19: spy

After gaining Keen Observation, Lin Feng suddenly had a bold idea: to guard the core of the Formation. This location was crucial for Demonic Cultivators' future attacks on the market. With Keen Observation, Lin Feng's presence there would raise the security of the place by another level. As long as this spot remained safe, Lin Feng could Cultivate in peace.

After his Breakthrough, Lin Feng immediately found Ye Qingfeng and proactively applied for the defense mission at the Formation's core. Ye Qingfeng was somewhat surprised by Lin Feng's request but still agreed. It was a time of need for manpower, and Lin Feng was trustworthy. He quickly greeted the managers of the other Four Great Sects and finalized the matter.

Lin Feng was led to a secluded and vital area within the deep courtyards of Liuyun Pavilion. All the Cultivators here were exclusively Disciples of the Four Great Sects, with the lowest cultivation at Middle Stage Qi Refining. However, because Lin Feng concealed his cultivation, he appeared to be only at Qi Refining Stage 3, which seemed somewhat out of place compared to the other Cultivators.

These people were also surprised by a Cultivator at Early Stage Qi Refining like Lin Feng coming to guard this place, and more often than not, they showed disdain. After all, a young man who looked barely a teenager, with a cultivation of only Early Stage Qi Refining, naturally didn't earn their respect.

But Lin Feng didn't care about any of this. He knew deeply that in the face of absolute strength, the outward appearance of cultivation was but fleeting clouds. He carefully observed his surroundings, using his Keen Observation ability to quickly grasp the terrain and the layout of the Formation.

Lin Feng began to set up, usually making himself a small transparent figure, secretly observing the movements of other Cultivators to ensure no suspicious individuals infiltrated their ranks.

Lin Feng had only been here for about ten days. He rarely spoke with the Cultivators here, simply Cultivating diligently in silence. Even fellow Disciples from Cloud-Soaring Pavilion were helpless regarding Lin Feng's dedicated Cultivation. Since he was always Cultivating, others had no way to converse with him, so everyone silently distanced themselves from Lin Feng.

Just as Lin Feng was Cultivating in a relatively secluded spot, his Keen Observation suddenly detected fluctuations in the surrounding Spiritual Qi. An Outer Sect Disciple from Yu Ling Sect, who had been on duty with Lin Feng, suddenly attacked him.

Sensing the danger, Lin Feng quickly affixed several Golden Light Talismans to himself. Just as he finished, several golden light shields formed around him. A small, emerald-green snake shot towards Lin Feng and was blocked by the golden light.

The emerald-green snake was instantly repelled by the golden light, emitting "hissing" sounds, appearing extremely furious.

Lin Feng was startled. This emerald-green snake was clearly a Spirit Beast of a Yu Ling Sect Cultivator, and its venom was extremely potent. If bitten, the consequences would be unimaginable, because the venom the snake sprayed as it lunged at Lin Feng was actually consuming the Spiritual Qi of the golden light shield.

He quickly steadied his mind, his gaze sharp, staring intently at the Yu Ling Sect Outer Sect Disciple who had ambushed him. The man's face was ferocious, and he held a black long whip that faintly pulsed with lightning power, clearly a powerful Magical Artifact.

"Hmph, how dare you ambush me? You're courting death!" Lin Feng snorted coldly, his figure bursting forth instantly like a ghost. With Light Body Technique and Swift Steps Technique applied, he lunged at the Yu Ling Sect Disciple. He quickly formed hand seals, muttering incantations, and a Fireball Talisman instantly appeared in his palm, which he hurled at the Disciple.

The Disciple clearly hadn't expected Lin Feng's reaction to be so swift. Seeing the Fireball Talisman approaching, he frantically swung his long whip, trying to block it. However, the Fireball Talisman was actually just a Fireball Technique as a primer. As Lin Feng released the Fireball Technique, he simultaneously threw out several Fireball Talismans behind it.

The fireball struck the long whip and exploded, and at the same time, the Fireball Talismans behind it also took effect. Following the fireball was a fire snake formed by fireballs. This fire snake, created by Lin Feng's activated Fireball Talismans, instantly devoured the lightning power on the long whip and continued to fly towards the Disciple.

"Ah!" The Disciple screamed and quickly retreated. The sounds of their fight quickly attracted the attention of others. At this time, the emerald-green snake was still trying to attack Lin Feng, but it failed to break through Lin Feng's golden light shield several times in a row.

The other eight Cultivators responsible for guarding this place were momentarily stunned by this scene, unsure of what had happened. At this moment, Lin Feng quickly reminded them:

"Senior Brothers, this person is a Demonic Path spy, be careful!"

After Lin Feng's reminder, the other Cultivators all glared at the Yu Ling Sect Cultivator with unfriendly expressions, adopting cautious defensive stances. Among them, a young female Cultivator, also from the Yu Ling Sect, walked to the front of the eight Cultivators and loudly questioned the Yu Ling Sect Disciple who attacked Lin Feng:

"Senior Brother Yang Yi, why did you betray our Sect?"

At this moment, the Yu Ling Sect Cultivator named Yang Yi, seeing his plot exposed, tried to flee, completely ignoring the Yu Ling Sect female Cultivator's questioning.

Lin Feng quickly reminded everyone: "Senior Brothers, he's trying to escape, stop him!"

The Senior Brothers reacted at this moment and all moved to block Yang Yi. This Yu Ling Sect Cultivator, Yang Yi, only had a cultivation of Late-Stage Qi Refining, level seven. His current trump card, the Azure Scale Snake, was entangled by Lin Feng. He then took out his Spirit Beast Pouch and released a First-Rank Yao Beast, a Clear Wind Wolf, attempting to buy himself time.

With eight Cultivators blocking him, Lin Feng wasn't worried that the Cultivator named Yang Yi would escape. Lin Feng focused on dealing with the emerald-green snake. Without Yang Yi nearby, this snake was much easier for Lin Feng to handle; its venom could not break through Lin Feng's defenses at all.

Lin Feng's Fireball Technique combined with Fireball Talismans, and after just a few rounds, the emerald-green snake was extinguished by Lin Feng's Fireball Technique. It tried to escape at the very end, but Lin Feng secretly used the Three Yangs Carrying Yin Needles to pierce its vital point, causing it to roll on the ground in pain. Still trying to escape, it was hit by two more Fireball Techniques from Lin Feng and instantly turned to ashes.

Lin Feng controlled the Three Yangs Carrying Yin Needles to return to his hand, only then turning his attention to the scene of Yang Yi being captured. Lin Feng had not exposed his cultivation throughout, only using Talismans and Fireball Technique in his actions.

The captured Yang Yi tried to bite his tongue to commit suicide, but a Senior Brother from North Wind Valley, with quick reflexes, knocked him unconscious. Afterward, several people divided the tasks: Lin Feng and three Senior Brothers continued to guard the Formation's core here, while the others took Yang Yi to the front courtyard to be handled by the Sect managers. Whether he would be handed over to Foundation Establishment Seniors was beyond their control.

After this incident, the Cultivators stationed here looked at Lin Feng, the diligent Cultivator, with new respect. At least they no longer overtly distanced themselves from Lin Feng.

When Yang Yi was captured, besides Lin Feng and the Cultivators guarding this place, only a few managers knew. Lin Feng had always wanted to inquire about the details of the investigation after Yang Yi's capture.

Yang Yi dared to ambush Lin Feng at this time, he must have been colluding with the Blood Demon Sect outside the market. Through Yang Yi, they could investigate how many other spies were around him and purge the traitors from Liuyun Market, which would greatly enhance the stability of Liuyun Market.

Throughout this period, a doubt had lingered in Lin Feng's mind: why had the Four Great Sects not sent reinforcements sooner to the current situation in Liuyun Market, leaving these Cultivators to struggle here?

Lin Feng pondered to himself, perhaps the Four Great Sects had their own considerations, or perhaps there were other, more complex reasons. But no matter what, he had no choice but to hold his ground here and not allow the Demonic Cultivators any opportunity.