessed some form of inherited tradition.

As for the old lama, it went without saying that he had obtained the Golden Arhat Breathing Technique!

Chu Feng taught the Siberian Tiger the breathing technique to enhance his strength. They also shared a life-or-death bond; during their struggle against Schiller at Dragon-Tiger Mountain, the Siberian Tiger had made significant contributions. Without him, that battle would have been precarious, and most of them would likely have died.

Chu Feng touched the Siberian Tiger's forehead, using a mental imprint to transmit the refined Xingyi Breathing Technique into his spiritual domain.

At the same time, he also infused the Tiger Form, which might prove very useful for the Siberian Tiger.

"Hahaha..." The Siberian Tiger roared with laughter, "I have a breathing technique now too! From this day forward, there's nowhere in the world I can't go, and I'll become a peerless master!"

"Moo, moo, woof, woof, Supreme Demonic King Chu, I want to learn too!" The Donkey King, his eyes full of envy, eagerly pleaded with Chu Feng. This spineless creature was surprisingly bold now.

"I can consider it when you perform a meritorious deed," Chu Feng replied. "For now, I'll teach you one of the true forms." Chu Feng pointed his finger at the donkey's forehead and imparted the Horse Form from the Twelve True Forms of Xingyi.

"Great, just watch my performance from now on!" The Donkey King was overjoyed.

Afterward, Chu Feng transmitted the Eagle Form to the Golden Condor King, also without imparting a breathing technique.

The Golden Condor King was truly tempted. Having been forcibly suppressed and made a mount, it had always harbored a grievance, but now its heart was clear, and it yearned immensely for a breathing technique.

The Yellow Ox had once said that as long as the breathing technique he imparted to Chu Feng was not passed on, it was a supreme method that would become even more astonishing in later stages, its true mysteries yet to be revealed.

The Yellow Ox told him not to worry about other techniques; no matter how powerful another breathing technique was, it couldn't compare to this one, unless a complete Grand Thunderclap Breathing Technique emerged.

Afterward, Chu Feng secretly gave both the Xingyi Fist Manual and the animal skin inscribed with the Twelve True Forms to the Yellow Ox, allowing the two oxen to study them.

"Hmm, who would have thought we'd get a mysterious Zen staff from the Primeval Alliance? This sacred weapon is truly remarkable. I hope for even more astonishing gains at the Extraterrestrial Civilization Institute."

The group began to ponder how to raid the Extraterrestrial Civilization Institute.

"I'm looking forward to it. It would be even better if we could get some ancient treasures."

They felt completely justified. This consortium had tried to kill Chu Feng, and now they were coming to collect their debt. Not only would heads roll to shake the world, but they would also raid the treasury and seize its fortunes.

"Before the extraterrestrial beings descend, let's quickly arm ourselves and seize control of the valuable territories!"

The Extraterrestrial Civilization Institute was located in Gusu City, about two thousand kilometers from Hang City after the world changed.

For ordinary people, this was an extremely long journey.

But for Chu Feng, it was nothing. If he traveled alone, he could sprint to the destination in just over twenty minutes, which would be absolutely astounding.

The Golden Condor King's speed was also not slow, but they were delayed by testing the Zen staff's power and studying breathing techniques and the true forms of Xingyi Fist along the way.

Even so, they arrived in Gusu City in less than forty minutes.

"The debt collectors are here!"

They landed outside Gusu City, and the Golden Condor King transformed into human form. The group then entered the city.

The headquarters of the Extraterrestrial Civilization Institute was located in a very beautiful setting, as it was a garden.

Gusu gardens were renowned as the best in the world since ancient times. With their pavilions, exquisite rockeries, flowing water, and stone arch bridges, they were truly beautiful and imbued with spiritual energy.

There were quite a few gardens within the city, and the Extraterrestrial Civilization Institute occupied several interconnected ones, creating a picturesque landscape.

Chu Feng and his group went straight to the gates. The Donkey King, without ceremony, kicked open the closed vermilion entrance with a loud thud.

He volunteered to lead the charge, primarily wanting to prove himself in hopes of getting the Xingyi Breathing Technique. In the past, this spineless creature had never been so daring; he was always famous among beast kings for his knack for fleeing.

Such a commotion, combined with the group's forceful intrusion, naturally alarmed the masters of the Extraterrestrial Civilization Institute.

"Heh, isn't that Donkey Runaway? When did you get so bold, daring to trespass on the Extraterrestrial Civilization Institute?" An alien king appeared, with a mocking expression.

He stood with his hands behind his back, blocking the Donkey King's path.

With a whoosh, a large group of extraordinary beings appeared behind him, blocking off the area after hearing the commotion.

"What are you doing here? Did you defect to the human race?" the Donkey King asked, surprised.

"I am currently a guardian of the Extraterrestrial Civilization Institute," the alien king replied. In his human form, he was tall and rather imposing, much more impressive than the scruffy Donkey King with his large buck teeth.

"What era are we in now, still talking about guardians?!" The Donkey King's long ears perked up, and he bared his buck teeth, a look of disdain on his face.

"What do you know?!" The king scoffed dismissively, but his arrogant demeanor lasted less than three seconds before he visibly deflated upon seeing Chu Feng and the others arrive.

"An alien king, is he in human form?" Chu Feng asked.

"He's not in human form, completely edible, absolutely delicious—he's a wild goose!" the spineless Donkey King enthusiastically reported.

"You bastard!" The Goose King was so startled he nearly turned and fled, absolutely hating the Donkey King.

"Who dares to cause trouble here?" High-ranking members of the Extraterrestrial Civilization Institute were alerted. Kings appeared directly, rushing from deeper within the garden, followed by many important figures.

Chu Feng moved unhurriedly, calm and composed. He crossed a stone arch bridge and stood among the pavilions by the water, looking across.

A female king, though likely not young, appeared rejuvenated after becoming a king and was very well-preserved, looking only around forty years old.

One could tell she must have been beautiful in her youth; now she was elegant and dignified, an attractive woman past her prime but still charming.

Her name was Huo Yan, and she was one of the Extraterrestrial Civilization Institute's high-level combatants.

"It's you... Chu Feng, what a rare guest, to come to our Gusu City," Huo Yan said with a faint smile. She recognized Chu Feng at once and appeared composed, showing no fear.

"Brother Chu, what a surprise, for you to come to our Extraterrestrial Civilization Institute. We apologize for not greeting you sooner," a young man in the crowd spoke up.

His name was Huo Lin, taking his mother's surname. The Huo family was one of the Extraterrestrial Civilization Institute's important members.

Huo Lin walked forward with a smile, remarkably composed. He showed no fear when facing the rumored Demonic King Chu, directly addressing him as "brother."

"Brother Chu, I've long admired you. I'm very pleased to meet you today," he said, appearing polite but actually quite casual.

Chu Feng now possessed a formidable reputation. Ordinarily, in a major conglomerate, a young person like him wouldn't be the one to receive guests; it would surely be the elder, important members who personally welcomed them.

Huo Lin was very proactive and fearless.

The Black Ox, the Siberian Tiger, and the others secretly sneered. They knew that the Extraterrestrial Civilization Institute had a deep background and ties with the Master of Eight Sceneries Palace.

Lu Tong had already informed them that people from the Extraterrestrial Civilization Institute had contacted the Master of Eight Sceneries Palace, seeking his intervention.

"Are they trying to emulate the Primeval Alliance, bringing out the Master of Jade Void Palace to make Chu Feng retreat?" the Donkey King also sneered inwardly.

Evidently, the Extraterrestrial Civilization Institute was still unaware of what had happened in Hang City.

The news of Chu Feng killing Liu Ziheng, destroying the Zhang family, and opening the Primeval Alliance's treasury had not yet spread, as these events had just occurred before they arrived here.

"When the news finally breaks, I wonder what their expressions will be. I'm really looking forward to it," the Black Ox chuckled.