"What are you doing here?" Lin Feng asked, his tone calm but guarded.
"I need your help," the black-robed youth said.
Lin Feng frowned slightly. He had a good impression of this man from their past encounter, but caution still lingered. "What kind of help?"
"Now that you're qualified to enter the secret realm," the youth said evenly, "I want you to retrieve a particular spirit herb for me."
"Oh?" Lin Feng raised a brow. "What kind of spirit herb?"
"It's a ten-thousand-year-old ginseng. I need five of them."
"What do you need them for?"
"Don't worry about that," the youth said, shaking his head. "You'll be rewarded. Handsomely."
He reached into his spatial ring and pulled out several glittering herbs. Their spiritual energy rippled through the air.
"I know you cultivate a body-refining technique," the youth continued. "These herbs are used to strengthen the body and purify blood essence. They should help you progress."
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed as he studied the herbs. They were rare — exactly the kind he needed for the third level of the Golden Body Manual. He had been stuck at the second level for two months due to the lack of high-grade materials. Now, the solution was right before him.
He exhaled slowly. "Fine. I'll find your ginseng. We have a deal."
The young man smiled faintly and tossed a small ring toward him.
Lin Feng caught it, and when he inspected its contents, his eyes widened in surprise. All the herbs were already inside.
"What if I decide not to look for your herbs?" Lin Feng asked, testing him. "You've already given me what I need."
"I don't think you're the kind of man who'd go back on his word," the youth replied calmly. "Especially not someone with your standing in the sect."
Lin Feng chuckled. "You really think so? By the way, what's your name?"
"You'll know… when you bring back the herbs."
He turned and walked away, his figure vanishing into the mist.
Fatty scratched his head. "Boss, we don't even know that guy. Why agree to help him?"
Lin Feng shrugged. "He's an interesting one. And it's just finding a herb in the secret realm — nothing too troublesome."
"If you say so, Boss."
"By the way, how many points do we have now?"
"About twenty thousand."
Lin Feng nodded with satisfaction. "That's a lot. Go to the Martial Skill Hall and pick any martial art you like."
Fatty's face lit up. "Boss, you're the best in the world!"
---
The Gathering of the Top Twenty
Three days later, the top twenty inner disciples of the Sword Sect gathered on a mountain peak shrouded in clouds.
"Hey, isn't that Lin Feng — the one who killed Ouyang Yin?" whispers spread through the crowd.
Lin Feng stood among them, his golden robe fluttering in the mountain wind. His long, silky hair gleamed under the sunlight, and the lines of his body radiated quiet strength.
His eyes swept toward the dais — and he blinked in surprise. "I thought the sect master would be an old man," he murmured. "Didn't expect someone in his thirties or forties."
The sect master's voice echoed across the peak, calm yet commanding. "You are the twenty disciples representing the Sword Sect in the secret realm. Do your best. The Seventh Elder will escort you there."
"Sect Master," a voice interrupted. An Eighth Grade Xiantian disciple stepped forward, bowing slightly. "I have something to say."
"Speak," the sect master said.
"What is a Third Grade Xiantian like him doing here?" he asked, pointing directly at Lin Feng.
The sect master's brows furrowed slightly. Truthfully, he had noticed Lin Feng the moment he arrived.
"What's your point?" the sect master asked evenly.
Before the man could reply, Lin Feng vanished from where he stood.
PA!
The sharp crack of a slap echoed through the air. The man's tooth flew out.
PA!
A second slap landed before he could react, sending him spinning.
Lin Feng stood behind him, his gaze cold. "Are you convinced now?"
The man clutched his swollen face, trembling.
"That's enough," the sect master said, raising his hand. His eyes lingered on Lin Feng with curiosity. "Elder, who is he?"
The elder beside him stepped forward. "He is the First Elder's disciple — a six-star talent. He has already comprehended the second level of sword intent while still in the Third Grade of the Xiantian Realm. He also defeated the strongest Eighth Grade Xiantian expert in the sect."
The sect master's eyes widened slightly. First Elder's disciple? I thought that old man swore never to take another one after what happened back then…
"I see." He smiled faintly. "We must protect him at all costs. He is the future of our Sword Sect."
He turned thoughtful. I only comprehended sword intent at the Legend Realm… yet he has done so at the Xiantian Realm. Such monstrous talent! Our sect has truly found a treasure. He must not die in the secret realm.
"I asked," Lin Feng repeated coldly, "are you convinced now?"
The man dropped to his knees. "Y-Yes! I'm convinced! Please, no more!"
Lin Feng snorted. "Good. At least you know your place."
No one was surprised anymore. After all, this was the man who had slain Ouyang Yin with a single sword.
The sect master smiled faintly and flicked his wrist. A glowing talisman floated toward Lin Feng. "Take this. It's a life-saving talisman containing one of my own attacks. Use it only if you're in grave danger."
Lin Feng cupped his fists. "Thank you, Sect Master. You are most generous."
The sect master nodded. "It's no problem. The portal will open shortly. It will take you directly to the secret realm's entrance, where you will meet disciples from other sects."
The crowd murmured, glancing at Lin Feng with both respect and jealousy.
Lin Feng, however, felt only anticipation. It would be his first time encountering disciples from other sects — true geniuses from beyond his world.
He smiled faintly to himself.
"I just hope they aren't weak," he murmured. "I need a good fight."