# Chapter 215: Pain, Love
Lin Feng's gaze congealed slightly, a trace of surprise flashing through his eyes.
The other two helmeted soldiers also glanced at him, a strange look passing through their exposed eyes.
"Lin Feng, the three of us have no intention of being your enemy. We'll leave now."
That person said indifferently, continuing to mount his warhorse, standing side by side with the other two, and spoke.
"Am I right?"
The other two were silent for a moment, then nodded.
"Then let's go." That person spoke again, then turned his horse around. The other two, seeing that Lin Feng showed no intention of stopping them, turned around, stomped hard, and their warhorses neighed as they suddenly galloped off, as if afraid Lin Feng would pursue and kill them.
But just as their warhorses passed the first person, an intense sense of crisis descended. Then two booming sounds rang out. The two of them only felt a sweetness at their throats as they spat out mouthfuls of blood.
Then, a clattering sound came from behind them. They felt their bodies tighten as a wild and overbearing force was released, their bodies lunging forward. But it was already too late. Just as their bodies were about to lunge out, two vast palm forces directly descended upon them, destroying their vitality.
Lin Feng and Duan Xinye's gazes congealed again as they watched the masked soldier slowly returning to his warhorse.
They saw that person mount his warhorse and come before Lin Feng and Duan Xinye, saying: "Lin Feng, although you managed to break through in a moment of crisis, your body should still be very weak right now. You can't fight for long. I've eliminated the hidden danger for you. You should find a place to rest as soon as possible."
"Hmm?"
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed slightly. He knew he was very weak.
That was right. Although his bones had shattered and then reorganized, and his realm had climbed again, reaching the state of Man and Sword as One, at this moment, the reorganization of Lin Feng's bones and flesh within his body was not yet complete. Moreover, his internal organs had indeed suffered severe trauma. Only he himself understood his current condition.
This was also the reason he had watched them leave without pursuing — he simply didn't have the strength.
But since this person had seen through it, why was he helping him?
Who was this person? And why was he together with the commander of the Black Fiend Guard?
"Who are you?" Lin Feng asked.
"You don't need to know who I am. Lin Feng, perseverance, unyieldingness, fearlessness — these are the foundations of your heart, your martial path. But not everyone will hold to such things. Sometimes, for the sake of survival, one still needs to endure humiliation and bear burdens."
This person didn't answer Lin Feng's question, speaking as if to himself.
"Lin Feng, this war between the two countries is far simpler than you imagine. Hundreds of thousands of troops, in the eyes of certain people behind the curtains, are nothing but chess pieces, ants — to be abandoned and sacrificed at any time, only to achieve their goals. And this time, your adventure coming here wasn't worth it at all, because the princess was never in any danger."
The helmeted soldier continued, his exposed eyes looking at Lin Feng, his tone carrying a hint of advice.
"Remember not to return by the same route. The Moyue army won't all die on the battlefield — at least Moji won't die. After the army returns to Moyue, you should go back to Snow Moon. Finally, I hope you can revive Cloud Sea."
Having said this, the person turned his horse around, then suddenly urged it forward. The warhorse galloped off, his figure gradually fading into the distance.
Looking at the retreating figure, Lin Feng's eyes flickered, his mind repeatedly replaying the other's words.
"Revive Cloud Sea!"
Lin Feng murmured to himself, then thought of what the other had said about perseverance, unyieldingness, fearlessness being the foundations of his heart, while many people sometimes need to endure humiliation for the sake of survival. The implication was likely that this person himself had endured humiliation for survival.
This person was from Cloud Sea Sect.
That was right. This person was definitely from Cloud Sea Sect, and moreover, someone who had defected to Snow Moon Holy Academy. That was why he had spoken such words.
His attack was like a vast ocean, his strength formidable — he was at the Eighth Layer of Spirit Martial Realm. Suddenly, a figure emerged in Lin Feng's mind — the figure of the most dazzling genius of Cloud Sea Sect in the past.
"Linghu... Heshan!"
That person must be the former number one core disciple of Cloud Sea Sect, Linghu Heshan.
"Lin Feng, this war between the two countries is far simpler than you imagine. Hundreds of thousands of troops, in the eyes of certain people behind the curtains, are nothing but chess pieces, ants — to be abandoned and sacrificed at any time, only to achieve their goals. And this time, your adventure coming here wasn't worth it at all, because the princess was never in any danger."
Lin Feng thought of Linghu Heshan's words again, his heart trembling. That was right. Linghu Heshan, a disciple of Snow Moon Holy Academy, was actually by the princess's side. This meant that the four helmeted soldiers were all from Snow Moon Holy Academy.
People from Snow Moon Holy Academy were together with the Black Fiend Guard, both by Duan Xinye's side.
Two forces that should have been completely hostile were coexisting harmoniously.
Above Snow Moon Holy Academy was Duan Tianlang; above the Black Fiend Guard was Moji.
Thinking of this, Lin Feng suddenly felt a chill — a coldness from head to toe, penetrating his heart, his marrow, his soul.
This was a battle with a predetermined outcome. This was a war that had already been planned.
The princess being captured, the internal chaos, the sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of soldiers — everything had already been decided, within the plan. Everything was only to achieve the goals of certain people behind the curtains. Some people wanted Lin Feng dead, so they made him witness the princess being captured and framed him. Some people wanted Liu Canglan dead, so they directed this tragic war, sending hundreds of thousands of soldiers to their deaths.
Yet Lin Feng struggled desperately, directing a reversal of the vast war. He was unwilling, so he pursued for a thousand li, found Duan Xinye. But was all of this really worth it?
Fortunately, Lin Feng hadn't died. Moreover, he had broken through in his comprehension of realms, stepping into the state of Man and Sword as One, his strength stronger than before.
Standing there in silence for a long time, Lin Feng finally moved, letting out a sigh. Everything had dissipated like smoke.
He, Lin Feng, only sought to have a clear conscience. He, Lin Feng, only sought not to violate his original heart. That was enough.
As for those schemes, those calculations — let him hold his longsword and cut them down, break them apart.
On the martial path, when one reaches the heavens, even the sky can be destroyed, let alone mere schemes.
Lin Feng's gaze turned to Duan Xinye. His eyes were indifferent, devoid of any emotion, as if looking at a stranger.
"Lin Feng!"
Seeing Lin Feng's eyes, Duan Xinye felt cold all over. Her gaze was pitiful and moving, arousing sympathy.
Lin Feng stepped forward, then waved his hand. The vines on Duan Xinye's body were continuously cut and broken.
Having done this, Lin Feng turned around, stepped out, and directly left, not bothering with Duan Xinye.
So she had been fine all along. The safest person was her.
But because of her, hundreds of thousands of soldiers had given their lives. Lin Feng himself had nearly been buried here.
"Lin Feng, I didn't know."
Duan Xinye's voice was low, her eyes moist. She had understood everything from Linghu Heshan's words. She also knew what Lin Feng was thinking at this moment.
She, Duan Xinye, was a princess, lofty and exalted, and also the most crucial point of this scheme. How could she not know the truth and inside story? Moreover, Lin Feng had already asked her why she had come to the battlefield, because there was no need for her to come, and there was danger. The birth of this scheme undoubtedly gave her a reason to come to the battlefield. She could also understand why Lin Feng would think in that direction.
Lin Feng's footsteps continued, without any intention of stopping. His back carried a hint of desolation, but also a hint of persistence.
"Lin Feng, I really didn't know."
A teardrop slid down the corner of Duan Xinye's eye. Her heart actually ached.
A woman only feels pain when she loves.
Perhaps, she had fallen in love.
# Chapter 216: Exhausted Yuan Qi
On the vast ancient road, a carriage left tracks upon the yellow earth.
This carriage was pulled by three strong horses, with many people riding on horseback before and after it, seemingly escorting the carriage's journey.
"Whoa..."
At this moment, the carriage driver pulled the reins, bringing the carriage to a stop.
The people on either side stepped forward and circled around a spot. There, a figure was lying quietly on the ground, still wearing a suit of armor, seemingly a soldier.
"Uncle Fu, his breathing is normal, not disordered at all. He's a living person, just unconscious."
A man who had jumped off the carriage checked and then reported to the driver.
"Move him to the roadside. We still need to continue our journey."
The driver, Uncle Fu, said indifferently. The man was about to comply, but at that moment, a delicate jade hand extended from the carriage curtain. Then, a face as delicate as porcelain appeared — a young girl, fifteen or sixteen years old, with clear eyes that kept flickering.
"Uncle Fu, why is there a soldier lying in the middle of the road?"
The girl asked in a crisp voice. Uncle Fu shook his head: "I'm not sure, but ordinary soldiers of our Moyue generally aren't very strong, unless they're officers above the rank of thousand-man commander. This person should be very weak. He might have been abandoned on the road for some reason."
"Oh." The girl nodded slightly, her eyes flickering. Then she said: "Bring him onto the carriage."
"Miss, that's not appropriate." Uncle Fu's eyes congealed as he spoke.
"It's okay, Uncle Fu." The girl smiled carelessly, then said to the person near Lin Feng: "Move that person over to my side."
That person glanced at Uncle Fu. Seeing Uncle Fu helplessly nod, he could only move the lying body into the carriage curtain.
The convoy slowly moved forward again. Inside the carriage curtain, there were two women. Besides the delicate young girl, there was also a woman of eighteen or nineteen, quite beautiful as well.
"Zi Ling, how can you casually bring a stranger up here?"
The eighteen or nineteen-year-old woman looked at the young girl curiously examining the young man lying in the carriage and couldn't help frowning.
"Sister Zi Yi, look, he seems very young. How old do you think he is?"
The young girl seemed not to have heard the other's words, her lively eyes carrying a hint of curiosity.
Zi Yi helplessly glanced at the young girl, slightly shook her head, and then her gaze fell on the face of the lying figure. The next moment, her eyes also congealed slightly.
"What a handsome young man."
Zi Yi sighed inwardly. Although this young man was unconscious, his face had distinct features, sword-like eyebrows as dark as ink. His entire face was very handsome. Even while unconscious, he still carried a somewhat ethereal temperament.
Such a young man shouldn't be a soldier. Why was he wearing armor?
"Sister Zi Yi, I think he's about your age, and quite handsome too. He'd be quite a match for you."
The young girl spoke to herself, as if she had discovered something novel.
"Nonsense."
Zi Yi scolded, somewhat displeased.
"Sister Zi Yi, I'm just joking with you. I know your husband at least has to be stronger than you. And Sister Zi Yi yourself are a genius at the Third Layer of Spirit Martial Realm. He's young and a soldier — how could he possibly be stronger than you?"
Zi Ling stuck out her tongue and laughed, making Zi Yi helplessly shake her head.
"Zi Ling, don't just talk about me. You should focus on finding your genius sword cultivator."
"Hehe." Zi Ling laughed. "Sister Zi Yi, what's going on with Zi Qiong suddenly announcing his marriage? I've never heard of him liking any woman before."
Hearing Zi Ling's words, Zi Yi also frowned, then said: "The sacrificial day is approaching. Zi Qiong should start a family before he can enter the forbidden ground, so getting married is normal. As for the woman, I heard Zi Qiong only met her a few days ago. I don't know the specifics either."
Zi Ling's eyes flickered, then she shook her head in confusion.
But just then, the finger of the figure on the ground suddenly moved, congealing Zi Ling's gaze. "He's awake."
They saw the eyelashes of the lying figure move, and then his eyes slowly opened.
These were clean, handsome eyes — large and bright. But at this moment, these eyes were full of confusion.
It turned out that this young man was Lin Feng.
That day, after leaving Duan Xinye, he had walked some distance, feeling as if some incomplete transformation was happening in his body. Then, he had fallen to the ground, his mind blank.
He didn't know what happened next. He didn't even know how many days had passed.
Zi Ling and Zi Yi were both stunned by Lin Feng's eyes. What a handsome young man. Now that Lin Feng's eyes were open, he seemed even more handsome and refined.
"Where am I?"
Lin Feng also examined the two young women before him, asking in confusion.
"You're awake. My name is Zi Ling. I saw you lying on a small path, and since we were passing by, I had you brought onto the carriage." Zi Ling's eyes kept moving as she said to Lin Feng: "By the way, why did you faint on the path? And are you a soldier? What rank? How strong are you?"
Zi Ling fired off a series of questions, making Lin Feng feel a bit overwhelmed. He weakly asked: "Can I get up first?"
"Oh." Zi Ling was a bit embarrassed, then pulled the lying Lin Feng up, making him sit across from her.
"My name is Lin Feng. I fainted because I was injured. I'm an ordinary soldier. As for my strength..."
Lin Feng said this while trying to mobilize the heaven and earth yuan qi within his body. But the next moment, his gaze froze. At this moment, he felt completely empty inside, without a trace of yuan qi.
"What's going on?"
Lin Feng's heart trembled violently, his pupils sharply contracting. He clearly remembered that his realm had broken through and his strength should have increased. Why was there no yuan qi fluctuation in his body at all? He couldn't mobilize any heaven and earth yuan qi.
"What's wrong with you?" Zi Ling saw the change in Lin Feng's expression and asked: "You were saying about your strength?"
Lin Feng glanced at Zi Ling, then closed his eyes, sensing everything around him. Very clearly.
Even without releasing the first level of his Heavenly Radiance Martial Soul, he could already look within himself, see his own bones and flesh, and feel everything inside his body.
Within a radius of a thousand meters, everything that happened was so clear. As long as Lin Feng wanted to know, it would present itself in his mind.
"That's right. My realm has indeed improved. And the bones and tendons in my body seem more perfect than before."
Lin Feng opened his eyes and clenched his fist hard. It was very powerful. Although there was no yuan qi fluctuation, purely in terms of strength, the power in his hand now was stronger than before when he didn't use heaven and earth yuan qi. The increase in pure strength meant his physical quality had become stronger.
But precisely, Lin Feng couldn't mobilize any yuan qi. No, it should be said that the yuan qi in his body was completely empty.
"What exactly is going on?"
Lin Feng's brow was tightly furrowed. His realm had clearly improved, but his yuan qi was exhausted. What was this?
Could it be that after breaking through and entering the state of Man and Sword as One, his body had undergone some strange transformation, causing his yuan qi to temporarily dry up?
Lin Feng tried to circulate the Pure Yuan Art. However, after the technique operated, still no heaven and earth yuan qi entered his body, as if everything outside had severed connection with his body, refusing to obey no matter how he called.
He had never heard of such a situation, let alone seen it. But he never expected it to happen to him.
His brow furrowed tighter and tighter. After a long while, his brow finally relaxed a bit. Let nature take its course. His realm improvement was right here. He couldn't have become a cripple.
Perhaps, by some coincidence, he had entered some marvelous state.
Thinking this, Lin Feng's expression also relaxed somewhat. At this moment, he had no strong aura, nor any sickly aura. He was a very ordinary person, but somewhat handsome, very refined.
"Why aren't you saying anything?"
Zi Ling saw Lin Feng's expression constantly changing, yet he remained silent. She asked again.
Lin Feng raised his head, glanced at Zi Ling, his eyes flickering. Then he said: "I... seem to have no strength."
"No strength?" Zi Ling exclaimed, a strange look flashing through her eyes.
"Waste?"
Zi Yi beside her was even more direct, frowning as she spoke. Having no strength naturally meant being a waste. In the continent of martial cultivation, there was no place for such a person. They would be despised, even if they had a good appearance.
At this moment, there was a hint of mockery in her eyes — contempt, looking down on Lin Feng.