A sweet fragrance wafted over Luo Feng as he felt a soft body lean against him from behind. The touch of their skin, smooth as satin, sent a slight shiver through him.

Something's wrong!

After a moment of distraction, Luo Feng was startled awake. He furrowed his brows, his gaze clearing.

When he left the academy, Luo Feng had made a point to check Bing Ruolan's courtyard, but it was empty. He heard from nearby students that Bing Ruolan hadn't returned since she last left the academy, so it was impossible for her to be here.

As this thought surfaced, Luo Feng quickly calmed down and replayed the recent events in his mind.

He had been in the courtyard watching Elder Zhuang refine the Illusion Heart Pill, and then, suddenly, Bing Ruolan had appeared...

After a moment's thought, Luo Feng understood. A bitter smile touched his lips. So, all this was just an illusion.

Shaking his head, a sharp glint flashed in Luo Feng's eyes.

HUM!

He activated his Grand Momentum, and the illusion immediately vanished. When Luo Feng turned around, Bing Ruolan was gone. Elder Zhuang and Lan Congfeng were standing nearby.

The image of her alluring figure flashed through his mind, and an inexplicable sigh arose from the depths of Luo Feng's heart.

Looking up at Lan Congfeng and Elder Zhuang, Luo Feng saw their eyes were vacant, and they stood frozen in place, clearly still trapped in the illusion.

With his Grand Momentum active, Luo Feng raised his palm like a blade and slashed through the air.

CHH!

A sound like tearing silk echoed as if something in the courtyard had shattered. Elder Zhuang and Lan Congfeng shuddered, their gazes clearing.

"What happened?" Lan Congfeng asked, his gaze still hazy, not yet fully recovered from the illusion.

Beside him, Elder Zhuang looked embarrassed and said, "When the Illusion Heart Pill is successfully refined, it causes those nearby to see illusions. We were all caught in the illusion created by the Illusion Heart Pill."

Elder Zhuang looked up at Luo Feng, his expression full of admiration. "Luo Feng, it's fortunate you were here. Otherwise, who knows when we would have woken up."

Luo Feng shook his head and quickly asked, "Elder Zhuang, is the Illusion Heart Pill refined?"

"Yes, it is."

Elder Zhuang nodded, a smile spreading across his face. With a wave of his hand, a vast surge of Yuan Qi whistled out.

The lid of the Pill Furnace flew off, and a blinding, blood-red light erupted from within, only to converge and vanish an instant later.

Walking over to the Pill Furnace, Elder Zhuang made a beckoning gesture. A streak of red light flew out from the furnace and into his grasp.

Luo Feng saw that Elder Zhuang held a pill about the size of a walnut.

The pill was entirely blood-red, crystal clear, and translucent like a blood jade gemstone. A faint crimson glow pulsed around it, exuding an intense Spiritual Energy and a refreshing medicinal fragrance that permeated the air.

"The Illusory Blood Demon's Demon Core is truly extraordinary! The grade of this Illusion Heart Pill is already approaching that of a fifth-grade pill. No wonder the illusion it created earlier was strong enough to affect us."

Elder Zhuang gazed at the Illusion Heart Pill in his hand, unable to stop himself from clicking his tongue in praise.

Luo Feng looked at the Illusion Heart Pill in Elder Zhuang's hand, a warmth stirring in his heart.

Although faint, there were subtle energy fluctuations around the pill—a phenomenon typically seen only with fifth-grade pills.

Elder Zhuang handed the Illusion Heart Pill to Luo Feng.

"Elder Zhuang, thank you," Luo Feng said gratefully as he accepted the Illusion Heart Pill.

Elder Zhuang chuckled. "Refining this Illusion Heart Pill has also been very beneficial for my alchemy. Besides, you saved my life by killing the Awakened Lion, Yang Yunshi. There's no need for such formality between us."

Lan Congfeng, standing nearby, smiled and said, "Since the pill refinement was a success, we should celebrate. I've already booked a table at Qingyang Building. Let's head over."

Luo Feng had intended to take the pill and return to the academy to cultivate, but seeing how enthusiastic Lan Congfeng and Elder Zhuang were, he didn't want to spoil their mood and nodded in agreement.

The three tidied up a bit. Lan Congfeng called a servant to look after the medicine shop, and then they set off for Qingyang Building together.

Qingyang Building was the most luxurious restaurant in Qingfeng Town. It faced north, with the Clear Far River flowing behind it, creating an elegant ambiance. Only the wealthy or noble could afford to dine there.

「On the second floor of Qingyang Building, in a private room.」

Lin Li and the injured martial artist in yellow stood in the middle of the private room. Seated opposite them was a young man with an imposing figure and a heroic air.

The young man sat casually, wearing no weapons. His features were ordinary, yet he exuded an intense, sharp aura, like an unsheathed sword, making one shiver involuntarily.

This young man was Lin Li's older brother, Lin Ao—the top genius of Clear Origin City's younger generation!

"Big Brother, you must avenge me! That Luo Feng injured Elder Xiao and the others in public. He clearly has no respect for our Clear Origin City's City Lord Mansion! If we don't avenge this, people will think Clear Origin City is a pushover anyone can bully!"

Lin Li clenched his fists, gritting his teeth, a venomous glint in his eyes as he glanced back at the martial artist in yellow. He didn't mention his own defeat by Luo Feng; how could he bring himself to speak of such a humiliating matter?

The martial artist in yellow understood and quickly added, "Yes, Eldest Young Master! That Luo Feng has repeatedly been insolent towards the Second Young Master. He's utterly despicable!"

Hearing this, Lin Ao, seated opposite them, slowly opened his eyes. His gaze, sharp as a blade, fell upon Lin Li. The temperature in the private room seemed to plummet, causing both Lin Li and the martial artist to instinctively shrink their necks.

"You lost to him too?" Lin Ao spoke slowly, his voice flat, yet it cast a heavy pall over the atmosphere in the room.

Lin Li's body trembled. Facing Lin Ao's gaze, he couldn't help but nod. "Yes. He was just too cunning. He used a trick, and I..."

Lin Li wanted to argue further to save some face.

"Worthless!" Lin Ao snorted coldly, his voice like a clap of thunder exploding in the room, cutting Lin Li off. "A loss is a loss. Even if you come up with ten thousand excuses, you can't change that fact."

"You are right to scold me, Big Brother." Lin Li lowered his head, his face beaded with sweat.

Lin Li had always been terrified of his older brother, Lin Ao.

In Lin Ao's eyes, only strength mattered. He never paid any heed to those weaker than himself, not even his own younger brother.

What made Lin Li feel helpless was that Lin Ao's cultivation talent surpassed his own. Lin Ao's cultivation had not only reached the peak of the Ninth Level Heavenly Court Realm, with prospects of breaking through to the Spiritual Rotation Realm, but his Martial Arts had also reached an extremely profound level. In a fight, Lin Li couldn't even last ten moves against him.

Ordinarily, Lin Li would never have come to Lin Ao for help, no matter what.

But circumstances were pressing; right now, only Lin Ao could teach Luo Feng a lesson and avenge him.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Li raised his head, looked at Lin Ao, and said in a low voice, "Big Brother, I'm begging you this time. You must help me get revenge and teach that Luo Feng a harsh lesson!"

Lin Ao's sharp gaze fell on Lin Li, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "From childhood, you've never accepted my superiority. I never thought you'd actually beg me. Do you want revenge on that Luo Feng so badly?"

Lin Li nodded forcefully, an intimidating light shining in his dark eyes.

Lin Ao toyed with a wine cup on the table and asked nonchalantly, "So, what's his strength like?"

"Mid-stage Ninth Level Heavenly Court Realm cultivation. His fist technique is very powerful. Neither my Cold Star Fist combined with Mysterious Cold Qi Strength was a match for him."

After a moment's hesitation, Lin Li added, "He only used one punch."

Lin Li knew his older brother was only interested in experts, so, casting aside his embarrassment, he revealed everything.

Sure enough, upon hearing Lin Li's words, Lin Ao, who had been calm until then, showed a sudden flash in his eyes. A sharp glint burst forth as he chuckled, "Oh? A mid-stage Ninth Level Heavenly Court Realm cultivator actually defeated you with a single punch. Interesting..."

Lin Li's eyes lit up with joy. He looked at Lin Ao and asked, "Big Brother, does this mean you'll deal with Luo Feng?"

Lin Ao put down his wine cup, nodded nonchalantly, stood up from his seat, and said simply, "Lead the way."

Lin Li was overjoyed. He secretly gritted his teeth and sneered inwardly, Luo Feng, I swore I'd repay today's humiliation a hundredfold!

Lin Ao was a peak Ninth Level Heavenly Court Realm expert. Moreover, his Mysterious Cold Body Protecting Skill had reached the fifth level, allowing him to form a Mysterious Ice Aura. Among peak Ninth Level Heavenly Court Realm martial artists, his strength ranked near the top. Ten Luo Fengs would be no match for him.

"Big Brother, Luo Feng is at the Medicine Ding Store in town. I'll take you there."

Lin Li turned and opened the door to the private room. Just as the three of them were about to leave, footsteps suddenly sounded from the stairwell.

"Elder Zhuang, this Qingyang Building is the best restaurant in Qingfeng Town. Many experts have dined here; you definitely won't be disappointed," a resonant male voice said. It was Lan Congfeng.

"Indeed, especially their Snow Sun Wine. I hear it's brewed from the first snowmelt in March and is their specialty," a clear, bright male voice chimed in.

Hearing the voices, Lin Li stopped dead in his tracks. An icy, murderous intent flashed across his face as he stared intently at the top of the stairs. That voice—he would never forget it!

Lin Ao noticed the change in Lin Li's expression and asked, "What's wrong?"

Lin Li gritted his teeth. "It's Luo Feng! He's here."

Lin Li felt a surge of excitement, a cruel smile appearing on his face. I was just about to look for you, and you delivered yourself to my doorstep!

As he spoke, the footsteps grew louder, and three figures appeared at the top of the stairs: Luo Feng, Lan Congfeng, and Elder Zhuang.

"The private room I booked is this way..." Reaching the second floor, Lan Congfeng had just begun to speak when his gaze fell upon Lin Li and the others nearby. His brow furrowed slightly, and he stopped.

Luo Feng also noticed the three, his gaze falling on Lin Ao, who stood beside Lin Li. His brow tightened slightly.

Beside him, Lan Congfeng whispered, "Luo Feng, the one next to Lin Li is his older brother, Lin Ao. He's at the peak of the Ninth Level Heavenly Court Realm and is an outstanding genius of Clear Origin City's younger generation!"

Luo Feng nodded slightly and tutted under his breath. I didn't expect to run into them here.

He could naturally tell that the young man beside Lin Li was very strong, at the peak of the Ninth Level Heavenly Court Realm. Though he stood casually, an icy chill emanated from him, concentrated and unyielding. He had clearly cultivated some formidable Martial Arts, and his strength was likely no less than his own.

"It looks like they're hostile towards you. They're probably here for revenge. Be careful," Lan Congfeng added, after glancing at the three of them.

"Mhm, I know what I'm doing." Luo Feng nodded, his expression not showing much concern.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.