Lin Feng's earlier actions had indeed been somewhat impulsive. From the moment he saw his mother sealed within the Immortal Casket, his usual calm had deserted him. Hearing Bai Honglin recount the events of the past had only stoked the fire smoldering within his chest almost beyond control. While he had later managed to forcibly steady himself out of concern for how to revive his mother, the stifling resentment within him had never truly dissipated. The arrival of the Purple Flames Sect had simply provided a target for that pent-up fury.
To Lin Feng, the Purple Flames Sect's attempt to seize the Profound Ice Immortal Casket was tantamount to an attempt on his mother's life. How could he possibly tolerate that?
So, when he saw Sun Lutu challenging them outside the Profound Ice Palace, he had acted immediately. He hadn't sought Bai Honglin's opinion; he hadn't hesitated. He had even come perilously close to killing his opponent outright during the fight, which could have caused significant trouble. Now, with cooler heads prevailing, he recognized the potential fallout and took the initiative to apologize.
Bai Honglin offered a gentle smile and shook his head. "Nephew Lin, there's no need for such words. In truth, your actions today have rendered our Profound Ice Palace a great service. Furthermore..." He paused briefly. "The reason I intervened to stop you from killing Sun Lutu was that his death there would have inevitably provoked an extreme reaction from the Purple Flames Sect. They would likely have launched an immediate, full-scale assault on our palace. We are not yet fully prepared for such a decisive confrontation, so..."
"I understand," Lin Feng nodded. "I nearly disrupted your sect's carefully laid plans. It was fortunate you intervened in time, Senior Bai, preventing me from making a grave mistake."
"Good that you see it." Bai Honglin looked at Lin Feng, his eyes brimming with undisguised admiration and astonishment. "Nephew Lin, you have truly shocked me beyond belief... To utterly defeat Sun Lutu, an early-stage Divine Transformation cultivator, while only at the third layer of Nascent Soul... Such a feat is truly awe-inspiring. Your future accomplishments will undoubtedly be limitless!"
Lin Feng responded modestly, "You flatter me, Senior Bai. In truth, I gained an advantage by striking first. Moreover, if my opponent hadn't underestimated me and been caught off guard, victory wouldn't have come so easily."
A subtle glint flashed in Bai Honglin's eyes. He caught the nuance in Lin Feng's phrasing – 'wouldn't have come so easily', not 'couldn't have won'. He had already considered that if Sun Lutu hadn't been careless initially and had fought with his full power from the start, he likely could have dodged the Blue Moon technique. The outcome of the battle might then have been drastically different. But now, hearing Lin Feng's implication – that even if Sun Lutu hadn't been careless, Lin Feng still believed he could have won, albeit with more difficulty – filled Bai Honglin with profound shock and doubt. Could he possibly possess even more powerful hidden cards he didn't reveal?!
Lin Feng wasn't in a position to explain about the existence of his strange flames or the Blood Demon Blade – trump cards he hadn't used. After a brief hesitation, he deftly shifted the topic. "Senior Bai, forgive my bluntness, but I must ask... How does your esteemed sect plan to resolve the conflict with the Purple Flames Sect?"
Bai Honglin's expression turned serious, fully understanding Lin Feng's underlying concern. "Nephew Lin, set your mind at ease," he stated firmly. "The Purple Flames Sect's desire to forcibly seize the Profound Ice Immortal Casket is utterly unacceptable to our Profound Ice Palace!! Should they truly dare to initiate an all-out war between our sects, the Profound Ice Palace does not fear a fight!"
Lin Feng felt a wave of relief wash over him. A cold glint flickered in his eyes as he declared, "This junior is willing to dedicate my full strength to assisting the Profound Ice Palace against the enemy. If the Purple Flames Sect truly dares to invade... they will regret coming here!" This was no empty boast. He had already begun formulating concrete plans to aid them.
Bai Honglin acknowledged Lin Feng's resolve. "Your dedication is appreciated, Nephew Lin. If circumstances truly become desperate, we may indeed call upon your strength... However, there's no need for excessive worry yet. Matters might not escalate to that point. The Purple Flames Sect acts with such arrogance because their current strength does indeed surpass ours." A hint of strategy entered his tone. "But, I have already dispatched messengers to invite a certain... distinguished senior. This individual was the closest friend of a late ancestor of our sect and shares profound ties with us. Once he arrives, he will surely be able to repel the enemy."
"So that's how it is..." Lin Feng nodded in understanding. The Profound Ice Palace was indeed waiting for reinforcements. This knowledge eased his mind further, though he still intended to offer the help he could. After a moment's thought, he stated directly, "Senior Bai, to be perfectly honest, I possess considerable skill in the art of artifact restoration. If your esteemed sect has any damaged magical treasures in need of repair, I would be honored to lend my modest abilities."
"Oh?" Bai Honglin blinked, clearly taken aback. "Nephew Lin... you are also an artificer?"
Lin Feng confirmed, "One could say that. However, I specialize solely in the art of restoration. I can restore any spirit artifact-grade treasure."
"What?!" Bai Honglin's surprise instantly escalated to shock. Disbelief colored his voice as he pressed, "Any spirit artifact? Even... top-grade spirit artifacts?! You mean to say you are a Rank 6 Artificer?!"
A Rank 6 Artificer was an exceptionally rare and valuable figure, revered and sought after by cultivators everywhere. The cultivation world of the Shang Kingdom didn't even possess a single Rank 6 Artificer! Bai Honglin found it incredibly difficult to reconcile the image of Lin Feng – barely twenty years old, only at the Nascent Soul stage – with the prestige of a Rank 6 Artificer.
Lin Feng clarified, "Strictly speaking, I wouldn't call myself a Rank 6 Artificer. As I mentioned earlier, my expertise lies solely in restoration arts. I only know how to repair artifacts; I cannot forge new ones."
"Only restoration?" Bai Honglin was utterly dumbfounded. This type of 'artificer' was entirely new to him.
"Mn," Lin Feng nodded. "Rest assured, Senior Bai, my words are sincere. If your sect possesses any damaged spirit artifacts, please entrust them to me. Even if you are unaware of the specific materials required for their repair, I can analyze them and guarantee a complete restoration!"
"Truly?!" Bai Honglin's eyes lit up with brilliant hope and elation. "If that is truly the case, then this is magnificent news! The sect does indeed possess a number of damaged treasures. If they could all be restored and put back into use... the strength of the Profound Ice Palace would undoubtedly rise by an entire level!"
Lin Feng offered a practical plan: "I can begin at any time. Simply have someone deliver the damaged artifacts to me, Senior Bai. If the required restoration materials are already known, send them along as well – I can start the repairs immediately. If the materials are unknown, I will analyze the artifact first, determine what's needed, and then you can procure the materials."
Bai Honglin nodded vigorously. "Consider it done! However, it is already late today. Nephew Lin, you should rest first. I will instruct people to gather all artifacts requiring repair, along with any relevant materials we have on hand, and deliver them to your quarters tomorrow."
"That is acceptable," Lin Feng agreed. Yet, he didn't rise to leave immediately. He hesitated once more before posing another question. "Senior Bai, if I may ask... do you happen to know the materials required to repair the Profound Ice Immortal Casket? And if so... does the sect have them stored?"
"Hmm?" Bai Honglin was momentarily confused. "Nephew Lin, why do you ask this?"
Lin Feng revealed carefully, "The Profound Ice Immortal Casket... it is not in perfect condition. It has sustained thirty percent damage. You are aware of this, Senior Bai, correct?"
Bai Honglin gasped, his eyes widening in shock. "How do you know that?!"
Lin Feng, of course, couldn't reveal that he had used his Restoration Technique when he touched the casket earlier, instantly discerning its exact state of damage. He chose his words carefully. "I sensed it when I had contact with the casket previously... What I wish to say is: if the materials needed to repair the casket are known, and if your sect has them stored... I might be able to attempt its restoration."
"What did you say?!" Bai Honglin's shock now transformed into utter, profound disbelief, bordering on terror. His voice trembled slightly as he stammered, "Repair... the Profound Ice Immortal Casket?! You... you... you mean to tell me you can even restore... a Dao Artifact?!"