Lin Miao in Danger

After an unknown amount of time, the figure disappeared.

Lu Feng slowly opened his eyes.

[Phantom Sword Art (Minor Success)]

Lu Feng stood up, using his finger as a sword, and casually swung it along the energy path of the Phantom Sword Art.

A fingertip swept across the air, leaving a visible silver-white sword-like light. The light sliced through the stone bench in the corner of the secret chamber, silently splitting it open with a smooth, mirror-like cut.

"Incredibly strong!"

Lu Feng withdrew his finger, savoring the feeling of that sword strike.

In terms of power alone, the Phantom Sword Art is no less powerful than the Nine Layered Wave Slashes and the Tyrant Saber Slash.

But what makes it truly terrifying isn't its power, but the way it leaves an afterimage behind when combined with the Phantom Steps technique.

Each afterimage carried the aura of a real Sword Force, exactly the same as the original body.

The enemy couldn't tell which one was the real one.

No matter how powerful the Nine Layered Wave Slashes and the Tyrant Saber Slash are, their positions are clearly defined when they are launched, giving the enemy at least time to defend or dodge.

But when facing the Phantom Sword Art, you have no idea which direction the sword is coming from.

They either need to possess the same perfect agility to keep up with your speed, or they'll have no choice but to tough it out.

A direct defense is virtually impossible.

Even Grandmaster, if unable to distinguish the true form, can only choose to defend with all their might and release their True Essence to protect their body.

After that, Lu Feng practiced the combination of the Phantom Sword Art and the Phantom Steps repeatedly in the secret room.

He doesn't use a real knife, but only his fingers as a sword, and he practices for a whole day at a time.

The next day, Qin Shuang's reply arrived.

In her letter, Qin Shuang stated that she had truthfully reported the matter of the Vajra Temple to the higher-ups of the Demon-Slaying Bureau, and that they would send someone to handle it. She instructed Lu Feng not to interfere or make a fuss about it outside.

The letter also said that he would receive a reward upon his return, as the exploration of the Origin Crystal mine went very smoothly and he would be credited for the success.

Only at the end was Liu Suifeng mentioned; he had already returned to the sect, though he was seriously injured, but his life was not in danger.

After reading the letter and confirming that Liu Suifeng was still alive, Lu Feng finally felt relieved after several days of worry.

In the days that followed, Lu Feng didn't go anywhere; he stayed in the secret room to cultivate.

The combination of Phantom Sword Art and Phantom Steps became increasingly refined, and the switching between Nine Layered Wave Slashes and Tyrant Saber Slash became second nature to him.

He originally planned to continue cultivating until Su Ying emerged from seclusion, and then the two of them would go together to the Demon-Slaying Bureau Headquarters to participate in the Five-City Grand Competition.

However, on the third day, Chen Hu came to his door.

Lu Feng opened the door to the cave and saw a frantic Chen Hu.

"Sir, something terrible has happened! Lin Miao is trapped in the Black Mountain Forest!"

Lu Feng frowned slightly.

Black Mountain Forest is an area inhabited by at least second-tier demonic beasts, and ordinary demon slayers dare not set foot there alone.

Why would Lin Miao, a martial artist Ming Jin martial arts), go there?

"No rush, speak slowly."

"How can we not be anxious!" Chen Hu wouldn't listen at all.

"You know how dangerous the Black Mountain Forest is! It's all my fault! I shouldn't have let her go alone in the first place!"

Chen Hu's words were incoherent, his mind filled with imagining Lin Miao's perilous situation.

Lu Feng had to put in a lot of effort to piece together the general events from his fragmented words.

Lin Miao accepted a bounty mission. The mission itself was simple, but the reward for merit points was substantial.

She probably felt she could handle it, so she went to the Black Mountain Forest alone.

They encountered monsters shortly after entering and are now trapped. They managed to send out a distress message before losing contact.

"Your reaction... is a bit off."

Looking at Chen Hu's appearance, Lu Feng suddenly spoke.

"You like her?"

Chen Hu's face flushed red. He opened his mouth, and after a long while, he managed to utter a sentence:

"No way! Miss Lin Miao is lively, cheerful, easy-going, and has a graceful demeanor..."

"Okay, okay."

Lu Feng raised his hand to interrupt him; if he listened any longer, who knew what else he might say?

I understand what you mean.

"Lu Feng, you've misunderstood, please listen to me..."

"Let's get down to business."

Lu Feng's expression turned serious, and his tone became solemn.

"Explain Lin Miao's situation to me in detail. Who issued that mission?"

"Who posted this? This... I didn't notice." Chen Hu was taken aback.

What does it matter who posted it?

Lu Feng looked at him and explained, "A Ming Jin martial artist accepted a mission that seemed simple, but the Merit Points were abnormally high."

"Then he went alone to a dangerous area where even the lowest-ranking monsters were second-tier. Do you think this was just a coincidence?"

Chen Hu was stunned.

The anxiety on his face gradually turned into lingering fear. He opened his mouth,

"You mean... someone is deliberately trying to harm her?"

Lu Feng nodded upon hearing this.

"Go and find out who posted this task as soon as possible, the sooner the better."

"But what about Lin Miao..."

"The fact that Lin Miao was able to send a message means that she was at least safe when she did." Lu Feng patted Chen Hu on the shoulder.

"Nothing will happen so soon. You go check first, I'll make the arrangements here, and then we'll set off."

Chen Hu gritted his teeth and finally nodded. "Okay! I'll go find out right away!"

After saying that, he rushed out like a gust of wind.

Not long after, Chen Hu came running back, panting heavily.

"Found them! They're from Captain Zhao's residence!"

He swallowed hard, not even bothering to wipe the sweat from his face.

"That mission was posted by a demon-slaying officer from Captain Zhao's office, who deliberately set the reward exceptionally high."

"It took me a full hundred merit points to get that information out of the people in the Deacon's Hall!"

Lu Feng's expression remained unchanged after hearing this, as if he had expected this answer.

"Understood. You can stay in the Demon-Slaying Bureau and keep a close eye on Captain Zhao's residence until I return."

"I'll go with you!" Chen Hu said urgently.

"If you go, who will keep an eye on Zhao Long's side?"

"I will bring Lin Miao back. You stay here and let me know if there is any news."

Chen Hu opened his mouth, but ultimately swallowed the words that were about to come out.

He knew Lu Feng was right.

Even with his Ming Jin Perfection cultivation, he wouldn't be of any help; in fact, he might become a burden.

Be extremely careful!

Lu Feng said no more, turned and left Commandant Su's residence, speeding towards the Black Mountain Forest.

Zhao An is dead, and Zhao Hu is dead too. Su Ying is in seclusion, Qin Shuang is far away at the Origin Crystal Mine.

Zhao Long wanted to take action against him, and this was the perfect opportunity.

Even knowing it was a trap, Lu Feng still had to go.

Lin Miao was his subordinate, and Chen Hu had developed feelings for that girl.

Regardless of the reason, he absolutely had to go on this trip.

As soon as Lu Feng left Commandant Su's residence, he noticed something strange behind him.

Someone was following them, and that person's tracking methods were extremely skillful.

Lu Feng pretended to be completely unaware and continued flying towards the Black Mountain Forest.

Black Mountain Forest is located northeast of Jinguan City, about a three-hour journey away.

The further north you go, the denser the forests become, and the sparser the population.

Once inside the mountain, towering ancient trees block out the sun.

Following the directions given by Chen Hu, Lu Feng quickly located the spot where Lin Miao had sent out her distress signal.

It was a relatively open clearing in the woods, with the surrounding trees leaning and crooked, clearly indicating that a battle had taken place.