Awake, My Good Disciple!

Deathly Silence!

The fierce expressions on the faces of the several Soul Elders who had come along were instantly replaced by terror. Their minds were shaken to the core!

Only then did they realize that this harmless-looking young man was no lamb awaiting slaughter.

He was clearly a Jinx whose aura they could not even sense!

Even a Soul Ancestor had been effortlessly killed in an instant!

He had not even been given a chance to resist!

What did insignificant Soul Elders like them amount to in this man's eyes?

They could not afford to provoke him! Absolutely not!

Would it work if they knelt down now?

Forget running—they no longer even had the courage to move a finger.

They stood rooted to the spot, not daring to breathe, their faces pale as paper as they awaited judgment.

Zhu Zhuqing was also stunned by what had happened in that flash.

Watching the Soul Ancestor die and collapse in an instant, she turned and stared at Lin Feng with utter disbelief.

"You... you killed him?" Her voice trembled slightly.

Lin Feng found her reaction rather speechless. What a pointless question—wasn't the answer obvious?

"What? I can't kill him?"

"He was just trying to take my life."

"When it comes to enemies, I have never been in the habit of showing mercy."

Zhu Zhuqing was momentarily at a loss for words. That was not what worried her.

"You... you'll get yourself into huge trouble. They are..."

Lin Feng cut her off directly, his gaze sweeping toward the trembling Soul Elders.

"What about those people? Should I deal with them too? Not to criticize you, but a person should not—at the very least, ought not to—be as indecisive as you are."

"They came for you. Think carefully about how you ended up in such a miserable state. Think about what would await you if they took you back. You should know that better than anyone."

"What? Was I wrong? Should I leave, then?"

Zhu Zhuqing's thoughts were in turmoil, her mind a complete mess.

Lin Feng's words left her unable to refute him for a moment. She even vaguely felt that he might have a point.

Could I really be the one in the wrong?

She struggled inwardly for a moment. Looking at the pale-faced Soul Elders, she recalled their pursuit all the way here. In the end, they had not truly tried to kill her.

Otherwise, how could one Soul Ancestor and several Soul Elders have allowed a mere Soul Grandmaster like her to escape all the way to this place?

"Let them go. They were only following orders."

"I do not plan to return to that place anytime soon."

"I will take revenge for this myself. Let them go back and deliver the news."

A trace of disappointment flashed through Lin Feng's eyes, but he ultimately said nothing. He merely shook his head lightly, respecting Zhu Zhuqing's choice.

He turned to the Soul Elders. "You heard her. Consider yourselves lucky. Get lost."

Zhu Zhuqing caught the fleeting disappointment in Lin Feng's eyes, and her heart inexplicably tightened. A sense that she had done something wrong quietly rose within her.

But then she secretly grew annoyed. She had no relationship with him, so why should she care whether he was disappointed?

When the Soul Elders heard the words "get lost," it was as though they had heard heavenly music!

Their immense terror was instantly drowned out by the wild joy of surviving a disaster.

They no longer cared about their dignity. They frantically kowtowed toward Lin Feng, babbling their thanks incoherently.

"Thank you, sir! Thank you for sparing our lives!"

"Thank you for your mercy, sir!"

Who would choose death when they could live?

At that moment, there was even gratitude in their eyes. They scrambled to their feet and fled into the depths of the forest, terrified that Lin Feng might change his mind.

With the eyesores dealt with, Lin Feng's attention returned to Zhu Zhuqing.

"Alright, now you can answer my question."

"I want to accept you as my disciple. Do you agree or not?"

The taut string in Zhu Zhuqing's heart finally relaxed. The threat had been temporarily resolved.

Just as she was about to solemnly thank him, Lin Feng's unbelievably persistent question blocked her words again.

She truly could not understand it. She even felt that the man before her was absurd beyond measure!

Why did he insist on accepting her as his disciple?

Although she could not see through him, his instant kill of a Soul Ancestor had indeed shocked her beyond words. It was enough to prove that his strength ran unfathomably deep.

But he looked so young. No matter how strong he was, how strong could he really be?

A Spirit King? Or a Spirit Emperor?

Something is off. This man must have some other motive. Otherwise, why is he holding me so tightly?

She bit her lower lip and asked in return, "I-if I refuse? Can we just be friends?"

Lin Feng raised a brow. "Refuse? Then you're refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit. I can only..."

Before he could finish, a wave of exhaustion swept over Zhu Zhuqing.

Her vision went dark. Before she could say another word, her eyes rolled back and she lost consciousness.

Looking at the Maiden who had suddenly fainted in his arms, Lin Feng's face showed a mixture of astonishment and speechlessness.

"Uh, why did she faint?"

"Did I really pressure her into fainting?"

Looking at Zhu Zhuqing's injuries, Lin Feng raised his hand and unleashed his Third Spirit Skill: Spirit Origin Recovery.

A gentle jade-green glow enveloped her.

He did not use this Healing Soul Skill often, but its effects were surprisingly good.

He guessed that it might have something to do with the characteristics of his Martial Soul.

The crisscrossing wounds on Zhu Zhuqing's body healed at a visible rate beneath the light, revealing fresh skin.

"Not bad. The effect is pretty good."

Lin Feng nodded in satisfaction. Only after carefully examining her and confirming that she had no other hidden injuries did he finally relax.

Without another word, he bent down and slung Zhu Zhuqing over his shoulder like a sack, then strode swiftly toward Suotuo City.

The closer he got to Suotuo City, the more pedestrians appeared on the official road.

Lin Feng tried his best to avoid the crowds, but carrying a living person while traveling was simply too conspicuous.

All sorts of startled, puzzled, and even condemning looks kept falling on him.

A few self-proclaimed righteous passersby even jumped out, hoping to play the hero and save the Maiden. Without exception, Lin Feng impatiently kicked them flying.

"Too noisy."

He could not be bothered to explain. He might as well cover more ground with that time.

His strength spoke for itself. If they did not like it, they could just swallow it.

After carrying her for nearly two hours, the towering walls of Suotuo City finally rose before him.

Lin Feng stopped and looked up at the lofty city gate and the walls stretching into the distance.

"Whoa, that's impressive!" he exclaimed.

The buildings inside the city carried a strong exotic style, but Lin Feng had little interest in them. After a brief glance, he paid them no more attention.

Not long after entering the city, the Maiden over his shoulder began to squirm restlessly—Zhu Zhuqing had awakened.

The jolting position had forcibly shaken her awake. Even after fainting, she could not get any peace.

"You! Put me down!"

She struck Lin Feng's back hard, her voice carrying a trace of Shameful Anger.

Thanks to Lin Feng's treatment, her injuries were no longer serious, though she still felt mentally exhausted.

The moment he set her down, she immediately steadied herself. Although her face was still somewhat pale, her body was no longer weak and limp as before.

"Oh, you're awake! My good disciple."