Lin Xian'er and Qin Wanwan both turned to Wang Yishan with eager eyes.
Wang Yishan took several deep breaths, his eyes misting up as he stood up slowly. His back was turned to the others, radiating a sense of solitude and sadness. "To think... such a flavor exists in this world. I... I need to find a place to cry for a bit!"
"Hey! You haven't told us whose cooking was better!" Qin Wanwan clenched her small fists, stamping her feet in frustration.
"How infuriating!" Lin Xian'er pouted, her eyes drifting toward Feng Mo. "You, come here and taste it!"
"No, no, I'm... I'm full!" Feng Mo waved his hands vigorously and ran off in a flash.
You gotta be kidding me! Just how bad was the food for a guy like Wang Yishan who eats anything to leave in tears?
Anyone who eats it must be a fool!
"Oh! I just remembered, I have something to do!"
In a short period of time, everyone in the courtyard had vanished, leaving only Lin Xian'er and Qin Wanwan left alone to eye each other with an unexpected hint of mutual sympathy.
"Seems like you're decent at cooking!" Qin Wanwan wrinkled her nose, letting out a huff. "You're almost on par with me!"
Lin Xian'er smirked. "Hmph, let's settle it next time!"
The two agreed to a rematch sometime in the future, and then picked up their food boxes and went their separate ways.
Meanwhile, Ling Feng was blissfully unaware that he had narrowly escaped yet another disaster!
Led by Wen Tingguang, Ling Feng and his group arrived at the base of a seemingly ordinary mountain within the vast range of the Cangqiong Mountains. Here lay the entrance to the secret realm leading to the Battlefield of the Gods and Demons.
Every fifty years, the gate to this secret realm reappeared here. Each time it did, the Cangqiong Sect opened it, allowing young geniuses from across the world of sects to enter and seek their opportunities.
The mountain was lush and covered in dense layers of mist. Even for someone like Ling Feng, with his sharp eyes, the visibility was limited to less than 300 meters. A strange barrier around the mountain prevented anyone from using spiritual consciousness to explore it.
By this time, a number of young genius martial artists had already gathered at the base of the mountain, awaiting the opening of the realm gate.
Among them, Ling Feng spotted Yan Jinghong's figure.
Despite being only fifteen, which was even younger than Ling Feng, Yan Jinghong naturally qualified to enter the Battlefield of the Gods and Demons. Given his reputation as the "Empire’s Legend," he wouldn't have had to exert much effort to secure a place in the battlefield. Many were likely willing to offer their slots to him in exchange for favors.
Yan Jinghong stood coldly under a large tree, with several lackeys by his side fawning over him, eager to please.
From start to finish, Yan Jinghong didn't spare Ling Feng a glance, though his gaze briefly turned icy upon noticing Yue Yunlan standing beside Ling Feng.
Feeling this cold intent, Ling Feng activated his Mystical Yellow True Fire to resist the sensation. This Mystical Yellow True Fire was the fusion of Earth Vein's True Fire and Mystical Yellow Flame, achieved through Ling Feng's utilization of the Art of Devouring Flame.
Ling Feng could sense Yan Jinghong's killing intent, though he wasn't worried that Yan would act now. Yan Jinghong was proud; since he had promised to defeat Ling Feng in the final Royal Sword Team challenge, he wouldn't make a move before then.
Ling Feng was no more than an insignificant ant to Yan Jinghong.
Seeing Wen Tingguang arriving with Ling Feng, Yue Yunlan and the others, Yue Zhonglian nodded slightly and instructed a Cangqiong Sect elder to distribute something resembling a token.
"Please keep these Gods and Demons tokens carefully. They are your only way in and out of the Battlefield of the Gods and Demons. After ten days, the realm will close, and the tokens will transport you back. However, if you lose your token, you may be trapped inside until the gate reopens in fifty years.
"But let me warn you," the elder continued gravely. "No one can survive in the Battlefield of the Gods and Demons for fifty years. When the realm drifts back into the void, its demonic qi fully erupts, and even a human emperor would perish."
With the elder's warning, the young geniuses quickly tucked away their tokens. This was, after all, a matter of life and death.
The tokens for Ling Feng and his group were personally delivered by Yue Tengfeng. He patted Ling Feng on the shoulder, laughing. "Brother Ling, by the time we meet again, I'll already be back with the Northwestern Army. If you ever journey to the northwest for training, come find me in Wuta City."
"I'll remember that," Ling Feng replied with a nod. Working together with Yue Tengfeng to handle the Tianyang Empire envoy delegation had built a bond between them, strengthened further by Yue Yunlan's presence.
Due to his connection with Yue Yunlan, Yue Tengfeng had treated Ling Feng quite well.
"Second Brother, are you leaving again?" Yue Yunlan looked deeply at Yue Tengfeng, her eyes full of reluctance.
"Yes, I'm on duty. I've stayed too long already," he replied, gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind Yue Yunlan's ear. "Lan'er, remember to take care of Father for me."
"Mhm," Yue Yunlan nodded and gritted her teeth. "I will, Second Brother."
"I know you will." Yue Tengfeng laughed and gave Ling Feng's chest a light punch. "Brother Ling, take care of Lan'er for me. At least, make sure you don't fall short compared to her own brother."
Ling Feng blinked, slightly surprised, but quickly nodded. "Mm-hmm!"
"Good, I can be at ease." Yue Tengfeng gave Ling Feng's shoulder a reassuring pat, and then glanced at Yue Yunlan, thinking: Lan'er, this is as far as your Second Brother can help you!
"Everyone, we're about to open the realm gate. Please prepare yourselves."
At noon, the Cangqiong Sect elders exchanged glances with each other, each of whom took a secret key out from their robes. They then approached a sword-shaped stone monument standing as tall as a person.
The sword monument had a round indentation on its hilt. The elders inserted their keys simultaneously, and suddenly, a beam of golden light shot into the sky. A primordial aura spread out, filling the air with an ancient, powerful force.
The monument began to spin rapidly, stirring the mist around the mountains into a massive vortex. At its center, a hazy gateway to the secret realm appeared.
Having entered such realms before, Ling Feng was familiar with the aura of void energy surrounding realm gates. However, the gate seems unstable, likely the reason why it could only accommodate ninety people.
"Quick, enter!" The elder shouted. "The Battlefield of the Gods and Demons is open for ten days only. We'll be here waiting for your return."
As he spoke, the young geniuses could no longer contain their excitement. They rushed into the gateway, eager to seize the treasures inside before others could get to them.
Ling Feng smiled at Yue Yunlan, and together, they stepped boldly into the Battlefield of the Gods and Demons.