Chapter 855: New Mission
Tianshuzi waved his sleeve, blocking the retreating momentum of Ziyun Qing's body and catching him.
He examined Ziyun Qing's injuries. Almost all of his bones were broken, making recovery extremely difficult. Even if he did recover, his talent would likely be inferior to before. It could be said that Lin Feng had completely ruined Ziyun Qing's future this time.
"So this is the inheritor of the Tianxuan Peak, capable of such cruelty toward a fellow disciple. Good, very good." Tianshuzi handed Ziyun Qing to the people behind him, staring coldly at Lin Feng, his voice carrying a chilling tone.
"Your face is truly thick. Someone who would sneak attack me while I was breaking through now dares to speak to me of fellowship between disciples. I've truly witnessed the methods of your Tianshu Peak when dealing with fellow disciples," Lin Feng mocked, glancing at the dejected Ziyun Qing. "This inheritor of your Tianshu lineage is too weak, utterly incapable of withstanding a single blow. His methods are despicable and he has no integrity. I've helped you discard him, so he won't embarrass Tianchi in front of outsiders in the future."
"Very well. I hope you won't embarrass Tianchi in the future." Tianshuzi said coldly, then looked up at the Old Man Tianji. "Senior Brother, the Tianxuan lineage is arrogant and overbearing. Today, they have gone too far, crippling my Tianshu lineage's inheritor and sealing our inherited sacred artifact. Everyone has witnessed this. I have no face to remain here. I take my leave."
With that, Tianshuzi waved his sleeve and led the people of Tianshu Peak away.
Old Man Tianji remained silent, understanding everything clearly, keeping it all in his heart.
Many eyes fell upon Lin Feng, their hearts filled with emotion. A new prodigy had emerged among Tianchi's younger generation. If given more time, this young man might surpass the inheritors of the other peaks.
Moreover, Lin Feng had been confirmed as the inheritor of the Tianxuan lineage, the future leader of Tianxuan Peak. He was also one of Tianchi's seven ultimate inheritors. If he truly surpassed the inheritors of the other six main peaks in the future, he would have the opportunity to contend for the position of Tianchi's leader, making Tianxuan Peak the new leading peak.
Additionally, there was another matter that deeply shocked them today. The leader of the Tianxuan lineage, Snow Venerable, had always been low-key, yet he had been hiding his powerful divine sense all along. Even the Soul-Calming Bell could be sealed, leaving Tianshuzi helpless. Clearly, the revival of the Tianxuan lineage seemed only a matter of time. From today onward, no one would dare to look down on the Tianxuan lineage anymore.
However, the people of Tianshu Peak, having suffered such humiliation today, would likely not let this rest so easily.
"Tianchi's seven peaks share one lineage, all as brothers. Do not forget your mission." Old Man Tianji's gaze swept over the crowd as he spoke slowly, his voice carrying a solemn tone.
Then, the crowd watched as Old Man Tianji raised his hand like a blade and cut off a lock of his hair. The white strands drifted in the wind, and everyone's pupils contracted sharply.
"Tianchi has not seen such a day in many years. That it has appeared under my watch is my sin. I cut this hair as an act of repentance," the old man said slowly, taking the blame upon himself first.
"In the future, I do not wish to see such things happen again. From today on, Lin Feng is the inheritor of the Tianxuan lineage. Whatever Lin Feng possesses, no one shall covet. If members of other forces covet his possessions and move against him, you must all lend your aid. Do not let selfishness blind your eyes. Tell me, what is your mission?"
Old Man Tianji shouted loudly, his voice rolling like thunder into everyone's ears.
He placed his hand over his right chest, his expression solemn.
As if infected by the old man's solemnity, the crowd set aside everything and placed their right hands over their chests.
"All, for the Empire!"
The low, solemn voices rang out simultaneously, like a warning bell on Tianchi's snowy mountain, striking deep into everyone's hearts. Many felt a sense of shame. Regardless of their reasons or purposes, coveting the treasures on Lin Feng was equivalent to moving against the Tianxuan lineage, which would undoubtedly stir conflict within Tianchi and harm its harmony and cohesion.
"Enough. Everyone, disperse." Old Man Tianji waved his hand, took a step forward, and vanished into the void atop starlight.
The crowd also dispersed, leaving Tianxuan's main peak.
Soon, only the people of Tianxuan Peak remained on the snowy summit.
Snow Venerable approached Lin Feng and said in a low voice, "Lin Feng, today's events have completely severed ties with Tianshuzi. That man harbors sinister intentions and is a disgrace to Tianchi. He will likely try to harm you. You must be cautious in the future."
"I understand." Lin Feng nodded. Tianshuzi was indeed a disgrace.
"Why didn't Senior Brother Tianji punish Tianshuzi and let that bastard continue to corrupt the current Tianshu lineage?" Sword Venerable's eyes were sharp as swords, carrying a cold gleam, clearly displeased.
"The leader of Tianshu Peak is not someone who can be moved so easily. I believe Senior Brother Tianji has his reasons," Snow Venerable said. Sword Venerable fell silent.
Lin Feng was already very satisfied with the outcome, feeling grateful. Without the staunch support of the three venerables, things would not have turned out this way.
Still, Tianchi was ultimately different from other forces. If Old Man Tianji himself had coveted the treasures on him and demanded he hand them over, he would have had no choice.
"Lin Feng, well done. I really wanted to go up and give that guy a beating." Lin Feng walked over to Jun Moxi and the others. Huangfu Long grinned, clearly holding a grudge against Ziyun Qing.
"If you had gone up, you'd probably be the one getting beaten," Yun Feiyang joked, making Huangfu Long sheepishly rub his head.
"Lin Feng, I thought your talent was about the same as mine, but it turns out you're better than me," Huangfu Long said with a simple smile, leaving the others stunned. This guy sure had 'realization,' only figuring it out now.
"Alright, all of you have gained tremendously from the secret realm this time. Before Lin Feng returned, you couldn't focus on cultivation. Now that he's back, you should go into seclusion for a while, elevate your cultivation, and strive to break through to the Heavenly Martial Realm as soon as possible," Snow Venerable said, looking at these vibrant young people with a trace of kindness. The friends Lin Feng had brought all possessed extraordinary talent, injecting new vitality into their Tianxuan lineage.
Moreover, they had all obtained rare treasures this time, and their cultivation was at the Eighth or Ninth Layer of the Mysterious Martial Realm. With proper guidance, they all had a chance to step into the Heavenly Martial Realm soon.
"Hehe, got it. Lin Feng has already broken through. My talent is just a little worse than his, so I can't fall too far behind," Huangfu Long laughed. The others also smiled. Having gained insights from this journey, they indeed needed to cultivate in peace.
"And Lin Feng, you've just entered the Heavenly Martial Realm. You need to stabilize your realm and familiarize yourself with how it differs from before, comprehending the Dao of Heaven and Earth," Snow Venerable said to Lin Feng. Lin Feng nodded slightly. The Heavenly Martial Realm connected with heaven and earth, blending seamlessly, as if one could touch the essence of the Dao. He truly needed to comprehend it well.
Once his cultivation was stable, he would head to the Snow Moon Kingdom and Black Wind Ridge. Now that he had reached the Heavenly Martial Realm, the formidable middle-aged woman had promised him that he could go to bring Meng Qing back.
Snow Venerable arranged for Jun Moxi and the others to cultivate on the same snowy peak, some distance from Tianxuan Peak's main peak, for quiet cultivation. Meanwhile, Sword Venerable and Flame Venerable remained in this mountain range. Jun Moxi and the others would become key talents nurtured by the Tianxuan lineage, future pillars who would assist Lin Feng in achieving great things at Tianchi.
As for Lin Feng, he cultivated alone on a snowy peak. Snow Venerable even used powerful divine abilities to seal off the peak, preventing anyone from disturbing him.
In the space above the snowy peak, seven snow eagles soared in, then transformed into human figures, landing behind Snow Venerable. "Peak Master!"
"From today onward, I will no longer have you handle the affairs of Tianxuan Peak. I give you seven a new mission: guard the young master until he surpasses you," Snow Venerable said slowly.
The seven snow eagles all nodded. "We understand."
Snow Venerable turned to look at the seven snow eagles and smiled. "Ever since Master was here, you have been on Tianxuan Peak. Following this old man has been of little use. From now on, follow the young master. He will grant you new opportunities."
With that, Snow Venerable's figure drifted away. The seven snow eagles soared into the sky, taking positions in seven directions, guarding this snowy peak, allowing no one to disturb it.