Chapter 1861: The Sister Flowers
In the Sword Pavilion of the Eight Wastelands, Lin Feng's clone opened his eyes, his vast aura gradually receding. As his eyes opened, a sharp gleam flashed through them, razor-sharp.
Behind Lin Feng, an old man strolled over. This elder was full of vitality and radiance; no one could have imagined that just a few months ago, he had been on the brink of death.
"Lin Feng, your cultivation seems to have advanced again," Skyless Sword Emperor said as he walked to Lin Feng's side. He noticed a divine light in Lin Feng's eyes, as if his soul aura had grown stronger. Yet, Skyless Sword Emperor also felt something strange—he sensed that Lin Feng was somehow off, as if this soul aura wasn't as powerful as he had expected. He couldn't quite explain why he felt this way.
Lin Feng stood up and smiled at Skyless Sword Emperor. "Senior, you look radiant. Having broken through your seclusion, I assume you've gained some insights."
"Yes. The Heavenly Derivation Scripture is profound and vast—a truly extraordinary ancient scripture of heaven and earth. It assists me in cultivating the Void Sword Scripture, allowing me to comprehend it more thoroughly and perfect its evolution," Skyless Sword Emperor nodded slightly. The Void Sword Scripture had once been the supreme treasure of Sword Mountain, passed down only to successive sect leaders. His senior brother, Iron Sword, had pursued and tried to kill him because of it. Now, with the addition of the Heavenly Derivation Scripture, its mysteries were even more boundless. Moreover, his own cultivation had already reached the Great Emperor Realm, making him far more powerful than before.
"It seems it won't be long before you can return to Sword Mountain, Senior," Lin Feng smiled. Skyless Sword Emperor gazed into the distance and said, "Sword Mountain—I will naturally go there."
At that moment, footsteps sounded. Sword Tomb walked over slowly, stopping a thousand meters away. He bowed slightly to Lin Feng and Skyless Sword Emperor. "Young Master, someone is looking for you."
"Who?" Lin Feng asked Sword Tomb.
"Perching Phoenix Mountain—Feng Ling'er and Feng Xuan," Sword Tomb replied. Lin Feng nodded. "Please, I'll go see them now."
"I'll arrange for them to be at the Lakeside Pavilion," Sword Tomb bowed and withdrew. Skyless Sword Emperor smiled slightly. "That Sword Tomb fellow handles things well enough, but his talent is somewhat lacking."
"Sword Emperor Senior, now that the Sword Pavilion rules the Central Wasteland, aside from you and me, there are no Martial Emperors here. If possible, could you help a few people step into the Martial Emperor Realm? I'll give them some Imperial Artifacts and ancient scriptures. That way, the Sword Pavilion can remain safe for ten thousand years."
"Yes. Sword Wubei has good potential and is not far from the Martial Emperor Realm. I'll help him. As for Sword Tomb and the others, they'll have to refine their destinies and rely on their own fortune. In the Eight Wastelands and Nine Abyss, as long as no external forces invade, Martial Emperors wielding Imperial Artifacts, along with your ancient scriptures, should ensure ten thousand years of peace. Beyond that, it's up to their own fate."
Skyless Sword Emperor spoke slowly. If the Sword Pavilion couldn't rise in ten thousand years, what more could he do?
Lin Feng nodded. He had established the Heavenly Terrace in the Nine Immortal Palaces and Heavenly Fortress Region, and his Small World would hardly face powerful external enemies. If the Sword Pavilion still couldn't rise under these conditions, it would be their destiny.
Taking his leave, Lin Feng's figure flickered as he arrived at the Lakeside Pavilion. In the pavilion, two beautiful women stood, radiant and alluring. Lin Feng had seen countless beauties, but seeing such a pair of sister flowers, he couldn't help but admire them inwardly.
Feng Xuan wore a fiery red robe that wrapped around her delicate, curvaceous figure, making her beautiful and seductive with an outstanding aura. As for Feng Ling'er, she was no longer the little girl of the past. Dressed in a phoenix-tail skirt, she appeared noble and stunning, like a phoenix, her aura even surpassing Feng Xuan's.
"Lin Feng," the two women looked up as Lin Feng drifted over, their beautiful eyes lighting up with lovely smiles.
"Long time no see," Lin Feng said, landing in the pavilion to face the sister flowers.
"You have some nerve. You've been back in the Eight Wastelands and didn't even come to see us. We had to come find you ourselves. Do you still consider us friends?" Feng Ling'er, though now a Martial Emperor, still retained her lively spirit from the past, pouting at Lin Feng.
"I've been busy with many things, little girl. Don't hold it against me," Lin Feng smiled at Feng Ling'er.
"Who's a little girl?" Feng Ling'er thrust her chest forward, leaving Lin Feng both amused and exasperated. He reached out and pinched her cheek firmly. Feng Ling'er tried to dodge but didn't move, letting him pinch her. Her pretty face instantly flushed red, and her bright, lively eyes glared at Lin Feng.
"Haha, see? Aren't you a little girl?" Lin Feng laughed.
"Bastard, how dare you bully me!" Feng Ling'er stomped hard on Lin Feng's foot, making him grit his teeth. This girl was ruthless.
"Alright, Ling'er," Feng Xuan gave them both a look. "You're a Martial Emperor now, yet you still act like a child."
"Exactly! I'm a Martial Emperor of Perching Phoenix Mountain, and you dare treat me like this?" Feng Ling'er's eyes gleamed with 'killing intent.' Lin Feng laughed. "Fine, you're a Martial Emperor, not a little girl anymore."
"Lin Feng, how are things in the Great World?" Feng Xuan ignored Feng Ling'er and asked Lin Feng instead.
"Yes, what's the Great World like? Is there really a Holy City Central Continent?" Feng Ling'er suddenly became interested, smiling as she asked.
"The Great World..." Lin Feng paused, then said, "It's a long story. Let me tell you about it briefly."
With that, Lin Feng began recounting some matters of the Great World to Feng Xuan and Feng Ling'er. Gradually, the two women became captivated. So, the Eight Wastelands and Nine Abyss were just a remote corner of the Great World, controlled by the Nine Immortal Palaces and Heavenly Fortresses, which in turn were governed by Qing Di Mountain.
In the Great World, there were countless forces like Qing Di Mountain. The Nine Heavens Continent had nine heavens, and just the Qing Xiao Continent alone had eighteen Heavenly Lord Cities. Holy City Central Continent was one of those Heavenly Lord Cities, home to powerful ancient saint clans, fearsome factions, academies teeming with geniuses, and incredibly profound ancient scriptures—all of which stirred the heart with longing.
"You're now a disciple of War King Academy. Are the people there strong?" Feng Ling'er's beautiful eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"Yes. Their lower-rank Martial Emperors could easily handle the former Eastern Emperor. As for some geniuses, they can even leap across an entire major realm," Lin Feng said, startling Feng Ling'er. She was also a Martial Emperor now, but she had no idea how formidable the Martial Emperors there were.
"Lin Feng, everyone in the Eight Wastelands knows you're incredibly powerful now. Let me see how strong your divine abilities are," Feng Ling'er giggled.
Lin Feng looked at the giggling Feng Ling'er, and Law power surged around him. With a thought, he uttered a single word: "Imprison!"
Instantly, a prison formed in the void, trapping Feng Ling'er inside.
Feng Ling'er struck the prison, but it remained unmoved. Lin Feng smiled and clenched his hand, causing the prison to vanish. Feng Ling'er pouted at him. "Bullying me again."
"You were the one who asked me to try," Lin Feng said, speechless.
"Alright, Ling'er. Lin Feng was just testing the waters. I've heard he's already established the Heavenly Terrace in the Great World, ruling over the Nine Immortal Palaces and Heavenly Fortress region, and has taken control of the forces behind the Wen Family and Medicine King Immortal Palace. How could you possibly compare to him now?" Feng Xuan said with a smile.
Feng Ling'er's beautiful eyes flickered, filled with boundless longing for the Great World.
"Ling'er," Feng Xuan turned to her, her gaze turning serious. "Perching Phoenix Mountain will be fine with me alone from now on. Why don't you go with Lin Feng to the Great World and gain some experience?"
Feng Xuan spoke earnestly. The real reason she had brought Feng Ling'er was to entrust her to Lin Feng's care. She didn't feel comfortable letting Feng Ling'er, a naive girl, venture into the Great World alone.
Feng Ling'er's expression stiffened, then she smiled. "What would I do in the Great World? I don't want to go. I'd rather stay as the Empress of Perching Phoenix Mountain, living freely in the Eight Wastelands and Nine Abyss."
Lin Feng watched the two women, his heart clear as a mirror. These sisters were each thinking of the other.
"Your talent shouldn't be wasted here," Feng Xuan shook her head.
"Who says it's wasted? I'm so powerful, I won't age even in a few thousand years. I can go out and explore when I'm stronger," Feng Ling'er said casually, then turned to Lin Feng with a grin. "Alright, Lin Feng, we've come to see you—that's loyal enough. Now we're leaving. Aren't you going to give my sister some parting gifts?"
"Alright." Lin Feng nodded. Feng Ling'er was willing to stay and accompany Feng Xuan—what could he say? His divine sense flickered, and a thread of mental power surged toward Feng Ling'er. Seeing his movement, Feng Ling'er knew what he was doing and closed her beautiful eyes. A stream of mental memories flowed into her mind.
After a moment, Feng Ling'er opened her eyes, a glimmer of light shining in them. Lin Feng said, "I've left the gifts with you. You can give them to your sister yourself."
"You have a conscience. I'll let you take advantage of me today," Feng Ling'er smiled radiantly, stepping forward. Her delicate body pressed against Lin Feng's, giving him a hug. She whispered in his ear, "Lin Feng, let me tell you a secret. I think my sister has a little crush on you."
With that, Feng Ling'er quickly pulled away, took Feng Xuan's hand, and said, "Sis, give him a hug too before we leave. He's definitely going back to the Great World, and we might never see him again in this lifetime."
Feng Xuan felt a pang of melancholy. Time passed like a fleeting moment. The Four Beauties of the Eight Wastelands, the Ten Great Prodigies, and the Martial Emperors of various factions—most were gone now. Thinking about it left her feeling lonely.
Yet she stood still, her long hair fluttering in the wind, unable to step forward. Lin Feng smiled, walked up to Feng Xuan, and gave her a hug. Feng Xuan's body trembled slightly.
"Take care," Lin Feng murmured, his heart filled with emotion. As Feng Ling'er had said, this parting might mean they would never meet again. How many old friends, how many acquaintances from the past, could stay by one's side forever?
Feng Xuan and Feng Ling'er left with complex emotions. Lin Feng sighed at the passage of time and the changes of the world. He sat alone in the Lakeside Pavilion, a faint, inexplicable melancholy settling in his heart.