In He Yuan's eyes, Lin Feng—a mere Qi Condensation Level 6 cultivator—was nothing but an ant he could crush with a flick of his fingers. He didn't even bother using his sword.
Though attacking barehanded, He Yuan showed no mercy. The force behind his strike could pierce steel. If it landed on Lin Feng's throat, it would snap his neck instantly.
Zheng Kai and the others paled, shocked that He Yuan had attacked so decisively. Just as Zheng Kai moved to intervene, Lin Feng suddenly raised his left hand. A blinding golden light erupted from his palm!
"Hummm…"
A golden, eggshell-like barrier instantly enveloped Lin Feng.
"BANG!!"
Caught off guard, He Yuan collided with the barrier. The shield shimmered faintly, contracting and expanding slightly before unleashing a violent rebound force. He Yuan was hurled backward like a ragdoll!
He crashed to the ground over ten meters away, stumbling another dozen steps before steadying himself. Staring at the golden barrier, he spat in disbelief, "A spirit light artifact?! You actually have a spirit light artifact?!"
Not just He Yuan, even Zheng Kai and the others gaped at Lin Feng. None had imagined he possessed such a rare defensive treasure. Spirit light artifacts were exceedingly scarce among low-level cultivators—even early or mid-stage Foundation Establishment experts rarely owned one. Yet here was Lin Feng, a mere Qi Condensation cultivator, wielding this priceless tool!
Bolstered by the barrier's protection, Lin Feng wasted no words. His right hand flicked, activating a Chain Lightning Talisman. A bolt of purple lightning shot toward He Yuan!
The golden barrier blocked incoming attacks but allowed Lin Feng's strikes to pass freely—a marvel of craftsmanship.
"Damn you!!"
He Yuan's face twisted as he dodged the lightning. But before he could counter, a second bolt followed. Then a third. A fourth…
"Crackle! Boom! CRACK!!"
Purple lightning crisscrossed the cave, exploding against walls and floor. He Yuan leaped and ducked frantically, caught off guard by the relentless barrage.
At first, He Yuan assumed Lin Feng was using leftover talismans from the scorpion fight—finite resources. But after evading over a dozen strikes, he realized Lin Feng had new talismans. When Lin Feng pulled out yet another unused talisman, He Yuan snapped…
"ARRGH!!"
Roaring, He Yuan stopped dodging. Surging his qi, he thrust his palms forward, conjuring a translucent air shield.
"Crackle! Crackle! CRACK!!"
Four consecutive lightning bolts struck the shield, dissipating harmlessly.
Maintaining an external qi shield drained He Yuan's energy rapidly—a desperate move for a Foundation Establishment Level 2 cultivator.
"DIE!!"
While blocking the assault, He Yuan crushed a crimson talisman. A boulder-sized fireball materialized and hurtled toward Lin Feng!
Tier 2 Fireball Talisman!
—Earlier, during the scorpion battle, He Yuan had lied about exhausting his talismans. He'd hoarded his resources, scheming to preserve them while exploiting Zheng Kai's group.
"BOOM!!"
The fireball exploded above Lin Feng's head. When the flames cleared, however, he stood unharmed. The golden barrier wavered faintly but held firm.
"A brand-new spirit light artifact?!"
He Yuan's face darkened. If the artifact was unused, even exhausting his qi might not break through.
He'd underestimated Zheng Kai's group earlier, attacking before fully recovering—his strength was only at 60-70%. Faced with Lin Feng's endless talismans and an impregnable barrier, his confidence crumbled…
"Damn it ALL!!"
Snarling in frustration, He Yuan pulled out two more talismans and hurled them.
A meter-long wind blade and a thick purple lightning bolt shot toward Lin Feng simultaneously!
"BOOM! CRACK!!"
The attacks detonated against the barrier. Lin Feng watched the golden shield tremble violently, its glow dimming noticeably.
As the smoke cleared, a figure suddenly darted past Lin Feng—not attacking, but fleeing toward the cave entrance!
—He Yuan was running!
Realizing he couldn't breach the barrier without exhausting himself—and risking Zheng Kai's retaliation—He Yuan chose retreat.
"Running?!"
Lin Feng's eyes turned icy. He activated a new talisman, firing a green light not at He Yuan, but at the ground beneath him!
"SNAP!!"
Emerald vines erupted, coiling around He Yuan's ankle. He stumbled, barely avoiding a faceplant.
"Tier 2 Vine Talisman! How does he have this too?!"
He Yuan tore free, only to sense lethal danger. He lunged left as two lightning bolts grazed his ear and thigh.
"AAH!!"
A scream erupted as He Yuan collapsed, his right knee shattered by a piercing green streak—the Green Swallow Dart from Lin Feng's flying bracer!
The dart looped back, slashing He Yuan's arm before returning to Lin Feng's sleeve.
"No… NO!!"
He Yuan writhed, clutching his mangled leg. Before he could plead, another lightning bolt struck his left knee.
"CRACKLE!!"
Convulsing, He Yuan looked up to see fireballs—each the size of a human head—arc toward him.
"BOOM! BOOM-BOOM-BOOM!!"
Flames engulfed He Yuan. His agonized shrieks echoed as he burned, twitching until only a charred husk remained.
—
Cao Yang stared at the corpse, paralyzed. A cold gaze snapped him back to reality.
"Lin… Lin Feng! Spare me! I— AAAGH!!"
Fireballs silenced his plea. Minutes later, another charred body lay smoldering.
—
The cave fell silent. Zheng Kai and the others stood frozen, struggling to process Lin Feng's brutality—no negotiations, no mercy.
Ruthless.