Seeing Lin Feng’s boldness, Han Man grinned and said, “Good brother, however, if this person is to be killed, then we will bear the consequences together. Am I, Han Man, a coward?”

He understood Lin Feng’s deeper motive for killing Jing Feng—this was to separate them and keep them out of harm’s way. At this moment, Han Man truly admired Lin Feng. A hot-blooded man should shoulder the responsibility and stand tall.

“Right, we’ll bear the consequences together. Moreover, as long as we stay within Yunhai Sect, disciples are prohibited from killing each other. Even if Jing Hao finds out we killed Jing Feng, as long as we stay within the sect, he can’t do anything to us.” Qing Yi said resolutely.

“Count me in,” Jing Yun smiled beautifully.

“Good.” Lin Feng was happy to have such friends, and Qing Yi was right. Though Yunhai Sect didn't restrict disciples' actions outside the sect, there were rules within. If it weren't for these rules, the sect would be in chaos.

Squatting down, Lin Feng searched through Jing Feng’s body and pulled out a book—a martial skill.

Thunderbolt Sword Technique

He muttered softly and opened the book. The Thunderbolt Sword Technique was a high-level Yellow Rank martial skill. When practiced to its limit, the sword would crackle like thunder, with each strike sounding like an explosive thunderclap. The technique focused on explosive power.

“The Thunderbolt Sword Technique comes from the Starry Pavilion. Both Jing Feng brothers practiced it. Its power is immense, but it’s hard to cultivate, especially to reach the stage where the sword is like thunder,” Qing Yi said. As a swordsman, he was very familiar with sword techniques and continued, “I’ve also practiced it, but I haven’t grasped the essence, so the power I use is limited.”

Lin Feng nodded slightly. Now, he had mastered three martial skills: the Ninefold Waves, a versatile skill for both offense and defense; the Floating Shadow Steps, essential for movement; and the Sword Drawing Technique for a deadly strike. If he were to learn the Thunderbolt Sword Technique and combine it with Ninefold Waves, it might be a great choice for an attack, while hiding his Sword Drawing Technique.

“Shall we head back now?” Jing Yun asked as she approached Lin Feng. By now, the group subtly regarded Lin Feng as their backbone.

“We’re in no rush. We should hunt more beasts and gather some beast cores,” Lin Feng replied. He didn’t want to return to the sect so soon. The Blackwind Ridge was an excellent place to hone his skills and practice the Thunderbolt Sword Technique.

The other three exchanged glances and smiled. With Lin Feng around, they felt safe as long as they didn’t encounter beasts that were too strong. There was no need to rush back.

“If we could exchange some Guiyuan Pills, that would be great,” Jing Yun said expectantly. Guiyuan Pills were a type of pill that could help cultivate martial arts practitioners by improving their Qi Martial Realm cultivation. They were particularly effective for those in the Qi Martial Realm, but it took many beast cores to exchange for one, and they needed high-level beast cores.

Lin Feng’s eyes gleamed as he recalled the Guiyuan Pills from his previous life. While he could easily defeat martial artists at the eighth level of the Qi Martial Realm, his current cultivation at the seventh level was still a bit low. If he could improve his cultivation, perhaps he wouldn’t need to rely on the Sword Drawing Technique to fight someone at the ninth level of the Qi Martial Realm.

Five days later, in the dense forest

Sword Qi whistled through the air, and faint thunderclaps echoed from the sword’s strike, stunning everyone around.

“Boom, boom…” Trees exploded in the direction of the sword, as a handsome young man wielded his sword, each strike as powerful as a thunderous explosion.

“To reach this level of the Thunderbolt Sword Technique in just five days… this guy is truly a monster,” Qing Yi, who had been watching from the side, couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. As a swordsman who also practiced the Thunderbolt Sword Technique, he knew the difficulty of mastering it. But in just five days, every strike from Lin Feng caused thunder to erupt, which was a sign of mastery. Qing Yi felt deeply affected by this.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“You can’t compare yourself to Lin Feng. He’s using this level-eight beast, the Flowing Cloud Leopard, to practice his swordsmanship,” Han Man said, folding his arms and watching Lin Feng’s battle. The fight was one-sided. What was worse, Lin Feng could easily kill the Flowing Cloud Leopard but deliberately chose not to, using sword techniques that were so precise that even the speed-oriented Flowing Cloud Leopard couldn’t escape.

With a soft “whoosh,” Lin Feng pierced the Flowing Cloud Leopard’s skull, instantly killing it.

After sheathing his sword, Lin Feng was very satisfied with the Thunderbolt Sword Technique. At its peak, the explosive power of the sword was far stronger than Ninefold Waves. A sword, after all, was renowned for its overwhelming attack power.

At this moment, Lin Feng stood still, his handsome face now more defined, showing more resolve and ease than when he first arrived in this world. He seemed much more mature.

Han Man stepped forward and began collecting the beast cores, murmuring to himself. Though he had initially come for training and to hunt beasts, he was now solely responsible for collecting the cores. However, he wasn’t dissatisfied. Lin Feng had been hunting level-seven and level-eight beasts, and watching Lin Feng’s combat with the beasts had also helped him immensely.

“Han Man, how many Guiyuan Pills can we exchange for our beast cores?” Lin Feng asked as he pulled Han Man to his feet.

“At least twelve,” Han Man said, excitement in his eyes. They hadn’t expected such a big haul, but thanks to Lin Feng, they had even been able to kill level-seven beasts.

“Perfect. That means each of us can get three. We can exchange the remaining cores for weapons or money. If any of you are lacking something, we can exchange it now. Let’s head back to the sect.”

Guiyuan Pills were especially effective for those in the first three uses. The first dose had the greatest effect and the highest chance of breaking through a realm. The second and third doses were less effective.

“Three Guiyuan Pills.” Han Man and the others were overjoyed. With these, they would have a chance to break through to the eighth level of the Qi Martial Realm. The fifth level of Qi Martial Realm was considered weak in the sect, and the seventh level was only average among outer disciples. But reaching the eighth level would allow them to be recognized.

They didn’t hesitate to thank Lin Feng. After spending several days together, they had come to understand him better—bold, unrestrained, and with a steadfast will in martial arts.

“Let’s go back,” Lin Feng said, leading the group as they made their way out of Blackwind Ridge.

Upon returning to Yunhai Sect, the four of them went to exchange the beast cores. Each person received three Guiyuan Pills, along with a long sword for Lin Feng, a battle axe for Han Man, two Peiyuan Pills for Qing Yi, and a Youthful Rejuvenation Pill for Jing Yun. The Peiyuan Pills could help strengthen one’s foundation, and Qing Yi clearly realized his talent was lacking and needed to improve his martial foundation.

Lin Feng was surprised when Jing Yun chose the Youthful Rejuvenation Pill. This pill enhanced beauty and charm. It was normal for women practicing seductive martial arts to use it, but Jing Yun was far from that type. She was innocent, and Lin Feng couldn’t understand why she would choose such a pill.

“What are you looking at?” Jing Yun blushed as she noticed Lin Feng staring at her, lowering her head.

“Nothing, I’m just surprised. You’re already very beautiful,” Lin Feng said awkwardly, giving a nervous laugh. Since she had chosen it, he wouldn’t interfere.

“Lin Feng, what’s your plan now?” Han Man asked. If given the chance, he would love to go back to Blackwind Ridge with Lin Feng.

“I’ll focus on improving my cultivation first. Being at the seventh level of Qi Martial Realm feels a bit too low,” Lin Feng replied.

“Indeed, we all need to improve. With your current strength, you could go and train yourself there,” Han Man nodded, pointing towards the distance. There was a massive gorge, the most famous place in Yunhai Sect—Wind and Cloud Gorge.

The eight towering peaks surrounded the central area of Yunhai Sect, and Wind and Cloud Gorge, situated in the middle of the sect, was a massive pit that sank deep underground. It was vast and divided into many areas, resembling an underground city. From above, one could see many scenes within, but once inside the gorge, the environment changed drastically. One might find themselves in a forest or on a mountain.

Yunhai Sect encouraged disciples to train through combat. In addition to the dangerous Blackwind Ridge, the sect also opened Wind and Cloud Gorge, where anyone could fight anyone. It was a stage for the strong, and weaklings who entered would only be beaten.

As a result, disciples below the eighth level of Qi Martial Realm rarely dared to enter the gorge.

Another part of the gorge was called the Life-and-Death Platform. Anyone who stepped onto it could fight to the death, and the sect would not intervene. If there was a deep grudge, one could settle it on the Life-and-Death Platform.

“That place, I will go,” Lin Feng said, his gaze shifting to the crowds surrounding Wind and Cloud Gorge. His eyes glimmered with a different