Lin Feng and Liu Yan achieved remarkable results in their seclusion within the cave, yet their peaceful cultivation life was soon disrupted.
One day, they received news that Qingyun Town was facing a massive crisis. A notorious group of bandits had learned that Lin Feng had obtained a secret manual in Netherworld Valley. Believing that the residents of Qingyun Town must know Lin Feng's whereabouts, they led a mob to surround the town, threatening the villagers into handing over Lin Feng and the secret manual, or else they would slaughter the entire settlement.
Upon learning this news, Lin Feng and Liu Yan were consumed with anxiety and immediately set off back to Qingyun Town.
When they reached the outskirts of the town, they saw a crowd of fierce and vicious bandits gathered at the town gate, all brandishing sharp blades with a menacing aura.
"Halt! Who goes there?" barked a bandit leader.
Lin Feng glared at them angrily. "I am Lin Feng! You villains, how dare you threaten my hometown!"
The bandit leader sneered, "So you're Lin Feng! Hand over the secret manual at once, or today will be the end of Qingyun Town!"
Lin Feng gritted his teeth. "In your dreams! Even if I die, I won't let you succeed!"
With that, Lin Feng vanished in a flash, charging into the pack of bandits to engage in a fierce battle. Liu Yan was not to be outdone; she followed closely behind, hacking and slashing at the bandits.
Lin Feng unleashed the new moves he had comprehended from the secret manual. Every sword strike carried fierce sword qi, instantly cutting down several bandits. However, the bandits were numerous, and among them were quite a few experts who gradually surrounded Lin Feng and Liu Yan.
"Brother Lin, watch out!" cried Liu Yan in alarm.
A bandit seized the opportunity while Lin Feng's guard was down to launch a sneak attack from behind. Reacting swiftly, Lin Feng dodged sideways, though his arm was still grazed by the blade.
"Damn you!" Burning with fury, Lin Feng's swordsmanship grew even more ferocious, causing the bandits to hesitate and dare not approach him easily for a moment.
Just then, a powerful expert among the bandit group made his move. He was a powerhouse at the Sixth Layer of Martial Master Realm, his strength far surpassing Lin Feng's.
"Brat, prepare to meet your maker!" roared the expert as he slashed his saber toward Lin Feng.
Sensing the opponent's formidable aura, Lin Feng dared not be careless and blocked with all his might. Yet the gap in their strength was too vast, and Lin Feng gradually found himself at a disadvantage.
Seeing Lin Feng in a perilous situation, Liu Yan tried to come to his rescue, but she was entangled by other bandits and unable to break away.
Just as Lin Feng was struggling to hold on, the voice of the System rang out in his mind: "Host, activating emergency mode will grant a temporary boost in strength, but it comes with certain side effects."
Without hesitation, Lin Feng chose to activate emergency mode. Instantly, he felt a surge of immense power flood into his body, and his realm instantly rose to the Fourth Layer of Martial Master Realm.
Capitalizing on his boosted strength, Lin Feng launched a counterattack. He engaged the expert in a heart-pounding duel.
Amidst the flashing blades and dancing swords, Lin Feng gradually seized the upper hand. In the end, he drove his sword straight into the expert's chest, defeating him.
Seeing their expert defeated, the rest of the bandits fell into total disarray and scattered in all directions.
Lin Feng and Liu Yan did not let them escape; they pursued them all the way, wiping out the vast majority of the bandits.
After a fierce battle, the crisis in Qingyun Town was finally resolved. The villagers crowded around, expressing their gratitude to Lin Feng and Liu Yan.
"Lin Feng, you are our hero!"
"If it weren't for you both, our town would have been finished!"
Looking into the grateful eyes of the townspeople, Lin Feng's heart filled with warmth.
"Please don't say that, everyone. This is what I ought to do. As long as I am here, I will never let anyone harm our hometown!"
However, as a result of the battle, Lin Feng was also severely wounded due to the side effects of the emergency mode.
Supporting Lin Feng, Liu Yan said, "Brother Lin, you should rest well first. We will certainly get through this difficult time."
Lin Feng nodded, and with Liu Yan supporting him, he slowly left the battlefield.