Chapter 6: Ye Qingxuan

Two days later.

Lin Feng had finally finished reading all the available information about the Nine Nethers Secret Realm.

This included how many times the Nine Nethers Secret Realm had appeared in total, what precautions one needed to take before entering, how many people had their fates changed by entering it — among them no shortage of prominent figures — and how many people had been left behind permanently with each opening, becoming food for beasts and nourishment for plants.

When Lin Feng read that the Nine Nethers Secret Realm only permitted humans with a bone age of under one hundred years to enter, he let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Although he rarely left Lone Existence Peak and knew little of the outside world, he had learned at least the basic situation of Li Continent from his master, Su Mubai.

With a bone age under one hundred, even the most talented individuals had limited strength.

The truly powerful were old monsters who had lived for hundreds, even thousands of years.

This greatly increased his chances of obtaining the Bianhua Flower.

Moreover, the Bianhua Flower itself carried a potent toxin, so even if one obtained it, it could not be consumed immediately. Other supplementary medicines were needed to neutralize its properties before it could be refined into a spirit pill free of side effects.

Even if someone else found it first, he could always take it back.

Whoever got their hands on it had better hand it over nicely — otherwise, they couldn't blame him for being ruthless.

For the sake of saving his master, Lin Feng would show no mercy.

With all that settled, he was in high spirits. He caught a rabbit-like creature in the dense forest of Lone Existence Peak, then fished a few catches from the pond, and started a fire at his usual spot to roast them.

Before long, the meat was sizzling with dripping fat. He sprinkled on some of his secret seasoning and ate with great, hearty bites.

Of all the things about this strange new world, what Lin Feng appreciated most was the food that was everywhere around him.

It was incomparably more delicious than anything back on Earth.

The meat was tender, succulent, and melted in the mouth.

Even without any seasoning at all, it was impossibly good.

He still remembered the first time he had eaten it — he had nearly swallowed the bones along with everything else.

From that day on, he had fallen in love with roasting meat beneath the great trees at the mountain summit.

He came to do it almost every single day.

Miss a meal and his whole body felt off.

With only Lin Feng on Lone Existence Peak now, there was no one to tell him what to do. He ate his fill, napped when he pleased, or climbed up into the trees to enjoy the view. Life couldn't have been more carefree.

Over the years, he had eaten his way through everything — creatures that flew through the sky, ran across the land, and swam in the water.

His roasting technique had grown more and more masterful.

Back on Earth, he could have opened a barbecue shop and had it packed every night.

Just as Lin Feng was savoring his meal, a figure appeared in the sky, riding a flying sword.

She looked down at Lin Feng, who was eating and drinking with abandon. Her cold, strikingly beautiful face bore no expression whatsoever — not even a flicker of emotion in her eyes.

The newcomer was Ye Qingxuan, a Core Disciple under Leng Hanshuang.

Among all the Core Disciples of the Shenxiao Sword Sect, Ye Qingxuan ranked sixth — making her Lin Feng's Sixth Junior Sister.

The two of them were both well known within the Shenxiao Sword Sect, but for entirely different reasons.

One was a genius disciple; the other was the Trash Senior Brother.

Of the current generation's Seven Swords of Shenxiao, only four had so far taken Core Disciples.

They were: Su Mubai of the Haoran Sword, Luo Yuntian of the Taiyi Sword, Zhao Ziwen of the Leiming Sword, and Leng Hanshuang of the Bingpo Sword.

The remaining three had yet to find suitable successors.

"Lin Feng, my master wants you to come over. She has something to discuss with you," Ye Qingxuan said in a cool voice.

She had not addressed him as Senior Brother, but called him by name directly.

In Ye Qingxuan's view, aside from having joined the sect a little earlier, Lin Feng was in no way worthy of being the Senior Brother of the Shenxiao Sword Sect.

And she was not alone in thinking this.

Every other disciple of the Shenxiao Sword Sect felt the same way.

As for Lin Feng himself, Ye Qingxuan didn't exactly dislike him — but she certainly held no goodwill toward him either.

After all, as time went on, they were destined to belong to entirely different worlds.

With Lin Feng's talent, he would inevitably fade into obscurity, while she herself was bound to rise to the core leadership of the Shenxiao Sword Sect.

"Aunt Leng is looking for me? Sure! I'll head over once I finish eating. Junior Sister Qing Xuan, would you like to come down and have a taste? Not everyone gets to eat meat roasted by my own hands — consider yourself lucky today."

Lin Feng looked up at Ye Qingxuan, who was riding her sword high in the sky, and extended the invitation with a smile.

In truth, he had noticed her arrival long ago — he simply hadn't bothered to acknowledge it.

As for Ye Qingxuan calling him by name directly, Lin Feng had long since grown used to it.

She was a heaven-blessed prodigy. It was perfectly natural for her to look down on a Senior Brother like him who had given up and was content to coast along.

"No need! Come with me now. My master is waiting for you," Ye Qingxuan replied, her face expressionless.

"Alright then!"

Lin Feng tossed aside the bone in his hand, clapped his palms together, and without a second thought wiped them clean on his own clothes — clearly something he had done many times before.

This gesture made Ye Qingxuan, riding her sword in the air, frown ever so slightly.

Who could have imagined that the Senior Brother of the Shenxiao Sword Sect would be such a sloppy person.

Once his hands were clean, Lin Feng mounted his sword and flew up to Ye Qingxuan's side.

"Junior Sister Qing Xuan, shall we go?"

Ye Qingxuan brought Lin Feng to the base of Jade Maiden Peak, where they descended and proceeded on foot up the mountain.

The Shenxiao Sword Sect had sixteen peaks in total. Lone Existence Peak was the only one with no one in charge, so one could fly directly to the top. All other peaks required visitors to ascend on foot — this was the rule, and to violate it was considered disrespectful to that peak.

The two of them made their way through the curious gazes of the many disciples of Jade Maiden Peak, and soon came before Leng Hanshuang, who was waiting for them.

"Master, I have brought Senior Brother Lin Feng. If there is nothing else for me, I will take my leave," Ye Qingxuan said respectfully to Leng Hanshuang.

"Qing Xuan, stay for now."

"Yes, Master."

"Lin Feng pays his respects to Aunt Leng!" Lin Feng stepped forward, clasped his fists together, and bowed.

"Nephew Lin Feng, no need for formalities. I called you here today to seek your opinion on a matter," Leng Hanshuang said.

"Please speak, Aunt Leng."

"In less than half a month, the Nine Nethers Secret Realm will open. Inside, there is not only the Bianhua Flower that Senior Brother Mubai needs, but also many rare treasures capable of changing one's fate. The sect will be sending a group of people in. Are you willing to go in and try your luck? Of course, it is also very dangerous inside — one moment of carelessness and you may never come back. If you are unwilling, I will not force you."

Leng Hanshuang finished speaking and waited quietly for Lin Feng's answer.

She had weighed this decision carefully from many angles before acting.

Even if Su Mubai survived this time, he was already completely crippled.

It would not be long before people began to set their sights on Lone Existence Peak.

Even the Sect Master Senior Brother would be unable to protect it.

With Lin Feng's current talent, breaking through this situation was nearly impossible.

The only option was to enter the Nine Nethers Secret Realm and take a gamble — it was the last chance.

Hearing that Leng Hanshuang wanted him to enter the Nine Nethers Secret Realm alongside the Shenxiao Sword Sect's members, Lin Feng was momentarily unsure how to respond.

He was absolutely going to enter the Nine Nethers Secret Realm.

But he had no desire to go in together with the other members of the Shenxiao Sword Sect — it would be far too inconvenient.

The bone age restriction of the Nine Nethers Secret Realm, capping entry at under one hundred years, meant that virtually none of the powerful figures from any faction could enter. Inside, he would be completely in his element.

"Aunt Leng, I think I'll pass," Lin Feng said after a moment's thought, declining.

How much better to act alone and move freely?

Why go looking for trouble?

In Lin Feng's eyes, every member of the Shenxiao Sword Sect under a hundred years old was dead weight.

If they ran into danger, should he save them or not?

If he did, he might very well expose his true strength. If he didn't, could he really stand by and watch everyone die?

That was absolutely out of the question.

No matter what, he was still a member of the Shenxiao Sword Sect.

So it was better to simply keep them out of sight and out of mind.

Standing to one side, Ye Qingxuan's eyes flashed with contempt.

This Senior Brother was not only sloppy — he was also a coward who feared death. He was an utter disgrace to the Shenxiao Sword Sect.

Leng Hanshuang had not expected Lin Feng to refuse either.

In her view, with an opportunity like this, Lin Feng should have agreed without hesitation.

It seemed she had overestimated this nephew of hers.

She had thought he simply lacked talent — she hadn't expected his character to be this spineless as well.

She couldn't fathom how Senior Brother Mubai had ever taken on such a disciple.

"Nephew Lin Feng, you don't need to worry too much. Qing Xuan will also be going in this time. You can just follow her — with her protecting you, there shouldn't be much danger. You should know that this is your only chance to turn things around. Once you miss it, making a comeback will be extremely difficult. You still remember what I told you last time, don't you?" Leng Hanshuang said patiently.

Lin Feng naturally knew what Leng Hanshuang had said last time.

There were many within the Shenxiao Sword Sect who had their eyes on Lone Existence Peak and the Haoran Sword.

Before, the Sect Master had always kept them in check. But now that his master was gravely injured and near death, with the sect having to expend enormous resources on his treatment, that restraint would likely crumble before long.

When that time came, if he wanted to keep Lone Existence Peak, he would have no choice but to reveal some of his strength.

Since that was the case —

He might as well enter the Nine Nethers Secret Realm together with the sect's people.

Once inside, he could find an opportunity to slip away on his own. Later, when he needed to reveal a bit of his strength, he could use this as an excuse to explain it.

Besides, Leng Hanshuang genuinely meant well. To refuse again would be ungrateful of him.

With that thought, Lin Feng agreed.

"Then many thanks to Aunt Leng!" Lin Feng clasped his fists in gratitude.

"No need to thank me. You are Senior Brother Mubai's disciple, and I have watched you grow up since you were small. I only hope you can hold on to Lone Existence Peak and not let others take it from you."

"Lin Feng will not disappoint Aunt Leng."

"Very well then. Qing Xuan, when the Nine Nethers Secret Realm opens in half a month, take Lin Feng along with you."

"Yes, Master." Ye Qingxuan answered respectfully.

Though inwardly she had no desire to drag along this deadweight of a Senior Brother, her master had spoken, and she had no choice but to accept.

Within Jade Maiden Peak, Leng Hanshuang's word was absolute law.

"I look forward to Junior Sister Qing Xuan's guidance."

"Senior Brother Lin Feng is too polite."

In front of her master Leng Hanshuang, Ye Qingxuan did not dare to call Lin Feng by name directly.

Even though they were both Core Disciples, a Senior Brother was still a Senior Brother.

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Edited by Fat Goose