"It's you!"
"Zhou Yihe!"
Lin Feng's pupils constricted as memories of Zhou Yihe's haughty demeanor during his time with the Zhou Clan resurfaced in his mind.
Back then, he had already taken note of Zhou Yihe.
Had it not been for Lai Peng intervening, Lin Feng would have been compelled to showcase his appraisal skills and deliver a sound blow to Zhou Yihe's face before he could be satisfied.
And now, at this crucial moment,
Just as he was on the verge of acquiring a valuable treasure, Zhou Yihe unexpectedly emerged to obstruct him. It was as if their past grievances were fusing with this fresh confrontation!
Moreover, fueled by the suppressed rage towards Jiang Chen, a potent surge of murderous intent welled up in Lin Feng's heart.
"Heh heh."
"It's me, this Young Master!"
"I've been tracking this Entwined Silk Vajra Python for months, yet you killed it and now you seek to claim my spiritual plant!"
"Bold enough to touch what belongs to me, Zhou Yihe? Today, your demise is inevitable!"
"Everyone, assault and incapacitate him!"
Zhou Yihe unveiled a sinister grin and gestured with his hand, prompting his subordinates to charge forth.
However,
Greed prevailed.
It was quite possible that the aura of the protagonist status had influenced him.
He harbored a keen interest in the secrets concealed within Lin Feng's being, and thus, had no intention of killing him outright!
Thus,
Ma Qiwei and his companions refrained from delivering lethal blows as well.
This unexpected turn of events presented Lin Feng with a golden opportunity!
"Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening!"
"Along with several high-level Soul Refining Realm experts!"
"If we continue like this, I stand no chance against them!"
Lin Feng's eyes glinted, and in a split second, he clenched his teeth as his body's speed surged, morphing into a blur as he darted toward the mountain gorge crevice!
"This is...Clear Sky Flash!?"
"It's the Clear Sky Flash that can only be mastered by Starry Abyss Sect's inner disciples!"
Ma Qiwei's expression shifted dramatically, and for a moment, he was unable to halt Lin Feng, allowing him to sprint into the mountain gorge crevice!
"An inner disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect!?"
The others were similarly struck with profound changes in their expressions, each one exceedingly cautious!
"What, Lin Feng is actually a disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect!?"
"That's impossible. According to my brother's intel, not many disciples from the Starry Abyss Sect have left the mountain peak recently due to their upcoming grand tournament!"
"Among the few who left the sect, I'm acquainted with all of them except for Jiang Chen, and I've never even heard of Lin Feng!"
Zhou Yihe, too, was taken aback, his face painted with an expression of bewilderment.
"What should we do, Young Master?"
Ma Qiwei hesitated to take any further action.
Even though Zhou Yihe's sixth younger brother was also a disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect, it didn't imply that the Zhou Clan could freely eliminate sect disciples.
Once they committed such an act,
It was highly probable that it would implicate Zhou Yihe's sixth younger brother.
"This..."
"What should I do, what should I do!"
Zhou Yihe's heart was consumed by anxiety.
"Young Master!"
"We can't simply allow Lin Feng to abscond with the treasure!"
"We don't have to kill him!"
"Right, right! The Sixth Young Master is also a disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect."
"... "
The other Zhou Clan cultivators chimed in one after another, their faces brimming with discontent.
"I'll consult my sixth younger brother!"
Zhou Yihe took a deep breath, "You all go after him first, block his path, I refuse to believe he can evade us!"
"Yes!"
Ma Qiwei and the others promptly charged into the crevice.
Zhou Yihe swiftly produced the transmission jade token and began contacting his sixth younger brother within the Starry Abyss Sect.
Within the mountain crevice,
Lin Feng continued to descend rapidly, soon arriving at a nest carpeted with an extensive array of bones.
The overpowering odor was so intense that it was nearly akin to a miasma!
Adjacent to the nest lay a small, murky puddle, and nearby sprouted a spiritual plant.
The potent medicinal fragrance counteracted the repulsive stench.
"Found it!"
"A Mysterious Platform rank spiritual plant!"
"Although its name eludes me, based on its medicinal properties, it's a treasure capable of nourishing the Burning World Red Lotus!"
Lin Feng's face beamed with delight, and he instantly reached out to seize the spiritual plant!
"Halt!"
"Lin Feng, we have pursued the Entwined Silk Vajra Python for an extensive period, and this spiritual plant should rightfully be ours!"
"You are a disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect, and we too have connections within the Starry Abyss Sect!"
Ma Qiwei was the first to arrive, and upon seeing Lin Feng about to claim the spiritual plant, he immediately intervened to halt him!
"Hmph!"
"This treasure belongs to the deserving. Your clan's playboy is hardly worthy of it!"
Lin Feng knew his identity would eventually be revealed, so he opted to unmask himself without delay.
"You!!"
Ma Qiwei's face flushed with rage. "Believe it or not, no one will discover if we slay you today!"
Lin Feng remained silent, but locked his gaze on Ma Qiwei while promptly ripping out the spiritual plant and stuffing it into his mouth!
This sight left Ma Qiwei dumbfounded.
Ingesting spiritual plants in such a manner was tantamount to squandering precious resources!
Furthermore, some spiritual plants could be highly toxic if consumed without proper refinement and neutralization!
Even if this Mysterious Platform rank spiritual plant wasn't poisonous, its medicinal properties could be nearly intolerable for those in the Soul Refining and Spiritual Awakening realms.
What's more,
Lin Feng was now directly consuming the spiritual plant without taking any time to refine and neutralize its medicinal properties. As a result, his combat prowess would be diminished due to the uncontrolled surge of its medicinal power.
In the instant that Ma Qiwei was struck with disbelief at Lin Feng's audacious action,
Lin Feng had already devoured the entire spiritual plant, including its roots!
"You, expel it!"
Ma Qiwei bellowed and lunged forward to strike.
Seizing the opportunity while Lin Feng had yet to refine the medicinal power, forcing him to regurgitate the spiritual plant might still preserve much of its worth!
However, at that very moment,
Boom!!
A surge of energy emanated from Lin Feng's body, signifying a breakthrough in cultivation as he advanced to the Late-stage Soul Refining realm!
Not only that,
He was on the verge of attaining the half-step Spiritual Awakening level!
"How can this be!?"
"Did he actually digest the medicinal power of the spiritual plant!?"
"No, how is this possible!"
The exclamation didn't come from Ma Qiwei, but rather from Zhou Yihe, who had arrived from behind.
Ma Qiwei had already launched his assault, like an arrow released from a bowstring, and he directly targeted Lin Feng!
Lin Feng sneered, and with the support of the Burning World Flames, his long sword transformed into a blazing blade, as he swiftly retaliated.
Pfft--!
A pair of severed arms soared into the sky.
"Ahhhhh, my arm!"
A torrent of blood erupted from Ma Qiwei's severed limbs like a high-pressure water jet.
Several cultivators hurried forward to stanch the bleeding and assist with healing.
"Lin Feng, how dare you!"
"Now I know that you're a renegade disciple, expelled from your sect. If you dare to offend my Zhou Clan, you're inviting death!"
"Lay down your weapon, hand over the spiritual plant, and reveal how you mended your dantian. Share all your secrets with us!"
"Otherwise, my reinforcements are already en route, and your demise will be certain!"
"..."
Zhou Yihe fixed his bloodshot eyes on Lin Feng, filled with avarice.
He knew that Lin Feng harbored secrets.
He also understood that if the Starry Abyss Sect discovered this, he would have no claim to any part of it.
Thus, Zhou Yihe refrained from informing his sixth younger brother that Lin Feng's dantian had already healed.
He didn't even divulge the information to Zhou Ruiyu, the Zhou Clan Patriarch.
Given his lackluster aptitude, it was highly probable that Zhou Ruiyu would not grant him all the benefits obtained from Lin Feng; at most, he would receive a small portion.
However,
Confronted with Zhou Yihe's threats,
Lin Feng remained silent, gripping his long sword as he strode determinedly towards Zhou Yihe!
...
Simultaneously,
At the trade fair, inside the opulent VIP room,
Jiang Chen's transmission jade token quivered.
He instantly scanned it with his divine sense!
"Young Master!"
"I've obtained the Aura Finder Smoke and ignited it. The target's location has been pinpointed!"
Lin Feng had been found!
Jiang Chen experienced a faint sense of relief.
Just at that moment,
The transmission jade token trembled once more!
"Young Master!"
"We've just received news that a Spiritual Awakening realm expert from the Zhou Clan has hastily left the trade fair, which is highly unusual!"
"I've dispatched someone to discreetly monitor his whereabouts, and it is currently speculated that he's leaving the city."
This message was transmitted by another expert from the Jiang Clan.
In the original plot,
Autumn Glory City served as Lin Feng's stage.
The Zhou Clan, being a major family, held a worse reputation than the Jiang Clan, aligning with the characteristics of the protagonist's rival.
Thus,
Jiang Chen had already arranged for someone to monitor the whereabouts of important members of the Zhou Clan.
'An expert from the Zhou Clan is leaving the city in a hurry?'
'Could it be because of something Lin Feng did?'
'In just two hours, has Lin Feng already caused trouble?'
'Is this the power of protagonist status? I lost track of him for such a brief time, and something unknown has transpired?'
'Darn it, I can't let this situation develop any further. The longer I leave it, the more benefits Lin Feng is likely to gain!'
Upon examining the message with his divine sense, Jiang Chen's eyebrows furrowed.
"It's you!"
"Zhou Yihe!"
Lin Feng's pupils constricted as memories of Zhou Yihe's haughty demeanor during his time with the Zhou Clan resurfaced in his mind.
Back then, he had already taken note of Zhou Yihe.
Had it not been for Lai Peng intervening, Lin Feng would have been compelled to showcase his appraisal skills and deliver a sound blow to Zhou Yihe's face before he could be satisfied.
And now, at this crucial moment,
Just as he was on the verge of acquiring a valuable treasure, Zhou Yihe unexpectedly emerged to obstruct him. It was as if their past grievances were fusing with this fresh confrontation!
Moreover, fueled by the suppressed rage towards Jiang Chen, a potent surge of murderous intent welled up in Lin Feng's heart.
"Heh heh."
"It's me, this Young Master!"
"I've been tracking this Entwined Silk Vajra Python for months, yet you killed it and now you seek to claim my spiritual plant!"
"Bold enough to touch what belongs to me, Zhou Yihe? Today, your demise is inevitable!"
"Everyone, assault and incapacitate him!"
Zhou Yihe unveiled a sinister grin and gestured with his hand, prompting his subordinates to charge forth.
However,
Greed prevailed.
It was quite possible that the aura of the protagonist status had influenced him.
He harbored a keen interest in the secrets concealed within Lin Feng's being, and thus, had no intention of killing him outright!
Thus,
Ma Qiwei and his companions refrained from delivering lethal blows as well.
This unexpected turn of events presented Lin Feng with a golden opportunity!
"Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening!"
"Along with several high-level Soul Refining Realm experts!"
"If we continue like this, I stand no chance against them!"
Lin Feng's eyes glinted, and in a split second, he clenched his teeth as his body's speed surged, morphing into a blur as he darted toward the mountain gorge crevice!
"This is...Clear Sky Flash!?"
"It's the Clear Sky Flash that can only be mastered by Starry Abyss Sect's inner disciples!"
Ma Qiwei's expression shifted dramatically, and for a moment, he was unable to halt Lin Feng, allowing him to sprint into the mountain gorge crevice!
"An inner disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect!?"
The others were similarly struck with profound changes in their expressions, each one exceedingly cautious!
"What, Lin Feng is actually a disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect!?"
"That's impossible. According to my brother's intel, not many disciples from the Starry Abyss Sect have left the mountain peak recently due to their upcoming grand tournament!"
"Among the few who left the sect, I'm acquainted with all of them except for Jiang Chen, and I've never even heard of Lin Feng!"
Zhou Yihe, too, was taken aback, his face painted with an expression of bewilderment.
"What should we do, Young Master?"
Ma Qiwei hesitated to take any further action.
Even though Zhou Yihe's sixth younger brother was also a disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect, it didn't imply that the Zhou Clan could freely eliminate sect disciples.
Once they committed such an act,
It was highly probable that it would implicate Zhou Yihe's sixth younger brother.
"This..."
"What should I do, what should I do!"
Zhou Yihe's heart was consumed by anxiety.
"Young Master!"
"We can't simply allow Lin Feng to abscond with the treasure!"
"We don't have to kill him!"
"Right, right! The Sixth Young Master is also a disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect."
"... "
The other Zhou Clan cultivators chimed in one after another, their faces brimming with discontent.
"I'll consult my sixth younger brother!"
Zhou Yihe took a deep breath, "You all go after him first, block his path, I refuse to believe he can evade us!"
"Yes!"
Ma Qiwei and the others promptly charged into the crevice.
Zhou Yihe swiftly produced the transmission jade token and began contacting his sixth younger brother within the Starry Abyss Sect.
Within the mountain crevice,
Lin Feng continued to descend rapidly, soon arriving at a nest carpeted with an extensive array of bones.
The overpowering odor was so intense that it was nearly akin to a miasma!
Adjacent to the nest lay a small, murky puddle, and nearby sprouted a spiritual plant.
The potent medicinal fragrance counteracted the repulsive stench.
"Found it!"
"A Mysterious Platform rank spiritual plant!"
"Although its name eludes me, based on its medicinal properties, it's a treasure capable of nourishing the Burning World Red Lotus!"
Lin Feng's face beamed with delight, and he instantly reached out to seize the spiritual plant!
"Halt!"
"Lin Feng, we have pursued the Entwined Silk Vajra Python for an extensive period, and this spiritual plant should rightfully be ours!"
"You are a disciple of the Starry Abyss Sect, and we too have connections within the Starry Abyss Sect!"
Ma Qiwei was the first to arrive, and upon seeing Lin Feng about to claim the spiritual plant, he immediately intervened to halt him!
"Hmph!"
"This treasure belongs to the deserving. Your clan's playboy is hardly worthy of it!"
Lin Feng knew his identity would eventually be revealed, so he opted to unmask himself without delay.
"You!!"
Ma Qiwei's face flushed with rage. "Believe it or not, no one will discover if we slay you today!"
Lin Feng remained silent, but locked his gaze on Ma Qiwei while promptly ripping out the spiritual plant and stuffing it into his mouth!
This sight left Ma Qiwei dumbfounded.
Ingesting spiritual plants in such a manner was tantamount to squandering precious resources!
Furthermore, some spiritual plants could be highly toxic if consumed without proper refinement and neutralization!
Even if this Mysterious Platform rank spiritual plant wasn't poisonous, its medicinal properties could be nearly intolerable for those in the Soul Refining and Spiritual Awakening realms.
What's more,
Lin Feng was now directly consuming the spiritual plant without taking any time to refine and neutralize its medicinal properties. As a result, his combat prowess would be diminished due to the uncontrolled surge of its medicinal power.
In the instant that Ma Qiwei was struck with disbelief at Lin Feng's audacious action,
Lin Feng had already devoured the entire spiritual plant, including its roots!
"You, expel it!"
Ma Qiwei bellowed and lunged forward to strike.
Seizing the opportunity while Lin Feng had yet to refine the medicinal power, forcing him to regurgitate the spiritual plant might still preserve much of its worth!
However, at that very moment,
Boom!!
A surge of energy emanated from Lin Feng's body, signifying a breakthrough in cultivation as he advanced to the Late-stage Soul Refining realm!
Not only that,
He was on the verge of attaining the half-step Spiritual Awakening level!
"How can this be!?"
"Did he actually digest the medicinal power of the spiritual plant!?"
"No, how is this possible!"
The exclamation didn't come from Ma Qiwei, but rather from Zhou Yihe, who had arrived from behind.
Ma Qiwei had already launched his assault, like an arrow released from a bowstring, and he directly targeted Lin Feng!
Lin Feng sneered, and with the support of the Burning World Flames, his long sword transformed into a blazing blade, as he swiftly retaliated.
Pfft--!
A pair of severed arms soared into the sky.
"Ahhhhh, my arm!"
A torrent of blood erupted from Ma Qiwei's severed limbs like a high-pressure water jet.
Several cultivators hurried forward to stanch the bleeding and assist with healing.
"Lin Feng, how dare you!"
"Now I know that you're a renegade disciple, expelled from your sect. If you dare to offend my Zhou Clan, you're inviting death!"
"Lay down your weapon, hand over the spiritual plant, and reveal how you mended your dantian. Share all your secrets with us!"
"Otherwise, my reinforcements are already en route, and your demise will be certain!"
"..."
Zhou Yihe fixed his bloodshot eyes on Lin Feng, filled with avarice.
He knew that Lin Feng harbored secrets.
He also understood that if the Starry Abyss Sect discovered this, he would have no claim to any part of it.
Thus, Zhou Yihe refrained from informing his sixth younger brother that Lin Feng's dantian had already healed.
He didn't even divulge the information to Zhou Ruiyu, the Zhou Clan Patriarch.
Given his lackluster aptitude, it was highly probable that Zhou Ruiyu would not grant him all the benefits obtained from Lin Feng; at most, he would receive a small portion.
However,
Confronted with Zhou Yihe's threats,
Lin Feng remained silent, gripping his long sword as he strode determinedly towards Zhou Yihe!
...
Simultaneously,
At the trade fair, inside the opulent VIP room,
Jiang Chen's transmission jade token quivered.
He instantly scanned it with his divine sense!
"Young Master!"
"I've obtained the Aura Finder Smoke and ignited it. The target's location has been pinpointed!"
Lin Feng had been found!
Jiang Chen experienced a faint sense of relief.
Just at that moment,
The transmission jade token trembled once more!
"Young Master!"
"We've just received news that a Spiritual Awakening realm expert from the Zhou Clan has hastily left the trade fair, which is highly unusual!"
"I've dispatched someone to discreetly monitor his whereabouts, and it is currently speculated that he's leaving the city."
This message was transmitted by another expert from the Jiang Clan.
In the original plot,
Autumn Glory City served as Lin Feng's stage.
The Zhou Clan, being a major family, held a worse reputation than the Jiang Clan, aligning with the characteristics of the protagonist's rival.
Thus,
Jiang Chen had already arranged for someone to monitor the whereabouts of important members of the Zhou Clan.
'An expert from the Zhou Clan is leaving the city in a hurry?'
'Could it be because of something Lin Feng did?'
'In just two hours, has Lin Feng already caused trouble?'
'Is this the power of protagonist status? I lost track of him for such a brief time, and something unknown has transpired?'
'Darn it, I can't let this situation develop any further. The longer I leave it, the more benefits Lin Feng is likely to gain!'
Upon examining the message with his divine sense, Jiang Chen's eyebrows furrowed.
