The air trembled.
"Hmph."
"Azure Sword Art — Kill All Under Heaven!" Lin Feng roared, his sword cleaving through the air. A blazing crimson arc split the heavens like a comet.
The old man merely waved his hand.
Boom!
The sword light disintegrated before it could even reach him, vanishing into nothingness.
Lin Feng steadied himself, breathing heavily. "I can see you forced your way here," he said with a faint smirk. "You can probably withstand only one more attack before fading away."
The old man chuckled, his ancient eyes gleaming. "You have good eyes, boy. But you can't kill him as long as I stand here."
"Hmph." Lin Feng's gaze hardened. "He must be important to you. How about this — release the girl, and I'll forget about killing him."
The old man studied him for a long moment, then smiled. "Very well. But remember, the next time we meet… it will be a do-or-die affair."
Lin Feng grinned. "Hehe, I wouldn't have it any other way."
"I like you, young man," the old man said with genuine amusement. "Until next time."
With a wave of his hand, a bright light appeared beside Lin Feng. Sun Mei's unconscious form emerged from the void. The old man glanced briefly toward the sky — his expression unreadable — before vanishing without a trace.
Lin Feng exhaled. "That was close… Thank you, mysterious expert, for lending a hand." He clasped his fists and bowed toward the heavens. Almost instantly, the strange, oppressive energy in the air vanished.
He knew it then — the Blood Sect Ancestor hadn't retreated out of mercy. He'd been forced to. Someone powerful — someone unseen — had intervened.
"What just happened?" Zhao Yun muttered, still frozen. The others looked around, confused and terrified. Only Fatty seemed to understand.
"Thank you for your help, Senior Brother," Fatty murmured quietly.
A voice echoed faintly in the wind. "It's my duty to help you. Junior Brother, recruit him — this Lin Feng is a monstrous genius."
"I know," Fatty whispered, eyes dimming slightly. "How much time do I have left before the sect selection?"
"Less than six months," the voice replied. "My time is limited. See you in six months."
Fatty sighed deeply. "Ai…"
Inside Lin Feng's mind, the ancient voice spoke again. Your friend's fate is tied to that mysterious expert.
"Fatty…" Lin Feng muttered, eyes narrowing in thought.
Before he could speak further, a soft weight pressed against his chest. A faint fragrance surrounded him — warm and floral.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Lin Feng, for saving me," Sun Mei whispered, her face still pale but her eyes shining with gratitude.
"It's no big deal," Lin Feng stammered, his composure faltering. It was the first time a girl had ever been this close to him.
Realizing how close she was, Sun Mei's cheeks flushed crimson. She quickly pulled away and ran toward her father.
"She should've stayed a little longer…" Lin Feng muttered under his breath, a small, helpless smile tugging at his lips. "Still… that was a nice feeling."
Sun Mei rushed into her father's arms. "Father, are you alright? I'm sorry… this is all my fault!"
Sun Yang smiled softly, patting her head. "It's not your fault, Sun Mei. None of this is."
Zhao Yun glanced at Lin Feng and smirked. "She's really beautiful. You should consider—"
"Hmph," Lin Feng interrupted, grinning faintly. "You think I haven't thought of that?"
Zhao Yun laughed. "Tell me, how did you force my Ancestor to retreat?"
"Strength," Lin Feng replied simply.
"Tell me the truth," Zhao Yun pressed, disbelieving.
Lin Feng met his eyes. "That's none of your business."
"Damn it," Zhao Yun cursed under his breath.
Fatty clapped his hands, breaking the tension. "Enough talk! Let's return to the Sun Family mansion and celebrate our victory!"
---
Meanwhile, at the Blood Sect's Hidden Palace
The Blood Sect Ancestor sat silently within a cavern wreathed in black mist. His expression was dark and heavy.
"What manner of expert resides in this world…" he murmured. "No wonder that boy dared to stand before me so boldly. He had someone truly powerful behind him."
The injured old man knelt before him, trembling. "Master, I failed you. I'll accept any punishment."
"You haven't failed me," the Ancestor said calmly. "But inform the Sect Master — no one is to move against Lin Feng for now."
"Yes, Master."
"That mysterious expert…" the Ancestor's eyes flickered. "He's definitely not from the lower realm. Someone from the higher realms is watching that boy. I must tread carefully."
---
Sun Family Mansion
"Let's make a toast!" Sun Yang declared, raising his cup high.
"To our victory against the invaders!"
"To our Captain, Lin Feng!"
"And to the fallen who gave their lives!"
"Cheers!"
As laughter and celebration filled the hall, Lin Feng approached Sun Yang. "We'll leave in two days."
Sun Yang nodded. "Thank you again, Lin Feng."
"It's nothing," Lin Feng said.
"I have a favor to ask," Sun Yang said, his tone serious.
"What is it?"
"I want Sun Mei to go with you to the Sword Sovereign Sect," he said slowly. "Her potential will wither if she stays here, and now that the Blood Sect knows of her, she's no longer safe."
Lin Feng smiled. "Haha, no problem. From today, she's my junior sister — my master's second disciple."
Tears welled in Sun Yang's eyes as he bowed deeply. "Thank you, Lin Feng."
Lin Feng placed a hand on his shoulder. "Protect your people. I'll protect her."