Chapter 26: Returning to Familiar Ground

ills, reinforcing the essence and strengthening foundation, which could enhance martial arts fundamentals. Clearly, Qingyi realized her innate ability was insufficient and her foundation unstable.As f...Lin Feng, though merely at the eighth stage of the Qi Martial Realm, was already capable of posing a threat to Lu Liang. Lin Feng firmly believed that once he reached the ninth stage of the Qi Martial Realm, he would definitely have the strength to fight.

"Nine-layer waves." Lin Feng's left fist struck out, causing tidal waves to surge straight towards Lu Liang's face.

"Cloud-splitting claws." One of Lu Liang's hands rose, his fingers curved like hooks as he reached forward. Immediately, a powerful Qi vortex pierced the air, and even the strong tidal wave seemed to dissipate.

"Thunderclap Beyond Extremes."

Lin Feng's wrist trembled, causing the long sword in Lu Liang's hand to quiver as well. The rumbling thunder was about to explode, and Lu Liang felt his hand go numb before letting go of the sword.

But just as he released it, Lu Liang’s claw fiercely struck at the sword. Lin Feng sensed a powerful force coming his way, causing him to be propelled backwards with a stifled cry.

"Lu Liang possesses an Eagle Martial Soul, which prioritizes sharpness, insight, and destructive power, with strength as its second attribute; however, even a strike infused with the essence of Qi still carries immense force."

Lin Feng pondered silently in his heart. The gap between the eighth stage of the Qi Martial Realm and the Spirit Martial Realm was too wide, and overcoming such an obstacle to challenge someone at the Spirit Martial Realm level would be far more difficult than facing a peer at the same realm. Lin Feng realized that it wasn't realistic for him to defeat Lu Liang.

"A thunderous sword." Lin Feng swung his longsword again but did not attack proactively, merely thrusting it into empty air. Soon after, he made successive strikes with the second and third swords, each accompanied by a resounding clap of thunder. The cave resonated with rumbling sounds akin to an enraged Thunder God.

In just moments, Lin Feng was surrounded by a sword aura that enveloped his entire body, unleashing rampant sword energy.

"Defense Is it really useful against a Spirit Martial Realm powerhouse" Lu Liang sneered and flapped the wings of an eagle, diving toward Lin Feng from above. Before he arrived, powerful Qi blasts struck Lin Feng's sword aura, producing intense explosive sounds.

Within his sword aura, Lin Feng felt like a lone boat in a vast sea, buffeted by wind and rain as strong Qi blasts continuously attacked the sword aura, transmitting force to him, but his Thunderclap Sword Technique remained fluid and undisturbed.

"Eagle Soaring Through Sky."

Seeing that even the powerful Qi blasts couldn't faze Lin Feng, Lu Liang leaped forward with eagle claws formed by both hands, descending from high above as if an eagle piercing through the wind and clouds.

Bang! The sword aura violently trembled, causing Lin Feng's body to slightly shudder but then steady itself again. Thunder still rumbled on like a mountain, unyielding.

Seeing that he couldn't defeat a Qi Martial Realm martial artist, Lu Liang's attacks became frenzied, transforming into an unruly eagle, relentlessly attacking Lin Feng.

The pressure Lin Feng endured grew increasingly intense, but his sword technique became sharper. Thunder roared throughout the cave, causing it to sway as if it might collapse at any moment. A trickle of blood seeped from Lin Feng's mouth; each strike by Lu Liang exceeded 12,000 catties in force and was unpredictable, leaving him with serious internal injuries.

"It’s time to end this."

A keen light flashed across Lin Feng's eyes. He wielded his sword, dispersing the sword aura, while countless sword energies swirled around his sword. The powerful thunder seemed to merge into this single strike.

Power, Sword Power, Thunderclap Power—obliterating everything!

The terrifying destructive power from Lin Feng's sword surged wildly. Sensing this force, Lu Liang’s Eagle Martial Soul trembled violently, and his figure retreated in a flash of incredible speed, swiftly distancing itself from Lin Feng.

But Lin Feng didn't stop; his sword moved like fleeting light, transforming into a bolt of lightning that thundered towards Lu Liang.

"Eagle Soaring Through Sky!" Lu Liang roared, pushing out both palms with immense Qi vortexes.

Rumble! The ground shook as the cave suddenly trembled violently.

Fleeting Light!

Lin Feng turned into a streak of light and rushed out of the cave. As he left, he slashed with his sword and cries of agony followed.

"Damn it!" Lü Liang roared madly; blood was dripping from his hands, clearly injured by that powerful slash. If not for him retreating quickly enough, that single strike could have even threatened his life.

Lü Liang never imagined that a Qìwǔ Realm person would not only escape right under his nose but also wound him and even kill his brother, Lü Fei with one sword.

Holding Lü Fei's body, Lü Liang had a ferocious look akin to that of an evil spirit. At this moment, blood was seeping out from Lü Fei’s throat and his life signs were gone; it was the result of Lin Feng's slash as he left.

"I, Lü Liang, will fight you until we both perish." A voice akin to one from hell echoed in the cave. Xue Huan trembled all over with fear; she leaned against a wall inside the cave and never imagined that Lin Feng’s strength was so formidable even the powerful Lü Liang couldn’t do anything to him.

If Lin Feng heard Lü Liang's roar, he would definitely sneer. After all, Lü Liang originally wanted him to live in torment. They were already at a stage where it was kill or be killed; there was no point talking about fighting until death. It was a gain for every additional kill.

Lin Feng wasn't an evil person and wouldn’t provoke others casually, but if someone bullied or killed him, he would naturally take up his saber and fight back with all his might.

After half an hour of sprinting, Lin Feng gradually slowed down. He coughed twice, blood seeping from the corners of his mouth. Clearly, he was injured quite badly; after all, there was a significant difference in strength and realm between them. This battle was already enough for him to boast about, as he had faced a Língwǔ Realm powerhouse with only Qìwǔ Eighth Stage cultivation.

He took out a bottle from his body, opened it up, and poured out one medicinal pill into his mouth. A refreshing sensation spread within him; Lin Feng felt the stifled breath in his chest instantly relieved, making him feel clear-headed and refreshed. In no time, he felt that his injuries had almost fully recovered.

"What a tyrannical medicinal effect."

Surprise appeared in Lin Feng’s eyes. No wonder Old Kong said one pill could treat Han Man's injury. He was still somewhat doubtful when he gave three pills to Han Man and left another three for Jing Yun, preparing for any eventuality. But now that he personally experienced the effects of this medicinal pill, Lin Feng clearly felt just how powerful it was.

Right now, not only did Lin Feng feel his injuries recovering but even his inner breath became more robust as well.

"No wonder many people are willing to immerse themselves in Alchemy. Those good medicinal pills can drive martial cultivators crazy."

In the Nine Heavens Continent, many martial cultivators would also go for alchemy and armament forging; those masters of alchemy and armament forging were highly respected with high status. Even within Yunhai Sect, there were people specializing in alchemy, but Lin Feng, as an outer sect disciple, had yet to be exposed to them.

The saying that battle is the best way to improve was indeed true; after this intense battle and through the aid of such powerful medicinal pills, he clearly felt a significant improvement in his realm, surpassing many days of bitter practice. Now it was time for him to find a good place to solidify and enhance himself further, perhaps even breaking through into Qìwǔ Ninth Stage cultivation through this opportunity; by then, he would be roughly due back to Yangzhou City for the year-end gathering.

Lin Feng swept his gaze around, only to discover that the scenery seemed somewhat familiar.

"So it's here." Lin Feng’s eyes brightened; he smiled and looked into the distance.

A crevice split through the middle of a distant cliff wall as if slashed by a sword. It was the same Sky-Splitting Gorge that Lin Feng had visited before, but he was chased away back then by a woman.

"I'm actually worried about where to find a cave for cultivating; I didn't expect there to be such a great place right here." Naturally, Lin Feng wouldn't forget the two women who had chased him. This time, he wanted to see how that beautiful woman could handle him.

Picking up his pace, Lin Feng walked towards the Sky-Splitting Gorge without any hesitation.

Seeing Lin Feng enter the Sky-Splitting Gorge, those around it were taken aback. They waited outside for a chance to see Lin Feng humiliated; who would dare intrude into Miss Li’s restricted area

A short while later, after entering the Sky-Splitting Gorge, he found that the surrounding cliffs encircled a hot spring lake with caves scattered around. Without any disturbance, this place was indeed suitable for cultivation.

At this moment in the hot spring lake, Lü Fei submerges her entire body up to her head and holds her breath just like last time; she uses this method to strengthen her inner breathing. Only when one’s inner breathing is powerful can they fully draw back a bowstring with one breath, resulting in a more potent shot.

When Lü Fei's beautiful face appeared out of the water, Lin Feng was once again there, leaving her stunned for a moment before her eyes narrowed coldly. "It’s you again."

"Yes, it's me." Lin Feng smiled calmly. He dared to fight even a Língwǔ Realm person; how could Lü Fei be an exception Although Lü Fei was close in ranking among the outer sect disciples, he had enough confidence because Ji Hong, who ranked above her, was defeated and killed by him.

PS: It's finally the weekend. Those who are working can relax a bit; of course, those who need to work overtime like me should keep working hard!itely something to be proud of.""Jing Hao ranks sixth among external sect disciples, with extraordinary strength. His Thunder Sword technique is also refined to perfection. I didn't expect that this p...