"Brother Lin."
"Boss Lin!!"
"Big brother!!"
As Lin Feng and Zhang Fangzhou approached, the three figures in the pavilion hurried out to meet them. They were Dongfang Yuhui, Yao Wangtian, and Xu Rong.
"Brother Dongfang." Lin Feng gave Dongfang Yuhui a slight nod. His eyes swept towards the city gate ahead as he asked, "Anyone follow?"
Dongfang Yuhui replied, "A few hoping to 'watch the excitement' tried. But I sent them back. Just some loose cultivators. None from the Li family you mentioned."
Before setting out alone to the meeting, Lin Feng had asked Dongfang Yuhui for a favor: to intercept anyone who tried to follow him from the city. He knew many within Biquan City were monitoring his movements – mostly cultivators who had entrusted him with artifacts but felt uneasy. His departure would inevitably draw attention. If these followers reached the meeting point, it might anger the enemy and endanger Zhang Fangzhou. Hence, Dongfang Yuhui's intervention was crucial.
Lin Feng's departure had been sudden. Few had noticed, and even fewer followed – merely a handful of Foundation Establishment cultivators. Faced with Dongfang Yuhui's word, they naturally didn't dare disobey.
Lin Feng said politely, "I truly trouble you, Brother Dongfang."
Dongfang Yuhui smiled. "A mere trifle. Please don't stand on ceremony, Brother Lin."
His gaze took in Zhang Fangzhou's wretched state and Lin Feng's visibly depleted true essence. Dongfang Yuhui could easily surmise what had transpired. Their safe return spoke volumes about the enemy's fate.
Lin Feng gestured towards Zhang Fangzhou and the others. "Let's head back first. We can talk then."
...
The group re-entered Biquan City. Along the way, Lin Feng noticed numerous watchful eyes, but he ignored them, heading straight back to the Lai Yue Inn. He instructed Zhang Fangzhou to go meditate and heal his injuries, while he himself returned to his room to meditate and replenish his true essence.
Before that, however, Dongfang Yuhui had made to take his leave. Lin Feng stopped him, inviting him to join them for lunch at a restaurant later as thanks for his help today. Dongfang Yuhui didn't refuse. He found a table in a corner of the inn's main hall, ordered tea, and settled in, leisurely sipping while Yao Wangtian and Xu Rong kept him company.
Lin Feng wasted no time. Once in his room, he immediately began meditating. The fight, while appearing effortless, had drained a significant amount of his true essence. A few more enemies might have tipped the scales. Yet, the feat itself – a single early Foundation Establishment cultivator annihilating over a dozen Foundation Establishment opponents in under a minute – would be enough to cause a sensation if it ever became known.
Roughly half an hour later, Lin Feng felt sufficiently restored. He rose and headed downstairs. Dongfang Yuhui, his 'guest,' was still waiting; it wouldn't do to keep him. Inventorying the spoils of battle could wait until evening.
...
"Hmm?"
But as he reached the lower floor, Lin Feng stopped short. The hall was suddenly filled with… familiar faces.
In the corner where Dongfang Yuhui's group sat, several more individuals had joined them. Loong Chengkong, Qi Minghe, and Sun Ronghan had arrived at some point. Additionally, there was an unfamiliar elder with white hair but a youthful, ruddy complexion.
The moment Lin Feng saw this elder, his heart clenched. He hadn't used Observing Yuan Technique, yet the invisible pressure radiating from the man screamed that he was anything but ordinary. This aura felt comparable to Dongfang Yuhui's – perhaps even stronger.
Golden Core cultivator!!
Masking his shock, Lin Feng walked over calmly. "Brother Loong, Manager Qi, Manager Sun. What brings you all here?"
Loong Chengkong stood and came forward. "We heard you encountered some trouble? I came specifically to check… Are you alright?"
Word of his sudden departure must have spread. Loong Chengkong getting the news wasn't surprising. That he'd rushed over so quickly touched Lin Feng. He smiled. "Thank you for your concern, Brother Loong. Rest assured, the matter is resolved. All is well."
"Good." Loong Chengkong nodded, then lowered his voice. "This matter… was it related to the Li family?"
"Why do you ask?" Lin Feng smiled faintly, avoiding a direct answer.
Understanding flickered in Loong Chengkong's eyes. He whispered, "I received word. A large group of Li family experts rushed out of the North Gate earlier. I initially feared they were heading to intercept you. Only later did I learn you'd already returned… Brother Lin, you must be extra cautious. While the Li family may not dare move openly against you, they won't hesitate to use underhanded tactics…"
A glint passed through Lin Feng's eyes. He nodded. "Understood. I'll be careful."
Meanwhile, Qi Minghe and Sun Ronghan also approached. Qi Minghe smiled warmly. "Young Friend Lin, forgive our abrupt visit…"
Lin Feng returned the smile. "Not at all. You are most welcome. Might I ask the purpose of your visit, Managers?"
Sun Ronghan offered an awkward smile. "Well, actually… it's not us who wished to see you. It's… Senior Lian who wished to meet… your master."
"Senior Lian?" Lin Feng's eyebrow arched. His gaze instinctively shifted to the unfamiliar elder, who remained seated, studying him with an appraising look.
Sun Ronghan introduced, "Young Friend Lin, this is Senior Lian Ye, the artificer from our Biquan City Wanbao Tower."
Lin Feng's heart gave a jolt. He knew the name Lian Ye. Not only was he one of the few Golden Core cultivators in the city, but more importantly, he was an artificer – and the only Five-Star Artificer within Biquan City!!
Artificer ranks spanned from One to Nine Stars, signifying the level of artifacts they could forge.
A One-Star Artificer can forge Low-Grade Magical Tools.Two-Stars master High-Grade Magical Tools.Three-Stars create Low-Grade Precious Tools.Four-Stars forge High-Grade Precious Tools.A Five-Star Artificer must be capable of forging at least Low-Grade Spirit Artifacts.Six-Stars require mastery over High-Grade Spirit Artifacts.Seven-Stars can forge Low-Grade Dao Artifacts.Eight-Stars are masters of High-Grade Dao Artifacts.As for Nine-Stars… that requires the ability to forge Immortal Artifacts.
Seven-Star Artificers were exceedingly rare in the cultivation world. Eight-Stars were as scarce as phoenix feathers. Nine Stars… existed only in theory and legend.
No artificer capable of forging Immortal Artifacts was known in recorded cultivation history. The existing Immortal Artifacts were all relics from ancient times, their origins shrouded in mystery.
A Five-Star Artificer, capable of forging Spirit Artifacts, was a figure coveted by countless powers wherever they went.
Master Lian Ye's status in Biquan City was naturally supremely high. Even the City Lord treated him with utmost respect.
That such a colossal figure had come to see him (or rather, his 'master') stunned Lin Feng for a split second. He quickly bowed respectfully. "This junior greets Senior Lian."
Lian Ye scrutinized Lin Feng, finding nothing outwardly remarkable. He gave a perfunctory nod, his expression impassive. "No need for formalities. I have come today to pay my respects to your esteemed master. Might he be available for a brief discussion?"
"This…"
Lin Feng's mind went blank. Faced with such a direct request from a Golden Core cultivator, he was momentarily paralyzed, unsure how to refuse without provoking offense. But if he didn't refuse… where on earth was he supposed to produce a 'master'?