“As long as you avenge me, this jade pendant is yours,” Du Wen said gravely.
Li Feng remained silent. Risking his life against an unknown enemy for a mere pendant wasn’t worth it.
“Besides, you have no choice. My strength is limited, but if you refuse, I’ll kill you all right now,” Du Wen said coldly, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent. Having waited decades for outsiders, he wouldn’t let this chance slip. A dying man had nothing to fear—worst case, they’d all die together.
Li Feng and the others exchanged glances.
“Have you decided?” Du Wen’s aura surged, his killing intent clear. His time was running out.
“Senior Du,” Li Feng stepped forward. “I’ll help you seek revenge and swear a Martial Oath, but they don’t need to, do they? You said yourself you have a grudge with the Ge family. Is it fitting to make them avenge you?”
“Li Feng!” Ge Feng and Ge Ying’s faces paled. They hadn’t expected Li Feng to say this.
“Trust me. My strength surpasses yours. If I can’t kill Du Wu, adding you won’t help,” Li Feng said, waving off their protests.
“But…” Ge Feng and Ge Ying hesitated, knowing Li Feng was protecting them.
Ignoring them, Li Feng looked at Du Wen.
“Interesting. I didn’t expect you to be so loyal,” Du Wen said, glancing at the Ge siblings with a chilling laugh that made them shudder. He turned back to Li Feng. “Fine, I agree. Swear the oath.”
Li Feng swore the Martial Oath, then said, “Please tell me Du Wu’s whereabouts, Senior Du.”
Du Wen smiled, satisfied. “Finding my brother is easy. We founded the Du Clan in Kunyang Town, Nanling Province. He’s there. Even after decades, he won’t leave.”
“Kunyang Town?” A glint flashed in Li Feng’s eyes. Could Du Wu be tied to the force that attacked him there?
“Yes, Kunyang Town,” Du Wen said, tossing the jade pendant to Li Feng. “I found this pendant by chance. Consider it payment for your revenge. If that’s not enough, the Du Clan in Kunyang Town has plenty of treasures. If you kill Du Wu, they’re yours as compensation.”
“Du Wu, I’ll be waiting for you,” Du Wen said, laughing three times before his breath ceased.
“He’s dead?” Ge Feng stared in disbelief. The Innate Realm expert, who had just threatened to kill them, was gone.
“Dead,” Li Feng confirmed, looking at Du Wen’s corpse with a trace of pity. Trapped in this sunless cave for decades, betrayed by his brother—such suffering was unimaginable.
Only now did Li Feng realize Du Wen’s threats were a bluff. Had he delayed a minute, Du Wen would’ve died, and the oath would’ve been unnecessary. But Li Feng didn’t regret it, if only for the pendant in his hand.
Holding it, he felt the surrounding spiritual energy double in density, a potency even his previous blood jade couldn’t match.
Moreover, he suspected Du Wen’s Du Clan was linked to the force that tried to kill him in Kunyang Town. Even without Du Wu, he’d return there for revenge.
“Li Feng…” Ge Feng looked at him worriedly. A Martial Oath was no small matter; it could affect his Martial Path.
“It’s fine. As long as he’s not an Innate Realm expert, I can handle it,” Li Feng said, shaking his head. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Alright,” Ge Feng nodded quickly. Facing death and witnessing an Innate Realm expert’s demise had shaken even his resolute heart.
“Should we retrace our steps or take another path?” Ge Ying asked, her face pale, still reeling from the ordeal.
“Let’s take another path. The Winged Tiger is dead, and so is Du Wen. There shouldn’t be any danger,” Li Feng said after a moment’s thought.
Ge Feng and Ge Ying nodded, following him toward another tunnel.
As expected, the tunnel sloped upward, leading to another exit.
After walking for over half an hour, they emerged into a forest.
“This is Black Wind Forest?” Ge Feng and Ge Ying exclaimed in shock.
“Black Wind Forest? You mean this is our destination?” Li Feng asked, stunned.
“Yes, this is Black Wind Forest,” Ge Feng confirmed.
“Look, that’s Black Wind Mountain,” Ge Ying pointed ahead, where Li Feng could faintly see a peak.
“I can’t believe we stumbled into Black Wind Forest,” Li Feng said, astonished, then turned to them. “Shall we look for the Golden Cicada Fruit?”
Ge Feng and Ge Ying nodded eagerly.
The Black Wind Forest was lush, with towering ancient trees. Stepping out of the cave, the trio walked over thick fallen leaves.
“Ge Feng, Ge Ying, do you know where the Golden Cicada Fruit is?” Li Feng asked as they moved.
“No, we only know it’s in Black Wind Forest, not its exact location,” Ge Feng said, shaking his head.
“That’s tricky. Black Wind Forest is vast, and with ferocious beasts around, finding it won’t be easy,” Li Feng said.
“What then? Give up?” Ge Ying asked.
“Giving up isn’t a bad idea. We’ve already gained a lot. The Golden Cicada Fruit isn’t essential,” Ge Feng said.
Li Feng nodded. His desire for the fruit had waned. This trip to the Hundred Thousand Mountains was already worthwhile. But if they could find it, who’d complain about more treasures?
“Still, since we’re here, are you willing to leave empty-handed?” Ge Ying asked.
“Of course not,” Li Feng and Ge Feng replied in unison.
“Then what? Wander aimlessly?” Ge Ying pressed.
“This…” Li Feng hesitated. Black Wind Forest wasn’t ordinary; it housed beasts at the peak of the Acquired Realm. Aimless wandering could lead to encountering one, leaving no chance to escape. Killing the Winged Tiger had taken them half a day; a stronger beast would be even worse. Though confident, Li Feng knew he’d have no chance to flee.
“Black Wind Mountain is that way. Let’s avoid it and head this direction. Whether we find the Golden Cicada Fruit or not, we leave before sunset,” Li Feng said, pointing elsewhere.
“Alright,” Ge Feng and Ge Ying agreed.
“Let’s go,” Li Feng led the way, with the siblings close behind.
