Night fell, the moon dimmed, casting the entire Seven Peaks Forest in an eerie, terrifying atmosphere.
Beside a small lake, a campfire crackled. Lin Feng and his companions had stopped here, intending to rest briefly before continuing their journey.
If they traveled through the night, they should reach Qingyun City by tomorrow morning.
The group sat around the fire, eating food they carried with them. Zhang Fangzhou looked around with a strange expression before saying to Lin Feng, "Big Brother, I feel... something's off about the Seven Peaks Forest today..."
Lin Feng also glanced around upon hearing this and chuckled, "You noticed too? Indeed. Along our entire path so far, we've only encountered two Level One demon beasts. For the depth we're currently traversing, that seems unusually low... Could a cultivator team have recently cleared this area?"
—Or... was it them? But the scope seems too large, unlikely...
Lin Feng briefly considered another possibility but quickly dismissed it.
Beside them, Yao Wangtian spoke hesitantly, "Boss Lin, there's something I've wanted to say... Actually, I've had this feeling for a while that someone was following us... But it always seemed like my imagination..."
"Oh? You sensed it too? Quite alert." Lin Feng nodded approvingly with a smile. He had vaguely detected a tail since leaving Biquan City two days ago. This was expected, so he hadn't intervened. However, after entering the Seven Peaks Forest today, he noticed the follower seemed to have vanished.
—So, the message must have been delivered. They were cautious, weren't they? So many 'opportunities' given along the way, yet they didn't strike. Seems they planned to wait... here. The demon beast-infested Seven Peaks Forest... truly an excellent place for murder and plunder.
Lin Feng silently pondered. He looked up unconsciously and noticed a dark cloud had drifted overhead, plunging the already dim night into near-total darkness. A cold wind swept through, causing the campfire to flicker wildly, casting an atmosphere of chilling menace.
"A moonless night, a windy night... a night for killing..."
The scene prompted Lin Feng to murmur the words softly.
"Huh? Boss Lin, what did you say?" Xu Rong, hearing Lin Feng's mutter, turned and asked curiously.
Lin Feng smiled faintly. "Oh, nothing much. I just meant, if they don't make their move under these conditions... they'll have no chance left..."
"Chirp!!"
As if perfectly timed to Lin Feng's words, Xiao Qiu, who had been sleeping nestled in his embrace, suddenly popped out. It let out a sharp cry, scrambled onto his right shoulder, and bared its tiny teeth menacingly towards the darkness behind him.
"Hah, speak of Cao Cao and he appears..."
Lin Feng's gaze sharpened. He turned fully to face the depths of the forest behind him, simultaneously reaching up to gently stroke Xiao Qiu's head. "You little radar, you. This is practically the only useful thing you do besides eating spirit stones. Heh, not bad..."
"Big Brother, what are you talking about? Who's Cao Cao... Huh?! People!!"
Zhang Fangzhou was baffled by Lin Feng's words and actions. He instinctively looked towards the darkness as well. Suddenly, his expression changed drastically – he finally sensed the anomaly. He jumped up from the ground, his face tense as he stared intently into the gloom.
"Rustle... rustle... rustle..."
The sound of faint, shuffling footsteps drifted from the darkness. The newcomers seemed to have abandoned stealth. Figures emerged swiftly, stopping at the edge of a clearing about thirty meters ahead of the group.
"Who goes there?! Is this the 'Cao Cao' Boss Lin mentioned? Someone he knows?"
The sudden appearance of a group sent Zhang Fangzhou and the others into a state of high alert. Yao Wangtian squinted, trying to make out their features in the weak firelight. Recognition dawned, but it wasn't anyone named 'Cao Cao'... it was... members of the Li Family!!
Li Ziyao, Li Yanghui, Li Ziqing... seven people in total!!
"It's... it's them!! How did they catch up?! Boss Lin... what do we do?!"
The expressions of Zhang Fangzhou and his two sworn brothers instantly turned pale with shock and anxiety. They swiftly drew their weapons, adopting defensive stances, and looked desperately towards Lin Feng.
"What's there to fear? A few Foundation Establishment cultivators scare you like this? Relax. If a fight breaks out, you three fall back first. Just protect yourselves. Leave everything to me."
To their surprise, Lin Feng remained utterly calm, showing not a trace of panic. His composure immediately steadied their nerves.
—Right! Our Big Brother can fly on a sword! There are no Golden Core cultivators among them. What's there to fear?
They recalled Lin Feng's formidable strength, and a surge of confidence replaced their fear.
...
On the opposite side, Li Ziyao stared at Lin Feng with murderous intent. The lack of terror on Lin Feng's face disappointed him. His voice was icy as he spoke, "Lin Feng!! The murder of my son is an enmity that cannot coexist under the same sky! Today... here will be your grave!!"
"Hah." Lin Feng curled his lip dismissively, chuckling softly. "Spare me the theatrics. If you've got the guts, just attack already."
His demeanor was one of utter nonchalance, as if the Li family's arrival was entirely expected—which, indeed, it was. He had long anticipated they wouldn't let him go easily. In Biquan City, they had been constrained, not daring to act. The journey back to Qingyun City was their best opportunity. He had even deliberately taken secluded paths earlier, yet they had held back cautiously. Now, deep within the Seven Peaks Forest, they had finally shown themselves.
"You!!" Provoked by Lin Feng's taunt, a fierce glint flashed in Li Ziyao's eyes. Yet, astonishingly, he managed to restrain himself from immediately attacking. Lin Feng's air of supreme confidence unnerved him, Li Yanghui, and the others. They grew wary, their eyes scanning the surrounding shadows cautiously.
Li Yanghui's right hand seemed to be clutching something, poised for instant activation.
"What? Looking for my 'Master'?" Seeing their caution, Lin Feng couldn't help but laugh. "Don't bother. I might as well tell you now... the truth is... I never had a 'Master'."
"What?!"
Lin Feng's sudden 'confession' stunned the Li family group. Some faces showed flickers of delight, but Li Yanghui and Li Ziyao remained deeply skeptical, their brows furrowed. They refused to believe him; Lin Feng's actions in Biquan City were simply impossible for him alone. There had to be a 'Master'...
—But even if there is a Golden Core cultivator... today, they will also die!!
Li Yanghui unconsciously tightened his grip on the object in his right hand. He snorted coldly, "A mighty Golden Core cultivator, resorting to hiding and waiting to ambush? If you don't reveal yourself now... you'll watch these people die before your eyes!!"
His words weren't directed at Lin Feng, but at the supposedly concealed 'Golden Core cultivator'.
"Tsk, since you don't believe me, I can't be bothered to explain further."
Lin Feng shrugged, but the smile slowly faded from his face. A cold, murderous intent began to gleam in his eyes. "However... since you dare not strike first... don't blame me for taking the initiative!!"
"Huh?"
Lin Feng's 'brazen' words elicited confusion from Li Yanghui and the others across the clearing. Before they could react further, they saw Lin Feng suddenly flick his wrist!
A flash of silver light erupted!
A long sword, gleaming with cold radiance, shot forth from his hand!!
"Hmph!! Since you're so eager to die... I'll oblige you!!"
Seeing Lin Feng actually dare to attack first, Li Ziyao finally unleashed the killing intent he had been suppressing. With a vicious sneer, his right hand flashed, summoning a long sword. He shot forward like an arrow from a bow.
"Swoosh!!"
The sword Lin Feng had 'thrown' hurtled towards him. Having experienced the power of this magic treasure before, Li Ziyao knew better than to block it head-on. He also 'knew' it was likely controlled by a thread or similar device for fine manipulation. This time, he didn't even attempt to parry. Instead, his foot tapped the ground, propelling him sideways several meters, completely evading the projectile. Simultaneously, his left hand snapped up. A blue talisman in his palm erupted with intense light!
In the blink of an eye, a massive azure wind blade, easily ten meters long, coalesced before him! It shrieked through the air, tearing towards Lin Feng!
Mid-Grade Level 3 Wind Blade Talisman!