Chapter 770: Defecting Together
"Lin Feng." At that moment, another voice came from a certain direction. The crowd turned their gazes and saw a group of dark demonic figures draped in black robes. These people had chilling auras, as if they came from the demon realm, exuding an extremely cold and detached aura. This aura made people dare not approach—it was the aura of the demonic path.
"People from the Fengdu Demon Sect. Do they know Lin Feng too?" Many were greatly surprised. It seemed that quite a few people knew Lin Feng.
The Fengdu Demon Sect was a demonic sect, not very active in the outside world. Unlike the East Sea Dragon Palace, which extended its influence far and wide, the fact that the Fengdu Demon Sect also knew Lin Feng was rather strange.
"Lin Feng, the gates of my Fengdu Demon Sect are always open for you. Moreover, if you join our sect, we will invite a Demon Venerable to be your master and guide your cultivation," the demon sect member said, causing the crowd's eyes to contract sharply once more. Like the Divine Palace, the Fengdu Demon Sect was also trying to recruit Lin Feng, wanting him to join their ranks.
Furthermore, they offered extremely favorable conditions. If Lin Feng joined the demon sect, a Demon Venerable would become his master. This treatment was shocking—having a Demon Venerable as a teacher was a blessing that countless people could only dream of.
"Lin Feng thanks the senior for his kindness, but since I have already joined Heavenly Pool, I will not change my mind," Lin Feng said with an apologetic expression, calm and composed. It was no secret that he had used the demon sword to intimidate the crowd in Snow Moon Kingdom. The Fengdu Demon Sect was a demonic sect, and it was impossible for them to be uninterested in his demon sword. Of course, aside from the sword, they probably also liked someone like him who could fall into the demonic path.
"Very well, then. But the gates of the Fengdu Demon Sect are always open for you," the demon sect elder said slowly. The demon sect would always welcome Lin Feng.
"Thank you," Lin Feng replied with a faint smile, nodding in return.
"What exactly has this guy done to make so many powerful forces vie for him like this, tempting him with such great benefits?" Tianchi Xue and the others from Heavenly Pool Snow Peak watched Lin Feng, their eyes flickering. The Divine Palace had tried hard to recruit him, promising powerful techniques and martial skills, and the Fengdu Demon Sect had also tried, promising a Demon Venerable as his master.
In the distance, more beasts and humans were rushing toward this area. But upon seeing the vast number of powerful figures surrounding the "grave," they dismounted from their beasts far away and walked forward on foot. Many were still scanning the area, seemingly searching for their own groups.
"Moxi is here," Tang Youyou whispered beside Lin Feng. She had been waiting because, due to her and Lin Feng's alignment with the Heavenly Pool Empire, their relationship with the Divine Palace had soured. This put Jun Moxi in an awkward position. At the very least, she needed to inform him beforehand so he would know what to expect.
Hearing Tang Youyou's words, Lin Feng slowly turned his gaze. Jun Moxi and Yun Feiyang were arriving together. As if sensing something, their eyes immediately locked onto Lin Feng and Tang Youyou. The instincts of martial artists were extremely sharp.
"Lin Feng." Jun Moxi and Yun Feiyang's eyes both froze. Lin Feng seemed to have returned to normal, his gaze clear. This relieved them somewhat.
With a flicker of movement, the two quickly arrived beside Lin Feng and Tang Youyou. The many experts from Heavenly Pool were momentarily stunned. Two more had appeared, and they were quite strong. Jun Moxi, in particular, was at the Ninth Layer of the Mysterious Martial Realm, his aura calm and unfathomable.
"Lin Feng, are you alright?" Jun Moxi asked directly. The others immediately understood—these two were also here for Lin Feng.
"Lin Feng," Yun Feiyang's eyes also fixed on him. They had both witnessed Lin Feng fall into the demonic path and fly away that day. They had truly feared he would sink into endless slaughter. Fortunately, Lin Feng's condition was much better than they had imagined. They had thought they wouldn't see him here.
"Don't worry, I'm fine now." Lin Feng showed a hint of a smile, allowing the two to fully relax. Lin Feng had managed to break free from the demonic path—it was truly rare.
"Lin Feng, I heard that in ancient times, a massive stele was passed down, capable of suppressing gods and demons, with boundless power and supreme divine abilities. This stone is called the Demon Sealing Stele. However, legend has it that the Demon Sealing Stele shattered into many pieces, scattered across different parts of the continent, each still containing terrifying divine will. If you obtain a piece of the Demon Sealing Stele, you can suppress the demon sword within you."
Jun Moxi said, then showed a smile. "But it seems unnecessary now. Since you've returned to normal, you must already have a way to deal with the demon sword."
Lin Feng was momentarily stunned, then smiled. The Demon Sealing Stele again. What Jun Moxi had learned was exactly what he had already done. Without the Demon Sealing Stele, he might not have been able to control the demon sword.
"Moxi, you said the Demon Sealing Stele shattered into pieces scattered across many corners of the continent. How can I find it?" Lin Feng asked.
Jun Moxi frowned slightly and said in a low voice, "In the Qian Domain, there is a valley called the Valley of Death. It is said to contain an extremely powerful demon lord. Anyone who enters is doomed to die. Yet for countless years, the demon lord has never stepped half a step beyond the valley. Legend has it that a divine object suppresses that world-shaking demon lord, and that object is said to be a massive Demon Sealing Stele."
"Are you thinking that if the Demon Sealing Stele can suppress even a world-shaking demon lord, how could we possibly obtain it? And since the valley is called the Valley of Death, anyone who enters dies. We have no chance of getting the Demon Sealing Stele, right?" Lin Feng asked. Jun Moxi nodded. Lin Feng's analysis matched his own thoughts. The Demon Sealing Stele was a divine stone passed down from ancient times, capable of suppressing even a world-shaking demon lord. For Lin Feng to seize it would be a near-certain death sentence.
"Moxi, thank you for your trouble." Lin Feng's eyes showed a hint of gratitude. Such information was probably not easy to obtain. Since Jun Moxi knew about it, it was clear he truly valued Lin Feng as a friend and had been paying attention to this matter.
"It's good that you're fine," Jun Moxi shook his head. "By the way, why are you two here?"
He had noticed where Lin Feng and Tang Youyou were standing. They were not with the Divine Palace's camp but with the group around them.
"That day in Snow Moon, the Divine Palace had already arrived but never acted. They watched as Lin Feng's family and friends were killed, only showing up when Lin Feng himself was in danger," Yun Feiyang said. He had been there that day and understood the situation. Although the Divine Palace was not the direct culprit, they had had the chance to protect Lin Feng's family and friends but chose not to. If Lin Feng could still represent the Divine Palace in the secret realm, that would be impossible. Even he wouldn't do it.
Hearing this, a strange look flashed in Jun Moxi's eyes. People's hearts were unpredictable. Lin Feng had formed a good relationship with the Divine Palace, yet he was treated like this. Everything came down to the word "benefit."
"Would the two of you be willing to join Heavenly Pool?" At this moment, Tian Xuan Peak's Snow Eagle spoke to Jun Moxi and Yun Feiyang. "Heavenly Pool values geniuses the most. Those who join Heavenly Pool can keep everything they obtain in the secret realm. Moreover, our experts will assist you in your cultivation. Joining Heavenly Pool only requires one condition: you must not betray us."
"I am the Crown Prince of Dragon Mountain Empire, and he is the Crown Prince of Moyue Kingdom," Jun Moxi said to Snow Eagle.
"That's fine. Dragon Mountain Empire and Moyue Kingdom can form an alliance with Heavenly Pool Empire. If you join Heavenly Pool, you will be considered part of the Heavenly Pool Empire, but Heavenly Pool will not restrict your other identities, such as being the rulers of Dragon Mountain Empire and Moyue Kingdom," Snow Eagle said, understanding the implication of Jun Moxi's words.
"Heavenly Pool, aren't you being a bit too arrogant? You're even trying to take people from my Divine Palace," Bei Ming said coldly, his expression unpleasant. Losing Lin Feng was one thing, but Jun Moxi was also exceptionally talented, having secured fourth place in the Snow Domain Grand Competition. Yun Feiyang was also formidable.
"I am merely inviting them. How is that arrogant? As for their choice, they will decide for themselves. Heavenly Pool never forces anyone," Snow Eagle said sarcastically, his demonic eyes fixed on Bei Ming, as if mocking the Divine Palace.
"I am willing to join Heavenly Pool," Jun Moxi said, causing Bei Ming's eyes to stiffen just as he was about to speak.
"Me too," Yun Feiyang echoed. Bei Ming's face grew increasingly ugly.
"Palace Master, Lin Feng was once considered half a member of the Divine Palace and was to represent it in the secret realm. Yet when he faced a life-and-death crisis, the Divine Palace ignored the safety of his family, chilling people's hearts. If Lin Feng, who was of great value to the Divine Palace, was treated like this, I cannot guarantee that after we obtain the treasures of the secret realm, the Divine Palace won't kill us to silence us, like dogs being cooked after the hunt."
Jun Moxi's voice was righteous, as if a vast, upright qi was emanating from him. If Lin Feng received such treatment, who knew what would happen to others who joined the Divine Palace?
Everyone felt that Jun Moxi's words made sense. They secretly despised the Divine Palace. Their own actions had led to this result, and they had only themselves to blame for benefiting Heavenly Pool.
"The Divine Palace..." The Purple Gold Dragon King let out a long sigh, the mockery in it extremely thick, as if ridiculing the Divine Palace's incompetence.
"You went to all the trouble of holding the Snow Domain Grand Competition, spending so much effort and resources, only to have it all benefit others," a cold voice said. Bei Ming looked at the speaker—it was the Eastern Divine Palace's Palace Master. This only made Bei Ming angrier. He coldly swept his gaze over Lin Feng and the others, then flicked his sleeves and left, though murderous intent flashed in his heart!
PS: Thanks to Brother 61 for the tip, and thanks to all the brothers for your understanding and support!