After Lin Feng finished inventorying the spoils and tidied up, he stepped out of his house into the courtyard only to realize it was already midday.
Moreover, he discovered that the courtyard was… full of people.
— On the right side of the courtyard, a wooden table was set up. Six people sat around it, leisurely sipping tea. Besides Zhang Fangzhou and his two sworn brothers, there were Zheng Kai, Changgong Xiaojing, and Kou Tingting.
"Big Bro! You're finally out!"
"Lin Feng, are you alright?"
As Lin Feng emerged, the group, who had been chatting quietly, all turned their heads towards him, their expressions showing relief. Zhang Fangzhou and Zheng Kai spoke simultaneously.
"What brings you all here?" Lin Feng walked over and sat down on an empty stool that had clearly been left for him, smiling as he asked.
"Following orders from my old man to check on you," Zheng Kai joked. "You're quite the celebrity now. Honestly, I think my dad's more concerned about you than he is about me! He practically shoved me out the door this morning to see if you'd recovered."
Lin Feng chuckled. "Haha, thanks for the concern. I'm fine now."
"Hey, who are you thanking? Between us?" Zheng Kai clapped Lin Feng on the shoulder, grinning. "Glad you're okay! When Brother Zhang came last night saying something had happened to you, it gave me a real scare. I wanted to come too, but my dad wouldn't let me. Thank goodness you're alright… Come on! Perfect timing. Let's go grab a drink!"
Lin Feng nodded. "Alright. Lunch is on me today, as thanks for everyone's concern. Also… there's something I need to tell you all."
Zheng Kai laughed. "Ha! Good! If you're paying, I won't hold back! So, what did you want to say?"
"Let's go. I'll tell you all later."
…
The group walked out of the courtyard together, heading towards Zhenwei Tower. The commotion from the demon beast incident had gradually subsided. Although Lin Feng's appearance still drew considerable attention, it was far less exaggerated than before.
Arriving at Zhenwei Tower, they went straight to a private room on the second floor. Zheng Kai unapologetically ordered a large spread of top-quality spirit food, and they settled in to wait for the dishes.
After ordering, Zheng Kai leaned in conspiratorially. "By the way, Lin Feng, got some good news for you."
"What news?" Lin Feng was slightly taken aback. He instinctively glanced at Kou Tingting sitting diagonally across from him. Had Zheng Kai finally succeeded in wooing her?
Zheng Kai announced, "Three days from now, the Biquan Sect will be holding disciple recruitment right here in the city! Anyone aged ten to twenty can take the aptitude test! Foundation Establishment cultivators under thirty can also apply!"
So, not about the girl. Lin Feng blinked, surprised. "The Biquan Sect recruiting disciples? Isn't it… not the usual time?"
In a small backwater like Qingyun City, the Biquan Sect only held recruitment drives once every twenty years. Lin Feng remembered the last one was twelve or thirteen years ago.
"Rumor has it the current generation of Biquan disciples is too small, so they've moved up the recruitment schedule here," Zheng Kai explained. "The news just broke, and already tons of cultivators, even mortals, are itching to try their luck."
Lin Feng asked, "So? You planning to give it a shot?"
"Of course I am!" Zheng Kai nodded enthusiastically. "Heh, and I am a high-grade Wind Spirit Root holder. I think my chances are pretty decent."
He paused, then added, "Tingting and Xiaojing are going to try too. After all, the Biquan Sect is the biggest power around here. Trying to join a larger sect elsewhere is just too difficult. Getting into Biquan would be a solid opportunity."
Lin Feng nodded thoughtfully. "Hmm, it is a good chance. Zhang Fangzhou, you three should try as well. Maybe you can get in too."
Zhang Fangzhou and his brothers had clearly heard the news already; their faces held a mix of hope and worry. Zhang Fangzhou sighed dejectedly. "Big Bro, I want to, but… I'm already over twenty, and my cultivation hasn't reached Foundation Establishment yet. I doubt they'll take me…"
Lin Feng countered, "Weren't you preparing for Foundation Establishment just the other day? Use these three days to break through! I think you can do it."
When Zhang Fangzhou first met Lin Feng, he was at the eighth level of Qi Refining. Since following Lin Feng, with ample spirit stones and the aid of a Grade 2 Spirit Gathering Array for daily cultivation, his progress had been rapid. He had long reached the Great Perfection of Qi Refining. Fear of failure had kept him preparing for weeks without taking the plunge. Yao Wangtian and Xu Rong were also at the ninth level of Qi Refining.
"You really think so, Big Bro?" Zhang Fangzhou asked, hope rekindled. "That was my plan too! No matter what, I have to succeed within these three days!"
Lin Feng encouraged him, "Exactly. Give it your all, you can definitely do it. And you happen to cultivate a Water-element technique. If you succeed in Foundation Establishment, it should significantly boost your Water Spirit Root aptitude. Isn't the Biquan Sect primarily looking for Water Spirit Root holders? All three of you have a real shot."
The trio currently cultivated the high-grade Mortal Tier technique, Jade Wave Art, obtained from the Star City Thirteen Tyrants back in the day. Their smooth transition to this technique suggested their Water Spirit Root aptitudes were likely quite decent.
Yao Wangtian asked, "What about you, Boss Lin? Will you stay in Qingyun City?"
His question drew everyone's gaze back to Lin Feng. Lin Feng was silent for a moment, then shook his head. "No. I have other plans. Actually, what I wanted to tell you earlier was precisely this… I plan to leave Qingyun City and venture out into the wider world."
"What?!"
His words caused a stir. Zheng Kai frowned deeply. "Lin Feng, why the sudden decision to leave?"
A thought seemed to strike him, his expression turning grave. "Is it because of last night? The person you killed… his identity is special, isn't it? Will there be trouble?"
Lin Feng admitted, "That is part of the reason, but… this plan existed long before. It's just being moved up a bit."
Zhang Fangzhou blurted out urgently, "Big Bro! Then we'll go with you!!"
"Yeah! Boss Lin, take us with you!"
"Right! Then we won't try for the Biquan Sect either! We'll leave with you, Boss Lin!"
Yao Wangtian and Xu Rong chimed in, their expressions resolute.
Lin Feng shook his head firmly. "No. You don't need to follow me. If you can join the Biquan Sect, that is undoubtedly the best choice for you—" He raised a hand to forestall their protests. "Here's the deal. All of you try for the Biquan Sect recruitment. If you don't get in, then I'll take you with me when I leave."
Lin Feng used a tone that allowed no argument, a rarity for him. Zhang Fangzhou, Yao Wangtian, and Xu Rong exchanged glances and fell silent.
Sensing the somber mood, Zheng Kai forced a cheerful tone. "Alright, alright! No need for long faces! Lin Feng is an Artifact Refiner, and he has a powerful master. Naturally, he can't stay buried in a small place like this forever. Neither can we! If we join the Biquan Sect, won't we be leaving too? Our paths are still long! There will be plenty of chances to meet again!"
"Come on, everyone! Drink up! Today, we don't leave until we're thoroughly drunk!"
...
The meal lasted well into the afternoon, finally breaking up around two o'clock. Afterwards, Lin Feng instructed Zhang Fangzhou and the others to head back first. He made a detour to the Treasure Pavilion.
Finding Manager Qi Minghe, Lin Feng settled the debt owed for the spirit stones. He also informed the manager of his impending departure.
The news visibly surprised Qi Minghe. He furrowed his brow. "Leaving so suddenly? Lin Feng, is it… because of last night? Are you worried about retaliation from that person's companions?"
Lin Feng replied, "That's one factor. But honestly, I've had this plan for a while. My master is currently elsewhere. I intend to seek him out."
Once again, Lin Feng used his fabricated 'master' as a shield. He had no other plausible explanation if pressed further.
"I see…" Qi Minghe was silent for a long moment, then sighed. "Well, it makes sense. A talent like yours shouldn't be buried in a tiny place like Qingyun City. The vast cultivation world outside is your true stage—I believe you will achieve remarkable things in the future."
Lin Feng smiled. "I appreciate your kind words, Manager Qi. I hope we have the chance to meet again someday."
"Heh, who knows, we just might cross paths out there," Qi Minghe chuckled. "It won't be long before I'm transferred out of Qingyun City myself, to manage a Treasure Pavilion branch in a larger cultivation city."
"Oh?" Lin Feng was surprised. "Congratulations on the promotion, Manager Qi. Any idea where you'll be posted?"
"Not yet, but likely somewhere within the Xia Kingdom," Qi Minghe answered. "If you ever find yourself in a cultivation city in the future, stop by the Treasure Pavilion. You might just find me there! Speaking of which," he added, "if you ever need anything while traveling, don't hesitate to visit any Treasure Pavilion. Your status as an honorary Artifact Refiner is recognized throughout the Xia Kingdom branches."
Lin Feng nodded. "Understood. I'll keep that in mind if the need arises."