Chapter 27: Collaboration!
Awooo...
Amidst the dense forest, low and enraged roars echoed, carried by the strong winds. In the midst of the howling gusts, over a dozen ferocious demonic wolves, each with razor-sharp claws, pounced from various directions. The sharp claws gleamed with an eerie cold light, as if intent on tearing apart everything in their path.
Within the pack of wolves, a figure moved with graceful steps, traversing the terrain like a fleeting wisp of light. Despite the ferocious assaults of the demonic wolves, their attacks couldn't touch even a corner of his garment.
On Ling Feng's face, a tranquil expression rested, unruffled by the surroundings, much like a light breeze brushing through the clouds.
It had already been the third day since Ling Feng entered the vast desolation of the mountain range. In these three days, he had encountered countless battles, becoming accustomed to the sensation of being besieged by demonic beasts.
The demonic wolves still fell within the category of second-tier demonic beasts. Dealing with a single one was not difficult, but facing a pack of them would make even a cultivator in the later stages of the Qi Formation hesitant to provoke them easily.
Ling Feng seamlessly blended the Cloud-Chasing Steps with the Flashing Steps, almost creating an entirely new footwork technique. In the midst of battling the wolf pack, he moved as if taking a leisurely stroll in a courtyard, wearing an expression of tranquility.
Clang!
With a flash of sword radiance, akin to a falling meteor with sparkling starlight, a single sword strike divided into three, unleashing three surges of sword qi. Three demonic wolves found themselves pierced through the heart by the starshatter sword qi, meeting an end that left no room for further demise.
Keen eyesight, agile footwork, and masterful swordsmanship!
The fusion of these three created a swordsman close to perfection!
"It's time to conclude the battle and venture deeper into the desolate mountains for further trials."
A gleam of brilliance flashed in Ling Feng's eyes. Amidst these three days of intense battles, his cultivation had once again undergone a breakthrough, reaching the level of the fifth stage of Qi Formation.
With no more reservations, Ling Feng's swordsmanship turned domineering and sharp. The Starshatter Sword Technique was a superior sword art of the Wenxian Sect, usually only practiced by the direct disciples of the peak leaders.
Lacking the necessary insight, one might not achieve much even after ten years of dedicated practice.
"Stellar Annihilation Strike!"
A tumult of sword qi surged forth, unleashing a ferocious astral wind that swept across all directions. Sword shadows filled the sky like a celestial river descending to the earth, their brilliance forming a radiant rainbow of sword light.
A flicker of fear shimmered in the blood-red pupils of the remaining demonic wolves. They wailed and whimpered, almost in unison, as if in the blink of an eye, every single one of them turned and fled with a sweep of their wolfish tails.
Bang bang bang!
Yet, in the very instant these demonic wolves shifted to escape, the sword qi exploded forth. Threads of sword energy punctured through their bodies, piercing their skulls. Wolf after wolf, they tumbled into a pool of blood.
"In three days, my Starshatter Sword Technique has once again reached another level."
"After the baptism of blood, whether it's drawing the sword or sheathing it, there's a taste of returning to my true self."
Ling Feng surveyed the multitude of demonic wolf corpses and nodded in satisfaction.
Swiftly managing the demonic wolf carcasses, gathering all valuable materials, Ling Feng then unleashed his footwork and departed from the area.
Before long, Ling Feng reached the side of a babbling stream. He crouched down, cleansing the bloodstains from his body.
A small squad approached from behind. There were five individuals in total—four men and one woman—all appearing to be around the age of twenty.
Dressed in sturdy attire and carrying long swords on their backs, the five individuals walked with steady and powerful strides, evidently possessing a solid foundation in their skills.
Upon noticing Ling Feng's presence, the five individuals didn't express much curiosity. The vast wilderness and mountains served as a shared training ground for disciples from various martial sects in the vicinity, making encounters with fellow disciples a routine affair.
"I am Wang Tong, an inner disciple of the Tianyun Sword Sect from the Tianhua Mountain. May I inquire about the martial sect to which you belong?"
The man leading the group had a square face, and he was the eldest among them, emanating the most formidable aura. After sizing up Ling Feng for a moment and glancing at the profound weapon Moon Slayer behind him, he managed to squeeze out a slight smile and courteously bowed to Ling Feng.
"I am a disciple of the Wenxian Sect. Is there something you need?" Ling Feng leaped up from the streamside, turning to face the group with a casual response.
"Wenxian Sect..." The man with the square face raised an eyebrow slightly. The Wenxian Sect held great renown in the Seventh Northern District of the Tianbai Empire, and it was considered a top-tier power in the vicinity of the Xianzong Mountains. Upon hearing the name of the Wenxian Sect, the disciples of the Tianyun Sword Sect seemed visibly affected.
"So, you are a fellow disciple of the Wenxian Sect!" Wang Tong laughed heartily. "We were just lamenting the shortage of manpower to seize the celestial fruit. I didn't think we would meet a fellow cultivator here. It's truly a blessing for us."
Ling Feng rubbed his nose, giving Wang Tong a curious look.
"Oh, this is how it is!" Wang Tong, looking rather simple and honest, slapped his forehead and immediately explained, "A few days ago, we discovered a precious plant behind the mountain on the right side. It's about to ripen, but there's a Cloud-Striped Tiger guarding it. That tiger is no simple creature—it's a peak second-tier demonic beast, even stronger than an ordinary cultivator at the tenth level of Qi Formation!"
"Even with our combined efforts, we may not necessarily be able to handle that demonic beast. Since you're a disciple of the Wenxian Sect, your strength must be extraordinary. With your assistance, I believe we can successfully kill the Cloud-Striped Tiger and seize the celestial fruit!"
"Oh?
" Ling Feng's eyes flashed with a hint of playfulness. "Once we obtain the celestial fruit, how do you plan to distribute it?"Wang Tong immediately said, "Although there's only one celestial fruit, both the fruit and the roots can be divided. As for the Cloud-Striped Tiger, every part of its body is valuable. I've always admired disciples of the Wenxian Sect and consider you a friend. We'll allocate the demonic core to you. How does that sound?"
"The demonic core of a peak second-tier demonic beast, huh?" Ling Feng nodded. "That's acceptable!"
After all, the celestial fruit was discovered by the other party first, and the five of them were the main fighting force. If they shared the demonic core with him, his trip wouldn't be in vain.
"Good, haha!" Wang Tong grinned, "Happy to work together!"
"Happy to work together." Ling Feng also smiled slightly, but in his heart, he thought, "You better stick to the agreement, or else you'll bear the consequences!"
There's no such thing as a free lunch; it's not possible for them to just give away the demonic core of a peak second-tier demonic beast just because he's a disciple of the Wenxian Sect.
Despite lacking trust in these individuals, Ling Feng was willing to take a gamble, recognizing that skill often accompanies audacity.
"Please follow me!" Wang Tong said, swiftly flying towards a mountain on the right.
...
Six figures swiftly traversed through the mountainous terrain, their steps crunching on dried branches and fallen leaves, emitting a subtle rustling sound. As the wind swept through, their presence seamlessly dissipated into the surrounding environment.
"Cloud-Striped Tiger is a peak second-tier demonic beast. Even with your group and me, it might not be easy to have a significant chance of killing it, right?" While flying through the air, Ling Feng couldn't help but ask with some curiosity.
"Rest assured, since we dare to target the celestial fruit, we're prepared."
The response came from a woman in the group named Zhu Xia. With a pleasing appearance exuding a hint of heroism in her eyebrows and eyes, she notably possessed an alluring figure.
With a nod, Ling Feng replied, "It's good that you're prepared."
"By the way, Brother Ling Feng, since we're going to cooperate, how about letting us understand your strength? It would help us integrate into the new team faster, don't you think?" Wang Tong suddenly smiled and said.
"That makes sense." Ling Feng nodded. "I specialize in swordsmanship and can handle about three to five demonic wolves on my own."
"Haha, disciples of the Wenxian Sect are indeed formidable!"
Wang Tong laughed and led the group forward for a while, finally arriving at the destination of this journey.