Yan Can approached Lin Feng, clasping his hands together in a formal salute. "I owe you my life, Daoist Lin Feng. Please accept my deepest gratitude!" Clearly, during his walk over, Loong Fei and Loong Xin had already informed him of Lin Feng's identity.
Lin Feng returned the salute with a smile. "No need for such formality, Daoist Yan. We are all friends here. Helping each other out is only natural."
Yan Can's expression was filled with respect. "I had heard of how you saved our Sect Elder Jing and Loong Fei within the Great Python Mountains, and Brother Zhang has often spoken of your deeds. I have long wished to meet you. To finally do so today, under such circumstances... Daoist Lin, you are even more formidable than the tales suggested. Truly, I am impressed."
"You flatter me," Lin Feng replied modestly. He then gestured towards the others. "You've all just endured a fierce battle. Focus on recuperating for now. We can talk more later."
Yan Can indeed felt weak. He nodded. "Agreed. We shall speak later." He settled onto the ground, adopting a cross-legged posture beside Chang Gong Xiaojing and Zhang Fangzhou, beginning his meditation to heal his wounds and restore his strength. Loong Fei and Loong Xin, relatively unscathed, took up guard positions nearby.
Lin Feng, meanwhile, turned and walked towards the spot where Wang Licang had met his end.
By now, Wang Licang had been completely obliterated. The area where he had stood was a charred expanse of blackened earth, centered around a deep pit still smoldering with residual heat. Traces of molten rock pooled at its bottom, and Lin Feng's Magma Fire hovered above it like a sinister, deep-red blossom.
Lin Feng summoned the Magma Fire back to himself. A quick scan of the area confirmed his expectation: nothing remained. Wang Licang's Golden Core, his storage ring, and everything else he possessed had been utterly consumed by the flames.
"A pity," Lin Feng thought with a hint of regret. A Golden Core cultivator's storage ring could have held valuable treasures. Still, the purple flying sword that had clattered to the ground nearby was intact. He picked it up and stowed it away. He then moved to the bodies of the other two cultivators slain by Yan Can. With practiced efficiency, he disposed of the remains and collected their belongings as well.
…
Before long, Yan Can, Chang Gong Xiaojing, and Zhang Fangzhou had finished their meditation, though the seriously injured female disciple from the Biquan Sect remained deep in her healing trance. After a brief discussion, the group agreed to harvest the valuable parts from the three Phantom Wind Wolf carcasses. Profoundly grateful for Lin Feng's intervention, Yan Can insisted that Lin Feng take all the spoils. Unable to refuse his earnest insistence, Lin Feng accepted and deposited the materials into his storage ring.
With the aftermath dealt with, conversation flowed more freely. From their recounting, Lin Feng learned the identities of the treacherous trio: disciples from a fourth-tier sect called the Purple Wheel Sect.
The fierce battle itself had also been caused by those three. Yan Can, Chang Gong Xiaojing, Zhang Fangzhou, and the injured female disciple had arrived first and were resting at this spot, waiting to rendezvous with other Biquan Sect members. Wang Licang and his companions had fled into the area, pursued by the three powerful Phantom Wind Wolves. Cornered, the Biquan group was forced into an uneasy alliance to fight the beasts. The two sides were evenly matched, leading to a protracted stalemate. Seeing the danger, Yan Can had fired the signal flare for help. The betrayal struck just as he hoped rescue might arrive. Wang Licang seized the chance to sacrifice his temporary allies and flee. The timely arrival of Lin Feng and the others had been their salvation.
"The way the other two acted immediately when Wang Licang made his move..." Yan Can concluded grimly, "It suggests this betrayal was premeditated when they lured the beasts here. Utterly despicable. They got exactly what they deserved."
Once this was explained, Zhang Fangzhou couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. "Big Bro! How come you are here? Isn't the Black Mist Herb Valley restricted to sect disciples? Did you... join a sect?"
Lin Feng nodded. "Yes, that's right. After I left Azure Cloud City, I traveled for a time. Later, wanting to study alchemy, I joined the Lingyue Sect."
"The Lingyue Sect?" Zhang Fangzhou's eyes widened in surprise. "You joined the Lingyue Sect? Became an alchemist? But... weren't you an artificer?"
Lin Feng chuckled. "Heh, who says an artificer can't also be an alchemist? Mastering an additional skill is never a bad thing. Gives one more options, more security when navigating the cultivation world in the future, wouldn't you say?"
"Oh..." Zhang Fangzhou nodded, not fully grasping it but not dwelling on it either. His face quickly lit up with excitement again. "Heheh! Well, whatever! The main thing is seeing you again, Big Bro! It's fantastic! This trip into the Black Mist Herb Valley is totally worth it now!"
Lin Feng smiled warmly. "Speaking of which, how have things been for you all in the Biquan Sect?"
…
Another round of conversation ensued. Lin Feng learned about Chang Gong Xiaojing and Zhang Fangzhou's recent lives in the Biquan Sect. Overall, they were doing well. Chang Gong Xiaojing and Zhang Fangzhou had become inner disciples. Yao Wangtian and Xu Rong were also fine; with continued effort, they too had opportunities to advance to the inner sect.
While Lin Feng and his old friends caught up, Yan Can and the Loong siblings listened respectfully, offering occasional nods but not interrupting. Once the reunion chatter began to wind down, Yan Can spoke up.
"Daoist Lin, did you journey here alone? Why are you not with your sect companions?"
Lin Feng answered simply, "I haven't encountered any fellow disciples along my path. Traveling alone often proves more convenient."
"Solitary travel does offer flexibility," Yan Can conceded. "However, venturing deeper into the valley alone poses significant risks. Might Daoist Lin be interested in joining forces with us? We can watch each other's backs. Safety in numbers."
Zhang Fangzhou immediately chimed in, "Yeah, Big Bro! Travel with us!"
Chang Gong Xiaojing remained silent, but a flicker of anticipation was clear in her eyes as she looked at Lin Feng.
Lin Feng smiled and nodded readily. "Alright then. We'll journey together."
Reunited with his old friends, Lin Feng had no desire to part ways so soon. He had already planned to join Chang Gong Xiaojing and Zhang Fangzhou if he encountered them in the valley. Adding Yan Can and the others to the group wasn't an issue; since they weren't from the Lingyue Sect, he didn't need to worry about revealing his full strength causing complications within his own sect.
Relief and happiness spread across the faces of the group at Lin Feng's agreement. Though Yan Can sensed Lin Feng might not actually be at the Golden Core stage, he treated him as an equal without reservation. He also saw the value in forging a connection; Lin Feng's demonstrated prowess was extraordinary, and befriending someone with such vast potential was undoubtedly advantageous.
…
Hoping other Biquan Sect members might still respond to the signal flare, the group decided not to depart immediately. They found a suitable spot nearby to rest and converse while they waited.
Before long, a group of cultivators approached. They were not from the Biquan Sect, however, but several disciples from a fourth-tier sect called the Riyang Sect. They explained they had seen the distress signal and come to investigate. Upon learning the danger had passed, they exchanged brief courtesies before departing.
Another group arrived shortly after, this time from a third-tier sect. Like the first group, they had been drawn by the signal flare. After a similar exchange of information, they too continued on their way.
The signal flare had likely been visible for dozens of miles, yet only these two small groups had responded over such a long period. It starkly illustrated the immense size of the Black Mist Herb Valley. It also underscored a grim truth: even if Wang Licang hadn't betrayed them, they likely would have perished before help arrived... if not for Lin Feng. This realization deepened the group's gratitude.
Finally, half a day later, two Biquan Sect disciples arrived together.
The Biquan Sect had sent ten disciples into the valley for this trial. With these two newcomers – both at the eighth and ninth levels of Foundation Building – their group now numbered eight Biquan disciples. A Golden Core early-stage cultivator and a Foundation Building grand-completion disciple were still unaccounted for.
The group rested for the night. By the next morning, the remaining two sect members still hadn't arrived. Yan Can made the decision not to wait any longer. It was time to press onward and explore deeper into the valley.
Eight Biquan Sect disciples, plus Lin Feng – a group of nine. It was a reasonably sized force. Together, they set off in an imposing procession, heading deeper into the uncharted reaches of the Black Mist Herb Valley…