37: Chapter 37 The old man was shocked! Zhou Jia and Wang Hao are both after me?

West District of Donghai City, Zhou Family Manor.

In a luxurious study, a young man wearing silk pajamas was smashing things.

Porcelain, glass cups, ornaments... everything that could be smashed was smashed.

The floor was covered in shards.

"Useless! A bunch of useless trash!"

The young man's eyes were red, and his chest heaved violently.

His name was Zhou Kai, the third young master of the Zhou Family and the actual controller of the Blood Wolf Group.

Nineteen years old, Rank 39, B-Rank Talent [Flame Control], he had already awakened two Talent skills. Among the younger generation of the Zhou Family, he was considered somewhat talented.

But compared to those true prodigies, he was still far off.

So he had cultivated the Blood Wolf Group, specializing in profiting from low-level Dungeon areas and recruiting potential newcomers along the way.

But yesterday, he received news—the Blood Wolf Group was gone.

Over thirty people were wiped out by a kid named Lin Feng.

Even Blood Wolf himself was split in half.

"Lin Feng... Lin Feng..." Zhou Kai gritted his teeth as he muttered the name.

The study door was gently pushed open, and a middle-aged man who looked like a butler walked in.

He glanced at the mess on the floor, his expression unchanged.

"Third Young Master, the investigation is complete."

"Speak!" Zhou Kai sat back in his chair, his face gloomy.

The butler opened the tablet in his hand and began to report.

"Lin Feng, sixteen years old, a student at Donghai City No. 3 High School. His parents went missing in a Dungeon six years ago, and he was raised on federal subsidies."

"He awakened over ten days ago. His Physique is Prodigy-Rank: Radiant Corona, but his Talent is only F-Rank [Fusion]."

"He was rejected by Donghai Academy on the day of his Awakening and later registered as an Explorer."

"Three days ago, he opened an equipment shop called 'Fusion Workshop' in the market, but it was shut down by urban management the same day."

"Afterward, he entered the Gloomy Forest Dungeon, suspected of triggering a mutation. Upon exiting, he was ambushed by the Blood Wolf Group and killed four of them in retaliation."

"Yesterday, he took on the S-Rank Mission 'Ancient Trial Tower' and successfully cleared it early this morning, becoming the first person to do so."

"Mission rewards: a c-rank explorer badge, five million points, and a special reward."

"This morning, he clashed with the Blood Wolf Group outside the Dungeon, killing over thirty people by himself, including Blood Wolf."

The butler put down the tablet and summarized, "This boy's combat power is abnormal, suggesting a special encounter. However, his background is simple, with no backers."

Zhou Kai sneered after hearing this.

"Prodigy Physique, F-Rank Talent? What a waste."

"Clearing the Ancient Trial Tower was likely just dumb luck or the use of some special means."

"As for wiping out the group alone..." A cold light flashed in his eyes. "He must have used a treasure obtained from the Dungeon."

The butler nodded. "News came from the Association that Zhao Tianhai personally stepped in to protect him and even gave him the c-rank explorer badge."

"Zhao Tianhai?" Zhou Kai said dismissively. "A branch supervisor dares to oppose my Zhou Family?"

He stood up and walked to the window.

"However, since the Association has intervened, we can't touch him openly."

"But in the shadows..." Zhou Kai turned around, a cruel look in his eyes. "I will make his life a living hell."

"What is your plan, Young Master?" the butler asked.

"First, send people to watch him and figure out his routine," Zhou Kai sneered. "Doesn't he have a shop? Find someone to cause trouble there so his business can't continue."

"Isn't he a c-Rank Explorer? Find someone to 'accidentally' screw him over during a mission, making him fail and ruining his reputation."

"Doesn't he have a little girlfriend at an academy? At Capital Academy? Contact the people over there and have them 'take care' of her."

Zhou Kai grew more excited as he spoke. "I want to toy with him until he dies, bit by bit. I'll let him know—in Donghai City, what happens when you offend my Zhou Family!"

The butler nodded respectfully. "Yes, I will arrange it immediately."

"Wait," Zhou Kai stopped him. "Check if he has any grievances with other organizations."

"There is one named Wang Hao. He and Lin Feng are classmates, and there is conflict between them."

"Contact him." Zhou Kai smiled. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Tell him that as long as he causes trouble for Lin Feng, the Zhou Family will provide him with resources."

"Understood."

The butler left the study.

Zhou Kai walked to the wine cabinet, poured a glass of red wine, and swirled it gently.

"Lin Feng..."

"You will regret coming into this world."

...

At the same time, the Donghai Academy training grounds.

Wang Hao, shirtless, was frantically striking an alloy dummy.

Sweat trickled down his muscle lines, and every punch carried a water-blue glow.

His Rank had already reached Level 9, just one step away from Level 10.

He had developed multiple uses for his B-Rank Talent [Water Manipulation]—water blades, water shields, water prisons, and even brief control over the moisture in the air.

"Hah!"

Wang Hao slammed a punch into the dummy's chest. A water-blue shockwave exploded, and the dummy's chest caved in.

[Damage Dealt: 365]

"Still not enough..." Wang Hao panted.

He wanted to become stronger, even stronger.

Strong enough to crush Lin Feng, strong enough to make everyone look at him with new eyes.

"Wang Hao!"

A classmate ran over, excitement written on his face.

"What is it?" Wang Hao frowned.

"Have you heard? That Lin Feng from your No. 3 High School cleared the Ancient Trial Tower!"

Snap!

The water ball in Wang Hao's hand burst, splashing water everywhere.

"W-what did you say?" His voice trembled.

"It's true! The news spread this morning!" the classmate said excitedly. "The Ancient Trial Tower! It's a Dungeon that's been around for three years and no one has cleared it! Not only did Lin Feng clear it, but he also got a c-rank explorer badge!"

Wang Hao's face instantly turned ashen.

The Ancient Trial Tower... the c-rank explorer badge...

These two terms were like two knives, stabbing deeply into his heart.

Why?

How could a piece of trash with an F-Rank Talent like Lin Feng achieve such a thing?

While he, Wang Hao, with a B-Rank Talent and entry into Donghai Academy, was still worrying about breaking through to Level 10?

"W-what Rank is he now?" Wang Hao asked through gritted teeth.

"They say he's Level 10 now, but he's stuck on his class Awakening," the classmate said. "But his combat power is terrifying. This morning, he wiped out over thirty people from the Blood Wolf Group by himself, and even Blood Wolf was killed by him."

Wang Hao's body shook.

The Blood Wolf Group... he had also heard of that rogue group that acted tyrannically in the low-level areas.

The leader, Blood Wolf, was a Level 25 B-Rank Talent user with over thirty subordinates.

Lin Feng wiped them all out alone?

"Impossible... absolutely impossible..." Wang Hao muttered to himself.

"It's true!" the classmate swore. "My cousin works at the Explorer Association and saw it with his own eyes. He said Lin Feng is ridiculously strong now, so much so that he just stood there and let the Blood Wolf Group attack him without his defense even breaking."

Wang Hao fell silent.

He clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his flesh.

Envy, anger, resentment... all sorts of emotions churned in his chest.

"Wang Hao, what's wrong?" The classmate noticed his expression was off.

"...It's nothing." Wang Hao took a deep breath. "I'm going to train."

He turned and walked toward the depths of the training grounds, his back looking a bit unsteady.

Reaching a deserted corner, Wang Hao slammed a punch into the wall.

Bang!

A fist print caved into the wall.

"Lin Feng... Lin Feng..." A trace of venom flashed in his eyes.

"Don't get cocky... once I comprehend the exclusive Talent skill for Levels 11-20..."

"I'll let you know what a real Genius looks like!"

...

10:00 AM, at the end of the market street.

Lin Feng found the familiar stall.

The White-haired Old Man was still sitting in his wheelchair, dozing with his eyes closed.

There was a new batch of items on the stall, but the style was the same—bizarre and outrageously priced.

Lin Feng stepped forward, but before he could speak—

The old man suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing through his cloudy gaze.

He sized Lin Feng up, his expression becoming solemn.

"Kid, you..." The old man's voice was a bit surprised. "It's only been a few days, how have you changed so much?"

Lin Feng smiled. "Senior has a good eye."

"A good eye?" The old man snorted. "I felt it—the aura on you is as steady as a mountain, yet it contains power like a volcano."

He stared at the back of Lin Feng's hand. "And this mark... All-Element Affinity? How did you do it?"

Lin Feng was startled.

This old man is definitely not simple!

"A small encounter," Lin Feng said vaguely.

The old man didn't press further, merely shaking his head. "Forget it, everyone has their own secrets."

"Master, I..."

"Don't call me Master," the old man interrupted. "You haven't passed my test yet, so you can't call me Master."

Lin Feng was helpless. "Then... Old Sir?"

"As you wish." The old man closed his eyes again. "What do you want with me?"

"I want to ask, how do I enter the [Desert Golden Sea] Secret Realm?" Lin Feng asked directly.

The old man opened his eyes, a hint of surprise flashing through them.

"You're Level 10?"

"Yeah."

"Quite fast," the old man nodded. "It seems you've gained a lot lately."

Lin Feng didn't deny it.

"The Desert Golden Sea is a low-level Secret Realm controlled by the Explorer Association, accessible to Levels 1-15," the old man said slowly. "There's a creature inside called a 'Sand Scorpion.' After killing it, you can collect its essence blood."

"The essence blood can be refined through a special method and used to temper your Physique."

"I tried it when I was young; the results were quite good."

Lin Feng's eyes lit up. "Then how do I get in?"

"Go to the Explorer Association," the old man said. "The entrance to the Secret Realm is controlled by the Association. To enter, you need to apply and pay a hefty fee."

"As for the specific process..." The old man spread his hands. "It's been too long, I've forgotten. You'll have to go ask the Association yourself."

Lin Feng was a bit disappointed, but it was expected.

"Thank you, Old Sir."

"Don't be so quick to thank me." The old man looked at him. "Kid, let me remind you—although the Desert Golden Sea is a low-level Secret Realm, the danger is not low."

"Besides Sand Scorpions, there are natural hazards like quicksand, sandstorms, and high temperatures."

"Most importantly, the risks in a Secret Realm can be several or even dozens of times greater than in a regular Dungeon."

Lin Feng understood.

"I understand, thank you for the warning."

He took out a credit card from his Storage Pouch.

"Old Sir, I'll take everything on your stall."

The old man raised an eyebrow. "Everything? Kid, do you know how much these things cost?"

"No matter how much it is, I want them," Lin Feng said seriously. "Consider it... tuition."

The old man stared at him for a few seconds and suddenly laughed.

"Fine, you're rich, you can afford to be headstrong."

He pointed to the stall. "A total of twenty-three items. The total price... forget it, I'll give you a discount. One million points."

Lin Feng didn't even blink as he scanned the code to pay.

[Human points -100,000]

[Current Balance: 400,000]

The old man looked at the payment notification and clicked his tongue in wonder. "Kid, it's only been a few days, and you've already made this much money?"

"Just good luck," Lin Feng said while packing up the items.

He put all twenty-three bizarre items into the storage space of his wanxiang ring.

The 100-cubic-meter space was more than enough for these things.

"Alright, I should be going," Lin Feng said to the old man after finishing.

The old man nodded. "Go on. Remember to be fully prepared before entering the Secret Realm."

He turned to leave, but after a few steps, he looked back.

"Old Sir, when I come back from the Desert Golden Sea, will you really take me as your disciple?"

The old man was silent for a few seconds.

"Come back alive first, then we'll talk."

Lin Feng nodded heavily.

He didn't linger any longer and walked quickly toward the exit of the market.

Goal—the Explorer Association.

He needed to find out exactly how to enter the Desert Golden Sea Secret Realm.

As well as... the specific method for essence blood tempering.

The young man's steps were firm, his eyes shining with anticipation.

The path to becoming stronger was right ahead.

But what he didn't notice was—

After he left, the White-haired Old Man stood up from his wheelchair.

Yes, he stood up.

His legs weren't crippled at all.

The old man watched Lin Feng's departing figure and muttered to himself.

"The All-Element Affinity mark... and that faint aura of immortality..."

"What exactly has this kid obtained recently?"

He shook his head and sat back down in the wheelchair.

"Forget it, I won't think about it."

"In any case... I'll find out soon enough."

The old man closed his eyes and continued to doze.

It was as if everything that just happened had never occurred.