"Boss," Fatty said, glancing at the swirling blue portal before them. "This portal only takes us straight to the entrance of the Black Forest."
Lin Feng smirked. "That's fine. We'll handle the rest once we're in."
Without hesitation, the trio stepped into the portal. Light twisted, reality bent—and a moment later, they were standing at the shadowed gates of the Black Forest. The air was heavy with mist and the metallic scent of demonic qi. Strange cries echoed from deep within, as if the forest itself was alive.
---
Meanwhile, far away—
"Spread the word," a voice commanded coldly. "Lin Feng has entered the Black Forest. Place a bounty on his head—ten million purple crystals to anyone who brings me proof of his death."
The news spread like wildfire. Every cultivator, bounty hunter, and assassin in the forest now had the same target.
---
Within the forest...
Fatty's jade slip pulsed with light. His eyes widened. "Boss… you've got a huge bounty on your head!"
Lin Feng grinned, his eyes flashing with excitement rather than fear. "That just makes it more fun."
"More fun?" Sun Mei blinked at him curiously.
"Of course. It means more people to fight," Lin Feng said, drawing his sword in one smooth motion. "More enemies to kill."
Sun Mei's lips curved into a faint smile. "Sounds fun."
"Ai," Fatty sighed, shaking his head. "You two are insane."
"Let's move," Lin Feng said. "We're heading for the inner region."
---
Hours later, deep in the forest, cultivators whispered from the shadows.
"That's Lin Feng."
"He's only a half-step Legend realm expert. The inner region is filled with seventh-grade Legend realm monsters. He's courting death."
"I heard the top ten geniuses of the Western Continent are here too."
Lin Feng overheard them and chuckled. "Good. I hope they're not weak."
Just then—BAM!—a powerful aura descended, and a young man landed before him, cracking the ground beneath his feet.
"That's Duan Yun," someone gasped. "Number one Core Disciple of the Martial Sect!"
"Looks like he's after Lin Feng."
Another figure appeared, calm and proud, his robe fluttering like snow.
"That's Jiang Yun—the Jiang family's top genius! He's ranked fourth among the Eastern Continent's six supreme talents. Duan Yun is ranked fifth."
Jiang Yun and Duan Yun exchanged cold looks, but both ignored each other and focused on Lin Feng.
Duan Yun's eyes flicked toward Sun Mei. "So, you're Lin Feng," he said with a grin. "And this must be the beauty they described. You're even lovelier in person."
Sun Mei frowned. "My name is—"
"Enough," Lin Feng snapped, stepping in front of her. His killing intent spiked. "Get the hell away from my wife."
Duan Yun snorted. "Who do you think you are?"
"I'll show you," Lin Feng said softly, his hand already on his sword hilt.
"You dare challenge me?!" Duan Yun's aura surged. "Let me teach you your place."
"Try it," Lin Feng replied with a calm that made the air tremble.
---
Duan Yun charged first.
"Heavenly Sword Art—Seventh Stance!"
Lin Feng's eyes flashed crimson. "Azure Sword Art—Third Stance!"
BOOM!
The clash sent shockwaves through the clearing. Trees splintered. Rocks shattered. Duan Yun was thrown backward, boots skidding across the dirt.
"I… I don't believe it," Jiang Yun muttered. "He forced Duan Yun back!"
Duan Yun growled. "You were lucky!"
"Then try again."
Duan Yun's sword erupted with silver light. "Heavenly Sword Art—Seventh Stance!"
"Hmph." Lin Feng's blade gleamed blood-red. "Azure Sword Art—Fifth Stance!"
BANG!
The explosion lit up the forest. Duan Yun was hurled into a crater, coughing blood.
"Duan Yun was defeated… without Lin Feng even flinching," someone whispered.
Sun Mei's heart swelled with pride. "Senior Brother is incredible…"
---
Lin Feng turned, eyes locking on Jiang Yun. "You're next."
A dragon's roar echoed as energy flared behind him.
"Dragon Fist!"
Jiang Yun met him head-on. "Thousand Mountain Fist!"
A towering mountain of qi formed, crashing down toward Lin Feng. But Lin Feng's dragon avatar roared, shaking the sky.
ROAR! ROAR!
The mountain shattered like glass. Lin Feng's fist struck Jiang Yun squarely in the chest.
CRACK!
Jiang Yun's armor split apart, and he was launched backward, a smoking hole in his chest.
Gasps rippled through the onlookers. "They say only the top two geniuses in the Eastern Continent can shatter Jiang Yun's Thousand Mountain Fist… Does that mean—?"
"Yes," someone breathed. "Lin Feng's power rivals the top two!"
---
Lin Feng flicked the blood from his hand. "Time to end this."
He stepped forward—but a cold voice cut through the smoke. "Stop!"
A figure descended from above, her presence freezing the air itself.
The temperature dropped instantly. Frost covered the trees, and an icy dragon coiled around her form.
"Ice Dragon Sword Art—First Stance!"
Lin Feng's aura flared crimson, slaughter intent erupting. His sword howled to life.
"Azure Sword Art—Kill Any Under Heaven!"
BOOOOM!
The two attacks collided. The blast tore through the forest, flattening everything within a kilometer. Both Lin Feng and the newcomer were thrown backward, blood spraying from their lips.
"Lan Yu!!" someone shouted, recognizing the new arrival.