35: Chapter 35: Instantly Killing Blood Wolf in Public! C-Rank Badge Obtained!
Blood Wolf, supported by Skinny Monkey and the Healer, limped down the mountain.
His head was lowered, but his eyes flickered with a venomous light.
He would remember today's grudge.
Once his injuries healed and he contacted the Zhou Family, he would make that kid named Lin Feng wish he were dead!
He was already devising a hundred ways to torture him in his mind.
But just then—
"Wait."
Lin Feng's voice came from behind.
Calm, yet carrying an unquestionable tone.
Blood Wolf's body stiffened as he slowly turned around.
Zhao Tianhai also frowned and looked at Lin Feng: "Lin Feng, is there something else? The Association has already made its decision..."
"That was the Association's decision," Lin Feng interrupted him. "Not mine."
Under the moonlight, the youth stood amidst the corpses, his white cloak swaying gently in the night wind.
His gaze was cold, as cold as winter ice.
"Supervisor Zhao, thank you for your kindness," Lin Feng said slowly. "But this man, I must kill him today."
Zhao Tianhai's expression changed: "Lin Feng, don't be impulsive! The Zhou Family is not someone you can afford to offend!"
Blood Wolf also said harshly: "Kid, if you dare touch me, the Zhou Family will make you..."
Before he could finish.
Lin Feng moved.
He didn't even use a skill.
He simply raised his right hand, his fingers curling into a loose grip.
In his palm, golden and red light began to intertwine and undergo Fusion.
This time, he directly used 300 points!
Using that much against a heavily injured Blood Wolf seemed extravagant, but he wanted a guaranteed kill in one strike.
The energy of "Light Bullet Technique" and "Light Flame Slash" collided frantically in his palm.
The speed was faster than any previous attempt!
Because Lin Feng now had a backup of one hundred thousand mana and was supported by 475 spirit attribute points.
The Fusion process only took one second.
"You—" Blood Wolf's pupils contracted. He wanted to dodge, but his severely injured body refused to obey.
Skinny Monkey and the Healer were so scared they let go and scrambled to the side.
Zhao Tianhai tried to stop him, but it was too late.
"In your next life, remember not to be so arrogant."
Lin Feng's voice was soft, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.
Then, he thrust out the orb of light in his hand.
There was no earth-shaking explosion, no blinding light.
Only a thumb-thick gold-red beam of light shot from Lin Feng's palm.
The beam was as thin as a needle.
But its speed was like lightning.
Pfft.
The beam pierced through Blood Wolf's forehead.
It exited through the back of his head and shot into the ground behind him, leaving a small, bottomless hole.
Blood Wolf's expression froze.
His mouth was open as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, nothing came out.
In his eyes remained disbelief, anger, resentment... and deep fear.
Then, his body split down the middle.
It wasn't chopped in half; rather... it was torn apart from the inside by some terrifying energy.
Thud.
The two halves of the body fell to the ground, blood staining the earth red.
The scene was deathly silent.
Skinny Monkey and the Healer sat paralyzed on the ground, their crotches soaked, their whole bodies shaking like sieves.
Zhao Tianhai's face was ashen.
Behind him, Zhou Meng and the guards were also dumbfounded.
They hadn't expected Lin Feng to actually do it.
Especially after the Association had made a decision and after being clearly informed of the Zhou Family's background.
"You..." Zhao Tianhai's voice was dry. "Do you know what you've done?"
Lin Feng withdrew his hand, the golden light dissipating.
"I killed someone who wanted to kill me," he said calmly. "Is there a problem?"
"It's a huge problem!" Zhao Tianhai's voice rose. "The Zhou Family will settle this debt with the Association! They will think we condoned your killing!"
"Then let them come to me," Lin Feng looked at Zhao Tianhai. "I killed the man; it has nothing to do with the Association."
Zhao Tianhai stared at him for a long time.
Finally, he sighed.
"Forget it... if he's dead, he's dead."
He waved his hand and said to Zhou Meng, "Dispose of these two... these two halves of the body. Also, those two survivors—send them out of the city and never let them return."
Zhou Meng nodded and led his men forward.
Skinny Monkey and the Healer, as if catching a lifeline, kowtowed desperately: "Thank you, Zhao Tianhai! Thank you, Zhao Tianhai!"
They didn't even dare to look at Lin Feng.
After clearing the scene, Zhao Tianhai said to Lin Feng, "Follow me back to the Association to collect your rewards."
Pausing, he added, "After you get your rewards, leave Donghai City as soon as possible. Although the Zhou Family is powerful, their reach doesn't extend to other cities."
Lin Feng shook his head: "I'm not leaving."
"Not leaving?" Zhao Tianhai frowned. "Then you..."
"I want to open a shop, Cultivate, and get stronger." Lin Feng smiled. "Donghai City is my home. Why should I leave?"
"But the Zhou Family..."
"Let them come." A cold light flashed in Lin Feng's eyes. "If one comes, I'll kill one. If two come, I'll kill a pair."
Zhao Tianhai was shaken by the Killing Intent in those words.
He gave Lin Feng a deep look and finally stopped trying to persuade him.
"Let's go. Collect your rewards first."
...
Half an hour later, at the Explorer Association Donghai City branch.
In Zhao Tianhai's office.
Lin Feng sat on the sofa, a metal box placed in front of him.
Zhao Tianhai opened the box, revealing several items.
The first item was a silver badge with the letter "C" engraved in the center.
[c-rank explorer badge]
[Effect: Federation-certified C-Rank Explorer status, enjoying the following privileges]
[1. Receive a monthly allowance of 5,000 points from the Association]
[2. Enjoy a 20% discount on Association products]
[3. Can accept all missions of B-Rank and below]
[4. Protected by law within Federation-governed areas]
[Description: Awarded only to those who have made significant contributions to the Federation]
Lin Feng picked up the badge and pinned it to his chest.
Unlike the previous bronze badge, this silver one was heavy and felt high-quality.
"Congratulations," Zhao Tianhai said. "You are now the youngest C-Rank Explorer in Donghai City."
Lin Feng nodded: "Thank you."
The second item was a black card.
[Human Credit Card: Balance 5,000,000]
[Bound Identity: Lin Feng (C-Rank Explorer)]
Five million points!
Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat.
This was the largest sum of money he had ever seen!
"The basic reward for an S-Rank Mission," Zhao Tianhai explained. "Plus, since you broke the record of the Ancient Trial Tower, the Association gave an extra bonus."
"Thank you," Lin Feng thanked him again.
The third item was a choice.
"There are three special rewards, but you can only choose one." Zhao Tianhai pointed to three light orbs in the box.
Inside the first light orb was a purple longsword.
[Purple Lightning Sword (Purple)]
[attack power: 10-130]
[Effect: Attacks carry lightning damage, with a chance to paralyze enemies]
Inside the second light orb was a skill book.
[Skill Book: Thunderous Wrath (Blue)]
[Effect: Summons a thundercloud, dealing continuous lightning damage to enemies within range]
Inside the third light orb was a transparent crystal bottle.
Inside the bottle was a dark red liquid, with what looked like stars flowing within it.
[B-Rank Void Beast Essence Blood]
[Quality: Blue (Essence blood quality depends on the Rank of the Void Beast)]
[Uses: Physique tempering, potion brewing, special rituals]
[Description: Essence blood taken from the heart of a Rank 15 Void Beast 'Shadow Leopard', containing the power of the Void Realm]
Lin Feng's eyes lit up.
This was it!
He remembered the White-haired Old Man's words—"Collect more light-attribute essence blood to continuously temper your body."
Although this wasn't light-attribute essence blood, it was still essence blood!
And since it came from a Void Beast, the effect might be even better.
"I choose this one." Lin Feng pointed at the crystal bottle without hesitation.
Zhao Tianhai was a bit surprised: "You're not choosing the equipment or the skill? Although Void Beast essence blood is rare, its uses are limited. It's mainly for people with specific classes or Physiques."
"I want this one," Lin Feng insisted.
Zhao Tianhai said no more, took out the crystal bottle, and handed it to Lin Feng.
Lin Feng took it carefully and put it into his Storage Pouch.
"Alright, all the rewards have been given to you." Zhao Tianhai sat back in his office chair. "What are your plans next?"
Lin Feng thought for a moment: "Rest for a few days, then... reopen my shop."
"Open a shop?" Supervisor Zhao raised an eyebrow. "Do you still remember what happened to the Blood Wolf Group? In Donghai City, you can't do business without a backer."
"Then I'll rely on myself." Lin Feng stood up. "Zhao Tianhai, thank you for today. I'll be going now."
Zhao Tianhai nodded: "Be careful on the way. As for the Zhou Family, I'll try my best to mediate for you, but I can't guarantee how long I can stall them."
"That's enough."
Lin Feng turned and left the office.
When he walked out of the Association building, the sky outside was already beginning to brighten.
There weren't many people on the streets yet, but quite a few early-rising Explorers were already active.
Seeing the c-rank explorer badge on Lin Feng's chest, they all cast surprised glances.
Such a young C-Rank Explorer?
Lin Feng ignored their gazes and walked quickly toward his apartment.
Along the way, he was constantly calculating in his mind.
First, he had to research how to undergo Fusion with those seventeen Prodigy Marks.
With a minimum cost of five thousand mana, he now had one hundred thousand mana, which was more than enough.
But the risk warning mentioned potential Physique conflicts, so he had to be cautious.
Second, the shop had to reopen.
Pan Jingjing and the others should still be waiting for news; he had to notify them as soon as possible.
Then, there was the Golden Sand River Secret Realm.
The White-haired Old Man had said that if he could enter the Rank 1 Secret Realm Dungeon [Desert Golden Sea] and return alive, he would take him as a disciple.
Now that he was Rank 1, he was qualified to try.
There was also the growth of the golden tower soul.
It needed to devour gold-quality or higher Materials to evolve.
Gold-quality Materials... how rare would those be?
Probably very few could be found in the entire Donghai City.
"One step at a time."
Lin Feng took a deep breath of the morning air, feeling invigorated.
He had capital now.
C-Rank Explorer status, five million points, seventeen Prodigy Marks, two S-Rank Materials, eight pieces of purple equipment...
And most importantly—the hundred thousand health and hundred thousand mana brought by the golden tower soul.
"The Zhou Family? The Blood Wolf Group's backer?"
A cold smile curled on Lin Feng's lips.
"If they don't provoke me, fine."
"But if they dare to come..."
"I'll let them know the meaning of regret."
The youth walked briskly across the street, the rising sun behind him casting his shadow long.
A new chapter was about to begin.