111: Attack

That familiar aura surged in again, like timely rain after a long drought, swiftly soothing his burning Meridians and dispelling the chaotic Heart Demon.

Lin Feng's violently trembling body gradually calmed, and his heavy breathing slowly eased.

Mu Yurou's small face rapidly lost color, becoming as pale as paper, but her eyes were exceptionally firm. Only when she felt Lin Feng's Qi stabilize did she slowly withdraw her hand, her body swaying slightly from exhaustion.

Yun Tianhe watched all of this. He stepped forward and supported the slightly swaying Mu Yurou: "Fairy is truly kind-hearted, willing to deplete her own Origin to heal others. However..."

He subtly changed his tone, giving Lin Feng a meaningful glance. "This Fellow Daoist's old ailment... seems quite dangerous when it flares up, and his Qi is very peculiar. Saintess, you still need to be cautious and not expend too much mental energy. After all, reaching Moon Gazing Cliff is the top priority."

Lin Feng slowly opened his eyes, wiped away the blood from the corner of his mouth, and met Yun Tianhe's gaze. His eyes were calm, yet held a hidden chill: "Thank you, Fairy, for your help again. Fellow Daoist Yun's reminder is noted."

Mu Yurou observed the invisible confrontation between the two and felt the aloofness in Lin Feng's tone, her heart inexplicably tightening.

She naively thought Lin Feng was bothered by Yun Tianhe's words and quickly said softly, "Senior doesn't need to be like this. Healing is important."

After a short rest, the fog grew thicker, and the group was just about to depart.

Suddenly, several dark figures, like specters, darted out from behind the strange rocks, heading straight for Mu Yurou.

"Protect the Fairy!" Yun Tianhe roared, drawing his sword first to meet the enemy. The Star River Sect Disciples also formed a Formation to resist, and the scene instantly became chaotic.

Lin Feng's eyes narrowed. The wine immortal gourd instantly appeared under his feet, pulling Mu Yurou behind him. Sword Qi surged, deflecting several fierce incoming attacks.

He immediately sensed something was wrong. Although the attackers' target was Mu Yurou, their offensive and coordination had an inexplicable tacit understanding with the Star River Sect Disciples' defensive Formation, as if they had rehearsed it beforehand.

During the fierce battle, Lin Feng deliberately paid attention to Yun Tianhe and the others' moves. He discovered that the spiritual energy circulation of both groups had a slight similarity.

This discovery greatly shocked Lin Feng.

Seeing that they couldn't break through, the opponents retreated into the thick fog.

Yun Tianhe walked over with a look of indignation, angrily saying, "These villains are truly detestable. It seems they've targeted the Saintess. Fortunately, we protected her with our lives, and the Saintess is unharmed."

Lin Feng remained calm, replying faintly, "Fellow Daoist Yun and your sect's Disciples handled it appropriately, with impressive coordination."

He deliberately emphasized the words "impressive coordination" and swept his gaze across Yun Tianhe.

"Just doing our duty, just doing our duty." A hint of unnatural stiffness flashed across Yun Tianhe's face. He then let out two dry laughs and walked away, waving his hand as he went.

Lin Feng walked over to Mu Yurou, who was washing a scratch on her hand by the stream, and handed her a Hemostatic Herb.

"Miss Mu, applying this will help."

Mu Yurou took the herb and smiled gratefully: "Thank you, Senior."

Lin Feng sat on a rock beside her, his gaze sweeping over Yun Tianhe and the others who were directing defenses not far away. He casually asked, "Miss Mu, are you familiar with the Star River Sect's Cultivation Technique?"

Mu Yurou looked up, a hint of purity in her eyes: "Not very familiar. I only know that the Star River Sect and my Bishui Palace have been allies for generations, both belonging to the water element lineage. Revered Master often says their Cultivation Technique is upright and peaceful."

"Upright and peaceful..." Lin Feng repeated thoughtfully, then asked, "Then what do you think of the aura of the Cultivation Technique used by those black-clothed figures just now?"

Mu Yurou recalled, her delicate brows slightly furrowed: "Their spiritual energy... felt very cold, carrying an uncomfortable Evil Qi, and their attacks were very ruthless, definitely not the work of the Righteous Path."

"That's a bit strange," Lin Feng guided her thoughts.

"The Star River Sect's Cultivation Technique that Fellow Daoist Yun and the others displayed, at first glance, indeed showed water-element spiritual light. But when I exchanged blows, I vaguely felt that their spiritual energy circulation seemed... quite similar to the Cultivation Technique of those black-clothed figures."

Mu Yurou's hand, applying the medicine, paused slightly: "Senior means...? How is that possible? The Star River Sect is a renowned righteous sect..."

Lin Feng didn't refute but instead pointed to a shallow area not far downstream in the creek: "Look at the traces on the riverbed over there."

Mu Yurou looked in the direction he pointed. With her keen perception of water currents, she vaguely saw signs of several pebbles at the bottom of the shallow area being freshly stepped on and displaced. The residual spiritual energy fluctuations were extremely faint, yet carried that familiar cold sensation.

"These traces... came from downstream?" Mu Yurou's face turned slightly pale.

"The attackers didn't intercept us from the front, but ambushed us from the flank, and then retreated precisely in this direction," Lin Feng's voice was calm.

"And the position where Fellow Daoist Yun and the others formed their defense, while seemingly protective, perfectly blocked other possible pursuit routes, as if... they already knew the enemy would retreat from here."

Mu Yurou was not foolish. All the previous doubts now connected with these objective clues.

Her pure eyes were filled with shock, confusion, and a hint of hurt from being deceived by someone she trusted.

She murmured, "Why... would they do this to me? Moon Gazing Cliff... Revered Master's entrustment..."

Lin Feng looked at her fragile expression, feeling a pang of pity, but knew he had to enlighten her.

"A treasure brings trouble. Miss Mu, they went to such great lengths; the 'important task' you bear is probably no small matter."

Mu Yurou's delicate body trembled slightly. She lowered her head, clenching the corner of her clothes tightly, her knuckles turning white from the effort.

Lin Feng's words were like a boulder thrown into her calm heart, stirring up huge waves, but she was still struggling internally, unwilling to easily accept that allies of her sect, whom she had befriended, harbored malicious intentions.

Lin Feng said nothing more, simply accompanying her in silence.

After a long while, Mu Yurou slowly raised her head and looked at Lin Feng, her voice very soft: "Senior... Yurou understands. I will be careful."

Lin Feng nodded slightly, knowing that she had taken his words to heart.

At this moment, Yun Tianhe, having arranged the alert, walked over: "Fairy, this place is not suitable for a long stay. Not far ahead is a small town, an asset of my Star River Sect, equipped with a Spirit Gathering Formation and a serene environment. We can rest there for a while before discussing the next itinerary, how about it?"

Mu Yurou nodded gently: "Thank you, Senior Brother Yun, for the arrangement."

Lin Feng naturally had no objection. He wanted to see what Yun Tianhe would do next.

In the evening, a small town, nestled against mountains and beside water, appeared before their eyes.

Yun Tianhe, familiar with the route, led everyone to an inn called "Yunlaiju" in the town. The innkeeper clearly recognized him and respectfully welcomed them into a secluded and elegant courtyard in the back.

The courtyard was indeed arranged with a simple Spirit Gathering Formation, and the Spiritual Qi was slightly richer than outside.

"Fairy, you must be tired from the journey. Please rest here first. I have instructed the innkeeper not to disturb you." Yun Tianhe's arrangements were thoughtful and meticulous. He then left with his Disciples, stating he was going to check the town's perimeter defenses.

Only Lin Feng and Mu Yurou remained in the small courtyard. After confirming that no one was around, Mu Yurou subtly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Senior, I observe that the Spiritual Qi in this courtyard seems a bit... stagnant." Mu Yurou frowned slightly.