Chapter 1153: First Encounter with the Heaven-Patrolling Clan

After leaving the stone chamber where Feng Yan had been imprisoned, Ling Feng followed the Tianluo Ancestor's memories and made his way toward the inner island.

He had not gone far when he sensed Tuoba Yan secretly following him.

"This woman..."

Ling Feng sighed inwardly, turned around, and appeared in front of her. He frowned slightly. "Yan'er, I told you to stay with Feng Chan and the others. Wait for me on the Sea-Calming Dragon Vessel alright?"

Tuoba Yan met his eyes and bit her lip. "I never agreed to that."

Ling Feng's brows drew together. "This trip will be dangerous. There's no reason for you to take that risk."

"This concerns me too. Besides, I can help you." Her voice was steady, her eyes unwavering.

Ling Feng rubbed his forehead helplessly. "You really don't listen."

Suddenly, he looked past her and said casually, "Huh? Second Young Miss, you came out already?"

Tuoba Yan instinctively turned around. A sharp tingling brushed her neck before she could react. Ling Feng had struck her acupoint, knocking her unconscious.

"Sorry," he murmured. "I know you mean well, but I won't let what happened with Xian'er happen again."

He sighed, then handed Tuoba Yan's limp body to Feng Chan, who was just arriving with the others. "Second Young Miss, Brother Feng, look after Yan'er for me. If I'm not back by sunrise, return to your family first."

With that, he soared into the air and sped toward the inner island.

"Mr. Ling..."

Feng Chan caught Tuoba Yan's body and lifted her gaze toward Ling Feng's receding figure. A soft sigh escaped her lips.

She was perceptive enough to know that, in Ling Feng's heart, she was nothing more than a friend. Her quiet affection could only be hidden away, though doing so hurt more than she liked to admit.

"

Ah,

it's only been a few months, and Brother Ling's strength has already grown this much."

Feng Yan patted his round belly and sighed. "Looks like I'll have to train harder, or I'll be left miles behind!"

...

Compared to the outer island of Tianluo Island, the inner island was a realm of death.

The air was thick with decay, the stench of corpses hanging heavy and rancid.

"What a cursed place. Goodness!"

Despicable Donkey snorted. "This divine beast has wandered through countless deadly lands, but none as foul as this one!"

Ling Feng shook his head. "The opponent this time is no ordinary being. Even wounded, he's still a Heaven-Patrolling Angel, a member of that legendary kind."

"Heaven-Patrolling Angel?"

Despicable Donkey's eyelids twitched. "Wait a second, brat. You're only telling me this now? Do you even know what a Heaven-Patrolling Angel is?"

"What does it represent?"

Ling Feng's eyes glinted coldly. "A mortal enemy."

"This divine beast understands completely now."

Despicable Donkey stared at him for a long moment. "So that's it. You're from the Heavenly Dao Clan. No wonder your talent's so monstrous. I thought your kind had been wiped out!"

"Yes!"

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

For the first time, Ling Feng admitted it openly.

He had never fully trusted Despicable Donkey, not even after forming a pact of equality with him. But after all they had gone through, he understood the donkey well.

Annoying? Yes.

But loyal!

They had already become comrades, bound by battle and trust.

Perhaps Despicable Donkey had long since guessed the truth anyway.

"This has nothing to do with you," Ling Feng said quietly. "If you're afraid, you can leave now."

"

Ha!

" Despicable Donkey snorted. "Afraid? Don't insult this divine beast. Even if we were facing a Heaven-Patrolling Angel at full strength, this divine beast wouldn't flinch."

Ling Feng laughed and hooked an arm around his neck. "I knew you wouldn't back down. You act shameless most of the time, but you're dependable when it matters!"

Despicable Donkey glared at him. "Save the flattery. Next time, tell this divine beast what we're up against before dragging this divine beast into it. This divine beast's heart can only take so much!"

Ling Feng smiled faintly. In truth, anyone would be uneasy. Their opponent was said to be divine, while Despicable Donkey, despite calling himself a divine beast, knew perfectly well how far he still was from that realm.

"All right, I promise I'll warn you next time!"

Ling Feng brushed a finger across his nose. If he could kill the Heaven-Patrolling Angel hidden within the inner island and seize his immortal core, he might be able to free the devilkin Queen Ke Weili, sealed within the Four Spirits Divine-Sealing Tablet.

He still did not fully trust that devilkin woman, but with the angel's immortal core in hand, he would at least have something to bargain with.

(Author's note: see Chapter 848: Striking a Deal with the Devil)

Even if he failed to slay the angel, he could test his strength and prepare for their inevitable future clash.

This was a chance he could not let slip away. A lone Heaven-Patrolling Angel was too rare a target to ignore. Whether for vengeance against his people's enemies or for the possibility of alliance with the devil race, this was a risk worth taking.

Guided by the Tianluo Ancestor's memories, Ling Feng avoided every array concealed across the inner island until he reached the place where the Heaven-Patrolling Angel resided.

In the distance, he saw a red-haired man sitting cross-legged on a massive boulder. The man's body was tall and powerful, and at the center of his brow burned a flame-shaped mark identical to the Heavenly Fire Seal once used by the Tianluo Ancestor, though this one was far more refined. Even from afar, its heat was fierce enough to scorch the skin.

"

Hehe,

human. Since you are already here, why hide in the shadows? Did you think such petty tricks could fool me?"

The Heaven-Patrolling Angel opened his eyes.

Those eyes were cold and detached, as if gazing upon all living things from a height far beyond them. There was no trace of human warmth in that stare.

His gaze swept toward a large rock. With a single glance, the boulder burst into flames.

Ling Feng and Despicable Donkey, who had been concealed behind it, shot into the air in opposite directions, dodging the searing fire. The enormous boulder was reduced to ashes in an instant, leaving not even dust behind.