Chapter 277: Chapter Seven: Compensation

‘Hum.’ ‘Hum.’ ‘Hum.’ …

The blood-colored insect repeatedly vanished and reappeared, attempting to pierce through the world’s membrane, but each time it was blocked by the thick, sturdy membrane.

“I’ve long heard that theft is common within Yulan City; today I see the methods are truly remarkable.” The three Luo Feng clones within his inner world watched the blood-colored insect and smiled.

“Let me out, I won’t bother you again.” The blood-colored insect hovered in midair, speaking.

“Hah! You steal when you want, slip into my inner world when you want—and now you want to leave?” The three Luo Fengs stared at the insect. “Too late!”

The blood-colored insect, enraged, flapped all six pairs of tiny wings at once, vanishing instantly and reappearing near one of the clones.

That clone was none other than Luo Feng’s ‘Heavenlight Clone,’ one of his five clones.

The Heavenlight Clone was the most indestructible of the five, its body like a divine artifact! Luo Feng valued this clone greatly, yet its energy capacity was relatively low.

The more energy it possessed, the more the Heavenlight Clone would collapse and condense, demanding ever greater mental willpower.

With one times the energy of a perfect divine body, the Heavenlight Clone collapsed and condensed once.

With three times the energy of a perfect divine body, it collapsed and condensed a second time.

With ten times the energy of a perfect divine body—that was the strongest form Luo Feng could maintain, having collapsed and condensed three times. As for even stronger forms? His mental willpower could not force them to collapse and condense.

‘Crash.’

The blood-colored insect, itself like a divine artifact, collided with the Heavenlight Clone.

Like two divine artifacts clashing, neither sustained a single scratch.

“What? This is clearly the clone with the weakest energy…” The blood-colored insect was astonished.

“Seal!”

The Heaven and Earth Clone merged with the inner world; vast cosmic energy formed a colossal grinding wheel—this was one of Luo Feng’s ultimate techniques of the Dao of Birth and Death: the ‘Wheel of Birth and Death.’

The massive grinding wheel completely trapped the blood-colored insect, crushing it relentlessly.

Yet the insect’s body, like a divine artifact, was utterly unfazed by the crushing force.

“Trouble.” The blood-colored insect, trapped within the grinding wheel, endured relentless pressure but could not escape.

“Luo Feng! Are you truly going to…” The blood-colored insect roared in fury.

Luo Feng frowned. These thieves had excellent intelligence—he’d only just registered his basic details upon entering the city, and already this thief knew his name.

“Cut.” The Karma Clone beside him immediately activated a curse-severing technique.

Luo Feng’s five clones: World Clone, Heaven and Earth Clone, Time Clone, Heavenlight Clone, Karma Clone.

The Karma Clone had exceptional clarity in karmic perception, a natural advantage suited for karmic arts. Luo Feng had crafted from the Dao of Birth and Death an ultimate technique: ‘Extinction of Vitality.’

This invisible karmic curse struck the blood-colored insect directly.

“Ahh!”

Just once—the blood-colored insect let out a piercing shriek, its aura instantly weakening.

“Stop! Stop!” The insect cried out immediately.

“A little insect can withstand one strike?” The Karma Luo Feng was surprised. “Let’s try again.”

“I surrender! I surrender!” The insect pleaded urgently. This blood-colored insect was one of his ‘Three Sacred Life Insects,’ cultivated at immense cost—if it died, he would suffer grave injury.

Crucially, most of his theft techniques relied on this insect.

“You surrender, and now you want to leave?” The three Luo Fengs stared at him.

“I’ll pay compensation.” The insect was reluctant but nodded obediently. Though the Life Insect was like a divine artifact, the curse technique was its fatal weakness—one more strike, and its consciousness might vanish entirely.

“How much can you pay? If it’s too little, I’m not interested.” Luo Feng said.

“One hundred thousand Huan Yuan Crystals. I’ll pay one hundred thousand Huan Yuan Crystals.” The insect said.

Luo Feng sneered: “This insect isn’t a clone—but acts like one! Far more valuable than ordinary weapons or artifacts. I won’t ask for much—two hundred thousand Huan Yuan Crystals! One less crystal, and I kill it right now.”

“Two hundred thousand Huan Yuan Crystals?” The insect gasped.

Too brutal! To demand so much!

“I’ll give you three breaths to decide. If you don’t agree within three breaths, I’ll kill it.” Luo Feng didn’t waste words—he’d visited too many merchants, heard the attendants describe the costs of cultivating such insects.

From their clash, Luo Feng estimated the total cost of cultivating it was at least three hundred thousand Huan Yuan Crystals—possibly five or six hundred thousand.

“Three… two…” Luo Feng stared at the insect.

“Fine.” The insect, resentful, finally agreed.

“Give me time—I’ll deliver the Huan Yuan Crystals soon.” The insect said.

“You know where my cave is, right?” Luo Feng said. “Bring the Huan Yuan Crystals to my cave. I’ll give you the insect in return.”

Outside, after receiving the crystals, Luo Feng feared ambush.

Collecting compensation inside his cave was far safer!

“Fine.” The insect could only respond bitterly.

Luo Feng nodded.

Whoosh. Luo Feng stopped wandering, instantly transforming into a streak of light and shooting toward his cave at extreme speed—this was a two-hundred-thousand-Huan-Yuan-Crystal deal; he naturally took it seriously.

“Make me pay two hundred thousand Huan Yuan Crystals?” The short figure gritted his teeth, powerless to resist. “The organization’s intelligence is flawed. This Luo Feng’s methods are unpredictable—his multiple clones working in tandem are too troublesome.”

He quietly departed to prepare the Huan Yuan Crystals.

…

“What? You were stolen from, and you trapped one of their special insects?” Di Qing stared at Luo Feng, astonished.

“That insect was formidable—it slipped silently into my inner world… but it came in, and now it can’t get out.” Luo Feng smiled. His inner world alone couldn’t have stopped it.

But the Heaven and Earth Clone, best suited to merge with a world—that’s what trapped it!

Without sufficient compensation, he’d kill this special insect.

“You just arrived in Yulan City, and he already knew your name. That means his organization is connected to the Elders of the Elder Hall.” Di Qing mused. “But targeting a newcomer… the Elders themselves wouldn’t be so idle. It’s likely an order from their mid-level officers.”

“Luo He Brother, if you take these two hundred thousand Huan Yuan Crystals, they’ll fixate on you.” Di Qing said.

“You think I shouldn’t take it?” Luo Feng looked at Di Qing.

“The thieves’ organization isn’t worth fearing.” Di Qing smiled. “We’re from the Source World—we have clones! Aside from High Huan Yuan Lifeforms, what’s there to fear? Just prepare yourself—they’ll strike at you later.”

One mistake, one strike, one internal content, one look!

Luo Feng nodded.

Warriors from the Source World have clones back home in their native realm. When adventuring abroad, usually only clones die and treasures are lost.

Only those who’ve broken free of the cage can spiritually corrupt them and kill them across the Source World.

“When adventuring, even if you hide carefully, trouble will find you. This small nuisance isn’t worth mentioning.” Luo Feng didn’t care—if they struck at him, they must pay.

Moments later.

A visitor arrived at the cave entrance.

“They’re here.” Luo Feng and Di Qing stepped out together.

A black-robed figure stood there, its entire form composed of swirling mist, twisting as it observed Luo Feng and Di Qing.

“You’re Luo Feng, correct?” The black mist twisted. “You’re certain you want two hundred thousand Huan Yuan Crystals?”

“You can choose not to pay.” Luo Feng stared at him.

Di Qing stood beside him, calmly watching the black mist.

Warriors from the Source World carried innate pride! If it came to a fight to the death, who feared whom?

“Good.” The black mist nodded. Suddenly, a sack flew out from within the mist. “Check it. There are two hundred thousand Huan Yuan Crystals inside.”

Luo Feng reached out, took it, and probed it with his consciousness, then nodded: “Correct.”

Immediately, Luo Feng willed it—releasing the blood-colored insect imprisoned in his inner world. The insect vanished instantly upon emerging.

The black mist turned and left.

…

“I was ordered to target Luo Feng. I failed. I can’t pay all two hundred thousand Huan Yuan Crystals myself.” The short figure and the black mist returned to the massive spherical creature.

The black mist glanced at his subordinate and said coldly: “Observing prey is basic ability. You failed because you’re incompetent.”

The short figure felt deeply humiliated.

Theft failing is normal.

Kicking a iron plate, getting caught—it happens. But the cost this time was too high: two hundred thousand Huan Yuan Crystals lost.

“Remember: don’t fully trust intelligence reports.” The black mist said.

“He took so many Huan Yuan Crystals from me—just let it go?” The short figure was resentful.

“Di Qing is from the Source World. This Luo Feng likely is too.” The black mist said. “Don’t lightly strike at Source World Divine Emperors. Acting on momentary anger isn’t worth it.”

The short figure was displeased.

It’s my money that’s lost! Of course you don’t care!

“Wait for the right opportunity. When the moment comes, strike once—make Luo Feng truly feel pain and regret.” The black mist glanced at the short figure. “Killing a few of a Source World warrior’s clones means nothing to them. You must steal their true treasures.”

“Keep watching Luo Feng. If you learn of any valuable artifact he possesses, inform me immediately. If the operation succeeds, I’ll give you ten percent.” The black mist ordered.

The short figure nodded.

He was already hunting prey—he’d naturally keep close watch on Luo Feng.

…

“Just arrived in the Nine Rivers Sacred Realm, and Huan Yuan Crystals are most lacking.” Luo Feng was delighted to receive this two-hundred-thousand-Huan-Yuan-Crystal sum—combined with Di Qing’s loan, he now had a total of three hundred thousand Huan Yuan Crystals.

He could afford to be a little extravagant.

Immediately, Luo Feng began major shopping. Each outing carried no more than five thousand Huan Yuan Crystals; over three days, he carefully observed and made dozens of purchases, spending just over one hundred ninety thousand Huan Yuan Crystals to acquire everything he needed.

“Begin seclusion and cultivation.” Luo Feng stared at the pile of resources before him—most were remains of primordial Huan Yuan Lifeforms: vials of blood, feathers, bones—he’d bought over three hundred such remains, averaging around three hundred Huan Yuan Crystals each.

Compared to the mysteries contained within the Star Tower and the Eye of Birth and Death, the mysteries within these low-grade Huan Yuan Lifeform remains were far more superficial—slightly deeper than complete Dao principles, yet far easier to comprehend.

"Convert these resources into strength." Luo Feng began to calm his mind and cultivate.

(End of Chapter)