After several rounds of drinks, everyone was pleasantly tipsy—especially Gu Tengfeng, Gong Cheng, and the other veteran members of the East Court's Sword Team. The excitement and joy they felt were something the newer members like Ling Feng couldn't fully comprehend.
"The biggest credit for our victory over the Central Court Sword Team goes to Ling Feng."
Gu Tengfeng raised his wine bowl and said, "Brother, this one's for you!"
The rest of the team followed suit, raising their bowls in unison. Over the past six months, Ling Feng had provided them with medicinal pills, secret manuals, and even personal guidance in their training. Without his help, their strength wouldn't have advanced so rapidly, let alone allowed them to defeat Tianwei Academy's strongest team.
In their hearts, Ling Feng had become the soul of the team—a role even more pivotal than Gu Tengfeng's as captain.
"We're all comrades. Every one of us contributed!"
Ling Feng smiled warmly, raising his bowl and draining it in one go.
Gu Tengfeng finished his drink first, slamming the bowl upside down on the table. "Though we've beaten the Central Court Sword Team, it's clear that if we face experts like Li Yunting or Mu Liufeng, only Ling Feng can match them alone. Otherwise, we'd have to rely on numbers to hold them off."
"Mhmm." Gong Cheng, ever the team's "adviser," nodded thoughtfully. "Against a team like the Central Court Sword Team, Ling Feng's individual strength gives us a chance. But if we face the Royal Sword Team, it won't be enough. Every one of them is stronger than Mu Liufeng, and they even have monsters like Yan Jinghong. If we want to win alongside Ling Feng, we still have a long way to go."
Before Gong Cheng could finish, Jiang Xiaofan slammed his fist on the table. "No matter what, I'll fight by Big Brother's side!"
Ling Feng patted Jiang Xiaofan's shoulder and glanced at Gu Tengfeng, nodding slightly.
Their thoughts aligned, but since Gu Tengfeng had brought it up, he likely had a plan.
Gu Tengfeng chuckled. "We still have time before the final match against the Royal Sword Team, so we must use it to improve. My suggestion is to take on high-difficulty Elder Missions as a team."
"Elder Missions usually offer generous rewards, and the process often leads to dangerous lands or secret realms. With luck, we might stumble upon another opportunity."
Ling Feng nodded in agreement. Working as a team on missions would help them sharpen their coordination and cohesion—something he had neglected before. After all, when Jiang Xiaofan and the others trained in the Fearsome Forest, he hadn't joined them.
As for Li Bufan and Mu Qianxue, they were even less integrated.
"So, I've decided to visit the Mission Hall tomorrow and see if there are any suitable Elder Missions—"
Before Gu Tengfeng could finish, a mocking laugh echoed from outside their private room.
"Hahaha! You think a bunch of trash like you can dream of defeating the Royal Sword Team?"
Gu Tengfeng's brow furrowed as he thrust his palm forward, sending a surge of force that blasted the door open. Standing outside was a tall man in purple robes, idly flicking open a jade-green folding fan. With a casual wave, a gust of wind sent screens and tables inside the room crashing to the ground.
Wang Yishan and his friends, seated nearby, were thrown to the floor, their weaker cultivation leaving them in disarray.
Ye Nanfeng, the most hot-tempered among them, slammed the table and sprang forward. But before he could act, the purple-robed man caught his wrist in an iron grip, sending a sharp pain through him and making cold sweat break out on his forehead.
"Sir, who are you?" Gu Tengfeng's pupils contracted. Despite his own strength, he couldn't fathom the depths of this man's power. "We have no quarrel with you—why cause trouble?"
"Senior Brother Liu, let him go. No need to bully a mere underling. Hehehe..."
Just as the group was puzzling over the man's identity, a stunning woman in an emerald-green dress descended the stairs behind him.
Her every step was graceful, her smile enchanting—a true peerless beauty.
But Ling Feng's expression darkened.
The Yan family just won't leave me alone!
It was obvious Yan Shuying had come for him. And the purple-robed man? No doubt another pawn she had enlisted to deal with him.
This woman had a way of making powerful experts dance to her tune.
"Haha, since Miss Shuying asks, I, Liu Fanyu, will oblige." The purple-robed man released Ye Nanfeng with a flick, tossing him back toward the East Court's Sword Team.
"Nanfeng, are you alright?"
Gu Tengfeng caught him, only to see Ye Nanfeng's face pale, his forehead drenched in cold sweat. Rage burned in his chest.
His brother wouldn't be bullied !
Ling Feng grabbed Ye Nanfeng's wrist and immediately realized the purple-robed man had shattered the bones. He swiftly sealed the acupoints along Ye Nanfeng's arm and reset the fracture.
Even so, Ye Nanfeng would need at least a month to fully recover.
"Whoever you are, you've crossed the line today. You're not leaving."
Ling Feng's eyes glinted with cold killing intent as he locked onto the purple-robed man.
First eavesdropping, then severely injuring Ye Nanfeng—this man had no respect whatsoever.
The purple-robed man burst into laughter as if he'd heard the funniest joke in the world. "You? Threatening me? Hahaha!"
Yan Shuying's beautiful face also curled into a sneer, as if the outcome was already decided in their favor.
Suddenly, Gu Tengfeng's expression changed. He stared at the purple-robed man in shock. "Liu Fanyu... You're that Liu Fanyu?"
"Captain, who's Liu Fanyu? Some big shot? Never heard of him. How can he compare to Brother Feng?"
Yu Sixian scoffed, but then his eyes widened. "Liu... Liu Fanyu?"
The purple-robed man smirked. "When did Tianwei Academy's students become so disrespectful? Kneel and greet your senior properly!"