The Art of Chaotic Divinity-Chapter 1243: Not Worth My Concern

"So we meet again, huh. What a small world."

Ling Feng narrowed his eyes. He never thought he would run into not one, but both of his enemies at once!

Still, he felt a sliver of relief that the Venerable of the Desolate Sea was not aboard that flying vessel.

In the span of a few breaths, the ship Murong Zining piloted came to a halt above the reef island where Ling Feng and his companions were resting.

Murong Zining's eyes burned with murderous intent as she glared coldly downward. "Ling Feng, I never thought you'd actually survive!"

"You're still alive. Why would I be dead?"

Ling Feng stood with his hands clasped behind his back. He met her gaze without the slightest ripple of emotion.

"Boy, hand over your life!"

Before the words faded, a flash of cold light fell from the sky. The Second Elder of Heaven's Illusion Island, Jian Liang, had already struck in fury.

He had waited for this moment far too long!

Clang!

Before Ling Feng could take action, Lou Qianzhong had already thrown a punch, forcefully knocking the edge of Jian Liang's blade off course.

"Old fool, you dare raise your hand while I'm standing right here?"

Lou Qianzhong's eyes glinted sharply as he fixed them on Jian Liang. His aura surged, and his tall figure stepped in front of Ling Feng.

He had taken Ling Feng's medicinal pill, and a man who took another's gift would not stand by and watch that man be cut down.

"Lord Lou!" Jian Liang's expression shifted slightly. His voice carried bitter hatred. "Lord Lou, this is a personal feud between me and that brat. I advise you not to interfere!"

"A personal feud? So what?"

Lou Qianzhong sneered. "That boy is my companion now. Go ahead and try lay a finger on him!"

"Hehe, Lord Lou, such impressive arrogance!"

Murong Zining leapt down from the vessel, hovering in mid-air. Her phoenix-shaped eyes swept coldly over Ling Feng, then fixed on Lou Qianzhong. "Lord Lou, does the name of Tianhuang City mean nothing to you anymore?"

"Little girl, you think you can threaten me with Tianhuang City?"

Lou Qianzhong's tone stayed defiant, yet a hint of hesitation flickered beneath it.

In the Tianlan Sea Region, Tianhuang City was the undisputed overlord. For all his ferocity, Lou Qianzhong was no match for the Venerable of the Desolate Sea, a peak Human Emperor.

"Boy, you've certainly made a lot of enemies!" Lou Qianzhong murmured, lowering his voice as he glanced back at Ling Feng.

"Circumstances forced my hand. None of this was by choice," Ling Feng replied with a wry smile. Whether he wanted it or not, trouble always seemed to find him.

"Hehe, when you wander the martial world, you're bound to take a few blades to the back. I get it. But Tianhuang City isn't one you can afford to offend. If Murong Zining is here, that means the Venerable of the Desolate Sea can't be far. If you ask me, the best of all thirty-six stratagems[1] is to run!"

Lou Qianzhong's voice echoed directly into Ling Feng's mind through his spiritual consciousness.

"I was thinking the same," Ling Feng replied with a nod. "Brother Lou, look after the others for me. That old bastard isn't worth my concern."

"Oh?" Lou Qianzhong gave him a surprised look. Jian Liang was a fourth-level Human Emperor, yet Ling Feng dismissed him so easily?

This boy was either insane or terrifyingly confident!

But remembering what Ling Feng had done on the Bridge of Life and Death, Lou Qianzhong felt a measure of calm.

Ling Feng's strength could not be measured by mere realm.

"Brother Ling, allow me to settle this for you," said Lin Mu after a moment's thought. "No matter how mighty Tianhuang City may be, it should at least show some respect to Dongling Immortal Pool."

"No need."

Ling Feng smiled faintly at Lin Mu. "I appreciate your goodwill, Brother Lin, but..."

A glint of killing intent flashed in Ling Feng's eyes. Jian Liang and his people wanted Ling Feng dead. Ling Feng intended to use this chance to erase them completely.

"Old man, since you claim it's a personal grudge, then come on!"

Ling Feng's sword gleamed as he shot skyward. "I'll give you a chance to join your grandson in the afterlife!"

"You insolent brat, such big talk!"

Enraged, Jian Liang darted forward like lightning. "Prepare to die!"

The martial artists around them stared in shock as the old and the young clashed. Ling Feng's courage seemed almost suicidal.

Lou Qianzhong crossed his arms, watching with interest. Since Ling Feng dared to say such words, he must have had some confidence.

Lin Mu narrowed his eyes, his face growing solemn.

Even he could not be sure of victory in a duel against Jian Liang. Was it possible that he, an inner sect disciple of the Dongling Spiritual Immortal Pool, was actually inferior to a boy who was not even a member from the Sacred Land?

On the flying vessel, Yang Huanzhi broke into a cold sweat. Jian Liang was, after all, the Second Elder of Heaven's Illusion Island, so his strength was naturally formidable. Ling Feng, though extraordinary, was still only at the Spiritual Element Realm!

Ling Feng's gaze turned icy. He knew he had to end this quickly. Once the Venerable of the Desolate Sea arrived, there would be no chance left to kill Jian Liang or the detestable Murong Zining!

"Boy, hand over your life!"

Jian Liang roared, his sword flaring with chilling brilliance. Sword shadows filled the sky like a raging storm, all slicing toward Ling Feng.

"Xiao Bai!"

Without anyone noticing, Ling Feng summoned Xiao Bai. Purple light flickered in the creature's eyes.

The Nightmare Heart Technique unfurled. Jian Liang, already consumed by rage, sank instantly into illusion. In his mind, he saw his sword qi shredding Ling Feng to pieces. He hovered in mid-air, laughing wildly.

Murong Zining, having once suffered from Ling Feng's Dream Illusion Rule, knew better. Seeing Jian Liang's state, she shouted urgently, "Senior, don't fall for his illusion. He's still alive!"

"What!"

Jian Liang jolted as if doused in icy water. His fevered eyes cleared slightly.

"Too late," Ling Feng growled. "Xiao Bai, finish him!"

The sword soul Xiao Bai took human form. Swordlight shimmered in its hands, and with one strike it merged eight swords into one, slashing ruthlessly at Jian Liang.

"This is bad!"

Jian Liang's face twisted in horror. The force of those eight swords seemed to seal the heavens and earth. A suffocating sense of death swept over him!

"Old fool, the road to heaven was open, yet you chose the gates of hell!"

Murderous intent blazed in Ling Feng's eyes. Jian Chen had deserved death, and now Jian Liang, obsessed with revenge, could only join his son in the Yellow Springs[2]!

"Father!"

Jian Xibai's face was drained of color. He had never imagined that Ling Feng possessed such a terrifying companion. The might of those eight combined swords could probably kill any Human Emperor below the fourth level in an instant!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Eight streams of multicolored swordlight burst outward, blasting Jian Liang's body apart. Half of him was reduced to flesh, yet he clung to life, staring at Ling Feng with blood-filled eyes.

He could not believe what he saw. Ling Feng's mastery of illusion had reached such dreadful heights.

Had he not fallen into Ling Feng's illusion technique first, he wouldn't have been so vulnerable, taking severe injuries in just one exchange.

1. The Thirty-Six Stratagems is an ancient Chinese strategy for tricky situations and overcoming stronger opponents. The final, most famous stratagem is 走为上策 Zǒu Wéi Shàng Cè (Retreat is the Best Policy), or "run". ☜

2. Ancient Chinese term for the Underworld or the Realm of the Dead ☜