"Hold it!!" Lin Feng suddenly called out as Loong Tengyu was poised to strike. "Fighting here on Lingyue Sect's grounds is inappropriate. Let's find another place!"
"..." Loong Tengyu was momentarily taken aback. He shot a thoughtful glance towards Ye Lingxuan before sneering coldly. "Fine! I'll grant you that wish! Since this matter no longer concerns Lingyue Sect, we will settle it elsewhere!!"
Lin Feng turned and bowed respectfully towards Ye Lingxuan and the other elders. "Esteemed Seniors, this is where Lin Feng bids you farewell!!"
"..." An oppressive silence fell over the entire Lingyue Sect contingent. Lin Feng's sudden appearance and his decisive, self-imposed severance from the sect had left most disciples stunned and struggling to process the events. Ye Lingxuan and the elders, however, recognized the unwavering resolve in Lin Feng's actions. A complex mix of emotions – profound regret, deep appreciation, and helpless frustration – churned within them, yet they found no words to refute his choice.
With a wave of his hand, Lin Feng summoned the Soulburner Sword. He stepped lightly onto it, then turned for one last, deep look at the place that had been his home for over half a year.
His gaze drifted towards the back mountain. A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips. I'm leaving now... Those spirit beasts are probably going to throw quite the tantrum, aren't they? Before departing for the Black Mist Herb Valley, he had instructed them to be patient and avoid causing trouble during his extended absence. They had promised... but now, with him gone for good, he wondered how long it would take them to readjust to eating those discarded pills again…
Not seeing Xia Xin's figure brought a pang of disappointment. I had hoped to say goodbye to that little girl. He surmised she must have been confined for her safety due to the imminent threat. Perhaps it's for the best... less heartache this way.
When his gaze swept over a particular figure within the crowd, a cold glint flashed in Lin Feng's eyes—Di Xuan.
Lin Feng hadn't been idle in pondering how the secret of him killing Loong Tian'ao had been exposed. He had deduced that someone must have been hiding nearby during the confrontation, not only witnessing the entire event but also recording it with an image crystal. If only I had reached Golden Core back then and possessed divine sense... maybe I could have detected them.
A stranger who witnessed such an event would have no reason to report it to Juejian Sect. Therefore, the culprit was likely someone who knew Lin Feng personally and harbored a deep grudge, seeking to use this chance to eliminate him. Following this line of thought, Di Xuan was naturally Lin Feng's prime suspect, though it was merely suspicion without concrete evidence. Alternatively, it could have been some scheming individual or faction aiming to deliberately provoke conflict between Juejian and Lingyue Sects for their own hidden agenda.
Regardless, there's likely no chance to uncover the truth now. Lin Feng didn't dwell on it excessively. His immediate priority was dealing with the Juejian Sect members before him, escaping this perilous zone, and evading their inevitable, relentless pursuit.
Withdrawing his gaze, Lin Feng channeled his true essence. The flying sword beneath his feet flared with brilliant light, transforming into a streak of radiance that shot into the sky, leaving a trail of displaced air.
Loong Tengyu cast one last threatening look at Ye Lingxuan and the others, then waved a hand at the three figures behind him. "Let's go!!"
Watching the four streaks of sword light chase relentlessly after Lin Feng, Di Xuan, hidden among the crowd, couldn't suppress a surge of wild elation. He never anticipated such a dramatic twist. Lin Feng, presumed dead in the Black Mist Herb Valley, had miraculously returned! The crisis for Lingyue Sect was averted, and Lin Feng had severed ties with them. His fate was now sealed. This was the original plan! It's incredible how things have circled back to the 'intended script'! His delight was overwhelming.
Many other disciples finally snapped out of their daze, murmuring in astonishment at the unexpected, rollercoaster turn of events. The notion that Lin Feng had 'sacrificed' himself for the sect prompted sighs of admiration and hushed discussions. Only Ye Lingxuan and the senior elders remained silent, their expressions grave.
"Deputy Leader, are we truly going to do nothing?" Watching the sword lights about to vanish from sight, Elder Lu from the North Courtyard finally couldn't restrain himself, addressing Ye Lingxuan directly.
It was clear Ye Lingxuan himself was wrestling with indecision. He gazed towards the direction where Lin Feng had disappeared and let out a soft sigh. "Sigh... Perhaps... this is the best outcome... You all should have perceived it as well. Lin Feng's words likely held truth. This was his own choice. Since he has voluntarily renounced his ties to our sect... we should respect that..."
His voice carried distinct notes of deep regret and helpless resignation. As he spoke, his gaze seemed to drift almost imperceptibly towards the spot where Lin Feng's eyes had lingered for a fleeting moment before his departure.
Sensing Ye Lingxuan's gaze sweep over him, Di Xuan, who had been secretly gloating, jolted inwardly with fright. He buried his head even lower, a cold chill creeping up his spine...
...
Meanwhile, Lin Feng sped through the air on his flying sword. The fierce wind roared past his ears, and the landscape below blurred into a retreating haze. Within moments, he was far beyond the boundaries of Lingyue Sect.
A glance backward confirmed the four streaks of sword light were still in close pursuit. Lin Feng felt neither surprise nor panic. He had never harbored the illusion of shaking off his pursuers and escaping outright. His sole aim was to find a more suitable location for the inevitable confrontation.
What struck him as slightly peculiar, however, was the Juejian Sect group's unexpected compliance. They hadn't immediately intercepted him, even though they easily could have. They're just... following?
"A bit odd..." A flicker of suspicion crossed Lin Feng's mind, but he dismissed it for now. He could feel the significant drain on his true essence from this brief period of sustained sword flight. I need to conserve strength for the coming fight. Scanning the terrain below, he spotted a suitable location. He angled his descent towards a flat expanse of land ahead.
Beside this clearing stood a modest grove of maple trees. Lin Feng recalled seeing it marked on maps; locals called it 'Red Maple Grove'.
The moment his feet touched the ground, Lin Feng flipped his hand, producing a porcelain vial. He swiftly drank a small mouthful of spirit spring water. Only then did he turn to face his pursuers.
Loong Tengyu and his men landed several dozen meters away. While rapidly circulating his true essence to replenish the expended amount, Lin Feng scrutinized the group. His gaze swept carefully over the three figures flanking Loong Tengyu, and his eyes suddenly narrowed in genuine surprise. He realized one of them was an 'acquaintance'!
Standing to Loong Tengyu's left rear was an elderly man with white hair, clad in deep blue mage robes. He stared at Lin Feng with venomous hatred. His left sleeve hung empty, fluttering in the breeze. This man was none other than Wei Wuyi!!
Lin Feng hadn't noticed him earlier amidst the chaos. Recognizing him now clarified many things instantly…
"To consume spirit spring so recklessly! What a blasphemous waste!!" Loong Tengyu stared at Lin Feng, an expression akin to physical pain flashing across his face as he couldn't help but snarl. Although Lin Feng had drunk with his back turned, Loong Tengyu's divine sense had perceived it clearly.
Hearing this outburst, Lin Feng's suspicions were utterly confirmed—Loong Tengyu's objective wasn't solely about avenging his son!
No wonder they were so 'cooperative' with my suggestion to leave Lingyue territory after I showed up! Wei Wuyi must have recognized me from that recorded image crystal. They already knew about the spirit spring treasure on me! They didn't want to fight at Lingyue Sect to prevent others from discovering it!
Loong Tengyu watched Lin Feng's thoughtful expression and stated coldly, "Frankly, I admire your courage. It seems you truly weren't within Lingyue Sect before. Yet you returned willingly to face death... just to avoid 'burdening' them? Hmph! Should I call that responsibility or sheer stupidity?"
He paused briefly, then continued, his voice hardening. "Since you dared to come, it means you're prepared to die. I won't insult you with false promises of sparing your life. Just tell me the identity and whereabouts of that cultivator who was with you in the Great Python Mountains, and I'll grant you a swift end."
Lin Feng couldn't help but feel another jolt of surprise. Their ambitions run deeper than I imagined! They're after the swordsman too! They covet the spirit spring he possesses!
Receiving only silence from Lin Feng, Loong Tengyu's eyes flashed with ruthless intent, his voice dropping to an icy timbre. "I know you possess a flying sword, a strange fire, and the White Tiger Soulrage Talisman... However..." A contemptuous sneer twisted his lips. "...do you truly believe those trinkets, in the hands of a mere first-level Golden Core cultivator, can stand against us? I advise you to abandon such delusions. Any resistance will be nothing but futile death throes, serving only to prolong your suffering."
"..." Lin Feng's eyelid twitched almost imperceptibly, his heart sinking. The image crystal revealed far too much. The element of surprise with the strange fire and the talisman is completely gone.
Loong Tengyu observed Lin Feng standing silently like a mute statue, showing no intention of surrendering. His patience finally snapped. A terrifying, predatory aura radiated from him as he hissed, "I offered you a chance. Since you refuse to cooperate... I'll have no choice but to take you back and extract the information slowly!! I will make you beg for death but find no release!!"
His words hadn't fully faded when Loong Tengyu raised his right hand. The massive golden sword hovering above his head shot forth like an arrow released from a fully drawn bow, aimed directly at Lin Feng's right shoulder!
Loong Tengyu had no intention of granting Lin Feng a quick death. His plan was to cripple him first, then take him back to Juejian Sect for prolonged, agonizing interrogation.