Warm Romance Amidst Hidden Tides
Hu Feng returned from the city after rescuing the beleaguered townspeople. Sustaining not-inconsiderable injuries, he secluded himself in his own dwelling cave to recuperate.
The interior was quiet, save for the faint humming of circulating spiritual energy and the occasional weak cough.
Lin Yao rose every day before dawn, meticulously brewing restorative medicinal broths. She placed them in a carved jade bowl, kept them warm with her spiritual energy, and hurried toward Hu Feng's dwelling cave.
Morning light pierced through the thin mist, spilling over the winding mountain path. Lin Yao wore a moon-white long dress, its hem fluttering softly as she walked. Her hair fell smoothly over her shoulders, and her brows and eyes were filled with anxiety and concern.
Arriving at the entrance of the cave, she tapped lightly on the stone door, her voice soft and sweet: "Senior Brother, it is Lin Yao. I have brought you your medicine."
A moment later, the stone door slowly opened. Hu Feng was dressed in black. Although his complexion was still somewhat pale, it could not conceal his heroic bearing. Seeing that it was Lin Yao, the corners of his lips curled upward involuntarily, and his gaze turned gentle: "Junior Sister, you have troubled yourself once more, hurrying over so early."
Lin Yao stepped inside with dainty, quick steps, offering the bowl of medicine. Her gaze lingered on Hu Feng's face as she scolded him playfully: "What is Senior Brother saying? You suffered severe injuries in order to save the people, and it is my bounden duty to do these things. Drink it quickly while it is hot; this medicine will help heal your wounds."
Hu Feng took the bowl. The medicinal fragrance rushed to his nose, and warmth instantly spread through his entire body. He tilted his head and drank it all in one gulp, the bitterness lingering on the tip of his tongue chased away by the sweetness welling up from the depths of his heart.
Lin Yao pulled out a silk handkerchief and gently wiped the traces of medicine from the corners of his mouth with soft movements. Hu Feng's cheeks grew slightly warm, and he lowered his gaze to avoid her burning stare.
"Senior Brother, you should rest and heal in peace. Now that the sect has dispatched other core disciples out to purge the Dark Spirit Pavilion, there are no urgent battles for the time being. Once your injuries recover, we can figure out countermeasures together."
Lin Yao put away the medicine bowl and spoke softly. Hu Feng nodded: "Thanks to the sect's arrangements, I have the leisure to recuperate. Many thanks also to you, Junior Sister, for your meticulous care every day; if not for you, these injuries of mine probably wouldn't have healed nearly this fast."
Over the next few days, Lin Yao still arrived punctually. Sometimes she brought a few ancient texts to discuss the subtleties of sword formulas with Hu Feng;
at other times, she prepared spiritual fruits and pastries, watching Hu Feng eat them before she could feel at ease.
On this afternoon, the sunlight lazily blanketed the open ground in front of the cave. Hu Feng's injuries had improved greatly, and he was able to stand and move about, so he sat opposite Lin Yao by a stone table to study the Ethereal Sword Formula.
Holding a bamboo slip, Lin Yao interpreted it character by character. Her brows were slightly furrowed and her expression was focused: "Look here, Senior Brother. The changes in sword moves mentioned in this passage seem to be closely related to the trick of channeling spiritual energy. Perhaps it can be integrated into your usual moves to increase their power even further."
Hu Feng leaned in closer, his gaze drifting along the text of the bamboo slip, nodding from time to time.
A gentle breeze swept by, stirring a few strands of Lin Yao's hair and gently brushing them against Hu Feng's cheek. It tickled, as if scratching the softest spot in the depths of his heart.
He turned his head, their eyes meeting. For a moment, the surroundings fell so quiet that only each other's heartbeats could be heard.
Lin Yao's cheeks flushed red, and she lowered her head in fluster. Hu Feng's earlobes also burned hot, and he gave a light cough to break the stalemate: "What Junior Sister says is entirely correct. Once I ponder it carefully, I will surely be able to push this sword formula to the next level."
As they spent more and more days together, romantic feelings grew recklessly in their hearts like spring vines.
At night, Hu Feng sat alone on the bed, channeling his spiritual energy to consolidate his cultivation, yet he kept getting distracted.
His mind was entirely filled with Lin Yao's bright, charming smiles and her caring, admonishing words, causing ripples to stir at the bottom of his heart: "After my parents passed away, my heart was filled with hatred. I never imagined that my remaining days could still be accompanied by such warmth. Junior Sister Lin Yao is kind and intelligent; walking hand in hand with her, I will fear no perils on the road ahead. I only wish to eradicate the evil sects soon and protect her for the rest of her peaceful life."
At this thought, a smile curled on his lips. He entered meditation and cultivated, the circulation of his spiritual energy growing ever smoother.
After returning to her room, Lin Yao was likewise tossing and turning, unable to sleep. She sat on the edge of the bed with her knees hugged to her chest, fondling an old jade pendant that Hu Feng had once used. It was something Hu Feng had dropped in a hurry while protecting her during an outing, and she had quietly tucked it away.
"Senior Brother carries a great righteousness in his heart and repeatedly courts danger. Every time I see him injured, my heart twists with pain. From now on, I will surely assist him with all my might. Even if we cannot defeat the evil sect, following him in life and death is far better than surviving alone. I wonder if Senior Brother understands these feelings of mine..." Thinking and thinking, her cheeks grew piping hot. She pressed the jade pendant against her chest and slowly drifted off to sleep.
Peaceful days passed in the blink of an eye.
One day, the Sect Master urgently summoned everyone to the main hall.
The atmosphere inside the hall was heavy. The Sect Master's expression was stern, and the jade slip in his hand flickered with light, as if bearing bad news. "Fellow disciples, the core disciples sent out to purge the Dark Spirit Pavilion have sent back an emergency report. The Dark Spirit Pavilion seems to have been prepared for this long ago and set up layers of traps; our sect's disciples have suffered heavy casualties, our mission has been obstructed, and the situation is critical! What is even trickier is that, according to scouts, the Dark Spirit Pavilion has secretly colluded with the mysterious faction known as the Black Soul Hall. The Black Soul Hall's cultivation techniques are malevolent and their methods ruthless. The alliance of these two poses an immense hazard that cannot be underestimated!"
Hu Feng's expression changed drastically. He stepped forward, cupped his fists, and requested orders: "Sect Master, this disciple's injuries are no longer a hindrance. I am willing to lead reinforcements immediately and must not let the Dark Spirit Pavilion and Black Soul Hall succeed in their scheme! This disciple will definitely retake the initiative and avenge our fallen fellow disciples!"
Many disciples responded one after another, passionately asking for battle.
The Sect Master's gaze swept across everyone's faces and finally landed on Hu Feng, nodding slightly: "Hu Feng, this mission is arduous. As your master, I authorize you to lead the team, with Elder Yuji Zi accompanying you to assist. You must act with utmost caution and must not be rash. Since the Dark Spirit Pavilion has colluded with the Black Soul Hall, they must have laid an inescapable net. With the slightest carelessness, your life will be in peril."
Everyone acknowledged the order and quickly packed their gear to set out.
Filled with worry, Lin Yao chased him all the way to the mountain gate and grabbed Hu Feng's sleeve: "Senior Brother, this journey is perilous. You must take care of yourself; I will wait for your safe return." Her eye rims reddened, and tears swirled in her eyes.
Hu Feng raised a hand, gently wiping away the teardrops from the corner of her eye, his gaze resolute: "Rest assured, Junior Sister, with you worrying over me, I will surely give it my all and return safely. Once I exterminate the evil sect, the rest of my life will be spent accompanying you, never to part."
With that, he turned away with a hardened heart and led the team to fly away on their swords.
Upon reaching the scene of the incident, they saw the mountain valley teeming with demonic shadows and filled with a foul stench of blood. Broken swords and severed limbs were scattered all over the ground, and the corpses of their fellow disciples lay sprawled out in a horrifying sight.
Hu Feng's killing intent surged instantly across his entire body. He clenched his fists and cursed angrily: "Dark Spirit Pavilion, Black Soul Hall, how dare you be so rampant! Today, I will make you pay with your blood!" Yuji Zi also wore a face full of grief and indignation: "Feng'er, do not be rash. First find the main enemy force and strike at their vital points."
Concealing their forms, the group followed the trails to investigate.
Reaching the depths of the valley, they saw campfires and tents standing in rows ahead. Cultists from the Dark Spirit Pavilion and the Black Soul Hall shuttled back and forth on patrol, guarding the area heavily.
After observing for a moment, Hu Feng discussed tactics with Yuji Zi via voice transmission. "Master, let us split into two groups. You lead one team to launch a surprise attack from the left flank and draw away a portion of the enemy forces; I will lead the main force to charge fiercely from the right flank, strike straight at the dragon's head, and seize the opportunity to execute the enemy leaders and throw their formation into disarray first."
Yuji Zi nodded: "This method is viable, but you must be extremely careful of the Black Soul Hall's cultivation techniques. I hear they can manipulate souls, which is extremely bizarre."
With the plan settled, everyone acted according to the orders.
Yuji Zi led his team to kill their way out from the left flank, and for a moment shouts of battle shook the air while flames soared to the heavens.
The men of the Dark Spirit Pavilion and Black Soul Hall rushed out in a flurry to meet the enemy, and the enemy forces on the right flank decreased slightly.
Seeing that the timing was right, Hu Feng let out a great shout: "Kill!" He led the main force charging into the enemy camp like a fierce tiger descending the mountain. The Red Sun Sword was wrapped in blazing flames as the "Star-Splattering Illusion-Breaking Formula" roared forth. Sword shadows flashed like lightning, instantly stabbing down a swathe of enemy leaders.
However, the enemy reacted swiftly. The experts of the Black Soul Hall sacrificed a magical artifact whose light was dim and obscure, releasing an invisible force field that invaded everyone's minds. Several disciples instantly turned blank-eyed and stood sluggishly in place, as if their souls had been pulled out.
Hu Feng's heart gave a jolt. He channeled his spiritual energy to resist and shouted loudly: "Protect your minds, don't be disrupted by the magical artifact!" He summoned the Spirit Abyss Mirror, whose light spilled down to scatter the dark demonic power and purify the surrounding evil qi.
As the fierce battle raged on, Hu Feng caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye of a junior brother being struck by a Black Soul Hall technique. The junior brother fell to the ground rolling, wailing in agony as if his soul were about to be torn apart.
Burning with anxiety, Hu Feng broke away and sprinted over, casting multiple moves of the Nine Yang True Formula along the way to force back the surrounding enemies with scorching high temperatures. He helped his junior brother up, placed both hands against his forehead, and continuously poured spiritual energy into him in an attempt to stabilize his soul: "Hold on! Don't close your eyes!" Turning back to shout at the others, "Do not panic, do not break the sword formation!"
Over on Yuji Zi's side, the battle was deadlocked. Reinforcements from the enemy poured in endlessly, and the pressure was gradually increasing.
Burning with anxiety, Hu Feng knew that continuing like this would undoubtedly lead to defeat. As he pondered a strategy to defeat the enemy, the corner of his eye caught a flash of light at the rear of the enemy's main camp, which looked to be the core of the demonic array.
An idea struck him, and he sent a voice transmission to Yuji Zi: "Master, feign defeat and lure the enemy forces to pursue us to the valley exit. I will take the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on the enemy's main camp and destroy the demonic array!"
Understanding the intent, everyone feigned inferiority, fighting while retreating.
Believing they had the upper hand, the enemy pursued relentlessly. Hu Feng led several elites, concealed their tracks, and doubled back to the main camp.
Approaching the demonic array, they saw runes flashing and demonic power surging. The surrounding Black Soul Hall cultists were chanting incantations, maintaining it with all their might.
Hu Feng shouted angrily: "Stop!" He pounced toward the demonic array like a phantom, while the Black Soul Hall cultists successively produced magical artifacts to block him.
Showing no fear whatsoever, Hu Feng unleashed his ultimate trump card, "Chaotic Devouring." A vortex of spiritual energy appeared out of thin air, swallowing the demonic shadows and demonic power.
Taking advantage of the momentum to close in, he fiercely thrust the Red Sun Sword into the center of the demonic array. The demonic array shook violently, its light dimming.
Upon seeing this, the leader of the Black Soul Hall was consumed by fury. He poured his all into his demonic power, his entire body's black robes transforming into black wings as he soared into the air. With both hands, he unleashed a magical artifact—the Soul-Devouring Sickle. The blade flashed with cold light, slashing toward Hu Feng with boundless dark power.
Hu Feng failed to dodge in time, and the sickle blade grazed his shoulder, sending blood flying. Yet, feeling no pain, he threw his entire body forward, gritting his teeth: "Today, I will shatter this demonic array of yours!" Pushing the Ethereal Sword Formula to its absolute limit, his dreamlike sword shadows wrapped around the demonic sickle in layers, while the Spirit Abyss Mirror timely shot out a pillar of light that struck the leader squarely in the chest.
With a miserable shriek, the leader lost his grip on the magical artifact, and his demonic power fell into chaos. Seizing the opportunity, Hu Feng drove his sword straight into the leader's heart with all his might. The leader's eyes bulged wide as his form dissipated into black smoke.
Deprived of its controller, the demonic array instantly collapsed, its demonic power backflowing, and the enemy's main camp fell into utter chaos.
Yuji Zi led his team to turn back and counterattack, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy forces, who scattered and fled in all directions. Gazing at the corpses littering the ground with a heart full of sorrow, Hu Feng ordered: "Clear the battlefield, treat the wounded, and bring the corpses of our fellow disciples back to the sect." His voice was hoarse, revealing exhaustion and grief.
On the way back to the sect, Hu Feng was filled with self-blame, his mind replaying the sights of his junior brothers and sisters dying miserably: "If my plan had been a bit more thorough and my command a bit more competent, perhaps there would have been fewer casualties. It is my incompetence that failed to protect them..."
Sensing his thoughts, Yuji Zi patted him on the shoulder: "Feng'er, do not blame yourself. The battlefield changes in the blink of an eye, and you have already given your all. That you were able to shatter the enemy's conspiracy and deal a heavy blow to the evil sect this time is entirely your merit. Your fallen fellow disciples will find comfort in the netherworld."
Just as they returned to the Rosy Clouds Sect, the Sect Master had already led everyone out to welcome them.
Seeing them return, the Sect Master wore a solemn expression: "Though we achieved a minor victory this time, the price was heavy. The Black Soul Hall and Dark Soul Pavilion have not been eliminated, and hidden dangers still remain. Hu Feng, go and recuperate from your injuries first; the sect will discuss subsequent countermeasures in detail later."
Hu Feng nodded and dragged his exhausted body back to his dwelling cave.
Lin Yao had already been waiting at the entrance of the cave. Seeing Hu Feng covered in blood and exhausted, her eye rims instantly turned red, and tears gushed out: "Senior Brother..." She threw herself into Hu Feng's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
Hu Feng held her tightly, resting his chin gently on the top of her head as he coaxed her in a low voice: "Junior Sister, do not cry, I have returned. Although we lost many fellow disciples, we managed to shatter the enemy's demonic array after all, so I have something to show for it."
Entering the cave, Lin Yao fetched warm water to wipe Hu Feng's wounds and changed him into clean clothes, weeping silently the entire time.
Heartaching for her, Hu Feng gripped her hand: "Junior Sister, it is my fault for making you worry. From now on, I will surely be doubly careful and not easily court danger again."
Lin Yao shook her head, her voice choked with sobs: "Senior Brother, I know you bear a great righteousness; as long as the evil sects are not exterminated, you will not back down. I am merely heart-broken for you... Every time you go to battle, you face nine deaths and a single life."
Hu Feng pulled her into his embrace, gently stroking her back: "With you worrying over me like this, I will certainly be safe and sound. Once my injuries heal, I will ask the Sect Master for permission to take the lead; I must uproot the Black Soul Hall and the Dark Soul Pavilion and return peace to the world. At that time, I will be able to spend my days in peace and stability with you."
In his arms, Lin Yao nodded heavily. The two embraced tightly, as if wishing to melt each other into their very bones and blood, driving away the gloom of this turbulent era and quietly awaiting the dawn, knowing that even if the road ahead remained thorn-strewn, having love as their companion meant they would fear nothing.