Chapter 87: One Finger Holding Up the Sky
"Heh, to be honest, your choice surprised me."
A cold smile curled at the corner of Duan Tianlang's mouth as he stared at Lin Feng.
"You have outstanding talent, so I, Duan Tianlang, valued you and offered you a bright future, but you refused. You should understand that precisely because of your outstanding talent, others can refuse me, but you should not. Because I will not let someone like you live."
"Your refusal seals your fate—you will die without a doubt."
As Duan Tianlang's words fell, killing intent surged, and sharp auras shot straight toward Lin Feng.
Lin Feng's expression remained unchanged. He naturally understood Duan Tianlang's words, but some choices still had to be made, even knowing that such a choice might plunge him into utter ruin.
"Duan Tianlang, I won't allow you to touch him."
At that moment, Liu Fei stepped forward, blocking Lin Feng, her gaze cold.
Lin Feng's earlier words had deeply shaken her as well. She had never imagined that the lecherous bastard Lin Feng, who had always left a bad impression on her, could be so emotionally profound.
Moreover, combined with Lin Feng's talent, he absolutely could not die.
The Cloud Sea Sect was doomed today, so she wanted to leave a glimmer of hope for the sect.
"Feifei, he must die."
Duan Tianlang's eyes were sharp, his tone unyielding.
"I won't allow you to touch him." Liu Fei gritted her teeth, her gaze resolute.
"Feifei, why do you care so much about him? What is your relationship with him?" Duan Tianlang's son, Duan Han, stepped forward, staring coldly at Lin Feng. He had recognized Lin Feng long ago. That day at the foot of the mountain, Liu Fei had paused because of Lin Feng, clearly knowing him, though she had denied it at the time, saying they were just fellow disciples.
But now, Liu Fei was protecting Lin Feng so fiercely—a talented young man. This instantly stirred a strange emotion in Duan Han, who had always regarded Liu Fei as his woman.
"What relationship I have with him is none of your business." Liu Fei glared at Duan Han, then turned to the surrounding Crimson Blood Iron Cavalry and shouted loudly, "Listen to me, all of you. I don't care what orders you've received, but none of you are to touch this man. Otherwise, no matter whose command you flee to, my father will surely drag you out and deal with you by military law."
Hearing this, Duan Han's face darkened even further. He said coldly, "Feifei, do you like him?"
"So what if I do?" Liu Fei retorted angrily. Who she liked had nothing to do with Duan Han.
Duan Han's gaze froze, then his expression turned sinister. He said coldly, "Fine, fine. Then he deserves to die even more."
"Lin Feng, weren't you speaking so righteously just now? Why are you hiding behind a woman now?"
Lin Feng smiled bitterly. This girl Liu Fei... she had already used him as a shield twice.
Stepping forward, Lin Feng walked to Liu Fei's side, took her arm, and said softly, "Since you're already my woman, how can I let you stand in front of me?"
"Ah..."
Liu Fei's face stiffened as she looked at Lin Feng's teasing gaze. She was speechless. This bastard, at a time like this, he was still thinking about taking advantage of her...
But Duan Han's expression grew even uglier.
"Your woman? What right do you have to call Liu Fei your woman? Lin Feng, do you dare to take one of my sword strikes?"
"Lin Feng, don't."
Liu Fei grabbed Lin Feng. She knew Duan Han's strength well—he was far more terrifying than Wenren Yan, and his sword was incredibly powerful.
But Lin Feng could not back down now.
"Why wouldn't I dare?"
Taking a step forward, Lin Feng stood opposite Duan Han. Duan Han was about eighteen years old. Even if he had outstanding talent, he couldn't be so strong that Lin Feng couldn't resist, could he?
"Hmph, take this well."
Duan Han sneered, and a surging sword aura suddenly bloomed in the space, as if appearing out of nowhere.
This sword aura was almost tangible, whistling as it grew stronger and stronger.
"Sword momentum."
The crowd's hearts trembled. It was sword momentum. Duan Tianlang's son, Duan Han, like Lin Feng, had also mastered sword momentum. However, although this sword aura was stronger than Lin Feng's, his control over sword momentum was still inferior to Lin Feng's.
Lin Feng's expression tightened. Gripping his longsword, he unleashed a surging sword momentum of his own, rushing forward fiercely.
"Hmph. A swordsman doesn't necessarily need a sword. Watch closely."
Duan Han's finger traced through the air, and instantly, the world's energy surged, merging with the sword aura in the space. A sword of energy took shape in the void, pulsing with sword light in Duan Han's hand.
"Boom."
The crowd's hearts trembled. Energy transforming into a sword? How was that possible? How could Duan Han be so strong?
No, this must be a sword technique—a powerful martial skill.
"Sword."
Duan Han shouted coldly. In his palm, the energy sword pulsed with intensely sharp sword light.
The sword descended from the air, and the sword energy condensed into a giant blade, aiming to slay Lin Feng.
At that moment, all the sword aura merged into this sword energy, and an overwhelming pressure of swords crashed down toward Lin Feng.
Lin Feng could have dodged, but he couldn't. If he did, what would be the point of stepping forward to take this strike?
Compared to him, Duan Han was more of a true swordsman, a sword cultivator. Lin Feng had to admit this. As for the sword users he had encountered before, they couldn't even be called swordsmen, even if they had sword martial souls.
"Life-Seizing Sword."
Seeing the invisible sword descending from the sky, Lin Feng swung his longsword. Dazzling light bloomed, and sword energy spread in all directions.
Endless killing intent erupted on the Life and Death Platform. The Life-Seizing Sword, beneath the descending invisible blade, scattered and shattered, unable to condense its sword energy.
"So domineering." Lin Feng's pupils contracted. At that moment, the giant sword had already descended, landing on his longsword. Lin Feng felt a surge of immense pressure, causing him to grunt.
But even more terrifying was the endless sword energy from the giant sword, which shot straight toward Lin Feng's body.
"Pfft!"
His body trembled slightly. Lin Feng staggered back, a trace of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, bright red.
Looking at Lin Feng's clothes now, they were riddled with holes.
And Liu Fei, standing not far from Lin Feng, was completely unaffected. Seeing Lin Feng injured, she immediately stepped forward to support him.
"I'm fine." Lin Feng shook his head lightly. One strike, with all the sword energy condensed together, its power was terrifying. Although Lin Feng had lost this battle thoroughly, he had gained many insights.
"So powerful. He's about the same age as Wenren Yan, but his strength far surpasses Wenren's. Another genius, a sword cultivator prodigy."
The crowd's hearts trembled. Sword cultivators were indeed formidable, with such strong offensive power.
"See that? You can't even withstand one of my sword strikes. What do you have to compare with me? In terms of strength, you're far behind."
Duan Han glanced at Lin Feng, his gaze cold. Raising his hand, Duan Han shouted into the air, "Draw bows!"
"Ha!"
A series of shouts rang out. Killing intent filled the air. The Crimson Blood Iron Cavalry above the canyon and around it all drew their bows.
An incredibly oppressive aura pressed down on the Life and Death Platform area.
"With one command, they all obey without question. They follow my orders. I hold the power of life and death, controlling countless destinies. In terms of influence, what do you have to compare with me?"
Duan Han lowered his hand, and the Crimson Blood Iron Cavalry immediately put away their bows with practiced precision.
"Your strength is inferior to mine, and your influence is worlds apart. What right do you have to approach Liu Fei?"
Duan Han said coldly, his voice shaking the air.
"Duan Han, you're shameless." Liu Fei, standing beside Lin Feng, cursed.
"You have your current strength because of your family's nurturing. Born into the royal family, you've never lacked famous teachers or cultivation resources. What does Lin Feng have? And the techniques and martial skills you practice are all top-tier. That 'One Finger Holding Up the Sky' just now is a high-grade Mysterious-level martial skill, inherently extremely powerful. Aren't you ashamed to compare yourself to Lin Feng like this?"
"As for your so-called influence, it's also granted by your family because of your status, not something you earned through your own strength and effort. What does that count for?"
"Feifei, no matter how I got my strength or influence, you can't deny that they are now part of me. I am who I am, and all of this is mine. Lin Feng doesn't even have the qualifications to compare with me." Duan Han disagreed with Liu Fei's words.
"Even if it's all yours, so what? Don't forget, you're older than Lin Feng. With his talent, give him two years, and won't he surpass you? Comparing like this, don't you have any shame?"
Liu Fei shouted coldly, making the crowd nod inwardly.
Yes, both Duan Han and Liu Fei had valid points.
Duan Han, due to his good birth and high status, had achieved his current strength and influence. But that couldn't deny that these were now his possessions.
As for Lin Feng, his birth wasn't as good as Duan Han's, and he relied on his own efforts. If their positions were swapped, he would undoubtedly be far stronger than Duan Han. Moreover, Lin Feng was younger, two years younger than Duan Han. Two years would be enough for Lin Feng to surpass Duan Han. Lin Feng's talent was still greater than Duan Han's.
"No matter what you say, strong is strong, weak is weak. And today, he must die."
"Enough. Why argue over an outsider? Feifei, you will eventually become a member of the Duan family. Come over here now."
Duan Tianlang interrupted their argument, his tone brooking no dissent, as if the words he spoke would inevitably come true. Liu Fei would become a member of the Duan family.
"Dream on. I, Liu Fei, will never become a member of the Duan family."
"Hmph, Liu Fei, it's fine to say that in front of me, but if it spreads, you'll be guilty of treason. Don't forget, the Duan family is the royal family."
Duan Tianlang flicked his sleeve, his tone cold. Immediately, the Crimson Blood Iron Cavalry, who had lowered their bows, drew them again, aiming at the Wind and Cloud Canyon, the Life and Death Platform area.