CHAPTER 437: CHAPTER 435: THE SHOW IS ABOUT TO BEGIN

At Green Wood Peak, within a grand hall.

"What? Lost him?" Duanmu Xiao paced back and forth in the great hall, his roar causing the entire hall to buzz, as if it could collapse at any moment.

On either side of the hall, the high-ranking members of the Duanmu Family stood with deferential respect. Confronted with the enraged Duanmu Xiao, these senior members did not dare to speak. They only looked at the young man standing in the middle of the hall.

The young man wore a brocade suit. His face was quite pale, his gaze lowered, cold sweat trickling down his forehead. In his eyes flashed a glimmer of hatred. It was Duanmu Lei.

He had someone track Luo Feng’s whereabouts, then swiftly hurried back to Green Wood Peak to report that he had discovered the whereabouts of Elder Cangxuan’s murderer. But, by the time he led his men to Black Mountain Town, the young man wearing a black mask had already vanished without a trace. Later, on a trail outside Black Mountain Town, he found the bodies of the four men he had sent to track Luo Feng.

"Second Uncle, I have assigned more people to search around Black Mountain Town. We will definitely find him," said Duanmu Lei, trembling with fear.

"Useless!" Duanmu Xiao coldly snorted, his pair of jet-black eyes bursting with an intimidating glow. He had finally received news of Elder Cangxuan’s killer, only for the trail to go cold, which infuriated him. If it weren’t for Duanmu Lei, he would have killed the person responsible for this failure.

Taking a deep breath, Duanmu Xiao composed himself and waved his hand at Duanmu Lei. "Enough, you may leave."

Duanmu Lei gritted his teeth, his face showing reluctance. But in the end, he helplessly nodded and left the grand hall.

At his side, Duanmu Yu watched Duanmu Lei’s somewhat dejected figure, a cold smirk appearing at the corner of his mouth as he thought, You think you can sit on the Family Head’s throne? Keep dreaming!

Since childhood, Duanmu Yu and Duanmu Lei had been at odds. There was no one happier than him about Duanmu Lei losing Luo Feng.

"Family Head, should I also go to Black Mountain Town?" an Elder of the Duanmu Family stepped up.

Duanmu Xiao frowned and pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "Forget it. We’ve already alerted him; he certainly won’t just sit there waiting to be caught."

The Elder who spoke earlier said, "Family Head, this man annihilated Black Wind Camp and killed Elder Cangxuan. Not only did he not flee, but he even dared to appear in Black Mountain Town. It seems like he is specifically targeting our Duanmu Family."

Duanmu Xiao’s gaze flashed as he asked, "Elder Wang Kun, what are you suggesting?"

"In another day, it’ll be your fortieth birthday, Family Head. Now such things are happening consecutively. I wonder, could the one behind the scenes be from one of the other six major families? Lately, our relationships with the Shi Family and Snow Valley’s Hu Family have been becoming increasingly tense," said the middle-aged man named Wang Kun.

"How dare they!" A hot-tempered member of the Duanmu Family on the side barked. "What can the Hu Family do? If they dare step foot on Green Wood Peak, I’ll see to it that they never return!"

The others also wore indignant expressions. Since the New Talent Assembly, the relationship between the Duanmu Family and the Hu Family had deteriorated, leading to several violent disputes and many casualties.

"Snow Valley is a great distance from Green Wood Peak. If a large number of their experts were mobilized, we would have received some news," someone who remained calm said, shaking his head.

Duanmu Xiao pondered for a moment, then waved his hand to quiet the ruckus. "We should be prepared for the unexpected. Summon all the family experts back, just in case," he said.

"Yes." Someone agreed and raced off, disappearing from the hall.

Duanmu Xiao thought for a moment, then turned to a young Martial Artist. "Leave immediately for the Sky Sword Pavilion. Tell my elder brother I need him to come back as soon as possible."

"Inform Elder Duanmuya to return?" Everyone in the grand hall was shocked. They hadn’t expected Duanmu Xiao to make this decision. Even when Duanmu Yu had an arm severed, Elder Duanmuya wasn’t asked to return to the family.

Could something major be happening? Everyone present felt a sense of unease.

Duanmu Xiao waved his hand. "Duanmu Lei is my elder brother’s beloved son. He was injured while outside, so it’s necessary to have my elder brother come back and see him."

So, that was why. With relief, everyone in the hall got up to take their leave.

Duanmu Xiao watched them leave. After everyone had departed, his sharp eyebrows suddenly knitted together. His expression turned grave, and he muttered to himself, With my elder brother returning, that should ensure nothing goes wrong, right?

Ever since Elder Cangxuan died, Duanmu Xiao had felt that something big was about to happen. He hadn’t slept well these past few days because of this unsettling feeling.

...

Fifty miles west of Black Mountain Town was a steep mountain peak. The mountain peak resembled a wolf’s tooth, one side as though it had been cleaved by a treasured blade, incredibly dangerous. The morning mist enveloped the surroundings, making the vista of the whole mountain seem elusive, like a fairyland.

On an isolated cliff, the slowly moving mist suddenly intensified, forming a vortex. Within it, one could vaguely see a figure sitting cross-legged. The mist roiled, and within a mile’s range, gales howled with tremendous momentum.

That silhouette was none other than Luo Feng.

After leaving Black Mountain Town, Luo Feng headed west. He hadn’t gone far before noticing that he was being tracked by several of Duanmu Lei’s men. Effortlessly, he dealt with them all. From these men, he learned that Duanmu Lei had gone back to Green Wood Peak to summon experts. Preferring not to entangle with them, Luo Feng came here.

This mountain peak was secluded and full of abundant yuan qi. Luo Feng decided to cultivate here, consolidate his realm, and wait patiently for Duanmu Xiao’s birthday.

As his Grand Circulation cycled around again and again within his body, the misty vortex around Luo Feng became more and more violent. If one were to look down from the sky, they would see that the mist within several miles was gathering towards him, an awe-inspiring sight.

Luo Feng circulated the Grand Circulation within his body while carefully reflecting on the scenes of his recent fights with Elder Cangxuan, the Black Wind Wolf, Duanmu Lei, among other experts. He paid special attention to his battle with Cangxuan, scrutinizing every detail over and over again. Elder Cangxuan was a peak expert in the Nine-Fold Heavenly Court Realm with a rich experience in Martial Arts. The opportunity to grapple with such a master was rare and precious.

By endlessly pondering over these experiences, Luo Feng made significant progress in his Martial Arts comprehension. His understanding of the Eight Wildernesses Dominating Flame Fist and the Shocking Thunder Saber Technique deepened a notch.

Time passed swiftly for a Martial Artist. When Luo Feng had digested all his newfound understanding, dawn had already broken on the following day.

WHOOSH! Opening his eyes to the boundless sea of clouds, Luo Feng slowly exhaled. His breath shot out like an arrow, flying several meters before gradually dissipating.

Feeling the changes within his body, Luo Feng’s eyes lit up with joy. Not bad. Fighting top experts is indeed a shortcut in cultivation. This single day of practice is equivalent to a whole month of my previous arduous training.

The yuan qi inside his body was abundant and vibrant, giving him a feeling of surging energy. He was not far from reaching the peak of the Nine-Fold Heavenly Court Realm.

I wonder how powerful my Martial Arts have become, Luo Feng thought, a twinkle in his eyes. He stood up, flicked his finger over his storage ring, and the Rage Flame Knife appeared in his hand.

"Skyfall Thunder!" With a laser-sharp gaze, Luo Feng swung his knife straight at the boundless sea of clouds.

SHICK! A soft sound of cutting air rang out, and a dazzling saber glow swept forward, as if a curtain was drawn between heaven and earth. The sea of clouds in front of the cliff parted to both sides, remaining so for a long time.

Good! The power of the Shocking Thunder Saber Technique has increased by at least thirty percent! Real combat experience against experts truly has a remarkable effect on honing one’s Martial Arts!

Luo Feng thought with a smile, looking out at the parted sea of clouds. He felt that his Saber Technique was now faintly imbued with a trace of Wind Thunder Saber Intent. It wouldn’t be long before he could cultivate the true Wind Thunder Saber Intent. Then, when he slashed his knife, it would be like a thunderbolt running wild. Even before the knife arrived, its momentum would precede it, allowing him to overwhelm his opponent with sheer presence!

CLANK! Eager to test the power of his Eight Wildernesses Dominating Flame Fist, Luo Feng put away his Rage Flame Knife. He took a half-step forward with his right foot, and with his right fist as straight as a knife, he punched out into the void.

"Flame Overlord Four Sides!" HUM! An instantly formed spherical red fist projection roared out, sweeping from Luo Feng as the center. The entire sea of clouds within a mile radius was cleared, revealing the awe-inspiring morning sun behind the clouds, magnificent and splendid.

Not bad. The power of the Eight Wildernesses Dominating Flame Fist has also increased considerably, Luo Feng nodded in satisfaction. He had only recently mastered the second stage of his Eight Wildernesses Dominating Flame Fist. Previously, his fist’s power could only affect an area within half a mile, but now it had doubled! If he were to encounter Cangxuan now, he could defeat him with a single punch, without a doubt.

Releasing a deep breath, Luo Feng retracted his aura and looked to the west. He could vaguely see a range of lush, verdant mountains in the distance.

That was Green Wood Peak, the ancestral home of the Duanmu Family!

It’s time to deliver a grand gift to the Duanmu Family Head, Luo Feng muttered to himself, looking in the direction of Green Wood Peak. Two invitation cards appeared in his hand.

I originally planned to sneak in. Now, there’s no need for that, Luo Feng thought with a faint smile. With a squeeze of his fingers, the invitation cards instantly turned to dust. With his current strength, he no longer needed to hide his identity or infiltrate the Duanmu Family.

He would stride forthrightly and boldly up Green Wood Peak, step by step. Under the gaze of all, he would make the threat of the Duanmu Family vanish from this world forever!

WHOOSH! The mountain breeze swept past. Luo Feng’s figure suddenly blurred and, in the blink of an eye, reappeared a hundred meters away. After a few more flickers, he vanished without a trace.

A thin morning mist shrouded Green Wood Peak, appearing splendid under the morning sunlight.

The road to Green Wood Peak was bustling with people. The leaders of major forces who hadn’t managed to arrive in the preceding days were now reaching one after another. The scene was no less spectacular than the New Talent Assembly, truly a grand sight. After all, this was the fortieth birthday of the Duanmu Family Head, one of the six great families in the Flowing Cloud Region. It was an event beyond compare for ordinary people.

The entirety of Green Wood Peak was filled with joy and festivity today, brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers. However, what seemed out of place were the numerous guards clad in armor, patrolling back and forth.

"So many guards. Since when has the Duanmu Family been this heavily fortified?"

"Family Head Chen, you’ve traveled far and perhaps are unaware. Major events have occurred within the Duanmu Family recently. The Black Wind Camp at Black Wind Ridge was wiped out, and Elder Cangxuan of the Duanmu Family was killed!"

"GASP! Elder Cangxuan is dead? Such a momentous thing happened! What power exactly dares to offend the Duanmu Family?"

"I heard that the one behind all this isn’t a major power, but a teenager, merely in his teens."

"A teenager? That... that’s impossible, isn’t it? Considering Elder Cangxuan’s level of cultivation, even if the Four Great Newcomers joined forces, I’m afraid they still wouldn’t be his match."

"That’s just what I heard as well. However, looking at the Duanmu Family’s current state of alert, it seems this incident is far from over. We might even get to see a good show during our visit this time."

On the main road leading to Green Wood Peak, some of the recent arrivals were engaged in heated discussion.