With a sharp whoosh, Qin Feng soared from the back of his little donkey, landing gracefully atop a towering tree several hundred meters away.
From his elevated perch, he spotted a group of brutish men encircling a young girl dressed in violet. Her features were exquisitely refined, her eyes radiant, her violet gown flowing like moonlight cascading to earth. A glimpse of fair, delicate legs peeked from beneath the side sl*t of her skirt.
"Heavens! My youth returns!"
Qin Feng nearly wept with joy. It had been years since he'd seen such an ethereal aesthetic. Ever since arriving in this fantasy realm, not a single figure had worn anything remotely reminiscent of the alluring outfits from his former world's… less sophisticated platforms.
Third-rate dancing + second-rate music + first-rate figure = morally questionable thoughts.
Bam!
The violet-garbed maiden struck first, executing a palm technique that flowed like Tai Chi—elegant but lacking force. It only managed to push one thug back a few steps, leaving no real injury.
"Transcendent Third Realm."One of the thugs sneered and lunged forward, his imposing bulk crashing down toward her.
"Not good!"The young lady panicked. She was clearly talented but inexperienced in real combat. Faced with a brutal assault, she froze.
Just as Qin Feng prepared to leap out with a heroic cry of "Let go of that girl!", a sharp clang of a sword leaving its scabbard rang out, slicing through the tension in the air.
"That sound…!"
Qin Feng's mind conjured the image of Lin San—he'd know that sword-draw anywhere. But wait—hadn't Lin San returned to Tianxin City with Lin Xin'er? Why was he still wandering the eastern territories of Daxia?
Swish!
A black silhouette hurtled through the air. Swordlight gleamed; hot blood spattered. One of the brutes fell without even reacting.
As the shadow landed—it was indeed Lin San.
"It's really him!"Qin Feng's eyes lit up. Lin San, I love you, he exclaimed inwardly.
He had assumed it would take ages to meet another Child of Destiny—those chosen by fate weren't exactly growing on trees. And yet, here was one dropping into his lap again.
Wait… why did that metaphor sound off?
"In broad daylight, under heaven's gaze, and you dare harass a maiden?"
Lin San struck a noble pose, his sword gleaming as he chastised the scoundrels from atop his moral pedestal.
"You killed our brother!"
The remaining thugs roared, rage igniting their blood. Without another word, they charged forward like beasts let loose.
"Courting death."
Lin San's eyes sharpened. His blade erupted forward in a dazzling flash.
Rip—
The sword carved a glowing arc through one attacker's chest. Blood erupted. The stench of iron filled the air. The others raged, but Lin San was a tempest, slashing forward again, each strike painting the earth red.
"Transcendent Fourth Realm."
Qin Feng narrowed his eyes. Lin San had improved—not just in cultivation, but in swordsmanship as well.
But what was he doing here? Why hadn't he returned with Lin Xin'er?
"You brat… we underestimated you!"
The three remaining brutes exchanged glances, then each swallowed a crimson pill.
"Berserker Pills…"Lin San's face darkened.
The pill doubled one's strength temporarily at the cost of ten years of life. Even with his protagonist buff, this fight would be a narrow win at best. He had to finish them before the pill fully kicked in.
Then—boom!
A blinding sword aura cleaved through the air.
Lin San was stunned by the wave of pressure slapping his face. Before he could react, a figure flew past like a solitary crane in flight. The blade in Qin Feng's hand shimmered darkly with the power of the Longsky Divine Sword.
In a flash, the sword returned to its sheath.
The three brutes stood frozen—then collapsed like felled timber.
Ding! Congratulations, Host has slain 3 enemies. +300 Villain Points.
"That sword technique…"Lin San's brow twitched. Even having witnessed it before, the Heaven-Severing Draw still chilled him to the bone.
If Qin Feng had used that move on him, he might not have survived.
Not that Qin Feng hadn't considered it. But why take the risk when he could just mooch off Lin San's halo instead?
"Brother Lin, fancy seeing you here."
Qin Feng turned with a disarming smile.
"Brother Qin, I didn't expect to see you again so soon."
Lin San clearly hadn't heard of the whole "bone-digging traitor" incident. He greeted Qin Feng like a true friend.
"Thank you both for your aid. This humble girl—Zi Yuan—is forever in your debt."
The violet-clad maiden approached and bowed deeply. Her gaze lingered on Lin San with something dangerously close to love at first sight.
As for Qin Feng?Totally ignored.
"Excuse me?! The double standard is outrageous!"
Qin Feng rolled his eyes, mentally adding another notch to the list of unreasonable protagonist privileges.
"Miss Zi Yuan is too kind. As cultivators, it is our duty to act against injustice!"
Lin San struck yet another righteous pose.Zi Yuan swooned.Qin Feng gagged.
Thump!
One of the brutes, not quite dead, loosed a flare arrow into the sky. A massive "虎" (tiger) exploded in golden flames.
"The Tiger Gang…"
Qin Feng's brow furrowed. He knew every corner of the Qin clan's domain.
The Tiger Gang was an eighteenth-tier gang with tens of thousands of members. Its leader had reached the Spirit Martial Third Realm.
They posed no threat to the Qin family thanks to annual tribute, so were left alone.
The dying thug coughed blood and laughed maniacally.
"Our boss is Spirit Martial Third Realm. I don't care who you are—you're dead!"
"Third Realm!?"Zi Yuan paled, anxiety bubbling in her voice.
"Fear not, Miss Zi Yuan. You are safe with us."
Lin San puffed his chest. If Qin Feng hadn't been here, maybe he'd have retreated. But now, with Qin Feng beside him?
Let the fools come. He'd teach them a lesson.
"You're feeling bold, eh? Good luck with that."
Qin Feng snorted, grabbed Zi Yuan's delicate hand, and… ran like hell.