"Hmm!"
"You're quite candid for a young person!"
Zhou Ruiyu narrowed his eyes, gestured toward the corpse, and said, "Now, recount everything you witnessed and heard regarding this incident!"
"Apologies!"
"Patriarch Zhou, I have neither seen nor heard anything about this matter!"
Lin Feng promptly denied ever being present at the scene!
He was well aware.
His own image had been projected by Bao He using the Image Projection Stone.
If he conceded to being here, there would be no way to justify Bao He's death.
Would that imply he admitted to killing Bao He, but not the others?
Nevertheless, the cause of Bao He's demise was identical to the others!
Thus.
He could only maintain that he had never been here, and that the 'Lin Feng' captured by the Image Projection Stone was also a fabrication!
"Are you truly certain you've never been here before?"
Zhou Ruiyu's eyes suddenly widened as his formidable Mysterious Platform Realm aura bore down on Lin Feng without restraint!
"No, I haven't!"
"Patriarch Zhou!"
Lin Feng, as the protagonist, remained unshaken even under the pressure of Zhou Ruiyu's Mysterious Platform Realm.
"Then, what led you to venture outside the city?"
Zhou Ruiyu's raspy voice resembled that of a feral beast.
"Practicing my techniques."
"Only by unleashing destruction can I truly comprehend the power of my moves."
"This is also a habit I acquired in the Starry Abyss Sect."
Lin Feng responded composedly, "Inside the city, I can merely gesture and cannot fully exert my capabilities, so I ventured beyond the city."
"Good."
Zhou Ruiyu's gaze grew frosty as he inquired, "I'd like to examine your storage artifact. Do you consent?"
"Please proceed!"
Lin Feng spread his arms and promptly dispelled his divine sense protection.
Shortly after.
Two members of the Zhou Clan advanced to inspect Lin Feng, and ultimately confirmed that there were no issues.
"Very well."
Zhou Ruiyu's formidable aura abruptly vanished, and his gaze shifted away from Lin Feng.
He had already reached a conclusion.
It wasn't Lin Feng...
"Continue probing this matter for me!"
"Anyone who departed the city during this time frame and possesses adequate cultivation level, I want them scrutinized."
Zhou Ruiyu turned his head to regard the members of the Zhou Clan and spoke icily.
"Patriarch Zhou."
"The individual responsible for this deed can most likely be confirmed to have encountered Lin Feng prior, met Zhou Yihe and the others, and then acted out of avarice by orchestrating this incident at the last moment."
"This modus operandi closely resembles that of the merciless and malevolent criminals who are sought by major cities and wander in the wilderness."
Jiang Chen stepped forward and suggested, "Thus, I propose that we prioritize investigating these individuals."
He appeared utterly earnest, entirely like someone who had Zhou Ruiyu's best interests in mind.
This performance was so persuasive that even Lin Feng was utterly deceived by it.
'Jiang Chen genuinely believes I'm innocent.'
'Alas, he's unaware that I'm the one who killed Zhou Yihe.'
'He likely doesn't even want to entertain the notion that I possess such strength. In his eyes, he looks down on me. Hmph.'
'...'
Lin Feng gazed at Jiang Chen and mentally scoffed with a faint snort.
"What Jiang Chen said is accurate."
"This matter is likely the work of those merciless and malevolent criminals. Curses!"
Zhou Ruiyu heeded Jiang Chen's suggestion and pondered it deeply.
"Very well."
"We shall take our leave now."
"Should we uncover any valuable leads, we will promptly relay them to the Zhou Clan."
Jiang Chen offered a slight smile and bowed to Zhou Ruiyu.
"I'm grateful for your assistance."
Zhou Ruiyu nodded and reciprocated with a bow to Jiang Chen.
Without delay.
Both parties exchanged farewells.
Jiang Chen and his group subsequently embarked on their return journey to the city.
En route.
"Lin Feng."
"You see, this is the advantage of having a patron."
Jiang Chen offered a faint smile to Lin Feng.
The implication was clear—swiftly become his subordinate!
"I don't need your help; I can manage on my own."
Lin Feng felt displeased deep down and spoke with an icy tone.
Even without Jiang Chen's assistance,
He was confident in breaking through to the Spiritual Awakening Realm on his own. At that point, he would be unrivaled beneath the Mysterious Platform Realm.
Possessing such power, even if he couldn't face the Zhou Clan head-on, he would have the capacity to contend with them.
In due course, he could plunder the Zhou Clan's riches a few more times, enabling the Burning World Red Lotus to recuperate further, and his combat prowess would escalate once more...
In response to Lin Feng's declaration,
Jiang Chen offered a faint smile. He believed in Lin Feng's words, but what about the others?
They would simply assume that Lin Feng was boasting!
"Lin Feng!"
"This time, your safety was entirely due to Jiang Chen's intervention!"
"Without his help, do you truly believe you could have managed on your own? The Zhou Clan would have already captured and killed you!"
Du Bailei furrowed his brows as he spoke.
Had Jiang Chen not been Lin Feng's friend, his words might have been even more cutting!
Nonetheless, Lin Feng felt extremely displeased after hearing them.
However, he couldn't reveal his true strength on the spot, lest he expose himself as the murderer!
Thus, he could only respond with a cold snort and remain silent.
Yet, just at that moment...
"This Lin Feng."
"He hasn't uttered a single 'thank you' since the beginning..."
A cultivator from the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce spoke indignantly on Jiang Chen's behalf, "I can't fathom where he derives his arrogance from!"
"That's true."
Another person joined in, "Having a friend like Jiang Chen, he's truly fortunate!"
Upon hearing these words,
Lin Feng, already somewhat irritated, grew even more incensed!
Who was Jiang Chen?
Merely a cultivator at the Early-stage Spiritual Awakening Realm!
He himself had already slain two Spiritual Awakening Realm cultivators!
Yet, someone had the audacity to claim he was inferior to Jiang Chen! How utterly blind!
Alas, Lin Feng could only keep these thoughts to himself.
Just at that moment,
Perhaps influenced by Du Bailei and the others' words, Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian also felt that Lin Feng's behavior was somewhat improper.
"Lin Feng."
"In this situation, you should really express more gratitude towards Jiang Chen. If he hadn't arrived in time..."
With the intention of assisting Lin Feng in preserving his image, Qiu Liaoxi spoke up and advised him.
"Lin Feng..."
Ning Xian too, gently parted her red lips, preparing to remind Lin Feng not to be so unappreciative.
However, Ning Xian had barely spoken two words,
"That's enough!"
Lin Feng's expression darkened instantaneously.
When did his own master and Ning Xian begin siding with Jiang Chen like this?
Was he perpetually in the wrong?
Slowly, had everyone ceased to stand by his side?
If not for Jiang Chen,
He, Lin Feng, would have already advanced to the Spiritual Awakening Realm long ago, yet it was Jiang Chen who repeatedly impeded his progress!
But it seemed Jiang Chen was always right, and Lin Feng was constantly wrong!
In that moment,
Lin Feng's fury was uncontrollable, akin to an active volcano on the verge of eruption!
"Lin Feng!"
Ning Xian's eyes widened, astonished by Lin Feng's interruption.
"Jiang Chen!"
"I know what you're thinking!"
"You want me to be your lackey!"
"Well, I'll tell you, that's impossible! I, Lin Feng, am destined to become the foremost individual in the Mysterious Truth Continent, and I'm fated to surpass the Heavenly Origin realm!"
"You remain in your Starry Abyss Sect, stay within your Jiang family, and cease bothering me!"
Lin Feng didn't glance at Ning Xian, but instead unleashed his fury on the spot, glaring at Jiang Chen with bloodshot eyes and bellowing at him loudly.
"..."
Jiang Chen appeared stunned, gazing at Lin Feng in disbelief.
Meanwhile, this scene,
Instantly incensed Jiang Xingtai, Du Bailei, and the others!
Even Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi stared at Lin Feng in disbelief.
To be ungrateful after being rescued was bad enough,
But to berate one's benefactor!
A mere Soul Refining Realm cultivator with a shattered dantian had the audacity to utter such arrogant words about surpassing the Heavenly Origin Realm. He was simply delusional!
In that moment,
Both Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian, master and disciple, started to question whether they had misjudged Lin Feng.
Reflecting on their decision,
It seemed they had been too hasty in passing on their legacy to Lin Feng...
"Hmm!"
"You're quite candid for a young person!"
Zhou Ruiyu narrowed his eyes, gestured toward the corpse, and said, "Now, recount everything you witnessed and heard regarding this incident!"
"Apologies!"
"Patriarch Zhou, I have neither seen nor heard anything about this matter!"
Lin Feng promptly denied ever being present at the scene!
He was well aware.
His own image had been projected by Bao He using the Image Projection Stone.
If he conceded to being here, there would be no way to justify Bao He's death.
Would that imply he admitted to killing Bao He, but not the others?
Nevertheless, the cause of Bao He's demise was identical to the others!
Thus.
He could only maintain that he had never been here, and that the 'Lin Feng' captured by the Image Projection Stone was also a fabrication!
"Are you truly certain you've never been here before?"
Zhou Ruiyu's eyes suddenly widened as his formidable Mysterious Platform Realm aura bore down on Lin Feng without restraint!
"No, I haven't!"
"Patriarch Zhou!"
Lin Feng, as the protagonist, remained unshaken even under the pressure of Zhou Ruiyu's Mysterious Platform Realm.
"Then, what led you to venture outside the city?"
Zhou Ruiyu's raspy voice resembled that of a feral beast.
"Practicing my techniques."
"Only by unleashing destruction can I truly comprehend the power of my moves."
"This is also a habit I acquired in the Starry Abyss Sect."
Lin Feng responded composedly, "Inside the city, I can merely gesture and cannot fully exert my capabilities, so I ventured beyond the city."
"Good."
Zhou Ruiyu's gaze grew frosty as he inquired, "I'd like to examine your storage artifact. Do you consent?"
"Please proceed!"
Lin Feng spread his arms and promptly dispelled his divine sense protection.
Shortly after.
Two members of the Zhou Clan advanced to inspect Lin Feng, and ultimately confirmed that there were no issues.
"Very well."
Zhou Ruiyu's formidable aura abruptly vanished, and his gaze shifted away from Lin Feng.
He had already reached a conclusion.
It wasn't Lin Feng...
"Continue probing this matter for me!"
"Anyone who departed the city during this time frame and possesses adequate cultivation level, I want them scrutinized."
Zhou Ruiyu turned his head to regard the members of the Zhou Clan and spoke icily.
"Patriarch Zhou."
"The individual responsible for this deed can most likely be confirmed to have encountered Lin Feng prior, met Zhou Yihe and the others, and then acted out of avarice by orchestrating this incident at the last moment."
"This modus operandi closely resembles that of the merciless and malevolent criminals who are sought by major cities and wander in the wilderness."
Jiang Chen stepped forward and suggested, "Thus, I propose that we prioritize investigating these individuals."
He appeared utterly earnest, entirely like someone who had Zhou Ruiyu's best interests in mind.
This performance was so persuasive that even Lin Feng was utterly deceived by it.
'Jiang Chen genuinely believes I'm innocent.'
'Alas, he's unaware that I'm the one who killed Zhou Yihe.'
'He likely doesn't even want to entertain the notion that I possess such strength. In his eyes, he looks down on me. Hmph.'
'...'
Lin Feng gazed at Jiang Chen and mentally scoffed with a faint snort.
"What Jiang Chen said is accurate."
"This matter is likely the work of those merciless and malevolent criminals. Curses!"
Zhou Ruiyu heeded Jiang Chen's suggestion and pondered it deeply.
"Very well."
"We shall take our leave now."
"Should we uncover any valuable leads, we will promptly relay them to the Zhou Clan."
Jiang Chen offered a slight smile and bowed to Zhou Ruiyu.
"I'm grateful for your assistance."
Zhou Ruiyu nodded and reciprocated with a bow to Jiang Chen.
Without delay.
Both parties exchanged farewells.
Jiang Chen and his group subsequently embarked on their return journey to the city.
En route.
"Lin Feng."
"You see, this is the advantage of having a patron."
Jiang Chen offered a faint smile to Lin Feng.
The implication was clear—swiftly become his subordinate!
"I don't need your help; I can manage on my own."
Lin Feng felt displeased deep down and spoke with an icy tone.
Even without Jiang Chen's assistance,
He was confident in breaking through to the Spiritual Awakening Realm on his own. At that point, he would be unrivaled beneath the Mysterious Platform Realm.
Possessing such power, even if he couldn't face the Zhou Clan head-on, he would have the capacity to contend with them.
In due course, he could plunder the Zhou Clan's riches a few more times, enabling the Burning World Red Lotus to recuperate further, and his combat prowess would escalate once more...
In response to Lin Feng's declaration,
Jiang Chen offered a faint smile. He believed in Lin Feng's words, but what about the others?
They would simply assume that Lin Feng was boasting!
"Lin Feng!"
"This time, your safety was entirely due to Jiang Chen's intervention!"
"Without his help, do you truly believe you could have managed on your own? The Zhou Clan would have already captured and killed you!"
Du Bailei furrowed his brows as he spoke.
Had Jiang Chen not been Lin Feng's friend, his words might have been even more cutting!
Nonetheless, Lin Feng felt extremely displeased after hearing them.
However, he couldn't reveal his true strength on the spot, lest he expose himself as the murderer!
Thus, he could only respond with a cold snort and remain silent.
Yet, just at that moment...
"This Lin Feng."
"He hasn't uttered a single 'thank you' since the beginning..."
A cultivator from the White Mountain Chamber of Commerce spoke indignantly on Jiang Chen's behalf, "I can't fathom where he derives his arrogance from!"
"That's true."
Another person joined in, "Having a friend like Jiang Chen, he's truly fortunate!"
Upon hearing these words,
Lin Feng, already somewhat irritated, grew even more incensed!
Who was Jiang Chen?
Merely a cultivator at the Early-stage Spiritual Awakening Realm!
He himself had already slain two Spiritual Awakening Realm cultivators!
Yet, someone had the audacity to claim he was inferior to Jiang Chen! How utterly blind!
Alas, Lin Feng could only keep these thoughts to himself.
Just at that moment,
Perhaps influenced by Du Bailei and the others' words, Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian also felt that Lin Feng's behavior was somewhat improper.
"Lin Feng."
"In this situation, you should really express more gratitude towards Jiang Chen. If he hadn't arrived in time..."
With the intention of assisting Lin Feng in preserving his image, Qiu Liaoxi spoke up and advised him.
"Lin Feng..."
Ning Xian too, gently parted her red lips, preparing to remind Lin Feng not to be so unappreciative.
However, Ning Xian had barely spoken two words,
"That's enough!"
Lin Feng's expression darkened instantaneously.
When did his own master and Ning Xian begin siding with Jiang Chen like this?
Was he perpetually in the wrong?
Slowly, had everyone ceased to stand by his side?
If not for Jiang Chen,
He, Lin Feng, would have already advanced to the Spiritual Awakening Realm long ago, yet it was Jiang Chen who repeatedly impeded his progress!
But it seemed Jiang Chen was always right, and Lin Feng was constantly wrong!
In that moment,
Lin Feng's fury was uncontrollable, akin to an active volcano on the verge of eruption!
"Lin Feng!"
Ning Xian's eyes widened, astonished by Lin Feng's interruption.
"Jiang Chen!"
"I know what you're thinking!"
"You want me to be your lackey!"
"Well, I'll tell you, that's impossible! I, Lin Feng, am destined to become the foremost individual in the Mysterious Truth Continent, and I'm fated to surpass the Heavenly Origin realm!"
"You remain in your Starry Abyss Sect, stay within your Jiang family, and cease bothering me!"
Lin Feng didn't glance at Ning Xian, but instead unleashed his fury on the spot, glaring at Jiang Chen with bloodshot eyes and bellowing at him loudly.
"..."
Jiang Chen appeared stunned, gazing at Lin Feng in disbelief.
Meanwhile, this scene,
Instantly incensed Jiang Xingtai, Du Bailei, and the others!
Even Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi stared at Lin Feng in disbelief.
To be ungrateful after being rescued was bad enough,
But to berate one's benefactor!
A mere Soul Refining Realm cultivator with a shattered dantian had the audacity to utter such arrogant words about surpassing the Heavenly Origin Realm. He was simply delusional!
In that moment,
Both Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian, master and disciple, started to question whether they had misjudged Lin Feng.
Reflecting on their decision,
It seemed they had been too hasty in passing on their legacy to Lin Feng...
