First Meeting with the Golden Generation, Murder in the Dark

First Meeting with the Golden Generation, Murder in the Dark

Hu Liena's arrival was like a spring breeze, dispersing the heavy medicinal smell in the infirmary. She had changed out of her battle attire and into a simple moon-white gown that outlined her graceful, alluring figure. Her exquisite face carried just the right amount of concern, while her soul-stealing peach-blossom eyes gazed softly at Ling Feng. Every flicker of her gaze exuded natural charm, yet held a trace of sincerity.

"Senior Sister Hu Liena?" Ling Feng was somewhat surprised and struggled to sit up.

"Don't move. Your injuries aren't light." Hu Liena walked gracefully to the bedside, bringing with her a faint orchid-like fragrance. She naturally sat in the chair beside the bed, her beautiful eyes assessing Ling Feng from head to toe with undisguised admiration. "Junior Brother, your performance in the arena truly opened everyone's eyes. The Spear of Judgment... what a domineering soul skill."

"You flatter me, Senior Sister. It was merely luck. I still suffered a crushing defeat in the end." Ling Feng's tone was calm.

"Surviving the Young Master's third soul skill and even striking back is no matter of luck." Hu Liena chuckled, her voice like pearls falling upon jade. "My name is Hu Liena, one of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation. I suppose that makes me your Senior Sister. This is Xie Yue, my elder brother." She shifted aside, revealing the doorway.

A tall, stern-faced young man leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed entered Ling Feng's view. He had short Dark Red hair similar to Hu Liena's, and his crimson eyes were as cold as blades, carrying scrutiny and a faint, nearly imperceptible... fighting spirit? He was none other than Xie Yue, the leader of the Golden Generation!

"Senior Brother Xie Yue." Ling Feng gave a slight nod in greeting. He could sense the restrained, razor-sharp aura around Xie Yue, like a demonic blade drawn from its sheath. He was even more dangerous than Hu Liena.

Xie Yue merely nodded coldly. His crimson gaze lingered on Ling Feng for a moment, especially on Ling Feng's seemingly weakened yet still composed eyes, before he looked away as though he could not be bothered to speak. Yet Ling Feng could tell that it was not disdain, but rather... the indifferent attention of a strong man toward a potential opponent.

"My brother is just like that, Junior Brother. Don't mind him." Hu Liena smiled as she smoothed things over, then turned serious. "We came this time for two reasons. First, on behalf of the Golden Generation, to visit our future 'little junior brother.'" She blinked playfully. "Second... to extend an invitation."

"An invitation?" Ling Feng raised a brow.

"The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament will begin in two years." Confidence gleamed in Hu Liena's eyes. "The Spirit Hall Team will be led by our Golden Generation. But we need the strongest possible teammates. Junior Brother Ling Feng, everyone has seen your talent and strength. My brother, Yan, and I all hope... that you can join us." She extended an olive branch.

The Spirit Hall Team! The Golden Generation! This was the honor and opportunity countless young Spirit Hall soul masters dreamed of!

Thoughts raced through Ling Feng's mind. Join the Golden Generation's team? The benefits were obvious: the finest resources, the strongest teammates, and the brightest stage. But... what were the drawbacks? What he needed was the strength to stand on his own, not to become an appendage beneath someone else's glory! Moreover, a team meant restraints. It meant obeying Xie Yue's command... Would that conflict with his plan to seize opportunities and defy fate?

After a brief pause, he did not agree at once. "Thank you, Senior Brother and Senior Sister, for thinking so highly of me. However... my injuries have yet to heal, and this is an important matter. Could I give you my answer after I recover?" He needed time to weigh his options, and he also needed to see what Bibi Dong's "other arrangements" were.

"Of course." Hu Liena smiled brilliantly, unsurprised by Ling Feng's caution. "Rest well, Junior Brother. We look forward to having you join us." She rose to her feet, gave him a few more reminders to rest properly, then left the infirmary with the still-silent Xie Yue.

Watching their departing figures, Ling Feng's gaze deepened. The Golden Generation... Xie Yue's demonic blade, Hu Liena's enchantment, and the still-unseen Yan with his Flame Lord martial soul... They truly were powerful. But... not powerful enough! His opponents were the future Sea God and Shura God! He needed greater strength, and even more than that... a force of his own!

Just as he was pondering this, Gaze of Destiny activated passively! Amid the static interference, a blurry image flashed before him: in a deep-night alley of Spirit City, several figures dressed in black and radiating cold auras were furtively making their way toward Sacred Healing Hall! At one corner of the image, a twisted spider emblem could vaguely be seen on the cuff of a man in black!

Warning: Hostile intent approaching!
Target: Assassins of unknown identity!
Number: 4+!
Strength: At least two Soul Elders!
Motive: Suspected elimination of a threat/revenge!

Killing intent! Killing intent from the shadows!

A cold gleam flashed in Ling Feng's eyes! Someone was already unable to sit still? Was it those whose interests had been touched by his identity as the "Son of Judgment" and his performance today? Or was it... Qian Renxue, sending someone to vent her anger? Or perhaps... Undercover Agents from the Heaven Dou Empire, the Star Luo Empire, or even... Tang Hao?!

"Want to kill me?" Ling Feng licked his slightly dry lips, and a cold, murderous curve rose at the corner of his mouth. "Perfect... the Spear of Judgment thirsts for blood!"

He quietly circulated his Soul Power. Though his injuries had not healed, his Peak Level twenty Soul Power, coupled with a body tempered by immortal herbs, did not leave him entirely incapable of fighting back. With a thought, the short spearhead forged from a crude Tungsten Steel blank silently slid into his sleeve, its icy touch bringing him a faint sense of security.

The night deepened, and Sacred Healing Hall fell into silence. Only the scent of medicinal liquid lingered in the air.

The window of the infirmary was silently pushed open a crack. Several black shadows, as nimble as civets, slipped into the room without a sound. Their icy killing intent instantly locked onto the "sleeping" Ling Feng on the bed!

"Move! End this quickly!" a hoarse voice barked!

Four black shadows pounced upon the bed like ghosts! Sharp daggers flashed with the dim, poisonous glint of venom in the darkness!

Just as the daggers were about to pierce the blankets—

"Judgment!"

A cold shout erupted through the infirmary like thunder!

The "sleeping" Ling Feng abruptly opened his eyes! Golden light burst from them! The long-prepared Spear of Judgment condensed in an instant! Its violet-gold shaft shrieked through the air amid leaping arcs of lightning, like an awakened venomous dragon, viciously stabbing toward the heart of the Soul Elder assassin charging at the front with lightning speed!

At the same time, his left hand, hidden beneath the blankets, snapped outward! The Tungsten Steel spearhead, filled with all his strength, shot like black lightning toward another Soul Elder's throat, tearing through the air with a piercing shriek!

Catching them off guard! Striking first!