Chapter 788: Righteousness Reaches the Clouds
Yu Tianji's gaze fixed on Lin Feng as he slowly stepped forward, saying, "You're right. I, Yu Tianji, am the leader of Heavenly Lake who entered the secret realm. All members of Heavenly Lake must obey my commands."
Lin Feng stared at Yu Tianji, his white robes fluttering, his bearing heroic. He was the leader, and all Heavenly Lake people had to follow him. None of the other Heavenly Lake experts refuted him, as if silently confirming Yu Tianji's words.
The seven main peaks of Heavenly Lake Snow Mountain were led by the Heavenly Pivot Peak, and Yu Tianji, the young leader of Heavenly Pivot Peak, also represented the most honored seat among the seven snowy peaks, possessing the strongest power of command. His words, as long as one was from Heavenly Lake, had to be obeyed. This had always been Heavenly Lake's rule. If one day Yu Tianji became the true leader of Heavenly Pivot Peak, then everyone from all seven snowy peaks of Heavenly Lake would revere him as supreme. He represented the will of Heavenly Lake.
"Lin Feng, although Heavenly Pivot Peak has acknowledged you, and Senior Snow Eagle would not oppose anyone joining our Heavenly Lake Snow Peak, this does not mean I have recognized you, nor does it mean the other six snowy peaks of Heavenly Lake have recognized you. A few days ago, after you entered the secret realm, you killed someone from Heavenly Pivot Peak. They were wrong first, so killing them was fine. But now, the two of them have obtained heavy treasures. They must hand them over. If they don't, they die!"
Yu Tianji's eyes flickered with killing intent, no longer hiding it.
"Ridiculous. I recall the Heavenly Lake senior said beforehand that any Heavenly Lake member who obtains treasures may keep them for themselves. You claim to be the leader of Heavenly Lake—surely you know this." Lin Feng rebuked loudly. Yu Tianji was clearly twisting the truth.
"If Snow Moon had obtained the treasures, or if one of them had obtained them alone, I would not have acted to seize them. But as for these two, I have said that the Heavenly Lake senior acknowledged them, but I have not. Moreover, they are not qualified to hold such heavy treasures. So even if they sincerely wish to join Heavenly Lake, I will not change my mind."
Yu Tianji's expression was solemn as he declared, "Such heavy treasures—they are unworthy to possess them. I should be the one to hold them. For this purpose, even if my robes are stained with blood, I will not hesitate."
"All for the empire." Yu Tianji placed his hand over his chest, his expression solemn. Even if it meant killing, even if it meant going against the senior's will, he would not hesitate. This was his conviction, his will.
"Utter nonsense. Why don't you just say it's for your own selfish gain, to take the treasures for yourself?" Lin Feng's entire body exuded a sharp sword aura as he stared at Yu Tianji, saying angrily, "Enough talk. Let's fight. You say you want to purge the rebels of Heavenly Lake. I, Lin Feng, on behalf of Heavenly Pivot Peak, will also execute the great traitors and unworthy disciples who hunt their own peers. Why should the Heavenly Pivot lineage obey your commands?"
Feeling Lin Feng's surging battle intent, Yu Tianji showed no fear. His eyes were solemn as he stared at Lin Feng.
"I know you have been taught by three seniors and are powerful, with your Sword Dao Will having reached the sixth level. To be honest, I admire you. If you had obtained the treasures, perhaps I would not have seized them. I believe you can make the Heavenly Pivot lineage rise. But since you insist on protecting those two, then you and I will inevitably fight. If you lose, I will not kill you, but the treasures they obtained must be handed over to me for handling."
Yu Tianji spoke slowly, his tone filled with immense confidence.
"If you lose, what then?" Huangfu Long shouted.
"Lose?" Yu Tianji smiled coldly, sweeping his gaze over the five figures on the cave wall. "Among the people of the seven snowy peaks, aside from you, who dares to defy my commands? I am their leader. Heavenly Lake has seven snowy peaks, and I am the leader of the main peak, Heavenly Pivot Peak. How could I, Yu Tianji, possibly lose? Do you really think becoming the leader of the seven snowy peaks is so easy?"
Confidence. Yu Tianji radiated boundless confidence. Lin Feng and the others stared at him. His demeanor was completely different now. Indeed, as a powerful mid-rank empire, the Heavenly Lake Empire had a high reputation among mid-rank empires due to its strong cohesion. The Heavenly Lake Snow Peaks were the soul of the empire, and Yu Tianji, as the young leader of Heavenly Lake, and possibly even the true master of Heavenly Lake in the future, was no mere figure of empty reputation.
Lin Feng and the others realized they might have underestimated Yu Tianji.
Moreover, Yu Tianji knew that three venerable seniors had guided Lin Feng. He also knew that Lin Feng possessed sixth-level Sword Dao Will. Yet there was no fear in him, only burning battle intent.
But since Yu Tianji was unafraid, how could Lin Feng be? He too exuded surging battle intent. Having trained at Heavenly Lake Snow Peak for a while and gained insights in the secret realm, Lin Feng could kill those at the Ninth Layer of Profound Martial Realm as easily as slaughtering chickens and dogs. He had yet to have a truly satisfying battle.
"You're full of crap. You win and you get two heavy treasures, and you say you won't lose—is that enough? What if Lin Feng also says he won't lose?" Huangfu Long's aura surged as he roared angrily.
"Dragon bloodline. I didn't expect Heavenly Lake to produce so many talents. How gratifying. I said that if I win, I only want the right to distribute those two artifacts. I won't kill you. If I lose, I have nothing of equal value to exchange. Otherwise, I would cede my position as the young leader of Heavenly Lake Snow Peak to Lin Feng."
"Nonsense. You say you're the leader, but who acknowledges you?" Huangfu Long said disdainfully.
"They all acknowledge me. If Lin Feng defeats me, I guarantee that from now on, the younger generation of Heavenly Lake Snow Peak will revere Lin Feng as supreme." Yu Tianji said.
Huangfu Long wanted to say more, but Lin Feng spoke up: "I agree."
Battle. Both Yu Tianji and Lin Feng exuded surging battle intent.
"Refreshing." Yu Tianji smiled, his gaze sweeping over the others, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes. "If we fight, the others probably won't stay quiet. Listen up, Heavenly Lake members. I command you to guard those two artifacts. They will be used by me."
The Heavenly Lake experts all nodded slightly, none disobeying. Especially the leaders of each snowy peak. Every year, Heavenly Lake held a sparring session, and only they knew how unfathomably powerful Yu Tianji was.
"You're quite confident." Lin Feng's entire body radiated sharpness. Yu Tianji directly claimed the two artifacts would be used by him. What an arrogant man.
His cold eyes swept over the crowd, seeing that everyone was restless. If he and Yu Tianji fought, everyone would likely become unruly and try to seize Jun Moxi and Yun Feiyang's treasures.
Lin Feng looked at Jun Moxi and the other two, smiling, "How do you feel?"
"Want to drink." Jun Moxi laughed heartily, his golden robe fluttering, dazzling and brilliant.
"Right, wine." Yun Feiyang smiled freely. Though wounded, he remained unrestrained. When the wind rises, clouds fly.
Huangfu Long grinned foolishly.
Lin Feng looked at these brothers, a brilliant smile spreading across his face. He laughed heartily, "Youyou, the wine!"
Tang Youyou waved her hand, and jars of Blazing Essence Wine appeared, tossed toward them. She knew Lin Feng liked this strong wine and had prepared plenty since leaving Dragon Mountain Empire for Snow Moon.
They each caught a jar of wine, excitement shining on their faces. To drink with such companions—what joy.
"In ancient times, there were the Qiao Feng brothers' sworn brotherhood at Shaolin Temple. Today, I, Lin Feng, and my brothers will also have a grand and passionate time. Drink to our hearts' content, kill to our hearts' content. Cheers."
Lin Feng raised his wine jar high, shouted loudly, and the jar shattered. The Blazing Essence Wine spilled from the vessel.
Opening his mouth, Lin Feng inhaled sharply, and all the wine in the jar rushed down his throat, a fiery, exhilarating sensation.
Though the others didn't know who Qiao Feng was, they too felt a surge of heroic spirit, of passionate righteousness. They raised their jars together. The jars shattered, wine spilled. They drank freely, carefree and unrestrained.
Life is short, especially in the world of martial arts—cruel, merciless. No one knows when they might be killed for the sake of profit. To meet a few kindred spirits, to drink heartily, to kill heartily—isn't that one of life's greatest joys?
"Cheers!" They shouted loudly, their voices filled with righteous spirit. The five of them were peerless in their elegance.
The crowd watched the drinkers, their gazes frozen. They couldn't help but feel a strange emotion—envy, perhaps, or bitterness. In this world of hustle and bustle, profit was like a sharp sword, killing unseen. To find a few brothers to drink and kill with was too difficult. Perhaps one could never find them in a lifetime. They could only pursue martial arts, pursue the illusory peak of the path, growing thinner without regret.
PS: Three chapters today. There will be an update burst tomorrow. Seeking motivation!