"He… he slaughtered them all."
"Lin Feng is like a god of death…"
"What a monster."
"The other powerhouses won't let him off for this."
"He's terrifying with a sword in his hand…"
Whispers spread through the air like wildfire. Everyone who witnessed the massacre trembled.
Within hours, the story swept across the entire secret realm.
"This Lin Feng… he's a real demon. He killed thirty eighth-grade Xiantian experts!"
"Damn him! How dare he kill disciples of my sect!" the leading disciple of the Martial Sect roared.
"Hmph. I'll kill him the moment I see him."
"He took ten Grade Four pills all for himself — what a greedy brat!"
Soon, an announcement echoed across the realm through spiritual talismans:
"Anyone who spots a golden-haired youth will be rewarded one million purple crystals for the information!"
The bounty on Lin Feng's head became the hottest topic of the realm.
---
Later that day, Lin Feng stood before five Sword Sovereign disciples.
"Take these three Nine Solar Pills," he said, handing them over. "And remember — if you find any rare treasures or herbs, contact me immediately."
The disciples bowed deeply. "Thank you, Senior Brother Lin Feng. But… please be careful. They've placed a one-million-crystal bounty on your head."
Lin Feng smiled faintly. "Don't worry about me. Go."
As they left, he looked up toward the distant sky. "Time to increase my strength. There are still five days left, and the true treasures of this realm haven't appeared yet."
He searched until he found a quiet valley surrounded by jagged cliffs and mist. "This spot will do."
Sitting cross-legged on a smooth rock, he took out seven Nine Solar Pills from his ring. Without hesitation, he swallowed them all at once.
If anyone had seen him consume seven Grade Four pills in one go, they would've gone mad with greed or envy.
He closed his eyes and began circulating the Sword of Destiny Manual.
Moments later—
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion erupted within his body as waves of spiritual energy surged through his meridians. His dantian expanded violently.
BOOM!
Another explosion followed, his body trembling under the force. The ground beneath him cracked open, and streams of golden light seeped through his skin like molten metal.
After several intense minutes, the violent energy settled. Lin Feng opened his eyes, golden light flickering within them.
"My cultivation rose to the fifth-grade Xiantian Realm… and that's it?" he muttered, frowning. "Seven Nine Solar Pills for just one level. The Sword of Destiny Manual truly demands massive resources."
He clenched his fists, feeling the immense pressure within his veins. "Still… power is power."
He stood, stretching his shoulders. "Since I've got the herbs for the Golden Body Manual's third level, I'll focus on that next."
---
Three days later, Lin Feng sighed in frustration as he walked along a rocky path. "Three days and still nothing valuable. My luck's really that bad?"
Just then, his communication talisman vibrated.
"Senior Brother Lin Feng! We've found something amazing this time!"
"What is it?"
"An herb garden full of Grade Three and higher herbs! But… the Ouyang Family has taken it over!"
Lin Feng's expression hardened. "Oh? The Ouyang Family?" His eyes glinted with killing intent. "Send me your location."
---
When Lin Feng arrived, the place was crowded. The air was thick with tension. Disciples from multiple sects surrounded a vast valley filled with glowing spirit herbs, but the Ouyang Family stood guard, blocking everyone.
"This isn't fair! How can the Ouyang Family take everything for themselves?"
"If you're unhappy," an Ouyang disciple sneered, "come take it by force."
A calm yet chilling voice echoed from above. "Then I'll take it."
Everyone looked up. Lin Feng hovered in the air, his golden hair shining under the sun, his presence sharp and suffocating.
"Isn't that Lin Feng—the one who slaughtered thirty eighth-grade experts like livestock?"
"Doesn't he know there's a bounty on his head?"
An Ouyang disciple glared up nervously. "You… what are you doing here? Don't you know you're on our wanted list?"
Lin Feng's lips curved into a faint smile. After that massacre, people had started calling him the God of Death. He didn't mind the title—in fact, he found it fitting.
"On your wanted list?" Lin Feng said, descending slowly. "That makes this more fun."
"What did he even do to offend the Ouyang Family?" someone whispered.
Lin Feng spread his divine sense across the herb garden. His gaze locked onto a figure hiding among the trees. "You can come out now."
A young man stepped forward, smirking. "Impressive. You noticed me."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. "That's Ouyang Yu! He's ranked third among the Ouyang Family's inner disciples!"
Lin Feng tilted his head slightly. "So, you're here to die too?"
"I've heard a lot about you," Ouyang Yu said coldly, tightening his grip on his spear. "I want to see for myself why the Ouyang Family put you on the wanted list."
Without waiting, he lunged forward, his spear thrusting with blinding speed.
Lin Feng met his attack head-on.
BOOM!
Their fists collided, sending shockwaves through the ground. Ouyang Yu's eyes widened as he was blasted backward, crashing into the dirt and leaving a crater behind.
"I only used eighty percent of my strength," Lin Feng said calmly, smiling. "And you couldn't even withstand one punch."
"Ouyang Yu was defeated with a single blow!" someone cried.
"Lin Feng really is a monster!"
"The God of Death… he lives up to the name."
Ouyang Yu coughed blood, terror filling his eyes. "Damn it… the leading disciple told me to avoid him. I should've listened."
Lin Feng unsheathed his sword. Instantly, killing intent rolled out like a storm. The temperature dropped; the crowd stepped back instinctively.
"He's drawing his sword…"
"When Lin Feng unsheathes his blade, blood always flows!"
Lin Feng's eyes glowed. "Let's end this."
He slashed.
Azure Sword Art — Third Stance!
Ouyang Yu roared and countered.
Dragon Spear Art — Fourth Stance!
A spectral dragon burst from his spear, roaring toward Lin Feng.
Lin Feng snorted. "What a pathetic dragon."
With one swing, his sword sliced through the illusionary beast like paper. The dragon shattered into golden mist.
Ouyang Yu's spear thrust reached Lin Feng's chest—
CLANG!
The metallic ring echoed. The spear's tip bent against Lin Feng's body as if striking divine steel.
Before Ouyang Yu could react—
BANG!
Lin Feng's sword cut across his chest, sending him flying. Blood sprayed into the air, and a deep wound opened from shoulder to rib.
"If not for my movement skill," Ouyang Yu gasped, clutching his chest, "I'd have been cut in half!"
Lin Feng rested his sword on his shoulder, smiling faintly. "You're lucky. A Heaven-grade movement skill, huh? Not bad."