The journey back to Cloud Mist Market was unusually quiet.
The excitement from Lin Sheng's breakthrough.
The tension from the battle.
The appearance of Lin Jinxing.
Everything weighed heavily on the group's minds.
Even Zhao Feng, who normally couldn't stay silent for more than a few breaths, remained quiet throughout most of the journey.
Lin Shou walked at the front.
His expression was calm.
Too calm.
The kind of calm that only appeared when someone was thinking deeply.
Nobody disturbed him.
Eventually, the towering walls of Cloud Mist Market appeared in the distance.
After entering the market, the group headed directly toward a private room within one of the pavilion buildings.
The room was spacious.
Tea was prepared beforehand.
Spiritual incense burned quietly in a corner.
Yet nobody touched anything.
After entering, everyone simply sat down.
Silence filled the room.
Lin Sheng didn't speak.
Lin Xiaolu remained quiet.
Zhao Feng leaned against a chair while observing Lin Shou.
The atmosphere gradually became awkward.
Eventually—
Lou Han could no longer endure it.
He scratched his head before looking toward Lin Sheng.
"Thank you."
The sudden words broke the silence.
Lin Sheng looked over.
Lou Han grinned.
"For showing up."
"If you hadn't arrived..."
He glanced toward Lin Shou.
The meaning was obvious.
If Lin Sheng had been even slightly later, things could have ended very differently.
Lin Sheng smiled.
"There is no need."
"We're friends."
Simple words.
Yet they caused the atmosphere to soften considerably.
A few moments later—
Lin Shou finally raised his head.
His expression was complicated.
Then slowly—
He began speaking.
From beginning to end.
His parents.
Their deaths.
His inheritance.
The years of hardship.
His fiancée.
Her family.
The betrayal.
Everything.
Nothing was hidden.
The room remained silent as everyone listened.
Although most of them already knew portions of the story, hearing the entire thing laid out so clearly still left them somewhat stunned.
Especially the details regarding his former fiancée.
The more they heard, the uglier their expressions became.
Lin Xiaolu's cold eyes became even colder.
"Disgusting."
Her voice carried obvious disdain.
A person abandoning another after finding someone better wasn't uncommon.
Using someone for years before discarding them was another matter entirely.
Even Zhao Feng clicked his tongue.
"No wonder you wanted to kill him."
Lou Han nodded.
For once he wasn't eating.
That alone showed how serious the topic had become.
Eventually the story ended.
The room once again fell silent.
This time it was Lin Sheng who spoke.
"What are you planning to do next?"
Lin Shou didn't answer immediately.
His gaze lowered slightly.
After a while he finally replied.
"I'll think of something."
The moment those words left his mouth—
Lin Sheng frowned.
His expression darkened.
He was about to speak.
Unfortunately—
Someone moved faster.
Bang!
Zhao Feng slammed his palm onto the table.
"You'll think of something?"
His voice rose immediately.
"Is that all?"
Lin Shou looked up.
Zhao Feng pointed toward him.
"Do you know how stupid today's actions were?"
"If Lin Jinxing wasn't holding back, you'd already be dead."
"He was Foundation Establishment."
"Foundation Establishment!"
"Do you think your Saber Momentum makes you invincible?"
The room became quiet.
Lin Shou didn't respond.
Zhao Feng continued.
"You fought four people in broad daylight."
"You nearly killed a Lin Family member."
"You almost dragged all of us into it."
"The only reason we're sitting here right now is because things didn't go completely wrong."
The more he spoke, the more irritated he became.
Eventually he leaned back and crossed his arms.
"Hate him all you want."
"But don't act like an idiot."
Lin Shou lowered his head.
This time he didn't argue.
Because deep down—
He knew Zhao Feng was right.
The atmosphere gradually calmed.
Then Lin Sheng finally spoke.
His voice was much calmer.
"Revenge is useful."
Everyone looked toward him.
Lin Sheng continued.
"It can motivate people."
"It can help people endure hardships."
"It can force people to become stronger."
His eyes landed on Lin Shou.
"But it can also destroy them."
The room became silent once more.
Lin Sheng's words were direct.
"Your former fiancée made her choice."
"Whether it was right or wrong doesn't matter anymore."
"She already chose."
"Now you need to decide your own future."
Lin Shou remained quiet.
Lin Sheng continued.
"The best revenge isn't always killing someone."
"Sometimes it's simply living better."
"Reaching a realm they can never touch."
"Standing somewhere they can only look up toward."
"Remaining alive long enough to see their regrets."
The words entered Lin Shou's ears.
For a long time—
He said nothing.
Then slowly—
His clenched fists relaxed.
A burden seemed to lessen slightly.
Not disappear.
But lessen.
Seeing this, Lin Sheng nodded inwardly.
Unfortunately—
The next sentence immediately ruined the atmosphere.
"Of course."
"If you decide to kill him..."
Lin Sheng calmly sipped his tea.
"...make sure not to leave any traces."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Everyone stared at him.
Even Lin Xiaolu looked surprised.
Zhao Feng almost choked.
Lou Han blinked several times.
Lin Shou himself froze.
Lin Sheng looked around.
"What?"
Nobody answered.
The statement had been delivered so naturally that it took several seconds for everyone to process it.
Eventually Zhao Feng rubbed his forehead.
"I was wondering when the real advice would appear."
Lin Sheng shrugged.
"What?"
"I'm only being realistic."
His expression remained calm.
"Lin Jinyun's father is a steward."
"He possesses contributions."
"He possesses status."
"He possesses influence."
"If his only son dies, an investigation will follow."
"That investigation will create problems."
Lin Sheng placed his teacup down.
"So if you're going to do something..."
"Do it cleanly."
This time nobody disagreed.
Even Lin Xiaolu nodded slightly.
Cultivation wasn't a fairy tale.
Good intentions didn't protect people from consequences.
Lin Shou looked toward Lin Sheng.
Then unexpectedly—
He smiled.
A genuine smile.
The first one since the battle.
For the first time in years, his thoughts seemed clear.
There was no need to rush.
No need to gamble everything.
No need to throw his life away.
Reach Xuan Gang first.
Grow stronger.
Then decide.
The future was still long.
Very long.
The gathering continued for another hour before finally ending.
Everyone understood that the next month would be important.
Breakthroughs were approaching.
Opportunities were approaching.
The gap between Innate and Xuan Gang was no longer an impossible dream.
After saying their goodbyes, they departed one after another.
Soon—
Only cultivation remained.
The group entered seclusion.
Preparing for the next stage of their lives.
---
Dragon Yuan Province.
Phoenix Ridge Forest Mountain Range.
Compared to the relative peace of Cloud Mist Market, the atmosphere here was entirely different.
The mountain range stretched endlessly.
Ancient trees towered toward the heavens.
Countless spirit herbs grew throughout the region.
Danger lurked everywhere.
This was the territory of yao beasts.
A true jungle.
A place where strength determined everything.
The strong ruled.
The weak obeyed.
Those unable to adapt became food.
Deep within the core region—
A terrifying aura permeated the surroundings.
No ordinary beast dared approach.
Even Rank-2 yao beasts maintained their distance.
Within a massive cave hidden among the mountains, a giant winged beast slowly opened its eyes.
Its wingspan exceeded several dozen meters.
Dark feathers covered its body.
Sharp claws dug into the stone beneath it.
Most importantly—
Several deep scars remained visible across its chest.
The wounds had already healed considerably.
Yet traces remained.
Proof of a previous battle.
The beast's eyes became cold.
It still remembered that day.
The former Guardian of Phoenix Ridge Market.
A madman.
A human who had chosen death rather than retreat.
At the end of the battle, the Guardian had detonated himself.
The explosion had killed multiple demonic cultivators.
It had also severely injured the beast lord.
Afterward, the beast lord had no choice but to retreat into seclusion.
The beast tide continued under its command.
Meanwhile, it focused entirely on recovery.
Fortunately—
Its mixed bloodline granted powerful regenerative abilities.
Any ordinary Rank-2 yao beast would have required decades to recover from such injuries.
It only needed years.
Unfortunately—
Years were still years.
Its combat efficiency remained affected.
The wounds had healed.
The damage had not.
A low growl escaped its throat.
Recently, reports had arrived.
The Lin Family had moved.
The Golden Core power that controlled Dragon Yuan Province had finally begun responding.
Experts were gathering.
Forces were mobilizing.
Phoenix Ridge Market would soon be reclaimed.
The beast lord's eyes darkened.
It understood what that meant.
War.
A real war.
Not a beast tide.
Not a raid.
War.
Either the market would survive.
Or the forest would bleed.
Slowly, the beast rose to its feet.
Its enormous wings spread.
The surrounding air trembled.
Countless lesser yao beasts throughout the region immediately lowered their heads.
Instinctive fear.
Instinctive submission.
The beast lord gazed toward the distant direction of Phoenix Ridge Market.
Its eyes filled with killing intent.
This time—
It would no longer hold back.
If the humans wanted war.
Then war was exactly what they would receive.