Chapter 72: Temptation
Shrugging his shoulders, Lin Feng smiled faintly. He couldn't help being narcissistic; Liu Fei was simply acting abnormally.
Liu Fei, standing nearby, saw Lin Feng's nonchalant demeanor. Her chest heaved up and down as she gritted her teeth, barely suppressing the anger in her heart.
"I want to discuss something with you."
After a moment of silence, Liu Fei's face flushed red, but she still couldn't help speaking up.
"What is it?" Lin Feng asked curiously.
"Do you know which force is the most powerful in our Snow Moon Kingdom?" Liu Fei inquired.
"Of course, it's that family in the Snow Moon Imperial City." Lin Feng said casually. He knew a bit about the Snow Moon Kingdom. That family could claim the title of emperor, so naturally their strength was the greatest. There was no doubt about this. Just like in the previous era's ancient feudal lords, whoever was stronger would contend for the world and seize the throne. Now, in this world, things were even more naked—only strength mattered. Lin Feng didn't believe that family could become the imperial house without having the power to intimidate the entire Snow Moon Kingdom.
Liu Fei was stunned. She hadn't expected Lin Feng to be so insightful, hitting the nail on the head.
"Correct. In the Snow Moon Kingdom, the royal family's power is the strongest. Even though the Snow Moon Kingdom has many other powerful forces and families, such as our Cloud Sea Sect, none can contend with the royal family." Liu Fei said slowly. "But right now, the Snow Moon Monarch is gathering the talents of the Snow Moon Kingdom to establish the Snow Moon Holy Academy. At that time, outstanding disciples from major sects like Cloud Sea Sect and Hao Yue Sect will all gather together, receive the best resources, be taught by the best teachers, and grow into true experts."
At this point, Liu Fei paused, her gaze fixed on Lin Feng.
Lin Feng looked at Liu Fei, a lazy smile on his face. "What does that have to do with me?"
Liu Fei rolled her eyes at Lin Feng, cursing inwardly. This guy was clever; she didn't believe he didn't understand the implication of her words.
"Don't you want to become a member of the Snow Moon Holy Academy? As long as you enter there, all kinds of spirit pills and weapons will be inexhaustible, and cultivation techniques and martial skills can be chosen at will." Liu Fei tempted him.
By now, Lin Feng fully understood Liu Fei's intention. He was just wondering what identity this woman Liu Fei actually had, that she was recruiting talents for the royal family.
Thinking back to the Crimson Blood Iron Cavalry he had encountered at the foot of the mountain that day, Lin Feng became even more certain that Liu Fei's identity was extraordinary.
Seeing Lin Feng's flickering eyes, Liu Fei smiled. "So, are you tempted?"
Lin Feng rubbed his chin, looking at Liu Fei with a half-smile. "Are there beautiful women like you included as gifts?"
"…………"
Seeing Liu Fei's face alternate between red and pale, Lin Feng laughed heartily and strode forward.
"Although the royal family is strong, the other sect forces in the Snow Moon Kingdom are all ambitious, and none are willing to sink into obscurity. Do you think it's that simple to make them hand over the outstanding disciples they've trained and send them to the royal family for the Snow Moon Holy Academy?"
Lin Feng's voice drifted over, making Liu Fei's gaze freeze. This guy was even smarter than she had imagined. No wonder his talent was so formidable. As for just now, that bastard was just teasing her…
Thinking of this, Liu Fei felt extremely irritated. If she ever got the chance, she would definitely beat this bastard up, making him dare to mock her casually. As for now… Liu Fei lifted her steps and caught up with Lin Feng again.
…………
Nine Cold Peak, the gathering place for inner disciples.
On Nine Cold Peak, there was a massive cave dwelling, the most frequented place for inner disciples, because in the center of the cave was a stone wall.
On the stone wall were carved names, nine in each row, with nine rows totaling eighty-one names, representing the eighty-one strongest inner disciples.
Even more astonishing was that this entire huge stone wall was like a chessboard, and those eighty-one names were like chess pieces, able to move freely and change positions.
All inner disciples hoped their names would move forward, constantly jumping ahead, which meant their rankings were rising.
At this moment, the Butcher's great name had been removed from the very top position, but everyone understood that the Butcher's name would appear on the core disciple ranking stone wall.
And the three characters that replaced the Butcher's name at the top of the stone wall were particularly dazzling.
"Wenren Yan."
This name, which had risen like a comet, had taken only one year to stand at the peak of the inner disciples. Moreover, no one doubted that if Wenren Yan wished, he could even step into the core ranks this time. But Wenren Yan didn't. Everyone knew that Wenren Yan was too proud; he wouldn't let his name appear in the lower ranks of the core disciples.
Wenren Yan, at the age of sixteen, had officially appeared in the Cloud Sea Sect. Without going through the outer sect, he had directly entered the inner sect. In the following year, he constantly charged forward on the stone wall. Now, a full year had passed, and his name was engraved in the most dazzling position.
Many believed that Wenren Yan's achievements would even surpass those of Linghu Heshan and the Butcher.
At this moment, outside the cave dwelling with the stone wall, a group of figures walked over. The surrounding inner disciples immediately made way, their eyes showing reverence.
"Wenren Yan, he's here."
Among this group, the person walking in the middle wore a white long robe, handsome and elegant. His pupils actually carried a azure-blue color, appearing especially eerie. This person was Wenren Yan.
"Wenren, congratulations." The young man beside Wenren Yan said with a smile.
"Just being first among the inner disciples." Wenren Yan said expressionlessly, sweeping his gaze over the ranking stone wall. "Chenxing, with your current strength, you can also have your name carved on the stone wall this time."
"Mm, definitely." Chenxing nodded. Last time, having been defeated by Lin Qian in front of everyone, he had trained even harder. His strength had recently broken through, and he was now at the Second Layer of Spirit Martial Realm. With his outstanding talent, he had gained considerable fame among the inner disciples and had also caught Wenren Yan's attention.
"Heh." Wenren Yan smiled faintly, then swept his gaze over the surrounding crowd. His azure-blue eyes flickered with a bewitching luster.
"From today onward, I declare that Liu Fei is my woman, Wenren Yan's. If anyone dares to set their sights on Liu Fei again, they will be my enemy."
As Wenren Yan's words fell, the crowd all sighed. They had long heard that Wenren Yan had feelings for Liu Fei, and it turned out to be true. Now, Wenren Yan was publicly declaring Liu Fei as his, extremely domineering.
One had to know that even among the core disciples, there were those who had their eyes on Liu Fei. For Wenren Yan to speak such arrogant words after becoming the number one inner disciple meant he no longer cared about the other suitors of Liu Fei.
Everyone fell silent, but at that moment, an untimely voice suddenly rang out.
"Whether Liu Fei is your woman or not isn't for you to decide. Liu Fei has to say it herself." Han Man knew that Liu Fei was currently with Lin Feng, and hearing Wenren Yan's arrogant declaration made him very unhappy.
"Hmm?" The crowd's gazes focused.
"Who is so bold as to question Wenren Yan? Do they want to die?"
The crowd thought to themselves. Now, Wenren Yan not only had formidable personal strength but, because of his talent, was highly valued by the sect. Even core disciples didn't dare to challenge him.
"Very good." Wenren Yan turned his gaze, his steps shifting slightly. A trace of eerie light flickered in his azure-blue eyes. His pale white hand shot out like a venomous snake.
"Boom."
Han Man's body violently collided with the cave wall. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, but a cold, unyielding light flashed in his eyes.
"Say that again, and I'll kill you."
Wenren Yan's tone was calm but extremely domineering.
"Dammit." Han Man spat out a mouthful of blood, staring coldly at Wenren Yan. "Don't think that becoming the number one inner disciple in a year is such a big deal. Give my brother a year, and he'll destroy you just the same."
"Oh? Who is your brother? Let's hear it." Wenren Yan revealed a mocking expression.
"Lin Feng, Liu Fei's man."
Han Man said deliberately. Based on Lin Feng's performance on the Life and Death Platform today, Han Man didn't believe the sect would let Wenren Yan touch him. As long as Lin Feng was given time, he would definitely surpass Wenren Yan. Han Feng believed in Lin Feng far more than he believed in himself.
"Who is Lin Feng?"
Wenren Yan asked indifferently. He hadn't gone to the Life and Death Platform today. With his strength, it was impossible for anyone to dare challenge him.
"Just a kid who just stepped into the Spirit Martial Realm. He's comprehended a bit of sword momentum. He's far inferior to you. I could crush him easily."
Chenxing beside him said disdainfully.
"Is that so?"
Just then, from outside the cave dwelling, a faint voice came, unrestrained and unruly.