"Despicable donkey, you should return to the Five Elements Heavenly Palace for now. I have some matters to handle," Ling Feng said while squinting his eyes.
After all, walking through the city with a black donkey, especially one that walks upright, would be too conspicuous.
The despicable donkey was eager to get back to the Five Elements Heavenly Palace to hunt for treasures, so it readily agreed and was immediately taken in by Ling Feng.
In the next moment, two figures appeared from the Five Elements Heavenly Palace: Lin Xian'er and Ouyang Jing.
Now that they had reached Hanwu County, there was no need to keep them in the palace any longer. Moreover, their time spent cultivating there had been quite beneficial.
"Ling Feng!" the two greeted as they emerged, still adjusting to the sudden change. The spiritual energy within the palace was incredibly dense, so they had each opened one or two meridian gates after just five or six days of cultivation!
"Mm." Ling Feng nodded slightly and said, "We are no longer in the Sea-Blue Abyss. Ahead is Hanwu County. Let's go."
"Already?" Ouyang Jing was confused, feeling it had taken less time than expected.
Ling Feng patted Ouyang Jing's shoulder, smiling faintly. "Look, your hometown is right ahead."
"It really is..." Ouyang Jing muttered, seeing the grand city before them. He couldn't help but marvel, saying, "Big Brother, what exactly is that treasure? It's a cultivation paradise!"
"That treasure is called the Five Elements Heavenly Palace. If there's a chance, you can cultivate there again," Ling Feng said, touching his nose. "But for now, this treasure must remain a secret."
"Understood." Both Ouyang Jing and Lin Xian'er nodded, fully aware of the dangers that came with possessing such a valuable item.
"By the way, Ling Feng, did you manage to get the Nine-Mystical Creation Fruit?" Lin Xian'er asked, her curiosity piqued. "Why does it seem like your cultivation has regressed? That's... That's strange!"
Feigning distress, Ling Feng made up a story, explaining, "I was unlucky. I didn't get the Nine-Mystical Creation Fruit and ended up eating a poisonous fruit instead, causing my cultivation to plummet. It's been a rough time!"
"Really?" Both Ouyang Jing and Lin Xian'er were shocked, especially Lin Xian'er, who immediately showed concern. "Are... are you okay? Did you get poisoned?"
"No worries," Ling Feng laughed, shaking his head. "I'll recover in time."
After some more casual conversation, they finally entered Hanwu County at sunset.
Invited warmly by Ouyang Jing and with nightfall approaching, Ling Feng and Lin Xian'er decided to stay at the Ouyang family residence for the night and planned to return to the Wenxian Sect the next day.
The elders of the Ouyang family were delighted to learn that Ouyang Jing had brought back the Divine Imperial Physician and had become sworn brothers with him as well. They immediately held a grand banquet to welcome the three of them.
The younger members of the Ouyang family were filled with envy at Ouyang Jing's fortune.
In just six months, he had reached the peak of the Pulse Formation Realm and opened fourteen meridian gates. He was now one of the family's pillars of strength, second only to a few elders.
Ouyang Jing's incredible opportunity was all thanks to Ling Feng!
During the banquet, the elders and seniors of the Ouyang family kept toasting Ling Feng. The young women of the family also sent him frequent, admiring glances, hoping to catch his eye. If Ling Feng were to take an interest in one of them, it would be a great blessing for the Ouyang family.
However, upon seeing Lin Xian'er beside Ling Feng, they couldn't help but feel inadequate. Even the most beautiful young women of the Ouyang family paled in comparison to such stunning beauty.
After the banquet, Ling Feng was arranged to rest in the most luxurious eastern wing room of the Ouyang family.
Around midnight, Ling Feng sprang from his bed, quietly changed into a pre-prepared cloak, and with a flash, he slipped out of the Ouyang family's residence like a shadow.
The movement technique he used was none other than the Light-Fleeting Shadow Technique, a special skill of "lThe Shadow!
Previously, at the General's mansion, Ling Feng had seen Ye Xingnan from The Shadow organization use this Light-Fleeting Shadow Technique. The speed of this movement art was very fast but because he had caught a glimpse of it with his Heavenly Dao Eye, he had managed to grasp a superficial understanding of it.
Under the cover of night, Ling Feng moved like a shadow towards the Jia family residence.
A moonless, windy night was perfect for killing!
The Jia family resided in the northern part of Hanwu County. Their mansion was luxurious, making them one of the most prominent families in Hanwu County.
However, due to a shocking incident six months ago, the Jia family had lost several Transformation Realm elders and more than a dozen late Pulse Formation Realm enshrined protectors. Their family's strength had significantly waned. They were being covertly and overtly encroached upon by several other families, yet they dared not speak out.
In this world, strength reigned supreme, and the weak were prey to the strong.
They thought their misfortunes had peaked, but they couldn't have imagined that tonight would be the night of their doom.
A black figure stealthily climbed over the Jia family's outer wall, evaded the patrolling night guards, and effortlessly slipped into the Jia family's treasury.
The figure appeared petite and delicate, and was seemingly a woman.
Indeed, it was a female thief!
"Phew, finally got it." The female thief took out a jade hairpin from her bosom and gently picked at the large lock on the treasury. In a few moments, she had the lock open and tiptoed inside with a triumphant smile.
"Looks like my first mission is about to succeed. Hehe, even without the help of a C-rank member, I can easily complete the task!"
The female thief's eyes roamed the inside of the treasury, seemingly searching for something.
While she was rummaging through boxes looking for her target, she suddenly heard a commotion outside. Startled, her guilty conscience made her jump.
"No... it can't be. Have I been discovered? Impossible. I meticulously planned the timing; no one should have noticed me."
Panicking, the female thief decided to abandon her mission and quickly escape.
However, when she opened the door, she saw a black-cloaked demon-like figure wielding a strange black longsword, reaping lives in the courtyard.
This demon was, of course, Ling Feng.