CHAPTER 150: CHAPTER 150: KILLING INTENT

Luo Feng and Bing Ruolan were heading to Purple Spirit Peak, talking as they walked.

Just after they vanished at the end of the road, two figures appeared with a flash in a corner of the martial arts field.

The two were cloaked, only a glint visible deep within their eyes. They emanated a powerful aura, deterring anyone from approaching.

"Housekeeper Li, Luo Feng is only at the early-stage seventh level of the Essence Storage Realm, yet he fought evenly with Zi Yuan, one of last year’s Four New Talents. No wonder Young Master Duanmu Yu and Young Master Duanmu Kuang both lost to him," one of the figures said quietly, his gaze tinged with fear as he looked in the direction Luo Feng had disappeared.

"Indeed, he is quite a character. Unfortunately, he’s too ostentatious and has offended people he shouldn’t have. Such individuals rarely live long," Housekeeper Li said hoarsely, his voice laced with potent killing intent.

News that Duanmu Kuang had been severely injured had already reached the Duanmu Family. Two core disciples of the Duanmu Family had been grievously wounded, each losing an arm. When Duanmu Xiong, the Family Head, learned of this, he was enraged and immediately dispatched men to investigate Luo Feng’s whereabouts.

Housekeeper Li was one of those sent to track Luo Feng.

"Luo Feng is scheduled to train under a Spiritual Rotation Realm expert in ten days. What should we do now?" the person beside Housekeeper Li asked.

Housekeeper Li gazed in the direction Luo Feng had vanished, pondered for a moment, then said, "Return to the family immediately and report today’s events to the Family Head. He will decide what to do."

"I will remain here and monitor Luo Feng’s movements. If he leaves the academy, I will leave markers along the way," Housekeeper Li said gravely.

"Then you must be careful. Luo Feng’s strength is not trivial; it’s best not to act rashly," the other man cautioned before his figure disappeared into the crowd.

Housekeeper Li looked unconcerned. Luo Feng and Zi Yuan had only fought to a draw. As he had reached the peak of the seventh level of the Essence Storage Realm, he naturally didn’t consider Luo Feng a significant threat.

「...」

Night descended, the sky glittering with countless stars.

In a small courtyard on Purple Spirit Peak, bathed in silvery moonlight, a lone figure stood ramrod straight.

Luo Feng stood in the courtyard, his eyes slightly closed, replaying the scenes from his daytime duel with Zi Yuan over and over in his mind. He had not long advanced to the seventh level of the Essence Storage Realm, and many aspects of the transformation of Yuan Qi into Gang Qi were still unclear to him. Zi Yuan, one of last year’s Four New Talents and a late-stage seventh level Essence Storage Realm cultivator, had a much more proficient grasp of Gang Qi usage than he did.

As he replayed the duel in his mind again and again, Luo Feng sank into a wondrous state, gradually losing all track of time.

BUZZ!

After an unknown period, a faint fluctuation emanated from his body. The air in the entire courtyard seemed to tremble slightly, and ripples spread across the surface of the pond in a corner of the yard.

A layer of glaze-like Gang Qi surged from Luo Feng’s right hand. It was more condensed than before and dyed silver by the moonlight.

Opening his eyes, a spark like lightning flashed deep within Luo Feng’s pupils. He took a step forward and threw a punch.

BOOM!

It was as if a thunderclap had exploded in the courtyard. The air rippled like water, spreading outwards and causing the leaves on trees dozens of meters away to rustle violently.

Huh?

The inner courtyard students and instructors living nearby all showed expressions of bewilderment. For an instant, they had faintly sensed a piercing killing intent flash past, so potent it made the pores on their skin prickle and open. But when they searched carefully, they found nothing. It was as if it had been an illusion.

Not bad!

Feeling the immense power of that punch, Luo Feng was deeply impressed. The recent epiphany had allowed him to comprehend Gang Qi much more thoroughly. His mind was clear, and he felt he was another step closer to the middle stage of the seventh level of the Essence Storage Realm. If before Luo Feng had been a full step away from the middle stage of the seventh level of the Essence Storage Realm, now only a thin veil separated him from a breakthrough. As long as he diligently nourished the Meridian Wheel in his heart, the breakthrough would occur naturally, without any further bottlenecks.

If I break through to the middle stage of the Essence Storage Realm and combine it with Dragon Roaring Nine Heavens, I should be able to defeat Zi Yuan easily. I might even be able to contend with an expert at the peak of the seventh level of the Essence Storage Realm.

A joyful light flashed in Luo Feng’s eyes. He slowly exhaled and looked up at the moon. It hung high in the sky; midnight was approaching.

It’s time to go.

Luo Feng murmured to himself, then stood up. He walked out of the courtyard, closed the gate behind him, and using Qinggong, he sped towards the academy.

A short while later, Luo Feng arrived before a grand and imposing residence. This was the dwelling of the Dean of Purple Sun Academy.

He straightened his clothes, stepped forward, and knocked on the lion-head brass door studs.

"Luo Feng, what brings you here so late?" a dignified voice suddenly drifted over, as if someone were speaking right beside his ear.

Thousand Li Sound Transmission...

Luo Feng felt a slight shiver, knowing it was Dean Zi Hongyuan speaking to him. He answered respectfully, "Dean, I have a matter to request of you."

"Oh? Come in then."

The voice had barely reached Luo Feng’s ears when a gentle breeze swept past, and CREAK... the three-meter-tall vermilion gate swung open from within.

Luo Feng walked in and looked up to see a figure standing in the courtyard. Even from a distance, the immense pressure emanating from the figure made his breath catch in his throat. It was as if he weren’t facing a person, but a towering, majestic mountain that one could only gaze up at in awe!

The Ninth Level Heavenly Court Realm is truly extraordinary. I can’t even withstand the aura he casually exudes.

Luo Feng took a breath, his expression quickly returning to normal. He walked over to the figure. "Dean."

Zi Hongyuan looked at Luo Feng, a flicker of surprise deep within his eyes. He had just intentionally released a fraction of his aura to test Luo Feng. An ordinary person would likely be too intimidated to even speak in his presence. Yet Luo Feng remained completely unfazed!

"Not bad!"

A hint of approval in his gaze, Zi Hongyuan’s voice softened slightly as he asked, "Luo Feng, what is it you seek from me?"

Luo Feng looked at Zi Hongyuan and said frankly, "Dean, is it possible to add one more spot for training with the Spiritual Rotation Realm experts?"

Zi Hongyuan smiled faintly and replied, "You wish for Bing Ruolan to go as well?"

"Yes." Luo Feng nodded, not denying it.

Although Bing Ruolan hadn’t said anything, Luo Feng could sense that she also greatly desired to train under the Spiritual Rotation Realm experts. Furthermore, he truly didn’t want Bing Ruolan to miss this opportunity.

Zi Hongyuan regarded Luo Feng, pondered for a moment, then said, "Luo Feng, the rewards have already been announced. Even as the Dean, I cannot arbitrarily change the rules. If I were to propose now that Bing Ruolan also accompany you, it would likely be perceived as unfair."

Luo Feng frowned. He had considered this point, but he was still unwilling to give up.

"Is there no other way?"

A hint of a smile touched Zi Hongyuan’s eyes. "A way is not entirely absent."

"What way is that?" Luo Feng asked eagerly.

Zi Hongyuan walked to a nearby stone table, poured a cup of tea, and then said, "The Spiritual Rotation Realm expert who will be guiding your cultivation this time is also a Refiner Master. She has a particular fondness for all kinds of rare ores."

"If you can obtain some Red Flame Golden Crystals, I can try to persuade her again. She should then agree to guide Bing Ruolan. If she gives her consent, others will naturally have no grounds for objection."

Luo Feng, who had been on the verge of giving up, was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly asked, "Where can I find Red Flame Golden Crystals?"

Zi Hongyuan waved his hand, looked at Luo Feng with a serious expression, and said gravely, "Don’t be too quick to agree. Red Flame Golden Crystals are the inner gallbladders of the Purple Flame Python. The Purple Flame Python is a mid-tier Level Three Demon Beast, with strength equivalent to an eighth level Hell Realm expert! Furthermore, they only inhabit the Smelting Mountain Range within the Red Chain Mountain Range. You had best consider this carefully before deciding whether to go."

Purple Flame Python...

Luo Feng’s eyebrows rose; he had heard of this type of Demon Beast before. The Purple Flame Python was a mid-tier Level Three Demon Beast of formidable strength. Moreover, the environment of the Smelting Mountain Range was treacherous; ordinary Martial Artists who entered could only exert seventy to eighty percent of their usual strength. Typically, even early-stage eighth level Hell Realm experts would not easily venture into the Smelting Mountain Range.

After a moment of contemplation, Luo Feng looked up at Zi Hongyuan and declared, "Within ten days, I will definitely retrieve the Red Flame Golden Crystals!"

Luo Feng’s decisive manner took Zi Hongyuan aback for a moment. Then, he nodded and said, "In that case, I shall await your good news. However, if you encounter danger, it’s best not to push yourself. I would not want to lose such an outstanding student."

Luo Feng nodded. His gaze flickered almost imperceptibly towards a corner of the courtyard as he urged, "Dean, could you please help me keep this matter confidential? So that others do not find out?"

Zi Hongyuan’s eyes narrowed slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Rest assured, I am not a loquacious person. No fourth person will come to know of this matter."

"Thank you, Dean." Luo Feng retracted his gaze, expressed his thanks, and turned to depart.

Just as Luo Feng’s figure disappeared beyond the courtyard gate, Zi Hongyuan suddenly called out, "Come out. How long do you intend to keep watching?"

The sound of light footsteps followed, and from the shadows in the corner Luo Feng had glanced at, a petite figure emerged. It was Zi Yuan.

"Father, has Luo Feng gone far?" Zi Yuan glanced towards the main gate and asked cautiously.

Zi Hongyuan shot Zi Yuan an exasperated look. "You were already discovered, what are you still worried about?"

"He discovered me? Impossible! I concealed my aura just now. He isn’t like you, with Yuan Qi that possesses spirituality; how could he possibly have discovered me?" Zi Yuan pouted her red lips, unconvinced.

Zi Hongyuan shook his head. "What was the last thing I said?"

Zi Yuan replied casually, "You said that no fourth person would know about this... Huh!"

Zi Yuan’s eyes suddenly widened. "Why a fourth person?"

"Counting you, there are three people who know of this matter. So, of course, no fourth person will know."

Zi Hongyuan smiled helplessly and said, "Luo Feng knew you were here the moment he arrived. His last words were actually meant for you."

"Hmph, that fellow is always so secretive."

Zi Yuan sat down beside him, looking at Zi Hongyuan. Her brow furrowed, and her tone was tinged with worry, "Father, how could you allow him to go hunt for Red Flame Golden Crystals? Even I’m not confident I could defeat a Purple Flame Python."

Zi Hongyuan took a sip of tea and replied with a wry smile, "Those are the rules set by your Martial Aunt. What could I do? Besides, the Earth Core Fire Fiend in the Smelting Mountain Range will also be beneficial for the Sky Slayer Saber Technique he cultivates."

"But, what if..."

"Don’t worry."

Zi Hongyuan shook his head. "Luo Feng cultivates Teng Dragon’s Step. His Qinggong is even superior to yours. Even if he encounters danger, he has sufficient ability to protect himself."