While Lin Feng secluded himself on a nameless island within the vast Starry Sea for closed-door cultivation, the entire cultivation world of the Starry Sea had been thrown into utter chaos...
The initial revelation of the Blue Moon Sect ruins had already caused a significant stir. However, after several months of fruitless searches by countless individuals, the fervor had begun to fade. Just then, a bombshell exploded—the Blue Moon Sect ruins had been found!
Like a rebound from the bottom, the Starry Sea cultivation world instantly exploded with activity once more. Countless cultivators flocked to the Dragon Current Sea Area, diving into the ocean depths in droves, driven by unwavering determination.
The news fully spread only days after the first wave of cultivators had entered the ruins. By the time more cultivators received the news and rushed there, the situation had descended into utterly uncontrollable chaos.
The ruins of the Blue Moon Sect had collapsed. Cultivators venturing inside not only had to use earth evasion techniques while searching for treasures but also had to constantly guard against attacks from various subterranean demon beasts and threats from fellow cultivators. It was an incredibly perilous undertaking. This resulted in heavy casualties among the overconfident Golden Core cultivators who had gone hoping for a lucky break; only a small fraction survived. Consequently, Golden Core cultivators effectively withdrew from the competition for the ruins. A large number of Nascent Soul cultivators became the main force, though quite a few Spirit Severing cultivators also joined the fray. Frequent reports of Spirit Severing experts appearing forced many Nascent Soul cultivators to reluctantly withdraw from the contest.
Ultimately, the chaos grew so severe that it prompted the intervention of two Spirit Transformation stage Grand Cultivators renowned within the Starry Sea. Only then was the turmoil gradually brought under control.
It took over a full month before the situation finally calmed down. The Blue Moon Sect ruins became a newly popular treasure-hunting ground. While many cultivators still visited daily, the initial frenzy had subsided. Though the numbers remained considerable, the vastness of the underground world allowed most cultivators to operate without interfering with each other.
Not long after, statistics summarizing the event began to circulate:
Over six hundred Golden Core cultivators had perished in the Dragon Current Sea Area.
More than fifty Nascent Soul cultivators had died.
Even four Spirit Severing cultivators had met their end!! These figures only accounted for the discovered bodies; those who died unknown and unseen were not included in the tally. Of course, not all these deaths resulted from infighting over treasures within the ruins; many were also killed by powerful demon beasts inhabiting the deep sea.
The sheer number of lives lost because of the Blue Moon Sect ruins shocked every cultivator who learned of it. Many secretly breathed a sigh of relief, grateful they hadn't recklessly plunged into the fray. However, this relief often turned to burning envy when they heard about the spectacular gains made by some fortunate individuals within the ruins. They cursed their own timidity for not trying their luck back then…
The first wave of cultivators to enter the ruins undoubtedly reaped the greatest rewards. While they also suffered the heaviest casualties, those who survived emerged with immense fortunes. Rumors constantly spread through the marketplaces: someone had found a trove of magic treasures, another acquired a high-grade cultivation technique, yet another unearthed top-tier materials… Most astonishingly, word spread that a Spirit Severing cultivator had obtained a Dao Artifact! This claim was later confirmed to be true! However, the cultivator who secured the Dao Artifact vanished without a trace shortly after the news broke. It was unknown whether he had gone into hiding or had been eliminated by those coveting the artifact…
Naturally, many cultivators must have kept their gains quiet. But even just those whose windfalls became known were numerous. These individuals became the envy of countless cultivators. Riding this wave of sudden fame, some soared to prominence, becoming renowned figures overnight. Others, however, suffered the misfortune of possessing coveted treasures and simply disappeared from public view.
Then, when another new piece of information began to circulate, it instantly overshadowed all previous topics of discussion. Nearly every cultivator in the Starry Sea began talking about this single subject, uttering a name that was not unfamiliar…
Lin Feng!!
Lin Feng's figure had appeared within the Blue Moon Sect ruins!! And… he had seized the Blue Moon Sect's legacy inheritance!!
The revelation of Lin Feng's identity stemmed from his battles against Qin Gucang and the Blood Octopus after he emerged from the ruins. Several cultivators had actually witnessed these events unfold. Possessing sufficient self-awareness, they had remained concealed at a distance, never revealing themselves.
During the fights, Lin Feng had employed his Crimson Soul Flying Sword, Abnormal Flame, and the Blood Demon Blade. These signature items made it relatively easy for the hidden observers to identify him. Furthermore, his use of the Blue Moon Soul Forbidden Art led them to conclude he had indeed acquired the Blue Moon Sect's legacy.
The reappearance of someone everyone had believed died during the upheaval of the Five Cities Competition was shocking enough. But the bombshell revelations that he had 'killed a Spirit Severing cultivator', 'killed a Level 5 Demon Beast', and 'used the Blue Moon Sect's Heaven Tier Secret Art,"Blue Moon Soul Forbidden Art"' caused an absolute sensation. While many were skeptical, plenty also believed the reports – after all, Lin Feng had a history of accomplishing seemingly 'impossible' feats…
This belief solidified when cultivators cross-referenced the reports of gains from those who had entered the ruins. No one claimed to have found the personal effects of the Blue Moon Sect Leader, and no one reported obtaining the sect's supreme legacy inheritance. This absence made the rumors about Lin Feng all the more credible.
The final part of the eyewitness accounts stated that Lin Feng had been pursued by two Nascent Soul cultivators and fled. The observers, fearing the danger, hadn't followed. Some speculated Lin Feng had been killed by the pursuers. However, most believed he had survived. After all, someone capable of killing a Spirit Severing cultivator and a Level 5 Demon Beast wouldn't likely fall prey to just two opportunistic Nascent Soul cultivators.
Instantly, a torrent of rumors and speculation about Lin Feng swept through the entire Starry Sea cultivation world. Everyone debated his whereabouts and speculated wildly about how many treasures he had secured within the Blue Moon Sect ruins. He became the object of intense envy for countless cultivators, and simultaneously, a prime target for those seeking to kill and plunder him.
Both major factions and individual cultivators exhausted all means trying to track Lin Feng down. Yet, for over three full months, Lin Feng remained as elusive as if he had vanished from the face of the earth, with not a single trace found.
...
Half a year after the Blue Moon Sect ruins incident, on a certain morning.
On an ordinary, nameless island within a certain sea area of the Starry Sea, halfway up a mountain peak, ripples like disturbed water suddenly appeared in the previously empty air. The concealment formation set up there dissipated, revealing a cave entrance several meters wide. A figure flashed out from within the cave and soared into the sky.
This figure was naturally Lin Feng, who had been in seclusion here for half a year. The upper-grade spirit artifact robe he had obtained during the Five Cities Competition was now tattered and unwearable. He now wore a white upper-grade spirit artifact robe. His hair had grown considerably longer, falling casually past his shoulders, lending him a somewhat dashing appearance. His facial features remained unchanged, though his brow now carried an air of greater steadfastness and resolve. An aura of keen sharpness emanated from his entire being, though it gradually receded after he ascended into the sky, finally disappearing completely.
Outwardly, he looked much the same as he had half a year ago. However, his cultivation had undergone significant change—he was now at the Nascent Soul stage, third layer!
To progress from the newly advanced first layer of Nascent Soul to the peak of the third layer, just a step away from the fourth layer (Nascent Soul mid-stage), within half a year was an achievement that would undoubtedly cause a sensation if it became known. This remarkable progress was primarily credited to the cultivation insights gained from the two Spirit Transformation cultivators, coupled with abundant cultivation resources and a top-tier cultivation technique. Without these advantages, even the most exceptional innate talent would have struggled to achieve such results.
However, breaking through the bottleneck from the early Nascent Soul stage to the mid-stage was no simple feat. Even with substantial external aid, it required personal accumulation of practical experience, and finding the right opportunity was crucial. Unwilling to waste too much time, Lin Feng decided to end his seclusion.
"Qiu Qiu!!"
As Lin Feng stood in the air, breathing in the fresh air, Xiao Qiu, perched on his right shoulder, chirped happily twice, expressing its own joy. It had been cooped up for months, so being 'liberated' naturally filled it with excitement. It had woken up five months prior, roughly one month after Lin Feng began his seclusion. Fortunately, Lin Feng's worries about potential aftereffects proved unfounded.
"Whew… Alright! Let's go, back to the mainland!"
Lin Feng patted Xiao Qiu's head, smiling as he spoke. Then, urging the flying sword beneath his feet, he shot through the air, heading towards the direction of the mainland…