Chapter 10: Wind Cloud Gorge, Life and Death Platform
Seeing Lin Feng's boldness, Han Man grinned and said, "Good brother, but since he's already been killed, we'll bear the consequences together. Do you think I, Han Man, am some kind of coward?"
He naturally understood the deeper meaning behind Lin Feng's killing of Jing Feng—it was to distance them, to keep them out of it. At this moment, Han Man truly admired Lin Feng. A hot-blooded man should have the backbone to stand tall and take responsibility.
"That's right, we'll bear the consequences together. Besides, as long as we're within the Cloud Sea Sect, fellow disciples are forbidden from killing each other. Even if Jing Hao knows we killed Jing Feng, as long as we don't leave the sect's territory, he can't do anything to us." Since things had come to this point, Qing Yi said resolutely.
"Count me in," Jing Yun said with a smile, her smile exceptionally beautiful.
"Good." Lin Feng was glad to have friends like these. And what Qing Yi said was right—although the Cloud Sea Sect didn't restrict its disciples' actions outside, there were still rules within the sect. Otherwise, the sect would have long been in chaos.
Kneeling down, Lin Feng searched Jing Feng's body and pulled out a book—a martial technique.
"Thunderclap Sword Art."
Murmuring softly, Lin Feng opened the technique. The Thunderclap Sword Art was a Yellow-grade upper-rank martial technique. When practiced to its peak, each sword strike would be like thunder, exploding with a thunderous roar. The sword technique focused on explosive power.
"The Thunderclap Sword Art is a technique from the Star Pavilion. Both Jing Feng and his brother practiced it. Its power is formidable, but it's quite difficult to master, especially reaching the later stage where each sword strike is like thunder," Qing Yi said. He aspired to become a sword cultivator, so he had some knowledge of sword techniques. "I've also practiced the Thunderclap Sword Art, but I couldn't grasp its essence, so its power was limited when I used it."
Lin Feng nodded slightly. He had now cultivated three sets of techniques: the Ninefold Wave for both offense and defense, the indispensable Floating Light Passing Shadow movement technique, and the Sword Drawing Art for a single lethal strike. If he also cultivated the Thunderclap Sword Art to complement the Ninefold Wave's attacks while concealing the Sword Drawing Art, it might be a good choice.
"Are we going back now?" Jing Yun walked over and asked Lin Feng. By now, the group had come to see Lin Feng as their backbone.
"Since we're here, why rush back? Isn't it better to hunt more beast cores?" Lin Feng didn't want to return to the sect so early. In the Black Wind Ridge, he could use demon beasts to train himself while also practicing the Thunderclap Sword Art—perfect.
The other three exchanged glances and then all laughed. With Lin Feng around, as long as they didn't encounter overly powerful demon beasts, they wouldn't be in danger. There was indeed no need to rush back.
"If only we could exchange for some Returning Origin Pills," Jing Yun said with some anticipation. The Returning Origin Pill was a type of pill that could enhance the cultivation of Qi Martial Realm martial artists, having a significant effect on them. However, it required many beast cores to exchange for a single Returning Origin Pill, and they had to be from fairly high-level demon beasts.
A glint flashed in Lin Feng's eyes. From his past memories, he also knew about Returning Origin Pills. Although he could now easily defeat martial artists at the Eighth Layer of Qi Martial Realm, his own cultivation at the Seventh Layer of Qi Martial Realm was still somewhat low. If he could raise his cultivation, he might be able to fight against martial artists at the Ninth Layer of Qi Martial Realm without relying on the Sword Drawing Art.
Five days later, in a dense forest, sword qi howled, and the space echoed with the explosive roar of thunder. What was shocking was that the roar actually came from within the sword qi.
"Boom, boom..." Wherever the sword pointed, trees burst apart. A handsome young man wielded a long sword, his strikes like a startled swan, incredibly powerful.
"In just five days, he's already applied the Thunderclap Sword Art to this level. This guy is a monster," Qing Yi, watching from the side, smiled bitterly. He also loved swords and had practiced the Thunderclap Sword Art, knowing how difficult it was to master. Yet in only five days, every strike Lin Feng made carried a thunderous roar—a sign of great accomplishment. Qing Yi felt deeply discouraged.
"Don't compare yourself to Lin Feng. He's purely using this eighth-rank demon beast, the Flowing Cloud Leopard, to practice his sword," Han Man said, his arms crossed over his chest as he watched the battle between Lin Feng and the Flowing Cloud Leopard. It was completely one-sided. What was even more infuriating was that Lin Feng could have killed the Flowing Cloud Leopard outright but deliberately didn't. His sword technique was airtight, and even the speed-oriented Flowing Cloud Leopard couldn't escape.
"Chi!" With a soft sound, Lin Feng thrust his sword into the Flowing Cloud Leopard's brain, killing it instantly.
Sheathing his sword, Lin Feng was very satisfied with the Thunderclap Sword Art. When each strike was like thunder, the explosive power at its peak was definitely stronger than the Ninefold Wave. The sword, after all, was renowned for its powerful attacks.
Standing there now, Lin Feng's handsome face had sharp, distinct features, showing more determination and ease than when he first arrived in this world. He seemed to have matured considerably.
Han Man walked over and began extracting the beast core again, muttering to himself. He had originally come to train himself by hunting demon beasts, but now he was exclusively responsible for collecting beast cores. Still, he had no complaints. The demon beasts Lin Feng hunted were all seventh-rank and eighth-rank, and watching Lin Feng fight them was also a great learning experience.
"Han Man, how many Returning Origin Pills can we exchange for with our current beast cores?" Lin Feng pulled Han Man, who had finished collecting the beast core, to his feet and asked.
"Twelve, at least," Han Man said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. They hadn't expected such a big haul this time. But it was all thanks to Lin Feng; otherwise, they wouldn't even have been able to kill seventh-rank demon beasts.
"Perfect. That means three pills each. The remaining beast cores can be exchanged for weapons or money. If you need anything, exchange for it. Now, let's head back to the sect."
For martial artists, only the first three Returning Origin Pills were effective. The first dose had the greatest effect, offering the highest chance of breaking through to the next realm. The second and third doses were progressively less effective.
"Three Returning Origin Pills." Han Man and the other two were very happy. This gave them a chance to break through to the Eighth Layer of Qi Martial Realm in a short time. The Fifth Layer of Qi Martial Realm was at the bottom of the sect, and the Seventh Layer was only average among outer disciples. Only at the Eighth Layer could one have a say among the outer disciples.
The three didn't stand on ceremony with Lin Feng. After several days together, they had come to understand Lin Feng's character: unrestrained and with a tenacious martial will.
"Let's go. We're heading back." With that, the group walked out of the Black Wind Ridge.
Back at the Cloud Sea Sect, Lin Feng and the others went directly to exchange their beast cores. They got twelve Returning Origin Pills, three each. They also exchanged for a long sword for Lin Feng, a battle axe for Han Man, and Qing Yi took two Foundation Strengthening Pills to solidify his foundation and enhance his martial roots. It was clear that Qing Yi was aware of his own lack of talent and unstable foundation.
As for what Jing Yun exchanged, it surprised Lin Feng: Beauty Preservation Pills. This kind of pill could enhance a woman's charm. It would be normal for a woman practicing seductive techniques to use them, but Jing Yun was clearly not that kind of wanton woman. On the contrary, she was very innocent. Lin Feng didn't understand why she chose Beauty Preservation Pills.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" Jing Yun noticed Lin Feng staring at her and blushed slightly, lowering her head.
"Nothing. I'm just a bit surprised. You're already very beautiful," Lin Feng said with an awkward laugh, brushing it off. Since Jing Yun had chosen the Beauty Preservation Pills, he wouldn't interfere.
"Lin Feng, what do you plan to do next?" Han Man asked Lin Feng. If given the chance, he would like to go to the Black Wind Ridge with Lin Feng again.
"First, I'll raise my cultivation. Being at the Seventh Layer of Qi Martial Realm feels a bit low," Lin Feng replied.
"Indeed. We all need to raise our cultivation. Lin Feng, with your current strength, you're fully capable of training there," Han Man nodded, then pointed into the distance. There was a massive gorge, the most famous place in the Cloud Sea Sect: the Wind Cloud Gorge.
Eight towering peaks surrounded the Cloud Sea Sect, and the Wind Cloud Gorge was at its center, sinking a hundred meters deep into the ground. It covered a vast area, divided into several large zones, like an underground city. The terrain inside was very complex. From above the gorge, the view was open and you could see many scenes inside, but once you entered the gorge, it was a different story. You might find yourself in a forest or on a rocky slope.
The Cloud Sea Sect encouraged its disciples to train through combat. Besides the dangerous Black Wind Ridge, the sect had also opened up the vast Wind Cloud Gorge. As soon as you stepped into the gorge, status and relationships were irrelevant. You could challenge anyone to a fight. It was a stage for the strong. Weaklings who entered would only get beaten up.
Therefore, in the Cloud Sea Sect, those below the Eighth Layer of Qi Martial Realm generally dared not set foot in the Wind Cloud Gorge.
Additionally, the Wind Cloud Gorge had a place called the Life and Death Platform. As long as you voluntarily stepped onto it, life and death were up to fate. Even if you were killed, the sect wouldn't interfere. Of course, if you were strong, you could also kill others.
If there was an irreconcilable life-and-death grudge within the sect, one could step onto the Life and Death Platform to settle it once and for all.
"That place—I will go," Lin Feng said, looking at the crowd gathered around the gorge above, a peculiar light in his eyes. The old Lin Feng, with only the Fifth Layer of Qi Martial Realm cultivation, was called a waste. He could only stand above the gorge and look down, envying the strong who fought inside.
(Note: The original text contained a link and a note about reading without pop-ups, which have been omitted as they are not part of the story.)