Even after releasing her aura, she found herself completely suppressed.
There was both respect and fear in her eyes.
"Now," Lin Feng said calmly, his aura retracting like a tide, "am I qualified or not?"
"You are… more than qualified," the elder said, voice trembling.
"Hmph. You can be my escort," she said, recovering her composure. "We leave tomorrow morning for the Fire Pavilion."
---
The next morning.
As they mounted the flying beast, Lin Feng asked casually, "Why can't the elders of your clan escort you?"
"That's none of your business," she snapped.
Lin Feng only smiled faintly. "Nice mount. According to this map, it should take three days to reach the Fire Pavilion."
"Fine," she muttered.
Throughout the journey, Lin Feng sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, quietly cultivating. His breathing was even, his aura stable — as if the world around him didn't exist.
The young mistress frowned, sneaking glances at him.
"Is he a cultivation freak? Am I not pretty enough to even get a glance?" she whispered under her breath.
Unable to hold it in any longer, she began, "Are you—"
Lin Feng's eyes snapped open. "We're being followed."
Her eyes widened. "Hmph. How could you possibly know that?"
"I'm strong," he said with a slight smirk. "You're not. Simple as that."
He tilted his head slightly, his gaze scanning the horizon. "Two ninth-grade Mortal Realm experts and three Xiantian experts. They've been tailing us for a while."
A mocking voice echoed from the trees.
"You really do have sharp eyes, boy."
A group of figures emerged — five men, led by a middle-aged warrior with a cruel smile.
"The Qin family," she spat through clenched teeth.
A young man stepped forward. "Young Mistress Yang, has your clan fallen so low that you need a mere Mortal Realm cultivator to protect you?" he sneered.
"If my father were still alive, your Qin clan wouldn't dare to touch us," she shot back coldly.
He laughed. "If only you had agreed to marry me, things wouldn't have come to this. But now…" His eyes turned murderous. "Kill the boy. I'll capture her myself."
Two of his men lunged forward, their qi flaring.
Lin Feng didn't move. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, expression utterly calm.
She frowned. "Why does he look so… relaxed?"
With a faint sigh, Lin Feng drew his sword.
Swoosh!
Two crimson arcs flashed in the air.
The men froze — then collapsed, their bodies cleaved cleanly in half, eyes still wide with disbelief.
The young master's voice trembled. "Impossible…"
"Both of you, together!" he shouted to the remaining experts. "Kill him!"
The two Xiantian experts surged forward, their swords igniting with blazing flames.
Fire Flame Sword Art!
Twin streams of fiery qi cut through the air toward Lin Feng.
Lin Feng's eyes sharpened. He twisted his body, his sword humming as it gathered azure light.
Azure Sword Art — Third Stance!
Boom!
The ground split apart as their energies collided. The two men were hurled backward, their right arms severed at the shoulder. They landed heavily, blood splattering across the dirt.
They stared at Lin Feng in horror. The pressure radiating from him felt like facing a mountain.
"This can't be… We combined our strength! Even a fourth-grade Xiantian expert wouldn't withstand that!" one stammered.
Lin Feng tilted his head slightly. "You two are too weak."
The young master staggered back, face pale. Even he, a third-grade Xiantian cultivator, would've struggled against those two. What kind of monster is this man?
The wounded men dropped to their knees. "Young Master, we were wrong! Spare us — we'll never cross you again!"
Lin Feng's gaze turned cold. "From the moment you attacked, your deaths were sealed."
He vanished from sight.
Swoosh!
Two heads rolled to the ground.
Lin Feng turned toward the young master. "You're next."
"I—I'm the young master of the Qin family!" he stammered, trembling. "We can… settle this! I can pay—"
Lin Feng glanced at the girl. "Do you want him dead or alive?"
"Dead," she said icily.
"Alright."
Swoosh!
A single clean strike. Blood splattered across the grass.
"He couldn't even block one swing," Lin Feng muttered.
"What did you say?" she asked.
"Nothing. Let's leave before the Qin clan sends reinforcements."
---
During their journey, Lin Feng examined the spoils he had taken from the bodies.
"Hm. This sword art is perfect for Fatty," he murmured, flipping through a jade slip. "And this young master… pretty rich. One million purple crystals."
He smirked. "The rest is useless to me, but this will cover the herbs I need to reach the second level of the Golden Body Manual."
---
Later, at the Fire Pavilion.
"We've arrived," Lin Feng said. "My job here is done."
"Thank you for your help," she said softly. "By the way, my name is Yang Busi."
But Lin Feng was already gone.
She stomped her foot. "Hmph! I hate you!"
Far away, Lin Feng chuckled to himself. "Yang Busi… nice name."
---
At the Fire Pavilion's pill shop, he handed a list to the attendant.
"These are the pills I need."
The attendant glanced at the list. "That will be one million purple crystals."
Lin Feng tossed her a spatial ring. "Here."
---
Later, riding his mount through the clouds, he flexed his hands.
"I've reached the second level of the Golden Body Manual. My body's as strong as a heaven-grade weapon now."
Suddenly, his mount stopped, muscles tensing. Lin Feng's expression darkened.
"Who are you?"
Five figures emerged from the shadows — all Xiantian experts. Two were third-grade, one second-grade, and the last emanated the crushing aura of a fifth-grade expert.
The air grew heavy. Even Lin Feng felt the pressure.
Then, a familiar voice echoed from behind them.
"Well, well. Surprised to see me?"
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed. "Ouyang Ye…"
Ouyang Ye grinned coldly. "Yes. You didn't think you'd gotten away, did you?
He unsheathed his blade, killing intent rolling like waves.
"this place will be your burial ground."