C17 Lin Mei

In the room, Shi Potian lay on the bed, his condition eliciting looks of concern from Lin Feng and Liu Yun.

"Hehe, don't worry about me. I'll be fully recovered in less than half a month!" Shi Potian said with a grin.

"Sure, but even fully healed, you'll be a cripple!" Lin Feng didn't sugarcoat the truth for Shi Potian, speaking frankly.

At those words, Shi Potian's gaze fell, filled with desolation. In this world, a cripple was akin to an ant, devoid of rights and at the mercy of others.

Still, Shi Potian managed to squeeze out a smile, not wanting to worry his friends. "So what? If I can't cultivate, I'll just go back and be a servant!"

"Don't talk nonsense!" Liu Yan snapped, her face contorted with worry as she glared at Shi Potian.

Lin Feng remained silent, his mind racing with thoughts on how to help Shi Potian. He couldn't let him become a cripple; Lin Feng knew all too well the despair and bitterness of that fate, having experienced it himself. Even with a clan leader for a father, he had been unable to protect him.

"Little Feng, why don't we try Fallen Phoenix Slope again?" Liu Yan proposed.

Lin Feng shook his head. Points could only buy ordinary pills, and nothing short of high-grade spiritual medicine could help Shi Potian now. As an Outer Sect disciple, the Sunfire Order wouldn't intervene in his fate.

Liu Yan grew even more worried upon hearing this.

After a moment's thought, Lin Feng stood up decisively and inhaled deeply. "I'm heading to Duan Hun Cliff!"

Without waiting for a response, he left the room, leaving the others behind with wry smiles.

Duan Hun Cliff was one of the most dangerous places within the Sunfire Order. Rumor had it that most disciples who ventured there never returned, and aside from the most ambitious seekers, no one dared to approach it.

Shi Potian couldn't help but feel inadequate in the face of such courage. Despite its perils, Duan Hun Cliff's potential rewards were beyond imagination.

At the peak of the Sunfire Order stood a dark iron tower, looming ominously. This tower was the sole gateway to Duan Hun Cliff.

Shortly thereafter, Lin Feng ascended to the summit of the Sunfire Order. In that moment, a golden light burst forth, revealing an ethereal staircase that cascaded down from the tower's gate directly to Lin Feng. Without hesitation, he stepped onto the stairs and made his way upward.

The tower door creaked open to reveal an empty chamber, yet Lin Feng could distinctly sense a formidable presence targeting him.

With no time to waste, Lin Feng respectfully bowed with clasped fists and announced, "Junior Lin Feng has arrived to undertake the trial!"

"Return from whence you came. You lack the necessary strength," an authoritative voice echoed from the void.

"No!" Lin Feng firmly shook his head, replying, "My resolve is firm, and I humbly request the elder's blessing."

"Oh?" The other's surprise was evident, prompting them to inquire, "And why is that?"

"Esteemed elder, a friend of mine has sustained grave injuries and is in dire need of healing elixirs. I implore you not to hinder me," Lin Feng explained.

A brief silence ensued as the elder pondered. Lin Feng remained patient, standing his ground.

After a short pause, the elder's voice filled the air once more, "I can empathize with your plight, and your intentions are commendable. I shall make an exception for you this time."

With those words, a door on the opposite side of the iron tower began to open slowly. The moment the door swung open, a series of beastly roars, enough to chill one to the bone, emanated from within. Those of weaker resolve could not withstand such pressure even from here.

"Proceed!"

As the elder finished speaking, Lin Feng stepped forward without a moment's hesitation. No sooner had he entered than the stone door behind him thundered shut, plunging him into darkness where three pairs of beastly eyes fixed upon him.

Lin Feng's instincts were on high alert. Though he couldn't see the creatures, the deadly menace they exuded was palpable. It was clear that these three demon kings were far more formidable than any Burning Sky Tiger he had encountered before.

At the moment Lin Feng braced for action, a flicker of light pierced the darkness, revealing a candle teetering on the brink of extinction.

Lin Feng's focus, however, remained on the demon beasts before him. Despite his significant increase in strength, subduing them would be no easy feat, and any misstep could lead to his demise.

Roar!

The three demonic beasts, however, allowed Lin Feng little time to react. One of them leaped into the air, its claw descending swiftly towards Lin Feng. Demonic beasts of the Demon King's caliber had already awakened their spiritual awareness. They could easily discern that Lin Feng's strength was inferior to their own.

Lin Feng, not daring to hesitate, immediately positioned his long sword defensively in front of his chest.

Boom!

A thunderous explosion followed, and Lin Feng was sent flying, sword in hand. Though he barely managed to block the beast's strike, the encounter ignited Lin Feng's combative spirit. He knew that it was only through such trials that he could hasten his growth.

Thus, a frenzied battle ensued between the lone man and the three beasts.

...

Life and Death Arena!

The area was now crowded with onlooking disciples, all murmuring amongst themselves with grave expressions.

"Could something be about to happen? Why have even the elders of the order been alerted?"

"Eh, is that Wang Chenyang?"

The crowd grew more astonished at the sight. It was well-known that a few months prior, Wang Chenyang had severely injured an inner sect disciple with a single sword strike, earning the sect's favor.

"Pfft, what of it? Haven't you noticed Ouyang Qing and Jiang Daochuan are here too?"

At this, the crowd collectively gasped, their eyes widening in shock as they gazed upon the two imposing figures on the stage. Ouyang Qing, clad in a fresh green robe and holding a jade flute, stood with a seemingly gentle demeanor that paradoxically exuded the presence of a distant colossus. He was the top disciple of the inner sect. Beside him, in plain linen, stood a man with an ordinary appearance and a faint smile. Lacking a formidable aura, he nonetheless radiated a sense of immeasurable depth. This was Jiang Daochuan, the Sunfire Order's most esteemed disciple, rumored to have bested many of the order's elders.

Yet, what could have drawn these normally reclusive figures to the Outer Sect?

As the crowd pondered in amazement, a disturbance arose nearby. Suddenly, a burst of five-colored golden light streaked through the void. A man and a woman were seen standing atop an enormous peacock, dozens of feet in length, speeding in their direction.

In the blink of an eye, two silhouettes descended onto the Platform of Life and Death. As the onlookers recognized the newcomers, they were left utterly astonished.

Kong Yu, the foremost figure of the Kongling Sect and ranked sixth on the Stagikha Dynasty's Ling Xiao Ranking, had deliberately issued a challenge to the Sunfire Order, expressing a desire to meet with the elite from all corners. Regrettably, not a single disciple from the Sunfire Order could stand toe-to-toe with him, not even Jiang Daochuan.

But whether the sect liked it or not, they had to accept the challenge once it was made. The reputation of the sect was at stake.

Kong Yu surveyed the disciples below with a cool gaze, his expression one of scorn. He provocatively remarked, "I am truly overwhelmed by the Sunfire Order's warm reception!"

Elder Ye Fu, who accompanied him, responded with a neutral tone, "Master Kong jests. There are few in the entire Stagikha Dynasty who can achieve such a level of cultivation at such a young age."

"Elder Ye, my disobedient junior sister, Lin Mei, is eager to witness the Sunfire Order's rising stars."

At these words, Wang Chenyang immediately bowed his head. Clearly, he was the one Kong Yu was referring to. Lin Mei was highly renowned, blessed with exceptional talent, and some even predicted her name would grace the Stagikha Ranking within three years.

"Chenyang, it's your turn," Ye Fu instructed calmly.

"Yes!" Chenyang responded, bowing with his fists before bravely stepping into the center of the Platform of Life and Death.

Lin Mei stood there, her eyes seductive as peach blossoms, captivating like a siren's call.

Chenyang fought to quell the turmoil within him, but it only served to diminish his strength further.

"Be ready!" Lin Mei announced, brandishing a fuzzy whip that, despite its soft appearance, was lined with hair as sharp as steel. A strike from it promised to leave deep, rending wounds.

Chenyang, undeterred, drew two blades and held them crossed over his chest, shrouded in a swirling black mist.

"Gale Slash!" he cried out, ready for battle.

Dynasty Yang was the first to strike, hoping to gain the upper hand, but the vast gap in their abilities couldn't be bridged. His most powerful move was trivial in Lin Mei's eyes.

As Dynasty Yang charged toward her, Su Mei lashed out with her whip, sending a streak of multicolored light straight toward Dynasty Yang's chest.

Bang!

In an instant, Dynasty Yang was sent flying, his chest quickly stained with blood.

With a single, casual strike, Lin Mei had defeated Dynasty Yang without even resorting to her martial skills. Their respective strengths were evident at a glance.

Yet, Kong Yu showed no sign of surprise at Lin Mei's prowess. It was as if he had anticipated this outcome. Conversely, Ye Fu's expression soured. He had expected Dynasty Yang's defeat, but not in such a decisive manner.

"My apologies," Lin Mei said, bowing her fists in a traditional gesture.

Kong Yu stepped forward, causing Jiang Daochuan's face to tense. He watched Kong Yu warily, his eyes brimming with apprehension.

"Elder Ye, I've come today with a request. Might you be willing to grant it?" Kong Yu asked, his smile enigmatic as he gazed at Ye Fu.

"What is it?" Ye Fu asked, his brow furrowing even more.

"It's a minor family matter concerning my junior sister. I've heard that the Sunfire Order has recently taken in a new group of disciples, one of whom is my junior sister's cousin. This individual has been overbearing and abusive within the family, even going so far as to strike his own father. I presume Elder Ye wouldn't concern himself with such matters," Kong Yu stated calmly.

Ye Fu found himself in a bind. It was one thing to dismiss an ordinary disciple, but to simply hand him over would be a loss of face. Kong Yu had shown considerable respect to the Sunfire Order, and if he were to issue a challenge, it could tarnish the Order's reputation.

For the sake of an Outer Sect disciple, it was clear that offending a prodigy like Kong Yu was not a wise choice. After a moment's contemplation, Ye Fu cast a backward glance and commanded, "Bring the person to me!"