Lin Li's face stiffened; he hadn't expected Lin Ao to admit defeat.

"Big Brother, didn't you say three moves? You still have one move left. You can definitely beat him!" Lin Li shot a resentful glance at Luo Feng in the distance and said quickly.

He couldn't believe it. His elder brother, who always proclaimed the pride of a Martial Artist and consistently acted superior, had willingly admitted defeat to Luo Feng—and after only two moves.

"Let's go!"

Without any explanation, Lin Ao spoke again in a deep voice and turned to leave.

Lin Li glanced back at Luo Feng, his face filled with unwillingness, but he could only reluctantly follow.

He didn't dare defy Lin Ao's words. Besides, if Lin Ao wasn't fighting, staying there would only bring him further humiliation.

After following Lin Ao for some distance, Lin Li suddenly turned back and shouted to Luo Feng, "Luo Feng, this isn't over!"

Watching their departing figures, Luo Feng shook his head slightly, paying no mind to Lin Li's words.

Although Lin Ao was somewhat arrogant, he seemed to be a man of his word. Luo Feng had some confidence in his ability to judge character.

Besides, with his current strength, he had no reason to fear anything Lin Li might try.

Luo Feng lightly stepped on the water's surface, causing it to dip into a semicircular arc. Using the rebound force, his figure flashed and landed on the shore.

"Senior Brother Luo Feng, you're so amazing! I heard that Lin Ao is a famous young expert from Clear Origin City, notorious for his arrogance, yet he willingly conceded to you."

"Indeed, Senior Brother, that punch of yours was very impressive."

"Heehee, you didn't see Lin Li's face just now; he almost cried."

"HUMPH, serves him right. Why did he have to offend Senior Brother?"

As soon as Luo Feng reached the shore, several female students from Purple Sun School immediately flocked towards him, chattering non-stop.

Luo Feng felt a bit overwhelmed but managed to respond to each of them. After finally seeing off the overly enthusiastic students, he turned to join Elder Zhuang and Lan Congfeng.

Along the way, everyone automatically made way for him, their expressions filled with awe and admiration.

Luo Feng's strength had earned their respect.

"Luo Feng, you certainly made a name for yourself today. Congratulations," Elder Zhuang said, smiling at Luo Feng.

Lan Congfeng wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and remarked, "When Lin Ao unleashed his Mysterious Ice aura, I thought you were definitely going to lose. It seems I worried for nothing."

Luo Feng smiled and said, "Unfortunately, I could only break his Protective Gang Energy."

Elder Zhuang looked helpless and gave a wry smile. "I don't know whether to call you modest or arrogant. Lin Ao's Mysterious Cold Body Protection Skill has already reached the fifth stage. Even a peak Ninth Stage Heavenly Court Realm Martial Artist would find it very difficult to break it in one move. For you to do so with your mid-stage Ninth Stage Heavenly Court Realm cultivation is already incredible."

"Exactly! Didn't you see everyone's faces? It was as if they'd seen a ghost," Lan Congfeng chimed in with a laugh.

Luo Feng rubbed his nose. He hadn't really thought that much about it.

"Alright. Today, the Illusion Heart Pill was successfully refined, and you defeated Lin Ao, making a name for yourself in a single battle. This is a true double celebration! We must celebrate properly. Let's go."

Lan Congfeng said with a hearty laugh, and the three of them turned and headed towards the Qingyang Building.

「Outside Qingfeng Town.」

Lin Ao walked out of Qingfeng Town in one go before slowing his pace.

Lin Li, following closely behind, still felt deeply unwilling to let Luo Feng off so easily. Mustering his courage, he said to Lin Ao, "Big Brother, let's find another chance to teach him a lesson!"

The yellow-robed Martial Artist walking beside them gave Lin Li a meaningful look and shook his head.

Lin Li didn't understand.

Just then, Lin Ao suddenly stopped. He turned around, looking at Lin Li with a hint of a smirk, "Teach him a lesson? With what? Your pathetic skills?"

Lin Li's face stiffened. Forcing a smile, he said, "Big Brother, as long as you use your full strength, Luo Feng is definitely no match for you!"

"I thought the same way you do before..." A self-deprecating look flashed in Lin Ao's eyes. Suddenly, an unnatural flush appeared on his face, and a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

Lin Li was horrified. "Big Brother, you're injured!"

His expression shifted as a thought struck him. "Was it Luo Feng?" he exclaimed. "That's impossible! Weren't you evenly matched just now?"

The yellow-robed Martial Artist beside them sighed, took out a pill, and handed it to Lin Ao. "His Mysterious Ice aura was shattered; how could he not be injured? Eldest Young Master, this is a Regeneration Pill. It can treat internal injuries."

Lin Ao nodded, accepted the pill, and swallowed it. He glanced towards Qingfeng Town, a desolate look in his eyes. "It seems I too should enter secluded cultivation. Let's go."

With a sigh, Lin Ao turned and left.

The yellow-robed Martial Artist looked at Lin Li and said, "Second Young Master, it's best to follow the Eldest Young Master's wishes and let this matter rest. Otherwise, our family will be in danger. That Luo Feng... he's extremely dangerous."

Lin Li nodded blankly.

The moment he saw Lin Ao injured, all the unwillingness in his heart vanished, replaced by fear—a deep, lingering fear.

He feared Lin Ao because of his formidable strength.

Yet, today, his ever-proud elder brother had been defeated by Luo Feng in a direct confrontation!

How could he not be terrified?

...

"Please, come in, esteemed guests."

As Luo Feng and his two companions returned to the Qingyang Building, a portly, middle-aged man hurried over to greet them, his face wreathed in smiles.

"Shopkeeper Yuan, what favorable wind has blown you here?"

Lan Congfeng recognized the middle-aged man; he was the shopkeeper of the Qingyang Building, a prominent figure in Qingfeng Town who rarely made appearances.

Shopkeeper Yuan glanced at Luo Feng, patted his protruding belly, and said jovially, "With such a prominent new talent gracing us, how could I not come out to personally greet you? That battle earlier was a true feast for the eyes! Indeed, the younger generation is formidable. Our Purple Sun School has produced another genius!"

Lan Congfeng turned and explained to Luo Feng, "Luo Feng, this is Shopkeeper Yuan. He was once a student of Purple Sun School too."

"Greetings, Senior," Luo Feng nodded and said.

Shopkeeper Yuan was pleased with Luo Feng's humble attitude and said with a smile, "It's rather embarrassing to say, but when I was your age, my cultivation was only at the fifth stage of the Iron Bone Realm. So, I really don't deserve to be called 'Senior.' Just call me Shopkeeper Yuan."

Chatting, the three of them quickly reached the second floor and entered the private room they had reserved earlier.

The table was already laden with fine wine and delicacies, a feast of color, aroma, and flavor that made one's mouth water.

Lan Congfeng glanced at the food and wine on the table and asked in surprise, "Ice-Fire Winged Fish, Nine-Tail Cake, Hundred-Flavor Tiger Gold Stew... Huh? These aren't the dishes I ordered. Are we in the wrong private room?"

Shopkeeper Yuan chuckled. "No mistake. I had these specially prepared for the three of you, consider it my way of congratulating Luo Feng."

Lan Congfeng, who knew Shopkeeper Yuan well, grinned. "Shopkeeper Yuan, you're famously tight-fisted. Why so generous today? Don't tell me you've taken a liking to Luo Feng and want him as your son-in-law. But I hear you only have a son, no daughter."

A slightly awkward expression appeared on Shopkeeper Yuan's face as he chuckled. "This banquet serves two purposes. First, to celebrate Luo Feng's victory. Second, I want to thank him for not fighting in the restaurant. This Qingyang Building is my wife's and my life's work; I wouldn't want to see it destroyed in an instant."

Shopkeeper Yuan's palms were still sweating. If Luo Feng and Lin Ao had fought in the restaurant earlier, his Qingyang Building probably wouldn't have a single brick left standing now.

Luo Feng hadn't expected this to be the reason. He smiled and said, "It was the proper thing to do."

...

The banquet continued until evening. By the time it ended, Lan Congfeng and Elder Zhuang were both red-faced, their eyes hazy from the drink.

Luo Feng, his mind preoccupied with the Illusion Heart Pill, hadn't drunk much. After the banquet concluded, he arranged for Lan Congfeng and Elder Zhuang to be escorted back to the Medicine Ding Store.

After arranging all this, Luo Feng headed straight for Purple Sun School.

By the time Luo Feng returned to Purple Sun School, it was dusk. The sky on the horizon was a dark red, and strangely, both the moon and the sun hung in it simultaneously, creating a bizarrely beautiful scene.

Luo Feng returned to his courtyard and meditated for a short while, expelling the alcohol from his system. He then practiced a set of fist forms until his spirit returned to its peak state, before sitting down cross-legged in the courtyard.

The night was deep and quiet, a full moon hanging high in the sky.

Luo Feng flicked a finger on his storage ring, and the Illusion Heart Pill appeared in his palm.

In the darkness of night, the Illusion Heart Pill appeared even more crystalline, like a blood jade. A faint red glow drifted around it, ever-changing and mesmerizing, making it difficult to look away. It possessed a power that could bewitch the heart.

Luo Feng was prepared this time. He had already focused his mind and was not affected by the pill's power.

Staring at the Illusion Heart Pill in his hand, Luo Feng's eyes filled with hope.

According to his estimates, he would need more than half a month to reach the late stage of the Ninth Stage Heavenly Court Realm.

However, Duanmu Xiao's fortieth birthday was only half a month away; he simply couldn't wait that long. Now, all his hopes rested on this Illusion Heart Pill.

I hope I can achieve a breakthrough.

Luo Feng took a shallow breath, immediately cleared his mind of distracting thoughts, and swallowed the Illusion Heart Pill.

GULP!

After swallowing the Illusion Heart Pill, Luo Feng instantly concentrated his mind, circulating the Yuan Qi within his body to refine the pill's medicinal power with all his might.

As the Illusion Heart Pill settled in his stomach, its pure medicinal energy immediately infused his meridians and Meridian Wheels along with his Yuan Qi, coursing through his entire body, bringing an indescribably comfortable sensation.

"Luo Feng..."

Just then, a calling voice echoed in Luo Feng's ears. It was like a gentle, continuous drizzle—soft, sweet, and captivating.

Before Luo Feng's eyes, the figure of a peerless beauty gradually materialized. Combined with that voice, which seemed both real and illusory, it couldn't help but stir boundless fantasies in his heart, making him want to pursue the woman.

This is an illusion...

Luo Feng had learned from Elder Zhuang long ago that consuming the Illusion Heart Pill would cause illusions. He had to overcome these illusions to draw out the pill's full medicinal effect; otherwise, there was even a risk of cultivation deviation.

The Illusory Blood Demon was an inherently evil demonic beast, and a pill refined from its Demon Core would be no different.

Closing his eyes, Luo Feng practiced Chi block.

However, closing his eyes did not make the illusions disappear. In the haze, one alluring young woman after another appeared, their chirping, flirtatious laughter echoing in Luo Feng's ears.

Luo Feng remained unmoved. He focused his mind singularly, using his formidable self-control to resist the temptation of the illusions, and concentrated all his effort on refining the medicinal energy.

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