Chapter 954: The Gift of the Sword
"Lin Feng!" Old Man Tianji called out to Lin Feng, saying, "That fire of yours has set the entire Qian Domain ablaze. Now, I'm afraid there's no one in the Qian Domain who doesn't know your name, Lin Feng."
Lin Feng smiled bitterly. Indeed, setting up such a grand formation at Heavenly Lake and then burning down the Carefree Sect made it impossible for him to remain unknown. Soon, everyone in the Qian Domain would have heard the name Lin Feng.
"You set up this Essence Formation for Heavenly Lake, not only turning the various peaks into a cultivation holy land but also ensuring that Heavenly Lake will stand unshakable in the Qian Domain. These are all contributions you have made to Heavenly Lake," Old Man Tianji continued, making Lin Feng feel a bit embarrassed.
"As a member of the Tian Xuan lineage, designated as the successor of Heavenly Lake, and having nearly brought great disaster upon it, these matters are my duty and not worth mentioning," Lin Feng said calmly.
However, Old Man Tianji shook his head and said, "Merit is merit, fault is fault. Besides, you have merit without fault. This battle was not too devastating for Heavenly Lake, but it has had a tremendous impact on the Qian Domain. From now on, no one will dare to offend Heavenly Lake, and no one can. Lin Feng, whether you need techniques, martial skills, or have doubts about cultivation, you can raise them, and we will resolve them for you."
Lin Feng pondered for a moment, but then a voice entered his ears.
"Nonsense! With this Emperor here, what use is there in relying on these fellows? Hmph!"
Yan Di's arrogant voice drifted into Lin Feng's ears, leaving him momentarily stunned. This bastard was indeed a living treasure trove, but he always held something back.
"This Emperor knows what you're thinking. Don't worry. As long as you follow this Emperor on adventures, I won't treat you poorly. There's no need to consult them about techniques or cultivation," Yan Di transmitted again. With him, a Great Emperor, right by Lin Feng's side, and Lin Feng still asking these Venerables for advice, it made him lose face.
"Pseudo-Emperor, I'll trust you this once. Remember your words," Lin Feng replied to Qiongqi, then said to Old Man Tianji, "Peak Master, I have some methods I haven't fully comprehended yet, and they are quite good. I don't need techniques or martial skills for now. As for cultivation doubts, I'll ask the various Peak Masters when I think of something."
"You brat..." Flame Venerable said in frustration. So many powerful Venerables were willing to answer his questions, and he could choose any techniques or martial skills he wanted. Such a good opportunity, and Lin Feng actually refused. How frustrating.
Old Man Tianji wasn't too surprised and just smiled, nodding. Lin Feng must have obtained some powerful items in the secret realm. The methods he had displayed recently were indeed terrifying, so he probably wasn't lacking in techniques or martial skills.
"Very well. Since you don't need them, I'll give you a treasure instead," Old Man Tianji said. With a thought, a dazzling sword unsheathed. This sword seemed to possess an extremely strong spiritual nature, exuding a hint of ethereal intent. As the sword emerged, it seemed as if the light of seven stars gathered from the sky, dazzling and brilliant.
"Lin Feng, you are also a swordsman. I don't have anything good to give you, so I'll gift you this Celestial Fate Sword." Old Man Tianji waved his hand, and a ray of light shot out from his palm. With a thought, he erased his connection with the Celestial Fate Sword.
He grasped the Celestial Fate Sword and handed it to Lin Feng.
"Senior Brother!" The crowd's hearts trembled. The Celestial Fate Sword—Old Man Tianji was actually bestowing the Celestial Fate Sword upon Lin Feng.
"Senior Brother, you can't." Tian Shu Zi stepped forward and said to Old Man Tianji, "Senior Brother, the Celestial Fate Sword and the Celestial Fate Star Disk are the sacred artifacts of the Tian Ji Peak lineage. The Celestial Fate Sword symbolizes command, and the Celestial Fate Star Disk symbolizes inheritance. The one who wields the Celestial Fate Sword commands Heavenly Lake. How can you hand it over to a junior?"
"There's nothing wrong with it. I've already given the Celestial Fate Disk to Xiao Yu. From now on, Yu Tianji will be the inheritor of our Tian Ji Peak lineage. This Celestial Fate Sword is gifted to Lin Feng. Seeing the Celestial Fate Sword is like seeing me in person. It can command Heavenly Lake and the Empire. Years later, if Lin Feng is willing to return, he can come back holding the Celestial Fate Sword. If he is unwilling, he can hand it over to Yu Tianji."
Old Man Tianji spoke slowly, appearing quite carefree.
"Now that Heavenly Lake is secure and the various snow peaks have become cultivation holy lands, I, as the leader of Heavenly Lake, don't have much pressure. Keeping the Celestial Fate Sword on me would be a waste. Lin Feng, I know you have a demonic sword of great power, but it is too demonic in nature. Don't use it lightly. This Celestial Fate Sword can fill the gap until you can control the demonic sword. Of course, remember not to take out such a treasure lightly, lest it attract covetous eyes. Moreover, a sharp sword is ultimately an external force. Don't rely on it too much."
Old Man Tianji instructed Lin Feng. Lin Feng stood there in silence, listening to Old Man Tianji's meaning. It seemed he was telling him to leave Heavenly Lake!
"Take it. Your stage does not belong to the Qian Domain. The Eight Wastelands Realm will recruit Martial Emperor's Disciples in half a year. That is an opportunity for you. The power of an Emperor is unfathomable, and they control endless resources. Go and strive for it," Old Man Tianji continued.
Lin Feng's gaze turned to Snow Venerable, who smiled and nodded at him. "Xiao Feng, Moxi, Youyou, Feiyang, and Great Pest, go and see the outside world. Just remember that Heavenly Lake is your eternal home. If you are willing to return one day, Heavenly Lake will always welcome you."
Lin Feng remained silent. He looked at the various Peak Masters, all of whom were smiling gently at him, as if encouraging him to go out.
"Lin Feng, you have turned the main peaks into cultivation holy lands. From now on, there's no need to worry about training the younger generation. The Heavenly Lake Empire is vast and boundless, with countless potential juniors. They will grow up and replace us. So you don't need to consider Heavenly Lake. If someone with talent like yours appears later, I'll drive them out of Heavenly Lake even if I have to," Yao Guang Peak Master said with a loud laugh.
"That's right, Lin Feng. If you don't go out, be careful—your teacher might kick you out. When you want to come back in the future, just come back and visit."
The various Peak Masters all smiled and urged him. A warm current flowed through Lin Feng's heart. He bowed deeply to the Peak Masters and his teacher, placing his right hand over his chest, and said, "Being a disciple of Heavenly Lake is the greatest fortune of my life. I will always remember that I, Lin Feng, am a member of Heavenly Lake."
Then, Lin Feng straightened up, stood tall, and solemnly extended both hands to receive the Celestial Fate Sword. This sword signified command!
The old men all showed faint smiles at Lin Feng's actions, except for Tian Shu Zi, whose face was ugly. The Celestial Fate Sword had been handed to Lin Feng. This guy's combat power was already terrifying, and now with the Celestial Fate Sword, he would be even more formidable. Moreover, the Celestial Fate Sword was a symbol of status, meaning command.
But now, all the Peak Masters were very familiar with Lin Feng, and the Celestial Fate Sword was personally gifted by Old Man Tianji. His single objection had no effect at all.
"Lin Feng," Tian Shu Zi suddenly spoke, causing Lin Feng's expression to stiffen as he looked toward Tian Shu Zi.
"Senior Tian Shu Zi, do you have any advice?" Lin Feng asked calmly. The smiles on the surrounding Peak Masters' faces were all warm, but Tian Shu Zi's face had been unpleasant all along, and even his smile now seemed particularly fake.
"Lin Feng, Heavenly Lake has seven snow peaks, and now six of them are shrouded in Essence Qi, becoming cultivation holy lands. Only my Tian Shu Peak is an exception. Now that Heavenly Lake values you so much and you have inherited the Celestial Fate Sword, shouldn't you also set up Essence power on my Tian Shu Peak?"
Tian Shu Zi tried to maintain a gentle smile, but in Lin Feng's eyes, it still looked very unnatural.
Sneering inwardly, this guy actually wanted him to set up Essence power on Tian Shu Peak.
"No," Lin Feng shook his head.
"Why not? Although you and I have had friction, you have now inherited the Celestial Fate Sword and claim to act for Heavenly Lake. Your mind should not be so narrow as to dwell on personal grudges," Tian Shu Zi's expression shifted slightly.
"From the moment I entered Heavenly Lake, it seems you, Senior Tian Shu Zi, have always held a prejudice against me, wanting to seize what I have and drive me out of Heavenly Lake. Now you say I am narrow-minded—aren't you ashamed?" Lin Feng sneered. "Moreover, when the various forces attacked, everyone in Heavenly Lake united to resist the external enemy. Only you, Senior Tian Shu Zi, wanted to hand me over, all the while claiming it was for Heavenly Lake. Since you love Heavenly Lake so much, then among the seven snow peaks, let Tian Shu Peak be responsible for cultivating talents. After discovering them, they can be sent to the other main peaks to train in the cultivation holy lands and become pillars of Heavenly Lake. Wouldn't that be perfect?"