Chapter 1287

"Damn Soul Clan, you bunch of lunatics, I Gu Xun'er will never let you get away!"

Staring at the jade pendant fragments on the ground, Gu Xun'er's eyes turned blood‑red, the thick hatred and murderous intent almost coalesced into a tangible form around her.

After waiting so long, she and her brother Xiao Yan finally tasted sweet after bitter, and their marriage received the clan's approval.

But in the end, those Soul Clan bastards were extremely malicious, and they made a move against her brother Xiao Yan in the pharmacopeia.

Now

"You bastard, Soul Emperor, just you wait for me!"

Thinking of her brother Xiao Yan's tragic death, Gu Xun'er's murderous intent could no longer be suppressed.

She swore that in the future she would slaughter the entire Soul Clan clean, as a burial offering for Xiao Yan.

However, she thought that the clan was indifferent to avenging Xiao Yan.

Even her father, regarding his future son‑in‑law's death, only lamented the loss of a genius and a future great asset, and otherwise was not particularly sorrowful.

"By the way, I could still coax Lin Feng to help me avenge Xiao Yan."

Recalling the guy she previously traded with, Gu Xun'er decided to set up that bastard Lin Feng, to avenge her brother Xiao Yan!

But immediately after, she flipped her palm and produced an ancient emerald‑green jade fragment.

Running her fingers over the jade's patterns, Gu Xun'er's expression gradually shifted.

After so many misfortunes, she knew that the Soul Emperor's target was the jade fragment in her hand.

And from her father she learned that the current Soul Emperor had already gathered seven Tuo She Ancient Imperial Jades.

In other words, the ancient jade she held was the only one on Dou Qi Continent that had not fallen into the Soul Emperor's hands.

"Is it revenge, or exchanging for Xiao Zhan and the others?"

Staring at the ancient jade in her hand, Gu Xun'er hesitated for a moment.

After all, one side is avenging her beloved, the other is the beloved's sole surviving blood relative.

Such a choice truly makes it hard to decide.

"Fine, since this Tuo She Ancient Imperial Jade was given by Xiao Yan to Senior Yao Chen to retrieve, let's first ask his opinion."

Thinking of Yao Chen, Gu Xun'er finally decided to ask his opinion.

However, considering the current state of the continent and that hers was the only one of the eight Tuo She Ancient Imperial Jades not yet obtained by the Soul Emperor,

after hesitating, Gu Xun'er ultimately buried it beneath the floor of her room's attached cultivation chamber.

Thus, across the entire Dou Qi Continent, virtually no one could silently acquire that Tuo She Ancient Imperial Jade.

Having secured the ancient jade, she quickly left the place to meet her father Gu Yuan.

After all, the Ancient Realm is under martial law; without her father's approval, she certainly cannot leave.

"Speak, what brings you here?"

Just as Gu Xun'er was about to leave the Ancient Realm, on the other side Lin Feng stood before a dense mountain range in the Southern Region, staring at the vacant‑eyed, towering woman before him, and asked with a strange expression.

And that person was Xuan Yi, with whom Lin Feng had a considerable history.

Lin Feng hadn't expected that, while merely intending to visit the Nine‑Nether Mysterious Python Tribe, he would encounter this woman halfway.

Nevertheless, surprised as he was, he swiftly ordered Xiao Ling to act, refining her into a Fire Slave.

As for the half‑saint level Xuan Yi, she was no match for Xiao Ling.

In the blink of an eye, Xuan Yi had already become a Fire Slave without self‑awareness.

"Honored master, I am here to seek medicinal herbs; the continent's recent situation is unfavorable, and I sensed danger, so I aim to gather enough herbs to refine pills and advance further. Only then can we ensure that both I and Yao Chen remain safely hidden, not drawn into this turmoil."

Hearing the former's query, Xuan Yi replied expressionlessly.

"Hide, then?"

Upon hearing that, Lin Feng immediately rubbed his chin and agreed: "Good idea; with your strength, after disappearing, the Soul Emperor would probably be too lazy to look for you."

But then he asked again: "So, what's the current move regarding the Dan Tower?"

"Reply, master, not long ago, the Ancestor made a unprecedented appearance, meeting with our three great heads and the other members of the Xiao Dan Tower Grand Elder Hall to discuss the Tower's future direction. In the end, we decided to construct a new micro‑world as a fallback. Should an unmanageable situation arise later, we will immediately retreat there with key personnel and sever all external contact, thereby evading the crisis."

Facing his master's question, Xuan Yi spared no detail, spitting out the entire Dan Tower plan in one breath like beans.

"Oh, it seems the Dan Tower took my warning to heart."

Hearing that, Lin Feng's eyes flickered briefly, pondering.

But soon his gaze shifted, scanning the towering woman who had repeatedly tried to kill him before.

"Heh, you used to give me a hard time. Now that I'm stronger, it's my turn to give you a hard time."

As he spoke, Lin Feng moved before Xuan Yi, inhaling the faint scent from her curvaceous body, a mischievous grin forming on his face.

At the same time, his palm extended, resting on a granary larger than his own head.

"You, come with me."

Shortly after, Lin Feng glanced at the teary‑eyed Xuan Yi, uttered a word, then swiftly turned and flew toward the dense forest below.

As for Xuan Yi, she ignored the tears and folds on her garment and followed without hesitation.

However, for some unknown reason, the half‑saint powerhouse seemed weak, her flight path wobbling.

Yet if anyone passed by, they would notice.

The sun is clearly high in the sky, yet the branches below are drenched by an inexplicable downpour.

Now that's truly odd!

"Yao Ming, how are things and developments within your clan?"

A few days later, in the palace where the chief of the Nine‑Nether Mysterious Python Tribe conducted affairs, Lin Feng sat on the main seat, cradling the voluptuous Xuan Yi, while his hands roamed, and he asked those before him about the tribe's situation.

As soon as the former finished speaking, the gaunt man at the front, unwilling to delay, stepped forward and saluted: "Reply, Young Master, our clan has been calm lately. As for development, with the aid of several ladies' pills and some Stone Clan resources, we have made progress."

When his words ended, he gestured to the elders beside him: "These six, formerly half‑saint elders of our tribe, now supported by abundant Ninth‑Rank Treasure Pills, have all attained Two‑star Dou Saint."

"As for these two, they were the first elders to enjoy the treasure‑pill resources, my loyal followers back then, and have now become Three‑star Dou Saint."

After introducing those unknown Elders, Yao Ming immediately pointed to the Yao Xiao Tian Lin Feng knows and the clan's Grand Elder, continuing: "Yao Xiao Tian and the Grand Elder are now both Four‑Star Dou Saints; as for me, I only recently, by relying on the accumulation of treasure pills, reached the current Five‑Star Late‑stage Dou Saint."

When mentioning the latter, a flash of concern passed through Yao Ming's eyes.

Given their strength, the current Nine‑Underworld Earth Dark Python Clan is so impoverished that even a mouse entering their treasury must leave behind several jin of oil to leave.

Even the spoils they obtained from previously exterminating the Stone Clan have been completely consumed by them.

And this is because Cao Ying's four daughters, relying on the Void Thunder Pool and alchemy, collected pill towers, harvested many Black Demon Thunder, and made Thunder Tribulation Pills for them to save ingredients.

Otherwise, the Nine‑Underworld Earth Dark Python Clan would have to rely on their own resources to forge the traditional Nine‑Grade Treasure Pills. Reaching their current level would be utterly impossible.

"Oh, your achievements are a bit beyond my expectations. It seems the Stone Clan's operation that time wasn't in vain for sending you to reap the wool."

Upon hearing of the Nine‑Underworld Earth Dark Python Clan's current strength, the large hand hidden beneath Lin Feng's garment in front of the mysterious robe, which he was not sure what it was doing, paused slightly, showing a hint of surprise as he spoke.

"This is largely thanks to your help, Young Master; otherwise, cultivating on our own, we might never reach this level in a lifetime."

Hearing that, Yao Ming immediately led the people behind him, bowed, and saluted.

"Hehe, it's fine; helping you is helping ourselves."

Regarding the former's compliment, Lin Feng simply gave a casual flick.

Uh, his hand was constrained by his clothing.

But soon he recovered, continuing to tamper with the mysterious robe while laughing, "However, this time I came bearing ample resources. The ingredients for Nine‑Grade Treasure Pills, thanks to the efforts of my several wives and numerous concubines, are already enough in my possession to forge dozens. As for forging Nine‑Grade Profound Pills, I have five or six portions."

At this point, Lin Feng set aside the soft beautiful woman in his arms, rose, walked to Yao Ming, patted his shoulder, and continued, "Your local heavenly and earthly energy is quite good, very abundant. In the coming period, I will help you forge a Nine‑Grade Profound Pill. With this pill, your breakthrough from Five‑Star Late‑stage to Six‑Star Dou Saint will be no difficulty."

"Moreover, I will also forge you a dozen or so Nine‑Grade Treasure Pills. In this way, the strength of your Nine‑Underworld Earth Dark Python Clan will not lag far behind the other two clans. If time permits, I will go to the Void Thunder Pool again to see if I can obtain Nine‑Profound Golden Thunder. If possible, I will also forge you a Nine‑Grade Profound Pill‑level Thunder Tribulation Pill to boost your power."

"By then, your promotion to Seven‑Star Dou Saint will not be impossible."

When the latter said that, the senior leaders of the Nine‑Underworld Earth Dark Python Clan, led by Yao Ming, instantly lit up with joy, exclaiming, "Thank you, Young Master! Thank you for your gift!"

Facing Lin Feng's numerous pill promises, at this moment, Yao Ming and his party were at a loss for words to describe their feelings.

To think, that's a dozen‑plus Nine‑Grade Profound Pills, two Nine‑Grade Profound Pills!

With so many top‑tier resources, even the ancient clans couldn't just take them out!

However, faced with Yao Ming's group's thanks, Lin Feng simply waved his hand calmly.

Then he suddenly reappeared on the main seat, hugging the mysterious robe as if it were a living body pillow, and said, "In this world, there is no free lunch. Once your strength improves, I have a mission for you. Moreover, this mission carries high risk, so don't get too happy too early."

"Braving fire and water, we will not shy away!"

Hearing this, Yao Ming and the others showed no hesitation, immediately assuming a solemn expression and saluted.

Seeing their reaction, Lin Feng nodded in satisfaction.

Then he instructed, "Members of your Nine‑Underworld Earth Dark Python Clan are the most numerous among the three major beast races, and your information network is the most agile. Therefore, while I am forging pills, you should help me gather seeds or seedlings of Nine‑Grade Treasure Pills and higher‑grade ingredients—any living part, even roots, will do. And bring those to me."

As he spoke, while his hands fidgeted with the mysterious robe, Lin Feng's mind shifted, and a yellow paper instantly flew out from his pendant toward Yao Ming.

Seeing this, Yao Ming hurriedly caught the yellow paper and gave it a quick glance.

He then discovered that the contents listed were some materials related to forging artifacts, all extremely precious.

Some of them he had never even heard of.

However, he didn't look for long, and then bowed, saying, "I will do my utmost to search, but these materials are too precious and scarce. I fear I may not be able to find them all."

"Alas, it seems these items truly are hard to find."

Hearing this, Chen Shuo, though a bit disappointed, had long anticipated it and was not overly surprised.

Thinking of this, he hugged the perfectly‑shaped beautiful woman in his arms and sighed, "It's fine; whatever you can find is enough."

"Thank you, Young Master, for your understanding."

Seeing that the former was not making things too hard for them, Yao Ming also breathed a sigh of relief.

Then he bowed and took his leave, saying, "Since that's the case, I will go arrange it now."

"Go ahead, I'm also going to forge pills."

Hearing this, Lin Feng lightly nodded, indicating they could depart.

Yao Ming and the others, seeing this, promptly withdrew from the great hall.

In the blink of an eye, only he and the mysterious robe remained.

Seeing Yao Ming and the others leave, Lin Feng immediately withdrew his hand from the mysterious robe's thigh.

At the same time, accompanied by a flash of light, a half‑meter‑long blueprint materialized before Lin Feng, unfolding and hovering.

"Indeed, these are the top treasures of their era, now virtually impossible to find worldwide!"

Staring at the intricate diagrams on the paper, Lin Feng let out a bitter sigh.

At the top of the blueprint, a bold line of characters was written.

"Pingnan Pass City, detailed structure and description, maintenance guide."

After a long silence looking at the blueprint, Lin Feng finally spoke slowly, "When cultivation resources are scarce, we have no choice but to take risky measures. However, if Yao Ming and his group can obtain the materials to repair Pingnan Pass City, I feel it is doable. After all, judging from the original situation and the blueprint, breaking through Pingnan Pass City's defenses requires at least half‑imperial combat power."

"If back then I hadn't lacked anything to supply the city with energy, that strike—hm—might not have broken through the city."

However, recalling the terrifying power of that strike, he frowned and muttered, "That time, I still don't know what method the opponent used to breach the city. Back then I was unaware of the might of a Nine‑Star Dou Saint; now, thinking of the Void‑Swallow‑Flame from the Medicine Realm War, its attack seemed like child's play compared to that upheaval."

"If my guess is correct, that single strike would have left even Gu Yuan or Soul Heaven Emperor either dead or wounded!"

Thinking of this, Lin Feng couldn't help but feel helpless.

Those people are not from the Dou Qi Continent, and his knowledge of the Baiyuan Continent is only superficial.

As for the Tongling Sect members, he still knows nothing about what methods they used to inflict such massive damage.

What is certain is that the cost must have been enormous, perhaps those people could not use it many times.

Otherwise, under such a barrage of attacks—

I believe the strange giant tree and ancient heavenly demon python left by the Pingnan forces were long ago exterminated by the Tongling Sect.

Thus, this kind of attack either reduces the opponent's opportunities each time, or drains their lifespan and cultivation.

Therefore, after all this time, the people of Baiyuan Continent remain helpless against that tree and ancient heavenly demon python.

Come to think of it, when I fled on Gu Nanfang Dalu, the Fighting Saint of the Tongling Sect controlled by that great tree seemed to have ignored me.

Thinking of this, Lin Feng wondered, "Is it that the great tree can distinguish me from the Tongling Sect, identifying me as an ally, or have the tree and the Tongling Sect fought each other for ages, only acting against those people?"

As he spoke, Lin Feng felt that this matter was worth studying further.

After all, within Gu Nanfang Dalu, the strength of that bizarre great tree and the ancient heavenly demon python was something he had seen with his own eyes; their ferocity was such that they could probably kick Wu Nie Tun Yan like a ball. (End of chapter)