Chapter 706: Dark Tides Surging
Still within the imperial city, but now in a different palace, the Second Prince, Duan Wuya, sat upright on a sandalwood chair, a vermilion brush in his hand, as if writing something.
"Your Highness." At that moment, a black-clad figure stood outside the door, bowing slightly but not stepping inside, waiting instead.
The Second Prince remained as elegant and quiet as ever, but Nanshan had long played the role of the strategist by his side. He understood clearly that the Second Prince of today was no longer the man he once was. He had begun to reveal his sharp fangs, even if the smile he showed when lifting his head remained as gentle as before.
"Nanshan." Duan Wuya nodded slightly at Nanshan, smiling softly. "If there's something, come in and speak."
"Yes, Your Highness." Nanshan responded respectfully, then lifted his steps, walking lightly and slowly into the great hall, as if especially cautious.
"Nanshan, just say it directly if there's something." Duan Wuya spoke first when he saw Nanshan standing still in silence.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince Wudao has returned, accompanied by experts from the Jade Heaven Royal Clan. His Majesty the Human Emperor personally welcomed him, along with strong experts from the Tai Shu Clan and others." Nanshan spoke slowly. Duan Wuya lifted his head slightly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. Duan Wudao had returned.
"Also, Lin Feng's marriage has been settled, to take place half a month from now." Nanshan added. Hearing this, a faint smile curled at the corner of Duan Wuya's lips.
"Half a month from now. They sure know how to pick a time." A gleam different from his usual gentleness flickered in Duan Wuya's eyes, carrying a hint of malevolence. "Move the plan forward. Execute it immediately."
"Yes, Your Highness." Hearing Duan Wuya's soft words, Nanshan nodded, then slowly stepped backward. He did not turn around but retreated out of the hall. Only after leaving the great hall did he bow once more to Duan Wuya before turning and leaving. Compared to his former casual demeanor around Duan Wuya, Nanshan had changed greatly. The clever man knew well when to do what.
Only after Nanshan left did a sinister smile appear on Duan Wuya's lips. He maintained that smile for a long time before slowly uttering a voice: "Uncle, you valued Big Brother's talent and acknowledged him as your son, not me. I will make you understand that your choice was wrong."
Duan Wudao acknowledged his uncle as his father, but what Duan Wuya hated was not Duan Wudao, but Duan Renhuang for not choosing him as a son.
Duan Renhuang's choice changed the trajectory of Duan Wudao's life, and likewise changed Duan Wuya, causing the two brothers to walk entirely different paths—one tyrannical and ruthless, the other enduring hardship to achieve a goal.
Duan Renhuang, though not a monarch, acknowledged Duan Wudao as his son, making Duan Wudao the Crown Prince, not Duan Wuya, the son of the monarch.
………………
Lin Feng returned to Cloud Sea Sect. After arranging the powerful demonic beasts, he summoned Old Man Huo and Old Man Chi and brought them to the sect's alchemy chamber.
Before invading the Yu Family and the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, Lin Feng had already informed Old Man Huo and Old Man Chi of his plan: to refine five hundred mid-grade Profound level pills, Ascension Profound Pills. These pills could help those in the Spirit Martial Realm break through to the Mysterious Martial Realm early, especially those at the peak of the Spirit Martial Realm. Taking an Ascension Profound Pill greatly increased their chances of breaking through that profound barrier and stepping into the Mysterious Martial Realm.
Of course, the mid-grade Ascension Profound Pill was not easy to refine. Even the materials were extremely precious. After sweeping through the Yu Family and the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, he had Old Man Huo and Old Man Chi gather some of the medicinal herbs needed for refining the Ascension Profound Pill. For those they couldn't collect, they went to the auction house to purchase them. That still wasn't enough, so Lin Feng personally went to the Nine Dragons Mountain Range. Besides subduing the demonic beasts, he had another goal: to find a rare main ingredient for refining the Ascension Profound Pill—Profound Branch.
If Lin Feng had searched the Nine Dragons Mountain Range alone, it would have been very difficult to find Profound Branch. But even if he couldn't find it, among the demonic beasts he had subdued, there were those that could.
Thus, all the medicinal herbs needed for the Ascension Profound Pill were gathered, sorted by category, and neatly arranged in the alchemy chamber. Moreover, each category had a very large quantity.
"Old Man Huo, Old Man Chi, are you ready?" Lin Feng nodded slightly at the two elders. With a thought, a burst of scorching flame surged out, instantly enveloping the Nine Heavens Azure Dragon Cauldron before him. Bathed in the flames, a faint dragon roar seemed to emanate from the Azure Dragon pattern on the cauldron, extremely mysterious.
"Begin." As Lin Feng's words fell, the two elders threw medicinal herbs into the Nine Heavens Azure Dragon Cauldron. The three worked together, beginning to refine the Ascension Profound Pills.
Lin Feng was the main refiner, while Old Man Huo and Old Man Chi assisted him.
As the herbs slowly entered the Nine Heavens Azure Dragon Cauldron, a fragrance of medicine gradually began to permeate the alchemy chamber. Old Man Huo and Old Man Chi's tasks were light; they carefully observed Lin Feng's alchemy techniques. But after watching, they only felt deeply discouraged.
Lin Feng's flames were beyond their reach. His soul perception ability and his control over the rhythm of alchemy were things they could only look up to. This guy was a monster.
The two old men exchanged glances, as if they could see the smiles in each other's eyes. Their decision back then had been absolutely right. With Lin Feng's terrifying rate of progress, who knew how powerful he would become in the future. He had already helped an elite force step into the Mysterious Martial Realm, and in the future, helping them would be inevitable. This filled their hearts with boundless anticipation—anticipation for their own futures, and likewise, anticipation for Lin Feng's future.
This little guy, who had once been bullied in Tianluo Ancient City, no one knew how far he could grow.
The refinement of the Ascension Profound Pills went smoothly. Although Lin Feng had never attempted to refine mid-grade Profound pills before, relying on his terrifying soul power and flames, along with the alchemy techniques from the Venerable's memories, he succeeded on his first try at refining the Ascension Profound Pills. Not a single pill was wasted. In one furnace, a full five hundred pills were formed simultaneously. This result was shocking to Old Man Huo and Old Man Chi.
After finishing the pills, Lin Feng quietly left alone, handing the pills over to them for handling. In truth, Lin Feng also wanted to refine Luo Shen Pills, but as of now, he didn't have the confidence to refine them.
After refining the pills, Lin Feng returned to Longing Forest for a while. He learned the date of the grand wedding and discussed some details, then left again, arriving at Heavenly One Academy.
Toward this academy where he had spent much time, Lin Feng still harbored deep feelings. However, he was no longer the Lin Feng of the past, and he also knew who was behind this Heavenly One Academy. Many things had become much clearer to him.
"Lin Feng, it's Lin Feng!" Someone at Heavenly One Academy recognized Lin Feng. Seeing him return, they couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. Immediately, many gazes turned toward Lin Feng, showing looks of reverence.
But Lin Feng remained expressionless. He walked through the academy, heading straight to the peach blossom forest, a place he had visited many times.
The falling peach blossoms were still accompanied by a melodious tune playing slowly. Arriving before the pavilion, Lin Feng sat down directly in the middle of the peach forest, letting the falling blossoms from both sides scatter over him. He simply closed his eyes in enjoyment, quietly listening to the peace and tranquility played by Yan Yu Pingsheng.
After a long time, the zither music gradually slowed. Yan Yu Pingsheng opened his eyes and saw Lin Feng stand up, bowing slightly to him, calling out, "Teacher."
Yan Yu Pingsheng smiled and shook his head, saying, "Lin Feng, your strength is already above mine. How can you still call me teacher?"
"A true teacher is like a father or elder brother, unrelated to strength. Teacher, you were a true teacher in my growth, like a father or elder brother. How could I forget my roots just because my strength has grown?" Lin Feng disagreed, shaking his head, which made Yan Yu Pingsheng's smile even gentler.
"Teacher, Xinye and I are about to be married. I have come specially to invite you. You must come." Lin Feng presented a joyous invitation card to Yan Yu Pingsheng, then bowed again. "Teacher, your disciple takes his leave."
With that, Lin Feng slowly turned and left.
Opening the invitation, Yan Yu Pingsheng looked at the neat lines of writing and the words of respect from his disciple Lin Feng. He lifted his head, watching Lin Feng's retreating figure, a look of gratification appearing in his eyes.
If he could truly have such an outstanding disciple, he would have no regrets in this life!
PS: Apologies for only updating one chapter yesterday. Excuses are just cover-ups. I won't say more. You've already punished me with your flowers (painful). This is Tuesday. This weekend, I set a goal: if the flowers reach fifth place, ten chapters; fourth place, fifteen chapters; third place, twenty chapters. Given the number of Martial God readers, if you brothers are willing to put in the effort, third place won't be too hard!