Chapter 67: Under the Spotlight
"I really have grown tired of living," Lin Feng said, a cold, mocking smile curling at the corner of his mouth, carrying a hint of sinister charm.
"Heh, I've seen trash before, but I've never seen trash as eager to die as you," Yu Hao said with extreme arrogance, looking at Lin Feng. "Since you want to die, I'll grant your wish. After the sect competition, you'll meet your end."
An outer disciple was nothing; killing one was no big deal, especially here in Wind Cloud Gorge, the Life and Death Platform area. What was one death?
"There's no need to wait until after the sect competition. I'll give you the chance right now."
Lin Feng shook his head, leaving Yu Hao baffled. Then, Lin Feng lifted his foot and walked toward the Life and Death Platform.
"Lin Feng, what are you doing?" Jing Yun was startled and called out to him.
"Jing Yun, you should trust Lin Feng. That guy always manages to create surprises," Han Man said, pulling Jing Yun along. Although he hadn't known Lin Feng long, Han Man truly admired him—loyal to a fault, willing to fight for friends, and constantly bringing them surprises, even if those surprises were a bit too thrilling.
Jing Yun's gaze froze as she looked at Han Man, then nodded slightly. Yes, Lin Feng always seemed to bring them surprises.
But Jing Yun couldn't help feeling a trace of worry. Stepping onto the Life and Death Platform to challenge an inner disciple was no joke. Those who entered the inner sect did so through strength, not luck. To get in, you had to be better than the current inner disciples.
"Hmm?" Yu Hao frowned, not yet understanding. Han Man and Jing Yun instantly grasped Lin Feng's intent because they knew him, but Yu Hao was too arrogant. How could he imagine what Lin Feng was about to do? He hadn't even considered the possibility.
Seeing Liu Fei step down from the Life and Death Platform, Yu Hao smiled, his figure flickering as he moved toward her. A woman with such talent and beauty—he had to have her.
In the vast space, several Life and Death Platforms stood tall. Outer disciples could simultaneously step onto different platforms to challenge different opponents.
But the crowd seemed to have an unspoken agreement not to ascend at the same time, as this drew more attention.
Of course, the challengers also avoided the tallest platform—it was too flashy. Outer disciples didn't want to seem too arrogant and provoke the displeasure of the sect's seniors. Only those with truly exceptional talent dared to ascend there, drawing the gaze of the entire crowd.
At that moment, Wang Mang's figure flickered as he prepared to step onto a Life and Death Platform.
But then, Wang Mang noticed someone else moving toward the platform as well.
"Friend," Wang Mang said with a light laugh, calling out to Lin Feng. He ranked third among the outer disciples and was quite skilled. He assumed Lin Feng would recognize him and let him challenge first.
To Wang Mang's surprise, Lin Feng only glanced at him, nodded indifferently, and kept walking, showing no intention of yielding.
Wang Mang frowned. He was well-known among the outer disciples, yet Lin Feng was being so disrespectful. Just as he was about to speak, Wang Mang's gaze froze, his mouth hanging open, momentarily speechless.
"Madman," Wang Mang muttered under his breath, then turned back, letting Lin Feng go first. That guy was heading straight for the central Life and Death Platform—how reckless. Was he the first one today to dare go there?
Not just Wang Mang, but others also noticed Lin Feng heading for the central platform. Their pupils contracted, and gasps rang out as they asked who he was.
"It's him! Wasn't he swallowed by the Phantom Demon Beast? He's still alive?" Someone who had seen Lin Feng engulfed by the Phantom Demon Beast exclaimed in shock.
"That guy..." Han Man, Jing Yun, and Po Jun were also stunned. This guy never let them rest easy, never knowing how to keep a low profile.
But a hint of a smile tugged at Han Man's lips. He always felt Lin Feng was stronger than him, much stronger. This feeling had existed even before he met Lin Feng, perhaps because he held an inexplicable admiration for him.
Above the gorge, Mo Xie's pupils contracted. Impossible! How could that kid still be alive?
An outer disciple swallowed by a Phantom Demon Beast—how could he return alive?
"It's him." Like Mo Xie, Nan Gong Ling was also shocked, then his eyes flickered. Good, he was still alive. That way, he could explain things to Old Man Bei and Old Man Kong.
"Haha, this kid, even that couldn't kill him," a hearty voice came from a small hut, sounding like a curse but carrying a cheerful tone.
"You've given me another surprise, kid," Old Man Bei said, looking at Lin Feng with a wry smile. He'd had a good impression of the boy from the start, and when he saw him again, Lin Feng had rung all eight bells on the Bell and Drum Cliff, shocking him deeply. And now, Lin Feng had returned unscathed after being taken by a beast—it was practically a miracle.
By then, Yu Hao had reached Liu Fei's side and happened to see Lin Feng step onto the Life and Death Platform. He laughed and said, "Feifei, even trash like that dares to step onto the platform. He really doesn't know how to die."
Liu Fei frowned, annoyed by Yu Hao's address. She looked up at the Life and Death Platform, and a strange light flickered in her beautiful eyes.
"He's not dead!"
Liu Fei was extremely surprised, and then a hint of a smile appeared in her lovely eyes.
"Good that he's not dead. I'll personally defeat him and make him suffer the humiliation he brought me," Yu Hao said, captivated by Liu Fei's charming smile. He boasted, "Feifei, I let that trash off last time. Just say the word, and after his challenge, I'll go kill him."
"You kill him?" Liu Fei glanced at Yu Hao. Although Yu Hao possessed a sword martial soul and had strong offensive power, he hadn't focused on cultivation this past year, remaining stuck at the first layer of the Spirit Martial Realm. If he faced Lin Feng, it was unclear who would win.
Moreover, Liu Fei secretly leaned toward Lin Feng winning.
"Yes, just nod, and I'll kill him," Yu Hao said with a smile.
"Yu Hao..."
Yu Hao's smile was still on his face when a sudden voice interrupted.
"Yu Hao, get up here."
Lin Feng stood on the highest platform, looking down at everyone, his head slightly raised as he gazed at the crowd above the gorge. Today, he would stand here—the highest, most conspicuous, most arrogant place.
Yu Hao's smile froze. He hadn't even considered that possibility. Only now, hearing Lin Feng's shout, did he realize: Lin Feng meant to challenge him...
Being challenged during the sect competition was a disgrace, because it meant you were weak and looked down upon, daring others to challenge you.
And now, Yu Hao had been called out by name, right after he'd boasted to his crush, Liu Fei, that he'd kill Lin Feng if she said the word.
But before his words even faded, Lin Feng had challenged him, slapping him in the face in front of countless people.
Yu Hao's face darkened as he stared coldly at Lin Feng.
"Feifei, this challenge is perfect. I'll go kill that trash for you right now," Yu Hao said, still trying to show off his pride. He lifted his foot and walked gloomily toward the Life and Death Platform.
The crowd buzzed with murmurs. Lin Feng was so arrogant!
Not only had he walked straight to the highest platform, but he'd also challenged Yu Hao.
Among the inner disciples, Yu Hao was far from the weakest. Before the sect competition, outer disciples had gathered information on inner disciples and identified a list of challengable targets. Yu Hao wasn't even close to that list. As a sword martial soul wielder, he was much stronger than average inner disciples. No one expected anyone to challenge him.
Yu Hao hadn't expected it either.
Stepping onto the Life and Death Platform and facing Lin Feng, Yu Hao's gaze was sinister. "I was going to let you live a little longer, but you're asking for death."
"I'm not in a hurry to kill you yet," Lin Feng said with a light laugh, not even looking at Yu Hao. His gaze swept over the crowd again.
"Li Lin, you get up here too."
Lin Feng's voice rang out. At Star Pavilion, Li Lin hadn't dared to touch Shen Chen, so he'd taken his anger out on Lin Feng. That score, Lin Feng remembered.
The crowd's gaze sharpened again. Li Lin, another inner disciple. What was this guy trying to do?