147: The desire to become stronger

After the Bai family members took Su Yuetang away, the deliberation hall was dead silent, the lingering Martial Emperor pressure still making everyone feel suffocated.

Qin Feng stood in place, his face so grim it looked like it could drip water. His fists were clenched tightly, knuckles white from the excessive force, his body trembling slightly from extreme anger and unwillingness.

This feeling of powerlessness wasn't just because Su Yuetang, a friend who usually took great care of him and with whom he shared a subtle affection, was forcibly taken away. Deeper than that, it was a profound humiliation stemming from his own insufficient strength! He was no longer the naive nobody he once was, easily manipulated. He had already advanced to Martial King, possessed a Heaven-Defying intelligence System, and believed his potential was limitless and his future bright. But when truly facing an old-guard powerhouse of the Martial Emperor level, especially when the opponent unreasonably used their power to suppress others, his meager strength and potential seemed so pale and ridiculous in the face of absolute power disparity!

"Martial Emperor... Martial Emperor!" Qin Feng roared silently in his heart, an unprecedented desire to become stronger burning like a wildfire within him.

"Brother Qin Feng..." Xiao Chun carefully stepped forward, gently tugging at his sleeve, her large eyes filled with worry and heartache. She could feel the suppressed emotions in Qin Feng, almost ready to explode.

On the other side, Ji Ruxue was almost completely exhausted, drenched in cold sweat. She had just faced the terrifying killing intent of a Mid to Late Stage Martial Emperor, relying solely on her instinct to protect Qin Feng and the assassin's tenacious will. Now that the crisis was over, the intense feeling of exhaustion and mental shock left her face as pale as paper, but she still stood stubbornly, her eyes cold, filled with an extreme craving for power.

Hua Qianying watched this scene, sighed softly, shook her head, and murmured, "Imperial Capital... Bai family..." Her tone carried a hint of helplessness and deep apprehension.

Pavilion Master Yue Long looked at the mess in the hall and everyone's grim faces, a layer of frost covering her elegant features. She walked up to Qin Feng, her voice carrying a trace of imperceptible apology and determination: "Qin Feng, for what happened today, it is because my Hundred Flowers Pavilion is weak that you were wronged. The Bai family... my Hundred Flowers Pavilion will remember this today! One day, we will surely repay this!"

Her words were resolute, but when that "one day" would come seemed so heavy and distant. She knew the gap between the Hundred Flowers Pavilion and a powerful Imperial Capital clan like the Bai family. This was more like an unwilling vow, a humiliation that must be remembered.

Yue Long said no more, taking Hua Qianying with her. Their figures transformed into streaks of light and disappeared outside the deliberation hall. She needed to return to headquarters as soon as possible; today's events required reassessment and early planning.

Only Qin Feng, Xiao Chun, Ji Ruxue, and Zhao Mang, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, remained in the hall.

Subsequently, before leaving, Pavilion Master Yue Long officially announced with the Pavilion Master's Order:

Promoting the former Vice Pavilion Master Zhao Mang to the new Branch Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion's West Lake City branch, fully responsible for all affairs of the branch.

Promoting Elder Qin Feng to Vice Pavilion Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion's West Lake City branch, assisting Zhao Mang in managing the branch, and possessing great autonomy.

This appointment was not only an affirmation of Zhao Mang's diligent work over the years but also a great recognition of Qin Feng's status and potential... Night, in the Green Bamboo Courtyard.

Qin Feng called Ji Ruxue and Xiao Chun to his meditation room. Their emotions had not yet fully calmed.

Qin Feng looked at them, his gaze calm and sharp, getting straight to the point: "Do you... want to become stronger?"

Xiao Chun nodded vigorously, her eyes firm: "Yes! I don't want to see Brother Qin Feng and everyone else get bullied again!"

Although Ji Ruxue didn't speak, the sharp light that suddenly ignited in her icy eyes said it all.

Qin Feng stopped wasting words and directly took out the rubbings scroll of the Four Symbols Battle Array, slowly unfolding it before the two women.

"This is an ancient battle array, the Four Symbols Battle Array," Qin Feng's voice was low and powerful. "It requires four people to cooperate and draw upon the power of the four cardinal constellations. The Secret Manual states that if executed by four Late-stage Grand Martial Masters with synchronized minds, they can contend with a Martial King! If executed by four Late Stage Martial Kings... they can even contend with a Martial Emperor!"

"Contend with a Martial King? Confront a Martial Emperor?!" Xiao Chun covered her small mouth, her eyes filled with shock.

Ji Ruxue's cold face also showed intense emotion for the first time.

Qin Feng pointed to the illustrations on the scroll: "This array is divided into the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and xuanwu positions. The Azure Dragon primarily governs vitality bursts, the White Tiger governs sharp killing intent, the Vermilion Bird governs agile speed, and the Xuanwu governs stable defense. The four must have interconnected Qi, synchronized steps, and integrate offense and defense..."

He explained the essence of the Formation, then looked at the two women: "Xiao Chun, you possess the Myriad Medicine Body, with abundant vitality, so you can try the Azure Dragon position, in charge of Qi channels and recovery. Sister Xue, your movement technique is superb, and you are skilled at harassment, so the Vermilion Bird position is undoubtedly yours. I will primarily handle offense, so I should take the White Tiger position. It's just... the xuanwu position, which governs defense, and the last partner who can be of one mind with us and is worthy of trust, I am still searching for."

Xiao Chun and Ji Ruxue looked at the profound array diagram, and a light of hope ignited in their eyes. If they could master this array, the humiliation of today might not be without a time for retribution!

...Late at night, in the quiet of the night, Qin Feng meditated alone, waiting for the System to refresh.

[Ding! The zi hour has arrived! Daily intelligence has been refreshed!]

[Today's Intelligence:]

[Green Intelligence: After the Cao Gang was raided, a batch of undiscovered Treasure Trove, worth approximately 200,000 gold coins, is still hidden in a secret compartment beneath Warehouse No. 3 at the dock.]

[Green Intelligence: In the home of the reclusive Great Master of Formations 'Daoist Chang He' in the city, there is a copy of his life's work, "Detailed Explanation of Basic Formations," which is of great help in understanding and Cultivating Formations.]

[Blue Intelligence: In the secret compartment of the study's hidden room in the sealed mansion of Vice City Lord Situ Ming, there is a uniquely shaped 'Star Key' and a parchment scroll recording the complete formula for 'emperor extermination powder.' (emperor extermination powder is the poison Situ Ming previously attempted to use to poison City Lord Xuanyuan)]

Looking at the information on the panel, Qin Feng's eyes gleamed.