52: Forging a bond

Lin Feng lowered his head, looking at Han Yunzhi, who was crying with a tear-stained face, yet exuding a pitiful charm.

The System's cold notification echoed in his mind: "Host, would you like to form a bond with the bonded character [Han Yunzhi]?"

His heart, at this moment, rippled with a strange sensation.

Towards Mo Fengwu, it was a love that grew over time, a mutual support in the Mortal World, an intertwining of responsibility and affection.

But towards Han Yunzhi, it was more of a pity, a protective urge to step forward in her most desperate moment, and the touch brought by her current unreserved reliance.

This emotion, though different from his deep affection for Phoenix Dance, was genuinely present.

He could feel Han Yunzhi's heart, completely open to him at this moment, pure and fervent.

"Form," Lin Feng muttered in his mind.

"Ding! Host has successfully formed a bond with the bonded character [Han Yunzhi]!"

"[Han Yunzhi] Current Bond Rank: Infatuated (100/100)."

As the System's notification faded, Lin Feng clearly felt that an invisible, mysterious connection had formed between him and the girl in his arms.

At the same time, Han Yunzhi, who had only been tightly hugging Lin Feng for warmth and safety, trembled slightly.

An unprecedented feeling surged into her heart.

It was as if a voice from the unknown told her that this man before her was her fated destiny in this life, someone to whom she could entrust everything.

The gratitude, reliance, and vague affection she had felt earlier due to surviving the ordeal, at this instant, were like flames ignited by a catalyst, rapidly rising, transforming into fervent and pure love.

She could clearly perceive Lin Feng's kindness towards her, and even vaguely sense the pity and a hint of a different kind of affection in his heart for her.

This perception instantly calmed her heart, which had been chaotic with shyness and excitement, replacing it with an unprecedented courage and impulse.

Han Yunzhi slowly lifted her head, her tear-stained face looking at Lin Feng with dazed, watery apricot eyes.

In her eyes, there was no longer just gratitude and reliance, but also the nascent feelings of a young girl and an intense, melting love.

She saw her tear-stained face clearly reflected in Lin Feng's deep eyes, his gaze gentle, with a hint of inquiry, and a reassuring inclusiveness.

It was this gaze!

At this moment, all modesty and hesitation were thrown to the winds.

Han Yunzhi stood on her tiptoes, slightly raising her fair neck, her delicate, trembling red lips, still wet with tears, actively moving towards Lin Feng.

Lin Feng was slightly startled, looking at the unmistakable expectation and determination in the girl's eyes, and the softest part of his heart felt as if it had been gently touched.

He did not dodge, but followed his inner desire, slowly lowering his head.

The moment their lips met, Han Yunzhi's delicate body trembled as if she had been electrocuted, an indescribable tingling sensation spreading from her lips throughout her entire body.

Her kiss was clumsy and inexperienced, yet carried a reckless passion.

Lin Feng felt this innocence and fervor, and his pity grew stronger; he responded gently, guiding her.

Lips and tongues intertwined, their breaths mingling together.

Han Yunzhi felt her mind go blank, all her thoughts occupied by this sudden intimate contact.

Subconsciously, she wrapped her arms more tightly around Lin Feng's neck, as if to melt herself into his body.

Lin Feng's hands, which had only been lightly resting on her waist, now unconsciously began to roam over her exquisitely curving figure.

The smoothness and astonishing elasticity of the girl's skin, transmitted through her thin clothing to his palms, caused his mind to waver slightly.

The mountain wind still blew, carrying a hint of blood, but it did not affect the intimacy within this small space.

After an unknown amount of time, until Han Yunzhi felt she was about to suffocate and her cheeks were so hot they seemed to burn, Lin Feng slightly pulled back, ending the long and passionate kiss.

"Hoo... hoo..." Han Yunzhi gasped for breath, her pretty face flushed crimson, her eyes hazy and glistening with tears, not daring to look at Lin Feng again, burying her head deep into his chest.

The courage that had appeared from nowhere earlier now receded like a tide, leaving only boundless shyness and sweetness.

"Lin... Senior Lin..." Her voice was as soft as a mosquito, carrying a hint of the panic and joy of a first taste of forbidden fruit.

Lin Feng gently stroked her soft hair, feeling her rapid heartbeat, and softly said, "Silly girl, with me here from now on, you don't need to worry about anything."

His voice was gentle and steady, carrying a convincing power.

Han Yunzhi buried her head in his embrace, nodding vigorously, her lips unconsciously curving upwards into a happy and contented smile.

Yes, with him here, what did she have to fear?

"Oh, right, Miss Han," Lin Feng mused for a moment, then spoke, "Your Senior Brother Han Longgen, when I arrived earlier, he had already been caught and killed by the Giant Sword Sect."

Han Yunzhi's delicate body trembled, and a complex look flashed in her eyes.

There was sadness, disappointment, and also a hint of relief.

Although Han Longgen had abandoned her in a moment of crisis, he was still a Senior Brother from the same Family, having grown up together, so it was false to say there was no affection at all.

But his actions had indeed chilled her heart to the core.

"I... I know," Han Yunzhi's voice was a bit low. After a moment, she took a deep breath, and her eyes became clear again, "Thank you, Senior Lin, for informing me."

Lin Feng saw her expression and knew she understood, continuing, "I still have some matters to handle within this Blood Forbidden Ground. It's not suitable to stay here for long, and I'm not at ease leaving you here alone."

Hearing this, Han Yunzhi's heart tightened, and she quickly said, "Where is Senior Lin going? Yunzhi... Yunzhi will go with you!"

She was afraid Lin Feng would leave again, leaving her behind alone.

Lin Feng looked at her anxious expression and smiled slightly, "The place I'm going might be a bit dangerous, and bringing you along would be inconvenient. However, once I finish my business, I will leave this Blood Forbidden Ground."

He paused, then asked, "What are your plans next? Will you return to the Spirit Beast Sect?"

Hearing this, Han Yunzhi's expression darkened, and she gently shook her head, "Spirit Beast Sect... I don't want to go back."

The indifference of her Family and the betrayal of her Senior Brother left her with no lingering attachment to that place.

"Then..." Lin Feng mused, "Are you willing to accompany me to Huangfeng Valley for cultivation?"

"Huangfeng Valley?" Han Yunzhi's beautiful eyes lit up, then she hesitated, "But... I'm not a Disciple of Huangfeng Valley, will they take me in?"

Lin Feng smiled, "You don't need to worry about this; I have my own arrangements."

"I... I am willing!" Han Yunzhi nodded heavily with almost no hesitation, the light of hope rekindled in her eyes, "Yunzhi will follow all of Senior Lin's arrangements!"

As long as she could be by Senior Lin's side, she was willing to go anywhere.

"Good," Lin Feng nodded with satisfaction, "Then you wait for me here for a few days. I will set up a Formation to protect this place, so no Yao Beasts or Cultivators will disturb you. Once I finish my business, I will come back to find you."

As he spoke, Lin Feng took out a Formation Plate from his Storage Pouch.

Although his Formation attainments were not high now, among the Formations exchanged in the System, there were many simple ones to operate, and Lin Feng was more than capable of setting them up.

Han Yunzhi stood obediently to the side, watching Lin Feng skillfully insert Formation Flags into the ground around them, his technique profound, making her look on with admiration.

Senior Lin knows everything. He's truly amazing!

Soon, as Lin Feng cast the final spell, a faint halo flashed on the mountaintop and then disappeared, as if nothing had happened.

"Alright, this Formation is enough to protect you," Lin Feng clapped his hands and said to Han Yunzhi.

He then took out another Storage Pouch and handed it to Han Yunzhi, "Inside are some Medicinal Pills for healing, some Bigu Pills, and some Spirit Stones. Also, this is specially prepared for your two Spirit Beasts."

Han Yunzhi took the Storage Pouch, and her Divine Sense probed inside, causing her to let out a soft gasp.

Inside the Storage Pouch, in addition to the Medicinal Pills and Spirit Stones Lin Feng mentioned, there were two small bottles of emerald green liquid emitting a rich Spiritual Qi, and two pigeon-egg-sized pills emitting a unique fragrance.

"That liquid is for healing, it can help your two Golden-backed Demon Mantises recover quickly. As for those two pills, they are 'Beast Spirit Pills,' enough to help them Breakthrough their Bottleneck and advance to the Rank Two Yao Beast level," Lin Feng explained.

These two small wolves were Han Yunzhi's capable assistants; enhancing their strength would provide an extra layer of security for Han Yunzhi's safety in the future.

"Rank Two Yao Beasts!" Han Yunzhi was both surprised and delighted. She naturally knew the value of these Beast Spirit Pills; even a Foundation Establishment Stage manager of the Spirit Beast Sect might not easily be able to produce them.

"Senior Lin, this is too precious..." Han Yunzhi felt a bit embarrassed.

Lin Feng waved his hand and smiled, "Between you and me, there's no need for formalities. The stronger they are, the safer you'll be."

"Thank you, Senior Lin!" Han Yunzhi's heart was filled with gratitude and sweetness. She knew that Lin Feng was truly considering her.

"Wait here patiently, and do not leave the Formation's range casually," Lin Feng reiterated, "If there's an emergency, crush this Jade Talisman, and I'll be able to sense it."

He then handed Han Yunzhi a light green Jade Talisman.

Han Yunzhi solemnly took it, gripping it tightly in her hand, "Yunzhi will remember."

Lin Feng looked deeply at her, seeing her calm expression, with a hint of anticipation and reluctance in her brows. His heart stirred, and he reached out to gently smooth her hair, which had been ruffled by the wind.

"Wait for me to return."

After speaking, he no longer lingered, his figure flickering, transforming into a green rainbow, and shooting towards the deeper parts of the Blood Forbidden Ground.

Han Yunzhi stood on the mountaintop, gazing dazedly at the green rainbow as it disappeared into the sky, unwilling to look away for a long time.

The mountain wind rustled her clothes and skirt.

She gripped the Storage Pouch and Jade Slip in her hand, feeling the lingering aura of his presence on them, her heart filled with an unprecedented sense of happiness.

"Senior Lin..." she whispered softly, a brilliant smile appearing on her face, "Yunzhi will wait for you to return."

...

Meanwhile, Lin Feng's Escape Light was swift, his Divine Sense spreading out, carefully sensing the Spiritual Qi fluctuations around him.

"Nangong Wan... according to the original plot, she should be in the core area of this Forbidden Ground, having entered the central hall..."

As he flew, he recalled the plot details.

The Blood Forbidden Ground was vast, and trying to find one person within it was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

However, he had the vague sense provided by the System, which allowed him to roughly determine Nangong Wan's possible location.

"System, can you be more precise?" Lin Feng asked in his mind.

Ding! Bonded character [Nangong Wan] is currently in a special state, making location lock-on more difficult.

"So useless..." Lin Feng muttered to himself.

It seemed he could only rely on his Divine Sense to search slowly.