At the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect in the Izumo Empire, the once arrogant disciples were now somewhat panicked, lined up neatly in front of the square, awaiting judgment from the officials.
"Senior Brother, the elders, the sect leader, and the others are all dead. Are we going to die next?!"
"Shut up! All of you, be quiet! This group might just be after our sect's treasures. As long as we leave quickly after they're gone, and never call ourselves Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect disciples again, we should be able to escape this calamity."
"..."
While the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect disciples waited anxiously, Lin Feng and his companions excitedly rummaged through the
sect's treasury. "As expected of a powerful sect possessing a Dou Zong level cultivator, even the Izumo Empire's royal family is probably not as wealthy as the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect," Lin Feng remarked as he stored useful medicinal herbs into his storage ring.
Cai Lin and the others were also busy, collecting useful spiritual items. Of all the items collected, Cai Lin's were the most varied, presumably intended for the Snake-People tribe, who needed many items after their recent relocation.
Xiao Yi Xian's collection was primarily poison-based, perfectly complementing her own attributes. Her numerous poison-based techniques further enhanced her agility, making her arguably the biggest shopper this time. Zi Yan, on the other hand, collected powerful spiritual herbs, intending to have Lin Feng refine them into pills for her later.
After a period of looting, Lin Feng and his group had finally taken all the treasures of the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect.
"You Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect disciples, listen up! From now on, the Izumo Empire will no longer have a Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect, and you are no longer allowed to identify yourselves as disciples of the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect. Otherwise, you will be opposing me, and you will be reduced to the state of this stone!"
As Lin Feng finished speaking, his powerful Dou Huang aura soared into the sky, suppressing all the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect disciples on the plaza. He then shattered the giant stone inscribed with the three characters "Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect" with a single palm strike.
"Yes, we obey your command, sir! From now on, there will be no more Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect!"
The disciples, who had been filled with anxiety, could no longer contain their joy upon hearing Lin Feng's words and echoed him.
Lin Feng nodded in satisfaction. After summoning Xuanwu with his flute, the group took to the air and departed.
"Husband, why didn't you kill all these Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect disciples?" Cai
Lin, who had remained silent atop the giant griffin, asked疑惑地问道. Hearing this, Zi Yan and Little Fairy Doctor also became interested.
"It's not anything else. There's absolutely no hatred in the eyes of these Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect disciples. Moreover, all their experts above the Dou Wang level were killed by us. Given the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect's past practices, these people would be lucky to survive under the control of other forces in the Chuyun Empire, let alone seek revenge!"
Hearing Lin Feng's explanation, the women didn't ask any further questions. Even the weakest among them, Little Fairy Doctor, could easily sweep away the remaining Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect disciples; there was no need to worry about their retaliation.
Having completed their poison collection, the group wasn't in a rush on their return journey. They frequently stopped in small towns to observe the different customs and cultures. Sometimes, when Zi Yan sensed unusual medicinal herbs, they would stop to search for them.
Traveling at this leisurely pace, they spent about ten days before finally returning to the territory of the Snake-People.
Meanwhile, in a small town within the Gama Empire, a master and apprentice were undergoing unusual training.
"Crackling
sounds" echoed from the back mountain of the Xiao family in Wutan City, accompanied by a muffled groan from a young boy with each strike.
"Hoo!"
After an unknown amount of time, the boy, his back covered in wounds, slowly sank into a large wooden basin filled with medicinal liquid, letting out a soft breath to ease the pain of the day.
"Master, do you think I have any hope of reaching the level of Lin Feng, that genius alchemist from the Jia Ma Empire?"
While absorbing the medicinal liquid, Xiao Yan finally couldn't suppress his inner doubts and asked the floating soul beside him.
"Hahaha, little Yanzi, with the guidance of a powerful alchemist like myself, as long as you study patiently, you will definitely surpass him in the future. However, this requires you to study even harder. Now, concentrate on absorbing the medicinal liquid! If these hidden injuries are not treated properly, it will affect your future advancement!"
Hearing his disciple's question, the experienced Yao Chen naturally wouldn't discourage his confidence, but instead offered encouragement.
"However, Lin Feng is truly remarkable, reaching such a level at such a young age. Moreover, with the guidance of that old ghost Qinghua when he arrives in Zhongzhou, it won't be easy for Xiao Yanzi to catch up."
Yao Chen couldn't help but sigh, thinking of how Lin Feng, in that remote northwest region, had achieved such accomplishments before the age of twenty. He himself was only so-so back then!
Lin Feng, far away in the snake-people city at the foot of the Demon Beast Mountain, was naturally unaware of this conversation between the master and disciple. They had already been back for several days. On this day, Cai Lin approached Lin Feng and made a request that left him struggling to make a decision, even somewhat angry.
"Husband, please help me temper my body with the strange fire!"
On that cozy bed, Cai Lin leaned against Lin Feng's chest, and her words frightened him.
"Cai Lin, don't you know the power of the strange fire? You've already advanced to the Dou Zong realm, and the Snake-People clan already has an elder who has successfully advanced to the Dou Zong realm. Why risk it again?"
"Husband, listen to me. Both you and Zi Yan advanced to the Dou Huang realm at such a young age. Perhaps, in a few years, you will surpass me."
Cai Lin gently covered Lin Feng's lips, her eyes filled with affection and determination.
"Every Snake-People in the clan, at birth, will have their souls merged with the souls of snake demon beasts with the help of their clan elders. I merged with the souls of snake-attribute beasts whose bloodlines could advance to the sixth rank."
Cai Lin recalled those hazy memories and said softly.
"With the help of this sixth-tier beast soul, I quickly advanced to the peak of Dou Huang, but then stagnated for many years. If it weren't for my husband's Breakthrough Pill, I don't know when I would have been able to advance to the Dou Zong realm. Perhaps, like many Medusas of the past, I would have stopped here!"
Cai Lin gave a bitter laugh, seemingly lamenting the harsh fate of the snake-people, then a determined look appeared on her face.
"My husband and those around him are all exceptionally talented. Even my sister Xian'er, with the help of the Poison Fire, will likely advance rapidly. I clearly feel that after advancing to Dou Zong, this bloodline has firmly locked away my potential, and I may only be stuck within the Dou Zong realm for the rest of my life."
Cai Lin looked at Lin Feng, a pleading look in her eyes.
"Husband, I don't want to be left behind by you. Let me use the Strange Fire to temper my body! I want to stay by your side forever!"
(End of Chapter)