"Word is, quite a few cultivators have gone missing in the city these past few days!!"
Zhang Fangzhou relayed the news he'd gathered in the half-day since their return to Lin Feng. "And the last place those missing cultivators went... was all the Seven Peaks Forest!! That's why we didn't see any other cultivators there when we came back – right now, nobody dares go there anymore! Rumors say a powerful demon beast has appeared inside, killing anyone it sees! They say it's very likely a Tier 3 demon beast!"
"Oh? That kind of happening in the Seven Peaks Forest?" Lin Feng was somewhat surprised, thinking to himself, "Could it be what Xiaoqiu sensed earlier? Maybe it really is a Tier 3 demon beast?"
The existence of a Tier 3 demon beast deep in the very heart of the Seven Peaks Forest had always just been a 'legend'. Could it actually be true?
Zhang Fangzhou continued, "I heard a fairly large group of cultivators went in to investigate three days ago – well over ten people. Led by three late Foundation Establishment cultivators, with more than half the group at Foundation Establishment level. But so far, no one from that group has returned! The rumors say they're already dead in there too. Now, all the cultivators in Qingyun City are a bit panicked. Very few venture into the Seven Peaks Forest anymore. A handful of skeptics who went in... well, it seems they haven't come back either…"
A trace of lingering fear and relief crossed his face. "But, we crossed through the Seven Peaks Forest just last night and actually didn't run into this so-called 'Tier 3 demon beast'... Seems we got really lucky... Hey, whatever scared Xiaoqiu so badly at the end, could that have been it? Thank goodness we got out fast, otherwise we might've been in danger too."
"..." Lin Feng frowned inwardly. This matter was indeed strange. Whatever dangerous thing had appeared in the Seven Peaks Forest, he had originally planned to explore deeper into that Crimson Rock Mountain cave sometime soon. However, it looked like that would have to be postponed for a while. Besides, he had other matters to attend to soon. At the very least, he needed to push hard and reach Foundation Establishment Level Two first.
The group chatted as they arrived at the Precious Taste Pavilion, secured a private room, ordered a lavish table full of spirit food, and indulged in a hearty feast.
Zhang Fangzhou and his two sworn brothers were now utterly devoted to Lin Feng. These short ten-plus days of following him, especially after arriving in Biquan City, had been like paradise compared to their previous lives. Just this single meal of spirit food was something they could never have afforded before, even if they bankrupted themselves. Moreover, during the days they ran errands for Lin Feng in Biquan City, he gave them a 'hard work fee' of one hundred low-grade spirit stones each, every day. He also gifted them Precious Artifacts, magic treasures, even spirit-light defensive treasures, cultivation techniques, and spell manuals – all treasures they could only sigh longingly over before, but now possessed.
Although the incidents – being detained by the Li family, being held hostage by the Thirteen Tyrants of Star City, and being chased down by the Li family's numerous experts last night – had been perilous to the extreme, Lin Feng had resolved them all with his formidable power. His three 'followers' hadn't even been able to help much, which actually made them feel somewhat ashamed.
"Big Brother, what are your orders next? Do we continue the magic treasure repair business here in Qingyun City?"
So, as the meal was winding down, Zhang Fangzhou took the initiative to ask. He felt the only thing the three of them could really do for Lin Feng now was 'run errands' like they had in Biquan City.
Lin Feng shook his head. "Not for now. Over the next few days, I plan to focus on cultivation and strive to break through to Foundation Establishment Level Two – you guys should focus on your own cultivation too. Here, this is the Tier 2 Essence Gathering Array Disk. Take it and use it. But be careful not to break it completely. When it's almost unusable, bring it back to me. I can repair it for you so you can keep using it. After some time, I might have tasks for you."
As he spoke, Lin Feng retrieved the Tier 2 Essence Gathering Array Disk obtained from Li Ziyao's storage ring and handed it to Zhang Fangzhou.
"Tier 2 Essence Gathering Array Disk!!"
The eyes of Zhang Fangzhou and his brothers nearly popped out simultaneously as they stared in disbelief at the disk in Lin Feng's hand. Then, expressions of overwhelming excitement spread across their faces.
"Th-thank you, Big Brother!!"
"Many thanks, Boss Lin!"
"Thank you, Boss Lin!!"
The three hurriedly expressed their gratitude, even feeling tears welling up – this was a true boss! Handing over an array disk worth hundreds of thousands of low-grade spirit stones without even blinking! Compared to him, the so-called bosses of the big gangs in the city were pure trash!
...
After finishing dinner, the group left the Precious Taste Pavilion. Lin Feng instructed Zhang Fangzhou and the others to return to their respective homes to cultivate, while he himself went back alone to his own residence.
Although this trip had only lasted a little over ten days, Lin Feng's mindset upon returning to Qingyun City felt vastly different from before. Having witnessed the bustle of Biquan City and experienced so many events there, he felt he had matured considerably. His horizons had broadened, and he'd gained insights into dealing with people and handling affairs.
His vision was no longer confined to this small Qingyun City. He knew there was a much broader world outside, a more exciting realm – he yearned for that external world.
However, now was not the time. He had just obtained several powerful spell techniques he hadn't yet learned. His cultivation base was still only at Foundation Establishment Level One. And there was the White Tiger Fierce Soul Talisman he'd just acquired, still unrepaired… Now was not the time to leave. What he needed to do now was fully utilize his abundant resources and cultivate diligently. Only when he had a certain level of self-protection ability could he depart.
Upon returning home, Lin Feng wasted no time. He directly took out the Tier 3 Essence Gathering Array Disk. Following a method Dongfang Yuhui had told him about for using Tier 3 arrays, he placed numerous spirit stones at various corner points around the perimeter of his courtyard. This enhanced the gathering of heaven and earth spiritual energy while confining its range within the boundary marked by the spirit stones. This concentrated the gathered energy, preventing dispersion and ensuring full utilization, while also making it less noticeable to outsiders.
As the array activated, Lin Feng immediately felt the ambient spiritual energy around him thicken several times over in an instant. This was incomparable to the Tier 1 Array Disks he'd used before. Satisfied, he nodded. He then placed a high-quality Precious Artifact-grade meditation cushion on the floor – one specifically designed to aid cultivation – and sat cross-legged upon it.
After adjusting his state, Lin Feng thought for a moment. He then took out a Spirit Nurturing Pill and swallowed it, followed by holding a spirit stone in his hand. He began cultivating…
——The cultivation resources he enjoyed now were likely beyond what even disciples of Level 4 or 5 sects could access. Even ordinary Golden Core cultivators rarely used Tier 3 Essence Gathering Arrays for their ordinary cultivation sessions. If they possessed one, they would typically save it for critical moments of breakthrough. If they knew a mere Level One Foundation Establishment cultivator like Lin Feng was using a Tier 3 array for routine cultivation, they would probably sigh deeply at the sheer disparity.
...
Early the next morning, when Lin Feng finished his cultivation session and awoke, he discovered his cultivation base had progressed noticeably once more – a result that greatly pleased him. He estimated that maintaining this state and pace, he should reach Foundation Establishment Level Two within ten days at most.
Just as he finished tidying up and washing, Zhang Fangzhou and his brothers arrived. Although Lin Feng had told them yesterday they didn't need to follow him around these next few days, they insisted on doing so. Moreover, Zhang Fangzhou mentioned they were already negotiating with the owners of the courtyards adjacent to Lin Feng's, intending to purchase one directly and move in nearby, ready to receive Lin Feng's orders at any time.
Lin Feng was quite satisfied with their diligent eagerness to assist him.
He took Zhang Fangzhou and the others to the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion. However, they learned that Qi Minghe had not yet returned. Although there was another manager on the second floor who could handle commissions, Lin Feng felt that entrusting the search for the White Tiger Talisman's repair materials to a familiar acquaintance was better. He decided to wait until Qi Minghe returned.
Nevertheless, he still purchased a batch of materials at the Pavilion to repair the magic treasures obtained from the Li family members.
After idly strolling around for a while and finding nothing else pressing to attend to, Lin Feng simply returned home and resumed his cultivation.
As for Zhang Fangzhou and his brothers, since they wanted tasks, Lin Feng thought it over and assigned them the job of scouring the free market for damaged magic treasures. Although he now looked down on low-grade damaged treasures, they were still better than nothing. Considering the massive amount of spirit stones he might need to buy the repair materials for the White Tiger Talisman, earning what he could was still wise – every little bit counted.
In the following days, Lin Feng once again entered a semi-secluded state of frenzied cultivation. Apart from eating and taking occasional breaks to repair some treasures, he devoted almost all his time to cultivation.
Zhang Fangzhou and his brothers successfully purchased the courtyard to the right of Lin Feng's residence and moved in the very same day. Now, daily, besides cultivating themselves, they diligently scoured the free market for damaged magic treasures on Lin Feng's behalf. Furthermore, they now personally fetched and delivered Lin Feng's spirit food meals from the Precious Taste Pavilion three times a day. They truly performed their duties in serving Lin Feng with utmost dedication.
...
And so, seven days later, Lin Feng's cultivation base finally reached Foundation Establishment Level Two!!