Chapter 116: The True Identity of Le Zhengqing

Lin Feng began to re-examine the stranger. With silver hair fluttering and eyes like stars, the man possessed an elusive, sharp aura. A faint smile hung on the corners of his lips, as if the killing of Xi Lingbo had nothing to do with him.

"Xuanji Pavilion? I have never heard of it." Lin Feng’s words made Le Zhengqing pause for a moment before he chuckled.

"Oh, let me put it this way: here in these overseas regions, the Xuanji Pavilion is powerful enough to rival any faction. Even if the Shark King knew I was the one who killed Xi Lingbo, he would not dare to confront the Xuanji Pavilion head-on," Le Zhengqing said firmly.

"Xuanji Pavilion, Xuanji Pavilion..." Lin Feng muttered the name twice. His gaze shifted as he asked, "Why did you kill him? Could it be that you also wanted to seize the immortal artifact?"

Le Zhengqing looked up and laughed. "An immortal artifact? Is an immortal artifact something an average person has the fortune to enjoy? Heh, trying to seize an immortal artifact is the work of a fool. To rush in without knowing the situation—do you think you’d even have a life left to use it?"

"A master, truly a master," Lin Feng couldn't help but marvel inwardly. The Water Mirror Disc was indeed a top-grade immortal artifact, but even if someone managed to snatch it, the effort required to enter the Yinque Palace would only result in a ruthless execution by Shang Rong.

Immortal artifacts are wonderful, but one must be cautious when seizing them.

Le Zhengqing pondered for a moment and said softly, "I killed Xi Lingbo because I was entrusted to do so. Of course, I also didn't want you to die at the hands of such a small fry. After all, well, you are a disciple of the Hundred Flowers Sect."

Lin Feng was confused. What did this have to do with the Hundred Flowers Sect?

"Then I truly must thank you." Although Le Zhengqing showed no hostility, Lin Feng still kept the Ice Core Silver Needles clasped in his hand. The shocking sight of Le Zhengqing slaying Xi Lingbo still lingered in his mind; he could not afford to let his guard down.

"No need for thanks. Are you interested in joining my Xuanji Pavilion? I can be your guide. Within the Four Seas, no other faction would dare to show you disrespect. Why not consider it?" Le Zhengqing looked at the illusory figure before him and asked solemnly.

"I apologize, but I have already joined a sect. How could I join the Xuanji Pavilion?" Lin Feng frowned slightly, slowly recovering his internal spiritual energy.

"The Xuanji Pavilion allows one to come and go freely. We do not require you to fulfill any obligations or take a master. Like me—my other identity is just like yours: a disciple of an orthodox sect," Le Zhengqing smiled.

Lin Feng was even more surprised and pressed him further, "Who are you?"

Le Zhengqing smiled, raised his head, and recited: "East of the Lian Tian Island, the Four Symbols evolve the Eight Trigrams and the Five Elements Heaven Shuttle Formation; we pacify the four barbarians without even a battle."

"You are a brother from Lian Tian Island?" Lin Feng exclaimed with delight.

Le Zhengqing smiled and nodded.

"That’s not right. I heard that Lian Tian Island has long since been sealed off. How could you appear here?" Lin Feng suddenly recalled an anecdote Zhuang Bufan had once told.

Le Zhengqing laughed awkwardly. "As you said, Master has kept the island closed for eleven years. Apart from us disciples, outsiders are strictly forbidden from entering or leaving. Since Lian Tian Island is near the Erhai Sea, I joined the Xuanji Pavilion as a guest minister to travel and enjoy the scenery, living a carefree life."

"I see. Many thanks to you, Brother Le Zheng, for your help," Lin Feng thanked him again and asked, "Now that Xi Lingbo is dead, where do you intend to go?"

Le Zhengqing smiled. "This is not the place for a long conversation. Come with me out of the stronghold." With a wave of his hand, he whisked away the entire corpse of Xi Lingbo.

The two walked brazenly out of the Black Shark Stronghold, traveling thousands of miles underwater until they reached a magnificent deep-sea town. Millions of luminous pearls embedded in the buildings illuminated the seabed for dozens of miles. Jade towers and pavilions constructed from crystal and agate rivaled the luxury of terrestrial imperial palaces. A towering water-repelling tower formation provided a safe and secure living environment for the residents. This was a pearl of the ocean, a paradise for all cultivators.

"Are your injuries alright? This is a gathering place for rogue cultivators. Look, there is an inn over there." Le Zhengqing led the way, and the two stepped into the unique underwater town.

"I’m fine. These are only minor wounds." Lin Feng’s expression was calm. For the first time since arriving in the Lihai world, he showed his true face, feeling a sense of relief.

This inn was a natural residence built from seabed rocks and agate reefs. The owner was a kind-faced old man—an abalone—who was lying on a stone chair, snacking on dried shrimp. "Boss, do you have any rooms left?" Le Zhengqing called out loudly.

"Yes, the last one. One tael of low-grade spiritual essence stones per hour, twenty percent off for overnight stays." The owner slowly straightened up, leaning on the back of the chair to stand.

Le Zhengqing took out a fist-sized medium-grade spiritual essence stone, weighed it on the scale by the door, and handed it to the bald boss. "We need to discuss some matters for about an hour, so please don't let anyone disturb us. Also, book us for three nights."

"Rest assured, please go ahead, guests." The old man squinted and handed over the key, muttering to himself, "Lately, there have been more and more guests coming from afar to watch the Shark King’s grand wedding ceremony..."

"The Shark King’s wedding? When is it?" Lin Feng sensed something and hurriedly asked.

"The eighth of next month. I hear the Hawksbill King and the Sea Anemone King will both be sending delegations; it’ll be very lively. The Shark King hasn't taken a consort in two hundred years. Old Bao here remembers the last Lihai Grand Ceremony was over three hundred years ago. Back then..."

The abalone boss was still rambling on, but the two guests had already taken the key and walked away.

*A wedding... could it be one of them?* Thinking of this, Lin Feng felt uneasy, but due to Le Zhengqing’s presence, he did not ask further.

The room in the inn was simply furnished: a stone table, three stone chairs, and a smooth crystal bed.

"Is the price for this inn a bit too high?" Lin Feng glanced around, feeling the expense was not worth it.

"Heh, in the Four Seas, this price is considered low. If you go to the Erhai Sea, the cost doubles. Without spiritual essence stones, it’s hard to even find a place to rest," Le Zhengqing laughed.

Lin Feng smiled knowingly. With the Yinque Palace at his disposal, he didn't need to spend such money; he could return to the palace to rest at any time.

"Brother Le Zheng, surely spiritual essence stones are rare overseas? Using them as currency—wouldn't they become scarcer as you spend them?"

"That’s where you're wrong," Le Zhengqing gestured for him to sit. After they were seated, he continued, "While high-grade spiritual essence stones are rare, medium and low-grade ones are abundant. Beneath this boundless ocean of billions of miles lie countless mineral veins. Various factions, large and small, control dozens of them. More importantly, these veins can slowly regenerate spiritual essence stones. As long as you don't dig out the 'mineral essence,' it is an inexhaustible treasure."

"Mineral essence? I see. Brother Le Zheng, do you know where one can exchange these stones?" Lin Feng asked.

"I’m not very familiar with Lihai, but there are several islands in the Erhai Sea dedicated to trade for cultivators. You can go check them out when you get the chance," Le Zhengqing said.

"A trading island, hm. I must visit one when I have the time. By the way, you invited me to join the Xuanji Pavilion—is there some mystery behind that?" Lin Feng asked directly. The major factions overseas were truly complex.

Le Zhengqing smiled. "It’s simple. Once you join our Xuanji Pavilion, you can roam the overseas regions freely without constraints. If you want to earn high-grade or top-grade spiritual essence stones, you must complete difficult tasks, usually handled by guest ministers like myself."

Le Zhengqing stopped there and looked at Lin Feng without another word. The implication was clear: the conversation ended here. If you want to know more, join the pavilion!

"There are really no constraints?" Lin Feng was tempted and filled with curiosity. The Xuanji Pavilion was too mysterious, and Le Zhengqing himself was unfathomable, with terrifying means.

"Truly none. Positions for guest ministers are limited. Below the Pavilion Master, apart from the elders, there are only us guest ministers, and each of us can only recommend one person. Brother Lin, I think very highly of you." Le Zhengqing continued to smile.

"Since that is the case, I will take your word for it, Brother Le Zheng." Lin Feng tapped the table and laughed. "However, I have a matter to resolve at the moment and cannot head to the Erhai Sea yet."

"No matter, there is no need to visit the pavilion. Take this Xuanji Token, and we shall be of the same sect," Le Zhengqing said, a purple, star-shaped jade plaque appearing in his palm.

Lin Feng took the plaque and kept it. Le Zhengqing’s eyes warmed as he smiled. "When you visit Xuanji Island in the future, you can receive another token to recommend someone else. This token functions like a tide-signal device within the Four Seas, allowing us to contact each other. The pavilion also periodically posts tasks for us to choose from. My visit to Lihai this time is to kill the four sons of the Shark King. I have just completed one-fourth of the task. Brother Lin, would you like to join? The reward is extremely high. We shall split it, and each of us will receive twenty top-grade spiritual essence stones."

"What! Kill the four sons of the Shark King! Is this a mission you received from the pavilion?" Lin Feng’s face changed in shock.

"Indeed. As for who issued the task, don't ask me; I suspect only the elders know. Killing these four little sharks is no big deal. Before long, the power structure of the Four Seas will inevitably be reshuffled, and the Shark King is destined to be a victim of it." Le Zhengqing’s face turned frosty, reverting to his cold, detached demeanor.

Shock! Even a figure like the Shark King was merely waiting to be slaughtered? Who possessed such heaven-defying ability? What was hidden behind the Xuanji Pavilion? Who was controlling the power structure of the Four Seas?

After a long silence, seeing Lin Feng deep in thought, Le Zhengqing smiled elegantly. "Brother Lin, what are you thinking? What do you say about this mission?"

"Oh, I am deeply grateful for your invitation, Brother Le Zheng. It’s just that I have an unresolved matter at hand and cannot spare myself."

"Heh, are you concerned about the Shark King’s wedding? If all his sons are dead, do you think he can stay in his palace peacefully? Once he leaves the palace, the wedding will surely be cancelled," Le Zhengqing said with a shake of his head.

"That's true!" Lin Feng’s eyes brightened. "Then let’s do as you say, Brother Le Zheng. Which one shall we target first?"

"From youngest to oldest. Let’s start with the fourth son, Xi Fengjin! Brother, stay here and recuperate for three days. I have some minor business to attend to. By the way, Xi Lingbo’s golden core should belong to you. I’ll take the liberty of keeping his mustard seed pouch." Le Zhengqing waved his hand and produced the golden core.

Lin Feng felt a bit awkward. Le Zhengqing had done the killing; the spoils should have belonged to him. Yet, he had ended up with the most precious item, the golden core, without contributing much.

Le Zhengqing didn't mind and smiled. With a slight movement, his figure vanished.

*Teleportation? No wonder he could kill Xi Lingbo in an instant. His cultivation must have reached at least the Nascent Soul stage!*

As soon as Le Zhengqing left, Lin Feng went to ask the boss about the background of the Shark King’s new bride. As he had suspected, the abalone boss embellished the gossip he had heard. Although he couldn't name her, it confirmed Lin Feng’s suspicion that she was one of the two women.

Whether it was Chen Yuxi or Leng Linglan, he had to save her. One was his fellow sect sister—though usually arrogant, he could not watch her be forced to marry a demon king. The other was cold and aloof, yet they had crossed paths multiple times, and despite her being a master of the demonic path, she had shown mercy in their skirmishes. In Lin Feng’s heart, there was an indescribable feeling.

Returning to his room, he entered the Yinque Palace. He tossed Mi Shu’s golden core to Yinan, ignoring his profuse thanks, and sat cross-legged to refine the golden core of the great black shark, Xi Lingbo. No matter where he was—the Hundred Flowers Sect or the undersea world—only by possessing greater strength could he control his own life and the lives of others. Le Zhengqing’s words made Lin Feng feel an even greater sense of urgency, even a chill in his bones. If even someone as strong as the Shark King, Xi Bing, had to bow and face execution before that mysterious force, how many more secrets were hidden in this cultivation world?