Chapter 28

Ji Feng drew his bowstring, ready to unleash his third Soul Skill.

Golden Soul Power gathered at his fingertips.

It was the light of Sunset Glow.

This arrow has to hit, he thought.

His opponent was a Five-Ring Soul King, and incredibly fast.

Ji Feng waited for the right moment, then released the string.

Sunset Glow became a golden laser.

The laser struck his opponent squarely in the chest.

She let out a scream and staggered back several steps.

But her counterattack came right on its heels.

A sharp claw tore through the air.

Ji Feng couldn't dodge in time. It raked across his chest.

Blood instantly stained his robes red.

He was startled. This woman's attacks are so strong.

His health bar plummeted, and his vision began to blur.

He felt his life slipping away.

"Am I really going to die here?" he gritted out.

Just then, a soft cry came from behind him.

It was Ye Lingling.

She raised her hand, and her Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul blossomed.

Emerald light enveloped Ji Feng.

Hexagram of Peace: Longevity! Healing power surged into him.

His wound healed at a visible speed.

Ji Feng felt a warm current flowing through his body.

His heart settled. It's so reassuring to have her here.

Ye Lingling still wore an expressionless face.

But a trace of concern showed in her eyes.

Ji Feng grinned, his fighting spirit rekindled.

He fired an arrow over his shoulder, forcing his opponent back.

The two sides faced off again, neither daring to make a reckless move.

The battle reached a stalemate.

Ji Feng knew they wouldn't get anywhere if this continued.

He leaned close to Ye Lingling and whispered, "Let's go."

Ye Lingling nodded. The two of them moved in perfect sync.

Ji Feng fired a Smoke Bomb Arrow.

Thick smoke instantly blanketed the battlefield.

He grabbed Ye Lingling's hand and turned to run.

His opponent's furious roar rang out behind them.

But they had already vanished into the depths of the forest.

Ji Feng was relieved. Good thing she's here.

The two of them hurried on, searching for a safe place.

Ji Feng's wounds hadn't fully healed, and his steps faltered.

Ye Lingling silently supported his arm.

Ji Feng felt a warmth spread through his heart.

He noticed her fingers trembling slightly.

"Were you worried about me?" he asked.

Ye Lingling turned her face away without answering.

But the tips of her ears had already turned red.

Ji Feng chuckled and didn't press her.

They found a secluded cave.

Ji Feng leaned against the stone wall, panting.

Ye Lingling sat nearby with her eyes closed, resting.

The cave held only the sound of their breathing.

Ji Feng looked at her profile, his heart stirred.

This cool, aloof girl always saved him at the crucial moment.

He vowed to himself that he would grow stronger and protect her.

After resting for a while, Ji Feng regained his strength.

He continued exploring the forest with Ye Lingling.

Suddenly, a tremendous crash sounded up ahead.

The ground itself began to tremble.

Ji Feng stopped at once, alert.

He gestured for Ye Lingling to hide.

The two of them crouched behind a thicket and watched.

A colossal Titan Giant Ape came into view.

It was as massive as a mountain, and every step crushed trees beneath its feet.

Ji Feng was horrified. A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast!

Its sheer pressure left him struggling to breathe.

The Titan Giant Ape seemed to be fighting something.

It suddenly brought down its enormous palm, splitting the earth.

A figure shot out of the dust cloud.

It was Hu Liena! She was in a sorry state.

Ji Feng recognized her, and his heart jolted.

The shockwave from the giant ape had sent Hu Liena flying.

She was about to crash into a rock.

Ji Feng instinctively wanted to help.

But the Titan Giant Ape moved first.

It let out a thunderous roar, freezing everything in place.

Ji Feng realized he couldn't move.

That immense pressure weighed on him like a mountain.

He was terrified. So this is the power of a Titled Douluo?

The Titan Giant Ape wasn't after them.

It crushed the other Soul Beast with a single slap.

Then it turned and left, and the forest fell silent once more.

Ji Feng could finally move again, drenched in cold sweat.

Hu Liena climbed to her feet.

When she saw Ji Feng, her eyes lit up.

"It's you?" she said in surprise.

Ji Feng didn't speak, only nodded.

Hu Liena was moved.

She memorized his face and his name.

Ji Feng didn't linger. He left with Ye Lingling.

This forest is too dangerous, he thought.

I have to get stronger as soon as possible.

In the days that followed, Ji Feng began grinding through the hunting grounds.

Sunset Forest had four hunting grounds.

He swept through them one by one, leaving nothing behind.

The first hunting ground was home to a pack of thousand-year Soul Beasts.

Ji Feng drew his bow and unleashed Multiple Arrows.

Punishing Shot boosted his attack speed, and his damage exploded.

The Soul Beasts fell one after another.

Ye Lingling stayed behind him, responsible for healing.

Ji Feng's experience soared, filling him with satisfaction.

He felt closer and closer to leveling up.

The second hunting ground was the territory of ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts.

Ji Feng used the terrain to his advantage, picking them off one by one.

When he encountered a powerful foe, he slowed it with Sunset Glow.

Then he opened up the distance and kited it to death.

Ye Lingling's healing always came at the crucial moment.

Ji Feng was grateful and trusted her more and more.

The third hunting ground was a lair of ice-type Soul Beasts.

Ji Feng was frostbitten again and again, but he gritted his teeth and pressed on.

Ye Lingling tirelessly dispelled the cold from his body.

The two of them worked together with growing ease.

The fourth hunting ground was a gathering place for ten-thousand-year snakes.

Ji Feng nearly died from poison.

Ye Lingling used her Soul Power to purify the toxins.

Ji Feng had made it back from the gates of hell.

He was still shaken. This woman really is my lucky star.

After clearing all four hunting grounds, his experience soared.

Ji Feng's Soul Power Level rose at an incredible pace.

He shot up from level fifty-something.

In the end, it stopped at level sixty-five!

A Soul Emperor! He clenched his fists, his heart pounding with excitement.

But he was still missing a Soul Ring.

He set his sights on the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass.

It was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, the overlord of the ice element.

He planned their strategy, assigning Ye Lingling to support him from a distance.

The battle began, and the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass released a cloud of icy mist.

Ji Feng was frozen stiff, his movements sluggish.

He gritted his teeth and fired Arrow of the Scorching Sun.

The flaming arrow pierced the icy mist and struck its true body.

The Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass flew into a rage, sending ice spikes raining down.

Ji Feng couldn't dodge in time, and one pierced his shoulder.

Blood poured from the wound, and the pain nearly made him pass out.

Ye Lingling calmly released her healing power.

Green light mended his wound.

Ji Feng rallied and continued attacking.

He came close to death time and again, and each time she saved him.

His reliance on Ye Lingling deepened.

His final arrow pierced the core of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass.

A Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring rose into the air, dazzlingly bright.

Ji Feng absorbed the Soul Ring, and his strength surged.

He felt power churning through his body.

A level-sixty-five Soul Emperor, with a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring to boot.

He was ecstatic. At last, I have a trump card.

A few days later, another group arrived in Sunset Forest.

Chrysanthemum Douluo brought Hu Liena along to track Poison Douluo.

They met in a valley.

Dugu Bo was collecting Immortal Herbs.

Chrysanthemum Douluo didn't waste a word and attacked at once.

The two Titled Douluo fought with such force that heaven and earth seemed to crumble.

Hu Liena watched from the sidelines, frantic with worry.

Just then, Ji Feng happened to pass by.

He was on his way to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well to find Dugu Bo.

By chance, he stumbled upon the great battle.

Hu Liena recognized him at once and was overjoyed.

She immediately called out, "Grandpa Chrysanthemum, help me!"

Chrysanthemum Douluo frowned, but he couldn't refuse his disciple.

He joined the fray and forced Dugu Bo back.

Ji Feng owed him one for that.

He exchanged a few words with Hu Liena.

A hopeful look filled Hu Liena's eyes.

"I hope you'll join Spirit Hall," she said.

Ji Feng pondered for a moment, then nodded.

"If the opportunity comes, I'll consider it."

Hu Liena's heart leaped with joy, and she remembered his promise.

Ji Feng turned and left with Ye Lingling.

After returning to the Heaven Dou Empire, Ji Feng was invited to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

He entered the main hall, where Ning Fengzhi personally welcomed him.

Oscar stood to one side, disdain in his eyes.

He wondered, What gives this man the right to meet the sect master?

Ji Feng and Ning Fengzhi discussed the art of forging.

Tang San suddenly appeared and egged Oscar on.

"He's Rongrong's honored guest," Tang San said with a smile.

Oscar's expression changed, and irritation welled up inside him.

He walked up to Ji Feng and issued a cold warning.

"I'm going to compete with you fairly!"

Ji Feng raised an eyebrow, unfazed.

He couldn't be bothered with such a ridiculous provocation.

Facing Ning Fengzhi, Ji Feng made his offer outright.

"Give me two years, and I'll double the younger generation's combat strength."

"If I stay with the sect, I can bring the Seven Treasure Sect tremendous benefits."

Ning Rongrong was quite displeased when she heard that.

She pursed her lips. Is this guy bragging?

She looked down on Ji Feng, thinking him far too arrogant.

But Ning Fengzhi seemed deep in thought.

He asked Ji Feng to attend Ning Rongrong's birthday banquet.

Ji Feng nodded and agreed to go.

He knew Huo Wu would be there too.

A storm was about to break out at the banquet.

Ji Feng walked out of the main hall, sneering inwardly.

He didn't care about Oscar's hostility at all.

But Ning Rongrong's attitude did annoy him a little.