39: return

The Moon Shuttle, like a silver stream of light, quietly pierced through the thin mist shrouding Black Reef Island and landed on the familiar rocky shore. Lin Feng stepped onto the slippery rocks, feeling the familiar sensation beneath his feet, yet his heart held a trace of apprehension, like a long-awaited reunion. Though he had only been gone for two months, it felt as if a long period of time had passed.

He did not immediately return to the stone house. Instead, he concealed his aura and, like a phantom, quickly surveyed the island's core area.

His Spiritual Sense, like invisible tentacles, carefully probed the operational traces of the Water Mist Maze Formation and the Dust Repelling Array, as well as the soil and air around the Spiritual Field.

“That’s good…” Lin Feng’s taut nerves finally relaxed. The Formations were operating normally, with no signs of powerful destruction.

Although the rich vitality and unique aura of Spiritual Plants remaining in the Spiritual Field area were obvious, there were no traces of external Cultivators having investigated or lingered. It seemed that for these two months, this barren land had indeed been forgotten in a corner, left undisturbed.

Standing on the edge of the Spiritual Field, gazing at the “blessed land” half-obscured by mist, Lin Feng was filled with emotion. The fire pattern peppers were still vibrant red, the jade marrow mushrooms were as warm and lustrous as jade, and the frigid mist grass shimmered with icy patterns. Most striking were the ten crimson flame jujube pear trees, with their lush branches and leaves, sporadically dotted with crimson flowers, emitting a unique fiery-wood fragrance.

And in the corner, the two azure thunder bamboos, nearly two zhang tall with green electrical arcs leaping along their stalks, exuded a terrifyingly potent Wood-Thunder Qi.

“What a pity for this Spiritual Vein…” Lin Feng could clearly sense that the already weak Low Grade Spiritual Vein beneath his feet was struggling to sustain itself under the continuous extraction by the azure thunder bamboos and numerous Spiritual Plants. If this continued, it might harm its Foundation.

The Spiritual Qi within the Spiritual Field was pitifully thin, sustained only by the forced continuation of the Rain Prayer Divine Ability. If not for this, he might have been able to stay longer.

“It’s time to leave.” Lin Feng’s eyes were firm. The Spiritual Spring Eye and the Formation Madman Hermit Legacy in the Eastern Sea Region were his true Foundation for the future.

The secret of Black Reef Island must be completely taken away.

He took a deep breath and took out dozens of jade boxes of various sizes from his Storage Pouch, all engraved with complex Restriction runes—these were the “Spirit Sealing Restriction” he learned from “Detailed Explanation of Elementary Advanced Formations,” a Restriction technique specifically used for transplanting Advanced Spiritual Plants, capable of maintaining their vitality and halting their growth for a relatively long period.

Lin Feng formed hand seals, Spiritual Qi flowed, and a soft green light glowed at his fingertips. His movements were swift and precise, like the most skilled gardener.

He pointed his fingers like a blade, drawing out streaks of spiritual light containing the Profound Truth of the “Spirit Sealing Restriction,” enveloping the root systems of the Spiritual Plants.

“Rise!”

As he let out a low cry, fire pattern peppers, jade marrow mushrooms, and frigid mist grass were pulled up by their roots, their root systems covered in a thick layer of spiritual soil solidified by the Restriction, and then steadily placed into their corresponding jade boxes.

As the jade boxes were covered, runes flowed, instantly isolating the inside from the outside, firmly locking in the vitality and Spiritual Qi of the Spiritual Plants.

When it came to the ten crimson flame jujube pear trees and the two azure thunder bamboos, Lin Feng was even more careful. The jujube pear trees were fine, their root systems relatively concentrated. The azure thunder bamboos, however, had well-developed root systems that delved deep into the Spiritual Vein and contained violent thunder power.

He expended more Spiritual Qi and mental effort, carefully peeling away the soil around the roots, guiding the power of the Spirit Sealing Restriction with his powerful Spiritual Sense to envelop every single root tendril, especially the thunder-infused root nodules of the azure thunder bamboos.

Finally, the ten jujube pear trees and two azure thunder bamboos were also successfully sealed into specially made, more densely runic large jade boxes.

Looking at the small mountain of jade boxes piled before him, their spiritual light contained, Lin Feng breathed a sigh of relief. The most difficult part was done. As for the Jade Emperor Bees… he looked towards the large, faintly chilling beehive nestled in the jujube pear tree branches.

Living creatures could not be preserved long-term with the Spirit Sealing Restriction; they could only be temporarily left here and then taken away in a beast pouch when he departed.

Finally, Lin Feng’s gaze swept over the now empty Spiritual Field. He quickly took out the ordinary blood-stopping grass and Qi Gathering grass seeds he had prepared earlier and scattered them casually in the furrows.

He then performed several small-scale “Spiritual Rain Arts,” allowing the seeds to be nourished and sprout, presenting a scene of natural growth, but far less lush than before.

After completing all of this, Lin Feng nodded with satisfaction.

From the surface, this Spiritual Field appeared to be merely managed by a somewhat diligent stationed Disciple, growing the most basic Spiritual Plants, not much different from when he first arrived two years ago.

Even if the Family sent someone to inspect, they would only think he had limited ability and failed to fully utilize this barren land.

He summoned the Mortal Elder responsible for miscellaneous tasks on the island, giving a few simple instructions, roughly stating that there might be changes in the Family and he needed to return to the island to report, asking them to take good care of the newly planted Spiritual Plants and not let them go to waste.

Under the awestruck gaze of the Mortals, Lin Feng conjured the Moon Shuttle, transforming into a silver streak of light, and sped towards Azure Wave Island.

The familiar silhouette of Azure Wave Island appeared on the horizon. Lin Feng reduced the Moon Shuttle’s speed, reined in his aura, and suppressed his cultivation to the Peak of Qi Refining Sixth Layer before slowly landing at the dock.

The Moon Shuttle cut through the calm waters surrounding Azure Wave Island, and the familiar outline of the Clan territory gradually became clear in his vision. Lin Feng suppressed his aura, steadily keeping his cultivation at Qi Refining Sixth Layer, and deliberately wore a look of travel-worn fatigue and post-calamity relief on his face.

His mind raced, the prepared explanation replayed repeatedly in his mind, striving for flawlessness.

As soon as he stepped onto the Azure Wave Island dock, he attracted the attention of the Clan members on duty.

When they clearly saw that it was Lin Feng, who had been missing for two months, the Clan member was first startled, then showed an expression of disbelief, followed by wild joy, shouting loudly: “It’s Lin Feng! Eleventh Brother is back! Lin Feng is back!”

This shout was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, quickly rippling through the Clan territory.

The news spread rapidly. As Lin Feng reached the stone steps leading to the Clan Affairs Hall, a familiar figure, accompanied by several people, hurried to meet him—it was Clan Chief Lin ZhengNan!

Lin ZhengNan’s eyes at this moment showed clear anxiety, concern, and a hint of relief. He quickly stepped forward, carefully scrutinizing Lin Feng from head to toe. Seeing that although his clothes were slightly old and his aura somewhat unstable, his spirit was still good and he had no serious injuries, he finally let out a long sigh of relief.

He grabbed Lin Feng’s arm, his voice filled with excitement and lingering fear: “Lin Feng! It’s really you! For these two months, where… where did you go?! The Clan sent out several groups of people to search, almost turning over the nearby sea, but there was no news! We all thought… we thought you had met with misfortune!”

Several Elders behind him, including Lin Feng’s Second Uncle, Lin Qingyuan, also gathered around, their faces filled with concern and questions.

Lin Feng appropriately lowered his head, a perfectly timed expression of shame, sorrow, and a hint of lingering fear on his face, his voice low and hoarse: “Clan Chief Grandpa, Second Uncle, all Elders… Lin Feng is unfilial, I have made all the Elders worry!”

…