117: Han Guang Jue

The spiritual power condensed into several crystal-clear, ink-colored ice spikes, tracing eerie arcs in the air to block the escapee's path.

The escaping Green-robed Cultivator's Escaping Light was faltering, yet he still shouted back harshly, "Dream on! This item is fated to be mine, how can I let you have it?"

Without looking back, he pulled an ancient bronze mirror from his sleeve. The mirror's surface was cloudy but reflected thousands of distorted shadows. When the black ice spikes entered the mirror's light, they seemed to fall into a swamp, their speed dropping sharply and fine cracks appearing on their surfaces.

But with every strike blocked, the ancient mirror dimmed a bit more, and the Green-robed Cultivator's face grew paler.

Lin Feng watched coldly from the sidelines; these were two Cultivators fighting over an Opportunity. Their Cultivation Technique paths were strange, but they were not Disciples of the Blood Fiend Sect or Ghost Spirit Sect.

The Tall, Thin Cultivator snorted coldly and held his hands as if embracing something empty. All the ink-colored ice spikes trembled in unison, transforming into a rotating Black Ice Vortex. At the center of the vortex, a point of extremely dark light began to condense.

The Green-robed Cultivator's expression changed drastically. He bit the tip of his tongue and sprayed essence blood onto the ancient mirror. Blood-red ripples appeared on the mirror's surface, and a distorted Void Realm crack emerged in front of him.

However, this time, the moment the dark light collided with the crack, the ancient mirror shattered with a "crack."

Seizing this gap, the Tall, Thin Cultivator advanced like a ghost and struck the Green-robed Cultivator's back with his palm. Spiritual power surged through him; the Green-robed Cultivator stiffened, the light in his eyes quickly faded, and he collapsed, breathless.

The Tall, Thin Cultivator finally breathed a sigh of relief and reached out to take the Storage Pouch from the other's waist. Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the hem of a robe fluttering behind a giant rock. The aftershocks of the fierce battle had actually cracked the boulder where Lin Feng was hiding.

"Another rat?" Killing intent flared in the Tall, Thin Cultivator's eyes. Without a second thought, an ink-colored ice spike shot through the air. "Since you've seen what you shouldn't have, I cannot let you live."

Lin Feng had intended to leave quietly, but now he was forced to reveal himself. Facing the incoming ice spike, he took a step forward.

As he took that step, his aura suddenly shifted. The ink-colored ice spike melted silently like spring snow meeting the sun, without even a hint of cold air escaping.

The Tall, Thin Cultivator's pupils shrank as he cried out, "A Righteous Path orthodox technique?" Not daring to be careless, his hands rapidly formed seals. Spiritual power surged from his body, condensing into seven crystal-clear Black Ice Shields with flowing runes, stacked layer upon layer in front of him.

Lin Feng remained silent. He clenched his right hand, and green, red, and blue spiritual lights burst forth, transforming into a three-foot-long illusory light sword.

With one sword strike, the first Black Ice Shield shattered into pieces upon contact. The second shield held out a bit longer but turned into scattered ice crystals under the alternating impact of the three-colored spiritual light.

Within a few breaths, all seven ice shields were destroyed. The sword's momentum didn't slow as it pierced straight toward the opponent's heart.

The Tall, Thin Cultivator was terrified. He desperately channeled his spiritual power, but just as an umbrella-like Magic Treasure opened, the sword rainbow pierced right through it.

"Pfft!"

He stumbled back several steps, looking down at the bowl-sized hole in his chest. His eyes were filled with unbelievable terror as his body slowly slumped over.

He walked over to the two corpses and silently took their Storage Pouches.

Lin Feng poured out the contents of the two Storage Pouches. A small pile of Spirit Stones immediately piled up on the ground, mostly Low-Grade Spirit Stones mixed with a few Mid-Grade Spirit Stones. Besides those were common basic Materials like refined iron and beast bones, of mediocre quality.

His gaze swept over these ordinary items and finally landed on an old-looking Jade Slip. It was inconspicuous among the clutter, but its surface held a faint, warm glow, and holding it gave him a sense of mental tranquility.

Lin Feng recalled the words spoken by the two men as they fought to the death and understood immediately. This was what they had been fighting over.

He sank his Divine Sense into the Jade Slip, and the three words "Hanguang Art" flowed into his heart like a clear spring. With a slight perception, he knew this was an incredibly profound soul-nurturing technique, emphasizing internal focus and accumulating strength over time.

He collected all the useful items, glanced at the corpses on the ground, and cleaned them up with two casual fireballs.

Sacrificing his wine immortal gourd, Lin Feng returned to his Baoyue Peak Immortal Cave, the stone door slowly closing behind him.

For the next three months, the Immortal Cave remained silent.

Lin Feng immersed himself wholeheartedly in the Cultivation of the Hanguang Art.

As the Cultivation Technique operated, his Divine Sense was meticulously refined, becoming increasingly condensed and transparent.

His Divine Sense, which was already superior to those of the same stage due to his Cultivation of the Nine Profound Sword Heart Art, now grew naturally, reaching a new level of range and precision.

With a slight thought, the trajectories of floating dust in the corner of the cultivation room and the faint fluctuations of the Spiritual Vein deep within the stone walls were all clearly reflected in the lake of his mind.

Occasionally, in the gaps between Cultivation, Mu Yurou's figure would appear in his mind. He watched her figure emerge and then slowly dissipate with his breath, continuing to focus his mind on the operation of the technique.

When he reached Perfection in the first level of the Hanguang Art, he naturally perceived the Puppet Masters True Understanding attached deep within the Jade Slip. The methods within for Materials processing, spiritual power circuit engraving, and Divided Soul control were rigorous in system and ingenious in thought.

He remembered the Detailed Explanation of Medicine Boy Puppet Refinement given by Daoist Master Mysterious Mechanism at the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion. By comparison, that explanation seemed shallow and rigid. This Puppet Masters True Understanding was undoubtedly many times more advanced.

A thought rose in his heart: if he had the chance in the future, he would definitely find Daoist Master Mysterious Mechanism again to discuss it and see if there were more profound Legacies hidden within the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion.

After leaving seclusion, Lin Feng followed the basic chapter of the Puppet Masters True Understanding and purchased ironwood, refined copper, and low-grade Yao Beast inner cores from the Sect market.

In the following days, rhythmic carving sounds and the faint hum of spiritual power infusion echoed within the Immortal Cave.

He successfully refined two Stone Puppets that were slightly stiff in movement but sufficient for cleaning and organizing, as well as a wooden dog that could patrol along a fixed route.

Watching these silent Puppets busily working in their clumsy way, the Immortal Cave gradually became orderly, and Lin Feng felt a sense of relief.

Lin Feng left the Immortal Cave, took a long breath, and headed straight to the Cloud Vast Pavilion to seek an audience with his Revered Master, Lu Yuchan.

It was early summer, and a warm breeze blew through the spiritual bamboo outside the Cloud Vast Pavilion, bringing the fragrance of plants. Inside the pavilion, however, there was a natural sense of coolness.

Lu Yuchan was still dressed in a plain white robe, sitting quietly on the jade platform. Seeing Lin Feng enter, she slowly opened her eyes, her gaze lingering on him for a moment.

"Disciple pays respects to Revered Master."

"Rise," Lu Yuchan raised her hand. "Your cultivation has improved quite a bit. Your spiritual power is solid, and your aura is calm. It seems you've gained much recently."

Lin Feng bowed his head slightly. "Revered Master is wise; I have indeed made a Breakthrough."

Lu Yuchan nodded slightly, but her tone shifted:

"The cultivation world has been quite unsettled lately. The Hehuan Sect has been active in the southeast, Ghost Spirit Sect and Xuan Yin Valley are in close contact, and the Blood Fiend Sect is particularly restless."

"The Seven Demonic Sects seem to be forming an alliance; I'm afraid a storm is inevitable."

Lin Feng's heart stirred, but his expression remained unchanged. He was all too familiar with these Sect names.

"The Sect Master has already consulted with the Qingyun Sect, Lingxiao Sword Sect, and other Righteous Path Sects, intending to form an alliance to resist the Demonic Path together," Lu Yuchan continued.

"Although our Tianxuan Sect is tucked away in a corner, it's hard to stay uninvolved. Your generation of Disciples will likely have to take on responsibility ahead of time."

Her gaze fell back on Lin Feng. "Since you are already at the Foundation Establishment Mid-stage and your cultivation is stable, it's time to teach you a life-saving technique."