Qin Feng’s pupils contracted, his face changing. “Elder Xu, does this relate to Tianhai City’s secret?”
“Indeed, it is precisely so.”
Nodding, Elder Xu said gravely, “Tianhai City’s four great families are neither top-tier nor first-rate clans. Their ability to stand firm in Tianhai City for so long stems from that secret within the city.”
“But the four great families of Tianhai City have a history of several decades. Has no one among them investigated this secret? Do they not wish to know what it is?” Qin Feng asked, full of curiosity.
“Investigate? Since it is a secret, how could it be so easily uncovered?” Elder Xu shook his head and said, “However, in the eyes of the eight great top families, Tianhai City is not merely guarded by that secret but also by a force protecting it. Thus, to this day, no one has probed it. This is why the heads and heirs of Tianhai City’s four great families cannot be controlled.”
Elder Xu glanced at Qin Feng and said, “Years ago, a first-rate clan sought to control one of Tianhai City’s four great families, the Qu family. In response, that mysterious force mobilised a host of experts and reduced that first-rate clan to third-rate status.”
“How is that possible?” Qin Feng’s face changed drastically. The difference between a first-rate clan and a third-rate one was but a single word, yet it represented a gulf as vast as heaven and earth.
If a third-rate clan was a mere stream, then a first-rate clan was a mighty river. Moreover, first-rate clans earned their name through a profusion of martial artists, even including those at the innate realm. Eradicating such a clan was no simple matter. Even for a top-tier clan to destroy a first-rate one would prove troublesome, potentially exacting a heavy toll.
“But it is fact, and thus the four great families of Tianhai City endure to this day.” Elder Xu said gravely, “In truth, Young Master, aiding Liu Shijie in becoming the Liu heir was an erroneous decision. Once he assumes that role, Young Master can no longer control him. And this Liu Shijie is a shrewd sort; such a man is exceedingly difficult to command.”
Qin Feng fell silent. How could he have known of these hidden matters? Now he felt some regret. Had he known, he would have consulted Elder Xu first, avoiding this present awkwardness.
“Fortune and misfortune are intertwined. For Young Master, whether Tianhai City’s secret can be probed or Liu Shijie can be controlled matters little. In your current state, Young Master, you lack the means to uncover the secret or contend with that mysterious force. In this old man’s view, Young Master might leverage Liu Shijie to build your own influence in Tianhai City. Now that Liu Shijie is the Liu heir, he can mobilise the Liu family’s resources and connections in Tianhai City. These are precisely what Young Master urgently requires. After all, the Liu family’s ability to host the business alliance meeting ties inextricably to its bonds with the major powers.”
Pausing, Elder Xu continued, “And these are what Young Master needs. With your own force in Tianhai City, Young Master need no longer act with restraint there.”
Qin Feng drew a deep breath, reluctant to accept this reality, yet now he had no choice. He knew Elder Xu spoke true; his plans must change.
“Moreover, Young Master, you have already fallen a step behind. Li Feng has eradicated the Black Stone Gang, and with his Feng Yuan Group besides, his influence in Tianhai City is no trifling matter. If Young Master builds no force of your own, how shall you contend with Li Feng?” Elder Xu continued.
At these words, a glint flashed in Qin Feng’s eyes. Li Feng was a thorn in his side. In their last clash, Li Feng had routed him utterly, forcing him to eliminate Su Xin and Sun Xipeng lest Li Feng trace matters back to him.
At the same time, Qin Feng had marked Li Feng as his rival, the greatest foe in this Tianhai City venture. Thus, he could least abide Li Feng’s growing might.
Yet from establishing the Feng Yuan Group to dismantling the Black Stone Gang, Li Feng’s power in Tianhai City, though short of the four great families, was already formidable. As Elder Xu said, if he slacked now, how could he vie with Li Feng?
A fierce light gleamed in Qin Feng’s eyes as he said gravely, “Then I shall seize the Brotherhood. I refuse to believe I cannot best Li Feng.”
The Brotherhood was one of Tianhai City’s three great underground powers, second only to the Black Stone Gang.
“Young Master, here are the Brotherhood’s dossiers.” Elder Xu, as if anticipating Qin Feng’s response, produced the prepared documents on the Brotherhood.
Qin Feng was inured to Elder Xu’s foresight. It was precisely through such counsel that he, Qin Feng, had secured his place as the Qin family’s foremost heir.
Perusing the dossiers, Qin Feng suddenly looked up and said, “Elder Xu, I wish to strike at Li Feng, teach him a lesson.”
“Young Master intends to move against Li Feng?” Elder Xu’s brows furrowed as he weighed the pros and cons.
“Yes. After Li Feng destroyed the Black Stone Gang, he spared its remnants. Now those survivors have either pledged to underground powers like the Brotherhood or formed their own bands, carving out territories. I wish to secretly consolidate these remnants into a weapon against Li Feng.” Qin Feng said gravely.
“Li Feng scorns these remnants, does he? Then let us use them to school him.” A chill glint of malice flickered in Qin Feng’s eyes.
“Very well if Young Master thinks thus. Li Feng has advanced too swiftly of late; a check is due. Yet this old man feels Young Master should not act openly. Entrust it to another.” Elder Xu nodded.
“Who?”
“Sun Xipeng’s lackey, Hu Meng.” Elder Xu said with a阴阴 smile, outlining his scheme.
“This plan is sound, yet does it not take rather long?” Upon hearing Elder Xu’s design, Qin Feng furrowed his brows.
“Can Young Master not wait a few days? Use the interval to bring the Brotherhood under your sway.” Elder Xu shook his head and chuckled, his laughter laden with profound meaning.
…
Hoo!
Li Feng exhaled deeply, opening his eyes. A sharp glint shot forth from them.
Qi Refinement second layer!
After more than ten days of cultivation, he had at last broken through from the first layer to the second. This pace was swift indeed, yet the cost was staggering. Each day, he consumed medicinal materials worth tens of millions. Moreover, the jade from the raw stones obtained from Liu Shichao last time had been extracted and its spiritual energy absorbed by him.
Just now, the final piece of jade had been drained of its spiritual energy, allowing his breakthrough to the second layer.
Though the span from first to second layer was but a single word, the difference was as heaven to earth. The true qi within him was now several times denser than at the first layer.
At this moment, Li Feng was confident that even facing Cai Die once more, he could slay her in short order.
Yet gazing at the now spiritless jade, Li Feng could not help but frown. If advancing from first to second layer demanded such vast spiritual energy, then reaching the third layer would require even more, would it not?
Where was he to obtain such spiritual energy? The spiritual qi on Earth was so sparse now. Items containing it were few and far between.
Jade did harbour spiritual energy, some more, some less. Yet its market price was exorbitant. Even if places existed to purchase spiritual energy, he could ill afford them. He was not cultivating alone. The Black Eagle Squad, Zhong Shuhui, Hu Yuanyuan: together over twenty souls. Though save for Zhong Shuhui, the others had yet to form true qi, once they did, without spiritual energy to replenish, advancing their cultivation would prove arduous indeed.
Li Feng yet aimed to forge the Black Eagle Squad into a super squad of innate realm martial artists. This would demand immense spiritual energy to elevate their realms. Otherwise, proceeding step by step, even a century might not suffice to assemble a super squad of innate realm warriors.
What was more, Hu Yuanyuan must reach the innate realm before they could consummate their bond. Waiting a century was beyond his endurance.
“It seems the spiritual energy issue must be resolved.”
Li Feng furrowed his brows. For martial artists, spiritual energy was life itself. Without vast reserves, elevating one’s realm was nigh impossible. On this Earth, already sparse in spiritual qi, compounded by industrial pollution, what little remained was pitiable.
Of course, certain locales on Earth still brimmed with spiritual qi, such as the great forbidden grounds or the primal forests like the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains. Yet Li Feng was a youth of ideals and ambition, a product of modern times. To dwell as a primitive in some ancient wood was beyond him.
Beyond that, heavenly materials and earthly treasures contained vast spiritual energy. Like the century-old vermilion fruit obtained from Master Wen last time: though but a hundred years old, the spiritual energy within was astonishing.
With such heavenly materials and earthly treasures to aid, cultivation would proceed apace. Yet such treasures were scarce. Finding them was no easy task, let alone when he must provide for so many in their practice.
Thinking of heavenly materials and earthly treasures, Li Feng recalled the golden cicada fruit that Old Tu had mentioned last time at the Wen Jun Pavilion pharmacy. The golden cicada fruit was even more precious than the century-old vermilion fruit. Obtaining it would elevate his strength by a full tier at least.
At this thought, Li Feng’s heart burned hot.
“It seems necessary to visit the Black Wind Forest in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.” Li Feng knew not how Old Tu had learned of the golden cicada fruit in the Black Wind Forest of the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains. Yet any heavenly material or earthly treasure was coveted by every martial artist. Now, many days had passed since Old Tu shared the news. He knew not if another had claimed the fruit. He felt compelled to journey to the Black Wind Forest in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains and see for himself.
“Tianhai City’s business alliance meeting lies more than a week hence. With naught pressing in the interim, why not make for Black Wind Forest? Should I obtain the golden cicada fruit there, my strength shall rise, granting confidence against fiercer foes.”
“Moreover, the business alliance meeting may pit me against old rivals like the Emperor Pavilion. Perchance cruel clashes await. With enhanced strength, my safety shall be assured.”
“What is more, beyond this business alliance meeting lies the contest for the Nine Dragon Jade, likely more perilous still. The eight great top families shall intervene, with untold martial artists in play. Without strength, I may only miss this grand spectacle.”
“Now, though Fu Yanxiong eyes the Feng Yuan Group darkly, he is no base cur like Zheng Haoyuan and should not strike directly at Hu Yuanyuan. So long as she remains unharmed, even should the Feng Yuan Group face troubles, upon my return from Black Wind Forest, I can resolve them.”
“With the Black Eagle Squad and Zhong Shuhui besides, Hu Yuanyuan should face no mishaps.”
At this, Li Feng resolved to venture to the Black Wind Forest in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains. Whether Old Tu’s words rang true or not, he must go and see.
