Chapter 768: Instigation
Duan Wudao's expression was also extremely ugly. Lin Feng was not only still alive, but had broken free from the demonic path and returned to normal. His icy-cold eyes were even colder than before.
In the past, during the Snow Domain Grand Competition stage, Lin Feng had defeated him in front of everyone and claimed the championship. Now, after spending time in the Jade Heaven Royal Clan under the guidance of powerful experts, his cultivation had advanced rapidly, his willpower had grown stronger, and he had cultivated a true imperial technique, making him many times more powerful than before. But he had no idea how strong Lin Feng was now.
That day in the Snow Moon Kingdom, when Lin Feng wielded the demonic sword and sought to slaughter all living beings, the scene had been absolutely terrifying.
"Can we take this opportunity to kill him?" Someone approached the leading Heavenly Martial Realm expert and suggested. The members of the Jade Heaven Royal Clan all knew of Lin Feng's existence. If he entered the secret realm, given the enmity between the Jade Heaven Royal Clan and Lin Feng, he would likely harm their people. Therefore, they wanted to eliminate him now to prevent future trouble.
"Do you think the people of Heavenly Lake Snow Mountain are fools?" The expert glanced at him indifferently. These people were about to enter the secret realm, just like the talented individuals he was leading. They were the foundation and future hope of their sect. It wouldn't be so easy to scheme against and kill them.
"Those seven snow eagles are extraordinary and likely very powerful. Even without them, Heavenly Lake would surely have someone protecting them in secret."
The man spoke calmly, and the other person reluctantly backed off. He understood this logic well enough. Trying to kill Lin Feng at this opportunity was no easy task. The people of the Heavenly Lake Empire wouldn't give them such an easy chance to strike.
The dragon-scale warhorses continued to roar, surging forward, galloping in the direction of the snow eagles. They churned up a rolling wave in the sky, incredibly powerful, as if thousands of troops and horses were thundering through the air.
Lin Feng's eyes were slightly closed, suppressing the cold intent in his heart. This time, entering the secret realm, he would surely encounter many old acquaintances, many of whom were his enemies. What he needed to do now was to hold this hatred in his heart, not let it disturb his mind, and strive to seize great opportunities within the secret realm. Since he held the chance to grow stronger, he absolutely could not let it slip through his fingers.
"Look, over there, so many people. Have we arrived?" The crowd's gazes turned to the distance, where many black dots could be seen on the ground—all figures of people. Had they reached the secret realm?
"So many experts, and many people like us, all at the Ninth Layer of the Mysterious Martial Realm. They're probably preparing to enter the secret realm. It seems we've indeed arrived, but why don't I see where the secret realm is?"
Voices rose one after another, all eyes fixed on that direction.
At this moment, Lin Feng's eyes also opened, a sharp gleam flashing through them. In the direction he was looking, there was a huge mound, like a tomb, and the crowd was gathered around this mound, staring at it intently.
"A tomb? An emperor's tomb?"
Lin Feng's gaze sharpened. Could it be true, as those experts had said, that the secret realm was actually the burial ground of an emperor? An emperor's tomb?
This inverted mound did indeed look very much like a tomb, making it impossible not to let one's imagination run wild and connect it to a grave.
"We've arrived. That tomb-like mountain is the entrance to the secret realm."
A voice came from the snow eagle's beak. The crowd nodded, their hands clenched tightly, both nervous and excited. They had arrived. Finally, they had reached the secret realm. Stepping inside, this land awaited their exploration.
Seeing people approaching, many turned their gazes this way. Some experts immediately recognized which faction they belonged to.
"The people of the Heavenly Lake Empire have also arrived, along with the Jade Heaven Royal Clan. They're all moving quickly."
There were still a few days until the secret realm opened, but most of the powerful forces of the Qian Domain had already gathered here. Nearly all who were qualified to enter the Qian Domain had arrived, with only a few factions yet to come.
The secret realm was either an emperor's palace or tomb, and not just anyone could enter it. Only people from the Qian Domain could step inside. Any forces from other regions attempting to enter would be intercepted by the combined might of the Qian Domain's powerful factions. Going against an entire territory was far too difficult, unless it was a terrifying force from the Holy City Central Continent. But such forces were already immensely powerful and possessed countless resources, so they wouldn't waste much effort on this elusive emperor's tomb. In fact, some of these incredibly strong factions even had Martial Emperor-level transcendent figures among their ranks.
The goal of those talented youths was not to find treasures in the secret realm, but to have a single, unwavering objective: to become a disciple of a Martial Emperor.
Becoming a Martial Emperor's disciple was, to them, the highest honor and an incomparable martial path future.
Of course, even for the natives of the Qian Domain, not everyone was qualified to enter the secret realm. The secret realm was filled with opportunities, and the powerful forces of the Qian Domain would not allow too many people to share them. Therefore, only those first-rate factions recognized by all the sects and forces, those of equal standing, were permitted to bring their disciples inside. Once inside the Qian Domain, individuals without a faction were not allowed to enter the secret realm.
The seven snow eagles transformed into human form as they descended before the emperor's tomb. Their gazes were sharp as they slowly landed on the ground. The others also steadied themselves and looked at the mound before them. It was very ordinary, showing no signs of anything unusual. It was hard to imagine that this was where the secret realm would open.
Lin Feng's gaze was not on the huge mound. Instead, he scanned the crowd. When his eyes fell on a group of figures, a cold light burst forth, and a chilling aura surged from his body.
In the direction of the East Sea Dragon Palace, the Purple Gold Dragon King was personally leading the group. As if sensing something, his brow furrowed, and he turned his eyes toward the Heavenly Lake crowd. How dare someone from these newcomers provoke them with such a cold gaze?
But when his eyes landed on Lin Feng, he stiffened slightly. Besides the Purple Gold Dragon King, two others in the East Sea Dragon Palace also froze for a moment. They were Di Ling, who had chosen to join the East Sea Dragon Palace back then, and Duan Wuya, who had later entered the Dragon Palace.
"Lin Feng!" Di Ling spat out a cold voice. Having been defeated by Lin Feng on the Snow Domain Grand Competition stage, and having witnessed Lin Feng defeat Duan Wudao to claim first place, how could Di Ling forget the young man before him? Even though his aura had changed greatly compared to the past.
Duan Wuya, on the other hand, appeared quite calm. Though a flicker of surprise passed through his demonic eyes, a faint smile soon appeared on his face. However, to Lin Feng, that smile was the most disgusting one in the world.
The Second Prince of the Snow Moon Kingdom, Duan Wuya. Everyone thought he was gentle and approachable, but his true face was countless times more sinister than Duan Wudao's. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers had died at the border because of him. Three generals had died due to his schemes. He had also wanted Lin Feng and Duan Wudao to fight, to make the Divine Palace and the Jade Heaven Royal Clan clash, while he and the East Sea Dragon Palace reaped the benefits.
If anyone was the person Lin Feng most wanted to kill, it was undoubtedly Duan Wuya. All the schemes had started with him.
The killing intent in Lin Feng's eyes was so naked and unguarded. Duan Wuya met Lin Feng's gaze with a smile. Of course, he knew that Lin Feng wished he could cut him into a thousand pieces. Duan Wuya was also very wary of Lin Feng. He had thought his plans were flawless, setting up a heaven-defying scheme, yet he still hadn't been able to take Lin Feng's life. At the final moment, Lin Feng had summoned the demonic sword and driven them back, nearly killing them all.
But since Lin Feng was still alive and had broken free from the demonic path, he probably couldn't use the demonic sword anymore. Duan Wuya wondered what good fortune Lin Feng had encountered to recover from his demonic possession and join a force outside the Divine Palace.
Thinking this, Duan Wuya's gaze shifted toward the Divine Palace. The Divine Palace people had arrived early because, besides their own internal geniuses, they had also invited many talented youths from the Snow Domain Grand Competition. Naturally, they had to wait here early, or else others might poach them.
"Shouldn't the champion of the Snow Domain Grand Competition be with your Divine Palace?" Duan Wuya said lightly, causing the pupils of the Divine Palace crowd to contract sharply. They all turned their gazes toward the Heavenly Lake crowd, and many eyes fell on Lin Feng.
With just one sentence, Duan Wuya had instigated a rift between the Divine Palace and Lin Feng.