Chapter 268: Chapter 268: Secret Realm
"Huh, Qin Huan seems to be having a dispute with someone. Who is that guy?" People in the valley quickly took notice of the confrontation between Qin Huan and Luo Feng.
"I know him. He’s this year’s top new talent from the Flowing Cloud Region, Luo Feng!"
"Luo Feng? The one who comprehended the Grand Momentum! He is astonishingly young. It looks like the four major academies of the Flowing Cloud Region are not lacking in talent."
"Although he has comprehended the Grand Momentum, his foundation is a bit weak. His Cultivation is only at the Mid-stage of the Eight-fold Hell Realm, which is still not on par with the Four Major Princes."
"It looks like he has some history with Qin Huan."
"He’s probably going to be in trouble. Qin Huan’s elder brother, Qin Honglie, is famous for being fiercely protective of his own. He definitely won’t stand by and do nothing."
Many people nearby were whispering, all thinking that Luo Feng had provoked Qin Huan and was likely facing a disaster.
"Luo Feng, we’ll see about this!" Qin Huan shot Luo Feng a cold glare, then turned and walked deeper into the valley.
A handsome young man with rosy lips and pearly teeth quickly caught up with Qin Huan. Glancing back at Luo Feng, he asked, "Qin Huan, who is that guy? Do you have a grudge against him?"
Qin Huan naturally wouldn’t speak of the humiliating matter of being defeated by Luo Feng. The only ones who knew about it were the two students who had accompanied him to the Flowing Cloud Region.
A flash of coldness crossed Qin Huan’s face as he said in a low voice, "That’s Luo Feng, this year’s top new talent from the Flowing Cloud Region. This person is insidious and cunning. The last time I went to the Flowing Cloud Region, he used despicable means to injure Junior Brother Chen Feng!"
Junior Brother Chen Feng was the Ivy School student injured by Luo Feng, and he was still bedridden and unable to move.
Hearing this, the handsome young man’s face filled with righteous indignation. "So it was him who injured Junior Brother Chen! This person is incredibly audacious! He must be taught a good lesson."
Looking up at Qin Huan, the handsome young man said coldly, "Qin Huan, leave this matter to me. I will personally avenge Junior Brother Chen Feng and restore our honor!"
Qin Huan hesitated for a moment, his eyes fixed on Luo Feng. Then, his gaze shifted, and he suddenly said to the handsome young man, "Alright! Li Jun, I’ll leave this to you. Be careful; he has comprehended the Grand Momentum, and his strength is not to be underestimated."
Qin Huan had initially planned to wait for his elder brother, Qin Honglie, to arrive and then deal with Luo Feng. However, after careful consideration, he felt it was somewhat inappropriate. As one of the Four Major Princes, it would be beneath Qin Honglie’s status to personally deal with Luo Feng, who had only recently gained fame. Even if he won, it wouldn’t be a glorious victory and wouldn’t humiliate Luo Feng; it would be unwise. Therefore, it was better to let Li Jun handle it.
Li Jun’s Cultivation was a notch higher than his own, possessing the strength of a quasi-Prince. Moreover, Li Jun was insidious and ruthless, stopping at nothing to achieve his goals. He should be able to defeat Luo Feng.
A hint of contempt flashed in Li Jun’s eyes as he smiled. "Qin Huan, you’re being too cautious. He’s just a piece of trash from the Flowing Cloud Region; what’s there to fear? Even though he has comprehended the Grand Momentum, his Cultivation level is still inferior to mine. I have a hundred ways to deal with him!"
Qin Huan, knowing Li Jun’s methods, nodded and said with a sinister tone, "Remember, be ruthless."
"Don’t worry. He put Junior Brother Chen Feng in bed for a month; I’ll make sure Luo Feng can’t get out of bed for three months! Meeting me, Li Jun, is his misfortune," Li Jun said in a grim tone.
Qin Huan nodded slightly, then turned back to give Luo Feng another cold stare.
"Luo Feng, Qin Huan and that Ivy School student have been staring at you," Bing Ruolan noted, observing Qin Huan’s gaze. Her Daimei furrowed slightly as she spoke to Luo Feng.
Hearing this, He Qin glanced at Luo Feng. Among them, she was the only one who knew what was truly going on. She advised in a low voice, "Luo Feng, be careful. Their gazes are not friendly."
Luo Feng waved his hand dismissively and chuckled, "Just a few rats. No need to worry about them."
With his strong Soul Power, he had long sensed the gazes of Qin Huan and the others. However, with his current strength, he naturally paid them no mind. If Qin Honglie himself were to come, then he might spare him a glance.
"Luo Feng, you must be weary from your journey. Let’s go inside and rest for a bit. I’ve already had lunch prepared," Feng Linshan suddenly said.
"Thank you, Dean Feng," Luo Feng nodded.
Feng Linshan led the way into the valley, with the others following behind.
"Luo Feng, did you know Feng Linshan before?" Zi Yuan asked, walking beside Luo Feng with a curious expression.
Luo Feng shook his head. "This is my first time visiting Red Maple Lead."
"That’s strange." Zi Yuan bit her finger, a puzzled look on her face. "I feel like his attitude towards you is different from how he treats others. Considering his status, he normally wouldn’t need to personally receive you."
"I have the same feeling," Bing Ruolan nodded, looking at Feng Linshan’s retreating figure. "Previously, when he heard that Duanmu Xiao was tracking you, we hadn’t even spoken up before he proactively offered to help us find you."
"Is that so?" Luo Feng’s brow rose slightly. He too was puzzled as to why Feng Linshan was treating him with such consideration.
Could it be because of Cang Nanyue? An image of a breathtakingly beautiful figure, flying on a sword, flashed through Luo Feng’s mind.
Changxin Academy was situated in the deepest part of the valley. Rows of small courtyards were adorned with clusters of blooming flowers, and a faint, sweet fragrance lingered in the air, creating a very elegant atmosphere.
The group followed Feng Linshan to an exquisite small courtyard deep within the academy, where a banquet was already laid out in one of the rooms. The dishes were incredibly sumptuous, featuring ingredients from all sorts of rare Demon Beasts—those that flew in the sky, ran on the land, and swam in the water. Such materials were seldom seen on the market.
Luo Feng had only eaten about half his fill at the dilapidated tavern earlier before being interrupted by Qin Honglie’s arrival. Seeing such a magnificent feast before him now, he didn’t stand on ceremony and immediately began to eat heartily.
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Zi Hongyuan suddenly said to Feng Linshan, "Feng Linshan, you mentioned in your letter that there was an important matter to discuss at this summit. Now that Luo Feng is here, you shouldn’t keep us in suspense any longer, should you?"
Hearing this, Zhou Zhiyun also turned her gaze to Feng Linshan. She had agreed to the invitation to the summit at Red Maple Lead not only because she wanted He Qin and the others to broaden their horizons and improve their Cultivation, but also because Feng Linshan’s letter had mentioned an important matter for discussion. However, upon arriving at Changxin Academy, Feng Linshan had insisted on waiting for Luo Feng’s arrival before revealing what this important matter was, leaving them all completely puzzled.
He wouldn’t say anything until I arrived. Could this matter be related to me? Luo Feng wondered, feeling rather perplexed.
Feng Linshan smiled faintly, his gaze turning to Luo Feng as he said, "At this summit, I hope you will all give it your utmost effort!"
Zi Hongyuan frowned upon hearing this. "Feng Linshan, if you continue to beat around the bush, we’ll head back to the Flowing Cloud Region right now!"
Feng Linshan put down his wine cup and chuckled. "This matter actually began three months ago. The last time Cang Nanyue visited your Flowing Cloud Region, she accidentally discovered a Secret Realm on her way back."
"A Secret Realm!" Upon hearing this, the expressions of Zhou Zhiyun and Qin Honglie both changed slightly, and soft gasps could be heard in the room.
Luo Feng frowned and asked, puzzled, "What is a Secret Realm?"
Feng Linshan was taken aback, looking at Luo Feng with some surprise, apparently finding it hard to believe that Luo Feng didn’t even know what a ’Secret Realm’ was.
Ruolan, however, understood why. Luo Feng had never concerned himself with matters of Cultivation before, so how would he know about Secret Realms?
"Luo Feng, in ancient times, Martial Artists who cultivated enjoyed opening up their own cultivation cave residences. The ruins of these cave residences left behind by these Martial Artists are what we call Secret Realms," Bing Ruolan explained.
"You’re really exasperating!" Zi Yuan looked at Luo Feng, speechless, then added, "The Martial Artists capable of leaving behind such cave residences were all incredibly powerful. In such Secret Realms, one can often find treasures they left behind. It’s said that someone once accidentally entered a Secret Realm and obtained the inheritance of an expert at the Ninth Fold of the Spiritual Rotation Realm. They then soared to prominence, transforming from an unknown nobody into a regional hegemon!" Zi Yuan’s eyes lit up, clearly showing her own longing for the treasures within such Secret Realms.
"So that’s how it is." Luo Feng nodded, also feeling a stir of excitement. Treasures left behind by an expert at the Ninth Fold of the Spiritual Rotation Realm—any single item could be world-shaking.
"Feng Linshan, even if what you say is true, what does this have to do with the summit two days from now?" Zi Hongyuan asked, frowning. Discovering a Secret Realm is a monumental piece of good fortune. Why would anyone share it with others?
"It is indeed related." Feng Linshan let out a breath and said with a solemn expression, "Cang Nanyue was not the only one who discovered the Secret Realm; several elders from Ivy School were also present at the time. Furthermore, this Secret Realm has a special restriction. One of the Ivy School elders tried to enter rashly and was instantly incinerated to ashes!"
"What kind of restriction is so formidable! Doesn’t that make this Secret Realm useless then?" Zi Hongyuan exclaimed, his face showing his shock. An elder from Ivy School, whose Cultivation would be at least at the Eight-fold Hell Realm, was instantly burned to death!
"That’s not entirely true. After Cang Nanyue investigated, she learned the nature of the restriction. Only those under the age of eighteen are qualified to enter. Therefore, we decided to let outstanding students go in."
"This sounds like a matter between your Changxin Academy and Ivy School. It doesn’t seem to have anything to do with our four academies from the Flowing Cloud Region," Zhou Zhiyun mused for a moment before speaking slowly.
Feng Linshan’s gaze suddenly landed on Luo Feng.
"Is this related to me?" Luo Feng asked, frowning.
Feng Linshan nodded. "Cang Nanyue insisted that you must be allowed to enter as well."
Upon hearing that, everyone in the room displayed looks of surprise.
So, that’s the reason... Luo Feng mused inwardly. He finally understood why Feng Linshan had been so considerate towards him. It seemed everything was because of Cang Nanyue. I haven’t even had the chance to thank her for the matter of the Yuan Qi Seed, and now I owe her another favor, Luo Feng thought with a wry smile.
Zi Hongyuan recovered from his shock and frowned. "Would Zhu Huo agree to this?" Zhu Huo, the Dean of Ivy School, has always looked down on the four academies of the Flowing Cloud Region. How could he willingly allow our academies to have a share of this precious Secret Realm?
Feng Linshan nodded. "Zhu Huo was indeed vehemently opposed, but Cang Nanyue was also very insistent this time. In the end, both sides made a concession and reached an agreement: if the Four New Talents do not possess strength comparable to the Four Major Princes, they cannot enter the Secret Realm. However, if among the Four New Talents there is someone who can rival one of the Four Major Princes, then they will be qualified to enter the Secret Realm."
"Hmph! That old fox Zhu Huo is truly cunning! This is a feigned retreat to advance!" Zi Hongyuan’s face darkened, clearly furious. The weakest of the Four Major Princes has a Cultivation at least at the Mid-stage of the Eight-fold Hell Realm, more than a notch above Luo Feng and the others. For Luo Feng’s group of four to defeat the Four Major Princes is simply impossible!
Luo Feng wasn’t listening to their conversation; his thoughts were entirely focused on the treasures within the Secret Realm. From the conversation between Feng Linshan and the others, the treasures that might exist in the Secret Realm are clearly extraordinary! If I can obtain these treasures, my strength will definitely increase dramatically. At that time, I might even be able to contend with experts like Duanmu Xiong! I must obtain the treasures in the Secret Realm! Luo Feng resolved inwardly.