217: chat

Xing Chen Zi, however, remained unfazed. He put away his purplish-gold gourd, looked at Lin Feng, and said, "Daoist Lin, this Netherworld Beast has been severely wounded. Let's strike while the iron is hot and completely eliminate it."

Lin Feng nodded upon hearing this. He reactivated the Scorching Sun Demon Burning Array, and the scorching flames once again enveloped the Netherworld Beast. The Netherworld Beast struggled painfully in the flames, its vitality nearly depleted.

Lin Feng and Xing Chen Zi, while controlling the Formation, continuously injected Origin Qi into it, making the flames even more powerful. Finally, with a mournful howl, the Netherworld Beast turned to ashes in the flames.

Lin Feng and Xing Chen Zi both breathed a sigh of relief. The Netherworld Beast's strength was indeed formidable; without Xing Chen Zi's purplish-gold gourd, they would have found it truly difficult to eliminate it.

Lin Feng looked at Xing Chen Zi, cupped his hands, and said, "Sect Master Xing Chen, I'm greatly indebted to you for your timely assistance this time; otherwise, I would have been embroiled in a bitter struggle."

Xing Chen Zi, however, waved his hand and said, "Daoist Lin, you're too polite. If it weren't for your presence this time, my Star Sect's foundation, built over thousands of years, would have been destroyed. I should be thanking you."

The two looked at each other and smiled, their friendship deepening through these repeated trials of life and death. Lin Feng mused to himself that his escape from danger this time was largely due to Xing Chen Zi's timely help and the Formation he had set up in advance; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

After the battle, Lin Feng and Xing Chen Zi returned to the Star Sect together. The Cultivators of the Star Sect cheered upon seeing the two return safely. They knew that their ability to defeat the Netherworld Beast this time was due to the valiant efforts of Lin Feng and Xing Chen Zi.

Xing Chen Zi led Lin Feng to the main hall of the Star Sect and personally poured tea for him. Xing Chen Zi was expressing his gratitude.

"Daoist Lin, thanks to your assistance this time, my Star Sect was preserved." Xing Chen Zi looked at Lin Feng, his eyes filled with gratitude.

Lin Feng smiled slightly upon hearing this and said, "Sect Master Xing Chen, you are too kind. We are both of the Human Race and should naturally support each other. Our ability to defeat the Netherworld Beast this time was also thanks to your purplish-gold gourd."

Xing Chen Zi laughed heartily upon hearing this and said, "This purplish-gold gourd is the Star Sect's treasured artifact, and I didn't expect it to come in handy this time."

Lin Feng, filled with curiosity, couldn't help but ask Xing Chen Zi, "Fellow Daoist Xingchen, why did I see Su Qing and Bai Zhan of the Cloud Water Sect attacking your Sect this time?"

Xing Chen Zi's expression grew solemn upon hearing this. He sighed and slowly said, "It's a long story. Actually, the Cloud Water Sect and my Star Sect have always maintained a peaceful coexistence, but in recent years, a Netherworld Beast calamity suddenly erupted in the Star Domain, throwing the entire sea region into chaos. Su Qing, under the guise of uniting against the Netherworld Beasts, brought Bai Zhan to discuss an alliance. Who would have thought! Alas!"

At this point, Xing Chen Zi sighed heavily and continued, "Who would have thought that those two were wolves in sheep's clothing? They suddenly launched an attack during the alliance meeting, ambushing me and the other Elders of the Star Sect. Two Nascent Soul Elders of my Sect died on the spot, causing us heavy losses. If not for the desperate resistance of myself and a few Elders, the Star Sect would have fallen into their hands."

Lin Feng couldn't help but be secretly shocked upon hearing this. He hadn't expected Su Qing and Bai Zhan to be so cunning and vicious, actually using the alliance meeting to ambush the Star Sect.

Xing Chen Zi continued, "Later, although I narrowly escaped with my life, the Star Sect was already severely weakened. Coupled with the Netherworld Beast calamity, these two took advantage of my Star Sect's unpreparedness, bringing a large number of Netherworld Beasts to attack my Star Sect, just as you witnessed upon your arrival, Daoist."

Lin Feng's expression also grew serious upon hearing this. Those two also had a grudge against him, though they didn't know the reason; his Clone had perished because of them. He looked at Xing Chen Zi and said, "Sect Master Xing Chen, Su Qing and Bai Zhan have betrayed the Human Race and sided with the Netherworld. We must quickly inform the Human Race here to prevent other Sects from suffering!"

Xing Chen Zi nodded upon hearing this, his expression solemn, and said, "Daoist Lin is right. We must spread this news as quickly as possible so that other Sects can be prepared."

He pondered for a moment, then continued, "Here's what we'll do, Daoist Lin. You rest here in my Star Sect for a while, and I will arrange for Disciples to spread the news. I also need to strengthen the Star Sect's defenses to prevent Su Qing and Bai Zhan from attacking again."

Lin Feng cupped his hands upon hearing this and said, "Then I shall trouble Sect Master Xing Chen. I will rest here. Is Fellow Daoist Qi Xingchen of your Sect present?"

Xing Chen Zi was also momentarily stunned upon hearing Lin Feng ask about Qi Xingchen. He then replied, "I don't recall any Nascent Soul Cultivator named Qi Xingchen. However, there is a junior Golden Core Disciple named Qi Xingchen, and he is actually one of my juniors! I am quite fond of him. How do you know my junior, Daoist?"

Lin Feng couldn't help but be somewhat surprised upon hearing this. He hadn't expected that a casual question would reveal Xing Chen Zi's junior. He smiled slightly and said, "So that's how it is. When my cultivation had not yet advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, I once sought out Fellow Daoist Qi to inquire about the Star Secret Realm."

Xing Chen Zi nodded upon hearing this and said, "I see. Although Qi Xingchen is still young, his Aptitude is quite good, and his future is boundless. If Daoist Lin is interested, after this matter is resolved, I can arrange for you to meet again, but currently, you cannot see him, Daoist. My junior is not in the Star Sea Region at the moment."

Lin Feng cupped his hands upon hearing this and said, "Then I shall trouble Sect Master Xing Chen. I greatly admire Fellow Daoist Qi, and if given the chance, I would like to exchange more insights with him."

Xing Chen Zi laughed heartily and said, "No problem, once this matter is settled, I will definitely arrange it. Daoist Lin, please rest here first. I will go arrange for Disciples to deliver the message and strengthen our defenses."

Lin Feng nodded and said, "Sect Master Xing Chen, please do as you wish. I will await your good news here."

Xing Chen Zi rose and left. Lin Feng sat in the main hall, closing his eyes to meditate, secretly contemplating his next steps. He wanted to clarify the current situation of the entire sea region. Although the journey had been grim, what he had seen was not the entire Star Sea Region, so he still wanted to ask Xing Chen Zi for the specific situation.

Soon, Xing Chen Zi arranged everything and returned to the main hall. Seeing Lin Feng meditating with his eyes closed, he did not disturb him and sat quietly to wait.

Lin Feng sensed Xing Chen Zi's return, slowly opened his eyes, looked at Xing Chen Zi, and said, "Sect Master Xing Chen, what is the current situation of the Star Sea Region?"

Xing Chen Zi's expression grew heavy upon hearing this. He sighed and said, "The situation in the Star Sea Region is not optimistic. Since the outbreak of the Netherworld Beast calamity, the entire sea region has fallen into chaos. Many Sects have been attacked by Netherworld Beasts and suffered heavy losses. Although my Star Sect narrowly preserved its foundation, it is also severely weakened."

Lin Feng nodded upon hearing this, indicating his understanding. He said, "Sect Master Xing Chen, what are your plans for the unfolding situation?"

Xing Chen Zi pondered for a moment and said, "The only course of action now is to unite with other Sects and collectively resist the Netherworld Beasts. Only through unity can we withstand this disaster."