Chapter 769: A Single Thought's Difference
"Lin Feng!"
"It really is Lin Feng."
A few months ago, Lin Feng had won the Snow Domain Grand Competition, earning great fame throughout the entire Divine Palace, especially in the Northern Divine Palace.
Just like the Heavenly Lake, competition existed within the Divine Palace as well. The Heavenly Lake had competition among the seven great snow peaks, while the Divine Palace had open and covert struggles between the four palaces—East, South, West, and North. The Northern Divine Palace, after seeing Lin Feng's talent, had already decided that Lin Feng would be the leader when they entered the secret realm this time.
But then the great upheaval in Snow Moon happened. Lin Feng fell into the demonic path, even trying to kill the Divine Palace's strongman Lei Mang, causing the Divine Palace to abandon that plan and remove Lin Feng from the list of those entering the secret realm. After all, a person who had fallen into demonic cultivation would sink into endless slaughter, ultimately leading to their own death.
But now, Lin Feng had appeared again, his gaze sharp and spirited. Although cold, there were no signs of having fallen into the demonic path. However, the position he stood in was actually on the side of the Heavenly Lake Empire.
Bei Ming and Lei Mang's expressions froze, their faces turning rather unpleasant. Since Lin Feng had escaped the demonic path, he should be fighting for his Divine Palace, representing the Divine Palace in entering the secret realm. How could he be on the side of the Heavenly Lake Empire?
Besides Bei Ming, among the Divine Palace crowd, some people stared intently at him—those who had participated in the Snow Domain Grand Competition and ultimately chosen to join the Divine Palace. Their impression of Lin Feng was extremely deep, especially Yue Tianming, who came from Snow Moon like Lin Feng. He naturally knew about the great upheaval in Snow Moon, how his grandfather Yue Qingshan had nearly died, and how Lin Feng had degenerated into a demon. But now, Lin Feng seemed to have recovered.
"Lin Feng."
Bei Ming stepped out from the Divine Palace crowd and said to Lin Feng, "Lin Feng, when I heard the news about you in Snow Moon, I was deeply grieved. I felt that heaven was jealous of geniuses. I even sent strong experts to search for you, hoping to free you from the demonic path. But now it seems my worries were unnecessary. I am relieved that you are safe and sound. This time, when the Northern Divine Palace enters the secret realm, you will be our leader."
Hearing Bei Ming's words, the crowd's gazes all fell on Lin Feng. Just what identity did this young man have, to make the Divine Palace value him so much? Bei Ming directly stated that he would be the leader.
The other people from the Heavenly Lake snow peaks also looked at Lin Feng. They discovered that this young man, who had suddenly appeared at the Heavenly Lake's Tian Xuan Peak, seemed to know many people. The ones riding the dragon-scale warhorses knew him, and now the Divine Palace people were inviting him to be their leader.
"It seems this person is not unknown but has already gained a certain reputation among the major powers." These arrogant young men's gazes toward Lin Feng shifted subtly. No wonder Lin Feng was so strong—he had already become famous and was even invited by the Divine Palace to be a leader.
However, since Lin Feng had already joined the Heavenly Lake, how could he enter the Divine Palace? The Heavenly Lake had no conditions for those who joined, using the best resources to help geniuses grow, possessing strong cohesive power. But if Lin Feng joined the Divine Palace now, it would undoubtedly be a betrayal of the Heavenly Lake, and he would be hunted down by them.
Therefore, their gazes were all fixed tightly on Lin Feng, waiting to see how he would answer.
Lin Feng glanced at Bei Ming. At this moment, Bei Ming's face carried a faint look of hope, as if he didn't care at all that Lin Feng was now among the Heavenly Lake crowd, inviting him to join the Divine Palace camp.
"Senior, I appreciate your good intentions, but due to some circumstances, I have decided to join the Heavenly Lake Empire and become a member of it. Naturally, I cannot betray them again. I hope you will forgive me."
Lin Feng nodded apologetically to Bei Ming. Bei Ming had treated him well in the past. If what happened in Snow Moon hadn't occurred, Lin Feng would certainly have been willing to fight for the Divine Palace. But since everything had already happened, it was destined that things could not be undone.
"How dare you!" Lei Mang roared angrily, rolling thunder and lightning surging around his body. His domineering eyes stared at Lin Feng as he said, "Lin Feng, my Divine Palace nurtured you into a talent, even saved your life. Now you say you've joined the Heavenly Lake Empire? Are you not taking my Divine Palace seriously at all?"
"If the Divine Palace people hadn't appeared that day from beginning to end, I would have represented the Divine Palace in entering the secret realm."
Lin Feng glanced at Lei Mang, his voice still quite low, neither angry nor impatient, calm as water.
"Lin Feng, if you have any dissatisfaction with the Divine Palace, we can discuss it. The Divine Palace will certainly compensate you. I still hope you can return to my Northern Divine Palace." Bei Ming still didn't give up, trying to persuade him.
"Some things cannot be compensated for." Lin Feng shook his head. "That day in Snow Moon, the moment the Divine Palace people appeared, I understood—everything was for profit. The Divine Palace didn't care whether my family and friends lived or died. You could even say they watched as the Jade Heaven Royal Clan's strongmen killed them, all while hiding in the shadows without acting. You and I both know this clearly in our hearts. For me to work for the Divine Palace again—I cannot do it."
"That was their momentary confusion, a misunderstanding of my orders. I told them to protect you at all costs, but I didn't expect they only remembered to protect you while neglecting your family. This is my fault. As long as you return to the Divine Palace, I can gift you powerful techniques and martial skills as compensation."
Bei Ming spoke again, but it only made Lin Feng's heart grow colder. Compensate with powerful techniques and martial skills? Did he, Lin Feng, seem like someone who would sacrifice his family and friends for techniques and martial skills? Bei Ming's words only made him see the word "profit" more clearly. Even now, Bei Ming was still tempting him with profit.
"Lin Feng's mind is made up. Palace Master, there is no need to say more." Lin Feng responded indifferently, then looked away, causing Bei Ming's eyes to freeze, a cold glint flashing through them. From Lin Feng's standpoint, he naturally wouldn't join the Divine Palace. But from the Divine Palace's standpoint, Lin Feng's actions were slapping the Divine Palace in the face.
"Heh, Bei Ming, you exhausted your schemes, holding a grand competition in the Snow Domain to refine many geniuses. But in the end, it was all for nothing—you just benefited others. Now, even your most prized Snow Domain Grand Competition champion, Lin Feng, has fallen to the Heavenly Lake Snow Mountain. Truly laughable to the extreme."
The Purple Gold Dragon King chose this moment to speak sarcastically, his words extremely harsh, making Bei Ming's eyes grow colder and colder. He glanced at the Purple Gold Dragon King and said, "Purple Gold Dragon King, don't think I don't know. Behind the schemes, it's always been your East Sea Dragon Palace standing."
The Heavenly Lake people's gazes trembled, all looking at Lin Feng. Snow Domain Grand Competition champion? So Lin Feng had such a glorious record. Because of this, he was being fought over by many powers. The Northern Divine Palace wanted to take him as their leader.
"Purple Gold Dragon King, don't think I don't know. Behind the schemes, the shadow of your East Sea Dragon Palace has always been there. Your Dragon Palace is truly despicable." Bei Ming retorted, but the Purple Gold Dragon King sneered disdainfully: "Schemes? Duan Wuya's talent is unparalleled. Although he didn't participate in the Snow Domain Grand Competition, his talent is in no way inferior to his elder brother Duan Wudao. He was willing to join my East Sea Dragon Palace and asked us to cooperate in doing things beneficial to my Dragon Palace. How could my East Sea Dragon Palace refuse? You should think about how to handle Lin Feng's matter. This slap in the face is really loud enough."
"No need for you to concern yourself." Bei Ming snorted coldly, his gaze turning icy. Then he looked at Lin Feng again and said, "Lin Feng, have you truly made up your mind?"
Lin Feng nodded silently, not even looking at Bei Ming.
"You're asking for death." Lei Mang roared, stepping forward. His entire body was covered in rolling thunder and lightning, as if it would pierce through the surrounding space. But at that moment, a snow-white figure stood in front of Lin Feng. This strange snow-white figure had a demonically handsome face, with wings on its back. Its feathers trembled violently, causing space to howl as gale-force winds collided with the thunder and lightning.
"Lei Mang, stop." Bei Ming halted Lei Mang. Lei Mang glared at Lin Feng furiously, withdrawing his thunder and lightning. The snow eagle also moved out of the way.
"Take care of yourself." Bei Ming stared at Lin Feng, spitting out a cold voice. Lin Feng's gaze was firm, unruffled, as if he had long expected this outcome. But since that day's events had already happened, today's outcome seemed destined. Everything came down to a single thought's difference.
"Alas..." A long sigh came from among the Divine Palace crowd. It was the voice of Protector Xue Wuchang, who had presided over the Snow Domain Grand Competition. He had watched Lin Feng grow stronger step by step, dominating the competition until he finally won the championship. He knew best how terrifying Lin Feng's talent was. Of course, he hoped Lin Feng would fight for the Divine Palace. But things had turned out contrary to his wishes, developing to this point. I'm afraid the Divine Palace would not only fail to befriend Lin Feng but would instead become his enemy.
"Things are unpredictable. What a pity, what a hateful thing. This is the Divine Palace's misfortune!"
Xue Wuchang felt some hatred toward Lei Mang. Why hadn't he saved Lin Feng's family and friends? It was truly a single thought's difference that would lead to an irreversible outcome. If they had known what would happen later, I'm afraid everyone in the Divine Palace would regret it for life!
PS: I'm really exhausted to the point of collapse. I really need to change jobs.