138: Return to Xuanlei Island and transplant Luofeng grass

“Thank you, Senior! Thank you, Senior!” Lin Feng’s face showed an expression of “overwhelming gratitude” as he repeatedly thanked him, but in his heart, he was laughing heartily. Trading a High Grade gold essence that he couldn’t use and whose origins might be troublesome for the fourth layer of the Qiankun Spirit Eye Technique was an extremely worthwhile deal! As for the fifth layer and beyond, he would find a way to obtain them when his Cultivation base was higher in the future.

After the transaction was complete, the Gold-robed Elder comforted Lin Feng with a few more words, then turned to handle other matters. The Secret Realm’s collapse meant there were many troublesome issues to deal with afterwards.

Lin Feng, on the other hand, discreetly retreated to the side, no longer drawing attention. He saw from afar that Lu Meng, Hou Ming, and Liu Yan of the Raging Sand Sect had also survived, but they all seemed to be injured and in low spirits, clearly having suffered losses among their fellow disciples. The black-robed guest “Mo Ying” was nowhere to be seen, whether dead or alive. Other Cultivators also experienced a mix of joy and sorrow.

He did not linger. After identifying a direction, he quietly summoned his Azure Edge Sting (which had been re-nourished and repaired), transforming it into an inconspicuous streak of light, and sped towards Tianfeng City. He needed to find a safe place as soon as possible to digest the immense gains from this Secret Realm trip and dispose of the “trophies” he didn’t need.

Several days later, Tianfeng City, West Market.

Lin Feng changed into a common blue Daoist robe, concealed his aura, and like an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator, walked into the city’s largest and most chaotic “Shadow Pavilion.” Here, they didn’t question the origin of goods, only recognized Spirit Stones, making it the best place to deal with things that couldn’t see the light of day.

He didn’t take out too many items, only a selection of relatively common and untraceable Magical Artifacts, Materials, and some unneeded Medicinal Pills he had picked from Nangong Yu, Luo Lao Wu and his subordinates, as well as the Storage Pouches of the three Cultivators who ambushed him, selling them in batches at different counters.

Even these “scraps” earned him nearly ten thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones! Among them, the Wind-Thunder Fan used by Nangong Yu and Luo Lao Wu’s Ghost Head Saber sold for a high price.

This was undoubtedly a huge sum, enough to support his Cultivation needs for a long time.

He was extremely cautious, changing his appearance and aura several times, and only left the Shadow Pavilion satisfied after confirming that no one was following him.

Afterwards, he went to several reputable large merchant shops and used clean Spirit Stones to purchase a large amount of Materials needed to refine “Ironwood Guard” and “Stone Golems,” as well as a batch of auxiliary spiritual Materials required for refining the “Thunderclap” sword embryo. He also gathered all the Body Refining medicinal bath Materials needed for the Foundation Establishment Stage to Golden Core (Early Stage) of the Ming Wang Purgatory Skill.

With everything settled, Lin Feng did not delay further. He left Tianfeng City directly, found a secluded spot, released the Ironwood Flying Ship he had obtained from the Golden Scale Merchant Guild (part of the mission reward was used to offset the cost), set the direction, and infused it with Spiritual Qi.

The flying ship transformed into a streak of light, steadily speeding towards Xuanlei Island.

Standing at the bow, looking at the vast sea rapidly passing below, Lin Feng’s heart finally completely relaxed. This Secret Realm trip was a narrow escape from death, but the gains were far beyond imagination.

The complete Ming Wang Purgatory Skill! The first four layers of the Qiankun Spirit Eye Technique! Golden Phoenix True Spirit Blood Essence! A mysterious token! And a massive amount of Spirit Stones and Materials!

More importantly, the hope of solving his parents' Aptitude problem—the fallen phoenix grass!

Although the process was strange, it was finally in his hands.

He took a deep breath of the sea breeze, his eyes filled with anticipation for the future.

Xuanlei Island was the Foundation he had painstakingly built, and also the best place for him to digest these gains and Cultivate in seclusion to improve.

The flying ship was incredibly fast, passing through clouds and breaking through wind and waves, heading directly towards the island perpetually shrouded in thunderclouds.

The Ironwood Flying Ship slowly penetrated the thick, oppressive layer of thunderclouds surrounding Xuanlei Island, and the familiar smell of ozone and the violent power of lightning rushed towards him.

Lin Feng stood at the bow, looking down. More than two years had passed, and the island seemed to have changed little, with the central lightning field still a chaotic dance of silver lightning and rumbling roars. But as his Divine Sense swept across, he could clearly feel that the vibrant life force across the island was even stronger than when he left.

Before the flying ship even landed, an extreme golden light shot out from the Ironwood forest like lightning, carrying a strong sense of grievance and complaint, accurately striking Lin Feng’s chest.

“Squeak, squeak, squeak! Chirp, chirp, chirp!”

Lin Feng smiled, neither dodging nor avoiding, allowing the golden light to hit his sturdy chest—it was none other than Yin Bao, the Treasure Seeking Rat, who had grown more than a size fatter.

The little fellow stood up on its hind legs at his feet, its small paws on its chubby waist, its black eyes wide and round, filled with accusations like “You heartless man, you finally remember to come back,” “Do you know how I’ve been living all this time?” and “I’m almost tired of eating spiritual fruits,” as it let out a series of urgent, sharp rat squeaks.

Lin Feng squatted down and skillfully pulled out several prepared jade boxes, which contained various novel spiritual fruits and specialty Yao Beast jerky brought from Tianfeng City.

The rich, exotic aroma instantly conquered Yin Bao. Its resentful expression immediately crumbled, its small nose sniffing hard, its eyes fixed on the delicacies, saliva almost dripping. After struggling for less than a breath, the foodie’s instinct completely triumphed over its acting. It let out an excited squeak, hugged a spiritual fruit larger than itself, and began to gnaw on it, instantly spitting out its tongue “hissing and puffing” from the spiciness, yet unwilling to let go.

After appeasing the little fellow, Lin Feng carefully checked the island’s condition.

The protective Formation he had set up before leaving was intact, and the spiritual plants he had planted were growing exceptionally well.

The Ironwood forest was denser and sturdier, and several “lightning-struck wood” saplings had shot up significantly, with tiny electrical arcs dancing on their leaves. What surprised him most was that the Azure Jade Spirit Peach Tree had grown into a lush canopy, with more than twenty verdant, Spirit Qi-filled spiritual peaches hanging from its branches, clearly about to ripen. The crimson flame jujube pear tree next to it was also laden with fruit, emitting an enticing fruity fragrance.

The transplanted “Dao-Infused Ancient Tea” branches were thriving by the Spirit Eye, with tender leaves unfurling at the tips, shimmering with faint Daorhyme. fire pattern pepper, jade marrow mushroom, and other spiritual plants had already formed a considerable scale. Under his management, the entire island’s Spiritual Qi had become increasingly rich, turning it into a true blessed land, with more than enough self-sufficient resources.

The Jade Emperor Bee colony had also expanded considerably, with a larger honeycomb, faintly shimmering with lightning, producing “Thunder Honey” with a unique flavor.

“Not bad, not bad.” Lin Feng nodded with satisfaction. Yin Bao and the bee colony had guarded their home very well these past two years.

He did not rest but immediately began a new round of busy work.

Carefully planting the newly purchased spiritual plant seeds and branches, demarcating new spiritual fields.

Most importantly, this fallen phoenix grass; his Divine Ability was so Heaven-Defying, he believed it could also promote the advancement or further growth of the fallen phoenix grass.

Then, he came to the center of the island and took a deep breath.

“Rain Prayer!”

With a thought, Divine Power -1!

This time, the range of the green cloud Qi gathered above the island was wider, more condensed, and the life force it contained seemed even more immense! The drizzling green spiritual liquid nectar silently fell, precisely nourishing every inch of land and every spiritual plant.

Under the nourishment of the nectar, the newly sown seeds quickly broke through the soil, and all the spiritual plants greedily absorbed the spiritual liquid. Their branches and leaves became visibly greener and more vibrant, filled with Spiritual Qi at a speed visible to the naked eye.

One rainfall saved several years of hard work!

And that fallen phoenix grass actually sprouted new shoots again!