On a quiet undersea peak, a faint violet barrier of light, roughly ten meters across, enclosed a pocket of space. Within it, three figures were present. Two sat cross-legged in meditation, while the third stood watch nearby, hands clasped behind his back, his senses keenly alert to the surroundings.
These three were, naturally, Lin Feng, An Xiyue, and Hu Sha. After leaving the scene of their previous battle, they had sought out this secure location for Lin Feng and An Xiyue to heal their wounds.
Time passed indistinctly. Eventually, the blue light radiating from An Xiyue gradually receded, and she slowly opened her eyes. Almost simultaneously, Lin Feng beside her also concluded his healing session.
Hu Sha, standing guard, noticed immediately. He gave a slight nod to An Xiyue, who had awakened first, then turned his surprised gaze to Lin Feng. "Brother Mu, you're awake too? Shouldn't you rest and regulate your energy a while longer?"
Lin Feng's complexion had returned to normal. He stood, stretching his limbs experimentally, and offered a small smile. "It's alright. I've mostly recovered. I can restore the rest later, after we get out."
His injuries weren't as severe as Hu Sha had feared. The physical damage had mostly come from that single, brutal strike by the enraged Blood Octopus. The rest was primarily due to the extreme depletion of his spiritual energy. Thanks to the miraculous efficacy of the Prismatic Stellar Art, his recovery speed far exceeded Hu Sha's expectations. In just a few hours, his energy reserves were more than half replenished, and his physical wounds had completely healed. Sensing An Xiyue finishing her own healing, he had chosen to end his session as well.
"Are you really alright?" Hu Sha pressed, scrutinizing Lin Feng carefully.
"Truly, I am fine," Lin Feng assured him again with a nod. His expression then turned serious. "Brother Hu Sha, I must truly thank you this time. If you hadn't arrived when you did... things would have looked grim for us."
Hu Sha waved a dismissive hand. "What's this 'thank you' between us? Have you forgotten that you saved my life not long ago? Hah! Don't tell me you don't consider me a brother? Stop acting like I'm some outsider!"
"That's not what I meant..." Lin Feng began.
Hu Sha cut him off again, swiftly changing the subject. "Enough of that. Brother Mu, now tell me what exactly happened before I got there? Was the person you mentioned having an appointment with... Miss An here?" He gestured towards An Xiyue. "So... you two already went to the Blue Moon Sect ruins? Is that where you got hurt?"
An Xiyue, trusting Hu Sha both as Lin Feng's lifesaver and sworn brother, had revealed her identity to him during their journey here. Hu Sha had been understandably shocked and had already formed several theories and questions in his mind, patiently waiting until their injuries were addressed. Now, he couldn't hold back any longer.
"To be honest, we did indeed reach the Blue Moon Sect ruins..." Lin Feng had already decided on candor after careful thought. He briefly recounted his experiences after entering the sea, naturally omitting the terrifying encounters with the two Soul Transformation cultivators and the highly sensitive matter involving Qin Gucang and his companions.
"What?! You were being tracked by Soul Transformation experts?! And you thought to use a Level 5 Blood Octopus to shake them off?! That's utterly insane..."
"The Blue Moon Sect ruins were actually buried deep beneath the seabed?! No wonder no one found them for over three thousand years..."
"You advanced to Nascent Soul inside the ruins?! So that thunder tribulation phenomenon earlier... that was you?! You certainly know how to pick your moments... and locations!"
"What?! The underground space collapsed?! And many treasures were buried?! Aaaah! Such a waste!"
"You actually killed that Level 5 Blood Octopus?! Holy shit! That's... that's just unbelievable! You're the one who's f*cking awesome!!"
"..."
Even with Lin Feng skipping significant details, Hu Sha was repeatedly stunned. Long after Lin Feng finished speaking, Hu Sha remained somewhat dazed, silently processing the flood of information.
Huuu..." Hu Sha finally exhaled a long breath, his voice filled with awe. "To think so much happened to you in just these few short days, Brother Mu... So now... you plan to withdraw from this struggle?"
Lin Feng nodded firmly. "Yes. It's growing increasingly chaotic here. The longer we stay, the greater the risk. I no longer wish to wade into this muddy water."
"Yet, greater risk often brings greater opportunity, no?" Hu Sha murmured thoughtfully, then flashed a fierce grin. "But Brother Mu, you've already emerged as the biggest winner in this Blue Moon Sect ruins conflict. Truly, there's no need for you to risk more. So then... I hope you'll forgive this old brother for not escorting you out to sea—let us part ways here!"
"Oh?" Lin Feng's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Brother Hu Sha, do you still intend to go to the Blue Moon Sect ruins?"
Hu Sha nodded, his eyes gleaming. "Exactly! As you said, the underground space collapsed, but it's merely buried now, correct? The ruins of the Blue Moon Sect and the countless treasures within... they're still down there, aren't they? Wouldn't it be a shame not to go and have a look?"
Indeed, the collapse only increased the difficulty of treasure hunting; it wouldn't deter the truly determined. Knowing the intense competition wouldn't discourage many, especially cultivators like Hu Sha, whose skills far surpassed others of his level. Frankly, if Lin Feng hadn't already secured immense gains, felt satisfied, and feared the trouble his identity might bring, even he wouldn't have abandoned the countless undiscovered treasures so easily.
After a moment of silence, Lin Feng spoke solemnly. "If that is your decision, Brother Hu Sha, then so be it. Let us part here. Until we meet again!"
Hu Sha clapped Lin Feng firmly on the shoulder, his laughter booming within the barrier. "Hahaha!! Take care, Brother Mu!! I am certain our paths will cross again!"
"Mm!" Lin Feng nodded. He hesitated for a second, then added awkwardly, "Brother Hu Sha, there is one more thing... I must confess to you."
Hu Sha looked puzzled. "Oh? What is it?"
Lin Feng offered an apologetic look. "Actually... my name isn't Mu Feng. My real name is... Lin Feng."
"Lin Feng?" Hu Sha frowned slightly, the name sounding familiar. Then, realization dawned, and his eyes widened. "Lin Feng?! The Lin Feng from Zhenhai City?!"
Lin Feng nodded again. "Yes, it's me. I truly didn't mean to deceive you earlier, Brother Hu Sha. My situation was... complicated. I hope you can understand and forgive me."
"Ah, I see... Hahaha! It's fine, perfectly fine! Brother Mu... no, Brother Lin! No need for apologies! Do you think I'm some petty man? The fact that you've told me your true name now shows you truly consider me a brother! How could I possibly be angry?"
Hu Sha's initial surprise quickly melted into genuine delight, his earlier concerns completely forgotten. He laughed heartily. "Rumors say you bear the title 'Artifact Restoration Expert', that you can repair any Spirit Artifact! Is it true? So, repairing Dao Artifacts is just a matter of time, right? Seems this old brother need never fear damaged treasures again! Haha! Excellent, truly excellent!!"
Lin Feng smiled warmly. "Should you ever require my services in the future, Brother Hu Sha, I will be honored to assist."
"You have my word on that," Lin Feng affirmed. "Should you ever need treasures repaired, Brother Hu Sha, I will not shirk the task."
"Excellent!"
"Haha, good! Then I'll say no more. Treasure awaits! Brother Lin, Miss An... farewell!"
"Take care! Until we meet again!"
"Until we meet again!"
Lin Feng and An Xiyue watched until Hu Sha's figure vanished into the distant, murky water. Only then did Lin Feng turn to An Xiyue. "Miss An, let us depart as well."
"Alright," An Xiyue replied softly. Together, they turned and swam away, their figures soon swallowed by the vast expanse of the ocean.
...
This time, their journey was mercifully uneventful. Roughly half a day later, they finally broke through the surface of the sea.
They were now horizontally quite distant from the Blue Moon Sect ruins. The ocean stretched empty around them, with only the faint silhouettes of one or two islands visible on the distant horizon. Not a single other cultivator was in sight.
Assessing the safe surroundings, Lin Feng turned to An Xiyue. "Miss An, I imagine we both have matters to attend to. Perhaps we should also part ways here."
An Xiyue's expression was calm as she nodded slightly. "That is agreeable. Take care, Young Master Lin. I hope we may meet again someday..."
Lin Feng inclined his head. "Likewise, Miss An. Take care. Until we meet again!"
Without further ceremony, Lin Feng channeled his spiritual energy. The flying sword beneath his feet flashed with light, and he soared into the sky, disappearing swiftly into the distance.
"Ah..."
Only after Lin Feng's figure had completely vanished from sight did An Xiyue release a soft sigh. A complex mix of emotions flickered across her face before she too turned and departed, leaving only the sigh lingering in the air above the empty sea.