Fanfic: Lay Flat

Chapter 39

However, just as Ye Longyuan prepared to attack, Ye Longquan grabbed his arm and spoke in a cold voice.

"Second Brother, don't fall for it. Our goal is to provoke this guy into fighting you one-on-one, not to start an all-out battle with the Jiang family. It's still early in the secret realm, and fighting them now would be pointless. The Jiang family is strong, and even if we wipe them out, we'll lose some of our people too.

How will we compete with the other families for Immortal Spirit Crystals if we're weakened?"

Ye Longquan's analysis was calm and logical. The secret realm wasn't just filled with their two groups—there were many other factions and solo disciples competing for the Spirit Crystals. Starting a bloody conflict with the Jiang family right away wasn't worth the cost.

Ye Longyuan's face darkened, but he nodded in agreement. He turned back to Han Feng and said,

"Han Feng, my target has always been you, not the Jiang family. I have no quarrel with them—I just want a duel with you.

Jiang Surou may want to protect you, but that doesn't mean the entire Jiang family will defend you. If you're a real man, don't drag the Jiang family into this. Come fight me alone; otherwise, you'll end up getting them all killed."

Before Han Feng could respond, Jiang Surou stepped forward and spoke sharply.

"First of all, Han Feng is my Dao partner, which makes him part of the Jiang family. Our family has always stood together. If we refuse to help him today, what will happen tomorrow when other members of our family are in trouble? Should we abandon them too?

You can stop trying to sow discord. The unity of the Jiang family isn't something you can break apart so easily.

Secondly, even if we lose this fight, it will be because the Ye family attacked us. Don't try to shift the blame. Are we supposed to hate Han Feng because he's being targeted by bullies like you? Shouldn't we be angry at those who are attacking us instead?

Lastly, even without Han Feng, do you expect us to believe that you wouldn't attack us later when it comes time to fight for the Spirit Crystals? The result would be the same either way. You're just trying to make us turn against him so you can weaken us. What a cunning and deceitful plan you've come up with! But do you really think the Jiang family will fall for such a vile trick?"

Jiang Surou's words instantly snapped the Jiang family disciples out of their daze. Her logic was sound—they realized they had almost fallen for Ye Longyuan's manipulation.

Even though they didn't particularly like Han Feng, he was still on their side. If they handed him over to the enemy now, how could they hold their heads high in the sect after that? They would become a laughingstock.

Outside the secret realm, in the main plaza of the sect, most of the crowd's attention was focused on the confrontation between the Jiang and Ye families.

Both families were prominent in the sect, and their rivalry had drawn even more attention due to last month's matchmaking event, where Jiang Surou had chosen Han Feng over Ye Longyuan. This drama had captured the imaginations of many disciples.

After all, who doesn't love some juicy gossip?

Everyone was eager to see how this situation would play out.

In the section reserved for the Jiang family, Jiang Surou's parents sat together, flanked by her older brother and sister.

Her father watched the scene unfold and nodded approvingly. "Our daughter may not speak much, but she has a sharp mind and quick wit. When it matters most, she knows how to defend her own and keep our family united. She didn't fall for that villain's scheme—well done."

Jiang Surou's mother also nodded in agreement. "Yes, she handled it well. I used to think highly of that Ye family boy, but now I see how vicious he truly is. To resort to such underhanded tricks… what a despicable person.

Thank goodness our daughter didn't choose him. Her life would've been ruined."

Jiang Surou's sister, however, sneered. "And choosing this servant disciple was the right choice? A useless waste hiding behind his Dao partner's skirt, spewing empty words—what kind of future does he have?"

Hearing this, Jiang Surou's father snorted in disapproval. "As long as my daughter is happy, that's all that matters. When you chose your Dao partner, did I interfere? I let you pick whoever you wanted."

Her sister smiled smugly. "Of course, Father is the best. But the man I chose is a top-tier alchemist with high-grade Earth Spirit Roots—far better than that servant boy."

Jiang Surou's father sighed. "After this ceremony is over, we'll bring that boy home. I'll personally examine him and provide him with some resources—herbs, pills, whatever it takes to improve his constitution. My daughter's Dao partner can't remain a waste forever. If he improves his cultivation, it will benefit both him and Jiang Surou through dual cultivation."

Jiang Huayang chuckled and remarked, "Father, you don't need to worry about that. That boy will surprise you."

"Oh? Does he have some hidden talent that I haven't noticed?" his father asked curiously.

"You'll see," Jiang Huayang replied with a mysterious smile, refusing to say more.

Back inside the secret realm…

Ye Longyuan's face grew darker after being rebuked by Jiang Surou. He ignored her and turned his cold gaze back to Han Feng.

"Han Feng, I'll say it one last time: my target is you. Come out and face me, and this can end quickly.

If you refuse, that's fine. I remember you have a good friend named Wang Mian, right? You've known each other for five years—you're practically brothers. Well, he's here in this secret realm too.

Go ahead, hide behind your Dao partner all you want. Once I find your friend, we'll see if you stay hidden then.

Oh, and just so you know—I've reached the ninth layer of Qi Refining. Catching a fourth-layer servant disciple like him will be child's play."

With that final threat, Ye Longyuan waved his hand and flew off with his group.

Han Feng's face darkened as he watched them leave.

He had been trying to keep Wang Mian away from him, but it seemed his worst fear had come true. Ye Longyuan planned to use Wang Mian as leverage against him.

Han Feng thought carefully. Even if he fought Ye Longyuan now and somehow won, the rest of the fifty-plus Ye family disciples would overwhelm him afterward.

The only option left was to leave the Jiang family group and find Wang Mian before Ye Longyuan did. He needed to get Wang Mian to the statue, offer his Spirit Crystals, and safely exit the secret realm.

That was the only way he could protect his friend.

The Jiang family couldn't be expected to help—after all, they had their own mission to collect Spirit Crystals. And while they'd protect Han Feng, they had no reason to protect Wang Mian.

But if Han Feng moved alone, there was little chance the Ye family would catch him.

After all, with his Heavenly Wind Spirit Root at the peak of the ninth layer of Qi Refining, Han Feng's speed was unmatched in this secret realm.

He might not win in a direct fight, but there was no way anyone could catch him if he decided to run.

Chapter 40

After forming his plan, Han Feng was determined to slip away quietly.

At that moment, Jiang Surou turned to him and said, "Don't let him intimidate you. If he really tries to threaten you through your friend, we'll fight him. People like him—treacherous and despicable—deserve to be taken down by anyone with a sense of justice!"

Han Feng felt a warmth in his heart at her words and smiled, nodding in agreement.

However, one of the Jiang family disciples nearby spoke up in a calm tone, "Let's not be rash. If we can avoid fighting them, let's do that. They outnumber us, and we're here to make a wish, not to pick a fight with the Ye family. Of course, if they corner us, we'll fight. We Jiang family members aren't cowards."

His words were clearly directed at Han Feng—indirectly pointing out that while the Jiang family could protect Han Feng, they weren't about to risk everything for his friend.

Han Feng understood completely and held no resentment toward the Jiang family. They had already done more than enough for him.

This was his problem. Wang Mian was his friend, and it was up to Han Feng to save him.

"Enough chatter. Let's spread out and search for more Spirit Crystals," Jiang Surou instructed, reminding Han Feng to stay close.

Han Feng nodded in compliance.

The group dispersed, each member searching the area for Spirit Crystals. Meanwhile, Han Feng, carrying the little fox, pretended to search—but he gradually moved closer to the forest, edging away from the group.

Once he entered the forest, Han Feng immediately pulled out a bamboo hat and face veil from his storage pouch, covering his head and concealing his face. He then grabbed the little fox and sprinted swiftly, putting as much distance between himself and the Jiang family as possible.

After climbing over a hill, the little fox finally asked, "Why all the secrecy? Are you taking me to find some tasty Spirit Crystals?"

As Han Feng tucked her into the sack he carried, he replied, "We're going to find Wang Mian. We need to find him quickly and protect him. Ye Longyuan is clearly after him, and both he and Zhang Xiu could be in danger."

"Oh, that's important. But can we at least look for some Spirit Crystals along the way? I can sense where they are," the little fox suggested helpfully.

"No. We need to find Wang Mian first," Han Feng said firmly, securing the little fox in the sack.

He pulled out his communication jade slip and sent a transmission to Jiang Surou. "Senior Sister, I'm going to find Wang Mian. Ye Longyuan is targeting him because of me, and I can't let my friend get hurt because of my problems. Don't worry about me—I can take care of myself."

After sending the message, Han Feng put away the jade slip and dashed deeper into the forest.

On the other side, Jiang Surou read the message, and her face turned pale with worry. She immediately sent a transmission back. "Han Feng, come back! You have no cultivation! If Ye Longyuan finds you, you'll be walking into your own death! Get back here now!"

Outside the Secret Realm, in the Grand Plaza…

Han Feng's decision to leave the Jiang family group caused a stir among the spectators.

No one could understand what was going through his mind. Why would a "waste" like Han Feng leave the safety of the Jiang family to search for his friend? It seemed like suicide.

Jiang Surou's parents, watching the projection, were visibly alarmed. Both straightened in their seats, their eyes fixed on the screen.

Jiang Surou's father frowned deeply. "Ye Longyuan's behavior is utterly disgraceful. It's one thing to have external enemies, but to prey on a fellow disciple's friend—is this really how the Ye family raises their children? Despicable.

And what is Han Feng thinking? He may be loyal to his friends, but he's being far too reckless. He has no strength—how does he plan to stand against the power of the Ye family? He's brave, but his impulsiveness will get him killed."

Next to him, Jiang Surou's elder sister, the one with the regal and alluring presence, smirked and said, "See? I told you he's not fit for our little sister. Look at him—rushing off foolishly with no plan."

Jiang Huayang chuckled. "Big Sister, aren't you speaking too soon? Let's wait and see what happens."

Jiang Surou's father sighed. "He's a loyal young man, I'll give him that—he doesn't want to endanger the Jiang family, nor does he want to betray his friend. He only took this risk because he felt he had no other choice.

In the end, it's because our daughter chose him that Ye Longyuan has been targeting him. But Han Feng hasn't complained or shown fear, and he's never asked to sever ties with Jiang Surou to protect himself. He bears the burden like a true man.

At worst, if things get dangerous, he can always shout 'Exit' and leave the secret realm. He won't die in there.

Once he's out, we'll bring him to the Jiang family home and give him some resources to improve his constitution. He may lack talent, but he has decent character—"

Suddenly, Jiang Surou's father stopped mid-sentence, his eyes wide in shock. "Wait—he's flying? How is he flying so fast?!"

Projected on the screen for all to see, Han Feng, now wearing his bamboo hat and face veil, summoned a bright blue flying sword and shot off into the distance at incredible speed.

The sight caused a ripple of shocked gasps from the tens of thousands of spectators.

No one had expected this. Han Feng, the so-called "waste" who supposedly couldn't cultivate, was flying—and at an astonishing speed.

Jiang Surou's father, a powerful Core Formation cultivator with sharp insight, quickly analyzed the situation as he stared at the projection.

"Only someone at the fifth layer of Qi Refining can use the sword flight technique. Judging by his speed, he's at least at the seventh or eighth layer of Qi Refining. It's hard to determine his exact level without seeing him fight, but his cultivation is impressive.

For an eighteen-year-old to reach this level is rare. He's easily stronger than at least eighty percent of the participants in the secret realm. He's no 'waste'—we've misjudged him."

Jiang Huayang smiled knowingly. "That's why I said we should wait and see. When he killed the two assassins that Ye Longyuan sent after him, he did it cleanly and without hesitation. One strike for each."

"Oh? He's that strong?" his father asked, intrigued. "Then why do people think he's a waste? Has he been hiding his power all along?"

Jiang Huayang nodded. "He's been keeping a low profile. With no family backing him, he needed to be cautious. If not for his conflict with the Ye family, I think he would've continued hiding his strength, even in the secret realm."

Jiang Surou's father nodded thoughtfully. "I see. He wasn't being reckless—he's confident in his abilities.

This young man has good character, a sound mind, and solid cultivation potential. He's also been smart enough to hide his talents until now. He's well-suited for survival in the cultivation world.

We can't afford to let a talent like this slip away from the Jiang family."

Jiang Huayang grinned. "You've got to admit—our little sister has a good eye for talent. She saw something in him that the rest of us didn't."

"But why does she keep insisting that he's a waste with no cultivation? Does even Jiang Surou not know his true strength?"

"Uh…"

Jiang Huayang had originally thought Jiang Surou had chosen Han Feng because she had seen through to his cultivation and potential. But now, it seemed like there might have been some sort of misunderstanding.

Because of Han Feng's display of sword flight, the disciples outside were all astonished, and almost all eyes were fixed on him.

Chapter 41

Han Feng carried the little fox on his back, soaring through the air on his Windborne Spirit Sword. He didn't fly too high or too fast, as he needed to carefully search for Wang Mian.

His disguise, combined with the fact that there were no Foundation Establishment disciples in the secret realm, ensured that no one could recognize him.

The secret realm was vast, and Han Feng had no idea where Wang Mian might be. Without a communication jade slip, finding him would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. Still, Han Feng pressed on.

As he searched, he noticed two disciples not far away battling an illusory spirit beast. Working together, they killed the beast, which dropped a bright Immortal Spirit Crystal.

The little fox, perched on Han Feng's back, immediately caught the scent of the crystal. With a swift leap, she transformed into a blur, darting toward the two disciples and snatching the crystal right out of their hands.

"Where did this spirit beast come from, daring to cause trouble here?!" one of the disciples roared in anger. Their faces darkened, and they immediately attacked the little fox with palm strikes.

"Little Fox, what are you doing?!" Han Feng shouted in alarm.

Moving at lightning speed, Han Feng dove down, catching the little fox in his arms just before the disciples' attacks landed. He shielded her with his body, taking the brunt of the strikes himself.

The two disciples sneered. "Hmph, so it's a tamed beast, huh? Daring to steal our Spirit Crystal? You're courting death—"

Before they could finish their sentence, Han Feng turned and slashed his sword toward them. A brilliant sword arc cut through the air, accompanied by a gust of wind, striking the two disciples squarely.

They tried to defend themselves, but it was no use. The sword arc sent them flying, blood spurting from their mouths as they crashed to the ground, too injured to stand.

"Courting what? Courting feathers? My spirit beast isn't for you to teach a lesson." Han Feng snorted coldly before hugging the little fox tightly and flying off at top speed.

While Han Feng doted on the little fox and wouldn't let others bully her, he wasn't about to let her do whatever she pleased without consequences.

Once they reached a secluded area, Han Feng grabbed the little fox by her scruff. Startled, she panicked, thinking Han Feng was about to take the Spirit Crystal she had just stolen. In a flash, she stuffed the crystal into her mouth, chomping it down with a few loud crunches.

"You little troublemaker!" Han Feng scolded, his tone stern. "I told you we're here to save Wang Mian. Why are you stealing other people's Spirit Crystals and stirring up trouble? Do you think we don't already have enough enemies?"

The little fox lowered her head, her ears drooping as she murmured softly, "I'm sorry… I just… I've never come across something that could make me stronger before. I couldn't resist.

These Spirit Crystals… they don't give me any cultivation or combat power, but they increase my speed, enhance my senses, and make my body tougher. I can run faster, sense danger earlier, and withstand more hits. These are all survival abilities. It's just… your human world is so dangerous, and I've been hurt so many times before that I… I'm scared.

Please don't be mad, okay? I won't steal them again. I promise I won't cause any more trouble."

Seeing the little fox's pitiful expression and the tears welling up in her eyes, Han Feng's anger melted away. His heart softened, and the fire in his chest dissipated completely.

She was so small and fragile, constantly living in fear of being captured or killed by humans. She had spent years hiding, running, and surviving on scraps, terrified for her life. Now, she had finally found something that could make her feel even a little safer—how could she not want more?

Han Feng sighed deeply, feeling a pang of guilt. I'm the bad one here, aren't I? How could I be so harsh to her?

"Fine," he said, his tone softening. "We don't have a set destination anyway. If we're going to be searching, we might as well look for Spirit Crystals along the way. Once we find Wang Mian, we'll make our wish and leave.

Use your senses to locate Spirit Crystals as we go. If we come across them, grab them. If we can't grab them, take them from the other disciples."

"Wait, seriously? You're letting me take them?" The little fox's ears perked up, her eyes sparkling with hope.

Han Feng ruffled her head affectionately. "If you want to take them, then take them. What's there to be afraid of? And even if they try to chase us, do you really think they can catch me? With my speed, who's going to keep up? I'm a wind-attribute Heavenly Spirit Root cultivator at the peak of the ninth layer of Qi Refining. Is there anyone faster than me in this secret realm?"

"Alright! Let's go steal all their shiny things!" the little fox cheered, her spirits instantly lifted. She hopped onto Han Feng's shoulder, ready for action.

Watching her newfound enthusiasm, Han Feng couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just been tricked. Wasn't she acting pitiful just moments ago?

"Get back in the sack," he said firmly. "If you sit on my shoulder, everyone will know it's me before we even show up."

"Got it!" The little fox obediently hopped into the sack, hiding herself.

—

Outside the Secret Realm, in the Grand Plaza…

The disciples watching the projection were in an uproar.

Moments earlier, they had witnessed the little fox's blinding speed as she snatched the Spirit Crystal from Fang Yu, followed by Han Feng's lightning-fast strike that sent both Fang Yu and his companion flying.

"Wait, did I just see what I think I saw? Isn't that Fang Yu? The pride of Zhaoxia Peak?" one disciple murmured.

"Fang Yu is Zhaoxia Peak's only disciple with Heavenly Spirit Roots! He's at the eighth layer of Qi Refining and the idol of so many female disciples. And he was just taken down in one strike?"

"An eighth-layer Qi Refining cultivator! And his companion, Liu Shidi, is at the sixth layer! But they couldn't withstand a single attack from Han Feng?"

"This Han Feng is terrifying. Who said he was a waste? Who said he couldn't cultivate?"

"If he's a waste, then what are we? Garbage? Trash? We can't even hold a candle to him. Calling him a waste is an insult to ourselves!"

"Wait, look at his speed. He's already disappeared. How is he moving so fast? Is that even possible for someone at the Qi Refining stage? Could he actually be at Foundation Establishment?"

"That's insane. His speed is unreal."

"Shh! Listen to what he's saying to his spirit beast!"

"He's so bold, so domineering. 'If you like it, we'll take it from them.' Does he even see the thousands of disciples in this secret realm as a threat?"

"Wow… that's love right there. Just because his spirit beast wants it, he's willing to make an enemy of everyone here. Can you imagine how much he must cherish his Dao partner? She must be treated like royalty!"

"I used to envy him for being with Senior Sister Jiang. Now, I envy Senior Sister Jiang for being with him."

"I ship them! They're such a perfect pair!"

"Wait, who do you ship? Han Feng and Jiang Surou or Han Feng and the little fox?"

The crowd buzzed with discussion, but the moment Han Feng's final line echoed across the projection, the plaza fell silent.

If they had been merely surprised before, now they were utterly stunned—completely blown away by Han Feng's audacity and prowess.

Chapter 41

Han Feng carried the little fox on his back, soaring through the air on his Windborne Spirit Sword. He didn't fly too high or too fast, as he needed to carefully search for Wang Mian.

His disguise, combined with the fact that there were no Foundation Establishment disciples in the secret realm, ensured that no one could recognize him.

The secret realm was vast, and Han Feng had no idea where Wang Mian might be. Without a communication jade slip, finding him would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. Still, Han Feng pressed on.

As he searched, he noticed two disciples not far away battling an illusory spirit beast. Working together, they killed the beast, which dropped a bright Immortal Spirit Crystal.

The little fox, perched on Han Feng's back, immediately caught the scent of the crystal. With a swift leap, she transformed into a blur, darting toward the two disciples and snatching the crystal right out of their hands.

"Where did this spirit beast come from, daring to cause trouble here?!" one of the disciples roared in anger. Their faces darkened, and they immediately attacked the little fox with palm strikes.

"Little Fox, what are you doing?!" Han Feng shouted in alarm.

Moving at lightning speed, Han Feng dove down, catching the little fox in his arms just before the disciples' attacks landed. He shielded her with his body, taking the brunt of the strikes himself.

The two disciples sneered. "Hmph, so it's a tamed beast, huh? Daring to steal our Spirit Crystal? You're courting death—"

Before they could finish their sentence, Han Feng turned and slashed his sword toward them. A brilliant sword arc cut through the air, accompanied by a gust of wind, striking the two disciples squarely.

They tried to defend themselves, but it was no use. The sword arc sent them flying, blood spurting from their mouths as they crashed to the ground, too injured to stand.

"Courting what? Courting feathers? My spirit beast isn't for you to teach a lesson." Han Feng snorted coldly before hugging the little fox tightly and flying off at top speed.

While Han Feng doted on the little fox and wouldn't let others bully her, he wasn't about to let her do whatever she pleased without consequences.

Once they reached a secluded area, Han Feng grabbed the little fox by her scruff. Startled, she panicked, thinking Han Feng was about to take the Spirit Crystal she had just stolen. In a flash, she stuffed the crystal into her mouth, chomping it down with a few loud crunches.

"You little troublemaker!" Han Feng scolded, his tone stern. "I told you we're here to save Wang Mian. Why are you stealing other people's Spirit Crystals and stirring up trouble? Do you think we don't already have enough enemies?"

The little fox lowered her head, her ears drooping as she murmured softly, "I'm sorry… I just… I've never come across something that could make me stronger before. I couldn't resist.

These Spirit Crystals… they don't give me any cultivation or combat power, but they increase my speed, enhance my senses, and make my body tougher. I can run faster, sense danger earlier, and withstand more hits. These are all survival abilities. It's just… your human world is so dangerous, and I've been hurt so many times before that I… I'm scared.

Please don't be mad, okay? I won't steal them again. I promise I won't cause any more trouble."

Seeing the little fox's pitiful expression and the tears welling up in her eyes, Han Feng's anger melted away. His heart softened, and the fire in his chest dissipated completely.

She was so small and fragile, constantly living in fear of being captured or killed by humans. She had spent years hiding, running, and surviving on scraps, terrified for her life. Now, she had finally found something that could make her feel even a little safer—how could she not want more?

Han Feng sighed deeply, feeling a pang of guilt. I'm the bad one here, aren't I? How could I be so harsh to her?

"Fine," he said, his tone softening. "We don't have a set destination anyway. If we're going to be searching, we might as well look for Spirit Crystals along the way. Once we find Wang Mian, we'll make our wish and leave.

Use your senses to locate Spirit Crystals as we go. If we come across them, grab them. If we can't grab them, take them from the other disciples."

"Wait, seriously? You're letting me take them?" The little fox's ears perked up, her eyes sparkling with hope.

Han Feng ruffled her head affectionately. "If you want to take them, then take them. What's there to be afraid of? And even if they try to chase us, do you really think they can catch me? With my speed, who's going to keep up? I'm a wind-attribute Heavenly Spirit Root cultivator at the peak of the ninth layer of Qi Refining. Is there anyone faster than me in this secret realm?"

"Alright! Let's go steal all their shiny things!" the little fox cheered, her spirits instantly lifted. She hopped onto Han Feng's shoulder, ready for action.

Watching her newfound enthusiasm, Han Feng couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just been tricked. Wasn't she acting pitiful just moments ago?

"Get back in the sack," he said firmly. "If you sit on my shoulder, everyone will know it's me before we even show up."

"Got it!" The little fox obediently hopped into the sack, hiding herself.

—

Outside the Secret Realm, in the Grand Plaza…

The disciples watching the projection were in an uproar.

Moments earlier, they had witnessed the little fox's blinding speed as she snatched the Spirit Crystal from Fang Yu, followed by Han Feng's lightning-fast strike that sent both Fang Yu and his companion flying.

"Wait, did I just see what I think I saw? Isn't that Fang Yu? The pride of Zhaoxia Peak?" one disciple murmured.

"Fang Yu is Zhaoxia Peak's only disciple with Heavenly Spirit Roots! He's at the eighth layer of Qi Refining and the idol of so many female disciples. And he was just taken down in one strike?"

"An eighth-layer Qi Refining cultivator! And his companion, Liu Shidi, is at the sixth layer! But they couldn't withstand a single attack from Han Feng?"

"This Han Feng is terrifying. Who said he was a waste? Who said he couldn't cultivate?"

"If he's a waste, then what are we? Garbage? Trash? We can't even hold a candle to him. Calling him a waste is an insult to ourselves!"

"Wait, look at his speed. He's already disappeared. How is he moving so fast? Is that even possible for someone at the Qi Refining stage? Could he actually be at Foundation Establishment?"

"That's insane. His speed is unreal."

"Shh! Listen to what he's saying to his spirit beast!"

"He's so bold, so domineering. 'If you like it, we'll take it from them.' Does he even see the thousands of disciples in this secret realm as a threat?"

"Wow… that's love right there. Just because his spirit beast wants it, he's willing to make an enemy of everyone here. Can you imagine how much he must cherish his Dao partner? She must be treated like royalty!"

"I used to envy him for being with Senior Sister Jiang. Now, I envy Senior Sister Jiang for being with him."

"I ship them! They're such a perfect pair!"

"Wait, who do you ship? Han Feng and Jiang Surou or Han Feng and the little fox?"

The crowd buzzed with discussion, but the moment Han Feng's final line echoed across the projection, the plaza fell silent.

If they had been merely surprised before, now they were utterly stunned—completely blown away by Han Feng's audacity and prowess.

Chapter 42

As everyone reeled in shock, a disciple exclaimed,

"What? Did I hear that right? He has a Heavenly Spirit Root, and it's a rare mutated Wind Spirit Root? And he's at the peak of the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining?"

"Does such an extraordinary genius truly exist? Wind Spirit Roots are rare enough—our entire sect barely has a handful. But a Wind-Attribute Heavenly Spirit Root? We've never had even one!"

"And he's at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining, the strongest level in the secret realm, and he's only eighteen?"

"Impossible! He's just a servant disciple! He doesn't even have access to cultivation resources or spirit stones. Are we supposed to believe he reached the peak of Qi Refining in five years just by breathing and meditating on his own?"

"What kind of unparalleled prodigy is this?"

"And Ye Longyuan, that so-called prodigy, has the audacity to mock Han Feng as a waste? To call him pathetic? Ye Longyuan only just broke through to the Ninth Layer recently, didn't he?"

"With all the resources Ye Longyuan has from his family, he barely made it. But Han Feng? He's just a servant disciple!"

"Ye Longyuan wanted to pick on someone he thought was easy prey, but it looks like he ran straight into a brick wall this time."

"I can't wait to see Ye Longyuan and Han Feng fight. I really want to know who's stronger."

The disciples' initial shock soon turned to excitement, and many began to gloat over Ye Longyuan's miscalculation.

The Sect Leader of Yin-Yang Sect watched the projection with sharp eyes. Turning to the head of Luoxia Peak, he demanded,

"Si Yu, what kind of Peak Master are you? A Wind-Attribute Heavenly Spirit Root—do you have any idea what a rare gem that is? This is a once-in-a-millennium talent!

How could someone like him end up as a servant disciple under your watch? Such a brilliant disciple, and you failed to notice him? You nearly let him go to waste!"

The Peak Master of Luoxia Peak, Si Yu, was a stunning beauty with a graceful figure. Her flowing robes accentuated her mature and alluring curves, swaying gently in the breeze. However, no one had ever seen her face. A white veil always covered her features, leaving only her captivating peach blossom eyes visible, eyes that seemed to pierce straight through one's soul.

Speculation about her veil abounded. Some believed that while Si Yu had a perfect figure and beautiful eyes, her face was flawed, forcing her to cover it. Others claimed that her face was so breathtakingly flawless that she wore the veil to avoid being overwhelmed by suitors.

It was worth noting that Si Yu had joined the Yin-Yang Sect as a powerful Nascent Soul cultivator and was not subject to the sect's Dao partner selection process at age eighteen.

Hearing the Sect Leader's criticism, Si Yu inclined her head slightly and replied,

"Sect Leader, I had never heard of Han Feng before. He has always been a servant disciple, hiding his true abilities so well that no one was aware of his cultivation or talent. As such, I was unaware of his potential.

I oversee tens of thousands of disciples on Luoxia Peak. It's impossible for me to personally check each one."

The Sect Leader sighed heavily, frustration evident on his face. "An oversight is still an oversight. Such a brilliant unpolished gem, nearly buried and lost."

Si Yu's peach blossom eyes narrowed sharply, and she snapped back,

"A true gem will always shine eventually. He's only at the Qi Refining stage now—there's still time to nurture him.

And you, you old nag, if you keep whining, don't blame me when I slap you!"

The Sect Leader's face turned awkward, and he quickly muttered under his breath, "Alright, alright, I won't say anything more. There are so many people here—can't you cut me some slack?"

Clearing his throat, he continued,

"Once the Ancestor's Ceremony is over, take him in as your disciple. After all, he's a talent from Luoxia Peak. If you don't, the other Peak Masters are already salivating over him. Be careful they don't snatch him away."

"Let them try. What's mine is mine. No one can take him from me," Si Yu declared arrogantly. "Once he's out, I'll personally assess his talent. If he truly has a Wind-Attribute Heavenly Spirit Root, I'll immediately make him an outer disciple.

When he reaches Foundation Establishment through his own efforts, I'll take him as my personal disciple.

And as for Luoxia Peak's matters, they're none of your business."

Si Yu's domineering attitude drew no objections from the other Peak Masters. The reason was simple—her strength was unmatched. No one could oppose her.

—

In the Ye family's section, Ye Longyuan's father wore an expression so dark it seemed like a storm was brewing.

"This brat's been playing the fool, pretending to be weak while actually being strong. He's baiting Longyuan into making a fool of himself.

Han Feng, this so-called waste of a servant disciple, actually has such strength and talent? By revealing himself now, he's caught the attention of all the sect's powerhouses. The sect is bound to pour resources into him.

It'll be much harder to deal with him in the future."

Beside him, a beautiful woman, her face a picture of worry, said anxiously,

"How can you worry about the future at a time like this? Find a way to warn Longyuan! That boy is strong—Longyuan can't afford to suffer a loss!"

Ye Longyuan's father sighed helplessly.

"What are you even saying? This is the Ancestor's Ceremony. The Sect Leader and all the Peak Masters are present, and it's in another dimension. How am I supposed to contact him? No one can enter now.

Besides, I've already given Longyuan plenty of protective treasures—artifacts that can withstand even a full-power attack from a Foundation Establishment cultivator. How many hits would a Qi Refining cultivator need to break through those?

If Longyuan can't turn this to his advantage, then perhaps he deserves to lose."

—

In the Jiang family's section, the mood was completely different.

The Jiang family members were energized by Han Feng's reveal, their eyes glued to the projection.

Jiang Surou's father spoke with a tone of admiration,

"We misjudged him. We all did.

The Ninth Layer of Qi Refining. Wind-Attribute. Heavenly Spirit Root. Eighteen years old. Combine those attributes, and he's practically one in a million within the sect.

And look at him—he's clearly known about his talent for a long time.

Everyone thought he was a waste, mocking and insulting him relentlessly. But he didn't argue, didn't fight back, didn't even try to prove himself.

To have such composure at his age, despite possessing such talent—it's extraordinary.

He chose to reveal himself now, during the Ancestor's Ceremony, where all eyes are on him. He's making a statement."

Jiang Huayang, his expression wry, added,

"Father, let's be honest—if it weren't for the Ye family, he'd probably still be hiding his abilities. He's been concealing his strength for so long, only to expose it now because of his friend and his sense of loyalty.

He's hidden himself for years, but for the sake of his friend, he's willing to break his cover.

That kind of person? I respect him. I'd be proud to call him a brother.

It's a good thing he's my brother-in-law. I can call him my little brother now. Hahaha."

Jiang Surou's father chuckled as well.

"I've been too harsh. I never gave him a second glance. But now that I've seen him, I believe he's worthy of Surou. She didn't settle for less."

Chapter 43

Han Feng had no idea that his actions were causing an uproar outside the secret realm.

He had always assumed that the projection outside only displayed visuals without transmitting sound. Who could've guessed that it was so advanced, broadcasting the movements, words, and actions of every single person inside?

This misunderstanding could be blamed on Han Feng's lack of exposure. His poverty and tendency to "lay flat" had greatly limited his experiences. If he'd spent more time gathering information about the Ancestor's Ceremony, he wouldn't have made such a blunder.

At this moment, Han Feng was wandering aimlessly through the secret realm, the little fox on his back, still searching for Wang Mian.

"There's an Immortal Spirit Crystal!" the little fox suddenly shouted, leaping off Han Feng's back in a flash. She dashed to a spot on the ground, picked up a crystal, and immediately started munching on it.

As she happily chewed, she suddenly froze. Clutching half of the crystal, she bolted back toward Han Feng, yelling, "There's malice! There's malice!"

Before she even finished speaking, a scorpion-like illusory spirit beast burst out of the ground. It was larger than a human, its claws snapping menacingly as it charged toward Han Feng.

The little fox scrambled onto Han Feng's shoulder and said excitedly, "Take it down! If we kill it, we'll get another Spirit Crystal!"

But Han Feng shook his head. "We need to conserve our spiritual energy. We still have to fly, find Wang Mian, and collect more Spirit Crystals. Fighting spirit beasts wastes too much energy."

"Oh, alright… let's just leave then."

"Leave? Who said anything about leaving? I have an idea."

With that, Han Feng cradled the little fox and began flying low to the ground, luring the scorpion beast toward three disciples in the distance.

"Help! Someone help me!" Han Feng shouted desperately.

The three disciples turned and saw Han Feng being chased by the massive spirit beast. Their eyes lit up.

The leader of the group sneered, "What a useless waste. You can't even handle a single spirit beast? Get lost!"

"Pathetic! Getting chased around by a spirit beast!" another disciple mocked.

"And you're wearing a veil? What, are you afraid people will recognize you and laugh at you later?" the third added.

Despite their ridicule, the three disciples immediately attacked the scorpion beast, unleashing their full power. In less than a minute, they had killed it.

As soon as the beast fell, it dropped an Immortal Spirit Crystal. Han Feng wasted no time—he darted forward at lightning speed, snatched the crystal, and fled.

The three disciples roared in frustration.

"Thief! How dare you steal our Spirit Crystal? Come back here and face us!"

Enraged, they pursued Han Feng, but his speed was unmatched. Within moments, he had vanished from sight.

Han Feng ignored their angry shouts, pretending they didn't exist. After all, fights for Spirit Crystals were commonplace here. He had only made use of their efforts. He hadn't attacked them or extorted their crystals—that was already merciful enough by his standards.

—

Outside the Secret Realm, in the Grand Plaza…

The disciples watching the projection were dumbstruck.

"Unbelievable! He could've defeated the spirit beast himself, but instead, he lured it to other disciples!"

"Just to conserve his energy, he let others do the work and then swooped in to steal the crystal. Does he have no shame?"

"He's already taken several Spirit Crystals this way! All from people who worked hard to defeat spirit beasts, only for him to snatch the rewards."

"Look! That's Liu Gao from Danxia Peak. He and his group just killed a spirit beast, and now Han Feng has robbed them too."

"But you have to admit—his speed is unreal. No one can catch him."

"And that fox? It can sense Spirit Crystals from miles away and leads Han Feng straight to them. The two of them are a perfect team!"

"Shameless! Can't he fight for his own crystals? What kind of hero is this?"

"Sure, it's normal to fight and steal in this realm, but at least face your opponents. Han Feng doesn't even bother to fight. He just grabs the crystal and runs."

"Han Feng! You shameless scoundrel!"

"Shameless! Shameless!"

The crowd erupted with jeers, though most of them weren't truly angry. Many were simply caught up in the excitement, turning their outrage into a joking chant.

Those who were genuinely angry were the ones whose crystals had been stolen.

In the Jiang family's section, Jiang Surou's older sister glared at Jiang Huayang, her face full of suspicion and disdain. Her expression seemed to say, And this is the brother-in-law you've been praising so highly?

Jiang Huayang gave an awkward smile and said, "In a secret realm, it's all about using your strengths. Han Feng knows he can't win in direct combat against larger groups, so he's maximizing his speed advantage to grab what he can and escape.

Besides, he's not keeping the crystals for himself. He's giving them all to his little spirit beast. If that's not loyalty, I don't know what is."

"Ugh, shameless. No matter what he does, you'll find a way to defend him," Jiang Surou's sister scoffed.

—

Back in the Secret Realm…

Han Feng had just stolen two more Spirit Crystals from a group of five disciples and was once again fleeing. This time, one of the disciples activated a magical artifact that allowed him to pursue Han Feng at high speed. Though he couldn't quite match Han Feng's pace, he stayed close, chasing him for over two miles.

"Stop, you shameless thief! Give me back my Spirit Crystals!" the disciple shouted furiously.

To this disciple, the situation was unbearable. He and his friends had struggled to kill a Qi Refining eighth-layer spirit beast. When it dropped two Spirit Crystals, they had been overjoyed—only for Han Feng to swoop in and grab them.

"I've never been humiliated like this in my life," the disciple thought bitterly.

Han Feng glanced back and shouted, "Brother, let's be reasonable! If I were planning to return them, I wouldn't have taken them in the first place!"

"Shut up, you bastard! Give them back!" the disciple screamed.

Han Feng continued flying, the disciple hot on his heels. After trailing him for another two miles, the disciple's loud shouts began attracting the attention of others below. This disrupted Han Feng's plans to quietly collect more Spirit Crystals, leaving him increasingly annoyed.

Wait… is he alone?

Realizing the disciple had no backup, Han Feng abruptly stopped and turned around. With a swing of his sword, he unleashed a powerful arc of energy, sending the disciple flying. The man sputtered blood as he hit the ground hard, too injured to continue the chase.

"Idiot," Han Feng muttered as he flew away. "Chasing me alone? Know your limits."

Ugh, what a waste of energy. I had to waste some spiritual energy just to deal with him.

Shaking his head in frustration, Han Feng cradled the little fox and resumed his flight.

"Hey, Little Fox, how many crystals have you eaten now? Twenty? Feeling any stronger yet?"

"Yes, yes! I've definitely gotten stronger," the little fox said, nodding enthusiastically. "I can sense malice much earlier now, and I'm faster, too!"

"Can you sense where Wang Mian is?"

"Nope. I can only sense malice, not scan for people."

Chapter 44

Han Feng, unable to use divine sense due to his lack of Foundation Establishment cultivation, and the little fox, with no cultivation at all, were left to continue searching the hard way.

He spent the entire day aimlessly roaming the secret realm, feeling like he had turned every stone. He even stumbled upon the Patriarch's statue but still couldn't find Wang Mian.

It wasn't surprising. Although the space within the secret realm was limited, everyone inside was constantly on the move. Whether it was the Ye family, the Jiang family, or Wang Mian, they all could've passed through areas Han Feng had just left. It was entirely possible that someone Han Feng was looking for arrived moments after he had moved on.

Aside from stealing Spirit Crystals from hundreds of disciples, Han Feng had gained nothing all day.

Determined, he continued his search, moving ever farther from the Patriarch's statue. After another half-day of searching, the little fox suddenly called out, "There's a Spirit Crystal on the ground in that forest below. I can see it!"

"Alright, let's pick it up. Stay in the bag. Don't move around—I'll grab it for you to eat," Han Feng instructed.

"Got it!" the little fox replied obediently.

Descending into the forest, Han Feng spotted the Spirit Crystal lying on the ground and bent down to pick it up. Just as his fingers touched the crystal, the little fox suddenly exclaimed, "Something's wrong! Malice! Strong malice!"

Before Han Feng could fully react, a figure suddenly jumped down from a nearby tree, accompanied by five white spirit beasts.

"Apologies, but that Spirit Crystal in your hand belongs to us," the figure said.

Han Feng instantly realized it was a trap and prepared to flee. However, when he saw the man's face, he froze, abandoning his plan to run.

He recognized this person. He'd seen him twice before.

The first time was when he registered the little fox's identity at Spirit Beast Peak. This man had been the one handling the registration.

The second time was two days ago when he encountered Ye Longyuan. This man had been standing behind Ye Longyuan.

It was now clear—this person was from the Ye family.

Suddenly, everything clicked for Han Feng. He had always been cautious, yet despite his best efforts to remain hidden, the assassins had found him so quickly and accurately after his visit to Spirit Beast Peak. Now he understood—it was this man who had betrayed him.

The man sneered, "Brother, let me introduce myself. I'm Ye Longquan, a registrar at Spirit Beast Peak.

For the past day, I've been hearing whispers about a Spirit Beast Peak disciple wearing a bamboo hat and face veil, accompanied by a white spirit beast, who's been stealing Spirit Crystals from over a hundred disciples.

And now, with just one Spirit Crystal, I've managed to bait you out.

I imagine you've got quite the collection of Spirit Crystals by now.

Why don't we share the wealth? We're both disciples of Spirit Beast Peak; helping each other is only natural. Give me half of your Spirit Crystals, and we'll head to the Patriarch's statue together to make our offerings. Afterward, I won't ask for your identity or hold any grudges. We can act like we've never met.

If you choose to reveal yourself later, I'll even prepare a bottle of wine to toast to our brotherhood.

But if you prefer to keep your identity hidden, we'll leave it at that. What do you think?"

Han Feng's lips curled into a cold smirk. It was clear Ye Longquan hadn't recognized him.

With a voice hoarse from disguise, Han Feng replied, "So, Brother Ye, are you robbing me?"

"Robbing? Not at all. I'm simply offering you a way forward," Ye Longquan replied. "You've already offended many disciples, and they're banding together to hunt you down.

The secret realm isn't that big—how long can you hide? Sooner or later, you'll have to go to the Patriarch's statue to make your offering. All they have to do is wait for you.

But if you align with our Ye family, no one will dare touch you. They might come for you, but they won't try anything against us.

Handing over half your Spirit Crystals to ensure a smooth trip through the secret realm is a fair deal, don't you think?"

"And if I refuse?" Han Feng asked, his tone mocking.

Ye Longquan's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Then, Brother, you leave me no choice but to teach you a lesson. If words can't convince you, perhaps fists can. And I have five Qi Refining seventh-layer spirit beasts to back me up.

Of course, if it comes to that, all your Spirit Crystals will belong to me."

Han Feng sneered. "So, in the end, I'm to be robbed after robbing so many others. What a wonderful cycle of karma."

"Oh? So you've come to your senses? That's the spirit. We're all fellow disciples here—peace is best," Ye Longquan said, his confidence evident.

"Peace, my ass!" Han Feng roared, drawing his sword and slashing at Ye Longquan without warning.

Ye Longquan's eyes widened in shock as he scrambled to retreat, but the sword arc still struck him. The protective artifact he wore flared to life, absorbing the brunt of the attack before shattering. Even so, the sword left a deep gash across his chest.

Coughing and clutching his wound, Ye Longquan glared at Han Feng. "What's your cultivation? Since when does Spirit Beast Peak have an eighteen-year-old disciple with such combat strength?"

Even as he spoke, he commanded his five white wolf spirit beasts to attack Han Feng.

Spirit Beast Peak disciples were not known for their individual combat prowess. Their strength came from their spirit beasts, which acted as both their partners and their weapons. Most of their resources went into nurturing their beasts rather than enhancing their own cultivation.

This was why, upon seeing the little fox's speed earlier, others had assumed Han Feng was from Spirit Beast Peak.

The white wolves lunged at Han Feng, their mouths spewing icy breath that turned the air frigid, threatening to freeze him in place.

Such an ambush would have overwhelmed most disciples, but Han Feng was different. His speed was unparalleled.

In a flash, he dodged the wolves' icy breath and appeared behind one of them. With a powerful strike, he sliced the wolf cleanly in half.

The sheer force of the attack startled Ye Longquan, who now realized his spirit beasts were no match for Han Feng's speed and strength.

Damn it! Weren't they saying this guy was just fast and had some kind of speed-enhancing treasure? That he wasn't strong and didn't dare to fight head-on? Ye Longquan cursed inwardly. Bastards! They set me up! No wonder he's been robbing so many people—he actually has the strength to back it up!

Realizing the danger, Ye Longquan ordered his remaining spirit beasts to surround Han Feng while he took to the air on his flying sword.

Chapter 45

Yes, Ye Longquan decided to escape by flying on his sword.

He was decisive, and after exchanging just two blows, he had already gauged Han Feng's strength. He realized that Han Feng was at least at the peak of the ninth layer of Qi Refining, while he himself was only at the seventh layer. His spirit beasts were also at the seventh layer. If the fight continued, he would lose everything—his spirit beasts, his strength, and possibly even his life.

Though spirit beasts were the heart and soul of any beast tamer, he knew that losing them was better than being captured, beaten to a pulp, and crippled. If he could use his spirit beasts to buy time, he could alert Ye Longyuan and the others. Together, they could turn the tables on Han Feng.

Of course, they wouldn't kill him outright, but they would cripple him, strip him of his storage pouch, and take his Spirit Crystals. Han Feng was clearly powerful, so his belongings were bound to be valuable. The loot would more than make up for the loss of five spirit beasts.

As soon as Ye Longquan took off, he pulled out his communication jade slip to contact Ye Longyuan.

But he never got the chance to activate it. Three feather-shaped blades of wind shot up from below, piercing his abdomen and ankles. Losing his balance, he crashed to the ground.

Before he could recover, Han Feng grabbed him and slammed him to the dirt. A sickening crunch followed as Han Feng's foot came down on Ye Longquan's outstretched hand, shattering both the jade slip and the hand holding it.

"AHHH!" Ye Longquan howled in agony, his scream echoing through the forest.

Without hesitation, Han Feng stabbed his sword into Ye Longquan's dantian, crippling his spiritual flow.

Although the injury neutralized Ye Longquan's ability to gather spiritual energy, it wasn't permanent. He could recover with enough time and medicinal pills after leaving the secret realm. For now, Han Feng simply wanted to disable him.

With Ye Longquan incapacitated, Han Feng turned his attention to the remaining four white wolves. He unleashed a series of wind blades, swiftly cutting the spirit beasts down.

Only after ensuring that all the threats were eliminated did Han Feng stride back to Ye Longquan.

From the moment Han Feng decided not to run, he had made up his mind. He wasn't just fighting Ye Longquan for survival—he planned to use him as leverage against Ye Longyuan.

If Ye Longyuan loved using Han Feng's friends as hostages, then Han Feng would repay him in kind.

Blood for blood, tooth for tooth!

Clutching his ruined dantian with one hand, Ye Longquan glared at Han Feng with venomous eyes. His voice was laced with both rage and hatred as he spat, "You bastard! Do you even know who I am? I'm from the Ye family! You dare destroy my spirit beasts and cripple my dantian? The Ye family won't let you go! You'll be hunted down and torn apart, piece by piece!"

Han Feng smirked coldly. "Ah, yes, the Ye family. Masters of shadowy assassinations and underhanded tactics to deal with fellow disciples. How honorable."

He bent down, removing his bamboo hat and face veil, revealing his identity.

Ye Longquan's pupils shrank in disbelief. "You… you're Han Feng? But you're supposed to be a waste! How can you be this strong?!"

"A waste, huh?" Han Feng sneered. "If I'm a waste, what does that make you? Something even lower than a waste?"

His tone icy, Han Feng crouched down, casually slapping Ye Longquan's face as if mocking him. "If anyone else tried to rob me, I might've just walked away after beating them. But you? You're from the Ye family. You're Ye Longyuan's kin. You've got no one to blame but yourself. Blame your cousin, Ye Longyuan, for this."

"Hah! Why would I tell you anything?!" Ye Longquan spat, blood and defiance mixing in his voice.

Han Feng dodged the spit and smiled coldly. Slowly, he grabbed Ye Longquan's left hand and pressed it against the ground.

Then he raised his foot—and stomped.

Bones cracked and shattered underfoot as Han Feng methodically crushed Ye Longquan's wrist and palm.

Ye Longquan's screams filled the air, raw and guttural. It took several moments before he could catch his breath, trembling and gasping. Through gritted teeth, he choked out, "Han Feng… you dare do this to me? Are you declaring war on the Ye family?"

"Declare war?" Han Feng's voice was calm, almost amused. "Isn't that funny?"

His tone turned icy as he continued, "Hasn't the Ye family already declared war on me? Three times, you've sent assassins to kill me. Once, you tried to frame me. Over and over, you've tried to destroy me.

The first time was the very night Jiang Surou chose me as her Dao partner. Ye Longyuan sent Boss Ma to kill me. Boss Ma told me himself, right before I killed him.

The sect's rules are clear—if someone tries to kill you and you kill them in self-defense, you're not guilty of murder. So I killed him.

The second time was when I went to Spirit Beast Peak to register the little fox. The moment I left the peak, I was attacked by two assassins. At the time, I wondered how the Ye family had found my location so quickly.

Now I know—it was you. You're the one who registered me. You sold me out to Ye Longyuan and told him where to send the assassins.

Am I wrong? Do you feel innocent?" Han Feng asked, his tone dripping with mockery.

Ye Longquan's face twitched, but he forced himself to deny it. "I have no idea what you're talking about! Don't try to pin your baseless accusations on me!"

Han Feng didn't know that the outer world could hear everything happening inside the secret realm, but Ye Longquan did. He couldn't admit anything—doing so would be an open confession of guilt, implicating both himself and Ye Longyuan.

"Then tell me," Han Feng continued, "how did Ye Longyuan know exactly where I was? You don't have to admit anything. After all, everyone knows the Ye family is full of schemers, always engaging in shady dealings.

The third time? Two more assassins came to my house to kill me. Fortunately, the Enforcement Hall caught them, though they killed themselves before they could be interrogated.

Three assassination attempts. Five assassins. Your Ye family must think very highly of me to go to such lengths."

Stepping closer, Han Feng's voice grew colder. "And now you talk about me declaring war on the Ye family? How laughable."

Ye Longquan glared at him, his fury boiling over. He had had enough of Han Feng's humiliation and opened his mouth to shout, "I want to le—"

Before he could finish the word, Han Feng's fist smashed into his jaw, dislocating it and causing his teeth to sever his tongue.

"Now you want to leave? Don't you think it's a little too late for that?" Han Feng said, picking up the severed tongue and pressing it against Ye Longquan's face.

"Ye Longyuan wants to kill me, so I'll find a way to kill him first. And you? As his accomplice, you're part of this blood feud.

You should be grateful this secret realm forbids killing. Otherwise, you'd already be a corpse."

Terror filled Ye Longquan's eyes as he whimpered incoherently. He could feel the malice radiating from Han Feng and knew that worse was yet to come.

But Han Feng didn't seem to care about Ye Longquan's fear. Instead, he spoke as if they were having a casual conversation.

"I'm just a servant disciple," Han Feng said. "My greatest wish was to live a peaceful life, planting flowers and tending to herbs.

But that day, Jiang Surou chose me.

Did she do anything wrong? No. The sect rules required her to choose someone.

Did I do anything wrong? No. I didn't ask for this.

So who's at fault here? Tell me—who?"

Han Feng's gaze turned piercing. "The one at fault is Ye Longyuan, isn't it?

I had never even met him, yet his jealousy drove him to target me repeatedly, trying to end my life.

He's the Ye family prodigy, standing high above everyone else. And me? I'm just a lowly servant disciple.

Does that mean I deserve to die? Do servants deserve to be trampled on by you so-called elites? Do the sect's bottom-tier disciples exist just for you to slaughter at will?"

Chapter 46

Han Feng looked at the miserable and battered Ye Longquan, yet he still had more to say.

"Tell me, your Ye family—I've been the target of three assassination attempts already. When that didn't work, you turned to schemes and traps. I'm just a disciple who cultivates herbs, yet you orchestrated a massive conspiracy, claiming my herbs were problematic.

From the collectors, to the alchemists, to the testers of the pills, and even to the trial elders—every single person involved was a member of the Ye family.

Your family played both the plaintiff and the judge, running the process from start to finish, all with the sole aim of imprisoning me.

Had the Enforcement Hall's Senior Brother not arrived in time to uncover your abuse of power and brought in an impartial elder, exposing flaws in the herb system, I might already be dead under false charges.

That was the fourth time.

The fifth time? Here in the secret realm, you're still trying to kill me. You assembled over fifty people, intending to duel me while using my friend to threaten me.

Five times. Five times in just one month, your Ye family has tried to kill me.

Yes, I admit it—I can't compare to the Ye family. Your family is vast, powerful, with strong cultivators and boundless resources.

But as one of the great families, shouldn't you bear the responsibility of defending the sect and upholding its laws?

So why is it that you repeatedly choose to persecute a mere servant disciple?

I've done nothing wrong. I've made no mistakes.

Yet because I'm weak, I deserve to die. Is that it?"

Han Feng's words stirred deep contemplation among all the disciples watching from outside.

At first, they had been shocked by Han Feng's ruthlessness and thought he might have gone too far against his fellow disciple.

But now, after hearing his words, they began to sympathize with him.

After all, among the sect's hundreds of thousands of disciples, the majority were like Han Feng—ordinary disciples with no background, no special talent, and no connections.

It was precisely this massive population of ordinary disciples that supported the Yin-Yang Sect, enabling it to continuously produce prodigies and strong cultivators, ensuring its legacy for generations.

Han Feng was just like them—an ordinary person without power or influence.

And as Han Feng had said, even without committing any wrongs, merely because they were weak and powerless…

Did that mean they deserved to die?

This was their Yin-Yang Sect, not the Ye family's sect.

Driven by passion, one hot-blooded disciple stood up and roared, "Shameless Ye family! Get out of the sect!"

His shout ignited the fervor of the crowd. Responding to his call, countless disciples joined in the chant.

"Shameless Ye family! Get out of the Yin-Yang Sect!"

"This is our sect, not the Ye family's sect!"

"The Ye family persecutes disciples and carries out assassinations. They deserve total annihilation!"

"Countless disciples have been oppressed, but Han Feng is the first to speak out. He's our hero! Protect Han Feng!"

"Great families, leave the sect! Give us back our justice!"

"Ye family, get out! Confess your crimes!"

The crowd grew angrier, their curses echoing loudly.

The Ye family members present turned pale. They hadn't expected that a mere servant disciple like Han Feng could stir up such a massive reaction, rousing the emotions of the entire sect.

In truth, Han Feng was merely a spark that ignited the long-simmering resentment of ordinary disciples who had endured years of oppression by the great families.

Han Feng was just a symbol, representing countless ordinary disciples across the Yin-Yang Sect.

Every eye was now on Han Feng. If anything were to happen to him in the future, everyone would assume the Ye family was behind it. Even if they weren't, they would still be blamed.

The Sect Leader, seeing the uproar below, immediately shouted, "Silence! Remember where you are! This is the Ancestor's Ceremony—shouting and disruptions will not be tolerated. Justice and fairness will be upheld by the sect.

Rest assured and continue observing the ceremony!"

With the Sect Leader's command, the disciples gradually quieted down and returned to their seats.

Though they stopped shouting, the Ye family members grew increasingly anxious.

Especially Ye Longquan's father.

Ye Longquan's father, ranked third in the Ye family and the younger brother of Ye Longyuan's father, flew into the air and approached Elder Tie Lian, shouting, "Elder Tie! That Han Feng's treatment of my son is no longer a fair duel—it's abuse, it's torture!

My son already called for an exit! He should've been transported out, and Han Feng should've been captured and punished on the spot!

Is the Enforcement Hall just going to stand by and do nothing? My son is on the verge of being killed by him!"

Upon hearing this, the Peak Masters and elders in the air all looked at him as if he were an idiot.

In that moment, it was as if they were collectively saying, Are you blind? The Ye family has already stirred up widespread anger, and yet you still have the audacity to shout here? Do you have any sense of awareness?

Sure enough, as soon as he spoke, the disciples below erupted once again.

"Ye Longquan brought this on himself! If he hadn't harmed Han Feng, would Han Feng have treated him this way?"

"Han Feng is just giving them a taste of their own medicine! You Ye family people tried to kill him, but you won't allow him to fight back?"

"The Ye family is too overbearing! Ye family, get out of the sect!"

"Han Feng didn't kill him. Han Feng didn't break any rules. Han Feng is innocent!"

"Every single one of the Ye family are petty scoundrels, despicable dogs! Ye family, f*** your mother!"

"Fuck the Ye family's ancestors for eighteen generations!"

"The Ye family must meet their downfall!"

The crowd's anger boiled over, as if they all had personal vendettas against the Ye family.

In truth, the Ye family had become a scapegoat, a symbol for the disciples to vent their pent-up frustrations against the powerful families.

Of course, not every member of the Ye family deserved to die; no family was entirely good or entirely bad. But the disciples didn't care about such nuances. They didn't know the names of the Ye family members involved; all they knew was that they were from the Ye family.

And so, they cursed the Ye family as a whole.

Nearby, the Jiang family and other families watched the Ye family's humiliation and couldn't help but laugh.

Jiang Surou's sister was particularly gleeful. "Good! Keep cursing them! Curse those bastards into the ground and drive them out of the sect! Hahaha!"

Jiang Surou's father glared at her, saying, "Watch your demeanor. How can you laugh at a time like this? Han Feng has suffered repeated assassination attempts and persecution because of our Surou. And all of this happened within a month.

We, the Jiang family, failed to protect him. We need to reflect on our own shortcomings.

Those damned Ye family bastards. They're despicable and shameless.

And it's not just Ye Longyuan. The entire Ye family is rotten to the core!

This feud is set—we, the Jiang family, will not let this go."

Jiang Surou's sister immediately added, "Exactly! The Jiang family isn't afraid of them. Anyone who dares bully one of ours deserves to die!"

Chapter 47

Elder Tie Lian cast a glance at Ye Longquan's father before addressing the disciples below.

"Silence! Do not disrupt the Ancestor's Ceremony further. After the ceremony concludes, I will personally assign people to thoroughly investigate Han Feng's case and ensure justice is served."

The disciples fell silent and returned to their seats.

Elder Tie Lian's authority was unmatched. It was because of him—an elder known for his impartiality and unyielding enforcement of the rules—that the disciples dared to openly curse the Ye family. In other sects, who would dare provoke a powerful family? They wouldn't even know how they died.

But such sects lacked the solidarity that Yin-Yang Sect had cultivated, a unity built on the trust that their grievances would be heard.

Elder Tie Lian then turned to Ye Longquan's father. "Firstly, Ye Longquan did not utter the word 'Exit.' Had he done so, the secret realm would have automatically transported him out. This is beyond even my control.

Secondly, Han Feng did not kill Ye Longquan, which means he has not violated any rules. If Han Feng had killed someone, I would personally execute him without hesitation. Likewise, if your Ye family dares to kill, I will not hesitate to execute you.

Han Feng has not broken any regulations. Step down immediately. If you disrupt this ceremony any further, I will have you detained and thrown into the dungeon!"

Ye Longquan's father's face twisted with frustration, but he had no choice but to sit back down. No matter how powerful the Ye family was, they were no match for the authority of a Peak Master, let alone the head of the Enforcement Hall.

—

Inside the secret realm, Han Feng had finally finished venting his frustrations. While his words seemed calm and collected, they carried an undercurrent of immense anger and resentment. Speaking them aloud had been a way to release some of the fury burning inside him.

Now that he'd said his piece to Ye Longquan, he had no intention of repeating himself to Ye Longyuan.

Han Feng's focus shifted back to his original goal—finding Wang Mian and ensuring his safety. Once Wang Mian was rescued and made his wish, Han Feng planned to have him exit the secret realm immediately. If possible, Han Feng would try to fight Ye Longyuan. If he couldn't win, he'd simply leave.

Everything hinged on Wang Mian's safety.

Han Feng picked up Ye Longquan's storage pouch and held it against his forehead. "Remove the imprint," he ordered.

Ye Longquan mumbled something unintelligible, his defiance evident. Whatever he was trying to say, it clearly wasn't a blessing for Han Feng's health.

"If you don't cooperate, I'll break your arms and legs, one by one, and grind them into dust. If you think you can endure that, let's give it a try," Han Feng said coldly.

Terror filled Ye Longquan's eyes. After a moment of hesitation, he nodded in submission.

Han Feng claimed ownership of the storage pouch and examined its contents. Ye Longquan was quite wealthy—inside were numerous pills, spiritual treasures, spiritual energy reserves, spirit beast feed, over two thousand spirit stones, and more than twenty Immortal Spirit Crystals.

Han Feng emptied the Immortal Spirit Crystals and handed them to the little fox. "Here, eat them all. I'll keep just one for Wang Mian—he probably hasn't found even a single crystal yet."

"Got it. Take it!" the little fox said excitedly, happily munching on the crystals.

Once the little fox had finished, Han Feng tucked her back into the bag and prepared to set off with Ye Longquan in tow.

However, just as he was about to resume his search for Wang Mian, a notification came from the communication jade slip in his storage pouch.

Han Feng retrieved the jade slip, and Jiang Surou's voice came through.

"Han Feng, where are you? Ye Longyuan has captured your friend, and they've got us surrounded at the Patriarch's statue. Whatever you do, don't come here. Stay away from the statue.

We'll fight them and try to rescue your friend. If it doesn't work, prioritize your own safety and exit the secret realm. Whatever you do, don't come here."

Han Feng's expression darkened significantly. His worst fear had come true—Wang Mian had been captured.

Fortunately, Han Feng had also captured a bargaining chip.

He put away the jade slip, secured his bamboo hat, and covered his face with the veil. Grabbing Ye Longquan, he mounted his flying sword and soared into the air.

"Little Fox, it seems we'll have to fight after all," he said.

"What's there to be scared of? High risk, high reward! Let's go make a fortune!" the little fox said excitedly.

"Alright. Let's do this!" Han Feng's resolve hardened as he set his sights on the Patriarch's statue in the far north.

With a clear destination, his speed was unmatched. In the time it took to brew a cup of tea, he arrived at the statue.

A fierce battle was already underway.

Han Feng saw the Jiang family disciples forming a defensive formation, desperately holding off the Ye family's assault. At the center of the battle, Jiang Surou was locked in combat with Ye Longyuan.

Off to the side, Wang Mian lay on the ground, barely conscious, a sword held to his throat by two Ye family disciples.

Han Feng quickly assessed the situation. Jiang Surou and her group could hold their ground for now, but Wang Mian needed immediate attention.

Hanging Ye Longquan from his flying sword, Han Feng circled above the battlefield, maneuvering to the rear of the Ye family forces. Approaching the two disciples guarding Wang Mian, he unleashed two wind blades with precision, striking them in their lower backs and avoiding vital organs.

The two disciples collapsed with screams of pain. Wasting no time, Han Feng swooped down, grabbed Wang Mian in one hand, and took off into the air.

With Wang Mian in his left hand and Ye Longquan in his right, Han Feng accelerated toward Ye Longyuan.

At that moment, Ye Longyuan had just deflected Jiang Surou's sword and was thrusting his blade toward her face. Jiang Surou tried to retreat, but the disciples behind her blocked her path.

If Ye Longyuan's sword landed, the combination of spiritual energy damage and physical injury would likely leave her with permanent scars or worse.

But just as the sword was about to strike, Han Feng arrived.

Weaponless, Han Feng hurled Ye Longquan at Ye Longyuan like a human projectile.

Hearing the whistle of something approaching at high speed, Ye Longyuan instinctively turned and swung his sword, severing Ye Longquan's right leg in the process.

"Ughhh—mmph!" Ye Longquan let out a muffled scream, his mouth filling with blood, making it impossible for him to cry out properly.

Han Feng followed up with a powerful kick, sending Ye Longyuan flying backward. He landed in front of Jiang Surou and set both Wang Mian and Ye Longquan on the ground.

Jiang Surou stared at Han Feng in shock. She had no idea who this powerful figure was or why he had come to her aid.

Ye Longyuan climbed to his feet, fury etched across his face. "Who are you? How dare you interfere in the Ye family's business? Do you have a death wish?"

"Ha! The Ye family," Han Feng said with a cold laugh. "So domineering—always ready to kill at the slightest provocation, aren't you?"

Suddenly, a disciple in the distance shouted, "I recognize him! He's that powerful Spirit Beast Peak disciple! The one who's been stealing all our Spirit Crystals!"

"Yeah, it's him! Damn it, how dare you show up here again!"

Chapter 48

The disciples at the Patriarch's statue were outraged, furious that they had encountered Han Feng here.

Hundreds of them were ready to swarm him.

Seeing the crowd surrounding him, Han Feng hoisted Ye Longquan into the air and shouted, "If you're not afraid to die, come at me. Let's see who wants to end up like this!"

These domineering words sent shockwaves through the crowd.

The disciples turned their eyes to Ye Longquan. His tongue was gone, his body was covered in injuries, his dantian was bleeding profusely, his hands were reduced to shattered bones, and he was missing a leg. The sight was horrifying.

Sure, there were enough of them to overwhelm Han Feng. After all, even the mightiest fighter couldn't fend off so many at once.

But Han Feng's strength was undeniable. Even if they could defeat him, anyone who rushed in first would undoubtedly suffer brutal retaliation.

Was it worth risking their lives over a couple of Spirit Crystals? It wasn't as if they had deep grudges against him. Everyone here had either been robbed of a Spirit Crystal or had stolen one from someone else at some point.

The disciples hesitated, then began retreating.

Jiang Surou stood frozen, staring at Han Feng. Despite the brutality of his actions, she didn't find him repulsive. Instead, she felt a strange admiration for his strength. The way he had silenced hundreds of disciples with a single sentence—it was domineering and awe-inspiring.

Women admired strength, and Jiang Surou was no exception.

Seeing someone her age displaying such arrogance and power, she couldn't help but feel a tinge of respect.

The crowd dispersed, but the Ye family was enraged.

The moment they saw the person in Han Feng's grasp, they recognized him—it was Ye Longquan.

Ye Longyuan, seeing his cousin, someone he had grown up with, reduced to such a pitiful state, was filled with rage. Pointing at Han Feng, he roared, "Who are you? Do you even know who you're holding? That's a member of the Ye family! How dare you offend the Ye family? Do you have a death wish? In this sect, you'll have no way to survive!"

"Those same words were said by the man in my hand," Han Feng replied coldly. "And yet, look at him now."

"Who exactly are you?" Ye Longyuan narrowed his eyes, a sense of familiarity creeping over him.

Han Feng chuckled. "Haven't you been looking for me all this time? Haven't you been desperate for a duel? What's the matter? Now that I'm standing in front of you, you don't recognize me?"

As he spoke, Han Feng removed his bamboo hat and face veil, revealing his face.

"Han Feng?"

"Han Feng?!"

Ye Longyuan and Jiang Surou spoke simultaneously, their voices filled with disbelief. The surrounding disciples, including members of both the Jiang and Ye families, were equally stunned.

What was happening?

The powerful bandit who had robbed hundreds of disciples, the same person who had effortlessly kicked Ye Longyuan and silenced an entire crowd with a single sentence…

…turned out to be the 'useless' servant disciple, Han Feng?

Had the world turned upside down? Had the sky flipped over?

The hundreds of onlookers, including members of the Jiang and Ye families, felt like their understanding of reality had shattered. Who could have imagined that such a powerful figure would be the same Han Feng everyone had looked down on?

Jiang Surou furrowed her brows as she looked at Han Feng. Her usually cold and graceful face was now filled with disbelief. "Han Feng? It's really you? What's going on? How are you this strong?"

"Senior Sister, I'll explain everything once we're out of here. For now, please take a look at Wang Mian. Do you have any healing pills on you?" Han Feng asked.

"I do," Jiang Surou replied, kneeling beside Wang Mian to assess his injuries. When she saw the state of his dantian, her face darkened. "This is bad. His dantian is completely destroyed."

Han Feng felt like he'd been struck by lightning. Staring at Wang Mian's pained, helpless face, he asked, "Completely destroyed… what does that mean?"

"It means his dantian isn't just injured—it's gone. His cultivation is beyond recovery. There's almost no chance of fixing this.

He… he won't be able to cultivate ever again in his lifetime."

Jiang Surou took out a pill and fed it to Wang Mian. Saddened, she added, "I can only use this pill to stabilize his condition. He'll still be able to move freely in the future, but… he'll be nothing more than a cripple who can't cultivate."

"A cripple who can't cultivate…" Han Feng repeated, his voice trembling as tears filled his eyes.

Memories of his time with Wang Mian flooded his mind. The moments they'd shared, the dreams they'd talked about.

"Han Feng, someday I'll become a peerless expert, a sect elder! I'm going to cultivate hard and live forever!"

"Han Feng, you can't cultivate, but that's okay—I can. Once I reach Foundation Establishment, I'll protect you. No one will dare bully us anymore. Let's beat up Boss Ma first—you can throw the first punch!"

"Han Feng, we're almost eighteen. No one chose me at the matchmaking event, but I'll try harder next time. I need to cultivate diligently—I can't stay weak forever. Otherwise, my future Dao partner will definitely look down on me during dual cultivation."

"Han Feng, you go till the field. I'm going to cultivate. If I don't get stronger, how can I protect you?"

"Han Feng, I had a dream last night. I dreamed I became an immortal."

Han Feng knew how hard Wang Mian worked to cultivate. Unlike himself, who had spent years lying flat, Wang Mian had poured his heart and soul into becoming stronger.

He knew how much Wang Mian wanted to rise above, to stop being bullied, to stop seeing Han Feng being bullied.

But now… it was all gone. Everything was gone. His dantian was completely destroyed.

Even with Jiang Surou's knowledge, there was no way to fix it.

Wang Mian's path to immortality had been severed.

For the rest of his life, Wang Mian would have to live as an ordinary mortal.

Tears streamed down Han Feng's face, falling onto Wang Mian's cheeks. He untied the rope binding Wang Mian's tongue, which Ye Longyuan had used to prevent him from calling for an exit.

Wang Mian looked at Han Feng and, with great difficulty, whispered, "Han Feng… don't cry… run… just run…"

Han Feng clasped his hand tightly. "Wang Mian, I'll take care of you for the rest of your life. But first, I'm going to avenge you!"

Han Feng gently picked up Wang Mian and handed him to a Jiang family disciple. "Brother, please take care of him."

The disciple nodded and retreated with Wang Mian.

Han Feng turned back, his gaze falling on Ye Longquan at his feet.

Tears still streaked his face, but his eyes burned with a bloodthirsty hatred.

"Ye Longyuan," Han Feng said, his voice trembling with rage. "I captured Ye Longquan because he helped you try to kill me.

But Wang Mian… Wang Mian had no quarrel with you. Why would you do this to him?"

"Why?" Ye Longyuan sneered. "Why don't you ask yourself? If it weren't for you, would he be in this state?"

Ye Longyuan laughed coldly. "Kid, I'll give you one last chance. Release my cousin, and I might leave you with an intact corpse—"

"Stop! What are you doing?!" Ye Longyuan's face twisted in horror mid-sentence.

Han Feng had picked up the Windborne Spirit Sword and thrust it into Ye Longquan's dantian. With a sharp twist, he shattered it completely. Then, with a forceful flick, he carved out a fist-sized chunk of Ye Longquan's dantian and threw it to the ground.

The swift, ruthless act stunned everyone present.

Han Feng had just torn out the dantian of a living person.

It was terrifyingly brutal!

Chapter 49

Both inside and outside the secret realm, everyone who witnessed what Han Feng had done was utterly dumbfounded.

In this sect, the vast majority of disciples had never killed anyone before. Even those who had killed did so cleanly and decisively—not with the brutal savagery of ripping out someone's dantian while they were still alive.

For the Qi Refining disciples in particular, the most intense battles they had experienced were the ones inside the Ancestor's Secret Realm. These were usually limited to defeats or victories, never escalating into life-or-death feuds.

But what Han Feng had done… this was no ordinary conflict. This was a blood feud.

Destroying someone's dantian was tantamount to killing their parents—an unforgivable act.

True, Ye Longyuan had ruined Wang Mian's dantian, drawing widespread condemnation and scorn.

Yet Han Feng's actions didn't provoke similar outrage.

What people felt wasn't anger—it was fear.

To see a living person have their dantian ripped out in such a gruesome, violent fashion… it was beyond horrifying.

The scene left an indelible mark on many disciples, haunting them deeply.

—

Outside the secret realm, Ye Longquan's father roared in furious disbelief, screaming that Han Feng's actions were tantamount to murder.

But Ye Longquan wasn't dead, and Han Feng hadn't technically broken any rules.

Inside the secret realm, Han Feng flung the now-destroyed dantian at Ye Longyuan, hitting his face squarely. Blood splattered across Ye Longyuan's once-handsome features.

With his bloodshot eyes glaring, Han Feng growled, enunciating each word clearly, "Ye Longyuan, the path of cultivation is long, and our grudge will not end. I, Han Feng, swear to fight you to the death!"

Ye Longyuan wiped the blood off his face, his expression twisting with anger. Seeing his beloved cousin reduced to such a pitiful state, he was consumed by rage. "Han Feng! How dare you do this to my cousin?! I'll kill you! I'll tear you limb from limb!"

Han Feng's lips curled into a cruel sneer. "Oh? Are you regretting your actions now? When you did this to Wang Mian, did you ever think you'd face the same fate?

You said Wang Mian's suffering was my fault.

Then doesn't that mean Ye Longquan's suffering is YOUR fault?"

Without waiting for Ye Longyuan's reply, Han Feng kicked Ye Longquan with all his strength, sending him hurtling toward Ye Longyuan.

Using the momentum, Han Feng flew forward, sword in hand, slashing straight at Ye Longyuan.

Ye Longyuan caught Ye Longquan midair. Seeing Han Feng's approaching strike, he quickly turned his back to shield Ye Longquan, taking the full force of the attack himself.

Clang!

A loud sound echoed as a protective barrier on Ye Longyuan's body absorbed most of the sword's impact. Still, the sheer force caused him to stagger.

Wasting no time, Ye Longyuan passed Ye Longquan to another Ye family disciple and ordered, "Take Longquan and leave! Shout 'Exit'—have the teleportation array bring you both out of here!"

"Got it!" The disciple nodded, clutching Ye Longquan tightly.

"I EXIT!" he shouted.

A beam of teleportation light immediately enveloped them, whisking them out of the secret realm.

Outside, Ye Longquan's father hurriedly caught his son. Seeing his son's severed tongue, destroyed dantian, and mangled limbs—leaving only one intact leg—he broke down in tears. Cursing Han Feng, he carried Ye Longquan away to seek medical attention.

—

Back inside the secret realm, Han Feng and Ye Longyuan had already begun their battle.

Jiang Surou, seeing that Han Feng had joined the fray, didn't waste time asking him about his cultivation level. It was clear that Han Feng was now their strongest fighter, and with him facing off against Ye Longyuan—the Ye family's strongest disciple—it fell to the rest of the Jiang family to hold off the other Ye family disciples, giving Han Feng the chance to fight freely.

But their side was clearly outnumbered. The onlookers surrounding the battlefield didn't lift a finger to help. No one wanted to offend the Ye family, leaving Han Feng in a situation where, although he was dueling Ye Longyuan, he was effectively surrounded.

Originally, Han Feng had no intention of fighting. His goal had been to find Wang Mian and leave the secret realm with him. With the Ye family's overwhelming numbers, a fight would only leave him at a disadvantage.

At the time, he had been rational, focused on self-preservation.

But after seeing Wang Mian's pitiful state, his rage boiled over. He couldn't back down now. Even if he was outnumbered, even if the odds were against him, he would fight—to avenge Wang Mian and to settle this grudge once and for all.

Standing atop the flying sword Jiang Surou had given him, Han Feng wielded his Windborne Spirit Sword and launched a fierce assault on Ye Longyuan.

After dozens of exchanges, Han Feng channeled his wind-attribute spiritual energy and unleashed three feather-shaped sword beams, slashing toward Ye Longyuan.

Ye Longyuan's protective artifact activated, glowing brightly and absorbing the entirety of Han Feng's attack.

In contrast, the only protective artifact Han Feng had was the one Jiang Surou had given him. It could block three attacks below the Foundation Establishment level but had already been broken by Ye Longyuan's strikes.

Now, Han Feng had no choice but to rely on his own body to withstand Ye Longyuan's attacks.

Although Han Feng's sword beams failed to harm Ye Longyuan, they weakened his protective artifact.

Smirking, Ye Longyuan drew his sword and charged at Han Feng once more. This time, he put all his strength into a single slash, determined to end the fight in one blow.

Han Feng didn't dodge or retreat. Instead, he raised his Windborne Spirit Sword and channeled all his wind-attribute spiritual energy into it. With overwhelming force, he countered Ye Longyuan's strike head-on.

BANG!

The clash of their swords produced a deafening shockwave, forcing everyone nearby to cover their ears. Both Han Feng and Ye Longyuan were sent flying before crashing heavily to the ground.

Han Feng landed on his feet, skidding two meters before coming to a steady stop.

Ye Longyuan, however, slammed into the ground with a humiliating *thud,* sprawling awkwardly. His protective artifact flickered weakly before shattering completely.

Climbing to his feet, battered and disheveled, Ye Longyuan glared at Han Feng.

Han Feng smirked coldly. "Ye Longyuan, your protective artifact is gone. Let's see how you fight me now!"

But Ye Longyuan remained unfazed. Calmly patting his storage pouch, he pulled out another protective artifact and placed it on his chest. "Han Feng, you broke one. Did you think that's all I had? You really are a naïve pauper."

Smirking, he continued, "Yes, I admit—you're strong. If this were purely a contest of strength and speed, you might win.

But don't forget: I'm from the Ye family. You're just some broke nobody. A peasant. Dirt beneath my feet.

I have plenty of protective artifacts. Plenty of allies.

You destroy one? I have more.

You defeat me? I have a whole team.

That's the difference between a poor wretch like you and a member of a great family. In the end, you'll lose."

Waving his hand, Ye Longyuan shouted, "Everyone, attack! Destroy Han Feng!"

"Yes!" shouted over a dozen Ye family disciples, charging at Han Feng with weapons drawn.

Han Feng had no choice but to focus on dealing with the incoming Qi Refining sixth- and seventh-layer disciples before facing Ye Longyuan again.