Chapter 102: Dominance Revealed
Duan Feng and Jing Yun also stepped down from the carriage at this moment. Seeing the scene before them, their bodies trembled, and they almost vomited.
Too cruel, too bloody. These bandits treated human life like mere grass.
"Old Wang, didn't you say Lin Feng was a treacherous villain? What about now? They want to kill us, slaughter us all."
Wan Qingshan watched his companions fall from their horses one by one, looking like a madman as he roared at Old Wang.
Even if Lin Feng were a treacherous villain, he would still accept it—at least he wouldn't die. But Old Wang driving Lin Feng away had cut off his path to survival.
"You blame me? Didn't you also call him a waste?"
Old Wang coldly replied to Wan Qingshan, his gaze icy.
"But at least I didn't drive him away." Wan Qingshan glared with fury. He hated this. He was still young, with a bright future ahead—how could he die here like this?
But now, it wasn't a matter of whether he wanted to die or not; it was a certainty.
"Saying all this now—can it save your life?"
A deep disdain flickered in Old Wang's eyes, only fueling Wan Qingshan's rage further.
"Kill!"
Those bandits weren't about to wait for Wan Qingshan. They raised their long blades high, their horses thundering forward, and with flashes of cold light, they claimed life after life.
By now, the once-large convoy had only a few people left.
"Ah..." Wan Qingshan let out a furious roar and spurred his horse forward, trying to flee—he didn't want to wait for death.
But as Wan Qingshan passed by two bandits blocking the path, two streaks of blade light bloomed simultaneously, reaping his life.
"Who exactly are you? Why are you killing me?"
Duan Feng stepped forward, looking at the bandit leader. His face, still bearing a hint of youthful innocence, was filled with stubborn determination.
"Young master, you shouldn't have agreed to go to the imperial city with your cousin."
Old Wang beside him let out a mournful sigh, his voice filled with deep resentment.
"Whether you know or not, you're going to die. Why ask so many questions?"
The bandit leader said calmly, looking at Duan Feng as if he were already a corpse.
"Kill him."
A command came from the bandit leader's mouth. Immediately, two men stood with their blades raised, releasing killing intent.
"Sister Jing Yun, Old Wang, I've dragged you into this."
Duan Feng's voice carried a note of sorrow. Hearing this, Old Wang kept shaking his head, while Jing Yun sighed inwardly. She hadn't expected that escaping the calamity at the Cloud Sea Sect still wouldn't save her from death—it seemed fate had decreed it.
Just then, a faint sound of hooves came from the distance, sending a slight tremor through the ground.
"Stop."
A loud shout rang out, unceasing, as the galloping horse in the distance drew closer and closer.
Seeing the figure sitting on the horse, Duan Feng and Jing Yun froze.
"It's Brother Lin Feng, and Sister Meng Qing."
Duan Feng's eyes flickered with uncertainty. He hadn't expected Lin Feng to come at this moment.
The bandit leader also turned his head, looking at Lin Feng as he raced toward them, and didn't rush to kill Duan Feng.
In a moment, Meng Qing had already ridden past the bandits, arriving in front of Duan Feng.
Leaping off the horse, Lin Feng swept his gaze over the many headless corpses lying on the ground, his eyes turning cold.
These beasts—such cruel methods.
"Brother Lin Feng." Duan Feng called out to Lin Feng, his eyes filled with deep gratitude. Lin Feng had been slandered and driven away by Old Wang, yet now he was risking danger to come back and save them.
Lin Feng nodded faintly in response to Duan Feng, then fixed his gaze tightly on the bandits.
"As soldiers, you disguise yourselves as bandits and slaughter your own people. Don't you feel any shame?"
Lin Feng spoke coldly, startling Duan Feng beside him. Soldiers?
A flicker of surprise passed through the bandit leader's eyes as he looked at Lin Feng and asked, "Why do you say we are soldiers?"
"Would bandits have such strict discipline? Would they understand this kind of formation?"
Lin Feng coldly glanced at the bandits. They all remained silent, standing in their positions, their mounts beneath them utterly still.
Bandits were a scattered, motley crew—how could they be so formidable? Moreover, on these two groups of bandits, Lin Feng sensed a killing aura similar to that of the Crimson Blood Iron Cavalry, though not as intense.
"That earlier group of bandits disguised themselves much better than you."
Lin Feng added.
"So, you're saying those people were killed by you?"
The bandit leader raised an eyebrow, a sharp, chilling light emanating from his eyes as he stared coldly at Lin Feng.
"Yes. Not only did I kill them, but I'll also kill you beasts."
"Arrogant talk. Since you've come back to seek death, I'll grant your wish." The bandit leader snorted coldly. "Kill him."
"Yes."
The two men who had been about to kill Duan Feng charged toward Lin Feng, their long blades cold as water.
Lin Feng remained calm. When the two men rode up to him, he took a slight step forward and moved his hand, which had been resting on his waist.
"Sword-Drawing Art."
A lightning-fast sword stroke cut through the air, a sword beam slashing out. Two lines of blood spurted from the necks of the bandits charging at Lin Feng.
"Spirit Martial Realm." A flicker of surprise crossed the bandit leader's face, and then he said calmly, "No wonder you're so arrogant and managed to kill that group. So your strength isn't weak. But if you think you can act cocky with just this, then I can only tell you—you're far too ignorant."
As his words fell, a fierce aura surged from the bandit leader, powerful and overwhelming, pressing directly toward Lin Feng.
"See this? My strength is Spirit Martial Realm, Third Layer. You, at Spirit Martial Realm, First Layer, will only become a corpse beneath my blade. As for my left and right hands, they are both Spirit Martial Realm, Second Layer experts, who can easily kill you too. Based on your actions, you deserve death, but I am magnanimous today. I'll spare your life, as long as you become my subordinate."
The bandit leader had taken a liking to talent and was recruiting Lin Feng. Though he spoke so lightly, he had to admit inwardly that for someone Lin Feng's age to reach the Spirit Martial Realm meant limitless potential in the future—far beyond his own. So he wanted to recruit Lin Feng as his subordinate, to become a sharp sword in his hand.
"Although your strength is still a bit lacking, I can make an exception and let you be my right-hand man. Follow me, and you'll surely rise to glory."
Listening quietly to the bandit leader's words, a cold sneer curled at the corner of Lin Feng's mouth.
"You're overthinking it."
Lin Feng replied.
The bandit leader frowned and said, "I am a Spirit Martial Realm, Third Layer cultivator. Aren't you afraid I'll kill you directly?"
"Spirit Martial Realm, Third Layer—is that really so strong?"
A strange, almost demonic light flickered in Lin Feng's eyes. Suddenly, a surging aura erupted from his body, shaking everyone's hearts.
"Spirit Martial Realm, First Layer?"
"No, it's Spirit Martial Realm, Second Layer—so strong."
Feeling Lin Feng's aura continue to rise, reaching the might of Spirit Martial Realm, Second Layer, the crowd's eyes narrowed in shock. For someone of his age to reach Spirit Martial Realm, Second Layer was rare.
Lin Feng's talent was terrifying.
But their shock didn't last long, because Lin Feng's aura kept climbing.
"Hmm?" Many furrowed their brows. Lin Feng's aura was still growing stronger—had he even reached the peak of Spirit Martial Realm, Second Layer?
Soon, under their stunned gazes, Lin Feng's aura truly climbed to the peak of Spirit Martial Realm, Second Layer.
"What terrifying talent."
The crowd felt deeply discouraged. Lin Feng's talent far surpassed theirs.
"Wait—why is his aura still rising?"
Many hearts trembled violently, a look of disbelief on their faces. Could it be...
"Boom!"
With a roar in everyone's minds, the aura Lin Feng released broke through the peak of Spirit Martial Realm, Second Layer, and surged all the way to Spirit Martial Realm, Third Layer, before finally stopping.
Duan Feng and Jing Yun's shock went without saying. The bandit leader's heart also trembled violently.
Around sixteen years old, and at Spirit Martial Realm, Third Layer? This talent was simply monstrous.
"This kid—I must win him over."
The bandit leader hardened his resolve. Lin Feng was indeed an unexpected joy on this trip. If he recommended him up the chain, he would surely receive generous rewards.
"I acknowledge your strength and talent, but with just Spirit Martial Realm, Third Layer cultivation, even facing me alone, you're far from enough, let alone with so many of us here. Killing you would be easy." The bandit leader alternated between grace and intimidation. "On the other hand, if you're willing to follow me, I'll first appoint you as my deputy, then recommend you upward. Your future will be limitless."
"Also, if you have any requests, you can bring them to me. As long as I can agree, I'll fulfill them."
"Still not enough? You're quite confident."
Lin Feng let out a cold laugh, stepping forward. Instantly, an extremely fierce sword momentum burst forth, overwhelmingly powerful.
At that moment, everyone felt as if they had fallen into an endless sea of sharp sword energy, at any moment, they could be torn apart by it.
"Sword momentum." The bandit leader's face changed in horror, his body trembling slightly.
"What about now? Is it enough?" Lin Feng sneered coldly, taking another step. That momentum grew even stronger!
"Brother Lin Feng's strength is terrifying. Standing in this sword energy, I feel like I could be torn apart by the sword at any moment."
Duan Feng murmured softly. Jing Yun beside him nodded in agreement. She had no idea Lin Feng had become so strong—far more powerful than the strength he had displayed that day, many times over.
Old Wang, meanwhile, watched Lin Feng's figure, his eyes flickering constantly, no one knew what he was thinking.
Hearing Lin Feng's questioning, the bandit leader's face turned ugly. A swordsman who had comprehended sword momentum could double his attack power. Lin Feng's own strength was already formidable, and with this sword momentum added, he was enough to threaten the bandit leader—perhaps even surpass him. Thinking back to the arrogant words he had just spoken, he found them somewhat laughable.