Lin Feng moved swiftly towards the direction of Golden Ant Mountain. He soon left the Cold Mist Valley behind, emerging onto a stretch of flatland.
This plain was known as the 'Needlefern Plain'. True to its name, the ground was densely covered with needleferns, peculiar plants resembling sharp needles that blanketed the earth. An ordinary person would likely find traversing it impossible. These needleferns were technically the lowest grade of spirit herbs, but their level was so abysmally low that they were virtually useless. However, the exceedingly rare variant known as the 'Gold-Silver Needlefern' was an incredibly precious third-grade spirit herb. The chance of a Gold-Silver Needlefern appearing was less than one in ten million. Countless cultivators scoured this plain year-round, but only a vanishingly small number ever found one.
With true essence wrapped around his feet, Lin Feng walked casually across the Needlefern Plain. The open terrain made it slightly less dangerous than other areas, though subterranean earth-attributed demon beasts, mostly second-grade with fewer third-grade, lurked below. None escaped detection by Lin Feng's spiritual sense or Xiaoqiu's perception, allowing him to proceed without encountering significant trouble.
During his walk, Lin Feng eagerly took out the jade slip given to him by Lu Danxin and began consulting it while moving.
"Truly worthy of being the Sect Leader's alchemy insights. This is practically equivalent to a complete alchemy manual..." After only a cursory reading of half its contents, Lin Feng couldn't help but inwardly marvel. His heart swelled with greater joy. Lu Danxin's alchemy notes were incomparably deeper than the rudimentary knowledge he'd previously gleaned from the Lingyue Sect. Lin Feng was confident that with these insights and sufficient practice, he should be able to refine third-grade pills. After all, Lin Feng had no concerns about pill grade; as long as a pill formed, even if it was a 'waste pill', it was effectively equivalent to a heaven-grade pill for him.
Following the extensive section on alchemy insights came the pill formulas. Lu Danxin had described them merely as 'common' formulas, but the further Lin Feng read, the more pleasantly surprised he became. Ranging from the lowest first-grade Qi Condensation Pills to second-grade Blood Velvet Pills and Essence Restoration Pills, then to third-grade Blood Coagulation Pills, Fire Cloud Pills, Purple Cold Pills, and Blue Beard Pills – it even included the refining methods for several fourth-grade pills.
This was undeniably another immense gain for Lin Feng. His heart overflowed with gratitude towards Lu Danxin, and he silently vowed to repay this debt should the opportunity ever arise in the future.
"Hmm?! Golden Ephemeral Pill?!" Lin Feng's eyes suddenly lit up with surprise as he scanned the formulas. "It even has the Golden Ephemeral Pill formula?!"
Discovering the Golden Ephemeral Pill formula delighted Lin Feng even more than finding the fourth-grade pill formulas. Because this was precisely the formula he needed most urgently right now!
Previously, when he learned that Golden Ant Mountain might hold Ten-Breath Golden Ephemerals, Lin Feng had lamented his inability to refine Golden Ephemeral Pills, resigning himself to the 'wasteful extravagance' of consuming the herbs directly. He hadn't imagined he would obtain the formula now. This meant he had a chance to refine the pills, potentially multiplying the benefits he could gain manifold.
"Besides the Ten-Breath Golden Ephemeral, it also requires Green Fern Root, Goldvein Root, Dewdrop Leaf, and Dwarf Calamus... Excellent! I have all these materials!! However, the refining method seems particularly complex; it might be difficult to master. I should probably practice with other simpler third-grade pills first..."
Lin Feng carefully read through the Golden Ephemeral Pill refining method, contemplating it seriously. A glimmer of anticipation flickered in his eyes. If he could truly refine a few Golden Ephemeral Pills this time, his cultivation base could make another significant leap forward. That would give him even greater confidence for his journey to the Starry Sea...
...
"QIU!!!"
Just then, a startled cry rang in Lin Feng's ears. His expression instantly changed as he snapped into a state of high alert. Without the slightest hesitation, he activated his spiritual light shield first and then whirled around to face the direction behind him.
However, Lin Feng frowned slightly a moment later. He detected no immediate danger. He glanced questioningly at Xiaoqiu, only to see the little creature baring its teeth and glaring fiercely at an empty spot several dozen meters ahead, as if something extremely perilous lurked there.
Lin Feng didn't dare be negligent. He extended his spiritual sense again, sweeping the area meticulously. Still, he found nothing. Doubt crept in. Could Xiaoqiu be mistaken? If there was an enemy, why couldn't I sense them at all? Is the concealment so perfect it completely evades my spiritual sense?
Suddenly, Lin Feng's pupils constricted sharply. It was as if he had realized something. He stared fixedly at the empty spot and spoke in a low, intense voice, "Huang Yisong!! Stop hiding! Show yourself!!"
"..."
Silence greeted his words. There was no response. Yet, Lin Feng remained tense, his guard unwavering, senses fully focused on his surroundings. After several moments of eerie stillness, Lin Feng's eyes narrowed in shock. About thirty meters ahead, a transparent ripple abruptly appeared in the empty air. It looked like an invisible cloth was being pulled aside as a figure materialized out of thin air!!
The man looked utterly disheveled, appearing as if he had just been burned (which was indeed the case). His face held a trace of pallor, but it was overshadowed by an expression of deep-seated malice and resentment. His gaze swept over Lin Feng, lingering on Xiaoqiu with a flicker of surprise before settling back on Lin Feng with a cold sneer. "I never imagined you'd possess such an alert spirit beast. It seems its detection of my presence outside Master Lanling's cave dwelling was no accident. You truly astound me. I had no idea the Xia Kingdom's cultivation world could produce such a... prodigy..."
This person was none other than Huang Yisong from the Yunhuang Sect of the Yue Kingdom!!
Defeated within Master Lanling's cave dwelling, he had escaped using a Teleportation Talisman. Unbelievably, he hadn't fled far at all and had now tracked down Lin Feng!
Lin Feng didn't respond to the man's words. Instead, he remained vigilant, his expression grave. His heart pounded with shock. He had merely voiced a suspicion earlier, trying to bluff the hidden person out. He hadn't truly expected it to be Huang Yisong. A flurry of thoughts raced through his mind, and his gaze gradually hardened into determination.
Seeing Lin Feng show so little panic actually surprised Huang Yisong. A hint of genuine appreciation even flashed in his eyes. He continued with a chilling laugh, "You truly are the most... remarkable junior I have ever encountered. Not only reaching the Golden Core stage at such a tender age, but also possessing a trove of powerful treasures and possessing remarkable composure. Given time, your achievements would undoubtedly be extraordinary. However..."
His eyes glinted with murderous intent as he uttered venomously, "It is a pity you were foolish enough not to leave with Lu Danxin and the others. Your fate is sealed here today!! I advise you not to struggle pointlessly. If you obediently reveal the secrets you carry, I might consider granting you a swift death. Otherwise... I will make you long for death while you are forced to live, gnashing your teeth in agony!!"
"..."
Huang Yisong delivered his lengthy monologue, but Lin Feng remained silent throughout. Hearing the threat, his eyes merely narrowed slightly, a fierce glint suddenly flashing within them. Without the slightest warning, he raised his right hand. A streak of crimson-silver light lanced out!
"Hmph!! Overestimating your strength!"
Seeing Lin Feng not only ignore his words but dare to strike first, Huang Yisong arched an eyebrow disdainfully. With a cold snort, he flicked his right hand, sending his own flying sword shooting forth.
"CLANG!!"
An ear-piercing metallic clang reverberated through the air. A shower of sparks exploded mid-air as both flying swords clashed violently and recoiled from the impact.
"ROAR!!!"
In the very next instant after the swords met, an earth-shaking tiger's roar erupted. Brilliant white light flashed where Lin Feng stood as the phantom image of a massive white tiger materialized out of nothingness. It reared onto its hind legs, its four paws seemingly striking empty air, and then launched itself with a thunderous roar towards Huang Yisong!
White Tiger Fierce Soul Talisman!
From the very first move, Lin Feng had unleashed his deadliest trump card!