"Fatty, find out the current location of the Ouyang family young master," Lin Feng said, his eyes narrowing with focus.
"On it, boss," Fatty replied, fingers flying over the communication array.
A few minutes later:
"Boss, he's in the Black Forest, accompanied by several elite sect disciples," Fatty reported.
"What are their cultivation levels?" Lin Feng asked, his voice calm but sharp.
"They're all Heaven Realm, but there's also a Legend-grade expert with them," Fatty said, frowning slightly.
"That's a complication, but not insurmountable. Let's move," Lin Feng said, a faint smirk on his lips. "Fatty, the portal—the entrance to the Black Forest. Prepare it."
"Right away, boss."
---
Within moments, they arrived at the Black Forest. The dense canopy swallowed most of the sunlight, and shadows moved like living things among the twisted trunks. Lin Feng inhaled deeply, centering his internal energy. His dantian pulsed, sword intent radiating in faint ripples that danced along his meridians.
"Let's have some fun, Fatty," Lin Feng whispered, moving forward with the subtle precision of a predator.
---
The sound of combat erupted suddenly.
Bang! Bang!
"They've finally taken down the Legend-grade demon beast!" a disciple's voice called out.
"You—take the demon core. Now!" he instructed, his movements smooth, fluid, and precise.
"Understood, young master!"
A middle-aged man whispered urgently:
"Someone's approaching…"
"I dare you to show yourself," the Ouyang family young master said, posture rigid, eyes cold.
"I will… just give me a moment." Lin Feng's voice was calm, almost casual.
Swoosh!
A head rolled across the forest floor. Lin Feng's divine sense had found the weakest point in the enemy's guard, and a precise strike had removed it without drawing the attention of others.
"Thanks for the demon core, by the way," Lin Feng said casually, wiping blood from his blade.
"You… golden hair! You are… the famous God of Death, Lin Feng—the number one enemy of our family!" the young master bellowed, fury etched into every line of his face.
"I didn't realize I was so popular," Lin Feng replied, tilting his head with mock surprise.
"What do you want, Lin Feng?"
"I've come to take you captive and request a ransom from your family," Lin Feng said, a slight smile on his lips.
"You really have the guts to say that to my face. Don't you know there's a Legend-grade expert with us?"
"I know," Lin Feng said, pointing casually to a shadowed figure standing slightly apart. "That's why I brought him into the fun."
"You really have the luxury to hire a Legend-grade expert," the young master said through gritted teeth.
"That's none of your concern," Lin Feng replied, tone light, but his eyes gleamed with dangerous intent.
"Let's get down to business. I'll give all five of you a chance to leave. Stay, and you die. What's your choice?"
"Sorry… I can't help you," one said.
"Me too… I'm not ready to die," another muttered.
One by one, they departed, leaving Lin Feng and the young master alone.
"They're smart," Lin Feng murmured. "Now, help me distract that Legend-grade expert while I finish this."
"Understood" the expert nodded nodded, flowing forward with controlled internal energy, forming a protective barrier of ki to delay the Legend-grade opponent.
---
Bang!
The clash of titans erupted as the two Legend-grade experts collided, their internal energies creating shockwaves that bent trees and displaced leaves.
"Don't think I'm easy to deal with!" the Ouyang family young master snarled, his sword forming intricate arcs, energy flowing along the blade like liquid fire.
Die!
He slashed at Lin Feng with Sky-Piercing Sword Art, a move designed to pierce both body and defenses.
Hmph!
Lin Feng snorted, centering his dantian and letting his sword intent bloom. Azure Sword Art – Kill Any Under Heaven! A blinding white light erupted from the blade, mingling his internal energy with lethal precision.
Bang!
The young master was blasted backward, blood spilling from his mouth as his body hit a tree and cracked it in two.
"He's… impossibly strong. I can't defeat him," the Ouyang family young master murmured, grimacing. "There's only one way…"
"Pathetic," Lin Feng said casually, his aura radiating the controlled pressure of a Heaven Realm expert.
"Damn you, Lin Feng! You leave me no choice!" the young master hissed, stuffing a pill into his mouth.
Bang! Bang!
A violent explosion rocked the Black Forest as his cultivation skyrocketed. The young master's aura surged, ascending to the Third Grade Legend Realm, the forest trembling under the release of condensed energy.
"I can maintain this form for five breaths… enough to kill you, Lin Feng!" he shouted.
Die!
He slashed forward with Sky-Piercing Sword Art – Fourth Stance, every movement flowing with explosive precision.
Lin Feng met the attack head-on, dantian spinning, internal channels open, every drop of sword intent harmonized with his movements. Azure Sword Art – Kill Any Under Heaven!
Bang!
The two forces collided, the shockwave displacing the ground beneath them. The Ouyang family young master's sword shattered mid-strike, splintering under Lin Feng's overwhelming sword intent. He crashed to the ground, both arms gone, gasping in disbelief.
"How… how is this possible?!" he exclaimed, face pale.
"Anything is possible," Lin Feng replied, aura of a Heaven Realm expert now radiating fully, controlled and lethal. His ki flowed through every fiber of his body, every meridian buzzing with sword energy.
Fatty's jaw dropped, eyes wide. "Boss… he's—he's fully upgraded…"
Lin Feng sheathed his sword lightly, his breathing even. "Let's finish collecting the ransom before anyone else gets ideas," he said with a faint grin.