Chapter 39: We're in Big Trouble!
The moment the words left his mouth, the entire hall fell into a dead silence.
Everyone stared at Lin Feng with wide eyes, their gazes filled with disbelief.
Even Elder Bai was momentarily stunned, then his expression turned extremely grim.
"Lin Feng, do you know what you're saying?" Elder Bai's voice carried a hint of anger.
Lin Feng took a deep breath, his gaze resolute. "Elder, I know very well what I'm saying. I, Lin Feng, am willing to take full responsibility for this matter. I only ask the sect to spare Junior Sister Xiao Yue."
"Ridiculous!" A sharp shout rang out. It was Xiao Yue's master, Elder Liu, who was trembling with rage. "You think you can take responsibility? Do you know what kind of crime this is?!"
Lin Feng lowered his head, not daring to meet Elder Liu's gaze. He knew he had gone too far this time.
It all started three days ago.
That day, Lin Feng had gone to the back mountain to cultivate, accidentally discovering a secret cave. Inside the cave, he found an ancient manual, which recorded a mysterious technique—the Soul Devouring Art.
According to the manual, this technique could devour the souls of others to strengthen one's own soul power. Lin Feng was tempted. He had been stuck at the ninth level of Qi Refining for a long time, unable to break through to Foundation Establishment. This technique might be his chance.
But the manual also clearly stated that the Soul Devouring Art was an evil technique, and practicing it would harm one's virtue. Lin Feng hesitated for a long time but ultimately couldn't resist the temptation.
He began secretly cultivating. At first, everything went smoothly. His soul power indeed grew stronger, and he even vaguely felt the bottleneck loosening. But soon, problems arose.
The Soul Devouring Art required devouring the souls of living beings. Lin Feng started with spirit beasts, but the effect was minimal. So he set his sights on his fellow disciples.
He chose Xiao Yue, the youngest and weakest among them.
Using the excuse of sparring, Lin Feng lured Xiao Yue to a secluded spot. Just as he was about to make his move, he was discovered by a passing elder.
Now, he was standing in the sect's main hall, facing the trial of all the elders.
"Lin Feng, do you have anything else to say?" the Sect Leader asked coldly.
Lin Feng shook his head. "No."
"Very well." The Sect Leader nodded. "According to the sect's rules, anyone who practices evil techniques and harms fellow disciples will be expelled from the sect and have their cultivation abolished. Do you accept this punishment?"
Lin Feng closed his eyes, a bitter smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. "I accept."
"Wait!"
Suddenly, a clear voice rang out. Everyone looked toward the source of the voice and saw Xiao Yue pushing through the crowd, rushing into the hall.
"Junior Sister Xiao Yue, why are you here?" Elder Liu frowned.
Xiao Yue knelt on the ground, tears streaming down her face. "Sect Leader, Elders, I beg you to spare Senior Brother Lin Feng. He... he didn't mean to hurt me."
"Xiao Yue, get up." Lin Feng tried to help her, but she shook him off.
"Sect Leader, I know Senior Brother Lin Feng was wrong, but he has always taken good care of me. This time, he was just momentarily confused. I beg you to give him a chance to change his ways," Xiao Yue pleaded.
The elders exchanged glances, their expressions complex.
"Sect Leader, I think we should give Lin Feng a chance," Elder Bai suddenly spoke up. "Although he made a grave mistake, he has confessed and shown remorse. Moreover, Xiao Yue is willing to forgive him. Why not give him a chance to reform?"
"But..." Elder Liu wanted to argue.
"Sect Leader, I have a suggestion," another elder interrupted. "We can strip Lin Feng of his cultivation and expel him from the sect, but we can spare his life. Let him start over as a mortal."
The Sect Leader pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, we'll do as you say."
Lin Feng breathed a sigh of relief. Although losing his cultivation was painful, at least he had kept his life.
But just then, a loud noise suddenly came from outside the hall.
"Boom!"
The hall doors were blasted open, and a figure rushed in. It was a middle-aged man, his face ashen, his eyes burning with rage.
"Lin Feng! I'm going to kill you!"
Before anyone could react, the middle-aged man had already charged in front of Lin Feng, a palm strike aimed at his head.
"Stop!" The Sect Leader moved to block, but it was too late.
At the critical moment, Xiao Yue suddenly threw herself in front of Lin Feng.
"Pfft!"
A mouthful of blood sprayed out, and Xiao Yue's body went limp, collapsing to the ground.
"Xiao Yue!" Lin Feng cried out in anguish, catching her.
The middle-aged man was also stunned, looking at his blood-stained palm in disbelief.
"You... why did you block it for him?" he asked hoarsely.
Xiao Yue smiled weakly, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. "Senior Brother Lin Feng... he's a good person... I believe... he didn't mean to hurt me..."
After saying that, her eyes slowly closed.
"Xiao Yue! Xiao Yue!" Lin Feng shook her frantically, but she didn't respond.
"You bastard!" The middle-aged man roared, about to strike again.
"Enough!" The Sect Leader finally made his move, a palm strike sending the middle-aged man flying. "This is the sect's main hall; how dare you act recklessly!"
The middle-aged man crashed heavily to the ground, spitting out another mouthful of blood. "Sect Leader, my daughter is dying, and you still protect this demon?!"
"Xiao Yue is your daughter?" The Sect Leader was taken aback.
"That's right! I am Xiao Yue's father, Xiao Tian!" The middle-aged man struggled to stand, glaring at Lin Feng with venomous eyes. "Today, I will make this demon pay with his life!"
Lin Feng held Xiao Yue, his mind blank. He looked at the blood on his hands, then at Xiao Yue's pale face, and suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha... I'm a demon... I really am a demon..."
His laughter grew louder and more sorrowful.
"Since I'm a demon, then let me be a demon to the end!"
As his voice fell, Lin Feng's aura suddenly surged. A black mist rose from his body, and his eyes turned blood red.
"Not good! He's gone mad!" Elder Bai exclaimed.
"Stop him!" the Sect Leader shouted.
But it was too late. Lin Feng had completely fallen into the demonic path.