Chapter 1103: You Are So Cruel

"This is... Master's wine gourd..."

Ling Feng gripped the greenwood gourd tightly, his brow furrowing.

Lin Canglang had once again used the Void Shift Curse, the same secret art that had allowed him to rescue the Blood Sword Heavenly Lord last time. His body remained hidden, but his voice rang out clearly.

By sending this wine gourd, his message could not have been clearer. Duanmu Qingshan was in his hands!

"Damn it!"

A cold light flickered in Ling Feng's eyes. No wonder he had heard nothing of his master's whereabouts during his time in Nanjiang. Duanmu Qingshan had already fallen into Lin Canglang's grasp.

Ling Feng's strength now far surpassed his master's, yet the bond between them could never be dismissed. A master for one day was a father for life. No matter what, he could not stand by while Duanmu Qingshan suffered at the hands of Lin Canglang.

"Long..."

Hai Lingxiang bit her lip, then forced herself to change her words. "General Ling, do you need the aid of the Lin Demon Clan?"

"There is no need. This is my personal matter."

Ling Feng drew a deep breath, his eyes settling on Lin Xian'er among the crowd.

Though Lin Canglang's voice was hoarse and distorted, Lin Xian'er recognized it instantly. It was the voice of the man she had called father for more than ten years. Yet that man had become a demon. Her lips trembled as she bit down hard, her face turning pale. In her memory, Lin Canglang had already perished in Xuanwu Village, Jiang Xiaofan's hometown.

"Let us sign the peace accord first."

Ling Feng forced himself to calm down. Lin Canglang's goal was him, and Duanmu Qingshan was still needed as bait. Though his master might suffer, Lin Canglang would not kill him so quickly. Which meant that for the next three days, his life was not in danger. Impatience would achieve nothing. Only composure could save him.

The elders of the Black Jiao Clan let out a sigh of relief at Ling Feng's words. Though an unexpected incident had arisen, the negotiations remained intact.

When the talks ended, Ling Feng led the human generals back to their camp. Hai Lingxiang had wanted to speak to him alone, but when she saw the worry written across his face, she swallowed her words. He clearly had no mind for such matters. After today's parting, it was likely the two of them would never meet again in this lifetime!

...

Inside the command tent of the Tianfeng Battalion.

"General Ling, perhaps we should request orders from the commander-in-chief. If we send an army of a hundred thousand, even eighty thousand, and sweep across the Wind-Burial Plains, do you think those people would dare harm a single hair on your master's head?"

Xu Zhongda, who had attended the peace talks, had naturally heard Lin Canglang's threats. Seeing Ling Feng return in silence, he could not hold back the suggestion.

"No. This is my personal matter and has nothing to do with the Tianfeng Battalion."

Ling Feng waved his hand, signaling Xu Zhongda and the others to leave. Xu Zhongda sighed heavily but had no choice but to withdraw.

Within the great tent, only Jiang Xiaofan, Li Bufan, and Lin Xian'er remained.

"Big Brother..."

𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Jiang Xiaofan clenched his fists, ready to speak, but Ling Feng cut him off.

"Enough, Xiaofan. I know what you want to say, but I will not take you with me. I must go to the Wind-Burial Plains, and I will not bring anyone along. Even if you went, you would not be of any help."

"But Big Brother..."

"No more. Do you not trust my strength? I dared to break into the sacred land of the demons. How could Lin Canglang alone stand against me?"

Ling Feng's cold snort carried his determination. His journey to the demon sacred land had already cost him Mu Qianxue, and that pain was carved deep in his heart. He would not allow anyone else to share the risk.

As for why Mu Qianxue had not returned with him, Ling Feng had said little. He only told Tuoba Yan and the others that she had found her family and had left for now, but would return one day. No one doubted his words, though Tuoba Yan, who had been closest to Mu Qianxue, vaguely sensed the truth. Mu Qianxue had once said she would leave sooner or later, but none of them had expected the day to come so soon.

"Ling Feng, take me with you!"

Lin Xian'er clenched her teeth and stared at him. "The one he took may be my real father. As his daughter, how can I not go? I must face him and bring this to an end."

"No. No matter what you say, I will not let you come."

Ling Feng turned away. He feared that if he met her eyes, his resolve would weaken.

By Lin Canglang's side stood the Blood Sword Heavenly Lord, a dangerous foe. Though both men had strayed into the evil path, their strength had risen at a terrifying pace. On top of that, Despicable Donkey had yet to fully recover. Ling Feng could not risk it.

"Ling Feng, please let me go with you!"

Lin Xian'er's plea carried all her desperation, but he refused once more.

"Stay here and wait for me. I will bring Master back safe and sound."

He gently patted her shoulder, then turned and drew a deep breath. His voice grew solemn. "Everyone, leave. I have three days. I want to spend them in seclusion."

Lin Xian'er watched his back, her eyes brimming with tears. She bit her lip and whispered, "Ling Feng, you are so cruel."

Then she fled the camp in sobs.

Ling Feng sighed softly. He understood her feelings, but his decision could not change.

"Yan'er, keep an eye on her. I fear she may do something foolish."

With a shake of his head, he summoned the Five Elements Heavenly Palace and entered the Wood Elemental Realm within. There was no better place than the Heavenly Palace for healing and cultivation.

Over the past few days, Despicable Donkey had regained thirty to forty percent of his strength, though his once-bulging muscles now looked somewhat shriveled.

Their last soul fusion had drained him completely. Strictly speaking, Ling Feng himself had been emptied as well. Without the Dragon Transformation Pool and without Mu Qianxue's divine blood to save him, he could never have recovered in only three days, nor regained his cultivation at the Spiritual Element Realm.

"Despicable Donkey, let's talk.

Heh heh

..."

Ling Feng narrowed his eyes into crescents, grinning strangely. The expression made the Despicable Donkey's heart pound uneasily.

"If you have something to say, say it! Want the Essence Blood Pearl? Forget it. Want this divine beast's life? Take it!"

"What do you mean forget it? You still have two left, don't you?"

Ling Feng's grin widened, bright and sharp. In terms of cultivation speed, nothing could compare to the Essence Blood Pearls.

Despicable Donkey had already used one to heal himself. Which meant there were still two left in his possession.