"I see… well played. You are hereby sentenced to one month in the warzone," the Hall Leader declared coldly.
"That's acceptable," the First Elder said with a faint nod.
---
News of Lin Feng's sentence spread through the sect like wildfire.
"Have you heard? Lin Feng's being sent to the warzone for a month!"
"The warzone? That place is practically a death sentence!"
"Even with his talent, he's doomed this time."
"Yeah… but why would they send someone like him there? Something's not right."
---
At the First Elder's peak…
"Master, what exactly is the warzone? And why is the Hall Leader targeting me?" Lin Feng asked, frowning.
"Don't worry about that old fox," the First Elder said calmly. "I'll handle him. As for the warzone…"
He paused, his tone turning grave. "It's the battleground between our three allied sects and the Devil Sect."
"The three sects?" Lin Feng tilted his head.
"Yes," the First Elder nodded. "The Sword Sovereign Sect, the Martial Sect, and the Fire Pavilion. Together, they stand against the Devil Sect — which is made up of the Blood Sect and the Soul Sect. These five are the most powerful factions of the lower realm."
"But Master, there are only two sides. Why are we always at a disadvantage?"
"That's because we are not united," his master sighed. "While the Devil Sect fights as one, the righteous sects are divided by pride and politics."
Lin Feng clenched his fists. "Then tell me, how does the warzone work?"
"It's a place where strength decides life or death," the elder said. "There are ranks within each realm — from the Xiantian Realm to the Heaven Realm and beyond. You'll meet countless experts there… and even more corpses."
He placed a hand on Lin Feng's shoulder. "Be careful. The Hall Leader may still try to harm you through underhanded means. But remember — this is also an opportunity. In the chaos of battle, you can temper yourself and grow stronger."
"Yes, Master. I'll be leaving tomorrow," Lin Feng bowed. "Please… look after Fatty while I'm gone."
"That's no problem." The elder reached into his sleeve and pulled out a glowing talisman. "Take this life-saving charm. Only use it in extreme danger."
Lin Feng grinned. "Thank you, Master! You're the best — the one and only invincible elder of the entire universe!"
The old man snorted. "Get out of here, you shameless brat!" He kicked Lin Feng off the peak with a smile tugging at his lips.
---
Lin Feng chuckled as he landed. "Master will never admit it, but this talisman could save my life."
He stored it in his spatial ring. "Time to check on Fatty."
"Fatty! How's your recovery going?"
"Boss! I'm fully healed, thanks to the pills you gave me," Fatty said excitedly.
"Good. I'm heading to the warzone for a month," Lin Feng said seriously. "Once I leave, go to my master's peak and stay there until I return. Also—" he tossed a jade scroll and a small pouch of pills, "—practice this sword art and break through to the Xiantian Realm before I get back."
"Boss, I can't accept this! You already saved my life—"
"Are you disobeying your boss?" Lin Feng said with mock sternness. "My duty is to protect my people. That's final."
"B-but…"
"No buts! Train hard. I'll be back soon," Lin Feng interrupted, turning away.
---
The next morning…
"Senior Brother Lin Feng!" a young disciple called out.
Lin Feng turned. "Who are you?"
"I've been assigned by the Hall Leader to escort you to the warzone."
In a hidden chamber of the Sword Sovereign Sect, another voice whispered darkly.
"Master, Lin Feng has departed."
"Hmph. He escaped death once, but not this time," the Hall Leader said coldly. "Tell the officer in charge of the warzone assignments to place him in the most dangerous area of the battlefield. Here—" he handed over a jade token. "Give him this as payment."
"Yes, Master."
"Senior Brother Lin Feng," the escorting disciple said, stopping at a stone platform. "This is as far as I can take you. That portal will send you straight to the warzone, where you'll be assigned your battlefield."
"Thank you, Junior Brother." Lin Feng tossed him a pouch containing a thousand purple crystals. "Take this as an escort gift."
The disciple's eyes widened. "Senior Brother, be careful. The man in charge of new recruit assignments… he's not to be trusted."
Lin Feng smiled faintly. "I figured as much. Don't worry — I'll handle it."
"Then… good luck, Senior Brother."
---
Inside the Warzone...
A vast fortress loomed beneath a crimson sky. The air was thick with killing intent, and distant explosions echoed like thunder.
"Name and sect?" a grizzled guard asked.
"Lin Feng of the Sword Sovereign Sect."
"You're new, huh? New recruits register over there." The guard pointed toward a tent at the edge of the encampment.
"Thank you." Lin Feng cupped his fists and headed toward it.
"Lin Feng of the Sword Sovereign Sect," he announced respectfully to the officer behind the table.
The man looked up, smirking. "So, you're that Lin Feng. A mere second-grade Xiantian expert, huh?"
Lin Feng frowned. How does he already know my name? Something's not right here.
"You're hereby assigned to the defense of Fire Cloud City," the officer said coldly. "You'll command a twenty-five-man team — ten ninth-grade Mortal Realm experts and fifteen Xiantian third-grade experts."
"Fire Cloud City?" Lin Feng's expression darkened. "That city's under attack by the Devil Sect!"