In a hotel in Kunyang Town, Zheng Xiaoyang paced restlessly, his face dark with frustration. As the younger brother of the Zheng family’s patriarch in Zhongyuan Province and the family’s third elder, he had never felt so agitated.
The Zheng family, a first-tier clan in China, appeared glamorous on the surface, but only they knew the struggles of surviving among the nation’s elite. The eight top-tier clans dominated China’s resources, forcing first-tier families like the Zhengs to align with them. The Zhengs were vassals of the Fu family, but among the three first-tier families under the Fu, they were the weakest. Worse, some second-tier families were nearly their equals in strength.
In recent years, as technology advanced rapidly, the Zhengs clung to outdated practices while others thrived, causing their standing with the Fu family to plummet. They knew that if this continued, they’d be overtaken by ambitious second-tier clans. Then came Zheng Haoyuan, a young prodigy whose strength gave the Zhengs hope for a revival.
Especially after Zheng Haoyuan joined Fu Yanxiong of the Fu family, the Zhengs saw a chance to shine. But just as they planned to nurture him further, news of his death arrived.
Zheng Xiaoyang was the first to hear it. Without hesitation, he rushed to Tianhai City. When Fo Zhu from the National Security Bureau revealed the cause of Zheng Haoyuan’s death, Zheng Xiaoyang felt the sky collapse, his heart consumed by rage.
Zheng Haoyuan was the Zhengs’ hope. Killing him was tantamount to killing their future—an unforgivable act.
When Fo Zhu named Li Feng as the killer, Zheng Xiaoyang vowed to hunt him down. Unbeknownst to him, Fo Zhu had withheld Li Feng’s true identity, and in his fury, Zheng Xiaoyang didn’t bother investigating.
He tracked Li Feng from Tianhai City to Yongzhou, then to Kunyang Town, but found no trace of him. Losing Li Feng’s trail only fueled his anger.
Pacing, he turned to his men. “Do you think Li Feng knew we were coming and hid in the Hundred Thousand Mountains?”
His last lead placed Li Feng in Kunyang Town, but after two days of searching, he’d found nothing, making him restless.
“Third Master, the Hundred Thousand Mountains aren’t some backwater. How could Li Feng dare go there alone? He’s probably hiding somewhere,” a crew-cut young man said.
“Then where is he? Find him!” Zheng Xiaoyang snapped.
“There’s a way,” the young man replied.
Zheng Xiaoyang’s eyes lit up. “You have a plan?”
The young man nodded. “Third Master, have you noticed the Du Clan? They’re the sole underground power in Kunyang Town, controlling both the legal and illegal sides. With their help, finding Li Feng within Kunyang Town’s borders would be easy.”
“The Du Clan?” Zheng Xiaoyang’s face darkened. “The ones who caused trouble the moment we arrived?”
“Yes, that Du Clan,” the young man confirmed.
“I’d rather wipe them out than beg them,” Zheng Xiaoyang said, glaring with icy intent.
“With your skills, Third Master, crushing the Du Clan would be effortless, but that gains you nothing. Using them is better. Our priority is killing Li Feng to avenge Young Master Zheng Haoyuan,” the young man said calmly.
Zheng Xiaoyang stared, then laughed. “Good idea. I’ll leave it to you.”
Knock, knock, knock.
A knock sounded, and a young man entered. “Third Master, Wild Wolf from the Du Clan seeks an audience.”
Zheng Xiaoyang chuckled. “A small fry like the Du Clan doesn’t warrant my attention. Zheng Kai, handle it.”
“Yes, Third Master. I won’t disappoint you,” Zheng Kai said eagerly.
—
“What is this jade pendant?”
While the Du Clan and Zheng Xiaoyang searched for him, Li Feng sat on a tree dozens of miles from Kunyang Town, studying the dragon-shaped pendant from Du Wen.
After parting with the Ge siblings, he headed toward Kunyang Town. But the Hundred Thousand Mountains’ dense forests and rugged terrain made exiting slow and perilous, with elusive beasts adding to the challenge.
Fortunately, his strength had grown since entering. Ordinary beasts posed no threat, and with no rush, he took his time.
Half an hour ago, after killing a beast, he rested on the tree to recover with the Nine Heavens Heart Sutra. As he cultivated, the pendant glowed green, drawing vast spiritual energy to him.
Despite last night’s experience, he was startled.
After restoring his peak condition, he didn’t hurry on but examined the pendant. He’d thought it was like the blood jade, merely boosting nearby spiritual energy. But its effect was far greater—multiplying spiritual energy hundreds of times during cultivation.
Li Feng now understood how Du Wen, half-dead, reached the Innate Realm. With this pendant, it’d be strange if he hadn’t broken through in decades.
But what was this pendant? Its heaven-defying ability baffled him.
With memories from two lives, Li Feng was knowledgeable, yet this pendant stumped him.
The green jade bore a lifelike dragon, vivid and intricate. But after studying it, he found nothing unusual to explain its ability to gather spiritual energy.
Could it hold a legendary Spirit Gathering Array?
He dismissed the idea. No array traces were visible, though his inspection was incomplete.
“Trading Du Wu’s life for this pendant was worth it,” Li Feng thought, eyes glinting. His goal was to reach the Innate Realm within a year. With this pendant, he was more confident.
Stowing it, he leaped from the tree, speeding toward Kunyang Town.
—
“I’m finally out.”
The next morning, Li Feng emerged from the Hundred Thousand Mountains into the forest south of Kunyang Town. From a slope, he could faintly see the town’s outline.
He exhaled deeply. Three days in the mountains felt like a century. The primal wilderness tested even his strong will.
Though he hadn’t found the Golden Cicada Fruit, the Mysterious Martial Technique, Foundation Pills, Heavenly Heart Fruit, Demonic Blood Fruit, and dragon-shaped pendant were treasures money couldn’t buy.
Without the Ge siblings, his gains would’ve been far less.
He resolved to return to the Hundred Thousand Mountains for future adventures. Relying solely on cultivation was too slow.
“Stop! Who are you, and why are you here?” a shout rang out as Li Feng prepared to leave the forest. Four or five burly men jumped from the trees, eyeing him coldly.
“Who are you?” Li Feng stopped, his gaze icy. The men held guns, reminding him of his attackers days ago outside Kunyang Town.
“Hmph, we’re asking you. Don’t answer, and I’ll shoot you,” the leader said, his eyes glinting coldly.
“Are you from Kunyang Town’s Du Clan?” Li Feng asked, probing.
“Knowing we’re from the Du Clan and still not answering? Tired of living?” the leader sneered.
“So, the Du Clan is the only power in Kunyang Town?” Li Feng pressed.
“Of course. No other force exists here,” the leader said, then realized something. Raising his gun, he demanded, “Tell me your name. Are you Li Feng?”
Li Feng’s eyes flashed. How did the Du Clan know his name? In Yongzhou, he’d only met Qin Keqing, and Big Beard didn’t know his identity. Had Qin Keqing told them?
He shook his head. She didn’t seem the type to deal with underground forces.
Then who had tipped them off?
“Hey, I’m talking to you!” the leader snapped, raising his gun, ready to fire if Li Feng didn’t respond.
“I’m Li Feng. What do you want?” Li Feng said with a smile, stepping forward.
“You’re Li Feng? Haha, we’ve been waiting for you,” the leader laughed, then glared. “Come with us to see our boss, or die.”
“Die? I think you’re the ones who’ll die,” Li Feng said with a cold laugh, vanishing from his spot.
