A single sentence nearly caused Lin Feng's soul to flee his body. His face drained of color instantly as he stared at Zheng Xulin in sheer terror.
It wasn't poor composure—the shock was simply too immense to process calmly.
His reaction alone answered Zheng Xulin's unspoken question.
A flicker of surprise crossed Zheng Xulin's eyes before he smiled faintly. "No need for alarm. I bear no ill will."
"..."
Lin Feng steadied his breath. The elder's demeanor was non-threatening, and resistance against such power would be futile regardless. He ventured cautiously, "Senior Zheng… how did you know I… killed a Corpse Sect disciple?"
"Hmm? You slew one yet remain ignorant of the Corpse Sect's 'Soul Grudge Mark'?" Zheng Xulin raised a finger, pointing vaguely above Lin Feng's head. "A faint trace clings to you. It manifests only upon slaying a Golden Core cultivator or higher of their sect. Judging by its intensity… you eliminated a Golden Core disciple? Remarkable—Foundation Establishment second-layer defeating a Golden Core Corpse Sect cultivator. Zheng Kai spoke true; you are unique."
"Soul Grudge Mark?!"
Dread twisted Lin Feng's features. "Senior Zheng, what is this mark? How can it be removed?"
"A unique Corpse Sect technique," Zheng Xulin explained. "Simplified: it brands the killer, marking them for vengeance. Nearly unavoidable. The cultivation world calls it 'Haunting Grudge.' Most cannot perceive it. It fades slowly over time. Actively purging it… is difficult."
Lin Feng's panic deepened. "You said 'difficult'—not impossible?"
"With sufficient cultivation, sensing it allows forceful refinement and dispersal. But you… lack that strength."
Lin Feng's hope plummeted. He couldn't even feel the mark, let alone purge it.
Then Zheng Xulin's tone shifted.
"However… this mark stems from an early Golden Core cultivator. I can seal it. Not erase—but conceal it. Over time, it will dissipate naturally."
"Truly?!" Relief flooded Lin Feng. "I beg your aid, Senior! My eternal gratitude!"
"A minor effort."
Zheng Xulin's eyes flashed. His right hand formed a sword-finger, a wisp of violet light coalescing at its tip—
—Before Lin Feng could react, it tapped his forehead.
An overwhelming force surged through him. His body numbed instantly. The energy condensed near his dantian, forming a tiny sphere of crackling lightning. Within it pulsed a minuscule wisp of dark energy…
It ended as swiftly as it began. Zheng Xulin withdrew his finger.
"Done. None below my cultivation can detect the mark now. Ah—I nearly forgot your Strange Fire."
His gaze sharpened. "It inherently suppresses such Yin-tainted energies. Though not yet Golden Core, you can slowly refine the sealed mark with it. Full eradication won't take long."
Lin Feng exhaled shakily. "My profound thanks, Senior Zheng!"
"No need. Slaying Corpse Sect filth deserves reward." Zheng Xulin smiled thinly. "In my Immortal Ascension Sect, it earns Contribution Points. Our meeting is fate; aiding you costs little."
Contribution Points? Lin Feng's mind raced. Immortal Ascension opposes the Corpse Sect?
He chose his next words carefully. "Senior… I've lived secluded in Azure Cloud City. The wider world… the Corpse Sect… I know little. Aren't they a Ninth-Grade Sect in North Profound Continent? Why operate in East Dragon?"
Zheng Xulin studied him. "Zheng Kai mentioned your master—a fifth-grade smith? At least Golden Core? Did he teach you nothing of this?"
Lin Feng's pulse spiked. "He… focused solely on smithing. Shared little else."
"His honored title?" Zheng Xulin pressed.
Sweat slicked Lin Feng's palms. Avoiding the elder's piercing gaze, he fabricated desperately:
"My Master… his Daoist title… is 'Cloudsea Sage'…"
Another layer to the lie.
"Cloudsea Sage?" Zheng Xulin searched his memory, finding no match. Likely a minor, regional smith. Preconceptions and a favorable impression of Lin Feng prevented suspicion. He dismissed the query, returning to Lin Feng's original concern.
"While based in North Profound, the Corpse Sect spreads its disciples across Mooncloud Continent. Arguably the cultivation world's largest sect. They traffic in cultivator corpses—often inciting wars between powers to harvest the dead. Many despise them. Outside North Profound, where they dominate… most forces across the other three continents view them with hatred. Encountering their disciples often ends in death. Eliminating one, as you did… removes a scourge."
Lin Feng hid his relief. No further questions about Master.
"Such a sect?" Disgust colored his voice. "Repulsive."
"Their East Dragon branch is potent," Zheng Xulin warned, eyes intent. "Comparable to an Eighth-Grade Sect. Now marked, tread cautiously. While sealed, avoid confronting their disciples directly—the mark might flare. You cannot withstand their pursuit. Also… anything taken from the slain… reveal it to no one."
Lin Feng bowed deeply. "Thank you for the counsel, Senior. I will be vigilant."
"Go then." Zheng Xulin gave a final nod, turned, and vanished into the Zheng Manor gates.
"..."
Lin Feng stood frozen. His hand drifted to his dantian. Soul Grudge Mark…
I thought killing Liang Han was hidden… yet I wore a beacon screaming 'Corpse Sect Killer' all along.
Without Senior Zheng… without his seal… leaving the city unaware…
Any Corpse Sect member or powerful cultivator spotting it… I'd be dead without knowing why.
A potentially fatal disaster… averted by a chance encounter.
"Lin Feng! What happened? What did the Patriarch say?"
Zheng Kai and the others swarmed him, curiosity burning in their eyes.
Lin Feng composed himself, forcing a smile. "Nothing grave. He resolved a minor issue. Lead on inside, Zheng Kai."
"Hmph. Secrets then." Zheng Kai grumbled, ushering them forward.
......
The Biquan Sect's disciple recruitment concluded that same day. Barely twenty passed the spiritual root test. Only four—including Zhang Fangzhou and Longbow Xiaojing—possessed upper-grade roots. The rest were middling. True talent remained scarce.
Two Days Later. Dawn. North Gate of Azure Cloud City.
Dozens gathered outside the walls, bidding farewell to those departing for Biquan Sect.
To the right stood Lin Feng's group. The air hung thick with melancholy.
"Boss! We're leaving! You must visit! Or at least send word sometimes!"
"Boss Lin! You'll always be our leader! Don't forget us!"
Zhang Fangzhou, Yao Wangtian, and Xu Rong looked on the verge of tears. Lin Feng's own heart ached.
"Enough sentimentality," he chided gently. "You're joining a sect, not a prison. The path is long—we'll meet again! Cultivate diligently! If you're still weak next time… I might just disown you!"
Zhang Fangzhou puffed his chest. "We won't disappoint you, Boss!"
Kou Tingting then spoke softly to Zhang Fangzhou. "Brother Zhang… once you're settled… please watch over Xiaojing…"
Zhang Fangzhou thumped his chest. "Of course! Anyone troubles her faces us three first!"
"Hmph! Who needs their protection?" Longbow Xiaojing sniffed, though her eyes were suspiciously red. "Who gets bullied remains to be seen!"
"DEPART!"
Luo Yu's command rang out nearby. Zhang Fangzhou and the others offered final waves, merging with the departing column…
That Afternoon. Zheng Manor.
Zheng Kai clasped Lin Feng's shoulder. "Parting today… who knows when we'll meet again? If you ever reach Immortal Ascension City… find me!"
Immortal Ascension City—like Biquan City to its sect—was the cultivation city outside the Immortal Ascension Sect's mountain gate, wholly managed by them.
Lin Feng returned the gesture. "I will. If the chance comes."
After heartfelt goodbyes, Zheng Xulin raised his hand. With a silent command, a wooden vessel—resembling a small floating house—materialized mid-air. In a blink, Zheng Xulin, Zheng Kai, and Kou Tingting stood upon its deck. The elder glanced down, nodded once…
Whoosh!
A gale swept the ground. When it cleared, only a distant speck remained…
A Cloud-Soaring Ark. A rare, massive flying treasure. Most Nascent Soul cultivators couldn't dream of owning one. Lin Feng had only read descriptions. Seeing it firsthand… envy stirred.
After seeing Zheng Kai off, Lin Feng bid farewell to Zheng Changqing and left the manor. Home beckoned.
Gone. Everyone is gone.
And I… must go too.
He stood in his silent living room. His gaze traced every familiar table, every worn chair. Fragmented memories surfaced—fleeting childhood joy before eight… the grinding hardship after… the endless days waiting here since his parents vanished… hoping, always hoping, for their return…
Now, he wouldn't wait.
He would seek them.
Is leaving now right? Uncertainty coiled within him. What awaits me?
Can I truly find them in this vast cultivation world?
"..."
For a full hour, he stood motionless. Worry and doubt swirled… then slowly receded. Resolve hardened in his eyes.
He drew a deep, steadying breath.
Turned.
Walked out the door.
Through familiar streets. Out the North Gate. Onto the broad, dusty road.
Moving forward.
Step by step.
Resolutely and without hesitation.
(End of Volume One)