26: Raymond Lam and Han Li

The blue Dragon phantom instantly charged forward, bringing with it a fishy wind, as if to tear Han Li into pieces!

Han Li's pupils constricted, and countless images flashed through his mind: the indifference in Doctor Mo's eyes during his Possession, the life-and-death struggles in the Black Forest, the smile of his good brother Li Feiyu, and even Lin Feng's understated blow against him.

Could it be that after enduring countless hardships and finally reaching this point, he was to end in such a way? To die at the hands of someone who relied on their Family to Cultivate? He was unwilling!

On the high platform, the Core Formation Cultivators of the Seven Sects saw this scene, yet not one of them chose to intervene. They all seemed to be watching with interest to see how Lu Yunfeng would act, or rather, how this Loose Cultivator, who didn't know his place, would be crushed.

Although the Ascension Gathering had rules, in the eyes of these high and mighty Core Formation Cultivators, minor “accidents” were completely acceptable, especially when the victim was just a Loose Cultivator with a Four Spiritual Root. Their Faces even showed a hint of cold indifference, as if watching a show.

Seeing this, Han Li's heart sank to the bottom. Was this the true Immortal Realm? The weak couldn't even be protected by rules.

The azure Dragon phantom was getting closer and closer; he could even feel the chilling killing intent assailing him. He subconsciously closed his eyes, his short sword emitting a faint glow, preparing to make his final resistance.

Just at this critical moment!

“Scram!”

A low roar, like a sudden clap of thunder, abruptly exploded above the arena.

Immediately after, a figure appeared before Han Li with lightning speed. The figure did not use any Magical Artifact, nor did he cast any Spell; he simply extended a hand.

A giant hand phantom appeared in the air, carrying an indescribable sense of oppression. It met the ferocious blue Dragon phantom, without any fancy Move, just a gentle grasp!

“Rip!”

A sound like silk being torn echoed, and everyone present watched in horror as the blue Dragon phantom, activated by a top-tier Magical Artifact, was actually crushed like a fragile piece of paper by that hand! It turned into specks of spiritual light and dissipated into the air.

Han Li suddenly opened his eyes, finding himself completely unharmed.

He turned his head and saw a familiar figure standing in front of him, with his back to him. The owner of that figure, dressed in a green robe, with his hair slightly fluttering in the airflow generated by the tearing of the Dragon phantom, and a stern profile, was none other than Lin Feng!

Lin Feng, who was below the stage, had already guessed what might happen next when Lu Yunfeng stood up.

In the original novel, Han Li did not fight with Lu Yunfeng at the Ascension Gathering. At this moment, Han Li, without a top-tier Magical Artifact, was no match for him at all.

And the reason Han Li was almost killed by Lu Yunfeng was that Lin Feng had previously seriously injured Lu Yunfeng, which led to him coincidentally encountering Han Li after he had recovered from his injuries. Lin Feng dared not gamble on what the System would do to him if Han Li died.

Therefore, after a moment of thought, he chose to befriend Han Li in Lin Feng's original appearance, which would provide more room for maneuver in pushing the main storyline later on.

Thus, the scene of Lin Feng saving Han Li appeared.

At the same time, before Lu Yunfeng could recover from the shock of his Magical Artifact being seriously injured again, on the high platform, Nangong Wan, who had been paying attention to Lin Feng, moved simultaneously with Lin Feng. Her cold gaze swept over Lu Yunfeng, and a hint of disgust flashed in her eyes.

“Presumptuous!”

Nangong Wan's voice was not loud, but it carried an irresistible pressure. She simply raised her slender jade hand and gently pressed it in Lu Yunfeng's direction.

There were no earth-shattering Spell fluctuations, nor dazzling spiritual light. Only an invisible pressure seemed to descend from the Void Realm, instantly pressing down on Lu Yunfeng.

“Thud!”

Lu Yunfeng felt as if a giant mountain was pressing on him; his legs went weak, and he immediately knelt on the ground. The spiritual light on his body was instantly suppressed and dimmed, and he couldn't even stand up, let alone resist. He tried to activate his protective Magic Treasure, but the spiritual power in his body seemed to be frozen, with no reaction.

“You... this Senior... I... I was wrong!” Lu Yunfeng's Face was pale, and he begged for mercy in terror. Only then did he remember that this person before him was an Elder of the Yanyue Sect, a Core Formation Cultivator, how could a Junior in the Qi Refinement Stage like him offend her?

On the high platform, the Core Formation Cultivators of the other six Sects finally reacted, a hint of awkwardness flashing across their Faces. They had indeed been watching the show just now, because Lu Yunfeng was originally the only mutant Heavenly Spiritual Root in this Ascension Gathering, and as long as he wasn't too excessive, they would generally turn a blind eye.

They just didn't expect Lin Feng and Nangong Wan to suddenly intervene and save a Loose Cultivator with a pseudo-Spiritual Root. Lin Feng's strength, which crushed Cultivators of the same stage, made them look sideways, while Nangong Wan's decisive action made them somewhat puzzled.

Lin Feng did not look at Lu Yunfeng, who was kneeling and begging for mercy. He turned around, faced the high platform, and slowly bowed to the Core Formation Cultivators of the Seven Sects.

“Junior Lin Feng, greetings to all Seniors.” His voice was neither humble nor arrogant, echoing above the square, “May I ask all Seniors, the Ascension Gathering has set a rule that one must not attack the tester before the test is completed. Now, this Lu Yunfeng, after others have completed their test, without waiting for them to leave, openly tried to kill. Why do all Seniors, sitting on the high platform, turn a blind eye to this?”

As soon as these words came out, the entire venue fell silent. Everyone looked at the Core Formation Cultivators on the high platform, and then at Lin Feng, who stood tall and straight on the arena. A Loose Cultivator in the Qi Refinement Stage (at least on the surface), dared to publicly question the Core Formation Elders of the Seven Sects? Was this not too bold!

The Core Formation Cultivators on the high platform all looked a bit embarrassed. Although Lin Feng's words carried the respect of a Junior, every word hit them where it hurt. They had indeed been watching the show just now, or rather, they felt that if a Heavenly Spiritual Root Disciple killed a Loose Cultivator with a Four Spiritual Root, it was just that, not worth their intervention.

But Lin Feng's questioning forced them to Face the fact: they had indeed been derelict in their duty, and it was in plain sight.

The white-haired old Daoist from Huangfeng Valley coughed lightly, breaking the silence.

“Ahem... Lu Yunfeng's action indeed violated the rules of the Gathering.” He slowly spoke, his voice carrying a hint of authority, “Junior Sister Nangong, perhaps Lu Yunfeng can be handed over to our Huangfeng Valley for disposal. As for this young friend...” He looked at Lin Feng, a hint of scrutiny flashing in his eyes, “Thank you, young friend, for your righteous intervention, saving this Loose Cultivator and preventing us from making a big mistake.”

He did not directly answer Lin Feng's question, but rather glossed over the matter. After all, it was absolutely impossible for these Core Formation mighty figures to publicly admit their dereliction of duty.

Lin Feng sneered inwardly. These old fellows were indeed bureaucratic, avoiding the important and dwelling on the trivial. But he didn't intend to delve deeper; his goal had been achieved. He made the Seven Sects lose Face in front of everyone, and also made Han Li more grateful to him.

He bowed slightly to the white-haired old Daoist again, then turned his head and looked at Nangong Wan. Nangong Wan was currently coldly looking at Lu Yunfeng, who was begging for mercy. Hearing the white-bearded old man's words, she frowned slightly and did not respond.

Lin Feng also cupped his hands to Nangong Wan, without any extra words, but his eyes conveyed a hint of gratitude. Without Nangong Wan's intervention, he probably wouldn't have been able to escape so easily.

Nangong Wan also returned a barely perceptible nod, then took Lu Yunfeng and flew towards the high platform.

Lin Feng no longer lingered. He walked to Han Li's side and patted his shoulder.

“Let's go, Fellow Daoist, it's alright now.”

Han Li had just recovered from the shock of his near-death experience and the disappointment of his Four Spiritual Root. He looked at Lin Feng, his eyes filled with gratitude.

“Thank you... this Senior Brother for your help.” He thanked him sincerely.

Lin Feng thought to himself that there would be plenty of opportunities to receive his gratitude in the future, but on his Face, he wore a gentle smile.

“As fellow Loose Cultivators, I know that Cultivating to this point is truly not easy.” He helped Han Li up and led him off the arena, “Although the Ascension Gathering is the only shortcut for Loose Cultivators to make a name for themselves, there is always a glimmer of hope in everything in this world.”