Chapter Twenty-Six: A Turn of Fortune

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During the refining of the Buddha Flower, Lin Feng did not feel the abundance of spiritual energy. The more he refined at once, the less pain he suffered; yet this time, he was both delighted and anxious!

He fervently hoped his dantian would not explode again.

Fortunately, once the spiritual energy of heaven and earth entered his dantian and followed the guidance of his cultivation method, it gradually began to circulate around his meridians. This time, Lin Feng dared not be rash; he completed only a single cycle before ending his practice, allowing his body to adapt.

He opened his eyes, and two beams of brilliance shimmered before fading away.

"First layer of Qi Refinement, haha!" His laughter carried far, reaching the ears of two passersby on a nearby mountain path.

"Is there another fool now? I heard someone went mad recently from training with a technique in the Hidden Pavilion and became a cripple. This one’s probably another unlucky soul," chuckled a bald disciple.

"Indeed, strange things keep happening. I heard Lotus Town has been restless lately, with many deaths..." his companion in black whispered mysteriously.

"Oh? How do you know?"

"Shh, keep it down. I heard Nangong Ke and Luo Shangqing have gone to investigate, hoping to make some unexpected gains..." As the two walked away, their voices faded.

"Squeak..." Lin Feng opened the door with both hands, savoring the pure air outside, feeling invigorated.

"Senior Sister Helian and Brother Zhuang are both leaving Mount Qiyun these days. I should see them off and resume training after returning."

For nearly a month, everyone had been secluded in rigorous cultivation, seldom meeting each other. Lin Feng had learned this news from Du Songsong at the tea stall a few days prior and had quietly remembered it.

He first sought Du Songsong next door, but found no one.

"Could that guy have gone to the training ground?" Lin Feng smiled and shook his head, planning to visit Helian Ruxue.

Unexpectedly, at the wine stall at the mountain’s foot, Helian Ruxue, Du Songsong, Zhuang Bufan, and Nalan Yan were gathered at a table, drinking and chatting.

"Hey! You all didn’t invite me!" Lin Feng laughed, walked over, and sat between Du Songsong and Zhuang Bufan.

The group was startled at first, then gentle smiles appeared on each face.

"Brother Lin, my sister and I plan to descend the mountain today. Brother Du just went to call you, but your door was tightly shut—he assumed you were training and didn’t disturb you. Don’t hold it against us! I’ll drink three cups as apology, haha!" Zhuang Bufan laughed heartily, gulped down three cups, and exclaimed, "Refreshing!"

"Senior Brother, drink less!" Nalan Yan’s brows furrowed gently, her pale face showing deep concern. Her green attire was fresh and lovely.

Zhuang Bufan was unconcerned, filling Lin Feng’s and his own cups, and said with a smile, "A real man should drink heartily; otherwise, where’s the strength to fight and roam the world? Am I right, Brother Lin?"

Lin Feng forced a smile. In terms of drinking, he couldn’t compare to Zhuang Bufan—one cup and his face flushed, still rather inexperienced.

As fellow girls, Helian Ruxue sided with Nalan Yan, teased, "If Zhuang Big Brother gets drunk, and our Nalan Sister gets whisked away, don’t regret it!"

Everyone present could see the affection between the two, casting odd glances and wearing sly smiles.

"Oh, Ruxue, you’re bullying me again," Nalan Yan blushed, clinging to Helian Ruxue as the two laughed and played, dazzling the crowd of disciples.

Zhuang Bufan didn’t mind, roaring with laughter, "Don’t worry. Even if you soak me in a wine vat, I won’t get drunk. Even Uncle Qiongshan would have to admit defeat!"

"Hmph, a drunk dares boast!" A cold laugh sounded from the path beside the stall, and everyone’s expression changed instantly.

From the mountain path descended a young lord in brocade and yellow, his features delicate, shaking a jade fan adorned with sun, moon, and stars. With light steps, he quickly reached the group.

"Hong Yang!" Lin Feng recognized the mysterious youth, the very Hong Yang who had ‘connections.’

"Hong Yang?" Zhuang Bufan frowned, sizing him up, then his eyes brightened, fixating on the fan. "So you’re a son of the Northern Star Clan—my apologies!"

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"Hmm? You know me?" Hong Yang was surprised.

Zhuang Bufan laughed, "That Star River Fan can only be crafted by the Northern Star Clan. If you weren’t a son of that clan, did you steal it? But who’d be foolish enough to flaunt stolen goods?"

Hong Yang nodded repeatedly, his arrogance subdued. "That’s right, you have sharp eyes. May I have your name?"

"Not at all. I’m Zhuang Bufan of the Qiongshan Sword Sect. This is my junior sister Nalan Yan, Brother Lin, Brother Du, and Sister Helian." Zhuang Bufan introduced everyone and offered a seat.

Hong Yang made himself comfortable and smiled at Lin Feng, "We meet again."

"Yes, what a coincidence." Lin Feng smiled awkwardly. Hong Yang’s background was indeed impressive.

Across the Divine Land, aside from the three major sects, the righteous path boasts three clans, six academies, and twenty-four sword sects renowned throughout. The Northern Star Clan stands supreme in weapon forging—the Star River Fan crafted in their Golden Jade Hall, with alum jade for the frame, golden cicada wings for the surface, coated in black gold sand and adorned with sun, moon, and stars, imbued with spiritual power. With a wave, it can stir wind and cloud, subduing foes without battle—a mid-grade spiritual artifact.

Hong Yang put away his treasured fan and said, "Brother Lin, you made a name for yourself last month. Several elders from the Hundred Flower Sect took note—even Senior Jun inquired about you. Your future seems limitless."

His inside information stunned everyone. Even the sect leader had taken interest; Lin Feng’s rise to the inner sect seemed inevitable.

"Congratulations, Brother Lin," Helian Ruxue was the first to offer.

"Haha, Little Lin, you’re really lucky. If you get into the inner sect, don’t forget us," teased Du Songsong.

Lin Feng blushed. With good fortune piling up, could it be his time at last?

Hong Yang observed him, puzzled. "Last time I saw you, I couldn’t sense any spiritual power. Now there’s a bit. Strange... Do you know some technique to conceal your aura?"

Everyone was both amazed and pleased. Hong Yang could perceive others’ spiritual power—what level had his cultivation reached? And Lin Feng had finally repaired his dantian; they’d wanted to ask but had held back.

Lin Feng blushed, explaining, "I don’t know any concealing technique. I truly had no spiritual power before. Just today, I repaired my shattered dantian and reached the first layer of the Longevity Art."

Now it was Hong Yang’s turn to be surprised. "That’s even more remarkable. If you keep progressing in external arts, in ten years you’ll catch up with Uncle Hong Cha."

"Hong Cha?"

Hong Yang nodded, "Yes. Uncle Hong Cha was worse off than you—born with only half a dantian, so he trained in external arts. He’s famous across the northern deserts; my father greatly respects him."

Everyone showed admiration. Those with congenital defects, no matter how hard they train, can never cultivate a golden core or nascent soul, destined to return to dust within a century. It is the sorrow of mortals, and the driving force for cultivators to strive and struggle.

"So what brings you to the Hundred Flower Sect?" Lin Feng couldn’t help but ask.

"Treasure hunting, sightseeing, collecting oddities... Staying at Hong Fortress, surrounded by blacksmiths, gets annoying. So I came out."

"Uh..." The group was speechless.

"Gentlemen, it’s getting late. My sister and I must hit the road, spend the night in Lotus Town. The future is long; let’s meet again another day." Zhuang Bufan and Nalan Yan rose to leave, and everyone saw them off.

"Big Brother Zhuang, Sister Nalan, I’ll travel with you. There’s family business, and I’ll be away for several months," Helian Ruxue quickly said.

"That’s great!" Zhuang Bufan and Nalan Yan smiled at each other.

"Senior Sister, Big Brother Zhuang, Sister Nalan, take care on the road," Lin Feng said.

Du Songsong also bid farewell. The three waved, gradually disappearing along the mountain path.

Autumn leaves danced wildly. Watching their retreating figures, Lin Feng felt a bit lost and sighed quietly.

"Hey, where’s your earth dog? Didn’t bring it out?" Hong Yang arched his brows, glancing around Lin Feng.

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"Sleeping in its nest." Lin Feng knew exactly what Hong Yang was after and pulled Du Songsong away.

"Hey, Brother Du, your sparrow is quite amusing. How about selling it to me?" Hong Yang eyed the white jade golden-winged sparrow atop Du Songsong’s head.

"Sorry, I’m raising it for Little Lin. Ask him," Du Songsong replied, feigning a sour face and shrugging.

"Ah!" Hong Yang was instantly deflated, but his eyes rolled and he thought up another plan.

"How about this—lend it to me for a couple of days, and name your price."

Lin Feng and Du Songsong exchanged glances, each reading the same thought in the other’s eyes: Agree!

"What can you offer?" Lin Feng turned and sat at a table.

Hong Yang rubbed his hands, interest piqued. He pressed his temples and said, "What do you need? I’ve got a few decent mystic weapons, talismans, pills, all sorts of stuff."

"Hmm... Do you have any suitable spears or lances?" Lin Feng asked.

"There’s one, crafted by Uncle Long. Haven’t sorted it in ages. Let me look." Hong Yang smiled, his fingers weaving in rapid patterns. With a flourish, a pile of items appeared on the table.

Knives, swords, daggers, axes, talismans... Magical treasures gleaming in every color were casually strewn about, leaving everyone nearby dumbstruck.

The wine stall waiter suddenly cried out. Everyone looked back—he was spellbound by the dazzling gold, pouring hot tea into his trousers...

"Haha!" Hong Yang laughed uproariously, "Pick one. You each get a piece."

Even the least of these items was worth a thousand contribution points—each one unattainable for most. Now, dumped like junk, how could anyone not be shocked?

Since it was just a trade, Lin Feng didn’t hold back. He immediately selected the long spear. It was icy cold to the touch, pearly white, about nine feet long. Four wild cursive characters were carved on the shaft: Auspicious Snow and Pear Blossom.

Examining the spearhead, about a foot long, flawless white, three-edged, with a blood groove along the spine. The tassel held a blood guard to prevent enemy blood from staining the hands.

"Try it, see if it suits you," Hong Yang said with a smile.

"Alright!" Lin Feng flicked his wrist, gripping the hundred-pound divine weapon with one hand, holding the end straight in front.

Among the eighteen classic weapons, the spear is the hardest to master, demanding exceptional physical prowess. As the saying goes, “a year for fists, a month for staves, long practice for spears.” Lin Feng had trained in the Zhengyang Spear Technique since age eight, scarcely missing a day, building a solid foundation. Just holding this Pear Blossom Spear for a moment, he merged with its intent, quietly sensing its power.

"Ha!" Suddenly, he opened his eyes, whipped the spear back with his right hand, soared into the air, switched to his left hand, pointed the Pear Blossom Spear to the ground, spun in midair, then gripped it with both hands, held it horizontally, and—before the trembling tip steadied—smashed it down with force!

Whoosh! Boom!

The first sound was a sharp whistle through the air, the next was rock shattering!

The wine stall owner and waiter ducked under the table, terrified.

"Not bad, right? This was crafted by Master Long of the Golden Jade Hall from mystic cold iron. Oh, and the spearhead contains a bit of ten-thousand-year ice crystal. When you reach late-stage Qi Refinement, you’ll appreciate its power," Hong Yang explained eagerly, like a market vendor.

Nearby disciples watched greedily, drooling.

"Good spear!" Lin Feng praised, "I’ll take it!"

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