Chapter 73: Utterly Intimidated

“Wuzhui, you must understand, beast spirits are like the beef on this table—whenever cultivators encounter them, everyone wants a taste. We’re no exception. Though your father’s death was an accident, it was also inevitable. Remember what I once told you? Don’t follow in your parents’ footsteps. Look further ahead, and only then will you survive in this world where people devour one another…” Lin Feng’s face flashed with a trace of reluctance. Seeing Wuzhui’s rage about to erupt, he sighed heavily.

Wuzhui lowered his head, stroking the paw of the celestial wolf, his eyes glinting fiercely as he spoke coldly, one word at a time: “You want me to abandon my vengeance?”

Lin Feng was momentarily stunned, then said, “No—when vengeance is due, it must be taken. But not now. With our current strength, we’re no match for Zhou Kuigang, let alone the entire sect.”

The murderous air slowly faded from Wuzhui’s face. He fell silent for a long time, then gritted his teeth and spoke: “The hatred for my father’s killer is irreconcilable. One day, I will personally slay him, and offer his blood to the spirits of my parents!”

Lin Feng and Du Songsong exchanged glances, sighing softly. After a moment, Lin Feng asked, “Have you gone to the Disciplinary Hall to inquire? Senior Sister Helian hasn’t returned to the mountain for so long—I’m worried something might have happened.”

“I asked, but they don’t know. Those people hardly care about us. By the way, tomorrow you’re competing with Nangong Ke—how confident are you?” Du Songsong asked nervously.

“Absolutely certain!” Lin Feng replied with a smile.

Du Songsong looked surprised, but didn’t ask further, nodding repeatedly, “That’s good, that’s good.”

As he spoke, Du Songsong seemed somewhat downcast. After a while, he sighed softly and fell silent.

Lin Feng patted his shoulder, smiling, “Don’t worry, Little Pine. One day, you’ll enter the Inner Sect—I guarantee it!”

“Boss, you don’t need to comfort me. As long as you come back to visit often, I’ll be happy. Besides, Wuzhui and Little Flower are here with me.” Du Songsong smiled faintly, regaining his usual demeanor.

“Of course, how could I forget you all?” Lin Feng nodded. “It’s getting late, time to rest. Tomorrow, you two can watch the spectacle.”

…

Serpent Vine Valley. Noon had passed. Normally deserted, the valley was now crowded with a throng of Outer Sect disciples. The vines carpeting the valley had already been set aflame, leaving the earth warm and steaming. Beneath the solitary old banyan tree stood a gathering of young people, the scene grander than any alchemical assembly.

The Outer Sect hadn’t been this lively for a long time.

“Move aside! Move aside!” A squad of white-robed men entered, clearing a path for their leader, Nangong Ke. Dressed uniformly, they seized the shade, claiming a space ten yards in diameter. The crowd watched with suppressed anger, secretly hoping to see Nangong Ke beaten senseless—a thought that brought them much satisfaction.

Young Master Nangong Ke wore a smile as always, clad in jade-colored martial robes, his hair tied up, holding not his usual iron fan but a folding fan gleaming with golden light, still unopened.

Jiang Baifeng, Guo Ming, and other late-stage Qi Refining experts stood at his side, maintaining their airs.

Within less than the time for a cup of tea, Lin Feng, Du Songsong, and Wuzhui arrived together, standing before the prepared arena. The two groups faced each other, ten yards apart.

“Junior Lin, we bear no grudges. This duel is unavoidable. In your opinion, how should victory be decided?” Nangong Ke smiled.

“Who are you to call me ‘junior’? No grudge, you say? On Phoenix Ridge, if not for intervention from Inner Sect elders, I’d have died at your hands. Near the Dragon Wash Pool, the three of us were ambushed at night—do you dare say you had nothing to do with it?” Lin Feng sneered, his gaze locked on Nangong Ke.

At these words, many who didn’t know the truth gasped in surprise. Nangong Ke was unfazed, laughing loudly, “Yet here you stand, unharmed. You issued the challenge—so name your stakes.”

In terms of hypocrisy and shamelessness, Lin Feng could find no one more accomplished than Nangong Ke. Even the likes of Xia Baizhu and Rong Qingwang, for all their secular duplicity, wouldn’t jest so brazenly before their peers. At most, they were false gentlemen; this Young Master of Corps was a true villain—a rogue without shame.

“If I lose, you take the thousand-li steed, Red Wind. If you lose, kneel here before all our peers and admit your fault!”

“You! Courting death!” Guo Ming behind Nangong Ke could no longer hold his temper.

“Haha, fine. Let’s see how you beat me!” Nangong Ke strode forward. With a snap, his golden fan opened, and a wave of heat seemed to rush forth. Lin Feng looked closely—the fan’s surface was painted with a fiery red flood dragon, claws bared, vivid and lifelike. A fine fan, but in the hands of such a villain, it was like a flower stuck in dung—repulsive.

“This fire fan is called Dragon Chaser. Ready? Let’s begin!” Nangong Ke’s expression chilled as he leapt into the air, a faint red glow swirling on the fan’s surface, tinged with wickedness, lunging for Lin Feng.

As Nangong Ke attacked, a tremendous boom erupted from the scorched earth of Serpent Vine Valley. A stretch of ground, two yards long, shook violently. All sand and soil rapidly solidified, forming a row of sharp spikes, stabbing at Nangong Ke mid-air.

Earth Spike Technique! Nangong Ke, suspended above, flashed a look of surprise but remained unafraid. He kicked downward, landing on a spike, and with a crack, used the breaking force to continue his assault.

The Dragon Chaser Fan, ablaze with heat, aimed straight for Lin Feng’s head. Before it reached him, Lin Feng spun his Jade Snow Pear Blossom Spear, producing a piercing whistle. The tip pointed skyward—clang!—colliding with the Dragon Chaser Fan. Two streams of energy howled, shaking the air.

Lin Feng leaped as the weapons clashed. Both men hovered in midair. Boom! A fist and a palm struck fiercely, sending waves of energy flying. They leveraged the force, soaring three yards higher. Clang, clang, clang, clang! Their weapons collided, shaking the old banyan tree, scattering leaves and branches. After several rounds, they landed atop the tree, glaring at each other.

The crowd was silent. Outer Sect disciples watched, dazzled. Few had seen Nangong Ke fight, and none had witnessed Lin Feng’s methods—this was a feast for the eyes.

High above in the clouds, Feng Yiyuan, riding his sword and observing for some time, watched with relish, murmuring, “These two aren’t simple. Let’s see what other tricks they have—if this is all, it’s not interesting.”

“Lin Feng, less than a year and you’ve reached such a realm—truly surprising. Too bad you insist on opposing me. I’ll show you there’s always someone stronger, always a higher sky!” Nangong Ke sneered, flicking his left hand. A streak of golden light flashed; in midair, a talisman unfolded, a foot long, summoning wind and thunder like a storm before rain.

“Thunderfire Talisman! Not bad, not bad—this is interesting.” Above the clouds, Feng Yiyuan smiled, fixing his gaze on Lin Feng, hands behind his head, lying atop his enlarged Zi Yang Sword.

Nangong Ke grinned slyly, chanting quickly: “Earth fire, heavenly thunder—by talisman’s lead, purge evil, guard the path, blazing annihilation!”

Instantly, immense power surged toward the talisman. Beneath the golden Thunderfire Talisman, thunder roared and fire blazed, wild winds whipped through Serpent Vine Valley, sending everyone pale with fright.

Lin Feng stood beneath the talisman, looked up at its thunderous, fiery force, then suddenly sneered, charging straight at Nangong Ke.

Could a mere Thunderfire Talisman compare to the golden lightning of heavenly tribulation? Utter nonsense!

Boom! In the gale-ridden valley, a massive burning pillar of light descended from the sky, crashing toward the battling pair.

“Madman! If you wish to die, do it alone! Don’t drag me down!” Nangong Ke, entangled with Lin Feng, showed fear for the first time. Flames and lightning converged, locking them in the aura of destruction.

Thunder and fire fell together, about to engulf their figures.

“No…” In the valley, only Jiang Baifeng cried out.

Wuzhui and Du Songsong’s expressions remained unchanged, their eyes fixed on the fiery thunder. The rest stood gaping, stunned, staring at the sky.

Boom! A powerful punch collided with the thunder and fire, flames boiling, hissing constantly. Amid the raging fire, Lin Feng landed gently, while Nangong Ke, like a burnt log, crashed to the ground.

“Master!” A dozen peers rushed forward, encircling Nangong Ke, scrambling for elixirs and immortal pills.

Most faces wore expressions of gloating—some nearly broke out in celebration. Several female disciples cast their eyes upon Lin Feng, regarding him as if he were a treasured artifact.

“Hm? He’s not afraid of the Thunderfire Talisman—could someone have gifted him a powerful treasure?” Feng Yiyuan frowned, his thoughts wandering.

“You lost.” Lin Feng brushed the black ash from his robe, stepped forward to the group.

“Cough, cough… I don’t believe it! How did you beat me? How—cough…” Nangong Ke’s face was scorched, his clothes tattered. With each gust of wind, the air held a faint aroma of roast meat; Wuzhui unconsciously sniffed.

Lin Feng sneered, raising his voice, “Let me show you a thorough defeat! Watch—Lihuo!”

Boom! A massive tongue of fire, three yards long, shot from his hand, striking a distant boulder and reducing it to ashes in moments, not a trace remaining.

“Earth Green Flame! Impossible!” Feng Yiyuan, previously reclining on the Zi Yang Sword, widened his eyes and leapt to his feet.