Two days later.
Lin Feng had finally finished reading all the information about the Jiuyou Secret Realm.
This included how many times the realm had appeared, what to watch out for inside, how many people had changed their destinies after entering—some of whom were even great figures—and with each opening, how many were left behind forever, becoming food for beasts and nutrients for plants.
When Lin Feng read that the Jiuyou Secret Realm only permitted entry to humans with a bone age of one hundred years or less, he breathed a small sigh of relief.
Although he rarely left Gucun Peak and knew little of the outside world, he had learned some basic information about Lizhou from his Master, Su Mubai. Those with a bone age not exceeding one hundred years, even geniuses, had limited strength.
The true powerhouses were all old monsters who had lived for hundreds, or even thousands, of years.
This greatly increased his chances of finding the Red Spider Lily.
Moreover, the Red Spider Lily itself was highly toxic. It couldn't be consumed immediately upon being obtained. Other supplementary herbs were required to neutralize its properties before it could be refined into a spiritual elixir without side effects.
Even if someone else found it first, he could just take it from them.
He didn't care who got it; they had better hand it over obediently. Otherwise, they shouldn't blame him for being ruthless. To save his Master, Lin Feng would not be merciful.
Having understood all this, he was in a cheerful mood. He caught an animal resembling a rabbit from Earth in the dense forest of Gucun Peak, then went to the pond to catch a few fish. He started roasting them at his usual spot. Before long, the meat was sizzling with rendered fat. He sprinkled on some of his secret seasonings and began to eat with large bites.
What satisfied Lin Feng most about coming to this strange world was the ubiquitous food, which was countless times more delicious than anything on Earth.
The meat was succulent, tender, and melted in his mouth.
Even without any seasoning, it was unbelievably tasty.
He remembered the first time he ate it, he had almost swallowed the bones along with the meat.
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From then on, he fell in love with barbecuing under the large tree on the mountaintop.
He would come to roast something almost every day. If he missed a single meal, he would feel uncomfortable all over.
Lin Feng was the only person on Gucun Peak now, so no one bothered him. After eating his fill, he would take a short nap or climb a tree to enjoy the scenery. Life couldn't be more carefree.
Over the years, he had eaten everything that flew in the sky, ran on the ground, and swam in the water.
His barbecuing skills had become more and more masterful.
If he were on Earth, he could open a barbecue shop and it would definitely be packed.
Just as Lin Feng was enjoying his meal, a figure appeared in the sky, riding a flying sword.
She looked at Lin Feng, who was stuffing his face, her stunningly beautiful and cold face devoid of any expression, not even a ripple of emotion in her eyes.
The newcomer was Ye Qingxuan, a True Disciple of Leng Hanshuang.
Among all the True Disciples of the Shenxiao Sword Sect, Ye Qingxuan ranked sixth, making her Lin Feng's Sixth Junior Sister.
Both of them were famous in the Shenxiao Sword Sect, but for completely different reasons.
One was a genius disciple, the other a good-for-nothing Senior Brother.
So far, only four of the current generation of the Shenxiao Seven Swords had taken on True Disciples: Su Mubai of the Haoran Sword, Luo Yuntian of the Taiyi Sword, Zhang Ziwen of the Leiming Sword, and Leng Hanshuang of the Ice Soul Sword.
The other three had yet to find suitable successors.
"Lin Feng, my Master wants to see you. She has something to discuss," Ye Qingxuan said coldly.
She didn't address him as Senior Brother Lin Feng, but called him directly by his name.
In Ye Qingxuan's eyes, aside from having joined the sect a little earlier, Lin Feng was completely unworthy of being the Senior Brother of the Shenxiao Sword Sect.
It wasn't just her. The other disciples of the Shenxiao Sword Sect thought the same.
Ye Qingxuan didn't exactly dislike Lin Feng, but she certainly had no favorable impression of him either.
After all, as time went on, they were destined to be people from different worlds.
With Lin Feng's talent, he was destined to fade into obscurity, while she was bound to become a core member of the Shenxiao Sword Sect's upper echelon.
"Uncle Master Leng is looking for me? Alright! I'll head over after I finish eating. Junior Sister Qingxuan, why don't you come down and have a taste? Not everyone gets to eat meat I've grilled myself. You can count yourself lucky today."
Lin Feng looked up at Ye Qingxuan, who was hovering in the sky on her sword, and invited her with a smile.
In truth, he had noticed her arrival long ago but had simply ignored her.
As for Ye Qingxuan calling him by his name, Lin Feng was already used to it.
She was a heaven-blessed prodigy; it was only normal for her to look down on a Senior Brother like him who just slacked off and did nothing.
"There's no need! Come with me now. Master is waiting for you," Ye Qingxuan replied, her face impassive.
"Alright then!"
Lin Feng tossed aside the bone in his hand, clapped his hands, and without a second thought, wiped them on his clothes. It was obvious he did this often.
This action caused Ye Qingxuan, who was on her sword in the air, to frown slightly.
Who would have thought that the Senior Brother of the Shenxiao Sword Sect could be such a sloppy person.
After wiping his hands clean, Lin Feng flew up on his sword to Ye Qingxuan's side.
"Junior Sister Qingxuan, let's go!"
Ye Qingxuan led Lin Feng to the foot of Yunv Peak, where they landed and proceeded to ascend on foot.
The Shenxiao Sword Sect had a total of sixteen peaks. Apart from Gucun Peak, which was unmanaged and could be flown to directly, all other peaks had to be ascended on foot. This was a rule; otherwise, it would be considered a sign of disrespect to the peak.
The two walked past the curious gazes of many Yunv Peak disciples and soon saw Leng Hanshuang, who was waiting for them.
"Master, I've brought Senior Brother Lin Feng. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave," Ye Qingxuan said respectfully to Leng Hanshuang.
"Qingxuan, you will stay for now!"
"Yes, Master!"
"Lin Feng pays his respects to Uncle Master Leng!" Lin Feng stepped forward, cupped his fists, and bowed.
"Martial Nephew Lin, there's no need for such formalities. I called you here today to ask for your opinion on a matter," said Leng Hanshuang.
"Please speak, Uncle Master Leng!"
"In less than half a month, the Jiuyou Secret Realm will open. Not only does it contain the Red Spider Lily that Senior Brother Mubai needs, but it also holds many heavenly treasures that can change one's destiny. The sect will be sending a group of people inside. Are you willing to go with them and try your luck? Of course, it is also very dangerous. A moment of carelessness could mean you'll be trapped there forever. If you're unwilling, I won't force you."
After speaking, Leng Hanshuang quietly waited for Lin Feng's reply.
She had only made this decision after much consideration.
Even if Su Mubai didn't die this time, he was already completely crippled.
Before long, everyone would make a move on Gucun Peak.
Even the Headmaster wouldn't be able to protect it.
With Lin Feng's current talent, it was almost impossible for him to break out of this predicament.
The only way was to enter the Jiuyou Secret Realm and risk it all. This was his last chance.
Hearing Leng Hanshuang's suggestion to enter the Jiuyou Secret Realm with the people from the Shenxiao Sword Sect, Lin Feng was momentarily at a loss for how to respond.
He was definitely going to the Jiuyou Secret Realm.
But he didn't want to go with the others from the sect; it would be too inconvenient.
The bone age limit of one hundred years meant that almost no powerhouses from the various factions could enter. Inside, he would be like a fish in water.
"Uncle Master Leng, I think I'll pass!" Lin Feng thought for a moment and decided to refuse.
How much better would it be to act alone and freely?
Why should he go looking for trouble for himself?
In Lin Feng's eyes, the sect members under a hundred years old were all just dead weight.
If they encountered danger, should he save them or not?
Saving them would likely expose his true strength, but if he didn't, could he just stand by and watch them die?
He could never do that.
After all, he was still a member of the Shenxiao Sword Sect.
So it was better to just follow the 'out of sight, out of mind' principle.
Standing to the side, a look of contempt appeared in Ye Qingxuan's eyes.
This Senior Brother was not only sloppy but also a coward who feared death. He was simply a disgrace to the Shenxiao Sword Sect.
Leng Hanshuang hadn't expected Lin Feng to refuse either.
From her perspective, Lin Feng should have eagerly accepted such an opportunity.
It seemed she had overestimated her martial nephew.
She had originally thought he just had poor talent, but she hadn't expected his character to be so cowardly as well.
She really didn't know why Senior Brother Mubai had accepted such a disciple.
"Martial Nephew Lin, you don't need to worry too much. Qingxuan will also be going this time. You can just follow her. With her protecting you, you shouldn't be in any real danger. You must understand, this is your only chance to turn your situation around. If you miss it, it will be very difficult to ever recover. You should still remember what I told you last time, right?" Leng Hanshuang persuaded him patiently.
Lin Feng naturally knew what Leng Hanshuang was referring to.
There were many within the Shenxiao Sword Sect who had their eyes on Gucun Peak and the Haoran Sword.
The Headmaster had always kept them in check, but now that his Master was gravely injured and on the verge of death, requiring the sect to expend great effort to save him, the Headmaster would likely be unable to suppress them for much longer.
When that time came, if he wanted to keep Gucun Peak, he would have no choice but to reveal some of his strength.
Since that's the case! He might as well enter the Jiuyou Secret Realm with the people from the sect.
After entering, he could find a chance to slip away on his own. In the future, if he revealed a bit of his strength, he could use this trip as an excuse.
Besides, Leng Hanshuang meant well. Refusing again would make him seem ungrateful.
Thinking of this, Lin Feng agreed.
"Then I must thank Uncle Master Leng!" Lin Feng cupped his fists in gratitude.
"Don't thank me! You are Senior Brother Mubai's disciple, and I've watched you grow up. I only hope you can protect Gucun Peak and not let others take it away."
"Lin Feng will definitely not disappoint Uncle Master Leng."
"That's good! Qingxuan, when you enter the Jiuyou Secret Realm in half a month, take Lin Feng with you!"
"Yes! Master!" Ye Qingxuan replied respectfully.
Although she was unwilling to bring along this dead weight, Lin Feng, her Master had spoken, so she could only accept.
On Yunv Peak, Leng Hanshuang's word was law.
"I'll be in your care, Junior Sister Qingxuan!"
"Senior Brother Lin Feng is too polite!"
In front of her Master, Leng Hanshuang, Ye Qingxuan didn't dare to call Lin Feng by his name directly.
Even though they were all True Disciples, the Senior Brother was still the Senior Brother.
Proofreader: Peter Pan