107: Liu Ruyan

"Is this Fellow Daoist also interested in this Butterfly Orchid?" Her voice was soft and pleasant. "This flower has a unique fragrance and is often used as a mood-enhancer... However, compared to what can truly make one feel as if they are ascending to heaven, it's still a bit lacking."

Lin Feng's heart stirred, but he remained calm on the surface. He turned and cupped his hands. "It is indeed strange. I am quite interested in such spirit plants. I wonder if the Fairy knows more?"

The female Cultivator covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes wandering over him. "You certainly know quite a bit, Fellow Daoist. What's even rarer is... your solid Foundation and abundant Primal Yang."

She leaned in closer, her fingertips lightly brushing the petals of a nearby Butterfly Orchid as she exhaled a fragrance like orchids. "To be honest, I am Smoke of Willow, a disciple of the Hehuan Sect. I see that you have an extraordinary temperament, Fellow Daoist, as if you are not a commoner."

"If you are willing to... have a brief tryst with me and explore the wonders of Yin and Yang harmony together... then, let alone a mere spirit plant, even more precious resources can be discussed..."

Lin Feng took a slight step back and cupped his hands. "Fairy Liu overpraises me. I am just a Loose Cultivator traveling the world in search of a bit of Opportunity. If you know where heart-bewitching grass can be found, I hope you won't hesitate to guide me. I am willing to pay handsomely."

A hint of surprise flashed in Smoke of Willow's eyes, which then turned into even deeper interest. Lightly weighing the Spirit Stones Lin Feng offered with her fingertips, she suddenly smiled sweetly, her eyes brimming with charm.

"You are a straightforward person, Fellow Daoist, not beating around the bush. As for heart-bewitching grass... such a rare item that touches the Divine Soul is indeed in stock within my Hehuan Sect."

"However, this item is precious and has never been easily given to outsiders. If you truly want it, Fellow Daoist, these Spirit Stones alone... might not be enough." Her gaze swept over Lin Feng's body.

"You need to show some... true sincerity. For example, if you are willing to form a good connection with my sect and study the profound arts together, why worry about a mere Spiritual Plant?"

Lin Feng's heart tightened, but he forced himself to remain calm on the surface, cupping his hands again. "The Fairy must be joking."

Seeing his clear attitude and refusal to be swayed, a hint of imperceptible coldness flickered in the depths of Smoke of Willow's eyes, yet her smile remained charming. "Since your mind is made up, Fellow Daoist, I won't force you."

She put away the Spirit Stones and said seemingly casually, "For the sake of our acquaintance, I'll tell you some news. Three days later at midnight, a new batch of spirit plants will be delivered to the 'Condensing Fragrance Cave' in the West Mountain. However,"

She shifted her tone, a bit more depth in her smile. "The paths in the cave are intricate, and the floral scent is bewitching, making it easy to enter but hard to leave. If you insist on going, Fellow Daoist, you must... be very careful not to get lost in it."

After saying that, she spoke no more. With a twist of her slender waist, she gracefully departed like a gust of fragrant wind.

Lin Feng stood there, his palms slightly sweaty from being clenched. Smoke of Willow's words were hard to distinguish as true or false, but he seemed to have no choice.

Following the vague information given by Smoke of Willow, Lin Feng quietly arrived deep in the West Mountain at midnight three days later.

He didn't fully trust Smoke of Willow. As he approached the "Condensing Fragrance Cave" area, his Divine Sense carefully swept the surroundings, but he didn't detect anything unusual.

Thus, he lay in wait at a hidden spot with high terrain, a clear view, and his back against a rock, staring at the path below.

At midnight, a group of Cultivators indeed appeared.

However, just as Lin Feng was focusing on his observation, the sensation under his feet became soft, the surrounding scenery distorted like ripples in water, and bursts of floral fragrance began to erode his Divine Sense.

"Not good." Lin Feng's heart jolted, instantly realizing the sinister nature of this Formation. He forced his Cultivation Technique to resist, but his vision had already turned into an endless colorful mist, with decadent sounds booming in his ears.

"Giggle..." Smoke of Willow's charming laughter rang out from the depths of the mist, and her figure slowly materialized. She had changed into an even more transparent gauze dress.

"Little Fellow Daoist, how does my 'Seven Emotions Bewitching Immortal Formation' taste? Did you think you were safe watching from afar? Little did you know, from the moment you began spying on this place, you were already within the Formation."

Lin Feng's expression was grave as he said deeply, "What is the meaning of this, Fairy Liu? I only came for the herb and mean no harm."

"Seeking the herb?" Smoke of Willow chuckled, her eyes sharpening. "heart-bewitching grass is required for my sect's secret medicine, but recently, some things that don't know whether to live or die have been secretly investigating its flow... Little Fellow Daoist, your cultivation is not bad, yet you happened to show unusual interest in the heart-bewitching grass back in that Hundred Flowers Valley."

"Tell me, is this a coincidence, or... are you or the person behind you tired of living and want to taste what my Hehuan Sect's 'Ultimate Bliss Inducer' is like?"

As soon as she said this, everything became clear to Lin Feng. The Hehuan Sect was indeed capable; Smoke of Willow had suspected his origin and purpose from the very beginning.

Seeing him silent, Smoke of Willow took light steps, slowly pacing around his figure which was trapped by illusions.

"However... I actually quite like your cold personality and your... pure and profound Primal Yang Foundation. If you were an ordinary spy, your soul would have flown away and spirit scattered by now."

She extended her slender finger and lightly traced Lin Feng's silhouette through the air. "If you are willing to obediently open your Divine Sense and let me plant the 'Love Thread Entwinement' and pledge loyalty to my sect from now on,"

"Not only can you avoid the pain of soul searching, but I can also ensure you enjoy endless romantic bliss and be taught superior Dual Cultivation arts. Isn't this a thousand times better than practicing hard by yourself?"

Lin Feng guarded his mind, an icy blue light flickering in his eyes as he forcibly suppressed the discomfort. "Our paths are different; we cannot plan together."

The smile on Smoke of Willow's face faded slightly, and a hint of impatience flashed in her eyes. "You really are a tough nut to crack."

She stopped and stood directly in front of Lin Feng, a flash of ruthlessness in her gaze. "Since the soft way won't work, don't blame me for using force. I, Smoke of Willow, am taking this body of yours."

Before she finished speaking, her hands formed seals, and a pink light erupted around her.

The Brocade Silk Handkerchief Magic Treasure flew out from her hand, transforming into a pink net. The net's threads glowed brilliantly, with countless ambiguous phantoms floating and twisting within it as it descended toward Lin Feng's head.

At the same time, her vermilion lips parted slightly, and a wisp of pink smoke silently attacked Lin Feng's forehead at an incredible speed.

Lin Feng's pupils constricted, knowing he could no longer hold anything back. Forcibly circulating the Nine Profound Sword Heart Art, a red and green spiritual sword appeared in his right hand. On the blade, emerald green and crimson lights flickered and intertwined violently.

"Eh?" Smoke of Willow let out a sound of surprise.

"Break!" Lin Feng shouted low, swinging a beam of Sword Qi upward to clash with the pink net.

Under the attack of the wood and fire dual-attribute Sword Qi, the phantoms on the net wailed and dissipated, and the net gradually shattered.

Seeing that the wisp of pink smoke had already approached his forehead, Lin Feng diverted his attention to circulate the Ice Soul Divine Light. His left index finger shot out an icy blue beam of light, intercepting the pink smoke.

Crack! The smoke was frozen and shattered by the extreme cold power.

"Pfft!" Lin Feng felt as if he had been struck heavily, spitting out a mouthful of blood and staggering back. Forcibly using his Cultivation Techniques had caused him significant internal injuries.

Although Smoke of Willow's blood and Qi were also churning, seeing this, her killing intent rose even further.

This boy broke her Magic Treasure with one strike and her attack with another; his potential was too terrifying. He absolutely could not be allowed to live.