78: Holy Maiden of the Hehuan Sect

Lin Feng scanned a narrow rock crevice ahead, then rushed into it. His figure suddenly paused, turning to face the entrance, the azure flood dragon banner already in hand.

Two Chiyan Sect Disciples pursued him with sneers, certain he had reached a dead end.

"Kid, let's see where you run now."

At this moment, Lin Feng's previously suppressed aura suddenly erupted to the Early Foundation Establishment Stage, and a spectral azure flood dragon charged towards one of them.

"What?"

"He's also Early Foundation Establishment Stage."

The two Chiyan Sect Disciples reacted extremely quickly. One formed hand seals, and the fire spirit energy around him surged, condensing into several blazing Fire Crows shaped like actual crows, which then lunged at Lin Feng.

The other formed hand seals with his backhand, and the ground trembled as several sharp rock spikes erupted from beneath Lin Feng's feet.

'Blazing Crows. Earth Fire Spikes.' Lin Feng's pupils contracted. He recognized this as a rather proficient combined Spell used by Chiyan Sect Foundation Establishment Disciples. He dodged, then summoned the xuanming heavy water bead, firing two drops of heavy water to meet the group of blazing Fire Crows.

"Hiss!"

Water and fire collided violently, erupting in a large amount of scorching steam that instantly filled the entire crevice, blurring visibility.

Lin Feng endured the searing pain from his left shoulder, which had been grazed by a stray Fire Crow. His Divine Sense firmly locked onto his opponents within the steam. The flowing cloud immortal binding silk pierced through the steam, binding the wrists of one Disciple who was forming hand seals, and with a surge of spiritual energy, it interrupted his Spellcasting.

"Ugh!" The Disciple's Spell was forcibly interrupted, and the backlash of spiritual energy caused him to grunt. His body stiffened as he desperately struggled, attempting to break free from the restraints and activate his protective Magical Artifact.

A cold glint flashed in Lin Feng's eyes as he closed in and pierced him with a sword.

The Disciple's body stiffened, the light in his eyes dimmed, and he let out a scream before falling backward, his life force rapidly dissipating.

The other Disciple, seeing his companion instantly killed, was terrified. In that flash of lightning, Lin Feng had already pounced like a shadow.

The azure flood dragon banner swept horizontally, used like a staff, and struck down fiercely.

"Crack!"

The small red shield the Disciple had hastily raised was shattered by the full-force blow. He was struck hard, spitting blood as he flew backward, crashing heavily against the rock wall. The sound of bones shattering was clearly audible as he slumped down, losing all ability to resist.

'Finally... dealt with them...' Lin Feng gasped heavily, his face pale, his left shoulder charred black, and the pain excruciating.

He delivered another blow to the severely injured one, silencing him completely. Then, enduring his weakness and intense pain, he quickly took the Storage Pouches from both bodies. Immediately after, he shot out two Fire Bullet Talismans, incinerating the corpses into ash.

'I must leave immediately.' He forced himself to move despite his injuries and rushed out of the crevice.

'Return to the Sect?' This thought had barely surfaced before he immediately rejected it.

'No. Gray Rock Market is the only way back to the Sect, and it must have been alarmed by now. The Chiyan Sect Cultivators stationed there have probably all been dispatched. I am severely injured, and my escape speed is greatly reduced. Forcing my way through or taking a detour would not be wise.'

He looked up at the gloomy sky. 'Moreover... since they could chase me so quickly, they might have set up interceptions or tracking methods on the path back to the Sect... Being in the air makes me too big a target, too dangerous.'

'The most dangerous place might actually be the safest.' His gaze fell towards the depths of the Chiyan Sect's sphere of influence.

'The Chiyan Sect's attention must currently be focused on the border and the path back to the Tianxuan Sect, so their vigilance in the peripheral areas of their heartland might be lowered.

I am wearing the hidden star pendant, which can disguise my aura. If I can find a secluded place to hide and heal, there might be a glimmer of hope.'

A resolute glint flashed in Lin Feng's eyes. He quickly swallowed a Medicinal Pill to restore spiritual energy and fled towards the outskirts of the Chiyan Sect's territory.

He had to find a hidden place as soon as possible to treat his injuries and restore his spiritual energy. Otherwise, he might not last until the Chiyan Sect's search party arrived.

Lin Feng found a long-abandoned volcanic lava cave. Its entrance was concealed, and the interior was eerily silent. He endured his injuries, set up a simple Restriction at the entrance, then immediately sat down cross-legged, swallowed several healing Medicinal Pills, and fully circulated his Cultivation Technique.

'The Chiyan Sect's combined Spell is indeed vicious...' The excruciating pain from his left shoulder continued, and his heart felt a chill. He focused all his efforts on guiding the medicinal power to repair the damage, each cycle of circulation proving exceptionally difficult.

Several hours later, his injuries had mostly recovered. He took a deep breath, preparing to get up and remove the Restriction.

Just then, several distinct whooshing sounds suddenly came from a distance outside the cave.

Immediately after, a powerful Spiritual Pressure swept over the area, making Lin Feng's hair stand on end.

His heart pounded violently. He immediately stopped all movements, pushed the hidden star pendant's effect to its limit, fully converged his aura, and quietly crept to the cave entrance to peer outside.

He saw several figures suspended in the air not far outside the cave.

Leading them was a graceful woman with a light veil covering her face, exuding a Late Foundation Establishment Stage Spiritual Pressure. However, this pressure was mixed with a seductive sound that stirred desires deep within people's hearts, making one feel restless.

Behind her were several other women, all dressed boldly and revealingly, with beautiful faces and eyes that held a soul-stirring charm. Their cultivation was slightly weaker, ranging from Early Stage to Middle Stage Foundation Establishment.

'What kind of Cultivation Technique is this? So sinister.' Lin Feng was greatly alarmed; he had never encountered such a strange aura.

Confronting this group was a middle-aged man dressed in Chiyan Sect attire, his expression respectful, even somewhat fawning. His cultivation was at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

"Your Highness Saintess, I am sorry for not welcoming you sooner." The Chiyan Sect Deacon bowed, saying, "The 'heart-bewitching grass' and 'Fire Essence Dates' you requested have been prepared by our Sect, but due to urgent matters being investigated within the Sect recently, we have been delayed in sending them..."

"Hehe, don't worry, our Hehuan Sect knows what it's doing." The woman referred to as the "Saintess" chuckled, her voice alluring to the bone. "As long as your items are delivered, what we promised you will naturally not be lacking."

Her gaze drifted, seemingly casually sweeping over the desolate lava landscape, yet that gaze sent cold sweat down Lin Feng's back, where he was hidden in the cave.

'Hehuan Sect?' Lin Feng remembered seeing this name in a Jade Slip that recorded Demonic Path Sects within his own Sect.

The Hehuan Sect, one of the major Demonic Path Sects, specialized in harvesting and charming techniques. Their Cultivation Techniques were bizarre, their actions morally ambiguous, and their Disciples often used the guise of Dual Cultivation to commit acts of plunder. Their reputation was extremely poor, despised by the Righteous Path.

'Why are they here? And it seems they've had dealings with the Chiyan Sect for a while?'

His heart was in turmoil, realizing he might have stumbled upon a shocking secret.

The Chiyan Sect was secretly colluding with a major Demonic Path Sect.

If this matter were to spread, it would cause a huge uproar among the Righteous Path Sects.

The immense shock made his breath hitch slightly, and his foot unconsciously pressed down a little harder.

"Click."

A very faint crisp sound; a loose piece of lava under his foot had been crushed.

The sound was minuscule, almost covered by the wind.

However, the Hehuan Sect Saintess's captivating eyes outside the cave suddenly narrowed, the smile on her lips vanishing instantly, and her gaze shot towards the lava cave where Lin Feng was hidden.

"Hm?!"