Chapter 694: Homecoming
After killing Blood Butcher, Thunder Mighty shouldered his thunder pestle, the flickering purple lightning gradually dissipating into nothingness. His gaze shifted, landing on Lin Feng, his eyes brimming with spirited brilliance, his entire being exuding a thick, robust aura.
"Thank you," Lin Feng said to Thunder Mighty with a nod. If not for Thunder Mighty's assistance, with his current strength, he would have been unable to deal with Blood Butcher.
However, he still didn't know which faction Blood Butcher belonged to, that he would track him for so long and be determined to kill him.
"No need. I'm just carrying out orders for the Divine Palace. Since you've agreed to enter the Emperor's Secret Realm on behalf of the Divine Palace, then the Divine Palace has an obligation to protect your safety. So you don't need to thank me," Thunder Mighty said frankly. "Lin Feng, continue on your way."
"Alright." Lin Feng waited for Qiongqi to return to his side, then mounted the beast and sped away with a roar. Moments later, he was far from this place. But having witnessed the battle between Heavenly Martial Realm experts, his heart was far from calm.
Lin Feng left, but Thunder Mighty did not. He remained where he was, his terrifying consciousness enveloping the entire surrounding void. Not the slightest disturbance could escape his awareness.
After Lin Feng had gone far, Thunder Mighty spoke calmly, "You've been following for so long. Come out."
The silent space was still for a moment, then two figures stepped forth. Lin Feng would probably never have imagined that four Heavenly Martial Realm experts had been following him all along, three of whom wanted his life.
"I trust you two heard what I said," Thunder Mighty said flatly, his voice carrying a domineering tone.
Both Heavenly Martial Realm experts remained silent. They had naturally witnessed everything that had just happened. Thunder Mighty's strength was formidable—he had directly obliterated a Heavenly Martial expert. Truly overbearing.
"Tai Shu Kong, Blood Butcher was the one you sent to test him, wasn't he? Don't let this happen again. Before Lin Feng enters the secret realm, none of you are to take his life. Otherwise, you'll bear the consequences."
The two men's eyes flickered with reluctance. One had lost his disciple Yu Mo to Lin Feng's hand, while Tai Shu Kong had lost a thousand gold coins. How could they not seek revenge? Thus, they had traveled thousands of miles to track him, looking for an opportunity to kill Lin Feng. But they hadn't expected the Divine Palace to have someone guarding him, placing more importance on protecting his life than they had imagined.
"As long as we don't take his life before he enters the secret realm, that's enough, right?" Tai Shu Kong asked coldly.
"His life?" Thunder Mighty glanced at Tai Shu Kong, then paused for a moment. "I don't care about other matters, but remember this: you are not to show yourselves. And Lin Feng—he must live."
Thunder Mighty waved his hand, then vanished into the void. Before long, he had disappeared from this place.
Yu Mo's master and Tai Shu Kong both flashed a cold, fierce look in their eyes. They wouldn't show themselves, and they wouldn't kill Lin Feng before he entered the secret realm—that was enough, as long as they didn't cross those two lines.
Lin Feng, of course, knew nothing of the two Heavenly Martial Realm experts still tracking him in the shadows. At the Heavenly Martial Realm, one could ascend to the heavens and dive into the earth, merging with the clouds tens of thousands of meters high, achieving Unity of Heaven and Man without revealing a trace of aura. Lin Feng's cultivation was inferior to theirs, and though his perception was sharp, he still couldn't sense them.
However, with Han Man and the other two by his side, the journey wasn't boring. Sometimes he would guide Han Man and Po Jun in their cultivation, and at other times, he would comprehend and practice the Wind Rising Nine Heavens martial technique himself. He never felt dull.
Finally, beneath the fierce beast Qiongqi, rows of buildings rose into view. A familiar scent drifted over, making Lin Feng feel as if his entire body had relaxed.
"I'm back."
Seeing this familiar city, a sunny smile spread across Lin Feng's face.
"Descend." Lin Feng waved his hand, and the demon beast Qiongqi gradually descended from the void, following Lin Feng's intent as it sped toward Longing Forest, stirring up a howling gale.
At that moment, the crowd walking along the main road of Snow Moon Imperial City froze. Looking up, their gazes tightened.
A fierce, crimson-colored demon beast streaked across the sky like a terrifying blur, so fast that their eyes couldn't keep up.
"What kind of demon beast is that? Its aura is so powerful," many people thought, their eyes trembling as they stared at the terrifying crimson demon light. The aura just now was that of a Mysterious Demon—extremely fierce, with demonic energy spreading in all directions. It was a very fearsome beast, likely a third-grade Mysterious Demon or even stronger.
"Its whole body is crimson flame-colored. It looks like the demon beast Qiongqi," someone murmured, causing many to freeze. The demon beast Qiongqi?
"It's been a long time. The Snow Domain Grand Competition should be over by now. I wonder what the outcome is. What achievements has our Snow Moon made? Could it be that Lin Feng has returned? It seems only Lin Feng rides the demon beast Qiongqi."
The crowd speculated about who had just swept past overhead. Could it be Lin Feng, the genius who had risen to prominence in Snow Moon in such a short time? Only he possessed the Qiongqi demon beast.
If it truly was Lin Feng returning, then what rank had he achieved in the Snow Domain Grand Competition? What was his cultivation level now? Had he improved?
And what about Yue Tianming, Wu Qing, and the others? How did their rankings compare to Lin Feng's? Especially the Crown Prince of Snow Moon's Eight Young Masters, Duan Wudao—the overbearing and ruthless Crown Prince. What glory had he shone with in this Snow Domain Grand Competition?
These were all questions the crowd desperately wanted answers to. Rumors had even spread in Snow Moon Imperial City that the Yu family had already returned, as had the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect. But for some reason, they had been keeping their doors closed and refusing to see anyone.
Unless the two geniuses of the Yu family and Wu Qing of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect had performed poorly in the Snow Domain Grand Competition, there was no reason for the two major powers to be so low-key.
Lin Feng had no idea that his passage over Snow Moon would spark so much speculation. At this moment, his sole focus was on reaching Longing Forest.
As Qiongqi's figure swept into the skies above Longing Forest, white-clad figures suddenly rose into the air from below, instantly blocking Qiongqi's path. But soon, when they saw the demon beast and the figure atop it, their eyes all froze.
"Young Master! The Young Master is back!"
"I'm back." A brilliant smile spread across Lin Feng's face. He stepped forward, leaping directly off Qiongqi's body and landing on the ground.
His powerful consciousness enveloped the entire surrounding space. Nothing could escape his perception.
His steps were light as he walked toward a certain direction in the dense forest, so soft that not a sound was made. In the thick woods of Longing Forest, only the rustling of leaves falling to the ground could be heard.
Reaching a large tree, he saw the familiar small hut in the distance. Below the hut perched among the treetops, a middle-aged man was carving something. Not far from him, two peerless beauties sat facing each other, a chessboard set between them.
This scene was silent, peaceful, filled with a warm, intimate atmosphere.
As if sensing something, Lin Hai looked up and saw Lin Feng beneath the shade of the tree. His eyes froze slightly.
"Xiao Feng."
Lin Hai murmured softly, causing Yue Menghe and Meng Qing, who were playing chess, to stiffen. Slowly, they turned their heads, and then they too saw the clear figure beneath the locust tree.
"Xiao Feng." Yue Menghe also whispered, then stood up.
Meng Qing's steps slowly advanced. The short distance of a few hundred meters seemed to take an eternity. When she was not far from Lin Feng, her steps quietly came to a halt.
Yue Menghe and Lin Hai stood behind, not stepping forward. They exchanged a glance and smiled in tacit understanding.
Lin Feng also looked at the three of them, his smile so clean, so radiant.
Meng Qing lowered her head slightly, a gentle breeze brushing through her hair. When she looked up, her holy, beautiful face bore a breathtakingly brilliant smile. This smile made everything in the world pale in comparison, draining away all splendor.
"You're back."
The crisp voice came from Meng Qing's lips. This single voice seemed to transcend time and space. From the moment she had stepped out of Black Wind Ridge, she had always been with Lin Feng, never separated for so long. She had never imagined that longing could be so enchanting!
PS: The meeting ran late today, unfortunate. Owe three chapters, will repay tomorrow!