Lin Feng saw the killing intent flash in Mu Qingfeng's eyes. He frowned slightly, seeming to hesitate for a moment, then said to Chang Gong Xiaojing, "Let's go."
Since these people had already 'claimed' this medicine garden, he had little interest in fighting for scraps. There were no spirit herbs left, and while spirit stones were valuable, he wasn't desperate for them. He decided to explore elsewhere for other treasures.
Seeing Lin Feng 'obediently' leave, a trace of contempt flickered in Mu Qingfeng's eyes. But then he realized—Lin Feng wasn't heading out. He was walking deeper down the corridor!
"Seeking death!!" Mu Qingfeng instantly grasped Lin Feng's intention. He hadn't even explored that area himself! How dare this nobody try to claim it first?! Fury surged within him. He shot a glance at his three sect brothers, signaling them to keep digging the spirit stones, then strode out after Lin Feng.
Zhou Lihu and the other two Golden Core cultivators also noticed Lin Feng's movement. They exchanged bewildered glances, silently marveling at such recklessness. They followed not because of Lin Feng, but to prevent Mu Qingfeng from monopolizing any treasures deeper inside.
...
"Halt!!" Mu Qingfeng's icy command echoed down the corridor as he spotted Lin Feng and Chang Gong Xiaojing advancing.
Lin Feng turned, his brow furrowed. "What is it?"
Mu Qingfeng's face was cold as frost. "I told you to get out. Are you deaf?!"
Lin Feng laughed mockingly. "How amusing. Is this hall your property?"
"A mere Foundation Building ant dares speak to me like this?! You court death!" Mu Qingfeng's eyes turned glacial, clearly provoked by Lin Feng's defiance. He raised his right hand, and a cyan flying sword materialized, streaking towards Lin Feng like lightning!
"Hmph!" Lin Feng's gaze sharpened. He swept his own hand outward. The Soulfire Sword shot forth with a howl, while he simultaneously activated a shimmering spiritual light barrier around himself.
"Clang!!"
The two swords collided mid-air with a piercing shriek of metal, rebounding violently. Mu Qingfeng, Zhou Lihu, and the others who had just emerged stared in disbelief.
"A flying sword!!" Mu Qingfeng's pupils constricted. He sneered coldly, "No wonder the insolence. So you possess a flying sword… Are you from Absolute Sword Sect?"
Lin Feng's expression remained impassive. "My origins are none of your concern. If you truly wish to fight, I will oblige!"
Killing intent stirred within him. If this Mu Qingfeng persists, he thought, I'll just kill him. I've already slain plenty from Verdant Wind Valley anyway.
"Such bravado! What does a flying sword matter in the hands of a Foundation Building cultivator? Utterly foolish!" Mu Qingfeng almost wondered if the man was mad. He let out a derisive snort, preparing to strike again.
"Hold!" Zhou Lihu's booming voice cut through the tension. He stepped forward, glaring at Mu Qingfeng. "Mu Qingfeng! This is beyond excessive! Do you truly intend to kill so wantonly?!"
Mu Qingfeng's eyes narrowed dangerously as he whirled on Zhou Lihu. "Zhou Lihu! You dare meddle?!"
Zhou Lihu met his gaze squarely. "I find your conduct intolerable. If you attack this fellow Daoist, you force my hand!"
He then gave Lin Feng a slight, deliberate nod, his voice grave. "Fear not, fellow Daoist. Stay with us. You need not fear Mu Qingfeng! We shall explore this hall together. Any gains will be shared fairly!"
"You—!!" Mu Qingfeng trembled with rage, barely restraining himself from attacking Zhou Lihu on the spot. He knew Zhou Lihu's game: seeing Lin Feng's unexpected strength, he sought to recruit him against Mu Qingfeng. With three Golden Cores already nearly matching him, adding a flying sword wielder could tip the balance against him.
Lin Feng saw through Zhou Lihu's motive instantly. He gave a noncommittal nod. "I appreciate your intent, fellow Daoist. But should this man insist on a fight, I can handle him myself. Your intervention is unnecessary."
"Uh…" Zhou Lihu's expression froze, his eyes flickering with profound confusion. He couldn't fathom Lin Feng's audacity. After a brief pause, he forced a hearty laugh. "Haha!! Admirable courage, fellow Daoist! Zhou admires your spirit! But we are all here seeking fortune. To fight to mutual ruin before even fully exploring this place is sheer folly! Let us press on together. That is the wisest course."
As he spoke, he deliberately moved past Mu Qingfeng towards Lin Feng, positioning himself as a barrier. He wouldn't let Mu Qingfeng eliminate a potential asset—not until its usefulness was spent.
Mu Qingfeng's face contorted with suppressed fury. He hesitated for a tense moment… then ultimately held back. He knew attacking now would draw Zhou Lihu and the others into the fray, forcing him to fight four opponents simultaneously. Zhou Lihu was right—risking everything here, with the hall unexplored, was unwise.
Seeing Mu Qingfeng stand down, Zhou Lihu breathed an inward sigh of relief. He and his companions reached Lin Feng. "It seems reason prevails!" he declared, adopting a tone of leadership. "Let us continue then! Discover what treasures remain hidden here. We can settle claims based on merit later."
Mu Qingfeng's eyes flashed with open scorn, but he only offered a cold snort. Lin Feng gave a minimal nod, deliberately maintaining distance from both groups. His spiritual light barrier remained active, and the Soulfire Sword stayed gripped firmly in his hand.
Mu Qingfeng recalled his cyan sword, his expression icy as he stalked deeper into the corridor. Zhou Lihu's group followed closely. Lin Feng and Chang Gong Xiaojing deliberately fell to the rear.
None of them harbor good intentions, Lin Feng thought coldly. They likely see me as insignificant. He had no interest in jostling for position. If I see something I want later, I'll simply take it by force.
The corridor ended at a massive stone doorway, several meters high, standing open. Beyond it lay a vast space. An overwhelming torrent of spiritual energy washed over them, denser even than the abandoned medicine garden's. This, unmistakably, was the heart of the hall.
They stepped through the threshold one after another. Scanning the interior, everyone froze momentarily.
The room was roughly ten meters square, starkly empty of furnishings. The most prominent feature dominated the center: a stone coffin!
Yes, within this room lay a horizontal stone coffin!
And beside the head of the coffin, leaning against it… sat a human skeleton!
The figure had clearly been dead for an immeasurable time. The robes draping the bones appeared brittle, on the verge of disintegration. The skeletal frame itself was covered in countless fine cracks, looking as though it might crumble to dust at the slightest touch.
A stone coffin and a withered skeleton in such a place radiated profound unease. Shock held them all momentarily speechless.
Then, almost simultaneously, their sharp eyes detected two chilling details:
On the skeletal right hand's index finger rested a vibrant emerald-green ring.
And embedded directly in the center of the ribcage, piercing where the heart would have been, was a dagger—its blade a deep, unsettling blood-red.