Chapter 360: Deterrence
Cold Moon’s footsteps retreated slightly. He stared at Lin Feng, his gaze cold, but fear stirred within his heart.
In the past, he had not been a match for Lin Feng. Today, their cultivation levels remained similar—both at the First Layer of the Profound Martial Realm. Moreover, with his blade martial soul and his comprehension of the blade’s realm, he was considered relatively strong among those in the Profound Martial Realm. Yet, facing Lin Feng, he had no confidence at all.
Now, he was still no match for Lin Feng. Not even at his peak, let alone now that one of his arms had been crippled.
“Hmm?” She Qiong frowned as he saw Cold Moon’s steps retreating, moving closer to him. Clearly, Cold Moon was seeking his protection.
He took a deep look at Cold Moon. This man was his subordinate, and in the future, he would become one of his followers, a strong arm for him.
She Qiong understood Cold Moon’s talent—it was formidable. His will was firm, and his comprehension of the blade was profound. He was a promising talent. That was why they had sought out Cold Moon and brought him back to the Imperial City.
Thus, She Qiong did not wish for Cold Moon to die like this. On his future path, he would need a group of loyal and powerful subordinates to follow him.
Since he could directly become the leader of a powerful team, yet lacked sufficient strength in his own hands and lacked absolute power, those people would be difficult for him to tame and deter.
He shifted his feet, stepping forward to stand in front of Cold Moon. His gaze fixed on Lin Feng.
“He is my man. You cannot kill him,” She Qiong said, staring at Lin Feng with a dark expression.
“Your man, and so he cannot be killed?” Lin Feng’s lips curled into a mocking smile. Ridiculous. She Qiong was making a mockery of the world.
True essence energy surged violently, and the aura of destruction emerged once more. Black flames coiled around Lin Feng’s palm, trembling with a power that stirred the heart.
She Qiong’s gaze involuntarily fell upon the black flames, a flicker of wariness flashing in his eyes. He had no idea how Lin Feng had condensed those black flames. With only the First Layer of the Profound Martial Realm, this terrifying flame could instantly injure him, a Third Layer Profound Martial Realm cultivator.
He naturally did not know how formidable the Netherworld Fire within Lin Feng’s martial soul was. Lin Feng cultivated the Great Sun Incinerating Heaven Scripture, had devoured the beast fire of a Seven-Tailed Demon Fox, converting it into Yang Fire true essence, and then comprehended the Netherworld Flame, condensing the Yang Fire true essence into the black fire of annihilation. How could it not be powerful?
Although Lin Feng had only recently stepped into the Profound Martial Realm, his devouring of the demon fire from a Profound Demon Beast had elevated his own realm by a full step, making him incomparable to ordinary newcomers to the Profound Martial Realm.
Watching Lin Feng’s steady steps, She Qiong’s eyes flickered uncertainly. Lin Feng stepped forward, one step at a time, moving toward him.
The space fell silent, with only the sound of Lin Feng’s footsteps.
Cold Moon stood behind She Qiong, bearing all the oppressive pressure alone.
“Tap, tap…”
Just like before, Lin Feng stepped forward in silence, without a word. Only a suffocating pressure filled the air, along with the black flame burning in his palm.
A faint, intangible killing intent emanated from Lin Feng, enveloping both She Qiong and Cold Moon, causing She Qiong’s entire body to stiffen.
“Will you step aside or not?”
She Qiong had not expected to face the same choice so soon. Lin Feng was making him decide again.
She Qiong understood clearly that this time, Lin Feng would not be careless as before. If he did not step aside, it would mean a fierce battle. If he did, Lin Feng would surely kill Cold Moon.
Not long ago, after She Qiong had stepped aside, he had ultimately attacked Lin Feng again, unable to bear the suppressed anger and humiliation in his heart, unable to accept those contemptuous gazes. So he had struck, but Cold Moon’s burned arm served as a constant reminder that enduring Lin Feng’s wrath would come at a heavy price.
“Don’t think I wouldn’t dare touch you. I killed Duan Han, the son of Duan Tianlang. Although killing you would put me in danger, if you truly anger me, I, Lin Feng, will kill without a frown, without regard for consequences.”
Just as She Qiong hesitated, Lin Feng’s voice rang out, icy cold, striking directly into the depths of She Qiong’s heart, making him feel a chill. Lin Feng’s words were like a blade, cold and sharp.
The killing intent radiating from Lin Feng grew more and more terrifying, as if ready to burst forth. The black flame remained still, its power contained, but no one dared doubt its might. When it erupted, it could easily incinerate low-level Profound Martial Realm cultivators.
She Qiong’s feet shifted. This simple movement already proved the weakness in his heart. His resolve wavered once more.
A grimace twisted his face. He was afraid. He had faltered again. In such a short time, he repeated the same fear. She Qiong hated himself, wanted to roar, but he could not. Only the twisted expression on his face reflected the struggle within.
Ten steps, nine steps. Lin Feng was now only a stone’s throw away from She Qiong. With one large stride, he could reach She Qiong directly.
“Get lost!”
A low voice spat from Lin Feng’s mouth, causing She Qiong’s heart to tremble again. He stepped back.
Before everyone’s eyes, She Qiong retreated once more.
Seven steps. Lin Feng was now only seven steps away from She Qiong. He raised his palm, the black flame flickering in She Qiong’s eyes. The Netherworld Lotus slowly took shape.
“Huff…”
She Qiong let out a long breath, his body trembling slightly. He stepped aside. He could no longer hold his ground. The killing intent from Lin Feng and the solemn, oppressive force had scared him off. He could not bear it.
This scene made the surrounding crowd freeze once more. She Qiong had retreated for the second time. From now on, She Qiong’s path in martial arts cultivation would likely not be as smooth as before. A demon had taken root in his heart. Lin Feng was that demon, crushing his confidence. In severe cases, She Qiong might even be completely demoralized from then on.
Lin Feng and Cold Moon stood facing each other again. With She Qiong no longer blocking the way, the chill from She Qiong descended entirely upon Cold Moon, making his entire body rigid. He stared at Lin Feng with a gaze filled with both hatred and fear.
“I told you, today, no one can save you,” Lin Feng said.
A purple ocean roared from Lin Feng’s body, surging toward Cold Moon. Lin Feng did not use the black lotus.
“Retreat!” Cold Moon’s form flashed backward, but the moment he retreated, Lin Feng moved like a phantom, closing in on him. The purple demon serpent tendrils shot out with extreme speed, instantly wrapping around Cold Moon’s body, transforming into a massive purple demon serpent that coiled around him, lifting him into the air.
(Author’s note: Damn it, I fell asleep while typing! Quickly added a bit… Brothers, bear with it. We’ll continue tomorrow.)
(End of this chapter)