Loong Tengyu stared coldly at the furious cultivators of Lingyue Sect arrayed before him. "You have half a day left... If you still fail to give me a satisfactory answer... then prepare for war with Juejian Sect!!"
"This is too much!! Juejian Sect is utterly unreasonable! Let's fight them to the death!"
"Yes!! Fight them! Show them Lingyue Sect isn't some weakling to be bullied!"
"..."
Instantly, a wave of outrage swept through the Lingyue disciples. Many could no longer contain their fury, erupting in angry shouts. Most were flushed with righteous indignation, their expressions suggesting they were ready to charge the enemy lines right then and there.
Ye Lingxuan's brow furrowed slightly. He raised a hand and swept it down, simultaneously releasing a powerful wave of spiritual pressure that instantly silenced the agitated disciples. Lifting his head, his gaze icy, he regarded Loong Tengyu with an impassive face. "Loong Tengyu, do you truly intend to push matters to this irreversible extreme?!"
"You forced my hand!!" Loong Tengyu suddenly exploded, his roar tinged with madness. "I will avenge my son!! If you refuse to hand over his murderer... then your entire sect shall serve as his burial sacrifice!!"
Ye Lingxuan's eyes narrowed dangerously, his own patience seemingly frayed to the breaking point. He opened his mouth to retort, but then paused abruptly, as if sensing something. His eyebrows shot up in surprise as he tilted his head, looking towards the southern horizon in astonishment.
He wasn't alone. Many of the Golden Core cultivators present, including Loong Tengyu himself, sensed the disturbance simultaneously, their heads snapping towards the same direction.
A hazy streak of crimson-silver light cut across the distant sky, hurtling towards them at an astonishing velocity!
Someone was flying here on a sword! A Golden Core cultivator! Who could it be?
Those who noticed were momentarily stunned, a question forming in their minds. But almost immediately, recognition dawned in the eyes of Ye Lingxuan, Wen Mochen, and other Lingyue elders, swiftly replaced by shock and utter disbelief.
"It's... it's him!! How... how is this possible?!" Zhou Xiantai also recognized the approaching figure. He completely lost his composure, his eyes widening into saucers as he uttered the words in stunned disbelief, his voice barely a whisper.
"Whoosh!!"
Faster than words could describe, within the span of mere heartbeats, the streak of light descended like a shooting star onto the edge of the vast plaza before the Lingyue Sect's grand hall. The air crackled with displaced energy as it landed.
"Lin... Lin Feng!!"
"It's Lin Feng!!"
Once the newcomer's features became completely clear, the restraint shown by the elders vanished among the Lingyue disciples. Shouts of astonishment erupted immediately.
—The man who had arrived via sword flight was none other than Lin Feng!
During his arduous journey, Lin Feng had finally achieved his long-sought goal: mastering the art of sword flight. This feat was largely attributable to his Soulburner Sword (Chi Hun Fei Jian), which had now evolved into a top-grade spirit artifact. Its responsiveness and connection to his will were vastly superior to before. This enhanced control allowed him to manage the demanding technique despite being only at the first level of Golden Core cultivation. However, sustained flight over long distances or durations remained beyond his current capabilities, as it would rapidly deplete his true essence reserves. It was only upon nearing the sect and witnessing the palpable tension of the standoff that he had decided to push his limits and fly directly onto the scene.
"Lin Feng!!"
The echoes of the disciples' cries had barely faded when a roar saturated with raw, unadulterated killing intent suddenly tore through the air. Accompanied by a deafening, soul-shaking sword shriek, a blindingly radiant golden sword light materialized seemingly from the void itself, slashing towards Lin Feng with the speed of lightning!!
However, this deadly arc of light had only descended halfway across the plaza when it was violently intercepted by a fierce crimson streak. The collision was cataclysmic – like two primordial thunderbolts clashing head-on mid-air. A tremendous explosion of light and sound reverberated across the mountainside. From the epicenter of the blast, a red and a golden flying sword recoiled violently, each streaking back towards their masters: Ye Lingxuan and Loong Tengyu.
In that hair-raising split second, Loong Tengyu, upon recognizing Lin Feng, had launched a murderous assault without the slightest hesitation. His strike had been thwarted only by Ye Lingxuan's equally swift and decisive intervention. The exchange happened so fast that many present only processed it a heartbeat later. Even Lin Feng felt a cold jolt of adrenaline; his eyes flickered momentarily as he was badly startled. Had he not instinctively anticipated Ye Lingxuan's protective move, he might have reflexively unleashed a desperate counterattack.
Loong Tengyu's eyes blazed, seeming to literally spit flames of fury. The massive flying sword, nearly a palm's width across, hovered ominously above his head, its razor-sharp edge shimmering with condensed killing intent, poised as if ready to strike again at any fraction of a moment. He glared with venomous intensity at Ye Lingxuan, his voice dropping to an icy, bone-chilling timbre. "Ye Lingxuan! You dare block my blade?!"
"Hmph!! Loong Tengyu, open your eyes! This is the sacred ground of Lingyue Sect! The true question is, how dare you launch a murderous attack here?! Do you truly believe you can slaughter disciples freely within our very gates?!" Ye Lingxuan retorted coldly, the anger in his own eyes blazing, barely contained. Yet, beneath the fury, a flicker of surprise registered inwardly. Loong Tengyu is only at the ninth level of Golden Core, while I stand at the Great Perfection. Yet that clash of flying swords felt utterly equal... Truly, the offensive prowess of a dedicated sword cultivator from Juejian Sect far surpasses that of ordinary cultivators at the same level.
Keeping his divine sense tightly focused on Loong Tengyu, wary of any sudden, treacherous move, Ye Lingxuan turned his gaze towards Lin Feng, who stood nearby, unscathed but undoubtedly shaken. His expression was a complex mix of profound astonishment and deep confusion. "Lin Feng? You... what is the meaning of this? How...?"
That single question carried the weight of a multitude: How had Lin Feng 'returned from the dead'? Why hadn't he emerged from the Black Mist Valley with the others? How had he escaped later? Most startlingly, how had he achieved the Golden Core realm in such a short time? And crucially, what exactly had transpired within the treacherous confines of the Black Mist Valley?
Lin Feng bowed respectfully towards Ye Lingxuan. "Lin Feng greets Deputy Leader Ye. I am deeply ashamed and profoundly regretful to have brought such immense trouble upon Lingyue Sect." His voice was steady, carrying conviction. "This matter... I alone shall bear the full responsibility. The sect shall not be implicated because of my actions."
He bypassed any immediate explanations about his survival or ascension, going straight to the heart of his purpose. His words caused a stunned silence to fall over the assembled crowd. Ye Lingxuan's frown deepened slightly, concern etching his features. "Lin Feng, what do you mean by this? Explain yourself."
Lin Feng met Ye Lingxuan's gaze, his expression earnest. "Esteemed Senior Ye, I am profoundly and sincerely grateful for the regard, trust, and guidance shown to me by the esteemed elders of Lingyue Sect during my time here. However," his tone firmed, "I can no longer remain within the sect. To speak plainly, when I joined Lingyue Sect, it was never my intention for it to be a permanent arrangement. I have... other, more pressing and important matters I must attend to, which necessitate my immediate departure. I humbly ask for your understanding and forgiveness..."
"What?! You..." Shock flashed visibly in Ye Lingxuan's eyes, but then a look of dawning comprehension seemed to wash over him. His expression turned solemn, almost grave. "Lin Feng, is this drastic step because you see Juejian Sect threatening us? You don't need to shoulder this burden alone! Even if Lingyue Sect may not match Juejian's strength in open conflict, we are not helpless lambs awaiting slaughter! We have our pride and our means! Rest assured, even if you did kill their disciples, the sect will..."
Before Ye Lingxuan could finish his reassurance, Lin Feng interrupted gently but with unwavering firmness. "Esteemed Senior Ye, I appreciate your faith, but I am not acting solely out of noble self-sacrifice. What I just told you is the unvarnished truth. The fact is," he emphasized, "even without this terrible conflict ignited by Juejian Sect, I had already resolved to leave Lingyue after completing the Black Mist Valley trial. Now that Lingyue Sect faces this dire crisis directly because of my actions, it is only just and right that I am the one to stand and resolve it. I implore you, Senior Ye, to grant me this final request and release me from the sect!!"
"You..." Ye Lingxuan was momentarily struck speechless, grappling with Lin Feng's words. He still interpreted Lin Feng's declaration primarily as a desperate attempt to shield the sect by offering himself up, sacrificing his own future and safety. A complex surge of emotions welled within him – profound gratitude for such loyalty, deep appreciation for the young man's character, and even a flicker of genuine admiration for his courage and sense of responsibility.
Lin Feng produced a simple storage ring from within his robe. He channeled a wisp of true essence, wrapping it around the ring, and sent it floating gently towards Ye Lingxuan. "It was only through the opportunity granted by Lingyue Sect that I gained entry to the Black Mist Valley trial. According to sect rules and customs," he stated formally, "this ring contains a significant portion of the valuable spirit herbs and materials I managed to gather within the valley. Please accept it as a token of my sincere gratitude for Lingyue Sect's invaluable guidance and the knowledge imparted to me over these past six months..." He took a deep breath, his voice gaining finality. "From this very moment forth, I sever all formal ties. I have no further affiliation with Lingyue Sect."
Wen Mochen, Zhou Xiantai, and several other elders nearby looked alarmed and opened their mouths simultaneously, ready to protest or dissuade him. But Lin Feng anticipated them. He turned his gaze towards them first, his expression softening with genuine respect and a touch of regret. "Elder Wen," he addressed the stern-faced elder, "I am also deeply thankful for your personal kindness, your strict guidance, and the support you have shown me." His eyes shifted to Zhou Xiantai. "Elder Zhou, my heartfelt thanks for facilitating my initial entry into Lingyue Sect; I have not forgotten that opportunity." He paused, his gaze encompassing the group. "And please, convey my deepest apologies to Sect Leader Lu Danxin when he returns. I deeply regret that I have failed to live up to the high expectations and trust he placed upon me..."
Without giving the stunned and emotional Lingyue members another moment to formulate a response, Lin Feng decisively swept his gaze over the entire assembly – Lingyue disciples and elders, Juejian cultivators, and the hovering Loong Tengyu. He raised his voice, clear, strong, and resonant, ensuring every syllable carried across the plaza:
"From this moment on, I, Lin Feng, formally sever all ties with Lingyue Sect! I renounce my status as a disciple of Lingyue! Whatever deeds I have done in the past, or whatever actions I take henceforth, are solely my own responsibility! They bear absolutely no relation to Lingyue Sect!!"
The declaration hung heavy in the air. Then, Lin Feng spun abruptly on his heel to directly face Loong Tengyu, who still hovered menacingly above the plaza. His voice rang out again, this time challenging, resolute, and utterly fearless:
"Sect Leader Loong!! It is true! I killed your son, Loong Tao! The responsibility for his death rests solely upon my shoulders! Today, right here, right now, I will settle this blood debt with you!!"
"Hahaha!! Good! Good!! You have courage, boy!! More than I expected!"
Loong Tengyu had heard every word of Lin Feng's declaration to Ye Lingxuan and the Lingyue elders. A flicker of something akin to surprise, perhaps even grudging acknowledgment, had momentarily crossed his enraged features. Now, hearing Lin Feng's direct challenge, he threw his head back and burst into a loud, harsh laugh that echoed off the mountains, seeming almost impressed by the audacity. However, the laughter died as abruptly as it began, snuffed out like a candle. Pure, unadulterated, soul-consuming malice blazed back into his eyes as they locked onto Lin Feng with terrifying focus. The massive golden sword above him flared with murderous light.
"Since you claim sole responsibility... relish it in hell!!"