The moon hung like a polished jade disc in the velvety night sky as Lin Feng and Xia Qingyue made their way through the ancient streets of the Azure Dragon Sect's city. The spiritual energy of the realm flowed around them like an invisible river, carrying the whispers of destiny on its currents. Lin Feng could feel the Luck-Devouring Divine Lotus within his consciousness spinning steadily, absorbing the golden threads of fortune that had once connected Xia Qingyue to Long Tian's fate.
Xia Qingyue walked beside him, her cyan hair catching the moonlight like strands of moonstone silk. There was a new confidence in her posture, a quiet strength in her eyes that hadn't been there before. The transformation was complete—she was no longer the desperate girl clinging to Long Tian's shadow, but a cultivator finding her own path.
As they approached the Mission Hall where they were to meet the others, Lin Feng felt a sudden surge of power flow through his meridians. The Luck-Devouring Divine Lotus rotated faster within his soul, drawing in even more of the ambient luck that once belonged to Long Tian.
The bonds between Xia Qingyue and Long Tian have been completely severed, Lin Feng realized with satisfaction. His heavenly fortune weakens while mine grows stronger.
Just then, a familiar figure emerged from the shadows near the Mission Hall's entrance. Long Tian stood there, his golden aura of heavenly luck still visible to Lin Feng's enhanced perception, though it appeared significantly dimmer than before.
"Elandor—Lin Feng," Long Tian called out, his voice carrying the confidence of one destined for greatness, though Lin Feng could detect a subtle undercurrent of unease. "We've been waiting for you and Xia Qingyue. Where have you been?"
Before Lin Feng could respond, Xia Qingyue stepped forward, her voice steady despite the emotions swirling within her. "We've been... training. I needed to understand my own cultivation path better."
Long Tian's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied her. "I felt a strange sensation earlier—a pain in my chest—as if something was being torn away from me. Did you feel anything unusual?"
Xia Qingyue exchanged a glance with Lin Feng before shaking her head. "Nothing of the sort. Perhaps you're simply tired from the spider mission. Even the strongest cultivators need rest."
Lin Feng could see the doubt flickering in Long Tian's eyes, but he said nothing more about it. Instead, he turned to the matter at hand.
"We have urgent news," Long Tian announced, his voice dropping to a serious tone. "Lady Hua Xiran has been arrested."
"What?" Xia Qingyue gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.
Long Tian nodded gravely. "She was falsely accused of stealing a royal heirloom—a memory stone of great significance. The evidence was planted in her quarters, and despite her father's influence, she was taken to the prison. They plan to sentence her to death tomorrow at dawn."
Lin Feng listened carefully, his mind already racing through the implications. Hua Xiran—Parul in his previous life—was Long Tian's next target to conquer. Her arrest presented a perfect opportunity to further weaken his rival's luck while strengthening his own position.
"We must free her," Long Tian declared with the heroic fervor that defined his protagonist nature. "I promised her I would protect her. I cannot allow an innocent woman to suffer for crimes she didn't commit."
Su Wan'er and Bai Luoyan exchanged worried glances. "But how?" Su Wan'er asked. "The prison is heavily guarded. Breaking in would make us criminals too."
Lin Feng stepped forward, his voice calm and measured. "There is a way. But it will require careful planning and significant risk."
Long Tian's eyes lit up with hope. "You have a plan? I knew I could count on your strategic mind, Lin Feng."
Lin Feng nodded slowly, his mind already formulating the perfect deception. "We can create a diversion while two of us sneak in through a side entrance that I know about. But one of us must stay behind to coordinate our escape and ensure no one follows us."
"I will go," Long Tian said immediately. "I made a promise to Lady Hua Xiran. I cannot abandon her now."
Lin Feng smiled inwardly. Perfect. Just as I expected. The hero cannot stand by while his beloved suffers.
"I will accompany you," Lin Feng offered. "My support cultivation techniques can help us move undetected through the prison. But first, we need to gather supplies and information."
Long Tian clapped him on the shoulder. "Thank you, Lin Feng. Your loyalty means everything to me."
As they made their preparations, Lin Feng pulled Xia Qingyue aside. "I have a private message for Rose—Hua Lingwei. Can you ensure she receives it before tonight?"
Xia Qingyue nodded, understanding the unspoken instructions in his eyes. "I'll make sure she gets it."
The prison loomed before them like a stone beast under the moonlight, its high walls topped with talismans that glowed faintly with protective energy. Lin Feng and Long Tian had changed into the robes of prison guards, their cultivation bases suppressed to avoid detection.
"Remember," Lin Feng whispered as they approached the side entrance, "we need to move quickly. The diversion will only last so long."
Long Tian nodded, his expression determined. "I won't let anything stand between me and saving Lady Hua Xiran."
They slipped inside the prison, the corridors dimly lit by spirit stones embedded in the walls. The air carried the scent of damp stone and despair. Lin Feng led the way, his heightened senses guiding them through the maze of passages.
Finally, they reached the cell where Hua Xiran was being held. She sat on a simple cot, her beautiful face marred by bruises and exhaustion. Her jet-black hair was disheveled, and her once-elegant robes were torn and stained. But her eyes still held the fire of defiance that had made her so formidable.
"Hua Xiran," Long Tian whispered urgently as he melted the lock with his fire cultivation. "We've come to free you."
Hua Xiran looked up, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Long Tian? You came for me?"
"Of course I did," Long Tian replied, helping her to her feet. "I promised I would protect you."
Hua Xiran's eyes filled with tears. "I knew you would come. I never doubted you for a moment."
Lin Feng watched the exchange with detached amusement. The hero and the damsel in distress. How predictable.
"Just a moment," Lin Feng interrupted. "The guards will be searching for us soon. We need to move quickly."
As they made their way through the prison corridors, Lin Feng deliberately left small traces of their passage—a dropped talisman here, a smudge on the wall there—enough to lead the guards to their trail but not so much as to catch them immediately.
Outside, the diversion Lin Feng had arranged was in full effect. Explosions of spiritual energy echoed through the night, drawing the guards away from their escape route. But Lin Feng knew it wouldn't last long.
"We're almost there," Long Tian said encouragingly to Hua Xiran, who was struggling to keep up despite her injuries. "Just a little further."
They reached a narrow alley behind the prison, where their escape route awaited. But as they stepped into the moonlight, a figure emerged from the shadows.
Hua Lingwei—Rose in Lin Feng's memories—stood before them, her F-cup figure silhouetted against the moonlight, her face a mask of concern. "Sister!" she cried, rushing to embrace Hua Xiran.
"Hua Lingwei?" Hua Xiran gasped in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to help free you," Hua Lingwei replied. "I couldn't stand by while they tortured you for crimes you didn't commit."
Long Tian stepped forward. "We need to get her to safety immediately. The guards will be upon us any moment."
Hua Lingwei nodded. "I have a safe house prepared. But first, we need to lose our pursuers."
As if on cue, the sound of shouting guards echoed through the alley. Lin Feng could see torches approaching from both ends.
"Split up," Lin Feng ordered quickly. "Long Tian, take Hua Xiran that way. Hua Lingwei and I will create a diversion to draw them away."
Long Tian hesitated. "But—"
"No time for arguments," Lin Feng insisted. "Go!"
Long Tian grabbed Hua Xiran's hand and pulled her down the alley, disappearing into the shadows. Hua Lingwei and Lin Feng stood their ground as the guards approached.
"Stop right there!" the lead guard shouted. "You're under arrest for aiding a prison break!"
Hua Lingwei stepped forward, her voice dripping with authority. "Do you know who I am? I am Hua Lingwei, daughter of the Mission Hall master. You dare to arrest me?"
The guards faltered, uncertain. Lin Feng seized the opportunity. With a swift movement, he knocked out the lead guard, while Hua Lingwei used her wind cultivation to create a blinding gust that scattered the others.
"Now!" Lin Feng shouted. He and Hua Lingwei fled down the opposite alley, leaving the disorganized guards behind.
Two hours later, Lin Feng and Hua Lingwei reunited with Xia Qingyue at a safe location on the outskirts of the city. Hua Xiran was nowhere to be seen.
"Where's Hua Xiran?" Xia Qingyue asked.
"Long Tian took her to a safe house he arranged," Hua Lingwei explained. "He promised to keep her hidden until the charges against her are cleared."
Lin Feng nodded, his expression thoughtful. "And what of Long Tian himself?"
Hua Lingwei's face darkened. "He was captured. The guards caught up to him after he separated from Hua Xiran. They took him back to the prison."
Xia Qingyue gasped. "No! What will happen to him?"
"He'll likely be put on trial tomorrow," Hua Lingwei said grimly. "The king is furious about the prison break. Long Tian may face the same death sentence meant for my sister."
Lin Feng closed his eyes briefly, feeling the Luck-Devouring Divine Lotus within him spinning faster than ever. He could sense Long Tian's golden aura of heavenly fortune weakening with each passing moment, the threads of destiny that had once connected him to his harem slowly unraveling.
First Xia Qingyue, now Hua Xiran and Hua Lingwei, Lin Feng thought with satisfaction. Long Tian's luck continues to wane while mine grows stronger. Soon, he will have nothing left.
He turned to the two women beside him. "We need to leave the city. With Long Tian captured, the city will soon be crawling with guards searching for anyone connected to the prison break."
"Where will we go?" Hua Lingwei asked.
"To the Kingdom of Light," Lin Feng replied. "I have business there that cannot wait. And in the chaos that will follow Long Tian's trial, no one will think to look for us there."
Xia Qingyue placed a hand on his arm. "What about David—Long Tian's brother? I heard he has returned to the city."
Lin Feng smiled, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Leon—Long Chen in this world—will soon discover that his brother's arrest places him in a difficult position. He must choose between his family and the royal family he serves. And when he makes that choice, it will set brother against brother, creating the perfect storm for me to harvest their combined luck."
Hua Lingwei shivered at the cold calculation in his voice. "You truly believe Long Tian and his brother will fight each other?"
Lin Feng's smile widened. "The Heavenly Dao has already set this in motion. Leon—Long Chen—has his own golden aura of heavenly fortune. But with Long Tian's luck already weakened by my actions, the balance will tip in his favor. And when brothers with heavenly fortunes clash, the resulting chaos will create opportunities for someone like me to step in and claim the spoils."
Xia Qingyue looked at him with awe. "You see the threads of fate so clearly."
Lin Feng nodded. "With the Void Emperor's inheritance, I can see not just the threads of fate, but the very loom upon which destiny is woven. And I intend to claim my place at that loom."
As dawn broke over the city, Lin Feng, Xia Qingyue, and Hua Lingwei slipped through the gates unnoticed. Behind them, the city stirred with news of Long Tian's capture. The trial was set for noon, and the streets buzzed with talk of the young cultivator who had dared to break into the royal prison.
Unseen by ordinary eyes, Lin Feng could see the golden threads of Long Tian's heavenly fortune fraying at the edges, their light dimming with each passing hour. The Luck-Devouring Divine Lotus within him absorbed the scattered threads of luck, converting them into pure cultivation energy that strengthened his meridians and expanded his comprehension of the Dao.
Soon, Long Tian, Lin Feng thought as they left the city behind. Very soon, your heavenly fortune will be completely mine. And when I return, I will find not a protagonist, but a broken man whose destiny has been stolen.
He glanced at the two women walking beside him—Xia Qingyue, who had once been Long Tian's betrothed, and Hua Lingwei, who had been his next conquest. Both now belonged to him, their fates intertwined with his own.
The path to becoming the strongest cultivator under the heavens had truly begun, and Lin Feng would walk it with his own two feet, without relying on any cheat system or divine blessing.
I will become the true protagonist of this story, Lin Feng vowed silently. I will claim these beauties, seize these treasures, and break through the heavens themselves.
As the sun rose higher in the sky, casting golden rays across the landscape, Lin Feng knew that the cultivation world would soon learn his name, and it would tremble before his power.
Long Tian, you have no idea what awaits you, Lin Feng thought with a smile that would have chilled the bones of any who saw it. Your heavenly fortune will soon become my stepping stone to immortality. And your beautiful companions...they will call me master before this is over.
The journey to the Kingdom of Light lay ahead, but Lin Feng's mind was already racing toward the battles that awaited him there. The path ahead was long and dangerous, filled with powerful enemies and cunning opponents. But Lin Feng was no longer the same man who had arrived in this world with nothing but his wits and determination. He was now a cultivator with the inheritance of an emperor, the bloodline of a dragon, and the power to steal destinies.
And he would use all of it to reach the pinnacle of power.